262 Certhiadce. 



are built as houses of refuge in winter. Some that they are 

 simply unfinished nests from disturbance before completion, and 

 some that they are the production of inexperienced young birds.* 

 Professor Skeat says that 'Wren' means the * Chirper,' or 

 ' Twitterer,' lit. the ' neigher like a horse.' In France it is Le 

 Troglodyte ; in Germany, Zaun Sanyer, ' Hedge Warbler ;' in 

 Italian, Stricciolo ; in Sweden, Gard-smyg ; in Spain, Ratilla, 

 ' Little Mouse.' 



109. HOOPOE (Upupa Epops). 



Once seen, this bird can never be mistaken by the most unob- 

 servant, its long and beautiful crest being peculiar and dis- 

 tinctive : this is composed of soft silky feathers of a pale buff 

 colour, each ending in a black and white spot or eye ; and this 

 crest it can erect and depress at pleasure. When the bird is in a 

 quiescent state and undisturbed, the crest flows gracefully back 

 in a recumbent position, but upon the least alarm, or when ex- 

 cited in any way, the feathers are immediately erected. More 

 remarkable, however, is its attitude when really frightened by a 

 hawk, and singular indeed is the expedient to which it resorts to 

 protect itself. Squatting down upon the ground, it spreads out 

 its tail and wings to their fullest extent, bringing the primaries 

 round so as almost to meet in front, and throws back its head 

 and bill, which it holds up perpendicularly. So long as danger 

 threatens, it remains in this odd position, probably to deceive the 

 enemy.-)- The general colour of the plumage is pale buff, amply 

 relieved by the black and white bars of the wings and tail ; the 

 beak is very slender and slightly bent. The Hoopoe prefers 

 moist and low situations, especially where woods abound : it may 

 generally be seen on the ground searching for worms and grubs, 

 though it so far shows its climbing habits as to fly to trees when 

 disturbed, and to be often observed hanging from the branches 

 of trees, in search of the insects which dwell on the under side 

 of the foliage. When it rises on the wing it never flies high, 



Fourth edition of YarrelPs * British Birds,' vol. i., p. 463. 

 t Harting's ' Our Summer Migrants,' p. 253. 



