46



gaudy than the female, but if in a specimen green predominates,

it is a male ; but at the same time there are male-birds as brilliant

as females. I myself do not think his distinction is clear, and the

usual belief is that the difference between the sexes cannot be

defined. However, the boy is positive that he knows how to

distinguish them often, if not always. The hurricane having

destroyed many forest-trees, the Parrots are seen all along the

coast, looking for food, and many have gone to Santa Rucia. I

fancy there has been a great destruction of them, and several

have been caught too weak from starvation to escape when

pursued. My son went into the neighbourhood of forests on

the 22nd November, but although he saw many, they had

strength to fly away.”



THE EUROPEAN ROLLER.


( Coracias gdrrulusJ.


By Reginald Phileipps.


In the April and May numbers of the Avicultural Magazine,

1898, I wrote about the European Roller, and referred specially

to the possible abstention from water of the species in its wild

state. And in connection with this point, at page 122, I added,

“ I have not ever known a Roller knowingly touch water on the

ground, nor ever attempt to wash anywhere; but they will spread

out their wings and feathers during a shower in warm weather.”

I11 my garden there is a rather large bathing saucer, surrounded

at a distance of from two to four feet by a wooden rail about a

foot from the ground. On May 4th, 1898, a mild showery day

here, the two Rollers with outstretched wings were enjoying the

rain on a high perch, in the manner referred to above. Suddenly

the male came down and, from the rails, dashed violently into the

water several times, returning to the rails after each dash. The

female quickly joined him, and, excited by his mad behaviour,

likewise from the rails, dashed at and just over the water

repeatedly but without actually touching it; and then, as the

absurdity of the proceeding seemed to strike her, she burst into

one of her wild Jackass laughs, and flew right away off to the

shelter of the bird-room. The dash of the male into the water

was of the true Kingfisher plunge, and identical with that of the

Raughing Jackass, Dacelo gigas. On July 6th, the plumage of

both birds indicated a recent tubbing which I did not witness ;

but just a week later I again saw them bathing. Having pre-



