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arn

For convenience in binding it has been found advisable to issue the

Index in two parts. The present issue includes the Index to Parts 1 and

2, Vol. XXIX, pp. 1-576. The Index to Parts3 and 4 will be issued

separately.

Instructions to Binder.

The contents of these two parts should be arranged in the following

order when they are being bound :—

Title page.

Contents of Parts 1 and 2, Vol.

XXIX,

List of Contributors. To follow the frontispiece in this

-———,,-—_

List of Plates. order,

Index to Illustrations,

Errata

Index to Species... bie .. To go atthe end of the two num-

bers.

Map of South Waziristan .. .. This map was omitted from the

paper on ‘‘Notes on a Collection of

Reptilia from Waziristan and the

adjoining portion of the N. W.

Frontier Province,” by Capt. C.

M. Ingoldby and Miss Procter,

and should be included on page

117 of Vol, XXIX.

yuu

ANH a

ne ht

he i Wh

AB ily,

: ;

AGH

Vie

LAs

thar

feat

‘3

1Uegls

Ve wis NAL

OF THE

BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

EDITED BY

R. A. SPENCE, F.Z.S., M.L.A;, and S, H. PRATER, C.M.Z.S.

VOL. XXIX. \ O07 ae

eS eS

Parts 1 and 2.

Containing 2 coloured Plates, 63 Lithographed Plates, 3 Mags,

5 Diagrams and 22 Text-figures.

Dates of Publication.

Part |. (Pages 1 to 308)... ... 20th April 1923.

se RES i. | 200 10570)"; .. 25th August 1923.

re es

LONDON AGENTS :

DULAU & Co., Ltd , 34-35, Margaret Street, Cavendish Square, W.

PRINTED AT THE TIMES PRESS, BOMBAY.

: ‘ i

: I i was

j P

i x

; 1

Loe y ‘

i 1)

h ia

14 ‘

i i f

1 ’

‘ i : a

Tm. i i

aon :

- 0 4

, wear” y ae

CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXI/X.

No. 1.

THE GAME Birps oF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. Part

XXXIV. (EHzxcalfactoria chinensis) (With a_ plate).

By E. C. Stuart Baker, J.P., F.L.S., -F.Z.8., M.B.O.U.,

CEEEASORD SES Wd SAM och ier op atee res’. cinta name niu ote moelels

BrrDs OF THE InpIAN Empire. Part VIII. By E. C.

Stuart Baker, J.P., F.L.S., F.R.S., M.B.0O.U., C.F.A.0.U...

GAME ANIMALS OF KASHMIR AND ADJACENT Hitui PRo-

vINcES. Part V. (With a plate). By Lt.-Col. A. E.

Inp1AN Draconrires. Part XV. (With 6 text-figures).

Bye iajor Hee. Nraser, (Miss, FW,Sy 46.0. aati ea 3s «

DRAGONFLY CoLLECTING IN InprIA. Part I]. (With 2 text-

jigures). By Major F. C. Fraser, 1.M.s., F.E.8. .......-.

THE SNARE OF THE GIANT Woop-SpipER. Part IV. (Wath

a plate and a text-figure). By Capt. R. W. G. Hingston,

TESS noe pe IN oa TO or AN RY a ees eI

ScrIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MamMmaAt Survey. No.

SOG I By Martim AC. Hintonisas yseesn we =

ScIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL Survey. No.

DOCK Ve uby Oldfield ‘Ehomas; fRiSt 7.4%... sia 5. sien +

ScientIFIC RESULTS FROM THE Mammat Survey. No.

DOO VI. By Oldiield| Thomas) PRsSh) 668 ee ie

Scientiric ResuLtts FRoM THE Mammau Survey. No.

XXX XX. By Oldtield Thomas, FBS. ...... 000.05.

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE Mammat Survey. No.

Xs Hoy Oldiwelel Mb omias, WBS Gr. .ls veins ete «ins

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE Mammat Survey. No.

XM Bye Oldirelda Pome WRG. 650d eeice a aoe cos

PAGE,

iv CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXIX.

A CoLLecTion or Mammats. Made by H. Stevens in the

Darjeeling District.; By TB bry 2" oe me eee

Tur TERRESTRIAL ISOPODA OF MESOPOTAMIA AND THE SUR-

ROUNDING Districts. (With 6 plates and 2 text-figures).

By Joseph Omer-Cooper, 1.8. <2. 202 ee eee

A Description oF THE NESTS AND EacGs oF THE CoMMON

BIRDS OCCURRING IN THE PLAINS OF THE UNITED PRo-

vinces. Part II. (With 2 plates), By E. H.N. Gill.

NOTES ON A COLLECTION OF REPTILIA FROM WAZIRISTAN

AND THE ADJOINING PORTION OF THE N. W. FRONTIER

Province. (With 4 photos and a map). By Capt. C. M.

Ingoldby, R.A.M.C., F.Z.8., F.B.G.S., and Miss Joan B.

Procter F236 wind 2a ee ee eee

NOTES ON A COLLECTION OF BATRACHIA FROM 8. WaAzIRIS-

TAN. (Wath 2 text-figures). By C. R. Narayan Rao, M.a.

THe Fauna OF THE DaRBHANGA District, NortH Brinar.

By CoM, Inglis, 2.85 E:EiSs0M. BO. Uae ee eo

Fuicut oF Micrating Birps. By C. H. Donald, F.z.s.,

MOBLOMR A pec nes PE re eae a eae

A Note oN THE SpoTTED-WINGED GRosBEAK. (Myce-

robas melanoxanthus). By Hugh Whistler, F.z.s.,

MaBiO:U.; CoB. AtOsU 04 osc cs a nee ee ee

FurtHer Notes on Some Ceyton Bats. (With 2 plates).

By W, W. Ay Phillips. ic tee ieee

A Note oN THE CorvIDZ OF THE PunsgaB. By Hugh

Whistler, F:z.8., M/B.0-U., CF A-O Ur escve ene eslnetee tet nate

A Journey to Sram anp Back. (With 3 plates). By

Major C. H. Stockley, D.S.0.......-. esse eee cence eeees

H. R. H. Tue Prince or Wares’ SHoots IN INDIA IN

1921-22. Part III. (With 7 plates, a map and 4 dia-

grams). By Bernard C. Ellison, 0.M.Z.8. 0.00... 2500: .

Tur MEASUREMENT AND PHOTOGRAPHY OF SPECIMENS OF

Bra Game. (With 3 plates). By Major C. H. Stockley,

D.S.O. e@oev eee @ eececevreseeeeveeeou-eeoseerverevee se 0 @

PAGE

107

117

131

136

146

150

154

157

169

179

CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXIX.

Somre Notes oN THE HABITS OF THE CEYLON GERBIL.

(Wiha plate), By WoW. Aa Phillips... . 02. apie

DrrerR HuntinG IN SHAKESPEARE’S Day. By Lt.-Col. C.

LDR IBSEN 2 COR (40 Ary ere ee bet, i eae eae

Bombay Naturat History Socrety’s MamMat SurRvVEY

oF InpIA, BuRMA AND CEYLON. (Report No. 36,

Nagawbiilis)\irwioy: aes. Malls t1.C2So alee ke ice be 28 a

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. (With 9

black and white plates). By Lt.-Col. W. H. Evans,

DAS Omg Rumored Sts FW. Steps nih yy tee eh ots UES Ane 4 mp Adee

REviEws: Fauna oF BritisH InpiAa, Birps. Vol. I. (2nd

VOYC UTE (OAD Malendeee Case's Cate NCR te Ria ey Crs ee eee Sear eae

Tur PRESERVATION OF SHIKAR TROPHIES ........0eecccee:

Opinuanye 1r, Henry Neville, Coltart. = 71.227. .4.00 3 aes

2: UE De Fg hi OE gm Ana

FON SOR REASURER Sc IREPORT tis 2. cid sconce cee oc Rew heeds a

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES :—

I. Some Natural History Notes connected with

the Prince of Wales’ Tour in India. By

BC) HilisonyMe7:Si oF R.Gee Sealed

II. On the Rann of Cutch. (Weth 2 plates).

By Major Ae MC Mosses TA et ese e.:

III. Some Notes on the Common Indian Otter.

Wbye@eNicCanny ay eat aol eed. es

IV. Tiger climbing a tree. By G. E. R. Cooper ..

V. Supposed occurrence of the Ermine in India.

By. bs Osmastomy TiS a2. 4.8. habs.

VI. The occurrence of the Mallard in Rajputana.

Dyer wll pO tADlesinc tee tee isl. ek. Sota see

VII. Some Notes on Indian Game Birds. By Major

CpEDyOtOCKIGVAD.8:O. Shc. os. 3 Sin Soe ee

214

217

221

230

261

265

266

267

269

277

278

v1 CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXIX.

PaGE

MiscELLANEOUS NotTEs—contd.

VIII. Notes on the Migration of Duck and Teal.

By Major C. H. Stockley, p.s.0............. 279

TX. Notes on the habits of a young Hornbill. By

B. CAnMs0n; ‘C:M.Z:83, BAR G.S.) aera 280

X. On the breeding of certain Wagtails. By

Hugh: Whistler, Wiz.s&, 2/0... ee ese 281

XI. On the habits of the White-headed Duck.

(Oxyura leucocephala). By R. C. Bolster, 1.c.s. 284

XII. An Albino Shoveller. (Spatula clypeata). By

RC, Bolster, GC:8. <2. ee eee ee 285

XIII. Distribution of the Large Pintailed Sand

Grouse. (Pteroclurus alchata.) By R. C.

Bolster 1:0.8.— . ccevtieas eee ree ee 285

XIV. Night Jars of the Simla Hills. By A. E. Jones. 286

XV. Appearance of the Mute Swan (Cygnus olor).

near Poona. By Major W. B. Trevenen.... 287

XVI. A Note on the Migration of the Eastern Grey

Wagtail. (Motacilla cinerea melanope). By

Hugh Whistler, 2:94 2092 Ae ace ce caer 287

XVII. The Roosting Flight of Crows. By Col. A. H.

Cunningham, wt oho sos. cee eee 289

XVIII. The Homing Flight of the Common House

Crow. (Corvus splendens.) By Col. F.

Waal Mise. ch cee coe eee emer eee 290

XIX. The Spotted-wing Starling (Psaroglossa spilop-

tera.) By Hugh Whistler, ¥.z.s..::-....-<.. 290

XX. A Note on the Hastern Red-legged Falcon,

(Erythropus amurensis). By P. F. Wickham... 292

XXI. Note on the Nesting-habits of the Spotted

Babbler (Pellorneum ruficeps.) By C. B.

Beadnell., cata acos ee eee ee 292

CONTENTS OF VOLUME AXIX.

MISCELLANEOUS Notes—contd.

XXII.

20.6 ig

XXTY,

AXYV,

AXVI.

XXVII.

AXVII.

XXVIII.

XXIX.

XXX,

XXXI,

XXXII.

XXXII,

XXXIV.

XXXYV.

XXXVI.

List of Small Game shot in Mhow during 1921-

22, By Major F. C. L. Grieve, B.F.A.........-

Further notes on the Avifauna of the Nelliam-

pathy Hills. By A. P. Kinloch, F.z.s.,

MEE On cs tech cnaso charts tatencde ethene dusveleleeeeierelete 6. 645 catch

The Great Indian Hornbill (D. bicornis.) By

A. P. Kinloch, F.z.s., M.B.0.U.

eoeovreeeee @

Nidification of the Black Vulture or Indian

King Vulture (Otogyps calvus). By UH.

NGS CG cs peers aR ny See arp ero

Breeding of the LHastern Wood Pigeon

(Palumbus casiotis) in the Punjab Salt

By H. W. Waite

Late stay of Snipe in 1922 in Central India.

Dr gRC LGN g LIC CC tesa Re oe enc oo. steers ee

Late stay of Snipe in 1922 in Bengal. By

py eitieo, Nam) DUOM teen asete catheters «fis et clone

Cruelty to Wild Fowl. By P. M. D. San-

WePSOUrG Aer th sa thats ee ia ag eee ONT aoe

Snipe Shooting in Sind. By C. B. Rubie ....

Plumage display by the Sirkeer Cuckoo. By

i. A. Gill |

Notes on Turtles.

Range.

By T. H. Cameron........

Catching Crocodiles (With a plate.) By J.

Monteath, I.c.s.

W. Bhanagay’s Snake Chart. By Col. F.

Wall, 1.M.s.

Snakes and Leeches.

By Col. F. Wall, 1.m.s...

Cobra going down a hole, tail foremost. By

MGSO Ol lseg OPED ICT 25 sok es. 95 ioh ae Sin cica-w' ilans

Notes on a large Monitor (Varanus sp.) in

Ghazipur. By E. H. Gill

eoceoemeeeeeseeee@@eee @

v1 CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXI1X,

MIscELLANEOUS Notrs—contd.

XXXVII Observations on the nesting of Humenes conica.

By J laeKhiare Wp, Ls ove) ee ee |

XXXVIITI.. Troutsecod in Kashmirii.oe2). 2... pee

Election of new Members and Contributions ............+.

No. 2.

THe Game Brirps or Inpra, BuRMA AND CEYLON. Part

XXXV. (Perdicula asiatica asiatica.) The Jungle

Bush Quail. (With a plate.) By E.C. Stuart Baker,

J.P., F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.0.U., C.F.A.0.U.

GAME Brrps oF KASHMIR AND ADJACENT Hitt PROVINCES.

Part VI. (Wcth 4 plates.) By Lt.-Col. A. E. Ward..

InpIAN DraconFuiEs. Part XVI. (With 3. text-figures).

By Major FC: Waser; 1.MeS)sFa S) en Ee ioe

A DESCRIPTION OF THE NESTS AND EGGs oF THE ComMMON

BIRDS OCCURRING IN THE PLAINS OF THE UNITED PRo-

vinces. Part III. (With 2 plates.) By E. H. N.

Gay oa 6's 4.05.0 hid wiecarc ee ty el eee

A Hanp-List oF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE.

Part I. By Col. F. Wall, o..G., C.M.z.s., F.L.S., F.A.S.B.,

H0.7:8.Tog TMS .s Shel ¢ cio ees eee ee

THe Rep Ant. Part I. (With 2 plates and a text-fiqure).

By Major R. W. G, Hingston, Tus. | eee

Screntiric RESULTS FROM THE Mamma Survey. No. 43.

On some Squirrels from the Mergui Archipelago. By

Oldfield Thomias, F:R:S), 4). 2 eo oe eee ee

A JouRNEY To Stam AND Back. Part Il. (With 2 plates.)

By Major'C. Hostockley, p80.) 522... 5. a7 eeee

Notes ON A COLLECTION OF SNAKES FROM SHEMBAGANUR,

Patnat Hints. By, Col. F. Wall, c.m.¢., 1.M.s.......

Bompay NaturaL History Socrety’s Mamma SURVEY

oF InpIa, BuRMA AND Ceyton. Report No. 37. Nepal.

By Martin A, C, Hinton and: Tab iny (eee re i

LAGE

304

305

306

309

334

376

378

388

CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXLX.

PAGE

THE Common BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. Part

XIX. (With 3 text-figures.) By T. R. Bell, c.1.8., 1.7.5.

GIVCUG Ae eae ernie ten ag geeere tS ciekes ck Mya t « oeke 429

NoTEs ON A VISIT TO CERTAIN MUSEUMS IN GREAT BRITAIN.

yao era beTO! MG ZG. ae Becca se sick 6 teetels Mind aoe wd 456

NoTES ON A COLLECTION OF SNAKES FROM SINLUM Kapa.

By Col. F. Wall, c.M.G., C.M.z.8., F.L.S., F.A.8.B., H.C.Z.8.1.,

ICANT 8 NCEE Ce Re ante OO i GA GR RR 466

PROTECTIVE CoLouRING IN WiLtp Animats. By Bruce P.

slictillty (oltte Ap esse te No mnas erent ecadey 6 lan ike opens 469

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN InprA. Part II]. (With 3 tezt-

jigures.) By Major F. C. Fraser, 1.M.8., F.E.S. ........ 474

THE Fisu-SuppLy oF OUR WESTERN Coast. (With a map

COS Cn iaie Na wy, tee WGItOTS oa 9S dea. 2 ce ahs years 482

BIRD-LIFE IN GuLMARG. (With a plate.) By B. B. Osmas-

COME GC Use Ish Cher. te RR ee ek Bt ito os ae soy ae: f 493

NorEs ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM Himatayas. Part I.

(With a map and a plate.) By Herbert Stevens,

IMB a Om pet hipster Wedge AA melas Bla Reser ON NS wid 503

THe IDENTIFICATION oF INDIAN ButterFuies. Part II. |

(With 3 plates.) By Lt.-Col. W. H. Evans, D.s.0.,

LESLIE TPA SP MW Ct DIR CHEE Get a Rar Ry VU tr eR lean ee 519

Reviews. THe Common Brrps of Inpia. By D. Dewar.. 538

Ke THE Ferns or Bompay. By Rev. E. Blatter,

ieee se Sots EGA Er ge ocaaal het hare a ee 540

i FiLora SIMLENSIS. By Sir Henry Collett ...... 540

at Inpran Brrp Lire. By Miss Holmer.......... 541

TDD) ROT SIULCE:, e ee e C nea re 542

ORMRUAR Ysa eae: Wedd: [email protected] Ole Bs 1. C28e gia tei ass. jsie eaten 545

4 PAU A Det IROSEE prc ose. beats s oS dos af ea ae 546

CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXIX,

MISCELLANEOUS NoTES :— |

II.

III.

IV.

VIII,

XII,

XIII.

XIV.

Notes on Tigers and their calls. By W. 8S.

Strange Behaviour of a Panther (Ff. pardus).

By 8S. Hanhart

coeeeeeeeeeeeeeeree eee eee ee

A Porcupine-Panther Incident. By E. T. Fer-

GUSON base... <a Sl aE ee

The Mishmi Takin (Budorcas taaxicolor). By

HAS. COOPER > tax tee see ater ee

Note on the Goral (Nemhoredus goral).

R. H. Paddison

The larger Mammals of the Nelliampathy

Hills. (Wath a plate). By A. P. Kinloch....

Tree-Shrews, Tsine and Serows. By C. Boden

coeoee ewer ee ee ee ewe we ew eee ew we Oe

eoereeeeeer ee ee ee ew we we ew ee we ew ew wwe ee ew we 8

The Record Black Buck Head (Antilope cerw-

capra).(With a plate.) By the Editors......

The trinomial system of nomenclature as applied

to Indian Birds. By B. B. Osmaston

Nidification of the Himalayan Tree-Creeper

(Certhia himalayana.) By 8. Basil Edwardes

The occurrence of the White-headed Black

Bulbul

Indian limits.

(Hypsipetes leucocephala) within

By\s: H. Prater, c.m.z.s. ----

Note on a supposed new race of Otocorys

alpinus, the Horned Lark. By Hugh

Wahistler on: 2:8 5 vere ene. eee cea ae

The Shikra (Astur badius). By B. B. Osmaston,

LF.S.

The Nidification of the Malabar Great Black

Woodpecker (Thriponax hodgsoni). By A.

P: Kinloch 8:7:s% M800) ieee hoeaee 2

PAGE

590

559

560

CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXIX. Xl

PAGE

MiscELLANEOus NotEs—contd.

XV. Note on the breeding season of th: painted

Stork (Pseudotantalus leucocephalus). By R.

C-Bolster- 1.678. Werte See ae ee we oa 561

XVI. The Burmese Barred-back Pheasant (Phasianus

humue burmanicus). By Capt. J. G. P.

Drummondreac nets ee ae ee ree els 562

XVII. A curious incident while Duck shooting. By

INN cael ae VV NOC ess cree te herr cates 2 bette: 563

XVIII. Note on the appearance of the Stiff-tailed Duck

(Oxyura leucocephala) in the Muianwali

District. By Mi. Ma Pe Cumme, 1.6.8, 232 ...5 a. 563

XIX. Plumage of adult Mallard (Anas platyrhynchus)

and notes on Woodcock and Woodsnipe in

the Nilghiris. By C. M. Inglis, F.z.s., F.E.s.,

MB SO With tennr a teeaee Mims wcke oheone eee NAM Cn 564

XX. On the birds of the Nelliampathy Hills. By

Ae Kainloch.:F7:S5) M.B0.Us. «5 eee nels aes 564

XXI. Further Notes on snaring Quail in North

Behar. (With a plate.) By C. M. Inglis,

iY ARSON es OI Meng i 02 meg ae er ee 565

XXII. <A Python’s Meal (With a plate.) By J. Morrow

Camper sacl, See Ras ce ie at eae cael Pa 566

XXIII. An Unusual Swarm of Moths. By C. M.

PNG NSy Z75.5 BONS: 5 MLB.O.U.. 3, 3 eee ke 567

XXIV. Noises made by Ants. By A. P. Kinloch,

BS ZAS PN SEO), Onan cote ¢ ade cA chine tao Seo en See aibc's 567

INotice.to Entomolovistsqa: «sais cies. cso g cues cs. oe ese es 569

PP ROCHMDENG San eee thes Ue Ml Neh gs a oe os 570

Kil

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

WOOL UME 2=xxiIos NOS. 1 & 2

ANNUAL MEETING

Baxer, E, C. Stuart, J.P.,

RL Sie 8.2.5. vi. O10.

C.F.A.0.U.; The Game

Birds of India, Burma and

Ceylon, Part XXXIV. (With

a coloured plate). The Indian

Blue-breasted Quail ..

Part XXXV., (With a coloured

plate). The Jungle Bush-

Quail, The Rock Bush-Quail

Hand-list of ‘the Birds of

India,’ Part VITI.

The trimonial system of

Nomenclature as applied to

Indian Birds

Bastt-Epwarpes, 8%.; Nidi-

fication of the Himalayan

Tree-Creeper (Certhia hi-

malayana) Ne

BEADNELL, C. B.; Note on the

nesting-habits of the Spotted

Babbler (Pellorneum rufi-

ceps)

Bett, T. R.,

(Retd.) ;Common Butterflies

of the Plains of India

Rotstmr, R. C., LC.S.; On the

habits of the White-headed

Duck (Oxyura leucoce-

phala).. 55 50

CLES ERIS:

PAGE.

307

309

556

557

429

284

Borster, R, C., LCS. ; An

Albino Shoveler (Spatula

clypeata)

——_—_—__—_—_—_——-; Dis-

tribution of the large

Pin-tailed Sand-grouse

(Pleroclurus alchata)

; Note

on the breeding season of the

Painted Stork (Pscudotan-

talus leucocephalus) ..

Bompay Natursau HIstTory

Soctety’s MAMMAL SurR-

vEY oF INpDIA; _ Scientific

Results. No. XXXVI. By

Martin A. C. Hinton

Scientific Results,

No. XXXVII. By Oldfield

Thomas, F.R.S.

Scientific Results,

No. XXXVIII. By Oldfield

Thomas, F.R.S.

eae —

Scientific Results, No.

XXXITX., By Oldfield

Thomas, F.R.S.

Scientific Resulis, No. XL,

By Oldfield Thomas,

F.R.S.

PAGE

285

561

717

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

BomBAy Natural HIStory

Soctety’s Mamma SURVEY

oF Inp14 ; Scientific Results,

No. XLI. By Oldfield Tho-

mas, F.R.S.

Report No. 37. By M. A.C.

Hinton and T. B. Fry

Brien, Lr.-CoLtoneL; Cobra

going down a hole, tail fore-

most

CampBeLL, J. M., D.Sc.; A

Python’s Meal (With a plate).

Cameron, T. H., D.S.P. ; Notes

on Turtles

CoLTart, D. Henrv NEVILLE;

Obituarial notice of ..

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE So-

CIETY’S MUSEUM SINCE 22nd

May 1922

Coorrer, G. E. R.; Tiger climb-

ing a tree

Cooper, H. 8.; The Mishmi

Takin (Budorcas taxicolor) ..

CUNNINGHAM, CotonEL A. H;

The roosting-flight of Crows.

Curriz, M. M. L.; Note on the

appearance of the Stiff-tailed

Duck (Oxyura leucocephala)

in the Mianwali District

PAGE

399

303

Donan, C. H.; F.Z.S., M.B.0.U.;

Flight of Migrating Birds..

DrummonD, Cart J. G. P.; The

Burmese Barred-back Phea-

sant (Phasianus humic

burmannicus) we

EDITORIAL

542

ELLIson, BernarD C., C.M.Z.S.,

F.R.G.8. ; | H.R.H. The

Prince of Wales’ Shooting

in India in 1921 and 1922,

Part IIT. (With 7 plates, 1

map and 4 diagrams).. 5

Some Natural History notes

connected with the Prince

of Wales’ tour in India

Notes on the habits of a

young Hornbill a

Exuwes, H.J., F.R.S.; Obituarial

notice of

Entomo.ocists, Notice To ..

Ev Ans, Lia.-Con, W.H.,

D.S.O., R.E., F.Z.S., F.E.S. ;

The Identification of Indian

Butterflies, Part 1. (With 9

black and white plates)

Part II (Witt 3 plates)

Fereuson, E. T.; A Porcupine-

Panther incident

Fraser, Mason F.C., I.M.S.,

F. E. S. ; Indian Dragonflies,

Part XV. (With 6 teat-

Jigures)

— +

Indian Dragonflies, Part XVI.

(With 3 teat-figures) Es

Dragonfly Collecting in In-

dia (With text-figures), Part

IT mie oh

Part III (With 2 text-figures).

Xlit

Pace

179

271

280

267

569

330

519

550

324

474

Xiv

Fry, T.B.; A collection of mam-

mals made by H. Stevens

in the Darjeeling District ..

AND HInTON,

M. A. C.; Bombay Natural

History Society’s Mam-

mal Survey of India, KRe-

port No. 37, Nepal .. ae

——-———; See Bombay Na-

History Society’s

Survey of India.

tural

Mammal

Git, E. H .M.; A Description

of the nests and eggs of the

common birds occurring in

the plains of the United Pro-

vinces, Part Il (With 2

plates) ote

; Part IIT. (With

2 plates) 58 ae ae

Git, FE. H.; Plumage dis-

play by the Sirkeer Cuckoo

(T. leschenauttt) pie

———-—-—,; Notes ona Large

(Varanus sp.) in

Monitor

Ghazipur

GRIEVE, Mason F.C, L., R.F.A,;

List of small game shot in

Mhow during 1921 and 1922,

HaANHART, S.; Strange beha-

viour of a Panther ..

Hive, Percy ; Late Stay of Snipe

in 1922 sie ae Sr

HINGSTON, CarTaAIN R.W.G.,

I.M.S.; The Giant Wocd-

Spider (Nephila maculata)

(With a plate te.v't-

figure), Part IV.

Hineston, Masor R. W. G.,

I.M.S.; The Red Ant, Part 1

The Nest. (With 2 lates

and a text-figure) ap ms

and a

PAGE

399

107

334

299

303

296

362 |

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

Hinton, Martin A, C.; Scien-

tific results from the Mammal

Survey, No. XXXVI. On

the Capped Langurs (Pithecus

pileatus). Blyth and its allies.

— ; See Bombay

Natural History Society’s

Mammal Survey of India.

— —————-, AND Fry,

T. B. ; Bombay Natural His-

tory Society's Mammal

Survey of India Report

No. 37, Nepal ae 2.

Ineuis,C. M.; The Fauna of

the Darbhanga District,

North Bihar ..

——_—_——_ ,F.ZS8. F.E.S.,

M.B.0.U.; Plumage of adult

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchus)

and Notes on Woodcock and

Snipe in the Nilgiris..

; Further Notes

on snaring Quail in North

Bihar (With a plate )

SSS f An unusual

swarm of Moths oe a

INGoLaBy, Capt. C. M., R.A.

M.C., F:Z.8., F.R.G.S., AND

Miss Joan B. Procter,

F.Z.8S.; Notes on a_ col-

lection of Reptiles from

Waziristan and the adjoining

portion of the N. W. Frontier

Province. (With 4 photos

and a map.) .. .

Jonss, A. E.; Nightjars on

the Simla Hills

Jones, W. T. W.; A curious in-

cident while Duck shooting...

Kuare, J. L.; Observations on

the nesting of Humenes conica

Pack

399

136

564

565

567

117

286

563

304

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

Kintocu, A. P., F.Z.S., M.B.

O.U.; Further notes on the

Aviauna of the Nelliampathy

Hillss sic. es Bs bc

The Great Indian Hornbill

(D. bicornis) ..

— —

The larger Mammals of the

Nelliampathy Hills (Witha

plate) ..

The Nidification of the Mala-

bar Great Black Woodpecker

(Thriponax hodgsont) ;

oo 3

On the Birds of the Nelliam-

pathy Hills

——

Noises made by Ants

Koss, C. BopEn ; Tree-Shrews,

Tsine and Serows .. He

Livarp, Lr.-Cou, CH, "CLE.

J.A.; Deer hunting in Shakes-

peare’s day

McCann C. ; Some notes on the

Common Indian Otter (Lut-

ra lutra)

MEMBERS, ELECTION OF NEW..

Minrs, J, P.. U:G.S:; —The

Mishmi Takin

———; See Bombay

Natural History Society’s

Mammal Survey of India.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

MontTeEatH, J., I.C.8.; Catching

Crocodiles. (With a photo)

Mossz, Magor A. H., I.A.; On

the Rann of Cutch. (With 2

plates) us ee ers

PAGE

294

552

561

548

274

OpituaRy; D. Henry Neville

Coltart..

————.;H. J. Elwes, F.R.S.

—— ; Ookha Bhil A

; P. J. Mead, C.S.L,

C.LE., I.C.S8.

; Alexander Melfort

Primrose .. vs

OMER-COOPER, JOSEPH; The

Terestrial Isopoda of Mesopo-

tamia and the surrounding

districts. (With 6 plates and

2 text-figures) Tv ws

OokHA, BHIL; Obituarial

Notice of

Osmaston, B. B., LF.S.; Sup-

posed of the

Ermine in India we

occurrence

; Bird-life in

Gulmarg. (Witha plate) ..

; The Trino-

mial system of Nomenclature

as applied to Indian Birds ..

; The Shikra

(Astur badius).. a An

Pappison, R. H.; Note on the

Goral (Nemhoredus goral)

Puiuuies, W. W. A.; Further

Notes on some Ceylon Bats.

(With 2 plates).. = aie

; Some Notes

on the habits of the Ceylon

Gerbil(T'atera ceylonica).( With

a plate and a text-figuire) ..

Prater, 8S. H., C.M.Z.S.; Notes

ona visit to certain Museums

in Great Britain ae st

560

552

154

214

XVi

Prater, 8. H., C.M.Z.S.; The

occurrence of the White-

headed Black Bulbul (Hypsi-

petes leucocephalus) within

Indian limits

—— -—_—_—-——_——— AND

Spence, R.A.; The Fish

Supply of our Western Coast

(With a map and 1 plate)

The Record Black Buck Head

(Antilope cervicapra). (With a

plate) .. : =

PROCEEDINGS ix ar

Procter, Miss Joan B.,

F.Z.S.—See Ingoldby, Capt.

C.M.

Rao, C.R. Narayan, M.A.;

Notes on a collection of Batra-

chia from S. Waziristan

(With 2 text-figures)

Bombay Natural

History Society’s Mammal

Survey of India, Burma

and Ceylon, No. 36, Naga

Hills : ate

REVIEWS ; Fauna of British In-

dia Birds, Vol I. (2nd

edition)

REPORTS ;

s The Preservation

of Shikar Trophies ..

ofa Tae ; The Common Birds

of India

; The Ferns of Bom-

bay

; Flora Simlensis ..

——_——; Indian Bird Life

Riev, J. L.; Cruelty to Wild

Fowls .. a A

Rusts, C.B.; Snipe-shooting in

Sind (1. Ae oe aie

PaGE

559

482

555

570

131

221

261

265

538

540

541

296

298

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS

Spence, R, A., F.Z.S., AND

Prater 8. H., C.M.Z.S.; The

Fish Supply of our Western

Coast (With a@ map and |

plate)

The Record Black Buck Head

(Antilope cervicapra) (Witha

plate)

StasLes, R. H.; The occur-

rence of the Malieg (Anas

platyrhyncha) in Rajputana

Stevens, H.; Notes on the

Birds of the Sikkim Himalay-

s. (With a map and 1 plate).

STOCKLEY, Mason C.H., D.S.O.;

A journey to Siam ae Back,

Part I. (With 3 plates)

Part IL. (With 2 plates)

The measurements and pho-

tography of specimens of Big

Game. (With photo and 3

plaies)

ee SS

Some notes on Indian Game-

birds

Notes on the migration of

Duck and Teal

Taityour, B. P.; Protective

colouration in ‘wild animals

Tuorn, W. S.; Notes on Tigers

and their calls :

THomas OxupFirepD, F.R.S.;

Scientific results from ite

Mammal Survey, No.

XXXVII. On Tree-Shrews

from the Mergui Archipelago,

Pace

482

277

503

209

278

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

XVIF.

PaGE PacE

THoMAS OLDFIELD, F.R.S.; Waits, H. W.; Nidification of

Scientific results from the Black Vulture or Indian

the Mammal Survey King Vulture = (Otogyps

No. XXXVIII. The Mouse- calvus) .. cet om seh 20D

Be Cae of the Mer- wa |\— Ey precdinc or iersins

a baa tern Wood Pigeon (Palumbus

ae et SiS casiotis) in the Punjab Salt

’ Range 295

No. XX XIX. On the Large

Squirrels of the Ratufa gigan- Wait, CotoneL F., C.M.G.,

lea group 85 CILZS = Es. EAS. Bs

1 Si OP Aver bye I.M:S.; The

ae ov, iar? homing flight of the Common

No. XL. A new Mouse from House-Crow (Corvus splen-

Madura, S. India 87} dens) 290

Nore cee Onuthecormaccon: Mr, Bhanagay’s Snake Chart. 02

tained in the genus Harpioce- eee eee ae eae

phalus 88 Snakes and Leeches . 303

No. XLIL. The Distribution Hand-list oH Hine Snakes of i

and Geographical races of | ilatel ech cua lBrejpante 2

the Gulandi Bush Rats —— Ea eS

(Golunda elliott) 373 Notes on a collection of Snake

St Die ee ee from Shembaganur, FPalnai

, Hills 338

No. XLIII. On some Squir-

rels from the Mergui Archi- =e pares

pelago 376 Notes on a_ collection of

ase 9 Leeea Raene Snakes from Sinlun Kaba .. 466

bay Natural History Society’s Warp, Cont. A. E.; Game Ani-

Mammal Survey of India. mals of Kashmir and adja-

EE EACuu anoRt On ihe cent Hili Provinces, Part V.

Financial position of the So- (with a plate) se ve 28

ciety 2000 eee ; Game

TREVENEN, Magor W. B.; Ap- Animals of Kashmir and ad-

pearance of the Mute an jacent Hill Provinces (with

(Cygnus olor) near Poona .. 287 erties) ae

Trout Foop in Kasumir 305 |Wsistuzr, Hucu, FZS8.,

M.B.0.U.; A not tl

Upton, T. E. T.; Late stay of ' iat aes -

oe oon fl Spotted-winged Grosbeak

ee ae 9 cE (Mycerobas melanoxagthus)

VocaBULABY, A .» 063! (Hodgs) a ote -» Ia’

xviii LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

Pace Pace

Wiustier, Huan, F.Z.8., M.B. WuistteR, Hvucun, F.Z.S.,

0.U., C.F.A.0.U.; A note on OM BMO.U.. } CR AsOnU.:

the Corvide cf the Punjab .. 157 The Spotted-wing Starling

(Psaroglossa spiloptera) te, ume OO

On the breeding of certain | ___________——_;

Wagtails 3 ++ 281 | Note on a supposed new race of

(Otocorys alpinus (? alpestris) S&C

Wickuam, P.F., P.W.D.; <A

note on the Eastern Red-

(Hrythropus

a *

A note on the migration of

the Eastern Grey Wagtail

(Motacilla, cinerea melanope, legged Falcon

Pall). se ws we Od AMMUTENSIS) .. Ne Sor at

31K

mies = OT a Ih A Pans:

WO ORE SxS.

No. 1.

PAGE,

The Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon. The Indian Blue-breasted

Quail Ses at a ve ae ce a ve i

Game Animals of Kashmir—

Plate J. (A)—The Head of the Leopard... a ie hi 26

(B)—Leopard shot in the snow... a eae ie 26

Plate II.—The Giant Wood Spider... ore se oe oe: 75

The Terrestrial Isopoda of Mesopotamia and the surrounding Districts—

Plate ILi.—Periscyphis (Cerocytonus) tomei sp.n. .. ve x 96

Plate [V.—Pareluma minuta .. aA ke ate ae us O8

Plate V.—Porcellio (Porcellio) evansisp.n. .. a = .. 100

Plate VI.—Porcellio (Rogopus) calmani sp. n. 30 a ame 24

Plate VII.—Porcellio (? Agabiformis) rufobrunneus sp. n. .. we 103

Plate VIII.—Leptotrichus politus sp. n... a are A .- 104

Nests and eggs of the Common Birds occurring in the plains of the

United Provinces—

Plate IX.—Nests of :—The Indian Tailor-bird, Indian White-eye

Black Drongo, Common Iora_ .. — fe .» 107

Plate X.—Nests of :—The Madras Red-vented Bulbul, Bengal

Red-vented Bulbul, Bengal Red-whiskered Bulbul,

Indian Wren-warbler .. ae aS is » Il

Waziristan and the adjoining portion of the N.W. Frontier Province—

Plate XJ.—Between Rogha Kot and Wana ms

Plate XII.—Ilex Forest near Ladha 121

Plate XITI.—Convoys from Wana.. 125

Plate | XIV.—The Shahur Tangi .. 129

Notes on Ceylon Bats— .

Plate XV.--The Common Flying Fox, Pteropus giganteus giganteus.154

ak LIST OF PLATES.

PaGE

Plate XVI. 1 & 2.—The Ceylon Vampire Bat, Megaderma spasma

ceylonensis

3.—The Ceylon Leaf-nosed Bat, Hipposideros atratus.

A Journey to Siam and back —

Plate XVI. (A)—The Road crosses a stream

(B)—-A Karen Village..

Plate XVI. (A)-—A Gyi or Barking Deer ..

(B)—Large Indian Civet (Viverra zibetha) ..

Plate XVIII. (A)—Camp in giant Bamboo

(B)—The Hlephant tests each pace with its trunk

H. &. H. The Prince of Wales’ shooting in India in 1921 and 1922, Part

iit.—

Plate XIX, (A)—H.R.H. The Prince of Wales with his

‘beaters ’ at the end of the Tiger shoot..

(B)—Mahseer hooked by H.R.H. and Admiral Halsey

Plate X.X.—The herd of Wild Elephants being driven across

the River Cubanny

Plate XX{, (A)—The ‘ Tying up’ operations in the Keddah ..

(B)—Watering the Captured Elephants

Plate XXII.—Captured Elephants crossing the river with

KKoomkies

Plate XXIII. (A)—H.R.H. Riding to the shoot ..

(B)—H.R.H. with his 3 Tigers

Sketch-map of Gwalior

Plate XXIV. (A)--—Typical Gwalior Tiger Jungle

(B)—-A Tiger Nulla, Gwalior

Plate XXV.—Some of the Elephants of the line at Patiala

The Measurement and Photography of Specimens of Big! Game—

Plate XXVI. (A)—Barking Deer... A

(B)—Shapu ..

Plate XXVIII, (A)—-Kashmir Stag

(B)—Black Buck

Plate XXVIII. (A)—Brown Bear .. Ns one a oe

(B)—Coral .. is oe Sc SO oie

LIST OF PLATES,

Plate XXIX.—A Young Ceylon Gerbille (Tatera ceylonica)

Indian Butterflies—

Plate XXX.—Papilionide. 1. Troides, 2. Byasa. 3. Chilasa

Plate XXXI.—Papilionde. 3. Chilasa, 4. Papilio

Plate XXXII.—Papilionide. 4. Papilio

Plate XXXIII.—Papilionide. 4. Papilio

Plate XXXIV.—Papilionide. 4. Papilio. 5. Pathysa. 6. Zetides,

XxX1

PAGE

214

231

234

236

238

240

Plate XXXV.—Papilionide. 7. Paranticopsis. 8. Meandrusa, 9.

Teinopalpus. 10. Leptocircus. 11. Armandia, 12.

Hypermnestra, 13. Parnasius

242

Plate XXXVI.—Pieride. 1. Leptosia, 2. Baltia. 3. Synchloe. 4. Pieris.

5. Aporia. 6. Delias, 8. Anaphaeis oe oe

Plate XXXVII.—Pieride. 7. Prioneris. 8. Huphina. 9. Appias

Plate XXX VIIL.—-Pieride. 11. Catopsilia, 12. Gandaca, 13. Dercas,

14, Gonepteryx. 15. Terias. 16. Colias, 17. Ixtas,

18. Colotes. 19. Hebomoia. 20. Pareronia,

On the Rann of Cutch—

Plate XXXIX.—The Wild Ass (Equus hemionus) on the Rann of

Cutch ete Ee es ae as ae

Plate XL, —A. Captive Mare of Wild Ass. B. Hybrid colt. of Wild

Ass. Mare ——sired by Bay country-bred pony C,

Albino Chinkara

Catching Crocodiles—

Plate XLI.—A. The Mugger ‘“‘ held’ by bamboo poles. B. The

divers about to descend to attack the rope C. The

catch ee ee ee ee e°@e @e

No. 2.

The Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon—

Plate X.—Perdicula asiatica .. ae ue 46 oe ee

Game Animals of Kashmir and adjacent Hill Provinces—

Plate I. —Haunts of the Black Bear up the Liddar Valley

Plate II. ©—Haunts of the Brown Bear and Ibex... oe

Plate III. (A)—A Bear Shoot in Poonch x x

(B)—A Black Bear showing the White Crescent on the

chest .. 46 we ive Bie ee os

Plate IV. —Brown Bear (Ursus isabellinus) show at Mhow,

Kashmir

247

251

254

274

301

319

xxii LIST OF PLATES.

Nests and Eggs of the Common Birds occurring in the Plains of the

United Provinces—

Plate I. (A)—Nests and Eggs of the Indian Grey Shrike (Lanius

lahtora) =e tie oe ar oe

(B)—Nests and Eggs of the Common Wood-Shrike

(Tephrodornis pondicerianus) oe -

(C)—Nest and Eggs of the Small Minivet (Pericrocotus

peregrinus)

Plate II. (A)—Nest and Eggs of the Indian Paradise Flycatcher.

(Terpsiphone paradisi) ..

(B)—Nest of the White-browed Fantail Flycatcher.

(Rhipidura albifrontata) Ke

(C)—Nest of the Common Oriole (Oriolus kundoo)

The Red Ant—

Plate

Plate II.—Byre of the Red Ant. (Hcophylla smaragdina)

(Kcophylla smaragdina) ..

A Journey to Siam and back—

Plate I. (A)—-Loading the Elephants with kit

(B)—Crossing the Siam-Burma Frontier Fording the

Thaungyvin River

Plate | IT. (A)—-Looking across the Thaungyin River at the first

Siamese Village ..

(B)—The Mela Moung stream 5 miles above Miba

Tiger shot and presented by A. A. Dunbar Brander, I.F.S,

The Fish-supply of our Western Coast—

Plate I. (A)—Mending the trawl net ..

(B)—The “ Cod end °’ of the trawl hauled inboard

, (C)—A mixed catch

Bird-Life in Gulmarg—

Plate I.—Scenery in Gulmarg ..

Note on the Birds of the Sikkim Himalayas—

Plate I. (A)—Lachung Valley..

(B)—A Vista of Kedom Nallage, Lachung Valley.

The etentiveation of Indian Butterflies-—

Plate I. (X)—Danaide. 1. Hestia. 2. Danais, 3. Euploca

Pace

LIST OF PLATES, X X11

Plate IT. (X1I)—Danaide. 3. Euplea. Satyride. 1. Mandarinia.

2. Mycalesis, 3, Lethe .. ae t ore a. O22

Plate IIT.(Xi1)—Satyride. 3 Lethe. 4 Pararge. 5. Orinoma » 830:

The Large Mammals of the Nelliampathy Hills—

Plate I.—A Mulcer, climbing for honey, driving in pegs as he climbs 552

The Record Black Buck. (Antilope cervicapra), Jhind State .. sn, S000

Snaring Quail in North Bihar—

Plate I. (A)—Quail-snarers with nets .. me i ae -. 565

(B)—The nets, in situ .. oho a os be -. 565:

A-15 foot Python (P. molurus ) with a full-grown female Barking

567

Deer removed from its stomach ae ae a ae Pe

XX1V

Enmndex to illustrations.

WOLUDnME Sais.

Agithina tiphia, Pl,

Nest and eggs

Antilope cervicapra, Pl.

Allogaster latifrons, Fig. 1, wings,

Fig. 2, markings of 9

Fig. d.

Page

Cyclogomphus, Fig. d. Branched

107 appendages

559 Dicrurus ater, P1.,

and eggs

Fig. c. Nest

Dragonflies, Indian—

Anotogaster nipalensis, Fig. 3.

markings of 38 Fig. 1. Wings of a Gomphus

ee W mes eee and 2. Thorax of a Gomphus

appendage side view, Fig. 4 38 3. Anal appendages of

Bear, Brown, Haunts of, Pl. 323 | Gomphines ..

Butterflies. Indian—PI. Xe Dragonfly collecting in India—

sal: ms Fig. 1. (a) Base of wing of

Dons PY an Agrionine, (b) Apex

Euplea .. 519 of wing of a Lestine, (c)

se ee et NE Pl. xp, Apex of wing of a

Danaide: 3. Cenagrionine, (d) wing

Euplea Saty- of an Epallagine

RUNES eA Hig 204 Gabellagine viewed

rima, 2, Myca- ‘

lesis:3. Lethe 522 sublaterally nana

—-—______—_—-— P], XII, Saty- epistome

ride 3: Lethe, Fig. 3. Basal half of wing

4, Pararge, 95. of a Lestine

Orinoma 530 | Excalfactoria chinensis, PI.

Butterflies of the Plains of Felis pardus, Pl...

India—-Fig. Cell of Larva

of Celenorrhinus leucocera 439 BCD Vie

ee ae Fish supply ae our Wee

Fig. 29 Head of Tagiades Coast—PI. 1, Fig. (a a) Mending

atticus 446 the trawl net ..

Fig. 3, Cell of egg-larva of He) ae

* Magiades litigiosa .. 449 Goss mil OF ale

Celenorrhinus leucocera, cell of trawl

Larva, Fig. 1. = eee 439 Fig. (c) A mixed

Cervulus fee, Pl, Fig. A. 174, 211 catch

Cordulegaster brevistigma, Fig. 1. Chart showing

Head seen from the front, 2. positions of

Terminal segments of abdo- free haaie

men and ovipositor, 3. Side Sande On Mth

Pee showing aia 41 Bombay and

view, Fig. 5 . ie 38 South Kathia-

Crocodiles, catching of, Pl. 301 war grounds ..

PAGE

327

107

327

474

482

INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS,

Gomphus, Fig. 1. Wings,

Fig. 2. Thorax, Fig. 3. Anal

appendages

Gulmarg, Scenery in, PI.

Hipposideros atratus, Pl., Fig. 3.

H. R. H. The Prince of Wales’

Shooting in India in 1921 and

1922, Part III. (with 7

plates, 1 map and 4 dia-

grams) a oe a

Indian Butterflies. the identi-

fication of, (with 9 dlack

and white plates)

Kashmir, Game Animals of,

Lamellogomphus, Fig.

appendage are an

Lanius lahtora, Pl., Fig. (A) ..

Leptotrichus politus, Pl. Fig. 1.

Adult female, 2. Head of

female from above, 3. Head

of female side view, 4. Anten-

nule of female, 5.

of female, 6. Inner endite

of maxillula of female, 7.

Outer endite of maxillula of

female, 8. Maxilla of female, 9.

Maxillipede of female, 10.

lst perceopod of female, 11.

7th perceopod of female,

12. lst pleopod of male, 13.

Uropod of female oe

Liddar Valley, Kashmir, Pl. ..

Measurement and photography

of specimens of big game.

. (with photo and 3 plates)..

Megaderma spasma ceylonensis,

Pl., Figs. 1 and 2

Molpastes bengalensis, Pl., Fig.

B. Nest ne

— hemorrhous, Pl., Fig.

A. Nest and eggs ae

Nelliampathy Hills, Pl, a

Mulcer, climbing for honey,

driving in pegs as he climbs.

c., anal

Antenna,

PAGE

324

493

155

179

230

327

334

Nephila maculata, Male and

female in con-

junction, Pl...

Palp of male

Fig. a. Globular

dilatation, b.

stilette

cophylla smaragdina, Fig. a.

Head from front ..

Nest, Pl.

Byre, Pl.

Oriolus kundoo, P1., Fig. (C)

Orogomphus atkinsont, anal

appendage,

Fig. 1, seen

from the

side, Fig.

Zr from

below

ee Ei. 16!

Wings of

male

—

—-—speciosus, anal ap-

pendage side view, Fig. 3

Orthotomus sutorius, Pl.,

A. Nest

Otocompsa emeria, Pl.,

Bulbul and Nest one

Parcluma minuta, Pl., Fig. 1.

Female ? Adult, 2. Head of

female, front view, 3. Anten-

Fig.

Fig. C.,

nule of female, 4. Antenna, 5.

Inner endite of maxillula of

female, 6. Outer endite of

maxillula of female, 7. Maxilla

of female, 8. Maxillipede, 9.

Ist perceopod of female, 10.

7th perceopod of female,

11. Uropod of female

Perdicula asiatica, Pl... ee

Pericrocotus peregrinus, P)., Fig.

KKV

PAGE

309

334

XXVI

Periscyphis (=-Cercocytonus)

tamei, PL, Fig. 1. Adult

female, 2. Head and first

segment of female, 3. Head of

female, side view, 4. Antin-

nule of male, 5. Antenna of

male, 6. Inner’ endite of

maxillula of male, 7. Outer

endite of maxillula_ of

female, 8. Outer endite of

maxillula of male, 9. Maxilla

of male, 10. Maxillipede of

male, 11. Ist perceopod of

female, 12. 7th perceopod of

male and part of 7th perceop-

od of female, 13. Ist pleopod

of male. 14, 2nd pleopod of

male, 15. Uropod of male, 16.

Telson of male a

Porcellio (? Agabiformis) rufob-

runneus, Pl., Fig. 1.

Adult male, 2. Head of

male, front view, 3.

Antennule of male, 4.

Antenna of male. 5.

Inner endite of maxil-

lula of male, 6. Outer

endite of maxillula

of male, 7. Maxillipcde

of male, 8. Ist

perceopod of female, 9.

7th perosopod of

female, 10. lst pleopod

of male, 11 Uropod

of male ae

——-—— (Porcellio) evansi, Pl.,

Fig. 1. Adult female, 2.

Head of female, front view, 3.

Antennule of female, 4. An-

tenna of female and flagellum

of male, 5. Inner endite of

Maxillula of female, 6. Outer

endite of Maxillula of female,

7. Maxillipede of female, 8.

Ist perceopod of female, 9.

7th perceopod of female, 10.

Uropod of female, 11. Uropod

of male oi oe aie

103

101

INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.

Paat

Porcellio (Royopus) calmani, P1.,

Tig. 1. Adult female, 2. Head

ot female, 3. Antennule of

female, 4, Antenna of female,

d. Inner endite of maxillula of

female, 6. Outer endite of

mavxillula of female, 7. Maxilla

of female, 8. Maxillipede of

female, 9, Ist perceopod of

female, 10. 7th perceopod of

female, 11. Uropoda and Tel-

son of female..

Prinia inornata, Pl., Fig. D.

Nest ie ae

Pteropus giganteus giganteus, Pl.

Python molurus, Pl.

Quail snaring in North Bihar,

PI. (A) Quail Snarers with nets,

(B) The nets, in situ

Rana sternosignata, Figs, 1 and

2. Sensory Canals ..

Rann of Cutch (with two plates)

Rhipidura albifrontata, Pl, Fig.(B)

Selenarctos thibetanus, Pl.

Siam (a journey and _ back)

(with 3 plates)

Siam, a journey to, and back,

Pl. 1 Fig. (A) Loading the

Elephants with kit. Fig. (B)

Crossing the Siam Burma

Frontier a4 at

Pl. II Fig. (A) Looking

across the Thaungyin River

at the first Siamese Village,

Fig. (B) The Mela Moung

Stream, 5 miles above Miba

Sikkim Himalavas, Map ..

——Pl. (A) La-

chung Valley

(8) Vista sot

Kedom Village,

Lachun g

Valley

102

111

154

567

565:

134

274

300:

318

169:

378.

379

503:

508:

508

INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS. X¥ vil

PAGE

Tagiades atticus, Head of Fig. 2 446

—litigiosa, Cell of egg-

larva Fig. 3 .. ws ~. 449

Tatera ceylonica, Pl., and Fig.

of breeding hole ;

Tephrodornis, pondicerianus, Pl.

Fig. (B) 1. ewe =~ 8834] Province (4 photographs and

Ursus isabellinus, Pl. .. 319

Viverra zibetha, Pl., Fig. B. .. 174

Waziristan and the adjoining

214 ‘ ie :

portion of the N. W. Frontier

Terpsiphone paradisi, PL, Fig. a map) oe “i se Oey;

Lt ees, ti Rs 355

Tiger shot and presented by A. Zosterops palpebrosa, Pl., Fig.

A. Dunbar Brander, I.F.S.... 460! (B) Nest - tes 107

XXV11

ERRATA.

Page 2, line 33, for 1875 read 1865 and for swalow read Swatow.

» 109, ,, 30, for emewa read emeria.

5 122, ,, 12, for Agamora read Agamura.

>. 146, 2 oe for Ne BW cod NB Oa:

278, ,, 9 from bottom, for Perdrix read Perdix.

» 278, ,, 4 from bottom, for brunneipennis read

brunnerpectus.

» 279, , 5S from top, jfor brunneipennis read

brunnet pectus.

» 290, ,, 21, for Vigros read Vigors.

Contents of Vol. XXIX—

No. 1, page IV, line 4 from bottom, for Gell read Gill.

35 2h a VEL 8 for bbSieqd 59:

19 07.097, oo0:

22: For 560) Dol.

26, for 561 4, 562.

32, for 563, 564.

Page 498, line 8 from bottom, for rupilala read rufilata.

5, 928, ,, 20, for visalav read visala.

» 544, ,, 3, from bottom, for thunbergia read thunbergi.

Sn A ee a », for Dendrognothus read Den-

drognathus.

» 999, ,, 25, for Cerasosphila read Cerasophila.

» 960, ,, 1, for alpinus read alpestres.

» 962, ,, 11, for burmannicus read burmanicus.

Ablepharus grayanus

Acanthion bengalensis

————-—hodgsoni

leucurus

millsi

_- nipalensis

Acanthodactylus cantoris

. Acanthopneuste magnirostris

occipitalis

Acipiter virgatus

Aciagrion pallidum

_ Acisoma panorpoides

Acridotheres ginginianus

——s

———tristis

Adina cordifolia .. a:

Afeschna erythromelas ..

juncea

mixta

ornithocephala

——-—— petalura

viridis ..

Alisoma panorpoides

Aigithaliscus iouschistos

niveigularis

Aigithina tiphia

Aigle marmelos ..

Aithriamanta brevipennis

—

es eee

Aux galericulata ..

Agama caucasica

isolepis

lirata,

rubrigularis

Agamura persica

Agrates flammatra

Agrinoptera insignis

Agriocnemis incisa

lacteola

pygmxa

XXIX

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NUMBER

118

brevipennis. .

pal

118,

. 118, 121,

118,

120,

Ailurus fulgens

Abizzias ae ;

Alcedo asiatica coltarti

ispida

Allogaster latifrons

Alseonax ruficaudus

Amblonyx cinerea

Amphieschna beesoni

Amphithemis curvistyla

— marie

————--——- nigricolor..

—_——_———- vacillans

Anacizeschna donaldi

jaspidea

Anapheeis mesentina mesentina

—— taprobana

Anas acuta

angustirostris

beeri ‘

caryophyllacea

clangula

clypeata

coromandeliana

crecca

cygnus

falcata

ferina

—-—- ferruginea ..

—— formosa

fuligula

— fulva

galericulata

javanica

leucocephala

—— marila

—-— olor

penelope... 3t aie

——- platyrhyncha platyrhyncha

——— platyrhynchus

NUMBER

417, 509

191

266

ae 19

277, 564

XXX

NUMBER.

Anas peecilorhyncha haringtoni 20

—— —--———-—- pecilorhyncha .. 19

—- ————-—— zonorhynecha >. 19

—— querquedula ee ae ae 20

— rufa ce are aA ae 21

—— rufina nis ee ae ar 21

——- scutulata .. a A Ap 17

——-strepera .. cee oe oe 20

—— tadorna 56 the ee Ho)

Anastomus oscitans “ee Ars ss 13

Anax goliathus .. Bs i a 66

guttatus oe 66, 141

—— immaculifrons 3 an ae 66

—— parthenope bacchus As on 66

—— ——_——— julius.. ar on 66

—— ——-—-——_ parthenope .. . 66, 141

Ancistrodon hypnale.. a oe ous

Anhinga melanogaster .. a Bs 10

Anisogomphus occipitalis 64, 332

——— orites 64, 332

Anisopleura comes 477

—_———- furcata 477

-~ lestoides sia CATES,

Anogeissus latifolia 191, 203

——— pendulla 203

Anomaloniscus .. ae = Me 93

Anormogomphus hereropterus.. 61, 142, 330

Anorthura neglecta 495

39, 59, 328

Anotogaster basalis ee =e

——— nipalensis 38, 39, 59, 328

Anser albifrons albifrons ae Ae 18

——— anser ae ae Bs ae 18

——— brachyrhynchus “he ah 18

——. erythropus se oe BA 18

—_—— fabilis sibericus .. eke ee 18

indicus .. ste vas a 18

——— melanotos Mis ae se 17

——— neglectus .. : 18, 529

ruficollis .. ae ate oe 19

Anthus rosaceus .. 500

rufulus oe 00D

Antilope cervicapra 426, 555

—--—— agathon agathon 250

INDEX OF SPECIES.

Aporia agathon caphusa

-——-—. phryxe

——— larraldei harrietx

——— leucodice balueha

——— ———— soracte

—--— nabellica hesba ..

———- ———— nabellica

Appias alage lagela

— albina darada

——— albina v. flava

—-——_ _-— — v. semiflava

—-—— albina venusta ..

———- indra indra

——— —— narendra ..

———— —--— shiva

——~-— lalage lalage

——-—- lalassis AS

——— libythea libythea

zelmira..

——— lyncida hippoides

ee aia Sclaban

ICOM AICH

taprobana

—-—-— melania adamsoni

—_—-—. _-—-— galathea

——_— ——— Vv. lankapura

—_—— ——— paulina

—_—— —_-—wardii ..

——— nero galba ne

panda chrysea

@. . °

| Arboricola brunneipennis

Arcticonus thibetanus ..

Arctogalidia millsi

Arctonyx collaris..

Ardea alba

—-— asha

———— cinerea cinerea

—-— ——— jouyi

—-— cinnamomea

—— dubia

——— episcopus

——— flavicollis..

——— garzetta ..

poliath .. ~ oe

NUMBER.

ot ot Ot Or Or Or

IWwWwWwWNDhWL ©

Ow Ox

bo bo

OowWwbwWwnwehPdnNwNNnWwhwnNhHybHwbWw NY YH DY WY WD WW

Gt Ot St Ot Ct Ot OF Or Oye Ounce ¢

ree Hm G2 wo WwW oO LO ow

bho

By BEE!

254

278

417

is 208

224, 428

Ardea gravi es ae 3

——— insignis

——-— intermedia

——— javanica ..

———- melanolopha

——— minuta

——— modesta

——— nigra

——— nycticorax

——— oscitans

———— purpurea manillensis

Sacta .< ay Sie

——-— sinensis

——— stellaris

——— sumatrana sumatrana ..

Ardeola baccha

— grayil

Armadillidium davidi

——§--festie

—_______—_—\_fissum

‘granum

—___.—____—_hybridum

a certzenll ..

Armandia lidderdalei

Asacornis scutulata

Asphodelos fistulosus

Austroxschna intersedens

Axis axis .. ane

oryzus

Azuma cyanocephala

frontalis .

vittata

——— vittigera ..

Baltia butleri butleri

sikkima ..

shawi mC we Se

Bandicota nemorivaga .. fe

Baoris farri te an oe

Barbastella darjelingensis

Barangia nepalensis .. ee

Bassia latifolia .. ag RA

INDEX OF SPECIES,

NUMBER.

567

426, 554

426:

57, 140

57,149

419,

Bayadera byalina ee a8

—————indica ..

Bibos gaurus

—— banteng

butleri

Bos grunniens

Boswellia serrata

Botaurus stellaris stellaris

Brachycentrus subnutilus

Brachydiplax farinosa ..

-gestrol

—_—_——- sobrina

Brachyophidium rhodogaster

Brachy themis contaminata

Bradinopyga geminata ..

Branta albifrons ..

ruficollis ..

Bubalis bubalis macroceros

Bubo coromandus

Bubuleus ibis coromandus

Buchanania latifolia

Budorcas taxicolor

Bufo melanostictus Be ae

olivaceus

——stomaticus

Bungarus ceruleus

a sindanus

Buphus bacchus ..

Burmagomphus duarensis

———pyramidalis

——-—sivalikensis

vermiculatus ..

Buteo ferox

Butorides striatus javanicus

spodiogaster

Byasa adamsoni ..

aidoneus

alcinous pembertoni

tytleri

_—-—. aristolochiz aristolochic

—— camorta

—__— —_—_——— ceylonicus ..

goniopeltis

—=—¢oon cacharensis aS

XXX1

NUMBER.

XXX11

Byasa coon doubledayi

sambilanga

crassipes .. ca

dasarada barata ..

= aasaraaa

Se A)

hector

jophon jophon

pandiyana

latreillei kabrua ..

— latreillei..

neptunus ..

nevilli

—

——philoxenus philoxenus

polyeuctes

polla

rhodifer

varuna astorion ..

Varuna

sycorax

zaleucus v. punctata

Caccabis chucar ..

Caliphcea confusa

Callacanthis burtoni

Calliope pectoralis

Callophis macclellandi

Callosciurus caniceps

erythreus nagarum

Calotes versicolor

Camacinia gigantea

— harterti

Campophaga sykesi

Cancroma coromanda

Canis aureus

indicus

lupus

SS llioes

Cannomys badius

Capra jemlahica ..

jharal

quadrimammis

sibirica skyn

Capricornis sumatrensis rubidus

——————- thar

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NUMBER.

932 nt asiaticus asiaticus

232 indicus indicus

2333} || ——— macrurus nipalensis

233 | monticola

235 ————hispidus _..

233 | Carbo javanicus .. a

232 | Carduelis caniceps

232 | Casarea ferruginea

232 | ——_--—— rutila

233 | Catopsilia crocale

233 florella.. :

232 | ——-——---pomona sts

233 | —-———_—_—_ v. catilla

233 | ——————pyranthe es

Zollar —scylla .. ae

233 | Celoenorrhinus ambareesa

939 | -—_——————area

231 leucocera

_. 931 | Cephaloeschna acutifrons

232, 245 _— lugubris ..

O24) ba ——masoni

501 |——-= = _Orbpitrons

477| Cerasophila thompsoni ..

509 | Cercocytonus ee

498 | Cercopithecus albocinereus

468 | Ceriagrion cerinorubellum

380 | ———--— coromandelianum

.. 226)—-— ru bie

118, 123 Certhia familiaris nipalensis

57|—- himalayana

57 | —-——_ hodgsoni

333| Cervulus fez

15 | Cervus duvauceli. .

.. 9413) =poreinus

90, 413 | ————pumilio

33 | ———-wallichi

ie 34 | Charaxes arja vernus

228, 423 | Charronia flavigula

425 Chaulelasmus streperus

495 | Chelidon kashmiriensis ..

425 Chilasa agestor agestor

425 (cer Sas — govindra

928 | —clytia v. commixtus

425 3 ——— clvtia

NUMBER

287

286

236

428

144

508, 509

495, 557

495

177

427

426

427

B86

225, 414

500

234

INDEX OF SPECIES:

Chilasa clytia v. dissimila

-y. dissimillima ..

flavolimbatus

——__—_--—_ v.. Janus

lankeswara,

onpape

—_————— V. papone ..

——~— epycides epycides

hypochra

——— paradexe telearchus

—_______——- v. danisepa

———— slateri slateri

tavoyana

Chimarrhornis leucocephalus ..

Chimmarogale himalayica oe

Chrysomitris spinoides _

Ciconia ciconia asiatica ..

eee eee

——_

ad —

boyciana ..

——— javanica

-——— nigra

Cinclus asiaticus

Cissa chinensis chinensis

Cisticola cursitans

Climacobasis modesta ..

Coenagrion dyeri ie

Coenonympha myops macmahoni

Colias alpherakii chitralensis ..

— berylla

——-— croceus croceus. .

edusina ..

fieldii

—— —____—_.

——— dubia

——-— eogene Vv. cana. .

-———‘eogene ..

‘leechii .

v. chrysodonu ..

—___.

—w— hyale

‘Vv. erate

—__————hyale

——_——__—— nilagiriensis

v. pallida

—-— ladakensis

- nastes thrastbulus

— stoliczana miranda

a :

XXXIi

NUMBER. NuMBER

234 | Colias stoliezana stoliczana Oe ey!

: wiskotti is oo .. 255

234 | Coleus monedula collaris 161

284 | Collosciurus epomophorus hastilis sub-spn.877

234 |Colotis amata amata .. a e209

234 | v. albina 259

234 modesta 259

234|____. dane dan 260

254 | dulcis 260

234 |____ etrida etrida 259

Dep A eee =e pata: 259

234 | ______ eucharis 259

234|______ fausta fausta 259

234 |__ fulvia .. 259

498 | _ protractus 259

223 vestalis .. 259

510 | Coluber leonardi 477

12|_____ padiatus 302

13 olymbus cristatus ne we os 22

13 |Contia angust iceps ae Re So eA

I3 — persica .. a ee Bay)

499 | Conostoma zmodius ee we Ood

514 | Coracias garrula ee a 2<, 000

113 Cordulegaster annulatus .. 43, 45

476 bidentatus .. 48, 59

145;______s__ previstigma 38, 40, 41, 59, 328

537) _______ parvistigma 42, 59, 328

25% pictus .. nes ci 43

ao Corvus corax laurencei .. ee oe 157

258 —_——— tibetanus 157, 512

258 | ______ cornix sharpei .. 159

258]_______ gorone be a 158

257 | _____ coronoides intermedius 160, 513

258 | _____ frugilegus tachusii 158

258 | ______ macrorhynchus 289, 493

257 |___._ monedula = ». «4938

257)______. splendens splendens 159, 289, 290, 513

291 | a zugmayeri 160

257 Corydalla striolata 510

257) Coturnix argoondah 815

OT ee cainiana i bi Na 2

257 cambayensis .. cei col)

257|_________ ehinensis one oe 50 l

». 258;|————- excalfactoria ,, a e2 1

XXXIV

Coturnix (Excalfactoria) chinensis

—— minima

—

pentah.. ae

———-— philippensis

rubiginosa

— sinensis

Crateropus canorus

Cratilla liniata

metallica

Cremastogaster rogenhoferi

Cricetulus sp.

Crocidura rubricosa we

Crocopus pheenicoplirus

Crocothemis erythrea

servilia

Cubaris officionalis

Cuculus canorus

- poliocephalus

saturatus

Cuon dukhunensis a

Cyclogomphus heretostylus

minusculus os

veiticalis

vesiculosus

—ypsilon

Cygnus bewicki ..

cygnus .. oe ae

jankowskii oe ee

minor

musicus ..

— olor a

Cylindrophis maculatus

rufus ae aie

Cynopterus brachyotis ..

—-—— —— angulatus

marginatus

Cyon dukhunensis “

Cyornis leucomelanurus

superceliaris .. oe

Cypselus affinis .. . es

apus .. ote ee

17, 287, 540

NuMBER.

568

118

90, 409

381, 385

139

501

50]

501

35, 225, 413

64, 332

17, 540

ike

oe 17

540

354

INDEX OF SPECIES.

Dafila acuta se es oe

Daimio milliana .. nO onubes

Dalbergia latifolia ae aie

Danais aglea aglea

—melanoides

melanoleuca =

agleoides

-alcippus ..

——-——aspasia

——--—chrysippus

—- dorippus 43 ee

gautama gautamoides .

limniace mutina

melaneus plateniston

-‘melanippus indicus

Nesippus +

melissa dravidarum ..

musikanos

————nilgiriensis se os

-plexippus os ee

septentrionis

— similis exprompta

nicobarica ee

vulgaris .. ee

—tytia sita 56 sie

-—__—_—_—__—ty tia 0 “0

Daption capensis. . os oe

Davidius aberrans a ore

davidi assamensis ..

——— davidi a6

—— stevensi AA oe

zallorensis .. ar

Delias aglaia 45 ie ee

agostina agoranis ee

———— agostina ee

-- belladonna belladonna ..

—— berinda os

—____—___—_——- ithiela os

———perspicua ..

——V,sanaca ..

—-—descombesi leucacantha

eucharis .. sie are

——-hyparete ciris .. oe

ethire .. ee

NUMBER,

«. 443

a 19]

520

. 521

520

. ede

521

A 521

521

520

521

ell

ave 521

7a O2e

173, 521

521

oe ©6208

-« 5205

ee -O2e

. o28

520

61, 329

61, 330

. Zot

250

-. 250

oe) Zea

250

~. 25t

. 250

s. 20

-. 258

~. 3886

oo «so

INDEX OF

Delias hyparete hierte .. a0

3 thysbe kandha

pyramus

Demiegretta sacra asha

—sacra

Dendrocitta frontalis

leucogastra

rufa vagabunda ..

——_—_—-—-- sinensis himalayensis

-_—_————-vagabunda pallida

Dendrocopus himalayensis

Dendrocygna fulva

javanica

Dendrognathus indicus

Dercas lycorias

decipiens

verhueli doubledayi

—gobrias ..

Diceum trigonostigma ..

Dichoceros bicornis

Dicrurus ater

Diospyros tomentosa

Diplacodes lefebrei

-— nebulosa

trivialis

Dipodilus indus ..

Dipsadomorphus gokool

—_—_—_—__—_——— jollyi

trigonatus

Dissemurus paradiseus

Dissoura episcopa episcopa..

—_—_—_—_—-—- neglecta

Dremomys lokriah

macmillani

pernyl

— rufigenis opimus

Dryobates darjellensis

hyperythrus hyperythrus

Dryonastes nuchalis

Dupetor flavicollis flavicollis

——_—_—_.

Kchis carinatus ..

var, nigrocincta

Echo margarita .. 5e oe

SPECIES,

XXXV,

NUMBER. NUMBER

959 | Egretta alba alba ‘ 14

Oy | || ae modesta 14

2951 | ——— garzetta garzetta 15

15 |——— intermedia intermedia .. 14

15 | Elephas asiaticus 428

Bs — isodactylus -« 428

204|-— heterodadylus 429

ee ails maximus 428, 554

162, 515 | Emberiza stracheyi 500

163 | Emyda granosa .. 120

500 | Enallagma parvum 149

19 | Epallage fateme .. 477

19| Epimys vicerex .. : 421

544 | Equus hemionus.. , 275

255 | ——— kiang 428

255 | Eremias fasciata 12¢

255 — guttulata 118, 125

255 | ——-— velox 118, 125

266 | Exinaceus collaris 409

280, 294 —— gravil .. 409

1111 —— spatangus .. 409

903 | Erisinatura leucocephala 22

54.| Erythropus amurensis .. 292

54,138 | Eryx conicus ses ve ae oe 353

54,138 jaculus a «.« 118, 127, 128, 353

118 | Eublepharis macularius. . 118, 122

302 | Eugenia jambolana Ae 191

127 | Eumeces schneideri "ie 120

129 scutatus as 126

294| Eumenes conica 304

13 | Eunetta falcata .. oe ois oe 20

es 13 | Euploeea alcathe esatia oe 52]

226, 419 - doubledayi . 821

227 | -———- andamanensis - 523

226 camaralzaman 523

226 core asela 35 523

508, 509 | ——— core oe 523

507 | ——-——- layardi : - 8623

266 ——— vermicelata ~ 623

16 coreta coreta : 524

—__—_— montana . 524

corus corus : : 522

. 118|———— —-— pheebus : ee | O22

-» 130)———— vitrina .. ae be wee

oo 476 crameri bremeri oe se One

XxXvi

——inconspicua ee

INDEX OF SPECIES,

NUMBER.

Euploea cremeri frauenfeldii 523

deione deione .. oi) 524

—_——_—— —-— limborgi 524

—_——_——_ -—-—. menetriesii 524

diocletiana diocletiana 522

—- —— ramsayi 522

dioclatianus 384

godartii 523

harrisi harrisi .. 524

————~ ———hopei 524

klugii crassa 522

—_———. —-—klugii B22

——-kollari 522

—_—— ———macclellandi 522

reepstorfii 522

—- sinhala 522

leucostictus leucogonys 22

a novare 522

mazares ledereri YY,

midamus brahma 523

——— splendens 522

modesta Wome cae

———— mulciber 381, 384

— kalinga 521

—_——_—- ——-—— mulciber §2]

—_—— scherzeri 523

Kuthalia cognata 38

— dirtea 380

Excalfactoria chinensis .. eee

——_______—___—_—- chinensis Me 74

—_—-—__—+ trinkutensis a

——_—_—_—_———- minima 7

——__—— sinensis 2

trinkutensis a

Falco subbuteo .. 501

Felis affinis oe sit Sa

—hbengalensis .. “32, 223, 410, 553.

—caracal as we 28

‘——chaus 31, 411

—-_huttoni 41]

41i

NuMBER.

Felis lynx --. .. te a6 - 30

—macroscelis .. 410

-——macrosceloides 416

——manul 32

marmorata .. 428

moormensis .. 410

-~—-—murmensis 410

nebulosa 410

—-ornata ae ae 32

——-pardus 23, 410, 549, 553

temmincki 31, 410

tigris 410, 548, 553

torquata ..d2, 411

——unica .. 29

viverrina 410

Francolinus chinensis 278

Fregata andrewsi 9

—ariel iredalei 10

minor aldabrensis 9

Fregetta tropica melanogastra 11

Fringillauda sordida oe) DOU

Fulvetta vinipecta vinipecta 507, 509

Funambulus pennanti 419

Gallus ferrugineus 278

Gandaca harina andamana 255

— assamica .. 255

burmana .. 255

Garrulax albogularis oe tery ole

Garrulus bispecularis interstinctus 509, 515

= glandarius bispecularis 167

Garuga pinnata emeugy! |

Gazella bennetti .. 275, 426

Genneeus lineatus 172

— nyctheremus rufipes 563

—--—— sharpel 384

rufipes 384

Glaucidium brodiei : 561

Glaucionetta clangula clangula : 21

Glauconia blanfordi 351, 352

———— carltoni .» 3d]

macrorhynchus ce eos

Non, toe

Golunda ellioti .. a ane

INDEX OF SPECIES, >. .4'4 Vas

NuMBER, NUMBER,

Getunda ellioti bombax sub-sp.n. .. 375 Gynacantha saltatrix .. mn ar 69

—————ceenosa sub-sp, n. - (346 <= subinterrupta .. - 68

: coffceea: .. ‘ .. 376| Gynacantheschna sikkima ... eis 67

——coraginis rere He Soto VION aa 67

ellioti .. AS .. 375| Gypaetus barbatus ee ne a out

gujerati sub-sp. n. .. 374) Gyps himalayensis ese teas Sen AOL

—limitaris sub-sp.'n. io. ole

—_-—__—_——_-myothrix os ~ 316

pa newera .. - .. 376| Harpiocephalus harpia madrassius sub-

paupera sub-sp.n. Ses i ee sp.n, .. 88

—watsoni .. she —) 374) —__.._ — _ mordax sp. n: ne 88

Gomphidia abbotti es ne 60, 329 | Hebomoia glaucippe australis .. . 260

—__—_—_———_T. nigrum.. eC 142.399 | = CO ONICH .. 260

Gomphus ceylonicus .. ait 622.330)... glaucippe .. 260

—————cyanofrons .. a 625330). _— — roepstori -. 260

ae Jaidlawi i. o 62, 330 | Helictis everetti ‘es es o 45D

—-————nilgiricus a a 62, 330 | —— millsi .. ars - wp oo

o’doneli in ca 622330; > moschata nega soe .. 415

personatus .. At 62, 330 | ————— nipalensis aye ee ae, 4hd

—- promelas ame a 62, 330 | Heliogomphus nietneri ae .. ool

xanthenatus .. a 623350). Pans oes a. 233i

Pe optaryx aspasia chitralensis .. 255 | ——— spirillus oe eo. added

—— -rhamni nepalensis .. 255|Hemianax ephippiger .. oe 66, 141

zaneka zancka sa... .. 255\| Hemichelidon sibirica .. ee .. 497

— zanekoides .. 255| Hemicordulia asiatica .. a % 57

Gongylophis conicus.. i .. 353| Hemidactylus flaviviridis an fh. pelo

Gorsachius melanolophus oe NGS 284 ieee persicus ve -» 122

Graculus eremita oa aa .. 493 | Hemiechinus collaris ; »» 409

Graucalus macii .. 3 2: .. 338| ——————megalotis a és 8

Grewia. tilleafolia mS 1s .. 191] Hemilepistus pectinatus .. 93, 95, 104

Grypomys gleadowi Wi .. > we» ds 118 | Hemitragus hylocrius .. rs s., 04

Gulo nipalensis .. ate me wal oP 4b —jemlahicus .. aS ». 425

Gunomys bengalensis 91, 420 |—_—————jemlaiens .. - 2. 425

Gymnodactylus ingoldbyi sp. n. .. 121; Herpestes auropunctatus a .. 412

——_—____—-——-scaber ie Pree (241 | —— edwardesi ferugineus .. 118

Gynacantha bainbriggei al 69, 142 | —————- edwardsi 2 2 -. 412

—_—_—_—__——— hasiguttata ak Md 68 | —————— nepalensis .. he. 224, 412

= bagadera .. ye as 69)|-—— UCVa si ae .. 412

—fureata .. is ny 68] Hestia hypermnestra Tneeeies vo) DID

—- hanumana ee A, 69 leuconce siamensis a #e OLD

-————— hyalina .. is a 69 lynceus agarmarschana .. 519

——_____——- khasiaca .. as as 68 | —__—— ———-— arracana ae 4. -- 519

millardi .. Pe ee 63: ————— eadelli .. Ae ate 519

o’doneli_ .. cue ae 69 | _———————— hadeni .. se as 519

XXX Vill

Hestia lynceus jasonia ..

— kanarensis

malabarica

Heterogomphus bicornutus

——__—_—_————. ceylonicus

nietneri

pruinans

risi

————____—_—_—_——. smithi

spirillus

Heteroxenicus sinensis ..

Hilarocichla rufiventer ..

Hipposideros amboinensis

armiger

——————._ atratus

hicolor

— brachyotus ..

-_—_—_———- cinerascens. .

fulvus

speoris speoris

Hirundo javanica

— nepalensis

Hodgsonius pheenicuroides

Huphina lea

- nadina amba

— andamana

— cingala

— —— nadina

—_—________—- remba

————-— nerissa daphna

— evagete

lichenosa

phryne

Hydrobasileus croceus

Hyelaphus porcinus

Hylobates hoolock

lar

Hyleeothemis fruhstorferi

Hylopetes alboniger

Uypacanthis spinoides

Hypermnestra helios balucha ..

Hypsipetes concolor

- leucocephalus

Hystrix alophus ..

lecuura ..

INDEX OF

SPECIES,

NUMBER. |

63,

63, °

378,

519

331

dol

Ianthia rufilata

Ibis papillogus

Ictinus angulosus

atrox —

——— clavatus ..

pertinax ..

rapax mordax

proecox

rapax

Idionyx corona corona

nilgiriensis

nadganii

——-——optata

ornata ..

yolanda .

Indogomphus longistigma

Indolestes bilineata

-—budda

—helena

indica ..

pulcherrenia ..

—veronica

Indomacromia nilgiriensis

Indothemis cxsia

limbata

Inocotis papillosus davisoni

papillosus

Ischnura aurora ..

rufostigma

senegalensis

Ixias marianne marianne

—nola

-~_—--pyrene andamana

cingalensis

frequens

latifasciata

moulmeinensis

pirenassa .

—-- rhexia

Ixobrychus cinnamomeus

minutus minutus

—_—_—_—_—— sinensis

ixops nipalensis nipalensis

Jagoria martini ..

NuMBER,

498

ae 12

60, 329

aio aus eee

60, 328

142, 328

As 59

. 64, 332

48]

481

431

INDEX OF SPECIES,

NUMBER.

Kachuga smithii ri a Brien 40

Kallima inachis .. 5G -- 384

Kerivoula hardwickei ‘ uu

Labeo boya ee ah vs . 189

—— kontius us «» 189

Lagerstroemia microcarpa we LO

Laletris lanceolatus of .. 166

Lamellogomphus biforceps acinaces _—_65, 332

biforceps 64, 332

nilgeriensis 65, 332

—— sp. 65

Lampides celeno .. 386

—elpis .. 386

Lanius erythronotus 336

lahtora 304

vittatus .. 300

Larvivora brunnea 494

Lathrecista asiatica ale 56

Leggada booduga a ees Ok

-cervicolor 422

palnica sp. n. 87

sp. 227

Leptocircus curius 242, 384

-meges indistincta 242

virescens 242

Leptogomphus gestroi .. 63, 33]

inclitus 63, 331

maculivertex 63, 331

Leptoptilus dubius 13

—— javanicus 1S

Leptosia xiphia nicobarica 247

xiphia 247

Leptotrichas politus sp. n. 95, 104

Lepus nigricollis .. 554

oiostolus .. 424

pallipes 424

ruficaudatus 92, 423

Lestes barbara 480

cyanea A8i

elata a 480

— gracilis birmanus.. 481

divisa 48]

gracilis 481

Lestes nigriceps ..

nodalis .. se

orientalis .. as

preemorsa decipiens

dorothea

—— preemorsa

thoracica ..

umbrina

viridula

Lethe andersoni ..

armandii ..

atkinsonia. .

——— baladeva aisa

—- baladeva

——— bhadra

——-— bhairava ..

brisanda

-———— chandica chandica

flanona

— confusa confusa

eeeeerare as eee

gambara

—-— daretis

distans.-

—-—— dura dura

——— —— gammei

drypetis drypetis

——_—- ——-— todara

——— dynsate

——— europa niladana .

— nudgara

ragalva

—————tamuna, +;

——— gemina gafuri

— goalpara goalpara

— narkanda

gulnihal gulnihal

——peguana .

insana dinarbas

—_—__—_—_—_—_—— insana

irma

jalunda elwesi

jalurida jalurida ..

kabrua

kankupkhula

kansa

xXxxfx

NuMBER,

143,

480:

480

480:

480

480:

480

480-

531

536

532

531

536.

535.

534

535

533

536

533

533:

534

533°

533)

533

530

532

535:

535

534

531

532

536

Lethe latiaris ..

maitrva ..

margaritce

mekara mekara

-—- zuchara ..

minerva tritogeneia

moelleri

muirheadi bhima

naga

nicetas

nicetella

nicevillei ..

ocellata lyncus

pulaha pulaha

pulahoides

pulahina

ramadeva

rohria dyrta

nilgirensis. .

——— rohria

satyvate

scanda

serbonis naganum

— serbonis

siderea

sidonis sidonis

—— vaivarta’..

PLETE TERETE

sinorix

sura

tristigmata

verma sintica

stenopa

verma

vindhya

visrava

yama vama

—~—— yamoides

Libellago asiatica

Libellula fulva .. ‘

quadrimaculata

Ligia exotica

—pallasii ..

Liopeltis frenatus

Lobopelta oe

Jophophanes ater emodius

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NUMBER.

535

531

.. 534

-- 535

535

532

536

534

532

531

532

536

531

533

536

535

534

531

536

532

O34

534

536

531

537

479

ay |

NUMBER,

Lophophanes dichrous. dichrous © 508

. melanolophus 494

rufinuchalis 494

—_—_—————. rufonuchalis beavani 508

——— impejanus 508

-——— refulgens 501

Lutra aurobrunnea 416

— barang 416

——-concolor .. ee 416

—— ellioti 416

——— indica 415.

——— lutra 275

———_ —— hair .. 415

——— macrodus .. 416

——— monticola 415

tarayensis 416

Lutrogale barang tarayensis 416

Lycodon striatus 128

Lynchus erythrotis 411

Lyriothemis augastra 52

— -—— bivittata .. 52.

—- - cleis 52

——_—_—-—— mortoni . 52

—- —— tricolor 52

Lyroderma lyra .. 20 406

Mabuia dissimilis 125

Macaca arctoides. . ee on ee

——_—-— assamensis .. 222, 403, 404

——_—— ferox 902

——— mulatta .. 222, 403

———— rhesus 403

—sinica 552

Macacus arctoides 222

~ oinops 403

— pelops 403

Macrodeplax cora 53

Macrogomphus annulatus 61, 329

montanus 61, 329

——— robustus 61, 329

Macromia atuberculata. . 58

-~_——_—— binocellata 58

— - cingulata 58

ellisoni 58

Macromia flavicincta

flavocolorata

indica

moorei

trituberculata

Manis aurita

pentadactyla

Mardarinia regalis

Mareca albigularis

penelope

Marmaronetta angustirostris

Marmota himalayanus

Martes flavigula ..

Matrona basilaris

nigripectus

Meandrusa gyas aribbas

gyas

payeni amphis

evan

Megaderma spasma ceylonensis

Megalestes major

Melanonyx arvensis sibiricus

Melanophidium bilineatum

punctatum

————- wynadense

Mellivora indica ..

Melogale nipalensis

personata

——

Melursus ursinus

Menetes berdmorei

Merganser merganser orientalis

serrator

Mergus albellus

orientalis

serrator

Meriones hurrianz

—-— swinhei

Merula bourdilloni

— castanea ..

maxima ..

Microcercus aA

Microgomphus lilliputians

loogali

torquatus

Micromerus blandus

INDEX OF SPECIES,

Numer. |

58 | Micromerus finalis

428

..229, 428, 509

lineatus

Microperdix erythrorhynchus ..

Millardia meltada

Milvus melanotis

Minca a us

Miniopterus fuliginosus . .

526 | Mnais andersoni ..

20 earnshawi

20 | Molpastes bengalensis

21 - hemorrhous

419} Moschiola meminna

414] Moschus moschiferus

476 | Motacilla alba hodgsoni. .

476 personata

242 cinerea melanope

242 citreola calearata

242 flava thunbergi

242 | _—__—— hodgsoni

155 maderaspatensis

480 melanope

18| Mungos mungo

360 smithi

360 viticollis

360 | Muntiacus fee ..

415 malabaricus

415 | —— - vaginalis

415] Murina huttoni

553 | Mus arboreus

378 | ——- brunneus

99 | —— brunneusculus

92 | —— dubius

22 | —-—— flavescens

22 | —— homourus

22 |-——- macropus

118|—— myiothrix ..

118 rattordes

.. 565|—— (Rattus) nemorivagus

.. 499]—— rufescens

499 | ——- strophiatus

ots 97 | Mustela calotis

60, 329 canigula

. .60, 329 erminea

60, 329 foina

-. 479 ———— gwatkinsi

xli

“NUMBER.

479

408

476

109

108

427

282

PO ees 282

.. 281, 287, 544

283

544

500

xhi

Mustela hodgsoni

———— kathiah

strigidorsa

———— subhemachalana

temon

Mutilla .

Mycalesis adamsoni

adolphei

anaxlas anaxias

—s-

-— cenate

manili

—_—_—_—__—__—_— radza

—~———— anaxioides

evansii

francisca albofasciata

sanatana

————— fuscum

——-—— gotama charaka

————— heri

——-—— igilia

———— khasia khasia

orcha

—-——— lepcha bethami

davisoni

———-— malsara

malsarida

———-—— mamerta annamitica

mamerta

mercea

mestra mestra

— vetus

——_—_——_—- mineus mineus

nicobarica

—_—_—_—_—_———polydecta

———-— misenus

—-_——-— mnasicles perna

mystes..

nicotia

———— oculus..

———-— oroatis surka

orseis nautilus

— patnia Junonia

patnia

————____

kohimensis ..

INDEX OF SPECIES,

NuMBER.

.. 414

225, 414

428

414

428

568

526

529

526

527

528

527

529

528

530

Or Or Or Cl

bo bo bo bo

mo ©

ie.)

Mycalesis perseoides

perseus blasius

typhlus

—_———- rama

suavolens

subdita

visala andamana

isala

—_—_—_—— —--— neovisala

Mycerobas melanoxanthus

Mycteria asiatica |

Myiophoneus temmincki

Myotis formosus

——— muricola

———- nipalensis

——— siligorensis

Naia tripudians ..

Nannophya pygmea

Nasictis everetti

Natrix leonardi sp. nov.

Nectogale sikhimensis

Nemhoroedus goral

hodgsoni

ee abLensis

Nephila maculata

Nesocia nemorivaga

Netta rufina

Nettion albigulare

crecca crecca ..

formosum

Nettopus coromandelianus

Neurobasis chinensis

Neurothemis fluctuans ..

——_—_—___——_ fulvia

— intermedia degener

—— intermedia

—_—_—__—__—_——. terminata

tullia feralis

tullia tullia

Nucifraga caryocatactes hemispila.

hemispila

— multipunctata

Nyctalus labiatus

NuMBER,

.» 528

ooo BQd-

eo 527

528

529

. §28

528

150

130, 468

55, 139

165, 516

.. 508

164, 494

223, 407

INDEX OF SPECIES, ; xliit

NuMBER. NUMBER.

Nycticebus coucang.. oe .. 222) Orthetrum cancellatum aA aye 53

Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax .. 15 chrysis a es sis 53

Nyroca ferina ferina .. 35 os 21 | -_——-_——— chrysostigma luzonicum .. 53

— fuligula ¥s is Pe 21 | ————_——- glaucum .. an es 53

——— marila marila .. via Sap 21 | —————-— japonicum internum a 53.

—— rufa baeri 55 es BF 21 ,——--——— pruinosum .. ost ee 53

a rufa 6 oe a 2) |}——_————- neglectum .. 138

— sabina ov ee i 53

toeniolatum srs 53, 138

Oceanites oceanicus oceanicus .. 2 {i testaceum .. an sis 53

Ochotona curzoniz ss bs .. 428|—————— triangulare rar oS 53

Ochotona roylei nipalensis a .. 424] Orthotomus sutorius.. 7 aq, ANZ

—wardi .. 7 .. 424| Otocompsa emeira oy be -. 109

Odina wodier .. os 3 .. 203| Otocorys alpestris Si a .. 560

Oecophylla smaragdina .. a .. 362|—— alpinus ie at .. 560

Oligocon herberti ‘ a .. 467|————— alpestris longirostris .. 560

Onyvchogomphus anularis és 66, 333 | —-———— longirostris_ .. — -- 560

aureus oe 66, 333 —- wellsi .. es "3 .. 560

—_____—__——_ bistrigatus .. 66. 333 | Otogyps calvus .. = ere fe. 200

————— cerastes are 65, 333 | Ovis ammon hodgsoni .. a .. 425

— circularis .. 65, 333|—-— burrhel .. es oe we © ADD

—_—_—_—_—————. echinoccipitalis 65, 353). Bahoor - a Me ». 425

— -- frontalis Me 65, 333 |—— nahura he 3 - .. 425

lindgreni 58 65, 333 | ——- nayaur ra .. 425

—_—_—__—_-———— lineatus .. 65, 142, 333! Oxyura leucocephala .. as 284, 563

—_—_——__-——— M-flavum .. 66, 33:

——_—_—_——--—— maclachlani .. 65, 333

——_—————— modestus. .. 65, 333 | Pachyura sp. As os 7 90, 409

—__—_____—__—-— saundersi .. 65, 333| Paguma grayi_.. - ai 224, 412

ss Sin ar. - 65, 333 | Paleornis schisticeps .. ar .. 501

Onychothemis culminicola culniinicola. 54| Palceothemis tillyardi .. aus be 51

—— tonkinensis tonkinensis 54 | Palpopleura sex-maculata a 51, 138

Ophiogomphus reductus bi 62. 330] Palumbus casiotis a ate fo) 295

Ophiops jerdoni se a .. 125] Pantala flavescens see i 57, 140

Oreicola ferrea. . 5 Os ». 498] Papilio adamsoni 2% ae -- 385

Oreocincta nilgiriensis .. a .. 565/——— aéacus .. ‘it % Pre Sie:

Orinoma damaris Me ss .. 537|/———— alexanor .. os sil a4. @238

Oriolus kundoo .. ae, ole 339, 497 | -—— antiphates 2 ad .. 384

melanocephalus as -. 339|——-— arcturusarius .. =i Sou eels

Orogomphus atkinsoni .. 38, 44, 59, 328: ——— aristolochie .. = 173, 285

— speciosus 38, 46, 59, 328 .———— bianor gladiator.. Ae se) 6236

— xanthoptera ». 46, 59, 328 ———— bootes bootes .. a we 6200.

Orolestes selysi .. ri es .. 480, ——— —-—janaka .. . -. 235

Orthetrum anceps a ae os 53 |———- ———- mixta... o% m9 Deo

brunneum .. as i 53 | buddha 236

xliv

Papilio castor castor

mehala

—— polias

cerberus ..

chaon chaon

ducenarius

crino Vv. montanus

demoleus. .

-demoleus

—— malayanus

demolion demolion

liomedon

dravidarum

elephenor elephenor

—-— schanus

——-— fuscus andamanicus

helenus daksha ..

———-— helenus

—-—--—- mooreanus

hipponous pitmani

iswara

krishna

machaon asiatica

SETTLE

sikkimensis

——

verityi

mahadeva

mayo

menon agenor

aleanor

v. butlerianus

noblei

palinurus

Ltt |

paris

———- —-— paris

—tamilana ..

philoxenus

polyctor ganesa

— polyctor

significans

- polymnestor parinda

--— polymnestor

polytes nikobarus

- romulus..

v. ladakensis ..

INDEX OF SFECIES.

NuMBER.

237

384

237 |

237

236

384

238

ei) aoe

384,

Papilio polytes v. cyrus...

v. stichioides

v. stichius

——_——- protenor euprotenor

protenor

——— rhetenor ..

-— v. leococelis

- sarpedon

——-—- xuthus ..

Paradoxurus crossi

hermaphroditus ..

——- hirsutus ..

——___————. niger

<i a Epes

— —- strictus

Parechinus amir

———_——— blanfordi

Paranticopsis macareus gyndes

indicus

— — lioneli

—— megarus megarus

similis ..

Parage eversmanni cashmirensis

——-— masoni

——-—- menava ..

——— merula ..

———-- moorei

——— satricus

schahra

Paranticopsis macareus parakensis

xenocles kephisos

phrontis

—_______—- ——--— xenocles

Paraperiscyphis ..

Parascaptor leucurus

Parasula dactylatra personata ..

Pareluma Gen. nov.

minuta sp. n.

Pareronia avata paravator

—-—— aviatar avatar

— ceylanica ceylanica

—___—_-— ———— naraka

———-— valerica v. philomela

— valeria hippia

NUMBER.

238

56 97

95, 97, 98

260

INDEX OF SPECIES.

Parnassius acco acco.Olwt ss

- gemmifer

charltonius gh

—_———— delphius atkinsoni

—-_—_—____—__—____—- chitralica

——— hunza

kaftir

— lampidius

—_—_______—_—-— latonius ..

nicevillei

stoliczana

——_——-—. discobolus :

epaphus epaphus ..

sikkimensis

hardwickei hardwickei

— Viridicans

hannyngtoni

imperator augustus

jacquemontii Jacquemontii

simo acconus

simo

Parthenos gambrisius

Parus monticola

Passer cinnamomeus

Pathysa agetes agetes

——_————- iponus

anticrates anticrates

hermocrates

antiphates ceylonicus

epaminondas

naira

pompileus

eurous cashmirensis ..

sikkimica

glycerion

nomius nomius

a swinhcei

Pelecanus crispus Be

- onocrotalus onocrotalus

_ roseus

philippensis

——_—— plotus..

——-—-sinensis

— chitralensis

NuMBER,

245

Pellorneum ruficeps. ..

245 Perdicula argoondah ..

245 | ———-—— argundah ee

244 asiatica argoondah ..

244 | ——___— — asiatica 56

244 | ———--— cambaiensis

244 cambayensis .

244 rubicola,

244 rubicolor

244 | Perdix asiatica..

244 | ——_—— cambayensis

243 | - chinensis

243 hodgsoniz

243 | Perizeschna magdalene ..

243 | Pericrocotus brevirostris

243 peregrinus

245 | Periscyphis tamei sp. n.

244 | Perissogomphus stevensi

243 | Petaurista albiventer

243 caniceps

245 nobilis

245 | ———_-——— philippensis

382 —— yunnanensis

494 | Petrophila cinclorhyncha

499 | Phethon indictis ave

239 lepturus lepturus

230 | — rubricauda rubricauda

239 | Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis

239 fuscicollis

240 —— javanicus p

240 | Phasianus humiz burmanicus ..

240 | Philoganga montana

240 | Philoscia elongata

239 | Phoenicopterus minor :

239 | ——___—.— ruber antiquorum

239 | Phyllorhina amboinensis

239 | —____——. micropus

239 | Phylloscopus affinis

9 —-— humii

9 —— proregulus

9 | —_—__——- tytleri

§| Pica pica bottanensis

10 | Pieris brassicz

10 callidice kalora

xlv

NUMBER:

292

dll

315

<2 315

309, 310

dll

e 1

497

-. dsa7

93, 95, 96

61, 329

418

554

226

499

xvi

Pieris canidia canidia ..

canis Ae

chloridice ..

daplidice moorei ..

deota, Se os

——— dubernardi chumbiensis

——— glauconome

——— krueperi devta

——— maganum ..

napi ajaka..

montana

rape

Pinus merkusii

Prioneris clemanthe

—— sita

——_—— thestylis

Pipistrellus babu

———-— coromandra

mimus

Piscatrix sula rubripes .

Pitheciis argentatus

— brama..

durga ..

hypoleucus

johni

pileatus

-— pileatus

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NUMBER,

249

248

249

248

249

a SAO

223, 407

oe RO

. 79, 82

552

va 152

. 77, 82

74, 222

-— saturatus sub-sp n. 79,81,222

schistaceus

~ shortridgei

Plagiopholis blakewayi ..

Platalea leucorodia major

Platygomphus dolobratus

—_—_—_— fez

martini

Platyplectrurus madurensis

— sanguineus

triliniatus

Platylestes platystyla

Plectrurus aureus

davisoni

guentheri oe

perroteti

.. 404

so #05782

—_——~—_-——- tenebricus sub-sp. n. 79, 81

467

56 12

62, 143, 330

62, 330

360, 396

360

480

360

399

359

Plegadis falcinellus falcinellus -. .

Plecotus homochrous

Podiceps cristatus cristatus

— negricollis negricollis

Poéphagus grunniens

Polionetta haringtoni

Polyplectron chinquis

Polyrachis spinigera

Ponera ES

Porcellio blattarius

calmani sp. n.

+ OVAINSINS Deum

——-—— levis

lenta

Porcellionides litoralis

pruinosus

- swammerdami

uniformis

Potamarcha obscura

Pratincola maura

Prinia inornata

———-socialis

Prionodon pardicolor

Procellaria capensis

oceanica :

Psammodynastes pulverulentus

Psammophis schokari

— leithii

Psaroglossa spiloptera

Pseudagrion bengalense

decorum

hvpermelas

—_—_—+_——— laidlawi

microcephalum

rubriceps ..

spencei

Pseudocerastes bicornis

Pseudois nahoor

Pseudopheea, brunnea

dispar

Seance aa etheli ee ee

ruficollis albipennis .

rufobrunneus sp. n. ..

———— carissima .. a

NUMBER,

428

424

278

568

.. 568

95, 98, 99

94, 95, 101

95, 100

95, 101

95, 103

95, 105

95, 106

95, 105

95, 106

56, 138

295

115

114

411

.. | 468

118, 129

290

144

145

naa

127, 130

425

aaa

tee iS

INDEX OF SPECIES.

xlvi

NUMBER’: NUMBER,

Pseudopheea fraseri .. Sie 477 | Rattus decumanus os es 420

ochracea 477 edwardsi -. 227

splendens .. 477 | — fulvescens 91, 227, 421

Pseudoplectrurus canaricus”.. 2. 309 manipulus + 228

Pseudotantalus leucocephalus 56] mentosus ote 2

--— leucocep- ——— nitidus 91, 42]

halus me 13 niveiventer 421

Pseudotramea prateri 57 norvegicus 5¢ 420

Pseudoxenodon angusticeps 466 | —-—— rattoides a 421

Pterocarpus marsupuim 191 | ——— rattus arboreus .. 420

Pterocles arenarius 278 —- brunneus.. 420

Pteroclurus alchata 285 ——— brunneusculus 420

Pteromys alboniger 418 | ——_______ _-— 42]

caniceps . : 413 | —_—_-—__—_ rufescens 421

——-—-— (Hylopetes) ciponige! 418 | —~-——__—- sikkimensis 227

— senex .. 418 | ______-—_ tistx 227

yunnanensis .. 226; tistes 9}

Pteropus giganteus giganteus .. 154 vicerex ow - 424

—-— leucocephalus 404 | Ratufa gigantea .. . 85, 226

- pyrivorus oe -. 404 —_—— gigantea 418

Pteruthius xanthochloris einenoonione 5087 | ——-— — lutrina 86

Puffinus pacificus chlororhynchus _... lS stigmosa sub-sp, n. 86

persicus ; ee 1] indica maxima .. 554

Putorius erminea 277 melanopepla 86

Pycnorhamphus ieterioides .. 499|———- pheopepla 85

Pyrrhocorax graculus 168, 517 | Regulus cristatus : 495

— pyrrhocorax 167, 517 — regulus himalayensis .. 508

Pyrrhospiza punicia 499 | Rhabdophis subminiatus 466

Pyrrhula nipalensis nipalensis .. 509 | Rhinoceros asiaticus 428

Python molurus .. 352, 566 | — indicus 427

reticulatus ss 353 | -————— stenocephalus 428

unicornis 427

Rhinocypha beesoni 479

Querquedula querquedula re . 20 | - bifasciata .. 478

— hbifenestrata 478

—biforate .. as 479

Radena similis .. e AS; 385 | ______—— bisignata .. 478

Rana cyanophlyctis 131 cuneata 478

hexadactyla 5F ae (5) |) eee ignipennis .. Ne oe 479

—-— limnocharis ne 119, 131, 132 immaculata ae 478

sternosignata ne 119, 131, 132 | —-——_——_— iridea ak . 479

strachani ..119, 131, 185 — perforata perforata .. «479

—— tigrina ag oY .. 119, 13], 132 whiteheadi .. 479

Rattus bowersi .. ee Be eae oad quadrimaculata fenestrella 478

xlviii

Rhinocypha quadrimaculata hemihya-

— quadrimaculata

spuria

trifasciata

trimaculata

unimaculata

lina

Rhinolophus aftinis himalayanus

—_—_—_—-— macrotis

——_——-— pearsoni

——-—-—__ perniger

TOUX] LOUXI..

— subbadius ..

Rhinophis blythi

drummondhayi

fergusonianus

- oxyrhynchus

———~—— planiceps

—_————— porrectus

———-——. punclatus

—_—_—-——— sanguineus

travancoricus

trevelyanus ..

Rousettus leschenaulti

Rucervus duvauceli

schomburghi ..

Rusa heterocerus

——— jaraya

—~—— nepalensis

——— unicolor

Ruticilla frontalis

Rhipidura albifrontata ..

Rhizomys pruinosus

Rhodischnura nursei

Rhodonessa caryophyllacea

Rhodothemis rufa

Rhyacornis fuliginosus ..

Rhyothemis obsolescens

——_——— phyllis phyllis

—————— plutonia

triangularia

variegate ..

beddomei sobrinus

—_—_——-— ferrum equinum tragatus 223,

427, 554

478

479

405

154

405

154

-- 406

359, 856

356

355,

355

404 |

427

169 | —

497

427 |

498

344

228

145

54, 138

498

53, 139

NuMBER. |

INDEX OF SPECIES.

Sarcidiornis melanota

Scheeniparus rufonuchalis

Sciurus blythi

ee OCIIG ca

———— locroides

macruroides ..

Scolopax rusticola

Selenarctos thibetanus

Selysiothemis nigra

Semnopithecus pileatus

Silybura arcticeps

beddomei

brevis

broughami

dindigalensis. .

ellioti

— grandis

liura

—_———. macrolepis

————- macrorhynchus

—

———— maculata

————- madurensis

— melanogaster ..

myhendree

nigra

—_——-— nitida ..

——-—— pulneyensis

rubrolineata ..

—— rubromaculata

Simotes arnensis

Sitta castaneiventris

——- kashmiriensis

leucopsis

Soriculus caudatus

——-—— leucops

-—_——— nigrescens centralis

Spatula clypeata

Stachyris nigriceps coltarti

Sterculia urens .. oe

Sturnia malabarica..

Sturnopastor contra

Stylogom phus inglisi

Sula leucogaster plotus

personata ier

. 318, 380,

NuMBER.

266

226

418

502

417

309, «

21,

INDEX OF SPECIES,

Sus cristatus

Suthora fulvifrons fabian:

———— unicolor

Sympetrum commixtum

- decoloratum

fonscolombei

—_————- hypomelas ..

orientale

————— striolatum

Sympycna poedisca

Synarmadillo

Synchloe ansonia daphnlis

belemia

— charlonia lucilla

Syrnium biddulphi

Taccocua leschenaulti

Tachybaptes albipennis ..

Tadorna tadorna

Tagiades litigiosa

—-——— obscurus

Talpa leucura

micrura

Tamiops macclellandi

— ————— manipurensis

Tantalus falcinellus

— leucocephalus

— melanocephalus

Tarbophis rhinopoma

Tatera ceylonica

indica ..

——-——-~ sherrini

Tectona grandis .. ne

Teinopalpus imperialis imperatrix

—————. imperialis

Temenuchus pagodarum

Temnogomphus bivittatus

Tephrodornis pondicerianus

Terias blanda moorei

- silhetana

hecabe fimbriata ae

hecabe ..

———--—— nicobariensis

——— simulata Se

xlix

NUMBER. NUMBER,

427, 554! Terias leta 256

507 libythea .. 255

507, 509 sariandamana .. 256

54 andersoni 256

54 rotundalis .. 256

54 | ——-—— tilaha 256

54 venata sikkima .. 256

54 | ——-— venata -.. 256

54 | Terminalia belerica 203

481 | ——-—-—— chebula oe 203

97 | ——-——-— tomentosa .. 19]

248 | Terpsiphone paradisi 343

248 ' Testudo hardwickii 120

248 | __—— horsfieldi 120

501 | Tetraceros quadricornis 425

Tetrao chinensis .. : és 1

| Tetraogallus himalayensis 278, 502

299 | Tetrathemis aurea 51

22 | —__———— platyptera 51

19 —yerburyi .. 51

445 | Thalassidroma melanogaster li

452 | Tharrhaleus jerdoni .. 499

223 | Thecagaster brevistigma . 40, 45

90, 409, 509 | Tholymis tillarga.. 54, 140

428 | Threskiornis melanocephalus ene

227| cephalus 12

12 | Thriponax hodgsoni 294, 561

13 | Tinnunculus alaudarius . . 501

12 | Tomeutes blythi .. nee ael2o

127, 129 —-—— lokroides 90, 419

214| Tragopan melanocephalus 278

419! Tragulus meminna 554

118 — ravus lampensis 85.

191 ; ————————_- mergatus sub-sp. n 85.

242 | Tramea basilaris burmeisteri 57, 140

242 limbata 57

-. 9341 | Trirhinopholis nuchalis .. 466.

. 64, 332 | Trithemis aurora 56:

336 — ——— aurora 139

256 festiva 56

256 | Trionyx gangeticus Ay. a 120:

256.| Trithemis kirbyi .. mie es 56.

256 | ——-——- pallidinervis .. ve 56, 139:

-- 256! Trochalopterum affinis affinis .. -. 507

~- 256 a. a lineatum o» 494

NUMBER.

Trochalapterum simile 4.94.

Troides amphrysus ruficolus 231

—— darsius v. cambyses 231

———w— helena cerberus 231

— heliconoides 231

———— minos 231

—— #acus ae 231

Troglodytes nipalensis nipalensis 508

Tropicoperdix chloropus 279

Tupaia balangeri assamensis 223

brunetta sub-sp.n... % 84

chinensis 428

clarissa 84

-—— lepcha 90

a tenasters 84

————-~ longicauda 555

— nicobarica 555

eae ——-— surda 555

Turdus viscivorus 499

Turtur ferrago ... 501

Typhlops acutus 351

andamanensis 348

— beddomei Ve Le

—___——- bothriorhynchus 350, 351

——-——- braminus .. 5 349

diardi .. 351

diversiceps 349

fletcheri 349

jerdoni 349

leucomelas 350

mn bricki 349

mackinnoni 348

-mirus .. 348

oatesi 350

— oligolepis ae 347

porrectus 348

psammophilus 349

———--— tenuicollis 350

——_—— tephrosome 351

- theobaldianus 350

thurstoni ~--349

————._ venningi

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NUMBER.

Urocissa erythrorhyncha occipitalis 164

—- -— flavirostris 514

—--—_—_—_—__—_ cucullata 163

Uromastix hardwickii 118, 124, 135

Uropeltis grandis “2, 1 Boe

Urothemis signata signata 53, 149

Ursus arctus 417

gedrosianus oe ALG

—— isabellinus 322, 417

—— thibetanus oa

—— torquatus .. 225, 417

Vandeleuria dumeticola. . 422

Varanus bengalensis 124

griseus 124

——_ gp. : : 303

Vespertilio darjelingensis 408

formosus 407

—— —— mystacinus 408

—_— nipalensis 408

pallidiventris .. 408

siligorensis 408

—— subbadia 406

Vestalis amoena .. 476

— apicalis 476

— gracilis 476

-— smaragdina -. 476

Vipera lebetina 118, 130

russelli Je Oo

Viverra civettina. . 553

civettoides 41]

melanurus : 41]

zibetha .. 169, 224, 411

Viverricula malaccensis 224, 471

Vulpes bengalensis 413

ferrilatus 428

——— montana .. 413

Xenopeltis unicolor 36]

Xenorhynchus asiaticus asiaticus .. 13

ee 3898

Xylophis perroteti

INDEX OF SPECIES. li

NUMBER. NUMBER,

Yuhina gularis gularis .. a -- 507 | Zetides bathveles chiron fe oe 2a

-—-— occipitalis occipitalis .. a8) OU) -——- = cloanthus 1 ‘:, .. 240

——— doson axion ae oe .. 240

—— doson ss aid -- 240

——- - eleius Fe As .. 240

‘Zamenis diadema ae a .. 129|——-— eremon albociliatis ae so) (246

-—-——- mucosus.. ae ka 118, 128 |; ———- ——-— orthia .. a .. ~240

— rhodorachis var. ladacensis .. 118 |————- eurypylus cheronus ie er

——— ventrimaculatus ae 118, 128 ; ———- — macronius.. .. 241

‘Zeltus etolus ate se By .. 173 |——— sarpedon sarpedon re te MAY

‘Zetides agammemnon agammemnon .. 24] | ——-—-—-———teredon os .. 240

— — andamana .. 241] Zizyphus xylopyra oe! os sic | 1208

———_-_—_—_—_—-— decoratus »- 241} Zosterops palpebrosa.. we os | EOF

—— menides .. 241 | Zygonyx iris Bd ais oe ite 55

=———arycles .. us »» «6 24] | Zyxomma petiolatum .. ait 54, 140

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3omBAY Natura History Socrery,

EDITED BY |

R. A. SPENCE, WLL.A. F.Z.S., 8. C. ELLISON, C.M.Z.S.,

: -and S. H. PRATER, GC.M.Z.S. _

tate Ay

Date of Publication, 20th April 1923. —

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PRINTED AT THE TIMES PRESS, BOMBAY. _

CONTENTS OF Vol. XXIX, No. 1.

PaGeE

‘Tue Game Brrps or Inpia, BurMA AND CEYLON. Part XXXIV (Excalfactoria chi-

nensis) (With a plate.) By E.C. Stuart Baker, F.L.s., F.Z.8., M.B.0.U., C.F.A.0.U.

Brrps oF THE INDIAN Empire. Part VIII. By E. C. Stuart Baker, rus., F.Z.S.5

» M.B:0.U., ‘C.F.A.0.U,

eoceaoeeoeeeeeeveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese eee eeeeeeseeeveeeseee

GaME ANIMALS OF KASHMIR AND ADJACENT Hitt PROvINcES. Part Vv. (Witha

plate) BysLt.-Col, A? BE. Wards222 sas 10. esa eve ote nse ee ee Soe, fa

Inpran DraconFuizs. Part XV. (With 6 Text figures). By Major F. C. Fraser,

TMS. Fas. so Os. ee ee ES ete A Re ee Riga oe Hee ea ee

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN InpiA. Part II (With 2 Text figures). By Major F. C.

Hrasers 1. MiSs #aS. o6 aa o ose veo Fak She os EOE ae em ne as ee eee

Tun SNARE OF THE Grant Woop Sriper. Patt IV. (With a plate and a text figure),

By Capt:-R. -W..°G. Himpston, 4.968. iS. i. eee Ga a oe ee ee

Screntiric ReEsutts FRoM Mammat Survey. No. XXXVI. By Martin A. C. Hin-

ee @ eee eeeeeeeeeereereeeeeer eee eee oeee eee ereeseeweoe see eee se ec eee sxseeecrces eve ne

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE Mamma Survey. No. XXXVII. By Oldfield Tho-

WAG, FBP dees oie sie ee + Ww so Rese Sie ole lala Wie se en Stee ae ae at eee ga ee eee

Screntiric Resvtts FRoM THE Maman Survey. No. XXXVIII. By Oldfield

THOMASH ERS. 5.34.0 24a PRO ee ier Ee rer re rer ee ees

Screntiric RESULTS FROM THE Mamma. Survey. No. XXXIX. By Oldfield Tho-

MAS, HBSS» S0.0's salve Wea See See ek ee eee eae Be SpdIGE vo ere ik ST

Screntiric Resuurs From THE Mammat Survey. No. XL. By Oldfield Thomas,

HERS. Soe ek Ae ae ee eee cite esas SPSS in ec Loe cee Oa ewe ee

Sorentiric RESULTS FROM THE Mamma Survey. No. XLI. By Oldfield Thomas,

F.R.S.

eoctesneveeoeeeeeoeveeee eee eeeeeseseeeee severe vreeeeseveeeees eevee eeeeeevesre eee

A CoLLECTION OF MAMMALS MADE BY H. STEVENS IN THE DARJEELING District. By

T. B. Fry

Ce Se vr er

Tur TERRESTRIAL ISOPODA OF MESOPOTAMIA AND THE SURROUNDING DISTRICTS.

(With 6 plates and 2 teat figures). By Joseph Omer-Cooper, F.L.S...........--

A DESCRIPTION OF THE NESTS AND EGGS OF THE COMMON BIRDS OCCURRING IN THE

PLAINS OF THE UNITED Provinces. Part Il. (With 2 plates). By E. H. N. Gill

Notzes on A COLLECTION OF REPTILIA FROM WAZIRISTAN AND THE ADJOINING POR-

TION OF THE N.W. Frontier Province. (With 4 photos and a map). By

Capt. C. M. Ingoldby, R.4.M.c., F.Z.S., F.R.G,S,, and Miss Joan B. Procter, F.z.S.

: Re eee a cd a. " i we « ow Bs his cid eek al 5 i

tn pach a a rina a eo pen eR 2 iy ESA A IS

1 >

23.

48 f

70 |

. 85

87 4

so. @

107

117

CONTENTS OF Vol. XXIX, No. 1.—(contd.)

NOTES ON A COLLECTION OF BATRACHIA FROM 8S. WAZIRISTAN. (With 2 text figures). By

CREVSEN UR nIR EVA Oct Aiorci 2) sero e's ta" (6) alle avers Shale) oka) abalida Side eve d slacciSelelelg oereie ee

THe Fauna or THE Darpyanca Districr, Norte Broar. By C.M. Inglis, F.z.s.,

FOLIA ESL ie TM EST CO) AP Ls apna MO 2 AR A VOC Re

Fuicut oF Mieratine Birps. By C.H. Donald, F.z.s., M.B.o.v.

eooeeeeveere eevee ee @ eee

A Nore ON THE SPOfTeD-WINGED GRosBEAK (Mycerobas melanoxanthus). By

ugh Whistler; ¥2.8:, B1-B.0.0. <0 6.36 eles 6 5: iene Systane teuee eater bs acai. ceies de sere Mere

FurtHeR Nores ON soME CreyLon Bats. (With 2 plates). By W.W.A. Phillips ..

A Note oN THE CORVIDZ oF THE PuNJaB. By Hugh Whistler, F.z.s., M.B.0.U.,

A JOURNEY TO S1aM AND Bacx. (With 3 plates). By Major C.H. Stockley, p.s.o. ..

H.R.H. Tue Prince of WaAtszs’ SHoots IN Inpia in 1921-22. Part III. (With 7

plates and a map and 4 diagrams). By Bernard C. Ellison, C.M.z.s. ...... Bilt

THE MEASUREMENT AND PHOTOGRAPHY OF SPECIMENS OF Bia Game. (With three

OL AteS) Gin ye Nia (Ot @ bls LOCI Oy. LD SOs: seis crm sat eherens sielacele rat ecal s\evele’ait seals. «sec eieseieee

Some Norss oN THE HABITS OF THE CEYLON GERBIL. (With a plate). By W.W.A.

AEN cnmmye artes neers y ees chara iayo tahas ereicrat W-ctchl/ ctduletiat: act cet sumac ey lu/ale arat d'du'vbaue buch Sialeue

Deer HuntTING IN SHAKESPEARE’S Day. By Lt.-Col. C.E. Luard, 0.1.8., 14. ......

Bompay Naturat History Soctety’s Mammat Survey or Inp1a, Burma anv Cry-

LON. (Report No. 36, Naga Hills) By J.P. Mills, 0.8. ........ccccececeeeee

Tue IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BuTTERFLIES. (With nine black and white plates).

yalute@ols Wiel. Hivatiss: 0,910, BiB, WsZsSe. BLING, a/<) 0.2% oe! 5; c/s: ms o:aieiei sive: cye/e oO ole. Hare

Reviews. Fauna oF BritisH Inpia, Brrps. Vol. 1 (2nd Edition) ...... a ool etee aoekens

Tur PRESERVATION OF SHIKAR TROPHIES ..... Ae Se Pee ae re eras

Serrgany. (Da. HENRY NEVILLE COLTART: (060. c. ie a cietgecnne edd ccdccccesaees

PRRs Wemiinn Wyss Sects Re Sota steilols lots’ ci slevelavaials cars 2Se.cyl a teratelereue nay er scerh: olcieabd oo ae

INE WASURER S VMPORT. 2.60.0 ncn oie c/nelenietielesie ses ei 0'ds : us) th siete eaten AM wen Geko aee

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES :—

I. Some Natural History Notes connected with the Prince of Wales’

Tour in India. By B.C. Ellison ........ he ie portie adh hel syoceyecsuame oie

II Onthe Rann of Cutch. (With two plates), By Major A.H. Mosse, 1.4 °

III. Some notes on the Common Indian Otter. By C. McCann. ........

: Ve iger climbing!a trees, By GsHUR. Cooper) ....0. ec eidie's nc ieee see vi

V. Supposed occurrence of the Ermine in India. By B.B. Osmaston,

VI. The occurrence of the Mallard in Rajputana. By R.H. Stables ....

PaGE,

179

209

214

217

221

230-

261

265

266

267

269

271

274.

275.

276.

277

CONTENTS OF Vol. XXIX, No. 1.—(contd.)

Paaes.

VII. Some notes on Indian Game Birds. By Major C.H. Stockley, p.s.0o...

VIII. Notes on the migration of Duck and Teal. By Major C.H. Stockley,

DESO... Siete: setehe, isis; ereliaiet one hoketsits’ celle eieole ice ciecs ation cic Meneeod erect cna aaa

IX. Notes on the habits of a young Hornbill. By B.C. Ellison, c.m.z.s.,

BBG Se ido aioe sore toisto 2 ctoiletage “aiaravelelehets ic shea o's kek ee ear ae

X. On the breeding of certain Wagtails. By Hugh Whistler, F.z.s.......

XI. On the habits of The White Headed Duck (Ozyura leucocephaala).

‘By ‘B.C. Bolster; 1:0:8;). 2 oe Soak eae See oe eae

XII. An Albino Shoveller (Spatula clypeata). By R.C. Bolster, t.c.s.......

XIII. Distribution of the Large Pintailed Sandgrouse (Pteroclurus alchata)

By B:C...Bolsters 1. C28. >. ite. !sc 1. eek eee ee). eee eee

XIV. Nightjars of the Simla Hills. By A.E, Jones ................0000

XV. Appearance of the Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) near Poona. By Major

W.B. Trevemen iii. ss aneisiein vs otis ee epee Ole ee Cee Ee ee ee ee

XVI. A note on the migration of the Eastern Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea

melanope.) By Hugh Whistler; @.z:8..c¢7n 7- eee c ee eee

XVII. The Roosting flight of crows. By Coil. ALH. Cunningham...........

XVIII. The Homing flight of the Common House Crow (Corvus splendens).

By Col. Wallsmimisicn <2 cic. eect am erieieits ects eee ne eee

XIX. The Spotted-Wing Starling (Psargolossa spilotera). By Hugh Whist-

TOM y HZ Siic ig stele. Siols@easohelule sielerede. cattorste vere iste ition terse Sie ees ee ee

XX. A note on the Eastern Red-legged Falcon (Hrythropus amurensis).

By. PB Wickham) c8s.08 a ccle semreraniste sects eee rence ee ee ee

XXI. Note on the nesting habits of the Spotted Babbler (Pellorneum ruficeps)

By.C. Bs Beadnell fcc iecyccu ce ieeriets- eee sick ete i ine ons over aston

XXTI.—List of Smali Game shot in Mhow during 1921 and 22. By Major

B.C. Da, Grieves Peale a celts ies o's eerie eines siete hee gee ee eee

XXITII.—Further notes on the Avifauna of the Nelliampathy Hills. By A.P.

Kinloch 812 :8i5 MiB! O. Uti sice oielole aisieale eeiina Gee ne tie eee

XXIV.—The Great: Indian Hornbili (D bieornis). By A.P. Kinloch, F.¥.z.s.,

MOB OSU Ya tle ieleass eis ie olele wivleleiclele!s) leis) olelele cveleisiel= icici clsleieiclohstcloleieteletelele

XXV.—Nidification of the Black Vulture or Indian King Vulture (Otogyps

calvus).: By HW. Waiter i. 5 35.0.5 =a :0 acl ale Gicteiehe «le ie etoile laliere wieat

XX VI.—Breeding of the Eastern Wood Pigeon (Palumbus casiotis) in the Pun-

jab. Salt Range. “By H.W. Waite’... <2)<./e/0< cileioerisyoinv cies es erencverste

XXVII.—Late stay of snipe in 1922 in Central India. By Percy Hide........

278

279

280

281

292

293

294

295

CONTENTS OF Vol. XXIX, No. 1—(contd.) iv

PAGE

XXVII.—Late stay of snipe in 1922 in Bengal. By T.E.T. Upton .......... 296

XXVIII.—Cruelty to Wild Fowl. By P.M.D. Sanderson ................... 296

XXIX.—Snipe shooting in Sind. By C.B. Rubie .......................0.8. 298

XXX.—Plumage display by the Sirkeer Cuckoo. By E.H. Gill ............. 299

xox ——Notes on turtles. By T.H. Cameron .......c0 cede cevciaceacincsce 299

XXXTII.—Catching crocodiles (With a plate). By J. Monteath, 1.0.8. .......... 300

XX XIII.—Mr. Bhanagay’s Snake Chart. By Col. F. Wall, Lm.s............... 302

XXXIV.—Snakes and Leeches. By Col. F. Wall, 1.M.s. 22.2... cee eee eee eee 302

XXXV.—Cobra going down a hole tailforemost. By Lt.-Col. E.O.’Brien ..... 303

XXX VI.—Notes on a large monitor (Varanus sp.)in Ghazipur. By E.H.GI.. 303

XXXVII.— Observations on the nesting of Humenes conica. By J.L. Khare.... 304

POXEXW ME Drout food in Kashrir casi. co0s yneeie ne odeyd eens veddosgeeenhes es 305

Wlection of new members and contributions ............ cece cee ee cece cece eeeeees 306

BOOKS ON NATURAL HISTORY.

The Society has spare copies ofthe following which the Committee are prepared

to sell to members at the very low prices mentioned :—

Books on Birds.

Game Birds of India, Burma & Ceylon, 3 Vols., HUME and MARSHALL, 129 plates,

(1878-1880), Very Rare. Rs. 400.

A Manual of the Game Birds of India, Burma & Ceylon, 2 Vols.,

EUGENE OATES, Rs. 5.

Birds of Burma, 2 Vols., including those found in the adjoining State of

Karennee, EUGENE OATES (1883). Rare. Rs. 20..

Avifauna of British India, and its Dependencies, 2 Vols.. JAMES A. MurRay. A

systematic account with description of all the known species of Birds

inhabiting British India, 1888, with woodcuts, lithographs and coloured

illustration. Rs. 10.

Handbook io the Birds of the Bombay Fresidency, Lieut. H. EDwIN BARNES,

Ist edition (1885). Rs. 2.

Catalogue of the Collection of Birds’ Eggs in the British Museum, 4 Vols.,

EUGENE OATES, containing particulars and description of the eggs of

620 species. 57 plates in colour (1901). Invaluable to collection. Rs. 75.

Handlist of the Genera and Species of Birds, 4 Vols., Vol. V_ wanting

(1899-1903), R. BOWLDER SHARPE (British Museum Publication) Rs. 40.

Catalogue of Birds in the British Museum Collection.—The following Vols. of this

extremely valuable publication are available :—

Vol. XVI. Hoopoes, Humming Birds, Swifts, Nightjars, by OSBERT

SALVIN and ERNEST HARTERT, 14 plates in colour.

Vol. XVII. Rollers, Bee-eaters, King-Fisbers, Hornbills, Trogons, by

BOwLDER SHARPE and OGILVIE GRANT, 1892, 17 plates in colour.

Vol. XXI, Pigeons (Salvadori), 15 plates in colour, 1893.

Vol. XXII. Game Birds, OGILVIE GRANT, 8 plates in colour, 1893.

Vol. XXIII. Acquatic Birds (Rails, Crake and Cranes, etc.), BOWLDER

SHARPE, 1894, y plates in colours.

Voi. XXIV. Wading Birds, 1896, 7 plates in colour.

Vol. XXV. Terns, Gulls and Skuas, Petrels and Albatrosses, SAUNDERS

and SALwIN, 1896, 8 plates in colour.

Vol. XXVI. Ibisis, Spoonbills, Herons and Storks, OGILVIE GRANT,

1898, 26 plates in colour. Price Rs. 10 per Volume.

Stray Feathers. A Journal of Ornithology for India and its dependencies.

Edited by ALLAN HuME. Vol. 1-10 (1883 & 1887}. Containing series of

important papers on Birds. A valuable work of reference to Ornithologists.

Rare. Rs. 100.

Books on Mammals.

The Mammals of India. A naturalehistory of allthe animals known to inhabit.

continental India, T. C. JERDON (1874). Rs. 10.

Natural History of Indian Mammalia including Ceylon, ROBERT STERNDALE, 170

illustrations (1884). Rs. 5.

General.

Vertebrate Zoology of Sind, Murray. A systematic account with description

of Mammals, Birds and Reptilesinhabiting the Province, with woodcuts,

lithographs and coloured illustration (1884). Rs. 5.

Indian Insect Pests, H. MAxwELL LEFROY (1906). Re. 1-8.

British Museum Catalogue of Lizards, Vols. I, II, 56 plates. Rs. 10.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 21 Bound Vols. ( 1889-1905)

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Transactions of the Zoological Society of London, 5 Vols. (1895-1903). Rs. #0

<equiAl Ii

: {usu

sMGig:

t SEP 7 1927 %!

Maton aL A

JOURN. BOMBAY NAT. HIST. SOC.

2oBes

aia

Beas

eget

THE BLUE-BREASTED QUAIL

inensis.

Excalfactoria c. ch

(4 natural size)

JOURNAL

OF EE

Bombay Natural History Society.

Aprit, 1923. Vows Xeelx: Noe

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON.

PCa saUART DARBR, HiliS:, Y.ZcS.) MB.O.U CLE ALO.

PART XC:

(Wath 1 plate.)

( Continued from page 829 of Volume XXVITTI.)

EXCALFACTORIA CHINENSIS CHINENSIS.

The Indian Blue-breasted Quail.

The Chinese Quail, Edwards, Gleanings Nat. His. v, p. 77, pl. 247,

(1758), (Nanquin, China), Lath., Gen. Syn., u, p. 783, (1783), (China

and Philippines).

Tetrao chinensis Linn., 8. N., 1, p. 277, (1766), (China).

Perdix chinensis Lath., Ind. Orn., 11, p. 652, (1790).

Coturnix sinensis Bonnat., Tabl. Enclyc. Meth., 1, p. 223, (1791).

Coturnix excalfactoria Temm., Pig. et. Gall. ii, pp. 516, 748, (1815),

Coturnix flavipes Blyth, J. A. 8. B., x1, p. 808, (1842).

Coturnix chinensis Gray, List of Birds, p. 39, pl.in., (1844); Layard,

A. M. N. H., (2), xi, 4, p. 107, (1854), (Ceylon) ; Legge, B. of C., ii,

p. 755, (1880); Parker, Ibis, 1886, p. 187, (Ceylon).

Coturnix philippensis Hodg., in Gray’s Zool. Misc., p. 85, (1844).

Eacalfactorva chinensis Bonap., Comp. Rend., xlu, p. 81, (1855) ;

Jerd., B. of L., iii, p. 591, (1863) ; Swinh., Ibis, 1863, p. 398; id., P. Z.8.,

1863, p. 308, (Formosa); Gould, B. of A., vu, pl. vi, (1867); Beavan,

Ibis, 1868, p. 386, (Lower Bengal); Swinh., [bis, 1870, p. 360, (Haimaa) ;

Holdsw., P. Z. 8., 1872, p. 470, (Ceylon); Hume, Nests and Heggs, p. 553,

(1873); Ball, 8S. F., 1, 428, (1874), (Chota Nagpur); Legge, Ibis,

1874, p. 26, (S. Ceylon) ; Hume, 8. F., 111, p. 323, (1875), (Pakchan) ;

Oates, ibid, p. 343, (Pegu Plains); Blyth and Wald., Cat. Mam. Birds,

Burma op, lol, (875), (Arakan): Ball, S.-W. vi, p. 226, (1878)

2 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX.

(Raipur) ; Hume, ibid, vii, p. 69, (1879), (Malacca); Oates, ibid,

p. 167, (Pegu) ; Hume and Marsh., Game B., ii, p. 162, (1879) ; Bidie,

S.F., 1x, p. 209,(1818), (Madras); Hume and Inglis, ibid, p. 258,(Cachar);

Butler, ibid, p. 423, (Bombay); Reid, ibid, x, p. 63, (1881), (Lucknow);

Wendon, ibid, p. 165, (Bombay) ; Oates, ibid, p. 263, (1882), (Pegu ) ;

Davison, ibid, p. 412, (1883), (Wynaad, Rampore, Mysore) ; Kelham,

Ibis, 1882, p. 3, (Malay States); Oates, B. of B., 11, p. 334, (1883); Muller,

J. F. O., 1885, p. 160, (Salanga Is.) ; Hume, S. F., xi, p. 310, (1888),

(Assam, etc.); Oates, Hume's Nest and Hggs, ili, p. 448, (1890); Ogilvie-

Grant, Cat. B. M., xxi, p. 250, (1893); id, Game-B., i, p. 193, (1895) ;

La Touche, Ibis, 1895, pp. 323, 338, (S. Formosa); Rickett and La

Touche, Ibis, 1896, p. 493, (Fohkien) ; Blanford, Avifauna B. I. iv, p.

112, (1898) ; Oates, Game-B., i, p. 95, (1898); Seth-Smith, Av. Mag.,

iv, p. 200, (1898) ; Butler, ibid, p. 211 ; La Touche, Ibis, 1893, p. 283,

(N. Formosa) ; Meade-Waldo, Av. Mag., v., p. 1, 1899; Stuart Baker,

Jour. B. N. H.S., xu, p. 486, (1899), (N. Cachar) ; Inglis, ibid, xu, p.

677; Butler, ibid, p. 691, (Car Nicobars); Oates, Cat. Eggs, B. M., 1,

p. 47, (1901) ; Inglis, Jour. B. N. H. S., xiv, p. 562, (1902), (Behar) ;

Seth-Smith, Bull, B. O.C., xiii, p. 72, (1902); Jesse, Ibis, 190, p. 152,

(Lucknow) ; Bourdillon, Jour. B. N. H.8., xvi, p. 4, (1904), Travan-

core); Henry, Rev. Zool. Fr. d’Om., i, p. 43, (1904) ; Kershaw, Ibis,

1904, p. 244, (China) ; Dewar, Jour. B. N. H. 8., xvi, p. 495, (1905),

(Madras) ; Macdonald, ibid, xvii, p. 496, (1906), (Myingyan) ; Ogilvie-

Grant and La Touche, Ibis, 1907, p. 276, (Formosa); H. R. Baker, Jour.

B.N.H. S., xvii, p. 760, (1907), (Singapore); Stuart Baker, ibid, p. 971,

(Khasia Hills) ; Harington, ibid, xx, p. 377, (1910), (Bhamo) ; Hop-

wood, ibid, xxi, p. 1215, (1912), (Arakan) ; Hartert, Nov. Zool., xvu,

p. 191, (1910), (Hainan) ; Stevens, Jour. B.N.H.S., xxin, p. 723, (1915),

(Upper Assam) ; Inglis, etc., ibid, xxvii, p. 153, (1920), (Bengal).

Exalfactoria minima Gould, P. Z. S., 1859, p. 128, (Celebes) ; Gould

B. of A.; vii, p. 7., (1867) ; Walden, Trans. L.8., vin, 9. 87, (1872) ;

id, ibid., x., p. 224, (1875).

Coturnix cainiana Swinh., Ibis, 1875, pp. 351, 542, (Swalow) ; id.,

ibid, 1870, p. 360.

Coturnix (Excalfactoria) chinensis Gray, List of Gall. B. M.,

p. 63, (1867). |

Coturnia (Excalfactoria) minima Gray, ibid, p. 63.

Excalfactoria sinensis Hume and Dav., 8. F. vi, p. 447, (1878),

(Packchan) ; Bingham, ibid, ix, p. 196, (1880), (Kaukaryit); Rippon,

Ibis, 1901, p. 556, (S. Shan State).

Excalfactoria chinensis chinensis Rob. and Kloss, Jour. Str. As. Soc.

No. 80, p. 75, (1919), (N. E. Sumatra ; Gyldenstope, Ibis, 1920, p. 786,

(Siam).

Vernacular names.—Khair-butai, Kaneli, (Nepal); Gobal butat, (Oudh);

Ngé6n, (Burmese) ; Pandura-watuwa, Wenella-watuwa, (Cingalese) ; Dao-

bur magangbt, (Cachari) ; Shorbol, (Manipur).

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON, 3

Description, Adult Male.—Lores, forehead, a broad supercilium and

sides of head and neck slaty grey ; centre of crown and nape rufous

brown, with broad concentric black bars; back, rump and upper tail-

coverts rufous brown,with grey edges and broad black bars; the feathers

of the centre of the crown and back have white shait-streaks, broadest

in the young, obsolete or absent in very old birds ; tail feathers slaty-

blue, edged with chestnut in young birds, almost wholly of this

colour in very old individuals ; a line under the lores to the eye white

and under this, another from the angle of the mouth to the posterior

ear-coverts black; below this again white; wings fulvous brown,

much suffused with slaty-blue and more or less marked with bright

rich chestnut on the inner secondaries and greater coverts ; below chin

and throat black, the black produced in a line upwards, round the white

to join the black line above ; foreneck white, edged with black ; upper

breast and flanks slaty-blue, this colour often running up and encroach-

ing upon the sides of the neck and back ;_ centre of breast, abdomen

and under tail-coverts deep chestnut.

The amount of chestnut on the under plumage varies greatly both

individually and with age ; in a few old birds it runs right up to the

black edge of the foreneck.

Colours of soft parts—tIris bright vermilion-red to deep crimson,

rarely a bright vinous pink; bill black, the edge, gape and gonys

slaty, the extent of this slate colour varying considerably ; legs and

feet bright yellow, the soles paler and claws brownish.

Measurements.—Length about 140 to 155 mm.; wing 65 mm. (Cele-

bes) to 78 (Assam) ; average of 70 birds, 70 mm. ; tail about 25 mm.;

tarsus 20 to 22 mm.; culmen 10 to 11 mm. Weight 1} to 2 oz.

Birds from the more Northern parts, such as Assam, Northern

Burma and China average a trifle larger than those from the extreme

South, but the difference is very slight and the extremes are practi-

cally the same. Only three specimens, one from Assam, and two

from Burma exceed 72 mm.

Adult female——Above, like the male, but without any slaty-blue

markings ; the white or buff streaks are more numerous and more

pronounced and generally there is less black, though this varies

greatly in amount individually ; the slaty-blue on the head is replaced

by rufous; the chin and throat are fulvous-white and the rest of the

lower plumage pale-buff, the fore-neck, breast and flanks barred with

black ; the tail is brown with buff and black markings.

Colours of soft parts.—Iris brown, occasionally reddish in old birds ;

bill as in the male but with the slaty colour more extensive ; legs and

feet bright yellow.

Measurements—Much the same as the male; wing 66 to 77 mm.,;

average. 30 specimens, 71.1 mm. Weight 14 to nearly 24 ozs.

Young Male is like the adult but without any blue or chestnut

above and with very broad buff centres to the feathers of the rump

4 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

and. upper tail-coverts ; below, the chestnut is confined to the centre

of the belly or is absent altogether ; the slaty-blue is duller in tint

and becomes brownish on the sides of the head and neck where it is

distinctly barred with black.

Lhe young male in first plumage is like the female but paler and

more washed out in colour above, and also more rufescent in general

appearance. The Iris is brown, glaucus brown or washed-out blue in

very young birds; bill dull slate colour; legs wax yellow.

Chick in down.—The whole body and head, above and _ below,

brown with the following exceptions which are buff: coronal streak

and a streak on either side of the crown ; tips of the wings, sides of

the head, chin and throat. The brown of the under parts is rather

paler than that above and is somewhat dusty in tint.

Distribution.—The Blue-breasted Quail is a bird of very wide dis-

tribution, bemg found from Ceylon to Assam, throughout Burma and

the Malay Peninsula, Siam, Cochin China, Yunnan, and West China.

The Formosan and Hainan birds are not separable but closely allied

races are found through the islands as far as Australia. Within

the limits contained in this work its distribution is rather broken but

it occurs in suitable localities practically throughout Ceylon, India

West of a line drawn from Bombay to Simla, the whole of Burma

to the extreme East and South. From many places whence this

bird had not previously been recorded, I have had eggs sent me for

identification proving its existence. Itis comparatively common

as a breeding bird from the South of Travancore, in which district it

was obtained by Stewart and Bourdillon, along the Malabar coast to

Bombay. It occurs, though possibly much more rarely, in Madras

and South East India and becomes more common in North Orissa,

Eastern Bengal and Behar and is very common in Assam, Manipur,

Arakan, Pegu, and West Burma generally.

Nidificatton.—This pretty little Quail breeds and is resident where-

ever found, indulgmg merely in such small migrations as may be

locally necessary in search of food or from pressure of rain and drought.

Its breeding season varies greatly, but roughly speaking in Ceylon

and South India it appears to be February to March; in Northern

India and Assam, June to August: from Burma, f have records of

nests in January and again May to July, and in the Malay Peninsula

in January, February and March. Everywhere, however, the full

breeding season extends over a much longer season than the months

noted above, and in Assam I have records of odd nests and eggs seen

or taken in almost every month of the year.

When breeding, they seem to keep almost entirely to grasslands,

or failing these, to low, thin scrub or open bamboo jungle with a

little undergrowth. They are equally common in the plains and up

to the level of 5,000 feet, beg found at least one thousand feet higher

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 5

again than this. I have never seen any semblance of a nest made ;

the eggs are just deposited in a hollow scratched amongst the grass

roots, or under some bush or bamboo clump, such leaves or scraps of

grass as may le in this hollow are merely those which have fallen or

been blown there. I have seen freshly scratched nest-holes contain-

ing single eggs without a leaf or scrap of grass under them although

these lay around in profusion and had indeed been scratched out of

the hollow itself prior to the egg being laid. Of course, in time leaves

and blades of dried grass fail or get blown back and so the bird has

got the credit of placing them there.

The hen bird does al! the sitting as far as I have been able to as-

certain, but she is so clever at secretively creeping off the nest when

disturbed that one seldom gets a sight of her, the utmost being a mo-

mentary glimpse of a little brown back disappearing in the grass.

She seems never, however suddenly frightened, to leave her nest by

flight, and it is probably for this reason that the eggs have so often

been found in places where the bird remains unknown. The chicks

when disturbed lie where they are, absolutely still, and they may be

picked up limp and feigning death,though the bright little eyes watch-

ing you all the time give them away. Directly the mother calls, each

little furry lump awakes to life, and in a second or two all have

vanished.

The eggs number five to seven, very rarely eight, and rather more

often four only. In shape they are broad ovals, generally well point-

ed at the smaller end, and sometimes inclining to peg-top shape.

The colour varies from a pale olive-clay colour, or nearly olive-yellow,

through olive-brown and olive-drab to an almost rich chocolate brown.

Many eggs are immaculate, others are sparsely and minutely speckled

with black or very dark brown, and a few have these markings more

numerous, and perhaps a little larger, as big as a small pin’s head.

One very curious clutch in my collection is dull grey apparently stip-

pled all over with dull white ; a second clutch laid by the same bird

in a nest two or three feet away from the first, has one egg grey, three

of a dirty yellow stone-colour and the fifth of a normal pale olive.

The extremes of measurement are: maxima 27°7X18°5 and 25°7

x 20°3 mm.: minima 22°917°3 mm., whilst the average of 100

eggs is 24°5x19°0 mm.

Habits—The Painted Quail is found either in pairs or in small

coveys consisting of the two old birds and their last family, and

owing to the long breeding season, such coveys may be met with

almost all the year round. Hume seems to have considered this

Quail to be migratory over most of India whilst Oates records of

Pegu.

“The Blue-breasted Quail is distributed during the season

over the whole of the Plains of the Pegu Province. About the

lst of May immense numbers arrive and spread themselves all

6 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

over the country. At first the sexes remain in separate bevies,

but by June, the pairing commences. After the breeding sea-

son, the majority, if not the whole, of the birds disappear. Some

few may remain during the dry weather, but I am not sure oi

this. They like luxuriant grass growing in swampy plains, and

numbers are flushed on the bunds of the paddy fields when the

sportsman is after snipe.”’

In Assam also Hume says they are only monsoon visitors, but this

is certainly not the case, and they are to be found throughout the

year if one knows where to look for them. There are, however, two

essentials for the country they reside in, first, ample water, and second-

ly, cover of the sort they prefer, 7.e., thin grass or reeds, sungrass

three or four feet high, or fairly thin scrub and bush jungle. If there

is heavier forest or jungle close by, so much the better, but they only

seek safety in this when in danger. We also found them in Cachar

and Sylhet in the dense ekra and elephant grass edges to the end-

less swamps in these districts but they came out of the heavy reeds

in the mornings and afternoons to feed in the thinner grass alongside

them, retiring once more during the heat of the day into their cool

shade. In the winter and spring, as these swamps dry up the birds

move with them, deserting those which are entirely dry for those in

which some water still remains, whilst throughout the year they may

be found in the bush or grass cover on the sides of the streams and

water courses. Inthe hills where there were but few swamps they

were quite content with grasslands through which a stream or two

found their way and, in North Cachar, I several times put them out

of the dense secondary growth which grows up in deserted cultivation.

They were also to be found in standing crops of hill-rice, millet, etce.,

and in sugarcane.

Whenever I have seen this bird I have always found it extremely

shy and difficult to watch, the slightest sound or movement sending

it scuttling into cover when one comes on it unawares. Hume,

however, writes :

“They come freely into the open when feeding, and in the

early mornings may be seen gliding along by the sides of the

roads and paths, picking about and scratching here and there ;

taking little notice of passengers, and either running on before

them if not pressed, or just hiding up in the nearest tuft of grass,

to emerge again as soon as the traveller has got ten or fifteen

yards beyond their hiding place.”

In Assam and Bengal one might get a rare sight once of a bird under

the above circumstance, but never of the same bird twice. Even

when one is hunting for them it is almost impossible to put them up

again after they have once been flushed ; they run, dodge and hide so

cleverly that even a good dog has all his work cut out to make them

tise.

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON, 7

They are quiet little birds, but sometimes when first startled into

flight utter a note which Davison syllabifiey as “‘ tir-tir-tir’’, uttered

very quickly and sharply. The call of the mother to her young is a

very soft repetition of the same note, the call between adults being a

rather sweet double whistle sounding like “ ti-yu ti-yu”’.

As to being a game-bird for sport this little Quail cannot lay much

pretention. Tt flies extremely well, straight and fast for fifty yards or

more, just skimming over the tops of the grass and then suddenly fal-

ling headlong into it. It would be a difficult shot but for the fact that

once started it usually flies in an absolute bee line until it drops and

there are no disconcerting twists and twirls to put one off. In some

places they are common enough to furnish half a dozen couple or so

to a morning’s work, but they are so hard to flush, even with dogs,

and so tiny when killed that I could never help feeling that in shooting

them one was more or less “murdering canaries”. Thus though

“Painted Quail” on toast are by no means to be despised, they are

hardly worth while pursuing for the food they furnish.

They do not seem to be pugilistic birds and there are no native

traditions referring to this trait.

Their food consists principally of seeds and grain, but they also

eat insects of all the smaller kinds, and feed their young at first entirely

on these.

EXCALFACTORIA CHINENSIS TRINKUTENSIS.

The Nicobar Blue-breasted Quail.

Excalfactoria trinkutensis Richmond, Pro. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxv,

9, 310, (1903), (Trinkut Island, Nicobars).

Excalfactoria chinensis A. L. Butler, Jour. B. N. H.8., xu, p. 691,

(1899), (Car Nicobars).

Vernacular names.—Mul (Car Nicobarese).

Description.—*‘ Nicobarese specimens of this Quail have the back

much suffused with the blue-grey of the breast and have the pale shaft

stripes on the back entirely or almost entirely wanting.” (A. L. Butler).

In addition they seem to be distinctly darker birds.

Colours of soft parts—‘‘ Iris crimson ; legs orange, claws black;

bill bluish horny.” (Butler).

Measurements.—Length about 140 mm. ; wing 69°5 mm. ; tail 14°0

mm.; tarsus 13°5 mm.; culmen 10 mm.

Female.—‘‘ Similar to E. chinensis, but general colouration darker

and richer, ground colour of feathers of the back, scapulars and sides

of the neck, greyish, instead of brown, entire underparts, except throat,

barred.” (Richmond).

Colours of soft parts.—‘* Feet yellow’. (Richmond.) “ Iris brownish

red ; legs orange ; claws brown, bill dusky bluish.” (Butler).

8 ‘ JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

Measurements.—** Wing 65 mm.; tail 22 mm.; tarsus 24°5 mm.;

culmen 10 mm.”” (Richmond).

Butler gives the wing of the females as 69°9 mm.

Distribution.—Car Nicobars, and Trinkut Island and Camorta.

Nidification.—Unknown.

Habits —Butler who first drew attention to the differences between

this race and that on the mainland found this bird fairly common on one

- or two small grassy plains on the Northern island of Car Nicobar, and

Richmond says that it was reported as “common in the open grass

lands of Trinkut and Kamorta”’. All that is known of its habits is

recorded’ by Butler who writes :

‘* As usual they were very hard to flush in the long grass, and

I found the best way to secure specimens was shooting over

a rope dragged by two boys.”

(To be continued.)

HAN D-LIST OF THE “BIRDS OF INDIA.”

Bie

i.’ ©. STUART BAKER, F.L.¢., F.Z.8., M.B.0.0., C.F.A.0.U.

2027.

2028.

2029.

2030.

2¢31.

2032.

Parr VU:

(Continued from page 873 of Volume XXVIII.)

Order STEGANOPODES.

Family PELECANIDA,

(1521) Pelecanus onocrocotalus onocrocotalus. The

White or Roseate Pelican.

Pelecanus onocrocotalus Linn., S. N., i, p. 132

(1758), (Africa).

S. Europe, N. Africa and 8. W. Asia. Winter N.

W. India.

(1520) Pelecanus onocrocotalus roseus. The Hastern

Roseate Pelican.

Pelecanus roseus Gmel., S. N., 1, p. 570 (1789),

(Manila).

Eastern Asia, Malay Arch. Straggler Burma and

India.

(1522) Pelecanus crispus. The Dalmatian Pelican.

Pelecanus crispus Briich., Isis., 1832, p. (1109),

(Dalmatia).

S. Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia. Winter to N. W.

India.

(1523) Pelecanus philippensis. The Spotted-billed Pe-

lican.

Pelecanus philippensis Gmel., S. N., 7, p. 571 (1789),

(Philippines)

India, Ceylon, Burma and the whole Oriental

Region.

Family FREGATIDA,

(1524) Fregata andrewsi. The Xmas Is. Frigate Bird.

Fregata andrewsi Mathews, Austral Av. Record, it, p.

110 (1914), (Xmas Is. Indian Ocean).

Rare visitor to coasts of India.

(1025, Fregata minor aldabrensis. The Western

Lesser Frigate Bird.

Fregata minor aldabrensis Mathews, loc. cit. ». 119%

(Aldadra)

Casual ir Ceylon

10 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

2033. Fregata ariel iredalei. TIredale’s Frigate Bird.

Fregata ariel iredalei Mathews, loc. cit.. p. 121

(Aldabra).

Casual on Eastern Coasts.

Family PHALCROCORACIDA,

2034. (1526) Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis. TJZhe Indian

Large Cormorant.

Pelicanus sinensis Shaw and Nod., Nat. Misc.. xii, p.

529 (1801), (China).

Japan, China to India.

2035. (1527) Phalacrocorax fuscicollis. The Indian Shag.

Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Steph., Shaw's Gen. Zool.,

xiti, p. 91 (1825), (India).

Ceylon to N. Central India, Assam, Manipur,

Burma.

2036. (1528) Phalacrocorax javanicus. The Litile Cormorant.

Carbo javanicus Horsf., Trans. L. S., xiii, p. 197

(1821), (Java).

India, Ceylon, Burma, Malay Pen., Sumatra and

Borneo.

2037. (1529) Anhinga melanogaster. The Indian Darter or

Snake-bird.

Anhinga melanogaster Pennant, Ind. Zool., p. 18

(1769), (India).

The Oriental Region. Practically the whole of

India, Burma and Ceylon.

Family SuLIDA,

2038. (15380) Sula leucogaster plotus. The Brown Gannet.

Pelecanus plotus Forster, Descrip. Ani., p. 278

(1844), (New Caledonia).

Shot occasionally on the shores of India, Ceylon

and Burma.

2039. (15381) Piscatrix sula rubripes. The Australian Red-

legged Gannet.

Sula rubripes Gould, Syn. B. of Aus., pt. iv, App. p. 7

(1838), (Raine Is. Queensland),

Casual Bay of Bengal.

2040. (1532) Parasula dactylatra personata. The Austra-

lan Masked Booby.

Sula personata Gould., P. Z. S., 1846, p. 21 (Raine Is).

Occasional, coasts of India and Burma, B. of

Bengal.

2041.

2042.

2043.

2044.

2045.

2046.

2047.

2048.

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 1]

Family PHAETHONIDA.

(1533) Phethon indicus. The Short-tailed Tropic-

bird.

Phethon indicus Hume, S. F., tv, p. 481 (1876),

(Mekran).

Breeding Persian Gulf. Indian Coasts.

(1534) Phgthon lepturus lepturus. The White Trope-

bird. .

Phethon lepturus Daudin, Buff., Hist. Nat., xiv, p.

319 (1802), (Mauritius).

Casual Indian coasts; once Cachar.

(15385) Phzthon rubricauda rubricauda. The Red-

tailed Tropic-bird.

Phethon rubricauda Bodd., Tabl. ®PL. Enl., p. 57

(1783), (Mauritius).

Casual Indian Coasts.

Order TUBINARHES.

Family PROCELLARIIDA.

(1536) Oceanites oceanicus oceanicus. Walson’s Stor-

my Petrel.

Procellaria oceanicva Kuhl, Beitr. Anat., ii, p. 136.

pl. x. (1820), (S. Atlantic Ocean).

Casual on Mekran Coast, etc. Atlantic and Indian

Oceans.

(1537) Fregetta tropica melanogastra. The Dusky-

vented Petrel.

Thalassidroma melanogaster Gould, A. M. N. H.,

xiii, p. 367 (1844), (Ls. St. Paul).

Once Bay of Bengal.

(1538) Puffinus pacificus chlororhynchus. The Green-

billed Shearwater.

Puffinus chlororhynchus Less., Traite d’Orn., p. 613

(1831), (Shark Is.).

Casual Madras.

(1539} Puffinus persicus. The Persian Shearwater.

Puftinus persicus Hume, S. F., 1, p. 5 (1873), (Persian

Gulf)

Arabian Sea. Coasts of N. W. India.

(1540) Daption capensis. The Cape Petrel.

Procellaria capensis Linn., S.N., i, p. 218 (1766),

(The Cape of Good Hope).

Southern Oceans. Once in Ceylon.

12 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, X XIX.

Order HERODIONES.

Sub-order PLATALEA.

Family IsIpIDz,

2049. (1541) Threskiornis melanocephalus melanocephalus.

The White [bis. :

Tantalus melanocephalus Lath., Ind. Orn., it, p. 709,

(1790), (India).

From 8. Japan, through S. China to Burma,

India and Ceylon.

2050. (1542) Inccetis papillosus papillosus. The Indian

Black Ibis.

Ibis papillosa Temm., Pl. Col., pl. 304 (1824), (India).

Plains of N. India, 8S. to Mysore and EK. to

Assam and Arrakan.

205". (1543) Inocotis papillosus davisoni. Davison’s Black

Ibis.

Geronticus davisoni Hume, S. F., iii, p. 3800 (1875),

(Lenasserim).

Pegu, Tenasserim, Siam and Cochin China.

2052. (1544) Plegadis falcinellus falcinellus. The Glossy

Ibis.

Tantalus falcinellus Linn., 8S. N., x, p. 241 (1766),

(Austria).

S. Europe, N. Africa, E. and Central Asia to.

Persia, HE. India, Burma and Ceylon.

Family PLATALEID&.

2053. (1545) Platalea leucorodia major. The Indian

Spoonbill.

Platalea major Temm. and Schleg., Faun. Jap.,

p. 119 (1849), (Japan).

Egypt, Central and South Asia to Japan. All

India, Burma and Ceylon.

Sub-order CICONI AN.

Family CiconupDé.

2054. (1546) Ciconia ciconia asiatica. The Turkestan White

Stork,

Ciconia alba asiatica Sveriz., Turk. Jevot., p. 145

(1873), (Russian Turkestan). ?

Turkestan, Yarkand, Bochara, Winter India.

toP Ceylon.

2055.

2056.

2057.

2058.

2059.

2060.

2001.

2062.

2063.

(1546)

(1547)

(1548)

(1549)

(1550)

(1551)

(1552

~~”

(1558)

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 13

Ciconia ciconia boyciana. The Chinese White

Stork.

Ciconia boyciana Swinh., P.Z.S8., 18738, p. 5138

(Yokohama).

Ussuri to Japan. Winter S. China. Straggler

Burma, Manipur and Assam.

Ciconia nigra. The Black Stork.

Ardea nigra Innn., S. N., 4 p. 142 (1758), (WN.

Europe).

Temperate Europe and Asia. 8S. to N. India,

EK. to Assam,

Dissoura episcopa episcopa. The Indian

W hite-necked Stork.

Ardea episcopus Bodd., Pl. Enl., p. 54 (1783), (India).

India, Ceylon, Burma to Tenasserim, N. Siam,

etc.

Dissoura episcopa neglecta. The Javan White-

necked Stork,

Dissoura neglecta Finsch., Orn. Monatsb., p. 94

(1904), (Java).

S. Siam, Tenasserim, Malay States to Philip-

pines.

Xenorbynchus asiaticus asiaticus. The

Black-necked Stork.

Mycteria asiatica Lath., Ind. Orn., it, ». 670 (1790),

(India.)

India, Ceylon, Burma, Malay States, etc. Siam.

Leptoptilus dubius. The Adjutant.

Ardea dubia Gimel., S. N., i, p. 624 (1789), (India).

India, rare in the 8. ; Burma, Siam, Malay Pen.,

etc.

Leptoptilus javanicus. The Smaller Adjutant.

Ciconia javanica Horsf., Trans. L. S8., xiti, p. 188

(1821), (Java).

Ceylon, S. and E. India, Assam, Burma, Siam,

Malay Pen. to Java and Borneo. .

Pseudotantalus leucocephalus leucocephalus.

The Painted Stork.

Tantalus leucocephalus Penn., Ind. Zool., p. 11,

pl. x (1769), (Ceylon).

Ceylon, India (not Punjab), Burma, Siam,

Cochin and 8. China.

Anastomus oscitans. The Open-bill.

Ardea oscitans Bodd., Tabl. pl. Enl., p. 55 (1783),

(Pondicherry).

Ceylon, India, Burma, Siam, Cochin China, etc.

14 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY Vol, XXIX..

Sub-order ARDEA,

Family ARDEIDZ.

2064. (1554) Ardea purpurea manillensis. The astern

Purple Heron.

Ardea purpurea var. manillensis Meyen, Acta. Acad..

Leop. Carol. Suppl., p. 102 (1831), (Philippines).

Ceylon, India, Burma, Siam, China, etc.

2065. (1555) Ardea cinerea cinerea. The Common Grey

Heron.

Ardea cinerea Linn., S. N., 7, p. 143 (1758),

(Sweden).

Europe, Africa, W. and Central Asia to Ceylon,

India and Burma.

2066. (1555) Ardea cinerea jouyi, The Eastern Grey Heron.

A. c. jouyi Clark, Pro. U. S. Nat. Mus., xxxti, p. 468

(1907), (Corea).

KE. Asia. S.and 8. W. Siam? Tenasserim.

2067. (1556) Ardea sumatrana sumatrana. The Dusky

Grey Heron.

Ardea sumatrana Raffl., Trans. L. S., xiti, p. 325

(1822), (Sumatra).

S. Burma, Siam, Malay Pen., etc.

2068. (1557) Ardea insignis. The Great White-bellied Heron,

Ardea insignis Hume, S. F., vt, p. 470 (1878),

(Sikkim Terat).

Sub-Himalayan Terai, Nepal to E. Assam.

Bhamo.

2609. (1558) Ardea gcoliath. The Giant Heron.

Ardea goliath Creizschm., Rupp. All., p. 39, pl. 36,.

(1826), (Africa).

Africa. Casualin various parts of India and

Ceylon.

2070. (1559) LEgretta alba alba The Large Egret.

Ardea alba Linn., S. N.,i, p. 144 (1758), (Hurope).

S. Europe, N. Africa, N. Asia to N. W. India.

207%. (1559) Egretta alba modesta. The Eastern Large

gre.

Ardea modesta Gray, Zool. Misc., p. 19 (1881),

(India).

Tropical India and China to Japan.

—)

iS)

ee)

oP)

—

Egretta intermedia intermedia. The Indian.

Smaller Egret.

Ardea intermedia Wagler, Isis, 1829, p. 659 (Java).

Ceylon, India, China, ete.

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 15:

2073. (1561) Egretta garzetta garzetta. The Intile Egret.

Ardea garzetta Linn. S, N., i, p. 287 (1766)

(in Oriente). Bes

S. Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia, Central and S..

Asia to Japan.

2074. (1562) Bubulcus ibis coromandus. The Catile Egret.

Cancroma coromanda Bodd., Tabl. Pl. Enl., p. 54

(1783), (Coromandel).

Ceylon, India, Burma, Siam, etc. to 8, Japan.

2075. (1564) Demiegretta sacra sacra. The Eastern Reef-

Heron.

Ardea sacra Gmel., 8S. N., i, p. 640 (1788), (Tahite)

Burma, Andamans and Nicobars, Malay Pen.

and Arch, to China, Japan, etc.

2076. (1563) Demiegretta sacra asha. The Indian Reef-.

Heron.

Ardea asha Sykes, P. Z. 8., 1832, p. 157 (Deccan).

Coasts of india and Ceylon to Persian Gulf.

2077. (1565) Ardeola grayii. The Indian Pond Heron,

Ardea grayii Sykes, P. Z. S§., 1882, uw, p. 158

(Deccan).

Ceylon, India, S. Persia, Burma, Malay Pen.,.

Siam.

2078. (156) Ardeola baccha. The Chinese Pond Heron.

Buphus bacchus Bonap., Consp. Av., ti, p. 127 (1855),

(Malacca).

Assam, Burma, Siam, Malay Pen., 8. China to

S. E. Siberia and Japan.

2079. (1567) Buterides striatus javanicus. The Indian

Little Green Heron.

Ardea javanica Horsf., Trans. L. S., xiwi, p. 190

(1821), (Java).

India, Ceylon, Burma, Malay Pen. to 8. China,.

Celebes, etc.

2080. (1567) Butorides striatus spodiogaster. The Andaman

Tuttle Green Heron,

Butorides spodiogaster Sharpe, Cat. B. M., tit.,p. 17

(1894), (Andamans).

Andamans and Nicobars.

2081. (1568) Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax. The Night-

Heron.

Ardea nycticorax Linn., S. N., 4, p. 2389 (1766),

(West Europe).

S. and Central Europe, N. Africa, India, ete..

Kast to Japan.

16 » JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

2082. (1569) Gorsachius melanolophus. The Malay Bittern.

Ardea melanolopha Raffl., Trans. L.S., xivi, p. 326

(1822), (Sumatra).

Ceylon and W. Coast of India to Kanara.

Assam, Burma, Siam, Malay Pen., etc.

2083. (1570) Ixobrychus minutus minutus. The Little

Dottern.

Ardea minuta Linn. S. N., i, p. 240 (1766),

(Helvetia).

Europe, N. Africa, W. and C, Asia. Himalayas

EK, to Assam,

2084. (1571) Ixobrychus sinensis. The Yellow Bittern.

Ardea sinensis Gmel., S. N., i, p. 642 (1789),

(China).

N. India, Burma, Ceylon, Siam, Malay Pen.,

etc., to Japan.

2085. (1572) Ixobrychus cinnamomeus. The Chestnut Bit-

tern,

Ardea cinnamomea Gmel., S.N., i, p. 643 (1789),

(China).

Ceylon, India, Burma, Siam, Malay Pen. to

China, etc.

2086. (1573) Dupetor flavicollis flavicollis. The Black Bitiern.

Ardea flavicollis Lath., Ind. Orn., it, p. 701 (1790),

(S. China).

Ceylon, India, Burma, Siam, Malay Pen. to

Celebes, etc., China.

2087. (1574) Botaurus stellaris stellaris. The Bitiern.

Ardea stellaris Linn., S. N., 74., p. 144 (1758),

(Sweden).

Kurope, N. Africa, N. Asia to Japan. Winter

to India, Burma, ete,

Order PHGANICOPTERI.

Family PHa:NICOPTERIDA.

2088. (1575) Phoenicopterus ruber antiquorum. Zhe Com-

mon Flamingo.

Phcenicopterus aqntiquorum Yemm., Man. d’Orn.,

p. 587 (1820), (Hurop-j.

‘S$. Europe, N. Africa, Transcaspia to Persian

Gulf ; India and Ceylon.

2089. (i576) Phoenicopterus minor. The Lesser Flamingo.

Phenricopterus minor Groffr., Bull. Soc. Philom., i,

p. 98 (1798), (LH. Africa).

K. Africa and Madagascar. India W. and N. W,

2090.

*2091.

2092.

2093.

2094.

2095.

2096.

(1578)

(1577)

(1584)

(1585)

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, yey 7

Order ANSERES. ; }

Family ANATIDA,

Sub-family Cygnine.

Cygnus cygnus. The Whooper. - “2s

Anas cygnus Linn., S. N.,7., p. 122 (1758), (Sweden).

A rare straggler into N. W. India. N. Europe

aud Asia to Japan.

Cygnus bewicki. Bewick’s Swan.

Cygnus bewicki Yarrel, Trans. L. S., xvi., p. 453

(1830), (Yarmouth).

Two occurrences in India. N, Europe and N, W.

Asia to the Lena. i + a

Cygnus minor. Alpheraky’s Swan.

Cygnus minor Keyser. & Blas., Werbelihiere, pp. lxaii.,

222 (1840), (Selenga River).

One occurrence in India, N. E. Asia from the

Lena to Japan.

Cygnus olor. The Mute Swan.

Anas olor Gmel., S. N., ¢., p.501 (1789), (Russia).

A not very rare visitor to N. W. India, Central

Europe, Central Asia and N, Africa.

Sub-family Pleetropterine.

Sarcidiornis melanota. The Nukhta or Comb-

Duck.

Anser melanotos Penn., Ind. Zool., p. 12, pl. 12

(1769), (Ceylon).

Practically all India to Assam, Burma, Siam,

Malay Pen.

Asacornis scutulata. The White-winged Wocd-

Duck. F

Anas scutulata Muller, Verh. Land en Volk., p. 159

(1842), (Java).

Assam, Burma to Tenasserim, Malay Pen., Java

and Sumatra, Siam, etc.

Rhodonessa caryophyllacea, The Pink-headed

Duck.

Anas caryophyllacea Lath., Ind. Orn., it., p. 866

(1790), (India).

Bengal and Assam, rare W. to Arrah and Oudh,

S. to Madras and K. to Pegu.

* Hartert considers Cygnus bewicki and Cygnus minor (jankowskii) to be races only

of the same species.

we know more of their life history.

This still appears doubtful, and I retain them as species until

1& JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

2097. (1591) Nettopus coromandelianus. The Cotton Teal.

Anas coromandeliana Ginel., S. N., t., p. 522 (1789),

(Coromandel Coast).

Ceylon, India, Burma, China and 8. to Philip-

pines, Celebes, etc.

2098. Aex galericulata. The Mandarin Duck.

Anas galericulata Lath., Ind. Orn., it., p. 871 (1790),

(China).

Ineia, twice in Assam ; Central and 8. China to

Japan and Amur.

Sub-family Axnserine.

2099. (1579) Amser anser. The Grey Lag Goose.

Anas anser Linn., S. N., i., p. 128 (1758), (Sweden).

From N. W. India to Assam, Burma in winter.

‘2100. (1580) Anser albifrons albifrons. The White-froited

Goose.

Branta albifrons Scop., Ann. 1., His. Nat., p. 69

(1769), (N. Jialy).

Iceland to Siberia. A regular though uncommon

visitor to India, Assam and Burma.

2101. (1581) Anser erythropus. Zhe Dwarf Goose.

Anas erythropus Linn., S. N., ¢., p. 123 (1758),

(Sweden).

N, Europe and Asia. Straggler to N. India in

winter.

2102. (1582) Amser neglectus. Sushkin’s Bean Goose.

Anser neglectus Sushk., Bull. B. O. C., v., p. 6 (1893),

(E. Russia).

N. Europe and Asia. Once India in Assam.

2103. Anser fabilis sibiricus. Middendorf’s Bean

Goose.

Melanonyx arvensis sibiricus Alpheraky, Geese, p. 104

(1905), (Laimyr).

N E. Asia.

2104. Anser brachyrhynchus. The Pink-footed Goose.

Anser brachyrhynchus Zaillon, Mem, 8S. R. Abve., p.

74 (1883), (Ab’eville, Somme).

Breeding Spitzbergen, etc. Winter to Persia,

India, etc.

2105. (1583) Amserindicus. The Bar-headed Goose.

Anas indica Lath., Ind. Orn., it , p.839 (1790), (India).

Central Asia to W. China. Winter India, Burma,

Shan States, ete.

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, | 19

2100. Branta ruficollis. The Red-breasted Goose.

Anser ruficollis Pallas, Spicil. Zool., p. 21 (1769), (06

River).

Breeding W. Siberia; winter Europe and 8, W.

Asia, once India.

Sub-family Anatine.

2107. (1589) Dendrocygna javanica. The Lesser or Common

Whistling Teal.

Anas javanica Horsf., Trans. L. 8., xiit., p. 199 (1821),

(Java). |

Ceylon, India, Burma, Siam, China, Malay Pen.

to Borneo and Java.

2108. (1590) Dendrocygna fulvae The Greater Whistling Teal.

Anas fulva Gmel., S. N.,7., p. 580 (1789), (Novo

Hispania).

Practically all India, Burma, Siam in suitable

localities.

2109. (1587) Tadornatadorna. The Sheldrake.

Anas tadorna Linn., S. N., ¢., p. 122 (1758), (Sweden).

N. and Central Europe and Asia. Rare N. India

and Burma in winter.

2110. (158%) Casarcaferruginea. The Ruddy Sheldrake or

Brahmiuny Duck.

Anas ferruginea Pall., Vroeg’s Cat. Adum., p. 5 (1764),

(Lartare). .

Central and South Europe and Asia, 5S. to

India, Ceylon, Burma, China, etc.

2irr. (1592) Anas platyrhyncha platyrhyncha. The Mal-

lard.

Anas platyrhynchos Linn., 8. N., a, p. 125 (17458),

(Sweden).

Europe, N. and Central Asia. In winter N. and

Central India, Burma, etc.

2112. (1593) Anas peecilorhyncha peecilorhyncha. The

Indian Spotbill or Grey Duck.

_Anas peecilorhyncha Forster, Penn. Ind. Zool., xiit.,

p. 28 (1781), (Ceylon).

India, Ceylon, Assam, N. of the Brahmaputra,

etc.

2143. Anas pecilorhyncha zonorhyncha. The Chi-

| nese Spot-Bill or Grey Duck.

Anas zonorhyncha Swinh., Ibis, 1866, p. 394 (Ningpo)

China, E. Siberia, straggler in winter to N. Burma |

and Assam.

20 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

2114.

2115.

2116.

2117,

2118.

2110.

2120,

2121.

2122.

(1594)

(1595)

(1599)

(1596)

(1598)

(1600)

(1601)

Anas pecilorhyncha haringtoni. The Burmese

Spot-Bill or Grey Duck.

Polionetta haringtoni Oates, J. B. N. H.S., xvii.,

p. 558 (1907), (Shan States).

Burma to extreme E. Assam, Yunnan, Cochin

China, Siam, etc.

Eunetta falcata. The Bronze-capped Teal.

Anas falcata Georgi, Bemerk. Reise. Russ. Reich., t.,

p. 167 (1775), (Asiatic Russia).

Eastern Asia, straggler to Hurope. Winter 8.

China, regular but rare in India and Burma.

Chaulelasmus streperus. The Gadwall.

Anas strepera Linn., S. N., 2., p. 125 (1758), (Sweden).

Northern Hemisphere. Winter India and Burma;

once in Ceylon.

Mareca penelope. The Wigeon.

Anas penelope Linn., S. N.,7., p. 126 (1758), (Sweden).

Europe and Asia. Winter to India and Burma, N.

Africa, etc.

Nettion formosum. The Barkal or Clucking-

Leal.

Anas formosa Georgi, Bemerk. Reise. Russ. Retch., p. 168

(1775), (Sweden).

N. EH. Asia ; winter S. to China, etc. Very rare

straggler to India.

Nettion crecca crecca. The Common Teal.

Anas crecca Linn., S. N., ¢., p. 125 (1758), (Sweden).

Breeding Palearcticregion. Winter India, Burma

and Ceylon.

Nettion albigulare. The Andaman Teal.

Mareca albigularis Hume, S. F.,i., p. 303 (1873),

(Andamans).

Andamans and Cocos Is. ; once Bassein.

Dafila acuta. The Pintail.

Anas acuta Linn., 8. N., ., p. 126 (1758), (Sweden).

Breeding N. Hemisphere; winter N. Africa, S,

Asia, whole Indian Empire.

Querquedula querquedula. The Garganey or

Blue-wing Teal.

Anas querquedula Linn. 8. N., i., p. 126 (1758),

(Sweden),

Eastern Palearctic Region; winter S. Europe,

N. Africa, S. Asia.

2123.

2124.

2125.

2120,

2127.

2128.

2129.

2130.

2131.

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 21

(1604) Spatula clypeata. The Shoveller.

Anas clypeata, Linn., S.N., t., p. 124 (1758), (Sweden).

Whole Northern Hemisphere ; winter whole Indian

Empire, etc.

(3603) Marmaronetta angustirostris. The Marbled

Duck.

Anas angustirostris Ménétries, Cat. Reis. Caucas.,

p. 58 (1832), (Lenkoran).

Mediterranean countries, E. to India, Sind,

common, to Calcutta, rare.

(1604) Netta rufina. The Red-crested Pochard.

Anas rufina Pallas, Reise. Russ. Reich., it., p. 713

(1773), (Caspian Sea).

Mediterranean countries and W. Central Asia ;

N. Central and 8. India and Burma.

(1665) Nyroca ferina ferina. The Pochard or Dun-Bird.

Anas ferina Linn., S. N., 7., p. 126 (1758), (Sweden).

Temperate N. Hemisphere; winter India S. to

Mysore, Burma, etc.

(1806) Nyroca rufarufa. The White-eyed Pochard or

White-Eye.

Anas rufa Linn, Faun. Svec. 2nd ed., p. 47 (1761),

(Sweden).

Breeding 8. Europe and Central Asia, S. India

to Mysore, Burma to Arakan.

(1607) Nyroca rufa beri. Baer’s Pochard, or the East-

ern White-Eye.

Anas breri Radde, Reise. Siberien, it., p. 376 (1863),

(Amur).

Breeding E. Siberia. In winter, S. China, etc.

Rare, Burma and N. E. India.

(1608) Nyroca marila marila. The Scaup.

Anas marila Linn., Faun. Svec. 2nd ed., p. 39 (1761)

(Lapland).

Breeding N. Europe and Asia, Winter South.

Rare visitor N. India.

(1609) Nyroca fuligula. The Tufted Pochard.

Anas fuligula Linn., 8. N.,2., p. 128 (1758), (Sweden).

Breeding Palearctic Region and N. Africa ; winter

India and Burma, etc.

(1610) Glaucionetta clangula clangula. The Golden

Eye.

Anas clangula Linn. S. N., 7%., p. 126 (1758),

(Sweden).

Breeding N. Europe and Asia, winter South,

straggler in N, India.

22 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

2132. (1611) Erismatura leucocephala. The White-headed or

Stiff-tailed Duck. |

Anas leucocephala Scop., Ann. 1. Nat. His., p. 65

(1763), (N. Italy).

Mediterranean countries, W. Central Asia.

Common straggler, N. W. India.

2133. (1612) Mergus albellus. The Smew.

Mergus albellus Linn., S. N., @., p. 129 (17583,

(Smyrna).

Breeding Palearctic Regions. Fairly common

visitor, \. India in winter.

2134. (1613) Merganser merganser orientalis. The Eastern

Goosander.

Mergus orientalis Gould, P. Z. 8., 1845, p. 1 (Amoy)

Baluchistan, Himalayas to E. Tibet, N. Indian

sub-Himalayas in winter.

2135. (1614) Merganser serrator. The Red-breasted Mer-

ganser.

Mergus serrator Linn., 8S. N., 7, p. 129 (1758)

(Sweden).

Breeding, N. Hemisphere. Very rare winter

straggler to India.

Order PYGOPODES.

Family PopopicrPEDAé.

2136. (1615) Podiceps cristatus cristatus. he Great Crested

Grebe.

Colymbus cristatus Linn., 8. N., ¢., p. 185 (1758)

(Sweden).

Temperate Europe, Asia and Africa; winter

common N. India and Burma.

2137. (1617) Podiceps ruficollis albipennis. The Indian

Inttle Grebe.

Tachybaptes albipennis Sharpe, Bull. B.OC., w..

p. 4. (1894), (Peninsula India).

India, Ceylon, Burma.

2138. (1616) Podiceps nigricollis nigricollis. The Black-

necked Grrebe.

Podiceps nigricollis Brehm, Handb. Vog. Deutchl.,

p. 963 (1831), (Holland).

Temperate Europe, Asia and Africa. Winter ~

N. India, common N,. W.

An addenda and corrigenda to the Hand-list of Birds will be published

subsequently.

GAME ANIMALS OF KASHMIR AND ADJACENT HILL PROVINCES.

Cox. A. E. WARD.

Part V.

(With a plate.)

(Continued from page 882 of Volume XX VITTI).

BEASTS OF PREY.

THE CATS.

There are a large number of different cats in the countries with which these

articles are concerned, nearly all of the various species attract the attention of

sportsmen for the sake of their skins.

THe Leoparp (Ff. pardus).

Leopard shooting is a useful occupation, so also is trapping. The number of

deer, sheep and goats, both wild and tame, destroyed by leopards is very great,

and where game congregates there the leopard will come. In 1920 in the

Dachgam game reserve, forty-one deer killed by this destructive cat were found.

How many more were killed that were never heard of, it is impossible to say.

Sitting over a killin a game reserve is not often successful, the ieopard seldom

returns and even if it had any intention of doing so, the chances are that other

animals will be met on the way and be taken instead of the previous kill.

In India a stag sambhar is more or less immune from the attacks of the pard,

but in snow covered hills the biggest stags of the Kashmir deer are driven down-

wards by the leopards and easily killed. Of course a sambhar is much bigger

than the stag of Kashmir, but still the latter weighs 30 stone (or over 400lbs. )

and a leopard is only between 75 and 150 lbs. It is the advantage given by the

snow which enables the leopard to hold the barasing. In the jungles the stags

are not attacked, for if a powerful deer bolted through the jungle carrying the

leopard it would get free and the attacker have a bad time against the trees.

There is very littleto be gained by beating with coolies for leopards in thick:

jungles owing to their habit of crawling through the undergrowth and of taking

the first opportunity of breaking back.

In the Terai many can be shot, if in the early morning astaunch pad elephant

is used. By moving slowly about, listening for the “fright” call of the deer,

which so often betrays the vicinity of a big cat, and wandering quietly up and

pottering about, the leopard can often be seen or moved. If silently followec, a,

shot can generally be obtained, provided the undergrowth or grass is not too

dense, but shikar in the Terai is not the subject now to be dealt with, so «,

return to these hills and their leopards must be made.

The most exciting method is tracking in the snow; a kill having taken place

during the night it is necessary to get on the tracks as soon as possible. It

the carcase isin the open below a bare bill, the leopard wili probably go up tu

the rocks above, where, if gorged, it will rest. Caution is necessary and the use

of dogsis a desirable safeguard, for the shot may have to be taken from below.

A wounded leopard will attack at great speed and may get home, but if the

dogs are up to their work they will divert the attention of the leopard by barking

and running in.

On one fatal occasion Colonel Turnbull, who had killed scores of leopards by

tracking in the snow, had with him his dogs, but the attendants lost their heads,

24 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

and did not slip the dogs until the damage was done and Turnbull was mauled

beyond recovery.

If the kill is near jungle and the pard has not fed freely, it will most likely

conceal itself close at hand ; in that case the dogs may turn it out, when it may

go up a tree or afford a shot tothe sportsmen who has posted himself in a

likely place.

Once, a pony was killed not far from a patch of jungle which was perhaps

three or four acres in extent with broad strips of snow between it and the main

forest. After ringing round the place and ascertaining that the leopard had not

passed through, the dogs were put in, whilst the two guns were posted on the

side nearest the main jungle. A chorus of barking and a howl ensued, and the

leopard showed for a second on the edge of the cover, but turned back. The

dogs came out, then went in again and barked furiously, and the look out

reported that the pard had come out but had run along the end of the cover and

~then re-entered. The snow was deep and the undergrowth dense and tangled,

and the dogs becoming tired out appeared from various parts of the jungle,

and lay down panting in the snow. Two dogs, a cross between an Airdale and

a Brinjara had been a bit scratched, but beyond being rendered very cross

did not seem perturbed. After a rest, the pack wentin again but nothing

happened ; probably the leopard had secreted itself under a dense bush or

stone. Whilst the chase lasted it was great fun, but it was a failure which

caused disappointment, for this leopard had for long past been an inveterate

deer-slayer. To this day it has not been bagged and unfortunately is cleverer

than ever, for a badly placed shot has damaged a fore-leg. The

guard in charge of the beat states that ponies and full grown deer are

now beyond the killing power of this leopard, and evidently the man believes

that this is so, for his pony was grazing close to the jungle afew weeks

ago.

The leopard is-a vermin beast of the worst order, and as such should be

trapped on every occasion, the depredations of a pair amounting to much more

than a dozen rifles can effect. Trapping is a fascinating form of sport. The

large gins are not generally successful; the best of these have curved jaws

which, when they close, grip the leg high up, the flat jaw only closes on the foot,

and is shaken or bitten off, sometimes cutting off the toes.

By setting a large number of strong brass-bound, 5-inch jaw, Dorset traps

round a kill several leopards have been caught as one or two feet are entrapped.

In Wangat about two dozen of these gins were lightly pegged down round a

dead pony just before dark. In the morning two foxes were found, several

traps were sprung, andtwo were missing. <A leopard’s tracks were visible on

the snow and signs of a drag behind the track. The trail was irregular, the

leopard had stopped at intervals turned and scrambled about. Not far off was

a thick growth of wild indigo, and from within came coughing growls. The

gun-bearer shouted to loose the dogs, and this brought the leopard out in a

shambling charge; a shot hit somewhere, but the dogs got in before a

second shot could be fired. A big bull dog (a present from the Poonch Raja)

got a grip on the side of the leopard’s head, whilst the two half bred Airedales

went in and took worrying grips anywhere, whilst the other dogs barked

around. ‘The trouble was how to finish the beast, as the dogs could not or

would not hear. After a short time the struggle almost ceased and a shot fired at

a distance of afew yards ended the excitement. One trap, which had evidently

. been fixed on the middle of the leopard’s tail, had fallen off, the second enclosed

the fore-foot. ‘‘ Poor beast’? might almost be said, but it wasa good riddance,

~ though’ perhaps not a fair fight.

.. , There. remained the bull dog, which was covered with blood, and the two

_ Airdales, both furiously angry and a bit cut about. They were difficult to

“ dector up but healed fairly quickly.

GAME ANIMALS OF KASHMIR. 25

Other captures could be written about ; afew weeks ago a young leopardess

took the trap on its foot for quite half a mile and then lay down on a fuel

pathway, and tried to charge the tracker. On a narrow bridge where a

leopardess and a cub used to cross a large trap was set, with smaller ones here

and there, the cub was caught and the mother left afew hairs in the big gin.

Small traps are successful at times but very often they fail, as the leopard

will frequently, after going a short distance, free itself from the trap, or break it

whilst dragging it through rocks and jungle.

The best trap is that made in Nepal. The description was given in the

‘¢ Tourists and Sportsman’s Guide,” and is as follows :-—

Select a suitable place where the bleating of the kid, which is used as a bait,

can be heard on all sides. Drive into the ground two parallel rows of stout hard

wood stakes leaving not more than 2 feet between the rows. For a single entrance

“door trap’? about 64 feet will suffice ; for a double door trap 11 feet. The

stakes should be 2 feet above the ground.

In the centre of a double door trap, or at one end if for a single entrance, stake

off a 2-foot compartment for the kid which is to form the bait—leave

this compartment open at the top but put strong cross pieces on the upright

stakes elsewhere. Next come the doors which must be stout 14” board; the

doors are set exactly like those of a box rat-trap, but, where the bait usually is

placed on a hook, fasten two strong cross wires at right angles to one another ;

by clawing at these wires the leopard springs the trap and the door falls.

The kid is put into the compartment, the top is then closed with a large flat

stone, or board, on which stones are piled. The less finish there is the better ;

clean up all chips of wood, leave the bark on the stakes, and weight the doors

with heavy stones so that they may fall quickly. Finally when all is ready,

put a few thorny branches on the trap or the leopard may jump on the top and

spring it. When built it will look small, but if larger the trapped animal will

be able to move about and bite at the wood work. Sometimes the claws will

be broken and the toes of the leopard lacerated. Evidently it gets on its

back and tries to break the upper cross bars. In Chakrata seven leopards

were caught in two years in atrap of exactly these dimensions. For some-

time only small females were caught but one night a big male was secured.

When there is snow on the ground the marks show that the leopard walks

round the trap and tries at first to get the bait from the outside.

In some jungles all the leopards seem to be small, which probably gives rise

to the idea of the leopard and panther being distinct species, but careful

investigation has caused naturalists to dismiss this idea.

The Measurement of Leopards.

As to measurements, the methods employed which are enumerated in the lists

given, cause much confusion. There is no doubt that an animal 8 feet length

measured between pegs, or even by taping from the nose between the ears and

then straight to the tip of the tail, is very rare.

Some fine leopards have been shot in the Maharaja of Cooch Behar’s shooting

trips, andthe Maharaja was enthusiastic oyer an 8 ft. measurement, and a weight

of 154 lbs.

Measurement of dressed skins are not of much value. Aleopard with a body

measurement of 7’-6” will probably give a skin over 8’, A 7’-10” body gave a

skin of about 8’-6”.

There are three different methods of measuring tigers and leopards and bears.

1, Rowland Ward advocated driving a peg in at the nose and another at the

end of the body and a third at the tail, and measuring from peg to peg.

2. The measurement generally taken is from the nose to between the ears,

then a straight line to the end of the body and the tip of the tail.

26 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X,

3. The third is by following the curves of the body from the nose and along

the back.

lst Method.

Measurement.

In-

dex |

No.| Sportsman’s name. |Length.| Girth. Height | Sex. Locality, etc.

| | |

: )

1 | A. E. Ward a 7’-54” 28" | Male |Outer Hills—

Weight 120 lbs.

2 | Do lia ier seek elie Outer Hills—

3 | Do. slo aN PD OU al eine a els oe Outer Hills—

| | Body, 4’-7”.

An oie: re ee 4 a

5 | Col. Rowland ~~ .,| 7’ a mie es Weight 120 lbs.

6 | A. E. Ward I G67 eas .. |Female Cae UO Pe

7 | Trapped ; ; 6’ Ree Ge AI akan iy TD ings

Rent | ©

2nd Meth od. | |

| |

1 | A. E. Ward Ae ola fea et | er Gl ...| Male |

2 Do. 7’-6” nee Ai abs

3rd Method.

1 | Col. S-D. Turnbull ..| 77-10” | 37-1” 2’-8” Lolab, Kashmir.

2 Do. ..| 77-10” | 27-10” | 2’-10” |Handwara, Kashmir.

3 | H.E. Malandaine ..| 7’-91” Bd ee ere Lc het

4 |S. McDonald Reier el ' Stee Kashmir.

5 | Capt... Li. Haughton 77-77. 0 2 ole eel er

6 |S. McDonald Sa] dae On es ae Jammu.

7 | Major D. G. Oliver ..| 7-6" | .. .. | Kashmir.

8 | C. R. Radcliffe of TB oN. ai WeZE8" | \Handwara,

9 | Col. 8. D. Turnbull ..| 7’-3” of papa tee | “a

The head of No. 1 is shown on the plate.

Man-eating Leopards.

A man-eating leopard is a real terror. Every one’s experience after man-

eaters, whether tigers or leopards, is limited, but, having been engaged in trying

to exterminate both species, the opinion has been formed that, of the two, it is

easier to get the tiger. In many cases supernatural powers are attributed. A kill

occurs, andthe next day a second at a distance of 20 miles away. The truth

is that the damage is done by a family, not by one beast.

Only once from personal observation has a family of leopards been known to

become man-eaters, but it is more than probable that the Almorah list of some

hundreds of people destroyed, was not the work of one. The beasts seemed

to bear charmed lives and ranged from Almorah to Bhim Tal.

Whilst riding up from Khatgodam railway station, via Bhim Tal, the body

of a freshly killed woman was found about three miles from the place where the

pectin

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

GAME ANIMALS OF KASHMIR.

LEOPARD SHOT IN THE SNOW.

. = : - 5

. E

\ 5 5 an

. / .

- b . a t

be Y “ 7

GAME ANIMALS OF KASHMIR. | 27

camp was located. There was ample time to send for a rifle and some rope to

make a machan and all was ready before dark. The coolies left and solitude

gave a chance of success. Just before dark the noise of talking came nearer, the

villagers assembled and took away the corpse and nothing would induce them to

wait until morning. On the off chance, as the moon was bright, the vigil was

continued, but although the leopard prowled round, it would not show up in

the open glade near the machan. The chance was lost. The depredations

continued.

An officer in civil employ tried to get information from the Kumaonis near

Almorah, but found them reticent. One man actually hinted he preferred the

vicinity of the leopard to that of the camp. Another ruffian some days after,

actually said by way of excuse, “Sahib, the leopard chiefly takes old

women.”

Very different was the attitude of the inhabitants of another village—not in

Kumaon—where the men petitioned to have some one sent to help them. The

time of the year was June, the leopard was in low stone covered hills, where

there were any number of hiding places, hence there was no eager volunteering

‘but some one had to be told off to help. The heat in the stony hills was

great, but life was bearable under a group of mango trees not far from a village

which was at the base of a hill and on the flat ground. It was with the leopard

to make the first move, which he did soon. Two days after arrival, a crowd.

came to the camp and reported that a child had been taken, Between the

village and the hill there was a patch of thorny jungle through which a path

passed and turned upwards. The leopard might be in this patch, for there

were spots of blood in the path leading in that direction. The villagers were in

terror, but, by dint of persuasion, a few men, armed with drums of sort, were

collected. A guide volunteered to come, whilst “ old Gunga,” the gun-bearer,

marshalled the beaters. He was to stay well outside the thorny scrub until

the post was taken up and a handkerchief was waved. Skirting the scrub, the

guide led into the hill and reached the pathway about 50 or 60 yards beyond

the cover.

The path lay between large fallen rocks, but there was a clear view

along it.

Whilst looking for a position above the path the beaters began to drum,

and, in a mass, approached the scrub; there was no time to move, for at the first

sound the leopard came out at a gallop and headed straight along the path.

There was barely time to let off both barrels before the beast had arrived. The

impact was unpleasant, for hard stony ground is harderthan the back of the

human head. The leopard was dead, and as it was coming up hill very little

damage occurred. A claw mark on the instep was all the beast could do, and

except for the fall matters had gone well, and the pet rifle was not damaged.

To get anyone to volunteer to beat was difficult; luckily as it turned out there

was no real beat—but where all the people came from when the leopard was dead.

is a wonder; they crowded round, then put the leopard on a litter, and all the

population seemed to possess screaming musical instruments or drums to

enliven the ensuing parade. Evidently there was a feeling of relief round the

camp.

By the time a wash and rest had come off, Gunga had skinned the leopard ;

in spite of his efforts to elongate the skin, it only measured 8 feet when pegged

out on the ground,—quite a small animal to cause so many deaths.

In the Liddar valley in Kashmir lived a notorious man-eater which was said

to have begun by killing boys tending the village goats—anyway it went for

id hoatherd who was sleeping in the jungle with a blanket wrapped round

im.

The boy, although he died the next day, had to be attended to, so the chance

of a shot was lost. Poor little chap, he was bitten at the back of the neck close

28 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

to the shoulders, probably not much pain was suffered, for beyond an occasional

moan no sound was made, nor any movement. From tragedy the matter

passed into absurdity. The leopard had on two or three occasions jumped into

the upper verandahs of the village houses, and secured his victim. Why not

put a shikari with a gun into each house said some officials ?—This was done

and for days rapacious men devoured village sheep and fowls. The leopard

did not show up, some shots were fired and adog or two were missed by the

shikaris. Wiser counsels however prevailed, and afew men from a Regiment

were told off and a crusade against leopards instituted. During the summer

two or three were shot, whether the man-eater was amongst them or not no one

knew—but peace reigned, the murders ceased, and the small goatherd was

the last victim.

A leopard is an uncertain tempered animal, full of craft, but very plucky.

Most when wounded will fight, and sometimes when untouched. One was allowed

to pass the gun and was fired at as it moved away ; the bullet struck the ground

in front of its head, instantly it turned and charged to the foot of the stone on

which the gunner was seated. Another which was hit in the body when it had

passed, charged back to the ladder of the machan and tried to climb up.

A small leopardess had killed a spotted deer. The elephants were bringing in

fodder and the mahouts saw the act. After the loading, the elephants were at

once taken back; the pard which was on its kill, at the edge of the jungle,

snarled and came at speed close under the leading elephant’s trunk. The skin

now has a post of honour in the dining room, the measurement was under 6

feet—a plucky little animal.

Three days ago, an eight-point stag was killed by a leopard, the carcase of

which was examined. The neck was not broken but there had evidently been a

struggle whilst the leopard had fastened on to the throat. The flesh was torn

open and the chest and shoulders were much scratched. As a rule the necks of

hinds are broken, but it takes a big leopard to break the neck of a stag.

No. 42. THe CaracaL (Felis caracal).

This cat in many ways resembles the lynx, but is not so heavy in build, nor

as tall. Although unable to speak with authority, not having come across the

Caracal on the Indus, Vigne was most likely correct when he said it was found

on the Upper Indus, if he alluded to the river as it flows through Baltistan ;

higher up the river it is unlikely to occur, for the cold, which is the life of the

lynx, would probably kill the Caracal. There is a caracal skin in Srinagar,

which is said to have come from Ladak, and the Balti men knew it as the

* Ech.’

On two occasions whilst driving low grass jungle for black partridges this

animal was shot.

The measurements of these are :—

eee

Measurements.

Rea

Index No. | Body. | Tail. Height. Locality.

1 2’-34” a Livi Western Dun, U. P. Male.

2 9/.5” 97 7a") | aPuniab. i

A cured skin. 2’-7” 11” ; S006

GAME ANIMALS OF KASHMIR, 29

How far it may be correct to include the Caracal amongst the animals of

the hills, with which these articles are concerned, it is difficult to say, but the

evidence seems to be in favour of doing so.

The colouring of the hair is practically uniform and may be called a reddish

brown, outside the ears are black or hoary, inside white.

Long ago a Punjab Zemindar had a small pack of caracals with which he used

to hunt hares, and provided there were not too many bushes the results were

good but the hares seemed to be quicker at turning and often got away in spite

of the extreme agility of the Caracals.

In Central India another Indian friend had both Hunting Leopards and

Caracals, although taken out, the latter were not used, as only black buck were

seen.

No. 31. Tut OuNcCE oR SNow Leoparp (Felis unica),

The ‘ Stian’ of Tibet, but generally known as “ Safed Cheetah.”

The ‘ Burhel Haye’ towards the eastward of Kumaon—z.e., “The Burhel

Killer’’.

The snow leopard is not a rare animal but owing to its nocturnal ha bits,

and the high elevation at which it lives, very few are shot by sportsmen.

In summer, goats, sheep and occasionally ponies are preyed upon whilst the

upland grazing grounds are open to flocks, but in the winter in Kashmir the snow

leopard has to live on ibex, musk deer, monal, ram-chikor, etc., for it does not

descend to the vicinity of the villages.

In Gilgit, Ladak and Baltistan, numbers are trapped or shot, the skins being

sent for sale to Srinagar where high prices are obtained. In winter the villagers

catch the Ounce in pits at the bottom of which a kid is put, the sides of the pit

slope slightly inwards, in other words the bottom of the pit is wider than at the

top. The reason why so many of the skins offered for sale are damaged is

because they are often obtained by heaving down stones on the captives.

As far as can be made out after looking up many diaries, it is only on the

following occasions that the Ounce was personally seen in a wild state :—

(1) Twice in the Upper Wardwan, when sitting over kills with a friend. One

was missed and the other killed.

(2) Once in Kashmir, this Ounce was killed at an elevation of about 12,000

ft. by a long lucky shot close to camp.

(3) Once in the Kriashnye, where the animal was stalking an ibex.

(4) Three in Baltistan at one time, of which two were killed.

(5) One in Kumaon.

(6) Two cubs in the Liddar (on two occasions).

None of these, except the cubs, was below an altitude of 10,000 ft.

On the third occasion the river prevented any attempt at following but through

the glasses every movement could be followed as the animal crossed a snow field.

It was probably a male for the tail seemed to be very long and thick. The ibex

were above and bolted, and the Ounce stood up and returned from whence it

had come, evidently disgusted, with its tail erect.

On the sixth occasion the cubs were not caught until later when the goat-herds

brought them to Pahkgam in the Liddar. They became quite tame and whilst

young romped about with the retrievers, but they got rough in their manners

and clawed one dog, after this the retrievers would not go near them. Feeding

them at first was very difficult ; a mixture of blood and milk, with which once a

week a teaspoonful of flowers of sulphur was put, kept the little beasts in good

health. Later on a big shelf was put up in the verandah and there the cubs slept

during the day. They would jump up and down, time after time, with extra-

ordinary ease. Directly they touched the verandah floor they would twist

round and bound back on to the shelf.

30 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

As they grew up, rabbits and fowls were given to them. When I was called

away to Poonch the snow leopards were in robust health, but on my return

after some weeks’ absence they were miserably thin; one died and then after a

few weeks, the other, whilst under the writing table. Nothing would induce

them to climb a tree, and even when the food was placed on a bough they

would jump and try and reach it, but would not climb up the trunk.

There are generally two or three snow leopards in the Lalmandi gardens, and

Major Wigram for a long time kept one in a big cage under a large chenar tree,

but at best the Ounce is not a willing captive and feels the heat of confinement.

Major Wigram’s Ounce would press against the bars of the cage and liked

having his head stroked, but at times was too free with his claws. Major Oliver

also had two which were sent to England.

Inalarge enclosure with plenty of shade the Ounce would be a lovely creature

to watch. Beautiful it certainly is, but it is a most destructive game killer and

should be classed as vermin.

Measurements of Snow Leopards.

Index ; | : Total | .

No Sportsman’s name.| Body. | Tail. Length. Sex. | Locality.

ees

1p li AR Wanda» £1) Se Snes 6-8” | Male | Kashimir.

Do. Salo peel ion 6’-5” Be Baltistan.

Do. AGO sor eee One Or Female | a

One skin which was measured after curing was of exceptional size and

attracted much attention. Its total length was 8’-7”, the body being 5’ and

the tail 377".

Frequently the question is asked, “‘ How can I shoot the snow leopard ”’.

Tracking in the snow is not likely to produce much result because the tracks

are generally those of the previous evening, or the night, and may lead for

miles. Although often tried only once has success attended this method and

then only because the morning trail was found and the animals were themselves

hunting. '

Sitting over a kill of course gives a good chance, but the difficulty of finding

a fresh kill is great, and nothing but excessively good luck can help.

The Ounce does not seem to take kindly to tied up goats. Probably if it is

known that the game is near at hand the best plan would be to let two or three

goats wander about at night and look them up in the early morning. A _ wolf

may kill the goats instead of the snow leopard doing so, or a brown bear may

want a meal, but sport may be obtained with any of the three animals.

So few snow leopards are shot that even Major Wigram’s records which extend

over years could not supply a single measurement.

No. 43. THE Lynx (felis lynx).

66 He 99

The furriers’ shops in Srinagar hold many skins, but very few are shot by

those sportsmen who go to Baltistan and Ladak. For years not a single wild

one was met with, then one was seen as it stole away not far from Panamek

in the Nubra and another which was said to be a cub.

The habitat extends throughout Gilgit, Ladak and Turkestan, from 6,000, to

great altitudes.

GAME ANIMALS OF KASHMIR. 3]

In captivity the Lynx does well. In former accounts of Ladak game, it was

mentioned as having been kept by one of the Viziers of Ladak ; it was led on a

chain, but at times was very vicious. When poultry or any small animal came

near, the Lynx would make a dart to try and make a capture, and having

failed it would get into a vile temper, and bite or scratch.

Some very fine skins are brought into Srinagar for sale, at present there are

several.

Measurement of a Lynx.

Head and body. Tail. (Shot by a friend in Chang-

chemno < ).

2’-10” 8”

Measurement of a cured skin.

Head and body. Tail.

o- hl 10” (A huge specimen),

The Lynx is a powerful animal. On seeing two captive males the weight

was guessed at from 50 to 55 lbs. Blanford puts it at 60 lbs.

Major D. G. Oliver brought two lynxes from Ladak and sent them to the

Zoo at home. One died and the other was, it is understood, passed on elsewhere.

OTHER CATS.

There are five or perhaps six other skins which are entered in the lists

according to size.

The object of roughly describing them here is to enable those who frequent

the furrier’s shops to have some idea of what they are buying. In order to aid

the purchaser the general colouring and length of the cured skins is given.

No. 34. The Golden Cat and varieties.

» 41. The Jungle Cat.

» 08 Pallas’ Cat.

» 40. The Waved Cat.

,» 09. The Desert Cat.

No. 34. THE GoLDEN Cat (Felis temminckt).

The skins of this rather rare cat, which are brought from Nepal and Tibet,

vary greatly in colouring, in fact there are two varieties if not three.

The first is of a red colour, with a darker line above the spine. The lower

parts are lighter in colour. The underpart of the tail is whitish. The cheeks

are marked by a line of white or yellowish white; also near the eye this line is

sometimes buff in colour. Ears are black.

The cured skins are rather smaller than those of the caracal with which the

furriers seem to confuse them. It is enough to look at the tail. The Caracal

has a short tail, the Golden Cat’s is generally over 1’-6”.

The deep brown almost black variety comes from Tibet; there are markings

on the chest and inside the legs; the underpart of the tail is buff or whitish.

Two skins of the dark golden cat were brought from Nepal to Naini Tal in or

-about 1913. The would-be purchaser of skins and furs if wise will consult some-

one who knows the tricks of the trade before purchasing skins, for some are dyed,

No. 41. Tar JuneGim Car (Felts chaus).

Common at all elevations under 7,000 ft., very variable in size.

A common length of the body without tail is 24” to 26”.

The colouring is in shades of grey varying from yellow to light brownish, some

spots are visible. The ears have hairy tips, but not dense as on the ears of the

lynx.

32 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1IX.

No. 38. Pauuas’ Cat (Felis manut).

This cat is found in Ladak, Turkestan and Mongolia.

A live fullgrown male measured :—Body and head 1’-8”, Tail 83”.

The description is difficult for the hair is not uniform in colouring throughout

its length, and this gives the curious silvery appearance mentioned by Blanford.

The skin now lying on the writing table has a general appearance of shades of

brown marked with blackish brown on the back, the sides have cross stripes

of deep brown. The lower portions are pure white. The limbs in parts are

tawny marked with black. The tail grey, thickly ringed with hairs which are

partly tawny and black, the tips of these hairs being of either colour. The

head is marked with irregular spots. The fur is very dense, silky and long.

In the specimen under review there is a white mark, almost semi-circular in

shape on the back between the shoulders, but this marking may be a freak.

In the Natural History articles a photograph of Pallas’ Cat will be included.

This was taken from one caught in the Khardong and then sent to England.

No. 40. Tue Wavep Cat (Felis torquata).

A very common animal in Kashmir. The furriers call it leopard cat, or

‘Chitta Billi’ (spotted cat).

The waved cat is fairly constant in colouring and can be described as grey

or greyish brown with dark brown, sometimes black, markings. The chest and

stomach are not spotted. Distinct markings on the sides of the head, generally

waved not straight. Tail, rather faintly ringed with black with a biack tip.

A large skin measured—body and head 2’-2”. The tail being half that mea-

surement.

No. 39. THE Desurt Cat (Felis ornata).

This cat is found in the plains of the Punjab and Sind, and is about the

same size as the previous species, but some specimens are large, notably the

skin about to be described.

Head and body. Tail with hair.

2’-14” 112”

A yellow sandy colouring throughout, with irregular brownish black spots

of different sizes all over. On the legs these markings run into each

other until they form three or four almost continuous lines which are black;

these lines are less distinctly to be seen on the sides, when they are interspersed

by a light tawny colouring. The ears are the same colour as the skin, but are

not spotted, they terminate in long hairs at the tips.

There are many skins in the furrier’s shops which have simple variations of

colouring; other pelts are brought from distant countries.

Being frequently asked “ what then is a leopard cat,” a description of a very

handsome skin is given.

No. 36. THe LeoparD Cat (Felis bengalensis).

This skin is not very large, but is beautifully marked.

Body and head 2’-3”, Tail 10”.

The general colouring is light tawny, with deep black and broad lines on the

back merging into black spots on the hind quarters and limbs, but on the legs

are three distinct black bars ; the lower portions are spotted. The tail is

marked with black splotches. A white line extends from the eyes to behind

the head. The ears are black outside, and are marked with an irregular

white patch, the black forms an edging to the white; the inside of the ear is

tawny.

GAME ANIMALS OF KASHMIR. | 33

DOGS.

No. 67. THE WotrF (Canis lupus).

The ‘ Chanko ’ of Ladak.

Some are very large, a big grey male wolf measured.

Head and body. Tail.

3’- 10” ie 6”

and skins approaching this measurement are not uncommon.

The ‘ Chanko’ is a persistent game-killer, running singly or in two “and. threes.

Every description of game except the Yak is hunted. [de jane a = ee

Monsieur Henri Dauvergne came on a small party of wolves nel had caught

a ‘Kyang’, the wild ass of Tibet.

Mention was made of a black wolf having been seen (article on Antelopes).

The Yak drivers reported that it had come from a cave in a ravine which passed

through a flat plain.

The guide led the way, but before reaching the ravine a fine black wolf bolted

and went at a gallop across the flat into the hills. As its return was possible, a

convenient place was selected in which to hide. The wind was the drawback,

and the cause of failure to get a shot. After some time the beast came down

from the hills and advanced into the plain, then stood still, evidently

suspicious ; for hours it was watched as it stood; at last the vigil had to be

ended, but, before leaving, the cave was visited and was found to be a broad

open-mouthed place which had been used for long. There were many pieces

of bone, the skulls and horns of antelopes, and some large bones which were

those of the Kyang and Hodgson’s sheep. Before leaving Changchenmo a

hurried visit was again made and, whilst on the way back to camp, a black

wolf with two cubs, one black and the other grey, were viewed ; the light was

failing and the shot which was a long one, resulted in a miss but, after all, it

was luck to see the animals and watch the wolf in the plain for so long.

Wolves bring back memories of two grand Baltistan dogs which were owned.

by the late Captain J. Y. Allan, an old camp friend, who took several of the

photographs which will accompany the Natural History notes.

‘Zambur ’ and ‘ Bubbems’ were the names of these two dogs; they were very

fast and staunch, powerful and active. These two dogs once held up a

wounded ‘ Burhel’ throughout the night, and Allan owed many a retrieved

wounded beast to them.

Age came quickly and the dogs lost their strength, for they were used for hard

work. One evening three wolves were seen, and before the dogs could be coupled

up, they were off. As the darkness came on ‘ Bubbems’ came back alone,

but, Zambur’ was never found, and the wolves probably accounted for him.

‘Bubbems’ lived on fora time but was never of much use, he had been

accustomed to hunt in company with his pal and, although he would hold up a

wounded beast and bark for a time, he would not stay long alone.

Curiously enough these two dogs never seemed to quarrel, they would feed

side by side, and slept in the same enclosure. How often the commandment

“Thou shalt not covet ’ was broken, need not be told. Dozens of hunting

dogs have been owned, some good but nearly always vicious, never a pair

like ‘Zambur ’ and ‘ Bubbems’.

On the Yarkand route there are many wolves, which in the caravan season

feed on the ponies which die on the track, they also hunt the Burhel, and are said

to kill foxes and marmots. In the winter they frequent the villages and are

then trapped and shot.

Nocturnal in habit and very shy, they are seldom shot by visitors to Kashmir,

Baltistan and Ladak. In Kashmir itself wolves are very scarce, those found

near Abbottabad and the lower hills are the Indian Wolf (C. pallipes), a

destructive beast which is guilty of ‘ child-killing ’ and many other sins,

34. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X,

No. 68. Tur Inp1an WoLrF (Canis pallipes).

Throughout the whole of India wolves are found, the number in any one

district is luckily small, but now and again the Government has to make special

arrangements for their destruction.

It is a very difficult business to rid the country of wolves which have taken

to destroying human life, and if the officer on special duty succeeds in getting two

or three wolves, he has done well, for the simple reason that they are probably

very few, and if he gets a litter of cubs he is lucky.

In Hazara there were wolves which were credited with extraordinary

powers, and one in particular was said to be permanently mad, and capable of

giving hydrophobia to those whom it bit. Wolves and jackals do of course get

hydrophobia, and die, but this beast lived on. It was the same old story, it is a

family of animals that do the damage and nota single beast. Nothing could

exemplify this more distinctly than was the case with the Chakrata man-eating

tigers, these were three in number, the last of which was killed by Mr. B. B.

Osmaston after the other two were accounted for.

In the lower hills a pair of wolves were the terror of a secluded village. One

wickedness they committed dwells in memory. On the roadside was a grog

shop, there a bridal procession stopped, the bride in her litter was placed under

a tree, whilst the procession had a drink. The litter coolies fled when the

wolves came and the bride was attacked and died from her injuries. Not many

days after whilst driving past the village one of the wolves trotted in front of

the conveyance for a mile, and then turned off into the forest. It is almost

possible to imagine it smiling in derision. One of these wolves was shot during

a drive for jungle fowl, the other disappeared, but these two wolves caused

many an hour’s toil which led to no result.

Is it possible to ride down a wolf, starting off fairly in pursuit? Probably

not, unless by chance the beast is heavy in young or much gorged.

A wolf was speared from horseback, a fine male, but it came off because two

fresh horses joined the chase. This is how it occurred. Needless to say the

wolf was not in the hills. Four people, one a noted horsewoman, were out

looking for the chance of riding after any beast which could run. Two were far

out in the plain, the others were nearer the low hills. The outside pair came

on a wolf and chased it towards the high ground for about two miles, unluckily for

the wolf the riders near the hills spied it and cut across, heading it towards a

nullah which was some distance off in the flat country. The fresh horses chiefly

took up the running and the wolf was uncertain what to do and agam turned

towards the hills giving the whole of the pursuers a chance.

Blanford mentions that LeMesurier succeeded in capturing wolves in a pit fall;

this was many years ago when Sir John Morris was Chief Commissioner of the

Central Provinces before probably nearly all the present readers of the Society’s

journal were born. An exhibition was held at Jubbulpore, and a wolf was sent

by the G. I. P. Railway officials ; of course everyone was shown the man-killing

wolf and the worst of characters was given to the beast by the man in charge.

Whether someone by way of a joke opened the cage or the keeper forgot to

close it, matters not—anyway the wolf one morning was gone and consternation

reigned. How that wolf must have loped off and fled from Jubbulpore! Did it

take with it, disdain of the human race or was it a reformed character forsaking

ever afterwards the haunts of man? Of course every one said how could

Mr. H....... (never mind the name), having caught a dangerous beast, have

risked its getting loose ; why did he not kill it at once? ButH...... when out

duck shooting shortly afterwards let out, “‘there was no reason to suppose

the wolf had ever killed man, woman or child’’.

The whole story would have been forgotten had it not been for an old diary

of the far past ‘‘ Sixties” in the days when Mirzapur was the terminus of the

Railway, and the journey from the railhead to Jubbulpore had to be done on

borseback or a palki.

GAME ANIMALS OF KASHMIR, 30

No, 70 THe Witp Doce (Cuan dukhunensis),

** Ram-hun ’’ oF KASHMIRIS.

This animal is widely distributed, it inhabits but sparsely the country

with which these articles are concerned. Luckily few wild dogs come to

Kashmir. It is found on the Indus in Baltistan, and rarely in Ladak.

The colouring of a Baltistan dog is generally very much more tawny than that

of the plains animal, it also appears to grow to a larger size.

A full-grown male shot in the Central Provinces measured:—Head and Body

3’-22”, Brush 1’-5”. Very few wild dogs are shot in Baltistan, but the skin of

one, which has a very long brush, measures :

Head and body. Breadth. Brush.

3’-8” 1’.9” 1’-9”,

The skull exceeds that of the measurement given by Blanford by fully an

inch.

Only on two occasions have wild dogs been personally observed in the vale of

Kashmir, once when chukor shooting in Avantipara and the second in the hop

gardens, not far from the Wular. In Khru game reserve two half-grown cubs

were trapped, and a third was shot in Kulgam.

The wild dogs will, when hunting in packs, pull down any deer; they are not

afraid of bears—a leopard takes refuge in a tree, but stories of tigers being attack-

ed should be accepted with caution. However, on Xmas day 1912 at Malwan,

Kumaon, a tiger’s cub measuring 6’-5” was killed by wild dogs.

Wild dogs hunt by day and by night and as a rule run ‘silent.’ When living

in the Sewalik hills many dogs were observed and also heard. The sound,

which is a yap rather than a bark, was heard particularly at night, but whilst

riding from Mohani to Badshai Bagh, a sambhar, followed by a pack of wild

dogs, crossed the road before dusk; they were giving tongue, and it was a howl

of excitement.

In the Mandla district of the Central Provinces, a pack of wild dogs had

hunted a stag sambhar into a pool ; the deer was in deep water facing the dogs,

which were on the bank with the exception of two which had swum out and

were on a stone in the river. One was shot and the other missed. The dogs

fled and did not return. The sambhar was evidently tired out and sat down

in the water with only its back and head showing; after a time it got up and

cautiously waded out to the bank opposite where the dogs had been, then stood

still for some seconds and apparently, satisfied that the coast was clear, it stole

into the forest after moving slowly over the open boulders which bordered the

stream.

The plan of attack by the dogs had evidently been frustrated; the two dogs

had probably been detached from the pack for a separate advance to be made,

for they were up stream above the stag, whilst the other dogs were opposite.

In the Kajnag range of hills, the wild dogs run the markhor when they are in

the forest, they also take musk deer and tame animals,

Now and again young buffaloes which are tied up as baits are taken, and

when this occurs it is time to move camp, for in the vicinity of wild dogs no

game will stay; hence game killing tigers and leopards will have to move also in

order to get food.

Whether the wild dog will eat carrion it is hard to say, but they apparently

will come to a freshly killed animal, for, as before narrated, two dead wild dogs

were encountered close to a pony which had been killed by a tiger.

Except when a tiger beat is in progress, never let a wild dog off, and even

then, if it does not spoil some one else’s chance of a shot at the tiger, kill the

wild dog.

( To be continued. )

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.

Mayor F. C. Fraser, I.M.S., F.E.S.

(With 6 Teat-figures.)

(Continued from page 910 of Volume XXVIII.)

Part XV.

Subfamily —CoRDULEGASTERINAE.

ays

TOS RR

esesne:

@oF

key

iD } Lf 185 w' ey

D) lente: iNueest

Fig. 1. Wings of Allogaster latifrons 2 (x 2:0).

Head transversely elongate; eyes slightly contiguous or a little separated ;

occiput not elevated ; labium deeper than broad, bifid.

Thorax and legs robust. Wings closely reticulated, long and rather broad ;

stigma variable, long or short ; membrane rather large ; trigones closely similar

in both fore and hind-wings, made up of 2 to 3 cells; hypertrigones entire

or traversed ; subtrigones entire; anal border in the male slightly excavate.

Abdomen long and robust. Anal appendages of male moderately long, biden-

tate below, the inferior appendage subquadrate. Vulvar scale very long,

extending well beyond end of abdomen. Colours black marked with yellow.

Distribution. Europe, Asia and North America. Within Indian limits

restricted to the Himalayas and Kashmir. /

Fig. 2. Markings of Allogaster latifrons Q.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 37

Genus—ALLoGASTER, Selys.

Characters as for the subfamily. Eyes slightly contiguous ; frons transverse,

nearly as broad as the eyes, markedly raised as seen in profile and on a level

with the occiput, depressed just in front of the ocelli. Wings moderately broad,

reticulation close ; stigma long and slender ; trigones short, followed by a single

row of 3 cells and then rows of 2; trigones of forewings with 2 to 3 cells, those

of hind with 2 only ; subtrigones entire. Legs short, femora shortly spined,

tibiae spined. Oreillets on 2nd abdominal segment absent. Vulvar scale

moderately long.

Ailogaster latifrons, Selys, Bull. Acad. Belg., (2) xtivr, p. 684 (1878) ;

Kirby, Cat. Odon., p. 79 (1890) ; Williamson, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., Vol. xxxi

(1907).

Female. (Male unknown).

Abdomen 49 mm. Hindwing 44 mm. Ovipositor 6°5 mm.

Head. Labium, labrum, face and frons brownish yellow, the frons above-

clouded with very dark brown ; vesicle and occiput black, the latter with a yellow

spot behind ; eyes bordered outwardly with a fringe of long, dark hair, yellow

behind, bordered with black above. Face very hairy, especially the frons

where the anterior hair is directed forward and the posterior backward.

Prothorax reddish brown.

Thorax very robust, reddish brown, very hairy. Laterally two narrow isolated

yellow stripes bordered heavily all round with black. On the dorsum a diffuse

black antehumeral stripe. Tergum and chest spotted with vellow (Fig. 2).

Legs black, femora reddish brown except at the distal ends. Hind femora

with 2 rows of closely-set evenly spaced spines on the flexor surface ; tibiae

with long, even spines.

Wings hyaline, slightly ochraceous especially at base and costal border. (In

my female, the base and costal border are deep ochraceous and the outer three-

fourths of the forewing and outer four-fifths of hind are deeply clouded with

blackish brown); trigones of forewing 3-celled, those of hind 2-celled; 3

16-18 | 17-15

cubitai nervures in all wings ; nodal index —-_--—-—-; hyypertrigones all free ;

16-14 | 15-15

9 cells in the loop; stigma yellow, over 4-5 cells; membrane whitish (Fig. 1).

Abdomen very thick and robust, very hairy beneath and at base and sides

of basal segments, reddish brown beneath, blackish brown above, marked on

segments 2-8 with small semilunar subbasal dorsal yellow spots finely separated

by the dorsal crest.

Anal appendages short, conical, pointed, dark brown. Situated between

hem, a short conical protuberance.

Vulvar scale (ovipositor) of great length, about 14 times as long as segment

8 and projecting well beyond the end of abdomen.

Type specimen a female in the Selysian collection, taken at Phulloth, Bengal,

6,000 ft., September 1865, by Mr. Atkinson. I know of no other specimen having

been taken since except a single female in my own collection taken by Mr. Stevens

at Tonglu, Darjeeling District, 11. VITI. 1919. The species is probably locally

common or may be rare. Mr. Steven’s specimen differs from type by its enfumed

wings but I have no doubt that it belongs to the same species.

388 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX.

Genus—ANOTOGASTER, Selys.

Fig. 3. Markings of Anofogaster nipalensis 2

Characters of subfamily, eyes slightly contiguous; head more globular than

transverse : frons raised level with the occiput, wide, but not nearly as much

as in Allogaster ; occiput ridged posteriorily and fringed with very dense, very

long black hair. Wings broad, reticulation close; stigma long; trigones in

forewings with 2-3 cells, in the hind only 2; subtrigones entire ; hypertrigones

entire or more usually traversed once ; discoidal field commencing with a row of

3 cells and then continued as rows of 2; loop smali, of 5-6 cells only ; no well-

defined anal triangle in the male and none at all in the female. Oreillets on 2nd

abdominal segment very rudimentary. Legs rather long and robust, femora

with 2 rows of very closely-set, evenly sized, black, backwardly directed spines,

tibie with closely-set,i numerous stunted, blunt spines. (In the female, the

femoral spines less numerous, the tibial normal closely-set, gradually lengthening

spines),

Fig. 4. Anal appendages of :—1. Orogomphus atkinsoni Selys, seen from the

side. 2. The same seen from below. 3. Orogomphus speciosus Selys, side

view. 4. Anotogaster nipalensis Selys, side view. 5. Cordulegaster brevistigma

Selys, side view.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 39

Anotogaster basalis, Selys., 1. c. xxi. (2), p. 102 (1854); id, xxxvi, (2), p. 507

ee. ; Mon. Gomph., p. 323 (1857); Kirby, Cat. Odon., p. 79 (1890) ; William-

son, l. c.

Female. Abdomen 59 mm. Hindwing 51 mm.

Head. Labrum and face yellow, the former black laterally ; epistome black ;

frons bordered above and in front with black, its upper surface black marked

transversely on the crest with yellow; occiput slightly tumid, black, fringed

with yellow hairs.

Thorax robust, black marked with yellow as follows :—an antehumeral stripe

thicker above than below and converging on its fellow above; laterally two

broad yellow stripes widely separated by the ground colour.

Wings hyaline, the basal third of all saffronated ; costa yellow ; membrane

white ; stigma dark brown ; trigone of forewing 2-3 cells, that of hind with 2

only ; hypertrigone traversed once or twice in the forewing, entire in the hind.

Legs black. Abdomen black, marked with a broad yellow annule on each

segment from 2 to 8, occupying about one-third of segments 3 to 7, nearly half

of segments 2 and 8.

Anal appendages black, short, pointed, hairy. Vulvar scale large, black,

yellow at the base and middle.

Male. Abdomen 55 mm. Hindwing 44 mm.

Closely resembles the female but the bases of wings are not saffronated, the

labrum has a reddish bordering and is less black laterally.

The epistome is bordered with black in front and the rings on abdomen are

less broad.

Type (Female) in the Selysian collection, paratype in Saunder’s collection,

allotype male in Petrogard Museum, Himalayas.

Anotogaster nipalensis, Selys, Bull. Acad. Belg., xxi. (2), p. 102 (1850);

Mon. Gomph., p. 325 (1857) ; Kirby, Cat. Odon., p. 79 (1890); Williamson, 1. ¢.

Male. Abdomen 54 mm. Hindwing 44 mm. (Fig. 3.)

Head. Labium yellow ; labrum black changing to dark yellow along the border,

the black enclosing two oblong bright yellow spots ; epistome and frons dark

yellow or brownish, the upper surface of latter broadly excavate, almost black

and covered densely with black hair which also fringes the sides of face ; occiput

black, fringed densely with stiff short black hairs, this fringe prolonged laterally

along borders of eyes.

Prothorax blackish brown.

Thorax very robust, velvety black, very hairy, marked with bright citron

yellow as follows :—a short broad antehumeral spot, broadest above where it

is barely separated from its fellow by the dorsal carina, pointed below and not

nearly reaching the anterior margin of thorax; laterally 2 moderately broad

stripes, one posthumeral, the other occupying the centre of metepimeron. In

addition some yellow spots on tergum and at bases of wings. Legs black.

Wings hyaline, borders of apices very narrowly enfumed ; stigma moderately

short, dark brown, over less than 3 cells ; costa narrowly yellow as far as node ;

membrane brownish ; trigones in all wings with 2 cells ; hypertrigones traversed

once in all wings ; 2 cubital nervures in all wings ; discoidal field begins with 2 or 3

12-17 | 18-11

cells and is continued as 2 rows of cells ; nodal index —-——-——.

13-11 | 13-12

Abdomen. First and second segments and base of third tumid, cylindrical and

slender thereafter, gradually thickening as far as segment 8; 9and 10 short

and decreasing in width. Black marked with bright citron yellow as follows :—

Yellow annules on segments 2 to 8, those on 2 and 3 connected with lateral

basal oblique stripes, all rings except that on segment 2 interrupted by the

dorsal crest.

40 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATORAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

- Anal appendages sub-cylindrical, the superior rather longer than segment 10,

constricted at the base, pointed at apex. A downwardly and outwardly directed

spine on the outer side of extreme base and a similar downwardly and inwardly

directed spine on the inner side near the base. Inferior appendage subquadrate,

three-fourths the length of superiors, hollowed out above and with two small,

upwardly directed spines on each side of the apex (Fig. 4., No. 4).

Female. Abdomen 58-60 mm.; Hindwing 48-50 mm.; Ovipositer 10 mm.

Very similar to the male but much more robust. Differs as follows :—Wings

hyaline or uniformly and slightly enfumed throughout, the bases of both fore

and hind-wings with a basal, sharply defined, golden yellow marking extending

as far out as the outermost strong antenodal nervure, apex of trigone and for

8 cells in the anal triangle ; stigma blackish brown ; membrane narrow, brownish

16-20 | 21-13

black ; nodal index —---—__--_ ;; trigones of forewings with 2 to 3 cell

13-14 | 13-14 )

(when only 2 cells present, the traversing nervure is distinctly curved), that

of hind with 2 cells only; hypertrigones travesed once (entire in forewing of one

specimen).

Abdomen very tumid at base and gradually tapering as far as anal end where

it is prolonged by the enormously lengthened ovipositor, blackish brown. The

8th segment sharply bevelled posteriorly so that the dorsal surface is only

about two-thirds that of the ventral. (This bevelling probably assists the insect

when boring or stabbing the muddy bottom of streams with the end of the

abdomen during the act of oviposition.)

Hab. Nepal, Darjiling District, Gopaldhara, Assam. I am indebted to

Mr. H. Stevens for examples of this magnificent insect, the female of which

has not yet been described.

Genus—CoRDULEGASTER, Leach.

Characters of the subfamily. Head less transverse than in either of the two

preceding genera; frons less than broad and _ less raised ; occiput not raised ;

eyes barely meeting; wings moderately narrow and long, reticulation close ;

discoidal field beginning with a row of 2 to 3 cells and continued as 2 rows nearly

as far as the node ; subtrigones entire ; hypertrigones free ; trigones of forewings

traversed once, that of hind entire or traversed once ; stigma variable. Oreillets

present on 2nd abdominal segment of male. Hind femora with two rows of very

short, very closely-set spines; tibial spines very numerous, variable in size

Vulvar scale moderately long, 6°8 mm. in brevistigma.

Cordulegaster brevistigma, Selys, Mon. Gomph., p. 58 (1857); Kirby, Cat.

Odon., p. 70 (1890); Williamson, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xxxii.,

pp. 276-278 (1907).

Thecagaster brevistigma, Selys., Bull. Acad. Belg., xxi., (2), p. 103 (1854).

Male. Abdomen 54 mm. MHindwing 42 mm.

Head. lLahium ochreous as also are the mandibles and corners of mouth;

labrum greenish yellow finely bordered with black and with a median tongue

of the same colour running from the centre of base to the lower border of lip

which however it falls short of ; epistome greenish-yellow bordered with black

below ; frons golden yellow traversed by a narrow horizontal black line ; vertex

and occiput black, the latter fringed with yellowish hairs; back of occiput

and eyes yellow with a large basal spot of black on the latter.

Thorax black marked with pale yellowish green as follows :—two cuneiform

antehumeral stripes, broad above where they converge towards one another,

narrowing below; laterally two broad yellow bands not extending to the legs

below but nearly to the wings above, the anterior with a straight anterior border

and crenulate posterior, the posterior occupying the posterior two-thirds of the

metepimeron.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 41

rae

Sethe

3 So eretoe

@, 4

ry) ts oy

ay ‘

ies

Fig. 5. Cordulegaster brevistigma, Selys. 1. Head seen from the front.

2. Terminal segments of abdomen and ovipositor. 3. Side view showing

markings.

Between these two bands, rudiments of a third represented by an upper and

lower small spot of yellow. A small spot at bases of trochanters.

Legs black.

Abdomen subcylindrical, triquetral, tumid at base, slightly constricted at

the third segment, blackish brown marked with bright citron yellow as follows :—

a lateral spot on segment 1, an apical and a medial ring on segment 2, the latter

sloping down and forwards to meet the lateral spot on segment 1 (occasionally

the lateral marking is separated fromthe dorsal medial ring), the latter entire

or interrupted at its middle on the dorsal carina, the apical ring entire. Segment

3 with an irregular lateral basal mark, two middorsal spots roughly triangular

in shape and two apical lunules, both pairs of spots meeting over the dorsum

with those on the opposite side, segments 4 to 8 with similar dorsal spots and

apical lunules, the former slightly separated on segment 4 and gradually more

so from 5 to 8, the latter gradually narrowing from 4 to 8 and separated on the

dorsum from 6 to 8. Segment 9 with only traces of apical lunules and a pair

2 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X,

of angulated spots at the base, segment 10 with basal half and extreme apex

yellow.

Superior anal appendages as long as segment 10, tapered, sloping strongly

downward and with the apices turned up, beneath furnished with a basal and a

submedian tooth ; inferior quadrate, the apex shallowly but broadly notched

(Fig. 4, No. 5.).

Wings hyaline ; stigma black, that of forewing 3 mm. in length, that of hind

4 mm.; trigone traversed or entire in all wings ; one cubital nervure in all wings ;

9-15 | 15-9

nodal index ——_—_-—__; reticulation moderately open.

10-11 | 10-10

Female similar to male but wings palely saffronated at the base and along

whole length of costal margin. The black band on frons much broader than

12-18 | 16-12

in the male. Abdominal segment 9 entirely yellow ; nodal index————__-— ;

12-12 | 12-12

13-16 | 16-12

——_—_—-— ; vulvar scale of great length, blackish brown, yellow at base.

13-13 | 12-14

This species is readily distinguished from the following by the more open

reticulation of the wings and by the face being marked conspicuously with black.

The character of the trigones varies, they are as often free as traversed (once)

in the male. In the female they are invariably traversed once in the forewings

but in the hind may consist of 3 cells by the confluence of three nervures at: the

centre of trigone. Selys gives as a character the number of antenodal nervures,

which he states are fewer in brevistigma than in parvistigma. The latter species

was however described from a female and it will be seen from above that the

antenodals in the female of brevistigma are considerably more than in the male

of the same species so that this character is purely a@ sexual one and will not

stand as a distinguishing character.

Hab. Mashobra Hill, Simla Hill States, 7,000 ft. Type mele in the Saunder’s

collection, cotvpe female in the British Museum. I am indebted to the Indian

Museum for the loan of specimens of this and the following insect which were

collected by Mrs. and Dr. 8S. Kemp, vi, 1921. Mr. O. Lindgren has also sent me

a female of brevistigma from Turzum near Darjeeling and Mr. Rishworth another

of the same sex from Simla.

Cordulegaster parvistigma, Selys, Bull. Acad. Belg. (2), xxxvi., p. 508 (1873) ;

Kirby, Cat. Odon., p. 79 (1890); Williamson, Proc. U. 8S. Nat. Mus., xxxii.,

pp. 276-277 (1907).

Male. Abdomen 51 mm. Hindwing 40 mm.

Head. Labium, labrum, epistome and frons yellowish, unmarked ; occiput

yellow fringed with longish yellow hair.

Thorax black marked with yellowish green as in brevistigma.

Abdomen black marked with bright citron yellow as in brevistigma but the

median spots on segments 7 and 8 and those on 9 and 10 smaller. Legs black

marked with yellow outwardly on the femora.

Wings hyaline, reticulation moderately close, decidedly closer than in brevistigma ;

trigones traversed once in all wings; 1 cubital nervure in forewing, 2 in the

14-17 | 16-13 12-18] 17-12 13-16 | 16-11

hind ; nodal index —-———_-—— _ ; ———— 3; o—

16-12 | 12-15 13-14| 15-14 13-12 | 12-15

Anal appendages black exactly similar to those of brevistigma.

Female closely similar to the male, the wings saffronated at the base ; trigone

traversed once in the forewing, made up of 3 cells in the hind by 3 nervures

which are confluent at centre of trigone ; nodal index 11-21, 21-11.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 43

Abdomen similarly marked to that of brevistigma but the 10th segment

unmarked.

The specimens kindly sent me by Dr. Kemp were collected at Baghi, Simla

Hill States, 8,800 ft., x. 21. C. brevistigma and parvistigma are very closely

allied, the latter differing from the former by its unmarked face and closer ret-

culation.

Cordulegaster bidentatus, Selys, Ann. Soc. Ent. de Fran., vi., 1843; Bull,

Acad. Brux., 1843; Rev., Odon. d’Europe, p. 187; Bull., Acad. Belg., xxi.,

(2), p. 106 (1854); (2) xxxvi., p. 509 (1873); Mon. Gomph., p. 339 (1857) ;

Ann, Soc. Ent., Belg., xxxi., p. 34 (1887); Kirby, Cat Odon., p. 81 (1890) ;

Calvert., Proc. Acad. Nat. Sciences Phil., 141 (1898).

Cordulzgaster annulatus (pars) Selys, Mon. Gomph., p. 596 (1857); Mon.

Lib. Europe, p. 104 (1850).

Cordulegaster pictus, Selys, Syn. Gomph., p. 87(1854); Mon. Gomph., p.

599 (1857).

Male. Abdomen 50-56 mm. Hindwing 42-45 mm.

Head. Labium yellow, unmarked; labrum yellow finely bordered with

black and with a tongue-like process of black running from the base at its

centre but not reaching the anterior border ; epistome black below, yellow above,

the black invading this on either side as a small point ; frons yellow traversed

by a band of black which expands at both ends, its base above narrowly bordered

with black. Occiput black bordered with a very dense fringe of yellow hairs,

behind two well defined round spots of yellow ; vesicle black.

Prothorax black spotted with yellow on the dorsum and sides.

Thorax black, marked exactly the same as in brevistiqma. The yellow how-

ever is of a deeper tint and more ochreous, also the spots between the two lateral

stripes are more reduced, often not more than an upper point. Laterally and

dorsally thorax coated with whitish hairs.

Wings hyaline ; stigma black, moderately long; trigones traversed once or

occasionally entire ; one cubital nervure in the forewing, 2 in the hind; costa

outwardly yellow ; anal triangle composed of 2 or 3 cells; nodal index

10-17 | 15-11

11-13 | 12-12

Legs black, hind and middle femora with a row of short, very closely-set

spines ; tibia with short blunt and even more closely-set spines.

Abdomen black marked with ochreous yellow as follows :—Segment 1 with

a lateral spot, segment 2 with an apical dorsal lunule finely separated from

its fellow by the dorsal carina, an apical spot low down on the side and a median

_ annule which broadens laterally as it traverses the oreillets; segments 3 to 8

with median lunules separated by the dorsal carina, on 7 and 8 these lunules

extend down the side and are confluent across the ventrum with those from

the opposite side, segment 3 and sometimes 4 also have fine apical annules,

segment 9 with a very small lateral spot at the base, segment 10 unmarked.

Superior anal appendages markedly divaricate, as long as segment 10, narrow

at the base, black, at the middle furnished with an inwardly and down-

wardly directed tooth. Towards the basal fourth, a second tooth situated

laterally and directed basalward. Inferior appendage about three-fourths the

length of superior, rather longer than broad, very slightly notched at apex,

black.

Female. Abdomen 55 mm. Hindwing 49 mm.

Similar to male but differing in the following respects :—

Labium with a broader border of black, the basal tongue of black prolonged

to meet the black border of labium so that the ground colour is split up into two

yellow spots.

44 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

Vulvar scale black unmarked with yellow at the base. Annules on 8th abdomi-

nal segment widely interrupted and very narrow. |

Hab. Calvert has reported this species from Kashmir which is the only

locality within Indian limits where it has so far been found. Kashmir specimens

do not differ in any respect from European ones. The above description has been

made from a male kindly presented to me by Mr. Kenneth Morton of Edinburgh

and was taken in the Bass Alps, Pyrenees. Found throughout middle and

southern Furope in montane areas, also probably throughout Central Asia.

Genus—OrocomPuvs, Selys.

err see:

ze Trb | mee Oeeuee,

roe IID, CLISRZ

POS RLS

ERT RS

Fig. 6. Wings of Orogomphius atkinsoni, Selys, Male (x 2°0).

Orogomphus, Selys, Bull. Acad. Belg., (2) xlvi., p. 681 (1878).

Head transversely elongate ; eyes slightly separated or meeting only at a point ;

frons elevated ; face very broad.

Thorax robust; abdomen slender, slightly compressed, much longer than

the wings ; anal appendages of male analagous to those of Cordulegaster. Wings

very broad ; basal space (prearcular) traversed ; trigones traversed, that of fore-

wing composed of 2 to 3 cells, its inner side shorter than the others, that of

hindwing with the costal side equal to the basal, the outer side slightly longer ;

stigma very short, slender. Vulvar scale very short.

Three species found within Indian limits,—O. atkinsoni Selys, O. speciosus

Selys ; and O. xanthoptera, Fraser.

Orogomphus atkinsoni, Selys, Bull. Acad. Belg., (2) XLVI p. 682 (1878);

Kirby, Cat. Odon., p. 79 (1890); Selys, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, (2) x., pp. 481-

482 (1891); Williamson, Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., xxxii., pp. 278-279, fig. 5-6

(1907); Laid., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pp. 61-62 (1914); Id., Rec. Ind. Mus.,

Vol. xi., pp. 197-198 (1915).

Male. Abdomen 58 mm. ; Hindwing 41 mm. (Tig 6).

Head. Eyes just meeting at a point, bottle green, narrow and elongate ;

labium bright yellow; labrum, face and frons brownish yellow, the face very

flat, frons remarkably broad and elevated, blackish brown above ; vesicle black ;

occiput brown fringed with a ruff of stiff yellowish hairs.

Prothorax black, its base, 2 median transverse spots, and the posterior border

yellow.

Thorax blackish brown marked with bright greenish yellow as follows :—

A pair of antehumeral stripes on the dorsum, very broad and confluent above,

tapering to a point below. Laterally two moderately narrow stripes, one post-

humeral, the other on centre of metepimeron. Between these and close to base

of wings, a small spot of yellow.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 45

Legs black, anterior pair of femora pale brown inwardly. Hind and mid

femora with a row of very minute, very closely-set spines ; tibial spines fine and

not very numerous,

Wings hyaline, reticulation close, moderately narrow, much shorter than

abdomen. Stigma black, inner end not oblique, not braced, over 2 to 3 cells.

Membrane small, cinereous; trigones traversed by a curved nervure; 6 to 7

cubital nervures in all wings ; basal space traversed once in all wings ; nodal index

12-22 | 22-11

—_—__—_——-— ; hypertrigones traversed 3 times in all wings; Rspl. and Mspl.

16-17 | 17-13

absent ; 6 to 7 supplementary nervures to bridge; 9 cells in loop; anal triangle

of 2 to 3 cells.

Abdomen very long and slender, segments 1 to 3 tumid, 8 slightly dilated,

black marked with yellow as follows :—Segment 1 unmarked, its dorsum and

that of segment 2 coated with yellow hairs; segment 2 with an apical annule,

the oreillet and a ventral streak on the border yellow; segments 3 and 4 with

narrow apical lunules and a small subdorsal spot about the middle of segment ;

segments 5 to 7 with only the apical annule ; remaining segments black, un-

marked.

Anal appendages black, the superior slightly divaricate, very broad at base

and thickened, flattened apically and quadrate at extreme end.

A small downwardly directed spine about the middle. Inferior as long

as superiors, quadrate, deeply concave above, rather deeply notched at apex

(Fig. 4, Nos. 1 and 2).

In one of the males kindly sent to me by Mr. H. Stevens from Gopaldhara,

Assam, there is the most extraordinary complexity of reticulation of left wings,

especially of left forewing where the nervures here and there are seen to throw

out branches in all directions, whilst the base of the wing is a complex network

of fine veins.

Female. Abdomen 58 mm. Hindwing 45 mm.

Very similar to male. Wings hyaline, saffronated at base as far out as the

first antenodal nervure ; trigone of forewing with 2 cells, that of the hind with

3 formed by confluence of three nervures at the centre of trigone ; nodal index

similar to that of male.

Between the two lateral stripes on thorax are three yellow spots.

Abdomen cylindrical, very tumid at base, segments 3 and 4 distinctly narrower

than the others. Yellow markings rather more pronounced than in the male.

Border of segments below narrowly margined with yellow. Anal appendages

small, black, cylindrical, separated by a conical protuberance thickly coated

with yellow hairs.

Vulvar scale short, tongue-like, projecting slightly beyond end of 10th seg-

ment.

Hab. Bengal and Assam. I am indebted to Mr. H. Stevens for examples

of this fine insect. Mr. T. Bainbrigge Fletcher has taken it at Kurseong where

also he has found the exuvia in numbers clinging to rocks, |

On a first examination of these I was so struck by the close resemblance

of the larve to that of Cordulegaster annulata that I came to the conclusion

they must be Cordulegaster brevistigma, Selys. Unfortunately in none of the

exuvia sent could the venation be deciphered. Mr. Fletcher then very kindly

placed more material at my disposal and in three of these the main nervures

are fairly distinct. The nervure Cui is strongly curved as in Orogomphus and

thus throws out Cordulegaster in which it is almost flat. Mr. Fletcher informs

me that Orogomphus atkinsoni was quite common flying about at the time he

found the exuvia. The extraordinary close resemblance between the two larvee

serves to show that there is a much closer relationship between the two genera

46 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX.

than was hitherto thought to exist. The exuvia mentioned above will be des-

cribed in the ‘*‘ Memoirs of Pusa.”

Orogomphus speciosus, Selys, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova (2), x., pp. 481-482

(1891) ; Williamson, Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., xxxii., pp. 278-279, fig. 5-6

(1907) ; Laid. Rec. Ind. Mus., Vol. xi., p. 198 (1915).

Male. Abdomen 54mm. Hindwing 40 mm.

Head very broad (10 mm.) ; eyes more distinctly separated than in atkinsoni ;

labium and labial palps yellow ; labium black enclosing two small yeiiow spots ;

epistome citron yellow ; frons and vertex black but the frons has a fine transverse

line on its upper part (and is less elevated and less broad than in atkinsoni) ;

occiput black fringed with very long black hairs.

Prothorax black marked with 2 median spots and the posterior border yellow.

Thorax black marked with bright yellow as _ follows :—an antehumeral

and a juxtahumeral stripe curving towards each other, laterally 3 yellow stripes

of which the middle one is the broader. Beneath yellow marked obscurely

with longitudinal brownish marks.

Abdomen much longer than wings, cylindrical, slender but tumid at base and

segments 7 to 9. Black marked with yellow as follows :—segment 1 with an

apical and lateral spot; segment 2 largely yellow with a transverse central

black mark ; segments 3 to 6 with apical spots and the 3rd with an additional

fine yellow line on the median suture ; on segment 7 the apical spot broader,

whilst the remaining segments are quite unmarked. Beneath, sutures all yellow.

Wings hyaline ; stigma small, slender, black, over 23 to 3 cells; nodal index

11-22 | 21-12

—__—_—__—— ; only one prearcular nervure to all wings; 7 cubital nervures

16-20 | 22-15

in forewing 5-6 in the hind; trigone traversed only once in all wings ; hyper-

trigone traversed 3 to 4 times ; membrane black.

Anal appendages black, somewhat similar to those of O. atkinsonit. Superior

stout, a little shorter than the inferior, convergent, slightly bifid at the apex.

The median ventral spine present in atkinsoni is merely represented by a tiny

tubercle scarcely visible in profile.

Inferior stout, bifid, each arm curled up at the apex which ends in a doubly

toothed point. Beyond the curled up portion a small spur projects straight

back. (Fig. 4, No. 3).

Female very similar to male, differs as follows :—

Abdomen 57 mm., Hindwing 46 mm.

Hindwing broader than that of male; 2 prearcular nervures to all wings;

13-22 | 23-13

——— ;7 to 8 cubital nervures ; trigone traversed once in the forewing,.

17-17 | 19-17

composed of 3 cells in the hind by the convergence of 3 nervures to centre of

trigone ; hypertrigones traversed. 4 times.

Occiput yellow. Segment 2 of abdomen black marked with narrow basal

lunules and a broader apical annule. A large yellow spot on the sides of same

segment ; segment 8 has also an apical lateral spot of yellow.

Hab. Bengal and Burma. Type female in the Selysian collection, March,

Taho, Burma . Cotype male in Lord Cramichael’s collection (Darjeeling district)

1,000 to 3,000 ft., May 1912.

Orogomphus xanthoptera, Fraser, Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., Vol. xxvi,

No. 3. pp. 874-875, 20. x. 1919.

Female. (Male unknown) Abdomen 54 mm. Hindwing 56 mm.

Head very broad and flattened from before back ; labrum, labium and epistome

bright yellow ; frons very high, higher than the occiput, yellow in front and

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 47

above where is a broad diffuse dark brown basal line ; occiput black fringed

with stout yellow hairs.

Prothorax very small, brown.

Thorax brownish black marked with yellow as follows :—a vestigial ante-

humeral stripe which is connected to a converging humeral stripe above,

forming a hook-like marking with it, laterally two broad stripes, one beneath

the forewing, the other on the posterior part of metepimeron.

Wings deeply and evenly saffronated throughout but the cell middles are

hyaline ; hindwing nearly twice the breadth of fore (20° 5mm.) ; stigma black,

13-24 | 23-13

short, over 3 cells ; nodal index—-——-_ ; 4 prearcular nervures in fore-

16-18 | 18-16

wing, 3 in the hind ; 9 cubital nervures in the forewing, 8 in the hind ; hyper-

-trigones traversed 4 to 5 times ; trigone of forewing with 3 cells, 5 in the hind

(3 cells is probably more common) ; 22 cells in the loop ; membrane almost absent.

Abdomen tumid at base, segments 3 to 6 narrow, apical half of 7 and whole

of 8 and 9 dilated, tapering to the 10th which is very small.

Black marked with yellow as follows :—segment 1 with a triangular spot on

the dorsum and the sides broadly ; segment 2 with small transverse lunules

on the middorsum, a basal line and the sides broadly ; segment 3 similarly mark-

ed, 4 to 7 with dorsal lunules only, remaining segments unmarked. Legs

black unmarked.

Anal appendages black, small, cylindrical. Vulvar scale broad and depressed,

slightly overlapping the 9th ventral plate.

Hab. A single female from the Palni Hills, Madura District, S. India, collect-

ed by Mr. Prater, 1917. Type now in the British Museum.

Mr. Campion who has kindly examined and photographed this unique insect

expresses the opinion that it is more nearly allied to Chlorogomphus than Orogom-

phus but the two genera are doubtfully distinct. (For figure of wings, see Journal

Bomb, Nat. Hist. Soc., 1. c.).

(Lo be continued.)

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA, .

Masor F. C. Frassr, I.M.S., F.E.S.

Parr II

(With two text-figures.)

(Continued from page 898 of Vol. XXVIII)

Fig. A.

Fig. A. Diagram of apex of wing showing :—

Rs bifurcating as in A’schna. Mii making an abrupt curve towards the

stigma as in Anax. Two rows of cells between Mi and Mia at outer end of

stigma as in most species of Gomphus (3 rows in Heterogomphus). The stigma

braced. spl present.

The present part deals with the key to the whole of the Suborder Anisoptera,

the key to the remaining Suborder Zygoptera forming Part III of this article.

(Indian species only.)

I have included all the keys that have appeared in ‘‘ Indian Dragonflies ’’,

but have made extensive alterations, aiming first at simplicity and secondly

at deleting all the Mesopotamian species which have appeared in those keys.

During the late war, Mesopotamia became politically a part of India, it no longer

is so and all the entomologists who went there from this country have now left

it so that interest in its fauna has died down. In a zoographical sense its

dragonfly fauna had few relations with India and on this ground alone it is

better to remove them from our list.

In the key I have added not only all new species which have since been

described but also others, the descriptions of which will shortly be published

and other species, which although not new, have since been recorded from

within Indian limits, thus the list will be practically up to date at the time

when it appears in print.

The way new species have come to light during the past two years has been

perfectly amazing and serves to show how little work has been done upon the

dragonfly fauna of this country. A good number of corrections in the keys has

been made, these having been detected in the course of revision. I have also

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 49

found the necessity of adding a few more diagrams in this part, to aid the

amateur in the working of the key, which as will be seen is mainly a

dichotomous one.

Fig. B.

Fig. B. Diagram of base of wing showing :—

M membrane; Cn=cubital nervure; T=trigone; D-F—Discoidal field ;

BA= Basal antenodal nervure of second series; A=Arc, Mi-iii=the part of

Miu running between the two dots, that is, from the arc to where the nervure

bifurcates.

The trigone is shown as distal to the arc, but the dotted line indicates its

position if proximal to the arc. Cui is shown as arising from the posterior

angle of the trigone, but the dotted line indicates its position when arising

distad to the angle.

Four nervures are shown lying between Mi-iit and Miv as in Heliogomphus,

etc.

Order—ODONATA.

Suborder—Anisoptera :—

Wings always held more or less horizontally

wide open when the insect is at rest, unequal,

the hind much broader at the base than the

fore; the discoidal cell triangular in shape,

often differing in shape in the two wings;

1, eyes variable, contiguous or separated, more

often contiguous. Male with two superior

anal appendages, the inferior usually fused,

the female with only two superior anal

| appendages, no inferior.

| Larve without caudal gills, rectal gills only .. ee 56 aioe

50 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. X XIX.

; |

Suborder—Zygoptera :—

Wings held folded together over the back when

the insect is at rest (the Lestidw hold the

wings half-open when at rest, Philoganga

holds them quite open when at rest); wings

similar in shape, the hind sometimes broader

than the fore but the base never broadened ;

the discoidal cell a simple regular or irregular

quadrilateral, entire or traversed by one or

several nervures, sometimes pointed extern-

ally but always four-sided ; eyes always well

separated ; male with two superior and two

inferior anal appendages, the female with

two inferior appendages only..

Larve with two or three caudal gills, some-

times with lateral abdominal gills also |

Family— Inbellulide :—

Trigones of fore and hind wings dissimilar in

shape and placed at unequal distances from

the arc; antenodal nervures of first and

second series corresponding; labium (lower

lip) with a small median Jobe and two broad

lateral lobes overlapping it ; ocelli arranged in

a triangle around the vesicle ..

Family—Aschnide :—

Trigones of fore and hind wings similar or nearly

similar in shape and placed at equal distances

from the arc ; antenodal nervures of first and

second series not corresponding (except for

occasional individuals) ; labium with middle

lobe about equal in size to lateral lobes and

not overlapped by same; ocelli arranged in

a transverse line in front of vesicle .. 56

Subfamily Libelluline :—

Anal border of hindwing of male more or less

rounded; no auricles on sides of second

abdominal segment of male ; anal appendages

very simple and similar in the genera; body

colour nearly always non-metallic ; tibiz of

forelegs without a keel-like ridge

Subfamily—Corduliine :—

Anal border of hindwing in the male angulated

or excavated (except Hemicordulia) ; auricles

present on sides of second abdominal segment

of male ; anal appendages often highly specia-

lized in the genera; body colour metallic ;

tibize of forelegs with a keel-like ridge

Trigone of forewing poorly developed, four-

sided due to a bend or angulation in its costal

side (anterior side). Loop poorly developed

or absent ; discoidal field begins with a single

row of cells .. AS

Trigone of forewing well developed and only

three-sided ; loop well developed ; discoidal

field begins with a two rows of cells es

ee.

198

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 51

Genus—Hyleothemis :—

Trigone of hindwing traversed by a nervure .. Hyleothemis fruhstorfert.

Trigone of hindwing free ss ae ve ve ar,

5 {

Genus—Tetrathemis :—

Loop present but poorly developed ; antenodal

nervures to forewing 7-9 in number; arc

between antenodal nervures 1 and 2 Ae be ae 7

Genus—Paleothemis :—

Loop absent in the male, poorly developed or

absent inthefemale ; antenodal nervures 10-12

in number ; arc between antenodal nervures

2 and 3.. a an is a . Paleothemis tillyardi.

Genus—Nannophya :—

Loop absent in both sexes ; antenodal nervures

only 5 in number; arc between antenodal

nervures 1 and 2 .. Nannophya pygmea.

1 Wings of male with saffronated “markings - oe eis 8

) Wings of male without saffronated markings ..Tetrathemis yerburyi.

[ Base of wings of male as far as node golden

yellow (slightly marked only in young speci-

mens) .. . Tetrathemis platyptera.

The wings clouded with golden yellow about the

node in both, this colour extending as far as

the stigma in the hindwing but more limited

in the fore ee Bes ye ba . Tetrathemis aurea,

Genus—Palpopleura :—

Costal margin of forewing proximal to the node

sinuously curved ; wings marked with golden

yellow and black; small species .. . Palpopleura sexmaculata

Costal margin of forewing straight os as Be 10

Nearly always supplementary nervures to the

bridge and more than one cubital nervure

to the hindwing : oe a3 Il

Only one nervure to the bridge and not more

than one cubital nervure inthe hindwing .. Ar a 23

Genus—Cratilla :—

Thorax partly or wholly metallic ; discoidal field

beginning with 3 rows of cells a - ae met 12

Genus—Lrbellula :—

11. £ Thorax non-metallic ; discoidal field beginning

with 3 rows of cells. (Species from N. E.

India and Kashmir) .. am Es Be 4 ie 13

Thorax non-metallic ; discoidal field beginning

with 2 rows of cells (except in occasional

species of Lyriothemis) 14

( Thorax partly metallic ; apices of wings hyaline. Cratilla lineata.

10.

(a= pre eae i

a \ Thorax wholly metallic; apices of wings black... Cratilla metallica.

Wings with a spot of brown at the node and

13. another at the stigma; membrane white Libellula quadrimaculata,

| Wings unspotted ; membrane black .... ..Labellula fulva.

Genus—Agrionoptera :—

14 Eyes broadly contiguous .. ts a .. Agrinoptera insignis,

Kyes meeting only at a point .. Me mee st she 15

Genus—Amphithemis :—

15, Trigone in forewing entire eighth nervure not

\_ arising from the posterior angle of trigone in

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

24.

25.

26.

JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

the hindwing ; eighth abdominal segment in the

female not dilated; abdomen slim and cylindrical .. oe 16

Genus—Lyriothemis :—

Trigone in forewing traversed once; eighth nervure

arising from the posterior angle of trigone in

hindwing ; eighth abdominal segment in female

dilated laterally ; abdomen broad and stout .. ve ate 19

( Discoidal field beginning with ied a single row

ofcells .. . Amphithemis marie.

| Discoidal field beginning with 2 r rows of ‘cells Me ne as 17

Abdomen short and cylindrical, red; superior

anal appendages only slightly longer than

theinferior . Las curvistyla,

1 finiee long and slim, yellow and black we : é 18

Superior anal appendages at least twice as long

as inferior ; abdomen longer than the hindwing Amphithemis vacillans.

Superior anal appendages only slightly longer

than the inferior ; abdomen and sai cin of

the same length ie ..-Amphithemis nigricolor.

( Small species with 9-11 antenodal nervures to

} forewing; loop short .. aie we 20

: Large species with 13-19 antenodal nervures to

| forewing;looplong .. 5 we 21

Yellow antehumeral spots on thorax convergent

above .. . Lyriothemis acigastra.

Antehumeral spots not convergent above . .Lyriothemis mortoni.

( Two to 3 cubital nervures in forewing ; 2 rows of

3 discoidal cells .. : . .Lyriothemis cleis.

| Only 1 cubital nervure in forewing ; io to 4 rows

| of discoidal cells. . le ee ie 22

No markings on front of (horas haces of all

wings with two well-marked brown rays . Lyriothemis bivittata.

Yellow antehumeral spots present on front of

thorax ; basesof wings unmarked or but

poorly so ; ue . .Lyriothemis tricolor.

Foutermos antenodal nervure in forewing

complete : oe oe 24

} Outermost antenodal nervure in rane

| incomplete Sg bce tie 40

Posterior lobe of prothorax fin ued with long

hairs and very large .. we oe 25

Posterior lobe of prothorax small ¢ or very ‘small oe oe 37

Genus—Acisoma :—

Abdomen short, greatly inflated in its basal

half,the apical part ane slim and cai

small species .. .. Acisoma panorpoides.

Abdomen variable AA ae aA ete ae 46 26

Genus—Brachydiplax:— ..

Forehead and thorax metallic coloured.. Hb ay are 27

Genus—Orthetrum :—

| No metallic colouring .. ue ar 28

Forewing with 7 antenodal nervures ; o Tmaieoatne

| about 25 mm. in length of o . Brachydiplax sobrina,

J Forewing with 7 antenodal nervures Maas

about 30 mm. in length as all ..Brachydiplax gestroi.

| Forewing with 8-9 antenodal nervures ; hind-

| wing about 22mm. in length .. ie .. Brachydiplax farinosa.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34,

35.

36.

ov.

38.

39,

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 53

Abdomen of male red; eighth nervure (Cuii)

arising from posterior angle of Bere in hind-

wing as wy ae 29

Abdomen of male " pruinescent “plue ; " eighth

nervure (Cuii) usually arising from posterior

angle of trigone Ae Mes 30

Abdomen of male black marked with ‘yellow,

the base tumid and the anal segments flat-

tened and dilated dorso-ventrally ; eighth

nervure (Cuii) arising distad to the posterior

angle of trigone in the hindwing oe -Orthetrum sabina.

Abdomen of male red overlaid with a thin

- pruinescence giving it a violaceous tint . .Orthetrum pruinosum.

Abdomen of male bright red ; lamina of genie

talia with a tuft of stout hairs springing from

it, easily seen in profile ; ‘ . .Orthetrum chrysis.

Abdomen of male bright red ; nee med . Orthetrum testacewm.

Kighth nervure arising distad to the posterior

angle of trigone in the hindwing ae . -Orthetrum chrysostigma

luzonicum.

Eighth nervure arising from the posterior angle

of trigone in hindwing . ve as 31

Sides of thorax pruinosed, “the yellow markings

showing through; abdomen palest blue,

almost white .. one Orthetrum japonicum internum.

Sides of thorax not pruinosed, or if so, then no

markings visible, abdomen adarker blue... as a 32

Only 1 row of cells between Rs and Rspl . -Orthetrum anceps.

Two rows of cells between Rs and Rspl ate ae a8 33

Smallest species of the genus with hindwing

under 30 mm. in length; abdomen narrow and

tapering 24 mm. -Orthetrum teniolatum.

Larger species with length of hindwing 36- 38

mm, and of abdomen 29mm, latter variable

shape, usually broad and ut ie i - 34

Trigone in hindwing entire <A oy me ey, 35

Trigone in hindwing traversed by anervure .. as dss 36

Abdomen long and narrow, entirely blue; hind-

wing with a small brown basal marking . Orthetrum glaucum.

Abdomen short and broad, the three anal aye

ments black ;no marking to base of hind-

wing (Kashmir) ;

eee blue with the end Poets black:

hindwing with a blackish brown marking Orthetrum triangulare.

Abdomen entirely blue ; no marking basal to

hindwing dee Ags oe oe . Orthetrum brunneum.

Genus—Aethriamanta :—

Subtrigone of forewing formed of only lcell. . Zthriamanta brevipennis.

Subtrigone of forewing formed of 2 cells 34; et AY 38

Only 6 antenodal nervures in forewing .. Ba a ie 39

Genus—Urothemis :—

Seven antenodal nervures in forewing .. ..Urothemis signata signata.

Genus—Selysiothemis :—

Stigma white and black;neuration of wings

whitish and almost invisible .. ie . . Selysiothemis migra.

Genus—Macrodiplax :—

Stigma brown ; neuration black and distinct ..Macrodiplax cora.

Orthetrum cancellatum.

54. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX.

{ Discoidal field commencing with a row of 3 cells

{ and then continued for a short distance as

rows of 2cells .. . a o8 4]

40 Discoidal field commencin i hin 2 or 3 cells Ball

continued evenly as such... Bo a a Ar 43

Genus—I ndothemis :—

Lobe of prothorax small; abdomen black with

or without yellow markings a ate De y, 42

41, Genus—Rhodothemis :—

Lobe of prothorax large; abdomen brilliant red. Rhodothemis rufa.

Only 6 antenodal nervures to forewing ; apices

of wings hyaline i .Indothemis cesia.

42, 13 antenodal nervures to forewing ; apices of

wings tipped with dark brown. ws . .Indothemis limbata.

ff Genus—Onychothemis i—

43. Claws without any hooks Ale te 56 oe ar 44

Claws with hooks : : Rud 45

Ground colour of thorax ‘deep black with - a

metallic lustre and bright yellow markings ..Onychothemis tonkinen-

sis tonkinensis.

44, Ground colour of thorax coppery brown with a

coppery lustre and bright yellow markings ..Onychothemis culmini-

cola culminicola.

45 re open.. oe ae a se ans

* | Apex of loop closed a “es ae on ~ Dt 47

Genus—Zyxomma :—

Viens very slim except at extreme base

which is very tumid, pale olivaceous brown ..Zyxomma petiolatum.

1 Genus—Tholymis :—

; Abdomen short and stout, red ; hindwings with

46.

an opalescent white patch about the middle. .Tholymis tillarga.

Lobe of prothorax ue large, fringed with long

47. hairs eis ue oe bc a af 48

Lobe of prothorax very small | .. ae a “ we 54

Genus—Diplacodes : o

Discoidal field widely dilated at border of wing. . ne ake 49

Genus—Sympetrum :—

Discoidal field strongly contracted at border of

wing 51

| Apices of win megs of male tipped with deep black. . Diplacodes nebulosa,

Apices of wings hyaline .. : 50

Base of hindwing with a black markin e Ay . . Diplacodes lefebvrei.

Base of hindwing without marking .. . .Diplacodes trivialis.

Forewings with 63 to 74 antenodalnervures .. aN ah 52

Forewings with 84 to 94 antenodalnervures .. ab ae 53

Thorax dull red in font greenish darn late-

rally ; abdomen bright scarlet . Sympetrum striolatum.

fae red in front and laterally, with a » bluish

line in the middle of sides ; abdomen bright

52. scarlet .. Aes 55 : ane .. Sympetrum fonsco-

lomber.

48,

49,

xo. |

dl.

Thorax black marked with eee yellow

laterally ne a . Sympetrum commixtum.

Thorax sandy yellow .. : . .Sympetrum decoloratum.

ae bright citron yellow laterally a .. Sympetrum hypomelas.

53. Thorax dull red at the sides, smaller species ..Sympetrum orientale.

54.

55.

56.

58.

59,

60.

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING 1N INDIA, 55

( Genus—Neurothemis :—

| Two or more cubital nervures in all wings;

)

usually a great development of secondary

neuration in the wings ee he oe Ue 55

| Only 1 cubital nervure in all wings oe Ro ae 57

Wings dark reddish brown with ha spaces

at the apices .. . Neurothemis fulvia.

Base of wings golden yellow to. a plete beyond

the level of trigone.. ee Ae . -Neurothemis intermedia

intermedia.

Base of wings golden yellow nearly up to the

stigma .. oe Eee ae as . -Neurothemis intermedia

degener.

Wings golden brown (varying in intensity from

light yellow to the darkest brown) as far as

stigma, the border of the marking ae

inwardly in the hindwing. . Neurothemis fluctuans,

Wings as for the last (fluctuans) but the. border

of the brown marking in the win gs running

straight back to the ree margin of the

wing ce i ae . Neurothemis termi-

nata.

Basal halves of wings deep black oe ° cas ov 56 .

( Outward border of the black bordered mh a

white opalescent band . Age se . -Neurothemis tullia

tullia.

The black not bordered with white ag . .Neurothemis tullia

feralis.

( Genus—Zygonyx : —

—_———_, a

Very large species with the thorax metallic

green, rest of body deep black marked with

bright yellow .. -Zygonyx iris.

Thorax non-metallic, or dully s sO endl entirely

without markings - vee A 3 ie 58

Genus—Rhyothemis :—

Wings variegated with black and yellow or black

_ without yellow, wings fragile, flight weak

and fluttering like that of a butterfly A “a 59

Wings not variegated with black and yellow

save for an Becanenal small basal pero:

wings robust; flight strong .. Ses ae x: 62

Wings marked with black and golden Gali te - - 60

Wings marked with black only .. a7 oA 61

Wings brownish throughout with darker brown

markings, small species 2; hs .. Rhyothemis obsolescens,

Sexual differentiation very marked, the ete

with long narrow wings, female with short

and broad wings é oe .Rhyothemis variegata.

Sexual differentiation not marked, very similar

in colouring to the last :—a well marked black

spot at the node of both wings, the apices

black, a spot over trigone in forewing and

-also in both wings over Rs and Rspl. Two

broad dark fascie at base of hindwing . .Rhyothemis phyllis

phyllis.

61.

62,

63.

64.

65.

66.

67.

68.

69.

70.

| nosed dark blue in adults An -. «-Lotamarcha obscura.

| Thorax and abdomen bright vermilion red, base

JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

Only 2 rows of cells between Rs and Rspl,

wings entirely black with a metallic lustre

(except the extreme apices) .. ai . Rhyothemis plutonia.

Only 1 row of cells between Rs and Rspl, wings

with only the basal halves black with a

metallic lustre .. ee ai oe ..Rhyothemis triangu-

laris.

Arc between antenodal nervures 2 and 3 Se a Wp 63

Arc between antenodal nervures 1 and 2 .. she on 64

Genus—Potamarcha :—

Two rows of cells between Rs and Rspl, abdomen

black marked with yellow or entirely prui-

Genus—Lathrecista :—

Only 1 row of cells between Rs and Rspl,

abdomen crimson, the basal 2 segments

black or pruinosed blue fs ie . Lathrecista asiatica.

Discoidal field dilated .. : es oe 65

Discoidal field contracted or of even - width

throughout mM me ae - in a ae 67

Genus—Bradinopyga :—

Wings entirely hyaline; body mottled with

black, grey and yay eee black, white

at both ends .. : . .Bradinopyga geminata.

4 ees —

avin crossed medially by a broad orange band Brachythemis conta-

minata.

Genus—Crocothemis :—

Wings with a small basal golden yellow marking,

abdomen crimson or reddish yellow oe on Kc 66

Abdomen crimson oe < oe .-Crocothemis servilia.

Terns golden yellow .. re ne . .Crocothemis erythrea.

Genus—Trithemis :-—

Wings short, the hind moderately broad at

base; discoidal field strongly contracted ;

abdomen variable; usually small species,

| rarely indulging in poe flight and never

soaring .. che 68

Wings long, the hind very broad at base ;

discoidal field contracted or of even width

throughout ; usually large robust insects

indulging in long and soaring flight .. : St te 70

Abdomen fusiform, rather broad and depressed,

bright crimson .. ne ..Trithemis aurora.

Abdomen slim and cylindrical or ‘triquetral KS oe ate 69

of wings crossed by a ‘broad band of reddish

yellow .. : .Trithemis kirbyt.

Thorax and abdomen black or dark violaceous

from a thin coating of pruinescence .. Trithemis festiva.

Thorax golden brown ; abdomen black marked

with yellow ; legs very long and slim ; stigma

bicolourous “ir ‘ .Trithemis pallidinervis.

Costal side of trigone in forewing shorter than

half the inner side ; no secondary close

reticulation in hindwing bo ae 4 40 or 71

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 57

Genus—Camacinia :—

70, Costal side of trigone in forewing longer than

half the inner side ; a very close reticulation

at base of hindwings we an et 75

pace in forewing much longer. than that of

Hig as os os as 72

Cone rds —

Stigma in forewing very slightly longer than

that of hind ; a basal marking of orange run-

ning along posterior border . :. re . Hydrobasileus croceus.

' Transverse ridges on abdominal segments 2 to 5 ie re 73

Ale

Genus—T'ramea :—

ransverse ridges on abdominal segments 2 to 4

only; a dark opaque basal marking in hindwing 7 e 74

Genus—Pantala :—

| Only 2 rows of cells between Rs and Rspl in

72,

both wings ; 3 rows of cells in discoidal field .. Pantala flavescens.

Genus—Pseudotramea :—

Three rows of cells between Rs and Rspl, in both

wings. Four rows of cells in discoidal field ..Pseudotramea prateri.

Basal marking of hindwing golden yellow en-

73.

closing a dark reddish brown spot .. ..Tramea basilaris bur-

74, meistert.

Basal marking in hindwing blackish brown

without any surrounding zone of yellow ..Z'ramea limbata.

Three rows of cells between Rs. and Rspl, 5 to

8 rows of cells in discoidal field which is

contracted . Camacinia gigantea.

Only 1 row of cells honweca Rs and Rspl, 4 to 5

rows of cells in discoidal field which is dilated Camacinia harteriz.

Genus—Hemicordulia :—

Trigone of hindwing in line with or a little

proximal to the arc ; . Hemicordulia asratica.

Trigone of hindwing well distal of the are he = a 717

Genus—Azuma :—

Trigones and subtrigones traversed by one or

more nervures .. Ae =p ee on 78

| All trigones and subtrigones entire oe ie ee 80

Anterior half of wings at the base, as far out : as

78. the trigone blackish brown .. es . Azuma vittigera.

| No marking at base of wings .. - ae 79

Four large yellow spots and a yellow ‘band c on

face ye .Azuma frontalis.

A sinuous transverse yellow band on the face

79. and a small spot near the eyes. . Fe ..Azuma vittata.

A basal spot on epistome and six yellow spots

onface .. he ‘- ne a; .. Azuma cyanocephala.

Genus—Macromia :—

Discoidal field begins with 2 or more rows of

cells, loop broad, at least 3 cells wide He ts ie 81

Discoidal field begins with only a single row of

| cells ; loop only 2 cells wide .. : - ne 89

75.

76.

80.

Comparatively small species with hindwing under

40 mm. in length and abdomen under 40 mm. a oe 82

Larger species with hindwing over 40 mm. in

length and abdomen over45mm. .. we = se 84

81.

58 JOURNAL, BUMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY Vol, XXEX.

Face pale yellow with black markings ; abdomen

black ringed with bright yellow Ae ..Macromia cingulata.

82. Face black traversed by a median yellow stripe ;

abdomen black with paired spots of yellow

which gradually decrease in size from the base

tosegment 6... oh os 83

Labrum without a yellow. spot at its base ; no

-yellow marking on segment 6 : . .Macromiaida.

83. Labrum with a bright yellow basal spot and a

pair of small yellow dorsal spots on segment 6. Macromia flavocolorata.

Front of thorax with a yellow humeral stripe .. ae see 85

84. Front of thorax without a aaa humeral

stripes 22 Be 5 88

( Abdominal segments 2 to 8 bearing broad

| diffuse yellow rings; face bri an yellow

85. < marked with blackish brown .. : . Macromia flavicincta.

| Markings on abdomen variable but never with

| broad yellow rings on all segments from 2 to 8. oe 86

86 i Face brown, unmarked .. se a4 ..Macromea ellisoni.

Face black marked with yellow .. se re 87

( Segment 10 all yellow ; face black marked with

| yellow across the lower part of frons, this

87, 4 marking shaped like a pair of spectacles

; es complete with its arms 28 ..Macromia binocellata.

| Segment 10 all black ; face with a transverse line

| and four spots of yellow 5 . Macromia atuberculata.

( Superior anal appendages yellowish ; a broad

| yellow ring on abdominal segment 2, narrow

| and gradually decreasing on segments 3 to 6. Macromia moorei.

J Superior anal appendages black; broad yellow

rings on segments 2 and 3, narrow and

| gradually decreasing ee 4to6 .. ..Macromia indica.

Superior anal appendages black ; a broad yellow

ring on segment 2, narrow on 3 to 5, none at

| allon segment 6 or A ate ..Macromia _trituber-

Genus— Idionyx :— culata.

Kighth abdominal segment not dilated in thu

female; arc between antenodal nervures 1

and 2 in the forewing or opposite the 2nd ;

vesicle and anal appendages variable aa ye aK 90

Genus—Indomacromia :—

Highth abdominal segment dilated in the female ;

arc between the second and third antenodal

nervures in the forewing; vesicle low and

rounded ; inferior anal appendage with a very

long robust spine on either side of its middle,

the apex notched or ee 46 ..Indomacromia nilqiri-

ensis.

88.

89.

beneath . oe a ae 91

Superior anal appendages broad aad a little

bifid at the end, a small spine beneath the

middle third ; inferior appendage with a long,

robust spine on either side, the apex pointed.

Female with the bases of wings bright

(Superior anal appendages tapering, no spine

| golden yellow .. a “A oy ..Idionyx optata.

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 59

9] j Vesicle in the female very high and conical .. ae o* 92

Vesicle in the female very low and rounded .. He ale 93

f Vesicle in the female resembling the horn of a

rhinoceros, greatly lengthened and promin-

| ent; inferior anal appendage with a small

| spine on eitherside near the apex .. ..Idionyx corona nil-

92. < girtensis.

| Vesicle similar to last but with its apex in

front indented . ‘ ee . Idionyx corona corona.

Vesicle in female very high and ‘conical but nor

| strikingly prominent as in the last . .Idionyx ornata.

( Humeral line present on front of thorax of

93 ' female .. cs .Ldionyx nadganit.

; { Humeral line Hbecne: afonion anal appendage

| without lateral spines .. ae A . ldionyx yolanda,

( Subfamily—Aeschninae :—

94 4 Eyes broadly contiguous - = 165

* \ Eyes more or less widely separated or only just

| meeting .. sek - 95

( Mid-lobe of labrum with a deep median fissure . eas oe 96

95. < Subfamily—Gomphine :—

| Mid-lobe of labrum entire sy bse “A ha a 103

i Subfamily—Cordulegasterine :—

96 Median (basal) space without cross veins aes se si 97

: cub Emily 2Ohlornnom onvne —

| Median space traversed .. is - bs as ee 101

( Genus—Cordulegaster :—

Head transversly elongate ; frons not as high

as occiput ; stigma short ie af sifs ar : 98

Genus—A notogaster :—

97. Head globose ; frons as high as occiput ; stigma

longs. DF eie tek et iste bt waaay d vas» ieee 100

Genus—Allogaster :- —

Frons greatly developed, very high and almost

as wide as eyes ; stigma long .. oes . .Allogaster latifrons.

Face pale brown, unmarked Ay ee . Cordulegaster parvis-

98. tigma.

Face bright yellow, marked with black . is Ns 99

Abdominal segments 4 to 9 with sub- basal

yellow lunules and small apical linear spots ..Cordulegaster brevis-

99. tigma.

| Abdominal segments 4 to 9 with smaller yellow

lunules and without apical spots .. . .Cordulegaster bidentatus,

Venation yellow; 10th abdominal segment

100 J marked with yellow .. he . .Anotogaster basalts.

: Venation black; 10th abalone segment

[ unmarked : as .. Anotogaster nipalensis.

Genus—Orogomphus : —

101 Hindwing very much broader than forewing ..Orogomphus zanthoptera

* ’) Fore and hind wings not markedly differing in

| breadth .. a; - oi a Se 102

102 Thorax with 3 lateral yellow stripes ats ..Orogomphus specious.

; Thorax with only 2 lateral stripes us . Orogomphus atkinsoni,

(Subtriangle of forewing and Buje neon

103. < » traversed sie ele 104

| Subtriangle of forewing and all hy pertri gones free abs Be 11]

60 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

Genus—TIctinus :—

Lateral margins of eighth abdominal segment

104 4 with lateral foliate dilatations Ag oh Be a 105

; Genus— Gomphidia :—

Lateral margins of eighth abdominal segment

not foliately dilated .. 4) we 110

Face largely black; hinder border of thorax

black ; femora largely black or brown $0 oe i 106

Face largely yellow ; hinder border of thorax

yellow ; femora largely yellow A oe =i te 109

Epistome without a yellow spot; eighth

abdominal segment without a yellow ring ..Jctinus pertinax.

Epistome with a median yellow spot and eighth

abdominal segment with a yellow ring ue oe 107

Lateral] black stripes on thorax joined at their

(

1. 4

‘ middles so that the yellow is reduced between

}

106.

107. them to an upperand lower spot... . Ictinus rapax mordax.

Lateral black stripes on thorax separated be Le Je 108

Black at base of upper surface of frons connected

with the black on front of frons; yellow

annule on abdominal segment 3 occupying

only the basalthird .. a5 ae ..Jclinus rapax pre-

108. cox.

Black at base of upper surface of frons not

connected with the black on front of frons ;

yellow annule on abdominal segment 3

occupying the basal half a se . letivus rapax rapix.

Labrum not bordered with black ; back of head

black ; lateral expansion of eighth abdominal

segment marked with yellow .. : .[ctinus atrox.

109. < Labrum bordered with black; back of head

| black and yellow ; lateral expansion of eighth

abdominal ama unmarked oie ..[ctinus angulosus,

110 Face yellow : 484 oh on .. Gomphidia T-nigrum.

‘ Face largely black _ me AY ..Gomphidia abbotir.

Ww) Superior anal appendages branched ans ay Si , 112

* ¢ Superior anal appendages unbranched. . as Me ote 115

( Genus—Microgomphus : —

| Small species with abdomen not longer than

25 mm.; ninth abdominal segment shorter

than the eighth.. iT ate A Be pes ye 113

112. Genus—Macrogomphus :—

| Large species with abdomen about 50 mm.

| in length; 9th abdominal segment greatly

elougated, longer than the eighth .. ye a 114

ba single medial stripe on sides of thorax ; ; dorsal

thoracic stripes not connected with the

mesothoracic collar ae . Microgomphus torquatus.

A single medial stripe on sides “of thorax

forming a “‘ Y ” with another short stripe

113 J which meets itobliquely at its middle

| dorsal thoracic stripes connected with

mesothoracic collar... ae i .. Microgomphus lillipu-

tans.

Two fine lateral stripes outlining the lateral

| sutures of thorax AY ee te .-Microgomphus loogals.

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 61

( Sides of thorax yellow, the sutures finely out-

lined in black ; juxta-humeral stripe present

in its upper part ‘ . Macrogomphus monianus.

| A broad black stripe on sides of thorax ;

4 juxta-humeral stripe absent ; 9th abdominal

segment unmarked : .Macrogomphus robustus.

114. | A broad black stripe on idles ot (heroes

juxta-humeral ninth stripe represented by a

small upper spot; 9th abdominal segment

with a small yellow lateral spot .. ..Macrogomphus annulatus.

Trigone of nindwing and occasionally that of

forewing also, traversed by a nervure eee ee we 116

115. {All trigones entire a 5! se i ate ae 118

Genus—Perissogomphus :—

No basal antenodal nervure of second series

present; 2 rows of cells in anal area of

forewing ; 2 rows of discoidal cells to beyond

level of node .. ive es oe .. Perissogomphus stevensi.

116. < Genus—Davidius :—

Basal antenodal nervure of second series

usually present; only a single row of cells

| in anal area of forewing ; 3 rows of discoidal

| cells at level of node .. ve si 117

( Mesothoracic collar coalescent ‘with a short

| band on the lower part of middorsal carina,

rest of dorsum of thorax black .Davidius ino ASSAMENSIS.

Mesothoracic collar and antehumeral Atmipes

coalescent. forming a broad middorsai band ;

a fine humeral line also present oi ..Davidius aberrans.

Middorsal carinal band connected with

mesothoracic collar ; antehumeral band repre-

sented by a small upper cuneiform spot onlyDavidius davidi davidi.

117. <~ Antehumeral bands separated from each other

but connected to a broken mesothoracic

collar ; humeral band represented by a small

upper spot and a lower fine stripe .. . Darvidius stevensi.

Mesothoracic collar connected to a band on the

middorsal carina; antehumeral stripes pre-

sent slightly dilated above; humeral stripe

| represented by an upper spot and fine lower

| stripe .. : ate ae .. Davidius zallorensis,

Genus—A normogomphus ; —

118. Base of hindwing rounded in both sexes. Anormogomphus heteropterus.

Base of hindwing in male strongly angulated

| andnotched .. : oe oe 119

( Superior and inferior anal appendages both

119. < divaricate and of about equal length ae eis oe 120

| Only the inferior appendages divaricate or

L neither .. os = ae a ae ye 131

( Gann Pon nis —

| Abdominal segments 7, 8 and 9 widely dilated ;

base of hindwing in male only slightly

120. excavate .. a die 121

Abdominal] segments: 7, 8 and 9 only slightly ¢ or

not at all dilated ; base of hindwing in male

{ deeply excavate +3 oe we ae A oe 122

62 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1X.

Abdominal segments 3-8 with confluent dorsal

f spots and basal rings ‘ .Platygomphus dolobratus.

| Abdominal segments 5-7 with basal rings only. . Platygomphus feae.

121. Abdominal segments 3-6 with a narrow basal

ring connected to a fine dorsal line ; segment

7 with a broad basal ring tapering to the

apex : é : 3 ..Platygomphus martini.

Genus—Gomphus —

Large species with abdomen over 40 mm. in

length ; superiror and inferior anal appendages

equally divaricate = se se 4h uA ae 123

| Genus—Burmagomphus :—

122. Smaller species with abdomen less than 40 mm.

in length ; inferior anal appendages distinctly

more divaricate than the superior .. ss ae ue 129

Genus—O phiogomphus :—

Palaearctic species from Kashmir with characters

| resembling Gomphus but with an ill-defined

loop in the anal area of hindwing .. . Ophiogomphus reductus,

Dorsal thoracic stripes connected with the

mesothoracic collar... oh ate 124

123. Dorsal thoracic stripes not connected with 1 meso-

i thoracic collar .. oe : a 128

124 | Anal appendages bright yellow.. a\s 3 _.Gomphus cyanofrons.

Anal appendages black |. ; ors ate 125

Vestigial antehumeral stripe present as a spot

125, or short stripe .. 55 : as ae 126

Antehumeral stripe entirely absent aus : Gains nilgiricus.

Lateral sutures of thorax heavily outlined in

biack, these sometimes almost coalescent .. ae ue 127

126. Lateral sutures of thorax finely outlined in

| black that of anterior suture ae in-

| terrupted in its middle we ..Gomphus personatus.

( Mesothoracic collar broadly interrupted ..Gomphus xanthenatus.

127. < Mesothoracic collar only bias or not inter-

| rupted .. ; .Gomphus o’doneli.

Stigma black, Halas 9 mesothoracie collar

only slightly interrupted ue fe .Gomphus promelas.

128. < Stigma yellow, unbraced ; mesothoracic calles

widely interrupted .. whe . Gomphus ceylonicus.

| Stigma ‘black, braced ; mesothoracic collar not

| interrupted nis . Gomphus laidlawi.

( Humeral lines represented by a a small upper

spot of yellow; antehumeral lines straight,

| connected with the mesothoracic collar ..Burmagomphus duarensis.

129, < Humeral lines absent; antehumeral lines sinuous,

| not connected with the mesothoracic collar .. “ ss 130

Humeral line well defined ; antehumeral lines

straight, not connected with the mesothoracic

collar ; - Burmagomphus sivalikensis.,

aes collar slightly interrupted in the

middle line; dorsal stripes on abdominal

130. segments 3- 5 is .. Burmagomphus vermiculatus.

Mesothoracic collar broadly contiguous ; no

dorsal stripes on abdominal segments 3-5 ..Burmagomphus pyrami-

dalis.

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 63

Three rows of cells between Mi and Mia at

Genus—Heterogomphus. :—

level of outer end of stigma ; anal appendages

131, directed straight back, the inferior with a

* small spine on the inner side of its apex .. as a 132

| Not more than 2 rows of cells between Mi and

| Mia; anal appendages variable... , Me a 135

Antehumeral stripes meeting the mesothoracic

132 collar : ai a 133

j Antehumeral stripes not meeting the mesotho-

racic collar He 134

( Hindwing 50 mm. in length ; abdomen 58 mm. _. Heterogomphus smithir.

133. < Hindwing 40 mm. in length; abdomen 47

| mm. . Heterogomphus bicornutus.

Medial black stripe on “sides of thorax spotted

134, with yellow ee ae . Heterogomphus risi.

| Medial black stripe on side of thorax : . Heterogomphus ceylonicus.

( More than 2 transverse nervures between M1-1i1

135 J and Mi in the hindwing .. Bs is 136

; Only 1 transverse nervure between Mi. 1-000 and

Miv in hindwing Sus Bo Ae se we ie 14]

Genus—Heliogomphus :—

Superior anal appendages lyre-shaped as seen

together, tapering and curling like the horn of

acow seen individually; basal antenodal

136. nervure of second series absent Ee - sie the 137

Genus—Leptogomphus :-—

Superior anal appendages subtriangular with

a basal and outwardly inclined tooth; basal

antenodal nervure of second series present. . ae a 139

( Two straight parallel dorsal thoracic stripes not

connected with the mesothoracic collar ;

137 seventh abdominal segment with basal

: marking wis ss 138

Two oval dorsal thoracic spots converging above,

seventh abdominal segment unmarked .Heliogomphus spirillus.

Occiput bearing a yellow spot; seventh

abdominal segment with basal triangular spotsHeliogomphus nietneri.

138. Occiput black, thorax heavily pruinosed

beneath ; seventh abdominal segment with

broad basal ring ‘ we . Heliogomphus pruinans,

Dorsal stripes connected with mesothoracic

139. collar ; antehumeral stripe interrupted ..Leptogomphus maculivertex.

Dorsal stripes not connected with mesothoracic

collar ; antehumeral stripe complete Ae ie 140

Abdominal segments 3-5 bearing a fine dorsal

140. stripe or entirely black - . .Leptogomphus gestrot.

Abdominal segments 3-5 bearing lateral spots

or rings .Leptogomphus inclitus.

Inferior anal appendages divaricate, cleft to the

f base oe fe 142

141, i Inferior anal appendages “aot divaricate, vari-

able ake ae 148

, Genus—Anisogomphus : —_

142. < Superior anal appendages yellow, very small,

parallel, closely apposed, with a downwardly

142,

143.

144.

145.

146.

147.

148.

149.

JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX.

directed black basal process; no_ basal

antenodal nervure of 2nd series

Genus—Temnogomphus :—

Superior anal appendages small, yellow, parallel

but not closely apposed and without basal

process ; basal antenodal nervure of second

| series present

Genus—Indogomphus :—

Superior anal appendages lyrate like those of

Heliogomphus ; abdominal rear 9 as Roi

as segment 8 aie

Genus—Cyclogomphus :—

Superior anal appendages small,closely apposed,

no basal process present; basal antenodal

nervure of second series present; very small

species with abdomen not longer than 28 mm.,

| dilated fusiformly at the end . :

f Black bands on sides of thorax very thick ;

dorsal bands not confluent with upper end of

antehumeral stripe

dorsal bands confluent with eon end of

antehumeral stripe

Pos bands on sides of thorax very fine;

( Face largely black ; a yellow co on vertex ..

Face largely yellow ; no spot on vertex..

( Very small species with abdomen 22 mm. in

| length, hindwing 21 mm.

| Larger species with abdomen 25 mm.or more in

| length, hindwing 25 mm. or more

( A black Y-shaped mark on sides of thorax

No black Y-shaped mark on sides of thorax

Hindwing 25 mm. long

| Hindwing 29 mm. long

( Genus—Stylogomphus :—

{ Superior anal appendage long, sinuous, tapering,

} black inferior appease “black, left Bey

Y atapex .

Connie iamellogonpnire —

Inferior anal appendage as long as or longer than

the superior, both separated at the base,

converging at the apices, long and forcipated.

Genus—Onychogomphus :—

Inferior anal appendage shorter than, often

much more so, than the superiors, both closely

apposed .. is

| Hemera stripe absent

Humeral stripe present .. i: io

143

Temnogomphus bivit-

tatus.

Indogomphus longis-

tigma.

oe oe 144

Anisogomphus occipi-

talis.

Anisogomphus orites.

Cyclogomphus verti-

calis.

145

Cyclogomphus minus

culus.

Be a 146

Cyclogomphus hetero

stylus.

he be 147

Cyclogomphus vesi-

culosus.

. Cyclogomphus ypsilon.

Stylogomphus inglist,

149

152

150

Tielene Moroni

biforceps bi forceps.

—

150.

151.

156.

158.

159.

16¢.

161.

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 65

( Dorsal bands isolated, not connected with meso-

thoracic collar ;

Dorsal bands eertocteda Pathe dasoahaencte

collar

( Legs entirely black ; Meleioie marked with ree

| spots : i

| Legs marked with yellow; labrum unmarked

thoracic collar :

Dorsal thoracic stripes connected to mecetuora:

cic collar : ; :

{ Dorsal thoracic stripes short and oval

| Dorsal thoracic stripes elongate, not oval

( Anal appendages black

ae thoracic stripes not connected to meso-

| Anal appendages yellow .. :

( Ninth abdominal segment entirely black

) Ninth abdominal segment marked with yellow..

l |

( Abdominal segments 3-6 black marked with

| narrow basal yellow rings, abdomen and

| hindwing less than 30 mm.

Abdominal segments 3-6 black marked with

very broad basal yellow rings, abdomen and

| hindwing more that 30 mm. inlength ..

Occiput bearing 2 smali black spines

(ets: bearing 10 to 12 small spines .. 50

( Many of the cross nervures at base of wing pale

< yellow

| None of the basal cross nervures yellow :

( Sixth abdominal segment with less than the

| basal half yellow she

< Sixth abdominal segment with the basal half

or more yellow . xd

Lateral black stripes on thorax entirely confluent

Lateral black stripes on sides of thorax only

| partially confluent i a2 re me

( Abdominal segments 3-7 with the basal fifth

| yellow BS ee ie Fy. oe

< Abdominal segments 3-6 with the basal fourth

| yellow, segment 7 with the basal half yellow

yellow

Face largely black, epistome black marked with

162

Face largely yellow, epistome ‘yellow marked

[ with black

157

. Lamellogomphus bifor-

ceps nilgiriensis.

. Lamellogomphus bifor-

ceps acinaces.

Lamellogomphus bifor-

ceps sp. Laid.

153

158

154

‘ 156

Onychogomphus lind-

grent.

as mf 155

Onychogomphus fron-

talis.

Onychogomphus line-

atus.

Onychogomphus mode-

tus.

le oe 157

Onychogomphus cera-

stes.

Onychogomphus echi-

noccipitalis,

Onychogomphus sp.

Laid.

Onychogomphus mac-

lachlant.

Onychogomphus saun-

dersii.

os 163

Onychogomphus cire

cularis.

66 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

( Abdominal segments 8-10 all black... .. Onychogomphus an-

[ nularis,

163. < Abdominal segments 8-10 black marked ree

| with yellow bi . Onychogomphus M-

flavum.

Occiput black ; antehumeral line complete .. Onychogomphus _ bis-

trigatus.

164. < Occiput with a yellow epee antehumeral line

| vestigial a, , - 44 ~Onychog om ph us

aureus.

Anal border of the hindwing rounded in both

sexes ; Rs not bifurcated ; Mii with an abrupt

convexity forwards at outer end of stigma;

sectors of are arising above the middle of are. He aie 166

165. < Anal border of hindwing rounded in the female

| only; Rs bifurcated (except in Jagoria) ;

Mir uniformly curved as far as the hind

margin of wing; sectors of arc arising from

| or below the middle of arc... — an ue a. 172

( Genus—Hemianax :—

Only a single lateral longitudinal ridge on

abdominal segments 4 to 8, no supplementary

166. ridge above it .. v oh cs .. Hemianax ephippiger.

Genus—Anax : —

| Lateral supplementary ridges to segments4to6 °° .. fe 167

Thorax laterally sky-blue with anterior and

median black stripes .. . Anax immaculifrons.

167. < Thorax laterally green or pale ‘brown without .

| markings... ae — 168

( Inferior anal appendages half the length of

|“ superior -), Bc Bs 169

168. < Inferior anal appendages much less than half

| the length of superiors ; ws a 170

Anal appendages of female long and pointed . . Anan guttatus,

169. Anal appendages of female very short and

| spatulate, rounded at the tips . Anax goliathus.

(Inferior anal appendages one-third the length

| of superior; a black T-shaped mark on

| upper surface of forehead an -Anax parthenope

170. bacchus.

| Inferior anal appendage only one-fourth the

| length of superior; no T-shaped mark on

upper surface of forehead a : ee 45 171

(Crest of frons with a transverse brown stripe

| bordered behind with yellow; membrane

white .. : a Si .- Anax parthenope

parthenope.

171. < Crest of frons with a brown transverse stripe

bordered behind with blue; membrane

| black, white at base .. oe ..Anax parthenope

ue julius.

; ( Basal space traversed by several nervures .. ie bs 173

172 se

] Basal space entire : ne We 179

( Dentigerous plate of female rounded and sub-

173. < denticulate ae a Si Ae a A 174

| Dentigerous plate forked. . as ee 56 ate Me 177

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA, 67

Genus—A mphiceschna :—

Frons only normally developed ; anal superior

appendages shaped like a kukri, eee

174, indented on the inner side_.. ; . Amphieschna beesont.

Genus—Cephaleschna :—

Frons remarkably developed ; anal sep ee

lanceolate : ae Hig 175

( Frons projecting markedly like the bows of a

| ship; frons and face unmarked, yellow .. Cephaleschna acutie

frons.

| Frons projecting markedly in a rounded or

175. < globular form; face vellow above, black

{ below the labrum with two small yellow

(Spots... 4. be ce is - .. Cephaleschna or b t+

frons.

( Frons yellow and black .. re are e a me 176:

176 < Frons shiny black in front re ‘3 .. Cephaleschna lugubris.

’ (Frons yellow infront .. oes sy .. Cephealschna masons

Genus— Perieschna :—

ae of forewings long, of 5 to6 cells;

) thorax dark brown marked with yellow

Hid: stripes ie ee .. Perieschna magdalene.

Chae Guinea rete ~--

Trigones of forewings shorter, of 3 to 4 cells

only ; thorax brown or black marked with

| green stripes .. ; a - ae is 178

Face bright greenish yellow ; ‘anal superior

f appendages long, dilated, blunt tipped .. Gynacanthaeschn @

178. < Weapons.

| Face olivaceous brown; anal superior ap-

| pendages short and filiform .. ats nie ninescine stkkima..

Genus—Jagoria :—

179. Rs not forked ay » 52 ne .. Jagoria martini,

| Rsforked. .. eas es * Bes 2: RF Br 180:

Genus—lustroeshna :—

189, Only 1 row of cells between Rs and Rspl. .. Austroeschna — inter-

| sedens.

| Three to 7 rows of cells between Rs and Rspl.. a oe 181

( Genus— Anacieschna :—

Base of hindwing subrounded ; Mi: making an

abrupt curve towards the costa beneath the

Sl. <- stigmaasin Angr .. aa a 182

| Base of hindwing more or less. angulated and .

| excavated ot “a 183

Wings hyaline ; sides of thorax yellowish _ Anaciwschna jaspidea,

182. Wings deeply saffronated, the bases dark

L own ; sides of thorax apple green .. Anacieschna donaldi.

( Genus—Aschna :—

Dentigerous plate in the female rounded and

| denticulate or subdenticulate or elongate .. ie a 184-

183. < Genus—Gynceantha :—

| Dentigerous plate in female prolonged as a two-

| pronged fork .. * Ae #5 os He oe 189

( Dentigerous plate of female elongate and

184. snoutlike, the hinder border furnished with a

at number cf robust teeth. . ee oe oe 58 an 185:

68 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

194. J Dentigerous plate of female rounded and sub-

: i denticulate or a oA 186

(6 Superior anal appendages narrow 7 but broaden-

| ing widely at the apex and expanded abruptly

| into a hawk’s bill-like process ; a robust spine

185. : on the dorsum of tenth segment by .. Ateschna — ornithoce-

phala.

| Superior anal appendages broad and spatulate ;

| only a poorly developed 2 an on dorsum of

| tenth segment .. M4 .. Aleschna erythromelas.

186 { Antehumeral stripes on thorax green - ee Bi 30 187

i Antehumeral stripes bright yellow ae of. ie 188

( Sides of thorax entirely bright green; a small

| spine on dorsum of tenth segment ; anal

187. appendages narrow and tapering .. .. Aeschna viridis.

Sides of thorax with two broad yellow stripes ;

no spine on tenth segment; superior anal

appendages very broad and leaf-like .. Aveschna petalura.

Very large insects with total length of 74 mm.,

| robust sharp spine on dorsum of tenth

| segment . Aeschna juncea.

188. \ Smaller insects with total length of 64 mm.;

only a poorly developed “pay on dorsum of

| tenth segment .. ; --« Aeschna mixta.

(Inferior anal appendages more Sinan “half the

length of superiors “N Gynacantha khasiaca.

ae anal appendages less than one-third the

189. ree of superiors, usually one-fourth or one-

15 ais of ee 190

ieee anal appendages more 5 than ¢ one- third

but less than half the length of superiors.. see oe 191

uperior anal appendages with the basal three-

{= fourths slender, the apical fourth dilated and

} spatulate, the apex slightly rounded ; bases

190. of wings marked with dark brown rays .. Gynacantha basigut-

tata.

Superior anal appendages with the basal

and apical thirds dilated, the middle third

slightly constricted, the apex Pe ak nee

hyaline at the base a . Gynacantha subinter-

rupta.

unmarked save for some green on segments

1 and 2; frons unmarked oe, ote .. Gynacantha millardi.

191. < Abdomen with a slight constriction at the

| third segment, marked with yellow, green or

blue on most segments ;frons marked above

| witha black T-shaped mark or an anterior

+ bordering of black ae te nie 192

Superior anal appendages as seen from above

| markedly sinuous; abdomen only slightly

| eonstricted at the third ane ; legs

1g2. < reddish be .. Gynacantha furcata.

| Superior anal appendages as seen from above

| more or less straight; third abdominal

|. segment variable; legs yellow or brown... Ay A 193

( Abdomen not constricted at the third segment,

a oS

193

193.

194.

195.

196.

197,

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 69

( Length of hindwing less than 40 mm. in

< length; abdomen not more than 42 mm. in

length .. be mo 194

( Length of Rimdwines more heen 401 mm. in n length;

< abdomen not less than 45 mm. in length,

| usually much longer .. of By 195

( Abdomen 41 mm. hindwing 39 1 mm. olivaceous

| brown marked with darker brown and black Gynacantha o’doneli.

< Abdomen 42 mm. hindwing 35 mm. body

| reddish brown spotted with green .. . Gynacantha saltatrox.

( Frons bordered above in front with blackish

brown; 18 to 21 antenodal nervures to

forewing; 3rd abdominal segment slightly

constricted .. Gynacantha bayadera,

Frons with a blackish brown “T-shaped mark

above ; 24 to 34 antenodal nervures to fore-

| wing ; ‘third abdominal segment markedly

| constricted ws 4; a at hs a er 196

( Abdomen blackish brown above, reddish

| beneath, unmarked save for some dark

brown rings at apex of segments : Gynacantha hyalina.

| Abdomen black and grey marked with blue

spots, sa. or ~ 197

( Abdomen and hindwing ‘of approximately the

same length (about 44 mm.); blue markings _

on segments 3 to 7 obscure .. we .. Gynacantha — hanu-

mana.

< Abdomen longer than the hindwing (about 50

coatae compared to 47 or less) ; blue markings

| on segments 3 to 7 well defined Eye .. Gynacantha bainbrigget.

(To be continued.)

THE GIANT WOOD SPIDER (NEPHILA MACULATA).

Captain R. W. G. Hrnaston, I.M.S.

Continued from Page 923, Vol. XX VIII.

Part IV, Amours.

(With a Plate and a text figure).

I come now to the last of the Nephila’s lessons which 1s one associated with

the reproductive act. It is the month of October. Throughout the rains

the great spider has been busy at her work. Sheet after sheet of silk has been

manufactured ; thousands of insects have been lured to the entanglement, and

the spider, now gorged with the plenty of the season, begins to think about

the reproduction of her kind.

If at this time we inspect the outskirts of the sheet, we are likely to observe

near the upper margin a little spider of a yellow colour, in no way resembling

the great Nephila and looking as though it were some humble stranger that had

dared to invade the immense snare. It is only a pigmy compared with the

giant, and, at first, I took it for a mere intruder, a kind of parasite on the

greater host. I imagined that it was lying in ambush at the margin waiting

for any stray fragments that might happen to come its way. This was no

unreasonable supposition ; for here and there I see other invaders which have

taken advantage of the Nephila’s workmanship to spread their snares amidst

her powerful lines.

But in this instance I was in error, The little pigmy was no wandering

parasite. It had an amorous purpose to fulfil. Though it bore not the slight-

est resemblance to the architect, nevertheless it belonged to her own kind. It

was the male who, at the call of the nuptial season, had arrived to pay addresses

to his mate.

I have already described the great female herself. I will just remind the

reader of her immense size ; she is one and a half inches in length and more than

proportionate in bulk. I will ask him to recall those long slender limbs over

six inches in span, that powerful head and ponderous body, and that profuse

adornment, so elegantly applied, of orange-coloured spots and lines.

Now let us turn to the insignificant male. What a contrast does he not

offer to his mate! He is very plain in superficial appearance, and no more than

one quarter of an inch in length. He shows no adornment, no strength, he

Palp of Nephila maculata, Male

a. Globular dilatation.

b. Stilette.

THE GiANT WOOD SPIDER. 71

is an insignificant creature that no one would notice. While the female is the

most magnificent example of her kind, the male is a dwarfed and miserable

nonentity, appearing not one-hundredth part her size. As is usual, his head

and thorax arefused into one piece. It is a pear-shaped mass with the point

directed forward and is fairly densely clothed throughout in short and delicate

hairs. Fixed to the apex of the elongated pear is the collection of six black

eyes. They are but the minutest points, yet are quite conspicuous against

the yellow background behind.

The palps project from the front of the head and deserve our special note.

They are strangely modified into long stilettes which, as we shall later see,

have a peculiar part to play in the reproductive act. Each is fashioned on

the following plan. There is first a basal joint. It is slightly bent and

somewhat club-shaped and is covered in delicate hairs. At its distal end are

two additional small joints, and beyond these a globular dilatation in the

form of a black sphere. These spherical enlargements of the two palps are

prominent and conspicuous objects near the front of the spider’s head. They

too are clothed in a covering of hairs, and are, I suppose, modified joints.

Now, from the surface of each of these black spheres there projects a

straight and delicate stilette. It is almost as long as the rest of the palp,

broad and slightly bent at the base but narrowing slowly and evenly to a fine

attenuated point. It is devoid of any hairy covering and is the same black

colour as the sphere. Thus we observe the strange modification of the palps

into a pair of slender spears. They are directed backwards and a little out-

wards along the under surface of the chest. This is their natural position

when at rest. Later we will see them in actual operation and will learn some-

thing of the extraordinary function which such organs are made to fulfil.

Between the palps are situated the jaws. They are moderately strong and

sufficiently serviceable, but insignificant when compared with the ponderous

» mandibles which the female requires for her work. Behind the thorax is hinged

the abdomen shaped in the form of a cigar. It is long and narrow, fairly stout in

front but graduating behind into a blunt and rounded point. In common with

the greater part of the body it bears a coat of minute hairs. The legs also

deserve a word of notice. Like those of the female they are long and slender and

thus suitably adapted for progression in a snare. They are covered in a quantity

of short thick hair and have in addition a singular armoury of long pointed

scattered spines. This is the genera! structure of the male, different in almost

every particular from his mate. Not even in colour is there the trace of a

resemblance. The little male is almost a uniform yellow; his tarsi are of a

somewhat darker shade and on his abdomen are some brownish bands.

Let us. take a note of his habits and behaviour. He usually takes his

permanent station at the periphery of the female’s snare. I generally see him at

the upper margin, but sometimes he shows a greater enterprise by descending

to explore the sides. He clings to the foundation lines with his spiny legs and

occasionally makes a tentative advance into the main body of the snare. Like

the female, he never becomes entangled in the architecture, and I see him,

after her manner, covering himself with oil collected from his salivary glands.

The life he lives is very peculiar. He is almost a parasite on hisimmense mate.

He constructs no architecture of his own; at least there is nothing of the

kind apparent anywhere in the vicinity of his abode. His food is gained by

chance and pillage. It is composed of the waste or neglected fragments for

which the female has little use. It is not his business to weave and build; he

knows nothing of that marvellous geometrical skill. He comes into the world

for one purpose alone, the fertilization of his powerful mate.

Except at the actual season of love there is no harmony between the two.

He is in the nature of an unbidden guest. Indeed the female seems to regard

him as an enemy and would drive him from the architecture if she could. But

72 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

he has developed a ruse by which to escape, and the female, obviously aware

of his skill, has learnt the futility of attack. She thus, of necessity, tolerates

her partner and allows him a place at the edge of her snare. She realizes his

presence ; she feels the thrill along her radii every time he moves, but she

knows the feel of her future partner and can immediately discriminate his

peculiar tremor from that of a captured fly.

The strained relationship between the two is made manifest in his manner

of obtaining food. Sometimes he falls on an occasional capture which chance

has brought near the edge of the snare; at other times he finds an insignificant

victim too small to attract the attention of his mate. These, however, are only

windfalls, and are insufficient to supply his wants. He is often forced into

a bolder action in that he attempts to rob the female of her prey.

Let us watch him for a moment in this act of pillage and witness how daring

he is. The huge female has made a capture. She has transported it to the

centre, sheathed it in silk, and has sucked out half its juice. She is engrossed

in her gluttony and is gorging herself with fcod. This is the opportunity for

the male. He is no doubt aware of the preoccupation of his partner, realizing

that she is so engaged with her capture that she will neglect to drive him away.

He becomes restless ; then he leaves the margin and makes a hesitating advance

into the snare. He moves with care and circumspection. At the slightest alarm

he halts or hurries back to the outskirts again. Regaining courage, he once

more moves in. The same careful advance follows, and, if the female makes no

definite attack, he may reach the very centre of the snare. Now for a display

of boldness which was more than I believed he possessed. He literally invades

the female in her lair and attempts to snatch the victim from her jaws. He

presses right in to the very centre; he works his way in between the female’s

legs; he insinuates himself between her great long belly and the sticky archi-

tecture of the snare. He then advances underneath her thorax, and I see.

him carefully stretch out a claw so as to try and pluck the insect from her jaws.

He pulls, he jerks, but, since the female keeps a firm hold, his efforts for a time

are without avail. He is very circumspect in this audacious operation and is

all the time in readiness to make his escape. At length the female becomes |

a little restless as though she were beginning to get annoyed. Instantly he

runs out along a radius and waits a short distance away. When everything

is quiet he again creeps in, resumes his place beneath her belly and continues his

efforts to rob her of the prize.

The male is, therefore, a plunderer of the female. He has very little power

to capture his own food. I place an insect on the viscid lines a little

distance away from a male. He approaches the struggling capture, but

there is none of that swift and sudden rush with which the female dashes

on her prey. He seizes it, but there isno crushing of the victim, nor

any straight and deadly thrust direct into the vital point. He commences

to feed, but we see none of that remarkable process by which the capture is

ensheathed in silk. All these devices are absent inthe male. He possesses no

poison, no power to emit a skein of silk. Nor would they be of any value to

him. He is accustomed to loot his partner’s captures; they have been already

poisoned and already encapsuled in silk. All the power that he requires is to

suck out the body juice.

It is certainly a very remarkable sight to witness the audacity of this little

spider, his extraordinary device for securing food and the strange relationship

between two individuals which belong to one sexual pair. Mr. Belt, in his

delightful Naturalist in Nicaragua, tells of a Nephila with social instincts in

which a number of individuals linked their networks together so as to fashion

a complete curtain of web. But here is the point of special interest. I will

describe it in his own words. ‘‘ Besides the large owner and manufacturer of

each web who was stationed near its centre, there were on the outskirts several

THE GIANT WOOD SPIDER. 13

very small ones, belonging, I think, to two different species. I sometimes threw

a fly into one of the webs. The large spider would seize it and commence suck-

ing its blood. The small ones, attracted by the sight of the prey, would advance

cautiously from the circumference, but generally stop short about half-way up

the web, evidently afraid to come within reach of the owner; thus having to

content themselves with looking at the provisions, like hungry urchins nosing the

windows of an eating-house. Sometimes a more audacious one would advance

closer, but the owner would, when it came within reach, quickly lift up one of

its feet and strike at it, like a feeding horse kicking at another that came near

its provender, and the intruder would have to retire discomfited. These little

spiders probably feed on minute insects entangled in the web, too small for the

consideration of the huge owner, to whom they may be of assistance in clearing

it.” Surely these small species at the outskirts of the web must have been the

diminutive males. Their actions are so similar to what we have observed.

There is the same place selected for their permanent habitation, the same cau-

tious advance, the same fear of approach, the same show of resentment on the

part of the owner and the hasty retreat out of harm’s way. Mr. Belt was not

witness to that final act by which alone the little mystery is solved.

It may be wondered why the female endures this inconvenience. Her mate

clearly is but a burden to her. Why, therefore, does she tolerate his presence

instead of driving him headlong out of the snare? She is certainly strong and

powerful enough ; the malelives in absolute dread of her and makes offif she

attempts to approach. But he will not altogether abandon his position. He

remains in hiding somewhere near the outskirts, ready to return when oppor-

tunity offers and all the time awaiting that propitious hour when he will be

received with a better grace. Thus, though driven away a hundred times, he

never fails toreappear, By his perseverance he will some day be accepted

as a partner, the reward for all his pains. Until then the female can but keep

him at a distance by forcing him to remain at the edge of the snare.

Why does she not seize him and crush him to pieces? Simply because he

possesses a most ingenious method of escaping her terrible assault. He does not,

of course, adhere to her snare ; thus she cannot treat him in that ofi-hand manner

which she deals out to her insect prey. The only means that she has of ejecting

him is to chase him bodily from the sheet. She is fairly swift amidst her own

lines and can easily effect this. Thus many a time she rushes towards him,

but, swift as she is, she can never seize him, for he has learnt how to defeat her

object ina very simple way. He has at his disposal an excellent ruse which he

employs as a means of escape.

The plan is as follows. The male is advancing from the margin and is moving

testily into the snare. Like all other spiders he pays out a line behind him and

thus retains a slender attachment to the point from where he came. All of

a sudden he is alarmed. The female is aware of his presence; she does not

desire his advances now and will not permit his approach. She dashes towards

him ; her pace is swift and she is on the point of reaching him. But all of a

sudden she comes to a halt and it is clear that her efforts have failed. The

male has vanished ; he is not even in the snare. In an instant he has been trans-

ported to the point from where he came, some two or three feet away. The

female thus finds herself completely foiled, being unable to compete with such

magic as this. She, therefore, climbs back again to the centre. Though she

has succeeded in driving the male from her dominion, yet there can be little

doubt that she hoped to destroy him. And at best the expulsion is only

temporary, for he will soon think about invading her again.

Let us consider what has occurred to account for this instantaneous escape.

The female is dashing over her lines and is almost on the top of the male. But

he does not rush hurriedly away and permit of an unequal pursuit. He has

a better plan of escape than this. He merely lets go his hold on the architecture

74 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.,

and by his own weight swings out into the air. In another moment he is up

along his line and back at his old position at the edge. It is an extraordinarily

expeditious act ; just one sudden swing, then one swift ascent, and he is clear

of the danger below. Thus he foils the fury of his mate. She must keep to

the meshes of her web while he swings himself abroad like a pendulum and then

mounts through the invisible air. She is therefore compelled to tolerate the

male because she cannot circumvent his skill.

If the sheet was fixed absolutely in the perpendicular, then this method of

escape would fail. The spider could no longer swing like a pendulum, for his

weight would not carry him away from the snare. But the sheet, though

apparently perpendicular, is not exactly so. It is always constructed a little

‘on a slant. Thus a line suspended from its upper margin will, if it hangs on the

under surface of the slant, automatically swing away from the snare. Now the

male has learnt how to conform his activities to this slight obliquity of the

sheet. If he kept to the upper surface of the slant, then his skill would avail

him nothing, since a swing would not carry him away from the snare. On

the under surface, however, he would be perfectly secure. There he need only

just release his hold and he will immediately swing away. Hence he confines

himself to the under surface of the slant. Occasionally he may penetrate to the

other side, but this is an unusual event. He keeps tenaciously to that aspect

of the sheet which permits him to automatically swing out into the air.

We can now understand why the male establishes himself almost always

at the upper margin of the snare. Though to our eyes all the edges appear

‘alike, yet the male has a decided preference to be above. It is simply because

from the upper margin heis able to effect this manner of escape. The manceuvre

would be impossible from any other point. If he were to advance from one side

or from below, and then, on encountering a swift attack, was suddenly to release

his hold, he would, of course, free himself from the clutches of his mate, but

consider at what a cost. If his anchorage was at the side, then he would probably

have to drop some two or three feet ; if it were below, then the drop might be as

much as five or six feet before the line of connection would feel his weight.

There would be a quick fall, then a sudden jerk which would either cause a

rupture of the thread or else tear it forcibly from the spinnerets. But by living

at the upper margin of the snare the spider avoids the danger of this. The

‘suspension line is continued vertically above him, and, as soon as he lets go his

hold, the filament is immediately tense.

Day after day this hostility continues. The male is ever trying to pillage

‘tthe female; by stealth he is endeavouring to plunder her property, by skill

to escape her jaws. Above all he is persistent in his determination to remain,

‘and thus submits to the innumerable assaults. But at length there comes a

time when the antipathy lessens. The female’s hostility shows signs of weak-

ening and she begins to admit the pigmy to her snare. The mating season is

drawing near ; sexual enmities are fading from memory ; the female is preparing

to accept her mate. He now casts off his air of hesitation and enters more

‘boldly into the body of the sheet. Where before he was most detested, he is

now most desired. He advances full of the air of conquest, realizing that the

“overpowering claims of sex have given him an entry to the widespread net.

The concourse is performed in a peculiar way. It occurs at that point of such

‘prime importance, the very centre of the snare. There the female takes up

her station, waiting passively in the hub of her dominions until the male thinks

Ait to advance. But she does not fix herself in the ordinary way with her ventral

‘surface applied closely to the snare. She hooks herself by the legs of one side

only and allows her opposite side to swing into the air. In this way she tilts

her body away from her architecture, her object being to lay herself open so

as to receive without obstruction the advances of her mate. He can now enter

with her full approval, and need fear no impediment from the surface of the snare.

(nynjnonum vpydayy)

‘uorpounfuod UL o[VUloy PU ZR]

‘dMHdIdS dOOM INVIO AHL

‘90S °3SIH "3UN Aeqwog ‘ uanor

THE GIANT’ WOOD SPIDER. 75

“The male arrives. It is an extraordinary combination of different sexes; he

is so diminutive compared with her. He first makes his way on to her back.

‘There he strokes her with his spiny legs, the blandishments, I suppose,

preliminary to the act. Having finished this, he winds himself round her

immense flank and gets into position underneath. The sex act immediately

takes place. Two of his legs are thrust forward on her thorax ; the remainder hold

her abdomen on either side. The usual physical contact follows. There is then

a gentle heaving of the body, after which separation occurs. Now comes the

extraordinary feature in the act. The concourse is completed with the organs

ofthe mouth. It is difficult to see the details clearly, but it seems to happen like

this. The male employs his pointed palps to direct the semen into the female’s

pore. Remember their peculiar modification into a pair of elongated stilettes.

I see them raised from their place beneath the thorax, brought carefully to the

‘female’s aperture, and then delicately thrust within. There can be little doubt

as to the nature of their action ; they are being employed as a pair of directors

to guide the fluid into the womb. They continue to act thus for a little while.

‘Then they are withdrawn from the orifice of the female, and the more ordinary

type of concourse is resumed. Again the palps come into operation ; the same

procedure is repeated after every contact so that it seems to be essential for the

completion of the act. The whole performance is very remarkable and as strange

-a mode of sexual union as we could ever expect to see.

This continues at intervals for several days. The male is persistent in his

amorous attentions. The female is the more passive partner and seems to

‘take less interest in the act. Her passion at least is not sufficiently intense to

‘withdraw her attention from her food. The male, now that he is at last accepted,

refuses to leave the scene. When not engaged beneath the female, he returns

to his original seat upon her back. This is his place of safety where he hastens

-on the slightest alarm. Touch the snare, and in an instant he is off. He has

swerved around with remarkable rapidity and has fixed himself on the female’s

back. There he is secure from her great jaws, and, moreover, should she happen

to move, he will not be crushed between her body and the snare.

How marvellously intense is that overwhelming impulse which demands

the fulfilment of the sexual act. “‘ Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the

earth.” This is the inexorable decree of Nature. And what persistence, what

sacrifice, what prodigality of expenditure does she not often associate with

her strict demand. And how careless is she of the hideous consequences that

‘so often follow in her nuptial train. Sometimes of an evening I see the black

ants emerge. There are scores of males in the voluptuous throng, yet their

business is merely one act of fertilization after which comes a speedy death.

‘The honey-bees maintain their swarms of drones, of which one alone in the

vast multitude completes the vital purpose of his life. High in the heavens he

establishes his suit when his entrails are mechanically torn from his body as

he fetilizes the virgin queen. The nuptials of the mantis are equally tragic.

‘There is a sudden rush, a prolonged acceptance, after which the male pays the

awful tribute of being devoured by his more powerful mate.

Union is not happiness, pure and unalloyed. To every creature it brings

its share of tribulation; to some it means a self-annihilation, a rendering up

‘of the present existence to ensure the future of the race. For the Nephila it

demands a dogged perseverance at the risk of life and limb. There is the cease-

_less watch to escape the monster; the persistent occupation of the edge of the

‘snare, the frequent repulse of undesired attentions, the unfailing return again

and again. There are the schemes to pillage a morsel of the food, the clever

“escapes by the invisible swing and the ascent up the suspension line. There

is the sacrifice of the power of inimitable workmanship, the reduction of the

body to the pigmy state with the associated loss of individuality and strength.

Nor must we forget those extraordinary palps, the appendages of the mouth

76 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

which are fashioned into probes in order to direct the fluid in its course. Such

are the most remarkable modifications of the male. His structure and character

have been profoundly changed in order to attain the fulfilment of that act on

which the future of the race depends. As the female discloses her incomparable

workmanship in the architecture of her widespread sheet, so does the male

display his tenacity of purpose in the fulfilment of the vital function of

his life. |

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY.

No. XXXVI.

On THE CapPpED LANGURS (PITHECUS PILEATUS, BLYTH, AND ITs

ALLIES).

By Martin A. C. Hinton.

(Published by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.)

“* Semnopithecus pileatus ”’ was described by Blyth in 1842 (J. A.

S. B., XII, p. 17-4) from a half-grown female received by the Calcutta

Museum from the Vice-regal menagerie at Barrackpore. Ignorant

of the real provenance of this specimen, Blyth was at first inclined to

identify it with Desmarest’s “ Cercopithecus albocinereus ”, described

from Sumatra. But in 1844 he received two specimens collected by

the Reverend J. Barbe in the Chittagong Hills, together with the infor-

mation from Mr. Skipwith (then Judge in Tipperah) that pileatus

abounded in the skirts of the hills of Tipperah, retiring far into the

interior during the rains, and it “ would appear also to extend spar-

ingly upon the Naga range eastward of Upper Assam ” (J. A. S. B.,

XIII, p. 467). Blyth in 1846 (J. A. S. B., XVI, p. 735) received an

adult male collected by Skipwith in Tipperah, and from that time

forward he expressed no doubt as to the habitat of the species. Thus

in his “‘ Catalogue ” of 1861 (p.12) he gave the habitat of pileatus as

““ Nagas, and hill ranges of Sylhet, Tipperah, Chittagong.”

Mr. H. W. Wells and Mr. J. P. Mills have lately made most valuable

collections in Assam for the Society’s Mammal Survey. These

includes a fine series of Capped Langurs, illustrating the geographical

variation of P. pileatus in the country to the south of the Brahmaputra,

between the Garo Hills on the west and the Nagas with the district

of Lakhimpur on the east. In addition Mr. Wells obtained a number

of specimens,: also referable to this species, from the northern side of

the valley of the Brahmaputra, in Northern Kamrup. Death having

deprived us of the invaluable assistance of Mr. Wroughton, the duty

of working out this portion of the collections from Assam devolved

upon me, the results of my studies may be briefly stated as follows.

In the first place while all the speeimens collected by Mr.Wells and

by Mr. Mills in Assam are referable to P. pileatus, this species does

not appear to have been represented previously in the National Collec-

tion. The form believed to have come from Cachar or from Lower

Assam, which Wroughton identified (J. B. N. H. S., 25, p. 557) with

pileatus appears now to be distinct ; and the name “ durga,”’ which

Wroughton (in mistake) first applied to it (op. cit., 24, p. 564), becomes

valid.

With regard to pileatus proper, the Survey material shows that there

are three well marked geographical races or subspecies. Firstly, a

pallid form, which agrees very well with the descriptions of the type

Ks) JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X

given by Blyth and Anderson, and which may therefore be regarded as.

the typical subspecies P. p. pileatus. This inhabits the Garo and

Khasi Hills, whence we have specimens from localities situated at

levels between 1,400’ and 2,000’ ; but it also ranges far to the east into:

the Naga Hills, where however, it is, as I am informed by Mr. Mills, a.

purely highland animal, not mixing with the next form to be noticed,

but living alone in the cool jungle met with at heights of from 4,000’

to 5,000’. On the floor of the valley of the Brahmaputvra in the Lakhim-.

pur district occurs a form, characterized by a much richer and more

normal coloration ; this is described below as a new subspecies P. p.

saturatus, the range of which extends southwards for some distance

up the lower slopes of the Naga Hills. Lastly the subspecies living

on the opposite bank of the Brahmaputra in Northern Kamrup is

distinguished by its exceptionally dusky coloration, especially notice-

able upon the rump and thighs, and this is described below as P. p.

tenebricus.

All these subspecies of pileatus are animals in which the lght-

coloured underparts and the flanks are sharply and strongly contrasted.

with the darker dorsum. In P. p. pileatus and p. saturatus the dark

dorsal area is relatively narrow, so that the bright flanks are very

conspicuous features in the dorsal view of the animal. The skulls do:

not appear to afiord any character by which the subspecies can be

distinguished either from each other or, apart from the size of the teeth,

from the forms nextto be noticed. The cheek-teeth in all three

races of pileatus are small, the upper tooth-row (canine to m. 3) measur-

ing 33°5 to 37-5 mm., while the length of the three molars ranges:

between 18:2 and 20 mm,

The three remaining species of the group, vz., P. shortridges, Wr.,

(Upper Chindwin), P. durga, Wr., (Cachar or Lower Assam), and P.

brahma, Wr., (Lakhimpur), have the colour and pattern duller and

much less conspicuous than in pileatus. In P. brahma the teeth are

small as in pileatus, but in durga and shortridge: they are distinctly

though slightly larger (canine to m. 3, 37 to 38°5 mm., m. 1 to m. 3,

20:5 to 21-5 mm.).

The following is a “ key

recognized in this paper :—

A. Colour pattern bright and conspicuous. Under parts (including the

upper flanks) well-haired, and always strongly contrasted with the

dark mid-dorsum. Tail with its proximal half concolorous with the

back, its distal half black. Teeth small (Canine to m. 3, 33°5-37-5mm -

m. I-3, 18°2-20mm).

a. Dark mid-dorsal area narrow, the bright flanks conspicuous in the

dorsal view. Rump and outer surfaces of thighs not dusky.

a. General colour of back neutral: grey, paling to smoke grey on rump.

Whiskers pale ochraceous. Flanks and inner surfaces of limbs

white. Ventral surface ochraceous.

P. pileatus pileatus, Blyth.

(Garo Hills, east to Nagas).

to the six members of the paleatus group.

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 79

6. General colour of back dusky brown, the rump darker than in a.

Whiskers, flanks, under parts bright orange.

P. p. saturatus, subsp. n.

(Lakhimpur and lower slopes of Nagas).

6. Dark mid-dorsal area not contrasted, the bright flanks scarcely or not.

visible in the dorsal view. Rump and outer surfaces of thighs.

blackish, like the head and back. Whiskers, flanks, and under parts

intensely ochraceous.

P. p. tenebricus, subsp. n.

(North Kamrup).

&. Colour pattern dull and inconspicuous., the upper flanks concolorous

with the back. Under parts less strikingly, or not at all, contrasted

often thinly haired. Tail with not more than the proximal third con-

colorous with back, its distal two thirds black.

a. Teeth large (upper canine to m. 3, 37-38°5mm ;m.1tom.3, 20°5-21°5:

mm.)

a. General colour cinerous. Whiskers only slightly paler than the

general body colour. Under surface coloured like the back.

P. shortridget, Wr.

(Upper Chindwin).

b. General colour dusky brown ; Whiskers and under surface ochraceous.

P. durga, Wr.

(Lower Assam).

6b. Teeth small (upper canine to m. 3, 35°5mm ; m. I to m. 3,19°7mm.).

General colour cinerous ; whiskers pure white ; under surface greyish

on chest, buff on the abdomen.

P. brahma, Wr.

(Lakhimpur, Upper Assam.)

With regard to the status of these six forms there can be no doubt

that all are very closely related to each other ; and when the ranges of

durga and brahma become better known it may be possible to treat

them all as subspecies of one widely ranging species P. pileatus.

P. argentatus, Horsfield, remains to be noticed. The type of this

nominal species, as traced by Wroughton, is a specimen now in the

British Museum (No. 79.11.21. 597) obtamed from Sylhet. Wrough-

ton treats the name argentatus as a synonym of “ pileatus’’, that is to

say of the form called durga in this paper ; and could this identifica-

tion be supported, the name argentatus would, by the law of priority,

have to replace the much later name durga. But the type of argen-

tafus is a young specimen and in my opinion not determinable with

precision ; all that can be said of it 1s that it is a member of the pileatus

group.

I. Pathecus prleatus pileatus, Blyth.

Garo Hills.—Tura (1,400’), ¢ 282, adult, and three flat skins.

Khasi Hills —Uaitkynsao (2000’), ¢ 521, Juv.

Jaintia Hills—Ranang (4,800’), ¢ ad. 918 Konshong (3,000’), ¢

uy. GOD. 2), Juve), COL.

Naga Hills—Mokokchung (5,000’), g and 9° ; Cholimsen (4000’), —

General colour of dorsal surface neutral grey, darkest on top of

head, where it is almost black, gradually paling towards the rump

80 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

where it becomes smoke-grey. Whiskers pale ochraceous, white

posteriorly. Flanks whitish above, in strong contrast with the narrow

dark dorsal area, and conspicuous in the dorsal view of the animal ;

the flank colour becomes yellower below, to merge insensibly in the

general ochraceous tint of the ventral surface. Outer surfaces of the

arms pale smoky grey ; their inner surfaces cream-coloured. Legs

with the outer surfaces of thighs neutral grey, concolorous with the

middle of the back, the tint gradually lightening downwards to become

white between the knee and the ankle ; inner surfaces white. Upper

surfaces of hands and feet light grey, darkening distally ; the digits

dusky. Tail gradually darkening distally ; in its proximal half not

darker than the mid-dorsum ; its terminals half black.

Type.—A half-grown female in the Calcutta Museum (No. 31d. of

Blyth’s Catalogue, 14d. of Anderson’s Catalogue), received from the

Barrackpore Menagerie. Of the material before me, I have taken

the adult male No. 282 obtained by Mr. Wells at Tura in the Garo

Hills as being a typical specimen.

~ Remarks.—The more important statements made by Blyth with

regard to his type are :—“ general colour a delicate soft-grey, rather

darker on the upper part of the back, and slightly inclining to albes-

cent on the arm, forearm, and leg ”’ ; “ sides of the crown blackish ”’ ;

‘“ hair of cheeks whitish and strongly contrasted being considerably

lengthened laterally and posteriorly, so as to hide the lower part of

the ear, behind which -there is also some similar long and glistening

whitish hair continued from beneath ” ; “ whole of lower parts and

inside of the limbs dul! fulvous white.” Anderson describes the same

specimen as being “light coloured ; under parts pale-yellow ; no

trace of orange. General colour of upper parts and outside of limbs

greyish or fuliginous, darkest on the front of the head and on the

shoulders.” These details apply so exactly to the subspecies inhabit-

ing the Garo Hills that I have no hesitation in identifying it with the

animal originally described by Blyth.

The young male from Konshong (Wells, No. 855) is very interesting.

The terminal third of the tail is ochraceous instead of black as in the

adults, while the proximal part is grey like the back. Possibly an

ochraceous tail-tip is a normal feature of the juvenal pelage, the tail

becoming black distally only in later coats.

Specimens obtained by Mr. Mills in the Naga Hills show that this

subspecies ranges far to the eastwards, the lower limit of the altitude

at which it occurs increasing in that direction. Mr. Mills informs me

that in the Nagas this form is only found in the high cool jungle occur-

ring above 4000’. The subspecies next described P. p. saturatus, 18

found on the floor of the valley and at lower levels on the flanks

of the hills. It and true pileatus are never found together ; and no

individuals of an intermediate character or appearance have been

seen.

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 81

2. Purthecus pileatus saturatus, subsp. n.

Lakhimpur.—Bara Hapjan (200’), ¢ 30, ad., 31.

Sebsagar.—Golaghat (300’), ¢ 234, @ 161, 162.

Naga Hills.—Lakhuni (1,500’), 2.

N. Cachar.—Uanka (400’), 3 1,031. Lamsakhang (800’), gand¢@.

This subspecies differs from P. p. pileatus, as above defined, in having

the whiskers and under parts deep orange, instead of white on pale

ochraceous.

General dorsal colour dusky brown; the rump decidedly darker

and browner than in p. pileatus. Whiskers, flanks and under parts

bright reddish orange ; none of the hairs white or whitish in adults.

Outer surfaces of imbs dark brown; on the leg the part between

the knee and the ankle scarcely paler than the outer surface of the

thigh ; inner surfaces of limbs deep ochraceous. Hands and feet

blackish from wrists and ankles. Tail with the proximal half like

the back ; its distal half black.

Type.-—Adult male, B. M. No. 21,7.13 5. Original No. 30. Collected

at Bara Hapjan, Lakimpur, Upper Assam, on November 2nd, 1919, by

Mr. H. W. Wells. Presented to the British Museum by the Bombay

Natural History Society. For measurements see tables at pp. 82-83.

Remarks.—Although technically the pale coloured animal inhabiting

the Garo Hills and the higher parts of the Nagas is the typical sub-

species, the present form represents a phase of more normal colour.

P. ». saturatus 13 the subspecies met with mn the valley of the Brah-

maputra, upon the low ground between the river and the Naga Hills ;

it ascends the slopes of those hills for some distance, but does not reach

the cool jungles, at high altitudes, inhabited by P. p. pileatus. The

exact limits of the range of saturatus are unknown, and may be far

more extensive than the specimens before me would indicate, for those

described by Blyth and later by Anderson from the hills of Tipperah

and Chittagong seem, from the descriptions published, to be very

similar to those upon which saturatus is based.

3. Prthecus pileatus tenebricus, subsp. n.

North Kamrup.—Matunga River, ¢ 1296, ad.

Menaka Nadi (500’), ¢ 1363 ad.

Bogra Nadi (2,000-3,000’), 3g 1852, juv., 2 1511,

1342. ad.

Characterized by its dark coloration, inconspicuous flanks and

dusky limbs.

General colour of upper parts dusky ; the head cap black, paling

gradually backwards into a blackish or very dark grey upon the rump.

Some of the hairs, especially upon the nape, with light-coloured or

silvery tips. Dark dorsal area not narrow ; the bright flanks scarcely

visible in the dorsal view. Dorsal margins of whiskers and flanks pale

ochraceous posteriorly, becoming redder ventrally. Under parts

82 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCLETY, Vol. X XIX.

generally ferruginous as in p. saturaius but the tint not so intense as

in the latter. Outer surfaces of arms and legs dusky ; thighs and legs

between knees and ankles concolorous with each other, and with the

rump and lower back. Hands and feet black above ; the feet more

or less grizzled with whitish hairs. Proximal half of tail blackish

grey, its distal half jet black.

Type.-—Adult male, B. M. No. 21.7.13.8, Original No. 1296.

Collected by Mr. H. W. Wells at Matunga River, North Kamrup,

December 31st, 1920. Presented to the British Museum by the Bombay

Natural History Society. For measurements see tables at pp. 82-83.

Habitat.—Northern Kamrup.

4. Puithecus durga, Wr.

5. Pithecus shortridger, Wr.

6. Pithecus brahma, Wr.

With regard to these species it is not necessary for me tS add any-

thing to the descriptions published by Wroughton in this Journal in

1916 (Vol. XXIV., p. 653), nor to the remarks made in opening the

present paper.

The following are the measurements of the various members of the

ptleatus group now before me.

External measurements of Pithecus pileatus in millimetres. (Taken

in the flesh by the Collector, Mr. H. W. Wells).

——————_—_

Head . Hind- .

aaeeremee ee sheds, Tail. | rae Ear. | Weight.

Pithecus pileatus pileatus. |

‘GARO HILLS: Tura, ¢ ad.

No, 282 700 1,025 190 34

JAINTA HILLS: Ranang, Q

ad. No. 918 é 570 870 185 30 |21°5 lbs.

Konsnone @ juv. No. 855 310 435 110 28 5°2

es tales, SOL 310 580 130 28

Pithecus pileatus saturatus.

Lakuimpeur: Bara Hap-

jan, ¢ ad. No. 30.. os 685 978 193 33 |(TYPE)

Sepsacar: Golaghat, ¢ ad.

No. 2384 .. 583 990 197 30

Golaghat, 2 ad, No. 161. 500 830 180 30

Nort Cacuar: Lanka, 3

ad. No. 1031 me “6 580 1,020 230 36 |27 lbs.

Lamsakhang, @Q ad.

No. 1010. 490 840 160 26

Pithecus pileatas tenebricus.

NortH Kamrup: Matunga 19°5

River. G ad. (TYPE) 560 910 180 40

No. 1296 .. ve a: 520 895 182 40

Menaki Nadi. dad. No. 1363 |

Bogra Nadi, Qad. No. 1311. 450 710 160 40 |

P ad. ,, 1299. 560 850 175 40

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY.

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84 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY Vol. NXIX-.

No. XX XVII.

ON TREE-SHREWS FROM THE MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO.

OLDFIELD THOMAS, F.R.S.

(Published by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.)

The Bombay Natural History Society has received from Mr. Primrose a num-

ber of Tree-Shrews from the Mergui Archipelago collected by him in 1921. They

are from the various islands from Tavoy to Sullivan’s Island, opposite to the

districts on the mainland where occur 7’. belangeri tenaster and JT. clarissa,.

described by me in the Journal for 1917.

Those from the southern Islands, Sullivan’s and Hastings Islands, and, more

doubtfully, Kissaraing, appear to be referable to the mainland form opposite

them, 7. clarissa. |

But the northern ones, from Tavoy, King’s and Ross Islands, are decidedly

darker than the mainland tenaster, a darkening which is at 1ts maximum in King’s

Island, and this would seem to necessitate the giving of a special name :—

Tupaia belangerr brunetta, subsp. n.

Essentially similar to 7. b. tenaster, but (at least in the later part of the year

darker in colour, with a specially darker crown, which is in some cases almost

black. Posterior part of back, in representative specimens, with a broad

blackish wash, which is, however, not present in all, but is probably seasonal.

Dimensions of type :—Head and body 179 mm.; tail 150; hindfoot 42; ear

19. Skull, greatest length 50 mm.; length of snout 23.

Hab.—Northern islands of Mergui Archipelago ; type from King’s Island.

Type.—Adult male. B.M. No. 23.1. 6, 35. Original number 77. Collected

Ist October 1921 by Mr. C. Primrose. Presented to the National Museum by

the Bombay Natural History Society.

Even then it is not certain that the black back appears in October in the

Tavoy and Ross specimens, as none of suitable date are available, but they may

be provisionally assigned to the same form as those of King’s Island. Those

of all three islands are distinguished from tenaster by the noticeably darker

crown. The light shoulder mark is strongly developed i in all the northern Mer-

gui specimens, “much more so than in the southern.

No. XXXVITI.

THE MOUSE-DEER (TRAGULUS) OF THE MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO.

OLDFIELD THOMAS, F.R.S.

(Published by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.)

Mr. Primrose has obtained in the Mergui Archipelago a number of speci-

mens of the genus Tragulus, all belonging to the group of smaller species—the

kanchil group.

eal

“J

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 85

From Lampi or Sullivans’ Island, in the southern part of the Archipelago

“he has sent examples topotypical of Miller’s Tragulus lampensis, or, as I should

prefer to call it, 7. ravus lampensis, thus attaching it to its parent form, the 7.

yavus of the peninsular mainland. It is a form in which the buffy or ochraceous

-tints are at a maximum, and the back is scarcely blackened at all.

But from Kisseraing, half-way up the Archipelago, and King’s Island, in

its northern part, the Traguli are so much darker than either lampensis or the

mainland ravus as to deserve subspecific distinction.

Tragulus ravus mergatus, subsp. n.

Colour essentially as in ravus, but the back more heavily blackened and with

‘the dorsal dark colour passing down on the sides of the neck, shoulders and

_ flanks, while in ravus these latter are very markedly lighter than the back.

Under surface with the ochraceous markings at a maximum as regards extent

and richness of tone, but they are, as usual, very variable; in the type the whole

middle area of the belly is rich ochraceous, the white of the chest and inguinal

regions completely separated.

Dimensions of the type.—Head and body 480 mm.; hindfoot 186. Skull,

‘greatest length 103.

Hab.—Northern half of Mergui Archipelago ; type from King’s Island, other

‘specimens from Kisseraing.

Type.—Adult female B. M. No. 23.1.6.73 Original number 97,

‘Collected 6th October 1921 by Mr. C. Primrose. Presented to the National

Museum by the Bombay Natural History Society. Three specimens from King’s

Island and three from Kisseraing.

It may be noted that the Kisseraing specimens were killed in the comparatively

‘dry month of January, while the paler lampensis of Sullivans’ Island were killed

in March, so that the darker colour of the former does not seem to be due to sea-

sonal “ saturation ”’.

No. XX XIX.

ON THE LARGE SQUIRRELS OF THE RATUFA GIGANTEA GROUP.

OLDFIELD THOMAS, F.R.S.

(Published by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.)

While naming specimens of Ratufa from the Mergui Archipelago I have

had occasion to look through all our material of the R. gigantea group in order

to learn the relationships of the different forms to each other.

Mr. Miller has separated the mainland members of the group into two—

the northern gigantea, and the more southern pheopepla which runs from

Tenasserim down into the Malay Peninsula, with various insular forms in the

Islands. As usual he applies binomial terms to insular forms, and on this account

‘uses pheopepla as the primary specific name for the Tenasserim animal, the

earlier melanopepla having been founded on the form of Telibon Island. But,

as in other cases, I am not prepared to use binomial terms for every island

race, and should certainly consider melanopepla specifically inseparable from

the mainland forms, so that this name would be equally applicable to the animal

86 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

of Tenasserim, which should, therefore, bear the trinomial R. melanopepla

pheopepla.

Now R. melanopepla in the broad sense—that is, including all the forms from

Tenasserim southwards—is characterised not only by its untufted ears, but by

having a broad wash of yellow crossing the black of the upper side of the forearm

and wrist, and it is interesting to trace how far north this coloration is found.

It occurs in Southern Siam, but at Chieng-mai we find the black-wristed form,

which is therefore to be reckoned as belonging to R. gigantea, and not to melano-

pepla. More to the west, the melanopepla wrist-colour occurs in the Mt. Popa

marana and the Lower Chindwin felli, the latter being the most northern known.

But these two animals, marana and felli, have,in addition, acorresponding ex-

tension of the yellow on the hind limb, forming a small patch on the inner side.

of the metatarsus (outer in the prepared skins with the feet reversed) this double

marking also occurring in several of the races of melanopepla,much further south..

But in gigantea, which has no forearm patch, the distribution of the metatarsal

patch proves to be of interest in regard to the races of that animal. We find

no trace of it in Nepal, Sikkim (presumably Bhotan), and Mishmi specimens,

representing the rather doubtful subspecies 2. g. macruroides Hodgs. In Assam,

where the typical gigantea* occurs, a few and almost imperceptible yellow

hairs are to be found in some specimens, but not in all. Further eastwards

and southwards the yellow increases in amount, until after passing a zone (from

the Naga Hills to near Mandalay) where it is irregular or occasionally absent,

the Squirrels from Myitkina, Katha, Shan States and North Siam always.

appear to have it present and well defined. :

This being the case, we should apparently recognise the latter as forming

a yellow-marked subspecies grading north-westwards into gigantea, but abruptly

and sharply separated on the south from the melanopepla forms without any

yellow on the hind foot, but with prominent patches on the fore.

Ratufa gigantea stigmosa, subsp. n.

Essentially like true gigantea so far as the tufted ears, and the absence of a

forearm patch are concerned, but with a well-marked yellow patch on the hallucal

side of the metatarsus. Size about as in gigantea, though the two Siamese:

specimens (one the type) have the skull a little larger than is usual in that

animal.

Dimensions of the type, measured in the flesh :—Head and body 417 mm ;

tail 477 ; hindfoot 82; ear 30. Skull, greatest length (to occipital crest) 79:

condylo-incisive length 72°5; zygomatic breadth 48:2; upper tooth-series 15.

Hab.—North-Eastern and Eastern Burma and North Siam. Type from

Doi Sritepe, Chiengmai, Siam. Other specimens from Myitkina (Venning,

Madaya (Barton), Gokteik (Shortridge), Katha (Kemmis) and Melamoung

W. Siam (Stockley). :

Type.—Adult female. B.M. No. 98. 10. 5. 40. Collected 10th April 1898

and presented by Mr. Th. H. Lyle.

*Messrs. Robinson and Kloss speak of the tyre specimen of gigantea as ‘‘ formerly in the India®

Museum, but apparently no Jonger in existence.” 1t was however still in the Indian Museum when

that was broken up. and igs nowin the British Museum—B.M. No. 79 11. 21. 336.

Owing to having had something like sixty years exposure to light, this type is completely

bleached, and has become so like R.g. lutrina of the Chindwin as tobe almost indistinguishable-

from it. But McCleveand described the animal as being glossy black, so that he certainly did not

(and indeed could not at that date) get lutrina from the Chindwin. The R. gigantea black is known

to bleach to brown as May be seen on the old fur of many changing specimens, and there is no

doubt the same change has taken place, post mortem, during the long period of exposure we

know this speci:nen to have had.

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY 87

No. XL.

A NEW MOUSE FROM MADURA, S. INDIA.

OLDFIELD THOMAS, F.RB.S.

(Published by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.)

Among some specimens from the Palni Hills region of Madura, collected for

the Mammal Survey by Mr. C. McCann, and submitted to me by the Bombay

Natural History Society there occur some examples of a Leggada which has

a really remarkable resemblance to the L. cooki, Ryley, of the Shan States and

Chin Hills, no mice allied to the latter being known from any of the great inter-

vening area. A close comparison of the two, however, shows that the 8. Indian

form has decidedly shorter ears, and there are also other slight differences, so

that & special name is clearly required for it.

Leggada palnica, sp. n.

General appearance as in L. cooki. Size averaging slightly less. Fur not

spinous in any of the specimens, while it often is in cooki; hairs of back about

7 mm. in length. General colour above dull mouse-brown, with scarcely any

trace of the warmer and more rufous tint found in cooki. Undersurface dull

whitish, sometimes washed with drabby, the bases of the hairs broadly slaty.

Ears decidedly shorter than in cooki, measured as 13 mm. in most of the speci-

mens, 14 in two, while in a series of cooki this measurement is usually 16, some-

times 17 and rarely 15 mm. ; in some spirit specimens of palnica the ears attain

at most 14 mm. Hands and feet white. Tail short-haired, blackish above,

whitish below, the contrast not strongly marked. Mammae 3-2-10.

Skull very like that of DL. cooki, but slightly smaller and more slenderly built.

Palatal foramina reaching to the level of the anterior third of m!. Molars of

normal proportions, m!. not specially elongated.

Dimensions of the type, measured in the flesh :—-Head and body 78 mm. ;

tail 90; hindfoot 17; ear 13. Skull, greatest length 23; condylo-incisive length

21:7; nasals 8; interorbital breadth 3:3; breadth of brain case 10°3; palatal

foramina 5°5; upper molar series 3° 7.

Hab.—Palni Hills, Madura, S. India. Type from Shambagama, 6,000;

other specimens from Perumal, 5,000’, Kodaikanal, 7,000’; and Silver Cascade,

5,800’.

Type.—Adult male B.M. No. 23.1.8.5 Original number 26. Collected 22nd

February 1922 by Mr. C. McCann. Presented to the National Museum by

the Bombay Natural History Society. Fifteen specimens examined.

The mice of this part of S. India hitherto obtained are all either members of

Leggadilla or of the very different Leggada booduga group. Mr. McCann ob:

tained examples of both of these as well as of the new form.

88 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SCCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

Ne. XLI.

ON THE FORMS CONTAINED IN THE GENUS HARPIOCEPHALUS.

OLDFIELD THOMAS, F.R.S.

(Published by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum).

Among the small mammals obtained for the Survey by Mr. McCann in the

Palni Hills, 8. India, there occurs a specimen of Harpiocephalus, a genus scarce-

ly known from the peninsula of India, and I have, therefore, made a careful com-

parison of this specimen with our other examples of the group.

‘The only species of restricted Harpiocephalus hitherto known is the original

H. harpia of Java, with what I should consider a recognisable subspecies in Dar-

jeeling and Bhotan, H. h. lasyurus, Hodgs.

To these the S. Indian animal, of which a second specimen, from Malabar,

is in the British Museum, is very nearly allied, but it would seem to be subspe-

cifically separable, having alonger forearm than either the Himalayan or Javan

forms, while it is of the bright colour of the latter. It may be called

Harpiocephalus harpia madrassius, subsp. n.

Forearm longer than in the other subspecies, two females having theirs 53:5

and 52 mm., as against 49°5, 50°0 and 50°5 in Javan females, the males of the

latter being again smaller. Of the Himalayan lasyurus a male has the forearm

45:5, and another specimen, probavly a female, 50° 7.

Colour bright rufous, as in harpia, the grey woolly underfur contrasting with

the red of the tips of the hairs. In lasywrus the ground colour is much browner.

Dimensions of the type :—Forearm 53:5 mm. ; head and body, measured in

flesh, 66; tail 49; ear 17: third finger, metacarpus 51 ; first phalanx 22 ; lower

leg and hindfoot (c.u.) 34.

Hab.—South India. Type from Perumal, Palni Hills, 5,000’; another speci-

men from Malabar.

Type.—Adult female, skin without skull. B.M.No. 23.1.8.1 Original number 83.

Collected 29th March 1922 by Mr. C. McCann and presented by the Bombay

Natural History Society.

Besides the examples of the three races of H. harpia, harpia, lasyurus and mad-

rassius, there are in the Museum two spirit specimens of a very fine Harpioce-

phalus from Upper Burma, which is clearly a different species, and may be called

Harpiocephalus mordax, sp. n.

Size larger than in harpia. Colour corresponding to that of the brightest

rufous examples of that species.

Skull markedly larger than that of harpia, with bigger crests and more widely

expanded zygomata. Muzzle much developed, broad and heavy. Anterior

teeth, incisors and canines, much enlarged, very stout and heavy, while even

the premolars are slightly broader than the first molar, than which they are

narrower in harpia. Posterior molar not quite so minute as it is in the latter.

Dimensions of the type, measured on the spirit specimen :—Forearm 54

mm. ; head and body (contracted) 61; tail 46; ear 19; third finger, meta-

carpus 50; first phalanx 23°5; lower leg and hindfoot (c.u.) 35. Skull,

greatest length 23-6; occipito-nasal length 21:4; zygomatic breadth 14°6;

breadth across muzzle astride canines 7:3; palato-sinual length 10°8; front

of canine to back of m? 7:3.

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 89

Hab.—Upper Burma. Type from Mogok.

Type.—Adult female in spirit. B.M. No. 4. 4. 27. 1. Collected and pre-

sented by Mr. Herbert Hampton. Two specimens.

This fine species is readily distinguishable by its larger skull, and the great

development of the muzzle and canines.

Attention should be called to the fact that in this genus, as shown by our good

series of H. harpia from Java, the female is larger than the male, the difference

being especially conspicuous in the skulls. Whether this is known to occur in

other genera of Microchiroptera I do not know. In the Megachiroptera the

size difference between the sexes appears, as a rule, to have been found so slight

that Dr. Andersen did not think it worth while to take notice of it in his average

measurements. He states, however, that in Hidolon the females ‘“‘ average a

trifle larger than the males,” while, on the other hand, the males of Hpomops,

Hypsignathus, Epomophotus and Lonycteris “ average noticeably larger ’’ than

females. |

A COLLECTION OF MAMMALS MADE sy H. STEVENS, IN THE

DARJEELING DISTRICT.

List AND REMARKS.

TB. ERY.

(1) KeRIVoULA HARDWICKEI, Horsf.

Hardwicke’s Bat.

(Synonymy in No. 26).

Gopaldhara ? 1.

(2) TUPAIA BELANGERI LEPCHA, Thos.

The Sikkim Treez Shrew.

1922. Tupaia belangerr lepcha, Thomas, J.B.N.H.S.* xxviii. p. 428.

Mongpu Hills @ 2. juv.

This animal was originally referred to 7. 6. chinensis in Reports Nos. 27 and

28, but when dealing with this genus at a later period Mr. Thomas decided to

divide it into several subspecies and gave the name J'upaia belangeri lepcha to.

the animal found in Sikkim, Bhutan, Duars and the Darjeeling District.

(3) Tapa micrura, Hodgs.

The Short-tailed Mole.

(See also Reports Nos. 26 & 38.)

Gopaldhara ¢ 2.

(4) PAcHYURA sp.

Gopaldhara 3 2, 2 12.

Many specimens of the larger shrews were obtained by the Survey in Dar-

jeeling, Kalimpong and the Duars. The genus, asa whole, has still to be

studied.

(5) CrocriDURA RUBRICOSA, Ands.

Anderson’s Assam Shrew.

(Synonymy in No. 25).

(See also Reperts Nos. 37 & 38).

This shrew was not obtained by the Survey Collector in the Darjeeling

District although probably it is not uncommon.

(6) Cants rnpicus, Hodgs.

The Jackal

(Synonymy in No. 1 under C. aureus),

(See also Reports Nos. 15, 16, 19, 20, 25, 27, 28, 37, 38).

Dkayti, Nepal Front....? 5. all imm.

(7) 'TOMEUTES LOKROIDES, Hodgs.

The Hoary-belhed Himalayan Squirrel.

(Synonymy in No. 23).

(See also Reports Nos. 26, 28, 37).

Gopaldhara .. ¢ 2, 9 1.; Mongpu Hills. .. ¢ 9, 9 10, ? 3.

COLLECTION OF MAMMALS. Ot

(8) GUNOMYS BENGALENSIS, Gray and Hardw.

The Bengal Mole-Rat.

(Synonymy in No. 15 under G. tarayensis).

(See also Reports Nos. 19, 20, 23, 26, 27, 28, 37, 38).

Gopaldhara .. ? 1.

(9) RatTTUS FULVESCENS, Gray.

The Chestnut Rat.

(Synonymy in No. 15).

(See also Reports Nos. 14, 17, 23, 25, 26, 28, 36-38).

Mongpu Hills .. Q 1.

The specimens recorded in Report No. 14 as Hpimys jerdont were subsequent:--

ly found to be Rattus fulvescens.

(10) Rartus nitipus, Hodgs.

Hodgson’s Grey-bellied Rat.

(Synonymy in No. 15).

(See also Reports Nos. 23, 26, 28, 37).

Gopaldhara .. 5 10, 2 9,24; Mongpu Hills .. ¢ 2, @ 2.

(11) Rarrus tists, Hint.

The Teesta Tree-Rat.

1918. Rattus rattus tiste. Hinton, J.B.N.H.S. xxvi, p. 68.

(See also Reports Nos. 23, 26, 28).

Gopaldhara .. @ 28, 2 41; Mongpu Hills .. ¢ 1, 9 1.

When working out the Indian Rats, Mr. Hinton gave this name to those

noted in the above mentioned Reports as “ Varieties with white under parts.”

(12) Mus pusius, Hodgs.

The common Indian House-Mouse.

(Synonymy in No. 5 under Jf. manei).

(See Reports Nos. 6, 8-16, 18-20, 22, 23, 26-28, 30, 31, 34).

Gopaldhara .. 3 31, 9 66,75; Mongpu Hills... J 1, 9 1.

(18) Mus Homovurws, Hodgs.

The Himalayan House-Mouse.

(Synonymy in No, 15).

(See also Reports Nos, 23, 26-28.)

Gopaldhara .. ¢ 7, Q 20, 23.

The mice included under this name have blue-grey coloured under parts as

mentioned by Mr. Wroughton in Report No. 15, and are clearly distinct from

M. dubius. The whole genus will eventually have to be dealt with, but for the-

present the above name must be retained.

(14) Lzagapa Boopuea, Gray.

The Southern Field-Mouse.

(Synonymy in No. 1).

(See Reports Nos. 2, 4-13, 15, 16, 18-22, 25, 27, 30, 31, 34, 37).

Gopaldhara .. ¢ 4, 9 7.

This genus also demands further study.

92 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

(15) Lepus ruFicaupatus, Geoff.

The common Indian Hare.

(Synonymy in No. 15).

(See also Reports Nos. 19, 21, 23, 26, 27, 37).

Mongpu Hills gd 1, 9 2. juv.

The collection contains 302 specimens, representing 12 genera and 15 species,

and was made during the months of April and May 1921.

About 244 of the total number are of well known rats and mice, while the re-

mainder belong to species which have previously been obtained by the Survey ;

consequently the collection may be regarded as supplementary to the work

done by N. A. Baptista in the Darjeeling and adjoining districts. For the

-sake of convenience in the matter of reference, etc., the list is submitted in the

usual report form.

THE TERRESTRIAL ISOPODA OF MESOPOTAMIA

AND THE SURROUNDING DISTRICTS.

JosEPH OmER-Coorer, F.L.S.

(With 6 plates and 2 text figures.)

* During the last two years collections of Woodlice from the Mesopotamian

Region have been sent to me for identification by Mr. Robert Gurney, ,a.,

Mr. W. Evans and Mr, R.G. Tame, and the specimens in the British

Museum have also been examined. These collections contain in all about

150 specimens representing sixteen species of which six appear to be

undescribed.

The identification of the specimens has been much facilitated through

the kindness of the British Museum authorities, who placed their very

extensive collections at my disposal, including the whole of the Budde

Lund collection.

Through this I was able in the majority of cases to confirm the identi-

fication of the less common species by direct comparison with the type

specimens. The Budde Lund manuscript was also consulted and proved

of the greatest assistance.

Itake this opportunity of expressing my most sincere thanks to the

Museum authorities, and in particular to Dr. W. T. Calman, F.z.s., for the

kindness which he has shown in giving me every facility to examine the

specimens and consult the literature, and also for personally assisting me

in the translation of various foreign publications,

The collections show no very striking features, most of the species being

found also in Algeria, Egypt or Southern Europe, while the new species are

also closely allied to species found in these regions, with the exception of ©

Periscyphis Tamet, Sp.n., which appears to be most closely related to cer-

tain Central African forms.

The discovery of specimens of Hemilepistus pectinatus, Budde Lund, is

however of considerable interest as they possesses free coxal plates on the

2nd, 8rd and 4th trunk segments, a feature unknown previously in any

normal genus of the Oniscoidea.*

* Since this paper was in the hands of the printer I have found in a paper by Dolifus a reference

to these coxal plates which is as follows :—

ANOMALONISCUS. Gen. Nov. ’ alas

**Ce genre qui parait se rapprocher du genre Alloniscus Dana. s'en distingue par le singulier

charactére suivant chez les Q les parties latérales des segments 2, 3 et 4 du pereion présentent une

division trés nette qui délimite un large coxopodite, analoque a celui quis’observe dans le genre

Ligia. Ce charactere est d’autant plus extraordinaire qu'il est limité 4 un petit nombre de segments

et qu'il ne s’obse ve pas chez le mile. Voicidu reste la diagnose du genre’ Adrian Doilfus 1893

Bull Soc. Zool de France. Tom XVIII p. 187.

Examination of the specimens of Alloniscus in the collection of the British Museum reveals the

fact that the majority of species have a suture or groove between the coxal plate and the tergum in

the 2nd, 3rd and 4th trunk segments only, and that this character is confined to the female sex.

Ihave also received a letter from Mr. Harold Jackson, M.Sc.. who has been working upon the

genus Ligia and who kindly examined a number as legards their coxal plates. His observations appear

to me to be of Considerable interest and I am therefore quoting the grcater part of his letter.

** Your request has incited me to look into the point at once in the hope it will be of use to you

and I have examined some 50 Ligia to-day with the following results: 24 of the specimens were

male and 23 female.’”’ By ‘‘every segment *’ I mean ‘‘ every thoracic segment.”

Ligia exotica, Roux.

2, 3 and 4 separated by very deep grooves 1, slightly grooved, 5, 6, 7 progressively less deeply

grooved towards the metasome. ,

Exceedingly faint indications only (as a matter of fact I can quite excuse anyone unprovided .

with a first rate binocular miscroscope not seeing them at all).

L. pallasii, Brandt.

Q Coxa on every segment separated by very deep grooves.

“94 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

That another species, Porcellio Calmant, Sp. n., which shows this structure,

should be found in the same district, is a remarkable coincidence especi-

ally as the genus Porcellio (to which Hemiiepistus is very closely related

is of great size and very widely distributed.

It is possible that a careful examination of the known species of Porcellio

might reveal the presence of free coxal plates in other species as the suture

lines are not very conspicuous, but though I have examined a considerable

number of species I have not so far observed it.

In the examination of this collection, though no very large number of

specimens were dissected, the variability of certain features was very

noticeable,

A number of species from Northern and Central Africa and Great

Britain have also been examined and these have also proved very vari-

able.

In the majority of cases species have been described from specimens of

one sex only and not infrequently from single specimens and as this

fact is often omitted from the description considerable confusion

arises,

The chief features in which I have found the sexes to differ are as

‘follows :—

The size and distribution of the tuberculations.

The size and shape of the lobes of the head, though, this is rarely

well marked.

The structure of the epistome, though but slightly.

The comparative and total length of the joints of the antennal fla-

-gellum.

The number of brushes on the mandibles and their distribution.

The shape, size, number and notching of the teeth of the outer endite

of the maxillula.

The size and number of the spines of the peraeopoda. This is usually

wel] marked especially in the first pair.

The shape and size of the second joint of the seventh peraeopod

especially in Pertscyphis and allied genera where it is usually very

marked.

The length of the uropoda which are often much longer in the male

than the female especially in the genus Porcellio, where in some South

-Exropean and North African forms, the length of the aropoda in the male

18 very great,

3g 2—6 deeply separated, Others with distinct shallow grooves

LL, Oceanica (Linn).

Q Very dezp grooves separating coxa on every segment.

Distinct or deep grooves on every sezment.

L. Olfersti, Brandt.

Exceedingly faint indication or no trace of a division,

LL. Cinerascens, B-L.

Q Very distinct grooves on every segment.

Very faint indications only.

L. Novae-Zealandica Dana.

2 2,3, and 4 very deeply grooved, other segments more or less well marked.

3 No specimens in my possession.

Th> result of this sm vl investigation seems to me Very interesting. ‘

It is very obvious that th presence or absence of separated coxa in the male only is not without

specific importanee, a3 the charac‘er is rematkably constant in the species.

The females ail agree in having the character more strongly marked in segments 2,3 and 4 than

any male. It is more or less marked in the other segments, but not so specifically distinct as to

have much value,

(Signed)' HAROLD G, JACKSON,

TERRESTRIAL ISOPODA OF MESOPOTAMIA. 95

The principal variations which I have noticed amongst individuals of the

same sex are :—

Size.— Very considerable differences are often found between individuals

apparently adult.

Colour.—

The tuberculation of the body, but variation in this respect is not great.

The size and shape of the lobes of the head which vary to some extent

with age and sex.

The development of the coxal and pleural plates and the degree of

sinuosity of the hinder margins of the trunk segments, though thisis not

very well marked, is of some importance as these features have been made

much use of by some systematists.

Number of ocelli.

Number of ‘ olfactory ’’ setae on the antennule.

Length of the joints of the antennal flagellum, though variation in this

is usually slight

Number of brushes on the mandibles, and their arrangement. This

character seems particularly variable.

The remaining mouth parts and the uropoda also show occasional

variation, but this is not usually well marked.

A list of the species with the number of specimens from each locality

is given below :—

Je (ese .

js| 3 s|"S

List of species. Suis PA i “Se ela ee

ov) oe yn 8 =)

slal S |sAiom

<i} =e"

Cubaris officionalis (Dumeril) .. ae: POs ade

Periscyphis (= Cercocytonus) Tamet, Sp. nN. 2}. 4

Pareluma minuta, Sp, n aE uF Pigs ie

Porcellio (Porcellio) blattarius, Bela - ice laa

‘ (Porcellio) Evansi, Sp. n. : “ez,

bh (Rogopus) le vis (Latr.) eo PN OUEO) eg OEE Cea leas

sf (Rogopus) Calmani, Sp. n. .. 53h Ae abel | eRe area nls Melees 1 | Lcte anges

‘ (Angara) lenta (B-L.) an eee

* (? Agabiformis) rufobrunneus, Sp. n. 2 ye gd (een ee

Hemilepistus pectinatus, B-L. be oe Seieelese heals tee ats ed

Leptotrichus politus, Sp. n. .. Pale Olee

Porcellionides (= Metaponorthus) litoralis (B- L.) Ses) ae

3 i swammerdami, (Aud.

& Savig.) .. {19} 2) I

i Bi uniformis (Koch).| 8|..| ..

- nr P pruinosus (Brandt).| 2). .

Philoscia elongata, Dollf. on a os Se lax( lowe

M43) Sul leu) ae 0a

Cubaris officionalis (Dumeril).

Dumeril, 1816.

" Localities—Amara: Capt. P. A. Buxton, Capt. W. E. Evans, Mr. R. G.

ame.

Kizil Robat, N. E. of Baghdad: Capt. W. E, Evans, 4 specimens.

96 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

Periscyphis (=Cercocytonus) Tamei, sp.n. (Plate I).

Localities.—Amara: Mr. R. G. Tame, 2 specimens.

Ruz, N. E. of Baghdad: Capt. W.E. Evans, 4 specimens.

Description.—Body convex, capable of rolling into a ball, nearly smooth

with a few small irregularly scattered setae and minute punctations.

Head with the lateral lobes small and the front straight. Epistome

without: marginal line and nearly flat. Antennal tubercles small and

thin walled: clypeus rising steeply from the epistome which is slightly

raised in the middle close to the origin of the clypeus. Eyes of moderate

size with about 15 ocelli.

Mesosome with the coxal plate of the Ist free segment raised to form

a rounded ridge separated by a deep groove from the tergum. This

groove ends blindly behind, but in front is continued as a narrow and

shallow depression which runs round the anterior edge of the segment

behind the raised line which forms the articular edge; the outer collar

line being a continuation of the raised coxal plate. The raised coxal plate

is of a pale yellow colour and marked by numerous fine longitudinal

striations; a condition which appears general where such raised coxal

plates occur, for in all the species of Microcercus, etc., which I have

examined, they have a similar appearance.

The hinder margin of the lst segment nearly straight; the posterior

angles rounded, with a deep notch which receives the edge of the 2nd

segment when the animal rolls up: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th segments

with the hinder margins nearly transverse, without sinuosity, and the

posterior angles rounded and entire: 7th segment with the posterior

angles somewhat posteriorly produced and rounded.

Metasome with the pleural plates of the 3rd, 4th and 5th segments

quadrangular,

Telson triangularly produced in the middle, and the apex a little

rounded,

Antennaules with three joints, the 2nd and 3rd joint being subequal and

the lst a little longer than the other two together; apex with about 12

“olfactory ’’ setee. |

Mandibles: Right with 2 brushes. Left with 3.

Antenne slightly longer than the Ist trunk segment, 2nd joint a

little longer than the 3rd which is slightly shorter than the 4th; flagellum

biarticulate, the lst joint about ith shorter than the 2nd.

Maxillule : Inner endite without posterior spine, with two Jong

slender brushes, the lower being the longer. Outer endite in the female

with 4 major teeth, all well developed, though the 2nd is slender, and

4 minor teeth, the lst and 8rd slightly notched. In the male there

are 4 major and 5 minor teeth and both are rather more curved than in

the female. The minor teeth all have the apex entire cr nearly so. It is

possible that one of these conditions is abnormal as 1 have only dissected

the two specimens.

Maxillae with the outer lobe a little wider than the inner, and without

a basal lobe on the outer margin.

Maxilliped with the last joint of the palp produced as a stout spine.

Middle region with two stout spines each having a small spine at the base,

and there is a third small spine between the two stout ones. The basal

joint of the palp has a single stout spine. Hndite with one spine and with-

out teeth.

Peraeopoda show marked sexual dimorphism especially noticeable in

the number of spfnes carried by the lst pair, which is small in the female

Journ,, Bombay Nat. Hist, Soc, Plate L.

P:riseyphis (=Cercocytonus) Tamei, sp. 0.

THE TERRESTRIAL ISOPODA OF MESOPOTAMIA

AND THE SURROUNDING DISTRICTS.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE I.

Periscyphis (—Cercocytonus) Tamet, Sp. n.

1. Adult female.

2. Head and Ist segment of female.

Head of female side view.

Antennule of male.

5. Antenna of male.

Inner endite of maxillula of male.

Outer endite of maxillula of female.

Outer endite of maxillula of male.

cS) Gor. sq ess

Maxilla of male.

10. Maxillipede of male.

11. Ist peraeopod of female.

12. th pereopod of male and part of 7th peraopod of

female.

13. Ist pleopod of male.

14. 2nd pleopod of male.

15. Uropod of male.

16. Telson of male.

TERRESTRIAL ISOPODA OF MESOPOTAMIA. 97

and large in the male, and in the 2nd joint of the 7th pair, which is short

and stout in the female, and long and narrow in the male.

Pleopoda : lst two pairs with pseudotrachee.

Uropoda with basal joint flattened ; endopodite reaching nearly to the

end of the telson, and the exopodite very small, and situated in a shallow

pit on the upper surface of the basal joint a little behind its distal margin

in a medium position.

Colour—Pale lemon yellow with dark chocolate markings. The coxal

plates are yellow for the greater part of their width and in the anterior

region of the segments this light area extends considerably on to the

tergum but just behind the posterior margin—which is itself nearly white-—

there is a narrow dark band running nearly to the lateral margin of the

segment. The median dark area is narrow anteriorly but becomes broader

posteriorly, being widest in 5th, 6th, and 7th trunk segments. There

are small light markings running down the median line. The head is

yellow with a few indistinct dark mottlings. The metasome has the first

two segments yellow and the last three somewhat darker with the pleural

plates nearly white. The telson and uropods are very pale yellow and the

legs and pleopods are nearly white.

Length, 10 m.m. Breadth, 4 m.m.

Remarks—This species is placed in the genus Periscyphis for the following

reasons :—

Budde Lund 1885, formed the genus Cercocytonus, which he later 1908 (a)

considered to be equivalent to Gerstaecker’s Periscyphis, 1873. In 1910 he

restricted the genus considerably, re-defined Dollfus Synarmadillo, and

created the new genus Muicrocercus. More recently Stebbing, 1911, has

formed the genus Paraperiscyphis, which is easily distinguished from Budde

Lund’s genera, and Pearse, 1915, the genus Manca,—which he has not very

clearly defined and which appears to be very close to Mierocercus. Collinge,

1914, considers Periscyphis, Gerst., distinct from Cercocytonus, B. L., which

further complicates the matter and the whole group is badly in need of

revision.

To add to the confusion, by the addition of a new generic name, would

seem undesirable. I therefore place the species described above in the

genus Periscyphis, while pointing out that it cannot be included in that

genus as defined by Budde Lund, 1910, nor in any of the allied genera as

he restricts them. It shows a close relationship in some respects to the

genus Microcercus which is confined to Africa.

Pareluma, Gen.n.

Definition —Body convex, capable of rolling into a ball. Head with

lateral lobes small, and anteanal tubercles forming two curved and narrow

ridges. Eyes small with several ocelli. Ist segment of the mesosome

with the lateral margins thickened and notched posteriorly to receive the

coxal plate of the 2nd segment. Flagellum of antenna biarticulate, the

2nd joint at least twice as long as the 1st. Telson triangular. Uropoda

similar to those of Armadillidium.

Generotype—Pareluma minuta, Sp.u.

Remarks—This genus is very near to Hluma but may be easily distine

guished from it by the eyes, which consist of but one ocellus in Hluma,

The following species are included :—

Armadillidium Davidi, Dollf. Armadillidium hybridum, B. L.

Festie, * as Oertzenu, B. L.

fissum, ss

granum, 4,

98 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XAIX.

Pareluma minuta, Sp.n. (Plate TI).

Locality—Amara: Capt. W. E. Evans, 13th November 1918.

9 female specimens.

Description—--Body convex, capable of being rolled into a ball; surface

smooth, with a few setae irregularly scattered.

Head with the lateral lobes small and the front almost straight.

Kpistome with distinct marginal line, and a median tubercle forming a

distinct ridge. Antennal tubercles well developed, forming two curved

ridges running upwards and inwards. Eyes small w'th about 6 ocelli.

Mesosome with the Ist free segment notched to receive the coxal plate

of the 2nd. Edges of all the coxal plates a little thickened: Collar line

incistinctly double, the outer line becoming obsolete in the middle

dorsally.

Posterior angles of all the segments rounded and hinder margins

nearly transverse.

Metasome with the pleural plates of the 2nd, 8rd and 4th segments

subquadrangular.

Telson triangular with the apex broadly rounded.

Antennule three jointed, Ist joint about jrd longer than. 8rd, 2nd

very short ; apex with about 7 “ olfactory ”’ sete,

Antenne reach to the 3rd trunk segment.

The 2nd, 8rd and 4th joints subequal, the 8rd being the shortest.

while the 4th is a little longer than the 2nd, and the 5th about as long as

the 3rd and 4th together. Flagellum biarticulate and about as long as the

Sth joint of the peduncle ; the 2nd joint about 5 times as long as the Ist

and with a stout apical bristle.

Mandibles: Right with 3 brushes, one on the setose pad and two

below. Left with 5 brushes, two on the pad and three below.

Maxillulee: Inner endite with a rather long posterior spine and two

short and moderately stout brushes. Outer endite with 4 major teeth—of

which the 2nd is very slender but only slightly shorter than the others—

and 5 minor teeth—all with the apex entire.

Maxille with the outer lobe wider than the inner, and a basal lobe

on the outer margin.

Maxillipedes with the last joint of the palp ending in a tuft of setze ;

middle region with two stout spines—the inner being the longer; and

basal joint with two stout sete. Endite with a single sets and three

teeth, of which the outer is of medium size, the middle large and curved,

and the inner very small.

Pleopoda-—Ist two pairs only with pseudotraches.

Uropoda similar to those of Armadillidium: basal joint notched exter-

nally: Endopodite flattened, reaching just beyond the telson: Exopodite

slightly shorter than the endopodite, flattened, nearly quadrangular.

Colour—Reddish brown with pale yellow or brown spots. Coxal plates

pale yellow. Antennae brown, legs, pleopods and uropods nearly white.

Length, 5 m.m. Breadth, 2 m.m.

Torcellio (Porcellio) tlattarius, B. L.

Budde Lund, 1885, p. 131.

Locaitty—Amara. April-May 1918, Capt. P. A. Buxton, 2 ¢ specimens,

Description. Body oblong oval, not very convex; surface smooth, with fine

setae, punctations, and a few smail tubercles, most prominent posteriorly.

Head with lateral lobes well developed and rounded ; median lobe small,

semicircular, and entire. Epistome raised in the middle but without a

median tubercle in the female, Budde Lund’s description “ Epistoma medio

Journ. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Plate Il.

Mpeg ly

fi ting iy

Pareluma minuta, sp. n.

THE TERRESTRIAL ISOPODA OF MESOPOTAMIA

AND THE SURROUNDING DISTRICTS.

EXPLANATION OF Puate II,

Pareluma minuta, Sp. n.

Female, ? Adult.

Head of female front view.

Antennule of female.

Antenna ey

Inner endite of maxillula of femaie.

Outer endite of maxillula of female.

Maxilla of female.

Maxillipede _,,

[st pereeopod of female.

7th perseopod of

Uropod of

re)

Mie]

TERRESTRIAL ISOPODA OF MESOPOTAMIA. 99

tuberculo obtuso”’ applies to the male only. Eyes composed of about

25 large ocelli.

Text Fig. 1. Lorcellio (Pircellto) Llattarius, B. L.

Mesosome with the posterior margins of the Ist, 2nd and 3rd segments

a little sinuous and the hinder angles sharp. Anterior articular surface of

lst segment with a single collar line dorsally.

Metasome with the pleural plates of the 3rd, 4th and dth segments

triangular and the angles sharp pointed.

Telson subtriangular, with the sides incurved and the apex subacute.

Dorsal surface markedly excavated towards the apex.

Antenne reaching a little beyond the posterior margin of the 2nd

trunk segment: 2nd and 8rd joints subequal, the third slightly the longer

and both obtusely dentate, 4th joint about jrd longer than the 38rd, and

5th as long as the 38rd and 4th together. ?

Flagellum biarticulate, nearly as long as last joint of peduncle; Ist

joint a little longer than 2nd in both sexes. Budde Lund’s description

“ Flagelli articulus prior altero fere duplo longior ” does not agree with

the female specimens from Mesopotamia, nor with the male specimen in

his own collection ; but-I have found that the comparative length of the

joints of the flagellum varies somewhat with age and sex in the genus

Porcellio.

Maxillule : Inner endite with a small curved posterior spine and two

brushes, of which the lower is the longer. Outer endite with 4 major and

6 minor teeth of which the Ist, 3rd, 4th and (?) 6th are notched and the

2ud and 5th slender and entire.

Mazxillipedes with the palp ending in a tuft of small setz ; the middle

region with 2 spines, the outer with 3 and the inner with one seta at the

base. Endite with one spine and 8 teeth of which the innermost is small.

100 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

Pleopoda : 1st two pairs only with pseudotrachee. 1st pair in the female

large subquadrangular nearly meeting in the middle line.

Uropoda with the basal joint rather widely notched externally : endo-

podite projecting very slightly beyond the extremity of the telson:

exopodite short, lanceolate, with a ridge externally.

Colour—Grey, with a series of white marks near the bases of the coxal

plates, and a white spot at a short distance from the margin of each

segment near to the hinder angle. There are also obscure yellow and

reddish markings on the back. Antenne dark grey, legs and uropods

nearly white.

Length,17m.m. Breadth, 8 m.m.

Remarks—This species is represented in the Budde Lynd collection by a

single small male specimen of a yellowish brown colour—which is probably

due to its having been kept for many years preserved in alcohol in a

corked tube. It has been carefully compared with the female specimens

from Amara and the points of difference are so slight that there can be

little doubt that they belong to the same species.

As a certain amount of confusion has existed regarding this species (see

Budde Lund M.S.) and the original description is insufficient I have

redescribed it above from the two females from Amara.

Porcellio (Porcellio) Evansi, Sp. n. Plate III.

Localities—Amara, Capts. C. L. Boulenger, P. A. Buxton and W. E.

Evans.

Baghdad: Capts. C. L. Boulenger and W. E. Evans. Kizil Robat N.

K. of Baghdad: Dee. 1918, Capt. W. E. Evans.

Description— Body oblong oval, moderately convex, with the coxal plates

somewhat flattened ; surface with numerous tubercles arranged in irregular

transverse rows.

Head with the lateral lobes well developed, rounded and sloping slightly

upwards ; frontal lobe obtusely triangular and deeply notched in the

middle, the sides of the notch being raised as distinct prominences. In

one specimen examined these had coalesced so that the apex of the

trianyular frontal lobe was entire and appeared as a single upwardly

directed prominence. Epistome flattened, with distinct marginal line, and

a well developed median tubercle, which has its apex sharp pointed and

directed upwards. It may be seen from the dorsa] surface as a small

pointed tubercle projecting as far as the two median prominences of the

frontal lobe and visible in the notch between them. Eyes with about 25

large ocelli.

Mesosome with the coxal plates projecting laterally : anterior articular

surface of the lst segment with an indistinctly double collar line: Ist, 2nd

and 8rd segments with the binder margin sinuous and the posterior angles

acute.

Metasome with the pleural plates of the 3rd, 4th and 5th segments

triangular and the angles sharp pointed.

Telson sub-triangular, with the sides much incurved and the apex very

slightly rounded.

Antennule with the Ist joint twice as long as the 2nd, which is 3rd

shorter than the 38rd ; a small ps.sh of “ olfactory” sets near the apex.

Antennee reaching to the posterior margin of the 8rd trunk segment:

2nd and 8rd joints subequal, the 3rd being the longer, 4th about 4rd

longer than 3rd, 5th as long as the 3rd and 4th together. Flagellum

biarticulate, 1st joint about 4rd longer than the 2nd in the female, while

im the male it is twice as long. Thisis a well marked sexual difference,

Journ., Bombay Nat, Hist. Soc. Plate Ill

CGT der BAe

S iC 1¢: 18'9: 6: o

oe © °

ag LEO @ 8070. eg

Porcellio (Porcellio) Hvanst, sp. un.

THE TERRESTRIAL ISOPODA OF MESOPOTAMIA

a oS

Cont pwn

AND THE SURROUNDING DISTRICTS.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE III.

Porcellio (Porcellio) Hvansi, Sp. n.

Adult female.

Head of female front view.

Antennule of female.

Antenna of female and flagellum of male.

Inner endite of maxillula of female.

Outer endite of maxillula of female.

Maxillipede of female.

lst pereeopod of female.

7th * -

Uropod of female.

Uropod of male.

TERRESTRIAL ISOPODA OF MESOPOTAMIA, luk

though the relative lengths of the joints of the flagellum show a certait

amount of variation amongst the female specimens examined.

Mandibles: Right with 5 brushes, ail below the setose pad. Left with

9 brushes, 2 arising from the pad.

Masillule : Inner endite with posterior spine small and curved and two

long slender brushes. Outer endite with 4 major and 6 minor teeth, of

which the Ist, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th have the apex deeply notched on the

inner side. .

Maxille similar to those of P. scaber.

Maxillipedes with the last joint of the palp ending in a long curved and

slender spine, below which are a number of small spinous sete;

middle region with two long slender spines, each with a small sete at the

base, between is a third small spine ; basal joint with 2 stout sete.

Endite with 3 small teeth of which the innermost is largest. Basipodite

markedly imbricated, with numerous stout sete scattered irregularly all

over it.

-Pleopoda with lst two pairs only with pseudotrachee. Ist pair sub-

quadrangular and do not meet in the middle line though not widely

separated.

Uropoda: Endopodite not projecting beyond telson : Exopodite rather

small, considerably dorsc-ventrally fattened in both sexes, but more cons-

picuosly in the male, in which it is also large.

Colour—Bright yellow with the tuberculation dark grey or brown: head

dark grey : metasome with a broad dark band covering segments 3, 4, and 5

with the exception of their pleural plates, which are nearly white. Telson

yellow, with one or two dark blotches. Uropoda yellow at base shading

to dark grey brown at apex. Legs and pleopods light yellow.

Length,14m.m. Breadth, 6-5 m.m.

Remarks—This species though apparently abundant and rather striking

in appearance does not seem to have been described previously.

It belongs to the sub-genus Porcellio, as defined by Budde Lund, and is

very like the Porcellio magnificus of Dollfus (1892), but differs from it in

its smaller size and in the shape of the uropods.

Porcellio (Angara) lenta (B.L.)

Budde Lund, 1885, p. 280.

Locality—Amara : Capt. P. A. Buxton, 3 specimens.

Forcellio (Rogopus) levis, Latr.

Latreille, P. A., 1804.

Localities—Amara. Feb. 1918. Capt. W. E. Evans, 4 specimens.

Baghdad. 12th Sept. 1917. Capt. P. A. Buxton, 10 specimens,

Porcellio (Rogopus) Calmani, Sp.n. Plate IV.

Locality—Baku : 1919, Capt. P. A. Buxton, 89 specimens

Description—Body oblong oval, not very convex, surface smooth and

punctate, with a few ill-defined corrugations.

Head with the lateral lobes small and curved outwards, and median

lobe very small and arched. The epistome smooth and arched, without

median tubercle ; marginal line distinct, and continuous with the edges of

the lateral lobes. Eyes with 20—25 small ocelli.

Mesosome with the coxal plates of the 2ud, 3rd and 4th free segments.

separated from the tergum by clearly defined suture lines. The Ist, 2nd

and 3rd segments with the posterior margins transverse, without sinuosity,

and the hinder angles rounded.

102 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X,

Metasome rather sharply narrower than the mesosome, with the pleural

plates of the 3rd, 4th and 5th segments triangular and sharp pointed.

Telson with the sides at first sloping sharply inwards and then bending

at an obtuse angle to run straight to the apex, which is very sharply point-

ed. The produced middle portion forms a nearly equilateral triangle,

slightly excavated dorsally.

Antennule with the Ist joint nearly twice as long asthe 2nd, which is

about the same length as the 3rd. Apex with a large number of short

“olfactory” sete.

Antenne long and slender with the 2nd, and 38rd joints subequal, the

2nd being a little the shorter, both dentate ; 4th joint nearly as long as

the 2nd and 3rd together, and about jth shorter than the 5th. Flagellum

equal in length to the 5th joint of the peduncle, biarticulate, with the Ist

joint about ith longer than the 2nd.

Mandibles both with 7 brushes, one of which is on the setose pad.

Maxillule: Inner endite with long and slender posterior spine, and two

long slender brushes. Outer endite with 4 major and 6 minor teeth, all

with the apex entire ana sharp pointed.

Maxillee with the inner lobe a little wider than the outer, which in the

type specimen had the upper edge sloping downwards and nearly straight

as figured both in the right and left maxille ; in another specimen however

it was more rounded and of the usual type found in the genus Porcellio.

There is a basal lobe on the outer margin.

Mayillipedes: Apex of the palp covered with small closely apposed sete ;

middle region with 2 stout spines, each with a small spine at the base;

basal joint with 2 spines. Endite with 2 teeth close to the palp, the

inner distal angle is raised but does not appear to be a true tooth.

Pereopoda rather long, increasing considerably in length from Ist

to 7th.

Pleopoda: Ist two pairs only with pseudotrachere. Ist pair with the

exopodites large and subtriangular.

Uropoda with the basal joint deeply notched externally: endopodite

birely reaching to the apex of the telson: Exopodite long and lanceolate,

with the inner edge almost straight, and the outer a little curved with a

well defined ridge.

Colour—Purplish brown, with the hinder margins of the segments dark

yellowish brown, sides of body with a white or pale yellow border.

Length, 18 mm. Breadth, 8 m.m.

Remarks—This species which is of peculiar interest has been named after

Dr. W. T. Calman, F.R.S8., the celebrated Carcinologist as a mark of the

great admiration and respect which I feel for him.

On an examination of the specimens upon which the description has been

based, it was found that the coxal plates of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th free

seoments (3rd, 4th and 5th segments) of the mesosome were separated

from the tergum by a well defined suture, a condition hitherto only known

in the Oniscoidea in the aberrent genus 7ylos. Dr. Calman in his volume

on the Crustacea in Lankester’s Treatise on Zoology, speaking of the

suture line between the coxal plates and the tergum in the Isopoda, says:—

‘This condition is found in the Cymothoidea, Serolide, some Spheromide

andin the Tylde among the Oniscoidea. When the suture line dis-

appears as in most Oniscoidea it is impossible to distinguish the coxal

palate from a true pleuron.”’

In the Ligiide the coxal plate is marked off from the tergum by a

depression, but thisis not a true suture. Possibly a more careful examina-

tion of the known species of Oniscoidea might result in the discovery of

free coxal plates in others, as I have found a well marked suture in the

Journ., Bombay Nat, Hist. Soc. Plate Iv.

9 ll

Porcellio (Rogopus) Calmant, sp, n.

THE TERRESTRIAL OSOPODA OF MESOPOTAMIA

—_

— ©

Om O MD TH PB ow pp

AND THE SURROUNDING DISTRICTS.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE IV.

Porcellio (Regopus) Calmani, Sp. n.

Adult female.

Head of female.

Antennule of female.

Antenna Be

Inner endite of maxillula of female!

Outer endite ,, - es

Maxilla of female.

Maxillipede of female.

lst pereeopod of female.

7th eo - re

Uropoda and Telson of female.

THE TERRESTRIAL OSOPODA OF MESOPOTAMIA

HOE

AND THE SURROUNDING DISTRICTS.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE V.

Porcellio (? Agabiformis) rufobrunneus, Sp. n.

Adult male.

Head of male front view.

Antennule of male.

Antenna of male.

Tnner endite of maxillula of male.

Outer endite ,, a ae

Maxillipede of male.

lst pereeopod of female.

7th a ai,” ssi

Ist pleopod of male.

Uropod of male.

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Plate V.

Porcellio (2? Agabiformis) rufobrunneus, sp. n.

TERRESTRIAL ISOPODA OF MESOPOTAMIA. 103

case of Hemilepistus pectinatus, B. L., a species also occurring in this

region. |

Porcellio (2 Agabiformis) rufobrunneus, Sp. n. Plate V.

Locality—Amara : 13th Feb. 1918, Capt. W. E. Evans, 1 @ 4, ¢ speci-

mens,

Deseription-——Body oblong oval, about twice as long as broad, not very

convex; surface covered with numerous minute sete, many small

granulations, and obscurely tuberculate.

Head with the lateral lobes small and rounded, frontal lobe small,

almost semicircular and a little raised in the middle, Epistome smooth,

rather bulbously produced in the middle but without median tubercle.

Marginal line clearly defined and a little raised. Eyes small with 15

ocelli.

Mesosome with coxal plates small and sloping downwards. Ist segment

with the collar line double, the two lines being well separated and distinct

throughout their length: hinder margins of the Ist, 2nd and 3rd segments

without sinuosity and the posterior angles rounded, 4th with a little sinuo-

sity and the hinder angles moderately sharp; the remaining segment

show progressively greater sinuosity and sharper angles.

Metasome with the pleural plates of the 3rd, 4th and 5th segments

subtriangular.

Telson triangular, with the sides almost straight ; dorsal surface slightly

if at all excavated.

Antennulee with 1st joint a little longer than the 8rd, and 2nd about 4

as long as 8rd. Apex with numerous fine “ olfactory” setz.

Antenne reaching to the posterior margin of the 3rd segment ; 2nd, 3rd

and 4th joints subequal, 2nd dilated, a little shorter than 3rd, 3rd and

4th equalin length, 5th as long as 38rd and 4th together. Flagellum

almost as long as 5th joint of peduncle, biarticulate, with the Ist joint

very slightly shorter than the 2nd.

- Mandibles both with 4 brushes, one arising from the setose pad. In the

type specimen the right mandible was unfortunately lost and the left

showed only 3 brushes, one on the pad, but a fourth may have been broken

off.

Maxillule; Inner endite with a well developed posterior spine and

2 moderately long brushes almost exactly equal in length. Outer endite

with 4 major teeth—one of which is very small—and 6 minor—all sharp

pointed and entire.

Maxille with the inner lobe smaller than the outer, and a small basal

lobe.

Maxillipedes : Apex of the palp with numerous sete; middle region with

two well developed spines and at the base of the outermost two small

sete ; basal joint with two spines. Endite with one spine and three teeth,

the outer smail and the other two large.

Pereopoda show a slight sexual dimorphism of the usual type.

Pleopoda : 1st two pairs only with pseudotrachee. 1st pair in female small

and do not meet iu the middle line, exopodite with posterior edge almost

straight and transverse and the inner roundly curved.

Uropoda with the basal joint notched externally : endopodite projecting

about 4rd of its length beyond the telson ; exopodite rather short, with a

ridge on the outer margin.

Colour—Light reddish brown, with small inconspicuous whitish markings

legs and pleopoda white.

Length, 5-5 m.m. Breadth, 3 m.m,

104 JOURNAL BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

Remarks—This species appears to be related to Budde Lund’s sub-genus

Tura, but differs in having 4 brushes on both mandibles and a distinct

notch in the basal joint of the uropod. Verhoeff regards his sub-genus

Agabiformis as including Tura and Iam therefore placing this species

with some hesitation in that sub-genus.

Hemilepistus pectinatus, B. L.

Budde Lund, 1885, p. 135.

Locality—Between Mosul and Korind 1921, Capt. H. E. Shortt, 122

35 specimens.

Text Fig. 2.

This species is very like H. Kulgii (Brandt) and it seems probable that

the male has been described as H. Klugit by Brandt, 1883, p. 179, and the

female as H. pectinutus by Budde Lund. The H. Klugii material at my

disposal has not however been suffcient for me to definitely establish the

unity of the two species. As the female specimens from Mosul and Korind

correspond with Budde Lund’s description :—

‘“ Trunci epimera annulorum 2-3-4 suleo impresso a medio annuli

discreta’’—a feature of great interest and unknown in any other species

of Hemilepistus,—there can be no doubt that they are the same species

described by himas H. pectinatus, although there is no trace of such

suture lines in the three male specimens and they appear to be identical

with H. Klugii.

Leptotrichus politus, Sp.n. Plate Vi.

Locality—Amara: Dec. 1918, Mr. R. G. Tame, 192 70, specimens.

Description—Body oval, very convex, not more than twice as long as

broad ; surface smooth and shining, with numerous small punctations and

minute setz which can only be observed with difticulty.

Head with lateral lobes small, rounded and sloping downwards, median

lobes large, subtriangular, and smoothly rounded in the middle. Epistome

bulbous, sloping smoothly downwards from the frontal lobe. Marginal line

not very distinct, placed some small distance behind the margin of the

median lobe, which has its edge rounded and continuous with the epistome.

Just behind the marginal line is a shallow depression running across the

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Plate VI.

Leptotrichus politus. sp. n.

THE TERRESTRIAL OSOPODA OF MESOPOTAMIA

AND THE SURROUNDING DISTRICTS.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE V1.

Leptotrichus politus, Sp. n.

1. Adult female.

2. Head of female from above.

3. 2. a jp Side wlew.

4. Antennule of female.

Antenna _,,

Inner endite of maxillula of female.

PS] b ee)

7. Outer endite ,,

8. Maxilla of female.

9. Maxillipede of female.

10. Ist pereeopod of female.

lel acta

99 393 99

12. 1st pleopod of male.

13. Uropod of female.

TERRESTRIAL ISOPODA OF MESOPOTAMIA. _ 105

head and to the back of the eyes, and marked off from the top of the head

by an irregular broken line. Eyes with about 20 small ocelli.

Mesosome with coxal plates small and sloping downwards : Ist segment

with the collar line single dorsally, the posterior margin without sinuosity

and the hinder angles broadly rounded; 2nd with the posterior margin

transverse, aud the hinder angles a little rounded ; 8rd with a slight

sinuosity and the angles sharper ; remaining segments showing progressively

greater sinuosity and sharper angles.

Metasome with the pleural plates of the 3rd, 4th and 5th segments well

developed and sub-triangular. ;

Telson triangular, with the sides slightly incurved and the apex rounded:

dorsal surface not excavated, nearly or quite level.

Antennules, Ist and 38rd joints equal in length, 2nd about 4rd the

length of the Ist; apex with about 16 “ olfactory ” sete.

Antenne short, reaching nearly to the posterior margin of the Ist seg-

ment of the mesosome ; 2nd, 3rd and 4th joints subequal, 2nd slightly the

shortest, 5th a little shorter than the 3rd and 4th together. Flagellum

biarticulate, 2nd joint a little more than twice as long as the Ist.

Mandibles: In the one female examined the right mandible was defec-

tive but had one brush on the setose pad, the left havirg 2 on the pad

and 6 below. In one male the right had no brush on the pad and 4 below

and the left 2 on the pad and 3 below, while in another the left had 2 on

the pad and 4 below. The mandibles in this species would seem to vary

not only with sex but in different individuals of the same age and sex.

Maxillule; Inner endite with small posterior spine and two short stout

brushes of equallength. Outer endite with 4 major and 5 minor teeth, all

sharp pointed and entire.

Maxille with the inner lobe wider than the outer, and without a basal

lobe on the outer margin.

Maxillipedes with apex of the palp formed by a tuft of sete ; middle

region with 2 stout. spines, each with 2 set at the base; basal joint

with 2 spines; endite with one spine and three teeth, of which the inner-

most is very small.

Perepooda stout and rather large, with numerous strong spines.

Pleopoda: lst two pairs only with pseudotraches. lst pair in the female

well developed, more or less quadrangular, meeting at the median line.

In the male the Ist pair have the exopodite crescentic in form.

Uropoda with the basal joint deeply notched externally ; endopodite

projecting slightly beyond the telson ; exopodite short and stout, without

bridge, and projecting about half its length beyond the apex of the

telson.

Colour—Dark brown with scattered light yellow markings on the head

and sides. Legs white.

Length,8 m.m. Breadth, 4 m.m.

Poreeilionides (= Metaponorthus) litcralis, (B. L.)

Budde Lund, 1885, p. 179.

Locality—Amara: 13th Feb. 1918, Capt. W. E. Evans, 9 specimens.

Porcellionides (== Metaponorthus) swammerdami, (Aud, and Savig.)

Audouin & Savigny: 1826, p. 289.

Localhitees—Amara: Uapt. P. A. Buxton and Capt. W. E. Evans. Bagh-

dad : Sept. 1917, Capt. P. A. Buxton, 2 specimens. Kizil Robat N. E. of

Baghdad, Dec. 1918, Capt. W. E. Evans, 1 specimen.

196 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1X.

This species was well represented in the collection. Most of the sveci-

mens were reddish yellow with darker markings on the margins but a few

were lead grey.

Porcellionides (= Metaponorthus) uniformis (Koch.)

Koch, C. L., 1841.

Locality—Amara: 1918, Mr. R. G. Tame, 8 specimens.

I have accepted Budde Lund’s identification of this species as Koch’s

description is insufficient and Budde Lund mentions in his M. 8. that he

has examined Koch’s types. There is very little difference between this

species and P. pruinosus (Brandt) and I feel doubtful whether they are

distinct.

Porcellionides (=Metaponorthus) pruinosus (Brandt.)

Brandt, J. F, 1833; p. 19;

Locality.—Amara : Jan. 1918, Capt. P. A. Buxton, 2 damaged specimens:

f record this species with some hesitation as the condition of the speci-

mens was very bad,

Philoscia elongata, Dollf.

Dollfus, Adrian, 1884.

Locality—Amara: Capts. C. L. Boulenger, W. E. Evans, P. A. Buxton,

and Mr. R. G. Tame.

Lhave been unable to consult Dollfus’ original paper, but accept Budde

Lund’s statement in his M. 8. that P. pulchella, Budde Lund (1885), is a

synonym of P. elongata, Dollf.

List of Literature referred to :—

Andouin and 1826. Deseript. de L’ Egypt. Hist. Nat. Crustacea, Pariso

Savigny.

Brandt. 1833. Consp. Monogr. Crust. Oniscodorum Latreille, Bull.

Soc. Imp. d-s Nats. de Moscou, tom VI.

Budde Lund, 1879. Prosp. Gen. Spec. Crust. lsopoda Terrestria.

3 1885, Crust, Isopoda Terrestria.

3 1908, (a). Isopoda von Madagascar and

Ostafrika, Voeltzkows Reise, II. pp. 263-308.

Stuttgart. ;

., 1908. (b). Terrestrial Isopoda from Egypt.

Swedish Zool. Exp. Egypt, No. 26A. pp. 1-12.

Ap LOO: Isopoda. Sjostedts Kilamandjaro-Meru.

Expedition, Stockholm.

Collinge, W.E. 1914. Rec. Ind. Mus., X. part 3, No. 2. pp. 207-210.

Dullfus, Adrian 1884. Bull. Soc. detud. Sc. Parts, VII.

3 1892. Anal. de la Soc. Esp. de Hist. Nat., tom XXI-

Dumeril. 1816. Dict. das Sci. Nat., ILI.

Gerstaecker,A. 1873. in Baron Carl Claus Von der Deckens Reisen m

Ost- Afrika.

Koch, C L. 1841, Deutchland, Crust. etc. heft. 34, No. 15 in Pan-

zer, Fann. Ins. Germ., heft. 180, No. 15.

Latreille, P.A. 1804. Hist. Nat. des crust et des insect, tom. VII

Pearse, A.S. 1915. Crust. Coll. Walker Exp. Santa Marta Colombia.

Proc. United States Nat. Mus., XLIX,py. 531

556 Washington. ;

Stebbing, T. 1911. Indian Isopods, Rec. Ind. Mus., VI. part 4,

RR Nowl2:

‘VHOT NOW AOD ‘oDNOUG WOVIG ‘AAG-ALIH AA “CUId-AOTIV I,

FHL JO SODA ANV ISAN GHL dO SOOT GNV LISAN NVIGN[ FHL AO DNA GNV LSAN NVIGN] @HL dO LSAN AH,

‘90S ‘3SIH '}€N Avequiog ‘uanor

107

A DESCRIPTION OF THE NESTS AND EGGS OF THE COMMON BIRDS

OCCURRING IN THE PLAINS OF THE UNITED PROVINCES.

i. AN. (GILL

Part II.

(With 2 plates.)

(Continued from page 1074 of Vol. XXVIII.)

ZAostercps palpebrosa (226) .. .. The Indian White-eye.

Local name ae oie .. Unknown.

Anglo-Indian name... Yellow Hammer.

These are insignificant birds, common in the Eastern and Western districts

alike. They are gregarious to a certain extent, and in the winter are met with

in small flocks. In the breeding season the parties seem to break up, and then

they are seen, as a rule, only in couples. Domestic operations are commenced

about April and continue, according to locality, till TSeejamedatl ene T have taken

eggs in all these months.

The nest is a perfect work of art, and on account of its frailty is usually well

concealed and difficult of location. Trees and bushes with overhanging branches

and heavy foliage seem to be specially favoured; the nest being always

suspended (never wedged in) from a slender fork or several twigs amidst an

overhanging cluster of leaves ; being, in fact, a perfect miniature of an Oriole’s.

Quite recently I had the good fortune to find a nest at its very commencement.

It was placed at the end of an overhanging branch (amidst a bunch of foliage)

of a gigantic Tamarind tree in my compound. The nest was completed in 12

days, then there was an interval of 4 days, and then a single egg was laid each

ught, which were not incubated till the clutch of three was “complete : and

throughout this period 1 noticed only the one bird in the vicinity ; probably the

hen. The nest was about 8 feet from the ground, and my servants used to

congregate under it during the day, and light fires under it at night, but without

disturbing the bird in the least. In fact, she used to allow me to ‘stand and watch

her in the nest from a distance of a few feet. It was very amusing to watch her

sitting perfectly still, bill pointing upwards, and without even the flicker of an

eyelid ; imagining no doubt that she was thus escaping observation. The nest

was eventually discovered, and two of the eggs rifled by that outrageous dacoit

Dendrocitta rufa. But I was in time to rescue the third, and reproduce

a photograph of the nest.

The nest is constructed throughout of vegetable fibres, neatly and closely

interwoven, and held in position by cobwebs and vegetable down ; so frail as to

be almost transparent. The egg-cavity is beautifully cup-shaped ; lined, usually,

with fine, black hairs, and the normal number of eggs is three. In shape they

are, typically, rather longish ovals a good deal pointed towards the small end,

and of a uniform pale blue colour throughout ; a few eggs having a darker zone

round the large end. A normal egg would measure about 0°62 by 0°46 inch.

Agithina tuphia (2435 a .. The Common Iora.

Local name d ie .. Shavbiga.

Anglo-Indian name .. : .. Yellow-Bird.

I should think that this species occurs in almost every district in the Pro-

vince; but where the accomplished collector would consider it common, the

amateur would probably characterise it as rare. The fact of the matter is that

on account of the bird’s highly developed ventriloquistic attainments they are

elusive creatures ; so that unless one is an adept at distinguishing bird-notes they

108 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

will quite easily escape observation. These notes, especially in the breeding

season, are many and varied, with the high-pitched ones decidedly ventriloquistic;

and even when located will not reveal the bird till after diligent search.

An interesting feature about the nidification of this species, of which I can find

no mention elsewhere, is the plumage display indulged in by the males. The

scene is usually enacted amidst heavy, green foliage, so that close observation

is necessary to follow the procedure. In summer plumage the male is a goodly

picture of black, white and gold, a colour scheme which is rendered much

more picturesque during the period of display. While the hen, seemingly quite

uninterested and oblivious of the close proximity of her lord and master, hops

casually about the branches in search of food, the male fusses around and about.

her, stopping still at frequent intervals to expand his tail, droop his wings, and

to raise his little head skywards in a stately pose calculated to give the best

effect to his vivid colouring ; and, incidentally, to attract the attention of his

lady-love.

Kach time the head is raised the throat swells and gives expression to a very

faint, but clear, sweet, and musical whistle, somewhat prolonged. The scene

changes suddenly, and in a paroxysm of excitement he flits from branch to

branch to the accompaniment of a loud twittering and fluttering of wings, to

rise suddenly into the air, and hurl himself, a ball of feathers, on to some favourite

perch; the same mad proceeding being repeated again and again. Then his

energies being expended he settles dowh to rest, and continues his placid hunt

for insects, as though nothing had happened.

I have taken eggs of this species in both June and July, and last. year a pair

started to build a nest in my compound as late as the third week of August ; but

the heavy rain destroyed it before the eggs were laid. Almost any tree suits

their purpose equally well, for I have taken their nests on Guava, Seesam,

Ingadulcis, Mango, and other trees with comparative regularity ; but never at

any great height from the ground. They are composed of fine twigs and

fibres plastered. over with white cobwebs and gossamer threads, and are either

wedged firmly into the fork of a branch, or on to the top of a horizontal one.

They are circular in shape with the egg-cavity forming a perfect cup ; the

internal lining being of fine twigs closely interwoven. A few nests I have

seen have been more or less cylindrical externally with the cup-shaped egg-cavity

let in on top; while others have been the shape of an inverted cone.

The eggs, usually three in number, appear to be of two distinct types. In

some the ground-colour varies from a greyish to a pinkish white marked with

longitudinal blotches and streaks of a reddish brown shade; while in others

the markings are a distinct chocolate. Between these two types intermediate

varieties, varying in tone and character of the markings, occur not infrequently ;

some specimens presenting secondary markings of purple shades. In shape

they are, typically, moderately broad ovals, slightly pointed towards one end ;

and measure about 0°69 by 0°55 inch.

Molpastes hoemorrhous (278) .. The Madras Red-vented Bulbul.

Local name Fs ae 2. Bulbul:

Anglo- Indian name .. The Common Bulbul.

This species is common throughout the Province, and is 2 familiar garden bird.

The breeding season is from about March to August, though the bulk seem to

breed in June and July, the nests being started shortly before the advent of the

rains.

Being essentially arboreal in their habits, only occasionally descending to the

ground, they do not seem to favour any particular kind of tree when selecting

asite for their nests; nor is any importance attached to height ; the nests being

found as commonly at three feet as at thirty. Considerable importance,

however, is attached to concealment; each nest being carefully hidden away

amidst thick foliage. Sometimes they are fixed on to the top of a thick, hori-

DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 109

zontal branch, sometimes wedged firmly into the angle of a forked branch, and

sometimes into the space formed by several bifurcating, vertical twigs.

The nests, internally, are all the same ; cup-shaped, and lined with fine twigs

and grass-roots. They are coated externally with cobwebs and vegetable fibres;

dry leaves, grass, and paper often being incorporated in the structure. Exter-

nally the nests conform to the shape of the position in which they are placed ;

but, generally speaking, are of the shape of an orange cut in halves.

The number of eggs laid is invariably three. In shape they do not appear to

vary to any appreciable extent; but are, typically, rather elongated ovals, slightly

pointed towards one end. The ground-colour is a pinkish white; while the

markings, which are numerous and vary considerably in character, are composed

of blotches, spots, specks, ‘and smudges, of various shades of claret and reddish

brown mixed together in every conceivable manner; many specimens present-

ing conspicuous secondary markings of a purple shade, which seem to show from

under the surface of the shell. A normal egg would measure about 0°89 by 0°65

inch.

Moilpastes bengalensis (282) .. The Bengal Red-vented Bulbul.

Local name ee on .. Kala Bulbul.

Anglo-Indian name a .. The Large Bulbul.

This species, so far as the plains are concerned, seems to have a curious dis-

tribution. But I write purely from personal observations. I have not seen this

species at Allahabad, Cawnpore, or Benares; though it is possible they occur

there. It occurs quite commonly in Oudh, and the submontane tracks; and

very commonly in Ghazipur, where it breeds from April to July.

The nesting habits, and construction of the nests, are almost identical with

those of M. hemorrhous ; save that four eggs are often laid, as against the other’s

three. Also the birds seem to have a weakness for building on the same trees as

the Black Drongo, with whom they live cn quite good terms. In general shape

and colouration the eggs resemble those of M. hemorrhous, but taken as a. whole

they are slightly larger.

Otocompsa emeira (288) .. The Bengal Red-whiskered Bulbul.

Local name me as .. Kanera Bulbul.

Anglo-Indian name of .. Kankara Bulbul.

Outside Ouch I have never met with this species in any of the plains stations

of the Province ; though it doubtless occurs in some of the districts in Rohilkhand.

In Lucknow and Rae-Bareli it is quite common; and yet uncommon in the

adjoining districts of Sultanpur and Partabgarh. In the districts where it

occurs it is a familiar and sprightly garden bird, and breeds from about March

to June. The Horticultural Gardens at Lucknow used to be a favourite nesting

ground ; while on the 15th April 1920 I took a nest with three eggs in a small

croton plant on the verandah of the inspection house at Rae-Bareli.

The nests are rather typical of the species ; being somewhat solid and untidy

structures of grass roots and vegetable fibres. Internally they present the usual

cup-shaped appearance with the lining of fine twigs closely and neatly inter-

woven. The exterior is plastered over with a certain amount of cobweb which

helps in keeping the materials in place ; dry leaves, bits of paper and sometimes

rags, being incorporated. All the nests I have seen have been built in garden

crotons and shrubbery.

This species, like the two already described, become frightfully excited at the

approach of any stranger towards their nursery ; flitting from branch to branch

and uttering loud, startling notes tillthe trespasser has departed to a safe dis-

tance. Consequently if one exercises a little patience, and plays the game of

“hide the slipper,” as it were, the “hot” and “cold” signs will be given by

the birds themselves; the twittering becoming louder and louder, and the birds

becoming more and more excited as one gets nearer the nest, which, by this

method, is revealed in a very short time.

110 JOURNAL, BOMBA NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX.

The number of eggs laid is invariably three, and they can, as a rule, be separated

from those of Molpastes by the uniformity of the markings, consisting of numerous

spots, specks, and minute blotches scattered profusely over the egg, as compared

with the large irregular blotches of the others. Otherwise they are just the

tvpical Bulbul’s eggs with nothing particular or characteristic about them.

In shape they are, typically, rather long ovals, somewhat pointed towards one

end, and measure about 0°83 by 0°63 inch.

Sitta caslaneiventris (321) .. .. The Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch.

Local name an a .. Unknown.

Anglo-Indian name >= Creeper:

This is the only member of the famil v which seems to occur at all commonly

in the plains of the Province, and is met with in most districts. Domestic opera-

tions are commenced, as a rule, in February; the bulk of the eggs being laid in

March. All the nests I have examined in April have contained young, as has been

the case with many others at the end of March ; incubated eggs being of common

occurrence.

The nest, unless one happens to hit up against it by accident, is one of the most

difficult to find ; so that the expedient of watching the birds has to be resorted

to. Ihave found the nests on every conceivable kind of tree, though the Mango

seems to be specially favoured. To begin with, a cavity or hole in some branch,

large enough to contain the nursery, is selected, and the orifice built up with

mud held in place with a salivery secretion together with a substance which looks

like gum arabic. The masonry work often attains to a thickness of a couple of

inches, and dries so hard as to necessitate the use of a hatchet when opening up

the nest. An aperture, sufficiently large to allow one’ bird through, is left open.

The hen then takes up her position inside the nest, which is invariably lined with

bits of fine bark and dry leaves, lays her eggs, and never leaves them till they

are hatched ; after which she emerges to assist in feeding the young. During the

period of incubation she is fed assidiously by the male who spends all the hours

of daylight in frequent journeys to and from the nest.

He is a cunning little beggar too, and guards the secret of his nursery with the

greatest care. When bringing food for his mate he never alights directly on the

nest, but on some other branch in the vicinity, from which position he takes a

careful look around in order to satisfy himself that the coast is clear. If satisfied

he approaches the nest in a series of quick runs, never straight, but round the

branches in a spiral course. At the nest-hole he stops again to make assurance

doubly sure, and if quite satisfied, he enters ; if not, he scuttles away to await a

more favourable opportunity. His entry into the nest is only for a few seconds,

when he emerges again to hang head downwards at the aperture, waving his

little head from side to side. Having satisfied himself that all is well, he flies

off in search of more food.

In the vicinity of the nest this little bird can be most aggressive, and intolerant

of the presence of other small species. Quite recently while watching a nest in

a tree in my compound I saw a large Lizard with a flaming head crawl to

the nest-hole and peep inside. Whether he was contemplating an entry or not I

cannot say, but at that moment the male bird arrived with food, and so great

was his wrath that he mobbed the Lizard to such an extent as to force it

to release its hold, when it fell to the ground with a thud; the little bird

following it in its descent to earth.

The same nest, if not disturbed, is used for three or four years in succession,

presumably by the one pair of birds, for it would be difficult to state this defi-

nitely. The masonry work is invariably quite strong enough to defy the elements,

and requires very little renovating when brought into use the next season ;

though the mud structure is often done without if the birds can find a crevice

or hole with an aperture of suitably small size. I saw no Jess than three instances

of this last March.

*TATLUVM-NA AA ‘ISaN GNV TOGTINAgG ‘TadTaAg GHINGA ‘1ndTAgG GHLINIA-dau

NVIGN] GHL dO ISAaN UUATMSIHM-daa TVONAG -IdU IVONTG AHL JO ISAN SVUGV, FHL AO SOOM GNV LSAN

°'90S ‘3SIH °32N Avrqwog ‘usanor

DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS, 11L

The number of eggs usually found in 2 nest is five. In shape they are slightly

elongated ovals, only very slightly compressed towards one end. The ground-

colour varies from a white to a very pale pink, and the markings, which vary

considerably, consist normally of spots, specks, and minute blotches of a

reddish shade scattered over the whole surface of the egg; but generally more so

towards the large end, where they have a tendency to form an irregular zone, or

cap. A normal specimen would measure about 0°67 by 0°52 inch.

Dicrurus ater (327) Vet a. ewe ibleck Drongo,

Local name x2 ae .. Bojanga.

Anglo-Indian name oe .. King-Crow.

This is the onc member of the family Dzicrurtdae which breeds ‘com-

monly in the plains of the Province; consequently it will be the only species

regarding which I shall make mention. Two or three other species are known

to breed in the hilly, forest regions to the North of the Gcnda district ; but I do

not think they can be included amongst the common birds of the plains.

The Black Drongo is a common and familiar bird in most groves and gardens.

A pleasant bird to watch as he indulges in ariel gyrations after the elusive insect:

returning eech time to some favourite perch to wait and watch for his next

victim. An insolent bird, really, often darting past one’s head to snap up an

insect within a few inches of one’s nose. Even cattle are forced to tolerate his

presence, as he perches on their backs to catch the insects which they put up

while grazing.

The Black Drongo is the one and only species of small bird which f{ have

never seen attacked by a Shikra. In fact, he is capable of imitating the

Shikra’s call, and seems to be immune from its depredations.

In the breeding season these birds become most aggressive ; and are a plague

to all feathered society in the vicinity of their nests; mobbing with deliberate

intent any bird trespassing within their boundaries ; especially birds of prey, no

matter how large. They are capable of soaring straight up into the air at a

rapid pace which enables them to get above the object of their attention from

which advantageous position they rain blows on the offending bird’s head till it

is abso:utely routed. Ihave watched them treat Tawny Eagles, Buzzards, and

Kites to as good a mobbing as they would administer to a Crow, and without

the least fear, apparently, of any of them striking back.

Though intolerant of the presence of most birds near their nests, and of a

nature most aggressive, they either have a weakness for, or are hoodwinked by,

smaller species like Bulbuls, Doves and White-eyes, which often share the same

tree while nesting. Either the aggressive instincts of the Drongo are not lost

upon these other species, who look to the Drongo to drive away intending robbers;

or the Drongo tolerates their presence on the principle that two eyes are better

than one, and trusts to them to give the alarm when necessary. Certainly no

other species, save the three mentioned, seem to be allowed this domestic

liberty.

The Black Drongo breeds from about May to August. The nest is typicel,

and is always wedged into the angle of a forked branch. They are placed on

large trees, usually high up, but I have also seen them at a distance of 8 feet from

the ground. They are circular in shape, and made of coarse grass-roots and

fine twigs, wrapped round and held in place with cobwebs. The egg-cavity is

cup-shaped with the bottom comparatively frail and transparent; the eggs

being quite visible from below. A great deal of seemingly unnecessary

attention is paid to the construction of the rim, which protudes above the

surface of the branch to a height of an inch or more, and which is a characteristic

feature ofthe nest. This is made so strongly that it may still be seen intact

after the egg-cavity has deteriorated and fallen away.

The eggs, usually three in number, are of three distinct types ; 2 phenomenon

which is probably influenced by the age and condition of the bird. In one the

112 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1

ground-colour is salmon pink, and the markings, consisting of spots and specks

of reddish brown, are scattered over the egg towards the large end. In the

second the ground-colour is paler and the markings much darker; while in

the third the ground-colour is pure white without spot or blemish of any kind.

Others again, except for their size, are hardly distinguishable from the

eggs of the Common Oriole. In shape the eggs vary a good deal, but are, typically,

rather long ovals, somewhat pointed towards one end; a normal specimen

measuring about 1:01 by 0°75 inch.

Orthotomus sutorius (374) ae .. ‘he Indian Tailor-bird.

Local name sad oF .¢ ~Phutk;

Anglo- Indian name .. Tailor-bird.

This species is commonly distributed throughout the Province, but on account,

of its small size and skulking habits is more often heard than seen. Its call,

heard to greater advantage during the breeding season, is clear, penetrating,

metallic, and extraordinarily loud for such a small bird. It is met with only

singly or in pairs, and is a familiar garden bird.

The period of nidification is from about June to September; most nests

being started with the advent of the rains. The nests are typical, and comprise

a soft, cup-shaped pad of cotton wool lined with horse-hair, placed inside the

cavity formed by sewing the edges of two or more leaves together.

The nests are invariably close to the ground on account of the birds’ partiality

for large leaved plants, which, as a rule, never grow to any height. Quite fre-

quently the nests almost touch the ground, but occasionally, when built amongst

the leaves of Mango and Teak trees, are pretty high up.

The amount of labour entailed in sewing together the edges of more than

one leaf must be colossal, and well worth a close study. But it falls to the lot

of few to observe such a proceeding, so that most of us have to content ourselves

with drawing conclusions from the completed nest. Quite recently, however,

I had the good fortune to watch the construction of a single leaf nest ; that is,

a nest placed in the cavity formed by sewing together the edges of a single large

leaf, and the procedure was vastly interesting.

The plant selected in this instance was a wild jungle growth bearing stiff,

ereen leaves, about four inches by five in size, and it was to this plant that I

saw a Tailor-bird fly one morning carrying a lump of cotton wool in her bill.

I approached the spot very carefully but could see no sign of any nest. It was

soon to be started. Selecting a leaf the bird gripped the stem firmly with its

feet, and stretching forward along the middle line of the leaf attached the ball

of wool to a point farthest away from the stem, and on the leaf’s under surface ;

securing the ball in place by knotting the protruding strand on the upper surface

of the leaf. Then by using the ball as a sort of centre of supplies the bird con-

trived to draw the edges of the leaf together by a system of strands of cotton

wool rotating in all directions, drawn from the ball and knotted on the outside

of the leaf in the most ingenious manner. When the edges of the farthest end

were thus temporarily secured, another lump of cotton wool was attached at

a point nearer the stem, and the same process repeated and continued till the

strain exerted by the strands, each one being made shorter than the one before,

was sufficient to hold the leaf edges in position while they could be permanently

secured. Many of the strands were then removed and the nest proper construct-

ed in the cavity thus formed.

The nest was completed in ten days after numerous disappointments and

set-backs. Sometimes the tension of the leaf would be too great for the strand

holding the edges in place, and the bird returning with more material would

find that the leaf had sprung back to its original position, with numerous strands

floating in the breeze. At other times the knots, not being large enough, would

pull through, thereby ruining the labour of a whole day. But nothing daunted,

this little feathered artisan stuck to its self- imposed task, and as often as &

DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS, me 113

strand snapped, or a knot pulled through, so often were they renewed and

strengthened. The bird’s patience was inexhaustible, while the ingenuity it

displayed in coping with its numerous difficulties was highly commendable.

__ In this species, the labour of nest construction seems to be undertaken almost

exclusively by the female, as is also the work of incubation. But as soon as the

young are hatched the male accepts his responsibilities, and shares in the

strenuous labours of rearing the brood.

The eggs are up to five in number, and of two distinct types. In one the

ground colouring is a greenish blue, and in the other it varies from white to sal-

mon pink. The markings in both types are the same, and consist of spots,

speckles, and irregular blotches of a reddish brown shade, scattered all over

the egg, but more so towards the large end. Some eggs show only the spots

and speckles and some only the blotches, but a normal egg shows all, and mea-

sures about 0°64 by 0°46 inch. In shape the eggs are typically long ovals, often

tapering towards the small end. The shells are very thin and translucent with

but little gloss.

Cisticola cursitans (381). The Rufous Fantail-Warbler.

Local name ei .. Ghas ka-phutki.

Anglo-Indian name .. Tic-tic.

This species is distributed throughout the Province in suitable localities ;

more abundantly in the vicinity of grass lands and rice cultivation. It is not

in any sense a garden bird, but an inhabitant of open spaces usually removed

from the vicinity of human habitations.

The males of this species exhibit the curious characteristic common to the

Ashy-crowned Finch-Larks ; a characteristic by which they may be readily

recognised. They soar suddenly into the air at a rapid pace, rising and falling

in rapid undulations, and accompanying each upward motion with a loud

‘tic’, a sound which in the breeding season never fails to attract attention.

They feed on or near the ground, and are seldom or never seen flitting about on

the tops of bushes or grass clumps after the fashion of the Indian Wren Warb-

Jers. The soaring habit, however, is most peculiar. It seems to be more pro-

nounced in. the breeding season, and apart from fulfilling any useful object

often reveals the position of a nest so well concealed that in ordinary circum -

stances would certainly have escaped observation.

To search for one of these nests is like looking for a needle in a haystack ;

but, if one has the time to spare, a little patience and perseverence will often

solve the riddle. During the breeding season the ticking call-notes are uttered

continuously ; not only when soaring, but also while feeding; so that having

located the sound, which will invariably be found to emanate from a patch of

low grass or rice, it will be advisable for the observer to take up a position as

near as possible to the sound without drawing unnecessary attention to himself.

Very soon the male will rise rapidly into the air till he gets to a height of

thirty or forty feet. There he commences to rise and fall, uttermg his call-

notes the while, which are answered by his mate beneath. Suddenly he

descends to earth in a rapid nose dive to a spot different from where he

started. The observer should make a mental note of the place of descent and

continue his watch.

‘The soaring will be repeated at comparatively short intervals; the’ bird

descending in the same rapid manner, sometimes here, sometimes there, and

perhaps frequently in the immediate vicinity of one particular spot. This spot

should. be carefully examined when a nest will probably be revealed, If this

fails the other places of descent should be looked at, and if the nest is still not

forthcoming, the birds are probably not breeding.

_ I mention this as a likely procedure (which I have tried myself) for locating

the nest, and not as a hard and fast rule. In bird life there are idiosyncracies; and

there i is no accounting for behaviour i in certain circumstances. But, from what

li4. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

I have been able to observe, the females of this species seem to devote them-

selves to the work of nest construction, while the males spend a good deal of

time in aérial gyrations which appear to the casual observer to be of no practical

value whatsoever. It may be for the purpose of cheering the female in her

labours or for keeping a careful watch from aloft; but if taken advantage of

in the manner described it often reveals the presence of the nest.

The nests are wonderful structures and quite typical of the species. In

shape they are mostly cylindrical, about 3 inches in depth with an egg-cavity

of 14 to 2 inches across, tapering up to an aperture about an inch in diameter,

and they are never placed at more than a few inches from the ground. This lit-

tle habitation is constructed thus :—To begin with a few grass or rice stems are

wound round with cobwebs and gossamer threads until a frail and hollow

cylinder about 3 inches in height is formed, and on account of the stems being

less pliable towards the ground, the cylinder assumes a shape slightly broader

below than above. This preliminary stage seems to be executed with the most

consumate care, for on its exactitude the success of the nest would seem to

depend. Once this cylinder has assumed the desired shape the work is hur-

vied forward and the egg-cavity commenced by other stems being incorporat-

ed at the bottom and carefully welded together with cobwebs and fine vegetable

fibres. At this juncture the nest is still very frail and is strengthened throughout

by the incorporation of more stems and further coatings of cobwebs and vege-

table fibres. Usually twigs growing overhead are drawn down to form a canopy

over the nest in order to facilitate concealment, and the whole structure com-

pleted by the addition of an internal lining of soft, silky, vegetable down. In

some cases the nests appear to be constructed throughout of cobwebs only,

when they look very like large, spider’s nests with the trap doors let in

on top.

The breeding season seems to continue throughout the rains, though the

bulk seem to have eggs in May, June, and July. The maximum complement

of eggs is five, though one usually finds three or four, not infrequently only

two. In shape they are rather short ovals slightly pointed towards one end, and

the variation in colouration is pretty wide. The ground-colour is invariably

white ; sometimes pale pink, when fresh; and occasionally presenting a faint

green tinge. The markings consist mostly of multitudinous specks and spots

of a reddish brown shade scattered all over the egg. In some eggs the markings

are scanty, in some profuse; while others present spots, specks, and minute

blotches confined more or less to the large end and coalescing in places. A

normal egg would measure about 0°59 by 0°46 inch.

Prinia socialis (464) eo .-The Ashy Wren- Warbler.

Localname .. ee ae . .Kala-phutki.

Anglo- Indian name .. . -Tom-tit.

This species breeds fairly commonly throughout the Province ; its only claim

to notoriety being due to the peculiarity that the one bird builds two totally

different kinds of nests; a fact which has been, and still is, something in the

nature of a puzzle to the ornithologist. Factors like climatic conditions, en-

vironment, and protective colouration, would seem to bear no significance

whatsoever ; for both types of nest occur, with comparative regularity, in

similar localities. ‘The eggs in each case are the same, the birds undoubtedly

of the same species, but the reasons for the difference in nest construction

still remain a mystery.

The birds are met with as frequently in gardens and shrubbery as in high

grass, sugar-cane, and “ Bajra”’ crops. Some, when embarking on the work

of nidification, emulate the Indian Tailor-Bird, others the Indian Wren-War-

bler. It may be argued that the architecture of the nest is influenced purely

by environment to the extent that the bird uses material which is available

in the immediate vicinity. This is plausible, but then how is one to account,

DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 115

as frequently happens, for the typical P. inornata nest in gardens without

grass, and for the “ Tailor-bird ” design in some stray plant in the midst of a

sea of high grass and cane cultivation. There does not seem to be any solution

to the mystery, though theories may be easy to propound.

Domestic operations are commenced about May, and continue till the end

of September; the bulk of nests containing eggs in July and August. The

nests, as already: mentioned, are of two distinct types. I have likened one to

that of the Tailor-bird, and though this is true for purposes of general compari-

son, it is not true as to detail; for, to my mind at any rate, there is rather a

distinct line of demarcation between the two. +;

The difference, as I see it, may be described thus:—The Tailor-bird first sews

the leaves and then builds its nest therein, while the Ashy Wren-Warbler prac-

tically builds its nest first and then incorporates the leaves in the structure

afterwards ; purely, I take it, for purposes of stability and concealment. The

cotton wool usually used by the former is rejected by the latter, and coir and

vegetable fibres substituted ; and these are the materials of which the nest

is usually made. Never have I seen a nest of the Ashy Wren-Warbler con-

tained in a single leaf, a common occurrence in the case of the Tailor-bird ;

from which we may conclude that for actual feats of sewing the latter species

must be given best.

The other type of nest is almost identical with that of the Indian Wren-

Warbler, which has been described further on.

The eggs, up to four in number, are typical and most conspicuous ; and can

never be mistaken for any other. They are reddish brown throughout with-

out any markings whatsoever, though some specimens present a zone of a darker

shade at the large end. In shape they are somewhat perfect ovals, and the

shells brilliantly glossy. A normal egg would measure about 0°64 by 0-46 inch.

Prima inornata (466) es ..The Indian Wren-Warbler.

Local name, ie - . .Phutki.

Anglo-Indian name as . .Weaver-bird,

This species is very commonly distributed throughout the Province, but

is essentially a bird of grass lands and open cultivation ; seldom or ever occur-

ring in gardens. The period of nidification is from about June to September,

the bulk of nests being built in the long, ‘‘ sarpat ” grass so familiar along most

railway embankments ; the nests being commenced as soon as the rains set in

and the grass becomes long and green. Sugarcane and Bajra crops often con-

tain nests, but at rather a later period, for the plants do not attain to a suitable

height till about August.

The nest is almost invariably quite typical ; being an elegant and purse-like

structure from 4 to 6 inches in height, with a small circular entrance near the

top, attached to four or five stiff blades of grass, and composed of very fine

strips of the same grass closely interwoven, rather after the fashion of the

Indian Baya. It is devoid of any lining, and is composed both inside and out

of the same material. The egg-cavity is from 1} to 2 inches in diameter and

situated about four inches below the entrance.

Both birds appear to share in building the nest and rearing the young, but

they would seem to incubate the eggs only at night, for never have I come

across a bird in possession during the day. It may just have been pure coinci-

dence, but on the other hand it may not; though it is certainly a departure

from the normal,

Here again we meet with another oologistic puzzle on account of the eggs

being of two distinct types ; a peculiarity difficult of explanation. In one type ~

the ground-colour varies from a bright greenish-blue to a dull green, and the

other though rare, is a delicate pinkish white. The markings in both types

are aa intricate in their patterns as they are variable in their shades. These

consist of bold blotches, spots, and smudges, of shades of chocolate and reddish

116 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

brown scattered sometimes thinly, and sometimes profusely over the egg, and

combined with intricate patterns in fine hair lines which usually encircle the

large end and give the shell the appearance of being cracked ; and which, in-

cidentally, is a characteristic feature of the eggs.

Jt is difficult to give an adequate description of eggs of such complicated

patterns, but that they are very beautiful goes without saying. To the oologist

they are perfect pictures.

Five is the normal number of eggs laid, but as a great number are destroyed

by lizards, larger birds, and vermin, one invariably finds only three or four.

In shape the eggs vary a good deal, globular and moderately long oval varieties

being common. Normally, however, they are perfect ovals often pointed

towards one end, and measure about 0°61 by 0°45 inch.

‘VNVM GNV LOM VHDOU NAAMLAG

s0N0YSIg ‘SaUm)0 ‘af uy fq 010Y4d

‘90S "3SIH "2EN Aequiog “uunor

NOTES ON A COLLECTION OF REPTILIA FROM WAZIRISTAN AND

THE ADJOINING PORTION OF THE N. W. FRONTIER PROVINCE.

Capt. C. M. INcoupBy, R.A.M.C., F.Z.S., F.R.G.S.

AND

Miss Joan B. Procter, F.Z.S.

(With 4 Photos and a map*.)

INTRODUCTION sy Capr. INGoupBy.

The collection was got together during the operations of the Waziristan Field

Force from December 1919 to March 1921. The following notes are primarily

intended to serve as an indication to any members interested who may be sta-

tioned in or near the area covered.

While much work has been done in Sind and Baluchistan, where collections

have been made by Murray, Blanford and Aitchison, and more recently by the

Quetta Nat. Hist. Soc. and by Mr. J. E. B. Hotson, very little has been done

except on birdsin the country north-east of Baluchistan between Afghanistan

and the Indus. Much of this country has been difficult of access except during

the course of punitive expeditions which though of fairly frequent occurrence

have commonly been of brief duration. From S. Waziristan a few specimens

have been sent to the Society by Capt. W. B. Cotton, and Col. Wall has from

time to time recorded snakes received from various officers from other parts of

the province.

A spell of some months of comparative inactivity for my unit during the

early part of the operations, spent on the L. of C., enabled me to train a squad

of stretcher-bearers as collectors, and it is mainly to their exertions later on

that this collection owes any claim it has to being fairly representative. I am

indebted for a few interesting specimens to various officers, especially to Capt.

J. M. Muirhead, at Kirghi, Capt. R. R. Thomson, M.C., R.A.M.C., at Kot Kai,

and Capt. Russell, L.P.O., Ladha, through whose kindness I was enabled to get

into touch with the Mahsuds of Kaniguram who brought, among other in-

teresting specimens, the only examples I obtained of Vipera lebetina.

2. The country covered lies between 31°45—32°40 N. and 69°35—71°00 E.

It consists of a strip of land running E. by S. to W. by N. about 20 miles broad

and 90 miles long, lying between the Indus in the Dera Ismail Khan District

and a line joining Wana and Kaniguram} near the Afghan border. The strip cuts

across two well-defined types of terrain, the well-known flat semi-desert plain, a

continuation of the Sind deserts which is the western side of the Indus basin

floor, and the barren hilly country of Waziristan. The bulk of the collection was

made in this latter area, mainly in or near the valleys of the TANK (TAK)

ZAM, BADDAR TOI, SHAHUR R. and the WANA TOI.

3. Waziristan lies immediately to the north and north-east of the Zhob district

of Baluchistan on a northerly sector of the eastern face of the Helmand Indus

watershed. More generally, it occupies part of the eastern fringe of the plateau

which includes Persia, Baluchistan, and the great part of the Afghanistan. It

is ‘ border ’ country in a zoological and geographical, as well as in a political

sense. In the former senses it belongs more properly to Afghanistan than to

British India. It comes, however, into the area prescribed by the F.B.I.

The country consists of a close and intricate series of hills reaching occasionally

as high as 12,000 ft., intersected by boulder-strewn river beds, and of elevated

* The map will be issued with a subsequent number.

+ The capitals respectively of the 3 Wazirs and of the Mahsud.

118 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

stony plains. These latter are quite small for the most part, by far the largest

reaches from Wana towards the Afghan border, and is about 10 miles broad by

23 miles long ; this has an average elevation of rather over 5,000 ft.

The western boundary of the country is the Afghan border. The eastern

boundary follows, roughly, the junction of the foothills with the Indus plain

at an elevation of about 1,000 ft.

A few patches of alluvial soil in the bends of the rocky river beds, on the

plains, and in the wider valleys permit of cultivation. Above 4,000 ft. the hills

are increasingly but sparsely forested, chiefly with holly oak (Quercus ilex) up

to the pine level, which is said to be about 8,000 ft. here. Below 4,000 ft., they

support a few scattered bushes of acacia, wild olive, ‘sloe’ ‘ bir,’ with patches

of mazri palm, tussocks-of coarse grass and desert herbs. In some of the

wider valleys these occur in considerable profusion. The climate is dry. The

heat in summer is excessive in all parts below about 5,000 ft. ' In winter the

diurnal range of temperature is great. Rainfall is fitful and scanty throughout

the area. Falls of snow below 5,000 ft. are rare. Thunderstorms during late

spring and summer are occasionally of sufficient violence to cause sericus

spates in the river beds. The most interesting feature of the climate is

the occurrence throughout the year of frequent and severe dust storms,

which sometimes are of many hours duration. These seem to occur with the

greatest frequency and violence between the levels of about 3,000 to

5,000 ft.

The difference in the character of the forested country above 5,000 ft. from

that of the dry scorched hill sides below that level is strongly marked; it is

reflected in the character not only of the flora but of the fauna of the two

areas,

The following lists are forms more or less characteristic of their respective

areas ; those given for one area either were not found or are rarein the cther

area :—

Below 4,000 fe. Above 5,000 ft.

MAMMALIA,

Paraechinus blanfordi. Hemiéchinus megalotis.

Herpestes edwardesi feruginous Paraéchinus amir.

Grypomys gleadowi. Mustela foina.

Dipodilus indus. Meriones swinhcei.

Meriones hurriane. Cricetulus sp.

Tatera sherrini.

REPTILTA.

Ophidia.

Eryx jaculus. Zamenis mucosus.

Zamenis ventrimaculatus, a rhodorachis var ladacensis.

Psammophis schokari. Vipera lebetina.

te) lelthan:

Kchis carinatus.

Lacertilia.

Agama isolepis. Eublepharis macularius.

os rubrigularis. Agama nupta.

Uromastix hardwickii. » lirata.

Acanthodactylus cantoris. »» caucasica.

Eremias guttulata. Calotes versicolor.

Eremias velox.

COLLECTION OF REPTILIA FROM WAZIRISTAN. 119

BATRACHIA.T

Rana tigrina. Rana sternosignata.

» strachani. ». limnocharis.

Bufo stomaticus.

On the wooded hill sides and cultivated areas above 5,000 ft. snakes are locally

pretty common, as in the neighbourhood of KANIGURAM, but on the whole

they are scarce, in notable contrast to lizards and frogs which abound (the latter

somewhat surprisingly in view of the nature of the countrv) throughout the

whole tract.

On the whole the collection is not of great interest. Of Lacertilia one new

species was obtained, described in this paper by Miss Procter, andin several cases

the previously known range of species already recorded from Persia or Balu-

chistan is slightly extended. In only one case (Mabuia dissimilis) is the range

extended westwards. Most of the lizards common in the western Himalayas

do not occur in these hills.

The collection is certainly not complete. Many species are very local ;

those found in one valley often differ strikingly from those of an adjacent valley.

At no place was it possible for military reasons to reach the pine level. The

absence among other forms likely to occur of Phrynocephalus and Ophiomous

will be noticed. I was disappointed not to find more of the desert geckos;

neither Stenodaciylus nor -Alsophylax was obtained, though both are said to

occur in the Zhob.

The Iranian character of the lists is well shown by the Lacertilia. Save

the one not hitherto described, only one (Mabuia dissimilis) has not previously

so far as I am aware been recorded from the Plateau. Of the 24 species in the

collection, two only can be regarded as characteristically oriental (Calotes

versicolor and Varanus bengalensis).

I have received much help with the identifications from the officials of the

Society, and from Miss J. Procter of the British Museum. My thanks are due to

them for this, especially to Messrs. R. A. Spence and S. H. Prater for their frequent

and interesting letters at a time of great pressure of work in the Society’s Office

and to Miss Procter who has most kindly worked through the whole of the

material of the Lacertilia in the collection and whose notes on this section add, I

need not say, enormously to the value and interest of the paper.

I am indebted to R. S. Holmes, photographer, for permission to use some of

his beautiful photographs of Waziristan.

In conclusion I should like to appeal on behalf of the Society’s Museum for

lizards. As long ago as 1905 Gleadow, in a most interesting article (Vol. XVI,

No. 4, p. 723) in this Journal, made a similar appeal, giving a list of the

specimens then in the museum and a very long list of ‘‘ wants’’. The dispro-

portion between those lists has not been since reduced as much as mizht

have been hoped. The snake collection, thanks largely to the influence of

Col. Wall, may claim to be representative. Lizards still hang fire. The reason

may perhaps be found in part in the haunting and memorable lines—

‘* The beast I’m sure will well repay

Your kind and tender care

At least so lonely people say

Who keep a frog, and by the way

They are extremely rare.”’

Or words to that effect.

For frog read lizard. If members will turn up the article referred to above

Iam sure they will be moved, if not to keep lizards at once as pets, at least to

bottle some and send them in. Few creatures are easier to collect. None

involve less trouble in preserving. Gleadow’s description of the Spiny-tailed

t For the identification of these I] am indebted to Prof. Narayan Rao.

120 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

lizard, while losing much of its point in absence of the illustration which ac-

companies the original, may apply to all the tribe. “They are lovely, most

interesting and surprisingly tame creatures.”

South Waziristan.

Indus Plain. :

Tank Zam & Baddar Toi.| Shahur R. & Wana Toi.

——

Feet. Feet. Feet.

Daal Tatil Kain 9°00! Rirghd» 2br0si odl-060oShahne angles £02,500

Tank a .. 880} Jandola .. 2,270) Haidari Kach .. 3,000

Kaur Bridge .. 1,000) Kot Kai .. 3,000] Sarwekai .. 3,600

Murtaza .. —.. 1,000] Sora Rogha .. 4,000] Karab Kot .. 3,900

Ladha .. .. 5,500} Wana .. .. 5,000

Kaniguram .. |

CHELONIA—By Capt. C. M. INcGoLtpsy.

TRIONYCHIDE.

(1) Trionyx gangeticus. Indus.

Common in the vicinity in the D. I. K.

(2) Emyda granosa .. Near Tank.

Met with in the irrigation channels into which

the Tank Zam splits up on reaching the plain.

TESTUDINA.

(3) Testudo horsfieldi. | Found in association on the Wana plain near

the surrounding hills. Said to be abundant

(4) Testudo hardwickit. f on the Marwatai hills. The former is by far the

commoner. Examplesof both were previously

sent to the Society by Cotton (J.B.N.H.S.

Vol. XXV., p. 519, Vol. XXVI, p. 314).

(5) Kachuga smith ... Indus.

Abundant. The third vertebral which is quadri-

lateral or sub-quadrilateral in adult specimens

‘is a clean cut pentagon in the young. It is

necessary to bear this in mind when using

Boulenger’s key to the genus in the F.B.I.

LACERTILIA.—By Miss Procter.

The lizards of Capt. Ingoldby’s collection are interesting from two points of

view : geographic distribution, and range of variation. They also include a new

species of Gecko which I have much pleasure in naming after its discoverer. In

most cases large series of specimens were caught, both adult and young, and the

individual variation is often great, that occurring in Lwmeces schneideri being of

particular interest. Other species which deserve special mention on account of

rarity are Agamura persica and Ablepharus grayanus.

‘VHGVI UVAIN ISANOT XUTI

“Lond Ysag ‘samo “A ‘yy 4qoUVd

'90S ‘1SIH ‘3UN AvCquiog “usnor

COLLECTION UF REPTILIA FROM WAZIRISTAN. 121)

GECKONID &.

Gymnodactylus scaber Rupp.

Specimens #13 ; adult and half-grown. |

Localities: Dera Ismail Khan, Kaur Bridge, Tank, Kirghi, Sarwekai,

Ladha, Wana.

Note.—A common desert gecko throughout the tract. A house gecko

in Tank —C.M.I. :

Distribution: Egypt to Afghanistan and Sind.

Gymnodactylus ingoldbyi, sp. n.

Specimens 6, 5 5,6 2 2, 2 half-grown, and young.

Localities : Ladha 5. Sarwekai 1, 8. Waziristan (exact locality un-

marked) 10.

Type san adult ¢ from Ladha ; British Museum Reg. No. 21. 3.21.1,

Collector’s number 63. j

Description s Habit. Small; somewhat depressed. Head ovoid;

snout roundly pointed, longer than distance between eye and ear ;

forehead very slightly concave, ear opening small, vertical; eye

moderate. Limbs moderate ; hind-limb reaching the shoulder or

the constriction of the neck ; fore-limb reaching slightly beyond tip

of snout ; digits very slender. Tail depressed, oval in section.

Lepidosis: Rostral about twice as broad as deep, with a median

cleft above ; nostril pierced between rostral, first labial, and two or

three very small nasals; 9 or 10 supralabials, 9 or 10 infralabials ;

mental subtriangular usually equialteral; two pairs of large chin-

shields and one or two smaller pairs, the first large pair in contact

behind the mental.

Snout covered with convex rounded granules, moderate in size,

becoming irregular in size posteriorly ; occipital region covered with

irregular convex granules intermixed with small tubereles. About

12 longitudinal series of moderate subtriangular

keeled tubercles on the back, about the size of the

ear opening when expanded; the series of tubercles

separated from each other, transversely and long-

itudinally by one* series of small, keeled tubercles,

highly irregular in size and shape (vide text-fig. ).

Upper surfaces of thigh and tibia covered with

small keeled tubercles, intermixed with a few large ones; fore-

limbs covered with imbricate keeled scales. Subgular granules

minute, ventrals very small, hexagonal, imbricate, in about 40

longitudinal series ; lateral fold feeble. Tail with three paired longi-

tudinal series of large trihedral mucronate tubercles on upper surfaces,

arranged in transverse bands, two or three transverse series of small

similar tubercles between each band. Smooth imbricate subcaudals,

with a somewhat enlarged paired median series, which are often

indistinguishable beneath the first three or four annuli.

Male with six preanal pores in a curved transverse series.

Coloration Adults brown or greyish brown, with indistinct dark

spots arranged in curved transverse series as in G. kachhensis or

G. scaber ; young with strongly marked, alternating, light and dark

curved transverse bands ; tail annulate.

This species is nearest to G. kachhensis which has similar sub-

caudals and preanal pores, but which differs in having longer legs,

larger ventrals, and fine granular homogeneous lepidosis between

the large dorsal tubercles.

roe a a ge

* Sometimes two in places.

122 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

In G. ingoldbyi the ventrals are smaller and more numerous than

in any other species of the scaber group. There are about forty

series counting from the lateral fold; about fifty counting from the

outer row of dorsals tubercles.

3. Agamura persica Dum

2 specimens.

Localities: Wana, Karab Kot.

Note ;—Each was found on a stony plain, in the Wana vicinity. As

noted above this extends the range.—C. M. I.

As foreshadowed by Professor Boulenger in his report on Dr. Aitchinson’s

specimens from the Afghan Border (Trans. Linn. Society., 1889, V. 3),

Agamora cruralis and A. persica can no longer be separated. Specimens in

the British Museum collection added since that date (2g., No. 1912. 3.

26°12.) show complete intergrating in allthe points on which the two

were originally separated by Blanford (Zoology, E. Persia, 1876, pp. 358 and

359). The creature thus shows a very remarkable range of variation not

only in lepidosis but in form. Thus the length of the hind limb (grown to

heel) compared with the length from snout to vent varies from 47 % to 61%

and there is most striking difference in the shape and sizeof the head

compared with the trunk in different specimens. There seems to be some

relation between distribution and their morphological differences, the

short limbed small headed forms, Blanford’s A. persica, occurring usually at

a great height (over 8,000) and long lmbed big headed forms commonly

being found at about 1,000 ft. This relation, however, is not invariable.

The above mentioned specimens from Waziristan, typically long limbed

and big headed, were obtained at over 5,000 ft. A specimen of the other

variety was obtained at Kharan, Baluchistan, by Cumming.

Distribution: Baluchistan, Waziristan, and S. E. Persia.

4, Hemidactylus flaviviridis Rupp.

l specimen, Locality: D.I.K.

Distribution : Red Sea to India.

5. Hemidactylus persicus Anders.

6 specimens.

Localities ; Ladha, D.I.K., and Kaur Bridge.

Rare as a desert gecko on the Indus Plain.

An occasional house gecko in D.IL.K.—C.M.I.

EUBLEPAIRD 4’.

6. Hublepharis macularius Blyth.

30 specimens.

Localities: Kaur Bridge (1), Manzai (1), Ladha (12), Wana (16).

Note:—Not uncommon on the Raghzas (patches of flat ground

raised high above the river bed) near Ladha, and on the Wana plain.

Usually found in the bases of old standing piles of stones. I only

found two below 2,000 ft. One specimen captured voided Scybala

containing the harder portions of crickets. I found no traces of

vegetable matter in the few stomach contents examined. It is

difficult to understand how a relatively slow moving creature, showing

itself in captivity so thirsty and wasting rapidly if deprived of

water, thrives on the desert at a distance of over a mile from the

nearest water available. I examined three specimens of the young

of this species ; the first of which was presented to me by Capt. T. M.

COLLECTION OF REPTILIA FROM WAZIRISTAN. 123

Morton, 4-3rd Gurkha Rifles. These exhibit typical ‘“‘ warning

coloration,” being broadly banded on the body with black and

vivid yellow alternately. Traces of yellow remain throughout

life in the appearance of faint powdering over the light parts of

the body.—C.M.I.

Distribution: N. W. India; Persia and Baluchistan, Mesopotamia and

Transcaucasia.

AGAMIDA.

7. Calotes versicolor Daud.

20 specimens.

Localities: Ladha (14), Wana (6).

Note ; —Found at and above 5,000 ft. I found it on three occasions on

stony hillsides at a very considerable distance from the nearest bush

or tree. The largest examined was only eight inches, total length

(sv. 2.4 T 5.6)—C.ML.I.

Distribution: Afghanistan and Baluchistan to Southern China.

8. Agama isolepis Blgr.

29 specimens.

Localities : Kaur Bridge (15), Kulachi (2), Wana (12).

Notes :— Abundant on the Indus plain in the neighbourhood of the

foothills on the Wana plain. I do not recall having seen notice

published of the considerable extent to which, as in some other

Agamas, the female shares with the male the capacity for a vivid

blue ‘ flushing ’ of throat and flanks under excitement.—C.M.I.

The female and two young have a vertebral series of light pinkish

jozenge-shaped spots.

Distribution; Egypt to Sind, Waziristan. is probably the most

northerly point at which this species occurs.

9. Agama rubrigularis Blanf.

5 specimens.

Localities: Kaur Bridge (1), Manzai (3), (1 unlabelled).

Notes :—Found along the low foothills up to about 1,500 ft. It is

most commonly seen about sunset. I have never met it in the

hot weather during the heat of the day.—C.M.I.

The dorsal scales of these specimens are distinctly keeled, parti-

cularly on one male, which resembles many specimens of Agama

persica in this particular ; in fact since in many of the latter the

dorsal scales are not very strongly keeled, the two species can no

longer be separated by this character.

Distribution : Persia, Baluchistan, Sind.

Waziristan is probably the northern boundary of its range of dis-

tribution.

10. Agama nupta De Fil.

4 specimens.

Localities: Shahur Tangi (1), Rogha Kot (1), Wana (2).

Note :—Like the two following species, this is extremely local in its

distribution. I never saw it in the valley of the Tank Zam. In

two of the three specimens obtained the majority of the caudal

segments in the proximal third of the tail were composed of two

whorls of scales only.—C.M.I.

Distribution: Mesopotamia, Persia, Baluchistan. Waziristan is pro-

bably the Eastern limit of its range.

124. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

ll. A. lraia Blanf,

5 specimens.

Locality: Ladha.

Note s—¥Found on the wooded rocky hillsides in the neighbourhood of

Ladha and Kaniguram, sometimes together with, but far less com-

monly than the following form. The stomach contents in each case

examined were purely vegetable. One stomach contained, amongst

much other vegetable matter, three berries.—C.M.TI.

The enlarged dorsal scales of these specimens are practically

smooth ; in transverse section they would be shaped, but have no

distinct keel ; although this is unusual, there are similar specimens

in the collection of the British Museum.

Distribution s Sind and Baluchistan. A new record for Waziristan.

12. Agama caucasica Eichw.

7 specimens.

Locality: Ladha.

Notes :—Abundant but very local in the neighbourhood of Ladha.—

C.M.T.

These specimens have 180 scales round the body, as against 150

to 160 which is the range given for this species in the ‘‘ Fauna of

British India.” In this respect they agree with two specimens

collected by Capt. Hotson in Baluchistan, and presented to the

British Museum by the Society. Possibly further collecting may

produce specimens completely linking up this species with a

A. microlepis, which resembles it in all other characters.

Distribution: Caucasus to Persia, Baluchistan, Waziristan and

Afghanistan.

13. Uromastix hardwickii Gray.

Locality : Kaur Bridge.

Note ;— A large colony in the vicinity of Kaur Bridge. Said to be com-

mon around Bannu. The largest I measured ( 9 ) had a total length

of 161’—C.M.I.

Distribution: N.-W. India to Baluchistan.

VARANID&.

14. Varanus griseus Daud.

4 specimens.

Locality: Kaur Bridge.

Distribution: N.-W. India to Caspian Sea and N. Africa.

15. Varanus bengalensis Daud.

6 specimens.

Localities : D. I. K. (1), Kaur Bridge (5), also seen at Ladha and Wana.

Common throughout the tract.—C.M.LI.

Distribution: Yndia, Ceylon, Burma, Assam. Waziristan is pro-

bably the North-Western limit of its range.

LACERTID ®.

16. Acanthodactylus cantoris Gthr.

4 specimens.

Localities: Kaur Bridge, Kulachi.

Note :—Nothing remarkable. The commonest lizard of the Indus

plain, T did not find it above 1,000 ft.—C.M.I.

Journ. Bombay Nat. hist. Soc.

Photo by R. EL. Holmes, Peshawar.

CONVOYS FROM WANA.

17,

64390;

one

COLLECTION OF REPTILIA FROM WAZIRISTAN. 125

The young of this species are strikingly marked with the primitive

pattern of seven longitudinal black stripes, alternating with six

white ones.

Distribution: N.-W. India to Persia.

Ophiops jerdont Blyth.

15 specimens.

_ Localities: Murtaza (3), Ladha (6), Wana-Sarwekai (5), Haidari

Kach (1).

Notes :—Met with occasionally whenever there was open ground from

1,000. ft. upwards.—C.M.I.

An interesting series, including three extremely young specimens.

Distribution: N.-W. India and C. India.

Eremias guttulata Licht.

Many specimens.

Localities : Kaur Bridge, Jandola Wana. Most individuals not labelled.

Notes :—Extremely common almost throughout the tract from the

Tank neighbourhood upwards. I did not find it in the upper Tank

Zam valley.

A considerable number of males exhibited very marked plumbeous

staining of the throat and chin, extending as irridescence over the

belly. .In only two cases of a large series was the throat yellow.

Both were males.—C.M.I.

These lizards show considerable range of variation in the size and

shape of the occipital shield.

Distribution: North Africa, South-Western Asia from Arabia to

Afghanistan and Sind. Waziristan is probably the most Easterly

point recorded,

Eremias velox Pallas.

_Many specimens.

- ©. Localities: Ladha, Wana. Many specimens unlabelled.

Notes :—Common at 5,000 ft. and upwards.

All the young obtained had blue tails. I never saw the pink

tail described in the F. B. I., Bombay, 1894.—C.M.I.

A series of 45 specimens show great range of variation in .rugosity

of the head shields, size of the interpareital, and in markings.

Distribution ; S. Russia, Transcaucasia, Turkestan, Persia, Baluchistan

and Afghanistan. Waziristan is the Eastern limit of its range.

ap ie fasciata Blanf.

1 specimen.

_focality: Wana.

Note :—The scale rows, as nearly as I could make out ; with a poor lens,

were 54. In all other respects it agrees well with descriptions by

Blanford (Zool. E. Persia) and Bouleng. (F, B. I.).—C.M.1.

Distribution : 8. Persia, Baluchistan. Waziristan is probably the N.-E.

limit of its range.

SCINCID 2.

Mabuia dissimilis Hallow.

5 specimens.

Locality: . Haidari Kach.

Notes :—Very local. I only found it in one place, where it was occupy-

ing the burrow of mole rats near the river bed.—C.M.I

These. specimens are of considerable interest. In two specimens

the dorsals are strongly bicarinate as is usual in this species; the

3 other specimens have only the middle 3 or 5 rows bicarinate, all

126

22.

23.

24.

JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

other dorsals being tricarinate, the middle keel the weakest, but

quite distinct ; the strongly tricarinate scales usually confined to the

nuchal, and lateral areas continue far behind the shoulders.

This species resembles M. septemtceniata in the head-shields, and

M. vittata in colour, markings, and general appearance. The 5

specimens in question have the characteristic greenish white, black

edged vertebral and lateral stripes, with greenish white spots on

the sides.

One female contains about 6 eggs.

Distribution: Western Himalayas, plains of N. India. Not previously

recorded from Waziristan.

Ablepharus grayanus Stol.

2 very young specimens.

Locality: Ladha.

Note :—This rare skink differs from other species of the genus in having

the tympanum hidden. Both specimens are well marked, the

smaller was evidently newly hatched.

Distribution: Cutch, Sind, Kurrachee. A new record for Waziristan.

Eumeces scutatus Theob.

27 specimens. ;

Localities: Kaur Bridge (7), Ladha (8), Wana (12).

Note :—Found in greatest abundance as the Afghan border was appro-

ached. Usually obtained from the burrows of Z'atera indica in the

sandy patches, which occur round the roots of bushes on the other-

wise stony plain bordering the foothills,orfrom those of Gunomys

sp.* in the cultivated areas at higher elevations.

Adult specimens from the ilex level (Ladha-Kaniguran) were

noticeably darker and more heavily striped than specimens of equal

size from the Indus or Wana plains.

The vivid deep saffron of the belly disappears in spirit in 3 or 4

days.—C.M.I.

Distribution: E. Persia, Afghanistan (?), N.-W. India. A new record

for Waziristan.

Eumeces schneidert Daud.

30 specimens.

Localities: Kirghi (1), Jandola (2), Kot Kai (1), Sarwekai (1),

Wana (25).

Notes :—Of 23 specimens examined, 3 have 30 scales around the

mid-body ; one has 29; 2 have 27 and one has 26. The remain-

ing have 28.

The heads, in females, frequently have a somewhat bleached

appearance, but in no case show the greenish yellow colour of the

heads of adult and half grown males.

Found on all open ground covered between 1,500 and 5,000 ft.

On Wana plain, where this skink is very abundant, I examined a

considerable number of burrows. All were of the type described

by Blanford (Zool. E. Persia, 1876, p. 388), i.e, bending ata right

angle a few inches from the surface. The burrows were usually

about 18 inches to 2 feet in length, commonly opening into the

lip of a depression and running horizontally, and occasionally

showing a second right angle bend.

At the time most of the burrows were examined (February)

the lizards were hibernating. The burrow was often found to be

* Note-—The mole rat (Gunomys sp.) was invariably found in the cul tivated patches,

COLLECTION OF REPTILIA FROM WAZIRISTAN. 127

scupied by Hremias velox or Hremias guttulata in addition to

Eumeces schneidert.

The only small mammal I could discover in burrows in that part

of the plain (Meriones hurrianew) was of rare occurrence, and _ his

burrow was of different length and disposition. It seems very

probable that the burrows are made by the skink.—C.M.I.

This splendid series widens the known range of variation consider-

ably, in fact if one or two specimens alone had been submitted to

me for examination I should have unhesitatingly founded a new

sub-species.

In the typical form the first upper labialis in contact with the nasal

only ; this character was evidently considered to be specifically stable

by Mr. Boulenger, as he makes use of it in the key to the genus in his

Catalogue of Lizards. In several of the specimens of the present

coiiection however, the first upper labial is in contact, corner to

corner with the anterior loreal, and in five others the two shields

are more broadly in contact, Capt. Ingoldby has already men-

tioned the variation in the number of scales round the body.

In coloration the common form are greyish above with carrct-

coloured lateral bands, and 2 irregular series of carrot-coloured spots

on the posterior part of the back continuing down middle of tail.

This beautiful colour 1s beginning to bleachin several specimens.

Distribution: Tunis, Egypt, Cyprus, Syria, Armenia, Transcaspia,

Persia, Baluchistan. Waziristan is probably the Eastern limit of itg

range.

OPHIDIA.—By Capt, C. M. INGoLpBy.

The collection comprises 18 species, To these I have added one (Pseudocer-

astes bicornis, Wall) although I did not obtain a specimen, for the sake of

making the list as complete as possible ; it was discovered in the Gomal Valley

at Khajuri Kach.

The occurrence of Tarbophis rhinspoma is worth mentioning on account of its

rarity within Indian limits, Previous examples have been recorded from Sind

(1 specimen) by Boulenger, Journ. N.H. Soc. Vol. 9, p, 325, and from Baluchistan

(1 specimen) by Wall, loc. cit. Vol XXIII, p. 167 under the synonym of

Dipsadomorphus jollyi. ~

An interesting small series of Eryx jaculus was obtained.

Bow.

1, Eryx jaculus.. ne .. Kaur Bridge, 2 specimens.

Wana, 2 99

If the above identification is correct, these specimens approach more

closely to #. johnii than is usual even in these very closely allied species.

In the Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., Boulenger separates the two species in his

key to the genus as follows :—

40 to 50 scales across body ; ventrals 165—200 jaculus. —

54to 65 ,, 3 - »» 194—210 johnii.

Wall in his Common Snakes of India (Journ. Bomb. N. H.Soc., Vol. X XI,

No. I, p. 2) gives the following figures for johnit.

51 to 65 scales across the body; ventrals 189—210 johnis.

In his notes on a collection of snakes from Persia (loc. cit. Yol. XVIII,

p. 797) Wall describes six specimens of jaculus in which the scales were

50—54 ; ventrals 190—199.

In my notes of specimens examined in Mesopotamia I find that in three

specimens the scales across the mid-body were more than 50, being 52, 54,

128. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

& 55 (the last was a semi-decomposed specimen 2’-7” in length). The

ventrals were 189—197.

In these specimens from Waziristan the lepidosis is as follows :—

Ventrals 194 Subcaudals 34 Scales 52

99 200 2° 34 2° 54

» 200 > 3Do18 syrorPeB

29 206 ” 33 29 56

A small point in addition which inclined me to the opinion that these

snakes are jaculus was the appearance of the young, of which I saw three.

In general appearance and markings these were indistinguishable from

the young of jaculus, being more sharply and heavily marked on the body

_ than adults, whereas in the few specimens I have seen of the young of johnii

these were quite unmarked on the body, though showing black bands on the

tail.

Note :—Since writing the above I have had the opportunity through

the kindness of Miss Proctor of examining the specimens of Hryx

jaculus aad Eryx johnit in the British Museum together with the

specimens referred to above. This material confirms what I have

suspected for some time that these two forms are not separable by

any external featuie.

In my opinion and that of Miss Proctor who has kindly examined

these specimens, they should no longer be regarded as separate

species,

. The form from Peninsular India without, as a rule, any markings

on the body, and with more than 50 scale rows in transverse series

in midbody, might be called Eryv jaculus, var johnit.

CoLUBRID &.

Aglypha.

2. Lycodon striatus. Sarwekai 1 specimen.

; Wana ,,

Two points deserve mention as extending the range of distribution and

colour variation given by Wall (Journ. N. H. Soc., Vol. 19, p. 102). These

‘specimens were obtained at altitudes respectively of 3,600 ft. and 5,000. ft.

One specimen shows 35, the other 32 transverse white bands between head

and base of tail.

Both were of the beautiful colour variety in which each white transverse

band meets in an enlarged vertebral spot of bright yellow.

3. Simotes arnensis. an sf .. lank, 1 specimen.

re De ea Se s

4. Zamenis mucosus b+ st ..Kot Kai, 1 specimen.

Wana, 2 specimens.

Ladha, 6

Most of the specimens seen were very dark coloured, almost black,, with

yellow bellies. Not met with in absence of plenty of water and shade.

Common near Kaniguram.

- JTnno specimen examined did the number of maxillary teeth exceed twenty;

Zamenis rhodorachis var ladacensis. Ladha 3 specimens.

Conform well in all -respects to type. .

». 6 Zamenis ventrimaculatus oe Pre Da Fae Coe 1 specimen,

: ides Kaur Bridge, 2 specimens.

Typical. These specimens agree well in markings and lepidosis with

‘specimens from Mesopotamia. . In one specimen from that country, (length

4’.0”), the ventrals were 215. Except in this one respect it, agreed with the

‘TONV.L YOHVHS GHAI

“sONDYSad ‘sawjoH “A °y fq 010Ug

‘90S '3SIH ‘3UN Avquiog “uanor

COLLECTION OF REPTILIA FROM WAZIRISTAN. 129

rest of a very large series all of which, like the three of this collection, agree

well with the description in the Cat. Brit. Mus., Bouleng.

7. Zamenis diadema ..Kaur Bridge, 2 specimens.

Ladha, 4 specimens.

One specimen, half grown, was a melanitic form, being of a uniform.

dark slate-grey colour all over, the usual markings on back and sides show-

ing through rather faintly. The remainder were all of the variety atriceps

common in Sind and the Punjab.

8. Contia angusticeps a 5 ANIrgd, 1 specimen.

One mutilated specimen minus a portion of the tail

9. Contra persica eis 2 -dNIrgt, 1 specimen.

This specimen, which like the last was presented to me very kindly by

Capt. Muirhead, was alive and entire. I was struck by the absence of any

dark markings on head or neck except for a barely perceptible band across

the neck of slightly deeper olive than the remainder of the upper surface,

which was uniform olive.

Neither Mr. Prater nor I were able to identify it. It seemed to me

closest to angusticeps, but differing among other characters in having the

inter-nasal suture shorter than the suture between the prefrontals, and in

markings.

Col. Wall kindly examined it and has pronounced it to be Contia persica.

Unfortunately I am unable to lay my hand on the notes I made on the

lepidosis of either of these specimens, and the specimens, which were sent

to the British Museum for a final opinion, have been lost in transit.

. Opisthoglypha.

10. Tarbophis rhinopoma .. . Kirgi, 1 specimen.

Jandola, 1 specimen.

Scale rows. Ventrals. Subcaudals.

23° 423717 278 a. Ss. 80

PS eae Uf 275 a. 8. 82

In the smaller of these specimens there are three post-oculars on each side,

and the parietals are slightly mal-formed with the tip of each partially

severed, making them appear hardly, if at all, longer than the frontal.

This snake was originaly described by Blanford from Kerman, 8. Persia.

It is figured in Zool. E. Pers., Blanf, 1876.

11. Dipsadomorphus trigonatus ae ..Ladha, 2 specimens.

Wana, 5

A large number of these snakes were brought in to me by the Wazirs of

the Wana plain, most of them hopelessly mutilated or dried up. While

I never saw the uniform sooty black head of var. melanocephalus, in many

of the young and half-grown specimens the head was very dark owing

to black powdering of the shields and nuchal scales, and strongly

irridescent.

Several very young specimens were brought in, all showing the same

strong markings as adults.

In one specimen there are only seven supra-labials on the right side, 3 & 4

touching the eye. Nos. 2 & 3 appear to have fused.

In other cases only the fourth and fifth supra-labials touch the eye on

both sides.

12, Psammophis letthit .. or a .. Kaur Bridge, 2 specimens.

Kot Kai, 1 specimen.

Not uncommon on the foot-hills and neighbouring plain. Usually noticed

in or near a bush to which they invariably retreated when alarmed.

12. Psammophis schokari .. oe . .Kirgi, 1 specimen,

Jandola, 1 eae

130 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

Found over the same area but less commonly than the preceding form.

In one example the 3rd & 4th supra-labials appear to have fused giving on

the left side 8 supra-labials with 3 & 4.in contact with the prae-ocular, 4.& 5

entering eye.

Proteroglypha.

14. Bungarus ceruleus Es Re . Jandola, JE abe

Scale rows. Ventrals. Sub-caudals.

15° 75.15 215 50

15. Bungarus sindanus ae . Jatta, 1 specimen.

Scale rows. Ventrals. Sub-caudals,

20°47 17 207, 45

16. Naja tripudians ies ee Be . Jatta 1 specimen.

Ladha 7 specimens.

With the exception of the plains specimen these were all obtained from

above 5,000 ft. Most of them were brought in by Mahsuds from the neigh-

bourhood of Kaniguram. All of these are of Var. ceca.

VIPERID.

17. Vipera lebetina .. am .. Kaniguram .. 2 spec. ¢ I.

I never saw this snake alive. Both were brought in by Mahsuds, Ac-

cording to them it is not rare in the neighbourhood of Kaniguram. They

regard it with dread, but rather as dangerous to themselves than to their

animals, An interesting note is given by Aitchison in the ‘‘ Zoology of the

Afghan Delimitation Commission” 1889 .. “‘ It causes much mortality

among camels ; owing to its extremely sluggish habits it will not move

out of the way, trusting to its colour to escape detection; hence it is

lable to be trampled upon, the result, of course, proving fatal to the

trampler. It is called as already stated, ‘“‘Shutar-mar*’’ by the natives,

an honour divided between it and the Cobra of these parts.”

Pseudocerastes .bicornis.

No example obtained. Described by Col. F. Wall (Poisonous Terrestrial

Snakes of B. India, p.64) from a specimen obtained by Major O. A.,

Smith at Khajuri Kach.

18. Hchis carinatus var. nigrocincta. .. ..Manzai 1 specimen.

Kirghi Dut ee

Kot Kai Lis:

* Camel-killer.

L3l

NOTES ON A COLLECTION OF BATRACHIA FROM S. WAZIRISTAN

C. R. NARAYAN RAO, M.A,

(With two teat figures.)

The material collected by Capt. C. M. Ingoldby was kindly sent to me by the

Honorary Secretary, Bombay Natural History Society, to be examined and

commented upon. The specimens are referable to the following species :—

(?) Rana hexadactyla. Rana cyanophlyctis. Rana limnocharis.

Rana tigrina. Rana sternosignata. Rana strachani.

Bufo melanostictus. Bufo olivaceous. Bufo stomaticus,

(?) Rana hexadactyla, Less.

1920. Rana hexadactyla, Less., Rec: Ind. Mus., Vol. xx., p. 10.

LARVA,

1918. Annandale and Rao, Rec., Ind. Mus., p. 31, Pl. ii, Fig. 2.

There is only one specimen in the collection, without any label as regarda

the locality where it was taken, and according to Dr. Boulenger this species is

purely S. Indian in its occurrence. The specimen itself is not in a very good

condition of preservation and I assign it provisionally to this species. It

agrees well with Dr. Boulenger’s description.

Rana cyanophlyctis, Schneid.

1920. Rana cyanophlyctis, Schneid, Boul, Rec. Ind. Mus., Vol. xx., p. 12.

LARVA,

1918. Annandale and Rao, Rec. Ind. Mus., p. 30, P.. 11, Fig. 1.

The bulk of the collection comprises this species, and concerning these forms

Capt. Ingoldby writes that “ all the frogs were obtained from small pools and over-

flow or cultivation canals from the Gumal river and the Tank Zam’’. I seized

the opportunity of comparing the measurements of these numerous specimens

with my own collection and with the figures given by Dr. Boulenger (Rec. Ind,

Mus., Vol. xx., p. 14) for the British Museum collection. The law that governs

the proportion of development of the first finger, the diameter of the tympanum

and the eye, the length of the snout and the interorbital width is very arbitrary

and perhaps very complex. I have examined nearly one hundred specimens

of particular sizes of this species and of R. hexadactyla, R. tigrina and R, limno-

charis with a view to discover any relation subsisting among the structures men-

tioned, and within certain limits one can approximately fix the measurements

of these structures, provided one of them is given. Thus the length of the first

finger will be about + in the total length of the body, 4 in the length of

first finger nearly equals the interorbital space in cyanophlyctis, slightly

more in figrina, less in limnocharis, and hexadactyla lies between the latter two

in this regard ;

_4 to 3 in the length of first finger nearly equals the diameter of the eye in

cyanophlyctis, hexadactyla and limnocharis and the two are of equal length in

tigrina ; |

4 of the length of first finger in cyanophlyctis and limnocharis nearly represents

the diameter of the tympanum, less in hexactyla and more in tigrina.

The length of the first finger nearly equals the length of the snout in cyano-

phlyctis, limnocharis and hexadactyla and 14 times in tigrina.

The formula I have stated above is fairly constant in about 85 per cent. of the

cases I have examined and the limits of error in the remainder lie between

*75 and *5 of the normal proportions, The curves I have attempted to draw

1382 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

to express the proportionate relation of the different parts I have selected are

most discontinuous and as I have mentioned already the equation that under-

lies them is most complex.

Structurally, the most noteworthy character common to the S. Waziristan

specimens is the development of a cornified papilla on the outer margin of the

external nares, which is a secondary protective adaptation developed in all the

batrachians subjected to dust storms which frequently occur in the hot weather

in these parts.

Rana limnocharis, Wregm.

1920. Rana limnocharis, Boul. Rec. Ind. Mus., Vol. xx., p. 28.

LARVA.

1918. Annandale and Rao., Rec. Ind. Mus., Vol. xv., p. 32.

There are several specimens of this species in the collection, taken in the same

area with R. cyanophlyctis. I can discover no differences of any importance

between these specimens and the S. Indian forms.

Rana tigrina, Daud.

1290. Rana tigrina, Boul. Rec. Ind. Mus., Vol. xx., p. 17.

LARVA.

1918. Annandale and Rao., Rec. Ind. Mus., Vol. xv., p. 34.

There are only two specimens in the collection and both agree well with Dr

Boulenger’s description. :

Rana sternosignata, Murr.

1920. Rana sternosignata, Boul., Rec. Ind. Mus., Vol. xx., p. 71.

LARVA.

1918. Annandale and Rao., Rec. Ind. Mus., Vol. xv., p. 36.

There are more than half a dozen specimens in the collection from Ladha,

5,500 ft., which is just below Kaniguran, the Mahsud capital. I notice that Capt.

Ingoldby’s specimens differ somewhat widely in respect of measurements given

by Dr. Boulenger (op. cit., p. 72), and I give them below as worthy of being put

on record. Apart from measurements, the other peculiarities noticeable in

several of the specimens are the cornification of the tips of digits, the corrugation

of the abdominal skin, the presence of short glandular folds on the flanks. The

warts on the skin, tipped with horny spines, are usually surrounded by a circlet

of smaller warts similarly tipped with spines.

THE MEASUREMENTS OF R. sternosignata IN MM.

Two typical forms are selected. | 1 | y

From the tip of the snout to vent. ie Bie ate 72 72

Length of the head 26 26°5

Width of the head SR | ere ON 30 30

Snout aie 11 ll

Inter-nasal width an - Bd aie : 6 | 6

—_—_—=

NOTES ON A COLLECTION OF BATRACHIA,

Two typical forms are selected.

Inter-orbital width anterior 5°5 post. 8 mm.

Distance between the eye and nostril

Diameter of the eye

» of the tympanum

Distance between the eye and tympanum

Anterior limb acing the digit)

Ist Finger

2nd as

Hind-limb

Femur

Tibia

Tarsus

Foot

Ist toe

ards 3;

Sth ,,

Metatarsal tubercle (inner)

Breadth of tibia

ere}

133

| 2

6 6

5 5

8 8

4 4

45 5

46 |47 (16-431)

9°5 10°5

11°5 13

14°5 11

115 10

105°5 111

25 26

an 31

16 18

3] 36

12°5 12

18 | 16

24°5 | 21

31 30

225 23

5 5

1 10°5

The measurements of the remaining six specimens agree with the above in

general proportions,

_ Included in the collection there are several tadpoles of all stages, belonging

to this species, and Dr. Boulenger writes about them as follows (op. cit., p. 72):—

“The large tadpoles (up to 90 mm. long) from Quetta, 5,700 ft., for which I am

indebted to Dr. Annandale, are remarkable for the very strongly marked lines

In the des-

of sensory canals, which are black (preservation in formalin).

134 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

cription of the larve in the paper cited above, no reference is made to the “ Sen-

sory Canals’’ which are certainly a striking character. A piece of skin, cleared

in acetic acid, bearing these Sensory Canals, shows under the low power of the

microscope a series of peculiarly shaped melanoblasts arranged in rows. In

text figure 2, a, b, c represent such cells: d is an isolated cell mounted in gly-

cerine. This cell embraces a number of ordinary epidermal cells within its

dendritic branches, thus simulating the appearance of a sensory structure. In

the examples at my disposal it is possible to follow the fate of these curious

———— >

NOTES ON A CULLECTION OF BATRACHIA. 135

melanophores. At the posterior parts of the “canals,” they are in a process

of disintegration, the dendrites become thick melanin cords and still surround,

as in e Fig. 2, the cutaneous cells, in the midst of which the nuclear remains

are visible. In Fig. f, the degeneration is complete and the pigment bodies have

separated and lie round the group of integumentary cells which they held to-

gether. For the propose of comparision with these bodies, I am giving in Fig.

1, a section of the true tactile SoReOry: body from the larva of Rhacophorus ma.

culatus.

Rana strachani, Murr.

1920. Rana strachani Boul., Rec. Ind. Mus., Vol. xx., p. 106.

There is only a single specimen in the collection and I have nothing to add

to the excellent description of this species by Murray

Bufo melanostictus, Schneid.

1980. Bufo melanostictus, Boul., F. B. I. Rept. Batr., p. 505.

These are several examples of this species in the collection and they do not

call for any remark.

Bufo olivaceous, Blanf.

1890. Bufo olivaceous, Boul., F. B. J. Rept. Batr., p. 504.

The two specimens included in the collection agree well with Dr. Boulenger’s

| Se ae

Bufo stomaticus, Lutk.

1920. Bufo stomaticus, Rao, J. B. N. H. Soc., Vol. xxvii., No. 1., p. 125.

As regards this toad, of which there are several examples in the collection,

Capt. Ingoldby writes that they ‘‘ were dug up from dry stony ground with no

apparent means of exit. One of these specimens was buried some 4 ft., when

found it was just alive, but almost without power of movement; it was caked

up with hard soil which could not have been disturbed for a great length of time.

We found it in the course of digging out a specimen of Uromastix hardwickis

which are abundant in that part (Kaur bridge).”” A prolonged period of esti-

vation on the part of batrachians affecting dry situations subject to periods

of long drought is fairly common and the specimen alluded to by Capt.

Ingoldby is in a state of emaciation.

136

THE FAUNA OF THE DARBHANGA DISTRICT, NORTH BIHAR

C. M. INGLIS, F.z.s., F.E.S., M.B.0.U.

In Vol. XIII. p. 621 and subsequent numbers I published a list of the “ Birds

of Madhubani Sub-division of the Darbhanga District ’? and from time to time

added the occurrence of new species and notes on the rarer species got in other

parts of the district, so that the whole comprised a fairly accurate account of

the birds of the whole district. Since then I have pretty well worked out the.

butterflies and dragonflies and also done something in the mammals. N. A.

Baptista, one of the Society’s Mammal Survey collectors, has also collected

here, under my supervision, for a short time, and with the help of this collection,

my own observations, and some notes by Mr. G. Dalgleish in the “ Zoologist,”’

I hope to be able to give a fairly good list of those. My brother, Mr. H. A.

Inglis, has worked out the fishes and is at present engaged on the Hymenoptera

Aculeata, Rhynchota and some families of the Coleoptera, and lists of these, I

hope, will be published later on. I also think it may be advisable to collect

together my scattered notes on the birds and give a resume of the same, also

adding any further notes which I have got.

My brother and myself have to thank Mr. Bainbrigge Fletcher and his assist-

ants at Pusa for their most valuable help in the identification of species and for

their kind encouragement, without which these papers on insects could never

have been published.

Our collecting has been confined to a comparatively small area, but I doubt

whether much more would be added had we had opportunities of collecting

further afield.

In my former paper on the birds, Mr. H. W. P. Scroope, our present Commis-

sioner and a keen ornithologist, kindly helped me with a short account of the

general features of the Madhubani sub-division, and I now propose, with the help

of the Gazetteer, to give a short description of the district asa whole. When the

Gazetteer was published in 1907, this district was included in Bengal, but it now

forms part of the new Province of Bihar and Orissa.

According to the Gazetteer: ‘‘ The district of Darbhanga...... lies between

25° 28' and 26° 40’ north latitude and between 85° 31! and 86° 41’ east longitude.

It contains a total area of 3,348 square miles, and it is thus very much larger

than any county in England or Ireland, except Vorkehire co <.'iteie seit its

greatest length from north-east to south-west is 96 miles............

“The district is bounded on the north by Nepal, on the east by the district

of Bhagalpur, on the west by Muzaffarpur, on the south-east by the district

of Monghyr, and on the south-west by the Ganges which divides it from the

Patna District....... The district formerly constituted part of Tirhut, a huge

unwieldy district extending over 6,343 square miles; but this vast extent of

territory, being beyond the administrative capacity of a single Collector, it was

divided into two in 1875, the western portion being constituted the district of

Muzaffarpur and the eastern and larger portion being formed into a separate

district called Darbhanga after the name of its head-quarters. The name Tirhut

is still, however, used as a convenient appellation for the country included in

these two districts. (Tirhut has now been made a Division, C. M. I.)

‘“* Darbhanga is a great alluvial plain with a general slope from north to south

varied by a depression in the centre...... The country lies on a low level, in

many places identified with chains of shallow marshes....The rivers flow on

raised beds, which they have gradually constructed for themselves out of the silt

breught down from the mountains in Nepal. The alluvial plain diversified only

by these river ridges, is rich in all sorts of crops. In some tracts nothing but an

FAUNA OF THE DARBHANGA DISTRICT. 187

enormous stretch of rice-fields meets the eye, but in others the level plain is

dotted with numerous clusters of bamboos and groves of mango and sissu trees.

‘The district contains three main river systems—the Ganges, the Little Gandak,

and the Kamla-Tiljuga group of rivers. The Gangesforms part of the southern

boundary of Darbhanga and further north the Little Gandak separates the greater

portion of the Samastipur sub-division from the rest of the district....to the

north there is a network of rivers and streams called the Kamla-Tiljuga group,

most of which converge on the south-east corner of the district. In the

Madhubani and headquarters sub-divisions, practically all the rivers are liable

to overflow their banks during heavy floods, but they rapidly drain off into the

low-lying country in the south-east of the district, on which all the lines of

drainage north of the Little Gandak converge. The most marked characteristic

in this portion of their course is that they flow on ridges elevated above the

surrounding country, and each pair of rivers thus encloses a shallow depression,

consisting of a series of chaurs or low-lands leading into one another and forming

the drainage channels of the country.”

The Ganges is of course the largest river in the district and its channel, except

when in flood, is usually about a mile broad. The Little Gandak rises in Nepal

near Sumeswar, enters the district near Pusa and, flowing in a south-westerly

direction, joins the Ganges below Monghyr. The Bagmati likewise has its

source in Nepal, near Katmandu, takes a south-easterly course and joins the

Little Gandak near Rusera. The Karai issues from the Kamla and Bagmati and

runs into the Tiljuga at Tilakeswar. The Kamla flows south from Nepal

through the Madhubani sub-division, where its old beds are scattered all over

the country, past Darbhanga and then takes a south-easterly direction to the

Ganges. The Tiljuga also rising in Nepal skirts the eastern boundary of the

district. This river and the Kamla converge at Tilakeswar in the Rusera thana

“and are thenceforward known indiscriminately by either name, while proceeding

through Monghyr and Bhagalpur to join the Ganges and the Kosi by various

tortuous courses.”

There are no forests in the district but in some parts there are some unculti-

vated lands with bushes such as Ber (Zizyphus jujuba), etc., there are also patches

of grassland, of various extent, used for thatching purposes, the largest of those

being generally interspersed with Khair (Acacia catechu) and sissu (Dalbergia

818800). :

‘Round the villages are mango groves and bamboos and in some places, especi-

ally where there are Mahomedans, Palmyra (Borassus flabelliformis) and Date

palms (Phenix sylvestris).

The land is highly cultivated, the principal crops grown being rice, wheat,

barley, oats, millets, maize, pulses, tobacco and chillies and, of late years owing to

the erection of several large sugar mills, sugarcane is also grown to a large extent.

Indigo is grown by the European planters, but not to such a large extent as

formerly.

Although essentially a rural district, it is fairly densely populated, according

to the Gazetteer the pressure on the soil being 870 to the square mile. There

are only four towns—Darbhanga with its suburb Laheria Sarai, Samastipur,

Madhubani and Rusera. Pusa is also now’ an important centre having the

Agricultural Research Institute there. It is a pretty place with some fine

teak and sissu avenues.

The climate is healthy and during the cold weather is especially good. During

the hot months, dry west winds are prevalent which parch the land. ‘“ The

mean maximum temperature ranges from 73°in January to 96° in April and

May. The mean minimum temperature varies from 52° in January to 80°

in July. The highest recorded temperature being 107° in 1894 and the lowest

ea January 1878.” The average rainfall according tothe Gazetteer is 49°77

inches,

1383 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Voi. XXIX.

The present paper is on the dragonflies. I have to thank Major F. C, Fraser,

I.M.S., for kindly identifying many specimens and for supplying some inter-

esting notes which are given under his initials F. C. F.; he has also sent me a

** Revised list of Indian Odonata,” the classification of which is followed. Mr.

Bainbrigge Fletcher, besides assisting largely in identifications, has kindly

contributed some notes on the various species which appear under the initials.

T. B. F. I have also been fortunate in having had on several occasions access to

the Odonata collection at Pusa and have thus been able to add some data from it.

OrpER. ODONATA.

SupornpEerR, ANISOPTERA,.

Famity. Ilrbellulidae.

1. Potamarcha obscura, Ramb ..Noticed from 17th June to 16th November.

Commonly seen on a pipal tree in the

garden. [Common at Pusa during the

rains and very fond of resting on electric

ds wires.—T.B.F. | ;

2. Orthetrum teniolatum, Schn. The only specimen wag got on 4th November

1920.

3. Orthetrum sabina, Dru. ..Seen from April to the end of December.

Common both over water and dry land.

4. Orthetrum pruinosum neglec- I have only once taken this here. It was

tum, Ramb. got on 14th November 1921, whilst sitting

on a shrub on the spoil bank of my tank.

Mr. Fletcher has not got it at Pusa.

5. Palpopleura sexemaculata, I have never come across this here, but one

Fabr. was got at Pusa on 10th January 1905.

6. MMisoma panorpoides panor- Got from 16th to the end of March, again

poides, Ramb. from 7th April to the end of October.

Found both round the edges of water and

over dry land.

7. Brachydiplax sobrina, Ramb. Captured on 3rd May and from July to 27th

October. Especially common in Septem-

ber. Gotin dry paddy land, along hedges,

etc. [At Pusa common in gardens during

the rains, being most abundant about

the beginnin g of August.—T.B.F.|

[ I have never seen this species away from.

water and am surprised to note the

situations mentioned by you.—F.C.F.]

8. Diplacodes trivialis, Ramb. ..Noted on 25th March, 7th April, 15th May

and from August to 16th November. Seen

flying low over dry ground and sometimes

over paddy lands.

9. Diplacodes nebulosa, Fb. ..Found all the year round. I have taken it

at light in March, In habit it is much the

same as trivialis but perhaps frequents

water more than that species. [I

agree with you that it is more generally

seen near water; D. trivialis more

generally over dry land.—F.C.F.] .

10. Rhodothemis rufa, Ramb. ..Rather uncommon. I have taken them

as follows: on 18th March, 3rd May and

from 27th July till 6th November. The

ll.

12;

14,

15.

“16.

FAUNA OF THE DARLBHANGA DISTRICT. 139

commonest place to find them here is on

the spoil bank of my tank, where there

are a number of bushes. It is usually

seen singly or in pairs. [I have taken this

at Gauhati and Shillong, but have never

seen it at Pusa.—T.B.F. ]

Neurothemis tullia tullia, Dm. Got from llth March to the middle

of April: one was captured on Ist July

and others seen from August to 10th

December. Commonly got in gardens

and where there is jungle and also in paddy

lands. I have sometimes noticed nothing

but males, in fact it was some time before I

secured females.

Neurothemis intermedia inter- Two specimens taken at Baghownie in May

media, Ramb. on 8th September 1922. Probably occurs

more commonly but is overlooked.

Crocothemis servilia servilia, Seen from January to the end of June. I seem

Dru. to have only noted down one in July

(14th) and again from August to the end of

December. Seen everywhere, in gardens,

Over water generally in numbers.

Brachythemis contaminata, have got this on 4th and at the end of

Fb. March and from 7th April to 24th Novem-

ber. It is very common both over water

and dry land, flying very low and in some

numbers. This was very commonly seen

while boating over a flooded area during

the rains. [Abundant at Pusa throughout

the warmer part of the year. Never seen

away from the river.—T.B.F.].

Trithemis aurora aurora, I gotamale on 20thJune 1922, and speci-

Burm. mens got at Pusa are dated 28th March

1919 and 380th December 1919.

Trithemis pallidinervis, Kby. This is common. I have taken one on 14th

January and on 18th and 21st February,

all through March, also on 2nd, 29th and

30th May and again from 29th July to 20th

December. I have captured them “in

cop” during August and October. It is

often found near water but also got flying

over dry land. Whilst boating during

a flood it was very commonly seen fitting

about and perching on grass and

crops that were partially submerged.

[Abundant throughout the warmer part

of the year. Often seen in large numbers,

thousands in one place. Common in

gardens away from water.—T.B.F.]

—

17. Rhyothemis variegata, Joh. ..The earliest were seen on 21st March up

to the middle of April and from May to the

middle of July and from September to the

middle of November. Sometimes solitary

specimens are seen flitting slowly about,

but often are together in a regular swarm,

very commonly over dry land.

140

18. .

19.

21,

22,

23.

24,

25,

JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX.

Pantala flavescens, Fb. ..Found from June to the end of September.

One was got on 17th October. Often seen

flitting slowly about in groves in some’

numbers.

Tramea basilaris burmeisteri, The only specimens got by me were caught

Kby. in my garden on 27th March and 13th

November 1921 and on 22nd July 1922. At

Pusa they were got on 15th December

1912 and 19th August 1915. [Not

uncommon at Pusa from August to

October.—T.B.F.]

Tholymis tillarga, Fb. ..Got from July to 8th November.

Seen during the day in groves, and in

gardens and over water in evenings till

quite late. While sleeping in the verandah

during the rains I have often, on awakening

early in the morning before sunrise, seen

numbers of them flitting about evidently

hawking mosquitos just beyond it. The

opalescent patch on the hind-wing of

the male is very striking. [Goes well

into the cold weather. In December and

January, when the mornings and even-

ings are chilly and probably few flies about,

I have seen them hawking prey in the bright

sunshine quite late in the forenoons. An

_» abundant species at Pusa.—T.B.F.]

Zyxzomma petioiatum, Ramb. I got a male on 28th June 1922 and Mr.

Fletcher got one in his verandah at Pusa

on the evening of 28th June 1921; just

exactly a year previous to mine.

Asthriamanta brevipennis Obtained from July to middle of August.

brevipennis, Ramb. Mr. Fletcher wrote to me that it was

*‘ scarce at Pusa and only got once there on

19th July 1920.” It is here to be seen

flying low over dry ground, often dry paddy

land; not many seen together, only per-

haps two or three.

Urothemis signata signata Specimens were got as follows: a few to-

Ramb. wards the end of March, one on 7th April,

during the whole of May, one on 8th June

and from July to 14th December. On 9th

July I got one at light. This is common

both flying over dry land and water, in

gardens, etc., in some numbers ; they some-

times fly at a considerable height.

SUBFAMILY. Cordulinz.

Azuma frontaiis, Selys. ..Only one specimen got here. It was caught

while hawking over my tank on 10th

November 1920.

Azuma cyanocephala, Hagen. Two specimens got at Baghownie on 4th and

31st October 1922. They were hawking

over dry land.

FAUNA OF THE DARBHANGA DISTRICT. 141

Faminy. — 4’schnide.

SUBFAMILY. <A‘schnine.

26. Heminax ephippiger, Burm. I have only procured two specimens, one of

which was taken at light on 6th July 1920

and the otheron 5th August 1922 while

flying in the garden during the day. It

was near a shrubbery from which it had

presumably been disturbed. Mr. Fletcher

got one at light at Pusa on 5th August 1920

and a female, also at light, on 16th July

1922, and there is another at Pusa, dated

10th July 1915. Mr. Fletcher wrote to

me on 2nd August 1922: ‘“‘ Heminax was

very common here yesterday evening in my

garden, more than a dozen flying about

round the bungalow, but all twenty feet or

more up and I could not capture any. The

only two I have ever caught here have

been at light. Probably they hide in

bamboo clumps or bushes in the daytime

and could be caught then.” [I have

also seen what I take to be this species

hawking about in the late evening from

March onwards.—T.B.F.]

27. Anax parthenope parthenope [One specimen in the Pusa collection labelled

Selys. as having been taken in a rice-field at

Pusa on 9th July 1906.—T.B.F.]

28. Anazx guttatus, Burm, ..L first came across this during 1921. The first

pair were got in a field of rahar (Cajanus

indicus) at Bunhar, a factory close to here,

on 22nd September. I secured another

specimen in my garden on 3rd November

and again saw it also in my garden on 31st

October and during the first few days of

November. I saw another one at Bunhar

on 6th December. Except for the two got

together at Bunhar I have only seen

single insects and they used to frequent the

garden from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m. flying fast

and pretty high up. I made several un-

successful shots at them, but after leaving

the place they generally returned. During

the few days I noticed them, they kept the

same beat and the single insect was cer-

tain to be found between the above-

mentioned hours. Mr. Fletcher wrote

to me on 22nd November 1921: “I picked

up a recently-dead male on the road here

a few days ago and saw another flying

about near Waini.” I saw one in my

garden about 11 a.m. on 11th July 1922

but failed to catch it. [I think there is

no doubt but that we had a local immigra-

tion of A. guttatus into the Darbhanga

142 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX/X.

district in 1921. Otherwise, it is incredible

that so large and distinct an insect should

have escaped observation at Pusa during

the last sixteen years,—T.B.F.] ;

29. Gynacantha bainbrigget, Fraser. There are specimens in the Pusa collection

got there on 17th June and 31st July 1916.

I have never come across it here. The

identity of this insect was doubtful, but

Major Fraser writes me that it is undoubt-

edly G. bainbrigger. [More often seen hawk-

ing about in the evening than caught.—

SUBFAMILY. Gomphine.

30. Ictinus rapax, Ramb. ..Lhave got this on 20th March and from 23rd

May to 29th October. It is the only com-

mon large dragonfly found here and during

the rains is commonly seen flying over

water, but it is also got over dry lands, in

gardens ; sometimes flying at a considerable

height.

31. Ictinus clavatus, Selys ..[One specimen at Pusa on 12th July 1915—

T.B.F.] Mr. Fletcher thinks the identifi-

cation may be doubtful and Major Fraser

wrote to me that this species had not yet

been procured in India. [This specimen

was named clavatus by Major Fraser. I

cannot see that it differs from rapax and

presume that the name clavatus was a

lapsus calami.—T.B.F.] [I have since come

on my notes and a good sketch of the Pusa

specimen, I evidently identified it by

Williamson’s key, but on looking up. Selys

I find that the description does not agree

in several details, and it is doubtless

(Ietinus atrox, Selys)—F.C.F.]

32. Gomphidia T'-nigrum, Selys..The single specimen got here was caught on

5th November 1920. Mr. Fletcher wrote

that he had not got it at Pusa.

33. Onychogomphus lineatus, Selys.[ have never found this here. There is a

specimen in the Pusa collection got there

on 10th March 1920. |

34. Anormogomphus heteropterus, Major Fraser writes he has a specimen from |

Selys. Bihar, but does not mention the locality. |

There are no specimens in the Pusa collec-

tion nor have I ever come across it. [I |

can find no mention of the locality of my

specimen except in my own handwriting

which say ‘“‘ Bihar ’’ Possibly I received it

from Fletcher in the early days when he |

first started sending me specimens. It is

a teneral @, I have no doubt that the loca-

lity is correct. They are very small and

colourless insects and might be difficult

to spot.—F. C. F.]

35.

36.

FAUNA OF THE DARBHANGA DISTRICT. 143

Platygomphus _dolobratus, I have only got three, all females, on 14th

Selys. July and on 13th and 30th August 1922. It

is got at Pusa from the end of June through

July and August. Mr. Fletcher informs

me that it likes thick canna beds. [Usually

quite common at Pusa in July and August:

It is curious that its distribution seems ta

be sc local.—T.B.F.]

..A Gomphine female was got here on 27th

June 1922, which Mr. Fletcher wrote was

new to him; so far it remains unidentified.

SUBORDER. ZYGOPTERA,

FAMILY. Ceenagrionide.

SUBFAMILY. Lestine.

37, Lestes umbrina, Selys, ... have got it here on 18th May and 11th

August 1921 and there are specimens in the

Pusa collection got there on 30th Decem-

ber 1919 and 18th October 1920.

38. Lestes viridula, Ramb. ..A common species found from Augus: to 24th

39.

40.

Al,

42,

43.

November. During indigo manufacture this

is often seen hawking along the masonry

walls of the vats. [One species of Lestes

is common at Pusa in November, _ being

found amongst bushes in gardens but I am

not certain of its specific identity.—T.B.F. ]

Lestes nigriceps, Fraser, M. 8S. There is a Lestine got at Pusa from June to

August and I got one here on 18th June

1922. Mr. Fletcher writes: “‘ The fresh

adult male has a blue spot on neck and

blue tail.” He has sent some to Major

Fraser for determination. [The new Les-

tine I am calling L. nigriceps.—F.C.F.)

SUBFAMILY. Canagrionine.

Agriocnemis pygmaea, Ramb. Common and got on the following dates :—

The whole of January and June, Ist July.

On 30th September a pair were got ‘in

cop.”; also all through October during

which month several pairs were got “in

cop.”; as also during November and from

then others were secured up to the end

of December.

Agriocnemis incisa, Selys. ..Apparently uncommon. <A pair were got

“in cop.” on 11th October 1920 and another

one was caught on 5th August 1921.

Agriocnemis lactecla, Selys ..This also appears to be rare, the only

specimen being got on 12th June 1921.

Ceriagrion coromandelianum, Avery common species got as follows :—

Fb. 14th January; from February to the

middle of June and from July to the end of

December. I got a specimen with

144. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

red mites at the bases of the wings.

I thought it was a different species

till Mr. Fletcher pointed out to

me that the red was due to mites.

[Abundant in gardens in March. Less com-

mon later on. Very subject to the attacks

of a red mite, so that the whole base of all

the wings often looks bright red.—T.B.F.]

44, Ceriagrion rubie, Laid ..-Apparently rare here, the only specimens

being got on 22nd July 1920, 22nd August

1920 and 28th June 1921. [Not taken

at Pusa. Perhaps passed over as coro-

mandelianum.—T.B.F. ]

45. Ceriagrion cerinorubellum, Selys.I got one on 28th October 1921 and another

on 13th July 1922. [Not seen at Pusa,

In Assam I have taken it over weedy ponds.

—T.B.F.]

46. Aciagrion pallidum, Selys ..I have got this all through October, on Ist

and 30th November and on 7th December.

[An autumnal species at Pusa as elsewhere,

going well into the cold weather. Common

in November and found even in December.

—-T.B.F.]

47. Pseudagrion decorum, Ramb. This was got from llth February to 5th

March; on 29th June and from 20th

August to the end of the month, also on the

following scattered dates: 3rd October,

24th November and 30th December.

Specimens were taken at Pusa on 30th

December 1919, 26th March 1920 and 2nd

April 1920.

48. Pseudagrion microcephalum, The dates of the capture of this are 21st

Ramb. February, 4th March, 4th and 16th August,

20th October when a pair were got “‘in

cop” and 17th December. There are

specimens taken at Pusa on 26th March

and 30th December.

49. Pseudagrion bengalense, Laid. I have got this species here on the following

dates :—20th March, 20th July, 20th

August, 12th and 17th October and from

the Ist to the 5th November.

50. Pseudagrion hypermelas, Selys.:Apparently uncommon here as I have only

secured specimens on Ist October, 7th

November and 3lst December 1920.

51. Pseudagrion laidlawi, Fraser. I have got this from 6th to 24th November

and on 18th December 1921. A single

specimen was got on 30th October 1920 at

Pusa by Mr. Fletcher.

. Pseudagrion spencei, Fraser ..A common species here. I have got it

on the following dates:—9th to 25th

January, 3rd, 5th and 26th March, 2nd and

8th July, 4th to 8th August, throughout

October and November and from 2nd to

21st December. I got it “in cop.” on

29th October. Pusa specimens were dated

6th and 9th February.

53.

54,

55.

56.

57,

58,

59,

FAUNA OF DARBHANGA DISTRICT. 145

Pseudagrion rubriceps, Selys. I have got this on the following dates :—

19th January, 20th June, 8th to 13th

August, 12th September, through October

on 27th and 28th November and on 2lst-

28th December. There are specimens in

the Pusa collection taken there on 9th

February 1920, 17th March 1920 and 30th

December 1919. I got it “in cop” on 9th

October. [Common throughout the year.

Never found away from the river.—T.B,F.]

Ischnura aurora, Brauer. ..Common specimens were seen and got all

through January and February from 4th-

12th March, during April, on 28th June,

22nd July, all through October, on 25th

November and throughout December.

Ischnura senegalensis, Ramb. Specimens were secured on the following

dates :—27th December 1920, 2nd Janu-

ary, 8th February, 3rd and 4th March 1921

and on 2nd January and 5th February

1922. Mr. Fletcher remarks that it is

very curious that all our specimens are

either very teneral or females. We have

never got males.

Ischnura rufostigma, Selys ..Rare, I have got this on 14th April 1920, on

29th January and 2nd and 17th February

1922. A specimen in the Pusa collection

was got there on 3rd May 1918.

Rhodischnura nursei, Morton. This species was found throughout January

and February and from 3rd to 12th March,

13th April, 2nd-18th June, llth August,

in September, on 5th, 6th, 29th and 30th

October in November and from 19th

December to the end of the month. I got

a pair “in cop.” at Bunhar on 7th June. At

Pusa it has been got on 19th February

1919, and during March. In June it was

common along the Bagmati where there

were rushes but I have also got it over dry

land.

Enallagma parvum, Selys ..This was obtained onthe following dates :—

All through February, 10th April, 13th

May, 3rd July when a pair were got “in

cop.”’, 21st August, all through September

and October, on 15th and 18th November

and on 12th and 14th December. Pusa

specimens were got during March and

December. [Abundant in gardens through-

| out the warmer part ofthe year.—T.B.I. |

Coenagrion dyeri, Fraser ..I have only taken three specimens on 19th

February and Ist March 1921 and on 12th

January 1922. This is a rare species.

(To be continued.)

146

FLIGHT OF MIGRATING BIRDS.

C. H. Donatp, F.z.S., M.B.U.

This has proved a bone of contention among naturalists for many years and

though much has been done, of late, in discovering various details with regard

to the flight of birds during migration, there still remains an enormous amount

yet to be done.

Varied opinions have been given as to the speed, and the height above sea

level, at which the bulk of birds fly. Inthe ‘“ Ibis ”’ (the Journal of the British

Ornithologist’s Union) for October 1920, Col. R. Meinertzhagen dealt with both

speed and altitude attained by migrants during their spring and autumnal

flights, and he had the advantage of bringing into use aircraft, and aircraft

instruments, for testing both height and speed. The conclusions drawn from a

most interesting and instructive paper, by him, are as follows :—

“1. Birds need not, for the purpose of migration, ascend much beyond

5,000 ft. above the level of the earth, nor indeed do they.

2. Birds met with above 5,000 ft. are the exception and not the rule.

3. That nocturnal flight need not be higher than diurnal, and that, in fact,

it is not.

4. That the bulk of migratory flight is conducted below 3,000 feet whether

by day or night.

5. That under normal conditions, different species trevel at different

altitudes, some very low and some invariably high, but that during abnormal

weather conditions, all birds are apt to fly low.

6. That during migratory flight, birds prefer to descend below cloud level,

though this is not always the case. Exceptions probably occur when gaps

occur in a cloud-bank, or where islands of land continue to be visible beyond

or above the cloud area.”’

With regard to the effect of altitude on the flight of birds, Col. Meinertz-

hagen says :—‘‘As regards an oft-voiced view that greater altitude makes flight

easier for a bird, I can only quote the experience of our Royal Air Force,

that. as altitude ‘increases, the machine has greater difficvity in maintaining its

height and speed.”’

Again, in the “Ibis” of April 1921,page 228, Col. Meinertzhagen, in a paper

on the “ Velocity of Migratory Flight among Birds,” says :—

‘“‘ Moreover birds would experience greater difficulties in flying in the “‘ more

elevated layers of the atmosphere ,” as the atmosphere is rarer and there-

fore offers a less suitable mixture on which their wings can _ beat.

They would experience the same difficulties as a man trying to swim in froth.”

So much for Col. Meinertzhagen’s opinions, which are based on a considerable

amount of personal observation and a careful study of the experiences of other

naturalists, and command attention.

The ‘Fishing Gazette” of 12th August 1922, quotes from the “ Living

Age’”’, a popular lecture delivered by Professor J. Arthur Thomson, in which

the Professor ‘corrected erroneous beliefs in regard to the speed with which

migrating birds fly”? and the belief “that migrating birds travelled at great

heights, going even as high as ten thousand feet above sea level, but when birds .

were released from flying machines at such a height it was found that they were

overpowered by the cold and the thinness of the atmosphere. It now seems that

cranes and geese, the highest flying birds, usually travel at about 3,000 ft.

The highest bird so far observed from aircraft is asky lerk, which was

encountered six thousand feet up.”

The above italics are mine.

FLIGHT OF MIGRATING BIRDS. 147

Whereas Col. Meinertzhagen keeps to ground level the eminent English biologist

reduces the height at which birds travel to sea level as his basis for judging height,

and gives cold and the thinness of atmosphere, as the reason for birds

not exceeding three thousand feet, with the one exception of the lark found at

6,000 ft.

Both are however agreed that rarified atmosphere is an important factor in

deciding the height at which birds must fly, but what, one would ask, is the

extent of the rarification which effects birds ?

There is, for instance, a vast difference between the air intensity encountered

— at. 10,000 ft. and thet at 20,000 ft. above sea level.

According to Professor Thomson birds are overpowered by the cold and

thinness of the atmosphere at 10,000 ft. Moreover, this is not the condition

of any particular species, possibly an inhabitant of low levels, but of all birds

in general, but if this is the case, what about the avifauna which inhabits the

snow line of the Himalaya and spends at least six months of the year at altitudes

from 12,000 to 15,000 ft. above sea level and periodically ascends considerably

higher than this even ? Why is not this vast concourse of birds overpowered ?

Had the Professor spent some time at high altitudes on the Himalaya before

embarking on his popular lecture, and had he seen a large number of species

varying in size from the Wren to the Himalayan Griffon or the Limmergeyer,

he would have pondered further on the problem he set out to lecture on.

So far as India is concerned, little or nothing is known of the migration which

bi-annually takes place over the Himalayan region.

It has repeatedly been stated and, I think, is generally believed, that most

migrants keep to the courses of main rivers, that is, to comparatively low levels,

for by flying along the courses of rivers they avoid the intervening mountain

ranges.

If this were the case a very large and important portion of the migration

problem could be, and would have been by now, easily solved. For here we

have the direct routes marked out for us, from the plains of India right up to,

or, at least, within a few miles of their breeding grounds, and yet, oddly enough,

it is of this section that we know least.

How many sportsmen and naturalists can remember seeing geese, for instance,

migrating up or down any of our main rivers, say a couple of hundred miles

above where the river debouches on to the plains ?

The Jhelum is an honourable exception, but here again the conditions are

abnormal. The wide valley and the expanse of water on the Woolar Lake for

instance affords ample food and rest.

Just below that point and where it enters the sandy beds (and with miles of

cultivation on each side), flights of geese are of daily and common occurrence,

during the winter months.

It has been my good fortune to spend nearly a quarter of a century in distant

tracts of the Himalaya. On the Chenab, the Sutlej, the Beas and the Ganges,

respectively, I have spent both summers and winters. Ducks and waders I

have met with frequently, but geese and cranes very rarely indeed.

On the other hand, I spent several years in Bhadarwar, in the S. E. corner of

Kashmir and on the borders of the Chamba State. Here, one of my favourite

shooting haunts was a ridge running down from Kablass, a peak something

over 14,000 ft. and I usually camped at about 10,000 to 12,000 ft. This was

from 1897 to 1905. This was evidently on the direct line of flight of migrating

geese and I have seen and heard great skeins of them passing over from evening

to morning day after day during the autumn. Some passed within a few hundred

feet of my camp end others again could only just be seen or heard.

Now where did these birds come from ? Presumably the Tso Morari Lake,

where they are known to breed in great numbers.

Thence, to India, they have three distinct courses open to them.

148 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. X XIX.

1. The first, and easiest as regards altitude, would be to fly due north for

about 30 miles or so and drop into the valley of the Indus and come down

that the whole way. A long route but, except at the very beginning, compara-

tively low flying the whole way.

2. Hither 8., or 8. W. to the Spiti River and down it to the Sutlej in Bushahr

State, and along it to the plains. The due southern course would mean high

flying for about 50 miles and then comparatively low, i.e., about 11,000 ft. and

steadily descending. The S. W. course would mean high flying (16,000 ft. and

over) for well over a hundred miles, and then a drop into the sandy bed of the

Sutle} on the borders of the Hoshiapur District.

3. Due W. either into the watershed of the Chandar-Bhaga and, along it

to where the two rivers become the Chenab, to Akhnoor, or due W. the whole

way. Along the Chandar-Bhaga they would meet with a few ranges in the

first portion of their flight which would necessitate high flying and thereafter

descend steadily with the river, but the due W. course the whole way would

mean a succession of ranges one after another and a continued flight at an altitude

of 15,000 to 18,000 ft. for close on to 150 miles, to the borders of Bhadarwar

and thence a drop of 50 to 70 miles either on to the sandy tracts of the Chenab

at Akhnoor, the Ravee below Madhopur, or the Beas below where it joins the

Chakki. |

Yet this was undoubtedly one of the main routes of migrating geese,

or if not even a main route, a passage which many thousands went over

annually.

Col. Meinertzhagen, referring to a note of mine which appeared in the B.N.H.S.

Journal, Vol. XXV., p. 302, giving an instance of cranes or storks which I saw

from 14,000 ft. flying at close on to 20,000 ft. above sea level, mentions this as

an “important scrap of evidence from India.’’ Since then I have seen two

lots of cranes flying high over Dharmsala Cantt. One lot of, I think, 12 passed —

over the station and I watched them through glasses till they disappeared into

space in the direction of the Daulah Dhar Range. Another lot, of only two, I

noticed coming up the valley while I was encamped at a place called Triund,

at an altitude of about 9,500 ft. It was a lovely morning in early May and I

watched them for about 20 minutes. One appeared to be enticing the other to ©

follow it over the mein range.

It would repeatedly ring up to a considerable height, followed only half-

heartedly by the other, and return to its companion, both calling loudly the while.

The second would only rise to about 11,500 or 12,000 ft. and then begin to lose

elevation, whereas the other. on two or three occasions went practically out of

view, but had to return to encourage the other. Eventually they gave it up

and I watched them descend right into the flooded rice fields far below, whence

they had probably started.

If the courses of rivers had been migrating routes, hundreds of sportsmen

must have noticed great skeins and “‘ wedges’ of geese and cranes at various

times on their downward and upward journeys, and the fact that they have not

been noticed goes far to show that the flights go over the mountain ranges,

where it would be extremely easy for a man camped in one nallah to be oblivious

of thousards of geese passing over a range a mile or so away.

How far birds, like aircraft, are actually effected, by ““thin”’ air in so far as

flight is concerned, it is hard to say, and without in any way doubting Col.

Meinertzhagen’s statement that birds in rarified atmosphere would experience

the same difficulties as a man trying to swim in froth,it might be at least pointed

out that thousands do it daily, and surely they would descend to lower eleva-

tions if they found it difficult. If one carefully watches birds such as Vultures,

Limmergeyers, Eagles, Crows, etc., whilst soaring at say 7,000 ft. above sea

level and then climbs up to 12,000 or 14,000 ft. and watches them there, is there

any difference, any greater exertion observable ?

FLIGHT OF MIGRATING BIRDS. 149

If they found it as difficult to fly there as a man found it to swim in froth,

surely more “‘wirg work” would be noticed. More flapping and beating of

the air to keep their elevation would be necessary. Personally, I have never

been able to notice any difference, and the ease with which a Limmergeyer

or a Vulture quarters the rockey hill sides, or circles over the mountain ranges

at 15,000 ft. appears in no way different to the same bird beating over the

wooded ravines at 6,000 ft.

I have watched a Lammergeyer breaking bones at close on to 14,000 ft. This

necessitated his carrying up the bone to some 200 ft. or so above the ground,

dropping it, and then coming down after the fragments, and again taking the

unbroken part to repeat the process.

He was at this for the better part of an hour, and surely if he had found the

operations more tiring, or more difficult of accomplishment, at 14,000 ft. than

at say 7,000 ft. he would have taken his bone to a more congeniel atmosphere,

instead of struggling with it where he did.

If, again, such birds are not impeded by “thin” air why should migrants,

such as geese, be ? If on the other hand they are not, then the obvious route

for them from their breeding haunts would very naturally be the shortest and

these are the direct ones across the intervening mountain ranges.

Col. Meinertzhagen gives three speed records of migrating geese, wiz., 44°3,

501, and 55 miles per hour, respectively, but if, for the sake of argument we reduce

this to only 35 miles as an all round average, the actual duration of flight

from Tso Morari to the plains would be in the vicinity of six to seven hours,

which permits of a reasonable assumption that the whole journey is done in

one long flight.

If the courses of rivers were followed each flight would run into hundreds

of miles, necessitating, in all probability, one or more halts for rest and food.

On most of our Punjab rivers there is no “suitable accommodation.” The

deep and narrow gorges alternating between cliffs and wooded or barren hill

sides are not the places to tempt geese or cranes, where enemies could crawl up

to within a few feet of a gaggle, and the wheat fields found in such localities

might, with fortune, tempt half a dozen weary stragglers, but would not provide

@ night’s food for a decent sized skein.

150

A NOTE ON THE SPOTTED-WINGED GROSBEAK

MYCEROBAS MELANOXANTHUS (HODGS.).

HuGcH WHISTLER, F.7.S., M.B.O.U.

I have always regarded the Spotted-winged Grosbeak as a very rare bird and

had never met with it personally until this year (1922) at Dharmsala. As it ap-

peared here in some numbers in the latter part of the winter and I received reports

from both Simla and Raniket of similar incursions I am tempted to write and

enquire whether any of our members have met with the bird this year and whe-

ther they can give any evidence for or against the theory that it is one of those

species which appears erratically in certain years outside its usual limits ?

To begin with examining the question of its distribution. According to the

Fauna, B.I. Birds, ii., 202, it is found in the Himalayas from the Hazara Country

to Sikkim at considerable elevations, and in Manipur. Hartert (Vog. Pal. Fauna,

I., 60) adds to this the mountains of Szechwan in W. China. This however gives

no hint as to the status or manner of distribution of the bird in this area.

The published records do not throw much light on these points. Jerdon’s

account (B.I., IL, 386) in somewhat vague :—

“Has been found both in the North-West and in the South-East Himalaya,

but more common in the latter region and chiefly at considerable elevations.

In winter a few descend to the lower region, in which season I got one or two

pairs near Darjeeling. and Hodgson obtained it in Nepal, where he says they

belong to the Northern region, whence they wander into the central region, even

in summer, in search of ripe stony fruits. According to Capt. Hutton this

species “comes to Mussoorie in flocks during March and April, and remains as

long as it can find plenty of cherry stones to crack, after which it disappears.’ ”’

The Manipur locality is based on Hume’s record (S.F., xi., 286) that he obtain-

ed a female from a flock of about a dozen individuals on the 29th May when des-

cending from the Limatol range into the Limata Valley : while Godwin-Austen

received specimens from Koonchungbun further north in Manipur. There is

a specimen from Kanpetlet 6,000 ft., Mt. Victoria, Burma (18 Nov. 1905) in

the collection of the Society at Bombay.

For the North-Western Himalayas there are more records. Commencing

from the west there is a specimen from Thandiani and another from

Abbottabad (no dates) in the Hume collection.

At Dunga Gali the nest was taken by Captain Skinner (Jour. B.N.H.S., xviii.,

907) on 22nd June 1908 and as there appearsto be no other record of the breeding

of this species the account may well be quoted. ‘The nest was in a Yew tree

about 15 feet from the ground on the side of a steep hill, built on a branch towards

the end, composed of a base or platform of twigs from the Silver Fir (Abies web-

biana) on the top of which was a cup-shaped nest of moss lined with maidenhair

stems and fine roots ; diameter of nest 34’, depth 13” internal measurements.

The outside of the nest was lined with some green stuff which remained green

and did not dry up, which aided its concealment. .... . there was a full clutch

of 3 eggs which are marked in the same way as that of Pycnorhamphus icteroides

with streaks and blotches, only the markings are decidedly more reddish brown :

the ground colour of the eggs is light green: the eggs were quite fresh. Size

1°08X0°8; 1°07 °84; 1:07x:8ins. The nest was found building by my sear-

cher about 10 days ago when we were working in nullah, height 8,000 ft.”

Major Magrath has also recorded in the Journal that he was present at the

taking of this nest and he goes on to say :—‘‘ This Grosbeak was rare though

oo ae 23rd June I came across in one spot in Dunga Gali quite a lot

of them. ”

A NOTE ON THE SPOTTED-WINGED GROSBHAK. 151

Of Kashmir, Ward writes (Jour. B.N.H.S., xvii, p. 484) that he has not yet

secured a specimen though the species has been recorded from various parts.

These records however I have failed to trace.

A specimen from Chamba (no date )from Colonel C. H. T. Marshall isin the

Hume collection.

At Simla, according to Beavan (Ibis, 1867, 141),this Grosbeak is apparently

far fyom uncommon ; the Hume collection contains an undated specimen each

from Simla and Koteghar, and the Tweedale collection contains a male (August

1876) and a female (June 1876) from Simla. Yet it is significant that Dods-

worth never met the bird at Simla, and A. E. Jones never found it there in 12

years until the visitation mentioned below.

B. B. Osmaston records (Jour. B.N.H.S., xxviii., 151) :—

*“*T have only met with this bird on three occasions, and all three places where

it was seen were in Upper Gahrwal. On two of the three occasions I came on a

flock of these birds feeding on the fruit of ‘ Kaphal’ (Myrica nagi) the stones

of which are cracked and the kernel extracted.”

A specimen from Gharwal (24 Jan. 1905) is in the Society’s collection.

Andrew Anderson obtained the species in Kumaon in June 1875.

The above records either imply that the bird is very erratic in the manner of

its appearance in the localities that it visits or that it has been greatly over-

looked of late years. But in the early part of this year it would seen to

have visited the outer N.W. Himalayas in some numbers judging from the

three experiences now to be recorded.

At Dharmsala it was met with by me as follows. In every instance about

the wooded nallah which runs from the Depot Bazar between the Post Office

and the Gazetted Officers’ Residences at an elevation of 4,000 to 4,500 ft. :—

January 7.—A party of 5 in a wild cherry tree, feeding on the kernels.

January 12.—A party of nine resting on the top of a tall tree.

January 17.—A party of nine feeding on wild cherries (N.B.—One of the

previous nine had been shot so this was not necessarily

the same party).

Januray 22.—A single male calling at the top of an ‘ Oui” tree.

January 25.—A flock.

January 29.—A flock in a‘ Khirk’ tree in my garden.

January 30.—A flock in a “ Oui” tree in my garden.

February 8.—-A party.

A series of 10 specimens was collected from this visitation. How much later

they stayed I am unable to say owing to the Royal Visit removing me to Lahore

on duty.

It is worth remarking that about the same time a number of P. icteroides ap-

peared in Dharmsala, whereas neither species of Grosbeak had been met in the

station the previous winter.

At Ranikhet they appeared about the same time. Mr. F. Field (who

kindly sent me a nice male) writes as follows in a letter, dated 26th March

1922 :—

“‘ These birds came here about the 19th February and fed on the wild cherry,

cracking the stones quite easily ; curious to relate in the first two lots I saw there

was only one her bird among a lot of over a dozen birds each time. Later I saw

several hens and again a week ago they were evidently pairing off as a cock and

hen went off together. I have not seen them now for some days. They were

in flocks of 10 to 15 or 20 and frequented the wild cherry trees.”

Whether at the same time they appeared in Simla I have no information :

they were there however in all probability, as almost as soon as he went up from

the plains Mr. A. E. Jones met with a flock of about 40 in the glen below Vicere-

gal lodge on 2nd April. He met with them again about the same place on 14th

April, if anything in larger numbers.

152 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXiX.

As indicated by the above records, this Grosbeak, in winter at any rate, is

highly gregarious and occurs in small parties or large flocks. In disposition it

is very sluggish and frequently very tame and confiding, allowing a close ap-

proach. As its favourite food is the kernel of the stone of the wild cherry it

tends to frequent those localities where this tree is most abundant. While feed-

ing, the presence of a flock may be detected by the sound of the incessant splitting

of the cherry stones, similar to the noise made by a flock of parrots feeding on the

seeds of the Sheesham tree. The wild cherry is normally a small tree, often grow-

ing in fairly thick jungie, so, while feeding the Grosbeak, is naturally easy to

secure, but otherwise it is fond of perching at the tops of high trees and is then

difficult to observe. When disturbed it usually flies high in the air, but the

flight is somewhat hesitating and there is a tendency to circle round and return

to the locality from which the birds have been disturbed, as if they were reluc-

tant to move away.

The species has a variety of calls; the most familiar is a sort of rattling note,

to be rendered by the syllables ‘‘ Charraruk,” somewhat similar to the distant

call of a Magpie or Field-fare and easily recognised when once known. This is

usually uttered in flight but may also be heard during feeding ; it may be fairly

well represented by shaking an ordinary match box containing a few matches.

There is a pleasing mellow and somewhat oriole-like whistle resembling the

syllables ‘ Tyop-tiu’ or ‘ Tyop-tyo,’ and a variety of parrot like notes.

There is also a remarkably human note like the exclamation ‘an’ when pro-

nounced with an ascending inflection.

Magrath states that the berries of Viburnum fetens are eaten in addition to

the fruit of the wild cherry (Prunus padus). Ihave only experience of the latter

being eaten by the bird ; the actual pulp of the cherry is disregarded, the stone

being neatly divided at the junction of the valves and the kernel extracted.

Where the birds have been feeding the ground beneath the trees is littered

with the open shells.

To work the huge jaws and to supply the necessary strength for the cracking

of the stones there is extraordinary muscular development. The whole of the

cranium from a line between the central point of the upper edge of the orbits is

encased in a sheet of fleshy muscle, so that on removal of the skin the bone is

not visible as in other Passerine birds ; this sheet of muscle ranges from half a

millimetre anteriorly to two millimetres posteriorly in thickness. To support

it there is a very deep groove behind the orbit and the posterior edge of these

cavities is produced outwards in a deep flange such as I have seen in no other

bird’s skull. There is also a marked bony ridge along the central axis of the crani-

um. The muscles run from this central ridge straight down on both sides, so

that the skull stripped of the skin offers a rough resemblance to the back view

of a man’s head with the hair neatly parted all down the middle. The tongue |

is hard and horny, a rough cylinder with the tip obliquely scooped out to a point

on the lower edge.

The orbit is comparatively small and the whole of the palate and cavities

behind the eye are well filled in with bone and muscle.

I have examined 18 specimens of this Grosbeak including the choice series in

Mr. A. E. Jones’ collection. The following descriptions of the plumages may be

of use.

Adult Male (winter and summer).—The whole upper plumage, sides of the

head and neck, chin, throat, and thighs slaty black, each feather with an ashy

margin more or less distinct, and a concealed white base ; in some specimens

the white bases of feathers on the mantle are tinged with yellow ; wings black,

the feathers margined with ashy, the inner greater coverts and tertiaries with

an elongated oval pale yellow spot on the outer web near the tip, occasionally

a few of the inner median coverts with whitish tips ; a white spot at the base of

a variable number of the primaries, but never on the first and second; the secon-

A NOTE ON THE SPOTTED-WINGED GROSBEAK. 1538

daries and inner primaries with a short white margin near the tip of the outer

web; tail black ; lower plumage deep yellow, with occasionally a few lanceolate

black spots on the lower flanks ; axillaries black tipped with yellow.

There is no spring moult; period of the autumn moult not known, but the

Mt. Victoria specimen of 18 November is moulting the remiges.

Adult female (winter and swmmer).—Upper plumage black, the feathers edged

with dull yellowish green and with concealed whitish bases; the feathers of the

head, hind neck and mantle much marked with yellow, the forehead and super-

ciliary streaks being almost pure yellow and the centre of the mantle almost

equally black and yellow; a broad black band from the lores through the eye

to the ear coverts ; a black patch on the cheeks ; sides of the face and neck bright

yellow streaked with black ; the whole of the lower surface bright yellow, mark-

ed heavily except on the chin, throat, lower abdomen and under tail coverts, with

black oval spots; thighs mixed yellow and black; wing black, all the feathers

margined with pale yellowish or greenish white, these margins being broadest on

both webs of the median covers, and at the tips of the outer webs of the greater

covers, tertiaries, secondaries, and inner primaries ; a white spot at the base of

a variable number of the primaries, but never on the first ; tail black, outer

webs faintly margined with greenish ; axillaries mixed black and yellow.

Moults presumably as in male.

Juvenile plumage unknown.

lst Winter Male and Female.—Exactly similar to the adult female but that

the yellow in the plumage is almost entirely replaced by creamy white, except

on the lower abdomen and under tail coverts. There is a much smaller pro-

portion of black in the feathers of the crown and nape, the superciliary streaks

being therefore less noticeable.

The moults are unknown.

Soft parts.—(Both sexes, adult and first winter). Iris dark brown ; orbicular

plumbeous ; mouth blackish slaty horn ; bill bluish grey ; culmen tip and com-

missure blackish grey; legs dull bluish slate ; claws dusky.

Structure.—Ilst primary minute and hidden; 2nd, 3rd and 4th primaries

subequal, the 3rd being longest, 5th primary 4-6 mm. shorter than the 4th, 6th

primary 10-13 mm. shorter than the 5th.

Tail slightly forked, central feathers about 5mm. shorter than outermost

eathers.

Measurements in millemetres :—

Bill from | Bill from

Lath See eae Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

6 Adult Males on 28-32 |22° 5-26: 5)126- 5-134°5| 75° 5-82°5 2922575

7 Adult Females .-| 28-30°5 |22°5-26°5) 126-134°5 (2° 5-17 22-524

1 First Winter Male . 28 22 125°5 70 D215

1 First Winter Female 28°5 Da: 5 126°5 75:5 22:5

It is possible that the species should be divided like most other Himalayan

birds, into an eastern and a western race, but I have been unable to examine

sufficient birds from the Eastern Himalayas to be positive on this point.

154

FURTHER NOTES ON SOME CEYLON BATS.

W. W. A. PHILiIPs.

(Continued from page 452, Vol. XXVIII).

(With 2 plates.)

RHINOLOPHIDA.

Rhinolophus rouxi rouxi.—The Rufous Horse Shoe Bat.

Singhalese—Kerri Voula. Tamu—Sinna Vava.

One of the commonest bats in the Island. Itis found at all altitudes, inhabit-

ing every suitable cave, plumbago pit, or culvert that is not already occupied

by some other species.

It also inhabits, more rarely, old houses and farms, hanging from the roof tree

throughout the day—Usually it is found in colonies—small or large according to

the accommodation available—but sometimes singly or in small portions of two

orthree. Itis often found sharing caves, etc., with small colonies of Hipposi-

deros speoris and H. atratus but when this occurs the different species invariably

keep separate and have their own nesting places.

The sexes live together—apparently all the year round. The breeding season

isin April and May, the young being generally born about the end of April—

but probably they occasionally breed at other seasons of the year as well. The

female has only one young—one at a birth.

In the evening this bat is easily overlooked—It does not come out until

itis fairly dark and then always flies low over the ground.

It prefers sweeping along the edge of a jungle, flitting in and out among tree

trunks or up and down along the banks of a stream—in and out under bridges

along narrow channels and the like—seldom flying more than about six feet

up and generally within a foot or so off the ground—beating backwards and _ for-

wards over two or three hundred yards.

It is probable that, like certain other bats, each individual of this species

has its own recognised territory or beat, to which it returns night after night.

It often enters houses at night—being in the habit of flying up and down veran-

dahs and in and out of windows of ground floor rooms.

If disturbed in the day time, it will fly out of its cave, or other resting place,

and, after flying round, will often alight ina tree—hanging head down from a

small twig in the darker and thicker part of the foliage. Normally however it

always seeks a cave, or like place, in which to pass the day.

The colour of the fur of this species varies greatly in different individuals.

Typically it is reddish brown but dark smoky brown and bright golden brown

specimens occur.—The colour variation occurs chiefly among the males.

Rhinolophus beddomei sobrinus.—The Great Indian Horse Shoe Bat.

Singhalese—Voula or Kerri Voula. Tamil—V ava.

This, the largest of the Horseshoe Bats, is somewhat uncommon in Ceylon

and has only been recorded a few times. .

It lives generally solitary or in pairs, hanging by day in caves, or from over-

hanging rocks, in dark and secluded portions of the jungle. It is a jungle loving

species and is rarely seen away from the heavy forests.

Its habits are probably much the same as those of the last species (R. 7. roux)

except that it keeps more to the interior of the jungles.

Journ,, Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

Pteropus giganteus giganteus.—The Common Flying Fox.

land 2. Climbing in Mango tree.

3. Showing the wing expanse of 4 ft.

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

1 and

2. Megaderma spasma ceylonensis.—The Ceylon Vampire Bat

(about 4 natural size).

3. Hvpposideros atratus.—The Ceylon Leaf-nosed Bat

(under 4 natural size).

FURTHER NOTES ON SOME CEYLON BATS, 155

Hipposideros speoris speoris.—Syke’s Leaf-nosed Bat.

Singhaiese—Kerri Voula. Tamil—Sinna Vaya.

Although not so common as the Rufous Horse shoe Bat, the present species

is found in very considerable numbers all over the low country. In all proba-

bility it ascends the Hills as well, to at least an altitude of 3,000 feet to 4,000

feet; but it does not seem to have been recorded from there yet. ( As however lit-

tle or no work has been done on bats in the Hills, this is not much to go by). It

lives in large colonies, often of several hundreds, in caves, caverns or disused

buildings—hanging to the roof or sides in great clusters—looking like nothing

so much as huge swarms of gigantic bees, the likeness being much accentuated

by the continual movement of the Bats. The two sexes live together, and

sometimes have their caves in common with acolony of R. r. rouxi—living se-

parate to, but sharing the same outlet with them. The caves very soon become

foul and evil smelling—having a peculiar, indescribable, nasty odour, due to the

accumulated droppings—which odour, to a lesser extent, also clings to the bats

themselves. Like most of the Rhinolophide it is a low-flier seeking its prey

within a few feet off the ground, and having general habits, breeding season,

etc., similar to those of A. 7. roux.

Hipposideros brachyotus.—The Dekhan Leaf-nosed Bat.

Singhalese—Kerri Voula. Tamil—Sinna Vava.

The Dekhan Leaf-nose may easily be confused with H.h. speoris—the last

species—superficially they are much alike, their size and characteristics

being much the same. But while the present species has a comparatively large

nose-leaf and long silky fur, H. h. speoris has a smaller nose-leaf and short

smoke-brown fur. Their habits seem to be entirely different.

H. brachyotus does not congregate into large colonies but lives singly, in

pairs or in family parties (of a male, female and young one) in small caves, large

holes beneath rocks, or under overhanging rocks—often in fairly open country.

It is very frequently found among piles of rocks, such as are common on Rubber

estates in the Western low-country of Ceylon, living in the small caves formed

by the boulders leaning up against one another.

Here it passes the day—cleaning and grooming itself or sleeping ; but always

on the alert to take flight on the slightest rustling sound—which rather leads

one to believe that it fears the attacks of snakes or monitor lizards which are ©

common in such places.

When at rest, hanging from the roof by either one or both feet, its nose-leaf

and ears may be observed to be continually vibrating and twitching, as it seems

to test the air for sound or scent.

The single young one is born in April and, as usual, remains eens to the

mother. Even when well grown and able to fly a little, the mother will show

much solicitude for it—returning to it again and again if in danger—regard-

less of close human proximity—the while uttering a very soft shrill squeak.

The young, when full grown, is so dark brown as to be almost black and very

much darker than its parents—it seems probable that in the case of the male

the older it gets the lighter and brighter coloured the fur becomes. This bat is

found sparingly scattered all over the island ascending the hills to at least

3,500 feet but nowhere seems to be at all common.

Hipposideros atratus.—The Ceylon Leaf-nosed Bat.

Singhalese—Kerri Vowa. Tamil—Sinna Vava.

This little Leaf-nose is very common all over the low country, though little

seen in the evenings.

For day quarters, it is content with most possible situations—being commonly

found in the tufts of Singhalese houses, in old dwellings, in caves, abandoned

156 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

plumbago pits, dark culverts and, more rarely, in hoilow trees—such as old

Kitul Palms. It is found in colonies, of greater or lesser numbers, and some-

times sharing the same retreat with afew 2. 7. rouxit, but more generally by

itself.

As long as its quarters are more or less dark it seems to be satisfied ; dampness

causes it no inconvenience as, more often than not, the tunnels of the abandoned

plumbago pits, which it so often inhabits, are more than half full of standing

water.

When at rest, it hangs head downwards, gripping the roof with either one or

both hind feet, its wings folded round it gently swinging backwards and forwards.

Except perhaps when actually asleep, the nose-leaf and ears can be observed to

be continually twitching and vibrating ; it seems to be never still; while it is

always on the alert to take flight on the least alarm.

It spends much time upon its toilet, grooming and cleaning itself, with much

care, after its nightly flight.

Most of the year the females seem to live separate from the males—which are

always very much less common. They and the males are found sometimes

solitary, living in caves with small colonies of R. 7. rouxi.

If disturbed in the day time, this bat will escape from its retreat and take

refuge in trees—selecting the denser foliage in which to hide—where it will

remain for an hour or more, returning to its quarters when the danger is past

If continually disturbed, however, it will soon desert its haunts and _ fin |

new quarters elsewhere.

As with most Rhinolophide it is a low flier and rarely noticed in the evenin «.

unless especially looked tor.

a 504

A NOTE ON THE CORVID.£ OF THE PUNJAB

HucH WHIsTLER, F.Z.S., M.B.0.U., C.F.A.0.U.

The following note on the members of the family Corvide which are

found in the Punjab has been written with two objects, firstly to shew in

a concise form what species are known to occur, with their status and

distribution, and secondly to indicate the gaps in our knowledge and the

direction in which further investigations are necessary. The great

advances of the last twenty years in the study of racial forms or subspe-

cies has rendered necessary the overhauling of our knowledge of even the

most common and well known birds. There is, for example, no more

familiar bird in the whole of India than the Common House Crow, yet,

as | have shewn below, itis not possible at present to mark the line of

demarcation between two of its races which occur within the Punjab. A

sufficient series of skins from different Punjab localities is still required to

enable their respective distributions to be worked out.

The Punjab, for the purposes of this note, has been taken as the area

which falls within the political and administrative boundaries of the Punjab

Government. From a scientific point of view these boundaries are unsatis-

factory as they include certain Himalayan areas which are faunistically

quite different tothe Punjab plain proper. But after due consideration

of the respective claims of scientific accuracy and practical convenience,

which need not be enumerated here at length, | have considered it better

for the purposes of this note to follow official boundaries.

The Tibetan Raven.— Corvus corax tibetanus (Hodgs.),

The Tibetan Raven is a familiar species throughout the high wastes

of Turkestan and northern Cashmere usually at an altitude of 12,000 ft.

and upwards.

Within our area it is only found in the extreme north-easterly corner

in the provinces of Lahul and Spiti. In the former I met with a few pairs

in May and June at altitudes of 10,000 feet and upwards, and the Thakur

of Lahul informed me that it was considered rare at that season, but that

more arrived in autumn following the flocks which then come down over the

Baralacha Pass.

Stoliczka obtained several specimens in Spiti, apparently in summer,

previous to the year 1868. In July 1922 Imet with a few in Spiti,

at 13,000 feet or over. He records also a hearsay report that it is

common in winter about Chini but that only a very few come down at that

season to Kulu and Kotghar, and itis evident that the Tibetan Raven,

while being strictly speaking a resident species in the areas that it inhabits,

obeys the usual law that resident Himalayan birds move up and down to

higher and lower altitudes according to the severity of the season and snow-

fall.

The finding of the nest within the Punjab boundaries has not yet

been recorded. Fully fledged young, still with the parents, were seen on

the shores of the Tso Morari Lake in early May by Ludlow (Jour.,

B. N.H.S., xxvii., 141) and Mandelli’s men obtained the eggs in Sikkim

in March. Nests with eggs were obtained at Gyantse on 15th February

and 12th March by Bailey (Jour., B. N. H.S., xxi., 1838).

The Punjab Raven.—Corvus corax laurencet (Hume).

This Raven is found throughout the Punjab territories with the ex-

ception of the hill area north of a line drawn from Pathankot to Kalka

158 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X,

and Nahan. The only records north of this line are a single bird seen at

Bukloh 4,000 feet and a pair at Dalhousie 7,000 ft. in June and July by

Mr. A. EK. Jones, and a pair seen by myself about Nurpur 2,000 ft. on 7th

April 1921.

In the eastern and extreme south-eastern districts, where the general

conditions approximate mere to those of the United Provinces the Raven

is distinctly scarce.

West of the line Hissar—Ludhiana—Batala it becomes exceedingly

common and is found in considerable numbers throughout the remainder of

the province. It is found alike in the sandy semi-desert plains from Sirsa

to Jhang and Bhawalpur, in the canal areas of the Central Punjab, and in

the bare rocky ravines of the Salt Range and the Rawalpindi—Attock

plateau. Here it breeds right up to the base of the Murree hills as I have

found the nest at Kahuta.

It may be met with throughout the year and is in the main certainly

a resident species ;

But it is worthy of note that in northern Sindh (Hume, S. F., i., 205),

Kohat (Whitehead, Ibis, 1909, 100), Sambhar Lake (Adan, 8. F., 1., 885) and

Amballa (Beavan, Lbis, 1868, 165) former observers have declared that the

Raven, while in part a resident, isin the main a winter visitor, and at

Jhang in 1918 and 1919 I noticed that about September it suddenly be-

came unusually numerous possibly due to the presence of migrating birds.

So it is in the highest degree lkely that a certain proportion of the Punjab

birds are migratory, though the fact escapes notice owing to the large

resident population and the dearth of observers, The habit of this bird of

gathering in considerable numbers at all times in the outskirts of cities

and cantonments, and in the hot weather of gathering to roost in large

colonies also tends to obscure any migrational movements.

The breeding season in the Punjab lasts from early in December until

late in March, and the great majority of eggs are to be found in January

and February.

The Carrion Crow— Corvus corone (L.)

Although from the fact that the Carrion Crow is known to breed both

in Kashmir and in the Upper Kurram Valley and to be a fairly common

winter visitor to Bannu, it may be expected to occur within the Punjab

Province, the fact has not yet been satisfactorily established.

Major Magrath recorded ( Jour., B. N. H.S., XIX., p. 144 ) that some

appeared about the ridge in Murree in July (1908 ) when the rains had

broken. There were both adults and young and they were to be distinguish-

ed from the Jungle Crows by their caw.

I recorded (Ibis, 1916, 40) two supposed examples seen with

other crows gathering to roost in the Forest Rakh at Jhelum on January

138th and 20th, 1914.

As in neither case specimens were obtained these records can hardly

be regarded as satisfactory.

1t has been stated that the Cashmere and N. W.F. P. Carrion Crow

belongs to the race Corvus corone orientalis of Eversman. No proper series

from this area is however available anywhere for critical examination, and

it appears prima facie more probable that these birds belong to the western

race. Under these circumstances, I have used only the Binomial name,

and would urge any Indian Ornithologist who has the opportunity, to

collect a full series of Carrion Crows.

The Rook.— Corvus frugilegus tschusi (Hartert).

There is considerable doubt whether this Asiatic race of the Rook

is worth sub-specific separation, but as it has been recognised by the

A NOTE ON THE CORVIDH OF THE PUNJAB, 159

authors of the ‘ Hand Book of British Birds,’ it may be allowed to stand

here. The breeding quarters of the sub-species are North Persia,

Turkestan, and South-Western Siberia, and in winter it moves south to

Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Kashmir and the extreme north-western corner

of india. Here it extends in two directions, along the country west of

the Indus down as far as Quetta, and across the submontane area of the

North-West Punjab. But as appears natural ina species of which vast

hordes remain during the winter in areas north of the Himalayan Chain,

the birds which arrive in the area south of that Chain appear to vary

greatly from year to year both in numbers and in the time of their arrival

and departure: this variation must be dependant on climate and food

conditions in the main winter range.

In the Punjab area the Rook is found in the submontane tract which

includes the districts of Campbellpore, Rawalpindi, Jhelum north of the

Salt Range, and Sialkot. Here it arrives annually in greater or less

numbers. Further south it is only a_ straggler. In the last week of

December 1913 I observed a large number about the Civil Station of

Gujranwala, aud Currie has recorded large flocks at. Atari in January.

Mrs. Wathen has informed me that this winter ((921-22) she saw Rooks

at Amritsar from November 16th till March 6.

Mr. F. W. Chanter recorded (S.F., X., 518) that he saw a flock of

about 300 Rooks at Ludhiana on the 3]st October 1884 and in an editorial

foot note to this communication Hume stated that he had seen specimens

from Hoshiarpur. I have not however met any in the Kangra Valley.

In Gilgit, Scully and Biddulph found that the Rook arrived about the

third week in October and left again in April; and the former noted that

it left Eastern Turkestan at the beginning of April. In the winter of

1913-14 at Jhelum I found that the vanguard arrived about the third

week of October and the numbers continued to increase until about

December, starting to decrease again about the second week in February ;

the majority were gone by the end of that month, although a few birds

remained until the end of March. In some years however the Rook

does not reach the Punjab until November but there is very little on

record about the species.

West of the Punjab this bird reaches a more southerly point at

Quetta. Here itis said to arrive usually about the middle of November

and to leave again in March (Meinertzhagen, Ibis, 1920, 135), and to be

very scarce in some years. At Kohat according to Whitehead (Ibis, 1909,

103) it arrives in November and remains as late as the middle of April.

He remarks that the birds staying on through March are nearly all first

wiater birds, the adults apparently leaving about the beginning of March.

The Eastern Hooded-Crow.— Corvus cornix sharpii (Oates).

The Hooded Crow is a regular winter visitor to the North-West

Frontier Province from Hazara to Bannu; it is very abundant in the

Peshawar and Bannu Districts but is scarce in Kohat District which is less

suited to its habits. Further north in Kashmir it appears to be decidedly

rare.

I can find no record of its occurrence actually in the Punjab beyond

Hume’s statement (Stray Feathers, VII, 144) that it occasionally occurs

as a straggler Cis-Indus. This doubtless refers to the Attock-Campbellpore

District.

The Common House-Crow.—Corvus splendens splendens (Vieill.).

The typical race of the Common House Crow extends up from the

Indian peninsular into the Punjab but it is not yet fully established where

160 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

lies the boundry between it and C. s. zugmayeri; there is in any case

probably an intermediate area where the House Crows cannot be definitely

assigned to either race. For the present it must suffice to say that the

House Crow, by whichever race represented, is a very abundant resident

species throughout the Punjab up to the base of the Himalayas; it does

not occur in the Kangra District but is common, in summer at any rate, in

the southern half of the Kulu Valley from near Sultanpur to below

Bajaura atjan elevation of 3,000 ft. According to Stoliczka (Jour., A. S. B.,

xxxvii) a few occur along the villages of the Sutlej valley up to Koteghar.

It is common about Solon at 4,000 ft. and in March I.saw a number in

‘Kasauli Bazar about 5,500 ft. Jones records a single specimen seen at

Annandale, Simla. No House Crow occurs in the Salt Range station of

Sakesar.

In both races the breeding season starts with remarkable regularity,

eggs being found from the middle of June until the end of July.

The Baluchistan House-Crow.— Corvus splendens zugmayert (Laubman.)

It has long been known that the House Crows of the Corvus splendens

group which occur so widely and abundantly throughout the Indian Empire

are very variable in size and colour and that those of the extreme north-

west of the Peninsula are remarkable for the purity and whiteness of the

tone of the grey parts of the plumage. It was not however until 1913 that

Laubman ( Orn. Monatsber, 19138, 93 ) separated this race under the name

of C. s.zugmayert with the type locality of Baluchistan. It has not yet

been possible, owing to a lack of specimens for examination from the inter-

mediate areas, to fix accurately the boundaries between this race and the

typical form. Hartert however ( Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 2023) lays down.

its range as South Baluchistan ( Mekran, Somniani, Las Belas ), Sindh,

Mekran coasts, the south-east corner of Persia, and probably also the

Punjab and Southern Kashmir.

Thatit occurs in the Punjab is now established beyond doubt. A series

of 11 specimens collected by me at Jhang and 3 more from Jhelum are

indistinguishable from Sindh birds and the birds of the Rawalpindi District

are similarly remarkable for their white colouration. It may therefore be

safely assumed that the range of this race extends up the whole of the

Western Punjab and North-West Frontier Province from the Sindh border

right up to the base of the Himalayas. How much further the race extends

towards the Central Punjab is however not yet known owing to a lack of

specimens for comparison. An isolated colony occurs in the Kashmir

Valley at 5,000 feet, but in the Murree Hills it apparently does not go above

Tret in Summer.

This race exhibits the tendency to albinism which is found in other

Crows. Three albinistic specimens were obtained by me at Jhang (2,192 Q,

5. v. 18; 2,655 9, 5. xii. 18 ; 2,674 9, 11. vi. 19) in addition to the normal

series mentioned above and I also saw other examples.

The breeding season is remarkably regular, eggs being laid in the

second half of June and in July.

The Jungle Crow— Corvus coronoides intermedius (Adams).

The Jungle Crow is found in abundance throughout the hill area of the

North-Eastern Punjab, that is to say in Chamba, Kulu, Lahul, Saraj,

Kangra and the Simla Hill States; where the Outer Himalayas again

come into the Punjab boundary about Murree itis also abundant. In

summer it occurs at least as high as 15,000 ft. but probably the majority

do not breed much above 9,000 ft. while many breed along the edge of the

A NOTE ON THE CORVIDA: OF THE PUNJAB. 161

plains as at Gurdaspur, Malikpur and Nurpur. In Lahul it appears to be

only a summer straggler following the pack animals on the Himalayan

Tibet trade road. While in the main a resident species this bird changes

its altitude according to season to a noticeable extent.

As regards the plains, my information is very iacomplete; a certain

number drift down, during the winter months from November to February,

to the submontane area from Kalka to Ambala.

Jones has noted (Jour. B.N.H.S., xxvii., 794) that it is common in

winter about Attock and in the Kala Chitta Hills and that afew occur

about Campbellpore. I failed to find it in the Rawalpindi plain and the

Jhelum district, and throughout the whole of the main Punjab it certainly

does not occur.

Across the Indus in the N.-W. F. Province at Kohat and Bannu it is

an abundant winter visitor from the end of October and beginning of

November until the middle of April or well into May.

Some form of Jungle Crow appears along the eastern border of the

Province but information on this point is very incomplete. Currie implies

(Jour. B. N. H.S8., xxiv., 602) that it occurs at Karnal. Bingham long

ago recorded (N. & EH. 2nd KIid., I, 6) that he had only seen a single pair at

Delhi.

It is not improbable that about this area C. c. intermedius is replaced by

the Peninsula Indian Form C. e¢. levaillanti Less., a slightly larger bird with

a stronger bill more bowed on the culmen.

Information as to its breeding in our area is also meagre. The

breeding season at Simla is said to be from the end of March till the first

week of May; Currie records a nest under construction at Gurdaspur in

March and I found feathered young ina nest at Nurpur on 15th April.

I took c/4 hard set eggs near Dhelu (4,500 ft. Mandi State) on 14th May.

In Kulu it appears to breed later as 1 found naked young in a nest at

Raisan (4,000 ft.) on 21st May and saw a pair collecting hair from a donkey’s

back on 18th June. Several nests were found at Dharmsala in April.

The Jackdaw— Coleus monedula collaris (Drummond).

The account of the distribution of the Jackdaw in the Ist edition of

the Fauna of B. I. Birds, Vol. I., p. 23,is singularly misleading. Itis there

given as follows :—‘ Kashmir and the N.-W. Punjab. According to Hume

the Jackdaw is in winter numerous near the foot of the hills and has been

found as far east as Umballa, and south to Ferozepore, Jhelum and

Kalabagh, and it extends into the Dera Ghazi Khan District. Jt appears

to be resident in Kashmir and as far east as the Valley of the Beas

throughout which tract it breeds freely.”

To take the breeding range first, so far as we are concerned with it.

The Jackdaw appears to breed within a very limited area in Kashmir; it is

most abundant and familiar in the vale of Kashmir proper, that is to say

the wonderful plain, 5,000 feet in elevation above the sea, about Baramulla,

Srinagar and Islamabad. It extends a small distance up the Valleys

around the Vale but does not cross the mountain barrier between

Baramulla and Murree on the one side, or into the Indus Valley on the

other side. Even as close as Dras, Ludlow chronicles the occurrence of a

pair by the Rest House on 15th April 1919 as remarkable (Jour. B.N.H.S.,

XXvil., 141). In the whole area north of the line formed by the Indus and

Gilgit Rivers right away to Kashgar the Jackdaw is a winter visitor cr

passage migrant only.

As regards Kishtwar, Zaskar, Rupshu, and Chamba, my information is

only negative: I have found no evidence that it breeds at all in this area,

beyond the assumption by Hume that it must do so as it breeds both in

pall

162 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XA1X

Kashmir and the Beas Valley. By the Beas Valley Hume clearly means

Kulu. It should be noted however that Hume’s own words are (N. & E.,

2nd ed., I, 13.) “I only know positively of Jackdaws breeding in one

district within our limits, vz., Cashmere ; but I have seen it in the hills in

summer as far east as the Valley of the Beas and it must breed every-

where in suitable localities between the two.” He does not state whether

he saw a single bird ormany. I have three times been aleng the Beas

Valley in Kulu in sum ner and have also traversed the whole of the trade

route in Lahul, from the Rohtang Pass to the foot of the Baralacha,

without seeing a single Jackdaw. There is also the negative evidence

that the Jackdaw, which is so common about Rawalpindi and Jhelum south

of its Cashmere breeding ground, does not appear at all in the Kangra

Valley where supposed Kulu breeding birds should debouch in winter.

‘n my opinion therefore there is as yet no evidence that the Jackdaw

ever breeds within Puujab territory. As a winter visitor it is common ;

but in this respect its range is more limited that the wording of the Fauna

dascription would lead one tosuppo3e, and more in accordance with what

one would expect from a topical study of its breeding areas.

Its main stronghold is undoubtedly the Rawalpindi and Jhelum

districts where it is common and usually found in company witb the

vast flights of Rooks which spend the winter about the neighbourhood

of the Cantonments of Rawalpindi and Jhelum. At Jhelum in the winter

of 1913-1914 I foind that the Jackdaws first arrived about the middle

of October, becoming common by the end of the month, and that they

remained until the end of February ; a few birds only staying over ito

March. There is probably however, as in the case of the Rook, a good

deal of variation in the numbers of the Jackdaws and in their dates of

movement.

North of Rawalpindi about Campbellpore, Jones (Jour. B.N.H.S., xxvi.,

795) says that he occasionally saw it flying over at considerable heights,

often in company with Rooks.

There is no published record for Gujrat and Sialkot, but I saw small

aumbers about Gujranwala in the last week of December 1913. Currie

(Jour. B.N.H.S., xxiv., p 561) records large flocks with Rooks at Atari

near Lahore in January.

[I cannot find Hume’s authority for his statement that the Jackdaw

has been found at Amballa and Ferozepore; he donbtless verified his

information but it is within my knowledga that many Europeans mistake

Corvus splendens for a Jackdaw; in any case such occurrences would be

very unusual.

His south-western localities of Kala Bagh and Dera Ghazi Khan fall into

a different category. Itis fully established by Whitehead and Magrath

(ibis, 1909-104: Jour. B.N.H.S., xix., 256) that the Jackcaw is a winter

visitor to the Kohat and Bannu Districts, and Hume states (Ibis, 1871],

408) that it is common at Murdan in winter, and various observers have

established its arrival in winter about Quetta, though there apparently

in very small and irregular numbers. Itis, therefore, in no way surprising

that the last outskirts of this west to easterly migration from the Persian

and Afghan breeding ground, as opposed to the north to south migration

from the Kashmir Valley to the Rawalpindi Jhelum area, should reach

Kalabagh and Dera Ghazi Khan. Here the Indus seems to form a very

clearly marked boundary and there is no record from the east of it.

One interesting point remains to be noted. Several observers have

apparently established the fact that early in the winter the Jackdaw is

usually found mixed up with Rooks; whereas after Christmas the tendency

is for Jackdaws to form into separate flocks, often of considerable size.

A NOTE ON THE CORVIDA OF THE PUNJAB. 163

This is doubtless due to the first stirrings of the migratory impulse, and

the fact that the Rooks and Jackdaws have to leave for very different

destinations.

In the Vale of Cashmere the majority of eggs are found in May.

The Himalayan Tree-Pie—Dendrocitta sinensis himalayensis (Blyth).

This species is as yet only known to occur in any numbers in the

extreme north-east of the Punjab in the Himalayas about Simla; from

here it has been recorded by several observers. Beavan (Ibis, 1868, 166)

states that it is not uncommon about Simla. Tytler (Ibis, 1868) says that it

was common in the valleys in June and up to 5,000 ft. Stoliczka (J.A.S.B.,

XXXvii.) says that it is found in the lower hills from 2,000-5,000 ft. and

occasionally up to 7,000 ft. and he procured it at Koteghar in winter.

Jones states (Jour. B.N.H.S., xxiv., 602) that it is fairly common at Simla

near cultivation with plenty of dense forest in the vicinity. The collection

of the Bombay N. H. Society contains from Simla two males obtained in

June and July 1886 respectively by Capt. Anderson and a female shot on

30th July 1911 by Mr. P. L. Dodsworth.

I obtained 2 specimens from a family party at Urla, 4,000 feet, Mandi

State, on 3rd August 1922.

The Tweeddale collection contains a specimen labelled as obtained at

Murree, and this locality is perhaps correctly given (though no recent

observer has recorded the bird in this neighbourhood), as Stoliczka says

(J.A.S.B., xxxvii., 1868) that it occurs in Southern Kashmir, and Colonel

Ward has noted (Jour., B.N.H.S., xvii., p.109) that a specimen was obtain-

edin the Vale of Kashmir in February 1905.

It is presumably a resident species changing its levels according to

season.

According to Jones it lays from the end of May till the middle of June.

The Wandering Tree Pie—Dendrocitta vayabunda pallida (Blyth).

The Wandering Tree-Pie is found throughout the whole of the Punjab

plain and in the Himalayan foot hills up to about 4,000 ft. Itis most

abundant in the Central and Eastern Punjab, as about Amballa, Hansi

and Jullundur, and becomes somewhat scarce in the semi-desert regions of

the south-western Punjab. In the north-western plateau it again becomes

scarce except in the hill jungles of the Salt Range and the Kala Chitta.

Throughout the Himalayan foothills it is fairly common.

I have not been able to detect the slightest sign of its being any thing

but a resident species within our area, but 1t is worthy of note that White-

head records (Ibis, 1909) that 1t is a common winter visitor to Kohat,

arriving early in September and leaving about mid April, only afew birds

remaining to nest in the Miranzai Valley.

At Lahore according to Currie (Jour., B.N.H.S., xxiv., 561) it breeds from

March to June but chiefly in April. About Hansie, Blewitt recorded (N.

& H., 2nd ed., I, 20) several nests in the latter half of April, May and

the early part of June. I find no other records of its breeding in the

Punjab and personally Ihave never succeeded in taking eggs though I]

found new nests at Hansi on 5th June and Hissar on 14th June,

The Yellow-billed Blue Magpie—Urocissa flavirostris cucullata (Gould),

The type specimen of this race in the Gould collection in the British

Museum came from Kulu.

In Simla the Yellow-billed Magpie is very scarce and is replaced by

the Red-billed Magpie. Beavan records (Ibis, 1868, 166) a specimen

164 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

brought in by his shikari and states it was the only one he ever saw there.

Jones (Jour. B. N. H. 8.) says that he never observed it closer than Jangi

in Mandi State across the Sutlej.

According to Hume it may be found behind Mashobra (S. F., viii., 447)

and there he says both species may be found in the same dell. At

Koteghar it is apparently not uncommon (Lahore to Yarkand, 243).

I have no information about Rampur-Bashahr, but in Lahul and Spiti

it is not found. It is abundant throughout Kulu and Saraj and along the

Outer Himalayas generally of the North-Eastern Punjab into Chamba

It then again appears in the North-Western Punjab about Murree where

the Outer Himalayas re-enter the province for a short distance.

It is one of the familiar birds of the hill stations of Dalhousie,

Murree and the Galis.

This Magpie is very strictly confined to the mountains. Its summer

range lies between roughly 5,500 ft. and 9,000 ft. and in winter it moves

somewhat lower to a zone between 4,000 and 7,000 ft., few stragglers

arriving as low as 3,500 ft. While strictly speaking a bird of heavy forest,

Evergreen or Conifer, it moves freely into open cultivation or bare hill-

sides.

The breeding season proper is in May and June; Marshall records

(N. & E., 2nd ed., I., 16) finding fresh eggs as late as 15th August.

The Red-billed Blue Magpie—Urocissa erythrorhyncha occipitalis (Blyth).

This Blue Magpie is a common bird in the Himalayas from the Jumna

to Nepal and extends west of the Jumna into the Punjab area as far as

the Sutlej River in the Outer Himalayas about Simla. There is but

little on record regarding it within the Punjab boundaries.

Jones states (Jour. B.N. H.S., xxvi., 601) that it is common in the

lower valleys about Simla frequenting and breeding in the cultivated areas.

Hume says (N. & E.,2nd ed., I., 14) that it breeds sparingly about Simla and

Koteghar and he also remarks (8S. F., viu., 447) that it may be found behind

Mashobra. Beavan records (Ibis, 1868, 165) that he obtained a specimen

at Simla on 15th June 1866 and Tytler in his account of a march from

Simla to Mussoorie in June (Ibis, 1868) says that he found it common

at all heights in small flocks.

Stoliczka says that it is common along the Sutlej valley (J. A. 8. B.,

XXXVI,

According to Jones it lays three to six eggs in the end of April and

May.

The Large Spotted Nutcraker— Nucifraga multipunctata (Gould).

The range of this Nutcrackeris giveninthe Ist edition of the Fauna BL,

I,,82 as “Kashmir and the Himalayas to Kumaon. Stoliczka found this

species tolerably common in the pine and cedar forests near Kistwar and

Budrawar. Biddulph remarks that it is common at all times in Gilgit above

8,C00 ft., and there are specimens in the British Museum from various locali-

ties from Murree to Kumaon’’. Hartert (Vog. Pal. Fauna, I., 28) merely

gives the range as Kashmir and the western Himalayas to Kumaon at heights

over 8,000 ft., whereas he gives the range of WN. e. hemispila as the Himala-

yas from the Sutlej Valley to Butan. The Type locality of the latter is

given as ‘ Himalayas’ and of the former as? Simla. I have not been able

personally to examine the specimens in the British Museum on which this

given distribution of N. maltipunctata is based, but there is a later exten-

sion of its range to a southern Tibetan locality (Bailey, Jour. B. N.H.S,

xxiv., 75) so there is no apparent reason to doubt the oorrectness of

the statement in the Fauna; under the circumstances as the range of

‘

A NOTE ON THE CORVIDA: OF THE PUNJAB. 165

these two western Nutcrackers over lap there is no option but to

treat them as belonging to separate species, and not as two sub-species of

caryocatactes. 1 theretore follow Stuart Baker’s Hand List in treating

hemispila as a sub-species of caryccatactes and multipunctata as a separate

species. It should be noted however that Hartert (Add. and Corrig., Vog.

Pal. Fauna, 2029) would seem to accept hemispila as a’ separate species

with races. Further information as to the distribution of these two Hima-

layan Nutcrackers is therefore badly needed.

There is no doubt that NV. multipunctata is in the main resident of an

area west of the range of NV. c. hemispila. It appears to be generally com-

mon in those portions of Kashmir which being truly Himalayan in charac-

ter contain the necessary large pine-forests. Stoliczka (as quoted above)

says that it is tolerably common in the pine and cedar forests near Kisht-

war and Budrawar and his collection included a specimen from Gaora (Ibis.

1868). He later obtained 3 specimens at Gaganghir on August 9th, 1878

(Second Yarkand Mission Report, 21). Ward (Jour, B.N.H.S., xvii., p. 109)

says ‘Common in the larger forests. Breeds, from May to July from 8,000-

10,000 ft.” Henderson (Lahore to Yarkand, 289) says “Common in the

Valley of Kashmir in October; it was met with at Sanamarg, below Baltal,

and as low as Gond”’. Richmond (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xviii) catalogues

8 adult specimens collected by Dr. Abbott. Three of these were obtained

in Western Kashnuir at 8,000-9,000 ft., 5-7th July, three in the Now-boog

Valley, Eastern Kashmir, 7,000 ft., 16th August; one at 8,000 ft., Pir

Punjab range, 30th August ; and one at 9,000 ft., Sind Valley, &th November.

Biddulph (S. F. 1X., 542) states that it is common at all times above 8,0CO

ft. in the forests of Gilgit.

In Chitral it appears to be less common. Fulton (Jour. B.N H.S.,,

Xxv1., 46) only obtained a single specimen and saw no others. Perreau

(Jour., B. N. H. 8., xix., p. 902) received a specimen from Utzen at 7,500

ft., and saw two about the same height in the Drosh Nala in June. It

is found in the Hazara District. Magrath states (Jour., B. N. H.S., xviii,

p. 285), that he heard one about the middle of June at Thandiani; while

about Nathia Gali in 1913 I found it common and much in evidence both

in July and September.

Further west again we have Whitehead’s evidence (Ibis., 1909, 106) that

it occurs sparingly amongst the conifers of the Sufed Koh,

All the above records refer to areas outside the Punjab boundary though

it 1s clear from a consideration of them that the bird may be expected to

occur in winter at least in the Murree Hills. The species however

finds a place in our list in virtue of Stoliczka’s record (J. A. S. B., xxxii.)

that he obtained a specimen on an elevated point beyond Bilaspur in

October 1865.*

The Himalayan Nutcraker—Nucifraga caryocatactes hemispila (Vig.)

The Himalayan Nutcracker is a common bird throughout the Pine forests

which lie to the north of Simla at elevations from 6,000 to 9,000 feet. In

particular Mahasoo, Fagoo, Baghi, Narkundah, and Koteghar may be

quoted as favourite localities for this bird. The exact limits of its range

are uncertain but according to Stoliczka (J. A.S. B., xxxvii.) it 1s

common throughout the Sutlej Valley up to the limit of trees as far as Chini.

It is a permanent resident but in winter it tends to move a little lower in

altitude, like most Himalayan species, and to approach closer to Simla

* Since the above account was written I have received a specimen from the

Thakur of Lahul obtained in the Chandra Bhaga Valley, lower Lahur, where a few

pairs are said to occur.

166 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

where it is not usually found. I have there observed it common at Kufri as

early as November 9th, and Beavan long ago recorded (Ibis, 1868, 166)

that he once saw a pair in the gardens at Annandale. Though he gives no

date for this record it was doubtless in winter as he goes on to observe

“They probably visit the woods there during the winter months when

driven down by heavy snow.”

Further north it is foundin Kulu. The collection of the Bombay N. H.

Society contains specimens obtained by General Osborn at Naggar

(¢& 1-10-1903; @ 8-9-1903; Q 1-10-1903), and my own collection contains a

bird which 1 shot from a party at about 8,000 feet on the northern slope of

the Bhubu Pass on 7th July 1910. In July of this last year (1921) I heard

the call of this species about the same locality. Hume has also recorded

(N.& E., 2nd ed., 1-80) that his people found young below the Jelauri

Pass in April. It apparently does not occur in Lahul or Spiti.

To the west again its range is uncertain. It is not uncommon at Valhousie

where A. H. Marshall, Indian Police, informs me that he shot a specimen

on 21st August 1917. I saw one individual there on the Upper Bakrota

Mall 7,000 feet on 2nd September 1915. Mr. N. B. Kinnear informs me

that he also met with it in Dalhousie in October 1917 and he remarks

that im his opinion it is probably commoner than is generally supposed.

At Dharmsala however it has not yet been recorded. It is not in Hing-

ston’s list (Jour. B.N.H.S., xxvii., p. 555) and up to the present I have

failed to meet withit there or anywhere along the southern slope of the

Duala Dar or first snowy range from the Chamba border above Shahpur

east to Jhatingri.

Very little is accurately known about the breeding season. Jones

obtained a nest with two young about five days old, and an addled egg on

10th March 1917 at 7,500 feet near Simla (Jour. B.N.H.S., xxvi., 602).

Hume obtained nearly full-fledged young near Fagoo early in May (N.&

H., 2nd ed., 1-30) and records his opinion that they must lay in March or

early in April.

The Black-throated Jay—Laletris lanceolatus ( Vig.).

The Black-throated Jay isa very abundant and familiar species on the

southern slope of the Outer Himalayas in the north-east of the Province

from Dalhousie and Bakloh to Simla and the boundary of the Punjab.

Here it breeds from about 5,000 to 8,000 feet, and while some individuals

remain at this altitude during the winter months the majority appear to

collect into flocks and move down to the zone between 3,500 and 5,000

feet in the months of January and February. ;

It certainly occurs north of this outer or first snowy range as I met

with single examples in Kulu onthe 18th June at Jaggat Sukh ( 6,000 feet )

and on the 29th June at Larji on the Beas ( 3,500 feet), but there appears

to be no information on record as to its range or degree of abundance in

this area. It does not occurin Lahul, or in Spiti. Stoliczka says that

it is more confined to the lower ranges close to Simla and does not extend

far into the interior although common at Koteghar in winter.

In the north-west of the Province it again appears with the Himalayan

ranges about Murree and the Galis and there too it is abundant from

5,000 to 8,000 feet. It presumably moves down in winter here, as in the

eastern area, but records are silent on this point.

It is of interest to note that the species is found in some portion at

least, of the Suleman hills west of our area, as Whitehead records (Ibis, 1909,

105) that it is a resident from about 5,000 to 8,000 feet on the Samana

and in the Kurram Valley. a few birds occasionally reaching the plains of

A NOTE ON THE CORVIDA: OF THE PUNJAB. 167

Kohat. It has not however yet been obtained in any portion of the Punjab

plains and is not to be expected there even as a straggler, as in winter none

appear to reach even the foot-hills proper.

The breeding season extends from the middle of April to the end

of June.

The Himalayan Jay—Garrulus giandarius bispecularis (Vig.).

This Himalayan race of the common European Jay appears to have

much the same distribution inthe Punjab Province as Laletris lanceolatus

along the Outer Himalayan range. Stoliczka however (J. A. 8. B., xxxvii.)

says that in the Sutlej Valley it occurs much further north and more into

the interior of the hills, being occasionally seen about Chini. I find no

record of the species from Chamba, Kulu, Lahul, or Spiti. Throughout

its range it 1s however markedly less numerous than the Black-throated

Jay. It appears to be tound at the same elevations as that bird, and to

be subject to the same seasonal movements, both species indeed being often

found in company durivg the winter months.

The breeding season extends from March till June, the majority of eggs

being found in April.

The Red-billed Chough—Pyrrhoccrax pyrrhocorax (L.).

In spite of Jerdon’s statement that the Chough visits the plains of the

Punjab in winter in company with the Jackdaws it may be safely said

that the species is only found in the mountains of the north-east corner

of our area.

Its main stronghold is of course on the extreme border of Punjab

territory. In Lahul in May and June I found it common though less

abundant than the Alpine Chough, throughout the Chandra and Bhaga

Valleys from the Rohtang Pass up to near Patseo. Jt was most common

in the Valley of the Chandra near Khoksar and was scarce beyond

Kyelang. It did not venture apparently much above 13,000 ft. but kept

to the valleys from 10,000-12,000 ft. They were then in pairs and some

of these appeared to have young in the cliffs. In Spiti, according to

Stoliczka (J. A. S. B., xxxvii.), itis also common and generally observed

in summer from 13,000-15,000 ft. It also breeds in some portions ot

Kulu for, on my wav into Lahul, I found it fairly common from the Beas

tunnel at 8,000 ft. below Kothi, right up to the top of the Rohtang Pass.

The birds were then in pairs feeding about the Alpine pastures and some

were certainly breeding both in the Beas tunnel and in the clifis above

the road at Rahla Rest House. In the latter spot I actually saw a_ nest

in the face of the clif but in spite of my utmost endeavours the site

proved quite inaccessible. Mr. H. Branford of Mirzapur informed me

that he saw a few Choughs over the snow in the Malasu Nullah on 8th June

1919. Beavan records, on the authority of Col. Gott (Ibis, 1867, 137), that

it occurs about the Jalauri Pass.

It apparently also breeds in Bashahr, for Stoliczka says that it ‘‘is rare

in summer in the neighbourhood of Chini and only on elevations of and

above 11,000 ft. ; it is however more common in these parts during the

cold weather.”’ Von Pilzelu commentsona female obtained by Stoliczka

at Rogi (Ibis, 1868).

I suspect that during winter the Chough must descend right into the

Kulu Valley but there is no record on the point.

The Chough is also found on the Duala Dar or first snowy range from

Dharmsala to Palampur. Of Dharmsala, Hingston writes : “‘ A common and

noisy resident of the snow line. Keeps almost exclusively to the Alpine

168 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

pastures. Moves slightly up and down the slope in accordance with

the change of season. In winter may descend as low as 8,000 ft., in sum-

mer ascends as high as 14,000 or 15,000 ft.’ (Jour. B. N. H.S., xxvii, 555).

My observations about the same locality confirm the above account

except that on occasions in winter the tlocks move down as low at 6,000 ft.,

and in January and February of this year (1922), occasional parties would

fly over my garden at Lower Dharmsala (which is situated at 4,000 ft.) ata

great height but coming from the south as if they had been down in the

Kangra Valley. During one absence of mine from the station in the

second half of February, according to an orderly who volunteered the

statement, they actually visited my garden.

The eggs do not appear to have been taken yet in British Territory. In

Ladakh, Ludlow took a clutch of 3 incubated eggs at 13,000 ft. on 14th May

and found young still in the nest in Leh on 13th June.

The Alpine Chough—Pyrrhocorax graculus (L.).

Like the last species the Alpine Chough is oniy found in the Punjab

in the mountainous area of the north-east.

The main stronghold of this species is Lahul where itis one of the

commonest and most distinctive birds in summer, being found through-

out the country from 10,000 feet at river level up to about 13,000

feet. It is there much more abundant than the Red-billed species, and

is indeed compared by Stoliczka to the House Crow of the plains for

its noisy boldness in the vicinity of human haunts. In Spiti it appears

to be equally common according to Stoliczka’s account and he states

(J. A. S. B., xxxvii.) that it moves lower down in winter and is then

especially common in Kulu. It does not appear to be found in Kulu

in summer.

The only other locality in our area for which there is a record is the

Duala Dar range behind Dharmsala. Here according to Hingston

(Jour. B. N. H. S., xxvii., 555) it is “resident on the snow line. Less

common than the Red-billed species. Both these Choughs haunt the

same elevation, move up and down the slope within the same altitudinal

limits (z.e., down to 8,000 ft. in winter : in summer up to 14,000-15,000 feet)

and intermingle in a common flock.” I have however failed to meet with

the Alpine Chough in this locality myself.

The eggs do not appear to have been found as yetin British limits.

From my observations on the species in Lahul I would presume that the

majority lay there in May and June. 1! left that country on 15th June and

by then had seen no young bird on the wing although young in the nest

were certainly heard in a cliff beyond Kyelang. The organs of six birds

skinned were in different stages of enlargement but some were in breeding

condition.

gourn., Bombay Nat. Hist.

A KAREN VILLAGE. |

169

A JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK,

Major C. H. Stockuey, D.S.O.

(With 3 plates).

It was the curious shape of the horns of a Schomburgh’s Dee: hanging

on the walls of the British Museum which first attracted me to Siam.

Their numecous points and general appearance were so unlike any other

big game trophy that, since, hke most other men, 1 already associated

Siam with strange things in the way of white elephants and twins, it was

obvious that here was a country which would well repay investigation.

A journey to the Lower Salween and a small portion of the Siamese fron-

tier in the spring of 1914, confirmed me in my decision to visit that country

as soon as possible, but the war put an end to the trip | had arranged for

1914, and it was not till January 1920 that 1 found myself definitely com-

mitted to the enterprise.

Enquiries from the British Museum had elicited little information as to

the habitat of Schomburgh’s Deer: it was only known by purchased

heads, and had never been seen by a white man; while its habitat was

supposed to be as given in Rowland Ward’s ‘“ Records of Big Game,’

which stated that the nearest point at which I might expect to find Lucer-

vus schomburghi, was the vicinity of Paknampo, at the junction of the

Meping and Menam rivers. Accordingly I decided to make my way across

country from Moulmein to Raheng, on the Meping, via the Ta’ok Plateau ;

then travel down the Meping, and make further enquiries there. The

country I should traverse was bound to be rich in zoological interest, and

I should probably pick up a little big game.

On the 24th January 1920 I left Moulmein in an Irrawadi Flotilla Com-

pany’s launch for Gyundo, which lies 42 miles up the Gyaing river. A

dull day’s journey up the muddy, forest-bordered stream brought me to

Gyundo in the evening ; and in the morning, the heavy baggage having

gone on overnight by bullock cart, a much dilapidated Ford car took us

the 16 miles to Kawkareik, the residence of a sub-divisional officer, and the

last administrative post I should see.

I found I would have to wait a day or two in Kawkareik for my ele-

phants to be collected, so arranged a few beats for “gyi” (as the Barking

Deer is called in Burma), or anything else that might turn ap. The country

round Kawkareik is mostly low hills covered with forest of medium height,

the trees being mixed bamboo and deciduous. A few miles to the East

rises to over 4,000 ft. in parts the wall of the Dawna Range, clothed from

base to summit in dense forest, of which the trees seem to be larger the

higher one goes: this forest is mostly evergreen from 2,000 ft. upwards.

The first day’s efforts prodaced one ‘gyi’ and a fine civet cat (Viverra

zibetha) which came out almost at my feet. Unfortunately I forgot that

I had a lethal bullet in my right barrel, and knocked his head about very

badly. His skin measured an inch over four feet, quite the biggest speci-

men I have seen. Next day another ‘gyi’,a few jungle fowl, and a mag-

nificent peacock exactly 100 inches long, were bagged.

There was still no news of my elephants, so I had one more morning’s

outing which, though unprofitable in the matter of big game, was decid-

edly amusing, We found a large pool in the jungle where a flock of

Larger Whistling Teal were resting. I knocked down three birds as they

rose, but the expenditure of five more cartridges and the efforts of three

170 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX,

men wading in the water, which was only about three-foot deep, only

brought two of them to bag. The third vanished from under a Burman’s

hand in absolutely open water and was not seen again. These duck beat

even pochard in evading capture when wounded.

During the last beat of the morning I was standing at the foot of a small

hill, and some jungle-fowl ran by me through the bushes up the slope:

shortly arose the sounds of struggling and flapping wings; and, on inves-

tigation, 1 found a ueat little bamboo fence built diagonally uphill

furnished with small openings every five yards; each of these being well

guarded with horsehair nooses. In one noose a tine jungle-cock was strug-

gling. The fence was only about 15 inches high, but jungle-fowl will

always run rather than fly, and many of them are taken in these contri-

vances.

All the Barking Deer I shot near Kawkareik were larger and lighter-

coloured than those 1 shot in Upper Burma, and this was characteristic

of all those { met with later in my journey, whether in Tenasserim or Siam,

except in the case of two individuals seen on the Ta’ok Plateau, which l

took to be Tenasserim Muntjac (Muntiacus fee).

The most conspicuous birds were the Racket-tailed Drongos, both large

and lesser, and they were to be seen everywhere but in the heart of the

forest, nearly always in pairs. They were very early risers, and their

rather musical metallic whistles sounded every morning with the first

flush of dawn, as they climbed about some flowering trees, probing the

blossoms for insects. Owlets were met with at all times of the day, par-

ticularly on the main road, and a brown nightjar.with a conspicuously

rufous tail was frequently flushed in the open forest tracts. This nightjar

was also very common later on at the edge of the forest on the Ta’ok

Plateau. I saw no pheasants at all near Kawkareik, and fancy the local

poachers are the reason of that.

On return to the forest bungalow on the 28th, I found a telegram

saying that my elephants were ready at Kya-in, about 40 miles from Kaw-

kareik ; so I sent orders for them to meet me at Lampha, a forest hut

from which J proposed going up to the Ta’ok Plateau which lay about 24

miles from Kawkareik, and myself left at midday next day with bullock

carts for Lampha, camping nine miles out after a dull march across flat

rice fields.

Our next march was the first of real forest travelling, for our road lay

through continuots jungle; bamboo and large trees in about equal quan-

tities. About 8 o’clock we were passing through a tract of grand trees

shading deep pools in a boulder-strewn nullah, when suddenly every bird

in the forest began to call. The harsh cackle of Woodpeckers mingled

with the loud croaks of the Great Hornbills ; Laughing Thrushes and

Scimitar Babblers burst into spasms of ribald cachinnations, vying with

the screaming of flocks of Rose-breasted and Blossom-headed Paroquets ;

Drongos whistled and Jungle fowl crowed, while every small bird added

his share to the riot. Twice later on I experienced the same sudden out-

break, and in each case it lasted about twenty minutes; then subsiding

to the ordinary volume of jungle noises.

We crossed several of these nullahs or ‘“choungs’’, and it was obvious

that they would form a considerable obstacle to marching in the rains.

They invariably held two or three cormorants, both little and great

species. All these “choungs” flowed down from the Dawna Range on the

east to join the Huangdarau, which flows northwards along the foot of

the range to join the Gyaing.

About eleven o’clock we emerged suddenly from the forest into full

view of a sheet of shallow water, about a mile square in extent, which

A JOURNEY 70 SIAM AND BACK, suri

was crowded with waterfowl. Round the margin, in some cases twenty

yards from shore, White-breasted Waterhens walked fearlessly on the

weeds, contrary to their usual skulking habits, while Jacanas ran about the

broad-leaved plants in the centre. Innumerable snow-white egrets, mostly

of the greater species, stood marshalled on the bank and on old bamboo

rails which stood half out of the water, and a score of dark grey blots indi-

cated the herons sunk thigh deep at their ever patient fishing. A Stone

Curlew stood motionless on a patch of turf, while a Black-tailed Godwit

prospected the margin near by. On the open water in the centre floated

a flock of Lesser Whistling Teal. As we approached, the ubiquitous

Burmese Lapwings rose wheeling and protesting with their tri-syllabic

“‘ tee-tee-du’’ which gives them their Burmese name, and which is a syl-

lable short of the “ did-he-do-it”’ of their Indian cousins. Kingfishers

of course there were in plenty, Common and White-breasted sitting on

nearly every old bamboo stem while the Pied hovered and dropped with

loud “ plops’’ into the water. But there was one I had not seen before,

A red blot ona shady overhanging bough caught my eye, and a quiet

approach brought me within five yards of my first Ruddy Kingfisher as he

sat lost in reminiscence of his last fish.

We skirted the margin, while a pair of ospreys screamed from a lofty

wood-oil tree, and entered the forest again past a small village, where I

bought some fresh cocoanuts and where 1 saw two fine specimens of Hulepis

anja settled on a bullock’s skull which still retained a nasty savour. These

beautiful butterflies with their large silvery-white patches harmonising

with the delicate chestnut of their undersides, have a predilection for

such noisome feeding places, but on this occasion they did not pay the

penalty for [ tried to include them both in one sweep of the met and

failed to catch either.

. Half a mile on, and the gleam of water through the trees on the

right of the road attracted me and afurlong’s walk in that direction

brought me out on the margin of the Huangdarau, which the very indiffer-

ent map I carried showed to be a couple of miles away. Here it was about

one hundred yards wide, flowing placid and gentle between high reed-

fringed banks, the dull-green water about four feet deep. The wood-oil

trees were particularly fine about here, towering to 200 feet, or more in

some cases, without a branch for the first 150 feet; this characteristic

has earned them their Burmese name of “ myouk kyar” meaning too

‘smooti fora monkey to climb. Their Knglish name is cerived from the

fact that they provide a flow of oil, which is used largely in waterproofing

boats, oiling roofs to keep out the rain, and other useful ways. It is

extracted by cutting an alcove-shaped hollow in the trunk about four feet

from the ground ; a fire is then lighted in the hollow and left to burn for

a day. This acts as an irritant and promotes a flow of oil, which accumulates

in the base of the hollow and is collected periodically by the owner. It is

avery wasteful system, as trees are often left with the fire burning, so

that they are destroyed ; and the tree is eventually killed by it in any

case, if the process is persisted in. Some check should be put on the

practice, as the trees are magnificent when fully grown; but itis very

difficult to effect, as the native oil-collectors wander very far afield in pur-

suance of their wants.

Another three miles through dense forest with the bamboos brushing the

carts on both sides in many places, brought us to a clear twenty-yard wide

stream with a foot of water rippling over its stoney bed ; on the far side

of this could be seen a clearing in which stood the Lampha forest hut,

while a few of the village roofs were visible down-stream through the

dense foliage. An untimely koel shrieked as we entered the compound

172. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

and continued to do so as we stowed the baggage under the pile-built hut;

_ so that I set out to slay him while tiffin was being prepared, and nearly

murdered a Hair-crested Drongo which flew out of the same tree at the

crucial moment; the miscreant escaping in the confusion.

After lunch I interviewed the latest-joined of my staff,—a square-headed

individual with an upstanding crop of hair cut in bootbrush fashion. He

had come up to me as I was leaving Kawkareik, asked whether I was going

tothe Ta’ok Plateau, and, on receiving an aftirmative answer, had

declared his intention of accompanying me there and stated that he would

join me at Lampha,

Now he had arrived, and told me that his name was Maung’U and that

he was half Burman, half Siamese, and could speak both languages as well

as Karenni. As he also owned a most engaging twinkle in his eye and

stated that he knew where the bison were to be found on the Ta’ok

Plateau, 1 took him on, and we were sorry to part four months later on

my return.

He proposed that we should try for a ‘gyi’ that evening and we set out

at about four o’clock. Maung’U was not a great success, as he made a

noise like a buffalo and attempted to call buck ‘gyi’ with most excruciating

sounds made with the aid ofa leaf, thisin spite of the fact that it was

not the rutting season ; accordingly I wasnot much impressed with his

abilities as a shikari.

About |] a.m. that night I was awakened by a tremendous crash, as some

forest giant fell. Immediately the jungle broke into sound. Gibbons

whooped and jungle fowl crowed, while ringing barks showed how numerous

were the ‘gyi’ in the neighbourhood. The noise lasted about tive minutes

and ceased assuddenly as it had begun. I noticed on similar occasions

later on, that the jungle-fowl always crowed when a tree fell at night, but

that they were not usually joined by other animals unless it were bright

moonlight. Sambhar also occasionally called on these events.

Next morning was devoted to beating for sambhar, but we saw none

but hinds; I hit, and lost a beautiful cock Silver Pheasant (Gennaeus line-

atus) which f badly wanted as a specimen.

A curious incident occurred with a ‘gyi’. We drove him out of a clump of

young cane, and I failed to get a shot. I then sat down where | was to

have my lunch, and the beaters also sat down in groups all round me.

Five minutes later there was a scurry of hoofs, and the buck dashed right

into the middle of us, gave one or two frightened springs from side to side,

then bolted into the cane brake from which he had originally come, clear-

ing my feet in hisstride. ‘The whoie incident was over so quickly that I

stared at the buck, armed only with a tin of sardines, and quite forgot to

reach for the rifle which was lying by my side. 1 suppose that the buck

was so badly frightened when first driven out, that he had run in a circle

until he found himself again close to his harbourage, and had made a bee-

line for it.

All the sambhar stags we had put up in the course of the morning broke

back out of the beat, and the only shot I fired was at a large wild boar,

which got away badly wounded into a tangle of thorn and creeper so dense

that it was hopeless to try and get him out of it.

This boar, and others I saw later both in Burma and Siam, were of the

black, heavily-crested, Tenasserim species. They appeared to me like

large editions of the village pigs, and | suspect that they were not truly

wild but feral. It is possible, of course, that the village pigs are direct

descendants of the wild ones, and retain all their characteristics, but the

wild pig of Tenasserim is quite different to those I shot in Upper Burma

(which appeared identical with the Indian wild boar), and it would be most

A JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK. 173

interesting to know where the dividing line of the two species exactly

occurs; also if they overlap.

During one beata very tame Orange-headed Ground Thrush hopped

round my feet; and a little later, on approaching a pool in the

middle of the forest, a splash of bright red caught my eye from a

tree near the edge. This proved to be the bill of a Stork-billed Kingfisher ;

a handsome enough bird who seems to have lost his original issue in the

bill line, and to have acquired an enormous misfit in red sealing wax to

replace it.

This pool was a regular specimen aviary for waders, for I saw one each

of the following patrolling its margin or standing in the water :-—Black-

necked Stork, Large Egret, Small Egret, Paddy-bird, Common Sandpiper

and Black-tailed Godwit.

Ihave forgotten to mention the mynas. These formed a large proportion

of the bird population round the forest hut, and were of several species,—

Pied, Jungle, Common and Grey-headed. while I also saw two Siamese

Mynas, with their curious frontal fringe, which I was to see in plenty

further on. The Pied Mynas seemed the most plentiful, and used to come

in riding on the backs of the buffaloes in the evening, often sharing a steed

with a Cattle Egret.

I did little with the butterfly net. The commoner species were plentiful,

such as Papilio aristolochie and Danais plexippus, while Zeltus cetolus

trailed its fluttering white tails along every jungle path. In the depths

of the forest only the sober brown Satyride were to be found, and I was

there usually too much occupied with larger game to pay them much

attention.

The elephants turned up on the evening of February Ist, two fair-

sized and one smal]. They were all equipped with the Karen “kah”;

which, though admirable for packing a load of rice, is a most difficult

thing to use for packing mixed gear. A “kah” is nothing but a large

basket made of wooden slats or wicker-work supported by a cross frame of

curved wood kept from direct contact with the back of the elephant by

pads or mats.

These baskets have very little capacity for such things as store boxes

or tents. It was evidently going to be a difficult problem getting all my

kit on to the backs of my three pachyderms, but I solved it by having

small platforms built out behind the ‘‘kahs” from strips of bamboo. The

drivers made these platforms very neatly, using no other tools than their

dahs, the long sword-knife which all Burmans carry, and with which they

are extremely expert.

I took some time adjusting the loads next morning, so we did not get

away from Lampha till 8 o’clock. We trekked along the forest road for

a couple of miles, then turned eastwards along a jungle path which

brought us toa small Karen village, where I picked up an old shikari

and his son; both of whom were supposed to know the Ta’ok Plateau.

Thence onwards the upward slope grew steeper and the forest denser,

until, at about one o’clock, we halted for the day, as we had come to the

last possible camping ground and there was still a long way to go to reach

the summit. Camp was pitched on a small flat piece of ground amongst

giant bamboos, and above us the track led up a ridge which looked much

too steep for any pack animal.

But I had a lot to learn about elephants, and one thing was their amaz-

ing capabilities on steep ground, and the ridge seemed to offer them

little difficulty when we continued ovr march at sunrise. Carefully and

slowly they zigzagged up the steepest part until they reached the easier

grade of the crest: then along this, lifting fallen trees out of the way,

174 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

breaking off overhanging boughs so that the loads should suffer no damage

and occasionally stopping and helping at command to adjust a kah or some

portion of its load which had come displaced. They made slow progress,

for the fallen trees and overhanging boughs were many, so I went on

ahead and sat down by an immense fallen trunk which looked to be a

serious obstacle to progress.

While I sat, there came a sudden “ churr-r-r-uck”’ from a gully about

twenty yards away, and Maung’U whispered “Yit.” It was a call quite

distiact from any that I have heard uttered elsewhere by Silver Pheasant,

but a careful stalk, although it did not give me a shot, showed me an

undoubted cock Gennaens as he scuttled away. I heard this type of call

several times subsequently in the Thaungyin catchment area, but it altered

to a shorter, sharper note when I reached the Meping Valley, and there I

also heard a cock pheasant utter a sound rather like the mew of a cat.

Returning to my seat on the log, I was soon joined by a Scarlet Trogon,

which settled on a bough within a yard of my head, and seemed quite

unconcerned when I moved about freely.

The elephants arrived and surmounted the obstacle, so we walked on

again up the greasy, slippery track, which now led entirely through ever-

green forest. Ata point where a small spring made a large muddy patch

at the foot of a great pingado tree, we came suddenly on a covey of eight

Green-legged Hill Partridge, which rose like a bursting bomb all round us,

and were out of range long before [ could change the butterfly-net for the

un. Above this point, for a furlong or more, we trod in the fresh tracks

of a tiger, though traces of other mammals were almost entirely absent.

Another hundred yards and a still steeper bit made me sit down fora

rest, while I watched the tree-world above me. The first ofits denizens to

appear was a party of about twenty slender Leaf-eating Monkeys, whose

lithe exiguous forms and greenish-grey fur made them hard to distinguish

amongst the foliage as they passed overhead. Then a couple of Pied

Hornbills arrived, quickly followed by a Black-headed Oriole and a Golden-

backed Woodpecker, Then there was a swift rush and a swaying branch

high up in a great tree, but I could not make out the newcomer, until a

loud mooing coo told me that there was a Green Imperial Pigeon some-

where up there in the leaves. A stealthy approach to try and fill the pot,

and then, as I peared upwards trying to make out my bird, there was a rush

by a belated monkey and away flew all the birds, the pigeon with them.

Again we plodded up the hill, liberally ‘“larding the lean earth,” for

il was now half past ten and the sun was quite hot, until suddenly the

slope eased, we pushed through a few yards of dense high grass, and

emerged on the crest of the very rim of the Ta’ok Plateau. A cool breeze

greeted us, and as I sat down to rest it seemed as if we had suddenly

arrived in an entirely different country, so great was the contrast

between climbing, pent between high walls of forest, and the tremen-

dous prospect which lay before us;—a prospect which included rolling

grassy slopes such as IL had never expected to see in Lower Burma,

We sat on the top of a ridge above 4,000 feet about sea-level, with a fine

view on all sides but the south, where a massive, tree-crested hill

shouldered up into the sky afew hundred yards on our right. A long

grassy siope fell away eastwards for a thousand feet to meet a wide mass

of forest in the hollow, and beyond a lesser hill rose to connect with

a rock-crowned giant, which ended abruptly on the north in a granite

precipice to which trees clung in scattered clumps and which looked a likely

place for serow. A deep forest-filled valley lay on our left, whose far side

rose steeply in rocky shelves to where a series of small isolated peaks

formed the western crest of the Dawna Range. This valley was traceable

Journ,, Bombay Nat, Hist. Soe.

A JOURNEY TO SIAM.

LARGE INDIAN CIVET (VIVERRA ZILBETHA).

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist, Soc.

A JOURNEY TO SIAM.

THE ELEPHANT TESTS EACH PACE WITH

HIS TRUNK.

A JOURNEY YO SIAM AND BACK, 175

several miles to the eastward, and evidently held the stream which even

tually flowed past Lampha.

Far away to the east, rising above another grassy hill,1 could see a

great dim hogsback which was evidently in Siam, and in all probability the

water-parting between the Thaungyin and the Meping. This surmise

was afterwards proved correct, with the additional discovery that it also

marked the headwaters of the Meklong. This great hogsback is in fact the

central and the bighest portion of the waterparting, and the true Siamese

faunal area begins on its Eastern slopes ; the fauna of the Western slopes,

which drain into the Meklong (Sowing southwards) and the Thaungyin

(flowing northwards) being typically Burmese in nature, though Siamese

territorially. I may add that the water-parting between the Thaungyin and

the Meklong is low and gently graded.

We admired the view for half an hour, and then descended the slope

below us to where a fathom-wide brook ran clear over a gravelly bed under

arching trees, and, seeing some sun-warmed shingle thick with butterflies,

while many old bison tracks shewed on the flat ground beyond, decided

that it was obviously the place for lunch.

Amongst the butterflies the map-like markings of two species of Cyrestis

were most in evidence, but there were also several Lycenidae which looked

interesting andafew gorgeous Papilios to be seen, so the net was soon

busy. The lovely iridescent greens of many Papilio parts, which flew in a

constant stream up and down the valley, were a joy to the eye. 4

Soon the “ cling-clang-clonk”’ of the elephant bells came down the hill,

and we moved northward along the valley, and crossing a low ridge,

re-entered the forest ; then, fording the main stream, moved three hundred

yards up its left bank and camped on a tong narrow flat, which overhung

some deep clear pools well stocked with fish up to half a pound.

I had visions Of a fish dinner, as I took these fish to be mahseer, but the

fish thought otherwise, and definitely declined to have anything to do with |

the numerous lures | offered them in the course of the next two days; so, as

J fancy myself at catching mahseer, I decided that my specific diagnosis

must be incorrect.

That evening we went to the grassy hill we had seen to the east, to

wait for bison to come out and feed. A long watch resulted in the appear-

ance of a couple of cows, and we had a toilsome walk home in the dark,

stumbling over fallen trees and falling down greasy clay slopes in the

forest, much to the detriment of clothes, shins and temper.

The next morning was only notable for a thorough soaking by the extra-

ordinar ly heavy dew: it weighed down the waist-high grass, and, as we

passed through, we were drenched from head to foot ina few minutes. I

also found that shorts were not at all suitable wear for this grass, as it cut

my kuees freely with its hard siliceous stems, so that they soon resembled

a map of a heavily trenched area in France.

We climbed the big hill to the south, and investigated the precipice on

its north side which overlooked the camp, but found nothing but old tracks

of bison and serow,—few of the latter—none of which were less than five

days old; but in a small swamp, where grass and forest met down in the

valley, were some great miry footmarks which looked to be more recent

traces of bison, and I decided to investigate further in the evening,

Back in camp by ten o’clock, and then a pleasant spell of butterfly hunt-

ing, which added some specimens of Cirrochrca and Charaxes to the bag.

Charaxes are as evidently built for speed as a racing motor-car, and with

the same stream-line body. They are the most vigorous strugglers in a net

and knock their beautiful black-veined, brown wings to pieces unless rapidly

pinched or removed from it.

176 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

Five o’clock found me perched on a rock on the big hill south of camp,

while I watched the valleys below. The sun had set some time before,

when I spotted, in a small coombe at the edge of the forest, amoving black

blot which the glasses showed to be a grand bison bull. There was no time

for manceuvring, and I ran straight down hill to the shelter of a ridge,

and then directly towards him. Unfortunately there was a deep gully on

my side of the ridge, so filled with vegetation that 1 took some time

pushing through it, and, when I reached the crest, the bull had shifted

and was not to be seen. I pushed on into the coombe beyond, and found

myself in bracken higher than my head, (I am over six foot three ) through

which progress was only possible along a game run. I forced my way on,

hoping to reach a clearer spot. when there was a sudden rush and the head

of the bull appeared above the bracken not ten yards away, and making

rapid progress in my direction. Whether he really was charging or was

merely coming to investigate the noise or the top of my topi, was imma-

terial: it was obvious that he would almost certainly charge as soon as he

found himself right on top of me, and the stiff bracken stems would preclude

all chance of dodging. I therefore had a bang at his nose on the chance

of dropping him with a lucky shot, and the probability of turning him in

any case. He was almost on top of me when I fired, so I flung myself

sideways into the bracken and hoped for the best. A tremendous snort

aud a plunge, then a thunderous rush downhill to the edge of the forest,

where a series of crashes receding in the distance was followed by dead

silence.

I disentangled myself from the bracken and rose. The bull had

swerved downhill a couple of yards from me, and twenty yards along his

track was a smear of blood high up on the underside of an overhanging

frond. I followed along the trail to the edge of the forest and found two

or three more marks in the same position, so that it was obvious that he

was hit high up, probably in the face. It was already nearly dark, so it

was no good trying to do anything more till next morning, and I stumbled

home rather depressed in mind; fora head shot is usually fatal at once

or fails to trouble the beast seriously, and 1 felt sure that a furrow

ploughed along his forehead was all the damage done on this occasion.

Next morning proved this. For three miles along the trail with the

blood marks gradually petering out and no sign of a halt or slackening

of the bull’s pace convinced me that he had suffered little damage ; and

when the blood-trail failed altogether, my disappointment at the loss of a

fine trophy was much mitigated by relief that I was not leaving him to

die of his wounds.

On the way back to camp I shot a Barking Deer, of the same type

as I had killed near Kawkareik, and which provided a welcome supply of

fresh meat.

Next day we shifted camp three miles to a valley in the heart of the

forest on the East side of the main divide, and while the elephants made

their ponderous way to the new place, I went round through the jungle

with Shwe Gyi Paw, the old Karen hunter, and Maung’U to look for game.

We saw nothing but old bison tracks until we turned for camp, when there

was a rustle in the undergrowth on top of a slope afew yards away and

I saw a Barking Deer slipping through the bushes. He seemed very dark

in colour, but I put this down to the shadows until he halted at the top, when

it was obvious that he was a great deal darker than any ‘gyi’ I had ever seen

before ; sol had ashot at him. Unfortunately there was a big fallen

branch in the way which received the bullet, and he got off unhurt. I was

inclined at the time to put him down as a mete colour variation of Cervulus

grandicornis ; but as I saw on my return journey three months later, not

A JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK, 177

two miles from this same spot, a dark chocolate-coloured Barking Deer

which I am sure was a buck Cervulus feae, I feel convinced that the

animal I saw on this first occasion was also of that species.

About a mile from camp we came suddenly on the tracks of a rhino-

ceros. They were three or four days old, but nevertheless of considerable

interest. We were following them up a little to see if they crossed a

fresher trail, when from out of a foot-print, where it was sunk deep in

leafy mould, flew a woodcock. I was still wondering at the curious com.

bination of rhinoceros and woodcock, when out of another 1oot-print, three

yards further on, flew another woodcock, almost toucking me as it rose.

Woodcock are rare in Tenasserim, but have been recorded from there

more than once: their being found there is not remarkable when one con-

siders that they are common on the Nilgiris, and a careful search on the

Ta’ok Plateau in January and February would probably bring several of

these birds to light.

The evenimg and the morning shoots from this camp produced no results

in big game, and the plateau seemed very deficient of animal life on this

(eastern) side. On the evening of the 7th we went a long trek to the end

of a big bare spur overlooking the main nullah flowing eastward from

the plateau; here also we saw nothing but fresh traces of bear and an

endless procession of Green Imperial Pigeon, which passed over our heads,

flying westwards, just as the sun was setting.

I had to get on with my journey, and could stay no longer onthe

plateau, so next morning we started off at sunrise for Ta’ok village which

lay in the valley to the east. Across a grassy “kwin”’, where | shot a

Blanford’s Button Quail, and then along the flat crest of a ridge, where a

couple of Grey-headed Imperial Pigeon delayed me but gave me no oppor-

tunity to add them to the specimen box, a couple of miles of alternate

evergreen copses and open grassy glades brought us to a small spring

where 1 sat down to await the elephants. Here I was made a fool of by

a butterfly. I captured a large Danazd, pinched him severely, and, as the

collecting case was some distance behind, I placed him in the lining of

my hat. On the arrival of the case I took off my hat to transfer him, and

he forthwith flew away. These Danaids are very tough and take a lot of

pinching to disable them. The elephants arrived and I discovered

that the orderlies had left the other butterfly net behind in the last camp,

and as butterfly nets are not easily replaced in the depths of the forest, I

was decidedly annoyed.

We pushed on another couple of miles and emerged on the crest of a

ridge which gave us a view of country to the south which I had not yet

seen; and I was much interested in being able to recognise Muleyit

Mountain standing high above the surrounding hills. It appeared de-

cidedly steep on the north and east, but easy of access on the west. We

came to the end of the ridge and rested, while we overlooked the valley

of the Upper Thaungyin. It was fairly easy to trace the course of its

numerous affluents ; the Megla, Ungrin and Gorli being the bigger streams ;

all of these meet a little above Miba, and there begins the Thaungyin

proper. Beyond the Thaungyin basin rose the great hogsback previously

referred to, and I decided that it would well repay a visit; but I have not

yet been able to reach it, though in the course of my journey I eventually

made the complete circuit of it. I hope to make it the main objective of

a future expedition.

We started down the slope below us and found it desperately steep, so

that careful zigzagging was necessary and progress slow. When we had

descended the 1,600 feet to the valley below, we found a pleasant spring

beneath the shade of a great banian tree, and hada drink and a rest

178 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

there. As I lay on my back gazing idly upin to the tree, I became

aware of movement high up in the branches, and made out some birds,

which at first I took to be parrots. An examination with the glasses

showed them to be Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, and what had deceived me

was that they were climbing about just like green parrots ; and, though it

is possible I was mistaken, I certainly thought that they were using their

bills as well as their feet in moving from branch to branch. Stuart Baker

doubts this habit, as observed by Harington, but from observation on this

and later occasions I certainly think the latter to be right on this small

oint.

: The elephants had taken a ridge with an easier grade further to the

south, so we pushed on down the side valley for about two miles until we

reached some fields and the main Ta’ok stream; here about thirty yards

broad and two feet deep. Finding we were to wade it, I took off my boots

and putties, a precaution I soon ceased to adopt when I found that on

most marches in these regions I had to wade ariver every half mile or so.

Another mile down stream we came to Ta’ok village ; a miry, squalid

agglomeration of a dozen bamboo huts; beneath whose piles the pigs

rooted and fowls and ducks squattered. —

I have not yet remarked on the number of ducks which are to be seen

in every Tenasserim village. They are much more numerous than the

fowls, and one can nearly always buy ducks’ eggs whereas fowls’ eggs

are scarce. |

A few hundred yards beyond the village we came on some jungle-fowl,

and £ succeeded in slaying one for dinner, then we forded the river twice

more, returning to the right bank opposite a cliff some 400 ft. high.

Lower down the valley on the north side I couldsee an arc of much

bigger limestone cliffs, not less than 800 ft. high, which rose so sheer that

little vegetation clung to them. We reached the end of the cliff imme-

diately above the river, and saw a one-roomed wooden hut on piles on the

opposite bank, which was to be our resting place. To reach this first

entailed fording a tributary on our own bank, and then the main stream,

whose bottom was mostly boulders and large holes. The water was waist-

deep and the current strong, so it was not surprising that I slipped in

midstream and took a thorough ducking. In half an hour the elephants

arrived and took the ford very seriously, testing each pace under water

with their trunks. Nawash Ali, my big Punjabi bearer, tried to cross a

little lower down by jumping from boulder to boulder; he got half way, and

then slipped and fell in with a noble “splosh’’, much to the delight of his

nephew, Mahomed Kasim, who laughed so much that he slipped off the rock

on which he was standing, and fell in also. The whole of my retinue were

so delighted with this double mishap, that I could scarcely get them to

unload the elephants ; they were like a lot of school girls with a bad fit of

the giggles.

These two Punjabis had been with me, sometimes one, sometimes both,

for fifteen years, and were a great standby in the jungle. They were

natives of Punch, from which State so many good servants come.

There still remain two more of my staff, orderlies Kunjanaw and

Sambat gaw. These were Kachins and spoke several dialects each but

unfortunately not one of the local ones, and they were little use as inter-

reters. :

ci Ta’ok forest hut marked the end of the first stage of journey. We were

now in the Thaungyin Valley, and the next stage would be the crossing

of the hills on the far side of the Thaungyin into the Meping Valley.

(To be continued.)

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

H. R. H. tHe PRINCE oF WALES WITH HIS ‘ BEATERS

AT THE END OF THE TIGER SHOOT.

BRS oo:

EY.

MAHSEER HOOKED BY H.R. H. anp ApMIRAL HAL

“story.”

H. R. H. THE PRINCE OF WALES’ SHOOTING IN INDIA

IN 1921 AND 1922.—Parrt III.

: BY

BERNARD C. ELLISON, C.M.Z.S., F.R.G.S. (Naturalist to the Shoots),

7 (With 7 plates and 1 map and 4 diagrams.)

| I, MYSORE,

To entertain distinguished guests visiting Mysore, elephant capture and roping

form one of the principal items from a spectacular point of view, fishing is

‘included also, so 1 have included the account of the Kheddah operations which

‘took place during H.R.H.’s visit and also the Mahseer Fishing.

©n previous Royal shooting trips in Mysore it was usual. to spend a week

at the camp at Karapur and, in addition to shooting both big and small game,

‘to witness the operation of capturing elephants.

But as His Royal Highness’ stay in Mysore could not o prolonged for more

‘than three days, the programme at the shooting camp was at first confined to—

1. Tiger Shooting, 2. Bison Shooting, 3. Fishing.

The definite programme of His Royal Highness’ visit was received in the

‘middle of August. Immediately thereafter preparations were taken in hand to

fit up the shooting camp to meet the convenience of H. R. H. and his party.

During the short stay of the Prince in camp, it was at first thought inconvenient

to fitin a keddah with big game shooting, but eventually it was considered

‘that a part of one day (Sunday) might be conveniently spent in witnessing the

‘drive of elephants and the subsequent roping operations. Thus, the full

programme was arranged for, as on former occasions, in spite of the short

“stay.

For convenience I have subdivided this account under these various

headings, rather than depict the various events in the sequence in which they

‘actually occurred.

H. R. H. and staff arrived at Mysore on the 20th January. This narrative

does not concern itself with the functions or stately ceremonial. with which the

Maharajah of Mysore entertained the Prince of Wales: though to me a

stranger in the land they were of Reine interest, but “That is another

The writer arrived a day previous to the Royal party anda preliminary

visit to the shooting camp and an inspection of the arrangements that had

been made for the treatment and disposal of the expacted trophies showed that

-everything was ready.

Tiger SHootine : —On the morning of the 2]st January Ileft for the

‘shooting camp tn advance of the rest of the party. The weather was rather

dull at first but cleared up later. The road to the camp was in good condition

-and shaded along the whole route by large banyan and tamarind trees, a good

many of which were numbered, to facilitate replacements, <A curious feature

‘of the numbers on the milestones proper was that at first they were painted

black on a white background, but as we progressed further and entered the

jungle the numbers were painted white on a black background. The reason

for this is that the former seem to displease wild elephants, who invariably

‘uproot the ones with the black figures on a white background, while vice versa

they ignore the ones with the white figure on a black background.*

* In a miscellaneous note in another part of the ote I have teeta LR

‘on this curious antipathy of elephants to milestones. -~ . UE, ALS nS

180 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX..

The roads in the vicinity of villages and hamlets were lined with expectant

crowds waiting to get a glimpse of H. R. H. and generally every village had at

least one arch made of leaves of various trees and other greenery.

The country at first was undulating and without trees, but after we had

passed Hampspur hills began to appear and the country became more

wooded.

Of bird life there was very little to be seen, with the exception of the

ubiquitous mynas, doves, etc., with afew cattle egrets in the fields and an

occasional dabchick in the small tanks.

The first shoot was to be a beat for tiger in the scrub jungles of Heggadavan

Kote where H. H. The Maharaja had killed two tigers the previous year,

The modus operandi on this occasion was as follows :—

“‘ The jungle had been baited with buffalo calves a few days prior to the

Prince’s visit, and on a kill being obtained the area was enclosed by nets in the

shape of a sem:-circle, and on the tiger driven into this, the circle was

completed, and the tiger kept in the enclosed space till the day of the

shoot.”’

To reach the shooting ground we turned off the main road near the thirtieth

miiestcne, and kept on till we reached a large nullah, where we left the tongas

into which we had exchanged after leaving the main road. Here all got out.

and walked a mile further till we reached the site of the proposed beat where

alot of excited villagers awaited us, After ituch we clambered into our

resp2ctive machans, the positions of which can be seen at a glance on the-

accompanying plan,

Sir 6 de Nonlmorenc sy

Caplsin Nef calf e =

. G Lord Lous Mountbatten.

SordGomeré .

Sir G. Thomas

IE. Metcalfe. Col Worgan H.AH

Mf Ellison .

(e)

Ke)

As soon as everybody was seated a shikari gave the signal and the beat staried..

For a .ong time their shouts came io ,us from a distance and did not appear to-

H.R. H. THE PRINCE OF WALES’ SHOOTING: IN INDIA. 181

come appreciably nearer. It was apparent that they found the tiger reluctant

tu move, as he was, fuil of meat, and not inclined to go in the direction

intended, i.e., towards H. R. H.’s machan. After more than an hour of

continuous beating, just when everybody was getting very tired, we heard the

tiger roar. About half an hour later the beaters sounded quite near and their

shrill discordant yells, so different from the more robust and manly shouts of

the Nepalese, made a fearful babel of sound. Suddenly, on a small hillock in

front, there was a snapping and rustling of undergrowth, and out rushed a fine

tiger. A shot rang out (from the Prince’s rifle we subsequently learned) and the

tiger rushed along untouched down a small nullah right past our machan, and

‘Colynel Worgan fired two shots in rapid succession hitting him with his second.

The tiger then swerved off towards Lord Cromer, where he fell in some bushes,

but, picking himself up in a moment, dashed on for another twenty yards, Lord

‘Cromer and Sir Godfrey Thomas both fired at him as he passed, and he fell

over dead. Colonel Worgan’s second bullet had caught him high up, and

would have proved fatal even if Lord Cromer and Sir Godfrey Thomas had

failed to stop him at once. He measured 9 ft. 3 inches between up rights, of

which the tail accounted for 3 ft. 3 inches, while his height at the shoulder was

3 ft. 1Jinches. Along the curves he measured 9 ft. 8 inches over all.

On the afternoon of the 23rd January, a party motored out about fifteen

miles to a spot, where a tiger had been netted.

The machans were situated along a path and we soon occupied them. Major

Harvey was in No. 1, in No. 2 Mr. Aubrey Metcalfe, and Colonel O’Kinealy and

myself occupied another one.

At 4-45, suddenly there was a crashing through some bushes close at hand

and an occasional “‘ugh” was heard but the tiger appeared to be keeping a

parallel course to the guns and did not break cover.

There were several reasons I think, why the tiger would not come out. The

path where the machans were situated was rather too broad and_ without

cover, and being a sagacious tiger he did not quite like the look of such an

opening. Moreover there was a certain amount of talking in some of the

machans. Colonel Worgan told me he saw the tiger distinctly on one occasion

while he was hesitating to break cover. The shikaries declared that if we had

been able to remain another half hour, they would have got him out. Every

one was rather annoyed at having to leave, but as it was getting late and

the staff had to be back in Mysore, a matter of thirty miles distance, for the

farewell dinner, it could not be helped ; so we all descended from our machans

and had some refreshments where the cars were waiting.

I remained behind and watched the forest officials wiring up the place where

the tiger was, as they intended to try to get the Maharajah to come and shoot it

on the following day ; (incidently Captain Beddington killed it the next

day.)

KEDDAH OPERATIONS: The Camp for the Keddah Operations.—The camp

at Karapur, which is about five miles west of the scene of the Keddah opera-

tions, is of a more or less permanent character, there being several bungalows

maintained for the use of Royal and Viceregal guests. It stands in a break

in the jungles on the crest of a small hill. The tents for the staff are pitched

on undulating terraces and command a fine view of the river and the surround-

ing country. Altogether it is a delightful camp offering such rare opportuni-

ties for shooting and fishing as is seldom met with in juxta-position in any other

part of India.

To reach the scene of the operations, I left camp about 10-30 a.m. with

Dr. Rushbrook Williams. We mctored the intervening seven miles through

dense forest consisting for the most part of bamboos. En route we passed

some teak plantations (Tectona grandis), here the Indian Wainut (Termtnalia

tomentosa) seemed particularly abundant. On arrival at the Keddah we

182 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX.

proceeded on pad elephants to a large machan built in two tiers, and from

this watched the beat. This wag one of three built in a huge enclosure, about

a mile in circumference, erected in the middle of the jung!e. I am indebted

to Mr. B. V. Rama Iyengar, Conservator of Forests, Mysore, for the

following :— ;

History of the present Keddah.— Six weeks or more before the Prince arrived

in Mysore, an area of twenty to thirty square miles of jungles were driven by

over athousand men, As a result of this drive about twenty-eight elephants,

including a large tusker,were driven into an enclosure, around which was a huge

trench a mile in circumference, which was guarded day and night so that

none of the herd could escape. Morning and evening, paddy, grass and other

fodder were placed near the gate and the wild elephants used to come and feed.

Inside this enclosure was another smaller one called the “‘ roping in ”’ enclosure.

and it was to witness the herd being driven into this, and roped, that the Royal

party had been invited. To have seenthe wholeof the operationsfrom the

beginning would have entailed a stay of several weeks, which was naturally

impossible.

—— Rough Diagram of ——

—— Khedda

Outlet to Roping Stockade

Other Visiters

Elephants

m Royal Machan

for HRH and Staff

ice Machan for Visitors

"ANNVEOND AFATY THI SSOMOV NGUAING DNIGG SEINVHdETE ATIM AO GUaH FAHY,

‘90S (3S!IH (3UN Aequog “uanor

"SINVHdATA GAAYNITVO HHL ONIDVALVM

“HVdGday AHI NI SNOILVYAdO ,dOd ONIAL, WHY,

"90S SIH "}EN Avqwog

Susanor

H. R. H. THE PRINCE OF WALES’ SHOOTINGIN INDIA. 188

The idea originally was to arrange fora chance capture of elephants. But con-

trary to their usual movements, the migration of herds towards the evergreen

zone, which ordinarily occurs about a month after the close of the North-East

Monsoon, commenced earlier than usual. As herds were marching towards the

Forests of Wynaad and the Coorg Frontiers, the situation became critical, At

this juncture, information was received on the 8th December, that one small

herd was near Sunkadakatte-Kymara Road, apparently on the move towards

Coorg. Afewmen, about a hundred in number, were mustered immediately,

and marched off to block the road. As the men were being posted, a part of

the herd was seen to stray away to the wrong side. A small party, however,

faced the main body at once, and drove it back. The next day, the whole

herd was driven across the Burudekatte line and was surrounded on three

sides. The third day, it was forced across the old Balle surround line, when

the animals got into dense thickets of big bamboo, and it was very difticult to

dislodge them from cover. It was only after a considerable amount of

trouble, for two continuous days, that the elephants were driven into the river

at about 5 p.m. on the 17th December, and from there into the Keddah.

Measures were taken to guard the elephants from getting out of the enclosure

by posting men all round the Keddah to keep fires alive at short intervals.

The construction of the roping stockade and machans was pushed through and

brought to completion soon after.”

The Beat.—Immediately on taking our seats on the machan we hear

the elephants trumpeting. The Forest Officer informs us that they have

gone to a pool for water and are evidently enjoying themselves there. The

signal for the drive to start is given by bugle, and at once the koomkies, (decoy

elephants), each with a mahout on his back and also a spearman, or a man armed

with a gun, move out of their concealment into the open. They try to drive

the herd before them, aided by shouts, the noise of bamboo clappers, the firing

of guns and shrill cacophonies from trumpets. After about a quarterof an

hour there is much trumpeting and out rushes the herd, raising clouds

of dust as they crash through the jungle. As they pass fairly close to the

funnel-shaped mouth of the inner stockade, I catch a glimpse of them. They

are mostly cows and one or two very small calves. Again and again they

break through the encircling koomktes steadfastly refusing to enter the funnel

shaped passage leading to the inner stockade, entrance into which means a life

of useful toil in the service of man. The scorching midday sun pours down

on our machan where we are practically unprotected. The beating operations

continue for a considerable time and appear to the uninitiated one huge confu-

sion without method or order. We keep silence the whole time. Suddenly the

trumpets blare and then comes the sound of mighty crashing, and out come

the elephants again through the jungle. I snap a photograph once, twenty-three

of them together, passing our machan about twenty yards away. The sound of

the bells on the tame elephants resounding everywhere coupled with the shouts

of beaters and the crashing of breaking branches beaten down by the

advance of the wild herd, make a wierd medley of sounds. A shot rings out,

the trumpets blare again, and the elephants rush on wildly frightened. No one

knows exactly what is happening ; there is nothing but clouds of dust, crashing

of the undergrowth and the breaking of trees, shrill trumpetings from a scared

tusker, mingled with wild and weird shouts and yells. On several occasions they

get the whole herd up to the mouth of the enclosure and let them break away

again, owing to the fact that there are no stops on one side, Each time the

‘elephants come rushing back they are met at full charge quite near our machan

by shikaries, guns, roars and shouts, and so turn tail rushing in wild confusion

in the direction of the “‘funnel.’? The little calves seem to be the most fright-

ened of all, and one cannot help pitying these poor little animals. The

herd first rushes to one side and then to the other, and when they go in the

184 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

wrong direction if the trumpets and the shoutsdo not suftice toturn them, they

are fired at with shot guns. They generally seem to break away at one

particular point on one side of our machan, where first two get through, followed

by another six, and then the remainder of the herd. Time passes, and the herd

is gradually pushed nearer and nearer the funnel, and is practically in when

there is a sudden movement on one flank, and quite a number break through at

the same spot. It is fearfully hot, the backs of the elephants gleam with water

from the ditch they went through. The whole proceedings are very long, and

as the herd seems to keep to one side, fires are lit all round by simply putting a

match to the jungle—a most dangerous proceeding, as one cannot help but feel

that there is considerable danger of everything being burnt down in such dry

jungle. Suddenly there is tremendous excitement, and if possible the pan-

demonium increases in volume. The beaters are trying to close in on a parti-

cular tusker who is surrounded by pad elephants, and as the fire is blazing on

one side it looks as if there is no chance of escape.

The whole place near the ‘‘ funnel’’ is enveloped in smoke which the tame ele-

phants do not seem to mind in the slightest. Finally, bewildered by the noise,

harassed by small shot, and goaded on by thrusts from the spears, the herd

rushes for the piace which seems to be the only comfortable spot for them in the

jungle. Too late they realise that their companions are tame elephants, with busi-

ness like men on their backs. Crash, and down comes the gate, and freedom is a

thing of the past. Yet even at the last moment, when three cows and a young

bull have been entrapped in the funnel, the rest of the herd escape at the same

weak spot on the opposite side of the machan. I gota snap of the big tusker

as he passed. At this point we all left the machans and proceeded to camp and

later returned to the inner stockade to watch the tying up operations.

The Tying wp Operations.—Within the small circular stockade took place a

scene, half comic, half pathetic. The captured elephants struggle against the

koomkies, and show temper. Tears of vexation come to theireyes. They sulk

like human beings. They trumpet angrily and throw themselves on the ground

but are met with stolid calmness—are hustled kindly but firmly; and

finally, sad but subdued they are roped and noosed. There were only four eleph-

ants inside, but it took hours to rope them, and one of the cows gave a

lot of trouble, trying to push the stockade down and rolling about and groan-

ing in her fury. As the men on the tame elephants tried to slip the ropes around

their heads, the wild elephants showed their sagacity, ramming their heads tight-

ly against the sides of their companions and refusing to lift their heads up. We

then left the Keddah, and my last recollection was of a seething mass of men and

elephants, with one poor little tusker down on the ground, thoroughly exhausted

and done up. After we left, the heavy gates of the inner stockade were pulled

up and the captured elephants were taken down to the river, where they could

be seen being watered about twenty minutes later. Thus ended a most

wonderful, but in my opinion, rather cruel experience.

Second Day's Keddah Operations.—On the next day (23rd January) the opera-

tions were resumed. The Prince of Wales was not present, as he decided to have a

morning’s sport with ‘Mahseer’, but several of the staff watched the proceedings

from the Royal Box, ahuge machan, seventy or eighty feet high, which

had been specially constructed to give H. R.H. an uninterrupted view of the

Keddah. The upper tier of the machan was capable of seating thirty or forty

persons and was provided with comfortable chairs and cushioned ottomans. The

actual operations did not start till about 10 a.m. as the large fires liton the

previous day had first to be extinguished. They were carried out on the same

lines and one caught occasional glimpses of stray individuals of the herd crash-

ing through the dense cover. I noticed! an old tusker, who had advanced to a

quiet place near the machan, stop and rest for a few minutes. As he stood

swaying his great trunk and throwing dust over himself, the great grey monste

“SUIMWMOOY HIIM UAATY AHL ONISSOUN SEINVHdMYETH GAANIdV/)

LUE

‘ibis ithe:

Libis

‘90S 3SIH }UN Aequwog ‘uanor

AR. H, THE PRINCE OF WALES’ SHOOTING ININDIA,. 185

seemed glad of a few moments’ peace. What often seemed like certain success

was repeatedly doomed to failure. As the elephants seemed to be safely entrap-

ped they suddenly broke out, led by a cow, which had escaped in a previous

Keddah operation, and seemed to know the ropes thoroughly. The reason of

this constant breaking back was possibly the white dome of the stockade which

rather seemed to frighten them. There appeared to be three reasons which kept

the elephants from going into the Keddah :—

(a)—They had been kept too long in the stockade (over five weeks).

(b)—There were “ tame escapes” which knew the danger points and kept

the rest of the herd away.

(c)—The presence of the ‘‘ Tusker’’ who drove all the others away. This

individual on the following day killed one of the tame elephants by

running its tusk into the unfortunate animal’s eye.

The operations were continued on the following days with varying success.

Early on the morning of the 24th, one cow and four calves were captured.

The beasts looked very miserable. One had been badly prodded in the eye

and bled profusely, whilst another seemed to be a mass of punctures.

The cow had given alot of trouble and some people had nearly been killed.

The big ‘‘Tusker’’? was however still at large and evaded all efforts to

ensnare him.

In giving this account of the Keddah operations, I ought to say that I know

nothing of, the lines and business on which they are usually conducted.

(For these reasons I have got together some information from experts, and

give this in another article. The present Keddah, it must be remembered,

‘was exceptional, as obviously there were other factors to be considered

beyond what would under ordinary circumstances be the main purpose in

view, 7.e., the prompt capture and disposal of the herd. I have merely put

down what I saw from the standpoint of the ordinary spectator.

GauR SHOOTING:—Of the varied game the jungles of Mysore afford, the pursuit

of the Gaur orIndian Bison as he is erroneously, though more commonly,

termed holds no small place in Indian shooting. On the present occasion H. R.

H. did not take part in the projected shoot, but a party consisting of Sir Godfrey

Thomas and the Earl of Cromer had an unsuccessful, though not uninteresting

day, in pursuit of some of these animals. Sir Godfrey Thomas has very kindly

‘supplied me with an account of the days adventure ; he writes—

“Cromer and I got up at five and motored cff in the dark with a driver who had

no idea where he was to take us ; we had heard the night before that we were to

go out after bison down the Keddah road, so we drove along hoping for the best

and trusting that we should come upon the howdah elephants somewhere. After

going about seven miles we pulled up at a house,where there were some signs Oi

light, and luckily found it to be where the special forest officer lived who was

‘expecting us. We drove a little way along the main road and then turned up to

the left, reaching the spot where the elephants were waiting, in about twenty-five

minutes. They said it was no good starting off into the jungle before the sun

‘was up so Cromer and I walked up and down th» road to stretch our iegs end also

to restore our circulation, as it was very cold in the cart drivingout. Soon after

sun-rise we climbed upon the elephants, sitting on either side of the howdah, with

the shikari in a kind of dickey sitting behind. Weitruck straight into the jungle

which was pretty thick (though there was no bamboo, as in Burma) and two

trackers went on ahead, while a number of wild looking villageis followed behind.

“here had been a herd of bison there the day before, and we kept on their tracks

the whole way. After getting down to a densely covered water course we lost the

track and wandered about rather aimlessly but soon met some other wild men who

told us that the herd had split off into two that morning and gave us the right

line to take. About here we could have got quite good shot ai a sambha:, but

it was not much of a head, and as we did not want to spoil our chances of a bison

186 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

we refrained from shooting. We then crossed the nuliah, and, aiter we had gone-

about a quarter of a mile up the other side, came on top of part of the herd. Then:

the trackers whistled and I looked all round the middle and far distance, never

expecting to see them so close. A great big cow was staring at usfrom some. —

bushes quite near, and behind we could distinguish the forms of her com-

panions. They appeared to pay no attention whatever to the elephant, and we.

slowly circled the whole herd, only to find to our beaters’ disappointment that.

there were about eleven calves and no bull at all. Personally, had I been alone, I

should very probably have fired at that first cow, so enormous did her head look,.

and many people in those jungles have apparently made this mistake. It was.

bad luck and after following the herd for some time they suddenly took fright and

galloped off in a long line. Later we went on to try and find the other lot that.

had split off from the main body, but only saw two calves and met a small

sambhar not really worth shooting. On our way one of the trackers said he knew

where a bear lived so we took the elephant in the direction indicated, while ali

the men on foot proceeded to climb up trees (they will face most things rather .

than a bear).

What we found was a big circular pit, at the bottom of which were nestling

three of the most delightful black cubs, about a month old. They were too young

to take away, as they would not have lived without their mother. She must

have been somewhere around foraging, and none of the men were anxious to

remain in the vicinity in case she came up in a hurry and found us» there. So

rather reluctantly we left them, and made our way back towards the road. It

was by then about noon, and no good going on, as al] the animals in the jungle

would be lying up.” «

January 24th.—Captain Beddington of the Queen’s Bays and H. H. the

Yuvaraja went after the same herd of Bison the next morning and had better

fortune. I quote from Capt. Beddington’s account of his experience :-—

“‘ Half a dozen trackers having located two bulls the previous night, we left

by car about 6 a.m., picking up a forest officer on our way. We went abott’

a mile and a half up a road in the Kakankote forest, and met a howdah ele-

phant which we mounted.

We had some difficulty in following up the tracks, and a Sambhar kill was

passed on the way. At about 10 a.m. we were beginning to give up hope,

when some fresh spoor was seen and almost immediately afterwards two bulls

came into sight. One appeared to be a magnificent animal, but the other was

asmallone. The Rajkumar fired his °475 at the big one, but it was a difficult

shot, as the jungle was thick, and they were moving away from us. We saw

them for a second or two crossing a deep and wide nullah about two hundred

yards off, and both of us fired, but we could not tell the result. We crossed

the nullah, and got into some very thick jungle with dense undergrowth,

but were unable to follow the trail of blood. Suddenly there was a

tremendous rustle in the long grass and we both leant over and fired at the

invisible bull, and at the same moment our elephant turned round and fled

through the thick jungle giving us an exciting time, but fortunately the

mahout soon got the animal into control.

After a little light refreshment I went on foot to dispose of the wounded.

bull. This being my first venture in the jungle I was not especially keen on

doing so, not having sufficient confidence ; however I went in and fired my first.

shot from a tree, but eventually got quite close up and as he came towards me

dropped him with my Jeffrey, ‘400 magazine rifle. He was a big bull but.

his head was not exceptional :—Span 72”, spread 38”, girth 13”.”

MausEER Fisoine.—On the 23rd January 1922 the Prince of Wales went

Mahseer fishing in the River Cubanny, quite near the Elephant Keddahs which ~

are onits banks. He was accompanied by Admiral Halsey, Lord Louis Mount-

H, R.A. THE PRINCE OF WALES’ SHOOTING IN INDIA. 187

-batten and Mr, Bowring, Deputy Commissioner of Mysore. Mr. Van Ingen

had gone on in advance.

This river, which has its source in British territory, runs through beautiful

forest up to Karapur, the Maharajah of Mysore’s shooting Camp, after which

there are no more jungle lands.

From Bavali, which is the frontier, there is probably about fifteen or twenty

mniles of water up to Karapur, the end of the Kakankote State Forests.

All these waters are strictly preserved—by strictly preserved I mean that no-

body is allowed to fish without the special permission of the Durbar, with the

result that Kakankote is seldom fished.

The Moplahs, Wadders, and other tribes who have their homes on the banks,

set fish traps, night lines, and nets, whenever they please, but I do not think they

do much harm, as there are places they fear to exploit for fear of wild elephants.

H. R. H. fished for three hours at a most picturesque spot, Kalikatte-

Madu, near Kakankote, about two miles upstream from the Keddahs. The

Prince and Mr. Bowring were the first to cross the river in a coracle paddled

by Siddaiah, one of the most expert boatmen from Ganjam near Seringapatam.,

What happened can best be told in the words of Mr. Bowring.

“Before the coracle could return to bring the Admiral across, the Prince

was in to a fish, but it was only a very small one of 33 lbs.

Shortly after, the Prince got into a real big fish, which dashed first upstream

and then down, the reel singing merrily all the time. After playing this fish for

ten minutes, something went wrong and we found that the fish had got the line

round a rock, or a sodden trunk of a tree at the bottom of the river. We did

what we could, but it was no good, and the line eventually carried away.

Shortly after this, Admiral Halsey hooked a big fish at aspot a little lower

than where the Prince had been fishing, This was a ‘whopper’ too, but unfortu-

nately the fish again managed to get round the same snag as the Prince’s fish had

done. H.R. H., Sidiah and myself went out in the coracle to try and re-

lease the Admiral’s line. We succeeded in the end, but by that time the fish

had got off. In the meanwhile Lord Louis Mountbatten, who was on the

other side of the river had three runs, but a lot of bamboo had some few

years ago fallen into the river at this spot where it flowered and died and he

got hung up each time and was unsuccessful.

H. R. H. went on fishing after clearing the Admiral’s line, and was soon into

another fish. This one put up a good fight, and the Prince played him like

an old hand at the game, and I was eventually able to gaff the fish for him, He

turned the scales at 18 lbs.

The Prince caught two more fish but they were not big ones. The pool had

been fished a couple of days before by some of the staff, and Captain Piers Legh

had taken a 60 pounder out of it, and Captain Dudley North three small fish,

7, 7 & 4 lbs. and other fish were missed too.

The Prince’s four fish weighed 18, 7, 6 and 33 lbs. He was using a Hardy

rod and atta for bait. Captain Dudley North caught a good fish of 43 Ibs. at

Manchagowdanahalli which he told me put up a magnificent fight. The

Admiral also had some luck fishing near the camp and caught a 69 and a 28

pounder, Piers Legh also getting a 20 pounder in the same pool.”

In 1919 when Lord Chelmsford fished this pool, which is known as “ Kalikuttay

Muddah,”’ he got nearly 300 lbs. of fish, his best being a 77 pounder. During

His Excellency’s stay at Kakankote he got 27 fish in all, weighing 527 Ibs.

Speaking of the late Viceroy Mr. Van Ingen wrote to me “ Lord Chelmsford

is a very keen angler, and if all the fish he hooked were landed, he would

probably have had a thousand pounds.”’

It was a day of disappointment as the place was full of fish, and it was bad

luck that H. R. H. did not land some big ones.”

188 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol.. AX1X.

The writer had the pleasure of subsequently joining in the sport, and spent a

most enjoyable morning in spite of being rather a novice. Mr. Bowring rather

feared that we should have had bad luck that day as on our way to the fishing

ground we were so unfortunate as to meet a Brahmin widow. Anybody who has

been long enough in India will understand that this is very bad ! I caught nothing

that day. There were no sensational catches but the day’s sport yielded 8

Mahseer, 2 Labios, and a non-descript individual whom I cannot name. We

resumed fishing the next day. No Brahman widow was passed, and in the

first fifteen minutes I landed my first Mahseer. How my heart beat as I

reeled him in, I felt that he would really be something over a hundred

pounds ! 18 pounds the scale afterwards registered, but in the first flush of

victory it felt as good as a hundred pounds.

H.R. A. THE*PRINCL- OF WALES’ SHOOTING ININDIA. 189:

NOTES ON SHOOTING, FISHING, ETC., IN MYSORE,

TIGER NETTING IN MYSORE.

Mr. B. V. Rama Iyengar, Conservator of Forests in Mysore, writing to me

on the above subject says :—

* There are two principal metliods usually adopted for bagging tiger in this.

part of the country. The first consists in locating the tigers by tying up a

bait in the most likely locality. The tiger takes the bait and lies up near the

kill for about forty-eight hours, unless disturbed. Within a couple of

hundred yards of the kill, a line of machans are put up for seating the guns.

A few hundred men get behind the kill, and walk through the forest making

a fair amount of noise, and drive the tiger towards the guns, He generally

- breaks out, and rushes towards the machans.

The second method consists of locating the tiger as in the first. A net made

of hemp ropes, with adiamond mesh about 4” in width, and about 10 ft. in

height is spread out about 150 yards away, enclosing a semi-circle in front

of the place where the tiger is likely to be. The diameter of the semi-

circle is generally a cleared line, about 6 to 10 ft. wide, which in length

is about 200 yards. A couple of hundred men are collected and a few

of them are posted along the other half of the circle, in places where the tiger

is likely to break through, These are called stops. A few are put on trees

along the diameter line. The others get behind, and drive the tiger. As.

soon as it crosses the line the beaters from behind are made

to get on toit. Other nets are brought out and the two ends of the

semi-circle are now connected by a line of nets along the diameter line.

Subsequently, the semi-circle is reduced by cutting off edges, and the

tiger is confined to a small area of about 100 yards diameter, enclosed

by nets all around. After this is done, a number of machans are constructed

in a convenient manner about fifty yards away. Just before the arrival of

the shooting party, the line of nets nearest to the machans are removed.

A party of beaters get behind and drive the tiger towards the guns. ”

It is this latter method that was adopted during H. R. H. The Prince of

Wales’ visit to the shooting camp, and the grounds selected for tiger shikar

were close to Heggaddevankote, which are some of the finest tiger areas in

Mysore. ”’ |

Bison SHIKAR.

_ The same authority informs me :—

‘** Bison are found in the forests where wild elephants are also found, and

the locality selected is the more open type of forest where the growth of grass.

is not very high. A short time before the day fixed for bison shooting a party

of trackers locate a solitary bull bison or a good herd with a number of well

grown bull bisons. They are just behind the tracked animal until the party

~ arrives. Towards night fall of the day previous to the shikar, one of the

trackers returns to Head Quarters and gives intimation of the place where the

bison was located in the evening. Unless disturbed, the bison does not move.

very much during the night. Very early next morning the party get on to the

elephants, which are stationed at a convenient place, and are taken to the

- bison ground and with a fair amount of luck ought to get a good trophy. ”’

January is rather an awkward month for bison shikar as with a considerable

quantity of dry leaves on the ground, going through the forest without noise is

almost impossible.”’

MAHSEER FISHING.

The fishing consists of the red-finned variety of Mahseer, the Black Mahseer,

Labeo kontius, Labeo boya (both the latter being locally known ag ‘“ Kural’”),

190 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol; XXIX,

Carnatic Carp, and lastly the fresh-water shark, “ Wallagu attu’”. Besides

these there are numbers of smaller fish which can be caught with worm or atta

or a small live bait, and many again which are difficult to catch with rod and

Jine, among the latter being Thomas’ Labeo Z. calbasu. Seat

Mr. Van Ingen told me that he thought that an expert roach fisherman

would make heavy catches of these fish. 7

He also writes :—

‘‘ Referring to the fish in the Cubbany, I do not think the Black Mahseer

is a different species. It is exactly like the red-finned Mahseer in every

respect except colour, a case of melanism.

At Birankuppe on the Cubbany there ‘is a large spawning bed, known in

Canarese as a “‘ Thippay ”’ within a few feet of a small island. Peering through

the bulrushes which fringe the island I have seen the ‘‘ Thippay ”’ full of Mah-

seer, among which was a solitary black one, and my shikaries who had been

there quite a fortnight before I arrived, and took a keen interest in this

‘‘Thippay ”’, watching the fish for hours every day, assured me that the fish

J saw was the only Black Mahseer which frequented it. Ithink this goes to

show that the Black Mahseer cannot be a different species, or it would

probably not associate with the ordinary Mahseer in this manner. The

biggest Black Mahseer we have secured was a 22 pounder, caught by

Mr. Bowring. I have however seen what were probably 50 pounders rising

within a few yards of me at the Krishnaraja Sagara Dam. Of those I have

seen caught, some had their sides and belly a beautiful shade of dark pink,

others again were jet black.

I wonder how many of those who catch Mahseer know anything about their

life-history ? Their spawning beds, or Thippays, as I have said they are

called in Canarese, are most remarkable structures. Once you have seen

a Thippay you could never forget it. It is invariably built in very heavy

water, and is shaped like the letter U, both arms pointing up stream and

composed of small round stones about the size of an egg, called in Canarese

“* Jelly”. I have seen a Thippay where there was no Jelly, and the fish had

worked a depression close to the bank, and thrown all the stuff up to a

height of about five feet. They must of course have worked very hard to

push all this amount of earth up to form a bank.

To build the ordinary Thippay, I believe the fish carry the stones in their

mouths to make up the heap, and the big hen fish make the bed of the Thip-

pay symmetrical, for every big hen fish J have seen during the rains has

had the Jower part of the tail and the anal fins rubbed down to mere stumps.

‘To give an instance. I know of a very large Thippay quite 25 yards across,

and regularly every year, in January, the villagers level this and make

small beds for Carnatic Carp to spawn in, when they wait at night and

net the entire shoal. Now how would this Thippay, which had been levelled,

be erected again if the fish did not carry the Jelly back to the same spot ?

There are heaps of cock fish about every Thippay, the hen fish coming in

only to do some spawning. The biggest cock fish ] have caught was a 28

pounder. I do not think they go much above 35 pounds.

The “Kural’, LZ. kontiws and L. boya, are very handsome fish and great

fighters. They are ground feeders, but love rushing waters and rocks ; it

is useless fishing for them elsewhere. The Kural never sulks nor. takes

advantage of rocks and snags ; on being hooked, his one desire is to keep in

heavy water.

The local fishermen say that the Kural feeds on Mahseer spawn. As soon

as the Mahseer leave the Thippay, up comes a shoal of big Kural. Whether

they hunt up the spawn ensconced in the Jelly, or whether they, like the

Cuckoo, take advantage of a ready-made nest to deposit their own spawn,

I cannot say. We have a great deal to learn about Indian fishing yet.

H.R. H. THE PRINCE OF WALES? SHOOTING ININDIA. 191

That only big streams hold big fish is true, for big fish want plenty of room,

as they probably have to cover several miles every night in search of food.

In pools, and in fact everywhere, Mahseer go in shoals. All the fat old hen

' fish of 70 to 80 pounds keep together, then the next size, and so on. Leaving

out the babies, the 8 to 12 pounders form the biggest shoals.

‘ Mahseer apparently spend all their lives in the same pool. They may go

several miles up stream during the floods, but they drop back to their old

homes as the water subsides. There must, of course, be new-comers to

every pool, but I doubt if they are very numerous.

The male Mahseer is a beautiful fish, built on finer lines than his fat wife.

He has little or no hog back, his fin and tail are very brightly coloured up to

their base, and when gaffed and drawn ashore, the most wonderful opalescent

‘shades of pink, blue and green, play over his silvery sides. I have more

than once taken sketching materials with me; but have never used them

as I felt it was simply impossible to produce such colours.”’

The remark about the female fish making the bed of the Thippay sym-

metrical and rubbing down the anal fin in doing so is borne out by the 724

pounder caught by Mr. N. S. Symons with a rod and line in the Bowani river,

now in our own Society’s collectionfin the Prince of Wales Museum of Western

India, Bombay.

THe ForRESTRY OF MYSORE.

Some of the best Forests of Teak (Tectona grandis), Mr. Iyengar in-

formed me, lie in this part of the country with an undergrowth consisting of

bamboo in the well-drained localities, and tall elephant grass in the flat

ground. The rainfall varies from 60 to 80 inches, and the predominating

rock is diorite. The teak, which is the principal timber tree, attains enormous

—dimensions, and treesup to 19 ft. girth are notuncommon. The principal

‘species associated with teak are :—

Dalbergia latifolia. Pterocarpus marsupium,

Terminalia tomentosa. Anogeissus latifolia.

Adina cordifolia. | Lagerstroemia microcarpa.

Grewia tilleafolia. Eugenia jambolana.

Garuga pinnata, Albizzias, and other deciduous species,

192 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOVIETY, Vat. XXIX.

Il, GWALIOR.

To the big game shot all over the world the State of Gwalior ruled over

by the Maharaja Scindia, is synonymous with the word tiger, as it is in this

State that some of the world’s finest tiger shooting can be enjoyed.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales arrived in Gwalior on the morning

of February the 8th and remained there till the night of the 12th of February.

It was not necessary, as was the case in other States, to stay at a regular

shooting box in the jungles ; the parties who shot motored out to places in fairly

close proximity to the city of Gwalior and returned each evening.

First Day’s SHOOT.

The first shoot took place on February 9th, and the following are notes from

my diary.

About 8-30 a.m. I went round to the Palace. His Highness the Maharaja of

Gwalior looked very happy sitting on the steps, waiting for his Royal guest to

return from the Polo ground. On the walls all round hung magnificent skins,

mounted and unmounted—chiefly tiger—all of which had been shot in Gwalior

by the Maharaja himself. He looked a veritable King of Shikar surrounded

by all these spoils of the chase.

Mr. Jardine, the Resident, told me that a record tiger had been seen lately

and, as in Nepal, the Maharaja was very anxious that it should fall to the Prince’s

rifle. His Highness had evidently spared no pains over the arrangements and

was looking forward to giving his guest the best tiger shooting available in the

State. The start was fixed for 11 a.m., but it was well after 12 o’clock before

we got off and clear of the city. The country round Gwalior is very dry in Feb-

ruary, and the soil is of a peculiarly deep red colour: so we had to travel

' slowly to avoid the dust. The Prince was in the first car with the Maharaja.

who was driving. I was in a car with Colonel Worgan, Captain

Piers Legh and Sir Geoffrey de Montmorency. The party included the Earl

of Cromer, Mr. Jardine, Admiral Halsey, Colonel Worgan, Mr. Petrie, Sir Godfrey

Thomas, Captain Dudley North, Captain the Hon’ble Bruce Ogilvy, Colonel

O’Kinealy, Colonel Harvey, Commander Newport, Lord Louis Mountbatten,

Captain Metcalfe, Mr. H. A. F. Metcalfe,General Knight, Colonel K. N. Haksar,

Colonel Wagle, General Rajwade, Mr. J. W. D. Johnstone, Sir Harry Watson,

Captain Sultan Hasan Khan, Colonel Bhau Sahib Shinde, Colonel Kok Singh,

Colonel Girdhari Singh, and Captain Knight. After ten or twelve miles of dry and

Journ. Bonbay Nat. Hist. Soc.

H. R. H. RIDING TO THE SHOOT.

H. R. H. WITH HIS 3 TIGERS.

(Sitting :—H. H. The Maharaja of Gwalior.)

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H, R&R. A, THE PRINCE OF WALES’ SHOOTING ININDIA. 193

rocky country, we left the cars; The Prince, the Maharaja and Lord Louis

Mountbatten mounted horses, and the rest of us got on elephants with shikar

howdahs, and after going a mile as quietly as the hard ground permitted, we

disrmounted, loaded our rifles and went silently to our appointed places.

H. R. H. went off in one direction with the Maharaja Scindia, accompanied by

the Earl of Cromer, Admiral Halsey, Colonel Worgan, Commander Newport

and some of the principal officers, to the position selected for him. Sir

G. de Montmorency, Captain Dudley North, Colonel O’Kinealy, Mr. Jardine

and I went to a spot further up, walking delicately over a formation of

stratified rock, till suddenly we came to the edge of a dry ravine or river-bed,

that seemed some two hundred feet deep, two hundred yards wide and a mile

or more long, and then moved forward and took our places on the cliff. We

there discovered that the Prince’s party had also taken up a _ position on the

edge of this ravine,* two or three hundred yards further down.

Some people, I noticed, had two rifles, one of them a heavy reserve weapon

in case of accidents as it was quite possible, though improbable, that if the

tiger broke cover on our left, and was not hit, it might try and get out on our

flank, and then there would be danger for every one. To guard against this five

or six soldiers with long spears were posted with us.

The tiger had been marked down in a heavy jungle near the junction of three

ravines where the cliffs were some fifty feet high. .

The Prince w2s posted on a projecting rock just beyond the junction, at

“A.” Nothing happened for sometime. A beautiful owl hooted, flew across

the ravine, and disappeared into a crevice opposite.

Sanderouse flew over us at a great height in twos and threes. In the distance

the beaters were steadily moving up the ravine, the elephants keeping pace

with them, and the troops which we could see lining the cliffs were gradually

closing in; the whole scene was admirably staged as only a Soldier-Shikari like

the Maharaja Scindia could stage it. Then suddenly two shots rang out, and

we knew that His Highness’ hopes had not miscarried. It was already two

- o'clock. We moved very slowly along the edge of the cliff to try and get a

better view of what the Prince was doing. The shikaris said that there were

two or three tigers. Then there was a roar, and a minute after two or three

more roars followed by three shots at intervals of a minute. Was this the

same tiger or another? Then silence once more. It was two-thirty. The

beat was getting closer: we could hear the men making little grunts and

whistles, ‘Ur’, ‘Ur’, ‘Ur’. Then silence again. The tiger had ensconced

himself in the scrub where it was thickest. This was however nothing like so

thick as the sea of grass that I shall never forget in the jungles of Nepal grass

so dense that not even a rhino or an elephant could get through at any pace.

In such a place a tiger would be invisible. Besides, as a friend remarked, ‘‘ You

- ean go on plugging and plugging at a rhino that is all but invisible and make

no impression, unless you hit him in one or other of the two vital spots, whereas

in a Gwalior jungle not only is a beast forced to show himself, but you can hit a

tiger almost anywhere with effect,” and that makes all the difference between

shooting big game in Nepal and shooting in Gwalior.

On this occasion, though, the tiger refused to show himself, and people began

to throw stones down into the ravine to try and wake him up. Several

shots were fired in the beat and we all moved up and stood in a bunch at tke

corner near the place where the Prince was standing. H. R. H. was on a reck

*It was here that M. Clemenceau got his three tigersin 1920. A herd of buffaloes

had been put in the jungle that day to locate a tiger that refused to move on and face

the guns, and a few of the buffaloes had straggled past when the beast emerged

and attacked one of them, en passant, and in the rough and tumble M. Clemenceau

shot the buffalo instead of the tiger, much to the owner’s delight no doubt, for of

‘ourse he was handsomely compensated.

194 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURALI HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, Xone

jutting right out into the ravine, and near him were the Maharaja and Lord

Cromer. His Royal Highness had his rifle ready for the moment the tiger

should show itself again. The elephants pushed on to the place where the tiger

was supposed to be lying. The beaters thought the tiger must have moved for-

ward. Then without warning the tiger got up with aroar and mace off down the

ravine. We heard two shots and learnt that he had been headed off and was

lying near the point B, from which the beat originally started. Some

adventurous spirits mounted the shikar elephants and went down in search of

the beast, but could not find it. Commander Newport spotted its ears and eyes :

Bang-Bang-Bang, and the tiger was dead. We all went down the cliff and

viewed her (for it is a tigress) as she lay in the nullah. I tried to get the

beaters to move her in a good position for a photo, but they did not seem to

understand, and moved her just into the place I did not want. Her glassy

eyes seemed to look at me reproachfully as I snapped her two or three times.

Sir Harry Watson gave me a good account of what he saw from his point

of view, which was much nearer the Prince.

“The beat commenced at B. (vide the preceding diagram). For some time

there was no sign and we felt that the tigress must have made for C—but a line

of elephants stopped her egress from the ravine, and beating towards the

junction drove hcr into the open at D—just under the cliffs, about 150

yards from where H. R. H. was sitting. She was galloping at the time and

His Royal Highness missed her ; she disappeared into jungle, but shortly after-

wards, frightened by stops, returned to the junction between D and C, and

was wounded by the Prince on her way. At that point the jungle was

dense, and the tigress lay very low, and though the elephants pushed in from

C, not a sign of the beast could be seen or found. The elephants’ came

almost up to the edge of the bushes and jungle below H. R. H. without

finding a sign of her,so we concluded that she had slipped away down the nullah,

past stops and beaters to B. His Royal Highness and those with him had

left their places and were discussing the situation when the tiger uttered a

roar from a bush in the ravine just below where the Prince had been

sitting, and made for B. The Maharaja and the Resident, Mr. Jardine, ran

along the tops of the cliffs as hard as they could towards B, and catching

a glimpse of the beast fired at her, hit her very hard and_ stopped her.

We all collected above B; some of us mounted elephants, went into the nullahs

and eventually found and killed her in thick grass and bushes. It was a fine

tigress measuring 8’-3”.”

Lunch was then served among the rocks at the top of the ravine. The

Prince was very pleased and so was the Maharaja. So indeed were we all,

including the beaters. As we were sitting there we got a fine

view of the beaters and the skinners, bringing the dead tigress through

the jungle to the place where the pad elephants were waiting. I tock a.

photograph of this incident, but it was a lgng distance away and my lenses

were none too powerful, so the result was not very good. It appeared

from what people said at luncheon there had been two tigers, one of which

had got off unobserved. When she first got up, His Royal Highness had

two shots one of which was fatal. She was right out in the ravine at the

time when the Prince fired, so that it was quite a long shot. The Maharaja

fired later and hit her in the back. It was very fortunate that His

Highness and Mr. Jardine, the Resident at Gwalior, had the presence of mind,

when the beast was wounded and getting away altogether, to run down

and head her ; and that at the moment the Maharaja Scindia fired and seemed to

have missed, Mr. Jardine put in a shot that hit and stopped her, so that

the Prince and the staff could come up and finish her off elephants.

There were some nasty cut-outs from which the wounded beast might have

emerged and escaped,

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H, R. H. THE PRINCE OF WALES’ SHOOTING IN INDIA. 195

On this day three black buck were also shot. The party who went after

them were Mr. A. Metcalfe, Captain the Hon’ble Piers Legh, Sir Godfrey

Thomas and Lord Louis Mountbatten. Mr. A. Metcalfe got two, Lord Louis

Mountbatten one.

2nd Day’s SHOOT.

Friday, February 10th.—To-day the shoot was at Bhimwara, some 25 miles

south-west of the city. The party consisted of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales,

H. H. the Maharaja, Mr. Jardine, the Earl of Cromer, Admiral Halsey, Colonel

Worgan, Sir Godfrey Thomas, Captain Dudley North, Captain the Hon’ble Bruce

Ogilvy, Colonel O’Kineally, Colonel Harvey, Mr. A. Metcalfe, Lord Louis

Mountbatten, Captain Metcalfe, General Sir Harry Watson, Mr. J. W. D. John-

stone, General Knight, Captain Knight and myself.

The whole country through which we motored was like yesterday—very dry

and arid but not quite so flat, and most of the time we traversed rising ground

with patches of jungle, scrub, and stunted undergrowth. We got away some

time before Junch and—in spite of having to go slowly because of the tremendous

dust,—in a comparatively short time reached the place where we were to leave

the cars. They were on the side of the road near the luncheon tents and we all

walked along a bridle path scattered on which were a tremendous lot of black

and white droppings. There were quite a lot of porcupine quills too, strewn

at intervals along the path, which were picked up by H. R. H. and by

members of his staff. The Prince had them all collected. Mr. Jardine told

me that in some parts of India the mother porcupines are credited with

_ going into water, cocking their tail quills, which are not pointed but

hollow, filling them with water, keeping them cocked and so taking liquid

refreshment to their young at home. The shikaris who escorted us said that

the tiger was in a hollow not far away, and that we must divide parties

and proceed very slowly. As onthe preceding day the Prince, the Maharaja,

Mr. Jardine, the Earl of Cromer, Admiral Halsey and others separated and

went off to the left ; the rest of us halted for a few minutes, till the other party

had disappeared down a slope in the ground surrounded by small jungle. Not

much shooting, we were told, was expected on our side. We then went off in

single file along stratified rocky scrubby ground, on which grew tufts of

parched grass and small stunted trees, until we came to a place where we could

see about a hundred yards in front of us a large dip in the ground, which we

judged to be another ravine.

E &

We passed to the left of this very quietly until we came to a stone

wall at C on the diagram and there took it in turns to peer through a small

hole like the aperture or opening in the turret of a castle. Tle view

which met our eyes was a huge ravine, larger and broader than the one we

196 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

saw yesterday, deep and wooded, its steep slopes covered with low jungle and

rocks, with clearings (about twenty yards wide) about every three hundred

yards cut right across it from top to bottom. It certainly was an ideal place

for tiger, and more than one were supposed to be lying up in thick cover a

thousand yards and more to our left, the colour of the jungle being peculiarly

adapted to the powers of mimicry possessed by Felidae. On the other side of

the ravine, half way down the slope and perhaps five or six hundred yards away

from us, was one of the famous shooting towers, made of solid masonry, at the

point marked “A” on the diagram, and to this the Prince had been taken

quietly by the Maharaja, while the rest of the party were distributed further

along the cliff at points covering the clearings, in case a tiger got past His

Royal Highness. The tiger we were told had been seen within a hundred

yards of the tower on the preceding night when part of a buffalo had been

consumed. It was now about 2 p.m. and nothing had happened. LEvery-

thing was quite still except when the silence was broken by the noise of a pea-

hen flying down the valley. The beat started from E, just a few men throw-

ing stones from the cliffs on both sides of the ravine. Commencing at the

top it gradually worked its way down, and soon afterwards shots were fired from

the tower across the valley. Naturally we saw little of what was going on, and

had no idea what was being shot at, but it subsequently transpired that two tigers

had come out at F and that one of them H. R. H. had killed dead with a single

shot, a very fine performance right across that broad valley. About twenty

minutes ae shots rang out again and, with an ‘ UGH’ and a roar, out rushed

a big tiger at full speed down the nullah. We all saw him and he gave a very

good show as he ran down the valley with shots and bangs going off right and

left. He was first fired at from the other side, but appeared none

the worse for it as he was still going strong when the shooting

commenced from our side. It was of course next to impossible to know

who hit him, but our. side stopped him, and he disappeared in some

rocky scrub low down the slope beneath us, and evidently lay up in

the bushes, probably badly wounded, possibly dead. It was a magnificent

sight, all the sportsmen standing high up on the ravine firing at the tiger

as he rushed along a couple of hundred feet below. At a time like

this a tiger looks ever so much bigger than he really is, and this particular one

looked huge when breaking cover and bounding along the ravine, its yellow

markings standing out very well against the bare open back-ground. It was

an exciting moment as the whole incident was faiy coserved by the hundred

odd people present. Although the tiger had been hit several times and

everybody, who could, had had a shot, it had a good run for several |

hundred yards and disappeared in the scrub jungle not far away from where

the Prince was posted. The problem then to be decided was whether we

had to deal with one tiger or two—was it a dead tiger—or was it only

wounded, and was it in the bushes, or had it moved and found shelter else-

where ? We then heard that another tiger, probably a wounded one, had

been seen quite near us, in fact in the jungle just beneath. Buffaloes were

put in at the far end of the ravine from which it was beaten, to locate the other

tiger and if possible drive it past the guns again. The Prince and Maharaja

Scindia were still in the tower. There was silence now for a time

and the Maharaja’s voice resounded from the tower right down the huge

ravine as he shouted orders to the beaters. For it must be remembered

that H. H. the Maharaja Scindia is everything in reference to shooting,

conducts things personally and is satisfied with no half measures when

matters pertaining to tigers are at issue. After a short time everyone got

out of the tower and climbed up the side of the ravine. The Maharaja then

shouted to the head shikari on our side and explained that one of the tigers was

under a green tree to the left, right down the ravine in a nullah. As nothing

happened and it was not safe to go into the gorge on foot, he decided to

H, Rk. H, THE PRINCE OF WALES’ SHOOTING IN INDIA. 197

have the shikari elephants up and beat the ravine. It was 2-45 p.m. when

they arrived and were put in at the bottomof the valley, where the sides

were less steep. In the howdahs were Colonel Worgan and Lord Louis Mount-

batten. A spot was noticed in front with a yellowish patch which it was

thought might be the tiger lying dead. So deceptive was the coloration of

‘Stripes ’ that even when glasses were brought to bear on the spot it could not

be said for certain whether it was the tiger or not. Colonel Worgan and Lord

Louis Mountbatten moved forward wntill they came to a place where the

elephants stopped dead. Just as on the first shoot in Nepal Colonel Worgan

pointed out the exact spot where the tiger lay hidden, so to-day he shouted out

‘““T think itis on the left’ and advised movement in the direction of the small

nullah. The elephants advanced slowly in this direction and suddenly stopped

near some bushes. They smelt the tiger and would not gofurther on. Some one

suggested that the best wayto find out for certain the exact spot where the

tiger was lying wasto “loba bullet into the place.’’ Colone! Worgan tried a

shot into the bushes, but the tiger did not come out. ‘‘ Heis dead all right ”

the Colonel shouted across to us on the cliff. The mahouts agreed in this deci-

sion and they seldom make mistakes on a point like this. The elephants would

not go any nearer. They did not like approaching the bushes even though the

mahouts tried their utmost to make them go in, they violently opposed all

efforts to force them forwards and showed their annoyance ; they proved too

that they were frightened by making cries like a little child. There, sure enough,

was the tiger lying dead: the Prince’s tiger, as he had got the first shot in. It

being 3-35 the Maharaja Scindia decided to leave that tiger for the moment

and beat down the ravine again and round up the other one, which was

supposed to be lying wounded in the thick jungle just under our peep-

hole. Now commenced an excruciating noise of Hara-Hah-r-r-r and shrieks

and groans, so that one can but think that any wretched tiger that lies low

when all this commotion is going on must be half-witted. The beaters appeared

from all sides running about the ravine like a swarm of ants. When suddenly

three bangs went off, one of which was made by a bullet and the other, from

blank cartridges. Someone said the tiger was dying, others doubted it. In

another minute the tiger’s roar decided the question, There was another bang

and it was difficult to say whether it was a shot, or whether it was only one of

the bombs used by the beaters to drive sulky tigers. Finaily some adventurous

spirit went cautiously down the slope of the ravine and proclaimed that the

tiger was dead. Altogether three tigers had been shot,—the one which the

Prince shot at the beginning, the other which was located with the help of

elephants, and then this one.

After lunch the three tigers were brought up and photos were taken ot

H. R. H., the Maharaja and party in front of the bag and surrounded by ele-

phants.

In speaking to me later at the Kadir Cup Pig Sticking meeting at Gajraula

the Prince told me how proud he was of them saying ‘you remember the Gwa-

lior Tigers, Ellison. Put a big mark on them.’ He wanted special care taken

of them and was very glad to have the lucky bones. His Highness certainly

did shoot magnificently on this day. Sir Harry Watson who was with the

Prince on the opposite side to me summarized his version of the day's sport as

follows :—

‘‘ Three tigers were soon seen moving in the bushes at the bottom of the

ravine, two of them crossing to the side opposite to H. R. H. One of them,

a tigress, stood for 2 short time at F, on the diagram, just showing her head

and shoulders from behind a bush and H. R. H. made a very good shot,

killing her stone dead at about one hundred and thirty yards across

the ravine. The second tiger then galloped along the opposite side towards

C, and did not give an opportunity of a decent shot though H. R. H

hit him (slightly) as he crossed the clearing below B. He stopped in

198 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST SOCIETY, Vol DOUG

the jungle in the side of the ravine between B and C. The third tiger

then appeared going hard along the bottom of the ravine and was slightly

wounded by H. R. H. Several shots were fired at him from Band C,

and he eventually stopped in thick grass at G. Elephants having been

called up, Colonel Worgan mounted one, and eventually found and killed

this tiger. There still remained the wounded tiger in the jungle between

and below B. & C. Beating from the topfrom B, and rather in the direc-

tion of the clearing below C, this tiger was found and killed easily by Major

Sultan Hasan, the Superintendent of His Highness’ Shikar Department.”’

After this H. R. H. and party went to look at the dead tigress at F and then

climbing the opposite slope of the ravine proceeded back to the tents where the

cars were awaiting them. The drive back in the evening was very pleasant

and we disturbed lots of partridge and quail feeding near the bushes by the

road side.

We reached Gwalior at 6 p.m. and were met by the Maharaja’s little daughter

Mary Kamla riding her pony astride. She had come out to meet the Prince

of Wales and her father.

Sir Geoffrey de Montmorency, Captain Piers Legh, Mr. D. Petrie and Com-

mander Newport, and ten others’ guns went out after hare and sandgrouse.

They did a dozen miles or so in cars to a long low hill covered with scrub,

and then rode two miles to the far end of it. There they found three hundred

beaters and another three hundred men were distributed round the hill as

Stops.

The guns walked up the hill in line with the beaters who had to clear the way

through the scrub which was quite thick. Hares were very numerous and gave

good spert, while a few sandgrouse were put up.

Several things came out in the beat which were not at all expected, such as

a panther and pig which fortunately did no one any damage.

The bag was 45 hare, 2 sandgrouse, 1 plover, 5 partridges and 1 quail.

3RD Day’s SHCOT.

Saturday, February 12th.—This day The Prince did not go out as he wished

to ride gallops for the Gymkhana Races in the afternoon.

The party proceeded by motor about twenty-five miles to the far side of a large

Dam where they were met by elephants and horses.

Here they split up and drew lots for places, six guns going to the nearest

place and the remainder to the farther one.

The programme was to beat a large ravine, some two miles long, a mile broad

at the lower end and one hundred and fifty yards at the upper where it ran bet-

ween cliffs some hundred feet high for at least half a mile.

The ravine was covered with very thick jungle which could only be seen through

from the top, and at the upper end cuts were made for the principal guests to

see to shoot. The guns were distributed along the tops of the cliffs.

A regiment of cavalry, dismounted with lances, acted as stops, while a batta-

lion of infantry, armed with smooth bore muskets and black powder, supported

by elephants and fireworks was the beat.

Communication was established by signal posts in suitable positions between

the guns, the stops and the beat. The signal to advance being given, the infantry

fired intermittently along the whole line of the beat for about five minutes to

get the game moving in the right direction, and then commenced to advance,

slowly firing as they came.

From the guns sitting concealed at convenient points on the rocky sides of

the ravine this presented a wonderful spectacle. The white puffs of the muskets

fired in the air shewing clearly above the greeny brown of the jungle the exact

position of the beat even though the elephants were invisible.

Date. Place where shot.

9th February ..|Rampura

10th February .. |Bhinwara

11th ue ..|Bamora

93 99 ore 99

9° 99 99

93 99 99

11th ‘ ais 13,

99 a>

* These measurements were taken by the

} This information was very kindly g

RECORD (

Date. Place where shot.

21st Jan. bi Heggedenankot

22nd Jan.

Date. | Place where sho:

_———

24th | J an. ne | Kekenkata

Date. | Whe:

¢ |

23rd January ..| Kalikatte Madu ne

_ = oe Do.

m3 5 Do.

; a Do.

ob) 399 Do.

99 99 Do.

a ms bas Do.

ey . oe Do.

- re ..| Near the Camp

. Do.

= > Do.

93 99 Do.

99 39 Do.

*The late Mr. C, E. Murray Aynsley’s

got his 119 pounder, after which two «

Mr. E. Van Ingen and Mr. Bowring g

while Mrs. Bowring established a lady’s

199

GAME RECORD OF THE ROYAL SHOOT IN GWALIOR.

February 9th to February 11th, 1922.

2 t

Date. Place where shot. Total | Length Sex. Shot by Remarks.

length. | dressed.

TIGER.

gth February ..|Rampura 8’ 3" | 11’ Q |H.R.H. the Prince|H. R. H. had two shots and

* of Wales. got her with one. It

was a very long shot at

a distance of about 100

to 200 yards and a very

good shot indeed. The

Tigress was hit in the

kidneys and was picked

up jammed in between

two rocks,

J0th February .|Bhinwara 8/4” Q |H.R. H. the Prince

i of Wales.

ee ® 9’-2” | 10’. 9” g |H.R.H. the Prince

of Wales.

ay OD 20 8/9” 9’-10” 3 H.R. H. the Prince |This was also hit by Mr.

of Wales, Johnstone.

lth ,, ..|Bamora 8/-8” dg |Col. Harvey.

re 3 » 8’-0" ¢ |Capt. Knight.

mr ” 8’-9” | 9/-10" s {Admiral Halsey. [I was also told he shot +

Sambhar.

rie ‘a 7'-9” | 8. 6” Q |Capt. The Hon’ble

Bruce Ogilvie.

BEAR.

Mth ,, * 6/-8” 3 |Capt. Knight.

| BLACK BUCK.

Oe 4 | Mr. A. Metcalfe.

JE ” Do.

oe? ” Lord Louis Mount-

batten.

SMALL GAME.

On February, 10th,

45 Hares, 2 Sand-

3 grouse, 1 Plover,

| 5 Partridges and

1 Quail.

Tiger .

Bear

‘

These measurements were taken by the Gwalior authorities under C

ormation was very kindly given me by Messrs. Rowl

Sambhar : i

Black Buck

Total.

oo = 0

‘ol. GirdhariSingh. I took none of the Gwalior measurements.

and Ward, who received the trophies in England

200

RECORD OF THE ROYAL SHOOTING AND FISHING IN MYSORE.

21st January to 23rd January 1922.

TIGER.

Sees

Total Height at

Date. Place where shot, 1 a eth. aa ae Sex. Shot by

2Ist Jan. a6 Heggedenankota .. do iy BV 3’ 1h” a Colonel Worgan

29nd Jan, sw Captain Beddington,

GAUR.

| |

. i} [Slog

24th Jan. | Kekenkata |. gp 38// 13” é Capt. Beddington.

MAHSEER.*

Date. | Where caught. | Weight. | Caught by

. | ..

23rd January ..| Kalikatte Madu near Kallankote 20 33 lbs. H.R.H. The Prince of Wales.

a i Pe Do. ll aigine Do.

, ” Do. Bo WY Do.

; a Do. 00 @ fy Do.

a 5 Do. 50 43, Capt. Dudley North.

oD as Do. a0 U Do.

” ” Do. fe Up Do.

. as) go Do. oo 4 ,, Deo.

. 3 .| Near the Camp a0 69 ,, Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey.

s is Do. saa toR ee Do. ;

” ” Do. 00 20 Captain the Hon, Piers Legh.

” ” Do. an) 60 ., Do.

” ” Do. -.| 4, Do.

nel Rivett Carre

Mr. Bowring: sit

Bowring’s 0f0!""

*The late Mr. C. E. Murray Aynsley’s record for Mahseer, 104 and 103 pounds, held good several years, till Colo

got his 119 pounder, after which two other fish were caught of 107 pounds each, by Mr. Wet Van Ingen and

Mr. E, Van Ingen and Mr. Bowring got 2,573 pounds of fish last season, the best being a 79 pounder to Mr.

while Mrs. Bowring established a lady’s record with two fine fish of 62 and 60 Ibs.

200

)F THE ROYAL SHOOTING AND FISHING IN MYSORE.

21st January to 23rd January 1922.

TIGER.

Total

length.

Oa ei A oe eo.

GAUR.

38"!

MAHSEER.*

re caught. |

iar Kallankote

Height at

shoulder.

Spread. Girth.

13!

Weight. |

record for Mahseer, 104 and 103 pounds, held good several years, till Colonel Rivett Carnac

Sex. Shot by

a Colonel Worgan

Captain Beddington.

Sex. Shot by

& Capt. Beddington.

Caught by

| H.R.H. The Prince of Wales.

| Do.

Do.

Capt. Dudley North.

Do.

De.

Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey.

Do. ;

Captain the Hon. Piers Legh.

Do.

ere es eee

other fish were caught of 107 pounds each, by Mr. Wet Van Ingen and Mr. Bowring. __

ot 2,573 pounds of fish last season, the best being a 79 pounder to Mr. Bowring’s credit,

record with two fine fish of 62 and 60 Ibs.

ip Lk eee Or NWALES, SHOOTING IN ILNDLA, 201

For sometime nothing happened, then the deer began to come through ; and

though a fair number of sambhar came by there was nothing shootable, which

was just as well as firing might have disturbed the better things to follow.

From the time when the deer appeared it became apparent that for some

reason, the game instead of coming up the centre of the valley, as had been

intended, were trying to break out on the side where the major portion of the

guns were, and in so doing presented targets to the flank guns on that side before

they came in view of the “ Crowned Heads ”’ near the apex.

The first thing that happened was the arrival of a tiger that was promptly

shot by the flank gun on the side in question, then a bear came ir view of the next

gun on that side and was bowled over in one shot.

After this the Rifle posted at the end seemed to go off like a machine gun as

he fired at three more tigers and a bear. One tiger came on down that side and

was spotted and laid out by the next gun.

The other two in quick succession broke down the centre of the valley, immedi-

ately causing a fusilade to break forth from both sides of the apex of the ravine.

It says a great deal for the shooting, that although they were both going at

full gallop a good thre? huntred yards away, they were both bowled over by a

perfect storm of shot. It was clear that honours would be divided as it was

impossible to tell who hit first.

After a short pause a second bear broke from near the end gun and went

across the valley and along under the guns on the far side, being fired at by

everyone within range, but apparently escaped untouched.

The beaters now approached as near as was considered safe, and the Indian

colonel commanding the beat went forward with a shikari on an elephant to

investigate the tigers knocked down in the big fusilade.

They found the first tiger dead. The second they found lying almost opposite

the senior members of the party, apparently dead too, and the Indian colonel

put his rifle to safe and shouted up to the Maharajah that all was well.

As he did this, the tiger came to life and, in full view of everyone, charged

the elephant, before the Beat-commander could get his rifle off “safe,” and got

on to the head of the elephant. The elephant luckily shook it off and retired

hastily making a tremendous noise.

More elephants were called for and when the Indian colonel was having a

second yo his howdah came loose causing a stoppage, during which six of the

party, including the Maharajah and Lord Cromer, came down into the clearing.

On their elephants coming up they mounted and prepared to join in the fray

coming in opposite to the luckless Indian colonel who this time came in first

and finished off the tiger. The party then proceeded to investigate the other

two tigers and the bear which they found dead.

They then returned to Gwalior after a most enjoyable day’s sport which was

most excellently arranged in truly regal style.

202 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HiST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

Notes ON GWALIOR SHOOTING.

A Note oN THE TOWER SYSTEM ADOPTED IN GWALIOR FOR SHOOTING

TIGERS.

There is nothing particularly scientific about it, and each place has to be treated

differently according to its size, depth and situation with reference to other

valleys.

The ‘ towers ° are usually of circular shape and are erected on one of the slopes

of the Kho or valley in which the tiger lies up. The beast is located by the ‘ kill’,

a buffalo tied up as bait, and a line of beaters is employed to drive it out past

the tower in which the guns are posted.

‘“‘ A guide to tiger shooting ” by H. H. The Maharaja Scindia gives the fullest

details in all that pertains to arrangements for Tiger Shooting in the State

in reference to Mala, Machan, and Baits, Stops and Flankers, the Beat, etc., etc.

TIGERS IN GWALIOR.

Although Gwalior is famous for the number of its tigers, very few people

are killed by them. A mad woman who had ventured out was killed by a tiger

near the nullah at Rampura where the shoot took place on Thursday, February

9th.

Tigers are so common that one was shot recently in the Maharaja’s palace

grounds and also one in the Morar State Post Office about four miles away from

the palace. The first had scaled the huge wall which surrounds the palace ground

and afforded great sport, and excitement before it was captured. The se-

cond was shot by Sardar Bahadur General Abdul Ghani but the story that

it had eaten a lot of postage stamps is not correct. Tigers are on the increase

in Gwalior as the breeding grounds near the Kuno river are never shot. There

are probably just now from 400 to 500 tigers in the State and the number is

probably going up.

Nore ON THE FAUNA OF GWALIOR.

The Gwalior Forests abound in big and smail game and special rules embodied

in the Forest Act and Shikargah Manual, the famous little book brought out by

the Maharaja Scindia, have helped towards the preservation of Fauna to an

appreciable extent.

Gwalior State cannot be considered rich as regards its Mammal Fauna when

compared to certain other parts of India such as Assam, Burma or Southern

India. Still it has a fair number of species though nothing of outstanding in-

terest. The reason for this is of course due to the fact that there are no really

heavy jungles in the State, the jungle here consisting either of stunted teak or

babul. Another cause, which probably contributes not a little to the poorness

of the mammal fauna, is the number of guns in the hands of the villagers. The

natural result of this is that every animal remotely edible is ruthlessly slaugh-

tered, and a country so eminently suited to the black buck and the chinkara.

holds comparatively few of these animals.

FORESTRY IN GWALIOR.

The Gwalior Forests which are particularly suited for Shikar are neither

toc dense nor too open, so that beasts of prey find in them congenial homes.

in all seasons of the year.

I was told that in the hot weather, in spite of the rigour of the climate, the

attractive picturesqueness of the forests is set off by the presence of perennial

streams and rivulets rendered translucent by mid-day sun and the effect is

heightened by abundant growth of Fuginius and Ficus species along

the banks.

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

TYPICAL GWALIOR TIGER JUNGLE.

A TIGER NULLA—GWALIOR.

\ -

= 7 ~ : . ‘

v : 5 * = .

- " + ‘ g ; De

7 ive Fi : .

j a ef

= a i 1 . .

‘ = . a

a * ,

* .

a ra Mf

“ ba i

4 . \

' ee *

: ‘s .

° i '

? . a -

. ¥ 1

.. !

. s xb :

- Fi ’ roo

‘ oan ‘ i ‘ 2

F) ' . «

Heh. H, THE PRINCE OF WALES SHOOTING IN INDIA, 203

I saw no streams at all however round Rampura, Bhinwara or Bamora, the

places where shooting took place. Everything as I have already remarked.

was very dry and arid, and the big nullah beds were completely devoid

of water.

It is quite characteristic of these forests that a shower or two suffice to com-

pletely alter their aspect. Just like ever green or coniferous forests, these forests

are not malarious excepting for some months during the rainy season and

this factor makes them accessible all the year round.

Colonel Haksar of Gwalior writes: ‘‘The principal species in the forests:

are Boswellia serrata, Sterculia urens, Odina wodier, Anogeissus latifolia,.

Anogeissus pendullt with other auxiliary species of Dvwospyros tomentosa,

Buchanania latifolia, Zizyphus «ylopyra, Terminalia belerica, Aegle marmelos and

Bamboos. Terminalia che’ula was once a common tree in these forests as the

legend goes and a few remnant trees testify,but now it has become more or less

extinct. Bassia latifoliu is one of the most useful and important trees of these

forests as it does not only yield timber suitable for agricultural implements

but also yields the famous Mohwa flower and Mohwa seeds so essential to rural

economy and of such great commercial value. This tree also grows on good

soil on the plains or at the base of the hillocks. The tree rather iacks the power

of natural regeneration which augurs ill for the interests it serves. The

forests in the vicinity of the shooting districts constitute the extreme northern

fringe of the great tract of deciduous forests of dry type which cover most of

the Central India plateau.

The country is traversed by the Vindhyan Range running in a north-southerly

direction. These hillocks, naturally before the development of the country,

were thickly covered with dense forests but, as new industries sprung up, culti-

vation extended, and consumption of wood increased, these forests were

practically denuded. The effect of the recent introduction of forest conservancy

measures in Gwalior is already becoming visible—in the bare hillocks.

getting covered with grassy growth, a growth giving a footing for ‘“ Pioneer

Plants” of Soswellia and Nuclanthes which in nature are precursors of

more economic species of Acacias, Anoyeissus, Buchanania,Diospyros. ”

All the various interesting stages of forest evolution are represented in these

parts in regular succession, and Col. Haksar says “‘one has to go round the capital

of the State and further south to draw a deduction from this natural practical

demonstration of ‘The formation of forests’ and ‘rotation of species’. ’’

Continuing he says “The geological formations of the Vindhyan series near

about Lashkar are equally interesting. The hillocks are of various heights and

the country rises as we move southward till it again becomes an open plain

a few miles south of Shivapuri. The plateaus of hillocks in the vicinity of Lash-

kar are covered with a variety of grasses of which Sain is the most noteworthy.

The valleys are in most cases richly wooded and represent in general the econo-

mic flora of the country. The sides and the slopes of the hillocks are covered

with hardy species but in their south-western aspect, as one would expect

in these latitudes, the growth is comparatively poor.”

From the pictures given in this account one can obtain some idea of the dis-.

tricts covered by the forests in the low-lying country of Gwalior as it was seen

by the writer in February 1922.

204 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL GIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

Ili, PATIALA.

H. R. H. The Prince of Wales was at Patiala from the morning of the 22nd

-of February till the evening cf the 24th.

Originally a shoot had been planned for the visit in the Pinjaur jungles, some

fifty miles distant from the city of Patiala, situated on the State boundary between

the lower Himaiayan Mountains and the Siwalik range. Much sport would have

been enjoyed here as Tiger, Panther, Sambar, Chital, Hogdeer, Goral, Barking

Deer, Black Bear, Blue Bull, Wild Boar, Hyeznas, Kalij Pheasants, Jungle

Fowl, and Grey and Black Partzridges are plentiful.

In 1918 Lord Chelmsford, and in 1920, the Crown Prince of Roumania, had very

successful shoots in this district.

Owing to the limited time of the Prince’s visit, it was definitely decided to have

the shoot arranged near Patiala, viz., a general shoot from elephants at

Bunerhari, and Pig Sticking in Sanaur and Bahadurgarh.

Formerly around the city of Patiala there used to extend a thick scrub jungle,

and it was impossible to cultivate the land owing to the number of wild animals

of all descriptions. Later orders were given to exterminate them and to burn

down the jungles. Since then few places have been reserved for shikar purposes,

‘The last tiger was shot in these partsin 1907, but panther are often shot.

Recently just before the Prince’s visit two were shot in the deer park behind the

Moti Bagh Palace. They were enticed down from the higher ridges of forests by

the Chamba or Oade Shepherds, who pass through Patiala territory with their

flocks of sheep. The jungles are strictly reserved and looked after by the Forest

and Shikar departments jointly.

Many improvements have been carried out according to H.H. the Maharajah’s

wn ideas, such as experimenting by introducing foreign game birds and

animals. The results have been good, the Maharajah told the writer, and

‘some of them have thrived very well and have commenced to breed. Under the |

‘strict game laws in vogue, both big and small game have increased.

Most of the time in Patiala given to sport was devoted to Pig-sticking and

Polo, but on Feb. 24th, a limited number of guests were invited to a general

shoot. This was arranged by Mr. Hutton, officer in charge of the shikar

department, under the direct instructions of H.H. the Maharaja Dhiraj. As

it was to be on a very large scale, and the number of elephants was limited,

lots were drawn among all the guests, including the ladies, who were to watch

the shoots. At the very commencement of the ball every one was

warned, especially the ladies, that they would have to be ready at 7 A.M.

to proceed in cars to the shoot. Accordingly the next morning in spite

of many people having had very little sleep, a very large and jovial party

arrived from the various tents and the guest house near thes Palace, and got

into the cars and motor wagonettes which were lined up waiting. The Prince

of Wales, Lord Cromer, Sir Geoffrey deMontmorencey, Captain Metcalfe, Lord

Louis Mountbatten and others were not going, but had gone out pig-sticking.

The: people who were up very early, or who did not goto bed atall after the

ball were lucky to snatch a hurried breakfast, but most people and the writer

was one, were not so fortunate. A drive out of Patiala toa place called

Bunerhari, seven miles East of the city, was soon accomplished by the various

motor cars and charabancs. The country was very flat and uninteresting,

and was crowded with villagers dressed in holiday attire, who watched us with

great interest as we passed.

Bunerhari is a small village situated amongst pretty and picturesque jungle.

There was a small rest house or shooting lodge on the outskirts of this and

everyone gotout in front of the house as all the elephants were waiting here.

One of the elephants used (a huge tusker) was the one Lord Hardinge rode on

the occasion when he was bombed in Delhi. The back of the howdah was

blown away, and the marks could still be seen of the wound the elephant receiv-

*VIVILVd LV ANIT WHI

SINVHdaTEY AHL JO AWOS

H, Rk. AH, THE PRINCE OF WALES’ SHOOTING IN INDIA, 205

ed. Behind the shooting lodge in question, laid out on the ground, and under

the charge of Shikaries, was a magnificent selection of the Maharajah’s rifles

and guns. Most of these were by well-known makers, and were fine specimens

of gun work;some had the Maharajah’s effigy in mosaic, or enamel on the

butts; and all were emblazoned with his arms. There was a colossal display

of ammunition and cartridge bags. It wassimply a question of take what you

please. Most people selected shot guns, and some people took rifles too, although

it was prophesied that in all probability small game would be the order of the

day.

The beat commenced immediately the members of the Prince of Wales staff

had arrived. Everybody was given an envelope; inside which was a number

which corresponded with a large one placarded on the howdah elephant, he or

she was to occupy. There was another sheet of paper on which were printed

the names of all the game that could possibly b2 shot here, and places left for

filling in and for signature. These printed lists were to. be filled in and entered.

g ;

even for such animals as porcupine and goggle-eyed plovere (stone-curiew). One

of the party was perfectly certain he would not know a goggile-eyed plover if he

saw one. He was on the point of putting down a big round 0 against this item

‘straight away, when it occurred to him that he might possibly shoot one by mis-

take when firing at something else. Everyone mounted the howdahs, two

ladies behind as sightseers, and two men in front with rifles and guns. After

it had been ascertained that game cards had been distributed to everyone a

move forward was commenced. It was now 8-30 a.m. and the howdahs proceeded

along a bridle path through scrubby jungle for about a mile, and then stopped

by some red flags. They were then separated at a distance of about twenty

yards from each other. Between each howdah was a large card posted up

which corresponded with the number on the elephant. All the elephants were

then lined up in a continuous line, and this stretched for a very great

distance. In addition to an army of beaters behind us there was

also a vast array of cavalry with spears making altogether a most imposing and

warlike spectacle. Bugles then gave the signal to advance, and an idea of the

‘scene then presented can be gathered if one were to look at the picture of the

Kadir in a recent sporting number of the Sphere published for the Prince of

Wales’ visit to India. Magnify this picture twenty times, and one has some idea

of this great array. The machine starts, for the movement of the elephants

ina cavalcade of this description may be compared to the slow movements

of the cogwheels of a huge machine. The sportsmen on the howdahs,

with ladies allon the ‘qui-vive,’ followed by regiments of cavalry, and in their

turn followed by a masterly array of beaters and shikaries ready to pick up

-any game is the formation, all help to complete an unforgettable picture.

Try to visualize this and the reader has before him the great mixed shoot

provided by the Maharajah of Patiala. .

Indeed as the array gets in into motion and proceeds silently over the open

ground, with not much stretch of imagination one might imagine the return of

Pompey’s triumphant armies from the wars. (Elephants, horses, and even camels

‘are in use).

We had not gone far along the flat plain broken here and there by shrubs,

smal] nullahs, dry for the most part, with the exception of some parched

grass, before we came across the first object shootable. On the preceding

day I witnessed in similar country the driving of pig out of the scrub-district

into the open, where the menon horse back were waiting for them. This had

‘shown how thick (“lousy ”’ as a prominent pig sticker described it when speaking

to me) the country was with pig. So it was only fitting that the first animal

that came out should be a wild boar. A hog got up out of the bushes some yards

head of my howdah, and although several shots reached him from those nearest,

who were standing up, he was able to make good his retreat. When

206 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

two people are crushed together in a howdah, and the elephant is mov-

ing, it is extremely difficult to shoot with anything like accuracy. Nevertheless

some members of the party, as the records show, gave a very good exhibition of

shooting, particularly with small game, bringing off their rights and lefts, time:

after time, with considerable adroitness and accuracy. Some quail were

flushed and then some sandgrouse.

The first item shot of any importance was a panther. We were proceeding

through some jungle, chiefly composed of cactus, when some one saw what he

thought were the eyes of a panther in the shrub, and immediately opened fire.

No movement however was observed in the bushes, and everyone thought that

the panther, (if a panther it was) preferred to keep earth. Several

howdahs surrounded the bushes, and poured volley after volley into them. After

some minutes as nothing happened one of the shikaries, bolder and more venture-

some than the rest approached the cactus gradually, and at last turning aside.

some of the leaves disclosed a fine pard badly hit. The whole incident was most

strange and unpantherlike !\

A fine Nilgai cow was espied looking in very truth a “blue bull.” She

was about two hundred yards away and, after standing and gazing at us

with that peculiar deflection of the neck which one so often sees in

mounted speeimens of Nilgai heads* in museums, trotted off down the line

at a gocd pace. For the next hour or two we moved over alternately

scrubby jungle, and ground akin to moor land, and every now and again got

into open country. Sport was very good. According to the different

country we got different kinds of game. In the first part mentioned

panther, wild boar and hog deer. In the next partridge, quail, pigeon, pea-

cocks and plover, and finally black buck and nilgai, etc. The whole time

there is a perfect fusilade resembling the systematic popping off of machine-

guns. Nearly everyone bags something or other; sand grouse, quail, pigeons,

partridge, etc., are most plentiful. Even my poor gun manages to bag a few -

birds. In the open country pig repeatedly offer good sport as they are driven

out of the bushes, and often with many squeaks, a whole crowd of little pigs:

scuttle away in the distance with their harassed parents; black buck

were also extremely plentiful. I saw some quite good heads but none were

killed. Peacock and Peahen offered a very tempting target, as they flew over our’

heads, but we were not in Nepal, and hospitality has its laws. However one

member of the party could not restrain himself, and down came a peacock to

the intense amusement of everyone. It was really an accident “ Fifty rupees

fine or a month’s imprisonment ”’, the Commissioner, who was shooting near by,.

announced amid peals of laughter. At about 12 o’clock the line wheeled round,

and we returned by a different route, getting back to our starting point at-

about two o’clock. Colonel Worgan had a nasty accident of which we knew

nothing till afterwards. His rifle, which was standing on end in the howdah,

while he was using his shot gun, suddenly went off. The bullet split on the

iron rail of the howdah and several pieces of the bullet went into his hand..

The accident seems almost inexplicable, and 1t was very lucky that he got off

so lightly.

As the bag shows, everybody had splendid sport and quite, contrary

to many shoots, there was no tedious waiting about or sitting up in machans.

Everybody had good fun and there was not a dull moment in the whole five:

or six hours, firing going on with varying intensity on some section of the

line the whole time. Everything was done so smartly and briskly. A bird was.

shot. It was immediately picked up by a beater, given to the owner who put

it in the net supplied for that purpose hanging on to the back of the elephant.

If iarger game—a pig for instance—were shot, a label was immediately put on 1t

*In the Prince of Wales Misoum of Western India, Bombay, our Natural Histcry Society have:

two Nitgai heads mounted waich clearly illustrate this point.

tienen tinh PatNCH OF WALES SHOOTING IN INDIA, 207

coinciding with the note made by the owner on his game card. All these

cards were collected at the end of the shoot for purpose of reference and

statistics. I cannot speak too highly of the wonderful precision and accuracy

with regard to every detail of the shoot. Much thought and care had been ex-

pended by our generous host, the Maharajah, and reflected great credit on his

shikar department.

Everybody was in excellent spirits and when birds were repeatedly missed,

or incidents happened such as a donkey or came! breaking loose and dashing

into ‘No mans land’ there was a cheer the whole way down the line.

Everyone was sorry that the Prince was not present, as the fast and rapid sport

of the day, when everybody stood an equal chance, would have been to his

liking. H. R. H. had good sport with pig, and killed a boar with one

spear, a feat to be very proud of, but unfortunately the pages of this article

have to confine themselves to shooting and “‘obstat”’ stands facing me if

pig-sticking is mentioned.

CON CLES ON,

In attempting to compile these records I had other views in mind

besides that of a mere narrative of yet another cf the many and various

activities that have fallen to the lot of the Prince of Wales.

Besides trying to describe the actual incidents of the shoots, I have

added the bags with detailed measurements, and in some cases my own

remarks. Throughout I have tried to write from a Natural History ‘point

of view, and have supplied many field notes which will, I hope, interest

the Zoologist and the Botanist. I hope that these notes describing

modern methods of sport in very different regions of India may be of value,

not only asa record of the past, but as a guide for the future. It is not

likely to fall to the lot of many readers to enjoy the opportunities

of H. R. H, but those whose shooting is on a much humbler scale may be

glad to know the full,resourees of the jungles, and how under the most

ideal circumstances they can best be shot.

To thank everyone who helped in this compilation would be a lengthy

and difficult matter.

Besides Sir Geoffry de Montmorency I have to thank the different

members of the Prince’s staff, Colonel Burton, General Kaiser of Nepal,

Mr. R. A. Spence, M.L.A., Sir Henry Macnaghten, Rev. H. Blatter, SJ.,

F.L.S., and the writer’s colleague, Mr. 8. H. Prater, Major Stockley, D.S.C.,

Mr. Charles M. Inglis, Lieutenant Commander Hopkinson R.N., the

authorities in Bhopal and Mysore and Mr. Theobald, Mr. B. V. Rama

lyenger, Mr. Kingsley and Mr. G. W. Milroy of elephant fame, and Messrs,

Van Ingen ani Bowring, famous fishermen in India, Their Highnesses

the Maharajas of Baroda, Gwalior, Bikaner and Patiala and Mr. Jardine

and Colonel Luard again for all their kindness and help. It is owing to

the kindness of Messrs. Barton Sons of Bangalore that several fine photos

in connection with the elephant kheddas are given.

In conclusion I regret that for financial reasons many of the splendid

shikar photos in my possession are unable to be reproduced.

JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vel. XXIX.

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209

THE MEASUREMENT AND PHOTOGRAPHY OF

SPECIMENS OF BIG GAME.

NMagOR: @. H. STOCKLEY, Dit .C;

(With 7 hoto and 3 plotes.)

MEASUREMENTS.

lt is a regrettable tact that the use and object of measuring big game,,

namely, the advancement of knowledge, has very largely been lost sight

of, having been obliterated by the spirit of competition which is steadily

destroying true sportmanship; so that to a great many big game hunters

the enjoyment obtained from a trip is almost entirely estimated by the

number of inches by which their trophies exceed those of their neighbours

inlength. i have heard a man, on his return from Baltistan, declare that he

had had poor sport, and then admit that he had shot four ibex over 40

inches each, but that he did not consider that he had had good sport.

because two brother officers had each got a bigger head (by an inch) than he

had. Often a man who has got an exceptionally fine trophy on his first trip,

will openly say, or infer, that he thinks himself a better shikari than

another man whose bag is of good heads above the average without a small

head amongst them. That is the true criterion of a good shikari, he never

shoots an undersized head. Naturally the bigger the trophy the better

most of us are pleased, but bare measurements often convey little.

Take the Kashmir Stag for instance. The so-called record measures 51

inches, it is now in the possession of Mr. C. 8. Rogers, 1.F.S. It is of

interest because of it’s abnormal length, but is a straggly, uncouth-

looking, pair of horns, not to be compared with several other fine

heads of less length which I have seen; notably Mr. Vander Byl’s

grand 474 inch head, which is illustrated in Rowland Wards’ ‘ Records

of Big Game.”’

Again, the horns of an old bull Gaur often wear down to such an extent

that they lose a third of their true length. Can anyone think that the

thin narrow head of a young bull can compare with the wide massive

horns of an old veteran, just because the horns of the young bull measure

an inch or so more in length!

Measurements are meant to tell us what is the. average size of a fully

adult beast: what localities and what conditions produce the greatest

growth of horn or body: how long a beast takes to reach maturity, and

many other such interesting things. To measurements add a good photo-

graph and the museum worker, the taxidermist, the reader of the Journal,

and the man-in-the-street, can get a good idea of beasts which they may

never see in the flesh. Many of the monstrosities, in the guise of mounted

specimens, which are to be seen in museums, mightinstead have been lifelike

representations if the taxidermist had had a good photograph and accurate

measurements to help him.

How to take measurements.

Horns.

A. Stags. Measure from the base of the burr, up the back of the horn

for the length.

The girth of the horn is measured at its thinnest point below

the “crown” or main top tines. With the red deer group it is.

often taken between the two lower tines, (brow and bez), or even

round the burr: both these measurements are valueless, as a

210

o bo

JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

poor horn is often quite thick at these two points and thin in the

main beain.

Then measure tip to tip.

Then the ‘‘ widest inside,” z.e., the greatest width between the

main beams,

Lastly, take the ‘‘ widest outside’, which is the greatest outside

measurement from tip to tip of corresponding tines: this

measurement is the ‘ spread.”

Antelope. Blackbuck are measured straight. The head should

be put face down on a table, and a pencil mark made at the

points immediately under the base and tip of the longest horn.

The distance between these points gives the length measurement.

All other antelope are measured from base to tip over the front

curve.

The girth is taken round the base, and the tip to tip measure-

ment is also taken.

Buffalo, bison, etc.

There is much divergence of opinion as to bow these should be

measured, but as it is spread and girth which are the most

desirable attributes of trophies of the ox tribe, these measure-

ments are always taken.

Spread, or widest outside. Place the head face downwards on a

table. By the aid of a visiting card placed vertically against

each horn at the outside of their greatest width mark the greatest

width on the table, and measure between these points.

Widest inside. Taken the same way on the inside of each horn.

Lip to tip.

Length. As most old bulls have their horns much worn down at

the ends, this measurement is not of very great value in apprais-

ing atrophy. Itis taken from the lowest point of the base of

the horn, over the outside.

“ Sweep’. The same remark applies to this measurement as to that

of length. It is taken from the tip of one horn, round the curve and

across the forehead to the tip of the other. It merely amounts to

the total length of both horns, plus the width of the forehead. The

larger figures which result are imposing to some people I suppose.

Body Measurements.

Lay the animal flat on its side pulling it out as straight as possible,

but releasing itso as to get it naturally relaxed. Put pegs in

at its nose, the root of its tail, and the tip of the tail (excluding

the hair). Then put in pegs at the top of the shoulder, and at the

heels of the forefeet, placing both heels together and getting the

legs in as near the natural standing position as possible.

Measure the shortest straight distance between the pegs.

1. Nose to root of tail, giving length of body.

2. Root to tip of tail, giving length of tail.

3. Nose to end of tail, giving total length.

4. Height at shoulder.

The girth of neck and chest are often useful measurements.

Tt is often advisable with animals which are difficult to pull out straight,

such as goats, antelopes, to measure chest to rump. This measurement

and the height at the shoulder, if taken carefully, give the true proportions

ofthe animal. If the specimen is for mounting complete or with the mask.

the length of ear should be recorded.

Curve measurements are useless. I once measured a panther three

times over in front of a man, who denied that curve measurements are

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

BARKING DEER.

Correctly posed.

SHAPU (Horns 262’ ).

Correctly posed.

BIG GAME SPECIMENS, 211

unreliable. The three measurements differed by over two inches, although

as my critic admitted, I took great care in making them.

A pegged out skin of a 53 foot bear will measure 7 feet with only

ordinary stretching, and not attempting to obtain a great length measure-

ment. The only comparative measurement I have of tiger, is of a tigress

which measured 8ft. 3in. straight, and 10ft. exactly when pegged out.

A 7ft. 12in. panther measured 8ft. 113in. pegged out, but had been carried

to camp on a pole before being measured, and was stiff and could not be

pulled out quite straight.

PHOTOGRAPHY¢

It is very rarely one sees a good photograph of a game animal, taken

after death, yet they are easy to obtain with a little trouble, and are well

worth the trouble in the addition they make to the memories and recorcs

of the shoot.

The most commen faultis to take the photograph with the animal directly

facing the-camera, so that all that is seen is a badly focussed picture of

the head, out of all proportion to the rest of the animal. Another common

fault. is to take the whole animal lying down on its side with its legs

stretched straight towards the camera, so that the feet and light-coloured

underparts are most conspicuous. The animal is also often pulled out

stiff and straight, so that the legs appear much too long and the whole

aspect of the beast is most unnatural.

The first object of the photographer should be to get his subject into as

natural a position as possible, keeping in mind the fact that an animal is

in life lissom and curved, not stiff and straight.

The attaining of a natural appearance is fairly easy with animals such

as tiger, panther and bear, as the best one can do with them is to lay

them out in the nearest to a crouching attitude obtainable. With goats,

sheep, etc., it is possible to be more elaborate, especially with those which

are not overweighted in front with very large horns.

The only accessory needed is a forked stick. This should be cut about

18 inches long, the fork being not a true V, but with arms of about five

and seven inchesin length. The lower arm should be inclined slightly

upwards from the stem, the upper arm being bent about ten degrees from

the vertical and forming a right angle with the lower.

Place the animal to be photographed in a sitting position, the legs being

tucked in parallel to the body on each side, as naturally as possible.

To keep the animal steady it is often a good thing to place him on a slight

slope, the hill being on the far side from the camera. Stones and lumps

of earth can also be packed under the beast’s far side to supportit. To

support the head, place the lower limb of the forked stick under the lower

jaw, the point of the arm resting against the inner side of the jawbone.

The upright and longer arm of the stick should be arranged so that the

point rests under the base of the horn on the far side or under the base of

the ear, according to the size of the animal. The butt of the stick can be

fixed intc a small hole scraped in the ground, or into a crack in the rock,

or rested on a stone. Itis not necessary that the stick should be abso-

lutely square with the head; it may be placed a little to the rear, so as to

avoid its appearance in the picture.

The animal should be arranged almost, but not quite, broadside to the

direction of the light, and the photo taken from a position slightly in front

of or behind it. The point from which the exposure is made will depend

greatly on the build of the animal and the shape of its horns, also on

whether it has any special features which it is wanted to emphasise,

212 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

Big beasts like bison and tsine, are too heavy to arrange with the forked

stick as arule, but it might be done under favourable circumstances.

Most stags are rather top-heavy, owing to their horns, so are placed

with the head resting on the ground; a stone or stick on the far side will

keep the head from toppling over. A needle and khaki thread, by which

the ears can be tied up to the horns so as to prevent them flopping down

limp adds to the naturalness of the pose with many gazelles.

Before making the exposure hold the camera low down and see that

there is no grass, etc., which obscures the lens. Remember that the view-

point of the lens is a foot or more below that of the photographer.

It is usually best to let the subject fill about two-thirds of the picture,

so that there is room for some of the surroundings. This will also mean

that the photographer does not get too close, and all parts of the animal

will be in focus, and also probably the nearer portions of the background.

Patchy light should be avoided. It is easy to increase the exposure,

even in deep shade, resting the camera (if there is no stand) on a bough,

rock or dead tree.

Under-exposure is much commoner than the reverse when taking

photographs in the jungle, and animals are so coloured as to render a

very full exposure desirable. Even in what appears to be the brightest

light, when in an open gladesin the jungle, the green from surrounding trees

affects conditions so greatly that exposures have to be increased up to

50 per cent. above the normal.

I always take two or three exposures of any animal, if I have no

previous photo of the species, or it is a specimen of which I particularly

want a good record.

With hill animals it is often difficult to find a good position to stand for

the photograph, but in the case of the smaller ones, there should be no

difficulty in moving them to a suitable place.

Tastes in cameras vary as in everything else, and the best one can afford

is the one to use. Postcard size or 5” by 4” give the best results asa rule ;

the latter size is the one I personally prefer.

Printing and enlarging photographs.

The average photo of a game animal prints best in bromide gaslight

paper, but where exceptionally good negatives have resulted silver prints

are the best. Silver prints are also the best when photos are sent for

reproduction in the press.

Enlarged photos of big game are very useful for adorning the walls of a

bungalow, especially when hung under the trophy they illustrate, ora

collection can be made and kept in an album. Enlargements are usually

made on bromide paper. Carbon enlargements give the finest results and

finish. 10” by 12” is a useful size.

Colouring enlargements.

It adds very greatly to the value and beauty of an enlargement to

colour it.

This is quite simply done with oil colours, as follows:—The materials

needed are (1) a quantity of clean cotton wool, (2) a small bottle of linseed

oil, (3) a tube of each of the following colours:—Indian Yellow, Chrome

Yellow, Cobalt Blue, New Blue, Rose Madder, Light Red, Burnt Sienna

and Vandyke Brown. Additions may be made to this list later onif

desired, but these are sufficient to begin with. Tubes of oil colours cost

from As. 8 to As. 14 each.

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

KASHMIR STAG.

Badly fore-shortened.

BLACK BUCK.

All legs and underparts:

The fore-shortening of the Kashmir Stag exaggerates the apparent size

of the horns which measured 41 inches. In both photos the natural

colouration and build of the animal is obscured,

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

BROWN BEAR.

Frozen stiff before posing.

GORAL.

Back broken by bullet, and badly smashed by 400 feet fall. |

The above are examples of the best that can be done in certain cases.

The bear was shot when it was too dark to photograph and was left out

overnight. |

The Goral was too smashed up to pose properly. |

BIG GAME SPECIMENS. 213

To colour an enlargement.

Select a bromide or gaslight enlargement with a matte surface: a very

smooth surface will not take the oil. The shadow should not be too deep

or the print a very dark one.

A bare deal table is best to work on.

Pour a little linseed oil into a china palette or saucer. Dip a pad of

cotton wool into it, and rubthe oil all over the print. See that the oil

covers the whole of the print, but donot let it be too moist. Itis often

best to give the print a second rub over with clean dry wool, to remove

the superfluous oil. .

Squeeze a very little of the colour needed on the palette or saucer, and

rub it on to the print with a screwed up piece of wool. Where the colour

extends beyond the intended area it is wanted to colour, it is easily wiped

off with another piece of wool lightly dipped in linseed oil.

It is usually best to do the sky last, as then the colours can be cleaned off

where they have encroached, and the sky put in clean right up the horizon.

Greens must be mixed on the palette, most of them heing based on Indian

Yellow and New Blue. The sky is tinted with Cobalt. Water is various

shades of green, except where it reflects the sky, which can only be arrived

at by experiment,

Vandyke Brown colours tree trunks and dead wood, while Burnt Sienna

gives all “tawny” shades with or without a little Chrome. A light shade

of Burnt Sienna is the right thing for tiger, which is not yellow as it seems

at first sight.

A little perusal of the elements of colour-mixing, as set forth in any

cheap book on painting, is of great assistance.

Put in the fine detail with a brush, first thinning down the colour with

a little linseed oil.

When the colouring is finished put the print away to dry where the dust

will not get at it. Drying takes about four hours as a rule.

The whole process is remarkably simple, and suited to any type of

picture. It is not very lengthy ; an average print takes about three quar-

ters of an hour, one with a geat deal of detail perhaps half an hour more.

The cost is negligible, as a tube of colour lasts for at least fifty photc-

graphs: I have not discovered the limit,

214

SOME NOTES ON THE HABITS OF THE CEYLON

GERBIL, TATHRA CEYLONICA.

W. W. A. PHILLures.

(With a Plate and a text figure.)

Singhalese— Well-miya (Field-Rat).

Tamil— Vell ’elli (White Rat).

Tue Cryton GERBIL or Sanp Rat (Tatera ceylonica).

Judging by Blanford’s account (Fauna of British India—Mammalia

page 396) the habits of the Ceylon Gerbil seem to differ somewhat from

those of its close relatives on the Indian mainland.

The following notes may therefore be of interest; but it must be

clearly understood that they apply to the habits of the animal in the

Kalutara District only ;—as in the drier, and less thickly populated

districts of the North, East and South these habits may be modified to

some extent.

The Gerbil is found all over the low country, both in the dry and in

the wet zones; but does not seem to ascend the hills at aJl. The

highest altitude from which it has, as yet, been recorded, being only about

600 ft. above sea level.

Kalutara is in the wet zone of the West Coast, and the locality

where these notes have been made has a rainfall of about 110 inches per

annum.

The Gerbil or ‘ Sand Rat,’ as it is usually called locally, is by no means

uncommon and, were it not for the Tamil cooly, would be very plentiful.

It lives in one of two places—either in a white ant hill or in a burrow in

soft sandy soil. In the ant hill it is quite fairly safe as, the soil being so

hard, no animal can possibly dig it out and itis only with much labour

that the cooly can get at it—either by breaking down the whole hill or by

smoking it out. It must, however, be very liable to attacks by snakes—

such as the Rat Snake (Dhaman) and Cobra—which frequent these places

and itis probably for this reason that it prefers to live in the open, in

burrows of its own construction. It seems only to retire to the ant hills

when driven out of its own burrows and, as faras Iam aware, never

breeds there. It will often live in an ant hill when constructing a burrow

in some convenient spot close at hand—retiring to it during the day and

working on the burrow each night—for it is a purely nocturnal animal,

I have never yet found more than one family in an ant hill and it is

the exception to find more than one adult in any burrow. The old male

will often live by himself, in a burrow of his own, but is sometimes found

in an ant hill with a female and one or two well grown young.

The female, when about to give birth, seems always to live quite alone

in her own burrow—which may be half a mile or more from any other.

The burrow is dug in soft sandy soil—often in silt which has been

washed down and has collected in some hollow or at the foot of a hill.

{tis practically always right out in the open, quite away from cover of

any description—though should there be an ant-hill within twenty or

thirty feet, it is a distinct advantage. Itis dug some nine inches or 80

below the ground—rarely descending more than a foot—and is usually

quite a simple burrow with two entrances, or exits, and the breeding

chamber in the middle; but, it invariably has a bolt hole with a

shud

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SOME NOTES ON THE HABITS OF CEYLON GERBIL. 215

concealed exit. This isa side gallery, leading off the main drive some-

where near the breeding chamber and is dug to within half an inch of the

surface, a very thin hard crust being left.

If in danger, such as when being dug out, the animal will

burst suddenly through this crust and bound off towards the ant hill or any

other cover that may happen to be near at hand, trusting to the suddeness

and the unexpectedness of its appearance, to make good its escape, which

SSS Na Res TRS AR

Rough Shetch of Breeding Hok of Jatera Ceylonica.

Entrance or Exif

below ground)

Covered! Bolt Hole

4a» Entrance or Exit

it usually does. If, however, the hole has previously been discovered by

poking about witha stick, the gerbil may be easily captured alive, by

placing a handkerchief or cloth of some description over the exit—into

which it will rush headlong. The male’s burrow may have only one

entrance but always has the closed bolt-hole.

The nest in the breeding chamber is a simple ball of dead and dry

leaves, with no lining—in which the young remain until well grown.

Four young are produced at a birth—sometimes only three or two; but

Ihave never found more than four. They are born naked, blind and

helpless and do not open their eyes until fully furred and fairly well

grown—probably about a month old.

There seems to be no particular breeding season as the young may be

found at any time throughout the year.

Owing to its nocturnal propensities it has been necessary to keep

one or two in captivity in order to observe their habits. If taken young

enough they will become perfectly tame and give little trouble, as they

will not attempt to gnaw through a wooden box. By day they spend

most of their time sleeping, either lying on the side half curled up or

sprawling on the flat of the back with their feet in the air.

They thrive well on bread and milk but eat, with avidity, practically

anything that is given tothem. They are particularly fond of raw meat

and insect food, devouring cockroaches and beetles with relish, and are

216 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

also very partial to bird’s eggs, either fresh or in an advanced state of

incubation.

They will also kill and eat any small mammal that they can over-

power—though they are not pugnacious among themselves. A young rat,

put into the same cage, was immediately killed and eaten; while a small

bat (Hipposideros atratus) which was put in for a few moments was

jumped upon as soon as it clung to the roof of the cage, and killed instantly

with a bite into the brain.

I doubt however if, in the wild state, they would have much opportu-

nity of killing other mammals.

In their burrows I have frequently come across small collections of

rubber seeds and I fancy that those—together with insects—form the

chief food of those that are found on the rubber estates.

Their chief enemy is man—for the Tamil cooly considers them to be

excellent as food and makes a point of digging up any burrows he comes

across. The flesh certainly looks as if it should be good eating—it is very

white and clean looking.

217

DEER HUNTING IN SHAKESPEARE’S DAY

Lt.-Cou. C. E. Luarp, C.I.E., LA.

One of the great characteristics of Shakespeare is that he was a true sports-

man, a genuine lover of field sports with an intimate knowledge that keeps

turning up at every page of his works. This is well put forward in ‘‘ The

Diary of Master William Silence’? by D. H. Madden, on which this note is based.

The passages should be looked out and read with their context.

Deer hunting with hounds.

In those days (XVIth. century) no one could enclose a deer park except

under royal license. Red and fallow deer were usually parked separately.

The hunt began with the “assembly”, an out of doors dinner, which took

the place of our ‘“‘meet.’’ Thus was inaugurated a “solemn hunting ” (Tit. An.,

II-i-112). A clue to many of the terms used in the plays is given in a book pub-

lished in 1575 called ‘‘ The Noble Arte ” (referred to here as ‘‘ N. A.’’). While

all were at the “‘ assembly” the Chief Forester came up and presented his master

with the “‘fewmets’’, or excrement of the stag, and other signs which gave

a clue to his size. (*‘ The stag’s tail is called the ‘single’; his excrements the

‘fumets ’—Goldsmith, ‘ Natural History’ ’’). The forester has to rise betimes

in the morning (1 Hen. IV., I-ii-29) just as much as a highway robber. The

Forester, having marked down the stag or “hart,” assisted the huntsman to

“harbour” him, that is find out exactly where he was “‘lodged.”” Hence Theseus’s

order (M.N.D., IV-i-109) to his man.

And here let me digress a moment. In reading Shakespeare always remem-

ber that the people who live in his plays are all Englishmen. That is to say

they have the characteristics of Englishmen whether Shakespeare has called

them Petruchio, Iago, or Othello, and placed them in Bohemia or Venice.

If you do not recollect this you lose much of the inner value of the plays.

The forester and huntsman go off to arrange the chase of the

hart. A red deer was called generally a hart or stag and the female a hind,

but the real woodcraft terms are, a Hinde or Hinde-calf. the first year ; a Broket

the second ; a Spayad in the third ; a Staggard in the fourth ; a Stag in the fifth,

and a Hart in the sixth (J. C., III-i-207). But ‘‘if the king or queen doe hunt

or chase him and he escapes away alive, then after such a hunting or chasing

he is called ‘ Hart Royal’” (Manwood—‘ Forest Lawes,” 1598). The royal hart

was then proclaimed as such and ever after roamed free (A and C., V-ii-337

** being royal took her own way”). A stag acquired his rights of brow, bay and

trey antlers, and two points on the top of each horn at six years. The modern

use of “royal,” merely to distinguish such a stag is really a misuse. Manwood

(loc: cit:) divides beasts of the chase into, hind, hare, boar and wolf, as beasts

of the forest, and buck, doe, fox, marten and roe, as beasts of the field (See

Psalms : 104, v. 20, beasts of the forest, and 50, v. 11, of the field).

Shakespeare was accustomed to rise early for his field sports and is always no-

ere (M. N. D., III-ii-389; R. & J., IlI-v-7; Ham., I-i-166; Sonnet

XXxiii).

The huntsman in accompanying the forester brings his “‘lym”’ or liam-hound

with him. He was a bloodhound held on a liam or leash (Lat. : ligamen), who

smelt out the deer’s trail, and was also, in consequence called the slot-hound

(Scotch, sleuth-hound) as he followed the slot or foot-prints of the deer. (K.L.,

ITI-vi-72). They passed across the deer’s trail which the dog at once picked up

(Ham., IT-ii-47, IV-v-109 ; M. W. W., IV-ii-212), having the hart “in the wind’’

(Alls Well, III-vi-123). So they reach the ‘‘entry” or break in the thicket

————

Notre.—References are to the ‘“‘ Oxford Shakespeare.”’

218 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

which the hart went through. Some branches are broken off to ‘ blemish ”

or mark the spot, while the huntsman beats round the spot in “ ring-walks ”

or circuits. The hart is found still “‘ lodged ” (T. G. of V., ITI-i-140) or lying ur

there, while a foot-print shews it is the same hart of “‘ mettle’? due to good

pasturage (Hen. V., III-i-26) for ‘“‘harts bear their heads according to the

pasture and feede”’ (N. A.). The hart being thus found or ‘‘ harboured ”’ was

next ‘‘ unharboured,” and being driven out was forced by “toils” or nets,

(L.L.L., [V-iii-2; J. C., I1-i-206; Ham., 888-i1-368; A. & C., V-ii-3) into the enclos-

ed park or “ pale’ (1 Hen. VI., [V-1i-45) whence escape was impossible. When

no pale was used it was called ‘‘ hunting at force”? (Markham ‘“ Cavalarice ’’).

The bart, it must be recollected, was hunted to be killed and eaten, as also were

hares, etc., similarly hunted into nets (M. of V., I--11-22), not merely for sport

of chasing them (see ‘‘ Quarterly Review,” Jan. 1895, “‘ Our Sporting Ancestors ”’)

The hounds used were carefully bred, and had varying qualities of cry (M.

N. D., [V-i-118—133). The terms ‘‘ harbour’ and “‘unharbour”’ are not used

in this sense by Shakespeare. This term, moreover, is restricted to deer for

«‘ we lodge and rouse a buck, we form and start a hare, we burrow and bolt a

coney: we kennell and un-kennell a fox ’’. Rouse was also used generally (1 Hen.

IV., I-iii-198) (for these terms see R. IT., I]-iii-128; Cor., [V-v-227; T. N., IV-i-63;

M.W.W., II] -iii-174 ; Ham., III-ii-86). Small bodies of hounds were sometimes

posted on the probable path of the hart tc pick up the chase before the main

pack came up, it was called a “ vaunt (i.e, avant) laye.”

The hart had thus been “ singled” out by the liam hound (T. A., IT-i-117; 3

Hen. VI., Il-iv-12; L.L.L., V-i-86; V. & A., 693) and then “‘unharboured.”” As he

came out the “ prickers’’ or mounted huntsmen closed up all but one line ;

the hart has them in the wind (Alls Well, III-vi-123), but the pricker must, if his

winding them is not enough to turn him ride and “ blench ”’ him, 7.e., make him

turn so as to go into the toils and so within the pale 8. does not use “ blench ”’

except for to start aside (M. for M., IV-v-5, W. T., I-ii-333; Ham., IT-ii-634 ;

T. & C. 1-i-30. 1t comes from “ blanch ”’ to frighten, make white with fear) As

the hart comes out he for a moment “ stands at gaze” (Luc., 1149) and then

bounds off while all cry out “‘ the game is up,” the “ tally-ho’’ of those days

(R. & J., ILI-v-26; Cym., IIT-iii-107; T. A., I1-ii-1). So he makes off in full view

and not like a fox “‘in stealth’ (K. L., III-iv-93). The master, as now-a-days

would rebuke the too eager rider (Cor: [II-i-273). An old hart often refused

to break thicket (T. & C., IT-ii-27, c.f., 3 Hen., VI., III-i-8, 3, & IV-v-2) driving

out a younger hart, if preseut, to save his own skin. The hounds had to run

compactly together, if a hound overran or “overtopped”’ the rest he was

“trashed ”’; that is a heavy collar or else a long strap was put on to him which

impeded his movements (Temp., I-ii-81; Hen. VIII., [-i-141; Oth., II-i-315, a

play on the word here).

‘“‘ Bawlers’’ and ‘‘ Babblers”’ were also dealt with, the first being hounds

who cry too much before a scent is established, the other after it is found, the

former is the worst (Hen. V., II-iv-70; T. & C., V-i-101 also Temp., I-i-45, and 48,

“bawling’’ and “hang cur” being thus connected). Master Ford was a

““bawler”’ (M.W.W., III-iii-173 and IV-ii-208). The hounds of those days were not

fast but ‘“‘ slow in pursuit ’’ (M.N.D., IV-i-12). A hart’s scent is much stronger

than a fox’s or a hare’s and hence the hound runs in comparative silence being

fully occupied, and not as in the case of the other two animals where a “cold

fault’? (V.& A., 694) or cold scent (T.N., II-v-136) leads to competition to retrace

the lost line during a “let ” or check (Oth., III-ii-371, Two Noble kinsmen, ITII-v-

156). A fox’s scent is called “ rank.” At a “ let ° or, as we say, check the hunts-

man blew a “‘jeopard” (Fr: j’ai perdu). Other calls were, the ‘‘recheat”’

(M.A.N., I-i-251) or calling off the hounds (Fr. Racheter); the “‘ seeke ’’ or setting

on (Tem. Stage direction, IV-i-258) and the “fall” or “‘ mort,” the death blast

W. T., I-i-119). These are given in the “‘ Noble Arte” thus,

DEER HUNTING IN SHAKESPEARE’S DAY, 218

Wofull wordes of the Hart to the Hunter.

So now he blowes his horne, even at the kennell dore,

Alas, alas, he blowes a seeke, alas yet blowes he more;

He jeopardes and rechates; alas he blowes the fall,

And soundes that deadly mote (mort), which I must die with all.

A hound going off on a false trail was said to run-counter and if addicted to

it was hanged (2 Hen, IV., I-ii-102 ; Ham., IV-v-106; C. of E., IV-ii-39) Hounds

were cheered on by name as now (Tem., V-i-261 ; M.W.W., 11-i-120; T.N., II-v-

137 ; 1 Hen. IV, IIT-i-239 ; K. L, I-iv-125 ; T. of 8, Intro: I-17-26;T & C, V-i-

102). The names are interesting as Beckford (Thoughts on Hunting) gives Fury,

Tyrant, Ringwood, Merryman, Belman, Echo, Mounter and Saunter. Probably

Mountain and Sowter are miscopyings for Mounter and Saunter, as otherwise

they have no meaning. A “brach”’ (K. L., III-vi-72), originally applied to all

hounds hunting by scent, was then used only for a hound-bitch (Fr: brac,

braque. Sp: braco, a pointer). Hence clearly some misreading has crept into

brach Merriman (T.S. Intro. I-18).

A hound on a good scent was said to be “full of vent ” (Cor., [V-v-239, see Bay-

nes, Edin. Rev., Oct. 1872) that is had the hart well winded. Dr. Johnson and

Pope misunderstood the term. A hound is said to strain upon good vent (N. A.).

Vent is equivalent to wind used often for scent (T. A., IV-i-97 ; ii-134; Alls Well,

ITI-vi-122; V-ii-19 ; 3 Hen. VI., II1-ii-14 ; Ham. IIT-ii-362). Spenser says a Bullock

*“venteth into the wind ”’ and explains in his glossary that it means “‘ snuffeth

into the winde”’. A reliable straight running hound is “‘ true bred ”’ and can

“ bold in” and ‘‘ n’ere will out” (T.N., I]-iii-198; 1 Hen. IV., IT-i-85; A. and C.,

IT-vii-36 ; K. J., I-i-223; Cor. I-vi-19; Luc. 1936. Son. Ixliii ; 2 Hen. IV, V-iii-

67). The hart hard pressed “ strains ’’ to escape (W. T., III-ii-46) and Johnson’s

emendation ‘“‘ have been stained”’ is not correct. Finally the hart becomes

*“embossed ’’ or foamy at the mouth (N. A.) and tired out (T. S. Intro., I-18;

1 Hen. IV., ITI-iii-176). Chaucer used this word in three ways, viz., to hide or take

ambush “the hert upon lengthe so much embossed”’ (Dethe Blanch), stuck up,

in relief or swollen, “‘ of golde the barris up embossed”’ (“‘ embossed rascal ”’ of

Falstaff), and as above. The hart’s “fall” is near (Alls Well, III-vi-107). He

turns at length to face the hounds being “‘an English deer ’’, one “‘in blood ”

full of mettle, and no “‘rascal”’ (1 Hen. VI., IV-ii-48 ; Ham., IT-ii-501) A “‘ rascal ”

was a worthless deer, lean and ill favoured (2 Hen., IV-iv-33; 1 Hen. VI., V-ii-35 ;

Cor., I-i-165; L. L. IV-ii-3 ; 1 Hen. VI, II-iv-48). The hart was now “ bayed ”’

M.N.D., (IV-i-119; 1 Hen. IV., IV-ii-48; V. and A., 877; J.C., II1-i-204 ; Ric. IT-iii-

128). The hounds are gathered in one place which echoes to the cry of the

hounds (T. of S., Int, IT-16; T. A., IT-iii-17; V. and A.,885). Hounds were injured in

this stand of the deer (V. and A., 695, 885, 913, 915). The huntsman puts a rope

on the hart’s horns and cuts its throat, while the ‘‘mort” is blown (W.T., I-i-119).

The principal gentleman or lady present then “‘assayes’’ the deer making a

cut along the brisket to see if the meat is good. The specially prized parts were

then cut off and put aside. These “‘deintie morsels” were the caule, long,

ears, doulcets (Two N. Kinsmen, III-v-154) tenderlings, seet-gut or Inche pinne,

and the mumbles or umbles, to make umble-pie. The hounds were then

different from quarry-game rewarded with the “quarry” (Fr. Curee), and novices

were ‘‘ blooded ’’ with the ‘“‘lethe ” of the deer (T.N., III-iv-245 ; K.L., II-i-321

J.C. IITI-i-204, 206) or blood shed at its “fall”. The venison was sent to the

** powdering ”’ tub to be seasoned down (1 Hen. IV., V-iv-102) the skin was the

keeper’s fee (3 Hen. VI., III-i-22). Wounded and tired hounds were cared for

(Vo and A., 915; T. of S., Int: I-17).

These hounds were closer to bloodhounds than the modern hound (M.N.D ;

IV-i-126), Three classes were recognized, the liam, beagles (T. N., II-iii-198),

and running hounds for the chase of buck, stag, roe, fox (V.A. 673). The fox was

looked on then as vermin to be exterminated in any way (Alls Well, III-vi-110

220 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

M.W.W., III -iii-172; 2 Hen., VI, VI-i-254; Cym., ITT -iii-40; K.L, IIT-iv-96, V-iii-22.

The fox’s skin was called his “‘ case’’ (Alls Well, I1I-vi-110; T.N. V-i-167).

Deer stealing was held a venial offence, the dodging of a warrener fair sport

(T.A., IT-i-93 ; M.W.W., I-iii-28) Gilbert White mentions that it was but just ex-

tinct in his day (Nat: His: of Selborne).

Deer shooting.—This was practised, the animals being driven past “‘ stands ”’

(Cym., III-iv-111 ; M.W.W., V-vi-260 ; M. for M., IV-vi-10). These were usually

thickets (3 Hen, VI, IIT-i-1; ibid, IV-v-3; M for M, I-iii-41) which commanded

the drives or “ launds ”’ (c.f lawn)’ 3 Hen. VL.,-III-i-2 ; and of Temp., [V-i-130 ;

L.L.L., IV-i-7 ; V-ii-310). He who handled his cross-bow like a woodman and not

like a “ crowkeeper’”’ (K.L., [V-vi-87) would shew up best and be accounted

“lord of the feast’? which followed (Cym., IIT-iii-74 ; III-vi-28) and at it was

served by the others. The deer were driven in front of these stands, or “‘ stalled ”’

(Pas. Pil., xix) by ‘ dryvars.”’

The dryvars thorowe the woodes went

For to reas the dear

(Ballad of Percie and Douglas)

Such deer were seasonable (Luc., 580; M.W.W., IIT-iii-168; T.A., II-i-117).

The expert forester marks these, as mere size of antlers was no test and you

may get a rascal (As You L. I., III-iii-60) and the forleader of a herd may be a

rascal (Cor, I-i-165). The deer must not be wounded but struck home (L.L.L.,

IV-i-24 ; Ham., III-ii-282 ; T.A., III-i-88). In case of a wounded deer, however,

greyhounds were kept ready to be loosed to pullit down (T. of S., Int: IT-50),

but deer so retrieved were held ‘‘ill-killed’”’ (M.W.W., I-i-80 ; As Y. L.I, IT-i-31).

Foresters were not above taking “tips”? for giving a good “stand” (L.L.L.,

IV-i-8-19 ; Cym., IT-iii-73). Buck were distinguished as, fawn the first year,

(T. & C., IIT-iii-26), pricket the second (L.L.L., IV-ii-2) sore! the third (L.L.L.,

IV-ii-58) sore the fourth, buck of the first head the fifth, and great buck, the

sixth. One sent venison, stollen or otherwise, to gain favour as we see from the

** bribebuck ” (M.W.W., V-v-27).

The deer shot were collected in the “ quarry’ (Fr. Carre) whichis different

to the similar word mentioned above.

Lord Percie to the quarry went

To view the slaughtered deer

It then came to be applied to a heap of deer’s bodies (Ham., V-ii-378) and

finally to the animal chased.

This note, like that on hawking, was originally written for a schoolboy, but if

it leads to greater familiarity with Mr. Madden’s bcokit will have achieved

more than it set out to do.

221

BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY’S

MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON.

Report No. 36, Naga Hits.

By J: 2. Mus, J:C.8!

The specimens included in this collection were all obtained in the

Mokokchung Sub-division of the Naga Hills, a mass of mountains

lying to the South-east of the Brahmaputra River and forming the

watershed between Assam and Burma. The position of the area

where the collection was madeis about 26°15 N., 959258. E. The

country in question is inhabited by Nagas, who live in fixed villages,

but practise the shifting method of cultivation known as “ jhuming.”’

For cultivation of this type the jungle is cut and burnt, and the land

sown for two years. It is then abandoned for ten or fifteen years,

and the process repeated. Jungle grows quickly in such a damp

climate—the rainfall is about 120 inches a year—and abandoned

fields are soon covered with a very dense secondary growth of grass,

bushes and small trees, interspersed with a few large trees which were

only lopped at the time of cultivation and have recovered.

The population is as dense as the land can support by this method

of cultivation, and primeval jungle only exists on slopes which are too

steep or rocky for cultivation and in the valleys where it is impossi-

ble to protect the crops against elephants. This primeval jungle

consists of huge trees, many of them berry-bearing. The ground

under them is mostly in heavy shade and is usually lightly covered

with stragely bushes.

Most of the specimens were taken at a height of between four

and five thousand feet in a piece of primeval jungle near Mokokchung,

the Sub-divisional Headquarters. The method employed was to

set a line of traps near the edge of the jungle to catch mammals going

to and fro at night between the primeval jungle and the heavy

secondary growth of the temporarily abandcned fields which lay im-

mediately below it.

The collection contains 123 specimens distributed among 39 genera

and 49 species, of which a detailed list is given below.

(1) Hytosatres Hootock, Harl.

The Hoolock.

(Synonymy in No. 14.)

Mokokchung, 5,000’, g1, 22.

Very plentiful and tame where not persecuted. Apparently never

descends to the ground. Individuals caught in a fire will remain and

be burnt sooner than come down and cross open fields to the next

patch of jungle.

222 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X

(2) Macaca ASsAMENSIS, McCl,

The Himalayan Monkey.

(Synonymy in No. 16.)

Mokokchung, 5,000’, $3, £3.

Common in the jungle but rarely approaches villages.

(3) Macaca muLaTTaA, Zimm.,

The Indian Macaque.

(Synonymy in No. 7.)

Chuntia, 4.000’, ol, 91.

Swarms round villages of the Ao Nagas who do not eat them.

A bold and clever thief.

(4) Macaca ARCTOIDES, Geoff.

The Stump-tailed Macaque.

1833. Macacus arctoides, Geofiroy, Mag. Zool. Cl. 1, pl. IT.

Merangkong, @1; Dikhu River, ¢1, 91.

Found in troops which may number forty individuals or more.

Generally keeps to the ground. Troops are often surrounded by

Nagas and wiped out. Are very partia! to fresh-water erabs, for

which they search the beds of mountain streams.

(5) PITHECUS PILEATUS PILEATUS, Blyth.

The Capped Langur.

(Synonymy in No. 20.)

Mokokchung, 5,000’, o ie 291; Cholimsen, 31.

Chiefly found at fairly high elevations.

(6) PITHECUS PILEATUS SATURATUS, Hint. subsp. n.

The Capped Langur.

1921. Prthecus pileatus saturatus, Hinton, J.B.N.H.S., Vol. XX1X, p.

81 Lakhuti, 1.

The commonest of the two subspecies and does not herd or inter-

breed with the other subspecies. Found at low elevations.

(7) NycticEBus coucane, Bodd.

The Slow Loris.

(Synonymy in No. 17.)

Naga Hills, ? 1.

Very rare. Lhota Nagas hold the animal in horror and believe

that the appearance of one forebodes a drought.

MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 223

(8) RHINOLOPHUS FERRUM-EQUINUM TRAGATUS, Hodgs.

Hodgson’s Horse-shoe Bat.

1835. Rhinolophus tragatus, Hodgson, J.A.S.B., IV, p. 699.

1888. Rhinolophus ferrum-equinum, Blanford, No. 156.

Aichisagami, 2, 91.

Common in places. Aichisagami bungalow swarms with them.

(9) NycraLus LABIATUS, Hodgs.

The Indian Noctule Bat.

(Synonymy in No. 25.)

Mokokchung, 4,500’, ol.

(10) PIPISTRELLUS MImUS, Wrought.

The Southern Dwarf Pipistrel.

(Synonymy in No. 1.)

Mokokchung, 4,500', 33.

(11) TUPAIA BALANGERI ASSAMENSIS, Wrought.

The Assam Tree Shrew

1921. Tupaia belangert assamensis, Wroughton, J.B.N.HLS.

Vol. XXVII, No. 3, p. 599.

Mokokchung, 5,000’, 3g 4, 924.

(12) Parascapror LEUCURUS, Blyth.

The Whate-tailed Mole.

1850. Parascaptor leucura, Blyth. J.A.S.B. xrx., p. 215.

1888. Talpa leucura, Blanford Mammalia No. 113.

Mokokchung, 4,500’, ¢? 1.

Some Nagas believe it to be very unlucky to see, leave alone touch

one. They regard it as the dead man’s deer, which only comes

through to the surface of the earth when hard pressed by hounds

in the underworld.

(13) CHIMMAROGALE HIMALAYIOA, Gray.

The Himalayan Water Shrew.

(Synonymy in No. 23.)

Pangti, 2,000’, 91.

Apparently an albino.

(14) FELIS BENGALENSIS, Kerr.

The Leopard Cat.

(Synonymy in No. 11.)

Mokokchung, 4,500', 1.

Very plentiful and destructive to poultry.

4 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL GIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXTX.

(15) VIVERRA ZIBETHA, L.

The Large Indian Cwet.

(Synonymy in No. 14).

Okotso, 6 2.

(16) VIVERRICULA MALACCENSIS, Gmel.

The Small Indian Covet.

(Synonymy in No. 3.)

Sangrachu, 3,500’, ¢.2.

Pientitul, but exceedingly difficult to trap.

(17) PacumMa Gray, Benn.

The Himalayan Palm Civet.

(Synonymy in No. 15.)

Mokokchung, 4,500’, 31.

(18) ARCTOGALIDIA MILLSI, Wrought. sp. n.

The Naga Palm Cvwet.

1921. Arctogalidia millsi, Wroughton, J.B.N.H.S., Vol. XXVIT

No. 3, p. 600.

Mokokchung, 5,000', ol.

Very rare indeed. This specimen was shot at dusk while climbing

about in a tree in virgin forest. The Nagas had no name for the

animal.

“So far as I have been able to find out, there is no reliable record

of an Arctogalidia nearer than Sylhet, more than 150 miles away, and

this one seems to be very much bigger, if not half as large again, so

that Mr. Mills’ discovery is of great interest.”—R. C. W.

(19) HeRPESTES NEPALENSIS, Gray.

The Small Assam Mongoose.

1837. Herpestes nepalensis, Gray, Ch. Mag. N. H. I, p. 578.

Mokokchung, 4,000’, ol.

Net common.

(20) ARrcTonyx cCoLLaRis, F. Cuv.

The Hog Badger.

(Synonymy in No, 25.)

Longpa, ol.

Very uncommon.

MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 225

(21) AmMBLonyx otneReA, Illing.

The Claw-less Otter.

(Synonymy in No. 11.)

Dikhu River, 31.

Common. Eaten by some Nagas, who believe that by doing so

they will prevent fish bones sticking in their throats.

(22) Ursus ToRQUATUS, Wagn.

The Himalayan Black Bear.

(Synonymy in No. 25.)

Okotso, 3,500’, ¢ 1,91; Are, 3,000’, g¢1, 91. Skulls oniy.

Nagas divide the bears of this region into three distinct species

There isnot yet sufficient material to determine this point definitely.

(23) MustTeLa KaTuHtAH, Hodgs.

The Yellow-bellied Weasel.

(Synonymy in No. 15.)

Sangrachu, 3,500’, ¢ 1.

Apparently not at all common.

(24) CHARRONIA FLAVIGULA, Bodd.

The Northern Indian Marten.

(Synonymy in No. 15.)

Sangrachu, 3,500', ¢1; Mokokchung, 4,500’, ¢1.

Plentiful. Usually found in twos or threes. Is reported to visit

Ao Naga cemeteries and eat the corpses exposed on platforms.

(25) Hxrxictis mruus1, Thos.

The Naga Ferret Badger.

1921. Helictis millsi, O. Thomas, J.B.N.H.S., Vol. XXVIII, No. 2,

p- 432.

Mokokchung, 5,000’, ¢ 3, 2 1.

Mr. Thomas has dealt with this species under “ Results.” All

the specimens obtained were trapped in virgin forest. The Nagas

regard the animal as rare and local.

(26) CUON DUKHUNENSIS, Sykes.

The Indian Wild Dog.

(Synonymy in No. 2.)

Akuk, 3,500', g¢ 1; Mokokchung, 5,000’, ¢ 1.

The Nagas recognise two species of wild dog—the ordinary red

one which hunts in packs, and another longer-legged animal which

is larger, fiercer and runs in pairs or threes at most.

226 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. X XIX.

(27) PETAURISTA YUNNANENSIS, And.

Anderson's Fiying-Squirrel.

1875. Pteromys yunnanensis, Anderson, A.M.N.H. (4), XVI, p. 282

1888, i ,, i Blanford Mamm. No. 230.

Mokokchung, 5,000’, 3g 1, 2 1; Longpa, 9 1.

(28) HYLOPETES ALBONIGER, Hodgs.

The Parti-coloured Flying-Squirrel.

(Synonymy in No. 20.)

Mokokchung, 5,000', og 1, @ 2.

29) RatTurA GIGANTEA, McCl.

The Assam Grant Squirrel.

(Synonymy in No. 14.)

Lakhuti, 1.500', 2 1, Mokokchung, 5,000’, g 2.

Plentiful.

(30) ;CALLOSCIURUS ERYTHREUS NAGARUM, Thos. and Wrought,

The Naga Squirrel.

(Synonymy in No. 20.)

Mokokchung, 5,000’, ¢ 1, @ 1; Cholimsen, 4,000', ¢1, 91.

Sangrachu, 3,000', ¢ 1; Wokha, 5,000’, ¢ 1.

Manipur, Upper Assam, 9? 1.

(31) TomeuteEs Biytut, Tytler.

Blyth’s Squirrel.

854. Scwrus blythu, Tytler. Ann. N.H. XIV, p. 172.

Sangrachu, 3,000’, ¢ 1, 2 1; Mokokchung, 5,000', 2 :

(32) DRreMomys LoKRiAH, Hodgs.

The Orange—bellied Himalayan Squirrel.

(Synonymy in No, 20.)

Wokha, 5,000’, 3 1.

(83) DREMOMYS RUFIGENIS OPIMUS, Thos.

The Northern Red-cheeked Squirrel.

(Synonymy in No. 20.)

Mokokchung, 5,000', g 2, 9? 3.

(34) Dremomys PERNYI, M. Edws.

Perny’s Dremomys.

(Synonymy in No. 25.)

Mokokchung, 5,000', ¢ 1.

MAMMAL SURVEY OF iNDIA., 427

(35) DREMOMYS MACMILLANI, Thos. & Wrought.

The Striped Dremomys.

(Synonymy in No. 20.)

Mokokchung, 5,000’, ¢ 1, @ 2.

(36) TAMIOPS MACLELLANDI MANIPURENSIS, Bonh.

The Manipur Striped Syzwirrel.

(Synonymy in No, 20.)

Mokokchung, 5,000’, 3 2.

(37) LeaaaDa, sp.

Mokokchung, 5,000’, ¢ 1.

(88) RaATTUS RATTUS SIKKIMENSIS, Hint.

The Darjiling Tree Rat.

1918. Rattus ratius sikkimensis, Hinton, J.B.N.H.S., XXVI, p. 61.

Mokokchung, 5,000’, gl, 921.

(39) Rarrus RATTUS TISTAE, Hint.

The Himalayan Tree Rat.

1918. Rattus rattus tiste, Hinton. J. B. N. H. 8., XXIV, p. 61.

Mokokchung, 5,000', ¢ 1.

(40) RATTUS FULVESCENS, Gray.

The Chesnut Rat.

(Synonymy in No. 15.)

Mokokchung, 5,000', ¢ 4. (1 Flat skin).

(41) Ratrus mMEntosus, Thos.

The Chin Rat.

(Synonymy in No. 25.)

Mokokchung, 5,000’, ¢ 2.

(42) Rattus EDwarpsI, Thos.

The Fokien Rat.

1882. Rattus edwardsi, Thomas. P.Z.S., p. 527,

Mokokchung, 5,000’, ¢ 1, 9 2.

(43) Rarrus Bowersr, And.

Anderson's Rat.

(Synonymy in No. 16.)

Mokokchung, 5,000’, ¢ 1, @ 2.

“ The first three of these six forms have their type locality in Nepal

and Sikkim, while the last three, are, or rather hitherto have been

found only much more to the east’”.—R.C.W.

228 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

(44) Ratrus MANIPULUS, Thos.

The Manipur Rat.

(Synonymy in No. 25).

Mokokchung, 5,000’, 3g 1.

(45) ACANTHION BENGALENSIS, Blyth.

The Bengal Porcupine.

1851. Hystrix bengalensis, Blyth. J.A.S.B. XX, p. 170.

Longpa, ¢ 1.

(46) ACANTHION MILLSI, Thos.

Mills’ Porcupine.

1922. Acanthion muillsi, Thomas, J.B.N.H.S., Vol. XXVIII,

No. 2, p. 431.

Mokokchung, a skull only.

The only specimen J have seen is a dead one which I found in an

old game pit in virgin jungle.

(47) Ruizomys prurnosus, Blyth.

The Hoary Bamboo Rat.

1851. Rhizomys pruinosus, Blyth. J.A.S.B. XX., p. 519.

1891. “, si Blanford Mamm No. 313.

Mokokchung, 5,000’, ¢ 1, 2 1.

Between Mongsemdi and Chantongia, 9? 1.

(48) Cannomys Bapbius, Hodgs.

The Bay Bamboo Rat.

(Synonymy in No. 20.)

Mokokchung, 5,000’ g 1, 2 2. (2 juv.)

(49) CAPRICORNIS SUMATRENSIS RUBIDUS, Blyth.

The Aracan Serow.

1863. Capricornis rubida, Blyth. Cat. Mamm. Mus. A.8.B., p 174.

1891. Nemorhedus sumatrensis, Blanford Mamm. No. 353 partim.

Longpa, ¢ 1.

Usually found on suitable ground, 7.¢., jungle-clad clifis. Always

to be found near certain warm mineral springs which it frequents.

Occasionally found as low as 1,000’. Feeds only at night, retiring

for the day to sleeping ledges on cliffs, from which it can see without

bemg seen. An animal will use the same ledge till it thinks it has

been discovered, when it will leave it at once. It always keeps to

the same paths, a habit which makes it easy to trap.

beth

MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA.

LS)

Ne)

(50) MUNTLACUS VAGINALIS, Bodd.

The Bengal Rib-faced Deer.

(For synonymy, see Nos. 2 and 20.)

Mokokchung, 5,000', ¢ 1; Mongsemdi, 9? 1.

Where it is not persecuted it is far commoner near villages than

in more remote jungle. Likes heavy cover and is consequently

rarish in virgin jungle, where the undergrowth is sparse. When

hunted it will run in circles, using the same path time after time.

(51) MANIS PENTADACTYLA , L.

The Eastern Pangolin.

1766, Manis pentadactyla, Linneeus. Syst. Nat., p. 52.

Khensa, 9? 1.

Not very common. Can burrow with amazing speed. Chang

Nagas will only eat one if they can kill it before it has curled. up

sufficiently for its tongue to reach its genital organs. Otherwise the

meat will be ‘ bitter.’

230

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES.

By Lrevt.-Cot. W. H. Evans, D.S.0., R.E., F.Z.S., F.E.S.

(Continued from page 747 of Volume XXVIII, No. 8).

(With nine black and white plates).

A. Papilionide.—The Swallowtails. Genera Key.

la (12a). F v9 present. H with precostal cell.

1b (10a). F v9 from about upper end of cell. F spur near base from mv

towards vl.

Ic (9). Palpi short, pressed against face.

ld (8). F v9 strongly bowed down at origin, not near or parallel to v10.

le (3a). H v8 short, not nearly as long as v1 F. Larva on Aristolochia and

is covered with many large hairy tubercles. Thorax below red.

1 (2). F v1l long, from opposite the origin of v2. Large, heavy body, most-

ly yellow. Head black with narrow red collar. H more or less shining yellow -

@ with anal valves and scent organ H well developed.

Troides, Hub.—The Birdwings. (Plate 1).

2 (1). EF vll from opposite the origin of v3. Head red.

Byasa, M.—The Red-bodied Swallowtails. (Plate 1).

3a (le). Hv8aslongasvl F, Larvaneveron Aristolochia. Except for

A4/4 head and body never red.

3b (5a). F vil free from v12. ¢ no scent organ ; anal valves prominent.

3 (4). Larva with many spiny tubercles; pupa stick like. H v7 either

very near v8 or v6, F v2 bowed. Tailless. Head white spotted ; abdomen

below black and white spotted.

Chilasa M.—The Mimes. (Plates 1 and 2).

4 (3). Larva practically smooth. H v7 about midway between v8 and v6;

dev 7-6 straight or nearly so. F v2 rarely bowed.

Palio, L.—The Black-bodied Swallowtails, (Plates 2-5).

5a (3b). F vll anastomosed to v12. ¢ anal valves prominent and scent

organ usually present. Antennse scaled above. Pupa four-sided ; larva smooth.

Abdomen black striped below.

5b (7). H tailed or produced ; v7 midway between v8 and v6.

5 (6). H tail long, slender, white edged. Above mostly white or pale

greenish, with black stripes F.

Pathysa, M.—The Swordtails. (Plate 5).

6 (5). H tail short, stout and black or absent. Apex F and tornus H much

produced, Mostly black with green bands and spots.

Zetides, M.—The Bluebottles and Jays. (Plate 5).

7 (5b). H. rounded, tailless ; v7 much nearer v8 than v6.

Paranticopsis, DeN.—The Zebras. (Plate 6).

8 (Id). F v9 straight at origin, close to and parallel to v10; vll free. F

highly faleate. Claw of tarsi with a tooth in or behind the middle. With scent

organs and anal valves.

Meandrusa, M.—The Gorgons. (Plate 6).

9 (lc). Palpi long, porrect. F v6 much nearer v7 than v5. No scent organ

or anal valves.

Teinopalpus, Hope-——The Kaiserihind. (Plate 6).

10a (1b). F v9 from well beyond end cell. No anal valves.

10 (11). F v9 out of v8, which meets v7 at end cell. Hcell very small.

Antenne longer than cell. H produced to a long tail. F outer half clearwing.

Leptocircus, Swain.—The Dragontails. (Plate 6).

11 (10). F v9 and v8 out of v7; v6 and v7 approximate.

JOURN. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc. Puate I,

A. Papilionidae. 1. Zvoides: 2. Byasa: 3. Chilasa.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES, 231

A. Papilionidiz.—The Swallowtails. Genera Key—conid.

Armandia, Blanch—The Bhutan Glory.

12 a (la). F v9 absent; no spur from mv. H no precostal cell.

12 (13). H v8 shorter than vl F. F vl0 and 7 from a point.

Antenne club short, abrupt and flattened.

Hypermnestra, Men.—The Desert Apollos. (Plate 6).

13 (12). H v8 longer than v1 F. F v10 and 7 well separated at origin.

Antenne club gradually elongate and rounded. @ with horny pouch,

Parnassius, Lat.—The Snow Apollos. (Plate 6).

Al. Troides.—The Birdwings. (Plate 1).

la (3a). H space 1 black. Ib (5). @ upf no yellow.

1 (2). H cell mostly black.

darsius, Gray. (140-160). The Ceylon Birdwing, Ceylon, C.

3 v. cambyses, Ehr. With discal spots H. R.

2 (1). H cell mostly yellow.

minos, Cr. (140-190). The Malabar Birdwing, South India. NR.

3a (la). H space 1 mostly yellow in §; @ at least a yellow spot in middle;

cell mostly yellow.

3 (4). o all space 7 H yellow; Q base space 1 black.

cwacus, Fd. (150-170). The Golden Birdwing. Garhwal—Burma, NR.

4(3). @ space 7 H black at base ; 9 base space 1 yellow. a. Larger and paler.

helena cerberus, Fd. (140-170). The Common Birdwing. Sikkim—Burma C.

*vy, eumagos, Jord. Upf whiteish vein stripes absent. NR.

sg. Smaller and darker.

helena heliconoides, M. (130-160). The Andaman Birdwing. Andamans, C.

dv. aphnea, Jord. Upf with whiteish vein stripes. R.

5 (1b). @ upf prominent yellow (Q white) area about end cell.

amphrysus ruficollis, But. (130-160). The Malay Birdwing. Mergui. VR.

A2, Byasa.—The Red-bodied Swallowtails. (Plate 1).

la (5a). Tailless. @ anal valves and scent organ prominent. No red

markings. Abdomen below red, black banded (except No. 4).

1b (3a). Uph no pale area.

1 (2). uph dorsal fold rounded and lower half scent area white. Upf pale

streaks visible in cell. Q above brown. Abdomen broad white stripe at side

and head pinkish white.

aidoneus, Db. (100-120). The Lesser Batwing. Garhwal—Shan States. R.

2 (1). @ uph dorsal fold square and scent area only with a small white

patch. 9Q shining black. Abdomen red stripe at side and head red.

a. g unf no white stripes before margin. @ pale area near tornus upf and

stripes dusted over and suffused.

varuna astorion, Wd .(90-130). The Common Batwing. Kumaon—Tavoy NR.

8. & unf white stripes before margin. Q upf pale tornai area pure white

and sharp defined.

varuna varuna, White. Mergui—S. Burma. R.

3a (1b). Uph outwardly with a pale area.

3 (4). Uph ¢ submarginal white patches space 2-4; 2 large white diseal

area from dorsum to space 5.

*zaleucus,; Hew. (80-110). The Burmese Batwing. Shan States—S. Burma-NR

dv. punctata, Evans. White area black spotted. R.

4 (3). Uph outer half blue grey with black spots. Body yellow, black spot-

ed. Head white. @ dorsal fold uph white, with red margin.

232 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX

A2. Byasa.—The Red-bodied Swallowtails. (Plate 1)—contd.

sycorax, Gr. S. (110-130) The Whitehead Batwing. Mergui. VR.

5a (la). Tailed.

5b (8a). Tail long, spatulate, with very narrow neck. Gd anal valves pro-

minent, open above; scent organ ill developed.

5e (7). Tail black.

5 (6). Uphno white spots; arather pale red discal area from space 1-4,

Head black ; outer half abdomen all yellow.

neptunus, Guer. (100-120). The Yellow-bodied Clubtail. Tavoy—S. Burma,

VR.

6 (5). Uph with white spots. Abdomen red and black; head red. F long

and narrow. H outer half of cell white.

a. Uph white spots beyond cell extensive and complete.

coon cacharensis, But. (100-120). The Common Clubtail. Assam. NR.

g. Uph white spots more restricted.

*coon doubledayi, Wall. Burma. C.

y. Uph red spots near margin in space 3 united.

coon sambilanga, Doh. Nicobars. R.

7 (5c). Tail red. Uph no discal spots in 3, 4 or 7.

rhodifer, But. (120-140). Andamans. The Andaman Clubtail, NR.

8a (5b). Tail gradual, neck not narrow. Head and abdomen below mostly red.

8b (lla). @ no anal valves and scent organ ill developed. Unh complete

row 7 red_ spots.

8 (9a). Uph outer half at least of cell white and complete row of large discal

spots beyond.

a. Upf outer white area prominent; no black stripes in 2 and 3; pale

stripes do not enter cell.

jophon jophon, Gray. (110-130). The Ceylon Rose. Ceylon. R.

g. Upf all black stripes complete and pale stripes enter cell.

jophon pandiyana, M. (100-130). The Malabar Rose. S. India. R.

9a (8). Uph at most a small white spot end cell.

9 (10). Uphdiscal and submarg row red spots. Upf prominent white

central and apical band.

hector, ZL. (90-110). The Crimson Rose. Ceylon—Bengal. C.

10 (9) Uph white discal spots in 2-5, some of which may be absent.

a. Uph usually white spot end cell ; discal spots prominent and pressed up

against cell. Unh discal spot in 1 white.

aristolochic ceylonicus, M, (80-110.) The Common Rose. Ceylon, VC.

8. Uphrarely spot in cell; unh spotin one mostly red. Typical form

with spots remote from cell and incomplete.

aristolochic aristolochic, F. India. VC.

v. diphilus, Hsp. discal spots complete and against cell.

y. Discalspots often red edged. Unhdiscal spot in 1 oftenred. Only

diphilus form seems to occur.

aristolochiae goniopeltis, Roth. Burma. VC.

5. Typical form with the discal spots reduced to 2 obscure ones in 1 and 2,

diphilus form also occurs.

aristolochie camorta, M. Nicobars. VC.

lla (8b). ¢@ with anal valves and scent organ well developed. Uph no

white in cell.

1lb (17a). Uph with discal white spot or spots.

llc (14a). Uph white discal spots 2-4 or 5 and submarginal spots 2-5.

11 (12a). Tail black. Uph submarginal spots in 4 and 5 white and that in

5 often joined to discal spot. Unh submarginal spot in 6.

adamsoni, Gr. S. (90-110). Adamson’s rose. Shan States—Dawnas. R. |

12a (11). Tail red tipped.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 233

A2. Byasa.—The Red-bodied Swallowtails. (Plate 1)—contd. ‘

12 (13). H cilia black from tornus to v3.

a. Q@ uphnodiscalspotin5. <4 spot in 5 small, only half way to v6.

latreiller latreillei, Don. (110-130). The Rose Windmill. Garhwal—Sikkim.R

Uph white spot in 5 reaches v6, but does not fill base of space 5.

*latreilleli kabrua, Tyt. Assam—N. Burma. R.

13 (12). Heilia red from tornus—v3, Uph discal white spot in 5 large and

fills base of space 5.

polla, DeN. (110-130). DeNiceville’s Windmill. Assam—N. Burma. VR.

14a (llc). Uph very large discal but no submarginal spot in 5; those in 2,

3 and 4 prominent.

14 (15a). H tail black. Uph large white spot in 6 and small one in 7.

nevilli, Wm. (100-120). Nevill’s Windmill. Assam. VR.

15a (14). H tail red tipped.

15 (16). Uph submarginal spot in 4 red; no spot in 6. Unh small discal

white spot in 4, often visible above.

a. Below body blacker.

*philoxenus philoxenus, Gray. (110-130). The Common Windmill. Kashmir—

Nepal. NR.

6. Below body almost entirely red. Larger.

philoxenus polyeuctes, Db. (120-140). Sikkim—Burma. C.

16 (15). Uph submarginal spot in 4 mostly red.

Uph nearly always white spot in 6. @Q@ uph discal white spot in 1-%

above brown ; outer half H black.

dasarada ravana, M, (100-130). The Great Windmill. Kashmir—Kumaon.

NR.

B. Uph very rarely discal white spot in 6. @ uph no discal white spot in

1-2; above entirely black, but females of the ravana type occur as rare

varieties. ‘

dasarada dasarada, M. (120-140). Sikkim—Assam. NR.

y. Wings narrower. Unh paler from cell to costa and spot in 6 absent.

dasarada barata, Roth. (120-140). Burma. R.

17a (11b). Uphno white discal spots. :

17 (18). Above unmarked. Unh tail red tipped ; red discal spots from 1-2

and submarginal spots to 5, which may show very obscurely above.

crassipes,Ob. (110-120). The Black Windmill. Manipur—Shan States. VR.

18 (17). Tail black. Unh submarginal red spots to 6.

a. Uph complete row nearly white submarginal spots 2-6.

alcinous pembertoni, M. (100-120). Pemberton’s Chinese Windmill. Sikkim—

Bhutan. VR.

. Uph prominent black submarginal spots and small red submarginal spot

in2. Q _ pale brown, obscure traces of submarginal red spots 3-6,

alcinous tytleri, Evans. Tytler’s Chinese Windmill. Manipur. R.

A3. Chilasa.—The Mimes. (Plates I-2).

la (4a). H v7 twice as far from v8 as from v6. End cell very rounded.

Ib (8). Above pale blueish or grey with black veins.

1 (2). Upf black bar across cell in continuation of v5. Uph markings.

between margin and cell incomplete.

a. Small. Uph margin dark chestnut, discal and postdiscal spots complete.

pacer govindra, M. (80-100). The Tawny Mime. Kashmir—Kumaon ;

B. Large. Uph margin bright chestnut, postdiscal spots incomplete. Paler

and bluer above.

234 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

A3. Chilasa.—The Mimes (Plates 1-2)—contd.

* agestor agestor, Gray, (100-120). Sikkim—N. Burma. NR.

2 (1). Upfno black bar across cell. Uph prominent yellow tornal spot.

Unh costal margin dark up to scv as termen.

epycides epycides, Hew. (70-90). The Lesser Mime. Sikkim—N. Burma. R.

B. Unh costal margin pale, terminal dark area ends at apex.

_ * epycides hypochra, Jord. Shan States—Karen Hills. R.

_ 3 (1b). Upf dark brown, blue spot end cell and blue discal stripes: Uph

brown, prominent tornal spot.

a. Upf discal blue stripes nearly to termen. Uph and unh usually no sub-

marginal white markings.

* slateri slaterit, Hew. (80-100). The Blue striped Mime. Sikkim—N.

Burma. R.

Upf stripes narrower and shorter. H usually with submarginal white

markings.

slatert marginata, Ob. Shan States—Karen Hills. R.

+. Upf blue stripes only half way to termen. H always with submarginal

white spots.

slateri tavoyana, But. S. Burma. R.

4a (la). H. v7 very much nearer 8 than 6 ; dev 7-6 bowed.

4 (5). Unh no row yellow terminal spots. Upf submarginal whiteish spots

in aregular row. Dark brown; upf blue shot. Typical form with blueish spots

upf and white submarginal spots uph. Dimorphic form with upf end cell white

and white discal spots ; uph basal half white, black veined.

paradoxa telearchus, Hew. (120-150). The Great Blue Mime. Assam-Burma.

* y, danisepa, But. VR.

5 (4). Unh prominent row yellow marginal spots. Upf submarginal white

spots irregular, spot in 4 shifted in. Typical form dark-brown with white spots ;

dimorphic form with pale stripes.

a. Typical form rather pale with very small postdiscal spots. Dimorphic

form yellowish brown, markings wide.

clytia lankeswara, M. (90-120). The Common Mime. Ceylon. NR.

v. dissimila, Evans. NR.

8: Typical form dark brown with prominent postdiscal spots of which the

apical one may be prolonged inwards and there may be traces of a discal series.

The dimorphic form has broad cream white markings typically, but in N.-E.

India there is much black dusting causing the pale markings to be restricted.

There is a third intermediate form with the forewing as in the first form and

the hindwing with pale stripes nearly as extensive as in the second form.

* clytia clytia, L. India. NR.

* », dissimilis, L.«S. India—N. W. Himalayas. Pale form. NR.

v. dissimillima, Evans. N. E. India—Burma. Dark form. NR.

vy. commiatus, Roth. N. E. India. VR.

y. First form normally with the apical spots upf enlarged into long white

streaks. There are two well marked varieties—first var upf white spots absent

or replaced by black spots, which may be white centred, and uph with pale

streaks sometimes as extensive as in commixtus. Second var above dark indigo

blue with obscure dusky postdiscal spots upf and uph pale streaks prominent.

Dimorph dissimillima. |

clytia onpape, M. Burma. NR.

v. janus, Fruh, R.

v. papone,Wd. R.

6. Second form only. Larger ; upf postdiscal spots much enlarged and uph

prominent yellow marginal spots.

clytia flavolimbatus, Ob. (120-130). Andamans. NR.

Journ. Bompay Nat. Hist. Soc. PuaTE II,

A. Papilionidae. 3. Chilasa: 4. Papilio.

7 7 -

> ° ee Tr

iad -

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THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 235

A4. Papilio.—The Black-bodied Swallowtails (Plates 2-5).

la (6-a). Below prominent red basal markings. Unh cell never sprinkled

pale scales.

lb (4a). H width greater than half length.

1 (2.3). @ 9 upf pale blue submarginal band ; uph cuter 2 blue with two

rows black spots. Tailless.

& upf blue band short, not above v4. @Q blue areas strongly tinged

yellow.

polymnestor parinda, M. (120-150). The Blae Mormon. Ceylon. NR.

B. & upf blue band to v5 and to v7in @.

* polymnestor polymnestor, Cr. S. India. NR.

2 (1.3). @ above blue scaled on a black ground on either side of each vein

beyond cell ; unh usually red lunules at tornus, which may be replaced by grey

or may be extended to costa; tailless. Q in 3 forms. Ist (typical) tailless ;

uph a large white discal area. 2nd tailles, more or less as @ above ; unh a white

streak along dorsum. 3rd tailed, body yellow ; uph usually a white spot end

cell and a more or less complete row of discal white spots.

* menon agenor, L. (120-150). The great Mormon. Sikkim—Burma,

Nicobars. C.

Q v. butlerianus Roth. NR.

* Ov. alcanor, Cr. NR.

3(1.2). @ tailless; black, uph a broad discal blue band. 9 tailed, rather

as alcanor, but tail red and white tipped.

mayo, Atk. (120-150). Tbe Andaman Mormon. Andamans. NR.

4a (1b). H long and narrow, width not more than half length.

4 (5). @@ alike; tail pink or white tipped. Uph elongated discal white

~ spots in 3-4 or 2-5 and more or less complete row red lunules. Upf covered

small whiteish scales. Head above and abdomen below red.

a. Uph tail red tipped. Unh red tornal area in 1 continued to base.

bootes janaka, M. (110-120). The Tailed Redbreast. Garhwal—Abor. R.

g. Uph tail white tipped and usually only 2 discal spots. Unh red tornal

area not continued to base.

* Bootes bootes, Wd. Assam. R.

vy. As last but uph 4 discal white spots.

bootes mixta, Tyt. Manipur and Nagas. R.

5 (4). o tailless; black; uph blue scaled and tornal ocellus white edged.

2 with very broad tail; upfred streak base cell; upha large discal white

‘patch and a prominent series double red submarginal lunules, extending to tail.

* rhetenor, Wd. (110-130). The Redbreast. Kumaon—Burma, NR.

dv. leococelis, Jord. Upf white tornal patch. NR.

6a (la). Below no basal red markings.

6b (8a. 27a), Unh cell all black, not sprinkled yellow or white scales. Sexes

alike. Uph blue scaled ; tornal red ocellus. Tailless.

6 (7). Unh red submarginal lunules only at apex and tornus, with some

discal blue scaling between. Upf no blue scaling ; streaks of white scaling on

either side of veins. ¢ uph prominent white streak from base under v8.

a. o uph blue scalingin 6and 7. Unfdarker. @ browner.

protenor protenor, Cr. (100-130). The Spangle. Kashmir—Kumaon. C.

8. <3 uph blue scaling 2-7.

* protenor euprotenor, Fruh. (110-140). Sikkim

The DSF is considerably smaller than the WSF.

7 (6). Unh red submarginal lunules complete. Upf blue scaling. upf

with woolly stripes on vsl, 2 and 3.

a. Head yellow and body buff at the sides. Uph no red lunules in 2 and 3.

elephenor elephenor, Db. (110-130). The Yellow-crested Spangle. Assam VR.

8. Head and body black.

N. Burma. C.

236 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX,

A4. Papilio.—The Black-bodied Swallowtails (Plates 2-5)—contd.

elephenor schanus, Jord. The Black-crested Spangle. S. Shan States. VR.

8a (6b. 27a). Unh basal area including cell sprinkled white or yellow scales.

8b (16a). Above prominent green or blue bands or patches and sprinkled

green scales on the black areas. Tailed.

8c (13a). Above no broad green band ; may have a narrow pale or green

band upf and a broad green subapical patch uph.

8 (9a). Uph green patch not prominent. Above green scaling dense. Uph

submarginal green lunules. ¢ upf woolly streaks on vs 1. 2 and 3. Unf pale

discal streaks short.

bianor gladiator, Fruh. (110-130). The Chinese Peacock. Burma. VR.

9a (8). Uph green or blue patch prominent.

9b (lla). Uph green patch of equal width in 5 and 6.

9 (10). Uph inner edge of green patch more or less straight, but ragged

and rather diffused, ¢ upf woolly streaks as in last. DSF much smaller

than WSF.

a. Upf green band prominent to apex. Unf pale discal streaks obscure

and do not enter cell. es Re

polyctor polyctor, Bdv. (90-120). The Common Peacock. Chitral-Kumaon.

6. Upf green band present or absent, but rarely to apex. Unf pale streaks

long, enter cell and reach termen.

polyctor ganesa, M. (120-130). Sikkim—N. Burma. C.

y. Upf small white spot at tornus.

ployctor significans, Fruh. S. Burma. NR.

10 (9). Upf inner edge green patch curved and sharp defined. Unf pale,

discal streaks prominent, but never reach end cell. no woolly streaks,

a. Unfdiscal pale streaksnot to termen. Large; uph green patch large,

from v3-8 and enters cell.

paris tamilana, M. (120-140). The Tamil Peacock. South India. NR.

B. Unf pale streaks to termen.

paris paris, L. (90-120). The Paris Peacock. Kumaon—Burma. C.

lla (9b). Uph blue patch much longer in 6 than in 5; red submarginal

lunules prominent. d no woolly streaks.

11 (12). Upf green postdiscal band. Uph blue patch enters cel! and

reaches termen in 6.

a. Unf pale discal streaks do not enter cell.

arcturus arius, Roth. (110-120). The Blue Peacock. Kashmir—Kumaon.

NR.

6B. Unf pale streaks enter cell. Uph blue patch in 6 broken.

* arcturus arcturus, Wd. (120-130). Nepal—Burma. NR.

12 (11). Upf narrow pale yellow discal band.

krishna, M. (120-30). The Krishna Peacock. Sikkim—Burma. NR.

13a (8c). Upf and uph broad green discal band.

13 (14a). Upf green band does not enter cell. Tail green tipped.

¢ with woolly streaks along vs 1, 2 and 3.

* crino, F. (80-100). The Common Banded Peacock. Ceylon. 8S. India—

Bengal, NR.

Av. montanus, Fd. 3 without the woolly streaks. R.

14a (13). Upf green band enters cell. Uph yellow spot at apex. Tail

black. no woolly stripes.

14 (15). Upf green band broad and broadly enters cell. Uph green discal

area large, circular, enters cell.

buddha, Wd. (90-100). The Malabar Banded Peacock. 8. India. R.

15 (14). Upf green band narrow, just enters end cell. Uph no green in

2 apical spots and tornal ocellus prominent.

Journ. Bompay Nat. Hist. Soc. Puate III.

A. Papilionidae. 4. Papzili.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 237

A4. Papilio—The Black-bodied Swallowtails (Plates 2-5)—contd.

palinurus, F. (90-100). The Burmese Banded Peacock. S. Burma. R.

16a (8b). Above no green or blue bands, patches or scales.

16b (19a). Tailless. Unf and often upf a prominent white spot end cell.

Above black, covered yellow scales.

16 (17a). @@ upft complete series equal sized submarginal white spots in

aregular row. Uph postdiscal white spots short and submarginal series promin-

ent.

dravidarum, Wm. (80-100). The Malabar Raven. S. India. R.

17a (16). @ upf no white submarginal spots.

17 (18). o uph complete series equal sized submarginal white spots 1-6,

spot in 7 smaller ; submarginal row prominent. @ upf row of very small sub-

marginal spots, decreasing to specks in 5-7, 8 larger ; uph as 2, spots dusky and

decreasing to apex.

* mahadeva, M. (80-120). The Burmese Raven. Shan States—Karens. R.

18 (17). 3 uph large discal white spots 4, 5, 6 to end cell and spot in 7 half

length of spot in 6. d upf with submarginal spots.

a. o uph and unh discal spots only 4-7, 4 small, no submarginal spots.

and outer half cell dusky grey up to the dark submarginal band, bearing white

crescents.

* castor polias, Jord. (100-130). The Common Raven. Sikkim. NR.

g. od same; unh often discal spot in 3 and may be a complete row; uph

traces of submarginal spots at apex. @ discal grey streaks absent ; uph streaks

white.

castor castor, Wd. Assam—N. Burma. NR.

y. Q@uph submarginal spots complete and sometimes the discal ones also.

discal series dusky grey spots as in No. 17.

castor mehala, Gr. S.S. Burma. R.

19a (16b). Tailed.

19b (26). Upf no prominent pale discal band from dorsum to apex.

19¢ (24a). Uph large white subapical patch.

19d (22a). Unh pale scales in cell arranged in 3 prominent streaks.

19e (21). Unh submarginal lunules red. @ upf outer half covered dense

hairs, concealing yellow scaling.

19 (20). Uph white area 5-7. Unh complete row submarginal red lunules,

a. Unh blue lunules beyond the white discal spots, often continued to dor.

sum.

helenus mooreanus, Roth. (115-130). The Red Helen. Ceylon. NR.

B. Unhno blue lunules. Unf pale discal streaks short, do not reach termen

or enter cell.

helenus daksha, M. S. India. NR.

y. Smaller. Unf pale streaks reach termen and enter cell.

helenus helenus, L. (110-120). Mussoorie—Burma. C.

20 (19). Uph discal white area 4-7. Unh only submarginal red lunules in

1 and 2 ; discal blue lunules 2-4. Unf pale streaks short.

iswara, White. (130-150). The Great Helen. Mergui VR.

21 (19e). Unh submarginal lunules yellow, complete ; no blue lunules ; small

discal yellow spots 1-3. Uph white area 4-7 and often spot base 3. Unf white

spot in 1.

* chaon chaon, Wd. (115-130). The Yellow Helen. Nepal—N. Burma, C,

B. @ uph white area larger, fourth patch produced into a long point, pro-

jecting beyond the third patch.

chaon ducenarius, Fruh. S. Burma. NR.

22a (19d). Unh pale scales in cell uniformly spread.

238 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

A4. Papilio.—The Black-bodied Swallowtails (Plates 2-5)—conid.

22 (23). Uph discal white area 5-7, sometimes extending unf to la and 1.

Unh complete row red lunules ; white patch has inner edge quite straight and

enters cell. Unf pale streaks short.

noblet, DeN. (110). Noble’s Helen. Burma. VR.

23 (22). Uph discal white patch 4-7. Unh complete series blue lunules

beyond the white patch.

fuscus andamanicus, Roth. (105-115). The Andaman Helen. Andamans.

24a (19c). Uph either a discal white band across the wing or a central row

of white or red spots.

24 (25). @@ alike with a discal white band uph, which is conspicuously

wider in the middle. Upf no white submarginal spots. Unh submarginal

lunules yellow.

hipponous pitmani, El. (90-100). Pitman’s Helen. S. Burma. R.

25 (24). o uph discal white band of even width ; uph and unh submarginal

lunules red ; upf prominent marginal white spots. @Q in3forms. Typical form,

uph red discal spots; upf white central and apical band; resembles hector.

2nd form as @. 3rd form uph white discal spots 2-5, which may enter cell ;

upf pale brown outwardly with prominent black streaks between veins and no

white marginal spots ; resembles aristolochie. Very subject to aberrations.

* polytes romulus, Cr. (90-106). The Common Mormon. Ceylon, India.

Burma. VC.

Ov... Cyrus, FJ.

* Ov. stichius, Hub. VC.

B. Larger. Uph 3 marginal red lunules absent. @Q typical form as dg.

2nd form as stichius, but larger.

polytes nikobarus, Fd. (100-115). Andamans and Nicobars. C.

Qv. stichioides, Evans. C.

26 (19b). Above black with a pale band across both wings; uph submar-

ginal crescents. Unh evenly powdered white scales. @ upf outer half densely

hairy.

a. Upf postdiscal band yellowish, macular throughout. Uph end cell on

centre of the discal band.

demolion liomedon, M. (90-100). The Malabar Banded Swallowtail. S.

India. R.

8. Upf pale band greenish, lower 4 spots conjoined. Uph end cell beyond

the discal band.

* demolion demolion, Cr. The Burmese Banded Swallowtail. S. Burma.

NR.

27a (6b. 8a). Unh basal area entirely yellow.

27 (28a). Tailless. Upf postdiscal yellow spots irregular. Uph base dark

brown, prominent large black ringed blue spot below costa.

a. Upf discal spot la no larger than spot in 3. Unh black area end cell not

half way to origin v7.

* demoleus demoleus, L. (80-100). The Lime Butterfly. Ceylon, India,

N. Burma. VC.

8. Upf spot in la much wider than spot in 3. Unh black area end cell not

half way to origin of v7.

demoleus malayanus, Wall. S. Burma. C.

28a (27). Tailed.

28 (29a). Above veins not black ; entirely yellow with narrow black bands,

the discal band being blue centred.

alexanor, Esp. (75-90). The Baluchi Yellow Swallowtail. Baluchistan. VR.

29a (28). Above veins black. Upf regular row submarginal spots.

29 (30). Upf basal + black, sprinkled yellow scales.

JourRN. BomBAy Nat. Hist. Soc. Prater IV.

A. Papilionidae. 4. Papilio.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 239

A4, Papilio—The Black-bodied Swallowtails (Plates 2-5)—contd.

a. Uph blue lunule above tornal red spot conjoined to it ; dark discal band

very near end cell.

machaon asiatica, Men. (75-90). The Common Yellow Swallowtail. Balu-

chistan. Chitral—Nepal. C.

v. ladakensis, M. Tail very short. High elevations only. R.

8. Uph blue lunule separated from tornal red spot by a. black line ; discal

band broader and further from cell.

machaon sikkimensis, M. Sikkim—Bhutan. NR.

y. Uph tornal red spot very large and not black edged below ; discal band

still further from end cell ; dev 6-7 broad black as well as 5-6. Above darker

yellow.

*machaon verityi, Fruh. Assam—N. Burma. R.

30 (29). Upf yellow streak from base along lower edge cell and basal + cell

yellow streaked, not sprinkled yellow scales. Uph yellow streak in 1 to base.

cuthus, L. (75-90). The Chinese Yellow Swallowtail. N. Burma. VR.

A5. Pathysa.—The Swordtails. (Plate 5).

la (3a). Upf dark bar end cell double, enclosing 2 pale spots ; 4 dark bars in

cell.

1(2). Unh central row of pale spots complete.

a. Upf 4th bar in cell from base not below mv and post discal line not to vl.

eurous cashmirensis, Roth. (60-70). The Sixbar Swordtail. Kashmir—

Kumaon. NR.

Bg. Upf4th bar extends along v3 and postdiscal line to vl.

eurous sikkimica, Heron. Sikkim—Assam.

2(1). Unhcentral row spots consist of only a spot mid 7, end cell and in 2.

*glycerion, Gray. (65-75). The Spectacle Swordtail. Sikkim—N. Burma.

3a (la). Upf dark bar end cell single.

3 (4a). Upf only 3 dark bars in cell ; beyond a narrow dark discal and sub-

marginal line, the area between being triangular,

a. Upf. 2nd bar from base to vl or beyond ; discal bar to v3.

agetes agetes, Wd. (75-90). The Fourbar Swordtail. Sikkim—N. Burma.

B. Upft 2nd bar from base not to vl ; discal line meets marginal line between

v2 and 3. Uph no white submarginal line in 5 and 6.

*agetes iponus, Fruh. Tavoy—S. Burma. NR.

4a (3). Upf 4 broad dark bars in cell.

4b (6). Unh central row red spots.

4 (5). .Upfrow pale rounded spots on the broad dark margin, of which the

second from the apex is out of line.

a. Uph dark margin does not enclose pale spot in 3; unb precostal spur

not defined black.

*nomius nomius, Hsp. (75-90). The Spot Swordtail. Ceylon, 8S. India—

Sikkim. NR.

8. Uph dark margin encloses pale spot in 3; unh precostal spur defined black.

All dark markings broader.

nomius swinhoei, M. Assam—Karens. NR.

5 (4). Upfa pale green regular chain line, not spots, on the dark margin.

a. Upbno continuous central dark band.

anticrates anticrates, Db. (70-80). The Chain Swordtail. Sikkim—-Assam. R.

8. Uph continuous central dark band. Markings broader.

anticrates hermocrates, Fd. Burma. R.

6 (4b). Unh no central row red spots.

240 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

A}5. Pathysa.—The Swordtails. (Plate 5)—contd.

a. Upfmarginal band to v1 and submarginal to v2, but do not unite ; subbasal

band to dorsum and 2nd from base to vl. Uphno tornal grey area.

antiphates ceylonicus, Him. (80-95). The Fivebar Swordtail. Ceylon. VR.

g. Upf submarginal and marginal band unite at. v3 and reach dorsum.

Upf grey tornal area extending as a broad band to the costa.

antiphates naira, M. S.India. VR.

+. Very variable. Upf 2nd bar from base to v1 ; postdiscal band, if extended

below v2 unites with the marginal band. Uph grey tornal area prominent

but confined to tornus.

* antiphates pompilius, F.. Sikkim—Burma. C.

5. All markings much broader. Upf 2nd bar from base to dorsum ; discal

bar curved under bar end cell as in 8. Uph grey tornal area extended to eosta

as a broad band, but is black at apex.

antiphates epaminondas, Ob. Andamans. NR.

A6. Zetides.—The Bluebottles and Jays. (Plate 5).

la (3a). Uph no submarginal row green spots.

1 (2). H long tail. Upf transparent green ; black margin along costa and

termen united by 4 black lines towards apex.

*cloanthus, Wd. (85-95). The Glassy Bluebottle. Kashmir—Burma. NR.

2 (1). Htail very short. Black with green band across wings, which becomes

macular towards the apex F.

a. Upf apical part of discal band yellowish green. Uph mv black on the

discal band.

sarpedon teredon, Fd. (80-90). The Common Bluebottle. Ceylon, 8. India

Bg. Above band broader and nearly uniformly coloured. Uph mv mostly

white on the discal band. H tail shorter.

*sarpedon sarpedon, L. Kashmir—Burma. C.

3a (la). Upf row green submarginal spots.

3b (8). Upf cell spots single. Tailless.

3c (6a). Unh costal dark bar towards base not continued to origin v7 and

veins on disc not black. Above markings pale bluish green.

3 (4a). Unh costal bar separated from basal dark band, bar red centred.

Unh extreme end cell brown.

a. Uph costal bar coalesced to basal dark band ; upf lower of 2 submarginal

spots in l rarely present. H tooth at v4 prominent. Upf subbasal green line

often absent. Uph mv thick black on the discal band.

doson doson, Fd. (70-80). The Common Jay. Ceylon. C.

8. Uph mv less black on inner part of discal band. H tooth v4 not pro-

minent. Upfsubbasal green line prominent.

doson eleius, Fr. S. India—Bengal. C.

Uph costal bar separate from basal dark band. Above diseal band

wider. Upf2nd submarginal spot in 1 nearly always present.

*doson axion, Fd. Kumaon—Burma. C.

4a (3). Unh costal bar united to basal band ; extreme end cell red.

4 (5). Upf only one submarginal spotin 1. scent wool forms a narrow

stripe. Abdomen above black.

Unh costal bar red centred. Upf spot near base 5.

evemon albociliatis, Fruh. The Lesser Jay. Assam—Tavoy. R.

8 Unh costal dark bar all black. Upfno spot near base 5.

evemon orthia, Jord. Mergui—S. Burma. R.

5 (4). Upf always 2 submarginal spots in 1. Unh costal bar red centred:

Abdomen above whitish. Very rarely the costal bar unh is not joined to the

Puate VY,

Bompay Nat. Hist. Soc.

JOURN.

4, Papilio: 5. Pathysa: 6. Zetides.

A. Papilionidae.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 247

AS. Zetides.—The Bluebottles and Jays. (Plate 5)—contd.

basal bar and then the basal margin of the silver band between is notched at

SCV.

a. Uphends some veins black on the green band. Unh no pale spot base 3.

Unf 2 submarginal spots in 7 conjoined.

eurypylus cheronus, Fruh. (75-90). The Great Jay. Sikkim—Burma. NR.

g. Bands above very broad and no dark veins on the band uph. Unh pale

spot base 3. Unf 2 submarginal spots in 7 separate.

eurypylus macronius, Jord. Andamans. NR.

6a (3c). Unh costal dark bar continued to origin v7 and all veins on disc

black.

6 (7). Uph cell all pale. Above pale green with broad markings. Unh

costal bar all black, but spot internal to it pale yellow ; discal spots

orange, not red.

bathycles chiron, Wall. (75-100). The Veined Jay. Sikkim—Burma. NR.

7 (6). Uph cell dark with 2 green spots. Above spotted as No. 8, but

smaller, markings bright green. Unh costal bar red centred and discal spots

red.

arycles, Bdv. (70-80). The Spotted Jay. Shan States—S. Burma. R.

8 (3b). Upfcell spots double. Above black, markings small and_ bright

green. H short tail.

a. Tail always longer. |

agammemnon menides, Fruh. (85-100). The Tailed Jay. Ceylon, 8. India. C.

8. Tail always shorter.

*agammemnon agammemnon, L. Kumaon—Burma. C.,

y. Above markings much greyer green.

agammemnon andamana, Lathy. Andamans. C.

5 Unh 5 to 7 light red spots.

agammemnon decoratus, Roth. Nicobars. C.

Av. Paranticopsis.—The Zebras. (Plate 6).

la (3). Uph discal streaks in 3,4 and 5 entire.

1 (2). Unh tornal yellow spot very small ; usually dark bar in cell formed by

continuation of v4. Unf discal spot just below v8 rarely present as a dot.

a. & broad white stripes. 2 as 4, white stripes broader than the black ones.

macareus indicus, Roth. (80-100). The Lesser Zebra... Sikkim. NR.

g. @ very dark, white stripes much narrower than the dark ones.

mecareus lioneli, Fruh. Assam. NR.

y. & white stripes narrower. @ as ¢ but white spots on apical half F and

outer half H narrower.

macareus gyndes, Jord. N. Burma—Tavoy. R.

6. o white markings very broad, upper discal streak conjoined to spots

beyond cell ; upf cell bars broad and complete, but unf each broken into 3 spots.

2 as 8 but apex F much darker and spots thereon quite white, while rest are

sullied ; upf discal streaks in 2 and 3 short, do not nearly reach base ; cell bars

much reduced.

macareus perakensis, Fruh. Mergui—S. Burma. R.

2 (1). Unh tornal yellow spot very large ; very rarely dark bar in cell formed

by continuation of v4. Upf discal spot below v8 always prominent.

aa. as 4.

xenocles phrontis, DeN. (85-120). The Great Zebra. Sikkim. NR.

8. © much darker and pale stripes much narrower.

*renocles xenocles, Db. Assam. NR.

yy Asa but pale stripes narrower,

Xenocles kephisos, Fruh. Burma. R.

242 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATULAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

A7. Paranticopsis.—The Zebras. (Plate 6)—contd.

3 (la). Uph discal streaks in 3, 4 and 5 divided into small spots. All pale

markings very small.

a. Upf cell spots very small and unf nearly absent.

*megarus megarus, Wd. (65-90). The Spotted Zebra. Assam—N,. Burma.

8B. Upfand unf cell spots well developed.

megarus similis, Lathy. Shan States—S. Burma. R.

A8. Meandrusa.—The Hooked Swallowtails. (Plate §).

1 (2). Below basal 4 dark chocolate brown. ¢ above dark brown with

yellow submarginal spots. Q broad discal white band, interrupted beyond end

cell F. Apex F produced.

*gyas gyas, Wd. (105-115). The Brown Gorgon. Sikkim—Assam. R.

B. below central area lighter. Upf spots smaller,

gyas aribbas, Fruh. Upper Burma. VR.

2 (1). Below basal area orange yellow, brown spotted. Above orange yellow |

yellow spotted dark brown margins upf and discal band uph. Apex F falcate.

a. Uph no discal yellow spot in 5.

*nayani evan, Db. (110-130). The Yellow Gorgon. Sikkim—Assam. NR.

8. Uph discal yellow spot in 5 and upf well defined dark brown line v3-v7

along inner edge of dark marginal area, separating off small yellow spots.

payent amphis, Jord. N. Burma—Karens. R.

A9. Teinopalpus.—The Kaiserihind. (Plate 6).

Above green, & with prominent yellow upper discal area uph; @ with this

area grey and 2 grey bands upf. Below ¢ basal half green, outer half yellow

brown; 2 mostly grey.

ae uph yellow discal area enters end cell and ends just before v3. Smaller.

*imperialis tmperialis, Hope. (90-120). The Kaiserihind. Sikkim—Assam.

8. @& uph yellow discal area scarcely enters end cell and ends on v2. 2 uph

darker, yellow dorsal area to v3.

imperialis imperatrix, DeN. N. Burma—Karens. R.

Al0. Leptocircus.—The Dragontails. (Plate 6).

1 (2). Above band white, constricted on upf towards centre. Tarsal claw

with atooth. @ with scent organ.

curius, F. (40-50). The White Dragontail. Assam—Burma. NR.

2 (1). Above band green and black band beyond of nearly even width

throughout. Tarsalclawsimple. 4 no scent organ.

a. Unh white band along dorsum towards tornus ill defined and widely

separated from latter.

meges indistincta, Tyt. (40-55). The Green Dragontail. Assam—N. Burma

NR.

g. Unh white band along dorsum towards tornus well defined and closer to

latter.

*meges virescens, But. Karens—S. Burma. C.

All. Armandia.—The Bhutan Glory. (Plate 6).

Above black with narrow white lines ; uph tornus with 2 or 3 blue and white

ocelli on a black area, crowned by a large red area, which is posteriorly yellow.

Long tail at v4, short tails at vs 2, 3 and 5.

*lidderdalei, Atk. (90110). The Bhutan Glory. Bhutan, Naga and Chin.

Hills. R.

Journ. Bompay Nat. Hist. Soc. Puatrr VI.

A. Papilionidae. 7. Paranticopsis: 8. Meandrusa: 9. Teinopalpus: 10. Leptocircus: 11. Armandia:

12. Hypermnestra : 13. Parnassius.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES, 2438

Al2. Hypermnestra.—The Desert Apollo. (Plate 6).

Above cream white. Upf black spot in and at end cell; just beyond cell double,

black ringed, red spot. Unh white with irregular greenish patches and obscure

red spots base costa and on disc.

*helios balucha, M. (45-55). The Desert Apollo. Baluchistan.

Al3. Parnassius—The Snow Apollos. (Plate 6).

The spotting and venation very variable and no single character can be taken

as absolutely reliable.

la (4a). F v7 ex 6; 10 and 11 free. Antenne white ringed. Unh red basal

spots complete ; uph never blue spots. Upf usually 2 red spots end cell, red

spot mid 1 and no connecting dark area or band. Uph red spot base7; 3

discal red spots, v7z., mid 7 between vs4-6, in 1-2, latter being more often

black above; submarginal row black lunules. @Q pouch brown, boat

shaped below, pointed in front. ;

lb (3). Q pouch posteriorly keeled. Upf cilia not or hardly chequered ;

vitreous dark marginal area very wide, as wide or wider than the submarginal

white and post discal black bands together.

1 (2). Very large with large red spots.

discobolus, Alph. (70-80). The Larger Keeled Apollo. Chitral. R.

2 (1). Smaller.

a. Small and very white, very little black scaling.

jacquemontit chitralensis, M. (55-70). The Keeled Apollo. Chitral. NR.

B. Large ; often much black scaling ; sometimes yellowish.

jacquemontir jacquemontii, Bdv. (65-75). Kashmir—Kumaon. R.

3 (1b). @Q pouch not keeled. Upf cilia prominently chequered ; vitreous

dark marginal! area narrow.

a. Comparatively large and white.

*epaphus epaphus, Ob. (50-60). The Common Red Apollo. Chitral—

Kumaon. NR.

6. Small and dark.

epaphus sikkimensis, El. (40-50). Sikkim. C.

4a (la). F v7 not ex 6. Antenne black, not white ringed, but sometimes

scaled yellow or whitish;

4b (7a). F vs 10 and 11 not anastomosed, but may touch.

4 (5a). F vs 6 and 7 from a point and origin v10 far removed. Uph complete

submarginal row blue and white centred black spots on a white ground, though

margin may be blackish. Unh prominent red basal spots. Upf spots end cel]

and mid 1 usually red but not joined by a dark band. Upbh not as a rule a red

spot base 7; remaining discal spots prominent. Unh submarginal spots

greenish. Two broods, DSF pale, WSF dark. 2 pouch white, like a cylinder

squashed in at the sides and the projecting lower portion then dented.

a. Comparatively large.

*hardwicket hardwicket, Gray. (55-65). The Common Blue Apollo. Chitral-—

Kumaon. C.

6B. Smaller.

hardwickei viridicans, Fruh. (50-60). Sikkim. C.

da (4). F vs 6 and 7 separate at the base ; usually bases 6, 7and 10 equi-

distant. Upf spots end cell and mid 1 black and joined by a dark band.

Uph blue centred black submarginal spots in at least 2 and 3; beyond to costa

there may be a complete series of similar spots or a dark wavy line.

5 (6). Comparatively small. Unh basal red spots obsolete. Uph no red

spot base 7 and discal spots not white centred. @ pouch surrounds end

abdomen, like a cylinder squashed flat from below and the end split, resulting

‘in 2 divergent points. | :

244 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX

A13. Parnassius—The Snow Apollos. (Plate 6)—contd.

a. H angled at v7. Upf discal band obsolete ; postdiscal dark band in ¢

not to dorsum. Uph discal spots 5 and 7 prominent red, equal sized ; spots 1

and 2 obsolete ; only blue submarginal spots in 2 and 3; marginal dark area

faint.

delphius kafir, Avin. (55-65). The Kafir Banded Apollo. Safed Koh—

Kafiristan. VR.

8. Upf postdiscal and discal bands conjoined in 3. Uph discal red spot in

5 prominent ; 7 smaller black or red ; only blue spots in 2 and 3.

delphius chitralica, Ver. The Chitral Banded Apollo. Chitral. . VR.

vy. Very washed out pale form with reduced markings. Upf no discal band

or spot in 1. Uph no discal spot in 7 ; spot in 1 small and black ; margin dark ;

only blue spots in 2 and 3 and the wavy line beyond obsolete.

delphius hunza, Groum. The Hunza Banded Apollo. Hunza. VR.

6. Upf discal and postdiscal bands narrow, complete, sharp defined. Uph

discal spot 5 prominent, spot mid 7 black, just indicated or absent ; submarginal

blue spots usually complete and on dark area, which does not reach the

margin, but sometimes there are only blue spots in 2 and 3 with adark wavy line

beyond ; discal spots 1 and 2 often red and usually indicated.

delphius nicevillei, Avin. The Astor Banded Apollo. Astor, Western

Kashmir. R.

7.» Upf much as last, may be washed out looking in 2. Uph discal red spot

5 very large, from v4-6, spot mid 7 small, black : always discal red spots 1 and

2; submarginal blue spots complete and ona dark ground that reaches the

margin.

delphius atkinsonit, M. The Pir Panjal Banded Apollo. E. and S. Kashmir.

£ Upf postdiscal dark band very broad, as broad as marginal dark band ;

white submargina! spots small and end at v2; discal band often incomplete

posteriorly. Uph discal spot in 5 variable ; spot in 7 usually absent; sub-

marginal blue spots complete and on a broad dark area to margin; discal

spots in 1 and 2 prominent or absent.

delphius stoliczana, Fd. The Ladak Banded Apollo. Ladak—Kulu. VR.

e. Upf very white with narrow complete bands. Uph basal black scaling

up to inner edge of discal spots 5 and 7, which are red and equal ; no spots 1 and

2 ;submarginal blue (sometimes black) spots in 2 and 3 only and wavy line

beyond prominent ; margin white.

delphius lampidius, Fruh. The Sikkim Banded Apollo. Sikkim. VR.

6. As last but much larger and very dark. Upf almost completely black

scaled and uph black scaled to outer edge of discal spots, which are small and

equal ; margin narrow black.

delphius latonius, Bryk. (55-65). The Thibet Banded Apollo. Sikkim—

PhariJong. VR.

6 (5). Large. Unh basal red spots prominent. Uph red spot base 7, Above

general tone yellowish. Upf black bands broad, complete, considerable black

scaling. Uph discal spots 5 and 7 large, white centred ; from spot in 5 a black

band to dorsum ; submarginal blue spots 2 and 3 large and wavy line to costa

broad ; margin broadly pale. @ pouch as last, but sides broken and separated

from body.

imperator augustus, Fruh. (80-90). The Imperial Apollo. Sikkim. VR.

7a (4b). F vs 10 and 11 anastomosed.

7b (10). Fvs10and 7 wellseparated at base, 7 and 6 approximate. Com-

paratively small. Uph all submarginal spots black. Uph discal band more

or less complete, no red spots.

7 (8a). Upf cilia black. Uph always small red discal spots 5 and 7, no spot

base 7; unh red basal spots. @ pouch black with 2 long contiguous points.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 245

A13. Parnassius.—The Snow Apollos. (Plate 6)—contd.

a. Upf marginal dark area broad ; postdiscal band prominent ; discal band

slender. Uph discal spots small; sub-marginal spots small and separate ;

margin narrowly dark.

simo simo, Gray. (45-55). The Black-edged Apollo. Ladak. VR.

g. Upf marginal dark area reduced to a thin line, thickened at ends veins;

white submarginal spots and postdiscal dark band very broad. Uph black

spot in 7 behind the red spot ; from discal spot in 5 a more or less complete black

band to dorsum ; submarginal black band broad and continuous, margin white

with black veins. VR.

simo acconus, Fruh. Sikkim.

8a (7). Upf cilia pale yellow or white. 2 pouch white, hangs down as a

pendulous bag, squashed flat at the sides.

8 (9). Above very white no red spots at all. Very small. Upf discal band

more or less complete ; postdiscal dark band, submarginal white spots and mar-

ginal dark band all of equal width. Uph discal spots 5, mid 7 and base 7

small and black : more or less continuous discal band from 7 to dorsum ; basal

black scaling very reduced ; submarginal spots small, well separated, margin

white.

hannyngtoni, Avin. (40-45). Hannyngton’s Apollo. Sikkim—S. Thibet. VR.

9 (8). Uph with red spots.

a. As but very washed out.

acco acco, Gray. (40-60). The Varnished Apollo. Ladak. VR.

8. Upf white submarginal spots unusually sharp, veins broadly black

especially 2, 3 and 4. Uph prominent red spot 5, mid 7, base 7 and a_ black

spot in between the two latter ; spotin 5 joined todorsum by a black band and

usually a black spot between 5 and 7; submarginal spots prominent, well

separated, margin narrowly black. Unh has a varnished yellow appearance,

concealing the basal red spots except that in 7.

acco, gemmifer, Fruh. (45-65). Sikkim. VR.

10 (7b). Very large. F vl0 ex 7; 6 and 7 well separated at origin. Upf

discal band usually broadened below cell, bases 2 and 3 usually entirely black ;

no red spot. Uphno spot base 7, small red or black spot mid 7 ; very large red

spot extending from v4-6, usually white centred and ared or black basal bar

in 1-2; complete row blue centre black submarginal spots on a dark ground

margin narrowly dark. @ pouch very large, cornute. Unh red basal spots

obscure.

*charltonius, Gray. (80-90). The Regal Apollo. Chitral!l—Kumaon. R.

Notes on the Papilionide. The genera 7roides to Meandrusa are usually dealt

with under Papilio, which genus Moore split-up into numerous genera; the genera

adopted here appear natural and easily recognisable.

The following are new names :—zaleucus g v. punctata; alcinous tutleri (=

mpediens, Tyt nec Roth) clytiav. dissimila and dissimillima,

It is questionable whether rhodifer should not be regarded as a race of coon

and polymnestor and mayo asraces of memnon. mahadeva may bea dimorphic form

of castor m:hala.

Additional races have been described for many of the species, more especially in

the genus Parnassius ; I have only included what appear to me to be really well

defined races. Aberrations and infrequent varieties have been omitted,

Byasa sycorax (A 2-4) hasnot been recorded from India before. A specimen

was obtained in the Mergui District by Mr. G. R. E. Cooperin April 1922. A

specimen of Troides amphrysus (A 1-5) has recently been received from Mergui by

Mr. O. C. Ollenbach.

Note on plates.—The number under each figure in the plates is that given in the

keys, where a star indicates that the insect has been figured.

Note on rarity,—VC=very common, C=common. NR=not rare. R=vaie.

VR:=very rare,

246 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. X XIX.

B. Pieride. The Whites. Genera Key.

la (3a). EF vd ex 6; v9 absent. H precostal straight, directed back. Palpi

slender, hairy.

1 (2). F v8 absent; upper apex of cell acute, devs concave, H v8 as long

as cell. Antenne club slender.

Leptosia, Hub. The Psyche. (Plate 7).

2 (1). F v8 present, very short ; upper apex of cell obtuse, devs nearly straight,

H v8 half as long as cell. Antenne club spatulate.

Baltia, M. The Dwarf Whites. (Plate 7).

3a (la). F vs 5 and 6 separate at origins.

3b (17a). F v6 ex 7 from well beyond end cell.

3c (14a). H with well developed precostal vein.

3d (lla). Palpi slender, hairy, third joint usually long.

3e (9a). F dev 5-6 not angled.

3 (4a). F upper apex cell acute ; vs 5 and 6 approximate at origin, dev 5-6

short and may or may not be in line with dev 4-5; v10 from upper end cell ;

v8 comparatively long ; v9 present or absent. H precostal straight. Antenne

with stout club.

Synchloe, Hub. The Little Whites. (Plate 7).

4a (3). F upper apex cell obtuse; v9 absent. H_ precostal curved

forward.

4 (5a). EF v8 very short, hardly visible and may be absent ; v10 usually from

well before end cell and dev 5-6 unusually long, but first group are transitional

to last genus. Antenne club stout.

Pieris, Schrank. The Bath and Cabbage Whites. (Plate 7).

5a (4). F v8 comparatively long and prominent.

5b (8). F vll, if present, free from 12.

5c (7). EF costa smooth.

5 (6). F vll present. Antenne club stout.

Aporia, Hub. The Blackveins. (Plate 7).

6 (5). F vll absent. Antenne club slender.

Delias, Hub. The Jezabels. (Plate 7).

7 (5c). F costa serrate in @ ; vll present. Antenne club slender.

Prioneris, Wall. The Sawtooths. (Plate 8).

8 (5b). F vl1l anastomosed to v12. Antenne club slender.

Anaphaeis, Hub. The Pioneer. (Plate 7).

9a (3e). F dev 5-6 angled ; v10 well before end cell; 11 and 8 present, 9

absent. H precostal well curved forward. Antenne club slender.

9 (10). g no abdominal hair pencils. F apex not produced, termen straight

or convex.

Huphina, M. The Gulls (Plate 8).

10 (9). 3 (except lalassis) with abdominal hair pencils. Apex F usually pro-

duced and may be falcate, termen usually concave.

Appias, Hub. The Puffins and Albatrosses. (Plate 8).

lla (3d). Palpi scaled, short and stout, third joint very short. F v10 from

just before end cell.

11 (12a). H precostal short and lumpy. F apex lies between vs7 and 8. ¢

uph white brand base 7; unf tuft white hairs towards base dorsum.

Catopsilia, Hub. The Emigrants. (Plate 9).

12a (11). H precostal slender, curved back.

12 (13). F apex at end v7. H rounded v7 well before end cell; dev 7-6

inclined.

Gandaca. M. The Tree Yellow. (Piate 9).

13 (12). F apex between vs 6 and 7, falcate or pointed.

Dercas, Db. The Sulphurs, (Plate 9).

14a (3b). Hno precostal vein.

PuaTE VII,

Journ. Bompay Nat. Hist. Soc.

oo ; ee i j %

j 7 Ga

Cs : ; :

13.64

ies

VSO ee:

B. Pieridae. 1. Leptosia: 2. Baltia: 3. Synchloe: 4. Pieris: 5. Aporia: 6. Delias: 8. Anaphaeis.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 247

B_ Pieride.—The Whites. Genera Key—contd.

14b (16). F v10 before end cell.

14 (15). H scv and 7 in a straight tine. F falcate and H dentate at v3.

Palpi hairy, third joint short. F apex between vs 6 and 7.

Gonepteryx, Leach. The Brimstones. (Plate 9).

15 (14). H scv and v6 in a straight line, 7 from at or just before end cell,

dev 6-5 vertical. Palpi scaled, 3rd joint short.

Terias, Swain. The Grass Yellows. (Plate 9).

16 (14b). F vl0 from beyond end cell; apex between vs 7 and 8. Palpi

long, hairy, 3rd joint short.

Colias, Fab. The Clouded Yellows. (Plate 9).

17a (3b). F vs 6 and 7 separate or only just forked (except Ixias pyrene),

Palpi hairy, short, 3rd joint short. H precostal curved forward.

17b (19a). Hv8shorter than vl F.

17 (18). H v6not nearer 5 than 7.

Ixias, Hub. The Indian Orange Tips. (Plate 9).

18 (17). H v6 much nearer 5 than 7.

Colotis, Hub. The Little Orange Tips and Arabs. (Plate 9).

19a (17b). Hv8 equal to vl F.

19 (20). F vs 6 and 7 well separated at origin ; dev 6-5 straight, 5-4 angled;

v9 absent.

Hebomoia, Hub. The Great Orange Tip. (Plate 9).

20 (19). EF vs 6 and 7 from a point ; dev 6-5 angled 5-4 straight ; v9 present.

Pareronia, DeN. The Wanderers. (Plate 9)

B1. Leptosia.—The Psyche. (Plate 7).

a. Unmarked white, except upf black apex and large black spot from 3-4

unh striated greenish.

*xpma xiphia, F. (35-50). The Psyche. Ceylon. 8. India—Mussoorie—

Burma. Andamans. C.

gB. Upf markings much reduced.

xiphia nicobarica, Doh. Nicobars. C.

B2. Baltia.—The Dwarfs. (Plate 8).

White. Upf prominent black spot end cell ; discal costal bar, continued in Q

as a discal band ; marginal black spots more prominent at apex.

1 (2). Unh single dark spot end cell; more or less dusted blackish scales,

especially at base in @.

*shawi, Bates. (30-40). Shaw’s Dwarf. Chitral—Ladak. NR.

2 (1). Unh 2 dark spots end cell ; yellow, veins yellow, broadly defined dark

brown and similarly at apex unf.

butleri butlerx, M. (35-45). Butler’s Dwarf. Ladak—Kumaon. R.

B. o upf complete discal band. Below brighter.

butlert sikkima, Fruh. Sikkim. VR.

Notes on the Pieride. The general arrangement is much as usual. Terias tilaha

is new to India, having been obtained by Mr. G. R. EK. Cooper early in 1922 in the

Mergui District. Colias croceus in Baluchistan is likely to have awhite form of

female (=9 v. helice, Hub.) Colotis phisadia, God has been excluded; it is an

African insect, differing from protractus in having a white hindwing ; it is recorded

from the Punjab, but the specimens obtained are considered to be aberrations

of protractus

248 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1IX.

B3. Synchloe.—The Little Whites. (Plate 8).

White or pale yellow. Upf prominent black spot end cell ; apex dark brown

more or less white spotted.

1 (2a). Fcosta plain. Below apex F and all H uniform dull green or

greenish brown; unh costa with white spotsand spot end cell. ¢ white; 2 pale

yellow. F v9 present.

*charlonia lucilla, But. (35-45). The Lemon White. Baluchistan, Punjab.

K. 3

2a (1). F costa black spotted. Above white, apex F spotted. Unf white

bar mid costa continued across mid cell.

2 (3). Below apex F and all H with broad green regular stripes, leaving

narrow white stripes between. F v9 present.

*belemia, Esp. (40-50). The Striped White. Baluchistan. VR.

3 (2). Below apex Fand all H with irregular open network of greenish

brown lines, enclosing prominent pearly spots. F v9 absent.

“ausonia daphalis, M. (40-45). The Pearl White. Chitral—Kumaon. R.

Note.—True ausonia, Hub, which has v9 present, is almost certain to be

discovered in Baluchistan sooner or later,

B4. Pieris.—The Whites. (Plate 8).

F costa never spotted.

la (6a). Upf prominent black spot end cell ; at apex ends veins black. Unh

spot end cell not joined to costal spot.

lb (5). Uptand unfa more or less prominent discal costal black bar separate

from the marginal spots ;in @ a black spot mid 1. Unfapex and all unh with

more or less prominent green or yellow spots or bands. ‘

Ic (3a). Unh pale spot mid cell elongated.

1 (2). Unh veins crossing discal pale bands not green edged. F v10 from

end cell ; vs 5 and 6 approximate.

chloridice, Hub. (45-50). The Lesser Bath White. Baluchistan—Chitral—

Ladak. R.

2 (1). Unh veins throughout broadly green edged. F v10 just before end

cell; 5 nd 6 approximate.

*callidiee kalora, M. (50-60). The Lofty !’ath White. Safed Koh—Chitral

Kumaon. C.

3a (1c). Unh pale spot mid cell circular. F v 10 from well before end cell ;

5 and 6 separate.

3 (4) Unh vein not prominently yellow.

*daplidice moorei, Rob. (45-50). The Bath White. Baluchistan—Chitra

and Murree. NR.

4 (3). Unh veins prominently yellow.

glauconome, Klug. (45-55). The Desert Bath White. Baluchistan—Punjab

and Chitral. R.

5 (1b). Upf and unf no discal costal bar ; discal dark band in@ not above

vein 4. ¢ upf prominent black spot mid 3 and traces of discal band below.

Unh pale yellow, base costa orange and all veins very broadly black edged.

*dubernardi chumbiensis, Hl, (45-60). TheChumbi White. Chumbi Valley.

Sikkim. NR.

6a (la). Upf no prominent black spot end cell; unf always prominent black

spot mid I and 3, of which both appear on upfin Q and usually only that in 3

in 6

6 (7, 8a). Unh more or less prominent broad irregular green or yellowish green

discal band and similar basal area. Upf spot in 3 large and often joined to

marginal dark area; a triangular costal bar above the spot, usually joined to

apical dark area above, but prominent below.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 249

B4. Pieris.—The Whites. (Plate 8)—conid. .

kruepert devia, DeN. (50-55). The Green Banded White. Baluchistan—

Ladak. VR.

7 (6, 8a). Unh all veins prominently darkened, greenish.

a. Small and pale; 2 white.

napi ajaka, M. (40-55). The Greenvein White. Murree—Kumaon. OC.

Bg. Larger @ yellow and often much darkened. Very variable.

napi montana, Ver. (50-60). Sikkim—Shan States. NR.

8a (6, 7). Unh unmarked beyond a more or less intense dusting of dark scales,

which may be irregularly distributed.

8 (9a). Unh not dusted dark scales. Upf dev black.

naganum, M. (65). The Naga White. Assam—N. Burma. VR.

9a (8). Unh dusted black scales. Upf dev unmarked.

9b (lla). Uph with black spots at end veins. Upfinner edge of dark marginal

area deeply scalloped.

9 (10). Unf with black marginal markings large. Above black margin con-

tinuous, cilia prominently broadly white. Unh uniform.

deota, DeN. (65). The Kashmir White. Kashmir—Ladak. VR.

10 (9). Unf no marginal black markings. Smaller. Upf black margin not

continuous. Unh uniform.

a. Larger. More heavily marked.

canidia canis, Evans. (50-60). The Indian Cabbage White. Travancore—

Nilgiris. VC.

B. Smaller. Less heavily marked, but very variable.

*canidia canidia, Sparr. (45-60). Chitral—N. Burma. VC.

lla (9b). Uph no black marginal spots. Upf inner edge black apical area

regular or very nearly so.

11 (12). Upf black apical area to v3 or 4. Large.

*brassice, DL. (65-75). The Large Cabbage White. Chitral—Assam and

Plains adjoining Himalayas. VC.

12 (11). Upf black apical area only to v5 or 4. Smaller.

rape, L. (45-55). The Small Cabbage White. Baluchistan. -Chitral and

Ladak. VC.

B5. Aporia.—tThe Blackveins. (Plate 8).

la (3a). Uph margin pale, veins crossing it white or narrowly black. Unh

yellow with more or less complete sagittate discal line, which may be absent.

1 (2). Upbh unmarked, no discal sagittate band, Above no suffusion dark

scales.

a. Small. Upf postdiscal band complete and veins beyond towards apex

prominently black, widening at termen. Unh darker, sagittate discal band

prominent. Upf bar end cell variable, wider in @.

leucodice balucha, M. (40-50). The Baluchi Blackvein. Baluchistan—

Chitral and Ladak. NR.

8. Large. H produced in middle. Upf postdiscal band usually obsolete

in 3. Unh paler and discal band often absent.

*leucodice soracte, M. (50-70). The Himalayan Blackvein. Kashmir—

Kumaon. C.

2 (1). Upb prominent sagittate discal band. Below darker yellow.

a. 6 above bright lemon yellow; cell upf and below suffused black scales.

2 white or pale yellow, no black scaling.

nabellica hesba, Evans. (50-60). The Dusky Blackvein. Chitral. VR.

8B. © pale yellow, 9 white or nearly so, but densely suffused black scales

up to the discal band on both wings, leaving only the margin and an area beyond

the cell pale. .

nabellica nabellica, Ersch. (50-65). Kashmir—Kumaon. R.

250 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

B5. Aporia.—The Blackveins. (Plate 8)—contd.

3a (1). Uph margin entirely dark or with nearly conjoined spots at ends veins.

3 (4). Above black, half of cell 1 F and 8 H white; prominent discal series

white spots curved round cells ; submarginal white spots between veins, elongated

into double streaksin 9. Unh alternate black and yellow streaks along margin.

larraldet harriete, DeN. (70-80). The Bhutan Blackvein. Bhutan. VR.

4 (3). Upf discal area white, with broad dark veins, nearly conjoined to a band

on the disc, grading to an entirely dark form with white discal and postdiscal

spots.

a. Palest form ; discal and marginal bands not continuous.

agathon phryxe, Bdv. (80-90). The Great Blackvein. Kashmir—Mussoorie.

8B. Medium form ; discal and marginal bands continuous.

*agathon caphusa, M. Mussoorie—Kumaon. NR.

y. Darkest form. Discal pale spots often small. Upf cell always black

dusted.

agathon agathon, Gray. Nepal—Assam. R.

B6 Delias.—The Jezabels (Plate 8).

la (4a). Uph and unh no prominent red or yellow spot at base.

1 (2a). Unh yellow, veins not black. Unf veins black. ¢ above white, apex

F black, white spotted. 2 upf black dusted and black veins ; uph yellow.

a. o upf black apex narrow, with large white spots. 9 uph dark yellow

with narrow dark margin. Unf white marginal spots not below v3; unh white

spotted dark margin narrow, width=} length v4.

*agostina agostina, Hew. (65-70). The Yellow Jezabel. Sikkim—Karens.

NR.

Bg. o upf black apex broad, spots blurred, small. 2 uph paler. Unh whita

marginal spots to vl or 2. Unh border=} v4.

agostina agoranis, GRS. Dawnas—S. Burma. R.

2a (1). Unh yellow, veins black ; prominent row marginal red spots. Above

white, veins black on Fin ¢, on Fand Hin 92.

2 (3). Unh red marginal spots black bordered and a corresponding black post-

discal line uph.

*eucharis, Drury. (70-80). The Common Jezabel. Ceylon, 8. India—Kumaon

—N. Burma. C.

3 (2). Unh red spots inwardly not black edged. Upf black discal band

inclined, meets termen at v2.

a. Paler. o¢ apical dark area reduced. @ no dark scales between veins.

hyparete ethire, Doh. (70-80). The Painted Jezabel. Madras—Bengal. R

B. Darker. @Q very variable ; upf always much dusted black scales, often

only leaving pale apical streaks.

hyparete hierte, Hub. Kumaon—Burma. C.

4a (la). Unh or uph with prominent red or yellow basal markings.

4 (5a). Uph and unh prominent large yellow spot base 7. Black with more

or less prominent white spots.

a. Uph prominent yellow tornal area joining a broad white discal band.

*belladonna belladonna, F. (70-85). The Hill Jezabel. Kulu—Kumaon.

NR.

v. sanaca, M. Upf whole of outer half is white and on upf there are broad

white streaks. R.

8B. Darker. Uph tornal yellow area reduced, not joining the white discal

band, which is very narrow.

belladonna ithiela, But. Sikkim. NR.

JOURN. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc. Puater VIII.

B. Pieridae. 7. Prioneris: 8. Huphina: 9. Appias.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 251

B6. Delias.—The Jezabels. (Plate 8)—contd.

y. Larger and very dark. Uph no tornal yellow area.

belladonna berinda, M. Assam. NR.

6. Smaller. Asa but unh spots much reduced, spot in cell small.

belladonna perspicua, Fruh. N. Burma—Shan States. NR.

5a (4). Unh basal spot red, not yellow.

5 (6a). Unh red basal marking confined to a spot base 7. & above dead

white. 9 upf black, white spot end cell and row post discal spots ; veins may

be broadly pale ; uph white to yellow with more or less broad, white spotted,

dark border. Below both sexes nearly as 2 above.

*descombesi leucacantha, Fruh. (80-85). The Redspot Jezabel. Sikkim—

Burma. NR.

6a (5) Unh red basal marking extends from costa to dorsum.

6 (7). Uphno red basal colour. Upf pale spot end cell small, confined to base

4; inner edge pale submarginal streaks in line. Unh outer half cell yellow.

*aglaia, L. (70-85). The Redbase Jezabel. Sikkim—Burma. NR.

7 (6). Uph prominent red basal area, Upf spot end cell very large ; pale

submarginal streak in 3 shifted in. Unh only extreme end cell yellow.

a. Paler and pale markings more extensive. Uph tornal area pale cream ;

unh pale area uniform, bright yellow.

thysbe kandha, Doh. (80-100). The Redbreast Jezabel. Madras. R.

8. Uph tornal area ochreous. Unh pale area tornally ochreous, apically

white.

thysbe pyramus, Wall. Sikkim—Burma. NR.

B7. Prioneris.—-The Sawtooths. (Plate 8).

1 (2a). Belowno red markings. @ upf white with broad, white spotted

black apex. 9 as B6. 4, but has 4 prominent small white spots in an oblique

curve towards end cell, which spots appear unfin & and @. Unh black with

yellow spots. DSF much smaller and unh almost all yellow.

*thestylis, Db. (70-90). The Spotted Sawtooth. Mussoorie—Burma. NR.

2a (1). Unh yellow with red markings. Above white, all veins F and outer

half H black.

2 (3). Unh prominent marginal row red spots, inwardly black bordered.

Almost exactly as B6.2.

*sita, Fd. (80-90). The painted Sawtooth. Ceylon, S. India. R.

3 (2). Unh white or yellow spots along margin ; prominent red spot at base.

2 upf veins broad black towards apex ; uph postdiscal and submarginal dark

band.

*clemanthe, Db. (80-90). The Redspot Sawtooth. Sikkim—Burma. R.

B8. Anaphzis.—The Pioneers. (Plates 7).

Above white, black spot end cell, dark apex F and margin H. Unh yellow

with black veins.

_ a. Above dark apex Fand margin H very broad, obscurely white spotted

in 3, unspotted in @ ; costa above cell F dark. Unh dark orange.

mesentina taprobana, M. (40-55). The Pioneer. Ceylon. C.

ee Above dark apex Fand margin H broadly white spotted (DSF more than

Unh bright yellow (WSF) to white (DSF) ; margin narrow and with large spots

of the ground colour.

*mesentina mesentina, Cr. All India except Assam. C.

252 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX.

B9 MHaphina.—-The Gulls. (Plate 8).

Above white, more or less black veined.

la (3). Unf always black spot mid 3, separated from the black border by a

white spot.

1 (2). Uph tornal area broad orange. Unh bright yellow with broad brown

border and apex unf.

*Jea, Db. (40-55). The Orange Gull. Karens—S. Burma. C.

2 (1) Uphno tornal orange area.

a. Small. Upf black apex prominently white spotted, often yellow in

WSF Q@.

nerissa evagete, Cr. (40-55). The Common Gull. Ceylon, S. India—Central

Provinces and Bengal. C.

p. Large. Upf black apex practically unspotted, spotting never yellow.

2 uph submarginal markings grey.

*nerissa phryne, F. (50-65). Sikkim—Assam. C.

vy. Small. Upf black apex unspotted. Unh DSF white with broad grey

veins. WSF unf basal half costal margin and unh costal and dorsal margin

suffused bright yellow or greenish.

nerissa dapha, M. (50-60). Burma, C.

6. Large. Upf margin unspotted. Unh mostly moss green with pale

streaks between veins very narrow or absent.

nerissa lichenosa, M. (55-65). Andamans. C.

3 (la). Unf no detached black spot mid 3.

a. Unhno pale streak in or beyond cell; WSF very dark green with broad

dark brown discal area.

nadina cingala, M. (55-65). The Lesser Gull. Ceylon. R.

8. Unh paler ; DSF pale yellow brown with darker discal areas ; WSF base

broad yellow, outer area dark brown.

*nadina remba, M. S.India. RR.

y. Unh WSF long pale streak in cell and extending into bases 4 and 5 5 DSF

very pale with brown dark veins. Upf dark apex narrower.

nadina nadina, Luc. Sikkim—Burma. NR.

6. As-y, unh pale streak shorter, confined to end cel] and bases 4 and 5.

nadina andamana, Swin. Andamans. NR.

B10. Appias.—The Puffins and Albatrosses. (Plate 8).

la (6a). F upper apex cell right angled.

1b (4a). Unh always a tiny black spot at end cell and minute black spot

on termen between veins.

1 (2a). Upfno white spots on the black apex ; a black spot end cell and traces

of a‘spot mid 3; in Q@ prominent spot mid 3 conjoined to apical black band.

Uph @ black marginal spots. Apex F produced and margin crenulate below.

S no abdominal hair pencils, as in rest.

*lalassis, Grs. (65-75). The Burmese Puffin. Karens—S. Burma. R.

2a (1). Upf always white markings on the black apex. Apex F produced,

margin faintly crenulate below.

2 (3). Unf always large black spot end cell. Upf and unf large black spots

mid 3, separated from dark margin by a white spot.

a. Upf ¢ black spot end cell separated from spot mid 3; 2 continuous

dark band from base cell absorbing spot end cell and mid 3; in DSF this band

indicated.

*lalage lalage, Db. (55-80). The Spot Puffin. Mussoorie—Tavoy. NR.

6. Upf @ with dark band asin 9 of a.

alage lagela, M. Mergui—S. Burma. R.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 253

219. Appias.—The Puffins and Albatrosses. (Plate 8)—contd.

3(2. Unf no large black spot end cell. Upf and unf no detached spot

mid 3.

a. Upf only two white spots on the black border. Unf ¢ black preapical

band as wide as pale apex. @ uph only base 4 white.

*indra narendra, M. (60-70). The Plain Puffin. Ceylon. R.

g. Palerbelow. o uph no black terminal spots.

indra shiva, Swin. S. India. R.

y. Upf DSF ¢ complete row apical white spots. Unf black preapical band

—i width pale apex. @ uph bases 4 and 3 white. Below much paler.

indra indra, M. Nepal—Burma. NR.

4a (1b). Unhno small black spot end cell nor on termen between veins. F

apex produced in ¢ : termen never crenulate. In @ veins at apex upi black ;

in @ cellall dark and joined to marginal dark band along 4.

4 (5). Unhno broad dark chocolate marginal area.

a. Small. 4 upf veins only dark at margin and not inwardly edged by a dark

band. Below white or pale yellow. 2 upfno pale spots on the dark border.

libythea libythea, F. (50-60). The Striped Albatros. Ceylon, India. R.

g. Large. ¢ upf dark veins more extended at apex, inwardly bordered by a

narrow dark band. WSF below pale yellow brown to white ; veins dark at apex

unf as well as v8, mv and v7 unh, a narrow curved dark band through end cell

beyond which all veins are dark. In DSF underside may be unmarked. Q upf

prominent white spots on the dark border ; unh in WSF dark veins and band

broad yellow.

*libythea zelmira, Cr. (55-65). Bengal—Assam—Burma. R.

5 (4). Unh yellow, margin broadly dark chocolate. ¢ uph dark margin

inwardly bluish edged. Unf prominent yellow apical spot on the dark margin.

discal area whitish.

a. Q@ above dark margins very broad and inwardly very dentate.

lyncida taprobana, M. (55-70). The Chocolate Albatross. Ceylon. R.

g. o& above dark margin narrow and still inwardly dentate ; unh dark

margin very broad, reaches end cell ; vs 6 and 7 prominently dark brown.

lyncida latifasciata, M. S. India. R.

y. Above @ variable, margin hardly dentate on H. Unh dark margin

very narrow. WSF large ; DSF small.

*lyncida hippoides, M. Sikkim—Burma. C.

6 Paler. Unf apical spot on dark border white. Q uph outwardly

greenish,

lyncida nicobarica, M. Nicobars. R.

6a (la). F upper apex cell highly acute.

6b (8, 9) above white; 9 white or yellow, spotted black apex on upf.

6 (7). od upf no postdiscal black spot in 3. Apex F pointed and termen

straight. od upf blackish scaling at apex and base very narrow or absent. 2

always 5 apical spots; unf inner edge dark apical area irregular, space 5

broadly pale at base.

a. Q typically white ; 2nd form yellow both sides. Smaller.

albina venusta, M. (55-70). The Common Albatross. Ceylon. NR.

Ov. flava, Rob. NR.

B. & always white above ; 2nd form yellow below. Larger.

*albina darada, Fd. (60-75). S. India—Sikkim—Burma. Andamans. R.

Qv. semiflava, Rob. R.

7 (6). @ upfexcept in a with a black spot in 3.

a. o very like No. 6, but black scaling more extensive and may even enclose

a black spot in 3; apex not so sharp and termen concave. 2 not more than 3

spots on the dark apex; below typically white, but 2nd form is yellow with more

254 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1IX.

B10. Appias.—The Puffins and Albatrosses. (Plate 8)—contd.

or less distinct discal black spots unh; inner edge black apical area regularly

curved and at most only just enters base 5.

melania paulina, Cr. (5575). The Lesser Albatross. Ceylon. NR.

Qv. lankapura. M. NR.

g. o upf dark apex encloses 5 pale spots, costa black. 9 as typical form

of a.

melania wardit, M. S. India. R.

y. @ as but very variable ; unf spot in 3 prominent, though rest of black

apex may be absent. 92 WSF as 2 of 8, but usually 4 spots on the black apex ;

DSF as @

melania adamsoni, M. Burma. NR.

6. o upfand unf unmarked except for black spot in 3, which may be

obsolete above. 2 as 2 of y and distinguished from 2 of No. 6a by space

5 being all dark unf.

* melania galathea, Fd. Andamans and Nicobars. NR.

8 (6a, 9). Above orange to deep crimson lake. d¢ upf with apex blackish

and more or less prominent black spots between veins on disc. 2 broad black

margin F and H and irregular black discal band.

* nero galba, Wall. (65-80). The Orange Albatross. Sikkim—Burma. R.

8 (6a, 8). Above yellow; ¢ paleron F. ¢ upftermen and costa narrow black.

2 broad dark terminal and costal margin F and termen H. Unh whitish. F v8

short in @, absentin &.

panda chrysea, Fruh. (50-60). The Nicobar Albatross. Nicobar. VR.

BII. Catopsilia——The Emigrants. (Plate 9).

Ia (4a). Below not closely striated with brown strige.

Ib (3). Uph pale yellow or white. J without, 2 with, postdiscal dark

band upf and spot end cell.

1 (2). Antenne black. 6 upf very narrow continuous black margin below

apex and edge costa narrow black to base ; below yellow, unmarked. @Q very

variable, but always with costa black from apex to base, usually conjoined to

spot end cell.

*crocale, Cr. (55-75). The Common Emigrant. Ceylon, India, Burma,

Andamans. VC.

2 (1). Antennee red. ¢ upf narrow black margin below apex macular and

edge costa only black at apex ; below greenish white with prominent red ringed

silver spot end cell F and H and base 5 H. 2 more sulphur yellow above, marginal

band narrow and inner edge dentate ; costa only black near apex ; below often

with large reddish purple blotches end cell F and above end cell H.

pomona, F. (55-80). The Lemon Emigrant. Ceylon, India, Burma, Anda-

mans. VC.

2 v. catilla, Cr. With purple blotches below. C.

3(1b). Uph entirely orange. Below sulphur yellow.

*scylla, L. (60-65). The Orange Emigrant. 8. Burma. C.

4a (la). Below closely covered brown strigce.

4 (5). Uph marginal dark border below apex continuous and often broad.

Above greenish white.

pyranthe, L. (50-70). The Mottled Emigrant. Ceylon, India, Burma,

Andamans. VC.

5 (4). Upf marginal dark border below apex macular, always narrow, some

times brown. Above white.

* florella, F. (50-70). The African Emigrant. Ceylon, India, Burma,

Andamans, C.

JOURN. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc. Prate IX,

B. Pieridae. 11. Catopsilia: 12. Gandaca: 13. Dercas: 14. Gonepteryx : 15. Terias: 16. Colias :

17. Ixitas: 18. Colotis: 19. Hebomoia: 20. Pareronia.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 255

B12. Gandaca.—The Tree Yellow. (Plate 9).

d pale yellow; 2 nearly white. Unmarked except for black apex and

margin upf.

a. Upf dark margin narrow, not below v4 or 3.

harina assamica, M. (35-45). The Tree Yellow. Sikkim—Assam. NR.

8. Upf dark margin wider, to v3 or dorsum.

*harina burmana, M. Burma. NR.

y. Always larger. Border moderately broad.

harina andamana, M. Andamans. NR.

B13. Dercas.—The Sulphurs. (Plate 9).

1 (2). H angled at v4. Upf and unf large dark apical patch, extending

below v5.

a. Large. o strongly crenulate at and below apex. Q pale yellow to

white.

*verhueli doubledayi, M. (60 70) The Tailed Sulphur. Sikkim—N. Burma

NR.

. Much smaller. o termen not produced at apex and only slightly crenu-

late below. Q white.

verhueli gobrias, Hew. (50-60). Dawnas—S. Burma. R.

2 (1). H not angled at v4. FF apical dark patch very small, not below v6

Upf prominent dark brown spot in 3.

*lycorias, Db. (50-60.) Sikkim—Assam. R.

v. decipiens, DeN. Upf spot in 3 absent.

B14. Gonepteryx.—The Brimstones. (Plate 9).

la (3). F. v6 nearer end cell than junction of 7 and 8; devs angled at their

junction. Wings not crinkly. H termen not toothed at v4.

1 (2). o& above uniform sulphur yellow; Qcreamy white. Uph orange

spot end cell prominent and not dark edged. Below @ pale yellow green, 9

greenish white. F

rhamni nepalensis, Db. (60-70). The Common Brimstone. Chitral—Shan

States. VC.

2 (1). @ above basal $ F yellow, outer $ and all H, except base white. 9?

chalky white. Above no spot end cell F,on H obscure brown. Below pale yellow,

no green tinge ; small discal brown spots prominent towards apex F and on H.

H tooth at v3 twice as long as tooth at v2.

aspasia chitralensis, M. (55-60). The Chitral Brimstone. Chitral. R.

3 (la). F v6 nearer junction 7 and 8 than end cell; 11 and 12 close ; devs in

line. Wings crinkled. H termen prominently toothed at vl, between 1 and 2,

v2, long tooth at 3 and 4.

ao upf yellow, uphcream white. 2 Fand Hcream white. Above orange

spots end cells smaller and dark ringed, F costa concave in middle.

zaneka zaneka, M. (50-55). The Lesser Brimstone. Kashmir—Kumaon. NR.

B.. & above yellow, paler outwardly ; 2 pale yellow white. F costa straight.

zaneka zanekoides, DeN. S. Chin Hills. R.

B15. Terias.—The Grass Yellows. (Plate 9).

la (4a). Below no ring spot end cells and no spots in cell F. Upf black border

not continued along vl.

1 (2a). Unf2small spotsend cell. No ¢ brand. Above black border F and

H usually broad and inner edge regular.

*libythea, F. (30-40). The Small Grass Yellow. Ceylon, India, Burma. VC.

2a (1). Unfsingle small spotend cell. ¢ uph base 7 and unf base 1 a salmon

brand.

2 (3) Upf marginal band reachesdorsum. Uph black margin to vl or further.

Apex F rounded.

256 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

B15. Terias.—The Grass Yellows. (Plate 9)—conéd.

a. Always smaller.

venata venata, M. (30-40). The Spotless Grass Yellow. Ceylon, India. VC.

g. Always larger.

venata sikkima, M. (35-45). Sikkim—Burma. VC.

3 (Zz). Upf marginal band ends at v2. Uph dark margin consists of only

2spotsatapex. Apex F sharply angled, termen straight ; H apex produced.

laeta, Bdv. (35-45). The Short Bordered Grass Yellow. Ceylon, India.

Burma. VC.

4a (la). Below largeirregular ring spot end ceili F and H. @ unf narrow

grey brand either side of mv from base to origin v2. Upf black margin always

to tornus and continued along vl ; except in DSF excavated between vs 2-4.

4b (7). Upf margin not continued along dorsum to base.

4 (5,6). Unf3spotsin cell. Unh usually spot extreme base 7.

a. Upf black margin always comparatively broad.

blanda silhetana, M. (40-50). The Three Spot Grass Yellow. Ceylon, India,

Burma Andamans. C.

g. DSF margin very narrow, inwardly evenly curved.

blanda moorei, But. Nicobars. NR.

5 (4,6). Unf 2 spots in cell, but one or even both may be absent. DSF with

rusty spots below as in No. 4.

a. Generally smaller and yellower.

hecabe simulata, M. (40-50). The Common Grass Yellow. Ceylon, South India

CuBMUNEC:

g. DSF with very narrow margin upf.

hecabe fimbriata, Wall. Punjab—Chitral—Kumaon. VC.

y. Generally larger.

hecabe hecabe, L. Bengal—Sikkim—Burma. VC.

h. DSF, particularly ¢ very much paler. ‘

ecabe nicobariensis, Fd. Andamans—Nicobars. VC.

6 (5,4). Unf a single zigzag spot in cell and. a spot towards tornus in 1

Below not speckled with scattered black scales apart from the markings ; never

with rusty spots ; unf apex always marked with brown; unh never a spot base 7

and often ring spot near base cell absent.

a. Unf apical dark area does not reach margin.

sari rotundalis, M. (40-45). The One Spot Grass Yellow. Ceylon—S. India.

Sikkim-Karens. R.

8. Unf apical dark area as often as not reaches margin, forming a large apical

patch.

*sari andersoni, M. Dawnas—S. Burma. NR.

y. Unf apex as ina. Upf inner edge of dark margin produced in 8 causing

it to be at right angles to costa, instead of evenly curved.

sari andamana, Swin. Andamans, Nicobars. NR.

7 (4b). Upf black margin continued along dorsum to base. Unf no spots

in cell and unh discal band in a regular line.

tilaha, Hors. (40-45). The Malay Grass Yellow. Mergui. VR.

B 16. Colias.——The Clouded Yellows. (Plate 9).

la (7a). Above yellow, orange yellow or white.

1b (3a). Unh spot end cell white.

1 (2). Cilia and costa F and H white. Above @ pale greenish, with black

veins; 2 white to pale greenish on F. Upf pale marginal spots complete, but

spot in 3 smaller than rest. Uph spot end cell white ; traces of postdiscal and

marginal dark band or spots. Unf decreasing discal black spots 1-3. Unh

green, margin pale,

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 257

B16. Colias.—The Clouded Yellows. (Plate 9)—contd.

alpherakii chitralensis, Ver. (50-55). The Green Clouded Yellow. Chitral

VR.

2 (1). Cilia and costa F and H pinkish, as in rest. Above orange yellow ;

margins in @ very broad, up to cell F, and are spotless ;9 obscurely spotted in

2, 4 and 5; uph much darkened, prominent orange spot end cell. Unf decreasing

discal spots 1-3. Unh uniform green, margin not paler.

wiskotti, Stg. (50-55). The broad bordered Clouded Yellow. Chitral. VR.

3a (1b). Unh spot end cell never entirely white.

3b (5a). Upf 4 2 submarginal row pale spots complete, and all of equal

size. Uph more or less complete postdiscal dark band. Unh red brown spot

end cell.

3 (4). Uph no pale spot end cell and margin entirely pale. Above ¢ lemon

yellow, 2 yellowish white. Upf submarginal spots joined to margin. Unf

complete postdiscal row dark spots. Unh greenish brown, broad pale yellow

margin, inwardly bordered obscure dark spots on the dark area.

nastes thrasibulus, Fruh. (35-45). The Lemon Clouded Yellow Ladak. VR.

4 (3). Uph usually orange spot end cell and at least with blackish spots near

apex. Above <d bright yelllow @ orange yellow. Upf yellow submarginal

spots not joined to the margin. Unf discal black spots only in 1-3. Unh dark

green margin broadly paler.

ladakensis, Fd. (45-50). The Ladak Clouded Yellow. Kashmir—Kumaon R.

5a (3b). Upf either no pale submarginal spots, or, if present, spot in 3 is

smaller than rest or absent.

5 (6). Uph much darkened with complete postdiscal band and large yellow

marginal spots separated by veins ; prominent yellow spot end cell. ¢ 2 upf

dark border prominently spotted. Above ¢ clear yellow; 2 orange yellow.

Unh yellow green, margin broadly paler.

*berylla, Faw. (45-55). The Everest Clouded Yellow. Chumbi Valley—

Sikkim. R.

6 (5). Uph not darkened, postdiscal band and submarginal yellow spots not

below v6, but the marginal dark band may be very broad and continuous; spot

end cell orange. Unh yellow, more or less black dusted and with a discal row

of brown spots.

a. A upf dark apex broader, with pale spots small; above yellow. @

white, base F and all H dusky, border F as 4

hyale nilagiriensis, Fd. (45-50). The Pale Clouded Yellow. S. India. C.

B. Very variable, 9 typically yellow with margin upf spotted ; ¢ typically

as 9.

*hyale hyale L. (45-55). Baluchistan—Chitral—Kumaon. C.

& v. erate, Hsp. Upf dark margin unspotted. NR.

2 v. pallida, Stg. White. C.

v. chrysodona, Bdv. Orange yellow. Baluchistan—Chitral. R.

7a (la). Above orange red or orange.

7b (10). Uphno brand in ¢.

7 (8a). @2 with yellow spotted border. Above clear orange. Uph

only discal area blackish. Upf marginal yellow spots conjoined to termen by

narrow yellow lines. Unh green, prominent reddish spot end cell and discal

row.

dubia, El. (40). The Dwarf Clouded Yellow. Chumbi Valley. VR.

8a (7). @ border unspotted.

8 (9). Small. Above clear orange. @ uph blackish, orange spot end cell

prominent and elongated towards termen. Unh as No. 7.

a. @ black border above broad.

stoliczana stoliceana, M. (40). The Orange Clouded Yellow. Kashmir

Ladak. NR.

258 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

B16. Colias.—The Clouded Yellows. (Plate 9)—contd.

ce. @& black border narrow. Q upf veins black; uph completely black

except for orange spot end cell and marginal orange spots.

stoliczana miranda, Fruh. Chumbi Valley. VR.

9 (8). Large.

a Above fiery orange red. Q uph black, prominent orange red spot end cell

and submarginal row yellow spots. Unh green, margin broadly yellow green.

eogene eogene, Fd. (45-55). The Fiery Clouded Yellow. Chitral—Kashmir. R.

Q v. cana, GG. Above bluish white.

g. Above dark dusky orange, with small yellow submarginal spots in @-

Unh bluish green ; spot end cell small and mostly whitish.

eogene leechit, Groum. (40-50). Ladak. R.

10 (7b). Uph @ a yellow brand base 7. Above bright orange, @ border

unspotted, 2 yellow spotted. Unh greenish yellow; prominent double red

edged silver spot end cell and discal row red spots.

a. Small. Paler, more orange yellow.

croceus croceus, Four. (45-50). The Dark Clouded Yellow. Baluchistan. VC.

Q »v. helice, Hub. Above whitish. R.

g. Small. Bright orange.

croceus edusina, But. (45-50). Chitral—-Kumaon—N. Punjab. VC.

+». Large. @Q often orange pinkish.

croceus fieldiit, Men. (45-65). Sikkim—N. Burma. C.

B17. Ixias—The Indian Orange Tips. (Plate 9).

1 (2). Above white. @ 9 upf apical band always orange.

a. 6 preapical orange patch enters upper end cell and reaches below v2.

mariane marianne, Cr. (50-55). The White Orange Tip. Ceylon—Ss.

India—Punjab and Kumaon. C.

g. Orange patch not into cell or below v2.

marianne nola, Swin. (45-50). Mahableshwar. NR.

2 (1). Above yellow ; orange patch not below v2. 9 may be white.

a Small. Upf base of 3 and half of 2 yellow. 2 Yellow, band orange to yellow.

pyrene cingalensis, M. (50-60). The Yellow Orange Tip. Ceylon. C.

g. Similar. ¢ apical band broader and not angled in 9.

pyrene frequens, But. S. India—Bengal. C.

y. Small usually. Upf base 3 rarely yellow ; half to two-thirds of 2 yellow.

2 often white.

*pyrene pirenassa, Wall. Punjab—United Provinces—Chitral—Kumaon. C.

5. Often large, very variable. Upf orange enters lower end cell ; base 3 never

yellow and only extreme base 2. Q very variable sometimes nearly entirely

suffused black scales on a white ground and the apical band white; or ground

colour yellow and the band white.

pyrene rhexia, F. (55-70). Sikkim—Assam. C.

7. Smaller than last and more or less intermediate between last two. Orange

colour not in lower edge cell. 9 band yellow or orange and ground colour

often white.

pyrene latifasciata, But. (50-60). N. Burma—Karens. C.

¢. Much paler, lemon yellow. Orange area often clouded, presenting a dull

frosted appearance. @ band always orange ; cell F more or less black. Much

more constant.

pyrene moulmeinensis, M. (50-60). Dawnas—S. Burma. C.

e. As last, larger. Orange apex deeper and not so wide ; often yellow spot

base 3. 7

pyrene andamana, M. (55-65). Andamans. C.

Ke)

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 2:

B18. Colotis—The Arabs. (Plate 9.)

la (4a). Upf prominent dark spot end cell, which is always conjoined to

the dark costal area extending to base. @ dorsum F more or less bowed.

1 (2a). Upf marginal dark band shifted in in 1, so as to enclose a large pale

spot. Above salmon, margins broad black, spotted with the ground colour. <d

uph costa broad black and the scales towards base 7 modified.

a. Upf semi-detached spot in 1 small, not quadrate ; pale spots on margin

small.

*amata modesta, But. (35-45). The Small Salmon Arab. Ceylon—S. India—

Bengal. NR.

Ov. albina, Evans. Above white. NR.

B.. Upf semi-detached black spot in 1 large, quadrate ; pale spots on margin

large.

amata amata, F. (35-50). Bombay—Sind— United Provinces. Punjab. NR.

2a (1). Upf dark margin regular to dorsum, bearing no pale spot below v3

F and H.

2 (3). Above salmon, black border bearing blueish spots at apex upf; base F

and dorsum H suffused blue grey. ¢ uph large salmon brand base 7; unf

similar small patch near base 1.

protractus, But. (40-45). The Blue Spotted Arab. Cutch—Sind—Baluch.

istan—Punjab. NR.

3 (2). Above white ; black border upf shifted in in 3, enclosing large white

spot. No @ brand.

*vestalis, But. (40-50). The White Arab. Baluchistan—United Provinces.

4a (la). Upf dark spot end cell, if present, detached (except rarely Q of No.

4a.) ; dark border only reaches dorsum narrowly or not at all.

= (5a). Above salmon, 9 may be white; uph unmarked except for dark

margin. Upf prominent spot end cell and dark apex with spots of the ground

colour. <o unf prominent dark brown brand towards base 1, correlated to a

nacreous area base costa uph.

a, Upf black apical area encloses 3 spots and reaches tornus. 2 white.

a iin fulvia, Wall. (45-55). The Large Salmon Arab. Ceylon—S. India.

Be Upf black apical area not enclosed at lower end and not to tornus. @

pale salmon.

fausta fausta, Oliv. Bombay—Baluchistan. . Central India—Punjab. NR.

5a (4). Above white with orange or crimson apex (except sometimes 2

of No.6). No <¢ brand. 2 uph more or ph dark discal band, always

indicated at costa.

5b (7). Upf apex orange and not Werbed with a spotsin @.

5 (6). Upf apical orange patch inwardly dark edged; in Q dark band upf

decreasing evenly to tornus.

ae Upf black edging broader. Uph marginal spots conjoined to form a

continuous band.

etrida limbata, But. (25-45). The Little Orange Tip. Ceylon. C.

8. Not so heavily marked. '

*etrida etrida, Bdv. S. India—Himalayas. Baluchistan. C.

6 (5). Upf @ inner edge apical orange patch not black edged, or, if so very

faintly and a dark band shows through by transparency from unf on the orange

area. Q upf very irregular postdiscal band from costa to v3, between which and

the narrow dark margin are 4 pale orange or white contiguous spots. ;

eucharis, F. (40- 45). The Plain Orange Tip. Ceylon—S. Central India. C.

7 (5b). Upf crimson tip, inwardly black edged. @ bases suffused blackish

scales, apical patch crimson to pale red and bearing a dark postdiscal band on

the crimson area,

260 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1X.

B18. Colotis—The Arabs. (Plate 9)—conéd.

a. Dark edging to crimson tip broader and margin uph continuous black in

WSF.

*dane dane, F. (40-50). The Crimson Tip. Ceylon. S. India—Central

Provinces. C.

B. Inner edging to crimson tip narrower ; margin uph macular.

dane dulcis, But. Sind.

B19. Hebomoia.—The Great Orange Tip. (Plate 9.)

Large. White. Upf broad orange tip, bearing postdiscal black spots; in ¢

black spots conjoined or nearly so, so as to leave a submarginal series of orange

spots. ani

a. Inner black edging to orange apex obsolete.

glaucippe ceylonica, Fruh. (80-100). The Great Orange Tip. Ceylon. C.

8. Inner black edging to orange tip narrow.

glaucippe australis, But. S. India. C.

y. Inner black edging to orange tip broad.

glaucippe glaucippe, L. Nepal—Burma. C.

5. Inner black edging to orange tip obsolete. Above outer half H and lower

discal area F pale yellow.

glaucippe roepstorfi, WM. Andamans. C.

B20. Pareronia.—The Wanderers. (Plate 9.)

d above blue with black borders. Q black with blue streaks between the

veins.

1 (2a). Pale. Upf ¢ margin unspotted ; no pale streak in 9; all veins not

prominently black and uph mv no darker than scv. Q upf submarginal spots

and outer ends discal streaks in line ; no streak in De uph submarginal spot in 6

and dscal streak conjoined.

a. DSF small; WSF large. <¢ uph border narrow.

*aviatar avatar, M. (60-90). The Pale Wanderer. Sikkim—N. Burma. R.

8B. Small. o¢ uph border wide. @ pale streaks wider, streak in 1 joins lower

submarginal spot in 1.

avatar paravatar, DeN. (60-70). S. Burma. R.

2a (1). o darker; nearly always pale streak in 9; all veins prominently

black ; uph mv much wider black than scv and bearing modified scales, in line

with v6, which is also very wide, as also is v6 usually. 9 upfsubmarginal spot

and discal streak in 3 shifted in ; always streak in 9, which with streaks in 4, 5

and 6 form an obliquerow. Uphsubmarginal spot and discal streak in 6 separate.

2 (3). & above margins usually unspotted ; if spotted, spots very small and

not increasing to apex; WSF much rounder. @ usually bluer, submarginal

spots smaller ; uph submarginal spot in 7 prominently larger than rest.

a. o upfno prominent white spot at apex.

ceylanica ceylanica, Fd. (65-80). The Dark Wanderer. Ceylon—S. India.

B. o& upfalways small white spot at apex. 2 whiter.

ceylanica naraka, M. Andamans. NR.

3 (2). @ upf margins prominently spotted and spots increasing to apex. 9

whiter, marginal spots prominent ; cilia much whiter and upf apex paler.

valeria hippia, F. (65-80). The Common Wanderer. India—Burma. C.

Qv. philomela, F. Uph discal area yellow. R.

(to°be continued.)

261

REVIEWS.

FAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA, BIRDS, Vou. I (2Np Edition).

KE. C. STUART BAKER, KEsq,, 0.B.E., M.B.0.U., F.L.S., ETC.

[The issue of the first volume of the new edition of the Fauna of British

{India is of great importance to all ornithologists in India. Weare very

glad to be able to give in this number two independent reviews of the

book by two ornithologists of very considerable experience. Eprrors. |

There is one outstanding characteristic of Indian Ornithology which

cannot but fail to strike its devotees however superficial their studies,

and that is the manner into which its history and progress is divided into

well marked periods. That this should be so is perhaps inevitable in a

country isolated from the main centres of world progress and where the

study of modern sciences is not indigenous but is dependent for its whole

being on a small alien community drawing its inspiration from Western

sources.

This community is composed entirely of people who are compelled to

earn their living in various ways and who study tbe sciences in their spare

time for their private satisfaction, almost invariably far from the reference

museums and libraries which modern science finds indispensable. It is

therefore for the most part inevitable that they should be unable to do

much original research work and keep closely in touch with the incessant

change and growth that is a feature of the present day in scientific circles,

They are accordingly, to a degree unknown in other countries, dependeut

on their local text-books, and each successive text-book of importance as it

is published becomes first of all an active stimulus to work and then,

as it grows out of date but still remains the guide of all local workers

who follow it in ignorance of later developments in the rest of the world,

finally something of a hindrance to progress.

Three main stages of this nature in the history of Indian Ornithology

occur to us; the first is the publication of Jerdon’s ‘“ Birds of India’’;

the second is the period of extreme activity which centred round the labours

of Hume and which but for the dishonesty of a servant would have culmin-

ated in the publication of a monumental history of the Birds of the Indian

Empire ; the loss of this work can never be sufficiently deplored by all

who are acquainted with the genius and the industry of the greatest of

Indian Ornithologists. The third period was marked by the publication at

long intervals of the four volumes of Birds, in the Fauna of British India

series, published under the authority of the Secretary of State fer India.

The affectionate usage of Indian naturalists has been to speak of this

work as “ Blanford and Oates.”

The four volumes of Blanford and Oates appeared in the years 1889-1898

and with their appearance they immediately became the standard work on

Indian Ornithology. Unfortunately their publication coincided with the

fairly general adoption by European naturalists of the trinomial system of

scientific nomenclature and this standard work because almost at the

moment of its birth out of date, being based on the binomial system. The

result has been that the admirers of the work, and they are many and

grateful, have had their admiration tinged with regret that it should not

ave been exempt from the common fate of all Indian books on Ornithology,

hamely, that the measure of its success should be the measure of the harm

262 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1X.

it has done to Indian Ornithology by divorcing it from the current progress

of the science.

#ortunately at this juncture the Secretary of State for India has been

pleased to sanction a fresh edition of the work ; a new edition was needed

in any case as the first edition has been long out of print and is now difti-

cult and expensive to procure ; and in the volume before us an attempt

has been made to utilise the popularity of the first edition and by incor-

porating in it the progress of the last quarter of a century to remove the

reproach that ‘ Blanford and Oates” had become, like its predecessors, a

hindrance to Indian Ornithology.

There is no need to introduce to readers of this Journal, Mr. Stuart Baker

who has been selected by the general Editor of the ‘‘ Fauna of British

India ” to prepare this second edition. By reputation and attainments

he was obviously marked out in advance for the task and he is to be

congratulated on the energy and speed with which he has produced the

first volume.. The succeeding volumes are promised to appear at intervals

of about two years and they will be anxiously awaited by all naturalists

in the East.

The volume now before us reproduces very closely the format of the

first edition, both in binding, arrangement of the text, and

in the employment of the majority of the same text figures. A new feature

is however introduced by the insertion of 8 coloured plates. These are

reproduced from paintings of birds by the author, but we are constrained

to say that the paintings are not up to the standard required in a work of

this nature and hardly deserve the encomium passed on them by the

general Editor (Professor Shipley) in his introduction.

This volume, dated July 1922, contains about 500 pages and treats of 476

species and subspecies, and few new forms are described. Owing however to

the inclusion of several species which do not appear in the first edition,

and to the division of most species into subspecies, which were not

recognised or treated separately in the former edition, this volume does not

cover as much ground as Oates’ first volume and the new edition will

inevitably run to greater bulk than its predecessor.

It is not proposed here to treat of certain changes in classification and

nomenclature that Mr. Stuart Baker has made. Critics will be found to

complain of changes made and changes neglected, but these matters are

so largely dependent on personal opinion that to discuss them here would

be out of place. Mistakes too may be found inthe work, but that was:

inevitable. It is not however in our opinion the province of the reviewer.

to point out mistakes or matters in which his opinion differs from that of

the author ; such discussions should appear as separate papers, so as to

give the author an opportunity of answering the points,and we hope

that the addenda and corrigenda which prove to be necessary will be

included in the second volume when it appears, rather than delayed for

the completion of the work. is dat qui cito dat. For the main ground of

our gratitude to Mr. Stuart Baker is that he has brought Indian Ornitholo-

gv up to date and into touch with general Ornithology and given us all

firm ground from which to restart our labours. It was becoming an impos-

sible task for the Ornithologist in India to keep touch with all the scatter-—

ed notes and papers concerning Indian birds when his text book was too

out of date for annotation.

Mr. Stuart Baker with the permission of the General Editor has intro-

duced one very important difference in this edition from its predecessor.

The Synonomy has been reduced to merely a reference to the original

description and a reference to Blanford and Oates. The change will be.

deplored by many and it is certainly a serious blemish in the usefulness

REVIEW. 263

of the book though we are grateful for the insertion of type localities after

the most modern practice. But it is difficult to see how the publication of

the work could have been effected in the present state of the trade without

some drastic cut of this kind. The descriptions of plumages have been

also curtailed, in our opinion less defensibly ; for the scientific ornithologist

(for whom this work is primarily intended) certainly needs more than has

here been given of the seasonal changes and different stages in dress caused

by age and sex, while the subject of down plumages has been entirely

omitted. This brevity is certainly one of the serious defects in the work.

These cuts have been made, in the claim of the author, to allow of more

space being devoted to the modification and habits of eachform. In these

features the work is an improvemert on its predecessor but perhaps an

undue proportion of the space has been occupied by the breeding habits of

a bird; here as elsewhere in his writings Mr. Stuart Baker scarcely pays

sufficient attention to migration which is uncoubtedly one of the most

important elements in a study of birds.

it is in no carping spirit that we have pointed out the features in which in

our opinion the book falls short of perfection. The main fact remains that

Mr. Stuart Baker is to be warmly congratulated on the issue of this

useful volume, and Ornithologists generally are tobe congratulated on its

addition to their library. To Ornithologists in India it will be indispens-

able,

A little over thirty-three years ago the first volume on Birds in the

Fauna of British India was published, and it is now naturally somewhat

out of date.

All interested in Indian birds were therefore delighted to learn, a year

or so ago, that a new edition of this indispensable work had been sanc-

tioned, and that its preparation had been intrusted to Mr. E. C. Stuart

Baker, our leading authority on Indian ornithology.

In the introduction to the first volume of the original series,

Dr. Blanford remarked that the number of birds to be described in the

three volumes, the original number sanctioned, exceed those in Jerdons

‘‘ Birds of India” by more than one-half. This was to a great extent

accounted for by the territorial limits of the latter’s work, and

although the new edition of the “ Fauna”’ deals with practically the same

area as the old, it would appear as if there would be a similar increase in

the present volumes.

The cause of this increase is two fold, in the first place a very consi(-

erable number of new birds have been described from within the confines

of the Indian Empire during the last thirty years, and secondly, birds

are now studied more exactly and intensively, so that small differences

in size and colour are considered sufficient for distinguishing the various

racial forms or subspecies. Many birds which Oates considered as one

Species, have now been divided into several subspecies, and also, a number

of birds, which he thought were good species, have been reduced to

subspecific rank. «

In the present volume Mr. Baker describes 476 forms as against 556 in

the corresponding volume of the old edition, but he only deals with the

Passeres up to the end of the Trogolodytide (wrens), included by Oates

in the Certhide and also considerably reduces the Timaliide.

It is unfortunate that the synonomy has had to be omitted, but

probably that could not be helped for want of space. Perhaps the

Secretary for State may see his way, when Mr. Stuart Baker has completed

the work, to sanction a final volume bringing the nomenclature and

synonomy of each species up to date.

264 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

The arrangement under each species is much the same as before, with

the exception that the headings of the paragraphs are in heavier type,

and additional headings have been added, such as colour of soft parts,

measurements and nidification (previously included under “ Habits ’’).

Under this last heading full particulars are given of the size and colour

of eggs, type and situation of nest, time of laying and in fact everything

known about the breeding habits of the species. In these paragraphs.

Mr. Baker is at his best and has collected together a large amount of

information much of which has not been published before, which probably

makes this the best part of the book.

The paragraphs on “ Distribution” however are not upto this high

standard and it seems a pity that more details, especially of rare occur-

rences have not been given. The range too of many species is stated in

rather a vague way. We should like to add that when the Presidency

of Bombay or Madras is meant, the word Presidency, or abbreviated | res.

should always be added as Bombay or Madras alone stands for the towns

of these names.

The systematic index at the beginning of the book is arranged differently

to before and the change seems unfortunate as it is neither as clear or

easy to read.

In regard to the forms recognised, the author has erred distinctly on the

liberal side and future revisions we are convinced will show that a consi-

derable number of races cannot stand.

There are many inevitable changes in nomenclature and we are glad

Mr. Baker is so sanguine that the present names, with a few exceptions,

‘‘ willbe permanent.’ The revision of the names of Indian Birds has unfor-

tunately just begun and it will be a long time until anything like finality is.

reached.

A new innovation, and one which it must be admitted will be very useful

to many, is the addition of eight coloured plates to the new edition. These

illustrations are not however up to the standard we are accustomed to in

the Journal and few will agree with the Editor of the series that they are

living ‘“ drawings.” ;

The arrangement and treatment of the various families is somewhat.

different to that of Oates. As before, the present volume begins with the

crows or Corvide, but from it the subfamilies of the Tits and Parrot-bills

have been taken away. These follow as families, the Paride and Paradozur-

nithide, but surely if the last is to include the genus Panurus it will be

known by another name! Next come the Nuthatches or Sittide followed

by the Timaliude, the Crateropudide of Oates, which has been very considera-

bly altered by the taking away and placing elsewhere the bulbuls, the

shortwings and various individual birds such as the Blue Bird, Irena

puella, the Sultan bird, Melanochlora sultanea, the Spotted-wing Psaroglos-

sa spiloptera, etc. All these changes are a great improvement. The Bul-

buls, now given family rank as the Pycnonotide, come next in order,

followed by the Tree Creepers, Certhide, minus the wrens, (Troglodytide)

which are included in a family by themselves along with Testa and

complete the volume.

It is to be hoped that ornithologists in India will send into the Journal

any notes, additions or omissions in the present work and we are sure

Mr. Baker will be only too pleased to receive such assistance which

perhaps might be incorporated in an appendix mm the final volume.

The great difficulty in revising a book {such as the present volume is to

keep it within the prescribed limits and it is easy to criticise omissions

often the difficulty must be to compress all the information available. We

REVIEW. 265

shall look forward to the future volumes and we hope Mr. Stuart Baker

will see his way to take notice of one or two of our remarks.

THE PRESERVATION OF SHIKAR TROPHIES.

We have received from Messrs. Van Ingen and Van Ingen, the well-

known taxidermists, a copy of their pamphlet on “The Preservation of

Shikar Trophies.’”’ We strongly advise all sportsmen to possess themselves

of this admirable little book before setting out on their next shooting trip.

The novice can learn from it how to supervise intelligently the all impor-

tant processes of skinning and initial preparation of his trophies, and will

thus be saved much anxiety lest his first spoils of the chase be ruined by

wrong treatment,—a thing which only toofrequently happens if one has

to leave everything to Native Shikaris whose methods are, to say the least,

generally crude and unscientific. And we venture to think that even the

old campaigner may piek up a hint or two from the book that he will be

glad of when at last he brings to bag the ten-foot tiger or the “ father of

all sambar ” of his dreams.

The processes described in the book are simple and easily understood

and are well illustrated by numerous photographs and diagrams. The

writers are thoroughly well qualified by a wide and varied experience to

write with authority on their subject.

Copies of the pamphlet may be had gratis on application to Messrs.

Van Ingen and Van Ingen, Mysore.

266

OBITUARY.

Dr. HENRY NEVILLE COLTART.

Born 4th October 1873. Died 25th M ay 1922.

It is with the greatest regret that we have to announce the death of Dr. H. N.

‘Coltart who passed away at Epsom in May 1922.

Dr. Coltart came to India in 1899, being appointed Medical Officer to the Makum

Tea Company whose estates lie in the extreme North-East corner of the Lakkim-

pur district of Assam. Immediately on his arrival he began to study the local

avifauna, so extraordinarily rich and varied in Eastern Assam, a work for

which his appointment and position gave him exceptional facilities.

His house was situated on the boundary of the more open, tea-clad foot hills

and plains, whilst behind it rose the densely forested Naga Hills to a height of

7,000 to 8,000 feet. As a doctor he soon came into contact with the Trans-

Dikhu and other tribes of Nagas, and his patience, constant kindness and un-

wearying attention to their illnesses and complaints earned him their respect

and admiration, and it was through them that~he first obtained many of his

greatest rarities.

It was in this way he obtained his earliest specimens of Godwin-Austen’s Horn-

bill, then only known from those obtained by that gentleman and by

Dr. Hartert. Later, however, he procured a grand series of adults of both sexes,

as also young and eggs from the forests in the vicinity of Makum. The rare

Laughing Thrush, Dryonastes nuchalis, he discovered breeding in the nullas and

ravines within a stone’s throw of his dispensary and he was the first also to

discover the breeding habits and eggs of many other birds such 2s Scheniparus

rufigularis, Diceeum trigonostigma, Heteroxenicus sinensis, etc. Amongst the birds

he collected in Assam were Stachyris nigriceps coltarti and Alcedo asiatica coltarti,

named by Dr. Hartert and myself after their discoverer.

In 1900 he left Assam for an appointment in Behar where he continued to do

good ornithological work, though in that very thoroughly worked district, the

home of Inglis and others, he was naturally unable to discover any further

novelties either amongst birds or their eggs.

In 1913 he returned to England and joined his father’s practice at Epsom, but

in 1917 he met with a motor accident and lost his right eye. His sight, which

was then already shewing symptoms of failing, grew gradually worse and

before his death he was practically quite blind from atrophy of the nerves.

Typical of the man’s extraordinary vitality and pluck was his acceptance

of, and endurance during, the accident. After it occurred he drove himself to

the nearest doctor and that night his eye was taken out; seven days later he

was back at work performing a delicate operation.

Dr. Coltart had always been a great athlete, excelling at all games. In 1898-9

his hurdling was well up to championship form, whilst he was first class at all

Sprinting up to the } mile. He played a good game at tennis and a more than

good game at hockey and both rugby and soccer football, whilst at polo he

captained innumerable teams to victory. At this last game he had the knack

of getting a first class game out of second or third class ponies, for the most

contrary animals would do their best for him after a very few rides.

As a man it may be said of him that there have been few who have inspired

such universal affection ; wherever he went he at once became a favourite as well

as a leader and his death at the early age of 48 leaves very wide circle of friends

who will mourn his loss in many countries.

eee?

OBITUARY. 267

H, J. ELWES, F.R.S.

Mr. H. J. Elwes, who died on November 26th, 1922, at the age of 76, was the

‘gon of the late J. H. Elwes of Colesborne, Gloucestershire. He was educated at

Eton and afterwards on the Continent, finally entering the Scots Guards,

from which he retired after a few years with the rank of Captain. On leaving

the army he settled at Preston near Cirencester, but on the death of his father

he removed to Colesborne, where he continued to reside till his death. In 1869

he began his travels with an expedition to 8. E. Europe in company with T. E.

Buckley, the ornithological results of which were described in a joint paper in

the Jbis for 1870. In the following year he went to India principally with the

object of collecting birds, and while trying to make arrangements at Darjeeling

for a trip into the interior of Native Sikkim, he met Dr. W. T. Blanford, who

also had the same object in view. The two joined forces and the necessary

permission obtained they set out in the second week of August, and in the course

of a three months’ tour visited a large part of North and Eastern Sikkim. Though

unsuccessful in their attempts to penetrate into Tibet, they added considerably

to the Geography of Eastern Sikkim exploring the Lachan Valley as far as the

Kongra Lama Pass and up the Lachan Valley to the Donkia La, while they visited

the Cho-La and discovered the now well known Jelepla Pass, but at that time

unknown to Europeans and not marked on any map. Considerable collections

were brought back and the mammals and birds were reported on by Blanford in

a paper in the Jour.-As. Soc. Bengal (Vol. XL, pt. 2, pp. 367-420, Vol. XLI, pt.

2. pp. 30-78). Besides adding considerably to the knowledge of the avifauna

of Sikkim, two new species were discovered, one of which, a shore-lark, was

procured on the Kongra Lama Pass by Elwes and named after him Otocoris

elwesit. During the remainder of his stay in India, Elwes did a certain amount

of collecting in many parts of the country including the Punjab, U. P., C. P.,

Bengal, Lower Assam, the Carnatic and Travancore, where he hunted elephants

in the Cardamom Hills andin a letter to the Ibis (1870) described the more im-

portant birds he met with when so employed. After his return to England he

published an important paper on the distribution of Asiatic Birds in the Proc.

Zool. Soc. (1873) and that together with a monograph on the genus Henicurus

and a description of a new Crossoptilon from Tibet may be considered his chief

contributions to ornithological literature.

While on his first visit to Sikkim he was much struck with the wonderful

butterflies of that country and began to make a collection, which he handed

over to his brother-in-law Mr. F. Du Came Godman. From the date of this

visit Elwes may have been said to have turned his attention to Entomology and

we find him back in Sikkim after butterflies in the cold weather of 1876 and

again in 1880-81, in company with Mr. Godman. These visits did not add much

to his knowledge, since they were at the wrong season of the year, but they

enabled him to get in touch with several well known Collectors as O. Muller and

Messrs. Knyvett, Mandelli and Gammie and through them enrich his collections.

With the assistance of the two last named, native Collectors were sent to the

interior of Sikkim and over the frontiers of Tibet and Bhutan.

In 1886 Elwes was appointed naturalist to the British Mission to Lhassa under

Mr. Colman Macaulay. The mission was delayed in starting and after never

leaving Darjeeling was finally abandoned altogether. Elwes, however, had not

been idle and employed his time from May to August in collecting hard in

British Sikkim and in addition to capturing large numbers of specimens obtained

a first hand knowledge of them in the field. With all these materials and ex-

perience he published in the Trans. Entom. Sc. (1888, pp. 269-465) a long and

valuable paper on the Lepidoptera of Sikkim, in which 530 species of butterflies

were recorded. A number of other papers and monographs were published by

him at different times, but the Sikkim paper and his monograph on the Oriental

Hesperide, in which he was asisted by his Secretary Mr. T. Edwards, are the

268 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1IX.

two he is best known by to Indian workers. He was a most generous donor of

lepidoptera to the Natural History Museum at South Kensington, presenting

his collection of Holarctic butterflies and also other collections, which he

purchased. :

In Botany as well as sylviculture and gardening Elwes was much interested

and in his many trips abroad, collected seeds and plants, when opportunity

arose. He published a monograph of the genus Lilimui in 1880 and later in

collaboration with Prof. A. Henry he brought out a magnificent work on the

Trees of Great Britain and Ireland (1906-1913). Laterly he took a leading

part in the resuscitation of that old and important publication the Botanical

Magazine. In his garden at Colesborne were wonderful collections of plants,

many of which he had brought back from his entomological excursions to Canada,

the States, Mexico, Andes of Peru, Japan, Formosa, the Altai Mts. and many

parts of Europe.

His last visit to India was in 1913, when in Company with the late Mr. A.

Trevcr Battye he went, among other places, to Katmandu. One of the princi-

pal objects of this visit was to obtain information and specimens of the different

breeds of domestic sheep, which at that time he was engaged in studying with

Prof. Cossar Ewart of Edinburgh.

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1897 and was Vice-President

and Victoria Medalist of the Royal Horticultural Society as well as President of

the Royal Arborical Society. In 1893 and 1894 he was President of the Entomo-

logical Society of London and at the time of his death President of the British

Ornithologists Union.

Elwes was a tall handsome man of extraordinary energy and up till quite

recently could give a good account of himself in a long day on the hill side or in

the low ground after partridges.

In 1871 he married Margaret, daughter of W. C. Lowndes-Stone of Brightwell

Park, Oxon, by whom he had a son, Lt.-Col. H. C. Elwes, D.S.0., M.V.O., and a

daughter Mrs. E. C. Treplin.

THE PASSING OF AN OLD SHIKARI.

Members of the Society who have visited or resided in Bhuj will learn with

regret that the old Bhil shikari, Ookha, died on the 22nd March 1922. He must

have been over 60 years old and had worked as shikari for some 40 years, first

with the officers of regiments stationed here and later with the Political Agent.

He was a fine old shikari and a mine of really sound information on birds

and common mammals. He was Captain C. D. Lester’s shikari and egg collector

when that officer revised Palin’s Birds of Cutch and is frequently referred to

in that book as ‘my shikari Ookha Bhil.’ Durng the cold weather of

1920-21 he was able to go out shooting with me, but he had a severe bout of

fever last monsoon and the ccld weather brought on asthma and cough. It

nearly broke the old man’s heart that he was unable to go out with me this

season. I saw him in his hutin the Bhilwada the day before he died, and

though he was able to talk it was obvious he could not last long. The following

morning he passed quietly and painlessly away to those happy hunting grounds

which, we hope, are reserved for all good shikaris.

E. O’BRIEN,

Lieut. -Colonel.

Baus, Curcs,

27th March 1922.

269

THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE SOCIETY.

HONORARY TREASURER’S REPORT.

Leaving out of consideration for the moment Receipts and Expenditure

on account of the Mammal Survey and Prince of Wales Museum, we find

our receipts for 1922 were about Rs. 8,000 less than for 1921. This is

almost entirely accounted for by the difference in Life-membership sub-

scriptions. On the raising of the amount of the Life Members’ subscription

in 1921, we received Rs. 11,609-8-0 whereas this year at the higher rate

we have only received Rs. 2,923-8-0, a difference of about Rs. 8,000.

We lost last year our Government Grant of Rs. 15,000 but we gained

in sales of journals, game books, interest on investments, etc., about

Rs. 15,800.

Current subscriptions have remained almost unaltered.

Our expenditure was some Rs, 15,562 less than in 1921. This is made

up by a drop in salaries of Rs. 13,046-10-11, owing to the Prince of Wales’

Museum now paying 50 per cent. of the salaries of certain of those

employed by the Society, and by one or two smaller items of expenditure.

The position is, however, not a very satisfactory one, as our income from

sales of books, charts, etc., is not a permanent income and should be

earmarked for paying off printing and other charges which are still out-

standing. We still owe Messrs. Bale and Sons some Rs. 26,€00 for the

game books and towards this we have about Rs. 48,000 worth of stock in

hand which will probably take some years to realise.

The increase in cost in printing the Journal in 1922 was Rs. 2,510 more

than 1921, which was Rs. 7,486 more than in 1920. It is to be hoped

that in 1923 the cost of the Journal may be reduced to the 1921 figure.

At the close of the year 1922 the number of Members on the books

were :—Life Members 157 and Ordinary Members 1,280. During 1922,

144 Members resigned, 79 Members joined and 2 rejoined.

Prince of Wales’ Museum.

Except so faras the staff is concerned the financial position of the

Natural History Section of the Museum does not appear to be in a good

position. lt has a grant from Government of Rs. 17,500 which, I under-

stand, may be increased to Rs. 19,000, and last year received interest from

investments, etc., amounting to Rs. 1,000. Expenditure on standing

charges will consist of :—Salaries Rs. 15,500 and sundries Rs. 1,000, which

should give it a balance of about Rs. 2,500 a year for maintenance exypen-

ses. But as regards provision for exhibits, we have at present housed

only the mammals at a cost of Rs. 22,000 and it is estimated that as much

again will be required to complete the bird and reptile galleries, whereas

the available cash resources at present are under Rupees ten thousand.

Unless very considerable financial help is speedily forthcoming there is

little hope of being able to give the public of India the full benefit of the

magnificent collections the Society can place in the Museum.

Mammal Fund.

On 3lst December 1922 this fund had a balance of Rs. 21,700. During

the past year we received Rs. 5,600 in donations and the second half of

the Government of India Grant, viz., Rs. 22,50(. The Government Grant

has now ceased and unless we receive donations no further income can be

looked for for this account. Salaries however will be considerably less

this year as we only have Mr. Wells and Baptista working for us.

270 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX-

It is unlikely that fresh funds will be forthcoming and we must rely in

future on work done for us—as has been done in the past, by honorary

workers. The need for the Mammal Survey still exists—especially in the

Eastern Ghats and parts of Burma, but looking back on what has been

effected we may well be proud of what the Society’s Mammal! Collectors

have accomplished.

T. A.M. Ba;

Honorary Treasurer.

NOTE BY THE HONORARY SECRETARY.

The position, as the Honorary Treasurer says, is not over satisfactory.

The payments for Life Membership should go to Capital and not be

treated as revenue and, as the Honorary Treasurer points out, the

amount received on account of sale of the Game Books has to be remitted

to the printers. 144 Members resigned against 81 who joined. A few more

years like last year will write “finis’” to the History of this Society.

Yet all that is needed is for the members themselves to help the Society

by getting new members so that future reports will read ‘150 new members

joined and only 50—owing to unavoidable causes—resigned’’. <A form of

application for membership is inserted in this Journal.

R. A. SPENCE,

Honorary Secretary.

271

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

No. IL—SOME NATURAL HISTORY NOTES CONNECTED

WITH THE PRINCE OF WALES’ TOUR IN INDIA.

The Forestry of Nepal.

In the first part of my account of H.R. H. The Prince of Wales’ Shoots in |

India, when dealing with Nepal it had been my intention to include some notes

on the wonderful forestry of the country. The following extract from a note

entitled ‘ A Royal Shooting Ground’ which appeared in the ‘Field’ vividly

depicts the calm and twilit grandeur of these gigantic forests.

“ The tangle of valleys at the foot of the giant Himalayan ranges is covered with

dense vegetation of a thousand different forms. The higher lying tracts consist

for the most part of virgin sal forest, the tall, straight boles, crowded together,

stretching upward for light and air froma seaof undergrowth. In the hollows

and damper stretches, creepers cling about the trees and in the forest glooming

one is aware ofa silent struggle for existence among these vegetable things.

One sees great forest trees, killed and rotting, held up in constrictor-like coils or

caught in tangled webs of living rope, a fight between the nobler forest forms and

parasitic growths. The fight even goes on between members of the predatory,

creeping tribes themselves. Mingled with the varied odours of living green

things there hangs a faint ever-present acrid smell of decaying vegetation. Else-

where one finds wide acres of “‘ narkat,’”’ half grass, half weed, of stupendous

height, tunnelled by the fauna of the forest, but otherwise more impenetrable

even than the tree jungle. The forest is, indeed, rather likea great city, but

peopled by plants of many races and diverse habits ; with congested areas

where struggling multitudes toil, its spacious residences of sylvan aristocrats,

its river ways, streets and parks. In the stifling overgrown forest, men can only

walk by the few well-defined forest paths ; wandering off these they are swallowed

up, blind, and lost.”

Elephant Machans.

During the late Royal tour in India I had an opportunity of observing the

habits of very many elephants in the different Indian States. Concerning those

I saw in Nepal I have already made some notes on page 691, Volume XXVIII,

No. 3 of the Journal. I add now a note on the huge machan erected in

the midst of the Camp at Biknathori, and aptly termed a “‘ Funk Machan ”, a

description of which has already been given. Luckily during the Prince’s visit,

itnever had to be made use of for the purpose for which it was erected.

But it made an excellent look out place. Fresh tracks of wild elephants had

been seen on the actual camping ground just before the tents were erected, and

so it was considered advisable to have a place of refuge prepared in case

they invaded the camp atnight. General Kaiser of Nepal told me that this

“* Funk Machan”’ had its origin in its prototype in the camp of the Great Jung

who used to camp in the heart of the elephant country for Keddah purposes.

Similar machans, or screened platforms, were erected for spectators to view

the finaldrive inthe Keddah operations on the Royal visit to Kararpur Camp,

Mysore, but they had more than one storey.

Curious antipathy of elephants to mile stones.

Among my field notes in my diary I come across the following :—

“When motoring from Mysore to the Shooting Camp at Kharapur I noticed

along the road sides the mile stones and road gauges. At the beginning the first

twenty miles they were all marked white with black figures, the last part of the

journey however they were exactly vice versa. Someone told me that the

latter mile stones and road gauges are marked thus on account of their being in

elephant jungle, and that elephants have a curious antipathy to the former mile

272 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

stones and uproot them always, but in the latter case they tolerate them. I

took photos of these mile stones and wrote to Mr. Theobald who replied :—

‘You are quite right about the mile stones being painted black, as it has

been found that if painted white, elephants uproot them. I do not think it is

due to any bad trait but to mischief. Even the wooden railings are painted black

for this reason. White seems to catch the eye of elephants and they apparently

cannot resist playing with them.”

Colonel T. J. McGann of Mysore confirms this. He has been a considerable

number of years in the State and says “It seems evident that elephants dislike

the white coloured mile stones and displace them and do not mind the dark

coloured ones.

Mr. P. F. Bowring, the Commissioner in Mysore, also wrote to me saying :—

‘ T have heard the same thing about the elephants objecting to white mile posts

and not objecting to black ones, or rather, if they happen to be white ones, they

pull them up. Muttannah, the late Conservator of Forests, declared it was so.”

Sambhar in Bhopal.

One of the sambhar shot in Bhopal had a large body and ill developed horns.

Whether this was due to overshooting resulting in the destruction of the best

stock, or due to an excess of does and consequent weakening of the stock it is

difficult to decide.

Col. R. W. Burton writes as follows to me. “Ido not recollect that the

question you raise has ever been thoroughly investigated. Horns of ruminants

vary much according to the locality in which the animals are found. In the

Satpura Hills, Tapti Valley, and that part of the country, sambhar carry very

large and perfect horns: in parts of Central India, Orchha and Panna States

in particular, abnormal heads are very common, and many of them at the same

time run fairly large. In the Himalayan Terai jungles, sambhar carry smaller

heads, anything approaching 40” being quite unusual. It is, I think, gene-

rally agreed that abnormalities in horns of ruminants, those classes of them

which periodically shed their horns, are caused by injuries during the time the

horns are in velvet, that is to say, in process of formation and growth. Such ab-

normalities would not be inherited, unless perhaps they were caused by bodily

injury. In such a case it may be conjectured whether the aknormality could

not be transmitted. Possibly it could. Butthe question you raise as to the

causation of the heads of sambharin Bhopal being so frequently small and

ill developed is apart from that of abnormalities, and I think we must look

for the reason either in heredity : brought about by some peculiarity in the

country, its soil, orthe climate, causing a poor growth of horn; or in the

other two causes you mention.

It may be that the Bhopal sambhar are very much in bred. Perhaps those

jungles are isolated and the stock of sambhar get no infusion of blood from other

localities. Orit may be that there is aweakening of stock brought about by

shooting off of too many stags. Sambhar go back in their heads when past their

prime, so, if there is much shooting done in the place you mention, itis quite

possible that, a large number of the best stags having been shot off, mostly

immature ones remain. They may not have had time to attain full age and

corresponding growth of horn and this would affect the stock.

It would, I think, require a knowledge of that part of the country extending

over some years, anda considerable amount of observation extending over the

same period, to enable anyone to come to a sound conclusion in the matter.”

Vultures that live for centuries.

I am indebted to Sir H. Perry Robinson, K.B.£., for permission to publish

the following :—

“Some thirty-five miles from Madras, out Chinglepet way, with a good motor-

ing road to take you there, is the holy hillof Tirukalikunram. There is a great

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 273

temple down below, a place of immemorial sanctity, but the hill, with a second

temple perched like some Rhine-castle on its very summit, is more famous,

and what chiefly makes it famous is its sacred birds. Every guide-book or other

authority tells you that the birds are “ kites,’ but they are not—or were not

yesterday—but are vultures, the familiar black and dirty white, yellow-billed,

unsavoury Egyptian vulture, or Pharaoh’s chicken.

They are immortal birds; or have, at least, now been living for some centuries.

More remarkable still is it that they travel every day a thousand miles or so to

spend half an hour here at Tirukalikunram, coming just for their midday meal.

They breakfast in Benares eight hundred miles or so to the north. They

come here, stop for their luncheon and pass on—some say to Ceylon to

roost, though others believe that they spend the night at Delhi. This is their

daily routine and has been for centuries : or so tradition says and so the pious

believe. The facts that I can vouch for are as follows :

Every morning pilgrims, many of them from far distant places, gather here

and climb the hill; and a very arduous climb it is, up steep stone steps. The

European who is not sound of wind and limb had best avail himself of the

luxury of a chair and be carried by four men to the summit, four men who

grunt in unison at every laborious step and stream with perspiration long

before the top is reached. Close beside the temple which crowns the hill, but

a few feet lower, is an immense smooth rock on which the priest, who feeds

the sacred birds, takes his station, early in the morning.

There are two priests who take the task in daily alternation. The one who

officiated yesterday was a youngish man—perhaps thirty years of age—magni-

ficently built, with great shoulders and brawny neck. He sits alone cross-

legged on the bare smooth rock, naked to the waist save for rosaries round his

neck, surrounded with a paraphernalia of half a dozen brass plates and _lotas.

Sitting there, silhouetted against the blue sky, with the sun beating on his brown

neck and back, his head bowed in an attitude reminiscent of the Buddha,

his fingers fumbling with his beads, his lips moving unceasingly in silent

prayer, he makes an extraordinarily striking figure. Close by, but lower,

where a thatched shelter gives shade from the sun, the pilgrims sit silent,

almost motionless, patiently awaiting the coming of the birds.

So we waited without a sound, except as now and again the priest shifted

his Jotas which scraped and tinkled on the stone ; and time passed. Now and

again a common kite sailed by, looked down curiously, and passed on. Eleven

o’clock—a quarter past eleven—half past—when suddenly two shadows moved

across the rock ; and a moment later, from nowhere, out of the blue, two vul-

tures dropped upon the rock some ten yards from where the priest was sitting.

He moved his vessels round towards them and held one out to the visitors at

arm’s length. Slowly, walking very clumsily on the slippery stone, they wad-

dled towards him. One, however, yesterday had evidently done himself well

in Benares and had no appetite for lunch. He watched from the background

while his partner gorged himself, first from the dishes, then from the hand of

the priest, who kneaded with his fingers great balls of foodstuffs and thrust

them into the vulture’s mouth.

Two things are curious about this ceremony. In the first place, the food

which is given the birds is not such as vultures ordinarily prey upon, being a

pasty mass of rice and wheat and sugar and butter ghee. But the birds are, or one

was yesterday, greedy enough for it. In the second place, when a man sits day

after day in the same spot with food it is not remarkable that here Egyptian

vultures—which are not uncommon birds—should learn to come and be fed.

What is remarkable is that only two should come and not 200 or 2,000, as well

as kites and crows and other kinds of vultures : two only, coming always, it is

said, from the same quarter of thesky and taking flight again in the same, but

another, direction. And, according to tradition, it has always been two century

after century, no other birds venturing to approach the holy feeding ground.

274 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

The birds have fed and flown again, the pilgrims rise and troop down that

long hill once’more, satisfied, however far they may have come ; for have they

not seen plainly with their own eyes the miraculous event which is famous all

over India? It is very curious but I wish the sacred visitors were some less

abhorrent fowls than the loathly vultures. They should be birds of paradise at

least.” 3

BERNARD C. ELLISON, C.M.Z.S., F.R.G.S.

No. I1.—ON THE RANN OF CUTCH.

(With two Plates).

(1) BLhackspuck AND Moror-Car.

Separating Cutch from Kathiawar lies the Rann of Cutch, to most people but

a name on the map of India. Towards its eastern end, once the monsoon is well

over and its tides receded, it ceases to be impassable to a foot passenger, and by

the middle of the cold weather presents a dry flat surface over which a motor

can travel at speed for miles in any direction. Where the State of Dhrangadhra

borders the southern edge of the Rann, it is the habit of herds of blackbuck,

after spending the night in the cultivated lands, to betake themselves to the open

Rann during part of the day. To His Highness the Maharajah of Dhrangadhra,

a keen shikari and keener motorist, this fact naturally affords a unique opportu-

nity of combining two favourite pursuits.

To the sportsman it may seem to savour of not playing the game to compel

an animal to pit its speed and powers of endurance, subject to the limitations

of flesh and blood, against a machine. But all depends upon how it is done. In

Vol. XXVIII, No. 2 of this Journal, Capt. Pitman refers, in his Notes on Mesopo-

tamian Mammals, to the hunting of gazelles in similar fashion on the Samarra

plain, and rightly condemns a practice, in which some, apparently, indulged, of

pumping lead into a herd. The method he complained of was to wear an

animal down and shoot it at a few yards’ range, which must sometimes have

meant a fairly long chase but was doubtless justifiable when meat was needed

or, perhaps, to secure an exceptional head.

His experience on the Dhrangadhra Rann has shown Sir Ghanshayamsinhji the

fairest method, to impose a strict limit both on the number of shots fired at an

individual beast and on the time expended in chasing him. With but three .

cartridges allowed, and a time limit of five minutes, the odds are by no means

heavily against the buck. Good though the going usually is, no car at high speed

can maintain a level motion, so that anything like a real aim is impossible, while,

even with the quickest of snapshots, the slightest bump is enough to throw your

muzzle off the line of aim at the moment of pressing the trigger.

My own experience the first time that I tried the game was probably neither

better nor worse than the average. Three times did I expend my three shots on a

blackbuck without success and then let him go while I sought another. It was

only at my fourth attempt that I succeeded with the second shot at a distance of

about fifty yards. The antelope, for five minutes at any rate, could I found

maintain without difficulty a speed equal to the best a Ford could achieve. One

could easily enough get up to within from thirty to fifty yards as arule, but it

was only when the buck indulged in their characteristic practice of crossing in

front that a nearer shot occasionally offered. Of course by this method the animal

is less likely to be killed outright than if ridden down till exhausted and shot at

very close range, as described by Capt. Pitman, but on the other hand it has, tn ©

the former case, a fair chance of escape altogether, as I have shown.

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

THE WILD ASS (EQUUS HEMIONUS) ON THE RANN OF CUTCH.

(Photos taken from a motor-car by Mr. C, A. H. Edwards.)

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

~ S 353 3

HYBRID COLT OF WILD ASS MARE—SIRED BY BAY |

COUNTRY-BRED PONY. |

ALBINO CHINKARA. |

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 275

As to the speed attained: full speed on the Rann in my own Ford meant 35 to

36 miles per hour. In one instance a young buck fairly ran away from my car

travelling at this pace, and must have been doing not less than 38 at the end of

eight minutes, which I tried as an experiment, without firing after a third miss

and letting him go. H. H. the Maharajah assured me that on one occasion, he was

driving, I think, an Overland car, when a buck was shot by Mr. C.A.H. Edwards

of the P.W.D. who was with him, the speedometer showed 42 m. p.h.! The

buck was broadside on, going as fast as the car, and when shot dead fell and slid

with its own momentum a distance of 27 measured yards from the spot; of

course the surface cannot have been very dry at the time. Mr. Edwards

confirmed the correctness of these figures.

(II) THe Witp Ass (Equus hemionus).

The Rann of Cutch is well known as the permanent habitation of the Asiatic

Wild Ass, whose comparatively close acquaintance in the wild state a Ford car

has enabled me to make. In February last I took a friend, with my wife, out

on the Rann to shcot a blackbuck. On our way back, close to the southern shore,

the mirage on the sky-line showed a number of weird figures which presently

resolved themselves into a little herd of the Rann donkeys which I had been most

anxious to see but had not come across before. They were able to attain a very

useful pace, but could not compete with the car, though on our near approach

they jinked away with no lack of agility. We were late and had no time to spare

but had a good look at them for two or three minutes at a distance of about a dozen

yards. What struck me very much at first sight was the parti-coloured effect

produced by the alternating patches of white and light reddish-grey which com-

posed their colouring, reminding one of the Noah’s Ark animals of one’s childhood,

and quite unlike the uniform style of coating of the Somali Wild Ass.

I longed for a camera but had none with me. On a subsequent occasion,

however, I did succeed in taking some fairly good snapshots of a donkey from my

car, but I was not as successful as Mr. Edwards who has very kindly permitted me

to make use of some better ones taken by himself in similar conditions. I

enclose three of these interesting and probably unique photographs ; one at least

of them should reproduce well.

Talso send photos taken by myself of a captive mare of the Wild Ass, now in the

possession of H. H. the Maharajah of Dhrangadhra, and of a two-year old

hybrid colt of hers, sired by a bay country-bred pony. This interesting

youngster is smaller than the mother, of a uniform bright brown colour. As to

the pace of the Wild Ass I may mention that on the open Rann I found them

able to attain and keep up without difficulty a speed of 26 miles per hour.

A WHITE CHINKARA (Gazella bennetti.)

Though it has nothing to do with the Rann, it may be of interest to mention

here, an albino chinkara doe in possession of His Highness, which was found es

a week-old fawn near Dharangadhra last year. Of it also | enclose a photograph.

A. H. MOSSE,

WADHWAN, October 1922. MaJor, I.A.

No. III—SOME NOTES ON THE COMMON INDIAN OTTER (LUTRA

LUTRA).

(With a photo.)

It may be of interest mentioning a few facts in connection with the food and

habits of this animal.

Soy 3 Le

276 JOURNAL, BOMRAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

According to Blanford, the Common Indian Otter inhabits nearly the whole

of India and Ceylon and also occurs east of the Bay of Bengal.

The otter which I am writing about, and of which I also give a photograph,

was caught in the Pamber River, Kodaikanal, 8. India, at an elevation of 7,000

ft. He came to a meat bait; the meat was that of a Jerdon’s ee (P.

yjerdoni) which still had the odour of the animal about it.

After having skinned the animal, I examined the stomach to see ae it had

been feeding on. The main part of the contents of the organ was that of decayed

wood and crabs. In addition to the above mentioned, there was a quantity

of green leaves (which I was unable to identify owing to their being partially

digested), plus some other material.

As there were hardly any fish and not many crabs in the stream I suppose

it took to eating the wood in order to still its hunger or may be for some other

unseen reason.

What nourishment the otter derived from this diet is hard to say; but ne-

vertheless the animal was in a very good condition. As regards the food, Blan-

ford writes as follows :—‘“* They live chiefly upon fish, crustacea and frogs, and

as is well known, when they find food plentiful, kill far more than they require

to eat.” These animals also occur in the Kodai Lake. They have been

known to attack ducks when on the water and even dogs while swimming. The

presence of otters in a stream or lake may be easily detected, as the animals

usually come out of the water and deposit their excreta on rocks in the stream

or on the banks. If not disturbed they generally come to the same place every

time, except perhaps when on their way up or down stream.

Bompay NATURAL History Society, C. McCANN.

15th January 1923.

No. IV.—TIGER CLIMBING A TREE.

At Hungpru in Mergui District, three Karen elephant catchers had a machan 50

ft. above ground in the fork of a fairly high tree. Five feet below the machan the

tree forked. There was a bamboo ladder leaning up against the tree by which

they used to ascend. The ladder met’the tree 10 feet above ground and was

tied to the tree (right up against it) for a further 35 feet, 7.e., up to the fork. At

4 a.m. the Karens were awakened by the tree swaying, being dark they could

see nothing but heard some animal breathing in the fork below them which they

thought was a bear. By shaking the machan they were able to shake the beast °

off the fork, and heard it clawing while sliding down the tree till it stuck the

ground where it roared and then made off. The same morning at 10 a.m. the

Karens came to my camp and told me the above tale. I went out and saw the

tree and noticed the following :—The tree was heavily scratched from the fork

downwards for 35 feet down to where the ladder first met the tree, the scratches

were long, deep, claw marks, nothing likethose made bya bear. when coming

down, and were placed alternately on either side of the tree as if the animal had

swung during itsdescent. At the foot of the tree were two bamboo stumps with

sharp tops, these tops were covered with blood for about 5 inches and were

split, the interstices being full of red and white hair. The elephant path

leading away from the machan bore the pugs of a large tiger coming towards

and going away from the tree. The ground near the foot of the tree had been

torn up with deepscratches. Out of the last lot of scratches on the tree I

eut a claw which had been wrenched off.

The width of the ladder was about 14”. I found it very difficult getting to

the fork of the tree up this ladder as it was absolutely perpendicular.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 277

“The above incident took place at Hungpru in the Bokpyin Township, Mergui

"District, on the 8th March this year.

I am sorry I was unable to get a photograph of the tree as it was in dense jungle

‘and the snaps I took turned out failures.

‘Maymyo, Upper Burma, G. E. R. COOPER.

3rd October 1922.

[Several instanees of tigers climbing trees have been recorded in the

Society’s Journal. Vide Mr. G. Monteath’s note, Vol. XXVI., No. 5, p. 837

‘and Brig.-General P. Burton’s notes in Vol. XXVII., No. 2, p. 164; Ibid,

-No. 3, p. 888—EDITors. |

No. V.—SUPPOSED OCCURRENCE OF THE ERMINE IN INDIA,

_ In Vol. X XVII, page 624 of this Journal, Mr. C. H. Donald, writing from

‘Dharmsala, reported having captured a young male of what he takes to be the

Ermine (Putorius erminea). The animal was obtained on the Larka Pass at

13,000 feet elevation. =

This summer, while camping out on the Pir Panjal Range not far from Gul-

'marg, I got two specimens of a small stoat or weasel which from Mr. Donald’s

- description must have been identical with his animal. They were shot among

‘loose rocks at about 12,000 feet elevation. One on August 9 and the second on

September 4. In colouration my animals agreed entirely with Mr. Donald’s,

.and in fearlessness also I can confirm his experience.

From the kev to the Musteline in the Fauna of British India I decided, as did

Mr. Donald, that my specimens could only be the Ermine. I sent a skin and

‘skull to the Curator of the Bombay Natural History Society who kindly forward-

«ed them to the British Museum, whence Mr. Oldfield Thomas writes as follows :—

‘““Osmaston’s Putorius erminea is Mustela whiteheadi. It is interesting to

‘record the fresh locality........

/ SRINAGAR, KASHMIR. B. B. OSMASTON, 1.F.3.

No. VL.—THE OCCURRENCE OF THE MALLARD (ANAS

PLATY RHY NCHA) IN RAJPUTANA.

To the best of my recollection, in Hume and Marshall’s Game Birds of India,

“the Mallard is spoken of as a somewhat rare visitor to Rajputana, while Mr.

‘Stuart Baker records that it has been “occasionally”? shot there. My expe-

rience last cold weather leads me to believe that, some years at least, it is not

“uncommon. I was stationed last cold weather at Nasirabad early in December,

and at a place called Barli about 25 miles 8. of Nasirabad, I shot one Mallard,

a female; later in the same month Major G. G. Dormer of the 104th (Welles-

ley’s) Rifles, with whom I was shooting, shot three, one a male and two females.

‘These three were shot on two different days on different tanks close to Sareri

‘some 40 miles S. of Nasirabad. At about the same time three more were shot

by another officer of the Regiment, who was shooting still further south with

:another party in the neighbourhood of Hamirgarh.

Tua, N.W.F.P., R. H. STABLES.

11th October 1922.

278 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1IX.

No. VII.—SOME NOTES ON INDIAN GAME BIRDS.

Pierocles arenarius.—Finn mentions bags of 54 brace as being remarkable ;

this to 3 guns, but much larger bags have been made. Notably when the pre-

sent King shot with the Maharajah of Bikanir.

Polyplectron chinquis.—I found feathers in the recent cooking places at Nam

Dip, Rakeng, Siam. I also saw the birds in the Melamoung valley at 2,500 ft.

They were always in evergreen jungle. I shot the specimen sent you on the

West side of the Dawna Mts. in Tenasserim.

Gallus ferrugineus.—Finn states the breeding season to be the first half of the:

year. In the dry zone of Upper Burma I found two incomplete clutches in the

fourth week in July, and none before the 8th of June. Three eggs on 8th

June 1914. Next clutch was four on 7th July 1914, quite fresh. In the lower

valley of the Salween I saw a brood of half-grown chicks on 3rd April 1914, and

newly-hatched broods in the third week of February 20. On my return jour-.

ney from Siam last year I saw no birds other than those fully grown. In Siam

itself I found fresh clutches as follows :—

30th March 1920. 2 ina hole in the bank of a dry stream-bed. Nest

was quite unlined. The hole was about a foot deep.

6th April 1920. 4 between the buttresses at the foot of a big tree, Nest’

lined with dead leaves.

8th April 1920. 5 in dry leaves at foot of bamboo clump.

26th April 1920. 2 in scrape under single fallen bamboo. The bird sat so:

close I nearly succeeded in catching her withmy hand. The birds evidently

nest much later on the side of the mountains away from the sea, than on the

side where the early part of the monsoon falls heaviest.

I saw small parties of cocks two or three times, and parties consisting of

3 cocks and 2 hens, and 9 cocks and 7 hens, on 9th February 1920 and 6th

April 1920 respectively. I saw no Jungle Fowl on the Ta’ok Plateau.

Tragopan melanocephalus.—I saw this species feeding in company with:

Kalij, Chir, and Koklass on 24th April 1907 in a nullah in Padar high above the

Chenab. The place was a small open grassy slope in the forest from which

the snow had just melted. This is the only occasion on which I have seen a

gathering of this kind.

Snow Cocks.—In Ladakh, the boundary between the Tibetan and the

Himalayan species seems to be the Zanskar River. I saw two packs of the Hima--

layan Snow Cock (2. himalayensis), which numbered 17 and 25 strong on the

main ridge, 25 miles west of Lamayuru, on 19th June 1911.

Francolinus chinensis.—Contrary to Finn I found this bird good eating.

I have seen it quite 35 feet up a tree very often, and believe it roosts up there,

as I have sometimes turned them out of a tree when going ovt after them

in the very early morning before fulllight. In Siam I found them usually

where forest and sandbank meet in the Meping Valley. I regret that of several

nests found in the first fortnight of June 1914 I can find only exact record of

one in my diary, containing 6 eggs, found on 7th June 1914 situated on a well-

drained slope in a clearing in the forest, several miles from the open scrub

country they seem to affect out of the breeding season.

Perdrix hodgsonie.—I shot one old and one young bird of this species:

out of a covey of seven which used to frequent a patch of “ boortsia ’ not 50.

yards from my tent. This was at a place called Leh Napa in Ladakh about

15 miles from the Nimu Mud ford on the Indus in the first week in August

1911. The young bird was not quite fully grown.

Arboricola brunneipennis.—My specimens B2 and B3 which I sent to the

B. N. H. 8. are of this species. I do not agree with Finn about their

call. They have a distinct morning and evening call, something like * Kuk,.

ka, Kuk, kuk, ké.’’ It is used much more in the morning than the even-.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. |. 279

img. I only met with them in the Melamoung Siam where they were very

‘common, especially round the Hot Spring. Tropicoperdix chloropus I got at

.Pang Yao and in dense evergreen jungle at the foot of the hills near E Ka Klo.

Also in the Melamoung below the hot spring, two or three miles lower down

(and 500 feet lower in elevation) than A. brunneipennis.

‘Casarca rutila.—Reference page 121] of Stuart Baker’s ‘‘ Indian Ducks ”’, in

the last week of July 1911 I was passing the west end of the Tsokr Chumr lake

in Ladakh, and twice saw a Brahminy Duck bring down a young one from the

cliffs where they nest in numbers. The first bird passed within about 12 yards

of me and I distinctly saw the head of the young one on its back a little to the

left of the spine; the youngster seemed well in amongst the old bird’s

feathers, and she was planing down and had her head rather bent back,

‘The cliffs are about 300 yards from the edge of the lake and she settled on

dry land not more than a third of the distance from the starting point.

‘Through glasses I actually saw the second bird start her flight, and she started

with a few short wingstrokes and planed down in exactly the same way;

but I could not see the young one. I saw it run from her on landing, to the

‘bit of scrub where I found the remaining four chicks. She also did not travel

‘more than about 80 yards towards the water. In both cases I walked to the

landing spot and found 4 and 5 chicks respectively. I think chicks are probably

brought down by both methods, and that it is also quite possible that two are

sometimes brought down at a time, one in the feet and one on the back. In

neither case could I see the feet clearly as they were tucked up, but I should think

the landing on the hard stony ground would be fraught with considerable danger

to the chick brought down in them. On July 9th, 1905, I caught a brood of eight

chicks on the edge of the Kyangchu Plain at least 10 miles from any

standing water, a small spring a couple of miles away being the nearest water

to them. These chicks were about a week old.

C. H. STOCKLEY, Magor.

No. VIII.—NOTES ON THE MIGRATION OF DUCK AND TEAL.

I have once again noticed that this season, as in previous seasons in the Pun-

jab, the male birds seem to arrive after the females. My observations are mostly

with reference to teal and mallard. I find, on reference to my diary, that

during the latter half of last November I shot three teal and two mallard on the

Khanna stream, and that all of them were females. My record for December

is the same. In both months I shot four duck of other species, only one (a

gadwall) being a male. Out of about sixty other duck seen I could only

definitely put down two as drakes, a mallard and-a red-headed pochard. At

least fifty of the remainder were undoubtedly females. In the first half of

January (I did not shoot during the second half) I shot eight mallard and three

teal, all drakes : the three teal were shot out of a party of six, all of which

were drakes but one. In February I shot six mallard and two teal, only one

mallard being a female. J examined a flock of about 100 teal resting on a pool

in the river in the last week in February, and at least four owt of five were

drakes. Now, during March, the mallard have mostly gone and their place—

has been taken by pintail, and the proportion of males and females seems

about even, the females perhaps slightly preponderating. I was stationed at

Peshawar and the Malakand from Nov. 1903 to March 1907, and I noticed |

exactly the same thing in just about the same proportions, but my shooting

diary for those years is not available, and the only figures I have are 42 teal

between September 15th. and October 15th., 1904, of which eleven were

garganeys (out of the first 17 shot): of the total, only three garganeys and

280 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX,

two common teal were drakes. I put forward these observations with consider-

able diffidence, as neither Stuart Baker nor Finn remark on this matter, and:

if it is the usual order of arrival it is strange that it should not have been.

a subject of comment before.

C. H. STOCKLEY, Masor..

CuHak Lata, PunsaB, 24th March 1921.

No. 1X.—NOTES ON THE HABITS OF A YOUNG HORNBILL..

For several months my friend Captain Gladstone Solomon and Ii

have been observing the habits of a young Hornbill ( D. dicornis ) we have-

been keeping in the bungalow. We kept her first of allina cage, as she

seemed not inclined to be friendly. For some weeks she remained like.

this, and nothing particular happened except a nauseous shrieking con-

tinued allday, especially when the hours of 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.,.

her feeding time approached.

After some weeks a friend of mine, who happened to be staying:

with us, discovered that the weird inclination of the head and scraping

against the wires of her cage accompanied by weird chucklings in her

throat, which took place everytime we approached the cage, were

meant in a friendly spirit, and moreover experiment showed that the pecks.

bestowed on one’s hand when put to the wires were in reality quite gentle..

‘Becky,’ so called on account of her marked semitic type of countenance,

was inclined to be friendly and evidently liked our company.

Her cage was immediately behind the dining table in the verandah

and when guests dined with us the tumult of pleasure increased tenfold

and when the time of dessert approached it reached its climax. A stop was:

always able to be put on this by placing a macintosh over the cage, and

it was wonderful the effect darkness had on the bird, silence ensuing:

immediately. Whistling also had the effect of completely silencing her,,.

and the peculiar way in which she moved her head at such times showed

how completely mystified she was. It was a most amusing sight.

We now began to open the cage and let her get out, and then she be-

eame a perfect mascot, hopping about the room, and always on the look out

for scraps of food, of which she ate anything, plantains being her:

peculiar delight.

To the butlers at table she showed a decided antipathy, and delighted

in trying to give them sundry pecks on the legs suddenly, making them

jump and almost drop the plates they were carrying.

However she had on the whole very good table manners, and only

forgot herself once in the matter of leaping upon the dinner table, and

with her wings breaking all the glasses on an occasion when there:

was some especially luscious fruit on the table. Her most remarkable:

performances were what a literary friend of ours termed her ‘ puja’ (‘e.,

her religious exercises). This appeared to be due to the remarkable effect

the sun had upon her. She used to delight in basking in the sun, when first:

of all a curious trembling used to take place, followed by an inclination of the

head, then the whole wonderful expanse of her wings would extend and the-

bird became completely prostrate,and offered a wonderful sight with her wings:

completely stretched, eyes closed, and body absolutely in a convulsive con-

dition. At first we thought that this might be dangerous to ‘Becky’, but

as she continually chose to do it herself and no ill effects happened, we put

down ‘ Becky’s Puja’ to the effects of basking in the sun to a bird which

had never before experienced heat of this nature, the reason being she had’

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 28]

been bred and kept in captivity. Besides ourselves, ‘ Becky ’ had several

friends, and lived on amicable terms witha hedgehog (Algernon) and two

tame monkeys ‘ Young Jacob’ and ‘ Lizzie’ who were just lately wedded.

Except for an occasional tiff with ‘ Young Jacob’ when he got more than

what she considered fair of his share of oranges, there was perfect concord.

One day she had a very narrow escape, being nearly run over by a car

when in an ecstasy performing her Puja. Becky’s many friends and

admirers will be grieved to hear that she is shortly leaving India to take

up her abode in the Zoological Gardens, London.

| B. C, ELLISON, C.M.Z.S., F.R.G.S.

Bomsay, 18th August 1922.

__ (In the case of kites and vultures, the habit of spreading their wings

in the sun is commonly observed but I do not think it has been observed

with the hornbill.)

No. X.—ON THE BREEDING OF CERTAIN WAGTAILS.

It may be of interest to record the following notes on the breeding of certain

Wagtails which came to my notice during the year 1921 :—

1. The Grey Wagtail, Motacilla cinerea melanope, Pall.

In the Fauna of India it is stated that the Grey Wagtail breeds in Kashmir

above 6,000 ft. and in Afghanistan. This statement appears to be based on the

records by Brooks and Wardlaw-Ramsay which are quoted in the second edition

of Hume's “ Nests and Eggs,” Vol. IT, p. 207. As regards Kashmir, Ward has con-

firmed that it breeds commonly. Since then Whitehead (Ibis, 1909, p. 240)

has recorded that it nests freely along the streams of the Sufedkoh from 6,000 to

8,000 ft., and Meinertzhagen has shown (Ibis, 1920, p. 147) that it is a widely

distributed but very local summer visitor to the mountain streams about

Quetta, breeding between 7,000 and 9,500 ft.

Many years ago I ascertained, in the course of a shooting trip, that the Grey

Wagtail breeds in Kulu, and in 1921 I was able to verify my observations.

It is a common breeding species all along the valley of the Beas from Sultanpur

(4,000 ft.) upto at least 9,000 ft. at Rahla, at the foot of the Rhotang Pass. It

certainly occurs in some, and probably in all, of the side nullahs which run down

into the Beas, as, for instance, the Solang nullah, and the Kraun nulla which runs

to the Northern base of the Bhubu Pass. A few pairs, moreover, breed south

of the outer-Himalayan range, for on the 17th May I watched a female on to

her nest situated at 7,000 ft. elevation at the Southern base of the Bhubu Pass

in Mandi State. This nest was a mass of dry grass, bents, and the usual miscel-

laneous materials of a similar character, with a deep well rounded cup of dry

shreds of grass thickly lined with white goat-hair. It was placed on the ground

under a bracken plant close upto the perpendicular side of a huge rock, one of |

a mass of rocks jumbled into the small nullah from which commences the

ascent of the pass. There were 4 fresh eggs measuring 19°5x<14°5, 19x 14°5,

19x 14:5 and 18°5x14°5 mm. They agree exactly with Hume’s description.

Fledged young were seen on the Beas on 17th June. A couple of birds were ~

seen at 5,000 ft. at the end of June at Banjar so it probabaly also breeds

throughout Inner and Outer Saraj.

On crossing the Rhotang Pass I again found the Grey Wagtail in Lahul.

There it breeds along the course of the Chandra and Bhaga Rivers at an

average height of 10,000 ft.

282- JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

The nests are exceedingly difficult to find in Lahul as they are built amongst the

stones lying in vast confusion all along the banks of the rivers which rush. noisily

down their stony beds and tor the most part are not fordable. Much watching

only produced two nests, both at Koksar 10,000 ft. on the 14th June. Both nests

were under stones on the side ot slight declivities. One contained 5 eggs just

hatching ; in the other were 4 ha:t grown nestlings with an egg containing a dead

chick. In construction the nests appeared similar to that above described.

2. The Masked Wagtail, Motacilla alba personata, Gld.

3. Hodgson’s Pied Wagtail, Motacilla alba hodgsoni, Blyth.

Hartert gives the breeding range cx these two Wagtails as follows, remarking

that the boundaries are not clearly known. .

M.a. personata, ‘Turkestan from Transcaspia to the Altai and the southern

end of the Baikal sea, the northern end ot the Chotan Tagh, the Oases of Nija.

Keria and Ssampula, southwards to northern Kashmir, Afghanistan and North.

Persia.

M. a. hodgsoni, Southern Tibet and the northern slopes of the Himalayas

eastwards from Kashmir.

This unfortunately is not very clear, and authenticated details from the various

Himalayan areas are badly wanted. There seems to be very little on record.

In the Jhelum Valley about Srinagar, that is to say the so-called vale of Kashmir,

hodgsoni is an abundant breeding species; this was reported by Cock and

Brooks years ago, and has been confirmed by more modern travellers including

the writer ; itis also the common breeding bird of the Indus Valley about Leh

in Ladakh, as was shown by the American, Abbott and confirmed very recentl

by Ludlow. This year I was able to ascertain that .t breeds very commonl

along the valleys of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers in Lahul at an average height

of 10,000 ft. above sea level. Further east, Brooks reported it as breeding in the

Bhagirattee Valley north of Mussoorie.

In Gilgit and Chitral we have apparently the meeting ground of the two

races, which is interesting in view of the fact that Gilgit at least is the meeting

ground and interbreeding area of Ginanthe picata and EH. capistrata. Though in

the case of the Wagtails there is the curious feature that the status of the two

races is apparently different. Here M. a. personata is a resident and common

species, while M. a. hodgsoni is less abundant and a summer visitor. Owing

to the difficulty of distinguishing the two races in winter plumage and, to a-

less extent, the difficulty in summer of distinguishing first summer females of

hodgsoni from either sex of wpersonata, records must be accepted with some

reserve. But a perusal of the records by Scully, Biddulph and Perreau for these

areas shows that considerable attention was directed to the question of these

Wagtails and the deductions appear to be correct.

Further east records are still more wanting, but in the Kurram River, from

Thall (2,550 ft.) upwards, personata is a common breeding bird (Whitehead

Ibis, 1909, 240). In Afghanistan we already know that it is abundant and breeds

(Wardlaw-Ramsey). While Meinartzhagen (Ibis, 1920, 148) hints that a few

breed about Quetta.

It is curious, in view of the above distribution, to note that this year I found

the nest of personata on the Beas in Kulu at about 4,500 ft. between Sultanpur

and Raisan. As I was going along the road which borders the river in this part,

I saw a Wagtail collecting insects on a small stony island of the river, separated

by a deep but narrow channel from the road side. It was very close to me, a

matter of some 25 yards or so and turning a pair of powerful glasses on to it

I had no difficulty in identifying a male personata, with no trace of black feathers

on the back. It was a question of a few minutes only to watch the Wagtail to

its nest, which was situated in a hole under a stone on the island. There was

then I found a second Wagtail collecting flies on the island, but this was a

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, ~ 283

female maderaspatensis (which is the ordinary breeding bird of the Beas Valley)

and as she was apparently taking her food to the same nest I rather naturally

supposed that the two birds were paired; I was however surprised at some

hostility towards her on the part of the cock. Luckily thinking the instance a

curious one I continued to sit and watch through my glasses, in order to put the

identifications beyond doubt. This gave time for two more Wagtails to arrive,

namely, the female personata (who was readily distinguishable from her mate

by her somewhat duller plumage, though she too had no black feathers on the

back) and the male maderaspatensis. Both personata then continued to col-

lect and carry food to the nest though the male was hampered by his determina-

tion to prevent the female maderaspatansis taking her mouthful of flies to his

chicks. Being at last thoroughly satisfied with my identifications—through

strong glasses in bright sunlight at 25 yards—and not wishing to kill the parents

of a nest with young, I sent an orderly to strip and reach the island through

some shallow water further up, while I continued to watch the birds. The

orderly duly reached the nest and reported 5 young birds and 2 addled eggs.

He then brought back to me the two eggs and one of the nestlings which had

the feathers just coming through the quill. My intention was to try and

rear this bird and it took food readily but was unfortunately killed by a cat or

‘mongoose next morning. |

The two eggs are now in my collection; they measure 19x15 and 18°5x

15mm. They are broad and blunt, almost oval in shape with a faint gloss.

‘The colour is greyish-white, spotted, speckled, and stippled moderately all

over with pale yellowish-brown and ashy-grey.

These were the only birds of the species seen in the Kulu Valley and I am of

opinion that their nesting was merely an isolated case. ‘

4. Hodgson’s Yellow-headed Wactail. Motacilla citreola calcarata, Hodgs.

Dr. Claud Ticehurst has recently shewn (Bull. B.O.C., Vol. xi., 81) that the

correct name of this Wagtail is M. c. calcarata, Hodgs., which had been dis-

carded in the Fauna in favour of M. citreoloides.

We have in M. c. calcarata and M. c. citreola a very parallel case to that of

the two Pied Wagtails just considered; the grey-backed form is the northern

breeding form, while the black-backed occupies in the breeding season a mere

southerly Himalayan area. There is again some doubt as to the exact boundaries

of the respective areas. .

Again in Gilgit both species apparently are found breeding on the same ground.

There is some indication that in Chitral also possibly both birds breed, but most

observers find some difficulty in distinguishing all but adult plumages of the

Wagtail group, and in many cases it is probable that the two immature phases

in which calcarata is now known to breed have been mistaken for citreola.

At any rate it is clear that calcarata breeds commonly throughout the vale of

Kashmir (Nests and Eggs, Vol. IL., 208, 2nd Ed.), in Central Ladakh and Suru

(Jour. B.N. H S., xxvii., 144) and the Kagan Valley (Ibis 1909,242). <A few

also breed towards Quetta (Ibis, 1920,147).

To these known localities I now have to add Lahul, where it breeds commonly,

but locally, along the Chandra and Bhaga valleys at a height of about 11,000 ft.

from Koksar to the Zaskar Nata. I was unfortunately too early to obtain eggs

but, as I was marching back, on the 12th June I found a half built nest at Sissoo.

It is interesting to note that these Wagtails usually nest in the neighbourhood

of a species of Bog King-Cup whose brilliant yellow flowers are exactly matched

by the yellow heads of the birds.

Attention has been drawn by more than one observer to the fact that a large

percentage of individuals of this species breed in immature dress ; this applies

to both sexes but unfortunately sufficient skins have not yet been collected

fully to illustrate this interesting fact. The point may be specially drawn to

3§

284 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

the attention of any naturalist who has the good fortune to spend much time

on the breeding grounds of this species.

5. The Large Pied Wagtail, Motacilla maderaspatensis, Gm.

Long ago, Hume dubbed this Wagtail as “ irregularly-minded ” owing to

the diversity of sites it affected for its nest. The following extract from my

note book exemplifies this :—

16th April 1921, Kotla 1,500 ft., Kangra Valley.

“When out in the evening in one of the ie. below Kotla Fort I saw a

male Wagtail sitting in meditative fashion on a niche of the wall of rock rising

out of the stream; as he stayed there immobile I concluded that the nest was.

probably in the neighbourhood, and threw a large stone into the water in the

hope that the resulting splash and noise might startle the female off the nest and

reveal its whereabouts if anywhere near. The ruse was successful. The splash

was followed by the appearance of a second Wagtail which emerged from the walk

of rock from a large excrescence which looked like a heavy growth of some

rock plant. I could see that there was a hollow in this. I accordingly took

off my sandals and waded across the stream, which luckily did not rise much

above my knees, and, standing below the rock, could see that the excrescence

was in reality an old nest of the Dipper (Cinclus pallasit tenwirostris). It was.

out of my reach and the rock gave no foothold. Luckily at this juncture a balk

of timber came floating down the stream and with its aid I was just able to

reach the nest and ascertain the presence of eggs. Lifting the nest off its ledge

—it came away solid—I waded back to the shingle and secured the hen Wagtail’

for identification. On examination it proved that the Wagtail had adapted

the Dipper’s nest to its own needs by lining the cup with hair and wool of various.

sorts. The Dipper’s nest may best be described by likening it in shape and size to

one of the Kashmiri Charcoal baskets (‘‘Kangri’’) that is to say a deep cup with a

dome over half the top. This was composed of dry tufts of grass welded together

with moss into a very heavy compact and strong structure the size of a foot-

ball. To continue the analogy of the Kashmiri basket, which has the bottom

lined with an earthenware cup, the nest contained a strong and very compact

cup lining of coarse grass, which I was able to lift out of the main structure as if

it were a separate nest. In this was the Wagtail’s nest. The 4 eggs were

rather incubated.”

HUGH WHISTLER, F.Z.S.,

InpDIAN POLICE.

No. XI.—ON THE HABITS OF THE WHITE-HEADED DUCK

(OXY URA LEUCOCEPHALA.)

Shooting on the 4th December at Bahawalnagar, in the north of this State, a

little before the light had gone, I noticed a small flock of about six birds whose

appearance on the water rather puzzled me. They were in a deepish canal

cut, only about thirty yards wide, and were in the company of a grebe of mid-—

dle size, whose species I did not discover. This, and the fact they were swim-

ming along ahead of me within shot hardly faster than I was walking, showing

very little of their heads and bodies above the water, made me think at first

that they were Dabchicks (Podicipes albipennis). A closerlook made me suspect °

that they were something in the Duck line, so I got behind some cover and,’

after moving at an increased pace, came out suddenly level with them. I

then saw the heavy, white-patched: face and the rounded back, and, guessing

they might be White-headed Duck (which by the way are not by any means

rarities in this State), fired and succeeded in securing two. 3

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. ' 285:

The point that struck me was that the birds seemed to be partially submerging,

themselves deliberately in order to escape observation. Naumann, quoted by

Stuart Baker at page 259 of his “‘ Indian Ducks and their Allies,’ notes. this.

* submarining”’ habit, but the nearest observation to my own experience is,

from Chapman and Buck, in their “ Wild Spain ’’, as quoted by the same author

on the same page. They note what struck me also, viz., that, when swimming

deep, these Duck carry their tails out of sight under water. Last year I saw a

White-headed Duck close to the carefully-screened butt from which I was

shooting, and, thinking it to be a cripple of my own, shot it on the water ; it

was carrying itself well above the water then, though I was too far off to see with

the naked eye whether it was adopting the high Wren-like carriage of its peculiar

stiff tail of which most who have seen it speak. On another occasion, many

years ago, in Mianwali District in the Panjab, I saw the bird swimming well out.

of the water and my recollection was that the tail was then carried high. ,

In all other respects, the flock of which I now write behaved very like grebes

when fired at, a trait that Finn and others have noticed. They were very “‘ con-

fidential ’ both before and after the shot and their short, rounded wings.

only carried them a very short distance from the place at which I had fired at

them,

R. C. BOLSTER,

BAHAWALPUR, PuNJAB, 8th Dec. 1922. 1.C.S.

No. XIT.—AN ALBINO SHOVELLER (SPATULA CLYPEATA).

On the 3lst October, shooting with Lt.-Col. A.J.O.’Brien near Bahawalpur,

IT made the acquaintance of the above freak.

Two birds came overhead just as we were taking up our positions to shoot,

and Col. O’Brien got them both with a neat right and left.

One of the birds was a Gadwall; the other was an unmistakeable Shoveller,,

from the large spatulate bill equipped with the usual long lamellae, but in

colour it was pure white all over, with both bill and legs orange-pink. It was

a female.

I think the supposition that it might possibly be a domesticated bird, the pro-

duct of civilisation, can be eliminated, as the place where it was shot was suffi-

ciently wild and remote from human habitations

| BAHAWALPUR, PuNJAB, 8th Dec. 1922. Rk. C. BOLSTER,

1.C.S.

No. XIII.—DISTRIBUTION OF THE LARGE PIN-TAILED

SANDGROUSE (PTEROCLURUS ALCHATA),

Of this species the Fauna, p. 59, Vol. IV, says “occurs abundantly ....

in the Western Panjab and Northern Sind....”. That however is not the ex-

perience of Lt.-Col. O’Brien, who has shot a great deal in many places in the

Western Punjab, and of myself. So much is this the case that the appearance

of a brace among myriads of Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles arenarius)

on the 4th December at a shoot in the North of this State was hailed by both

of us as a decided event.

Col. O’Brien was struck both by the general appearance of the bird on the

wing and by the dissimilarity of its note from that of Pt. arenarius. He secured

one, a female.

BAHAWALPUR, PungaB, 8th Dec. 1922. R. C. BOLSTER,

1.C.S.

986 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1IX.

No. XIV.—NIGHTJARS OF THE SIMLA HILLS.

In response to Mr. Hugh Whistler’s appeal I send you the following notes on

the Nightjars (Caprimulgide) found in the Simla Hills.

HorsFigewp’s Nieursar. (Caprimulgus macrurus nipalensis, Hartert).—This

species I first came across near Solon (4,000 ft.) when a male was obtained in

open oak (Q. incana) forest on 24th May 1920. Testes much enlarged. A

diligent search by a party of five failed to discover the mate.

Since then I have found the species tolerably common in similar localities

from 3,000 ft. up to 5,500 ft. It appears at dusk and in April and May its rich

double call-note ‘‘ Chaunk-Chaunk ” reverberates through the jungles. Accord-

ing to my experience this species only utters its note when perched on a bush

or tree. One male was obtained while in the act of calling. A female obtained

on 16th July was heavy in moult. One male on May 14th called repeatedly at

dawn ‘‘ Chaunk-Chaunk-Chaunk,” occasionally interspersed with a quadruple

call. It is doubtless a summer visitor only.

FRANKLIN’S Nigursar (Caprimulgus monticola, Franklin).—Very common

on the barer hill sides about 3,000 ft.—4,000 ft. and occasionally seen up to

6,000 ft. or 8,000 ft. but this is exceptional. The only call I have heard this

Species give utterance to is aloud piercing ‘‘ Chweep”’ which it gives vent to at

intervals of about four or five seconds as it flies backwards and forwards along

the hill sides. It alsoutters this note from the top of aneuphorbia bush or

fromthe ground. When flushed a low chuckle is just audible.

On June 3rd, a party of four was seen and a fully fledged juvenile male was

obtained. On the same occasion I was watching a male when he suddenly

alighted on the ground some little distance away. Waiting to see if he would rise

again I walked quietly up to the spot, flushing him first and then the hen a yard

or two further on, when I had the satisfaction of finding two fresh eggs—salmon

pink in colour, mottled with darker shades of the same and a few underlying

blotches of inky-purple. (They measure 29 x22 and 31 x22mm.) The male

now became very demonstrative coming within 6 feet of me and repeatedly

shrieking at the top of his voice. The eggs reposed on the bare earth with loose

stones scattered around and without a vestige of shade. The hill-side on which

they rested faces due west, so that the heat at this season during the best part

of the day, must have been intense.

One was heard about Chandighar (Ambala Dist.) on March 19th. So it

possibly breeds in the Siwaliks.

THE JUNGLE NicHTsaR (Caprimulgus indicus indicus, Lath.),—In the imme-

diate vicinity of Simla this appears to be the prevailing Nightjar, though it

can scarcely be called abundant. There are usually two or three pairs scat-

tered about the ‘‘Glen”’, another pair frequents the steep nullah between

“Elysium Hill” and the Walker Hospital, while further out two or three pairs

take up their quarters in ‘‘Cherot Nullah”’ and still.further out I have seen

four or five males on the wing at one time in ‘‘ Chauki Nullah”’. The feeding

areas of this species are apparently the open glades contiguous to dense forest

to which they retire in the daytime. The elevation of all the above localities

is roughly 6,000-7,000 feet. The call-note is as described by Mr. B.B. Osmaston

(J.B.N.H.S., Vol. XXVIL, p. 949) besides which the males utter a soft, not

unmusical, note ‘‘ you-you-you” while chasing another bird (probably the

mate).

I am not clear about the status of this species ; they are at their breeding sta-

tions and calling vigorously by the end of March, and on two occasions I have

met with individuals in winter : a male was seen at a distance of some 6 yards

at 3,000 ft. at Kalka on 6th December, 1919, and a male was secured, at

about 7,000 ft. sitting on a spruce fir on 22nd October 1922.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 287

THE Common [INDIAN Nicursar (C. asiaticus asiaticus, Lath.).—Common

about the Siwaliks at Chandighar as noted by Mr. Hugh Whistler (J.B.N.H.S.,

Vol. XXVII., p. 367). And also about the outskirts of forests and in the stoney

nullahs at Kalka, 2,500 ft., above which it does not appear to ascend. The note

of this species has been often described; it is usually uttered from some

elevated position and is very ventriloquistic.

A female obtained 17th. February had the ovaries much enlarged and would

have laid within a month.

It is also common in the scrub jungle about Ladwa, Karnal Dist. The status.

of the species is not clear.

AMBALA, 18th November 1922. A. E. JONES.

Ne. XV.—APPEARANCE OF THE MUTE SWAN (CYGNUS OLOR)

NEAR POONA.

This is, I believe, the first time that a specimen of the above has been recorded

anywhere so far south in India as the Bombay Deccan. —

I was out at Kesurdi, a small tank on the Poona-Sholapur Road, about 23

miles east of Poona, on the evening of 11th November 1922.

On first arriving at the tank about 4 p.m. I saw nothing from the lower end

except a large flock of common red-headed pochard in the middle, but after walk-

ing along beneath the bund for a short distance to get a closer view, on again

looking over the bund I saw the swan in the middle of the pochard, so that he.

had apparently only just arrived.

The bird, when I first saw him, was about 150 yards away, and I watched

him carefully with my glasses. He gradually came towards me until he was

only about 100 yards distant, and I was in hopes that I might be able to get a

shot but he never came any nearer. After remaining for about a quarter of an

hour swimming slowly about and feeding, he flew off in a south-westerly direc-

tion so far as I could see, but I very quickly lost sight of him behind the trees.

on the west edge of the tank.

The black face of the bird was distinctly visible through the glasses but I could

not distinguish a knob of any size, so that it was probably a young bird. The

plumage was pure white except for a greyish patch on the tip of the wing or on

the rump, probably the former, as this patch was distinctly visible when the bird

flew off.

Another feature that I particularly noticed was the peculiarly graceful ‘S *

shaped carriage of the neck which again distinguishes this bird from Cugnus.

musicus. I shall be very interested to hear if any reports of any further

appearances come in. I can only account for his appearance so far south

as this by the fact that during the last week there have been phenomenal rain

and thunder storms in these parts which may perhaps have been accounted

for by some severe storms in the north. The only other possibility is that

the bird may have escaped from some Zoo, or have been a tame bird from

some private waters.

CLUB OF WESTERN INDIA Poona. W. B. TREVENEN,

13th November 1922. . Masor.

No. XVI.—A NOTE ON THE MIGRATION OF THE EASTERN GREY

WAGTAIL (MOTACILLA CINEREA MELANOPE, Pall.).

This race of the Grey Wagtail is said by Hartert (V.P.F.I., 302) to breed from

the Ural and the Caucasus through Siberia to Kamtschatka and the Kurile Isles

but not north of the 64th degree. He adds thatit appears as a migrant in the

288 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX,

‘countries south of that area, through India, Anadamans, The Sunda Isles

‘Celebes, Moluccas, New Guinea, Hainan, and Formosa.

In the area with which we are more immediately concerned it breeds in vary-

ing degrees of abundance about the hills of the North West Frontiers of India.

I find the following breeding records. In the hills about Quetta it is widely dis-

‘tributed but very local, breeding between 7,000 and 9,500 ft. (Meinertzhagen,

This, 1920, 147). It nests freely along the streams of the Sufed Koh from 6,000

‘to 8,000 ft. (Whitehead, Ibis, 1909, 240). Wardlaw Ramsey found it breed-

ing in Afghanistan. It appears to breed throughout Kashmir including Chitral

and Gilgit at elevations over 6,000 ft.

In my own experience it breeds commonly in Kulu from 4,000 ft. upwards and

in Lahul at altitudes of 10,000—12,000 ft., though I did not meet with it

in Spiti. Brooks found it nesting in the Bhagirattee Valley (S.F., iii, 250),

‘Osmaston found it common about 9,000 feet in the Tons Valley, Gahrwal (J our.,;

B.N.H:S,, 1,67).

Further east I have traced no breeding records for the Himalayas and other

ranges of the North East Frontier.

Published records, which need not be detailed here, shew that in winter the

Grey Wagtail spreads throughout the whole of India, Ceylon, Burma and Tenas-

serim, even visiting the islands of the Bay of Bengal, viz., the Andamans and

Nicobars.

An endeavour to trace its migrations is very unsuccessful owing to the lack of

carefully recorded observations. In the North West the first migrants appear

‘in the last ten days of August. Thus Whitehead says that it appears in the plains

of Kohat towards the end of August. At Simla in 1918 and 1922 the first birds

were observed on 20th August. At Dalhousie I have seen it on 28th August, and

at Dharmsala my first records for 1921 and 1922 have been on the 24th August

and 19th August respectively. Throughout September migrating birds are found

‘commonly all along the Outer Himalayas of the Punjab.

In addition to the hill records for August I have two for the plains namely a

female shot by myself at Hissar on 23rd August 1914 and one shot as far south

as Chikalda Berar on 22nd August 1912 by J. Donald (Jour., B.N.H.S., xxi,

1329).

The migrating birds must move South very rapidly as I find that by the end

of September the species may be found throughout its Indian range. At Guj-

ranwala, Punjab, I have obtained it personally on the 15th September. At Mount

Abu and Northern Gujarat it arrives about the beginning of September (Butler

S.F., iii, 489). Whitehead first observed it at Sehore, C.L, on 26th September

(Jour., B.N.H.S., xxi, 160). Davison says it arrives in Southern Mysore in

September (8.F., x. 395) and Bourdillon (8.F., iv, 401) says that it arrives early

in September in the Travancore hills.

On the Eastern side its progress seems to be equally rapid. Scully says that

it is common in the valley of Nepal from the beginning of September. It arrives

in Upper Assam in September (Stevens, J.B.N.H.S., xxii, 266). In the islands

‘ofthe Bay ot Bengal Hume obtained four specimens fromthe 4th tothe 9th

September. (S.F., ii., 237), and Hopwood has recorded the 20th September as

‘the date of the first appearance in Arakan (J.B.N.H.S., xxi., 1208).

The movement of the Grey Wagtail northwards on the spring migration is

not easy to trace as the records are somewhat contradictory. Commencing from

the South, Bourdillon states that it does not leave the Travancore Hills till May,

and Butler saw it at Belgaum as late as the 10th. May (S.F., ix., 410). It is also

said to be common round the lake at KodiKanal and on the small streams of

‘the Palni Hills till the beginning of May (S.F., x, 477). Yet m Southern Mysore

they are said to have almost all left by the end of March (8.F., x. 395).

At Sehore, C.I.,Whitehead gives the date of its departure as April 1st ; Butler

says it remains quite till the end of April in Northern Gujarat, and Stevens gives

it till April in Upper Assam. j

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 289

In the Punjab plains I have no note of it later than April 12. At Dharmsala

however in 1921 and 1922 I have found the spring migration in force through

April till about the middle of May.

It would be of interest if our members would send in their notes on the occur-

rence of this bird in different areas, with special reference to its status.

HUGH WHISTLER,

‘DHARMSALA, 10th November 1922, INDIAN POLICE.

|The note given above though primarily written for the benefit of an indi”

vidual member of the Society is of interest to all our ornithological members

and is therefore published in the Journal.—EDIToRS. ]

No. XVII.—THE ROOSTING FLIGHT OF CROWS.

IT am inclined to support Mr. H. Whistler’s opinion that the flight of crows

described in Mr. Basil Edwardes’ letter (in Note No. VIII, page 804,

Vol. XXVIII), was merely the usual evening flight to their roosting

places ; in corroboration the following notes may be of interest :—At Roorkee,

in the N.-W. corner of the U. P., during the cold weather from November to

March, the crows flight regularly every evening to roost in a huge tract of “ nurkul’

‘or “null”? grass in the Solani Kadir about 15 milesaway. One sees them

leave the station about 5 p.m. ; while at the other end, near the roosting place,

the flight of crows begins about 5-30 p.m. and lasts about 20 minutes to half an

hour ; the column being about 200 yards wide and stretching as far as one can see

some miles; the column is doubtless joined en route by all the crows in villages

near the line of flight. One curious thing is that they are extraordinarily punctual ;

night fall being at that time of year 6-15 p.m. The particular bed of ‘‘ nurkul ”

patronized by them is about 2 miles by # mile wide, the grass being some 15-

feet high, and very dense, and growing in deep water. Besides the line of flight

from the N.-W., from Roorkee, there are two other similar columns arriving at

the same time, one from the North and one from the East, these consisting

doubtless of the crows from the villages in those directions ; these two columns

are of the same size as the first as far as one can judge;so the number of

‘crows roosting there must run well over the hundred thousand. All the crows

are the Common Grey-necked kind (C. splendens), I do not recollect ever seeing

‘a single Jungle crow (C. macrorhynchus).

The natives say that the reason for choosing these grass beds is, that the

‘crows get shelter from the night wind and warmth, and are safe from cats, etc.,

and that the only thing that does get at them is a big owl. Jhave sometimes

heard at night an appalling uproar among the crows there, probably due to

such an attack.

During the hot weather and rains on the other hand, the crows of the above

species flight at evening into the station and roost in the trees there, probably

because they get the benefit of any wind there may be, and are cool. Thev are

such a nuisance in the native soldiers’ lines, that it is customary for the officers

to organize crow-shoots in the rains to get rid of them. The flights at this time

of year are however small, only small parties of crows, and one does not see the

huge columns, doubtless since every village has the crows from the country round

it roosting in the trees in the village.

The above is from my personal observation during most years in the past 20

years, and the same roosting bed of grass has been in use during that period.

SRINAGAR, 26th August 1922. A, H. CUNNINGHAM,

COLONEL.

[The Dusky Horned Owl (Bubo coromandus) kills numbers of crows at such

roosts.—EDS. ]

290 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1X,

No. XVIII.—THE HOMING FLIGHT OF THE COMMON HOUSE .-

CROW (CORVUS SPLENDENS).

T fully endorse Mr. H. Whistler’s explanation of the flight of crows commented’

upon by Mr. Basil Edwards in Vol. XXVIII (pp. 804 & 5) of this journal. It

is the usual habit of these birds to congregate at night to roost. The most

notable example within my experience may be witnessed every evening in

Colombo. For an hour or more before nightfall all the crows in Colombo and

its immediate environs wing their way in a steady current to an Island at the

mouth of the Kelani ganga called Crow Island. The island as I remember it was:

about half a mile long by quarter of a mile, formed by the detritus washed

down by this large river. It is closely covered with cocoanut trees, and in the

evening the branches are black with crows and the air a veritable Babel with

their cries. J doubt if any crows roost in Colombo outside the Island. In my

young days when I indulged in bird nesting I never remember seeing a crow’s

nest except on this Island. The very large majority if not the entire crow

population nested there. In India it is a common sight in many towns to see:

crows all flying in one direction in the evening to a single rendezvous.

KARACHI, F. WALL,

18th November 1922. COLONEL, I.M.S.

No, XIX.—THE SPOTTED-WING STARLING (PSAROGOLOSS A

SPILOPTERA, VieRos).

In Mandi Native State (Punjab) this year, 1922, I have come across the

Spotted-Wing Starling for the first time.

I first met with the species on the road two or three miles below Guma, at an

elevation of between 4,500 and 5,000 feet on 4th June. Here a couple were

perching on the tops of some fig-trees by the road side and flying into the air to

capture insects after the manner in which starlings and pastors often behave.

They were not seen again until the bridge over the Uhl River (4,000 feet), four

miles below Kataula: here on 6th June there was a small colony frequenting the

light jungle which clothes the side of the gorge, flying about in twos and threes,.

and feeding on the berries of a small tree somewhat resembling the Drake tree.

In manner and movements they were very reminiscent of pastors and as seen

in life I could believe them to be nothing but starlings of some species. They were:

somewhat shy and very restless, continually moving from one place to another

with swift strong flight.

There was another small colony at Kataula (4,000 feet) where in the evening

one or two small parties of four or five birds were moving about and perching on

the tops of trees—again after the manner of starlings preparatory to the roost.

A series of two males and three females was obtained on 6th June; all were

adults in worn plumage and the moult had not commenced. From the state of

the organs and the remains of incubation patches in the females I am of opinion

that the breeding season was practically over, but a female seen at the bridge

was carrying food. It is however remarkable that, so far as I could judge, there

were no young birds with the adults in either colony. No birds were seen when

I marched over the same road again in the beginning of August.

Having made acquaintance with the Spotted-Wing Starling in the flesh I was

naturally eager to learn something about its distribution and status, and therefore

looked up all the records available to me. It is curious how little is really known

about the bird. It has seemed therefore of value to put together in a connected

whole the records which I have found, in the hope that our readers may thereby

—

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 291

be persuaded to send to the Journal whatever information they possess on the

subject. For, as at present known, its distribution is distinctly curious and its

status is hard to define.

The most westerly point from which the bird has been recorded is Dharmsala

from where there is a male in the Hume collection without date. I personally

have failed to find it at Dharmsala. Then come my records above from Mandi

State.

Jerdon says (B. of L, II., 3367): ‘* It frequents the valleys about Simla

and Mussoorie up to 6,000 feet, lives in small flocks of 5 or 6.” He goes on

to quote Hutton that the note and flight are very much like those of Sturnus

vulgaris and it delights to perch on the very summit of forest trees, but does not

perch on the ground ; the food appears to consists of berries. Adams is his

authority for stating that it frequents rice-fields and the sides of mountain

streams and is shy and timid.

The Simla locality has since been confirmed by Mr. A. E. Jones who has been

kind enough to give me his notes. He has not seen it as high as Simla, but only

in the valleys below in the Hill States. He saw a pair on June 1913 at Suni,

Bhajji State 2,500 feet. Otherwise he has only met with it towards Jabli 3,500

feet in Baghat State. Here in April on the 15th, 16th and 30th he met several

small flocks ; those of the 16th April appeared to be travelling up hill and were

perhaps migrants just arriving. On the 24th May he secured C/3 eggs. On 25th

June the birds were still about and young birds were on the wing. Mr. Jones

remarks that the call note very much resembles that of thiopsar and Acrido-

theres while the flight is that of Sturnus.

Brooks confirmed the Mussoorie locality in his trip in May 1874 (8. F., IIL,

254). He says: ‘“‘ Common at this side of Dhunda and also seen between Sansoo

and Kauriagalia. It breeds early, for I saw fully-grown young in the end of May.”

Tytler met a few birds in the valleys betwe2n Simla and Mussoorie in June

(Ibis 1868).

For this western area we may hazard a guess that the Spotted- Wing is a summer

visitor arriving in April and leaving in July after breeding at the end of

Apriland May. It would appear to be one of those species with an east to west

migration.

A single specimen was obtained by Anderson at Futehgahr on thc 2nd

June (F. B. L., Vol. I. 249). This must have been a straggier. There is then a gap

in its known distribution until we meet with it again in Assam which appears to

be the main stronghold of the bird.

In Western Assam, Godwin-Austen recorded it from the Garo Hills and in the

Khasia hills Stuart Baker states that it is common but probably does not breed,

Glow Bs IN. oH. S.,. XVII., 790).

In Upper Lakhimpur district accordingto Stevens (Jour., B.N.H. S.. XXIII

254) it is found throughout the plains in the cold weather (specific records for

Margherita, Sejoo, Lilabari and July-September-October being given) in flocks

upto 400 in number in company with :thiopsar fuscus and Sturnia malabarica ;

he says it is a typical starling in habits and frequents the tons of forest trees

In N.-E. Cachar, Inglis states that it is veryrare ashe has only obtained

young male near Dilkhushah (S. F. IX. 256).

In Dibrughar district, according to Cripps (S. F. XI. 268), it occurs in good-sized

flocks in the well wooded portions of the district. The flocks are very wary

and keep well out of range when feeding. The food consists of insects found in

the flowers of trees, red tree-ants, and berries.

The above records for Assam seem to indicate that it is there a winter

visitor, but if so where do these numbers of birds breed ?

In Burmah it is less common. Hume met a few on the Nocnzarban ridge

jn Manipur (8S. F. XI. 268).

Oo”

292. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXLX.

Wardlaw-Ramsey found it not uncommon on the thickly wooded slopes

of the Karen Hills east of Tounghoo (8. F., VI., 394). Dr. Armstrong obtained

a pair on Ist January in low scrubby jungle near Elephant Point, Rangoon

(S. F., [V., 334), and Hume remarks (8. F., XI., 268) that he has received three

other specimens from the neighbourhood of Rangoon.

It has been doubtfully recorded from Mooleyit in Central Tenasserim.

To sum up :—It is found locally and in small numbers as a summer visitor to

a portion of the western central Himalayas ; it is abundant as a winter visitor to

Assam ; in Burmah it is local and scarce.

HUGH WHISTLER, F.z.s.,

DHARMSALA, 20th September 1922. INDIAN POLICE.

No. XX.—A NOTE ON THE EASTERN RED-LEGGED

FALCON (HRYTHROPUS AMURENSIS).

Living about 50 miles north of Taunggyi, the Headquarters of the Southern

Shan States, I have noticed this year towards the end of April and the beginning

of May, the visit, during migration, of numerous specimens of this pretty hawk.

The birds are very gregarious, feeding, in parties of at least 30 individuals,

‘on flying termites, settling on the ground to pick them up and also catching

them in their claws in the air as other birds. The country here is dry and very

bare of trees; mostly grass and some scrub.

Sitting on the open verandah of the house, which seems to be in the line of

evening flight of the Jungle Crows going to roost in the trees near a village in

the neighbourhood, I counted well over 100 of these little hawks going over in

eompany with the crows on the 3rd of May ; they were then flying 8.-W., about

30 yards up singly and in parties of upto 5 or 6 in number, evidently going to

roost with the crows. On the 4th I noticed that there were fewer and on the

5th only a few solitary birds and now on the 10th none are to be seen anywhere.

LAWKSAUK, SOUTHERN SHAN STATES, P. F. WICKHAM,

Burma, 10th May 1922. PWD:

No. XXI—NOTE ON THE NESTING HABITS OF THE

SPOTTED BABBLER (PELLORNEUM RUFICEPS).

While up at the little hill station of Yercaud, in the Salem District, last hot

weather, I had the gcod fortune to find two nests of the Spotted Babbler (Pellor-

neum ruficeps). One on the 21st of April and the second on the 3rd of May.

In both cases the nests were placed on the ground in amongst dead leaves which

were similar to those used for roofing the nests over with, making them extremely

hard to find. The first nest I found by putting the bird off the nest ; I at first

thought it was a rat running away amongst the dead leaves asit went off at such

apace, but, after getting some distance off, it commenced tumbling about

amongst the dead leaves when I saw that it was a bird and was obviously trying

to attract me away from a nest. I then made a minute search and at last

discovered the nest with 3 eggs in it which were in an advanced state of incuba-

tion. I had not a gun with me at the time but went backthe next day to

shoot the bird but failed and the day after this the bird had deserted the nest.

In the case of the second nest I was seated on a shooting stick under some

tall forest trees when my attention was attracted by something running about

in the leaves, closer examination showed it to be a bird tumblirg about in the

leaves as though injured and at times hiding in amongst the leaves only showing

its head. I then looked about and found that I was sitting within 2 feet of

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. . 6299

the nest which contained 2 fresh eggs. I subsequently shot the bird when going

into the nest and sent the skin to the Secretary, B. N. H. Society, for indentifi-

cation. The nests were constructed in a hollow in the dry leaves and were

hooded over on three sides leaving a small entrance facing down hill, and were so:

well camouflaged that unless one obtained a view of the entrance it would be

impossible to find the nest. The actual nest was a shallow cup lined with

grass and fine roots.

The eggs found in the two nests vary a bit. Those found in the first nest

have a greenish-white back ground and are very profusely spotted with dark

brown spots and blotched with purplish-grey. The eggs in the second nest

have a far lighter back ground being nearly white and are finely spotted all over

with brown and purple-grey spots.

VELBORE, NortH ARCOT DISTRICT, C. B. BEADNELL.

: 14th July 1922.

——<———

No. XXI1.—LIST OF SMALL GAME SHOT IN MHOW

DURING 1921 AND 1922.

J enclose a detailed list of small game shot by me in the past 1921-1922 seasom

for inclusion in your records if of sufficient interest :—

Duck.

Gadwall see atl

Red-headed pochards 11 Red-crested White-eyed

Tufted an 28 pochards... 4 pochards. .. 17

Nukkta — 1 Spot bill .. 2 Widgeon ae 19

Pintail nes 2 Shovellers .. 50 Total duck .. 345

Teal.

Common .. 57 Gargany ey ad

Cotton an, 209 Whisthng .. 6 Total teal .. 130

Various,

Sandgrouse (pintail) 201 Quail see)

Partridges (mostly 53 Pigeons .. 8 Various an 3

painted.) Florican .. 6

Hares 10. Snipe .. 679

Making a grand

total of 1,454

The jhils were mostly well filled with water except in a small area between

Indore and Fatehabad, and on the whole snipe were plentiful but duck were

very scarce except on the largest jhils. The Gadwall is the commonest duck

here but this year’s bag shows an-unusually high percentage; Widgeon are

usually scarce, but were more plentiful than usual ; Pintail, Red-headed Pochard

and Common Teal were exceptionally scarce. On one occasion I saw a female

Mallard in another officer’s bag, and this was the only one seen by me alive or

dead. Geese are rarely seen here but early in February a flock of about 25

passed me in easy range when motoring, but I could not distinguish the species

as I was driving.

The first snipe was shot on September 24th anda few Whistling Teal were

seen on the same day.

Maow, F. C. L. GRIEVE,

Sth May 1922, Masor, R.F.A,

294. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X

No. XXIII.—FURTHER NOTES ON THE AVIFAUNA OF THE

NELLIAMPATHY HILLS.

NIDIFICATION OF THE GREAT MALABAR Briack Woop PECKER

(Thriponax hodysoni).

In my ‘“‘ Rough notes on the Avifauna of the Nelliampathy Hill” I referred

to the finding of a nest containing 2 naked nestlings of this species. I have

this year been fortunate enough to secure the hitherto unknown eggs of this

bird which I, in due course, forwarded to Mr. Stuart Baker. I later obtained

2 young Thriponax but unfortunately was unable to keep them alive. Their

remains are being sent to the Society. These three instances prove that this

most interesting wood-pecker lays two eggs and not one as wrongly sur-

mised by Blanford.

CoMPANIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SoutH INpIAN TREE-Piz (Dendrociita

leucogastra) AND THE GREATER RacKET-TAILED

Dronao (Dissemurus paradiseus).

Seldom a day passes but I see several small groups of the above two birds.

I do not think I have yet seen one species unaccompanied by the other. This

somewhat curious association between two totally unrelated forms induces me

to wonder whether a similar companionship between these species has been

observed elsewhere.

OccuRRENCE OF THE Matay BItTTERN (Gorsachius melanolophus) IN

SOUTHERN INDIA.

Regarding Lt.-Col. H. R. Baker’s note concerning t!.'s bird in Vol. 28,

No. II of the Journal, his query also appeared in the “ Madras Mail” and I

replied in the same journal to the effect that before the War I found the Malay

Bittern not uncommon in the Nilambur valley; a specimen I there obtained,

in all probability, is still in our museum. During the cold weather before last, I

saw a specimen of this bird at the foot of the Palghat Hills.

NELLIAMPATHY HILLs, A. P. KINLOCH, F.z.s. M.B.0.U.

15th May 1922.

No. XXIV.—THE GREAT INDIAN HORN-BILL (D. BIVORNIS),

Regarding Mr. Prater’s very interesting note on these birds appearing in Vol.

28, No. II of the Journal.

When the Society issued an appeal for a replacement of what the “ Journal ”

irreverently referred to as ‘“‘ Big Bill”’, my father and, on his death, I myself

did our best to replenish the vacuum created by our old and ‘‘ Conky” friend’s

demise. .

Unfortunately my ‘‘ Young Bill” arrived after the Society had secured its

twins. A point Mr. Prater appears to have missed (?) is this : When ‘‘ Armag-

geddon ” sought my protection his eyes were sky-blue. His casque is now develop-

ed upto, and no further than, the illustrations Mr. Prater gives us. But his eyes

have now assumed a rich brown tint.

NELLIAMPATHY HILLS, A. P. KINLOCH, F.z.s., M.B.0.U.

15th May 1922. (252 eee

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 29

No. XXV.—NIDIFICATION OF THE BLACK VULTURE OR

INDIAN KING VULTURE (OTOGYPS CALVUS),

With reference to Colonel O’Brien’s note on this subject (Journal, B. N. H.S.,

XXVIII, p. 284) I once found a nest of this bird on top of a Phulah bush (Acacia

modesta)—it was not big enough to be called a tree—growing on the highest

point of a sand-stone ridge in the broken country at the foot of the Salt Range,

and in close proximity to the Jhelum river. One bird was sitting in the nest,

then empty, and the other on another ridge close by. A fresh egg was taken

from the nest nine days later, on the 5th March.

On the 18th March another egg was brought to me which had been taken that

day from a nest on the top of a small Phulah tree growing on the precipitous

and well wooded side of a Salt Range valley. It was slightly incubated.

I have never found nor heard of this bird nesting in the cliffs of the Salt Range.

JHELUM, H. W. WAITE,

26th July 1922. InpIAN_ POLICE.

[In an Ornithological Diary from Jhelum published in “Bird Notes ” for 1914,

Mr. Hugh Whistler has noted under April 14th: “ An eggof the King Vultvre

obtained from the hilly ground at the foot of the Salt Range about 12 miles from

Jhelum ;in this part trees are exceedingly scarce and this nest, as also a second

nest containing a newly hatched young bird, was built only about 15 feet from

the ground ona gnarled old thorn tree. The nest which was very large and

appeared to be the accumulation of years was lined with coarse hill grass. ”

This note clearly refers to the same locality as the nests observed by Mr.

Waite and it is clear that in the Salt Range the King Vultures have modified

their requirements in the choice of tree nesting sites rather than have recourse

to cliffs.—Eps. ]

—— -

No. XXVI.—BREEDING OF THE EASTERN WOOD PIGEON

(PALUMBUS CASIOTIS) IN THE PUNJAB SALT RANGE.

On the 12th April last I found a nest of this bird in the Jhelum portion of the

Salt Range, at an altitude of about 2,000 feet.

The locality was the thickly wooded bottom of a narrow valley (part of a

Government Forest Reserve), through which a small stream of fresh water

flows down to the plain below. The trees are mostly Phulah (Acacia modesia),

Tahli (Dalbergia sissoo), Kikkar (Acacia arabica), Ber (Zizyphus jujuba), and

Mulberry (Morus alba).

The nest was on the branch of a Ber tree, roughly 20 feet from the ground,

and contained two half-fledged young. The parent bird was on it, and sat

very close, taking no notice of clods of earth thrown into branches near by,

and only flying off when a man started to climb the tree. I watched her with

glasses for a considerable time, both on the nest and in the tree to which she

subsequently flew, and have no doubt as to her identity.

This bird is ordinarily a winter visitor to the Jhelum District, and its breed-

ing in the Salt Range is probably a sufficiently rare occurrence as to be

worthy of record.

I may also mention that a few years ago, on the 13th April, I found a nest,

with 3 eggs, of the Indian Bush Chat (Pratincola maura) in a hole in a rock in

the same locality.

JHELUM, H. W. WAITE,

26th July 1922. InDIAN POLICE.

[See next page for note by Editors. |

296 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

[The Eastern Wood Pigeon breeds not uncommonly in the Salt Range about

Sakesar and eggs have been taken there as late as August Ist.

As regards the Bush Chat the nest has already been found in the Salt Range

(N. & E. 2nd ed.: ii. 48) but it is interesting to have confirmation of the earlier

‘vague record.—EDs. |

Ne XXVIL—LATE STAY OF SNIPE IN 1922.

In Central India.

This morning Major Barker, R.E., and I found four full snipe (fantail) on a

tank near Indore and shot three of them.

This is the first instance I have known of snipe being shot in May in Central

India.

PERCY HIDE,

Tue Daty CoLLeGce, INDORE, CENTRAL INDIA,

lst May 1922.

In Bengal.

As I and other sportsmen here have never known snipe so late in Bengal as

this year, I think perhaps it may interest you to know that on Sunday, the 23rd

April, I shot 214 couple on a Jheel not far from Calcutta. Had I not run out

of cartridges I could have got another 10 couple. My shikari had unfortunately

told me the previous day that there were about 20 birds on the Jheel and I had

prc vided accordingly. On the following Saturday, the 29th April, Ishot the

same Jheel with a Mr. Steele-Perkins, and we ended up with 174 couple. I again

went out yesterday, the 7th May, and on an adjoining Jheel shot 11 couple. Old

sportsmen here consider the above bags records, and this appears to be con-

firmed by Mr. Stuart Baker’s book on the Game Birds of India. I should be

very much obliged if you could let me know of any similar records at this

time of the year. Nearly all the birds were pintails.

ETOP RON,

STANDARD BUILDINGS, CALCUTTA,

8th May 1922.

No. XXVIII.—CRUELTY TO WILD FOWL.

HIDEOUS PRACTICE IN SIND.

The following appeared in The Times of India, dated 19th January 1928,

(By P. M. D, Sanderson, Joint Honorary Secretary, Bombay

Natural History Society.)

On returning from a shoot recently near Jhangshai, Sind, I noticed at

Karachi Railway Station, two large crates—one containing live Wild Geese

(Greylag) and the other Wild Duck (Mallard, Gadwall and Teal). The

birds in both crates were literally crammed together one on the top of the

other and unable to move. The precaution had also been taken of breaking

their wings and in some cases their legs.

There is, I fear, little reason to suppose that this was a solitary in-

stanec. Numbers of Wild Duck were on sale (alive), in the Bazaar at 6 to

8 annas each (large) and 4 annas (small). I imagine the transport of wild

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. : 297

fowl under these conditions is a matter of almost daily occurrence and is-

carried on under the open eye of authority, although the consignor took

good care to avoid conspicuous names and addresses on the labels which in

this case merely bore illegible initials in pencil.

Some years ago one or two members of this Society drew attention

to the practice of netting Wild Fowl in Sind and transporting them alive

to Karachi for sale. The authorities took the matter in hand and for a

time at any rate this traflic was more or less successfully suppressed. It

is not possible, I believe, to stop the netting of Wild Duck, Geese, etc.,

bat the method of treatment after netting has reached such a piteh of

cruelty that 1 am sure the public, were they in possession of the facts,

would not allow this abominable practice to exist for a moment.

The method commonly employed is to choose a likely place and put

up a net about half aimile long and some 8 feet high from the water.

Under cover of night men in boats stealthily approach the birds and

drive them slowly, without putting them up, towards the nets. When

close enough they throw lighted torches at the birds which, suddenly

alarmed, immediately take flight, but are too close to rise clear of the

nets. They become entangled and their captors take them out, break

their wings, and very often their legs as well, to prevent escape. In

addition to this the wings are sometimes locked, 7. e¢., one wing is twisted

over the other. This practice is almost universal, I believe, with the

Mohannas in Sind. In this state the birds are kept alive for days and

then sent to Karachi in crates as described above ; the journey itself

sometimes takes at least 2 or 3 days from the ‘ jheel’’ to the bazaar.

In a successful drive as many as 200 birds or more can be obtained in

this way as there are often four or five nets up at a time.

I think you will agree that this miserable and wanton practice, which

has been going on for years, should be not only suppressed but rooted

out now, once and tor all. The Railway authorities and Railway Police

if they wished could bring offenders to boot. Few prosecutions, however,

have, I believe, been made in the past and I doubt if there is a single

conviction on record, {it remains for public opinion to see that either

this is done properly or to press for sterner legislation and more efficient

methods. The torture of Wild Duck with broken and twisted wings

would then be a thing of the past instead of the daily example of hideous

eruelty which it now is in the Karachi Bazaar.

Commenting on the above Mr. H. Dow writes :-—

“Ten years ago I was in charge of the Sehwan Sub-division, which

contains the Manchhar Lake, and | took some pains to try to stop the

practice you complain of, and actually did mitigate it.

There is one point in your description which is not, I think, quite

correct, You say: ‘‘ They become entangled and their captors take them

out, break their wings, and very often their legs as well to prevent escape.”

Actually (at any rate where I have seen it) the breaking of wings and legs

takes place while the birds are still in the nets, and without removing

them. The real difticulty of the Mirbabars is that the birds struggle

violently and tear the nets and if they stay to kill the birds outright,

most ofthe birds succeed in tearing their way out of the nets before

their captors can get round and killing the captured bird takes much

longer than breaking its legs or wings, at which the men are very expert.

I have frequently been present at one of these night drives in order to

satisfy myself of these facts, and it is true that if the men stop to kill the

birds at once, most of the duck succeed in freeing themselves.

The really objectionable feature is that after the bird has been made

helpless by breaking its wings, it is not then despatched, butis kept alive

298 . JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

for several days. There is no excuse for this, and it could be stopped by

(1) forbidding the transport of live wild fowl by rail, and (2) making ita

penal offence to be in possession of mutilated live birds. Probably the

first would be sufficient.”

Our readers and all those interested in the above, will be glad to know

that His Excellency the Governor, President of this Society, took a personal

interest himself in the matter. Owing to his prompt intervention we

are able to state that immediate measures were taken to stop this practice.

We have no doubt that these will be successful, and will once and for all

put an end to the unnecessary cruelty to Wild Fowl in Sind.

We have pleasure in appending below a letter from the Commissioner in

Sind to Mr. C. G. Adam, Private Secretary to H. E. the Governor, forward-

ed to the Society under His Excellency’s instructions, showing what steps

have been taken to prevent the recurrence of this cruel practice.—EpiTors.

‘‘T write in reply to your letter of the 19th January regarding the cruel

treatment of the wild duck that are netted on the Manchhar and sent by

rail to the Karachi market. The District Magistrate of Karachi, to whom

I referred your letter, had already taken up the question, and has addressed

the local branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

with a view to the institution of prosecutions against the sellers of wild

birds which are transported in overcrowded crates or have broken wings

or legs, and has asked that the officials of the Society may be instructed

to press for exemplary punishment in such cases. The question was con-

sidered at a meeting of the Society held on the 27th February, when the

officers of the Society reported that the sale of wild duck in Karachi had

ceased. This of course is due to the fact that most of the duck had left

Sind by that time. The officers have, however, been warned to be on the

look out next season. The District Magistrate at the same time had a

letter inserted in the local newspapers drawing attention to the cruel

practices complained of and warning the public of the action that would be

taken to stop them.

The District Traftic Superintendent, N. W. Railway, was a’so addressed

with the result that a circular was issued under the authority of the

Traffic Manager to all Station Masters informing them that they are

authorised to refuse to take over any crate containing live wild birds of

which any have their legs or wings broken and directing them in every

case of such refusal to report the case immediately to the District Traftic

Superintendent with a view to its being handed over to the Police for

action. The Station Masters were also directed in cases where such crates

booked from other stations are received for delivery, not to effect delivery

until the Police have been informed and have witnessed the* condition of

the birds.

I have also addressed the District Magistrate, Larkana, within whose

jurisdiction the Manchhar Lake is situated, on the subject, but have not as

yet received any reply from him.”

(Sd.) J. L. Rrev

No. XXIX.—SNIPE SHOOTING IN SIND.

1 attach the result of an interesting Snipe Shoot which took place at Puran

near Makle, Lower Sind. It is understood to be a record for Sind, but there is

no confirmation of this.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

299

The guns were Mr. W. M. Petrie of Ralli Bros., Mr. K. A. Lister Kaye, R.A.F.,

and myself.

The going was very hard and the wind a northern one and strong.

The shoot beganat 10 a.m. andfinished at about 5-15 p.m. with breaks as

shewn below.

The first stop was for about 20 minutes, the second for about 45 and the third

tor 15.

The Snipe were ali in excellent condition and the main proportion Fantails

with a few Jacks, six ‘‘ Painters”’ were also included in the bag as we understood

Mr. Stuart Baker classifies this in his ‘‘ Game Birds ”’

ful.

307 Head of Snipe.

as a Snipe althongh doubt-

lst Stop 11 a.m. 2nd Stop | 3rd Stop Vinal. Total.

1-30 p.m. 4 p.m.

Mr. Petrie 1)| es 23 27 100

» Kaye 17 44 24 22 107

» Rubie ate bs, 37 22 | 23 | 100

KARACHI, C. B. RUBIE.

3rd January 1923.

INGE LOO’ _PLUMAGE DISPLAY BY THE SIRKEER CUCKOO

(T. LESCHENAULTL)

Piumage display amongst certain species of birds seems to be sufficiently

well known, but it may interest readers to know that I have recently observed

the peculiarity in the Sirkeer Cuckoo, a bird of remarkably sober plumage when

in repose.

The curious courtship of a pair which I watched the other morning savoured '

rather of the grotesqve ; but it was a revelation of the curious brown and white

patchwork effect which such a sober-plumaged bird could produce. The scene

was enacted on an open plain, both birds giving vent to curious clicking sounds.

But while the hen took short runs along the ground with her head held low the

cock would circle round her with drooping wings and outspread tail, a posi-

tion in which the patchwork patterns were most conspicuous. At the end of

each run he would touch the ground with his bill, and then raise it slowly sky-

wards, remaining in that position for a minute or more before repeating the

performance. This plumage display continued for about twenty minutes,

after which both birds began pruning their feathers as though nothing had

happened.

GHAZIPUR,

Tth June 1922.

BR. H. GILL.

No. XXXI.—NOTES ON TURTLES.

For some time I have been trying to collect some specimens of giant turtles

that visit this coast yearly for a period of one to two months during apparently

the period of oviposition as I have always heard from the natives oftheir immense

size which J have found it difficult to credit. I have been stationed in Quilon on

300 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISF, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

and off since 1906, and was at one time here for nearly five years consecutively

put have never once seen a specimen. Abcut three weeks ago one came up on

the beach very closetomy bungalow during the night and laid 190 eggs in the

sand, on examining the place next morning I found the size of the excavation

very large, some six feet in diameter. I got one of the eggs, the rest being taken

by some fisherman. The egg was round like a tennis-ball, with the exception of an

indentation of one inch square, white, measuring 34 inches in diameter, the cover.

ing was not of shell but composed of thick skin flexible to the touch. I had men

on the lookout for the reptile’s return or others, but unfortunately whilst away in

camp another, or the same one, came upon the beach and was caught and killed

and eaten. Again yesterday morning one was brought me on a cart alive which had

been caught out at sea in a net specially prepared for the purpose. It wasof an ime

mense size just over seven feet from end to end, I had it taken offthe cart with

the help of 12 men and even then with great difficulty, as it was found almost im-

possible to keep the animal still. I directed it to be taken round to an office here

for some Europeans to see as I had to go out all day, meaning to have it pho-

tographed and properly measured on my return, as I fancy it had been injured

too much to survive long. However the coolies apparently got a better offer of

Rs. 60 for it in my absence and by the time I was able to trace it, it had been

killed and cut up. Having myself seen this specimen I was able to look it up

and find its description tallies very nearly with that of the Sphargide which

includes a single genus and species, the well known Leathery Turtle. (D.

coriacea). It differed from all other Chelonians by having its carapace formed

by ossifications of the skin only, the bony deposits appeared to be arranged like

mosaic with several longitudinal ridges of larger osseous tubercles; the

limbs were something like those of other marine turtles, all destitute of claws, the

two front ones narrow and fin shaped and quite smooth with a black hard

surface, the two back ones very flat and broad.

After making many enquiries on the subject, the fishermen of the coast here tell

me that up to 25 years ago these large turtles were quite common here and during

this period of the year some forty odd would be caught annually either when

attempting tocome ashore or from specially prepared nets out at sea. They say

that for the last 7 to 10 years they are only seen occasionally and some two or

so caught annually. They appear to frequent the outskirts of the Tangacheri

reef some two miles away, which extends some distance to the south-west and

west of the point and along the coast to the Northward, 8°54’ N. Lat. and 76°37’

E. Long. Whilst referring to some of your Journals for information, I came across

a description of theGiant Tortoise, and would draw your attention to the measure-

ments given (in Vol. xxvi, No. 3, p. 861) regarding the shell of a specimen which is

said to measure 46’5” in length and weigh 593 lbs., there is obviously some mistake

here, as the specimen of turtle I saw measured over 7’ over all, and I should say

by the number of men it took to handle it must have weighed at least

600 lbs. alive.

QUILON, TRAVANCORE, T. H. CAMERON,

SoutH Inpta. D.S.P., QUILON.

[The correct length was 46°5 ivches as pointed out in the erva‘a published

for Volume X XVI.—EpDITOoRS. |

No. XXXII.—.“‘ CATCHING CROCODILES.”’

(With « plate.)

To the popular mind, there are probably few more repulsive animals than the

crocodile, and, though his habits may ve regarded as essentially lazy, by reason

of his passion for basking in the sun, he is usually ecnsidered aggressive enough

F x ii

ay yon = R

Cetin) + pe ARPS * areas ee um aie as

: be i as

. .

6 H

. ‘

‘ 3

Journ.,-BombayjNat. Hist. Soc.

No. 1.

THE MUGGER “ HELD” BY BAMBOO POLES.

No. 2.

THE DIVERS ABOUT TO DESCEND TO ATTACH THE ROPE.

No. 3.

THE CATCH.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 301

when the chance of a meal offers. Hence many will find difficulty in accepting an

account of a crocodile catch as carried out by native fishermen in a jheel on the

borders of Sind and Rajputana.

In contradiction to the popular theory, it is first necessary to appreciate the fact

that the crocodile is a timid creature, and is by nature easily terrified by human

beings, witness the difficulty invariably experienced by the crocodile hunter in

getting near enough to his victim for a shot, and the necessity of his having as a

rule to resort to painful stalking. The Sindhi fishermen assume that the crocodile

becomes so frightened by the presence of a number of men moving and splashing

about on the surface of the water, that instead of fighting or attempting to

escape, he becomes intent on squirming his way down into the mud. And the

story of acatch recently witnessed shows that this assumption is not without

justification.

Whether this method is peculiar to the district it would be interesting to know.

The men were “mounted” on floats of copper, on which they lay face

downwards on their stomachs, leaving their arms and legs free for purposes of

propulsion. There were some two dozen taking part in the catch, and they were

provided with large-meshed fishing nets, 4 bamboo poles and some 30 feet of

light rope. Assoonasa ‘Croc’ had been sighted on a bank and had slipped

into the water, a number of men laid a ring of nets round the area in which he

was likely to belying. Others then proceeded to probe the mud with reeds, until

the animal’s back was felt. Preparations were next made to “ fix’? him with the |

bamboo poles, and meanwhile one of the men actually slipped off his float and was

standing in the 5 feet of water only a few yards from the located mugger—But

the brute made a sudden bid for liberty, without in the least upsetting the com-

posure of the man in the water, and his progress could easily be followed by the

trail of bubbles which rose to the surface. His direction was towards the shallows,

but no sooner had his head appeared above water then he plunged over backwards,

redoubled on his tracks, and made his way round the ring of men who

had been heading him off. His movements were followed as before, and he had

even gathered sufficient courage to break through two rings of nets in his course.

Eut more nets were being rapidly spread out ahead of him and he eventually

settled down after having travelled some forty yards. When the process of

prodding the mud had again disclosed his position, the four bamboo poles

were brought up, and one of the older hands of the party began gently feeling

in which direction his head was lying. He then fixed the poles into the mud,

one on either side of the croc’s neck and body, (the poles can be clearly seen

in the photos) and two men proceeded to dive down into the seven feet of

water to investigate. As their victim seemed in no wise disposed to move,

one of the divers took the end of the rope down on his next descent (see the

second photo) and while his companion tickled the croc’s stomach, he slipped

the rope under and fastened it securely. The tops of the nets were then

drawn round the spot where the croc was lying. In the photos the lines of

the nets can be detected by the sticks to which they were attached, and after

the poles had been removed, nothing remained but to haul the catch ashore.

As soon as he struggled, the croc became completely tied up in the nets,

and some 10 or 12 men on their floats, by paddling backwards with their feet,

were able to pull him sufficiently nearland to hand over the rope to the men

waiting on shore. The brute was quickly despatched by two rounds of 12 bore

shot—the natives usually hack their victim to death with their small axes,—and

on being extricated from the nets was found to measure eight feet.

The natives do not hunt the crocodile for purposes of sport, but purely as a

defensive measure to protect the fish.

MIRPURKHAS, SIND, J. MONTEATH, LC.S

7th November 1922.

802 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X

- No. XXXITII.—Mr. BHANAGAY’S SNAKE CHART.

My attention has been drawn to a chart for the identification of harmless and

poisonous snakes, compiled and being offered for sale for use in hospitals and

dispensaries, by one Sub-Assistant Surgeon Bhanagay, Amraoti, C. P. The first

thing to attract attention is that all the figures used to illustrate his text have

been cribbed from the chart compiled by the Bombay Natural History Society

and now sanctioned by Government for use in Military and other hospitals. No

permission has been given by our Society for the use of . these figures, and no-

acknowledgments are made as to the source from which they have been taken.

A study of Mr. Bhanagay’s text shows that he has freely cribbed from the text

of our Society’s chart. Where he departs from this, he almost invariably falls

into error. For instance the anal shield of Russell’s Viper (Vipera russelli) is

stated to be divided, and the sea-snakes (Hydrophiine) are shown among those

snakes that have broad ventral shields ! But there are other glaring errors.

In order to test Mr. Bhanagay’s knowledge of the subject, I wrote a letter to

him which I asked a friend of mine to sign, and submitted a poisonous snake

viz., Ancistrodon hypnale, from Ceylon, to him for report. I pointed out that

according to his chart the specimen appeared to be harmless, but I would like his

confirmation of this, and also would like to know the name of the snake, which

I told him had been killed in my compound in Karachi. In due course

Mr. Bhanagay sent the following reply :—

‘* Dear Sir,

As far as I could make out the specimen seems to be a common tree snake—

Dipsadomorphus gokool.”’

Mr. Bhanagay therefore failed to recognise this very perfect specimen as a pit

viper, or a poisonous snake at all, but pronounced it a harmless species.

Dipsadomorphus gokool I may mention is only found in Eastern Bengal, Assam

and Burma, many hundreds of miles from Karachi. It has not even a superficial

resemblance to Ancistrodon hypnale and the lepidosis of the two is strikingly

different, gokool has 21 scale rows, hypnale 17. In gokool the vertebrals are

enlarged, in hypnale not. In gokool the ventrals number 224 to 232, in hypnale

136 to 157 (149 in this specimen). In gokool the subcaudals number 87 to 101,

in hypnale 30 to 47(41 in this specimen). In gokool there are eight supralabials,

the third, fourth and fifth touching the eye, in hypnale there are seven, none of

which touch the eye. In gokool there is no loreal pit, in hypnale there is a pit.

These are only some of the more important differences. It is obvious that

Mr. Bhanagay has not a very profound knowledge of Indian snakes, and our

Members would be well advised not to consult his chart, which is misleading.

KARACHI, F. WALL,

23rd December 1922. CoLONEL, I.M.S.

[The Inspector-General, Civil Hospitals, Central Provinces, has, on our bring-

ing this matter to his notice, advised Mr. Bhanagay to withdraw his misleading

chart.—Ep1rors. |

No. XXXIV.—SNAKES AND LEECHES.

I was specially interested in the note in this journal (Vol. XXVIII, p. 557) by

Mr. Kinloch. The only other instance known to me of leeches attaching them-

selves to snakes was mentioned in my article on the Copper-headed Rat Snake

(Coluber radiatus) in this journal (Vol. XXIII, p. 209). In my czaxze the leeches

were aquatic, some species of horse leech I presume. I found two, bloated with

blood, in the mouth of the specimen referred to in Assam. Mr. Kinloch’s observa -

MISCELLANHOUS NOTES. 303

tion concerns a ditferent leech, that very disagreeable denizen of upland regions

throughout India from the Himalayas to Ceylon that is so common in the rains.

KARACHI, F. WALL,

18th November 1922. COLONEL, I.M.S.

No. XXXV.—COBRA GOING DOWN A HOLK TAIL FOREMOST.

A few days ago I was walking along a path with the Maharaj Kumar of

Cutch when we saw a cobra a few feet in front of us. Directly it saw us it made

for a hole close by and went down tail first. It may not be unusual but I have

never seen a snake go down a hole with its reverse gear in and I was glad to have

a reliable witness with me. It recalls the action of the cobra in ‘* As wise as a

serpent ” in the Lays of Ind. Probably Aliph Cheem had never seen a cobra act

as described in his Bath-room Epic but it certainly made an amusing story.

Buus, Cutcu, E. O. BRIEN,

Sih September 1922. Lr.-COLONEL.

—_—

No. XXXVI.—NOTES ON A LARGE MONITOR (VARANUS SP.)

IN GHAZIPUR.

While out locking for nests this morning in some long grass, my wire-haired

terrier began to bark furiously, and on going to investigate I found that he had

a large Iguana lizard at bay. The dog was running round in circles trying to

grab the reptile by the back of the throat but the latter kept turning too and

presenting its hind quarters to the dog with its tail drawn round at almost a

right angle to its body. Every time the dog got too close the tail would slash

round and strike the dog a resounding blow. This battle raged for about ten

minutes, and each time the dog was hit and drew back the reptile would get a

couple of feet nearer a hole in a bank into which it finally disappeared. While

the reptile fought it gave vent to loud hisses which seemed to be caused by the

inflation of a sort of bag under the throat.

I believe that these lizards are harmless, but the local natives believe that

a slash from the tail causes sores of a virulent type, which may sometimes prove

fatal. Is there any foundation for this belief ? Certainly the reptile did not

seem to be very perturbed when attacked by the dog, and seemed to have

ample confidence in his method of defence.

I have seen these reptiles rob nests on several occasions, especially nests on,

and in the vicinity of water ; and on one occasion saw one raid a squirrel’s nest

with four young. After raiding the nest it disappeared into a hole in a tree

trunk carrying two of the young in its mouth, and one in each hind claw, followed

behind by both the parents making a dreadful noise.

They are also expert swimmers, and I have watched them fishing on several

occasions. They emulate otters by catching fish beneath the surface, and then

coming out on land to devour it.

GuHazipur, U.P., E. H. GILL.

llth September 1922.

[Though generally believed to be poisonous the Monitors (Varanide)

are harmless reptiles. There are no poisonous Lizards known from India,

The only poisonous Lizard known to science is the American Holoderm,—

EDITOoRS. |

304. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX

No. XXXVII.—OBSERVATIONS ON THE NESTING OF

EUMENES CONICA.

On 23rd August 1922 when I went home from College in the evening I found

that a Humenes conica was making a considerable buzzing noise in my study.

On close observation I found that she had lately finished one cell and was about

to start constructing another. I felt myself very fortunate to obtain an oppor-

tunity of observing very closely the nesting of the wasp.

It was 4-45 p.m. when she brought the first pellet of wet mud,:prepared into

very fine consistency, and spread it on the floor close to the finished cell. The

three previous cells were constructed on a wooden plank in an open wall almirah

in such a way that the plank served as the ground floor and the books on the

plank, as a support on one side. The wasp took 2 to 3 minutes to make a trip and

at each one she would bring a little mud and spread it out in a curve with the help:

of the flat and long mandibles and maxille and the fore tarsi. She would apply

the fore tarsi from outside and the buccal appendages from inside just as a

potter would use both the palms of his hands in shaping an earthen vessel. The

shaping of the nest would not take her more than one minute and again she

would go out and get another pellet. Each time she would first alight on the

completed cell and examine with the antennz whether the new cell was

undisturbed. In this way she brought more and more mtd, workingit all up:

into a wall rising from the floor and curving inwards till there was left a small

round mouth. Afterwards she put on a raised rim on the mouth and thrust in

her abdomen to attach one egg at the roof of the cell. The wasp:

each time went out by one window and invariably returned by the

same. She required in all 17 pellets of mud of the size of a small pea to

construct the entire cell and this she finished by 6-26, the same evening, thus

taking exactly one hour and 41 minutes. At 6-26, immediately after she finished

up the cell, she thrust in her abdomen to deposit the egg and remained in that

posture for a couple of minutes and then flew away. She did not return on

that day as it was getting dark outside.

As I was very much interested in watching the entire process, I did not lose:

any time next morning in carrying on further observations on the nest.

At 6-40 a.m. on the following day, 7.e., 24th August, to my intense surprise:

the wasp returned, not alone but with a fairly big greenish caterpillar.

She as usual alighted first with the burden on the neighbouring cell and, seeing,

that everything was alright, thrust the caterpillar slowly into the new cell,

waited for some time, and then flew away. A second caterpillar was brought

at 6-45, the third at 7-8, the fourth at 8-0 and the fifth at 9-10.

The thing that struck me most, and I believe it would strike many who

attribute all the actions of insects to some fixed instincts or tropic reactions, was:

that the female wasp returned the next morning at 6-40 with a caterpillar.

This shows clearly that the wasp remembered that she left the nest the previous.

evening in an unfinished condition. Ordinarily what I expected was that the

wasp would come next morning as usual and finding that the cell was incom-

plete would set out to complete it. But the power of remembrance which was.

evinced was simply wonderful and suggests that it is something more than mere

instinct.

At 9-12, i.e., two minutes after the last caterpillar was deposited, the wasp:

brought a pellet of mud and began to close the cell, which took her about 5 minutes.

to do. On the previous evening, when the wasp deposited the egg and went

for repose during the night, I slowly thrust in a piece of paper below the cells and

this naturally left a crack or space between the cells and the paper. The wasp

after closing the cell began to inspect the entire structure all round. She:

discovered the crack and immediately began to repair it. As usual she

brought pellets of mud and having closed the crack flew away for good.

A grub emerged from the egg on 26th August and by 29th August it had

attained a fairly big size, consumed practically all the food, but unfortunately

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 305

it afterwards proved to be not the larva of the wasp but a Modellid grub.

The parasitic Modellid beetle emerged on 28th September 1922.

During the night of 23rd August the beetle must have parasitised the egg.

This beetle took 35 days to complete its life cycle. The wasp had constructed

4 cells out of which three met with some mishap or other and only one reared

the wasp completely. Of the three cells one contained the dead grub, the

second gave 10 Tachinid flies, and the third one Modellid beetle.

The wasp took | hour and 41 minutes to build the cell and 2 hours 38 minutes

more to store 5 caterpillars and to capit. Thus 4 hours and 19 minutes were

required for preparing, storing and caping one cell completely, while Mr. Lefroy

writes in his ‘Indian Insect Life” on page 212 that the complete making,

storing and closing of a cell in EL. conica occupies a day.

The wasp came at almost regular intervals so long as she was cons-

tructing the cell, but when engaged in procuring caterpillars her visits were

very irregular, the interval sometimes being more than one hour. ll the five

caterpillars on close examination were found to be of one kind and presumably

of the genus Acontia.

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, NAGPUR, J. L. KHARE.

The 18th Oct. 1922.

No. XXXVIII.—-TROUT FOOD IN KASHMIR.

(From the Journal of the Fly-Fisher’s Club.)

An extremely interesting little collection of ‘“‘trout-food”’ was sent from

India by F. J. Mitchell, Esq., from various lakes and streams in Kashmir. A

feature of this collection is that, with one exception, and that a fly recently

described from the same district, every item in the collection represented a

ipecies new to science.

To the fly-fisherman it will be of some interest to learn that there is present

in Kashmir a caddis-fly very closely allied to our grannom, Brachycentrus subnu-

lilus. Quantities of this fly, though in a very digested condition, were present

in an autopsy, and from the construction of the abdomen of the female insect

there is little doubt that it carries the green egg sac just as our grannom does.

A few cases were also included and these conform to the regular feature of the

genus in having quadrilateral cases, composed apparently of fragments of weeds

Free larvie were also found belonging to the Rhyacophilide and Hydropsy.

chide families of caddis-flies. Amongst the adult flies were undescribed species

of Agapetus and Apatania, together with two flies, one belonging to the Sericos-

tomatide and the other to the Limnophilide, which may even require new genera

to fit them into the scheme of classification.

By far the most interesting insect from the entomological point of view was

a dipterous fly unlike anything that has ever been described. It created some-

what of a sensation at the Natural History Museum and was a subject of great

interest at a.meeting of the Entomological Society of London, where it was

exhibited. It is now being described by one of the leading authorities on the

Diptera, Mr. F. W. Edwards, who has found it necessary to create a new

family to include this extraordinary insect.

Amongst the collection were also a new species of grass-hopper, new species

of fresh-water shellfish, parasitic worms, crustaceans, water beetles, crane flies

(daddy long-legs), stone flies, Hphemeride, Chironomid larvie and adult dipter-

pus flies. It was, in fact, one of the most interesting of little collections that has

pver reached this country, and is a good example of the valuable contribution

\o science that the fly-fisherman can make.

306

ELECTION OF NEW MEMBERS.

The election of the following 83 members since the last publication of

the Journal took place ata-meeting of the Committee held on the 5th

December 1922 :—Capt. M. L. Barrett, Saugor, C. P.; Mr. F. Dobson

Panposh, B.N.Ry.; Major A. L. Sheppard, I.M.S., Bombay; Capt. T. N. C.

Nevill, England; H. H. The Raja Ram Singh, Chamba, Punjab; Mr. J. E.

Davy, Bombay; Capt. R. H. Stable, Bombay; Count Bobrinskoy, F.R.

G.S., ete, England; Lt.-Col. W. Haywood-Hamilton, C.I.E., C.B.E.,

D:8.0., E.R.C3S., F.Z:S.,- Bombay;\ Lt: Gs Hi. Osmaston;) MCs ann

Mussoorie; Mr. Harold M. Bazett, Tharrawaddy; Mr. C. W. Burnside,

Bombay; Dr. W. Dunlop, Baghdad; Mr. M. H. Clarke, Jakhlabandha,

Assam; Mr. M. |O. Daly, Jakhlabandha, Assam; Mr. R. Macdonald,

Misa, Assam; Lt.-Commdr. C. T. Howard White, R.N., England; Raja

Prabhatchandra Barna, Gauripur, Assam; Col. F. J. Marshall, C.B., C.M.G.,

D.8.0., England; H. H. Mir Ali Nawazkhan,. Khairpur Mess, Sind; Mr.

R. P. Whitehead, R. A. F., Ambala; Dr. W. St. T. Davis, Dwarbund, Cachar ;

Mr. W. E. Gladstone-Sclomon, Bombay; Capt. M. Noel Hill, Simla; Capt.

H. G. Gregory Smith, Simla; Mr. E. Ewart, Kalthurity, S.I.; Capt. H.H.

‘Maharaja Umaid Singh Bahadur, K.C.V.O., Jodhpur; Mr. F. W. F. Fletcher,

Pykara, Nilgiris; Mr. W. D. MacBey, Rajahmundry ; Capt. ©. G. Crondace,

Bombay ; Mr. Hugh Keene, Ellore ; Major T. 8. Paterson, M.C., Saugor, C.P. ;

The Rev. Mother Superior, Convent High School, Mhow, C.1.; The Mess Presi-

dent, Officers’ Mess, 122nd Rajputana Infantry, Thal, N.W.F.P.; Lt. V. R.

Wright-Neville, Multan; Lt.-Col. R. A. Bryden, D.S.O.,-R.A.M.C., Kalabagh,

Mianwali; Mr. N. 8. Bor, LF.S., Nowgong, Assam; Mr. A. G. Edie, LF-.S.,

Poona; Mr. C. Paterson, Vandiperiyar, S8.I.; Mr. N. E. Parry, I.C.S., Tezpur;

Mr. R. C. Elers, Peermade, 8.I.; Mr. R. H. Paddison, Almora, U. P.; Major

T. W. Corbett, M.C., Poona; Prof. P. R. Awati, I.E.S., Bombay; Capt. R.

Critchton,; Saugor,’C. P.; Mr. A. F. Perrott, Hangu, N. W. FF. 5 Mrs binG:

Waterfield, Indore, C.I.; Mrs. L. J. Martin, Baroda; Mr. Ambalal Sarabhai,

Ahmedabad; Mr. C. R. Hill, Madras; Mr. E. T. D. Ferguson, Tonk Raj,

Rajputana; Mr. H. A. V. Maynard, Lahore; The Mess President, 59th

Royal Scinde Rifles, F. F., Hangu; Mr. G. P. Farley, Vandiperiyar; Mr.

W. 8S. Rowson, Vandiperivar; Mr. J. 8S. Wilkie, Peermade, 8. I; Mr. J. H.

Cantlay, Vandiperiyar; Mr.R.E. Macpherson, Sholapur; Mr. M. F. Bridge,

LE.S., Salem; The Deputy Director of Agriculture, Myingyan Circle, Myin-

gyan; Major G. Crastor, Risalpur; Mr. Malcolm M. Crawford, Shikarpur,

Bengal; Mr. E. H. Weigall, Rangoon; Capt. G. Hope Sworder, Taiping,

Perak, F. M. S.; Major J. Taylor, D.S.O., I.M.S., Bombay; Dr. N. Hamilton

Fairley, Bombay; Mr. J. B. Greaves, Bombay; H. H. Colonel Sir Ifti Khor

Ali Khan, K.C.I.E., Nawab of Jaora, Jaora, C.J.; Capt. Kumar Biridra

Singh, A.D.C., Patiala; The Librarian, Lucknow University, Lucknow;

The Honorary Secretary, Nasirabad Club, Nasirabad ; Dr. R. W. Fisher, M.D.,

Belgaum; H. H. Rajaram Chhatrapati, Maharaja of Kolhapur, Kolhapur ;

Mr. D. S. Alakhachar, Rajkot; Mr. J. C. Dyer, Gangtok; Mr. T. A. M. Hill,

Bombay; Mr. W. Petrie, Karachi; Major C. B. Rubie, Karachi; Mr. J. L.

Bernard, Bombay; Mr. J. R. Abercrombie, Bombay; Mr. W. 8. Inman.

Vandiperiyar; Mr. H. R. Dogra, Bezwada; Capt. G. B. Williams, Bombay.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SOCIETY’S MUSEUM

SINCE 22np MAY 1922.

There have been numerous contributions to the Society’s collections, we are

glad to report, since we last issued a list, but financial considerations and a spirit

of retrenchment have decided the Committee not to publish these lists in

extenso in future. We have to thank all our contributors, but would specially

ELECTiON OF NEW MEMBERS AND CONTRIBUTIONS. 307

mention here Mr. Gordon Hundley, Mr. E. H. Gill, Mr. J. P. Mills, Col. F. M.

Bailey, Mr. Cyril Hopwood, Mr. D. F. Stileman, Mr. C. R. Beadnell, Mr. A. P.

Kinloch, Mr. J. KE. B. Hotson, Mr. Chas. McCann, Mr. M. M. Mackenzie, Mr.

P. M. R. Leonard, Major Lawrence, Mr. H. W. Wells, Major F. C. Fraser.

Capt. J. G. P. Drummond and Mr. W. D. Cumming.

ANNUAL MERTING,

The annual meeting which shoulc have been held in February had,

owing to unforeseen reasons, to be postponed and was held on April 26th.

At this meeting Mr. S. H. Prater, the Assistant Curator of the Society’s

Museum, gave an account of his progress in England with the preparation

of the specimens for the Natural History Section of the Prince of Wales’

Museum, Bombay, and also of his visit to several important Natural

History Museums in England and Scotland.

A collection of mounted specimens prepared in England at Messrs.

Harwood & Co.’s studios was on view in the galleries of the Prince of

Wales’ Museum, together with a series of mounted animals prepared in the

Society’s Rooms since Mr. Prater’s return.

NOPE PCE:

Members and subscribers are advised that it is proposed shortly to issue

a supplement to the Handlist of the Birds of the Indian Empire, by Mr.

. Stuart Baker, containing the necessary addenda and corrigenda.

R, A. SPENCE,

Honorary Secretary.

6th April 1923

BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

The following books published by or in connection with this Society

can be obtained from the Office of the Society, 6, Apollo Street, Fort,

Bombay.

Works by E. C. Stuart Baker, F.Z.S., M.B.0.U.

sy) asymp.

*GAME BIRDS OF INDIA—Vot. I.—Inp1an Ducks AND THEIR

ALLIES— 2nd Hdition .. 63 O O

a Ae i Vou. 1l.— Woopcock, SNIPE,

BusTARDS AND SANDGROUSE—lst Hdition. 55 O O

INDIAN PIGEONS AND DOVES *, i BEF IINO

By Col, F. Wall, 1.M.S., C.M.G., C.M.Z.S.

POISONOUS TERRESTRIAL SNAKES OF OUL BRITISH

INDIAN DOMINIONS—8n7.t Ldition. : =i ps 3.0770

IDENTIFICATION OF POISONOUS SNAKES—

Hanoine Watt Cuart, 30” x 40”

Foupine Pockrt CHART

me Or

(0 oem)

Various alchonS

WOOD-DESTROYING WHITE ANTS OF THE BOMBAY

PRESIDENCY sy Rev. J. Assmuru, S.J.

CATALOGUE OF SOCIETY’S LIBRARY :

LIST OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES sy Lr.-Cot. Evans, iB. E..

FLORA OF MATHERAN AND MAHABLESHWAR sy THE

LATE Mr. Justice Brrpwoop sa oe ah 28 2

hee

. Pipceia terms to members.

FOR SALE.

The property of the late Dr. H. N. Coltart.

Catalogue of Birds Eggs, British Museum Series. £15) ON O

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CON Teel SOF VO AXIX, NO. 1:

PAGE ©

Tae Game Birps oF Inp1a, BuRMA AND CryLon. Part XXXIV (Hxcalfacioria chi-

nensis) (With a plate.) By FE. C. Stuart Baker, F.L.s., F.z.S., M.B.0.U., C.F.A.0.U. 1

Brrps OF THE INDIAN Empire. Part VIII. By E. C. Stuart Baker, F.us., £.z.s.,

EME SONUMeadE © ANIA OM UIA cx crenclanamouarercyst she laliere! sstela’ diel hres ate siateterem ois eee ale "sth aivave: ot melee cae 9

GAME ANIMALS OF KASHMIR AND ADJACENT Hitt Provinces. Part V. (With a

plate). By Lt.-Col. A. E. Ward. ....... chat opertoksesbcis ts sdereluetcr se spata ac aaa hea sc arage neta 23

Inpran Draconruins. Part XV. (With 6 text figures). By Major F. C. Fraser,

NAIVE SHUR SMU Mr RON SNS Yrs oe 2c ceslrecaie, cr wa taihe eve tenet eter ones «8:0 Biles baw aPevetar gO aile lm «taal amide, sishapaa fad 36

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. Part II (With 2 text figures). By Major F. C.

HGR AST eM NEN Shs NIMES Sey (ols \oiess ciate) sie isitic sverd.o scelel deceel veto ste ia's AiG GUS erase aie Stbsw ole cere aise 48

THE SNARE OF THE GIANT Woop SpipEr. Part IV. (With a plate and a text figure),

iia OA tan ON vies ns SEL OS CON, AVMNGs -lapeiels al ode, gone, set ia) 5 ote sie 0. oa1e%h ace sO Soooeeee 70

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM Mamma Survey. No. XXXVI. By Martin A. C.

AEOLIAN OUR MMR eS Me ehant ic] ohare Peuci) stave cat ose conrad scrote Gaetslo wial@l t,o ahohaie! a GARGS oe Siew Gigs a esc la Wea: oy

ScIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE Mammat Survey. No. XXXVII. By Oldfield

PHOMAS, FIRS! 5's) oe o's EP Pe ei sen eect raben thers ec awas “wos Savane! gta ceiver ore MOOke 6 6. ve ee 84

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE Mammat Survey. No. XXXVIII. By Oldfield

MBIT OMMAS HE SE Ss ates torre stor aha dol shereoeinhaticlavear acts data: vada: S Ptayewanetareuus, aye toohes etatt ata ciahe 84

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAmMAL Survey. No. XXXIX. By Oldfield

AINOMAASH ONES: ova oie-0: s,ahere.a ete, os Ts ie Rae Ne OC SSR URL tr ge ON CE 85

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MamMaL Survey. No. XL. By Oldfield Thomas,

ROMIUE Sey cusvegstapets atsseie 6) see) sare) 4\ei'ei4'6 Bertier he Ras Se schsatee! Stet chey Carte seauetat ater? te ae iatatann s, Ata OLE & 87

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE Mamma Strvey. No. XLI. By Oldfield Thomas,

FHT Seae ranean entero tose pehcdsisi ovet af oher ce! hava) sto dolce ee Seater eh cre Weds sacha ssemsrel evel everar Blot vcee racic 88

A COLLECTION OF MAMMALS MADE BY H. STEVENS IN THE DARJEELING D1sTRICT.

parte SSD) Whe iil sis erotics WEA ee ea are ef evaye: sole tedevere siske te! sadich «avers, ec cito ao euaperciotess ose 90

THE TERRESTRIAL IsopopA OF MESOPOTAMIA AND THE SURROUNDING DISTRICTS.

(With 6 plates and 2 text figures). By Joseph Omer-Cooper, F.L.8.........000. 93

A DESCRIPTION OF THE NESTS AND EGGS OF THE COMMON BIRDS OCCURRING IN THE

PLAINS OF THE UNITED Provinces. Part II. (With 2 plates), By E. H.N. Gill 107

NoTEs ON A COLLECTION OF REPTILIA FROM WAZIRISTAN AND THE ADJOINING POR-

TION OF THE N. W. Frontier Provinon. (With 4 photos and a map). By

Capt. C. M. Ingoldby, R.a.m.c., F.z,8,, F.R,.G,8., and Miss Joan B, Procter, 7.7.8. 117

il CONTENTS OF Vol. XXIX, No. 1—(contd.)

PaGr,

NOTES ON A COLLECTION oF BaTRacuta From 8. Waziristan. (With 2 text figures). By

C.. Ri Narayan Bao. a ee ee ei oust oC SL Sila all aa a

THE FauNA oF THE Darsnanca District. Norra Binar. By C. M. Inglis, z.s.,

WBS sy MBO: Ua, e ciaje: wis tol el tel glie oer cites roe ers eee eee wean Le Oe see

PLIGHT Om MIGRATING BIRDS. | By ©) A. Donald; #.7.8,, MoBLOlUes ke ee

A NOTE ON THE SpotreD-Winced GrosBEak (Mycerobas melanoxanthus). By

Hugh: Whistler ie2iS./ MiB. OSU oie ee ee Ce ee RU ee gee cee ee Aan

FURTHER NOTES ON SOME CEYLON BATS. (With 2 plates). By W. W. A. Phillips.

A NOTE ON THE CORVIDZ oF THE PunsaB. By Hugh Whistler, F.z.s., M.B.0.U.,

OBA OL Te! in ser yb oie: aitcleaiatloliglid a Chea MUM LMM er idee cull Aipes auaeaecpet aU en0on CES ge er

A JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK. (With 3 plates). By Major C. H. Stockley, p.s.0...

H.R.H. THe Prince or Watzus’ SHoots In Inpra in 1921-22, Part TIT. (With 7

plates and a map and 4 diagrams). By Bernard C, Ellison, ©.M.z.8. .......06.

THE MEASUREMENT AND PHOTOGRAPHY OF SPECIMENS OF BIG GamE. (With three

plates\xBy Major C. HH: Stockley, BiS.O. 5 ees. aves te eleleesiatords eh one eee

SoME NOTES ON THE HABITS OF THE CEYLON GERBIL. (With a plate). By W.W. A.

DEUS 5: | Fis oss Ginl eMelibelete Se! hliel ellos ekste'lette Westy ovate ates ecusy dieilt tactile ae han iet ty en tr eee

DEER HUNTING 'N SHAKESPEARES Day. By Lt.-Col. C. BE. Luard, o.1-8., LA. ......

Bompay Natura History Soctety’s Mamma Survey or Inpia, Burma AND

CEYLON. (Report No. 36, Naga Hills) By J. P. Mills, r.c.s, ....., ee alee

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN Borrerriies. (With nine black and white plates).

By Lt.-Col. W. H. Evans}/D.8.0., R:Bi, 7.2.8, FES: <2 .02.0¢sbi ensue eel eee

Reviews. Fauna oF British Inp14, Brrps. Vol. 1 (2nd Edition) ..............

THE PRESERVATION OF SHIKAR TROPHIES ......... A ALERT Hes Neri o.5 — c

OprtuaRy, Dr. Henry NEVILLE COLTART . oojccls cies tie cid ue os elle cles so cles el geen

EE De EEWERSELESR, Se plis cline ole oltke' wigiesslobalierte laters orehe eter e telat tet pt Oana “ie

Hon. TREASURERS RMPRORT | lilies are sielecie aferahevere sietele mle pasteles er metele eee beeen ences

MISCELLANEOUS Novss :—

I. Some Natural History Notes connected with the Prince of Wales’

Tour in India!) By: B.C, Bllisomiy cio. ).). selene eee ee

II. On the Rann of Cutch. (With two plates). By Major A. H. Mosse, 1.4.

III. Some notes on the Common Indian Otter. By C. McCann ........

IV. Tiger climbing a tree. | By G. EH: R. Cooper... 2/5 dunes sinels «si sunye

V. Supposed occurrence of the Ermine in India. By B. B. Osmaston,

I.F.S. @eeoeevoeeeceoeeeseeeeeeeeeeseeee ee eoeeoeoweeeseeeeoeee eeeeee e@oeoeoe

WI. The occurrence of the Mallard in Rajputana. By R. H. Stables....

CONTENTS OF Vol. XXIX, No. 1—(contd.) ff

PAGE.

VII. Some notes on Indian Game Birds. By Major C. H. Stockley, DS: 0.0) 24s

VIII. Notes on the migration of Duck and Teal. By Major C. H. Stockley,

TSS Oi averee se cnet ations Ure italy ss ars SEL IGE? an Jali at ah abclody, ola! o ta tie Calyelitt at elie ntsc 2a Mea genase 279

TX. Notes on the habits of a young Hornbill. By B.C. Ellison, c.m.z.s.,

ITP Cue Seb cc Se Aaah aha arce teas Lane gs aig MUS Sule at asc alan ead na apmla hele 280)

X. On the breeding of certain Wagtails. By Hugh Whistler, r.z.s.... .. 281

XT. On the habits of The White Headed Duck (Ozyura leucocephaala).

VN Get O UGH ME, OoStam, ereteaiicsieiety so ehaie clarates aielic mies prasbameedl Wh mules 284

XII. An albino Shoveller (Spatula clypeata). By R. C. Bolster, tas. . 285

XII. Distribution of the Large Pintailed Sandgrouse (Pteroclurus alchata).

(Dayal ada Op wba 6:70) Ske) dra a Ce PEA etre Aa ORL On PO Rach GOR RIB 285

mV. | Nichtjars’of the Sunla Hills By AuKy Sones. ie eed ewe ce ele 286

XV. Appearance of the Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) near Poona. By Major

Wi Wein OV CMC, eta taser a cocohar's eerste) Sts: ale! cgnce ornate sea we eve ale auhere 287

XVI. A note on the migration of the Eastern Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea

Melanope)s. «doy Enel Whistler, FZ Sel csic. ss cis Gletes s Sierdetehe orn eare.e & 287

XVII. The roosting flight of crows. By Col. A. H. Cunningham........... 289

XVI. The homing flight of the Common House Crow (Corvus splendens).

Baye COlr Ma VV pW Sea ce Wi ans Ioluce Pars Maisie! Suess! ays lera. 5 rel cocatecai Gneab petal 290

XIX. The Spotted-Wing Starling (Psargolossa spiloiera). By Hugh Whist-

FOP, FZS.e eee eee eee eee ee ene eee eee eee ees Pi ate MNase 290

XX. <A note on the Eastern Red-legged Falcon (Erythropus amurensis).

Beg by a MN ERC MTN 161 sieve ass seeray Sia ee A Nea Clee donate neke te, Vues gus cuge se) 292

XXI. Note on the nesting habits of the Spotted Babbler (Pellorneum rujiceps).

By Osa Bead ie lin syfate crates foots itt ele asta ences aereastere deteaka taly wey ead oe 292

XXII. List of Smali game shot in Mhow during 1921 and 1922. By Major

Act aes ra Cnr Cie seg AM Ualcteoner vada Sto wiavelatel anche ote’ a Uta a alates wie aname 293

NXT. Further notes on the Avifauna of the Nelliampathy Hilis. By A. P.

ILO GEN 7: Seq Mr BEO se cso re sts cee ol gua oar tly atece feed's ie: aah a geakers ym 294

XXIV. The Great Indian Hornbili (D. birernis) By A. P. Kinloch, F.z.S.,

Eos WCU res Wieteve ayn stn tal atetay ieee el elahards sls)si'e)\6/e:Uue iol ols er i\leia alah setatnasie ai aceit enh BOE

XXV. Nidification of the Black Vulture or Indian King Vulture (Otogyps

CVUIES) ee a Vin ede u VN ADU CH. coal <taystele Wat ce care ololay ne ales aiclematrcce once 295

XXVI. Breeding of the Eastern Wood Pigeon (Palumbus castotis) in the

Punjabisalt Range Bylo W.. Waite: ji. ici ice. dee ae giele s 295

XXVII, Late stay of snipe in 1922 in Central India, By Percy Hide..,,.... 296

iv CONTENTS OF Vol. XXIX, No. 1-—(contd.)

Pa@E

XXVIII. Late stay of snipe in 1922 in Bengal. By T .E. T. Upton.......... 296

XXVIII. Cruelty to Wild Fowl. By P. M. D. Sanderson ................... 296

XXIX: Snipe shooting in ‘Sind. “By C:B. Rubie 72.7... ). sancce selene ieee 298

XXX. Plumage display by the Sirkeer Cuckoo. By E. H. Gill ............ 299

XXXL Wotes'on Turtles. .By. TA Cameron ice. sees eee ern 299

XXXII. Catching crocodiles (With a plate). By J. Monteath, 1.0.8. .......... 300

XXXII. Mr. Bhanagay’s Snake Chart. By Col. F. Wall, rus. ...........06. 302

XXXIV. Snakes and leeches. By Col. F. Wall, 1.M.S. ......cccceccscvcscecs 302

XXXY. Cobra going down a hole tail foremost. By Lt.-Col. E. O.’Brien .... 303

XXXVI. Notes on a large monitor (Varanus sp.) in Ghazipur. By KE. H. Gell. 303

XXXVII. Observations on the nesting of EHumenes conica. By J. L. Khare.... 304

MAXX VILL.) ys Erout'food in Kashmir oc). i. lsace ie cite ev ciae aie ace ators pelos etch et olen ements 305

lection of new members and contributions’ «:....2 02.45 woken ioe oo ee eee 306

CON TENTS OF Vol, XXIX, No: 2. v

PAGW.

THe Game Brirps or Inpta, BURMA AND Cryion. Part XXXV. (Perdicula asiatica

asiatica) The Jungle Bush-Quail. (With a ee By E. C. Stuart ee

HW Se eZ Se) MB OW, OAR ACOs U cca srdin Sir ehie« aoe Mises stas eet ousr ney tetewahe .. 3809

GAME ANIMALS OF KASHMIR AND ADJACENT Hi pence Part VL (With 4

plates). By Lt.-Col. A. E. Ward. ...... DiePape va ee alavers: Sate Nie Sahat bee toen Witetatis, a artemis tep LteS

InpIAN DraconFures. Part XVI. (With 3 text figures). By Major F. C.

Hraser, 1.M:Si, FE.S.0..... BER Ae phe cece te cusMe vane Sins Ree SpoleiSeh ashes ewe etereserasionees O24

A DESCRIPTION OF THE NESTS AND EGGS OF THE COMMON BIRDS OCCURRING IN THE

PLAINS OF THE UniTED Provinces. Part Ill. (With two plates) By E. H.

TNFR EAT tee genoa ie Ir oseeeve ee eee eoeoeerevreoevevreeeeeevevre ee eeeevreevreeereeeeeeeereee 304

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN Empire. Part I. By Col. F. Wall,

CaMinGa uM: Zasig: BalbeSes Mea Sissy HOF, Solis Be Wie sities a atancieys, cis wltia ahead c's’ ele's 0 6% 345

THe Rep Ant. Part I. (With two plates and a text figure. ee Major R. W. G.

EM OSEOM gE ose c 5 Spe soe os o:5o" a ibsas! oie pote: »* setae secieteys Eee esr dylsi titel har ettes aidhsiena cso © MOK

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SuRVEY. No. 42. The distribution oa

geographical races of the Gulandi Bush Rats Ce ee: By Oldfield

MOMMA S: VW By iste shel ices ete Rieiee eile So ess ers ek ; Beier eres Cpa 3

(3)

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL cae No. 43. Onsome suites scr the

Mergui Archipelago. By Oldfield Thomas, F.B.S..........-.00: Scien Lio whee lene: MET

A JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK. Part IIL. (With two plates). By Major C EL

DlOCKIO ya DIS1O. (77. state's. aed. ce% Be IN SITIES Sheer avis ce ceeiicdoresalwe ccietse rac nc me Ose

NOTES ON A COLLECTION OF SNAKES FROM eerie PALNAI HILxs. By Col

IPEMAVN AUER CNTY Cain TANT? Sect vete 5 ayes sue 1 ave et oacdokyie, aie r apes! «'v eee cea sles iste ania Cae ee, eS

Bompay Naturaw History Socrety’s MammMat Survey or Inpia, Burma

AND CEYLON. Report No. 37. Nepal. By MartinA.C. HintonandT.B. Fry .. 399

THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INprIA. Part XIX (With 3. teat

figures). By fe R. Bell, (Cigar Paks. (Retd.) eoeeseeeeteeeeeeeteeeteeeeeereeeeeeere te eeeee 429

NOTES ON A VISIT TO CERTAIN MUSEUMS IN GREAT Britain. By S. H. Prater, c.M.z.s. 456

Novres ON A COLLECTION OF SNAKES FROM SINLUM KaBa. ' By Col. F. Wall, 1.mM.s. 466

PROTECTIVE COLOURATION IN WILD ANIMALS. By Bruce P. Tailyour ............ 469

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INpiIA. Part II. (With three teat figures). By ra

Eee mE ea SOU MIAN S fey FONG uaetolar stele etic ila is eto tcces or arise VoNG: oicel nie tat e/ace se acel oe otehe © oie alaneehe es 474

THE FISH SUPPLY OF OUR WESTERN Coast. = avi a Map and a ae: By The

Biditorns. 65 Ea gtad st erage ee eye Pille ee iGHish sul) ¢ CoH e pois daly ol ences sual ach ca dice Nsverts eet ececeies Ba Se)

BirD-LIFE IN GULMARG. (With a plate). By B. B. Osmaston, ©.1.8.,1L9F.S...... 493

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM Himatayas. Part I. (With a Map anda

ol LUC) PDN ACE DET U UCVICTION MBs OU oa jcf2pecets a ee 90'0 6,4 ein'sidile''a ohn 8/6, eae 'saleuedcw absieccelens OOS

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. Part IL. (With 3 plates), By Lt.-Col.

W. H. Evans, D.S.0., R.E., ¥.Z.58., IVEY SS Sc arc aft othe cate neh ie. sartet tobe vatiece: ovielterel love hora: ee lacleene. edarelauelene 519

Bivinws: lie Common: birds of India. By D: Dewar.....6.c.05..ccc0ssce.0- BBS

UheEerns'of Bombay. By Rev. BH. Blatter, 8.0) voc. cee cece ceecce | O40

Flora Simlensis. By Si r Henry Collett. e@eeeeeevseeveeeeeseeve eee eeseeoeae 040

Indian Bird Life. By Miss Holmer, ooeoeoeeeeeweeseeeseeeseeaseeveaseee see ev eo @ b41

| SIDER EATING) co of A Bae RTRs CRED Na EP cP 542,

PEM me rll ME AG OSS 0.4 Os bts) Tee Suik bios wife, a rlisveyeukle ele 60 itera ole ei esieale enone O40

A. M. Primrose eeeeeoeeeeseeoeeeeeeoeeoeseeereeeoeereeeeeeeoeest+8 Foenvneeoeee71re#sseeoee#e#eosveee 046

vl CONTENTS OF. Vol. XXIX, No. 2—(contd.)

PAGE

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES :—

I... Notes, on tigers and. their, calls. By W-s. Thom 7... ... -sueececene 548

II. Strange behaviour of a panther (F. pardus). By 8. Hanhart .......... 549

III.’ A Porcupine-Panther incident. By E. T. Ferguson.............+++ 550

IV. The Mishmi Takin (Budorcas taxicolor). .By H. L. Cooper.......... 550

V. Note onthe Gora] (Nemhoredus goral). By R. H. Paddison........ 552

VI. The larger mammals of the Nelliampathy Hills. (With a plate). By

AL Bs SOc i eee In ce ee me i Sue OCT Se Cee et ae eae 552

VII. Tree-Shrews, Tsine and Serows. By C. Boden Kloss...............+- 555

VIII. The record Black-Buck head (Antilope cervicapra.) (With a plate). By

Ge, HGitOre: Foie, ven yer) se ious ccalecs vale te elope ole ete eRe lee te ete ote eee 555

IX. The trinomial system of nomenclature as applied to Indian Birds.

By B: Be Osmastoie sti cjec/ fee ae sete crs ue ee tene ene en ect re enerene re ems 556

X. Nidification of the Himalayan Tree-Creeper (Certhia himalayana). By

Si. Basil Ba ward ess .(s..% in. eee seals eater cee toate ede, eiceens, <i eee eee 857

XI. The occurrence of the White-headed Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes leucoce-

phalus) within Indian limits. By. S. H. Prater, 0.M.z.8........0..0.. 5908

XII. Note on a supposed new race of Otocorys alpinus, the Horned Lark. By

ee! Wilristlery BiZis ops os Oo eke ot Gale reMs he elaine er ola cee ast ane ce a ne ere 909

XIII. The Shikra (Astur badius). By B. B. Osmaston, LF.S..........000- 560

XIV. The nidification of the Malabar Great Black Wood-pecker (Thriponaz

hodgsont).. By A.: Po -Kinlochs az. Si) M.B/O:U) so: -.1cel ole om eels stenetene 560

XV. Note on the breeding season of the Painted Stork (Pseudotantalus

leucocephalus). | By R.itG. Bolsters I: 0. Sit... its ci. reo ae eleiereetereiene 561

XVI. The Burmese Barred-Back Pheasant (Phasianus humie burmannicus).

By. Capt: JOG OP. Dirwmmomnd ese ine tele oie aici aietetatcictetate ee tee 561

XVII. Acurious incident’ while duck shooting. By W.'T. W. Jones............ 563

XVIII. Note on the appearance of the Stiff-tailed Duck (Oxyura sai

hala) in the Mianwali District. By M. M. L. Currie, 1.c.s. ....... 563

XIX. Plumage of the adult Mallard (Anas platyrhynchus) and notes on Wood-

cock and Wood-Snipein the Nilgris. By C. M. Inglis, F.z3., FES.,

MGB: Of cul seeye eas A etneaciet ie Mp eirake ayahe!s\siaieie ote siie tele tt cc) cle). aie tee eter 563

XX. On the birds of the Nelliampathy Hills. By A. P. Kinloch, F.zs.,

ME BOS Weas 816 sais cbaiescts cate oles e tus ential catete wrote alot epahe nets iets Retatele sen eae rele 564

XXI. Further notes on snaring quail in North Behar. (With a plate). By

CAME Inglis, auz.S), sm!) NBO: Us c'.s 2 ere aie eintelctets cea ate Pauel eyelets ae 565

XXII. A python’s meal. (With a plate). By Dr. J. Morrow Campbell, p.sc... 566

XXIII. An unusual swarm of moths. By C. M. Inglis, ¥.z.8., RE.S.,M.B.0.U...-. 567

XXIV. Noises made by Ants. By A. P. Kinloch, £.2.8., M.B.O.U.s.ccceceeeee 567

570

JOURN. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc

sce

female.

Or.

6 NS

3 u

D ain

fae

THE JUNGLE BUSH-QUAIL

male.

JOURNAL

OF THE

Bombay Natural History Society.

Aucust 1923. VoL. XXIX. No. 2

—

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON.

K. C. Stuart Baker, F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.0.U., C.F.A.0.U.

PaRT XXXV.

(With a plate.)

(Continued from page 8 of this Volume.)

Genus PERDICULA—Hodgson, 1837.

The Genus Perdicula contains but one species, Perdicula asiatica,

which is confined to the Indian Peninsula. This species contains

two forms which grade the one into the other and which to some

slight extent overlap in their habitats though never, as far as is

known at present, in their actual breeding places. These two forms

appear to have become somewhat differentiated not so much on ac-

count of their geographical distribution as on account of the different

kinds of country in which they breed. P. a. aszatica breeds in places

fairly well covered with jungle of some kind whereas P. a. argoondah

breeds in rocky open uplands, or bare plains. This seems to have

encouraged a paler type of colouration in the latter bird, suited to the

sandy or rocky soil in which it dwells and blending better with the

scanty dried grass in which it places its nests. Intermediate birds are

not uncommon and some naturalists would infer from this that the

two forms are good species and these individuals hybrids, to me they

appear to be merely intermediate specimens occurring in intermedi-

ate country and to form the link between two sub-species which are

probably of very recent origin.

The genus and species is peculiar to the Indian Peninsula and agrees

in many respects more clearly with the true Partridges than with

the Quails. In size they are small, the bill is short and thick and the

culmen very convex ; the wing is short and rounded, the first primary

310 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

is equal to the seventh or eighth and the fourth is longest ; the tail is

about half the length of the wing and consists of 12 feathers ; the

tarsus is about as long as the middle toe and claw, and is armed in

the males with a blunt tubercular spur. The sexes differ in

plumage.

Key To SuB:SPECIES.

A. Breast barred black and white.

a. Supercilium and line between cheeks and

throat conspicuous ; buff or rufous

barring of upper parts lacking. ..P.-a. asvatica, §

b. Supercilium and cheek-stripe inconspicu-

ous or absent ; back barred with

buff or rufous. . - oh: ..P. a. argoondah, 3

8. Breast dull vinaceous or rufous lilac.

c. Inner webs of primaries brown through-

out aos i ‘ a iP) a. asvatica; ~ 9

d. Inner webs of primaries mottled or bar-

red with buff . . Hs ae ..P. a. argoondah, 2

PERDICULA ASIATICA ASIATICA.

The Jungle Bush-Quaal.

Perdix asiatica. Lath., Ind. Orn. 11, p. 649, (1790), (India).

Perdix cambayensis. Temm., Pl. Col. v, p. 41, (1828); Frankhn,

P. Z.8., 1831, p. 123, (Calcutta and Benares).

Coturmx pentah. Sykes, P. Z.S., 1832, p. 153, (Deccan); Gray,

Ill. In. Zool., u, pl. 45, (1834); Sykes, Trans. Zool. Soc., ui, p. 19,

pl. ui, (1841); Adams, P.Z.S., 1859, p. 186, (Kashmir).

Perdicula rubicola. Hodg., Beng. Sport. Mag. ix, p. 344, (1837).

Coturniz cambaiensis. Gray, List of B., pt. 11, p. 38, (1844).

Perdicula rubicolor. Hodg., in Gray’s Mise, p. 85, (1844).

Coturnix rubiginosa. Gray, Gen. Birds, 11., p. 507, (1846).

Perdicula asiatica. Adams P. Z.8., 1858, p. 504, (W. Himalayas) ;

Irby, Ibis, 1861, p. 236, (Oudh and Kumaon); Gould, B. of A., vu.,

pl. iv, (1863); Holdsw., P. Z.S., 1872, p. 470, (Ceylon); Hume,

Nests and Eggs, p. 546, (1873) ; Lloyd, Ibis, 1873, p. 415, (Kattiawar);

Hume, 8.F., vii, p. 158, (1878) ; David. & Wend., ibid, p. 87, (1878),

(W. Deccan) ; Ball, ibid, p. 225, (1878), (Ganges to Godavery) ; Hume

& Marsh. Game-B., i, p. 109, (1879); Butler, Cat. B. of Sind,

p. 55, (1879) ; id, B. of Bom., p. 69, (1880).; Vidal S.F:, 1x5 7 paae

(1880), (S. Konkan); Legge, B. of Cey., ui., p. 752, (1880); Butler,

S. F., ix., p. 422, (1880), (Bombay) ; Reid, ibid, x, p. 63, (1881),

(Lucknow) ; David., ibid, p. 317, (1882), (W. Khandeish); Davis.,

ibid, p. 411, (Mysore and Nilghiris) ; Swinh. & Barnes, Ibis, 1885, p.

131. (Central India) ; Taylour, S.F., x., p. 463, (1881), (Mysore) ; Oates

ed. Hume’s Nests & Eggs, iii, p. 440, (1890); Grant, Cat. B.M.,

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON, 311

xxii, p. 198, (1893) ;id, Handb. Game-B.,1, p. 153, (1895) ; Butler

Jour. B.N.H.8., x, pp. 285, 312, (1896), (Ceylon) ; Oates, Man

Game-B.,1, p. 112, (1898), Blanf., Avifauna B.I., iv, p. 118, (1898),

Harington, Jour. B. N.H.S., xu, p. 410, (1899), (Deccan); Oates

Cat. Egos. B.M.,1i, p. 41, (1901) ; Jesse, Ibis, 1893, p. 153, (Lucknow) ;

Ferguson, Jour. B. N. H.S., xvi, p. 4, (1904), (Travancore) ; Ward

ibid, xvu, p. 944, (Kashmir); Cockerill, Avi. Mag., vil, p. 234,

(1909) ; King, Jour. B.N.H.S., xxi, (1911), (Saugur and Damoh

Dist.) ; Whitehead, ibid, p. 168, (Sehore); Hingston, ibid, xxvu,

p. 570, (1921), (Dharmsala).

Perdicula cambayensis. Jerdon, B. of I., ii, p. 581, (1863);

Ball, S.F., ui, p. 487, (1874), (Chota Nagpur); Butler, ibid, iv, p. 6,

(1876), (Mt. Aboo) ; Fairb., ibid, iv, p. 262, (1876); (Khandala, etc.)

Perdicula argoondah. Gould (nec Sykes) B. of A. vu, pl. 5, (1863).

Perdicula cambauensis. Blyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 160; Beavan, ibid,

1868, p. 386, (Manbhum, Umballa, Punjab).

— Vernacular names.—Lowa, (Hin); Juhar, (Manbhum); Auriconnan,

(Santhali) ; Gorza-pitta, (Tel.); Kari-Lowya, (Can.); Chota Bator,

(Saugur).

Description, adult male.—Forehead, supercilia, chin, cheeks, anter-

ior ear-coverts and throat rufous chestnut; posterior ear-coverts

brown ; a broken white line above the supercilium ; crown brown,

bordered with black and more or less barred with the same ; sides of

neck, back, rump, upper tail-coverts fulvous brown, with narrow

wavy black bars and the back also with narrow whitish shaftlines ;

scapulars, inner wing-coverts and inner secondaries brown with bold

black bars, some rufous barring and creamy central streaks; bastard

wing, outer coverts and quills brown with rufous bars on the outer

webs ; tail brown with black-edged buff bars ; below from throat barred

black and white ; vent, thighs and under tail-coverts rufous, vinous-

rufous or rufous buff.

The breast is pure black and white only in old birds whilst in

younger ones the whole lower surface is more or less suffused with

vinaceous andthe crown also is more or less rufous.

Very old birds often lose the pale streaks on the back.

Colours of soft parts.—Inis light to dark brown ; bill horny or slaty

black, often reddish horny at the base, this colour occasionally cover-

ing as much as two-thirds of the culmen ; legs and feet dull yellowish,

yellowish orange to light reddish-brown.

Measurements.—Total length about 165 to 175 mm.; wing 77 to

92 mm., generally between §2 and 88 mm.; tail 35 to 40 mm; tarsus

28 to 29 mm.; culmen about 10 mm. Weight “2 ozs. to 2°85 ozs.”

(Hume).

Adult female.—Above like the male but without the pale central

marks to the feathers of the mantle; less boldly and handsomely marked

on the scapulars and inner secondaries; the whole of the lower parts

312 JOURNAL, MBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1X,

are dull vinaceous or lilac rufous, generally a little darker and more

rufous on the throat.

Colours of soft parts as in the male. :

Measurements average a little less than in the male except the

tail which is even longer. Wing 78 to 86 mm. ; tail 38 to 41 mm. ; tarsus

about 28 to 29 mm. ; culmen barely 10 mm.

Young birds are like the females but have little or no rufous on the

head or throat ; the crown and back have very narrow white central

streaks and the wings of young males are like those of the adult male

with broad buff streaks, which are absent or obsolete in young females;

the whole lower parts are a paler, more lilac, rufous and the chin,

throat and sides of the head are profusely streaked with creamy white;

the breast is sparsely marked in the same way, and, in some cases, the

streaks again appear on the posterior flanks.

Colours of soft parts.—Inis pale bluish brown, bill paler than in the

adult, legs paler and often tinged with fleshy.

The chick in down has the head rufous brown with very broad

fulvous white supercilia from the nostrils to the nape ; lores and a

line under the eye dark brown ; chin, cheeks and sides of head and neck

rich fulvous mottled with brown; when the feathers appear, those of the

back, scapulars and inner wings are pale rufous, with white shafts,

terminating with broad fan-shaped white spots, edged with black ;

lower parts dull fulvous streaked with white on throat and breast.

The first tail feathers are rufous barred with blackish.

Distribution.—The Jungle Bush Quail is found in suitable well-wood-

ed localities from the lower ranges of the Himalayas to Ceylon. Ward

reports it from the outer ranges of Kashmir, and Hingston says that

it is common at Dharmsala up to about 4,000 feet. It has not been

found in Sind but is common in parts of Jodhpore and the Aboo Hills

whence it extends throughout the Western Ghats and Travancore to

Ceylon where it is found in the hills upto 3,500 feet or perhaps

higher. It is common from the Deccan to the South and East of the

N. W. Provinces and extends East throughout Behar, Western Bengal,

Orissa, the Central Provinces and Northern Madras. Rainey said

that he had seen it in Jessore, and I have had it reported from Dacca

but both these localities are doubtful and it probably occurs, if at all,

only as a straggler in any of the districts of Bengal on alluvial soil.

It is common in Chota Nagpur and not uncommon in Gya, the

Midnapur and Rajmehal Hills, is occasionally seen in Suri and the

Santhal Purgunas and even more rarely in the hilly country of

Bankura. |

Nidification—The Jungle Bush Quail is resident and breeds wher-

ever found from the level of the plains up to some 4,000 feet. Hume says

even 5,000 feet. Over most of its range it seems to breed from the end

of the rains to the end of the cold weather. Thus from the vicinity of

Poona I have eggs taken from the 24th. September up to the end of

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. ‘313

March, but Harington Bulkley took eggs supposed to have been those

of this bird as early as the 14th Augustin Gujerat, these latter however

were probably the eggs of the Rock Bush Quail. Stewart, Bourdillon

-and others found them breeding in January, February and March in

Travancore and Mysore. In the Deccan they breed from October to

February, rarely in March, whilst in Orissa, Western Bengal and Behar

they apparently lay in March and April.

They make their nest in almost any kind of cover which is_ thick

enough to afford good protection, yet 1s not too dense or moist. They

do sometimes frequent dense evergreen forest for this purpose, but they

prefer scrub, bush, deciduous forest or grass land. The nest, for a

-Game-Birdl’s, is a quite well-put-together little pad of grass and grass

roots measuring four or five inches in diameter with a depression for

the eggs between two and three inches across by less than one inch

deep. The eggs number four to seven, most often five or six. In colour

they range from practically pure white, with the faintest creamy |

tinge, to a pale cafe-au-lait or light buff. The surface is fine and glossy

and the texture very stout and close. Sixty-five eggs average 25.4 x

19.5 and the extremes are: maxima 27.0 x 19.7 and 26.8 X 22.0

mm. ; minima 24.1 < 19.3 and 25.0 x 18.4 mm.

Mr. N. F. Cockell, who was successful in breeding these little Quail in

captivity, found that the eggs took 18 days to hatch, but in India they

apparently take only 16 days. Mr. Cockell’s two hens together laid ten

eggs in one basket of grass and together sat on them. The cock-birds

took no interest in the incubation of the eggs but once they were hatch-

ed all the adult birds in the nest, some dozen in number, constituted

themselves foster parents of the nine chicks, the cock-birds taking the

greater share both in feeding and brooding them. Mr. Cockell comments

on the curious fact that though so pugnacious at most times the male

birds sank all their differences as soon as the chicks were about and

united to do their best to spoil them. The hens who laid the eggs were

close sitters, leaving the nest, one at a time, every two or three hours

to feed and dust themselves.

They are very close sitters also in a wild state not leaving the nest

until almost stamped on. They are, I think, monogamous but two

hens may occasionally mate with one cock bird.

Habits.—The Jungle Bush Quail may be found in any kind of dry

Jungle from thin grass and bush scrub to fairly dense deciduous forests.

As Col. Tickell writes :—

“They prefer stony, gravely places amongst thorny bushes,

such as the jujube or ber or tracts of stunted Sal, Assun

and Polas (or Dhak) ; congregating in coveys of eight to a dozen

under thickets, whence they emerge of an evening into adjacent

fields, meadows and clumps of grass to feed”’.

In the Western Ghats and Travancore they sometimes frequent

evergreen forest in the vicinity of grass or scrub land, but even in

314 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X,

this part of India it is the exception to find them out of the drier

areas.

The flocks in which they collect must often consist of more than one

family for there is no record of any clutch of eggs of more than

seven, yet they are often seen in coveys of upwards of a dozen.

Even in the breeding season they seem sometimes to gather together

in the most sociable manner, and there are several instances on record

of two hens sharing a nest, whilst clutches of eggs have been sent to me

obviously not all the product of the same bird. Possibly at the begin-

ning of the nesting season, September to November, the birds break up

into pairs, for at this season the cock-birds are extremely pugnacious

and fight with an energy and persistence in excess of most game-birds.

Their natural pugnacity causes them to be much sought after by the

natives of many parts of India who catch them and keep them for

fighting purposes.

There are many ways by which they are caught. Col. Sykes says that

they are generally caught in the same way as are the Grey Partridges

and describes this as follows :—

‘“‘A tame one is placed in a small cage covered with strong

horse-hair nooses, and carried out in the evening or early morning

to the jungle. On arriving at a likely spot, the fowler blows two

or three times on the bird in the cage, an act which has the

invariable effect of rousing the little captiveinto fury. It answers

every puff with a shrill cry, and in a minute or so goes off into a

paroxysm of rage and defiance, screaming and cackling challenges

to all comers, in which state it is placed on the ground dancing

about in its cage, while the fowler retires behind some neighbour-

ing bush to watch operations. The decoy-bird’s calls have been

answered probably all round the coppice by the time its master is

hidden, and ere long an exceedingly diverting scene, which I have

more than once witnessed ensues. One by one the wild cock-birds

emerge from the forest........ the nearest rushes at it witha

charge which would send it rolling off the scene were it not securely

pegged to the ground. The bird within and the bird without en-

gage furiously........ through the intervening wall, till........

the assailant finds himself fast by the leg in one of the nooses.”’

“The Bush Quails fight with even greater rancour, and cer-

tainly with more clamour, than the Greys, and it is not infrequent

to noose every one in the jungle before the trapper has finished

this operations in one spot.”

Mr. G. Vidal, writing of the Ratnagiri District, says:

“The natives catch them by night with the aid of torches

all huddled together in a compact mass and, dazzled by the glare

of the torches, whenever found they fall an easy prey.”

This habit of coliecting closely together in compact little masses

is very typical of the Bush Quail. Even when feeding they keep

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON, 315 |

very close together, all moving simultaneously in a little body in and

out of the bushes and grass, keeping within a few inches of one

another, all the time pecking, scratching, and hunting for seeds and

small insects with the most intense energy and activity. When dis-

turbed they bunch up so close together that a dozen or more will not

cover more than a foot or so of ground. They seek safety on foot,

still all bunched together, but when almost trodden on, get up with

a sharp whirr and scatter in all directions, pitching once more into

cover when they have covered anything from twenty to fifty yards.

The leader then squats and utters a note which Butler syllabifies as

“tiri-tiri-tirl”’, and within a few minutes they are once more collected.

Their flight is swift and direct and when roused they spin over the

tops of the bushes or crops, and then suddenly drop headlong into the

bushes or grass. They are not too easy birds to hit for they are so

tiny and get up so close to one that if hit too soon they are blown to

pieces, whilst if one waits too long they have tumbled out of sight

before one has fired.

For the table they are not very good eating, the flesh is white and

firm but dry and without much flavour.

PERDICULA ASIATICA ARGOONDAH.

The Rock Bush-Quaal.

Coturnix argoondah. Sykes, P.Z.S., 1832, p. 153, (Deccan); id.

Trans. Zool. Soc. 11, p. 17, pl. 11, (1841) Burgess ; P.Z.S., 1855, p. 31;

Hume, 8.F., vu., p. 156, (1878).

Perdicula argoondah. Wayard, A. M. N. H. (ii) xiv, p. 107, (1854),

(Ceylon) ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, p. 545, (1873); id, 8. F., vu, p. 159,

(1878) ; David. and Wend. ibid, p. 87, (1878), (Deccan) ; Hume and

Marsh., Game-B., u1., p. 117, (1879) ; Butler, Cat. B. of Sind, p. 55,

(1879) ; id, Cat. B. of Bom., p. 69, (1880); id., 8. F.,1x., p. 423, (1880),

(Bombay); Swinh. and Barnes, Ibis, 1885, p. 131, (Central India) ;

Barnes, B. of Bom., p. 313; Oates, Hume’s Nests and Eggs, iii, p.

441, (1890) ; Grant, Cat. B. M., xxii, p. 200, (1893) ; id. Handb. Game-

B. IL., p. 115, (1898); Oates, Cat. Eggs, B. M., i, p. 41, (1901);

Mewertzhagen, Ibis, 1912, p. 98, (Mauritius, introduced).

Perdicula argundah. Blanf. and Oates, Avifauna B. I., iv, p. 119

(1898) ; Jesse, Ibis, 1903, p. 153, (Lucknow) ; Dewar, Jour. B. N. H.S.,

xvi, p. 495, (Madras) ; Ward, ibid, xvii, p. 944, (1907), (not in Kashmir)

King, ibid, xxi, p. 100, (1911), (Saugor and Damoh) ; Whitehead, ibid,

xxi, p. 168, (1911), (Sehore).

Vernacular names.—Lowa (Hin. and Mahr.); Lawanka, (Tel.) ;

Sinkadah, (Tam.) ; Kempa-lowya, (Can. Mysore).

Description, adult male, differsfrom P. a. asiatica in having the mantle,

scapulars and innermost secondaries barred with pale buff, rufous buff

or pale rufous, these bars edged with black ; the pale streak between

316 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

the rufous thioat and the cheeks is wanting; there is not nearly so

much black on the upper plumage, the bold-black spots on the

mantle are wanting or are much fewer in number ; the primary quills

are barred on both webs; the black above the pale supercilium is

wanting and the pale supercilium itself is less distinct.

Female. Whole upper parts vinous rufous, the rump, upper tail-

coverts and tail faintly barred with brown and white; the mantle is

occasionally sparsely speckled with tiny white and black spots ; below

the chin and throat are less rufous than in P. a. asiatica, and are practi-

cally the same colour as the breast, the point only of the chin being

truly rufous. The inner webs of the primaries are barred or mottled

with buff and not all brown as in the last bird.

In both sexes the variation in plumage is very great, but seems to

bear no relation to age, habitat or season. Males of both the Jungle

Bush Quail and the Rock Bush Quail vary in general appearance from

pale grey or buffy grey birds to such as appear to be rich black and

brown, rich rufous or rufous chestnut.

Some birds are quite intermediate between the two races and

might be assigned to either.

Measurements.—The same as for the Jungle Bush Quail. Wings

of males vary from 82 to 91 mm. and of female from 79 to 94 mm.

Distribution.—The South Eastern Peninsula of India from South of

Madras—it is rare near Madras itself—to the extreme South but it

does not occur in Ceylon. It extends to the drier plains of Mysore and

Travancore, to parts of the Bombay Presidency, almost throughout

the Deccan, Rajputana, Cutch, Guzerat, to the United Provinces and

Oudh and to portions of the Punjab.

The habitat of the two Bush Quails constantly overlaps, as I have

already pointed out, but so far there is nothing to show that the two

ever breed both in the same locality.

Nidification.—Like the Jungle Bush Quail this bird is resident

wherever found though it may move about locally under weather

pressure. It breeds from August to March, according to Hume, princi-

pally in the months of August, September and March, but most ‘records

for the Deccan, Mysore and Bombay are from October to December.

Davidson also took its eggs in Aprilin Sholapur. The nest is similar

to that of the last bird, a fairly compact little cup of grass and roots

placed in a depression in the ground either natural or scratched out by

the birds.. As a rule it is placed in fairly long, but thin, grass, at other

times under a bush and, more rarely, under the protection of a rock or

boulder or in a crevice between two or more of these. Sometimes

practically no nest at all is made, merely a few grass blades or roots

being placed in the hollow below the eggs, and this seems to be the case

more often with P. a. argoondah than with P.a. asiatica. The eggs

vary from four to seven in number, and are quite indistinguishable from

those of the last bird. Sixty eggs average 25°9X20°8 mm., maxima

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 317

28°38 x 195 and 283 x 22-4 mm.; minima 243 % 195 and

24°4 x 18°9 mm.

Habits —Hume in a paragraph very much to the point gives us

the manner in which the two Bush Quails differ. He says :—

“Tt is in the nature of the localities it affects that (asin the

case of the Jungle Bush Quail) the key to its irregular distribu-

tion is to be found ; it avoids mountains, which it never ascends,

forest and thick jungle and eschews well watered and richly wood-

ed or cultivated tracts; it loves dry, open, sandy or even rocky

plains or low hillocks, sparsely studded with thin thorny bushes ;

elevation is not of so much consequence to it as the openness and

semi-waste character of the place. You will find it equally at

home on the plains of Ajmere, at an elevaticn of 1,700 feet, and

near sea level in the Carnatic. Dry half-barren, sparsely culti-

vated plains districts are its choice, and hence it follows that

_ although, where localities such as it affects intergrade with those

that the Jungle Bush Quail prefers, you may shoot both species in

the same stubble yet broadly speaking where you find the Rock

Bush Quail, there, asa rule, you do not find the other.”

Like the Jungle Bush Quail this little bird is very gregarious and

sociable, collecting in the same small flocks of a dozen to twenty birds,

and always maintaining the same close formation. Even during the

breeding season, or, at any rate, as soon as the chicks have hatched,

they seem to feed in parties consisting of two or more families, for chicks

both newly hatched and some days old have been seen feeding

in company with several adult birds. Both this and the last bird

are equally combative but both seem able to :estrain their feelings

once they have their young ones to look after and the males are most

admirable fathers.

Both these Quail occasionally perch on bushes and low trees, but this

is probably only when they are suddenly frightened. Most of our Indian

game birds will take refuge in a tree when disturbed by dogs and

some will even attempt to hide in the higher foliage under these cir-

cumstances but these quail only perch low down just out of reach of

ground vermin.

They roost on the ground, under bushes and rocks, every member

of the covey tucked as close in to his neighbours as possible.

In voice, flight, diet, etc., there is nothing to add about this bird

which has not already been said about the Jungle Bush Quail.

(To be continued.)

318

GAME ANIMALS OF KASHMIR AND ADJACENT HILL PROVINCES.

BY |

Con, A. E Warp.

Parr VI.

(Continued from page 35 of this Volume.)

BEASTS OF PREY.

BEARS.

(With 4 plutes.)

No. 98 Tot Buack Bear. Selenarctos thibetanus, F. Cuv.

There are still several black bears in the hills. As a rule they do not hibernate

but move into the lower ranges where they can get food, and also where there:

is no snow ; for on frozen snow they cannot travel far.

Some, especially she bears with cubs or about to have a family, lie up in the

winter, so also do old males that have taken up their abode in the higher

mountains.

Often at night when the snow has driven the bears into a cave or a hollow tree

they can be heard ; if the place can be found ana the animal moved traces of

blood will be found in the frozen snow for the paws of the beast are evidently

soft from not being used.

Most people who come to Kashmir have heard of the ‘ bear shoots ’ in Poonch,

the bears are mostly Kashmir bears which are migratingin the month of

November, they stay in Poonch to eat the acorns and then move downwards.

It has been said that it is a shame to kill so many black bears in the ‘ Poonch

shoots * but it is not, for they are most destructive not only to the crops but they

often kill the villagers and badly maul many. It is not that the bear comes

headlong out of the forest to attack people, but often it will stay down in the

maize crop during the day and will go for the cultivator when suddenly come

upon, or some unfortunate may meet a she-bear and cubs ona forest track, or

even for that matter on a village road in the dusk. Wounded bears are always

adanger. One such was hit and not retrieved two years ago in a game reserve.

It took up its quarters in a neighbouring ravine and continually attacked villagers;

it killed two people and mauled many before it was shot by Mr. McDonald (this

was No. 8 in B. list). Small bore rifles should not be used unless the shot

is so easy that a killis almost a certainty for, as mentioned in the previous case,

wounded bears become a scourge near the villages. Endless narratives could

be given. On one occasion seven wounded bears were left after a beat and of

these two or three at least turned cross and mauled many people.

Having thus defended Poonch shoots, here is the result of three days’ shoot-

ing ; it may be wrong to say sport :—

There were five gung out, including Rajah Baldeo Singh of Poonch. In all

there were 4 big drives on different days in jungles separated by many

miles. On the 4th day no bears were seen but in the three days fifty-four were

brought to bag.

The photo shows the last of the three days shooting results. Photographs

of the other two bags were taken and have appeared in print.

There is nothing to be proud of in this. The bears were numerous and they

were surrounded and driven by a large pack of trained dogs, but it shows how

numerous bears were. Other big bags have been made, it is sufficient to tell of

one and of the death of so large a number of these pests. One such shoot is

interesting enough, but there remains no desire to participate in a second.

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

A Berar SuHoot in Pooncu,

| A Brack Bear SHowine THE WHITE CRESCENT ON-THE

i oe ————— TT —— - a

‘MINHSVY ‘MOH IV LOHY “(snurjognss SNS MVq NMOUG

‘90S 3SIH °3€N Aveqwog “usanor

GAME ANIMALS OF KASHMIR. 319

MEASUREMENT OF BLACK BEARS.

The custom of following the curves of the body with the tape has led to stories

of huge beasts.

A.—Measurement between pegs of Black Bears.

Index No. Sportsman’s name. Length. Sex. Locality.

I: W. Mitchell .. (i604 9% .. Male Bringl, Lanor,

2. In a Poonch shoot .. 6’ 4’

3. William McPherson .. 6’ 1” . Liddar Valley.

4, A. E. Ward .. pe un 3 Pe;

5. A. E. Ward .. Bante ca ieee 0 Ee - Bringl, Lanor.

6. A. E. Ward .. .- 5’ 3” Female Chakrata.

These measurements are taken from many scores kindly sent by various

sportsmen and by the Game Department.

Mr. W. Mitchell gave the measurement of No. 1 taken by himself, Nos. 2 to 6

were personally taken.

No. 2 was a huge bear—the skin was taken to Naini Tal and secn by many

portsmen. Rajah Baldeo Sing, who had seen many hundred dead bears,

declared No. 2 to be the biggest he had seen.

B.—Measured round the curves of the body.

1. Norman Leslie .. See Uk ae Male In 1912.

2. Capt. H. Graham Bey hatha os In 1918.

3. A lady ais Ee re ely anita (ig a Kashmir.

4. R.C. Hanson aie Um 6 Scale CAC ra In 1912.

5. 8S. McDonald A sae Ola, Female Kashmir.

6. 8. McDonald at Bath ay Oe Uf Male =

7. S&S. MeDonald ibe a sOa wali a Dara.

8. S. McDonald ye see 16% Female Sept. 1920.

9. Col. Turnbull ay en a aie 1 a aS Lolab.

Nos. 1 and 2 are owners’ measurements. No. 3 was measured by Mr. 8.

McDonald.

Some bear skins when cured are very large and several of 8’ may be recorded.

There are very big bears in Kulgam reserve of which Rajah Sir Harising has

taken toll, notably so in 1920.

As the Poonch shoots give no indication of what can be done in Kashmir

by the visitor it is as well to turn to other records.

Colonel Turnbull shot twenty-two black bears in the summer of one year, this

was in Lehin Daggan in the Liddar Valley.

It is not often that much excitement is to be got out of a black bear shoot,

sometimes howsoever more than enough can be had :—to be accurate the follow-

ing is taken from a diary of 1898.

Dec. 2nd.—

The party consisted of the Governor of Kashmir, a Tahsildar, self and daughter.

Part of a long line of low hills had been beaten on the previous day without any

result, the bears and a leopard had gone forward without being fired at, ana

were probably in the last part of the outlying hill which touched the level

ground.

The Governor and Tahsildar did not come out so oniy one machan could be

occupied, this was not a built up concern but consisted of a platform made by

320 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

putting poles into the hillside and supporting them at their far ends by uprights,

moreover it was on a very narrow track which passed along the hill.

The beat advanced on the face of the hill ; whilst the crest was lined with the

coolies standing close together.

The machan, such as it was, had been placed about three hundred yards from

the end of the jungle, and it was hoped the bears would go thus far before they

tried to break back. Shere Singh, the best of Jamadars of shikaries, was in

charge and full ot zeal.

The first shot was at a young bear which partly showed itself in the jungle, it

rolled over to the shot and was pelted with stones by the stops who were in a

small machan below, then it broke back and passed through the _ beaters

bleeding at the shoulder.

Next came a three-parts grown bear which fell dead to the shot. Shortly after

a big she-bear with cubs came on, a badly placed shot hit her too far back, she

was turned by the stops, circled rounc, and lay down close to the machan,

but not within sight.

The beat was now nearly over but drove a big male-bear straight towards the

machan and on a level with the platform ; when within a few yards the bullet hit

11m in the head, rolling him over stone dead. The wounded she-bear came on

at the same time and crossed above the platform which, as before stated, simply

consisted of horizontal poles. With only one barrel loaded it was a risk but the

bear was almost on the platform. She rolled over to the shot, clawed at the machan

as she passed, and disappeared. A cub and some other animal which could not be

clearly seen came next, the cub was killed and the second beast which was crawling

through the bushes was missed. Then the coolies came up, the line was stopped

whilst the wounded she-bear was followed up, too sick to show fight she raised

her head and was easily brained.

The first bear that was wounded was tracked for a time but was abandoned,

for the slain had to be collected and skinned before dark.

From the first shot up to when the wounded she-bear was followed, about ten

minutes were taken up, and none of the bears were more than thirty or forty

yards from the machan. No accidents happened to any of the beaters which was

lucky.

It may be said that the beat had the advantage of official help, but beyond

the aid given to collect hundreds of coclies there was nothing gained.

However here is an extract trom the diary of a beat conducted by village

shikaries and which was more exciting in one way, for bears can get very cross.

_ The locality was Bringl Lanor and the fighting bear is No. 5 on the list of

‘A’ measurements. )

Bringl Lanor is at the foot of the Panjal range on the Kashmir side, the forest

comes close down to the plains and is interspersed with open glades and grassy

meadows. The idea of the shikari was to post the guns in a glade on the hill

side and to drive the face of the slope, after posting a line of coolies as stops on

the crest of the hill which was perhaps a thousand feet above the guns.

G. Allan had the post nearer the flat ground ; he fired verysoon after the beat

began, and a growling snarl which came immediately after the shot suggested

a leopard being hit.

Crouched behind a huge fallen log and facing the beat events were awaited ;

above and below was the open glade, the rest was all a forest of firs. The fallen

tree was in the middle of the glade and had evidently been brought down by an

avalanche of snow.

As monal pheasants were about, the smooth bore was loaded and placed

against the log.

Nothing happened for some time, and the coolics had arrived within a few

hundred yards when a ten point stag moved slowly through the forest and was

shot. The village shikari jumped over the log and rushed forward, taking with

GAME ANIMALS OF KASHMIR, 321

him the pouch of cartridges, but as four rifle cartridges were always carried in a

little compartment in the shooting coat, the rifle was reloaded leaving one

cartridge to spare.

- Almost immediately afterwards a big stag crossed the glade above and was

duly missed with both barrels and then only one cartridge remained.

The log was lying along and not across the sloping glade, hence a big black

bear which came to the edge of the cover could not see the gun until half way

across the glade. The bear crossed and had got almost into the forest when the

last cartridge was used and by that time the bear and the shooter were on the

same side of the log. On being hit it rolled down the slope but pulled up close to

the log. After seizing the smooth bore and jumping over the log there was a feel-

ing of relief for perhaps the beast would go away, however it had no such inten-

tion, instead it came up to the far side of the log and was looking over when

both barrels of No. 4 shot were fired with the result of knocking the bear over

and rolling it down the glade where it lodged amongst a mass of broken sticks

and stones and howled loudly. It would have been tatal to shout to Allan because

the beastly bear might again attack, but on hearing the firing Allan came up

and all that remained was to watch him finish olf the bear and be thankful.

It appeared that Allan’s shikari had seen the performance from where he was

acting as a stop and had at once gone to fetch his master.

The lesson to be learned is not to fire at a bear when he is immediately above

one and certainly not when only one cartridge is available. Where the first

shot hit could not be found out but probably in the hind quarters, for a leg was

broken ; this may have accounted for the beast not getting at once over the

log. The charges of shot had knocked one side of the head about and made

a hole in the shoulder.

During the time the walnuts are ripe the bears come down close to the villages,

it is not a satisfactory kind of sport to shoot at a black patch in a leafy tree,

too often it results in a wounded bear going off into the jungle. It is seldom

that a clear shot can be got, and then onlv when the bear is at the top of a tree.

The best way to get bears is to send men out in pairs very early inthe morning.

If game is seen one man comes in and gives the news, whilst the second watches

the movements of the beast.

When the mulberries are ripe many black bears are shot in the trees, for on a

cool day they will feed at almost any hour, but the time is passed when on almost

any evening a shot could be obtained, now it may take weeks to get a fine bear

except in the game reserves ; there the bears congregate and are an absolute

nuisance, for they destroy the young fruit trees and damage badly the big

walnuts. To enable a walnut tree to grow the fruit has to be taken off before

ripening or every bough will be broken.

_ Another reprehensible habit is stripping the bark otf the young pine trees,

hundreds of blue pine are thus destroyed. Evidently in the spring time the

green bark with resin is a favourite food and the damage done toa group of

pines about eight to ten feet in height is sad to see.

It may be amusing to watch but it is bad for the tree when the bear makes

up his mind to feed leisurely ; stretching out his fore legs he gathers the boughs,

and makes a small platform on which to stand or sit, then he eats all the

mulberries or other fruit within reach. Many of the treesin Dachgam Game

reserve are covered with these seats or “‘ bhaitaks ’’ as the shikaries term them.

Often and often on a summer evening the bears can be watched, for in some

years the valley is full of them but it is now-a-days only in the protected

areas that there is much chance of watching and learning the habits of any

game.

When the hazels are ripe, bears may be found whilst feeding on the fallen nuts,

The hazel abounds at an elevation of 7,060’ to 8,000’. The drawback to shooting

then is that the stags are at this time calling, consequently, there is a

322 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXLIX.

certain amount of reluctance in disturbing the hill side and many bears are for

this reason allowed to go in peace. ;

The photograph shows one of the favourite resorts of black. bears. Near the

river two bears were found ; one was close to the foot of a low precipice and the

other further away, and both were busy gleaning fallen nuts and were unalarmed.

A steady shot was taken at the more distant beast which fell, and the second was

hit but carried on towards the river to which it was followed. Up to the water’s

edge the track was quite plain but what. became of it was not discovered. There

were no marks on the far side of the river, and where the bear entered the river

the water was fairly smooth but down lower the river narrowed and becamea

torrent. Probably the bear swam downwards and was drawn over the rocks by

the current. This bear was hit in the back from above with a ‘500 express

bullet. In the autumn bears are very fat, the fat. breaks up the hollow fronted

bullet and prevents it from penetrating. A ‘400 soft nosed bullet from a high

velocity rifle is a much more efficient projectile to employ against fat bears.

In the accompanying photo the leg of the black bear has been drawn aside

in order to show the large white crescent on the breast and the white mark under

the shoulders. The centre of this white patch is a deadly spot for a shot to strike

if the bear is standing on its hind legs, or when feeding whilst sitting upin a

tree.

Whilst listening to a calling stag in the forest, a bear came out of some bushes

and walked towards the listener ; it came on slowly and without fear; then some

movement attracted it, for it rose on its hind legs and moved about, then

advanced on all four legs and again stood up ; when about 20 or 25 paces off there

was no alternative but to shoot, the white crescent was a grand bull’s eye and

the beast fell without a groan.

A short distance off was a bees’ nest ina tree, and on the trunk were the

marks of the claws ; evidently Bruin was about to feed on the honey when he

had been disturbed and moved off to hide. When the coast was clear he

had come out and possibly did not see anyone until he rose on his hind quarters

for the second time. The stag stopped calling and did not return to that part

of the forest.

Stag and bear shooting do not suit one another, many a _ bear owes its safety

to this for they are met with in the day time during the calling season of the

Barasingh.

No. 97 THE Brown Bear. Ursus isabellinus, Horsfield.

The ‘“ Lal Balu” or ‘‘ Harpat” of Kashmir, The “Drinmar’” of Baltistan.

‘* Brown ”’ or as Penne eS called “ Red Bears” are now very scarce in the

Kashmir Hills.

This bear is curiously devoid of the power of ceht and hearing, but possesses

the sense of smell in an extraordinary degree.

Whether strict: preservation in the game reserves and sanctuaries will save

the Brown Bear from extinction remains to be seen.

Sportsmen continually ask ‘‘ where can I get a Brown Bear ?”’ there is no

intention of replying in this article, because the few that remain are better left

in peace.

In the distant hills the number is steadily being lessened, this is a pity for

on the whole the brown bear is a harmless beast except when it takes to killing

ponies and sheep.

The measurements sent in by sportsmen are very confusing—“ After skin-

ning,” ‘“* When pegged out,” etc., give no clue to the size of the beast.

There is one entry in the game preservation office,—‘“‘ Pegged out before skin-

ning, 7’ 6”, shot by Lionel Taylor, and also 7’ 5” by the same sportsmen.”

Mr. T. McDonald measured his animals from the end of the nose along the

Plate I,

Journ,, Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc,

P THE LIDDAR VALLEY.

‘ HAUNTS OF THELBLACK BEAR U

9} €id

Mis lag

Mili

‘90S ‘3SIH “30N Avequicg “usnor

GAME ANIMALS OF KASHMIR. 323

head to between the ears and then straight to the tail, he gives two measure

ments 8’ 3” and 7’ 1”.

A 7’0” bear measured between pegs and shot in Gugai can be personally

vouched for. ae |

Admitting that the Brown Bear does grow to a large size, there is no doubt

that if measured between pegs, any over 7’ are very rarely shot.

Long ago brown bears were found all over the higher hills from about 7,000’

and upwards.

A story was told to the effect that fourteen were killed in one day between

Garan and Nowboog, this seemed to be incredible but worth enquiring about,

so, when near that place, old Ramzan Ali, the then famous shikari, was sent

for and questioned. He said he and his son were out with a Sahib when a

cloud of locusts appeared, they fell in huge numbers on the snow and the bears

came out to eat them. He and his sahib shot nine not fourteen.

The Wardwan nullahs used to be full of brown bears, complaints were

loudly made that they killed the lambs when the flocks pastured and actually

took 22 in one night.

The sheep folds were inspected, in the neighbourhood of these was a great

deal of fairly fresh remains of the slain, but nowhere could the print of the bears’

feet be found. Taking advantage of a bright moon, a night was spent not far

from the sheep ; then the marauders came,—the sheep dogs were the culprits.

In Mir Mullick ravine, however, two brown bears did kill a large number of

sheep, one of these bears was killed and the other wounded within a few yards

of the sheep folds. It is a nasty business to sit amongst the sheep for they are

very smelly.

Can the Himalayan Brown Bear climb a tree? In other words does he ever

do so?

As a rule there are very few trees on the ground where bears live in summer

but in the spring they are often in the forest. In the autumn when the crops

_ are ripe they come into the Indian corn (formerly many could be shot by sitting

near the maize fields) in the vicinity of which there are of course fruit trees,

but whilst it was a common enough to see the bears under the trees, never

once were they observed climbing.

The plate shows a brown bear shot and photographed by Major Ludlow,

who has kindly lent it to the Society.

(To be continued.)

324

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.

Magor F. C. Fraser, I.M.S., F.E.S.

Part XVI.

(With 3 Text-figures. )

(Continued from page 47 of this Volume.)

Sub-Family—GompPuin &.

Restore

A RK os

Minis xe

Miv

Fig. 1—Semi-diagrammatic figure of wings of a typical Gomphus.

The portion of Mi-iii, employed in the key, is here shown heavily delineated.

(In the forewing 3 transverse nervures are shown between Mi-iii and Miv, in

the hindwing only 1.) In the forewing only 1 row of cells is shown between

Mi and Mia, in the hindwing 2 rows of cells. (In some species such as Hetero-

gomphus 3 rows are present.)

pa. Postanal cells. 3 rows are here shown but there may be as many as 5

rows. In the forewing 1 or 2 rows are generally present.

ba. Basal antenodel nervure of the second series. (This is not present

in the majority of the genera.)

The trigones are shown complete but in some genera they are split up by

one or more traversing nervures.

The stigma is shown moderately small as is usual in most genera but in

some it is considerably longer than one-fourth of the distance between the node

and the distal end of stigma.

The present subfamily, which is richly represented in the Indian Odonate

fauna, consists of a large group of strikingly homogeneous insects.

Their origin has been traced back to earliest Mesozoic times, the remains

of an undoubted Gomphine having been found in the Lias.

All bear a simple colour pattern of black and yellow, the two parts of which

show an infinite variation, the yellow in some occupying the greater part

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 325

of the field or the black obliterating largely the yellow. The two colours also

show great variation, from black to light brown and from a creamy yellow

through citron yellow to reddish yellow or dirty ochreous shades.

The neuration of the wings is almost as uniform as the colour scheme _ but

Mr. E. B. Williamson, after a careful study of the Indo-Malayan forms, has

been able to pick out a number of moderately constant differences which are

invaluable for.systematic purposes. A systematic arrangement based entirely

on the neuration is however difficult and there seems to be no reason why the

efforts of early monographers who systematized from the shape of the male

anal appendages should not be combined with such a system. It at least

facilitates the formation of a workable key for the identification of the species.

It is true that the employment of unisexual characters is open to the serious

objection that anumber of species are known from the females only but I find

that even the neurational characters mentioned by Mr. Williamson are not

infrequently seen to differ in the two sexes, so that here again we are up against

the same difficulty.

A study of the genitalia which has never been carried out, and which I have

attempted on a small scale below, may eventually throw more light on the true

relationships of the genera. In no subfamily do we find so many bizarre

forms and wide variations of the anal appendages as we do in the Gomphine.

To the uniformity of the neuration and colour scheme, this variation of the

appendages affords a striking contrast.

Uniformity is again found when we come to investigate the habits of the

species which differ markedly from those of other Anisopterids.

Their seasonal appearance is extremely short; most species appear in

swarms and then either migrate for long distances or scatter throughout the

adjacent country.

Their protective colouring is adapted for concealment. When hovering

over the rippling surface of a stream they are almost invisible amongst the

glittering and flickering shafts of light which emanate from its surface. In

such cases I have had to adopt the expedient of lowering my head almost to a

level with the surface of the water before I could obtain a clearer view of the

insect outlined in profile against the background of the opposite side of the stream.

Anormogomphus possesses two species whose pale and almost unmarked

colouring harmonizes well with the sandy areas within which they are found.

Heliogomphus, Burmagomphus and Indogomphus adopt a close colour

pattern of black and yellow which is almost invisible amongst the green foliage

on which they invariably rest.

Macrogomphus shows a great partiality for babul trees where its black and

yellow is hidden amongst the- rich yellow of the wattle-like blooms which

adorn those trees.

Other species such as Ictinus, Gomphidia and Gomphus scorn any disguise

and come boldly out into the open, the former perching on reed heads or promi-

nent branches and twigs overhanging their watery retreats, whilst the latter

- are usully found settled on rocks in mid-stream. Such species rely entirely

on the swift flight with which Nature has endowed them, Jctinus especially

being probably the swiftest of all dragonflies. I have seen the females of this

genus (which always roost high up in trees) descend to the water and after

Jashing its surface two or three times in the act of ovipositing, return to their

resting place with the swiftness of lightening. The whole act of descent, ovi-

positing and ascent occupied but a few seconds. I have never once been able

to capture a female Jctinus in flight, such specimens as I possess having been

secured when paired with the males. Like most other dragonflies, females

are rarely seen near water except when ovipositing.

The larve are highly specialized. The tarsi of the fore and middle legs

are only two-jointed thus differing from larve of other families. Some larve

326 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

are stout and rotund like spiders, the abodmen flattened beneath and strongly

keeled above, (Ictinus and Gomphidia), others are long and cylindrical whilst.

a third type are extremely broad and flattened. Most species have short

robust legs adapted for digging, a circumstance arising from their habit.

of burrowing in mud in search of prey. Others lie on the muddy bottoms of

streams concealed by a thin film of mud or lie up amongst leafy debris.

The antenne are short and clubbed, consisting of 3 or 4 joints, but in Lamello-

gomphus the penultimate joint is expanded into a triangular lamella.

Oviposition varies, the female of Jctinus whipping the surface of streams

in a similar way to the Lzbelluline ; Gomphus nilgiricus stabs its eggs into

wet sand with its long ovipositor, whilst Lamellogomphus biforceps nilgiriensis

hovers motionless over the surface of water and drops its eggs at intervals.

The tiny yellow eggs can be seen falling distinctly at regular intervals and

the insect is so confidential that often a net can be cautiously inserted beneath

it and the eggs actually caught.

The imagines of many species emerge in swarms but what actuates the

simultaneous emergence it is difficult to say. Usually it occurs after very

heavy rain and it may be that the volume of silt swept into streams considera-

bly raises the temperature of the water, this acting either as a signal or a stimulus.

for the larve to emerge. I have seen Anormogomphus kiritschenkoi arising

in vast swarms from the fresh water holes beyond Zobeir, Mesopotamia. Ten

or more could be taken with a single sweep of the net and for some three weeks

I was feeding a large family of lizards exclusively on this diet. At Poona in

1916 and 1918 I saw large swarms of Burmagomphus pyramidalis and M icro-

gomphus torquatus emerging from the Moolah canal and smaller swarms of

Cyclogomphus hypsilon from the Katraj Lake.

The emergence in every case took place after heavy thunderstorms, the par-

ticular one at Zobeir nearly washing us out of camp.

As regards migration I have seen large numbers of Lindenia tetraphylla come

on board a Hospital Ship in the Persian Gulf some 40 miles or so below the bar

of the Shat-el-Arab. I have also seen Macrogomphus travelling inward from the

Poona river in considerable numbers and for days afterwards it was hardly

possible to scan a babul tree which had not at least two or more occupants.

Ictinus rapax and Lamellogomphus biforceps are the only two species which

I have observed attacking one another and this merely to drive off others

from their own particular beat. Pairing takes place over water and the couples

then fly inland for a short distance and come to rest on low herbage. The

female is unaccompanied when ovipositing, this act usually taking place late in

the afternoon or in cloudy weather when the males have gone to rest.

They breed alike in running and still waters but the former is usually preferred.

I have found breeding in streams Gomphus, Heliogomphus, Indogomphus, Lamel-

logomphus, Onychogomphus, Anisogomphus and Ictinus whilst Cyclogomphus,

Anormogomphus and Gomphidia prefer still waters.

Their aquatic life is probably a long one, Gomphus nilgiricus which was.

seen on the wing in 1921 was entirely absent in the following year. Lamello-

gomphus biforceps was scarce in 1921 but quite common in 1922, so that one may

infer that these two species pass two years in their watery home.

March to May and September to October are the months when most species

are on the wing, the latter period more especially. At Poona in September,

Macrogomphus, Microgomphus, Onychogomphus, Cyclogomphus, Burmagomphus,

Ictinus and Gomphidia were all on the wing at one time. Onychogomphus

lineatus, a dominant species, is found nearly all the year round but this is excep-

tional. It is neither seasonal nor does it appear in swarms.

I have arranged the genera according to Williamson’s grouping as revised

and amplified by Laidlaw. I have however removed the latter’s Section IV to a

distinct genu ‘‘ Lamellogomphus”’ on account of the specialization of the larve.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 327

The following key embraces the Cordulegasterine as well as the whole of the

Indian Gomphinew. I have included the former as they are fairly closely

related to the latter and also because I omitted to furnish a key when discus-

sing that subfamily.

, ig

Fig. 2.—Diagrammatic figure of thorax of a typical Gomphus. The dorsal

and left lateral aspects are shown.

mc. Mesothoracic collar. (Shown complete in A, incomplete in B.)

ahl. Antehumeral stripes. (Shown united to mesothoracic collar in A,

separated in B.) hl. Humeral stripe. (Shown fully developed in A, rudi-

mentary in B, represented merely by a small upper spot, but even this may

be absent.) In some species only the upper part of the antehumeral stripe

and the lower part of the humeral is present, the two being united obliquely

at their middles. (A bayonet-like stripe thus takes the place of the two stripes. }

Fig. 3.—Anal appendages of Gomphines. a. Lyrate appendages. 6. Typical

Gomphus appendages. c. Typical Lamellogomphus appendages. d. Branched

appendages of Cyclogomphus.

328 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATOCRAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

Key to Subfamilies—CoRDULEGASTERINZ AND GOMPHINZ.

1.) Mid-lobe of labrum with a deep median fissure .. .. a 2

( Mid-lobe of labrum entire c * ne 9

Subfamily Cordulegasterine :—

9 Median (or prearcular) space without cross veins sae ie, 3}

4 Subfamily Chlorogomphine :—

| Median space traversed .. - a; me ie as 7

Genus Cordulegaster :—

Heac transversely elongate; frons not as high as occiput;

stigma short ; : v6 : oh : 4

3 Genus Anotogaster :—

| Head globose ; frons as high as occiput ; stigma long = eer tO

; Genus A llogaster :—

| rons greatly developed, very high and almost as wide as

| eyes ; stigma long 4S 56 Allogaster latifrons.

vi Face pale brown, Gnitiarked ar . Cordulegaster parvistigma.

*) Face bright yellow, marked with black

Abdominal segments 4 to 9 with subbasal yellow lunules and

=| small apical lirear spots .. site .. Cordulegaster brevistigma.

Abdominal segments 4 to 9 with smaller yellow Junules and

ercnene apical spots : ; Cordulegaster bidentatus.

( Venation yellow ; 10th abdominal segment marked with

4 yellow .. <Anotogaster basalis.

; Venation black; 10th ‘abdominal segment unmarked. Anotogaster

nipalensis.

Genus Orogomphus :—

J Hindwing very much broader than forewing in the female.

| Orogomphus xanthoptera.

| Fore-and Hind-wings not markedly differing in breadth .. 8

Thorax with 3 lateral yellow stripes .- Orogomphus speciosus.

Thorax with only 2 lateral stripes. -.- Orogomphus atkinsont.

, Subtriangle of forewing and hypertrigones traversed Ao 10

) Subtriangle of forewing and all hypertrigones entire Ae 17

f Genus Ictinus :—

Lateral margins of 8th abdominal segment with lateral foliate

10 < dilatations a aM By: a a ee Nis 1]

| Genus Gomphidia :—

| Lateral margins of 8th abdominal segment not foliately dilated. 16

Face largely black; hincer border of thorax black; femora

ll J largely black or brown 5 12

: Face largely yellow ; hinder border of tore yellow ; “femora

eer yellow 15

Epistome without a yellow spot ; Sth aislontinell ‘segment

12 if without a yellow ring : .. Ictinus pertinar.

Hi Epistome with a median yellow spot anc 8th abdominal

[ segtient with a yellow ring 13

Lateral black stripes on thorax janes at ahs riciies! Xe) that

13. J ane yelow is reduced between them to an upper and

| lower spot Ictinus rapax mordax.

| Lateral black stripes on thorax separated ae : a 14

black on front of frons ; yellow annule on abdominal segment

14 3 occupying only the basal third. Ictinus rapax ‘proecox,

4 Black at base of upper surface of frons not connected with the

| black on front of frons ; yellow annule on abdominal segment

(3 occupying the basal half ie wa Ictinus rapax rapax

| Black at base of upper surface of frons connected with the

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, , 329

( labrum not bordered with black ; back of head black ; lateral

expansion of 8th abdominal segment marked with "yellow.

15.< Ictinus atrox.

Labrum bordered with black ; back of head black and yellow ;

| lateral expansion of 8th abdominal segment unmarked

Ictinus angulosus.

16 f Face yellow ae me a Gomphidia T-nigrum

‘\ Face largely blacien ae Ps ae ning abbotti.

17 Superior anal appendages bemched ee ag wus 18

: ; Superior anal appendages unbranched .. i an is 21

( Genus Microgomphus :—

Small species with abdomen not longer than 25 mm.; 9th

18. 4 abdominal segment shorter than the 8th i bi ys 19

Genus Macrogomphus :—

Large species with abdomen about 50 mm. in length; 9th

| abdominal segment greatly elongated, longer than the 8th ae 20:

A single medial stripe on sides of thorax ; dorsal thoracic stripes

| not connected with the mesothoracic collar .. Microgomphus

torquatus.

A single medial stripe on sides of thorax forming a “ Y”

19.4 with another short stripe which meets it obliquely at its middle;

: dorsal thoracic stripes, connected with mesothoracic collar.

Microgomphus lilliputians.

Two fine lateral stripes outlining the lateral sutures of thorax.

Microgomphus loogali.

{ Sides of thorax yellow, the sutures finely outlined in black ;

juxta-humeral stripe present inits upper part... Macrogomphus

montanus.

A broad black stripe on sides of thorax ; juxta-humeral stripe

; absent ; 9th abdominal segment unmarked .. Macrogomphus

20.¢ robustus.

A broad black stripe on sides of thorax ; juxta-humeral stripe

represented by a small upper spot; 9th abdominal segment

with a small vellow lateral spot .. Macrogomphus annulatus.

Trigone of hindwing and occasionally that of forewing also

21.< traversed by a nervure = a aes a ae Se 22

All trigones entire an ae a ai ie erate 24

Genus Perissogomphus :—

No basal antenodal nervure of 2nd series present ; 2 rows of

cells in anal area of forewing; 2 rows of discoidal cells

99. y to beyond level of node ae .. Perissogomphus stevensi.

Y Genus Davidius :—

Basal antenodal nervure of 2nd series usually present ; only a

single row of cells in anal area of parse 3 rows of dis-

| coidal cells at level of node : 23

Mesothoracic collar coalescent with a Short band on the

lower part of middorsal carina, rest of dorsum of thorax

black .. ae -- Davidius davidi assamensis.

Mesothoracic collar and antehumeral stripes coalescent form-

23.< ing a broad middorsal band ; a fine humeral line also present.

Davidius aberrans.

Middorsal carinal band connected with mesothoracic collar ;

antehumeral band represented by a small upper cuneiform

| spot only : : Davidius davidi davidi

| Antehumeral bands separated from each other but connected

to a broken mesothoracic collar; humeral band represented

330 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1IX;3

Mesothoracic collar connected to a band on the middorsal

carina ; antehumeral stripes present slightly dilated above ;

by asmall upper spot and a lower fine stripe .. Davidius stevensi.

| humeral stripe represented by an upper spot and fine lower

|_ stripe om 5 ec Ke ms Davidius zallorensis.

( Genus Anormogomphus :— )

24.< Base of hindwing rounded in both sexes. Ag Anormogomphus

heteropterus.

Base of hindwing in male strongly angulated and notched .. 25

( Superior and inferior anal appendages both divaricate and of

25< about equal length ' os 26

| Only the inferior appendages divancten or mere Hee au ie 37

( Genus Platygomphus :—

Abdominal segments 7,8 and 9 widely dilated; base of

26< hindwing in male only slightly excavate 27

| Abdominal segments 7, 8 and 9 only slightly on os Gp vall

j dilated ; base of hindwing i in male deeply excavate as 28

li Abdominal segments 3-8 with confluent dorsal spots ae

basalrings .. . Platygomphus dolobratus,

Abdominal sopiients 5-7 with Bacal rings only Platygomphus fee.

74 Abdominal segments 3-6 with a narrow basal ring connected

~" \ to a fine dorsat line; segment 7 with a broad basal ring tapering

| to the apex.. sis a es Platygomphus martini,

f Genus Gomphus.

Large species with abdomen over 40 mm. in length ; superior

| and inferior anal appendages equally divaricate Ae es 29

Genus Burmagomphus: --

Smaller species with abdomen less than 40 mm. in length ;

inferior anal Dee distinctly more divaricate than the

‘ —e superior 35

s Genus Ophiogomphus.

| Palearctic species from Kashmir with characters resembling

| Gomphus but with an ill-defined ‘oop in the anal area of

(hind wing Ophiogomphus reductus.

’ Dorsal thoracic ptriies coumected with the mesothoracic collar 30

{ Dorsal thoracic stripes not connected with mesothoracic collar 34

Anal appendages bright yellow : Ee cyanofrons.

30. } Anal appendages black Ly 31

Vestigial antehumeral stripe seam as a 1 spot or ener stripe 32

3l. ; Antehumeral stripe entirely absent Fomphus nilgiricus.

(i Lateral sutures of thorax heavily outlined in Black. these

sometimes almost coalescent

32.4 Lateral sutures of thorax finely outlined in nblack, that of

[ anterior suture broadly interrupted in its middle. Gomphus personatus.

( Mesothoracic collar broadly interrupted. Gomphus xanthenatus.

33. 4 Mesothoracic collar only finely or not interrupted

Gomphus o aa.

r Stigma black, unbraced ; mesothoracie collar only slightly

| interrupted si Gomphus promelas.

ue Stigma yellow, maenced mosothoracic collar widely

| interrupted. Gomphus ceylonicus.

| Stigma black, braced ; mesothoracic collar not interrupted.

[ Gomphus laidlawi.

Humeral lines represented by a small upper spot of yellow ;

35.4 antehumeral lines straight, connected with the mesothoracic

Lcollar ee he 5 Burmagomphus duarensis.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 331

‘{ Humeral lines absent; antehumeral lines sinuous, not

25 ; connected with the mesothoracie eollar | &. ay 36

Humeral line well defined ; antehumeral lines straight, ot

connected with the mesothoracic collar . Burmagomphus sivalikensis.

Mesothoracic collar slightly interrupted in the middle line;

36.4 dorsal stripes on abdominal segment 3-5. Burmagomphus vermiculatus.

Mesothoracic collar broacly contiguous ; no dorsal stripes on

| abdominal segments 3-5 .. Burmagomphus pyramidalis.

Genus Hetercogomphus:—

3 rows of cells between Miand Mia atlevel of outer end of

37.2 stigma ; anal appendages directed straight back, the inferior with

/ a small spine on the inner side of its apex i 38

Not more than 2 rows of cells between Mi a and Mia; sania

t appendages variable .. Se : x 4]

38 | Antehumeral stripes meeting the fe csothoracie Gellar: a 39

‘ Antehumeral stripes not meeting the mescthoracic collar... .. 40

f Hindwing 50 mm. in length.; abdomen 58 mm. Heterogomphus

4 smithi.

| Hindwing 40 mm. in length ; abdomen 47 mm. Heterogomphus

bicornutus.

( Medial black stripe on sides of thorax spotted with yellow..

4 Heterogomphus resi.

| Medial black stripes on side of thorax unmarked. Heterogomphus

{ ceylonicus.

( More than 2 transverse nervures between Mi-iii and Miv in

41.4 the hindwing 42

| Only | transverse 1 nervure » between Mea and Miv in n hindwing 47

Genus Heliogomphus:—

Superior anal appendages lyre-shaped as seen together, taper-

| ing and curling like the horn of a cow seen individually ; basal

49 2.4 antenodal nervure of 2nd series absent i as as 43

Genus Leptogomphus:—

Superior anal appendages subtriangular with a basal and out-

wardly inclined tooth; basal antenodal nervure of 2nd series

_ | present AG

( Two straight parallel dora! tonicie stripes i eormected with

| the mesothoracic collar ; 7th abdominal da aes with basal

43< marking ahs 44

Two oval dorsal thoracic spots converging above: 7th abdomi-

nal segment unmarked ‘ Heliogomphus sperillus,

[ Occiput bearing a yellow spot ; 7th abdominal segment with

44. 4 basal triangular spots : Heliogomphus nietneri,

Occiput black, thorax heavily. pruinosed beneath ; 7th

(sane segment with broad basal ring Heilogom phus pruinans,

Dorsal stripes connected with mesothoracic collar ; antehume-

4b { ral stripe interrupted ee ‘ : . Leptogomphus maculivertex.

Dorsal stripes not connected w ith mesothoracic collar; antehu-

Goo stripe complete ae 46

( Abdominal segments 3-5 pearia ga bare fipmal inane or

y entirely black. . si . Leptogomphus gestrot:

Abdominal segments 3-5 beatine interna spots or rings

ls Leptogomphus inclitus.

{ Inferior anal appendages divaricate, cleft to the base bie 48

} Inferior anal appendages not divaricate, variable... a 54

{ Genus Anisogomphus:—

Superior anal appendages yellow, very small, parallel, closely

332 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

(apposed, with a downwardly directed black basal frocess;

no basal antenodal nervure of 2nd series ae +0 oe 49

Genus Temnogomphus:—

Superior anal appendages small, yellow, parallel but not close-

ly apposed and without basal es basal antenodal nervure

of 2nd series present ie y .. TLemnogomphus birvittatus.

Genus Indogomphus:—

48.{ Superior anal appendages lyrate like those of Heliogomphus ;

| abdominal segment 9 as long as segment 8. Indogomphus longistigma.

| Genus Cyclogomphus:—

Superior anal appendages small, closely apposed, no basal

process present; basal antenodal nervure of 2nd _ series

present : very small species with abdomen not longer than 28

| mm. dilated fusiformly at the end ds 50

( Black bands onsides of thorax very thick ; eel bene ve

confluent with upper end of antehumeral ‘stripe

49. Anisogomphus eect pitalias

| Black bands on sides of thorax very fine ; dorsal bands conflu-

(ent with upper end of antehumeral stripe .. Anisogomphus orites.

50 | Face largely black ; a yellow spot on vertex. Cyclogomphus verticalis.

Face largely yellow ; no spot on vertex .. .. oe 51

f Very small species with abdomen 22 mm. in length, hind- .

51 y wing 21 mm. . Cyclogomphus minusculus,

: Larger species with abdomen 25 mm. or more in poe

(taictaete 25mm.ormore .. 52

A black “Y”’ shaped mark on aia es a Tees Species hetero-

stylus.

24 No black ‘‘ Y ’’ shaped mark on sides of thorax oe ~ 53

Hindwing 25mm.long .. a .. Cyclogomphus vesiculosus.

Hindwing 29mm.long .. re .. Cyclogomphus ypsilon.

53. |

Genus Stylogomphus :—

Superior anal appendage long, sinuous, tapering, black; in-

ferior appendage black, cleft slightly at apex... Stylogomphus inglisi.

Genus Lamellogomphus :-—

Inferior anal appendage as long as or longer than the supe-

rior, both separated at the base, converging at the apices, long

and forcipated : 35 365 ae ~ se a 55

Genus Onychogomphus : —

Inferior anal appendage shorter than, often much more so

than the superiors, both closely apposed .. on oe A 58

Humeral stripe absent .. re oy BS oe oe 56

Humeral stripe present .. Lamellogomphus biforceps biforceps.

Dorsal bands isolated, not connected with mesothoracic collar. 57

Dorsal bands connected with mesothoracic collar .. Lamellogomphus

biforceps nilgiriensis.

Legs entirely black ; labrum marked with yellow spots. Lamellogom-

phus biforceps acinaces.

Legs marked with yellow ; labrum unmarked .. Lamellogomphus

biforceps sp. Laid.

Dorsal thoracic stripes not connected to mesothoracic collar. 59

Dorsal thoracic stripes connected to mesothoracic collar... 64

Dorsal thoracic stripes, short and oval .. ro 3 +5 60

Dorsal thoracic stripes, elongate, not oval : 62

Anal appendages black .. aN e% Orachogon hie lindgreni.

Anal appendages yellow .. ve ne a ee a 61

55.

56.

60.

—)

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 333

9th abdominal segment entirely black .. Onychogomphus frontalis

9th abdominal segment marked with yellow .Onychogomphus lineatus.

Abdominal segments 3-6 black marked with narrow basal

yellow rings. Abdomen and hindwing, less than 30mm. Onychogom-

62. phus modestus,

Abdominal segments 3-6 black marked with very broad basal

yellow rings. Abdomen and eG more than 30 mm. in

length tes ar 7 ee 63

Occiput beanie 2 sural black spines -- Onychogomphus cerastes.

Occiput bearing 10 to 12 small spines. Onychogomphus echinocci-

pitalis.

fon)

{

Many of the cross nervures at base of wing pale yellow :

Onychogomphus 50. Laid.

None of the basal cross nervures yellow 65

} 6th abdominal segment with less than the basal half Rclovee 66

6th abdominal segment with the basal half or more yellow .. 70

| Lateral black stripes on thorax entirely confluent .. 67

Lateral black stripes on sides of thorax only partially confluent. 68

{ Abdominal segments 3-7 with the basal fifth yellow ... Onychogom-

j phus maclachlant.

| Abdominal segments 3-6 with the basal fourth yellow, seg-

| ment 7 with the basal half yellow .. Onychogomphus saundersit.

Face largely black, epistome black marked with yellow .. 69

Face largely yellow, epistome yellow marked with black

Onychogomphus circularts.

Abdominal segments 8-10 all black .. Onychogomphus annularis.

Abdominal segments 8-10 black maiked laterally with yellow.

Onychogomphus M-flavum.

{ Occiput black; antehumeral line complete. Onychogomphus bistrigatus.

< Occiput with a yellow spot ; antehumeral line vestigial

e Onychogomphus aureus.

( To be continued, )

304

A DESCRIPTION OF THE NESTS AND EGGS OF THE COMMON BIRDS

OCCURRING IN THE PLAINS OF THE UNITED PROVINCES.

E. H. N. Grit

Part ITT.

(With 2 plates.)

(Coniinued from page 116 of this volume.)

Lanius lahtora (469) .. ay '.. The Indian Grey Shrike.

Local name if i .. Safed latora.

Anglo- Indian name .. .. The Large Butcher- Bird.

This species is pretty commonly distributed throughout the Province, but

being essentially a bird of open undulating plains and scrub jungle, it is seldom

or never met with in the vicinity of human dwellings. It flourishes in dry country

and grass lands where that hardy acacia, the babool, holds sway; and where

its harsh croak and conspicuous black and white colouring never fails to attract

attention.

Under ordinary conditions the Indian Grey Shrike would appear to be almost

wholly insectivorous, living at peace with all his smaller and weaker feathered

neighbours. But as the period of nidification approaches he becomes most

aggressive and carnivorous to a degree; a malignant wolf in lamb’s clothing,

and a veritable plague to all other feathered society. Plundering eggs, and

killing the young of birdssmaller than himself, and harassing larger species

till they quit the vicinity altegether.

Death by slow torture, as practiced by this species, is reminiscent rather

of the Spanish Inquisition, save that the tragedies are enacted in the interests

of a more laudable purpose. The young Shrikes are born with the most

insatiable appetites, and in order to cater for this contingency the adult birds

resort to a practice as ingenious as it is cruel, as effective as it is horrible.

No sooner does the hen commence the work of incubation then the cock

ventures forth on his expeditions of murder in order to complete the details

of what is generally referred to as the “‘ Butcher Bird’s larder.” The thought

of the coming brood seems to inspire him with abnormal courage, for he

makes murderous attacks on all and sundry ; insects, reptiles, and young birds

alike,—and whatever he can overpower is carried off in a dazed and _ battered

condition to be impaled on thorns in the vicinity of the nest. Not till

the larder is well stocked with the tortured and wriggling bodies of numer-

ous victims does this extraordinary criminal cease its efforts. The eggs

are not long in hatching, and the victims being in a more or less comatose condi-

tion by that time, the young Shrikes have their fresh mutton for the asking.

I will not go so far as to say that this larder is always in evidence. I

have examined numerous nests where it was wholly absent, butif one is for-

tunate enough in finding the nest at the right moment, the larder will usually

be found to be well stocked with an indiscriminate collection of young birds,

beetles, insects, lizards, and other vermin; which disappear very shortly

after the young are hatched. The adult birds then find it such a strenuous

business to keep satisfied the voracious appetites of their offspring that the

larder, having served its purpose, is discarded altogether.

The breeding season in most districts is from March to June, and the nests,

as a rule, should only be searched for on babool trees, the various acacias

and thorny shrubs. Babool groves scattered over dry open plains are ideal

places, and if birds are seen to be haunting the locality during the months

mentioned nests are almost bound to occur.

(‘snuetbolad $n}0001014aq ) (‘snumiaoipuod stucopo.yda,s) (‘w40,yD) SniUvT)

\LHAINIW 'TIVWS “AMTUHS-GOOM NOWWOO ‘HUMIGHS AWHO NVICNI

HHL 4O SOOH AGNV LSHN CHL HO SOO GUNV LSAN GHL 4O SOD AONV LSHN

“1 3932Id : ‘90S 3SIH }#7€N Aequwog “usnor

(‘opnzUoLfiqn vinprdryrz ) (‘2sepnsvd auoydrsd.ta ys )

(oopuny snjowtg) “UHAHOLVO-ATA TIVIIN VA “dHHOLVO-ATH ASIGVUVd

‘ATONAO NOWWOO HHL AO LSHN duMOUdHLIHM HHL HO LSUN NVIGNI GHL AO SODH GNV LSAN

‘Hl 932id ‘90S ‘3SIH UN Avquog ‘“uanor

DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 335

The nests are fairly typical, being large and more or less solid structures of

twigs, grass and various coarse vegetable fibres, protected on the outside

by a layer or two of formidable thorny twigs from which rags and rubbish

hang downwards and give the nest an untidy appearance. The egg-cavity

is cup-shaped, and is lined with an indiscriminate collection of old rags, vege-

table fibres, and horse-hair. The nest externally would measure about 7 inches

across, with the egg-cavity from 3 to 4 inches in diameter and about 23 inches

in depth. The same nest is often renovated and used for two or three years

in succession, and the old nests of Babblers and Crows also appropriated for

the purpose. Very little effort is made in the direction of concealment.

The maximum number of eggs laid appears to be six, though it is more usual

to find four, sometimes five. Inshape they are typically broad ovals, with a

tendency to become pointed towards one end. The variation in shape, size

and coloration, is considerable ; but there is something characteristic about

the eggs of this family which renders them unmistakable. The ground-colour

varies from a cream to a delicate pale green, some of the lighter shades present-

ing a distinct pink tinge; and the markings consist of spots, splashes, and cloudy

daubs of every conceivable shade of dingy yellow and dingy purple sometimes

confined to a ring round the large end, and sometimes scattered over the whole

egg in various designs. A normal egg would measure about 1:03 by 0°8 inch.

Lanius vittatus (473) .. oN .. The Bay-backed Shrike.

Local name ae st .. Pachanak.

Anglo-Indian name .. a .. The Small Butcher-Bird.

This is the smallest resident species of the genus; and, without being quite

the commonest, it certainly seems to have a wider distribution and is

found indiscriminately in most districts in all sorts of places ; not infrequently

in gardens and groves adjoining human dwellings. It is found either singly or

in pairs, and, though its ordinary notes resemble the harsh croak so charac-

teristic of the family, it is, when the occasion demands it, capable of

melodious warblings and musical chatterings quite pleasing to the ear. Its

‘habits are those of the genus, but it would seem to be less fierce and pugnacious,

and, ordinarily, quite a respectable member of society.

Not only does the male bird indulge in song of his own, but heis capable of

mimicing the notes of other birds to a very remarkable extent. During the

winter months he chatters and warbles spasmodically, but as the summer appro-

aches and the period of nidification draws nearer his vocal powers are brought

‘into action to celebrate the occasion and give expression to his feelings in

quaint musical twitterings which are continued for hours at a time. Later, he

may be seen to confine his energies to one particular locality which he protects

vigorously against intrusion. Having once established himself he may be seen

hour after hour, durimg certain hours of the day, sitting on some favourite

perch, and singing as though his little throat would burst ; and this is con-

tinued day after day till a mate is secured, when the song is heard no more.

-The more serious business of reproduction allows no time for idle chatterings.

The period of nidification is somewhat prolonged, from about April to Sep-

tember ; though the greater number of eggs are found in May, June and July.

The nests are neat and compact, and are almost invariably wedged tightly into

the angle of a forked branch; preference being given to the various thorny aca-

cias. They are circular in shape with an external diameter of about 5 inches.

The egg-cavity is deeply cup-shaped, about 2} inches in diameter and 2 inches

deep; and the walls of the nest quite an inch in thickness. As a rule, the

structure is composed of fine twigs and vegetable fibres, principally tow,

closely interwoven, and sometimes wound round externally with spider’s

web. Internally the nest is sometimes unlined, but is often lined with

horse hair, feathers, and cotton wool incorporated in the structure. Old

nests are sometimes used.

336 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

The maximum number of eggs laid is six, though it is more usual to find four,

often only three. Save for the fact that many specimens exhibit a ring of

markings round the large end and resemble greatly those of the White-browed

Fantail Flycatcher, the eggs, as a rule, are miniatures of those of the last

species ; a normal specimen measuring about 0°83 by 0°65 inch.

Lanius erythronotus (476) a .. The Rufous-backed Shrike.

Local name oe A Pan Mattiya latora.

Anglo- Indian name oe .. The Common Butcher-Bird.

This species is comparatively common in the Western districts, very common

throughout Bundelkhand and the Submontane tracts, but somewhat scarce

in the Eastern districts. Like the Indian Grey Shrike it is a bird of open country

and scrub-covered hills; but is often to be found in wooded country and

along the banks of streams. Its habits are also similar to those of the Indian

Grey Shrike, and though it has the reputation of being bolder, fiercer and more

pugnacious, I have not come across a single instance of the presence of a larder

near the nest. I have spent a deal of time watching both species in their natural

surroundings, and except for the fact that the present species is livelier and

more vociferous Ido not think that there is much to choose between them

in regard to their predatory activities. The following note by Mr. Benjamin

Aitkin, taken from Hume’s Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds, regarding his

observations in the Bombay Presidency, is most interesting. He says, ‘‘ This

Shrike makes its appearance in Bombay regularly during the last week

of September, and announces its arrival by loud cries for the first few days,

till it has made itself at home in the new neighbourhood ; after which it spends

nearly the whole of its days on a favourite perch, darting down at every insect

that appears in a radius of thirty yards. It pursues this occupation with a

system and perseverance to which L. Jahtova makes but small approach. When

its stomach is full, it enlivens the weary hours with the nearest semblance to

a song of which its vocal organs are capable; for while human bipeds have a

good voice but no ear, the ZL. erythronotus has an excellent ear but a voice that

no modulation will make tolerable. It remains in Bombay till the end of Febru-

ary, and then suddenly becomes restless and quarrelsome, making as much

ado as the Koel in June, and then taking its departure, for what part of the

world I do not know. This I know, that from March to August there is never

a Rufous-backed Shrike in Bombay.”

The breeding season is from March to August, though the majority of nests

seem to contain eggs in May and June. The nests are constructed through-

out of coarse vegetable fibres and are, as a rule, much tidier, more compact,

and more substantial than those of ZL. lahtora. They are usually placed in

thorny bushes, sometimes on leafy trees, generally quite low down; and the

protecting layer of thorns is only occasionally in evidenee. The egg-cavity

is deeply cup-shaped but smaller, and the external measurements approximately

the same, so that the difference is accounted for by the thickness of the walls

which is rather a characteristic feature of the nest. Most nests are well concealed.

It is usual to find three or four eggs in a nest, though five is the full comple-

ment laid. In shape, size and character of the markings they vary a good

deal ; but, generally speaking, are smaller additions of those of L. lahtora, save

that the markings are scantier and less distinct. A normal specimen would

measure about 0°92 by 0°7 inch.

Tephrodornis ie a (488) .. The Common Wood-Shrike.

Local name 2 oe sh .. Unknown.

Anglo- Indian name se .. Tarti-tuya.

This species occurs throughout the Province, though it is nowhere very

common. Summer and winter, in season and out of season, the birds are met

with in couples only ; a feature which ig characteristic of the species, and which

DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 337

leads one to the belief that the couples pair for life. They bear only a structural

similarity to the true Shrikes, and in habits resemble more the Minivets as they

flit restlessly from branch to branch in quest of the elusive insect.

The period of nidification is comparatively short, March and April being the

most favoured months. The nest is comparatively small for the size of the

bird, and, as a rule, is difficult of location. It is always wedged tightly into

the angle of a forked branch between 10 and 20 feet from the ground, and a

great deal of importance is attached to concealment ; the nests being most

cunningly concealed amongst thick foliage.

The nests are circular in shape with the egg-cavity comparatively

shallow. Some are frail and do not show above or below the branch to any

appreciable extent, while others are more substantial with the rim protruding

above after the fashion of a Drongo’s. They approximate in size to those

of the Bay-backed Shrike, but are much more delicate in structure and are

composed throughout of delicate grass-roots and vegetable fibres closely

interwoven, and heid in place with cobwebs with which the nest is thickly

coated externally. Internally there is usually a lining of silky vegetable down

and fibre.

Both birds share in the labours of nest construction, never resting for a

‘moment till the job is completed, and giving a practical demonstration of

energy which is astounding. It often happens that both birds arrive at the nest

together with building materials held tightly in their bills, and then it is very

amusing to watch the wayin which one sits by and waits for the other to finish

operations, and then carries on with the job as soon as the other has vacated

its position.

The curious plaintive notes of this species, especially in the breeding season,

are unmistakable ; so that by watching them foraging for building materials it

is not Cifficult to locate the nest, which is usually completed in a week or ten

days.

The full complement of eggslaid appears to be three, and though very Shrike-

like in appearance, they can be easily distinguished from them by their darker

shades and bolder markings. The ground-colour varies from a cream to a

greenish white with spots, specks and splashes of a dull reddish brown, brought

into relief by indescriminate shades of dull purple, sometimes scattered over the

~ whole surface of the egg, and sometimes more or less confined to the large end

to form an irregular cap or zone. The shells are of fine texture but with no

perceptible gloss, and a normal specimen would measure about 0°75 by 0°6

inch.

Pericrocotus Sale (500) .. .. The Small Minivet.

Locai name - Ste .. Bulal-chasm.

Anglo-Indian name bes .. Raja-lal.

So far as | am aware, this is the only species of this interesting genus which

breeds at all commonly in the plains of the Province. Here we have an instance

of a species which under ordinary conditions is sociable enough, quite gregari-

ous in fact; and yet as the period of nidification approaches we find the

various parties splitting up into couples, and carrying out in comparative seclu-

Sion the laws imposed on them by nature.

They breed from the latter half of February to the beginning of August, accord-

‘ing to locality and climatic conditions. In the Eastern districts I have taken

eggs early in March, and in the Western districts as late as June and July; so

that the period of nidification is somewhat prolonged. Both birds assist in

building the nest, while their display of energy is hardly inferior to that exhibited

by the Common Wood-Shrike.

The nests are very beautiful and quite typical of the species. They are

circular in shape with an external diameter of about 2}inches; the egg-cavity

338 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X,

having a diameter of about 1} inches and a depth of linch. They are, as often

as not, wedged in beSween forked twigs at the end of an overhanging branch

quite low down; but are sometimes at considerable heights from the ground.

Sometimes they are stuck on to the tops of horizontal branches and in such

im possible positions as to be almost inaccessible. They are composed through-

out of very fine grass-stems and a certain amount of vegetable fibre

wound round with cobwebs to which small bits of dry leaves and bark

are found adhering, and which has the effect of making the nests appear as

part of the branch itself. The egg-cavity is smooth and cup-shaped while

the eggs rest on a comparatively frail bottom which is usually unlined.

The nest is really a marvel of construction, and despite its frail and delicate

appearance is capable of withstanding the fiercest hot winds of summer.

Normally only three eggs are laid. In shape they are typically broad ovals

with both ends very blunt. The ground-colour is a delicate greenish white,

while the markings consist of multitudinous spots, specks and_ blotches,

of a reddish brown shade, sometimes scattered all over the egg, and sometimes

confined, more or less, to the large end where they have a tendency to form an

irregular cap or zone. Secondary markings of a pale purple shade are also

noticeable at the large end. The shells are devoid of gloss while the eggs them-

selves are almost perfect miniatures of those of the Brown-backed Indian Robin.

A normal specimen would measure about 0°67 by 0°53 inch.

Campophaga sykesi (508) fe The Black-headed Cuckoo-Shrike.

Local name ate at Jungli Kasya.

Anglo-Indian name .. - The Jungle Warbler.

This pretty little Cuckoo-Shrike is met with at certain times of the year in

most districts, though it is nowhere common. In the Eastern districts it seems

to make its appearance shortly before the rains, stopping till August and Sep-

tember and then migrating to I know not where. It is met with either singly

or in pairs, and as far as my experience goes, I have found it commoner in the

forest areas of the Banda and Jhansi districts; though wherever one meets

it the loud whistling call notes of the male can hardly fail to attract attention.

As the breeding season approaches the male seems to become exceedingly

vociforous and quarrelsome, darting repeatedly at his mate with outspread

' wings and tail, in the most intimidating fashion, and uttering, all the while,

a sharply repeated chattering cry. But as soon as the nest is completed and

eggs laid he settles down to a life of contentment and even shares in the work of

incubation.

The eggs are laid in July and August and the nest is usually wedged into the

angle of a forked branch usually at some considerable height from the ground.

It is ridiculously small for the size of the bird, and is almost impossible to

distinguish unless the bird is in possession. It is constructed throughout of

fine grass-stems coated and bound together exteriorly with cobwebs, and is

so frail, as to be comparatively transparent from below. The egg-cavity is.

quite shallow and devoid of any lining.

Only two eggs are laid. In shape they are moderately broad ovals, obtuse

at both ends. The ground-colour is a delicate greenish-white thickly blotched

and streaked throughout with shades of pale brown, particularly towards the

large end. The shells present a slight gloss, and resemble greatly the eggs of

the Magpie Robin. A normal specimen would measure about 0°86 by 0°65 inch.

Graucalus maci (510) site aye The Large Cuckoo-Shrike.

Local name .. aye a A Kasya.

Anglo-Indian name .. ee The Rain-Bird.

This species is commonly distributed throughout the Province, and is fre-

quently met with in gardens and groves adjoining human dwellings. The period

of nidification is extended over a long period, March to August, though much

DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS, 339

earlier in the Eastern than in the Western ditricts. I have taken eggs in all

these months.

In February and March the birds become extremely garrulous, and it is quite:

a common sight to see them following one another from tree to tree uttering a.

quaint melodious warble to the accompaniment of a slight fluttering of wings in

mid air ; a procedure which is continued in a sitting posture by the alternate.

rise and fall of each wing.

I have found the nests most commonly on Seesam trees, though the Mango.

and Mohwa are also favoured, and always at moderate heights from the ground.

The nests which are always wedged into the fork of a branch, are small for the

size of the bird ; thin twigs and grass being used in the structure, and the exterior

being rather thickly coated with cobweb. The egg-cavity is sometimes shallow

and sometimes moderately cup-shaped, comparatively transparent from _below,,.

and usually without regular lining.

The eggs are three in number and rather typical of the species. In shape.

they are rather elongated ovals, a good deal pointed towards one end. The

ground-colour varies between a stone colour and a pale green, and the markings,

which are Shrike-like, consist of brownish spots, streaks, and blotches under-

laid by indistinct clouds and blotches of pale purple shades. In some the mark-

ings are faint and washed out, and in others rich and distinct, reminiscent.

rather of Tern’s eggs; while in some specimens the markings seem to collect

in a broad zone at the large end. A normal specimen would measure about.

1:26 by 0°9 inch.

Oriolus kundoo a ahs Ne The Indian Oriole.

Localname bis be Pilak.

Anglo-Indian name. Yi The Golden Oriole ; Mango-Bird.

This species is familiar throughout the Province, though to a less extent in

the winter months during which period they seem to carry out local migrations

and are absent from their usual haunts. They arrive in large numbers in April.

and May and begin domestic operations about June. The majority of nests

contain eggs in June and July.

The nest is well constructed and typical of the species. It is a neat and

compact purse like affair suspended between some slender fork at the extremity

of one of the high branches of trees such as Tamarind, Seesam, Mango, Peepal,,.

and the like ; though there does not seem to be any special preference. The

external diameter would measure about 44 inches with an internal diameter of

about 33 inches and a depth of 24 inches. It is constructed throughout

of hemp-like fibre and lined internally with fine grass-stems closely and neatly

interwoven. Some nests are devoid of any extraneous matter, but others have

cloth, paper, and all sorts of rubbish incorporated in the exterior. They are

always well concealed amongst green foliage while the bird itself fits so exactly

into the nest as to be quite invisible from below; so that unless one watches

the birds carefully while the nest is in process of construction it is not easy of

location.

Four is the maximum number of eggs laid, though it is more usual to find

only three. In shape they vary considerably, but typically are moderately

elongated ovals tapering a good deal towards one end. The ground-colour

is an excessively glossy china white which, when the egg is fresh and unblown,.

appears a delicate salmon pink on account of partial translucency of the shells..

The markings consist, normally, of black spots and specks scattered more or

less thinly over the whole egg, particularly towards the large end. A normal

specimen would measure about 1:1 by 0°8 inch.

Oriolus GE eee att Oak: .. The Indian Black-headed Oriole.

Local name we 2% se 2 Pilail,

Anglo-Indian name .. or .. The Golden Oriole.

340 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X,

This species is pretty evenly distributed in the Eastern and Western districts

alike. It appears to be resident throughout its range from about October to

May, after which it seems to migrate further afield, and is less frequently met

with. Its colouring is much more vivid and attractive than that of its con-

gener, while its loud, melodious note represented by the word ‘“‘tiu’’ often

repeated, is alone sufficiently distinctive for purposes of identification.

Its nest and nesting habits are almost identical with those of the Common

Oriole, and the same number of eggs are laid, but at a much earlier period ;

March and April being the most favoured months in the Eastern districts ;

slightly later perhaps in the Western districts.

In addition to being very beautiful the birds are extremely wary, and if engaged

in the work of nest construction one has to watch from quite a respectful distance

to be able to observe anything ; for neither the male nor female will approach

the nest site if at all suspicious of being watched, both birds share in the labours

of nest construction and incubation, and are devoted to the nestlings which are

easily reared and tamed, and which are worthy acquisitions to any aviary.

The eggs in colour and character are not unlike those of the Common Oriole,

save that the dark spots are frequently enveloped in a pinkish nimbus like some

of the eggs of the Common Drongo. The shells too are not so glossy, and of a

pinkish ground, with the markings not so bold or well defined. As a whole

the eggs are slightly larger and measure about 1:14 by 0°82 inch.

Slurnia malabarica (538) aM Fe The Grey-headed Myna,

Local name as is Desi-pawi.

Anglo-Indian name .. ; Unknown.

I am sure that this curious little Myna i is s fairly evenly distributed throughout

the plains, though personally, I have seen it only in certain parts of Oudh and

Ghazipur. As members of a noisy family they are, as a rule, remarkably silent;

the call being a curiously subdued disyllabic note uttered only on the wing,

or at the moment when flight is commenced. This, added to the fact that their

coloration is of a decidedly protective nature, renders them less conspicuous

and liable to be overlooked.

In Ghazipur they arrive in very small numbers about November when they

are most partial to the fruit of the Peepal and Bargat trees, and the fleshy, scar-

let blooms of Silk Cotton trees. As the summer approaches, the numbers seem

to increase, till by July and August they may be seen in flocks of 20 or 30 birds,

both young and old, haunting the tops of large trees and preparing, as it were,

for some migratory flight. They would seem to be essentially arboreal in their

habits, for I have never seen them descend to the ground.

In spite of the fact that I have searched diligently for the nests of this species

time and again, I have only once succeeded, and that nest was about 50 feet

up a gigantic Millingtonia in my compound. It was in a small circular hole

bored originally by a Woodpecker or Barbet, and for two previous years it

had been inhabited by Paraquets which would have occupied it again on the

occasion in question had the Mynas been a little less determined on the

matter. The contest between the parties for the possession of the nest waged

round it for several days eventually leaving the Mynas victorious.

Once having established possession, the birds set about putting their house

in order ; a procedure which continued for a fortnight. On the 20th May,

after I had allowed sufficient time for the eggs to be laid, the nest hole was open-

ed up with considerable difficulty by my servant, and five eggs discovered

placed on a padding of grass, leaves, and a few feathers.

In shape, three were broad, and two moderately elongated ovals more or

less pointed towards the small end. The shells were fine in texture and rather

glossy, and of a delicate sea green without spot or blemish of any kind. The

average measurement was about 0°9 by 9°71 inch.

DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 341

Temenuchus eee (544) .. .. The Black-headed Myna.

Local name : wa oe .. Pawi.

Anglo-Indian name na : ee vethyal

This birdis one of the most familiar of our resident species and occurs com-

monly throughout the plains in large or small parties. Its notes are pleasing,

and when tamed it becomes quite a good mimic ; in fact it is ordinarily quite

domesticated.

Domestic operations are commenced, as a rule, in May and are continued

till August ; most nests having eggs in June. The nests are confined exclu-

sively to holes in trees, usually the old and deserted nests of Woodpeckers

and Barbets.

The bottom of the nest hole is usually lined with a little grass, dead leaves

and a few feathers ; so that its construction does not involve much labour,

The work of incubation, however, is shared equally by both birds, which

during this period are remarkably courteous to one another.

There is always a great deal of ceremony attaching to the transference of the

eggs from the care of one bird to the other. On arrival at the nest hole,

the male calls to the female till she joins him on a perch outside the nest.

There follows a good deal of bowing and scraping, bobbing of heads, and expand-

ing of crests, accompanied by quaint little guttural sounds quite pleasing to the

ear ; and while the male takes possession of the nest the female goes off in search

of food. Also it is quite a common sight to see one bird perched just outside

the nest and chattering for hours to its mate inside.

The eggs are up to five in number. Typically they are moderately broad.

ovals pointed towards one end, and of a pale greenish blue colour throughout.

The shells are glossy and of fine texture; and a normal egg would measure

about 0°95 by 0°75 inch.

Acridotheres tristis oe a ae .. The Common Myna.

Local name ahem By .. Maina, Desi-maina.

Anglo- Indian name J . whe Common Myna.

This is quite the commonest of our resident species throughout the plains

and a familiar garden and aviary bird. All and sundry are fred with its

cheeky demeanour and raucous voice, and there is not much that the man in

the street does not know about its ordinary habits.

In this species some of the members are workers and some are not, for the

nests are of various designs and built in various places. The most favoured

places are holes in trees and walls, especially the spaces beneath the eaves

of bungalows, and between the rotating fronds of date-palms. If possible,

the same nests are used and added to year after year and a great deal of material

used in their construction ; particularly Nim twigs, which are piled up in most

nests in large quantities. No effort is made to keep these nests clean for they

are always savoury and infested with vermin. Old bits of rag and paper

are incorporated, and invariably pieces of snake-skin.

Quite frequently the old nests of Crows, Tree-Pies, and Babblers are appro-

priated and renovated, sometimes at considerable heights from the ground ;

while occasionally untidy looking, more or less cup-shaped, nests of sticks

are constructed by the birds throughout. The vermin, however, is never absent,

and is rather a disgusting characteristic of the species.

The eggs are up to six in number, in shape they are typically rather elongated

ovals, often pear-shaped. The shells are brilliantly glossy and vary in colour

from pale blue to a pure greenish blue without spot or blemish of any kind. A

normal egg would measure about 1:2 by 0°85 inch.

Acridotheres ginginianus (551) .. .. The Bank Myna.

Local name An eas 5 .. Ganga Maina.

Anglo-Indian name <a .. The Well Myna.

342 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX,

This species is common throughout the plains and differs from the Common

Myna in being essentially gregarious in its habits; associating together in

parties even while breeding. It is both arborial and terrestrial, and occurs

quite frequently in gardens and groves.

It builds exclusively in holes in earthern banks, cliffs and wells, which it

excavates for itself to a horizontal depth of 5 or 6 feet. Preference seems to be

given to banks and cliffs overhanging running water, and in the more favoured

places hundreds of couples may be seen nesting together; the tunnels being

only inches apart. I have seen several such places on the Gumti in the

Lucknow district, and on the Jumna at Allahabad.

Once a breeding colony is located, the eggs are easy to get at, but I will take

this opportunity of giving amateur collectors a solemn warning against putting

their hands down these holes even if birds are seen to go in or come out. Some

years ago, a friend of mine put the whole of his arm down a nest of this species

after seeing the bird emerge, but was bitten by a poisonous snake near the elbow,

and very nearly lost his life. The snake was in a side tunnel which bifur-

cated from the main burrow at right angles, from which position it was later

excavated and killed. It is difficult to say how long the reptile had been in

occupation, but the circular chamber at the end of the main tunnel contained

four Myna’s eggs ; and I am certain that the Myna was ignorant of the snake’s ’

presence as I am certain of its ultimate fate if we had not precipitated matiers

as soon as we did.

All nest holes, whether they be in trees or earthern banks, should first

be opened up with a hatchet or spade, and on no account should a hand be

inserted till this is done. The practice is fraught with the gravest danger.

The tunnels, apart from being close together, cross and recross each other

in the most amazing fashion. They are just large enough to allow one bird

at a time to enter, but the egg-chamber at the other extremity is hollowed out

and enlarged and lined with loose grass, feathers, and frequently bits of snake-

skin.

This curious habit amongst birds which build in holes of using snake-skin

is most interesting, and affords much food for thought. Hume, in discussing

the question, formulates a most unique theory. ‘Are birds supersti-

tious, I wonder ? Do they believe in charms? If not, what induces so many

birds which build in holes in banks to select out of the infinite variety of things,

organic and inorganic, pieces of snake-skin for their nest ? They are at best

harsh, unmanageable things, neither so warm as feathers, which are ten times

more numerous, nor so soft as cotton or old rags, which lie about broadcast,

nor so cleanly as dry twigs and grass. Can it be that snakes have any repug-

nance to their worn out weeds, that they dislike these mementos of their fall,*

and that birds which breed in holes, into which snakes are likely to come, by

instinct select these exuvize as snake-scares ? ”

The period of nidification is from April to July, though the most favoured

month seems to be May. The eggs are four in number, occasionally five, and

as a rule are shorter and proportionally broader than those of the Common

Myna. They are of the usual Myna type, very glossy and of various shades of

pale and greenish blue. A normal egg would measure about 1:0 by 0°82 inch,

Sturnopastor contra (555) .. zi The Pied Myna.

Localname .. a ate i Ablaki Maina.

Anglo-Indian name .. os = Abulka.

* «¢ When the snake,” says an Arabic commentator, “tempted Adam, it wasa

winged animal. To punish its misdeeds the Almighty deprived it of wings, and

condemned it thereafter to creepfor ever on is belly, adding, as a perpetual re-

minder to it of its trespass, a command for it to cast its skin yearly.”

DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 343

The Pied Myna is also a common resident species throughout the plains

and breeds throughout its range. It differs from its congeners not only in

regard to colouring, which is most marked, but also as regard nidification ;

for it departs from the general custom of the tribe and builds itself a large

untidy nest of grass, twigs, rags and straw, placed conspicuously at the ex-

tremity of some lateral branch for all the world to see and admire; provided, of

course, that sufficient enthusiasm can be mustered for the purpose.

These wonderful nurseries, in regard to which a great deal of ingenuity is

displayed in putting the loose material together, vary somewhat in size and

shape. Some are more or less globular, while others conform to no particular

shape whatsoever; being about 24 inches long by 18 inches broad. In the

centre is a well-like cavity the entrance to which is sometimes on top, and some

times to one side; and the bottom of this isis lined with fine grasses and

fcathers to form a circular egg-cavity about 34 inches in diameter.

The nests are placed from 15 to 40 feet from the ground on any old tree or

acacia in the vicinity, and there is no attempt at concealment. They are

almost invariably in the vicinity of human dwellings, and are unmistakable

on account of their external untidiness ; looking like shapeless trusses of hay

with untidy streamers of straw and old rags floating in the breeze. The period

of nidification is from May to July, and it is not uncommon to see more than

one nest on the same tree.

The eggs are up to five in number. In shape they are moderately broad

ovals, a good deal pointed towards one end ; many specimens being more or less

pear-shaped. ‘The shells are brilliantly glossy and vary in colour from a deli-

cate to a pure sky blue, occasionally tinged with green. A normal egg would

measure about 1°] by 0°82 inch.

Having described the nesting habits of the Common Mynas it will be interest-

ing to note the idiosyncracies obtaining among so few species of the one family.

While the Black and Grey-headed Mynas build exclusively in holes in trees,

the Bank Myna resorts to holes in the ground, congregating in large numbers

for purposes of security. The Common Myna does not seem to have quite

made up his mind on the matter, for while some resort to holes in trees, a few

make their own nests, while others take the line of least resistance and appropri-

ate other nests. The Pied Myna, on the other hand, is quixotic ; and depart-

ing absolutely from the general custom, builds himself a nest of straw and grass

and is no mean craftsman at the art of weaving. It would seem that ornitho-

logists have yet quite a lot to learn.

Terpsiphone paradisi e: The Indian Paradise Flycatcher.

Local name Bi a ag Sultana Bulbul.

Anglo-Indianname .. a The Indian Bird of Paradise,

During the winter months this attractive bird occurs in most districts and

is frequently met with in gardens and groves adjoining human dwellings.

Unfortunately, the bulk seem to migrate in summer to the Sub-Himalayan

tracts, but a great many remain behind and breed sparingly throughout the

plains. I have found eggs as regularly in the Eastern as in the Western

districts.

The breeding season is in May and June, though in the Western districts

it is carried forward to July. The nests are somewhat typical of the

species, and are not difficult to locate if the nesting birds are carefully watched.

A great deal of importance, however, is paid to concealment, with the result

that trees with thick foliage would seem to be specially favoured,

_A favourite nesting site is the end of a leafy, overhanging branch from

20 to 30 feet from the ground, and these are always the most difficult to negoti-

ate. The branch is usually too thin to bear any weight and is out of reach

from below ; so that the eggs have to be fished out from above with the help

344: JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIS1'. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

of a spoon-shaped instrument attached to a fine pole, and then dropped into

a sheet or fine net stretched out carefully beneath. I have personally had

to resort to this method on several occasions.

Sometimes the nests are low down and easy to get at, especially when placed

on the flat upper surface of some horizontal bough at a point where some fine

twig rises perpendicularly ; the twig being incorporated in the structure of the

nest. But as a rule they are fairly high up, and are found more commonly

in the vicinity of water, especially running streams.

‘The nest is a delicate cup-like affair, not unlike a larger addition of the Com-

mon Iora’s ; and when placed at the extremity of some overhanging branch

is often cone-shaped, with the apex downwards. It is composed of fine grasses

and vegetable fibres closely interwoven and plastered externally with a good

deal of cobweb. The egg-cavity is usually lined with fine twigs and horsehair,

and measures about 24 inchesin diameter by 1} inches in depth. The walls

are thin and delicate, and seldom exceed a quarter of an inch in thickness.

The whole structure is as delicate and pleasing in outline asit is effective in

design.

The full complement of eggs laid is four, but it is more usual to find only

three. In shape they are typically rather long ovals, somewhat pointed towards

one end; and, generaily speaking, are miniatures of the salmon-tinted types

of the Black Drongo. The ground-colour varies from a very delicate pink

to a warm salmon-pink, while the markings consist of spots and small blotches

of a reddish brown shade sprinkled over the whole egg, but more usually towards

the large end where they have a tendency to form an irregular cap. A normal

egg would measure about 0°8 by 0°6 inch.

Rhipidura albifrontata Seo The White-browed Fantail Flycatcher:

Localname .. ot Chak-dil.

Anglo-Indian name .. es The Fantail Flycatcher.

This fascinating little species is comparatively common throughout the plains.

It is met with either singly or in pairs, and often may be seen fitting about

gardens and groves in search of insects which it captures on the wing. Ordi-

narily, however, it is more frequently met with in shady groves, Mango espe-

cially, where its high pitched whistling notes are heard to great advantage.

The period of nidification is from March to August, according to locality.

The nests are wonderful structures almost invariably stuck firmly on to the upper

surface of some horizontal branch, usually quite low down. It is circular in

shape with an external diameter and depth of 14 and 1 inch respectively, and

the surrounding walls are rarely more than a quarter of an inch in thickness,

with the bottom of the egg-cavity slightly more. Itiscenstructed through-

out of very fine grass-stems held in place by a thick external coating of

cobwebs. The egg-cavity is usually unlined.

Both birds seem to sharein the labours of nest construction, but incubation

seems to be carried out by the hen alone; though the male is always in the

vicinity flitting about and whistling incessantly. Sometimes uttering harsh

Shrike-like notes and mobbing with deliberate intent any other bird trespassing

within his boundaries, and never ceasing in his efforts till the intruder has

departed.

Only three eggs are laid, the greater number of which are almost perfect

miniatures of the Bay- backed Shithes: In shape, they:are moderately broad

ovals, a good deal compressed towards one end. ‘The ground-colour varies

between pure white and a dingy cream colour, and the markings, which are

almost invariably confined to a zone at the large end, are made up of spots and

specks of a darker shade of greater or less intensity. A normal egg would

measure about 0°6 by 0°5 inch.

( To be continued.)

345

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE

INDIAN EMPIRHE.

PAV Atal CLM. Gy, CoMeZ.Ss, P.:8., FA-63B., H.C.2.8. 1,

COLONEL, I.M.S.

Some time before Mr. Kinnear relinquished the appointment

of Curator to ouv Society’s collections, he appealed to me to

compile a list of the Snakes of British India, and bring it up to

date. ‘he standard work on the Snakes of India appeared in 1890

under the title “‘ Fauna of British India, Reptilia and Batrachia ”’

for which Mr. G. A. Boulenger, I'.R.S., of the British Museum was

responsible. [rom 189. to 1896 the “‘ Catalogue of Snakes in the

British Museum” appeared in the large volumes which were cowpiled

by the same Author. Since this time no other work on the Indian

Snakes has been published, but a great many notes and papers

have been contributed to various scientific journals by workers in

this branch of natural history, and, as was to be expected, many

species have been discovered that were not known when the

‘Catalogue ’’ appeared. ‘These facts, it is felt, justify the list now

presented,

I have been considerably exercised in mind just how much or

how little to incorporate in a list of this kind. As it is written for

the field naturalist it is desirable that all that may be useful to him

should be included that is consistent with brevity. I have therefore

restricted my remarks chiefly to modifications or amplifications to

the text of the Fauna of British India, Reptilia and Batrachia, and

enumerated all the new species that have been discovered since that

work was published.

With regard to scientific nomenclature I am on delicate ground.

When two of our greatest stars in the Zoological firmament are

frequently in disagreement over precisely the same data—

Mr. Boulenger in the British Museum and Mr. Stejneger in the

United States National Museum at Washington—one is driven to

the conclusion that one or other at times flagrantly disregards the

international rules of Zoological nomenclature, or what 1s more pro-

bable, that the rules as laid down are so intricate as to admit of a

dual interpretation.

It is extremely annoying to all workers in Zoology to have

names upset with which they have grown familiar. In some

instances therefore where there appears to me uncertainty I adhere

to the names Hnelish herpetologists have learnt through Boulenger’s

Catalogue. In other instances where there appears to me no doubt

that he is in error, I have adopted the nomenclature as corrected by

346 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X,

Stejneger. It is high time that the correct names in every case were

fixed by an international tribunal from which there should be no

appeal. Until that happy day we shall never be safe from perpetual

change with the advent of every new book. In the sub-family

Hydrophinae I have introduced many new genera and revived others

that have fallen into disuse. In support of my action I have

given a history of the genus wherever it has been changed.

Mr. Spence, with whom I have discussed most points in this

paper, wished me to give an English as wei as a Scientific name to the

various species. I have found it extremely difficult in most cases

to suggest an appropriate English name. In many cases I have

adopted the Knglish rendering of the scientific name, but in many

other cases I have overcome the difficulty by attaching to the spe-

cies the name of its discoverer, or the herpetologist who described it.

With regard to bibliography, I have only referred to puoli-

cations concerning collections of snakes made in British India

with which I include Ceylon, Baluchistan, the North-West

Frontier, Kashmir, the Himalayas, Assam, Burma and ‘T'enasserim

to the Isthmus of Kra. 1 have purposely excluded papers and

volumes appertaining to collections from other tracts, which however

may include species that occur in British India. Further my

references only deal with literature which has appeared since the

Fauna of British India, Reptilia and Batrachia in 1890.

In recording the measurement of snakes J give these according

to the metrical system, and the duodecimal system, as so many of

us are not yet accustomed to the former method.

In the domain of lepidosis I have given the ranges of costals,

ventrals and subcaudals that are known for each species up to date.

‘Similarly with distribution I have recorded the extended ranges

known up to date.

My spelling of names of places has been taken from the most

recent maps published by the Geological Survey of India.

Past experience leads me to expect adverse criticism from many

quarters concerning my conception of a species in such genera as

Dendrelaphis, Dendrophis, Dipsadomorphus and Bungarus. However

until the Gods on the zoological Olympus can lay down a hard and

fast definition of a species, it must happen that many more men

like myself will hold considerably diverse opinions on this subject.

Having dabbled in many branches of biology, including mammalia,

aves, and reptilia, lepidoptera and diptera in the zoological domain,

and flowers, ferns, and fungi in the vegetable, I have gained

some knowledge of the conception of a species in these various

fields.

My conception of a species among reptilia was largely acquired

in the first place from Mr. Boulenger’s works already referred to.

One can gauge this Authority’s conception of a species for instance

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 347

by studying his treatment of the genus Stlybura. Many of the

species recognised by him as such, are only distinguished by

extremely minute differences affecting the relative measurements of

certain head shields. Such minutiz must appear trifling to anyone

but an expert. I fully concur with Mr. Boulenger’s views, however,

regarding this genus and recognise all the species enumerated by him

as such. I consider that the species of the genera mentioned above,

and recognised as such by me, are based on far more convincing

differences than those seen in many species of Selybura.

The compilation of this hst could only be made complete and

up to date through kind help from others. Dr. Annandale has sent

me repeatedly for some years every specimen in the I[ndian

Museum I have wished to inspect, many of which had aroused

doubts as to identity or recorded locality. Mr. Spence has extended

me the same service so far as the Bombay collection is concerned.

Dr, Pearson has given me similar assistance with regard to the

collection in the Colombo Museum. In addition [ have examined

many minor collections in the Madras Museum, Karachi Museum,

Travancore, etc., etc., and many private collections. Asa result |

have been able to investigate all the available specimens of the

families Tyrhlopide, Glauconiide, Uvropeltidea, Tlyside, and

Amblycephalide and revise all genera such as Dendruphis, Dendrela-

phis, Oligodon, Contia, etc., etc., of the Colubride. This has

enabled me to check the work of other herpetologists and correct

many of their mistakes as well as my own. ‘io Miss Procter my

greatful thanks are due. In spite of the heavy burden of work

confronting her in the British Museum, she was kind enough to

find time to give me extended ranges affecting lepidosis and dis-

tribution of the Indian species, which have come to light since

the publication of the “ Fauna of British India, Reptilia and

Batrachia.”’

The first number attached to each species is the serial number

of the list. The second number in parenthesis is tnat attached to

the species in the ‘‘Fauna of British India, Reptilia and Batrachia.”’

Genus.—TypPuiLors Oppel.

1. (Nil.) Typhlops oligolepis Wall. Walls’ Blind Snake.

T. oligolepis. Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIX, p 33%

Type.—In the British Museum. From Nagri Valley.

Length. 142 mm. (53 inches.)

Lepid.—Costals. In 16 rows.

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas. Sikkim. (Nagri Valley, circa 5,000 feet.

(F. W.) Singla, Darjeeling Dist. 5,000 feet. (Ind. Mus.)

Note.—I have seen three specimens. Miss Procter tells me _ she

cannot trace the type sent by me to the British Museum.

348 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX:

2, (Nil.) Typhlops mackinnoni Wall. Mackinnon’s Blind Snake.

T. porrectus. Sclater; List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 2. (No 6916).

T. mackinnoni. Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIX, p 805; lc. Vol.

XXI, p 278.

T. venningi. Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XXII, p 515,

Types.—The types of both mackinnoni and venningi are in the British

Museum. The former is from Mussoorie and the latter from Pyawbwe.

Length.—270 mm. (103 inches). Diameter ;4; to 4, the total length.

Lepid.Costals. In 18 rows.

Distn.—N. W. Frontier. Malakand. (Ind. Mus.) Western Himalayas

Amber, (? Amb.) N. E. of Murree. Simla. Bhim Tal. (Ind. Mus.)

Mussoorie. (F. W.) Peninsular india. Punjab. (Lahore. Ind.

Mus.) U. P. (Barabanki. Ind. Mus.). Bengal. Calcutta. (Ind.

Mus.). Burma. Pyawbwe, Shan States. (F. W.)

3: (278) Typhlops porrectus Stoliczka. Stoliczka’s Blind Snake.

T. porrectus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 19; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr

Jena. 1910, p 141 ; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J, Vol XXI, p 278 .

Length.—234 mm. (91 inches). Diameter 2, to ,5 the total length.

Lepid.—Costals. In 18 rows,

Distn.— Western Himalayas. Mussoorie. (Quetta Mus.). Eastern

Himalayas. Darjeeling Dist. (Ind. Mus.). Peninsular India.

Bengal. (Calcutta Ind. Mus.). Alipore (Bombay colln.). Behar

(Pusa. Ind. Mus.). Guzerat. (Ahmedabad. F. W.). Sind. (Karachi.

F.W.) C.P. (Nagpur F. W.). Western Ghats. (Bombay. Travan-

core. Brit. Mus.). Bangalore. (F. W.). Ceulon. Punduloya.

(Brit. Mus.).

Note.—The Snake referred to by Sclater (List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 2)

is mackinnoni Wall. Miss Procter tells me there are two specimens

labelled porrectus in the British Museum from Punduloya, Ceylon,

4. (272) Typhlops beddomei, Boulenger. Beddome’s Blind Snake.

T. beddomii. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 18; l.c. Vol ILI, 1896, p.

585; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, » 140 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind.

Mus. 1891, p 2; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XXVI, p 556.

Length.—140 mm. (54 inches). Diameter 55 to 3, the total length.

Lepid.—Costals. In 18 rows.

Disin.— Western Ghats. Nilgiris. Anamalais. Cochin. Travancore.

Tinnevelly. Hastern Ghats. Vizagapatam.

5. (280) Typhlops mirus Jan. Jan’s Ceylon Blind Snake.

T. mirus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 52; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena.

1910, » 127; Wall, Oph. Tap. 1921, p 7.

Length.—140 mm. (54 inches). Diameter ,), to ;4, the total length.

Lepid.—Costals. In 18 rows. The nasals sometimes fail to meet behind

the rostral.

Disin.—Ceylon. Peradeniya. (Ind. Mus.).

Note.—I have examined five specimens, four of which are in the Indian

Museum, and one in the Colombo Museum.

6. (281) Typhlops andamanensis Stoliczka. The Andaman Blind Snake.

T. andamanensis. Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, p 175; Boulenger

Cat. Vol I. 1893, p 52.

Length.—165 mm. (64 inches). Diameter 1 the total length.

Lepid.—Costals. In 18 rows.

Distn.—Andaman Islands.

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 349

7. (271) Typhtops braminus (Daudin.) The Common Blind Snake.

T. psammophilus. Annandale, Men. A. S. Beng. Vol 10, p1933

Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena, 1910, p 137.

T. braminus. Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, pp 173 and 175;

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893,p16; lc. Vol III 1896, p 584; P. Z.

S. 1919, p. 270; Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol X, p. 69; Sarasin,

Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 132; Sclater, List.. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891

p 1; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J Vol XVIII, p 104 ; lc. Vol XIX, p.

609; 2.c. Vol XXV, p 378; Oph. Tap. 1921, p 9 Spol. Zeylan. 1921,

p 396.

T. fletcheri. Wall, Bomb..N. H. J. Vol XXVI, p 556.

Length.—\70 mm. (6 inches). Diameter j, to = the total length.

Lepid.—Costals. In 20 rows.

Distn.—S. America. Mexico. Africa. South of the Equator. “. Asia.

Arabia to 8. China and Coastal Islands. Jslands of the Indian

Ocean. Madagascar. Comoro. Mauritius. Cocos. Ceylon.

Andamans. Malay Archipelago. Java. Borneo. Celebes. Pacific Islands

Ceram. Philippines. Guam. Formosa. Loo Choos.

Note.—I have recently had a specimen from Bangalore, and examined

another in the Karachi Museum in which the suture from the nostril

passes to the 2nd labial on one side, being normal on the other,

In consequence I can no longer consider 7’. fletcheri a distinct species

8. (Nil.) Typhiops limbricki Annandale. Limbrick’s Blind Snake,

T. limbricki. Annandale, Mem. A. S. Beng. Vol I, No 10, p 193;

Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 137.

Types.—In the Indian Museum. Collected at Ramnad.

Length.—72 mm, (2% inches). Diameter ~; the total length.

Lepid.—Costals. In 20 rows, not 18 as given in the description.

Distn.—South India. TRamnad. Marikuppam. (Ind. Mus.).

Note.—I consider this a very dubious species differing from braminus

only in its stouter habit. I make the diameter about ;4 the total

length in both type specimens, and in view of the great range of

variation in this respect seen in acutus, and other species, I think

it may have to be united with braminus.

9, (Nil.) Typhiops thurstoni Boettger. Thurston’s Blind Snake.

T. thurstoni. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I., 1893, p 26; lc. Vol ITI., 1896, p

585; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 137; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol XX VI, p 556.

Length.—240 mm. (94 inches). Diameter ;4 to +, the total length.

Lepid.—Costals. In 20 rows.

Distn.— Western India. South of Goa. From sea level, (Trichur. Ind.

Mus.) to about 4,000 feet. (Wynad. Nilgiris).

Note.—I have examined three examples.

10. (274) Typhlops jerdoni Boulenger. Jerdon’s Blind Snake.

T. diversiceps. Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, pp 37, 44 and 53.

T. jerdoni. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I., 1893, p 19;l.c. Vol III, 1896, p

418; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 2; Wall, Bomb. N. A. J.

Vol XIX, p 338; lc. Vol XXVI, p 865,

Length.—298 mm. (11°7 inches), Diameter 1 to 2; the total length.

Lepid.—Costals. In 22 rows.

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas Buxa Dooars. (Ind. Mus.) Darjeeliny

Dist. (F.W.). Assam Hills. Abor. Khasi. (Ind. Mus.). Burma. Pegu.

(? Hills. Bombay colln.) N. Shan States. (Lashio. Ind. Mus.)

350 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

11. (273) Typhlops leucomelas Boulenger. fae Pied Blind Snake.

T. lencomelas. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. £, 1893, » 18; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr.

Jena. 1910, p 127; Wall, Oph. Tap. 1921, p 13.

Length.—130 mm. (5} inches). Diameter ;4 to sz the total length.

Lepid.—Costals. In 22 rows.

Distn.—Ceylon. Near Galle.

Note.—Only two specimens known, the type in the British Museum,

and one discovered by me in the Colombo Museum, locality not on

record. =

12. (282) Typhlops tenuicollis (Peters.) Peters’s Blind Snake.

T. tenuicollis Boulenger, Cat, Vol I 1893, p 37.

Length.—368 mm. (1 foot, 22 inches.)

Lepid.—Costals. In 22 rows.

Disin.— Himalayas. (Exact locality not specified.)

Note.—Known from a single specimen.

13. (279) Typhlops theobaldianus Stoliczka. Theobald’s Blind Snake.

T. theobaldianus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 26; Sclater, List. Sn.

Ind. Mus. 1891, p 3.

Type.—In the Indian Museum. Locality not known.

Length.—346 mm. (1 foot, 13 inches). Diameter =4 the total length.

Lepid.—Costals. In 22 rows. No 6888 in the Indian Museum, 346 mm.

in length, has the suture above the nostrils complete. {n No 8723

which is 317 mm. in length, the suture above the nostril fails to

reach the rostral.

Distn.— Assam. Samaguting. Lat. 25°8°. Long. 93°8°. (Ind. Mus.)

Note.—Only two specimens are known, and both are in the Indian

Museum,

14, (275) Typhlops oatesi Boulenger. Oates’s Blind Snake.

T. oatesi. Annandale, J. A. S., Beng. 1905; p 175 ; Boulenger, Cat. Vol.

1.1893, p 23,

Types.—In the British Museum.

Length.— 200 mm. (7% inches). Diameter $z the total length.

Lepid.—Costals. In 24 rows.

Distn.—Andamans, Cocos Islands.

Note.—I have examined all the Typhiops in the Indian Museum, but

could not trace the specimen referred to by Annandale from the Cocos

Islands.

15. (277) Typhlops bothriorhynchus Giinther. Gunther's Blind Snake.

T. bothriorhynchus. Boulenger, Cat. Voi I, 1893, p 23.

Types.—In the British Museum, labelled Penang. (Cantor.,

Length.—169 mm. (64 inches). Diameter #5 the total length.

Lepid.—Costals. In 24 rews,

Distn.—Assam. N. W. Indra. ?

Note.—The locality of the type (Penang) is open to the strongest

doubts. At least six other snakes from Peninsular India are re-

corded from the Malay Peninsular on the sole authority of Cantor.

These are Polyodontophis sagittarius, Helicops schistosus, Xenochrophis

cerasogaster, Zamenis fasciolatus, Hypsirhina sieboldi, and Bungarus

caeruleus. Stoliczka records it from Hardwar in the N. W. Pro-

vinces. J have not been able to trace the specimen which is not in

the British Museum, nor in the Indian Museum.

HAND-LIST OF SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE.

Corrigenda.

Vol. XXIX—page 35!.

For Family “ Glauconiide” read “ Leptctyphlopide”’ Loc. cit. for “ Glau-

conia’”’ read “ Leptotyphlops.”

Steineger and Barbour in their check list of North American Amphibians

and Reptiles (2nd Edition) 1923, page 79, accept Fitzinger’s Leptotyphlops

(Sept. Report 1843, page 24) type nigricans. This clearly precedes Gray’s

Glauconia which dates from 1845, The change in the name of the genug

necessitates a change in the name of the family.

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 351

16. (276) Typhlops diardi Schlegel. Diard’s Blind Snake.

T. bothrioryhnchus. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 2.

T. diardi. Annandale, J. A. 8S. Beng., 1904, p 207; Rec.Ind. Mus. 1912,

pp 37, 44 and 53; Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p22; Rec. Ind. Mus.

1913, p 337; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, » 146; Sclater, List.

Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 2; Venning, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XX, p 770 ;

Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIII, pp 352 and 620; Wall,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVIII, p 314; Le. Vol XIX, pp 609, 7d57a

and 898; l.c. Vol XXV, p 381.

Length.—430 mm. (1 foot, 5 inches), Diameter J; to *, the total length.

Lepid.—Costals, In 24 to 26 rows.

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas. Bengal. Assam. Hills and plains North

and South of the Brahmaputra. Burma, Hills and _ plains.

Tenasserim Dist. (Moulmein. Ind. Mus.) Stam. Cochin-China.

17. (Nil) Typhlops tephrosoma Wall. Tie Grey Blind Snake.

T. tephrosoma. Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, pp 37, 44 and 53;

Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVIII, p 314.

Type.—In the British Museum?. From the Khasi Hills.

Length.—190 mm. (74 inches). Diameter ,1; the total length.

Lepid.—-Costals. In 28 rows.

Disin.—Assam. Abor Hills. (Janamukh. Ind. Mus.) Khasi Hills. (Shil-

long. F. W.)

Note.—Miss Procter tells me she has not been able to trace the type

sent by me to the British Museum.

18. (283) Typhlops acutus (Dumeril and Bibron.) The Indian Beaked Blind

Snake.

T. acutus. Annandale, J. A. S. Beng., 1904, p 208; l.c. 1905, p 209;

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 56; Saresin, Zool. Jahr. Jena, 1910

141; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 3; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol XV, p 377 1.c. Vol XVI, p 292.

Length.—610 mm. (2 feet). Diameter ;), to J, the total length.

Lepid.—Costals. In from 28 to 34 rows.

Disin.—Peninsular India. South of the Ganges Basin, and South of

Rajputana.

Family.—GLAUCONTIDAE.

Genus.—GLAUCONIA Gray.

19, (284) Glauconia blanfordi Boulenger, Blanford’s Blind Snake.

G. carltoni. Barbour, Bull. Mus. Harv. Coll. Vol LI, No 12, p 316.

G. blanfordi. Alcock and Finn, J. A. S. Beng. 1896, p 561; Annandale,

J. A.S., Beng. 1905, p 209; Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 66; Wall,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XX, p 1033.

Length.—247 mm. (9 inches). Diameter 1. to ,1, the total length.

Lepid.—Costals. In 14 rows.

Disin.— Punjab. Amballa. (Barbour) Multan. (F. W.) Sind. Kotri.

(No 14317. Ind. Mus.) NV. W. Frontier. Jamrud. (F. W.) Baluchistan

(Nos 14230 and 14231. Ind. Mus.).

Note.—The very slight departure (1-55) of Barbour’s car/toni from the

diameter reported by Boulenger for the two types of blanfordi (1-60

to 1-70), is too trivial a basis upon which to establish a new species

and there is no other obvious difference between this and blanfordi

352 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

I have now examined six specimens with the diameter ranging

between the above specified limits.

20. (Nil.) Glauconia macrorhynchus (Jan.) Jan’s Beaked Blind Snake.

G. blanfordi. Annandale, J. A. S. Beng., 1905, p 2.9 (part) ; Sclater.

List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 4. (Nos 12014, :2016 and 12017.

No. 12015 is now in a state of dissolution.)

G. macrorhynchus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 61; Wall, Bomb.

N. H. J. Vol XVIII, p 796.

Length.—234 mm. (9+ inches) Diameter 3; to ;1, the total length.

Lepid.—Costals. In 14 rows.

Distn.—Sind. Karachi. (Ind. Mus.) Baluchistan. Quetta. (No 14729.

Ind. Mus.) Persia. Maidan Mihaftan. Falujah. Euphrates.

(Bombay colln.) Bushire. (No 8405. Ind. Mus.) WN. Africa.

Nubia.

Note.—I have examined eight specimens, and can find no differences

in the lepidosis between this and G. blanfordi. Its entity as a species

depends, therefore, entirely on its more slender configuration, and the

beaked condition of the snout.

Family.—BOID 2.

Subfamily. —_PYTHONIN &.

Genus.—PytuHon Daudin.

21. (286) Python molurus (Linné.) The Indian Python.

P, reticulatus. Hditors, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIII, p 718.

P. molurus. <Abercromby, Sn. of Ceylon, 1910, pp 35, 49 and 67 ;

Spol. Zeylan. 1911, p 206; Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 87; Le.

Vol III, 1896, » 418; Begbie, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVII, p 1021;

Cadell, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XXII, p 202; Channer, Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol LX, p 491; D’ Abreu, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XXV, p 509; Evans,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVI, p 519; Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol

VI, p 424; lic. Vol X p 69; Forsyth, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XX,

p 277; Hagenback, Spol. Zeylan. 1905, p 197; Inverarity, Bomb.

N. H,. J. Vol VIII, p 405; Millard, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIV, p

395; l.c. Vol XVI, » 758; Pearless, Spol. Zeylan. 1909, p 54,

Phipson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol I, p 165; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena.

1910, p 131; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 4; Stewart, Bomb.

N. H. J. Vol XXV, p 150; Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol

XIII, pp 349 and 617; Wall-Rec. Ind. Mus. 1907, p 155 ; Bomb.

N. H. J. Vol XIX, pp 340 and 610; 1. c. Vol XXI, p 447; Lic.

Vol XX VI, p 862, Oph. Tap. 1921, p 48.

Disin.—Ceylon. Peninsular India. To the extreme limit of Sind.

(Habb River). Bengal. Himalayas. Dehra Dun to Sikkim. Assam,

Burma, Siam. 8. China and Coastal Islands. Malay Peninsula ?

Malay Archipelago ? Java.

Note.—Flower questions the Malay Peninsula. Pythons are in the

stock in trade of every Indian juggler, and some of these men travel

beyond India. Pythons are transported occasionally in cargoes

and it is not so long ago that a reticulatus reached the London docks,

and was sent to Regent’s Park. (The Field, 31-8-07). Another

reticulatus was found on board ship at Bombay among a cargo of

timber shipped from Moulmein. These facts may explain the

occurrence of other snakes in unexpected localities.

A HAND-LIST O1 l'HE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 353

22. (285) Python reticulatus (Schneider.) The Reticulate Python.

Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, p 175; Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893,

p 85; Hagenbeck, Spol. Zeylan 1905, p 197; Bomb. N. H. J. Vol

XVI, p 505; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 4.

Distn.— Burma. Moulmein. (Bombay colln.) Pegu Yomas, 15 miles

from Minhla. Martaban. Tavoy. (F.W.) Mergui. (Ind. Mus.) Nicobar

Islands. Siam. Indo-China. South China. Malay Peninsula. Malay

Archipelago. Sumatra to Timor. Pacific Islands. Ceram. Philippines.

Sub-family.—BOIN Ai

Genus.—Eryx Daudin.

23. (287) Eryx conaicus (Schneider.) Schneider's Harth Boa.

Gongylophis conicus. Boulenger, Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890, p 247 ;

Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIV, p 386; Millard, Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol XV, p 348; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 5.

Eryx conicus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 124 ; D’Abreu, Bomb

N. H. J. Vol XXIV, p 9: Gharpurey, Bomb. N. H.J. Vol XXIII,

p 372; Leveti-Yeats, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XXIII, p 371; Pitman,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XXII, p 633; Powell, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol

XXIII, p 371; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 148; Trench,

N. Hf. J. Vol XXV,.9 151; Wall. Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVI, p

292 51. ¢. Vol XXI, p 2.

Length.—838 mm. (2 feet, 9 inches).

Lepid.—The costals, two head-lengths behind the head are 37 to 46,

at midbody 40 to 55; two heads-lengths before the vent 24 to 35.

Ventrals. 162 to 196. Subcaudals. 16 to 24.

Disin.—Peninsular India. South of the Himalayas. Baluchistan.

Fort Munro. (Bombay colln.) Sind. Larkana. (Bombay colln.)

Ganges Valley. Allahabad. Palair. Boxar, Naini Tal Dist. (Ind.

Mus.) Behar. (D’Abreu.) Lower Bengal. Singbhum. Manbhum.

Chaibasa, (Ind. Mus.) Ceylon? Trincomalee.’ ? (Bombay colln.)

Note.—This and the next are frequently to be seen among the stock in

trade of juggicrs, many of whom travel vast distances. Deception

is the very essence of their craft, and no credence whatever should

be given to information derived from such a source, these men being

notoriously mendacious as I have repeatedly proved. Hence the

query to Trincomalee. See also note to Hurria rhynchops and

Python molurus.

24, (288) Eryx jaculus (Linné). Linné’s Earth Boa,

EK. jaculus. Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIX, p 1000.

E. johni. Boulenger, Cat. Vol JI, 1893, p 127 ; Sarasin, Zool.

Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 148; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 6;

Wal, Bomb. N. H. §. Vol XVI, » 38731. ¢c. Vol XX; p 1034; 1. ¢.

Vol XX, p 12.

Length.-—1,105 mm. (3 feet, 74 inches).

Lepid.—The costals, two heads-lengths behind the head are 46 to 54,

at midbody 47 to 65, and two heads-lengths before the vent 34

to 46. Ventrals. 189 to 213. Subcaudles. 18 to 37.

Distn.—Peninsular india. South of the Himalayas. Baluchistan.

Hanna. Duki. (Quetta Mus.) Sind. Karachi. (Ind. Mus.) Larkana.

(Bombay colln.). Punjab. Rajanpur. Pind Dadun Khan. (Ind. Mus.)

Multan. Jullunder. Delhi. (Bombay colln.) Jhelum. (F. W.)

N. W. P. Agra. (Ind. Mus.) U. P. Lucknow. (Bombay colln.).

JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXAIX.

In the Journal ( Vol. X XIX, p. 127) Ingoldby shows good reason to

consider johni specifically the same as jaculus. His view is

supported by Miss Procter and I am in full agreement with these

authorities.

Family.—ILYSHD 4.

Genus.—CyLINDROPHIg Wagler.

Cylindrophis rufus (Laurenti.) Laurenti’s Harth Snake.

C. rufus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 135; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind.

Mus. 1891, p 6; Wall and Evans, Bomb. N H. J. Vol XIII,

pp 345 and 615.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 185 to 245.

Distn.--Burma. North to Wuntho and Bhamo. (Long. 96°. Lat. 24°).

N. Shan States. (Lashio. Bombay colln.) 8. Shan States. (Ava. Ind,

Mus. Pyawbwe. Taunggyi. Bombay colln.) Tenasserim. Malay

Peninsula. Siam. Indo-China. Malay Archipelago. Sumatra to

Celebes.

(290) Cylindrophis maculatus (Linné). Linnés Earth Snake.

25 (289)

26.

C. maculatus. Abercromby, Spol. Zeylan. 1913, p 146; Boulenger, Cat.

Vol I, 1893, p 136; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 127; Sclater,

List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, » 7; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XXVI,

p 863; Spol. Zeylan. 1920, p 313 ; 1. c. 1921, p 396 ; Oph. Tap. 1921,

p 18.

Length.—622 mm. (2 feet and 3 an inch).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 180 to 215.

Dist.—Ceylon. Low country and up to about 1,700 ieet.

Family.—_UROPELTID 2.

Genus.—URoOPELTIS Cuvier.

27. (291) Uropeltis grandis Kelaart. Kelaart’s Earth Snake.

U. grandis. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 139; Green, Spol. Zeylan.

1906, p 220; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 127; Wall, Oph.

Tap. 1921, p 26.

Distn.— Ceylon. At low elevations.

Korle. Badulla,

Genus,—RHINOPHIS Hemprich.

Trincomalee. Matara. Kolonne

28. (Nil.) Rhinophis fergusonianus Boulenger. Ferguson's Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol X, p 236 ; Cat. Vol. IIT, 1896, p 596 ;

Ferguson, Bomb. N. H.J. Vol X, p 70; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena.

1910, p 137.

Type.—In the British Museum from the Cardamom Hills.

Length.—320 mm. (12% inches.)

Lepid.—Costals. In 15 rows at midbody. Ventrals. 188. Subcaudals. 4,

Distn.— Western Ghats, Cardamom Hills. Near Trivandrum (Fer-

guson).

. A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 355

29, (296) Rhinophis sanguineus Beddome. Beddome’s Harth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I 1893, p 143 ; Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. X,

p 10 ; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 137; Sclater List, Sn.

Ind. Mus. 1891, » 7; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XXVI, p 557.

Length.—407 mm. (16 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals, 182 to 218. Subcaudals. 5 to 11.

Disin.— Western Ghats. Mysore (Koppa. Ind. Mus. Kalsa. F. W.)

Wynad. Nilgiris. Travancore. Tinnevelly.

30. (293) Rhinophis punctatus Miller. Muller’s Earth Snake.

R. punctatus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1890, p 141; Sarasin, Zool.

Jahr. Jena, 1910,» 127 ; Wall, Oph. Tap. 1921, » 33.

Distn.— Ceylon. Hills in the Central Provinces. Kandy. Peradeniya.

31. (294) Rhinophis planiceps (Peters.) Peters’s Harth Snake.

R. planiceps. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1890, p 141; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr.

Jena. 1910, p 127; Wall, Oph. Tap. 1921, p 36.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 153 to 182.

Distn.— Ceylon. Hills in the Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces.

32. (295) Rhinophis trevelyanus (Kelaart). J revelyan’s Earth Snake.

R. oxyrhynchus. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 7. (Nos 6993,

6978, 6980 to 6983).

R. trevelyanus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1890, p 142 ; Sarasin, Zool.

Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 127; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 7,

(Nos 6941, 6984 to 6986, 6988 to 6990, 8388). Wall, Spol. Zeylan.

1921, » 405 ; Oph. Tap. 1921, p 38.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 175 to 204. Subcaudals. 2 to 6.

Disin.— Ceylon, Hills in the Central, Uva, and Sabaragamuwa Provinces,

Note.—No. 6987 of Sclater’s list was not in the Indian Museum when

I examined the specimens.

33. (Nil.) Rhinophis travancoricus Boulenger. Boulenger’s Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 143; Cat, Vol III, 1896, p 596 ; Fer-

guson, Bomb. N. H. J, Vol X, p 70; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena,

USO Gael aii

Lepid.—Ventrals, 132 to 146. Subcaudals. 5 to 7.

Disitn.— Western India. South of Ernakulam. (Lat. 10°. Ind. Mus.)

From sea level to about 4,000 feet. Pirmed.

34. (Nil.) Rhinophis porrectus Wall. Wailley’s Earth Snake.

Rhinophis punctatus. Willey, Spol. Zeylan. 1903, p 88.

Rhinophis porrectus. Wall, Oph. Tap. 1921, p 35.

Type.—In the British Museum, From near Chilaw.

Length—355 mm. (14 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. In 17 rows at midbody. Ventrals, 281. Subcaudals. 6.

Distn.— Ceylon. N. W. Provinces. (Between Chilaw and Puttalam.)

35. (297) Rhinophis blythi Kelaart. Blyth’s Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, p 144; Fletcher, Spol. Zeylan. 1908, p98;

Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 127 ; Sclater, List Si Ind. Mus.

1891, p7 (part Nos 6955 and 6992) Wall, Oph. Tap. 1921,

p 40.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 145 to 168. Subcaudals. 3 to 9.

Distn.— Ceylon. Hills in the Central and Uva Provinces.

Note.—No. 6979 of Sclater’s list was missing when I examined the

Uropelts in the Indian Museum.

356 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX,

36. (Nil.) Rhinophis drummondhayi Wall. Drummond-Hay’s Earth Snake,

Rhinophis blythi. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 7 (part, No.

6945).

Rhinophis drummondhayi. Wall, Oph. Tap. 1921, p 43.

Types.—in the British Museum. Co-types in the Indian, Bombay, and

Colombo Museums, all from Uva Patnas.

Length.—330 mm. (13 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. In 17 rows at midbody. Ventrals 173 to 191. Sub-

caudals 4 to 8.

Disin.—Ceylon, Hills of Cenwal and Uva Provinces.

37. (292) Rhinophis oxyrhyrchus (Schneider.) Schneider's Earth Snake.

R, oxyrhynchus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1890, p 141; Cat. Vol IIT,

1896, p 596 ; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 127; Wall

Spol. Zeylan. 1921,- p» 397; Oph. Tap. 1921, p 32.

Length.—571 mm. ( 1 foot, 104 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 211 to 227.

Distn.—Ceylon. The low country in the Northern Provinces

Mullaitivu. Vavoniya.

Genus—SILYBURA Gray.

28. (319) Silybura macrolepis Peters. The Large-scaled Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 159; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, P

137 Wall, Bomb...N. Bs Jo. Vol. XTX pao:

Length.—323 mm. (12? inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals, 127 to 140 ; Subcaudals, 7 to 12.

Disin.— Western Ghats. Between Lonavli (Lat. 18°7°) and Igatpuri

(Lat. 19°7°). As low as about 1,500 feet.

39. (298) Silybura melanogaster (Gray.) The Ceylon Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 146 ; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910,

p 127 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p7; Wall, Oph. Tap.

1921, p 29.

Distn.—Ceylon. Hills of Central Provinces.

40, (299) Silybura pulneyensis (Beddome.) The Palni Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 147; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910,

p 137; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 7.

Distn.— Western Ghats. Palnis. Travancore.

41. (301) Silybura petersi Beddome. Peters’s Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, » 148; Sarasin. Zool. Jahr. 1910, p

137 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, 8.

Distn.—Western Ghats. Anamalais.

42. (302) Silybura maculata Beddome. The Large-spotted EHarth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I,1893, p 149; Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol X,

w 70; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 137; Selater, List. Sn.

Ind. Mus. 1891, p. 8.

Distn.—Western Ghats, Anamalais. Travancore.

43. (303) Silybura liura Giinther. The Dark-bordered Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, » 149; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910,

p 187.

Distn.— Western Ghats. Madura and Tinnevelly Districts.

al HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 357

44. (304) Silybura ocellata Beddome. The Ocellated Earth Snake.

Silybura ocellata. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 150; Ferguson,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol X, p 70; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p

137; Sclator, List.Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 8 (part, Nos 4308, 4309,

4310, 6959, 12411, 12414, 12415); Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XXYV,

p 632; 1c. Vol XXVI, p 557.

Lepid.—Costals. Rarely in 19 rowsin midbody. Ventrals 185to 234.

Disin.—Western Ghats. South of the Goa gap. Wynad. Nilgiris.

Cochin. Anamalais. Palnis. Travancore. Tinnevelly.

45. (306) Silybura nitida Beddome. The Black-backed Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 151; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910,

p 137; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p8.

Distn.—Western Ghats. Anamalais (Cochin side).

46. (307) Silybura dindigalensis Beddome. The Pale-hordered Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, » 152; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910,

p 137; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 9.

Lepid.—Ventrals 155 to 168.

Distn.— Hills of S. India, Sirumalais. (Near Dindigul.)

47, (309) Silybura macrorhynchus Beddome. The Long-snouted Earth

Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893.» 153; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena, 1910,

p 137.

Distn.— Western Ghats. Anamalais.

48. (310) Silybura beddomej Giinther. Beddome’s Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 153; Sarasin. Zool. Jahr. Sena. 1910, p

137.

Disitn.—Western Ghats. Anamalais.

49. (311) Silybura ellioti Gray. Hiliot’s Harth Snake.

Silybura ocellata. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891. (part No 12419).

8S. ellioti. Boulenger Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 154; Cat. Vol III, 1896, p

596 ; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 137; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind,

Mus. 1891, p 9.

Lepid.—Ventrals, 144 to 176. Subcaudals. 5 to 11.

Distn.—Hills of Peninsular India. Western Ghats. South of the Goa

gap. (N. Canara. Mysore. Eastern Ghats of Coimbatore District.

Nilgiris. Balarangams. Anamalais. Palnis. Tinnevelly.) Shevaroys.

S. Arcot. Jalarpet. (F'. W.) Golconda. Vizagapatam. Ganjam.

Note.—A specimen (No 144) in the Bombay Collection is labelled

Nasik. I think it better to await confirmation of this single locality

North of the Goa gap. (See note to 8. phipsoni.)

50. (312) Silybura phipsoni Mason. Phipson’s Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 155; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p

137.

Lepid.—Ventrals, 138 to 157.

Distn.— Western Peninsular India. North of Palghat above about,

2,000 feet. Thana. Satara. Belgaum. Dharwar. N. Kanara. Mysore.

Nilgiris, Balarangams.

358 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

51.

62.

53.

o4.

05.

56.

Note.—I found 34 specimens in the Bombay collection mostly without

records of locality. Onefrom Paralai, Anamalais(No 50-7) recorded

as presented by me is a mistake. Though I have had many snakes

from this locality I have not had this species. This mistake justi-

fies the questioning of locality in some other cases, (See note to

Psammophis leithi.)

(313) Silybura rubrolineata Giinther. The Red-flanked Earth Snake.

Silybura brevis. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 9. (part, No 6954.)

S. rubrolineata. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 155; Ferguson, Bomb.

N. H. J. Vol X, p70; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 137;

Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 9.

Distn.— Western Ghats. South of the Palghat gap. Anamalais.

Travancore,

(314) Silybura myhendrez Boulenger, Boulenger’s Earth Snake.

Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1904, p 208; Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893,

p 156; l.c. Vol II, 1896, p 596; Ferguson, Bomb, N. H. J. 1895,

p 70; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 137. |

Length.—380 mm, (15 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 139 to 156. Subcaudals. 6 to 8.

Distn.— Western Ghats. South of the Goa gap. Nilgiris. (Brit. Mus.)

Travancore.

(315) Silybura madurensis Beddome. The Orange-bellied Harth Snake.

Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1904, » 208 ; Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893,

p i156; lc. VolIII, 1896, p 596. Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol

X,p 70; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 137.

Length.—343 mm, (133 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 140 to 151.

Distn.— Western India. South of Palghat. From sea level (Alleppey

to about 5,000 feet in the Travancore Hills.

(316) Silybura rubromaculata Beddome. The Red-spotted Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 157; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910,

p 137; Sclater. List. Sn. Ind, Mus. 1891, p 9.

Lepid.—Subcaudals. 7 to 10.

Distn.— Western Ghats. South of the Goa gap. Mysore (Koppa.

Ind, Mus.) Anamalais.

(317) Silybura arcticeps Ginther. Gunther's Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 157; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p

137.

Distn.— Western Ghats. South of the Palghat gap. Tinnevelly.

(318) Silybura brevis (Gimnther). Cuvier’s Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 158; l.c. Vol IIT, 1896, » 596 ; Ferguson,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol X, p 70; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p

137 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 9 (part. All except No 6954).

Wall Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XX VI, p 558.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 119 to 146.

Distn.—Hilis of Peninsular India. Western Ghats. (From Castle

Rock to Travancore.) Shevaroys. Ganjam.

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 359

57. (300) Silybura grandis (Beddome). The Anamalat Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 148; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910,

p 137 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 8.

Distn.— Western Ghats. Anamalais,

58. (305) Silybura nigra Beddome. The Black-bellied Earth Snake.

Silybura ocellata. Sclater, List, Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 8. ( part,

No 12413.)

S. nigra. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 151; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr.

Jena. 1910, p 137; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 8 (part,

excepting Nos 12413 and 12419),

Lepid.—Ventrals, 169 to 183.

Disin.— Western Ghats. South of Palghat gap. Anamalais. Palnis

Travancore, Tinnevelly.

59. (308) Silybura broughami Beddome. Brougham’s Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 152; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910

p 137.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 195 to 230.

Distn.—Hiils of S. India. Palnis. Sirumalais.

Genus.—PSEUDOPLECTRURUS Boulenger.

60. (320) Pseudoplectrurus canaricus (Beddome). The Canarese Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 160; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena, 1910,

p 137.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 172 to 189.

Distn.— Western Ghats. South Kanara. Mysore. (Brit. Mus.)

Genus.—BRACHYOPHIDIUM Wall.

G1. (Ni.) Brachyophidium rhodogaster Wall. Waill’s Earth Snake.

Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XXVIII, p 41.

Type.—In the British Museum.

Length.—178 mm. (7 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. In 15 rows in midbody. Ventrals. 137 to 145. Sub-

caudals. 6 to 11.

Distn.— Western Ghats. Palnis.

Genus.—PLEcTRURUS Dumeril and Bibron.

62. (321, 322) Plectrurus perroteti Dumeril and _ Bibron. Perrotet’s

Spinetail.

P, davisoni. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, » 161 ; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr.

Jena. 1910, p 137.

P. perroteti. Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 161; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr.

Jena. 1910, p 137; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 9; Wall,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XX VI, p 558.

Length.—420 mm. (16% inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 152 to 181. Subcaudals. 6 to 12.

Distn.— Western Ghats. Nilgiris. Anamalais.

(o>)

(323) Plectrurus guentheri Beddome. Gunther's Spinetai!.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 162; Sarasin, Zool, Jahr. Jena, 1920,

p 137.

Distn.— Western Ghats. Nilgiris.

360 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX,

64. (324) Plectrurus aureus Beddome. Beddome’s Spinetail.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 162; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910,

p 137.

Dsin.— Western Ghats. Wynad.

Genus.—MELANOPHIDIUM Giinther.

65. (325) Melanophidium wynadense (Beddome). The Black Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, » 163; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910,

p 137; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XX VI, p 560.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 170 to 185.

Distn.— Western Ghats. Coorg. (Bombay colln.) Wynad.

66. (326) Melanophidium punctatum Beddome. The White-bordered Earth

Snake.

Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1904, py 208; Boulenger. Cat. Vol I,

1893, p 164, Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol X, p 70; Sarasin, Zool.

Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 137 ; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XXIII, p 377.

Length.—590 mm. (1 foot, 114 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 180 to 198. Subcaudals. 11 to 18.

Disin.— Western Ghats. Talevadi, Goa Frontier (Bombay colln.)

Anamalais (F. W.). Travancore.

67. (327) Melanophidium bilineatum Beddome. The White-striped Earth

Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 164; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910.

p 137.

Distn.— Western Ghats. Wynad.

Genus.—PLATYPLECTRURUS Giinther.

68. (328) Platyplectrurus trilineatus (Beddome.) The Three-striped

Earth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, » 165; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr, Jena. 1910, p

137.

Distn.— Western Ghats. Anamalais. Palnis ? Travancore. Madras Hills.

Note.—A specimen in St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore, is probably from

Shembaganur, several snakes having been received from an affiliated

College in that locality.

€9, (329) Platypiectrurus madurensis Beddome. The Pied-bellied Earth

Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 166; Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol

XIV, p 386; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 137; Sclater, List.

Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 10.

Length.— 610 mm. (2 feet).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 158 to 176.

Distn.— Western Ghats. Palnis. Travancore.

70. (330) Platyplectrurus sanguineus (Beddome). Zhe Red-bellied Earth

Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 166; Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. X.

p 71 ; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. 1910, p 137,

Distn.— Western Ghats. Wynad. Anamalais. Travancore.

= 5 pike ee

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 361

Family.— XENOPELTID 4.

Genus.—XENOPELTIS Reinwardt.

71. (331) Xenopeltis unicolor Reinwardt. The Iridescent Harth Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 168; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910,

p 142; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus.

1891, p 10; Wall and Evans,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIII,’ pp 352 and 620; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol. XV, p 525; 1. c. Vol. XIX, p 292.

Length.—1,220 mm. (4 feet).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 164 to 193. Subcaudals. 25 to 31.

Disin.—Burma, As far North as Myitkyina and South as Tenasserim.

Malay Peninsula. Siam. Indo-China. Malay Archipelago. Sumatra

to Celebes.

Note.—I discredit the locality of specimen No. 8035 in the Indian

Museum recorded as Trichinopoly, and until confirmation of the

occurrence of this species in South India is forthcoming, it is better

to regard this record as a mistake. If the locality is correct it may

be accounted for through the agency of an itinerant snake man.

(To be continued.)

362

THE RED ANT

Masor R. W. G. Hineston, I.M.S.

Part 1. THE Nest.

(With two plates and a teat figure.)

Distribution and haunts—General appearance—Characters of nests and byres—

Contents of these chambers—Architecture of Nest—Repair of damaged nest—

Characters of seamstress—Construction of byres—Bending of a single leaf—Nature

of silk—Alttention to nest—Loss of life in nest—Defence of nest—Emission of

potson—Contrast with Polyrhachis.

The Red Ant of India, the @cophylla smaragdina, is, with the exception of

arid and mountainous tracts, widespread throughout the whole empire. It

prefers the moist and well-wooded areas, and is, therefore, more abundant in

the southern half of the Peninsula and in the luxuriant vegetation of Ceylon.

Eastward it ranges into Burma and Siam ; thence through the islands of the

Malay Archipelago even as far as the Continent of Australia. In Southern India

it abounds in myriads, so much so that the birds in certain districts have diffi-

culty in finding places of security for their nests. In the drier tract towards

the north of the Peninsula there is no such profusion of swarms. Nevertheless

they establish themselves in suitable localities, and a few miles from my station

there was a mango-grove which they had specially selected as a permanent

abode. More than half the trees supported their columns, while studded through

the luxuriant foliage above were numbers of their leafy nests. Here they were

sufficiently abundant for our purpose. Wewill spend our evenings in the midst

of the grove and take note of their peculiar habits and ways.

The grove is a dense and luxuriant plantation which has stood there for many

years. Its large full-grown trees are regularly disposed. They stand in paral-

lel well-ordered lines that intersect like a pattern of squares. Many of them

bear evidence of the stress of time. Their boughs are knotted where old bran-

ches have decayed, and crumbling hollows have found a place in the substance

of their deformed trunks. Overhead a dense mass of foliage expands and, in

places the widespread branches intermingle so as to unite the adjacent trees.

Beneath this superfluous canopy of leaves is a welcome though enervating shade.

The long-waited rains have broken : the fresh green verdure drips with moisture

and the air is steamy with the vapid heat. There is a peaceful silence in the

grove ; the atmosphere is still, as though confined by the dense trees, and a calm

oppression weighs upon the body in the midst of the close moisture-laden air.

The voices of the birds ring out from the trees, though themselves unseen in

the richness of the growth. We hear the shrill cries of the noisy parrotquets

where a flock has alighted on a mass of vegetation and vanished in the cloud of

leaves. From another place we hear the soft cooings of the doves or the brain-

fever bird uttering its vexatious cry in a mad crescendo note. From a gnarled

trunk comes the tapping of the woodpecker, while in the foliage the coppersmith

is beating at its forge ina loud and clanging voice. This is the music of the

mango-grove, the living sounds that break the silence and accompany our

patient hours of study “‘ under the shade of melancholy boughs.”

This ant is so conspicuous on account of its colour, it infests the tree in such

enormous numbers and it falls on an intruder with such venom and force that it

is not likely to be mistaken by anyone who has ever experienced its furious

assault. Its chief haunts are the trunks and the branches of the trees. From

THE RED ANT, 363

there it spreads itself everywhere through the foliage and sends down its columns

to explore the ground. A community keeps usually to one tree but, when the

grove is young and closely planted, it may spread itself over a number of

trees either by climbing across an interlacing branch or by despatching a file

over the open ground. In these journeys it often travels a considerable distance;

down one branch, up another branch, a column will make the most elaborate

excursions throughout the widespread foliage of the tree. It is not a specially

active ant. When enraged, it is certainly expeditious enough, but at ordinary

times it is often sluggish in its motions, though thoroughly methodical and well

organised in its acts. There is no cessation from its continuous labour ; night

and day its columns are on the move. The heat of the sun does not damp

its toil for it is screened by the canopy of leaves ; neither does the darkness of

night subdue it ; indeed after sunset it is specially active, for numbers then pour

out from the nest to travel energetically over the tree.

The Red Ant, cophylla smaragdina

a. Head from front.

Before discussing its peculiar habits I must first describe the appearance of

the ant. In colour it is a uniform yellowish red, and is scarcely half an inch in

length. Its body is of a particularly elongated shape. It has something the

appearance of a knotted cord, being composed of a series of swollen nodules

connected by narrow joints. The foremost noduleis the pear-shaped head. It

is broad behind where it joins the neck, but in front it evenly narrows to a

point which is formed by the projecting jaws. On each side of the middle of the

head is the dark conspicuous eye. This is a small and prominent coal-black spot,

the only striking point of colour to be seen on the body of the ant. Between

them rise the delicate antennae, a pair of slender filiform threads of rather excep-

tional length. The jaws project from the apex of the pear. In structure they

appear as powerful hooks ; their opposing surfaces are armed with sharp teeth,

and they end in curved and pointed sickles which cross one another in the mid-

dle line. Behind the head comes the nodulated chest. It consists of a pair of

oval swellings with a constricted part between. It is linked to the head by a

narrow neck and joined behind to the front of the abdomen by a thread-like

moveable waist. The abdomen, like the head, is a somewhat pear-shaped mass-

pointed behind, swollen in front, and supporting here and there upon its surface

a scattering of delicate hairs. The legs are particularly long and slender, but

are otherwise of the typical appearance and shape.

364 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

The vast majority of the workers are uniform in size, and at first sight there

appears to be no distinction into different types or castes. But in every commun-

ity there are a few individuals of a specially diminutive size; these are less

obtrusive than the ordinary workers since they keep more habitually to the

interior of the nests. They are scarcely half the bulk of the ordinary forms bat

seem to differ in no other way, and they appear to fulfil a special purpose by

being retained exclusively for household work.

I will first consider the nests of these ants and the remarkable manner in

which they are made. The red ant, unlike the majority of species, never exca-

vates a galleryin thesoil. It chooses the foliage as the site for its nest, usually

selecting some safe position high up in the thickest leaves. It is wonderfully

skilful in its mode of architecture which consists in first bending down the leaves

and then uniting their margins with silk. A nest, thus formed, is a bulky object.

(See plate). A populous one, when fully constructed, may be as large as a man’s

head. Some twenty or more leaves may be used in its architecture, but for

other nests of less capacious dimensions half that number will suffice. The

leaves of the mango are long and narrow, and eight of them bent over so as to

lie side by side is common in the smaller nests. In this way, when their ed ges

are linked together, they enclose a pear-shaped space. The base is above at

their attachments to the stem ; the apex is below where all their tips unite at a

common point. The gate of the chamber is very regular in its position. Ié is

always placed at the upper extremity as a perforation in the base of the pear.

The interior is divided into a number of apartments. They have not been

constructed on any system ; they are merely the collection of chambers and

passages that follow from the shapes and flexures of the leaves. But the ants,

in addition, build silken partitions which serve as dividing walls, or they may

even so dispose of the fabric as to fashion a complete apartment of silk. They

never line the internal wall in the same manner as do the Polyrhachis ants ;

they employ their silk as a connecting medium, merely to unite the edges of

the leaves.

In addition to this large and predominant nest, there are also a number of

subordinate structures scattered irregularly over the tree. These are likewise

fashioned out of leaves though on a very much reduced scale. To all appearances

they are just miniature nests, though in reality they are not used for the rearing

of larve; they rather serve as a system of chambers or byres in which

the ants confine those cattle that supply them with a rich and valuable juice.

The main nest, as I have said, is usually high in the branches where it looks

like a large green globular mass firmly fixed to the tree. The byres, on the

other hand, may be situated anywhere; in the young trees they are often

conveniently built within easy reach from the ground.

An ordinary byre (see plate II) is usually ovoid or somewhat pyriform in shape.

Some three or four leaves may enter its construction. They have been neatly

turned as to enclose a chamber, and their lines of union are marked on the

exterior by a pattern of silken bands. At one extremity there is a single gate,

usually situated where the bases of the leaves come together near their junction

with the stem. In some byres only a solitary leaf may be employed, and then

the apex is drawn down to the base so as to form a somewhat conical cell. There

are times when the ants find considerable difficulty in getting the edges of the

leaves to join; wide intervals may then be left. between their margins, and the

ants must supply the deficiency in material by filling in the spaces with silk.

Then again there are places where few leaves are available which results in consi-

derable expenditure for the ants. They must then build the chamber unaided

by the vegetation and compose it exclusively of silk. This last type becomes

a most delicate tabernacle, one with beautifully fine transparent walls through

which we can observe the workers in the interior and learn something of the

arrangements and economy of the byre.

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Plate I.

NEST OF THE RED ANT (cophylla smaragdina).

‘(nurpbho.oUs

oyjfiydooyp)

INV GHUY WHEL HO HUA

"908 “3S!IH ‘3EN

Aequiog “usnor

THE RED ANT. 365

This edifice, thus built for the stabling of cattle, is usually a one-chambere¢

cell. But when a number of leaves are employed in its construction, then, like

the nest, it may be divided into compartments owing to the enclosure

of some of the leaves, Also, on more exceptional occasions, they will come still

closer to the elaborate structure of the nest, in that they will weave a special

silken partition so as to connect two or more of the walls. Consequently we

may regard the architecture of the byre as that of a miniature and less compli-

cated nest.

The ants in their operations so bend the leaves that most of them are sharply

doubled near their stems. Nevertheless for a long time they remain uninjured;

it is not till they have seen some months of service that they show any signs of

decay. While still fresh and green they arein no way conspicuous. A byre

just appears like a cluster of leaves and is therefore not easily seen. It is best

located through the movements of the ants, by following the advance of a train

of workers as they ascend into the smaller branches of the tree.

~ Let us look into the interior of these remarkable structures and determine

the uses to which they are placed. On all occasions there are workers assembled

in the nest. Sometimes they appear as a teeming multitude congregated in a

solid heap; at other times they spread themselves more evenly through the

chambers and move sluggishly over the inside walls. They are mainly engaged

in attending on the larve, though they also act as an army in reserve to pour

from the gateway should necessity require. There is a continuous flow through

the aperture of the nest; some are arriving, others departing, there are still others

which seem to be permanently imprisoned and never do any outside work. The

next most conspicuous objects are the larve and the broods of delicate eggs.

Every size and age is represented, at least in the suitable months of the year.

There are the tiny almost invisible eggs, the oval smooth segmented larve,

the fragile pup, devoid of covering and with all their separate organs distinct.

There are some which are bloated to an enormous bulk and look twenty times

the ordinary size. These are the larve of the future queens of which there may

be many in a single nest. The apartments do not serve as separate nurseries

either for the occupation of different types of larve or for the successive stages

of their growth. The young of every kind, of the queens, the males, the ordinary

workers of all sizes and all ages, are accumulated indiscriminately in common

heaps. The silken partitions which the ants construct often form a soft delicate

bagin which a great number of thelarve are housed. There they may be heaped

into a congested mass where no doubt they are most suitably and comfortably

lodged within the shelter of so delicate a cell. But they are not kept ex-

clusively in these silken tabernacles ; many of them are confined to the ordinary

chambers where they lie in contact with the leafy wall.

If we examine the interior during the month of June we are sure to find some

of the winged forms inside. The queens are massive ungainly creatures, in

colour either a pale brown or a beautiful leafy green. The males are much

smaller and darker in appearance, and are often more numerous than the queens.

Those insects which serve the ants as cattle are also stabled within. Later I

I will describe them in sufficient detail, and will just mention here that they are

habitually quartered over the walls and partitions of the nest. A variable

and miscellaneous collection of insects may also be scattered throughout many

of the rooms. These are the victims which the ants have captured and have

carried to the nest for food. There may be beetles and bugs of every kind ; when

the mango is in bloom we will find many lady birds, a few of them occasionally

still alive, but the majority quite dead. At this season too there will be tiny

hymenoptera and probably a number of fragile flies, for such is the harvest

gathered by the ants from the insects that visit the mango when in flower.

Bees and moths are also taken in. Ants of other species are most usual in

366 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

the cemetery, even the massive soldiers of the ponderous black ant, or more

often the powerful Myrmecocytus which seems to be one of their most particular

prey. Lastly there may be a number of their own dead workers, some of which

have probably been dragged in from the exterior, while others are their

comrades who have died inside,

The subsidiary chambers that serve the purpose of a byre are much less popula-

ted than the main nest. There are always workers in the interior and a variable

collection of cattle on the leaves. There is the same miscellaneous accumula-

tion of insects, for the ants will take their captures to either the nests or the

byres. Since the byre is not a chamber for the propagation of the ants there

as never any mass of larvee inside. But one or two are usually founc in the cavity.

It is not their natural and established habitation ; they are visitors retained for

their architectural powers, the nature of which I will later describe. Some

times a few of the well-formed pups may also be taken to the byres. They may

be found there in an advanced concition of growth when the limbs and antenn:e

are perfect and distinct and long after that particular period in their lives when

they could be of architectural value to the ants. The leafy prison may occa-

sionally be invaded by one of the sexual forms, but this seems to be merely a

kind of casual visit from one which has come down from the main nest.

If necessity demands, a byre may be so used as to fulfil the purpose of a nest.

Such improvisation must be required only under special conditions as in so

unusual an occurrence as this. I removed a nest from its attachments to the

tree. By the next day the leaves had become withered and the ants were very

dissatisfied with their home. They moved away to a neighbouring branch ;

there they turned down a single leaf so as to fashion the simplest of byres, and

into this they transported their belongings which thus served them as a kind

of temporary nest.

I pass now to discuss their most interesting feature, the manner in which

the workers bend these leaves and unite the margins with silk. First we must

notice that the leaves of the mango lend themselves to the purpose of the ants.

The leaves are long and are so attached by their bases as to grow in a circle

round a central stem. Moreover they also tend to droop and their tips are in-

clined to turn in. This results in a radiating cluster of narrow infolded leaves,

and such a tuft-like formation is of service to the ants, for when the edges of

the leaves are drawn together they will naturally enclose a central space. The

ants, having selected the special cluster which they intend to shape into a nest,

set about drawing the edges together in a remarkably ingenious way. Let us

consider first the simplest condition, where the margins of two adjoining leaves

lie only a little distance apart. The workers stretch their bodies across the nar-

row gap. The margin of one leaf they grip with their mandibles, the margin of

the other with the tips of their hind legs, and thus they begin by connecting the

margins with a number of living links. Now they commence to pull so as to

cause the approximation of the leaves. They all lie side by side, all parallel

one with the other, like so many disciplined and well-ordered men that apply

their efforts to a common task. In this way they range themselves across the

narrow gap. They do not haul irregularly, nor is there anything casual or in-

termittent in their efforts ; they are far too economical to waste their strength

or use it in a haphazard way. Like sailors, when they man the yard of a ship,

so also do the ants lay themselves across and haul in an even line. The row of

mandibles seize hold of one edge, the combined legs take a grip on the opposite

edge, and slowly, by the exertion of a steady strain, they brace together the

margins of the cleft. As the edges come closer and closer to one another the

bodies of the ants become too long for the gap. As a consequence they adjust

the position of their legs ; they take a series of purchases further and further

back and each time strain in a little more. At last they haul in to the full

extent and the fissure is completely closed.

THE RED ANT. 367

The particularly elongated structure of the ant naturally facilitates this pecu-

liar task. A worker, when stretched to the full extent, measures from its jaws

to the tips of its hind legs a distance of nine-sixteenths of an inch. Leaves

which are further apart than this cannot, therefore, be drawn together without

the employment of some additional aid. The workers cannot stretch across the

gap and, asa consequence, they adopt the following method in order to increase

the length of their reach. Two workers link themselves together by one taking

hold of the other by the waist. In this way they almost double their original

length and are able to span the gap. Often the interval is of a varying width,

being narrow in one place and broader in another; the ants will then adjust

themselves accordingly so that single workers strain where the fissure is narrow

and linked individuals where it happens to be broad. Should the distance

require a still greater stretch, then three, or even four, of them may join together

in order to approximate the furthest leaves. It is thus by the exertion of a

steady strain that the ants draw together the margins of the leaves, but they

could never effect such wonderful results Cid they not all combine their individual

efforts so as to act as one common team. And if theleaves are beyond their

reach, then they have at hand an excellent resource; they join themselves toe

gether into a living chain by which they can extend to the most distant parts.

Separate groups of workers may at thesame time be employed at different

parts of the nest. And the leaves, while in the process of being braced together,

are often drawn round so as to envelop other leaves, and these latter will then act

as a series of walls which divide the chamber into subsidiary cells.

So much for the drawing together of the margins. I now come to the method

by which the workers unite the edges with silk. While the leaves are being held

in close apposition and the workers are still in their position ofstrain, an ant

appears with a larva in its jaws which it intends to employ for the generation

of the silk. A most remarkable operation now takes place, though it is very

similar to what 1 have described in the case of the Polyrhachis which constructs

another type of byre. The worker holds the larva by the back about one quar-

ter of its length from the anterior end. The head of the larva thus projects

in front while the rest of its body is tucked away beneath the worker’s chest.

The larva is then lifted from side to side, and is gently applied to the edges of

the leaves along the line where their margins touch. Its movements are per-

fectly regular and precise, they are almost mechanical in their even rhythm.

It is an oscillating motion like that of a pendulum ; the swings bringing the

larva to opposite sides of the junction, and whenever it is made to touch the edge

of a leaf it anchors a filament of silk. This remarkable spinster seems to under-

stand what is required; it never neglects to affix its filament, nor does it expend

its efforts in needless contortions when it is not thus wonderfully employed. It

even seems to co-operate with the wishes of the worker, for at every touch there

is a bending of its head, a voluntary effort on its own behalf to emit the slender

thread.

The threads are thus spread from side to side, and the leaves are joined by

this extraordinary process, the ants making use of their own young to generate

the connecting lines. The threads are composed of the most delicate of fila-

ments, being quite invisible to ordinary observation without the aid of a

powerful lens. But as the threads increase in number by the leava superimposing

layer upon layer, a pearly skein of silk becomes apparent which binds together

the edges of the leaves. This type of workmanship is tedious and slow, and it

needs many larve to produce sufficient silk. The application is made both

from within and without. At one time we see the larva manipulated from the

interior, then it is transferred to the outside and made to operate in a similar

way. Thus are the leaves more firmly united since the line of junction is secured

on opposite sides. And all the time that this operation is in progress the workers

are maintaining their strain onthe leaves. They dare not let go in the early

368 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

stages ; if they did so, then the leaves would spring asunder and tear apart the

slender threads. The workers must retain their unremitting tension until the

larve have manufactured a sufticiency of silk to keep the edges of the leaves

in place.

It is truly a remarkable and fascinating sight, and an excellent example of

united effort directed to a common end. There is first the line of workers that

throw themselves across the gap and close it with a uniform strain; there

is second the supporter of the living burden adjusting and controlling the flexible

loom ; there is lastly the larva, an unconscious seamstress which supplies the

machinery for the manufacture of the threads. There can be no more ingenious

mode of architecture nor any finer example of the division of labour in all the

many and varied operations of ants.

The ants employ a similar mechanism when they wish to repair a damaged

nest. Thus it is easy to arrange for the inspection of their operations. It is

only necessary to tear apart two adjoining leaves and wait for the workers to

restore the breach. After the first mad burst of excitement has subsided,

they will range themselves across the artificial rent ; one or more larve will be

brought to the scene, and the operation continued as above described. Even

if a jagged and irregular breach is made by a piece being cut out of the leafy

wall, this too will be taken in hand until it is satisfactorily secured. But in

this case it is a more tedious and difficult procedure and results in a more

lavish expenditure of silk. For this is not a matter of just connecting edges

which have been accurately drawn into place. Thereis a permanent loss of leafy

tissue and the ants have to replace the deficiency in material by spreading out a

sheet of silk. Consequently they can no longer apply the larva in the same

even rhythmical way. They anchor the filaments at irregular points, yet so

carefully adjusting them in accordance with requirements that in the end they

construct a uniform sheet.

Let us glance for a moment at this wonderful seamstress. In appearance it

is like a small segmented maggot, white and fleshy, and about one-eighth of an

inchin length. Itis of anarrow elongated conical shape with its mouth situated

at the pointed end from where the filaments of silk escape. The other extremity

is blunt and rounded, and the entrails can be seen as a dark patch visible through

the transparent skin. When extracted from its worker, it rests absolutely

motionless ; its pointed extremity is gently hooked, but it makes no effort

to emit the silk. Though active enough in its workers’ jaws, yet when taken

away and placed by itself it is as inert as a dead thing. But its silk-producing

mechanism lies latent in it waiting for the gentle pressure of the jaws to set

the machinery at work.

The jaws of the ant are well adapted to sustain it ; their dentated edges grip

it on either side and their terminal sickles, turned in below, serve to support it

underneath. They cling to their burden with an unrelenting vigour ; nothing

will loosen the hold. I sever the worker’s body in half, but still the jaws remain

fixed around the burden and the front half of the ant tries to carry it along.

The worker is particularly careful of its charge. I disturb the nest while opera-

tions are in progress; the main body emerges in an angry swarm, but the

worker employed with the silk-producing larva hurries away to the safety of the

nest. The ants may battle with whatever arrives; the larvee must be kept

secure. I removed the larva from its operating worker and placed it again on

the nest. A second worker immediately seized it, but made no attempt to use

it for the generation of silk. A third then took it over from the second, and,

without any endeavour to make it spin, carried it to the interior of the nest. I

repeated the experiment with a somewhat similar result. Thus I conclude

that the duty of manipulating the larva is not one that any ant is ready to

perform, it is rather the single and particular business of the special worker

which has undertaken the task,

' recta

THE RED ANT. 369

The byres are constructed by a similar method to that employed in the

architecture of the nest. It is thus unnecessary to describe the usual type in

which the leaves are united side by side. But there is one example which

deserves more attention, namely the chamber which is fashioned out of a single

leaf. This mode of architecture puzzled me much. Though at first sight it

appeared extremely simple, being composed of just one single bend, yet I could

not understand by what particular mechanism the ants were able to so flex

the leaf as to draw down the apex until it touched the base. A leaf of the mango

is six or eight inches in length ; it is long and narrow and somewhat oval in

shape, being pointed at either end. Now the ants have to double this elongated

leaf, to bend it acutely across the middle so as to fold it into half its length.

From where do they obtain their points of purchase, for this seemed to be

quite a different operation from that of merely closing a gap.

But I found that the ants very easily performed what seemed to me a rather

difficult feat. They commenced operations at the apex of the leaf. One of the

workers, the most important individual] in this strange machinery, first proceeded

to the extreme tip. It grasped the point of the leaf in its jaws ; a second worker

then took hold of the first worker’s waist ; a third fastened itself to the second,

and so on until a chain was formed of half a dozen ants which extended from

the tip along the mid-rib of the leaf. Then they all began to pull together ; it

was a tug-of-war against the rigidity of the leaf, a struggle in which the worker

at the tip bore the full force of the strain. But soon the tip began to bend ;

this was the most flexible part of the leaf and it slowly gave way before the

efforts of the team. As it bent down, the line of workers retired along the leaf

so as to enable them to take a purchase further back and thus secure the fuil

benefit of the heave. But though a chain of workers could thus bend the tip,

it was insufficient to flex the main body of the leaf. It was necessary now to

supplement their efforts in order to advance the work. The necessary assistance

was ready at hand waiting for the opportunity to come into use. This opportunity

had now arrived, for, as soon as tip was slightly bent, a number of other

workers immediately advanced and grasped the margin on either side of the

tip Some pulled merely as individuals, others converted themselves into

living chains like the one which stretched down along the mid-rib of the leaf.

Thus although greater effort was demanded as the flexure increased, yet more

and more workers could come into action as the leaf continued to be turned

down. Jn this way the operation rapidly advanced, and the increasing num bers

coming in on either side soon overcame the resistance of the leaf. In fifteen

minutes they had completely bent the structure so that the two extremities

almost touched one another and the apex was in contact with the base. The

more familiar operation then immediately followed. The workers aligned

themselves along either side ; then, all together and in perfect order, they drew

the separated edges into place, and v2 y soon the larve arrived in order to

finally secure them with silk.

Thus are the ants prepared for all ordinary contingencies. Their simplest

plan is to draw leaves together, but if necessity requires they can bend one on

itself, and under circumstances more extreme, when no foliage is available, they

can fashion their chambers exclusively of silk.

The expenditure of silk in the architecture of these nests must often be very

great. This is specially so when the foliage is scanty. I recall one nest as large

as aman’s head which contained only the thinnest scattering of foliage and looked

like a huge white ball upon the tree. The stress of weather too increases their

expenditure by necessitating frequent acts ofrepair. The wind must occasionally

wreck their workmanship, for I have seen the leaves torn asunder as a conse-

quence of a heavy gale.

Let us look more minutely at the silken tissue before leaving the architecture

of these nests and byres. I examine the fabric on the microscopic stage, I

370 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vo.. XXIX.

see a vision of marvellous complexity, an infinitely delicate entanglement of

lines. Each separate thread is a slender filament, sharp and clear and exqui-

sitely fine. All are interlaced into a sinuous tangle; the threads are bent into

gentle curves, they touch one another, adhere to one another, they cross, they

intertwine and are all closely and neatly interwoven into a fabric of the finest

stuff. But it is the closeness of the texture and the multitude of the filaments

which most impress us in this silken layer. They make us realize the tireless

labour of the larve and give to the mind a more clear perception of the exquisite

precision and accuracy of the work.

The ants are naturally very attentive to an edifice which has cost them such

labour to build. A number of them always remains on the exterior ; these are

the guardians, prepared, if necessary, to make an immediate attack. Others,

which are entering or leaving the gateway, can also lend their aid. But the

main body remains in the interior and pours forth only when specially summoned

by those on duty outside.

I placed some sticks and pebbles on the wall of the nest,but the ants would

not permit of this intrusion ; they quickly took hold of these foreign materials

and immediately threw them to the ground. Similar objects which I

pushed into the interior were also ejected without delay. Even so nauseous

a substance as a nodule of camphor was seized by a pair of valiant workers and

with difficulty forced through the gate. In the same way they eject all useless

materials which result from the natural economy of the nest. For example, the

wings and the indigestible remnants of their captures are methodically thrown

out. Il placed a worker of the same species, though from another nest, on the

outside of one of these byres. In an instant it was seized ; one took it by the

head, a second by the tip of the abdomen, while the others gripped it all round

by the legs, and, though an insect of their own species, yet, being a

stranger, it was quickly put to death.

For some reason there is a considerable loss of life in the interior of many of

these nests. I have often found the remains of dead workers within, usually

a miscellaneous accumulation of their fragments collectec in some corner of the

wall. In one nest, which I kept suspended over water, I observed that a worker

frequently came forth carrying the remains of a comrade in its jaws. One would

have a leg, another an abdomen, a third a portion of the head and chest, and

these they would crop a little distance from the gateway so that they fell into the

water beneath. By evening the water was strewn with fragments, so that for

some reason a systematic destruction was occurring in the interior of the leafy

nest. It may possibly have been increased by the artificial conditions which

resulted from removing the nest from the tree. Nevertheless I have so frequent-

ly found dead workers in the interior that it would seem that, as these nests are

so rich in eggs displaying such profusion of generative power, so also is there

evidence of that strict mortality which this lavish procreation must necessarily

demand.

The care which the ants bestow on their habitations is best indicated by

their manner of defence. If we climb into the branches so as to approach the

nest we will meet a daring and most virulent attack. The foliage becomes sud-

denly alive with ants, a maddened swarm of ferocious workers pouring from the

leafy nest. The sentries on the exterior are the first to be aroused ; nothing can

approach without alarming them, and they call out the swarm from within.

First they erect themselves on their hind legs, their red bodies quivering with

anger, their forelegs shaking, their antenne trembling, they !ook the embodi-

ment of furious rage. Then they rush forward to make the attack while at the

same time the immense army pours out through the narrow gate. They race

along the branches that descend from the chamber and, with jaws wide open

and poison-glands in readiness, they fall on whoever has disturbed their peace.

With bodies erect they throw themselves on the intruder; they come rushing

THE RED ANT. 371

up his legs, climbing in on him from every side, dropping on him from the

overhanging foliage, and all the time spreading themselves more thickly about

him in a savage and augmentingswarm. Inaminute his bodyis alive with ants,

all seeking for his naked skin. Then they attack him with the fiercest determin-

ation ; they fix their mandibles where they can reach his flesh, penetrating

everywhere underneath his clothes in order to bring home the full force of the

assault. Wherever they insert their sickle shaped jaws, there they inject their

poison into the wound, until the eyes are blinded and the body smarts with the

venom of a thousand stings. It is the rapidity and the concentrated fury of

the attack which it is so impossible to resist. Moreover each ant is quite reck-

less in its violence ; it clings to the intruder with such a dogged persistency that

it will face death rather than separation and can be torn in pieces without releas-

ing its hold.

It is a still more amazing spectacle of fury when a nest is broken in half,

Thousands upon thousands of enraged ants then heap themselves into a fiery

mass. Their infuriated bodies all shake with rage ; they may link themselves

together in their angry tumult, and the air for a foot all round is pungent with

their acid fumes. This poison they shoot forth in the face of the intruder ;

it is an intense and caustic fluid, and blinding in its action if it enters the eves.

In the storm of their passion their movements may be audible as they move ex-

citedly over the broken nest. A continuous rustling noise is heard ; it is the

patter of thousands of tiny fect falling on the leafy wall.

Thus these ants are filled with the offensive spirit and combine in the most

reckless and determined manner in order to ensure the safety of their nests.

And above all they are invincible because of their self-sacrifice, each ant is ready

to fight to the death, utterly careless of its own safety provided it makes for the

advantage of the swarm. They certainly can defend their precious habita-

tions from enemies immensely more powerful than themselves. They need fear

nothing from reptiles and birds, and any sportsman who has invaded their trees

in search of a place in which to wait for game, will be the first to admit that even

the largest mammals cannot face the fury of their multitudinous assault. In-

deed these ants, by virtue of their self-sacrificing frenzy, hold sovereign rights

over their own tree.

The nature of their poison and its mode of emission deserve a few words of

note. It is a watery fluid, intensely acid, with a pungent odour, a bitter taste,

and burns when it penetrates the skin. These ants do not attack by means of a

sting in a manner like bees and wasps. Their plan of operation is far more prim-

itive, yet it serves their purpose well. They can shoot forth their poison by

muscular force, sending it for a distance of four inches at least in a sharp and

sudden jet. I have had it directed straight into both my eyes when looking

from a distance of five inches into a byre. And it was certainly a most effec-

tive bombardment for the ants; it resulted in a blinding and a smarting of

the eyes which compelled an immediate retreat.

But their more usual manner of employing their poison is after they have

secured their hold on the skin. As soon as a worker is thus firmly fixed it pro-

ceeds to acidulate the wound. It raises its abdomen, bends it forward over its

back until the point lies immediately above its head. Then, in this attitude,

it ejects its poison, shooting it as a jet from the tip of its abdomen and directing

it forward with such excellent precision that it falls immediately in front of the

head. From there it flows in between the jaws, percolating into the wounds

that they have made and thus entering the tissues of the skin.

There are other ants of the Camponotus group which similarly effect the intro-

duction of the poison through the wounds made by their jaws. But they con-

duct the operation in a somewhat different way. The Indian Biack ant, for

example, curls its abdomen under its chest and thus advances the tip until it

almost touches the wound. I have sometimes seen the red ant adopt this me-

372 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

tnod and bend its abdomen far underneath it before expelling the juice; but

such does not appear so efficient a mechanism, and it almost invariably adopts

the more remarkable process of shooting its venom over its head. The narrow

and constricted structure of the ant facilitates this peculiar act, and no doubt for

this purpose its abdomen is hinged tc its thorax by a particularly elongated waist.

Indeed this attitude of abdominal erection is a very characteristic one for the

ants to assume. They frequently do so when alarmed or enraged even though

not actually ejecting poison at the time. Such also is the attitude in which they

become fixed if they are allowed quietly to die. The abdomen remains elevated

rigidly at right angles. This seems to be the natural position of adjustment when

all vital strain is removed, and thus the attitude of battle so furiously fought is

preserved in the posture of death.

I think that the poison is sometimes peacefully ejected so as to accumulate

in the interior of the byres. I have found large drops of it attached to the walls

which suggests that the ants possess an abundant supply. There is not only

sufficient for the purpose of defence, but there is also an excess of the poison-

ous fluid which the workers for some reason, perhaps merely as waste, habit-

ually excrete into their byres.

I will conclude this account of the red ant’s nest by comparing it with that of

another species which also builds habitations of silk. The Polyrhachis simplex*

constructs nests and byres, placing them on the trees as does the red ant and

employing their larve in a similar manner for the generation of the silken lines.

But there are certain characteristic points of difference in the architectural

activities of the two ants. The red ant permanently nests upon the trees ; the

Polyrhachis constructs its main formicary in the ground and uses the branches

for the location of its byres ; it is only when the soil becomes saturated with

moisture that the whole of the community seeks refuge in the trees. The red

ant gathers in the surrounding leaves which it shapes into the walls of its nest ;

the Polyrhachis carries up extraneous materials, twigs and seeds and anything

convenient, which it uses as bricks to build into the wall. The nest of the red

ant is a green pendulous structure, bulky and capacious, and of a globular shape ;

that of the Polyrhachis is usually wrapped around a stem, looks like a collection

of withered fragments, and is often in the shape of a narrow eloagated tube.

There is a special point of difference with respect to the silk. The red ant

employs it as a connecting medium with which to secure the edges of the leaves ;

the Polyrhachis inter-weaves it amongst the bncks of the structure and also

extends it as an even layer that lines the whole of the interior of the nest.

(To be continued.)

* The operations of the Polyrhachis are fully discussed in “ A Naturalist

in Hindustan.”

373

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY.

No. XLII.

THE DISTRIBUTION AND GEOGRAPHICAL RACES

OF THE GULANDI BUSH RATS. (GOLUNDA ELLIOTI),

By OLpFIELD THomas, F. R. S.,

(By permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.)

During the course of the Mammal Survey a very consic erable number of

specimens of the Gulandi have been obtained from all parts of its comparatively

wide range, so that in making a study of its local distribution and the geogra-

phical races into which it has been modified, I have‘had for consideration some-

thing over 180 specimens, from about a score of selected localities. We have

thus got a very fair idea of its range and modifications, and may make an

attempt to ciassify and record them. There is however one flaw in the com-

position of the series, a flaw very usual in the Survey collections, and inc eed

inherent in the means by which it has been brought together. No single locality

is represented by specimens of two or more seasons, the Society’s collectors

not returning to a locality after a first collection has been made there. In conse-

quence we are largely ignorant of the seasonal changes of the various animals,

and I would urge members of the Society who may have the opportunity, to

help us by obtaining specimens in any locality they may be living in at several

seasons of the year, so that we may learn something of the seasonal changes.

This request applies to all Mammals, not only to Golunda, and if complied with,

would greatly help work on the Survey collections.

It would appear certain that all the forms now dealt with should be considered

as belonging to a single species, for they all appear to intergrade, and no tangible

or permanent skull differences are observable. The skulls, it is true, show a

considerable range of variation both in general size and _ in the size of the bullae,

but these variations appear commonly to be independent of locality, and the

only character that I can find to classify the races is coloration, in which, as

might be expected among animals inhabiting so large and diversified an area,

there is a very considerabie degree of difterence.

The whole range of G. elliott covers almost precisely the area which used to

be known as ‘‘ Hither India,” extending from the North-West Frontier at

Kohat southward to Madura and Ceylon, and eastward to the Bhotan Duars.

No specimens however have as yet been recorded along the eastern coast dis-

tricts of the peninsula from Madras to Calcutta; but this is the least surveyed

part of India proper, and they may still prove to occur there.

The following would seem to be the recognisable races of Golunda, commencing

in the far north-west, but it must be premised that owing to the absence of

cranial characters, and the variation that occurs in each series, it is not possible

to diagnose the forms with such exactness that they can be always

recognised, and the descriptions must be used in conjunction with the localities,

and with due allowance for the colour variations.

1. Golunda elliots limitaris, subsp. n.

Nearly uniformly grey, as in the subspecies watsoni, the hinder back very

slightly more buffy. Hairs, however, longer and much softer than in watson,

with practically no broadened spinous hairs intermixed. Undersurface well

covered with soft hairs, which are slaty proximally, white terminally. Orbital

rings, nasal spot, and yellow spot at base of ear scarcely perceptible. Feet.

butfy whitish, the metatarsals browner.

Habitat.—Kohat, N. W. Frontier. Altitude 2,200

Type:—Adult male. B.M.No.6. 10. 11. 3, ee number 21,

374 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X,

Collected 25th February 1906 and presented by Capt. C. H. T. Whitehead.

One specimen.

Evidently most nearly related to watsoni, but distinguished by its much

softer fur.

2. Golunda ellioti watsoni, Blanf.

paeiys watsoni, Blanf. P. As. Soc., Bengal, 1876, p. 181.

Golunda ellioti, id., J. A. S: B., Sv. pe, Llp. 165, 1876.

Fur coarse and harsh, with many spinous hairs mixed with it. In colow

like limitaris, nearly uniformly grey, or, rarely, with a slight buffy suffusion on

the hinder back. Distinct buffy eye-rings, a buffy spot on each side of the

nose, and another at the base of the ear. Feet buffy whitish.

Habitat.—Lower Sind and its Western borders. Specimens seen from the

Khirthar Range (type), Habb Valley, Sukkur, Khairpur and Larkhana.

Type in British Museum. In spirit; B. M. No. 91. 11. 1. 4.

Collected by Mr. H. E. Watson, and presented by Dr. W. T. Blanford.

3. Golunda elliott guijerati, subsp. n.

Fur stiff and harsh, with many spinous hairs. General colour about the palest

of the genus, the fore back pale buffy, the hinder back ochraceous buff. Under

surface buffy white, generally, but not always, with some slaty at the base

of the hairs. Ochraceous-buffy nose-patches, eye-rings and basal ear-spots

all well marked. Hands and feet pale buffy.

Skull, on the eyena ee, with the supraorbital ridges more heavily developed

than usual.

Dimensions of the type, measured in flesh :—

Head and body 128 mm.; tail 107; hindfoot 24; ear 15.

Condylo-basal length of skull 29°5.

Habitat.—Southern Rajputana, Gujerat, Cutch and Kathiawar.

Specimens seen from Mt. Abu, Rajputana, 4,300’; Palanpur, 150’ (type),

and Danta, Gujerat ; Charwar, Cutch ; Dhrangadhra and Bajana, Kathiawar.

Type:—Adult male. B.M. No. 13. 9. 18. 43. Original number 2943.

Collected 9th April 1913 by C. A. Crump for the Mammal Survey. Fifteen

specimens.

The palest form of the genus, as is not unnatural from the climatic condi-

tions. Buffier and not so grey as in watsoni. The complete identity of the

specimens from high up on Mt. Abu, with those of the lowlands of Gujerat and

Kathiawar is very noticeable.

4. Golunda elliott paupera, subsp. n.

Size less than in other races, the hind foot 21-22 mm. as compared with 23-25

in most of the subspecies. Tail shorter—less than 100 mm. in length. Generai

colour about as in gwjerati, or a little more greyish and less pallid. Undersurface

muddy coloured, mixed slaty and buffy, less whitish than in guwjerati. Nose

spots and eye rings present, but no buffy spots perceptible at base of ears. Hands

and feet buffy.

Dimensions of the type, measured in flesh :—

Head and body 123mm.; tail 95 ; hindfoot 21; ear 15.

Skull broken, but another specimen is 15 mm. from the front of the incisors

to the back of m. 3.

Habitat.—Ambala, Punjab. Extent of range not known. Type from Handi-

sera, near Ambala. 500’.

Type:—Old male. B. M. No. 9. 4. 6. 20. Original number 271. Collected

18th February 1909 and presented by Col. H. N. Dunn, R.A.M.C. Four

specimens examined.

Apparently most nearly allied to G. e. gujerati, but distinguished by small —

size and comparatively short tail.

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 375

5. Golunda ellioti ellioti, Gray.

Golunda elliot1, Gray, Charles. Mag. N. H., I., p. 586, 1837.

Mus golundi, Ell., Madr. Journ., X., p. 208, 1829.

Mus hirsutus, Ell. t. c. p. 213, 1829.

By far the most widely spread subspecies, and as a consequence with a greater

range in colour. In general it is of a greyish olive, darker than in the previous

subspecies, lighter than in those that follow. The hinder back decidedly more

ochraceous or tawny. Undersurface heavily mixed with slaty. Nose-patches,

eye-rings and basal spots to ear generally distinct.

Size medium ; the type (lectotype) has an unusually small skull, but a paratype

isasusual. Type 27mm. in condylo-incisive length, paratype 29 mm.

Habitat.—Central area of India, from Gwalior southwards through Khandesh

to Dharwar and Mysore, and eastwards to Paresnath, Behar. Specimens seen

from Gwalior, Saugor, Paresnath, Hoshangabad, Balaghat, Khandesh, Nimar,

Berar, Dharwar and Mysore. Examples from Poona and Satara are rather

doubtful, and I am not sure about their relationship to the next subspecies.

- Type:—(Lectotype). B.M. No. 38a. Presented by Sir W. Elliot.

6. Golunda elliott bombax, subsp. n.

A dark, strongly coloured, hot country race of G. elliott.

Size rather below the medium. Fur not very spinous. General colour

strong heavily lined greyish bufty, becoming more or less tawny on the hinder

back. Undersurface buffy or whitish, rather strongly contrasted with the

sides, the chest washed with buffy ochraceous. Nose-patches, eye-rings and

ear spots ochraceous. Hands and feet rather buffy.

Dimensions of the type, measured in flesh :—

Head and body 116 mm.; tail 97; hind-foot 24; ear 15.

Skull, condylo-incisive length 29.

Hatbitat—-Coast region near Bombay. Type from Andheri, Salsette

Island, off Bombay. Other specimens from Ratnagiri, Konkan (W. Lord).

Type :—-Adult female. B. M. No. 12.9. 17. 2. Collected by N. B. Kinnear,

21st January 1909, and presented by the Bombay Natural History Society.

Four specimens.

Found along the sea-coast near Bombay. A single Gulandi from Helwak,

Satara, is also very like it, and it is possible that a form like this extends over

nearly the whole of S. India, as an example from Madura, in rather bleached

pelage, is also somewhat similar. But further South Indian material is needed

before this question can be settled.

In Coorg, however, there is a large dark local race, as happens with other

Coorg animals.

7. Golunda elliott coraginis, subsp. n.

_ Size comparatively large. Colour very similar to that of bombax, but duller

brown, the hinder back less tawny. Undersurface more muddy-coloured, with

less prominent buffy ends to the hairs, and not so contrasted with the colour of the

flanks. Nose patches, eye rings and ear spots dull ochraceous, not conspi-

cuous. Hands and feet ochraceous.

Dimensions of the type, measured in flesh :—

Head and body 137 mm.; tail 112 ; hind foot 26; ear 16°5. Condylo-basal

length of skull 30.

Habitat.—South Coorg. Type from Wotekolli, 2,000’. Another from Virajpet,

3,000’.

Type:—Adult male. B. M. No. 13. 8. 22. 66. Original number 2246. Col-

lected 3rd January 1913 by G. C. Shortridge. Presented by the Bombay

Natural History Society. |

Distinguished from bombax by its larger size, darker colour, and less con-

trasted undersurface.

336 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST SOCIETY, Vol, XX1X.

8 and 9. Golunda ellioti coffea, Kel. and newera, Kel.

Musc offeus and Golunda newera, Kelaart, Prodr. Faun. Ceyl., p. 67, 1852.

These two Cinghalese forms are probably subspecifically recognisable, but

without further material I cannot define their characters and distribution. A spe-

cimen from Paradenia, 1,640’, is referred to coffea, and examples from Pattipola,

6,000’, and Ambavela, 5,000’, both in the Central Provinces, to newera. The

type of coffeais B. M. No. 52.5.9. 30 presented by Dr. Kelaart. That of

newera has disappeared.

Returning again to N. India, we have along the Himale san chain a race of

Golandis for which the name myothriz, Hodgson, should apparently be used.

The type is an imperfect skin “‘got at Kahulia Powa, 6,700’, in the Central region

of Nepal,’ and unfortunately no other Nepalese specimens are available. But

among the considerable series from Kangra are several obtained in October

which nearly resemble it, and, a similar animal occurring in Kumaon, there can

be little doubt that this is the real G. e. myothrix. It may be briefly diagnosed

as follows :—

10. Golunda ellioti myothrix, Hodgs.

Mus myothrix, Hodgs., Ann. Mag. N. H., xv, p. 267, 1845.

Size medium. Fur comparatively long and soft, with very few spines inter-

mixed. Colour in summer varying from greyish to buffy, with the hinder back

more or less tawny, undersurface washed with buffy. Nose spots, eye-rings

and ear spots ochraceous. Hands and feet buffy. In winter the whole animal is

greyer, with less difference between fore and hinder back. Hands and feet

whitish.

Hatbitat.— Himalayan chain from Kangra, N. E. Punjab, through Kumaon to

Nepal at altitudes from 2,000’ to 6,700.‘ Type from Kahulia Powa, Nepal.

Type:—45.1.8.375. Presented by B. H. Hodgson, Esq. About 40 specimens

examined.

Finally in the southern part of Bhutan there occurs a race nearly allied to

myothrix, but distinguished by its duller colour and shorter pelage.

11. Golunda ellioti cenosa, subsp. n.

Size about as in myothrix. Pelage decidedly shorter and crisper. Colour

showing less seasonal change, a dull greyish brown with comparatively fine

ticking. Summer specimens little more buffy than winter, and all tending to be

of duller hue than the corresponding forms of myothriz. Undersurface muddy

whitish, with but little buffy suffusion. Nose spots, eye-rings and ear spots

scarcely perceptible. Hands and feet brownish white.

Dimensions of the type, measured in flesh :—

Head and body 116 mm.; tail 102 ; hindfoot 26; ear 17. Skull, condylo-

incisive length 30.

Habitat.—Bhutan Duars—type from Hasimara, 300’; others from Bharna-

bhari 600’. One also from Angarakhata, N. Kamrup, 300’.

Type:—Adult male. B.M. No. 16.7.29.75. Original number 1310. Col-

lected 21 Dec. 1915 by N. A. Baptista. Presented by the Bombay Natural

History Society. Ten specimens examined.

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY

No. 43.

ON SOME SQUIRRELS FROM THE MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO.

By OLpFIELD Tuomas, F. B.S.

(By permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.)

Mr. Primrose, during his exploration of the Mergui Archipelago, obtained | a

number of Squirrels belonging to the Callosciurus epomophorus group, and ot

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 377

these I described, in a previous number of the Journal, the form inhabiting Tavoy

Island.

He has now sent examples from King’s Island, Kissaraing, Sir John Malcolm’s

Island, Sullivan’s Island and Hastings Island, and these I have attempted to

determine. In doing this I have had the immense advantage of the loan of a

number of paratypes of the forms described from the same Archipelago by

Mr. Gerrit Miller, to whose kindness I am indebted for the loan.

It is exceedingly difficult to come to any satisfactory conclusions, as in most

cases the difterences are at the best only average ones of slight shades of colour

not absolutely constant on the respectiveislands, and stillless so on the mainland.

For the time being, therefore, [ am compelled to content myself with determin-

ing the specimens sent from the above-mentioned islands, and to leave a general

revision of the subject to future workers.

All the forms of the different islands are slightly modified races of the con-

tinental squirrel to which has been applied the name of Callosciturus epomopho-

rus davisont, with type locality Southern Tenasserim.

To this continental form, davisoni, I should refer the specimens from King’s

Island, while those from Kissaraing and Sir John Malcolm’s Island seem not to

be separable from domelicus, Miller, from Domel Island, just to seaward of

Kissaraing. Then the series from Sullivan’s Island is of course topotypical of

sullivanus, Miller. and our specimens are absolutely like the paratypes sent. Of

the peculiar small grey animal inhabiting High Island (altinsularis) we have no

examples, but on the other hand the series from Hastings Island, an islet in

the angle between St. Luke’s and St. Matthew’s Islands, is distinct both from

lucas and matthcus, and seems to represent a new form, which may be called :-—

Callosciurus epomophorus hastilis, subsp. n.

General colour above nearly uniform finely grizzled greyish olive, without any

warmer tinge across the shoulders. Neck patches present, but not conspicuous.

Lateral rufous bands fairly developed, becoming stronger on the groins, and

continuous with a more rufous colour of the underside of the base of the tail

than usual.

Dimensions of the type :—

Head and body, 235 mm. ; tail 197 ; hindfoot 47 ; ear 21.

Skull, greatest length 56°3; condylo-incisive length 51. Upper tooth-

series exclusive of p. 310.

Habitat.—Hastings Island, Mergui Archipelago.

Type:—Adult male. B. M. No. 23°4°10°6. Original number 525, Collected

14th March 1922 by C. Primrose, and presented by the Bombay Natural

History Society.

This Hastings Island Squirrel differs, on the average, by its more uniformly

greyish coloration from all the other forms in the Archipelago, with the excep-

tion of altinsularis, which is even more strongly grey.

In referring the various Mergui Squirrels (notably bentincanus, domelicus,

sullivanus, lucas and mattheus) to the different forms described, I would not be

taken as endorsing their validity as subspecies, for it appears to me that their

variability and degree of intergradation are sufficiently great to render it some-

what doubtful how far they are likely to be recognised by future writers, when the

subject is revised with sti]l more material. And I certainly should not dignity

any of them by the use of binomial names.

None the less Mr. Primrose’s series, formed with great pains and skill, is of

very great value as forming material that will be permanently available both in

Bombay and London for a future study of this puzzling group.

378

A JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK.

Masor C. H. Stockxity, D.S.O.

PART II.

(With 2 plates.)

(Continued from page 178 of this volume.)

I stayed a couple of nights at Ta’ok, and the first night had a sad misfortune.

I developed three rolls of my Ta’ok Plateau photographs ; and, attaching them

to clips which I tied to a low branch, left them in the stream to wash. Ireturned

an hour later just in time to see a large log float down and carry away the whole

lot. It was dark and the water three or four feet deep, so I only, had to resign

myself to the loss.

In the morning I had a look round for game, and shot a couple of jungle fowl.

There seemed to be a large proportion of cocks to hens, and one smail flock was

made up of three cocks and two hens. On the way back I shot a Berdmore’s

Squirrel (Menetes berdmoret) for the specimen box. I saw no four-footed game

at all.

We started off next morning down the valley, passing the junction of the

Ta’ok and Megla streams after about two miles, and after fording the Ta’ok

twice. The volume of the two streams seemed about equal, but ‘‘ Megla”

supersedes ‘‘ Ta’ok’”’ as the name of the river from that point until it joins the

Gorli eight miles lower down, and the two become the Thaungyin.

The valley, for about five miles, was narrow, with rocky, forest-covered hills

on either side, and occasional cliffs forced us to ford five times in the next four

miles, and we actually forded the river ten times in the course of the morning.

The water was waist-deep in places and the current swift, while the bottom was

rough and stony, so I had severalinvoluntary baths before we reached the more

open main valley of the Thaungyin and turned from East to North across three

miles of flat and undulating country which brought us to Miba, a village on the

Thaungyin. There had been little animal life on the march, a gyi and several

Berdmore’s squirrels being the only mammalia seen, though gibbons (Hylobates

lar) were heard whooping frequently ; and my bearer, Nawash Ali, revealed the

fact that he had up to then thought that the noise was made by tigers. Ospreys

were screaming peevishly from half a dozen nesting sites in the tallest trees, a

few White-breasted Kingfishers furnished a brilliant spot of colour as they flashed

over the water, and an occasional jungle fowl made a dash for the undergrowth

but there was no sign of the riot of small birds which was so conspicuous a feature

of the forest on the west side of the hills. Small fish were plentiful in the river

and we passed a Burman and his son who carried over a hundred, up to half a

pound, strung on a withy. The absence of side-streams probably accounted for

the comparative want of animal life, as the river flowed mainly between two

parallel ridges 400 to 600’ high, and the jungle clothing their sides was

mostly dry and harsh.

About a mile out of Miba, I was surprised to come on a ridge covered with

pines (Pinus merkusit), there being about 150 well grown trees.

Miba lies on the bank of the Thaungyin, and there was a forest hut there built

on a cliff above the river looking across at the first Siamese village I had seen,

by name Thubaw. The Thaungyin forms the frontier between the two

countries for the greater part of its length. Thubaw has about a dozen bam-

boo houses, while Miba seemed little bigger.

In the forest hut I found G, a young employee of a big timber firm, and their

charge @affaires in that region. He was most helpful in getting me supplies

8 - —

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc

GR Aga =

Phe ut t hshi ia

CROSSING THE SIAM BURMA FRONTIER.

Fording the Thaungyin River.

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

LOOKING ACROSS THE THAUNGYIN RIVER A

VILLAGE.

THE MELA MOUNG STREAM 5 MILES ABOVE MIBA.

JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK. 379

and arranged for us to beat next morning for sambhar, or anything else that might

turn up. In the evening I went down to the Thaungyin and fished for a couple

of hours without getting a run, although the water looked most promising.

We got off about 7-30 a.m. with some thirty beaters, and accompanied by a

Karen contractor of G’s, who was armed with an ancient single barrelled gun.

We first tried a couple of beats in the foothills, but the only result was a Silver

Pheasant hen, which I missed most disgracefully. Then we moved down to

the flat ground near the Thaungyin and about three miles above Miba. This

looked much more promising to me, and I took up my position, Kunjanaw with

me, on the brow of a twenty foot rise, which commanded a flat-bottomed depres-

sion in which the thick jungle which mostly filled it gave way to clumps of bamboo

just opposite my post. G was a couple of hundred yards away on my

right, while the Karen contractor was stationed opposite me on the far side of

the depression. .

I heard the beat begin, and very shortly afterwards the sound of animals

approaching G. Then he fired and a series of crashes announced that the sam bhar

(as they turned out to be) were coming towards me. Then several more shots

from G, two of which nearly bagged Kunjanaw and myself,so we took cover and

let the sambhar go by.

Then I heard something coming along the bottom of the depression, and out

of some thick scrub burst a black animal travelling at a fast gallop through the

bamboos. At first I thought it was a large pig, as he was travelling at such a

pace and the action was much easier than the usual ungainly gait of a bear ;

then, I realised that it was a rather unusual looking bear and, waiting until

he crossed between two clumps of bamboo, let drive at him and was answered

by a deep ‘“‘ woof; asecond shot, as he raced into the thick stuff to my left, met

with no response.

The beat finished, G came to me and said that a sambhar stag and four

hinds had come right up within ten yards of him, and that he had knocked the

stag over, (probably clipped him across the spine) but the stag had got up again

and made off pursued by bullets, which had effectually sent Kunjanaw and

myself to cover. There was absolutely no trace of blood from the stag, so we

went to examine the result of my efforts.

There was a fair amount of blood from the first shot, but the second had hit

a sapling and appeared to have missed (I later on found pieces of the nickle

casing in the bear’s lip). Following up the trail for about mile the blood gave out

but it was evident that he was hit severely, low down in the chest, and would lie

up close by in the thickest cover he could find on or near the river bank. Accord-

ingly I told the beaters to wait where they were for twenty minutes while we

went on and took up our positions, and then to beat along towards us.

The ground, about 200 yards from and parallel to the river rose suddenly about

80 feet to the upper levels, the flat ground on the river bank and the steeprise

being thickly covered with forest and undergrowth. It was almost certain that

the bear would try to pass along the base of the rise under cover of the thick

stuff so I put Gthere, and myself stood thirty yards on his left and nearer the

river. The beat had been started some five minutes, and I was watching a

beautiful Chinese Barbet, which had settled on a bamboo just above me, when I

heard the bear coming cautiously straight towards G. Having arrived within

ten yards of him it stopped—evidently listening. Then G shifted his feet in

the dead leaves. I heard the bear making off up the rise beyond him, a stick

cracked a hundred yards up the hillside, and silence.

I was annoyed. There was no trace of blood and so no chance of tracking in

that thick dry jungle, and there was nothing for it but to go home.

We were walking along, the beaters in a straggling line talking and singing

about two hundred yards behind us, when I saw a couple of butterflies (Danaids)

which I wanted, and wag taking them out of the net, when suddenly the Karen

380 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. X XIX.

contractor yelled “‘ Pig,’ and pointed to the slope above me. I saw something

black moving through the bushes, and running forward with the rifle, saw the

bear not twenty yards away, and put a bullet into him behind the ribs and

raking forward. He carried on for a few yards and the Karen fired, hitting him

high up in the top of the shoulder, while G fired and missed but nearly took off

the top of the Karen’s head. The bear had however rolled down against a fallen

tree and was quite dead. We carried him down on to the flat ground below,

and he proved most interesting. He was an old male, 4’-53’" long in

a straight line, and extraordinarily lanky for his tribe, although obviously

in excellent condition. He had a fine ruff, his coat being coarser and his snout

being a little longer than the average Himalayan Black Bear (Selenarctos

thibetanus). His length of leg was remarkable, and all these points were accen-

tuated still further in a second specimen which I obtained later on in Siam. He

had been hit low in the chest with my first shot, the bone being smashed and a

big hole made, which had just missed the main blood vessels: it was a wonder

he had got so far.

We took him back to the hut, where I photographed and skinned him, and

was quite glad of an easy by the time I had done the job and treated the skin

with arsenical soap.

I found throughout the trip that four specimens of birds or mammals was

all I could manage in a day, as after getting into camp I always had my

butterflies, maps and diaries to complete as well. A trained skinner would

have been invaluable and if there had been one with me I could have brought

back five or six times the number of specimens.

I filled my specimens of birds and small mammals with jungle cotton from the

““kapok”’ tree. This “‘ kapok’’ cotton has the property of refusing to absorb

moisture ; so much so that waist-coats padded with it were used during the

war for life-preserving purposes at sea. The tree is very common in Lower

Burma and Siam growing to a height of 100 feet with a rather smooth, light

coloured trunk and no branches on its lower third. The gatherers of the cot-

ton drive bamboo spikes into the trunk as a ladder and seem to take great

risks out on the slender branches. Often we found a tree in the jungle whose

crop had been untouched and which lay thick on the ground, so that we only

had to collect it in a sack.

We left Miba on the morning of the 12th February, and after an easy five

miles along the flat by the river, we had to climb a high spur, which here forces

the Thaungyin to bend to the Eastward. Then “‘contour chase” for a mile

around its crest, and finally drop down to a narrow valley in which was the

Kyauket hut. The spur was a stift climb, and the narrow path was much over-

hung with ‘“‘ dhi-za’”’ weed, that pest of Burma. It grows to a height of 8 feet,

usually in artificial clearings such as abandoned “‘taungya’”’ cultivation, and

it bears a fluffy seed which enters every crevice of the clothes and body. It

is extremely dense and wiry; altogether an abominable vegetable. Near

the crest of the ridge I shot a fine specimen of the Golden-backed Squirrel

(Callosciurus caniceps), and in a small open patch near the Kyauket stream,

found several interesting butterflies, including Huthalia cognata and JL. dirtea,

amongst them. This was my birthday, so I had a special dinner that night,

including a bottle of champagne brought for the purpose.

Next day we had a very dull march of 9 miles to Palu where we again came

to the Thaungyin. In the village was a young White-handed Gibbon (Hylo-

bates lar) in captivity. He was quite tame and friendly, but seemed to spend

most of his time hanging by one hand with his legs tucked up and his other arm

curled round them, and was duly photographed in that position. He was cream-

coloured with a black face, and, as far as I could ascertain, of the many gibbons

of this species which I saw in the course of my trip, only the old males were

black ; the remainder of both sexes varying from whitey-buff to dark brown.

JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK. 38l

I stayed a day at Palu and had a few beats in the foothills, entirely without

result, though I saw tracks of sambhar, bison and tsine. J also found the first

of the butterfly assemblies which were such a remarkable feature of Siam, though

this was a very small one consisting entirely of Danaids (Huploea mulciber

mostly) and Pierids.

From Palu we marched twelve miles to the frontier post of Myawadi, generally

through mixed forest, very dry in places but full of bird life. The number of

woodpeckers was remarkable even for Lower Burma, which has nearly forty

species, the most plentiful being the Large Golden-backed and the Little Malay

Pied, but there were many others I was unable to identify. Owing to limited

time and transport I had decided to confine my bird collecting to game birds

and pigeons. I shot a nice specimen of the Burmese Green Pigeon (Crocopus

phenicopterus) on this march,

A night in the comfortable rest-house at Myawadi, and next morning (Ieb-

ruary 16th), having paid off the elephants, we started off with three bullock

carts for the baggage, and, passing the small frontier guard of Burma Military

Police, forded the Thaungyin, here shallow with a bed of sand and gravel, and

entered Siam.

Four miles along a flat road between rice fields (a pleasant change after mar-

ching so long through forest) brought us to Me Sauk, a large straggling village

with a good many native shops, which is the headquarters of the district. Here

I took up my abode in the guest-house, where I shortly afterwards received a

call from the Amphur Nai, or Siamese Deputy Commissioner. He seemed very

pleasant and ready to help, and mentioned that he had been expecting me for

a fortnight, as apparently no intimation of my deviation across the Ta’ok

Plateau from the direct Myawadi route had been sent him. The walls of the

guest-house had several pairs of sambhar horns hanging on them, and I was

much struck by the fact that there were three sets of hat-pegs of six each,

which were made from serow horns; nine pairs in all, They were none of them

very long, 934” being the biggest, but were very thick and most of them had

evidently belonged to old males. On enquiry I found that serow are common

in the rock hills to the east of Me Sauk and are shot by Karen hunters, who

wait patiently for them by their resting-places amongst the rocks to which the

serow return regularly after feeding. Later in my journey I was shown two of

these resting-places by a Karen hunter who had killed the original occupants.

They had evidently been in use for months, and the droppings were inches deep

in places. The only thing of the kind I have seen before, are the resting-places

of klipspringer which I occasionally found in Somaliland. They had the same

habit of using one ledge on a hill-side for months at a time, and of leaving their

droppings all round it.

Next morning I called on the officer commanding the local gendarmerie.

His verandah was profusely decorated with horns: tsine, (all smalland some of

them cows), sambhar, serow and barking deer; also one fair-sized bison bull.

None of them ha been shot by the owner himself, who was a Malay and a

British subject originally, while his wife who was Burmese had been educated

in Mandalay and spoke a few words of English. One of the sambhar heads,

which was a remarkably fine one for the Malay species, carried the unusual

number of 11 points. The extra 5 points were made up by the_ bifurcation of

each top inner tine, and by two large basal snags on the right and one on the

left horn. The measurements were :—

Right Horn. Left Horn.

Length au: ae ae a we 341” 34”

Girth half way up beam _.. vs 4g 6” 6”

Basal Snags.

Points .. dx va bi aie -. (6) 42” & 5” 5”

Brow tine, length .. bis aN ne 202” 202”

. » Girthat base .. ats aS 74” 73”

taf

382 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

All the measurements are big, and the length and girth of the brow tines

exceptionally so.

I found it very hard to obtain a photo, as the verandah was very narrow

and the trophy firmly nailed to the wall above the level of my head ; even by

tilting the camera I failed toinclude the tips of the horns. This pair of horns

came from Karenni.

I managed to get away from Me Sauk on February 18th, being much helped

by the arrival of the Commissioner of Raheng, who made things move. I

may say here that I had considerable influence used to help me on my journey,

and without such influence the ordinary traveller will find it very difficult to

get along at all in out of the way parts of Siam.

I only marched 5 miles eastwards to the foot of the hills on the 18th and

climbed the first range next morning, through dense forest once again. On the

crest of the ridge were many fine rock spires, and close where the road passes

the biggest of these was a curious shrine consisting of a big wooden table with

a& canopy over it. On the table were several score of small votive figures.

The shrine is dedicated to the spirit of the rocks on the ridge, and the votive

figures are placed there by those desiring a cure from sickness.

A short distance beyond the shrine a tree had fallen by the roadside and

parallel to it. I paced it and found that it had not been less than 190 feet high;

yet by comparison with others around it was, if anything, a little below the aver-

age of the forest.

We reached Nam Dip, our halting-place, at about 11 o’clock as it was only

about seven and a half miles, and there found a small open space which was so

marshy from a nearby spring that I had to pitch camp in the jungle on the

edge of the clearing.

While waiting for the coolies, an old male White-handed Gibbon appeared

on a tree about 35 yards from where I was resting, and began feeding. He was

quite black except for the ring of white hairs round his face, and his hands. He

was feeding on small hard fruits, which grew in clusters on the big glossy-leaved,

dark green tree, and I noticed that although he often plucked fruit with a foot,

he never then put the food directly into his mouth, but always transferred it

to a hand first. He was quite alone, and I watched him through my glasses for

about half an hour with great interest. ~

After camp had been pitched I strolled round with the butterfly-net and

made the acquaintance for the first time of that beautiful and elusive insect

Parthenos gambrisius. It is a large butterfly, coloured charmingly in greys

and greens and blues; it is also the most annoying of any I have ever tried to

catch. I was destined to see one or two nearly every other day for over two

months, yet I did not succeed in catching one for six weeks or more. This

particular one sailed past me within easy reach, while I was extracting a capture

from the net, and settled on a leaf near the edge of the marsh. I stalked him

and just as I got within reach, he flitted away and settled on a water plant in

the middle of an expanse of filthy mud and water. I sat down and waited,

and about ten minutes later he flew across and settled on the far side of the

marsh, which was about thirty yards across. I went round and he flew back

again. It ended an hour later by his settling on the end of a log which lay half

embedded in the mud. I Blondin’d out along it. Just as I got within reach

a paddy-bird flew out from under me with a loud squawk, which so startled

me that I fell off the log. I then went back to my tent and changed my

clothes.

The 20th was uninteresting. After crossing the Paw Waw mountains, a

climb of about 500 feet and then a drop of a thousand feet to the Melamoung

stream, which we forded at the fifth mile, I pushed on through open jungle and

a couple of scattered villages to a pleasant halting place at about 10} miles

where some grand trees grew beside a clear running stream. This seemed an

JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK. 383

ideal place for lunch, but I was only half-way through it when an approaching

series of crashes attracted my attention, and turning in their direction, I saw

a large flying squirrel, as I thought, land on the lower branch of a big teak tree.

I stalked it, and saw him peering at me over the top of the branch as he clung

along its length on the side farthest from me, about ten inches of a black and

white tail being curled over my side of the branch. I fired at his head, but

without result, and he fled up to the tree-top, and thence by an immense leap

into a big dead tree, up which he scampered and took refuge in a collection of

dead branches in the topmost fork, and where he was quite safe from my gun.

I had to leave him, and am still uncertain as to his species. As he fled he

appeared to be grey or “‘ pepper and salt’ in colour, with a black and white

tail, and I know of no squirrel which answers to that description. He appeared

much more like a Flying Lemur than anything else, but I have never heard of

one occurring in that area.

The coolies took ten hours over this 133 miles to Pelot, the evening’s halting-

place. In Siam they carry their loads slung on bamboos, are very slow and carry

very little.

I met a great many bullock caravans on this march. The loads hang from

transverse poles the centre of which are fixed in the wooden pack-saddles. The

loads are usually packed in large conical baskets, and consist of rice, tobacco

or tea. The latter is wetted and pressed almost solid, the packages being a

popular medium for smuggling opium. Accompanying these caravans were

always several dogs. These dogs are like small Chows; having the same

build and close-curled tail, but with a shorter coat. They were usually friendly

and quite different to the average Indian village dog, being well fed and looked

after by their owners.

Frequently, while resting in a village, I have seen the family have a meal

on the outer platform of the bamboo-hut, which is raised 6 or 7 feet off the

ground. At the foot of the ladder leading to the platform would be grouped

three or four dogs. At the end of the meal a good portion of rice would be

turned out on to some matting and the dogs called ; whereupon they wouid

hurl themselves up the ladder and set to. The ladder was always of bamboo

with single bamboo rungs about 15 to 18 inches apart, yet I never saw a dog

miss its footing, and the ascent was a fine feat of canine acrobatics, as they

jostled each other hard in the course of it.

On the 21st I met with the most curious natural phenomenon seen during

my trip. We first climbed a spur about 800 feet high, and then the path led

along the side of a ridge. For not less than a quarter of a mile the track, which

was slightly hollowed through the passage of bullocks during the rains, was com-

pletely filled with tangled masses of long-legged ‘‘ Harvester”’ spiders. Most

of them appeared to be dead, but may have been torpid, as it was a cool dewy

morning and the slope faced north. A very few seemed to have overflowed on

to the ground below the path, and there were a good number for three or four

yards aboveit, but the masses (like the debris of a hair mattress) were confined

to the track. I puzzled for a long time over their origin, but found no solution.

They ended where the path crossed the ridge and changed over to its sonth

side; then, after crossing asmall col and continuing along the north side of

the next ridge, there was another smaller stretch of the path about a furlong

in extent, again covered with these insects, though not in quite such profusion

as on the first instance. In neither track did I see a spider travel. A few

waved their legs feebly, but the majority were either torpid or dead. None

were brittle and hard, so, if dead, must have died that morning. An explana-

tion seems hard to find. It is said to be unlucky to kill a spider: if so I must

have saved up misfortune for years to come, for it was quite impossible to avoid

crushing many at every step.

After leaving the second batch of spiders, we began climbing again and even-

tually reached the crest of the Thaungyin—Meping water-parting at the end of

384. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

our fifth mile, and at 4,000’ elevation. We dropped down about 200’ of easy

grade to a grassy hollow where two small streams joined and butterflies swarmed.

I had a fragmentary lunch as I was continually jumping up, butterfly-net

in hand, to try and secure some gorgeous insect. The great black and yellow

ornithoptera, Papilio aéacus and Papilio cerberus were both taken here.

The coolies arrived and we descended a densely-wooded ravine by a very steep

path for another 400’ and then struck a gentle down-hill grade, while the

bottom of the nullah was open for three or four yards and a clear stream ran

over a gravelly bed. It was a naturalist’s paradise, and it goes by the name

of Pang Yao I am quite unable to describe or do any kind of justice to the

beauty of the scenery, the trees, the flowers, the butterflies or the birds ; I

can only try and describe a few of the things I saw before I camped that

evning, about five miles down the valley. The flowers I can say nothing about

being no botanist: they were a confusing riot of gorgeous colouring and

curious scents. The birds were in hundreds great and small, and a ditierent

species seemed to call, or fly across the track, for everyfew yards I went. The

Broadbills, Woodpeckers, Kingfishers and Flowerpeckers provided the most

beautiful colours, Shamas and Laughing-Thrushes most of the noise. But there

were numbers of small birds I would not attempt to name or classify.

Then what is it possible to say of the butterflies? How describe the delicate

beauty of the carpet of blues I met with settled on damp stretches of the

path. I waved my net above them to disturb them and a whirling cloud rose

but left, hundreds still settled on the ground ; and, as there was no way round,

I had to walk on, leaving a trail of mangled bits of sky behind me. In sandy

places the swallow-tails congregated ; P.antiphates and sarpedon, in delicate

and bold shades of green ; philoxenus and demoleus, the one with red patches

the other with yellow relieving the glossy black of their broad wings. These

were in groups, while paris with his glorious iridescent blue green patches kept

himself to himself on the outskirts of the throng. These were myriads of

commener and less beautiful butterflies at the muddier patches, whites mostly,

Huphina and Appias with a sprinkling of yellow Yerias. The Danaids, mostly

Kuploea mulciber and diccletianus, seemed impartial as to whether they chose

mud or warm wet sand for their meeting place, but they kept apart from the

cthers forming separate patches of dark-brown. As I pushed through the

undergrowth the well known leaf-butterfly (Kallima inachis) often darted

out ; there was a flick of blue, another of brown, and he wasin a bush again

or settled amongst dead leaves and almost impossible to detect. At several

places where the sun shone on a damp hollow in a small clear space were half

a dozen of the strange Leptocircus curius, twirling their long tails as they

hovered in the sunlight, and looking rather as if they might have a sting

somewhere about them.

Emerging suddenly from the undergrowth, we surprised four Silver Phea-

sants feeding peacefully, and I was just quick enough in snatching the gun

from the orderly to knock over a hen before they got back into the forest. On

picking her up I was immediately puzzled : there should have been a specimen

of G. nycthemerus sharpet in my hand, butinstead this bird was much more

like G. rufines, the Ruby Mines race. In particular the breast feathers corres-

ponded to the latter rather than the former. A few days later I shot a cock

bird about half a mile from the same place, and he only ditfered from G. n.

sharpet in the colour of the legs. This cock eventually went home to Mr. Stuart

Baker, but the fate of the hen was sad. When I got into camp that evening

my bearer asked if I was going to skin the bird, but being very tired and as it

was nearly dark, I said ‘‘ No,” never thinking but that he meant *“‘ Was I going

to do it immediately.”’ Next day, on reaching our next camp, I asked forthe

pheasant, intending to skin it, and found that it was already plucked. A

tragedy indeed! Fortunately in an idle moment after dinner I had seen one of

JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK. 385

the breast feathers lying on the floor of my tent, and had picked it up and made

a pencil sketch of it in my diary.

Next morning we started early, too early for the butterflies, and scrambled

down a couple of miles of very steep and rough track, until we had dropped

from 3,000 to 2,000’. Storkbilled Kingfishers and Spotted Forktails were

the most conspicuous birds of this bit, while in a small grassy glade a dozen

Red Jungle Fowl were feeding. Silver Pheasants could be heard drumming now

and then but they were not nearly as noisy as in the evenings. At the bottom

of this steep bit there was a great commotion going on in some high trees near

the track, several of both species of Racquet-tailed Drongo and a pair of King

Crows being strenuously engaged in chasing a couple of Drongo Cuckoos.

I sat down to watch them by a small pool, and the sun came on to a sand-

bar so that the butterflies began to collect. At first entirely Papilio aristolo-

chiae and Radena similis. Then came some fine specimens of the great red

and black P. philoxenus followed by a couple of P. adamsoni, also the first

specimens I had seen of a quaint moth, which resembled a Danaid in shape and

flight and to a certain extent in colouring, having the blue flush on the fore-

wing characteristic of somany Danaids. This moth I found very plentiful later

on in the higher valleys of the range further south.

Half a mile on, leaving the main nullah, we crossed a low col into a much

less pleasant country of low, leafless forest, rocks and hot stony nullahs. There

was little life in this except for Malay Cuckoo Doves, which were perched on

the topmost branch of any tree which stood out above the rest.

Half an hour’s walking brought me to the gendarmery post at Ban-Kratair,

the garrison of a dozen living in a neat pile-built blockhouse on the bank of the

Me Taw stream, here choked with teak logs from the valleys above. The Sia-

mese N. C. O. in charge of the post gave me a letter from Mr. Gairdner very

kindly offering me the use of his house at Raheng and telling me that he ex-

pected to be back there on the 29th of February.

We crossed the Me Taw dryshod on the logs, and after I had shot a Black-

backed Squirrel from out of a creeper covered tree, we pushed along another

three miles to the Bombay Burma Coy.’s hut at Pang Chang Tai. This last

bit of road was remarkable for the number of Tuktoo lizards calling from the

trees. As a rule the Tuktoo is rather silent during the day, but here they

seemed to call throughout the 24 hours.

Pang Chang Tai is on the edge of a small cliff above the Me Taw, and across

the stream is a grove of big forest trees, one of which must have been I think

a Ficus indica in fruit. For, about 5 o’clock, green pigeon began to cross the

clearing by the hut, bursting out of the forest and flying very fast across the open

in the direction of this grove. They appeared and were gone so suddenly that

they offered but the most fleeting of chances, and J was very pleased to bag

seven. These were of three species: the Burmese Green Pigeon (C. phoeni-

copterus) which produced three birds, while there were two each of the beauti-

ful Orange-breasted and the Cinnamon-headed. The deep maroon back of

the cock Cinnamon-headed contrasting with the delicate greens of the rest

of his plumage makes him one of the most beautiful of this beautiful group

of birds. These Cinnamon-headed fly at great speed through. the forest,

usually low down and singly or in pairs. Twice one darted between me and

another of my party, nearly knocking off my topi.

Leaving Pang Chang Tai on the morning of the 23rd, we travelled down the

Me Taw for a couple of miles, then crossed the foothills into the main Meping

Valley, entering a stretch of flat country of alternate rice-fields and low jungles

where the Coucal, Indian Roller and Siamese Hoopoo suddenly became plentiful

after several days of absence.

I had to get a change of transport, and decided to retrace my steps a couple

of marches to Pang Yao and put in a couple of days collecting there until Mr.

386 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1X.

Gairdner was due back in Raheng; so, after a day’s real loafing in the very

pleasant Bombay Burma Company bungalow at Raheng, I marched back

and camped in a shady spot on the grassy slope beside the stream about half a

mile below my first site.

Strolling up the valley in the evening I heard a pheasant drumming, and

determined to try Oate’s trick on him, of calling him with a handkerchief held

between the hands and rapidly slackened and tautened. At the first effort, I

got response, and my bird came gradually closer until he drummed about 30

yards away. ‘Then he fell silent but had evidently been stalking me, as instead

of coming out into the open as I expected, the only thing I saw of him, was his

rapid departure across a small opening in the undergrowth about 15 yards

away, having evidently caught sight of me in spite of my precautions. This

was not at all like Oates’ account of their running wildly towards the sound, but

I determined to have another try.

Five hundred yards further up the drumming again sounded and I sat down

behind a bush on the path and gradually drew him nearer with the handker-

chief, until flutterings and rustlings in the bushes a dozen yards away told me

that not only was the cock bird there but some of his family as well. I waited

patiently, and suddenly a hen pheasant walked out on to the path behind my

right shoulder, and not five yards from me, then stood a second in astonish-

ment. Not long enough however for me to get a shot, in spite of a violent con-

tortion which nearly tied mein a knot and appreciably hastened her departure.

By now I was spurred to a determination not to quit without securing one of

these birds, and [ had only another 200 yards to go to hear another drummer,

This time as soon as [ could hear my bird in the undergrowth a short way in

front of me, I rushed in on him, and these tactics were successful, for a fine

old cock fled, half running, half flying, and asnapshot brought him fluttering

down again. A wonderfully handsome bird with his velvety-black underdress,

red eye-patch, and the delicate wavy pencillings of his black anc white upper

plumage.

On the way back to camp I came suddenly on a covey of seven or eight

Green-legged Hill Partridge scratching amongst the dead leaves at the mouth

of a small gully, and bagged one of them also; so I had a successful day.

The 27th I devoted entirely to butterflies, with good results. At one point a

few large scarlet flowers had fallen from a big tree: these had a deep calyx and

thick fleshy petals, some of which had been bruised by the feet of a passing

bullock. Papilios began to collect on one of these, and after a careful stalk

I clapped the net on to the lot, bagging memnon, agenor, rhetener, adamsoni

and philocvenus at one blow. [I got some fine specimens of the great black

and yellow P. wacus and Helena cerberus this morning, and spent half an hour

waiting for a Hestia to descend from a branch twenty feet up, and finally,

losing patience, threw a twig to disturb it, with the result that it departed

for good, floating away over the tree-tops.

I took my only Deltas hyparete ciris here, and found Huphina nadina amba

common, though J did not come across it again. Charaxes arja vernus I only

took here. There did not seem to be many species of ‘‘ blues” though swarms

of Lampides elpis and celeno carpeted moist, shady hollows as before. Of

skippers I took very few, Baoris farrt being the commonest here and through-

out my journey.

Pang Yao was the first place where I was much worried by the bees. There

are four species, two with stings and two much smaller, hairy little species

which are stingless. These all persist in settling on any bare skin, and cluster

all over one’s neck and behind one’s ears, also getting between the fingers. The

irritation is maddening, and while the stingless species are much the most

numerous one is constantly getting stung through brushing away a bunch

which includes an unnoticed stinger. They are particularly trying when

JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK 387

skinning as they get between the fingers, and when crushed in manipulating the

subject retaliate with their stings.

On the 29th I went down to Pang Chang Tai, and at the bottom of the hill

saw what I took to be a rather dark specimen of Berdmore’s squirrel nosing

about under a bush and shot it; then, calling to Maung U to cross the stream

and pick it up, I went on to Ban Kratair, where I met Mr. Gairdner. He

noticed the little beast in Maung U’s hanc, and remarked that I had got a

Tupaia. Sure enough I had. It was an excusable mistake, for the habits of

the two animals are very similar, and they are alike in their general colouration

and their jerky movements amongst the fallen leaves.

Mr. Gairdner presented me with two fine specimens of the Grey-headed Im-

perial Pigeon. These had been caught by a native who, Mr. Gairdner said,

netted them in a clapnet as they came down to a small mud-patch higher up the

Me Taw. They appear to be unable to keep away from this, as the trapper

catches seven or eight a day. These two were the first specimens to reach

the B. N. H.S.

I had expected and hoped to shoot some more pigeons at Pang Chang Tai,

as all the others had been too knocked about by the force of their fall on the

hard ground to be used as Museum specimens, but the attraction on the far

side of the stream evidently no longer existed, as we saw only one small batch

which flew by out of shot. The only bird of interest, which I secured, was a

Little Blue Bittern from the Me Taw stream-bed.

Next day we reached the Meping and crossed the 400 yard wide river in a

canoe to the left bank and the straggling houses of Raheng.

(T'o be continued.)

388

NOTES ON A COLLECTION OF SNAKES FROM SHEMBAGANUR,

PALNATI HILLS.

_. (Circa 7,000 Feet).

By CotoneL F. Watt, C.M.G., I.M.S.

A valuable collection of snakes was made for me during 1922 by the Revd.

L. Anglade at Shembaganur.

A good deal of new light is shed on the habits of some snakes about which

little was previously known. I have added all the additional information

available from my note books. My thanks are due to Father Anglade for the

trouble taken and specially for the careful way in which every specimen was

labelled, giving dates of capture.

Family -—UROPELTIDAE.

Silybura nigra Beddome.

This is the commonest snake in the Palnai Hills above about 6,000 feet. Thirty-

seven specimens were collected this year. Details of these are tabulated below.

These details with notes | have made on previous specimens—over seventy

in all—shed considerable light on the life habits of the species, and other points

of interest. I propose to deal with this snake fully in this paper.

General characters.—The snout is subacute, and not keeled above. The body

is moderate in length, and as in other species of this genus, is much swollen

for two or three head-lengths behind the head, owing to heavy muscular

development, evolved from its habit of burrowing in the soil. The tail is round

basally, and not truncate terminally. The tip of the tail has two minute points

placed side by side. The diameter of the eye is rather less than one-half the

ocular shield.

Colouration.—There are three colour varieties in the Palnai Hills more or

less connected by intermediate forms.

(A) Dorsally brown of varying degrees of intensity, with a black mottling

tending to form cross-bars, within which some of the scales centrally are yellow.

(White in spirit.)

(B) Dorsally black, some scales centrally yellow, producing beaded crosg-bars.

The most anterior blotches are confluent to form a lateral stripe ending on the

fourth labial. The head is black above and the tip of the snout black in the

young, horn coloured in many adults. The anal region is yellow, and this is

continued as a lateral stripe along the tail nearly to its tip. The tip of the

tail is black. The yellow spots and blotches are of a buttercup brilliance.

The pigment which is soluble in spirit and in water, tinges the preservative

appreciably. A recently bottled specimen soon loses its yellow, the pigment

passing partly into the spirit, and partly into the subjacent tissues and viscera

which are often very strongly tinged. In preparing skulls I have found a

specimen denuded of its skin, with about an inch of the forebody attached, will

impart a yellow tinge to the water in a small basinin which it is immersed.

The internal organs, including eggs, are deeply stained with this pigment after

death.

Habits.—It lives for the most part beneath the soil.

Food.—I have only found earthworms in the stomach. The intestines and

cloaca are always loaded with liquid mud derived from this diet,

NOTES ON A COLLECTION OF SNAKES FROM SHEMBAGANUR. 389

Breeding—(a) The sexes——Males appear to be more abundant from the

series given below, there being 22 against 15 females. The sexes appear

to grow to a similar length, and the length of the foetuses recorded below is

proximately the same. Males have longer tails, and rather more numerous

subcaudal shields. The genitalia are cylindrical organs, rather larger in girth

distally than basally, and are beset with minute villi. I have not examined

these in an adult.

(b) Method of reproduction.—One of the July specimens noted below leaves

no doubt that the species is viviparous,

from 6 to 12 mm. long, eggs about 31 mm. long in January to March, contain-

ing small embryos, and feetusesin July.

(d) The brood.—The brood varies from 4 to 7.

Growth—(a) The Young.—The foetuses recorded below varied from 84 to

88 mm. (3° to 33 inches). The smallest postnatal specimens [I have had were

106 to 115 mm. (44 to 43 inches.)

(6b) Early life-—The specimens mentioned below ranging from 162 to 185

mm, (64 to 7 3 inches) in November and December were probably from broods

produced in the middle of this year. The growth beyond this cannot he

followed.

inches), As most snakes double their length in the first year of life, it seems

probable this specimen was about a year old.

(d) Maximum length—My largest of over one hundred records wasa 4312

mm. (12 2 inches).

Lepidosis-—(a) Typical. Rostral.—Not keeled; usually touching 4 shields

sometimes 6. Its length twice to three times its distance to the frontal, sub-

equal to the frontal, one-third to two-fifths the shielded part of the head.

Frontal, Length two-thirds to three-fourths its distance to the tip of the

rostral, equal to or a shade longer than the parietals, one-third to two-fifths the

shielded part of the head.

Costals.—19 in the whole body length. Supracaudals feebly bi-and tricarinate.

Terminal shield.-—With two minute points directed upwards and backwards,

Ventrals.— 3 164to 173, 9 176 to 191. Anal.—Divided. Subcaudals. 6.

~8tol0, 2 5to7.

(6) Anomalies.—Ventrals.—The last is rarely divided. Sudcaudals. One

or more are sometimes entire.

Parasites.—In all the cloacae I investigated I found small worm-like para:ite~.

These are not attached to the walls of this structure, but lie loose in the mud

derived from the intestines of the earthworms ingested. They are the shape

of a blunt-pointed carrot, white, and ringed. The largest measured 12 mm,

(4 an inch in length). They appear to me to be a linguatulid parasite of the

genus Porocephalus.

Dentition.—From two skulls in my collection. Mazillary. 8, kumatodont.

Palatine.—None. Pterygoid,, None. Mandibular. 10 to 11, scaphiodont.

Distribution. Western Ghats south of the Palghat gap (Anamalais, Palnais,

Travancore and Tinnevelly Hills).

ma)

390

Serial No,

—

I oo ao &

JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol.

anal ae

A [2] 4 ie

January

or Feb-| Q

ruary.

10-3722 0lne

10-3-22 | ¢

0-5-22 2

eee Ves

pape a SG

?-7-22 3

?—-7-22 3

Hest SI |

3-11-22 | g

3-11-22 | ¢o

4-11-22

Bald=ooa eh

8-11-22 | ¢

9-11-22

10-11-22] @

10-11-22) ©

e in mm.

250

; “|

at at

behind head.

Midbody.

—_

a emesnpemees aeeeeseesee ene ee

Two om

before vent.

ie)

‘Ventrals. ~

185

168

181

XXIX

Subcaudals.

Shields touching rus-

tral.

REMARKS.

4 |Contained 4 eggs about

28 mm. long, contain-

ing embryos about

31 mm. long. Label

torn but “ary” is

legibie.

4 jContained 4 eggs about

28 mm. long with

small embryos within.

4 |3rd subcaudal entire.

4 |Last ventral divided.

4 |Contained 3 foetuses (84

a fo fof > &

mm. 88 mm. 88 mm).

Many small helminths in

cloaca.

2nd and 8th subcaudals.

entire.

NOTES ON A COLLECTION OF SNAKES FROM SHEMBAGANUR, 391

| | Costals. \8

e a a a0

B lt.| |o. a

q [Ss ia etal REMARKS.

; Meelis ebat.s 8

4 a az o Be D) bes z ae

= R Soe ectat eS lest | ie Ss | SS

8 2g : Ey a) 5 he iB eS

o s is Ore eral cy | See |e Ste

D a mi 4 a Sif |e | a lw

19 | 11-11-22; Q | 200] 19 | 19 | 19 |176 6 | 4 |3rd and 6th subcaudal

entire.

20 | 11-11-22} 3 |..235 | 19 | 19 | 19 |167 9; 4

10 R

21 | 12-11-22) g¢ | 240} 19] 19 | 19 1164 |11 L 6

22 | 13-11-22} Q ; 212 | 19| 19 | 19/178 7 | 4

23 | 15-11-22} Q | 244] 19 | 19 | 19 /176 6 | 6 |Contained 4 eggs about

6 mm. long. An

earthworm in the

stomach, Last ventral

divided.

24 | 17-11-22] 9° 240 | 19 | 19 | 19 184 6) 4

25 | 22-11-22 3 262 | 19 | 19 | 19 |172 10 R 4

26 | 24-11-22 fe) 288 | VOR 19 eT. Sila)

27 | 24-11-22 a 256 | 19 | 19 | 19 {169 10 | 4 5th, 6th and 7th sub-

caudals entire.

29 | 27-11-22 Q | 185 | 19 | 19) 19 |178 7 | 6 {Contained 5 eggs about

10 mm. long. Two

helminths (Poroce

: | phalt ?) about 12 mm.

long in the cloaca,

peli

39 | 27-11-22 2 312 | 19 | 19 | 19 |176 |6 R 6 |Contained 7 eggs about

12 mm. long.

pl) 12-22, | 250 | 19 | 19 | 19 {170 9| 6

32 | 1-12-22, | 9 300 | 19 | 19 | 19 |179 7 6 |Contained 7 eggs about

12 mm. long.

33 | 3-12-22 3 275 | 19 | 19 | 19 |166 9 | 4 |Many small helminths in

cloaca.

34 | 8-12-22 | @ 162 | 19 | 19 | 19 |169 10 | 6

35 | 2-12-22 | ¢ 225 | 19 | 19 | 19 |169 9} 4

36 ? M2 19 | 19 | 19 |179 6 | 4 |Label detached.

9 R

37 ? 3 MD 9s 19) 29) (173.10: Lu 4 |Label detached.

392 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX,

Silybura pulneyensis (Beddome).

Six specimens were captured during the year details of which are given

‘below :—

15 mm. (3 of an inch

long).

Costals. | |

a | bo. b0

be F) 85 EE i a

=} : . : : oD KS,

= : zy Ss) Sep) & 3

eed a Je eee ir nh ioral een aa

5 8 o cB) Sar) 2S ° & o 3 |

i =) ea an Ie ea eee a | > | DO

Boles eae ei 262 19 V7 17 | 169 11 |2nd subcaudal entire.

39 |?— 5-22 Oar 243 La OT RE Se 8

11R

40 |?— 5-22 Gul ssas 195 7a 1a Ge al ete,

YH A es kd Go. 249 19a) 7 V7) 1640 We

42. 11-1]-22 O35 UO ele alge wa: 9

6 L

AOE =22 ke Os 1248 19} 17} 17 | 169! 8R [4th subcaudal entire.

Contained 2 eggs about

As more than forty of the species have passed through my hands it may be

an appropriate time to put forward all the information at my disposal.

General Characters.—The snout is moderate in length. Body with the usual,

strong muscular development in the neck and forebody seen in others of

this genus. The tail is feebly compressed, and not truncate. The extreme

tip of the tail has a transverse ridge with a slight suggestion of the spines

seen in so many others of this genus. The diameter of the eyeis halfor rather

less than half the length of the ocular shield.

Colourution.—Dorsally the colour varies from brown to a deep chocolate.

In the lighter specimens all the scales are narrowly edged with chocolate or

black. Ventrally the predominating colouris chocolate. A double series of

large, irregular-shaped, yellow spots ornament the belly, sometimes confluent

to form bars, and with a tendency to be largest in the posterior part. A yellow

stripe passes from the fourth labial for some distance along the sides of the fore-

body. A yellow patch on the anal region is prolonged backwards along the

sides of the tail nearly to its tip. The tip of the snout, and tip of the tail are

yellow. The yellow as in S. nigra stains the tissues and viscera of spirit spe-

cimens, and when small pieces denuded of skin are immersed in water, the pig-

ment is dissolved again, tinging that fluid.

Habits.—For the most part subterranean.

Food.—I have only found earthworms in the stomach. The intestines and

cloaca are always loaded with semi-liquid mud derived from the intestines of

the worms ingested.

Breeding—(a) The sexes.-—Males appear to LA 22 out of 37 speci-

mens sexed being of this sex. Out of a brood of 6, 5 proved to be males. Males

NOTES ON A COLLECTION OF SNAKES FROM SHEMBAGANUR. 393

_ have relatively longer tails, and more subcaudal shields. There is no sexual

difference in length at birth.

(6) Method of reproduction.—It is viviparous as evidenced by a specimen

killed this year by Mr. McCann at Kodaikanal.

the birth of the young was imminent since the male genitalia were not extruded.

(d) The brood.—From 2 to 6 are produced in one brood.

Growth (a)—The young—In the brood referred to above -the males varied

from 90 to 94 mm. (3 £to3 43.) inches in length, and the female was 93

mm, (33 inches).

(b) arly life--My notes furnish no information as to the annual growth.

(82 inches) in length. If this species doubles its length in the first year of life,

which is so frequently the case with snakes, this species is sexually mature short-

ly after its first birthday.

(d) Maximum length—My largest, a male measured 375mm, (15 inches)

in length. My largest female was 318 mm, (122 inches).

Lepidosis—(a) Typical. Rostral,—Touches six shields; not keeled above.

Its length is twice or nearly twice its distance to the frontal, two-thirds to three-

fourths the length of the frontal, and one-quarter to two-sevenths the shielded

part of the head. Frontal.—-Length equal to, or slightly greater than the

snout, equal to or ashade greater than the parietals, two-fifths to a half

the shielded part of the head. Costals. 19 (rarely 17) two heads-lengths

behind the head, 17 at midbody, 17 two heads-lengths before the vent.

Ventrals.— 3 158 to 180, 9 169 to 187. Subcaudals— @ 11 to 14, 2 6 to 9.

Supracaudals.—Very feebly keeled. Terminal Shield—-Ends in a_ transverse

ridge at each extremity of which is an extremely minute spine.

(6) Anomalies—NSubcaudals.—One or more are occasionally entire.

Dentition —Mazxillary.—8 teeth, feebly kumatodont. Palatine-—No teeth.

Pterygoid. Noteeth. Mandibular.—9 to 10 teeth, feebly scaphiodont.

Distribution. Western Ghats south of the Palghat gap (Palnais to Tra-

vancore).

Brachyophidium rhodogaster Wall.

A fine series of this snake recently described by me in this journal (Vol.

ONE page 41) was collected this year, details of which are given below.

i cca iy eh | Costals.

| nM DM

gd | =

: 23 ge 4 KEMARRES.

° is ao ° aS A oS E BS

i Laie! Sigel als

E .| wl se] S| Fs) 2] 8

5 s|-8|e8| 3 | ek) & |" 3

Q RM ier lee is he, Zu) 1s > M

Baas 0-99 OC | 104-113) 45 | 45 | 149 7

| TR

Blt 4-9=99)) O° 187 |} as. abel 15 1149 (Sh

46 | 10-3-22| 2 | 179| 138] 15] 15 | 148 | 8L |Contained 3 eggs about 12

mm. long.

394

Serials No.

JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1X.

2-11-22

4—]]-22

5-11-22

15-11-22

3-12-22

1-0 & O& BF 10 G +0 +40 40 10 Sex.

SY C4 0 W AW B® +

Length in mm.

182

175

Two heads-lengths

behind head.

Costals,

of e

oe.

Rice,

aie?

So. |. 9

= |o8

~~ |e

15] 15

15 | 15

15} 15

15 | 15

| 15] 15

| 15 | 15

15 | 15

15 |} 15"

15 | 15

15] 15

Ventrals.

143

145

Subcaudal-.

REMARKS.

7 |Last ventral divided.

8 |\Contained 5 eggs about 6

mm. long.

7 \Contained 4 eggs about 8

mm. long, deeply stained

pink.

10 L

11 RCloaca infested with many

small helminths—{Poro-

cephals 2).

NOTFS ON A COLLECTION OF SNAKES FROM SHEMBAGANUR. 395

I have now seen 30 specimens and gleaned a little of its life habits which may

be appropriately given here.

General characlers.—This is probably the smallest of the Uropelts as vet

known, growing to about 175 to 200 mm. (7 to 8 inches). The snout

narrows somewhat but is rounded. The body is short, and of even calibre

throughout. There is no special development of the musculature in the fore-

body so characteristic of species of Rhinophides and Silybure. The tail is

conical and ends in a minute point. The diameter of the eye is half, or a

shade more than half the length of the ocular shield.

Colouration.—Uniform deep purplish-black dorsally. Belly including the

last costal row of scales uniform bright coral pink. Head _ purplish-black on

crown, sides, and muzzle to behind the chin. Sometimes a yellowish lateral

mark behind the parietal shields. Tail purplish-black above, coral pink mesi-

ally, the terminal point white or whitish.

Habits—Two sent me this year by Dr. Annandale were found beneath

stones in dense jungle at an altitude of 4,200 feet.

Food.—I have not found anything in the stomach to oe np eate the nature

of its diet.

Breeding.~- (a) The sexes.—-Eleven of the 28 specimens seen by me were

males, and the rest females. The male has a slightly longer tail with more

numerous subeaudals. -

(6) Method of reproduction.—The eggs found in the type specimen seem to

indicate that the species is oviparous.

December suggests that it is breeding all the year round.

(d) The clutch.—From 3 to 5 eggs are laid at atime. The =o I have seen

measured about 12 mm. (4% inch) long.

Growth.—(a) The young.—The smallest example was 104 mm. (4% inches)

long in February.

(6) Early life-——My records do not throw any light on the growth.

(d) Mazximum length.—The largest specimen, a female, measured 206 mm,

(8} inches).

Lepidosis.—(a) Typical. Rostral—-Deeper than broad the portion visible

above about equal to the suture between the nasals. Nasals. Entire,

Praefrontals. Unusually long, about as long as the frontal. Frontal. Length

equal to, or rather longer than, the snout, equal to, or rather longer than, the

parietals, about one half the shielded part of the head, the fronto-ocular

sutures half or less than half the fronto-parietals. J'’emporal.—About half the

length of the parietals. Costals—-Smooth. Broader than long, the last row

about two-thirds the breadth of the ventrals. In 13 rows two heads-lengths

behind the head, 15 at midbody, and 15 two head-lengths before the vent.

About three to four and a half head-lengths behind the head, the third or

fourth row above the ventrals divides. Ventrals. 187 to 145, 2 140 to

145. Anal.—Divided, about twice the breadth of the ventrals. Supracatidals,

Very faintly keeled. Subcaudals— J 9 to 11, @ 6 to 8, Terminal shield.

Compressed, ending in a point directed backwards.

(5)—Anomalies. Ventrals.—The last is rarely divided.

Dentition—Mazillary. 9 teeth, kumatodont. Palatine. No éeathh: Pterygotd.

No teeth. Mandibular. 10 teeth, scaphiodont.

396 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1X.

Platyplectrurus madurensis Beddome.

Nine examples were collected during the year, the details of which follow :—

Costals. P

a a

fb ye

ane)

| a8 2 3 REMARKS.

° ep ees Sip i S iS

a «a /st| o| Boel a 3

— . o & 3 oO & _ o]

8 g _ bo |. — oe aS °

sy re | o ne} o S| nS

WD an DN A ie = Ei | > DN

ee ES

67 | 7- 3-22} Q | 442 | 15] 15] 15 | 168 | 10L /2nd subcaudal entire. Con-

11R| tained 8 eggs about 18

mm, (2 of an inch) long.

68 |10-3-22 480 | 15} 15} 15} 168] 11

69 | ?- 5-22 305 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 167 | 15 |An earthworm in stomach.

70 | 1-11-22

355 | 15 15 15 |} 168} 11°

298 | 15 15 15 | 180 1)

72 | 3-11-22 244 | 15 15 15 | 166 | 16

Gal tt-oo

530 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 175 | 11 |Contained 10 eggs about

15 mm. (§ of an inch)

long. Many helminths

(Porocephak?) in the

cloaca.

74 | 1-12-22; d | 260) 15] 15 | 15 {| 165 | 15

75 | 3-19-99) Gf) 312) 59> Woe) Ps r6l) | 15

I have now seen about 30 examples. This is an opportune moment to record

all that is known about the species.

General characters.——The head is depressed, and the snout broadly rounded.

The body is unusually long for a Uropelt, perhaps relatively the longest of

all the species. The tail is more or less compressed, and ends in a trans-

verse ridge with a short median point. The eye is surrounded by four

shields.

Colouration.—Uniform chocolate dorsally. Head muzzle and chin choco-

late. Belly chocolate with a central whitish bar on each ventral, and a

central whitish spot on the scales of the last three costal rows. Tip of

tail whitish. Jn the young the posterior part of the 3rd and the whole of the

4th supralabials are buff. There is also a buff vertical bar on the neck, nearly

meeting its fellow over the nape. Dorsally there are three, trilineate dark

brown stripes. The lateral trilineate stripe formed by almost confluent dark

spots on the 3rd, 4th and 5th rows above the ventrals, begins in the neck and

ends at the vent. The median trilineate stripe formed by similar spots on

the vertebral and next adjacent row, begins on the nape and ends about

mid tail. The belly is buff, the ventrals and last two costal rows of scales with

dark terminal borders.

Habits.—-Lives mainly beneath the soil.

NOTES ON A COLLECTION OF SNAKES FROM SHEMBAGANUR. 397

Food.—In every case where I have found the stomach full it contained earth

worms. The intestines and cloaca are always loaded with mud from this diet.

Breeding—(a) The sexes.—Of 29 sexed, 11 are males and 18 females. The

sexes when hatched are of a similar length. Males have rather longer tails

with more numerous subcaudal shields.

(b) Method of reproduction.—It is oviparous in habit. A specimen was

killed at Shembaganur in the Palnai Hills having just laid 5 eggs.

Ist of April one deposited 5 eggs 25 to 28 mm. long, and. on the 25th of Novem-

ber one contained 10 eggs 15 mm. long. My other egg-bound females had no

dates recorded. It is evident that the breeding season covers the greater part

of the year.

(d) The clutch.—From 2 to 10, white, soft-shelled eggs are produced at a

time. These measure about 25 to 28 mm. in length and about 6 to 10 mm. in

breadth. At the time of deposition minute embryos can be seen cradled within,

which measure about 25 mm. (one inch) in length. The eves and the primary

cerebral vesicales can be distinctly seen at this time, but the heart and other

viscera protrude, as the abdominal walls have not yet united in the middle line.

(e) Period of incubation. Not known.

Growth—(a) The hatchling.—I have had 5 specimens which had apparently

recently hatched. Four of these were males that ranged from 115 to 143 mm.

(4 & to 5% inches) in length. Three females were 106 and 115 mm. (43 and

4? inches).

(6) Early life-—The long breeding season makes it difficult to recognise

successive broods.

inches). The tendency for snakes to become more prolific as they advance

in age is well illustrated by my notes of this species. The 256 mm. (10%

inches) specimen contained 2 eggs, the 312 mm. (12+ inches) specimen 5, the

442 mm. (1 foot 53 inches) specimen 8, and the 530 mm. (1 foot 9 inches)

specimen 10.

(d) Maximum length.—Much my largest example, afemale, measured 610

mm. (2 feet) in length. My largest male was only 362 mm. (1 foot 23

inches).

Lepidosis—(a) Typical. Rostral.—Ahbout as_ broad as high ; touches 4 shields.

The portion visible above about as long as the suture between the nasals.

Nasals—Entire. Prefrontals. About as broad aslong. Supraoculars. About

as long as the prefrontals, about three-fourths the length of the frontals,

three-fifths to two-thirds the parictals, equal to the temporal. Frontal. Length

subequal to the snout, about three-fourths the pariectals, and one-third

the shielded part of the head. Preocular. None. Postocular. One, rather

shorter than the diameter of the eye. Supralabials. Four, the 3rd touching

the eye. Infralabials. Four, the first meet behind the mental. Sublinguals.

One pair, separating the mental from the Ist ventral shield. Costals. Broader

than long, smooth. The ultimate row about three-fourths the breadth of the

ventrals. In 15 rows in the whole body length. Ventrals— @ 161 to 175,

ventrals. Supracaudals. Not keeled. Subcaudals. @ 14 to 15, 2 10 to 12.

Terminal Shield. With a transverse ridge ending mesially in a small

point.

Anomalies— Ventrals.—The last is sometimes divided.

Dentition.— Mazillary. 8 teeth, kumatodont. Palatine.—No teeth. Pterygoid.

No teeth. Mandibular. 9 teeth, kumatodont.

Distribution Western Ghats south of the Palghat gap (Palnai_ to

Travancore Hills).

398 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXI

FAMILY—COLUBRIDAEF,

Xylophis perroteti (Dumeril and Bibron).

Four specimens of this species were included in the collection details of which

appear below :—

Costals. |

3 2

E eo: Say:

cE |ee ake :

: a a5 x

e iS aie Sena ee ies REMARRS.

ae 612s 6 Sele. 8

2! 8 Hole. lode enh ese

Bla Bo ey Ea cee i ate gees

= a i

76 20-11-21] 2 | 330} 13] 13] 13 | 139] 18 \Contained 4 eggs about

18 mm. (3 of an_ inch)

long.

290 | 13 13 13 133] 28 |Contained 6 eggs about 15

mm. (§ of an inch) long.

Many minute helminths

in cloaca (Porocephali ?).

77 |L1-11-22

78 15,01299 | 2 | 8861s! 913 st ia ag

ROU AIS O2t| ag al Pag 413 13> 034 3376

Above 6,000 feet the five species referred to seem to be about the only

snakes found in these Hills.

399

BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY’S 7

MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON.

Report No. 37, NEPAL. »

By Martin A. C. Hinron anv 'l'. B, Fry.

COLLECTION ... AE UN(OMOHd

LOCALITY... s) Nepal,

DaTE NAF ... August 1920 to March 1921.

COLLECTED BY ... Lt.-Colonel R. L. Kennion with

the assistance of the Society’s

Collector, N. A. Baptista.

The researches of Brian H. Hodgson in Nepal, made between

1823 and 1843, laid the foundations of Himalayan mammalogy.

Owing to the imperfect and confused labelling of Hodgson’s speci-

mens a modern collection from the neighbourhood of Katmandu

has been a desideratum for many years. While the work of the

Mammal Survey in the adjoining countries of Kumaon and Sik-

kim cleared up much that was obscure, it did’ not supply the

necessary topotypical material by means of which alone a sound

judgment could be formed as to the status of the many nominal

species described by Hodgson as being peculiar to Nepal. In

these circumstances the present collection forms one of the most

useful and interesting contributions to Indian mammalogy yet

made by the Mammal Survey. In drawing up this report we have

seized the opportunity to examine the Hodgson M.S. and draw-

ings, both those belonging to the British Museum and those in

the library of the Zoological Society, and to collate them with

Hodgson’s specimens in the national collection. ‘This work has

been done pretty thoroughly for all orders, with the exception of

the Ungulates, which must be reserved for a future occasion. As

a result we are able to give below a complete list of the mammals of

Nepal so far as they are now known; and also a list of those

species erroneously, though commonly, reputed to have been found

in Nepal.

From this report_it will be seen that there are still many gaps

in our knowledge; and that many species, especially among Chirop-

tera, Insectivora and Rodentia, represented in the Survey collections

from Kumaon and Sikkim are still unknown from Nepal, although

they probably have representatives in the latter country. It is to

be hoped that the Survey Collector will obtain these, together with

material representing the species still known to us only by Hodg-

son’s specimens.

The Committee of the Society have asked us to record here their

grateful thanks to General H. H. Sir Chandra Shumshere Jung

400 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

Bahadur Rana, GC? B., Gu. 8.1. G'C.V O;, Bi. i. the

Prime Minister of Nepal, for the help and assistance he has pro-

vided our collector.

The special thanks of the Society are also due to Lt.-Col. R .L.

Kennion, late Envoy at Katmandu, for the first part of the

present collection, which was made by him personally ; for superin-

tending the work of Baptista, who made the second part of the

collection; and for so kindly supplying us with much valuable

topographical information.

The Zoological Society of London must also be thanked for

lending us the priceless Hodgson M.S. and drawings from its

library. Without that loan it would have been quite impossible to

have made full use of this collection.

{n preparing the following notes upon the physical configuration

of Nepal we have made free use of the account given in the

‘Imperial Gazetteer’’, The State consists of a long narrow

rectangular strip of country, with an area of about 54,000

square miles, trending from the north-west to the south-east, its

S. E. extremity being in latitude 26° N. longitude 88° E., and its

N. W. corner in latitude 30° N. longitude 80° EK. As a Himalayan

State it is a country carved in high relief, of diversified surface,

and variable climate. Broadly speaking it is traversed from W.

to E. by three parallel longitudinal valleys, separated or bounded

by three ranges of hills, the altitudes of the valley floors and the

heights of the hills increasing as we go northwards towards the

Tibetan frontier which passes more or less along the crest of the

Himalayas proper.

Dealing with these leading physical features in order, we note

first that the southern border of Nepal is formed by a lowland belt,

the Tarai, from 10 to 30 miles wide, the altitude of which varies

between 200’ and 3800' above sea-level. The Tarai is formed

in part by open country under cultivation and in part by

primeval jungles, the latter consisting for the most part of dense

forests of Sal intermixed with Sissum, Semal (cotton trees), and

near the hills, Char (Pinus longifolia). In places it is quite im-

penetrable, owing to the luxuriant undergrowth and the tangle of

giant creepers swinging from tree to tree. The forest is occasion-

ally interrupted by grass which often reaches a height of 10 or 15

feet. In the low-lying portions, particularly in the eastern Tarai,

there are swampy tracts clothed with elephant grass, which in some

places is so dense that not even elephants can force their way

through. Quicksands and bogs, often of a most dangerous char-

acter, are of frequent occurrence. ,

Along the northern margin of the Tarai, at all events westward

of the Kosi River, a low range of sandstone hills—the Siwaliks—

rises to a height of about 2,000! and extends almost continuously

MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA, 401

westward through Nepal except where breached by transverse

rivers. Behind to the north of this range are longitudinal valleys

(each containing a lateral stream tributary to one of the transverse

rivers of the country), which separate the Siwaliks from the median

range of hills next to be noted. ‘These longitudinal valleys are

called ‘‘ Dhuns’’ and their floors lie at levels of from 500! to 1,000’.

Into them open the narrow ravines which furrow the southern

face of the median range. Both the Siwaliks and the Dhuns are

clothed with dense jungle.

To the north of the Siwaliks and Dhuns rises the median or

Mahabharat Range, which attains heights of 7,000’ to 8,000',

passing continuously through the country from east to west, except

where pierced by the chief transverse rivers. Of these there are

three, viz., the Kosi, Ganduk and Kawnala, named in order from

east to west. Lateral branches of these have excavated great long-

itudinal valleys which separate the Mahabharat Range from the

main or northern chain of the Himalayas. Lofty ridges leaving the

main chain of the Himalayas at right angles, connect the main

chain with the Mahabharat Range and form the water partings

between the basins of the three rivers above named. Similar

ridges bounding the great gorges which furrow the southern slopes

of the Himalayas proper jut into the longitudinal valleys from

the north at intervals between these divides but, of course, do not

effect a junction with the Mahabharat Range.

The divide between the Kosi and Ganduk basins is of especial

interest. It is formed-by a great ridge leaving the main chain

of the Himalayas at Gosainthan, Passing southward it bifurcates

some miles to the north of the line of the Mahabharat Range, and

encloses in the bifurcation the great valley of Katmandu.

The floor of this valley, lying at an altitude of about 4,700’

isan undulating plain of ovate form measuring about 20 miles

from north to south and about 12 miles from east to west. It is

completely surrounded by hills of moderate elevation (7,000' to

9,000') except to the south at Ferping, where a narrow and deep

gorge carries the small river Baghmati, draining the valley of

Katmandu, out towards the plain of the Ganges. According to

an ancient tradition the valley of Katmandu was once a large

and deep lake; and this seems to be possible in view of its geolo-

gical structure.

According to the Gazetteer all the valleys of central Nepal (that

is between the Mahabharat Range and the Himalayas proper) are

well watered, highly cultivated, and often densely populated. The

climate varies naturally with the altitude and rainfall. In the

Katmandu Valley it is very good, much. like that of southern

Europe, but moister... The average rainfall at Katmandu is about

96°5 inches per annum, half of which falls in the months July and

402 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST; SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

August, while the greater part of the remainder falls in June and

September. ‘The average temperature recorded for each of the

four months January, May, July and November is respectively

12° 41F* 6,774, ang G0 a2:

Zoologically speaking the Tarai, Siwaliks, Dhuns and the lower

slopes of the Mahabharat Range are strictly oriental, at all events

as regards the mammal fauna; and the mammals of this part of

the country are for the most part identical with those inhabiting

Bengal. Among the larger mammals, elephants, rhinoceros, sam-

bhur and tiger ave characteristic. With these, in the Tarai, occur

buffalo, chital, hog-deer and swamp-deer. In the dhuns, bison

replace buffalo and the characteristic swamp animals of the Tarai

are, of course, absent.

At higher jevels on the Mahabharat Range, in the valley of

Katmandu, and on the still higher slopes to the north of that

valley the character of the fauna gradually changes, the Oriental

forms disappearing and being replaced by Palearctic types. Many

of the species which occur in this transition region are, if not

peculiar to Nepal, at least peculiar to that country and the corres-

ponding zones of Kumaon and Sikkim. Among the characteris-

tic large animals of the higher vallevs may be mentioned burrhel,

thar and true bears. 7

The following is a list of the stations at which mammals were

collected by Lt.-Col. Kennion or Baptista. We are greatly

indebted to the former for supplying us with information as to the

whereabouts and altitudes of these localities.

A.—LOUALITIES IN THE TaRal (altitudes of each about 300’).

Bankulwa Morang. In Tarai E. of Kosi River.

Hindulwa Morang. ,, ,, 35;

Bairaglia. In Tarai on Baghmati River on "Nepal- Indian frontier.

Baria Patherghatta. In Tarai to the North of Bairaglia.

Hazaria Patherghatta. ,, ,, ,, Oe. Bhat

Tribinia. On Ganduk River on Nepalese- Indian frontier (possibly

a Dhun locality ; but altitude 300’).

D> OV OO LO re

B,—LocaALITIES IN THE DuHUNS.

7. Hetwada about 30 miles 8.S,W. of Katmandu in the valley of the

Rapti; altitude about 1,000’.

8. Partapur. Lower down the Rapti Valley between Hetwada and

Tribinia ; altitude about 700’.

9. Sunachir. ” ” ” % ” a ”

C,—LocCALITIES IN OR IMMEDIATELY AROUND THE VALLEY OF KATMANDU.

10. Katmandu - os oe 3 .. Altitude 4,500'.

11. Changoo .., oie ae ay ate Aah Fs 9

12. Hathiban Py. fs oe cm a. 55 5,000”.

13. Ferping ..

a - 5 at, Ae be os

14, Chalna-Khel .. eS a Ni 4% B 5,000'?

MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 403

15. Thankot ,. = Tr ws as .. Altitude 5,000’.

16. Bouzini .. Probably near 14 and 15.

17, Godaveri.. te a es ‘ ae 6,000’, 12

miles 8. of Katmandu.

18. Kakani 3 7,000",

19, Nagarkot.. a) tA ue he a x

20. Sipari Pe ei ait a ~ oh 3 6,000-8,000’,

J).—LocaLitIES IN BASIN OF GANDUK.

21. Nawakot. Altitude 3,000’ in valley, 20 milos N. W. of Katmandu.

22. Laharipava ,, 11,000’) ‘These places are I think situated

23. -Ramchie* " ;, 5 |in valleys N. of Katmandu in main

24, Thunsi x » prange, about 40 to 50 miles from Kat-

25. Parchung , | mandu ; the elevations given probably

26. Pattibhagan _,, 8,000/ J avout right.—R.L.K.

In the following pages the material collected for the Mammal

Survey is listed in the way customary in these Reports—the

enumeration of the specimens following immediately upon the state-

ment as to synonymy. The word ‘“ Hodgson” appearing after

the enumeration indicates either that specimens are also in the

Hodgson collection, or that Hodgson has left satisfactory evidence

that the species was known to him as inhabiting Nepal.

(1) Macaca munatta, Zimm,

The Rhesus,

(For synonymy see Hinton and Wroughton, J.B.N.H.S., xxvii.

p. 668.)

Nagarkot, 7,000’, 9 2; Hazaria Patherghatta, 300’, 1.

s Hodgson.”

(See also Reports Nos, 7, 14-16, 19, 23, 25-27, 35-37.)

The facts which necessitate the substitution of Zimmermann’s mulatta

for Audebert’s rhesus as the technicalname of this species have been

discussed in the paper by Hinton and Wroughton cited above,

This is the ‘ Macacus (Pithea) oinops”’ of Hodgson, who gives its dis-

tribution in Nepal as the Tarai and Saul Forest together with the lower

and central hilly regions.

“Found all over Morang and Patherghatta. This monkey congregates

in large troops in heavy forest. Twice a day, morning and evening, they

come near the river to drink water, and they are very shy. The call is

‘* Pio” repeated frequently and recognised as a warning signal.—N.A.B.

(2) Macaca assaMENsis, McCi.

The Assam Macaqua.

(For synonymy, see Hinton and Wroughton, J,B.N.H.S., xxvit.,

p. 669.)

“ Hodgson.”

(See also Reports Nos. 20, 23, 26.)

This is the ‘ Macacus (Pithex) pelops”” of Hodgson who states it to be

restricted in Nepal to the ‘northern hilly region.” Although no specimens

are included in the survey collection now before us, good material was

obtained by the Mammal Survey in Sikkim. (See Report No. 28, and

Hinton and Wroughton Joc. cit. supra.)

404. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

(83) PirnEcus scuistacEus, Hodgs.

The Himalayan Langur.

(Synonymy in No. 15.)

Hazaria, 300’, 92.

‘* Hodgson.”

(See also Report No. 15.)

In describing the distribution of this species Blanford (p. 38C), says:

“As stated under the last species (2.e., entellus), it remains to be seen

whether the Langurs of the Tarai and lower Himalayan slopes are not P.

cntellus. I can find no record, by a competent naturalist, of P. schistaceus

below 5,000’ or 6,000’? Hodgson in his Catalogue (J. A. S. B., x., 907)

states its chief habitat in Nepal to be the Tarai and Lower Hills and says

that it occurs more rarely in the Central and even in the Northern Hilly

regions. The specimens obtained by Baptista at Hazaria are most

characteristic examples of schistaceus and fully confirm Hodgson’s state-

ment that the species occurs in the Tarai. In Kumaon too, specimens were

obtained by the Mammal Survey at the low elevation of 1,100’; and

from that station (Ramnagar) it was observed up to heights of about 9,000’.

(Report No. 15).

The distribution of this species would therefore seem to afford an interest-

ing parallel to that of Macaca assamensis which, although a characteristie

Himalayan species, has also an out-post in the Sunderbuns (Anderson,

P.Z.8., 1872, p. 529 ; Hinton and Wroughton, J. B. N. H.S., xxvii, p. 667).

“ Vernacular names :—Langur (Mallaha); Derdoa (Pahari). This Lan-

gur is fairly plentifulin Hazaria near the bank of the Soonsori River. They

are not very shy. The call is ‘“‘ Hoop! Hoop!” generally uttered as a

warning call by one of the troop.”—N.A.B.

(4) RousErrus LEsCHENAULTI, Desi.

Leschenault’s Fruit Bat.

+ (Synonymy in No, 11.)

‘* Hodgson”.

(See also Reports Nos. Ll, 15, 16, 17, 22, 27, 28.)

This is Hodgson’s “ Pteropus pyrivorus”. He obtained it in the grease

valley of Nepal at 4,000’ where, according to the manuscripts in the libraiy

of the Zool. Soc., it occurs “‘ rarely in autumn.”

(5) PTEROPUS GIGANTEUS LEUCOCEPHALUS, Hodgs.

Hodgson’s Flying Fox.

1835. Pleropus leucocephalus, Hodgson, J. A. S. B., iv., p. 700.

1912. Pteropus giganteus leococephalus, Andersen, Cat. Chir., B. M., i.,

p. 3338 (q. v. for full synonymy).

‘* Hodgson”’.

Hodgson’s original specimen was obtained on January 31, in the valley of

Nepal near Katmandu. In his M. S. he describes it as “ sleeping in a tree,

a passenger never seen here before’. Another of his notes states this

form to be “‘ very rare in hills, very common in plains or Tarai’.

This subspecies is now known to occur in Kooloo, Nepal, Assam, Cachar,’

Manipur and is recorded with doubt from Arrakan and Pegu. No speci-

mens have yet been obtained by the Mammal Survey.

MAMMAL SURVEY OF 1NDIA. 405

(6) CyNoeTERUS BRACHYOTIS ANGULATUS, Mill.

The Malay Short-nosed Fruit Bat.

' (Synonymy in No. 17.)

‘Scully.

Scully (J. A. 8S. B., lvi., p. 289, 1887) described two specimens which he

collected in Nepal, one being from the Nowakot district, the other from

just within the valley of Nepal. These he referred to “ C. marginatus”

pointing out that the measurements “accord best with those of C. brachyotis

from S. Andaman Island”. Andersen (Cat. Chir. p. 611) includes Scully’s

“ marginatus’ doubtfully in the synonymy of C. brachyotis angulatus, Miller,

a form otherwise not known to occur nearer to Nepal than in Assam (North

Lakhimpur.)

(7) RHINOLOPHUS PERNIGER, Hodgs.

The Himalayan Horseshoe Bat.

(Synonymy in No. 14.)

Chalna-Khel, 2 1; Bouzini, Jd l.

‘““ Hodgson”’.

(See also Reports Nos. 17, 23 and 25.)

Hodgson’s type was obtained from ‘“‘the Forest of Hatiban” in the great

valley of Nepal.

(8) RHINOLOPHUS PEARSONI, Horsf.

Pearson’s Horseshoe Bat.

(Synonymy in No. 15.)

Parchung, ¢ 1.

( See also Reports Nos. 15, 26.)

(9) RuinotopHus Macrotis, Hodgs.

The Large-eared Horseshoe Bat. :

1844, Rhinolophus macrotis, Hodgson, in Blyth, J. A. 8. B., xiii., p. 485.

“Hodgson”. ‘Central valley of Nepal’.

This species described from the Central valley of Nepal and known also

from Mussoorie, has not yet been obtained by the Mammal Survey.

Closely related to R. pearsoni, according to Andersen, it is distinguished

by its smaller size, larger ears and relatively longer third metacarpals.

(10) R#HINOLOPHUS FERRUM-EQUINUM TRAGATUS, Hodgs.

Hodgson’s Horseshoe Bat.

(Synonymy in No. 23.)

* Hodgson”.

This well marked subspecies was described from the Central valley of

Nepal, where Hodgson found it to be “ permanently present in outhouses ”’

at an altitude of 4,000’. It also occurs in Sikkim, where specimens were

obtained both by Hodgson and by the Mammal Survey.

(11) RHINOLOPHUS AFFINIS HIMALAYANUS, K. And.

The Allied Horseshoe Bat.

1905, Rhinolophus affinis himalayanus, K. Andersen, P.Z.8., 1905, p. 103.

Parchung, fj 1; Thankot, ¢ 1, QJ.

“ Hodgson.”

13 ,

406 JGURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXILX.

(12) RHINOLOPHUS sUBBADIUs, Blyth.

1844. Rhinolophus subbadius, Blyth, J. A.S. B., xiii., p. 486.

1891. Rhinolophus minor, Blanford (in part ; mec. Horsfield), Mamm,

No. 154.

‘* Hodgson.”

(13) HipposrpEROos aRMIGER, Hodgs.

The Great Himalayan Leaf-nosed Bat.

(Synonymy in No. 14.)

Pattibhagan, d1 ; Bouzini, ¢ 14.

** Hodgson.”’

‘‘Scully.”” Ind. Mus. Collector, 1871.

(See also Reports Nos. 15, 16, 20, 25, 26, 28.)

Hodgson obtained this bat in the Central valley of Nepal at an altitude

of 4,500’.

: Very common in Nepal at all seasons ” (Scully).

(14) HziprostvERos FULVUus, Gray.

The Buicoloured Leaf-nosed Bat.

(Synonymy in No. 3.)

? Hodgson M. S.:(Zool. Soc.) vol. 1, p. 8, fig. 3.

“ Scully. bi

There is evidence (although no specimens are now known) that Hodgson

obtained a second and smaller species of Hipposideros in Nepal. Andersen

(P.Z.S., 1905, p. 139) pointing out that Hodgson’s “ Vespertilio subbadia ””

J.A.S. B., x., p. 908, 1841) is a nomen nudum and not identical with

Blyth’s Rhinolophus subbadius, as Blyth supposed, adds :—* the head of

this Bat is figuredin Hodgson’s unpublished drawings, pl. 8, fig. 3; it is not

a Rhinolophus, but a Hipposideros, probably HH. dicolor or an allied form.”

Hodgson obtained his specimen from the Central valley of Nepal at an

altitude of 4,000’.

Scully (J. A. S. B., lvi, p. 248) refers three specimens which he captured

in the valley of N epal to this species.

(15) HipposiDEROS CINERACEUS, Blyth.

The Inttle Leaf-nosed Bat.

1853. Hipposideros cineraceus, Blyth, J. A. S. B., xxii., p. 410; K. Ander-

sen, A.M.N.H. (9) ii, p. 384 (1918).

1871. Phyllorhina amboinensis, Peters, M. B. Akad. Berlin, 1871, p. 323.

1872. Phyllorhina micropus, Hutton, P.Z.8., 1872, p. 703.

1891, Hipposiderus amboinensis, Blanford Mammalia, No. 167.

Siscullye7

Two specimens were obtained in the Nepal valley by Scully who referred.

them to Phyllorhina amboinensis. The fore-arm measurements 1'"4 and

1-37; (35°3—34'8 m.m.) recorded by Scully agree with those of the

present species.

(16) LyroperMa tyra, Geoff.

The Indian Vampire Bat.

(Synonymy in No, 1.)

Hazaria, 300’, @ 1, Q 2.

(See also Reports Nos. 4-9, 12, 14, 15, 19, 22, 23, 27.)

This bat has not been hitherto definitely known to occur in Nepal,

where it is not improbably restricted to the Tarai and the lower slopes

MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA. . 407

bordering upon it. Hodgson (as has already been pointed out by Ander-

sen and Wroughton, A. M. N. H. (7), xix., p. 135, did not become

acquainted with the species until after his removal to Sikkim; and

the specimens in his collection, though at one time erroneously labelled

as being from Nepal, came in fact from the latter country. In his M.S.

Hodgson gives the habitat as ‘Tarai of Sikkim.”

‘“T saw of these bats only eight in a hole ina tree. I could only catch

three. The inhabitants of this place (Hazaria) told me that these bats are

very common in the beginning of May.”—VN. A. B.

(17) Nvycratus Lastatus, Hodgs.,

The Indian Noctule Bat.

. (Synonymy in No, 25,)

*‘Hodgson”, ‘Scully’.

(See also Reports Nos. 26, 28.)

Obtained from the valley of Nepal at 4,000’ (Hodgson M.S.) “ Not

common in the Nepal valley. Mr. Hodgson says that it is found there

throughout the year, does not hibernate, and quests for food solitarily ”

(Scully). Scully and Hodgson each seem to have obtained single specimens.

. (18) PipistRELLUS BaBu, Thos.

The Babu Pipistrel.

(Synonymy in No. 26.)

Kakani, <¢ l.

** Hodgson”’ ?

(19) PipisTRELLUs COROMANDRA, Gray.

The Coromandel Pipistrel.

(Synonymy in No. 5.)

Hazaria, 300, @Q 2; Bairia, 300’, ¢ 4, 9 4; Bairaglia, 300%

Fe ao oa |

“ Hodgson”. ‘Scully’. (Ind. Mus.)

(See also Reports Nos. 2, 9, 11, 13-15, 19, 23, 26-29.)

‘Mr. Hodgson presented five examples of Vesperugo abramus, obtained

in Nepal, to the British Museum; but he does not appear to have dis-

criminated the species, as he gave no name to it.” (Scully, J. A. S. B., lvi.,

p. 251.)

Scully states this to be ‘‘a very common species in the Nepal valley

where it is to be found at all seasons”’.

(20) PipistRELLUS MIMUs, Wrought.

The Southern Dwarf Pipistrel.

(Synonymy in No. 1.)

(See also Reports Nos. 2, 8, 5-18, 15, 18-20, 23, 25, 27.)

Bairia, 300'", @ 11, 2 7; Hazaria, 300’, 9 1.

(21) Myoris rormosvus, Hodgs.

Hodgson’s Bat.

1835, Vespertilio formosus, Hodgson, J. A. S. B., iv., p, 700; Blanford

Mammalia No. 210.

“* Hodgson”’.

““ Valley of Nepal, 4,000’ ’’ (Hodgson M.S.)

Apparently rare in the valley of Nepal; Hodgson obtained only one

example there and Scully failed to find it.

408 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

(22) Myotis Murnicota, Gray.

The Wall Bat.

(Synonymy in No. 17.)

‘* Hodgson”.

(See also Reports Nos. 23 and 27).

** Valley of Nepal, 4,000’ ”. (Hodgson M.S.)

(23) Myoris sILIGorENSIs, Tomes.

The Darjiling Bat.

1855. Vespertilio stligorensis, Tomes, in Horsfield, A. M. N. H., 2, xvi,

p. 102.

%8I1. Vespertilio mystacinus, (in part) Blanford, Mammalia, No. 211.

“Scully”.

(See also Report No. 15, under darjelingensis.)

“ This is one of the commonest bats in the Nepal valley. It may be seen

every evening throughout the year, flying rather high in the air.” Scully,

J.A.S. B., lvi., p. 254.

(24) Myoris NIPALENSIS, Dobson.

The Nepal Bat.

1844. Vespertilio pallidiventris, Hodgson, Calc. J.N.H., iv., p. 286, Gray,

1846, 1863 (nomen nudum).

1871. Vespertilio nipalensis, Dobson, Proc. As. 8. B., 1871, p. 214, Mon. *

As. Chir, p. 141, (1876); Cal. Chir., B.M., p. 302, (1878);

Scully; Blanford Mammalia No. 207.

“ Hodgson”’.

Indian Mus. Collector, 1871. (Type 172a Calcutta).

Although this small bat has been treated (in the absence of material)

.asa synonym of caliginosus or of siligorensis it seems to be a perfectly dis-

tinct species characterized by having its lower surface pure white.

Forearm according to Dobson 345 m.m. Both Hodgson’s original speci-

men and that obtained by the Indian Museum Collector in 1871 came

from the valley of Nepal. It is to be hoped that further material of this

bat will be procured. Quite possibly it is really a species of Leuconoe and

not a Myotis at all.

(25) Murina Hurront, Peters.

The Whate-bellied Tube-nosed Bat,

(Synonymy in No. 15.)

“ Scully’

A single specimen was obtained by Scully in the Nepal Valley in Septem-

ber (J.A.S.B., lvi., p. 251).

(26) MuINIOPreRUS FULIGINOsUS, Hodgs.

Hodgson’s Long-winged Bat. |

(Synonymy in No. 15.)

“Hodgson.” ‘‘ Scully.”

(See also Reports Nos. 138, 16 and 22.

‘‘ Valley of Nepal, 4,000.” (Hodgson M.S.)

Hodgson says that this species remains in Nepal throughout the year

and does not hibernate, and that it is solitary in habit when hunting for

its prey. |

Scully obtained a single specimen in the Nepal Valley.

MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 409

(27) HeMIECHINUs CoLLARIS, Gray and Hardw.

Hardwicke’s Hedgehog

(Synonymy in No. 3.)

‘“* Hodgson.”

Hodgson (1841) records three species of ‘‘ Erinaceus,” viz.:—“ spatangus,”

“eollaris’’ aud “ grayit,” as inhabiting the central region of Nepal; * spatan-

gus” and “ grayi” are, of course, synonyms of collars.

There is no material in the Hodgson collection and as far as we are

aware this is the only reference which exists concerning the occurrence of

a hedgehog in Nepal.

(28) Tapa MicruRA, Hodgs,

The Short-tailed Mole.

(Synonymy in No. 23.)

** Hodgson.”

(See also Report No. 28.)

Hodgson sent specimens of this mole home in November 1841. He

gives its habitat as the Central and Northern hilly regions of Nepal.

(29) SoRICULUS NIGRESCENS CENTRALIS, Hint.

The Sikkim Brown-toothed Shrew.

1922. Soriculus nigrescens centralis, Hinton, J. B. N. H.8., Vol. xxviii.,

p. 1054° Bouzini, @ 3, Ql.

Owing to the natural tendency to ascribe Hodgson’s specimens to “‘Nepal”

and to the insufficiency of the original labels, Blanford was led to give

both Nepal and Sikkim as the habitat of this species. But as shown in the

paper just cited, all the specimens collected before the work of the Mammal

Survey came either from Sikkim or from Bhutan, and the species was

consequently quite unknown to occurin Nepal. Now that it has been

discovered in the latter country it is not surprising to find that its

representative there is a distinct subspecies differing from the typical

form by its darker colour, larger size, and peculiar bodily proportions.

(30) PacHYuRA, sp.

The Musk Shrew.

Nagarkot, 8,000’, gd 2, 2 1; Godaveri, 7,000’, @ 1; Sunachir,

@ 1; Bouzini, § 1; Bairia, 300’, ¢ 3, 9 3; Hazaria, 300,

Cio ee

“ Hodgson’’.

We hope to take up the revision of the Indian White-toothed Shrews in

earnest shortly and therefore refrain from offering any remarks upon these

most difficult animals on the present occasion.

(31) Crocrpura RuBRIcosA, And,

‘ . Anderson’s Assam Shrew.

(Synonymy in No. 25.)’:

Katmandu, 8,000' (unsexed).

| (See also Reports Nos. 25, 86.)

410 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

(32) FeExis rieris, Linn.

The Tiger.

1766. Felis tigris, Linnaeus, Syst. Nat.i., p. 61. (Omitted by mistake

in Report No. 11).

“Hodgson”.

H. M. the King.

(33) FELiIs parpus, Linn.

The Panther.

(Synonymy in No. 5.)

“* Hodgson”.

Both the Tiger and the Panther are, according to Hodgson, generally

distributed over Nepal.

(34) FELis viverriNna, Benn.

The Fishing Cat.

(Synonymy in No, 18.) |

Bankalwa Morang, ¢ l.

‘“‘ Hodgson”. :

In his M.S. Hodgson speaks of this as the ‘‘common Wild Cat of the

Tarai’.

(35) FELIS ZBENGALENSIS, Kerr,

The Leopard Cat.

(Synonymy in No. 11.)

“* Hodgson’”’.

(See also Reports Nos. 14-17, 20, 23, 25, 31.)

For this species Hodgson used at different dates the specific names

““ nepalensis”’ and ‘‘ pardochrous”’. According to his M.S. it inhabits the

woods of the central region of Nepal.

(36) FerLis NEBULOsA, Griffith.

The Clouded Leopard.

1821. Felis nebulosa, Griffith, Carnivora, p. 37; Blanford, Mamm.

No. 32.

1825. Felis macroscelis, Temminck, Horsf. Zool. Journ., i., p. 548.

Hodgson, 1841.

1844. Felis macrosceloides, Hodgson, Calc., J. N. H., iv., p. 286.

«« Hodgson”.

Inhabits the Central Region of Nepal. (Hodgson).

(37) FELIs TEMMINCKI, Vigors, and Horsf.

(Synonymy in No. 14.) :

“ Hodgson”.

(See also Report No. 16.)

This is the species called “ F. murmensis” or “ moormensis” by Hodgson

who states it to inhabit the Central Region of Nepal.

MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 411

(38) FELIS AFFINIS, Gray.

The Jungle Cat.

(Synonymy in No. 1.)

Hathiban, 2 2; Bouzini, d 1; Hazaria, 300, 9 1.

Bankalwa Morang, ¢ 1; Hindalwa Morang, ¢ 1.

** Fodgson’’.

(See also Reports Nos. 3-7, 10-12, 15, 16, 18-20, 22, 24, 27, 28.)

This is Hodgson’s Lynchus erythrotis ‘* apparently identical with F. ehaus,

Auct”. Generally distributed throughout Nepal. (Hodgson).

(39) Ferzis rorquata, F, Cuv.

The Waved Cat.

1826. Felis torquata, F, Cuvier, Hist. Nat. Mamm. pl. 126.

1837. Felis inconspicua, Gray, Charlesworth’s Mag. N. H.,i., p. 577.

? Felis huttoni, Blyth, J. A. S. B., xv., p. 109.

The type locality of this species is stated to be Nepal, where according

to F. Cuvier 1t was obtained by Alfred Duvaucel. Hodgson makes no refer-

ence to the species.

(40) VivEeRRA ZIBETHA, Linn,

The Large Indian Civet,

(Synonymy in No. 14.)

Chalna-Khel, 9 1; Hindalwa Morang, g 1; Bankalwa, Q 2.

‘* Hodgson”’.

(See also Reports Nos. 17, 20, 23, 25-28.)

Generally distributed over Nepal, according to Hodgson, who thought

there were two species, which he named “ melanurus’ and ‘civettoides”

without publishing descriptions.

“Vernacular name:—WNt Buiralloo (Pahari). In Patherghatta and

Morang this seems to be most common and is very destructive to poultry”.

—N.A.B.

(41) ViIvERRICULA MALACCENSIS, Gmel.

The Small Indian Civet

(Synonymy in No. 3.)

‘ Hodgson”.

(See also Reports Nos. 5, 7, 10-13, 15-20, 22, 24, 27, 28.)

This animal is restricted in Nepal to the Tarai, according to Hodgson,

who thought there were two species. The range as known to him extended

along the Tarai from the Sutlej to the ‘lista.

(42) PRIoNODON PARDICOLOR, Hodgs.

The Indian Tiger Cat.

(Synonymy in No. 23.)

‘* Hodgson”’.

(See also Report No. 25.)

This species, according to Hodgson, inhabits the Central and Northern

hilly regions of Nepal. He sent specimens home first in November 1841.

412 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

(48) Parapoxurvs crossi, Gray.

The Northern Manoori.

1832. Paradoxurus crossi, Gray, P. Z.8., p. 66; Wroughton, J. B. N. H.

S., xxv., p. 00.

1836. Paradoxurus hirsutus, Hodgson, As. Res. xix., p. 72.

1864. Paradoxurus nigripes, Gray, P. Z. 8., p. 685.

1889. Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, (in part) Blanford, Mamm. 52.

“* Hodgson”.

In Nepal, restricted to the Tarai (Hodgson).

(44) PacuMma Grayl, Benn.

The Himalayan Palm Civet.

(Synonymy in No. 15.)

Thankot, ¢ 2.

' “ Hodgson”. ‘Scully’ (Ind. Mus.).

Inhabits the Centra] Region of Nepal. (Hodgson),

(45) Herpzstes auvropunctratus, Hodgs.

The Small Indian Mongoose, .

(Synonymy in No. 27.)

Hathiban, @ 2, 2 1.

“Hodgson” Indian Mus. Collector 1872, “Scully” (Ind. Mus.).

Inhabits the Central Region of Nepal.

(46) HerpEsTEs NEPALENSIS, Gray.

The Nepal Mongoose.

(Synonymy in No. 19.)

Godaveri, 7,000’ ¢ 2, 9 1, unsexed 1.

(See also Report No. 27.)

These specimens appear to be indistinguishable from H. nepalensis,

differing from auropunctatus in the much finer ticking and darker general

colour of the coat. [tis of interest to get positive evidence of the pre-

sence of this species in Nepal in view of the doubts as to its occurrence

there held by Wroughton (J. B. N. H.S., xxv., p. 68).

(47) Herrprstes EDpwARDsI, Geoff,

The Common Indian Mongoose.

(Synonymy in No. 1, under Mungos mungo.)

‘“Hodgson”’.

This is ‘‘ Herpestes vel Mangusta nyula’’ of Hodgson who states that in

Nepal it is restricted to the ‘l'arai.

(42) Herpustes urva, Hodgs.

The Crab-eating Mongoose.

(Synonymy in No. 23.)

** Hodgson”’.

Inhabits the Lower and Central hilly regions of Nepal (Hodgson.)

MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA. ALS.

(49) Canis 1npicus, Hodgs.

The Jackal.

(Synonymy in No. 1 under C. aureus.)

Nagarkot, 8,000’ 9 1; Katmandu 8,000’, unsexed I.

Hathiban, ¢ 1; Bankalwa Morang, ¢ 2, 6 1.

** Hodgson”. “ Scully” (Ind. Mus.).

(See also Reports Nos. 14-16, 19, 20, 22, 25, 27, 28.)

Hodgson states that the Jackal is generally distributed over Nepal; but

in a M.S. note he adds that itis ‘“ rare in Hills, common in the great

populous valley of Nepal proper, seldom seen elsewhere in Hills”.

‘The Jackal is not common in Pathergatta.”—N. A. B.

(50) CuoN DUKHUNENSIS, Sykes.

The Indian Wild Dog.

(Synonymy in No. 2.)

Sipari, ¢ 1, juv.

‘* Hodgson”’.

(See also Reports Nos. 4, 7, 11, 15.)

Distributed over the Lower, Central and Northern hilly regions of Nepal

(Hodgson).

“Vernacular name :—Bhonso (Pahari); Farppa (Photia). Very rare in

Nepal”’.—V.4.B.

(51) WuLPEs BENGALENSIs, Shaw.

The Indian Fox.

(Synonymy in No. 1.)

Hindalwa, Q 2.

* Hodgson”. “Scully” (Ind. Mus.).

(See also Reports Nos. 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 19, 24.)

According to Hodgson this Fox in Nepal is confined to the Tarai whence

he sent specimens home in November 1841.

Two specimens collected by Scully in the valley of Nepal are however

listed in the Cat. Ind. Mus. (ii., p. 272), a male from Katmandu and a

female from Ranijangal.

“ Vernacular names :—Laddta (Mallaha); Feuro (Pahari).

** This fox is very common in Morang, and can be got around the

villages. It is easy to take them in their holes at noon. At one place I

found ten holes, but only two foxes were in these. Very shy. Traps

baited with meat, set near their holes, failed to catch them.’’—J. A.B.

(52) VULPES MONTANA, Pearson.

The Hill Fox.

(Synonymy in No. 15.)

Hodgson records this species as inhabiting the Central and Northern

hilly regions of Nepal. This is not improbable, for this fox was obtained

by the Mammal Survey in Sikkim at heights above 10,000’ (See Report

No. 23) and it has of course long been known from the countries to the

west and north of Nepal.

414. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

(53) CHARRONIA FLAVIGULA, Boad.

The Northern Indian Marten.

(Synonymy in No. 15 under Martes flavigula.)

Nagarkot, 8,000’, 62, 91; Godaveru, 7,000’, 91.

** Hodgson.” “ Scully ” (Ind. Mus:—‘* Nepal” and “Nimbota,”

Nepal.)

(See also Reports Nos. 15, 20, 23, 25, 27, 28).

Pocock (A. M.N.H. (9) i., p. 808, 1918) has recently established a special

genus for this species of Marten, for which Gray’s generic name Char-

vonta is available.

According to Hodgson it inhabits only the Central Region of Nepal.

(54) .MustELA SUBHEMACHALANA, Hodgs.

The Himalayan Weasel.

(Synonymy in No. 23.)

‘““ Hodgson.”

inhabits the Central and Northern regions of Nepal. (Hcdgson.)

(55) MustELa canicuLa, Hodgs.

The White-nosed Weasel.

1842. Mustela canigula, Hodgson, J. A. 8. B., xi, p. 279; Blanford

Mamm. No. 83.

1843. Mustela hodgson, Gray, A.M.N.H., xi., p. 118.

*« Hodgson.”

Although described from Lhasa, Tibet, there is reason to believe that

Hodgson subsequently became acquainted with Nepalese specimens of this

animal. In some copies (1) of his ‘* Classified Catalogue of the Mammals

of Nepal ” (J.A.8.B., x., p. 907) with M.S. corrections by Hodgson himself

down to the end of 1848, Hodgson has inserted the species in his list. The

habitat recorded in his unpublished drawings (Vol. 1, p. 61, Zool. Soc.) reads

‘‘Northern region of Himalayas and Tibet’? and on the back of the

drawing he mentions “ Skin from the Kachar, February”. The species may

therefore be given a provisional place in the present list.

(56) MusteLa kaTHian, Hodgs.

The Yellow-bellied Weasel.

(Synonymy in No. 15.)

** Hodgson.”

(See also Report No. 26.)

The species was obtained by Hodgson from the Kachar of Nepal as early

as July 1824.

Besides the species above enumerated Hodgson mentions in his Cata-

logue of 1841, a Mustela calotis inhabiting Central Nepal; this we are

unable to identify. He also records Mustela erminea from Nepal, but as

Blanford points out “ the only specimen made over by him to the British

Museum is a furrier’s skin, said to have been brought from Tibet.”

(1) Formerly in the possession of Dr. Gray,

MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 415

(57) MELOGALE NIPALENSIS, Hodgs.

The Brown Ferret Badger.

1836. Gulo nipalensis, Hodgson, J.A.S.B., v., p. 287 ; vi., p. 500.

1853. Helictis nipalensis, Gray, P.Z.S., 1853, p. 191; Blanford Mamm.

No. 87.

‘* Hodgson.”

inhabits the ‘“ Lower region of mountains” of: Nepal. ( Hodgson.) .

One of the original specimens was obtained from the “ Banks of the

Rapti.”

a Wroughton’s Summary, J.B.N.H.S., xxvi., p. 347, the locality

‘¢ Dilkoosha, Cachar”’ doubtless refers to the Kachar of Nepal.

Thomas has recently pointed out (A.M.N.H. (9) ix., p. 193, 1922) that the

Ferret Badgers hitherto placed in a single genus He/ictis fall into three

natural genera by the characters of the dentition and beculum. The

present species belongs to the genus Meleyale, Geoff., of which personata is

the genotype; this includes the species with large teeth and bifid haculum,

and ranges through the mainland area from Nepal to Cochin China and

Java. The remarkable species found in North Borneo formerly called

Helictis everett: with small teeth and bifid baculum 1s now referred to a

new genus Nasictis, Thomas. Helictisis restricted by Thomas to moschata

and its allies,; these forms, inhabiting Assam, China from Canton to

Shanghai, Hainan and Formosa, have small teeth and trifid baculum.

(58) MeEtztivora 1npica, Kerr.

The Indian Ratel.

(Synonymy in No. 3.)

‘‘ Hodgson.”

(See also Report No. 19.)

Inhabits the lower hilly region of Nepal. (Hodgson.)

(59) Lutra Lturra Narr, F. Cuv.

. The Common Indian Otter.

18238. Lutra nar, F. Cuvier, Dict. Sc. Nat, xxvii., p. 247 ; Pondicherri,

Hodgson, 1839.

1837. Lutra indica, Gray, Charlesworth’s Mag. N.H., i., p. 580,

Madras.

1839. Lutra monticola, Hodgson, Cat., p. 14.

1865. Barangia nepalensis, Gray, P.Z.8., 1865, p. 124.

‘‘ Hodgson.”

This is the Indian representative of the Common Otter of Europe, and

in previous reports has been noted as ZL. lutra. Lutra nair was originally

described from Pondicherri, while Gray’s indica was described from Madras.

Hodgson recognised that one of the otters of the Tarai of Nepal was

identical with that living in the plains of the peninsula ; but he thought

that the corresponding form inhabiting the Lower and Central hilly

regions of Nepal was distinct and he described it as a distinct species

LI. monticola. Pending the collection of further material in Nepal we must

follow Pohle and relegate monticola to the synonymy of zair.

416 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vot. XX1X.

(60) LurTRoGaLE BARANG TARAYENSIS, Hodgs.

The Smooth Indian Otter.

1323. Lutra barang, F. Cuvier, Dict. Sc. Nat., Paris, xxvii., p. 46.

1839. Lutra tarayensis, Hodgson, J.A.S.B., viii., p. 319.

1865. Lutra macrodus, Gray, P.Z.S., 1865, p. 128.

1878. Lutra elliott, Anderson, An. Zool. Res., p. 212.

‘* Hodgson.”

In Nepal, according to Hodgson, this otter is testricted to the Tarai.

Pohle separates the smooth otters from true Lutra as a special subgenus

for which he has revived Gray’s name Lutrogale. An independent study

of the group leads us, however, to give full generic rank to Lutrogale,

and we are glad to find that this course has already been adopted by

Pocock (P.Z.8., 1921, p. 542), for reasons very similar to our own.

L. b. tarayensis is the most widely spread form of the smooth otter, its

range extending through Burma and the plains of India to the foot of the

Himalayas. Pohle deserves great credit for having independently, and

without access to the original material, arrived at true views as to the

status and affinities of ZL. tarayensis. That itis asynonym of macrodus

was also concluded by Thomas and Wroughton (J.B.N.S., xxvi., p. 48). As

Pohle points out it cannot be regarded as more than subspecifieally dis-

tinct from LZ. barang, Cuv., described from Sumatra.

The representative of JZ. 6. tarayensis in the lower and central

hilly regions of Nepal is according to Hodgson a distinct form, to

which he gave the name L. aurobrunnea. Thomas was not able to distin-

cuish the type skin (a young specimen in bad condition) from tarayensis

aud therefore relegated the name aurobrunnea to Synonymy.

Pohle describes a specimen in the Berlin Museum, with the doubtful

locality ‘“‘ Hinter-indien? >’, which seems to agree with Hodgson’s deserip-

tion and to differ rather conspicuously from tarayensis; and he therefore

provisionally retains aurubrunnea as a distinct subspecies. It is to be

hoped that efforts will be made to get a good series of otters of all kinds

from both the Tarai and the hilly regions of Nepal, for, as is well known,

Hodgson believed the hill forms to be quite distinct from those inhabiting

the plains, recognizing in all six nominal forms as occurring within the

State. In the absence of modern material it is impossible to arrive at any

sound judgment as to this ; we can only register our opinion that it is not

improbable that Hodgson eventually will be found to be right in this as in

so many other matters.

(61) AMBLONYX CINEREA, Illig.

The Clawless Otier.

(Synonymy in No. 11 under dAony.v cinerea.)

“ Hodgson”.

(See also Reports Nos. 15, 16, 20, 31.)

The Oriental clawless otters are beyond all doubt generically distinct

from either of the African clawless genera Aonyr and Paraonyx; and for

them Amblony.:, Rafinesque (Atlantic Journ. I, 1832, p. 62) is the earliest

name. Amblonyz was described asa subgenus of Lutra for L. concolor the

clawless otter of the Garo Hills.

[n his monograph Pohle separates the Indian form (under Hodgson’s name

indigitata) from the true cinerea, described from Java, and inhabiting

Sumatra, Borneo and the Malay Peninsula. It is quite possible that this

MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 417

distinction is justified, but on the material available we are quite unable

to recognize the distinguishing characters, claimed by Pohle and we must

therefore for the present continue to use civerea as the specific name for

the Indian species. The series representing true cizerea in the British

Museum is a fairly long one; but our Indian material is extremely poor,

including not more than five good skulls to represent the whole of India

and Assam. Much the same remark could be made about each of the

other Indian otters and it is to be hoped that members of the Society will

make efforts to get together a good set of otter skulls representing all

species in all localities.

(62) AILURUS FULGENS, F. Cuv.

The Red Cat-Bear.

(Synonymy in No. 23.)

“Hodgson”. ‘Scully ’. (Ind. Mus. skin ‘‘ Nepal’).

Inhabits the Central and Northern region of Nepal and _ Tibet

(Hodgson).

(63) Ursus IsazELLINUS, Horsf.

The Indian Brown Bear.

1827. Ursus isabellinus, Horsfield, Linn. Trans. xv., p. 322.

1889. Ursus arctus, Blanford (nee arctos, Linn.) Mammalia No. 97.

“‘ Hodgson”.

In Nepal restricted to the northern Region or Kachar. (Hodgson),

(64) SELENARCTOS THIBETANUs, F, Cuv.

The Himalayan Black Bear.

1824. Ursus thibetanus, F. Cuvier, Hist. Nat., Mamm. pl. 213; Jerdon.

1841. Ursus torguatus, Wagner, Schreb, Séugethiere Suppl. u., p. 144 ;

Blanford *‘ Mammalia” No. 197.

1879. Ursus gedrosianus, Blanford, J. A. 8. B., xlvi., p. 3517.

1917. Areticonus thibetanus, Pocock, Ann. Mag. N. H. (8) xxi, p. 129;

““ Arcticonnus”* antedated by Selenarctos, Heude 1901—(vide

Sowerby J. Mamm.,, 1, p. 216).

“ Hodgson”,

(See also Reports Nos. 14, 20.)

Blanford rejected Cuvier’s specific name thibetanus because this animal

occurs on the southern slopes of the Himalayas and not in Thibet; that

of course is technically an inadmissible objection to the use of the earlier

name. Pocock in the course of his studies of the external characters of

the bears has found good reason for separating thibetanus as a distinct

genus for which he proposed the name <Arcticonus. But more recently

Sowerby has pointed out that Arcticonus is antedated by Selenarctos.

We would take this opportunity to point out that the material represent-

ing the Bears of the Indian Empire in the British Museum is very poor.

It is to be hoped that efforts will be made to get a good series of skulls (at

ail events) together for the national collection. There are many questions

relating to the characters and status of local races which in the absence of

proper materials for comparison must remain unanswered.

ALS JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

(65) PETAURISTA NOBILIS, Gray.

The Himalayan Flying Squirrel.

(Synonymy in No. 23.)

** Hodgson’’.

Central Region of Nepal.

(66; PerauRISTA CANICEPS, Gray.

The Grey-headed Flying Squirrel.

1842. Lteromys caniceps, Gray, A. M. N. H. x., p. 262; Blanford

Mamm. No. 231.

1844, Pteromys senev, Hodgson, J. A. 8. B., xiii., p. 68.

1911. Petaurista caniceps, Wroughton, J. B. N. H.S., xx, p. 1019.

“Hodgson”.

Central Region of Nepal. (Hodgson).

(67) PETAURISTA ALBIVENTER, Gray.

Hodgson’s Flying Squirrel.

(Synonymy in No. 15.)

“ Hodgson”.

Ind. Mus. Collector 1871 (Cal. I. M. u1., p. 36. Katmandu).

Hodgson discovered four species of Flying Squirrel in Nepal, vwiz., the

three species of Petaursta named above and Pteromys alboniger meutioned

below. He describes them collectively as inhabiting the Lower, Central

and Northern hilly regions of Nepal but as being rare in the Lower hilly

region.

As explained by Wroughton (J. B. N. H.S., xx., p. 1019) Gray’s names.

for the three species of Petaurista have to be used as being earlier than

those proposed by Hodgson, delay having unfortunately occurred in

publishing the original descriptions drawn up by the latter naturalist.

(68) PrEROMYS (HYLOPETES) ALBONIGER, Hodgs.

The Particoloured Flying Squirrel.

(Synonymy in No. 23.)

Sipari, ¢ 1.

“* Hodgson”.

Inhabits the Central and Northern regions of Nepal. (Hodgson.)

“Vernacular names:—Rajpanki (pahari); Pyampio (Bhotia). These

flying squirrels live in holes in trees. At certain seasons they come down

to lower elevations and are said to be plentiful. They build nests of grass.

in holes ; and move about at sunset’. N,A.B.

(69) RATUFA GIGANTEA GIGANTEA, McCl.

The Assam Giant Squirrel.

(Synonymy in No. 14.)

“ Hodgson” (““ Sctiurus macruroides.”’).

(See also Reports Nos. 23, 26, 28.)

Inhabits the Lower region and deep valleys of Central Nepal.

(Hodgson M.S.),

But in his printed Catalogue of 1841 Hodgson, speaking of this species

together with “ Sciurus locria” and locroides, says of them all “ Habitat

Lower Central and Northern Regions indifferently ”’.

MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 419

(70) Dremomys LoKRiIAH, Hodgs.

The Orenge-bellied Himalayan Squirrel.

(Synonymy in No. 20.)

Hathiban, ¢ 1; Chalna-Khel, ¢ 1.

“ Hodgson’? “Seully”.

(See also Reports Nos. 23, 26.)

Inhabits Central and Lower hilly regions of Nepal. (Hodgson M.S.)

‘Vernacular name for this and TYomeutes:—Lotorki (Mallaha and

Pahari). Squirrels are common throughout the forest. Live in holes in

trees. When alarmed utter a loud cry, and lie flat along the branch of a

tree”.—N.A.B.

Four specimens were obtained by Scully, three from Sheopari Ridge in

the Nepal Valley, and one from Sisagutu. (Cat. Cale. Mus. n., 20.)

(71) TomMEtrES LOKROIDES, Hodgs.,

The Hoary-bellied Himalayan Squirrel,

(Synonymy in Nos, 20 and 23.)

Nowakot, ¢ 1; Loharipavda, 8,000’, ¢ 3, 9 2; Sunachir, ¢ 1;

Katmandu, 8,000’, 2 2; Hetwada, ¢ 1, 9 1; Hathiban, 9? 1;

Chalna-Khel, ¢ 1; Hazaria, 300’, ¢ 6,92 1; Bankalwa,

ip as

* Hodgson”. “Scully” (Nowakot Dist.)

(See also Reports Nos. 25, 26-28.)

Generally distributed in Nepal (Hodgson; see under Ratufa).

(72) FUNAMBULUS PENNANTI, Wrought.

The Common Five-striped Squirrel.

(Synonymy in No. 1.)

Trbimia, o 1,9 1. 3

Not recorded by Hodgson; probably confined to the Tarai.

(73) MarMota HIMALAYANUS, Hodgs.

The Tibet Marmot.

(Synonymy in No. 23.)

‘* Hodgson”’.

Habitat Northern Region of Nepal and Tibet. (Hodgson.)

(74) Tavera Inpica, Hardw.

The Indian Gerbil.

(Synonymy in No. 1.)

Bairia, 300'", ¢ 1, 2 2; Hazaria, 300’, gd 1, 2 1.

Probably restricted to the Tarai in Nepal.

‘Vernacular name :—Hurma (Mallaha), Very common at Patherghatta..

The flesh is eaten by the Mallahas’”.—N.A.B.

(75) Banpicora NEMoRIvaGA, Hodgs.

The Smaller Bandicoot.

1836. Mus (Rattus) nemorivagus, Hodgson, J.A.S.B., xv., p. 234; Amn.

Mag. N.H., xv., p. 266, 1845.

1845. Mus macropus, Hodgson, A.M.N.H., xv., p. 266.

1891. Nesocia nemorivaga (in part), Blanford, Mammalia No. 297.

420 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

1908. Bandicota nemorvaga, Wroughton, J. B. N. H. S., xviii., p. 752.

“‘Hodgson”’.

Inhabits the Central and Northern Regions of Nepal so far as known.

( Hodgson.)

(76) GUNOMYS BENGALENSIs, Gray and Hardw.

The Bengal Mole Rat.

(Synonymy in No. 19.)

Bairia, 300’, gd 1, 2 2; Hazaria, 300’, ¢ 1; Bankalwa Morang,

hy ley Sade

This species 1s probably restricted to the Tarai in Nepal.

(77) Rattus RaTTUS BRUNNEUSCULUS, Hodgson.

White-bellied House Rat of Nepal.

1845. Mus brunneusculus, Hodgson, A. M. N. H., xv., p. 267.

1922. Rattus rattus brunneusculus, Hinton, J. B. N. H.S8., xxvii., p.1057 3

Kakani, 7,000’, g 1; Ramchie, 11,000’, 9 1, Sunachir, 9 1;

Pattbhagan. 8,000’, 2 1; Nagarkot, 8,000’, g 4, 2 8.

** Hodgson”.

The specimens collected by the Survey show that Hodgson’s ‘“ Mus

brunneusculus’’ is a well marked subspecies of Rattus rattus confined to the

elevated Central Valley of Nepal and the slopes of the surrounding

mountains, and most closely related to R. 7. stkkimensis,

(78) Ratrus RATTUS BRUNNEUS, Hodgson.

The Nepalese House Rat.

1845. Mus brunneus, Hodgson, A. M. N. H., xv., p. 266.

1922. Rattus rattus brunneus, Hinton, J. B. N. H.S., xxviil., p. 1058.

Typieat specimens :—Ferping, 2 5; Hatiban, 2 7: Godaveru,

9 2; Chalna-Khel, 9 1; Katmandu, 8,000’, a 1.

White-bellied variety :-Changoo, ows 5.

** Hodgson’’.

This remarkable rat (confined to the Central Valley and hilly region of

Nepal) was believed by Hodgson and all subsequent writers to be nearly

related to, or identical with, the Common Rat of Europe (2. norvegicus=

** decumanus’’), a species not otherwise known to occur in India, except

as an introduced animal in the neighbourhood of the great ports. The

material now collected by the Mammal Survey in Nepal enables us to prove

that drunneus is a peculiar development from R. rattws and that its resem-

blance to R. norvegicus is purely superficial. The specimen (now B. M.

No. ) mentioned by Horsfield (Cat. Mamm. Mus. E. India Co., London

1851, p. 161) in connection with “ Mus arboreus Buchanan-Hamilton”

proves on examination to be one of Hodgson’s specimens of brunneus sent

by Hodgson as a gift to Sir W. Eliot, who considered it to be identical

with his Mus flavescens.

(79) Rarrus ratrus aRsoreus, Buch-Hamilton.

The Bengal Tree Rat.

1851. Mus arboreus, Buchanan-Hamilton Horsfield, Cat. Mamm. Mus.

K. India Co., London, p. 161.

1918. Rattus rattus arboreus, Hinton, J, B. N. H.S., xxvi., p. 74.

These specimens, agreeing closely with the metomel Paw Bengal and

Orissa, show that the range of the present subspecies extends into the

Nepal ‘Tarai.

MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 421

(80) Rarrus RATTUS RUFESCENS, Gray.

The Common Indian Rat.

(Synonymy in No. 1.)

Bairia, ¢ 1; Hazaria, 3,000’, ¢ 4, 9 4.

These specimens from the Nepal Tarai are perfectly typical examples

of “ Mus rufescens, Gray” inthe strictest sense. lt is of interest to note

that none of the various House Rats found in Nepal, whether in the Tarai

or in the Central Valley and Hills, shows the slightest trace of being

affected by the introduction of rats from extraneous sources.

(81) RatrTus RArroipes, Hodgson.

The Nepal Hill Rat.

1845. Mus ruttoides, Hodgson, Ann. Mag. N. H., xv., p. 267.

1914. Epimys vicerev, Wroughton (nec. Bonhote) Report No, 23. (Sikkim)

J.B. N.H.S., xxiv., p. 489.

Katmandu, 8,000’, 1 unsexed; Nagarcot, ¢ 7, 2 7; Ferping, 9 3;

Hathiban @ 2, 9 1; Thankot, ¢ 3; Changoo, ¢ 2; Sipari,

3 1; Ramchie, 11,000’, 9 1.

This is the rat which Hodgson thought represented the Black Rat of

Europe (&. rattus) in Nepal. The material now collected by the Mammal

Survey proves that this species is closely related to &. weerex described

from Simla, differing from it by its more modified skull, harsher coat,

darkened colour and, usually, by its uniformly dusky tail. To rattoides

must be referred also the specimens collected by the Survey in Sikkim,

which were referred by Wroughton in Report No. 23 to vicerex “with some

hesitation”’.

(82) Rarrus niripus, Hodgson.

The Nepal Shiny Rat.

(Synonymy in No. 15.)

Ferping, 9 1; Thankot, g 1; Changoo, ¢ l, @ 1.

This rat, of which long series were obtained by the Mamma! Survey in

Kumaon and Sikkim, appears to be rare in Nepal.

(83) Rarrus FULVESCENS, Gray.

The Bicoloured Rat,

(Synonymy in No, 14.)

Hathiban, ¢ 38, 9 2; Chalna-Khel, @ 1, 2 2; Changoo, @ 1;

Bouzini, ¢ 3.

** Hodgson”’.

“Trapped in a big rock, where there are old porcupine holes”.—.A.B,

(84) Rarrus Nivetventer, Hodgson.

The White-bellied Rat.

(Synonymy in No. 15.)

Thankot g 1, 9 1, unsexed J; Chalna-Khel, ¢ 2

** Hodgson”’,

* Inhabits the Central and Northern Region of Nepal” (Hodgson),

42 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

(85) MILLARDIA MELTADA, Gray.

The soft-furred Field Rat.

(Synonymy in No. 1.)

Bairia, 300’, ¢ 1.

Probably restricted to the Tarai in Nepal.

(86) VANDELEURIA DUMETICOLA, Hodgson,

Hodyson’s Tree Mouse.

(Synonymy in No. 16.)

“ Hodgson”. Indian Mus. Collector, 1870, Katmandu.

“Scully” (Indian Mus., Katmandu).

(See also Reports Nos. 23, 25, 26, 27, 28.)

Central and Northern Nepal. (Hodgson.)

(87) Mus posius, Hodgson.

The Nepal House Mouse,

(Synonymy in No. 15.)

** Hodgson”’.

(See also Reports Nos. 5, 6, 8—16, 18—20, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31,

and 34, under mane and urbanus.

(88) Leaeada CERVICOLOR, Hodgson.

The Nepal Field Mouse.

1845. Mus cervicolor, Hodgson, A. M. N.H., xv., p. 268.

1845. Mus strophiatus, Hodgson loe. cit.

Bouzini, 92; Sipari, g 1, 9 1.

“« Hodgson”’.

The four specimens collected by Baptista agree perfectly in outward

appearance with the lectotype and lectoparatype of Hodgson’s “ Mus cervt-

color’ as well as with the type of his “Mus strophiatus’’, Unfortunately

not one of the skulls is entire and beyond sufticing to prove that this |

animal is a Leggada and not a Mus they do not help us to form any idea

as to the status of this nominal species. (¢f. Thomas J. B.N. H.S., xxvi,

p. 418, footnote.)

(89) GOLUNDA ELLIOTI, Gray.

The Indian Bush Rat.

(Synonymy in No. 1.)

“ Hodgson”’.

Hodgson’s Mus myothrix (A. M. N. H., xv., p. 267) is usually placed in

the synonymy of Golunda elliott; but as Wroughton pointed out in the

first Report the type is a mutilated flat skin and when the species is

rediscovered it will probably turn out to be distinct from elliotz.

Inhabits Central and Northern Regions of Nepal (Hodgson).

‘*Tenants the woods solely, dwells in burrows under roots of trees, but

not gregariously”’.?. Hodgscn.

MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA, 423

(90) Cannomys Babius, Hodgson.

The Bay Bamboo Rat.

(Synonymy in No. 290.)

Sunachir, g 1; Hazaria, 300’, 9 2.

‘* Hodgson”.

(See also Reports Nos, 23, 25—27.)

Inhabits the Lower and Central hilly regions of Nepal. Hodgson.

‘Vernacular names:—Khuma (Mallaha); ;Hondrongi Moosa (Pahari),

~“* This rat lives under the roots of a tree. The burrow is large and can

be recognized by the large quantity of earth thrown out in front of it,

‘In winter the burrow is not so deep as in summer. The flesh is eaten by

the Mallahas”.—N. A. B.

(91) ACANTHION LEUCURUS, Sykes.

Tie Indian Porcuptne.

(synonymy in No, 1.)

“ Hodgson”, |

While resident in Nepal Hodgson thought that all the porcupines of

that country were referable to the present species which he called ‘ nipa-

tensis”. That he had examples of Jeucurus before him in Nepal is proved

by one of his drawings (Zool. Soc. M.S., Vol. i., p. 213) representing a

full grown female, weighing 30 lbs., which was sent home by Hodgson in

July 1837.

(92) ACANTHION HODGSONI, Grays

The Crestless Himalayan Porcupine.

(Synonymy in No. 27.)

Hathiban, ¢ 1.

“Hodgson”. “Scully” (Ind, Mus.)

Hodgson first learnt to discriminate between this and the last-mentioned

species during his residence in Darjiling, and the specimens upon which

he based his “Hystrzv alophus’? were all obtained in Sikkim. In the

description of alophus the habitat is given simply as the “Sub-Himalayan

slopes”. A few months before the publication of Hodgson’s paper, Gray

described his Acanthion hodgsont basing it upon two specimens obtained by

‘Hodgson in Nepal. Hodgson’s name “‘nipalensis” is therefore, in part, a

synonym of this species as well as of leucorus.

“This porcupine is not common at present (April), and it is very difficult

to find its holes. 1 am told that in the middle of July it is frequently

seen among cornbeans, I trapped it about two miles from camp, where

there was a pair in a hole, but one escaped leaving its hind leg in a

trap’.—N. A. B.

(93) Lepus ruFicaupatus, Geof.

The Common Indian Hare,

(Synonymy in No. 15.)

Kakani, 9 1; Thankot, ¢ 1; Bouzini, ¢ 3, 2 4; Nagarkot, ¢ 1;

Bairia, 300’, @ 1, 9 2; Bankalwa, @ 2.

“Hodgson”, Scully” (Ind. Mus. Thankot.)

(See also. Reports Nos. 19, 21, 28, 26, 27.)

424 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX..

Generally distributed in Nepal. Hodgson (1841).

“Common near the bank of the Soonsori River, The villagers catch.

them in nets. Very common in Nepal’’.—J. A. B.

(94) Lepus o1ostotus, Hodgson.

The Woolly Hare.

1840. Lepus orostolus, Hodgson, J. A. 8. B., ix., p. 1186.

1842, Lepus pallipes, Hodgson, J. A. 8S. B., xi., p. 288. Blanford

Mamm., No. 324.

‘“Hodgson”’.

Habitat—Northern region of Nepal and Tibet. (Hodgson, 1841.)

(95) OcHOTONA ROYLEI NIPALENSIS, Hodgson,

The Himalayan Mouse Hare.

(Synonymy in No. 15.)

Pattibhagan, 8,000’, ¢ 4, 9 2, unsexed 1.

“Hodgson”’.

_ Habitat—Northern Region of Nepal and Tibet. (Hodgson,j1841.)

As stated in describing the mammals from the Mount Everest expe--

dition of 1921 (Thomas and Hinton, A. M. N. H. (9) ix., p. 184) Ochotona:

roylet is represented by three well marked subspecies in the Himalayan

region, namely by the typical form living in Kumaon, by the somewhat

greyer though not materially different “O. 7. wardi” of Kashmir and

Hazara on the west, and lastly by the present dark-coluured subspecies

inhabiting Nepal on the east. pole

(96) BrBos gauRus, H, Smith.

Phe Gaur.

(Syronymy in No. 5.)

“Hodgson”.

(See also Reports Nos. 6, 11.)

Restricted in the Nepal to the Tarai. (Hodgson, 1841.)

(97) PoEPHAGUS GRUNNIENS, Linn.

The Yak.

1766. Bos grunniens, Linneus, Syst. Nat. I., p. 99; Blanford, Mamm.,.

No. 341.

1827. Bospoéphagus, H. Smith, Griffith’s An. Kingd., iv., p. 404.

1843. Poéphagus grunniens, Gray, List Mamm. B. M., p. 158.

According to Hodgson this species inhabits the Northern region of

Nepal as well as Tibet. Itis also known to occur in the highlands of

Sikkim and Ladak.

(98) BtsBaLis BUBALIS MACROCEROs, Hodgson.

The Buffalo.

(For synonymy, see Lydekker Cat. Ungulates 1, p. 41.)

‘‘ Hodgson”.

The type locality of this subspecies is apparently Nepal, not Assam as.

stated by Lydekker. ian

In Nepal the Buffalo is restricted to the Tarai. (Hodgson, 1841 )

MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 425

(99) Ovis AMMON HopGsONI, Blyth.

The Argalt.

(Synonymy in Lydekker Cat., Ungulates 1, p. 97.)

“ Hodgson’’,

Tnhabits the northern region of Nepal. (Hodgson, 1841.)

(100) Psrvpors naHoor, Hodgson.

The Bharal.

1833. Ovis nayaur, Hodgson, As, Res. xviii., p. 185, name misprinted.

1834, Ovis nahoor, Hodgson, P. Z. S., 1834, p. 107, misprint corrected.

1840. Ovis burrhel, Blyth, P. Z. 8S. 1840, p. 67.

1846. Pseudois nahoor, Hodgson, J. A. 8. B., xv., p. 343.

1843. Ovis nahura, Gray, List Mamm. B. M., p. 170; Blanford Mamm.

No. 346.

* Hodgson”’.

Habitat—Northern Region of Nepal. (Hodgson, 1841.)

(101) Capra SIBIRICA SKYN, Wagener.

| The Himalayan Ibex.

(Synonymy in Lydekker Cat. Ung. 1, p. 149.)

Found in the Northern Region of Nepal. (Hodgson, 1841.)

(102) Hemirragus JEMLAHICUS, H. Smith.

The Tahr.

1827. Capra jemlahica, H. Smith, Griffith’s An. King, iv., p. 308.

1883. Capra jharal, Hodgson, As. Res. xviii., p. 129.

1835. Capra quadrimammis, Hodgson, J. A. S. B., iv., p. 710.

1847. Hemitragus yemlaicus, Gray, Cat. Osteol. B. M., p. 60; Blanford

“ Mammalia” No, 350.

Godaveru, 7,000’, 9 I.

** Hodgson”’.

Inhabits the Northern Region of Nepal. (Hodgson, 1841.)

(103) CaPRICORNIS SUMATRAENSIS THAR, Hodgson.

The Nepalese Serow.

(Synonymy in Lydekker Cat. Ung. 1, p. 198.)

‘‘Hodgson”’,

Inhabits Central and Northern Regions of Nepal. (Hodgson.)

(104) NemorH#&pvUs HopGesoni, Pocock.

The Brown Himalayan Goral.

1908. Nemorhedus hodgsoni, Pocock, P. Z. 8., 1908, ». 195.

1913. Nemorhedus hodgsoni, Lydekker, Cat., Hume Bequest. B.M., p. 26,

Ramchie, 11,000’, # 1, 9 1.

Hodgson refers to this animal under the name Nemorhedus goral and

-states that it inhabits Central and Northern Nepal.

(105) TETRACEROS QUADRICORNIs, Blainv.

The Four-horned Antelope.

(Synonymy in No. 2.)

“Hodgson”.

(See also Reports Nos. 5, 7.)

Restricted to the Tarai in Nepal. ( Hodgson.)

496 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY,Vol. XXI1X.,.

(106) ANTILOPE CERVICAPRA, Linn.

The Blackbuck.

(Synonymy in No. 1.)

(See also Reports Nos. 5, 10, 11, 24.)

Restricted to the Tarai in Nepal. (Hedgson.)

(107) GazELLA BENNEDTI, Sykes.

The Indian Gazelle,

(Synonymy in No. 1.)

(See also Reports Nos. 3, 7, 10, 17, 24.)

Restricted to the Tarai in Nepal. (Hodgson.)

(108) Munriacus vacinaLis, Bodd.

The Bengal Rib-faced Deer.

(Synonymy in No. 2, under aureus.)

Ramchie, 11,000’, g 38; Thunsi, 9 1; Thankot, @ 1 ; Nagarkot,

ae 6 1, Q 42, juve 1; Mathiban, 2) 15) OU dow Nepale

us Boden.

(See also Reports Nos. 20, 23, 27.)

Found in the Tarai, Lower and Central Hilly Regions of Nepal

(Hodgson.)

‘“Vernacular name :—Mirga (Pahari.)

Very common in Hathiban and Thankot,”— N. A. B,

(109) Axts axis, Erxl.

The Spotted Deer.

ind

(Synonymy in No. 5.)

Hazaria, 300’, 9 1; Bairia, 300’, 9 1.

* Hodgson”’.

(See also Reports Nos. 6, 7, 11.)

Hodgson thought there were two forms of this deer in Nepal, a larger

and a smaller; both eonfined to the Tarai.

“Very common in above localities”.—N.A.B.

(110) HyeLapaus porcrnus, Zimm.

The Hog Deer.

1777. Cervus porcinus, Zimmermann, Spec. Zool. Geogr., p. 552; Blan-

ford Mammalia No. 369.

1827. Cervus pumilio, Hamilton-Smith, Griftith’s An. King. iv., p. 120.

1844, Hyelaphus porcinus, Sundevall. Kong. Vet. Ak. Handl. 1844,

p. 181.

1852. Arts oryzus, Kelaart, Prod. Faun. Zeylan, p. 83,

Bankalwa, 3 1, 9 2; Hindalwa, @ 2.

‘Hodgson’.

Restricted to the Tarai in Nepal. (Hodgson.)

“Vernacular-name :—Logna (Pahari).

Very common at Bankalwa. Villagers catch them with a net’.—N.A.B.

MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 427

(lll) Rusa tnicotor, Kerr,

The Sambar.

(Synonymy in No. 5.)

*“Hodgson”’,

(See also Reports Nos. 11, 15, 17, 18, 22, 27.)

In Nepal most frequent in the Tarai but occurring rarely in the Lower

Hilly Region. (Hodyson.)

Hodgson thought that this animal was represented by three distinct

species in Nepal, viz., his “ jaraya, nepalensis and heterocerus”’,

(112) RuceRvUS DUVAUCELLI, Cuv.

The Barasingha.

1825. Cervus duraucelli, Cuvier, Ossemens Foss., ed. 3, iv., p. 505.

** Hodgson”.

Restricted to the Tarai in Nepal. (Hodgson.)

(113) CErRvus WALLIcHt, Cuv.

The Shou.

1825. Cervus wallichi, Cuvier, Oss. Foss. ed. 3, iv., p. 504.

“« Hodgson”’.

Inhabits Northern hilly region of Nepal. (Hodgson.)

(114) MoscHus MoscHIFERUS, Linn.

The Musk Deer.

(Synonymy in No. 3.)

* Hodgson”.

Inhabits the Northern hilly region of Nepal and Tibet. (Hodgson):

Hodgson thought there were three species of this genus in Nepal.

(115) MoscHroLA MEMINNA, Erxl.

The Indian Chevrotain or Mouse Deer.

‘* Hodgson”’, 7

(See also Reports Nos. 11, 18, 18.

Found only in the Tarai. (Hodgson.)

(116) Sus crtistatus, Wagn.

The Indian Wild Boar,

(Synonymy in No. 5.)

Bankalwa, 9 1.

* Hodgson”,

(See also Reports Nos. 8, 10, 11, 18, 20, 22, 27, 30.)

Hodgson thought there were two varieties of wild Boar in Nepal; and

he states that they are generally distributed in that country.

*¢ Very common all over Morang and Patherghatta”.—WN. A. B.

(117) Ruarnoceros unicornis, Linn,

The Great Indian Rhinoceros.

1758. Rhinoceros unicornis, Linnwus, Syst. Nat. ed. 10, Vol.i., p. 56;

Blanford ‘“ Mammalia” No. 334.

1801. Rhinoceros indicus, Cuvier, Menag. Mus. Hist. Nat., 1801, p.

428 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

1860. Rhinoceros astaticus, Blumenbach, Handb. Naturgesch., eds. 12,

p. 107.

1867. Rhinoceros stenocephalus, Gray, P. Z. 8., 1867, p. 1018.

“ Hodgson”’.

(Ind. Mus. Sir E. Baring, 1875, and J. Anderson, 1880, ‘‘ Nepal

Tarai’’.)

Restricted to the Tarai in Nepal. (Hodgson.)

(118) EterHas Maximus, Linn.

The Indian Elephant.

1766. Elephas maximus, Linneus, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, i., p. 48.

1803. lephas asiaticus, Blumenbach, Handb. Naturgesch, ii., p. 403.

‘* Hodgson”’.

In Hodgson’s opinion two varieties of Elephant occur in Nepal, his ‘“‘so-

dactylus” and “ heterodactylus’’.

Restricted to the Tarai.

(119) Manis pantrapactyLa, Linn.

The Eastern Pangolin.

1758. Manis pentadactyla, Linnzeus, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, i., p. 86 ; Wrough-

ton, J. B. N. H.S., xxvii, p. g13, 1920.

1836. Manis aurita, Hodgson, J. A. 8. B., v., p. 234; Blanford Mamm,

No. 400.

* Hodgson”’.

Generally distributed in Nepal. ( Hodgson.)

In addition to those mentioned above many species have been added

to the Nepal List by Blanford, Wroughton, or others, merely upon the

basis of specimens in the Hodgson Collection inaccurately labelled

‘Nepal’. A list of these species is given below. Some of them may

occur in Nepal, but at present there is no definite evidence of such

occurrence.

Species asserted to be from Nepal but in reality from other countries ;—

Name, Type locality.

Barbastella darjelingensis, Hodgs. .. .. Darjiling.

Plecotus homochrous, Hodgs. .. he .. Sikkim (probably).

Tupara belangeri chinensis, And. Be .. Sikkim (probably).

Soriculus caudatas, Horsf. a a .. Darjiling.

Soriculus leucops, Horsf. om aw) a ee Wargaline:

Felis marmorata, Martin at as .. Sikkim (probably).

Paradoxurus strictus, Horsf. .. ae .. Stkkim (Wroughton, J. B.

N. H.S., xxv., p. 51).

Vulpes ferrilatus, Hodgs. 2 ae .. Lhasa, Tibet..

Mustela strigidorsa, Gray me Ap .. Sikkim.

Mustela temon, Hodgs. .. 7 Bs .. Nepal. (But his type is

probably from Sikkim.)

Arctonyx collaris, F. Cuvier .. AS .. Sikkim. ,

Tamiops macclellandi, Horsf, .. a _. Sikkim ( probably).

Caprolagus hispidus, Blyth ... xe .. Sal Forest of Sikkim, 1847.

Ochotona curzonie, Hodgs. Bie .. Sikkim.

Equus kiang, Moorcroft : 5 .. Tibet.

In conclusion we should wish to draw attention to the fact that a Col-

lection of Mammals from the Ganduk Basins, i.e, the region lying

between Kumaon and Katmandu, would be of very great value.

THE COMMON BU'T'TEREFLIES OF THE PLAINS

OF INDIA.

(INCLUDING THOSE MET WITH IN THE HILL STATIONS

OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY.)

T..R, BELL, C.1:E., 1.F.S. (Retd.)

(Continued from page 793 of Vol. XX VII.)

Pang XX

(With 3 teat figures).

Family—H EsPERIID A—continued.

Subfamily (1) CELA NORRHINA.

Imago.—The butterflies are of various sizes, mostly with large, white

or yellowish, translucent spots on the fore wings, the underside of the

hind wing often suffused with white, bluish-white or yellow or

spotted profusely with little dots ; the hind wings also sometimes with

the outer margin sinuate or angled. Swinhoe gives the following :—

“‘Antenne.—Club of moderate thickness, often recurved, bent at right angles

to the shaft in Charmion, Daimio, Tagiades, Caprona and Odontoptilum ; hooked

in Satarupa, Odina, Tapena, Darpa.

Palpi.—Porrect ; third joint short, conical, often minute.

Hind tibie.—With two pairs of spurs.

Fore wing.—Vein 12 ending before end of cell usually; discocellulars

oblique or suberect ; vein 3 from near end of cell, 2 from before middle of

cell, usually about one-fourth from base of wing; cel] less than two-thirds

the length of wing ; no costal fold.

Hind wing.—The discocellulars and vein 5 usually very faint.”

Egg.—This is dome-shaped ; sometimes slightly elongated, always ribbed

longitudinally but the number of ribs very variable even in one genus;

sometimes (Tagiades, Odontoptilum, Abaratha) covered with hairs and scales

from the end of the abdomen of butterfly ; variable in colour. Size medium-

large for the butterflies.

Larva.—Of two types ; one with a very large, deeply bilobed head widest

across vertex ; the other with a comparatively smaller, bilobed, rounded head.

All feed upon dicotyledonous plants and are white (in Yapena), green or

brown, never coloured ; some have a distinct white collar behind the head ;

all except Tapena are covered with minute, star-topped hairs.

Pupa.—Stoutish ; a short snout to frons of head between the eyes ; a

prominent spiracular expansion to spiracle of segment 2 (wanting in that of

Tapena); the proboscis produced beyond ends of wings at least as far as

hinder margin of segment 8, often to 11 (again excepting Tapena). The colour

uniform (Celenorrhinus, Tapena, &c.) or variegated with black spots (Abaratha,

Odonitoptilum) : green: brown.

Habits.—All the butterflies rest with their wings horizontally

outspread, the surface generally quite even but in Tapena and Odon-

vontdum it is slightly convex and bent down at ends ; they are never

held erect over the back at any time except when being dried after

emergence from the pupa. They rest either on the undersides of

leaves, rocks, boulders (Celenorrhinus, Daimio, Tagiades, &c.), O¥

somewhat indifferently on uppersides and undersides—although at

1é

430 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vel. XXLX.

night apparently all of them take up the latter position. They all have

a rapid enough flight but do not, as a rule, fly any distance at a time

and have the habit of returning again and again to the same place of rest

if disturbed, or even ordinarily after taking a seemingly aimless flight.

They all go to flowers and all frequent jungly, shady places : Sarangesa,.

Coladenia, Abaratha, Odontoptilum bask sometimes in the sunlight—

probably why they rest often on the tops of leaves—while the others

never seem todo so. The eggs are laid on the top of a leaf and always

one at a time. The little larvee that emerge therefrom always make a

little cell by turning over a small triangular or roundish or oblong piece,.

cut from the edge or in the middle of the leaf, on to the top, leaving a.

small hinge; this “lid” is fixed down round the edges, the inside

is coated with a carpet of silk that has the effect of making it concave

by contraction and upon this bed they take up their abode until too

large for it. Then a new cell is made. The larva hes with its back to

the leaf-surface and invariably with its head turned round on its side

when resting. It pupates in the cell it last occupies often enough, but

frequently goes off and makes a specially well-constructed one some-

where else.

Genus 1.—CELENORRHINUS.

In Lepidoptera indica, vol. x, p. 2, Colonel Swinhoe gives the follow-

ing diagnosis of this genus :—

“Antenne.—Club moderately thick, short, recurved at apex.

Hind tibie.—With two pairs of spurs in the male ; with a tuft of hairs

attached near the proximal end.

Fore wing.—Vein 12 ends on costa at about opposite the end of cell;

discocellulars suberect, the upper minute, the lower longer than the middle ; vein

6 emitted from the junction of the upper and middle discocellular, 5 from that

of the middle and lower ; 3 from one-sixth before end of cell, 2 from one-

fourth from base ; the cell less than two-thirds the length of the costa ; costa

slightly and evenly arched ; apex subacute ; outer margin convex; in some

species it is nearly as long as the hinder margin whichis nearly straight but in

many species the outer margin is shorter, making the wing proportionately

longer ; hinder angle obtuse.

Hind wing.—Vein 7 from one-fifth before upper end of cell; discocellulars

faint, erect ; 5 hardly visible ; 3 from close to lowerend of cell;2 from about

one-third before end ; apex of the wing rounded, outer margin sinuous but fairly

rounded.”’

Egg.—Dome-shaped ; shining, with 47 or 48 fine, low, minutely-beaced

meridional ridges or ribs from base to about half way to top. Colour greenish-

white.

Larva.—Moderately stout, fattest about middle, somewhat before it, with

the head large, black, deeply, broadly bilobed ; the colour olive-green with

thin skin; a dorsolateral and spiracular, thin longitudinal line ; the whole

larva depressed-looking ; the minute hairs al] star-topped or branched.

Pupa.—Some shade of dark red-brown, stoutest in middle, pointed at

anal end (cremaster), the frons with a prominent, rounded-conical process ; the

proboscis produced free beyond wings as far at least as cremaster ; spiracles of

segment 2 with prominent ear-shaped or semicircular expansions.

Habits—The butterfly rests with wings horizontally flat-outspread

and always on the undersides of leaves, rocks, boulders, &c. Flight

rapid, very quick, somewhat erratic, not sustained ; returning to resting

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 431k

place in the underwood. Colour of wings some shade of brown, generally

dark ; fore wing nearly always with a broad, transverse band of white or

yellow, large, hyaline spots on thedisc. Hind wings variegated with

many smallish white or yellow spots, rarely immaculate. Hggs mostly

laid on tops of leaf, always single. Larva makes a cell of a triangular

piece cut out of the leaf, generally from edge, turned over on the

top, densely coated with silk on the—then, when thus turned over

—underside which, by contraction of silks, becomes concave. It

lies on this, “lid”, which it fixes down, with its back to leaf surface

its head turned round on its side. Continues this mode of life until

end, making new and larger cells asit grows ; sometimes pupating in

the last made; at other times between two leaves. Feeds always.

upon Acanthacee. The pupa is attached strongly by the tail and a

loose body-band, attached by the middle to the roof of the cell by a

single thread or rope ; the fixings of the cover of the cell are slight ;

the pupa lies normally, not back downwards like the larva.

198. Celznorrhinus ambareesa, (Moore).—Pl. N. Figs. 85@, 85a 2 .—Male:

Upperside: dark olive-brown tinged with ochreous, fading to a much lighter shade.

with age; the basal areas of both wings with ochreous and brown hairs extending

on to disc of hind wing where they are long along inner edge of abdominal groove,

much shorter along the inner margins of both wings, with the cilia chequered.

brown and ochreous-white. Fore wing with three conjoined, subapical, semihya-

line white spots from near costa in interspaces 6, 7, 8, larger than usual in a

slight curve outwards, with two more further out in interspaces 5, 6; a discal

band consisting of a large quadrate spot excavated on its outer side in outer

part of cell; another somewhat similar spot below it in interspace 2, its upper

inner end below middle of the other ; a small spot between the two, outside them

in interspace 3 and an ochreous one on costa above first ; a small ochreous spot

below vein 2 just at its origin,a second below it at outer angle of large one of inter-

‘space 2 and a third slightly inwards immediately below last in interspace 1 ;

a submarginal series of disconnected, short, sometimes very inconspicuous,

ochreous, lunular spots. Hind wing with three rows of ochreous spots, the inner

spots of the basal row hidden by hairs. Underside: paler, the markings similar.

Antenne with the basal third of the club ochreous continued on to the upper part

of shaft below, and the shafts spotted with ochreous spots on dorsal surface,

Palpi white-ochreous along outer side, the colour continued round the eye to bot-

tom of basal tuft of antenna ; head and body above and below concolorous with

wings; abdomen below with thin ochreous-white segmental bands.—Female..

Like the male but with the antenne perhaps less conspicuously marked. Ex-

panse : up to 50mm.

The species is figured on coloured plate N, figures 85 and 85a,

male and female respectively. The representations are not bad but

the female is perhaps a little bit too light in colour as compared to

the male.

Egg.—There is little difference between the egg of this species and that of the.

others ; there are some 56 meridicns of the same style. Itis laid generally on the.

upperside of leaves in open situations with full access to the sunlight.

Larva.—The egg-larva is black with a black head that already has slight lobes.

and itis shining allover. The black colour remains until the last stage practi-

cally as does the shining surface. The last stage is dull chocolate-brown ; the.

shape is exactly the same as that of the others of the genus ; the head large and

divided into two widely, triangularly-separated, conical lobes ; the ventrum is

always flattened from the habit the larva has of sitting close-pressed to the sur-

face ; the prolegs and anal claspers are short with the shanks coloured like the

432 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX,.

body, the ancles short and rounded, subtended by a double fringe of stiff, white

hairs, the feet one-lobed and rather straight, dusky and immaculate, like the

ancles ; the true legs ave rather short, shining rusty-brown ; the anal flap is large,

flat, semielliptica!, well outreaching the bases of anal claspers, fringed round the

edge with some simple, 0.15 mm long, whitish hairs as well as, further forward,

with the tiny star-shaped ones that cover the body ; this flap is also somewhat

slightly thickened ail round the edge and a little constricted at front margin later-

ally: it is really rather more semicircular otherwise than semielliptical ; seement

13 is about one-quarter the length of 14 and one-third the length of 12 ; segments

1] and 10 are a bit longer but 9 to practically 3 or 4 are about the same length

as 12; segment 2 is shorter and shining-orange looking, brownish-orange and some-

what tumid across middie like a collar behind the large head which measures

4.5mm in width in the middle, narrowing downwards somewhat but very little

upwards, about as high as broad, the vertex-sinus dividing it into two lobes,

triangular and about one-seventh as deep as the total height, the lobes being

conical and blunt-topped ; the surface of the head is rugose in a longitudinally-

corrugated manner, the corrugations rather irregular-coalescent and there are

also fairly numerous, appressed, tiny, white, thickened hairs hardly 0.05mm long;

the colour of the head is nearly black, a very dusky, shining, reddish-brown; the

true clypeus is triangular, equal-sided, the apex the tiniest bit rounded, the

height equal to a little less than half the head ; the false clypeus is shaped like a

gothic window, a thin strip at base outside the other, widely arched over its apex

but only reaching slightly beyond half height of the head, the apex acute,

not rounded; labrum transverse, small, only a quarter as long as

true clypeus, slightly curved; ligula as long as labrum, twice as_ broad

as it is long, transversely oblong, the sinus very shallow, triangular and wide,

the colour black while the colour of the labrum is more dusky than

black; basal antennal joint dusky, third rusty; mandibles black, large,

of the block-type and with the cutting edges quite entire; the eyes are ar-

ranged 1 to 4 in a very slight curve, all equispaced, coequal in size, the distance

separating them hardly an eye-diameter, number 6 more than three times as

far from 4 and in a straight line with 3, 4, number 5 behind making a more or

less equilateral triangle with 4 and 6; all the eyes are deep-brown or black.

Surface with the segments well defined, the usual five transverse folds on the

hinder half of each, the dorsum of the anal flap somewhat uneven; the whole body

covered, rather sparsely really, with tiny, pure white stars of 0.05 mm in dia-

meter ; these are really tiny translucent hair-stems broadening out into a little

cup at top and the edge of the cup set with eight tiny hairs; these star-hairs are

considerably longer along the dorsoventral margin. Spiracles oval, slightly pro-

minent, light orange, about ten to a segment-length, those of segment 12 slightly

larger, those of segment 2 very much larger, rather less in length than twice the

breadth. Colour uniform, rather-dusky chocolate-brown all over except on

segment 2 which has a shining-orange collar and the shanks of prolegs which are

shining-brown ; the rest dull. all sprinkled over with the minute white dots due

to the star-hairs, even to the anal flap but not on collar of segment 2 ; the star-

hairs are about 0.1mm apart: about, that is, two of their own diameters. L:

30 mm when really stretched ; B: 6 mm at middle.

When these larve become absolutely full-fed the colour changes to an olive-

green, rather dull with a slight, very slight, rosey tinge about segments 2 and 5

and a darkish, pulsating band or line dorsally the whole length from segment

6 to 12. The L: still 30 mm; the B: nearer 7mm. There were still larve going

on the 8-12-1922 from egg-larve obtained at Gudehalli in the beginning of

October, about the 9th to 12th of that month. Some larve that had been

obtained then that were well grown, have turned and produced butterflies, the

‘first haviag emerged on the 30th of November. So it is a slow-growing

species. :

Pupa,—This is stoutish although gracefully lengthened, somewhat club-shaped,

claviform, in shape, if it were not for the shortish and squarish head-piece made

by the prominent eyes with a slightly conically produced head-frons between

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 433

them surmounted by a low, knob-like, somewhat upturned snout or protuberance;

the shoulders are somewhat unusually, although only slightly and quite smoothly,

prominent and there is a slight and somewhat wide constriction laterally of the

lateral outline from segment 4 to segment 6; the thorax is very distinctly hump-

ed, prominent, smoothly-convex ; the anal end pointed, the proboscis produced

free to nearly the end of the cremaster beyond the wings ; the cremaster itself

long and bent down evenly ; the ventral outline gently convex ; the cremaster

is easily twice as long as segment 12 if not slightly more, with a short broad-

conical base (its anterior portion) elongated into a longer, more or less oblong

piece that is bent down, furrowed strongly in the dorsal line, this furrow being

continued on to the anterior, conical portion, this anterior portion separated

from segment 13 by a transverse, deep furrow also, the surface of the cremaster

roughened conspicuously, its extremity truncated narrowly and bearing a bunch

of short, packed suspensory hooklets, its ventral portion solid; ventrally segment

14 is more extensive and is composed of the large, somewhat prominent clasper-

scars which extend forwards, compressing segment 13 into a very narrow, trans-

verse band; segment 13 is dorsally much longer than ventrally in the shape of a

transverse plate, somewhat tumid at its anterior margin where it is also indented

slightly in the dorsal line: it is not very much shorter than segment 12

but is inclined to the longitudina! axis of the pupa at a greater angle

than 12 or 14; segment ll is very nearly double the length of 13 (or 12) and

has. the front margin bevilled longly though the bevil-surface is only

little inclined to the longitudinal axis, but it is characterised by being

unusually sculptured; the bevil-surface is transversely finely but conspicuously

parallel-ridged by twelve separate ridges running from the spiracular region

on one side to that on the other, this surface thus is broadest in the

dorsal region; segments 10 and 9 are about the same length as 11 and have the

front bevils exactly similar ; the hinder bevils of 8, 9, 10 are equal in length

to these front bevils and similarly inclined but are perfectly smooth, some-

what dull, membranous ; the anterior bevils of 11, 10 and 9 are sharply sepa-

rated from the hinder horizontal segment-surface by a raised, thin ridge—the

hindermost of the parailel series characterising them; also: the amount of

dorsal, horizontal segment-surface left between the hinder and front bevils

on each segment is very narrow, about half only of the length of one of the be-

vils ; segment 8 is longer somewhat than 9, the bevils all included in both cases ;

segment 7 is nearly as long as 8+its bevil and 6 is practically the same; 5 is

equal to 4, both about half 7; the thoraxis equalin length to 5+6+7 to-

gether and about equa! to the breadth of the pupa at shoulders, its hinder

margin is a strong curve nearing a quarter-circle, the curve meeting the wing-

line which curves towards it in a deep, angularly-rounded angle of 90°, the

front margin is perfectly and evenly transverse-straight, the thorax is highest

about middle, its anterior slope about 30° inclination to the longitudinal axis

of the body ; segment 2 is about one-fourth the length of thorax, about equal

to one and a half times 4, has its front margin straight and is in the same plane

as the front slope of thorax ; head has the vertex (counted as far as the knob

on frons) slightly longer than segment 2 with the inclination forwards perhaps

slightly steeper than that of 2 ; the frons is, as stated before, slightly prominent

and has a still more prominent, rugose-surtaced, upturned knob in its middle

and the whole frons, taken as a separate piece, is in a plane perpendicular to

the axis of pupa; the clypeus follows at the ventral base of frons, is of quite

a respectable size, rather smaller than the spiracle-patch of segment 2, trapeze-

shaped, narrowing, strongly and incurvedly, distad ; the ligula quite ventral,

long-diamond-shaped, as long as c]ypeus but much narrower; eyes prominent,

semi-circular, the surface rugose with the crescent medial, broad and very highly-

polished ; proboscis reaching to cremaster, free beyond the wings; forelegs reach

half the length of wings, the mid legs about two-thirds, the antenne just beyond

mid legs, all these acutely pointed at extremities. Surface of pupa is shining

and covered with short, golden hair except on wings, eye-crescent, legs, anten-

nz and proboscis, this hair not much longer than a spiracle-length anywhere, a

434 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

fringe of single hairs overhanging hinder bevils of 8, 9, 10, slight tufts on ab-

dominal segment ventrally on each side of extended proboscis ; otherwise the

hairs sparse, in no wise hiding the colour, sculpture or anything else of pupa;

the wings very shallowly, obscurely transverse-corrugate, the antenne cross-

ridged besides ; head obscurely confused-corrugate with eyes rugose and also

knob; segment 2, thorax and rest pitted in a pin-prick manner, each pit bearing

‘one of the little hairs mentioned ; segments all well defined, the hinder margins

‘of 5, 6; 7 slightly tumid ; the whole wings also slightly tumid. Spiracles

of segment 2 are mere slits with a large, three-quarter-circle-shaped, brown-

golden (according to lights) patch behind each on the surface of the thorax ;

this patch slightly raised, disc-like, along its margin, facing out and forwards,

very shallowly funnel-like sloping to the slits : it is as long as well over half the

length of segment 2 and very nearly as broad ; the other spiracles small, about

as long as one-seventh a segment-length or one-eighth, oval, twice as long as

broad, very slightly raised, whitish. Colour of the pupa is a rather bright

golden-rusty on wings and head, 2 and thorax, the abdomen lighter somewhat

with the front bevils redder as well as the cremaster. L. 23 mm; B. 6 at mid-

dle, very slightly less at shoulders, slightly over 4mm across eyes: cremaster

about 1:25 mm, the head-knob much less.

Habits—The eggs oi this Skipper are nearly invariably laid upon

the uppersides of leaves and generally towards thetopof the plant,

otherwise upon the tenderer ones ; rarely, by mistake probably,

an egg may be deposited upon an under surface. The place

chosen is invariably somewhere inthe open; the plants must be

exposed to the open sky as, apparently, the sun is a necessity ;

this conclusion beg confirmed by the fact that no caterpillers

are ever found during the heavy rain months in Kanara when

there is practically no sunshine for more thana few hours at a

stretch. The butterfly is never seen on the sea-coast itself

although, in the immediate vicinity, within two or three miles, on the.

hills at 1,500', it is always in evidence during the drier, sunnier weather

in October and thenceforward until the next June and the break of the

monsoon. So its habitat is evidently limited by both height and

absence of heavy cover. The larvais always sluggish, lies hidden

during the day in a cell made out of a triangular portion of the

leaf cut from the edge and turned over on to the top surface and there

fastened down firmly all round with plenty of silk, lmed thickly inside

with the same material and evidently meant to last for some time. And

it does last too for several stages of larval growth ; it is used until the

caterpillers positively can no longer fit into it. Another similar cell

is then made. The little larva when it comes out of the egg is black ;

the whitish, transverse, short lines appear in the second stage. The

original cell of the egg-larva may be nearly round; the whole thing

being concave inside ; later cells are more oblong than those of other

species ; the entrance 1s always next the narrow tongue connecting the

cover to the leaf and is quite round and open, though only just suffici-

ently large for egress. Inside the larva lies on the lid or cover with its

back downwards and always sits with its head turned round on its

side, the body much contracted. It feeds in the early morning and even-

ing and, probably, during the night, wandering in its later stages a little

afield to do so but confining itself, in its first stage, to a circumscribed

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 4:

(7)

area near the entrance to the cell. When it is fully fed 1% turns to a

pupa either in the last cell or wanders and makes a new one, often out

of withered leaves near the ground or actually on the earth. This last

cellit coats all over with silk but rather thinly, fixes a pad for its tail and

a band across its middle which is anchored on both sides as well as to

the roof. The pupa is attached strongly by the end of the cremaster ;

it does not seem to emit any sound when disturbed ; neither does it

move much. The butterfly emerges in the early morning as a rule and

after about two months from the deposition of the egg; so that the

growth of the larva is verv slow. Larvee of all sizes were found in

the beginning of October, some of them in the penultimate stage,

and the first butterfly came out on the 30th of November; so that

the time would seem to be even longer than two months. The time

spent in the pupa is about a month. The butterflies frequent the open

places in jungle country. the tops of ridges and hills where the soil is

superficial and the rocks crop out being preferred to anything else.

‘They rest on the undersides of leaves, their wings horizontally outspread

and, when disturbed, they fly quickly away but return again in a short

time to the same perch. They prefer rocks and earthen banks really

to leaves as resting places and are more often found sitting on the sur-

face of overhanging boulders on projecting parts of earth-banks, always

on the undersides where they are in the shade and not easily seen. The

brown colouring of wings and body with the fore wing plentifully

spotted with hyaline white windows make a most effective protective

pattern against any rock or earth background. Few enemies would

spot them resting except that a lizard might see one that happened to

‘settle near its lurking place or a bird that chanced to be near might snap

it up; a spider’s web might, during flight, enmesh it and lead to its

undoing but, otherwise, the insect must be very immune from capture.

It generally flies backwards and forwards upon a short, beaten track

and takes no prolonged excursions. The females are found flying above

the tops of the foodplant in the sun occasionally and individuals may

occasionally be seen basking on the upper sides of leaves similarly

am the open, but that is not often. They visit flowers, however, but,

even then, chiefly such as are amongst herbage under leaves and in the

‘shade ; chiefly, also, in the early part of the day round openings in the

jungle, by the sides of footpaths and nallas where there are open bits.

The foodplant of the larva is Strobilanthes callosus, Nees, a gregarious

shrub of the hills that forms an undergrowth over patches of jungle

sometimes miles in extent on the Western Ghats and elsewhere in

South India from the Surat Dangs down. The insect has also been berd

on Deedalacanthus roseus, T. Anders. and D. purpurascens, T. Anders. in

Kanara District of the Bombay Presidency. Swinhoe gives the habitat

as “ South India, Ceylon”. He further states that the type came from

Maungbhoom in Lower Bengal and that de Nicéville records it from

Trichinopoli ; that it is a common species in Southern India and he has

taken many examples in Mahableshwar, Matheran and in and about

Bombay and has it from Kanara ; and that Hampson records it from the

436 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

Nuginis, Evans from the Palni Hills. It is quite plentiful both in the

Surat Dangs and in Khandesh District. The foodplant is locally known

as Karviin Kanara and there are quite a number of species of Strobilan-

thes. Some of these flower annually, others biennially, some every three

years and others again only every five or every seven years when the

plants die down completely. The flowers are large and conspicuous

along the stems and are white, mauve, blue, or rose-coloured. There

is no mistaking the plant when it is in flower.

199. Celenorrhinus leucocera, (Kollar)—Male. Upperside: dark, blackish-

brown, the basal area of both wings clothed with greenish-ochreous hairs.

Fore wing with three conjoined, semi-hyaline, white, subapical small spots in

interspaces 6, 7, 8, with the two similarly small, well-separated spots outwardly

below in interspaces 4, 5 ; a semi-hyaline, white, outwardly oblique discal band,

composed of two large, conjoined, sub-quadrate spots, the upper one filling the

width of cell near end, with a small spot, sometimes a twin spot, between its

upper side and costa; the lower spot, the larger, in interspace 2, protruding

outwards, itsinner side attached to the outer lower side of the upper ; a small,

round spot close to its outer, upper corner in interspace 3 with another, slight-

ly larger spot attached to its lower, outer corner in interspace 1 with, sometimes,

a very small detached spot inwardly below it. Hind wing: with a medial and

discal series of small, orange-ochreous spots, some of the discal series very obs-

cure. Underside: paler, markings as on the upperside but there is an extra

ochreous, small, round spot in the middle of cell in the hind wing and the hinder

margina! space in the fore wing is pale. Antenne with the shaft and club pure-

white above, the tip of the club entirely white ; palpi grey, white at the sides

and also below the eyes ; head, body above and below and the legs concolorous

with the wings; abdomen beneath with whitish segmental bands. Cilia of

fore wing brown basally, white outwardly with small brown patches at the vein-

ends ; of hind wing, checkered brown and white.—Female. Like the male on

both sides, the two large spots of the discal band of the fore wing a little discon- .

nected. Antenne black, the tip with a white stripe on the underside. Cilia

alternately white and brown.

The above is nearly word for word taken from Swinhoe’s Lepidopte-

ra Indica and was written comparing fresh specimens detail for detail.

In all the Kanara specimens the small spot, sometimes a twin spot, on

the fore wing above the large upper discal one is ochreous. On the

hind wing there is always a basal series as well of indistinct ochreous

spots. The hairs on the basal area of fore wing are all short, decumbent,

bright ochreous ; those on the hind wing are longer, much longer,

ochreous and brown and extend all along abdominal area and right

out to middle of disc ; the inner margin of fore wing is fringed with

hairs. The cilia of fore wing are all brown with a grey tinge only to-

wards tornal angle. Expanse up to 50 mm.

It is a fact that these butterflies vary somewhat with the season

both in the depth of the colour and in the clearness of the markings ot

the hind wing. It is a matter of food chiefly, the succulent, young leaves

producing quicker growth resulting generally in smaller size on the

whole and deeper colouring. The Acanthacee are practically all herbs

or herb-like bushes that have definite seasons of extremely vigorous

sprouting and growth with a leafless off-period when many of them die

down altogether leaving a few individuals that retain their leaves in

the damper situations, but, in that case, the foliage is comparatively

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA, 487

hard and juiceless. From this it happens that the butterflies that are

produced in the monsoon months beginning with the early showers of

May in Kanara are always small in size and dark with the markings

blurred or rather small. Towards the end of the monsoon, getting on

for the cold weather the rain stops, no new shoots or leaves are produced

and the larvee take longer to reach their fullsize and maturity ; result-

ing in imagines (perfect insects—butterflies) larger, lighter in colour and

with larger hyaline markings and brighter spots. The cold weather

caterpillar is, of course, as a rule, also larger too, although this is not

so noticeable. Thus it happens that, in these Celenorrhinus, the

slow-growing larva produces a larger perfect insect very much lighter

in tone of colour and with more ochreous markings on the hind wings.

A starved larva of the monsoon season can, with care, be so reduced in

size that the resulting butterfly will have some of the small hyaline

spots absolutely undeveloped, the larger ones much reduced in size, the

markings of the hind wings practically wanting altogether. If due

care is not taken to give the caterpillar just enough food it will either

die, refuse to pupate properly or produce a deformed butterfly.

Egg.—This is dome shaped like the others, the base only 0°75 mm in diameter,

greenish in colour with a shining surface that is sculptured with exceedingly

fine’ low meridional ribs from base to top where they lose themselves, some

losing themselves before that by anastomosing with others; there are from 56

to 60 of these ribs and the surface between them is extremely minutely cellu-

lar in appearance. B: 13mm. ;.H: 0°9 mm.

The cells are hexagonal, widely flat-bottomed, the bottoms pitted, the dia-

meter of cells 0-05 mm, the walls one-sixth of it; 0-9mm. circular space on

top without ribs, cellular only, 0-2 mm. in the middle of that again merely

pitted—the micropyle-area or surface.

Larva.—Is very like that of C. area. in the shape and in the colouring

and marking. The anal flap here is parabolic in shape, rather thickened

round the margin and tending to truncation at the extremity, the surface

very rough in the end three quarters with the minute, star-topped

hairs which are here thickly disposed, the little pittings from which they rise

(it is difficult to say whether they are pits or dots) dark brown in colour but

“very minute; segment 13 ashort segment with waved margins, about 4rd the

length of segment 120r14; segment 12 shorter than segment 11. Segment 2

smooth and opaquely greenish white, shining, for half its length behind from

margin, this portion bordered behind by a black line or dark-brown | line with

a little subdorsal brown dot in front of it. The head is the same shape as

that of C. area. and has ‘the same sculpture but there are no appressed hairs

as in that species; the colour here is also nearly black (very dark red-brown

really), the labrum is the same colour as the rest and the ligula is lighter and

glassy ; the eyes are dark except the first (from top) and the last within the

curve; the true clypeus is triangular and acute-apexed, the false clypeus

‘(not visible in area) outside it is also triangular, the apex acute, the sides

minutely waved, reaching the upper border of the face. The spiracles are

small, slightly raised, white ovals, that of segment 12 and that of segment 2

larger. Surface of larva nearly dull, the skin translucent. showing all the

trachez through, covered: with tiny little star-topped or thick-topped, white

hairs all over which are, if anything, shorter than those in area, about

equally densely disposed. Colour is a darker olive green. than in C, area with

a similar narrow dorsolateral and spiracular greenish-white band from end

4388 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. X XIX.

to end; all hairs rising from minute white dots below the dorsolateral band

but not above ; legs, or legs and belly greenish but lighter than dorsal parts.

L: 29mm when at rest with segments contracted; B: 6mm. There is a

dark, dorsal, pulsating line.

The larva would be 35 mm easily when moving and stretched a bit and is

uniformly larger than that of C. area.

Pupa.—tThe pupa is of similar shape to that of C. area but is longer and slight-

er compared to the breadth and is always golden red-brown in colour with

the proboscis free from the end of the wings to often a bit beyond the very

extremity of the cremaster (end of the pupa altogether). The pupa is thickest

at middle, thinning slightly to the shoulders whence it decreases more rapidly,

but gradually, to the head (instead of suddenly as in area), the head forming

a transverse piece with parallel sides and a longer front which would be straight

except for the frons being prominently rounded with a hemispherical, very

bluntly pointed knob on its apex, this knob pointing up and forwards and being

quite short, the eyes are large and prominent laterally as usual; the head-vertex,

segment 2 and the front slope of thorax are all in the same plane whiclt is inclined

at about 30° to the longitudinal axis, segment 2 is a short segment, both its

margins parallel to each other and, therefore, straight; thorax not long, not much

humped, its hinder half slightly descending to hinder margin (very nearly

parallel to longitudinal axis really), the hinder margin a semicircular curve (but

slightly narrowed in apical part) meeting the wings in a very widely rounded

angle of something less than 90°. The cremastral segment isa strong, down-

curved triangular piece, broad at the base, narrowing towards the end where

the sides are parallel for a bit and then diverge again shortly before the

extremity which is slightly thickened and along which are arranged the tiny

suspensory hooklets rather densely ; this cremaster has the extensor ridges along

its borders prominent and bent down along the hinder margin laterally, the

dorsal part being thus depressed, the whole segment separated from the very

short, slightly swollen segment 13; ventraliv the extensor ridges run back and

down into the ventral, thick base of the segment where they curve widely round

to include the anal clasper-scars. Segment 12 is only slightly shorter than seg-

ment 11. Surface of the pupa is shining and punctate minutely and somewhat

distantly on the first three segments,minutely tuberculate (cach tubercle bearing

a short, red hair) on the abdominal segments where the hinder margins of

segments 8 to 10 are broadly less shiny and smooth and gently bevilled, the

opposing segment margins of 9 to 11 broadly also gently bevilled and minutely

regularly lined or ridged parallel to the segment margins; segment 4

has a smooth space in centre and the wings are irregularly aciculate-

wrinkled ; each tubercle is surmounted by an erect, brown, fine hair; the

eyes are rugose and hirsute; the wings have no hair on them; _ the

proboscis reaches slightly beyond the pupal end and is gently in-curved

throughout its length. The spiracles of segment 2 are indicated by a large,

ear-shaped, thickened surface lying on the anterior part of segment 4, slightly

free from the surface along its curved hinder margin, gently she!ving towards

the margin along its whole length, about 4 the length of the whole margin,

golden-plush in colour, bounded along the margin by a slightly raised, very

much darker ridge; the other. spiracles raised slightly, the colour of pupal

surface where they are situated, with thin, central, white, oval slits or cen-

tres ; not large. Colour of pupa is a rather light golden red-brown, darker on

wings and first three segments and on cremastral segment, the veins of wings

light. L:24 mm. B: 6mm.

The proboscis is not included in the above length ; it would make the length

about 26 mm if it were. In lateral outline there is a gentle gradual constric-

tion between centre of pupal length and the shoulders.

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA, 439

- Habits.—The egg is laid on

the top or bottom of the leaf

indifferently. The habits of

the larva are the same as for

C. area though the caterpillar

is much more sluggish than

that of that species ; it makes

its cell in the same way (see

marginal figure), lies in the

same way with its head

turned round on its side ; and

lives, even when full grown,

in a cell formed by a three-

cornered bit of leaf turned

over on to the top surface,

the attachment of this cover

being a quite thin strip and

the inside is carpeted top and

bottom with silk, rather irre-

gular as to thickness. The

imago rests with wide spread

wings on the underside of

leaves and is fond of shady

places. It has a quick flight.

The rather large, white spots

on the fore wing against the

black ground-colour show up

wonderfully well in the shady

jungles and help recognition.

The ordinary foodplant of the

larvais Dedalacanthus roseus,

T. Anders. ; others Hcbohium

Linneanum, Kurz and Strobi-

lanthes callosus, Nees (Acan-

thacew), a very common

under shrub throughout the

Western Ghats. Swinhoe

gives the habitat of this

species as India and Burmay

‘Fairly common all over

India in the hill ranges;

Elwes records it from the

Karen Hills, Elwes and

deNicéville from Tavoy ;

Davidson, Bell and Aitken

bred it at Karwar ; Hampson

Vig. 1.—Celenorrhinus leucocera :

cell of Lurva.

440 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXiX.

records it from the Nilgiris ; we have it also from Kulu, Sikkim and

the Khasia Hills. Our description and figures are from Kulu’’ (Swin-

hoe, Lepidoptera. Indica, vol. x, p. 14). Davidson and Bell caught

many specimens, in the Sind Valley, Kashmir at a place called Gund.

200. Celznorrhinus area, (Pl6tz)—Male. Upperside: dark olive brown

with ochreous setz on the base of fore wing and brown and ochreous hairs on

base of hind wing and along abdominal area. Fore wing with the usual five

small, subapical, semihyaline dots or spots, the upper three joined together,

the lower two—generally there is only one—minute ; the discal, semihyaline,

outwardly-oblique band commencing with a small white spot on costa a little

beyond the middle attached to a moderately-large, subquadrate spot with its

outer edge indented, a well-separated, similar spot or patch in interspace 2, a

small round spot attached to its upper, outer corner and another close to its

outer, lower corner, this last nearly always absent in the: male ; there is a largish

spot towards middle of wing above the inner margin that is blacker than the

ground colour. Hind wing.—Without markings. Cilia of both wings alter-

nately black and white. Underside: as on the upperside, the entire surface

of both fore and hind wings covered with minute, ochreous-grey scales. Antenne

on the underside, with all the club except the tip and the upper third of the

shaft, pure white, the remainder of the shaft with pure white dots ; palpi with

the inner half ochreous-grey marked with black, the outer or upper half blackish,

white at the sides and below the eyes on the head ; body above and below and

the legs concolorous with the wings. Female.—Like the male above and be-

low but the spots in the fore wing are larger, the discal band, therefore, rather

more continuous, the outer spot usually wedged into the junction of the two

large subquadrate spots ; also, on the underside of the hind wing, there is an

obscure, whitish dot at the end of the cell. Cilia of both wings as in the male.

Expanse up to 50 mm. in the female ; the male somewhat smaller.

The above is again taken from Swinhoe in the Lepidoptera Indica.

In Kanara specimens there are indistinct white or ochreous markings

on the hind wing in both sexes both above and below and obscure black-

ish spots of rather large size. Also the outer spot between the two

large, discal spots is never, in either sex, wedged into the angle between

the outer lower corner of the upper and upper corner of the lower on the

fore wing. The cilia of the fore wing are not checkered and there is only

the greyish bit near tornal angle found in leucocera. The female, too,

has a very distinct pair of large whitish marks on the underside of fore

wing above tornal angle which is also traceable in males. The abdomen

in both sexes is transversely banded with intersegmental, white bands.

In Swinhoe’s picture of the species he shows the fore wings quite cor-

rectly with the cilia uncheckered notwithstanding what he says in the

text; he also shows the abdominal ventral intersegmental bands.

Indeed the only difference between Kanara specimens and his figures

(not the text description) is that in them the undersides—and uppersides

too as far as that goes, in consequence—of the hind wings are quite un-

marked. In the Kanara insect there 1s always an indistinct ochreous

cell spot and submarginal series of spots which are always more distinct

on the underside, especially in the female where they are sometimes

quite well defined and rather bright ochreous, being always alan

in the male and not so clear.

~~ COMMON: BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 441

Egg.—Is dome-shaped, slightly constricted at base where the diameter is

0°09 mm. increasing about half way up to 1 mm. ; the top is somewhat flattened,

circularly, in a space with a diameter of 0.15 mm.: the micropyle situated in

the middle of it. Surface shining, minutely pitted eh sculptured with 47 or

48 fine, low, minutely-beaded, meridional ribs from base to summit but, on

the micropyle-surface, they disintegrate into a fine net-work. Golo: green-

ish white with the micropyle-surface a little darker. B:1mm.; H.0.7mm.;

the ribs are 0.05 mm. apart in the middle and about 0.02 mm. in "width. Only

about forty to fifty eggs are laid apparently.

Larva.—tThe larva is circular in transverse section, thickest in middle, fining

down to each end, the anal flap rather longly semielliptical in shape or rather

parabolical and long, overreaching the anal prolegs and generally free of the sur-

face of the leaf, its dorsal slope slightly inclined to longitudinal axis of larva ;

segment 13 longest in the dorsal line, shorter towards the lateral region, only

about 4 the length of segment 12; segment 2 narrow compared to the head

which is large and nearly square though curving in towards mouth-cavity,

deeply indented on vertex in the dorsal line, the bilobation thus produced being

wide and triangular, the lobes being pronounced, the vertex of each being even-

ly and narrowly rounded but not in the least pointed ; the clypeus is triangular,

the apex acute situated about the middle of the face ; the eyes are four in an

even curve, the sixth more widely separated (the four are at equal distances

from each other) and slightly displaced inwards, the fifth right inside the curve

towards its centre; the surface is irregularly honeycombed-rugose, covered

with short, appressed, light hairs giving it a silky appearance though these

hairs are quite widely separated enough to in no way obscure the surface-sculpture;

the surface is shining ; the colour is rather dark, bright red-brown ; the labrum

slightly lighter, the ligula small, of the same colour as head as well as the basal

joint of antenne, the second antennal joint lighter with a dark tip; the mandi-

bles dark brown as wellas the eyes. The surface of body is dull, the skin trans-

parent-looking and covered with minute, erect, white hairs all over fairly thickly,

each hair being bi or trifurcated starwise at the end; these hairs longest on

the anal segment-margin ; the segments thinly creased parallel to the hinder

margins for a short distance forwards and parallel to these margins. The

spiracles whitish or very slightly soiled-whitish, oval, very slightly prominent

and rather small ; those of segments 2, 12 larger. The colour is an olive-green,

very light in shade, more green than olive with a thin white spiracular and

dorsolateral, white band from end to end ; the hairy true legs and prolegs green;

the ventrum green. L:31mm.; B: 5°5 mm. at middle.

Segment 2 is glassy-smooth for more than half the length from front margin,

the glassy space being separated from the posterior portion of the segment

by a brownish, thin line. The egg-larva is very dusky in colour, often black-

ish with blackish head that is distinctly lobed.

Pupa.—The pupa is more or less circular in transverse section from seg-

ment 4 to 13, the thorax being considerably humped, the section is oval in that

region, slightly flattened on ventrum, at segment I and 2 the section would

be transversely oval; the shape is pointed at anal end, squarely blunt at front

end except for the frontal, round-topped, short, conical prominence ; the pupa

is perhaps broadest at the slightly roundly prominent shoulders but very little

broader than at middle, between which and the shoulders there is a gradually

curved slight constriction ; segments 1 and 2 (the piece composing these) is

suddenly narrower than the pupa at shoulders and is nearly square, the ven-

trum parallel to, the dorsum inclined at an angle of 40° to the longitudinal axis,

the head-vertex being in that line, the frons perpendicular to the axis and its

whole width included in the base of a conical, frontal, short, round-topped

prominence from between the eyes forwards ; segment 2 is a natrow, parallel-

sided piece, the thorax is long, prominent, highest at ‘ middle (which is

442 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXLX.

the highest part of pupa) with the hinder margin a short, parabolic curve meeting

the wings in a very widely rounded angle of less than 90°. The proboscis is free

from the end of wings to the base of cremaster ; the cremastral segment has a

short, transverse base from the end of which proceeds the cremaster, triangular,

long, slightly down-bent, with strong extensor ridges bordering it doreally, the

space between depressed ; ventrally also there are’ these ridges, but shorter

before diverging in wide curves to embrace the scars of the anal prolegs. The

sptracles of segment 2 are indicated by, each, a small, ear-like excrescence

of parabolic shape, slightly longer than broad at base, lying from the common

margin of segments 2 and 3, back on segment 3 from which its posterior

margins stand quite free though only slightly; the other spiracles small, rather

narrowly oval; white and slightly prominent. The surface of the pupa

is shiny and covered, like the larva, with similar hairs which are only visible

under the lens and are densest and longest on head : on the eyes and prominence.

The colour is grass green, very glassy-shining on thorax, lighter green on head,

opaquer yellowish green on abdomen ; the wings light green, cremaster glassy

whitish green. L: 17 mm.; B: 4.5 mm.

Habits.—The larva, after emerging from the egg, the shell of which it

eats, makes a little cell on the upper surface of the young leaf by turning

over a tiny triangular portion which it fixes down with silks, lining

the inside with silk ; this process 1s repeated as it grows, the cell being

renewed of a larger size on new leaves ; when full grown it places one

leaf over the other and fastens them, lying between. It pupates in

such a cell or in a dead leaf which withers and falls to the surface of the

ground if not already there. The imago comes out in the usual time,

about 7 days. The larva dislikes the light and is found on bushes under

the shade of other trees in retired places where the air is not too dry.

Here in Karwar they are mostly found in semi-evergreen jungles. The

pupa is strongly attached by the tail and a body-band made in. the

usual way. The eggs are laid single and on the top of the leaf, young

ones being nearly always chosen. The larva, when touched, raises its

head over its back and opens its jaws; it often lies with its head

turned round on its side in the cell. The butterfly 1s very common

in the Kanara District of Bombay where it is found in company with

C. leucocera and is just as numerous in individuals. It has exactly the

same habits. The foodplant of the larva is also the same, Strobilanthes

callosus, Nees, (Acanthacew). The insect can, Colonel Swinhoe states,

readily be separated from C. spilothyrus, (Felder) by its checkered cilza

and he confines it altogether to South India giving Lanaoli, Mahablesh-

war, the Palni and Nilgiri hills as localities of capture. He says the —

type came from Calcutta. It will be seen, however, by what is written

above, that the Kanara species has got the fore wing with the cilia

uncheckered as in spilothyrus and has also, in the female, the pale spots

on the underside of fore wing above tornal angle of that species

(although here they are white instead of ochereous).

Genus 2.—DalImio.

« Antenne.—With a moderately formed club, bent over at about a right

angel to shaft. |

Palpi.—Porrect, third joint short, obtusely conical.

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 443

Hind tibiee.—With two pairs of spurs, a tuft of hairs attached to its proximal

end.

Fore wing.—Vein 12 ends onthe costa _ before end of cell; discocellulars

suberect ; vein 3 emitted a little before lower end of cell; 2 about one-fourth

from base ; cell less than two-thirds length of costa; costa evenly arched,

outer margin oblique and convex about middle, apex subacute, hinder angle

angular, hinder margin straight.

Hind wing.—Vein 7 from a little before upper end of cell; the discocellulars

very faint and nearly erect ; 5 hardly visible; 3 from a_ short distance before

lower end of cell, 2 from one-third before end ; costa highly arched at base,

apex rounded, outer margin somewhat sinuous.

General colouring. , sometimes greyish with a broad,

white, oblique, discal band bordered by black spots across both wings.”

(Swinhoe in Lepidoptera Indica, vol. x, p. 29).

201. Daimio milliana, Swinh.—Male. Upperside: Fore wing. Dark brownish-

grey ; five subapical, semihyaline, white spots, the upper four in an outwardly

oblique curve from near costa and very close to each other, the fifth, inwardly

below the fourth and a little separated from it ; a central band of large, semi-

hyaline, white spots, the upper one at the end of the cell, its outer side rounded,

its inner side concave ; asimilar-sized, quadrate spot below it in interspace 2

before its middle, its inner, upper end nearly touching the lower, inner end of

cell-spot ; a larger, quadrate spot attached to its lower side extending half

inwards and expanding somewhat on the hinder margin ; with two prominent

black spots, one above the other, on each side of this spot, the outer pair well

within the white ; a small subquadrate spot close to the base of interspace 3

outside but close to the junction of the two upper spots. Hind wing. With the

base narrowly, the outer margin broadly, brownish-grey ; the rest of the

wing pure-white; a continuous whorl all round the wing, from base to

abdominal fold, of black spots, one below the costa within the white space, the

others on the inner edges of the basal and outer marginal bands, the upper four

annular, the others linear; a smaller, black spot at lower end of cell. Cilia

of both wings brownish-grev. Underside similar, the black spots, very promi-

nent. Antenne brown with the upper half of the club white; palpi with

bright-ochreous hairs; top of head similarly coloured ; thorax with some

white hairs ; abdomen with the base and tip br -ownish- -grey, the middle portion

white ; on the underside : : thorax with white hairs, the abdomen entirely

white. Female.—Similar to male.

In the wet-season brood the male has both sides much darker than in the

dry-season form (that described above) with the markings similar, the subapical

spots in the fore wing larger and somewhat elongated. Expanse 45 mm.

Habitat.—Burma, Types in the B. M.

There are several examples of both sexes in the B. M. from the Shan States,

Tilin Yaw and Pegu.

The above is taken from Swinhoe in Lepidoptera Indica, vol. x, p. 34,

and it is curious that a single example of the insect should have been

caught with a net in Kanara many years ago—in the mid 90s—on the

crest of the Western Ghats in Kanara at a place of the name of Anshi

in January ’98. It looked like a moth, fluttering past overhead in the

manner of a hypsid or zygenid. No others have ever come to notice

and it is fairly certain none have been captured. The specimen was

practically perfect except for a small chip out of one of the wings and

was a female. It agrees in every detail with the above description. The

top of the head, the collar, the palpi except the small third jomt which

444 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

is black and the pectus are bright ochreous—nearly orange but of a

light shade ; the legs are all quite brown. The expanse is only 1°5

inch or 38 mm. At the time of capture we thought it was Satarupa

bhagava, an insect of N. EH. Bengal, Ranikhet, Sikkim, the Kasias to

Burma. Colonel Swinhoe . says that Betham caught bhagava in the

Central Provinces. It would, therefore, be interesting to know whether

Betham diagnosed his insect correctly or not.

Genus 3.—TAGIADES.

, Antenne.—With a slender club, the terminal portion rather iong and _ bent

at about a right angle.

-Palpi.—Porrect, the third joint minute.

- Hind tibiee.—With two pairs of spurs and fringed.

_ Fore wing.—Vein 12 ending on costa well before the end of the cell;

discocellulars suberect, the lower the longer; vein 3 from one-fifth before

lower end of cell, 2 from one-fourth from the base, the median vein strongly

arched between bases of 2 and 3; cell less than two-thirds length of costa ;

costa arched, apex angular with outer margin convex, hinder angle obtuse

ana hinder margin nearly straight.

Hind wing.—Vein 7 from one- fifth before upper end of cell; discoccllulars

and vein 5 very faint ; vein 3 from before lower end of cell, 2 at about one-

third before end ; win g¢ evenly rounded.

~ Quoted from Colonel Swinhoe in Lepidoptera Indica. He further

divides the genus into two groups which he calls the Japetus Group and

the Menaka Group. For present purposes they might be called the

Obscurus Group and the Lotigiosa Group ; in the former the underside

of hind wings bluish-white, the upperside with a narrow white or_

bluish-white border; in the latter with the undersides pure white

or orange on outer half of hind wing with black spots on the white. The

fore wings in both are blackish with hyaline spots.

Egg.—Dome shaped. Surface ribbed fairly coarsely from base up to near

apex ; the height being to the breadth in the proportion of about 1 to 7. The

colour is red or brown and the eggs are covered with waved, curled hairs from

the abdomen of the butterfly. They are always laid on the top of the leaf.

Larva.—Fat, stoutest about segments 5, 6; the neck much narrower, the

head very large compared to it, semicircular, the base being across the vertex

where it is widely, curvedly emarginate dividing it into widely-separated, short

though well-formed lobe-points that are, however, quite blunt. The anal end

flattened, broad, rounded, the flap overreaching the anal clasper-bases ; the

surface of body clothed all over with extremely minute branched hairs visible

only under a powerful lens. The larva lies with the ventrum appressed to

surface. It is some shade of olive-green, the skin thin and without

longitudinal lines ; the head either black or dull orange.

Pupa.—Fairly stout with the shoulders rounded and about as broad at

shoulders as at middle ; the front square, broad, segment 2 and head in a plane

more or less perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pupa, the frons with a

short, stout process; the spiracles of segment 2 with prominent spiracular

processes ; the anal end with the cremaster well-formed, bent down. some-

‘what, its extensor-ridges well-formed ; the proboscis produced shortly beyond

ends of wings; the colour light green or sullied ereyil with vee enamel- white

‘triangles laterally or with blackish dots. frird

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 445

Habits—As said above, the eggs are laid singly on the tops of the

leaves, a young one being always chosen. The egg-larva comes out

by. a hole eaten through the top and wanders a bit before going to the

part of the leaf where the cellisto bemade. This is a nearly always

a broad-triangular piece cut from the edge and turned over on to the

top where it is fastened down lightly by a corner, a hinge being left to

keep connection with the leaf-surface, this hinge thin and including a

veinlet to strengthen it. The mouth of cell or hole of i ingress and egress

at the hinge. Inside this “lid” hned with a carpet of silk upon

which the larva lies back downwards towards the main _leaf-surface.

This method continued through life, a new and larger cell being made

as required ; finally a large oval bit is turned over, always lightly

fixed down by a silk or two, never all round: and the edge of the lid is

scalloped along both edges rather largely. The larvee sometimes lie

over for months after finishing feeding. They often pupate within the

cell last inhabited. The pupa has a strong tail-attachment and a loose

body-band attached to the lid by a rope of silk—it lies with the back

towards the lid, not the other way up as the larva does. The butter-

flies inhabit forest countries where the vegetation is damp, generally

in the hills and fly about in the underwood or near the ground in shady

places. They rest on the undersides of leaves and return to the same

leaf, never flying far or for long. The flight is very quick, in jerks,

up and down. The larvee feed upon Dioscoracee or Yams _ which

are supposed to be monocotyledonous botanically.

202. Tagiades litigiosa, /oschler.—Male. Upperside: quite black ; fading,

however, after some months to dark-brown with the basal half of fore wing

patchily darker; inner margin of both wings shortly fringed with hair which

is black on fore wing ; white on hind wing, the latter wing with longer hair on

inner half of disc from base, brown at base, white beyond; the hind wing largely

white in outer two-thirds. Fore wing. Five small (about 0°5 mm in diameter)

semihyaline spots from near costa before apex in intérspaces 4 to 8, the third in

6 outwards with the fourth and fifth in a strong outward curve ; another further

in near base of interspace 3 with @ seventh inwards and not far off in the upper

part of interspace 2; a spot in the upper part of end of cell with a subcostal

spot above it and, finally, one in the bottom of end of cell near the origin of

vein 5 that is not always there ; the cell and basal third of wing below vein 2 is

very obscurely darker than the ground-colour even in the fresh, black speci-

mens where also a blackish spot at the base of interspace 2 and a discal

‘series of black spots can be made out. The hind wing. The basal third black,

this black running broadly round the apex to the middle of the outer margin

after which it is continued as large subterminal, black spots four in number

at the end of veins 4, 3, 2 and 1; two black spots, very obscure, embedded in

the outer margin of the black, basal space and two more in the inner margin

of the black, apical band, these latter two sometimes quite well-defined

although never disconnected from the band ; the four submarginal

‘black spots in continuation of these two subapical ones are sometimes

‘disconnected, at.other times more or less’ confluent. The cilia are white

‘on the white portion of hind wing, black elsewhere on both wings except

fora white shade above tornal angle. of forewing. Underside with

the fore wing paler but otherwise the same. as upperside. .Hind. wing.

446 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX.

As on upperside but with the black replaced by light blue suffusion below the

costal black band ; the black spot in upper part much more distinct. Female—

Similar to the male but the black spots on hind wing larger, the two on the inner

side of the black, apical band not altogether included in that band. Anten-

nz black, the end of club above pinkish, below white extending on to the upper

part of the shaft; palpi white below, blue in certain lights at end of white, black

at ends and on top ; head black with white at front bases of antennz; body and

basal half of abdomen black, the distal half of abdomen and whole of under-

side and legs white. Expanse 40 mm.

iigg.—The egg is dome-shaped. The surface sculptured with 12. or

13 meridional ribs from base up, ending near the top; these ribs about 0.05

mm in thickness by rather less in height ; the intervals between them 0.15 mm.

notincluding any part of any rib; the general surface apparently minutely

rugose, only moderately shining but so covered over with a sort of dirty-

white, cerous (?) matter as to nearly obscure it—it looks like a minute moss ;

the top of the egg is bare of ribs in a circular space of 0.5 mm diameter, the ribs

ending abruptly on its circumference, truncatedly ; this bare surface slightly

convex, minutely, superficially cellular. The colour is, as far as ascertainable,

a sort of light chocolate or medium brown. B:0°9mm; H. 0°65 mm.

Larva.—P1. I, fig. 30.—The body is limaciform in shape, fattest in the

middle, (7 mm) fining gently backwards to segment 9, more rapidly afterwards

to become 3°5 mm at the anterior margin of segment 14; forwards, at segment

3 the breadth is 5 mm, segment 2 is only 3°5 mm at front margin, the dorsum is

convex more or less semicircularly in transverse section from spiracle to

spiracle, the complete circle being interrupted from bases of legs and prolegs

across ventrum because the body is there considerably flattened ; segment 14

is twice the length of 13, segment 13 being about 1:85 mm long ; segment 11 is

longer, about 2°75 mm ; segment 12 equals 13; segment 14 is, therefore, about

twice as broad (at front margin) as long: it is semicircular but looks semi-

elliptical as it is convex transversely, the inclination of its dorsal line being

slight, its edges somewhat thickened and there is a circular patch dorsally taking

up the whole width at extreme end and about two-thirds of the length which

is defined by a slightly impressed line from the rest of the segment-surface, the

texture being also slightly different, the free edge of the segment, the flap that

is, overreaches the anal claspers by a distance equalling the length of a clasper;

these claspers are very short, their shanks cylindrical, stout, the ancle broadly

rounded and hardly distinguishable from the shanks except that it has a fringe

of short, light hairs along its base ; the prolegs similar to the claspers: they are

all light greenish-white ; the true legs very short, also with short hairs, whitish ;

there are some very short,whitish erect hairs also round the free edge of anal] flap.

The larva is, on the whole, a very fat, ventrally flattened looking thing thinning

a good deal at ends ; segment 2 is white, shining, the head (see marginal figure)

appearing a good deal broader than it: as a

matter of fact the head is only 4 mm broad to

the 3-5 mm of segment 2; this head is very

widely heart-shaped, the vertex being the

broad side, widely and shallowly emarginate

in a gentle curve, this emargination affecting

upper part of face also leaving each lobe with

the apex somewhat conical in appearance and

situated as far as possible from the dorsal line

and slightly forwards of actual occiput ; the

Fig. 2.—Head of Tagiades surface of head is irregularly, rather coarsely

reticulate veined, the veins slightly raised, the

whole shining, the only visible hairs being on

the labrum, ligula and end of antennal end-joint—others ventrally on palpi,

atticus, Moschler.

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 447

&c., none as long as half the true clypeus ; colour of the head is a rather light

shining orange with a slight soiled tinge about it; the true clypeus is an

equilateral triangle with absolutely straight sides and perfectly-formed angles,

about half the height of face; the false clypeus starts very thin at base of truc

clypeus and reaches about one-third of true clypeus higher up face, its sides

very slightly outward-curved from about half way up, its apical angle rounded!

narrowly : both clypeuses have the surface as for the rest of the head ; the

labrum slightly longer than a quarter of the true clypeus, its hinder margin

straight, its front margin widely, superficially-emarginate, its width four times

its length, and it is chitinized like the head-case and of the same dull-orange

colour ; ligula the same length as labrum, not quite as broad, kidney-shaped,

the sinus wide, shallow, its angle about 100° or more, triangular; antennal

basal joint whitish the third light-rusty ; mandibles shining black, very promin-

ent and large, strong, the cutting edges, minute-toothed above, entire in the

ventral moiety ; eyes arranged : 1 to 4 in a very gentle curve, all equidistant,

number 6 four times as far below in a line with 3, 4, number 5 behind, four

interspaces from number 6 and three interspaces from 4, all equal in size, all

glassy, the pupils black. Surface of larva quite smooth, shining, with the

segments all well marked but not in the slightest constricted, each segment

with four transverse folds parallel to and from hinder margin forwards reaching

half the length of segment so that each fold is equal to about one-eighth of

a segment-length ; segment 2 quite smooth, white; the hairs on legs, prolegs,

free margin of segment 14 have been mentioned above—and there are others,

excessively minute and not visible even except with difficulty under a strong

lens in a good light: these hairs arising, one to each, from the yellow dots to be

mentioned under ‘‘ colour.’ Spiracles very small, about twelve to the segment-

length, moderately broad ovals, slightly raised, white; those of segment 12

very slightly larger; those of segment 2 more than twice the size of the

majority. Colour of body is whitish with a strong bluish tinge on segments 3,

5, 12, 13, 14 and an equally strong yellow colour on segments 6 to 11; the white

mainly caused by numerous white dots, the yellow by numerous yellow dots,

all these dots bearing each an excessively minute hair; ventrum is bluish-

white with a green tinge ; there is a 2mm. broad greenish, dorsal, pulsating

band narrowing backwards, linear on 5, 4 and a pair of small, semicircular,

yellow bodies visible at front margin of segment 10, one on each side of the

dorsal line, that keep moving away from and towards cach other slightly,

sometimes quite mecting—these are the testes of the future moth : so this larva

isa male. The L: 30mm when at rest; B: 7mm at middle. Head 4mm in

diameter.

Pupa.—Pl. I, fig. 30 a.—This is in shape as follows: head quadrate, termi-

nated by a strong conical beak ; thorax moderately convex; abdomen stoutest

in middle, the transverse section circular, ending in a down-curved, moderately-

long cremaster; the whole body robust, slightly constricted at segment 4,

about as stout at shoulders as at middle. The surface is smooth, pitted

all over with little brown-bottomed pits; segments ali well defined. Spiracles oval,

narrow, yellowish. Colour is a very light, translucent-looking green, the dorsal

segment-margins edged with brown ; two large enamel-white, triangular, lateral

marks on each side : one at the base of wing near the shoulder, the other, the

larger of the two, has its apex at the highest point of wing, that is at tornal angle:

the bases of these triangular, white marks are in a straight line if produced,

distant from the ventral line one-third of the height of body—these triangles

are longitudinally longer than transversely; under the head, ventrally,

are two symmetrically-situated, enamel-white patches and there is another

triangular, much smaller patch behind the apex of the larger of the two lateral

patches. More succinctly ; the white chalk-markings are : one small triangle,

its base on hinder margin of segment 7 laterally, its ventral side curving over

448 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

spiracle about a spiracle-length over it, reaching front margin where it im-

pinges on wing, its dorsal side running thence diagonally up and backwards to

other end of base which is nearly 1°5 mm long ; another triangle, ventrally on

the wing, one angle in the tornal angle of the same, one side, the posterior, run-

ning down and back along the outer margin half way to the apex of wing,. the

other side, the anterior, reaching nearly half way between base of wing and outer

margin on vein 2, the ventral side of triangle parallel to ventral line ; a third tri-

angle of which the ventral side starts at base of vein 2 and runs forwards to just

short of spiracle of segment 2 along antenna whence the anterior side runs back

and up straight for the hinder margin of the thorax but stops half way—these

three triangles outlined blackish thinly ; the extreme angle of proboscis-base

where it extends to eye and fore leg has a small white triangle in it and, finally, ;

the frons under the frontal snout has a small, transverse white diamond on it

on the common margin with clypeus, this diamond with both lateral corners

connected linearly, shortly, with a much larger transversely-triangular patch

that reaches up to the eye-crescent laterally and down inside of eye as far as

base of proboscis longitudinally enclosing the clypeus, ligula and a small

tubercle on each side of ligula—a little square area the colour of the pupa—on

the two latera! sides, and anteriorly ; the wings are, otherwise, quite immacu-

late ; clypeus fuscous-brown, the tubercles on each side also, the white bordered

black on each side ; a fuscous, transverse line or narrow band across head over

snout, another parallel across head between antenne; all segment-margins brown,

hinder margin of segments 2 and 10 broadest ; a fuscous, dorsal double band on

front half of thorax ; wing margins between large, white triangular marks fuscous

and some fuscous suffusion round margins of triangles: all.pittings of surface

finely rusty-margined ; two fuscous dots on fore and mid tibix, discocellulars of

wings brownish; a black splash above spiracle of segment 6, four black dots

below and four above spiracle of segment 9; a black dorsolateral, central dot

on some of the abdominal segments; the snout and eyes have also rusty-brown

pits. Often the colour of a pupa, when formed in a cage or glass, is yellowish-

white instead of green; it is always shining except on the powder-white,

triangular patches. Surface of wings has the legs and other head-parts slightly

prominent as well as the veins; every pit bears a tiny hair; there is a

tuft of russet hairs where the prolegs have been situated on segments

9 and 10 besides other single hairs of similar size on sides of ventrum ; the - head,

segment 2, thorax and abdomen are all pitted, and there is always a row of

nese pits along each segment-margin, the membranous hinder bevil-margin

of segments 8, 9, 10 is quite smooth and pitless ; the eyes are laterally prominent

witb the eye-crescent shining-glassy and nearly as broad as the antenna. Spi-

racies of segment 2 are indicated by a semicircular smallish sinus on front margin

of segment 3 filled with densely-packed hairs, these hairs being longest behind,

becoming quite short in front against the hinder margin of 2, ‘the level of tops

of these hairs thus sloping from behind forwards and looking like a velvety sur-

face facing forwards: this surface assuming a grey to golden colour according

as the light strikes it ; the length of these spiracles of segment 2 is rather less

thaa breadth of the adjacent antenna ; other spiracles are from one-fourth to one-

fifth as long as a segment-length and are four times as long as_ broad, narrow

ovals of a slightly rusty colour with lighter centre, each placed ina very shallow,

much broader depression. The shape of the pupa is, laterally considered, paral-

lel-sided to shoulders, these a trifle prominent-rounded, the contour parallel-

sided again as far as segment 8 after which it narrows very gently up to hinder

margin of 10, then much more rapidly cone-wise, to end; dorsally the head-

vertex and segment 2 together with front half of thorax rise at an angle of 45°

to the longitudinal axis of body, the thorax then mucb less to become practically

parallel to that axis in its posterior third, or sloping very slightly in the opposite

direction, the apex of thorax being the highest point ; from middle of segment

2 ars

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 449

4 to hinder margin of 10 the dorsum is parallel to axis, afterwards inclined at

45° to cremaster which is down-curved ; the ventral line from snout to cremaster

is very little convex ; segment 14 is practically all cremaster, the anterior half

triangular, the distal half oblong in continuation, the oblong piece slightly

dilated at extremity where it is set with many, densely- packed, minute shafts, all

hooked and rusty-coloured : this cremaster twice as long as it is broad at front

margin where it is depressed-emarginate triangularly and whitish, smooth, the

rest of dorsal surface rusty, pitted : ventrally this cremaster is not hollowed out

but segment 14 exists as a short disc, sloping ventrally, bordered by the extensor

ridges from cremaster, the interval between them filled up by the scars of the

anal claspers divided by an impressed, central line ; segment 13 is dorsally

hardly half the length of cremaster, ventrally it is compre sssed by segment 14

into a linear strip with, in the middle, the rather small, circularly mouth-shaped

male-organ tumidity ; segment 12 is a quarter as long again as 13; segment

11 very little longer than 12, the front half of it bevilled, its hinder margin

very slightly tumid above segment 12 ; segment 10—9, slightly longer than 11

with front and hinder margins bevilled; segment 8 again slightly longer ;

segment 7=6—14; segment 5—4, very little more than half length of 7;

thorax—segments 5 + 6 + 7 together, convex-tumid with the hinder margin

nearly a semicirular curve meeting wings in a broadly-rounded, moderately-

deep angle of about 90°; segment 2 one-third the length of thorax, 4 x as

broad as long, its anterior margin straight, its hinder margin curved

backwards, the two meeting in a point under spiracles of 2; head with

the vertex+frons twice as long as 2, the frons one-third Icngth of whole,

produced out into a short, cylindrical (shortly conical at base of course) beak,

this beak porrect, not as long as segment 2, its extremity rounded; clypcus

ventral, just prominent, semicircular, a spiracle-length long by two spiracles

wide ; ligula twice the length of clypeus between bases of proboscis-halves,

in the form of an hour-glass coming to a point distally ; proboscis overreaches

the ends of wings—here it is the hind wings which overreach the fore wings by

quite a margin—by a little, the mid legs reach three-quarters the length,

antenns curving round their ends slightly, the fore legs reach to about the

middle of wings. L: 19 mm; B:5 mm at middle, 4 mm at head,

Habits —The egg is laid anywhere on the upperside of a young,

tender leaf, on the very edge or well in the middle; the little larva

after three or four days, emerges through a hole near the top which it

onaws through from the inside widely and evenly ; it makes its initial

meal of egg-shell, very often, however, not finishing it. Then

it proceeds to the edge of the leaf and gnaws from it inwards between

two nervures and about 4 mm distance untilit reaches another nervure

where it stops; then proceeds to the edge again and starts another

passage about 4 mm further on which it also gnaws inwards to within

about 1 mm of the end of the first ; freeing, thus, a triangular piece. of

leaf, the apex of which is the narrow | mm hinge of the future cell, the

base being the free edge of the

leaf. This triangle it then

turns over on to the top of the

leaf, attaching it by one of

the corners with silks (see

marginal figure). It then pro-

ceeds to cover the whole bit

over with a carpet of silks

Fig, 3.—-Cell of egg-larva of Tagiades

litigiosa, Moischler.

450 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XA1X.

which, by contraction, make it concave; upon this “lid” it takes

up its abode, lying with its back towards the leaf-surface. The

little larva is at first a light orange in colour with a dispropor-

tionately large-looking, shining-black, perfectly round head that looks

ultogether too big for its body ; the skin is shining with the segments

quite distinct and the transverse folds of the segments indicated

but there is no sign of hairs, main ones or otherwise even

under a strong 9 X lens. It is about 2-5 mm long, with a diameter

of barely 05 mm. The colour soon changes to greenish after

it commences eating vegetable food. After quitting the egg it

often wanders considerably before commencing eating, that is before

starting making its first cell; it has a shining-chitinized collar

on segment 2, brown and transverse and linear. After it has finished

its cell it marks off a small area by gnawing the cuticle of the upperside

of the leaf from the hinge in a curve to the edge of leaf some distance

beyond the gap left by the inturning of the lid and only feeds upon this

area in its first stage. It rapidly increases to about 4mm in length

after a couple of meals. There are a few visible hairs along the dorso-

ventral margin of body but they are extremely minute and only discern-

able against the ight. It always returns to the cell after feeding. Some-

times it inhabits the original cell after it has undergone its first change

for some time but, before entering upon the second, it invariably makes

a larger new house which is much of the same shape. It is rather

averse to wandering far from its cell in which it lies during the day

time with its head turned round on its side. As it increases in size, it

manufactures new cells; when full grown it turns over quite a large

longly triangular piece of leaf which, in medium sized ones, often

includes the tip and reaches well across the whole length or breadth of

the leaf-surface. When touched -it will open its jaws in a menacing

way, lifting the fore part of the body and raising the head but never

appears to actually bite. The larve always eat tender leaves at first

but do not mind much later on how tough they may be provided they

are fresh and green. The stages are of normal duration during the

monsoon months when the plants arein fullleaf, but, at the end of

the rains, when they begin to lose their foliage, 1t may be otherwise.

That may be after the third brood, perhaps even the fourth. Then

the caterpillar does not at once change into the pupa after ceasing

feeding but les quiescent in its cell for quite a long period ; perhaps

even for months. It changes colour, becomes a translucent light-green

and awaits its time. It may change its abode even once or twice—it

does so as a rule; making new quarters in a withered leaf or some

such place. When the time comes the larva becomes a pupa and the

butterfly emerges in the orthodox ten days’ time! There was a larva

on the 14th of November 1890 that was full-grown. It eat sparingly

until the 20th of the month and, after that date, it never

moved from the cell until it became a pupa on the 10th of January

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 4651

following. Another larva became quiescent on the 1st of December

and had not pupated by the 10th of January. One found outside in

the quiescent state on the 25th of November did not pupate until

‘the 10th of February, emerging as a butterfly on the 23rd in the

evening. The pupa is formed in the cell and is fastened very strongly

by the tail and a body-band ; the tail-fastening consists of a very

strong, short rope of silk to the middle of which the cremastral

hooklets are fixed by screwing motions ; the body-band is fastened

to the surface of the leaf on both sides of the body and to the roof

of the cell by a single thread from its middle straight over the

dorsum of the chrysalis: the rope is composed of dozens of threads,

the body string of some eight or ter, the ends of all of the single

threads being spread out fan-wise in continuation of a net-work of

threads carpeting the whole floor. The foodplant of the larva is

always a dioscoreaceous plant, family Dzscoreaceew or Yams. They

are all climbers, creeping amongst the undergrowth and climbing up

stems and tree-trunks. The leaves are mostly heart-shaped with

pointed ends and longish stalks, always 3 or 5 nerved from the base.

Two of the species are five-digitate. The commonest species in

Kanara is Dvioscorea oppositifolia, L. The flowers are all minute,

about one-eighth of an inch in diameter, greenish, inconspicuous. The

butterfly is a fast flier with the characteristic flight of a skipper, is

generally found in the heavy jungles, flitting backwards and forwards

on one beat, the only thing visible being the white hind wings as it

* goes past ; occasionally the attention is attracted to it by the prr of

the wings as it goes past the ear. It settles, however, fairly frequently

and generally in the same places, on the same leaves, sitting, with

the wings horizontally outspread, mostly on the undersides. It visits

flowers and also bird-droppings on leaf-surfaces ; but it does not bask

in sunlight—in fact it avoids the sun, preferring shady places. It s

a common species in Kanara from sea-level upwards in the jungles

in the monsoon months. The distribution is throughout India, in

Ceylon, Burma, Hongkong and Hainan according to Colonel Swinhoe

(Lep. ind., vol. x, p. 50). He says :—“ A common species; we cannot

separate the southern form named vajuna by Friihstorfer from the

northern examples. We have many examples from the Atarat Valley,

Ceylon ; Orissa ; Kanara; Sikkim ; the Khasia Hills and from many

other localities ; Hannyngton records it from Kumaon, Watson from

the Chin Hills and de Rheé-Philipe from Misuri. The type came

from Sylhet.”’

This species was called attecus by Butler in his Cat. Fabr. Lep. B.

M., p. 283 (1869) and, in consequence, by Moore in 1881 (Lep. Ceylon,

vol. I., p. 68), by Doherty in 1886 and so on up to the year 1908. It

seems to have been named lteqiosa by Méschler in 1878 ; Frihstorfer

put it down as menaka litigiosa in 1910. Swinhoe separated it off as

a good species.

452 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXI1X.

There is a black and white representation of the larva and pupa on

Plate II, figures 30 (larva) and 30a (pupa) which, although not very

good, might serve as a sort of guide.

203- Tagiades obscurus, Mabille.—Male. Upperside: blackish-brown in fresh

specimens, fading to brown, Fore wing. Always with the costa darker to

beyond end of cell where it joins a band excurved round end of cell, incurved

below it to middle of wing, then straight to inner margin; a large black spot

in end of cell and another, subbasal, below vein 1; the outer margin also broadly

darker. blacker ; three very small, semihyaline, subapical dots in interspaces

6,7, 8 some of which may be absent ; some brown hairs at base and a short

tringe along inner margin, also brown. Hind wing. With the base darker as

far as near middle of wing, the upper half of outside margin also darker and an

indistinct curve of three or four postmedial darker spots showing through from

underside ; the outside margin in a 2mm. broad band suffused with blue-white

as far as half way, or nearly half way, with the cilia white beyond this suffusion,

sometimes with only the base of cilia white, the ends brown. Cilia of hind wing as

well as fore wing otherwise concolourous with wings, sometimes with the usual

light tips above tornal angle of fore wing. Underside: paler black or brown.

Fore wing. Similar to upper side except that, sometimes, there is an extra

semihyaline dot in interspace 4; palest along inner margin below the vein.

Hind wing. The costa very broadly brown reaching down to vein 6 on outer

margin ; the rest of the wing white suffused with blue on base; a black spot

in cell, a series of five postdiscal spots in a curve, the first, largest, in the middle

of interspace 7 below costa, the others decreasing downwards in interspaces

6, 5, 4 and 3; sometimes the lower ones absent; outer margin with a diffuse,

narrow, black, marginal band darkest and thickest towards anal angle.

Female.—Similar to male; the bluish-suffused margin on outer margin of hind

wing narrower. Antennae black in the female, in the male the club and_ shaft

white below ; palpi black above including third joint and tip of second, white

below ; head also black, the frons narrowly fringed whitish in front up to eyes ;

abdomen above concolourous with wings, the tip in the male touched by white,

in the female with ochreous ; underside of body and abdomen pure white as well

as legs. Expanse 50 mm, the male always a bit less than the female.

Egg.—Dome-shaped, apex flattened, base shortly constricted with no basal

band. Surface moderately shining with from 16-20 thin, meridional ribs, some

six reaching micropyle-cell on apex, the others only to within O-lmm. of it

from base ; cross-rayed between meridions, rays 0°025mm. apart ; micropyle-

cell hexagonal, 0°15mm. in diameter, its walls 0-025mm. thick. by about half

that high ; meridions 0°025mm. high, 0°05mm. broad, separated by 0°1 mm.

towards apex by 0°175mm. at base. Colour deep maroon-red with the meridions

greyish. B: 0°9mm.; H: 0°65 mm.

Larva.—In shape this larva is very like that of Tagiades litigiosa. It is,

however, larger, the head is, perhaps, not quite so broad compared to the height

and is always black instead of yellow ; segment 2 is rosey white and the general

colour is a kind of neutral greenish olive covered with white dots, the whole with

a pinkish tinge; the head islarger (broader and higher) than segment 2:

about the same diameter as segment 3; the body is transversely convex, the

ventrum flat, the dorsal line gently curved, the slope of segments

11-14 inclined at.an angle of less than 25° to the longitudinal axis of the body ;

segment 12 isabout three-quarters the length of segment 11 ; segment

13 is a narrow, transverse strip not one-third the length of 12; segment 14

is a trapezoidal piece, narrowest at extremity, about as long as segment 12,

the extremity faintly convexly curved, the lateral corners rounded with the

lateral sides slightly constricted about the middle of segment, the basal half

with the dorsal surface even and slightly tumid, the posterior half dented widely

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA, 453

and the extreme margin somewhat linearly thickened ; the fattest part of the

body is the middle whence it thins to both ends. The head is perhaps best des-

cribed as a short semi-ellipse, the straight base being a line across the mouth-

opening under or through the labrum, the apex, widely and deeply emarginate

in an evenly curved sinus, leaving each lobe with a prominent, bluntly rounded,

gradually-formed, conical point ; the surface is shining, covered with a network

of thin, raised, somewhat irregular reticulations; no hairs; the true clypeus

is triangular, the apex acute, higher than broad somewhat, rather less than half

the height of face; the false clypeus reaches nearly two-thirds the height of face,

has the apex acute also and is as broad as one-fifth the length of base of true

cyp2us, becoming, however, rapidly narrower at base ; the labrum is a

quarter the length of true clypeus and transverse, whitish; the ligula kidney-

shaped, as long as labrum, whitish, the sinus shallowly, widely triangular ;

antennal, basal joints glassy-whitish, others dark; mandibles strong, their

cutting edges shortly, coarsely toothed : colour dark ; eyes arranged 1, 2, 3, 4in

a slight curve, equal-spaced, 6 in a straight line with 3, 4, three times as far

from 4 as 4 from 3: number 5 behind, not as far from 6 as 4 from 6 and somewhat

less again from 4, all black in colour; the colour of the whole dark reddish-

black. Surface of the body is dull, smooth, the segment-margins distinct but

thin ; segment 2 shining and watery-white with a roseate tinge; the whole body

covered with extremely short, moderately sparse, erect, light hairs, only visible

under a strong lens ; the prolegs are short, the bases thick, the feet circular; the

true legs quite well developed. Spiracles small, light orange in colour, flush,

roundly oval; that of segment 2 more than twice the size of the others; that

of segment 12 like the rest but rounder. Colour is a light, neutral, greenish

oive with a rosey tinge, especially in the contracted parts—when at rest in

the front segments; the whole body dotted with white except on immediate

dorsum on both sides of a dark, pulsating line ; laterally, towards the front

margin of segment 10 is a small, short, diagonally-placed orange mark (male

organs ?) which are visible under the skin; the true legs are yellowish ; the

pseudo legs are the same colour as the rest of the body. L: 35mm; B:5 mm;

but the length is somewhat more when really stretched.

Pupa.—lIs similar in shape to that of 7. litigiosa: fairly stout, circular in

transverse section from shoulders to segment 12, about the same width from

shoulders to segment 8 whence it thins to segment 13 which is a short, trans-

verse, well-distinguished piece about half the length of 12 and three-quarters

the breadth ; the cremaster is Y-shaped, the stem broad, the arms triangular,

with the space between them rather shallow: the whole piece easily

twice the length of 13, the extremity slightly emarginate, bearing the

bunched, suspensory hooklets or short hairs: the segment strongly down-

curved ; the front of pupa high and square, the vertex and frons in a plane _per-

pendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pupa, the frons of head produced into

@ prominent, somewhat robust, short, round-topped, cylindrical process or snout

which is as long as the distance between its base and the outer margin of the

eye; segment 2 is transverse, inclined to the longitudinal axis at a

considerable angle, about one-third the length of thorax, the margins slightly

waved ; the thorax is slightly humped, evenly rounded, the dorsal line nearly

parallel to longitudinal axis at hinder margin, this margin shortly and broadly

triangularly produced backwards in the dorsal line, meeting the wings in a broad

ly rounded, moderately deep angle of somewhat less than 90°; segment 4 about

the same length as segment 5; segment 5 rather more than half the length of

6=7 = 8; the highest point of pupa is at the apex of thorax ; the shoulders are

not prominent. Surface dull, covered all over with very distinct, small, shallowly

concave, shining, light orange pits in each of which is placed a short, recumbent,

light, thin hair; the proboscis is shortly produced over the hinder margin of seg-

ment 8. Spiracles of segment 2 are large, circular, raised, convex, twice as long

454 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

as the rest, spongy looking, light orange-grey in certain lights (these are ‘the

spiracular expansions)—and facing slightly forwards ; the rest are oval,

flush, yellow, not small. Colour is greyish with a brown and pinkish tinge,

the. pits light orange, a black, subdorsa}. central spot on thorax and a lateral

one in front of it; a black dot above each spiracle on abdomen and some

more round the spiracles of segments 8-10 ; some brown lines along the

dorsal wing-margins and similar lines on the wings themselves ; there is, some-

times, acerous powdering. L: 20mm; B: 6 mm.

Habits.—The habits are very similar to those of Tagiades litigiosa.

The young egg-larva makes a similar nest of a turned-over piece of

leaf and the fuil-grown larva the same ; it always rests with the head

turned round on the side and is very sluggish. The pupa is formed

between two leaves or sometimes under the prepared cover, the leaves

being held in place by a thread or two of silk lke the cover. The stages

take the normal time and, as a general rule, so does the pupal state

though the larva sometimes lies over for an indeterminate time.

The egg is laid on the upperside of a youngish leaf, though never on a

tender one ; each one (they are always laid singly) being covered over

more or less with a light covering of fine, curley, soft, grey hairs from the

extremity of the abdomen of the female. The little larva eats its

way out of the side of the egg and makes its first cell by turning over a

small, oblong piece from the edge on to the top of the leaf, forming a

short tube by joining the edges and closing up one end. It lies on the

underside of the roof with its back towards the surface of the leaf or

bottom of tube. Itis red in colour at both ends, a kind of neutral tint

in the middle and the head is black. It is impatient of light and shakes

its head violently, wriggling its body when exposed to it. In the later

stages the larva behaves as does that of Taquades litigiosa and makes its

cell in a similar way. These larvee are always found in shady places

-in the jungles of the Western Ghats in the Kanara District where the

rainfall is anything from 100" to 300” and prefers the more or less ever-

green stretches. The foodplantis Dioscorea oppositifolia, Linn, growing

commonly in the underwood in the rains, thence climbing up shrubs

and even trees. The eggs are nearly always laid close to the ground

or on plants that grow up the faces of rocks. They are also found on

Dioscorea pentaphylla, Linn., growing in similar places. Both these

plants belong to the Yam family and some of the species are cultivated

for their tubers which are eaten. The butterflies rest on the undersides

of leaves with wings outspread horizontally, the fore wings not covering

the hind ones. They fly rapidly and jerkily, erratically backwards and

forwards in the underwood, often returning to the same leaf and

are very difficult to see. They go somewhat sparingly to flowers but

also occasionally to bird-droppings on leaves. The best way to catch

them is when settled, but they have to be watched to their sitting places.

A short prr from the wings as one flies past the ear is sometimes the

first indication of an insect’s presence in the jungle, the grey on the hind

wings Goes not show up at all as it does in 7’. litigiosa and a sharp eye

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 4655

is necessary. The butterfly emerges from the chrysalis in the early

morning.

Distribution.—* Southern India, Malay Archipelago, Java. The

type was Javan, itis supposed to be in the collection de Perreux, Paris;

the figure of Tagzades athos, Plotz, is said to be indentical with it and

Plétz’s species cannot be separated from our South Indian examples ;

we have it from Kolar, Coorg, Karwar and Travancore ; Evans records

it also from the Palni Hills, Watson from the Chin Hills and Wood-

Mason and de Nicéville from Cachar; our description and figures are

from Travancore examples.’ (Colonel Swinhoe’s Lepidoptera indica,

vol. x, p. 44.)

_ The butterfly 1s quite frequently met with in the Kanara District

practically from sea-level upwards but is more plentiful in the hills

at about 1,500 and higher in the monsoon months. There are two if

not three broods then and the only reason why it is not just as common

at other times is that the foodplants lose their leaves in the cold weather

and do not shoot again until the first rains fall.

( To be continued. )

456

NOTES ON A VISIT TO CERTAIN MUSEUMS IN GREAT BRITAIN.

‘Wir Sprcrat RELATION TO THE PRINCE OF Wa tes’ Museum, BomsBay,

S. H. Pratzr, 0.M.Z.S,

(Read before The Bombay Natural History Society on the 26th April 1923.)

(With a plate.)

During my stay in England I had the opportunity of visiting some of the

principal Natural History Museums in the country, my object being to study

their internal arrangements and organisation. The chief Institutions visited

by me were the Natural History Museum at South Kensington, the Royal

Scottish Museum at Edinburgh, the University Museum, Manchester, and the

Museums at Birmingham, Leicester and Norwich.

Commencing with the Natural History Museum at South Kensington the

visitor to this Institution is at once impressed by its size and the elaborateness

of its arrangements, as befits an Institution imperial in its character and world

wide in its scope. The collections are arranged in accordance with the modern

view in two primary divisions.

(1) The study or reference collections reserved for advanced students.

(2) The general collections open to the general body of visitors.

The value of the arrangement will be apparent when we remember that the

two main purposes of any museum are firstly research and secondlv instruc-

tion. The whole treatment of its collections are therefore subjective to the

furtherance of these two ideals. The two ideals are distinct, one implies the

advancement of knowledge, the other the diffusion or spreading of knowledge

and any combination of the two would lead to the accomplishment of neither.

For efficiently carrying out its first motive a museum should therefore have a

comprehensive research collection ; this material is to be treated much as books

are treated in a library, kept apart for people who are able to appreciate their

contents. This collection is therefore set aside for those people who by the

knowledge they. have previously gained on the subject are able to examine its

material and by their studies and observations are able to carry the subject

further than the point at which they took it up.

The second motive of the Museum, its instructional motive, implies a totally

different treatment of the collections devoted for this purpose. The instruction,

in order to be effective, must be conveyed to as wide a circle as possible. The

collection must therefore be arranged so as to be readily and equally accessible

to as large a number of people as possible at any given time. The exhibits

should be so arranged as to be useful not only to the student commencing his

studies but also to the much wider class of people who have not the time, nor

the opportunity, nor the abilities for studying any branch of science or art but

who are still sufficiently interested in it to desire to possess some knowledge of

the world around them.

The reference collections at South Kensington are arranged in rooms adjoin-

ing as far as possible the departments to which they relate. Here the vast

material necessary for research work is stored. The work that is being conducted

behind these closed doors forms the most important part in the life of the

museum, The chief features aimed at in arranging the collection are firstly

the storage of the materials where it will be protected from the ravages of

damp and excessive light, secondly its ready accessibility, thirdly the provi-

sion of the necessary facilities for the work in the shape of a suitable reference

library, which is absolutely essential to the efficient carrying out of any

research,

VISIT TO CERTAIN MUSEUMS IN GREAT BRITAIN. 457

The Museum comprises the five natural history departments of Zoology,

Entomology, Geology, Mineralogy and Botany.

On passing through the main entrance the visitor enters the Central Hall.

The specimens exhibited here are of a general nature illustrative of the important

principles and matters of economic interest. Particularly interesting are the

cases illustrative of insects in relation to disease. The various stages in the life

history of the Anopheles and Culex Mosquitoes, the Plague Flea, House Fly,

Bed Bug, etc., are illustrated by means of carefully prepared enlarged models

showing the various stages in the development and growth of these insects and

the important part they play in the spread of disease.

The educational value of such an exhibit can best: be appreciated by dwellers

in the tropics where diseases spread by the agency of these insects are so preva-

lent. My first idea on seeing these cases was a desire to have a similar series of

cases in Bombay but the great obstacle in the way is the question of expense.

Yet surely in this great City some public spirited citizen can be found who would

be willing to defray the cost of preparing such an exhibit. Wax models would

perhaps be unsuitable for this climate unless the models were made with high

melting point wax. Papier-mache might however be found an efficient substi-

tute.

The Central Hall also contains the Index Museum, designed chiefly for the use

of students commencing their studies. The collection, because of its technical

treatment, does not perhaps appeal to the general visitor but its value to the

student cannot be underestimated. It forms an illustrated guide to his studies,

a medium of ready reference in the many problems before him. The treatment

of this collection at South Kensington is extremely detailed and elaborate and

one could not but be struck with the great care and judgment with which the

whole exhibit had been prepared, nor fail to be impressed with the time and

labour the work must have entailed.

In Bombay, in order that there may be no over-lapping, I think the best venue

for such a collection would be the Royal College of Science where students, for

whose especial advantage such a collection is prepared, would have the advan-

tage of its aid in their studies. For our Museum I should have something much

less elaborate and more readily intelligible to the ordinary visitor.

Passing from the Central Hall by the main stairway one enters the corridors

leading to the Mammal gallery. These corridors at present contain over-flow

cases from that gallery. a

As a whole the treatment of the exhibits in the Mammal gallery is good, but

even here one meets with relics of the old “ hird-stuffer’s ’’ art. These badly

mounted specimens are being gradually replaced by animals mounted according

to mocern methods, perfect in form, proportions, attitudes, and almost, if not

quite, as valuable for conveying information on these points as the living crea-

ture. I was taken into a lumber room filled with the condemned specimens and

offered a selection of them for our own Museum. The offer was gently but firmly

declined. As we are starting anew Museum we may as well start with the best

that we can afford, and decide not to place anything in our galleries but what

the Museum may be proud of.

The Bird gallery is situated on the ground floor. The collection here arranged

contains :—firstly aseries representing the various families and genera of

birds, and secondly a series of groups illustrating the nesting habits of

British birds. In the treatment of the latter subject we find the highest example

of the modern taxidermist’s art :—Nature copied with a marvellous exactitude.

The idea behind this. exhibition was presumably to have cases_ illustrating

all the British nesting birds. Much of the beauty of the cases is lost by their

being overcrowded. If there had been greater space or fewer cases they

could have been seen to better advantage and the merits of each particular

group better appreciated at its proper worth.

458 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

The Reptile gallery is the middle one of the five side galleries opening out of

the Bird gallery and, in addition to recent reptiles, it contains several large

fossil reptiles for which accommodation could not befound in the Geological

Section. On entering this gallery the visitor is confronted with a. collosal

dinossaur, 84’-9” in length. The reptiles are shown principally by means of

casts and mounted specimens arranged on sloping boards in cases running

parallel with the walls of the gallery.

The Fish, Shell, and Insect galleries adjoin the Bird gallery. The most

prominent specimen in the fish galleryis a huge basking shark, 28’in length,

caught on the coast of Norway. One read in a local paper recently of a huge

fish 700 lbs. in weight caught by the steam trawler close to Bombay. What a

great opportunity has been lost of securing this unique specimen for the Museum

where it could have been mounted and seen by visitors for years to come, instead

of which it has been lost. I take this opportunity of appealing to people who

are in a position to obtain such material to remember how gratefully the Museum

would accept any assistance in their part in obtaining matter for its collection.

In the recorded instance, if the Society had been informed in time, steps could

have been taken to save this giant fish for the Museum,

In the Insect gallery I was particularly struck with the type of cases reed

designed particularly to protect the specimens from light. Light and damp are

the two most harmful factors to be contended against in exhibiting Zoological

material. Specimens of butterflies, beetles, etc., exhibited in open glass cases

are, in a comparatively short period, bleached almost white and, unless efficient

steps are taken for their protection, they are rendered practically useless for the

purpose intended. I had the opportunity of attending a very interesting and

instructive lecture by Sir Sydney Harmer, the director of the B. M., at the Royal

Society of Arts. The subject of this lecture was the protection of Museum

specimens from light, and the results of a series of careful experiments protracted

over a period of seven years were graphically illustrated. The outcome of

these experiments has shown that science has not yet invented any

methods effectively to counteract the deleterious effects of light, and the only

possible recourse at present is to protect the exhibits from the action of light,

direct or diffused, as far as possible by the use of screens, etc.

In most of the galleries at South Kensington one cannot but feel that the

exhibits suffer from being rather overcrowded. The accommodation of such

vast and constantly increasing material must remain a tremendous problem

even when the much needed extension to the present building, now under course

of construction, is finished and in use. In the words of Sir Wm. Flower—‘“< A

Museum cannot remain stationary. It must grow and expand andin the plan-

ning and design of Museum buildings unless allowance is made for such future

extension the galleries become congested and the exhibits in the cases over-

crowded. It has been written that the work of a Museum is never finished and

that when collections cease to grow they begin to decay. A finished Museum

is a dead Museum and a dead Museum is a useless Museum.”’

The next institution that I will refer to is the Royal Scottish Museum at Edin.

burgh, one of the best conducted and most attractive Museums in the British

Isles. The whole arrangement of the collection evidences the care and pains

that have been taken by the staff to attract and interest the ordinary visitor.

One cannot help being struck with the general air of cleanliness and neatness

and above all that complete absence of fustiness and decay, at times so pre-

valent in Institutions of this character. The Natural History Section of the

Museum is represented by three main divisions: (1) the General Museum, (2) a

gallery designed specially for the use of students and (3) a collection repre-

sentative of the Fauna of the British Isles. The “student’’ section is very largely

patronised by students of the local colleges. It is designed to form a conspectus

of the animal kingdom from Protozoa to Primates and “ to illustrate. the

VISIT TO CERTAIN MUSEUMS IN GREAT. BRITAIN. 459

bearing of comparative anatomy and development on classification, also to

explain by actual specimens the technical terms used in Zoological descriptions.”

The display of a series of anatomical preparations, bones, etc., has been

rendered attractive by the careful manner in which the material has been

treated. The specimens are carefully mounted on specially selected back

grounds and are seen to the best advantage.

The exhibits in the Mammal and Bird galleries have been rendered very

attractive by the excellent standard maintained in the mounting and arranging

of the various animals and birds. One cannot speak too highly of the work of

the late Mr. Chas. Kirk, the taxidermist who was responsible for many of the

cases. I should like specially to mention the case showing the nesting habits of

a pair of golden eagles. ‘The site of the nest was photographed from various

angles as a guide to the taxidermist in his work. The rocks, grass, and herbage

surrounding the nest have been accurately reproduced and the whole group

makes a most attractive and pleasing exhibit true to nature in every detail. A

feature of the Museum is the hall devoted entirely to the fauna of the British

Isles. The material for this collection has been solely collected in the British

area, both land and sea. The value of bringing and keeping together such a

collection will be obvious when we consider that the young zoologist naturally

begins by the study of the local fauna, and that naturally the pursuit of local

zoology, in which so many older people are interested, must be forwarded by the

same Means.

With regard to the remaining Museums visited by me I might say

that each of them provided new ideas of arrangement or new methods of treat-

ment of the various classes of exhibits. The Beale Memorial Collection of

nesting groups of British Birds at Birmingham provided a new idea in the

utilization of the actual foliage of trees and similar vegetation used in making

up the nesting sites of the various birds. At South Kensington these were

represented almost exclusively by wax models, but in the present instance the

actual leaves, etc., have been preserved and dried by a special method and subse-

quently coloured to represent them in their living condition. The first method,

particularly with flowering plants yields the most beautiful results, but the

method adopted at Birmingham is certainly more economical and perhaps

better adapted to Indian conditions. At Leicester one of the most popular

features is the Vivarium attached to the Museum, where live examples of fresh

water fish are kept in concrete glass fronted tanks. The Vivarium also included

living snakes, lizards, ete. Living flowering plants of the season, both wild and

cultivated with names and other particulars, were shown on tables in this room

which also included photographs of local trees in summer and winter condition

with details of leaves, flowers and fruit. All these were of great interest to the

visitors and this section of the Museum was always filled with interested specta-

tors. The labelling of the various exhibits in the Museum was particularly

good, both as regards the quality and colour of the paper used and the style of

type adopted for the printed and hand written labels.

Our Poticy FoR BOMBAY.

The Natural History Section of the Prince of Wales’ Museum is now under

process of construction, we have before us a clean slate to work upon. It is

essential therefore that we keep before us a certain policy or a foundation upon

which we should build up this Section. As I said before the main purposes of

a Museum are, primarily the advancement of knowledge and secondarily the

diffusion of knowledge. For the furtherance of the first motive we must have

the necessary materials in order that effective research work may be con-

ducted in this city. One of the prime necessities is an efficient library. How

greatly we are lacking in this respect can only be realised by those who have

attempted to undertake work of this description. We have before usin Bombay

460 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

a virgin field for research particularly as regards Vertebrate Zoology, especially

in the department of Marine Biology. Further our Society possesses a large

collection of birds, a comprehensive collection of mammals containing co-

types of nearly all the recently described Indian forms, and a not unimportant

collection of reptiles. In our City the advanced student has therefore excellent

material for his work but remains handicapped for want of the accompanying

literature, which is a sine qua non to the successful carrying out of a work of

this nature. As regards the second motive of the Museum, i.e., its Instructional

side, the furtherance of this motive will depend entirely on the arrangement of

the exhibits in our public galleries and whether we render them attractive and

intelligible to the average visitor, so that the man who decides to spend an idle

hour in the Museum Building is not only pleased and attracted by what he sees

but also derives a certain amount of instruction and benefit from his visit. To

carry out this purpose the material to be shown must be carefully selected. It

must be restricted and limited in accordance with the nature of the subject and

the space available. Specimens must be placed in a position where they are

easily seen, not too high nor too low, and above all there must be no overcrowding.

Every specimen should have a definite purpose, and duplication should not be

permitted. Above all the purpose for which a specimen is exhibited and the

lesson it is intended to convey must be plainly indicated by the label. A well

arranged educational Museum has been defined as a collection of labels illustrated

by well selected specimens. Lastly, besides having a definite purpose to fulfil,

it is most important that a Museum should have the necessary means to main-

tain it in a suitable manner if it is at all to justify its existence. This, in short,

spells funds. Without money nothing can be done. It is not sufficient to provide

a building if the people who are responsible for applying that building for the

purpose to which it is intended are continually harassed by lack of means and

have continuously to resort to temporary make-shifts because of the paucity of

funds at their disposal. Repeatedly in the course of our work our ideas have

had to be remodelled because it was necessary to have something cheaper. The

best can only be got by paying for it and we appeal to those who arein a _ position

to help us, to grant us that necessary measure of financial support and assistance

that will enable us to carry out the work that we have set our hands to.

PRINCE OF WALES’ MUSEUM.*

ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.

The system of inverted lighting as adopted by the majority of Museums is

considered the best provided the volume of illumination is sufficient. The

system has the advantage of spreading the light more evenly and reducing

shadows. The character of the ceiling from which the light is reflected and

diffused is an important consideration. A dead white low ceiling would give

the best results. The galleries in the upper floors of the Museum could be illumi-

nated in this manner with good effect. 200 candle power gas-filled bulbs will

be found the most suitable.

PROTECTION OF SPECIMENS FROM LIGHT.

The two influences most destructive to Zoological material are bright light

and high temperature, and it is of the utmost importance that adequate provi-

sion be made for protecting the exhibits in the galleries. Experiments have

shown that the glazing of the windows by specially prepared tinted glass to

cut off ultra-violet rays, while delaying the bleaching processes, will not in the

long run produce the desired effect. If the galleries could be lit entirely by

artificial light (which being deficient in actinic rays is not in any way as

harmful as sunlight) a measure of success might be achieved but this would be

impracticable and our only recourse is to endeavour, as far as possible, to shield

* Report to the Chairman, Committee of Trustees in charge of the Natural

History Section, published for information of Members,— Eps.

Journ., Bombay Nat, Hist. Soc.

TIGER SHOT AND PRESENTED BY A. A. DUNBAR BRANDER, ESQ., J.F.S.

Photograph of a case standing at the head of the Mammal Gallery,

Prince of Wales’ Museum. Designed by Mr. 8S. H. Prater and

mounted by Mr. L. C. Harwood, Hammersmith, London,

Se (its " a ule

ai r rey y

rie

VISIT TO CERTAIN MUSEUMS IN GREAT BRITAIN. 461

the cases from the harmful effects of sunlight direct or diffused. The exhibits in

the Mammal gallery are particularly exposed. The galleries in the Science

Museum in London are constructed much on the same principle, and the

difficulty is here obviated by placing removable canvas screens over the lower

half of the windows to shield the cases from direct light. These frames

have the further advantage of offering additional wall space for hanging photos

and diagrams, and I would recommend their introduction in the Mammal

gallery ; the upper half of the windows may ke protected by roller blinds.

GENERAL DIVISIONS OF THE MUSEUM.

The ideal arrangement would be three general divisions :—(1) A student’s

gallery to consist of a Zoological type collection brought together specially to

meet the wants of students whether engaged in private study or attending

Iectures. Its aim would be :—

1. To afford a general view and conspectus of the animal kingdom and to

illustrate the bearing of comparative anatomy and development on classifi-

cation.

2. To explain by actual specimens the technical terms used in Zoological

description.

Before we can adopt any of the above methods and apply them to our own

conditions there are several points to be decided.

At the Edinburgh Museum there is a gallery particularly intended for the use

of students in which the exhibits are arranged to form a conspectus of the animal

kingdom from Protozoa to Primates viewed particularly from the standpoint of

structure, anatomy, classification, including illustration of scientific terminology,

etc.

The whole arrangement is intended for the use of the University student in

particular and as such is planned on a most elaborate basis. I have taken very

careful and detailed notes of the arrangements in this gallery in case this type of

exhibition would be required, but in my opinion an elaborate arrangement of

this nature comes exactly within the scope of the Royal College of Science who

ought to provide for the University student.

If it is intended to provide for the ordinary visitor, the exhibits would have to

be of a more elementary nature so as to be more readily understandable.

The alcoves, modelled on the lines of the Index Museum at South Kensington,

proposed in the original Museum scheme out of the question. Wemust confine

ourselves to a more elementary arrangement taking for our model the ‘“ Intro-

duction to Vertebrate Zoology ’’ Case in the central hall at South Kensington.

I have taken notes as regards the details of the cases and propose taking the

matter in hand immediately.

(2) ‘The second division of the Museum would consist of the general galleries

devoted to the particular orders of the animal kingdom, i.e., mammals, birds,

reptiles, etc.

Applied to our own Museum these galleries could be arranged as follows :—

Mammal and Bird Gallery—Ground Floor.

Reptile, Fish and Invertebrate galleries—Mezanine floor.

At present we have only one gallery in the mezanine floor but it is possible

that the gallery now occupied by the Forest section will eventually become

available.*

(3) The third section of the Museum should contain a single gallery devoted

entirely to the Fauna of the Islands of Bombay and Salsette. The value of

bringing together such a collection will be obvious when we consider that the

young Zoologist naturally begins by collecting and examining the fauna of his

own locality. This section should contain specimens of everything vertebrate

and invertebrate that it is possible to obtain locally and would be limited to

* Since this was written the gallery has become available —S. H.P.

462 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1X.

specimens actually obtained in this area. I would limit this area to the

Islands of Bombay and Salsette. .

Ihave put forward this idea as one of the aims of the Museum. For the

present we must limit ourselves to collecting the material which would eventually

be available for such a section. |

So much for the general divisions. |

Now as to actual work :—it was originally proposed that work should be

concentrated on one gallery at a time butit would be a great mistake to con-

centrate on one department. The position must be attacked from all sides. We

should be able to show in the first place a brief outline of the animal kingdom

which can be graduallv enlarged and elaborated. Our main difficulty is the

provision of show cases. This is purely a question of funds but the work of

preparing the material for the cases should be proceeded with. A Natural

History Museum cannot be evolved in a day. Zoological exhibits require time

for assembly and prevaration. Notwithstanding the above difficulties our

policy would be to make use of the material we have and use such cases as are

at present at our disposal. In our Mammal gallery for instance I propose showing

a certain number of birds as we have no cases for this gallery at present.

Until the cases are built anc the specimens prepared we must be content with

temporary measures,

INTRODUCTORY CASES TO VERTEBRATE AND INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY.

These cases will be temporarily accommodated in the Mammal gallery. The

material for these cases is now being assembled. The use of certain diagrams

are necessary in connection with these cases. Diagrams will also be required

for illustrating some of the lower orders of the Invertebrates as we cannot for the

present contemplate the purchase of models ordinarily used for this purpose.

It is therefore recommended that the Principal of the School of Art be communi-

cated with to assist in engaging the services of a student to carry out this work.

ft is proposed to prepare for each section (mammals, birds, etc.) an introduc-

tory student’s case. Thus for the Mammal gallery it would be necessary to

arrange a case which would form an introduction to the study of mammals.

The material for this case is now being assembled.

Mountrp SPECIMENS.

A certain number of mammals have been mounted in England. These are

now on their way out and others are being prepared. The specimens so far com-

pleted will in no way fill the cases and it will be sometime before we can have a

fairly representative collection of mounted exhibits. It will therefore be neces-

sary to complete the exhibit by the use of flat skins which can gradually be with-

drawn as the mounted specimens are ready. The skins should be shown on

sloping screens where they will be more readily visible. Certain of the centre

cases should be fitted with plate glass shelves on moveable brackets. A design

for the moveable bracket has been prepared and an estimate for their supply

has been called for from Messrs. Choong Sang. The wall cases should similarly

be fitted with shelves or with sloping frames. The smaller mounted mammals

and birds can be easily attached to these frames where they may be seen to

advantage. The system also affords facilities for labelling and the separation

of the various families and genera. The interior of these cases should be

painted a pale buff as the varnished teak is not the most suitable background

for displaying the exhibits to the fullest advantage. The tops of the cases are

at present covered with sheet glass. This should later be substituted with

frosted glass which does not show dust and allows a sufficiency of light.

MouNTING.

Work has already commenced in connection with the mounting of specimens.

It was considered advisable not to wait for the arrival of the necessary tools and

VISIT TO CERTAIN MUSEUMS IN GREAT BRITAIN. 463

accessories from England but to proceed with the work at once using the material

we have in hand. The policy will be to select tvpes for each case, not con-

centrating on one case but gradually building up a skeleton outline which can

be gradually amplified. Work for the present will chiefly be carried out with

smaller mammals and birds. As the men become more competent, larger speci-

mens may be attempted. Wherever possible natural mounts for the animals

should be used instead of polished wood. The stand or pedestal should as far

as possible indicate the habits of the animal, 7.e., arboreal animals should be

mounted on branches, etc. The inclusion of grass or foliage among mounted

specimens on shelves should be avoided. This should be reserved for habitat

groups.

Skeletons should not be included with mounted exhibits as they detract from

the esthetic appearance of the cases. They should be shown together in a

separate case or cases, which method offers the additional advantage of affording

facility for purposes of comparison. This system has been adopted in the

Bird gallery at the Edinburgh Museum with the best results.

Brrp GALLERY.

No cases have been built for this gallery at present and it is proposed for the

time being to show a series of flat skins in the Mammal gallery cases. Meanwhile

the work of preparing the mounted specimens should be proceeded with. A

certain number of birds have already been set up in England and will shortly be

available. The difficulty of preparing birds is that the best results in bird work

are obtained with fresh killed specimens. When these are not available old

skins have to be relaxed and set up and these do not always yield the best

results. It is proposed to collect material locally in order that work may first

be done with fresh skins. With the acquirement of greater skill in manipu-

lation it will be possible to work with dried skins with a greater chance of success.

There is no royal road to success in this or any other art. It is a question of

practice and perseverance. As regards arrangement of cases the space at our

disposal is very constricted but a study of similar galleries in some of the Provin-

cial Museums has shown that it is a difficulty which can be overcome. At

Edinburgh the width of the Bird gallery is only 10’-2” and the length 80 feet but

by using a particular type of case they have managed to build up a very pleasing

anc attractive exhibit. The gallery is composea of a series of wall and box

cases. 24 “box’’ cases contain the passerine birds, the wall cases the larger species.

I have made a plan of this gallery and have measurements of the cases and would

propose adopting the same for ourselves. The birds are all mounted on twigs

and branches fixed to wooden bases. The bases are either of uneven shape

made up of composition covered over with moss and short grass, or are square

wooden pedestals with the upper surface sprinkled with earth. The labels are

attached in each instance to the pedestals either pasted or attached with a label

holder. For the case illustrating an introduction to the study of birds I would

use as my model the cases at the Norwich Museum. The material is arranged

in a desk case mounted on grey card and illustrates structure, anatomy, the

various systems, etc., in birds.

NESTING GROUPS.

This should not be attempted for the present until the general exhibit is

arranged. ‘Then perhaps we might have a few nesting groups but these should

be very good. In this matter it is possible to have an embarrassment of riches.

Wax modelled leaves would be too expensive and these would in any case have

to be prepared with high melting point wax. In the Beale Memorial Collection

at Birmingham natural leaves have been used which have been treated by a

special process, and which has very kindly been explained to me by the Curator.

464 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

The leaves are dried in sand, the process of drying being retarded as much as

possible. With this treatment the leaves retain their original shape. They

are afterwards carefully coloured with the best oil paints. The effect is extreme-

ly realistic, not perhaps so beautiful as wax but, considering the expense of

the former method and the risk attached to its introduction in our climate, the

second process would be the most suitable and would be worth trying. But, as

I said before, nesting groups must be left to the end. We must learn to walk

before we can fly. We can for the present, where possible, introduce nests in

the general cases as is now being done in South Kensington.

The colour and quality of paper for labelling is an important consideration.

In Bombay labels suffer terribly during the monsoon and have a tendency to

become mottled. The type of label used in the Leicester Museum would per-

haps be the most suitable for our purpose. The labels are printed on a thick

buff coloured “linen paper.’ I have brought some samples with me.

REPTILES, AMPHIBIANS AND FISH.

These are at present included with the invertebrates in the single gallery on

the mezanine floor. The extremely restricted space at our disposal in this

gallery forms a great hindrance to the proper display of the exhibits. Should

the gallery at present occupied by the Forest Section be handed over to us

matters would be very considerably improved. I would then reserve this

gallery for reptiles, amphibians and fish and transfer the invertebrates to the

new gallery. The newly acquired space would fill our requirements for a very

considerable time.

As regards the treatment of exhibits these would mainly take the shape of

casts, mounted specimens and spirit specimens. IJ have designs as regards the

type of cases that would be required. As in the other galleries we should prepare

introduction cases to each of the section.

As regards the actual work of preparing specimens, I should advise taking this

up in the monsoon as this would be the most suitable time for it. Between

June and October it will not be possible to mount many animals and birds

chiefly because of the difficulty of drying the material properly, but the prepa-

ration of casts, etc., need not be inconvenienced on this account. Very beautiful

casts of the smaller reptiles and amphibians are made with gelatine in Eng-

land. This medium would, I am afraid, be unsuitable for this climate but I am of

opinion that a suitable substitute could be found that which would yield equally

good results: I mean printer’s roller composition which is largely used in India.

The material is readily soluble and has the necessary elasticity after setting.

The experiment would be worth trying.

INVERTEBRATES.

Except as regards insects our collection is notoriously weak in invertebrates.

Matters might possibly be remedied by appealing for assistance to the Indian

Museum at Calcutta and availing ourselves of the assistance offered by the

Zoological supply section of the Madras Fisheries Department. I have communi-

cated with Mr. Hornell on the subject.

As regards the lower invertebrates, for the present we must rely more or less

on diagrams. Later we may be in a position to purchase certain models for the

better illustration of this section. It would be cheapest to obtain these from

Germany. I have catalogues of certain German firms who make a speciality

of this work and it may be possible at present to obtain a certain amount of the

material required at a comparatively low cost. Meanwhile it is recommended

that a suitable artist be engaged for the work of preparing the necessary dia-

grams for this section. We have commenced work with the insects and it is

proposed in the first place to show an outline of the various orders of insects and

VISIT TO CERTAIN MUSEUMS IN GREAT BRITAIN, 465

illustrated by a few examples of the various families. It is a wrong policy to

have a fairly complete exhibit of butterflies and practically nothing on view

illustrating the other orders. Cases are also being prepared illustrating the

classification and structure of insects which it is hoped will be a help to students

of the subject. Our treatment of the Mollusca will be conducted on the same

lines. We will show a general outline of the Phylum which will be proceeded

by an introductory study case. Conditions of space prevent a more elaborate

treatment of the subject.

So far as regards the main galleries. In addition to the above it is recom-

mended that we should undertake the preparation of certain exhibits illustrative

of the subject of insects in relation to disease in India. The subject is very

elaborately treated in the Central Hall at South Kensington. The methods

employed there are perhaps beyond our means but I believe it is possible to

illustrate the subject in a simple way by the use of diagrams and photos. The

expensive wax models of the house fly, anopheles and culex mosquito would in the

first place be unsuitable for this climate but I am of opinion that it is possible

to obtain cheaper models in papier mache. Enquiries must be made in this

direction. The utility of such an exhibit in Bombay need hardly be commented

on and I should strongly recommend the matter being taken up.

Before closing the summary I would like once more to lay stress on the abso-

lute necessity of a very determined effort being made towards obtaining the

necessary funds for the carrying out of the work that we have set our hands to.

The paucity of our resources remains at present the chief bar to the successful

carrying out of the project. —

In drawing up this report I have endeavoured to show that the main object

we have before us is to make some show with the material at our disposal ; a

proper supervision and steady application to work in all the department cannot

but yield results. If when appealing for financial assistance we could show what

has been done in spite of difficulties we could look with greater confidence to a

readier response to that appeal.

In conclusion I take the opportunity of tendering my thanks to the Committee

for the opportunity afforded me of studying at first hand the arrangement and

organisation of the Museums in England and on the Continent. It is my hope

that this far seeing policy will not be long in yielding its desired results.

466

NOTES ON A COLLECTION OF SNAKES FROM SINLUM KABA.

F. WALL, ¢.M.G., COLONEL, I.M.S.

Our Society is much indebted to Mr. P. M. R. Leonard for a collection of

snakes from Sinlum Kaba, Upper Burma Hills, circ. 6,000 feet (Lat. 25°,

Long. 97°) which includes many rarities, and one species hitherto unde-

‘scribed.

Family CouuBRripm.

Rhabdophis subminiatus (Schlegel).

A single adult.

Natrix leonard: spec. nov.

A single specimen, apparently adult.

Lepidosis.—Rostral. In contact with six shields, the rostro-internasals, and

rostro-nasals subequal, and rather longer than the rostro-labials. Internasals.

Two ; truncate anteriorly, the suture between the fellows subequal to that

between the praefrontal fellows, rather less than the internaso-praefrontals.

Praefrontals. Two; the suture between the fellows subequal to the praefronto-

frontals. Swpraocular. Longer than the praefrontal and internasal taken

together, rather shorter than the frontal, two-thirds the parietal, subequal to

the anterior temporal. Frontal. Longer than the snout, four-fifths the parietals.

Nasals. Two; the nostril in the anterior shield, and about the upper three-

fifths of the suture. Loreal. One, as long as deep. Praeocular. One. Posto-

culars. Three (Two on the left side owing to a confluence of the two lowest.)

Temporals. 1+ 1. Supralabials. 7. (The 5th and 6th are confluent making

them appear 6). The lst and 2nd touch the nagals, the 3rd and 4th the eye,

4th and 5th the temporal. IJnfralabials. 6; the 6th touches three scales behind ;

its length is three-fifths, and breadth twice that of the posterior sublinguals.

Sublinguals. Two pairs; the posterior longer than the anterior, separated by

1+ 2-scales. Costals. Two headslengths from head 17, midbody 17, two heads-

lengths before vent 15; keeled except in two or three last rows; emarginate.

Ventrals. 152. Anal. Divided. Subcaudals. 46, divided. Dentition.—Mazillary

(left) 18 teeth; the last three progressively enlarging, the last not twice those

in the middle of the series, syncranterian, anododont.

Colour.—Uniform olivaceous-brown dorsally, the overlapped edges of some

scales, especially in the fore part of the body, whitish and blackish. A narrow

rufous nuchal cross bar ending on the last row of scales. Ventrally

dirty whitish, very finely peppered with grey, the peppering increasing

in intensity posteriorly. A black ill-defined median stripe in the forebody

becoming more intense and broader as it proceeds posteriorly. Beneath the tail

ferruginous, finely peppered blackish, which is heaviest at the base of the tafl

where it forms a median stripe. Head olivaceous-brown, merging to dirty

whitish at the edge of the lip. A narrow black subocular stripe on the posterior

border of the fourth supralabial. Infralabial sutures unpigmented.

Pseudoxenodon angusticeps (Blyth).

One typical adult.

Trirhinopholis nuchalis Boulenger.

A single specimen. Costals 15 in the whole body. Ventrals 140. Anal.

Entire. Sub-caudals 26, divided.

CULLECTION OF SNAKES FROM SINLUM KABA. 467

- Plagiopholis blakewayit Boulenger.

Three examples, 2 308mm. (124 inches), tail 35 mm. (l2inches); 2 342

mm. (134 inches), tail 46 mm. (1% inches); 2 225 mm. (9 inches), tail 24 mm.

(4 of an inch). Previous to these only one had been discovered since the

description of the type in 1896. The second specimen was also from Sinlum

Kaba, and is in our Society’s collection.

Lepidosis.—Costals. In 15 rows in the whole body length. Ventrals. 128,

128, and 127. Anal. Entire. Subcaudals. 22, 21 and 20, divided throughout.

Loreal. Absent in all. Mental. Unduly large, and in contact with the anterior

sublinguals, as noted in the type.

Colouraiion.—The smallest is light brown dorsally, many scales being edged

with black, and others with buff to form a fine variegation. <A series of rather

indistinct dorso-lateral black spots. Ablack chevron on the neck, its apex

touching the interparietal suture, the arms reaching to the last costal row. Ven-

trally pale yellowish with small black spots, very sparsely and irregularly disposed.

A black line anteriorly on the confines of the ventrals and last costal rows. Head

brown above merging to white on the lips. A black spot in the suture between

the praefrontal and internasals, a similar black spot in the suture between the

parietals and frontal. A smaller black spot anterior to the middle of each parietal

shield. Middle of rostral, and all the labial sutures black. Middle of mental,

and all infralabial and other sutures black.

The largest specimen is a darker brown dorsally, otherwise like the last, except

that the black spots on the head are wanting. Lips and chin as in the foregoing.

The intermediate specimen is uniform slaty black, the dorso-lateral series of

spots difficult to discern. No vestige of a chevron on the nape. No _ black

spots on the head. Lips and chin as in the first specimen.

Coluber leonardi Wall.

A very fine specimen of this species—the third known, is apparently an

adult. It is a @, measuring 685 mm. (2 feet 3 inches), tail 112 mm. (43

inches).

Lepidosis.—Rostral. As in the type unusually broad ; the rostro-internasal

sutures are more than twice the length of the rostro-nasals. Nasal. Elongate

and entire. Loreal. Wanting. In the figure accompanying the description

(inthe Bombay Nat. Hist. Journal, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, page 43) this was

faultily represented, calling for a correction slip which appeared later

(Vo]. XXVIII, No. 2). Costals. 19 two headslengths behind the head, 19 in

midbody, and 17 two headlengths before the vent. Ventrals. 210. Anal.

Divided. Subcaudals. 56, divided.

Oligodon herberti Boulenger.

One fine specimen. This is the second obtained by Mr. Leonard at Sinlum

Kaba, and the third known. Length. 400 mm. (1 foot, 73 inches), tail 68 mm.

(22 inches).

Lepidosis.—Internasals. Wanting, as in the type, so that the rostrai

touches the praefrontal shields. Nasal. Entire. Loreal. Wanting. Postocular.

One. Costals. 13 in the whole body length. Ventrals. 192 ; (not angulate).

Anal. Divided. MSubcaudals. 39, divided.

Colouration.—There is no trace of the head marks which are so characteristic

of most species of the genus, the crown being heavily suffused with blackish.

The light dorsal stripe is not constricted any where and passes to the tip of the

tail. The tail is unspotted beneath.

Liopeltis frenatus (Giinther).

One juvenile ¢ ? example from an elevation of about 3,200 feet. This

species was previously only known from the Khasi Hills, Assam.

468 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

Length.—323 mm. (122 inches), tail 93 mm. (32 inches),

Lepidosis.—Supralabials, 8, the 4th and 5th touching the eye. The 2nd

on the right side is cuneate and fails to reach the edge of the lip. Costals.

In 15 rows in the whole body length. Ventrals. 152, Anal. Divided.

Subcaudals. 100, divided.

Psammodynastes pulverulentus (Boie),

A single half grown example,

Naia tripudians Merrem.

The head of one anocellate specimen,

Calliophis macclellandi (Reinhardt).

One specimen of variety gorei, Wall. This extends the previously known

habitat. I have recorced it from Burma (Manipur), once before, but not from

Hills so far Kast as Slum Kaba.

Colouration—Brown dorsally with 32 vertebral black spots on the body,

and 5 narrow black rings on the tail (The 24th, 25th and last six spots on

the body are replaced by rings.)

469

PROTECTIVE COLOURATION IN WILD ANIMALS,

AN APPLICATION TO ANIMAL LIFE OF CAMOUFLAGE PRINCIPLES TAUGHT

DURING THE WAR,

Bruce P, Tamnyvour.

In considering the question of protective colouration in wild animals there

are three points that seem to me to be too often missed,

Firstly, that in 90 per cent. of wild animals, birds, insects, &c., the protective

qualities possessed by their body patterns are not due to “MIMICRY.” Second-

ly, that there must be a further force besides that of body patterns representing

an animal’s background, in order to enable a solid animal to merge itself into

its background and appear not to be there at all. Lastly, that this question

must be viewed from the point of view of each animal’s natural enemy—not

from man’s view point on encountering wild animals in the jungle—this is

more necessary in the case of birds and insects. ;

Let us consider the first point enumerated above—that of’ mimicry. I have

often heard the following kind of statement made during a discussion

on shikar at the club bar or over the dinner table *“‘ Yes, you know, although

“ T was only 15 yards from the beast, staring straight at her, I could not make

“her out. Suddenly she twitched an ear, and then her whole outline stood

“out, and I saw her clearly. Extraordinary you know, I thought she was

“an old tree stump before, exactly like one till she moved.” Such astatement

is generally made by speakers without any forethought on what they are

saving. If such speakers would just think over such an incident carefully

again, Iam sure they will recognise the fact that they really did not take the

beast for an old tree stump. That in fact as they stared to find her, there

appeared to be no break in the background they looked on, no tree or stump

that particularly caught their eye at the time, only a normal background contain-

ing ordinary jungle phenomenon. In fact they must have looked clean through

the beast, so to speak. To the scientific mind, this question of mimicry fails

in the case of the larger animals by the fact that such jungle objects as

trees, stumps, rocks, &c., are each of one colour all over and therefore must

possess highlights, and shadows in the daylight, and so must be recognisable

for what they are—this point I will go into in more detail later on.

The second point mentioned by me as too often overlooked will be best shown

as an important and essential fact to the subject under discussion by quoting

a few simple experiments that anyone can carry out and prove for themselves.

In the case of the wild animal we have a solid particoloured object dissolving

itself into its background, and so being quite concealed from the observer.

Now if we put a coloured screen, and fix a smaller and exactly similarly coloured

screen some distance in front of, and parallel to the former, we will find when

viewed from a short distance from in front that the small screen will not be

visible, but will merge itself in and be lost in, the large screen behind it. If for

the small screen we substitute a solid object similarly coloured as the screen

behind—we will find that this solid object can always be seen, and recognised

as a solid object, between the observer and the background (7.e., large screen),

In the first case concealment takes place, in the latter such is not the case. In

the first case the thing concealed was a plane, in the second case when a solid

was used no concealment takes place. But in the case of the solid animal in

the jungle conceaiment against its background does take place under similar

circumstances as described in the experiments above, and therefore another

force besides that of the possession of a coat wiose colours represent its owner’s

background (a coat possessed by the solii cbject of our experiment) must

470 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

come into play in order to produce obliteration in the case of the animal, which is

a solid body against its background, and in fact another force does come into

play, which force I will touch on later in this paper.

The last point, as I have already stated, concerns the question of protective

colouration in birds and insects more than in animals. Obviously if their body

patterns are protective, they are designea against their owner’s natural enemies,

and such enemies of birds are chiefly the large birds themselves. Thus man

walking on his flat feet seldom gets the same view of the birds that is vouched

to their natural enemies, whose life is lived in the air above jungle tops. When

I first started studying this question of protective colouration in practice in the

jungles I very soon realised that whatever it was, it was not “MIMICRY ”

that gave the concealing properties to the coats of wild animals, as when I failed

to spot an animal it was not that I mistook it for some other jungle object

but that I never saw it at all, there seemed to be no break in the background.

Iwas looking at—in fact I seemed to see through the animal that was there.

I then tried experiments such as putting large boulders in front of a background

of similar rock, branches of shrubs and trees in front of a background of similar

shrubs and trees, &c., but in all cases, though sometimes not quite clear as

to detail, I had no difficulty in spotting the solid object between myself and

the background. I then tried a solid object against a vertical screen in my

garden, both being coloured similarly, but with the same result. Curiously

enough it never occurred to me to try a small screen in front of a large one as

I didlater. Had J done so I should probably have reached my final conclu-

sions at a much earlier date.

It was as a matter of fact a chance remark that I heard one day in a train,

combined with many idle hours in the class rooms at school, and experience

and argument asa gunner in the war, on the uses of camouflage, that gave

the clue that led me to the explanation that had puzzled me so long, as

to why a solid animal could obliterate itself against its background, while

the models, rocks, bits of branches, &c., that I had experimented with, although

of the same materials as their backgrounds, never did disappear, in that way.

Of course at this time [ had accepted the fact that the majority of animals’ coats

must represent their typical backgrounds as otherwise no kind of obliteration

would have been possible—hence my experiments with rocks, in front of rocks,

etc. For seven years while at college I attended a two hours’ drawing lesson

weekly. In my first lesson I was given a square, modellec in wood, to draw; in my

last and final lessons seven years later it was still the same old square I struggled

with—in fact I could never draw a line. After two years I was left alone to

occupy myself how I liked during the drawing lessons—being considered beyond

hope as an artist. I used to occupy my time drawing fearsome cubes, so called

pyramids, and weird solids of all kinds, of my own creation, and shading their

various faces, angles, &c. After some years of this kind of thing I learnt one fact,

which was amplified when I came to study camouflage duiing the war,

and that was, that by means of shading, I could alter the apparent shape of an

object, or ob!iterate a corner, or projection of an object, in the drawing. When

not amusing myself with these wonderful efforts at drawing or using the time for

preparation for the coming French or Math, lesson, I used to wander about among

the other boys admiring their work and chatting, on the pretence of borrowing

a knife or rubber. I love drawings and paintings although I cannot do a thing

myself in those lines, and I used to spend a lot of tine watching the knuts of

the class at work. I was struck at once by the extraordinary contrast between the

shadows and high lights depicted by these professors on their blocks—both seemed

to be made to show up to an almost exaggerated degree of intensity (mostly

drawings from wooden models). Again after some time of inspecting these draw-

ings weekly it dawned on me that it was by means of highlights and shadows

that we recognise “ shape.’” When we look at a solid object our eyes automat-

PROTECTIVE COLOURATION IN WILD ANIMALS. 47]

ically follow the lines of its highlights and shadows, and thereby realise its shape.

Thus those idle hours at school taught me two things—the “ shape-changing ”

power of counter-shading, and the essential presence of highlights and shadows

to recognise shape.

The, remark I heard one day was made by one of two men who

were arguing heatedly on this subject of protective colouration possessed by

wild animals. I was reading and at the same time half listening to this argument—

a subject that interested me, and heard one of the gentlemen say, “ Well you

must admit that a fact, that is almost universal, must have some bearing on the

case, and the fact, that animals are coloured dark on top of their backs shading

down to white under the belly, is almost universal—I call it counter-shading.”’

Directly I heard the words ‘I call it counter-shading ’’ my brain seemed to

flash back to those school-day drawing lessons, and the facts I had learnt there

regarding shading, highlights and shadows ;my experience in France with

camouflage; and connecting up those items with my experiments in the

jungle, drew its conclusion and worked out a theory, that takes 10 minutes

to write, all in a flash—as one’s brain does in its marvellous way—when a

brain wave strikes one; and [I found myself saying, “‘ Why, of course,

counter-shading, how simple, what a fool I have been not to have

seen it before.’ If animals possess counter-shading, then, seen under

proper circumstances, they would possess no highlights nor deep shadows,

and so the eye could not follow their shape, hence they would be reduced

to a blotch of colour with no solidity,—a plane in fact,—and, if its colour

were similar to that of its background, it is feasible to think that it would

be absorbed into, and not be visible before, its background. Whereas in the

case of my mocels they could not conceal themselves against their similar

backgrounds because, not being counter-shaded, they must comply with the

ordinary laws of light, and possess highlights on their parts turned towards

the daylight, and shadows on their parts turned away from it, and_ the eye,

following their highlights and shadows, must be able to pick out their shape

and solidity.

It was after that I took my model (a rough irregular lump of wood painted

white with biotches of blue and black on it) and tried to give it counter

shading—that is darkening it on the top parts where the daylight would

naturally give highlights, and whitening it on its under parts where the light

would give shadows, and viewed it infront of my screen (a white sheet with

blue and black blotches over it). Being no artist my work was very kutcha,

and my valuation of the depth of counter-shading not very good at the start,

but even so I found my model much harder to see that before—finally I got

a counter-shading of a fairly correct value and was satisfied with my results

—almost complete concealment taking place—and concluded that, given

counter-shading and similarity in colour as its background, a solid object can

become invisible to an observer when placed near and in front of a similarly

coloured background.

It then occurred to me that as by reason of its counter-shading an animal

can loose its solidity and reduce itself to a coloured plane, and as that plane

is invisible in front of the animal’s background, it would be easy now to show

that the colour of the animal’s body must approximate to the colour scheme

of its background or concealment could not take place. To satisfy myself on

this point I cut a smaller screen out of my background screen, and interposed it

vertically near and in front of the latter, and found that from a short distance

the smaller screen was not visible—it merged itself into, and was lost in, the

larger screen. I repeated the experiment with a screen of a different colour

pattern to that of the background screen, and found that it was visible, and

could be seen before the background screen. These experiments confirmed

the fact that for a plane to be invisible before a larger plane placed behind

472 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

it, both planes must be of the same colour pattern, i.e., that where an animal in

the jungle is invisible to an observer his body patterns must approximate to

the patterns of his background, for by reason of his counter-shading he has

lost solidity and become a plane.

Thus I concluded that all wild animals possessed protective colouration,

and its power of protectiveness lay in its power of concealing its owners when

seen against their common _ backgrounds, which power was due to (1) pos-

session of counter-shading, (2) possession of body patterns that were pictures

of the wearer’s common background.

Early in this paper I ruled out ‘‘mimicry”’ as the guiding principle of an

animal’s coat patterns, and also the possibility of mistaking an animal for a

tree trunk. The reason being that all jungle objects such as rocks, tree

stumps, &¢., have no counter-shading, and must therefore possess highlights

and shadow in the daylight, and so always be recognisable as solid objects.

But that there are cases of ‘“‘ mimicry’’ used as a means of protection among

animals is undoubted, but such cases must be very few and chiefly confined to

very small animals and insects. The only cases I personally have come across

are those of the “stick puchee”’ who can resemble a dead twig to perfeciion ;

a long thin snake, emerald green, that climbs into low bushes and resembles

the young green branches with excellent results; a species of butterfly

that adopts a colouring and pattern approximating to that of one of its

neighbours who is immune from attack on account of its unpleasant odour ;

and a butterfly commonly found under tea bushes among dead leaves that is

itself a perfect replica of a dead leaf.

My bungalow is built on the top of the one of the highest points in the district.

The top of the hill on which it is built is so small as to be only just large enough

to take the bungalow site, hence I have a bird’s-eye-view from my verandah

on to the grass lands and jungle tops immediately below me. In the early

morning the grass Jands and jungle tops are alive with birds of many kinds

engaged in feeding. The most numerous of these feeders is the hill parrot—a

most gorgeous fellow dressed in brilliant greens and blues, with a large and very

scarlet beak. Their favourite feeding tree,at present, seems to be a smallish shrub

that bears scarlet flowers. Now this parrotis,on account of his brilliant plumage,

one of the most conspicuous of creatures one can see in a day’s march, vet when

seen from above, feeding on his favourite bush, as I see him daily, he is extremely

hard, often impossible until he moves, to pick out. His plumage looks exactly

like, and tones down to, the colour of the foliage of the bush on which he is

perched, and his scarlet beak against the green bushes looks just like a scarlet

blob, such as the bushes own scarlet flowers appear to be. This is one of the

many instances where we find a_ bird with a brilliant coat can make himself

almost invisible by means of that brilliancy, and I believe such powers of

concealment are possessed by 90 per cent. of animals, birds, &e., however

brilliant their coats may be.

I think nature has provided each beast with a garb intended to conceal its

wearer when seen before its common background. When we do see these owners

it is generally under conditions, and against backgrounds, under which their

colours could not, and probably were not meant to conceal. When walking

through the grass lands and jungles how many butterflies and birds of brilliant

plumage does one flush andon seeing them think how conspicuous they look in

their lovely coats? But does one also realise that had those creatures not moved,

but remained perched where they were, with their typical background behind

them, one would have passed by in ignorance of their proximity ? Thus I am

sure that all garbs—however brilliant—worn by animals and birds are protective,

when seen against their common backgrounds.

Birds and animals spend their lives in sleeping, eating and rearing their

young. Most birds sleep at night, and for this period of their existence require

PROTECTIVE COLOURATION IN WILD ANIMALS. 473

no concealing coats. Similarly wild animals, although sleeping by day,

do so well hidden away in thick sholas or cheddy, and so require no con-

cealing garb. It must therefore follow that their protective garbs are designed

to be pictures of their common background while engaged in feeding and the

rearing of their young, as they are amply protected while sleeping. This

certainly seems to be the case—for example, remember the case of the parrots

that I have just described. Also as the female’s chief concern, or concern that is

particularly her own, is that of rearing her young, it may be that her

colouring has been specially adapted to protect her and her young at such

period and hence the difference, shown in most species, between the colouring

of males and females.

In short there are exceptions to the ideas expressed here as to protec-

tiveness depending on the possession of counter-shading and body patterns

approximating to the background colour patterns of their owner, but they

are exceptions that only go to prove the general rule. In every case where

animals are not provided with counter-shading, nor body patterns, you

will find that such animals are immune from attack from their neighbours

on account of their enormous size, or harmlessness, and have no cifficulty

in providing for their own food without interfering with their neighbours,

7.€., elephant, rhino, hippo, bear (harmlessness) to other animals.

In conclusion I must add that I believe that the actual colour and type of

bedy patterns worn by animals are influenced and governed by the colours and

characteristics of the surrounding locality in which their owners live, combined

with the force of natural selection among the animals themselves. It would

be interesting to be able to compare, closely and carefwly, the habitats of the

North Indian and South Indian Black-Bucks respectively, and see whether

the difference in coat colours worn by each breed of the same animal can_ be

traced to difference of colour anc character of their respective habitats.

474

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA.

Magor F. C. FRASER, 1.M.S., F.E.S.

Part III.

(With three text figures.)

(Continued from page 69 of this volume.)

vn re

al e

a ee ;

tor a

bs: : \ apa 2etaee AL Zz wee, petets!

'Q : < ets =a eee

AC D ‘Cur ‘Cu;

Fig. 1. A. Base of wing of an Agrionine. B. Apex of wing of a Lestine

showing the elongated stigma. C. Apex of wing of a Canagrionine showing

short quadrate stigma. D. Wing of an Fpallagine.

a. The are. an. The antenodal nervures 6s. The basal space. g. The

quadrilateral. Cut and Cui. Two longitudinal nervures arising from lower

angle of quadrilateral. ac. The anal crossing (Nervure ac.).

In A note that the quadrilateral is longer than the basal space and in B

shorter. In A also note that the sectors of are arise from below the middle of

arc but in B from its middle.

DRAGONFLY COLLEOQTING IN INDIA. 475

Fig. 2. A Libellagine viewed sublaterally showing the enormous develop-

ment of the epistome, HK. The epistome. T. The mesothoracic triangle.

Note that the triangle extends here to the base of the wings. (See Key

No, 223). : |

: ~~ x

Fig, 3. Basal half of wing of a Lestine showing :—an. The two ante-

nodal nervures. pr. Postnodal nervures. ac. An important nervure

much used in classifying the Cenagrionine.

CONTINUATION OF KEY WHICH INCLUDES THE SUBFAMILY Agrionide AND

GENUS Lestes OF SUBFAMILY Canagrionide.

( Family—A grionide :—

Robust species with more than two ante-

nodal nervures in all wings we es By oe 199

198,< Family—Cenagrionide :—

Smaller and more slender species with

| only two antenodal nervures in all wings. ee - 239

( Subfamily—Agrionine :—-

Stigma in the wing of both sexes, absent,

false or much reduced. (Except in

199 Climacobasis.) (A false stigma is tra-

versed by transverse nervures.) Sectors

of arc arising from lower third of arc;

quadrangle convex anteriorly and as long

as or nearly as long as the basal space .. Ss LG 200

— vm,

476 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XX1X,

( Subfamily—LZpallagine :—

Stigma long and well developed in both

sexes ; sectors of arc arising from middle

or above middle of arc ; quadrangle rarely

convex anteriorly and not as long as basal

199. space 4 nS sn si a ae 208

Subfamily—Libellagine:: —

Same as last but the eyes much closer to-

gether ; epistome enormously developed

so as to form a nasal-like eminence on

| the face .. ei We a a Re 36 221

Genus—Climacobasis : —

200. \ Stigma long and well developed in all

wings ; .. Climacobasis mod esta.

Cees absent, false or much reduced .. a ts re 201

( Basal space entire .. xe it: oe a 202

201.< Basal space traversed by c one or more

-* of ‘nervures .. “a - Ap 2: os ce oe 206

Genus—Vestalis :—

Stigma absent in both sexes; wings non-

metallic .. a ve oe se “as as 35 203

202.< Genus—Mnais :—

| Reduced stigma in the male, but small,

| irregular or absent in the female 25 ae oe 16 205

( Wings brightly saffronated throughout .. Vestalis smaragdina.

Wings hayline, the ania Epo’ ae

with black Vestalis apicalis.

Wings hyaline, the apices not - tipped

with black des ae = Ac 204

Only one row of cells hetween nervures Cui

and Cuii, except at the border of

204, wings j .. Vestalis amoena.

| Two rows of cells between 1 nervures Cut

| and Cuii from their origin Vestalis gracilis.

f Venation reddish yellow, wings ‘of male

brightly saffronated “a Mnais earnshawi.

205.< Venation black, wings pale ‘greenish

yellow ae ae ae a .. Mnais andersoni.

( Genus—Neurobasis :—-

Stigma absent in the male, a false white one

in the female. Hindwings of male blue

or green metallic and black tipped. A

white spot on node of wings in the

female Be oe Mr sy .. Neurobasis chinensis.

Genus—Matrona :-—

206.< All wings in both sexes opaque black, stig-

ma absent in the male, white and.

reduced inthe female... a ve 46 Ac Ac 207

Genus—Echo :—

Outer third of all wings in both sexes

| opaque black ; stigma whitein both sexes Echo margarita.

f Thorax marked underneath with yellow ;

nervures at base of wing finely white .. Matrona basilaris.

Thorax unmarked beneath with white ;

nervures at base of wings black, the apices

( of wings paler... ots oe .. Matrona nigripectus.

207.

209.

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 477

Quadrangle entire

Quadrangle traversed | ;

Not more than 14 antenodal nervures in

the forewings ‘ ok

More than 14 natenedall nervures in

| the forewings af

( Genus—Philoganga :—

Wings stalked as far as the nervure ac;

resting with the wings held wide open ..

210.< Genus—Epallage :—

211.

213.

214.

216.

217.

218.

219,

220.

| Wings practically unstalked ; resting with

wings close together over back ..

{ (P. montana is from Assam E. fatime

from Kashmir.)

Costal margin of hindwing of male with a

marked angular projection near its base

Genus—Bayadera :—

| Costal margin of hindwing of male

| straight : a

Superior anal appendages of male aathy a

downwardly directed spur te

Superior anal appendages of male without

any spur, flat, broad and overlapping

Superior anal appendages of male with-

out any spur, subcylindrical

Apices of wings hyaline

Apices of wings tipped with ‘black

Genus—Caliphea : —-

Not more than 12 antenodal nervures in

forewings; back of throax and end of

abdomen pruinosed white

ak Pn ay eLinai —

ore than 12 antenodal nervures in fore-

wings; base of throax and end of abdo-

men never pruinosed with white

{ean red; hindwings tipped broadly

with black .

Abdomen black ; hindwings ‘variable

Hindwing much shorter than forewing and

rounded at the tip; a pair of bright blue

dorsal stripes to thorax

Fore and hindwings of nearly the same

length, the hind not markedly rounded

at the tip ; no blue stripes on thorax

Hindwing of male metallic blue or green ..

Hindwing of male non-metallic, enfumed,

black or orchreous

( Hindwings of male metallic purplish blue,

< Hindwings of male metallic green ..

1 (Both these specics are from Ceylon only )

: Wings of male opaque black :

Wings of male saffronated or enfumed .

( Wings of male brownish yellow throughout

< Wings of male brightly saffronated but only

| palely so in the apical half of forewings.

209

214

210

211

Philoganga montana.

Epallage fatime.

212

213

Anisopleura lestordes,

Anisopleura comes.

Anisopleura furcata.

Bayadera hyalina.

Bayadera indica,

Caliphea confusa.

215

216

217

Pseudophea fraser.

Pseudophea dispar.

ee is - 218

be bs se 219

Pseudopheea carissima.

Pseudopheea splendens.

Pseudophoa mason.

220

Pseudophea brunnea.

Pseudophea ochracea.

220, 4

223.

224.

226.

227.

PIAS .

{

228.

( Vitreous spots small and very clearly de-

fined, the apical spot exactly under the

stigma, the middle band of spots made

up of three spots only, posterior hyaline

border of forewing very narrow a

229.

230.

Dorsal

Vitreous spots

Wings of male enfumed throughout. (Coorg

onl y)

Cater yphea —

Quadrilateral traversed more than once ..

| Quadrilateral traversed only once.

( Species found only in South and Central

India. Wings very narrow, the apical

third opaque, this area in the hindwing

with a single large vitreous spot..

Species not found as far south as Central

India

vitreous spots

Hindwings of male colourless, no opaque

areas

Hindwings of male with 3 opaque bands,

one at apex of wing, one at node and a

third midway between these

Hindwings of male with only two opaque

bands, the nodal band being absent

Bands on wings connected up along the

anterior and posterior borders of wings

so as to enclose two large vitreous spots.

Bands on hindwings not connected up

Apical vitreous spot always approaching

to within two rows of cells of the costal

margin of wing

Apical vitreous spot never ‘Tess than four

cell-rows from the costal border of wing.

( The posterior hyaline border of forewing

occupying about half its breadth

The posterior hyaline border of forewing

occupying only about one-fifth of the

breadth of wing

Similar to the last but the posterior hyaline

border of forewing occupying about half

the breadth of wing

spots made up of four

The greater part of wings opaque; hind-

wing moderately broad ..

mesothoracic triangle extending

nearly to root of wings

orsal mesothoracic triangle extending

only halfway to root of wings

Hindwings of male with opaque bands

Hindwings of male largely opeaee with

large and irregular, the

apical one proximal to or only slightly

overlapping the stigma, middle row of

JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX.

Pseudopheea ethelt.

222

236

Rhinocypha bisignata.

223

224

230

225

227

Rhinocypha immaculata.

226

Rhinocypha bifasciata,

Rhinocypha bifenestrata.

Rhinocypha trifasciata.

Rhinocypha cuneata.

228

Rhinocypha spuria,

229

Rhinocypha quadrimaculata

quadrimaculata,

. Rhinocypha quadrimaculata

hemihyalina.

Rhinocypha quadrimaculata

fenestrella,

ie 231

230.

231].

232.

233.

237,

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 479

\ Only the outer half or less of the wings

i opaque; fore and hindwings very narrow

Hindwing with 3 vitreous” spots in the

f middle, the median one of which is

| nearest apex of wing and lies between

| the horns of a strongly curved apical

4 vitreous band

Hindwing with a single large spot ‘of vitre-

| ous situated about the middle of wing.

Very large species oe

Wings fiery coppery ; hindwing ‘with a

_ medial row of vitreous spots :

(Small form, hindwing 23 mm or less ;

| vitreous spots short

4 Larger form, hindwing 26 mm or more; vit-

| reous spots long

{ Only the apical third of wing opaque

The apical half of hindwing opaque

( A row of vitreous spots in the dark area of

wing, a second row in the hyaline area

adjacent. to it and a long vitreous streak

about the middle of wing

Similar to the last but the vitreous streaks

wanting

( Opaque area of forewing prolonged in-

| wards along the costal border ; posterior

apical borders narrowly hyaline

Opaque area of forewing not prolonged

inwards along costal border; no hyaline

| border to hindwing

( Genus—Libellago :—

Male with a well developed stigma in

forewing; antenodal nervures 16 or