Coracias Garrula, LINNÆUS; Le Rollier d'Europe, BUFFON; Die
Mandelkrähe, BECHSTEIN.
This bird resembles the jay in size and form, and is twelve inches in
length, of which the tail measures four and a half; the beak is
blackish, before and behind the eyes is a blackish triangular spot,
formed by the naked skin; the iris of the eye is grey; the whole of the
head, the neck, the throat, the breast, the belly, the large
wing-coverts, and all the under-coverts, are of a beautiful bluish
green; the tail is of a dusky blue green near the base, becoming
gradually lighter towards the end.
The female and young ones of the first year have the head, neck, breast,
and belly of a reddish grey tinged with bluish green; the back and the
last quill-feathers are of a light greyish brown; the rump is green,
tinged with indigo; the tail blackish with a tint of blue green; the
rest like the male.
HABITATION.--In its wild state the roller may be found in Europe and
the northern parts of Africa; it only frequents a few spots in
Germany, and prefers forests and sandy plains to high mountains:
elsewhere it is only seen during the time of its passage[19].
In the house it may be let range at will after the wings are clipt.
FOOD.--When wild, its principal food is insects and worms; it also
eats small frogs, bulbous roots, acorns, and grains of corn.
BREEDING.---The nest, placed in the hole of a tree, is made of small
twigs, hay, feathers, and bristles. It lays from four to seven white
eggs, on which the male takes his turn to sit during eighteen or
twenty days. The young ones do not acquire their fine colours till
the second year; previous to this period the head, neck, and breast
are of a whitish grey.
I had till lately thought that this bird was untamable; but Dr. Meyer
of Offenbach has convinced me to the contrary, having himself reared
them several times, and kept them in his room. This is his method:
The young ones must be taken from the nest when only half grown, and
fed on little bits of cow's heart, or any other meat which is lean
and tender, till they can eat alone; small frogs, worms, and insects
may then be added. The means which it takes to kill and swallow these
insects are curious enough; it begins by seizing and crushing them
with its beak, and then throws them into the air several times, in
order to receive them in its throat, which is very capacious. When
the piece is too large, or the insect still alive, it strikes it hard
against the ground, and begins again to throw it in the air, till
falling not across, but so as to thread the throat, it may be easily
swallowed.
After having been fed thus long enough, a little barley-meal may be
mixed with the meat. I have even brought it to eat bread, vegetables,
and softened oatmeal, but it always prefers cow's heart. I have never
seen it drink.
It knows the person who takes care of it, comes at his call to eat
from his hands, without however letting itself be caught: but it
never becomes quite tame, and often defends itself with its beak. It
makes very few movements unless to seek its food, and generally
remains quite still in the same place. If it ever hops about the room
it is in an awkward and cramped manner, on account of its short feet;
on the other hand, it flies very well; but it must not be left
completely at liberty in the room, or quite shut up in the cage,
because it is so easily startled, and in its fright gives itself such
violent blows on the head as would soon kill it. The best way is to
clip one wing, and then let it range the room. These birds quarrel
with one another, particularly in the evening, for their places on
the perch. I have kept them for some time in a large aviary with
small and great birds, and once with my pigeons which I kept shut up;
generally I have them in my room, where they mix with several other
birds: but whether alone or with companions they appeared equally
healthy and active.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--They have few other attractions besides their
beautiful plumage, for their voice is only a harsh croaking "_crag,
crag, craag_[20]."