«45 S) 
Sup-Famity PICUMNIN 4b ( Piculets) 
These are the small members of the family we have been counsi- 
dering. Piculets have some appreciable difference in structure and 
habits; more prominent of which, we find the bill, it is short and 
conical in shape; tail of short soft feathers. These birds grade 
into, and remind us nota little of Yungipicus, Pigmy Woodpeckers, 
we made the acquaintance of when considering (162 and 163) neverthe- 
less there is a marked difference in their general structure and ana- 
tomy. Their similarly formed tongues chiefly, and other minor 
advantages, and habits generally gives them a safe place among 
picid. Both species of Picumnine are to be found in Darjeeling 
and at a lower elevation in the district. Piculets appear to be much 
tamer than Woodpeckers, for so I have found them, when met with 
in low scrub jungle or on bushes by side of the road leading to the 
house, for instance, as you stand and watch them, they stop in their 
diligent search for insects, to look up, in a confiding manner, more so, 
I take it, at one sympathetically observing them on the bushes below, 
for they hunt usually near the ground. 
(187) SAstA OCHRACEA, Rufous Piculet, is often seen in Dar- 
jeeling on trunks of trees and bushes, in early spring. It can easily 
be made out by its ochreous colour, with a reddish tinge, above, and 
more yellow beneath. In length it is 3% inches; greenish on the 
head and wings; a white streak behind the eyes; tail black; pro- 
minently showing plumbeous coloured conical bill, cannot be mis- 
taken; irides are pale brown. Speckled species is rarer and prefers 
a lower altitude, where it is more likely to be seen, at about 5,000 
feet elevation; ina somewhat similar position as Rufous species. 
(186) ViviA INNOMINATA, Speckled Piculet, I fear that I 
have proverbially speaking, placed cart before the horse in giv- 
ing the second place to this pretty Piculet; but it appears 
at times more advisable to introduce the commoner species first, 
after making its acquaintance, the more elaborately dressed P culet 
can be the easier distinguished. Jnnominata is a shade bigger than 
Sasia being about 4 inches in length. Bill is smaller and more com- 
pressed; tip slightly blunted on upper mandible; rictus bristled ; 
wings longish and rounded ; it has a soft flexible tail which is never 
used as a fulerum in this sub-family ; claws sharp, curved, strong and 
large. When seen, its prominently or typically marked, breast and 
under parts are most striking which are white, with conspicuous 
black half moons (ocellated in shape) and below cross-barred ; fore- 
head of the male is chesnut, dark green on the female; above, it is 
dusky-brown in colour; tail black with patches of white; yellowish 
tinge is conspicuous above, ou the head, ueck, back and partially on 
