I04


The Roller {Coracias garrulus) is not only interesting as a

bird and taking as a pet (if properly managed), but it is a subject

which our Society ought to take up as a matter of duty. Writers,

ancient and modern, have had much to say about the Roller, but

few of them seem to have understood its true nature ; and, as the

moderns seem to be taking a retrogade step, a little discussion

about the bird will be timely. And amongst all the writings,

ancient and modern, with which I am acquainted, there is but

one that even so much as refers to one of the most interesting

points in the economy of the bird, a point, too, on which the

question of its food partly hinges. Mr. Fulljanies, therefore, in

asking about food for his Roller, touches on an important subject ;;

and to deal with it, principally though not entirely, will be

sufficient for the present paper, {a)


Perhaps it may somewhat clear the air if I commence by

saying that the more I see of the Roller the more do I disagree

with those writers who liken it to our Jay. The Jay is a bold

knave, and wary after the manner of clever knaves, but the

Roller is neither bold nor a knave ; on the contrary, although

not exactly wild, it is exceptionally nervous and timid, and (for

example) will fast for hours rather than go near its food should

any such uncanny object as a dust-broom be lying anywhere

near. It is more or less wary according to the circumstances of

its lot ; in Greece, for instance, I not infrequently came across

the feathers but rarely saw the bird, for the natives seemed tO'

have little to do but to shoot at every member of the feathered

creation they could find, even a rare Sparrow which ventured

to chirp in the outskirts of Athens itself being immediately

catapulted by the ubiquitous urchin. On the other hand, I

understand that in Palestine and Algeria the Roller is a common

and conspicuous object. In some of its ways the Roller is

curiously like to its not very distant connection the I^aughing

Jackass ; and on very rare occasions it gives utterance to a short

but almost perfect Jackass laugh. Some writers endeavour tO'

describe its different notes, but rather feebly, for its language is

varied and expressive, and to my mind distinctly pleasing ;.

nevertheless it is the custom to abuse the voice of the Roller,,

so there is no more to be said.


It is not a robust bird, and should not be exposed to much

cold.


In considering the food of the captive Roller, it must be

borne in mind that it is rather an obstinate bird to get on to food


(rt) See p. 55, last paragraph.



