Birds of the Indian Hills 



in the vicinity of Coonoor is Tickell's golden- 

 backed woodpecker (Chrysocolaptes gutticri- 

 status). I apologise for the name ; fortunately 

 the bird never has to sign it in full. This 

 woodpecker is a magnificent bird, over a foot in 

 length, being ij inch longer than the golden- 

 backed species found in Madras itself. The 

 cock has a crimson crest, the sides of the 

 head and neck and the under parts are white, 

 relieved by black streaks that run longitudinally. 

 The back and wings appear golden olive in the 

 shade, and when the sun shines on them they 

 become a beautiful coppery red. The lower 

 part of the back is crimson. The tail is black. 

 The hen differs from the cock in having the 

 crest black. When these birds fly, their wings 

 make much noise. The species utters a high- 

 pitched but somewhat faint screaming note. 



THE CAPITONID^ OR BARBET FAMILY 



Barbets are tree-haunting birds characterised 



by massive bills. They have loud calls of two 



or three notes, which they repeat with much 



persistence. They nestle in trees, themselves 



excavating the nest cavity. The entrance to 



the nest is invariably marked by a neat round 

 214 



