Part 27

35. Arachnecthra minima. The tiny sunbird or honeysucker. Common from 4000 feet upwards.

THE DICAEIDAE OR FLOWER-PECKER FAMILY

36. Dicaeum concolor. The Nilgiri flower-pecker. This frequents the flowers of the parasitic Loranthus.

37. Dicaeum erythrorhynchus. Tickell's flower-pecker. This species does not appear to ascend the Palnis to any great height. It is abundant at the foot of the hills.

THE PICIDAE OR WOODPECKER FAMILY

38. Chrysocolaptes gutticristatus. Tickell's golden-backed woodpecker. As in the Nilgiris so in the Palnis, this is the common woodpecker.

39. Brachypternus aurantius. The golden-backed woodpecker. This is the common woodpecker 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 woodpecker. 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 cock 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 Kodikanal.

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 ginginianus. 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