ANATOMY OF BIRDS
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
MIGRATIONS OF BIRDS
CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS
LIZARD-TAILED BIRD
AMERICAN TOOTHED-BIRDS
THE OSTRICHES
THE RHEAS
EMEUS AND CASSOWARIES
THE TINAMOUS
THE KIWIS
THE PENGUINS
LOONS AND GREBES
ALBATROSSES & PETRELS
STORK-LIKE BIRDS
GOOSE-LIKE BIRDS
FALCON-LIKE BIRDS
FOWL-LIKE BIRDS
CRANE-LIKE BIRDS
PLOVER-LIKE BIRDS
CUCKOO-LIKE BIRDS
THE ROLLER-LIKE BIRDS
SPARROW-LIKE BIRDS
Birds and Birding's Guide to:
Watching THE ROLLER-LIKE BIRDS
THE ROLLERS AND THEIR ALLIES
THE HOOPOES
Indian Hoopoe
The only other species we may mention is the South African Hoopoe (U. africana), which is distinguished at once by its small size, being only ten inches long, entirely black quills, deep rufous coloration, and absence of white in the crest.
It is generally a shy, wary bird in most parts of its range, and is more or less migratory, Mr. Andersson stating that in Damara Land it becomes abundant during the wet season, but gradually disappears with the return of the hot weather.”When it first arrives in Damara Land it is seen in straggling flocks, which soon, more or less, disperse; yet a number of individuals are often found in close proximity, leading a person unacquainted with the habits of the bird to believe that it is really gregarious; it is, however, most frequently found singly.
This species to some extent seeks its food (which consists of insects) upon the ground; but, like the Bee-eaters, it will also watch for and pounce upon its prey from some commanding height.
Besides frequenting the ground in search of food, it also loves to dust itself in the sand. When in a state of rest the crest of this bird is generally recumbent, but on the least excitement it is alternately elevated and depressed, not rapidly, but in a graceful manner, with deliberation and ease."
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