90 



BIRD GALLERY. 



of the seven genera recognised; Momotus (1176) and Prionirhynchus 



(11 77) having raquet-shaped middle tail-feathers, while in Baryphthengus 



(1178) these feathers are normal. 



Family VIII. TODID^E. TODIES. 



[Case 58.] This family includes four diminutive West Indian species of the 

 genus Todus (1179-1180), closely allied in structure to the Motmots, 

 but differing from them externally, and resembling the Flycatchers in 

 general appearance and habits. Like their allies, they nest in holes in 

 banks and lav srlossv white esrsrs. 



* C3 * Oo 



Family IX. UPUPID.E. HOOPOES. 



The birds comprising this family are distributed over Europe, Asia, 

 and Africa, and are divided into two subfamilies the true Hoopoes 

 (Upupin(e),and the Wood-Hoopoes (Irrisorirue) . To the former belong 

 rufous-coloured species with large crests, such as the Common Hoopoe 

 (Upupa epops) (1181), which is a regular visitor to Britain, and is 

 occasionally allowed to breed in the south of England. It is widely 

 distributed over temperate Europe and Asia, migrating southwards in 

 winter to India, Arabia, and North Africa. These birds walk well, and 

 pass much of their time on the ground hunting for insects and worms^ 

 the long bill being used to probe the soil ; they also capture flies on the 

 wing, and may frequently be seen climbing rocks or branches of 

 trees in search of food. The nest is placed in a hole in some tree 

 wall, or rock, and being composed of slight materials cemented 

 together with ordure, has a very offensive smell. The eggs are from 

 four to seven in number and of a pale greenish-blue colour; the 

 young resemble their parents in plumage, even the crest being well 

 developed at an early stage. The trivial name is derived from the 

 cry, which resembles the syllable " hoop " uttered two or three times 

 in succession. 



The Wood-Hoopoes, represented by the genera Irrisor and Rhinopo- 

 mastus, are peculiar to Africa, and all are long-tailed, dark-coloured 

 birds with more or less metallic green, blue, or purple plumage. Their 

 habits and mode of life are very similar to those of the Hoopoes. One 

 of the most remarkable in colour is Jackson's Wood-Hoopoe (Irrisor 

 jacksoni) (1184), which has the head and throat nearly white; the 

 species of Rhinopomastus (1185-1186) are also noteworthy on account 

 of their extremely long curved bill, which is specially adapted for 

 probing the crannies of trees in search of insects. 



