ROLLERS 45 



attempt at nest-building, consequently the protective nature 

 of the bird's coloration is of great benefit to the sitting 

 parent. 



ROLLERS 



The EoUers (Family Coracndce) are chiefly remarkable for 

 their beautiful many-tinted plumage. 



The first species is the European EoUer {Goracias garrulus), 

 a regular visitor to Africa, migrating as far south as the 

 Cape. The European Eoller breeds in South and Central 

 Europe, and is blue below and cinnamon-brown above, with 

 blue wings. In common with the next species it has no 

 elongated outer tail-feathers. It is the only species which 

 wanders as far south as the Cape. Length, 14 inches. 



The Purple Eoller {C. mosambicus) has a reddish-lilac 

 under-surface streaked with white. Length, 14 inches. 



The beautiful Lilac-breasted Eoller (C caudatus) is green, 

 blue and brown, with the breast of a purplish-lilac tinge 

 with white shaft-streaks, and the abdomen blue. It is 

 easily distinguished by the lengthened outer tail-feathers, 

 which are, however, not racquet-shaped at the ends like 

 those of the succeeding species. This bird is not uncommon 

 in the Transvaal bushveld. It is now protected by law in 

 the Transvaal Province. Length, 14 inches to tip of longest 

 tail-feather. 



The Eacquet-tailed Eoller {G. spatulatus) is brown above 

 with blue wings, and cobalt-blue below. It can be im- 

 mediately distinguished by the expanded extremities of 

 the outer tail-feathers. 



The EoUers are all mainly insect- feeders. They nest in 

 hoUow trees and lay white eggs. They derive their name 



