THE BIRDS OF TRAVANCORE. C55 



(141) Micropternus GULABis. — The Malabar Rufous Woodpecker. 



Blanford, No. 985; Jerdon, No. 179. 

 I have only seen this bird in the low country and at the foot of the 

 hills ; so far as I am aware, it does not ascend them. 



(142) Brachypternus aurantius. — The Golden-backed Wood- 



pecker. 

 Blanford, No. 986 ; Jerdon, No. 180. 

 Common in the plains ; its loud harsh cry is a familiar sound in and 

 about Trevandrum. 



(143) Tiga javanensis. — The Common Golden-backed Three-toed 



Woodpecker. 

 Blanford, No. 988 ; Jerdon, No. 185. 

 This bird is very common in the hills at all elevations. Mr. T. F. 

 Bourdillon writes : " I was fortunate enough to obtain a clutch of eggs 

 of this bird in March, having observed the female boring indefatigablv 

 a dead branch. I may note that the most certain way of discovering 

 the nests of Woodpeckers is by noting where a bird is working for a long 

 time together in the breeding season. A little practice will enable an 

 observer to know whether the Woodpecker is boring a nest or simply 

 hunting for insects. The nest was in a hole in a mango tree (Mangfera 

 indica) about 30 feet from the ground and at an elevation of 3,000 feet. 

 Since then I have found other nests at elevations from 2,000 to 3,000 

 feet, but have never got the eggs. The eggs are two in number and 

 quite white. 



(144) Chrysocolaptes gutticristatus. — Tickell's Golden-backed 



Woodpecker. 



Blanford, No. 992 ; Jerdon, No. 166. 



Mr. F. W. Bourdillon records this as " inhabiting the lower ranges 



of forest." It is certainly not confined to them, as I have shot it at 



3,000 feet and also at 6,000 feet on the High Eange, generally in the 



neighbourhood of streams. 



(145) Hemicerctjs canente. — The Heart-spotted Woodpecker. 



Blanford, No. 995; Jerdon, No. 165. 



This little Woodpecker may be found in forest, both in the low country 



and on the hills. They generally go about in pairs. They draw one's 



attention at once by their loud call. Mr. T. F. Bourdillon writes : 



