Tiu?Roo$oe. 289 
seen together, while in Egypt, where Hoopoes are very 
common, they are often seen in small flocks. The female 
generally constructs her nest in a hollow tree, the ma- 
terials employed, in addition to the remains of their 
food, being very scanty, consisting in fact of a few dried 
grass stalks and feathers. She lays from four to seven 
eggs at a time, of a pale lavender grey, about an inch 
and a half long. The young are generally hatched in 
June ; it is said, however, that two or three broods are 
produced in the course of the year. The name alludes to 
the note of the bird, which resembles the word " hoop " 
repeated several times in a low voice. 
Though this bird is found occasionally both in England 
and Scotland, it rarely breeds with us. It is common in 
Italy, where its strange startling cry is often heard, 
without the bird being seen, as it keeps itself concealed 
among trees. It is also not uncommon on the banks of 
the Garonne in France, where it may be seen skimming 
along the ground amongst the willows in search of the 
insects upon which it feeds. 
There are several species of this magnificent family. 
The most brilliant is undoubtedly the Upupa Superba, 
or Grand Promerops of New Guinea. " There does not 
perhaps exist," says Sonnerat, " a more extraordinary 
bird. Its body is delicate and slender, and, although it 
is of an elongated form, appears excessively small in 
comparison with the tail. Nature seems to have pleased 
herself in painting this being, already so singular, with 
her most brilliant colours. The head, the neck, and the 
belly are a glittering green ; the feathers which cover 
these parts have the lustre and softness of velvet to the 
eye and to the touch ; the back is changeable violet ; the 
wings are of the same colour, and appear, according to 
the lights in which they are held, blue, violet, or deep 
black, always however imitating velvet." This bird is 
rare, and a specimen is seldom seen even in the most 
complete collections. 
