HOOPOE. ZO 



sued to the death at its iirst apperirunce. In Sussex, u pair 

 built at Snuthwick, near Shoreham, and reared three young, 

 and another pair close to the house at Park-End, near ('hi- 

 diester, in the same county. Montagu mentions that a pair 

 in Hampshire forsook a nest which they had begun; and Dr. 

 Latham had a young bird sent to him on the 10th. of May, 

 17-sG. In 18-41, a pair built near Dorking, in Surrey, but 

 the eggs were taken. A pair also frequented a garden near 

 Tooting, in the same county, in the summer of 1833. 



The Hoopoe is a migratory bird, at least to some extent, 

 and one has been rr.et with, seemingly unfatigued, half-way 

 across the Atlantic. It appears, however, that some of them 

 do not change their quarters, while others do; and it is also 

 related that the latter do not associate with the former when 

 they arrive among them: their 'Travellers' club' being, like its 

 London namesake, an exclusive one, save for such as have 

 visited foreign parts. They migrate by night, and move singly 

 or in pairs, 'unless the young brood follows close in the rear 

 of its parents.' They move but slowly in their peregrinations, 

 attracted probably by the presence of food. 



These birds pass much of their time on the ground in search 

 of food, which, however, they also take among the branches 

 of trees, and seem to prefer low moist situat^oi-s ne;,r woods. 

 They are said to fight furiously among themselves, bvit as 

 most quarrelsome people are, to be at the same time very 

 cowardly, crouching to the ground in a paroxysm oi terror. 

 with wings and tail extended., at sight of a Hawk, or even 

 a Crow. They are very shy also at the appearance of mankind. 

 These birds are easily tamed when young, and follow their 

 owner about. 'The greatest difficulty in preserving them during 

 confinement, arises from their beaks becoming too dry at the 

 tip, and splitting in consequence, whereby the birds are 

 starved, from their inability to take their food.' 



The flight of the Hoopoe is low and undulated, and the 

 crest is kept erect or lowered at the pleasure of the bird, 

 as it is excited or not. It is said to perch low. Its walk 

 is described as something of a strut, and it keeps nodding 

 its head, as if vain of its gay top-knot. 



Their food consists of beetles, other insects, and caterpillars ; 

 superfluous food they hide, and resort to again when hungry. 



The note, from whence the name of the bird, resembles 

 the word 'hoop, hoop, hoop,' 'long drawn out,' yet quickly, 

 like the 'gentle cooing of the Dove.' It has also another 



