512 



PASSERINES. 



insects and their larvse, worms, and the smaller reptiles ; but in 

 their absence the)' feed on berries, seeds, and certain roots. 



The bill of the Roller is black towards the point, becoming 

 brown at the base, with a few bristles ; the irides are formed of 

 yellow and brown circles ; the head, neck, breast, and belly present 

 various shades of bluish verditer, changing to a palish green ; the 

 plumage of the upper part of the body is a brilliant azure blue 

 on the shoulders, and reddish brown on the back ; rumj) feathers 

 purplish. Wing primaries dark bluish black, lighter on the 

 edge ; tail feathers pale greenish blue. They abound in Europe, 

 Africa, and Southern Asia. Although the natural habitat of 

 the bird is oak and beech forests, M. Yieillot tells us that in 

 Malta, where trees are scarce, the bird nests on the ground. In 

 Barbary it has been observed to build on the banks of the rivers, 

 and Pennant observes that where trees are wanting it bidlds its 

 nest in claj-ey banks. 



The Starlings {Sturnidce) are characterised by a straight bill, 



Fig. 221.— Starliii^f (Stiinius rufijans, S\vaiii;son). 



depressed towards the point. They are remarkable for their 

 vivacity, and grave, sombre plumage, lit up with brilliant metallic 

 reflections of green and blue. They are sociable birds, living 

 in numerous docks, being, says Selby, "particularly abundant 

 in the fenny parts of Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, where 



