THE QAFING -BILLED PEROHERS. 263 



sides of almost inaccessible cliffs, so that tte business of procuring 

 them is a most dangerous task. The nature of the jelly-like trans- 

 parent material of which the nests are made is not yet known. 

 The nests are found in Java. 



The Eoller is plentifully found in most parts of Europe, 

 but has seldom been seen in England. Its mouth is slightly fur- 

 nished with vibrissas or long bristly hairs, like those of the night- 

 jar. It is a very shy bird, frequenting the depths of the forests. 

 r t builds its nest in hollow trees — some say in banks — and layE 

 from four to seven white eggs, very like those of the kingfisher. 

 Its legs are short, and the upper mandible is bent over the lower 

 at the extremity. The coloring is brilliant, shades of blue and 

 green prevailing. Its length is about thirteen inches. 



The Trogon. — The magnificent family of the Trogons 

 stands pre-eminent in 

 beauty and brilliancy 

 of plumage, the usual 

 tint being a metallic 

 golden green, boldly 

 contrasted with scarlet, 

 black, and brown. The 

 toes are placed two be- 

 hind and two before, 



like those of the woodpeckers. The Resplendent Trogon is the 

 most gorgeous of all this gorgeous family. Its long and grace- 

 fully curved tail, nearly three feet long ; the whole of the upper 

 surface, and the throat, are a glowing green ; the breast and under 

 parts are bright crimson ; the middle feathers of the tail black, 

 and the outer feathers white. This splendid bird is an inhabitant 

 of Mexico, and was used by the Mexican nobles as an ornament 

 Jo their head-dress. 



The Common Kingfisher is found in most parts of 

 England. Scarcely anything more beautiful can be conceived 

 than the metallic glitter of its plumage as it glides along the banks 

 of the river, or darts into the water after its struggling prey. Its 

 usual method of fishing is by placing itself on a stump or stone 



