236 . Mr. R. PhiluppS,


HOOPOES AND CUCKOOS.



Without having experienced it, it is impossible for any

person to realize the charm of the Hoopoe in captivity, as it flits

about one in the aviary like some large butterfly, or trots after

one in the bird room with tiny pattering feet; and we maybe

sure that from time to time it will continue to be included

amongst our occasional pets ; and it is therefore in the hopes of

saving the lives of a few of these birds, not for the purpose of

picking holes in my neighbours' jackets, that I venture to rush

into print on the present occasion.


I have had altogether twelve Hoopoes, a few living for

long periods ; and I eventually came to the conclusion that the

difficulty with the Hoopoe — at any rate here in Loudon, with the

reverse of suitable accommodation — is to keep it warm enough all

through the year. It is nothing to have a Hoopoe for a few

months in summer; but just to keep it for this present enjoy-

ment without a thought for its subsequent welfare is an unworthy

spirit for all true lovers of birds. I,et not those venture to keep

the Hoopoe who are not prepared to attend to its needs.


When quite young, and suddenly and without preparation

loosed into a garden aviary, the comparative cold will quickly

kill it ; and even in what we in this country are pleased to call

'warm weather,' the mere damp or coolness of the ground — and

the young Hoopoe, with occasional flits, is ever on the ground —

seems to strike upwards into the abdomen and produce a severe

form of constipation. This I found, though otherwise fatal, if

dealt with promptly, could be remedied by putting fluid magnesia

into the bread-and-milk*, a convenient medium for administering

it, and one the Hoopoe takes to very readily — but prevention is

better than cure.


A seasoned Hoopoe cannot well have too much liberty

during warm weather ; but, as the cold season advances, it must

be shut into some protected place during the night ; and during


* A Hoopoe will not eat bread-and-milk, nor any food, neatly from a dish, but picks

out a piece and carries it off, rolling it in dust, sand, just as it may chance to be. I found it

best to place the food dishes, small ones, on a large piece of floor-cloth, kept scrupulously

clean. This helped to minimize the evil.— R. P.



