GALLERY.] NATURAL HISTORY. 25 
bill, compressed at the tip, which is slightly hooked; their wings long 
and pointed; their tarsi generally shorter than the middle toe. They 
feed upon worms, insects, and small frogs, and are peculiar to the Old 
World. The Todies ( Todinoe , Case 39) are birds of small size, with 
lengthened bill, which is horizontally flattened and obtuse at the tip; 
their tarsi are also lengthened. They live on flies, &c., and inhabit 
South America and the West Indies. The Broad-bills ( Eurylaimince , 
Case 39) have the bill short, excessively broad at the gape, with the 
margins folding over those of the under mandible, and the tip suddenly 
hooked. They inhabit the thickest jungles of India, and their food 
consists of berries, fruits, and insects. The Momots ( Momotince , Case 
39) have a strong lengthened bill, with the edge of both mandibles ser¬ 
rated, and the tongue feathered as in the Toucans. They are solitary 
in their habits, build in holes, feed on insects, even on small birds, and 
are peculiar to South America. 
The family of Curucuis (Trogonid.®, Case 40) have a short conical 
beak, with the tip and generally the margins dentated. They are 
covered with very fine soft feathers; many of them are beautifully 
coloured; they live chiefly in low damp woods, in tropical parts of 
America and Asia, flying early in the morning and in the evening; 
they build in holes in trees, living on insects, some on berries, and often 
sit for hours at a time alone on the low branches of trees. Some 
have the upper tail and wing-coverts much elongated, and drooping over 
the wings and tail. 
The family of King-fishers ( Alcedinid^:, Cases 41 and 42) have a 
long quadrangular bill; long wings, and very small feet, with the toes 
united to the base; they are generally of a brilliant blue or green 
colour, and live on fish, which they catch by diving. They build in 
holes on the banks of rivers, and are found in both hemispheres. The 
Puff birds ( Capitonince , Case 41) have the bill moderate and straight, 
curved downwards, and cpmpressed towards the tip. The base is fur¬ 
nished with numerous bristles; they are peculiar to South America, and 
feed on insects, which they take in the manner of fly-catchers. Their 
plumage is smooth and dense, and is commonly puffed out into a round 
ball. The Halcyons ( Haleyonince , Case 41). Their bills are lengthened, 
the sides inflated, and the base more or less depressed, with the gonys of 
the under mandible ascending. They feed on insects and some of the 
large species of Crustacea and reptiles. Found only in the Old World. 
The King-fishers ( Alcedinince , Case 42,) have a very straight, com- 
pressed and angular bill; they live on small fish, which they take by 
precipitating themselves into the water from some branch, and return 
to their perch to gulp their prey. One species is found in England, 
and others inhabit both the Old and New World. The Jacamars ( Gal- 
bulin(E, Case 42) have very long, three-sided, pointed bills ; their tarsi 
are very short with four or three toes, the two anterior ones united to 
the middle joint. They always have a brilliant metallic plumage, and 
inhabit the warmer parts of South America, where they feed on in¬ 
sects. 
The family of Bee Eaters, (Meropim:, Case 42,) which are generally 
of a green colour, have long, slightly arched beaks, and long pointed 
wings; they associate in flocks, and fly like swallows, pursuing bees and 
G 
