noise, rapidly uttering harsh and discordant sounds : its notes are at
times not unlike the sound produped by a broad-bladed knife passing
through a tough piece of cork, but in a louder key. This species
seeks much of its food on the ground; but sometimes it watches from
some elevated position, and, the moment its prey comes within sight,
darts upon it with unerring certainty, its habit in this respect being
very much like that of the Butcher-bird Shrikes. It is a most useful
bird, feeding largely on centipedes, scorpions, tarantulas, and other
insects, as well as on small snakes and lizards.”
“ This Roller is one of the earliest breeders in Damara Land, and
makes its nest in the hollows of trees, usually such as have been previously
occupied by some Woodpecker; the stems of these trees are
mostly very tall and straight; and in consequence of this and of the
smallness of the apertures, the nests are very inaccessible. I have
frequently seen such breeding-places without being able to reach
them ; but I believe that the eggs are white and two in number,
and that both parents assist in their incubation.”
General colour reddish-brown glossed with olive-green; under
surface dull reddish-brown, streaked with white; wings dull rufous
green, with purple reflexions; the primaries dark blue ; tail ultra-
marine, the middle feathers olive-green; forehead and chin white, as
well as a distinct patch on the nape; cheeks rusty red with white
streaks to many of the feathers; bill black; legs and tail greenish
or yellowish brown; iris varying from dark or hazel brown to olivaceous
brown. Total length, 13 inches; culmen, 1*5; wing, 7‘4 ;
tail, 5'6 ; tarsus, 08.
I Fig. Levaillant, Rolliers, pi. 29.
100. C oracias CAUDATA. Lilac-breasted Roller.
This species inhabits the same localities as 0. garrula, but like
that species, it has not fallen under our personal observation. Mr.
R. Moffat, jun. has forwarded several specimens from Kuruman, Ver-
reaux from Kurricliaine, and Mr. Ayres has found it in Natal. The
same gentleman has met with it on the River Limpopo. Mr. T. E.
Buckley says that it was first observed by him a few days north of
Pretoria and found far up into the Matabili country. “ This species,”
he remarks, “ was extremely shy and it was difficult to procure
specimens. Just before the breeding-season they fly high up in the
air, rolling about from side to side, and uttering a harsh note all the
time, settling afterwards on the very top of the nearest high tree.
In the Matabili country this is a royal bird, and no one except the
king is allowed to wear its feathers.” We are likewise indebted to
Dr. Exton for the following account of the bird :—■ From Sechel6s
northward 0. caudata is commonly known as ‘ Mosilikatze’s bird/ its
liveliness and pugnacity perhaps having given rise to the old
warrior’s interest in it. In his earlier career Mosilikatze claimed the
feathers solely for royal adornment, and in his milder moods has been
known to give an ox to the youth who had captured and presented
one of these birds. I t delights to perch on the topmost branch of a
leafless tree, from which it gives out its note of challenge, and should
a crow or a hawk approach its vicinity, it will make rapid darts at
the intruder, and with sharp pecks and harsh screams drive off birds
greatly superior to itself in size and strength. I t has a habit when
disturbed by the solitary hunter of flying directly towards him, but
high overhead, and after careful scrutiny, wheeling off uttering
discordant screams. For so bright-plumaged a bird, it is noteworthy
that there is no difference between male and female. Bechuana name
‘ Le-cler-cler / Matabili name ‘ Fee-Fe/ ”
Mr. Buckley procured a male in the Transvaal on the 1st of July,
1873, and he observes moreover that he has “ seen the young about
November, evidently not long out of the nest, so the Rollers must
be amongst the earliest breeders.” Dr. Kirk says it is a very common
bird in the open woods and bush country near the Zambesi and
other rivers, that the cry is harsh, and that the plumage varies considerably,
being much less brilliant during the cold and dry seasons.
Mr. Andersson writes:—“ This species is common in tha Lake-
Regions, and is also pretty common in Damara Land, where, however,
I imagine that it must be partially migratory, as during the
dry season comparatively few individuals are seen. It is more shy
and difficult of approach than G. hcevia, which it otherwise resembles
as to food and habits.” On the River Cunene Senor Anchieta has
recently met with it as well as at various places in the Mossamedes
district.
A long description of this bird is not necessary here, as it is easily
distinguishable by the following characters—its forked tail with the
outer feathers measuring 8'5 inches in length; white throat; blue
abdomen; and by its lilac-coloured throat and breast, the throat being
streaked with white ; " bill black ; feet greenish yellow; iris yellow