THE BLUE ROLLER 



In habits the roller is shy and unsociable, going about in pairs, and 

 generally, but not always, shunning the vicinity of human habitations. Its flight is 

 swift and undulating, and often limited to the passage from one tree-top to 

 another. In fine weather, however, it indulges in the habit of tumbling when 

 on the wing, and performs all kinds of aerial evolutions, sometimes falling from a 

 considerable height almost to the ground ; this last performance generally taking 

 place during the pairing-season. At that season, when the males are in the 

 company of the females, the former rise into the air with their characteristic harsh 

 cry of "rak, rak, rak," and descend again with a rapidly repeated "rak, rak, rak." 

 When at rest, the cry is a high-pitched, frequently repeated " raker, raker, raker." 

 It is from these cries that the bird derives its specified name, and likewise its 

 German title of blaurake. 



In many parts of Europe the nest is built in the hole of a tree, but in the 

 south is more generally placed in ruins, under the roofs of houses, in clefts in 

 walls, or on cliffs and steep banks, in which deep holes are excavated for its 

 reception. At the proper season it contains from five to six white eggs, which are 

 brooded in turn by the male and female, and this so assiduously that it is often 

 easy to capture the sitting bird with the hands. In laying white eggs, the roller 

 conforms to the general rule of birds which nest in holes. It is, moreover, an 

 uncleanly bird, and when the nest has contained young for some time, it gives out 

 a most disgusting smell, while the young themselves sit in a mass of filth. Strange 

 that such a beautiful bird should have such dirty habits ! 



As regards its mental powers, the roller is evidently highly developed ; 

 but its inherent shyness renders it unsuitable as a cage-bird. In disposition it is, 

 as already mentioned, unsociable, and it will frequently quarrel with other birds 

 and its own fellows. On the other hand, several pairs often nest near together, and 

 its migrations are made in large companies. 



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