76 PASSERES. — TODID^. 



The inhabitants of Jamaica are not in the habit of 

 domesticating many of the native birds ; else this is 

 one of the species which would become a favourite 

 pet. In a state of liberty, however, it attracts 

 the admiration, even of the most unobservant, and 

 an European is charmed with it. As it sits on 

 a twig in the verdure of spring, its grass-green coat 

 is sometimes undistinguishable from the leaves in 

 which it is embowered, itself looking like a leaf; 

 but a little change of position bringing its throat 

 into the sun's rays, the light suddenly gleams as 

 from a glowing coal. Occasionally, too, this crimson 

 plumage is puffed out into a globose form, when its 

 appearance is particularly beautiful. 



The tongue is fleshy for but a small part of its 

 length, the remainder consisting of a flat, or slightly 

 concave, transparent, horny lamina; just like a cut 

 from the side of a quill; it is seen, under a lens, 

 to be snipped at the edges, into very minute and 

 close-set barbs pointing backwards. The skin is 

 exceedingly thin, and so tender, as to render it a 

 very difficult task to prepare a specimen. 



The Tody, as has been long known, builds in 

 holes in the earth, in the manner of the King- 

 fisher. Near Scott's Cove, I was shown, by the 

 side of the deep road, holes in the clay, which were 

 said to be the nesting holes of the " Robin." And 

 near Spanish Town, a friend pointed out a hole 

 in a bank in his own garden, in which a Tody was 

 then building, in March. But, as I have never seen 

 the nest or eggs, I am indebted to the notes of 

 Mr. Hill for a detailed description. 



