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
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
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