ROLLER. 155 



The same pair return often again and again to the spot they 

 frequented the previous year, provided they have not been 

 disturbed ; they are particularly attached to their young. 



These birds find very inveterate enemies in the buzzard 

 species : weazles destroy many a nest and brood of the 

 Roller. 



Sandy and undulating countries are chiefly frequented by 

 this species ; swampy and mountainous parts they avoid, 

 even during their migrations, if possible. They are summer 

 visitants "with us, although of rare occurrence. 



The Roller measures thirteen inches and a quarter in 

 length, and twenty-seven inches and three quarters in ex- 

 panse ; the middle tail-feathers measure above five inches 

 in length, and are rounded at the tips ; the outer feathers 

 are narrower at their extremities, and extend five to six lines 

 beyond the rest. The wings, when closed, cover two thirds 

 of the tail. 



The head is thick, the beak rather large, and compressed 

 at the edges; from the forehead to the tip it measures 

 one inch and a quarter, and is of a dusky horn colour. 

 The nostrils are exposed, open, oval, and forming a slanting- 

 aperture. The iris is dusky, surrounded with a rim of grey 

 or dusky-grey ; the rings and strong bristling beard-feathers 

 brown, and behind the eye is a three-cornered, naked, brown 

 patch, or skin. The inside of the beak and swallow, and 

 the tongue, are yellow ; the latter is lancet-shaped, and 

 fringed at the tip with brown hairs. The legs are stout, 

 and feathered below the knee ; the tarsi and upper surface 

 of the toes are covered with coarse scales, and reticulated 

 beneath. The tarsus measures one inch in length ; the 

 middle toe, with the claw, one inch and a quarter, and the 

 weak hind toes hardly one inch. 



The forehead and chin are whitish, the head, neck, breast, 

 belly, thighs, of a fine bright greenish-blue, which colour, 



M 2 



