302 Sir T. S. Raffles's Descriptive Catalogue 



CORACIAS. 



In this genus, the most remarkable is the beautiful Fairy 



Roller. 



1. CORACIAS Puella, Lath. 



BlANG KAPOOR. jj-l£= cLt 



Nothing can surpass the richness of the colours which distin- 

 guish the male of this species , they far exceed what any paint- 

 ing can convey. The crown of the head, back, smaller wing- 

 coverts, and upper and lower tail-coverts are of the most 

 resplendent smalt-blue, while every other part is of the finest 

 velvet-black. The bird is above nine inches in length. The 

 bill black, strong, somewhat curved, compressed, strongly 

 carinate above, and notched near the point ; surrounded with 

 short bristles at the base. Nostrils roundish, and partially co- 

 vered by the feathers. Irids crimson. Legs short and black. 



In the female there is no trace of the brilliant colours of the 

 male ; and the whole body, with the exception of the wing- 

 and some of the tail-feathers, is of a dull blue. 



Adverting to the form of the bill, compressed, carinate and 

 notched, it seems doubtful whether this bird be truly a species 

 of Coracias ; and it is remarkable, that the Malays class it with 

 the Biang, a species of Lanius. 



It is found in the interior of Sumatra and the adjacent islands, 

 and lives on wild grains and fruits. 



2. CORACIAS orientalis, Linn. 



Tiong Batu. Jli £%J 



<^" 



This bird is classed by the Malays with the Gracula religiosa ; 

 and the affinity of the latter to the genus Coracias seems recently 

 to have been noticed in Europe. 



3. CORACIAS 



