. Reptiles and birds. A popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting. Birds; Reptiles. 512 PASSEEINES. insects and their larvae, worms, and the smaller reptiles; but in their absence they feed on berries, seeds, and certain roots. The bill of the Roller is black towards the point, becoming brown at the base, with a few bristles; the irides are formed of yellow and brown circles ; the head, neck, breast, and belly present various shades of bluish verditer, changing to a palish green ; the plumage of the upper part of the body is a b
. Reptiles and birds. A popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting. Birds; Reptiles. 512 PASSEEINES. insects and their larvae, worms, and the smaller reptiles; but in their absence they feed on berries, seeds, and certain roots. The bill of the Roller is black towards the point, becoming brown at the base, with a few bristles; the irides are formed of yellow and brown circles ; the head, neck, breast, and belly present various shades of bluish verditer, changing to a palish green ; the plumage of the upper part of the body is a brilliant azure blue on the shoulders, and reddish brown on the back; rump feathers purplish. Wing primaries dark bluish black, lighter on the edge ; tail feathers pale greenish blue. They abound in Europe, Africa, and Southern Asia. Although the natural habitat of the bird is oak and beech forests, M. VieiUot tells us that in Malta, where trees are scarce, the bird nests on the ground. In Barbary it has been observed to build on the banks of the rivers, and Pennant observes that where trees are wanting it builds its nest in clayey banks. The Staklings {Sturnidce) are characterised by a straight bill,. Fjg 221 —fetdrling (^Ittunms vulgaris, Swiunson) depressed towards the point. They are remarkable for their vivacity, and grave, sombre plumage, lit up with brilliant metallic reflections of green and blue. They are sociable birds, living in numerous flocks, being, says Selby, " abundant in the fenny parts of Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, where. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Figuier, Louis, 1819-1894; Gillmore, Parker, ed. Springfield, Mass. , W. J. Holland
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecad, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectreptiles
