7 J A. ^coT't on the Birds of Jantatca. [October 



bird. The burrows run horizontally and to a considerable depth, but in- 

 variably (so far as my experience goes) turn at right angles at a few 

 inches from the entrance The tunnel terminates in a somewhat rounded 

 cell, where, upon a little heap or bed of fine soft earth, -without any lining- 

 whatever, the eggs are laid; these are usually three or four in number, 

 almost globular, glossy, and of a beautiful pearly white, except that, when 

 fresh, the contents impart a delicate pink tinge to the shell; they are in 

 fact miniature Kingfishers' eggs. Avei-age measurements : .59 X .48 inch. 



The Tody breeds early in the year. I have seen young in the nest in 

 April, and have also taken fresh eggs in June, so that probably more than 

 one brood is reared in a season. Below are a few dates on which I have 

 founder taken sets of eggs, all fresh : May 19, clutch of 3; May 20, 3 ; and 

 May 24, 4; June 2, 2. 



The account of the nesting of the Tody, communicated to Gosse by the 

 late Richard Hill (' Birds of Jamaica,' p. 77) , is in some respects incorrect, 

 and obviously is not the result of personal observation, for it is difficult to 

 understand how any one familiar with the nesting of the birds could fall 

 into the error of speaking of the eggs as "grey, brown-spotted " With 

 respect to the "nest" or lining of "pliant fibres-and dry moss and cotton" 

 which Hill expressly states is used, I can only say that my experience does 

 not bear out that assertion. On no occasion have I found anything like an 

 attempt at a ne^t or lining, as described above, and I have examined 

 scores of nest-holes of this bird in many different localities. 



The tameness of the Tody is well known, but, as Gosse well remarks, 

 this seems rather the tameness of indifference than of confidence. I have 

 accomplished the capture of specimens with a butterfly net at different 

 times with little difficulty, and frequently a Tody has permitted so near an 

 approach that I have been tempted to put out my hand in the hope of 

 taking it 



The Todies keep in pairs, if not constantly, for the greater part of a 

 season at least, and during nidification seem to range over a very circum- 

 scribed space. Their food appears to consist exclusively of small insects 

 which thev usually pursue and take after a short flight, returning con- 

 stantlv to the same twig, where they will patiently sit and watch, with 

 head drawn in and beak pointing obliquely upwards, the plumage much 

 puffed out; the wings meanwhile being flirted by a continuous, rapid, 

 vibratorj' movement. 



■ 132. Sphyrapicus varius {Linn.). — A winter visitor, concerning 

 whose habits I have no notes. Specimens in the Museum are labelled 

 St. Georges, Portland, January. 



133. Centurus radiolatus ( Wagl.). — A bird of common occurrence in 

 all well wooded districts, though I have never noted it near Kingston. 

 Among the spreading guango trees that shade the large grass pastures of 

 many cattle-pens in the lowlands, this Woodpecker may nearly always 

 be seen. In one such situation near Port Henderson where there was 

 quite a forest of guango trees, including many of unusual size, I have 



