326 BRITISH BIRDS. 



Genus CORACIAS. 



The genus Coracias was recognized by Linnaeus in the 12th edition of 

 his e Systema Naturae/ i. p. 159, published in 1766. C. garrula (the Gal- 

 gulus galgulus of Brisson) is the type. 



The species belonging to this genus may be distinguished by their com- 

 bining the characters of a long, flat, pointed wing with a comparatively 

 narrow bill. The tarsus, which is very short, is scaled in front and reti- 

 culated behind ; and the hind toe and claw are smaller than any of 

 the fore toes. 



There are not more than a dozen species of Rollers, which are confined 

 to the southern portion of the Palsearctic Region, and the Ethiopian and 

 Oriental Regions, extending beyond the latter into the island of Celebes. 

 One species only is a common summer visitor to Europe, and occasionally 

 strays as far as the British Islands. 



The Rollers chiefly frequent wooded districts in the vicinity of open 

 plains, especially in the neighbourhood of rocks. Their flight is extremely 

 like that of a Jay, and their notes are almost as harsh as the note of that 

 bird. Their food consists of insects, worms, small mammals, and reptiles. 

 They breed in holes in rocks, old buildings, and decayed trees ; and their 

 eggs are pure white, very round, and glossy. 



