MALAYAN ORNITHOLOGY. 125 
snared them in the neighbourhood. From their long curved beaks, 
brilliant plumage, and general appearance I think they must be- 
long to the Meropide or Bee-eaters ; anyhow, they are certainly 
related to them. 
“These birds have a most peculiar and rather pleasant aromatic 
scent aboutthem.” 
I put them into my aviary, and at first they did well, feeding 
on plantains, and hopping about most cheerfully, every now and 
then flirting up their long tails after the manner of Copsychus 
musicus; but after a few days they sickened, and, much to my 
regret, died: so, all I couid do was to add their skins to my collee- 
tion. The male was slightly less than 13 inches in length ; irides 
bright-orange; toes four in number, one inclined backwards ; 
forehead hlac; throat and -pectoral plumes scarlet, the centres of 
the latter dusky ; rest of plumage bright-green, except tips of tail- 
feathers, which were black beneath, their basal portions being 
yellow. Some specimens of this species which I bought at Malacea 
measured under 12 inches in length; but probably the skins had 
shrunk. 
Evurystomvs ortentatis (Linn.). The Broad-billed Roller. 
This Roller appearsto be distributed throughout the country, 
but is particularly plentiful among the virgin forests of Pérak. I 
hardly like to say it is nocturnal in its habits; still it is rarely met 
with during the heat of the day; but in the country round 
Kwala Kanesa, Pérak, I frequently saw it of an evening when on 
my way home after a day in the jungle; it was usually perched on 
the upper branches of some tree, from which it made short flights 
into the air in pursuit of insects. The first one I shot was only 
winged, and, turning on its back and uttering harsh screams, it 
fought most savagely with my dog. It was a male; leneth 11 
inches; irides dark brown; legs, feet, and beak scarlet ; plumage 
greenish-biue ; head almost black; wings very prettily marked 
with blue and black, each having on it a spot of very pale blue ; patch 
on throat rich violet ; beak short, strong, and hooked at tip; gape 
and eyes very large. 
I also shot specimens at Changi, Singapore. 
PELARGOPSIS MALACCENSIS (Sharpe.). Large Stork-billed Kine- 
5S 
