ROLLERS 45 



ROLLERS 



The Boilers (Family Coraciidce) are chiefly remarkable for 

 their beautiful many-tinted plumage. 



The first species is the European Boiler {Coracias garrulus), 

 a regular visitor to Africa, migrating as far south as the 

 Cape. The European Boiler breeds in South and Central 

 Europe, and is blue below and cinnamon-brown above, with 

 blue wings. In common with the next species it has no 

 elongated outer tail-feathers. It is the only species which 

 wanders as far south as the Cape. Length, 14 inches. 



The Purple Boiler (C. mosambicus) has a reddish-lilac 

 under-surface streaked with white. Length, 14 inches. 



The beautiful Lilac-breasted Boiler (0. caudatus) is green, 

 blue and brown, with the breast of a purplish-lilac tinge 

 with white shaft-streaks, and the abdomen blue. It is 

 easily distinguished by the lengthened outer tail-feathers, 

 which are, however, not racquet-shaped at the ends like 

 those of the succeeding species. This bird is not uncommon 

 in the Transvaal bushveld. It is now protected by law in 

 the Transvaal Province. Length, 14 inches to tip of longest 

 tail-feather. 



The Bacquet-tailed Boiler (C. spaiulatus) is brown above 

 with blue wings, and cobalt-blue below. It can be im- 

 mediately distinguished by the expanded extremities of 

 the outer tail-feathers. 



The Boilers are all mainly insect feeders. They nest in 

 hollow trees and lay white eggs. They derive their name 

 from their curious habit of occasionally rolling or turning 

 over while in flight. 



The Cinnamon Boiler (Eurystomus afer) is cinnamon-brown 

 above and lilac below, with blue wings and tail. Length, 10 \ 

 inches. It is fairly common in Portuguese South-East Africa. 



