40 PASSERES. TODID^E. 



broad, and very much flattened, usually blunt or 

 rounded at the tip. The gape is wide, extending 

 beneath the eyes, and is beset with bristles. In 

 one Indian genus (Eurylaimus) the breadth of the 

 beak at the base is nearly as great as the length. 

 The feet are for the most part small and weak : 

 the outmost toe is united to that which is next to 

 it as far as to the terminal joint. The wings are 

 short and rounded, and consequently the flight is 

 feeble, and incapable of protraction. 



Insects form the chief nutriment of the Todies, 

 mingled, however, in some of the species, with 

 berries. 



GENUS TODUS. (LiNN.) 



The little birds to which this name is gene- 

 rically restricted, are confined to the islands of the 

 West Indies and the tropical parts of the Ame- 

 rican continent. The species are few in number, 

 and are characterized by a lengthened, flattened 

 beak of nearly equal breadth throughout, but 

 rounded at the point. The bristles of the gape 

 are few. The wings are very short and rounded, 

 and the feet weak. 



The Green Tody (Todus viridis, LINN.) is one 

 of the most common, and one of the most beau- 

 tiful birds of the greater West Indian isles. Its 

 upper plumage is of bright green, brilliant as 

 an emerald, its throat rich velvety crimson, and 

 its under parts pale yellow, with rosy sides. 



It sits on a twig at the edge of the forest, or on 

 some low bush by the side of the road, watching 

 for passing insects : and so intent is it on its occu- 

 pation, and so little terrified by the approach of 

 man, that it will allow a person to stand within 



