204 BRITISH AND EUROPEAN BIRDS. 



Timid Rollers ("), in robes ting'd with red and 



with blue, 

 To clamour devoted, came also a few. 

 The Nuthatch ( a6 ) was whistling while climbing the 



trees, 

 Intent more on pleasing himself than to please. 



( 2S ) Order, Pice, (Linn.) Roller, the Garrulous. 



The genus Coracias, (Linn.) or Roller, consists of nearly 

 thirty species scattered over the globe: the characteristics are, 

 a sharp^edged bill, bent at the point, base without feathers ; 

 tongue cartilaginous, bifid; legs short j feet formed for walking. 

 The most deserving notice is 



The Garrula, Garrulous, or Common Roller, occasionally 

 found in England, but more commonly on various parts of the 

 European continent, particularly in Germany, Sicily, and 

 Malta, where it is sold in the markets and poulterers' shops. It 

 is the size of a jay ; length twelve inches and half; its general 

 plumage is blue ; back red ; quill feathers black, primary quill 

 feathers beneath blue ; middle tail feathers dirty green, the rest 

 blue. It is remarkably clamorous, gregarious, migratory and 

 timid ; builds in trees, particularly the beech ; feeds on insects, 

 frogs, nuts, and corn. Eggs pale green, with numerous dusky 

 spots. Inhabits Africa and Syria, as well as Europe. The 

 rest of the species do not very essentially differ. 



(2 6 ) Order, Pic^e, (Linn.) Nuthatch. 



The genus Sitta, (Linn.) or Nuthatch, consists of more 

 than twenty species; distinguished by a subulate, roundish, 

 straight, entire bill, the upper mandible a little longer, com- 

 pressed and angular at the tip ; tongue jagged, short, the tip 

 horny ; nostrils small, covered with bristles ; feet gressorial ; 

 hind-toe long. They are chiefly natives of America and the 



