14 CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS. 



described as forming settlements. Tlie eggs, usually three in number, are pale red, delicately spotted 

 with a deeper shade. 



The HOOPOES {Upupa) may be regarded as the most aberrant of the Tenuirostral group. 

 They are moderately large, and slenderly formed ; their beak is long, slender, higher than it is broad 

 and in some species much curved ; the small, oval, and open nostrils are situated immediately beneath 

 the feathers that cover the brow ; the strength of the foot varies considerably ; the wint^s (in which 

 the fourth and fifth quills are the longest) are much rounded ; the tail, formed of ten feathers is either 

 short and straight at its extremity or long and graduated. The compact and variegated plumage 

 differs considerably as to its coloration, and but little variety is observable between the two sexes. 



THE HOOPOE. 



The Common Hoopoe {Upupa cpops) is recognisable by its elongate body; long, slender, 

 slightly curved, and pointed beak (which is much compressed at its sides) ; and short powerful foot 

 armed with blunt claws. The wing is decidedly rounded ; the tail of moderate size, composed of 

 broad feathers, and straight at its extremity. The soft, lax plumage, which is prolonged into a crest 

 on the top of the head, is much variegated, and almost alike in the various species with which we are 

 acquainted. Reddish brown of a more or less lively hue usually predominates in its coloration, 

 while the wings and tail are striped with white. In the Common Hoopoe the upper portion of the 

 body is of reddish brown, variegated with black and yellowish white on the middle of the back, and 

 on the shoulder and wings. The crest is of a deep reddish yellow, tipped with black ; the under side 

 is bright reddish yellow, spotted with black on the sides of the belly ; the black tail is striped with white 

 about its centre. All the colours in the plumage of the female are duller than in that of her mate. 

 The young are recognisable by the comparative smallness of their crest. The eye is deep brown, the 

 beak greyish black, and the foot lead-grey. The length of this species is about ten and its breadth 

 eighteen inches. The wing measures five, and the tail four inches. 



The greater portion of Europe, Northern Africa, and Central Asia are inhabited by these birds, 

 which are specially numerous in the more southern portions of those regions, and instances are 

 recorded of stragglers having been seen as far north as the Loffoden Isles. In some of the central 

 provinces of Europe they appear about the end of March, and leave again in pairs, or small parties, at 

 the commencement of autumn. Such as inhabit North-eastern Africa do not migrate, but merely 

 wander at certain seasons over the surface of the country. In Southern Europe these birds frequent 

 the vineyards, but in North-eastern Africa they prefer the immediate vicinity of towns and villages, and 

 render great benefits to the inhabitants by assisting the Vultures, whose proceedings we have already 

 described, in their revolting but most valuable labours. 



Anything like sociability is unknown to this bird ; each lives for its mate or its family alone, and 

 carries on a constant warfare with all its neighbours. Strange to say, however, if taken young from 

 the nest they soon become extraordinarily tame, and learn to obey and follow those who feed them 

 with all the fidelity and devotion of a favourite dog. Carrion, beetles, larvs, caterpillars, ants, and 

 many other kinds of insects are devoured by the Common Hoopoe in large numbers, its long beak 

 enabling it to search for its victims in any hole or crevice into which they may have crept. Large 

 beetles are killed by repeated blows, and by crushing them against the ground until the wings and feet 

 have been broken off. The morsel is then tossed aloft and dextrously caught and swallowed. The 

 young birds are at first unable to perform this rather difidcult feat, and, therefore, require to be fed by 

 those who may wish to rear them. It would appear that but little care or fastidiousness is exhibited 

 in selecting a spot suitable for building their nests : trees, fissures in walls, houses, or holes in the 



