230 ANISODACTYLES. 



It nestles in trees, and feeds on them ; but it does not, 

 like the wood-pecker, drum the tree when serenading its 

 mate. Its love-song is a sort of whistle, rather loud con- 

 sidering the size of the bird. 



The nest is made in a natural hole of a tree, the deserted 

 nest of a wood-pecker, or in a hole excavated by the birds 

 themselves ; in which case they make the entrance so small, 

 that it will not admit any larger bird. If they choose a 

 ready-made place, they build up a wall of clay till the en- 

 trance is reduced to the requisite size ; and should that be 

 injured during the incubation, they instantly repair it. The 

 interior of the nest is formed of dead leaves, those that are 

 the most readily obtained, and the least decayed. The eggs 

 are not more than seven, and the incubation takes place in 

 May, the female being a very resolute sitter, hissing like a 

 serpent, and striking furiously, both with her bill and wings, 

 at any one who offers to intrude. Even if her defence be 

 disregarded, she will not desert her charge, but rather allow 

 herself to be taken captive in their defence.* 



THE HOOPOE ( ITpivpa epops). 



The hoopoe is a singularly formed, but very beautiful bird, 

 not uncommon in France, and plentiful in the warmer parts 

 of Europe, as a summer migrant from Africa, where many of 

 the summer visitants of Europe spend their winter, or rather 

 their " other summer," for many of them pass beyond the 

 equator. The hoopoe only comes straggling to Britain, driven, 

 probably, by the east winds; but it comes occasionally to all 

 parts of the country, even to the Orkney Islands, and some- 



* The nuthatch is not known in Ireland, nor in the county of Corn- 

 wall ; neither is it seen further north than the banks of the Wear and 

 Tyne. It is not, however, confined to the southern parts of England, 

 for we have met with it in considerable abundance in Cheshire. M. 



