SENEGAL CO'LY.—Cdlivs macrocercus. 



The Colies form a small family of birds, whose exact place among the feathered 

 tribes seems to be rather uncertain. They are inhabitants of Africa and India ; and as 

 tlieir plumage is of a soft and silken character, and generally of sober tints, they often go 

 by the name of INIouse-birds, a title which is also due to their mouse-like manner of 

 creeping among the boughs of trees. 



The Senegal or Long-tailed Coly is found in Africa, in the country from which it 

 derives its name. 



It is a pretty bird, and as it traverses the branches has a peculiarly elegant appearance ; 

 its long tail seeming to balance it in the extraordinary and varied attitudes which it 

 assumes, and its highly movable crest being continually raised or depressed, giving it a 

 very spirited aspect. 



It is gregarious, living in little companies of four or five in number, and is continually 

 jumping and running about the branches in search of its food, which consists of fruit 

 and buds. The grasp of its feet is very powerful, as much so indeed as that of the parrot ; 

 and while traversing the boughs, it may often be seen hanging by its feet with its head 

 downward, and occasionally remaining for some time suspended by a single foot. Le 

 Vaillant says that this bird, in common with other members of the same family, is fond 

 of sleeping in this singular attitude, and that in the early morning it may often be found 

 so benumbed with cold, that it can be taken by hand before it can loosen its hold from 

 the bough which it grasps so firmly. 



Owing to the formation of its feet, which are almost wholly formed for grasping, it is 

 seldom seen on the ground, and when it has alighted, is awkward in its movements. 

 Among the boughs, however, it is all life and energy, leaping about with a quick vivacity 

 that reminds the observer of our common long-tailed titmouse. In climbing from one 

 branch to another, as in lowering themselves, the Colies frequently use their beaks to aid 

 them, after the well-known practice of the parrots. 



The nests of the CoUes are all large and rounded, and are generally placed in close 

 proximity to each other, five or sLx being often found on the same branch. The materials 

 of which they are made are slender twigs externally, lined with mosses and soft feathers. 



