OF VICTORIA. 153 



ROLLER 



(Dollar-bird), 



Eiirystomus aiistrali.s, Swains. 



L'-ru/u-niiis ds-tra-lh. 

 Eurus, wide ; stoma, mouth ; aiistralis, southern. 



EuRYSTOMUS AUSTKALis, Gould, " Birds of Australia, " fol. , vol. ii., 



pi. 17. 

 Gkocraphical Distribution. — Areas 2, 3, 4, 6, 8. 



Key to the Species. — General appearance green ; V)ill, legs, and 

 feet red ; head and neck dark brown ; bill as broad at gape as 

 it is long, culinen rounded. Total length, 10 o inches; bill, 1 

 inch ; wing, 7 "75 inches. 



At all times in this colony it is an uncommon species, while 

 in southern Victoria there are, probably, no more than five 

 records of its presence so far south. The Roller is repre- 

 sented in Australia lr)y one species only, and it is one of the 

 few birds that are spread over this continent with which 

 T have had no personal contact of special value. Mr. John 

 Gould, upon observations made in New South Wales, 

 writes : — 



" It arrives early in spring, and, after having reared a 

 family, retires northward on the approach of winter. It 

 appeared to be most active about sunrise and sunset. 

 In sultry weather it was generally perched upon some dead 

 branch in a state of quietude. It is a very bold bird at 

 all times, but particularly so during the breeding season, 

 when it attacks with the utmost fury any intruder that 

 may venture to approach the hole in the tree in which it 

 has its eggs. 



" When intent upon the capture of insects it usually 

 perches upon the dead upright branch of a tree growing 

 beside and overhanging water, where it sits very erect till 



