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The Hoopoe is a sprightly, active bird, easily distinguishable both on the wing and when 

 sitting. It is, however, very shy and difficult to approach. Naumann gives a most excellent 

 description of its habits, which we translate as follows : — " It is cautious and shy, flying away on 

 the approach of man, even when living unnoticed and unmolested near human habitations. It is 

 more timid than cautious ; for its nervous, frightened manner may be observed by any one. Even 

 a Swallow flying over frightens it, and it starts and spreads its crest, but closes it again so soon as 

 it sees that there is no danger ; or if a Pigeon, or any larger bird, passes over, it takes refuge 

 directly in some near tree ; or should a bird of prey, or even a Crow, appear when it is running 

 about, it drops immediately on the ground, spreads its tail and wings wide out, so far that the 

 points of the latter almost touch, throws its head back and sticks up its beak, and the banded 

 wings and tail surround it like the petals of a flower. So long as danger threatens, it remains in 

 this odd position, probably to deceive its enemy ; for when thus spread out the Hoopoe looks, as 

 Bechstein remarks, more like an old particoloured rag than a living bird." It frequents both the 

 open country and the woods, but is seldom, if ever, seen where trees or bushes are entirely 

 wanting. Where groves of large old trees border pasturages, there it seems to be chiefly found ; 

 and in localities like this, Dresser found the Hoopoe abundantly in Spain. It goes a great deal 

 on the ground, and walks with ease, nodding its head as it goes along. The crest is generally 

 kept closed, and forms a long point, corresponding with the beak, at the back of the head, which 

 gives the bird a peculiar appearance. When irritated, alarmed, or when paying its court to the 

 female in the spring, it spreads its crest, but seldom otherwise. Its usual note is a deep, loud 

 hoop hoop ; but Naumann says that when quarrelling they utter a deep snorting note like Chrr, 

 resembling a Starling's note, but hoarser ; and when pleased it utters a hoarse, dull call, like 

 wdck, wdcfc, wack. Mr. Robson, of Ortakeuy, sends us the following capital account : — " In 

 Turkey, where the vernacular name signifies ' Mountain-Cock,' they are most partial to the sides 

 of mountains, although often found in the valleys. They feed much in the bare places on the 

 mountain-sides, in graveyards, or where stones are accumulated, also at the bottom of walls ; 

 their food consists principally of ants. During the autumn migration numbers of them are shot 

 in the stubble-fields. The Hoopoe is a pugnacious bird ; and pairs are seen fighting, jerking their 

 crests up and down, and standing to each other like game-cocks. When seen moving rapidly 

 about seeking for food, with their crests constantly in motion, their lively activity is pleasant to 

 observe ; and their colours afford a conspicuous contrast to the localities which they affect, and 

 unfortunately render them an easy mark for the sportsman. Odd birds are seen late in the 

 autumn and early in the spring ; but none are met with in winter." 



Dr. Jerdon's account of the bird's habits is as follows : — " In captivity the Hoopoe is said to 

 be readily tamed and to show great intelligence and susceptibility of attachment. Musselmans 

 venerate the Hoopoe, on account of their supposing it to have been a favourite bird of Solomon, 

 who is said to have employed one as a messenger. It is stated that the oily matter secreted by 

 the sebaceous gland on the tail-bone assumes, in the female at the breeding-time, and on the 

 young in the nest, an intolerable stench, whence an idea prevalent in some countries, that this 

 bird makes its nest of cow-dung. Dr. Adams states that in Cashmere, where it is very common, 

 the King-Crow (Dicrurus longicaudatus) very often robs it of its prey. I found a Hoopoe 

 breeding in the Nilgherries in May, and am not now certain whether it was the present species 



