OBSERVED ON THE PALANI HILLS. 397 



which lives at Mahabaleshwar and Kandala. But its dimensions 

 are larger.* 



Kodaikanal, 12th June. — Length, 9"1 ; wing, 4*2; expanse, 

 135 ; tail, 32 ; tarsus, 1*15 ; bill from gape, 15 ; weight, 

 2"9oz. Iris hazel ; feet olive with sole ochre yellow; bill dusky 

 yellow horn color. 



? Machuv, \3th June. — Length, 9*4; wing, 4'1 ; expanse, 

 14-0 ; tail, 3'2; tarsus, 12 ; bill from gape, 1*5; weio-ht, 

 275oz. 



197.— Megalsema haemacephala, Mull. 



Common at base and up to 4,000 feet. I do not remember 

 to have ever heard the Coppersmith in the groves on the top of 

 the hills. 



205.— Hierococcyx varius, Vahl. 



Common at the base and on the hill sides. The Natives, who 

 eat game, regard this as excellent for food. So I tried one, 

 but found it intolerably strong flavored. As it eats lizards as 

 well as insects ; one ought not to expect it to be good eating. 



214— Eudynamys honorata, Lin. 



Observed a few times. It is not as common as 205. 



* 216.— Zanclostomus viridirostris, Jerd. 



Obtained a female only, of the four I saw at different times 

 in the thickets at the Eastern base of the hills. 



* 217.— Centrococcyx rufipennis, III. 



Took one at the base and observed it up to 5,500 feet. 



* 224. — Arachnothera longirostra, Lath. 



Obtained a pair near Periiir at 4,000 feet. I saw no others. 

 The bill of this species is proportionally very long and its tongue 

 is extensile like that of a Woodpecker, and can be forcibly 

 thrust out 2 or 3 inches beyond the tip of its bill. 



This enables the bird to gather insects in flowers that have 

 long tubular uecks. The measurements of the male and female 

 were alike, as follows : — 



c? and $ Tandigiidi, Lower Palanis, 16th June. — Length, 

 60; wing, 2*8; expanse, 8 - 2 ; tail, 1"8; tarsus, 0'7 ; bill from 

 gape, 1*4; weight, 0*45 oz. Upper mandible leaden black; lower 

 mandible dusky leaden ; iris dusky yellow ; feet dusky leaden. 



* They do notjseem to me a bit larger. See table of measurements of wings of this 

 species from all parts of Southern India. — S. F. , IV., 391. — Ed., S, F. 



