HOOPOR. 25 
sued to the death at its first appearance. In Sussex, a pair 
built at Southwick, near Shoreham, and reared three young, 
and another pair close to the house at Park- End, near Chi- 
chester, in the same county. Montagu mentions that a pair 
in Hampshire forsook a nest which they had begun; and Dr. 
Latham had a young bird sent to him on the 10th. of May, 
1786. In 1841, a pair built near Dorking, in Surrey, but 
the eggs were taken. A pair also frequented a garden near 
Tooting, in the same county, in the summer of 1888. 
The Hoopoe is a migratory bird, at least to some extent, 
and one has been met with, seemingly unfatigued, half-way 
across the Atlantic. It appears, however, that some of them 
do not change their quarters, while others do; and it is also 
related that the latter do not associate with the former when 
they arrive among them: their ‘Travellers’ club’ being, like its 
London namesake, an exclusive one, save for such as have 
visited foreign parts. They migrate by night, and move singly 
or in pairs, ‘unless the young brood follows close in the rear 
of its parents.’ They move but slowly im their peregrinations, 
attracted probably by the presence of food. 
These birds pass much of their time on the ground in search 
of food, which, however, they also take among the branches 
of trees, and seem to prefer low moist situations near woods. 
They are said to fight furiously among themselves, but, as 
most quarrelsome people are, to be at the same time very 
cowardly, crouching to the ground im a paroxysm of terror, 
with wings and tail extended, at sight of a Hawk, or even 
a Crow. “They are very shy also at the appearance of mankind. 
These birds are easily tamed when young, and follow their 
owner about. “Ihe greatest difficulty in preserving them during 
confinement, arises from their beaks becoming too dry at the 
tip, and splitting in consequence, whereby the birds are 
starved, from their inability to take their food.’ 
The flight of the Hoopoe is low and undulated, and the 
crest 1s kept erect or lowered at the pleasure of the bird, 
as it is excited or not. It is said to perch low. Its walk 
is described as something of a strut, and it keeps nodding 
its head, as if vain of its gay top- -knot. 
Their food consists of beetles, other insects, and caterpillars; 
superfluous food they hide, and resort to again when hungry. 
The note, from whence the name of the bird, resembles 
the word ‘hoop, hoop, hoop,’ ‘long drawn out,’ yet quickly, 
like the ‘gentle coomg of the Dove.’ It has also another 
