ROLLERS. 



391 



liar flight, which is varied and unsteady, and often the bird turns over in the air like 

 a tumbler pigeon. 



The genus Eurystomus is remarkable for being represented in Africa by ruddi- 

 colored species, while blue is the predominating coloration of those living in India and 

 further east ; but Mr. E. B. Sliarpe remarks that from his study of the kingfishers 

 (Alcedinidas) he is led to consider that the possession of a blue color by one species 

 and of a ruddy tint by another does not indicate remote relationship. " Change," he 



" ' ' 'i/ * w 



i Hi 



NW /., ' 5i.'A\ffli3Vr. I'.jir/JAYwl 



\ ' 



FlG. 191. Eurystomus oricntalis, broad-billed roller. 



says, " the lilac tints into blue all over the body, and the African broad-billed rollers 

 assume the exact style of coloration as their eastern congeners." The broad-billed 

 rollers, like the true rollers, are said to be fond of tumbling in the air. 



Lieutenant H. R. Kelham makes the following remarks upon the habits of E. ori- 

 entalis: "I hardly like to say that it is nocturnal in its habits, still it is rarely met 

 with during the heat of the day ; but in the country round Kevala Kangsar, Perak, I 

 frequently saw it of an evening when on my way home after a day in the jungle ; it 



