570 



The Roller-like Birds 



the Swifts and Hummingbirds on one side and the Trogons on the other. The 

 fact appears to be, as Dr. Murie long ago suggested, that they present so 

 many remarkable features and combinations of characters, that their supposed 

 affinity with this or that group depends upon which set of characters is given 

 prominence, though the recent studies of Mr. Pycraft seems to have demon- 

 strated pretty conclusively that their affinities are really with the Micropodii. 

 They are small birds, about one foot in length, of which the very long tail takes 

 up a considerable part, with particularly tough skins and a short, dense plumage 

 which makes them appear even smaller than they really are. They have crested 

 heads, stout, quite Finch-like bills, a relatively long tarsus, and four slender- 



FIG. 169. Long-tailed Coly, Colius macrourus. 



clawed toes, all of which are directed forward, although it appears that the first 

 toe may be reversible. The wings are short and rounded, with ten primaries, 

 while the tail of ten feathers has the central pair greatly elongated and the outer 

 pair much reduced. Of the anatomical characters it may be mentioned that 

 they have the palate of the bridge (desmognathous) type, no caeca, a sternum 

 with four notches on the posterior margin, and a tufted oil-gland. 



The suborder embraces but a single family (Coliida), and the fourteen known 

 species are all contained in the genus Colius. They are birds of the forests and 

 wooded districts, especially where there is thick brush, going about except during 

 the breeding season in small parties of six to ten individuals. They have a 

 weak though tolerably rapid flight, which is accomplished by many quick beats 

 of the wings, and in the trees they are very active, creeping about among the 

 branches like Parrots, and often hanging with the head downward. At night 

 certain of the species are said to sleep in this seemingly awkward position or con- 



