78 PASSERES. TODIDA:. 



the seed, whilst vegetating, from the depredations of 

 ants. The box had performed its office; the 

 lettuces had been transplanted, and the mould re- 

 mained in undisturbed fallow. The box having a 

 knot-hole in the side, through this hole a pair of 

 Todies burrowed a gallery into the heart of the 

 mould, built a nest, and reared a family of young 

 ones. They were assiduous sitters, the male and 

 female relieving each other. Though they attracted 

 a good deal of attention, and were not unfrequently 

 disturbed by the curiosity of visitors, they stead- 

 fastly pursued their family affairs, and showed 

 surprising vigilance and caution in escaping out of 

 their cavern, when they were either watched, or 

 attempts were made to catch them. They never 

 failed to profit by the moment when attention was 

 withdrawn from them, either to come from out of 

 their cave, or to dart into it. On opening the 

 earth after the young had fled, there was found 

 a capacious winding gallery into the centre of the 

 box, ending in a circular lodging, in which was 

 contained the nest, composed of fibrous roots and 

 cotton. 



" There is such an obvious similarity between the 

 Kingfisher and the Tody, particularly the brilliant 

 blue and green European Kingfisher, that few who 

 are acquainted with both fail to recognise their 

 affinity. The brilliant plumage of the two birds; 

 the patient watchfulness with which they both sit 

 on some exposed twig to await the vagrant prey ; 

 their short flight from station to station ; and their 

 repeated return to the same spot; independent 



