OBSERVED ON THE PALANI HILLS. 395 



145.— Tockus griseus, Lath. 



In 1867, at the Eastern base of the bills I bagged a Tockus 

 from a small flock that was on a low Ficus tree. They were 

 scrambling along 1 the branches and feeding on the fruit. The 

 specimen was sent to America. I was not then aware that grey 

 Hombills are somewhat mixed up and need careful discrimina- 

 tion. I made special efforts this year to find the bird again ; 

 but they were vain. I did not observe a Hornbill of any kiud 

 during the five weeks I was ranging the hill sides and search- 

 ing the groves, ever on the wa'teh for them. 



148. — Palaeornis torquatus, Bodd. 



Common around the base and sometimes ascending the hill 



sides. 



149.— Palseornis purpureus, P. L. 3. Mall. 



More common on the hill sides, up to 4,000 feet, than P. 

 torquatus. 



151.— Palaeornis columboides, Jerd. 



Often seen and oftener heard on the Lower Palanis and 

 along the hill sides. But as they particularly affect the highest 

 trees and remain but a short time on a tree, it is not easy 

 to secure specimens. I intended to make them a specialty till 

 I had secured several good specimens. But whenever I saw or 

 heard them something else claimed precedence, and at last I 

 came away with only one poor skin. 



153. — Loriculus vernalis, Sparrm. 



At the Eastern base I noticed them several times on the wing, 

 and once seeing a bright coloured one feeding on a tree, I 

 wasted the last cartridge I had with me in a vain attempt to 

 secure him. I was the more vexed at the failure because I 

 did not see another and was desirous of getting one to show 

 that it was really vernalis I had observed. However the bird 

 is so peculiar as to be at once recognized on the wing, and one 

 who has once seen it hanging to a bambu, head down, its ruby 

 rump-patch in its green setting shining in the sunlight, will 

 be sure to know it when seen afterwards in a similar posi- 

 tion. 



* 160.— Picus mahrattensis, Lath. 



I took but a pair, as we have them in the Dakhan. They 

 were not uncommon up to 5,000 feet. 



B I 



