126 GARDEN AND AVIARY BIRDS. 



and Ceylon ; a c^ood niany specimens show a tinge of 

 red on the yellow back. It is very commonly seen about 

 gardens, and still more often heard, its excruciatingly 

 harsh cackle being given off frequently, and always, 

 apparently, when it takes wing. It is not a very shy 

 bird, and can be easily watched. In Northern India it 

 breeds twice a year, in March and April, and again ifi 

 June and July : ii\ Ceylon the season is February to June. 

 Young birds of this species may often be found in the 

 Calcutta Market, and are well worth rearing as pets, as 

 they are not difticult to bring up, and become very tame. 

 One I had used to climb all over me, exploring with its 

 tongue, and tapping with its bill on the top of my head. 

 Such a bird could with care be allowed its liberty, as was 

 done with this. 



In an aviary, this Woodpecker thrives well, and may 

 be kept even with smaller birds ; but it should not be 

 confined too closely with these, or even with its own 

 species. Woodpeckers need good feeding in captivity ; 

 50^00 worked \i\) with minced raw meat or hardboiled egg. 

 and such insects as can be procured, will do well for them, 

 and they can be easily reared on such food. They will 

 eat plantain readily and should have some of this or any 

 other fruit they care to take. The gold-backed Wood- 

 pecker has very seldom been taken to Europe, and so is 

 alwav^ woitli its carriage home. 



THE BARBETS. 



The birds of this family resemble Woodpeckers in many 

 points, und are often spoken of as such by Europeans 



