THE GARRULOUS ROLLER. 277 
The general colouring of this bird is composed of rich blue-black and 
white, arranged in bold masses, so as to present a fine contrast of two very 
opposite tints. The head and upper portions of the body are of a very deep 
glossy blue, with the exception of the quill-feathers of the wings and tail, 
which are sooty black, and the upper tail-coverts, which are snowy white. 
The chin, breast, and abdomen are of the same pure white as the upper tail- 
coverts, except in the young birds, which are greyish white beneath. The 
female bird is rather grey on the under portions of the body. A number of 
tiny white feathers are spread over the legs and toes, and the beak is black 
und the eyes brown. The total length of the Martin is rather more than five 
imches, 
ROLLERS. 
THE ROLLERS evidently form one of the connecting links between the 
swallows and the bee-eaters, as may be seen by the shape of their feet, which 
have the two hinder toes partially joined together, while those of the bee- 
eaters are wholly connected, or, as it were, soldered together. The Rollers, 
as is evident from their long pointed wings, stiff tail, and comparatively 
feeble legs and feet, are to a great extent feeders on the wing, although they 
do not depend wholly on their powers of flight for subsistence, but take 
many insects, worms, and grubs, from the ground. 
GARRULOUS ROLLER.—(Coracias garrula.) 
Although tolerably common on several parts of the Continent, GARRU- 
LOUS ROLLER is at the present time a very rare visitant to this country, 
There seems, however, to be reason to believe that in former days, when 
England was Jess cultivated and more covered with pathless woods, the 
Roller was frequently seen in the ancient forests, and that it probably built 
jts nest in the hollows of trees, as it does in the German forests at the 
present day. 
