Curiously, the Hoopoe was included among the "unclean animals" forbidden
to the Hebrew people in Leviticus... Most of the rest are predatory
birds or "anomalous" animals that don't fit the traditional
classification scheme, e.g., those with cloven hoof that don't chew the
cud... Apparently the hoopoe is noted for leaving a mess about its nest.

Gene Hunn.

On Fri, 17 Nov 1995, Riesen Reto wrote:

>
> Laurinda Anglin asks
>
> > hard to find things and easy to miss others. I've noticed quite a few posts
> > on these Hoopoe birds and am just curious as to what they are.
>
> Colourful birds of the Old World, with a reputation for being untidy.
> Peterson's Field Guide to Western Birds mentions them as strays (p.352).
>
> The same page shows 2 other favourite birds of mine from Europe, the
> Wryneck and the Stonechat. Both specialists for traditionally used
> farming areas, too.
>
> Reto Riesen
> Dept. Chem.,UBC
> Vancouver
> riesenr at chem.ubc.ca
>