PASSERINE BIRDS. 



431 



FIG. 359 HOOPOE. 



The Hoopoes (Upupa) have an ornament on the head formed of a 

 double row of feathers that they can erect at will. 



FAMILY OF SYNDACTYL^E.* 



The birds belonging to this family are recognisable 

 by having the external toe almost as long as the 

 middle one, to which it is joined by a membrane that 

 reaches as far as the last joint but one. The prin- 

 cipal genera are the Kingfishers, the Bee-eaters, and 

 the Hornbills, all readily distinguishable by the struc- 

 ture of the beak. 



The Bee-eaters (Merops) have the bill of moderate size, cutting, 

 pointed, and slightly curved, without any notch at the end. The 

 Common European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster] : the only one found 

 in Europe has a fawn-coloured back, a deep blue front, and a yellow 

 throat, surmounted with black. It lives upon insects, particularly 



* <TVV, syn, together icith ; Sa/cruAos, dactylos, a finger or toe i.e. 

 having conjoined toes. 



