GECININ^. 297 



it lias the white spots smaller ; the white markings of the throat 

 and fore-neck are also smaller, and consist of round oval points, 

 being edged on the sides of the neck by unspotted black ; and, lastly, 

 the white markings of the under parts are narrower, giving a 

 generally darker hue to the breast and abdomen. 



Bill dark slaty ; legs plumbeous-green ; irides crimson. 



Length 11|- inches; extent 17; wing 5^; tail d^; bill at 

 front 1|-; foot 1|. 



"There is," remarks Mr. Blyth, " a general neatness and well- 

 defined character in the markings of this species, as distinguished 

 from Br. auranfius, which arrests the eye at a glance." It is found 

 in various parts of Southern India, in the Carnatic and Malabar, &c. ; 

 but I am not able to define its geographical distribution with preci- 

 sion, as I did not recognize its distinctness in the earlier periods of my 

 travels. Malherbe states, that his specimens were from the slopes of 

 the Neilgherries. 



182. Brachypternus dilutus, Blyth. 



J. A. S., XIV., 550. 



The Pale Golden-Backed Woodpecker. 



J)escr. — Similar to Br. aurantius, but rather smaller, and differing 

 conspicuously in the wing-coverts, which are more largely spotted 

 with white, as are likewise the tertiaries ; the eye-streak is less de- 

 fined ; there is a smaller amount of yellow on the back and wings, 

 and it wants the orange tinge observable in the last two species ; the 

 quills, too, are broadly barred with white, which is seen conspicuously 

 in the closed wing, whilst in the last two the white bars are narrow 

 and inconspicuous ; there is also a greater amount of white on the 

 markings of the lower surface. 



Length 10^ to 11 inches; wing 5^; tail 3^ ; bill at front 1 J ; 

 foot li. 



This species was discriminated by Mr. Blyth from a single speci- 

 men of a female, sent by Sir A. Burnes from Sindh ; and there is a 

 drawing of a male of the same species among Sir A. Burues's draw- 

 ing's now in the Library of the Asiatic Society, Calcutta. 



2 p 



