depressed at pleasure ; when the crest is elevated the tail 
feathers are also raised, like those of the peacock ; it has 
been seea amusing itself by raising and depressing the crest 
and tail very quickly for a long time together. Colours 
alike in both sexes. 
Though the Hoopoe is not a common bird, (its visits to this 
country being irregular,) small flocks are seen annually in 
different parts of the kingdom. Within the last few years 
I have received it from Southapton, the Isle of Wight, 
Barnstaple, and Worthing; in the spring 1812 one was 
shot at Highgate, in Middlesex. It is probable that the 
species more frequently resorts to this country than is gene- 
rally supposed, and I have little doubt but that it breeds in 
various parts of the kingdom. That it is not very un- 
common, may be inferred from a superstition that prevails 
among labouring persons in the country, that its death is 
the precursor of misfortune. I saw the remains of one 
nailed against a barn end, near Weathersfield, Essex, along 
with hawks, crows, and other depredators. 
Its principal food is worms and insects, particularly 
beetles ; in dissecting one, eight large beetles nearly entire 
were found in the stomach ; they have been known to build 
in this country, though the instances are very rare ; the 
nest is said to be formed in a hollow tree. Bulfon says, he 
has found the nest lined with moss, wool, and feathers, and 
supposes it to lay in the deserted nest of some other bird; 
the nest has been remarked to be very filthy and offensive, 
probably from the foeces of the young, and the remains of 
their food not being removed. 
