288 THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



all parts, sometimes in spring ; it is recorded from the Orkneys 

 and St. Kilda, although it is not found far north in Scandinavia. 



This conspicuous and noisy bird usually travels in parties, 

 but its normal migration route does not pass through Britain, 

 and its occurrence in our islands is apparently accidental ; 

 though not infrequent, it is hardly a regular bird of passage. 

 It may at once be recognised by its bright dress, Jay-like 

 appearance and slightly hooked strong bill ; it calls attention to 

 itself by a noisy harsh chatter. The name is derived from its 

 habit of " tumbhng " in the air during courtship, but as a rule 

 its flight is easy and strong ; the rolling is often the prelude to a 

 quick " shooting" descent towards a perch. It feeds on insects, 

 worms and frogs, and sits on some elevated perch — a tree, bush 

 or telegraph-wire — watching for prey after the manner of a 

 shrike. It is described as restless and noisy, but little has 

 been recorded about its habits during its short visits ; as in the 

 case with the Hoopoe and Bee-eater, most notices are mere 

 obituaries. There is no record of the Roller nesting in 

 Britain — it nests in holes and has white eggs — but what would 

 happen if spring visitors were unmolested no one can say. 



The Roller is greenish blue, slightly glossed, with a chestnut 

 mantle. The central tail feathers and the wing-coverts are 

 darker blue, the outer tail feathers tipped with black. The bill 

 is almost black, the legs yellowish -brown, and the irides dark 

 brown. Length, 12 ins. Wing, 77 ins. Tarsus, -95 in. 



Order STRIGIFORMES. Owls. 



The Owls are separated from the diurnal Birds of Prey on 

 account of certain structural characters, some of which are 

 shared by certain familes of the Accipitriformes. The feet have 

 the outer toe reversible ; the usual position when perched is 



