190 



BBITISH BIBDS 



The roller {Coracius garrula), a jay -like bird, blue and chest- 

 nut-brown in colour. It breeds in Southern and Central Europe, 

 and is known only as a rare straggler in the British Islands. 



The bee-eater {Merops apiaster) — A good many examples of this 

 elegant and richly coloured bird have been obtained in England. It 

 is an abundant species in Southern Europe, where it breeds in coloniea 

 in sandbanks, like our sand-martin. 



The hoopoe {TJpupa epops). — This species has some claim to a 

 place among British birds, as it is an annual visitor to our country, 



Fig. 64. — Hoopoe. 



although in small numbers. It is a singular and beautiful bird, and 

 it is sad to think that, but for the persecution it has encountered 

 year after year, it would most probably have established itself as a 

 regular breeding species in the southern counties of England. 



Cuckoo. 

 Cuculus canonis. 



Upper parts bluish ash, darker on the wings, lighter on the 

 neck and breast ; under parts whitish with transverse dusky 

 streaks ; quills barred on the inner webs with oval white spots ; 



