Hoopoe , a tenuirostral bird of the order pas-seres and family upupidoe. The family includes the subfamilies upupinoe or hoopoes, and epi-machinoe or plumed birds of New Zealand and Australia; the former comprise the genera upupa (Linn.), irriso (Less.) of Africa, and falculia (Geoffr.) of Madagascar. The genus upupa is characterized by a long, slender, slightly curved bill, with acute tip; wings long and rounded, the fourth and fifth quills equal and longest; tail long, broad, and even; tarsi shorter than middle toe and strong, and toes moderate. About half a dozen species are described in Europe, Asia, and Africa; they are migratory, preferring moist places on the border of woods; their food consists of insects, worms, and caterpillars, which they seek on the ground and among the foliage; their flight is very undulating, and on this their principal safety from birds of prey depends; the nest is made in the holes of trees and crevices of rocks, and is composed of dried grasses lined with softer materials; the eggs are four or five in number. These birds sometimes congregate in small flocks. The tenuirostral tribe, which includes the humming and sun birds, the birds of paradise, the honey suckers, and other brilliant species, belongs almost entirely to tropical climates.

The hoopoe, however (U. epops, Linn.), is found even in northern Europe, whither it comes in summer from Asia and northern Africa. The bird is about the size of a thrush; the head, neck, back, and breast are reddish gray, with tints of vinous purple, shading into pure white on the belly and vent, where the centre of the feathers is dashed with dark brown; the rump is white; the wings black, when closed exhibiting five white bands; tail black, with an angular white band across the centre, and the outer feather narrowly edged with the same; there is an ample crest of erectile feathers, of an orange brown color of varying intensity, nearly white at the end, with a terminal oval black spot. The female is less bright, and her crest is smaller. It is a handsome and sprightly bird, and useful in destroying larvae and insects.

Hoopoe (Upupa epops).