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CORACIAS IN DICAS haan
Indian Roller.

Coracias Indica et C. Bengalensis, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i p. 159, et auctor
j ; - 1. p. 159, ‘torum,

Blue Jay from the East Indies, Edw. Glean. of Nat. Hist. pl. 326
Indian Roller, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. i. p. 412. .

Bengal Roller, Lath. Gen. Syn., vol. i. p. 410.

Garrulas (Galgulus) nevius, Vieill. Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., tom. xxix. p. 431
Galgulus nevus, Vieill. Ency. Méth. Orn., part ii. p- 868. 7
Coracias nevia, Wagl. Syst. Av., sp. 3.

Subzak G. e. greenish-bird) and Nylkhant (blue-throat) of the Hindoos.

Tas of the Mahrattas.

Palu pitta G.e. milk-bird) of the Telugus.

Katta-kade, in Tamul.

Towee, by the Mahris

Jay, Europeans in India.

 

To quote all the synonyms of the present species, and all that has been published respecting it is quite out of
the question, inasmuch as the references to the various authors would occupy space which may be devoted
to a more useful purpose, while much that has been written regarding its nidification, the adlour of its eggs,
and the extent of its range is erroneous ; besides which there is much repetition in the accounts of hose
who have made it their theme. Why and wherefore so many persons have wielded the pen respecting
it, is attributable to three causes :—First, its universal distribution over the whole of the Indian peninsula,
from the base of the Himalayas to Cape Comorin, Afghanistan, and, according to Dr. Leith Adams, Ladakh
and Thibet ; that it is also a very common species in the Scinde valley I can testify, as I possess several
specimens collected by my son, the late Dr. J. H. Gould, during his residence therein ; and Mr. Layard tells
us that it is widely distributed over Ceylon. Secondly, its extreme familiarity, and its habit of perching
in some prominent position—such as the top of a pole, the bare branch of a tree, or on some low bush in
groves and gardens in the immediate vicinity of villages ; and, lastly, to the great beauty of its plumage, and
the loveliness of the hues it displays during flight. If my readers will call to mind the habits and actions of
the Common Flycatcher, Butalis grisola, and of some of the smaller Halcyonide, they will be able to form a just
notion of those of the present bird, since they resemble both, particularly in the upright manner in which it sits
on its elevated perch, and sallies forth thence when any living object for which it has a preference attracts
its eye, whether it be a grasshopper on the ground, or an insect in the air; after capturing which it
generally returns to eat its prey on the site it has just left. Like all other Rollers, a portion of its food
consists of insects, caterpillars of various kinds, and occasionally mice, small lizards, and other creeping
reptiles.

In confirmation of what I have said as to the abundance of this bird, I may mention that between three and

four hundred flat skins were shown to me on the 10th of March, 1869, by a plumassier of Oxford Street,

which, he said, had just arrived from India, adding that these were only a continuation of former sendings,

T ae a ? 7 “ce “pore
and that hundreds more would probably follow. Now it must be a source of regret | ae Pe
persons, as it is to myself, to learn that, under such a course of destruction, the annihilation of this beautifu
bird is almost certain, unless a law be promulgated in India simil
to be passed for the protection of some of our own birds.

I have averred that some of the statements respecting the nidification coo ; ;
J may mention that by one writer It 1s said to make a nest of

t to all right-minded
ar to that which we may hope is about

and colouring of the eggs of the
Indian Roller are erroneous ; in proot of which oes
while by another they are described as green, profusely
ogist would naturally expect, they are, really, pinky
r upon which I am writing, after the yelk

twigs and grasses, and to have Antwerp-blue eggs 5
speckled with dark brown spots. But, as every ornithol
white before being blown, and enamelled white, like the glazed pape

has been removed, and are deposited in the hollows of trees.

: : : ee > sexes. During the
As with all other Rollers, there is but little, if any, difference in the colouring of the sexes During

: SA ate heres S de silv
es ; f a. ¢+ance which renders its whereabouts easily
breeding-season the bird is very noisy and garrulous, a Cae:

detectable.

T . ; 635 of universal distrib
“ The Indian Roller,” says Mr. Jerdon, ‘1s of universa

] rde S -ees in the ope
alike, open jungles, groves, avenues, gardens, clumps of tree | se
sane , met with about every village.

ution throughout the country. It frequents,
n country, and, except in thick forest,
It generally perches on
is to be found everywhere, and is sure to be