THE WOBLD'S BIRDS. 6l 



Hoopoes (UpiipidcB). 



Diagnosis. — Perching birds, with long, slender bills, 

 broad wings, and short legs^ with three toes in front 

 and a smaller hind-toe. 



Size. — From that of a dove to that of a lark. 



Form. — Bill long, slender, more or less curved down, 

 with the corner of mouth under front of eye, and 

 the tongue very short ; feet with short shanks 

 and three toes in front, nearly free, and a hind-toe 

 shorter than the rest, but well developed ; wings 

 short, but broad and rounded ; tail medium or long. 



Plumage and Colouration. — Chiefly black-and-white, 

 combined with sandy-brown in the typical 

 Hoopoes ; no sex -difference or seasonal change, 

 and young like adults or differing but little. 



Young. — Naked and helpless, with soft expanded skin 

 at corners of mouth. 



Nest. — In a hole, scantily-lined and ill-smelling. 



Eggs. — Several ; greenish- white or sea-green ; un- 

 spotted. 



Incubation. — Sixteen days in the Common Hoopoe. 



Courtship. — In the Common Hoopoe {Upupa epops) 

 the male erects his crest, as he does also when 

 afraid or angry. 



Food. — Insects, and other small invertebrates. 



Gait. — In the true Hoopoes a mincing walk like a 

 pigeon's ; they perch at times ; the Kakelaars, or 

 Wood-hoopoes, are entirely tree-birds, and climb 

 about the trunks and boughs like Woodpeckers. 



Flight. — Light and easy^ but not fast, performed in 

 an undulating manner ; in the Common Hoopoe 

 the neck is drawn in and the feet tucked up in 

 front, and the crest lies so flat that it is not notice- 

 able ; this bird escapes from hawks with ease. 



Note. — A soft hoot in ordinary Hoopoes, or a jarring 

 sound ; the Wood -hoopoes cackle noisily. 



