( 33 ) 
has stuck to them. The anatomy (structure) of the Coraciade, their 
habits, food and nidification show them to be a distinct group. 
Rollers lay white eggs, whereas Jay and Corvidae lay coloured eggs 
with brownish stripes and patches. Like Mevropidaec, Bee-eaters, 
Rollers feed on insects and are partial to a seat on telegraph wires 
in the plains; and perches, where a clear open view is obtained, 
resting quietly, or on the look out for insects. Jays are arboreal in 
habits and prefer denser cover. The gape of the Coraciade is wide, 
rictal bristles in some of the species, aid them to hold, whilst on 
the pursuit after bees, moths, butterflies etc., the prey, which pass 
them on the wing. Jays are omnivorous birds. 
(123) Coracias Indica, Indian Roller, is a familiar bird, so requires 
little or no introduction. It frequents more open country. Clear- 
ings of jungle land and woods, in preference to forests. It is not 
a little partial to the proximity of human habitations. Seen gene- 
rally solitary, perched on a cow shed in Bengal villages, or bowri- 
poles, or the top of a tree near by. This speciesis 134 inches in length ; 
bill is large, strong and lengthened, compressed and hooked at the 
tip; rictal bristles are strong; wings fairly long; tail short; tarsus 
short. This bird displays a fair amount of blue, tinged with green 
on the head (above) and nape; hind-neck, scapulars and tertiaries 
are ashy brown with a greenish gloss; shoulders and lesser wing 
coverts, deep cobalt blue; greater coverts and quills pale blue, with 
a broad wing band of violet-blue about the middle. A few of the 
leading colours will suffice to make the acquaintance of the common 
Roller. Usually one of these birds or may be two (in spring) take 
up their abode in each of the villages or hamlets in Bengal. They 
are occasionally seen in avenues, gardens or clumps of trees; near 
fields under cultivation, wherever a stray insect is likely to be found. 
They emerge from their coin of vantage, usually a conspicuous perch, 
with an easy dart-like flight and capture the winged termites as they 
rise, in not a few instances, from off their breeding spots and holes 
in the ground together with grass-hoppers, crickets, mantidee, ete. 
The flight of the Roller is strong and well sustained when put to 
the test; but usually it flies with laboured flaps of the wings. We 
might look for the sociability, and comparative tameness of these 
birds, to the care and consideration, extended to them by both 
Hindus and Mahamedans. Among the former, the Roller is consi- 
dered sacred to Siva, for this reason these birds are purchased at 
bird fairs, at various centres in Bengal. One such fair is held or 
used to be, on the Sealdah side of Circular Road, about the latter 
end of August. Considerable care and attention is shown by 
Hindus to the birds thus acquired, usually young, for the purpose 
of liberating them again at Durga Puja, when images of Durga are 
thrown into the river. This kind act of liberation is believed to 
5 
