Another interesting question remains to be considered —

The Roller and its Drink. Is the Roller a total abstainer in its

wild state ? Does it drink or does it not drink, that is the ques-

tion ! Morris states — " They are said never to drink." My first

Roller, who developed into an exceptionally natural specimen,

and seldom had a chance of getting sop, was never seen to drink

until it had been with nie just short of twelve months ; I was

acquainted with the above-quoted statement of Morris, and was

on the look out, and noted the date of the occurrence. When I

received my present birds (a pair), not being able to supply them

with insects, I took considerable pains to get them on to water ;

but it was slow work, for they had been put on to sop the moment

they arrived. I did not see the female's introduction to the

drinking water, but what seemed to be the first attempt of the

male was ludicrous, although he was several months old ; he

didn't know how to drink ; and the water ran out of the corners

of his mouth, and flowed freely down his breast, as he took gulp

after gulp. Even now these birds sit down before the water and

drink in a most ceremonious manner, as if there were some

mystery about the proceeding and they could not quite make it

out. Nevertheless I suspect that caged Rollers, fed on raw meat

and dry food only, with water close under their noses, would

take to it pretty quickly.


I have not ever known a Roller knowingly touch water on

the ground, nor ever attempt to wash an5'where ; but they will

spread out their wings and feathers during a gentle shower in

warm weather. Some time ago, I chucked some mealworms on to

the ground, and down swooped the Rollers, who as usual returned

to their perches immediately, but continued scrutinising the

ground for any that might have been overlooked. One had

fallen into a washing-pan containing less than two inches of

water, and down dropped my little hen again like a shot. For a

few moments she stood in the water, her legs astraddle, astonish-

ment and bewilderment depicted in every feather and feature.

She flew up to her perch, and remained there for some time

dejected and disgusted, the mealworm still lying in the water ;

but, greedy pig as she is, with an unbounded stomach for meal-

worms, I think she would have rather rotted on her perch than

liave gone for that mealworm again.


My theory is that the Roller, from necessity rather than

choice, is certainly a partial, perhaps occasionally or often a

total, abstainer from water. During the dry season in many hot

countries frequented by the bird, except in inaccessible wells,



