85 



TENUIROSTRES. 



fur the sake of their long shoots. The rotting siuniiiits of 

 the aged tniiiks of these trees are visited by flocks, which 

 tind in them an abundant sujiply of insects. The nest 

 is made of a few stalks of grass mixed with feathers, and 

 is placed in the hole of a tree ; the eggs, six or eight in 

 number, are of a pale lavender-grey colour. The Hoopoe 

 likewise feeds on grubs and worms ; hence, in Egypt, it 

 follows the retreat of the Nile, where the neighbouring 

 })lains swarm w4th insect life ; it also frequents ploughed 

 lands and ptusture ground, like the Crows. Great numbers 

 are constantly to be found about the towns and villages 

 of Egypt, v/liere they become very familiar with man, and 

 ])uild theii' nests in the immediate vicinity of his habita- 

 tions. 



