174 GREEN TODY. 



upwards, is in exact accordance with what, from 

 theory, we should suppose ; for we helieve that the 

 bright red spot on its throat, in such situations, acts 

 as a snare to attract insects (just as a candle attracts 

 moths), that they only discover their danger when 

 too late to escape tne sudden dart ot the bird. This 

 species, as yet, has never been found on the conti- 

 nent of South America, although it appears common 

 in several of the West India islands. We have 

 long been expecting an account of the habits of this 

 bird from Mr. M'Leay, but, although announced, it 

 has never yet been published*. 



The predominant colour of the upper parts is a 

 rich parrot-green, the wings above being blackish in 

 such parts as are concealed when they are folded ; 

 the tail is the same, the external edges being alone 

 green. The under plumage is more varied: the 

 whole extent of the chin is occupied by a patch of 

 the richest scarlet, bordered on each side by a maxil- 

 lary stripe of white ; while the side -feathers of the 

 breast are of a delicate rose colour. The remainder 

 of the throat is whitish, which gradually becomes of 

 a full yellow on the vent and under tail-covers; 

 under mandible nearly white ; feet pale brown. 



Total length about 3| inches ; bill, ^ ; wings, 

 1 T 8 5 ; tail, base, 1; tarsus, J. 



* See Zool. Til. D!. 66. 



