FOR NORTHERN INDIA 53 



pied woodpeckers began nesting operations in 

 February, but the great majority do not lay 

 eggs until March. 



The green barbet (Tkereoceryx zeylonicus) 

 and the golden-backed woodpecker (Brachy- 

 pternus aurantius) are now busy excavating 

 their nests, which are so similar to those of 

 their respective cousins the coppersmith and 

 the pied woodpecker as to require no descrip- 

 tion. It is not necessary to state that the 

 harsh laugh, followed by the kutur, kutur, 

 kuturuk, of the green barbet and the eternal 

 tonky tonky tonk of the coppersmith are now 

 more vehement than ever, and will continue 

 with unabated vigour until the rains have 

 fairly set in. 



By the end of the month many of the noisy 

 rollers have found holes in decayed trees in 

 which the hens can lay their eggs. The 

 vociferous nightjars likewise have laid upon 

 the bare ground their salmon-pink eggs with 

 strawberry-coloured markings. 



The noisy spotted owlets (Athene brama) 

 and the rose-ringed paroquets (Palaeornis 

 torquatus) are already the happy possessors of 

 clutches of white eggs hidden away in cavities 

 of decayed trees or buildings. 



