no LOST AND VANISHING BIRDS 



wide distribution, extending from Denmark in the 

 west to Japan in the east, and from South Sweden 

 and Central Asia to tropical Africa, India, and 

 South China. It is found in suitable localities 

 throughout Central and Southern Europe, and is 

 very common in all Mediterranean countries and 

 the Canary and adjoining islands. The Hoopoe is 

 a summer visitor to Europe, arriving from Febru- 

 ary onwards, and usually reaching the south of 

 England in April. The return passage takes place 

 during August, September, and October. Its 

 favourite haunts in Europe are well - cultivated 

 districts, the fields on the borders of woods, and the 

 more open parts of forest lands ; but in Algeria I 

 found it dwelling on the bare hillsides, as well as 

 in the palm-studded oases, where the Arabs let it 

 run about outside their houses and tents without 

 any attempt to molest it. It Ls an active, graceful 

 little bird, and may often be watched strutting 

 about in quest of food on the dunghill or newly- 

 tilled land. In its summer quarters in Europe it 

 shows much more partiality for cover than in its 

 winter ones in Africa. Its note is a hollow, deep, 

 and full-sounding iwo-poo-poo, or hoop-ltoop-hoo]), 

 capable of being heard for a long distance. Its 

 principal food consists of insects, worms, and grubs. 



