FAMILY UPUPID.E ; PROMEHOPS, HOOPOE. 



463 



feathery covering. The head, neck, and under surface of the 

 body are glittering green ; and the feathers which cover these 

 parts have the softness of velvet. The back is of a changeable 

 violet hue ; and the wings, which also possess a velvety texture, 

 appear, according to the light in which they are held, blue, violet, 

 or deep black. The feathers of the tail and of the wing-coverts 

 have the brilliancy of polished steel. The Hoopoes^ on the other 

 hand, have much of the habit and appearance of Crows. The bill 



is used in the same 

 manner, and for the 

 same purposes, as 

 in the Hornbills ; 

 namely, for seiz- 

 ing Insects, c., 

 squeezing them to 

 death, and throw- 

 ing them with a 

 jerk into the throat. 

 The tongue is short, 

 and destitute of the 

 power of extension. 



FIG. 259.-EUROPEAN HOOPOE. Tlle le g s and feet 



are larger than in 



the preceding groups ; and are better adapted both for perching 

 and walking. The European Hoopoe is an occasional visitant of 

 Britain ; it is about the size of the Missel-Thrush, but is readily 

 distinguished from it, not only by its beautiful crest, but by the 

 length and slenderness of its bill, and the shortness of its feet. It 

 is said to frequent ploughed lands and pasture grounds ; which 

 it searches, like the Crows, for Insect-grubs, worms, &c. ; and it 

 breeds in hollow trees in secluded situations. It is more abun- 

 dant on the Continent of Europe than in Britain ; but its sojourn 

 in temperate climates is but short, as its arrival from warmer 

 regions is late, and its departure early. In Egypt and Northern 

 Africa it seems to be a perpetual resident ; and on the banks of 

 the Nile, where it is of great service in keeping down the multi- 

 plication of Insects, it becomes very familiar with Man, and 

 builds its nest in the immediate vicinity of his habitations. The 



