Speckled Mousebird

SCI Name:  Colius striatus
Protonym:  Colius striatus Syst.Nat. 1 pt2 p.843
Taxonomy:  Coliiformes / Coliidae / Colius
Taxonomy Code:  spemou2
Type Locality:  Cape of Good Hope.
Author:  Gmelin, JF
Publish Year:  1789
IUCN Status:  Least Concern

DEFINITIONS

COLIUS
(Coliidae; Ϯ White-backed Mousebird C. colius) Gr. κολοιος koloios  jackdaw; "LES COLIOUS. (COLIUS. Gm.) (2)  ...  (2) Kολοιος, nom grec d'une petite espéce de corneille" (Cuvier 1817); the relevance of this name to the Afrotropical mousebirds is unclear and probably arbitrary (Dowsett 1988, suggested the name is from Gr. κολεος koleos  scabbard or sheath, alluding to the long tails of these birds) (cf. κολιος kolios variant form of κελεος keleos  woodpecker; "GROENSPECHT, in 't Latyn Colius.  Zie deezen Vogel by SEBA, in zyn Thes. I. t. 60. f. 5. ["Avicula Americana Colubritis" = Cyanerpes] & T. II. t. 3. t. 70. f. 8. ["Avicula de Tatac", = ?miscoloured Chlorophanes]" (Moehring 1758)). Early authors placed Colius amongst the Fringillidae, allied to Pyrrhula and Loxia    ("Colios cum Fringillis (Loxiis) conjungi volunt Auctores, et re vera illis satis affines sunt, nec characteres hucusque dati ad distinguendos eos sufficiunt, si vero pedum structura, qualem eam ex Colio Senegalensi descripsi, omnibus Coliis eadem est, genus peculiare satis firmat" (Illiger 1811)). Burchell 1822, thought it close to Corythaix in the Musophagidae, as did Nitzsch 1840 (who considered Opisthocomus to be in the same group). Wallace 1856, from a study of their habits, linked them to the parrots Psittacidae, and Huxley 1867, placed them near the cuckoos in the Coccygomorphæ. Garrod 1876, summarised previous works and, from an anatomical study, considered the Coliidae to be related on the one hand to the woodpeckers Picidae, and on the other to the kingfishers Alcedinidae and hornbills Bucerotidae. Current evidence mirrors Garrod's findings and suggests that the mousebirds are nested within the Coraciimorphae; "Colius. Genus 36.  ...  SECTIO II.  Eæ quæ mandibula donantur superiore adunca.  BINA Avium genera sectionem istam constituunt. Aliæ rostro donantur superne convexo, subtus palniusculo, ut Colius: aliæ vero rostro superne & inferne convexo, ut Pyrrhula.  Le genre du Coliou.  Genus Colii.  ...  LE COLIOU DU CAP DE BONNE ESPÉRANCE  ...  COLIUS CAPITIS BONÆ SPEI" (Brisson 1760); "Colius Brisson, Orn., 1, 1760, p. 36; 3, p. 304. Type, by tautonymy, Loxia colius Linné." (Peters, 1945, V, p. 143). 
Var. Collus.
Synon. Necrornis, Rhabdocolius.

colius
Gr. κολοιος koloios  jackdaw (cf. κολιος kolios  woodpecker) (see Colius); ex “Coliou du Cap de Bonne Espérance” of Brisson 1760 (Colius).

striatus
L. striatus  striated  < striare  to striate  < stria  furrow (see also striata).
● "76. ARDEA.  ...  striata.  14. A. occipite subcristato, dorso cano striato, collo subtus ferrugineo, remigibus secundariis apice albis. Rolander.  Habitat Surinami.  Vertex niger nucha subcristata. Remiges fuscæ, sed secundariæ tantum margine apicis albæ." (Linnaeus 1758) (Butorides).
● ex “Brown-crowned Humming-bird” of Latham 1782 (syn. Chrysolampis mosquitus).
● ex “Coliou rayé” of de Buffon 1770-1783, and “Radiated Coly” of Latham 1783 (Colius).
● ex “Speckled Diver” and “Striped Diver” of Pennant 1785, and of Latham 1785 (syn. Gavia stellata ☼).
● ex “Pic rayé de S. Domingue” of Brisson 1760 (Melanerpes).
● ex “Striated Roller” of Latham 1801 (syn. Oriolus sagittatus).
● ex “Striped-headed Manakin” of Latham 1783 (Pardalotus).
● ex “Grande Caille de Madagascar” of Sonnerat 1776, and “Madagascar Quail” of Latham 1783 (unident.).
● ex “Grive 1ère” of Fermin 1769, and “Yellow-backed Thrush” of Latham 1783 (unident.).

SUBSPECIES

Speckled Mousebird (nigricollis)
SCI Name: Colius striatus nigricollis
nigricollis
L. niger  black; Mod. L. -collis  -necked, -throated  < L. collum  neck.
● ex “Plastron noir” of Audebert & Vieillot 1801 (Anthracothorax).
● ex “Blacknecked Falcon” of Latham 1787 (Busarellus).
● ex “Coliou Rayé à Gorge Noire” of Levaillant 1808, pl. 259 (Colius).
● ex “Blacknecked Swan” of Latham 1785 (syn. Cygnus melancoryphus).
● ex “Black-necked Thrush” of Latham 1783 (syn. Gracupica nigricollis).
● ex “Tangara olive à gorge noire de Cayenne” of d’Aubenton 1765-1781, pl. 720, fig. 1, “Tangara à gorge noire” of de Buffon 1770-1783, and “Black-throated Tanager” of Latham 1783 (syn. Hemithraupis guira nigrigula).
● ex Ampelis carnifex von Spix, 1825 (Phoenicircus).
● ex “Coturnix madagascariensis” of Brisson 1760, “Caille de Madagascar” of d’Aubenton 1765-1781, pl. 171, and “Blacknecked Quail” of Latham 1783 (Turnix).
● ex “Black-throated Manakin” of Latham 1783 (unident.).
● ex “Blacknecked Warbler” of Latham 1787 (unident.; ?Timaliidae).

Speckled Mousebird (striatus)
SCI Name: Colius striatus striatus
striatus
L. striatus  striated  < striare  to striate  < stria  furrow (see also striata).
● "76. ARDEA.  ...  striata.  14. A. occipite subcristato, dorso cano striato, collo subtus ferrugineo, remigibus secundariis apice albis. Rolander.  Habitat Surinami.  Vertex niger nucha subcristata. Remiges fuscæ, sed secundariæ tantum margine apicis albæ." (Linnaeus 1758) (Butorides).
● ex “Brown-crowned Humming-bird” of Latham 1782 (syn. Chrysolampis mosquitus).
● ex “Coliou rayé” of de Buffon 1770-1783, and “Radiated Coly” of Latham 1783 (Colius).
● ex “Speckled Diver” and “Striped Diver” of Pennant 1785, and of Latham 1785 (syn. Gavia stellata ☼).
● ex “Pic rayé de S. Domingue” of Brisson 1760 (Melanerpes).
● ex “Striated Roller” of Latham 1801 (syn. Oriolus sagittatus).
● ex “Striped-headed Manakin” of Latham 1783 (Pardalotus).
● ex “Grande Caille de Madagascar” of Sonnerat 1776, and “Madagascar Quail” of Latham 1783 (unident.).
● ex “Grive 1ère” of Fermin 1769, and “Yellow-backed Thrush” of Latham 1783 (unident.).

Speckled Mousebird (minor)
SCI Name: Colius striatus minor
minor
L. minor  smaller  < comp. parvus  small. “Comparative names ... Specific names expressive of comparative size are also to be avoided, as they may be rendered inaccurate by the after-discovery of additional species. The names ... maximus, minor, minimus, etc. are examples of this objectionable practice” (Strickland Code 1842).
● ex “Short-eared Owl” of Pennant 1761 (syn. Asio flammeus).
● ex “Little Thrush” of Catesby 1731-1743, Edwards 1758-1764, Latham 1783, and Pennant 1785, “Turdus iliacus carolinensis” of Brisson 1760, and “Grivette de l’Amérique” of de Buffon 1770-1783 (syn. Catharus fuscescens).
● ex “Whip-poor-will” of Catesby 1731 (Chordeiles).
● ex “Coucou des palétuviers de Cayenne” of d’Aubenton 1765-1781, pl. 813, “Petit Vieillard” of de Buffon 1770-1783, and “Mangrove Cuckow” of Latham 1782 (Coccyzus).
● "54. PICUS.  ...  minor.  12. P. albo nigroque varius vertice rubro, ano albido.  Picus albo nigroque varius, rectricibus tribus lateralibus seminigris. Fn. svec. 83. Hasselqv. iter. 242.  Picus varius tertius. Raj. av. 43.  Picus varius minor. Alb. av. I. p. 20. t. 20.  Habitat in Europa.” (Linnaeus 1758) (Dryobates).
● ex “Fregata minor” of Brisson 1760, “Petite Frégate” of de Buffon 1770-1783, “Man of War Bird” of Edwards 1760, and “Lesser Frigate Pelican” of Latham 1785 (Fregata).
● ex “Petit Indicateur” of Levaillant 1807, pl. 242 (Indicator).
● ex “Pie-grièsche d’Italie” of d’Aubenton 1765-1781, pl. 32, fig. 1 (Lanius).
● ex “Perruche à ailes noires” of de Buffon 1770-1783, “Petite perruche de l’isle de Luçon, 4ème ésp.” of Sonnerat 1776, and “Luzonian Parrakeet” of Latham 1781 (syn. Loriculus philippensis).
● ex “Apiaster Philippensis minor” of Brisson 1760 (syn. Merops viridis americanus).
● ex “Little Woodcock” of Pennant 1785, and Latham 1785 (Microptera).
● ex “Troupiale de la Caroline” of d’Aubenton 1765-1781, pl. 606, fig. 1, “Petit Troupiale noir” of de Buffon 1770-1783, and “Lesser black Oriole” of Latham 1782 (syn. Molothrus ater).
● ex “Lesser Bird of Paradise” of Latham 1783 (Paradisaea).
● ex “Barbican à ventre rose” of Levaillant 1806 (Pogonornis).
● ex “Porphyrio minor” of Brisson 1760 (syn. Porphyrula martinica).
● ex “Colymbus fluviatilis” of Brisson 1760 (syn. Tachybaptus ruficollis).
● ex “Huppe d’Afrique” of Audebert & Vieillot 1800-1802 (syn. Upupa africana).
● ex “Ringvia” of Brünnich 1764, and “Lesser Guillemot” of Pennant 1785 (syn. Uria aalge).

Speckled Mousebird (integralis)
SCI Name: Colius striatus integralis
integralis
Late L. integralis  integral, entire, complete  < L. integrare  to restore  < integer, integra  complete, whole  < in-  not; tangere  to touch.

Speckled Mousebird (simulans)
SCI Name: Colius striatus simulans
simulans
L. simulans, simulantis  imitative, imitating  < simulare  to make like.
● "In the black frontal band this form resembles P. c. frontalis Hellmayr [1895] from N. E. Brazil but differs otherwise" (Nelson 1912) (subsp. Caryothraustes canadensis).

Speckled Mousebird (rhodesiae)
SCI Name: Colius striatus rhodesiae
rhodesiae / rhodesiensis
The Rhodesias incorporated lands administered until the early 1920s by the British South Africa Company, including Mashonaland, Matabeleland and Manicaland (later Southern Rhodesia / Zimbabwe), and North-East Rhodesia and North-West Rhodesia (later Northern Rhodesia / Zambia).

Speckled Mousebird (affinis)
SCI Name: Colius striatus affinis
affinae / affine / affinis
L. adfinis or affinis  related, allied, neighbourly  < ad  towards; finis  end, boundary.  Over 85 forms share these specific epithets, which indicate relationship or similarity (not necessarily to a currently recognised congeneric species).  Some descriptions contain no information as to the supposed related species (e.g., Apus (cf. “neighbouring, in reference to its habit of br[eeding] in close association with man” (Hockey et al. 2005)), Certhia, Coracias), some have subsequently been identified as hybrids (e.g., Ramphocelus affinis Lesson, 1840 = R. dimidiatus x R. icteronotus), and a few refer to allied taxa I have yet to identify.  A selection of further examples follows.
● "Calornis affinis, A. Hay.   This differs from the Malayan C. cantor [=syn. Aplonis panayensis] in its larger size.  ...  C. affinis inhabits Tipperah, Arracan, Tenasserim (?), and the Nicobar Islands: while C. cantor is common at Malacca." (Blyth 1846) (subsp. Aplonis panayensis).
● "Sp. 13.  Aegotheles affinis, nov. sp.  ...  Questa specie somiglia all' A. novae-hollandiae [= syn. A. cristatus] più che non a qualunque altra specie  ...  Pel colore della coda l' A. affinis somiglia all' A. bennettii, Salvad., ma ne differisce pel colore rossigno delle parti sopra indicate e per le piume del sottocoda senza macchie."(Salvadori 1875) (Aegotheles).
● "Spec. 1.  Cinnyris affinis mihi.  ...  Chess Javanis.  The general description of the Certhia olivacea, Linn. Syst. i. p. 185. 5, a native of Madagascar [= Zosterops olivaceus], applies to this bird; but our species exceeds the former three inches in length, and it wants the white orbits."(Horsfield 1822) (Arachnothera).
● "FULIGULA AFFINIS.  Fu.—Precedenti [Fuligula Marilla = Aythya marila] similis, sed rostro breviore et ungue angustiore armato.  AMERICAN SCAUP.  ...  The above bird may be distinguished from the preceding in both sexes by the following comparative marks: total length less; bill shorter and not so broad; nail much narrower, and not so much rounded at its sides; tarsi shorter.  ...  This is another bird of which we have entertained considerable doubts as to the propriety of making into a species; the above distinctions, however, appear through all the specimens we have examined to be constant." (Eyton 1838) (Aythya).
● "Batrachostomus affinis, nobis, n. s.  Very similar to B. javensis, in the plumage figured by Dr. Horsfield (and which is considered to be the young dress of Podargus auritus, Tem.), but smaller, with no white spots on the wing, nor pale spot-like bands on the tertiaries and caudal feathers; but the former are uniformly freckled over with dusky specks, and the latter present a series of obscure freckled bands, seen best at a little distance: throat and breast plain rufous, with a few white feathers having a subterminal dusky border on the fore-neck and sides of the breast only.  Rest as in B. javensis, juv.  ...  This is the small Malayan species which I formerly considered might be Podargus stellatus, Gould, P. Z. S. 1837, p. 43: but it does not accord with the description of that species, and its dimensions are rather superior." (Blyth 1847) (Batrachostomus).
● "*CLIMACTERIS ERYTHROPS, Gould, var.?  (CL. AFFINIS, nobis, n. s. ?)  Like CL. ERYTHROPS, but with slight pale non-rufous supercilia, which are not conspicuously noticeable: throat dull whitish, passing to greyish on breast, and a small central ferruginous spot at base of throat: ear-coverts pale, streaked.  Specimen doubtless of the female sex." (Blyth 1863) (Climacteris).
● "Another small dark Collocalia is common.  Col. Tytler has no specimens of C. linchi (C. fuciphaga, auct.) with which to compare his specimens, but from recollection thinks his bird is distinct.  He therefore provisionally calls it  15.  COLLOCALIA AFFINIS, Tytler, sp. nov. ?  Small Edible-nest Swiftlet.  ...  The nest of this species in Col. Tytler's collection resembles that of C. nidifica [= syn. Aerodramus fuciphagus inexpectatus], but is considerably smaller and perhaps whiter, on which account it is more valued by the Burmese and others, who collect both kinds for the Chinese and Penang markets." (Beavan 1867) (subsp. Collocalia esculenta).
● "MYIOLESTES AFFINIS, G. R. Gr.   It is like the Myiolestes aruensis [= subsp. Colluricincla megarhyncha] on the upper surface, but the head has a slight tinge of grey; beneath, the body pale yellowish fuscous; throat slightly varied with white.  It is rather smaller in its general measurements.   Hab. Gagie." (G. Gray 1862) (subsp. Colluricincla megarhyncha).
● "1) Die verwandte Krähe, Corvus affinis, Br.   Größe und Gestalt unserer Rabenkrähe mit einem Kolkraben-gefieder.  Ich bin überzeugt, die gerupften australischen Vögel dieser Art werde man von unsern gerupften Rabenkräben nicht unterscheiden können." (Brehm 1845) (syn. Corvus coronoides).
● "Cyanocorax affinis.  ...  So sehr diese Art der vorhergehenden [Cyanocorax Diesingii = subsp. C. chrysops] gleicht, so unterscheidet sie sich doch sogleich durch ihre bedeutendere Grösse, durch breiteren, weniger zusammengedrückten Schnabel, weniger reiche Kopffedern und durch in manchen Punkten abweichende Färbung." (von Pelzeln 1856) (Cyanocorax).
● "Cymbirhynchus was separated by Mr. Vigors on account of the forward position of the nostrils and some other particulars; and Mr. Swainson lays much stress upon the vertical depth of its bill, which certainly is a marked feature in the common Malayan and Tenasserim species (C. nasutus) [= syn. C. macrorhynchos]; but there is a very closely allied species in Arracan, which, until I had obtained a good series of both, I declined to venture on distinguishing, but which I shall now designate  C. affinis, nobis." (Blyth 1846) (Cymbirhynchus).
● "H. AFFINIS G. R. Gray.  Mas.  Præcedenti [Hapalophus Cubla = Dryoscopus cubla] similis, sed rostro capitis fere longitudine; alarum tectricibus concoloribus; caudæ plumis remigibusque leviter albomarginatis." (G. Gray 1837) (subsp. Dryoscopus cubla).
● "Emberiza xanthogastra P. Würt., Icon. No. 36.  halte ich für ein intensiv gefärbtes Exemplar der Fringillaria flavigastra.  Hierher gehören auch Megalotis quinquevittatus, Emberiza albicollis und E. affinis der Sammlung von Mergentheim.  E. albicollis zeigt ein deutliches weisses Hinterhalsband; bei E. affinis fehlen die weissen Flügelbinden." (von Heuglin 1867) (Emberiza).
● "9.  Tyrannula affinis.  ...  Maritime parts of Mexico.   10. Tyrannula obscura.  Muscicapa querulæ? [= syn. Contopus virens]  Vieil. Ois. de l'Am. pl. 39.  ...  Mexico.  Rather larger than the last." (Swainson 1827) (Empidonax).
● "9º Tanagra (aglaia) diaconus, Less. [= syn. Tangara episcopus cana]  ...  Hab. Realejo.   10º Tanagra (Euphonia) affinis, Less.  ...  Hab. Realejo." (Lesson 1842) (Euphonia).
● "6. Geococcyx affinis, m.  Differt a G. viatico, Licht [= Cuculus viaticus = syn. G. californianus]. cui primo adspectu simillimus 1. Plumis corporis superioris et rectricibus intermediis omnino magis cupreo-brunneis  ...  2. Corpore subtus toto fulvescente-ochraceo, pectore maculis nonnullis longitudinalibus nigris sparsim notato  ...  3. Statura minore; rostro et tarsis multo brevioribus, cauda pro mole longiore." (Hartlaub 1844) (syn. Geococcyx velox).
● "206. — Eriocnemis affinis  ELLIOT.  TACZ., P. Z. S., 1882, p. 39." (Taczanowski 1884); "Perhaps a lapsus for assimilis but description based on specimens collected in 1880 at Ray-Urmaña, Chirimoto, by Stolzmann; one of these same specimens served as the type of domaniewskii.  In spite of the similarity in meaning affinis and assimilis are different words." (Peters 1968, V, 113) (subsp. Haplophaedia assimilis).
● "1. HEMIGNATHUS AFFINIS, sp. n.   This bird is very closely allied to H. hanapepe, of Kauai, but differs in having the head, throat, and upper breast more golden yellow, and the back, rump, and upper wing-coverts dull olive colour instead of greenish yellow.  Moreover, in H. affinis the yellow of the head terminates abruptly at the occiput, while it gradually passes into the colour of the back in H. hanapepe.  The anal region and under tail-coverts are yellowish green, whilst in H. hanapepe they are white."   (Rothschild 1893) (‡Hemignathus).
● "Dendrocolaptes affinis, de La Fr. — Valde affinis Picolapti guttato Lessonii [= Picolaptes guttata = syn. Lepidocolaptes fuscus], ab illo differt hæc species, statura majore et præsertim cauda alisque longioribus, maculisque totis colli pectoris et abdominis stramineis distincte nigro limbatis, quasi oculatis, his in Picolapte guttato majoribus, albidioribus, minus distinctis, lateribus tantum fusco marginatis." (de La Fresnaye 1839) (Lepidocolaptes).
● "Trichastoma, Nobis; n.g.   ...   *Tr. rostratum, Nobis.   ...   *Tr. affine, Nobis.  So like the other in plumage as to cause some doubt, on a first view, whether it be specifically distinct; but the much smaller size, and different colour, of the legs and feet, and also the much shorter bill, have decided me to adopt  the present course with it.  ...  General colour rather paler than in the preceding, excepting on the head; the nape much paler; and rump inclining to fulvous more than rufous: tail and its coverts brighter rufous than in the other; and breast crossed with pale fuscous." (Blyth 1842) (Malacopteron).
● "7. Eidopsarus affinis. — Capite, genis, gulaque nigerrimis; corpore supra luteo-olivacea, albo griseoque tincto infra; collo et thorace albidis; alis et cauda brunneo griseis.  Hab. Nova-Wallia meridionalis.    8. Meliphaga reticuloides [= syn. Melithreptus affinis].— Capite bruneo; corpore supra bruneo-olivaceo, sordide fusco, bruneo striato infra; alarum et caudæ pennis brunneis, luteo-olivaceo marginatis.  Long. 5 poll.  Hab. Nova-Wallia meridionalis." (Lesson 1839) (Melithreptus).
● "HESPERIPHONA AFFINIS, n. s.*   ...   *HESPERIPHONA AFFINIS, nobis.   Nearly affined to H. ICTERIOIDES (Coccothraustes icterioides, Vigors) [= Mycerobas icterioides].  ...  The adult male so nearly resembles that of H. ICTERIOIDES, that its distinctness would scarcely have been suspected, had it not been for the great difference of the other sex." (Blyth 1855) (Mycerobas).
● "42.  Nilaus affinis. Bocage.  N. indig. Caporo.  Hesitámos por muito tempo em estabelecer uma especia nova n'um genero que é ha muito conhecido por ter uma só especie; porém a constancia com que se nos apresentam os exemplares de Caconda distinctos do N. brubru pela ausencia total de malhas ferruginosas nos lados do peito e por outras variantes de côres, anima-nos a separal-os especificamente d'este.   ...   5. Nilaus affinis.  Ad. N. brubru [= subsp. Nilaus afer] similis, sed diversus; superciliis albis brevioribus; gastraeo toto albo, maculis pectoralibus castaneis nullis; fascia alari alba vix rufescente tincta; rostro nigricante; pedibus ardesiacis; iride fusca." (Barboza du Bocage 1878) (subsp. Nilaus afer).
● "10.  NINOX AFFINIS, Tytler, sp. nov.?  Andaman Hawk-Owl.  ...  Closely allied to Ninox scutellatus (Raffles) [= N. scutulata] but very considerably smaller, and differing also in being much more rufous on the under parts, and generally darker above." (Beavan 1867) (Ninox).
● "Sp. 39.  Melilestes affinis, nov. sp.   Melilestes M. ILIOLOPHO simillimus, sed capite supra cinerascentiore, dorso olivaceo paullo obscuriore, collo antico magis cineraceo." (Salvadori 1876) (syn. Oedistoma iliolophus).
● "263. Oriolus viridis [= syn. Oriolus sagittatus]   ...   264. Oriolus affinis, Gould.  Inhabits the neighbourhood of Port Essington, and only differs from the preceding species in having a smaller body, a shorter wing, a much larger bill, and in the white spots at the tip of the lateral tail-feathers being much smaller in extent." (Gould 1848) (subsp. Oriolus sagittatus).
● "Penelopides affinis, sp. n.   ♂. Like P. Panini, but differs by wanting the perpendicular grooves on the thick lateral plates of the maxilla, which are smooth, by the grooves at the base of the mandible not being recurved, but straight, by the whole bill being much less massive, by the abdominal region and under tail-coverts being of the same colour as the breast, and not rufous, by the upper tail-coverts being black, and not rufous, and by the rectrices having a black band at their insertion." (Tweeddale 1877) (Penelopides).
● "30. MOTACILLA OFFINIS.  Olive Willow Wren, T.  (Willow Wren? [= Phylloscopus trochilus])  5½ inches.  Male.  Upper parts dark olivaceous ashy-brown.  Beneath, brownish yellow ochre.  Clear yellow streak over eye.  Upper mandible dark, lower pale horn: legs horn, eyes hazle.  Killed in high-timbered jungle, on the banks of a stream." (Tickell 1833) (Phylloscopus).
● "536.  ABRORNIS AFFINIS, Hodgson.  ...  This species is closely allied to A. poliogenys [= Phylloscopus poliogenys (formerly Seicercus poliogenys)], but differs from it in having the lores, base of lower mandible, lower portion of the ear-coverts, chin and throat, the same bright yellow as the rest of the under-parts; the feathers of the crown are pale shafted, which does not appear in poliogenys" (Hodgson 1854) (syn. Phylloscopus intermedius (formerly Seicercus affinis)).
● "Barbatula affinis sp. n.   B. uropygiali [= subsp. Pogoniulus pusillus] simillima sed uropygio sulphureo; abdomine albido; pectore stramineo lavato." (Reichenow 1879) (subsp. Pogoniulus pusillus).
● "Zosterornis affinis sp. nov.  ...  Specific characters.—Similar to Zosterornis nigrocapitata (Steere) but slightly larger; chestnut of chin and upper throat diffused and not forming a patch on each side." (McGregor 1907) (subsp. Sterrhoptilus nigrocapitatus).
● "3. Elaenea pagana Licht.   ...   4. Elaenea affinis Lund.  ...  Dieser Vogel ist an seinem zur Hälfte blaßgelben und dann tief schwarzgefärbten Schwanz scharf von der vorigen, ähnlichen Art verschieden; er bewohnt die lichten Campos im Innern Brasiliens" (Burmeister 1856) (Suiriri).
● "Taccocua affinis, nobis.  ...  I find that the Sirkeer of the Rajmahl and Monghyr hills requires further to be distinguished from that of the Cawnpore district, higher up the Ganges in the WNW. direction.  ...  It combines the size of T. sirkee with the colouring of T. infuscata; but has the bill rather more abruptly curved over than in either, and coloured as in all its congeners." (Blyth 1846) (syn. Taccocua leschenaultii infuscata).
● "1. Tch. paradisi, (L.) [= Terpsiphone paradisi]   ...   2. Tch. affinis, A. Hay, MS.: Malayan Tch. paradisi, auctorum; Muscipeta castanea (?), Temminck.  In any state of plumage, this species may be distinguished from the last by having the crest never more than seven-eighths of an inch in length (generally less), and the feathers which compose the crest are broader and much more commingled into a uniform smooth surface than in the other.  The middle tail-feathers of the male rarely, if ever, attain a foot in length; whereas in the Indian species, they often exceed fifteen inches; in form, too, they are very much narrower than in Tch. paradisi (vera)." (Blyth 1846) (Terpsiphone).
● "CRINON ANALOGUE (Criniger affinis).  Femelle.  Partie supérieure vert olivâtre, plumes de la tête hastées; nuque pourvue d'un petit nombre de soies très fines et peu longues  ...  Habite Warou (Ceram)." (Hombron & Jacquinot 1841) (Thapsinillas).
● "POGONORHYNCHUS AFFINIS, n. sp.  In size and colouring this species resembles P. leucomelas, excepting that the entire forehead and crown are black as in P. melanocephalus [= Tricholaema melanocephala].  In the bill and rictal bristles it resembles P. leucomelas, but the tooth on the upper mandible is barely indicated and the culmen between the nostrils is not quite so wide." (Shelley 1880) (subsp. Tricholaema leucomelas).
● "15. G. variegatus; Cincl. variegatum, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 55 [= Trochalopteron variegatum], and figured in Gould's Century, Pl. XVI.  Nepâl.   16. G. affinis, Hodgson. M. S.  Nearly allied both to the last, and (judging from description) to the next species.  ...  Inhabits Nepâl.    17. G. capistratus; Cincl. capistratum, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 55 [= Heterophasia capistrata].  Himalaya." (Blyth 1843) (Trochalopteron).
● "Yarrell and others extend the range of S. flammea [= Tyto alba] to South Africa; but a Cape specimen we have is certainly distinct, and is Strix affinis, nobis (Strix flammea apud nos, J. A. S. xxix. 100).  It is rather larger than Strix flammea, with the general colouring much deeper, the back being of a more prevalent and darker ashy, the lower parts more strongly fulvous, and especially the primaries and tail much more broadly and distinctly banded, the dark markings being greatly more developed than even in the true S. flammea of Europe and N. Africa." (Blyth 1862) (subsp. Tyto alba).
● "Catarractes affinis, sp. nov.   A new species of Catarractes, somewhat larger than C. lomvia Linn., may be based upon a right humerus, which is entire, and in an excellent state of preservation.  This specimen was referred to by the writer in the description of Catarractes antiquus, from the Tertiary of North Carolina, and the latter is evidently a nearly related species." (Marsh 1872) (‡Uria).
● "PICUS affinis,  Golden-naped Woodpecker.  ...  ORNITHOLOGISTS have either entirely overlooked this bird, or have slightly noticed it as a variety of Picus icterocephalus [= syn. Piculus flavigula], the golden-headed Woodpecker, from which it is nevertheless quite distinct." (Swainson 1821) (Veniliornis).
● "ORTYGOMETRA AFFINIS.  ...  This species is most like R. palustris [= subsp. Zapornia pusilla] of Mr. Gould, but it has not any white spots on the primaries, and the bill appears to be rather longer." (J. Gray 1846) (subsp. Zapornia pusilla).

Speckled Mousebird (mombassicus)
SCI Name: Colius striatus mombassicus
mombasae / mombassica / mombassicus
Mombassa, British East Africa (= Mombasa, Kenya).

Speckled Mousebird (cinerascens)
SCI Name: Colius striatus cinerascens
cinerascens
Late L. cinerescens, cinerescentis  ashen  < cinerescere  to turn to ashes  < L. cinis, cineris  ashes.
● ex “Mésange Grisette” of Levaillant 1803, pl. 138 (Melaniparus).

Speckled Mousebird (berlepschi)
SCI Name: Colius striatus berlepschi
berlepschi
Hans Hermann Carl Ludwig Graf von Berlepsch (1850-1915) German ornithologist, collector specialising in the Neotropical avifauna (Aglaiocercus, Anthocephala, Asthenes, syn. Catharus fuscater, subsp. Ceratopipra erythrocephala, Chaetocercus, subsp. Chamaeza campanisona, subsp. Chlorostilbon lucidus (ex Chlorostilbon splendidus egregius von Berlepsch & Ihering, 1885), subsp. Colius striatus, subsp. Conopias trivirgatus, Cranioleuca, Crypturellus, Dacnis, syn. Dendrocolaptes picumnus validus, syn. Eremophila teleschowi, syn. Eriocnemis vestita, subsp. Hafferia zeledoni, syn. Heliodoxa jacula henryi, syn. Henicorhina leucophrys, Hylopezus, syn. Hylopezus macularius paraensis, Leptasthenura, subsp. Lesbia victoriae, subsp. Merganetta leucogenis, subsp. Mitrephanes phaeocercus, syn. Myiornis auricularis, subsp. Myrmoborus lugubris, subsp. Myrmotherula menetriesii, subsp. Ochthoeca fumicolor, Parotia, Patagioenas, subsp. Phaeochroa cuvierii, syn. Phaethornis syrmatophorus, subsp. Phimosus infuscatus, subsp. Polioptila dumicola, subsp. Pseudotriccus pelzelni, subsp. Pyrrhura melanura, Rhegmatorhina, syn. Sicalis olivascens, Sipia, subsp. Sphenopsis melanotis, syn. Tangara episcopus prysjonesi, subsp. Tangara nigroviridis, subsp. Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus, subsp. Tolmomyias sulphurescens, syn. Turdus albicollis spodiolaemus, subsp. Veniliornis mixtus, subsp. Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus).

Speckled Mousebird (kikuyensis)
SCI Name: Colius striatus kikuyensis
kikuyensis / kikuyuensis / kikuyuensisi
Kikuyuland, named after the Kikuyu or Agikuyu peoples, Kenya.

Speckled Mousebird (kiwuensis)
SCI Name: Colius striatus kiwuensis
kiwuensis
Lake Kivu, German East Africa / Rwanda.

Speckled Mousebird (congicus)
SCI Name: Colius striatus congicus
congica / congicus / congo / congoensis
Congo or Belgian Congo / DR Congo.

Speckled Mousebird (jebelensis)
SCI Name: Colius striatus jebelensis
jebelensis
Bahr el Jebel (= Bahr al Jabal), a section of the White Nile, Sudan/ Uganda.

Speckled Mousebird (leucotis)
SCI Name: Colius striatus leucotis
leucotis
Gr. λευκος leukos white; -ωτις -ōtis -eared < ους ous, ωτος ōtos ear.
● ex “Fourmilier à oreilles blanches de Cayenne” of d’Aubenton 1765-1781, pl. 822, and “White-eared Manakin” of Latham 1783 (syn. Conopophaga aurita).

Speckled Mousebird (hilgerti)
SCI Name: Colius striatus hilgerti
hilgerti
Carl Hilgert (1866-1940) German taxidermist, collector in Africa and the Near East (syn. Accipiter ovampensis, syn. Calamonastes simplex, subsp. Colius striatus, syn. Coloeus monedula spermologus, syn. Galerida theklae carolinae, syn. Garrulus glandarius, syn. Lophotis ruficrista, subsp. Nilaus afer, syn. Ochrospiza atrogularis reichenowi, subsp. Rhodophoneus cruentus, syn. Streptopelia capicola somalica, syn. Sylvietta brachyura leucopsis).

Speckled Mousebird (leucophthalmus)
SCI Name: Colius striatus leucophthalmus
leucophtalmos / leucophthalma / leucophthalmos / leucophthalmum / leucophthalmus
Gr. λευκος leukos  white; οφθαλμος ophthalmos eye (cf. λευκοφθαλμος leukophthalmos  white-eye, type of gem).