GREEN TODY. 
174 
upwards, is in exact accordance with what, from 
theory, we should suppose ; for we believe 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 the sudden dart of 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 3f inches ; bill, T 9 0 ; wings, 
1 t 8 5 ; tail, base, ] J ; tarsus, ■). 
* See Zool. ID. pi. 66. 
