colidj:. 261 



of wliicli tliey may be seen hopping from one to 

 another in searcli of the fruits or freslily-formecl 

 buds. Their flight consists of little more than 

 flitting from tree to tree ; and they have a peculiar 

 habit of suspending themselves by one foot, with the 

 head hanging downwards . Their feet are constructed 

 like those of the Swifts, with all four toes turned 

 forward. The tarsus, considering the size of the 

 bird, is unusually thick and strong ; and the claws 

 of all the toes are more curved than in ordinary 

 birds. They are rarely observed on the ground, the 

 peculiar formation of their feet not permitting them 

 to walk with ease. They build their nests in society, 

 .closely packed together on the same branch. The 

 nest is composed of flexible twigs, and lined with 

 feathers. Their eggs are from four to six in 

 number. 



The White-backed Coly {Colius Uuconotus) is found in 

 Africa. It is a pretty bird, and as it traverses the 

 branches has a peculiarly elegant appearance, its long 

 tail seeming to balance the body, in the extraordinaiy 

 and varied attitudes it assumes ; and its highly moveable 

 crest being continually raised and depressed, gives it a 

 very spirite'd aspect. It is gregarious, living in little 

 companies of four or five in number, and is continually 

 running and jumping from bough to bough m searcli of 

 its food, which consists of fruit and buds. The grasp 

 of its feet is very powerful, as much so as that of 

 the Parrot, so that it may often be seen hangmg by its 

 feet, with its head downwards, and occasionally remaining 

 for some time suspended by a single foot ; mdeed, Le 

 Yaillant says that this bird, in common with other 

 members of the same family, is in the habit of sleeping in 

 this singular attitude ; and that in the early morning it 

 may be often foimd so benumbed with cold, that it may 

 be taken by hand before it can loose its hold from the 

 bough, which it grasps so firmly. Owmg to the structure 

 of its feet, which are almost wholly formed for climbing, 

 it is seldom seen on the ground, and when it has alighted, 

 is awkward in its movements. Among the boughs, how- 

 ever, it is all life and energy, leaping about with a vivacity 

 N 3 



