430 Mr. N. A. Vicors on the Natural Affinities 
the type of the last-mentioned genus, the Todus viridis*, Linn., 
with those of Caprimulgus and Halcyon, we shall perceive that it 
stands exactly mid-way between them in the relative proportions 
of strength and breadth which it bears to each. In the length 
also of the tail, an important character in the groups that feed 
much upon the wing, it maintains a middle station between them. 
For the group which forms the immediate connexion between the 
present family of Todide and the preceding Caprimulgide, we are 
indebted to the zeal and scientific acumen of one of the most di- 
stinguished members of our Society ; since in the depressed and 
broad-based bill and wide gape of the Eurylaimus of Dr. Horsfield, 
we recognise the characters which unite the families before us. 
The intimate approach of the bill of this latter genus to that of 
Podargus, which meets it among the Caprimulgide, may be at 
once ascertained by a reference to the valuable plates} of the 
** Zoological Researches in Java," in which both genera are figured. 
Near to Eurylaimus, which is united to Todus by some species 
now referred to the former genus, but which were originally in- 
cluded in the latter, —among which T. nasutus of Dr. Latham 
may be specified,-—I would place the genus Eurystomus} of 
M. Vieillot, which in the essential characters of the bill, and 
from all we can ascertain of its general habits and economy, 
seems 
* The following extract, from the * Regne Animal,” contains the greater portion of the 
information which we possess concerning this species : and I quote it the more willingly, 
as it shows the affinity which the bird bears to the groups among which I have placed it: 
** Les Todiers sont de petits oiseaux d' Amerique, assez semblables aux Martin-pécheurs 
pour la forme generale, et qui en ont aussi les pieds et le bec alongé, mais ou ce bec 
est aplati horizontalement, obtus à son extremité, le tarse plus élevé, et la queue moins 
courte. Ils vivent des mouches, et nichent a terre."— Cuvier, Regne Anim. i. p. 417. 
+ The plates referred to are in the second number of that work. 
+ This is the genus Colaris of M. Cuvier; but I adopt the name of M. Vieillot in 
preference to that of the former distinguished writer, inasmuch as the “Analyse” of the 
latter naturalist, in which the genus is characterized and named as above, was pub- 
lished in the year 1816, whereas the “ Regne Animal" did not appear until the year 
following. Since 
