HOOPOES 



39 



ant-heaps, in holes excavated by an ant-bear in search of 

 its food. 



The eggs are very pale blue when first laid, but become 

 a dirty pale brownish-colour when addled ; from three to 

 five form the clutch. 



South African Hoopoe. 



The Wood Hoopoes (Irrisoridce) are represented in South 

 Africa by two well-marked species, the first of which is the 

 Red-billed Wood Hoopoe or Kakelaar (Chatterer) {Irrisor 

 viridis). In Grahamstown it is often called the Monkey- 

 bird, probably also on account of its chattering, noisy 

 habits. 



