Dr. E. Hopkinson — Gambian Rollers



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a bush or an outlying branch of a tree as a perch from which they can

watch for their prey, and from which they are constantly flying heavily

to the ground, to snap up some locust or other large insect, or perhaps

a lizard or other reptile. At all times they are noisy birds, fond of

uttering harsh croaks and cries, but more particularly is this the case

during the breeding season, when both sexes spend much of their time

sporting and tumbling in the air, courting and lovemaking with many

a scream and buffet. They are commonly known to the English here

as “ Jays ” or “ Blue Jays ”, from their general superficial resemblance

to the bird of that name at home. Their native names are Keer-

Kutarong (Mandingo) and Bakhar (Joloff).


Coracias senegalensis. Senegal Roller.


Range. —Senegambia. (ILL.)


This is the commonest Roller in the Gambia, found everywhere and

at all seasons. Although at certain times of the year they are much

sought after by the native hunters for their skins, they are generally

by no means shy birds, though sufficiently cautious and intelligent to

keep at a safe distance from anyone with a gun in his hands. During

the dry season they are comparatively quiet, but from May onwards

they become noisier and more lively, and indulge more frequently in

their rolling, tumbling feats of aerial gymnastics, especially at the

courting season, when they are almost all day sporting in the air together,

at one moment locked in close embrace and grappling one with another,

the next falling like stones, soon to disengage, to rise again and repeat

the same performance, while all the time they are doing their best to

drive one wild with their harsh screaming cries. At all times they are

rather quarrelsome and attack boldly any bird, be it Hawk or other

murdering ruffian, which may trespass on what they consider their

rights. At bush fires they follow the line of the flames, snapping up

the crippled insects and reptiles, often from out of the very centre of the

fire, and disputing with the Kites and Hawks for the possession of the

choicer morsels. At such times one often sees as many as thirty or

forty together, but on ordinary occasions they are found in pairs or

singly, but wherever one may be in the bush one cannot go far without

at least one Roller being in sight. Their chief colours are brilliant light



