BEAUTIFUL BIBBS. 
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bushes and stumps, by the margins of the waters 
which form their usual resting-places when watching for 
their prey, but it is said that they can upon occasions 
cling to perpendicular surfaces ; as, however, the foot 
is not adapted for adhering to a vertical surface for any 
length of time, they are in constant and active motion. 
Moist localities are generally resorted to by the 
Hoopoe, in the neighbourhood of woods and thickets, 
and tlie banks of rivers, especially those which are 
occasionally flooded. There it may be seen upon the 
ground, busily searching for its favourite insects, 
chiefly coleopterous, and the spawn of fishes and 
reptiles. It may sometimes be seen, Mr. Selby 
observes, hanging from the branches of trees, in 
search of the insects that chiefly dwell on the under 
sides of the foliage. It builds in the holes of decayed 
trees, but when these situations cannot be obtained, 
will make use of the crevices of walls and rocks. The 
nest is formed of dry grass, lined with feathers or 
other soft materials ; and it lays four or five eggs of a 
gre^'ish-white, spotted with hair-brown. 
The length of the Hoopoe is more than a foot, the 
extent of the wings more than a foot and a half, and 
the weight about three ounces. The most remarkable 
external characteristic of the bird is its crest, con- 
sisting of two rows of orange feathers, tipped with 
black, extending backwards along the head, capable of 
being elevated or depressed, and giving a sprightly air 
to the bird. Tlie head, neck, and breast are brown- 
ish-red, the upper part of the back gi’eyish-brown, 
and the hinder part barred witli black and white ; the 
under parts of the bird are white, with longitudinal 
