Returns the number of bits that are set in a 32bit int

def _number_of_set_bits(x):
    '''
    Returns the number of bits that are set in a 32bit int
    '''
    # Taken from http://stackoverflow.com/a/4912729. Many thanks!
    x -= (x >> 1) & 0x55555555
    x = ((x >> 2) & 0x33333333) + (x & 0x33333333)
    x = ((x >> 4) + x) & 0x0f0f0f0f
    x += x >> 8
    x += x >> 16
    return x & 0x0000003f