to Jerusalem to
visit the wonderful Temple.

But of all the winged singers who spoke that day in the garden, the wise
King chose to have ever near him the Cock, because he had spoken words
of piety, and the nimble Hoopoe, because he was able to plunge his
clear gaze into the depths of the earth as if it were made of
transparent glass and discover the places where springs of living water
were hidden under the soil. It was very convenient for Solomon, when he
was traveling, to have some one with him who was able to find water in
whatsoever place he might be resting.

Thus the Cock and the Hoopoe became Solomon's closest companions; but of
the two the Hoopoe was his favorite. The Hoopoe is an Eastern bird and
we do not see him in America. He is about as big as a Jay, colored a
beautiful reddish gray, with feathers of purple, brown, and white, and
his black wings are banded with white. But the peculiar thing about a
Hoopoe is his crown of tawny feathers, a tall crown for so small a bird.
And this is the story of the Hoopoe's crown.

* * * * *

One day when Solomon was journeying across the desert, he was sorely
distressed by the heat of the sun, until he came near to fainting. Just
then he spied a flock of his friends the Hoopoes flying past, and
calling to them feebly he begged them to shelter him from the burning
rays.

The King of the Hoopoes gathered together his whole nation and caused
them to fly in a thick cloud over the head of Solomon while he
continued his journey. In gratitude the wise King offered to give his
feathered friends whatever reward they might ask.

For a whole day the Hoopoes talked the matter over among themselves,
then their King came to Solomon and said to him,--

"We have considered your offer, O generous King, and we have decided
that what we most desire is to have, each of us, a golden crown on his
head."

King Solomon smiled and answered, "Crowns of gold shall you have. But
you are foolish birds, my Hoopoes; and when the evil days shall come
upon you and you see the folly of your desire, return here to me and I
will help you yet again."

So the King of the Hoopoes left King Solomon with a beautiful golden
crown upon his head. And soon all the Hoopoes were wearing golden
crowns. Thereupon they grew very proud and haughty. They went down by
the lakes and pools and strutted there that they might admire themselves
in the water mirrors. And the Queen of the