COMMON ROLLER. 177 



birds only hatching one egg? We have no evidence 

 whether both eggs were warm when found, or only 

 one. 



The eggs of the Nightjar become seriously damaged 

 by exposure to the light; they lose all their beauty, 

 and, in fact, fade so much as to become nearly white. 

 It is therefore very necessary to keep them well 

 covered up. B 



COMMON BEE-EATER. 



MEROPS APIASTER. 

 Family MEROPID^E. Genus MEROPS. 



An accidental straggler, but specimens have been 

 obtained in many counties. It frequents the banks 

 of rivers, and feeds on insects. Its plumage is very 

 brilliant, the forehead light greenish blue, fading in 

 front into white ; neck, back and wings reddish brown, 

 passing into yellow towards the tail, which is greenish 

 blue ; the throat is yellow. 



COMMON ROLLER. 



CORACIAS GARRULA. 

 Family MEROPID;E. Genus CORACIAS. 



Another accidental straggler, of very brilliant and 

 conspicuous plumage, consequently it is an easy mark 

 for specimen hunters, more than a hundred examples 

 having been obtained. Its main colour is a brilliant 

 metallic greenish blue. 



12 



