the Roller, in ornithology; a genus of birds of the order of picae, the characters of which are: The bill is straight, bending towards the tip, with the edges cultrated; the nostrils are narrow and naked; the legs for the most part short; the toes placed three before and one behind, and divided to their origin. This genus is not confined to one spot of the globe, as one or other of the different species may be met with in all the four quarters of it.

1. The garulla, or garrulous roller, is about the size of a jay; the bill black, and at the base beset with bristles, but do not cover the nostrils; the head, neck, breast, and belly, are of a light bluish green; back and flaps, reddish brown; coverts on the ridge of the wing rich blue, beneath them pale green; upper part and tips of the quills dusky; the lower parts of a fine deep blue; rump, of this last colour; tail forked, of a light blue; the outer feather tipped with black above, and beneath with deep blue, as is the case with such part of the quill feathers as is black above; the other tail feathers are dull green; the legs are short, and of a dirty yellow. Mr Pennant observes that these birds are frequent in several parts of Europe, in most parts of which it is a bird of passage. Mention is made of them in Sweden and Denmark on the one hand, and as far as Africa on the other; not that they are found in all the parts between, nor in the same plenty. Willoughby tells us, that in Germany, Sicily, and Malta, they are so common as to be sold in the markets, and in poulterers shops. Adanson says, that it "comes to reside for some months of the summer in the southern parts of Europe, and goes back to spend the remainder of the year in Senegal," having shot one on board the ship, on its passage, in April. Frisch observes, that it makes its nest in woods, where there is birch; that it does not come to its colour till the second year; flies in troops in autumn; often seen in tilled grounds, with rooks and other birds, searching for worms, small seeds, and roots. Its flesh tastes like that of a turtle. It is said also sometimes to make the nest in holes in the ground, in one of which nests two eggs were found. The nest is generally filthy, from the young evacuating their excrements therein; whence by some it was said to make the nest of excrements. We are told in the British Zoology, that it has been twice shot in England, and is remarkable for making a chattering noise, whence its name.

2. The blue-stripped roller is in length eight inches; the bill three quarters of an inch long, bent at the tip, and of a black colour; the irises are red; the general colour of the plumage deep blue-black, dashed with streaks of greenish blue; the tail and legs are black. It inhabits New Caledonia. 3. The Chinese roller is of the size of a jay: The bill and irides are red; the head, hind part of the neck, back, rump, and upper tail coverts, are green; through the eyes on each side is a black stripe: the under parts of the body, from chin to vent, are yellowish white, tinged with green; but the thighs are grey: the wing coverts are olive brown; quills the same, with a mixture of chestnut in some; and others, nearest the body, tipped with white: the tail is five inches in length, and wedge-shaped, the outer feathers shortening by degrees like that of a magpie; all of them are more or less green, verging to black near the ends; the tips of all are white: the legs and claws are of a pale red, and longer than in other rollers. It inhabits China, and is called at Canton Sau-ta-boang. It is not very common.

There are 13 other species enumerated by ornithologists; though many of them doubtful, and supposed to be only varieties.