430 Mr. N. A. Vigors on the Natural Affinities 



the type of the last-mentioned genus, the Todiis 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 Todidce and the preceding Caprimnlgida, 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 Caprimulgidce, ma}"^ be at 

 once ascertained by a reference to the valuable plates t 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 Eurystomup\ 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 1 have placed it : 

 " Les Tod/ers sont de petits oiseaux d'Amerique, assez semblables aux Martin-pec heurs 

 pour la forme generale, et qui en ont aussi les pieds et le bee along6, mais ou ce bee 

 est aplati horizontalement, obtus k son extremity, le tarse plus 61ev6, et la queue moins 

 courte. lis vivent des mouches, et nichent a terre." — Cuvier, liegne ylnim. 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 thatof tlie 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 



