240 A DESCRIPTION OF 
which was somewhat superior in size, turned out the 
other, together with the young hedge-sparrow and the 
unhatched egg. The contest, he adds, was very remark- 
able: the combatants alternately appeared to have the ad- 
vantage, as each carried the other several times nearly to the 
top of the nest, and again sank down oppressed by the 
weight of its burden ; till at length, after various efforts, 
the strongest of the two prevailed, and was afterwards 
brought up by the hedge-sparrow. 
The American Cuckoo, or Cow-bird, is quite different 
in its habits to the European Cuckoo, as it builds a nest 
for its eggs, and hatches its young itself, like other 
birds. 
THE ROLLER (Coracias garrula,) 
Is about the size of the jay. Its bill is black, sharp, and 
somewhat hooked. The head is of a dirty green, mingled 
with blue ; of which colour is also the throat, with white 
lines in the middle of each feather ; the breast is of a pale 
blue, like that of a pigeon ; the middle of the back, be- 
tween the shoulders, is red ; the rump, and less coverts of 
the wings are dark blue; the feet are short, and, like 
those of a dove, of a dirty yellow colour. 
The Roller is wilder than the jay, and frequents the 
thickest woods ; it builds its nest chiefly on birch-trees. 
