120 



THE ORIENTAL ROLLER. 



ROLLERS. 



THE ROLLERS evidently form one of the connecting links between the swallows and the 

 bee-eaters, as may be seen by the shape of their feet, which have the two hinder toes par- 

 tially joined together, while those of the bee-eaters are wholly connected, or, as it were, 

 soldered together. The Rollers, as is evident from their long pointed wings, stiff tail, and 

 comparatively feeble legs and feet, are to a great extent feeders on the wing, although they 

 do not depend wholly on their powers of flight for subsistence, but take many insects, worms, 

 and grubs from the ground. 



The birds of the genus Eurystomus, or wide-mouthed birds, may be known by the pecu- 

 liarity from which they derive their generic name. The beak is remarkably wide at its base, 



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ORIENTAL ROLLER. 



and the gape of the mouth is very large. The point of the beak is flattened, and rather 

 abruptly curved. There are some bristle-like feathers at the angle of the mouth, and the 

 wings are extremely long, the second primary feather being the longest. The tail is moderate 

 in extent and not forked. 



The ORIENTAL ROLLER is found spread over a large expanse of country, being a native of 

 many parts of India, Java, and the Polynesian Islands. It is a very handsome bird, the 

 greater part of its plumage gleaming with the most brilliant green, which has been compared, 

 though not very happily, to the peculiar sea-green of the aquamarine. A brilliant azure 

 colors the throat and the points of the wings, and the primary feathers of the wing are black, 



