THE SEARCHERS. 



8i 



wing-covers and wings are deep bright blue, the exterior tail-feathers light blue, the rest blueish 

 black, with a light blue outer web. The centre feathers are blueish or greyish green. The eye is 

 brown, the beak black, and the foot dirty yellow. The young are greyish green on the top of the 

 head, nape, and under side, and dull cinnamon-brown on the back ; their tail is light blueish green. 

 This species is from twelve to thirteen inches long, and from twenty-seven to twenty-eight broad ; the 

 wing measures seven inches and three-quarters, and the tail five inches. 



The Blue Roller inhabits the whole of Europe as far north as Scandinavia, and visits the 

 northern half of the continent of Africa, as also many parts of India during its migrations. In our 



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THE BLUE ROLLER (Coracias gari'uliis). 



own country it seems studiously to avoid the vicinity of man ; but in more southern regions it 

 is less shy, and consequently more easily made the subject of observation. In its disposition it is 

 exceedingly restless and flighty, and when not restricted, as it is during the brooding season, to 

 a particular locality, it may be seen flying all over the district, sweeping all day long from one tree 

 to another, or perching upon the extremity of some withered bough, or peering out from the very 

 top of a dead tree watching for the approach of prey. In cloudy weather it seems morose and 

 inactive ; but during the sunshine it may be seen disporting itself in the air as though in play, 

 ranging round and round, and performing a variety of strange evolutions. Sometimes, for example, 

 it will rise to a considerable height, and then suddenly tumble head over heels down towards the 

 ground, whence it again mounts with toilsome efforts, or, with pigeon-like flight, urges itself fonvard 

 by rapidly-repeated strokes of its wings, and as it thus moves about with apparently aimless haste, 

 VOL. HI. — 90 



