THE ROLLER. 29 



Extraordinary tumbling flight from which it derives its name, and 

 loud harsh cry, " Rack-kack, kacker," etc., at once attract attention. 

 (F.C.R.J.) 



Breeding-habits. — In middle Europe generally in well -wooded 

 districts, but in south Europe wherever suitable sites are available. 

 Nest. — Sometimes in holes of trees ; also in ruined buildings, old 

 town walls, natural holes in steep mud-banks or rocks. Excep- 

 tionally recorded from old nests of Magpie and Wood-Pigeon. 

 Usually no nesting material but a scanty bed of grass, roots, feathers 

 or hair sometimes recorded. Eggs. — 4 to 6, pure white with some 

 gloss, average (208), 35.4 x 28.4 mm. (Goebel). Max. : 40 x 30 

 and 39.5 X31.5. Min. : 32x26 and 32.5x25.5. Breeding-season. — 

 About mid -May in Mediterranean area ; late May and early June 

 in Scandinavia. Incubation. — Apparently by both sexes ; period 

 said to be 17 days (Barr), 18-20 days. Single brooded. 



Food. — Largely insects taken on ground, especially coleoptera 

 (Geotrupes, Scarabazus, Carabus, Meloloniha, Harpalus, Elater, 

 etc.) and orthoptera (locusts, grasshoppers, earwigs and mole- 

 cricket). Also diptera, hymenoptera (ants), and scorpions, centi- 

 pedes (up to 6 inches long), small lizards, exceptionally small birds 

 and frogs, while in autumn fruit (figs, grapes, etc.) also taken. 



Distribution. — British Isles. — Vagrant. Over one hundred have 

 occurred in most parts, chiefly autumn, but fairly often spring. Most 

 often in south and east England (24 Norfolk), rarely in north Wales 

 and north-west England and Scotland (but examples recorded as 

 far as Caithness, Orkneys, and St. Kilda). Ten obtained in Ireland. 



Distribution. — Abroad. — Europe from 61° north in Scandinavia 

 and latitude of St. Petersburg to Mediterranean and north-west 

 Africa, eastwards to west Siberia. Replaced by allied form in 

 Transcaspia, north Persia, etc. In winter in tropical and south 

 Africa to Cape Colony, also in India. Single specimens observed in 

 north Norway, on Faeroes and Canaries. 



[Note. — The recorded occurrences of two Abyssinian Rollers, Coracias 

 abyssinicus Bodd., near Glasgow about 1857 (Yarrell, n, p. 434 ; Saunders, 

 p. 282), and of an Indian Roller, Coracias benghaJensis L., said to have been 

 shot near Louth (Lines.), Oct. 1883, cannot be admitted.] 



Order HAL CY ONES. 



Palate desmognathous ; cervical vertebrae 15 ; basi -pterygoid 

 processes absent ; vomer absent ; sternum with two indentations 

 at each side, long spina externa, no interna. Ambiens muscle 

 absent. Oil-gland tufted. Feathers hard and close. No after- 

 shafts. The featherless tracts covered with down. Primaries 

 11, first small. Rectrices 10, sometimes 12. Feet with three toes 

 in front and one behind, but 3rd and 4th for their greater part 



