The Common Birds of the Nilgiris 



hole, a little larger than a rupee, in the trunk, 

 or a branch of a tree. The coppersmith is 

 the most familiar member of the clan. It does 

 not occur on the Nilgiris, but a near relative is 

 to be numbered among the commonest birds of 

 those hills, being found in every wood and in 

 almost every garden. This bird is fully as 

 vociferous as the coppersmith, but instead of 

 crying, tonk-tonk-tonk, it suddenly bursts into 

 a kind of hoarse laugh, and then settles down 

 to a steady kutur-kutur-kutur, which resounds 

 throughout the hillside. This call is perhaps 

 the most familiar sound heard in the hills. 

 This species is called the lesser green barbet 

 {T^hereiceryx viridis) to distinguish it from the 

 larger green barbet of the plains (T. ■z.eylonicus). 

 It is a vivid green bird with a dull yellow 

 patch, devoid of feathers, round the eye. There 

 are some brown streaks on the breast. 



THE ALCEDINID^ OR KINGFISHER 

 FAMILY 



The only kingfisher that occurs abundantly 

 throughout the Nilgiris is the common king- 

 fisher {Alcedo isfida). This bird is not much 



larger than a sparrow. The head* and nape 

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