204 PLANTAIN-EATERS. 



it may often be seen hanging by its feet, with its head downwards, and occa- 

 sionally remaining for some time suspended by a single foot ; indeed, Le 

 Vaillant 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 found 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. Owing 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 awk- 

 ward in its movements. Among the boughs, however, it is all life and energy, 

 leaping about with a vivacity that reminds the observer of our common long- 

 tailed titmouse. In mounting from branch to branch, as in lowering them- 

 selves, the colics frequently use their beaks to aid them, after the well-known 

 practice of the parrots. The nests of the colies are large and rounded, and 

 are generally placed in close proximity to each other, five or six being often 

 found on the same branch. They are constructed of slender twigs externally, 

 and lined with mosses and soft feathers. The number of eggs is from four to 

 six. When fat and in good condition, the flesh of these birds is said to be 

 delicate and tender. 



"The colics," says Jerdon, "are plain-coloured birds, with small thick beaks, 

 which led to their being at one time classed with the finches {Fnii^iluda). 

 Their wings are weak, so that they fly badly, and their tail is long, consisting 

 of ten feathers. The toes are three in front, the fourth being directed laterally 

 inward, and the short side toe is said to be capable of being directed forwards. 

 They live on fruit, do not perch, but walk or climb with their whole tarsus 

 applied to the surface, creeping, as it were, on their belly— hence, as well as 

 from their colour, they are called at the Cape, "mouse-birds." They climb 

 well, one foot after the other, a good deal after the manner of the parrots ; 

 help themselves along with their beaks, and sleep pendently like the lorikeets. 

 They build substantial nests, breed in society, and produce white eggs." 



These particularly interesting birds, therefore, thus serve in some degree to- 

 relieve the isolation of the parrots ; on the other hand, they have a remote 

 tendency towards some of the weaver-birds {P/oceida), one African group of 

 which is called Coliiispasser, and has a lengthened tail ; their breeding in 

 company, moreover, is another trait in which they resemble the weaver-birds. 



FAMILY VL 

 THE PLANTAIN-EATERS. MUSOPIIAGID.^.* 



General Characteristics. — Bill moderate, broad at the base ; the culmen much 

 elevated, curved, and the sides much compressed towards the tip, which is strongly 

 emarginated ; the wings more or less lengthened and rounded ; the tail long and 

 broad ; the tarsi moderate, strong, and covered in front with broad transverse 

 scales ; the toes long, and the outer one sometimes versatile. 



Among the many adaptations of a more general character 

 whereby the ornithologist is enabled, from the mere examination 



* Musa, the plantain , (j>a.yu, phago, to eat. 



