Ornithology of the Var ^c. 387 



Roller. Coracias yarrulus. 



Jaubert and M. Cavaleadt both mention C. garndas, of 

 which there is also a fair example in the Cannes Museum, and 

 Mr. Clarke saw one in the Bouches du Rhone. It is perhaps 

 not generally known that these birds include small frogs and 

 locusts in their bill of fare, while on one occasion I met 

 with four very large beetles in the stomach. They would 

 probably be the last of the irregular spring migrants. 



Hoopoe. Upvpa epops. 



True to its appropriate Gibraltar name of " March Cock/' 

 La Huppe was first seen by my son on the 29th of that 

 month, Crespon, so familiar with all his native birds^ 

 thought it to be the cock only Avhich gave utterance to the 

 re^on.2i\ii poll, pou, pou, — sounds to be heard a very long way 

 off in a still wood ; but probably the female (as is the case 

 with Cuciilus canorus) has a cry of her own, less loud and 

 noticeable. To some ears this '^ pou, pou " is a note even 

 sweeter than the Cuckoo's, which indeed it may Avell be ! 

 U. epops has a very small tongue compared with most birds; 

 this may have something to do with its cry, which, when 

 heard for the first time, is certainly very singular ; and it is 

 said to have a dilatable oesophagus, which may further assist. 

 It is very fond of worms. The Arabs call it Hud Hud, not 

 a bad rendering of tlie call, but I never heard that the French 

 ascribe to it the same medicinal virtues which Mahomedans 

 are said to do. 



Hoopoes are not common at Valescure, but a pair were 

 beginning to nest in some farm premises, probably under 

 the eaves, where they had bred once before. The result 

 Ave left too early to know, which, for the sake of my nose, 

 was not to be regretted. At the mouth of the Rhone 

 Mr. Clarke found them surprisingly abundant, which makes 

 it the more curious that they are not commoner in the Var, 

 where the French proverb " sale comme une huppe," in 

 allusion to the nest, can certainly not have originated. 



Cuckoo. Cuculus canorus. 



First heard as early as March 6th. Its parasitic habits 



