34 Wild ^ Tame Hoopoes 



one after the other flitted across the street and returned 

 to safe quarters. 



There were two that were especially tame, and 

 these were let out every day, but even they sometimes 

 played the truant. 



One morning they had sat for a long time in one 

 of the acacia trees that grew in the street just in front 

 of the hotel, and immediately under the big balcony, 

 where the cage always stood. 



I whistled and whistled, and must to passers-by, 

 who couldn't see the hoopoes in the tree, have looked 

 most idiotic, hanging over the balustrade. I was 

 wishing to get the birds back, as I wanted to visit the 

 bazaars, and the morning hours were flying. At last 

 one of my birds left his branch and flitted up towards 

 me, but instead of coming to his cage, took up a 

 position on a narrow ledge just above a window that 

 overlooked the large awning of the balcony. 



In order to let the bird see me, I had to get on a 

 chair, and peep over the outer edge of the awning. 



As I did so, I whistled again, and said, " Come 

 along, you bad thing ; " when to my consternation I 

 found myself apparently addressing a rather stout and 

 severe-looking English lady, who of course couldn't see 

 the hoopoe above her head, and who was seated at her 

 open window immediately facing me ! 



I had bobbed up serenely from below, and before 

 disappearing in confusion, had time to catch an indig- 

 nant glance, and to see her rise up hurriedly and back 

 into the recesses of her room, away from such a forward 

 man. 



