140 BOMBAY DUCKS 



but necessary to betake oneself to any open space, 

 preferably a lawn refreshed by recent rain, in order to 

 see some of these charming birds. In case there is any 

 one who is not acquainted with the hoopoe, it will, per- 

 haps, be well for me to say that the head and neck of 

 the bird are fawn-coloured and ornamented by a crown 

 of buff, edged with black a crown which, according to 

 the Mohammedans, was given to the bird by King Solo- 

 mon, in recognition of meritorious services ! The wings 

 and tail are composed of broad and alternating bars of 

 black and white ; these form a bold and pleasing con- 

 trast to the fawn of the head and neck : indeed, it is 

 difficult to imagine a happier combination of colour and 

 pattern than that presented by the plumage of the 

 hoopoe. 



One would naturally imagine a bird so clothed to be 

 exceedingly conspicuous ; but the hoopoe is not so 

 noticeable as one would expect, for its colours har- 

 monize with its environment. Yet it is a conspicuous 

 bird, and, since it feeds in open places, is obliged to 

 protect itself by means of a ruse when danger is at hand 

 and there is no time to fly away. 



" On the approach of a hawk or other enemy," writes 

 Mr. W. P. Pycroft, " it throws itself flat upon the ground, 

 drops its crest and spreads out its wings and heigho ! 

 as if in obedience to the magician's wand, our bird has 

 vanished ; what appears to be a bundle of rags remains 

 in its place." I myself have never seen the hoopoe act 

 thus, but can well believe it does. 



I know a parson who once did a similar thing. He 

 was gardening, and was wearing the oldest of his old 



