46 EGYPTIAN BIRDS 



friends for the good we presume they possess, and 

 there is much that is good in this perky little bird. 

 Time was, it is said, when the Hoopoe had no 

 crest, and he only got one granted by royal favour. 

 The king of those days was importing a new bride 

 from Asia, and decided to have her met at the port 

 on the Red Sea where she landed, with unusual 

 pomp. His army was to go down and escort her 

 to the royal city, and all the birds of the air were 

 instructed also to wait her arrival and form a flying 

 sunshade with their wings, and fan the air with 

 their pinions, whilst all should fill the heavens 

 with their sweet songs — and thus she should come. 

 The birds agreed, all but the Hoopoe. He objected, 

 he knew something about the lady, and he wouldn't 

 consent to go. Saying he would rather not, he flew 

 away to a cave in some far-away mountain in the 

 desert. When the king heard of this he was very 

 wroth. Anyhow, he had the culprit sent for, and 

 now the poor Hoopoe is brought before his enraged 

 majesty, but so bravely did he comport himself, and 

 so well did he defend his position, showing that if 

 he did that for which he had conscientious objec- 

 tions, he would suffer grave moral and intellectual 

 damage, and therefore it was with all respect he 

 begged to be excused. His Majesty was so amazed 



