Birds of the Indian Hills Part 18

38. _Chrysocolaptes gutticristatus_. Tickell's golden-backed woodp.e.c.k.e.r. As in the Nilgiris so in the Palnis, this is the common woodp.e.c.k.e.r.

39. _Brachypternus aurantius_. The golden-backed woodp.e.c.k.e.r. This is the common woodp.e.c.k.e.r of the plains: it ascends the Palnis to elevations of 5000 feet. This is distinguishable from the foregoing species by its smaller size, and in having the rump velvety black instead of crimson.

40. _Liopicus mahrattensis_. The yellow-fronted pied woodp.e.c.k.e.r.

This plains species ascends the Palnis to elevations of 5000 feet.

It is much smaller than either of the two foregoing species. The plumage is spotted black and white, with a patch of red on the abdomen.

There is a yellow patch on the forehead. The c.o.c.k has a short red crest.

THE CAPITONIDae OR BARBET FAMILY

41. _Thereiceryx viridis_. The small green barbet. (The coppersmith does not ascend higher than 4000 feet.)

THE ALCEDINIDae OR KINGFISHER FAMILY

42. The only kingfisher found in the Palnis seems to be the white-breasted kingfisher (_Halcyon smyrnensis_), but this species is confined to the lower hills.

THE UPUPIDae OR HOOPOE FAMILY

43. The Indian hoopoe (_Upupa indica_) occurs on the lower ranges, but does not appear to ascend the hills as far as Kodika.n.a.l.

THE CYPSELIDae OR SWIFT FAMILY

44. Swifts are not abundant in the Palnis. The only one observed by Fairbank was the common Indian swift (_Cypselus affinis_), seen at an elevation of 3000 feet. This is easily distinguished by the white band across the rump.

THE CUCULIDae OR CUCKOO FAMILY

45. _Hierococcyx varius_. The hawk-cuckoo.

46. _Eudynamis honorata_. The Indian koel. This species is not common on the Palnis.

47. _Centropus sinensis_. The common coucal or crow-pheasant. This is not very common.

THE PSITTACIDae OR PARROT FAMILY

48. _Palaeornis columboides_. The blue-winged paroquet.

49. _Loriculus vernalis_. The Indian loriquet or love-bird.

THE STRIGIDae OR OWL FAMILY

50. _Ketupa zeylonensis_. The brown fish-owl. A large bird with aigrettes. The eyes are bright yellow. The legs are devoid of feathers.

The call is a series of grunts.

THE VULTURIDae OR VULTURE FAMILY

51. _Neophron ginginia.n.u.s_. The smaller white scavenger vulture.

This occurs up to at least 5000 feet. Fairbank did not observe any other vultures on the higher hills, but it is unlikely that _Pseudogyps bengalensis_ (the white-backed vulture), _Gyps indicus_ (the long-billed vulture), and _Otogyps calvus_ (the black or Pondicherry vulture) do not visit the higher hills. These three birds should be looked for, especially the first.

THE FALCONIDae OR FAMILY OF BIRDS OF PREY

52. _Ictinaetus malayensis_. The black eagle. Not very common.

53. _Milvus govinda_. The common pariah kite. Fairbank did not see this above 3000 feet.

54. _Haliastur indus_. The Brahmany kite. Occurs up to at least 4000 feet.

55. _Tinnunculus alaudarius_. The kestrel.

THE COLUMBIDae OR DOVE FAMILY

56. _Alsocomus elphistonii_. The Nilgiri wood-pigeon.

The spotted and the little brown doves (_Turtur suratensis_ and _T.

cambayensis_) are found only on the lower hills.

THE PHASIANIDae OR PHEASANT FAMILY

57. _Gallus sonnerati_. The grey jungle fowl. Not so common as on the Nilgiris.

58. _Galloperdix spadicea_. The red spur-fowl. Not common.

59. _Microperdix erythrorhynchus_. The painted bush-quail.

THE CHARADRIIDae OR PLOVER FAMILY

A few snipe and woodc.o.c.k visit the Palnis in winter.

THE PODICIPEDIDae OR GREBE FAMILY

60. _Podicipes albipennis_. The little grebe or dabchick. This bird never leaves the water. It is smaller than a dove. It has no tail.

It is dark glossy brown in colour with chestnut on the sides of the neck.