86 ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS. 
Todus, the pre-eminent or typical subgenus, by a beauti- 
ful gradation of forms, which leaves not a single gap in 
the series. In Todus, the bill exhibits that length and 
boat-shaped appearance before alluded to 146. a), 
together with a remarkably short tail, and delicate although 
lengthened legs. These latter characters are continued 
to riatyrynchus {Jig. 147-), but the bill has now become 
short, and so broad as to present 
a miniature resemblance to that 
of Eurylaimus: thelegsarelong, 
but so remarkably delicate as to 
show they are not at all adapted 
for walking. In the next type, 
however, represented by the 
subgenus Conopophaga, the legs 
are not only long, but unusually 
stout, thus indicating that they 
are much used, and probably 
on the ground. The bill is still 
short, but by no means so broad 
or so weak as in the last, while the base is destitute of 
bristles. Finally comes Platystera, the most aberrant 
group of the todies, and altogether peculiar to Africa. 
These birds are known at once 
from all the American forms, 
by being larger, more robust in 
their general shape, and having 
certain modidcations in the 
form of their bill, wings, and 
tail, altogether peculiar : a 
glance at the most typical spe- 
cies, P. lobafa (Jig. 148.), at 
once reminds the ornithologist 
of Monaoha, which, together 
with Psaris and Hyliota, these 
birds appear to represent in 
their own circle. The union of Platystera to Lepturus 
is effected by the Migniotte of Le Vaillant*; and its 
• Ois. d’Afrique. 
