26 
nest. They nest singly and not in colonies, except in very rare cases; indeed von der Muhle, who 
states that he found them nesting in colonies on the southernmost point of Europe (in Greece), 
appears to be the only observer who has found them thus breeding. As a rule the Roller prefers a 
sandy country during the breeding-season and atfects the open woods or groves and not the dense 
forest. Although at other seasons a somewhat shy bird, yet during the nesting-season the Roller 
becomes much tamer, especially when found breeding near habitations, and will fly round quite 
close chattering and screaming wEen its nest is approached. 
The eggs, from four to five in number, are pure white, rounded in shape, and very glossy in 
texture of shell, and measure from 1*35 by 1‘05 inch to 1’50 by 1*20 inch. 
The specimens figured and described are in my own collection. 
In the preparation of the above article I have examined, besides the series in the British Museum, 
the following specimens:— 
E Mus. H. E. Eresser. 
a, S ad. Giaour-keui, Taurus, 20th April, 1876 {C. G. Danford). b, ^ ad. Shiraz, Persia, June 1869 {Sir 
Oliver St. John), c, juv. Southern India [J. Backhouse), d, $ ad.; e, /, $ ad. Sarepta, South Russia 
(Dr. Stader), 
E Mus. Ealoearct. H. E. Eresser. 
a. Alexandria {S. Stafford Allen), b. Seville {Howard Saunders), c, d. Egypt {G. E. Shelley). e,f,g> Malta 
{C. A. Wright): 
E Mus. II. B. Tristram. 
a. Tinwald, Dumfries, November 1864. b. Malta, April {A. L. Adams), c, S • Koleah Forest, Algeria, 20th May, 
1856 {H. B. T.). d. S. Africa {E. L. Layard). e, f, ^ ^ . Mount Tabor, 4th April, 1864 {H. B. T.). 
g, h. Hamath and Aleppo, May 1881 {H. B. T.). i, ^. Plain of Issus, 24th June, 1881 {H. B. T.). k. India 
(T. C. Jerdon). 
E Mus. H. Eeebohn. 
a, b, $. Tschnas, Russia, 9th April, 1878 {Russow). c, ’■> d, ?. Chorum, Asia Minor, 15th May, 1876 
{C. G. Danford). e, S I B ? • Sarakhs (1000 feet), 20th May, 1878. 
