64 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. 



TENUIROSTRES. 



81. Upupa minor, Shaw. South-African Hoopoe. 



Upupa cristatella, VieiUot's Gal. des Ois. pi. 184. 



Upupa minor, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Contr. Om. 1852, 



p. 155. 



Layard's Cat. No. 118. 



Upupa africana, Finsch & Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 200. 

 Upupa minor, Sharpe's Cat. No. 80. 



This species is very abundant in Damara Land during 

 the wet season, but gradually disappears with the return 

 of the hot weather, though a few individuals remain 

 throughout the year ; it is also common at Lake Ngami. 

 When it first arrives in Damara Land it is seen in 

 straggling flocks, which soon, more or less, disperse ; yet 

 a number of individuals are often found in close prox- 

 imity, leading a person unacquainted with the habits of 

 the bird to believe that it is really gregarious; it is, 

 however, most frequently found singly. This species, to 

 some extent, seeks its food (which consists of insects) 

 upon the ground ; but, like the Bee-eater, it will also 

 watch for and pounce upon its prey from some com- 

 manding position. Besides frequenting the ground in 

 search of food, it also loves to dust itself in the sand. 

 When in a state of rest the crest of this bird is generally 

 recumbent ; but on the least excitement it is alternately 

 elevated and depressed, not rapidly, but in a graceful 

 manner, with deliberation and ease. 



In Damara Land the Hoopoe is not very difficult to 

 approach within range ; yet there is some difficulty in 



