'The Hoopoe' Bad Habit Cripplegate Postern

Cripplegate Postern

with vessels on River Thames

The shadowy figures drinking a toast are Lord Salisbury (right) and Lord Randolph Churchill

The title could be a play on words

'The Hoopoe' Bad Habit Cripplegate PosternOrnithological study of a Hoopoe Upupa epops, perched on a low branch with a hill behind. Plate 345 from chapter 135 of Gleanings of natural history, exhibiting figures of quadrupeds, birds, insects, plants, &c, by George Edwards, volume 3 (London, for the author, 1764). The plate is inscribed: 'Ang, the Hoopoe. Lat, Upupu. Fran, Pupue ou Hupe. Ital, Bubbola. H. Germ, Widehuppe. Drawn from life. G. Edwards Septem 1 AD1759.' Original: etching. 1761