Descrip- 

 tion. 



Class II. ROLLER. 301 



in most parts of Europe, and we. have received 

 them from Denmark. 



In size it is equal to a jay. The bill is black, 

 strait, and hooked at the point; the base beset 

 with bristles : the space about the eyes is bare, 

 and naked ; behind each ear is also another 

 bare spot, or protuberance; the head, neck, 

 breast, and belly, are of a light bluish green ; the 

 back, and feathers of the wings next to it, are 

 of a reddish brown ; the coverts on the ridge of 

 the wings are of a rich blue ; beneath them of a 

 pale green ; the upper part and tips of the quil 

 feathers are dusky ; the lower parts of a fine 

 deep blue ; the rump is of the same color. The 

 tail consists of twelve feathers, of which the out- 

 most on each side are considerably longer than 

 the rest, are of a light blue, and tipt with black; 

 beneath that a spot of deep blue ; as is the case 

 with such part of the quil-feathers that are 

 black above: the other feathers of the tail are 

 of a dull green. The legs short, and of a dirty 

 yellow. 



It is remarkable for making a chattering noise, 

 from which it is by some called Garndus. 



" The Garrulous Roller is so common in 

 Sicily and Malta, that it is sold in the poul- 

 terers' shops for the table, and is said to have the 

 taste of a turtle dove. It builds chiefly in birch 



