Himalayan and Kashmiri Birds 



Woodpeckers 



Woodpeckers are birds that feed on insects 

 which they pick off the trunks of trees. They 

 have strong claws by means of which they are 

 able to chng to the bark. The feathers of the 

 tail are stiff and serve to support the wood- 

 pecker when it is climbing. The sharp chisel- 

 like bill enables the bird to dig out insects that 

 lurk in the crevices of the bark, and also to 

 excavate holes in the trunk in which the eggs 

 are laid. When a woodpecker moves about 

 a tree-trunk, the head always points upwards. 

 Its movements on tree- trunks are jerky, like 

 those of a mechanical toy. The flight from 

 tree-trunk to tree-trunk is undulating. When 

 on the wing a woodpecker often emits a loud 

 scream. 



114. Gecinus squamatus : The West Hima- 

 layan Scaly-bellied Green Woodpecker. F. 946, 

 J. 170, -IV. W. K. 



Cock : Upper plumage dull green, tinged 

 with yellow on the lower back. Crown and 

 nape crimson. A black band round the face 

 and one from below the eye to the bill. Wings 

 and tail brownish-black, spotted and banded 

 with white and cream. 



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