The Hoopoe. 289 



seen together, while in Egypt, where Hoopoes are very 

 common, they are often seen in small flocks. The female 

 generally constructs her nest in a hollow tree, the ma- 

 terials employed, in addition to the remains of their 

 food, being very scanty, consisting in fact of a few dried 

 grass stalks and feathers. She lays from four to seven 

 eggs at a time, of a pale lavender grey, about an inch 

 and a half long. The young are generally hatched in 

 June ; it is said, however, that two or three broods are 

 produced in the course of the year. The name alludes to 

 the note of the bird, which resembles the word " hoop " 

 repeated several times in a low voice. 



Though this bird is found occasionally both in England 

 and Scotland, it rarely breeds with us. It is common in 

 Italy, where its strange startling cry is often heard, 

 without the bird being seen, as it keeps itself concealed 

 among trees. It is also not uncommon on the banks of 

 the Garonne in France, where it may be seen skimming 

 along the ground amongst the willows in search of the 

 insects upon which it feeds. 



There are several species of this magnificent family. 

 The most brilliant is undoubtedly the Upupa Superba, 

 or Grand Promerops of New Guinea. " There does not 

 perhaps exist," says Sonnerat, " a more extraordinary- 

 bird. Its body is delicate and slender, and, although it 

 is of an elongated form, appears excessively small in 

 comparison with the tail. Nature seems to have pleased 

 herself in painting this being, already so singular, with 

 her most brilliant colours. The head, the neck, and the 

 belly are a glittering green ; the feathers which cover 

 these parts have the lustre and softness of velvet to the 

 eye and to the touch ; the back is changeable violet ; the 

 wings are of the same colour, and appear, according to 

 the lights in which they are held, blue, violet, or deep 

 black, always however imitating velvet." This bird is 

 rare, and a specimen is seldom seen even in the most 

 complete collections. 



