55 
though heavy and jerky, is strong and swift. Their call, a harsh and disagreeable ‘ rdka-rdJca ’ or 
‘ kdlidTca-kdlidka^ similar to that of our Common Roller, is often heard during the rainy season in the 
woods.” 
Mr. Roch also remarks that “ they appear to evince a predilection for patches of forest that have 
been burnt, where they may be seen, generally in pairs, perched upon the branch of some tall, bare 
tree, sheltering their bodies from view behind the branch, uttering a hoarse chatter. They did not 
fly far when flred at or disturbed, but they would dive through the wood with considerable swiftness, 
again to take their station behind a branch on another withered tree.” 
Like all the true Rollers, they nest in hollow trees and deposit pure white eggs. Grandidier 
states that during the pairing-season, which is late in October or in November, they bill like pigeons, 
and that they nest in holes in the trunks of trees, without any special preparation, and different pairs 
of the same band take up their habitation near each other. The male and female incubate alternately, 
and when one leaves in search of food the other remains and keeps watch over the young. At this 
season they are courageous, and will attack and pursue with fury any bird of prey that approaches 
their nest. Mr. Roch also states that “ they nest in the fork or hollow of some tall isolated monarch 
of the forest, frequently choosing one devoid of any foliage. On the topmost branch one may always 
be seen upon the watch, while the other forages for food in the neighbourhood. On its cry of alarm 
the mate quickly appears, and both display considerable courage in repelling the intruder upon their 
solitude, probably a Kite in search of their young. I have frequently seen them do this in the burnt 
jungle on the left of the road between Nosibey and Foule Point. They increase their chattering 
hoarse cry when attacking the Kite.” The eggs are described as resembling those of Coracias garrulus, 
being pure white, oval in shape, and they measure about 34 by 28 millimetres. 
This Roller feeds on insects of various kinds, especially Hemiptera and Orthoptera, on small 
reptiles, and occasionally, according to Grandidier, on fruit and seeds. The same authority also states 
(1. G.) that “ the Sakalavas call the Eurystomi Tsararakd and the Betsimisarakas Voronkdhakd 
(kahaka-bird), from their harsh cry. The Antankaras give them the name of Fitilimharatra (bird of 
thunder), because they arrive in Madagascar early in the rainy season, which is the precursor of 
tempests.” 
The specimens figured and described are in my own collection, excepting the nestling, for the 
loan of which lam indebted to Prof. A. Newton. 
Besides the series in the British Museum, I have examined the following specimens :— 
E Mus. H. E. Eresser. 
a, cT ; . Madagascar [Stevens), c, d, ad. Imerina, Madagascar [Rev. J. Wills), e, juv. Madagascar, March 
1889 [Rev. J. Wills). 
E Mus. A. 8f E. Newton, 
a, $ ad. Ranomafana, Madagascar, 30th Oct., 1881 (E. N.). b, pull. Antananarivo, Madagascar [Watkins ^ 
Doncaster). 
