IIOOIM) E. 
VPUPA EPOPS. 
p we may credit the writings of ornithologists who lived in days gone by, and they appear perfectly 
trustworthy, the numbers of the Hoopoe that visit the British Islands at the present time are gradually 
eooimng loss year hy year ; a singular appearance is sure to attract attention, and the unfortunate Hoopoe 
rendered conspicnous hy his colouring and crest, suffers in consequence. Though I have never had a 
dianoc of observing these birds engaged in breeding-operations in the British Islands, there arc many 
instances recorded of their having remained and constructed their nests in various parts of the country 
where they were free from persecution. ^ 
How abundant Hoopoes were in some parts of Sussex about thirty years ago, just after their first 
aiiiva in spiing, may e judged from the fact tliat seven were sliot in one week hy the head keeper at 
Ash iirnham Park. The estate on which these birds were killed adjoined the land my fathm- for 
spoiting-piii poses and Ins keeper, who was exceedingly energetic when in pursuit of rarities, usually 
obtained one or two every season. Early in May I8.0C I observed a Hoopoe flying round on a wide 
stictch of furzc-clad down, termed the horthy field, on which Normanhurst now stands : my gun havin-r 
ts the chance of a shot was lost. In the spring of 1838, while Snipe-shooting on a portion of Pevensey 
Level known as Barnhorn Ponds, I marked a Hoopoe down into a high and spreading thorn ^00 00 
maish-bank, and had just come up within range when the bird dashed out. but was diopped before 
t gone a couple of yards, the charge also bringing down a second, which must have been for some 
time concealed among the branches. 
188-'^' Haf l“""^- “ot ‘ill tl‘o 21th of April 
1883, that I again fell in with the species; a friend, over whose ground I had libertv to ctliru 
specimens, then rode over to Brighton, and reported that in the early morning a Hoopoe had risen 
oncT for'tlm vap L "le' hiUsT'’’ "1“* ^ “'T Bear SeddLcomhe. Starting ' at 
blowing strong from t 7™' of the wind, which was 
the gr7nd hid been tjrticd “er on the summit of the hills, where 
about and pecking alono- the ridii-es • ns flip f i i” i ^ ^ ig^ted, and commenced hopping 
