310 CERTHID^. 



has been seen, the announcement is invariably accom- 

 panied by the name of the ,person who has obtained an 

 undignified notoriety by shooting it. The season at 

 wliich it is seen in this country is usually autumn, 

 though a few instances have occurred of its having bred 

 with us. In the south of Europe and north of Africa 

 it is of common occurrence as a summer visitor, but 

 migrates southwards in autumn. Its English name is 



THE HOOPOE. 



evidently derived from the French "Huppe," a word 

 which also denotes "a crest," the most striking character- 

 istic of the bird. It is called also in France " Puput," a 

 word coined, perhaps, to denote the noise of disgust which 

 one naturally makes at encountering an unpleasant odour, 

 this, it is said, being the constant accompaniment of its 

 nest, which is always found in a filthy condition, owing 

 to the neglect of" the parent birds in failing to remove 



