602 > The Roller-like Birds 



coming of that bird, and the Pee-pee from the likening of its note to the words 

 pee, pee or qui, qui, qui. It frequents low trees and bushes, especially orchards, 

 or even high grass, and is frequently observed on the ground seeking its food, 

 which consists largely of ants and ground-haunting insects, which are secured 

 by rapid darts of its worm-like tongue. At all times except during the nesting 

 season it is a silent bird, but at that time its loud, monotonous, quickly uttered 

 call is frequently heard. It does not excavate a hole for itself, but makes use 

 of a natural or other cavity, especially in an orchard or lime tree, depositing on 

 the bare wood or chips at the bottom its glossy white eggs, which number 

 from seven to nine, or exceptionally as many as twelve. 



The remaining species are confined to Africa south of the Sahara. Of these 

 the Red-breasted Wryneck (/. ruficottis), so named from the deep chestnut 

 color of the center of the chin and throat, inhabits South Africa, the White- 

 breasted Wryneck (7. pulchricollis} equatorial Africa, and the other (7. aqua- 

 torialis) Abyssinia. Their habits are similar to those of the better-known 

 species. 



