49 



^be 3nt)ian IRoller. 



Coracias indica. 



^T^^FTER the excellent account of this species 



\\ which appeared in our last issue, from the 



J^~^ pen of Mr. J^iim, it is quite unnecessary to 



describe further the habits of the bird as 



observed in a state of nature. 



Some misapprehension might, however, be caused 

 by the phrase Mr. Finn used — " In fact, I was person- 

 ally acquainted with only one wild specimen, who 

 was generally to be seen on one of the furlong posts 

 of the racecourse, just opposite the jail." This really 

 refers only to Calcutta itself, as in India generally 

 the Blue-Jay or Roller is a common bird, and one 

 which Mr. Finn was well acquainted with, and not, 

 as might be supposed, a species whose habits he had 

 described from those of the solitary individual on 

 the furlong post. 



While making the studies for the plate which 

 accompanies this note, I had an opportunity of seeing 

 the three individuals now in the Western Aviary of 

 the Zoological Gardens. All three birds objected to 

 being stared at through a binocular, and the feelings 

 of one quite overcame him, and he secreted himself 

 so well that not until I had mounted one of the seats 

 could I find him again. 



They appear to greatly enjoy what little sunshine 

 our climate affords, and while the sun was actually 

 shining would sit on a ledge of the aviary and, turn- 

 ing their backs to the sun, would spread out their 

 beautiful wings, and raise the feathers of their backs, 

 so that tlie rays might warm the feathers to their 

 bases — in fact taking a sun bath. I saw one of the 

 birds thus spread out on the grass in the aviar}', 

 where it looked like some tropical butterfl)'. 



