126 GARDEN AND AVIARY BIRDS. 
and Ceylon; a good many specimens show a tinge of 
red on the yellow back. It is very commonly seen 
about gardens, and still more often heard, its excruciat- 
ingly 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 in 
June and July ; in 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 difficult 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 ; 
satoo worked up with minced raw meat or hard- 
boiled 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 W oodpecker has very seldom been taken 
to Europe, and so is always worth its carriage home. 
THE BARBETS. 
The birds of this family resemble Woodpeckers in many 
points, and are often spoken of as such by Europeans 
