ROLLERS, KINGFISHERS, HORNBILLS, AND HOOPOES 1 09 
decidedly brutal. The tree is scaled, 
the resin-like substance is broken 
away, and the frightened bird flies 
from her nest up the hollow trunk 
of the tree, but is ignominiously 
brought down by means of a thorny 
stick, (the thorns point downward), 
which is thrust after and twisted 
about until a firm grip in her 
plumage is obtained. The Dyaks, 
. never very faithful observers of 
nature, believe that the female is 
shut up by the male, so that after 
hatching her eggs she may die, 
the maggots in her putrefying body 
affording food for the young. One 
very curious habit of the rhinoceros- CONCAVE-CASQUED HORNBILL, INDIA 
hornbill which I have not hitherto The noise made by hornbilh on the noting is said to resemble that of a steam engine 
seen' noted is the rapid jumping 
up and down on a branch with both feet together. This jumping motion is imitated by the 
Kyans and Dyaks in their dances, the figure being known to the Kyans as ‘ wan blingong.’ ” 
' That the HOOPOES, unlike as they may be in general appearance, are nevertheless 
intimately related to the Hornbills there can be no doubt. Graceful in contour and pleasing 
in coloration, it is a pity that the species which so frequently visits Britain, and has on 
more than one occasion nested there, should be so ruthlessly shot down immediately its 
presence is discovered. Save the wings and tail, the body is of a light cinnamon colour, whilst 
the head is surmounted by a magnificent crest of black-and-white-tipped feathers, which can 
be raised or depressed at the pleasure of the bird : the excepted portions of the plumage — the 
wings and tail — are buff, varied with bands of black and white. Thus it may be truthfully 
said to be a conspicuously coloured bird ; yet this same livery seems also to come under the 
head of protective coloration, for we are assured that, when danger threatens, the bird throws 
itself flat upon the ground, spreads out its wings, and at once becomes transformed into what 
rather resembles a heap of rags than a bird. Escape by flight, however, instead of subterfuge, 
seems also at times to be resorted to, 
since, when pursued by a falcon, it will 
mount rapidly to a great height, and 
not seldom effect its escape. 
The domestic habits of the hoopoe 
are, however, by no means so charming 
as one would expect to find in so beauti- 
ful a bird. “ All observers agree,” writes 
Professor Newton, ” in stating that it 
delights to find its food among filth of 
the most abominable description, and 
this especially in its winter quarters. 
But where it breeds, its nest — usually in 
the hole of a tree or of a wall — is not 
only partly composed of the foulest 
materials,, but its condition becomes 
worse as incubation proceeds, for the 
hen scarcely ever leaves her eggs, being 
assiduously fed by the cock as she sits 
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.] [Parson s Green 
GROUND-HORNBILL 
The legs of the ground-hornbill are much longer than those of its allies 
Photo by IV. P. DandOf F»Z.$.\ [RegenTs Park 
