ROLLERS. 209 



FAMILY I. 

 THE ROLLERS. CORACID^. 



General Characteristics. — Bill more or less lengthened and broad at the base, 

 with the sides compressed towards the tip, which is hooked ; the nostrils basal, 

 lateral, with the opening linear or oval ; the wings long and pointed : the tail gene- 

 rally short and even ; the tarsi short ; the toes moderate, sometimes free, or the outer 

 toe united at the base with the middle one. 



These birds are distinguished by great beauty of plumage ; 

 they are for the most part confined to hot countries, a few only 

 being inhabitants of the more temperate regions. Their food 

 consists mostly of insects, but some of them subsist wholly or in 

 part upon vegetable substances. 



To this family belong the Rollers proper, the Todies, the Boat- 

 bills, and the Motmots. 



Siih-Family I. 



THE ROLLERS PROPER. CORACIANIN/E. 



General Characteristics. — The Rollers have the wings of moderate dimensions ; 

 the tail moderate, with the side feathers sometimes lengthened ; the tarsi short ; the 

 toes moderate and free at the base. 



These birds are indigenous to Africa, India, New Guinea, and 

 Australia ; but, owing to their migratory habits, are sometimes 

 met with in various parts of Europe and even in England. As 

 their food consists of insects and fruits, they are obliged to move 

 from place to place, according to the seasons. They mostly fre- 

 quent wooded districts, where they may be met with, either singly 

 or in pairs, perched on the dead branch of some tree, from whence 

 they occasionally take flight to a short distance to capture an in- 

 sect, and having seized it, return to the same spot. Their nest 

 is placed in a hole of some decayed tree. The female lays four 

 or five eggs. 



The Garrulous Jay or Common Roller {Coracias garrula) is an inha- 

 bitant of Africa, but visits Europe, and even Great Britain, in the summer- 

 time. On the steppes of Southern Russia it is abundant, and goes by the 

 name of the Steppe Parrot, partly on account of its squalling voice, partly on 

 account of its beautiful plumage, in which green, blue, yellow, and black strive 



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