146 BIRDS OF THE WORLD 



Europe, northern Africa and parts of Asia. Con- 

 spicuous though its colours appear to be, this bird, 

 when alarmed, has the habit of throwing itself flat 

 upon the ground and spreading its wings, when it 

 becomes at once almost invisible. The most striking 

 feature of the Common Hoopoe is its beautiful crest, 

 which can be raised or depressed at will. 



Hoopoes breed in holes, and their nests — composed 

 of sticks, straw and a few feathers — give forth an 

 almost overpowering smell. This, however, is pro- 

 duced by the oil-glands of the sitting birds and is not 

 due to the birds feeding upon carrion, as was once 

 thought to be the case. While sitting, the female, who 

 rarely leaves the nest, is fed by her mate with insects 

 and worms. The larger insects, when captured, are 

 tossed in the air and caught again before being swal- 

 lowed. See Plate 22, Fig. 129. 



Black Hoopoes, with red beaks and no crown of 

 feathers, are also found in Africa. The black of the 

 plumage is brightened by a metallic gloss of purple 

 and green, relieved by a white wing-patch and white 

 markings on the tail. 



The Hornbills are among the most remarkable of 

 living birds, having bills of enormous size and often 

 further exaggerated by a huge casque which extends 

 backwards over the top of the head. 



These birds are natives of India and Africa and 

 the Malay regions. The beaks of the Hornbills, in 

 spite of their frequently very great size, are extremely 

 light, being of the delicacy of filigree work, and cov- 

 ered externally by the horny sheath. 



The nesting habits of the Hornbills are very 



