GARRULOUS ROLLER, 
Cordcias Gdrrula. 
The Rollers are rather curious 
and very handsome birds, with 
beautiful feathers. They feed on 
insects, but do not fly as well as 
the Swallows and Goat-suckers ✓ 
Although tolerably common on 
several parts of the Continent, the 
Garrulous Roller is at the 
present time a very rare visitant 
to this country. There seems, 
however, to be reason to believe 
that in former days, when England 
was less cultivated and more 
covered with pathless woods, the 
Roller was frequently seen in the 
ancient forests, and that it pro- 
bably built its nest in the hollows 
of trees, as it does in the German 
forests at the present day. 
Africa is the legitimate home of 
the Roller, which passes from that land in the early spring, and makes its way to 
Europe, via Malta and the Mediterranean Islands, which afford it resting-places 
during its long journey. Accordingly, in those islands the Rollers are found in 
great plenty, and k as they are considered a great delicacy when fat and in 
good condition, they are killed in considerable numbers, and exposed for sale 
like pigeons, whose flesh they are said to resemble. Even in its flight it 
possesses something of the pigeon character, having often been observed while 
flying at a considerable elevation to “ tumble ” after the manner of the well- 
known tumbler pigeons. It is rather curious that throughout Asia Minor, the 
Rollers and magpies were always found in close proximity to each other. 
Mr. Thompson records a very curious anecdote of this bird, a specimen of 
which was seen flying across the grounds of the Duke of Leinster, in September, 
1831, and was pursued by a large number of rooks, who were mobbing it after 
their usual custom whenever they meet with a strange bird. The Roller did not 
seem to be in the least disconcerted ; but, instead of endeavouring to escape, 
darted repeatedly among its foes, as if for the purpose of increasing their 
irritation. 
The general tint of the head, neck, breast, and abdomen is that peculiar green- 
blue termed “ verditer ” by artists, changing into pale green in certain lights, and 
deepening into deep rich azure upon the shoulders. The back is a warm chestnut. 
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