136 A HANDBOOK OF EUROPEAN BIRDS. 
bright ved; rest of under parts glossy green ; bill black; legs 
dark brown; irides crimson. JLength 11 inches; culmen 1°5; 
wing 6°5; tail (outer featherS¥ 3°75, central pair 6°4; tarsus 
eB | 
oun Much darker above, many of the feathers having 
light margins, central tail-feathers very little longer than rest ; 
blue on head very faint ; chin buffish; throat russet ; under 
parts generally paler, especially on abdomen. 
Distribution : Summer visitant to North-eastern Africa, 
and South-western Asia, occurring also sometimes in Southern 
Igurope ; winters in Southern Africa. 
Habitat: Similar to WZ. apiaster. 
Family UPUPID. 
Genus UPUPA. 
HOOPOE. \/ 
Upupa epops Lznn. 
Adult Male: Head rufous, crest considerable, the feathers 
tipped with black and some banded with white ; nape, centre. 
of back and scapulars pale rufous; rump white ; Zaz/ black, 
crossed by a broad white band in the middle ; wings black, 
barred with white ; throat and chest pale brown, with vinous 
tinge ; lower breast and abdomen white, striped on flanks with 
brown ; bill black, flesh-coloured at base beneath; legs and 
feet dark brown; irides pale brown. Length 12 inches ; cul- 
men 2°25 wing 5°38; tail4; tarsus ©7775. 
Adult Female: Similar, but black parts browner. 
Young in first plumage: Are very like adults, but 
have considerably shorter bills, and the under parts are 
paler. 
Distribution : Summer visitant to most of temperate por- 
tions of the Palearctic region, wintering in Central Africa and 
India. 
' Habitat: Woods, gardens, fields, &c. 
ee 
