360 Descriptions of Groups of Insessores Heterogenes. 



fined to the crocodiles of Egypt ; it has been noticed in those 

 of the West Indies, where, when attacked in a similar manner 

 by small flies called "maringouins," a little bird, (Todusviri- 

 dis), which lives chiefly on flies and insects, performs the same 

 kind office."* 



M. Drapiez asserts, of the green tody, that "it establishes 

 its nest in the ground, or rather in the crumbly earth on the 

 edges of ravines, at such a height as may not endanger it from 

 inundations, and that the cradle of the young family may be 

 perfectly sheltered from rain. This nest, or rather subterra- 

 nean lodging, exhibits a rounded apartment, to which the ap- 

 proach is by a winding gallery. The lining of the nest con- 

 sists of bits of straw, covered with down, upon which the 

 female lays four or five eggs, of a grey colour spotted with 

 brownish," or, according to M. Chevrain, "with deep yellow." 

 The latter observer states additionally, that "they often nes- 

 tle in the low galleries of houses, yet always on the ground. 

 They make an excavation with their bill and claws, give it a 

 round form, hollow out the bottom, and place pliant straws, 

 dry moss, cotton and feathers, which they artfully arrange" 

 (I doubt whether they interweave). The young have been 

 raised in captivity, in which state they evince the same ob- 

 tuseness of faculty which has been remarked of the kingfishers. 



It is, perhaps, superfluous to observe, that I have opened 

 several of the small broad-billed Tyrannidde, which have some- 

 times been ranged with the todies : their internal anatomy of- 

 fers no approximation to them whatever ; but exhibits every 

 character of the Cantrices. 



The jacamars are divided into two groups; — one in which 

 the beak is straight and compressed, {Galbula), and another 

 in which it is slightly curved, and for two-thirds of its length 

 very broad, (Jacamerops). The ridge of both mandibles is 

 sharp and angular. Their plumage is light and loose, with a 

 brilliant metallic gloss on the upper parts and generally across 

 the breast : on the throat or fore-neck is a white patch, in the 

 male, which in the other sex is rufous : the tail is lengthened 

 and much graduated ; and the clothing feathers are single, or 

 without accessory shafts, whereas in the todies, a distinct 

 supplementary plume is present, of a peculiar narrow form. 

 The legs and feet are short, ill-adapted for progressive motion. 

 There are many species, inhabitants of the damper forests of 

 South America. 



"The jacamar," says Mr. Waterton, "frequently sits on the 



* This reminds me of a species of roller, (C. nuchalis), which has been 

 stated to perch familiarly on the horn of the rhinoceros. 



