COLIUS STRIATUS. 555 
distributed ; its skin very thick and tough; stomach small and 
delicate ; legs of a beautiful light-red colour.” 
Fig. Sclater, P. Z. S. 1876, pl. 35. 
540. Coxrus striatus, Gm. South African Coly. 
The present species is not uncommon in the Karroo, and is equally 
frequent about the Knysna, Caledon, and Worcester, and it extends 
on this side of the mountain as far as Herste River, as we found by 
shooting them in Mr. Laurence Van der Byl’s garden. Mr. Rickard 
notes it from Port Hlizabeth and Hast London. In Natal, according 
to Mr. Ayres, it breeds, building in the thick fork of a mimosa or 
other low tree, well sheltered by creepers and foliage above. He 
also remarks :—“ These birds appear to have the habit of constantly 
adding fresh and green leaves to the inner surface of their nests. Is 
a certain amount of dampness necessary for their eggs during 
incubation? These Colies are always found in small companies, 
excepting during the time of breeding. They inhabit the Bush, and 
are fond of climbig about and sunning themselves on any trees 
well covered with thick creeping plants. They are destructive in a 
garden, attacking soft fruits, such as loquats, &c. I rather think 
that when roosting they hang with their heads downwards, the 
whole family being nestled together; but those I have seen have 
generally flown off so quickly that I could not be positively certain 
as to their position.” 
Mr. F. A. Barratt observes :—“ This bird was often observed at 
Macamac and elsewhere on my route from Potchefstroom to the 
Gold-fields. All the species of this genus, as far as I could make 
out, closely resemble each other in their habits. In British Kaffraria 
one cannot give a Kaffir a greater treat than a few ‘ Mouse-birds,’ as 
they are called ; and if one of them flies from a bush, sticks and 
knobkeries will be thrown with such precision that the bird has little 
chance of escape.” 
Mr. L. C. Layard sent plenty of eggs of the species from Swellen- 
dam; many of them were curiously streaked with a dull golden 
yellow; the ground-colour of all was a dirty chalky-white, rough to 
the touch. 
Captain Shelley distinguishes this species from all the other South 
African ones by the colour of the legs, which are dark reddish- 
brown, and by the uniform black upper mandible, as well as by the 
