394 



NATURAL HISTORY OF BIRDS. 



FIG. 194. Palate of Colius 

 mxp, inaxillo-palatines 

 pi, palatines. 



tendons, Colius, although so peculiar and uncertain in the manner in which it employs 

 its toes, exactly resembles the feeble-footed Alcedinida3, and hardly differs from the 

 Coraciada?, Meropidse, Bucerotida?, and Caprimulgidse. I could find no trace of intes- 

 tinal ca3ca. Nitzsch has shown that the oil gland is tufted, and 

 that there are ten rectrices." Only the left carotid is present, 

 and the syrinx is most nearly related to that of Ceryle among 

 the kingfishers. Professor Garrod sums up thus : "From what 

 has been said above, it is evident that Colitis must be included 

 among the Piciformes, and near those of this division with a 

 left carotid only, a four-notched sternum, and a blended plantar- 

 tendon arrangement. No other piciform bird, however, com- 

 bines these characters. Consequently, the fact that the combi- 

 nation of characters is unique justifies us in retaining the Coliida? 

 in a separate family, related on one hand to the Picidre, and on 

 the other to the Alcedinidas and Bucerotidse." 



Very interesting is the construction of the foot, which is 

 pamprodactylous, that is, all toes turn forwards, even the first 

 one, though it seems as if the latter is reversatile. Dr. Murie 

 compares the foot " to a human hand strongly clawed, which, 

 by a kind of griping or squeezing of the digits, securely fastens 

 to the slightest inequalities of surface." It seems, however, as 



if the colies are able also to direct the fourth toe more or less backwards, thus some- 

 times grasping thin twigs in a way similar to the yoke-toed birds. 



Only one genus, Colius, requires recognition. It is strictly confined to the Ethi- 

 opian region, except Madagascar, and the southern and eastern portions seem to be 

 the richest in species. There are not many known yet, for in the latest review of 

 this genus (July, 1885), Capt. G. E. Shelley only enumerates eight species, besides 

 three geographical races. He gives the following condensed account of their 

 habits : 



" The colies are all fruit-eaters, live in small bands, frequent thick bushes, and, 

 when disturbed, fly straight to some neighboring covert. Owing to their peculiar 

 structure, they place themselves in the most extraordinary attitudes when they rest or 

 scramble amongst the boughs, and they roost at night in thickly packed companies 

 for warmth, generally, if not always, with their feet above their heads. Their 

 nests are cup-shaped, and placed in thickish bushes at a few feet from the ground, 

 and some, if not all, of the species frequently add green leaves to the interior of 

 their nests during incubation. The eggs are rough, rather obtuse ovals, and generally 

 white. 



" There are now examples of three species of this genus living in the Zoological 

 Society's Gardens [London]. They are admirably adapted for cage-birds, being 

 active, bold, and apparently hardy, and the quaintness of their attitudes is interesting 

 to watch." 



The species figured is C. macrourus, which inhabits northeastern, eastern, and 

 western Africa. Its bill is red at base, black at tip, in strong contrast, feet coral red. 

 The general color is gray, more isabella-colored underneath, and a patch of pure sky- 

 blue on the nape. The ' Muis-vogeV of the boers in South Africa (Colius colius) is 

 distinguished by having the lower and middle back black, with a broad white band 

 down the centre. 



