48 
POPULAR HISTORY OF BIRDS. 
cording to Sir Charles Fellows^ which is very common^ in 
various parts of Asia Minor where the magpie does not oc- 
cur. He remarks^ that the roller is never seen in the same 
district with that bird^ and observes that it falls through the 
air like a tumbler-pigeon. 
The Todies form a genus of small birds^ which are 
chiefly natives of the West Indian Islands ; their beak is 
much flattened and blunt at the end. One of the best- 
known species is the Green Tody of Jamaica {Todus viridis, 
Plate III. fig. 3)^ the history of which has been recorded 
very pleasantly by Mr. Gosse in his ^ Birds of Jamaica."^ It 
is an abundant species there^ and is very conspicuous from 
its bright green plumage and crimson breast ; this latter 
peculiarity, coupled with its fearlessness or indifference to 
the presence of man, has acquired for it in Jamaica the fa- 
miliar name of Eobin Redbreast.''^ Unlike its European 
namesake, it is not met with on the ground, but keeps to 
the twigs of bushes, amongst which it hops, looking out 
for its insect food. It is very commonly seen, says Mr. 
Gosse, sitting patiently on a twig, with the head drawn 
in, the beak pointing upwards, the loose plumage puffed 
out, when it appears much larger than it is. It certainly 
* Annals of Natural History, vol. iv. p. 213. 
