26 CERTHIAD-E. 



and foliage, as, although it is most frequently seen running 

 about on the ground, its great timidity keeps it close to 

 bushes and trees, in which it can readily conceal itself. At 

 night the bird now under consideration roosts on the branch 

 of a tree amongst the thickest foliage, but rarely in a hole. 

 The Hoopoe is the most timid bird imaginable, which may 

 probably account for the rarity of its appearance : it is at all 

 times, in its wild state, afraid of mankind ; and while on the 

 ground, the shadow of a small bird flying over it invariably 

 frightens it ; and when a hawk, or even a crow, sails over the 

 bird, it will throw itself flat on the ground, with its wings and 

 tail extended, so as to appear like a piece of cloth, or any- 

 thing rather than a bird, and this ludicrous position is main- 

 tained until the danger is past. 



The Hoopoe has a very different appearance from any other 

 bird of its size, owing to the crest on its head, which it 

 mostly carries closed, this forming, with its long curved beak, 

 something of the appearance of a pickaxe. When perched 

 on a branch and calling to its mate, or when irritated, its 

 crest is raised, as also the feathers of its throat, and its 

 beak is lowered ; and sometimes when flying leisurely about, 

 it may be observed to open and close its crest, after the 

 manner of a lady playing with a fan. 



When on the ground the Hoopoe struts about in a very 

 stately and consequential manner, nodding its head at every 

 step ; and if the bird finds plenty of food, it may generally 

 be seen about the same spot for several days together : this 

 may probably account for its loitering habits when on a 

 journey of migration. The Hoopoe seldom or never perches 

 on a slight branch of a tree, but on such branches as are well 

 covered with foliage. During the pairing season its perch is 

 frequently the top of a tree, from whence the bird utters its 

 harsh inharmonious call-note, tzyrr, tzyrr, or its amorous 

 cry of hoop, hoop, from which latter it derives its name, 



