326 



THE GARRULOUS 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 partially joined together, while those 

 of the bee-eaters are wholly connected, or, as it were, soldered to- 

 gether. The Rollers, as is evident from their long pointed wings, stiif 

 tail, and comparatively feeble legs and feet, are to a great extent feed- 

 ers 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. 



Although tolerably common on several parts of the Continent, the 

 Garrulous Roller is at the present time a very rare visitant to this 



country. There seems, how- 

 ever, to be reason to believe 

 that in former days, when 

 England was less cultivated 

 and more covered with path- 

 less woods, the Roller was 

 frequently seen in the an- 

 cient forests, and that it 

 probably built its nest in 

 the hollows of trees, as it 

 does in the German forests 

 at the present day. 



Africa is the legitimate 

 The Garrulous Roller {Coracms garmla). home of the Roller, which 



passes from that land in the 

 early spring, and makes its way to Europe via Malta and the Mediter- 

 ranean islands, which afford it resting-places during its long journey. 



Accordingly, in those islands the Rollers are found in great plenty, 

 and, as they are considered a great delicacy when fat and in good con- 

 dition, they are killed in considerable numbers, and exposed for sale 

 like pigeons, whose flesh they are said greatly to resemble. Even in 

 its flight it possesses something of the pigeon character, having often 

 been observed while flying at a considerable elevation to " tumble " 

 after the manner of the well-known tumbler pigeons. It is rather 

 curious that throughout Asia Minor the Rollers and magpies were 

 always found in close proximity to each other. 



The food of the Roller is almost wholly of an insect nature, but is 

 diversified with a few berries and other vegetable productions. It has 

 even been known to become carnivorous in its habits, for, according to 

 reraminck, it sometimes feeds on the smaller mammalia. 



