l64 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



Todies {Todidce). 



Diagnosis. — Small perching birds with long fiat hills, 



rather long legs, and front toes joined. 

 Size. — About that of a wren. 

 Form. — Bill long, straight and flat ; feet with rather 



long shanks, and three toes in front, more or less 



united, and a smaller hind-toe. Wings and tail 



short. 

 Plumage and Colouration. — Green, v/ith a red 



throat ; there is no sex-difference or seasonal 



change. The species only differ in colouration 



of the sides. 

 Young. — Naked and helpless. 

 Nest. — A hole dug out in a bank, slightly lined with 



grass, etc. 

 Eggs. — Several ; pure white. 

 Courtship. — ^The plumage is ruffled up and wings 



drooped. 

 Food. — Insects, and generally captured on the wing 



in darts. 

 Gait. — They seem not to move about much on their 



feet, but apparently hop. 

 Flight. — Short and rapid, but feeble. 

 Note. — A soft, plaintive squeak. 

 Disposition and Habits. — They are sluggish and 



solitary. 

 Economic Qualities. — Like other insect-eating birds, 



they no doubt have their utility as pest-destroyers. 

 Captivity. — They have been reared from the nest in 



one instance, but never brought to Europe. 

 Distribution and Important Species. — There are 



but four, very similar, forms, confined to the 



West Indian Islands. The best known is the 



Green Tody of Jamaica (Todus viridis), sometimes 



called " Robin Redbreast " in that island. 



