210 Catalogue of the Birds [Aprii 



from the allied one, P. galgulus, for I have shot many of both sexes, 

 and seen numerous specimens, none of which showed any approach to 

 the plumage of the other. I have found this species only in the more 

 open spares of the lofty jungles of the west coast. It is most nume- 

 rous, 1 think, in Travancore, and the more southern portions; also at 

 the foot of the Neilgherries. I did not observe it at any considerable ' 

 elevation, but I see it is enumerated in Mr. Elliot's Catalogue, as found 

 in the Southern Mahratta Country, but only during the rains. It is 

 found in small flocks, and while feeding keeps up a continual feeble 

 chirping. I am informed by a gentleman who was for some time in 

 Malacca, that either this, or an allied species (perhaps the P. galgulus), 

 was often domesticated there, and that it had the same custom of sleep- 

 ing with its head downwards, which the Colies (Gen. Colius) are re- 

 presented to have. I found in the stomach of several birds a soft pulpy 

 vegetable mass with a few seeds. * 



I rides whitish yellow; bill and legs orange. Length about 6 inches ; 

 wing rather more than 8£ ; tail 1|. 



Family PICIDjE, Swains.— Jf T oodpeckers. 



Sub Family PICIAl^iE, Swains. — True Woodpeckers— Luh 

 Tcurphor, H. 



Genus PICUS.— Typical Woodpeckers. 

 Sub Genus PICUS, Swains. 



205— P. Strictus, Horsf. Lin., Trans, vol. xiii. — -P. Peraluimua, 

 "Wagler. — P. Goen$is, Auct. (bad description).— Scarlet-lacked Wood- 

 pecker . 



This handsome Woodpecker is found only in the dense and lofty 

 forests of the west coast, occasionally seen below the ghauts, but most 

 numerous on the more elevated wooded regions, and frequently seen on 

 the summit of the Neilgherries, in the thick woods there. Its habits 

 do not difl'er from those of others of the genus. The Scarlet-backed 



