TODIES. 



49 



high situations, but, on the contrary, may frequently be found at the sides of 

 the shallow ditches and hollows that are commonly formed in soft soil during 

 heavy rains. I have often surprised the todies at work. In beginning a tunnel, 

 they cling in an awkward manner to the face of the cliff or bank, fluttering 

 their wings frequently, as if for support. So far as I have been able to observe, in 

 digging they appear to employ the beak only, and I once took a tody that had 



JAMAICA TODY (nat. size). 



almost the entire half or side of the upper mandible worn away ; this, however, 

 was during a period of drought, when all vegetation was burnt and shrivelled, 

 and the earth hard and 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 dis- 

 covered ; but such a proceeding would seem highly probable in view of the labour 



VOL. IV. — 4 



