52 



On the Ornithology of Wilts \_Certhiadce], 



the embankment, strutting with conscious pride of its good looks ; 

 and before it flew away, erected its crest, and showed itself off to 

 great advantage. It derives its scientific name " Upupa," as well 

 as the English " Hoopoe," German " Ein Houp," and French "La 

 Huppe," from its note, resembling " hoop, hoop," cooed out very 

 softly after the manner of the dove. It is a native of North 

 Africa,, and is a shy retiring solitary bird. 



It is not so rare in England as some imagine, for though never 

 permanently resident here, scarcely a year passes when some do 

 not make their appearance. I have many records of its occurrence 

 in Wiltshire ; Bishop Stanley recounts how one was caught on 

 Salisbury Plain in a weak and exhausted state, which must 

 evidently have come from a distance, for its beak was filled with 

 red clay of a quality not found in that neighbourhood. Yarrell 

 says it has been obtained in Wiltshire. Mr. Withers informs me 

 it was killed by Mr. Warriner's keeper many years since near 

 Redholn turnpike gate. Mr. Marsh recorded its capture at Win- 

 terslow in 1829 ; and more recently the Rev. George Powell, (with 

 the ready kindness with which he continually gratifies my Orni- 

 thological taste) communicated to me the capture of a very fine 

 male specimen, by some labourers in the farm yard of Mr. Marsh 

 of Heytesbury : the bird was weather-beaten and exhausted, and 

 appeared to have come in for its share of a great storm which on 

 the day preceding its capture had devastated the fields at Lavington. 

 When secured, it was carefully placed in a large cage, and though 

 at first very shy, it gradually became more reconciled to confine- 

 ment ; but at the end of seven days, without any ostensible 

 reason it died suddenly. These are undoubtedly authentic 

 instances cf the occurrence of the Hoopoe in our county, 

 but the Rev. F. Goddard, Yicar of Hillmarton, who has 

 often seen this bird in Egypt, and is well acquainted with its 

 habits, has been so fortunate as to meet with it alive in Wiltshire 

 on several distinct occasions : his description is so graphic and 

 interesting from the rare occurrence of the bird, that I take leave 

 to insert it in his own words : — " Some time in the summer, I 

 believe in the month of August, riding from Alderton to Norton 



