HOOPOE. — Upttpa Epojps . 
The Hoopoe lias long been celebrated for tbe beautiful feather-crest on its head, 
which can be raised or depressed at will. It is an English bird, but not very 
common. 
The name Hoopoe is doubly appropriate to this bird, as it may be either derived 
from the crest (huppe), or from the peculiar sound which the bird is fond of uttering, 
and which resembles the syllable hoop ! hoop ! which, as Mr. Yarrell observes, “ is 
breathed out so softly, yet rapidly, as to remind the hearer of the note of the 
dove.” The pace of the Hoopoe is a tripping kind of walk, which is at times very 
quick and vivacious, and sometimes is slow and stately as if the bird were mightily 
proud of its crested head. When at liberty it is generally found in sequestered 
spots, preferring low, marshy grounds, and the vicinity of woods, because in these 
places it is certain to find plenty of food. 
The food of the Hoopoe is almost entirely of an insect nature, although the bird 
will frequently vary its diet with tadpoles and other small creatures. Beetles and 
their larvae, caterpillars and grubs of all kinds, are a favourite food with the Hoopoe, 
which displays much ingenuity in digging them out of the decayed wood in which 
they are often found. 
