THE TODIES 



1813 



burnt and shriveled, and the earth hard aud unyielding. In most cases the whole 

 work of excavation would seem to be performed by the birds, yet I have noticed (in 

 the gullies at least) that those portions of the banks usually selected for nesting are 

 nearly always riddled with holes and cavities of different depths. Whether the birds 

 ever take possession of one of these, or enlarge others to suit their needs, I have not 

 discovered; but such a proceeding would seem highly probable in view of the labor 



JAMAICA TODY. 

 (Natural size.) 



which the work of excavation frequently entails. When digging into some of these 

 holes in a search for the true nest of a tody, I often find them in the occupation of 

 strange tenants, such as field mice, lizards, and spiders. The latter, black, repulsive- 

 looking objects, are of common occurrence, especially in the depressions formed by 

 the falling away of stones, etc., so that some little caution is necessary in prosecut- 

 ing a search for the eggs of the bird. The burrows run horizontally and to a con- 



