126 GARDEN AND AVIARY BIRDS. 



and Ceylon ; a good many specimens show a tinge of 

 red on the yellow back. It is very commonly seen 

 about gardens, and still more often heard, its excruciat- 

 ingly harsh cackle being given off frequently, and always, 

 apparently, when it takes wing. It is not a very shy 

 bird, and can be easily watched. In Northern India it 

 breeds twice a year, in March and April, and again in 

 June and July ; in Ceylon the season is February to June. 

 Young birds of this species may often be found in the 

 Calcutta Market* and are well worth rearing as pets, as 

 they are not difficult to bring up, and become very tame. 

 One I had used to climb all over me, exploring with its 

 tongue, and tapping with its bill on the top of my head. 

 Such a bird could with care be allowed its liberty, as 

 was done with this. 



In an aviary, this Woodpecker thrives well, and may 

 be kept even with smaller birds ; but it should not be 

 confined too closely with these, or even with its own 

 species. Woodpeckers need good feeding in captivity ; 

 satoo worked up with minced raw meat or hard- 

 bofled egg, and such insects as can be procured, will 

 do well for them, and they can be easily reared on such 

 food. They will eat plantain readily and should have 

 some of this or any other fruit they care to take. The 

 gold-backed Woodpecker has very seldom been taken 

 to Europe, and so is always worth its carriage home. 



THE BARBETS. 



The birds of this family resemble Woodpeckers in many 

 points, and are often spoken of as such by Europeans 



