rylRD NOTES FROM MURREE. 153 



open hillsides and is less of a forest bird than the next species. Both are com- 

 mon in Murree and the Galis. 



U50. Geciuus occipitalis (The Black-naped Green Woodpecker).— In addi- 

 tion to the cry or callnote consisting of a single, rather high pitched, though 

 mellow, whistle repeated three times, sometimes of three whistles descending 

 the scale in half tones " The Black-naped Green Woodpeciier" has a musical 

 note like •• Piuk " when feeding, and an alarm cry similar to that of the last 

 species, though less harsh, 



5)60. Hypopicns htjiurythrus (The Rufous-bellied Pied Woodpecker).—! 

 found " The Rufous-bellied Pied Woodpecker" very common at Dunga Gali. 

 The cry of this Woodpecker is a long rattling, but not loud, sound running 

 down at the finish. It is difficult to describe but may be likened to the rapid 

 running down of the works of a small clock with a broken mainspring or to 

 the rapid running out of a large fishing reel. This was the only note of this 

 species heard and apparently the common "jipk" "jipk" note of some of the 

 Deiidrocopii is not used, 



967. Dendrocopus madi (The Fulvous-breasted Pied Woodpecker). 



969. Dendrocopus auricep><.—(The Brown-fronted Pied Woodpecker),— My 

 observations on " The Fulvous-breasted Pied Woodpecker " and " The Brown- 

 fronted Pied Woodpecker" confirm those of Colonel Rattray as regards the 

 rarity or absence of both in the Galis and the common occurrence of the 

 latter in Murree, The former, however, I found rare in Murree. The note 

 of both species somewhat resembles that of Hypopicus hyperyihrus, but 

 compared with Dendrocopinf himalaytims they are silent birds, 



1004. Indicator xanthonotus (The Yellow-backed Honey-guide). — I had the 

 pleasure of seeing the rather rare " Yellow-backed Honey-guide " at close 

 quarters on the 29th of April in Murree. A bird sitting on a bare bough of a 

 chestnut tree arrested my attention. From below it was hard to identify with 

 its non-descript coloured lower parts and short finch-like bill. It however 

 remained in the same spot for quite half an hour and allowed me to walk round 

 and examine it leisurely. As I left the spot it still sat, but on gaining the path 

 above I heard a rustle of wings behind me and turned to see the same bird 

 pitch on to the bare bough of a tree below the path and level with me, not 

 more than 10 yards away. There it sat quite tamely and I could examine 

 every feather in the plumage. Presently it flew away in the direction opposite 

 to which I was going. I was anxious to find a nest and so returned to the 

 spot about three hours later, but for some time could not see the bird I 

 sought. Suddenly a streak of yellow crossed the path and flew up the hill. 

 I dashed after it through the thick undergrowth and came on a Honey-guide 

 at a hole in a tree when I could see it was feeding on bees which were swarm- 

 ing round the hole. After feeding, it flew into a tree close by and shortly 

 after disappeared. Whether this was the same bird I had seen in the morning or 

 not I am unable to say, but taking both occurrences together, the bird's actions 

 were, to say the least of them, suggestive. I searched the vicinity carefully 

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