THE WOODPKCKEKS. 125 



by other birds, and, although they do not go in flocks, 

 being usually solitary, must do a great deal of good. 



They are found almost everywhere, usually as resi- 

 dents, but are absent from Australia, New Zealand and 

 the Pacific region generally ; it is to be hoped that some 

 day measures will be taken for introducing them there 

 also, where they would be of the greatest service. 

 They can be kept in confinement, but are not often 

 to be seen in that condition ; and one at least of them is a 

 familiar garden bird in many parts of India. 



THE GOLDEN-BACKED WOODPECKER (Brachypternus 

 aurantius) is about as large in the body as the House- 

 Mynah, but is a longer-shaped bird, measuring about a 

 foot in length. It is very handsomely coloured, the back 

 being of an old-gold hue, while the face, neck, and 

 underparts are marked with black and white, and 

 a flaming scarlet crest adorns the back of the head . 

 the pinion-quills are black with white spots, and the 

 tail all black. The hen only differs from the cock in 

 having the forehead black with white spots ; the red on 

 the male's head extends right up to the root of the beak. 

 Most young hens have a plain black forehead, but some 

 have it spotted. Young birds have a yellow tinge on the 

 white portions below. The inner hind toe in this species 

 is a mere rudiment, and not noticeable till looked for. 



This Woodpecker is found all over India and Ceylon 

 in the plains, but not in the countries east of Bengal and 

 Cachar, where it is replaced by a very similar species 

 with no hind toe at all (Tiga javanensis). It is paler in 

 colour in Sind, and becomes darker in Southern India 



