File:The genera of birds (18988776210).jpg

Order II. PASSERES.
Tribe IV. Conikostres
The fifth Family,
COLID^, or Colies,
have the Bill moderate, with the culmen elevated at the base, and the sides compressed to the tip, which
is acute ; the Nostrils placed in the middle of a large membranous groove, with the opening small and
exposed : the Wings short : the Tail much lengthened and graduated : the Tarsi robust, and the Toes
lengthened, the outer as long as the inner, the hind toe moderate, united at the base of the inner toe,
and directed forwards.
The only Subfamily,
COLINiE, or Colies,
has the characters given above.
Colius Briss.*
Bill moderate, broad, and elevated at the base, with the culmen arched, and the sides compressed to
the tip, which is acute ; the lateral margins sinuated ; the gonys short and slightly ascending ; the
nostrils placed in a short, broad, membranous groove, with the opening small and exposed. Wings
moderate, with the first quill long, the second to the fourth nearly equal and longest. Tail much
lengthened and graduated, with the feathers narrowed throughout. Tarsi as long as the middle toe,
robust, and covered with broad scales. Toes rather long, the lateral toes equal, the hind moderate,
united at the base of the inner toe, and directed forwards; the claws long, curved, and very acute.
The birds of this genus are peculiar to the continent of Africa, where they are usually observed in parties on the
trees, among the branches of which they are seen quickly hopping from one to another in search of the fruits and freshly
formed buds, on which they subsist. Their flight consists of little more than flitting from one tree to another ; and they
have a peculiar habit of suspending themselves by one foot attached to the branch, with the head hanging downwards.
They are rarely observed on the ground, as the formation of their foot does not admit of their walking with ease. They
form their nests in society, closely packed together on the same tree or bush, and composed of flexible twigs lined with
feathers, the female depositing from four to six eggs.
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• Established by Brisson in 1760 (Ornithologie, iii. p, 304.).