HOOPOE. 
The Ploopoe, or Upupa-Epops of Linnseus, 
forms a distin6l genus of birds, of the order of 
Picas, in the system of that celebrated natu- 
ralist : the chara6leristics of which arc, that 
the beak is bent, convex, subcompressed, and 
in some degree obtuse ; the tongue is obtuse, 
triangular, and very short ; and the feet are 
ambulatory. Liiuiseas has classed three spe- 
cies under this genus ; the Upupa-Epops, the 
Promerops, and the Bird of Paradise : Buffbn 
also makes three species ; but he substitutes 
the Bee-Eater for the Bird of Paradise. 
Bclon says, that the Hoopoe has derived it's 
name from it's large beautiful tuft, Huppe : 
but, Buffon remarks, a little attention would 
have convinced him, that it is in reality formed 
from the Latin Upupa ; which name, accord- 
ing to Plautus and St. Jerome, was also given 
to girls of pleasure. Varro informs us, that 
the Latin name Upupa is formed from the cry 
of the bird. Poo, Poo j and the origin is as- 
cribed, as the aiicients were accustomed to 
ascribe 
