94 



COLIUS 



tendons Coraciine (fig. 2, e, p. 2) ; spinal feather-tract well defined 

 on the neck, not forked on the back ; oil gland tufted ; no caeca. 



This family, containing only one genus, is strictly confined to 

 the Ethiopian Region, exclusive of Madagascar. 



FIG. 32. Left foot of Colius striatus. x \. 



This very isolated and well-marked group was formerly asso- 

 ciated with the Finches and other Passerine families ; but the 

 researches of Murie (" Ibis," 1872, p. 262) and Garrod (P. Z. S.' 

 1876, p. 419), have shown that they are not Passerine birds at all, 

 but have their nearest relations among the Kingfishers and Horn- 

 bills, with perhaps more distant affinities to the Parrots and 

 Plantain-eaters. In habits they are all very similar, being gre- 

 garious, constructing open cup-shaped nests and laying white, or 

 nearly white, eggs. 



Genus I. COLIUS. 



Type. 

 Colius, Brisson, Orn. iii, p. 304 (1760) C. capensis. 



This, the only genus of the family, contains some ten species 

 of small birds with finch-like bills, crested heads, short wings, very 

 long and graduated tails and stout, climbing feet ; the plumage of 

 most of the species is dull, of various shades of greys and browns, 

 and the sexes are alike. 



