not build in communities. But few European birds can vie 
with the Roller in splendour of colouring ; its head, part 
of the wings, and above the rump, are of a most brilliant 
blue, having sea-green reflections; the back a fine vinaceous 
brown; quills and tail blackish, excepting the two outer tail 
feathers, which project somewhat beyond the others, and in 
certain lights possess the blue tinge of the head. Bill 
strong, the upper mandible hooked ; orbits of the eyes bare, 
ofa yellow colour; eyes dark hazel, behind the eyes is a 
bare spot of a yellow tinge ; legs short, strong, brownish 
yellow. The female is said to correspond in colours with 
the male, but has the tail even at the end. 
The Roller is among the most rare visitors to this 
country, very few instances are on record of its being met 
with here, but in Germany and other parts of Europe it is 
said to abound. It feeds on worms, insects, fruit and grain ; 
associating with rooks in their search for food in tilled land. 
In some parts of Europe it is used for the table, and the 
markets regularly supplied for that purpose. It is a very 
clamorous bird, and has considerable affinity with the com- 
mon Jay in shape and manners. 
" It builds chiefly in birch trees, and lays five green eggs 
marked with numerous dark specks; sometimes it builds in 
the holes of old oaks." 
1 
