HOOPOES. 



55 



The 



long, with a long and nearly straight claw, 

 head is furnished with an erectile crest. 



The birds of this genus reside in Africa and 

 Asia, and one species is a summer visitant of 

 Europe, even as far north as Sweden. They 

 prefer moist situations in the neighbourhood of 

 woods, seeking for insects upon the ground, 

 among manure, and among the foliage of trees. 



The European Hoopoe (Upupa epops, LINN.) 

 though certainly not a common, is a pretty con- 

 stant visitor to the British islands; particularly 



in the later summer months ; few seasons now 

 pass without the record of some specimens having 

 been observed; as from their size, their elegant 

 plumose crest, and the striking contrasts of colour 



