The BLUE ROLLER (_Coracias garrulus_), a species exhibiting the
principal characteristics of the above family, has a strong, straight
beak of moderate size, broad at its base, slightly curved at the
culmen, and hooked at its tip; the tarsus is shorter than the middle
toe, the second wing-quill is longer than the rest, and the tail
straight at its extremity. A brilliant metallic green predominates in
the magnificently-coloured plumage; the back is bright cinnamon-brown,
the brow and chin are whitish, the quills are indigo blue above and
ultramarine blue beneath, the feathers on the small wing-covers and
wings are deep bright blue, the exterior tail-feathers light blue, the
rest blueish black, with a light blue outer web. The centre feathers are
blueish or greyish green. The eye is brown, the beak black, and the foot
dirty yellow. The young are greyish green on the top of the head, nape,
and under side, and dull cinnamon-brown on the back; their tail is light
blueish green. This species is from twelve to thirteen inches long, and
from twenty-seven to twenty-eight broad; the wing measures seven inches
and three-quarters, and the tail five inches.
[Illustration: THE BLUE ROLLER (_Coracias garrulus_).]
The Blue Roller inhabits the whole of Europe as far north as Scandinavia,
and visits the northern half of the continent of Africa, as also many
parts of India during its migrations. In our own country it seems
studiously to avoid the vicinity of man; but in more southern regions it
is less shy, and consequently more easily made the subject of observation.
In its disposition it is exceedingly restless and flighty, and when not
restricted, as it is during the brooding season, to a particular locality,
it may be seen flying all over the district, sweeping all day long from
one tree to another, or perching upon the extremity of some withered
bough, or peering out from the very top of a dead tree watching for the
approach of prey. In cloudy weather it seems morose and inactive; but
during the sunshine it may be seen disporting itself in the air as though
in play, ranging round and round, and performing a variety of strange
evolutions. Sometimes, for example, it will rise to a considerable height,
and then suddenly tumble head over heels down towards the ground, whence
it again mounts with toilsome efforts, or, with pigeon-like flight, urges
itself forward by rapidly-repeated strokes of its wings, and as it thus
moves about with apparently aimless haste, presents a peculiarity of
manner that there is no possibility of mistaking. When in a tree, it
does not hop about among the branches, but conducts itself in the same
way as many other tenuirostral species, always assisting its movements
from one bough to another by the help of its wings. It can scarcely be
said ever to come upon the ground, but sometimes flies so close to the
earth that it might easily be supposed to be running over its surface.
Unlike the Bee-eaters, these birds are very quarrelsome and unsociable,
biting at any intruder, even of their own species, and quite incapable of
living peaceably with any other kind. Their voice corresponds well with
their German name of _Rake_, consisting of a loud, rattling repetition of
"raker, raker, raker"--a cry occasionally exchanged for "rak, rak, jack."
These birds live principally upon insects, all sorts of which they
greedily devour; sometimes they will have no objection to a mouse, or a
bird, a lizard, a frog, or any other small animal. It is a very common
opinion that the Blue Roller can dispense with water altogether, that it
neither drinks it nor uses it for a bath; and truly any one who has seen
it, as we have done, in the midst of the arid plains in which it seems to
be most at home, will scarcely feel inclined to doubt the possibility of
the statement being well founded.
The usual nesting-place of this Roller is in some hollow tree, and its
nest is usually constructed of roots and straw, lined with hair and
feathers; in the south of Europe it not unfrequently builds in rifts and
chinks in old walls, or even excavates for itself a hole in the ground,
much in the same way as the Bee-eaters. The brood consists of from four
to six white and polished eggs. Both sexes co-operate in the work of
incubation, and so assiduously do they maintain their post when sitting,
that they may be sometimes caught with the hand while upon the nest. The
young are fed upon insects and grubs. They soon learn to fly, but remain
with their parents, and accompany them in their winter migrations.
* * * * *
The DOLLAR BIRDS (_Eurystomus_) are recognisable by their short, flat
beak, which is broad at its sides, rounded at the culmen, and very
decidedly hooked; the second wing-quill is the longest; the tail is either
short and straight or slightly rounded; the structure of the foot and
coloration of the plumage resemble that of the group above described.