BIRDS OF THE WOODS 39 



on breast and belly markings arrow-headed in shape. 

 Tail ashy brown, mottled with black, and barred with 

 black and buff. Bill and legs horn-brown. Length 7 in. 

 Female : upper parts tipped with sandy brown and 

 narrowly barred with black ; wings sandy brown ; 

 smaller than male, and bill shorter. Young more 

 heavily barred on the under parts. 



Language, — A sharp rapid whistle, like " qui-qui-qui," 

 rather like the Kestrel but not so loud. Alarm-cry, 

 " tuck/' or " kuck." 



Habits. — It is a difficult bird to observe, on account 

 of its wariness and unobtrusive plumage, and it is far 

 more often heard than seen. It darts out its long 

 exsertile tongue and hisses like a snake (hence Snake- 

 bird). When disturbed on its nest it contorts its head 

 in a most surprising manner, erects its crest and hisses. 

 If forcibly removed from nest hole it may feign death. 

 Flight wild and erratic. It shuffles up tree-trunks 

 somewhat like the true Woodpeckers. On the ground 

 it hops jerkily, often using the wings at the same time. 

 Often called " Cuckoo's mate," on account of its punctual 

 appearance each year shortly before that bird. 



Food. — Ants, chiefly taken with its long snake-like 

 tongue, which is coated with an adhesive secretion ; 

 also other insects and berries. 



Nest. — May. One brood. 



Site. — In hole in a tree-trunk, often near the foot of the 

 tree. It does not excavate the hole itself. 



Materials. — None. 



Eggs. — Six to ten. Pure white, and glossy. 



HOOPOE [Upupaepops). 



A regular spring migrant in small numbers to our 

 southern and eastern districts. It has nested with us. 



