The Common Birds of the Palni Hills 



golden-backed woodpecker. As in the Nilgiris 

 so in the Palnis, this is the common woodpecker. 



39. Brachyfternus aurantius. The golden- 

 backed woodpecker. This is the common 

 woodpecker of the plains : it ascends the Palnis 

 to elevations of 5000 feet. This is distinguish- 

 able from the foregoing species by its smaller 

 size, and in having the rump velvety black 

 instead of crimson. 



40. Liopicus mahrattensis. The yellow- 

 fronted pied woodpecker. This plains species 

 ascends the Palnis to elevations of 5000 feet. 

 It is much smaller than either of the two fore- 

 going species. The plumage is spotted black 

 and white, with a patch of red on the abdomen. 

 There is a yellow patch on the forehead. The 

 cock has a short red crest. 



THE CAPITONID^ OR BARBET FAMILY 



41. Thereiceryx viridis. The small green 

 barbet. (The coppersmith does not ascend 

 higher than 4000 feet.) 



THE ALCEDINID^E OR KINGFISHER 

 FAMILY 



42. The only kingfisher found in the Palnis 



243 



