Wild ^ Tame Hoopoes 41 



ing their crests as they settled, and then running 

 quickly along with their short little legs, their heads 

 nodding as they ran. They were most charming 

 pets (I say "were," for alas! they are all dead), for 

 they seemed to have no fear, and, with the full liberty 

 of wild birds, were absolutely tame. 



The housekeeper used to feed them from the 

 window of her room, and they would go in and out 

 there at all times of the day, sometimes, if the lattice 

 was closed, tapping at the panes with their bills. 

 Why they died is a mystery to me; for they all col- 

 lapsed before September was out, and had in the 

 meanwhile had every privilege. Magnificent weather, 

 full exercise, natural food, as well as ants' eggs, meal- 

 worms, and raw meat when they needed it ; and yet, 

 as each one moulted, their skin seemed to be at- 

 tacked by a sort of scurvy, and the new feathers 

 dropped out when about half grown, and when still to 

 a great extent in the quill stage. 



One or two of them had fits into the bargain, and 

 all seven died. It was most sad, but, in spite of their 

 loss, the gain had been great. Whilst they lived, they 

 were most beautiful and interesting. Yet, if I ever had 

 the pleasure of another trip up the Nile, I don't think 

 I would ever try to bring home any more, and I don't 

 know that I would advise others to do so. 



Yet there is a beautiful hoopoe (unless lately dead) 

 in the western aviary of the Zoological Gardens in 

 Regent's Park, which had moulted successfully, and 

 which, when I saw it in October 1899, looked ex- 

 tremely healthy. 



