BEE-EATERS, ROLLERS, AND DRONGOS 147 



pair of them will remain for some months in a garden. 

 They do not, however, remain to nest, but take their 

 departure on the onset of the hot weather. In those 

 parts of the country in which they abound, the 

 common Indian hoopoes, Upupa indica, are among 

 the most attractive features in a garden, as they pace 

 lightly about over the ground, probing the surface 

 carefully as they go, and every now and then pausing 

 to dig vigorously with the tips of their long slender 

 beaks. They have a peculiarly light, slow, undulating 

 flight, and look more like great butterflies than birds 

 as they flap their way along close to the surface, and 

 rising and falling over the tops of the low trees and 

 shrubs that lie in their course. They are ordinarily 

 rather shy birds, and show signs of anxiety and 

 restlessness whenever aware of notice. Whilst en- 

 gaged in digging, however, they become so fully 

 absorbed in their task, that it is easy to approach 

 them closely. Whilst walking about or digging, they 

 keep their crests fully depressed, but on the faintest 

 alarm, and also on first alighting, they elevate them 

 to the utmost, at the same time nodding their heads 

 up and down energetically, and taking a careful look 

 around. They look so daintily beautiful at a little 

 distance, that it is always a disappointment to find 

 how coarse and dry the feathering of a dead bird is on 

 close inspection. Their gentle little cry, " uk uk, uk, 

 iik, uk," is one of the most familiar garden-sounds of 

 the hot weather in Upper India, and in addition to 



