MOUSEUIKDS 



87 



MOUSEBIRDS 

 The Mousebirds, or Colics (Family Coliidce), are as bad 

 at fruit-thieving as the Bulbuls, if not more so, and devour 

 large quantities of apricots, plums, peaches, <vc. They are 

 gregarious in habits, going about in flocks, and are chiefly 

 remarkable for the hair-like nature of their breast feathers. 



Fig. 48. — Speckled Mousebird. 



from which they derive their Dutch name of " Muisvogel " 

 (Mousebird). They have crested heads and long tails. All 

 three species are of much the same size. 



South Africa possesses three species and a sub-species. 

 The Speckled Mousebird (Coitus striatus) is of an ashy-grey 

 colour above and ashy-brown below, streaked with wavy 

 lines of a darker tint. Bare skin round eye black. Length, 

 13 to 14 inches. 



