202 Mr. Vicors’s and Dr. HonsrizrD's Description of the 
Fam. Topipx. 
Genus. Eurystomus. Vieill. (Colaris. Cuv.) 
1. OnrENTALIS. Eur. cæruleo-viridis, jugulo lazulino-strigato, 
remigibus rectricumque apicibus nigris, maculá alarum ceru- 
leá. 7 
Coracias orientalis. Linn. i. 159. 
Rollier des Indes. Pl. Enl. 619. 
In Mr. Caley’s MSS. are the following notices of this bird. 
“Its native name is Natay'kin ; the settlers call it Dollar Bird, 
from the silver-like spot on the wing.—It is a noisy bird when on 
the wing, but mostly so in the evening, after other birds have 
gone to roost. It may then both be heard and seen on the tops of 
trees, particularly on dead branches, where it is most easily shot 
by so exposing itself. Its flight is much like that of the Swallow, 
but I have never observed it long upon the wing ; as it generally 
betakes itself, as I before mentioned, to the top of some high 
tree or decayed branch, from whence it darts more readily upon 
its prey. At this time (the evening) the Beetles, which I have 
found in their stomachs, are upon the wing.—1t is a bird of pas- 
sage.—The earliest period of the year at which I have noticed it 
was on the 3rd of October 1809 ; and I have missed it early in . 
February. It is most plentiful about Christmas.” 
This bird, which seems to spread itself very generally over 
the Eastern world, was originally placed by Linnæus among the 
Rollers, or his genus Coracias ; and although it has latterly been : 
formed into a distinct genus from that group, it has still been 
arranged next to it by the greater number of systematic writers, 
M. Vieillot observing the extreme width of the base of the bill, 
grouped it among the Berry-eaters*, a family which he formed 
* Pam, TO: BACCIVORI."— Analyse d'une Nouv. Orn. Elem. p. 37. 
out 
