INSESSORES. 309 



The ROLLERS, which are in some respects intermediate between 

 the Swallows and Bee-eaters, have been variously arranged by 

 naturalists. With Swainson, we place them among the Meropi- 

 d<z. These are represented by the genus Coracias, (Gr. kora- 

 kias, raven-like,) the birds of which have a straight and moder- 

 ate sized bill, and very short perching or insessorial feet. One 

 species, C. Abyssinica, has two long, loose processes, terminat- 

 ing the two external quills. 



The COMMON, or GARRULOUS ROLLER, C. garrula, (Lat. talk- 

 ative,) is plentifully found in most parts of Europe. The mouth 

 is slightly furnished with bristles like those of the Night-jar ; 

 the voice is loud and chattering, whence its specific name. To 

 the species C. orientahs, (Lat. eastern,) Linn, the name of DOL- 

 LAR BIRD is given. Swainson refers it to a sub-genus Eurysto- 

 mus, (Gr. eurus, broad; stoma, mouth.) It resembles the com- 

 mon Roller, but has a shorter and wider bill, and longer wings ; 

 the sides of the gape are smooth. It is a native of South Aus- 

 tralia. The natives near Sydney call it the NATAY-KIN ; the 

 Colonists name it Dollar Bird. (See Chart.) 



THIRD FAMILY. TODIDJE, (Lat. todus, a small bird.) TODIES. 



The Todies are a small family, resembling the King-fishers 

 in their general form, and found chiefly within the tropics of both 

 hemispheres. Their legs are rather long ; their wings short and 

 rounded, and incapable of any but the most feeble flight. The 

 beak is broad and much flattened, usually blunt or rounded at 

 the tip. In their habits they resemble the Fly-catchers, hopping 

 about among the slender branches of the trees, and occasionally 

 making a short flight to capture insects; these form their princi- 

 pal food, to which, in the case of some species, berries are added. 

 " They have scarcely any voice except at pairing time, and their 

 color closely resembles that of the trees in which they dwell." 

 The species included in the genus Todus are confined to Tropi- 

 cal America. 



The GREEN TODY, T. viridis, is very common in the greater 

 West India Islands. This is a very familiar and beautiful bird ; 

 (Plate X. fig. 4d.) while sitting upon some twig or low bush, 

 watching for flying insects, " it will often let a man come within 

 a few feet and look at it for minutes together, before it moves." 

 It is interesting to note the various means Divine Wisdom has 

 ordained for the attainment of a given end. The Swallow and 

 Tody live upon the same food, (insects ;) the Tody's short, hoi- 



