The Rev. T. Philipps, in a paper communicated to the Z. S. by Mr. F. Moore, makes 
the following remarks on X. hcemacephala : — “ It abounds in Rohilcund, and is also a 
visitant in the neighbourhood of Muttra. They occur in pairs. The voice of this bird is 
very remarkable ; it begins in a low tone, and gradually increases in pitch and power until 
the whole tree seems vocal with one full rich sound. This ubiquity of sound much deceives 
a person endeavouring to see the bird which causes it, as he may look to any part of the 
tree and his ear will never guide his eye. Another deception is the smallness and green 
colour of the bird ; and the last is its immobility, for it remains fixed to one spot all the 
while it utters its note. When not thus engaged, it runs up and down the tree like a 
Woodpecker, displaying its beautiful yellow and green clothing.” 
The late Captain Beavan gives the following interesting account : — “ This species is 
extremely common in Maunbhoom. Its call is heard everywhere, and at all hours. It taps 
trees with its beak. It lays its eggs in a hole in a decayed bough, which it excavates for 
itself. It breeds at Maunbhoom in the beginning of April. The eggs are generally three 
in number, white, and much elongated ; length 1 inch, greatest breadth -62. A bough was 
brought to me which it had excavated and formed into a nest ; the length of the hole was 
about 7 inches, and the diameter about 3 inches. There was no nest at the bottom. It 
seems always to select the underside of a bough to commence operations upon.” 
Captain Beavan also mentions having shot them in the act of tapping while clinging on 
to the bark of a tree, a habit which we also have frequently observed. As, however, their 
food is chiefly fruits and buds, and the insects occasionally found in their stomachs are not 
such as live in crevices of bark, it is probable that in thus tapping they are seeking to 
discover an unsound bough to commence building-operations upon, rather than insect food. 
In the Umballa and Saharunpoor districts they breed a little later, commencing about 
the middle of April ; they usually select some very soft tree, the “ Bakliain ” or the Mango, 
and leave a few of the decayed chips at the bottom of the hole. On one occasion, however, 
we found a nest in a living branch of a peach-tree, the wood of which is very hard and close- 
grained. The entrance was on the underside of the bough, not more than four feet from 
the ground ; and the hole was nearly a foot deep and much too small to admit the hand of 
even a boy of twelve; the mother sat very close and was quite fearless; after beating a 
tattoo on the branch with a stick, we came to the conclusion she was not at home, so tried 
to introduce a hand, which was violently pecked at ; on removing it she came up to the 
entrance and looked out with a defiant air, and then retreated inside again, and we failed 
