genet TSG babes ee,

ates eget,

Se URAE Piri, Ete

ee ahr

EEN,

Sith

a rere

ee ee

i aT ee

Uap Hie pE SageT oye. Vat! fos, : Waa? EAR rahe td

ere Sr a penne oe we

ee es i i Sing FO ee ate

“hgh oie! : ¥ ‘ Vey ee He on oa

ty, a

rita

oh, | bf

ety, tl

& ty ld ts

cae fs

‘

(li an

Se!

vente”

2 By

Bs,

LabBy.

Tnbef.

Ser

nae

aio

pe Taaa a ,

. wa

ae Sia

ty,

ome IN

Mire) Saray ee

Settee gl

tg ee " wa

pd pele!

Liye

}

ip Fe

aac

§ dnd S

cots:

ash

pene Ta

SEO Marae BEY

Raia ara

2 ae

pers

Base ag be

“eae Ee

a”

oe rae

: J& HER

pe ee Ae Woy

Pappa

ee af

ee Scr

fa.

pats

fee

aE 2S inh

Or, ae)

i ay “

, or

oy Mai GS ey, |

< es r ate

“

Op,

752

pet

‘Wncratt

= PET

1 ies

be H:

Hp flbit

Pyth

| ih

eee

ig A TOTO ny,

a Hi

Soo

gave eae

Sueur

Aaa.

Rene

4 i onan

= e : A PNM

A CH Be haa

oe ¥- eee z :

Pom seh

sant Fe

ars ¢

RE ae te ee e. i auarPagonys

iain os Pit eak oie

ope Y Z Ripon

Rs —

“HS, ;

ea ail

fa toreeeeeerent

al | Va

ah AE

Bi Hh “

rel

! a

\ :

aby

—

Ew ie Pie 7 ; a Dea Y

7 Mt, ve ee 7

Dae) iM ‘ iv a

Deo Va een ee

at a} i en

v 7 Misses

JOURNAL

BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY,

INDEX AND TITLE PAGE.

VOL. XXIX.,

Lee

PARTS 3&4.

BomBayY :

Printep AT THE Trives Press.

1924.

WHE

JOURNAL

OF THE

BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

EDITED BY

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

VOL. XXIX. 2114S

eS rs,

Parts 3 and 4.

Containing 2 Coloured Plates, 44 Lithographed Plates,

1 Diagram and 12 Text-figures.

Dates of Publication.

Part Ill, (Pages 577 to 847) ... 3Ist December 1923.

Pe IV.( ., 849 to 1070) .. 15th May 1924.

LONBON AGENTS :

DULAU & Co., Ltd., 34-36, Margareat Street, Cavendish Square, W.

PRINTED AT THE TIMES PRESS, BOMBAY,

Hee

nea Bont

©s

ney

ait ee,

5 Aelia Sipeet hs sod we he Av

CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXIX.

No. 3.

THe Game Birps oF Inpra, Burma AND CrEyYLOoN. Part

XXXVI. (Coturnix coromandelicus) The Black-Breasted

PAGE

or Rain Quail (with a plate). By EH. C. Stuart Baker, —

Tape OUBene WES ag RY 7 SM. Bs OsU is OM SALOU, fy oho 4 cig, emis

A Hanp-List oF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN Emprre. Part

i By. Col. Bo Wall; ©.M.6.5 \O:M.Z.8., °F U8., FAs. Bs

TEIAC) VASCEL A hy DACP eee ge ae a A ee CRN EM Duane Sento ena oa

AnimMAL Lire— oF THE Gances. By Dr. Annandale, D.sc.,

OE Naat eas eR Ue tae naar aan a eA dance ation

Some New or INTERESTING ORTHOPTERA FROM PERSIA,

BALUCHISTAN AND WESTERN InprA (with a plate). By

Bree Uivarova. Hob Seta cS. Cis denne earn ne oe AY OT

SMALL GAME SHOOTING IN KASHMIR AND THE ADJACENT Hin

Provinces. By Col. A. EK. Ward (witha plate) ......

InprAN Draconruies. Part XVII (with two plates and four

_ Text-figures). By Major F. C. Fraser, 1.M.s., F.E.S. ......

‘Tue Rep Ant. Part IT. By Major R. W. G. Hingston, 1.M.s.

ORNITHOLOGICAL Notes From A Trip IN LapaKk. By Mrs.

INE eS pe Nate uct 8 atl eles ge cea al yng 8 dade vay tae

Tue ComMonN BUTTERFLIES OF THE Puains oF [nptA. Part

ROX, By, Re Bell) Ctr Re (Retd.).uc.3 at... oe:

A JOURNEY TO S1Am AND Back. Part III (with two plates). By

Major C. H. Stockley, WS Ome ee tei bt eae an

_ Notes oN THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM Himanayas. Pari II

(with three plates). By Herbert Stevens, M.B.0.U. ........

DRAGONFLY CoLLectiIne IN Inpia. Part FV (with three places).

ByaiajorsheoG fraser i MiS:, WE Sie ues. ec. ce 3 's.\6 oes a

577

598

633

643

693

- 659

681

694

703

718

723

141

iv CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXIX.

PAGE

A Description oF THE NESTS AND Eaas oF THE Commo n Birps

OCCURRING IN THE PLAINS OF THE UNITED PROVINCES.

Part LV (wath two plates) ly i. TN] Gillet. ci. T5T

A Review oF THE AsrATIC SPECIES OF Contia IN INDIAN

Musnums. By Col. F. Wall, 1.M.s., C.M.G., C.M:Z.S.°.......° 769

THE [DENTIFICATION or INDIAN BurrerFuies. Part ITT (with

four plates). By Lt.-Col. W. H. Evans, D.s.0., B.E., F.Z.S.,

IES ERG te ep Me edo ectoing Se: oes op Cay RNR topes Ren 07 ete eee eta (80

Nores on Hucu WuHuistier’s ‘“‘ A CoNTRIBUTION TO THE ORNT-

THOLOGY OF CASHMERE” in Vol. XXVIIT, No. 4 (with

a plate). By Capt Ro Se Po Bates uli) rc ie skeen Wet. 798

KLEPHANT Catcuing IN Assam. By A. J. W. Milroy........ 803

Reviews.—A Naturauist in Hinpustan. By Major R. W. G.

Einegston,” (TMS. 9) one ee cee eeaueee ea eacn 812

A BroLogy oF THE British HemiererRA HETEROP-

TERA. ?- By Ho AY Butler seer ae. eri terete 812

Manuva oF Enromotoay. By H. Maxwell Lefroy. 812

InpDIAN EartrHworms. By Lt.-Col. J. Stephenson,

ABAD /S. Co TMS OCU ae caw eae ae Poe ear Uhetacns, bee Sols.

AC SURVEY OF THE PAUNA ORGIRAQEE vee ea enn oe 815

DET ORTAT Ms gi escons nase tse eae ohne ee he URES reas eee ae Mee OL 818

OpiTuaRY.—_JOHN Duncan InvERARITY, Bar.-at-Law...... 822,

MiIsceELLANEOUS NOTES :—

I. On the Forms of the Himalayan Serow (Capricornis

sumatrensis) (with two plates). By Major C. H.

Stockley, SiS J08 se air or eh cn bey Gea, 824

II. A Panther Shoot in Simla (with a photo). By

Feostamdd wu Si Pieee aerospace hoec un ie ete ae tee 827

Il. A Fresh Hypothesis in regard to Protective Colour-

ation In Animals. By W..Forsyth. ............- 829

IV. The Mishmi Takin (Budorcas tazicolor). By

EH We Wells) oe teresa, esse | nee ee area 2 830

xT:

XIV.

XVI.

XVII.

XVIII.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXIX,

Notes on Porcupines. By Major C. R.8. Pitman .

Change of Colour in the Blackbuck (Antilope cer-

vicapra). By Major H. M. Simmonds

Double Nest of the Kashmir Great Tit (Parus major

By H. Whistler, F.z.s.

Late and early Snipe in the Deccan, Poona Dist.

By Major W. B. Trevenen

On the Breeding of the Black-winged Stilt (Himanto-

pus candidus). By H. W. Waite

Range of the Tufted Pochard (fPuligula fuligula).

By R. F. Ruttledge

Late Stay of Pintail (Dafila acuta) in the C. P.

Bye We AL Bindeausc wt ena de et is Bo

By C.E.C. Fischer

The Common Flamingo (Phenicopterus antiquorum)

in the Punjab Salt Range.

kashmuriensis). By H. Whistler, F.z.s. ........

eoeeee eee es ee @ @ @&

Drongo and Cicada.

Birds attacking a Snake.

Woodcock in the Nilgiris.

Home

By George Brown ....

By Major W. M. Logan

Cr ee ee |

The Corvide of the Punjab. By Major Ronald T.

Foster

ooer eo eee e eee ee ee eo ee wm me wee Hee oe em eo woe we we eo

The Affinities of Eryx jaculus and Eryx johnei.

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

An unusually large Labeo from the Indrayani River.

By Major W. R. Trevenen

eeoe ee se ee es Peo eee wo wR ee ww eo ew &

cooeo we ee ee ee ee wwe we

XIX. A Note on some discrepancies in Fauna of British

PROCEEDINGS

India. (Butterflies). By S. N. Chatterjee

No. 4.

THE Game Brrps or Inpra, BuRMA AND CEYLON, Part

XXXVITI. (Cryptoplectron (Microperdiz) e. erythrorhynchus)

The Painted Bush Quail (wiih a plate). By HE. C. Stuart

alcers huss. W.7:S,, MoB:O-U,, O.K.A-O.Us 6 as ls. so, vie/s c's ole 2

By H. W. Whistler. |

846

vi _ CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXI1X.

A Hanp List oF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN Empire. Part

Til By Goll Walls muss :C-M.G.. C.N7/8., 5... te. eae |

THE MAMMALS AND Brrps oF KASHMIR AND THE ADJACENT

Hitt Provinces. By Col. A. E. Ward (with five plates

BNG A pPHOLOS) Mine esate. cones af ula ales ale Guba ate neee

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SuRVEY No. XLIV.

On A NEw Fretp-Movss, rrom NEPAL, WITH A Nore on

THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE GENUS APpopEmuS. By

Oldfield homas. WR Si” pee eee OE AGRE

PAGE

864

879

888

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BuTTERFLIES. Part IV (with |

5 plates). By Lt.-Col. W. H. Evans, D.s.0., R.E., F.Z.8.,.

¥.E.S.

9 te -e.@ 0.8 © (9 @ 10 © (so (@ 0: © © .8).0 0 0: fe: \e «6 ‘ee ‘a 0) 0 (ee. 0 ce'\0 0 je ce (8) \ 0) jes Je) \e: 6

THe Rep Ant. Part JIT (with a text-fixure). By Major

RaWe-G: Hingston, TMCS. (s . Shr ae een ee ee ee eee

THe CoMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLaINS oF InpiA. Part

XXX. “By T. BR. Bell, cas, eS sal hetd eo. ce

Birps’ Nesting witH A CAMERA IN INDIA. Part I (with 6

plates). By Capt. R.S.0P./ Bates! ea ee eee

OBSERVATIONS ON THE BREEDING HaBits OF SOME FRESH

Water Fisnes In THE PunsaB (with 2 plates). By

M. Hamid ‘Khan, M-8:0)) 9 B.MSS fo 2 ee

A DEscripTION OF THE Nests AND Eccs or THE Common Birps

OCCURRING IN THE PLAINS OF THE UNITED PROVINCES.

Part TV’ “(with a:plate). “ By Hoi N; Gill eee.

Nores on Inpian Burrerriies. By Lt.-Col. W. H. Evans,

DS.OnR HY RUZ Sie PBS. cst, te eee er eee Ghee.

A JournEy To Stam AND Back. Part IV (with 2 plates). By

Major C. H. Stockley, D.8.0. ,........+-0+ ++ sewn ences

InDIAN DRAGONFLIES. Part XVIII (with 2 plates and 2 text-

figures). By Major F. C. Fraser, 1.M.8., F.E.S.........4.

Notes ON THE Birps or SrkKim Himarayas. Part III

(with 4 plates). .By H. Stevens, M.B.0.U. ...........00.

890

908

921

947

958

963

974

982

1007

CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXLX. ‘vil

PAGE

Reviews.—Burrerriy Lore. By velo eitrimghane 2 arash 1031

A BrBLioGRAPHY OF FisHes.. By Bashford Dean

AVCHO UES Ath wy cept in eerie tatrn agp oy'- eo) LOU!

WILD. ANIMALS IN CENTRAL INDIA. By A. Dunbar.

dD e a0 Cop rasta Means aCe Menke ta anes nce Ne Groene a Ata 1032

HimaLavan snp Kasumrrt Birps. By Douglas

Dera sce zat atthe Caen ary a aa eR eS sa a0

EDETORIAT FS 054.0 a: SEO te ak PAU CE AaUT I ON Ht oan RRS OP 2, 1038

OBITUARY.—COLONEL CHARLES SwINHOE, M. A. (Oxon), F.L.S.,

eZ Siae BANIGGs sieh soc oterens ah tree ne. oe Piet hse SAE TEN OREN Sera Shoe 1042

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES:

I. Readers’ Comments on previous notes and articles.. 1043

II. Large Tusks of Indian Elephant (Z. maximus) (with

a photo). “By Cx Ri, Congreve: 3.5.2 2. is aalel te 1044

III. Inthe Haunts of the Indian Wild Dog (C. dukhun-

ensign By C. ie Oirk TuMlalss aise estas ey or ieat 1046

IV. A Novel Method of Shooting Black Bear in the

eGalise., By Ox EUS: aime’ tg oes Sekai 58 1049

V. Black-Buck and Jackal. By Capt. L.G.W.Hamber. 1050

VI. Malformed Horns in the Cheetal (Aais axis) (with a

BHOtO Dy Bical Pari ee Teun cae ae 1051

VII. Southern Range of the Mallard (Anas boscas). By

J Re Wbercrombie and, others: . 42454524 654555 1052

VIII. Nest of Mrs. Gould’s Yellow-Backed Sunbird (Aitho-

| pyga gouldie). By S. M. Robinson, M.B.0.U. 1052

IX. Nesting of Walden’s Yellow-Backed Sunbird (4itho-

pyga sanguinipecta). By S. M. Robinson,

TVESTSS OMIM papul Sri’ a Ap eh eee: «uta wah Stirs we ere nat aes 1053

X. Nidification of the Western Spotted Babbler (P.

ruficeps jonest). By B. B. Osmaston, ¢.1.5.,

TRIN c cMayay st creche. cPayel sys ie, Goode a taNa, Siayqenettees ace Ala! 1053

viii CONTENTS OF VOLUME XX1X.

PAGE

XI. Migration of Eagles. By C. H. Donald, F.z.s.,

ME OU ahs oe Ware «junta Ries ene eee OE Ie Aes 1054

XII. Wire Nests. By Major W. P. Pakenham Walsh,

RHC witha phObO)h. sae ee eRe rows eis. 1055

XII. The Incubation Period of Bulbul’s Eggs. By Satya

Chun alianwals e213 ae ae coer rete ernie 1056

XIV. A Note on the White-Bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaétus

LeUucogaster.\'< VOW lea wow eel emer eee bie 1059

XV. . Flighting on a Delhi Jheel. By Rostand........ 1059

XVI. A Mugger Shooting Experience. By L. Stansfiled.. 1061

XVII. A Note on the Habits of the Large-scaled Earth

Snake (Szlybura macrolepis). By Charles

MoCanii) (CpG). Sua eck ee PA ele & 1062

XVIII. Further Notes on the Breeding-habits of the Pearl

Spot Fish (Htroplus suratensis). By N. P.

Pama Kar 20s Cine i geteiate alee i) eer emma a vege 1064

PROCEEDING Stie)n. e eee ay eae Pe erate gs gt GAR A 1065

ACCOUNTS BOR ONGI3: t earners ee ee tee at eas gee ee eae ca 1069

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

VOLUME x= I~ NOS. 3S & 4.

ABERCROMBIE, J. R.; Sou-

thern Range of the Mallard

(Anas boscas)

ANDREWS, Mayor FF. L.,

O.B.E., D.C.M.; Note on the

colour-change of the Black

Buck (Antilope cervicapra) ..

ANNANDALE, N., D.Sc., C.LE.;

Animal Life of the Ganges ..

Baker, E. C. Stuart, J.P.,

O.B.E., HS 3 8 Za,

M.B.0.U., C.F.A.0.U.; The

Game Birds of India, Burma

& Ceylon, Part XXXVI (with

a coloured plate) of (Coturnia

the Black-

breasted or Rain Quail, the

Common or Grey Quail, the

coromandelicus),

Japanese Grey Quail

Sols s Part

XXXVII (with a _ coloured

plate) of Cryptoplectron (Mi-

croperdix) e. erythrorhynchus,

the Painted Bush Quail, Ble-

witt’s Bush Quail, the Mani-

pur Bush Quail, Primrose’s

Bush Quail .. ie

Bates, Capt. R. 8. P.; Notes

on Hugh Whistler’s «« A Con-

tribution to the Ornithology

of Cashmere’? in Vol.

XXVITI, No.4 (with a plate)

; Birds

Nesting with a Camera in

India, Part 1. (With 6 plates)

PAGE

1052

Bett, T.R., C.1.E., 1. F.8.(Retd.)

The

the Plains of India (including

those met with in the Hill

of the Bombay

Presidency), Part XXX.

ee Part. Sox XT...

Common Butterflies of

Stations

836

Bompay Natura History So-

633 cIETY’s MamMMAL SURVEY OF

Inpra. Screntiric REsutts,

No. X LIV.—On a New Field-

Mouse from Nepal, with a

Note on the Classification

of the genus dApodemus, By

Oldfield Thomas, F.R.S.

Brown, Greorce; Birds attack-

ing a Snake

Burton, BrIGADIER-GENERAL

R.G.—* Strange’ Behaviour

of a Panther

CHATTERJEE, 8S. N.; A Note on

some discrepancies in Fauna

of British India (Butter-

flies)

ConGREVE, C. R. T.; Large

Tusks of Indian Elephant

E. maximus ( Text-figure)

849

Duar, H. H. THe Manarasa

oF; Comment on the colour-

change of the Black Buck

(Antilope cervicapra)

798

Donat, C. H., F.Z.8., M.B.O.U.;

947 Migration of Eagles

Paar

703

921

888

.. 840

1044

844

1044

835

1054

x LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

PaGE

EDITORIAL 818,10

Epitors; Famale Antilopes

developing horns “3 834

——Colour-change in the

Black Buck.. 834

Evans, Lirut.-Con. W. H.,

D.S.0., R.E., F.Z.S., F.E.S.’;

The Identification of Indian

Butterflies, Part III (with 4

plates)... aR on ae 780

Part IV (with 5 plates)

FiscHEer, C. EH, C.;

and Cicada

Drongo

Forsytu, W. A.; Fresh Hypo-

thesis in regard to Protective

colouration in animals 829

Foster, Magor R. T.; The

Coryide of the Punjab 841

FRASER, Mason F. W., 1.M.S.,

F.E.S.; Indian Dragonflies,

Part XVII (with 2 plates

and 4 text-figures) .. 659

—————; Part XVIII (with

2 plates and 2 text-figures) .. 982

a >. Dra-

India,

(with 3 piates) |

gonfly collecting in

Part IV 741]

Gint, E. H.; A description of

the nests and eggs of the com-

mon birds occurring in the

Plains of the United Pro-

vinces, Part IV (with 3 plates)

. ; Part IV

— —_——_——_

(with. ‘a plate) 963

Hamper, Capr. IL.

Black Buck

G. W.;

and Jackal... 1050

PAGE

Hineston, Masor R. W. G,

I.M.S.; The Red Ant, PartII 681

——— ———Part III .

(with 1 text-figure) 908

Homzn, Masor W. M. LoGan ;

Woodcock in the Nilgiris .. 841

Kannan, K. Kunut, M.A., Ph.

- D.; Protective colouration in

Wild Animals.. 1043

Kuan M, Hamip, M.Sc., F.R.

M.8.; Observations on the

breeding habits of some Fresh-

water Fishes in the Punjab

(with 2 plates) 958

Law, Satya CuHurn, M.A.,,

F.Z.S., M.B.0O.U.; The Incuba-

tion period of Bulbul’s eggs.. 1006

—_—_-__——__—— ; Note

on the White-bellied Sea-

Eagle (Haliaéctus leucogaster) 1059

McCann, (CHARLES ; A Note

on the habits of the Large-

scaled Earth Snake (Silybura

macrolepis)

Mirtroy, A. J. W.;

catching in Assam

John

Inverarity .. oe a's

106

Elephant

OBITUARY ; Duncan

822

; Colonel Charies

Swinhoe 1042

OsmastTon, B. B., TES. -° Nidr-

fication of the Western Spot-

ted Babbler (Pellornewm

ruficeps jonest)

Pantkxar, N. P., B.A., F.LS. ;

Further notes on the breed-

1053

ing habits of the Pearl-spot

Fish (Ltroplus suratensis) .. 1064

LIST OF. CONTRIBUTORS.

PAGE

Parr, B. R. ; Malformed Horns

in the Cheetal (Axis axis)

(with a photo) 1051

_ Prrman, Masor C. BR. 8.; Notes

on Porcupines BA ieee

——— ;s The

Haunts of the Red Indian

Wild Dog (Cuon dukhunensis) 1046

= pamela A

novel method of shooting

Black Bear in the ‘ Galis ” 1049

PRIDEAUX, F. W. A.; Late stay

of the Pintail (Dafila acuta)

; A Survey of the

Fauna of Iraq 815

; Butterfly Lore 1031

; <A Bibliography of

Fishes | 1031

; Wild Animalgin Cen-

tral India .. o* 1032

; Himalayan and

Kashmiri Birds es 2 OSG

Rosinson, S. M., M.B.0.U.;

Nest of Mrs. Gould’s Yellow-

backed sunbird (A thopyga

gouldice) e° eo ee 1052

Rogpinson, S.M., M.B.O.U,;

Nesting of Walden’s Yellow-

backed Sunbird (Athopyga

sanginypecta) ..

Roxesy, B. A.; Comment on

the colour-change of the

Black Buck (Antilope cer-

vicapra) ay,

——————————$—$—$—$

Rostanp, A.; Panther Shoot in

Simla. .

MEN Th stiteat ; Flighting on a Delhi

Jheel..

Rurtuepae, R. F.; Range of the

in the Central Provinces 839| Tufted Pochard (Fuligula

PROCEEDINGS .. 846, 1065| fuliguia) .

- Reviews: A Naturalist in SHErHARD, T, F. G.; Southern

Hindustan Big 812] FBange of ae Mallard (Anas

——_——; A Biology of the boscas) .. |

British Hemiptera Heterop- Simmonds, Mayor M. H.;

oa gi9| Change of colouration in the

Re SN nine tae Bako: Black Buck (Antilope -cer-

mology 812 ID)

Toe STANSFIELD, L. A.; Mugger

: i Jarth-

gia Shooting experience

worms .

STEVENS, HERBERT, M.B.O.U. ;

Notes on the Birds of the

Sikkim Himalayahs, Part IT

(with 3 plates)

== 8 Part. Ii

(with 3 plates)

STocKLEY, Magor C. ihe »D.S.0.;

On the Forms of the Hima-

layan Serow (Capricornis su-

matrensis) (with 2 plates)

3; Com-

ment on the colour-

change of the Black Buck

(Antilope cervicapra)

PAGE

1053

836

827

1059

839

1052

834

1061

723

1007

835

xii

StockLEy, Magor C. H., D.S.O. ;

A Journey to Siam and back,

Part III (with 2 plates)

——_—____——_— Part IV

(with 2 plates)

THOMAS,

OLDFIELD ; See

Natural

Mammal

Bombay History

Society’s

of India.

Survey

TREVENEN, W. B.; Late and

early Snipe in the Deccan,

Poona District en

——_—_—_——_—————; An

unusually large Labeo from

the Indrayani River

Uvarov, B. P., F.E.S.; Some

new or interesting Orthop-

tera from Persia, Baluchis-

tan and Western India (with

a plate)

Waire, H. W.; Onthe breeding

of the Black-winged Stilt

(Himantopus candidus)

Watt, CotoneL F., I.M.S.,

C.M.G., C.M.Z.8.; A. Hand-

List of the Snakes of the In-

dian Empire, Part IT

Part III

ee ee

Review of the Asiatic species

of Contia in Indian Museums.

PAGE

718

974.

843

643

838

598

864

769

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS,

Watt, CotoneL F., I.M.S.,

C.M.G., C.M.Z.S.; The

affinities of Hryx jaculus and

Eryx johni :

WatsH, Masor W, P. PAKken-

HAM, R.E.; Wire Nests (with

a text-figure)

WarpD, Cotonet A. E. ; Small

Game shooting in Kashmir

and the adjacent Hill Pro-

vinces (with a plate)

— The

Mammals and Birds of Kash-

mir and the adjacent Hill

Provinces (with 7 plates and

4 photos) ;

WaTHEN, Mrs. M. L.;

thological Notes from a trip

in Ladak ‘ a

Wetis, H,. W.; The Mishmi

Takin (Budorcas taxicolor) ..

WuistLeR, H., F.Z.S.; Double

nest of the Kashmir Great

Tit

EnStS) ..

Orni-

(Parus major kashmiri-

—_——— ;The

Common Flamingo (Pheni-

copterus antiquorum) in the

Punjab Salt Range ..

Wvyiir, Masor M.;

Note on

the

cervi-

the _ colour-change ot

Black Buck (Antilope

capira)..

ee ee

Paces

842

1055

653

879

694.

830

837

840

Xiil

el SL OW Se TATE be Si

WOLUME Sx yxI=.

No. 3.

The Game Binds of India, Burma and Ceylon—

Plate I. The Black-breasted or Rain Quail (Coturnizx co-

romandelicus)

Plate IT. New Orthoptera from Persia and India

Small Game Shooting in Kashmir and the adjacent Hill Provinces—

Plate III. T. 8. Allan with his famous ‘“‘ Bag ” of Chukor ..

Plate IV. Indian Dragonflies

Plate V. Indian Dragonflies

A Journey to Siam and back—

Plate VI. (A) Meping River at Raheng

(B) Paknampo, showing Floating Houses ..

Plate VII. Siamese Pack Ponies and Saddles

Notes on the Birds of the Sikkim Himalayahs—

Plate VIII. (A) Singile La 12,126’, and Everest from Phalut,

18th, February 1912 ..

(B) Phalut Summit 11,811’, 18th February 1912 ..

Plate IX, (A) Singile La Ridge looking south to Sandakphu

from Phalut, February 1912 ae

(B) Singile La Ridge looking south to Tonglo from

Sandakphu, March 1912

| Plate X. (A) Dwarf Rhododendron Sandakphu 11,923’,

north face of the Summit, March 1912

(B) Mai (“‘Khola ’’) Valley, East Nepal from Kalo

Pokhari, May 1912 .. Ae bs

Plate XI. Dragonfly collecting in India

Plate XII. Dragonfly collecting in India oe An

Plate XIII. Dragonfly collecting in India

PAGE

X1V ! LIST OF PLATES,

FAGE

Nests of the Common Weaver Bird or Baya—

Plate XIV. (A) Showing both the “ male ”’ al female nest . 759

(B) An abnormal nest—the nest of the male bird

is attached below the egg-cavity on the right

of the tubular entrance a Ae Aha, ae)

Plate XV. Nests of the Common Weaver Bird or Baya (Ploceus

baya) ape Ss 5 Bee As re 1S

Plate XVI. Nest of the Striated Weaver Bird (Ploceus manyar) |

in tall Elephant grass ae o* ee eee eon

The Identification of Indian Butterflies—

Plate XVIJ.. (D) Saryrips :—7. Maniola: 8, Humenis: 10.

Aulocera: 12. Arge: 13. FEHrebia: 14. Yp-

thima: 15. Zipeweiis: 17. Hrites: 16. Ors-

triena: 18, Ragadia .. aA A oo EO

Plate XVIII. (D) Satyr: 20. Neorina: 22. Melanitis: 23. -

Cyllogenes: 19, Celites: 21. Anadebis: 25,

| Elymnias a ie 5 AS eo

Plate XIX. (D) Satyrip#: 25. EHlymnias,

. (E) AmatHusiipa: 4. Stictopthalma: 2. Pole

1, Xanthotenia: 6. Thauria ye ee OO:

Plate XX. (E) AmMatHustipH: 9 Zeurxidia: 8, Amathuxidia: _

7. Amathusia : 5, Thaumantis: 3. Aemona: 11,

Enispe: 10. Discophora oo Bi ee TO

Notes on the Ornithology of Kashmir—

Plate X XI. (A) Chukor’s Nest and Eggs. (Alectoris greca

chukor) (abnormal clutch of 21 eggs) pe Oo

(B) 1. Nest and Eggs of the White-eyebrowed Blue

Flycatcher (Muscicapa superciliaris)

2, Nest and Eggs of the Sooty Flycatcher

(Hemichelidon sibirica) oe oe By ES)

Forms of the Himalayan Serow (Capricornis sumatrcenis)—

Plate XXII. (A) Female Serow, Kishtwar, Chenal Valley, April

1911 oe ee KA oie a .. 824

(B) Old male Serow, Kashmir Valley, October

1922) eae ies Re ans a 2

Plate XXIII. Large female Kashmir Serow, showing white area

; on the undersurface of the jaw uy o3)4, S20

LIST OF PLATES, XV

PAGE

No. 4.

The Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon—

The Painted Bush Quail (Chryptoplectron (Microperdix) e. erythror-

hynchus) . ii a ye 58, 849

_ The Mammals and Birds of Kashmir and the adjacent Hill Provinces—

Plate I. Kiang standing between the stalker and herd of

Great Tibetan Sheep (Ovis ammon hodgsoni) 880

Plate II. Kiang going off, having fully spoilt the stalk .. 434 S81

Plate III. Bull Yak from Tibet (Bos gruniens) .. a: Be ete

Plate IV. Great Tibetan Sheep. (Ovis ammon hodgsoni) -« 883

Plate V. Oorial (Ovis vignei vignei): Great Tibetan Sheep

(O. ammon hodgsoni): Hybrid (O. ammon x O. vig-

Net) «6 ar a ee a. a -- 884

Plate VI. (Ovis ammon poli) .. ie as ae i pastel?)

Plate VIT. The Oorial (Ovis vignet) from Ladak .. Me ci ROE

Identification of Indian Butterflies—

Plate XVII. Nymeuatip#:—1l. Charaxes: 2. Eriboea: 3. Pro-

PGE Mt VS gM ne NE OE! ings 8 « gues Oe

XVI. Nympuanip#:—4. Helcyra: 5, Dilipa : 6, Hulaceura:

7. Apatura: 8. °‘Herona: 9. Sephisa: 10.

Huripus: 11, Diagora: 12. Hestina: 13. Sasa-

hia 3 : ;

XIX. Nympnatipm:—16. Dichorragia: 17. Stibochiona:

18. Huthalhia ue A un is -«, 900

XX. Nympuaripe :—18. Ruthalia: 19. Adolias .. -. 902

XXII. Nymeunanip®:—14, Calinaga: 15. Penthema; 20.

Parthenos: 21, Lebadea; 22, Neurosigma: 23.

Abrota : 24. Liminitis ae ah ine ae 506

Birds’ Nesting with a camera in India—

(1) Jerdon’s Hedge-Sparrow (Prunella strophiatus jerdoni) Hume’s

Lesser White-throat (Sylvia alihewa) .. ats he et 989

(2) The Eastern White-spotted Blue-throat (Cyanosylvia cyanecula

abboiti), The Himalayan Sooty Flycatcher (Hemichelidon

stbirica cacabata) .. ; eke oe ee 4h or

(3) The Plumbeous Redstart (Rhyacornis fuliginosa) The Dark-

grey Bush-chat (Oreicola ferrea ferred) aye ts iar Ooi

(4) Hodgson’s Pipit (Anthus roseatus) es “hs we

(5) The Himalayan Whistling Thrush (Myiophoneus horsfieldi tem-

minckt) 3 te “3 xs is ae te kaa es BY)

XV] LIST OF PLATES,

PaGE.

Observations on the breeding habits of some Fresh Water Fishes in the

Punjab—

(A) Fig.1. Netting for Murral. Fig. 2. Live Car for keeping

Eggs and Fry under observation at Hatcheries. Fig. 3. Tank

at Sirkian for Murral (Ophiocephalid@) breeding .. » ROSS

(B) Chhenawan Farm for Carp Breeding :—Fig. 1. Stock pond for

breeders: Fig. 2. Stock pond for young fish He set BODO

Nests and Eggs of Common Birds of the United Provinces—

Fig. 1. Nest ofthe Purple Sun-birdina Cactus-bush. Fig. 2. Nest

of the Purple Sun-bird (Arachnechihra asiatica) 5% Spe WO

A journey to Siam and back—

(A) Fig. 1. Head of Bison shot in Me’Wang. Fig. 2. Open jungle

in the Man Wang Valley .. te ue a3 oe oi) OMe

(B) Fig. 1. The Track down the Melamoung, Fig.2. Fording

the Meklong .. i: aN Rises ic he ah peltant MOE

Indian Dragonfiies—

Plate I. Doso-lateral views of 1. Lamellogomphus nilgiriensis,

male, 2. L. acinaces,maie. 3. L, biforceps, male.

4, L. inglisi, male. 5, L. malabarensis, female. 6.

L. drummondi, female... A ae -. ,984-

Plate ITI. Dorso-lateral views ot 1. Mesogomphus lneatus,

male. 2, M, risi. 3. i. lindgrent, male. 4, Onychogom-

plus bistrigaius, male.5. Onychogomphus duaricus,

male, 6, O. M-flavum (Type male). 7. O. dingavani,

male .. x3 ae ot ay ok -. 1001

Notes on the Birds of the Sikkim Himaleyahs—

Plate V. (1) Ridgein Nepal below Kalo Pokhari, 15th April

1912. (2) Kalo Pokhari, camp 10,160’, 15th April 1912 1007

Plate VI. (1) The Ridges of East Nepal, looking west from

Phalut, February 1912, (2). “The Snows” and

Pine Forests (Abies webdbiana, Silver Firs of Hooker),

from Sandakphu, March 1912 4 ote oe LOLO

Plate VII. (1) Valley in Nepal below Phalut, February 1912.

(2) Tonglo near the summit level of 10,074’,

January 1912, (3) Mai (‘‘Khola’’) Valley, East

Nepal, from Kalo Pokhari, April 1912 .. -- 1014

X vil

Index to Filustrations.

WOoLOME ci ==.

Nos. 3 and 4,

PAGE

Abrota, PI, Fig. Daa ° ee ee C05 Agriocnemis Mabreui, Pik Fig. 10,

Aciagrion, Pl., Fig. 3, Base of : ;

eg rnOr Es HIBS 2, Second abdominal

: =i

wing « + 144. i

ine segment, showing

——— -— PL, Fig. 17, Terminal characteristic

segment, seen from dorsal marking ..

| ia TINO ° 5

the side, show ing ae he naia ,Pl., Fig. 13,

the spine under

ones Terminal segments

segment 8.. ar 147

dorsal aspect sub-

Adolias, PL, Fig. 19... > 9 ject to same Vari-

Aimona, Pi., Fig.3,Wing .. 796 ation oe af

; ‘ pape Sen

Agriocnemis,Pl., Fig. 7, Wing.. 744 |———-__—_—_ rubescens, PI1., Fig.

clausent, Pl., Fig. 9, 11, Terminal seg-

second ab- ments, dorsal

dominal aspect .. ots

‘ + °

segment, Alectoris greeca chukor, Pl. ..

showing

= Pare he a ted be (A)

characteri-

staedorsal | Nest and

UL Gus

marking 74.7 | abnormal

As teh > eo 5

PI clutch of

—--——_-—_—— -Pl., Fig. 12

are 21 eggs..

End of ane oe

Amathusia, Pl., Fiz. 7, Wing ..

6th and Need I =

A; uxidia a ing

Tels sex Amathuxidia, Pl., Fig. 8, Wing

eae eae Anadebis, Pl., Fig. 21, Wing ..

ON ey Anthus roseatus, Pl... He

———— ——— —— Fl. Fig. 15,

Apatura, Pl., Fig. 7... ae

Head and es =

i Arachnechthra asiatica, Nests, Pl.

thorax

showing a

common

type of

marking .

Arge, Pl., Fig. 12, Wing aye

Argiolestes, Pl., Fig. 6, apex of

Wine | 2): oe eee ate

747 | Aulocera, Pl., Fig. 9, Wing ..

PaGe

747

653

XVlil

‘PAGE

Axis axis, Malformed Horns,

Photo .. A LOST

Bos gruniens, Pl).

Caconeura, Pl., Vig. 7, Base of

wing

shaped Stigma ..

RAE ROO ee eto.

Head and

thorax,

showing a

broad and

unusual

marking ..

Calicnemis, Pl., Fig. 3, Base of

wing

Calinaga, Pl., Fig. 14 ..

Capricornis sumatrensis, Pl. (A.)

Female

Serow,

Chenab

Valley,

April

191]

—_______________-P]. B., Old

Male Serow,

Kashmir

Valley,

October

1922

—_————

Rl Large

female Kashmir Serow, show-

ing white area on the under-

surface of the jaw. ..

Ceriagrion, Pl., Fig. 2, Head of,

showing the ridge on frons. No

postocular. spots

Charaxes, Pl., Figs. land2 ..

Pl., Fig. 9, Diamond-

INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.

Chhenawan Farm for Carp

breeding, Pl., Figs. 1 &2..

882 | Chryptoplectron (Microperdix)

e. erythrorkynchus, Col. Pl. ..

741 ‘Celiccia, Pl., Fig. 8, Stigma ..

744

906

825

747

894

didyma, Pl., Fig. 14,

Head and thorax,

showing unusual

nature of mark-

ings ae ais

Celites, Pl., Fig. 19, Wing

Cenagrion, Pl., Fig. 5, Apex of

wing ae ite

Copera, Pl., Fig. 5, Leg, showing

dilatation of

1DIA, Hs is ae

annulata, PL, Fig. 4, Ter-

minal segments

great

and

anal appendages

marginipes, Pl., Fig. 3,

Terminal segments and

anal appendages. The

appendage

than

the superior. Lateral

inferior

much — longer

view

Corvus coronoides intermedius,

Coiurnix coromandelicus, Pl. ..

Cyanosylvia cyanecula abetia,

Pl. y :

Cyllogenes, Pl., Fig. 23, Wing..

Diagora, Pl., Fig. 11

Dichorragia, Pl., Fig. 16

Dilipa, Pl., Fig. 6

Discophora, Pl., Fig. 10, Wings.

Disparoneura, Pl., Fig. 8, Base

of wing

PAGE

959

849

744

747

789

744

747

948

577

950

789

897

800

897

796

741

INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS. X1x

PAGE Paar

Dove’s nest made of wire, Photo 1655 Gomphidia fletcheri Fig. 3,1, 6,

Drepanosticia, Pl., Fig. 3, Base Lateral

of wing 741 and ventral

Elaphas maximus, Large Tusks ees ey

of, Photo .. 1045 ments and

Hiymnias, Pl., Fig. 25, Wings. 789, 794 anal ap-

Emieriza cia stracheyi, Pl... 948 pendage .. 667

_ Enallagma, Pl., Fig. 17, Terminal ve —P.-nigrum, Fig. 3-3,

segment seen from the side, Lateral

showing the spine under seg- view of end

ment 8 749 segment

Enispe, Pl., Fig. 11, Wing 796 oa

appendage 667

Equus hemionus, Pls. 880, 881] — pee aR By siti 3:

Erebia, Pl., Fig. 13, Wing 780 ‘Markings of

Eribea, Pl., Fig. 2 894 3 3a. Mark-

Erites, Pl., Fig. 17, Wing 780 ings of head

: of 3, facial

Esme, Pl., Fig.4, Base of wing 74! ok Me a

a Pl Wig Or... 897 ciate

me hy BIB © — williamsoni, Fig. 2,

Humenis, Pl., Fig. 8, Wing 780 6: ‘Base. of

Euripus, Pl., Fig. 10 804 wings 666

Euthalia, Pl., Fig. 18 900, 902 ee ip 3) 28

Faunis, Pl., Fig. 2, Wing 794 Lateral

Felis pardus, Text Fig. 828 and ventral

Gomphidia abbotti, Pl., Fig. 4, | views of

Markings of ¢ 4a. end seg-

Markings of head of ment and

3, facial view 663 anal ap-

——_———fletcheri, Fig. 2 a. pendage 667

Base of ae Se ee

wings 666 5, Markings of ¢ 5a. Markings

eee a tly LY of head of ¢, facial view .. . 663

2, Mark-

"ings of a Helcyra, Pl., Fig. 4 897

2a. Mark- Hemichelidon sibirica cacabata,

ings of Pl. 950

head _ of ;

2, facial Herona, Pl., Fig. 8 897

view .. 663) Hestina, Pl., Fig. 12 897

xx INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

Heterogomphus hannyngtoni, Ischnura, Pl., Fig. 1., Head of,

Fig. 3, Lateral view

and anal appendage

667: Wings of ¢ ..

Lely.

Fig. Markings

of ¢ 3a, Markings

of head of @, facial

view : is

flavicolor, Pl.,Fig. 2,

Markings of 9 2a.

Markings of head of

©, facial

—_———— hannyngtoni,

end segment

ceylonicus,

view

Aad i

Fig. 1, Markings

of § la. Markings

of head, facial view ..

——smiihii, Pl, Fig.

4, Markings of ¢ 4a, Markings

of head of ¢, facial view

Himalagrion exclamationis, Pl.,

Fig. 8, First four abdominal

segments, seen from the side,

showing markings

Himeriia kinneari, External

genitalia of the male, Pl., Fig.

Ictinus rapa, Pl., Fig. 1, Mark-

ings lof id “la:

Markings of head

of 3 facial view ..

—_—_——— Fig. 3, 4-7 La-

teral and ventral

of end

segment and anal

views

appendage

—— ———— Wings..

Indoneura, Pl., Fig. 5, Base

of wing wie 45

674

678

675

678

663

|= ,Dujorceps,

showing postocular

coloured spots

—— = ely Bie 26. ndion

abdomen, showing

dorsal tubercules on

segment 10

—-_——— Pl. Fig. 10, Bico-

lorous Stigma of

forewing 4

—_—_——— Pl., Fig. 11, Unico-

lorous Stigma of

hind wing 5

—_—_——— Pl, Fig: 17, Termi-

nal segment,

from the side,

showing the spine

under segment 8 ..

seen

forcipata, Pl., Fig.

12, Bicolorous and unevenly

shaped Stigma

Lamellogomphus acinaces, Fig.

982, Pl., Fig. 2

Fig. 3

————-—. drummondi,

Fig. 6

IPL

——_ inglist,

+ ae

malabarensis, FP.,

Bigs 5.

|______. nilgiriensis,. Pl.,

Fig. 1

Lebadea, Pl., Fig. 2]

Timinitis, Pl., Fig. 24 ..

| Lyrotylus persicus, 9, Pl, Figs.

ples 1OGcee* de ys ahs

Mai (‘‘Khola’’) Valley, East

Nepal from Kalo Pokhari,

May 1912, Pl. B.

Maniola, Pl., Fig. 7, Wing —

Melanitis, Pl., Fig. 22, Wing ..

Fig.

Pace

747

744

747

744

984.

984

984.

984

906

643

738

730

789

INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.

PaGE

Melanoneura, Pl., Fig. 6, Base

of wing 741

Meping River at Raheng, Siam,

Ag oa

Mesogomphus lindgrent,

ic Ss.

——————lintaius, Pl., Fig.

1 a .. 1001

—_—_—_—-—— rist, Pl. Fig.2.. 1001

Mortonagrion, Pl., Fig. 2, Base

of wing a i .. 744

Musicapa superciliaris, PI.

(B. 1), Nest and eggs .. 799

Myiophoneus horsfieldi — tem-

mincki, Pl. 955

Nepal, Below Kalo-Pokhari,

Ply het a0» LOG7

Kalo Pokhari, Pl., Fig. 2 1007

Looking west from Phalut,

Pip wigs 1010

‘‘“The Snows’ and Pine

Forests from Sandak-

pou, Ely fis. 2".

Valley, below Phaiut, Pl.,

Fig. 1 : is

Tonglo, Pl., Fig. 2..

Mai (‘‘Khola’’) Valley from

Kalo Pokhari, Pl., Fig. 3

Neorina, Pl., Fig. 20, Wing

1010

1014

i014:

1014

784

Neurasigma, Pi., Fig. 22 906

‘Observations on the breed- )

ing habits of some Fresh |

Water Fishes in the Pun- |

tab—

Pl., Fig. 1, Netting for |

Murral. \

Fig. 2, Live car for Eggs and |

Fry under observation. |

Fig. 3, Tank at Sirkian |

for Murral. cf

958 | meanyar,

Ovis vigner vigner, Pl., Fig. 1, 884, 887

Paknampo, Siam, Pl. B.

Parthenos, Pl., Fig. 26...

Penthema, Pl., Fig. 15...

Phalut Summit, Pl.

Ploceus baya, Pl.

and ‘‘female’

Nests

Nest

sero Pl Nests co:

Pl., Nest

tall Elephant grass

| es

Plicigeia himalayana, 2, S-end

of the abdomen from below..

(A) “male”

(B) An abnormal

718

906

723

XX1

Pace

Onychargia, Pl., Fig. 1, Base

of wing : o- |, 444

idee Nig. 7, End of

abdomen, showing dorsal

tubercules on segment 10.. 747

Onychogomphus bistrigatus,

Pl. Fig.4 .. 1001

————— dingavant, Pl.,

Fig. 7 LOO]

— duaricus, PL,

Rigo oe, LOL

—— M. flavum, P1.,

Big. 6... .: a, .. 106)

Oreicola ferrea ferrea, Pl. .. 951

Orsotricna, Pl., Fig.16,Wing.. 783

Ovis ammon ammon, Vig. 1, 380

Fig. 2 884

-—-——-——— hodgsoni, Pls., 880, 883:

884

—__———— poh, Fig.3 885, 886

Ovws ammon + O. vignet, PIi.,

Roses 884

Ovis vigner + Ovis ammon,

PE Rigs 884

XX11

Platysticta, Pl., Fig. 2, Base of

wing

Prothoe, Pl., Fig. 3

Protosticta, Pl., Fig. 1, Apex and’

base of wing

Pseudagrion, Pl., Fig. 4, Base

of wing

Ist and 2nd ab-

dominal segments

UE ite Bae ke

indicum, Pl., Fig. 20,

Ist and 2nd

abdominal seg-

ments

HE ei EO Pe

Terminal ab-

dominal seg-

ments

—williamsoni Pl., Fig.

19, Ist and 2nd abdominal

segments

cagadia, Pl., Fig. 18, Wing ..

Rhyacornis fuliginosa, Pl.

Sandakphu, North face of the

summit, Dwarf Rhodcden-

dron, March 1912, Pl. A

Sasakia, Pl., Fig. 13

Sephisa, Pl., Fig. 9

bengalense, Pl., Fig. 18,

Paaet

741

894

741

747

897

INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.

Siam, a journey toand back. )

Pliage. 1, Head) oie

Bison shot in Me’wang. > 974 .

PL., Fig. 2. Open jungle in |

the Mauwang Valley. )_

Pl., Fig. 1. The track down }

the Melamoung, 995.

Pl., Fig. 2. Fording. the

Meklong.

Sikhim Himalayahs, Plates 1230

727,. 733

Singile La and Everest, PI. 723.

Singile La Ridge. A, looking

South to Sandakphu from

Phalut, Feb. 1912. B, lock-

ing South toTonglo from San-

dakphu, March 1912 .. 727

Silybura macrolepis, Diagram

to illustrate method of clos-

ing burrow, Fig. 1063

Stibochiana, Pl., Fig. 17 900:

Stictopthalma, Pl., Fig. 4, Wings, 794

Thaumantis, Pl., Fig. 5, Wing.. 796

Thauria, Pl., Fig. 6, Wing 794.

Tropidauchen edentulum, 3, Pl.,

Fig. 2 643.

= _subulosum, 2, Pl, Fig. 1 643

Xanthotenia, Pl., Fig.1,Wing. 794

Ypthima, Pl., Fig. 14, Wing .. 789

Zeuxidia, Pl., Fig. 9. Wing 796

Zipetis, Pl. Fig. 15, Wing ..) 1° 780

PAGE.

XXlll

ERRATA.

Page 890, line 5, for 707 read 797.

», 1009, ,, 13, for macocercus read macrocercus.

ONG 5.305 fOr atrogualiris read atrogularis.

XX1V

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NUMBER.

Abaratha ransonnettii .. oe sae TU)

Ablabes <a 4 1OLG

— calamaria bh cus oe FE SOD

———dorie .. Libs Be es ROO

— frenatus oe ove .. 864

—— gilgiticus — re Seo O08

——_— hampsoni oe oe eine ed 8)

—-——— nicobariensis .. be PAS lero 69)

pavo.. aS ey se HOO

SS OO 1 aR - 43 sat oy OOD

—_- _— SCripous ae ar .. 864

—_——— stoliczkeze te ene .. 864

Abrornis atrogularis atrogularis ee ASAE

~ schisticeps schisticeps spe alOZG

ate superciliaris superciliaris .. 1027

Acanthis caniceps Sy “f wooo

Acantholobus curticornis ee .. 643

Acanthopneuste nitidus viridanus 698, 947

occipitalis occipitalis.. 953

Aciagrion .. aie ae o Rese uetiis. 5

— azureum one Bhs i eee,

hisopa .. oF ne Ree OTe 4°)

- occidentalis .. a Pe (ices)

————olympicum .. a on ty tee

——-——— pallidum c oe mit oe eEO)

tillyardi os - .. 749

Acrocephalus agricola stevensi. . +. , 10ko

agricola, subsp. nov. 1014, 1015

concinens a sc, SOLS

—— haringtoni a a. 1015

~ stentorea, subsp. nov. .. 1014

stentoreus brunnescens 798,1015

Actinodura egertoni egertoni .. ... 735

Adollas cyanipardus aie 224, 06

— dirtea jadeitina ae ey BOGS

khasiana khasiana ae 22) 906

Aigithaliscus concinna iredalei .. BP ie)

-- ioschistos .. ve os ama:

Aigithina tiphia tiphia .. oe che Aa agS

Amona a ae Ae a 793

Aimona amathusia

— lena

Aischna phylum

———- tetraphylla

Athopyvga gouldize

——— sanguinipecta

Agriocnemis aborense

— clauseni

—__—_—_—_—- d’abreui

—_—_—_—_—_—. incisa

—_——_—_—— lacteola

——— naia

Fe Ta ae,

pieris

pygme

rubescens ..

: splendidissima

Aheetulla

Alauda gulgula

oe oUbbatiay

Alaudula raytal ..

Alcippe nipalensis nipalensis

Alcurus striatus .. :

Alectoris greeca chukor ..

— pallescens

Allophyllus cobbe

Alseonax ruficaudus

Amathusiidee

Amathusia a

———_—— — phidippus andamanica

— friderici

Amathuxidia

— amythaon..

Amaurornis fuscus bakeri

Amphiesma

—— stolatus

Anabas seandens. .

Anadebis diademoides ..

———— himachala

Anas boscas oe oe v.

NuMBER.

747, 754 |

794.

794

659 |

1052 |

1053

746

Anisopleura a a.

Anisoptera ae ere

Anthia sexguttata be

Anthus roseatus .. an

sordidus jerdoni. .

Antilope cervicapra

Apatura ambica ambica. .

—_____— —--—_—- chitralensis

. ——— chevana a

———-~-~ ilia here om

—-————— parisatis atacinus

—camiba..

— parisatis

————— parvata ts

——-— sordida naga ..

sordida. .

———-— ulupi florencie. .

—-—-— —-— ulupi

Apodemus gurkha

Aporia leucodice balucha

Appiasalbina.. a

——— albino paulina ..

——— ares oe ~

————darada .. es

——— flava 6 a

——— libythea ..

———melania .. Be

——— norma, .sp. if

———olferna .. ae

——— paulina

——— ——— adamsoni

galathea ..

galene ..

ea > ankapura

——_—_ -—_—_wardi ..

'——— semiflava a3

——— swinhoei .. e;

ais VenuUsta, 1. wa

———zelmira .. Be

Aprion carinatrm sis

— curvifrons

——-— strictum .. oe

—robustus .. ihe

Aproaspidops antecursorum

INDEX OF SPECIES.

Nv MBER.

| 300, 950,

Aquila bifasciata we

— heliaca .. sts

Arachnechthra asiatica ..

Ardea gigantea .. is

Arge halimede montana

Agriocnemis ae a

Argynnis adippe jainadeva

————-. kalama bee

lathonia isscea

Arhopalas alla ea

—— atosia .. ae

Arigiolestes melanothorax

hae a brachyorrhus

—— copei .. be

———. drummondhayi

———— guentheri ae

trachyprocta

Atomarchus multimaculatus

Auzakia danava..

Aulocera brahminus brahminoides

--—- brahminus

Se dokwana..

—_———padma chumbica

- : fulva

= loa. 742

——— padma

—_————. garaswati re

swaha garuna

kurrama

: — swaha

Aulophorus tonkinensis

Axis axis aK, re

AZ UMS Gears Aig ae

Barbus tor re ar

Bains eancilla .. a

Bhringa remifer tectirostris

Blythia reticulata ca

Boiga andamanensis ..

——— cyanea .. He

———- eynedon .. oe

———- forsteni .. ae

——— irregularis oie

NUMBER.

.. 1055

.. 1054

fae oO

Bye 718

ane 783

eo Oe

he 972

we 972

975

; TJ44

* Gil

ane 611

2 611

oll

ie 61)

500

845

782

; 782

‘ 782

783

: 183

: 783

783, 972

ee Oe

; 783

783 972

eho

Si4

: 1051

+. made

or 960

oe 962

een LOLS

a oll

su: 873

Par 873

ae 874

nee 374

a ie

XXVI1

Bos grunniens Ai

Bothrodytes subminiatus

Brachythemis contaminata

Budorcas taxicolor

Bungarus bungaroides ..

Caconeura :

—— -— anandalei

autumnalis ..

———-—— botti

= = Canning!

————— mackwoodi..

nigra

o doneli

sita ..

—————theebawi ..

——-———— verticalis

Ceenagrion dyeri

gravelyi

er oe msriceps

—— violacea

Calamaria pavimentata

Calandrella acutirostris ..

Calicnemis chromothorax

erythromelas

—_—_——_—— eximia

a an kS5)

ee a

er Onvong

—————— pulverulans..

Calinaga buddha aborica

— ——— brahma

buddha

gautama

sudassana

Calipheea confusa |

Calmaria catenata

Campanulina ceylonensis

Camponotus _

Cantoria violacea

‘Capellea argenteovittata

Capricornis sumatrzensis

NUMBER, |

INDEX OF SPECIES,

881° _Capricornis sumatrensis jamrachi

604'-

830

615 | ——____

753

743

744

743

744

743

70]

745, 754

899

753

627

640

688

868

650

824

——-__— —-___—_.-—_- —- humei 824, 825, 826,

827

—

———--—_— rubidus

—————. thar

Carpocoris fuscispina as

Carpodacus erythrina roseata ..

Castalius decidia. .

—ethion ..

TOxUS

Catla catla

Catopsilia. .

Cephalophis :

Cephalopyrus flammicens

Ceratophyllus vittata

Cerberus .. us on ote

= = DOCTOLMIS

rhynchops

Cercaspis ..

———_— —carinatus

Cercomela fusca ..

Ceriagrion aurantiacum

— cerinorubellum

coerulescens ..

coromandelianum

erubescens

—_—_—_—+— fallax

——--—— melanurum

- olivaceum

rubige ..

Certhia discolor discolor

-——--- familiaris nipalensis

——— himalayana

stoliczkee

Ceryle rudis leucomelanura

Chaimarrornis fuliginosa fuliginosa

milne-edwardsii

—rodoni 824, 825, 826, 827

NUMBER.

. 824, 827

824

824, 825

824, 827

812

699

.. 845

958, 959

845

ae ee ire

1014, 1015.

603

867

612

614

757

748

Ye ae

748, 755

VR TAS

748, 755

748

1010

798

954

1010

861

799

Chaimarrhornis leucocephala 698, 799, 951, 954

Chaptia snea enea

Charaxes aristogiton

—-——— distanti

———-— durnfordi nicholi

———-— fabius cerynthus

—_——_-——— --—-— fabius ..

1009

894.

894

804.

895

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NuMBER.

_Charaxes fabius sulphureus 895

kahruba 894.

———_—-—— marmax 894.

= polyxena agna 894

————— - hemana 894

—_____—. __—__---—_ hierax 894

——____—. ——___— hindia, 894

a hipponax 894

a ——— Imna, 894

“7. Ppleistoanax 894

* ——_-— psaphon 894:

Chersydrus granvlatus .. He 598

Chibia hottentotta hottentotta 1009

Chilopoma rufopunctatus 609

Chloebora crassa 643

Chloroneura 753

, — apicalis 742

—— quadrimaculata 742

Chloropsis aurifrons aurifrons .. - 740

7 hardwickii hardwickii 740

Chrysopelea ornata 878

Cinclus cinclus kashmiriensis .. Ae tee A

: pallasii tenuirostris 951, 954

Cirrhina mirgala 958, 959

reba 958

— Ceeliccia ae 754

——_—-— didyma 745

| renifera 744

— Celites epiminthia binghami 789

nothis adamsoni 789

-Coladenia indrani ales

Colias cocandica irma, subsp. n. 972

—-— glycia te a 845

montium longto, subsp.n. 973

——— pugo sp. n. Way See 7)

Columba leuconota ' 951, 954

—— — leuconota 702

rupestris turkestanica .. 702

Coluber a Het rieOOe

berus .. 602, 604, 616

: blumenbachi ee cn eGL6

Soa. — cantoris .. 621

-frenatus .. 620

helena 622

Coluber hodgsoni

— irregularis

leonardi ..

——— melanurus

——— oxycephalus

——— pavo

——— porphyraceus

See PLOSIUS) ar.

——— radiatus

reticularis

. | ————— teenlurus..

Conostoma smodium

Contia

——_—- angusticeps

coilaris

condoni

——— coronella ..

< | —-_—— decemlineata

fasciata’ .. as

———~- memahoni

————— persica

sebrina

walter

——— zebrina, sp.n.

Copera

-——— annulata ..

————_ Marginipes

vittata deccanensis

Sa ee a

Copsychus saularis

Corixa geoffroyi ..

-——— hieroglyphica

Coronella .

— austriaca

— brachyura

teeniclata

Corvus corax tibetanus ..

Coryphodon

Cotile sinensis

Coturnix communis

XXVI1L

NUMBER.

.. 632, 769,

sition t Los

AT. Tas:

TIO. TGs

632, 771, 776,

632, 769, 776,

778,

coronoides intermedius... 696, 798,

monedula scemmeringii ..

622

873

621

XXvlil INDEX OF SPECIES,

NuMBER. NuMBER.

Coturnix coromandelica. . 593, 594| Delias singhapura agostina 7

—_—— coturnix coturnix DNs eOon am ein oh aun 971

eugene) japonica 591| Delichon urbica .. 700

a dactylisonans 578 | Dendrelaphis caudolineatus 625

pe era ——— ViNGIcUs 579 | — biloreatus 625

—— erythrorhyncha 849, 850 1 — subocularis 625

a= japonica 591 | tristis 625

Mee, ort A False 594! Dendrophis bifrenalis 624

ee ay pula lis 594 — caudolineolatus 623%

—_—_—_—- vulgaris SSM eas effrenis 623

ee — japonica 591 — gorel 623

Criniger tephrogenys flaveolus .. 1007 — grandoculis 624.

Crocothemis servilia 753 pictus 623, 625

Crvptolopha affinis 10 25)) erg a proarchus 624 —

aS SS burkn purku 1O251|\ seca subocularis 625

—_—_—__—_— cantator .. 1026) sap tristis 625

—_—_— - castaneoceps 19026 | Diagora mena 899 |

eee SE Holiogenys 1026 — persimilis persimilis S99 —

2a xanthoschistos jer sdoni 1025 a a zella 899 |

Crytoplectron Be Diastatomma rapax 661

= ery pur ae ius we itti 849, 5G, 50. | Diceum erythrohynchus 968

854, ee | Dichorragia nesimachus 906

ak ice ede ee ee erythrorhy- Dicrurus annectens annectens .. 1009

nehus 849, 850, 851) — —— exrulescens 1009

______—_— manipurensis inglis1 850, 861 | ———_ leucopheus stevensi .. 1009

SENT oa es manipurensis 850, 851 | ——-— Macrocercus albirictus 1009 —

Cuculus canorus .. 891 | Dilipa morgiana .. .. 897%

______.— telephonus 701 | Dinodon gammiei 614, 615

Cuon dukhunensis 1046 | —— septentricnalis 615

Cutia nipalensis nipalensis 738| Diplacodes lefebvrei 660.

Cyanosylvia cyanecula abbotti 951 | — nebulosa 753

Cyclophis persicus 632, 769 Diplophallus piscator . .. 6039

Cylindrophis rufus 865 | Dipsadomorphus andamanensis 870, 873 —

Cyllogenes janete 791 | barnesi 869 —

— suradeva 70) | = beddomei 870

Cyornis superciliaris 953 — ceylonensis 840, 879, 8738, 874

Cyrestis cocles 845 cyaneus ecg dal

nivea 844 — dightoni 872, 873

Cyrtostomus zeylonicus. . 840 —_——-— forsteni 874.

gokool eon Ope

— hexagonotus .. 870, 872 |

Dafila acuta 839 — jollyi 868

Danais mulciber .. 974 —_ multifasciatus 871

Delias singhapura 97) | —-_—-——_———_ multimaculatus .. 869%

agoranis 971 ——— nuchalis 870, 872

INDEX OF SPECIES. 29:0 15:<

NUMBER. NuMBER

Dipsadomorphus quincunciatus 869) Drepanosticta viridis 742

pee stoliczke 872| Dromicus .. , 604

trigonatus 871| Dryobates himalayensis 801

Dipsas barnesi oy ne 869| Dryocalamus davisoni 616

——— ceylonensis SOS O0 oy a -- gracilis 616

=~ cyanea 874 -- nympha 616

—-— cynodon .. 874| Dryonastes cerulatus ceerulatus 728

——— dightoni.. 872 | — — ruficollis TI

| ———— drapiezii.. 873 | Dryophis dispar .. 877

| forsteni 874 | — mycterizans 877

——— fusca 873 | ————— perroteti 876

—— gokool oe ..- Ofl|————_ frontianctus: .. 875

hexagonotus ie ONUSS1 2,510) Drasinits 877

multimaculatus 869 | ——-—— pulverulentus.. 877, 878

rhinopoma 868 | Dumetia albigularis albigularis 840

trigonatus 871 | —— hyperythra 732

Discognathus 636 | Dysphaea ethela 756.

| Discophora oe Be 794

— continentalis andamensis 197

——_-__ eontinentalis 797] Elachistodon westermanni 878

== deo 797| Klachura formosa 1012

lepida ceylonica 797 | Elaphe 620

-=—_—_—_—_ —_—_~. lepida 797| Elaphas maximus 1044.

— spiloptera 797 | Klapoides 612

— tullia muscina 796 | Elaps 867

a] 796 | ———— marcgravi 604.

; Diaparoneura s 753 Elephas indicus .. ve ae oe 803

— atkinsoni.. 743 | Elvmnias casiphone saueri 792

— cexsia 743 | ————— cottonis cottonis 792

— campioni 743 | ————-_ — obnubila 791

oo _Gentralis .. 743 dara deedalion .. ae a 792

-— fletcheri .. 743 | —————._ esaca andersonii 793

nigerrima 743 |————— hypermnestra caudata 791

— tenax ON eee fraterna 791

a tetrica 743 | —————- ———_——_—_- paraleuca 791

Dissemurus paradiseus grandis 1010 | ————- ——-——-— tinctoria 791

Dolycoris baccarum 812 \ —————- ————_——- undularis 791

Dophia patala 844. | ———_— malelas malelas 792

Drepanosticta digna 742 | —__—_——_ ——— nilamba 792

hilaris 742 | ——-—— nescea cortona 792

michaeli . TAG ee eS mama 792

——.— montana. . 4 742 panthera mimus 792

ars quadrata 742 | _———-—- patna patna .. re jon how

_— tropica .. die 742 |} __—-—. — patnoides athamas .. 792

XXX

Elymnias pealii ..

-—-_——. penanga chelensis

singhala

—_—-——. vasudeva burmensis ..

EO OE a ae,

yp iscieveniey eh

Emberiza cia stracheyi ..

luteola..

stewartl

Enallagma A

cyathigerum

— ——_.

—_—_——_—_— insula |

—_—_—-——— malayanum..

—__—_—-—- parvum

Enhydrus Bee 5

Enicognathus punctato striatus

Enicurus macujatus maculatus

Enispe

———- —— cycnus cycnus

—_——__—_—— —-—_— verbanus

-——_—— euthymius ..

paw eee tosella tas.

Equus hemionus :

Erebia annada annada ..

— orixa

—_——- ———— suroia

——— hyagriva ..

———- hybrida

kalinda chitralica

puede Se alinds

mani ee

——-— narasingha dohertyi

narasingha. .

= — nirmaia, daksha...

—— kala

nirmala

reducta

scanda

—‘shallada ..

Eremiaphila levivrons ..

EKremocharis brachycera

Eremopeza brachycera ..

Eribcea arja

——— athamas.. 5

———-~ athamas agrarius:

NuMBER.

792

793

792

793

700

947

799

755

747

748 |.

748

895

——— phyllis irma subsp. n.

INDEX OF SPECIES,

Kriboea athamas andamanicus..

—madeus

delphis

samatha Bie

dolon centralis..

dolon

grandis ..

eudamippus eudamippus

jamblichus

— nigrobasalis ©

—— >—— magniplaga

—— hebe chersonesus

——— Jalysus!; 7. oe

——-— moori sandakanus

——— narcceea aborica

lissainei

nepenthes

schreiberi assamensis

tisamenus

—_— ——_ wardi

Krites angularis ..

——-~ argentina delia

falcipennis falcipennis

--— rotundata

Krpornis xantholeuca xantholeuca

Erythrospiza mongolica

Eryx jaculus

——— johni

Esme cyaneovittata

Etroplus suratensis

Kudipsas ..

EKulaceura manipuriensis

——- osteria kumana

Eumenis heydenreichi shandura

mniszechii baldiva

lehana

parisatis parsis

SEL

———-— persephone enervata

—_——-— semele diffusa

thelephassa

Euploea diocletianus

ee oom

NUMBER.

895 |

895

EKuploea godarti :

klugii reepstorfi

Euripus consimilis meridionalis

— ——-== sonsimilis

halitherses ae Bs

— alcathosides

—_____ ______——- cinnamomeuts

—_—_ ———_—— isa

nyctelius

Eurydema dominulus

Hurygaster maura

EHutaenia ..

Eutainia gaurita ..

Kuthalia anosia anosia .. :

saitaphernes ..

cibaritis

———— cocytus satrapaces

ee tet re:

curvifascia

———— cyahnu jahnu

———_— duda

dunya ..

———-— durga durga

— splendens

evelina derma

-laudabilis

francie franciz

rajah

garuda anagama

acontius

garuda

meridionalis ..

-suddhodana ..

— vasanta

—————_ godarti asoka ..

————— jahnu jahnita..

——_—- jama jama

—-— jamida

Ne eo

verena

juliiadima

—-— appiades

sedeva

——_—_—. —— xiphiones

kanda elicius ..

——____—- kesavaarhat ..

ee eee

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NuMBER.

974 |Kuthalia kesava discispilota

1S Lean, ——— kesava

899 |-—-— lepidea andersoni

SOON nes ame a oes lepidea

SO0laaa Gkam@arsia uyone:

399 |-——-—— ——_— sthavara

399 |—-———_ Iubentina arasada

SOOiNe oars fats a an indica

399 |——-——- ——— psittacus

812 |} mahadeva binghami..

812 |———— merta eriphyle

602 |———_—_ nais

600) nae eae Bana

902m a patala patala ..

OGOt eye — taooana

GE1) ne cara Dole?

990 |——— phemius

905 |/-—— recta

901s ea sahadeva narayana ..

904. \snaaaee ose sahadeva

0064 ae telchinia

904 |— teuta gupta

004)\—_ aes ee teuta

CYS actrees teutoides

905

994 |Falco subbuteo subbutico

904 |—-—— tinnunculus

903 |Faunis

903 *. arcesilaus. .

903 |——-— eumeus assama ..

903 |—--— —-—— incerta

903 |--—— faunula faunuloides

003 |Felis pardus

991 |Fordonia leucobalia

9v2 \Fowlea peguensis

994 Francolinus vulgaris

994 |Franklinia cinereocapilla

904. | gracilis

99] |\--—_ rufescens

901 |Frenatus liopeltis

901 |Fringilauda nemoricola altaica. .

901 |Fulica atra

903 |Fuligula fuligula

902 |\Fulvetta vinipecta vinipecta

XxXI

NUMBER.

902

901

904

902

903

905

$01

904

905

802

906

702, 801

702

793

794

794:

794.

1034

868

602

801

1018

1017

1018

864

700

839

734

xxxii INDEX OF SPECIES.

NUMBER. NuMBER. —

Galeritadeva .. 43 So .. 966 |Helicops schistosus indicus 608

Gallinago ccelestis 33 “4 .. 837 |Hemichelidon sibirica cacabata 952 — '

Gallinula chloropus oe d 801, 839 |Hemixus flavala flavala 1007 — |

Gampsorhynchus rufulus Made INA TNE bce macclellandi macclellandi .. 1007

Garra 54 ie yr she .. 636 'Heodes phleas stygianus 972 :

Garrulax albogularis albogularis .. 729 |Herona marathus andamana 898

--—— leucolophus leucolophus Se exe) -—_ ———_-—- angustata 898

————— moniliger moniliger .. sy Oh — marathus 898

— pectoralis pectoralis .. .. 728 |Herpetodryas prasinus .. 622

Gerardia prevostiana .. Se .. 868 |Herpetoreas sieboldi 604.

Gomalia albofasciata .. se .. 942 |Hesperia alpina 972%

Gomphus bicornutus .. 3 ee) OT9 galba 939

Sarre bistrigatus .. By, .. 999 |Hestia lynceus reinwaidtii 1937

— grammicus .. a .. 994 \Hestina nama : 899

see LG ick Bh 44 .. 678 |Heterogomphus Mcoraiitae 4h .. 679%

Gomphidia abbotti . .. a 672, 680 |-_——-————— ceylonicus_ .. 676, 680 —

a5 fletcheri, sp.n. .. 666, 667, 669, 680 |——-——--hannyngtoni, sp.n. 667.674,680 —

——_—— kodaguensis,sp.n. .. © 667,671 |———-—_ flavicolor ie 678, 680 —

t.-nigrum 4 667, 668, 689 |-—-—-—--——— ris] 5 678

williamsoni, sp.n. ..666, 667, 670, 680 }-— ———~ smithi.. a 677, 680

Gonopteryx oe ca oF .. 8465 |Hilarocichla rufiventer .. 739

——- —aspasia zaneka .. .. 972 |Himalagrion exclamationis .. t47—

-— zanekoides .. 972 |Himantopus candidus .. 0 802, 838 —

_______ farinosa chitralensis .. 972 |Himerta kinneari, sp.n. .. si 651, 652

Gonyodipsas .. se a .. 873 |Hipistes hydrinus : 868

Grammatoptila striata striata .. .. 730 |Hirundo daurica 4 800

Grayia lubrica .. * My se nO08 erythropygia .-. 768

Gryllus miniatus as oe .. 643 |/———— fluvicola 767 —

Gymnopleurus militaris Ae .. 684 smithii 766 —

Gymnorhis flavicollis .. wl .. 763 /Homalopsis buccata 867 |

Gypetus barbatus “as Ae .. 702 |Horeites brunnifrons 1029 ©

aairas — —-— grandis .. .. 950 | pallidus 798 —

Gyps sp. .. e wh * .. 702 |Hormonotus modestus .. , 612 —

Horornis acanthizoides brunnescens .. 1028

—_-__——— fortipes fortipes 1028

Haliztus leucogaster .. B, .. 1¢58 |-——-— major 1028 —

leucoryphus .. _ .. 80] |-——— pallidipes 1028 —

Haplocercus ceylonensis re ei G10 — pallidus pallidus 948 —

Harpodon nehereus on om .. 642 |Humbe oe a4 643

Helcyra hemina .. 4 as .. 897 |Hurria 614

Helicops oy s ey .. 602 |- Peaches: 867

—indicus.. ue ny .. 868 Ligdvosheliden leucopareia indica 802 —

———— schistosus .. 45 .. 608 |Hydrophasianus chirurgus”.- 802, 839 —

a andersoni .. .. 608 |Hydrophobus davisoni .. os + 616

INDEX OF SPECIES,

) Hydrophobus gracilis

-nympha ..

Hydrus

ee platurus ..

Hypsirhina blanfordi

bs —— enhvdris

——__——— plumbea

—— sieboldi

Tanthia rufilata

Janthocincla ocellata ocellata ..

Icerya re

TIetinaetus malayensis

Ictinus angulosus

atrox

ae predator

| rapax mordax

———- —-— precox

| —-— rapax

Idionyx

Indagrion gautama

Indocnemis kempi

Indomacromia as

Indoneura gomphoides. .

ramburi

Indothemis

Ischnura annandalei

aurora. .

elegans. .

forcipata

inarmata

rufostigma

7 — senegalensis

Ixops nipalensis nipalensis

Ixulus flavicollis flavicollis

occipitalis

lynx torquilla japonica. .

Junonia atlites

| —iphita ..

Kach uga donghoka

gangapuputakas. .

——

rufogularis rufogularis ..

.. 66]

NuMBER.

616

867

607

866

949, 954

729

691

1054

665

664

659

663

, 667, 680

753

746

745

756

743

748

753

746, 754

735

737

956

845

633

XXX1ll

NUMBER.

Kallima sp. , 845

Karanasa acteea magna. . 782

= ai ames DIGa ania: 782

—_—_——- digna digna 782

——_—_—— ——.—_ pallas.. 782

—_——— hubneri.. 782

—-— regeli moorei .. 782

Katophis picturatus . 600

Labeo calbasu 958, 959

fimbriatus. . ed gor =)

— gonius 958, 959

—— micropthalmus 22 958

— rohita aw 958, 959

Lamellogomphus gen. nov. 983

acinaces 982

a biforceps 983

drummondi, sp. n. 985

— inglisi, sp.n. 984.

= malabarensis, sp.n. .. 980

nilgiriensis, sp.n. 986

Lanius schach erythronotus 799

Laringa glaucescens 975

Larus brunneicephalus .. 702

——— sp. 702

Lathrecista asiatica 753

Lebadea martha .. 975

—-—-— -— attenuata 907

—.-—-—_ —--—- ismene.. 907

——-—.- ——-— martha.. 907

Leioptila annectens annectens. . 735

capistrata capistrata 735

Leptacris filiformis 650

— greenl «« 6 it, 6a0

Leptophis 604, 616

—-—— saurita.. 600

Leptorhynchus maynardi 619

-—- paradoxus 619

—— -—-- ridgewayi 619

Letana nigrosparsa 651

Lethe irma seh ond

Leucanium 690, 691

Liminitis trivena, . 845

xxXiv INDEX OF SPECIES.

Lindenia biforceps

quadrifoliata. .

tetraphylla

—

Lioparus chrysotis

Liopeltis calamaria

- dori ..

frenatus

hampsoni

———_—-— nicobariensis ..

—— frappl .

scriptus

———— stoliczke

Liophallus i s:

Liothrix lutea callipyga

Locustella neevia straminea

Lophophanes ater zemodius

- dichrous dichrous

—_—————— _ rufonuchalis beavani

Luscinia suecica abbotti

Lycena orion tytleri, subsp. n.

Lycodon .. :

anamallensis ..

——_—— atropurpureus

——--——— audax ..

aulicus..

aT Cat laa lus

fasciatus

- flavomaculatus

————— gammiei

jara

————- mackinnoni

——_———. septentrionalis

- striatus

travancoricus. .

Lycophidion bipunctatum

Lygceus equestris

Lygosoma sikkimense

Lyrotylus, gen. n...

———— persicus, sp.n.

Machlolophus spilonotus spilonotus

Macrocephalus

Macromia

NUMBER.

983 |Macromia ida ..

659 |Macropisthodon ..

659, 660, |—-_ himalayanus ..

734 plumbicolor

965 |Malacocinda sepiaria abbotti

964. |Maniola cononympha

864 \—- davendra chitralica

865 |-———_ davendra ..

865 |-———.__ latistigma..

865 |—— hilaris ..

964 |-— narica ..

364 |———_ pulchella

873 [ese pulchra

737 — wagneri mandane

1015 |Maniolalupinus centralis

ORS nga Tae ie ¢ cheena..

Oa kashmirica

795 (Melanitis leda ismene

—phedima bela..

699, 800

973 |-—— — bethami

G14 2 oe Get ee ee isee

G19) ac ee ea

BIAS ae Ee tambra

B19 ee varale:

613 -—zitenius andamanica

e 614. —- auletes

614, 615 Tam eonale

eS ara ara area We kalinga

GIANG Scour Cay aR zitenius

612, 613 Melanochlora sultanea sultanea

614 |Melanoneura bilineata ..

615.

612

Melophus melanicterus .

Merops apiaster ..

613 Mesia argentauris argentauris .

612 |Mesogomphus

S19) aa ee eMMMICUS

600 toa lindgreni, sp.n ..

GI UGKON cpm rT CAGE, lineatus ..

650, 652 | Lisi, Sp. ..

Micromerus

Microperdix

725 ——- blewitti

873 —— erythrorhyncha

793 | inglisi

{

INDEX OF SPECIES. XXXV

NUMBER. NUMBER.

‘Microperdix manipurensis inglesi- 861 |Neorina chrishna archaica 789

— — manipurensis857,861 |——-—— hilda 789

‘Micropus apus pekinensis 702 patria westwoodi 789

‘Microscelis psaroides psaroides 1007 |Neornis flavolivacea flavolivacea 1928

Minla ignotincta .. 740 |Nerodia 602

Mirafra cantillans 965 |— — fasciata 602

erythroptera ; 966 |—____— modesta 603

Mixornis rubricapilla Ripiicapits 733 |——_— piscator 603

Mizodon variegatus 600 |—_-——- punctulata 603

Mnais earnshawi ae : 7( 55) aes sipedon 602

Molpastes hemorrhous Hetealentis 1007 tessellata 604.

—-- -— hemorrhous .. 840)|Neurobasis chinensis 753

—___— leucogenys 1008 |Neurothemis fluctuana .. 153

—— leucotis LOS 7s) 2 —— fulvia 753

‘Monophlebus A i 691, 692 |- tullia feralis 753

-Monticola solitaria pandoo 799 —.— tullia 753

Montifringilla nivalis adamsi .. 700 |Neusterophis levissima. . 602

Morsimus carinatus.. 651 |Notonecta furcata 812

-Mortonagrion varralli_ .. Sh Soe) - glanca 812

Motacilla alba hodgsoni 701, 800, 956 |—- maculata 812

oo cinerea melanope 701, 800 | Novaculina 63

-______—- citreola calcaratus 701, 800

——- maderaspatensis 963

-Muscicapa parva hypery ane We Odontopilum angulata .. 703

= geaeles o 199 |Gicophylla 684, 685, 688, 689, 911

Mycalesis maianeas = -5 +: 797 Cnusude balteata 645

-Myiophoneus horsfieldi temminckii z SOO as ea te oe 643

; 951, 955, 1037 eat _

Myrmecocystus .. 681, 682, 688, 903! 7 Staves 2g Re

-Myzornis pyrrhoura ote “ve Pevensie Ol et, hour HOTS 7. © O28

. —_—_—— miniata 643

——-—— obscurata 644

Natrix baileyi .. 602 schochi - 643

__ khasiensis 601 |nanthe deserti atrogularis 699

leonardi - .. 602 |Oligodon affinis .. 630

Bee atric +. 600, 602, 604, 616 |--—_ albocinctus 631

-_——— nicobariensis ee 601 |———— arnensis 629

-_—_—— parallelus - 601, 613, 625, 628, 630, |--——--— beddomei 630

| 631, 869, 872, 875 |__- brevicauda 628

-——— peali oye 600 |——-—-_ cruentatus 629

—---— rianguligerus 601 ;—---_ dorsalis 627

——-— _venningi 601 |——-——— elliotti E8 627

— ——— vulgaris.. a 600 |—_—-—-—— erythrogaster ae ws» 629

—__--- xenurus .. A 601 |—-———_—- erythrorhachis -- 626, 629, 630

Nemorhedus bubalinus typicus se (O28 — evansi.. ve se GTZ

XXxXvi

NUMBER.

Oligodon herberti is “4 ~« 626

— juglandifer . . — 630

——-—— melaneus 628

———— melanozonatus 630

———— medougalli 626

—— octolineatus 630

——-— planiceps oe 4 626

———_— purpurascens .. 631

—___—— splendidus 631

——- subgriseus 627

—_——— sublineatus .. be 627

———— subpunctatus 599

teeniolatus 627

———— templetoni 627

——— theobaldi 628

ae TT Lorguatus 626

————. travancoricus | see O29

———— venustus 629, 630

—__._——.. yjolaceus 628

————- woodmasoni .. 630

Onychargia atrocyana 745

Onychogomphus 982

— acinaces 988

—__—_-——_—_— biforceps 983

——_—_—- —-- nilgiriensis 986

a bistrigatus 999, 1001, 1003

———_—_—_—— ‘dauricus, sp.n. 1001

dingavani, sp.n, 1005

t }

—__—_—_-—_—_—— grammicus 994

= dineatus 982

om. lava 1003

al —— nilgiriensis 673

———— striatus, sp.n... 1001

Opetiodon

3 873

Ophiocephalus -- 638

—_—_——— gachua 961, 962

oo marulius. . 961

Re ‘punctatus 961

—_—_—__—_—-— striatus 961

Ophites anamallensis $13

— atropurpureus. . -. 614

Ast - aulicus 612, 613

———\-— fasciatus ve tO

Ophites flavomaculatus

613 {Parus major cinereus .. os

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NUMBER.

Ophites jara.. 612

— mackinnoni 614

striatus 612°

—-——-— gubcinctus 612:

—— subfuscus 614.

NE ERGE travancoricus .. 613.

Orcaella brevirostrus 639.

Oreicola ferrea .. 956

—_—_..-_ —-.-— ferrea 800:

Oreocincla dauma dauma .. 948

Oriolus oriolus kundoo .. 698, 700:

Orogomphus xanthoptera 753

Orsotrizena medus mandata 788

— —- medus 788

Orthetrum : 752.

Orthotomus atrogularis .. 1016.

sutorius sutorius 1016.

Otocompsa emeria 1057, 1058.

—_—______ ——_-—— emerla 1908

—— flaviventris flaviventris 1008

Otocorys alpestris longirostris . . 701

Ovisammon ammon .. S83

hodgsoni . 882, 1066.

—_—_-——-— poli a a -- 885

—— vignei Seay ae) 887

Paleornis schisticeps .. ote 801

Papilio paradoxus telearchust . . O74.

— telarchas oie 845.

Pappophis ‘ 873

Parantirrhwa marshallii 791

Pararge .. os 797.

— schakra 972.

Parnassius delphius kafir.. .. bee Ms

Parceneis palearcticus sikhimensis .. 782

- pumilus bicolor 782

--— pumilus a be: On,

Parthenos sylvia cyaneus i ete -- 906.

a gambrisius .. .. 806.

_ roepstorfi o~ «o 906

iw. — virens os we COG

_ ——_——--— fuliginiventer

Parus major kashmiriensis

mahrattarum

——-— melanolophus

monticolus monticolus ..

Passer domesticus

—_———— parkini

———- rutilans debilis ..

Pellorneum ruficeps jonesi

«mandelli ..

Penthema darlisa

—— binghami binghami ..

— merguie

yoma

——-— lisarda lisarda. .

mihintala

Perdicula erythrorhyncha

—— manipurensis..

Perdix coromandelica

— coturnix ..

———. erythrorhyncha ..

——— olivacea ..

——— textilis

Petaurista annamensis ..

Petrophila cinclorhyncha

solitaria pandoo

Phanerophera nigrosparsa

Phayrea isabellina

Phidole ..

Philothammus

- Phyllergates coronatus .

Phyllomacromia ..

Phylioneura westermanni

Phylloscopus affinis

— collybita tristis ..

—_—_____——— fuscatus fuscatus .

—_—_——_—_— homeyeri

——__—_—_—-—. inornatus inornatus

pee lugubris ..

—————— maculipennis

—_—_—_—_—-— magnirostris ey

——_———-— nitidus plumbeitarsus

INDEX OF SPECIES. XXXvib

NUMBER.

697, 837)Phylloscopus occipitalis occipitalis 799:

.. 840 proregulus newtoni. . 1020:

798 |. pulcher 1020

723 |——_————- trochiloides .. 1024

764 |Phoenicopterus antiquorum 840:

700 |Phragomaticola zedon 1018.

956 |Pica pica bactriana 696

1053 | Pieris callidice kalora 972

732 |—-— canidia 972

800 |Piprisoma squalidum 969

900 |Plagiopholis blakewayi .. 610

900 |Planesticus castaneus castaneus 949, 953.

990 |Platanista. . ot 634

800 gangetica 639

. 909 |Platyenemis latipes dealbata 744

850, 854 |Platysticta apicalis 742

857 deccanensis. . 742

593 : maculata 742

577 |Plectrurus perroteti 865

g509 | Plicigera gen, n. .. 651

594 ——himalayana sp. n. 652

504 Ploceus baya 759

975 manyar.. 761

954 Pneepyga pusilla 1014

yi} squamata 1013

65] Podiceps albipennis 839

ruficollis capensis 802

on Polistes : 681

Polyergus ae ee 654

le: Polymmatus eros drunela 972

1029 \polyodontophis bistrigatus .. 600:

oe ——_——_——— collaris 598

742 sagittarius 599, 62T

subpunctatus . -. 599

698 |Pomatorhinus erythrogenys haringtoni 731

1019, 1029 \_—-——— ferruginosus ferruginosus 731

1919 ruficollis ruficollis 731

1020 schisticeps schisticeps .. 731

1621 |Pratincola caprata es oe eit On

1022 | Prenolepis 682, 685

1020 |Presbytes entellus eee

1022 |— -— robinsoni 917

1023.|Prinia socialis socialis 1030

. . 896

—_— —-—__.———_——

— viridanus

682, 688

950, 1018

NUMBER.

799, 1021 |Prothe calydonia belisama

ri be. 4 XV111

ue othoe franckii angelica

regalis

' Protoncura

‘Protosticta cerinostigma

—— oravelyi

hearseyl

himalaica

lindgreni

mortoni

— sanguinostigma

: stevensi

- Prunella rubeculoides

strophiata jerdoni

——<—$———

— a=

Prymnomiodon ..

chalceus

Psammodynastes pulverulentus

-Psammophis

condanarus

leithi

longifrons

schokari

triticeus

Pseudagrion azureum

bengalense ..

bidentatum

decorum

hypermelas

indicum

laidlawi

microcephalum

pruinosum ..

rubriceps

spencei

—_—__———. williamsoni

Pseudocyclophis bicolor

: olivaceus.

persicus

walteri..

INDEX OF SFECIES.

NUMBER.

NuMBER,

- $97|Psittiparus gularis gularis 727

$97 ruficeps ruficeps yar

753 |Pteruthius erythropterus 738

741 |\-——_—_ melanotis melanotis 738

74] xanthochloris xanthochloris 739

741 |Ptyas 604

74] |-———- mucosus 616

74] |—--—— nigromarginatus .. 617

74] |-—— tenasserimensis 617

741 |Ptyonoprogne concolor .. 766

741 |Pycnonotus leucogenys .. 798

699 —— luteolus 840

950 |Pyctorhis sinensis sinensis 739

600 |Pyrrhicia connata 651

800,

607,

Pseudominla castaneiceps castaneiceps

—_—_————_ cinerea

Pseudopheea

etheli

Pseudoxenodon angusticeps

macrops

876 |Pyrrhulauda grisea

875 |Python

875

_. 875|Ragadia crisilda crisilda

749, 755 gio

750, 755 ——— critolaus

_ 74g|— — critolina

750. 755 |Rana cyanophlyctis

749, 755 |Ranee formos

750, 755 |Regina leberis : A

750, 755 |Regulus regulus Meatay ena oe

749, 755 |Rhabdophis

749, 755 |———— beddomei

750, 755 |————— ceylonensis ..

749. 755|————— chrysargus ..

wey firthi. .

619 himalayanus

.. 619|————— monticola

632, 769 — nigrocinctus

632 |_—-—_ olivaceus

734 |—_—_-—_—— platyceps

734 |\——— stolatus

753 subminiatus

601 |Pyrrhocorax graculus

376 pyrrhocorax

607 | Pyrrhocoris apterus

756 |Rhabdops bicolor

608 |Rhapdia .. : =

608 |Rhaphicera 5c Ad

-- 616

604, 609

-- 605

604, 620

610

Dey

ais

Rhinocypha

Rhodischnura nursei

Rhodothemis rufa

Rhyacornis fuliginosa

Rimator malacoptilus

Riparia rupestris

Rita rita of ae

Ruticilla ochrurus pheenicuroides

Saccobranchus fossilis

Sarangesa dan

dasahara

purendra

Sarcogrammicus indicus

Sasakia funebris ..

Satyrus ..

Scaphula

Scolopax rusticola

Seiysiothemis nigra

Sephisa chandra ..

See a DIG...

—— — ———— chandrana

——-— dichroa ..

Serinus pusillus ..

Sibia picaoides picaoides

Silybura ocellata ..

macrolepis

————. phipsoni

Simotes .. ss

albocinctus

arnensis

———— beddomii

aa. cruentatus

cyclurus

juglandifer

octolineatus

planiceps

purpurascens ..

———-— splendidus

theobaldi

torquatus

violaceus

———-—— woodmasoni

_—_———.

———__.

—_—_

INDEX OF SPECIES.

On x

NUMBER. NUMBER.

752, 753 |Sitta castaneiventris castaneiventris.. 1008

747, 755 |—-—— formosa a 1008

7538 |—— _ frontalis frontalis. . 1009

947 —— himalayensis 1008

733 Siva cyanouroptera cvanouroptera 736

700 strigula strigula 736

958 |Speleornis caudata 1012

698 |Sphecodes albofuscus 612

Sphenocichla humei 1012

Sphingonotus amaranthinus 645

638 —-balteatus .. 645

922 -—___—--— balteatus 646

929 himalayanus, subsp.n. 646

925 |_—---__- ——-rosens, subsp. n. 646

802 |--_—___——bifasciatus 645

899 |_——_—_ brunneri 644

797 lameerei 644

639 -—— g1ga8 647

841 -intutus 646

.. 660 -latifasciatus 646

845, 898 ae obscuratus 644

898 octofasciatus 644.

898 |———___— quadrifasciatus 644

898 |— satrapes 646

699 |Sporeeginthus amandava ) 763

735 |Stachyridopsis rufifrons ambigua 73:

865 |_—_- ruficeps ruficeps 733

1062 |Stachyris chrysea chrysea 733

875 |——-——_ nigriceps nigriceps 733

626 |Staphidia striata rufigenis 735

630, 631 |Steirophis chrysargus 604

629 |Sterna hirundo tibetana 7€2

629) = co. 702

629 |Stibochiana nicea nicea 800

631 }———-—_- ——— subucula 800

630 !Stictopthalma 793

629 |_--_-_-_—--—- camadeva camadeva.. 795

626 | —— ——— camadevoides 795

631 |— sags eines nagaensis .. 795

Cli == -— nicevillei 795

628 |---———__-—- godfreyi .. 795

626 Licncaae howqua sparta .. 795

628 |. louisa louisa 795

: O30) ee by tlerl 795

< |

NUMBER, NumpeEr, |

xt INDEX OF SPECIES,

Stictopthalma nourmahal nourmahal.. 795 |Thereiceryx zeylonicus zeylonicus .. 840 |

—_———— - nurinissa .. 795 |Tholymis tillarga ss ie .. 753m

Stoliczkala khasrensis .. “i .. 598 |Tichodroma mtraria_ .. si? -- LOL

Streptopelia orientalis meena .. 702, 801 |Tickellia hodgsoni hs Ly .. 1027

Styporhynchus truncatus .. : .- 600 Timalia pileata bengalensis ..° .. 732m

Sus cristatus .. 7 .. 1040 |Tmethis cinerascens .. oe .. 6468

Suthora fulvifrons rations 4 .. 727 |————— hotsoni.. .. At -. 649

— poliotis humii. . we .. 726 |-————— saussurei violacea .. .. 6464

ruficeps ruficeps oe .. 727 |Toxicodryas ss + + -» 873 |

unicolor J -. -. 726 |Trachischium fuscum .. aff » 608,

Suya atrogularis .. oe ats 029 eS ouenthen , -- 609)

crinigera crinigera.. te ey) 1020) Seek Ses amonticola: i eo

Sylvia altha = .. 0 .. 0s. s+. 697 | __ quinquelabialis .. _-._ 609 |

curruca affinis .. re Pe 8 jee ee ibrivienter he .. 609 |

Sylviparus modestus modestus neh 2e ee ee WenuiCensi bes .. 60am

Sympetrum | ., >. -. -~.. 753 |Tribura lateoventris ../. 4, |) +s 10a

major .. a “is .. 697m

thoracica. . she oe .. 1016

Triglyphodon, 6. 720. Sas 0.82 eae

glareola_ .. Ae ae .. 8028

Tapena thwaitesi as us .. 934 |Trirhinopholis nuchalis .. a .3 | Cle |

Taphrometapon lineolatum .. $75 |Trithemis aurora 36 iS -. Tddq

Tarbophis rhinopoma .. Ae 868, 869 |-- festiva bys oy. ae), Ae |

Tarucus .. ny 48 we .. 845 |Trochalopterum affinis affinis .. -. 730m

Terias .. ws ee wees 89455 | -_+-_—-—- erythrocephalum nig- |

Tesia castaneocoronata castaneocoro- rimentum 729

MLA aes ie o ee OLS lineatum ro oe 798 |

cyaniventer .. oe -. 1012 |J-——— pheeniceum pheeniceum 729 |

Tetragonosoma effrenis .. Be .. 612 |-———--—— squamatum .. - 136

Tetrao coromandelicus .. ve .. 593 |-——-—— subunicolor subunicolor 729 |

—ocotumnix.. .. .. -. 877 {Troglodytes troglodytes neglecta = -._ 9509

— israelitarum we ca Pee Dg —_- —_——— nipalensis .. 1012 |

Tetrathemis platyptera .. ie Phy he rordesy ina See oe “3 6 OL |

Thamnobia cambaiensis. . ie .. 758 }Troilus luridus .. a ee Aa dite! | |

Thamnosophis lateralis .. ae .. 604 ;Tropidauchen edentulum, sp.n. 648, 652 |

—_———— scalaris .. ae He 1600 ——— sabulosum, sp.n... 649, 652

VThaumantis a es ae ts (6 3 lTropidonotus ting i 600, 602, 604 |

ih dioresy ts crate ees ——asperrimus .- +. 608 |

~ lucipor is 5 .. 795 |-—-—--- beddomii ..__-- tei?) OOm

hasiria.) ss r, ae Be es 7S | ceylonensis ‘3 -- 605 |

alirisintermedia .. .. 796 |. chrysargus “jg sa) OOM

a -— pseudaliris |... .. 796 |\-—————— firthi .. + -. GOTH

Thelasyla .. es O72 himalayeanus, 31.) ee

Therapha hyposcyami ,. ols », 812 -——--——- modestus ., hs 601, 603 |

Tropidonotus monticola

—_____-~— natrix

—_—_—_—_—_—- nicobarensis

-— nigrocinctus

piscator

platyceps. .

—_—_—_—_—_—- plumbicolor

punctulatus

quincunciatus

sanctijohannis

—_—_—__—_—— stolatus

subminiatus

—— tessellatus

tytleri

vibakari ..

xenurus

Turdoides terricolor terricolor ..

furdus unicolor .. o.

Typhlops bothriorhynchu

Tytleria hypsirhinoides

Upupa epops

—_——___—__.

epops

Urocissa flavirostris

Uroloncha acuticauda

— malabarica

punctulata

—

Vanessa cashmirensis .. a

Varuna litterata ..

Vipera. He Ae

a Sp... ap ie

Nallagoattu... a

<anthotznia

busiris

Cenelaphis hexagonotus

— cerasogaster

Cenodon

.. 600, 602, 604

619, 620, 867, 871

“iphiramphus superciliaris ..

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NUMBER.

607

601

606

603

604

607

603

605

€06

604

603

606

601

730

801

612

702

801

798

762

761

762

640

620

702

959

793

794

620

600

604

731

Xylophis perroteti

——-—--— stenorynchus ..

Ypthima asterope

a burma

ee ee AT AU

avanta avanta

bara

cerealis

singala

striata

—_— —— haldus baldus

madrasa

— satpura

bolanica

—_——.-.

— ceylonica

————— chenui.. a

-—_—_—-—. dohertyi dohertyi

——— persimilis

huebneri

hubneri

————- indecora

indica ..

—_—-——_— inica

———— lycus lycoides

lycus

megalomma megalia

methora methora

— sobrina

— nareda

nareda

newara

sarcaposa

—_——— philomela peguana

tabella

ee ee Se

sakra

—austerio

———.

—— = Nikaeaie. «

sakra

——-+-—— savara..

similis affectata

—=.

= a ee similis ee

bas Pl ae a -

Ae ee

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NuMBER.

Ypthima similis yoma .. a. _. 787| Zamenis ravergieri

watsoni i a A : - '735| ——_——- rhodorhachis

—____— ypthimoides .. Ce eG — ventrimaculatus

Van ei - | Zaocys dhumnades

| mucosus .:

Yuhina gularis gularis .. oe oko 186 Zapyrus fuscus | ..

~ occipitalis occipitalis .. ++ 736] Zesiu chrysomallus . °..

3-737] Zeunidia aurelius’~ {./'/- s.-<+

‘| Zeuxidia .. vo ,

amethystus masoni.*.

—___—- nigrimentum nigrimentum © .

Famhenig i gt aly See Ee OO, OTE

aurelius

— =) amonariua i “AOS were es G1 OY doubledayi chersonesia

—_——- diadema aa rete e619] Zierona , .cooulee, se: (nis!

+ i+ fasciolatus <2 4h nd ties 619) 7: noetes saitis

—_—_—— florulentus i, ae oe B ERE eaununuh scylax

__+___igracilis: .. whe ey ihe 618! 7:70ra,

manne eS ikanelial % 3 M3 He ere BES iia i, AN aE

——_—— korros .. +s . -: 618 Zosterops palpebrosa palpebrosa

- ladacensis oe on Sots o) “ygoptera. .

—-—-—-— mucosus as fe era ONS: ;

tence a te com

Ne a A

ra mse,

Shey a iad it 5

ig te 4 est h ia

ee Fe ;

THE

JOURNAL

OF THE

EDITED BY

R. A. SPENCE, F.Z.S., P. M. SANDERSON and

S. H. PRATER, C.M.Z.S.

eee ESET

AF jg. ee Ae

VOL, XXIX, No. 3. ~QNAL MUS

een EO

Date of Publication, 31st December 1928.

Price to Non-Members Soe . .. Bs. 12-0-0

or 16s.

_LONDON AGENTS:

_ DULAU & Co., Ltd.,

34-36, Margaret Street, Cavendish Square, W

: — —>—__—__

PRINTED AT THE TIMES PRESS, BOMBAY.

nsOMlatl HST ‘a

5 a - ali

THE SOCIETY’S PUBLICATIONS.

Mesopotamia. |

A Survey of the Fauna of Iraq. Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, etc., made by Members

of the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force “D”, 1915-1919. Rs, 7-8.

: Birds.

A Hand List of Genera and Species of Birds of the Indian Empire by E. C. Sruarr

Baker, O.B.E., M.B.0.U., F.Z.S., C.F.A.O.U. Rs. 6.

(Price tv Members Rs. 4-12).

Game Birds of India, Vol. I. (Indian Ducks and their allies) 2nd Edition. Rs. 63.

(Price to Members Rs. 50).

Game Birds of India, Vol. II. (Woodcock, Snipe, Bustards, and Sandgrouse) Ist

Edition. Rs. 55.

(Price to Members Rs. 42).

Set of Game Bird Plates (30), Vol. I. Rs. 20.

(Price to Members Rs. 15).

Set of Game Bird Plates (19), Vol. II. Rs. 13-8.

(Price to Members Rs, 10).

Indian Pigeons and Doves with coloured illustrations by E. C. Stuarr BaxKeEr,

O.B.E., M.B.O.U., F.Z.S., ete. Rs. 37.12

(Price to Members Rs. 28-12).

Snakes.

Poisonous Terrestrial Snakes of our British Indian Dominions, 3rd Edition, —

by Cot. F Watt, C.M.G.,1MS. - “I Rs. 3.

Identification of Poisonous Snakes—* |

Hanging Wall Chart, 30” x40. a Rs, 5.

Folding Pocket Chart. anes Rs. 1-8.

Miscellaneous.

Wood-Destroying White Ants of the Bombay Presidency by Rev. J. Assmutu,

S.J. Re. 1,

Catalogue of the Society’s Library. Re. 1.

List of Indian Butterflies by Lt.-Cot. W. H. Evans, R.E. Rs. 2.

* Note—

VERN/ CULAR CHARTS.

These Snake Charts with letterpress in the Vernueular are obtainable from the Oxford

University Press, Elphinstone Circle, Bombay, at the following rates:—

Rs. a. Dp.

Urdu and Hindi .... ee sie oe -- 3 8 O each,

The pair “3 6 ae Ae Ps 6 0 0

Marathi, Gujerati, Sindhi and Kanarese “% -. 2 8 0 each

The Vernacular Charts will be found exceedingly useful for small Police Posts, Dispenzaries,

Vernacular schools and Indian Overseers.

Enna

2) Moa eh

Tse ete

IMonaL MUS

CONTENTS OF Vol. XXIX, No. 8.

|/Tue Game Brirps oF Inpia, BuRMA AND Cryton. Part XXXVI. (Coturnizx coro-

mandelicus) The Black-Breasted or Rain Quail. (With a plate.) By E. C.

iM akere Ur leS..c 8. 7. Srs Me be Osea Oss AsOs Ue) (sls oe sielele os: acer sidse Shida) ea ¥ ala biele es

|A Hanp-List oF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN Empire. Part II. By Col. F. Wall,

C.M.G., C.M.Z.S., F.L.S.5 F.A.S.B., H.C.Z.S.1., I.M.S. OO 1 @2 6:50) O10 (6) '@ 6.6: 6: O° 8 0) 06:8 8 60.8. 4 8 06 o 6 8 ee

HANIMAL LIFE OF THE GANGES. By Dr. Annandale, D.S.C., C.LE. 6... . cee ccc cee eee

|\SomME NEW OR INTERESTING ORTHOPTERA FROM PERSIA, BALUCHISTAN AND WESTERN

PDEA (Wun a plate.) By B. P. Uvarov, FBS. ..6 0. ees ebes se osce eee ceae ds

|SmaLct GAME SHOOTING IN KASHMIR AND THE ADJACENT Hitt Provincys. By Col.

PMN VAT (DUEL ON ULE), seheecce, fee: cy 0R vata Oa Shyu a apie lol as ail teee aw ah dite lere bara deare 4h

\Inpran Draconrures. Part XVII. (With two plates and four text figures.) By

Pe Om HOME raser. T.MsSs5) Woks Sy ie eaieties, cc: ailelaceis) «yecaiavesaliontne Auatelie & 6 bie elw/ ada Wl ecalg ete

an Rep Ant. Part IJ. By Major R. W. G. Hingston, LM.s. ............. 0000s

ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM A TRIP IN LADAK. By Mrs. M. L. Wathen ..........

|Tue ComMon BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS oF INDIA. Part XXX. By T. R. Bell,

GMenGE.S., (Retd,) 02.5.0’. HER Lshe els issinc ets) sitet Miehe tones res Ue taena bth Pecge A Me is Koos

|A JourNEY To Siam AND Back. Part III. (With two plates.) By Major C. H.

Benge ISlON ADI S| Ontetaryes iayelz <la;tises’ ccatetclarel'e sleaio: aiele oleieedelsiesetecete evedeen «liu Ss thes

| Notes oN THE Birps OF THE SIKKIM Himatayas. Part II. (With three plates.) By

DOL SUG MCLs @ MBs Onl) natu isiioas fle. osetals isles tore « Wie alter @tsahentie’ Sak dire wie wun ties

“DRaGonriy Contectine in Inpra. Part IV. (With three plates.) By Major F. C.

Ber reso ie SmE OTS eu otaitoke' (ole, a elete valle oe! «, sy alcl'sveeh's cUcyelolarels Mtohebuite abe, SeeCa Atay bs. atbes

|A DESCRIPTION OF THE NESTS AND EGGs oF THE COMMON BIRDS OCCURRING IN THE

PLAINS OF THE UNITED Provinces. Part IV. (With two plaies.) By E. H. N. Gill.

'A Review oF THE AsrATIC SPECIES OF Contia In INDIAN Museums. By Col. F. Wall,

I.M.S., C.M.G., C.M.Z.S. eocovnevreveecee eee ee ees eer eeoe ee esee eee eee eoeeee eee eee ses eeee

‘Tae IpentiricaTion oF Inp1aN Burrerruies. Part Ill. (With four plates.) By

EO GON aoe VAIS ILC, Ory Ra Wes, HoZaSes, HedleGe <:elcl,ole; 0 eis 0. o's) oes 016 Sos Susstleteils,'e ota te

|Reviews. A Naruraist in Hinpustan. By Major R. W. G. Hingston, 1ms.....

A BroLogy oF THE British HEMIPTERA-HETEROPTERA. By E. A. Butler

PaGE

812

il CON TENTS) OF Vom Xa vious:

RErviEws—(contd.) Page |

Manuva oF Entomo.tocy. By H. Maxwell Lefroy .................0.. 812

InDIAN EARntTHworms. By Lt.-Col. J. Stephenson, M.B., D.sc.,LM.S...... 813 |

A‘ SURVEY (OF THE MAU NAVOW RAG? ict. tole sche ists eclleis ciceiehe serch tere ene 815

IVD ETORTAG [6 ic. scha crete talc htameee cies stare e tunt a are: Soca interne cereal Ort Src ty st ere eee 818

Oprrvary.. John Duncaninyerarity, Barcatbaw 2. i... 0! + eels ss tie cle ie eee 822 !

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES ;—

I.—On the forms of the Himalayan Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis) (With

two plates.) "By Major C- El. stockloys DsS:On ets iit ecto weenreiiermens 824 |

TI.—A Panther Shoot in Simla. (Witha photo.) By Rostand ............... 927 |

IlJ.—A Fresh Hypothesis in regard to protective colouration in animals. By W. |

Prorat: so. ieic. es avai svavessvsy oy spodiauane ashe loch. ooauavalleitue jae paloteten ets ophsontenaeele eee 829 |

IV.—The Mishmi Takin (Budoréas taxicolor). By H.W. Wella ................ 830

V2--Notes'on Porcupmess “By MajomC. Ras) Pitman ©.) 0 aon. eee 831.

VI.—Change of colour in the Blackbuck (Antilupe cervicapra). By Major M. H. |

SUPT TNdi he) 1s oa DREIALCT a MAERUA Een atten UREN CNR inl een Sy) Lo 834.

VII.—Double nest of the Kashmir Great Tit (Parus major kashmiriensis.) By |

TEES WW DIStiLOTss TRE ZS) CE vias oe, eh Ue deuce sean anaes SNUG oe gM bt ata ara 837 |

VIII.—Late and early Snipe inthe Deccan, Poona Dist. By Major W.B. Trevenen 837 :

IX.—On the breeding of the Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus candidus). By H.

WV OW eitie%.': Gitte aon a cevanesteve toe itl aca toner Be ate oot ating re a ct et (5nd 838

X.—Range of the Tufted Pochard (Fuligula fuligula). By R. F. Ruttledge..... 839 |

XI.—Late stay of Pintail (Dafila acuta)intheC. P. By F. W. A. Prideaux...... 839

X11<Drongoiand Cicada: | By, C. Hx@s Fischer fl). .4.050. 4405s .0.. se 839

XIII.—The Common Flamingo (Phoenicopterus antiquorum) in the Punjab Salt |

Ranger, (By He awWitasclery cece sch wea natok tel eaae One Sane 840

XIV.— Birds attacking a;snake. By George Browmn.. 0.05. 0... 4 ee eee 840

XV.—Woodcock in the Nilgiris. By Major W. M. Logan Home ............... 841

XVI.—The Corvidae of the Punjab. By Major Ronald T. Foster................ 841 |

XVII.—The affinities of Eryx jaculus and Eryx johni. By Col. F. Wall, im.s..... 842 |

XVIII.—An unusually large Labeofrom the Indrayani River. By Major W. B. |

SPPOV ONION 45's ssislis ts jataueue lofeye, chet ten Menels wots Giaiehe ats sit bcuseae ps ea 843 |

XIX.—A Note on some discrepancies in Fauna of British India, Butterflies. By |

SUN. Chatterjee ¢.)2'. 5c cemeste cs tds co) «a ole reenter ean 844

IPTOCOCGIDES 1. wisie's soe eieic cieveleo siereieya cit.) oe ea ee ipo s = = styiotere obs i- de 846 —

Quik TSTTTT

vw SEP 7 1927 %

y yi

AT ow

IONAL MU -_

JOURN. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc

male.

QUAIL

THE BLACK-BREASTED or RAIN

Coturnix coramandel

1c1 LS

— ___—_—

~ JOURNAL

OF THE

Bombay Natural History Society.

DECEMBER 1923. VoL. X XIX. No. 3.

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON.

HeCaoruart, Baxur, WLS. F.Z.5.), M.B.0.U., C.F.A.0.U.

PART XX XW I,

(With a plate.)

(Continued from page 317 of this Volume.)

CoTURNIX COTURNIX COTURNIX.

The Common or Grey Quail.

La Calle Brisson Orn., 1., p. 247, (1760).

Tetrao wsraelitarum Hasselq., Reise. Palaest., p. 331, (1762),

(R. Jordan).

Tetrao coturnix Linn., Syst. Nat., 1, p. 278, (1766), (Hurope).

Perdix coturnix Lath., Ind. Orn., II, p. 651, (1790), (Europe).

Coturnix communis Bonn., Tabl. Eneycl. Méth., 1, p. 217, pl. 96,

fig. 2, (1791), (Hurope) ; Gray, Cat. Hodg. Coll., ed. 1, p. 128, (1846) ;

Adams, P.Z.8., 1858, p. 504, (India); Jerdon, B. Ind., III, p. 586,

(1863), Pelz., Ibis, 1868, p. 321, (Koteghur) ; Beavan, Ibis, 1868, p.

386, (India); Blanf., Ibis, 1870, p. 470, (Pegu) ; Hume, 8.F., 1, p. 227,

(1873), (Sindh) ; Hend. and Hume, Lahore to Yarkand, p. 284, (1873) ;

Hume’s Nests and Eggs, Ind. B., p. 549, (1873); Adams, 8.F., 1,

p. 393, 1873, (Sambhur) ; Ball, ibid, II, p. 428, (1874), (Chota Nagpur) ;

Stolicz., ibid, III, p. 218, (1875), (Kashgar) ; Le. Mess., ibid, III, p.

395, (1875), (Sindh); Blyth and Walden, Cat. Mamm. and Birds,

Burma, p. 151, (1875); Butl., S.F., IV, pp. 7, 35, (1876), (Guzerat) ;

Scully, ibid, IV, p. 184, (1876), (EK. Turkestan); Fairb., ibid, 1V,

p. 262, (1876), (Deccan) ; Hume and Davison, ibid, VI, p. 447, (1878),

(not in Tenasserim) ; Davidson and Wenden, ibid, VII, p. 87, (1878),

(Deccan); Ball, ibid, VII, p. 226, (1878), (Ganges to Godaveri) ;

Cripps, ibid, VII, p. 298, (1878), (Faridpur); Butl., Cat. B. Sind.,

etc., p. 55, (1879); Hume and Marshall, Game B. Ind., II, p. 134,

pl. (1879); Scully, S.F., VIII, pp. 350, 367, (1879), (Nepal) ; Doig,

678 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1IX;

ibid, VIII, p. 371, (1879), (EH. Narra); Butl., Cat. B.S. Bombay,

p. 69, (1880) ; Legge, B. Ceylon, IIT, p. 756, (1880); Vidal, S.F., TX,

p. 76, (1880), (S. Konkan) ; Hume and Inglis, ibid, [X, p. 258, (1880),

(N.E. Cachar) ; Biddulph, ibid, IX, p. 359, (1880); Butl., ibid, IX,

p. 423, (1880) ; Barnes, ibid, IX, p. 458, (1880) ; Reid, ibid, X, p. 63,

(1881), (Lucknow) ; Scully, ibid, X, p. 139, (1881), (Gilgit) ; Scully,

Ibis, 1881, p. 586, (Gilgit) ; Biddulph, ibid, 1881, p. 94, (Gilgit) ;

chrttn: ibid, 1882, p. 119, (Afghanistan) ; Oates, S.F., X, p. 236, (1882),

(Pegu, Bassein) ; Davidson, ibid, X, p. 317, (1882), (W. Khandeich) ;

Oates, B. Burma, IT, p. 331, (1883) ; Davison, 8.F., X, p. 411, (1888),

(Ootacamund) : Swinh. and Barnes, Ibis, 1885, p. 131, (Cent. India) ;

Taylor, S.F., X, p. 465, (1887), (Manzarabad, Mysore) ; Hume, ibid,

Xap 009, (1888). (Manipur) ; St. John, Ibis, 1889, p. 175, (Kandahar);

Oates, ed. Hume's Nests and Kgegs, Ind. B., IIT, p. 448, (1890); Yer-

bury, Jour. B.N.H.S., XI, p. 76, (1897), (Aden); Davidson, ibid,

XII, p. 64, (N. Kanara); Davidson, Ibis, 1898, p. 39, (Kashmir); Blan-

ford, Faun. Ind., IV, p. 114, (1898); Rattray, Jour. B.N.H.S., XII,

p. 345, (1899), (Thull); Stuart Baker, ibid, XII, p. 490, (1899), (N.

Cachan) ; Dudgeon, ibid, XIIT, p. 536, (1901), (Punjab); T.E. Mar-

shall, ibid, XV, p. 353, (1903), (Quetta); Jesse, Ibis, 1903, p. 152,

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

core); Fulton, ibid, XVI, p. 61, (1904), (Chitral) ; Dewar, ibid, XVI.

p. 495, (1905), (Madras) ; Cumming, ibid, XVI, p. 692, (1905), (Seis-

tan); Macdonald, ibid, XVII, p. 496, (1906), (Mymgyan); H. R.

Baker, ibid, XVII, p. 760, (1907), (Smgapore) ; Betham, inid, XVII,

p. 848, (1907), (Upper Sind); Ward, ibid, XVII, p. 944, (1907), (Kash-

mir); Mears, ibid, XVIII, p. 86, (1907), (Chindwin); Whitehead,

Ibis, 1909, p. 268, (Kohat); Perreau, Jour. B.N.H.S., XTX, p. 920,

(1910), (Chitral); Whitehead, ibid, XX, p. 968, (1911),

(Kurrum) ; Whitehead, ibid, XXI, p. 157, (1911), (Sehore) ; Bethell,

ibid, XXII, p. 200, (1913), (at sea, 356 miles, W. of Bombay); Smith,

ibid, XXIT, p. 200, (1913), (Lyallpur Dist.) ; Osmaston, ibid, XXII,

p. 544, (1913), (Gorakhpur) ; Vijavarajji, ibid, XXII, p. 630, (1913),

(Cutch and Kathiawar); Cotton, ibid, XXII, p. 803, (1914), (Barti

Dist., U.P.); Radcliffe, ibid, XXIV, p. 162, (1915), (Baluchistan);

Currie, ibid, XXIV, p. 574, (1916), (Lahore) ; Higgins, ibid, XXIV,

p. 605, (1916), (Manipur); Whistler, ibid, XXIV, p. 706, (1916), (Pun-

jab) ; Whistler, Ibis, 1916, p. 99, (Jhelum) ; Ludlow, Jour. B.N.H.S.,

XXV, p. 304, (1917), (Ahwaz) ; Thornhill, ibid, p. 486, (1918), (Meso-

potamia); Whistler, ibid, XXVI, p. 184, (1918), (Ambala); A.F.

Jones, ibid, XXVII, p. 619, (1919), (Simla); Inglis, etc., ibid,

XXVIII, p. 154, (1920), (Jalpaiguri) ; Hingston, ibid, XXVIII, p.

570, (1921), (Dharmsala); Inglis, ibid, p. 947, (Behar), (1921).

Coturma dactylisonans Temm., Pig. et Gall., III, pp. 478, 740,

(1815); Sykes, P.Z.8., 1832, p. 152 , (Deccan).

Coturma vulgaris (Bont.) Irby, Ibis, 1861, p. 236, (Oudh).

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 579

Coturnix dactylisonans v. indicus Hodgs., in Gray’s Zool. Misc.,

p. 85, (1844).

Coturnix coturn« Sharpe, Second Yarkand Miss., p. 122, (1891) ;

Grant, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), X, pp. 167, 168, 169, (1892) ;

Grant, Cat., Birds, B.M., XXII, p. 232, (1893), (part) ; Grant, Handb.

Game Birds, 1. p. 180, (1895), (part); Oates, Man. Game Birds, 1,

p. 80, (1898); Oates, Cat. Egg. Brit. Mus., 1, p. 44, (1901) ; Hartert,

Nov. Zool., XXIV, p. 420, (1917), (part) ; Meineitzhagen, Ibis, 1920,

p. 187, (Quetta); Ticehurst, ibid, 1922, p. 532, (Sind).

Coturmx coturmx coturnx Hartert, Vogel, Pal. Faun., III, p.

1938, (1921), (part); Whistler, Ibis, 1922, p. 436, (Jhang).

Vernacular names.—Bhator, Burra bhater, Gagus bhater, (Hin. Upper

India); Buttairo, Butteyra, (Smd); Bhatsr, (Lower Bengal); Gundri,

(Ooriah) ; Sovpol, (Manipur) ; Daobui kashiba, (Cachari); Bota sorai,

~ (Assam); Ngon, (Burma); Lowa, (Ratnagiri); Bura ganga and Bur-

gangr, Gur-gan, (Poona, Sattara); Burli, (Belgaum); Gogari-yel-

licha, (Telegu) ; Peria-ka-deh (Tamil) ; Sipalé-hake (Canarese, Mysore);

Budina, (Turki) ; Watwalak, (Kashgar).

Description—Adult Male.—A broad coronal streak and supercilia

from forehead to nape, and a few streaks on the forehead buff ; fea-

thers of crown, nape and hind-neck black with broad terminal bars

of brown, almost concealing the black; lores buff; back, ramp and

upper tail-coverts light brown with narrow wavy rufous-buff bars

bordered with brown and with longitudinal buff streaks; scapulars

and wing-coverts like the back but with the rufous and black pat-

ches almost concealed, ana with the central streaks broader and edged

with darker; the wing-coverts with numerous pale bars ; quills light

brown, the first primary with a very pale buff or whitish outer web ;

the remaining quills barred on the outer webs with buff and dark

brown and the innermost secondaries with buff bars and some blackish

markings on both webs; tail blackish-brown with buff cross bars

and streaks ; a narrow line from the gape and ear-coverts dark brown,

the line produced behind the ear-coverts to the nape and the end of

the supercilium ; centre of chin to throat dark brown with a broad

band of the same colour across the throat to the ear-coverts, and a

second similar, but narrower band lower down; between the two

bands and between the centre of the throat a dark loreal line

creamy buff; breast below the second gorget rufous buff, varying

much in depth and marked with glistening pale buff shaft streaks ;

flanks brown with broad black-edged pale streaks and suffused

with rufous ; abdomen and lower tail-coverts creamy white to pale

buff.

Individuals vary greatly in general depth of colour, owing to the

extent of the buff or the darker markings, but the great variation in

the colour of the throat referred to by Hume and Dresser is accounted

for by the fact that they both included all the geographical races

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

under the one name of communis. Even restricted to typical co-

turn, however, the breadth and depth of the throat streak and

gorgets does vary considerably and in some, the colours of the head

are much richer than in others.

Colours of Soft Parts.—Iris varies from light hazel to deep brown ;

the bill may be almost any tint of bluish, greyish or brownish hormy,

generally darker at the tip and often also along the culmen ; legs and

feet pale fleshy, yellowish fleshy, fleshy brown or, rarely, light

brown. ,

Measurements.—Total length about 180 to 200 mm.; wing 100 to

117 mm.; tail 36 to 39 mm.; tarsus about 30 mm.; culmen about 12° 5

to 13°5 mm. Ican find no average difference in size between speci-

mens of true coturnix from different localities although the individual

variation is great.

Female.—Differs from the male in having the centre of the chin

and throat creamy white or buff, concolorous with the sides; the

upper gorget is broken across the throat and the lower gorget is

generally narrow and ill-defined, and also broken in the centre. The

breast is generally spotted with black, profusely so in the young,

less so in older birds and even absent altogether in a few old birds.

Colours of Soft Parts.—As in the male.

Measurements.—The sexes do not appear to differ in size, except

that the female has a rather smaller bill. Wing 105 to 118 mm.;

tail 32 to 39 mm.; tarsus 30 mm.; culmen 11 to 12 mm.; and in some

Kuropean specimens 13 mm.

Chick in Down.—Crown rufous-brown, a broad central black streak

commencing on the anterior crown, and dividing into two on the hind

crown and nape where it encloses a buff central patch ; back buffy

rufous with a broad black central band; wings buff with black

patches ; below pale fulvous.

Chick in First Feather.—Head as in the chick in down; upper

plumage dark brown with fulvous cross bars and bold longitudinal

central streaks of pale buff; below pale washy buff or whitish with

white shafts, and mottled and barred, especially on flanks and sides

of neck and breast, with bars of blackish and a little pale rufous.

Chick in First Full Plumage.—Like the female, but duller.

Distribution.—Practically the whole of Central and South Europe

and all but the extreme north; Northern Africa and all North and

Central Asia as far east as Lake Baikal. South through Arabia,

Persia, Afghanistan, Baluchistan and North-West India, a few breea-

ing birds being found as far east as Purnea, Mymensingh, Cachar

and Manipur. South, eggs have been taken at Satara in the Bombay

Deccan, and Hoshangabad in the Central Provinces. In the winter

birds struggle as far south as Madras on the east, and right down to

Travancore on the west. No absolutely authentic record of their

being found in Ceylon exists, but it is quite possible that they may

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 581

wander into that island occasionally. It has been recorded from

several places in Burma, but these birds were probably the Eastern

form, Japonica.

Nidification—The Common Grey Quail no doubt remains with

us to breed in far greater numbers than was formerly believed or is

even now generally known. To some extent this is due to the fact

that this bird was accepted as a migrant only and whenever eggs

were found they were taken to be the eggs of the Rain Quail.

Throughout the North-West from Sind, where Betham procured eggs,

Gilgit (Cock), Kashmir, (Ward), as far East as Purnea (Hume) and

South to the Deccan and Central Provinces the Grey Quail undoubt-

edly breeds regularly and, over the major portion of the area, abun-

dantly, though its numbers seem to vary considerably from year

to year, possibly affected by the rainfall. It, however, breeds fur-

ther East than this as I have shot breeding females in Dacca and My-

mensingh in June, though I failed to find the nest, and I have seen

it in Cachar, though very rarely, in the same month.

In India, the breeding season seems to be principally March and

April during which months eggs have been taken in Purnea (Hume),

Lahore (Marshall), Naoshera (Cock), and in Multan and Lyallpur

(Lindsey-Smith). They have been taken in May by Lindsey-Smith

at Lyallpur, in Gilgit by Biddulph and in Kashmir by Ward. I have

also one record of a clutch taken near Hoshangabad by a Mr. Jennings

on the 19th September.

Other places at which eggs have been taken are in the Peshawur.

Sialkot and Hansi districts of the Punjab, Dehra Dun, Saharanpur,

Shahjehanpur, Fathigarh, Allahabad and Jhansi.

The nest, of course, is merely a hollow scratched in the ground,

in open grass country, fields of crops or in patches of thin grass

between cultivated fields. Sometimes, theylay actually in the fields

of corn and then the eggs and young must be destroyed when the

corn is cut in May but, for the most part, in India, they appear to

prefer grasslands and green corps to grain-fields for breeding purposes.

{t has been noticed that the nest is generally placed in the vicinity

of a tall patch of vegetation or a bush which probably acts as

a landmark to assist the bird to find her nest.

Of nest in the true sense of the word, there is none. There may

be a few scraps of grass and an odd leaf or two in the hollow though

these are generally only accidental. Sometimes, however, quite a

compact pad of grass and leaves is gathered together by the hen-

bird as a bed for her eggs.

These, the eggs, in India vary very greatly in number. I have not

known more than 10 in any clutch, whilst 6 or 7 is much more commor,

and less than these not rare. Major Lindsey-Smith sent me two

clutches from Multan and Lyallpur numbering 3 or 4 only which were

very far advanced in incubation, and, in epistola, he writes “they

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

often seem to lay very small clutches here, 3 to 5 being quite

common.”’

The eggs in colouration are of many types. Perhaps the most

common has the ground colour a rather deep yellow-brown or red-

dish-brown, covered all over with minute specks of dark blackish-

brown, with here and there a few rather larger blotches of the same,

scattered about irregularly over the surface. Another type has the

ground colour a pale creamy-white with blotches of almost black

everywhere ; in some clutches these markings are numerous and not

very big, in others they are few in number, but very large in size.

Other eggs have the ground a warmer buff and the markings of a

deep chestnut. Another clutch in my series has the ground colour

a very pale yellowish, and the markings consist of scant freckles and

large blotches of pale reddish. Yet another type has the markings

formed by irregular patches of liver brown, running into one another

and very smeared and ill-defined. Between all these are many

intermediate forms, but eggs of well-defined type are certainly in the

majority. In shape the eggs are bluntly pyriform, a minority bemg

almost oval. The shell is very hard and strong and has a good gloss

when freshly laid, but this soon passes away.

50 Indian eggs, including Hume’s eggs in the British Museum,

average 30°7 < 22°7 mm. and the extremes, 33°0 x 23°0, 31:6

< 25, and 27°71 X19-1 mm.

100 European eggs average 29°4 x 22°8 mm. (Hartert), so that

there would not appear to be very much difference in size between

Indian and other birds.

Although Quails are very pugnacious during the breeding season,

generally a trait of polygamous birds, the males are elmost certainly

monogamous, except in captivity when one male will take on family

cares with many females. When the hen is sitting, the cock appa-

rently keeps close to the nest and accompanies her and the chicks

when the latter are hatched. The hen is a very close sitter, especial-

ly when incubation is at all advanced and Hume records how he

actually caught one on her nest and when replaced upon the eggs,

which were on the poimt of hatching, she continued to sit on them

and made no attempt to seek safety in flight.

Habits —The Grey Quail is found in Winter throughout all India

except in the extreme South, both in the plains and in the mountains

and hills up to some 8,000 feet wherever the country is sufficiently

open and there is cultivated ground, fields of grass or more or less

barren ground with stunted growth of bushes or scattered patches

of coarser grass. It is never found in evergreen forest, very seldom

in deciduous forest unless it is very open and it does not even care for

bush cover or secondary growth, though it may haunt these during

the hottest hours of the day, both when it first arrives in India and

before it leaves again at the end of April and May. Crops are

se cnalente

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 583

undoubtedly its favourite cover and amongst crops those which bear

ripe or semi-ripe grain and which are long enough to give it shade,

yet not too dense to allow easy progress through the stems. It is

very partial to fields of late winter rice in the West of Bengal, Behar,

etc., but it will only be found in those which are quite dry underfoot

and it never shares with the Snipe its beloved mud and slush. An.

odd bird or two may often, however, be found in the grass covered

banks which separate one field from another, or in the higher, drier

patches when the water has disappeared.

Quail appear on migration in India roughly on much the same dates

as Snipe do, but whereas Snipe arrive earliest on the Eastern side of

India, Quail arrive first on the Western side. Nor do their routes

seem to be the same as those taken by Snipe. The first birds to

arrive in Sind, Bombay and the Southern parts of North-West India

apparently come almost due East through Arabia and Southern Per-

sia across the Red Sea, after these have arrived and passed on South

and Kast other flights come down from Central and Northern Asia

direct across the highest passes in the Himalayas, both due South

and again through Afghanistan and Baluchistan in a South-East

direction. Few, if any birds seem to come over the Himalayas

Kast of Nepal and the birds which arrive in Behar, Chota Nagpore,

Western Bengal, etc., allseem to be working West to East. Their

time of arrival is most irregular but almost invariably, as far as my

records go, the birds first appear in Chota Nagpore, then in the

driest Western parts of Behar and finally South and West into

Western Bengal. The comparatively few birds which struggle

into Eastern Bengal and Assam are always very late arrivals, few

before November, and they are also the first to leave, few being seen

after early March. Within India their movements are very irregu-

lar ; according to Hume the majority of the earlier birds which

arrive in August pass on at once well inland, South and East, but

even these birds change their habits according to the season and, as

Mr. J. Davidson points out, it is food supply which controls their

movements. Given an ample supply of suitable grass seed, ripe grain

or other food and the birds stay where they arrive, spreading out

gradually over a wider and wider area, but sufficient food not being

obtainable they at once pass on to better rationed districts, further

South and further East.

When they arrive in India, they do so in smaller flocks than those

in. which they collect on their departure and flocks continue to arrive

from early August to late October, indeed, as recorded by Hume some

flocks do not arrive from due West until November and December.

When they depart, however, they all seem to gradually work West

from Bengal, Behar and Orissa and South from the Deccan, Mysore,

Travancore and Bombay until by February and March, they have

collected in enormous numbers in the Punjab, North-West Provinces

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

and Northern Bombay. Finally the great majority clear out during

April, a few non-breeding birds possibly staying until the first days

of May.

The flocks in which they migrate North and West must sometimes

number very many thousands, for Hume writes of one such flock seen

by himself “one moonlight night, about the third week in April,

standing on the top of Benog (7,500’), a few miles from Mussoorie, a

dense cloud, many hundred yards in length and fifty in breadth,

of small birds swept over with the sound of a rushing wind. They

were not twenty yards above the level of the head and their

unmistakable call was uttered by several of those nearest, as they

passed.”’

They seem to migrate solely by night and as the Israelites did, so

do we, find them ready for us in the morning, swarming in places

where there was not a bird the evening before. Snipe, as everyone

knows, commence their migration movements early in the evening,

long before sunset, and often continue them long after sunrise, and

every snipe-shot in India has seen these birds arriving at and leaving

their grounds. Quail, however, seem to start after dark, and to stop to

rest before light except, of course, in the rare instances when they are

trapped by daylight at sea. On one of these occasions I was a for-

tunate witness of such a flight. Our steamer had arrived close to

Bombay, and when I came on deck about six o’clock on an October

morning, incredible numbers of Quail were passing the ship, flying,

apparently,from the North-West. They were not, however, flying

im masses, as seen by Hume, but in small and scattered parties, none

containing more than a couple of hundred birds, but they continued

to pass intermittently for at least ten hours, and it would be difficult

to estimate the hundreds of thousand that must have passed in that

time. Many came on board and just dropped down on the deck, so

exhausted that they allowed themselves to be picked up, but a very

short rest sufficed to renew their strength and they took wing and

joined their comrades on their way East. At least 200 Quail must

have fallen on board, but except a few which were caught by the

stew and “‘halaled’”’ the remainder were shown true hospitality and

allowed to depart unscathed. A curious fact about these Quail was

that none of them attempted to drink on board though plates and

dishes of water were scattered about for their benefit. On other

occasions I have known solitary Quail come on board ship in the Red

Sea both in Spring and again in Autumn, but on no other occasion

have I seen or heard them flighting in numbers.

In Kastern India, though the Quail may in many parts make a very

valuable addition to the total day’s bag, there are not many places

where he forms the sole object of the sportsman, except for an odd

hour or two in the mornings and evenings, but in North-West India

very large bags are often made. Fifty couple to a single gun is

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON, 585

nothing exceptional but I have no idea of what the actual record

bag is though a hundred couple has often been exceeded.

The only Quail shooting I have personally had was in the Chota

Nagpore District where 10 to 20 couple in addition to other game

was considered quite a good day’s bag. But, even if we did not

obtain huge numbers of victims to our guns, few days of sport were

more pleasant than some of those we had round about Hazaribagh.

Karly morning would see us a few miles out of the station with a dozen

beaters and generally our first beat would be through some field

of crops in the hopes of an odd jungle fowl or two and the practical

certainty of a few quail. If luck was in our way, four or five of the

latter would be picked up together with a jungle fowl or spur-fow].

tempted in the early morning out of the adjacent sal forest into the

grain for a feed. Next we would wander across a stony, barren hill.

turing out a hare on our way from a patch of ber bushes and grass.

Down the side we would proceed to the bottom where a few rice fields

would surely hold a couple of fan-tail snipe and, if the rough ground

round about afforded good cover, an almost equal chance of pin-tail.

lovers of drier ground and coarser cover than the fan-tails. Next a

few hundred yards of scrub and sal would give the opportunity for

the beaters to show what they were worth. Skirting the edge we

would take up our position on the far side and await the advent of the

beaters. First would come a couple of spur-fowl scurrying along with

heads and tails depressed until they got to the very edge of the jungle

when, with a mighty fluster of wings and cackling they would take

flight, let us hope stopping to our shots as they rang out. A moment’s

interval and a mouse deer or hare might show up, or a jackal slink

nervously past, fearing a shot might be wasted on him if he tarried

too long. Possibly a jungle fowl or Black Partridge would also

add to the number of the game-bag, or a flock of lovely Green

Pigeon, disturbed from feasting on the figs of a banyan or pepul

tree, would dash past us. Then more patches of grass and crops

would give us a few more quail and so on through the morning until

we felt we had well earned a rest and lunch. An hour or two for lunch

and then home by a different route but over the same kind of country

with much the same result, so that, if the fates were kind, two or three

guns would arrive home with a bag of 20 couple of oddments, of

which the greater number would be quail. Rarely we would get as

much as 40 couple when both snipe and quail were well in, but more

often I think, we were under rather than over 20 couple.

Quail are very game little birds and, though they do not fly far.

they fly very fast and straight, indeed it is their extreme directness

of flight which makes them, easy shooting so that a man who gets one

snipe in two shots on a long day should, after very little practice.

get two out of three, or even three out of four, quail. On the other

hand, they are rather disconcerting in the way they bob up almost at

586 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, X¥XIX.

one’s feet, fly fast m a bee-line away from you, just skimming along

the tops of the crops and then, just as you think they are a fair shoot-

ing distance away, tumble headlong out of sight.

Hume thought the most pleasant way of shooting them was to do

so from a machan in high crops.

‘First you look out for the machan whence the people watch the

crops to keep off the birds, which is almost always at one edge of the

field, and where that abuts on some barren plot or bare field intended

for the Spring crops. If this particular one is not so situated, you

move on to one that is. Then you put your beaters—and they should

be numerous and each have stick—in at the opposite side of the field. —

Then you ascend the ‘machan’, hight a cigar, and, as the Walrus

says to the Oysters, ‘admire the view.’

‘In the meantime the beaters, if they know their trade, will beat

very slowly through the field in a more or less semi-circular order,

the concavity towards the machan, not talking, but rustling

vigorously about with their sticks at the bases of the dry stalks.

Probably the first thing that distracts your attention from the sur-

rounding scenery is a tremendous rush and a general hoorush (the best

trained beaters are but men!), and, swiftly parting the waving stems,

you see an old black buck coming at a headlong pace towards you,

his nose straight in front of him, and his horns laid well back on his

shoulders. You don’t move (and even if you did, when he was close

to you he would see nothing above him), but just as he emerges in

the open, if not more than twenty-five yards distant, you roll him

over with a buck shot or §.8.G. cartridge in the neck. If further and

you have a rifle, it ought to come (though it sometimes don’t) to the

same thing. Then your Pathan, who has been crouching at the base

of the machan, glides out and solemnly cuts that buck’s throat in the

name of the Almighty.

“The beaters have by this time repented of their enthusiasm ;

they are dimly conscious that that ‘hoorush’ may not be viewed

in a favourable light, and that it would be well for them if the ‘ Pro-

tector of the Poor’ aloft (on the machan I mean) got a good many

shots before they again interviewed him. As they advance, per-

haps two or three greys, a whole brood of Pea-chicks, or possibly a

black or two (I mean Partridges, shooting the other kind est expres-

sement defendu), and almost certainly a hare or two make their ap-

pearance, the former skimming along about the level of the machan,

lovely cross shots (some of course, but not many with well-traimed.

beaters, out of range), the latter tippety tap, without the faintest

conception of looking up, halting probably to listen with ears erect

just outside the field, perhaps not five yards from the machan.

‘* And now the flank beaters have got down to the edge of the field

where your station is, and the Quail begin to rise and whirr past,

and nine out of ten birds will pass within shot if the thing has been

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 587

properly managed. You are now in the warm corner, and the birds

will rise much quicker than you can load and fire, unless you have

a rule that at each shot every man halts and keeps perfectly still

until you whistle. Even then, as the semi-circle contracts, the Quail

whirr up in threes and fours, and many will get past without

running the gauntlet of your fire.

“Tf, as often happens, there are a few scattered bushes here and

there dotted over the fallow field, 5, 10, 15 yards away from the edge

of the field, and you whistle a halt, get down and yourself walk through

them, quietly, putting your foot into each, you will probably find

that, despite the terrific fusilade you have been keeping up, almost

every tiny patch contains one or more quails.

‘T have thus occasionally killed over a dozen brace, besides other ~

game, from one platform; but even if you get only five or six brace all

told, there is ‘a rapture of repose’ about the arrangement, which I

confess has always had many charms for me.”

The more usual way to shoot these birds, however, is to walk them,

up in the crops. Quite a thin line of beaters, say one every 10 yards

or so, is sufficient to get the birds up, and when they are plentiful it

matters little if a few are walked over. In the North-West in March

and April they often swarm to such an extent that 1t 1s impossible

to fire at a tenth of the birds as they rise, and quite a small patch of

rice, wheat or their favourite crop, millet, may afford ten to twenty

couple of birds collected. Perhaps, indeed, it is harder to retrieve

one’s birds without dogs, than it is to knock them over, at the

same time good native beaters are wonderfully good markers and,

on the whole, only a small percentage of dead birds are lost. Even

if one has dogs, they cannot be allowed to range after dropped

birds, or the whole field is disturbed and many shots lost.

Fortunately Quail do not pack, and though they may get up very

close to one another they all seem to act as individuals, not as coveys

and, as a matter of fact, they do not go about in coveys at all as soon

as the chicks are old enough to look after themselves. They do,

however, nearly always keep in pairs, and in parts of India where

they are more or less uncommon birds, where one is found the pair to it

is sure to be somewhere near at hand.

Unfortunately for the Quail, the gunner is by no means his only or

his worst enemy, for he is assiduously trapped by the natives wherever

he is sufficiently numerous to make trapping pay for the time spent

upon it. Sterndale’s description of a Quail trapper nearly 100 years

ago, still applies in every detail to many a trapper of the present day.

He writes :—

“It was on this trip I came across two queer specimens

of humanity—a Quail-catcher and a snarer of Kingfishers.

“The former I met on a wild upland, whither I had gone in

search of a blue bull. He was a little shrivelled-up man in scanty

588 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X;

attire, with a bullock as dessicated in appearance as himself, a

large flat basket to hold his birds, and a trap. I entered into

conversation with him, and asked him if he could show me how

he caught the birds, promising to buy all he could catch there

and then. It was late in the year for Quail, which are generally

found in greater abundance in the early part of the cold season,

but there were a few fields of millet in the neighbourhood, and

there was a chance of getting a few birds. After hunting about

for a time, my friend flushed a covey,* and marked where they

alighted ; then, making a detour he proceeded to set his traps

which consisted of a series of rectangular frames, made of laths,

about two feet long by one foot broad (a tightly stretched net

occupying the interior of each frame) joined at the ends, and fold-

ing up like a long map. There were about a dozen of these frames

and the centre one had an aperture in the net large enough to

admit a Partridge.

“With a few bamboo pegs the trapper soon arranged his

apparatus in the form of a semi-circular wall, and behind the hole

in the centre frame he fastened a large net bag, propped up with

a few sticks. This done, he ran back to the place from which

he had started the birds, and began to work his bullock back-

wards and forwards, gradually, with each tack, nearmg the

hiding-place of the covey. Soon the little brown heads were to

be seen popping up from the grass, and then, seemg that no im-

mediate danger threatened, they edged off slowly, as the bullock

came nearerand nearer. By alittle judicious dodging, the trapper

managed to get the birds within the sweep of his nets, and then he

waited.

“The stupid little things toddled on and on, till they were

stopped by the net, when they took off to the left, which was quite

a wrong direction; so my friend, by a flank movement, headed

them again, and turned them back towards the centre of the net.

Now and then a silly bird would try and poke his head through

the meshes of the net covering the frames, but none thought of

hopping over. At last the leader came to the hole in the centre.

Ah! here was a grand opportunity. In he hopped, and in

popped all the others, and my dusky teacher in the art of

snarig rushed forward with a triuphant whoop, and tied up

the mouth of the bag with all the struggling Quail inside.”

Then, too, they are netted by every tribe of the less civilized in-

habitants of all parts of India, in great numbers ; Santhals, Mundas,

Gonds and the North-West people all catch them in nets set up round

the edges of heavy crops such as rahar, bajra, millet, etc. The birds

* If this word is correctly used, then the particular birds operated on in this

instance must, surely, have been Bush Quail. Grey Quail never, I believe, go in

coveys in India.—A. O. H.

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 589

are quietly driven upfromoneend to the other, running along the

ground until nearly at the end, when a ‘hurrush’ starts them up and

flying, as usual, as low as they can, they plunge imto and are

entangled in the nets, from which they are disentangled alive and

placed in baskets, prior to bemg taken to market.

Inglis gives a very interesting account of Quail snaring in this Journal

(XXVII, p. 947). He writes :—

“Tn this District, Dharbanga, Quail are snared by several

castes of people, but principally by the mallahs (fishermen), and

it is only some of them who go in for it. The birds caught are

practically all the Common or Grey Quail (Coturniz communis)

with very occasionally a Rain or Black-breasted (Coturnix cor-

omandelica) one or else the Little Button Quail (Turnix dussu-

miert) ; although the Indian Button Quail (Zurniz t. tankv) is also

got here, I have had none brought to me by these men. The

following is the proportion of each species, out of a total of 128

brought to me by the snarers up to the time of writting :—

Grey Quail 120, Black-breasted Quail 1 and Little Button

Quail 7.

‘In the paddy stubble, and where the Khesari (Lathyrus

sativus) is small, the snarer only goes after the quail in the early

morning and in the evening asthese are their feeding times,

and the birds move about freely then ; but where the Khesari

or gram (Cicer arieinum) is higher, he snares till later in the

morning, as there the cover is shadier and the birds will

scuttle about a bit and are not so frightened of birds of prey as

they are in the thinner cover in the late morning.

‘On reaching the spot he intends to work, the catcher first

of all takes a sheet and rolls up two corners of it for about six

inches, these he ties with a piece of straw or grass to keep them

from unrolling ; the rolled up corners are meant to represent a

cow’s horns ; then he gets two thinnish pieces of bamboo about

two feet seven inches long, and about five inches from the ends

he ties them together crossways ; the long ends are inserted into

the ‘ horns’ and the short ones rest against his chest ; the sheet

is thrown over his head and down his back reaching to his ankles

and the end with the horns sticks out like a canopy in front of

his head ; he ties the sheet round his neck and this keeps the

canopy taut; the rest of the sheet is wrapped round his body.

‘“‘ The net he uses is made of six strands of cotton twisted

into thread and is six feet long by two feet seven inches broad,

and its mesh has a diameter of about an inch; it is weighted with

baked clay fillets along one side of its length and at the ends of

the opposite side a couple of pointed sticks, about eighteen

inches long, are tied ; another stick of about the same length

being fastened midway between these two.

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

* This net is slung over his shoulder and he draws the sheet

round him, covermg his arms. He is now ready and the sport

begins. With the cloth well wrapped round his body, the snarer

stalks, with short steps and very slowly, through the field,

every now and then bowing so as to imitate the motion of a ccw’s

head. When a quail is seen he heads it off, and at a short

distance in front of it fixes his net, the weighted end lying flat on

the ground, the opposite side being raised about one foot in the

middle and rather lower at the sides, and kept in this position

by the three sticks ; this open side is set facing the direction in

which the quail is to be driven. The man now circles round

the bird so as to get behind it and then the drivmg commences.

Now he moves slowly forward, now sideways, bowing at intervals

and very quietly working the quail towards the net. If the bird

appears rather wild, he slowly assumes a crouching position and

crawls along with his head towards the ground to represent a cow

grazing ;in this way he guides the quail to the net. Should the

quail be fairly tame he does not require to crouch, but can work

the bird into the net in an erect position. When under the net

the quail tries to burst headlong through the meshes instead of

running to the side where it could easily escape as the net does

not drop. As soon as the snarer sees the bird is inside he rushes

forward and captures it and ties it up in his loin cloth. Should

the bird pass by the net, it is headed back again, or else the catcher

takes up the net and fixes it in another position. It is wonderful

seeing the quail being worked up to the net, this being done in a

most skilfulmanner. Occasionally more than one bird is captured

at a time, but as a rule the snarer contents himself with working

one, unless several keep well together. The birds seldom seem to

rise, except in newly worked fields where no cattle are grazed,

and if one does fly off the catcher does not as a rule follow it up

unless birds are scarce. While stalking the men have a most weird

and ghost-like appearance.”

But not only is the Quail shot and trapped, it also forms a quarry

for some of the humbler forms of hawking. Probably, now-a-days

this form of sport has almost disappeared, but Tickell met with it

in Snghbhum. The hawking was done with the Indian Sparrow

Hawk or the Shikra, and the hawk was held in the hand and hurled

in the direction of the escapmg Quail mstead of being cast off as a

falcon is.

The days have gone, alas, when 100 quail could be bought for Re. 1

to Rs. 2/8 as Hume says, but even now a good many can be pur-

chased for one rupee and it would be difficult to imagine a more

delicate or savoury meal than a few pence worth of fat quails on toast.

Certainly they are more dry in flesh than are snipe but even so

they are exceedingly good for the table.

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON, 591

As in Hume’s time, so now-a-days, for the most part the birds hawk-

ed about for sale are females, but where they are very plentiful both

sexes alike are sold, merely a few of the presumably finest males being

picked out and kept for fighting purposes. They are most pugnaci-

ous birds and the Mahomedans take an enormous interest in Quail-

fighting, wagering large sums on well-known birds and paying very

high prices for the best. Hven in Behar, I have known fifty rupees

paid for a local champion, and in the North-West and Deccan it is

said even higher prices are paid.

The usual note of the Grey Quail is the loud whistle of the male from

which it received one of its later (and therefore not used) names of dac-

tylisonans. It consists of one long, loud whistle, rapidly followed by

two short notes. They have, however, many other notes, a soft purring

call of one sex to the other, a sharp alarm note often uttered as the

birds are first flushed and common to both male and female, a soft

chirping whistle uttered by the birds conversationally, and finally a

soft “chick chick’ uttered by the hen to her chicks when they wander

too far away from her.

The food of the Quail consists of both grain and insects, but grass

seeds probably form its staple article of diet. It is said also to eat

green shoots of mustard and other crops.

CoTURNIX COTURNIX JAPONICA.

The Japanese Grey Quail.

Coturmaz vulgaris japomca Temm. and Schleg., Faun. Jap., p. 103,

pl. 61, (1842).

Coturnix japonica Cass. in Perrys. Exp. Jap. I, p. 227, (1856),

(Hakodati Japan); Grant, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (6), X, pp. 167,

170, 171, (1892), (wood cut of head); Grant, Cat. Birds, B. M., XXII,

p. 239, (1893); id., Handb. Game-B., 1, p. 184, (1895), (part);

Oates, Man. Game-B., 1, p. 87, (1898), Finn. Ibis, 1899, p. 472,

(Manipur); Rippon, ibid, 1901, p. 556, (S. Shan States) ; Mears, Jour.

B.N.H. S., XVII, p. 87, (1907), (Chindwir}; Harimgton, ibid, XIX,

p. 310, (1909), (Bhamo) ; id, ibid, XX, p. 377, (1910), (Bhamo).

Cotur mx coturnix japonica Hartert, Vog. Pal. Faun. , IIT, p. 1943 ;

id., Nov. Zool., XXIV, p. 425, (1917), (part).

eseulor Names. Leh, (Burmese).

Description—A dult Male.—Differs from the male of C. c. coturniz in

having no black on the chin and throat and no cross bars, these parts

and the sides of the head being light brick red; the general plumage

is often richer in tone and more boldly marked than it is in theKuropean

bird but the variation is great in both the Hastern and the Western

form. The feathers of the side of the chin are often lengthened and

_ pointed, though not to the extent that they are in the female.

Colours of Soft Parts—As in the preceding bird.

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

Measurements.—Wing 91 (in one instance) and 95 to 104 mm.

Female.—I)iffers from the female of the Western form in having

the feathers of the chin and sides of the lower cheeks stift, lengthened

and pointed, forming a regular little beard. Like the male it is also

generally, but by no means always, more richly coloured.

Measurements.—Wing 97 to 103 mm.

Distribution.—T his little Quail apparently breeds in Eastern Siberia,

Kast of Lake Baikal, but more commonly in the extreme East and in

Japan. In Winter it is found South throughout Southern China,

Yunnan, Shan States, Siam and Cochin China whence it straggles into

Burma from, Tenasserim to the Chin and Kachin Hills, Manipur and

Assam South of the Brahmaputra. The Bhutan specimen in the

British Museum given this name appears to me to be only the common

Western form, and I can find no other specimen in the British Museum

from India. I obtained it twice in Cachar and Finn records it from

Manipur where it was shot by Capt. Turner. Nisbett, Harmgton and

others record it as quite common in the Shan States and Kachin Hills.

Nidification.—The Japanese Quail breeds in very large numbers in

Japan from the end of May to the end of June and the first few days

of July and I received a very fine series of eggs from the late Alan

Ouston. According to that gentleman, it as a rule makes no nest,

merely laying its eggs in a hollow in the ground where it collects a few

odd leaves and scraps of grass. The hollow used may be either a

natural one or one made, or enlarged, by the birds themselves, more

often than not, however, a natural hollow is used by these birds, just

rounded off to fit their bodies. Occasionally the Japanese Quail does

make quite a decent nest, collecting a good pad of grass which it

tramples and twists into a compact pad.

The site selected is either in a field of some kind of crop, or m thin

grass land, or even an almost bare hillside under the shelter of a

coarse tuft of grass or small bush.

The eggs go through all the same variations as those of the common

Quail, and further description is quite unnecessary. Highty eggs.

which include those noted by Hartert, average 28:7 * 22:4 mm. The

extremes are: maxima, 32°6 & 22:4 and 30°5 X 23°6mm.; minima.

26°2 X 22°1 and 27°2 x 20.5 mm.

Habits.—The habits of the Japanese Quail do not differ much from

those of the Common Quail but, so far, there has been no evidence to

show that this bird is ever non-migratory in its habits or ever breeds

in its Winter resorts. Itis said to have a quite different voice from that

of its cousin. Prjevalsky remarks :—

“This bird is easily distinguished from the European one by

its voice. We found it in South-East Mongolia, Ordos, Kansu,

and about Koko-nor breeding, sometimes numerously, and others

abundantly ; and from the end of March to the middle of Summer

the call notes of the males can be heard daily, consisting of some

PHE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON... 593

deep, hollow sounds, several times repeated in quick succession.

In the Yellow-River Valley they winter in great numbers, and

sometimes, stop for the ccld season also in South-East Mongolia.

In Kansu they occur in the Steppes, but avoid the narrow mountain

valleys. We found it common in the Ussuri country, where it

principally keeps to the Plams and Steppes. It arrives there in

Spring, about the end of March or early in April, and leaves

again about September or October; a few, however, remain here

to winter. The spring call-notes of the males is to be heard

until the middle of August; and the first young were found by

us on the 29th May.”

In China the Japanese Quail! often forms the object of shoots among

the residents of the various European settlements from October to

March, but nowhere, as far as I can learr, are they ever obtained

in the huge numbers in which the Common Quail are sometimes

bagged in North and North-West India.

CoTURNIX COROMANDELICA,

The Black-breasted or Rain Quail.

Coromandel Quail Lath., Gen. Syn., I, pt. II, p. 789, (1783).

Tetrao coromandelicus Gmel., Syst. Nat., 1, pt. U1, p. 764, (1788).

Perdiz coromandelica Lath., Ind. Orn., II, p. 654, (1790).

Coturnx coromandelica Bonnat., Tabl. Encycl. Meth., I, p. 22],

(1791), Gould, B. of Asia, VIT, pl. 9 (1854); Adams, P.Z.S., 1858, p.

504; Irby, Ibis, 1861, p. 237, (Qudh, Kumaon); Jerdon, B. of India,

III, p. 588, (1863) ; Hume, Str. Feath., I, p. 227, (1873), (Sindh);

Adam, ibid, I, p. 393, (1873), (Sambhur Lake); Hume, Nests and

eos ind. Bp. 550, (1873); Hume, -S.F., Ill, p. 178, (1875);

(Pegu) ; Ball, ibid, III, p. 294, (1875), (Chota Nagpur); Le Mess.,

ibid, III, p. 379, (1875), (Smdh) ; Butler, ibid, IV, pp. 7, 39, (1876),

(Mt. Aboo, N. Guzerat); Fairb., ibid, IV, p. 262, (1876), (Deccan) ;

Davidson and Wendon, ibid, VII, p. 87, (1878), (Deccan) ; Ball, ibid,

VIT, p. 226, (1878), (Ganges to Godaveri) ; Cripps, ibid, vii, p. 298,

(1878), (Faridpur); Butler, Cat. B. Sind., etc., p. 55, (1879) ; Hume

and Marshall, Game B., Ind., II, p. 152, (1879); Vidal, 8. F., TX,

p. 76, (1880), (S. Konkan) ; Butler, ibid, IX, p. 423, (1880) ; Butler,

Cat. B.S. Bombay, p. 70, (1880); Reid, S.F., X, p. 63, (1881),

(Lucknow); Oates, ibid, X, p. 236, (1882), Thayetmyo and Bassein,

Davidson, ibid, X, p. 411, (1883), (Nilghiris, Wynaad, Mysore) ;

Oates, B. Burmah, II, p. 333, (1883); Swinh. and Barnes, Ibis,

1885, p. 132, (Central India); Hume, 8.F., XI, p. 310, (1888),

(Assam, Chittagong, Manipur); Oates, ed. Hume’s Nests and

Kggs, Ind. Birds, TI, p. 444, (1890); Ogilvie-Grant, Ann. Mag.

Nat. Hist., (6), IX, pp. 168, 172, (1892); id., Cat. Birds, B. M.

XXIT, p. 241, (1893); id., Hand-L. Game Birds, 1, p. 185, (1895);

3 a

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

Blanford, Faun. Brit. Ind., IV, p. 116, (1898); Oates, Man. Game

B., I, p. 90, (1898) ; Oates, Cat. Hees, BM, 1, p. 45, (1901) ;

Rippon, Ibis, 1901, p. 556, (1901), (S. Shan States); Jesse, ibid,

1903, p. 153, (Lucknow) ; Macdonald, Jour. B.N.H.S., XVII, p. 496,

(1906), (Myingyan); Whitehead, Ibis, 1909, p. 268, (Kohat) ;

Osmaston, Jour. B.N.HS., XXII, p. 544, (1913), (Gorakpur) ;

Currie, ibid, XXIV, p. 574, (1916), (Lahore) ; Whistler, Jour. B.N.

H.S., XXVI, p. 594, (1919) (Ludhiana); Inglis, ibid, XXVIT, p. 154,

(1920), (Jalpaiguri) ; id, ibid, p. 947, (Behar) (1921).

Coturma textilis Temm., Pig. et Gall., III, pp. 512, 742, (1815);

Stephen, in Shaw’s Gen. Zool., XI, p. 365, (1819) ; Lesson, Traité

ad Orn., p. 509; pl. 90, fig. 1, (1631); Sykes, PoZ.S8. 1832; po al2;

(Deccan).

Perdiz textils Temm., Pl. Color., V., pl. 40, (No. 35), (1824).

Perdix olivacea Buchan., P.Z.8., 1831, p. 123, (India).

Coturma textilis ? v. pluvialis, Hodgs., In Gray’s Zool. Misce., p.

85, (1844).

Coturnix coromandelicus, Blyth and Walden, Cat. Mamm. and Birds,

Burmah, p. 151, (1875), (Upper Burmah).

Vernacular Names.—As a rule this quail is not distinguished by

natives from the Common Rain Quail. A few additional names are,

China Butteyr, (Upper India); Chanac, (Nepal); Kade, (Tamil) ;

Chinnayellicht, (Telegu); Ngin, (Burmese); Chinnung Bee

(Lucknow).

Deseription— Adult Male.—The upper plumage, including the wing

coverts and tail are the same as in the Common Grey Quail, but

almost invariably much richer and deeperin colour though in this

respect the two birds overlap one another ; the primaries and outer

secondaries are brown, edged paler but without any bars; below the

chin and throat are marked as in the Common Quail, but the throat

and bars, especially the lme under the eye are a deeper black, and

the intervening spaces are a pure white, not pale fulvous ; the centre

of the breast and upper abdomen are black and the flanks are fulvous

with broad bold streaks of velvety black. Altogether it is decidedly

a handsomer bird than its larger relation.

Colours of Soft Parts.—Iris bright hazel to deep brown ;_ bill black

in the breeding season, more dusky and paler at the base in the

non-breeding season and in young birds; legs and feet fleshy or feshy-

grey, more reddish fleshy in the breeding season.

Measuremenis.—Total length about 180 mm. or less; wing 83 to

92 mm.; tail about 30 to 32 mm.; tarsus 25 to 26 mm.; culmen about

13 mm.

Female.—Practically indistinguishable from the Grey Quail, except

by the unbarred primaries and smaller size. As a rule, however, it

is more richly coloured with more black and rufous on the Une

plumage.

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON, 595

Measurements.—Wing 85 to 94 mm.; culmen 11 to 12 mm.

Chick in Down. and Young Birds are indistinguishable from those

of the same age of C. c. coturniz.

Distribution.—The whole of India in suitable localities from Ceylon,

where however it is very rare, to the extreme North-West and North-

Kast. Itis quite a common bird in Sind, has been procured by Whistler

in Ludhiana and by Dodsworth near Simla. Hast it extends all through

Assam from West to East and from North to South, though numerous

nowhere ; thence it is found practically throughout Burma from the

Chin and Kachin Hills to Pegu and East again to the Shan States.

Nidification.—The Rain Quail appears to breed almost wherever

found; with the exception, perhaps, of the higher hills. As its name

infers, it breeds principally in the Rains after the big Monsoon breaks,

z.e., fron the end of June on to the end of September and well into

October, undoubtedly, however, the month of August and the early

part of September form the main egg-laying season. Occasionally the

Rain Quail breeds earlier; thus I have a clutch of eggs taken by

Harington Bulkley on the 4th April, and again in Cachar I found eggs

just hatching on the 15th of that month butin the latter district the

“Chota Barsat,” or Little Rains, make things very green and damp

in wet years at about that time. The Black-breasted Quails select

as a site for their nests either standing crops or thin grass, prefer-

ably the former but will also sometimes lay in scanty scrub or low

bush jungle and, still more rarely, almost in the open under a bush,

a clump of cactus or a few tufts of grass. Like the Common Quail, the

present bird sometimes uses a natural hollow for its nest or, at other

times, scratches one for herself. The nest may be nothing at all

beyond the bare earth, or it may be a few odd pieces of grass and a

few leaves or even a fairly well put together pad of the same. The

egos vary greatly in number. Four to six are often found hard set,

and they lay up to as many as nine or rarely eleven. Occasionally,

nests are found with as many as seventeen or eighteen eges, but these

are certainly the product of more than one bird, shewing this clearly

by the difference in type from one another.

No further description of the eggs than that already given for the

preceding species is needed and the eggs of this bird vary equally as

greatly as the eggs of that bird do, the only difference being their

smaller size.

100 eggs average 27°4 > 20 8 mm., and the extremes are : maxima,

30-6 x 21°7 and 30:8 x 22:2. mm.; minima, 25°5 x 20-8 and 26:9 x

192 mm.

This Quail is undoubtedly monogamous, the cock-bird keeping close

to the hen whilst she is sitting and if he wanders away a short dis-

tance when feeding he keeps on calling to her as much as to say he has

no intention of deserting her altogether. He also assists her to

feed and watch the young after they are hatched but apparently

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

does not assist in the actual incubation of the eggs. The hen is a

very close sitter, often sitting until almost trodden on, or, if dis-

covered, remaining squatted on her eggs until the hand is within

a few inches of her.

-- Davidson remarks on the very large percentage of the eggs of this

mrd which are destroyed by vermin, and this not only in regard to

those nests which he had discovered and left, but also to eggs not pre-

viously found until they were seen by him lying broken and scattered

about. Davidson suspected the Common Crow Pheasant and a large

lizard of being the culprit, but birds in India have many foes to

contend with, both amongst their own order and from outside.

Crows of almost all kinds, Treepies and some Owls are all arrant egg

thieves ; snakes make odlogy their special study, and rats and mice

are equally destructive.

The cock Rain Quail during the breeding season, although he is

content with one wife, is very combative and, according to Reid, the

natives of Lucknow place his fightmg qualities above those of his

larger cousin, the Common Quail.

Habits. —The Rain Quail is certainly resident over the greater part

of the area he occupies but he is generally believed to be locally migra-

tory in many of the parts mto which he comes durmg the breeding

season. Thus Hume says “ the majority are only seasonal residents,

spending the drier months of the year in the low-lying and moist tracts

of Lower Bengal and other Provinces and the monsoon in the higher,

drier regions of Upper and Western India”. Reid says that it is not

found in Lucknow until the rains commence and it is not until this

season that observers have recorded anything but a few casual birds

in the Punjab and North-West Provinces, Cutch, Sind, Katiawar,

the United Provinces and Rajputana.

In Behar I understand they are to be found all the year round 7f one

knows where to look for them, as during the driest months they seek

shady cover of some kind; either reeds and long grass, bush or even

tree jungle and the cover which is always to be found in Mango and

other orchards round villages. Nowhere, however, is there any

record of this bird being more numerous in the driest months than it

is in the wetter ones, and it seems possible that the migrations are

very local and consist merely of short journeys to the nearest dense

cover, and especially to quarters where a little water 1s available.

In Bengal I never found them more common in the dry months

than in the rains, and in Assam they were equally rare in Winter or

Summer. )

Davidson has probably correctly explained what takes place.

“The Rain Quail is very common in the Deccan, and is a

permanent resident, though it wanders about a good deal in

search of water, food and shelter. Thus, while in November or

December this Quail will be found scattered about singly or in

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 597

pairs everywhere, in the hot weather hundreds will be found

collected in a few nallas and gardens, and the most careful beating

will fail to flush a single bird elsewhere for miles and miles. More-

over, it deserts its most favourite haunts at once if food begins to

run short. In 1876, when the rains failed in Sholapur, and the

ground was as bleak and uncultivated as in the hot weather, [

never saw a single bird. Nor did they return till about June,

1877.

‘¢ In Tamkér, Mysore, in the middle of November, they simply

swarmed. They were then in pairs and commenced calling

hours before daylight, and in one camp positively kept me awake

from four in the morning. I was very busy, and had no time to

look for nests ; but [never started any young ones. They after-

wards collected in the scrub jungle, some of the flocks were very

large, and they were still there in the middle of May. During

June and July before leaving Mysore, I was working in a jungle

country, so can hardly say whether they migrated or not, but I

certainly never saw one in these months.”

They are typically plains birds, but they wander up to considerable

height, having been killed at 8,000 feet’in the Simla Hills, and also as

high in the Nilgiris. In Travancore they are common between two

and four thousand feet, and in Nepal and the outer Himalayas they

certainly breed up to nearly 6,000 feet.

They are not gregarious, though the two old birds remain with their

young until the latter are about eight months old, when they are driven

off and scatter into twos and threés. Where numerous, as in the

Deccan, and parts of Central India, Mysore, etc., many birds may be

flushed from the same field of crops, but they rise singly, or in twos,

and never in coveys once the young have left their parents.

They are essentially birds of open country, cultivation and grass

plains and plateaus, though, as already suggested, they may take to

scrub or even heavier cover during the dry season. They are often

found in compounds and gardens and very commonly in the semi-

cultivated semi-bare areas round villages. In such places they are

very tame and confiding but away from villages and towns they be-~

have much in the same manner as does the Common Quail. No one

seems to have made this bird a definite object of sport, though a few

are nearly always shot during Quail shoots as they haunt the same

crops and grass lands as the Common Quail does and, on the wing, one

cannot be distinguished from the other. The flight of the two birds

is identical, equally direct and swift and each ending in the head~

long dive into cover after some 50 yards or so have been traversed,

The notes of the two birds are, however, quite dissimilar, that of this

bird being a rapidly repeated and musical ‘“‘ whit-whit-whit-whit,”

uttered principally in the mornings and evenings but in July and

August almost throughout the day. | : |

72,

73.

74,

92)

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE

INDIAN EMPIRE.

BP) Wark, CMG.) ORE Z. SI FD.S.) FLAGS. B., HCl. Sale,

COLONEL, I.M.S.

Part II.

(Continued from page 361 of this volume.)

Family.—COLUBRID.

Subfamily.—ACROCHORDIIN &.

Genus.—CHERSYDRUS Cuvier.

(443) Chersydrus granulatus (Schneider). The Rasp-skinned Water

Snake.

Annandale, J.A. S., Beng., 1905, p 175; Mem. Ind. Mus. 1915, p 169,

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 174; 1. c. Vol. III, 1896, p 597;

Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIV, p 386; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr.

Jena. 1910, » 131; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 45; Wall,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XXIII, p 372;1t.¢. Vol. XXV, p 756a ; 1. ©.

Vol. XXVI, pp 583 and 584; Oph. Tap. 1921, p 79.

Length.—1,220 mm. (4 feet).

Distn.—Coasts of India. From Bombay on the Malabar Coast, and

Hijili (Ind. Mus.) on the Coromandel Coast to Tuticorin. Ceylon.

Coast of Burma, Andamans. Coasts of Maloy Peninsula to Cochin-

China. Malay Archipelago. Papuastia.

Genus.—STOLIczKAIA Jerdon.

(442) Stoliczkaia khasiensis Jerdon. Stoliczka’s Snake.

Annandale, J. A. 8. Beng. 1904, » 209; Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893,

p 176.

Length.—809 mm. (2 feet, 73 inches).

Lepid.—Frontal partially divided anteriorly by mesial suture. Posto-

culars 3. Supralabials 8; the 4th and 5th touching the eye on the

left side, 5th and 6th on the right*. Costals, 31 to 33 about mid-

body. (In the ‘‘ type” I count 31 about midbody). Ventrals. 209

to 210. Subcaudals. 115 to 117.

Distn.—Assam. Khasi Hills. (Nr. Shillong. Ind Mus.)

Subfamily.—COLUBRIN 4h.

Genus.—PoLyopontoPuis Boulenger.

(363) Polyodontophis collaris (Gray). Gray’s Polyodont.

. Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, pp 37, 46 and 53; Boulenger, Cat.

Vol. I, 1893, » 184; 1. c. Vol. III, 1896, p 597; Sclater, List. Sn.

Ind. Mus. 1891, p 17; Wal’. Bomb..N. H. J. Vol. XVIII, p 315,

lc. Vol. XIX, pp 340 and 7d7a.:

Distn.— Western Himalayas. As far West as Simla. Hastern Hima-

layas. As far East as Sikkim. Bengal. Calcutta. (Ind. Mus.)

Assam. Hills North and South of the Bramaputra. Burma. As

far North as Sima. (Lat. 25°:2° Long. 97° Bombay colln.) South

to Arakan Hills and Pegu Yomas. Siam. North of Kra (Malcolm

Smith). China. Yunnan. Ichang. Fokien Prov. Formosa.

Note.—Improbable as Calcutta may appear for this hill. species, I

have it on Dr. Annandale’s authority that an example was indubi-

tably acquired there, which I have ete It was probably

washed down by floods,

* In the specimenin the Indian Museum,

75.

76,

af HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 599

(364) Polyodontophis subpunctatus (Dumeril and Bibron). Jerdon’s

Polyodont.

Oligodon subpunctatus. Vidal, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. I, p 144.

Polyodontophis subpunctatus. Abercromby, Sn. of Ceylon. 1910,

' p» 71; Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 186; 7. c. Vol. ILI, 1896,

p 598; Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. X, p 71; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr.

Jena. 1910, p 130; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 17 (part,

All except No 7073); Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVI, p 297; Ll. c

Vol. XVII, p 823; Spol. Zeylan. 1921, pp 397 and 406; Oph. “Tap.

1921, p 84; Willey, Spol. Zeylan. 1906, p 233.

Lepid. aventalss 151 to 214,

Distn.—Ceylon. Peninsular India. South of Rajputana, and South of

the Ganges Valley.

Note.—In the Bombay Natural History Journal (Vol. XVII, p 823)

I referred to a specimen, that appeared to unite the characters of

subpunctatus and sagittarius, and which suggested the union of the

two species under the latter and older name. Iam nowin a

position to show that the two species previously held as such are

both valid, and that the specimen referred to is an aberrant subpunc-

tatus. This viewis based on skulls in my collection. The dentition

is as follows:—subpunciatus. Maxillary 44 to 45. Palatine 23 to 24.

Pterygoid 21. Mandibular 40.— sagittarius. Maxillary 32. Palatine

14 to 16. Pterygoid 13, Mandibular 30.

The specimen referred to was probably from the Northern part of

the Western Ghats as it was preserved in the same bottle as a Lycodon

jfiavomaculatus, which has a very restricted distribution (¢. 2.)

(365) Polyodontophis sagittarius (Cantor.) Cantor’s Polyodont.

P. subpunctatus. Selater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 17 (part

No 7073).

P. sagittarius. Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, p 175; Boulenger,

Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 187; l. c. Vol. IIT, 1896, p 598; Sarasin, Zool.

Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 146; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 17;

Wall, Bomb, N. H. J. Vol. XVIT, p 823.

Length.—292 mm. (114 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 205 to 236. Subcaudals. 54 to 70.

| Disin.— Western Himalayas. As far West as Chamba. Sewaliks,

North of Saharanpore. (*. W.) Dhikala, Garhwal . Dist.

Melaghat, Almora Dist. (Ind. Mus.). The Ganges Basin. Nowgong,

C. P. Darbhanga. Purnea. Dinajpore. (Ind. Mus.). Bettiah, Behar.

(Bombay colln.) Lower Bengal. Manbhum. Chaibasa, Serampore.

Calcutta. (Ind. Mus.)

N ote,—Penang as a locality calls for confirmation. The note appended

to 7. yphlops bothriorhynchus shows that some of Cantor’s localities

are open to doubt. De Roepstorfi’s specimen in the Indian Museum,

labelled Nicobars, is undoubtedly correctly identified. I feel justified

however in raising the strongest doubt as to the authenticity of the

locality for this species. The fact thatde Roepstorff is also alone

responsible for the Nicobars as a locality for Oligodon sublineatus,

and Amblycephalus monticola strengthens the justification for doubt.

Both Polyodontophis sagittarius, and Amblycephalus monticola are

known from Northern India, but not from Assam or Burma, and. the

record of the Nicobars for the species must have perplexed other

herpetologists as much as it has done me. Oligodon sublineatus

known only from Ceylon with the exception of de Roepstorff’s

record from the Nicobars, is equally surprising.

600 |

JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCLETY, Vol. XKIX.

_ Nearly every keen herpetologist has snakes sent to him ‘by friends

from distant parts of the Empire, and it is not surprising if these

exotics sometimes get mixed with those collected from the locality

where he is domiciled. In these cases the common species with

which he is familiar are probably discarded and only the uncommon

species retained. If all the species so acquired were retained the

mixing would probably be discovered by future herpetologists at

once. 7 :

77. ° (366) Polyodontophis bistrigatus (Giinther) Gainther’s. Polyodont.

Annandale, J.A. S8., Beng.,: 1905, 9 175 : Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I,.

1893, p 188; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 18.

Distn.— Burma. Prome. Pegu. Nicobars.

Note-—De Roepstorfi’s specimen labelled Nicobars is correctly

identified, but the doubts I have raised in the note appended to

P. sagittarius makes confirmation of the Nicobars as a locality

desirable.

Genus.—-X ENOCHROPHIS Giinther.

. (441) Xenochrophis cerasogaster (Cantor.) The Painted Keelback.

1768.

1826.

1842.

1853.

1858.

1860.

1861.

1863.

1875.

1877.

1883.

1893.

79.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol, I, 1893, p 191 ; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910,

p 146 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, » 45; Wail, Bomb. N. H.

J. Vol. XVIII, p 104,

Lengih.—775 mm. (2 feet, 63 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 140 to 154.

Distn.— Ganges Valley. Fyzabad (F. W.) Bengal. yey (Ind. Mus.)

Assam. Goalpara. (Ind. Mus.) Khasi Hills. (Brit. Mus.)

Note.—Penang on the authority of Cantor I doubt for reasons cited

in the note appended to T'yphlops bothriorhynchus,

Genus.—NaTRIX Lauwrenii.

Natrix. Laurenti, Syn. Rept. p 73 [type N. vulgaris = Natrix naitriz

(Linné). |

Tropidonotus. Boie., part, Isis. p 205 [type N. natrix (Linné).|

Leptophis. Holbrook, N. Am. Herp. IV, p 21, pl LV [type? L. sauritus=

N. saurita (Linné). |

EKutainia. Baird & Girard, [iype E. saurita=N. saurita (Linné).]

Coronella. (non Laurenti, 1768) Giinther, Cat. p 39.

Thamnophis. Cope, Proc. Ac. Philad, p 369 (type N. scalaris).

Mizodon. Peters, Mon. Berl. Acad.,p 358 (type N. variegatus).

Styporhynchus. Peters, Mon. Berl. Ac., P 399 (type NV. truncatus).

Chilopoma, Cope, Wheeler's Rep. V. S. Ea. Surv., p 544 (type N-

rufopunctatus).

Katophis. Macleay, Proc. Linn. Soc. N, S. Wales II, p 36 (type N-

picturatus).

Atomarchus. Cope, Amer. Nat., p 1300 (type N. multimaculatus).

Prymnomiodon. (non Cope, 1860). Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 192.

(Nil.) Natrix peali (Sclater.) Peal’s Keelback.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. T, 1893, p 214; Sclater, List, Sn. Ind. Mus.

1891, p 41.

Types.—In the Indian Museum. From aa

Distn.— Assam. Sibsagar.

.' A -HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 601

80. (427) Natrix parallelus (Boulenger.) Anderson’s Keelhack.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 223; Rec. Ind. Mus. 1913, p 337 ; Sclater,

“bist. SR. ind.) Mus, 1891, 937°; Wall, Bomb. Ni: Ho J. Vol:

XVIII, p 223; 1.c. Vol. XIX, p 340.

Length.—712 mm. (2 feet, 4 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 162 to 175. Subcaudals. 73 to 110.

Disin.—Eastern Himalayas. Nepal to Sikkim. Assam. Khasi Hills.

Burma. Sanda, China. Yunnan.

Note.—The locality of No 4397 of Sclater’s list of snakes in the Indian

Museum reported as ‘* Madras Hills’? by Colonel Beddome is to be

discredited. The same authority records also T'ropidonotus sub-

miniatus, T. himalayanus, Oligodon splendidus, O. octolineatus,

Dendrelaphis caudolineatus, and Lycodon java, from Hills in South

India. These records are equally untrustworthy as regards habitat.

81. (425) Natrix khasiensis (Boulenger.) The Assam Keelback.

Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, p 210; Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, pp

37, 49 and 53; Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 223; Wall, Bomb.

N. H. J. Vol. XVI, p 317.

Length.—673 mm. (2 feet, 23 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 143 to 155. Subcaudals. 73 to 100.

Distn.—Assam. Abor Hills. (Ind. Mus.) Khasi Hills. Garo Hills,

(Ind. Mus.)

82. (Nil.) Natrix rianguligerus (Boie.) Boie’s Keelback.,

Boulenger.gCat.. Vol. I, 1893, » 224; Uc. Vol. III, 1896, p 604 ;

Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus, 1891, p 42.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 134 to 150.

Disin.—Burma. Tenasserim. Siam. The Peninsula. S. China. Tschon-

glok. (Muller). Malay Peninsula. Malay Archipelago. Sumatra

to Celebes.

83. (Nil.) Natrix venningi (Wall.) Venning’s Keelback.

. Venning, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XX, p 774; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol.

XX, p 345.

Type.—In the British Museum from the Chin Hills, Burma. Co-types

in the Bombay colln.

Length.—750 mm. (2 feet, 54 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. 19 at midbody, 17 behind. Ventrals. 161 to 172.

Subcaudals. 108 to 138.

Distn.— Burma, Chin Hills.

Note.—I have examined ten specimens.

84, (Nil.) Natrix xenurus (Wall) Wall’s Keelback.

T. modestus. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 36.(part, No 4278).

T. xenura, Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVII, p 616; Rec. Ind, Mus.

1909, p 145.

- Type.—in tle Bombay collection from Khasi Hills.

Lepid.—Costals. 19 at midbody, 17 behind. Ventrals. 158 to 165. Anal.

divided. (entire (?) in the type). Subcaudals. 81 to 107; entire.

Disin.— Assam, Khasi Hills. (Near Shillong. Cherrapunji.)

85. (Nil.) Natrix nicobariensis (Sclater.) Sclater’s Keelback.

_ Prymnomiodon chalceus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 192.

T. nicobarensis. Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, pp 174 and 175 ;

Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 42.

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

Type.—In the Indian Museum, (No 8895) from the Nicobars.

Lepid.—Costals. 19 in midbody, 17 behind. The anal shield appears

to me to have been entire, and the division now seen traumatic,

already suggested by Annandale.

Disin.— Nicobar Islands.

Note.—I have examined the maxillary dentition and find there is no

gap posteriorly, and that the posterior teeth are distinctly enlarged.

It appears to me without doubt a Natriz.

86. (Nil) Natrix leonardi (Wall). Zeonard’s Keelback.

N. leonardi Wall. Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XXX, p 466.

T'ype.—In the British Museum from Burma.

Length.—660 mm. (2 feet, 2 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. 17 in midbody, 15 behind. Ventrals, 152. Anal

divided. Subcaudals. 46, divided.

Distn.— Burma. Sinlum Kaba. (Lat. 24° Long 97°5°)

FOOTNOTE.

- Natrix baileyi (Wall.) Bailey’s Keelback.

Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVII, p 617.

Types.—In the British Museum from Thibet.

Length.—762 mm. (2 feet, 6 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. 19 at midbody, 17 behind. Ventrals. 201 to 221.

Anal. Divided. Subcaudals. 98 to 111 (? 91) divided ; some of those

at the base frequently entire.

Distn.—Thibet, At about 14,000 feet elevation. ¥

Note.—Strictly speaking, this is not a species within the political

boundaries of British India, but it is convenient to include it in this

paper. J have examined the maxillary dentition of one specimen

and find it accords with that of the genus Natrix. The teeth

number 21 (? 22) are syncranterian, and coryphodont.

Genus.—NERoDIA Baird and Girard.

1766 Coluber. Linné, part. Syst. Nat. 1, p 378 (type C. berus):

_ 1768 Coronella, Lawrenti, part. Syn. Rept., p 87 (type C. austriaca).

1799 Hydrus. Schneider, part, Hist. Amph. 1, p 247 [type H. dicolor=H.

platurus (Linné)]

1816 Enhydrus. (zon Latreille 1802.) Oken, Lehrb. Naturg III, p 232.

1824 Natrix. (non Laurent: 1768.) Wagler, Spix. Serp. Bras., p 29, pl X, fig 2.

1826 Tropidonotus. Boie, part, Isis, p 205. [type N. natrix (Linné) |.

1853 Nerodia. Baird and Girard, N. Amer. Rept., p 38 [type N. sipedon=N.

fasciata (Linné) |

1853 Regina. Baird and Girard, N. Amer. Rept., p 45 |type N leberis=N

| septemvittata (Say) |

_ 1860 Amphiesma. (non Dum and Bibron, 1854.) Hallowell, Proc, Ac. Philad, p

503.

1863 Neusterophis. Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 16 (type N. laevissima).

_ 1863 Enicognathus. Jan. Arch. Zool, Anat, Phys II, p 278 [type N. punc-

tatostriatus—N olivacea (Peters). ]

1865 Helicops. (non Wagler, 1828.) Jan. Arch, Zool. Annat. Phys. ILI, p 246.

1868 Fowlea. Theobald, Cat. Rept. As. Soc. Mus. p 57 [type N. peguensis

=N. punctulata (Giinther) }

1871 Contia. (non Baird and Girard, 1853.) Cope, Proc. Ac. Philads p 223.

1885 Eutaenia. (non Baird and Girard, 1853.) Cope, Proc, Ac. Philad. XXII,

p 386.

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 603

1893 Diplophallus. Cope, Amer, Nat. XXVII, p 483 [type N. piscator

(Schneider) | ,

1898 Grayia. WSc.ater, Ann. 8S, Afric. Mus. I, p 109 [type G. lubrica =N.

laevissima (Giinther)]

1893 Ceratophyllus. Cope, Amer. Nat. XXVIT, May, p 483 [ type R. vittata

(Linné). |

1905 Macropisthodon. (non Boulenger, 1893.) Annandale, J, A. S., Beng.,

p 210.

87. (438) Nerodia punctulata (Ginther.) The Burmese Keelback.

Tropidonotus punctulatus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 228:

“* Keswal,” Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. I, p 173; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind.

Mus. 1891, p 41; Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIII,

p. 351.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 138 to 154.

Distn.—Lower Burma Pegu. (Brit. Mus.) Watiya. (W. and Evans.)

Rangoon. Amherst. (Ind. Mus.). Tenasserim. (Mergui. Ind. Mus.)

88. (423) Nerodia modesta (Ginther.) Giinther’s Keelback.

Tropidonotus modestus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 229: Sclater.

List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 36. (vart, all excepting No 4278 which

is N. xenurus Wall.) |

Distn.— Assam, Khasi Hills. China. Yunnan.

89. (435, 437) Nerodia piscator (Schneider). The Chequered Keelback.

Tropidonotus quincunciatus. Abercromby, Sn. of Ceylon, 1910, p 46 ;

“ Keswal”, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol I, pp 119 and 173.

Tropidonotus asperrimus. Abercromby, Sn. of Ceylon, 1910, p 48:

Spol. Zeylan. 1911, p 206; 1. c. 1913, » 146; Boulenger, Cat. Vol. If.

1893, p 232 ; Pearless, Spol. Zeylan. 1909, p 54; Sarasin, Zool Jahr.

Jena. 1910, pp 127 and 144; Wall, Spol. Zeylan. 1910, p 35; Willey,

S'pol. Zeylan. 1906, p 233.

Tropidonotus tytleri. Blyth, J. A. S., Beng., Vol. XXIII, p 291;

And. Islanders, p 365.

Tropidonotus sanctijohannis. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 230;

l. c. Vol III, 1896, p 604.

Tropidonotus piscator. Abercromby, Sn. Ceylon. 1910, pp 51 and 76 ;

Alcock and Rogers, Proc. Roy. Soc. 1902, p 452; Annandale, J.A.S.,

Beng. 1905, pp 174 and 175 ; Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, pp 37, 49 and

53: Beghie, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVI. p 516; Boulenger, Cat. Vol.

I, 1893, p 230; 0. c. Vol. III, 1896, » 604; Rec. Ind. Mus. 1913,

» 338; Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. X, p 72; Millard, Bomb.

N. H. J. Vol. XV, p 348; Richards, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XXV

p 150 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 40; Wall and Evans.

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIII, pp 351 and 619 ; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol. XFL, p 373 3.1. c. Vol. XV, p 524; lc. Vol. XVI, pp 305,

388 and 390; 1. c. Vol XVII, pp 107 and 857; l.c. Vol. XVITI,

p. 318; 0.c. Vol. XIX, pp 340, 611, 756, 757a and 898; l.c. Vol.

XX, p 1034; lc. Vol. XXVI, p 560); Rec. Ind. Mus. 1907, p 156.

_Nerodia piscator. Wall, Spol. Zeylan. 1921, p 397; Oph. Tap. 1921,

p9l.

Length.—1,290 mm. (4 feet, 23 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 125 to 154. Subcaudals, 58 to 90.

Distn.—Ceylon. Peninsular India. To Baluchistan in the extreme

North-West. N. W. Frontier. To Malakand. Western and Hastern

Himalayas. Assam. Abor Hills. Burma, As far North as Mansi, and

604 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCLETY, Vol.-X XIX,

~Bhamo. Andamans. Malay Peninsula. Siam. Indo-China. China.

As far North as Fokien. Malay Archipelago. Sumatra. Borneo.

Java. Formosa.

FOOTNOTE.

Nerodia tessellata (Laurenti.) Lauwrenti’s Keelback.

Tropidonotus tessellatus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 233;

l. c. Vol. III, 1896, p 605 ; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVIII,

p798; lc Vol. XXI, p 133. |

Distn.—S8. E. Europe. N. Africa. Central and 8. W. Asia.

Note.—Has not yet been recorded within the political limits of British

India. I obtained a specimen from Mastuj in North Chitral

Territory and on that account it is convenient to mention it here.

Genus.—RHABDOPHIS Fitzinger.

1766 Coluber. Linné, part, Mus. Ad. Frid., p 26, pl XVIII, fig. 2 (type

C berus).

1768 Natrix. Laurenti, part, Syn. Rept., p 74 [type N. natrix (Linné)].

1801 Elaps. Schneider, part. Hist. Amph. II, p 299 [type FE. marcgravi

(Wred)}.

1826 Tropidonotus. Bote, part. Isis., p 205 [type N. natria. (Linné)].

1843 Rhahdophis. Fitzinger, Syst. Rept.. p 27 (type R. subminiatus (Schlegel)].

1843 Steirophis. vizinger, Syst. Rept., p 27 [type R. chrysargus (Kuhl.)].

1854 Amphiesma. Dumeril and Bibron, part. Erp. Gen. VII, p 724 (type R

stolatus).

1854 Leptophis. (non Holbrook,’ 1842.) Dumeril and Bibron, part, Erp.

Gen. VII, p 541.

1858 Xenodon, (non Boie, 1827.) Giinther, part, Cat., p 58.

1858 Dromicus. (non Bibron, 1843.) Giinther, Cat., p 133.

1863 Thamnosophis. Jan., part, Elenco, p 82 [type R. lateralis (Dum and

Bibron)}.

1867 Zamenis. (non Wagler, 1830.) Steindachner, Sitz. Zool. bof. Ges. Wren.

XVil, p 513.

1876 Herpetoreas. Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc., p 16 [type H. sieboldt =

platyceps (Blyth)].

1877 Ahaetulla. (non Gray, 1825.) Boettger, Abh. Senck. Ges. XI, p 33.

1881 Philothamnus. (non Smith, 1840.) Boetiger, Abh. Senck. Ges. XII, p 526.

1882 Ptyas. (non Fitzinger, 1843.) Giinther, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (5) IX,

p 263.

1886 Bothrodytes. Cope, Proc. Amer. Phil. Sc. XXIII, p 495 [type R. sub-

miniatus (Schlegel).

90. (424) Rhabdophis platyceps (Blyth). Blyth’s Keelback.

Tropidonotus platyceps. Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, pp 37, 49

and 53; Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 248; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind.

Mus. 1891, p 36; Wall, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1907, p 156; Bomb. N. H.

J. Vol. XIX, p 340.

Disin.— Western Himalayas. As far West as Kashmir. Hastern

Himalayas. Assam. Abor Hills. Khasi Hills.

Note.—No 8622 of Sclater’s list is reported from Allahabad. The

same donor, Mr. J. O. Cockburn, records specimens of T'rachischium

guentheri (Nos 8763 and 8764 of Sclater’s list) from the same loca-

lity. Both records are equally untrustworthy. No 80—4 Bombay

collection from Taunggyi, S. Shan States, donor Mr. Lightfoot, I

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 605

discredit. It is significant that Nos 620 and 621 of the same col-

lection, bothof which are Macropisthodon plumbicolor; are also

reported from Taunggyi, and presented by the same Collector.

91, (432) Rhabdophis himalayanus (Gimther), The Orange-collared Keel-

back.

Macropisthodon himalayanus. Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, p 210.

Tropidonotus himalayanus. SBoulenger, Cat. Vol. 1, 1893, p 251; Ree.

Ind. Mus. 1913, p 338 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind, Mus. 1891, p 38;

Venning, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XX, p 341; Lc. p 773; Wall

and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIII, p 537; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol. XVIII, p 319; l. c. Vol. XIX, pp 341, 614 and 7T57a.,

Length.—864 mm. (2 feet, 10 inches).

Lepid.Ventrals. 157 to 177. Subcaudals. 78 to 97.

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas. Nepal to Sikkim, Assam. Plains and

Hills. Kaptai. Nr. Chittagong. (Nos 14574 and 14579. Ind. Mus.)

Burma, Manipur. Chin Hills. 8. Shan States. (Taunggyi, No 81-9

Bomb. colin.) Moulmein. (Nos 7417 and 7418. Ind. Mus.) Tenas-

serim. (Sclater.) China, Yunnan.

Note.—Reported by Beddome from the Anamallai Hills evidently in

error. (See note below Nairix parallelus.)

92. (430) Rhabdophis ceylonensis (Ginther). The Ceylon Keelback.

Tropidonotus ceylonensis. Abercromby, Sn. of Ceylon 1910, p 75;

Spol. Zeylan. 1913, p 145; Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 252;

lc. Vol. IIT, 1896, p 607; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 127;

Willey, Spol. Zeylan. 1906, p 233.

Rhabdophis ceylonensis. Wall, Oph. Tap. .1921, p 103.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 131 to 141, Subcaudals. 35 to 54.

Distn.—Ceylon. Hills,

93. (426) Rhabdophis beddomei (Giinther). Beddome’s Keelback.

Tropidonotus beddomii. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, » 252; Ferguson,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. X, p 72; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, » 137;

Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 37; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol.

XXVI, p 560.

Length.—692 mm. (2 feet, 34 inches).

Lepid.—Subcaudals. 62 to 81.

Distn.—Western Ghats, Mahableshwar to Tinnevelly.

94, (434) Rhabdophls stolatus (Linné), The Buff-striped Keelback.

Tropidonotus stolatus. Abercromby. Sn. Ceylon, 1910, pp 46, 47, 49,

and 76; Spol. Zeylan. 1911, pp 206 and 207; Lc. 1913, pp 144 and

146; Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, » 175; Rec. Ind. Mus. 1911, p

218; Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 253; Rec. Ind. Mus. 1913, p 338;

Ferguson, Bomb. N. H, J, Vol. X, p 72; Pearless, Spol, Zeylan, 1909,

p 54; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 131; Wall and Evans, Bomb.

N.H. J. Voi. XIII, pp 351 and 619; Wall, Bomb. N. A. J. Vol.

AIT, p 765; l.c. Vol. XV, p 525; l. c. Vol XVI, pp 302 and 390; 1. c.

Vol. XVIII, pp 108,. 205 and 320; 1. c Vol. XIX, pp 341,

615 and 8983 l;.c Vol. XX, p 603; l.¢c. Vol. XXVI, p 5625 Spel.

Zeylan. 1905, p 146; Rec. Ind. Mus. 1907, p 156 ; Willey, Sol.

Zeylon. 1906, p 233.

Rhabdophis stolatus. Wall, Spol. Zeylan. 1921, » 397; Oph. Tap.

1921, p 105.

Length.—762 mm. (2 feet, 6 inches),

606 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX,

Distn.—Ceylon. Peninsular India. Up to about 5,000 feet. As far

North as Sind. VN. W. Frontier. (Malakand F. W.) Himalayas.

Assam. North and South of the Bramaputra. Burma. As far North

as Myitkyina. (Lat. 26°. Long. 96°3°), South to Tenasserim.

Andamans. Nicobars. Malay Peninsula, Siam. . China. Yunnan.

Formosa, Philippines.

95. (429) Rhabdophis nigrocinctus (Blyth). The Black-banded Keelback.

Tropidonotus nigrocinctus. Boulenger, Cat, Vol. 1, 1893, p 255 ;

Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 37.

Lepid.Ventrals. 155 to 171.

Distn.— Burma. Pegu. Tenasserim. Tavoy. (Ind. Mus.) Kawkareik,

Dawna Hills. (F. W.) Siam. Klong Bang Lai. Patiyu. (M. Smith).

96. (431) Rhabdophis subminiatus (Schlegel). The Vermilion-necked Keel-

back.

Tropidonotus subminiatus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 256,

Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 38 ; Venning, Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol. XX, pp 341 and 773; Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XL11

pp 351 and 619; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVIII, p 320; 1. c. Vol.

XIX, pp 341, 618 and 757a.

Length.—1,080 mm. (3 feet, 64 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 132 to 175, Subcaudals, 61 to 97.

Disin.—Eastern Himalayas. Nepal to Sikkim. Assam. As far North

as Dibrugarh. Burma. As far North as Myitkyina. (Lat. 26°. Long.

96°3°). South to Tenasserim. (Mergui. Ind. Mus.) East to 8. Shan

States. (Taunggyi.) Siam. Indo-China, China. Yunnan. Malay

Peninsula. Malay Archipelago. Java. Celebes. Ternate.

Note.—Beddome’s record ‘‘ Madras Hills’ is to be discredited. See

note below Natrix parallelus.

97. (428) Rhabdophis chrysargus (Schlegel). Schlegel’s Keelback.

T. chrysargus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 258; Rec. Ind. Mus. 1913,

p 338; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 37; Wall, Rec. Ind. Mus.

1909, p 145.

Tropidonotus vibakari. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 41.

Length.—728 mm. (2 feet, 48% inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 156 to 175. Subcaudals. 60 to 102.

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas? Burma. Tenasserim. Peninsular Siam.

Malay Peninsula. S. China. Malay Archipelago. Sumatra. Java.

Borneo. Palawan.

Note.—This species, and firthi Wall, have been confused, and it is

difficult to define the exact habitat of the former North of Tenasserim

in consequence. Two specimens from Nepal submitted to Mr.

Boulenger by Dr. Annandale were pronounced chrysargus. These with

another from the Eastern Himalayas constituted the types of my

jirti, and other specimens from the Eastern Himalayas, and Assam

Hills identified as chrysargus may prove to be firthi. Aspecimen from

“Burma” is in the British Museum (‘“‘g” of Boulenger’s Catalogue)

but “Burma” has been often loosely applied by our older herpeto-

logists, and it is possible that this may have come from Tenasserim

a Province within the Political boundaries of Burma. I have

examined 12 specimens from Tenasserim.

98. (Ni.) Rhabdophis firthi (Wall). Firth’s Keelback.

Tropidonotus chrysargus ? Boulenger, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1913, p 337:

Wall, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1907, p 156.

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 607

Tropidonotus firthi. Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol, XXIII, p 166.

Types.—In the Indian Museum. (Nos 15817 and 15818 from Chitlong,

Nepal).

Length.—About 455 mm. (about 1 foot, 6 inches). Not measured,

Lepid.—Ventrals. 173 to 199. Subcaudals. 80 to 88.

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas. Nepal to Sikkim. Assam ? Silonibari,

N. Lakhimpur (Boulenger).

Note.—See note below last species.

99. (433) Rhabdophis monticola (Jerdon). Jerdon’s Keelback.

Tropidonotus monticola. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 259 ; Ferguson,

Bomb. N. H. S. Vol. XIV, p 386; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910,

p 137; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 39; Wall, Bomb. N.

H, J. Vol. XXVI, p 562.

Length.—577 mm. (1 foot, 102 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 133 to 145. Subcaudals. 78 to 92.

Distn.— Western Ghats. From Talevadi, Goa Frontier (Ind. Mus.)

to Travancore.

Genus.—PHAYREA Theobald.

1868 Phayrea. Theobald, Cat. Rept. As. Soc. Mus., » 51 (type Pisabellina).

1896 Psammophis. (non Wagler, 1830). Boulenyer, part, Cat. Vol. Il, p 165.

100. (Nil.) Phayrea isabellina Theobald. Phayre’s Snake.

Phayrea isabellina. Theobald, Cat. Rept. As. Soc. Mus. 1868, p 51;

Wall, Rec. Ind. Mus. Aug. 1921, p 109.

Psammophis condanarus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. III, 1896, p 165 (part).

Type.—In the Indian Museum, from Bassein.

Length.—520 mm. (1 foot, 83 inches). Tail 145 mm. (5? inches),

Lepid.—Costals. Two heads-lengths behind the head 19, at midbody

19, two heads-lengths before the vent 17; smooth. Ventrals. 166.

Anal. Divided. Sukcaudals. 82, divided.

Distn.— Burma. Bassein (Theobald).

Note.—This snake is closely allied to the members of the genus

Rhabdophis, and is not an Opisthoglyph. The teeth in the left

maxilla are diacranterian. The praecranterian are 17 (?) in number

and moderately coryphodont in type. The cranterian teeth number

2 and are about twice the length of the last praecranterian.

Genus.—MacropistHopon Boulenger.

101. (489) Macropisthodon plumbicolor (Cantor). The Green Keelback.

Tropidonotus plumbicolor. Abercromby, Spol. Zeylan, 1911, p 206 ;

Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. X, p 72; Fischer, Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol. XVII, p 527; Pearless, Spol. Zeylan. 1909, p 54; Sclater.

List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891. p 41; Willey, Spol. Zeylan. 1906, p 233.

Macropisthodon plumbicolor. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 267 ; 1. c.

Vol. III, 1896, p 609 ; Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XX, p 1164 ;

Fischer, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol, XVII, pp 1 and 527; Fletcher, Spol.

Zeylan. 1908, p 99; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 130; Wall,

Bomo. IN. LOS. Vol. XVI. p 390%, ..c: Volt Vil, po ls tse, Vol.

XIX, p 756; 1. c. Vol. XXVI, p 563; Oph. Tap. 1921, p 128.

Length.—890 mm. (2 feet, 11 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. In midbody 21 to27. Ventrals. 144 to 163. Sub-

caudals. 34 to 50.

608 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XAIX,

Distn.—Peninsular India, Except the Ganges Valley. In or near

elevated terrain usually up to 7,000 feet. Punjab. Ambala (Sto-

liczka). Sind. (Murray.) Ceylon.

Note.—See note to Rhabdophis platyceps.

Genus.—PsEUDOXENODON Bouwlexger.

102. (422) Pseudoxenodon angusticeps (Blyth). The Mock Cobra.

“P. macrops. Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, pp 37, 49 and 53;

Boulenger, Cat. Vol, 1, 1893, p. 270; Rec. Ind. Mus. 1913, » 338;

Venning, Bomb. N. H. J, Vol. XX, pp 340 and 772 ; Sclater, List.

Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 363 Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol, XVIII, p 321;

l. c. Vol. XIX, py 341, 757a and 898 ; l. c. Vol. XX, p 446.

Type.—From Ramri Island, Arakan, in the Indian Museum.

Length.—1,283 mm. (4 feet, 24 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 152 to 180. Subcaudals. 55 to 82.

Disin.—Eastern Himalayas. Nepal to Sikkim, Assam. Hills North of

the Bramaputra. Burma. As far North as Myitkyina (Lat. 26°.

Long. 96°3° Bombay colln.) South to Tenasserim. (Ind. Mus.). East

to S. Shan States. (Taunggyi. Bombay colln.). China. Yunnan.

(de Scabra) Sze-Chuen. (Brit. Mus.)

Note.—The name Pseudoxenodon angusticeps Blyth has page preference

over P. macrops of the same Author (J. A. 8., Beng., XXIII, 1855,

p 296).

Genus.—Heticorps Wagler.

103. (440) Helicops schistosus (Daudin). The Olivaceous Keelback.

Sub-species—Helecops schistosus indicus.

Abercromby, Spol. Zeylan. 1911, p 206; l. c. 1913, p 145; Annandale,

Rec. Ind. Mus. 1911, p 218; Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 274;

Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. X, p72; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena.

1910, » 131; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 44; Wall, Bomb.

N. A.J. Vol. XVI, p 391; 1. c. Vol. XVIII, » 109; 1c. Vol. XIX, p °

146; 1. c. Vol. XXI, p 1009; Oph. Tap. 1921, » 135; Willey, Spol.

Zeylan. 1906, p 233.

Length.—870 mm. (2 feet, 104 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 128 to 161.

Distn.—Peninsular India, South of Rajputana, and to base of Hima-

layas further east. Ceylon.

Note.—A specimen in the Bombay collection (91-3), donor Major F. Wall,

is labelled by mistake ‘‘ Shillong.” Sub-species, H. schistosus

andersoni is known from China. Yunnan, (Ind. Mus.).

Genus.—IRACHISCHIUM Giinther.

104. (336) Trachischium fuscum (Blyth.) The Black-bellied Roughside.

Ablabes gilgiticus. Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, p 210; Wall

Rec. Ind. Mus. 1919, p 147.

Trachischium fuscum. Aznandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1904, p 208;

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 297 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus, 1891,

p.11; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIX, p 342.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 150 to 165. Subcaudals. 28 to 42.

Distn.—Himalayas. Gilgit. Loharganj, Garhwal Dist. (Ind. Mus.)

Sikkim. Assam. (Ind. Mus., Annandale.) Khasi Hills ? (Brit. Mus.)

Note.—I have not been able to trace the specimens referred to by

Annandale (J. A. S., Beng., 1904, p 208.), presented by the Assam

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 609

Government to the Indian Museum. Khasi Hills rests on the

authority of Jerdon who presented one specimen to the British

Museum said to be from this locality.

105. (337) Trachischium guentheri Boulenger. The Rose-bellied Roughside.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 298; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910,

p 146; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 11, Wall. Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol. XIX, p 343.

Length.—437 mm. (1 foot, 5} inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 132 to 154, Subcaudals. 29 to 38.

Distn.—Sikkim,

Note.—Nos 8763 and 8764 of Sclater’s list of snakes in the Indian Mu-

seum presented by Mr. J. Cockburn, labelled ‘‘ Allahabad’, are

obviously not from this locality. (Vide note attached to Jihabdophis

platyceps.).

106. (338) 'rachischium tenuiceps (Blyth.) The Yellow-bellied Roughside.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 299; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910.

p 146; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 11; Wall, Rec. Ind. Mus.

1907, p 156; Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIX, p 343.

Length.—406 mm. (1 foot, 4 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 125 to 140. Subcaudals. 28 to 42.

Distn.—EHastern Himalayas. Nepal to Sikkim. Bengal, Hills near

Barakar. (Anderson, J.A.S., Beng., Vol. XL, p 33).

Note.—Improbable as “‘ Hills near Barakar”’ may at first sight seem,

Annandale (Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, p 47) from fairly extensive and

varied collections, finds a Himalayan element in the fauna of Paras-

nath Hill. (4,480 feet.) Among other reptiles he obtained the Hima-

layan Lizard Lygosoma sikkimense there, so that Anderson’s record

of the snake 7’. tenwiceps from “‘ Hills near Barakar ”’ claims credit.

107. (339) Trachischium moaticola (Cantor.) Cantor’s Roughside,

Trachischium rubriventer. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, p 300.

Trachischium monticola, Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, pp 37,

45 and 53: Boulenger, Cat. Vol. J, 1893, p 299; 1. c. Vol. ILI,

1896, p 612; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 12; Wall, Bomd. N.

H, J. Vol. XVIII, p 322 ; 1. c. Vol. XIX, footnote, pp 343 and 618.

Distn.—Assam. Hills North and South of the Bramaputra, astern

Himalayas ? Bengal. Barakar. (Ind. Mus.)

Note.—I have examined the Barakar specimen and can confirm its

identity. This may have come from Parasnath Hill. (See note

attached to 7’. tenuiceps.) Eastern Himalayas rests on the authority

of Jerdon who sent nine specimens from Darjeeling to the British

Museum. This would lead one to suppose the species is common

there, whereas it has not been found by any of the many other her-

petologists who have explored that locality. I suggested (Bomb.

N. H. J. Vol. XIX, p 343, footnote) that these specimens might

have been collected in the Assam Hills where this species is common,

and where Jerdon: collected extensively, Eastern Himalayas seems

to me a locality that calls for confirmation. Jerdon’s 7’. rubriventer

(Proc. A. 8.. Beng., 1870, p 80) does not appear to me sufficiently

differentiated to consider a. distinct species.

108, (Nil.) Trachischium quinquelabialis Wall, Wall’s Roughside.

Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. X XI, p 201.

Type——From Muktesar, Western Himalayas. In the Indian Museum,

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

Lo9,

110.

at,

412.

p13.

il4,

Length.—324 mm. (123 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. In 13 rows in midbody. Ventrals. 141 to 147. Sub-

caudals. 29 to 39. Supralabials. 5.

Disin.— Western Himalayas. Muktesar, and near Naini Tal. (F.W.)

Note.—I have now seen four specimens, three of which were taken at

Muktesar at about 7,000 feet.

Genus—-RHABDOPS Boulenger.

(361) Rhabdops olivaceus (Beddome), Leddome’s Smooth Snake.

Pseudocyclophis olivaceus. Boulenger, Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890,

p 300.

Rhabdops olivaceus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 300; Sarasin,

Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p. 187; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XXVI,

» 564.

Length.—750 mm. (2 feet, 6? inches).

Lepid.—Ventvrals. 202 to 215. Subcaudals. 63 to: 74.

Distn.— Western Ghats. Wynad.

(362) Rhabdops bicolor (Blyth.) Blyth’s Smooth Snake.

Pseudocyclophis bicolor. Boulenger, Faun. Brit. Ind. Mus. 1890, p

300 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 16.

Bhabdops bicclor. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, » 301; Wait, Bomb.

N.H. J. Vol. XIII, p 322; l.c. Vol. XXI, p 686.

Length.—676 mm. (2 feet, 22 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 190 to 214.

Distn.—-Assam. Ihasi Hills. China. Yunnan.

Genus—PLaGIOPHOLIS Boulenger.

(Nil.) Plagiopholis blakewayi Boulenger. Dlakeway’s Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 301. Wall, Bom. N. H. J. Vol. X XTX,

p 467.

Distn.— Burma. 8. Shan States. (Taunggyi. Brit. Mus.) Sinlum Kaba

Lat. 24 (Long. 97°5) Bombay Collection.

Genus—XYLoPHIS Beddome.

(334) Xylophis perroteti (Dumeril and Bibron.) Perrotet’s Dwarf Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 304;1. ¢ Vol. III, 1896, p 612

. Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. X, p 71; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena

1910, p 138 ; Sclaier, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 11; Wall, Bomb.

N. H. J. Vol. XX VI, p 564.

Lenid.—Ventrals. 130 to 150. Subcaudals. 14 to 40.

Distn.— Western Ghats. Wynad to Tinnevelly.

(335) Xylophis stenorynchus (Ginther.) Giinther’s Dwarf Snake.

annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1904, » 208; Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893,

o 304; Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. X,p 71; Sarasin, Zocl. Jahr.

vena. 1910, p 138. "

repid.—Ventrals. 108 to 132. Subcaudals. 12 to 31.

Distn.—-Western Ghats. Anamalais to Tinnevelly.

Genus—HAaPpLocercus Giinther.

(346) Haplocercus ceylonensis Ginther. The Black-spined Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 309; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910,

w 127; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVIII, p 7843; Oph. Tap.

$921, p 143 ; Willey, Sol. Zeylan. 1906, p 233.

21.

116.

417.

118.

119,

120.

HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 611

Length.—450 mm. ( 1 foot, 5} inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 177 to 217.

Distn.—Ceylon. Hills of Central, Uva and Sabaragamuwa Provinces.

Genus--ASPIDURA Wagler.

(345) Aspidura trachyprocta Cope. The Common Roughside.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. 1, 1893, p 313 ; 1. c. Vol. IIT, 1896, p 613; Fletcher,

Spol. Zeylan. 1908, p. 98; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 127;

Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891 p12; Wall, Spol. Zeylan. 1905, p

144 ; Oph. Tap. 1921, p 209 ; Willey, Spol. Zeylan. 1906, p 233.

. Length.—412 mm. (1 foot, 44 inches).

Distn.—Ceylon. Hills of Central, and Uva Provinces.

(Nil.) Aspidura drummondhayi Boulenger. Drummond-Hay’s Rough

side.

Boulenger, Spol. Zeylan. 1094, p 95; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p

127; Wall, Oph. Tap. 1921, p 213; Willey, Spol. Zeylan. 1906,

p 239.

Types.—From Balangoda. Preserved in the British Museum.

Lepid.— Ventrals. 112 to 135. Subcaudals. 18 to 26.

Distn.—Ceylon. Hills of Uva Province. (Balangoda.)

(342) Aspidura brachyorrhus (Boie.) Boie’s Roughside.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 311 ; Pearless, Spol. Zeylan. 1909, p

54; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 127; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind.

Mus. 1891, p 12; Wall, Oph. Tap. 1921, p 204; Willey, Spol.

Zeulan. 1906, p 233.

Length.—390 mm. (1 foot, 3 inches).

Lepids.—Ventrals. 139 to 159.

Distn.— Ceylon. In or near Hills.

(343) Aspidura copei Giimther. Cope’s Roughside.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I 1893, p 311; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1919,

p 217; Wall, Oph. Tap. 1921, p 207; Willey, Spotl. Zeylan. 1906,

p 233.

Length.—650 mm. (2 feet, 1 inch). .

Distn.—Ceylon. Hills of Uva and Central Provinces.

(244) Aspidura guentheri Ferguson. The Pigmy Roughside.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 312; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910,

p 127 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p12; Wall, Oph. Tap.

1921, p 208 ; Spol. Zeylan. 1921, p 398; Willey, Spol. Zeylan. 1906.

p 233.

Disin.—Ceylon. Western Province.

Genus.—Biytuta Theobald.

(341) Blythia reticulata (Blyth.) Bilyth’s Snake.

Aproaspidops antecursorum. Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, pp

37, 46 and 53.

Blythia reticulata. Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, pp 37 and 45;

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 314: Rec. Ind. Mus. 1913, p 338 ;

Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 12; Venning, Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol. XX, pp 336 and 771; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVIII, p 323.

Lepid.—Ventrais. 122 to 157. Subcaudals. 16 to 32.

Distn.—Assam. Hills North and South of the Bramaputra to Manipur

(F. W.) Burma. Hills. Sima. (Lat 25°, Long, 97-2° Bombay colln.).

Cain Hills. (Haka.) Lushai Hills.

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

Genus—-TRIRHINOPHOLIS Boulenger.

121. (Nil.) Trirhinopholis nuchalis Boulenger. The Arrow-head Snake.

Oligodon evansi. Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XXII, p 514.

Trirhinopholis nuchalis. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 419; lc. Vol.

ITI, 1896, p 612; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XXVI, p 863; 1. ¢.

Vol XX VII, 6175; Lc. Vol. XXVIII, p 43; l.c. Vol. XXIX, p 46.

Length.—470 mm. (1 foot, 63 inches).

Lepid. a enerals 131 to 141. Subcaudals. 23 to 27. (I omitted to

remark against one in a previous paper with subcaudals 19 from

Taunggyi, that the tail was incomplete.)

Disin.—Buima. Hills between the Chindwin and Salween Rivers, as

far North as Mansi and Sima, Lat. 25° Long. 97:2°. (Bombay colin.)

S. Shan States (Thondaung. F. W. Taunggyi. Bombay colln.) Karenni:

(Brit. Mus.) Stam. Ratchaburi, on the Western Boundary. (M.

Smith.)

Genus—OpnitEes Wagler. °

1826 Lycodon. Ferrusac, part, Bull. Scien. Nat. p 238 [type L. audax= Hor-

monotus modestus (/-umeril and bibron).

1830 Ophites. Wagler. Syst. Amph., p 186 [type O. subcinctus (Bore)].

1853 Sphecodes. Dumeril and Libron, Mem. Acad. Scient. XXL11, p 461. (type

S. albofuscus).

1858 Tetragonosoma. Gunther, Cat. p 253 [type 7. effrenis (Cantor) |.

1863 Lycophidion. eters, Mon. Berl. Acad., p 403 [type L. bipunctatum=

Ophites jara (Show) |.

1868 Tytleria. Theoba/d, Cat. Rept. As. Soc. Mus., p 66 [type T. hypsirhinoides=

Ophites aulicus (Linne)].

1870 Cercaspis. (non Dumeril and Burbron., 1854.) Beddome, Madras Monthly

Jour. Med. Sc.

1884 Elapoides (non Boie, 1827.) Sauvage, Bull. Soc. Phil. (7), VIII, p 144.

122. (347) Ophites striatus (Shaw) Shaw’s Wolf Snake.

Lycodon striatus. Annandale, J. A. 8., Beng., 1904, p 208; Mem. A.S.,

Beng., Vol. I, p 194; Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 3493; Green.

Spol. Zeylan. 1905, p 205; 1. c. 1906, pp 233 and 234; Sarasin, Zool;

Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 130; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 13;

Wall, Spol. Zeylan. 1907, p 174; Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVIII, p 110

l.c. Vol. XIX, p 102; 1. ¢. Vol. XX, p 1034; Willey, Spol. Zeylan

1906, p 233.

Ophites striatus. Wall, Oph. Tap. 1921, pp 147.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 150 to 196. Subcaudals. 34 to 66.

Distn.—Ceylon. Peninsular India. To the Himalayas. Western

Himalayas. Kasauli (F.W.) Punjab. Sind. Baluchistan. Persva.

Khwaja. (Ind. Mus.). Transcaspia.

123. (348) Ophites jara (Shaw.) The Twin-spotted Wolf Snake.

Lycodon jara. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 350; 1. c. Vol. IIT, 1896,

p 618; Rec. Ind. Mus. 1913, p 338; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus.

1891, p 14; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIX, pp 344 and 619.

Length.—539 mm. (1 foot, 94 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 167to 188. Subcaudals. 52 to 74.

Distn.—Bengal. Alipur. Sibpur. (Ind. Mus.) Saraghat. (F. W.) Last

Himalayas. Pashok. Tindharia. (F. W.) Assam. Dibrugarh. Sadiya.

Makum. Namsang. (F. W.) Dejoo, N. Lakhimpur. N. Cachar. (Ind.

Mus.) Monacherra, Cachar.(Bombay colln.). Burma. Manipur. (F. W.)

Pegu. ? (Stoliczka.)

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 613

Noté.—Specimens in the British Museum of Colonel Beddome’s collect-

ing are labelled ‘‘ Malabar ”’, and ‘‘ Anamallays’’. These localities are

to be discredited for reasons cited in the note below Nairiz

parallelus. Pegu on the authority of Stoliczka calls for confirmation.

124. (349) Ophites anamallensis (Giinther.) Gunther's Wolf Snake.

Lycodon anamallensis, Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 351; Sarasin,

Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 138.

Disin.— Western Ghats. Anamalais. Wynad.

Note.—In_ view of the fact that I have had specimens of striatus and

aulicus in which the loreal is divided into two, and specimens of

both in which the anal is entire, I think this species may have to be

united with aulicus. Only two specimens are known both of which

are in the British Museum.

125. (351) Ophites aulicus (Linné.) The Common Wolf Snake.

Lycodon ulicus. Abercromby, Spol. Zeylan. 1911, pp 205 and 206

Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, pp 173 and 175; Boulenger, Cate

Volt, p. 352; l.c. Vol. ILI, p 618; Blyth, And. Islanders,

pp 365 and 366; Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. X, p 71; Pearless,

Spol. Zeylan, 1909, p 54; Sarasin. Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 131;

Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 14; Wall and Evans, Bomb,

N. HA. J. Vol. XITT, pp 348 and 616; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XV.

p 706-:1.c. Vol. XIV, pp 293 and 387; 1.c. Vol. XVIII, p 112;

lc. Vi XIX, pp 87, 344, 619, 756, 757a; 898; lI. c. Vol. XX.

p 521; 7c. Vol. XXVI, p 565 ; Rec. Ind. Mus. 1907, p 156; Willey,

Spol. Zeylan. 1906, p 233.

Ophites aulicus. Wall. Oph. Tap. 1921, p 151.

Length.—838 mm. (2 feet, 9 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 177 to 224. Subcaudals. 53 to 80.

Distn.—Ceylon. Peninsular India. Sind. Larkhana. (Bombay colln.).

Himalayas. Kuluto Sikkim. Assam. As far North as Dibrugarh.

Burma. As far North as Myitkyina. -South to Tenasserim. East

to Shan States. Andamans. Nicobars. Malay Peninsula. Indo-China.

China. Yunnan. Southern Provinces and neighbouring Islands.

Matay-Archipelago. Java to Timor. Philippines.

126. (Nil.) Ophites flavomaculatus (Wall.) Wall's Wolf Snake.

Lycodon flavomaculatus. Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 138 ; Wall;

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVII, p 612.

Types.—In the British Museum from Oudi and Kirkee.

Length.—350 mm. (1 foot, 1# inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 165 to 182. Anal. Divided. Subcaudals. 53 to 62.

Distn.— Western Ghats. (Nasik. Kirkee. Poona. Deolali. Dharwar.

Sangli. Lat. 16° & Long. 75°.) Berar. (Buldana. Lat. 20°5°. Long

76°).

. Note.—Was confused with L. jara for many years.

127. (350) Ophites travancoricus (Beddome.) Beddome’s Wolf Snake.

Lycodon travancoricus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 355; Ferguson

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. X, p71; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p

138; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 14; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol. XVI, p 297; I. c. Vol. XIX, p 756; 1. c. Vol. XXVI, p 565.

Length.—742 mm. (2 feet, 5} inches).

Distn.— Hills of Peninsular India. Western Ghats. (From Matheran

to Tinnevelly.) S. Arcot. Vizagapatam. (Bombay colln.) Jubbul-

pore, C. P. (Bombay colln.)

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

128. (352) Ophites atropurpureus (Cantor.) Cantor's Wolf. Snake.

Lycodon atropurpureus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 356.

Type.—From Mergui, is lost.

Distn.— Bengal. Assam ? Burma. Mergui.

Note.—The type of Cantor’s subfuscus (synonymous) from Bengal is

also lost. No representative is known in any Museum.

129. (354) Ophites fasciatus Anderson. Anderson’s Wolf Snake.

Lycodon fasciatus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 358; l. c. Vol. III,

1896, p 618 ; Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVI,p 169; Sclater, List

Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p15; Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol.

XIII, pp 372 and 616; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVIII, pp 324

and 779; l. c. Vol. XX, pp 279 and 948.

Length.—934 mm. (3 feet, # of an inch).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 201 to 213. Subcaudals. 74 to 94.

Disin.—East Himalayas. Darjeeling Dist. (Ind. Mus.) Mungpoo.

3 (F. W.) Assam. Tezpur. (Ind. Mus.) Khasi Hills. Burma. As far

Northas Mansi and Sima. (Lat. 250. Long. 97°. F.W.). Chin Hills.

Shan States. (Mogok. Maymyo. Taunggyi. F. W.) Siam. In the

Peninsula N. of Kra. China. Yunnan.

Note.—I have examined a young example in the British Museum

labelled L. gammiei by Mr. Boulenger, in which the costals are 17

in midbody, ventrals 208, and subcaudals 91, which emphasises the

close resemblance of this species to Dinodon gammiet. (Vide note on

that species. )

130. (Nil.) Ophites mackinnoni (Wall.) Mackinnon’s Wolf Snake.

Lycodon mackinnoni. Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVII, p 29.

T'ype.—From Mussoorie. Preserved in the British Museum.

Length.—387 mm. (1 foot, 34 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 164 to 184. Subcaudals. 47 to 57.

Disin.— Western Himalayas. Mussoorie. Almora. Muktesar. Near

Naini Tal.

Note.—I have now seen eleven specimens.

Genus.—CercasPis Dumeril and Bibron.

1820 Hurria. (non Daudin 1803.) Kuhl, Beitr. Zool. Verg. Anat, p 95.

1837 Lycodon. (non Ferrusac, 1826.) Schlegel, Phys. Serp. I, p 109, pl LT,

figs 6 and 7.

1854 Cercaspis. (non Wagler, 1830.) Dumeril and Bibron, VII, p 390.

131. (356) Cercaspis carinatus (Kuhl.) The Ceylon Wolf Snake.

Lycodon carinatus. Boulenger, Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890, » 297

Cat. Vol. I, 1893, » 358; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 127

Willey, Spol. Zeylan. 1906, p 233.

Cercaspis carinatus. Wall, Spol. Zeylan. 1921, pp 399 and 404. Oph.

Tap. 1921, » 162.

Length.—730 mm. (2 feet, 4? inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 188 to 198. Subcaudals. 51 to 64. Costals. Two

heads-lengths behind the head 17, midbody 19, two heads-lengths

before the vent 17.

Disin.—Ceylon. Plains and up to 3,000 feet.

Note.—My reasons for removing this species from the genus Ophites

are given in Spolia Zeylanica, 1921, p 404.

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 615

Genus.—Di1nopon Dumeril and Bibron.

132. (355) Dinodon gammiei (Blanford). Gammie’s Wolf Snake.

Lycodon fasciatus. D’Abreu, Bomb. N. H. J. Volo. XX: p 857;

bce Vol. XX, op 1385.

Lycodon gammiei. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 358; Sarasin, Zool.

Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 146; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 15 ;

Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XXI, p 279.

Type.—From Darjeeling Dist. in the Indian Museum.

Length.—1.118 mm. (3 feet, 8 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. At midbody 17 or 19. Ventrals. 206 to 222. Sub-

caudals. 98 to 105.

Disin.—Hastern Himalayas. Darjeeling Dist. (Ind. Mus.) Kurseong.

(D’ Abreu. )

Note.—I have examined the type (No 8447 in the Indian Museum) and

count the ventrals 222, and the subcaudals 100 in pairs. The costals

are 17 anteriorly for about six heads-lengths, then become 19 and

remain 19 till behind midbody, when they become 17, and later

reduce to 15. In this feature I believe the specimen will prove

aberrant. A second specimen (No 17129 in the Indian Museum) has

the costals in 17 rows to well behind midbody. I count the ventrals

207, and the subcaudals 105. The species is extremely like Ophites

fasciatus in almost every detail, but I am satisfied is not only distinct

but should be placed in the genus Dinodon. I find that in both the

specimens referred to, the praecranterian teeth are small and

number 2. The cranterian number 3 and progressively reduce in

size, the first of the 3 being considerably larger than the praecranterian.

This is the arrangement of the teeth in three other species of

Dinodon of which I have skulls, viz., septentrionalis, rufozonatus

and semicarinatus. In the genus Ophites there are 2 small

praecranterian teeth. The cranterian number 2 only, the posterior

being the shorter. In this respect my four skulls of fasciatus agree

with other Ophites. I have skulls of 7 species. The specimen

referred to by D’Abreu as Ophites fasciatus was submitted to me

for examination, and proves to be this species. I have seen four

examples,

133. (353) Dinodon septentrionalis (Giinther.) Jerdon’s Wolf Snake.

Sub-species.—Dinodon _ septentrionalis septentrionalis Gunther.

Bungarus bungaroides. WSclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 58. (part,

No 7741).

Lycodon septentrionalis. Boulenger, Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890, p

295.

Dinodon septentrionalis. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 363; 1. c.

Vol. III, 1896, p 619; Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVI, p 235; Wall,

Pol Sela. p 90; bomb. No He J. Vol. XVILL, p. 118); Keo.

Ind. Mus. 1909, » 621. s

Length.—1,020 mm. (3 feet, 4 } inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 207 to 217. Subcaudals. 81 to 92.

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas. Darjeeling Dist. (Ind. Mus.). Phoobser-

ing, below Darjeeling. (F. W.) Assam. Namsang. Lat. 27°. Long.

95°5°. (F. W.) Burma. Mogok, Ruby mines. (Boulenger.) Karen Hills.

(Brit. Mus.) S. China. Kuatun, Fokien. (Boulenger.) Hills N. of

Kiukiang. (Brit. Mus.)

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

Genus.—DRYOCALAMUS Giuinther.

134. (357) Dryocalamus nympha (Daudin.) The Bridal Snake.

Hydrophobus nympha. Boulenger, Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890, p |

298 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 16. |

Dryocalamus nympha. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 370; Ferguson, |

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. X, p 71; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p

128; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIX, p 287; Spol. Zeylan. 1921, p

399 ; Oph. Tap. 1921, p 166; Willey, Spol. Zeylan. 1906, p 233.

Length.—508 mm. (1 foot, 8 inches).

Distn.—Ceylon. Peninsular India. As far North as the Balarangam

Hills on the Western side and Orissa (Rumbha. F. W.) on the

Eastern.

135. (359) Dryocalamus davisoni (Blanford.) Davison’s Bridal Snake,

Hydrophobus davisoni. Boulenger, Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890. p

299 . Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 16 (part, No 3201).

Dryocalamus davisoni. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 372.

Length.—700 mm. (2 feet, 33 inches).

Distn.—Burma. Tenasserim. (Nawlabu Hill. E. of Tavoy. Ind. Mus.).

Siam. Indo-China.

136. (358) Dryocalamus gracilis (Giinther.) The Scarce Bridal Snake.

Hydrophobus gracilis. Boulenger, Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890, p 298,

Hydrophobus davisoni. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 16 (part.

No 8690).

Dryocalamus gracilis. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 371 ; Sarasin;

Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 128; Wall, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1909, p 147.

Bomb. N. H.J Vol. XIX, p 290; Oph. Tap. 1921, p 169; Willey,

Spol. Zeylan. 1906, p 233.

Lengih.—607 mm. (1 foot, 11% inches.)

Lepid.—Ventrals. 199 to 243. Subcaudals. 75 to 87. Anal. Sometimes

divided.

Distn.—Ceylon. Peninsular India. Anamalais and Cuddapah Hills

(Brit. Mus.) Berhampore, Orissa. (F. W.).

Note.—Specimen No 8690 of Sclater’s list is undoubtedly this species.

The costals are in 15 rows. Ventrals. 236. Anal. Divided, (and in

this feature aberrant). Subcaudals. 85. I support Sclater in the

doubt he has raised to the locality of this specimen (labelled False

Island, Arrakan ?).

Genus.—Pryas Fitzinger.

1758 Coluber. Linré, part, Syst. Nat. 1, p 226 (type C berus).

1768 Natrix. Laurenti, part, Syn. Rept. I, p 388 [type N natriv (Linne.)]

1843 Ptyas. Fitzinger, Syst. LRept., p 26 [(type Coluber blumenbachi) =

P mucosus (Linné) |.

1854 Coryphodon. Dumertl and Libron, part, Erp. Gen. VII, p 180.

1854 Ablabes. Dumertl and Bibron, part. Erp. Gen. VII, p 326

1860 Zaocys. Cope, Proc. Ac. Philad, p 563 [type Z dhumnades (Cantor.)|

1860 Leptophis. (non Dumeril and Bibron, 1854). Hatlowell, Proc. Ac. Philad.

p 503.

1864 Zapyrus. Giinther, Rept. Brit. Ind., p 256 (type Z fuscus).

1890 Zamenis. Boulenger, part. Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890, p 324.

438.

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 617

137 (397) Ptyas mucosus (Linné.) The Dhaman or Common Rat Snake;

29,

Zamenis mucosus. Abercromby, Sn. of Ceylon, 1910; pp 47, 63 and 73 ;

Spol. Zeylan. 1911, p 205;¢.c.1913,p 145; Alcock and Rogers P.R.

Soc. 1902, p 451; Annandale, J. A. S8., Beng, 1905, p 175; Rec. Ind. Mus.

1912, pp 37, 48 and 53 ; Beadon, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XX, p 228.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 385; 1. c. Vol. III. 1896, p 621 ;

D Abreu, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XXI, p 1099: lc. Vol. XXIV, p 753.

Fenton, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIX, p 1002; Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol. X, p 71; Gleadow, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVII, p 245 ; Kelsall,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XII, p 783 ; Millard, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XV.

p 348;l.c. Vol. XVII, p 245; Millett, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XLX, p

759; Mullan, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVIII, p 919; Pearless ; Spol.

Zeylan. 1909, p 54; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 132 ;

Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891 p 26; Sundara Raj, Bomb.

N.H.J. Vol. XXIII, p 789; Venning, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XX,

p 339; Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Voi. XIII, pp 353 and 620;

Wall, Spol. Zeylan. 1905, p 3; Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVI, pp 298 and

393 ;1.c. Vol XVII, pp 259, 1017, and 1033 1. c. Vol. XVIII; pp 113

and 157; lc. Vol. XIX, pp 267, 345, 623 and 757 ; lc. Volo XXL,

pp 134 and 1034; 1. c. Vol. XXIII, p 168; Willey, Spol. Zeylan.

1906, p 233.

Zaocys mucosus. Wall Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XXIII, p 168; l.c. Vole

XXVI, p 566 ; Spol. Zeylan. 1921, p 399.

Ptyas mucosus. Wall, Oph. Tap. 1921. p 172.

Length.—3,583 mm. (11 feet, 9 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 180 to 213. Subcaudals. 95 to 146.

Distn.—Ceylon. Peninsular India. To the Himalayas. Sind.

Baluchistan. Afghanistan. Transcaspia. Assam. North and South

of the Bramaputra. Burma. Andamans. Malay Peninsula.

Indo-China. S. China. Including neighbouring Islands and For-

mosa. Malay Archipelago. Java.

Note.—In the Bombay Natural History Journal Vol. XXIII, p 168,

I gave reasons for removing mucosus (Linné) from the genus

Zamenis, and included it with the genus Zaocys, but Cope’s Zaocys

1860, is antedated by Fitzinger’s Piyas. 1843. All the six species

referred to in Boulenger’s Catalogue under Zaocys (Vol I, p 374)

must now be grouped with mucosus under the name Ptyas,

(405) Ptyas nigromarginatus (Blyth.) Blyth’s Rat Snake.

Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1911, p 217; Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893

p 376 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 29; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol. XVIII, p 325; Le. Vo. XIX, pp 344 and 621.

Length.—2,363 mm. (7 feet, 9 inches.) (Blyth).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 189 to 205. Subcaudals. 120 to 142.

Distn.—Lastern Himalayas. Nepal to Sikkim. Assam. — Khasi

Hills. Naga Hills. (Kohima, F. W.) China. Yunnan. (Lu-shui-ho,

Su-chuan Province. Annandale).

(Ni.) Ptyas tenasserimensis (Sclater.) Sclater’s Rat Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 378 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891,

p 30.

Type.—In the Indian Museum from Tenasserim.

Distn.—Burma. Tenasserim.

Note.—Known from a single specimen in the Indian Museum.

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

Genus—ZAMENIS Wagler.

140. (596) Zamenis korros (Schlegel.) Schlegel’s Rat Snake.

Zamenis korros. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 3843; lc. Vol. IIT

1896, p 621 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 26; Wall and

Evans, Bomb.N. H. J. Vol. XTIT, pp 353 and 620. ; Wall, Bomb.

N.H. J. Vol. XVIII, p 326 ; l. c. Vol: XIX, pp 345 and 622.

Length.—2,198 mm. (7 feet, 24 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 160 to 187. Subcaudals. 120 to 147.

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas. Assam. North and South of the Brama-

putra. Hastern Bengal. Chittagong. (Ind. Mus.) Burma. Plains.

and Hills. Shan States. (Lashio. Bombay colln.) Tenasserim.

(Ind. Mus.) Malay Peninsulas Siam. Indo-China. China.

Yunnan. South; Provinces, and neighbouring Islands. Malay

Archipelago. Sumatra. Java. Formosa ?

141. (398, 399) Zamenis ventrimaculatus (Gray) Gray’s Rat Snake.

Zamenis rhodorhachis. Alcock and Finn, J. A. S., Beng., 1896, p 563..

Annandale, J.A.S., Beng., 1904, p 209. Boulenger. Cat. Vol. I. 1893, p-

398 ;1. c. Vol. III, 1896, p 623; P. Z S. 1919, » 301; Wall, Bomb.

N.H. J. Vol. XVITI, p 198: tc. Vol. XX pp 3s and A035:

Zamenis ventrimaculatus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. 1, 1893, p 399 ;1. c. Vol-

ITI, 1896, p 623; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 143; Sclater,.

Last. Sn. Ind, Mus. 1891, » 27; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XXII,

p 38.

Zamenis ladacensis. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 27.

Length.—1,232 mm. (4 feet and 4 an inch).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 199 to 246. Subcaudals. 82 to 145.

Distn.—A frica. Egypt to Somaliland. Arabia. From Mesopotamia in

the North to Aden Hinterland in the South. Persia. Transcaspia-

Afghanistan. N. W. Lndia. Baluchistan. Chitral. Gilgit. Ladak. Sind.

Punjab. Peninsular {ndia. TRajputana. Gujerat. (Deesa. Bombay

colln.) Bombay Pres. (Khandesh. Deolali. Bombay colln.

Western Himalayas. As far East as Lamgarrah, Almora District

(F. W.)

Note.—I cannot separate this species from rhodorhachis Jan. It is:

as variable in colouration as Z diadema, but I do not think these

varieties deserve recognition as subspecies.

142. (400) Zamenis karelini (Brandt.) Karelin’s Rat Snake.

Annandale, J. A. S., Beng. 1904, » 209; Alcock and Finn, J. A. S-

Beng. 1896, p 563; Boulenger, Cat. Vol. 1, 1893, pm. 401: Sclater, List.-

Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, » 28; Wall, Bomb. N.H.J. Vol. XX, p 1035.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 192 to 213. Subcaudals. 92 to 111.

Disin.—Transcaspia. Lurkestan. Persia. Afghanistan. Baluchistan.

143. (401) Zamenis gracilis (Giinther.) Giinthers Rat Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. 1, 1893, p 404 ; 2. c. Vol. ILI, 1896, p 624.

Distn.—Peninsular /ndia. Bombay, Poona. (Murray.) Satara. Asirgarh,

Lat. 21°5° Long. 76°2° (Bombay colln.) Sind. (Murray. )

144, (Nil.) Zamenis florulentus (Geoffrey.) Geoffrey's Rat Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. 7;.1893, » 402; Jvc) Volo ite =p 624: (Pa 7.8:

1919, p 302; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVIII, p 689.

Disin.—N. E. Africa. Egypt to Somaliland. Baluchistan. Quetta.

(EF. W.)

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 619%

145. (402) Zamenis fasciolatus (Shaw.) The Fasciolated Rat Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 404 ; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p.

131; Sclater. List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 28; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol.

XVIUI, p 115; bc. Vol. XXIII, p 34; Oph. Tap. 1921, p 1913;

Willey, Spol. Zeylan. 1906, p 233.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 191 to 2382.

Distn.—Ceylon. Peninsular India. To the base of the Himalayas.

To Calcutta in the N. East. To the Punjab in the N. West. (Ambala.

Bombay colln. )

Note.—I doubt its occurrence in the Malay Peninsula for reasons cited

in the note to Typhlops bothriorhynchus (q.v.).

146. (Nil.) Zamenis ravergieri (Menetries.) Ravergier’s Rat Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 405 ;1. c. Vol. IIT, 1896, p 625; Sclater.

List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, » 29; Wall, Bomb. N.H.J. Vol. XXI, pp’

137 and 1036.

Distn.—Transcaucasia. Transcaspia. Turkestan. Persia. Afghanistan,

Baluchistan (F. W.) Chitral. (F. W.) N. W. Frontier. (Paiwar Kotal.

F. W.)

147. (403) Zamenis diadema (Schlegel.) The Royal Rat Snake.

Annandale, J. A. S.. Beng., 1904, p 208; Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I 1893, p:

411; 2. c. Vol. III, 1896, p 265; P. Z. S. 1919, » 302; Sclater, Lnst.

Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 28; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XXI, pp 138-

and 1036; 1. c. Vol. XXIII, p 210.

Distn.—N. Africa. Algeria to Egypt. Arata, Persia. Turkestan. Afgha-

nistan. Baluchistan. N. W. lndia, Chitral, N. W. Frontier. Punjab.,

Peninsular India. Rajputana. As far South as Cutch. (Bhuj. Bom-

bay colln.) and Guzerat. (Ahmedabad. Bombay colln.) As far East

as Farukhabad, U.P. (F. W.)

148. (404) Zamenis arenarius Boulenger. Murray’s Rat Snake,

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1893, p 413.

Distn.—N. W. India. Sind. Rajputana.

Genus—LYTORHYNCHUS Pelers.

149, (Nil) Lytorhynchus ridgewayt Boulenger. Ridgeway's Desert Snake.

Alcock and Finn, J. A. S., Beng. 1896,, » 562; Annandale, J. A. S.,

Beng. , 1904, p 208; Boulenger; Cat. Vol. 1, 1893, p 415; Wall, Bomb.

Ne wiHecd V0), Xone. 7 ORT.

Lepid.—V entrals. 171 to 185. Subcaudals. 42 to 52.

Distn.—Transcaspia. Afghanistan, Baluchistan. Man, Gusht, Kacha,

Sib, Kanki. (Bombay colln.) Quetta. (F. W).

150, (395) Lytorhynchus paradoxus (Ginther.) Giinther’s Desert Snake,

Boulenger, Cat. Vol I, 1893, p 416.

Distn.—Sind. Punjab. Multan. (Bombay colln.)

151. (Nil.) Lytorhynchus maynardi Alcock and Finn. Maynard’s Desert

Snake.

Alcock and Finn, J. A. S8., Beng, 1896, p 562; Annandale, J. A. S.,

Beng., 1904, p 208.

Type.—From near Probat, Perso-Baluch Frontier. Preserved in the

Indian Museum. Co-type in the British Museum.

520 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXLX.

Lepid.—Costals. In 19 rows in midbody. Ventrals. 181 to 192. Ana

Divided. Subcaudals. 55 to 58.

Distn.—Baluchistan.

Genus.—XENELAPHIS Giinther.

152. (415) Xenelaphis hexagonotus (Cantor.) Cantor's Rat Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. IT, 1894, p 8.

Distn.—Burma,. Arakan. Malay Peninsula. Malay Archipelago. Sumatra

Borneo. Java.

Genus.—CoLuBER* Linné,

153. (413) Coluber frenatus (Gray.) Gray’s Coluber.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, p 58.

Distn.—Assam, Khasi Hills.

154. (412) Coluber prasinus Blyth. Blyth’s Coluber.

Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1911, p 218; Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894;

p 59; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 32; Venning, Bomb. N. H

J. Vol. XX, p 337; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Voi. XIX, pp 346 and 825.

Lepid.—-Ventrals. 191 to 209. Subcaudals. 91 to 110.

Disin.—kastern Himalayas. Sikkim. Assam. Garo Hills. Khasi Hills.

Naga Hills. (F. W.) Burma. As far North as Mansi+ (Lat. 24‘32. Long.

96°32. Bombay colln.) Bhamo. (Ind. Mus.) Chin Hills. N. Shan

States. (Ruby Mines. Bombay colln.) 8. Shan States. China,

Yunnan. (Ind. Mus.)

t+Note.—There is another Mansi (Lat. 24°7°. Long. 95°7°).

455. (373) Coluber porphyraceus Cantor. The Broad-barred Coluber.

Ablabes porphyraceus. Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1911, p 217; 1. c.

1912, pp 37, 47and53; Boulenger. Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890, p

308; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, » 19; Venning, Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol. XX, p 337; Wall and Evans, Bomb. N.H.J. Vol. XIII, pp 343

and 611.

Coluber porphyraceus. Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, » 175;

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, p 34; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol.

XVIII, p 326; l.c. Vol. XIX, pp 345 and 827.

Length.—991 mm. (3 feet, 6 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 190 to 218.

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas. Jalpaiguri Dist. Sikkim. Assam. Abor

Hills. Sadiya. (F. W.) Sibsagar (Ind. Mus.) Garo Hills. Khasi

Hills. Naga Hills. Burma. Kachin Hills. (Hotha., Ind. Mus. Sadon

Lat. 24°7°. Long. 98°. Bombay colin.) Manipur. Chin Hills. 8S. Shan

States. Andamans, (Annandale.) China. Yunnan. Fokien.

Note.—I do not credit its occurrence in the Malay Peninsula for reasons

cited in the note to T'yphlops bothriorhynchus. I cannot trace the

authority for Sumatra, and also discredit this as a locality until

confirmation,

*Stejneger (Herp. Japan 1907, p 307) attempts to invalidate Coluber Linné,

1766, and substitute Hlaphe Fitzinger 1833, on the representation that Linné

did not cite a definite genotype, and Fleming in 1822, and Boie in 1826 selected

‘as types species that were unknown to Linné. The matter should be referred

to an International tribunal to decide, and until a decision has been given it

would be unwise to change the name. (See also footnote to Vipera.)

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 621

156. (411) Coluber melanurus Schlegel. Schlegel’s Coluber.

Annandale, J.A.S., Beng., 1905, pp 173 and 175; Boulenger, Cat. Vol.

IT, 1894, p 60; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 145, Sclater, List

Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 32.

Lepid.—Subcaudals. 89 to 115.

Disin.-—Burma. Tenasserim. (Mergui. Ind. Mus.) Andamans. Nicobars,

Malay Peninsula, Malay Archipelago. Sumatra. Nias. Borneo.

Java. China ?

Note.—Malcolm-Smith questions the authenticity of China.

157. (410) Coluber radiatus Schlegel. The Copper-headed Coluber.

Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, p 210; Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894,

p 61; Rec. Ind. Mus. 1913, p 358; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891,

p 32; Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIII, pp 345 and 614;

Wall, Bom. N. H. J. Vol. XVIII, p 327; 1. c. Vol. XIX, pp 347.

757a and 825; l.c. Vol XX1I/, p 206.

Length.—2,135 mm. (7 feet). (Rev. C. Leigh, S.J., in a letter to me

from Kurseong, 21-7-09.)

Lepid.—Ventrals. 224 to 250. Subcaudals. 85 to 106.

Disin.—Orissa. Cuttack. (Ind. Mus.). Bengal. Backergunj. (Ind.

Mus.) Kakina, Rungpore District. Cooch Behar. (Bombay colln.)

Eastern Himalayas. Buxa Dooars. (F. W.) to Sikkim. Assam. As far

North as Sadiya. (F. W.) Khasi Hills. Naga Hills. Burma, As far

North as Monywa and Mandalay. 8. Shan States. Tenasserim. Malay

Peninsula, Malay Archipelago. Sumatra. Java. Siam. Including

Coastal Islands, Cochin China, China, Southern Provinces and

Coastal Islands.

158. (Nil.) Coluber leonardi Wall. Leonard’s Coluber.

Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XXVIIT, p 43, l.c. Vol. XXIX, p 467.

Type.—From Sinlum Kaba. Now preserved in the British Museum.

Length.— 685 mm. (2 feet, 3 inches). Tail. 113 mm. (43 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. Two heads-lengths behind the head 19, midbody

19, two heads-lengths before the vent 17. Ventrals. 205 to 223?

Anal. Divided. Subcaudals. £0 to 56 divided.

Distn.—Burma, Sinlum Kaba (Lat. 24°. Long. 97°5°). Assam.

159. (407) Coluber cantoris Boulenger. Cantor’s Coluber.

Coluber reticularis. Boulenger, Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890, p 332 ;

Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 31.

Coluber cantoris. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, p 35; Wall, Bomb.

N.H. J Vol. XIX, pp 345 and 898.

Length.—1,372 mm. (4 feet, 6 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 213 to 236. Subcaudals. 65 to 88.

Distn.— Eastern Himalayas. Nepal to Sikkim. Assam. Garo Hills.

Khasi Hills. Burma ?

Note.—The localities Pegu and Ramri Island (Ind. Mus.) seem to me

to call for confirmation.

160. (Nil.) Coluber pavo (Annandale.) Annandale’s Coluber.

Ablabes pavo. Annandale, Rec. Ind, Mus. 1912, pp 37, 47 and 53 3

Prater, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XXVI, p 683.

Coluber pavo. Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XXVI, p 865.

Type.—From Abor Hills, preserved in the Indian Museum.

Length.—1740 mm. (5 feet, 84 inches), Tail. 330. mm (1 foot,

1 inch).

§22 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXLX.,

Lepid.—Costals. In 21 rows in midbody (not 19). Ventrals. 225 to

238. Subcaudals. 80.

Distn.—Assam. Abor Hills. (Rotung. Ind. Mus. Type.) Burma, Kindat.

(Lat. 23°82. Long. 94°5°. Konglu. Lat. 27-20. Long. 97:50. Bombay

collin.)

Note.—I find the scales 21 in midbody in the type and two others.

J61. (408) Coluber hodgsoni (Giinther.) Hodgson’s Coluber.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. IT, 1894, »m 35; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr Jena, 1910,

p 146; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 31.

Length.—1,614 mm. (5 feet, 33 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. 23 (rarely 21) in midbody. Ventrals. 233 to 247.

Subcaudals. 79 to 92.

Distn.— Himalayas. From Ladak and Kashmir (Srinagar. Bombay

colln.) to Sikkim. Assam. Garo Hills. (Ind. Mus.).

Note.—Flower very properly questions the authenticity of Hanitsch’s

record of this species from Singapore.

162. (409) Coluber taniurus (Cope.) Cope’s Coluber.

Coluber teeniurus. Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1911, p 217; L. c.

1912, pp 37, 48 and 53 ; Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, p 473 /.

Vol. ILI, 1896, p 627; Butler, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XII, pp 424

and 425: WSclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 31; Venning,

Bomb. N.H.J. Vol. XX, p 338; Wall, Bomb. N.H.J. Vol. XIX, p 346.

Length.—1,677 mm. (5 feet, 6 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 230 to 235. Subcaudals. 90 to 107.

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas. Assam. Abor Hills. Burma. Chin

Hills. China. Yunnan. (Ind. Mus.) Yangtse Valley to Pekin.

Formosa. Korea. Manchuria. Amur. /

Note.—Stejneger (Herp. Japan 1907, p 319) points out that the speci-

mens from Siam, Malay Peninsula, Borneo, and Sumatra recorded

as teniurus conform to a type specifically distinct from this species,

viz., grabowskyi Fischer. With this opinion I fully concur.

163. (414) Coluber oxycephalus Boie. Boie’s Coluber.

Herpetodryas prasinus. Blyth, Andaman Islanders, p 365; J. A. S.,

Beng., Vol. XXIII, p 291.

Coluber oxycephalus. Annandale, J. A. S. Beng. 1905, p 175:

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. IIT, 1894, pp 56 and 357; 1. c. Vol. IIT, 1896,

p 627 ; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 145; Sclater, List. Sn.

Ind. Mus. 1891, p 33; Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIII,

p 614.

Lepid.—Subcaudals. 121 to 157.

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas. Darjeeling (Dist. ? Ind. Mus.). Burma.

Pegu. (Ind. Mus.) Tenasserim. Andamans. Nicobars. Malay

Peninsula. Siam. Peninsula N. of Kra. (Malcolm-Smith) Malay

Archipelago. Borneo. Java. Philinnines.

64, (406) Coluber helena Daudin. Daudin’s Coluber, or the Trinket Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, pp 36 and 357; Ferguson, Bomb.

N. A.J. Vol. X, p 72; Pearless, Spol. Zeylan. 1909, p 54; Sarasin.

Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 130; WSclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891,

p 31; Wall, Bomb... N. H.J. Vol. XVI, p 394; t.c. Vol. XIX, p

757; Lic. Vol. XXII, p22; l.c. Vol. XXVI, p 566; Spol. Zeylan. 1921.

Pp 399 ; Oph. Tap. 1921, p 197; Willey, Spol. Zeylan. 1906, p 233.

Length. ge 601 mm, (5 feet, 3 inches).

A HAND.-.LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 623

166,

£67.

168.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 217 to 265. Subcaudals. 73 to 100.

Disin.—Ceylon. Peninsular India. To Sind in the North-West, and

Jalpaiguri Dist. in the North-East. Western Himalayas. Almora

District. (If W.) Assam. Naga Hills. (Samaguting. Ind. Mus.)

Genus—DENDROPHIS Bote.

(420) Dendrophis caudolineolatus Giimther. Giinther’s Bronze-back.

Dendrophis caudolineolatus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, p 85; Ferguson,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. X, 1895, p 72; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena.

1910, p 128; Wall, Rec. Ind. Mus. Aug. 1921, p 151; Rec. Ind.

Mus. Aug. 1921, p 218.

Dendrophis caudolineatus. Walley, Spol. Zeylan, 1903, p 86; 1. ¢.

1906, p 233.

Length.—876 mm. (2 feet, 105 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 149 to 164. Subcaudals. 119 to 128.

Distn.—S. India. Ramnad (Ind. Mus.). Travancore. (Ferguson.) Ceylon.

Note.—1 have examined all the Indian specimens referred to,

(Nil.) Dendrophis effrenis Werner. Werner's Bronze-back.

Dendrophis effrenis. Werner, Rept. Nat. Hist. Mus., Hamburg, 1909,

p 221; Wall, Rec. Ind, Mus, Aug. 1921, p 152; Oph. Tap. 1921, p 219.

Type.—¥rom Ccylon. Preserved in the Hamburg Natural History

Museum. %

Length.—884 mm. (2 feet, 103 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. In 13 rows in midbody. Ventrals. 175.

129. Loreal. none.

Distn.—Ceylon. Acquired from Mr. John Hagenback, said to - be

from Colombo.

Note.—May prove to be an example of D. caudolineolatus aberrant

in that it has no loreal, as I have seen a specimen with the lorea!

confluent with the praefrontal on one side. Boulenger (Cat. Vol.

IIL, p 630) records a similar anomaly in a specimen of D. tristis,

Subcaudals.

(Nil.) Dendrophis gorei Wall. Gore's Bronze-back.

Dendrophis pictus. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 34 (part

Nos 3945, 4042, 7703, 7705, 7707 and 7736).

Dendrophis gorei. Annandale, Rec. tnd. Mus. 1912, pp 37, 48 and 53

(part No 16871 from Kobe); Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIX

p 829; lc. Vol. XXII, p 639; Rec. Ind. Mus. Aug. 1921, p 153.

Types.—From Namsang, Jaipur at the base of the Naga Hills. Preser-

ved inthe British Museum.

Length.—825 mm. (2 feet, 83 inches).

Lepid.——Costals. In 13 rows in midbody. Ventrals. 187 to 199. Anal.

divided. (Rarely entire.) Subcaudals. 139 to 153.

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas. Darjeeling Dist. (Nos 7703, 7705,

7736. Ind. Mus.). Assam. Kobe. Abor Expedn. (No 16871. Ind.

Mus.) Dibrugarh (F. W.). Sibsagar (No 4042. Ind. Mus.). Garo

Hills (No 3945. Ind. Mus.), Naga Hills. (Jaipur. F. W. Samaguting.

No 7707 Ind. Mus.) Burma. 8. Shan States (Taunggyi.

Bom bay

colln.).

(417) Dendrophis pictus (Gmelin) Gmelin’s Bronze-back.

Dendrophis pictus. Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, pp 174 and 175:

Blyth, Andaman Islanders, pp 365 and 366; Boulenger, Cat. Vol.

IT, 1893, pp 78 and 358; Sarasin. Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 131;

624 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.-

Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 34 (part, Nos 4074, 4483,

4484, 4485, 4486, 4487, 4489, 4490, 4491, 4492, 4493, 4494, 7682;

7683, 7686, 7687, 7691, 7692, 7696, 7698, 7700, 7701, 7704, 7706,

7709, 7710, 7711, 7712, 7714, 7718, 7734, 7735 7886, 8614, 8886,

8894, 8897, 8898, 12542); Wall and Evans, Bomb. N.H.J. Vol.

XIII, pp 345 and 615; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVIII, p 189 s.

lc. Vol. XIX, pp 347, 787 and 827; 1.c. Vol. XXV, p 509; Ree.

Ind. Mus, Aug. 1921, p 153.

Dendrophis gori. Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, pp 37, 48 and 53:

(part, Nos 16836 and 16993).

Length.—1,220 mm. (4 feet).

Lepid.—Costals. In 15 rows in midbody. Ventrals. 173 to 211.

Subcaudals. 119 to 164.

Disin.— Western Himalayas? Kathgodam. (F. W.) (Stoliczka.)..

Eastern Himalayas. Sikkim. Assam, Plains and Hills. burma.

As far North as Sima. (Lat. 25°. Long. 96°. Bombay colln.) 8. Shan.

States. (Taunggyi. Bombay colln.) Tenasserim. Andamans.

Nicobars. Malay Peninsula. Stam. Indo-China. China?

(Hongkong. ? I’. W.) Malay Archipelago. Sumatra, Further East

to Philippines.

Note.—It is not certain whether it is this snake or D. tristis, Stoliczka

refers to from the Western Himalayas, and there is a similar doubt

with regard to the specimen I encountered at Kathgodam.

169. (416) Dendrophis grandoculis Boulenger. Beddome’s Bronze-back.

D. grandoculis. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. 11, 1893, p 84; Ferguson, Bomb.

N. A. J. Vol. X, p 72; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 1383.

Wall, Rec. Ind. Mus. Aug. 1921, p 156.

Lepid.—Costals. In 15 rows. Ventrals 167 to 188.

Disin— Hills of S. india. South of the Goa gap. Tinnevelly.

Travancore. (Brit. Mus.). Nilgiris. (Kollengode. Bombay colln.)

Wynad. (Brit Mus.).

170. (Nil.) Dendrophis proarchus Wall. Wall’s Bronze-back.

Dendrophis pictus. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 34 (part Nos

3998, 4046, 6909, 7680, 7713, 7717, 11368); Wall, Bomb. N.H.J.

Vol. XVII, p 189.

D. proarchos. Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIX, pp 827 and 898 ;

Rec. Ind. Mus. Aug. 1921, p 157,

Types.—From Upper Assam, in the Bombay Natural History Museum.

Length.—1,296 mm. (4 feet, 3 inches).

Lepid.—Costals, 15 in midbody. Ventrals. 181 to 196. Subcaudals.

141 to 157. Anal, Entire.

Disitn.—N. LE. India. Upper Godavery Dist. (No 6909. Ind. Mus.)

Bengal. Jalpaiguri Dist. (I. W.). Chittagong (F.W.) Assam. As far

North as Sadiya. Sibsagar. Narainpur. Silchar, N. Cachar. Garo

Hills. Naga Hills. (Ind. Mus.). Burma, Ramri Island, Arrakan.

(Ind. Mus.). Upper Burma. (F.W.)

171. (419) Dendrophis bifrenalis Boulenger. Boulenger’s Bronze-back.

Dendrophis bifrenalis. Abercromby, WSpol. Zeylan. 1911, pp 205 and

207; Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II. 1893, pp 80 and 358; Ferguson, Bomb.

N.H.J. Vol. X, p 72; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p. 128; Wall,

Bomb. N.H.J. Vol. XXII, p 639; Spol. Zeylan. 1921, pp 399

and 406; Rec. Ind. Mus. Aug. 1921, p 158; Oph. Tap. 1921,

p215; Willey, Spol. Zeylan. 1904, p 116.

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 625

Lepid.—Ventrals. 154 to 176. Subcaudals. 144 to 165.

Distn.— Western Ghats. South of the Palghat gap. Travancore.

(Ind. Mus. F. W.) Ceylon.

Genus—DENDRELAPHIS Boulenger.

172. (Nil.) Dendrelaphis biloreatus Wall. The Biloreate Bronze-back.

Wall, Bomb. N..H. J. Vol. XVIII, p 273; l. c. Vol. XIX, p 830; Ree.

Ind. Mus. Aug. 1921, p 159.

Type.—From Sadiya, now in the British Museum.

Length.—699 mm. (2 feet, 34 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. 13 in midbody. Ventrals. 192. Anal. Divided.

Subcaudals. 147.

Distn.—Assam. Sadiya, on the North Bank of the Bramaputra.

173. (418) Dendrelaphis subocularis (Boulenger.) Fea’s Bronze-back.

Dendrelaphis subocularis. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, p 89; Malcolm

Smith, Bomb. N. H. J. 1915, p 785; Wall, Rec. Ind. Mus. Aug. 1921,

p 159.

Dendrophis subocularis. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 35.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 157 to 188.

Distn.— Burma. Bhamo. Siam. Fat Bua Kao. Bangkok. (Bombay

colln.) Den Chai, Bangtophan, Sriracha-Koh-Lam Island. (Malcolm-

Smith.) Indo-China. (Pavie Mission.)

174, (417) Dendrelaphis tristis (Daudin.) Seba’s Bronze-back.

Dendrophis pictus. .4bercromby, Spol. Zeylan. Vol. IX, p 146; Sn. of

Ceylon, 1910, pp 45, 48 and 75 ; Annandale, Mem. A.S., Beng., Vol. I,

p 194; Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1893, p 337 (part.); D’ Abreu, Bom.

N. H. J. Vol. XXV,p 306; Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. X, p73;

Green, Spol. Zeylan. 1906, p 220; Luard, B. N. H. Vol. XXV, p 306;

Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 34 (part. Nos 7684, 7685, 7715,

7716, 7720, 7721 and 12952); Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVI,

p 301; Willey, Spol. Zeylan. Vol. I, p 117; 1. c. 1906, p 233.

Dendrelaphis tristis. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1893, pp 88 and 358 ;

lc. Vol. III, p630; Luard, Bomb. N.H.J. Vol XXV, p 306; Sarasin,

Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 131; Wall, Bomb. N. H. aE Vol. XIX, pp

347, 757 and 776; Lc. Vol. XX VI, p 567; Spol. Zeylan. 1921, p 406 ;

Rec. Ind. Mus. Aug. 1921, p 160; Oph. Tap. 1921, 1.c. 1910 p 35,

Lc. 1921 p 221.

Length.—1,320 mm. (4 feet, 4 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 163 to 205. Subcaudals. 110 to 150.

Disin.—Ceylon. Peninsular India. As far North as Sind (Brit. Mus.).

Bengal. Jalpaiguri Dist. Kalna. (F. W.) Hastern Himalayas. Darjee

ling Dist. Burma. Mergui (Nos. 7684 and 7685. Ind. Mus.).

174, (421) Dendrelaphis caudolineatus (Gray.) Gray’s Bronze-back.

Note.—The occurrence of this species in India rests on the authority

of Beddome. ‘Two specimens in the British Museum are labelled

‘““Wynad”’, donor Colonel Beddome. I discredit this locality for

reasons stated in my note to Natrix parallelus,

Genus.—CoRONELLA Laurenti.

175, (374) Coronella brachyura (Giinther.) Leith’s Smooth Snake.

Coroneila brachyura. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1893, » 2063 Sarasin

Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, pp 140 and 145.

Length.—545 mm. (1 foot, 94 inches).

626

176,

E is

ATs,

179,

180,

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

Lepid.—Ventrals. 200 to 224. Subcaudals. 45 to 53.

Distn.— Peninsular India. Poona District. (No 11410. Ind. Mus.)

Berar. (Wun. Lat. 20°. Long. 79°. No 7335. Ind. Mus.)

Note. —I have examined all the three known specimens.

Genus.—OLIGopDoN * Boie.

(385) Oligodon pianiceps (Boulenger.) Boulenger’s Kukrt Snake.

Simotes planiceps. Boulenger, Cat. -Vol. II, p 232 ; Sclater, List. Sn,

Ind. Mus. 1891, p 25.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 132 to 142. Subcaudals, 22 to 27.

Distn.— Burma. Minhla. (Lat. 20°. Long. 95°.)

Note.—A specimen in the Indian Museum is dubiously from Upper

Burma or Yunnan.

(Nil.) Oligodon herberti Boulenger. Hampton's Kukri Snake.

Boulenger, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVI, p 235. Wall. Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol. XXVIII, p 44 51. c. Vol. XXIXX, p 467.

Type.—In the British Museum from Mogok, Ruby Mines. Burma.

Length.—560 mm. (1 foot, 10 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. In 13 rows in the whole body length. Ventrals.

186 to 208. Subcaudals. 37 to 40.

Distn.— Burma. N. Shan States. (Mogok.) Sinlum Kaba. (Lat. 24°

Long. 97°5°. Bombay colln.)

(Nil.) Oligodon mcdougalli Wall. McDougall’s Kukri Snake.

Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVI, p 251.

Type.—From Sandoway, in the British Museum.

Length.—350 mm. (1 foot, 1# inches).

Lepid.—Costals. 13 in the whole body length. Ventrals. 200. Anal.

Divided. Subcaudals. 39, in pairs. Nasal. Entire. Loreal. Absent.

Postocular. One.

Distn.— Burma. Sandoway.

(384) Oligodon torquatus (Boulenger.) Fea’s Kukri Snake.

Simotes torquatus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, p 232.

Length.—292 mm. (11$ inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals, 150 to 153 (144 to 159, Boulenger.)

Distn.—Burma. Between Lat. 24° and 26°, and East of Long. 96°.

Bhamo, (Brit. Mus.) Myitkyina. (F. W.)

Note.—I have seen four specimens including the types. I count the.

ventrals in the types 153 and 150, and the subcaudals 31 and 29.

(Nil.) Oligodon erythrorhachis Wall. The Red-spined Kukri Snake

Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIX, p 923.

Type.—From Jaipur, Assam in the British Museum.

Length.—375 mm. (1 foot, 2} inches).

Lepid.—Costals. 15 to behind midbody, 13 two heads-lengths before

vent. Ventrals. 154. Anal. Divided. Subcaudals. 46 to 64 ? divided.

Nasal. Entire. Loreal. Absent. Temporal. One. Supralabials. 7, the

3rd and 4th touching the eye, 6th reaching edge of lip.

Distn.—Assam. Jaipur (Namsang at the foot of the Naga Hills).

* In the Bombay Natural History Journal Vol, XIX. (Footnote, page 556) I

have shown that the separation of the genus Simotes from Oligodon was based on

faulty observations on the part of Ginther, and later Boulenger. I can find no

differences between the two of sufficient value to warrant their separation, and

Oligodon has precedence dating from 1827. (Simotes Dumeril and Bibron, 1853).

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 627

181. (390) Oligodon dorsalis (Gray.) Gray's Kukri Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, p 241; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus.

1891, p 25; Venning, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XX, pp 338 and 772;

Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVIII, p 327.

Length.—508 mm. (1 foot, 8 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 162 to 188. Subcaudals. 27 to 51.

Distn.—Eastern Bengal. Chittagong Hills. Assam. Garo Hills. (Ind.

Mus.) Khasi Hills. Naga Hills. Burma. Chin Hills. (Mansi Lat. 24°8°.

Long. 97°6°. Bombay colln.)

Note.—Calmaria catenata. Blyth, (J. A. 8., Beng., X XITIT, 1854, p 287)

may prove to be thissnake. I have known aspecimen where the

costals reduced to 13 at midbody.

182. (391) Oligodon templetoni Giinther. Templeton’s Kukri Snake.

O. templetoni. Abercromby, Sn. of Ceylon, 1910, p. 73; Boulenger,

Cat. Vol. II, 1894, pp 241 and 359 ; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1916,

p 127; Wall, Spol. Zeylan. 1921, p 400 ; Oph. Tap. 1921, p 245;

Willey, Spel. Zeylan. 1906, p 233.

Length.—292 mm. (114 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 127 to 152. Subcaudals, 20 to 34.

Distn.—Ceylon.

183. (392) Oligodon sublineatus Dumeril and Bibron. Dumeril’s Kukri

Snake.

O. sublineatus. Abercromby, Sn. of Ceylon, 1910, p 72; Spol. Zeylan.

1911, » 206 ; Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, p 175; Boulenger,

Cat. Vol. II, 1894, p 242; 1. c. Vol. III, 1896, » 640; Pearless,

Spol. Zeylan. 1909, p 54; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 134;

Sclater, Last. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 25; Wall, Spol. Zeylan. 1910,

p 37;l.c. 1921, p 400; Oph. Tap. 1921, p 248; Willey, Spol.

Zeylan. 1906, p 233.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 134 to 161. Subcaudals. 23 to 37.

Distn.—Ceylon.

Note.—I have examined de Roepstorff’s specimen in the Indian Museum,

and can confirm the identification, but I doubt the reported locality

(Nicobars). See note to Polyodontophis sagittarius.

484, (393) Oligodon elliot iGiinther, Elliot's Kukri Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. I, 1894, » 242; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910.

p 138; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIX, p 533,

Length.—343 mm. (1 foot, 14 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 149 to 152. Subcaudals. 29 to 31.

Distn.—S, India. No precise locality. Ceylon ? (Bombay. colln.)

Note.—Confirmation of the latter locality is desired before acceptance,

185. (394) Oligodon taeniolatus (Jerdon.) The Variegated Kukri Snake.

O. subgriseus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, p 243; Ferguson, Bomb,

N. H. J. Vol. X,p 71; Millard, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XV, p 348;

Pearless, Spol. Zeylan. 1909, p 54; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910,

p 130; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind, Mus. 1891, p 25; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol. XVI, p 298;1.c. Vol. XIX, p 556; lc. Vol. XXVI, p 568;

Spol. Zeylan. 1921, p 406 ; Willey, Spol. Zeylan, 1906, p 233.

O. taeniolatus. Wall, Oph. Tap. 1921, p 239.

Length. —584 mm, (1 foot, 11 inches),

Lepid.—Subcaudals. 29 to 56.

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

Disin.—Ceylon. Peninsular India. To Sind, Baluchistan, and N. W..

Frontier. Inthe North-East to Bengal. (Karagola, Purnea Dist;

Ind. Mus.). Western Himalayas. Garhwal Dist. (Dhikala. Ind. Mus.):

Note.—Jerdon (J. A. S., Beng., Vol. XXII, 1853, p 529) describes.

a snake under the name Coronella taeniolata which is clearly this:

species. Costals 15, ventrals 185, subcaudals 41, which he says “is.

common at Madras,” and he cites Plate XIX of Russell’s first volume:

as the snake he alludes to.

186. (Nil) Oligodon melaneus Wall. Wall’s Kukri Snake.

Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol, XIX, p 349.

Type.—From Sukna, in the British Museum. Co-type in the Bombay~

Natural History Society’s collection.

Length.—333 mm. (1 foot, 14 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. 15 in the whole body length. Ventrals. 152 to:

159. Anal. Divided or entire. Subcaudals. 40 to 42, divided.

Distn.—Lastern Bimalayas. Sikkim. (Sukna.)

187. (389) Oligodon brevicauda Ginther. The Short-tailed Kukri Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, p 240; Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J..

Vol. X, p 71; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr, Jena. 1910, p 138.

Disin.— Western Ghats. South of the Goa gap. Nilgiris. Ana--

malais. Travancore.

188. (378) Oligodon violaceus (Cantor.) The Violaceus Kukri Snake.

Simotes violaceus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, p 222; 1. c. Vol,

III, 1896, p 640; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 23; Wall’

and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIII, pp 350 and 618; Wall,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XII, pp 672 and 766; 1.c. Vol. XIX, p 831.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 157 to 182 (196, Boulenger.) Subcaudals. 29 to 42,

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas. Eastern Bengal. Chittagong Hills. Assam. —

Nazira. (Ind. Mus). Baroi. Tinsukia. (F. W.) Khasi Hills. Naga |

Hills. Burma. As far North as Mansi. (Lat. 24°7°. Long. |

95°7°.) Manipur. Arakan Hills. S. Shan States. (Taunggyi.) |

Tenasserim. Siam. Peninsula North of Kra. Indo-China, |

Camboja. China. Southern Provinces, and South Coastal Islands.

Lepid. Costals. Rarely in 19 rows.

189. (382) Oligodon theobaldi (Gimther.) Theobald’s Kukri Snake.

Simotes beddomii. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, p 229; Sarasa |

Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, » 138; Wall, Bomb. N. H.J. Vol, XXII

170.

Simotes theobaldi. Boulenger, Cat Vol. II, 1894, p 230; Sclater, List. |

Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 24; Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. —

XIII, pp 350 and 618; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVIII, p 7835

lc. Vol. XXGT Tip Wi0: |

Lepid.—Ventrals. 164 to 180; Subcaudals. 30 to 42. |

Distn.—Assam. Garo Hills. (Tura. Bombay colln.) Burma. As far

North as Myitkyina. (Bombay colln.) To Tenasserim. (Mergul. |

Ind. Mus.)

Note —Wynad on the authority of Beddome (Types of beddomer) must |

be discredited for reasons cited in the note to Natria parallelus.

Karachi (No. 11712, Ind. Mus.) is also untrustworthy.

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 629

190, (380) Oligodon arnensis (Shaw.) Z7'he Common Kukri Snake.

Simotes arnensis. Abercromby, Sn. of Ceylon, 1910, p 72; Boulenger.

Cat. Voi. II, 1894, pp 229 and 359; Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol.

X, p 71; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 130; Sclater,

Inst. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, » 24; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVIII,

pills; le. Vol. XIX, p 532; lc. Vol. XXII, p 749; Willey,

Spol. Zeylan. 1906, p 233.

Oligodon arnensis. Wall, Spol. Zeylan. 1921, p 400; Oph. Tap. 1921,

p 231.

Length.—700 mm. (2 feet and 2 of an inch).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 164 to 202.

Distn.— Ceylon. Peninsular India. To Dera Ghazi Khan. (Bombay

colln.) NV. W. Frontier. (Bannu. F.W.) Western Himalayas.

Almora Dist. (F. W.) Eastern Himalayas. Nepal to Sikkim.

191. (383) Oligodon cruentatu ? (Gunther.) The Crimson-tailed Kukri Snake

Simotes cruentatus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, p2381; Sclater, Inst.

Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 24; Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol.

XIII, pp 349 and 617.

Length.—387 mm. (1 foot, 34 inches).

Disin.—Burma. As far North as Bhamo, and South as Rangoon.

Note.—Stoliczka’s record of a specimen from Penang I discredit.

‘192. (Nil.) Oligodon erythrogaster Boulenger. The Red-bellied Kukrt Snake.

Simotes octolineatus. Giinther, P. Z. S. 1861, p 216; Rept. Brit. Ind.

1864, p. 206.

Oligodon erythrorhachis. Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, p 48.

Oligodon erythrogaster. Boulenger, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1907, p 217;

Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIX, p 1000. l. c. Vol. XXII, p 639.

Type.—From Nagarcoil, Nepal, in the Indian Museum.

Length.—510 mm. (1 foot, 8,5 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. In 17 rows to behind midbody, 15 or 13.two heads-

lengths before the vent. Ventrals. 163 to 186. Anal. Divided. Sub-

caudals. 42 to 59, divided. Nasal. Entire. Loreal. Absent. Temporal.

One (rarely two). Supralabials. 7, the 3rd and 4th touching the eye,

6th cuneate, not reaching edge of lip.

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas. Nepal to Sikkim (Tindharia. F. W.)

Assam. Abor Hills.

Note.—I have now seen six specimens including the type.

193. (387) Oligodon travancoricus Beddome. Beddome’s Kukri Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, p 236; Ferguson, Bomb. N, H.J. Vol. X,

p 71; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 138; Wall, Bomb.

NHS. Vol. XXIII, m. 169:

Lepid.—Ventrals. 145 to 155. ;

Distn.— Western Ghats. South of the Palghat gap. Travancore. (High

Range.) Tinnevelly.

Note.—In 1914 (Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XXIII, p 169) I questioned the

validity of this species apart from venustus. My doubts were based

on a study of external characters. Since then I have acquired one

skull, a comparison of which with my seven skulls of venustus supports

Boulenger’s view. Maxillary. Venustus 7 to 8 (8 usually); travan-

coricus. 7. Palatine. venustus 0 to 3; travancoricus 0. Pterygoid.

venustus 4 to 8: travancoricus 12. Mandibular. venustus 9 to 11;

travancoricus 8

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

194. (386) Oligodon venustus Jerdon. Jerdon’s Kukri Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II. 1894, » 235; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910,

p 138; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XXIII, p 169; l. c. Vol. XXVI,.

p 567.

Length—495 mm. (1 foot, 74 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 138 to 165. Subcaudals. 27 to 36.

Distn.— Western Ghats. South of the Goa gap. Wynad. Nilgiris.

Palnis. Cochin. Travancore.

195. (Nil.) Oligodon melanozonatus Wall.

O. erythrorhachis. Annandale. Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, p 48.

O. melanozonatus. Wall. Rec, Ind. Mus. Vol. XXIV, p 29,

Type.—No 16799 in the Indian Museum from Upper Rotung Valley,

Abor Hills, Assam Frontier. Co-type No 16798 Ind. Mus.

Length.—513 mm (1 foot, 8} inches).

Lepid.—Costals. Two heads-lengths behind the head 17, midbody

17, two heads-lengths before the vent 15. Ventrals. 171 to 173.

Anal. Divided. Subcaudals. 42 to 45, divided. Loreal. Absent.

Distn.— Assam. Abor Hills beyond the Frontier.

196. (388) Oligodon affinis Ginther. Génther’s Kukri Snake.

O. affinis. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, p 236; Ferguson, Bomb..

N. H. J. Vol. X, p 71; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 188;

Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XXVI, p 568.

Lepid.—Subcaudals. 23 to 36.

Distn.— Western Ghats. South of Goa gap. Wynad to Travancore

(High Range. Ferguson).

(381) Oligodon beddomei Boulenger.

Note.—See Oligodon theobaldt.

Oligodon octolineatus (Schneider.)

Note.—This I feel certain does not occur within Indian limits. Ana-

malais on the authority of Colonel Beddowe is to be discredited.

See note to Natriz parallelus.

197 (Ni.) Oligodon woodmasoni (Sclater.) Wood-Mason’s Kukri Snake.

Simotes woodmasoni. Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, pp 173 and:

175; Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, » 223; Sclater, Lust Sn.

Ind. Mus. 1891, p 24.

Lepid.—Subcaudals. 46 to 57. Loreal. Absent on both sides in:

specimen No 8459, and absent on the right side in No 12547

of the Indian Museum.

Distn.—Andamans. Nicobars.

Note.—I have examined both the co-types in the Indian Museum,

The 3rd labial is divided in both, and the upper part, and the 4th

touch the eye. Ventrals. 180 in both. Subcaudals. 54 in No.

12547 ; 48 (tail slightly incomplete) in No 8459.

198, (Nil.) Oligodon juglandifer (Wall.) The Large-spotted Kukri Snake.

Simotes albocinctus. (part) Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, p 220 (part:

Var. C.).

Simotes juglandifer. Wall, Bom. N. H. J. Vol. XX, p 1162.

Type.—In the Bombay Natural History Society’s collection. From:

Tindharia, Darjeeling District.

Length.—717 mm. (2 feet, 44 inches).

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 631

Lepid.—Costals. 19 in midbody. Ventrals. 162 to 208. Anal.

Entire. Subcaudals. 53 to 68.

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas. Nepal to Sikkim. Assam. Khasi

Hills. (Brit. Mus.).

199, (377) Oligodon albocinctus (Cantor.) The Light-barred Kukri Snake.

Simotes albocinctus. Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, pp 37,

48 and 53; Boulenger, Cat. Voi. II, 1894, p 220 (part, Var. A. and

B.), Rec. Ind. Mus. 1913, p 338; Hvans, Bomh. N. H. J. Vol. XVI,

p169; Sclater, List Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 23; Venning,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XX, p 338; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol.

XIX, pp 348, 757a, 830 and 898 ; l. c. Vol. XXIT, p 756.

Length.—864 mm. (2 feet, 10 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 177 to 208. Subcaudals. 47 to 69.

Distn.—Bengal. Rangpur District. (Kaligang. Ind. Mus.) Chittagong

Hills. Hastern Himalayas. Buxa Dooars to Sikkim. Assam. Plains

and Hills. Burma. As far North as Simla. (Lat. 252.°

Long. 97°. Bombay colln.) Kachin Hills. Manipur. Chin

Hills. Arakan Hills. 7

200. (376) Oligodon purpurascens (Schlegel.) Schlegel’s Kukri Snake.

Simotes purpurascens. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. IJ, 1894. p 219.

Simotes cyclurus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, p 219; Sclater,

List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 22; Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol. XIII, pp 350 and 617; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVIII,

p 780; Lc. Vol. XIX, p 348.

Length.—865 mm. (2 feet, 10 inches) (Malcolm-Smith).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 159 to 195 (156 to 210. Boulenger). Subcaudals.

40 to 60.

Distn.—Bengal. Purnea Dist. Rangpur Dist. Jalpaiguri Dist.

Calcutta. (Ind. Mus.) astern Himalayas. Assam. Garo Hills.

(Ind. Mus.) Khasi Hills (F. W.) Burma. Manipur. (F. W.) S.

Shan States. (Taunggyi, Kalaw.) Plains South of Lat. 21°.

Karen Hills. Diamond Island (Ind. Mus.), Tenasserim. Malay

Peninsula. (Stoliczka). Malay Archipelago. Sumatra. (Flower.)}

Siam and Coastal Islands. Indo-China. Cochin-China. Chena.

In the South. Hongkong (Specimen so labelled in City Hall.

Museum. F. W.)

201. (375) Oligodon splendidus (Giinther.) The Ornate Kukri Snake.

Simotes splendidus. Loulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, p 217; Heana,

Bomb H. N. J. Vol. XVI, p 362; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena.

1910, p 142; Venning, Bomb. N. H. J. Voi. XXIII, p 164; Wall

and Evans, Bomb. N. Wd. J. Vol. XIII, p 537; Wall, Bomb.

N. HJ. Vol. XVIII, p\781; Rec. Ind. Mus. Vol, II, p 105.

Length.—730 mm. (2 feet, 43 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals, 169 to 193. Subcaudals. 35 to 47.

Distn.— Burma. Between Lat. 20° and 23° and Long. 94° and 98°.

Yamethin. (Wall and Evans.) Sagaing. (Evans.) Pyawbwe.

(Venning.) Shwebo, Monywa, Mandalay. (Bom. colln.) N. Shan

States. (Ruby Mines, Evans) 8S. Shan States. (Kyaukse and

Pakokku. Ind. Mus.).

Note.—The locality of the type, presented by Beddome to the

British Museum (Wynad) is to be discredited. All the other

preserved specimens are from Burma. See note to Natix

parallelus.

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

Genus.—Contra Baird and Girard.

202, (Nil), Contia persica (Anderson). Azxderson’s Contia.

Cyclophis persicus. Anderson, P. Z. S. 1872, p 392. Blanford, Zool.

E. Persia. 1876, p 408.

Pseudocyclophis persicus. Boettger, Zool. Jahrb. 1888. III p 922.

Contia persica. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II. 1894, » 263. Ingoldby,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XXIX, p 129. Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol.

XVIII, p 801.

Contia angusticeps. Annandale, Bom. N. H. J. Vol. XVIII, p 801.

J. A. S. Bengal. 1904, p 208. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II. 1894, p 262.

Ingoldby, Bomb. N. H.J. Vol. XXIX, p 129. McMahon, Bomb.

N.H.J. Vol. XIV, p 181. Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XVIII,

p 501.

Contia walteri. Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XX, p 1037.

Lepid.—Loreal. Sometimes absent. Costals. Two heads-lengths behind

head 15, midbody 15, two heads-lengths before vent 15 or 13.

Ventrals. 185 to 214. Subcaudals. 63 to 82.

Distn —Persia. Baluchistan. Cherat. (No. 13680. Ind. Mus.) N. W.

Frontier. Malakand. Parachinar (Bombay colln.) Western Himalayas.

Murree. (Bombay colln.)

Note.—In an anomalous specimen from Malakand in the Bombay

collection, the fourth costal row above the ventrals divides and blends

several times so that the rows count 17 in places.

203. (360) Contia walteri (Boettger.) Walter’s Contia.

Pseudocyclophis walteri. Boulenger, Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890, p 300

Contia walteri. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, p 263.

Distn.—Transcaspia. Sind. Kolustan.

Note.—I suspect the Sind specimen will prove to be persicus,

204. (Néi.) Contia mcmahoni Wall. McMahon’s Contia.

Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XX, p 1038.

Types.—In the Quetta Museum. From Baluchistan,

Length.—311 mm. (1 foot and $ of an inch.)

Lepid.—Costals. Two heads-lengths behind head 13, midbody 15, two

heads-lengths before vent 13. Ventrals. 204 to 212. Anal. Divided.

Subcaudals. 91 to 96.

Distn.— Baluchistan. Quetta. Mach. Loralai. Spintangi.

Note.—I have seen four specimens.

(To be continued.)

633

ANIMAL LIFE OF THE GANGES.

{A lecture delivered in the Indian Museum, Calcutta, on the afternoon of August

22nd, 1923.)

By N. ANNANDALE, JD. Sc., C.LE.,

Director, Zoological Survey of India.

The study of the animal life of the Ganges is no new thing. For many cen-

turies it has attracted the attention of rulers, of religious leaders and of natura-

lists, who have regarded the matter from a practical, a superstitious or an

jntellectual point of view. Even in a strictly scientific sense it dawned in Bengal

before the beginning of the 19th century. Apart from casual mention of a few

real and mythical animals, the earliest document we possess is the Fifth Pillar

Edict of Asoka? by which game laws and fishery legislation were instituted

in northern India in the 3rd century B.C. In this inscription the Emperor

Asoka had carved on enduring stone a list of birds, beasts, fishes and possibly

even insects which were to be strictly preserved from slaughter, and he decreed

‘that no fish of any kind should be caught or sold on fast days throughout the

year or for three days at four full moons in each year.

Unfortunately the names of aquatic animals in his list of protected species

are very obscure. To judge, however, from modern Bengali two names have

preserved their meaning for all these centuries and are still in use in a modified

form. They are those of the Sting-rays (of which two species are common in

the Ganges)? and of a common river tortoise or terrapin now known to science

as Kachuga donghoka.*® Possibly Asoka also included the Gangetic Porpoise

in his list, for the word gangapuputakas, which has puzzled the commentators,

may be partly onomatopeic, representing the noise made by the animal as it

expels its breath on the surface.

Asoka’s motive was neither economic nor scientific. He was an ardent Bud-

dhist reformer interested in animals as partaking of life and thus being in the

stream of transmigration. We do not know why he considered certain species

more important than others from this point of view: perhaps because their

names were mentioned in ancient legends current in his time and already adopted

into Buddhism. Perhaps, on the other hand, their flesh or some other product

‘of them was regarded as a luxury and not as a necessity of life.

After about seventeen centuries another emperor appeared in Hindustan who

was a real naturalist—Babur, the first of the Moghuls. Babur is one of the most

human characters in Indian history, in which he lives as few others live because

‘of the intimate personal memoirs he left behind him. These included not only

an account of his own adventurous and momentous life but also a description

‘of India and its natural products—the first Imperial Gazetteer. Amongst

many practical and intellectual activities Babur, who was probably in a sense

illiterate, was a keen botanist. The only two things he admired in India were

1: For the latest translation of this edict see Vincent A. Smith, Asoka in the

“Rulers of India’ series, p. 204 (Oxford: 1920).

*+ Asoka’s name, which is translated ‘‘(?) skate’? by Smith, is samkujamachi

4 compound word in which the last two syllables of course mean fish. The equiva-

lent for the first two syllables in Sanscrit and modern Bengali is sankar, which is said

to. mean ‘bastard’ or ‘mongrel,’ i.e., between a fish and a tortoise. See Chau-

‘dhuri, Journ, As. Soc. Bengal VII, p. 627 (1912).

*: Asoka called it dadi or dudi and the name is translated ‘ female tortoises’ by

Smith. The modern Bengali is dundi, dudr or dhoor. The flesh of this tortoise can

be eaten even by Brahmins. See Chaudhuri, Rec. Ind. Mus. VII, De2l2 (loez):

‘and Haraprasad Shastri, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal X, p. 137 (1914).

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

the wealth of the country and the red Hibiscus flower, but he took an interest.

in its animals also. He was the first to describe a peculiar habit of the commo-

nest of our north Indian frogs (Rana cyanophlyctis), which skips lightly along:

the surface of the water when disturbed. He gave also a description of the

Gangetic Porpoise, evidently from his own observation, and of the crocodiles:

of the river, all of which must have seemed strange and unnatural beasts to a.

man from central Asia. After Babur more than two centuries were to elapse-

before the animals of the Ganges were first studied in a scientific spirit.

The initiation of this new work was due to a Scotchman, but he was by no

means the first European naturalist who wrote on the fauna of the river. To the-

Greeks and the Romans? India was a land of marvels. Herodotus, the Father -

of History, remarked in his sober way some twenty three centuries ago, how

strange it was that the uttermost parts of the earth produced the most admir-

able products. He gave as an instance the supposed fact that the animals of.

India, except the horse, were larger than those found elsewhere.* Later writers.

greatly improved cn this. They talked of eels 300 feet in length, of the mons-.

trous turtles of the Ganges and of a sky-blue worm 60 cubits long and armed

with a pair of tusks (or gills) by means of which it seized the elephants which

came to drink at the river’s edge. The elder Pliny, who lived in the Ist century

A. D. quoted this story of the elephant-eating worm with some reserve, but also.

gave an account, only exaggerated in point of size, of the Gangetic Porpoise,

which he called by the modern generic name Platanista. Further, he recorded

the fact that certain fish of the Ganges migrate overland to breed in isolated.

pools. To this point I will return later. After Pliny the next writer of impor-

tance on the Gangetic animals was Aelian, who wrote in Greek about a century

later. He added little, except a fairly accurate description of the Gharial..

Neither Pliny nor Aelian had visited India: they relied on travellers’ tales.

We need not follow out the history of the myths they transmitted, but may

note in passing that for once Sir John Maundeville, the notorious liar of

the Middle Ages, was more moderate and reduced the length of the Indian eels

from 300 feet to ‘‘ 30 foote or more.”

To come to modern zoology, Dr. Francis Buchanan, the Scotchman to whom.

I have already referred, came to India in 1794 as an assistant surgeon and was.

stationed in this capacity for some years in the Sunderbans. There, influ-

enced probably by the great French naturalists of his time, he spent his leisure-

in studying the fish of the deltaic creeks and estuaries. Later he was appointed

to conduct a statistical survey of certain parts of Bengal and in the course of his

work continued and extended these investigations and prepared an elaborate.

account of the fisheries, which was published many years later by Hunter in.

his Statistical Account of Bengal.* In 1822 after leaving India he published in.

Edinburgh his ‘‘ Fishes of the Ganges,”’ which is still an indispensable work of

reference. Many of the original drawings of Gangetic fish prepared under his.

supervision are still preserved inthe Asiatic Society's library in Calcutta; if

published they would settle many disputed points.

After the time of Buchanan (who later assumed the name of Hamilton) a suc-

cession of zoologists worked on the Gangetic fauna in Calcutta. I have time-

only to mention the names of a few who are no longer living : :—Benson, tesla

1- See Mrs. Beveridge’s edition of the Memoirs of the Emperor Babur, fasc.

p- 503 (1918); also Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. XVI, p. 122 (1919).

2+ See M Crindle’s Ancient India (London : 1901) foe which I am_ indebted for:

the references to Pliny and Aelian.

s+ A few very large animals are found in India and might give the impression of.

a gigantic fauna, but those species which have a very wide range are usually larger

in temperate regions than they are in the tropics.

++ The MS is in the possession of the Asiatic Society of Bengal and would repay:

re-editing.

ANIMAL LIFE OF THE GANGES. 635.

land, Blyth, Theobald, Stoliczka, Anderson and Wood Mason.‘ Of these men

the first was a judge, one was a doctor, two were geologists and only

three were professional naturalists. Where are the successors of the _ bril-

liant amateurs? The work was continued by Lt.-Col. A.W. Alcock, formerly

Superintendent of the Indian Museum and now Professor of Entomology in

the London School of Tropical Medicine, and is still being continued by the

members of the Zoological Survey of India. On recent work we cannot linger,

for we must now turn from literature to facts.

From the faunistic point of view the Ganges system is divided into three parts,

but the divisions are not quite the same as in the vegetation. Firstly we

must distinguish the little streamlets which rush down the southern slopes

of the Himalayas and unite in the valleys to form the larger tributaries;

secondly we have the middle reaches, in which the Ganges and its great

tributaries the Jumna and the Sone roll slowly across the great plain of northern

India, and finally there are the deltaic tracts, where the main stream breaks up

into innumerable tidal creeks and estuaries. Each of these regions has its

own type of animal life.

In the tiny mountain streamlets there is an assemblage of very curious little

animals, few if any of which could be mistaken for those from any other habi-

tat. This is an interesting fact, for the animals of mountain torrents in Europe

or North America or Japan, or even in the extreme western parts of the Himala-

yas, are few and very ordinary in appearance. Some of the insect larve are ex-

ceptionally flat and broad, or even are provided with special organs of adhesion

but among the higher groups, in so far as they occur at all, there is rarely any,

characteristic species. It is only as we approach the tropics, though temperature

can have little to do with the matter in the cool Himalayan waters, that we

find the fish and tadpoles of the little hill streams assuming peculiar forms and

developing apparatus that will enable them to overcome the sudden floods and

rapid rush of water to which they are exposed. So far as the fish are concerned,

we find equally remarkable, but of course quite different, forms in the mountain

torrents of South America,? but in Asia itis chiefly in the great tract of mountain-

ous country which extends from the eastern Himalayas eastwards across China,

and southwards through Burma and the Malay Peninsula into the Malay

Archipelago that the young of the frog and toads seem to have conspired with the

fish, to put the matter metaphorically, to produce special organs or modifications

of existing organs that will enable them to cling tight in the cascades and eddies of

the smallest streamlets.

Three principles are as a rule involved in their modifications, the principle

of the sucker, that of producing friction in the right place and the right direction

and that of reducing friction where it is undesirable. The last of these principles

is illustrated mainly in the general outline of the fish and tadpoles. Almost

any species from the hill-torrents of the lower eastern Himalayas will be found

on examination to have very little depth, to be flat below and to have a peculiar

outline in its upper profile, which rises in a gentle curve from the tip of the snout

to about the middle of the body and after this point is nearly horizontal. An

outline of this kind enables the animal to overcome, to a very large extent, the

1, For further particulars see the Centenary Review of the Asiatic Society of Bengal

(1885),and Dr. Gravely’s address on the history of Indian Zoology in the Proceedings

of the Eighth Indian Science Congress (Proc. A. S. B, 1922, p. cxxxii); for more

recent work my lecture ‘“‘ On Some Recent Advances in our Knowledge of the

Freshwater Fauna of India ” in Journ. As. Soc, Bengal (n. s.) VIII, p. 39 (1912) and

reports on the Zoological Survey of India for the years 1917 to 1920 and 1920 to.

1923. <A bibliography of the freshwater and brackish-water fauna of India (1912-

1922) by C. Dover will be published shortly in the Journ. As. Soc. Bengal.

2, See Regan on the Loricariidae, Trans. Zool. Soc. XVII, p. 191 (1904).

‘636 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

flow of water directed against its snout, so long as it keeps its head pointing up-

stream. The outline of the front part of its body offers little resistence in

this position to the flow of the current, and the friction between the water and —

the animal is greatly reduced. Friction is also reduced in some species by the

reduction or loss of scales.

Devices for the production of friction are situated on the lower surface

of the animal. Their structure is often highly complicated and they are

found in the fish bothon the body and on the paired fins, which are expanded

fan-wise in a horizontal direction, while in both fish and tadpoles they seem to

be concentrated asa rule in the neighbourhood of the mouth. Dr. Sunder Lal

Hora of the Zoological Survey of India has recently shown that many of the

structures hitherto believed to be of thenatureof suckers are really friction

‘devices. These may have the form of series of parallel plates or lamelle stud-

‘ded with minute spines, or they may consist of small papilla or ridges, but

‘the spines, which are often quite microscopic, are always present.

The friction apparatus always works in correlation with the outline of the

‘animal, for the water passing over its flat head presses the head down and

keeps it in position, and thus enables the spines, etc., to gain a firmer grip. I

must refer those who wish for further information to Dr. Hora’s papers in

the Records of the Indian Museum.?

We must now consider briefly the development of suckers on some of the

‘animals of the mountain-torrents in the upper reaches of the Ganges system.

The sucker to which I refer has no resemblance to the suckers of the roots of

swamp-plants. It is a device for producing a vacuum or a greatly lowered

pressure of air or water on the lower side of an object and thus increasing the

relative pressure on its upper side. Its usual form is that of a membrane en-

closing a very small cavity which can be suddenly and greatly increased in

volume without the admission of any additional air or water. Probably all

the flat-bellied forms which live in mountain torrents can to some extent transform

themselves into suckers by raising the central part of their lower surface

‘while maintaining the edge in close contact with the bed or sides of the

stream, but in some few forms a special organ is produced for the purpose.

Such organs are found in some of the insect larve of rapid-running water both

in the Himalayas and in other parts of the world, but it is the fish and tadpoles

of the eastern Himalayas that they have perhaps received the most detailed

study*, They are especially conspicuous in the fish of the genus Garra or Disco-

gnathus and in the larve of the so-called Rane formose. In both of these the

sucker lies onthe ventral surface just behind the mouth and consists of a large

circular disk surrounded by a rim and by variously arranged papille. It is

brought into action by the raising of the floor of the disk independently of the

rim, which remains in close contact with the rock or stone on which the animal

is lying. A cavity, which is probably very nearly a vacuum, is thus brought

into existence beneath the animal, while the whole pressure of the column of

‘water under which it is lying and of the atmosphere above is exerted on its

upper surface and holds it tightly in position.

These animals of mountain streams have many other interesting features in

their anatomy and physiology, but it will be impossible to discuss them further

shere. I would rather invite your attention to the very close resemblance between

the suckers of the fish and those of the tadpoles. In the fish we find some species

with the suckers much better developed than others.We have, indeed, an almost

perfect gradation from species in which there is merely a flattened area behind

1+ See Hora, Nature CXI, p. 668 (1923). !

*+ Hora, Rec. Ind. Mus. XIX, p. 195, XXII, pp. 13, 165, XXIV, p. 31: also a

paper now in the press on observations made in the Khasi Hills.

s* Annandale and Hora, Rec. Ind. Mus. XXIV, p. 506 (J922).

ANIMAL LIFE OF THE GANGES, 637°

the mouth to those in which the organ is highly developed. Weare dealing,

therefore, with an evolutionary series, not with the sudden appearance of a

new organ. The resemblance between the suckers in the two sets of animals

is an excellent example of what is called parallel evolution or convergence, I¢

cannot in the nature of things have come about owing to the common ancestry

of animals so different as fish and tadpoles, but must have been evolved in direct

or indirect correlation with the peculiar surroundings of the animals, either in.

response to some stimulus produced by the environment or by the selection of

peculiarities that appeared in certain individuals by what we call chance, and

were perpetuated. To me the former explanation, in so far as it is an explanation

at all, seems much the more probable of the two, but it does not wholly exclude

the other. It involves to some extent whatis called the inheritance of

acquired characters. To believein the transmission of acquired characters wag

until recently heterodox, but within the last few years a strong reaction hag

taken place towards its acceptance—a reaction justifiedin my opinion by many

remarkable facts well known to, but not always appreciated by naturalists.

The original stimulus need not necessarily have produced a beneficial result,

but if the result had not been beneficial, or at any rate harmless, the race

would probably have perished.

We must now consider the animals of the middle reaches of the river, but

before doing so I would point out that there isa transition between the two.

faunas, as is nearly always the case in nature, which does not, as the old saying

goes, move by leaps. In the larger streams (comparable to the trout-streams and

even the salmon-rivers of Great Britain) which occupy the deeper valleys among

the mountains even at considerable altitudes, we find certain of the torren-

haunting forms. We also find an invasion of species from the plains and finally

among the fish at any rate, there are a few conspicuous animals which make

such streams their proper home. I will only mention two, the Mahseer and the

Goonch. The Mahseer, which is an assembly of allied species rather than a

single form, is known to all Indian sportsmen as the chief of Indian sporting

fish. It is merely a gigantic migratory Barbel sufficiently muscular to make

its way upstream against the strong currents of the rivers among and at the

base of the hills. The Goonch, though like the Mahseer the giant of its tribe,

is in many respects the Mahseer’s antithesis. It is a huge sluggish catfish which

skulks in crevices amongst the rocks and thus protects itself from the force of

the current. Its enormous mouth enables it to gulp down almost any prey

that approaches its retreat, while the long and sensitive tentacles whieh sur-

round its mouth keep it in contact with all that moves around.

Generally speaking the river-life of the plains is much less remarkable than

that of the hills. Pliny’s gigantic eels and his elephant-catching worms have

departed into the limbo of imaginary beings. We find, however, that the

animals are as a rule larger than those of the hill torrents, in which there is no

room for bulky organisms. They are also more sluggish and few are very _high-

ly modified in structure. They are, in fact, very much like the animals of any

other slow-flowing river. Pliny, however, was perfectly right in saying that

certain of the fish were capable of migrating overland. In a tropical country

in which a heavy rainfall alternates with a definite dry season. animals which

live in water are subjected to very special dangers and among the fish of all

countries in which such conditions occur we find a number of species that

have developed special means of living out of water for considerable periods.

Fish of the kind are known to all of us in India, but I do not think that most

of us realize the elaborate nature of the structures which enable them to live

high and dry without dying. The main difference between the breathing of an

air-breathing animal and the breathing (if we may call it so) of a true aquatic

animal is that the latter obtains the oxygen necessary for its existence from

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

water, while we obtain it from air. We are drowned in water because our Jungs

cannot extract oxygen from it, and similarly a fish is drowned in air because its

gills cannot extract oxygen from air. Fish which are liable to partial desicca-

tion must either have some special apparatus for storing water containing

oxygen or else must learn how to breathe air. Both methods are adopted by

different Gangetic fish1:

The simplest modification is found in the murrels or snake-heads (Ophio-

cephalus), in which there is at the back of the neck a pair of large cavities lined

with membrane containing many blood vessels. A considerable quantity

of water can be stored in these cavities and the oxygen is extracted from it and

makes its way into the blood through the thin walls of the vessels. In other

fish such as the Koi (Anabas scandens) the membrane in the region of the gills

is greatly elaborated and much folded as well as being full of blood vessels, so

that there is a much greater surface through which oxygen can be extracted

from the water. These structures are situated in cavities behind the head; in

the Koi the membrane is supported by a bony labyrinth on which it is spread

out ina thin film. In some of the catfishes and eels again, notably in the Singhi

(Saccobranchus fossilis), a pair of sack-like organs have appeared which have

practically the functions of lungs, that is to say are capable of extracting oxygen

from air instead of water. Such fishes also have gills by which they get oxygen

from water and they are, therefore, said to be amphipnoéus or breathing in both

ways.

Gouinanat ely few of the animals of the middle reaches of the Ganges, as I

have already pointed out, are of peculiar types, but there are of course numerous

very interesting and peculiar forms among them—crocodiles and turtles, fish of

many kinds and sizes, water-snails and freshwater mussels, crabs and prawns,

sponges and many others ; but of these [ can say little in the time at my disposal.

I would rather draw your attention to phenomena of special interest

and to animals that illustrate such phenomena. There is one feature

very characteristic of the Gangetic fauna, namely the presence in it of a

distinct marine element.? Zoologists and geologists alike believe that life

originated in the sea, or at any rate that all the visible forms of life known to us

are descended from marine organisms. At a very early period in geological

history, however, certain forms migrated inland and, having once established

themselves in rivers and lakes, often found it unnecessary, again speaking

metaphorically, to undergo any great change in the course of ages. For this

reason you will find that many kinds of freshwater animals are very similar

all over the world, or at any rate over a very large part of it. A large number

of the water-snails of Calcutta, for instance, have very close relatives among

those of the British Isles, while in the valley of Kashmir many are actually

identical with British species. The ancestors of all such forms came from the

sea millions of years ago and their relatives which did not migrate inland have

long since perished and disappeared. Strictly speaking, a!l freshwater ani-

mals are, therefore, of marine origin, but the marine element in the Gangetic

fauna to which I have referred is something different. Its members are so close-

ly related to animals which still live in the sea that we need have no doubt in

claiming that their ancestors came from the sea at a not very distant geological

date. To the most conspicuous member of the little group of marine animals

which live in the Ganges above tidal influence I have already referred more

than once. It is one of the most conspicuous animals of the river and was possible

mentioned by Asoka in the 3rd century B.C. and certainly described by Pliny

1, Good figures will be found in the volume on the fishes in the Cambridge

Natural History.

2, Foranaccount of this element and of the brackish water fauna see Annandale,

Bijd. t. d. Dierkunde Nat. Atr. Mag. (Max Weber Complimentary Volume), p. 143

(1922).

ANIMAL LIFE OF THE GANGES. 639

fin the 1st century A.D., by Alberuniin the eleventh century and by Babur

some five hundred years later. It is the Gangetic Porpoise now known to science

cas Platanista gangetica. :

The terms porpoise, dolphin and whale have no very precise scientific mean-

ing. Porpoises, dolphins and whales are all members of the group Cetacea, in

which there are many species and genera which it would be difficult to place

without doubt in any one of the three categories. Generally speaking porpoises

and dolphins are much smaller animals than whales, and frequently the name

porpoise is given to forms with a short rounded head while the so-called dol-

‘phins have a long and slender snout.. The Gangetic Porpoise is small for a Ce-

“tacean (not more than 12 feet in length), but has an even longer and narrower

_ snout than the true Dolphin. I will return to its physical peculiarities in a,

moment, but the most interesting fact about its life is that it lives in both the

Indus and the Ganges and never goes to sea. The vast majority of the Cetacea

‘are marine animals. A few, such as Orcaella brevirostris, which makes its way up

‘the Irrawaddy for nine hundred miles and is also found in the lower regions of

the Ganges, can live in both salt and fresh water, while a very small number

of species have established themselves like Platanista inland in rivers or lakes.

‘Such species are found outside India only in the great rivers and lakes of China

‘and of South America. They are all more or less closely related to Platanista

‘to which a species from the Tongting Lake in the centre of China has recently

‘been shown to be very closely allied'. No similar species are known from the

sea at the present day but the remains of allied forms occur in the marine ter-

‘tiary deposits of different parts of the world. The Gangetic Porpoise is, there-

fore, a relic of a former age which has maintained its existence by forsaking the

sea, where its race was about to perish for some unknown reason. Its

‘relatives in China and South America have had a similar fate. The fact

that this animal is found both in the Indus and the Ganges points

to some former connection between the two rivers at a period when their phy-

siography was very different from what it is now; but this connection may have

existed, and in my opinion probably did exist, before the birth of either the

Ganges or the Indus as a great river. Not improbably the genus first appeared

‘in great lagoons or gulfs in what is now the Gangetic trough at a period when

‘the present relations between land and sea had not yet been established in

‘northern India.

In spite of its ancient ancestry Platanista is highly modified in certain respects,

_particularly in its long sensitive snout and in being practically blind. In these

respects it is modified for life in very muddy water and is adapted to obtain itg

food, which consists of prawns, molluscs, etc., from the soft mud at the bottom

‘of a sluggish river.

The Gangetic Porpoise is not the only animal of comparatively recent marine

‘origin found inthe Ganges above the influence of the tides, for at least two remar-

kable genera of bivalve molluscs share this peculiarity with it. They belong

to the two families of the arc-shells and the razor-shells. The former are so

‘called from a somewhat fanciful resemblance between the shells and Noah’s -Ark

while the latter have their name from theirlong band-shaped outline and the sharp

edges of the shells. In most parts of the world the animals of both families are

exclusively marine, but in the rivers which run into the Bay of Bengal, and also

‘in those which enter the Gulf of Siam, members of the two genera, which are

called Scaphula and Novaculina? have made themselves at home in fresh water

The shells of both genera are much smaller than those of most of their marine

elatives and their structure is comparatively simple. Neither genus has any

arr ee eee

1 See Hinton & Pycraft on Liphotes, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. t

ie Ekendranath heats roel zoel Soc. ee II, p. 1139 cue), iia

2° Idem, Rec. Ind. Mus. XIX, p. 64 (1920).

| f

640 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIS. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

very close relations now living in the sea and we know nothing about their fossif

ancestors. The fact, however, that the animals are simple in structure as com-

pared with all the marine members of their respective families shows that they

are probably very ancient and that they, like Platanists, left the sea as their

race was dying. They were enabled to do so by their peculiar physiological

adaptability, for they survived the change from salt water to fresh—a change-

which implies both a difference in the specific gravity and also in the chemical

composition of the medium in which the animals lived. It is as though a man

were to accustom himself to live permanently in tobacco-smoke instead of air. —

This physiological adaptability! is one of the most peculiar features of the

animals which live in the creeks and estuaries of the Gangetic delta. To these

animals we must now turn, leaving almost everything unsaid about the fauna of

the middle reaches of the river. With them as with the fauna of the hill-streams-

the transition is gradual. We find many species which can live with equal

comfort in the middle reaches and in the deltaic tracts ; we find some that are

characteristic of the upper waters of the delta, a few migrate periodically either

from the sea or from the creeks for a considerable distance upstream, while a

still smaller company takes the opposite course, descending from the middle-

reaches to the lower at the breeding season. Most noteworthy of those forms.

which come up the river from the sea is the Hilsa, one of our best known food-

fishes. Like the salmon of Europe and North America it is a marine fish which

ascends rivers to breed. Certain prawns also come up into the delta for the same

purpose, while others go downstream into the sea from the lower reaches of

the river. Animals which go upstream to breed are called anadromous, those

which go downstream catadromous. oe

The great majority of the animals of the deltaic creeks and estuaries are,

however, what is called euryhaline. That is to say they are (within certain limits).

indifferent to the amount of salt dissolved in the water in which they live. Most

of them are of marine origin and comparatively few can endure pure fresh water

for any length of time. This feature is well illustrated by a little jellyfish called

Campanulina ceylonensis?, which was originally described from the sea off Ceylon

but has also been found in brackish water in both India and Siam. When the

water in the Belgatchia canal on the outskirts of Calcutta sinks very low, as

it does as a rule at some date in April every year, lock-gates are opened whidl

admit the brackish water of the Matlah river. With the water come swarms of

this little jellyfish, and they lay their eggs in the canal. From the egg arises’

a simple larval form called a planula and this turns into a minute hydroid, which

is fixed to bricks and mooring-posts. The hydroid again gives rise to a second |

brood of jellyfish by means of budding and the alternate generations of medus |

and hydroid are rapidly perpetuated for some months, until the water is thick’

with litte meduse and the submerged bricks of every ghat and the surface of

every post are covered with the hydroid. Then come the rains and the wa er

grows gradually fresh. When its specific gravity falls below a certain point both

jellyfish and hydroid are killed and the species disappears from the canal, untilit,

is re-admitted with the inflowing water in the following April. S

These facts illustrate the manner in which the animals of the estuaries are

attempting to establish themselves inland. I may give another and even more

striking instance, that of the little crab Varuna litterata®. This animal is still’

more tolerant of changes in salinity than the jellyfish and its hydroid, for it can

1- Redeke’s recent attempt to provide a more exact classification of brackish

water animals hardly appli's to those of Indian waters, where conditions are much | |

more complicated than in Europe. See Redeke, Bigid. t. d. Dierkunde Nat, ath}

Mag. (Weber complimentary volume), p. 329 (1922.) 5 |

2» See Lloyd & Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. XII, p. 49 (1916), and Annandale

Mem. As. Soc. Bengal VI, p. 112 (1919). wt |

3- See Kemp, Mem. Ind. Mus. V, p. 233 (1019). ‘ |

ANIMAL LIFE OF THE GANGES. 641

live equally well in the open sea and in pure fresh water, but its real home is

in the estuaries. Every year a double invasion of the Varuna crab takes place

in the neighbourhood of Calcutta. The crab breeds a little before the beginning

of the rains. For some time the female carries her eggs tucked up under hex

tail, but the eggs, unlike those of the true river crabs, give rise to a little

larva different from its parents, though not so different as the caterpillar is from

the butterfly. The larve are produced in countless millions at the edge of the

Hughli below Calcutta and in every creek of the Sunderbans. Their natural

instinct leads them upstream: they swarm into every ditch of fresh or brackish

water to which they can gain access, and not infrequently they block up pipes

carrying water from the river.

As soon as the parent crabs have got rid of theirfamily, to which

as a matter of fact they pay no regard whatsoever, they too proceed to migrate

inland. They crawl and swim into ditches and water-courses; they proceed

along the gutters of the streets of Calcutta and, leaving the water, walk amongst

the damp herbage of gardens and jungles and so penetrate into isolated ponds

and tanks. They frequently appear in the tank in the Museum compound and

I have seen one surrounded by a flock of crows in the middle of the lawn of

the United Service Club.

And yet, in spite of this double migration inland, in spite of its tolerance

of fresh water, the Varuna crab never establishes itself as a permanent

denizen of inland waters in the Gangetic delta. From the Calcutta tanks it

disappears rapidly and can as a rule be found only in a few of the ponds in the

immediate neighbourhood of brackish water, in places such as Chingrihatta.

Why is this ? Apparently because it cannot compete with the true river crabs

which are already established in fresh water. It has appeared too late on the

scene.

A little lower down in the delta a remarkable phenomenon has been observed

by Dr. 8. W. Kemp? He found in the Matlah river, which is now mere creek

connecting the remains of the once extensive Salt Lakes on the outskirts of Cal-

cutta with the sea, that the fish and prawns and also some of the other animals

were curiously similar in general appearance to those which he had seen dredged

from great depths in the sea. Deep-sea animals have many peculiarities, the

most conspicuous of which are their colouration, the condition of theii

eyes and the production of long thread-like organs of touch. In all these res-

pects a large number of the Matlah forms show a strange resemblance to deep-

sea species. Like these they are mostly either of a dull translucent white colour,

like the glass of which lamp-shades are made, or when bright pigment is present

in them it is usually of a deep pink or red shade, which is also common in the

abyssal fauna. Most deep-sea fishes either have very large eyes to enable them

to make use of any rays of light that may be present at great depths, or else

have their eyes much reduced ; sometimes they are totally blind. Most of the fish

of the Matlah river have very small eyes. Further, both they and certain of

the prawns that live with them are provided with very long and slender organs of

touch. In the fish (for example the well-known Topsi or mangoe fish) it is

the rays of the anterior paired fins which are produced into long filaments. In

at least one kind of prawn common in the Gangetic delta, however, the legs have

lost their function as organs of progression and have become tremendously long

threads which trail roundthe animal as it swims by means of the little paddle-like

organs beneath its tail. Just so certain deep-sea prawns have produced thin

thread-like legs, but it is interesting to observe that in the abyssal forms the

lengthening of the leg has taken place in quite a different way from that in which

it has been brought about in the estuarine species and that differen. parts oi

limbs are modified in the two forms.

IT NT Oe

= Kenp, Rec. Ind. Mus. XIII, p. 233 (1917).

Bhi ve

;

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

This resemblance between a number of the animals of a small comparatively

shallow deltaic creek and those of the deeper parts of all seas is a striking pheno-

menon which cannot be gainsaid by any observer who has seen the animals

in their fresh state ; but what does it mean? Most of the forms from the creek

differ greatly in their general structure from deep-sea forms’: Why should

unrelated animals from such different habitats resemble one another outwardly ;

too many different kinds of animals are involved for us to callin mere chance

as an explanation. We cannot of course say what is the ultimate cause of this

convergence. but there are only two physical features which the deep sea and |

the creeks of the Gangetic delta have in common, viz., a very soft oozy bottom

and a low visibility, due in one case to absorption of the rays of light as they pe-

netrate through thick layers of water and in the other to the fact that the water

is full of minute particles of suspended silt which produce in it much the same

effect as fog or smoke does in the air. We can hardly doubt that the resemblarice

between the two faunas is in some way associated with this resemblance in the

physical characters of their environment. Here again we have an example of

parallel evolution, but of a different kind, for here the convergent forms do not

live together but in very different surroundings, which have only certain factors

in common. Evolution has been at work on parallel or rather convergent lines

and some response to environment on the part of ancestral forms is plamly

indicated.

T must now bring my lecture to a close. I have not attempted the impossible

task of summarizing the multitudinous aspects of the Gangetic fauna in the space

of an hour. What I have tried rather to do is to bring to your notice a

few of these aspects, and particularly to say something ui the wonderful manner

in which some of the animals are modified to suit their surroundings in different

parts of the river-system. Another point of special interest on which I have

laid stress is the fact that animals to be successful in the race of life

cannot trust merely to the modifications that come about in their bodies without

their own volition. With the Varvna Crab and the Ceylon Medusa individual

effort is necessary to conquer new territories, and even if the conquest is not per-

manen‘ a slight change in conditions may make it permanent some day, if only

the effort be persistent from generation to generation. As it is with these lit‘le

water beasts, so it is also with mankind. Success depends on effort.

1° The only exception is the “ Bombay Duck (Harpodon nehereus) which is

loosely related to deep-sea forms but is itself at home in estuaries.

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

New OrtTHOPTERA FROM PERSIA aNnD INDIA,

Plate I.

643

SOME NEW OR INTERESTING ORTHOPTERA FROM PERSIA,

BALUCHISTAN AND WESTERN INDIA

B. P. UVAROV, F.z.s.

(with a Plaie.)

The present paper is based mainly on an interesting collection of Orthoptera

sent to me by the Bombay Natural History Society for identification. The

results obtained in working out the collection corroborated once again my

statement* that the fauna of Orthoptera of the Asiatic deserts is most inade-

quately known and includes many undescribed and very striking forms. I

earnestly hope that my papers in this Journal* will draw attention of entomolo-

gists who have the opportunity of collecting in the Punjab, Sind, Baluchistan,

Afghanistan, Mesopotamia and Persia to this badly neglected group of insects ;

there is no doubt that even most casually made collections will bring some-

thing new, or, at least, throw some light on the distribution of known species.

The types of new species described in this paper have been presented by the

Society to the British Museum, through the Imperial Bureau of Entomology.

MANTIDA.

1. Hremiapinia laevivrons Uv.

Baluchistan: Hazarganji 40 miles 8. EH. of Khozdar, 19, ix, 1917, 12 (J.E.B.

Hotson). The species has been quite recently described by me from Muscat,

Arabia (Journal Bombay Natural History Society, xxviii, 1822, p. 351), and the

specimen from Baluchistan is exactly alike the type.

ACRIDID 2,

2. Acantholobus curticornis Hane,

India: Deolali, Oct., 1915, 12 (N. B. Kinnear).

This species has been described by Hancock (Rec. Ind. Mus., xi, 1915, p. 92),

from Satara district, Bombay Presidency, and not recorded since. The specimen

before me agrees in all details with the original description.

3. Chloebora crassa (Walk.)

India: Nasik, 1,900 ft., Sept., 1914, 16,29 9 (N. B. Kinnear).

This is the first exact record of this species since Walker described it from

“N. Bengal”? without giving more precise locality.

The genus Chloebora seems to me hardly separable from Humbe, but I cannot

express a definite opinion on the matter, as I know only one species of Chloebora

which is not even the genotype.

4. O9edipoda miniata (Pall. nec. auct).

1771. Gryllus miniatus, Pallas, Reise durch versch. Prov. eic., p. 467.

1839. Oc0cdipoda gratiosa, Serville, Ins. Orth., p. 727.

1923. Oedipoda miniata, Uvarov, Novitates Zoologicae, Vol. xxx, p. 70.

Persia: Shiraz, 14, viii, 1920, 1 2 (J. E. B. Hotson).

1 have shown in the paper, quoted above, that the name miniaia Pall. has

ee quite incorrectly applied to another species of the genus, O. germancia,

at.

5. Od¢cdipoda schochi Sauss.

S. Persia : Akbarabad, 5, x, 1919, 19 (J. E. B. Hotson).

The specimen has got the hind wings with a distinct violet tinge; their band

almost reaches the inner margin; the head and pronotum are strongly rugose,

*Sce this Journal, xxviii, pp. 71, 351 and especially p. 1149.

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

the latter with very sharp, though irregular, lateral carinae and the hind margin

of lateral lobes distinctly festooned. Its dimensions are, as follows :—length

of body 23, pronotum 7, elytra 23, hind femur 15mm. On the whole, it is a

comparatively slender insect, scarcely more robustly built, than O. miniata

and therefore it cannot be identified with the typical Syrian form of the species

which is, according to Saussure’s description a larger and more heavily built

insect. Our specimen seems to come nearer sub-species caucasica, Sauss. but

hardly identical with it. A series of four specimens of O. schochi in the British

Museum from Kazvin, N. W. Persia, seem to agree fairly well with the original

description of the Syrian form. On the other hand, one female in the same

Museum, from the Lar valley, S. Persia is small, but heavily built, with rugosi-

ties on the head and pronotum sub-obliterate, wings pale bluish and their fascia

broad, almost reaching the inner margin. It is impossible yet to use these

scanty materials for a study of geographical variations of the species, but I

wanted to draw attention of systematists to the necessity of such a study.

6. Sphingonotus obscuratus (Walk.).

1870. Ocdipoda obscurata, Walker, Zoologist, xxviii, p. 2300.

1884. Sphingonotus brunnert, Saussure, Prodr. Oed., pp. 197, 206.

1888. Sphingonotus brunneri, Saussure, Addit. ad Prodr. Oed., p. 87.

1898. Sphingonotus brunnerit, Zubowsky, Ann. Mus. Zool. Acad. Imp. Se.

St. Petersb., iii, p. 97.

1902. Sphingonotus lameerei, Finot, Aun. Soc. Ent. Belg., xlvi, p. 434.

1905. Sphingonotus brunneri, Jacobson and Bianchi, Priamokr Lozhnos

Ross. Imp., p. 276.

1911. Sphingonotus brunnerit, Ikonnikov, Revue Russe d’Hntom., Xi,

p. 358.

1913. Sphingonotus lameerei, Rehn, Bull. Soc. Ent. Egypte, iii, p. 46.

1913. Sphingonotus brunneri, Bolivar, Novit, Zool., xx, p. 612.

1914. Sphingonotus brunnert, Uvarov, Revue Russe d’Entom., xiv, p.

221.

1914. Sphingonotus brunneri, Werner, Sitz. Akad. Wiss. Wien, cxiii,

Abt. i, p. 394. |

1919. Sphingonotus octofasciatus, Innes Bey, Buli. Soc. Ent. Egypte,

xi, p. 38 (footnote).

1919. Sphingonotus quadrifasciatus, Innes Bey., l.c., pp. 45, 47.

1919. Sphingonotus lameerei, Storey, l.c., p. 65.

1919. Sphingonotus quadrifasciatus, Storey, l.c., p. 65.

S. Persia: Abadeh, vi-vii, 1916, 19 (P. Paschen); N. Persia: Shahurd

(Stockholm Museum).

This beautiful species is so distinctly marked on the wings that the akove

synonymy cannot be subject to any doubts. The description of O. obscurata,

though far from being good, is nevertheless quite sufficient to recognise in it the

game insect, which has been more fully described by Saussure, as 8. brunnerz and -

the Walkerian name must be used for the species. Bolivar (l.c.) has stated already

that S. lameerei is a pure synonym of S. brunnert and I entirely agree with him.

Rehn’s opinion (/.c.) that the species may be a mere geographical race of

S. satrapes Sauss. seems to be founded not on a comparative study of both

species, but on Finot’s remark in his dexcription of S. lameerei (Lc.), since the

pronotal structure is quite different in S. satrapes and 8. obscuratus. As for

S. quadrifasciatus of Innes Bey, its diagnosis, although extremely poor, leaves

no doubt that it refers to S. obscuratus ; it is very odd that Innes Bey could not

determine his insect by Saussure’s keys and descriptions as S. brunnert which

he does not mention at all; still more incomprehensible is his suggestion that

Rehn’s record of S. lameerei should be referred to S. octofasciatus while Rehn

records the latter species, as well Ileave out of consideration S. apicalis Sauss.

ra aaa eee

SOME NEW OR INTERESTING ORTHOPTERA. 645

which also seems to be very close to our species, because the material studied

by me does not permit me to form a definite opinion on the value of characters

used by Saussure to separate it from S. brunneri,

In the above synonymy I have intentionally avoided references to the

Catalogue of Kirby, since that author brought such a confusion into the

synonymy of species of this genus (he regarded, for instance, S. balteatus of

Saussure as being not the same insect as S. balteatus of Serville though Saussure

re-described Seville’s type) that it is much simpler to compile a new list of

synonyms, than to correct Kirby’s mistakes.

The list of references given above includes, I believe, all reliable records of the

species, which are known from a very large area, in fact from the whole of the

Eremian region. The actual records are, as follows: Algerian Sahara (Einot,

Werner), Egypt (Rehn, Innes Bey), Sinai (Walker), N. and 8S. Persia (my records

in this paper), Asia Minor (Saussure’s doubtful record), Transcaspia (Uvarov)

and Semiretchye, E. Turkestan (Zubowsky, I[konnikov). The species seems to

be nowhere common as most records are based on single, or a few specimens ;

this may be explained, however, not only by the actual scarcity of the species,

but also by its extreme wariness observed by Werner (J.c.).

It is very likely that an insect of such a wide distribution gives severa! geogra-

phical races, but more material is necessary before this question may be

attacked successfully; I should like to mention only that the form occurring in

Semiretchye is according to Zubowsky (l.c.) remarkable for the width of

the wing fascia, while the form from Sahara has got the fascia comparatively

narrow and the apical spots small ; thus it seems not impossible that the name

lameerei may be used as subspecific, while apicalis may also represent but a N.

Persian sub-species of S. obscuratus.

7. Sphingonotus balteatus (Serv.).

1839. Ocdipoda balteata, Serville, Ins. Orth., p. 734.

1870. O0cdipoda latifasciata, Walker, Zoologist, xxviii, p. 2299.

1884. Sphingonotus amaranthinus, Saussure, Prodr. Oedip., p. 206.

1888. Sphingonotus balteatus, Saussure, Addit. ad Prodr. Oed., p. 86.

1919. Sphingonotus bifasciatus, Innes Bey, Bull. Soc. Ent. Egypte, xi,

pp. 45, 48.

India: Perim Island (British Museum); Arabia: Aden (also).

This is another species of Sphingonotus about which there is a great deal of

confusion, especially in Kirby’s Catalogue, quotations from which it would be

useless to give here. As the specimens from the Perim Island in the Gulf of

Cambay are practically topotypical (the type was from Bombay) and agree

in all Cetails with Serville’s original description, I believe myself justified in my

attempt to clear up the synonymy of the species.*

O. latifasciata Walk. the type of which does not exist is undoubtedly con-

specific with balteatus Serv., as Walker refers to his species the fig. 9 of Plate 7

in Savigny’s “‘ Description de Egypte” which represents balieatus, Saussure, in

Prodromus described the species under the name amaranthinus, while he

mistook for baléeatus another smaller species which has been mistaken for

balteatus, also by all other authors; since that species is not known to

me from Asia, I abstain from its description here and will do it in my paper on

Egyptian Orthoptera, now in preparation. In Additamenta Saussure redescribed

Serville’s type and stated that it is identical with his amaranthinus ; Innes Bey

introduced one more name for the same species, S. bifasciatus, which cannot be

*As a matter of fact I did it once already (Bull. Mus, Caucase, xii, 1919, p. 157),

but at that time I had not sufficiently mastered the general systematics of this

difficult genus and relied too much on literature, so that I must revise now the con-

clusions reached then.

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

accepted since his only reason for doing it was that the name balteatus has been

used by various authors for different species and therefore must be rejected.

All the above synonyms are, however, to be regarded as such only when the

species is studied, as a whole, since some of the names may be used in con-

nection with different geographical races of balteatus. In fact, there is a remark-

able tendency in this species to a geographical variation in the color of the basal

disc of wings, and the British Museum material enables me to distinguish the

following four sub-species :—

1, WS. balteatus balteatus (Serv.)=amaranthinus Sauss.—Disc of the wings

light violaceous ; hind tibize blue on the inside—Bombay, Perim

Island, Aden.

2. SS. balteatus latifasciatus (Walk.)=bifasciatus Inner.—Disc of the wings

violet-rose ; hind tibize violet-rose on the inside.—Egypt ; Sinai.

3. S. balteatus roseus, sub-sp. n.—-Dise of the wings light rose; hind tibize

rose on the inside.—-Somali ; Massowah.

4, 8. balteatus himalayanus, sub-sp. n.—Disc of the wings blue; their

fascia broader than in other races ; hind tibie bluish-grey on the

inside.— Baltistan.

8. Sphingonotus intutus Sauss.

L. Persia: Abadeh (P. Paschen); Lar valley, viii, 1905 (E. Grant Duff ;

British Museum).

The specimen from Abadeh has been recorded by me* as S. balteatus, but

I believe now that the cifterences in the sculpture of the pronotum and in the

shape of the discoidal vein given by Saussure for separating S. intutus from

S. balteatus are of specific value. On the other hand, 1 am not clear about the

differences between S. persa and the two species just mentioned, while §S.

nebulosus Sauss. (nec. F.-W.!) scems to me hardly the same insect as the one

described under that name by Fischer v. Waldheim and _ suspiciously alike

S. intutus. The whole question can hardly be settled without studying the

types and checking their characters on large topotypical series of specimens.

9. Tmethis saussuret violacea, Uv.

S. Persia: Shiraz, Zarghun, Badgamir, 12. vi-2. vii, 1920 (J. E. B. Hotson).

I have described this insect jas a mere colour aberration, but all South Persian

specimens seem to pessess the colour characters separating them from more

northern representatives of the species, and must be regarded as a distinct sub-

species.

"The typical sub-species has been recorded by M. Burr under the name of

Sphingonotus satrapes (!) from Kermanbalk (Ent. Rec., xii, p. 240) and from

Seir, near lac Urmia (Linn. Soc. Journ., Zool., xxvi, 1899, p. 417) in N. Persia ;

this I may state on the strength of a study of his original specimens, now in the

Oxford University Museum.

10. Tmethis cinerascens (St.).

Of this species I have studied a male co-type, for the loan of which I am obliged

to Prof. Y. Sjéstedt of the Stockholm Museum, and it agrees well with my figure

(Bull. Mus. Caucase, xii, 1918, p. 50, fig. 5), only the pronotum is less constricted

in the prozona, and its median keel is not as distinct as in the figure. I must point

out, however, that the shape of pronotum and, particularly, the degree of develop-

ment of its keel is subject to unusual individual variation in this species.

In fact, I had an opportunity of studying an extensive series of specimens in the

Caucasian Museum in Tiflis, taken near Teheran at the same date and it con-

Journal, Bombay Natural History Society, xxviii, p. 361.

the, p. 362.

SOME NEW OR INTERESTING ORTHOPTERA. U47

tained all forms transitional between those with fully-crested pronotum and

those with the keel very low in prozona and altogether obliterated in metazona.

Since the development of the pronotal keel is the only difference between the

genera Tmethis and EHremoplana—Eremopeza, Sauss., of which cinerascens is

the genotype, it is obvious that these genera must be united, while two more

species included in Hremopeza later on, vic. granulosa (Walk.) and brachycera,

Kirby, may be more conveniently transferred to the genus Evremocharis (see

below) until a revision of the genera of this very little known group may be

undertaken.

Stal has not given the exact locality of his types, which is Shahrud, N.

Persia and Teheran (see above) is the only other locality whence the species is

known.

11, Umethis hotsont, Uv..

Baluchistan : Nok-Chah, 70 miles S. of Kharan, about 5,500 ft. 23 vi, 1918,

1 Q(J. E. B. Hotson).

Another very well preserved specimen of this largest known species of 7'methis

just described by me (see this Journal, xxviii, 1922, p. 363). I wonder if the

insect described by Kirby (Fauna Brit. India, Acrid., p. 158) under the name

Sphingonotus gigas from Quetta is not a T’methis, in which case it must be con-

specific with 7’. hotson: ; the description of S. gigas is, however, most unsatis-

factory and nothing can be said as to what genus it belongs to, until the type

which is in the Indian Museum, Calcutta, may be studied.

12. Eremocharis brachycera (Kirby.)

1914, Eremopeza brachycera, Kirby, Fauna Brit, India, Acrid., p. 159

fig. 110.

Baluchistan : Quetta 12 (type, British Museum); Kelat,—viii, 1917, 1 °

(J. E. B. Hotson) ; Har boi, 12, viii, 1917,2¢ 4 39 2 (J. E. B. Hotson).

As the original description of this species by Kirby is very poor and in some

respects even incorrect, I believe it useful to give a re-description of the type

while the fresh material collected by Mr. J. E. B. Hotson enables me to draw

some additional notes on the specific characters.

The characters of the type are, as follows :—-

@ Antenne as long as the head and the prozona of pronotum put together

consisting of elongated joints. [ace vertical, rugulose and with scattered round

granules ; frontal ridge above the ocellum strongly compressed, narrow and not

suleate, seen in profile excised just below the ocellum, obliterate farther down.

Vertex strongly sloping, scarcely impressed, with scattered indistinct granules

and with a subobsolete, narrow longitudinal sulcus ; its margins not raised,

very obtuse ; no frontal or temporal foveolae ; radial postocular ridges composer

of rounded granules ; occiput with a very narrow median sulcus the margins

of which are slightly raised and with several transverse ridges. Pronotum thick

and depressed, in round granules, anterior margin obtusely produced in the

middle, sinuate laterally and obsoletely crenulate ; prozona tectiform, with the

crest convex in profile, distinctly cut by transverse sulci and finely sulcate along

the middle ; median sulcus deep, placed just before the middle ; metazona prac-

tically flat, with obsolete granules and rugosities, Elytra reaching to the hind-

knees, coriaceous. Middle femora irregularly granose along the upper side.

Hind femora with the upper carina obtusely serrate and undulate ; upper outer

area with several transverse granulated ridges and small round granules ; lower

carina irreguiarly undulate. Margins of pronotum, sternum and legs densely

pilose. Fascia of the hind wings subobsolete, emitting a radial branch (which

is omitted in Kirby’s figure). The specimen is much discolored by alcohol anc

color characters of the type are of no value.

648 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, J ol. X XIX,

Amongst the specimens collected by Mr. Hotson a female from Keiat is

very like the type in its dimensions but somewhat more rugose on the pronotum,

Its elytra extend practically to the hind knees ; hind femora are clay-colored on

the inside, with a bluish-grey transverse fascia on the base of the lower inner

knee-lobe ; hind tibiz on the inside with the base and a streak along the middle

not reaching to the apex, bluish-grey ; their inner spines dark-brown on the

inside with a paler preapical fascia. Specimens from Harboi (2¢ 6,39 2) are

distinctly smaller and the elytra in the females extend oniy to the narrowed part

of the femora, while in. the maies they reach to the hind knees ; hind femora are

faintly reddish on the inside with the fascia on the base of the lower knee-lobe

blackish-blue ; hind tibize with the inside bluish-grey basally and dirty-vina-

ceous in the rest, with the inner spines chocolate-brown on the inside, fasciated

with brown before the apices. Wings are very faintly greenish in both forms

which I hesitate to separate even as sub-species until the species is better known

anc the extent of its individual variability may be appreciated. 'The dimensions

of the specimens studied by me are, as follows :----

Quetta. Kelat. Harboi,

2 (type.) }

Body as re 44mm. 45mm. 27mn!. 37mm,

Pronotum .. (the tip bro- 15 8 12°5

ken off.)

Elytron .. a 27 24 16°5 14

Hind femur 8 21 20 12 14.

13. Tropidauchen edentulum, sp. n.

(Plate 713 hes)

&. Head densely sabuloso-granose, frontal ridge in profile convex, obtusely

excised in the middle; seen from the front it is widened and foveolate at the

fastigium, narrowed above the antenne, somewhat widenea below them,

narrowed below the ocellum, gradually and not strongly widened towards the

clypeus, which it does not reach, since its marigns are raised and regular above

the ocellum only. Lateral facial keels obliteratec. Fastigium of vertex stronuly

sloping, much longer than broad, open in front, with the anterior margins only

smooth, while the lateral ones are granose like the whole of the head and feebly

raised ; the surface impressed, with a fine, but distinct sulcus along the middle.

Byes oval-shaped, higher than the subocular distance. Pronotum moderately

compressed with the crest comparatively thick, not lamelliform, regularly convex

in profile ; its anterior angle not acute, reaching the line connecting hind margins

of eyes; the whole surface densely sabuloso-granose with irregularly scattered

aeute spine-like tubercles ; the sulci weil distinct, but fine; the foveole feebly

developed, the first and the fourth one being alniost obliterate ; hind angle of

the pronotum acute, bituberculate, and not bidentate at the apex. Prosternal

spine acutely conical, somewhat compressed laterally. Mesonotum and

metanotum, as well as the first tergite sabuloso-granose, with very few small

spine-like tubercles ; first tergite with the crest inflated and the hind angle

moderately acute, obtusely denticulate ; tympanum large, oval-shaped ; second

tergite sparsely sabuloso-granose, with but two pairs of pointed tubercles at the

hind margin, the lower ones being very small; the remaining tergites indistinctly

rugulose, without grains or tubercles. Subgenital plate recurved, with the apex

narrowly truncate and bituberculate. Hind femora with the carine but

feebly dilated, distinctly narrowed apically; upper margin strongly spined

throughout, lower margin also spined, but the spines are shorter and less acute ;

the surface of the externomedian area not granulose, that of the lower and "pper

areas sparsely sabuloso-granose.

General coloration grey ; abdomen beneath ochraceous, Hind femora with

the lower inner area lead-colored. Hind tibize and the inside of their inner

spines black ; outer spines tipped with brown. Hind tarsi grey.

SOME NEW OR INTERESTING ORTHOPTERA., 649

Length of body 29; pronotum 14; hind femur 15 mm,

S. W. Persia: Abadeh, vii—viii, 1916 (P. Paschen).

The essential characters of the new species are to be seen in the pronotal

crest more distinctly arched than in other species of the genus (with the excep-

tion of 7’. securicolle), in the sand-like granulation of the head, pronotum and

basal parts of the abdomen, in the hind angle of the pronotum being bitubercul-

ate and not bispinose, in the conical prosternal spine, in the subgenital plate

bituberculate apically, as well as in the coloration of hind legs.

14. Tropidauchen sabulosum, sp. n.

(Plate I, fig. 1.)

2. Head very densely sabuloso-granose ; frontal ridge in profile strongly

convex in the upper half, very deeply excised in the middle and practically

straight in the lower portion; seen from the front it is of the same structure as

in 7. edentulum, but suddenly and strongly widened just before the clypeus ;

its margins are fairly distinct throughout, though in the lower portion less regular.

Fastigium of vertex strongly sloping, longer than broad, open apically, with the

margins irregular and granulated ; the surface not strongly impressed, irregu-

larly rugulose in the hind portion, with a fine median sulcus. Eyes oval-shaped ;

their height distinctly less than the subocular distance. Pronotum moderately

constricted, with the crest thick and low, practically straight in profile ; the

whole surface very densely sabuloso-granose, with a few scattered obtuse tuber-

eles ; sulci fine ; foveolz of the crest small ; front angle distinctly less produced

than in other species ; hind angle extending just a little behind the mesonotum,

bitubereulate. Prosternal spine acutely conical, slightly curved backwards

somewhat compressed laterally. Mesonotuni, metanotum and two first tergites

sabuloso-granose, with a few scattered obtuse tubercles ; tympanum large,

open ; hind angles of tergites somewhat produced, moderately acute ; hind

tergites indistinctly rugulose and with sparse, minute granulation. Hind

femora not strongly narrowed apically ; upper carina with about 9-10 short

oblique spines ; lower carina undulated, with a few subobliterate short and blunt

spines ; the whole outer surface sabuloso-granose.

General coloration pale ochraceous-grey; all sternites of the, abdomen, as well

as the tergites from the third backwards though less conspicuously, variegated

with black and brownish-orange colors. Hind femora with the lower inner area

grey. Hind tibiz with the inside bluish-black turning blackish-violaceous near

the apex ; inner spines black ; outer spines violaceous inwardly and grey out-

wardly. Hind tarsi inwardly violaceous.

Length of body 48 ; pronotum 15.5 ; hind femur 20 mm.

N. Persia: Kermanbalk (Miss Sykes ; M. Burr’s collection, in the Oxford

University Museum).

This insect has been recorded by Burr (The Entom. Rec., xii, 1900, p. 241)

under the name of 7. securicolle Sauss., but it differs strongly from the latter

species, as well as from other known ones by the shape of pronotal crest, by

peculiar granulation and by the coloration of abdomen and hind legs.

The number of known species of T'ropidauchen is thus raised to six, and the

genus seems to be restricted to the ancient Iranian plateau, since there is only

one species, 7’. securicolle which has been doubtfuily recorded from Syria. Of

course, there is a possibility that some of the known species may prove to be not

more than geographical forms when large materials are studied, but in the mean-

time it is best to describe them carefully and to keep separately from each other.

Lyrotylus, gen. nov.

Q. Of middle size, robustly built. Antenne short and thick. Face mode-

rately reclinate, broad, rugose ; frontal ridge depressed, with a lyra-shaped

dilatation above the ocellum, parallel below it ; its margins very distinct and

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

callous throughout, and the surface feebly impressed, rugose. Fastigium of

vertex strongly sloping, not separated from the frontal ridge, its margins sub-

obliterate ; the surface not impressed but very coarsely punctured ; temporal

foveole not at all impressed, large, very coarsely punctured. Lateral facial

keels strongly raised, practically straight. Eyes irregularly-eiliptical, the

anterior margin being practically straight ; their vertical ciameter twice as.

Jarge as the horizontal one which equals to the subocular distance ; distance

between the upper ends of the eyes is distinctly broader than their horizontal

diameter. Pronotum thick, subcylindrical, somewhat narrowed in _ front,

coarsely rugose ; its disc regularly convex both in transverse and in longitudinal

direction, intersected by three deep sulci, metazona being about one-half of the

profona, very broadly rounded behind ; median keel very low, subobliterated

in the anterior part of the prozona and in the metazona ; no trace of lateral

keels. Prosternal spine conical, blunt. Sternum distinctly broader than long,

rugose ; mesosternal lobes as long as broad with the inner angles obtuse and

rounded and the interspace widened posteriorly, subequal in width to one of

the lobes. Elytra lateral, very short. Mesonotum and part of the metanotum

concealed by the pronotum ; both of them, as well as the first abdominal segment

are swollen, being of practically the same diameter as the pronotum, and rugose ;

tympanum oval-shaped, open, covered bv elytron. Hind femora thick, with

the lower and upper carina acutely denticulated. Hind tibixw feebly thickened

and distinctly incurvec towards the apex, armed with 8 spines on each side ; no

outer apical spine ; the spurs short, but the inner ones are somewhat longer

than the outer ones.

Genotype: Lyrotylus persicus, sp. n.

15. Lyrotylus persicus, sp. n

(Plate I, figs. 3 and 4.)

¢. Brownish-ochraceous, shining. Antenne brownish-black, not reaching

the metazona. Pronotum with the hind margin somewhat swollen, callous,

pale. Elytra parallel-sided, with the apex angulate, not quite reaching the

hind margin of the tympanum, blackish at their base, rugosely reticulated, with

the longitudinal veins scarcely perceptible, straight. Second and third tergites

rugose, though less so than the first one. Hind femora pale ochraceous ; hind

tibie brown, with the spines black-tipped.

Length of body (somewhat contracted) 34; pronotum 12 ; elytra 5; hind

femora 16°5 mm.

S. W. Persia : Abadeh, vii—viii, 1916 (P. Paschen).

This remarkable insect belongs to the group Teratodes, but is at once distin-

guished from any other genus of that group by its cylindrical pronotum with

but feebly developed carina, while in other genera the pronotum is more or less

strongly compressed and its carina is developed into a high crest. The new

genus is related to Acrostegastes, Karsch, of which one species is known from

Zanzibar and two from Somaliland ; on the other hand, it is near to Pelecinotus

Bol. represented. by two South Indian species.

The shining, leathery surface of the insect suggests that it is hardly a member

of the true desert fauna, and is more likely to occur in places with more or less

dense vegetation.

16. Leptacris filiformis, Walk.

1870. Leptacris filiformis, Walker, Cat.Derm. Salt. Brit. Mus., iv, p. 676.

1902. Capellea argenteovittata, Bolivar, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr., 1xx, p. 616, pl.

ix, fig. 33.

1914. Leptacris greent, Kirby, Fauna Brit. India, Acrid., p. 211, ati

| India: 16,ix, 1911, 1 ¢ (N. B. Kinnear).

SOME NEW OR INTERESTING ORTHOPTERA. 651

The type of L. greent agrees in all details with Bolivar’s description and figures

of CO. argenteovittata, and I believe that I am quite safe in applying to the species

the Walkerian name L. filiformis, though the type of the latter is lost. |

TETTIGONIID2,

17. Himeria kinneari, sp. n.

(Plate I, fig. 6.)

do. Of the size and coloration of H. marginata, Br. W., but diftering from it

strongly in the structure of the male genitalia. Last tergite large, narrowly

sulcate along the middle, with the hind margin almost straight, very feebly

and broadly sinuate, not obtusely excised as in H. marginata. Cerci shorter

than in the latter species, their apical compressed portion practically straight

and forming an obtuse rounded angle with the base. Subgenital plate

with the lobes very long, strongly compressed and recurved, with the apices

acute and turned outwardly, so that the apical portion of the plate when seen

from behind is lyra-shaped.

Q (paratype). Subgenital plate transverse, simply truncate behind.

Ovipositor short, strongly recurved ; its upper margin practically straight ;

lower margin regularly curved ; disc rugulose.

Length of body ¢ 13, 2 13°5; pronotum ¢ @ 38; elytra ¢ 13, Q 16

wings @ 21, 9 25°5; hind femur ¢ (broken off), @ 18; ovipositor 2

4mm.

Type ¢ from Bombay, 16, vii, 1917 (N. B. Kinnear); paratypes, 1 d

and 3 9 Q from Surat and Palamau (British Museum),

Since the male of the paratypic series agrees in its genitalia perfectly with

the type, I do not hesitate in referring the females to the same species which

is very close to H. marginata but easily separated by the above characters. I

take much pleasure in naming this dainty insect after Mr. N. B. Kinnear who

has found it, as well as some other new or interesting species, included in the

collection of the Bombay Society.

18. Letana nigrosparsa (Walk.).

1871. Phanerophera nigrosparsa, Walker, Cat. Derm. Salt. Brit. Mus

v., Suppl., p. 39.

1878. Pyrrhicia connata, Brunner, Mon. Phaner., p. 116.

India: Chikale a, Berar, 3,664 ft., 17, ii, 1913, 1 Q (N. B. Kinnear).

The type of Ph. nigrosparsa Walk. is a male from Bombay in a very good

state of preservation and it agrees perfectly well with Brunner’s description

of P. connata.

19. Morsimus carinatus (Walk.).

1870. Aprion carinatum, Walker, Cat. Derm. Salt. Brit. Mus., iii, p. 426.

1871. Aprion strictum, Walker, l.c., v, Suppl., p. 45.

1871. Aprion curvifrons, Walker, l.c., p. 45.

1895. Aprion robustus, Brunner, Mon. Pseudophyll., pp. 74, 76.

India: Malabar Hill, Bombay, 6, ii, 1918, 1 2 (W. S. Millard).

Kirby in his Catalogue has quite incorrectly regarded carinatus Walk. as

distinct from curvifrons Walk. since the types of both species are undoubtedly

conspecific ; on the other hand, he was quite wrong in synonymising A. gracile

Walk. and A. oculatum Sauss. and Pict. with M. carinatus.

Plicigera, gen. nov.

Q. Resembling in the general habitus to Anonconotus, and related to it.

Vertex subequal in width to one-third of the interocular distance ; its fastigium

separated from the front by a short transverse line. Pronotum obsoletely rugose;

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

lateral keels obtuse, but distinct except at the front margin ; disc flat, narrowed

anteriorly, with the median keel low, but distinct, interrupted at the V-shaped

sulcus; hind margin scarcely rounded; lateral lobes moderately inclined

with the hind margin sinuate and the surface rugulose. Prosternum

not armed. Sternal lobes thick, short, rounded. Elytra lateral. Abdomen

with a distinct median carina, and with several series of elongated creases

on the tergites. Subgenital plate short, convex, narrowly incised behind.

Ovipositor gently recurved. Front and middle femora unarmed. Front

tibize with one spine above on the outer margin, and one apical one. Hind

femora with 2-3 spines below on the inner margin. Hind tibize with four

apical spurs below ; plantula of the hind tarsi short, but free.

Genotype: Plicigera himalayana, sp. n.

20. Plicigera himalayana, sp. n.

(Plate I, fig. 5).

2 Brownish-castaneous, shining. Fastigium of vertex paler, but its sides

blackish, as also are the first antennal joints from below. Postocular fascize

and the upper portions of lateral’ pronotal lobes chocolate-brown, very shining.

Elytra scarcely reaching to the hind margin of the first tergite, elliptical in shape.

Pleure and sides of the abdomen pale castaneous, chocolate-brown and blackish

in parts, very shining and smooth ; the upper surface of the abdomen dull,

rugulose, brownish-ochraceous, each tergite with 4—6 pairs of shining brown

creases, about half as long as the tergite, and with a distinct median carina

running throughout the abdomen. Last tergite more than twice as broad

as long, broadly rounded, with a short incisure in the middle. Cerci conical,

pointed. Subgenital plate strongly convex, scarcely longer than at the base

broad ; its apex narrowly incised as deep as one-third of its length; lobes

rounded. Ovipositor subequal to the hind femur, feebly recurved. Hind

femora with irregular striation of the inside, some small spots on the upper side

of the base and an irregular fascia along the lower half of the outer side

blackish-castaneous ; 2—3 black spines on the lower inner margin in the apical

half.

Length of body 21; pronotum 6°5; elytra2°5; hind femora 19; ovipositor

17 mm.

Punjab: Dalhousie, x, 1917, 1 Q (N. B. Kinnear).

As I have mentioned in the description, this interesting Decticid is closely

related to the genus Anonconotus represented by three species in the Alps

and Apennines and supplies an evidence of some relationship of the Himalayan

sub-alpine fauna to that of the Western Mediterranean mountains. The new

genus is easily separated from Anonconotus by the peculiar sculpture of the

abdomen, more developed pronotal keels, longer femora and differently built

subgenital plate of the female ; further characters may be found after a study

ot the male which remains undiscovered.

Explanation of the plate.

Tropidauchen sabulosum, sp.n., 2 X 1d.

Tropidauchen edentulum, sp.n., 5 X 1}.

Lyrotylus persicus, g. & sp.n., Q X 1h.

Lyrotylus persicus, g.& sp.n., Q face. X 3.

Himerta kinneari, sp. n., external genitalia of the male. x 1}.

Plicigera himalayana, g. & sp. n., 9 ; S—end of the Abdocen from

below. X 14.

ae ee ae

Pay

pee

°90S ‘3S5IH '30N Avquiog “uanor

SMALL GAME SHOOTING IN KASHMIR AND THE

ADJACENT HILL PROVINCES

Cou. A. E. WARD.

(with a Plate.)

Many visitors to the ‘Vale’ are deterred from using arifle owing to

the cost of travelling on to the ground where large game is to be found, but

nearly all carry smooth bores.

Geese, Ducks and various Waders abound during the small game shooting

season which extends from about September to April.

As the open time varies for different kinds of birds, rules must be obtained

from the Secretary of the Game Preservation Department at Srinagar, or from

the Forest Officers concerned if the ground is outside the Jammu and Kashmir

State.

The following list contains the names of the birds which are fairly common,

a complete list of the Game Birds and Water Fowl will be published in the next

series of articles. Many of the Ducks and Waders are rare, as also are a few of

the Partridges indeed so rare that the great majority of sportsmen do not know

of their existence.

THE WATERFOWL.

The Mute Swan, the Greylag, the White-fronted Goose, the Bar-headed

Goose (in Ladak), the Ruddy Sheldrake or Brahminy, the Mallard, Gadwall,

Common Teal, Wigeon, Pintail, Garganey or Blue-winged Teal, Shoveller,

Marbled Duck, Pochards including the Red-crested, Dun Bird, White-eyed

and Tufted-Pochard, the Stiff-tail or White-headed Duck (in some seasons fairly

plentiful), the Smew and Goosander.

An idea of the number of birds obtained during various months is afforded

by extracts from the Hokarsar shooting book.

CoMPILED FROM TWO YEARS SHOOTING IN Hts HIGHNEsS’,

HoKARSAR RESERVE.

ber.

Mallard .. he 122 259 223 29 59 227 5

Pochards ae 562 137 139 49 221 270 66

Teal a al ce D819 1,021 488 Cia} 203 821 114

Gadwall .. hi 86 345 286 18 732 273 19

Pinta <.. a 36 5 as oe 1 3 ee

Wigeon .. ae 36 61 25 be if 43 ae

Shovellers 4 115 118 30 3 me 36 2,

Geese _.. ie 21 det 31 1 aie 8 | 22

Various .. “ 4 28 25 3 21 Pari 6

hora ¢ | 286d 2051 | “1247 180 | 1,238 | 1,708 | 234

Average for one

year °.. .-| . 1,400 1,025 623 90 619 854 | 117—

4,638

In some years the total bag exceeds .. 6,09u

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

From the above it is evident that the autumn is the best time; in January

when many of the swamps are frozen numbers of wild fowl] depart. In February

and March the Ducks return from the Punjab. Under the heading “‘ various ”

a few white fronted Geese, Marbled and Tufted Duck are grouped, also two

Sheldrake, 2 Cotton Teal, 2 Spot-billed Ducks, Stiff-tailed Duck, and Scaup,

also one Clucking Teal.

The Bar-headed Goose is seldom to be seen in Kashmir, it migrates from

Ladak to India. :

Amongst those who have gone in for making large bags of ducks and geese

are Mr. T. M. Kennard, Sir Robert Harvey and Major C. P. Radclyfie, the last

made a bag of 6,998 ducks and geese including about 2,000 Mallard. Kennard’s

and Harvey’s bags are not available but they numbered about 6,500 to 7,000

head, Major Radclyfie and Sir Robert used shoulder guns. In order to make

these huge bags, it is necessary to live in a houseboat near the Walar Lake

and the adjacent swamps, to subsidise the local shikaries so as to keep them

off the jhils, and to flood swamps which are not deep enough, having done all

this, shelters with platforms and sunken tubs are put down, decoy ducks are

bought and a few grey-leg geese are caught, then on promising days, one

of the shelters is occupied and the adjacent swamps driven. When the wind

is high and rain sqails come, the wild fowl do not stay in the big lake, they flighi

into the swamps.

’ A wonderful bag made by Kennard in one day with 12 bore guns was 129

grey-leg geese but this was on a reserved swamp. This form of sport does

not however appeal to everyone nor perhaps does the expenditure it entails.

A pleasant way of spending 2 or 3 months is to go with a friend down stream

from Srinagar to the swampy country, when the weather is suitable hide a

boat in the reeds and have a day’s shoot. On sunny days work the adjacent hills

for Chukor, and have a try for the snipe. Wooden decoys can be made and

painted to resemble some sort of Duck or Teal, they can be kept in position

by a string with a weight attached. If live decoys are used they should be

tethered to a peg driven deep into the mud, but the top of this peg must be

below water, if not the ducks may wind the string round the top of the pegs

and break theii legs.

SNIPE,

The Fantail, Solitary and Jack Snipe.

The Fantail Snipe frequents very difficult ground and the birds are as

a rule driven over the guns, located either in boats or on the edge of the swamps.

The boatmen and those villagers who live near the jhils are very expert in making

their way through quaking bog, the surface bends and the water comes through

as they move along on their pattens aided by a short paddle, but they seldom

go through.

Very large bags of snipe are not to be made. The birds begin to arrive late

in August, the majority migrate in April. A few remain to nest in the more

sequestered swamps. The Himalayan Solitary Snipe is found in the winter,

but seldom stays in the summer. In very severe weather this Snipe comes

low dowa, but as a rule it is not found under 6,000’. It seldom stays to breed.

As many as 3 couple have been shot in a small area, there are however very

few places where more than one or two birds can be occasionally found.

The Jack Snipe arrives during August, and leaves in March and April for

the northern countries such as Lapland, etc., where it breeds.

The beaters pass over many birds, lying close in the tufts of grass, conse-

quently not many Jacks com» forward over the boats and the short flight

taken by the bird makes the driving difficult.

SMALL GAME SHOOTING IN KASHMIR, 655

Woop Cock.

The Woodcock breeds in Kashmir, a certain number stay through the winter.

Evidence from records of game bags, made during the year, shows that it is

unlikely that more than half a dozen can be shot by one gun in a season.

WADERS,

The Common Bittern, the Common and the Demoiselle Crane, the Little

Bustard (rare), the Greenshank, the Eastern and European Golden Plovers,

the Lapwing and the Stone Curlew.

BIRDS WHICH FREQUENT THE DRY GROUND.

The Southern Green Pigeon (not found in Kashmir Valley), the Kokla (Kisht-

war and Poonch and as_ far up as Chakote on the Murree route), the Indian

Blue-winged Pigeon, the Blue Rock, the Blue Hill Pigeon, the Eastern

Stock and the Snow Pigeon, the Speckled Wood Pigeon (chiefly to the east-

ward), the Cushat (in Murree, Poonch and Kishtwar).

The Blue Rock comes to the fields under the hills in the early mornings, when

if the gunner is successful at the first shot the birds will often circle round look-

ing at their wounded or dead pals, thus giving the opportunity of putting in two

or three more shots. In very severe winters the Snow Pigeon and the

Blue Hill Pigeon come low down, but are not to be found in any numbers. On

the Ladak Road flight shooting at the blue hill bird can be sometimes got. The

Speckled Wood Pigeon is rare and can be got only by chance.

The Cushat visits the Oak woods in Poonch in large numbers when the acorns

are ripe.

SANDGROUSE.

The Large Sandgrouse is rare. The Painted Sandgrouse is found in Jammu

as also is the Common Sandgrouse. The Tibetan Sandgrouse is in Northern

Uadak during the summer.

Colonel] Unwin states that the Large Sandgrouse is seen in Pampur in Novem-

ber and that the birds are to be observed flying in fiocks. The Common Sand-

grouse is not rare in Poonch and the late Raja Sir Amar Singh got them in the

low ground in Jammu. Now and again a bird or two can be shot in the bare

country bordering the Jhelum river above Srinagar.

The Three-toed Tibetan Sandgrouse, as stated, comes to Northern Ladak and

Central Asia where it breeds late in June. These birds can be heard as they

flight in at night and can be looked up in the morning, they seem to be rather

exhausted and are very tame. After living on antelope flesh and soup the

grouse make a welcome change of diet, there is no harm done in shooting them

when they first arrive, but it is not long before they pair off and nest.

PHEASANTS,

The Cheer, Koklass, the White Crested Kalij, the Monal and Western Trag-

opan.

The Cheer is nowhere common, a few birds can be shot in the lower ranges.

The Koklass is found in nearly all the forests, so also is the Monal, notably

in Kishtwar and the Kajnag.

_ The only method of getting decent shooting is by using dogs which will range

rather wild whilst working up hill above the gun. Driving the nullahs with

coolies is not often very successful, unless in the Autumn when the pheasants

are congregated in the wild balsam, the seeds of which they eat in large quanti

ties.

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

In some parts of Kishtwar and in Kashmir where villages have been deserted

the wild hemp flourishes. In the early morning the Monal frequent the aban-

doned fields, thus occasioning the rather rare experience of walking up the

Pheasants and shooting them astheyrise. It isa tame business but there

isa satisfaction in getting square with birds which as arule are only to be

got after much climbing.

When the snow is soft and the Pheasants are frightened by a hawk they will

dash downwards and partly bury themselves in the soft snow as they pitch but

this can seldom be seen unless the sportsman is wintering out in the hills.

The Western Horned-Pheasant or Tragopan is now very rare, though it still

exists in Kashmir and in Poonch.

The Pheasant shooting in the United Provinces and the Punjab Hills is far

superior to that obtainable in any part of Kashmir territory. There is no finer

sport provided, the dogs used are up to their work and birds are reasonably

numerous. The morning air is delightful, the dogs are keen when, as their

eager yapping shows, they have got the scent, the birds give sporting shots and

when your retriever brings from some distance down the hillside a Himalayan

Pheasant all seems joy. There is always a drawback, however, and in this case

it is the leopard, in the mornings there is not so much danger, but in the even-

ings many a pet dog has been snapped up by the‘ pards.’ A red retriever now

lying under the writing table was seized by a leopard during his first day out, a

spiked collar saved his life, since then he has had manya day’s sport but has

been lucky.

A Sussex spaniel was pounced upon and taken up in the leopard’s mouth, but

dropped when fired at with No. 5 shot.

PARTRIDGES,

The Common Hill Partridge is found in Kishtwar, Badanwar and Poonche

The Chukor and the Black Partridge in the lower ranges and plains. The Grey

in the plains. The See-See is found in Hazara and the border districts. The

Tibetan Partridge in the high mountains of northern Ladak. The Snow Par-

tridge occurs at high altitudes but is very rare, its habitat is to the Eastward.

The Ram-Chukor or Himalayan Snow Cock and the Tibetan Snow Cock (a

much smaller bird) are both to be obtained.

Ram-Chukor can be shot in the winter and spring, either by potting them

with a smail bore rifle or by stalking and putting them up, but the number killed

in any one season is very small. There is little to be done as regard partridge

shooting except perhaps chukor and, in a few favourite spots, the black partridge.

CHUKOR SHOOTING.

Chukor shooting is an ‘Art.’ The reason why the average visitor gets so

few is because he knows but little of the habits of this elusive bird.

It is not in the least use trying long drives; when put up the covey swings

round one or perhaps two spurs and then pitches; if the birds squat and are

again flushed they fly back over the beaters or, as is generally the case, they run

up hill at once and are clear above the driving line in a very short space of

time.

Two guns generally can do as well as three, if there are more it is very diffi-

cult to keep in line when walking along the hill side with the beaters. The top

gun nearly always gets over the spur long before the lower gun can get round

the contour he has to follow below. The birds see or are put up by the top gun

and are gone long before the lower gun is within shot.

If three guns are out together it is sometimes advisable for the lowest gun to

go on ahead. As the line advances he will get many cross shots. If the birds

fly round a spur they very probably will spread into the nearest ravine aftording

cover, the lower gun then gets his chance, if he stands below as the line advances

into the cover, he gets cross shots one after the other, the upperjgun, if he stops

SMALL GAME SHOOTING IN KASHMIR- = —s«@67*

:at the bush or grass cover, will get:shots as the birds rise ; if two good shots are

‘out, and are working in concord, it will be practically the end of the ey S

‘career.

_Go slow when after Chukor ; it is also necessary to remember, especially on

ze) fairly open hill side, that the birds will probably run down hill and that as they

start they acquire a good deal of speed, hence the pace is great. When a partridge

rises off the flat there is a deal of bustle, but on a hill side the Chukor launches

itself straight into the air.

’ When the birds pass high over head they may give you a second shot. It is

4 mistake to let them come too close over, aS it is not easy’ to turn round

on ground covered with loose stones in order to fire the second barrel.

The beauty of Chukor shooting is the diversity of shots, it is not possible to

tell what line the birds may take, it is very common for them to rise high and

‘swing back to where they came from.

In winter many of the old Cocks congregate high up in rocks, by shooting them

good is done, there are nearly always too many male birds.

Early in the season when the mother and young birds are low down, let the

-old hen go, the brood are probably quite big enough to feed themselves, but

they will miss the fostering care which teaches them to go to the rocky ground

where they will be comparatively free from danger at night. To shoot Chukor

‘successfully takes a lot of practical experience, when that is gained there is

no better sport. As much bad language is used on a hill side whilst Chukor

shooting as on a golf course. Shout as little as possible at the coolies, however

-aggravating they may be, the noise causes the birds to run up hill,

Big bags are still made, too big, especially towards the end of the shooting

season, when the birds are down on the easy ground eating the green grass ana

the bulbs which are sprouting.

Thirty to forty brace to two guns, and twenty brace to a single gun can still

be got, but it is high time to restrict the number to be shot ina day. Ten brace

to a single gun and twenty to a party would be a fair allowance.

it is true that the birds have big clutches of eggs, fourteen were found in a

nest above Achhabal, fourteen chicks were seen following the mother near Leh,

but all the eggs at, Achhabal were destroyed by crows, and only a small percen-

tage of the fourteen chicks in Ladak probably arrived at maturity.

_ The best of the small game shooting in the Vale is much in the melting pot,

‘the Chukor are decreasing in numbers whilst the goat-herding children who

‘destroy hundreds of eggs are increasing.

Omitting exceptional years the following list will give an idea of what may be

expected:— .

oS ,

‘ A tae te ee

ese cy wv ete ys eal a | ool

Pe ements oOo ae

Sie 5 Ay wD wo = GB) se] &

a EE UPA rl 00 i

H. 324] 259 OWS 42 Ue ine ee ola Go

m2 Al 304 tell. CUA Balt Meee ae Mole

a, 7| 1,202) 24] .. TLS liye es th 2} 19 9] 1,381

4 Si) Sis s58| 9: 79 2 1 it ees Lacie

S . i] 212] 699 1 Bite: i iho 932

i My 06) “4golne... Teas 3 628

: hs ie 162) 305|) .. 6 2

: | 475

Seen ee Je NN a oe ee

Note.—Geese, Duck, Teal and Snipe shot on the Reserve jhils have been omitted

‘in tae above figures.

HBL

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

QUAIL,

The Grey and the Black-breasted Quails, the Jungle-Bush, and Rock-Bush:

Quails.

The Grey Quail in the Valley of Kashmir only afford sport once in a decade,

during the years that the Punjab is short of water the Quail may come into

Kashmir and fairly large bags of 20 to 40 brace may be got but as a rule2 to4 .

brace is what may be expected. Last year 1921 was exceptionally good. The

Sesamun called T%l-gogal by the Kashmiri is the favourite food of the Grey

Quail, but this oily seed spoils the birds for the table, and they are never plump.

Near Tangrote and in parts of Jammu there is a fair shooting in March and April

also in Poonch. There are generally a few quail in Kashmir throughout the year,

The Black-breasted or Rain Quail is not a common visitor, during one summer

a large number came to near the Manabal Lake and several remained to breed,

this was in June 1904 and should be considered as very exceptional. As a rule

the Western Punjab does not entice this bird.

The Bush Quails are common in Jammu and Poonch but are not as a rule

shot by the sportsmen.

HARES.

In the low hills there are a few ‘ Indian Hares’ and in Ladak and Baltistan

others which will be described hereafter, these if required can be driven out of

the patches of scrub jungle and easily shot, but during the summer they are

breeding.

659

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES,

Mayor F. C. Frasmr, I.M.S., F.E.S.

Part XVII.

(With 2 Plates and 4 Text-figures.)

(Continued from page 333 of Vol. XXIX).

Sub-Family—Gompuin a—Continued.

Series—D1astatomMa, Williamson.

(=Legion—LinpDEnta, Selys.)

This series contains five genera, two of which are well represented in India

and a third is found up the Persian Gulf and will almost certainly be found

to inhabit Sind. They form a compact group with the following characters :—

All trigones and hypertrigones traversed (and usually the subtrigone of the

forewings also) ; Miz in the hindwing undulated ; Rs. and Miv with well marked

accessory nervures ; stigma long and narrow, equal to one-third the distance

from node to distal end of stigma; membrane moderately large. Anal appen-

dages, superior long, inferior much shorter. Genitalia: lamina broad and low,

hamules with inner and outer branches, the former a robust hook, the latter

thin and tonguelike, lobe more or less funnel-shaped. Vulvar scale short and

cleft almost to the base.

Larve breeding in still or running waters, mask flat and broad, somewhat

square, lateral lobes very robust armed with several robust teeth on the inner

border and a moveable hook on the outer, no setz. Antennz short and clubbed

usually of four segments, the last very minute. Abdomen strongly keeled on

the dorsum, very broad short and flat on the ventral surface. Forelegs adapted

for burrowing.

Genus—LinpDEn14 Selys ex De Haan.

Head transversely elongate ; occiput raised, nearly straight ; a slight depression

separating labrum from the epistome. Wings long and narrow; thorax broad

and squarish ; legs moderately long and robust ; abdomen dilated at the base,

segments 3 to 6 very narrow and cylindrical, 7 to 9 dilated and furnished laterally

with broad winglike expansions, 10th segment very small, anal superior appen-

dages longer than the 10th segment, straight and simple, inferior much shorter,

deeply cleft. General colouring obscure, yellowish or bluish white with but few

or no well defined markings.

Lindenia tetraphylla, Vander Lind.

Aischna tetraphylla, Vander Lind, Descrip. de Egypte nevrop. pl. 1.

fig. 15, i, ii; Selys, Mon. Lib. Eur., p. 32 (1825) ;

LInndenia tetraphylla, Selys, Mon. Lib. Eur., p. 76 (1840), Rev. Odon

p. 102 (1850), Bull. Acad. Belg. xxi. (2), p. 96 (1854), Mon. Gomph. p.

298 (1857); Luc. Expl. Alg. iii., p. 128, t. 2. f. 7, 7a, b (1849); Ramb.

Ins. Nevrop. p. 174 (1842).

Aeshna phyllum Hichw., Zool. Spec. i. ; p. 224, n. 2 (1829).

Ictinus praedator, Ramb. l.c., p. 173 (1842).

LInndenia quadrifoliata Eversm, Bull. Mosc. xxvii. (3) p. 194, t. 1. fi.

7-9 details (1854) ; Mort. Ent. Monthly Mag. 3rd_ series, Vol. V. p. 149

(1919), Id. Ann, Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 9, Vol. V, p. 295 (1920), Id. Ent.

Monthly Mag. 8rd series, Vol. VI., p. 85 (1920).

€60 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X,

Male: Abdomen (with appendages) 56 mm. Hindwing 39 mm.

Head, Labium, labrum and face white, mandibles black at base; occiput

‘dark yellow in the centre, blackish outwardly ; vertex greenish grey, black in

front; frons bluish white, finely black at base in front of eyes which are greyish

green, or in older specimens a pale opalescent brownish white. Whitish blue

beneath, back of head black.

Prothorax pale whitish brown.

Thorax similarly coloured but clouded with blue laterally, marked with brown

on the front and with black on the sides as follows :—2 median stripes coalescent

above, diverging in front, a curved antehumeral band, the ends of which meet

the median band and enclose an elongate spot of the ground colour, a black

humeral] band and two Jateral black lines on the sutures, the median of which

is broken at the spiracle but expands beneath it.

Abdomen similarly coloured to the thorax, segments 1 and 2 and the borders

of the winglike expansions on segments 7 and 8 somewhat yellowish. The

‘base of segment ] clouded with dark brown and there may be subdorsal streaks

of the same colour on segments 2 to 6 ; on some segments a short streak is seen

crossing their middle, segments 3 to 9 have distinct dark brown apical rings

which subdorsally are prolonged into the lateral bands. The rings are notched

‘on the dorsal carina except on segments 8 and 9 where they form dark triangles,

the apex directed basad. Anal appendages pale grey, thin long and cylindrical.

Legs bluish white, femora yellowish on the extensor surface, blackish on the

flexor.

Wings hyaline, costa vellow, stigma yellow with dark brown borders. Mem-

brane brown.

The ground colour and markings are subject to considerable variations due

to age, adult specimens becoming more and more pruinosed until the markings

are more or less or entirely obscured. Such latter types are an almost uniform

putty colour.

Neuration. 3 to 4 cells in trigones of forewings where three veins meet in

middle of cell, 3 cells in the hind which is traversed by 2 veins ; subtrigone of

forewing with 3 cells: discoidal tield begins with a row of 4 cells and is then

8-17 | 17-10

' 10-10 | 10-10>

Female: Abdomen 48mm, Hindwing 40mm.

Very similar to the male but rather paler. The occiput yellow and outer part

of head beyond eyes also yellowish; thorax has a yellow tint on the sides replacing

the bluish, The Ist, 2nd and base of 3rd segments yellowish green, segment

2 having a broad subdorsal band of dark brownish orange prolonged for a short

distance into base of 3, the dark spots on segments 7 to 9 better defined.

Anal appendages yellowish. |

Hab. Persian Gulf and Mesopotamia, also South Europe, North Africa,

Asia Minor and Persia. I have seen it taking long flights down the Persian Gulf

during which time the exhausted insects would come aboard ships plying up

and down the Gulf and would remain on board for some long time. Thus the

insect is spread and carried along the Mekran coast and must ultimately reach

the Indus. When discussing other Mesopotamian dragonflies I remarked on

some that they would probably be found in Sind and therefore included them

in our Indian list. Since then specimens of Diplacodes lefebvrei and Selysiothemis

nigra have both been taken in Karachi and we shall probably hear of L. tetraphylla

before long. The distribution is a very natural one, Sind and the river Indus

having much in common with Mesopotamia and the Shat-el-Arab,

. Lindenia tetraphylla is very nearly akin to the next genus Ictinus and must

be regarded as an Ictinus modified by the influence of its desert surroundings,

continued as rows of 2 cells ; nodal index 4or5cellsin anal triangle

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. ee BSE

‘

Genus—Ictinus, Ramh.

LY Ryo

HATES

Sauseeresse

Peon

ory Meise

[oa 5

A ea cadunennn

Tey

TIS OO WIRY nee FEROS

ehh see LAD sents seer sacri ‘<

Fig. 1. Wings of Ictinus rapax rapax, Ramb.

Ictinus Ramb, Ins. Nevrop. p. 171 (1842); Selys, Bull. Acad. Belg. xxi (2),.

p. 86 (1854) ; Mon. Gomph. p. 263 (1857); Will. Proc. U.S. Nat. Hist. Mus.

Xxxili., p. 278 (1908) ; Laid. Rec. Ind. Mus. Vol. xxiv, p. 373 (1922).

Head large and transversely elongate ; vesicle very prominent, elevated into

two robust points; thorax and abdomen black marked vividly with yellow ;

wings long and narrow, membrane narrow, stigma long, braced, trigones of fore-

wing with 3 to 4 cells, subtrigone with 2 or 3 cells. Abdomen tumid at the base

narrow and cylindrical from 3 to the basal half of 7, 8 and sometimes the apical:

half of 7 with wide lateral winglike prolongations, 9 and 10 narrow, the latter

very small, Legs moderately long and robust.

Superior anal appendages straight, longer than segment 10, the inferior much

shorter, deeply cleft. Genitalia and larve as for the series. Resting with

head inclined downward, abdomen held ina _ strong scimitar-like curve. Both

rapacious and pugnacious, often holding a resting place for days against all-

comers. Breeding in still or running waters from sea-level to an altitude of

over 3,000 ft.

Ictinus rapax rapax (Ramb)

(Diastatomma rapazx) l.c.p. 169 (1842).

Ictinus rapax, Selys, l.c.p. 90 (1854) ; l.cp.. 276 (1857) Kirby, Cat..

Odon. p. 77 (1890) ; Will. Le.p. 279 (1908) ; Laid. Lc. pp. 370, 375 (1922).

Male: Abdomen (with appendages) 52mm. Hindwing 40 mm. |

Head. Eyes bluish grey; labrum yellow bordered with brownish; labrum

either yellow with a heavy black border and a median prolongation of — black

from the base which nearly cuts the yellow in two, or black with two large

lateral yellow spots, the median prolongation in this case meeting the black

on anterior border of labrum. Face and frons greenish yellow with a black

stripe traversing the lower part of front or frons and expanding upwards at

its middle to cut the yellow into two large lateral triangular spots ; anteclypeus.

yellow, postclypeus black with a large lateral spot of yellow on either side;

a black spot at the base of frons above in the middle line which does not extend

as far forwards as the crest ; vertex black ; occiput greenish yellow fringed with

short yellow hairs.

Prothorax black marked with yellow,

Thorax black marked with yellow or greenish yellow as follows :—a complete:

mesothoracic collar, oblique dorsal spots short and broad above, pointed below

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

where it is widely separated from the mesothoracic collar, a large central spot

in alar sinus, yellow spots on tergum, a humeral stripe represented by an upper

triangular spot and often a lower broad streak, laterally yellowish green with a

median broad black stripe and the posterior border of the metepimeron narrowly.

Vestiges of a third yellow stripe on the median lateral band of black, sometimes

an upper spot of yellow, sometimes an upper and lower or again a row of three

yellow spots (I have never seen a complete yellow band.)

Wings hyaline and clear but in adults they may be slightly enfumed. Stigma

black braced long over 5 to 6 cells ; trigones of forewings with 4 cells, 3 in the hind;

subtrigone of forewing with 2 cells, only 1 in the hind ; hypertrigones traversed

PENS) ANE

Paroles) aes

the forewing, 2 in the hind ; 5 cells in anal triangle. Discoidal field begins with

a row of 4 cells and continued as rows of 2.

Legs black, coxe and trochanters yellow and a stripe of the same colour on

flexor surface of anterior femora ; hind femora extending just beyond hind margin

of thorax, furnished with an inner and outer row of spines, the inner closely-set

and numerous at the base, gradually lengthening and more widely spaced

towards the apex, outer row closely-set and small near the base, followed by 5

or 6 robust widely spaced gradually lengthening and then gradually shortening

“spines.

aie black marked with bright yellow as follows :—segment 1 with

an apical dorsal stripe confluent with a large triangular spot on dorsum of 2,

a narrow lateral apical stripe on 1 confluent with a broad lateral spot on segment

2 which involves but does not pass beyond the oreillet, 3 with nearly the basal

half yellow, this turning to pure white low down on sides and beneath, 4 to 6

with large dorsal basal spots confluent across the middle line except at apices,

the basal half of 7 yellow, rather more than half of 8, the black here indenting

the yellow on dorsal carina, the leaflike expansions all black, 9 with a lateral

basal stripe and a small apical lateral spot, 10 very variable, in a large number

of specimens examined it was quite unmarked, in others a small subbasal

subdorsal spot on either side and a dorsal subapical pair of small spots. Some-

times the basal spot is much lower down on the sides and in one specimen all

four spots were actually joined up so as to form a bow-like stripe on sides and

dorsum of segment.

Anal appendages black, as long as the two last segments, cylindrical and

tapering. Inferior much shorter, deeply bifid, black.

Genitalia : lamina tumid, broad and deeply cupped along free border, internal

hamules robust hooks, external short flat and tonguelike, all hidden beneath

a fringe of stout bright yellow hairs directed inward and meshing across the

genital orifice, lobe short trowel-shaped.

Female :

Abdomen 50 mm. Hindwing 42-44 mm.

Very similar to the male, yellow markings more extensive, abdomen much

-stouter, laterally compressed and shorter. The humeral stripe is nearly always

almost complete and the lateral black band is always spotted, and there may be

an almost complete yellow stripe here. Segment 10 is usually entirely black.

Anal appendages short, conical black.

Occiput raised, a robust spine situated at its middle which in some specimens

is minutely bifid, black, the floor of occiput yellow.

Wings with a dark brown basal marking extending out as far as the Ist

-antenodal nervure. This is often present also in the male but never so well

-defined as in the female. Vulvar scale black deeply cleft into two narrow tongue-

like processes which extend nearly to the base of segment 10.

Hab. Throughout India save in the desert tracts, Burmah, Ceylon and the

Andamans. In the Deccan it breeds in running water and I found exuvia

once or twice ; membrane whitish ; nodal index

Journ , Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Plate I.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.

For explanation see end cf article,

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, | 663

commonly along the borders of the Mullah Canal, Poona, which has a three or

four knot current. In Coorg however I have lately found it breeding in large

tanks around the borders of which it is very common.

Here it may be seen perched on a prominent twig facing out to the water,

head inclined downward and abdomen held well up. Should it be disturbed

either by a rival, a passing female or by the collector, it dives gracefully towards

the surface of the water and then banks and turns flying swiftly off along the

borders of the pond or stream, If disturbed it usually returns to its resting

place again and again or settles close by until the danger is past when it again

returns to its first resting place. Females are rarely seen and then only when

coming to oviposit, their stay then is of very brief duration. Pairing takes

place over water, is not of more than a minute or two’s duration, after which a

few eggs are depo ited by swift dips over the water, the insect then rising and

‘disappearing high over the tops of neighbouring trees. Unlike most Gomphines

the males frequently engage in fierce combat especially if females are frequenting

their locality.

The two following species are separated with difficulty from true rapax and

cannot be regarded as of more than local race value. I have seen them so

frequently mixed up with rapax that I have come to regard them as mere varie-

ties and an examination of the genitalia does not help one, these organs being

identical in all.

Actinus rapax mordax, Selys, I.c.p. 433 (1857).

Ictinus rapax, race (?) mordax Selys, 1.c. Bull. Acad. Belg. (2) xxxv., p. 768

(1873) ; Kirby, Cat. Odon. p. 77 (1890); Will, l.c.p. 279 (1908) ; Laid.,

Le.p. 373 (1922).

Abdomen 47mm. Hindwing 42 mm.

Differs from rapax rapax by the greater extent of yellow on the face. Ina

‘specimen I have from Malabar (female) the whole of the ante and post-clypeus

is yellow save for two minute black points lying between them near the middle

-of face. The black basal spot on upper surface of frons is almost obsolete and

the yellow of occiput is much more extensive, the spine being finer and markedly

longer.

Selys mentions that the basal yellow ring on segment 9 is reduced to two

lateral spots but it is very rare to find a complete ring on this segment even

in true rapax (The end segments of the type of rapax have been lost so we do

not know what the markings were. )

The vestigial lateral yellow stripe marking the black lateral band is absent

‘in the male of mordax but is well marked in the female.

Other points mentioned by Selys are a slightly longer stigma and the minute

spines on the anal appendages less rudimentary, and lastly segment 10 entirely

black.

Hab. The type is from Assam and was regarded by Selys at first, as nearly

related to I. melenops but was afterwards thought to be amere variety of

rapax, an opinion shared by Dr. Hagen. I have male specimens which may be

regarded as this insect from Malabar and the female which is much more specifi-

-eally distinct, is also from that part of India.

‘ilctinus rapax praecox, Hagen, Selys, Bull. Acad. Belg. xxi. (2) p. 89 (1854);

(2) xlvi., p. 677 (1878) ; Mon. Gomph. p. 275 (1857); Kirby, Il.c.p. 77 (1890);

Will. = Le.p. 279 (1908) ; Laid. l.c.p. 373 (1922).

Male: Abdomen 53mm. Hindwing 39 mm.

Differs from rapax rapax by the slightly longer abdomen and_ the slightly

shorter wings. The superior appendages a little longer and less abruptly

‘truncate. The lateral winglike expansions on segment 8 have the teeth more

“robust. Lastly the black at base of frons above is much more extensive and

fuses with the black on front: of frons,

G64 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

. The dorsal spots on segments 8 to 6 are shorter, whilst segment 10-has the same:

extensive yellow markings which I have described above as not uncommon in:

rapax rapax, Forewings with 20-21 antenodal nervures, 15 in the hind, 11-12

postnodal nervures in all wings. The basal brown clouding of wings is moder--

ately marked. .:

_ Hab. Pondicherry, Himalayas. Type in Copenhagen Museum is from

Pondicherry. Female unknown but 1 have two females which may be regarded.

as precox both from Malabar. In one the black on upper surface of frons is:

hardy fused with the black on the front, whilst in the other the separation is.

hardly perceptible. In all other respects these’ two insects are identical with

typical rapax.

Ictinus atrox, Selys, Bull. Acad. Belg. xxi. (2) p. 92 (1854); (2) xlvi. p. 677

(1878); Mon. Gomph., P. 282 (1857) ; Kirby, Le.p. 77 (1890) ; Will lc. Pe

279 (1908) ; Laid. l.c.pp. 370,374 (1922).

A single male in the Pusa collection, probably from Bihar.

~ Male: Abdomen 51mm. Hindwing 41°5 mm.

Head. Labium yellowish ; labrum, face and frons yellow, the labrum very

finely bordered with black, a fine transverse line across lower part of frons and

two tiny spots of black below this. Above frons, black at base; vertex and.

occiput yellow, a black stripe crossing the former just behind the ocelli.

Prothorax black marked with vellow laterally.

Thorax black in front marked with yellow as follows:—a complete meso-

thoracic collar, oblique broad dorsal stripes not meeting the alar sinus above

nor the collar below, the alar sinus and, a complete humeral stripe slightly,

constricted about its middle. Laterally broadly yellow marked with fine black

lines on the anterior and posterior lateral sutures. Legs entirely yellow with

black spines.

Wings hyaline, tinted with yellow, a basal dark brown mark extends as_ far:

out as the first antenodal nervure ; stigma yellow, 7mm. membrane ashy grey.

Abdomen black marked with yellow as follows :—segment 1 entirely yellow,

2 with a broad triangular spot, its apex just reaching the apical border of seg-

ment and its basal angles fusing with a broad latéral stripe which involves the:

oreillets and extends from base to apical border of segment, segments 3 to 7 with

the basal half of each yellow, segment 8 with very large wing-like lateral proces-

ses of which the base is broadly yellow, this continuous with a broad yellow

annule covering rather more than the basal haif of the segment, 9 and 10 have:

narrow basal annules which extend apicalward on the sides of each segment.

Anal appendages very similar to those of rapaz, black.

Female:

Abdomen 54 mm. Hindwing 44 mm, Stigma 6 mm.

Lips and face reddish yellow changing to citron yellow on the frons which:

_has a fine sinuous basal black band slightly notched before the ocelli; vertex

and occiput yellow, the former margined with black in front, the latter margined:

with brown, its border concave, with a small spine on either side of the conca-

vity, fringed on the outer side of spines with fine yellow hairs; back of eyes.

glossy. black with a lateral vestigial yellow spots

Prothorax black broadly bordered with dark yellow on each side.

Thorax black marked with yellow as follows:—a complete mesothoracic:

collar, moderately narrow oblique dorsal bands pointed below and diverging

widely but not meeting the collar below, a humeral band a little tapered above,

broader below and uninterrupted. The sides broadly yellow, the sutures only

marked finely with black.

Legs yellow marked with black, femora reddish yellow the four anterior ones.

with an external black stripe broadening apically, the hinder pair with only a

vestige of this and bearing two rows of black spines, the apical 5 of which are:

much longer than the others. Tibie and tarsi black.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, | mh) 665:

~ Wings hyaline with a slight saffronation at the bases; costa yellow ; stigma

long, dark yellow between black nervures, over about 8 cells; membrane

brownish ; trigones in forewings with 3 cells formed by the confluence of three

nervures in centre of trigone, trigone of hindwing with only 2 cells; discoidal

field begins with a row of 8 cells in forewing, followed by rows of 2, in hind

" : 20") 22-131)

begins with 4 cells ; nodal index ee ; subtrigone of forewing divided.

into 2 cells, that of hind entire, small.

_ Abdomen tumid at base, a little compressed, black marked with yellow as.

follows :—segment 1 has a transverse dorsal stripe and the sides yellow, 2

a dorsal stripe extending the full length of segment, very broad at base, taper-.

ing apically, the sides broadly yellow, 3 to 6 with the basal half yellow,

the apical black extending basalwards for some distance along the sides,

segment 7 with basal half yellow, the black encroaching slightly on the dorsum

and more so on the sides, 8 with a fine basal black ring followed by a narrow

yellow ring and then black as far as apical border, the yellow ring extending a

little apicalwards on the sides, the winglike processes on this segment black

narrowly yellow at the base, rounded, strongly denticulate except at bases:

segment 9 with a large dorsal black spot, its base at the apical border of segments.

tapering basad, the rest of segment yellow. segment !0 black, rather less than

the apical half yellow, the apical border finely black.

Anal appendages black, longer than segment 10, fusiform pointed.

Vulvar scale dark yellow, deeply cleft to its base into two contiguous lamelle:

pointed at apex.

Hab. The type (a female) is doubtfully from India or China. The male

described above, which I think is undoubtedly conspecific with airox ig in

the Pusa Museum and was probably taken in Bihar.

It is distinguished by the large amount of yellow both on the face and body.

Selys remarks that it is nearly related to angulosus but the description of the:

latter insect, of which the male alone is known reads very differently from that

of atrox, The armature of the female occiput differs from other species of

Letinus.

ictinus angulosus, Selys, Bull. Acad. Belg. xxi. (2) p. 92 (1854); Mon. Gomph,

p. 281 (1857); Kirby, le.p. 77 (1890) ; Will, lic.p. 279 (1908) ; Laid. Le.p.

374 (1922).

Male: Abdomen 53 mm. Hindwing 43mm, Stigma 6 mm.

Head. Labium and labrum yellow with the borders finely black; rest of

face and frons yellow with a vestige of black on anteclypeus, 2 small points on

postclypeus and a large spot on front of frons, the latter above with a broad

black basal line ; vertex and occiput both yellow, the former black in front, the-

latter narrowly bordered with black. Back of eyes black with a large yellow

spot above.

_ Prothorax almost entirely black.

Thorax black marked with yellow as follows:—a complete mesothoracic

collar, broad dorsal oblique bands converging above and resting on the borders.

of the alar sinus, pointed below but not meeting the mesothoracic collar.

my broadly yellow, the sutures outlined in black. Tergum spotted with

vellow.

Legs black, femora broadly yellow on the outer sides and a fine line of the

same colour on outer sides of tibize ; hind femora with 2 rows of spines, the distal

7 or 8 being much longer than the others,

Wings hyaline, bases clouded with dark brown as far out as the 1st antenodal

-hervure; costa finely yellow; stigma reddish brown; trigones of forewings

with 3 cells, that of hind also 3 cells ; 19 antenodal nervures and 11 postnodal:

‘in the forewings ; membrane blackish brown especially at base. Base of wing

deeply: excavate, the tornal angle very prominent,

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

Abdomen black marked with yellow as follows :—-segment 1 broadly yellow

-on dorsum, the marking constricted at its middle, 2 with a broad even dorsal

‘stripe not extending as far as apex, the sides including oreillets broadly yellow,

3 to 6 with large yellow lanceolate basal spots, extending nearly to the apex

-on segment 3 and for about three-fourths the length of the others, 7 with a broad

basal ring occupying the basal two-thirds of the segment, rather less than this

-on the sides, 8 with the basal half and its sides yellow, the moderately large

leaf-like expansions entirely black, not visibly denticulate along borders, 9 black

above, yellow laterally, 10 similarly coloured.

Anal appendages black, superior a little longer than segment 10, subcylindrical,

excavate within, pointed, moderately divergent, inferior about half the length

forked branched straight but separated.

Hab. India. Described from a male in the Saunders collection.

The abdominal markings are sufficiently distinctive to separate it from other

Indian species. Female unknown.

Genus—GOMPHIDIA.

Sean

vy, @

Mabe ae

Fig. 2. a. Base of wings of Gomphidia fletcheri.

b. Base of wings of Gomphidia williamsont,

‘Gomphidia, Selys, Bull. Acad. Belg. xxi. (2) p. 86 (1854); Mon. Gomph. p.

259 (1857) ; Will. lc. p. 281 (1908) ; Laid. l.c. p. 374 (1922).

The genus is very nearly allied to Ictinus and species of the two genera closely

resemble one another. They are readily distinguished by the absence of any ~ |

leaf-like dilatations on the 8th abdominal segment, the abdomen especially

of the male is rarely held curved scimitar-like to the extent it is seen in [ctinus.

Head transversely elongate, frons elevated and prominent, vesicle prominent,

raised into two robust points on either side, occiput slightly raised but notched

in the middle, in the female.

Thorax bulky, rather square, black marked with yellow or yellow marked with

black ; wings long and narrow, membrane narrow, stigma long braced, trigones

-of forewings with 3 to 4 cells, 3 in the hind, subtrigone of forewing with 2 or 3

cells, only 1 in the hind.

Abdomen tumid at the base, narrow and cylindrical thereafter as far as middle

of segment 7 where it dilates as far as base of 9 after which it rapidly narrows

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 667

again. No leaf-like dilatations on sides of segment 8. Segments 9 and 10

very short. Anal appendages, superior longer than segment 10, of even width,

Jaterally compressed, inferior much shorter, cleft as far as base into two flat

triangular diverging lamina, waved and directed upward.as seen in profile.

Legs robust, of moderate length, variably spined.

Genitalia, Lamina short broad depressed, hamules very prominent and

projecting, the internal robust hooks, the external flat and tongue-like, lobe

funnel shaped. Vulvar scale deeply cleft, its branches slightly divergent,

extending nearly to base of segment 10.

Hab. Breeding in still or running waters, habits as for Ictinus. Larve very

similar to Ictinus.

Gomphidia fletcher, williamsoni and kodaguensis were not included in the

key to the Gomphine as they were unknown at the time it was written.

6 7 &

Fig. 3. Lateral view of end segments and anal appendages of :—

1. Gomphidia fletcheri. 2. Gomphidiawilliamsoni. 3. Gomphidia T-nigrum

4, Ictinus rapax, 5. Heterogomphus hannyngtoni.

Ventral view of end segments of abdomen and anal appendages of :—

©. Gomphidia fletcheri. 7. Ictinus rapax. 8. Gomphidia williamsoni.

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

. Gomphidia T-nigrum Selys, Bull. Acad. Belg. xxi (2) p. 86 (1854); Mon

Gomph. p. 260 (1857); Kirby, Cat. Odon. p.76 (1890); Will. Proc. U.S.

Nat. Mus. xxxiii, p. 282 (1908); Laid. Rec. Ind. Mus. Vol. xxiv,

pp. 370, 374 (1922).

Male: Abdomen 53mm. Hindwing 38 mm,

Head. Eyes bluish grey; lips, face and frons bright citron yellow, upper

surface of frons marked with a black line in floor of sulcus, which forms a ‘“‘ T ”

by meeting a short medial transverse black line on front of frons ; vertex black,

the two points of vesicle yellow, occiput largely yellow, its hinder border

raised, its floor filled by a pyramidal eminence.

Prothor rax brownish black, ”

‘Thorax black marked broadly with bright yellow as follows :—a broad meso-

thoracic collar barely interrupted at its middle, two broad short dorsal oblique

stripes pointed below and not meeting mesothoracic collar, the sides broadly

yellow with a broad median black stripe marked above and below with a small

upper and a large inferior spot of yellow. Humeral spot vestigial, represented

only by a small upper spot, alar sinus black, the tergum spotted with yellow.

Legs black, coxee and trochanters spotted with yellow. Hind femora with two

rows of very robust evenly and widely spaced spines, longest at the middle of

femora, crowded at the extreme base where they are very minute.

Wings hyaline, costa yellow as far as the stigma which is yellow bordered

with black ; trigone in forewing 3 cells long, the basal cell divided into 2 cells,

10-16|16-9

4 cells in all in the trigone, trigone in hindwing 3 cells long ; nodal index |

3 cubital cells in forewing, 2 in the hind ; subtrigone in forewing 2 cells, that of

the hind entire ; anal triangle 5 cells.

Abdomen black broadly marked with yellow as follows :—segment 1 diffusely

yellow on dorsum, segment 2 all yellow except for an irregular black ring at the

apex which extends forwards on either side of dorsum and also below along the

ventral border. Genitalia except the lamina bright yellow. Segments 3 to.

6 with basal half yellow (rather less on segment 6), segment 7 and 8 with narrow

black apical rings, broadest on 8, extending forwards along the ventral border

on both segments ; 9 has a fine lateral stripe at the base and _ the basal part of

dorsal carina finely yellow, 10 has a small dorsal spot.

Anal appendages brownish, the superior longer than segment 9, broad at the:

bage, compressed and of even width thereafter, bevelled at the apex, curving at

first out and then in, the apices meeting ; inferior one-third the length of supe-

viors, seen in profile undulated, from below diverging and broadly triangular.

Genitalia very similar to that of fletcheri (to which this insect is more closely

related than to other species, both by anal appendages and genitalia), lamina

short and broad, bluntly pointed, somewhat excavate; internal hamules long

tapering hooks, the apices curling alittle outwards, external hamules long

narrow and acute tongue-like processes, bright yellow in colour, projecting

markedly from the genital sac and hugging the lobe, which is also yellow and

‘broadly funnel-shaped.

Female: Abdomen 53mm. Hindwing 43 mm,

Very similar to the male. Mandibles marked with black at the base ; labrum

all yellow ; occiput concave at its middle, dorsum of segment 2 bears a triangular

yellow spot, the other black markings of abdomen of greater extent, segment

9 without any dorsal stripe, 10 entirely black. Anal appendages short, conical,

brownish,

Vulvar scale cleft om about three-fourths of its length, the atone slightly

divaricate, extending nearly to base of segment 10. e

Hab. .The type is trom Northern India but the exact locality is unknown.

(I have never received specimens of this insect from that part of India so that:

it must be either very rare or very local.)

9-12|12-10-

Gs ea i a INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, Wie 669,

! Personally I have seen it in considerable numbers on the Katraj Lake, Poona,

Bioccan, where it has established itself. In flight it looks very like an I clinus

but its bright yellow colour is sufficient to distinguish it even on the wing. It

patrols the borders of the lake for long distances, the males engaging each other

in combat as they pass,

Gomphidia fletcheri, sp. nov.

. Male: Abdomen (with anal appendages) 63mm, Hindwing 42 mm,

Head. Eyes bottle green ; midlobe of labium brownish, lateral lobes yellow ;

labrum black marked with two greenish yellow spots at the base ; face and frons

greenish yellow, a black stripe across the lower part of front of frons which sends

a prolongation up to meet a medial black marking on upper surface of frons

occupying the floor of sulcus and expanding towards the vesicle; vertex and

occiput black, the former raised into two prominent points, the latter raised

laterally and medially and fringed with pale coloured hairs,

_ Prothorax black marked with a yellow anterior collar.

Thorax black marked with greenish yellow as follows:—a broad meso-

Poricio collar interrupted in the middle line, very short and broad, oblique

dorsal stripes rather widely separated from the mesothoracic collar. Laterally

broadly yellowish green with a medial broad black band which is marked above

and below by large vellow spots. Tergum spotted with yellow.

Legs black, coxe and trochanters yellow, the hind femora with two rows

of robust spines, short, numerous and crowded at the base, longest and widely-

spaced at the middle and 5 or 6 short closely spaced ones at the apex.

- Wings hyaline, enfumed somewhat patchily with warm brown ; stigma black,

very long, over 6 to 7 cells, braced ; trigonein forewing 3 to4cells, 3 cells long,

that of hindwing with 3 cells in a line ; hypertrigones traversed twice in all wings ;

subtrigone in hindwing entire, in forewing formed of 8 cells by conjunction of

} 14-20 | 20-12. 15-18 | 19-15 aes

3 nhervures at centre of cell ; nodal index. 1414 | i614 [4-14 | 14-14 ;2 cubital

nervures in hindwing, 3 to 4 in forewing ; 6 to 7 cells in anal triangle. (In the

second specimen the trigones in forewings are 3 cells long and have only 3

cells and the subtrigones have only 2 cells.)

Abdomen black marked with yellow as follows :—segment 1 with a broad

dorsal spot and a narrow apical streak low down on the sides confluent with a

lateral spot on segment 2 which involves the oreillet and is limited apically by

this structure ; genitalia tipped with yellow, segments 3 to 6 with elongate dorsal

spots confluent over dorsal ridge except at extreme apices and gradually dimini-

shing in size from 3 to 6, segment 3 has also the ventro-lateral border narrowly

yellow, segment 7 has the basal half yellow, 8 has a complete narrow basal ring,

9 has a mere vestige of this and 10 is entirely unmarked.

, Anal appendages black. Superior broad at base, compressed in apical half,

apices bevelled off and turning in to meet each other. Inferior only one-third

Ss length of superiors, undulated in profile, flat and triangular as seen from

elow.

Genitalia. Lobe rather flat, the border emarginate; internal hamules very long

robust hooks ; external hamules long flat narrow tongue-like lobes projecting

well out from the genital sac; lobe funnel-shaped prominent, embraced on

either side by the outer hamules.

Hab. Coorg. Two males taken at Hallery near Mercara on the borders of

@ rocky mountain stream, 3,800 ft. altitude. Both were very shy and unapproa-

chable so that I finally had to bring them down with a charge of dust shot. They

bear a close resemblance to Jctinus when on the wing or resting or to Hetero-

gomphus hannyngtoni for which the insects were actually taken to be until secured

and examined. When settled they rest with the head inclined somewhat down-

670 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX

wards and the abdomen held stiffly and straight out, this latter feature distin-

guishing them from the curved scimitar-like abdomen of Ictinus.

Their large size will distinguish them from any other Indian species of

Gomphidia ; other oriental species approaching it in size are krugeri, Martin, which.

has the oblique dorsal stripes joined to an upper humeral spot, and perakensis,

Laid., in which the ante and post-nodal nervures are much more numerous

than fletcheri.

This magnificent species is named after Mr. T. Bainbrigge Fletcherin ack-

nowledgment of his long and unstinted aid in contributing material which has.

much facilitated the preparation of this work.

Gomphidia williamsoni, sp. nove

One female and several males from Hasimara, Duars, Bengal, coll, by Mr.

H. V. O’Donel, 20.v.23— 6. vi.-23.

Male: Abdomen with appendages 54mm. Hindwing 43 mm.

Head, Eyes bottle green ; labium yellow ; labrum black enclosing two moder-

ately large yellow spots ; frons greenish yellow above and infront, a medial

basal spot of black sometimes present above but never extending as far forwards.

as the crest ; face greenish yellow below, black above, this colour invading the

yellow of front of frons so as to cut it into two lateral spots; vertex and

occiput black.

Prothorax black with an anterior yellow collar.

Thorax black marked with greenish yellow as follows :—a mesothoracic collar

slightly interrupted in the middle line, broad oval oblique dorsal stripes narrowing

below where they may be connected to the mesothoracic collar or widely

separated from it (separated in one male and in the single female examined ;

connected in two males); laterally two very broad greenish yellow stripes

separated by a broad black stripe which is quite unmarked. The anterior

yellow band sends a tongue-like process back above, which may have been formed

by confluence with an upper yellow spot, the posterior stripe covers the whole

of metepimeron ; tergum spotted with yellow.

Wings hyaline, rather deeply enfumed with warm brown ; costa black ; stigma

blackish brown, very long, braced ; trigone in forewing four celled, four also

in the hind ; anal triangle with 5 cells ; nodal index ad | a

Legs entirely black, the hind femora with two rows of robust spines which

fuse to form a close field of smaller spines at the base.

Abdomen black marked with yellow as follows:—segment 1 with a dorsal

apical triangle and an apical lateral spot low down on the sides, segment 2 with

a broad dorsal stripe not quite reaching the apex, laterally a broad spot of yellow

which just meets the dorsal spot at its base and extends‘to the ventro-lateral

border below involving the oreillet, segments 3 to 6 with elongate dorsal spots

confluent over the dorsal crest save for the extreme apex. These spots gradually

decreasing in size from 3 to 6, the 3rd segment witha long basal streak low

down on the sides, 7 has the basal half yellow, 8 a tiny lateral basal streak, 9is

unmarked, whilst 10 has a small rounded spot on the centre of the dorsum,

Anal appendages black, the superior long and sinuous, laterally compressed,

blunt and bevelled at the apex, the inferior very much shorter, leaf-like and

curling upwards as seen in profile, flat and triangular as seen from below.

Genitalia. Lamina deeply excavate, more pointed and longer than in fletcher: ;

internal hamules short robust hooks, much shorter than in fletcheri; external

hamules broadly triangular flat and not markedly projecting from genital sac ;

lobe funnel-shaped. The external hamules and lobe are tipped with yellow.

Female: Abdomen 54mm, Hindwing 45 mm,

Very similar to the male but the yellow markings broader and better defined.

Wings rather more deeply enfumed ; all trigones with 4 cells; nodal index

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES; 671

13-20 ; 20-13. “ : ; te

{2-15 | 14-12. Occiput raised, a small point at its ‘centre, finer than that found

in Ictinus ; vesicle black marked with two small yellow spots. Dorsal oblique-

stripes widely separated from the mesothoracic collar ; the black stripe, traversing

sides of thorax, marked with a large lower spot. Segment 2 almost entirely

yellow, the lateral band very broad and extending the entire length of the segment,

the dorsal stripe also very broad in its basal two-thirds, the apical third connected

to it by a narrow neck only ; segment 9 has a fine lateral basal streak similar

to that on 8, whilst segment 10 is unmarked,

Vulvar scale very characteristic, deeply cleft at base into two long narrow

tongue-like foliate processes, the apices of which extend as far as the base of

segment 10.

Anal appendages very short conical black.

Hab. Duars, Bengal. Iam indebted to Mr. H.V. O’ Donel for these specimens,

the type of which will be sent to the British Museum. The species belongs to:

the abbotti-kodaquensis group, to both of which it is closely allied, especially

to the latter. It differs from kodaguensis by the greenish-yellow on upper surface

of frons not being divided up by black, this colour being either entirely absent

or present as a very small spot at the base only. It also differs by the absence:

of an upper humeral spot and of spots on the lateral black band. From abbotti it

differs by the absence of spots on the lateral black band of thorax and also by

the absence of black on upper surface of frons, lastly by the much greater extent

of yellow on segment 2, etc.

This species is named after Mr. E. B. Williamson who has done so much valu-

able work on the subfamily Gomphine.

Gomphidia kodaguensis sp. nov.

A single male, Dubarry, Cauvery river, Coorg, 21, vi. 23.

Male: Abdomen with appendages 53mm, Hindwing 42 mm.

Head. Eyes bottle green ; face and frons bright citron yellow, the latter with.

a black mark in floor of sulcus which is continuous with a black mark on the upper:

part and front of frons. This again is confluent with a transverse black line on

lower part of front of frons, in other words the black on front of frons tapers:

rapidly and irregularly to meet the black on its upper surface, leaving a broad

space of the ground colour on each side which is irregularly triangular in shape.

Labium yellow ; labrum yellow narrowly bordered with black, the ground colour

split into two large spots by a medial vertical streak of black running from the

base ; occiput black raised, fringed with very short pale yellow hairs; vertex

black, the vesicle elevated into two very acute prominent points.

Prothorax black with a narrow anterior collar of yellow.

Thorax black marked with yellow as follows :—a mesothoracic collar broadly

broken in the middle line, two broad oval greenish yellow short dorsal stripes,

pointed below and not nearly meeting the mesothoracic collar, a small upper

spot representing the rudimentary humeral stripe. Laterally broad yellow

stripes separated by a broad black stripe, marked by an upper and lower spot

of yellow. The posterior yellow covers the whole of metepimeron. Tergum

spotted yellow.

Legs black, coxe, trochanters and anterior pair of femora yellow. Hind

femora with two rows of widely separated robust spines, the two rows coalescing

at base where they are small and crowded, mid femora with small evenly sized

crowded spines.

Wings hyaline, costa black, the apices and posterior borders palely and evenly

13-22 | 22-15

14-15 | 15-137

trigones of forewings with 3 to 4 cells, 3 cellsin the hind (traversed twice) ; 5 cells:

enfumed with warm brown ; stigma very long, black ; nodal index

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

in the anal triangle ; 5 cubital nervures in forewing, 3 in the hind ; subtrigone,

in forewing traversed once, free in the hind; hypertrigones traversed once or.

‘twice.

Abdomen black sap with yellow as follows :—segment 1 with a fine apical

dorsal ring, 2 with a small oval dorsal spot extending from the base for two-

thirds of the length of segment, and a small lateral spot which involves the

oreillet, Subdorsally and subapically a very tiny yellow spot, segments 3 to.

6 with dorsal basal elongate spots confluent over the dorsal crest except at the

extreme apices, segment 3 has also a narrow basal streak of yellow along the

ventrolateral border. Apices of lobe and external hamules also tipped with

vellow. Segment 7 has the basal half yellow, 8 hag an elongate transverse basal

spot, 9 is unmarked, whilst 10 has a dorsal spot expanding apically and covering

almost the entire dorsum,

Anal appendages black. Superior nearly as long as segments 9 and 10, late-

rally compressed, sinuously curved at first down and then slightly up, bluntly

pointed at apex which is bevelled. Inferior only one-third the length of superiors,

curling upward, undulated as seen in profile, broad and triangular as seen from

below, markedly divergent branches.

Genitalia similar to that of williamsoni to which the insect is closely related,

as also to abbotti, its markings being a combination of these two insects. It

differs from both by having the face and lips almost entirely yellow and by the

black on frons joining up with that on the upper surface. From williamsoni

it again differs by the restricted yellow markings on segments 1 to 3 and by

broader markings on segments 8 to 10. From abbott by the greater number of

antenodal nervures and by the vestigial humeral spot on thorax which is absent

in williamsoni.

The single male was taken about a quarter of a mile inland from the Cauvery

river in a dense teak plantation. I mistook it for an Jctinus but my curiosity

was aroused by the curious locality in which I had found it.

The name is derived from the vernacular way of spelling ‘“‘ Coorg ”’, the latter

being the English corruption of the word,

Gomphidia abbotti Will. l.c. pp. e828 (1908.)

Male: Abdomen 53 mm. Hindwing 4 mm.

Head. Eyes bluish green ; labium brownish ; labrum black marked with two

large transversely oval lateral spots ; anteclypeus yellow, postclypeus black:

with a small lateral yellow spot ; frons black, its crest narrowly in front and the

upper surface yellow, the sulcus black, this colour extending forward nearly

to the crest (In the Burmah specimen, this black area is much restricted) ;

occiput raised, black, fringed with short hairs. |

Prothorax brown, yellowish laterally.

Thorax black marked with yellow as follows :—a mesothoracic collar slightly

interrupted in the middle line, oblique dorsal spots resting on the alar sinus

above, widely divaricate below, extending about halfway to the mesothoracic

collar, humeral stripe entirely absent, laterally black marked with a narrow

anterior stripe of yellow on the mesepimeron and another wider on the metepi-

meron, between which there is a small upper spot on the black between the two’

yellow stripes. Tergum spotted with yellow.

~ Legs black, armature as for williamsoni.

Wings hyaline, evenly and palely enfumed ; membrane white; stigma dark

brown, over 4-5 cells, braced ; trigone of forewing with 4 cells, 3 cells long, the

basal divided into 2, that of hind 3 cells long ; subtriangle on forewing traversed

once, that of hind entire ; 1-2 nervures in hypertrigones ; 3 cubital nervures in

9-18|19-ll .

; 5 cells in anal triangle.

forewing, 2 in the hind ; nodal index ——— 10-13! Ja?

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 673

Abdomen black marked with yellow as follows :—segment 1 with a dorsal

basal spot and a narrow apical low down on the sides, 2 with a dorsal median

spot and a small lateral which involves the oreillets, 3 to 6 with dorsal spots con-

fluent over the dorsal carina except at the extreme apex of spots, 7 with

nearly the basal half yellow, 8 with a small basal lateral spot and a smaller still

on segment 9, 10, with a median dorsal spot (this in the Burmah specimen

covers the basal half of the dorsum).

Anal appendages. Superior considerably longer than segment 10, compressed

of about even width to the apex which is squarish, separated in entire length

but converging at the apices, inferior much shorter, a little sinuous and directed

up as seen in profile, deeply cleft, the branches widely divaricate and triangular

seen from beneath.

Genitalia black tipped with yellow, similar to williamsont.

Hab. A single male from Trong, Lower Siam, the type in U.S.N. Museum,

I possess a specimen from Burmah which answers to the above description,

the slight variations between it and Mr. Williamson’s description being probably

due to changes in decomposition. The ground colour in the type is dark brown

but I notice that the jet black of most species of Ictinusis apt to turn brown

where no care is taken to prevent decomposition changes and I surmise that

the type was in lite deep black. The entire absence of the humeral stripe

separates it from kodaguensis, whilst the lateral upper yellow spot on the

median lateral black and the presence of a black basal spot on the upper

surface of frons found in abbott: will serve to separate it from this insect.

Series, Gompuus Williamson.

This series contains a somewhat miscellaneous group of genera and species,

the position of many of which is at present doubtful. Gomphus sens strict and

Onychogomphus will need further splitting up, a greater knowledge of their

larve may facilitate this asis well demonstrated by that of Onychogomphus

nilgsriensis.

The whole series is characterized by the following characters :—All trigones,

’ hypertrigones and subtrigones entire ; transverse nervures between Mi-iii and

Miv greatly reduced in number, usually only 1 in the hindwing and 1 to2 in

the forewing ; sectors of arc very distinctly separated at and beyond their origin

from the arc ; stigma variable ; no accessory sectors to Rs and Miv.

- As Dr. Laidlaw points out, clear-cut venational characters are not to be found

for the series as a whole owing to the large number of doubtful species included

in the series. Specialization of transverse nervures between Mi-iii and Miv is

much more constant in the hindwing although in some genera it is about equal

in fore and hind.

Genus—HETEROGOMPHUS, Selys.

Heterogomphus. Selys. Bull. Acad. Belg. xxi (2) p. 27 (1854); Mon,

Gomph., p. 94 (1857.)

Moderately or very large insects with hindwing 40 mm. or more, abdomen

usually considerably longer than this ; at least 16 antenodal nervures in forewing,

not more than 2 transverse nervures in the forewing between Mi-iii and Miv,

never more than 1 in the hind. Wings long and narrow, extending to end of

segment 8 in the male, to end of 9 in the female or in one species actually longer

than the abdomen, base of wing in the male strongly excavate, anal angle promi-

nent,

Head very massive, face deep, eyes tumid posteriorly, occiput low straight

in the male, often spined in the female. Thorax robust, black marked with

greenish yellow or yellow marked sparingly with black, Abdomen similarlv

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

coloured, tumid at base, rather narrow and cylindrical as far as segment 7, 8

and 9 slightly dilated, the 3 last segments diminishing successively in length,

Legs robust but short, spines variable.

Anal appendages long and tapering, as long as the two last segments of abdomen,

of nearly equal length, superior simple, inferior deeply cleft, its branches equally

divaricate as superior appendages, bearing a robust internal spine at the apices

of branches.

Fae Ey Co eles

Sate Pe

, S, ’

2480, ag ,

ane s

ES RLIS PEE

eee

ngewe em

ATES

Fig. 4. Wings of Heterogomphus hannyngtoni, sp. nov. 3

Genitalia ; lamina bonnet-shaped, a little raised, internal hamules robust

straight hooks, the external thin, tongue-like processes projecting perpendicu-

larly from the genital sac, lobe markedly projecting, with a long constricted

neck, the end expanding laterally, the expansions curling inwards, Vulvar

scale small, strongly cleft.

Hab. Breeding in mountain streams. Habits closely resembling those of

Ictinus for which the insects may be mistaken when on the wing or resting.

india, Western Ghats, Himalayas, Bengal, Ceylon, China and Cochin China, |

Keterogomphus hannyngtoni, sp. nov.

Male. Abdomen (with anal appendages) 58mm. Hindwing 48mm.

Head very large and massive, triangular. Eyes bottle green ; labium chrome

yellow ; labrum bright greenish yellow margined narrowly with black ; face

black, the lower epistome citron yellow and a spot of apple green on either side

against the eyes ; frons apple green above and in front with two small points of —

black in the sulcus just in front of the vesicle ; vertex and occiput black, the _

hinder border of latter raised and scale-like with a small rounded tubercle on the’ |

superior surface, fringed with long black hairs. (

Prothorax black marked with a postero-lateral spot of yellow and two small

spots on middorsum.

Thorax black marked with bright greenish yellow. In some specimens the

markings are bright citron yellow above changing to bright apple green below.

Markings as follows:—the outer angles of the alar sinus a broad subtriangular

oblique dorsal stripe more or less separated from a mesothoracic coilar which

Heterogomphus nannyngtoni, ana jiavicoior were not included in the key to

the Gomphinae as they were unknown at the time it was written.

[INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. §75

may be either entire or interrupted. (In one specimen the separation between

these two markings is bright reddish brown.) A rudimentary humeral stripe

represented by a small upper spot, laterally two broad apple green stripes sepa-

rated by a broad black band, the upper part of which bears a small yellow spot,

The posterior stripe covering the whole of metepimeron.

Legs short and robust, black, the cox and trochanters of the first pair yellow.

Hind femora with two rows of short robust closely set black spines.

Abdomen black marked with bright citron yellow as follows:—segment 1 with

a small apical dorsal triangle and the whole of the sides low down, 2 with a dor-

sal stripe, broad at the base and tapering to but not reaching the apex, laterally

a broad stripe, broadest at the base and including the oreillet, interrupted just

after the latter structure, lastly a narrow stripe bordering the genitalia, 3 with a

_ trilobed dorsal stripe and a lateral wedge-shaped spot at the base, segments

4 and 5 with a chain of three dorsal spots, the apical one cordate and larger

than the two basal, 6 with a single basal dorsal spot, 7 with rather more than

the basal half yellow, the margins of the yellow concave laterally, segments

8 and 9 with small lateral basal triangular spots, 10 entirely black.

Anal appendages black. The superior long and tapering, the inferior but

little shorter and armed with a small inner apical spine.

Genitalia : lamina scuttle-shaped, its sides straight and at right angles to the

dorsum ; internal hamules projecting from under shade of lamina, long curving

robust hooks ; external hamules narrow triangular plates projecting perpendi-

cularly from the genital orifice; lobe with a broad black base, narrowing to a

truncate neck which projects markedly from the genital sac, bifurcates at its

apex, the bifurcations curling inwards.

Wings hyaline. long and rather broad, reticulation close ; stigma long blackish

brown, braced ; Mia very indistinct, only 2 rows of ceils between it and Mz. In

females Mia is always quite distinct and there are always 3 rows of cells between

it and Mi, this applying to all species. Only 1 cross nervure between Miv and

Mi-ivi in all wings.

Nodal index 13-19 | 19-15

14-14 | 14-14

Female. Abdomen 56 mm. Hindwing 55 mm.

Very similar to the male but the ratio of wing length to that of abdomen

strikingly different. The wings enormously lengthened and broadened, evidently

for carrying the extra weight of the very robust thorax and abdomen. Apart

from the abdomen which is slightly shorter, the female is a much more robust

and bulkier insect than the male,

Labrum bright citron yellow instead of apple green; frons with a semicircle

of black at the base of upper surface ; occiput flat with a robust spine at either

end against the eyes.

Lateral spot of prothorax much larger than in the male.

Metepimeron citron yellow with a blush of green at its centre ; markings of

abdomen much broader and more crowded, the dorsal marking on segment 2

being trilobed, its basal part square, the median large and broadly oval, whilst

the apical lobe is smaii and round, the lateral stripe on this segment is unbroken

at its middle, the dorsal marking on segment 3 partially constricted to form four

lobes, whilst laterally a broad stripe runs its entire length, broken slightly at

the transverse suture, segments 4 and 5 have an additional lateral basal _ spot,

whilst 6 has this spot and another still larger following it, segment 9 has a

minute lateral basal spot.

Anal appendages very small, conical, tapering black.

Vulvar scale very small, deeply cleft, the apices of the two lobes thus for ned

curling strongly inward towards each other.

Wings hyaline, nodal index similar to that cf male.

676 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXTX,

-Hab, Haunting the banks of jungle mountain streams, perching on

twigs or more rarely settling on rocks. The male when settled bears a strong

resemblance to Ictinus but may be recognised by its abdomen, which is held

stiffly and straight outward instead of curved, scimitarlike as in Ictinus. Like

the latter insect, it rests with the head lowermost, the body inclined upwards.

When disturbed, it plunges downwards as it takes flight. It travels long distances

up and down stream but makes long rests and if followed up, is soom met with

again.

The only female taken was in the act of ovipositing beneath the dark shade

of a tree overhanging the stream at a point where the current was very swift

and racing over a bed of pebbles. It was performing a series of figure-of-eight

evolutions, striking the surface of the water at the waist of each figure-of-eight.

This and the first males were taken on the Cauvery near Bhagamandala (where

the river rises), two subsequent males being taken at Hallery near Mercara on a

mountain stream which empties lower down into the Hatty river, a large tribu-

tary of the Cauvery. The streams here are not more than ten feet across and I

have never seen the insect on the main river where it becomes much wider.

Type in British Museum.

In May 1906 the late Mr. Hannyngton, I.C.S., who was then Commissiorer

of Coorg, discovered a huge exuvia of some unknown dragonfly which he pre-

sented to the Pusa Museum. No notes are available as to where he discovered

this exuvia in Coorg but from local hearsay evidence I should think it was found

on the banks of the Hallery stream. Mr. Hannyngtor was a keen lepidopterist

ind spent much of his spare time collecting in the Hallery valley. The insect

<mt

is named in dedication to his memory, as there can be no doubt but that it and —

Mr. Hannyngton’s exuvia are conspecific. (Exuvia described in M.S. Pusa

Memoirs).

Heterogomphus ceylonicus, Laid., l.c.p. 412 (1922).

Described from a single male in the British Museum collected by Colonel

Yerbury, Ceylon.

Male: Abdomen with anal appendages 47°5 mm. Hindwing 41 mm.

Head. Eyes probably bottle green during life; labium yellowish brown;

labrum yellow bordered with black all round and witha median prolongation

of black from the base inthe middle line, lateral lobes yellow; anteclypeus

yellow, postclypeus black with a lateral spot on either side against the eyes ;

frons black in front, the crest and upper surface yellow, the base narrowly

black vertex black ; occiput with a median yellow spot.

Prothorax black with a large lateral yellow spot and a smaller geminate spot

of the same colour on the middorsum.

Thorax black marked with greenish yellow as follows :—a mesothoracic collar

narrowly interrupted in the middle line, a broad oblique oval dorsal stripe not

meeting the mesothoracic collar, a small spot of yellow above and to the outer

side of the dorsal stripe represerting a vestigial humeral stripe. Latevally |

broadly yellow with a broad median black stripe, the yellow being continued

over the tergum.

Legs black, coxze and the extensor surfaces of femora obliquely yellow.

Abdomen black marked with yellow as follows :—Segment 1 with a transverse |

basal stripe and a broad lateral stripe which is continuous with a similar stripe |

on segment 2, the latter segment has also a trilobed dosral band broadest at the _

middle, segments 3 to 6 have a dorsal stripe tapering from base to apex and |

gradually diminishing in length as traced from segment to segment, 7 has the

basal half yellow and 8 and 9 have lateral basal streaks, larger on segment 9 |

than 8, segment 10 entirely black.

Anal appendages black, long and tapering, the inferior not much shorter than |

the superior and carrying on its inner border, near the apex a robust spine.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 677

Wings hyaline ; stigna long, black. Nodal index 12-18-17-14,

Hab. Ceylon. The species is distinguished from the former by its smaller

size, by the yellow occiput and by the yellow markings on the legs. A note

penned to my sketch (made of this insect in the British Museum) states that

it looks very like an Ictinus, a resemblance which has also struck Dr. Laidlaw.

Type in British Museum.

Heterogomphus smithi Selys. Bull. Acad. Belg. xxi, (2) p. 29 (1854); (2) xxxvi,

p. 495 (1873) ; Mon. Gomph. p. 97 (1857) ; Will, l.c.p. 315 (1908) ; Laid

Le.p. 412 (1922); Kirby, Cat. Odon. p. 57 (18990).

Male: Abdomen 58 mm. Hindwing 50'mm,

Head. Eyes bottle green ; labium brownish black; mandibles yellow at the

base ; labrum yellow broadly bordered with black in front, narrowly at base,

the latter black sending a median prolongation into the yellow which nearly

cuts it into two; anteclypeus yellow, postclypeus black with a small median

yellow spot and a large lateral against the eyes; frons yellow traversed by a fine

black stripe below confluent with the black on postclypeus, above yellow with a

black basal stripe slightly prolonged forward in the sulcus, rest of upper surface

of head black including the back of eyes. Occiput flat, slightly tumid at mid-

dle, fringed with short black hair.

Prothorax black, posterior lobe with a median yellow spot.

- Thorax black marked with yellow as follows:—a complete mesothoracic collar

which may however be slightly interrupted on the crest, dorsal oblique stripes

which may or may not meet the mesothoracic collar (not meeting it in the type)

no humeral stripe, laterally two broad stripes which are continued over’ the

dorsum of thorax and connect up with those from the other side, the first

stripe between the humeral and first lateral suture, the second covering the

greater part of metepimeron. Legs black short robust, the hind with an outer

orange stripe, armed with short robust spines. Trochanters yellow.

Wings hyaline a little enfumed at the bases, reticulation black, costa slightly

pale outwardly ; stigma black, 5 mm. over 7 cells ; membrane pale, narrow but

extending as far as the anal angle; trigones of forewing followed by 3 cells, then

rows of 2; nodal index 14-17 | 20-14

14-14 | 14-14

Abdomen tumid at base, 8 and 9 slightly dilated, narrow and cylindrical bet-

_ ween, black marked with yellow as follows :—segment 1 with an apical triangle

——————

of yellow and the sides broadly, 2 with a basal ring which extends apicalward

along the dorsal carina and finally expands into a fleur-de-lys, the apex of which

does not quite reach the apex of segment, laterally a triangular spot and the

_ ventral border, 3 to 7 dark yellow above and on the sides, the apices broadly

and diffusely blackish, the transverse sutures on these segments finely black,

8 has the base yellowish or bears two large yellow spots separated by the dorsal

crest and there are rounded spots on the sides behind the transverse suture, 9

has a basal lateral vestigial yellow spot, 10 is unmarked.

_ The dorsal carina ends in an apical spine on segments 8 and 9.

' Anal appendages blackish brown, finely hairy, superior as long as segments

9 and 10, divaricate, nearly straight as seen from above, a little curved as seen

in profile, thick at base, tapering to the apex which is blunt and provided with

3-4 minute teeth below. <A keel runs the length of appendage beginning at the

side and ending on the dorsum at apex. Inferior appendage but little shorter

than superiors, cleft nearly to the base, the branches thus formed ending in a

point and an inner robust spine.

Hab, Sylhet. Type in British Museum. I have seen a single male from Mr.

C. M. Inglis which I believe was taken in Sikhim, and which does not differ

| from the British Museum specimen.

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

Heterogomphus fiavicolor sp. nov.

A single female collected by Mr. Mackenzie in Bihar.

Female. Abdomen 60mm, Hindwing 51 mm,

Head, thorax and abdomen uniformly bright ochreous marked

sparingly with black as follows :—Back of upper part of eyes glossy black, pro-

thorax blackish, thorax with a dorsal stripe running parallel and close to the

middorsal suture, tapering above where it extends to the alar sinus, clubbed

below and not reaching the anterior border of thorax, a humeral stripe tapering

below, broadening and bifurcating above to enclose a spot of the ground colour.

Laterally a fine black line on the posterior suture. The humeral and lateral

markings are connected to their fellows over the tergum,

Abdomen with a narrow ring at the base of segment 1 and broad, rather diffuse

apical rings of black on segments 2 to 9. These rings extend slightly basalwards

on the dorsal carina of each segment.

Legs short and robust, entirely yellow save for some black spines. The hind

femora with two rows of short black evenly and widely spaced spines which

converge at the base of femur to form a field of short stout spines.

Vulver scale very =mall, deeply cleft into two small triangular plaques.

Wings hyaline, costa bright yellow ; stigma long and blackish, braced; only

1 nervure in all wings between Miv and Mi-i1; 5 to 6 rows of cells in anal

field ; nodal index 10-19 | 19-11 ; discoidal field very irregular at the beginning,

PMs |e

begins with 3 cells and continues as rows of 2 or 3 cells with no regularity ; 3

rows of cells between Mz and Mia.

T am indebted to Mr. Bainbrigge Fletcher for the opportunity of examining

this splendid insect which I consider to be one of the most striking of Indian

dragonflies. Its unusual colouring, scanty markings, absence of a mesothoracic

collar all help to distinguish it from any other species of the genus. H. wnicolor,

Martin, from Tonkin most nearly approaches it. It is unfortunate that no data is

to be added as to the exact locality where this insect was taken but as it was found

amongst a collection of insects made in Bihar, the presumption is that it was

taken in that province. It is to be added that the insect is of extraordinary

massive build and the wings of great width and breadth. Type i in the Pusa

collection.

Heterogomphus risi, (Fras. )

Gomphus vast Fras., Memoirs of Pusa, pp. 73-74(1920).

Female (male unknown). Abdomen49 mm. Hindwing 42 mm,

Head. Labium yellow; labrum black marked with two yellow spots at the outer

angles, labial palps of the same colour; anteclypeus finelv yellow, postclypeus

black with a small spot of yellow on each side against the eyes; frons black

with the crest yellow; occiput black, armed with two smail spines at the mid-

dle of its posterior border.

Prothorax black with two small spots of yellow on the middle lobe.

Thorax black marked with yellow as follows :—a mesothoracic collar unbroken —

in the middle line, a fine line on the midthoracic carina, narrow antehumeral

stripes which do not meet the mesothoraci¢ collar, a small humeral spot at the

upper part of shoulder, the whole of the sides broadly yellow with a broad

median black stripe marked by a single upper and two lower spots of yellow.

Legs black short, flexor surfaces of femora yellow.

Wings hyaline; stigma black braced, very long; only 2 transverse nervures

between Miv and Mi-iii in the forewing, 1 in the hind; nodal index

14-20 | 18-12; 3 rows of cells between Mi and Mia at outer end of stigma; 2

12-12 | 13-11

rows of cells between Mi and Mii beginning nenent the stigma,

Journ,, Bombay Nat Hist. Soc.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.

For explanation see end of article.

Piate til

INDIAN DRAGON FLIES, 679

Abdomen black marked with yellow as follows:—segment 1 with a dorsal

spot extending the full length of segment and a large spot laterally, segment 2

similarly marked, the dorsal spot tapering apically, 3 to 6 with triangular basal

spots extending for about one-fourth the length of segments, finely s separated by

the black of dorsal carina, 7 with the whole of the basal half yellow, the black

encroaching on it middorsaliy, segments 8 to 10 entirely black.

Anal appendages small pointed conical black.

Since I described this: insect as a Gomphus in the Memoirs of | Pusa, I have

received a second female and an examination of the wings of this specimen and

a re-examination of a photo of the wings of the type specimen (now in the Pusa

collection) has convinced me thatit is an undoubted Heterogomphus. The

incomplete medial lateral stripe of yellow on the Mist will serve to distinguish

it from other Indian species of the genus.

Hab, Near Mangpu, Darjeeling District, 3,400 tt, The single female collected

by Mr. C.M. Inglis, 31. viii. 1920. Type in Pusa Museum.

Heterogomphus bicornutus (Fras, )

Gomphus bicornutus Fras., Memoirs of Pusa, Vol. vii, p. 72 (1922).

Female. (male unknown.) Abdomen 47mm. Hindwing 40 mm,

Head Labium black ; labrum black with two transversely oval basal spots

of yellow; anteclypeus yellow, postclypeus black; frons black, its crest bright

yellow ; occiput black furnished with two long robust medial spines on its

posterior border projecting somewhat backward.

Prothorax black marked with dorsal and lateral spots.

Thorax black marked with bright yellow as follows:—An antehumeral

oblique stripe joined to a slightly incomplete mesothoracic collar so as to form

inverted “7” s, A vestige of a humeral band represented by a small upper spot.

Laterally yellow marked with a very broad medial black band which bears an

upper and lower small spot. Tergum spotted with yellow.

Legs short and stout, finely spined. black, the trochanters yellow.

Abdomen black marked with bright yellow as follows:—Segment 1 witha

large lateral spot and a smaller dorsal spot on the apical border, 2 almost en-

tirely yellow with a fine black apical mark on the dorsum which extends a short

distance along the dorsal carina, segment 3 with nearly the basal half yellow on

the dorsum, rather less than this on the sides, 4 to 6 with small basal semi-lunar

spots just meeting over the middorsum, 7 with rather more than the basal half

yellow, 8 to 10 black.

Anal appendages black, conical, short.

Wings saffronated at the base as far out as_ the trigones and for rather more

than this in the subcostal space ; stigma black braced rather short; 2 rows of

cells between Mi and Mii beginning nearer the node than stigma; 3 rows of

cells between Mi and Mia at level ot distal end of stigma; 2 transverse ner-

vures between Miv and Mi-iii in the forewing, 1 in the hind; nodal index

14-18 | 18-15

15-14 | 14-16

Hab. Shillong, a single female collected by Mr. Bainbrigge Fletcher, 18. +i

1920, taken hovering over a stream, evidently ovipositing.

A further examination of the venation of this insect has convinced me that

it is an undoubted Heterogomphus and not a Gomphus as I had first described

it. It may be distinguished by the fusing of the mesothoracic collar and dorsal

oblique bands to form inverted “7”s and also by the robust occipital spines, It

bears a superficial resemblance to the last described species. Typein Pusa

Museum,

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

Explanation of Plate 1.

Markings of Ictinus rapax, 3

. Markings of head of same, facial view.

Marking: of Gsmphidia fletcheri, 3

. Markings of head of same, facial view.

Markings of Gomphidia T-nigrum, S

. Markings of head of same, facial view.

Markings of Gomphidia abbotti, &

. Markings of head of same, facial view.

Markings of Gomphidia williamsoni, 3

. Markings of head of same, facial view.

Explanation of Plate II.

1,2 1¢. Markings of Heterogomphus hannyngton,

la.

2a.

3a,

4a,

Markings of head of same, facial view.

Markings of Heterogomphus flavicolor, 2

Markings of head of same, facial view.

Markings of Heterogomphus ceylonicus, &

Markings of head of same, facial view.

markings of Heterogomphus smithii, 3

Marking of head of same, facial view.

(To be continued,

6st

THE RED ANT,

Magor R. W. G. Hrnaston, 1.M.s.

Part IT.

THE GATHERING OF SUPPLIES.

(Continued from page 372 of this volume.)

Capture of insects—Stretching of victim—Evolution and fixity of instinct—

Effect on nervous system—Experiments on stretching—Employment of poison—

Transportation of capture—Attention to cattle—Acquirement of herd—Types of

catile—Summary of habits. |

Now that we understand the architecture of the nest, let us turn our attention

to certain other features connected with the out-door activities of this ant.

We will here investigate the supply of food. This ant gains its sustenance from

two main sources ; one from the insects which it captures alive, and the other

from the cattle which it carefully tends and establishes in its nests and byres.

They make thorough explorations in their search after insects, moving widely

over the branches and descending to the ground beneath. Some kinds they

seize in the midst of the foliage, others on the trunks of the trees. When the mango

is in bloom they capture many on the inflorescence, but their richest field is

the decaying debris which has accumulated round the base of the tree. In the

winter months they are almost faced with famine, but in April and May the

supplies improve. Later the rains bring them insects in abundance when a

profuse and varied entomological supply is gathered into the nests and byres.

They are untiring in their search after food and plunder. Winter and summer

they are continuously on the prowl. There is no cessation night or day in this

all-essential toil.

If I were to enumerate all the species seen captured by these ants the list

would make a formidable array. It includes beetles of many kinds and sizes,

such as weevils, scarabs, carabids and longicorns, and also a variety of Pentato-

mid bugs. Crickets and spiders are more juicy victims ; even butterflies and

moths seem to be taken unawares, while every kind of larva is fitted for the store.

Most of these they discover round the base of the tree. but when the mango is in

bloom they get quantities of ladybirds, also little gnats and other delicate

diptera which are attracted to the yellow flowers. Ants of other species are

amongst the commonest of captures. They will overcome even the massive

soldiers of the black ant, and that vigorous ground species, the Myrmecocystus,

forms an important part of their prey. Even the best armed hymenoptera

do not always escape. Becs and solitary wasps are sometimes overwhelmed.

I have seen them struggling with the yellow Polistes and transporting the for-

midable hornet to their nest. Nor do their own companions escape the ravage.

When wounded or dying, they are carried to the storehouse where later they are

sucked dry. The fact is that these ants devour every kind of flesh, the dead

carcass of any insect or bird that they find, and almost every living thing that

they are able to overwhelm and force into their nests or byres. Even pieces

of fruit they will sometimes gather in as a supplement to their animal food.

It is interesting to observe their mode of capture, for most of their provender

is taken alive. A worker is exploring that important hunting ground, the litter

of leaves and decomposing debris that has accumulated round the foot of the

tree. It is prowling about in a leisurely way, at one time surmounting a piece

of withered vegetation, at another time exploring the recesses beneath. At

length something attracts its notice. It has spied a beetle moving in the debris.

It makes a forward movemei:t, amounting almost to a rush and the victim is

682 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vou XX1X,

suddenly seized. The leg is usually the part that is gripped ; the curved jaws

of the worker are bent around it, and the deadly contest begins. No tumultuous

fight ersues ; there is no attempt on the part of the worker to rend or to stupefy

its prey. It just takes hold wherever it can, and stubbornly maintains its

grip. It will cling on, if necessary, for au hour or more, absolutely refusing

to budge. ‘The beetle fights to escape its enemy. Itstruggies; it drags itself

away with all its might, but the ant just clings to its point of vantage, though

often forced to give a little ground. Its jaws, however, are irrevocably fixed ;

it throws back its legs, clings to every foothold that offers ; it makes no attempt

to summon a.sistance, but relies altogether on its own determination, adhering

to its victim with a fierce pugnacity until assistance happens to arrive.

At lergth a passer-by observes the struggle. It immediately determines to enter

the contest, grips. the beetle in some other situation and joins in the stubborn

hold. Other workers soon arrive; the reinforcements come in from different

directions ; from a distance they detect the augmenting battle and hasten to

lend their aid. The beetle is seized on opposite side: ; its enemies crowd al!

round about it and envelop it in a deadly ring. Its last possibility of escape

has vanished ; it is at the mercy of the tenacious swarm.

How varied are the tactics associated with capture as employed by the different

species of ants. The actual seizure is simple enough; this is always a fierce

grip with the mandibles and a clinging with tarsi and claws. It is the subsequent

machinery of final subjection that marks the distinctive strategy of each.

Simplest of all is that of the Myrmecocystus ; it just falls on its victim and takes

its hold ; no further ruse or as. istance is required since all can be done by its

individual strength. The Indian black ant also relies on its own efforts,

unless it finds itself unequal to the task, when it will immediateiy hurry back

to the formicary to call forth a rescuing troop. The Phidole has elaborately

improved on this behaviour, for, on all occasions, the discoverer dashes to the

nest and despatches, not a small and compact body, but a bustling multitudinal

swarm, The little Prenolepis relies on its agility and speed; after examining

its victim, it rushes about, communicating with every individual it meets until

an army comes pouring on the scene. The red ant differs widely from all these.

Its method is that of the patient bulldog ; it merely clings to its capture with an

indomitable grip, trusting that the struggle will attract attention and quickly

bring others of the commune to its aid.

The prey is overcome by force of numbers and by the fierce and relentiess

determination of each ant. But now comes the most interesting part of the

process, a special and peculiar feature prominently displayed by this species

of ant. The issue of the contest is clearly over. The prey is overwhelmed and

besieged by enemies and is now awaiting transportation to the nest. But this

is not always a very simple matter. The ants have before them a difficult —

journey. Their nest is far above them in the highest leaves. They must first

convey their burden through the litter of debris, then hoist it up the perpendi-

cular trunk, then carry it out along the radiating branches before they finally —

reach their goal. They can scarcely face this journey with a struggling capture,

one that resists at every step and fights every inch of the way. Their victim —

ig still vigorous and strong. It is certainly powerless, being firmly held on every —

side ; but the ants have done nothing to seriously injure it, and on the slightest —

relaxation it will endeavour to escape. It must, therefore, first be rendered

powerless before it can be carried to the nest.

Other ants, in order to effect this, would probably employ their poison and

stings. But such is not customary with this particular species ; it has a special —

and remarkable method of its own by which to reduce the'struggles of its prey.

It proceeds literally to; stretch its capture, as it were to extend it on a gibbet,

and strain on it until its life'is gone. The ants gather round it in a dogged ring.

They seize on every projecting point, but it is mainly on the slender legs and the

TY | SS Te _ i a

THE RED ANT. 683

antenre that they exert the deadly strain. Two or three may secure themselves

~ to one leg, one holding it near the tip of the tarsus, the others higher up on the

shank. The artenne are hauled away in front, the legs are drawn out’ on

either side, with the result that the beetle is widely extended and stretched to

the utmost of their power. The ants spread themselves outward from it; they

are like the spokes that radiate from the centre of a wheel. They lie with their

bodies fully stretched, and their middle and hind legs thrust out behind them

so as to cling to the gripping points. All pull together; all pull in different

directions ; each exerts its utmost energy im the steady and persistent strain.

They are unrelenting in the fierce tenacity of their grip. I crush the thorax cf

one, I cut off the abdomen of another, but still they maintain their hold. I

separate the head by an an:putation through the neck, but the jaws still continue

slosely clenched and firmly fixed in the prey.

This is certairly a most efficient machinery. The victim, when thus stretched,

is utterly helpless. We may still observe the pulsations of its belly, but it cannot

make the slightest movements of its limbs, so closely and tenaciously are they

secured. The method is always adopted by the ante. It is their one great

means of controlling movement, as the following interference will show. I find

a group ot them transporting a dead insect up a tree. I take the capture between

the blades of a forceps, agitate it gently so as to make it seem alive. [Immediately

the workers gather themselves around it; they abandon the business of trans-

portation, extend themselves at full length from the dead capture, and begin

to stretch it with their usual tenacity as though it had recovered and come again

to life.

The number that engage in this machinery of extension depends cn the size

of the victim to be stretched. Hight are sufficient to extend a comrade, or

more commonly an intruder of their own species which has happened to invade

their tree. One will take it by the points of its jaws, a second by the tip of its

abdomen, and three on either side will operate individually on its legs. This

is, therefore, the normal complement for an insect of their own size. As many

as possible often join in the performance. Half a dozen may combine to subdue

a weevil scarcely a quarter of an inch in length. There may be twenty employed

in the stretching of a ladybird, the victim appearing like a crimson hub encircled

by the straining spoke:. Even soft-bodied captures are similarly dealt with.

The ants pull at opposite ends of a caterpillar, stretch it out to its full extent.

until strained almost to the breaking point. Isaw an army of them assembled

round a young bird. Literally hundreds had massed themselves about it;

they had even piled themselves one upon the other in order that a greater number

might come in. Every available point was gripped. Scores of them clung to

the head and tail, ard the legs and wings were so tighly stretched that the bird

was spread-eagled on the branch. It was utterly helpless in so violent a grip ;

indeed its life could not have lasted many minutes under so contir.uous and

fierce a strain. On the following evening it had disappeared. The

ants must have had eviscerated and destroyed it piecemeal, since all I could

find was its distended stomach around which was assembled a party of workers

endeavouring to drag it through the gateway of their nest. Thus the ants can,

by virtue of their numbers and organization, overcome a victim vastly larger

than themselves, and they must be reckoned as a formidable enemy of birds,

though probably less in destroving the voung than by preventing the nests from

being built on the tree.

The insects which they stretch are never just paralysed. I have often taken

them from the ants when the operation was complete. They never showed

~any sign of recovery. for the ants do not loosen their murderous grip until the

victim is strained to death. Let us look with more detail into the sequence

of these changes which produce so destructive a result. We will test them first

with one of their workers, since it equals them in size and strength. I give

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

them a red ant from a neighbouring nest. Being a stranger, it is instantly

seized and placed on the deadly rack. I interfere with the operation after the

lapse of a minute and remove the victim from the murderous vice. It shows

indications of partial paralysis ; it drags those legs that had endured the strain.

Though it still can stumble and put up a fight, yet its strength is clearly failing

and its limbs have lost their power. I examine another after a space of two

minutes. Its vitality is further impaired ; it can no longer walk, though it still

has some vigour ; it can make an incoherent attempt to struggle and can wave

its enfeebled limbs. After an interval of five minutes I removea third. It is

utterly helpless, almost devitalized, and completely at the mercy of the ants. [

can detect a gentle tremor of its antenne and an occasional movement of one

of its legs. Otherwise its incapacity is total; its body, as a consequence of the

stretching process, is paralysed in every part.

Let us pass to a larger and more powerful victim. I test the operation with

the Gymnopleurus miliaris, a medium sized beetle of the dung-rolling type. It

is stout in appearance and massively built, since strength is a necessary attribute

to an insect which is in the habit of rolling a load. ‘The ants crowd around it in

a dense array. Twenty to thirty of them join in the siege and pack themselves

into a dense ring. I examine the beetle at successive intervals. After two minutes

it is still vigorous ; it can walk and fly almost as energetically as before, though

the hind legs seem to have lost some of their power. After two more minutes

there is little further change ; if the ants allowed their hold to slacken the beetle

could still easily escape. Five more minutes shows decided progress. The muscular

power is now distinctly impaired. It can manage now just to stagger with diffi-

culty, being apparently unable to flex its legs which stick out as though they were

permanently stretched. Another five minutes completes the operation. The

beetle is now paralysed and helpless and ready to be carted away.

In this instance the beetle seems to have rapidly succumbed, possibly as a

consequence of the number of workers which happened to take part in the act.

Other beetles of the same species were still vigorous after an equal time. Some

could stagger after twenty-five minutes, while others were completely subdued.

Thus the length of the operation is very variable, though the end is always the

same,

The particular structure of the red ant’s mandibles must not be passed over

without a word of note. For they are well fitted to this wonderful machinery,

and they indicate the efficiency with which Nature adapts a_ structure to

different ends. There are two distinct patterns of jaw commonly observed in

worker ants. One is the stout, triangular mandible, a strong and powerful

weapon, armed with blunt teeth. Such is the particular organ of the Campono-

tus ; it is excellently fitted for the rough toil of labour, to break down the soil,

to evacuate the earth, to hoist heavy burdens along to the nest. The other type

is possessed by an ant like the Polyergus; it is a curved and pointed

spear, slender, sharp, unprovided with teeth, serving its owner as a

deadly lance for the penetration of the victim’s brain. Now the jaw of the

(Ecophylla* is intermediate between these two, obviously because the ants require

it for a somewhat intermediate type of work. It is not a rough instrument

with which to hew and delve sirce these workers live an arboreal life and con-

struct their nests amidst the leaves. Nor is it purely a pointed spear, for these

ants do not strike at the brain of their capture but kill them by a continuous

stretch. Hence they are supplied with intermediate weapons. The base

of the jaw is their instrument of labour; it is shaped in the form of a stout

triangle, armed and toothed and strong. They require it for the purpose of

hauling on the leaves and for transporting provender to their nests and byres.

The apex of the organ is their instrument of battle. It is a slender curved and

pointed spear, perfectly fitted for clinging to a capture, and serves, as I have

shown, as a prehensile sickle to support the larva when carried about. Thus

* Vide figure in Part I of this article on page 363 of this volume.—Eds.

THE RED ANT. 685

Nature has supplied the necessary weapons for both capturing and overcoming

the prey. The chief implements of seizure are the pointed hooks ; the stout

bases take the steady strain.

Though this instinct of stretching a victim to death is a most elaborate and

efficacious act, yet it must have originated in some simple operation before it had

reached this highly finished state. Let us look for instruction to the

Prenolepis ants. They effect a capture by rapid communication ; and,

‘though they quickly overwhelm their victim, yet they do not apply the

deadly stretch. But they besiege it, they cling to it, they haul out its legs

and antennz until sufficient reinforcements have arrived. In this way they

drag on it and hold it down, and iti a mild and iacomplete degree, give it a partial

strain. They have, as it were, adopted the first stages of the mechanism, This

is the operation in its rudimentary state. What it needs in order to reach the

perfection of the Gcophylla is that the strain should be strengthened and main-

tained. If the Prenolepis improved on its holding act it might develop the

deadly stretch.

This instinct of stretching is of vital importance and is peculiar to this class

of ant. Under ordinary circumstances it never fails, but, as is so usual in the

case of instincts, we can detect an absence of the simplest judgment when it

operates out of the usual course. For remember that its.importance to the ants

is so great that without it they could not quell their prey. They employ it re-

morselessly on every occasion ; the instant the capture is fixed by the jaws it is

placed within the fatal vice. But sometimes I have given them a dead insect

and have watched with surprise how they employ the instinct even when necessity

does not demand its use. One would expect them to carry the dead insect away,

for there was nothing to prevent it going straight to the nest. But the ants

never attempted this. Although the insect was lifeless, yet they put it to the

stretch. They spread themselves around it with the same determination as if

it were a capture fighting for its life. The instinct is, therefore, a fixed natural

impulse which the ants must of necessity obey. They show little evidence of

choice in the matter. Whether the insect is dead or alive their first instinct is

to put it to the stretch. This is a type of lesson that we frequently learn. The

impulse is vital to the ordinary occasion, for the ants habitually take their prey

alive ; but when they meet with an unusual incident, such as the finding of an

insect that is dead, still the instinctive machinery must follow though it may

fulfil no useful end.

The production of the paralysis most probably results from the great tension

on the system of nerves. Consider how this delicate apparatus is constructed

and how it must suffer from the strain. In the head of an insect are two nervous

masses. One lies above and one below the gullet and they are connected to-

gether by lateral threads, the whole forming the insect’s brain. From the lower

one is prolonged the nervous cord. It is a double chain, dilated at intervals

into ganglionic swellings, and extending throughout the full length of the insect

in the middle line beneath. A system of delicate nerves originates both from the

brain and the gnglionic cord. They spring from the series of nervous dilatations.

Those from the brain pass to the structures of the head, sending filaments into

the antenn and to the appendages of the mouth. Those from the cord go to

the thorax and abdomen and ramify into the tissues of the limbs. A branching

arrangement of nervous filaments thus extends to the integument from the

-central chain, all commencing from the ganglionic masses and terminating in

the superficial parts. Consequently when a strain comes on the appendages,

it results in a stretching of the nervous threads. Through them the tension is

transmitted to the ganglia, which are, at the same time, being strained on from

the opposite side. The central system is thus stretched in different directions.

It is there that the delicate nerve cells are situated, and, no doubt, as a result of

the steady extension, their connecting processes are drawn apart. It is the

686 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX,

ganglia, I imagine, that most vitally suffer, and the disturbance of the function

in such essential organs seems the most probable cause of the paralysis and

death.

A process so mechanical should be capable of imitation. I, therefore, attempt

to confirm it experimentally by the application of an artificial strain. The

large Anthia sexguttata is chosen for the test. It is a conspicuous Carabid of a

black colour and ornamented with six white spots. A rack is arranged by means

of a saucer resting on the top of a jar. The saucer is placed with its under surface

upwards. In its central circle will be laid the victim, and the instruments of

extension, in the form of weights, will hang down all round the edge. The

Anthia is placed on the stretching-board. Weights are attached to its antenne

and its legs, beimg firmly secured by threads. In this way the beetle is widely

stretched, since each leg and each antenne supports a weight of 480 grains. The

strain is tremendous ; the total force of the extension apparatus is 3,840 grains,

and infinitely greater than the ring of workers could ever hope to apply. I

expect that paralysis will rapidly follow, since the Anthia is absolutely fixed and

motionless and the strain is evenly applied all round.

I remove the victim after a stretch of five minutes. To my surprise there is

not a trace of paralysis ; the insect appears to have suffered nothing from the °

rack. I conclude that the time has been insufficient; the experiment must,

therefore, be resumed. During the next two hours I examine it at intervals.

But it never shows a sign of any paralysis, and at the end of that period it seems

as vigorous as when the experiment began.

This was certainly a surprising result. It seemed so clear that the machinery

of the ants was merely a mechanical strain. Perhaps I had applied the extension

threads at too high a level on the limbs. The ants usually grip them by the tips

of the tarsi: I had affixed the extensiors to the shanks. The experiment must be

repeated under modified conditions. A load of 2,880 grains is now applied ; it is

uniformly distributed in the same way as before, but the threads are now attach-

ed to the ends of the tarsi just above the terminal claws. The beetle is left for

five hours on the stretching-board, yet, when released, it shows not a sign of

weakness, but runs energetically away.

Why this failure ? I do not hope to imitate the efficiency of the Ccophylla,

but why this complete and utter deficiency in comparison with the perfect ma-

chinery of the ants ? It seems clear that they must possess some further provi-

sion for dealing with their larger and more powerful prey. The physical stretch is

sufficient for the smaller victims but in order to subdue a hard-cased beetle they

must use More than mere mechanical force. Let us, therefore, observe them with

greater care. We will leavefor atime these unnatural experiments. Though

they have clearly disclosed our error, yet they have failed to show us truth. We

will turn again to the leaves and branches, placing more trust in the natural

haunts. We have often profited by the weil-learnt lesson that

‘* Art may err, but Nature cannot miss.”

I, therefore, resume the observations in the grove, and am determined to

watch with infinite care. I give the ants an Anthia such as I had dealt

with on the rack; but they are unable to hold the monster, and, though

I secured it till many had collected, yet it tore itself from their stubborn grasp.

I then observe them overcome a Gymnopleurus which, as I have already said,

ig a powerful beetle, and is clothed in a rigid mail. At first [see nothing but the

stubborn stretch. Such is sufticient in the early stages when they certainly

applied no other aid. But later in the conflict I notice a change. Some of the

ants begin to investigate their victim while others maintain the stretch.

The investigators examine it on every side, touching it attentively in different

parts and apparently testing it by the pressure of their jaws. They bite gently

at its limbs and at the edges of its shards as though they were trying to learn

}

THE RED ANT, 687

the details of what had chanced to fall intotheir grasp. Then, occasionally, I

see one of them flex its abdomen, turninthe point of it towards the beetle, and

apply it in so careful and deliberate a manner that it seemed to select the

particular spot. Sometimestoo I am able to detect that from the tip of the

abdomen there is suddenly shot forth a spurt of watery juice.

Other ants repeat this same _ operation, and it soon became

evident that a process of poisoning was an _ additional weapon

employed to reinforce the stretching of the prey. More attentive

observation then disclosed the fact that the ants very carefully selected

those points at which to apply their poisonous juice. It would have been a waste

oftheir precious fluid if they had turned it thoughtlessly on all parts of their

prey. For this dung-beetle is protected in a rigid integument; the greater part

of its body is secured in armour on which the poison would have no effect.

But the ants are frugal of their potent fluid. They carefully seek out the joints

in the harness ; for this reason they feel it ail over with their jaws seeking out the

soft and assailable points. They specially attack the articulations of the body

since these are the supple membranous connections that unite the armoured

plates. They shoot their juice into the cleft between the head and thorax, into

the line of junction between the thorax and abdomen, and into the many arti-

culations of the limbs. They haul forward the shovel-shaped head and insert

the tips of their abdomens beneath. In this way they reach the tender parts

around the mouth, and in the same way they apply their jets of poison to the

points of weakness at the posterior end.

This explains the failure of my mechanical experiments. No doubt the strain

is sufficient for the smaller victims, especially those with a soft integument which

will easily yield to the force of the stretch. But for these powerful, hard and

well-protected beetles some additional device is required by the ants. Their

poison percolates through the points of weakness ; it, no doubt, soaks in through

the connections of the thorax and the soft tissues at the joints of the limbs.

There it reaches the nervous filaments where it adds its chemical or corrosive

effects to the paralysis brought about by the strain. The whole procedure is thus

an excellent example of combination. Not only do the workers unite their

labour so as to uniformly strain on the helpless prey, but, by their efforts, they

open the joints of the victim, and prepare it for the reception of the poisonous

fluid which the other workers so careiully apply. ~

Inow leave the machinery for subduing the victim and passtoits manner

of transportation to the nest. As soon as the insect is stretched to death the

greater number of the operators retire. There is no special struggle or compe-

tition to secure it. The ants, of course, realize its value as a capture, yet none

show any greediness to cling to the prize. Just sufficient remain with it for the

toil of transport. They pick up their burden and commence the journey, the

anger of the fight being now forgotten and all working in a

harmonious group. It is often a long and _ laborious business.

The capture may be many times their own weight and they

have to hoist it from the base of the tree high up into the topmost leaves,

They are enabled to do so by their admirable discretion and by that

instinctive faculty of union which multiples their individual strength. Three

or four are sufficient to carry a ladybird; six to eight will easily transport a

Gymnopleurus ; the smallest captures may be taken as single loads ; the largest

may need thirty or forty workers in order to shift them along. The ants are

ingenious in their system of carriage. They have to hoist it up the perpendi-

cular trunk, hence they must work in some regular way. Most of them take

their station at the upperside of the burden; two or three may

attach themselves below. They fix themselves tightly to every

point of vantage; with their hind tarsi they cling closely to

the bark; with their jaws they secure themselves to the body of the

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

prey. Some take its legs, others its wings, still others lay hold

of its long antenne or any other suitably projecting points. The workers on

the upper side then haul together while those below keep a gentle strain. It

might seem that the latter only checked the progress, but their main object

is to move with the burden and just hold it sufficiently to steady the load.

The capture in this way is rapidly raised, since all toil with a common purpose

and exert a uniform strain. Sometimes the progress may happen to be checked.

Others in the vicinity then come to the rescue. An increasing number gathers

round the capture; with their help it is hoisted over the obstruction and is

again started on its course. At length, having surmounted all their difficulties,

having hauled it up the trunk and out along the branches, they at last come

to their leafy dwelling and drag their victim through the gate.

The capacity to exert a continuous strain is the predominant feature in the

life of these ants. On this depends their exceptional powers of performing st.en-

uous feats. We have seen how they draw the stiff leaves together before

uniting them with strands of silk, how they stretch the life out of their bulky

captures by straining on the antenne and the legs, how they hoist - their

formidable burdens to the foliage by all hauling in a common team.

The possession of this instinct is the secret of their success. Other

ants achieve the same _ essential objects. They too overcome

their victims and transport them bodily to the nest. But they have

different methods for securing these ends. The Myrmecocystus relies

on its individual strength; each of the workers is so powerfully built

that it can deal itself with the contingencies of life. The Camponotus possesses

a special caste of soldiers, and these lend a handin the heaviest duties which

the smaller workers are unable to fulfil. The Phidole depends on its

nfinite numbers, trusting in the power of the multitudinous swarm that is

waiting in readiness to pour from the nest. Thus different kinds of ants

possess different instincts for the fulfilment of the same ends, and one of

the most interesting and essential of these is the power of the (Ecophylla to

combine their efforts in a steady unremitting strain.

So much for the rapacious habits of these ants. I come now to the scene

of the two great sources from which they secure supplies. If we examine the

interior of a nest or byre, we will almost certainly discover a multitude of flakes

strewn like coins over the surface of the leaf. These are the most valued posses-

sions of the ants ; they are coccids of the species Lecanium hesperidum, and give

forth an abundant supply of juice on which the ants continuously feed. In appear-

ance they are smooth and flattened flakes somewhat bigger than the head of a

large pin. Superficially they appear almost devoid of structure; their backs

are raised like a sloping roof, darker on the summit in the middle line and shelving

all round intoa paler edge. Their ventral surfaces are pressed close against

the leaf where they remain in an absolutely passive state as though they were

mere excrescences on the wall of the nest.

These coccids are collected in enormous flocks; on one square inch of leaf

I counted 250, and it is mainly in order to protect these gatherings that the

smaller habitations are built by the ants. They are the most important of the —

species of cattle which supply the Ecophylla with juice. As a rule all sizes are

represented in the herd. Many are fully developed scales ; but amongst them

are often the smaller forms, the tiniest specks of living substance and indistin-

guishable without the aid of a lens. These latter are the numerous offspring

of the herd. They are more active thanthe motionless adults and crawl energet-

ically over the leaf. Some of them take refuge under the larger flakes like

chickens beneath the body of their dam. Thus we observe a further function

of the byre. It is not only a structure for the reception of the cattle; it is also

a fertile and elaborate breeding-chamber, an enclosure for the generation

of fresh herds to supply the particular needs of the ants. When we consider

THE RED ANT, 689

the myriads of these tiny coccids scattered everywhere over the wall we gain an

impression of the remarkable efficiency with which the byre fulfils its end. Nor

is it less wonderful that the coccids thrive in the interior of such a shed. Its

atmosphere reeks with formic acid. As we break through the wall we smell

the vapour ; it issues forth as a strong and pungent fume perceptible a yard

away. Yet in such an atmosphere the coccids live and abundantly generate

their kind. I have sometimes noticed that the interior of the wall is covered

with a superficial gloss. It looks as if it had been delicately smeared with the

thinnest layer of oil. This is the inspissated juice of the coccids, drops of liquid

which, escaping the voracity of the ants, have flowed over the green leaf.

The ants move freely in the midst of their herd. They pay them the usual

attention and care. The ant passes from one to another stroking them each

in turn. It bends aown its antennne towards the coccid, turns in the points

until they almost meet, and then applies them to the insect’s back which it

gently titillates and strokes. The cattle are never left to themselves; night

and day they receive the same attention, and certain workers will always be

found tending them in the nests and byres. They are usually stabled on every

leaf, being sprinkled over the wall of the chamber, and also on the partitions

that divide the interior, and sometimes on the enclosed stems. They are,

however, not quartered indiscriminately. Whether it be due to the instinct of

the cattle or to a special judgment on the part of the ants, at least it is obvious

that the coccids are assembled or either side of and close to the midrib of the

leaf. This is their specially selected stable; there they congregate in along

line while only a few stragglers remain at the edge. The siteis, no doubt,

chosen for purposes of nutriment. Near the midrib the leaf is thicker and more

juicy, and the cattle will there find more abundant sap than if they occupied.

the extreme edge. The surface cf the leaf is sometimes finely granulated and is

coloured a blackish hue. This must be caused by the action of the cattle.

It is a withering of the superficial layer of tissue resulting from the withdrawal

of fluid from the leaf.

These living flakes exude their liquid in the form of minute drops. It is a

slightly viscous fluid, of the consistency of syrup, clear as transparent water

to the eye, and delicately pleasing to the taste. The coccids must discharge

it in considerable abundance and deprive the plant of a large quantity of sap.

If the ants are not present the excretion goes to waste. This is of course a very

rare event, but in one byre, which seemed to have been abandoned by the com-

mune, about half a teaspoonful of the fluid had accumulated and lay neglected

on the floor of the shed. Thus the cattle first imbibe the vegetable sap, then,

having drawn their nutriment from it, excrete the refuse for the benefit of the

ants. There is, therefore, the closest inter-relationship between the lives

of the mango, the Lecanium and the ant. The bug is attracted by the juicy

foliage, the ant is drawn to the excretions of the bug, and the tree in all likeli-

hood is protected from ravagers by supporting the columns of ants.

The Ccophylla, in addition to the excretions of its cattle, is eager for fluid

of every kind. As is usual with all ants, it is fond of syrup. Hundreds will

heap themselves around a spoonful of the nectar, piling themselves thickly

layer upon layer in their efforts to reach the sweet supply. They will sip up

water or sputum or the juices of insects, and I have seen them lick at the

formic acid which one of their workers had exuded on a leaf.

As is customary amongst ants, they feed one another. Those workers which

happen to discover food convey a share to those on duty in the nest. In most

species the act is a quiet regurgitation, but the Gcophylla makes a more vigor-

ous display. When the mouth parts of the two come into apposition, we

Observe an energetic vibration of the antenne. Those of the one play

Vigerously on those of the other, and for a minute there is a whirl of threads.

‘690 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X,

It looks as though the ants were engaged in a contest, though it is only an

exuberant manifestation of enthusiasm and a satisfaction at benefits received.

The workers which undertake the conveyance of liquid often appear in a

‘distended state. It is not a very conspicuous dilatation, but, sometimes, when

‘observed against a bright light, their bellies may be seen to be tense and swollen

as though made of pellucid glass. They, therefore, serve the purpose of port-

cable reservoirs, filling themselves at one place with a store of fluid and dis-

‘gorging it at another place when occasion requires.

The next point to consider in this remarkable association is the manner by

which the ants acquire their herds. In their daily explorations they search

the foliage, carefully investigating the stems and leaves in every part of the tree.

By chance they may come across a group of coccids, perhaps some twenty or

thirty congregated on a shoot, which appear to be a promising herd. The

‘workers soon set about operations. If the vegetation in the vicinity happens to

be suitable, they soon construct a leafy barrier so as to closely imprison the herd.

.But at other times the ants may meet with the coccids in some place where the

leaves are unsuitable for a byre. The herd may, for example, be on the stalk

of a flower with nothing available in the vicinity for the manufacture of a leafy

wall. On such occasions they will construct a chamber of silk, attaching the

threads to any points or projections which happen to be suitably placed. A

transparent fine-spun web results ;a byreisfashioned exclusively of silk and the

herd is enclosed within its delicate walls.

It is easy to observe the eagerness of the ants in their efforts to imprison a

herd. A simple experiment will disclose their methods if we do not chance to

discover it in thenatural way. From the interior of one nest [ remove a partition

to which a number of cattle are attached. I place the herd on a neighbouring

tree near the workers of a different nest. The busy investigators soon come

across them; they show great enthusiasm at the rich discovery, soon begin to

draw the edges of the leaves together, and at the same time despatch some of

their number to fetch up larve for the generation of silk.

The leaves of these edifices sometimes wither, the result, I take it, of the

acute flexure which the ants have brought to bear upon the stems. This causes

much discomfiture to the ants. The dry leaves can no longer supply susten-

ance for their cattle, and, in consequence, the ants must desert their habitations

and build more suitable quarters elsewhere. There is something human-like

in the operations of ants. They too have to seek out fresh fields of pasture

on which to graze their flocks and herds.

The method which I have described of stocking the byreis the one which,

I imagine, most usually occurs. But theants may not be satisfied with

those originally imprisoned ; they will frequently add to the number of the herd

by carrying others into the byre. I have often seen one transporting a

Lecanium along a branch, It had met with the flake in its progress through the

leaves, and, gripping it carefully by the edge of the disc, was conveying it to the

security of the shed. When the ants have of necessity to change their

quarters they transfer their cattle to the new abode. This usually results from

the desiccation of the leaf or from the chamber becomirg seriously torn. On

such occasions I have watched them evacuating their treasures, not only their

precious eggs and larvee, but also the separate individuals of the herd.

Though their usual plan is to build a byre around their cattle, yet I think |

that they will sometimes construct a shed with the deliberate intention of stock-

ing itfrom elsewhere. I have seen them selecting the young juicy leaves to which |

no insects of any kind were attached, and weaving them together in the usual |

way so as to fashion substantial byres. These they soon stocked with numbers |

of Lecania, brought mainly, I think, from other chambers in a different part of |

the tree. I have little doubt that they repeatedly construct new sheds in order —

to meet the requirements of their herds. For this purpose they require the soit —

THE RED ANT ' 69't

juicy leaves and scatter their sheds all over tree. And hence we observe them se

perpetually engaged in transporting their cattle from place to place.

The Icerya is another type of insect which the red ants maintain in the interior

of their sheds. Like the Lecaniuwm it renders a supply of juice and receives in

return the same protection and eare. It is a member of that peculiar family

of bugs to which the JLecanium also belongs. For an insect it presents an

extraordinary appearance. It is a little flattened snow-white flake, its colour

being caused by a garment of fluff which is heaped in profusion all over its back.

We see no head, no legs, no segments of the body; all that is apparent is the

snowy coat, yet underneath this covering is a yellow scale which crawls leisurely

cover the leaf. Like the Lecanium it often fixes itself close to the midrib, guided

by its instinct to that part of the foliage where it is likely to obtain the most

abundant juice. But an even more specially favoured situation is round about

the green stems. The ants bestow on it as much attention as they give to the

eattle hitherto described. They stroke it with the same deliberation and care,

and it, in response, tilts up its abdomen to supply them with liquid food. Both

it and the Lecanium are often stabled together. The two mav be confined in

the one shed or may even browse off the same leaf. But each has its own speci-

ally favoured place with the result that the herds are kept somewhat apart. The

Lecanium is usually stabled on either side of the midrib while the Jcerya is

implanted on the stem of the leaf. The Icerya grows with the same vigour as the

Lecanium in spite of thefcetid atmosphere of the byre. The individuals multiply,

the snowy flakes grow to a goodly size and expand into a thick and flocculent

mass piled around the enclosed stems.

The red ants, no doubt, also attend Membracids, though I have not observed

such associations on the mango, probably because these trees are not favoured

by the bugs ? I was surprised to find dead bodies of Membracids in their nests,

so that these species, which are of such value as cattle, are sometimes carried

away by the CU:cophylla for food.

It was very remarkable how they ignored the Monophlebus, that large

white conspicuous bug which supplies the black ant with such a quantity of juice.

These bugs often congregate in myriads on the mango, encircling the stems and.

stalks of the flowers in solid imbricated layers. Uneeasingly they suck forth

the vital sap; the florets shrivel, being drained of nutriment, the young fruit

falls from the impoverished stems, ard the trees, which should have borne

their delicious produce, give forth nothing but a mass of leaves. Such pests

would have been an incomparable harvest for the black ants. Day and night

they would meet with continuous attention ; their excretions would be swallowed

by a greedy host, anda ceaseless stream of busy workers would convey

the fluid down to thenest. But in the territory of the red ants they are utterly

neglected. They never receive the slightest attention, and their excretions instead

of being drained away, accumulate in viscid drops. This want of attention

seemed especially remarkable since the red ants were eager to imbibe the fluid

and always licked up the limpid drops which theneglected cattle rained down

upon the leaves. The black ants would have waited for the fluid to appear, .

while the red ants, though equally eager to secure it, merely gathered it

fortuitously where it happened to fall.

Indeed the red ants seem to studiously avoid the Monophlebus. It is one of

the very few creatures that escape their fury and which they refuse to carry off

as prey. They usually allow it to crawl by unnoticed though in the early part

of the season it exists in swarms. In April, when these coccids descend to lay

their eggs, the antsand the bugs come in the closest contact ; the red and

white streams flow through one another, and between them they hold

undisputed possession of the whole of the trunk of the tree.

[ have told elsewhere how the soldiers of the black ant will sometimes

attack this conspicuous bug should it venture to invade the precincts of the

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

nest, and how the body of the bug exudesa slime which clogsthe jaws and

mouth parts of the ant. This slime makes the Monophlebus a distasteful morset

and renders it immune from the attacks of ants. Even the ferocious red ants

are unable to deal with it. I placed one on the outside wall of a byre. Being

an intruder, it was immediately seized. In a moment it was overwhelmed by

the angry swarm ; some gripped it by the legs, others by the flanks; all gathered

round it in a deadly ring and commenced to put it to the stretch. Immediately

its thin integument was torn by the strain ; its tense body wag penetrated by

the pointed jaws until its skin was like a sieve and the slime oozed forth through

all the perforated points. From the punctures it went straight into the attackers’

mouths, with theresult that the ants, bcing stupefied with the substance, released

their nauseous prey. The attackers then began to yield in the struggle. They

abandoned their attempt to destroy the enemy, and in the end allowed it to fall

from the byre. Thus the clusters of the Monophlebus are immune from the.

attacks of even these most destructive of ants. :

Early in the season I found another type of insect maintained by the ants in

one of their sheds. This was the caterpillar of a Lycaenid butterfly, the

Zesius chrysomallus of Hubner. I met with it on only one occasion, there being

two individuals in the same byre. Itis a sluggish caterpillar, smooth and

fleshy, of a dark green or brownish colour which renders it inconspicuous when

feeding on the leaves. Its body is a peculiarly flattened shape, shelving away

into an edge all round and moulded at the ends into an even wedge. Its back

is rounded and gently arched, while its under surface with the legs and suckers

lies closely applied to the leaf. A succession of clefts divides its body into rings,

the first of which is a tuberculated shield that serves to enclose and protect the:

head. But the particular spot which attracts the ants is a minute point on the:

middle line of the back about one-eighth of an inch from the posterior end. It

is a reddish and slightly elevated nipple, scarcely the size of the head of a pin,

and at its summit is a tiny pore through which the liquid escapes.

One or two of the workers take up a position immediately behind the cater-

pillar’s tail. They rarely engage it on either flank ; they seem to clearly under-

stand that they must operate at one end in order to stimulate the escape of

juice. They apply their antenne to it, stroke it energetically, and then bring

their mouths to the dorsal pore in order to receive the precious flow. But with

all their attentions they do not seem to have Jearnt how to differentiate the cat-

erpillar’s head from its tail. For I noticed that the ants made frequent errors

in their attempts to induce the larva to excrete. It is the same kind of mistake

to which the black ants are subject when they attend on the Monophlebus bug.

Both extremities of the caterpillar look very much alike, and the ants appear

to confuse the two. One ant strokes the head and waits in vain for the fluid,

while a more fortunate comrade is at the same time employed in gently caress-

ing the tail.

I noticed that the ants carried the caterpillar about, so, in all probability,

like the other types of cattle, they move it, when necessary, from byre to byre.

The possession of such an insect shows their powers of discrimination, for, though

in the habit of destroying many kinds of caterpillars, yet we see how they differ-

entiate those varieties which are useful to them, and carefully domesticate them

in their leafy sheds. Indeed Iam told by Mr. Bainbrigge Fletcher that, on taking

these larve from their attendant workers, he found that they were unable to

feed of themselves and could no longer thrive when separated from the ants.

Here, therefore, is a far more intimate relationship than exists between the ants,

and their other class of herds. The caterpillar yields them a supply of liquid,

and they in return not only giveit protection, but in addition supply it with some

essential principle necessary for its healthy growth. Unfortunately I met with

no more of these caterpillars and thus failed to witness so interesting a fact.

Of the two which I found one quickly pupated and the other very soon died,

THE RED ANT, 693

Just a final summary of the habits of these ants in so far as they relate to food.

They are omnivorous to a conspicuous degree, portion of their supplies being

obtained from dead insects and portion being derived from the sap of plants.

They combine two fundamental types of industry, being in part hunters which

ravage and destroy, and in part peaceful and industrious herdsmen that follow

a pastoral life. It is a strange combination of war and peace. In one place

they are employed in, ruthless destruction, in another they are engaged in studious

preservation and are building for this purpose those substantial sheds. Round

the foot of the tree we see their deadly struggles, the fierce tenacity of the original

capture, the advance of reinforcements to join in the fray, the encircling grip,

the remorseless stretch, the straining of the victim into helpless paralysis, and,

if this is insufficient, its poisoning to death. Aloft in the branches we see the peace-

ful operations, the discovery of the cattle, the yielding of the juices, the impris-

oning of the herds in the leafy chambers , and their conveyance, when necessary,

from place to place.

What a contrast in the activities of living things! The scene below is one of

Nature’s dramas ; that above is amongst the most industrious avocations of life.

Here destruction, there preservation ; such are the contrasting principles of the

ants. But why regard it in the light of contrast ? Is there any construction

without proportionate destruction ? Is not all most scrupulously and exactly

weighed in the delicate balance of life ? Peace and war, life and death, construe-

tion and destruction, all are interknit. The operations of the red ants exemplify

this. All lifeis interwoven. Lach living creature is but a single thread in the

inextricable scheme of things.

(To be continued.)

694

ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM A TRIP IN LADAK.

(Mrs.) M. L. WarHen,

During the summer of 1922, I went to Ladak and had the opportunity of

making some observations and collecting a small number of the birds of that

district.

We left Srinagar on July 7th and, crossing the Anchar Lake, picked up our

camp at Ganderbal and started our march up the Sind Valley. As we were

pushing through rather quickly on the first part of the journey, I did not have

time to give much attention to the birds, but it struck me that round Srinagar

and on the Lakes there were singularly few birds this year, though as we got

higher up into the forest their numbers increased and at Baltal on July 11th, at

the head of the Sind Valley 9,000 feet I saw a great number of different sorts.

At this place I watched a pair of Pink-browed finches (Callocanthis burtoni) in

the birch grove near the bungalow. They were the first I had met with. Thev

were feeding on fallen grass seeds, and were so tame that they allowed me to

approach within a few yaros of them where I stood in the open watching them

for about ten minutes, during which time they came up to within three yards

of me without seeming to notice me.

The scenery to the top of the Soji La Pass from Baltal is typical of Kashmir,

and Kashmir at its best, but once over the Pass, which, though only 11,300 feet,,

waz covered for long stretches with snow on July 12th, the country changes

very rapidly. The forest and the flowers end abruptly and after a mile or two.

of hillside on which grass and birches struggle for existence, these two die away

and one reaches the foot of the Pass to enter the valley of Matayan, a bleak

stony plain bounded by bare brown hills in which the only vegetation is a

narrow line of scrub along the river bank, and a few corn fields near the dak

bungalow. Here too the birds have completely changed. Here for the first

time I saw the Siberian chiffchafft (Phylloscopus coliyhita tristis), which from

now on abounded in every bush and patch of vegetation, and here also were

innumerable larks, the Indian Skylark (Alauda gulguia guttata) and the

Short-toed lark (Calandrella acuiirostris), both in the corn as well as on the stony

ground. Besides these, Redstarts (Ruticilla rujiventris) Golden-fronted Serins

(Serinus pusilla), Common Rose Finches (Carpodacus erythrinus roseatus),.

Stoliczka’s Mountain Finches (Montifringilla nemoricola altaica), Choughs

(Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorar) and Hill Rock Pigeons (Columba rupestris) were

common from now throughout our whole journey.

From Matayan to Kargil, about 3 marches at a height of about 10,000 feet,

our road lay along the banks of different small rivers running through narrow

valleys which are bounded by barren rocks and cliffs. On these three marches

I saw a few Meadow Buntings (Emberiza cia stracheyi) and wherever there was

a village there were always a pair of Magpies (Pica pica bactriana) whose colouring

and character seemed little different from their European brother. By the rivers.

where there were suitable clitis there were from time to time colonies of Crag

Martins (Cotyle rupestris) and Swifts (Cypselus apus pekinensis), Our path

lay for the most part over stony or boulder strewn country. The only trees

were an occasional poplar or willow grove near the villages, which were carefully

planted and protected by a wall. It is by these villages of which one sometimes.

passes three or four on a day’s march of 15 to 20 miles, that one sees the only

cultivation, and hence these are the spots in which one finds the most birds

and certainly the greatest num ber of larks.

After Kargil, the country becomes even more arid, and one frequently marches.

for many miles over high barren stony plateaus on which there is no kind of

ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM ATRIP IN LADAK. «| 695

vegetation and the only life to be seen is an occasional lark. Yet there is some-:

thing wonderfully attractive about the wildness of it all. One feels one has’

stepped at last into Central Asia, in which through countless centuries there

can have been little if any change either in the country or the people.

One of the most delightful marches is from Kargil to Moulbeck, a march of

23 miles. The road starts over a bleak plateau about three miles across and’

at a height of about 10,000 feet, surrounded by equally bleak mountains ;

from this one reaches a small river, the right bank of which one follows all the

way up to Moulbeck. For many miles one is over shadowed by rugged cliffs,

and in this gorge were quite a number of birds ; most of these were the same

as already seen but there were as well red spotted Blue throats (Luscinia suecica

abbotti) some kestrels, a few jungle crows, and a small number of other birds

that I could not identify. About two miles from Moulbeck the gorge opens out

into a broad valley where for the first time one comes across signs of Buddhism.

Here I watched a beautiful pair of Bearded Vultures (Gypaétus barbatus) circling

round the monastry crowned cliffs above the village. The only other pair of

these birds that I saw throughout our journey was in similar cliffs two marches

further on at Lamayuru 11,500 feet, and I have no doubt the birds had their

nesting place in both those cliffs though I failed to see it.

After Moulbeck we crossed the Namika La Pass 13,000 feet and the FotuLa

Pass 13,400. Cold, bare and bleak yet without snow to be seen anywhere,

although the surrounding hills must rise to well over 15,000 feet. There were,.

few birds to be seen on these Passes; those we did see were mostly larks, Adam’s

Snow Finch (Montifringilla nivalis adamsi), wheatears and. redstarts.

The place in which I saw most birds was on our last march from Nimoo.

to Leh on July 26th at a height of about 11,000 feet. After marching for

many miles across a desert like plateau we suddenly came upon the Indus.

flowing through a small fertile valley below us, perhaps one of the most beautiful

sights of the whole journey as it lay like a cool shining gem at our feet. When.

we reached it we found a fairly wide gently flowing river with low grassy banks

on which grew old willow trees and a grey leafed scrub, with here and there a.

small reed bed ; and in this narrow strip of vegetarian were crowded every kind

of bird that we had so far seen on our journey and a good many more besides,

especially wagtails. Amongst those I had not seen before were gulls, terns,

and some kind of plover, also various small waders, feeding on the low grassy,

islands in mid stream. But we were not long to enjoy this delectable spot, for

after following the river for about a mile our road struck away to the left leading

us across the worst three miles of sandy desert that we had yet struck. However

it was to be our last effort, for we already saw the rich fields and poplar groves

with the picturesque monastry and castle on the cliffs behind them which we:

realized must be Leh. Another mile or so, and we were at last walking down

the famous street of the old town where until recent years they still played the

original game of polo.

We remained in Leh from July 26th till August 3rd. There is a good deal of

cultivation round Leh itself, with pleasant streams running thiough grassy mea--

dows where wagtails and dippers may always be found. Beyond Leh we went

but one march, tothe top of the Kardong Pass, about 17,000 feet. It is some

16 miles to the top from Leh. The country was exactly the same as already

described, except that at about 17,400 feet, we at last reached snow, and there

was a good deal on the top of the Pass. I saw very few birds and as_ usual

very few flowers. Along the edge of the stream at about 14,000 ft., I found a.

Robin Accentor’s nest (Prunella rubeculoides). This bird was entirely new

to me, but after this I saw several other pairs as we climbed the Pass. At

about 16,000 feet, I saw two pairs of Long-billed Horned Larks (Otocorys alpestris

longirostris). These, a few dippers by the stream, redstarts, choughs and three

ravens on the top of the Pass, were about the only birds we saw. One delightful

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

feature of the day was the number of marmots, especially young ones evidently

only just out of their holes, playing like fox-cubs round the burrows. Amongst

some of these I sat whilst they played within arms reach of me until I had to:

move on as time was all too short.

We returned on August 3rd by the same route, but though we saw nothing

new, there were great changes in the distribution of some of the birds. In

places where I had seen many larks on our outward journey, I, now found

none at all ; and in spots where a month before I had seen no Stoliczka’s mountain

finches I now found them flying about in big flocks. Thelarks also were collecting

in flocks in certain places, and very wary they had become. The magpies

which I had always found in couples in each village were now only to be seen

here and there, and then in company with each other and their young. At Dras

in the camping ground near the river there were positively swarms of Siberian

chifichaffs and Green Willow-warblers (Phylluscopus nitidus viridanus) the latter

of which I had not seen at all on my outward journey. It was in fact most

interesting to see the change that two or three weeks can make amongst the

birds of a country side.

After nearly six weeks of cloudless skies and perfect weather, we again

crossed the Soji La Pass on August 18th and dropped down to Baltal to find

«clouds and rain and much cold wind ; and from that day the weather became

so broken that we gave up allidea of a further expedition and returned to

Ganderbal and the now welcome safety from wind and rain, of a houseboat, and

the end of our wanderings.

The following species were identified during the trip :—

1, TrBETAN RAVEN—Corvus corax tibetanus Hodgs.

Saw three of these birds on July 19th on the top of the Fotu La Pass, 13,400

feet between Chamba Kharbu and Lama Yuru. They were fiving over and did

not settle. I returned some three weeks later but saw no more there

although I spent two hours on the Pass. On July 31st. I again saw three on the

top of the Kardong Pass beyond Leh, about 17,600 feet. I should say they

had bred there by the debris and mess there was on the rocks for some distance

round the Pass, and from the smell occasioned by it. They flew close round

us all the time we were there, continually settling on the rocks. Amongst

other things, they kept on flying up with pieces of old prayer flags and bits of

paper and dropping them on the rocks around ;_ they seemed in fact consider-

ably disturbed by our presence.

2. JUNGLE CRow.—Corvus coronoides intermedius Adams.

Throughout our march I saw very few of these birds. There were a small

mumber near Matayan. At Kargil on July 17th. I saw a solitary bird, and

at Nimoo on July 24th I saw one or two more; but I should say that on the

whole they were rare.

3. JacKDAW—Corvus monedula sammeringii Fischer.

The only jackdaws I saw outside Kashmir were five on August 2nd feeding

in a marshy grassfield at Leh. They were very rusty looking and in thoroughly

bad plumage.

4. Kasumirn Macrre—Pica pica bactriana Bonap.

Magpies were common all the way from a few miles below Matayan to Leh.

Wherever there was a poplar grove, or a few willow trees there was sure to be

@ pair and every village had its pair. They seemed to have exactly the same

sharacteristics as the European species, and were bold and tame. JI went up

CRNIT HOLOGICAL NOTES FROM A TRIP 1N LADAK. 697

to anumber of nests but all were empty or had nearly fledged young. Th°

mests which were built some way up the trees consisted of a huge structure of

thorny sticks, taken, whenever possible from the grey-leafed thorny scrub by

the rivers. This was sometimes two or three feet high before one came to the

egg cavity which was made of coarse roots and dead grass, and so well protected

all round and above by thorny branches that it was almost impossible to get

one’s hand inside. Occasionally they built their nests on the top of old ones

and once I saw no less than five built one on the top of the other in a willow tree

forming a pyramid many feet high.

5. Rep-BinLtED CHougn—Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax (L.)

Choughs were common throughout our journey wherever the locality

‘was suitable, and this happened to he the case on the greater part of our marches.

By the time we reached Leh at the end of July the young were beginning to

appear, and on our homeward journey during August, the young had all fledged.

The only place I saw where they were clearly nesting was in some high clifis

near the Indus about 4 miles below Leh and just above Spittak ; this was at the

beginning of August.

6. ALPINE CuoucH—Pyrrhocoraz graculus (L).

Only observed between Chamba Kharbu and Lama Yaru on July 19th.

7. THe Kasumir Great Trt—Parus major kaschmirenrsis Hartert.

Fairly common in poplar and willow groves all the way from Matayan to

Leh. At Nimoo on July 19th I found a nest with young.

8. Lares Birtep Bush WarBLER—Tribura major (Brooks).

This bird I first saw on July 18th near Chamba Kharbu at about 11,000 feet.

Whilst looking for larks’ nests in the vegetation near the river J] marked a pair

of these birds off their nest, shooting one parent bird and obtaining a clutch

of 3 very slightly incubated eggs from the nest. The nest was placed about

an inch off the ground at the bottom of a small thicket of the thorny scrub

‘which grows by the rivers. Jt was rather smaller than a lark’s nest, well.

built, rather deep, consisting of small dead twigs and dead grass

stems outside, lined with finer stems and a _ very, little horse

hair. The behaviour of the birds was peculiar in that they never rose

from the ground. The first time I disturbed them they ran away very fast in

the under growth and I completely lost sight of them. I gave them time to return

to the nest and next time they went off in the same way, and although I followed

them closely trying to get a clear shot, they refused to rise off the ground, though

occasionally they would run up the stems of the tamarisk scrub. They kept

¢lose together all the while, both when the hen was on the nest and when she

was driven off.

The only other birds I saw of this species were a single bird in the corn at

Lama Yuru on July 19th when the corn was fully grown; and again in some

more fields at the same place on August 9th but owing to their skulking habits

there are no doubt more of them than one sees.

9. Huoume’s WHITETHROAT,—Sylvia aethocea Hume ? ?

There were very few of these birds in Ladak. I saw one pair and shot one

of them at Spittak on July 26 in the reeds and vegetation near the Indus, about

11,000 ft. And I watched another pair and shot one of them in a willow grove

near a stream above Leh on July 29th, about 11,800 feet. These did not appear

to be nesting, either by their manner, nor from the careful search I made in every

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

possible place in which they might have placed their nest. It would theree

fore appear as far as my experience went that the white throat is not common

in Ladak.

10. GREEN WILLOW WARBLER.—A canthopneusie nitidus viridanus Blyth.

The only green willow warblers I saw were at Dras on August 14th and 15th

at about 10,000 feet. Here there were quite a number of them in a willow

groveneartheriver. It was a place admirably suited to them with young willows.

just growing, and long grass and other tangled undergrowth, and a few tall

willows and poplars growing round outside the grove, which was some four

acres in size. In one case I saw the young still being fed, but the rest of the

birds I saw were, if young, fully fledged.

1]. Srpertan CuirrcHarr.—Phylloscopus collybita trists Blyth.

This was perhaps the commonest bird all the way to Leh. It began in the

tamarisk scrub along the river side below Matayan and from there wherever

there was a possible bush in which to make their nest there was sure to be a pair.

I found the first nest on July 14th a few miles beyond Dras at about 10,000 feet in

a willow grove; it was near a stream and contained three fresh eggs ; it was placed.

between some young willow shoots and the main stem, a foot from the ground

and it consisted of dead leaves, with an inner lining of the cottony fluff from the.

willow seeds intertwined with goat’s hair, and lined inside with small grey

feathers ; it was extremely difficult to see, and very like the English species.

in all its features. The next nest I found was on July 17th between Kargil

and Moulbeck at about 10,000 feet close to the river in a thorny bush, it was

placed a foot from the ground, and this time consisted of dead and green grass.

outside, and was linec with feathers ; it contained no eggs. At Basgoc about

11,000 feet, on July 24th, I founc a nest in a rose bush containing 3 well

grown young birds ; this nest was also close to a stream. At Spittak on July

26th about 11,000 feet there were several pairs feeding their young in the reeds

by the Indus. At Leh on July 26th to August 4th, 11,560 feet, I found three:

nests in the thorns round the top of the 4 foot wall which surrounds the dak

bungalow compound. One had forsaken without laying, one had forsaken after

laying three eggs; the other on August 3rd had three eggs on the point of

hatching. Three seems to be the number they always lay. There were many

pairs of them in the willow groves round Leh, mostly with young. I noticed

that the song of this bird is practically the same as that in England though

perhaps not quite so decided a note.

12. GoLDEN ORI0LE—Oriolus ortolus kundoo Sykes.

I came across golden crioles three times on our journey. On July 24th at

Nimoo about 11,000 feet a pair were clearly nesting in the Lombardy poplars.

round the dak bangalow. On our return journey on August 4th the same

pair were still there, and later in the day we saw two pairs in the apple and poplar —

trees of the Basgoo tamping ground also 11,000 feet. A pair were in the poplang

of the camping ground at Kargil on August 13th about 9,000 feet.

13. WauttTE-caPpPpED Repstart—Chaimarrornis leucocephala (Vig.).

Common by the rivers as far as just beyond Kargil after which I saw no more.

14. Inpran Buack Repstart.—Ruticilla ochrurus pheenicuroides (Moore).

This redstart was one of the commonest birds all the way to Leh up to about

17,000 feet. Wherever there were big enough rocks or walls, or indeed, any:

possible place to nest in, a pair was sure to be found. I did not succeed im

-ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM A TRIP IN LADAK. 699:

finding a nest as they were always placed in the most inaccessible holes whether

in boulders or walls. They appeared to be in all stages of incubation, and in

Leh: and on our homeward journey in August the young were strong on the wing,.

They are delightfully tame and every bungalow has its pair.

15. EASTERN WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT.—Luscinia suecica

abbotte (Richm.).

My first sight of the White-spotted Bluethroat was in the low growing serub-

besides theIndus at Spittak on July 26th, about 11,000 feet, where I saw a pair

feeding their young. On July 29th I marked a cock bird to its nest with

food for its newly hatched young. There were 3 young and one egg on

the point of hatching. The nest was placed at the foot of, and in the middle

of amass of young willow shoots round a willow trec, and consisted of fibrous

roots lined with very much finer ones and fine dead grass leaves. The nest

was 24” across the centre by 2” deep. On my homeward journey I saw a number

of these birds feeding their young all the way as far as Kargil. Doubtless

they had been sitting on my outward journey, and I had therefore missed seeing

them.

16. Rosin Accentor—Prunella rubeculoides (Moore).

I only found the Robin Accentor in one small area, namely, up the Kardong

Pass on July 3ist. I first saw it at about 14,000 feet where a pair were feeding

their young in a nest under a rock about five yards from the stream. The nest

was placed on the ground just under the rock in a tangle of wild flowers ;

it was so well hidden that I should have found it with difficulty had I not noticed

a tiny “run” worn in the long grass, and leading to the nest. The nest consisted

of dead grass stems and leaves, lined with sheep’s wool and a little hair. It

was about 243” across by 2” deep, and contained 3 young. After this I saw

several pairs near the stream up to about 16,000 feet and above that they were

inhabiting the barren stony ground up to about 17,000 feet. I should say

by their behaviour that these pairs still had eggs, but I was unable to look for:

their nests.

17. Goutp’s Desert Cuat—CMnanthe deserti atrogularis (Blyth).

_ Ishot this bird near the Fotu La Pass (13,400 feet) at about 12,000 feet on

August 9th. On both journeys 1 had seen a few wheatears both on the Fotu

La Pass and the Namika La (13,000 feet) where I should say by their manner

they were nesting.

18, Goip Fincn—Acanthis caniceps (Vigors).

Met with a few in the willow groves round Leh at the end of July.

19. Common Rose Fincn—Carpodacus eryihrina roseata (Hodgs.).

From the Soji La Pass to Leh this finch is very common. It is one of the

most conspicuous birds of the road, both in its cheery rather noisy song, and.

its colouring. It is to be met with in all the willow and apricot groves, as

well as on the rocky hill side where the only vegetation is a few scanty rose-

bushes. It was clearly nesting all the way to Leh, and though I never found a

nest [saw a good many young on my way home in August.

20. GOLDEN-FRONTED SERIN—Serinus pusillus (Pall.).

This is one of the commonest birds all the way from the Soji La to Leh

during July and August. It is to be seen either in pairs or in small flocks both

on the rocky hillsides where I imagine it nests in the rose bushes, an¢ in the

‘cultivated country where one usually sees it amongst the willow trees.

700 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX,

21, CasumMERE House Sparrow—Passer domesticus parkint Whistler.

The sparrow in Ladak is exactly similar in its customs and manners to its

English relative. It is common all the way from Matayan to Leh, every

bungalow having four or five dirty untidy nests above the verandah. During

July it was for the most part still nesting, but in August the country side was

over-run with flocks of young birds, and the damage they do to the crops must

be very considerable.

92, Apams’ Mountain Fincu.—Montifringilla nivalis adamsi Adams.

This mountain finch is an inhabitant of the barren stony country, preferably

high plateaux and passes. I first met with it on July 18th on the top of the Nami-

ka La Pass, 13,000 feet, a stony bare piece of country with very little

vegetation. On July 19th on the Fotu La Pass, 13,400 feet, I again saw

it, and as we got near to Leh it was common on all the stony plateaus. At

Leh itself it was very common at about 11,500 feet just beyond the cultivation —

limit, where I should say it was nesting in the Buddhist chortens. It was here

that I saw it with fledgling young for the first time, on July 26th. It was

common up the Kardong Pass up to about 15,000 feet which appeared to be

its limit. On my return journey I saw quantities of young birds, sometimes

going about in small flocks.

23. MoncoLiaAN Desert BuLiFincH—-Erythrospiza mongolica (Swinh.).

1 saw one specimen of this small finch which I shot at about 10,000 feet on

August 19th near the stream at the foot of the cliff that forms the gorge below

Lama yuru. It appeared to be feeding on grass seeds in the dry bed of the stream,

24. SroticzKa’s Mountain Fincu—Fringilauda nemoricola

altaicu (Everson.)

There were great numbers of these finches during the first part of our march

in July, from the Soji La to Kargil at a height of about 10,000 feet. After that

I only saw a few between Kargil and Lama Yuru, and beyond this J saw none

at all. On our homeward march in August there were large numbers of them

going about in flocks ; I should imagine, many of them were young birds. They

were mostly to be found in the boulder strewn hillside, though I occasionally

came across parties of them in the tamarisk scrub by the rivers. One or two

pairs near Dras and Matayan clearly still had young in the nest, about August

16th, but I failed to find them.

25. EasteRN Mrapow Buntinc—LHmberiza cia stracheyi Moore.

I met with a few specimens of this meadow bunting on our earlier marches

between Matayan and Moulbeck in the middle of July at a height of about

9,000 feet. But after this I never saw another bird. Those I saw were in rough

boulder strewn country. On our return journey in the middle of August the

few birds I saw were feeding their young. I cannot say they were common — |

‘anywhere.

26. Crac-Martin—Riparia rupestris (Scop.).

Common throughout where rocks and clifis were suitable. They seemed

to prefer a site near a river. I did not discover whether they were nesting

but there were quite a number of the birds in each colony.

27. Hovst Martin— Delichon urbica sub. sp. ?

These I saw from time to time in suitable localities, namely where there were

cliffs near the river, such as those along the Indus between Nurla and Saspul

_ ut they were never in great numbers,

ES a

ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM A TRIP IN LADAK. 701

28. Hopason’s Prep Waetait—WMotacilla alba hodgsoni Blyth.

Throughout the journey I saw a few of these birds in suitable localities, some:

of them were undoubtedly nesting.

29. Grey Wacrait—Moticilla cinerea melanope Pall.

[ saw several of these birds in and near Leh, about 11,500 feet. On July 29th

I found a pair breeding near a stream in some grassy meadows. The

nest was placed under a rock within a few yards of the stream. It was so well

concealed by the vegetation round the rock that it was with difficulty that I

found it. It contained three well grown chicks. The nest consisted of roots

and a few dead leaves lined with fine dead grass. The birds seem to resemble

very closely the English species in all their habits and manners.

30. Hopacson’s YELLOW-HEADED Wactait—WM otacilla citreola

calcaratus (Hodgs.).

This is the commonest of all the wagtails in Ladak. Between Matayan and

Leh one sees it continually on the route, wherever there is a suitable locality.

I did not find its nest but in many places it was quite clearly breeding

amongst the rocks in the grassy meadows near streams.

31. LoncG-BILLED Hornet LARK—Ofocorys alpestris longirostris (Moore).

I found two pairs of Horned Larks on the Kardong Pass beyond Leh on July

3lst between 16 and 17,000 feet. They were evidently breeding but I failed

to find their nest. They havea charming song which they utter from the

top of a boulder. The country I found them in was barren stony country

with boulders here and there.

32. THE sMALL Kasumirn SKYLARK—Alauda gulgula guttata Brooks.

The Kashmir Skylark is to be found commonly distributed throughout Ladak

from about 8,000 to 14,000 feet. They are mostly to be found in cultivated

ground or in vegetation near the rivers. They were clearly nesting at Dras

on July 13th and as we got nearer Leh many of them were feeding their

young. On my return journey many of the young had fledged.

33. SHORT-TOED LARK—Calandrella acutirostris Hume.

The Short-tced Lark is fairly common throughout Ladak, on the open

stony ground both in the valleys and plateaux from about 9,000 to 14,000:

feet. I found one nest with 3 fresh eggs on the stony ground at Matayan

about 10,000 feet en July 12th. The nest was built in a slight depression

under a small greyish plant that grows amongst the stones. It consisted of

small dry twigs and dry grass stems, lined with a little wool and goat hair,

and one feather. As we got nearer to Leh these larks had young, and on

our return journey in August most of the young had flown and were moving

about in small flocks which were very difficult to approach.

34, WHITE-BREASTED AstaTic DrppER—Cinclus cinclus kashmiriensis (Gould)

A pair watched feeding its young, on July 29th, in the bank of a stream above:

Leh, about 11,800 feet. The nest was far under the bank and quite inaccessible.

Another pair were seen up the Kardong Pass on July 31st, at about 15,000 feet.

35. Asiatic Cuckoo—Cuculus canorus telephonus L.

Very common on the Soji La. After this I saw a few at Chamba, Karbu,

Xalsi and Spittak, but they were nowhere common.

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

- 36. Hoorpor—Upupa epops L.

Common all the way to Leh round the villages and inhabited parts.

37. Swirt—Micropus apus pekinensis (Swinh.).

A few seen throughout the journey in suitable localities, usually where there

are cliffs near a river.

38. BEARDED VULTURE—Gypaéius barbatus,

Two pairs seen, one at Moulbeck about 10,000 feet, one at Lamyuru about

11,000 feet. Both pairs inhabited the cliffs below the monasteries. I did not

see their nests but from their behaviour they evidently bred in these cliffs.

39. VULTURE SP? Gyps sp?

IT saw afew brown vultures near the Soji-La and ene more at Dras,

40. Hossy—Falco subbuteo subuteo.

Two pairs were seen, one was nesting in the poplars of the camping ground

at Kargilin August at about 9,000 feet, the other was nesting in the poplars of

the Dak Bungalow at Nimoo, about 10,000 feet, in July and August.

41. Kustret—-Falco tinnunculus L.

Seen occasionally throughout Ladak, sometimes in rocky country, sometimes

in poplar groves. In the Residency garden at Leh, 11,500 feet, a pair were nest-

ing at the end of July.

42. InpIaAn Buiue Hiti-Piaeon—Columba rupestris turkestanica Pail.

Common all the way amongst the rocks and cliffs from about 9,000 to 14,000 ft.

43. Snow PicEon—Columba leuconota leuconoia Vig.

Common over the Soji La Pass.

44. Inp1an TurtLE Dove—Streptopelia orientalis meena (Sykes.)

Met with a few pairs in apple and poplar groves on August 4th at Basgoo

about 11,000 feet.

45. Chukar PartripGE—Alecioris greeca pallescens (Hume).

Heard them calling occasionally along the route from Matayan to Leh and

saw a family with 14 weil grown chicks between Kargil and South Karbu on

August 15th about 10,000 feet. )

46. Guiti—Larus sp. ?

A few pairs seen on the islands in the Indus below Leh on August 4th at about

11,000 feet. I do not think they were breeding. These were probably Larus

brunneicephalus Jerd,

47, TErRn—Sterna ?

A few pairs seen on the islands in the Indus in company with the culls, on

aay 4th at about 11,000 feet. These were probably Sterna hirundo tibetana

sand,

703

THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA.

(INCLUDING THOSE MET WITH IN THE HILL STATIONS

OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY.)

T. R. Bett, 0.1.£., 1.F.s. (Retd.).

(Continued from page 455 of this volume.)

Part XXX, *

Family—HEsPERIID £—continued.

Genus.—ODONToPTILUM.

This characterised as follows (Swinhoe in Lipzdoptera indica,

vol, x, p. 80,:—

Antenne.—A little more than half the length of costa, club moderate,

sharp and curved, the tip blunt.

Palpi.—Porrect, densely clothed; third joint stout, short, blunt.

Hind tibie.—With two pairs of spurs; in the male with a dense, recumbent

tuft of hairs at the base of the fore coxe.

Fore wing.—Vein 12 ends on the costa well before end of the cell;

discocellulars inwardly oblique in a straight line, the lower a little longer ;

vein 3 from one-sixth before lower end of cell, 2 from one-third from base ;

cell a little less than two-thirds the length of costa; costa arched, apex

truncate its termination somewhat acute; in the female the outer margin

is angled at vein 4. Outer and hinder margins of equal length.

Hind wing.—Vein 5 fairly well developed, discocellulars in an even, gentle,

inward curve, the lower the longer ; vein 3 emitted from close to lower end

of cell, 2 from about one-third before end; outer margin angled between

veins 6 and 7.

Egg, larva, pupa and habits——See below. Only one species.

204. Odontopilum angulata, (Fe/der)—Male. Upperside chocolate brown.

Fore wing with a rather broad chestnut-brown band before the middle

thatis outwardly-curved and slightly outwardly-angled at its middle ; a similarly-

coloured, highly sinuous postdiscal band having two semihyaline, subapical dots

in it close to costa in interspaces 7 and 8, these spots close together, sometimes

rather elongate ; a small, round, similar spot at the lower end of cell, sometimes

two forming a lunule on the discocellulars ; a small, round spot near the base

of interspace 3 and a thin lunular spot below it in the middle of interspace 2,

all except the cell-spots against the inner side of the postdiscal chestnut-brown

band; all the outer part of wing beyond the postdiscal band paler, brighter

chestnut than the rest of the wing ; one or other of the discal spots often absent.

- Hind wing. Covered with long whitish hairs and crossed by a narrow whitish

antemedial line and a submarginal, similar line, the latter running straight

down from costa to the outer margin near its middle where it is sharply angled

and runs inward straight and broad to abdominal margin above anal angle ;

the former bent sharply round at its lower end, extends or runs upwards—it

is angled upwards on vein 1 along which its lower part runs for a bit—as a post-

medial line close inside the submarginal one to the costa, being angled outwards

again between veins 2 and 3 as far as vein 4 whereit nearly touches the sub-margi-

nal line, where it is again angled, this time turning straight up to vein 7 where it

actually does touch it, then angled shortly in and up to costa straight, the sub-

- marginal line and this last line enclosing a little oblong of ground colour between

vein 7 and the costa that is rather conspicuous; outside the submarginal line

at apex is a rather broad, chestnut-brown patch with a small, submarginal

* We regret that the previous part, pp. 429-455, of this Volume was incorrectly

headed XIX instead of X XIX.

704. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIXs

blackish spot or two below it in interspaces 3 and 5; margin below this apical

patch white with the cilia white with a double brown line through them ; cilia

of rest of wing and of fore wing brown with indistinct whitish tips. Under-

side; Fore wing. With the subapical dots as on the upperside, the costa

very narrowly and the outer third of the wing pale chestnut-brown, the inner

two-thirds of the wing covered with white setae and scales; antemedial band

and spots as on upper side. Hind wing. White, the base slightly suffused with |

grey, a black spot above the middle of the cell, a larger brown spot with white

scales on it in the same interspace further out; apical patch as above, the

outer white line with some brown marks on both its sides and a brown,

marginal band becoming obsolete upwards with the veins crossing it thinly

white. Antenne with the underside of club chestnut, black above; palpi.

head and body above concolorous with the wings; below: palpi, body and

legs are white.

In the Kanara specimens the upperside of fore wings has the area between.

the antemedial, brown band and the postmedial brown band covered with white,

short hair-scales, ochreous near costa and near inner side on inner margin—

the middle of the wing thus appearing broadly grey ; there is a slight fringe of

hairs along inner margin, brownsonre way out from base, then ochreous, then

white, then again, beyond the g:ey band, brown. The abdomen is strongly

suffused with white on distal third and has segmental white bands on basal part.

above. Female.—Like the male above and below but the underside of hind wing

is purer white, the spots are larger and the outer band on margin is composed

of largebrown spots with smaller submarginal spots. Expanse u.. to 50mm.

Egg.—The shape is that of a dome, the sides, however, elongated—a short.

cylinder with a domed top would more express it, and with the base very suddenly

contracted. The surface is shining but covered all over with a thin coating of

white, fine, silky-woolly looking, wavily curled hairs that obscure the ribs nearly

completely and also cover the leaf-surface for a short distance all round ; when

that isremoved—itis somewhat difficult to remove—the ribs appear, 18 in

number, very low and thin, about 0:05 mm broad, some 12 or so reaching the

circumference of the flattened, smooth, circular, 0°15mm—wide space round

the micropyle on the very apex of the egg, the rest ending short of it; these

ribs are about 0°2mm apart at the broadest part and about 0°025mm high ; bet-

ween these ribs the surface is dented all over with little, irregular, flat-bottomed

depressions which are dull, the raised bands or spaces or lines between only

being shining. The colour is a rich peach-colour when laid but becomes duller

and finally black before the larva emerges—because of the large, black head.

B: 1. 3mm;H: 0°95mm.

Larva.—Immediately after leaving the egg, has the body peach-coloured, the

head deep red-brown; there is a translucent-white, longly bifid, subdorsal or

dorsoleteral hair to each segment as wellas a similar lateral or supraspiracular

and subspiracular one, all comparatively long, the stem as long as

the branches; on the head are similarly translucent-white, decumbent (more or

less), hairs, each one, however, not only branched, but each branch again branched, ~

the ends, in fact, somewhat palmated like a reindeer’s horn only not

so definitely—these hairs few, just in the spots where the main tubercles ordin-

arily exist. The larva is about 2mm long by 9°7mm broad and the enormous

head is 0°95mm !

The full-grown larva is a very different looking thing. The body is much

more spindle-shaped than that of the egg-larva (there it is rather trapeze-shaped

in transverse section), fattest in the middle, firing to both ends, the front end

to the large head which is much broader and higher than segment

2, the back part to the anal end where segment 14 is rounded at the end, but

rather narrowly so, the dorsal slope from middle—which is the highest part of

body—to the anal end is more or less a straight line; when the caterpillar is at

)

_* @OMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 705

rest, the body seems: to be thickest at about segment 4 as the front segments are

then contracted somewhat ; the anal segment (14) is rather broad at base, the

sides straight, the extremity rounded and only about half the breadth of base,

the front margin convexly curved backwards leaving segment 13 a transverse

piece longest in the dorsal line and disappearing ventrally, the front margin

straight, its greatest length half that of 12 and rather less than half 14; seg-

ment 2 nearly wholly occupied by a brown-red, long, chitinized, shining collar

set with short, erect, simple hairs rather sparsely, the segment proper visible

as a narrow whitish band along the hinder margin—when stretched, the front

part of segment or neck shows somewhat broadly dull-reddish in front of the

collar too; head far broader and higher than segment 2, broadly heart-

shaped, the lobes broadly rounded, the whole surface hidden by dense hair,

that occupying the upper half and down to the gulae laterally erect, minutely

feathered, the central frons nearly bare, most of the hairs whitish but leaving

‘a broad, transverse frontal band not reaching the hinder margin of head on

either side black— that is the hairs on it are black, the lower part of face covered

to mouth-opening with long, decumbent, silky-white, fluffy-feathered hairs

which are glistening and hide the clypeus and eyes completely ; true clypeus

quite half as long as height of head, shaped like a gothic window, rather longer

than broad, apex acute; false clypeus reaching three-quarters the height of

head or more, broadly arched over true clypeus with apex, none the less acute

also; the labrum opaque-white, transverse, one-quarter length of true clypeus.

both margins straight, quite twice as broad as long; the ligula rather narrower,

rather shorter thar labrum, rusty in colour with a wide, shallow, curved sinus

occupying the whole front margin, broadly kidney-shaped; the basal joint of

antenna white, the second shining black; the mandibles large, dull-orange with

darker ends, these ends shortly, bluntly toothed practically entire (cutting-edges);

the eyes arranged 1 to 6 in a straight line, 1 just a bit behind, very close to 2,

numbers 3, 4 a diameter of an eye apart and from 2, number 6 four eye-diameters

from 4, number 5 behind making an equilateral triangle with 4 and 6; number

lis rather small, the others larger, coequal the colour of the whole head chocolate

beneath the hairs, rugose as to surface. Surface of larva with the seg-

ments well-marked, the usual parallel, impressed, fine, transverse lines across

before hinder margin and parallel to it; the whole body except ventrum

covered with small 0:025mm high and wide, round-topped, conical, white

tubercles, each bearing a thickened, whitish hair which is erect, 0°2mm_ in

length (variable somewhat) and has the top flattened palmately with two short

points, these tubercles (and, hence, hairs) closely set, a couple of tubercle-

diameters apart; these bairs slightly longer along the dorsoventral margin

and margin of anal flap ; this flap, by the way, overreaches the fairly stout but

short anal claspers. Spiracles small, very broadly oval, rounded at extremities,

soiled very light-yellow with thin, white borders, those of segments 2 and 12

twiceas large. Colour of the body is a greenish-white with yellow tinge, ventrum

greenish. L. 28mm; B: 4mm.

Pupa.—Very similar to that of Abaratha ransonnettii in shape ; it has the fore-

end broad and square with, however, an oblong, blunt snout or process, from the

head between the somewhat prominent eyes, which is slightly longer than broad,

porrect with a slight inclination up: it is about as broad as one-third the dis-

tance between the eyes or about three-quarters the length of segment 2, the lateral

outline of the head and segment 2 is parallel-sided, the sides perpendicular to

the front-end and these sides are about as long as the square end reckoned from

it to shoulders—and, perhaps, really, slightly diverging backwards; the head

has the vertex about half the length of one of these sides and it hag an inclination

of about 45° to the longitudinal axis of the body ; then the frons has the process

Just mentioned proceeding from its upper margin, the plane of frons being’

perpendicular to the axis, the clypeus being a triangular, more or less equilatera!

706 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1X,

end-piece running between the eyes ventrally with, beyond, a narrow, diamond

shaped piece (the ligula ?) inserted between the two halves of the base of the

proboscis and the palpi (eyes); the proboscis reaches to the ends of wings and

free beyond them as far as the hinder margin of segment 9, that segment having

a central, longitudinal depression to receive it ; the fore legs reach about one-third

of the wing-length towards the end of wings, the mid legs and antenne about

two-thirds, the latter a little shorter than the mid legs ; the ventral line is slightly

convex from fore-end to base of cremaster and that organ is then curved down-

wards ; the dorsal outline back from the vertex of head is at an angle of 45° to

the axis as far as about the middle of thorax, then curved round to become parallel

at about three quarters the length of thorax from its front margin, then suddenly

falls to the hinder margin of segment 4, the hinder margin of the thorax itself

being somewhat bulging—-that is the hump of convexity of the thorax starts

from it; from the hinder margin of segment 4, the dorsal outline again rises

gently to middle of body, then descends in a gentle incline to cremaster; the

lateral outline has the shoulders evenly rounded with a very slight constric-

tion where the body-string passes, the middle of the body being about as broad

as the shoulders, after which the outline narrows to cremaster ; the anal segment

is rather narrow, the front margin straight with a small rounded sinus on the

dorsal line: the basal piece is shaped like a somewhat convex cap or lid stuck

on the end of the body, the plane of the lid prependicular to longitudinal axis

or inclined ventrally, its ventral side somewhat flattened, its upper, dorsal middle

produced out into the down-curved cremaster which narrows in its middle and

dilates again at its end, is longer than its basal “ lid ” and about as broad as long

at extremity which is broadened out to accommodate the closely-set, copious,

hooked shaftlets ; underneath the lateral ridges of this cremaster extend back-

wards and enclose in a circular space the clasper-scars, dorsally it is channelled

down the middle; this whole segment 14, including the lid and cremaster, is

as long as segments 13+12; segment 13 is a transverse piece, shorter than 12

in the dorsal line, disappearing ventrally and has, on the dorsal line, a small,

rounded sinus corresponding exactly to that of the front margin of segment 14 ;

segment 12 is longer than 13 by a little; segment 11 is rather shorter but,

with its rather long, bevilled, front margin, somewhat longer and coequal

in length (both with and without their bevilled margins) to segments 10 or 9, or

8; their hinder bevilled margins are about equal in length to the opposing front

margins of the succeeding segments ; segments 7, 6, 5 are nearly equal in length

to 8, the last, perhaps, rather shorter : their margins are all straight ; segment 4

is about one-third of 5 in the dorsal line as the hinder margin of the thorax is

a semi-circular curve, produced somewhat in the dorsal region—really a parabola

—backwards ; this hinder margin of thorax meets the wings in a rather deep,

somewhat broadly rounded angle of under 90°. Surface of pupa is moderately

shining, transversely finely corrugated on thorax, head and segment 2, obscurely

pitted on the abdomen, the segments all very distinct, the veins of wings obtusely

prominent, the head-snout very rugose, the cremaster also, the former confusedly,

irregularly, the latter longitudinally, a small, rather obscure, tubercular

point on eye (the 3rd joint of palpus ?) also rugose and the spiracular expansion

of segmert 3 (segment 2 really) very prominent ; the whole body covered with

short, fine, waved or erect, whitish hairs which are only about as long as a spiracle

and are spaced about their own lengths from each other, these hairs a little longer

on eyes and head-snout. Spiracles of segment 2 with a prominent, golden-

orange, spongy-looking expansion which is erect, transversely longer than longi-

tudinally, otherwise nearly hemispherical with an obscure stem, situate on the

surface of segment 3 just at its front margin and nearly as long as the head pro-

cess; the other spiracles moderately broad ovals, rather small, soiled whitish

with rather coarse, shining-black, raised borders. Colour of the pupa very

light-green on head, thorax and wings, yellowish-green on abdomen; or the

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA, 707

colour may be pinkish; and the following marking, all black: a large spot

‘covering basal joint of palpus ventrally, a dot on second joint (these are on the

eyes as the palpus overlies the eye) and a large spot on the third joint, another

at the hinder margin of eye, the whole of the snout black, a subdorsal patch or

large spot on vertex of head; a lateral one on segment 2; on thorax: one

on each shoulder and another behind, the spiracular expansion surronded black,

one dorsally on front margin, a lateral one just before middle and another

lateral one behind mid¢le and one on dorsal line at hinder margin ; a dorso-

dateral spot as well as one surrounding the spiracle on segments 4 to 12—the

spiracular ones wanting on 4, 5 where the spiracles are not visible; segment

13 and segment 14 with the litt'e sinus on front margins bordered black and the

‘cremaster black at end in a dorsal line as well as along the ventral extensor-

ridge and the wings with the ends of veins along outer margin all marked black

as well as the submedian Vein and a long streak or line well inside the abdominal

margin; all these spots and marks are not there invariably as some may occa-

sionally be wanting ; the whole pupa is, besides, covered all over with a thin,

‘white, cereous powder. L: 18mm; B: 5mm.

Habits —The eggs are laid, always singly but occasionally several

on the same plant, on the uppersides of young leaves in moderately

sunny places. The young larva eats its way out through the side

towards the top and does not eat the shell, but goes straight off to

the edge of the leaf where it cuts out and shapes a circular piece

about 3mm. in diameter and turns it over on to the top surface. This

it leaves attached to the edge by a small hinge, coats it inside with

silk very thickly and fixes it down firmly, leaving a place for going in

and out near the hinge. It then settles down on the lid with its back

downwards and eats little spaces out of the cuticle of the lid but never

eats the whole substance through as it does later on. It feeds alsa

on the edge of the leaf. Later on it makes another cell and, as it

grows, a different one, larger, to suit its size ; but these later houses are

made by turning over a large triangular piece, not on to the top but on

to the bottom ; the process (the cell is circular only in the first stage)

is: the larva eats two lines from the edge at some distance apart,

both converging as far as the midrib where they all but meet; this

piece is turned under the main surface and the caterpillar sits on the

main leaf with its back turned earthwards ; it fastens the piece down

all round and carpets its bed very thickly with silk ; it goes out to feed

and cuts holes of all shapes and sizes in the leaf-surface outside the

confines of its cell all round it for some reason best known to itself.

It eventually pupates in a cell of this description and the pupa is

attached by the tail and a body-band. The larve are sluggish and

have nothing interesting in the way of habits; they lie with the head

turned round on the side. The butterfly is a quick, spasmodic flier,

never going far and pursuing an erratic course, this way and that, side-

_ ‘Ways as well as up and down; it rests on leaf surfaces with its wings

horizontally outspread and is quite fond of flowers ; it prefers shady

places to excessive sunlight. The wings are never flat although hori-

zontal for their surfaces are convexly curved, the outer edges being

bent down, Many specimens have been bred in Kanara District at

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

all times of the year and the insect is fairly often met with wild.

It is not difficult to capture at flowers or when basking on the

uppersides of leaves. It rests on the undersides. The foodplant

of the larva is Allophyllus Cobbe ( Sapindacee ), a rather extensive

climber with three-partite, softly velvety leaves and long, thin

racemes of small. whitish flowers which attract butterflies in

numbers. The butterfly is found in China, India, Burma, the

Malay Peninsula and Archipelago. “The type came from China,

the type of sura from N. E. Bengal, it is a common species all

over India and Burma, except in desert tracts and has been recorded:

from many places. We give Fruhstorfer’s local forms in our

list of allied species but we very much doubt their specific dis-

tinctness, because none of the specimens from the Malay Archipelago

that we have examined show anything more than the ordinary varia-

tions found in specimens from every locality.” (Swinhoe, Lepidoptera

Indica, vol. X, p.82 and pl. i7i. figs; to Ve"):

Genus 5.—ABARATHA.

The following is from Swinhoe’s Lepidoptera indica, vol. X, p. 73 :—

Antenne.—Less than half the length of costa, shaft slight and the club:

moderate, short, curved, with the tip blunt.

Palpi.—Porrect, second joint thickly scaled and the third joint short,

stout with the tip blunt.

Hind tibie.—With two pairs of spurs. The male has a long, stiff brush

of jet-black hairs from the base of the front legs as long as the legs themselves.

Fore wing.—Vein 12 ends on the costa some distance before the end ot.

cell ; discocellulars highly inwardly oblique, in one straight line; vein 3 emitted

about one-sixth before lower end of cell, 2 from one-third from base; cell

two-thirds the length of costa, costa gently arched, apex subacute, outer

margin evenly convex, as long as the hinder margin which is straight.

Hind wing.—Vein 5 well developed, discocellulars faint in a slight, even.

curve; vein 3 from quite close to lower end of the cell, 2 from about one-

third before end; outer margin highly sinuate, being slightly excavated

below apex and somewhat deeply between veins 4 and 6 and again slightly

excavated below between veins 3 and 1.

For egg, larva, pupa habits see below as there is only the one species,

ransonnettiz. Swinhoe informs us that Watson sank this genus to.

the African Caprona, but “ the Indian species differ from the African

in the length of the cell of fore wing, the well-developed vein 5 of

the hind wing, the robust, protruding last joint of palpi and other —

less important characters.” He also tells us that ‘“‘ this insect is very

common throughout the district at all seasons; it is very variable in

colour, running from bright golden-brown above, with few markings

to dark-brown with many ; the golden-brown form (named C. taylore,

deNicéville, for us by deNicéville) has been bred in the cold season

from larvee and pupee in all respects to those which produce C. ran-

sonnetti in the monsoon. (Davidson, Bell and Aitken).” The

difference even goes further between the seasonal types. The angular

prominences of the hind wing of the monsoon forms are very distinct,

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 709

pointed, tooth-like whereas in the cold-weather individuals, especially

in the male, they become shorter, blunter, rather much rounded.

205. Abaratha ransonnettii (/el/der).—Wet-season Brood.—Male. Upper-

side: dark ochreous-brown. Fore wing. With three small, semihyaline

white, subapical, elongated spots in an outwardly-curved series from near the

costa; two in the end of cell, often conjoined, sometimes separate, the upper

then often minute, sometimes absent ; a small spot near the base of interspace

3 with a much larger one inwards of it in interspace 2 with two smal! dots below

it in interspace the first below its outer edge, the other inwards below that again 5

the cell blackish, the basal half of the internomedian interspace—on upper side

of vein 1 that is—and below vein 1 blackish; a- blackish fascia on the

‘outside of the subapical spots and another inwards outside the discal

‘spots; a marginal, narrow line of ochreous spots that is double upwards from

vein 4 and a submarginal line of three larger ochreous spots in interspaces 1, 2, 3

(Swinhoe calls these ochreous spots ‘‘a marginal band of pale pinkish-brown,

the upper half double, with some pinkish suffusion outside the dark fascia, all

very difficult to describe and somewhat indistinct in dark specimens ’’—which

is true enough for individuals in which the ochreous spots are not developed as

‘happens in those occuring half way between the wet-and dry-broods as they are

‘generally called). Hind wing. With a double pinkish-ochreous lunule in the end

of cell closely followed outwards by a similarly-coloured, outwardly-curved

‘medial line of spots, one in each interspace, uppermost subquadrate, the others

somewhat elongate; outer part of the wing in fresh examples overlaid with pale-

grey scaes ; a narrow, brown band on outer margin withits inner edge somewhat

diffuse and sometimes bordered by ochreous lunules in the interspaces. Cilia

of fore wing brown, of hind wing whitish with small, brown intervals at ends of

veins; in really dark specimens the cilia of fore wing are also checkered thus.

Underside : Fore wing. Pale rufous-brown, the basal third suffused with white

with an irregular brown line across it, the spots and fasciz as above, the space

beyond them innocent of markings. Hind wing. White, the extreme outer

margin rufous-brown, some blue-grey suffusion inside it and the base of wing

‘similarly suffused ; within the blue-grey, marginal suffusion is a complete series

of submarginal, blackish spots that may be very faint, one in each interspace

and two blacker spots in continuation below the costa that are always quite plain

although they may be brown in certain individuals; a thin black, long lunule

outside end of cell. Antenne coloured like body, the shaft speckled white above,

the club white below, the shaft brown; palpi white below with third joint

altogether brown, above brown ; head brown with a white tip above eyes at base

of antenne ; abdomen above concolorous with wings, below white as well as legs.—

“Female Upperside paler than the males, the base and outer brown fascie

consequently more prominently brown as also the outer pale markings which

vare still paler and more distinct making the wing more variegated. Hind wing.

With thediscal band of pale spots similar with a few additional pale spots

outside; the discal pale spots have a row of brown spots running through their

outer ends; the grey suffusion limited to the outer margin and the abdominal

‘fold. Underside; Fore wing. Much paler than in the male, markings similar,

the brown patches more prominent. Hind wing. With the white portion

more limited and often of a duller colour, more grey than white; all but the

uppermost spots of the submarginal series more or less joined together into a

band ; a discal series of small, brown spots, one in each interspace. Expanse

40mm. and over.

Dry-season Brood—taylori.—Male and female differ from the above in being

-golden-brown instead of ochreous-brown, none of the ochreous markings on the

-uppersides at all, the brown fascie fainter, thinner ; on the underside the hind

wing has the white suffusion rather thin, all the markings faint except the two

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

costal spots. This description is from the type named by deNicéville but there

are all sorts of gradations between this and typical ransonnetti.

Egg.—Is in the shape of a dome, slightly constricted at base, the sides perpendi-

cular for some way up, then the somewhat flattened, convex top covered with

white, fine, curly hair from abdomen of butterfly. There are some 17 or 18

meridional ribs from base to within a short distance of apex, low, rather narrow

but distinct, surface between obscurely pitted, otherwise shining. Colour

pinkish, ribs white. B: 13mm; H:0:90. Itis very like that of Odontop-

tilum angulatum.

Larva.—The body is more or less spindle-shaped, fattest in the middle, the

anal segment longly semicircular and convex transversely, overhanging the anal

claspers a little with a moderately strong, dorsal inclination; all prolegs and

legs short, the ventrum somewhat flattened; segment 2 circular in transverse:

section, rather short, light orange in colour, the posterior half with a black

collar that is narrowly interrupted in the dorsal line, occupying nearly the whole

length of the half-segment and reaching down to just above the spiracle on each

side; head is broadly corate in shape, slightly depressed in the dorsal line down

the centre of face, deepest on vertex: colour chocolate-brown : surface covered

with long, minutely-feathered, curved hairs very densely disposed so as to hide

the surface, white in colour round the periphery, a few black ones intermixed :

shorter, similar hairs on the face inside the periphery, including the surface of

the clypeus and the eye-areas: the eyes arranged, the uppermost 4 in a gente

curve, numbers 1, 2 very close together, nearly touching, numbers 3, 4 further

away, 4 as far from 3 as 3 from 2 (about double the distance 1 is from 2 ), number

6 three times as far from 4 as 4from 3, number 5 behind and forming a triangle

with 4 and 6 but nearer 6: all light in colour ; mandibles dark brownish-orange

with the end quarter black along the cutting-edge, the cutting-edge itself practi-

cally quite entire; the antennal, basal joint white, the second dark red-brown ;

the ligula much broader than labrum, rusty red-brown or dark-orange, kidney-

shaped, the sinus acute, triangular ; the labrum membranous-white, somewhat

broader than long, the margins straight ; the false clypeus about half the length

of the face, a broad strip (difficult to see) outside the true clypeus, triangular, the

sides convexly curved outwards, the apex acute; the true clypeus hardly one-

third the height of the face, an equilateral triangle (both difficult to see being

covered by the recumbent, heavily-feathered, greyish-white hairs) ; segment 14

as long as 12 ; segment 13 not quite half 12 in the dorsal line, becoming shorter

though never on the spiracular region; 11 one-fifth longer than 12. Surface

of larva covered all over with small, white, conical tubercles each bearing a stout,

short, white hair which is bifid shortly at the extremity, these tubercles dis-

posed at a distance of one of their own diameters from each other or at a distance

equalling one of the surmounting hair-lengths—which is one and the same thing ;

the hairs along the dorsoventral margin simple and of the same length ; next to

no hairs on the ventrum but the outer faces of the prolegs have both tubercles

and hairs ; the usual, thin, parallel, depressed, transverse lines, four in number, in ~

front of and parallel to the hinder margin of each segment ; the segmental margins

showing thinly bluish. Spiracles of small size, greenish or greenish-white, those

of segment 2 more than 2 x the size of the others, those of 12 perhaps slightly

smaller than ‘those of 2; all broadly oval, flush. Colour of body light-green

with a yellow tinge which is sometimes quite strong, the segment-margins thinly

bluish or greenish ; the ventrum a neutral tint of a very light shade—a kind of

indigo. L:28mm;B: 4mm at middle which is also about the diameter of the

head.

Pupa.—lIt is a stout pupa, in shape square at the fore-end, the head quadrate _

with a short, upturned frontal process pointing upwards, the shoulders rounded,

broader than head, the body and wings slightly and shallowly, widely constricted | |

at middle, the abdomen longly oval afterwards, coming to a point at anal end | é

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA, 7ll

where there is a stout, oblong cremaster, somewhat longer than the frontal

snout, this eremaster bent downwards in a slight curve and ina plane perpendi-

cular to the longitudinal axis of the pupa, as thick as broad, ending square

behind where it is ever so slightly dilated to accommodate the massed suspensory

hooklets which are comparatively long and strong: the oblong portion of this

cremaster only half of it, the anterior half widely triangular, constricted shallowly

and sharply laterally wherc it joins on to segment 13, the common margin being

quite a straight line; segment 13 quite as long as 12, slightly longer than the

basal, triangular piece of cremastral segment, parallel-sided (the front margin,

that is, parallel to the hinder); segment 12 equal in length to segment 11,

both these segments having the dorsal slope at about 45° or slightly less to the

axis—sometimes 13 and 14 only little more, notwithstanding that, occasionally,

the actual cremaster is steeper ; segments 10, 9, 8 all about equal to 11 except for

their bevilled, hinder margins which adds about one-third more or even in excess

of that, these bevilled margins smooth, satiny, rather steep, telescoping over

their opposing front margins of 9, 10,11 which are shorter, steeper and somewhat

more coarsely granulate-satiny ; segments 7, 6 about equal each to 8; 5 rather

shorter segment 4, very short in the dorsal line though long enough laterally

because the hinder margin of the thorax is a very nearly semicircular curve ;

this curve meets, in its ends, the wing-lines at an angle of somewhat less than 90°,

thisangledeep, broadly rounded ; the thorax is about as long as segments

5+6+7-+8 together, is stout, rather highly convex longitudinally, more so trans-

versely, its evenly-rounded apex situated about the middle although some two-

thirds of its length is very nearly (the dorsal line or area) parallel to the longi-

tudinal axis, the posterior end much steeper, the fore-end not quite as steep-

ly inclined towards segment 2 which is lower, its front margin quite straight ;

segment 2 about as long as 5, its front and hinder margins parallel—coming to

a point, meeting that is, of course, as usual at the antennal, upper outline, its

angle of inclination to axis less than 30°; the head with the vertex rather broad

between the antennal bases, the whole quite smooth though somewhat convex

both ways, its dorsal slope forwards about the same as that of segment 2, the

frons in a plane perpendicular to the axis, its whole breadth rising very gradually

at first, then more rapidly into the basai cone of the “ snout” alluded to above ;

this snout more or less cylindrical, slightly broadened at end, quite blunt, about

as long as three-quarters segment 2, directed diagonally upwards, the portion of

the frons below it sloping rapidly to the ventral surface, this frons abutting in

front on two lateral, rather large, triangular pieces, one on each side—the basal

joints of the palpi ?—and the bases of the two proboscis-halves ; between these

halves, in continuation of the frons, is a small, longly-diamond-shaped piece—

the ligula ?—about 2 xas long as the base of the palpus is broad ; the proboscis

reaches the ends of the wings and is prolonged free beyond as far as the end of

segment 10, lying closely pressed against the surface ; the forelegs reach between

one-third and half-way towards wing-end, the midlegs about two-thirds, the

antenne slightly less than these latter ; the wing-ends produced at apices, the hind

wing showing rather broadly beyond the fore wing, the ends of the

_hindlegs just visible, one on each side of the proboscis. Surface shallowly and

somewhat distantly, although sharply punctate or pitted on the abdomen,

shallowly, somewhat coarsely, closely-corrugated transversely and irregularly

on segments 1, 2, 3; the wings minutely frosted, the veins, legs antenna, etc.,

somewhat bluntly prominent ; the frontal process coursely rugose, the cremaster

less so , the former covered with very fine, thin, short, soft, light hair about half

as long as its own breadth ; the eyes with similar hairs ; the whole body except

wings (which are naked) covered with a down of well-separated (for such a thing

as down), extremely short, soft, more or less decumbent, light hairs visible

under the lens; the segments well-marked, somewhat constrieted at margins

on abdomen ; the expansions of the spiracles of segment 2 very conspicuously

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

prominent, orange, about three-quarters the length of the. frontal snout.

Spiracles of.segment 2 with very conspicuous expansions of the dimensions just

mentioned, nearly as broad as long at the top, shaped like deformed mushrooms,

the stem very short, the head or umbrella deformed on the inside diagonally to-

wards dorsum of thorax, the perforation whence it arises situated on the surface

of segment. 3, circular; the umbrella formed by numerous, closely-packed,

stemmed hairs (?), the stems of which are shining and longest on the dorsal side,

becoming shorter as they recede towards antennal region, the ends minutely

feathery—the effect being the half-umbrella appearance ; the rest of the spiracles

brownish-greyish, the centres linearly light, the raised border with a fine dark

brown or black line along its crest all round, all rather small, those of 12 not larger

Colour of pupa very light yellowish-green with a white bloom over it, the wings ;

more colourless-green, shining; the abdomen ever so faintly yellowish; the

thorax, segment 2 and head duller and more opaque-looking than the wings,

the following black spots, all twice or three times the length of a spiracle at least,

all more or less regular, more or less round:—the frontal snout, a spot on each

eye-front, one on the palpus underneath (ventrally), one subdorsal on seg-

ment 2 up against the antennal base, one on each shoulder, one behind each

spiracle-expansion of segment 2 and touching it, one, larger, dorsal, on front

margin of segment 3 (just behind margin that is); one on the side of each eye,

laterally; one well above shoulder and before middle of thorax ; another laterally

about two-thirds the length of thorax from front margin ; one, generally very

small, on dorsal line at hinder margin of thorax ; one in each angle formed by

its hinder margin and the wing-line; one, lateral, on each of the abdominal seg- —

ments 5 to 12 and one, dorsal, on 13; segment 14 with the end of cremaster

black produced along the dorsal line forwards ; the wings have aspot at base be-

hind the shoulder-spot and another ventrally behind and below the same spot,

a line well inside the abdominal margin and, may be, afew more longitudinal

lines; thereis aspotsurrounding each spiracleon abdomen and a line along each

extensor-ridge ventrally on cremaster. L:77mm ; B:just over 5mm at shoulders ;

sometimes 20mm 5‘5mm.

Habits.—The habits of the larva are nearly exactly those of Odon-

toptlum angulatum in every way; the cell is made in the same way

all the way through and the pupation takes place similarly and in

similar places. The butterfly is a spasmodic flier, never going far and

never rising very high from the ground; it is not found basking

on the tops of trees (the males—for the females of butterflies bask

rarely) and does not come to water; its flight is rapid and jerky in

the manner of skippers ; it occasionally visits flowers and is apparently

rather impatient of very bright sunlight. It is an insect of foliage

and jungles, not coming much into the open. It rests with wings wide

outspread and never raises them over the back when sitting. It

prefers, for purposes of rest, the undersides of leaves but may be found,

also, in the daytime, on the uppersides, in the intervals of flight.

The egg is laid on the upperside of a leaf. The young larva makes a

cell by cutting a circular piece out of the leaf away from the edge,

leaving a small hinge. This piece is turned over on to the top and

there fixed all round except for a small place for egress ; the inside

of this cell is lined thickly with a carpet of silk and the larva rests

on the lid, not on the leaf; that is, upside down. This lid withers

and shrivels and turns brown, so it is easy to see. Later on, when

- COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA, 713

grown big, the caterpillar makes a cell by turning over a large, trian-

gular piece from the edge on to the top and fixing it down all round,

‘the egress being next the hinge; this it lines with silk and holes are

‘eaten irregularly in the cover, mostly round the edges, leaving space

for the larva to rest on in the middle. The change to pupa takes place

in such a cell and the times of growth of larva and rest as pupa are

normal although never rapid—indeed, sometimes the larval growth 1s

rather slow. The foodplant is Helicteres isora, Linn., a low tree or

shrub of the family Sterculcaceae. The butterfly j 1s variable j in colour,

running from bright golden-brown above to dark-brown with few

markings and many more markings respectively. The golden-brown

‘form, generally the dry-season form, was called A. taylori by

-deNicéville.

_ Swinhoe says the type came from Ceylon; that he has both sexes

from Kandy and Trincomali; also from Ootacamund in the Nilgiris,

Kolar and Coonoor. Fergusson records it from Travancore, it has

been bred in Karwar and is common in the Kanara District at ali

heights ; Evans got it in the Palni Hills; Rhe-Philipe in Mussooree,

Hannyngton in Kumaon ; Aitken at Igatpuri in Nasik District:

-Swinhoe has it from the Khasia Hills.

Genus 6.—COLADENIA.

Swinhoe says (Lepidoptera Indica, vol. X, p. 61) :—

The venation of both wings similar to those of the genus Tapena.

Antenne.—With the club moderate but thicker than in Tapena and with

the acuminate portion shorter and curved but not hooked as in that genus.

Palpi.—Porrect, terminal] joint short, obtusely conical.

Hind tibice—With two pairs of spurs ; in the male with long tuft of hairs attach-

-ed to proximal end except in laxmi and allies in which the hairs are in the form

of a fringe along the inner side of tibia.

Fore wing.—Costa evenly arched, outer margin evenly convex, hinder margin

nearly straight and about as long as the outer margin, apex acute.

Hind wing.—With the outer margin rounded.

For egg, larva, pupa, habits see below. Swinhoe says ““ We put

-agni and its allies into this genus, as Elwes and Edwards have done and

not into the genus Tapena as Watson and deNicéville did, because

the only character in which they differ from typical Coladenia is in

the slightly different position of the hairs on the hind tibia which is

2 character insufficient to separate them into a new genus ; in all other

‘respects: in the shape of their wings, in the pattern of their wings and

in the form of their antenne they agree with typical Coladenia and are

very different from Tapena thwaitesi, the type and only species we

know of belonging to this latter genus.” Swinhoe has included dan

‘in this genus but it fits Sarangesa better in every way and is hereafter

“put there.

206. Coladenia indrani, (Joore).—Wet-season Brood.—Male. Upperside:

dark-brown. Fore wing, sparsely covered with ochreous sete, especially at

‘base and with three subapical, semihyaline dots in an oblique curve in interspaces

714 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXAIX.

6, 7, 8 and sometimes a small one below in interspace 5 ; a discal series of four:

spots, the largest at the extremity of the cell which it fills, another much smaller

outwardly below it in interspace 3, one more than twice the size of this last.

in interspace 2 a bit inwards and a small spot between the cell-spot and costa :.

all surrounded with blackish slightly ; a dark postdiscal band, bending out at

its upper end and including the subapical dots and has an orange spot on it at.

its lower end above inner margin and another similar, smaller, orange spot

further in ; a submarginal row of orange spots beyond the band, the middle

ones obscure, the apical ones sometimes also very blurred; a subbasal black

spot in submedian interspace ; the margin often also darkish, like the postdiscal.

band ; blackish that is. Inner margin with a rather longish fringe of brown and

ochreous hairs. Hind wing, covered with long, ochreous hairs that are thick

along hinder half and a fringe of light-ochreous hairs along abdominal margin ;

a small, black subbasal spot below costa, a medial series of three blackish, similar

ones in interspace 7, end of cell and interspace 1 ; a postmedial series of 7 blackish

spots beginning in interspace 6 and ending in interspace | bordered by an orange:

submarginal band outside, the last two more or less geminate, occasionally

hardly visible; the margin narrowly brown—the orange submarginal band:

sometimes obscure. Cilia of both wings brown, checkered white on hind wing,

on fore wing white for a short space above tornal angle. Underside: paler with

the markings as above but the black and orange ones much bolder, brighter.—

Female like the male in every way with nothing to distinguish the one sex from,

the other on the wings. Antenne light brown-ochreous on top, blackish under-

neath with the club black, the end part chestnut on top; palpi bright-ochreous:

with the tip of second joint and whole of third joint brown ; head and body above:

concolorous with the wings; breast below ochreous, abdomen brown, the very

middle of abdomen and segmental margins ochreous ; in the female the anal

tufts are drab of a light shade, of male bright-ochreous ; the legs are pinkish

light-brown ; in the male the tuft on hind legs is blackish or brownish.

Dry-season Brood.—Male. Upperside: ocherous fawn-colour, varying a bit in

shade in different examples, sometimes bright ochreous-fawn, sometimes tinged

with brown slightly. In extreme forms there are no ochreous markings at alk

but the hyaline spots are the same as in the wet-season insects and the black

spots are never absent and this remark applies to the uppersides as well as

undersides. Expanse 40mm : often less.

In many of the bred Kanara specimens, and there have been hund-

reds of them, there is a decided tendency to a sinuation between.

veins 4 and 6 of the hind wing on the outer margin ; in a few of the

dry-weather specimens the sinuation is not only actually there but

it is strong in some of them.

Egg.—Dome-shaped, rather depressed, broadest at bottom however ; the sur-

face shining and finely pitted all over besides being sculptured by having 16

meridional ribs from base to top, losing themselves before or just as they reach: —

a ribless circle 0°45mm in diameter occupying the top of the dome; these ribs:

are quite fine, 0:2mm from each other at base of egg, the rib hardly 0°025mm:

thick and gradually rising from surface. The colour is, as far as memory serves,

of a green shade with the ribs whiter; and there are always some scales from:

the abdomen of the female on it, sometimes covering the surface, sometimes’

only a few. H:0°5mm or 0°55mm; B: Imm exactly. It is generally laid,

always one at a time and not often more than one on the same bush, on the upper-

side of a leaf and the leaf chosen is almost always an old one or a fully mature one,

one for preference eaten into holes and sinuses by other insects, leaving nervure-

ends, Jittle pre-eminences of leaf-surface and withered ends of nerves upon the-

tips of which the egg is deposited. They are hardly ever laid on fresh tender

leaves, these eggs and the little larva always prefers old leaves for food.

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 715

Larva.—The body isin shape spindle-shaped, thickest in segments 4, 53.

ventrum flattened, legs and prolegs short ; anal segment overreaching the anal

- olaspers, semi-elliptical in shape, thickened slightly round margin, rather square

at extremity ; segment 13 distinct, half the length of segment 12; segment 2

with the front half slightly incrassated into a collar which is white in colour >

the neck quite distinct ; the head well separated, larger than segment 2 in.

diameter, though not large for the larva. Head nearly round, thick, with a deeply

impressed, narrow line over vertex down centre of face, most deeply on frons

dividing it into two lobes with broadly rounded vertices; the true clypeus

triangular, half the height of face, higher than broad ; the false clypeus hardly

distinguishable, triangular, the apex broadly rounded ; the whole surface minutely

and coarsely reticulate-rugose including the false clypeus and, in a lesser degree,.

the true clypeus also and covered with many, minute, very short, white star-

topped hairs only visible under the lens and some slightly longer, reddish ones

about the mouth ; labrum glassy, transverse; ligula large, kidney-shaped, brown ;

basal, antennal joint brown, the second joint redder brown ; mandibies red-brown

with black tips ; the eyes black, the four of the curve being all equally spaced ;.

the colour of the whole head shining black or deep red-brown which is practically

black. Spiracles very slightly raised, circular or nearly so, light brown in colour

with a double, thin, darker margin; that of segment 2 hollow, funnel-shaped,

very large; that of segment 12 a good deal smaller. Surface of body dull,

smooth to the eye; covered all over with minute, erect, white, short, star-

topped hairs like the head but, perhaps, not so densely; the hairs on the

margin of segment 14 being somewhat longer, reddish; there are some

simple, erect, short, white, pointed hairs on legs and prolegs ; a minute, circular,

glassy, dorsal lateral dot on segments 5-12 which is placed somewhat in front of

the middle of segment; a larger, lateral, similar, oval dot on segments 3, 4;

a similar, oval, glassy dot below each spiracle and one on the ancle of each foot

of prolegs. The colour of the body is greenish russet-brown, with a moderately

plentiful sprinkling of white dots all over it ; ventrum bluish green. LL: 24mm ;

B: 5mm.

Pupa.—The pupa is of ordinary shape except for the large frontal process and

the large, golden-orange, plush-like faces te the spiracular expansions of segment

2. It is squarely blunt in front—except for this frontal, knob-like process—and

bent down and pointed behind; there is a slight lateral as well as dorsal constric-

tion at segments 4, 5, where the body-string passes; the wings are somewhat

produced at apices and the proboscis further still, being free nearly up to the end

of segment 9; the segments are well marked, the bevils of segments 9, 10, 11

also ; segment 13 is half the length of segment 12 and is shaped like a half-bowl—

the ventral half being wanting—with a deep, narrow, round-ended sinus in dorsal

line at front margin; segment 14 a similar, smaller (in diameter) half-bowl,

also with a similar sinus, the apex continued into the shortly oblong, thickened,

rugose, slightly down-curved cremaster with the hooked supensory, golden-

orange shafts bunched at the extremity. The frontal knob of head is at the

front end of the pupa sticking straight out in continuation of the longitudinal

axis, is somewhat lengthened, thickened at end, constricted at base, rugose as

to surface and with rather long, erect, golden-orange hairs—the head is bowed,

ventral; the frons is in a plane perpendicular to longitudinal axis of pupa;

segment 2 at an angle of 35°, a broadish band ; the head vertex at an angle of

45°: both margins of segment 2 straight ; the front slope of thorax at an angle

of 30° or slightly more, the curve, then, quite even and smooth, running up to

the thoracic apex and down again to hinder margin which is a quarter-circle

curve (or slightly more) meeting the wing lines in a widely open, rounded angle

of somewhere about 90°; the thorax is humped moderately. The spiracles

of segment 2 are indicated by large expansions rising from the front margin of

segment 3 in a short “foot” to a small eonvex surface which faces forwards, is

716 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX

shaped like three-quarters of a circle and is covered with a golden-crange shining

plush ; the rest of the spiracles are slightly raised, rather small ovals, the colour

of the body. Surface of the body is shining, covered all over fairly densely with

short (much longer than the larval ones), more or less simple, erect golden-

orange, simple hairs; these hairs tufted on each side of each eye-ridge and

round each proleg-scar ventrally... Colour of pupa light brown-yellow on

abdomen ; darker brown on thorax, head and segment 2; redder on wing cases,

nearly black on cremaster. L: 17mm; B: 5mm.

Habits.—When just emerged from the egg; the little larva cuts out a

circular piece from the middle of the leaf somewhere and turns it over

on to the top—it is a small circle of about 4 or 5mm in diameter—and

turns it over on to the top of the leaf; this little circle withers and

becomes concave underneath ; the little larva fixes the bit all round

with silk so that it lies closely applied and coats the inside above

and below with silk thickly ; it leaves a semicircular opening in front

which it enlarges as necessity demands ; it goes some distance to feed,

always returning home. When too big for its first home, it turns over

@ bit of the leaf from the side—a triangular bit—and makes a new one.

When full grown it gnaws nearly through the midrib, eating from the

place where it does so to the edges of the leaf on either side, thus more

or less separating a large portion of the top of the leaf from the basal

part so that the top part hangs down; this hanging part it makes

into its final home by turning over a large, wide-based, narrow topped

(triangular) piece on to the remaining surface and fixing it down

lightly, leaving an aperture (round) in front towards the base of the

leaf; it, at the same time, webs the cut-through part of the midrib

to prevent it ever falling away tothe ground. This hanging part

withers and becomes dry and shrivelled ; the inside of the cell formed

is covered thickly with a coating of silk which makes it into a very

tough cell hard to tear open. After eating largely, it finally turns into

@ pupa inside the cell and attaches itself by the tail and a body-band,

‘the body-band being again fixed to the top of the cell by a single silk.

Some of the specimens took 2 months to grow from the egg to the

pupa. The pupal stage is of normal length, 7.e., of 10 days. The

imago emerges in the morning, rather late and expands its wings

quite quickly, flying within an averagely short time. It rests with

the wings fully opened and flies well and strongly. It settles on the

tops of leaves and is commonly found at flowers—Allophyllus, Lea |

and such-like—and always with the wings fully open. It is mode-

rately fond of sunlight but is an insect of the regions of heavy rain-

fall more than of open places and dry country. It is a common

insect on the Western Ghats in Kanara and Belgaum where its

foodplants are found: Xylia dolabriformis, Grewia microcos, Mallotus

philippensis, Desmodium, etc., belonging to the families of the Legu-

minosee, Tiliacee, Euphorbiacee—and there are certainly others also.

Colonel Swinhoe, under Habitat and Distribution gives “ India,

Ceylon, Burma. The type is marked Bengal ; we have many examples

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA, 717

of both the wet and dry season forms from Sikkim; Assam, Madras

and Karwar and have examined many other from various localities ; it

is a common species throughout India and Burma; the uposatha of

Frhstorfer is the extreme dry-season form; our figures of the larva

and pupa are from Davidson’s drawings not previously published ;

we have examined the examples in his collection, they are all marked

“rains,” all have checkered clza and are not tessa but the wet-

season brood of indrant.” (Lepidoptera Indica, vol. X, p. 65). This

is all correct.

(Zo be continued.)

OUR REQUIREMENTS.

The Society would be very much beholden to any members who

would be good enough to send in female specimens, freshly captured,

of the following skippers ( Hesperiade ) :—

Particularly any Halpe and Arnetta vindhiana.

Also any of the following genera :—

Rhopalocampta, Ismene,

Capila, Calliana, Achalarus, Hantana.,

Daimio, Satarupa, Tagiades, Charmian, Odina, Gerosis,

Ctenoptilum, Darpa.

Hesperia, Pyrgus, Carcharodus, Thanaos,

Pamphila, Ochus.

Lotongus, Zela, Hidari, Pirdana, Grane, Creteus, Pithauria.

Pithauriopsis, Pesdestes, Suada, Isma, Scobura, I[tys,

Sebastonyma, Zographetus,

Gegenes, Iton.

Erynnis, Augiades, Onryza, Actinor.

Acerbas, Tamela, Koruthaialos, Watsoniella.

‘The object in view is a study of the eggs which can be dissected out

from the bodies. So it matters little if the insects are damaged—as: long

as they can be recognized for what they are. Many captures are thrown

away by collectors as being “ bad specimens ” which would be very useful

for the purpose above mentioned. cae glass teas L

718

A JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK

Magor C. H. Srockiey, D.S.O.

PART III,

(With 2 plates.)

(Continued from page 387 of this volume.)

While staying with Mr. Gairdner, I came on an article in the Journal of the

Natural History Society of Siam, written by Mr. P. R. Kemp on Schomburgh’s

Deer and on reading this my hopes of obtaining one were shattered. It appears

that this deer is no longer to be found in the Paknampo area, but is now

restricted to a small and unexplored tract far to the east.

The season was too advanced to think of getting there, or of makirg entirely

fresh arrangements for transport, et¢., so L had to look round for a new line.

Here Mr. Gairdner helped me by suggesting the Mewong Valley, which had a good

reputation for big game, and it seemed that by crossing from the Mewong to the

Upper Meklong and thence to the Upper Thaungyin, I would be traversing

-country of very great interest, both geographically and zoologically. I there-

fore decided to travel down to Paknampo by river with Gairdner, and rail

¢rom there to Bangkok, where I would refit, and then return to Hkambengpet

(about 60 miles south of Raheng) which was to be my starting point for the

return land journey. Before leaving Raheng Gairdner kindly helped me to

fix up pony transport to meet me at Hkam bengpet.

Raheng was a bad place for mosquitoes, owing to theswamps which lie to the

‘east of the town. A few thamin still survive a day’s march to the east, and I

saw three heads in the Raheng bazaar. There are a great many guns in Siam and

game has little chance near the populous cultivated tracts along the main rivers.

These tracts are inhabited mainly by the true Siamese, the dense forest at the

back of them being peopled sparsely by Karens.

The Siamese have a curious way of wearing their hair standing straight on end

like a large blacking brush, and they have also a habit of blackening their front

teeth. As they are by no means distinguished by beauty of feature, the tout

ensemble is not usually prepossessing at first sight. They are however a

pleasant people to deal with, and their officials seem to know their job, and

‘were extremely kind and helpful to me.

On March 5th, we set forth down the Meping in three boats, the third being

the cookboat. ‘The river was so low that we had to use small boats, with an arch

-of matting for a roof. Maung U, as usual, had been patronising the local pubs,

-and spent most of the first two miles swimming behind us, in order to cool his

head.

The boats were paddled gently with the current or poled over the shallows,

_and we reached Paknampo on the 12th, passing Hkambengpet on the 8th. The

whole journey was like a continuous panorama of a waders’ aviary. Herons

were on every sandbank, either the common, night heron, or paddy bird ; while

‘once 1 saw a very large bird which I took to be the Giant Heron, (Ardea gigantea),

but was unable to get sufficiently close to make certain. |

Black-naped, Black-bellied and Indian River, floated and wheeled gracefully |

Terns of three species, |

over the hallows, or occasionally followed the boatsfor scraps, while Spur-winged |

Plover screamed monotonously the whole length of the trip.

_and middle, patrolled the edge of the water, sat in flocks on trees, or perched

-en bathing buffaloes; while the enormous red bill of the Stork-billed King |

fisher was conspicuous every hundred yards or so on some overhanging bough, —

Egrets, large, small :

Jjourn,, Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

Mepine River at RAHENG,

PAKNAMPO SHOWING FLoatine House

wsninssintitititasc a ouretyt jo sseT ~“youq s,Auod Gc}

uo porsl] UoYF PuVv SUTeAF SIYyF OF

uo peddeajs st peoTy | oa

‘90S (3SIH ‘3UN Avquicg “uanor

A JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK, 719

his relations, the Pied, Common and White-breasted, hovered, plunged and sat

on snags. Darters and Cormorants were common, while Ospreys added their

incessant clamour to the noise of the Spur-winged Plover. Other Raptores were

the White-headed Fish Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Pied Harrier and Hen Harrier.

The Common Kite seemed comparatively scarce.

Along the edges of the sandbars Greenshank, Dotterel, Godwit, three species

of Sandpiper, and Pratincoles ran busily about searching for food.

On the first evening we landed on a sandbar to pitch camp, and while pur-

suing a godwit, I put up and killed a snipe. On picking up the bird I was sur-

prised to find that it was a fantail, and not a pintail as I had expected.

In the evenings the harsh call of the Chinese Francolin or the melodious

whistling of green pigeon was usually to be heard close to our bivouac, while the

report of a gun would set all the White-breasted Waterhens braying for miles

along the river. Gairdner told me that the Siamese say that these birds call

the watches of the night: they certainly produced their weird call at most

unseemly hours.

It was at Raheng that I was first introduced to the sapodilla, whose fruit is

popular in the U.S.A. I thought them excellent, and was glad to find that they

were obtainable in most big villages along the river. We also occasionally

bought a fish, usually lanchi or goonch, but occasionally, when lucky, we got

a murral. A couple of Green Imperial Pigeon were the only game birds I shot ;

-even jungle-fowl were scarce by the river.

Any thing for the pot was always welcome, as the Chinese were celebrating

their New Year and there were few fowl or other supplies to be obtained. The

‘Chinese put up the cost of living wherever they settle and they are fast getting

the trade of Siam in their hands. They live in filthy huts on ground level with

pigsties built against them, and not in huts built on piles as do the compara-

tively clean-living Siamese and Burmans.

It was interesting to note the types of large boat on the Meping. The Siamese

type has a straight keel and lines, but is being rapidly replaced by the Chinese

type which is built on curved lines modelled from the body of a duck and known

as “‘duck-boats.’’ The Chinese type carries as much cargo for the same draught,

and, as it is much easier to work over theshallows, it can ply much later in the

‘dry season than the Siamese type: it has also the unpractical advantage of being

much more graceful to look at.

Another thing I noted was the large proportion of pink-skinned china-eyed

buffaloes among the herds bathing in the river. In some herds these albinesques

must have formed a third of the total.

Paknampo was an interesting place, as it is situated at the confluence of the

Meping and Me Nam which thereafter become the Menam Phraya, and is the

‘centre of the rice trade of Upper Siam. Most of the rice from Northern Siam is

rafted down the Meping to Paknampo and there sold to Chinese merchants for

‘export. This export rice is not that eaten by the Siamese themselves ; they

consume a kind which becomes a semi-transparent, glutinous mass on being

‘cooked. Below Paknampo lies the great rice-producing plains of Central Siam

which are annually flooded to such a depth that the rice grows on a stalk 12 to

15 feet long, in order to keep its head above water.

At Paknampo many of the inhabitants live in floating houses, which are moored

by large iron rings to fixed poles, so that they rise and fall with the level of the

‘water,

I was much struck with the large coils of rattan stored in the Bombay-Burma

‘Co.’s compound, where I enjoyed the hospitality of Mr. Seaton Smith.

These rattans are collected during the dry season in preparation for the rafting

of teak logs, which commences with the rains. Shortly before they are to be

) a oy rattans are put into soak and are then used to bind the logs together

—Anto rafts.

720 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

I left Paknampo by train on the 14th, reaching Bangkok the same evening.

The engines on this line burn wood with considerable effusion of cinders, to the

detriment of the cushions and other fittings of the carriages. They are also the-

cause of considerable merriment to the passengers when a cinder falls down the:

back of some fellow traveller’s neck.

The country we traversed was flat and uninteresting, and little was seen worth

comment. I noticed that all the egrets were getting their nuptial plumes, though

those further north had shown no signs of acquiring them. One thing I noted

was that in two different places a couple of Siamese, armed, with iron rod and:

spade, were probing and digging for aestivating murral in the borrow-pits by

the side of the railway: a method of capture I had previously thought to be

confined to Burma.

Bangkok was a great surprise. It is a city of wide streets and motor roads ;

good shops and wide canals. The whole city seems well laid out, and I was

told that nearly all the revenues of inland Siam are applied to the upkeep and.

improvement of Bangkok, which contains three-quarters of a million inhabitants.

Mr. Hamilton, Price of the Bombay Burma Co. very kindly put me up, and

during my three days’ stay I met several enthusiastic and highly competent

naturalists, who run a flourishing Society. I handed over to Mr. Herbert, who has

made a particular study of the local pheasants, the cock Gennaeus which I shot

at Pang Yao, together with another shot by Mr. Gairdner. Unfortunately time

did not permit of a more than cursory look at Mr. C. Williamson’s fine collec-

tion of birds, while an afternoon spent with Mr. Godfrey, who is the authority

on the butterflies of Siam, only made me want several days with his collection. A.

visit to Dr. Malcolm Smith was both interesting and profitable: he always hasa

number of reptiles, alive and in spirit, which are well worth seeing ; but he also:

has some very interesting heads of Thamin and Schomburg’s Deer. He most kindly

presented me with a grand specimen of the latter species ; a handsome, even, 22°

pointer. When lunching with General Stevenson, our Military Attache, I was

much interested in a tame White-handed Gibbon, a fully acult male which |

seemed a gentle and pleasant pet. He was black, as I think are all old males

of this species. He seemed disinclined to adopt an upright attitude, but

did so when offered Miss Stevenson’s hand, and walked about with her. He had_

been in captivity some years.

The only thing I personally saw of zoological interest in Bangkok at first hand,.

was an Elephant Trunk Snake, which was lying dead on the bank of a canal,

evidently recently killed by some boatmen. It was large specimen, fully six’

feet long, of the colour and thickness of an elephant’s trunk.

In making preparations for my return journey, I was greatly assisted by Mr.

P,. R. Kemp, head of the Siam survey, who provided me with a map of the-

Mewong which proved most useful. Mr. Kemp has made a study of Schomburgh’s

Deer, and I was most interested in what he had to say on the subject.

I returned to Paknampo on the17th March, and found it much hotter than.

when I had left, it being 98° in the bungalow at 4 p. m.

T left Paknampo on the 19th in two of the same boats in which we had come.

down river, and camped some seven miles up stream that evening. As the

boats travelled slowly against the current I had plenty of time now to do a little:

collecting. The first thing I noticed was that the Golden-backed Squirrels seemed

much larger and to be much more richly coloured than those I had seen in the-

Thaungyin, and a fine male, which I shot on the second day, had the yellow of

the back extending over a much greater area than any I saw or shot in other,

localities. Half way to Hkambengpet I began to see Giant Squirrels (Ratufas)and

shot three of these fine squirrels to the detriment of romance, for two males were,,

competing for the hand of one female, and the chase ranged all over a grove of ,

giant evergreens. Fish were also interesting, as the boatmen caught a 15 pound ,

lanchi in a cast net, while I found a couple of Siamese fishing with rod and line,

A JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK, 921

and with a goodly pile of fish up to three or four pounds in weight beside them.

On examining the fish I was surprised to see that they appeared identical with

the Carnatic Carp of India, which I did not think existed outside that country.

On looking further into the matter I found that the bait was a long, green

lanceolate leaf ; and as I had memories of catching Carnatic Carp with this very

bait in Southern India, the evidence of identity seemed fairly conclusive.

I was very interested, on nearing Hkambengpet, to notice that in nearly every

village on the right bank, there was a small, penthouse-roofed, wooden structure

containing votive offerings; and that in every one were skulls of Crocodilus

siamensis, As these reptiles do not live in the Meping itself, and apparently

do not like running water, I enquired whence these skulls came, and was told

that there is a marshy lake about 20 miles to the west, which holds a large number

of these reptiles. This information was confirmed later on by Siamese and

Karens in different places after I left the river, and I hope to visit this lake soon

and establish its existence. At present it is not shown on any maps.

There was no great variety of butterflies to be met with along the river:

Papilio nomius swinhert being one of the commonest, particularly affecting

damp channels rear the river banks. A few Pievids, such as Nichitona xiphia,

Terias harina, and Huphina nadina were also very common.

A small Vamiops, (which takes the place of our Palm Squirrel but is not nearly

so common) and a couple of Black-backed Squirrels were added to the bag.

The Black-backed is very quiet compared to his relative the Golden-backed

Squirrel. I found the males of the latter species to be quite as noisy as the

Giant Squirrels, and on detecting the approach of an enemy they made a noise

- like a very loud pain of castanets. Though these squirrels chattered a good deal

they could not compare with C. caniceps in the matter of voice production.

My boats had to be poled all the way up, as the forest came right down to the

water's edge and prevented towing. In some places we had to push and haul

over sandbanks, and we passed several of thelarger river-craft struck fast and

their crews digging a channel with boards.

Every evening I bivouaced on a sandbar, and tried to locate the eggs of the

Spur-winged Plover, which wheeled and screamed about me, sometimes sham-

ming a broken wing. I never succeeded however.

One evening, just after we had tied up , a boat approached down-stream and

I was surprised to hear two verses of ‘‘ Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay ”’ sung completely

through. As I had never heard anything but the chorus before, I was interested

to find that the songster was a Burman trader. I was still more interested to

fina that this was the only English he knew !

I made enquiries all the way up as to the existence of Thamin and Hog-deer in

the vicinity. All reports agreed that there are now none on the right bank, but

that both exist in scattered localities a day’s march to the east. I met a Chinese

boat coming down with the skulls of two recently killed Thamin stags. One of

these showed considerable palmation at the ends of the horns, and was the only

really palmated specimen I saw from the Meping. The other head showed

only a slight flattening of the ends of the beam. I purchased the palmated pair,

which measured 31 inches ; the other pair were an inch longer. Thamin heads from

Siam do not run nearly as big as those from Burma, and these two were quite

good for the locality. The Chinese buy the horns for medicine-making, and are

mainly responsible for the reduction in numbers of thamin.

I never saw ahead or skin of a Hog-deer in Siam, but was assured of their

existence.

Except for ar occasional jungle-fowl, Chinese Francolin were the only game

birds. They called from high up in bamboo clumps by the river-bank in the

early morning, and I never heard them call from the ground, though I frequently

surprised them in theact. This coincides with their habits where I have met with

them in Burma, but there they seemed to call more in the evening, and I found

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

them much more plentiful in the scrub and small tree jungle of Thamin ground

than in the main forest, even in the foothills.

Green Imperial Pigeon were fairly plentiful and their loud “‘ Moo” frequently,

gave away their position, so that a careful stalk resulted in their figuring on the

breakfast-table next morning. Fruit pigeons were scarce ; a female Cinnamon-

headed being the only one I actually shot by the river, though I saw several

more of this species flying through the jungle at great speed.

We reached Hkambengpet on March 26th and stayed in a big “salah” or

monastery on the right bank of the river. The town is on the left bank and

comprises the usual gaol, gendarmerie post and other official buildings, with a

long one-street bazaar. My ponies, 14 in number, turned up the next evening,

and a sorry lot they were. I reckoned that only two of them could carry a 120

Ibs. load, while the loads ranged downwards to as low as 35 lbs. This was a

set-back, but I did not intend doing long marches, and hoped for the best.

I called on the Governor, a most voluble Jittle man, who seemed to think

my projected journey was a form of suicide. Heand his myrmidons assured me

that I would never get ponies over the Mewong-Meklong divide, but as they had

never been there, and the man who had (a Burmese trader to whom Gairdner

had introduced me) assured me that it was possible though difficult, I refused to

be worried.

In the end though most of the ponies got over, some did not, and one remained

permanently on top of the divide.

(Z'o be continued.)

7 2

‘ \

¢ ; Sie :

‘ y i

¥ toe .

Om H ‘

‘

- . +

7 '

, . 5

‘ é

w .

\ : 3

vow

f . ~

; ¢

: 2 ‘ ‘ <

! 7

Les

14 . F

‘ .

a 5

. ‘3

oe .

A i

Journ. Bompay Nat. Hist. Soc.

H. S. Photo.

SINGILE LA, 12,126/, anp EVEREST.

From Phalut, 18th February, 1912.

be.

H, S. Photo.

PHALUT SUMMIT, 11810"

18th February, 1912,

Puate II.

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS,

HERBERT STEVENS, M.B.O.U.

Part II.

(With three plates.)

(Continued from page 518 of this volume.)

FaMILY—PARID&.

14. The Indian Grey-Tit. Parus major cinereus (Vieill).

Recorded for the Himalayas at all altitudes up to 9,000’ or more according

to Oates. This distribution is entirely erroneous for the Sikkim Himalaya. I

have failed to locate this Tit even at the lowest limits; it may have

some status in the Tista Valley at elevations approaching the plains-level ;

all efforts to prove this conjecture have been to the contrary, and so far it has

only been obtained at the foot of the hills in more or less open country at 500’ by

Mr. G. E. Shaw. I suspect the heavily forested tract along the foot-hills demar-

cates its distribution more effectively than any appreciable rise in elevation is

likely to affect any extension at dispersal, and this appears to be the case on the

north frontier of Assam; also P. monticolus is a predominant species and the two

Tits have well defined breeding distribution areas. Unless there is an overlap-

ping in its eastern limits with “ commirtus”, Parus major tibetanus Hart.,

which occurs in the Chumbi Valley in Tibet may well be a good species.

15. The Green-backed Tit. Parus monticolus monticolus

(Vig.) ‘ Chichin Kothi,” Paharia.

Oates states it appears to be found chiefly from 4,000’-8,000’ in elevation. In

the Eastern Dooars, January 1922, I found it in small parties in forest at the

base of the hillsat almost the plains-level. Bhotan Ghat, Raidak River, 6 9,

26-1-22. Mr. N. B. Kinnear has shown me a specimen recently obtained by the

2nd Mt. Everest Expedition at 12,000’ in summer from the Chumbi Valley in

Tibet, and there can be little doubt this species is extending its distribution

limits. Dikchu, Tista Valley, 2,150’, 22-2-20* and 13-3-20,* and at a somewhat

lower elevation to the south of this place, to even 8,800’ in Lachung, where I saw

a pair in the winter, 28-2-20.*In Gangtok at 5,800’, 21-2-20* I observed this Tit to

be gregarious for the first time in large parties of fifteen to twenty birds composed

entirely of this species, foraging on the ground. It breeds commonly in the

Rungbong Valley from 4,000’-5,000’ in April and May; clutches sometimes

number seven eggs (4-4-18).

Ten specimens examined :

6 Wing 65-67, av. 65°9. 963-64, av. 63°3.

Soft parts : Iris, hazel; bill, horny-black, tip and edges of lower mandible

lighter ; tarsus, plumbeous-blue.

16. The Red-headed Tit. AEgithaliscus concinna iredalei

(Stuart Baker).

Strictly sedentary. Occurs at elevations of from 5,000’-7,500’ on the Outer

Ranges, not moving to any appreciable extent below its lowest limits in the cold

weather. In the Jnterior observed above Chungthang in the Lachung Valley on

the 11-3-20* at an elevation of 6,000’. Around Singhik at 4,600’ on the 12-3-20*

and between Singhik and Dikchu in the Tista Valley on the 13-3:20* at an

alevation of 3,500’, Mai (“‘Khola”) Valley, East Nepal, commonly occurs

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

from 6,000’-7,000’.. The distribution as stated generally from 6,000’-10,000’ is,

in the latter instance, undoubtedly too high an altitude for the Eastern Himala-

yas as it does not overlap in its distribution with . woschistos. Gopal-

dhara, 4,720’, 16-7-21* a pair of these Tits amongst a large party of small birds

composed of Phylloscopt, Zosterops, Certhia discolor (pair), &c., &c., searching

the trees around the compound daily, particularly bad weather ; this elevation:

at this time of the year being considered worthy of record.

Nine specimens examined ;

do Wing 47-51; av. 49-8. 2 46-49.

17. The Rufous-fronted Tit. &égithaliscus ioschistos.

(Hodgs.).

This charming, diminutive species shares in all the varied actions of the true’

Tits. It seems to be impervious to cold and its copious plumage is significant

of this fact. It is generally distributed at elevations of from 9,000’-10,000’, and.

rarely descends under stress of weather except perhaps evading the heavy snow-

falls in winter, when its zonal distribution is modified from 8,000’-9,000’, and.

then may be found in small parties of eight to ten individuals, otherwise only in

pairs in April, May and onwards. Kalo Pokhari, Nepal side of the Frontier,

9,500’, ¢ 2 12-4-12. Sikkim side of the Frontier, 10,000’, ¢ 2 18-4-12.

& Q 27-4-12. One pair also observed at 10,000’, 19-5-12.* Partial to-

Rhododendron forest (below the belt of the pines at the breeding season).

Blanford states “‘ probably only pine forest’? where he met with it on.

two occasions only in the autumn: Lachung Valley at 10,000’, Lachen Valley

at 9,000’. My own experience is that birds give the pine forests a wide berth if

they can obtain sustenance in other more favourable haunts. It occurred around.

Karponang in the winter, 9,600’, @ 2 24-3-17. Lachung, common around 8,800”

and lower, from the 25th of February tothe 11th of March 1920, frequenting light

trees, bushes and scrub-growth adjacent to the river ; absent from the pine forests

which were practically devoid of all insect and in consequence bird-life, a single

pair at an extreme, high-winter limit of 9,500’, 28-2-20.*

Eight specimens examined :

6 Wing 55-60; av. 56°8. 2 56-57; av. 56°7.

Iris, naples (dark lemon) yellow.

18, The Yellow-browed Tit. Sylviparus modestus modestus

(Burton),

Sparingly distributed, yet locally common. Found from an elevation of

6,500’-9,500’. On one occasion obtained at Gopaldhara at 6,000’, Q 26-12-20,

and a probable record for Singhik in the interior of Sikkim, at 4,600’, 24-2-20.*

Lachung, 8,600’, ¢ 27-2-20, a few birds noticed. Kalo Pokhari, 9,500’, several

obtained in March and April, 1912. Senchal, 7,500’, ¢ 7-2-17. Semana

Basti, (below) at 6,500’, 8-2-18.*

Easily overlooked and most difficult to locate owing to its insignificant size

and duil green plumage, as it haunts the tops of the trees when in leaf, at times

it may be seen amongst low tree-growth. Oates describes a ring of feathers round

the eye yellow, edge of wing and the under wing-coverts bright yellow ; these

colours are absent in my specimens which would be more aptly described as

greenish-white: in one example, ¢ 18-3-12, the edge of the wing hardly showing

any imperceptible difference in colour to require notice.

Seven specimens examined :

36 Billfrom feathers at base 5-6°5, av.5°9; wing 58-64.av. 60°6.

9 Bill 6-6°5, av. 6°3 ; wing 55-58, av. 56°5.

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS. 725

19. The Indian Black-spotted Yellow Tit. Machlolophus

spilonotus spilonotus (Blyth).

Sparingly and locally distributed. Resident at as low an elevation as 4,700’ in

the interior of Sikkim, (Singhik, February, 1920). Found generally at 6,500’-

8,000’, on the Outer Ranges. The elevation of 3,000’ as stated by Oates, is in need

-of revision, as it is far too low a limit for the Sikkim Himalaya. Observed near

‘Ghoom at 7,200’, 17-1-17.* A pair obtained in the Mai. (“ Khola”) Valley,

East Nepal, 28-3-12, at an elevation of 8,000’ approx., also, a 5 anda @

obtained on the 27-4-12, at 7,000’ approx. Soft parts: Iris brown; bill dark

-plumbeous-horny ; tarsus bluish-plumbeous.

zo. The Sultan Tit. Melanochlora sultanea_ sultanea

(Hodys.).

' Confined to the hot, steamy valleys. Commonly occurs in the Tista Valley

.at low elevations up to 2,500’ at Dickchu, 23-2-20*, A small party once observed

‘in the Rungbong Valley at 3,500’ in January 1912, denoting an upward

movement.

21.. The Himalayan Cole-Tit. Lophophanes ater zmodius

ate (Hodgs.).

Resident throughout the winter at high elevations along the Singile La Ridge.

‘Commonly occurs from Tonglo to Phalut at 10,000’-12,000’, from January to

March, and numerous around Kalo Pokhari at 10,160’, in April and May,

similarly on the Nepal-Sikkim Frontier, Karponang, 9,500’, in March 1917.

Lachung, 8,800’ observed in February and March 1920, seeking food amongst

‘the scrub-growth around the village in severe weather. Blanford records it as

less common than the other two species, but far from rare in the pine forests

with a similar distribution.

. Five specimens examined :

6 Bill from feathers at base 7; wing 58-60, av. 59.

‘2 Bill 7; wing 55-58, av. 56°7.

22. The Sikkim Black Tit. Lophophanes rufonuchalis

beavani (Blyth).

Resident on the Outer Ranges with a somilar distribution in elevation as L. a,

eemodius, but more plentiful. Tonglo, 10,000’, January. Kalo Pokhari, 10,160’,

March, April, May. Occurred around Lachung at 8,800’ in February and

March 1920, being driven with inclement weather into the village. Blanford

mrecords it as by far the commonest Tit in the pine forests of Sikkim, both on

the Cho La Range and in the northern valleys.

Nine specimens examined :

.d Bill from feathers at base 9-9°5, av. 9°1 ; wing 67-72, av. 70.

2 Bill 9-10, av. 9°3; wing 64-69, av. 66°5.

‘Soft parts :Iris dark brown; bill horny-black ; tarsus plumbeous.

23. The Brown Crested Tit. Lophophanes dichrous dich-

rous (Hodgs.).

| Commonly occurs as a resident on the Outer Ranges from an elevation of

| 9,000’-12,000’. Less numerous in the interior of Sikkim where I have noticed a

_ taarked disparity of its numbers compared with the other Cole-Tits. ‘

| Parties of this Tit, L.a. aemodius and L.r, beavani seen on numerous occasions,

occupied taking food on the ground amongst the snow, particularly when,

' foraging between dwarf rhododendron and birch on the mountain slopes and

summits in January and February. I did not observe it in the Lachung Valley.

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

in February and March 1920. I may also have overlooked it in taking down

my notes at Karponang in 1917. Blanford records it from 8,000’-13,000”

(August, September), northern Sikkim.

Six specimens examined :

& Bill from feathers at base 8-9, av. 8°5; wing 71-74, av. 72°5.

@ Bill 7-8, av. 7:4; wing 67-70., av. 68°8.

Soft parts : Iris red-brown ; bill horny-black ; tarsus slaty-plumbeous.

FamMILty—PaRADOXORNITHIDA.

24. The Great Parrot-billed Babbler. Conostoma emodiur

(Hodgs.) ‘ Tuti” Paharis.

Sparingly distributed on the Singile La Ridge. More plentiful in the

mountains of the interior at 10,000’-12,000’.. Kalo Pokhari, 10,500’, ¢ 27-4-12,

secured on the Sikkim side of the Frontier, in “‘maling” bamboo-growth.

Karponang, 10,000’, ¢ 24-3-17, one of a pair, surprised near the roadside in

dense bamboo thickets.

Two specimens examined :

3 Bill from feathers at base 22 ; wing 125-128.

Soft parts: Iris stone-yellow, (yellow ochreous-stone); bill ochreous-

yellow, lighter at tip; tarsus ochreous-plumbeous or plumbeous-horny; claws

of a similar shade.

25. The Brown Suthora. Suthora unicolor (Hodgs.).

Resident in the Interior of Sikkim from 6,500', and at 10,000' on the Singile

La Ridge, correspondingly with a suitable, dense bamboo-growth which is the

habitat of this Crow-Tit in common with other interesting species. It occurs

both on the ridges in the outer ranges and in the valleys of the far interior;

as it is strictly sedentary I am confident I located these birds in the identical.

place where Blanford recorded them from. Occurs sparingly on Tiger Hill,

above Darjeeling. Obtained at 8,500’, 28-9-19. (G. E. Shaw).

Kalo Pokhari, 10,000’, @ 2-5-12, @ 7-5-12, found in parties of half a dozen

or thereabouts, so could not yet be breeding.

Kedom , Lachung Valley, 6,500’, @ @ 26-2-20. 7,200’, 9 26-2-20.

Five specimens examined: ¢ Billfrom feathers at base 14-15, av. 14°6 ; wing

85-92, av. 88°8. Q Bill 14; 14-6; wing 88. |

Soft parts: Iris stone-grey of a beautiful tint ; bill fleshy-yellow for two-

thirds, remaining portion at tip of both mandibles lighter yellow; tarsus

greenish-grey.

26. The Black-fronted Suthora. Suthora poliotis humii

(Sharpe).

Found at a lower elevation than Suthora fulvifrons, probably about 6,000’-

8,000’ on the Outer Ranges and as low as 4,500’ in the Interior. More addicted

to a varied tree and scrub-growth, and therefore more generally distributed

but far from common; a pair of birds or at the most a small party accom-

panying a mixed assortment of Babblers, etc., Kalo Pokhari, Mai (‘‘ Khola ”)

Valley East Nepal, 7,500’, @ 7-3-12, obtained in dense bamboo-growth.

Singhik, 4,700’, & 24-2-20, probably three or four pairs in a mixed party of

small Babblers, inclusive of a pair of Machlolophus spilonotus. Gopaldhara

5,700’, 26-3-18,* evidently one pair only. I‘had observed a small party at 6,000°

on & previous occasion. Not previously recorded for Nepal.

Oates states Sikkim where this species appears to be common at and “above

Darjeeling”. This locality can only refer to Senchal to the south, and there is

every likelihood of it still being found there in much the same quarters as

Suthora unicolor has been located.

‘

i s

- = ‘ = bs 7

~- . _ .

; y

. ae:

os a

’

- Pa

tae

= .

- Fj

= 30

° <<

a : ‘

ae = ; :

- ; P

Prats IIT,

JOURN. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc.

H. S. Photo.

SINGILE LA RIDGE.

Looking south to Sandakphu from Phalut.

February, 1912.

H, S. Photo.

SINGILE LA RIDGE.

Looking south to Tonglo from Sandakphu.

March, 1912.

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS. 727 -

Two specimens examined :

Bill from feathers at base 7; wing 45-47.

Soft parts : Iris brown ; bill black.

27. The Fulvous-fronted Suthora. Suthora fulvifrons

fulvifrons (Hodgs.)

Sparingly distributed on the Singile La Ridge, more plentiful in the Interior

of Sikkim at altitudes of 9,000’- 10,000’ in suitable localities, wherever the dense

* prong” and “ maling ”’ bamboo covers the mountain slopes, as it apparently

only frequents this habitat. Prong is the Lepcha name for the bamboo

Arundinaria aristata, Gamble., 10,000’ and upwards. Maling (Paharia) A.

racemosa Munro., 5,000’-9,000’, 15’-20’ in height. Kalo Pokhari, Nepal side of

the Frontier, 9,000’, 2 24-4-12 ; 9,500’, @ ¢ 7-5-12. Onthe Frontier, 10,000’.

3 Y 22-5-12, all obtained in dense thickets of “ maling ’? bamboo; they feed

in a great measure on vegetable substances and the insects in the crevices of

the unopened sheath of the bamboo. Karponang, 10,000’, ¢ 2 @ 18-3-17,

secured out of a large party of twenty to thirty birds in “prong” bamboo

jungle.

Six specimens examined :

3. Bil from feathers at base 7, av. 7; wing 56-57, av. 56°7.

2 Bill 6°5-7, av. 6°8; wing 55-56, av. 55:5.

Soft parts:—Iris red-brown; bill horny-pink; culmen with a broad band

dark-horny ; tarsus brownish plumbeous.

28. The Red-headed Suthora. Suthora ruficeps ruficeps

(Blyth).

Recorded for Sikkim. I have failed to locate it, and I have no hesitation

in stating it to be decidedly rare. Probably confined to a restricted area in the

interior.

29. The Red-headed Parrot-billed Crow Tit. Psittiparus

ruflceps ruficeps (Blyth).

Locally distributed and a partial migrant, occurring irregularly in “‘ the rains ”’

in the Rungbong Valley, evidently it extends by dispersal in an upward direction

at the nesting period and recedes towards the plains during the “* cold weather.”

Nagri-Spur, at 3,800’, a small party observed on the 11-1-12, in dense se-

condary bamboo and reed-growth. Mangpu at 3,700’, a small partyin scrub-

growth. Gopaldhara, 4,000’, observed about a dozen birds mixed with Actzno-

dura, Mesia, etc., keeping up a lively commotion on the 17-7-16.*4,200’, six birds

noted hereabouts on the 4-4-17.*3,500’-3,600’, a pair seen in company with other

small birds, Babblers etc., amongst the bamboos, 7-6-21.* Three located in the

** siris”’ trees in the garden on the 18-5-20.* These records constitute the whole

evidence available from personal observations.

Obtained at Namchi, 4,500’, 16-12-12. (G. E. Shaw). Recorded breeding

in May at 2,000’, (Gammie).

30. The Grey-headed Parrot- billed Crow Tit. Perlpatas

gularis gularis (Gray).

Evidently rare and locally distributed. Recorded, for Sikkim at 6,000’

8,000’, by Oates. The high limit evidently refers to Mandelli‘s mention of its

nesting on the 17th May. Mangpu at 3,600’, ¢ 5-11-21 and at 3,600’, 2

18-12-20. (G. E. Shaw).

These are the only records that have come to my knowledge during ten

years. Represented in the National Collection by specimens from. this same

locality (Gammie) and other specimens from Sikkim collected by Blanford,

Mandelli and others,

728 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX

FAMILY—TIMALIIDE,

Sub family—TiIMALIIn &.

3!. The Rufous-necked Laughing-Thrush. Dryonastes

ruficollis (Jard. & Selby). ey

Recorded by Oates ‘“‘ probably not above 4,000’ and mostly at the foot of the

hills.” Resident in the Rungbong Valley up to an elevation of 4,550’, where

it is only found in patches of rank grass, reeds and mixed light tree-growth

along the bed of the river. Occurs up to an elevation of 4,100’ around Mangpu

and at all intermediate elevationsin the Tista Valley, and reported from near

Rinchenpong at an elevation of 5,400’. (C. M. Inglis). Essentially a plains

Laughing-Thrush which has extended its distribution both in the valleys

of the outer ranges and in the interior, wherever this more or less necessary

habitat supplies the required seclusion and its wants. The minor valleys of

the outer hills ordinarily do not support a plains fauna above an elevation of 2,500’,

while strict low-elevation species invariably occur in the Tista Valley for a distance .

of some fifty odd miles from where the river disgorges its waters into the plains,

and in many cases reach a corresponding, higher altitude. The dispersal of this

species into the valleys of the interior provides an excellent case in point.

32. The Grey-sided Laughing-Thrush. _Dryonastes ceeru-

latus czrulatus (Hodgs.).

This Laughing-Thrush appears to have a better defined status in Au cee

deep valleys than it has in theyminor valleys to the west, although generally it

is somewhat locally distributed. Occurs around Gopaldhara in the Rungbong

Valley at elevations of from 4,500’-4;700’. Obtained above Mangpu at 5,600’,

(G. .E..Shaw) and at Rinchenpong at 5,400’, (C. M.: Inglis). Gammie. mentions’

it as breeding in the Tista Valley from 3,500’-5,000’. f

33- The Himalayan White-crested Laughing-Thrush.

Garrulax leucolophus leucolophus (Hardvw,).

On the Outer Ranges at the junction of the Balasan and Rungbong Rivers,

is not found above 2,500’ around Namsoo, and in the “ kholas’”’ on the Amboo-

tia flat at 3,200’. In the Intervor of Sikkim throughout the Tista Valley reacires

a limit of about 4,500’. Oates records it up to 6,000’, so far I have failed to locate

it at this elevation. Gammie refers to it breeding in the Tista Valley up-to

3,500’ and doubts Hodgson’s breeding limits of 5,000’ or 6,000’ as above quoted.

(Hume’s Nests and Eges of Indian Birds. [Oates] Vol. I, p. 47).

34. The Black-gorgeted Laughing-Thrush. Garrulax

pectoralis pectoralis (Gould),

Commonly found at low limits in the Great Rangit and Tista Valleys. Ob-

tained as high as 5,600’ above Mangpu, (G. E. Shaw). Entirely absent from

the Rungbong Valley, even at the lower reaches of:the river. around Namsoo,

where there is ample undergrowth in the forest ; no single occurrence has come

to my notice. The ‘erratic distribution of this Laughing-Thrush is another

instance in proof of an extensive penetration in the deep valleys of the interior.

3m: The Necklaced. Laughing-Thrash. Garrulax | monili-

ger. moniliger (Hodgs.). i

Occurs at low limits in. the Great, Rangit & Tista Valleys. ‘Ohienea up

to an elevation of 3,900’, (G. E. Shaw). Apparently it. has no status in. the.

minor valleys to the west at any altitude approaching 2 ,000’, as at Namsoo,,

where a certain, few ‘plains species’ are to be found.

—————————eeeeee

“I

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS. 9

_ 36. The White-throated Laughing-Thrush. Garrulax

albogularis albogularis (Gould).

Very locally distributed, yet found in large parties in favourable localities

at an elevation of not less than 6,000’,

Mai (‘“‘ Khola ’’) Valley, East Nepal, 5&8. 32 2, 8,500’, 22-3-12. Observed

sparingly along the Ridge above Pokharibong on the Nagri Spur at 6,000’,

A party of about eight individuals observed in forest below Semana Basti at

about 6,700’, 6-5-23 at a time of theyear when other species of Laughing-

Thrushes of lower elevations are only to be found in pairs. Oates records thie

species at all elevations up to 8,000’ or 9,000’. This distribution is erroneous

for the Sikkim Himalaya.

37. The White-spotted Laughing-Thrush. lIanthocincla

ocellata ocellata (Vig.).

** Moonali Bhiakoorah,” (Paharia) so called owing to its spotted back resem-

bling in some measure the Tragopan which is locally called the Moonal.

Occurs on the Singile La Ridge, Nepal-Sikkim Frontier, at elevations of

from 9,000’-10.000". Odd birds are to be found at the extreme limits in winter

at 1%, 000" on Tonglo, 26-1-12; specimens collected from’ January to August.

. Soft parts: Iris stone-yellow ; bill horny, a broad band on culmen shading

into the colour of the lower mandible at ats edge of the eS tarsus fleshy

tinged above dusky-. .- ba

38. The Rufous chinned Lauenineerneuakt Ianthocincla

Ba rufogularis rufogularis (Gould).

- Recorded as found chiefly from 5,000’-8,000’.. This distribution for Sikkim

andthe hills on the North frontier of Upper Assam is erroneous. Locally distri-

buted at “low elevations” in the foot-hills. It occurs in the Tista Valley from

3,700’-3,900’, (G.E. Shaw), and in the Great Rangit Valley, Dentam at 4,500’.

(C: M. Inglis). It thushas some status in the deep valleys of the inierior.

39. The Sikkim Red-headed Laughing-Thrush. Trochalop-

terum erythrocephalum nigrimentum (Oates).

Generally distributed from 4,000’-7,000’ or even 8,000’,-and obtained on

Sandakphu during the winter at 10,500’, 15-2-12, one of a pair.

Plentiful around the station of Darjeeling throughout the whole year, as this

‘species in common with the rest of the Laughing Thrushes is strictly sedentary.

It will be noticed, onthe Outer Ranges, I record a higher distribution for this

‘pecies in comparison with T. subunicolor.

40. The Nepal Crimson-winged Laughing-Thrush. Tro-

chalopterum phceniceum phceniceum (Gould).

* Occurs plentifully in the Rungbong Valley from 3,000’-6,000’, and has been

wecorded at almost the plains-level from the Buxa Dooars. (C, M. Inglis).

. Gopaldhara, 5,800’, 5 9 ,24-10-21,* in dense under-growth in forest, evidently

occurs at the upper limits of its range during “ the cold weather.”

41. The Plain-coloured Laughing-Thrush. Trochalopterum

subunicolor subunicolor (Hodgs.)

Notwithstanding this species is weli represented by Mandelli’s specimens from

_ the interior of Sikkim in the B.M., Collection, it appears to be extremely local

and sparingly distributed. It occurs in the Mai Valley in East Nepal at elevations

4f 6,000’-7,000’, The elevation of 11,000’ as stated by Oates is in need _ of revi-

gion in modification for the Outer Ranges. I have failed to locate this Laughing-

Zo, 7

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

Thrush in any other part of the country. Blanford obtained it at 9,000’ in the

Lachung Valley and at 11,000’ on the Cho La Range, where in the interior

ut occurred higher than its congener T’.. e. nigrimentum.

42. The Black-faced Laughing-Thrush. Trochalopterun:

affinis affinis (Blyth).

Oates rightly records this species up to an altitude of 13,000’, which is no doubt.

a summer limit asthey come lower down in winter in the Interior to an appreciable

extent which 1s not noticeable on the Outer Ranges. This is the only instance

of a descent to lower limits that Iam aware of amongst the Laughing-Thrushesj

and is easily accounted for by the nearness of the snow-line hereabouts. Blan-

ford’s remark“ ranges above all other forms and is subalpine,”’ is very appropriate,

Occurs in parties in the winter at 10,000’ on the Singile La Ridge. Observed as

low as 5,350’ at Chungthang, in the latter days of February 1920: a striking diffe-

rence in altitude at a similar period of the year.

Chungthang, 24—26-2-20, several in the vicinity of the few scattered dwellings

comprising the village; at this time the maidan was occupied by numerous

Blackbirds, Thrushes, Redstarts, &c., and these Laughing Thrushes came _ well

out into the open, always with an eye to a secluded retreat near-at-hand ; all

had disappeared on my return on the 11-3-20,* specimens obtained on the

former occasion.

43. The Blue-winged Laughing-Thrush. Trochalopterum

Ssquamatum (Gould).

Generally distributed in suitable localities from 4,500’-7,000’ to the west of

Darjeeling and occurs in East Nepal at similar altitudes, but nowhere approaches

the low limit of 2,000’ as stated by Oates. Inthe Zista Valley it has a distri-

bution in elevation from about 5,900’-8,000’, (G. E. Shaw). 3,500’ upwards,

(Gammie).

The sexes differ as follows according to my sexed specimens. Male: Lores,

forehead and ear-coverts grey; back and breast more olive than in the female ;,

tail black. Female: Lores, forehead and ear-coverts rufous; back and breast

tinged rufous ; tail tinged olive; upper tail-coverts deep rufous in comparison

with the male ; this last character, however, does not always hold good ; one of

my specimens has a conspicuous white patch on the throat. There do not

appear to be any specimens of Trochalopterum lineatum lineatum (Vig.) from:

Sikkim in the B.M. Coll., the species occurs in West Nepal though the exact

limits of its distribution to the east is indefinite.

44. The Striated Laughing-Thrush. Grammatoptila striata

striata (Vig.). “ Bhiakoorah” Paharia. Used without dis-

tinction for all Laughing-Thrushes and even Scimitar Babblers.

sometimes with the addition of a vague prefix.

Commonly occurs on the Outer Ranges from 3,500’-7,000’ or somewhat higher. _ |

In the Interior of Sikkim to be found around 2,500’, above Dikchu. Occurs from

4,500’-7,500’ above Mangpu and upwards to Senchal. (G. E. Shaw). Recorded

by Oates for the Himalayas from 6,000’-9,000’ which is in need of correction for

the Eastern Himalayas at all events.

45. The Bengal Babbler. Turdoides terricolor terricolor

(Hodgs.).

A ‘plains’ Babbler, generally and commonly distributed in the Sikkim Tera!

and Bhotan Dooars. Recorded “ appears to ascend the hills to about 5,000’ ’’-

With the exception of the following record, neither Mr. G. E. Shaw nor myself

have met with it at anything approaching this altitude. I have no hesitation

in regarding this occurrence as merely accidental, as it is extremely unlikely

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS. 738}

to be overlooked. Gopaldhara, 4,550’, 4-5-21,* a pair observed hereabouts ;

these birds rose at my feet to settle on an adjacent tree whence their vivacious:

movements, particularly a whirling oscillation of the tail,were very pronounced.

46. The Slaty-headed Scimitar-Babbler. Pomatorhinus

schisticeps schisticeps (Hodgs.)

Evidently confined to the lower foot-hills. Obtained in the Tista Valley below

Mangpu at 3,800’, (G. E. Shaw). Entirely absent from the minor valleys in the

west of the Darjeeling district at anything approaching this elevation. Mandelli

is mentioned as having obtained it breeding at Namtchu(Namchi) and Yendong..

The first-named place is overlooking the Great Rangit Valley, the whereabouts:

of the last locality is unknown to me unless it refers to Tendong.

47. The Nepal Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler. Pomatorhi-

nus ferruginosus ferruginosus (Blyth.)

Sparingly distributed. Occurs at elevations of from 4,000’-6,000’ in the Rung-

bong Valley. So far Mr. G. E, Shaw has failed to obtain it in the Tista Valley

where Gammie obtained it breeding at 5,000’. There is a likelihood of it being

overlooked asit is anything but a common bird. Evidently less numerous in

Sikkim than it was in the far Eastern Himalayas (Daphla & Miri Hills) at similar

altitudes,

48. The Nepal Ruvfous-Scimitar-Babbler. Pomatorhinus

ruficollis ruficollis (Hodgs.)

Generally distributed from 4,700’ in the Rungbong Valley to as high as 16,000’

on the Singile La Ridge in winter, at which last-mentioned elevation it has been

observed in pairs in company with parties of small Babblers. Obtained at9,500,’

Q 6-2-12, and around Mangpu, at 5,000’, (G. E. Shaw), also at Rinchenpong at

5,400’, (C.M. Inglis), Rishap (Rashab), 4,500’, (Gammie). Gopaldhara,

5,800’, ¢ @Q 24-10-21, in forest undergrowth, a pair only. 5,500’,

18-5-23*, youngsters on the wing, accompanied by their parents, on the forest

outskirts, In my experience there appears to be a marked absence of Scimitar

Babblers in the Interior of Sikkim, despite a sufficiency of undergrowth; where

there is a paucity of this vegetation, even in forested country, there is little

chance of meeting with them. These birds are not gregarious as the Laughing-

Thrushes and invariably occur in pairs.

Soft parts: Iris crimson-brown; bill, basal half of upper mandible black

tapering along commisure, remaining portion yellowish-horny, deepest at gape;

tarsus pale plumbeous-horny ; soles dull plumbeous-yellow.

49. Harington’s Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler. Pomia-

torhinus erythrogenys haringtoni (Stuart Baker).

Commonly occurs and is quite the most plentiful of all the members of this

genus. Found in the Rungbong and Mai Valleys from 3,500’-6,500’. Obtained

as low as 1,200’ in the Tista Valley. (G. E. Shaw). An elevation of 10,000’,

as stated by Oates, is far too high a limit for the Sikkim Himalaya. Breeds

very early in comparison with some of the other Babblers. Young birds to the

number of four in the nest, 27-4-12, at 7,000’ approx. Mai “ Khola ”, East Nepal.

50. The Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler. Xiphiramphus

superciliaris Blyth.

Evidently not previously recorded from Nepal. Hodgson records it breeding

from 3,000’-6,000’. I have failed to meet with it at anything approaching these

limits. Gammie, obtained it on the Mahalderam Ridge at 7,000’ breeding.

Kalo Pokhari, Singile La Ridge. Obtained both in Nepal and Sikkim, April and

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

May at elevations of from 8,000’-10,000’. It was found during these months

jn pairs in the dense “maling’’ bamboo thickets on the mountain slopes.

Its call is unmistakable, yet not easily described in syllables.

Soft parts: Iris pale stone-yellow; bill dusky-black, lightish at tip of

lower mandible ; tarsus and claws, plumbeous.

51. The Bengal Red-capped Babbler. Timalia pileata

bengalensis (Godw-.Aust)

Recorded for the lower hills along the border of Sikkim, &c. Obtained in the

plains of the Darjeeling district (G. E. Shaw), and I have observed it in “ low-

lving ” ground, a few miles out from the base of the hills in the Eastern Dooars,

It is unlikely to be found in the valleys, unless it has worked its way along the

beds of the main rivers, lavishly overgrown with reed and heavy grass-jungle.

‘There is small chance of locating it anywhere else, and the foot-hills are out

of the question as they are covered with forest.

s2. The: Rufous-bellied Babbler. Dumetia hyperythra

(Franklin).

Probably this Babbler has a clearer defined status to the west of this area,

though recorded for the Lower valleys in Sikkim. Its whereabouts is un-

known to me. It is not represented from the Sikkim Himalaya in the B. M.

Collection.

53. The White-beaded Shrike-Babbler. Gampsorhynchus

rufulus rufulus (Blyth.)

Occurs in the Tista Valley at low elevations where I have observed it com-

monly between Melli and Tar Khola.

To my mind I associate this Babbler, as typical of a. host of others, with

steep, broken ground, thickly studded with bamboos and a diverse tangle of

secondary undergrowth,—a different phase of verdure to that of the grander

forested tracts which do not undergo a transformation of colour to the same ex-

tent, yet are similarly subject to a period of prolonged drought followed by

months of an incessant deluge; when the whole aspect of the vegetation

suddenly passes rapidly from varied tints of brown to vivid greens. Nowhere

are these effects seen to better advantage than in this valley, when at times;

it seems as if every living plant was endeavouring to extract the last ounce of

moisture and nutriment out of the shallow soil, awaiting the never-failing

monsoon, when all forms of life are bathed in drenching rain and steamy heat.

54. TheIndian Yellow-eyed Babbler, Pyctorhis sinensis

sinensis (Gmel.).

The exact status of this Babbler in the Sikkim Himalaya is very obscure...

Recorded for every portion of the Empire and found in the hills up to 5,000’.

1 have signally failed to locate this Babbler and very much doubt if it occurs.

unless at the plains-level. Represented in the series of the B. M. Coll. by.-

one specimen from Sikkim and three from Darjeeling without other data as»:

to exact localities, etc.

55. Mandelli’s Spotted Babbler. Pellorneum_ ruficeps

mandellii (Slanf.)

Mainly confined to the Terai of the foot-hills, which supports a plains fauna.

Occurs around Namsoo up to 3,000’, and below Mangpu in the Tista Valley;

up to an elevation of 3,800’, (G. E. Shaw).

JOURN. BomBAy Nat. Hist. Soc. Prater LY.

H. 8S. Photo.

DWARF RHODODENDRON.

Sandakphu, 11,923'. North face of the summit. March, 1912.

Haunts of Lophophanes ater emodius, L. rufonuchalis beavani, L. dichrous, |

Certhia faniliaris nipalensis, C. stoliczke, Phenicurus schisticeps, |

Troglodytes nipalensis, Montifringilla nemoricola, &c., &c.

Hl. S. Photo. a

MAI (‘‘KHOLA’’) VALLEY, EAST NEPAL.

From Kalo Pokhari, May, 1912.

Forest of Oak, Chestnut, Magnolia, Rhododendrons, Maples, Laurels, &c., &c.

Haunts of Lanthocincla ocellatum, Xiphirhynchus superciliaris, Lioparus chrysotis,

Arborophila torqueola, Tragopan satyra, &c., &c.

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS, 738

56. The Long-billed Wren-Babbler. Rimator malacoptilus:

(Blyth).

Rare. Gopaldhara, 5,600’, 1-2-21*. A pairin forest undergrowth with

their usual fearlessness. Although they were under observation within a

few paces I was unable to follow their movements for more than a brief

interval asthey shipped away like small rodents inthe broken and steep:

round. Recorded, “only at considerable elevations.” What is inferred by

this distribution is evidently incorrect as it has been more frequently met with

at moderate elevations,

57. Abbott’s Babbler. Malacocincla sepiaria abbotti

(Blyth).

Obtained at plains-levels around 500° elevation in the Darjeeling district

(G. E. Shaw).

58. The Nepal Babbler. Alcippe nipalensis nipalensis.

(Hodgs.),

Commonly distributed from the plains-level up to 6,000’. Very partial to

thick cover in general with numerous other small Babblers.

59. The Black-throated Babbler. Stachyris nigriceps

nigriceps (Hodgs.) “ Moostay”’, Paharia.

Commonly occurs from the plains-level wp to 6,000’ at all events. I have no

record of it attaining 10,000’ in summer as stated by Oates. Breeds at all

intermediate elevations. Equally plentiful, both in the interior and on the

outer ranges.

60. The Nepal Golden-headed Babbler. Stachyris chrysxa

chrysza_ (Blyth).

Generally distributed and fairly numerous at similar altitudes as S. nigriceps.

Commonly nests around Gopaldhara at 4,500’-5,500’. Apparently not much

in evidence around Mangpu, yet it occurs in the upper reaches of the Tista

Valley around Toong at 3,850’.

61. The Red-headed Babbler. Stachyridopsis ruficeps

ruficeps (Blyth).

Found at all moderate elevations upto 7,500’. Tonglo, ¢ 2 25-5-12. More

numerous below 6,000’. Obtained at elevations of from 6,200’-7,400’ on the

eastern side of the district above Mangpu, (G. E. Shaw). Breeds commonly

around Gopaldhara and in the Mai ‘“‘ Khola” in East Nepal.

62. Haringtun’s Red-fronted Babbler. Stachyridopsis

rufifrons ambigua (Harington).

This Babbler occupies a lower zonal distribution area than S. rwuficeps.

Obtained in the Tista Valley, March and April, at elevations of from 2,5007-

2,600’. (G. E. Shaw). A locality where numerous plains-species penetrate

the hills which species are entirely absent or poorly represented at similar

elevations to the West.

63. The Yellow-breasted Babbler. Mixornis rubricapilla

rubricapilla (Tick.).

Probably does not occur beyond the base of the ‘oot-hills, where it has been

| Obtained at the plains-level. (G. E. Shaw).

| .

}

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

64. The Dusky-green Babbler. Pseudominla cinerea

(Blyth).

Extremely locally distributed. Occurs in the Interior at elevations probably

not exceeding 4,000’ in the hot, moist valleys. Toong, Tista Valley, 3,850’, 24-

2-20. I found these birds in a mixed company of other small Babblers of which

Stachyris chryseq was noticeable in light tree-growth on this occasion,

which was somewhat at variance to my experience in former years when they

freely came under my observation in the Miri Hills on the Assam frontier ;

they were then exclusive in their habits and kept apart from the mixed asgsort-

ment of birds so frequently to be met with, when on their rounds.

65. The Chestnut-headed Babbler. Pseudominla castanei-

ceps castaneiceps (Hodgs.).

Generally distributed at elevations of from 3,500’ in the Rungbong Valley

up to 10,000’ on the Singile La Ridge according to season ; so far not obtained

‘below 5,900’ above Mangpu, (G. E. Shaw). Observed commonly between

Shamdong and Singtam at 2,400’, 15-3-20. Frequents the bottoms of the valleys

in the winter months, gradually ascending with the advent of the warmer

weather to its extreme limits; then found in company with Tits, Yuhinas

&c.—a totally different assembly from its ‘cold weather” associates ; it

breeds plentifully at 5,000’. Ghoom to Sookia Pokhari, 7,300’, ¢ 19-1-12. Kalo

Pokhari, 10,000’, 2 17-4-12. Equally common in the Mai “ Khola” in East

Nepal, April and May 1912.

66. Hodgson’s Fulvetta. Fulvetta vinipecta vinipecta

(Hodgs.).

Recorded distribution ‘11,000’ or more.” Mandelli obtained it breeding

on Senchal where it commonly occurs nowadays.

Generally distributed from 7,000’-12,000’. Observed below Semana Basti,

at 6,500’, 8-2-18.* Occurs at all intermediate elevations, irrespective of season,

as numbers frequent the summit level of Tonglo at 10,000’ in the winter,

January and February 1912. Numerous parties in scrub-growth around the

village of Lachung at 9,000’ in February and March 1920. Evidently breeds

around Jalapahar and Katapahar, circum. 8,000’, as it commonly occurs there

in ‘the rains.” 17-4-21,* numerous and obstrusive. Ghoom, 7,300’, 19-1-12,

large parties about, bitterly cold and misty weather. Sandakphu, 11,500’,

21-5-12. Nest composed of moss, bents and strips of bamboo leaves enclosing

cup-shaped hollow lined with hair, containing three eggs of the recorded type.

Soft parts: Iris pale greenish-yeliow; bill upper mandible and terminal

half of lower mandible dark horny, base of lower mandible pinkish-horny ;

tarsus and claws dull horny, somewhat lighter than bill in colour.

67. The Golden-breasted Tit-Babbler. Lloparus chrysotis

(Hodgs ..

Widely distributed but far from numerous. Occurs mostly at elevations of

from 6,500’-10,000’, at a somewhat lower zonal area throughout the year

according to season, than Fulvetta vinipecta. Partial to dense growth on steep

ground. Kalo Pokhari, Mai ‘‘ Khola”, East Nepal, 8,000’-10,000’, March |

to May. Lachung Valley, Sikkim, 7,200’, 26-2-20, a small party intermingled —

with other small birds in forest. Sonada to Mangpu, 6,750’, 19-5-21*,in small

parties hereabouts in (“ gopi’’) bamboo thickets in forest.

Soft parts: Iris brown; bill deep plumbeous; base of membrane pinky- lj

white; tarsus dark ochreous-fleshy,

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS, 735

Sub-family—SriBin.

68. The Long-tailed Sibia. Sibia picaoides picaoides

(Hodgs.).

Found from the base of the hills up to a litile over 2,500’. An elevation of 5,000’

as stated by Oates, is much too high a limit for Sikkim.

Namsoo, 2,000’, 23-1-17*. A large party observed frequenting the flowers of

the ‘“‘simal”’ (Bombaz) cotton trees. It came under my observation beyond

Singtam in the Tista Valley at 1,800’ in February and March 1920. Obtained

in the lower limits of the Tista Valley below Mangpu at 2,500’. (G. E. Shaw).

60. The Black-headed Sibia. Leioptila capistrata capis-

trata (Vig.).

In the Rungbong Valley occurs as low as 3,400’, and is found at all elevations

up to &,300’, (G. E. Shaw,) around which elevation it occurs on Senchal in the

outer hills. In the Tista Valley observed at an extreme low elevation, near

Rasab, ot 1,700’ and 1,850’, 15-3-20’*, frequenting “‘simal”’ (Bombax) trees when

in flower, and around Dickchu at 3/000’ in February. Only recorded from 5,000’-

8000’. On occasions familiar to a degree. Gopaldhara, 28-6-23*, a single bird

came on to the verandah, searching the pots of geraniums in quest of spiders.

This Sibia is a sprightly bird with a loud, pleasing whistle. It is quite a

characteristic feature of the bird-life in the station of Darjeeling.

70. Blyth’s Sibia, Leioptila annectens annectens (Blyth).

The type locality is evidently Darjeeling and is thus recorded for Sikkim at

an clevation of 4,000’ and upwards. Apparently only locally distributed. I

have failed to locate it anywhere in the vicinity of Gopaldhara at all elevations

of from 3,450’ to over 6,000’, and it remains one of my desiderata. Informa-

tion in respect to its status is lacking. Represented by mounted specimens

in the Darjeeling Museum.

The B.M. Coll. contains 13 specimens. February, June-August, November,

without precise data of locality and elevation.

71. The Nepal Bar-wing. Actinodura egertoni egertoni

(Gould).

Commonly occurs in the Rungbong Valley at elevations of from 4,000’-6,000°

and similarly in the Tista Valley up to an elevation of 5,500’. (G. E. Shaw).

This Bar-wing is much more partial to secondary growth of scrub than it is to

well-wooded tracts, being much less arboreal than the Sibias and in its habits

shows in this respect some resemblance to the Laughing-Thrushes.

72. The Nepal Bar-wing. Ixops nipalensis nipalensis

( dodgs.).

More or less numerous at elevations of from 7,000’-10,200’ on the Outer Ranges.

On one occasion observed near Sookia Pokhari. It frequents the tops of the

trees in parties at high elevations. Although this Bar-wing belongs to a genus of

tropical birds, it has a distinct Palearctic distribution, 4,000’ at its lowest limit

as recorded by Oates is entirely erroneous for Sikkim, Singile La Ridge, Nepal-

Sikkim Frontier, slopes of Tonglo, circum. 8,500’g g 20-1-12. Kalo Pokharl

10,000’, ¢ 8 Q 7-2-12, 10,160’? 22-3-12., winter records.

73- Hume’s Staphidia. Staphidia striata rufigenis

(Hume).

Obtained in the Tista Valley at elevations of from 2,000’-5,100’. (G. E. Shaw)-

It is absent from the western parts of the district, and has no status at similar

elevations in the Rungbong Valley.

736 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. X XIX.

74. The Stripe-throated Siva. Siva. strigula strigula

(Hodzs. ).

Plentifully distributed from 5,500’-10,200’ on the Singile La Ridge. Occurs:

around Singhik in the interior of Sikkim at 4,700’, both these low elevations are:

undoubtedly extreme “ cold weather ” limits. On the Outer Ranges numerous:

at and below 7,000’ inthe winter yet nowhere reaches the 3,000’ limit as

recorded for the Himalayas by Oates. Ghoom to Sookia Pokhari, 7,300’, 32 2

19-1-12. Senchal, 8,000’, Q 6-2-17. Mai “‘ Khola”, East Nepal, 10,000’ and

lower, 19th March to 8th May 1912,3¢ 3,492 2. Blanford met with it on the

Cho La Range at 10,000’ andinthe Lachung Valley at about 9,000’ in the

autumn of 1870, at which localities and elevations it is absent in the winter

according to my observations.

75. Hodgson’s Blue-winged Siva. Siva cyanouroptera

cyanouroptera (Hodgs.).

Generally distributed on the Outer Ranges at all elevations up to 5,500’. It

moves down the slopes of the hills to some slight; extent during the cold weather

while its upper limit is exceeded in the Interior even in winter, when I saw am

odd pairin company witha party of Minlaignotincta at 5,800’ in Gangtok on.

the 21-2-20.* Itis often to be seen around Gopaldhara at 4,700’ in December

and January, intermingled with Minlas and several Pteruthius erythropterus,

or a pair of P. melanotis. Observed in parties on the Semana-Mirik Ridge:

at 6,000’, 6-5-23.

70. The Stripe-throated Yuhina. Yuhina gularis gularis.

(Hodgs.). |

The first under-mentioned occurrence most probably denotes a descent from.

the Senchal Ridge, when two specimens were obtained on one occasion at Man-

gpu, 3,800’, 4-4-18 (G. E. Shaw), a remarkable record in altitude, up to 10,0007

on the Singile La Ridge, where it commonly occurs on Tonglo summit in January

and February, and numerous at Kalo Pokhari at 10,160’ in March. Found in

parties which haunt the tops of the trees with lively twitterings. This Yuhing |

ascends the highest on the Outer Ranges in comparison with the other two species,

and has a decided Palearctic status. Blanford states “Less commonthan Y.

occipitalis in the pine forests above Lachung, though still by no means rare. |

Common above 10,000’ on the Cho La Range where I did not meet with Y. occv-

pttalis, (August.) I have failed to meet with it in these localities at similar’

elevations in the winter, and there is little doubt it occurs in the bottoms of the

valleys in the interior at this period of the year, when it is certain to ascend to a

much more appreciable extent than is possibly the case on the outer ranges.

77. The Slaty=headed Yuhina. Yuhina occipitalis occipita-

lis (Hodgs.).

This Yuhina belongs to an Oriental genus, but equally with the previous

species has a definite Palewarciic status. Generally distributed from about 6,500’-

10,200’ onthe Outer Ranges, at which higher limit it occurs during mild spells:

of weather in the winter, butis apparently absent during the severe weather.

In the Interior occurs however at 9,000’ in the winter inthe bottoms of the valleys,

where it appears to attain a higher limit than Y. gularis, as I observed several

south of Lachung at 9,000’ on the 26-2-20*. Singile La Ridge, Kalo Pokhari,

10,160’, 16—19-3-12, several in evidence, having arrived from the valleys below,

on to the ridge, with the advent of hot weather. This Yuhina and Y. gularis:

were partial to the rhododendron trees, and kept up a lively time when probing.

their bills into the flowers in search of insect food. Semana Basti, 6,500’,

NOTES ON THE: BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS. 737

8-2-18*, plentiful hereabouts. Blanford states “ Jerdon says rar near

‘Darjeeling, is very common and abundant inthe pine forests between 8,000’-

~ 10,000’ inthe Lachen and Lachung Valleys ’ (September & October).

78. The Black=schinned Yuhina. Yuhina nigrimentum

nigrimentum (Hodgs.). feet

Strictly confined to the hot, moist valleys, and thus has a tropical status. Occurs

in the Tista Valley in the interior up to an elevation of 2,300’ in February and

March. Obtained in the lower reaches of this valley at 1,200’, (G.E. Shaw).

Gammie obtained it breeding at Rungbee at about 3,500’. Informer years

it was obtained in the Miri Hills on the north frontier of Upper Assam at 4,000’

in the cold season.

Dickchu to Singhik, 2,300’, 23-2-20 and 13-2-20, in large parties, peontmed

to this species, haunting the foliage of the evergreen trees.

- The distribution ‘‘ considerable elevations only ”’ for the Eastern Himalayas

as stated by Oates is entirely erroneous,

79. The Chestnut=-headed Ixulus. Ixulus occipitalis (Blyth).

Gammie is mentioned having obtained it breeding at Rungbee at about 3,000’,

and it is thus recorded by Oates for Sikkim. It is probably restricted to the

base of the hills or at moderate elevations, a similar distribution in altitude, as

_its status is to the North-Kast, in the foot-hills of Upper Assam,

80. The Yellow-naped Ixulus. Ixulus tlavicollis ‘flavicollis

a (Hodgs,).

Recorded at elevations of from 5,000’-8,000’ for the Himalayas. It extends

in its distribution from the foot of the hills upto 7,500’. Equally p!entiful in the

interior of Sikkim at a similar period of the year around Singhik at 4,600’ as it is

-around Gopaldhara at 4,720’, Odd parties observed near Jainti, Hastern

Dooars, at the plains-level in January 1922. Gopaldhara, 4,700,’ 3, 31-12-11.

Semana basti, @, 20-1-12. Observed on the Semana—Mirik Ridge at

6,509’, in parties, feeding on the Yellow Raspberries (Atubus sp 7) in early June,

_ 1923.

Kalo Pokhari, Mai ‘“‘ Khola,” East Nepal, @Q 2-5-12. Blanford records.

it from (Lamteng) Lachen at 9,000’ in September, which denotes a deep penetra-

_ tion in the interior along the defile of the Lista Valley.

81. The White-bellied Herpornis, Erpornis «xanthocleuca

~ xantholeuca (‘lodys.).

_ Confined to the deep, hot valleys and has a tropical status. In the Tista

' Valley, it occurs up to an elevation of 3,300’ in the outer hills. (G. E. Shaw.)

Oates rightly remarks: “it does not appear to be found above 4,000’ or 5,000.”

These limits leave a wide margin in altitudinal distribution, as there is no like-

_ _lihood of any record being forthcoming from the upper extreme limit quoted,

at all events in the Sikkim Himalaya,

Sub-family.—LiorricHinak,

82. The Indian Red-billed Liothrix. Liothrix lutea

callipyga (Hodgs.).

Jharjhari, ” Paharia, probably also used for Mesia. :

lt is unfortunate no two authorities agree as to the exact rendering in nomen-

clature of this species, which is sometimes referred to as Liothriz luteus callipygus,

‘Hodgson appears to have named it callipyga.

738 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1IX.

Amongst the smaller songsters, the delightful notes of this cheery, vivacious

bird at the breeding season are by no means without variety and compass. A

resident, and commonly distributed at aJ/ elevations from 3,400’-7,400’ and possi-

bly higher as it is recorded “ at 5,000’-8,000’ or lower for the Himalayas.”

It forages much on the ground in secondary-growth, whilst it may often be

seen haunting creeper-festooned trees at some height from the ground, invariably

in parties before and after the nesting season.

This bird in common with several others, Mesia argentauris, Suya atrogularis,

&c., has accommodated itself to the cultivated tracts under “‘tea”’ of the Darjeel-

ing District, notwithstanding it suffers considerable depletion of its eggs at the

nesting season, as the Paharia youth spares nothing in the egg and bird line which

comes his way. The benefit these numerous small insectivorous Babblers

bestow is by no means fully appreciated or even realized.

83. The Nepal Cutia. Cutia nipalensis nipalensis (Hodgs.)

** Motum pho,” Ley cha.

Locally distributed. Apparently found chiefly at an elevation of 7,000° on the

Outer Ranges. Occurs as low as 5,000’ in the Interior ot Sikkim. Ghoom, 7,000’

17-1-17 *, in parties. Singhik, 5,200’, 12-3-20, a small party. Mai (‘‘ Khola’’)

valley, East Nepal, @ 16-4-12. Obtained at an elevation of 5,900’, 3 28-6-19

and as low as 4,500’, 2 on one occasion, 23-5-20, above Mangpu. (G. E. Shaw.)

Soft parts. : Iris dull red-brown; bill horny-black, basal half of lower mandible

bluish-horny tapering to a point; tarsus gamboge-yellow; claws light horny.

84. The Redewinged Shrike-Tit. Pteruthius erythropterus

(Vig.).

Irregularly distributed from 4,000’-6,000’ and apparently locally migratory.

Recorded by Oates in its distribution for the Himalayas 2,500’, (Jerdon) 10,000’,

(Stolickza). I have no acquaintance with this Shrike-Tit occurring at these

extreme limits. Noted as common at Gopaldhara at elevations of from 4,000’

5,000’, September, October, November, December, February, and at the end

of March over a period of ten years. Its appearances, however, being somewhat

erratic. Strictly confined to well-forested country. Found around Singhik at

4,600’ in February and March. Obtained at elevations of from 3,700’, March, to

4,500’, April, at Mangpu, (G. E. Shaw.) Gopaldhara, 5,700’, 26-3-18 *, several

noted in company with a host ot various small birds. 5,500’, 10-2-19 *, many

noted under similar conditions. 5,000’, 7-10-21*, observed an odd bird or so

hereabouts.

Soft parts: Tris stone-grey ; bill bluish-horny, upper mandible dark horny-

blue ; tarsus, pale fleshy.

> 85. The Chestnut-throated Shrike-Tit. Pteruthius mela:

notis melanotis (Hodgs.).

This dainty Shrike-Tit is not common, yet occurs in pairs in the wooded

‘portions of these hills where it is widely distributed at moderate elevations.

Recorded for the “ Himalayas at high elevations 7,000’ or so.”’ Obtained at ele-

vations of from 2,700’, January, to 6,200’, March, in the Tista Valley. (G. EH.

Shaw.) In the Rungbong Valley occurs from 3,500’-6,000’, and somewhat

higher in ‘‘ the rains,” a pair observed at 6,200’, 1-6-23*, on the Semana-Mink

Ridge. Its actions are very slow compared with the agility displayed by Minla

ignotincta, Pseudominla castaniceps with which and others pecies it often keeps

company. Observed in the interior of Sikkim at Singhik at 4,600’, and below

Chungthang at about 5,000’ in February and March, I have never observed |

more than one pair of this Shrike-Tit on any one occasion mixed up with cther _

birds, wh teas, P, erythropterus often occurs in small parties of the two scx€&e

_ NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS, .: 739

_ My experience of this bird in the Sikkim Himalaya further confirms my

_ observations on the North Frontier of Assam in regard to its zonal

~ distribution.

Soft parts: 9 Iris brown; bill, upper mandible dark mn: mbeous-horny,

- lower mandible similar only lighter ; tarsus fleshy ; claws pale hwiry.

86. The Green Shrike-Tit. Pteruthius xanth-chloris xan-

thochloris (Hodgs.).

Generally distributed both in the Interior and on the Outer Ranges,

This Shrike-Tit occurs at higher limits than the other two members of this

genus and has a decided Palearctic status in its distribution area,

During the winter it may be found at elevations of from 7,000’-9,500’ at which

| last elevation I obtained it at Lachung, ¢ 2-3-20, and at 9,600’, at Karponang

Q 24-3-17, which may be regarded as extreme high winter limits, as pairs were

only in evidence, although these elevations are likely to be exceeded in the

summer. It frequents low trees during the winter, and with the approach of

warmer weather when it undoubtedly ascends to some extent, occupying the

tops of the highest trees. This last trait combined with its dull green

plumage renders it inconspicuous amongst the dense foliage, and it is secured

with difficulty. Soft parts: Q. Iris brown; bill bluish-slaty.

87. The Rufous-bellied Shrike-Tit. Hilarocichla rufiventer

(Blyth).

Sparingly distributed. Evidently does not transcend the limits of 6,000’-8,000’

to any appreciable extent on the Outer Ranges. Occurs on Senchal at 8,000’,

Gopaldhara, 6,000’, 5-11-19, two females secured out of a party frequenting the

tops of lofty trees in forest.

Soft parts: @ Iris dark stone-grey; bill bluish-horny, upper mandible

dusky ; tarsus dark fleshy-horny ; scles pale yellow.

88. The Common lora. A githina tiphia tiphia (1).

Commonly occurs from the Plains-level up to 4,740’, at all events around

Gopaldhara, and obtained in the Tista Valley, up to an elevation of 5,600’, above

-Mangpu. (G.E. Shaw.) This latter record is no doubt an extreme limit for this

tora, as Oates rightly infers “ it does not appear to ascend the hills higher than

3,000’ being strictly a bird of the plains.” My own impression is that it is extend-

ing its distribution under favourable conditions. It has obtained a higher limit

in the Tista Valley, whichis only one instance of many similar cases, which

receive notice under specific circumstance.

89. Th: Fire-tailed Myzornis. Myzornis§ pyrrhoura

(Hodgs.),

Locally distributed. On the Singile La Ridge occurs up to 10,160’, in March

and April, both in Nepal and Sikkim, and in all probability not found below

7,500’ or thereabouts. Apart from a doubtful observation below Ghoom at

7,900*. my records without exception refer to the Nepal-Sikkim Frontier at

Kalo Pokhari,5 ¢ 6, 6 2 Q, collected between the 19th of March and the

30th of April.

Jerdon appropriately names this bird a Flower-picker. It was this fact

which first gave me the clue to its whereabouts, otherwise I expected to find

a Creeper-like bird haunting the tree trunks as mentioned by Oates ; whereas,

it was an agreeable surprise to see it ‘‘ hovering with a rapid beating of the

wings at the flowers’? of the Rhododendron trees. It is generally silent and

unobtrusive even at or towards the nesting season when birds are at their

iiveliest. Its note isa feeble but distinct call, Blanford records it as common

740 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL GIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X«

on the Cho La Range at 11,000’ in August where it was obtained amongst brush

wood, on mossy banks and once was shot on the ground. ‘‘Not seen in Upper

Sikkim.” I have also not met withit in the interior. It certainly occupies a

. lower zone during the winter and ascends to breed at these recorded limits.

Soft parts: vis brown; bill black; tarsus ochreous horny tinged. with

green ; claws dark horny.

90. The Gold=fronted Chioropsis. Chloropsis aurifrons

aurifrons_ (‘l’emm.).

Occurs at low elevations in the Tista Valley, and has a tropical habitat,

Obtained up to 2,300’ in elevation. (G. E. Shaw.)

Ot. The Orange-bellied Chloropsis. Chloropsis hardwickii

hardwickii (Jard. & Selby). ne:

Resident at all elevations up to 5,500’ in the Rungbong Valley, and occurs up

to a similar altitude in the Tista Valley, 5,000’. (G.E. Shaw), It possibly

reaches the limit of 6,000’ as recorded by Oates.

92. The Silver-eared Mesia. Mesia argentauris argen-

tauris (Hodgs.). 7

__ The Mesia is more addicted to secondary scrub-growth than forest. It utilizes

the “tea-bush”’ in common with Liothrix toa great extent at the nesting

period. Recorded from 3,000’-7,000’. Obtained in the Tista Valley as low as

‘1,500’, (G. E, Shaw.) I have no information respecting its status at plains-level

as was the case in the foot-hills of the North frontier of Upper Assam. It is

common at all elevations in the Rungbong Valley up to 5,500’, but here againit

has been overlooked below 3,000’, if it actually does occur below this limit.

93. The Red-tailed Minla. Minla ignotincta (Hodgs.).

This species frequents all well-wooded tracts. During “the cold. weather,”

it invariably is found in parties which intermingle with other tree haunting |

species; as they methodically search thetreetrunks and foliage, they are very

Tit-likein this habit. It is generally distributed at all elevations up to 8,5007

according to season, at which elevation it occurs on Senchal. Blanford records _

it from Lachen and Lachung at 9,000’, but not higher in September and

October. It is commonly resident around Gopaldhara at 4,500’-6,000’, between

which limits it breeds, and is equally plentiful in the interior of Sikkim, |

Gangtok, 5,800’, 21-2-20.* Around Jainti, Eastern Dooars, at the base of the |

hills, a party of this Minla came under my observation in early January, |

1922; I did not meet with them at a later period. I have formerly recorded it

from the Gorges of the rivers in Upper Assam at similar low-levels in “the cold |

weather.” |

(To be continued.)

258.

259.

260.

262.

263.

26.

265,

266,

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN IN DIA,

BY a. 4 . ee s

Masor F. ‘C. FRASER, LMS,, F.E.S. ae

™ PART LV, |

(With 3 plates.) :

(Continued from page 481 of this volume.)

| Subfamily—Protoneurine :—

The nervure Cuii absent As as uk ~~ 259

Cuii present and usually well developed | ak or ces, 290

(A supplementary basal nervure present Bro:

ximal to ac ee ae .- 260.

5: supplementary basal n nervure , proximal to ac a te paweoue

(Genus—Protosticia :— sana oe

{ The anal bridge (ab) absent fs Pie ae (26k

The anal bridge present, running from the

lower side of quadrangle to Join either ac

or the hinder margin of wing . we : 6266

4 Abdominal segments 8 and 9 of nearly equal

length ; stigma blood red ' ie en Meee eee S262

Abdominal segment 8 more than twice the | al pe

‘iG length of segment 9 ; stigma black sees! 263

(Abdomen 47mm. in length ; 16-18 poatcedai om

nervures in the forewing; segment’8 bluish> ea

| white with the dorsal ridge and a narrow ‘

} apicalring black ~~ .. = -- « .Protosticta sanguino.

. stigma,

Ssieiamen only 44mm, in length ; only 15 we

nodal..nervures in forewing; segment 8 » 4

' bluish white, the apical third and the dorsal 2 23. ce aT ee.

ridge broadly white: .. . Protosticta cerinostigma,

Abdomen oniy 35mm, in: length > prothorax pass to ek

bluish white, unmarked; segment 8 bluish white

with a narrow apical black ring . .Protosticta hearseyi

Habomen 40 mm. injlength or more ; prothorax Be, }

| marked with black : segment 8 veriable «set 264

Segment 8 entirely black ore Wee: ta gravely.

| Segment 8 marked with white or bluish white. passe 265

_ (Segment 8 with the apical half and a narrow yey

basal ring black;a narrow black ring onthe -—- i. et ae

posterior part prothorax ca? . Protosticta mortoni.

‘| Segment 8 with more than the apical half ra

black, no basal black ring, the middorsal

ridge on the bluish part finely black ; pro.

thorax with a small triangular marking Or :

- black posteriorly : & _ .Protosticta. stevensie, :

Segment 8 almost ental, white, its apex

narrowly and diffusely black; prothorax black |

with a longitudinal subdorsal yellow stripe. . Protosticta lindgr ent.

Segment 8 with the apical half bluish white ; ost,

prothorax black-on the dorsum, the sides eC: a. oe

whitish -... soe teats ws ee «Protosticta himalaiaca,

my A Bee Drepancatierd : —- yee ee

Beis of arg - fused for a. aor distance at Ee soe

their origin |. ia ti eo ne cole cane naces teas 5 a LOC

142

266.

267.

268,

269.

270.

271

272.

273. 2

275,

276.

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

Genus—Platysticta :-—

Sectors of arc separated at their origin fe aA - 270

Species confined to N. India. Abdominal seg-

ments 8 and 9 entirely blue above .. . -Drepanosticta car:

michaeli.

Species confined to Burma. Abdominal seg-

ment 8 with its apical half and the whole of

segment 9 blue Se ee i ae 268

Species confined to Ceylon. ‘Segment 8

usually entirely black . ; Pe 1.) eee

Abdomen 50 mm. in length ; (hore on ine mid:

dorsum metallic green .. . .Drepanosticta viridis,

< Abdomen 35 mm. in length; de on the

. middorsum brownish black

. .Drepanosticta quadrata,

Abdominal segment 8 all black, 9 black marie

with a large basal and a small apical blue spot. Drepanosticta tropica.

Abdominal segment 8 all black, its apical bor-

Abdominal segment 8 all black, 9 all blue =... Drepanosticta digna.

der and the whole of segment 9 blue.. .-Drepanosticta hilaris.

Abdominal segments 8 and 9 brown . Drepanosticia montana.

Apices of all wings broadly. black ate .- Platysticta apicalis,

Apices of all wings hyaline ae Pa a 27k

f Thorax black marked with yellow ; abdoannal

| segments 8 to 10 blue on the dorsum ..Platysticta maculata.

Thorax bright reddish brown ; only segments 8

and 9 blue on the dorsum .. Platysticta deccanensis.

the nervure ac to meet the nervure des-

The anal bridge complete (that is it runs fon

cending from the outer end of quadrilateral) . . fe ie 275

The anal bridge incomplete or absent (when

incomplete its outer end curves down to

meet the hinder border of wing before the

level of the nervure descending from the

outer end of quardrilateral .. ee Rh ee St 28t

Genus—Chloroneura :—

eens of male coloured ay with blackish

brown .. ee ¥: -. > 2a

Wings of male uneoloured di 275

Apices of all wings broadly tipped with Backs iChigroneae apicalis,

All wings traversed by a broad blackish brown

fascia about the middle .. ED .-Choloroneura quadri-

The nervure Cui reaching the hinder margin of maculata,

wing at about half the length of wing. Com-

paratively large spe black marked with

blue “s : Se ae 276

Genus—Disparoneura:: —

The nervure Cui reaching the hinder margin of

wing well before half the pout of vane

Smaller species, varicoloured ve a 278

(senus—Phylloneura :—

Large species, abdomen about 50mm. in length ;

segments 7t0 10 marked with blie .- --Phylloneura — wester-

Genus—LEsme :— manni.

Smaller species, abdomen about 40mm. in

length ; segments 8 to 10 marked with blue. Lsme cyaneovittata.

Journ., Eombay Nat. Hist. Soc Plate J,

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA,

for evplanation see reverse.

ee)

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 1.

The are, sa. Sectors of arc,ac. The anal crossing known as

nervure ac, ab. The anal bridge known as the nervure ab, Cui

nervure running from lower and outer angle of quadrilateral. ¢

The quadrilateral, abn. The accessory basal nervure.

Apex and base of wing of Protosticia. Note that sectors of arc

are fused at origin, the anal bridge is absent and that there

is an accessory basal nervure.

Base of wing of Platysticta. Note that the sectors of arc are

separated at their origin, that the anal bridge is present

running from ac to the underside of quadrilateral and that

there is an accessory basal nervue.

Base of wing of Drepanosticta. Note that the anal bridge is

present running from the lower border of quadrilateral to

hinder border of wing, the sectors of arc are fused at their

origin and there is an accessory basal nervure.

Base of wing of L’sme. Note that the anal bridge is present and

complete. Cutis of great length.

Base of wing of Indoneuva. Note that the anal bridge is present

but incomplete. Cui is of great length.

Base of wing of Melanoneura. Note that the anal bridge is

absent. Cui is of great length.

Base of wing of Caconeura. Note that anal bridge is present but

incomplete. Cui is very short. ( The bridge is often absent in

this genus. )

Base of wing of DVisparoneura. Note that the anal bridge is

present and complete and that Cua is very short.

278,

Bios

280.

281.

283.

284,

285.

286.

287.

288,

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA, 743

( Species confined to Ceylon se oe “és 6 278

Species confined to South and Central India ae a oF 279

Species confined to N. E. India and Burma 5 ee 280

Thorax pulverulent blue; posterior border of

prothorax rounded ste ‘ .Disparoneura cesia,

Thorax black with two yellow Spell on the

sides ; posterior border of ErOEncres notched

on either side .. ..Disparoneura centralis.

Thorax black marked with two red Sires on

the back and a red and yellow stripe on the

| sides ' .Disparoneura tenax.

Thorax black, prlimosed | on ile aides aad

teach. _ Superior anal appendages obliquely

| truncate as seen in profile. Found in open .

sunlit places beside streams. .. oe ..Disparoneura nigerri-

Thorax black (with pale yellow stripes on the MA.

dorsum of thorax in recently emerged speci-

mens). Superior anal appendages bifid as

| seen in profile. Found in dark shady spots

on covered streams. : ae . Disparoneura tetrica.

( Thorax black marked with blue oe Disparoneura campioni.

Thorax black marked with red. ds Disparoneura fletcheri.

Thorax black marked with yellow se Disparoneura atkinsoni,

(The nervure Cui reaching hinder margin of

wing at about half the length of the wing.. = os 282

Genus—Caconeura :—

The nervure Cui reaching the hinder border of

wing well before half the length of the wing ee ae 284

Genus—M elanoneura :—

The anal bridge (ab) absent ne a . Melanoneura bilineata.

Genus—Indoneura :—

The anal bridge present but always incomplete He ae 283

Species with abdomen 36 mm. in length. Con-

fined to the grassy uplancs of the Nilgiris at

about 7,000 ft. .. é Indoneura gonphov es,

Species with abdomen 441 mm. in Heagihr Found

in forests not above 6,500 feet in fhe Nilgiris,

Coorg and South Canara oe aie .. Indoneura ramburt.

The anal bridge always present but incomplete x. t 285

| The anal bridge always absent .. ai ts 286

( Thorax black with a broad blue panna mark

__ oneach side of the dorsum. (Burma) .. .Caconeura botti.

Thorax metallic purple marked obscurely wi th

| yellow on the sides ss ce Me . Caconeura mackwoodt,

4 Thorax black marked with red . : os as 287

Thorax black marked with creamy white or

yellow .. a Hoe 288

Thorax black, unmarked o or very - obscurely So ae = 289

Thorax black marked with azure blue .. . -Caconeura theebawi.

Pilon. black unmarked . .Caconeura odoneli.

Postnodal nervures in forewing 1B to 15 . Caconeura anandalei,

Postnodal nervures in forewing numbering 17. .Caconeura verticalis.

(Thorax bronzed black marked with a white

' shoulder stripe and a broad lateral band. . Caconeura sita,

+ Thorax black marked with two lateral yellow

SU wtripes =o... os se ws ue . -Caconeura canningi.

744° JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1IX,

Thorax ‘entirely black ; 15 postnodal nervures

in forewing °- -. Caconeura nigra. .

289, Thorax black, marked with: two lateral Bicaniiah.-

white stripes. Only 13 pence nervures.

| in forewing as é : Ae - Caconeura autumnalis,

(Subfamily—M. gh lode — ;

| Several supplementary nervures present in oo

| addition to Mia; stigma elongate, approach- :

| ing that of Lestes in shape a ve .. Arigiolestes m el an O-

290. < Genus—Arigiolestes One species only— — thorax,

| Subfamily—Cenagrionine :— !

No supplementary nervures other than Mi 10 ; |

{ stigmavery short, square or diamond shaped Fe! Ben. 291

(Upper and lower sides of quadrilateral about

equal, the quadrilateral square atits outer :

| end‘; hind tibize very broad and flattened .. sort i Se ae ee

201. < Upper side of quadrilateral shorter than the

| lower, outer end of quadrilateral more or less

acutely pointed ; hind tibize not broadened

| or flattened aes ce = Bt; : + A - 295

Genus—Platycnemis :— . Ste :

| Hind tibize broadened in both sexes; dorsum iat

| of thorax marked with metallic green bands Platycnemis latipes

22; < c Masa)

| | Genus—Copera:—

| Hind tibie broadened anes in the males ; ; ok

{no metallic bands on dorsum of thorax bees E evayedt 293

(Tibi ‘greatly dilated, white; inferior’ anal’ Ku

appendage much ccs than superior and ©

curved strongly down...'° . . Copera annulaia,

293. i biee moderately dilated, pranees inferior anal

1 ‘appendage four times as long as superior and "

| directed straight back: A . Copera marginipes,

| Tibize variable ; inferior’ anal appendages only :

| twics the length of the superior’ <4 ‘es: 20

(Tibiz sips dilated, Roca ieen ‘sh’ a Sa

294, < yellow .. ; : Spare - vittata dec-

cae | ae canensis.:

| Tibie only slightly 4 dilated. brown .. =... Copera vittata piliaia.

the length of lower. Most of the cells in’ q

wings four-sided ~ : Eger eae 296

295. 4 Quadrilateral with upper side only half or less ES a

i than half the length of’ lower, outer end } a

~~ acutely pointed. Many cells in wings oe aan !

| five-sided Be ee ee gies 305

(Genus—Celiccia :— ° mf ee ei |

4 The nervures ac and ab meet at the margin of

96,

{ Quadrilateral with upper side two-thirds or more’

2 the wing Mame

The nervure ac meets ab well away from the NS «ae

(margin of the wing ~ . ve eek, rn

(Segments9 and 10 and the anal appendages aa

black ; two oval blue spots on lower part of = = 5: :

297. frontof thorax which may or may not be = >) | He

coalescent with a blue outer stripe ;.18 to 24 iad

-'.'-(-* postnodal'nervures in forewing-. .-- . Oct renifer

Plaie Il.

Journ,, Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

HINDLA.

NFLY COLLECTING

DRAGO

For explanation see reverse.

“I

te.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE II.

Base of wing of Onychargia. Note that the arc is at the level of

the 2nd antenodal nervure, that the quadrilateral is rather

broader than usual, that ab meets ac well away from the wing

margin and meets Cui? at an angle.

Base of wing of Mortonagrion. Note that the arc is distal to the

level of the 2nd antenodal nervure, that the anal bridge

(ab ) isin a continuous straight line with Cui. (This latter

feature is also seen in Indagrion. )

Base of wing of Calicnemis. Note that upper and lower borders of

quadrilateral are nearly equal and that the quadrilateral is sub-

acutely pointed.

Base of wing of Aciagricn and Pseudagrion, Note that ab and ac

meet at the wing margin.

Apex of wing of Canayrion. Note that there are nv supplement-

ary longitudinal nervures save Mia.

Apex of wing of <Argiolestes. Note that there are many other

supplementary longitudinal nervures in addition to Ma. The

stigma is also rather clongated.

Wing of Agriocnemis. Note the position of are, distal to the 2nd

antenodal nervure.

Stigma of Celiccia.

Diamond-shaped stigma of Caconcura.

Bicolorous stigma of forewing of Jschnura.

Unicolorous stigma of hindwing of Jschnura.

Bicolorous and unevenly shaped stigma of Ischnura fercipata.

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA." | |. 745°

Segments 9 and 10 and anal appendages yellow ;

_ two small blue spots on upper part and two

297. larger oval spots of the same colour on lower

; part of front of thorax. Only 17 eae

| mervuresinfrontwing —.. 4 Celrccia didyma. .

( Genus— Indocnemis :—

| Large species with abdomen 50 mm. in length ;

black marked with blue. Wings HELO 35

| mm. inlength .. vs ae tie . Indocnemis hein.

998, 4G enus—Calicnemis ——

‘| Smaller species with abdomen usually under

40 mm. in length; colours usually red and

yellow (except C. pulverulans which is

black marked with blue). Wings abies

299

| generally under 30 mm. in length ee

.¢( Legs yellow or ochreous eS ; Wg -- 300

299. ess begat black .. oes ae aol

(Abdomen entirely bright red. os Guncians extmea.

360. < Abdomen bright red with the intersegmental

|. joints black, segments 9 and 19 blackish . .Caleenemis miles.

( Abdomen slender, 35 mm. in length a ais -. 302

301. Abdomen stout, 30 mm. or less in length.. : - «. 803

Roo | Thorax black, iammecled COR ORE mortont,

302 Thorax black, marked ae with chrome

oe \ yellow ‘ : .. «.Calicnemis chro mM: 0~

es id thorax,

is horax and abdomen black, the former with

es blue markings more or less obscured with

303. ~ pruinescence .. .Calicnemispulverulans.

a Thorax black marked with yellow, abdornen as

B.. } bright red — re : .. . 3804

304 f Inferior anal appendages longer that ‘ihe superiorCalien emis miniata,

s } Inferior anal, appendages of same - length as

BROT. pear Ge ins a oT ..Calicnemis eryth 1.0 =

melas. i

The nervure ac meets ab well away from the wing

is margin .. aA Bet a B00

305. < The nervure ac meets: ab at the wing ‘margin ~

or if slightly separated from it then the insects

e. coloured palest yellow — Jee | | 886

a (* bifid tubercle on the hinder border of the 10th in

306. i abdominal segment... ve 2. | «BOF

No tubercle on the 10th abdominal sezment Ee a a sO)

Be . ( Genus—Mortonagrion :—

307. The are well distal to the 2nd antenodal nervureM ortonagrion varralli.

The are at the level of the 2nd antenodal. . és -- 308

Genus—Onychargia i— i

‘| Stigma in fore and: - hind-wings so gailarhy? col-

| oured ; no rounded coloured spots behind the

| eyes ; abdomen and wings approxmiately the Soe

308. 2 same length .. ae 5 fe . Onychargia atr ocyana,

‘ Genus—I schnura 1—

oe of forewing Fi frorotithy coloured to that 2 i) ian

. of the hind; a round coloured.spot behind = ee

2 each eye usually blue in colour; abdomen.

«= considerably longer than the wings ... .. -..5..+-. * 809

746

309.

310.

311.

312.

316.

317.

318.

31.

320.

JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY Vol, XXIX,

Abdominal segments 8 and 9 marked with blue

Abdominal segments 8 and 9 unmarked with blue

Segments 3 to 6 yellow, segment 3 unmarked,

segments 4 to 6 unmarked or with only some

small black apical markings ..

Segments 3 to 6 with the whole ai oem

broadiy black .. :

Thorax with the sides and : a stripe on eae side

of the dorsum blue ;segment.2 broadly black

on dorsum ; moderately sized species from

5S 310

ee 314

Kashmir ae af: ..Ischnura inarmata,

Thorax with the sides and a stripe on each side

of dorsum pale greenish yellow; segment 2

only finely marked with black on dorsum ; very

small species, abdomen 20 mm. in length or

less se ee ° he

(Stigma of forewing with its inner side more

oblique than the outer, its costal side much

shorter than the ese ;segment9 entirely

. Lschnura auror a.

blue a Ischnura forcipata,

Stigma of forewing ‘with - inner and outer s? des

parallel, costal and posterior sides equal ; seg-

ment 9 blue marked with black on the dorsum

313

Segment 2 matt black on the dorsum .. . Ischnura elegans.

Segment 2 metallic blue black onthe dorsum ..Ischnura senegalensis.

(Segments 1 to 6 bright orange, 7tol0black ..Ischnura annandalei.

Segments 1 to 7 and basal half of 8 bright orange,

the remainder black si “- we

The arc well distal of the 2nd antenodal nervure

The arc arising at the level of the 2nd

antenoda nervure ae

Genus—Indagrion:—

The anal brigde (ab) and Cuii in a continuous

straight line, that is their point of junction is

not angulated .. : :

The anal bridge and Oh not Lgmianitiiain,

(their point of junction strongly angulated

Genus—Argiocnemis 1—

Large species, abdomenabout 30 mm. long;

10 to 12 postnodal nervures in forewing

Genus—A griocnemis :—

e ee ee

. Ischnura rufostigma.

we 316

- 327

. Indagrion gautama.

Smaller species, adodmen not more than 20 mm.

long, usually less than this; 6 to 8 postnodal

nervures inforewing .. ae

Abdominal segment 8 with blue markings on

the sides only ; segment 9, all blue, segment

10 blue with the dorsal ridge black

Abdominal segments 8 and 9 all blue except ae

a fine black apical mark on the dorsum and

an additional two small spots on segment 8

|) 3

. .Agriocnemis aborense.

-s ae 320

ws oH 32h

lying just in front of the apical marking . . Agriocnemis rubescens:

Upper lip metallic blue .. oe ae wi

Upper lip non-metallic .. f

Superior anal appendages munch longer fae

| inferior ae sue ae a

. -Agriocnemis p ygmae.

Plate ifs.

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

NDIA

IN I

OTIN'

OLLI

NFLY C

{

Por eu planation SCE LTEVErSC,

EXPLANATION OF PLATE II.

1, Head of Ischnura, showing postocular coloured spots.

2, Head of Ceriagrion, showing the ridge on frons. No postocular

spots.

3, Terminal segments and anal appendages of Copera marginipes, the

inferior appendage much longer than the superior. Lateral view.

4, Terminal segments and anal appendages of Copera annulata.

5. Leg of Copera showing great dilatation of tibia.

6. End of abdomen of Ischnura, showing dorsal tubercles on segment

1:02

7. End of abdomen of Onychargia, showing dorsal tubercles on

segment 10.

8. First four abdominal segments of Himalayrion exclamationis seen

from the side, showing markings.

9. Second abdominal segment of Ayriocnemis clauseni, showing charac-

teristic dorsal marking.

10. The same of Agriocnemis dabreui.

11. Terminal segments of Ayriocnemis rubescens, dorsal aspect.

12. End of 6th and 7th segments of Ayriocnemis clauseni.

13, Terminal segments of Ayrivenemis naia, dorsal aspect (subject to

some variation).

14. Head and thorax of Celiccia didyma, showing unusual nature of

markings,

15. Head and thorax of Agricenemis clausent, showing a common type

of marking.

16. Head and thorax of Caconeura bott?, showing a broad and unusual

type of marking.

17. Terminal segments of Jnallagma, Ischnura and <Aciagrion, seen

from the side, showing the spine under segment &.

18. Ist and 2nd abdominal segments of Fseudagrion bengalense.

19. Same of Pseudagrion williamsont.

20. Same of Pseudagrion indicum.

2). Terminal abdominal segments of Pseudagrion indicum.

320.

322,

323.

324

325,

326,

327,

329,

330

del,

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 747 —

Superior anal appendages much shorter than

inferior be . Agriocnemis incisa.

The black on doretm of seamient 2 enclos-

ing two spots of blue .. i Se 322

The black on dorsum of poonrent 2 Teeareed Be ne 325

Ground colour of terminal segments of abdomen

ochreous ; no ventral spine beneath superior

anal appendages te - Agriocnemis @abreur.

Ground colour of terminal segments of abdomen

blue; a ventral spine beneath superior

Ayn

anal appendages ae ae 323

8th abdominal segment blue marked with black 385 ar 324

8th abdominal segmert entirely black . Agriocnemis clausent

A broad black dorsal stripe on segment 8 extend-

ing the whole length of segment ana expand-

ing broadly at its apex . Agriocnemis nana,

Dorsal black stripe on segment 8 fapéring fon

base to apex and not extending as far as the

apical border : ae . Agriocnemis naia.

Superior anal ppendaee: without a eae

beneath ae sie ae oe . Agriocnemis splendidis-

nA,

sima.

| Superior anal appendages with a robust spine

{ beneath us o 326

| Abdominal segments 8 io 10 white; legs patrols

p) white «.; .-Agriocnemis lacteola.

} Abdominal segmer ie 8 ti 10 palest blue ; legs

white marked with black Ac a . Agriocnemis pieris.

Genus—Himalagrion :-—

Large species, abdomen 32mm.long, 14 postnodal

nervures to hindwing ; black marked with blue

(these markings on segments 3 to 6 take the

shape of notes of exclamation on each side) ..Himalagrion exclama-

tionis

easton er Weta

| Smaller species with abdomen about 20 mm.

[ long or less ; only 5 to 7 postnodal nervures

in hindwing ae ae Se ais Bc on ne 328

{ Genus—Rhodischnura :—

Abdominal segments 1 to 4 red, 5 to 6 citron

yellow, 7 to 10 black .. .Rhodischnura nurse.

| Abdominal segments blue marked with black - = 329

Genus—Enallagma :.—

Females with a sharp spine beneath and on the

posterior border of segment 8 oe 26 = sks 330

Genus—Ceenagrion :—

| Females without any spine on segment 8 ne See 330

Very small species, abdomen 17mm. long; 6 to 7

postnodal nervures in forewing x . Lnallagma parvum.

Larger species, abdomen 22 to 28 mm. long;

8 to 14 postnodal nervures in forewing.. ag ee doh

Abdominal segment 2 blue with a small subapical

middorsad black spot. which may or may

J not be connected to an apical black ring. Ne egjuthigerw: um.

1) ae segment 2 blue with a broad

dorsal black marking extending from apex

WP cmearly to.base<... 0 2s. sose woaeee Sioa, ules ce 332

748° JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

marking on segment 1 not extending to the

J BPO sore, oh gee on as 2. ..Hnallagma malayanu,

Forewing. with 10 postnodal nervures ; -dorsal Z a:

| Forewing with’8 postnodal nervures; dorsai

marking on segment 1 pm from base - ° »

to apex Sate ae .-Brallagma insula:

A pale pyriform spot behiitd sich eye ; ior |

broadly black‘on dorsum with a blue stripe

332,

333. on each side. Female with 3 fine black

lines on middorsum of thorax ~ .. see ion dyeri.

No spots behind the eyes -.. - a RT oe

(Dorsum of thorax broadly black aie with

an almost obsolete greenish white stripe on

each side, laterally greenish white .. .Canagrion nigr wes.

234 Dorsum of thorax broadly black, manrinidied:

oe ‘ laterally deep voilet . : . Ceenaqrion BURG

Female only known. Thorax greenish franied

with a single black smb on the middorsal

ridge .. : e. .- « .Ceenagrion gravelyi.

Genus—Ceriagrion :—

A prominent raised ridge on front of head ; no ae

335 coloured spots behind the eyes _... ae 4 ee ae

| Noridge on front of head _.; a coloured spot « or ~

| ~ space usually present behind each eye ~~... oe AP

(Head, thorax and abdomen entirely azure blueCervagri ion coer ulescens.

335, Colour variable’ never blue (except C. cerino- ; ; = oe

rubellum which is partly blue)... pang shee : Me 331

( Anal bridge-meeting dc at a ‘slight distance es ae

| from mG hind margin of -wing; colour el

337. < creenish yellow marked with black... ss) eet jae orem

| Anal bridge meeting ac at the wing margin ; : ia

- |. colour variable . : = owe ghee

Superior anal appendages less than half the ae

length of segment 10, quadrate inferior

appendage directed upward .. .Ceriagrion melanurum,

338. Superior anal appendages more than half the 7

length of segment 10, linear; inferior anal

appendage directed straight back . . Ceriagrion falta.

Abdomen red at either end, the eitemiening: Eee -

segments black ; thorax green and blue . .Ceriagrion ‘Conor used um.

Abdomen citron yellow, thorax olive green. ..Ceriagrion. coromande-

lianum.. ~ ;

339. Abdomen olivaceous brown <.: .. . .Ceriagrion. olivaceum,. “

Abdomen bright orange ae .. . «.Ceriagrion rubiae,

Abdomen bright red : ; Pe . .Ceriagrion: erubescens.

Abdomen pale reddish brown . =) camer - Ceriagrion aurantiacum.

( Genus—Aciagrion :— . = oie 4

| Female with a spine on ‘he postouer a cnet ee

| border of segment 8 on its under aspect; -:

| stigma of forewing distinctly larger. than. <>. oe

340. 1 that ‘of the hind =02er, 4a) 3 ae we aay | ae

-Genus—Pseudagrion :—. bse

Female without a spine on the Andean: of —

segment 8; stigma of the same size in | isa

ect > Gil WINGS. sxe 5) erseisl, ” Sipsics | pce euly paiteke o eaeees ee eaacal see 345

341,

342,

843.

344,

345,

346,

347.

348,

349,

350.

|. DRAGONFLY. COLLECTING IN INDIA. 2°. % 149

30 mm. in length. Segments 8, 9 and 10 pale arte

blue or bluish grey unmarked with black . at ‘ ~. 342

Species with shorter and stouter abdomen,

considerably shorter than 30 mm. in length;

_ segments 8, 9 and 10 deep azure blue and

at least some of them marked with black.. a i. waote

Ground colour pale whitish brown; thorax

-with two poorly defined pale bluish stripes

on each side; a large bluish spot behind

each eye ae .Acragrion pallidum,

Grourd colour pale whitish ‘brown ; " thorax

with a well-defined blue stripe on each side

1 of dorsum; a transverse stripe of blue

across the occiput from eye to eye .-Aciagrion olympicum.

Ground colour blue, the thorax black on the

dorsum witha well defined blue stripe on

each side ; a large blue spot behind each eyeAciagrion azureum.

Segment 8 blue with a broad band of black on

the dorsum ig ee towards the base of

segment . Aciagrion occidentalis.

Segment 8 blue, no Binet domal mraniencs bs At pe Nowy ote

;

| Sides of thorax yellow or greenish yellow ;

| Species with long slim abdomen not less than

segment 8 with or without a short black

stripe on each side .. 4 é .. Aciagrion hisopa.

Sides of thorax blue or black couted ein. a

whitish pruinescence ; as ent 8 always

unmarked .. -. Aciagrion tillyardi.

( Abdominal segments 1 to 8 azure blue un-

4 marked with black .. . Pseudagrion azureum.

Abdominal segments 1 to 7 Blues all Tuatleed

{ broadly with black .. ‘ ay ia ne eis .. 346

Segments 8, 9 and 10, all ee Me ae hice .. 347

Segments 8, 9 and 10 blue, at least some a

| them marked with black .. ws si ets oe -. 348

| Segments 8, 9 and 10, all blue se oe ae: ». 354

( Thorax black with an olive coloured stripe. on

each side : .Pseudagrion hypermelas,

Thorax blue with a black Tne on tities aile

| of the middorsal ridge rs ..Pseudagrion bidentatum

i Only segment 10 marked with black a a a .. 349

Segments 8, 9 and 10 marked with black .. a per .. 353

(Not less than 10 Eee nervures in

forewing : Bs ie 2. 300

+ Not more than 8 postnodal nervures in fore-

wing (occasionally 9 in some specimens of

+ Pseudagrion spencei.) aye ae ser OOo

Ground colour black heavily pruinosed

with white on the sides and beneath of

thorax : Ae . Pseudagrion pruinosum

Ground colour azure blue, no pruinescence ite ane a -. do]

A es marked apical black ring on segment

;inferior anal appendages as long as ©

segment Ln ce ae os 58 . Pseudagrion microce-

phaium.

750 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X,

8 black; superior anal appendages only half

the length of segment 10 Bs . -Pseudagrion peng wense,

(Ground colour azure blue. Female with the

| black markings on abdomen very restricted

359 and segments 3 to 6 usually unmarked ..Pseudagrion —spencei.

: Ground colour lilaceous. Female with broad

) black markings on abdomen, segments 3 to

| 6 always broadly marked us ..Pseudagrion laidlawi,

(Moderately large species, abdomen 33 mm,

| long; segments 8 and 9 with narrow apical

| black rings which extend forward on the

| dorsum of each segment as two tongue like

points : .Pseudagrion indicum,

353. ~< Smaller species, aiden only 23 mm, lone:

segments 8 and 9 with broad apical black

| rings covering about one-fourth of the seg-

{3 the apical row of spines on segment

351

| ments (Burma only.) .. ot = ..Pseudagrion william-

lk son.

Face and front of eyes pale greenish yellow ..Pseudagrion decorum.

354, | ees and front of eyes bright orange .. ..Pseudagrion rubriceps.

GLOSSARY.

Ab.—The anal bridge. A small longitudinal nervure running from near

the base of the wing and from its posterior border to join the nervure

descending from the lower and outer end of the quadrilateral.

Abdomen.—The part of the body lying behind the thorax, composed of ten

segments numbered from the thorax towards the anal end.

Ac.—The anal crossing. A small transverse nervure on the posterior

border of the wing lying between the level of the two antenodal ner-

vures and meeting the anal bridge when this is present.

Anal segments.—The end segments of the abdomen.

Antehumeral stripe-—Stripes on the front of thorax lying anterior and

parallel to the shoulder region. Occasionally they run obliquely down

and outwards.

Antenodal nervures.—Short transverse nervures lying between the costal

margin of wing and the radius to the inner side of the node. They are

numerous in all species except the Cenagrionine.

Apical.—The part furthest removed from the thorax.

Arc.—The short transverse nervure from which the nervures Mi-2i2 and Miv

take origin. Situated near the base of the wing at the upper and inner

angle of the trigone or quadrilateral.

Auricles—Small ear-like processes springing from the sides of the 2nd

abdominal segment in some of the Anisoptera.

Basal_—The part nearest the thorax.

Basal antenodal nervure-—The antenodal nervure lying nearest the base

of wing and occupying only the posterior half of the space. Only

found in the Gomphine.

Basal space-—The space lying internal to the arc.

arcular space.

Braced.—A term applied to the stigma when it has an oblique nervure

running back from its inner end.

Crest of frons—The front edge of the forehead.

Cubital nervure.—Short transverse nervures traversing the cubital space

in the Anisoptera. Usually single but sometimes multiple,

Cubital space-—The space to the inner side of trigone.

The arcular or pre:

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 751

Cui.—The nervure running outward from the lower and outer angle of

trigone or quadrilateral.

Ouii.—The nervure running parallel to and behind Cui.

Dentigerous plate—A spiny or forked plate found beneath the anal end of

the abdomen in the females of -dschninae.

Discoidal cell——The trigone or quadrilateral.

Discoidal field—The area lying between the outer side of the trigone and

the posterior border of wing, bounded in front by Miv and behind by

Cut.

Divaricate—Diverging.

Dorsal mesothoracic triangle-—A triangular area enclosed by a splitting of

the middorsal ridge of the thorax in Rhinocypha males.

Dorsal thoracic stripe-—Antehumeral stripe, which see.

Dorsum.—The back.

Epistome.—The part of the face just above the upper lip and corresponding

to the position of the nose.

Fascia.—A broad belt of colour.

Femur.—The upper part of leg.

Frons.—The forehead. Upper part of face and fore part of head in the

Anisoptera.

Front of thorax.—The upper sloping part.

Humeral stripe-—A longitudinal stripe crossing the shoulder of thorax

from behind forwards.

Hyaline.—Clear, transparent.

Hypertrigone.—The narrow triangle situated above the trigone in the Anisop-

tera.

Labium.—tThe lower lip.

Labrum.—tThe upper lip.

Lamina.—A broad plate lying in front of the genitalia of the male on the

second segment.

Lobe.—A sac-like organ lying posterior to the genitalia of the male on the

second segment.

Loop.—A cluster of cells varying in shape and length lying posterior to and

behind the trigone in the hindwing of most Jbellulide.

Median space—The basal or prearcular space.

Mesothoracic triangle—See Dorsal mesothoracic triangle.

Mia—A short longitudinal nervure at the apex of wing.

Node.—The false joint about the middle of the costal margin of wing.

Occiput.—The space lying between the eyes and at back of head.

Posterior lobe of prothorax.—A collar-like scale situated on the posterior

border of the prothorax.

Postnodal nervures.—Short transverse nervures lying to the outer side

of node and between the costal margin of wing and the nervure run-

ning parallel to it.

Postocular spots—Rounded or subrounded spots of colour lying behind

and to the inner side of eyes in many species of Cenagrionines.

Pruinosed.—Coated with a more or less dense white or bluish bloom.

¢Juadrilateral—The four-sided area at the base of wing below and to

outer side of arc in the Cenagrionide. The discoidal cell. Corres

ponds to the trigone of the Anisoptera.

Sectors of arc—The two nervures springing from the arc,

Subapical.—Near the apex.

Subbasal.—Near the base.

Subdorsal.—Near the dorsal ridge.

Subtrigone—A small triangular area below and behind the trigone of the

Anisoptera

-752 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

Stigma.—The pterostigma. An opaque area on the costal margin of the

wing near the apex, nearly always present but sometimes absent in

one or both sexes.

Supplementary basal nervure.—A small transverse nervure on the posterior

border of the wing proximal to the anal crossing (ac.), only found in

some Protoneurinae.

Tibia.—The foreleg.

Tibial spines——Spines lining both borders of the tibie.

VentralBeneath. The belly-side.

Vesicle—A small eminence found on the upper and fore part of head,

lying just behind the ocelli in the Anisoptera.

Vitreous spots——Iridiscent clear areas found on the wings of most species.

of male Rhinocyphas.

FEMALE DRAGONFLIES.

In the above key only the male dragonfly has been dealt with, little or no

attempt has been made to deal with the females.

It must be borne in mind that the latter, more often than not have the wings

uncoloured even in cases where the male wings are coloured; venation however

is nearly always identical in the two sexes and must be relied upon as the

chief- means of determining the species of any particular female.

In some genera of the Zygoplera there are two or even three varieties of the

female, which renders the task of identification very puzzling.

The chief differences met with between the two sexes may be summed up in

the following rules :—

1. The male genitalia are conspicuous on the underneath of the 2nd abdo-

minal segment whilst the female carries her organs below the 8th and

9th segments.

2. The anal appendages of the female are very small and inconspicuous as

compared to those of the male.

3. The abdomen of the female is much stouter and less shapely than that

of the male.

4, The wings of the female are nearly always uncoloured and modified in

shape; in the Anisoptera the anal angle of the hindwing is rounded off

instead of strongly angulated as is the case usually in the male. In

the larger species of Zygoptera the fore and hind-wings are of the same

shape and width.

5. Colouration is usually more dull and inconspicuous. Where the abdomem

of the male is some shade of red or blue, that of the female will be some

shade of yellow or brown, or if marked in the male, the corresponding

markings in the female will be much more in evidence hiding or obs-

curing the ground colour,

A newly emerged male, especially of the Libelluline closely resembles the |

female in colouring, the blues and reds are not developed for several days. Thus

a female may often be determined by comparing it with a newly emerged.

(teneral) male.

_ In the larger species of Zygoptera the body markings of the females are better

developed, in the Rhinocypha however, the coloured mesothoracic triangle 0

the males is absent in the females.

In the following notes I have endeavoured to deal with striking and individual

differences between the sexes of certain species, showing how the fom of |

such may be identified.

Tetrathemis platyptera.—Wings uncoloured.

Orthetrum.—All females have “the body and abdomen some meee of yellow

or brown, Venation is usually true,

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING OF INDIA, - 753

Rhodothemis rufa.—Abdomen ochreous or brownish yellow. A_ pale

greenish yellow stripe runs from front and dorsum of thorax un-

brokenly on to the first few segments of abdomen.

Indothemis.—Females yellowish, marked with black.

Tholymis tillarga.—Female without the opalescent white spot on hind

wings. Body colour brownish olive.

Diplacodes nebulosa.—Black apices of wings absent. Body colour pale

yellow marked with black.

Sympetrum.—Where males have red bodies the females are yellowish.

Neurothemis fulvia.mFemale differs markedly from the male. The colour

is pale amber and the hyaline spaces at the apices of wings are nearly

always absent. When present they are small and poorly defined.

Neurothemis fluctuans——Wings usually colourless but occasional speci-

mens resemble the male.

Neurothemis tullia tullia and tullia feralis—Females totally different from

the males, so much so in fact that they were for a long time taken to

be two different species. The two sexes are usually found swarming

together in marshes. The base of the wing as far as node pale saffron,

a broad brown fascia traverses the wing at the level of the node av a the

apices are coloured broadly with the same colour.

Lathrecista asiatica—Abdomen rich ochreous in the female. I have only

once taken a female with the abdomen coloured bright red as in

the male.

Brachythemis contaminata.—Wings without the orange bands.

Crocothemis servilia—Females sandy yellow.

Trithemis aurora.—Females yellow marked with black, abdomen cylindrical,

wings with brown apices.

Trithemis festiva——Very similar to aurora but the apices not tipped with

brown.

Azuma and Macromia.—Females with broad compressed abdomen. Yei-

low markings broader and better defined.

Idionyx.—Same as last but the wings often broadly saffronated at the

base.

Orogomphus xanthoptera.—The description in the key is that of the female,

the wings of the male are colourless and narrow. Found only in the

Western Ghats.

Mnais earnshawi.—Wings of female colourless, stigma usually absent.

Neurobasis chinensis ——Wings deep saffron in the female, the node and

false stigma opaque white. No metallic colouring on wings.

Anisopleura.—The angulation of the costa in the hindwing is absent so that

they are apt to be confused with Bayadera.

Caliphaea confusa.—Wings colourless, thorax green metalli:, no parts of

body pruinosed.

Pseudophea.—All females remarkably alike. Wirgs simular in shape

and narrow, uncoloured or with the apices indifferently tipped with

brown. Markings of body better defined but of the same pattern as

in the males.

Rhinocypha and Micromerus.—Wings colourless. Stigma always present

and wellformed. Coloured mesothoracic triangle absent. Unless

taken in company with the male, females of Rhinocypha offer the great-

est difficulty in identification, as they resemble each other so closely.

Protoneura.—Females are much shorter and stouter than the males, but

markings are very similar.

Chloroneura.—Females have the wings colourless.

Disparoneura and Caconeura.—In males where the body markings are red.

the corresponding females are marked with yellow.

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

Copera.—Females more sombre, legs pale brown, abdomen stouter and

shorter.

Calicnemis.—The differences here are best expressed by means of a key.

The one given is a modification of Laidlaw’s.

( Legs yellow ; dorsum of abdomen bronze green C. eximia.

1, < Legs black ; dorsum of abdomen black ..C. mortoni.

| Legs black marked with yellow .. ae - $3 ai 2

2. ane yellow marked with black .. & ei Ar 3

aan crimson uP is 4

f Whole of abdomen back © or thie baval segments

yellow marked with black... .C. pulverulans,

Abdomen black, terminal segments bright

a yellow .. .C. chromothorax.

Abdomen aie: clouded ‘with black through

out : ne ..C. miles.

4 ; Upper lip black a ‘i os . .C. erythromelas.

*+ | Upper lip reddish brown . ..C. miniata.

Celiccia.—Dorsal markings on "thorax a plain outer stripe of yellow on

each side.

Ischnura.—Nearly all the species of this genus have at least two distinct

types of female which usually differ very markedly from the males.

Except in the orange type of female, the head and thorax closely re-

semble the male. Fortunately it is rare to take any two species in the

same locality except J. senegalensis and IJ. aurora and here the differ-

ences in size are so marked that there is no difficulty in separating

the two.

I. inarmata.—Three types of female.

1. Thorax bright orange without any black marking.

2. Head and thorax closely resembling male. Ground colour pale

blue, all segments marked broadly on dorsum with black,

Middorsal ridge of thorax finely yellow.

3. Similar but the ground colour palest brown.

J. aurora.—Ground colour orange or ochreous, all abdominal segments

broadly black on dorsum. No blue marks.

I. forcipataa—Females resemble those of senegalensis but no orange

female is known although it probably exists. Stigma pale brown and

diamond shaped in all wings.

I. elegans.—Two types of female known. One resembling the male

very closely and an orange form closely similar to that of senegalensis.

I. senegalensis.—Three types of female known.

1. Exactly similar to the male.

2. An orange form with the thorax bearing a broad median black

stripe.

3. Ground colour dirty brown, abdomen marked broadly with

black throughout.

I. annandalei and I. rufostigma.—Females resemble males closely

except that all segments of abdomen bear traces of black.

Agriocnemis and Argiocnemis.—Females of these are markedly polymorphic.

All species have a reddish coloured female which represents the newly

emerged insect and from this all grades of colouring are met with

to the adult insect.

These red females are the analogues of the orange females of Jschnura.

In the adult insect, the abdomen is broadly marked with black but

the head and thorax do not differ markedly from that of the respective

males, so that there is usually not much difficulty in determining them. ©

A, incisa.—This species has a pale citron yellow type of female and an

DRAGONFLY COLLECTING OF INDIA. 755

equally common rose-pink type. The former has the thorax unmarked,

the latter bears a broad, median black stripe on the dorsum.

Rhodischnura nursei.—The female is dimorphic. One type is similar to

the male but is rare, The common type is not unlike the female of

I, aurora but there is only a single broad band of black on the dorsum

of thorax and no enclosed stripes of the ground colour. A third type

has the thorax similar but the abdomen red marked finely with black

on segments 1 to 6, and broadly from 7 to 10.

Ceenagrion dyert.—The ground colour of the female is pale grey, the thorax

bearing 3 fine parallel black lines on the middorsum and the abdomen

marked broadly with black throughout.

Ceriagrion.— Both sexes usually similar but the females more sombre.

C. fallax and C. melanurum have the abdomen broadly marked with

warm brown changing to deep black on segments 6 to 10. C. coromande-

lianum has the abdomen olivaceous brown and may be confused with

olivaceum. Other species are usually taken in company with their

respective mates.

Enallagma and Aciagrion.—Sexes closely similar but the blue shoulder

stripes are pale greenish yellowin the females.

Pseudagrion.—The females of these are very confusing as they differ widely

in colour from that of the males and bear a more or less close resem-

blance to each other.

J have thought it best to make out a key for these but as they are usually

taken paired with the males, the characters of these should be relied

upon for determining the species.

Thorax with only a single fine middorsal black

» line 2

1. < Thorax arth 3 fine parallel ‘black ies on mite

le edorsum: . 3

( Ground colour pale blue; black marking « on dor-

| sum of segment 9 split into two apical points P. microcephalum,

< Similar but a deeper blue.. sie A * .. P. bengalense.

| Ground colour pale green; 9th segment with a

| broad, quadrate black mark .. a .. LP. decorum,

(Black markings on segments 2 to 6, very narrow

| and restricted .. F P. spencet,

4 Black markings on segments 2 to 6, very broad

and covering most of dorsum .. a2

More than 10 postnodal nervures to forewing .

Less than 10 postnodal nervures to forewing ..

(More than 12 postnodal nervures to forewing ..

5. 2 Not more than 12 postnodal nervures to fore-

wing ae ate ats ai se she

6 eae 8 all blue at ene ays . P. azureum.

Segment 8 all black : . P. pruinosum

Segment 8 all black; 11 postnodal nervures to

{ forewing . . P. rubriceps.

ns Segment 8 black marked with a blue apical ring,

i 12 postnodal nervures to forewing .. . P. indicum.

{ Ground colour of thorax violaceous brown ; ;

segment 10 unmarked - 8 postnodal nervures to

3 forewing .. : . P. laidlawi.

Ground colour of thorax pale greenish yellow ; :

| segment 10 with a basal mark of black; 9

| postnodal nervures to forewing ae .« P. hypermelas.

I OOo

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

ERRATA.

Part IT.

Page 53, lines 5 and 10 from top cf page, Cuzz should be Cuz.

Page 54, line 11, the figure 6 should be 8.

Page 58, line 8, Macromiaida should be Macromia ida, and on lines 41 and

47, Indomacromia should read Phyllomacromia.

Page 59, fifth line from bottom, specious should read speciosus,

Page 65, lines 4 and 7, the word b:forceps should be omitted.

Part ITI.

Page 474, line 3 from bottom of page, the letter B should read D.

Page 475, lines 15 and 16 from bottom of page, subfamily should read

family,

Page 478, line 2, from top of page, Pseudophaea ethelt should read

Dysphaea ethela,

Page 479, line 27, the word perforata should be omitted.

Page 480, line 12 from bottom of page, the word praemorsa should be

omitted.

757

A DESCRIPTION OF THE NESTS AND EGGS OF THE COMMON BIRDS

OCCURRING IN THE PLAINS OF THE UNITED PROVINCES,

E. H. N. Git.

' Part Iv.

(With 3 plates.)

(Continued from page 344 of this volume.)

Pratincola caprata el ee .. The Common Pied Bush-Chat.

Local name ae .. Kala Pidha,

Anglo-Indian name as .» The Pied Robin.

This species seems to have a curious distribution, in that it is comparatively

common.in some districts, and rare in others. It seems to occur more abundantly

jn wild, open country ; and is very common in the hilly, scrub covered tracts of

—

———

the Mirzapur, Allahabad, Banda and Jhansi districts; and in the wilder por-

tions of the Rohilkhand division. In the Eastern districts it is rare, and is

seldom met with. I cannot remember ever having seen it East of Benares.

The breeding season is from March to June, though the majority lay in March

and April. The nests are shallow, saucer-like structures composed of soft grasses,

fine roots, and wool; lined with hair and other soft materials ; placed in holes

_ in walls or banks quite near the ground; the entrance being carefully sheltered

externally. Sometimes the nests are in dense bushes or tufts of grass, but always .

close to the ground. The birds are shy and wary, and as the nests are well

concealed, a great number escape detection. ‘Two nests of unique type taken

by Colonel Marshall at Saharanpur are worthy of mention. ‘““They were situated’,

he says, ‘“‘in the middle of tufts of surkery-grass, the insides of which had been

all hollowed out, so as to leave a circular space of bare ground in the middle

| about a foot in diameter, which was sparsely covered over with bits of grass ;

this circular space was roofed over by drawing the surrounding grass-stems

together and weaving in other pieces so as to form asort of dome. The interior

_ height of the structure was about 18 inches. The entrance was circular on one

pide near the top, about 15 inches above the floor of the chamber. The egg-

receptacle was a hollow in the floor of the chamber near one side farthest from

_ the entrance and neatly lined with grass, about 2} inches across, and about

_ 14 inch deep.”

Normally only four eggs are laid in shape rather broad ovals slightly pointed

| towards one end, and fairly glossy. The ground-colour is a delicate pale greenish

_ blue, and the markings consist of specks, streaks, and splashes of reddish brown

scattered over the egg, and having a tendency to collect in an irregular cap at

the large end. In some specimens the streaks and splashes predominate, and

in others only the speckles ; and a normal egg would measure about 0°65 by

0°56 inch.

Cercomela fusca (629) .. .. The Brown Rock-Chat.

Local name axe a .. Shama.

Anglo-Indian name aed .. The Sharma.

This is a common bird throughout the Province, and is peculiar for its curious

attachment for old ruins, buildings, forts, mosques, temple:, and quarries,

_ It bobs up most unexpectedly in the wierdest places and darkest corners where

_ its haunting voice and dull, sober colouring strikes a note of unspeakable

loneliness. Summer and winter they haunt the same buildings and are never

absent from the vicinity of their breeding grounds; in some cases becoming

80 domesticated as to be almost handled. A pair have been breeding in the

_ Bareilly Club for several years, and at the present moment are so tame, that .

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

they hop cheerfully about the various rooms without the least fear of

molestation.

The breeding season is from March to July, and the nests, always placed in.

holes or crevices in walls or rocks, are feeble structures of fine grasses, roots,.

and wool, scantily lined with horse-hair and soft materials, with a slight depres-

sion in the centre to contain the eggs. Occasionally the nest is placed on a

flat surface or ledge projecting from. under a roof, and then it is encircled with

small lumps of earth or pebbles to prevent the eggs from slipping off the edge..

There are two, and sometimes three broods a year.

Normally only three eggs are laid, only occasionally four. In shape they

are, typically, moderately broad ovals somewhat pointed towards one end.

The ground-colour is a pale pure blue sometimes spotless, but generally sparingly

spotted and speckled with different shades of red, particularly towards the large

end ; the small end being almost free from any markings. A normal egg would

measure about 0°8 by 0°6 inch.

Thamnobia cambaiensis (661) .. The Brown-backed Indian Robin.

Local name ue A -- Unknown.

Anglo-Indian name ae ..- The Indian Robin ; Dhama.

This species is extremely common throughout the Province, and a familiar

garden bird in practically every district. It is essentially terrestrial in its

habits, and is quite ir teresting to watch as it hops about the garden in a most

sprightly manner with its little tail held erect, expanding and contracting it

at frequent intervals.

The period of nidification is from March to July, according to locality ; and

the nests are always placed in holes in walls and earthen banks quite near

the ground. The holes in stable and gate pillars, when the bamboo cross poles:

are not in use, are favourite nesting places, and many a nest may be found

therein. The nests are merely soft pads of tow, sheep’s wool, and vegetable

fibres, with the egg-cavity in the middle; sometimes deep and sometimes

shallow, lined with fine roots and horse-hair. Quite frequently nests may be

found wedged firmly between the stiff, upright stems of cactus bushes, and these

are simply compact masses of the same materials with a cup-shaped and hair-

lined egg-cavity let in on top. But this is not all, for the birds are not without

a sense of humour, and are not above contemplating the possibilities of disused

drain-pipes, broken flower pots, old tin cans, and the like, as highly desirable

nesting sites.

The usual complement of eggs laid is three, occasionally four. Two and three

broods are raised each year, sometimes in the one nest. In shape the eggs are

somewhat elongated ovals, more or less pointed towards one end. The ground

colour varies from a cream, through shades of pink and pale brown, to a light-

green, with a moderate gloss. The markings which are numerous, consist of

specks and spots of a reddish brown scattered more or less profusely over the

whole egg, particularly towards the large end, which in some specimens produce

a distinct brown zone underlaid by secondary markings of pale purple shades.

A normal egg would measure about 0°8 by 0°6 inch.

Copsychus saularis (663) -. The Magpie Robin.

Local name fe ae ee Dhiyal.

Anglo-Indian name... -- Dhiyal.

This conspicuous bird occurs in mostly all the districts of the Province, though

less commorly perhaps than the Brown-backed Indian Robin. It is a familiar

garden bird of pleasing song, especially in the breeding season when it may be

observed in the early mornings perched high on the top of some leafless bough

whistling and twittering in the most refreshing manner, and which, if not

disturbed, it will continue for some considerable time.

The period of nidification is from about the beginning of April to about the

beginning of August, according to locality, though the bulk lay in May and April.

a a

—<—— ——- —

eyg uo kq1Av0-38e 049 MoToq payorgge SI ee

piiq oyRUt ay} Jo Jseu O}-—JsoU TeUIOUGE UY

‘(ving snooj,T) VAVA AO GUId

dHAVHM NOWWOO WHA

HO SLSHN

'90S °3SIH ‘'372N Avequwog ‘u4anor

NESTS AND EGGS OF COMMON BIRDS OF THE U.P. 759

The nests are invariably built in holes in trees, though holes in walls and mud

banks are often selected. Both birds assist in building the nest and incubating

* the eggs, and are devoted parents.

The nest is simply a frail padding of fine twigs and various vegetable fibres

occupying the bottom of the hole or cavity, slightly cup-shaped towards the

centre to contain the eggs: the full complement of which is five, though it is

more usual to find four, sometimes only three.

In shape they are typically almost perfect ovals with a moderate gloss, though

the variation in shapeis pretty wide ; elongated, pyriform, and globular specimens

being quite common. The grourd-colour varies from a pale green, through

darker shades of green, to a distinct greenish blue. The markings, which are

usually more conspicuous towards the large end, consist of streaks and small

blotches of reddish brown, underlaid by faint spots and mottlings of pale purple

shades; more conspicuous in some specimens thar in others. The eggs, as a

whole, bear a remarkable resemblance to those of the Black-headed Cuckoo

Shrike ; and a normal specimen would measure about 0°86 by 0°65 inch.

Ploceus baya Ad ais -. The Indian Baya, or Weaver-Bird.

Local name ; fe .- Baya.

Anglo-India1 name Re .- The Bottle-Bird.

The common Baya is a popular bird throughout India. It occurs commonly

throughout the Province, but can hardly be characterised as a garden species.

The birds are highly gregarious, and are usually met with in large numbers in

cane-brakes and high cultivation. They are birds of considerable sagacity,

and are popular with Indians on account of the way in which they can be trained

to perform all manner of quaint tricks. They are very easily tamed, and

become charming pets.

The period of nidification is from April to September, according to locality.

and the nests, though wonderful structures, are perhaps even more familiar

to the casual observer than the birds themselves. They occur most commonly

in the immediate vicinity of water ; the overhanging fronds of date and toddy

palms, and the spreading branches of thorny acacias being specially favoured.

Large bushes overhanging the borrow-pits alongside railway embankments..

and even disused wells amidst high cultivation are common sites; and it is

not out of the ordinary to find fifty or more nests on the one tree. They are

pensile and retort shaped, and are composed throughout of fine strips of elephart

grass or sugar-cane leaf without lining of any description, and are marvels of

ingenuity and patience.

The upper part of the nest varies in length as also does the nest itself, and

the long tubular entrance underneath. From the point of support the top portion

is extended and widened till the roof portion, comprising about a third of the

nest proper, is completed; at which stage a strongly woven loop is formed,

attached to either side of the roof. The egg compartment is then formed on one

side of the loop, but lower than the top of it—-in order to prevent the eggs from

rolling out, and the tubular entrance on the other. Both birds assist in building

the nest, and are tireless in their continued efforts to acquire perfection. When

the nest has assumed certain proportions the female takes up her position inside

while the male supplies the materials from without, and though the strips of

grass used for the purpose are much serrated, it does not seem to worry the birds

in the least who thread it in and out of the nest fabric without the least difficulty.

In fact, this is done ‘0 efficiently that it is very difficult to pull the nest to pieces,

a fact which adds considerably to its stability.

_The precise method by which the building material is obtained is most interest-

ing. A bird alights on a stout blade of grass and bites through its edge to the

required thickness. Then, with the bitten end held firmly in its bill, the bird

flies off. The strip, of course, rips along the blade and snaps off at the end without

in any way retarding the progress of the bird. A method which, apart from

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

being quite ingenious, saves a deal of valuable time. Some observers have gone

so far as to maintain that the blade is bitten in two places to the required length,

but I have not actually observed this myself.

A most interesting feature about the nidification of this species is the small

deposits of clay found in many of then sts. One idea, distinctly oriental but

rather picturesque, is to the effect that the birds use the clay to stick fire-flies

on to in order to light up the nest at night. Layard suggests that the bird uses

it to sharper: its billon. Burgess that it helps to strengthen the nest, and Jerdon

that it serves to balance the nest correctly aud to prevent its being blown about

by the wind.

The deposits of clay are not present in all nests, and so far as my experience

goes, I have found it more abundant in the incomplete nests which are supposed

to be built by the males for their own special benefit. That there is a definite

reason for this peculiarity is beyond question, and when one takes into considera-

tion the fact that the clay is always stuck on at the one place, under the roof

directly above the egg-compartment, it is not improbable to suppose that it

serves to make the egg-compartment more waterproof, and also to make the

roof stronger and more rigid and better able to withstand the extra weight of

the young birds without getting out of shape and pressing down upon them.

Then there is the extraordinary phenomenon attaching to the incomplete

nests which are a feature of every breeding colony, in some more some less.

Itseems to be just the normal nest cut hurizontally in halves with a transverse

loop at the bottom on which the male bird takes up his position. Jerdon,

however, maintains that they are just ordinary unfinished nests which

have been rejected either for some imperfect constructiop, weak support, or

other reason ; but there would seem to be more in it than this. Not so very

long ago I watched a lone male Baya build one of these ‘‘ unfinished ” nests

entirely for himself ; but not being in possession of a mate he was obviously

aware of the futility of completing it.

Even in the breeding colonies the males go on building and titivating the

completed nests long after the eggs have been laid, especially the tubular en-

trances which sometimes attain to a length of about 12 inches. As a matter of

fact the constructive faculty at this season appears to be so strong that the

males seem to be smitten by an overmastering desire to keep on building

something and this is borne out by the fact that the incomplete nests are of

greener material. What is more desirable than a comfortable nest of simple

design for themselves?

The tubular entrance itself is obviously designed for purposes of safety, as

anyone who has tried to extract the eggs from one of these nests will readily

acknowledge. No other bird could possibly accomplish it without tearing the

nest to pieces, and even thisis not an easy task. But the way in which the

birds themselves dash up the tubular entrance without even shaking the nest,

or pushing their heads through the roof with the impetus they acquire, is per-

fectly marvellous, and a sight well worth watching.

The tubular passage is used as a mode of entrance while the nest is in process

of construction, and while the eggs are being incubated. But shortly after the.

eggs are hatched it seems to be abandoned altogether and the food delivered

to the claimant offspring through small apertures driven through the nest

fabric immediately above the egg cavity. In fact the absence or otherwise

of these apertures is a certain sign as to whether the nest contains eggs or

young.

Some of the males, more enterprising than their fellows, attach their own

nests to the bottom of those occupied by the females. These are rather wonder-

ful structures, and the fact that they occur quite frequently rather knocks the

bottom out of Jerdon’s contention regarding the rejection of nests of unsuit-

able design. A photograph of such a nest is reproduced.

' Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. :

NESTS OF I'HE COMMON WEAVER BIRD

OR BAYA (Ploceus baya).

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

NEST OF THE STRIATED WEAVER BIRD.

(Loceus manyar) in tall Klephant-grass.

NESTS AND EGGS OF COMMON BIRDS OF THE U. P. 761 |

' The number of. eggs laid is, according to Sundeval, three: Burgess six to

eight, Tickell six to ten, Blyth four or five, and Jerdon two or three. But from

personal observations I have found two to be the normal number, sometimes

three. When more than three eggs occur in the one nest they must be the pro-

duce of more than one bird, but I have never come across an instance of this

mature personally.

The eggs are pure white, somewhat cylindrical in shape and pointed at each

end, and of a pinkish ground when fresh on account of partial translucency of

the shells. A normal specimen would measure about 0°82 by 0°6 inch.

Ploceus manyar (723) .. The Straited Weaver-bird.

Local name ue .. Baméani Baya.

Anglo-Indian name -. Unknown.

This species, so far as my experience goes, seems to have a curious distribu-

tion in the Province, in that it appears to be missing entirely from vast tracts

of country. I have seen nests in large numbers in the Kumoun Tarai as well as

in certain parts of the Benares and Ghazipur districts; but have never come

across the birds or their nests in any of the intervening stations, though instances

of their breeding in the Etawah, Aligarh, Mainpuri, and Cawnpore districts

are recorded in Hume’s “ Nests ard Eggs of Indian Birds.” They do not seem

to occur at all in Bundelkhand south of the Jumna.

Though there is very little difference between the plumage coloration of this

and the last species, there is certainly a marked differerce between their nests.

Not that the materials employed are different, nor is there much alteration in

the general plan of architecture. The spacious egg-compartment and character-

istic tubular entrance are present in both, but whereas in the case of the Common

Baya the nest is suspended from a point and acquires thé shape of aleg of mutton

with an attachment at the bottom, in the case of the other, several blades of

stout elephant grass (in which the nests are always built) are drawn together and

incorporated in the structure to form the point of support, which has the effect

of making the top of the nest dome-shaped. But the fact that one species builds

in grass, and the other on trees and bushes is ordinarily quite sufficient for pur-

poses of discrimination.

The period of nidification is the same as that of the Common Baya and the

number of eggs laid is two, sometimes three ; ard they are also similar as regards

eolour, size, and shape.

Uroloncha malabarica (734) .. The White-throated Munia.

Localname .. dis -. Charchara.

Anglo-Indian name .. .. Chirookee.

This species breeds commonly throughout the Province, more commonly

perhap* in the more arid tracts; especially where thorny scrub is plentiful.

‘The birds occur, not infrequently, in gardens adjoining human dwellings where .

they sometimes breed ; while nests are also found in creepers over the verandahs

and porticos of burgalows. There does not appear to be any fixed breeding

pericd, for this is continued throughout the year ; eggs being found in practically

every month.

Typically the nests are large’and globular, and are composed throughout of

various grasses, usually course on the oustide, lined with appreciably finer

material within ; and a good deal of ingenuity is evirced in putting the loose

materials together. Quite frequently old bits of rag and cotton are incorporated

in the structure, but are-not characteristic of the nest. A small circular

entrance leading to the egg-cavity is let in on one side, and the egg-cavity itself

usually lined with feathers and soft materials.

The structures, though loosely put together, are quite strong and compara-

tively substantial; but sometimes the covering over the egg-cavity is frail, and

sometimes missing altogether. They are placed at various heights from the

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

ground, but as a rule are fairly low down, and well concealed. Thorn bushes

with heavy foliage are specially favoured.

Both birds assist in building the nest and incubating the eggs, and both occupy

the nest together at night. In tact, being gregarious in their habits, several.

birds may be observed to occupy old nests at night,not only in the winter months,

but during the hot weather as well ; a curious practice peculiar to certain species of

this family only.

I have never found more than six eggs in a nest, which I consider to be the full

complement laid. Normally one finds only five, sometimes three or four. In

shape they are typically rather broad ovals, sometimes more or less pointed

towards oneend. The ground colour is pure white without spot or blemish of any

kind, and with no perceptable gloss. A normal specimen would measure

about 0°6 by 0°5 inch.

Uroloncha acuticauda (727) .. Hodgson’s Munia.

Localname .. bs -- Unknown.

Anglo-Indian name .. .- Unknown.

It is with a certain amount of diffidence that I make mention of this species

in these papers, for I am very doubtful whether it can be included among the

common birds of the plains. It breeds quite commonly throughout Kumoun,.

but the only plains district in which I have come across their nestsis Ghazipur,

where they are almost invariably constructed among the spiny leaves of date and

toddy palms, sometimes at considerable heights from the ground; the most.

favoured months being September, October and November.

Unlike the White-throated Munia this species appears to be either wholly

or partially migratory, for it seems to be absent from particular localities during

the first six months of the year. My observations of their breeding habits have

been confined to the one district, but from what I have been able to ascertain

the work of nest construction and incubation seems to be undertaken by the.

female alone; the male, during this period, being very little in evidence. Nor

do the birds appear to evince the peculiar habit of the White-throated Munias

of collecting together in an old rest at night.

The nests are constructed throughout of various fine grasses, and resemble

very much those of the White-throated Munia, save that the small, circular

entrance invariably has a canopy of fine grasses projecting over it.

The eggs are usually five in number, and are almost exact replicas of those of

the other allied species. A normal specimen would measure about 0°61 by 0°42

inch.

Uroloncha punctulata ie) -- The Spotted Munia.

Local name ae 3 .. Telia Munia.

Anglo-Indian name... .. The Spotted Munia.

This species seems to be sparingly distributed in the well-wooded and watered.

tracts of the province, and is wholly absent from large tracts of country; whereas.

in the more acrid regions it seems to occur only as a bird of passage.

The breeding season is from about July to September and the nests are almost

invariably constructed in thick thorny bushes and the various acacias ; seldom

at a greater height than ten feet from the ground. They are globular structures,

remarkably large for the size of the bird, up to about 10 inches in diameter and

7 inches in height, and composed throughout of various grasses, straw, and strips:

of course grasses rather neatly interwoven. A small, circular entrance is let in

on one side, and the egg-cavity carefully lined with very fine grass-stems and

roots.

Not infrequently the nests are massive and shapeless, and a typical example

of one of these has been admirably described by Mr. F. R. Blewitt. “A nest

of this species ’’, he says, ‘‘ was remarkable as being more compact and massive

than those of this species usually are. It was a very irregularly-shaped nest,

something in outline like a gouty foot done up in bandages, the toe pointing

NESTS AND EGGS OF COMMON BIRDS OF THE U. P. 763

downwards, and the aperture where the leg would join on; exteriorly

it was composed of broad-leaved grass; imnteriorly of fine grass and

flowering stems. The walls were fully an inch thick and very compact. The

cavity, measured from the aperture to the bottom, was six inches deep, and some-

thing less than three inches in diameter; exteriorly the nest was some nine

inches measured from heel to toe, and six inches from the heel to the mouth of

the aperture, and some four and a half inches in breadth. The whole exterior

portion was composed of green grass, but the fine lining was dry.”

The number of eggs laid varies considerably, and as many as ten have been

recorded from the one nest. Six or seven would seem, however, to be the normal

number, though it is not unusual to find four, often five. They resemble some-

what the eggs of the White-throated Munia, but their more elongated character

is very marked, by which they can be differentiated. A normal specimen would

measure about 0°65 by 0°46 inch.

Sporeginthus amandava ee -» The Indian Red Munia.

Local name ‘ : ..- Lal Munia.

Anglo-Indian name -» The Red Munia.

This entertait.ing little bird, like the last species, is also sparingly distributed

in the more well-watered tracts of the Province, more especially in country

abounding in high grass. But unfortunately it is seen more frequently in cap-

tivity thar in its wild state.

The breeding season is from about June to September, and the nests are almost

invariably placed in small stunted bushes in the midst of high grass, and are

usually quite close to the ground; a great deal of attention being paid to

concealment. I have found nests on two different occasions in bushes growing

out of the sides of old wells some way down below the level of the ground. Both

birds undertake the work of nest construction.

The nests and eggs are almost identical with those of the White-throated

Munia ; but on the whole the eggs are considerably smaller, and usually five in

number. A normal specimen would measure about 0°55 by 0°43 inch.

— Gymnorhis flavicollis ( ee -- The Yellow-throated Sparrow.

Localname .. .. dJangli-churi.

Anglo-Indian name .. sc.) Loott.

This is a comparatively common, though inconspicuous, bird throughout the

Province; and is, as a rule, more frequently heard than seen. With the excep-

tion of a yellow patch under the throat, and dark chestnut patches on the wings,

it resembles greatly the female of the House-Sparrew ; and is often mistaken.

for one. In the winter months the birds are, to a certain extent, gregarious ;

but as the breeding season approaches the parties split up in couples, and are

then not at all inclined to be friendly towards their neighbours; though occa-

sionally, if the tree happens to be of gigantic proportions, it may contain mcre

than one nest.

The breeding seasonis from about March to the beginning of June, and is

heralded by loud, not unmusical chirrupings on the part of the male as he calls

ceaselessly to the female who answers in a voice slightly modulated. The calls

fee reminiscent of the House-Sparrow, but are slightly more melodious and pro-

onged.

The nests are, without exception, placed in holes in trees. Sometimes in neat

little apertures excavated by Woodpeckers or Barbets, and sometimes in mere

cracks or crevices in the wood; and both birds assist in building the nest,

which is almost invariably a loose collection of various grasses rather thickly

lined with an assortment of feathers conforming to the internal shape of the hole

or cavity.

The normal number of eggs laid appears to be three, though one finds four

occasionally, very often only two. In shape they vary considerably, pyriform

and more or less elliptical varieties being quite common. Typically, however,

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

they are moderately elongated ovals, slightly pointed towards - one end. The

shell is dull and glossless, and of a dull greenish white ground ; but this is almost

obliterated by heavy smudges, streaks, and blotches of various shades of dark

brown and sepia, so confluent in most specimens as to render their identifica-

tion unmistakable. A normal egg would measure about 0°75 by 0°55 inch,

Passer domesticus (776) .. The Common House-Sparrow.

Local name. if as .. Gonriya

Anglo-Indian name 1 .. The Common Sparrow.

There is not much that I can say about this species that is not only too well

known already, for it seems to have come in for an abnormal amount of both

abuse and appreciation which mere man, in his boundless conceit, seems to have

showered on it. Even as discriminating an ornithologist as Hume did not have

a good word to say for it, and, indeed, what he does say is well worth quoting.

‘* But what is in a mame’? He asks, ‘‘ Call him domesticus or indicus, it

doesn’t alter his depraved nature, does not make him one whit less detestable—

only there is a certain lucus a non lucendo sarcasm involved in the Linnean name

that aggravates.”

‘Tf domesticity consists in sitting upon the punkah-ropes all day, chit, chit,

-chit, chittering ceaselessly when a fellow wants to work, banging down in angry

conflict with another angry wretch on to the table, upsetting the ink, and play-

ing old Harry with everything, strewing one’s drawing-room daily with straw, .

feathers, rags, and every conceivable kind of rubbish in insane attempts to

build a nest where no nest can be; if I say these and fifty other atrocities constitute

domesticity, heaven defend us from this greatly-lauded virtue, and let us cease

to preach to our sons the merits of domestic wives! Conceive a wife evincing

similar tendencies ! Why, there isn’t a jury in the country who would not return

a verdict of ‘sarve her right,’ even if the unhappy husband should have wrung

her neck before the golden honeymoon had run out. witieai ihe at viet ite

My one regret has ever been that the whole race had not before ae time met, »

under Providence, that appropriate doom so graphically depicted in Mr. Yarrell’s

charming woodcut.”’

Mr. Benjamin Aitkin, on the other hand, is much more charitable ; and not

only declares his actual liking for the bird, but willingly overlooks its disorderly

habits in admiration of its intelligence, courage, patience, and care for its

offspring. And is quite certain that if it be but “ tuneless melody ”’ he pours

forth, that it sounds far sweeter to Mrs. Sparrow than all the hurried snatches

of song with which the Bulbul, Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, and Lark put off

their uncomplaining mistresses.

It is not for me to criticise, nor even to draw comparisons between the considered

opinions of my betters, and pioneers of ornithology ; so that I am quite content

to leave my readers to draw their own conclusions in accordance with their

own experience of this ubiquitous bird. I will deal only with the material facts

of nidification.

The breeding period seems to be continued spasmodically throughout the year,

though the bulk invariably breed from about March to September. The nests

are loose, untidy structures of grass and straw placed in holes, cracks, crevices,

and in fact in any sort of receptacle which will hold them conveniently ; the

egg-cavity being thickly lined with feathers.

The eggs are up to six or eight in number, but normally only four. They

vary considerably in shape, but are typically somewhat elongated ovals, only

very slightly pointed towards one end. The ground-colour varies from a pale

stone-colour, through shades of gray and dull yellow, to a greenish white ; and

the markings normally consist of specklings and streaks of different shades of

dull and dingy browns and sepias scattered all over the surface of the egg.

Sometimes the markings are scanty and sometimes profuse, and sometimes

consist of bold spots and blotches which have a tendency to form a _ blotchy,

NESTS AND EGGS OF COMMON BIRDS OF THE U. P. 765

ill-defined cap at the large end. A normal specimen would measure about 0°8

by 0°6 inch.

Melophus melanicterus (803) .. The Crested Bunting.

Local name we ws Pathar Chirta.

Anglo-Indian name ay .. Unknown.

This vivacious and sprightly little bird is unfortunately very sparingly distri-

buted in the Province; and, in fact,seems to be missing entirely from large tracts

of country. Its conspicuous chestnut body and black, crested head, and pleasng

simple note, are unmistakeable. But the only places where I have met with

the species are the wilder and less frequented portions of Bundelkhand, the

Allahabad and Mirzapur districts ; and even here they were not common.

In spite of the fact that I have seen and studied the birds on various occasions,

I have never had the good fortune to find anest. But I quote a description

of Mr. F. R. Blewitt’s who found them breeding in the Jhansi district in July

and August.

“My experience ’’, he says, ‘is confined to two nests : one was found at the

base of a small plum-bush, near to a wall; the other in a hole in a wall.

The nests are exact counterparts of each other; on the outside they are made

of very course grass and roots. The egg-cavity, cup-shaped, has first an inter-

mediate coat of fine khus, over which, again, is a complete lining of horse-hair.

The outer diameter is about 4°8, inner 2°6, and depth of cavity 1:4. The

nests are compact, especially the inner part of the structure, and neatly made. .

Their favourite resort is old buildings and walls, to which the birds confine

themselves, seldom going far away from them. The male has a peculiarly soft,

melodious note, repeated at intervals. . . Three appears to be the regular

number of eggs. They are of a dull whitish grey, with a sprinkling of light

brown spots.”

According to Hume the eggs are typically broad ovals in shape, somewhat

obtuse at the small end; and a normal specimen would measure about 0°79

by 0°63 inch.

Cotile sinensis (809) ... .. The Indian Sand-Martin.

Local name A i fa) avbalt.

Anglo-Indian name as .. The Sand-Martin.

These fascinating little birds are commonly distributed throughout the Pro-

vince in suitable localities, and as there does not appear to be any regular fixed

period for nidification, they frequent particular localities throughout the year,

and are seldom absent from their usual haunts,

Precipitous mud banks overlooking rivers, streams,and lakes are their favourite

haunts, and where one nest occurs there are sure to be many more. For they

breed, according to locality, in large or small parties ; and are highly gregarious

in their habits.

The nests are merely horizontal, circular tunnels about two inches in diameter,

and from two to three feet in depth, which the birds excavate for themselves.

with their bills and claws. At the end of each tunnel is the hollow, peatly-

fashioned egg-chamber lined with fine grass-stems and roots and soft feathers.

Four seems to be the full complement of eggs laid, though it is not unusual to

find three, often only two.

I have not been able to accumulate sufficient evidence to state definitely

whether there are two broods in the year, but this is possible. I have found nests

in very nearly every month, but the bulk seem to breed in March, April, and

May. I have come across breeding colonies of upwards of a hundred couples

with all the tunnelled nests driven into the face of a mud cliff some fifteen feet

square ; the little apertures being only inches apart. In such circumstances it is

rather a wonderful sight to watch the building operations in progress, How

each bird identifies its own nest is a problem difficult of solution.

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

The eggs are pure white in colour, and quite devoid of any gloss. In shape

they are oval, a good deal pointed towards one end ; and a normal specimen

would measure about 0°68 by 0°48 inch.

Ptyonoprogne concolor (811) .. The Dusky Crag-Martin.

Local name de zs .. Unknown.

Anglo-Indian name ; .. Unknown.

This sober-plumaged though unmistakeable bird is sparingly distributed

throughout the Western districts of the Province , especially in the wilder and

more desolate tracts. Its name, in fact, would suggest as much. I have never

met with this species east of Chunar ou the Ganges, and I very much doubt

whether it occurs at all in the Province east of Benares.

In localities where it is a constant resident, itis never met with in any

numbers. Indeed Chunar, with its wild and rocky environment and ancient

buildings, could boast only of the one pair; which, after various attempts to

build a nest, finally decided on a site quite inaccessible for either man or beast,

and eventually got the nest fixed on to a perpendicular wall quite sixty feet

from the ground ; and there it remained in perfect security.

The breeding season is from about February to July, though the nest men-

tioned above did not contain eggs till the middle of August. If one were to

take a small, deep saucer and cut it exactly in halves, and then stick the cut

face on to some perpendicular wall, one would get a fair idea of what the nest

of this species is like ; save that the nest is made up of small mud pellets stuck

closely together, and inclining to a well-defined point beneath. The egg-

cavity is more or less cup-shaped, and lined internally with fine grass-stems,

roots, and soft feathers. The perpendicular stone walls of old buildings, the

shelving sides of large rocks, and cliff-faces are specially favoured ; particularly

those in the wilder and less frequented spots; and yet quite recently I found

one quixotic pair endeavouring to build a nest in the verandah of a large business

establishment in Hazratgunj ; perhaps the busiest thoroughfare of Lucknow.

The full complement of eggs laid appears to be four, though it is more usual

to find only three. In shape they are typically moderately elongated ovals,

distinctly pointed at one end. The ground-colour is white, while the markings

consist of specks and spots, occasionally blotches, of various shades of yellowish

and reddish brown more or less thickly scattered over the whole egg, but parti-

cularly towards the large end, where they have a tendency to form an irregular

zone. A normal specimen would measure about 0°7 by 0°5 inch.

Hirundo smithit (818) .. .. The Wire-tailed Swallow.

Local name ee ae .. Leishra.

Anglo-Indian name : .. The House-Martin.

This beautiful little bird, so easily distinguished from the last species by its

beautiful plumage of metallic lustre, and by the two long wire-like feathers

in the tail, is also sparingly distributed throughout the Western, districts of

the Province; and, like the last species, does not seem to occur at all east

ot Benares.

Like the Dusky Crag-Martin, it frequents mosques and old buildings, but

is found more frequently in the vicinity of running water for which it has a

peculiar weakness. They are vivacious and sprightly birds which capture

their food on the wing, but are not nearly as friendly as the Dusky Crag-Martin.

However, they are most fascinating birds to watch on a bright morning when

the sun’s rays may be observed to scintillate on their brilliant metallic plumage

in the most wonderful manner.

The period of nidification seems to be somewhat prolonged, from about

February to September; though the bulk seem to breed in.April and May.

The nests are found almost exclusively in the immediate neighbourhood of water

running streams particularly ; the most favoured sites being under the cornices

of bridges, under stone culverts spanning canals, under overhanging shelves

NESTS AND EGGS OF COMMON BIRDS OF THE VU. P, 767

of rock, or the faces of mud or stone cliffs overlooking rivers and streams, and

occasionally in old buildings in the vicinity of water.

The nests are composed externally of mud, about 53 inches broad, and 3 inches

across, and resemble greatly those of the Dusky Crag-Martin. The egg-cavity,

which is usually a neat hemispherical hollow, is lined with fine grass-roots and

a various assortment of soft feathers; and both birds assist in the construc-

tion. I have never found more than one nest in the one vicinity.

Three seems to be the normal number of eggs laid. In shape they are typi-

cally narrow ovals, a good deal pointed towards one end. The shells are fine

and delicate with a bright gloss when fresh. The ground-colour is a delicate

pinkish white usually thickly speckled, spotted, and blotched with various shades

of reddish brown. In some eggs the markings are pretty evenly distributed

over the whole surface, and in others they are more numerous towards the large

end, where they have a tendency to form rather a distinct zone. As a whole the

eggs are very beautiful, and a normal specimen would measure about 0°7 by

0°5 inch.

Hirundo fluvicola (819) .. .. The Indian Cliff-Swallow.

Local name nas ae .» Unknown.

Anglo-Indian name bag . Unknown.

This species, so far as nidification is concerned, is quite the most gregarious

of all the allied species, and occurs in certain localities of the Province ; but not,

so far as I am aware, east of Benares. They are most interesting and energetic

birds, but do not appear to have a wide distribution. In the localities where

they do occur, and breed, they are met with in large numbers ; and their nests,

crowded close together, look from a distance like some gigantic honeycomb.

I have come across breeding colonies of this species only three times. One

was a collection of about fifty nests on the face of a high mud cliff overlooking

the Belan river at the south-eastern corner of the Allahabad district ; a second

of about a hundred nests under a high railway bridge over a stream about twenty

miles east of Mirzapur, and a third of about two hundred nests under the railway

bridge over the Ken river at Banda ;—in each case in wild and rugged country,

so that the birds would seem to favour the less frequented spots. In each of

the above cases the nests were very inaccessible, and I have always regretted my

inability to secure decent photographs.

A most admirable account of the nesting habits of this species has been fur-

nished by Mr. James Aitkin who writes :—‘‘ The smallest of our Swallows, and

much less familiarly known than the other species, as it lives in colonies, and

is strictly confined to certain localities ; at Akola there is one of these colonies,

which build their nests under the broken portion of a wall which stretches

out into the Moorna. The nests are retort-shaped ; a few stand apart, but the

majority are attached together, the tubular necks all standing out from the wall,

and presenting a very peculiar appearance. With the first heavy showers of the

monsoon the river comes down in a flood and washes the whole place clean.

As goon as the rains abate, rebuilding commences, and the bustle in the early

morning is prodigious, the birds hurrying from all quarters with their bills

full of mud, They are much persecuted by Sparrows, who take possession of

the egg-cup of the nest before the neck is added, and a single pair will cause

Several nests to be deserted before they suit themselves. . . . The second

brood is in February, during which months they swarm about the nests like bees

about a hive, while every now and then splash into the water goes some too

fragile neck, breaking even under the light weight of the little owner. These

breakages do not, however, interfere in the least with the process of incubation,

but appear to be repaired even while the mother bird is sitting.”

Nests may be found in practically any morth from February to August, but

whether two broods are hatched each year is still a matter of uncertainty. The

nests are made of small mud pellets stuck close together. They are small and

768 ©. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

retort-shaped with the chamber about four inches in diameter, and the tubular

mouth invariably turned outwards, varyi1g from two to five inches in length,

and crannei as close together as possible. Internally they are well lined with

grass-roots and soft feathers and rendered extremely cosy ; but how each bird

recognises its own nest is perfectly marvellous.

The normal number of eggs laid appears to be three. Typically they are &

long oval, a good deal pointed towards one end, though pyriform and almost.

cylindrical varieties are frequently met with. The ground-colour is pure

white, pinkish when fresh on account of partial translucency of the shells, which

are fine and delicate. Some eggs are pure white throughout without a spot or

blemish of any kind ; while others are spotted, speckled, mottled and clouded

with dull shades of reddish brown never very sharply defired ; and as a rule,

they are more numerous towards the large end. A normal egg would measure

about 0°7 by 0°5 inch.

Hirundo erythropygia ey .. Sykes’s Striated Swallow.

Local name oi .. Masjid-ababil.

Anglo-Indian name .. .. The Red-backed Swallow.

This handsome swallow,-so easily recognised by the conspicuous red patch.

on the rump, has perhaps the widest distribution of all the allied species; as

it seems to occur in the Eastern and Western districts alike. It is never met with

in large numbers, but either singly or in pairs flitting about in the vicinity of old

ruins, mosques, and temples, where it exhibits very little fear of man.

The breeding season is from about March to July, according to locality ; and.

the nest, always solitary, is so typical as to be quite unmistakeable. It is.a

large retort-shaped structure in which the tubular entrance might be anything

up to ten inches in length, composed of small mud pellets stuck firmly on to the

under surface of some horizontal wall ; well lined internally with fine grass-roots

and stems and a various assortment of soft feathers,

The most favoured places are the roofs of old and ruined buildings, but the

nests are by no means confined to these ancient relics, and may be frequently

found in all sorts of weird places. As Mr. F. R. Blewitt very rightly remarks :

‘Eccentric to a degree is this swallow in the selection of a suitable place for its

nest,”’ for I have personally found the nests in barns and stables, old buildings,

mosques and temples, under rocks and ledges in old caves, under the corrugated.

sheeting of an old latrine, and under an old wooden bridge where the water

was all but touching the bottom of the nest; and, last but not least, under a

small ledge quite fifty feet down an old and disused well. Both birds share

in the labours of nest construction.

The eggs are up to four in number, and pure white in colour without any

perceptible gloss. In shape they are rather long ovals, somewhat blunt at

both ends ; though pyriform varieties are not uncommon. A normal specimen

would measure about 0°78 by 0°55 inch. |

( To be continued),

£6907.

ee ed gl OF THE ASIATIC SPECIES OF CONTIA IN INDIAN

MUSEUMS.

Cou. F. Watt, I,M.8., C.M.G., C.M.Z.S.

The identification of many of the Asiatic species of Contia has for many years

caused me—as it must have done others—considerable perplexity. This is not

surprising when one studies the key to these species and the descriptions in

Boulenger’s Catalogue (Vol. II, pp. 255 et seg.). Some of the supposed species

are so closely affined that they can only be separated by very minute differ-

ences in the relative length and breadth of such shields as the rostral and frontal.

When his Catalogue appeared in 1894 Boulenger had seen one specimen of

angusticeps submitted to him by Mr. Sclater from the Indian Museum, which

he made the type of a new species under that name. The British Museum Col-

lection contained no specimen of fasciata, only one specimen of persica, and two

of waltert. I have for many years had doubts as to the validity of some of these

species, and in answer to my appeals I have been able to examine and compare

recently all the available specimens of Contia in the Indian and Quetta Museums,

and the Bombay Natural History collection, thanks to Dr. Annandale, Mr,

Bond, and Mr. Spence. Inaddition to these specimens I have examined many

& others. I propose to put these records together in this paper, and it will be

seen that there are good grounds for considering angusticeps the same as persica,

condoni the same as decemlineaia, and that one specimen in the Bombay col-

lection deserves recognition as a species new to science for which I propose the

name zebrina.

I have examined minutely the specimens refer red to above, and append below

descriptions and synopses showing the details of the lepidosis.

ConTIA PERSICA (Anderson),

Cyclophis persicus.—Anderson, P.Z.S., 1872, p. 392. Blanford, Zool. Eg

Persia, 1876, p. 408.

Pseudocyclophis persicus,—Boettger, Zool. Jahrb., 1888. III, p. 922.

Contia persica.—Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, p. 263. Ingoldby, Bomb,

N. H. Jourl., Vol. XXIX, p. 129. Wall, Bomb. N. H. Jourl., Vol. XVIII, p. 801.

Contia angusticeps.—Annandale, Vol. XVIII, p. 801. i A.S. Bengal, 1904.

p. 208. Boulenger, Cat. Vol. II, 1894, p. 262. Ingoldby, Bomb, N. Tike Jourl.,

Vol. X XIX, p. 129. McMahon, Bomb. N. H. Jourl.. Vol. XIV, p. 181. Wall,

Bomb. N. H. Jourl. Vol. XVIII, Be 501.

Contia walteri.—Wall, Bomb. N. H. Jourl., Vol. XX, p. 1037,

Length.—345 mm, (132 inches), tail 78 mm, (3$ inches),

Lepidosis.—(a) Typical. Rostral. Depth from three-fifths to two-thirds its

breadth. Portion visible above from two-thirds to a shade less than the suture

between the internasals. IJnternasals. The suture between the fellows sub-

equal to that between the praefrontal fellows. Praefronials. The suture bee

tween the fellows from one quarter to two-fifths the length of the frontal, Sup-

raoculars. Length from two-thirds to four-fifths the length of the frontal, half

the parietals ; breadth from half to two-thirds that of the frontal. Frontal,

Length equal to or rather greater than its distance to the end of the snout, threes

fifths to two-thirds that of the parietals. Zoreal. Absent, the praefronta]

touching the 2nd labial. Praeocular. One. Postocular, One. Temporals,

1+1. Supralabials. 7; the Ist and 2nd touching the nasals, 3rd and 4th

the eye, and the 5th and 6th the anterior temporal. Sublinguals. Posterior

shorter than the anterior ; in contact with the 4th and 5th, or only the 5th in-

fralabials. Infralabials, 5, the 5th touching two scales behind. Costals,

770 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1X,

Two heads-lengths behind the head 15, midbody 15, two heads-lengths

before the vent 15 or 13. When the rows reduce from 15 to 13 the 3rd and 4th

rows above the ventrals blend. Smooth. With single apical pits. Ventrals

185 to 214. From 6 to 8 pairs of scales intervene between the 1st ventral and —

the posterior sublinguals. Anal. Divided. Subcaudals. 63 to 82. Divided.

(6) Anomalies, Loreal. A very small shield rarely present. Posterior

sublinguals. Rarely separated by one scale. Costals. Rarely the 4th row

above the ventrals divides, the resultant rows blend, and the redivision and

blending may be repeated making the rows 17 in places.

Colouration.—Dorsally the scales are a pale brown or dun with buff margins,

This is most marked in the anterior part of the body, the colour becoming uni-

form buff posteriorly. In some specimens there are a few black spots behind

the neck arranged quincuncially, or confluent to form cross bars. Belly un-

spotted. Head with three black cross-bars which may be completely confluent,

The anterior passes between the eyes, and reappears below the eye on the upper

parts of the 3rd or 3rd and 4th supralabials. The median passes over the middle

of the parietals and extends to the upper parts of the 5th, 6th and 7th suprala-

bials. The posterior lies just behind the parietals, and involves 4 or 5 rows of

scales behind, extending to the sides of the neck. In spirit the black often fades

considerably,

Sexes.—The male genitalia are cylindrical organs, not bifid, and are beset —

with numerous very smal] recurved spines.

Distribution —Persia. Baluchistan. Waziristan. N.W. Frontier (Mala-

kand, Parachinar). W. Himalayas (Murree).*

_ Nots.—I think it probable that the specimen labelled wwaléert in the British

Museum from Kohistan, Sind, will prove to be this species.

CoNTIA FASCIATA (Jan.).

Length.—358 mm. (144 inches), tail 54 mm. (23 inches),

Lepidosis.—(a) Typical. Rostral. Depth about two-thirds its breadth,

Portion visible above twice or nearly twice the length of the suture between the

internasal fellows. Jnternasals. The suture between the fellows half to three-

fourths that between the praefrontal fellows. Praefrontals. The suture between

the fellows one-third to two-fifths the length of the frontal. Supraoculars, Length

equal to or a shade less than the length of the frontal, three-fifths to four-fifths

the parietal:. Breadth equal to that of the frontal. Frontal. Length greater

than its distance to the end of the snout, two-thirds to four-fifths the parietals,

Nasal, Entire. Loreal. One, one-third to two-fifths the length of the nasal,

Praeocular, One. Postoculars. Two. Temporals. 1+1. Supralabials. 7; the

Ist and 2nd touching the nasals, the 3rd and 4th the eye, 5th and 6th the an-

terior temporal. Sublinguals. The posterior about three-fourths the length

of the anterior, separated by one scale; in contact with the 4th and 5th infra-

labials. Infralabials. 5, the 5th in contact with three scales behind. Costals,’

Two heads-lengths behind the head 15, midbody 15, two heads-lengths before

the vent 13, The rows reduce from 15 to 13 four to six heads-lengths before

the vent by the fusion of the 3rd and 4th rows above the ventrals, Smooth,

With single apical pits which are extremely difficult to detect in spirit specimens,

Ventrals, 126 to 157 (158 to 171 Boulenger). From 4 to 6 pairs of scales bet-

ween the Ist ventral and the posterior sublinguals, Anal. Divided. Sub-

caudals, 39 to 49; divided (48 to 62 Boulenger).

(6) Anomalies, Supralabials. The 5th is divided in one specimen on one

side forming a spurious lower anterior temporal. The 3rd and 4th are con-

fluent on one side in one specimen and the 6th and 7th confluent on both sides

a ee NE

* This specimen used to be in the Bombay collection but is now missing.

emi i ae

REVIEW OF THE ASIATIC SPECIES OF CONTIA, 771

on the same specimen, and the 6th and 7th confluent on one side in another

Posterior sublinguals, In contact in one specimen. Subcaudals, In one specimen

the 3rd _ to the 7th are subdivided making four shields across the tail. In

another the 2nd is entire.

Dentition—I have no skull but I have a note saying that “the mazillary

teeth are dubiously 11, the palatopterygoid series dubiously 22, and the man-

didular dubiously 11.”

Colouration.—Dorsally buff to pale brown with from 33 to 40 blackish bars

on the body, and 11 to 16 on the tail. These extend to the edge of the ventrals.

A series of dark spots on the edge of the ventrals and last row of costals.alter-

nate with the bars. Belly unspotted, or with a scanty dusky mottling or suffu-

sion mesially from the throat extending slightly backwards. Head in well

marked examples with a dusky suffusion on the top involving the frontal, the

inner two-thirds of the supraocular and inner two-thirds of the parietal shields,

extending below the eye to the upper parts of the 3rd and 4th supralabials. A

nuchal bar involves four to five rows of scales in the length of the snake and

extends round the sides of the neck but is not complete across the throat.

Breeding.—A female 358 mm, (143 inches) in length contained five eggs in

the oviducts, of such a size and character as to suggest that this species is ovi-

parous,

Distribution.—Palestine. (Shellal, Wadiguzzi and Deir-el-Belah). Irag. (Shai-

ba, Faluja). S. Persia. (Maidan Mihaftan).

CoNnTIA MCMAHONI Wall,

C. memahoni.—Wall, Bomb. N, H. Jourl., Vol. XX, p. 1038.

Length.—311 mm. (1 foot and } of an inch), tail 84 mm. (32 inches),

Eepidosis. Rostral. Depth two-thirds to three-fourths its breadth. Por-

tion visible above two-thirds the suture between the internasal fellows. JInfer-

nasals, The suture between the fellows equal to or a shade greater than that

between the praefrontal fellows. Praefrontals. The suture between the fel-

lows one-third to one-fourth the length of the frontal. Swpraoculars. Length

three-fourths to four-fifths the length of the frontal, half to three-fifths the

parietals, Breadth about half that of the frontal. Frontal, Length rather

greater than its distance to the end of the snout, three-fifths to three-fourths

the parietals. Nasal. Entire. Loreal. None. Praeocular, One. Postocu-

lar, One. Temporals1+1. Supralabials. 7, 1st and 2nd touching the nasal,

3rd and 4th the eye, 5th and 6th the anterior temporal. Sublinguals. The poss

terior about three-fourths the anterior; in contact or separated by one scale;

touching the 4th and 5th infralabials. Infralabials. 5, the 5th touching two

scales behind. Costals. Two heads-lengths behind the head 13, midbody 15,

two heads-lengths before the vent 13. The increase from 13 to 15 occurs about

four heads-lengths behind the head, and is due to the 3rd or 4th row above the

ventrals dividing. The decrease from 15 to 13 occurs about eight heads-lengths

before the vent, where the 3rd and 4th rows above the ventrals blend. Smooth,

With single apical pits. Ventrals. 204 to 212. From 6 to 8 pairs intervene

between the first ventral, and the posterior sublinguals. Anal. Divided

Subcaudals. 91 to 96; divided.

Colouration.—Dorsally the scales are pale brown centrally with buff margins.

The brown is darker in the anterior part of the body than posteriorly. A few

obscure blackish spots on the neck in some specimens. Belly unspotted. Head

blackish or dusky, the black extending for about four rows in the length of the

snake behind the parietals, and laterally to the temporals and upper parts of

the 5th, 6th and 7th, or 6th and 7th supralabials,

Distribution.— Baluchistan (Loralai, Spitangi, Mach, Quetta).

772: JQURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

CONTIA COLLARIS (Menetries),

“Letvath: —340 mm. (132 inches), tail 62 mm, (24 inches).

Lepidosis.—(a) Typical, Rostral. Depth two-thirds to three-fourths its.

breadth, Portion visible above equal to or less than the suture between the

internasal fellows. Internasals. Suture between the fellows equal to or a little.

shorter than that between the praefrontal fellows. Praefrontals, The su-

ture between the fellows one-third to two-fifths the length of the frontal. Swp-

raoculars, Length a little shorter than the frontal, three-fifths the parietals.

Breadth half to three-fourths that of the frontal. Frontal. Length rather great-

ér than its distance to the end of the snout; two-thirds to three-fourths the

parietals. Nasal. Entire. Loreal. Small, about one-third the length of the

nasal (sometimes absent). Praeocular. One Postocular. One, Temporatls.

¥+1. or 1+2. Supralabials, .7; the 1st and 2nd touching the nasals, 3rd and

4th the eye, and the 5th and 6th the anterior temporals. Sublinguals. The -

posterior rather shorter than the anterior, in contact with one another,

touching the 4th and 5th infralabials. Infralabials. 5, the 5th touching two

scales behind. Costals. Two heads-lengths behind the head 15, midbody 15,

two heads-lengths before the vent 15 or 18. Smooth. With single apicai

pits. -Ventrals. 157 to 189 (150 to 191 Boulenger). 4 to 6 pairs of scales

between the Ist ventral and the posterior sublinguals, Anal. Divided. Sub-

caudals. 54 to 62, divided. (50 to 78 Boulenger).

(6) Anomalies. Subcaudals, The 2nd to 6th are entire in one specimen.

Dentition.—Maxillary 17; anonodont, isodont. Palatine. 9 to 10; anodo-

dont, isodont. Prerygoid. “19 to 20, anododont, isodont. Mandibular. 16;

anododont, isodont,.

Veriebrae. Neural spines veut one-four th the depth of the body: Hypapophy-.

ses well developed in anterior vertebrae ceasing in the second eighth of the

body of the snake. Bifid in the first caudal and succeeding vertebrae.

Costae. The first articulated to the 3rd vertebra. Well developed, as long as

the second. Last bifid, the outer ramus very short. First two caudal verte-

brae with bifid pseudo-costal processes,

Colouration.—Dorsally uniform buff or pale brown. Belly unspotted. Head

black above, involving the posterior part of the internasals or praefrontals.

and the anterior two-thirds to three-fourths of the parietals. Laterally the

black extends to the edge of the parietals and involves the upper part of the 3rd

and 4th supralabials. In the Muscat specimen the whole of the 2nd, 3rd and

4th supralabials are black and the outer part of the sublinguals and Ist infrala-

bials, and all of the 2nd to 5th infralabials. A black nuchal bar involving four

to five rows in the length of the snake, begins just behind the parietals and ex-

tends laterally to below the throat where it is incomplete mesially.

Distribution.—Grecian Archipelago. Cyprus. Asia Minor to Caucasus.

Arabia (Muscat), Iraq Baghdad. Persia,

CONTIA ZEBRINA spec. Nov.

Length.—475 mm ; (18? inches) tail 125 mm. (5 inches).

Lepidosis.—Rosiral. Depth two-thiids its breadth, portion visible above

about two-thirds the suture between the internasal fellows. - Internasals, The

suture between the fellows equal to that between the praefrontal fellows. Prae-

frontals, The sutures between the fellows half the length of the frontal. Su-

praoculcrs, Length three-fourths thefrontal, half the parietals ; breadth three-

fifths that of the frontal. Frontal. Length a shade longer than its distance

to the end of the snout, two-thirds the parietals. Nasal. Entire. Loreal,

None. Praeocular, One. Postocular, One. Temporals. 142. Supralabials.

7, the lst and 2nd touching the nasaJ, 3rd and 4th the eye, 5th and 6th the an-

terior tem por al, Sublinguals, _ The “posterior about three-fourths the Jength

i er a nen aE Se

REVIEW OF THE ASIATIC SPECIES. OF CONTIA, 773.

of. the anterior ; in contact with one another ; touching the 4th and 5th infrala.

bials. Infralabials. Five, the 5th touching two scales behind. Costals. Two

heads-lengths behind the head 15, midbody 15, two heads-lengths before the

vent 13. The rows reduce from 15 to 13 about five heads-lengths before the

vent by the blending of the 4th and 5th rows above the ventrals. Smooth.

With single apical pits. Ventrals. .225. 7 pairs of scales between the Ist

ventral and the posterior sublinguals. Anal. Divided. Subcaudals. 110;

‘divided.

Colouration. —Dorsally tawny with many close-set, blackish, linear cross

bars, about sixty-eight in the anterior half of the body. The first bar is on the

5th row behind the parietals. The bars extend to the edges of the ventrals

and gradually fade till the posterior part of the body is uniform buff. On close

examination the bases and centres of the scales are a pale dun, and the edges

buff Thebelly is unspotted. The head is uniform except for a blackish mark

-on the upper halves of the 3rd and 4th supralabials. There is no nuchal bar.

Distribution. — Bazdad, South Persia. The type is in the Bombay -collection

(No. 171-1). :

CONTIA CORONELLA (Schlegel),

Length.—106 mm. (43. inches). ;

Lepidosis. Rostral. Depth about two-thirds its breadth. Portion visible

above rather greater than the suture between the internasal fellows. Jnter-

nusals. The suture between the fellows rather less than that between the prae-—

frontal fellows. Praefrontals, The suture between the fellows one-fourth the

length of the frontal. Supraoculars. Length three-fourths that of the frontal.

three-fifths the parietals ; breadth one half that of thefrontal. Frontal. Length

about twice its distance to the end of the snout, a shade greater than the parie-

tals. Nasal. Entire. Loreal. One; small, about two-fifths the length of the.

nasal. Praeocular. One. Postoculars. Two. Temporals, 1+2. Suprala-

bials, Seven, the 1st and 2nd touching the nasal, 3rd and 4th the eye, and 5th’

and 6th the anterior temporal. Sublinguals. Posterior subequal to the ante-.

rior ; separated by 2-++1 scales; touching the 4th and Sth infralabials. Infra-

labials. 5; the 5th touching 3 scales behind. Costals.. Two heads-lengths.

behind iho: head 17, midbody 17, two heads-lengths before the vent 15, The

rows reduce from 17 to 15 about six heads- lengths before the vent by the blend-

ing of the 3rd and 4th rows above the ventrals. Smooth. With single apical

pits. Ventrals. 142. (103 to 148 Boulenger) Divided. Subcaudals. 33,

divided (24 to 52 Boulenger) 2 pairs of scales between the Ist ventral and the

posterior sublinguals. Anal. Divided.

Colouration. Dorsally pale dun with ten series of deep brown spots

arranged quincuncially. Belly with four series of round, brown spots arranged

two on each ventral, the outer of one side and the inner of the opposite.

Head with a brown bar between the eyes, reappearing below the eye

and involving the posterior part of the second, the whole of the 3rd and

the anterior part of the 4th supralabials. A dark speck on the 3rd infralabials.

A black nuchal bar involving 5 scales in the length of the snake, separated ex-

cept mesially from the parictals by two rows of ‘scales, This is complete right

round the throat.

Distribution.—Shellal, Wadi Guzzi, Palestine. (No. 19428 in the Indian

Museum.)

CoNTIA DECEMLINEATA (Dumeril and Bibron),

C. decemlineata.—Boulenger, Cat., Vol. II, p. 260.

Contia condoni.—Boulenger, Bomb. N. H. J., Vol. X XVI, p.. 1024.

Length. 498 mm, (193 inches), tail 128 mm, (51 inches).

774. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX-

Lepidosis. (a) Typical Rostral. Depth about three-fourths its breadth, -

Internasals, The suture between the fellows from half, to equal to that bet-

ween the praefrontal fellows, Praefrontals. The suture between the fellows

two-fifths to three-fifths the length of the frontal. Swpraoculars, Length

equal to or a little shorter than the frontal, three-fifths to two-thirds the

parietals; breadth three-fourths to four-fifths that of the frontal. Frontal.

Length equal to or a shade greater than its distance to the end of the snout,

two-thirds to four-fifths the parietals. Nasal. Entire. Loreal. One. Postoculars.

Two. Temporals. 1+2. Supralabials. 7; the Ist and 2nd touching the

nasal, 3rd and 4th the eye, 5th and 6th the anterior temporal. Sublinguals..

Posterior a little shorter than the anterior, in contact with one another,.

touching the 4th and 5th infralabials. Infralabials. Five, the 5th touching

two scales behind. Costals. Two heads-lengths behind the head 17, midbodv

17, two heads-lengths before the vent 15. The reduction from 17 to 15

is caused by the 3rd and 4th rows above the ventrals blending six to eight

heads-lengths before the vent. Smooth. With single apical pits. Ventrals.

150 to 174. (152 to 175 Boulenger). 3 to 6 pairs of scales between the

first ventral and the posterior sublinguals—Anal. Divided. Subcaudals. 69 to-

92; divided (64 to 85 Boulenger).

(b) Anomalies. Postoculars. In specimen No. 6 the upper postocular is.

confluent with the supraocular on both sides. Swupralabials. The 3rd is divided

in one specimen on one side, making the series total 8, the 4th and 5th touching

the eye. Posterior sublinguals. Sometimes separated by a scale. Infrala-

bials. The 5th is sometimes in contact with 3 scales behind.

Colouration.—Dorsally buff with oblong blackish spots arranged quincuncial-

ly. A series of single spots on the edge of the ventrals, a series of dual spots.

on the edges of the 2nd and 3rd, and 3rd and 4th rows and a series of triple spots

on the edges of the 5th and 6th, 6th and 7th, and 7th and 8th rows (sometimes.

also the 8th and 9th). These tend to become dotted longitudinal lines poste-

riorly. Belly unspotted. Head with no black bars. No nuchal bar. Upper

supralabials with dusky sutures especially evident between the 3rd and 4th,

and 5th and 6th shields (sometimes in all).

Breeding.—A specimen 482 mm. (19 inches) in length contained three eggs

in the oviducts, of such a size and cnaracter as to suggest that the species is:

oivparous.,

Distribution.—Persia.

Cat z “

a P

~ ’

“

—_ ”

A «a *

>? th

av, *

; ;

~ 2

< : on

4 ~

ss i.

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

e RS

Costals. Rostral. 5 € g be Supraocular. | Frontal.

= ore hace _ a prt)

4 te sy Sy #2 2 Si38 s/s Be ae

< < a. =] Sloe izoagls Selah fe Seti) enh =

g = as = Slop (Srolas e| s “| 8

i Al sigs ae i eee eS et lS a Saas me

: al 2i84| .|82| [sa eleea ieee loe2| 2) col ean eee

7, mt | ced Vetoes | ee | ee | ae | acai alee = ee Ell Sie ce eal een

S = S Ss = Ss S|] SSS aS S&S S a oi) st s

3S | =|. o| | S| SISBS [hia [eee] th! tl Sl tol

e| wl s| Sif; SIPs! B] S! BIBS sS8ises| gl a] 3] al gs

e| e| | Sie | S)e*| &]| 2] alaSSiAseian |} 4] 81 e] 8] 4

| | | | ae

CONTIA

1 | Q | 339] 65) 15) 15) 15) 213] 63! 2/3 2/3| > 1/3} 4/5: 4) 3 3/5

2) g | 339) 75) 15 ‘ 13 #09 : 2/3} 2/3) = 2/5)" —3\ S| ales ;

3] © | 811) 56} 15) 15) 13] 204) 67) 2/3 HOU | 1/3] 2/3) - a 3/5|9 Slee

4} gy | 330) 68} 15) 15) 13) 198) 74] 2/3 3] > 4| 4| 3/5) =| 396

Bi | icf 285) tip | toy) 5) 915202) ia 22/8 2 i) 8) > 2/3

brokjen

6 | g | 293) 62) 15) 15) 13] 207) 74) 3/5 z S> 3 4] 3/5) >| 278

7 | Q | 336] 60] 15] 15| 13] 199] 66) 3/5 ee 2 3] 3/5] >| a3

8 | O | 345) 78} 15) 15) 13 se 77| 2/3} 2/8) > | 2 <| #4) 4-136

9 140 Bladistiat le 3/5} <3) > | < 1/3) 4/5| <3! 4 > | 85

1G |g | 323) 68} 15} 15] 15 - SPA inert as = 21 $1 2/3

11 | 9?! 311) 65] 15) 15) 15] 201) 77/2/38) ey) = 1/3) 3] 3) Bl ae

12 | S | 290) 72} 15) 15} 13) 185) 82) 2/3 AL SS 1/3), 3) 4! 8] >| 278

13 | 99] 212) 62] 15 (ae 15|205?| 74] 2/8 a) = 1/3) <| >> 8) 3/5) >| 2/3

14] § | 244] 53] 15] 15) 15} 200] 79] 2/3) A = 1/3| 2/3) 4) 3/5] >| 2/8

15 | Gu| 222) 58] 15/15) 13/492 )) 80 _ | = | SS ate > | 2/3

16 | G2?) 812) 72) 15 We 1'5'°200)0 26) are — ef emer an ee yis > 2/3

17 |

7) g | 272] 66] 15) 15) 13] 186] 78 | en = a Zt) 3] 2/3 > | 2a

Specimens 12 to 17 are labelled angusticep s

Sir A. H. McMahon. I have examined

CONTIA

1} g | 250; 50) 15) 15] 18) 131) 48) 2/3) > >} 2| = BIB < | 2/8

21 © | 805} 50] 15] 15| 13| 153) 42| 2/2] 2/3) <a] <4! < | 2/3 > | 3/4

3 | g2) 128 15} 15] 13) 126) 49] 2/3! 2/1 A <R | 2/3) = | > ye

4} go] 221) 48) 15} 15) 13/187) 43] 2/3) 2/1 4) 25) <1 s Bl ee

5 | Q | 858) 54) 15) 15) 13) 152) 37) 2/3) 2/1) S43) <3) 4/5) 2/3 > |

6 | gy | 250; 50) 15) 15} 13/136] 45) 2/3) > 2/3} 1/3) <] 4/5} = | sl e

tf 2 232) 85) 15/915! 231150) 85) 2/3) <0 a} 2/5) <<) 4/5) = | > a

8 |g | 244] 40) 15 15! s 157| 39] 2/3) 2/1 1} 2/5] <] 2/3 > | 4/5

9 | og | 288} 60) 15) 15) 2 134] 45] 2/3) 2/1 4] 2/5) = | 4/5 > | 4/5

10 |g | 258} 56) 15) 15 z 146] 51] 2/3) <2/1 3} 1/3) |) 3/5} =] >] <

11 9 245) 35) 15] 15! 18 157| 39/ 2/3) 2/1 3] 2/5] ] 2/38] = | + 1 4/5

“4 | | CoNTIA

1 |g?) 312} 85] 13) 15} 18, 209] 94| 2/3} 3] = d- fre | 3/6) 4) eee

Ba. | 13) 15) 13) 212] 967] 2 a < 3 2) eh] 3] > 3/5

REVIEW OF THE ASIATIC SPECIES OF ‘CONTIA. wire)

n ‘ ~~

Suprala- Posterior 2

bials. | sublinguals. ler!

eo ete

be —

=a 2. leis

oO =| a) :

| alii teridiec ese fle Fy ;

3 Sail | 3 He Locality. Where preserved.

° ° . = fa. = —_

a} 8) 2] .| & /*8| BS /e [8

= = 3 An 50 its) o Wh

3. 5 5 5 o a fel e 8 a} Go

Bi si si & | 8] BS | esl se ge | oe

~~ = “oO gat

um =) 77 = 5 Ss| fe Pf =

to) as fo) © | i) ® 5 Sees | oes

Ss] a] & Zee eis. Wasa wy |

PERSICA (Anderson).

QO 1f 2) 1+1 7| 8rd &, 2/3) 4th &|cont 2|Maidan Mihaftan, S$.|/No. 460 Bombay N.H.

| 4th 5th Persia. Soe. Collection.

0 1 1} 141 7| do. ?| 4th do. ee do. ci |No.459 ~~ do.

-0 1 WN aheeal 7| do. 2) 4th do. 2| do. ..|No. ? do.

& Sth

0 1 1] 1+1 7| do. < | do. | do. 2|S. Persia ae ..{St. Joseph’s College,

Bangalore.

BOT) 1, ati | 7 do. |< | do. |do.| 2) do. ie ae do.

“| 2) ea 7| do. | do. | do. do. at les do.

0 il 1) 1-1 7| do. < | do. do 2 do. a fs do.

0 1; 1} 141 7| do. < | do. |cont 2\Sharigh, Baluchistan. |No. 132, Quetta Mue

seum.

OO 4a) 1; 2 +1 7) 0,0 =|, 2/ Ste dOsy do. 2|Quetta, Baiuchist mn. |No.177 — do.

ii) as ee 7| do. | < | Sth | .. | .. |Kirgi, Waziristan ..|My collection.

0 1 1} 1-2 i koe 3) do. |cont/2 L |Kotkai, Waziristan .. do.

0 1 dy) i4+1 7| do. 31 4th &| do. 2) Malakand ne ..|No.802, Bombay Col-

Sth lection.

0 1 1] 141 7| da. = | do. do. 2 do. ae ..|No. 803 do.

6 1 1] 142 7| do. < | do do. 2 do. ae >aNo. til Dt 1- do.

0 1 1] 1+1 7| do. < | do. |sept do. re ..|No. 14437 Indian Mu

seum.

0 ‘| 1] 1+1 7| do. < | do. |cont 2 do. Phe ..|No. 14438 do.

oj 4) tata] 7 do. | < | do. |do.| 2] do. .. ..[No.14440 ° do.

and were.all collected by

several others from this locality.

FASCIATA (Jan.),

1 1 2 V2 7| ard &| 4/5] 4th sept. 2/Shellal, | Wadi-Gazzi, 19429 Indian Museum.

mie al. 2)2+2-) 7 ce 4/5 nee sept] 2 Ea ak .. (19430 do.

Heya 2) 1441 7| do. | 4/5! do. |sept.| 2)/Deir-el-Belah,Palestine}19431 do.

1 dt 2) b-Fa 7| do. 2/3) do. |sept. 3 Maidan Mihaftan, 8.1462 Bombaycellection.

| Heel 2h4+1| 7] do. | do. |sept.| 3 uae .|461 do.

me th 2) 4-44 Srleao. l315\ qo, sent 3 do. . (463 do.

4p ody 22) 141 7| do. 2| do. |sept. 3 do. ..{171 Cl do.

Bed) 21141} 7 do. | =| do. sept.) 2 do. ..|171 C3 do.

eet) 2) 121 7) do. 3} do. |sept.| 3 do. |17E E38 do:

mae a 2 a4 | ~~ 7\-do. 3! do. |sept.| 3'Shaiba,Iraq .. ../171-4 do.

ZI a een 71 do. | =

MCMAHONI Wall.

do. sept. 3\Faluja, Iraq .. --{171-€3 do.

0). Hea-t}141;,° 7 3rd& 3 an &| sept clan Baluchistam..| 53 Quetta Museum.

4th 5 : me:

Oo} 1 141 | | do. | 4/5] do. {cont grep al? Baluchistan.| 26 do.

a 26

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

SS | 8

Costals. Rostral. | o@ | o Supraocular. |Frontal.

z, |8s

Dn * "os ve | oe .

=| jie Be |“Sy/"8 a p _

— — om oss | ° 3 ~_ ei

&0 n a} 2 Bn s| © = ~ 3s -| &

ros] a cS | oS 255 =o) s a ~ 2 ~~

° ° Be = a] -52 eos] B+ a= ox =| =] o

i g a] ws} © ake 3 to) 3 is (s) ‘ee

= Rl gigs| lee ‘| 5/28 (438/08 | 2] 9

wi = 2 3S ~ je)

Ee s| Elgsl sl3s| a] S| slb2.|°28) Fe] S| 2] 2] 2] 2

oI S| site! SiSo| £1 eespace SeSieee| £1 S| 3] S| 4

Ss 5 | Alew 2lek + 3) Se a) ae as) wo] i)

Bl wi §| Sle=]| SIES| 8) 81 syeeal See Fee) gi s| S| si &

a\| ul al] sje | ale | &| v2] Aalges|H A] a] al B] A] Af

£5 2

CONTIA

1 260| 54) £3] 15) 15] 189} 62] 2/3 a =f TB) <1 8/5) aS aid

2] .. |:287| 40) ESP 15] 18) 178) soa a Arsh) ee 2/5| 4/5] 3/5| 2/3] > 3

S| .. | 154) i. | 1s) 25 atatieg?|) 62h a << 2/5] < | 3/5] 3/4] > g

165) .. | 1p] 15) Isl azo ez) 3) =e) 2/5) <<] 3/5) F > | 2/8

CONTIA

475| 125) 15) 15] 13] 225) 110 ae 2ifot| === + es ee a > | 2/3

ce)

ot 426| 106] 17] 17| 15] 170) 69) # 2/3 4/5

| I

we Nie

A A

ies)

Q? 442) 106) 7) 17) 15

eS)

—y

w;wo

wit

> 4/5

Pleo

3/5| # 2/3

—

peo

—

(su)

—

aaa

ey)

150] 87| # #} = | >1/3| < | 2/3] 3/5] > ! 5/6

< | 2/3) << | >| 4/5

(=)

fz)

(\)

of 2} 498] 128] 17] 17] 15] 174) 79) 4/5) = = 2/5

2/31 < | > | 5/6

Os On, FOQ

° ho

° No)

i=)

10 17] 17) 15:159?| 92

peo

—

2/3) 3/4] > | 3/4!

Nos.1, 2,3 & 4 are labelled condoni two of which were so pronounced

referred to in his description of that species.

1 ee

Lhe. | 112) 46 | 27) az 15) 442 2/3) SN ee 1/4} 3/5) 3/ 4/ 2/1 a

CoNTIA

A] .. | 480] 118] 17} a7} 15/1732] 73) 2 2 < 3 3/5| 3/4 3/5

21 .. | 490): 72) ap aah a5) ges! Coase 2/3) > 3/5] < eyes)

REVIEW OF THE ASIATIC SPECIES OF CONTIA, 779

—————— eee

Suprala- Posterior 4

bias, sublinguals. &

N < o S

= sje |*

Py g e lg [8_ Locality. Where preserved.

Pay ry e o 3 ss

S) 4/2] (f4] 3 lf |

° fo) om pst}

gi 13] = | | 2 les) 2 [Ee |%z

ad ~— 4 ~~ :

a e| 2! & | 5 ($8) 2 123 |os

es) al al & 42) 8 | Ss |n a

COLLARIS (Menetrics).

0, 1 1, 1+1 7| 3rd & 3) 4th & |eont 2|Muscat ae --|171 F1 Bombay col-

4th 5th lection.

i} -1 2) 1+1 7| do. 2/ do. |cont 2) Baghdad me soll #2 do.

ba |

qa do. = | do. |cont 2) Baghdad ae 171 F3 do.

et) i] 21 142]° 71 do. | < | do. |eont] 2/Baghdad .. ..(171 73 do.

-SEBRINA spec. nov.

ei! 61) 149 73rd & Z| 4th &\cont| 2/Bazdad,S. Persia ..|171-1 Bombay col-

4th 5th lection.

CORONELLA (Schlegel).

Se ee 71 3rd & | = [4th & |sept| 3/Shellal, Wadi-Guzzi, | No. 19428 Indian Mu

| 4th |. 5th Palestine. seum.

‘DECEMLINEATA

(@umeri] & Bibron.)

‘Synopsis of species,

1} 1} 2) 1+2 7| 8rd & | — | 4th & {cont} 3 LiShiraz.. ae ..|No. 171 G2 Bombay

4th 5th 2 N.H.S. Collection.

HM 1) Gise| Teard&| — | 4thé&lsept| 3] do... .. -/171G83 do.

4th 5th

| GS ee 714th &| — | do. Jeont do. .. i --(171G4 ~~ do.

S5thL

31a &

ith R

me) 1] 2) 1+2 7|/3rd &| = | do. |sept. do. .. ae ~(171 G1 do.

; 4th :

ti 1) 2) 142 7\8rd&| = | do. |eont] 2/Maidan Mihaftan ..|456 do.

4th

me 1). 1/142 7| 3rd & | = |-do do do. . (457 do.

4th

ed) 2} 4 -+2 7| 8rd& | = | do. | do do. . (458 do.

4th

me 1) 2142) 73rd&| =| do. | do do. ..{171E4 = do.

4th

1} 1] 21/142! 7/38rd&}] = | do. | do do. «171 B1--. do.

4th

) See 142) V3rd& < | do. _}-de. do. mary yt We he D4 dc.

4th

by Boulenger and

780

By Lrevr.-Con, W. H. Evans, D.S.0., R.E,, F.Z.S., F.E.S,

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES, —~ —

(Continued from page 537 of this Volume.) |

Part III.

(With 4 plates).

_D7. Maniola.—The Meadowbrowns. (Plate 13). | . |

Upf the ocelli not pupilled or only rarely so in individuals.

la (5a). H termen even, No ¢ brand, except in No. 3.

lb (4). Unh no prominent pale markings. Upf single apical ocellus; in”

@ rarely an ocellus in 2 ; ocelli not yellow ringed.

1 (2a). Upf bright tawny except for extreme base and margin. Unf discal |—

line obsolete or nearly so, never shows above. |

*pulchella, Fd. ' (38-45). The Tawny Meadowbrown. Chitral—Kashmir N.R.

2a (1) Upf tawny area completely overlaid dark brown scales, less so in |

2. Unf discal line more or less prominent, especially in 9, where it shows

upf and beyond it there is a tawny area nearly clear of dark scales.

2 (3). Comparatively large, no @ brand. F e

pulchra, Fd. (40-45). The Dusky Meadow brown. Chitral—Kumaon. NR. |

3 (2). Small. brand upf under mv.

hilaris, Stg. (34-36). The Pamir Meadowbrown. N. Chitral. VR.

4 (1b). Unh with prominent fulvous markings from base 8 to mid cell and a

discal series of irregular fulvous or pale yellow spots. ¢ upf ocellus very obscure;

2 apical ocellus and ocellus in 2 prominent and yellow ringed. qi

*ceenonympha, Fd. (35-45). The Spotted Meadowbrown. Kashmir. NR. -}

5a (la). margin crenulate. g upf broad dark brand from v1 to v3 or 4, |

2 usually ocellus in 2.

5b (7a). Unh no pr omihent ocelli, at most a very small one in 1.

5 (6). Above dark brown, only tawny beyond cell and about ocelli in female. |~

y & upf ocelli not yellow ringed. @Q uph discal line prominent and.) —

much paler beyond it. . 4 Pate | ‘-

lupinus centralis, Riley. °(45-50). The Branded Meadowbrown. Baluchis- —

tan. _.R. H

6. A upf ocellus yéllowtinged. @Q uph uniform.

*Jupinus kashmirica, M. ‘Chitral—Kashmir. NR. |

y. As last, but larger and fulvous ring round ocellus in ¢ and fulvous areas |

about ocelli in 2 upf ‘larger.

lupinus cheena, M. (50-60). Kashmir—Nepal. NR.

6 (5). Above tawny except for extreme base and border. Unf discal oan

obsolete. Unh paler and more striated, very irregular discal and sub- ~~

line.’

narica, Hub. (48-50). The Tawny Branded Meadowbrown. Baluchistan. R. | |

7a (5b). Unh prominent white ringed ocelli and prominent -white edged |i u

discal line.

7.(8). Upf apical ocellus elongate. ;

wagnert mandane, Koll. (50-52). The Ovalepet Meadowbrown. Raluch-}

istan. VR. en

8 (7). Upf apical ocellus circular. | ;

Large. @ upf brand wide and extending into 3. Unh ocelli small, ocell | —

in 1 and 5 very small or absent. |

*davendra latistigma, M. (52-55). The Whiteringed Mondo htesal - Balu-| |

chstan. NR. |

8. Small. ¢ brand narrower and not into 3. Unh ocelli variable, often

an extra ocellusin 6. Unf discal line prominent.

(quae BompBay Nat. Hist. Soc. Prater XTIT.

D. Satyridae. 7. Maniola: 8. Eumenis: 10. Aulocera: 12. Arge: 13. Hrebia: 14. Ypthima:

15. Zipoetis: 17. Hrites: 16. Orsotrioena: 18. Ragadia,

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 781.

D7. Maniola—conid.

davendra chitralica, Evans. (48-52). Chitral NR.

». Aslast. Unh ocelliin 2 and 5 large and equal ; ocellus in 1 usually absent.

davendra brevistigma, M, Baltistan—Ladak. NR.

Large and brand broad, but not into 3. Unusually an occllus im 1,

Unf discal line obscure.

davendra,davendra, M, (50-55), Spiti—Kumaon. R,

D8. Eumenis.—The Rockbrowns. (Plate 13).

1 (2a). Above velvet black with white border, no discal band. Unh white

edged discal line and prominent ocelli in 2 and 5. d_ upf brand from v1-4.

qa. Upt white marginal band unsullied. Uph ocellus in 2 small and mostly

on the white area. Below paler, discal line straight.

_ parisatis shiva, LeCerf. (65-70). The White-edged Rockbrown. Baluchistan

—Chitral and Hunza. NR.

g. Upt white margin narrow, sullied, Uph ocellus in 2 mostly on the dark

area and large. Unh ocelli very large.

- *parisatis parsis, LeCerf. Kashmir—Kumaon. NR.

2a (1). Above with tawny or white band.

2b (4a). Unf broad dark bar in cell. Upf discal band consists of discon-

nected broad streaks, those in 2 and 5 being divided by an ocellus.

ocellus in 1.

2 (3). Upf basal half of cell white ; discal band white and always a streak in

4, Unf ocellus pupilled. o upf broad brand. |

heydenreichi shandura, Mar. (50-65). The Shandur Rockbrown. Chitral—

Kashmir. R.

3 (2). Upf cell dark brown ; discal band tawny in DSF and white in WSF,

rarely streak in 4. Unf ocelli blind. 6 brand narrow.

- *persephone enervata, Stg. (€0-70). The Dark Rockbrown. Baluchistan—

Chitral. NR.

4a (2b). ,Unf dark bar in cell narrow or absent, apical ocellus pupilled.

4 (5a). Upf @ tawny band suffused dark brown, except round ocellus; in 2

pale tawny, sullied. Uph ocellus in-prominent. Unh broadly white beyond

discal band. ¢ brand upf broad.

semele diffusa, But. (60-70). The Grayling. Ravi Basin. VR.

5a (4). Upf tawny band prominent and continuous, veins more or less dark.

Uph ocellus in 2 small or absent.

5 (6). Uph tawny discal band continued into 6 or to costa. ¢ upf.dark

basal area not projecting prominently into discal band at v4. dg upf dark

brand larger v1-4.

mniszechit lehana, M, (58-65). The Tawny Rockbrown.

Chitral—Ladak. NR.

g. Aslast but always smaller.

mniszechit baldiva, M. (50-55). Ladak, Kun-wur, Spiti. NR.

6 (5). Upf tawny discal band not into 6. @ upf dark basal

projecting into discal band at v4. ¢ upf brand mid cell parailel to the scv.

*thelephassa, Hub. (55-65). The Baluchi Rockbrown. Baluchistan, NR

Upt no

Baluchistan.

area

D9. Karanasa.—The Satyrs. (Plate 13).

la (8a). Upf single ocellus in 5.

1 (2). Upf broad tawny discal band ; ocellus not pupilled.

a Apex F produced. Upf diseal band broad and light, veins only narrew!v

black,

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

D9. Karanasa.—(contd.) -

igna pallas, Evans. (55). The Chitrali Satyr. Chitral to 9,000 feet NR.

Apex F not produced. Upf discal band narrower, duller, veins broadly

black, especially v4 ; outer edge discal band much zigzagged. Smaller.

digna digna, Mar. (52). Chitral over 9,000 feet. NR.

2(1). Upf no tawny discal band ; ocellus pupilled.

a. Small, Apex F produced. Upf ocellus small.

actea nana, Stg. (50-55). The Black Satyr. Baluchistan. R.

6. Much larger. Apex F produced. Upf ocellus very large.

*actea magna, Evans. (60-65). Chitral to 9,000 feet. R.

y. Small, Apex F rounded. Upf ocellus small.

acteea pimpla, Fd. (45-50). Chitral over 9,000 feet. R.

3a (la). Upf ocelli in 5 and 2 on a pale band (ocellus in 2 rarely absent),

3 (4). Upf veins across pale band brown in d.and in 2 vs 1 and 4 brown. Pale

band yellow, but often more or less suffused tawny. Outer edge of discal band

uph defined by a sawtooth line. Apex F produced. ¢ brand prominent. a

regelti moorei, Evans. (45-55), The Turkestan Satyr. Chitral—Ladak. NR.

4 (3). Upf veins across pale band concolorous with ground, except sometimes

at upper end. Pale band tawny; outer edge discal band uph defined by an

even or waved line. Apex F not produced. @ brand faint.

*hubneri, Fd. The Tawny Satyr. Safed Koh. Chitral, Ladak, Kashmir. N

Di0. Paroeneis.—The Mountain Satyrs. (Plate 13),

Above brown with tawny band. Small. No d brand.

1 (2). Upf tawny band ill-defined, diffused inwards, mostly tawny except

tor the dark border.

a. Above dark brown border narrow, confined to termen and ill-defined

inwardly.

pumilus pumilus, Fd. (38-40). The Mountain Satyr. Kashmir, Ladak. NR.

g. Above dark brown border broad, up to edge of discal band.

*numilus bicolor, Seitz. (40-45). Chumbi Valley. NR.

2(1). Upf tawny discal band narrow and well defined, Most of wing dark

brown.

palearcticus sikkimensis, Stg. (40-45). The Arctic Satyr. Sikkim. R.

Di1. Aulocera.—The Banded Satyrs. (Plate 13).

Above black or very dark brown, discal band white or pale yellow. ¢ upf

dark brand mid dorsum to v4 more or less prominent.

la (5). Below dark, white striation less prominent than the dark ground.

Tegumen with horns.

1 (2a). Upf inner edge white discal spots 1-4 in line. Uph band narrow

and even. Wings rounded, termens convex. Tegumen gradually sloped to tip.

a. Unf apical ocellus well defined and prominently pupilled. Uph discal

band to dorsum.

brahminus brahminus, Blanch. (55-65). The Narrow-banded Satyr. Kashmir

—Mussoorie. NC.

p. Upf apical ocellus ill-defined. Uph discal band to dorsum, comparatively

straight. Large.

brahminus dokwana, Evans. (65-68). W. Garhwal, Kumaon, Nepal. R. ~

y. As last, but much smaller and darker. Uph band much curved.

brahminus brahminoides, M. (50-60). Chumbi Valley. R.

2a (1). Upf inner edge discal spots 1-3 nearer base and not in line with spot

in 4, but more in line with inner spot in 5, if present. Tegumen with shoulder. —

Wings produced, termen F straight,

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES, 783

Dll, Aulocera—(¢cvntd.)

2 (3). Uph band of even width throughout and veins crossing it black.

Tegumen hooks short.

- a. Upf inner spot in 5 absent in @. Uph band to dorsum in @, not always

so in 2. Unf ocellus prominently pupilled.

padma padma, Kollar. (70-85), The Great Satyr. Kashmir—Sikkim. NR.

g. Upfinner spotin 5 presentin g and 9. Uph band to dorsumin ¢ and

©. Unf ocellus often ill-defined.

padma loha, Doh. (80-92). Kumaon—Assam to 8,000 feet. NR.

\. As last but much smaller and bands much narrower. Uph band curved

and not as a rule to dorsum in @.

padma chumbica, M. (65-75). Bhutan, Chumbi Valley, over 9,000 feet

NR.

6. As last, but bands pale yellow above and bright yellow below. Occurs

as a variety with chumbica.

padma fulva, Evans, (70-75). Abor Valley and S8.E. Thibet, over 9,000 ft. R.

3 (2). Uph band distinctly narrowing to dorsum, whichit never reaches

except rarely in @ ; veins crossing it not darkened as a rule. Bronzy sheen

above and below paler than last. Tegumen with very long hooks.

a, Uph band very narrow and not entering cell; upf spots of band weli

separated, only very faintly tinged yellow.

swaha kurrama, Evans. (60-65). The Common Satyr. Safed Koh. NR.

8. Uph band broad and enters cell; upf discal spots coalesced usually and

larger, Above band pale straw, unf tinged pale yellow.

*swaha swaha, Koll. (60-70). Chitral—Sikkim. C.

y. As last, but upf band bright yellow.

swaha garuna, Fruh. Kashmir-—Kulu, inner ranges. NR.

4 (la). Below very pale, white striation predominant; white band broad and

straight on H, reaches dorsum. Tegumen without hooks.

saraswati, Koll. (65-75). The Striated Satyr. Chitral—Sikkim. C.

Diz. Arge.—The Marbled Whites. (Plate 13).

_ Above white with irregular sub-marginal brown line and upf narrow irregular

brown discal band and dorsum brown. Unh ocelliin 1-3 and 5 and 6, often

obscure.

*halamede montana, Leech. (60-65). The Chinese Marbled White. N.

Burma. VR.

D13. Erebia.—The Arguses. (Plate 13).

la (4a). Antenne club spatulate. Above velvet dark brown; upf ocellus

single pupilled. (sometimes unpupilled and very rarely 2). Unf maroon. Unh

dark brown, powdered white scales, no ocelli, complete postdiscal row white

spots, No. 3 brand.

1 (2a). Upf outer half wing yellow. Uph uniform dark velvet brown.

*mant, DeN. (45-50). The Yellow Argus. Chitral—-Ladak. R.

2a (1). Upf outer half not yellow. Uph obscure postdiscal ferruginous patch.

2 (3). Upf broad prominent postdiscal ferruginous area and apical ocellus

Orominently yellow ringed.

y Upf ocellus not pupilled and upf no tawny patch.

3 eerie chitralica, Hvans. (45-50). The Scarce Mountain Argus. Chitral.

& Upf ocellus pupilled.

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

D13. CISD)

*kalinda, kalinda, M. (45-50). een nes R..

3 (2). Upf ferruginous area cae and detached from ocellus, which ia

no yellow ring, except in @.

shallada, Lang. (45-55). The Mountain Argus.. Chitral. Kashmir—Mussoorie,

NR.

4a (la). Club antenne gradual.

4b (8a). Above velvet dark brown; upf ocellus bipupilled; uph an ocellus

in 2. Unh at least an ocellus in 2.

4c (6a). Unh no sub-marginal brown fascia or line; discal brown line or

fascia obscure or obsolete.

4(5). Above uniform. No ¢ brand.

a. Unh finely irrorated ; ocellus in 2 minute, no ocellus in 1, white spots 4,

5 and 6 obscure, also brown discal line traceable. Unf maroon.

nirmala reducta, Evans. (50-55). The Common Argus. Chitral. VC.

8. Unf dark brown and unh no white irrorations, ocellus in 2 prominent,

usually no ocellus in 1 and rarely ocellus in 4, white spots prominent, no

discal line.

nirmala daksha, M. (45-50). Kashmir. C.

y. Transitional between last and next. Unf dark maroon, unh white irrora-

tions weak, ocelli never so well developed as is usually the case in the next.

nirmala kala, Evans. (45-50). Murree. VC.

5. Unf bright maroon. Unh white irrorations prominent and often broad

discal line ; ocelli very variable, may be only 1 or 2 or a complete row.

*nirmala nirmala, M. (50-55). Kangra—Kumaon. VC.

5 (4). Above outwardly prominently paler. Unh white irrorations very

prominent, especially towards dorsum; ocelli in 1 and 2 prominent and

subequal, none elsewhere, white dots prominent. @ upf modified scales on

disc.

scanda, Koll. (50-60). The Pallid Argus. Kashmir—Sikkim. NR.

6a (4c). Unh prominent sub-marginal and discal fasciz or lines; striation

prominent and uniform ; never more than ocelli in 1 and 2.

6 (7). Unh prominent sub-marginal and discal lines, not fasciz; sub-

marginal line clear of the ocelli, which are prominent. F dorsum longer than

costa. No @ brand.

hybrida, M. (50-60). The Hybrid Argus. Simla—Kumaon. NR.

7 (6). Unh prominent submarginal and discal fasciz, not lines, and former

runs into the ocelli; fascize widening to apex. IF costa longer than or equal

to the dorsum. In DSF unh fasciz and ocelli tend to obsolescence.

a. Large. Upf narrow fulvous ring to ocellus. Apex F produced and

termen straight. @ prominent area modified scales on disc upf.

annada annada, M. (60-70). The Ringed Argus. Kashmir—Sikkim. NR.

B. Smaller. Upf ocellus with a very broad ring. Apex F rounded. No

modified scalesin ¢.

*annada orixa, M. (55-60). Assam—N. Burma. NR.

y. As last, larger. Upf ocellus with even broader ring. Unh white irrora-

tions very prominent also dark fasciz and there is a prominent sub-basal fascia

as well. No @ brand.

annada suroia, Tyt. (60-65). Manipur. R.

8a (4b). Above brown ; ocellus with yellow, not fulvous ring.

8 (9). Uph prominent ocellus in 2. Upf second pupil to ocellus absent or

minute. Below pale brown; unh striated and with 2 large double ocelli in 1-2

and 5-6, no discal line. No @ brand. Wings rounded.

*hyagriva, M. (42-46). The Brown Argus. Kashmir—Kumaon. R,

ee Se See

THE IDENTIFICATION CGF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES, 185

D13. Erebia—(contd.)

9 (8). Uph and unh no ocelli. Unf prominent dark discal line from inside

ocellus to vl and postdiscal line to vl, between which ground colour is paler. 3

prominent dark brown brand mid I to base 4, entering cell. Wings produced,

especially tornus H which is lobed.

a. Below rather pale brown, more or less frosted over white scales F and

evenly striated H, no fascia.

narasingha narasingha, M. (55). The Mottled Argus. Abor Valley. VR.

8. Below paler and with an ochreous tinge, H not striated or uniform, costa.

apex and tornus prominently darker.

narasingha dohertyi, Hvans. (55 ). N. Burma—Shan States. VR,

Di4. Ypthima.—The Rings. (Plate 13).

1 (2a). Unh no ocelli or at most a dot in 2.. Uph ocellusin 2. Unh varie-

gated, basal area and mid termen ochreous vrown, rest nearly white. Unf no

loop under ocellus or fascia. No d brand.

megalomma megalia, DeN. (45 ). The Ringless. N. Burma. VR.

2a (1). Unh with ocelli, though often obsolete in DSF.

2b (lla). Unh single apical ocellus in 6.

2c (7a). Unh only 2 subtornal ocelli in 1 and 2, no ocellusin 3 and uph

only ocellus in 2.

2d (5a). Unf no loop round ocellus extending to 1, or 2.

2e (4). Unf no prominent sub-marginal dark fascia, at least in WSF. ¢ with

brand upf.

2 (3). Unhapicalandtornal ocelli not in line, ocellusin 2 shifted out.

DSF variable, may have a submarginal fascia unf and two discal fascive unh.

inica, Hew. (80-34). The Lesser Threering. Punjab—Bengal. NR.

3 (2). Unh apical and tornal ocelli in line. No DSF.

a. Unf striation obsolete. Below ochreous tinge. Upf ocellus ring

obscure.

*lycus lycus, DeN. (37-40). The Plain Threering. Assam, R.

g. Unf striation prominent. Below grey.

lycus lycoides, Wat. (37-40). N. Burma. R.

4 (2e). Below sub-marginal fascia F and mid termen H; no discal fascia

I. No @ brand, no DSF,

a. Unf sub-marginal fascia prominent and widening at tornus, Unh

apical ocellus not much larger than rest. Small.

nareda nareda, Koll. (40-45) The Large Threezing. Kashmir—Kumaon.

NR.

6. Unf submarginal fascia even. Unh apical oceilus much larger than rest

and striation coarser,

nareda newara, M. (45-50). Sikkim—Assam. NR.

y. As last, but smaller.

nareda sarcaposa, Fruh. (40-45). Assam—Shan States. NR.

5a (2d). Unf with discal fascia, which forms a loop under the ocellus with

the sub-margina] fascia. No ¢ brand. With DSF.

5 (6). Large. Below striation coarse and wide. Unh in WSF ocellus very

large.

watsoni, M. (40-45). The Looped Threering. Manipur—s. Burma. NR.

6 (5). Small. Striation below fine.

a. Unh WSF ocelli very small; in DSF 2 more or iess prominent discal lines.

*asterope mahratta, M, (30-37). The Common Threering. India. Chamba—

Assam. C,

6. Unh WSF ocelli large; in DSF discal lines obscure or abzenty Uni Joop

may be obscure.

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

D114. Ypthima—(:ontd.)

asterope burmana, Evans. (28-36). N. Burma. NR.

7a (2c), Unh 3 tornal ocelliin 1,2 & 3, Uph usually ocelli in 2 & 3 at least.

No ¢ brand.

7b (9a). Unh subtornal ocelli on a dark band. Seasonal forms not strongly

marked.

7 (8). Upf dark bands from below invisible and ocellus ring obscure.

ypthimoides, M. (40-55). The Palni Fourring. 8S. India. NR.

8 (7). Upf dark bands and ocellus ring prominent. Below paler; H

whitish, dark bands and ocelli rings prominent.

chenui, Guer. (36-46). The Nilgiri Fourring. S. India. NR.

9a (7b). Unh subtornal ocelli not on a dark band. Seasonal forms strongly

marked.

9 (10). Uph tornal half white.

ceylonica, Hew, (30-35). The White Fourring. Ceylon. 8. India—Bengal.

10 (9). Uph not white.

a. Below all fasciz obso!cte.

hubnert kashmira, M. (35-40). The Common Fourring. Kashmir—Kulu.

NR.

@. Below all fasciz usually prominent. Very variable, especially in DSF,

hubnert hubneri, Kirby. (30-40). India. Burma. VC.

lla (2b). Unh more than one apical ocellus and that in 5 always prominent.

11b (13a). Unh the tornal ocelli in a straight line or that in 2 slightly shifted

out. ;

11 (12). Unh only 2 subtornal ocelli usually, ocellus in 3 absent. Unh 3

sub-apical ocelli in 4, 5 and 6. Below fascie prominent. No dg brand.

No DSF.

bolanica, Mar. (35-40). The Desert Fourring. Baluchistan—Kashmir. R.

12 (11). Unh 3 subtornal and 2 subapical ocelli (rarely an ocellus in 4 and

rarely that in 6 absent).

a. Small. @ upf no ocellus. Below pale; unf discal band may be absent.

Unh no discal band. @ brand more or less prominent.

avanta singala, Fd. (30-35). The Jewel Fourring. Ceylon. S. India—

Central Provinces. NR.

6. @ upf ocellus prominent. Below whitish, with prominent bands. @

brand absent.

avanta striata, Hamp. (35-45). Nilgiris. R.

y @ upf no ocellus. Below dark, markings more or less prominent, @

brand prominent. :

avanta avanta, M. (32-38). Kashmir—Sikkim. NR.

6. @ upf prominent ocellus. Pale and small. Below pale and fascice obscur

3S brand faint or absent.

avanta cerealis, Wat. (32-36). Burma dry zone. R.

n. As typical avanta, but larger and striation below coarser.

avanta bara, Evans. (38-42). Sikkim—Burma. NR.

13a (11b). Unh tornal ocelli not in line, ocellus in 2 shifted in more or less.-

13 (14a). Unh ocellus in 6 minute. Small. Uph no discal fascie.

Unf no discal and sub-marginal fascia obscure. No ¢ brand. DSF well marked.

a. Unh discal fascia obsolete.

philomela tabella, Mar. (25-35). The Baby Fivering. 8S. India, NR.

6. Unh discal fascia always visible. Paler,

philomela pequana, Evans. N. Burma. NR.

14a (13). Unh ocellus in 6 more or less prominent. Larger.

14b (20a). Unh the 2 apical ocelli not prominently larger than the rest.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES, 787

P14. Ypthima.— (coréd.)

14c (17a). Under 45mm expanse.

14d (16a). 4 upf prominent brand ; discal line not visible. DSF well marked.

14 (15). Below striation coarse and sub-basal band prominent as well as the

discal. Uph discal line always more or less well marked.

a. Unh 2 apical ocelli usually well separated. WSI discal bands very often

most prominent on a pale ground.

baldus madrasa, Evans, (36-43). The Common Fivering. S. India. VC.

6. Unh apical pair of ocelli and also central pair usually confluent. Small,

pale, especially below, fascize more obscure.

baldus satpura, Evans. (32-36). Pachmarhi. NR.

y. Very variable; unh in WSF ocelli often very large and confluent ; dark

and bands not so prominent as in a.

*Daldus baldus, F. (35-48). Chamba—Burma. VC.

15 (14). Below striation fine and darker; sub-basal bands F and H obsolete.

- Uph discal band not visible. NR.

indecora, Mar. (35-40). The Western Fivering. /Kashmir—Kumaon.

16a (14d). ¢ upf brand absent and discal line visible F and H. Below sub-

basal. fascia obscure.

a. Very dark, especially below. DSF strongly marked and variegated.

similis affectata, El. (38-42). The Eastern Fivering. Assam. R.

6. Very pale, below whitish, sparsely striated. Termen F very straight.

DSF ocellated, not strongly marked.

similis yoma, Evans. (35-42). Pegu Yoma. R.

vy. Very like baldus. DSF ocellated, not strongly marked.

similis similis, El. (40-45). Karens—Dawnas. NR.

17a (14c). Over 45 mm expanse.

17 (18a). Below very pale with dark fasciz’ very prominent and discal

fascia H straight. Above pale, prominent brand. Unh tornal double

ocellus separated. DSF strongly marked.

savara, GrS. (45-50). The Pallid Fivering. C.

18a (17). Unh discal fascia, if present, angled out opposite end cell, fascice

never so prominent. DSF ocellated.

18 (19). Unh double tornal ocellus separated, apical pair separate.

a. Large and dark. No d brand.

methora methora, Hew. (50-55). The Variegated Fivering. Sikkim—Assam

8. Smaller and rather paler. <3 brand obscure. Below fasciz very faint.

methora sobrina, El (48-52). Karen Hills. R. |

19 (18). Unh double tornal ocellus with single iris, apical ocelli with irides

touching or coalesced.

a. Dark. Below fascie absent on H and obscure on F. No @ brand. F

produced. Unh ocellus in 5 shifted in.

dohertyt persimilis, El, (50-55). The Great Fivering. Manipur. VR.

6. Pale. Below whitish, sparsely striated, fasciz obscure. @ brand

prominent. Uph all ocelli showing.

dohertyi dohertyi, M. (52-56). Shan States—Karens. R.

20 (14b). Unh apical 2 ocelli much larger than the rest, tornal double ocellu

with single iris. No DSF.

a, Small, dark, ocelli smal]. Unh apical ocelli separated by iris, the irides

being coalesced. @ brand prominent or obscure. Below no fascie.

on nikaea, M. (45-50), The Himalayan Fivering. Murree— Kumaon.

6. Larger, paler, ocelli larger. Unh apical 2 ocelli with a single iris. 6

brand obscure. Below no fasciz.

sakra sakra, M. (48-55). Sikkim, C,

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

D14. Ypthima—(contd.)

7. As last, paler. Unf discal and sub-marginal fascia show obscurely and

rarely also on H.

*sakra austent, M. (48-55), Assam—Karen hills. C.

D15. Zipoetis.—The Catseyes. (Plate 13).

Without dry season form.

1 (2). Velvet black with broad white band F and H. Unh 2 small tornal

ocelli, large one in 2, double one 5—6, small one in 7, allinwardly bordered by a

pale line.

*saitis, Hew. (60-65). The Tamil Catseye. 8S. India. R.

2 (1). Above dark velvet brown, no pale bands; 3 very narrow sub-terminai

lines; apex F paler. Unh ocelli as in last.

*scylax, Hew. (55-62). The Dark Catseye. Sikkim—Shan States. NR.

D16. Orsotriena.—The Nigger. (Plate 13).

Above dark brown, unmarked, but the discal band from below shows faintly.

Below crossed by a white band. Unf ocelli in 2 and 5. Unh in 2, 5 and 6,

DSF strongly marked.

a. Below white band broad and tapering to costa F and dorsum H.

medus mandata, M. (42-52). The Nigger. Ceylon, S. India. C,

8. Below discal band narrow and even ; in DSF may be absent or replaced

by a dark line.

*medus medus, F. (45-55). Sikkim—Burma. Andamans, Nicobars. C,_

Di7. Erites.——The Cyclops. (Piate 13).

Seasonal! forms slightly marked.

la (3). Upf large ocellus in 2 only, remainder from below show faint. Apex

F produced.

1 (2). Unh inner band sharply angled in middle as is the discal band. Uph

ocelli with broad yellow rings.

*angularis, M. (50-60). The Angled Cyclops. NR.

2(1). Unh inner band straight or slightly curved, discal band sharply

angled.

a. EF termen concave opposite end v5. Upf ocellus in 2 pupilled. Uph

ocelli small and narrow ringed, no bands showing. Unh ocelli small, bands

broad and dark.

falcipennis falcipennis, WM. (50-55). The Common Cyclops. Cachar—

Chin Hills. R.

6. EFtermeneven. Upf ocellus not pupilled. Uph ocelli with broad rings

and bands show through.

faleipennis rotundata, DeN. (50-60). Karen Hills—S. Burma. C.

3 (la). Upf all ocelli marked. Apex F not produced. Uph and unh as

rotundata.

argentina delia, Mart. (50-55). The Eyed Cyclops. Tavoy—S. Burma.

VR.

D18. Ragadia.—The Striped Ringlet. (Plate 13).

a, Above all 4 bands of the same shade, dusky. Unh ocelli in 3, 4 and ©

with irides conjoined.

cristlda crito, DeN. (42-46). Bhutan—Manipur, R.

—

PLATE X]

JouRN. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc.

tes: 21. Anadebis: 25. Ely 10s

23. Cyllogenes: 19. Coel

22. Melanit

20, Neorina

Satyridae.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 789

P18, Ragadis—(conid.)

g. Above pale band (3rd from base) clear white, narrow. Uph sub-marg |

inal band very narrow. Uph dark band bearing the ocelli below much wider

than the pale bands on either side. Unh ocelli in 3, 4 and 5 with irideg

conjoined.

crisilda crisilda, Hew. (42-46). Cachar—Assam. NR.

y. Above discal white band broader on F also sub-marginal band H, where

the dark band bearing the ocelli below is only slightly wider than the pale bands ; ;

upf sub-marginal band narrow white. Unh ocelliin 4 and 5 with irides con-

joined or separate.

crisilda critolaus, DeN. (42-46). Karens—Dawnas. R.

6. Above as last, but smaller and darker, white bands narrower. Upf sub-

marginal band may be obsolete.

*crisilda critolina, Hvans. (37-42). Dawnas to 8S. Burma. R.

D1i9. Ccelites—The Blue Catseyes. (Plate 14).

Above dark brown, bases broadly glossed purple blue; below dull brown with

a diffused pale band. d uph long erect hairs along vl and a prominent

dark brand along outer two-thirds of vl.

1 (2). Unh ocelliin 4 ond 5 much smaller than ocelliin 2,3 and 6; no discal

band ; dark discal line before ocelli angled out opposite end cell.

nothis adamsoni, M. (75-85). The Scarce Catseye. Bhamo. VR.

2(1). Unh all ocelli small and equal, prominent pale straight discal band

and no dark discal line.

*eprminthia binghami, M. (75-85), The Blue Catseye. Dawnas—S

Burma. R.

D209. Neorina.—The Owls. (Plate 14). No male brand.

1 (2a). H no tail at v3. Upf broad yellow discal band.

—*hilda, Wd. (80-95). The Heslligny Owl. Sikkim—Assam. R.

2a (1). H tail at v3.

2 (3). Upf broad white Akal band. Uph no ocelli.

patria westwoodi, M. (100-110). The White Owl. Assam—N. Burma

3 (2.) Upf broad yellow discal band. Uph ocelli in 2 and 3.

chrishna archaica, Fruh. (95-105). The Tailed Yellow Owl. S. Burma. VR.

D21i. Anadebis.—The Diadems. (Plate 14). No male brand.

1(2). Above and below complete postdiscal row ocelli.

*himachala, M. (60-85). The Dusky Diadem. Sikkim—N. Burma. NR.

2 (1). Above and below complete postdiscal row white spots, which are very

large on H,

* diademoides, M. (80-90). The White Diadem. Karens—S. Burma. R,

D22. Melanitis—The Evening Browns. (Plate 14). No male brand.

1 (2a). WSF below grey, striated dark brown, with large prominent ocelli.

Upt always prominent, white pupilled, black spot in 3, extending into 4 and a

white spot against its upper, outer, edge; paler above the spot. DSF the black

and white spots prominent, with on the inner and lower side a narrow, promi-

790 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST SOCIETY, Vol. XX TM

D22. Melanitis—(contd.)

nent, sharply defined ochreous bar; in 5 a similar ochreous bar that very rarely

extends above 5. F produced ; in WSF termen just angled below v5, prominent-

ly soin 2 andin DSF 4g, falcate in DSF 9. H termen equally tailed at

vl. and v3.

*leda ismene, Cr. (60-80).: The Common Evening Brown. Ceylon, India,

Burma, Andamans. VC.

2a (1). WSF never with large ocelli below. DSF ochreous markings never

so restricted and so well defined. ;

2 (3). WSF below ocelli small, but more or less complete and usually welt

formed. DSF with termen ashy, especially so in ¢. KF WSF apex not pro-

duced and termen straight or very faintly angled below v5. H WSF tailed only

at v3 and termen straight to tornus; DSF tail at v1 much shorter than tail at

a. WSF do above very dark, unmarked, apex F paler; @ upf black spots

prominent, white spots small or absent, pale area above to costa. Below @ very

dark, 2 ferruginous, ocelli not so well formed as usual. DSF no ochreous mark-

ings upf, black and white spots more or less prominent and pale costal bar.

phedima tambra, M. (70-80). The Dark Evening Brown. Ceylon, NR.

8. Smaller and not so dark. WSF below ocelli well developed and discal |

line prominent, ferruginous.

phedima varaha, M. (60-70). S. India. NR.

B. WSF with costal ochreous bar beyond cell, no black and white spots;

2 entire apex ochreous with small pupilled ocellus in 3, indistinct black spot

above and 2 small apical black spots. DSF broad yellow apex, entering cell

and to marginin 9, black and white spots prominent in 2, small and well —

separatedin 3 asin 2 WSF.

phedima bethami, DeN. (75-85). Pachmarhi. NR.

6. As large as tambra. WSF C_ below bands ill-defined. DSF wpé

ochreous mark in 2 asin No. 1, but not sharp defined and reaches costa.

phedima galkissa, Fruh. (60-75). Kashmir—Kumaon. NR.

n. As last, but larger and darker, especially in DSF. DSF ¢ ochreous costal

bar present.

phedima bela, M. (65-80). Sikkim—N. Burma. C.

& As last, but smaller. DSF ochreous markings reduced. Below ocelli

or spots smaller. WSF below tornus edged rich reddish brown.

phedima ganapati, Fruh. (65-75). Karen Hills—S. Burma. C.,

3 (2). WSF below small white spots rather than ocelli, DSF margins not

ashy.

a. Above DSF and WSF nearly alike; black spots more or less prominent,

especially white spotsin ¢ ; margin F shining blackin @¢ (slightly powdered in_

DSF), dusted ochreous in 2 (especially in WSF); pale costal bar beyond cell

dusky in @, dull ochreous in 9. Below dark discal line prominent in WSF

and apexin d yellowish. DSF pale smoky, with black basal patches,

more prominent in gd. YF produced and termen prominently angled below vd,

falcate in 9.

zitentus gokala, M. (75-85), The Great Evening Brown. S. India. R.

6. As next, but smaller and apical ochreous area very wide, black spots

prominent,

zitenius kalinga, M. (75-85). Godaveri Valley. R.

y. WSF upf black spots obscure and white spots usually absent: promi-

nent costal ochreous bar, which, especially in 9, is often continued nearly to the

tornus outside the black spots. DSF ochreous markings wider, black and white

spots prominent and ochreous area encircles them; ocherous area reaches

termen in 2. Shape as in No 1 in both seasonal forms.

*zatenius zitenius, Herbst, (80-95), Kumaon—Karen hills. NR.

‘THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES, 791

D22. Melanitis—(contd.)

6. Above @ WSF unmarked and ground colour with a dull ferruginous tinge.

2 black spots absent or at most 2 small dots in 3 and 4; the ochreous costal

bar continues as a broad even discal band to tornus, where it becomes duskier,

DSF as last, smaller and ochreous markings more restricted.

zitenius auletes, Fruh. (75-85). Dawnas—S. Burma. R.

7, DSFasy. WSF Go upf ochreous costal bar restricted to5 and 6, no

black or white spots; 2 ?

zitenius andamanica, Evans. (70-85). Andamans. R.

D23. Cyllogenes.—The Evening Browns. (Plate 14).

1(2). Above strong purple tinge. Upf apical yellow band narrow and not

to termen. ¢@ upf large black brand bases 2-5 and end cell.

*suradeva, M. (75-85). The Branded Evening Brown. Sikkim—Bhu-

tan. R.

2(1). Above no purple tinge (faint in 2). Upf yellow band broad and

reaches termen. No @ brand.

janete, DeN. (90-95). The Scarce Evening Brown. Bhutan—Assam. VR.

D24. Parantirrhoea.—The Travancore Evening Brown.

Above dark brown with a prominent violet purple band upf. do upf brand

on dorsum and wing folded over in middle, vl much distorted ; upf prominent

brand near end vl.

marshalli, WM. (55-65). The Travancore Evening Brown. Travancore.

VR.

D25. Elymnias.—The Palmflies. (Plates 14-15).

la (12a). @ upf no brand ; uph brand base 6, extending to cell and 7, cover-

ed by tuft of hairs, whch may be in 1 or 2 pencils.

lb (5a). F apex not produced.

la (3a). @ tuft in 2 pencils.

1 (2). Upt margin not chestnut, usually with blue or white spots. 92 tawny

with white banded black apex upf.

a. © uph margin broad yellow; upf blue spots faint. Q@ uph marg n

ochreous.

hypermnestra fraterna, M. (60-80). The Common Palmfly. Ceylon. C.

B. oo @ long tail at v3 H. o¢ upf blueish white spots prominent. @Q

uph white sub-marginal spots obsolete.

hypermnestra caudata, But. (65-80). S. India. NR.

y. Asa but @ uph margin chestnut and upf blue spots prominent. 2 uphk

margin dark brown.

*hypermnestra undularis, Drury. Bengal. Dun—N. Burma. C.

6. As last, but upf ¢ blue spots more developed and contiguous, extending

often to upper part H. 9 dark margin broader.

hypermnestra tinctoria, M. S. Burma. C.,

Q v. paraleuca, Fruh. Uph disc whitish. NR.

2(1). Upf margin chestnut. ¢ @ alike. Above unspotted, except rarely

m 2.

a, Above chestnut margins very wide and pale.

cottonis obnubila, Mar. (65-75). The Chestnut Palmfly. Karen Hills—

8S. Burma. R.

6. Chestnut margins narrow and dark. @ uph with obscure sub-marginal

white spots.

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

D25. Elymnias.—(contd.)

cottonis cottonis, Hew. (70-80). Andamans. NR.

da (la). o tuft single. H caudate at v4.

3 (4). Unh prominent ocelli, appearing uph in 2 on a pale margin.

*panthera mimus, WM. (65-75). The Nicobar Palmfly. Nicobars. R.

4 (3). Unh no ocelli. Go Q above dark brown, broad oblique white band

F and H, bearing outwardly on H a row of white dots.

*dara dedalion, DeN. (60-65). The White-banded Palmfly. Dawnas—

S. Burma. VR.

5a (1b). F apex produced. do tuft single in No 9, double in rest.

5b (11). Termens scalloped.

dc (7a). Upf dark brown with no discal markings. H caudate.

5 (6). Above narrow pale margin F and H outer third pale yellowish white,

striated dark brown.

*singhala, M. (75-90). The Ceylon Palmfly Ceylon. NR.

6 (5). Above termen broadly dull blue and dull chestnut at tornus H (bright

chestnut in 92). Unh white spot in 7 prominent.

pealu, WM. (75-85). Peal’s Palmfly. Assam. VR.

7a (5c). Above markings not confined to margin,

7 (8a). Above dull greenish blue, all veins broadly black. Caudate.

a. Above streaks between veins blueish.

*neseea timandra, Wall. (75-85). The Tiger Palmfly. Sikkim—N. Bur-

ma. NR.

8. Above streaks greenish; in 2 veins broad chestnut instead of black.

nescea cortona, Fruh. S. Burma. NR.

8a (7). Upf dark brown with discal blue or white markings and apex shot

blue. Only caudate in sauert. °

8b (10). Upf markings consist of spots, 2 spots in 3 and often in 2.

§ (9). Upf @ spot in cell and basal half of 2.

a. As next, smaller. Uph irregular white terminal spots. Below more

broadly white streaked and dotted.

malelas nilamba, Fruh. (75-85). The Spotted Palmfly. Kumaon, Nepal.

8. uph whitish, striated dark brown, veins broad black. Below dull,

basal half hardly striated; outer half evenly striated.

*malelas malelas, Hew. (80-100). Sikkim—Karens. NR.

9 (8). Upf no spot in cell. Below highly variegated, rather as No. 7,

mottled and striated all over. H more dentate. Q upf apex ferruginous.

castphone sauert, Dist. (80-95). The Malayan Palmfly. Dawnas—S.

Burma. VR.

10 (8b). Upf markings consist of broad blue or purple stripes, single in

3 and 2. Uph postdiscal row small white spots. @ 2 alike.

a. Large.

paina patna, Wd. (80-100). The Blue Striped Palmfly. Kumaon—N.

Burma. NR.

8. Smaller. H apex rather acute and termen straight.

patina patnoides, M. (75-90). Karen Hills. R.

11 (5b). Termens even. Apex F sharp pointed and termen concave below.

Upf with broad discal blue streaks.

*penanga chelensis, DeN. (70-75). The Pointed Palmfly. Assam—Bur-

ma. VR.

12a (la). ¢ upf brand mid la, covered by recumbent tuft hairs; uph brand

as in rest, tuit single.

12 (13). Upf blueish white with broad black veins. Uph dorsal two-thirds

white or vellowish, unmarked. Unh dorsal half yellow and usually at base

Ja and 1 a black bordered red area.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 793

D2. Elymnias—(contd.)

a. @ above black veins well separated. Uph white.

vasudeva vasudeva, M. (80-90). The Jezabel Palmfly. Sikkim. R.

g. DSF upf greenish yellow spaces; H yellow; 92 F all blueish white with

marrow black veins. WSF nearly as next.

*yasudeva deva, M. (80-90). Assam. R.

+. 6 more streaked green and in 2 broad black veins form a confluent

discal band. Unh @Q red basal area absent.

vasudeva burmensis, Fruh. (80-90). Burma. R.

13 (12). Above dark brown with termen broadly blueish green, Apex

'F not produced, costa no longer than dorsum.

esaca andersonii, M. (60-65). The Green Palmfly. Mergui. VR.

4E. Amathusiide. The Amathusiids.

la (10a). F dev a tubular vein throughout. H vla always longer than the

body, if vl is as long as v2.

Ib (7a). H cell completely open.

Ic (4a). F lower end cell nearer termen, ends at angulation of v4.

ld (3). F vs 11 and 12 free.

1 (2). F origin v10 from before half way along v7, far from origin v9 ; upper

dev long, lower nearly straight. H quadrate. ¢ uph small tuft mid vl.

Xanthotenia, Wd. Pan. (Plate 15).

2(1). F origin v10 from beyond half way along v7; origins 8, 9 and 10 close

together ; upper dev very short, lower very concave at upper end. ¢ uph bran

about base 6 and a prominent tuft from 1 below base cell; there may be a brand

on la near tornus, covered by a tuft. F dorsum bowed.

Faunis, Hub. The Fauns (plate 15).

3 (id). F vs 11 and 12 anastomosed, cell as in No 2. ¢ tuft along vla nea:

‘tornus uph, inconspicuous.

Aimona, Hew. The Dryads. (Plate 16).

4a (lc), F lower end cell nearer base, angulation of v4 far beyond end cell.

_ 4(5a) F vs 11 and 12 free, vi0 absent, @ uph brand above origin v7 and

tuft from base cell ; unf brand in la near base.

Stictopithalma, Fd. The Junglequeens. (Plate 15).

5a (4). F vs 10 and 11 anastomosed to v12

5 (6). EF vs5 and 6 well separated at base, 6 much nearer 7. H v4 nearly

touchesv5. 6 unf base 1 & la polished ; uph tuft from cell near base, brand as

in last may be present.

Thaumantis, Hub. The Jungleglories. (Plate 16).

6 (5). EF vs 5 and 6 approximate at base, far from v7. H v5 curved, not

angled. @ abdomen with prominent dark tuft of hairs on either side; uph

‘small tuft on la and with or without a very large black brand with its centre

a base of 7, covered by a tuft of hairs from base cell and a second tuft from

‘base 6,

Thauria, M. The Jungleking. (Plate 15).

7a (1b). H celi closed more or less, tornus produced and more or less lobed.

7b (9). Fno spur from v4.

7(8). Fall veinsfree. @ uph fold and tuft in la and long erect hairs along

base v1 ; abdomen with a tuft on either side.

Amathusia, F. The Palmking. (Plate 16).

8 (7). F vs 11 and 12 anastomosed. ¢ uph large dark brand in 2, extending

to base of 1 and 2; prominent tuft below vl near base, vl distorted at base

and hairy.

Amathuxidia, Stig. The Kohinoor. (Plate 16).

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

E. Amathusiide—(contd,)

9(7b). F v4 with spur towards v5 from its angulation beyond cell : vs 10 & 11

anastomosed to 12. do unf dorsum polished and bowed, v1 also bowed; uph

with 3 tufts overlying brands, viz., base 7, near base cell, near end cell and also

a fourth erectile tuft on vl howende base, v1 much distorted,

Zeuxidia, Hub. The Saturns. (Plate 16).

10a (la). F dev incomplete as a tubular vein in the middle. H produced,

vl as long as v2, but vla not longer than body.

0 (11). Fvl10 present ; vs 10 and 11 anastomosed to v12. ¢ uph brand

about base 3 and in la.

Discophora, Bdv. The Differs. (Plate 16).

1 (10). F vl0 absent; vll anastomosed to v12. ¢ uph prominent large

hairy patch all over cell.

Enispe, Db. The Caliphs, (Plate 16).

El. Xanthotenia.—Pan. (Plate 15).

Above chestnut brown; upf with prominent yellow band and sub-apical

spot. Below ocellated, ground yellow brown.

*busiris, Wd. (60-70). Pan. Dawnas—S. Burma.

E2. Faunis.—The Fauns. (Plate 15).

la (3). Above fulvous brown, no dark markings showing through. do no

brand on vla.

1 (2). Below uniform dark brown, discal yellow spots small, dark lines dull,

discal line much curved at ends and on H looped to the basal line.

*arcesilaus, F. (65-75). The Common Faun. Sikkim—Burma. C.

2 (1). Below pale discal spots very large, dark lines narrow and prominent,

straighter, on H looped to the outer line.

a. Below pale spots yellow. Unf discal line straight at upper end, looped

to outer line at lower end.

eumeus assama, Wd. (85-95). The Large Faun. Assam. R.

6. Below pale spots white. Unf discal line curved at upper end.

eumeus incerta, Stg. (80-90). Shan States. VR.

3 (la). Above smoky whitish with dark bands showing through from below ; |

H tornal area broadly yellow. Below very prominent dark bands on a smoky

ground. @ uph brand on vla.

*faunula faunuloides, DeN. (100-112). The Pallid Faun. VR. (The plate

represents typical fawnula from the Malay peninsula).

E3. Aemona.—The Dryads. (Plate 16).

1(2). Above ochreous yellow with dusky apex F, no veins darkened. In DSF

outer discal band uph obscure and ocelli from below -bowing through more

or less.

amathusia, Hew. (75-90). The Yellow Dryad. Sikkim—Assam. R.

2 (1). o upf apex andtermen whitish with darkened veins: in Q above

entirely whitish except ochreous tornal area H.

*lena, Atk. (80-100). The White Dryad. Shan States, Karen Hills. BR.

E4. Stictopthalma.—The Junglequeens. (Plate 15).

1 (2a). Uphsubmarginal dark line narrow. Above bright chocolate brown —

broad yellow pre-apical band F and margin H.

}

Jorn. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc. Bplay

D. Satyridae. 25. Hlymnias.

| K. Amathusiidae. 4. Stictopthalma: 2. Faunis: 1. Xanthotaenia: 6. Thauria.

THE LDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 795:

E4. Stictophalma—cuntd.

a. Upf pre-apical band to tornus; uph yellow margin broad. Aboveinner

sub-marginal markings obscure or absent.

nourmahal nurinissa, DeN. (95-105). The Chocolate Junglequeen.

Bhutan. R.

B. Upf pre-apical band not to tornus; uph yellow margin narrow. Above

inner sub-marginal markings narrow and prominent.

*nourmahal nourmahal, Wd. Native Sikkim, Naga Hills R.

2a (1). Uph dark sub-marginal marking large and prominent.

2 (3a). Uph no dark spots on a pale ground inside the broad dark sub-margi-

nalline; basal area bright chocolate brown from base merging into dark brown

disc, whence margin is blueish white, bearing the dark sub-marginal band. Upf

base chocolate brown, outer area blueish white.

a. Above milky white. Uph pale terminal area narrow.

camadeva camadeva, Wd. (125-150). The Northern Junglequeen. Sikkim.

NR.

6B. Above milky white areas suffused violet.

camadeva nicevillei, Rob. Assam. NR.

y. Paler. Upf golden yellow costa and small chevrons. Below transverse

lines straighter.

camadeva nagaensis, Roth. Naga Hills. VR.

6. Pale. Uph pale terminal area much wider and sub-marginal band

narrower.

camadeva camadevoides, DeN. N. Burma R.

3a (2). Uph a postdiscal series of conspicuous black spots adjoining the dark

sub-marginal line on the inside.

3b (5). Uph no conspicuous series pale discal spots inside the postdiscal row.

3 (4). Above yellow, base F and all H suffused darker fulvous. Uph

postdiscal spots shield shaped and broadly joined to the sub-marginal band.

howqua sparta, DeN. (140). The Chinese Junglequeen, Manipur. VR.

4 (3). Above outer half F and termen H white, bases fulvous. Uph post-

discal spots diamond shaped, joining the sub-marginal line narrowly and look-

ing like arrowheads.

a, Above white areas faintly tinged yellow, basal areas bright, rather

dark, fulvous.

*louisa tytleri, Roth. (125-150), The Burmese Junglequeen. Manipur—

N. Burma. NR.

8. Above much paler, white areas tinged lilacine.

louisa louisa, WM. Karen Hills—S. Burma. NR.

5 (3b). Uph conspicuous series diamond shaped white spots inside the post-

discal band of conjoined spots, making three marginal pale bands. Upf also

with 3 rows of white spots, inner row ending in a large pale costal area. Ground

colour above greenish steel blue, washed olive brown.

godfreyt, Roth. (125-140), Godfrey’s Junglequeen. Tavoy—S. Burma. VR,

E>. Thaumantis.—The Jungleglories. (Plate 16).

1 (2). Above dark brown with a prominent iridescent blue discal band on

each wing. Below uniform dull dark brown. tuft small, no brand.

*diores, Wd. (95-115). The Jungleglory. Sikkim—Burma. NR.

2 (1). Above brilliant metallic blue to base, no discal band. Below base and

Margin paler. with tuft and brand,

lucipor, Wd. (100-110), The Dark Jungleglory. S. Burma. VR.

796 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX,

E6. Thauria.—The Jungleking. (Plate 16).

Above dark brown, pale discal band F ; H costa narrowly and tornus broadly

bright chestnut ochreous.

1 (2). o& uph no brand or tuft around cell. <o discal band yellowish and

broad; 2 band white and broader.

*lathyt amplifascia, Roth. (110-120). The Jungleking. Manipur—Karen

Hills. R:

2(1). o uph with large brand and tufts about cell.

a. Upf band wide.

aliris intermedia, Crow. (110-120). The Tufted Jungleking. N. Burma. VR.

8. Upf band narrow.

aliris pseudaliris, But. Karen Hills—S. Burma, VR.

E7. Amathusia.—The Palmking. (Plate 16).

a. Above dark brown, yellow pre-apical band on F and subterminal band

Hin 6. Below dark and all markings prominent ; H only 2 ocelli.

*phidippus friderici, Fruf, (100-125) The Palmking. 8. India. Karens—

S. Burma. R.

Be o above ferruginous brown, unmarked. Below paler and markings

fainter; H 3or4ocelli. 9 yellow banded.

phidippus andamanica, Fruh. Andamans. R.

E8. Amathuxidia.—The Kohinoor. (Plate 16).

Above dark brown, upf broad band, pale blue in 3, yellowin @ : uph un-

marked. Below pinkish lavender with dark lines prominent and 2 ocelli H.

*amythaon, Wd. (110-130). The Kohinoor. Sikkim—Burma. R.

E9. Zeuxidia.—The Saturns. (Plate 16).

la (8). @ uphwith prominent blue border.

1 (2). @ uph blue border not above v4 and widening to tornus. Upf blue

band narrowing to tornus. 2 upf white discal band and white spots becoming

yellow outwardly ; uph terminal area rather obscure yellow.

*amethystus masoni, M. (110-120). "The Saturn. Karen Hills—S, Burma. R.

2 (1). @ uph blue border continued to costa and narrowing to tornus.

2 unpf marked as in last, but all markings violaceous.

doubledayt chersonesia, Fruh. (110-120). The Scarce Saturn. Dawnas—

S. Burma. VR.

3 (ja). o uphno blue border; upf blue area extending along cell and costa

nearly to base. 2 spots pure white and apex H white. ¢ unf prominent white

brand in 1 near base; uph dark blue area cell to tornus and shining atea in

cell.

aurelius, Cr. (140-160). The Great Saturn. Mergui. VR.

E10. Discophora.—The Duffers. (Plate 16).

la (3a). @ uph brand in 3 large, not pale edged and so not conspicuous

nearly reaches v5.

1(2). & & with black or yellow spots, no discal continuous band.

a. o upf all 3 rows black spots equally prominent ; H. no spots.

tullia muscina, Fruh. (80-90). The Common Duffer. N. Kanara. VR.

B. upt rows of spots not equally prominent. @ 2 uptf spots bluseih

white and 2 with a yellow patch end cell, enclosing a black spot; @ uph with

spots.

*tullia zal, Wd. (80-90). Sikkim—Burma. C.

v. indica, Sig. @ uphnospots. yellow patch end cell absent. NR.

uRN. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc. Prin Cv

<, Amathusiidae. 9. Zeuwidia: 8. Amathuwidia: 7. Amathusia: 5. Thaumantis: 3. Aemona:

l 11. Enispe: 10. Discophora.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES, 797

E10. Discophora— (covid.)

v. spileptera, DeN. 6 upf yellow spots. 2 yellow patch end cell not encics-

ing black spot. R.

2(1). @ @ upf with broad yellow discal band.

deo, DeN. (90). The Banded Duffer. Manipur—N. Burma. VR.

3a (la). Uph brand in 3 small, pale edged and very prominent, not nearly

to vd.

3 (4). ¢& upf with blueish white spots and 2 with a blueish white band.

and spots and uph yellow spots.

a. @ upf blueish white spotsobscure. & lower part of discal band more

_ broken up into spots.

lepida ceylonica, Fruh. (85-95). The Southern Duffer. Ceylon. R.

8. o apical blueish white spots prominent and conjoined.

*lepida lepida, M. S. India. R.

4 (3). od upf with yellow spots. 9 upf with yellow discal band and spots

and uph with yellow spots.

a. upf yellow spots more or less prominent.

continentalis continentalis, Stg. (85-100). The Great Duffer. Bengal.

Sikkim—Burma. NR.

8. & yellow markings upf obscure except for an elongated spot near base 58,

continentalis andamensis Sig. Andamane.

E11. Enispe.—The Caliphs. (Plate 16).

1 (2). Above dark brown with blueish white spots and band upf; uph

obscure yellow spotsin 3, prominent in ¢.

a Upf band narrower and becoming macular posteriorly. @ uph yellow

spots fairly prominent.

cycnus verbanus, Fruh. (85-95). The Blue Caliph. Bhutan. Cachar. R.

8 Upfband broader. @ uph yellow spots absent.

Feycnus cycnus, Wd. Assam—N. Burma. R.

2(1). Above brick red with black bands and spots.

euthymius, Db. (80-95). The Red Caliph. Sikkim—Burma, NR.

*y, tessellata, M. Above dark markings broader ; upf black line in continuation

of black markings defining end cell. NR.

Notes.—The arrangement of the Danaide is as usual. A specimen of the very

rare Huplea klugit repstorfii (C.3.6) was obtained by Mr. G. Field in the 8S. Anda-

man Island on Dec. 12th, 1921. Hestia lyncews reinwardtt (Cl.1) isnew to India

and was obtained by Mr. Cooper in Merguiin January 1922.

Every author differs regarding the arrangement of the Satyride. I have com-

menced with the Chinese group, following on with the Palearctic and ending with

the Oriental genera. Under Pararge I have included Rhaphicera. Following Moore

(Lep, Ind, II. 6) I have avoided using the generic name Satyrus. Mycalesis maianeas

(D.2.1) is a new species to India and was obtained by Mr. G.R.E. Cooper in Mergui

in Jan, 1922. What I have called Maniola hilaris (D 7. 3.) was obtained recently

by Gen. Tytler from Chitral; I have similar specimens from Central Asia, The

following are new names; Lethe nicevillet (D.3.9.); pulahina (D.3.47); Karanasa

digna pallas (D.9.1); actea magna (D.9.2); Aulocera brahminus dokwana (D.11. 1) ;

swaha kurrama (D.11.3); Hrebia nirmala reducta and kala (D.13); kalinda chitralice

(D.13.2) ; narasingha dohertyi (D.13.9); Ypthima asterope burmana 4(D.14. 6) ;

avanta bara (D, 1412); philomela peguana (D. 1413 sbaldus madrasa and

satpura (D.14.14).; similis yoma (D.14. 16); Ragadia crisilda critoina (D. 17);

Maniola cavendra chitralica (D. 78.). Lethe irma (D°3:9B) is a new species

Obtained by Major F. M. Bailey in September 1922.

_ The arrangement of the Amathusiide is as usual. Zeunidia aurelius (E.9.3)

tsnew to India, having been obtained by Mr. Cooper in Merguiin Jan, 1922.

On account of alterations since going to press, the following corrections are needed to the plates,.

Plates 11 and 12. D 3, increase all numbers from 10 to 51 by 1; thus for D 3, 38 read D 3, 39,

Plates 14and 15, For D 25. 10 and D 25, 11 read D 25, 11 and D 25, 12,

798

NOTES ON HUGH WHISTLER’S “ A CONTRIBUTION TO THE

ORNITHOLOGY OF CASHMERE” IN VOL. XXVIII, No. 4

Capt, R. 8. P. Barss.

(With a Plate.)

The Jungle Crow—Corvus coronoides intermedius.

Everywhere common the moment one leaves the main valley. I met with them

in the Sind Valley at the end of June as high as 13,000 feet.

The Yellow-billed Blue Magpie—Urocissa flavirostris,

On May 31st at Rajpur I took a nest containing 3 eggs, and noticed another

pair building. They were common here between 6 and 8,000 feet.

The Crested Cole Tit—Parus melanolophus.

Very common in the Deodar forests from about 7,000 up to 10,000 feet. Nest

containing 6 fresh eggs on May 31st above Rampur (between the Wular Lake

and the Lolab Valley) about 8,000’ and nests with young ones in same place

on June 38rd, 1921, and at Imaslwara 7,000 feet on June 6th, 1921.

The Western Streaked Laughing Thrush—Trochalopterum lineatum.

Clutch of 3 eggs brought to me by gujars near Imaslwara (about 7,500 feet)

on June 3rd.

The White-cheeked Bulbul—Pycnonotus leucogenys.

On my way down to the Wular on May 22nd I was shown a nest, containing

eggs, inside an upper room of a dwelling house in a village close to the canal

bank. The female was sitting, although the room was occupied by the female

members of the household. I cannot now remember how it was placed, but I

think it was a thatched roof, and the nest was more or less wedged into a crevice

in the thatch.

The Himalayan Tree Creeper—Certhia himalayana.

Five fresh eggs, June Ist, in Deodar forest on the eastern slopes of the Lolab

Valley (8,000 ’). The nest was about 5 feet from the ground, At the begin-

ning of July I noticed these birds were very noisy, and were going about in

bands or family parties.

The Great Reed-warbler—Acrocephalus stentoreus brunnescens.,

The first nest I took was on June 4th in the Wular Lake, and contained two

eggs. After that date I took many nests in the Dhal Lake, some quite close to

the gate. In 1921, I took nests’ with eggs in the Dhal Lake on June 12th and

at Hokra Jhil on June 21st. One bird actually pitched on the rim of its nest,

when I was inspecting the contents.

The Brown Bush-warbler—Horeites pallidus,

Heard them frequently in the Sind and Liddar valleys. Capt. Livesey showed

me the eggs from a nest he took on the hill side above the Takht-i-suleman

about the 20th June 1921.

The Indian Lesser White-throat—Sylvia curruca affinis.

At the end of May I found many of their nests in low prickly bushes on the

Western shore of the Wular. I too thought there was no doubt about this bird’s

identity, so I neither collected specimens nor took eggs. I also noticed they

were common in the Liddar Valley from Pahlgam downwards, wherever there

was suitable undergrowth.

ee ey

A a

1 oatestee ae

wyw ee Hew ons

<= ee —e

(‘otuages

Uopryayornuaty ) TOYoyCosT A £1009 9} Jo S650 pue JSON °G

‘(sumywiodns ndnovwsnyy )

joy wodTT I poMmosqosd FI \\ Ot} JO S350 puv 4SON ‘T

(s88e [Tz Jo yoynTo Tewouqy) (‘oynyo no9nLh $2.10}007F)

"sade pure 4SON S,1oynyy

20S '3StH ‘}en Avquiog Susaace

NOTES ON THE ORNITHOLOGY OF KASHMIR. 799

The Large Crowned Willow-wren—Phylloscopus occipitalis occipitalis,

Took a nest in a hole in a stump at Imaslwara (7,000') on June 6th,

1921. It contained 4 eggs and also an egg of the Himalayan Cuckoo (Cuculus

saturatus), Other nests, containing young ones, at Liddarwat at the beginning

of July. :

The Greenish Willow-wren—Phylloscopus nitidus viridanus.

A Willow-wren, which I took to be this species, was breeding abundantly from

about the Valley level up to 10,000’ or more. By the end of June only nests

containing young ones were to be found.

The Golden Oriole—Oriolus oriolus kundoo.

Nest in pear tree at Kunus, Wular Lake, on June Ist, 1921. Watched one

building at the summit of an enormous chenar at Bundipur on May 25th, 1921.

The Rufous-backed Shrike—Lanius schach erythronotus.

Plenty of eggs by half way through May.

The Cashmere Red-breasted Flycatcher—WM uscicapa parva hyperythra.

Empty but newly completed nest near Imaslwara 7,000’ on June

3rd. Capt. Livesey subsequently took a number of nests with eggs in this

neighbourhood a few days later.

The White-eyebrowed Blue Flycatcher—Muscicapa superciliaris.

Nest in crevice of a Birch tree at Liddarwat at about 10,000’ on July

Ath, 1921. 3 fresh eggs.

The Rufous-tailed Flycatcher—Alseonax ruficaudus.

Three fresh eggs at Imaslwara (8,000’), June 5th, 1921.

The Paradise Flycatcher—Tchitrea paradisi paradisi.

Nest with 3 incubated eggs in fruit tree at Watlab, June 7th, 1921.

The White-capped Redstart—Chaimarrornis leucocephala.

I met with them first on May 26th on the Madmatti a couple of miles above

Sonerwain. In the Liddar Valley, at the beginning of July, 1921, I found them

breeding at Sekwas (11,000’) and between Liddarwat and Kolahoi (also

between 10 and 11,000’). I only saw one bird below Liddarwat at that time

of the year.

The Plumbeous Redstart—Chaimarrornis fuliginosa fuliginosa.

Very common on all the side rivers and torrents, there being about one

pair to every quarter of a mile or so. Absent from the valley, where the

currents are sluggish. 4 eggs, incubated, Sonerwain, May 27th; 3 young ones,

Sarwan, June 26th; 4 eggs. incubated, and ? eggs, Aru July 7th. Young

ones, Pahlgam, July 8th.

The Blue Rock Thrush— onticola solitaria pandoo.

Nest lately vacated by young on May 30th; 3 eggs nearly fresh, June 10th;

4 eggs, May 3lst, 1921; building June 7th, 1921. (All on western shore of

Wular Lake).

The White-capped Bunting—Emberiza stewart,

This bunting appears to stick to the slopes around the valley, ascending

them for about a 1,000’. Their place is then taken by JL. cia stracheyi,

which is to be met with for about another two thousand feet. As far as I

could make out the two species do not overlap. This would account for

Mr, Whistler’s failing to detect the latter. They both breed profusely through-

out their range. L, cia stracheyi is much victimized by the European Cuckoo

(Cuculus canorus).

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

The Striated Swallow—Hirundo daurica.

Noticed them flying about Lake Gagrabal in June.

Hodgson’s Pipit.—Anthus roseatus.

I found them breeding in large numbers between the Sind and Liddar valleys:

from 11,000" up to the snow-level. They are most partial to wet ground. In

fact I never saw them away from the streams and snow sodden ground. By the

beginning of July there were many young birds about. I only found one nest

with eggs (3) and these were almost on the point of hatching. This was on the

Ist July 1921.

The Brown Rock Pipit.—Anthus sordidus Jerdoni.

Nest containing young ones at Watlab on June 7th, 1921.

The Grey Wagtail.— Motacilla cinerea melanope.

I found them on the Madmatti from Sonerwain onwards at the end of May.

Seems to be an early breeder, as I was not able to find unincubated eggs.

The Cashmere White Wagtail—Motacilla alba hodgsoni.

Found a nest at Bundipur on May 23rd with large youngsters almost ready to

leave the nest. I also found other nests with young about this time. A pair

started building insidea rolled-up chick on my houseboaton May 20th. At

Pahlgam on July 8th, I came across a nest with 5 quite fresh eggs in it.

Hodgson’s Yellow Wagtail—Motacilla citreola calcarata.

Breeds in enormous numbers in June around such jhils as Hokra and the

marshes between that jhil and the Wular, prefering to place the nest at the foot

of a bush or in a tuft of long grass on wet ground.

The Cashmere Blue-throat—Luscinia suecica abbotti.

Took a nest of what was evidently this species at Sekwas, Liddar Valley

(11,500 feet) on July ist, 1921. It contained 4 eggs decidedly hard set.

The Iron-grey Bush-chat.—Oreicola ferrea ferrea.

Took two nests near Pahlgam on 8th July 1921. One contained newly

hatched young; the other 4 incubated eggs. Also noted pairs at Rajpur

(6,500 feet), Wular Lake on June 2nd, 1921, and at Imaslwara (6,500 feet) om

June 6th, 1921, but failed to find the nests.

Jerdon’s Accentor.—Prunella strophiatus jerdoni.

Very common above forest level between the Sind and Liddar valleys at

the end of June. Practically every patch of Juniper I investigated held a

nest. The majority appeared to be laying, and numbers were still building.

Only one nest near Kem Sar and at about 12,500’ contained 3 eggs. I am not at

all certain that my identification of this Accentor is correct, as I collected no

specimens. The nests were like those-of the ‘‘ Hedge-sparrow’ and 2’ or 3”

from the ground.

The Himalayan Whistling Thrush—Myiophoneus temmincki temmincki.

Capt. Livesey took incubated eggs halfway through May in the Ferozpore

nala. On the Madmatti I found nests towards the end of May in both 1920 and

21, which appeared to have been lately evacuated, and was unable to find any

nest in actual use. At the beginning of July I took nests in the Liddar Valley

from Liddarwat down to Pahlgam usually within a few yards of a used nest.

Three contained 1, 2 and 3 eggs respectively, and on four more the females

were sitting. Of these two were in inaccessible situations, and two were still

empty. It seems to me to be likely that two broods are brought up in the yea.r

NOTES ON THE ORNITHOLOGY OF KASHMIR, 801

Tickell’s Ouzel.—Turdus unicolor,

In May and June nests were plentiful.

The Himalayan Pied Woodpecker—Dryobates himalayensis,

Very common in the forests from about 6,500’ upwards. An early breeder.

All the nests [found at the end of May and beginning of June contained

young ones.

The Pied Kingfisher—Ceryle rudis leucomelanura,

Breeds freely during May and June in the Srinagar plain and also on the less

turbulent lower reaches of the side rivers. Their place in the side valleys

is then taken by the Himalayan Pied Kingfisher, a larger bird of a more retiring

nature, which dives from a perch, is partial to wooded country, and which delights

in hurling itself into the most agitated portions of the rapids.

The European Bee-eater—Merops apiaster.

Bee-eaters were constructing their nesting holes in sand banks on the hillside

at Kunus on the Wular Lake at the end of May. I also noticed them near

Gagrabal on June 3rd. They seem to live on the hillsides and to fly down into

‘the valley in the mornings and evenings.

The Hoopoe -Upupa epops epops.

Nesting freely in May.

The Cuckoo—Cuculus canorus,

As stated above, its chief victim in Kashmir appears to be the Eastern Meadow

Bunting, Hmberiza cia stracheyi. Thus the Cuckoos’ main habitat is the hill-

sides from 6,000 to 8 or 9,000’. Capt. Livesey has taken their eggs at the

end of May and in early June. On June 18th and 21st I visited Hokra jhil, well

out in the Srinagar plain, and on both dates I heard the cuckoo calling there.

The Slaty-headed Parrakeet—Palaornis schisticeps.

Fairly common up to between 7 and 8,000’, certainly not higher. In the

early mornings I used to see many crossing over from and into the Lolab by

the pass at Rampur. They used the vicinity of the pass only. I never saw

them crossing over the higher hills to right or left of the pass.

Pallas’ Fishing Eagle—Haliaétus leucoryphus.

I noticed two pairs on my way down in the houseboat from Srinagar to the

‘Wular on May 22nd.

The Hobby—Falco subbuteo.

Fairly common in Kashmir up to considerable elevations. I also saw one

‘down in the valley near the Wular Lake on May 23rd.

The Indian Turtle Dove—Streptopelia orientalis meena.

Common in the forests up to considerable elevations.

The Chukor Partridge—Alectoris graeca chukor,

Photographed a nest (reported by Capt. Livesey) containing 21 eggs, at

Kunus, Wular Lake, on May 28th.

The Black Partridge—Francolinus vulgaris.

When I went down-on June 10th the Black Partridge were calling lustily

most of the way.

The Water-hen—Gallinula chloropus.

Breeding in the reed-beds in the Dhal Lake in considerable numbers at tiie

beginning of June.

«9

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

The Pheasant-tailed Jacana—Hydrophasianus chirurgus.

I saw numbers on the Dhal Lake on May 14th but did not take a nest until

June 7th. This contained 4 fresh eggs.

The Red-wattled Lapwing—Sacrogrammus indicus. :

Two pairs appeared to be nesting on the Madmatti a couple of miles above

Bundipur at the end of May. I saw them in the very same place in May 1921.

The Black and White Stilt—Himantopus candidus.

Many seen on the mud flats in the Wular Lake on June 8th, 1921.

The Common Sandpiper—T'ringa glareola.

I found them excessively common on the lower reaches of the side rivers. They

nest among the bushes on the many small Islands, which abound in these rivers.

On the Madmatti they were especially plentiful, and I remember finding 4

nests on one small island about 50 yards long on May 25th.

The Whiskered Tern—Hydrochelidon leucopareia indica.

I took one egg on May 14th in the Dhal Lake. On May 22nd a Kashmiri

brought me about 20 (they are very good eating). In 1921 they were still laying

as late as June 21st, as on that date I collected many fresh eggs on Hokra jhil.

The Little Grebe—Podiceps ruficollis capensis.

I saw a Little Grebe adding weeds to a nearly completed nest on May 15th in

the very middle of the Dhal Lake opposite the Shalimar Bagh, and I took many

icsts with full clutches in the reed-beds close to the Dhal gate on June 6th.

“#803

4 > 3 ELEPHANT CATCHING IN ASSAM,

ea ; By

A, J. W. MILRoy.

Elephants are caught in Assam by two methods, Mela Shikar and Kheddahs.

The former consists of pursuing the wild herds with tame elephants carrying

nooses, and this method, together with pitting (now illegal), has been practised

irom very ancient times.

Three or four koonkies, as the tame elephants are called, usually operate together

at mela shikar, and it is considered desirable that one of the elephants should be

a big male of known courage in case any of the wild elephants prove aggressive.

Each koonkie has 3 attendants, the phandi, who sits on the neck anc throws the

phand (or noose), the lohitiya, who hangs on behind and prods the koonkie near

the root of the tail when speed is required, and the kumla, who remains in camp

and is responsible for feeding the koonkie.

The catching gear consists only of the jute phand, which is attached to the

koonkie’s girth.

The koonkies can often work their way undetected into the middle of a herd

when it is feeding in open order, provided the locality has not been much hunted

recently, but the wild elephants soon become exceedingly wary, anc will then

fly both farther and faster from the smell of a tame elephant than they will from

man.

In such case there is no alternative but to pursue, and try to cut off and noose

those calves, which cannot go the pace and which fall behind. The whole per-

formance, with the screaming of the elephants and the smashing of the jungle,

is very noisy and terrifying, as may be imagined, but serious accidents are un-

common, as a matter of fact, and such damage as befalls the men is usually

caused by thorns and branches of trees tearing and bruising them.

Female elephants, whose calves have been noosed, will sometimes attempt a

rescue, but good koonkies will always square up to the attacker and drive her

away.

The big males of a herd seem to prefer keeping to themselves some little

distance off and, when danger threatens, are among the first to seek safety in.

flight, provided the koonkies do not get in their way: an elephant in musth

constitutes more of a problem, and the phandis draw off, if there is any danger

of coming into conflict with a male, that is under this dangerous influence.

Phandis necessarily vary greatly in skill but it commonly happens, even in the

case of the most expert, that the noose does not get home properly on the wild.

elephant’s neck, and it is then necessary to ¢all for a phand to be thrown from a

second koonkie.

Quite big elephants can be caught by this method, but in the case of such the

first noose scarcely serves more than to brake the headlong pace of the tervified

beast, and assistance has to be summoned at once to prevent an escape.

The phands may be 2 inches or more in diameter, but even these ropes are not

always heavy enough to take the strain, and the writer has known a big mukhana

(tuskless male) break 7 ropes in succession before he could be finally secured.

Mela shikar leads to a number of the wild elephants being unavoidably stran-

gled, and it is fortunate that this form of death is very instantaneous on

account of the structure of the elephant’s wind-pipe.

The koonkie proceeds to put on the brake as soon as the phand is round the

wil’ elephant’s neck, and then the tug-of-war begins, the wild animal doing all

it knows to escape from the unaccustomed restraint. It is the phandi’s concern

gradually to shorten the rope until the captive is secured close alongside his own

animal, and he can only do this by seizing such opportunities as occur between

peuts of pulling and struggling. The noose has to be tied by a small piece of

804 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. X XIX,

rope to prevent it slipping up and throttling the elephant, and it cannot but

happen occasionally that the noosed elephant gets so hopelessly wound up round

trees and so on that the phand tightens and death ensues.

Kheddahs in Assam are worked on a less pretentious scale than those organized

in Mysore, or formerly practisea by the now defunct Kheddah Department, and

no attempt is made to surround herds with a large number of men and then force

them into a hastily erected stockade.

Stockades in Assam are built either across main elephant paths or else in the

vicinity of salt-licks, which the elephants visit of their own accord from time to

time.

The herds are bound in most districts in Assam to travel from one feeding

ground to another by certain well-worn paths. Wherever the ground is favour-

able they can wander, may be several miles, from the main paths, but it generally -

happens that sooner or later steep hills or boggy ground, etc., etc., compel them

to return to their fixed paths, which follow the safest and easiest lines across

country with unerring accuracy, representing, as they do, the result of the

accumulated wisdom and experience of countless generations of travelling

elephants.

The most favourable stockade sites are in ravines, through which the driven

elephants must seek to pass, unless they have the courage to break back through

the beaters.

It is necessary that a stockade should not be too obvious to the approaching

animals, and so it must be built in thick tree forest, where camouflaging can be

successfully practised.

Very rocky ground is avoided because of the difficulty in sinking the posts to

the requisite depth, and it would obviously be impossible to build sufficiently

strongly on marshy soil. Stockades vary in shape according to the locality,

but are generally more or less oval or oblong, about a cricket pitch wide and

a few yards more in length.

A gate at each end is necessary where elephants can be driven from either

direction, and the gates have to be built across the path itself : a skilful band of

hunters, who know their work thoroughly, often prefer to build their stockade

across a subsidiary path, trusting to their own skilful management to deflect the

driven elephants (from whichever direction they may come), from the main on

to the subsidiary path ; this arrangement saves labour as it obviates the neces-

sity of constructing more than one gate.

The best site for a gate is clearly where the path passes between two trees.

because the trees can then be utilized as door-posts and, more important, because

there is no artificial narrowing of the path, the elephant being accustomed to

squeeze between the two trees at this spot. |

Drop-gates used to be employed, but these are cumbrous to lift up, and heavy

swing doors, 10 to 12 feet high, made after the pattern of an ordinary English

five-barred gate, are now used.

The doors open inwards and, before a drive commences, the door, through

which the herd must enter, is opened and keptin position by along rope, leading

to a machan concealed in some convenient tree outside the stockade. A slash

with a knife cuts the rope and releases the gate which, apart from having been

hung soas to swing-to of its own accord, has its pace accelerated by means

of a spring, consisting of a rope tied to the top of a bent over sapling,

which tends to straighten itself as soon as the watcher in the machan has

released the gate.

The old fashioned stockade consisted of stout posts, 18 or 19 feet long, sunk in

the ground to a depth of 5 feet with a spacing of about 3 feet, and horizontal logs

were packed in between to a height of 13 or 14 feet, but such massive structures

have proved unnecessary and involve very heavy labour as the timber must be

earried from some distance away in order not to disturb the forest close by.

ELEPHANT CATCHING IN ASSAM, 805

Nowadays vertical posts, 17 or 18 feet long, are buried 5 feet in the ground,

about 5 feet apart, and 3 rows of horizontal beams are tied on outside, one row

near the ground level, one at breast height, and the third near the top: the

whole structure is strengthened by struts from the ground to the 3 rows of hori-

zontal beams.

The spaces between the upright posts are filled by vertical poles (3 inches in

diameter are sufficient), which merely rest on the ground and are kept in posi-

tion by being tied to the inside of the 3 rows of beams.

Another method is to bury rather smaller posts every foot, the interstices

being filled in with poles.

A well built stockade may look extraordinarily flimsy, but there is plenty of

give in it, and it is adequately protected from direct assault by a V shaped ditch,

7 feet wide and 5 feet deep.

It is not customary in Assam to tackle old and big males, which may happen.

to be caught, because it has been found that the koonkies (if any can be found

with sufficient courage and strength for the job) may be severely damaged in the

encounter, and also because mature males often lose heart and practically refuse

to live in captivicy, so it is not necessary to build stockades strong enough to

retain the biggest elephants.

It so happens that the masters of a herd seldom get caught, except when in

musth because they selfishly try to break away, when danger arises, and the

beaters are only too thankful to let them through, but these goondas, as rogues

are called, are not really very troublesome so long as they are caught with a

herd ; they have to be shot, not from fear that they would break out, but because

they damage smaller members of the herd, and are, as has been explained, of

doubtful commercial value.

Solitary rogues often wander into stockades at night, and occasionally the

watcher in the gate-machan makes a mistake in the dark and underestimating

the size and age of the elephant closes the door: then the fun begins. Determi-

nation on the part of the men may suffice to keep a mukhana in, but a tusker

seeing red, is an awesome beast, and can generally walk right through a stockade:

at any spot he likes, despite the ditch, or, and more commonly, he just puts his

tusks under the door and heaves it over his back.

V-shaped funnels or wings extend out from the gate posts so that all elepbants,.

which are taking a course parallel to the path, may be directed to the

entrance.

The final act of preparation (excluding religious observances) consists of

camouflaging the stockade. Living tree-ferns and orchids are fastened onto.

the doors and door-posts, and branches of trees are stuck in the ground to conceal

the funnel.

Care is taken during the work of construction to preserve intact the jungle:

growing in the middle of the enclosure, and branches and creepers are hung over’

the sides of the stockade to mask an otherwise too distinctive outline.

The ditch is eftectively hidden by fresh branches placed across higgledy-.

piggledy.

A super-camouflager will sometimes take the trouble to fashion little trackr

through the jungle in the middle, the idea being that the elephants, which enter

first, will waste time following these tracks, and so enable the men to hustle im:

the laggards.

One of the outstanding advantages of the present day stockade is that the

elephants can see through it. Very few herd animals are game enough to try

and rush the ditch and palisade in the face of a man, armed with torch and spear

while at night, when the elephants are more restive, the encircling fires are

visible and command respect.

The weak point is the gate, a moveable structure without any part buried in

the ground and with no protecting ditch and the obvious place of attack, because

it bars the exit along the well known path. However, the dear old elephant is:

806 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXiX.

not.very worldly wise, and it-is found that the gate can be made to appear to the

elephants to be the strongest part of the whole:contraption by merely fitting it

with sticks and branches, so that the beasts cannot see through it.

_ Driving is best done late in the afternoon and evening, when the elephants

are on the move themselves, and the beaters like to time their drives so that the

elephants are entrapped just before dark, when deficiencies in the concealment

-of the stockade may not. be noticed.

Elephants like to rest in thick cover during the heat of the day, and are inclined

to be pig-headed and to circle round if driven while the sun is still high ; after

dark they become much more aggressive and may efiectively resist pursuit.

A drive may be a lengthy busingss extending over several days and nights

but i in that case the earlier stages, while the herd is still far from the stockade,

consist merely in the men keeping a long way behind the elephants, so that they

will move quietly in the desired direction without stampeding, any attempts to

take divergent paths being frustrated by men sent forward to block the way.

The real excitement begins about 3 o’clock on the last afternoon, when pressure

is first put upon the elephants.

The beaters as a rule number from 7 to 12, s: save in exceptional circumstances

crowds of men and excessive noise are regarded as the signs of unskilful work.

The beaters aro divided into two. parties, which follow on either flank of the

herd, the men keeping in single file, a formation which permits them to get

through the undergrowth without straggling, and to form line if the elephants

stand up to them.

The principal difficulties are caused by goondas trying to break out of the

drive and by mothers of weary calves.

No impediment is offered to the flight of a goonda unless some of the anal

fry are following him, when it becomes necessary cither to force back the goonda

or to nip in behind him and head back the others, a very delicate task.

Mothers will charge back time and time again in order to let their calves

get on, and they frequently spoil drives by holding back the beaters so much

that the leading elephants, with no one behind to hustle them, can discover

the approaches to the stockade; they will then leave the path and, if the

ground permits, make a big circuit at their leisure round the stockade, all the

succeeding elephants following in the footsteps of the leaders, as they know they

would never have branched off like this without some very good reason.

Herds will sometimes absolutely refuse to be driven any further, and. one is

tempted to believe that in these cases the herd must have passed through the

unfinished enclosure at night during the time when it was in course of erection,

or been made wise in some other way.

Guns are only fired in the last resort and when elephants are deliberately

- heading in the wrong direction ; the sound of a gun is so terrifying that the

herd may panic and scatter pell-mell through the forest, completely beyond

further control. Not even guns, however, will stop a herd that has made up

its mind to break back, and the beaters are only saved from extermination by

their uncannv power of distinguishing between bluff and the real thing on the

elephants’ part, and their amazing ability to make themselves scarce at a

moment’s notice as the elephants thunder through them.

Persistence on the men’s part may eventually cause the elephants’ determin-

ation to evaporate, if they keep on getting round in front of the herd, andthe

-elephants will then allow themselves to be driven all the way back.

The diverging paths near the stockade are blocked by men‘in machans, these

stops descending and joining in the passing hunt, when their work is done, and

there are also stops at the ends of the-wings.in case the elephants come along

very wide of the real path.

Once the herd has entered the funnel, a gun ig fired and every one behind: the

«elephants proceeds to make all the noise he can. The sudden irruption of sound

-$tampedes the animals but escape should not. be possible if the men running

ELEPHANT CATCHING IN ASSAM, — 807

along outside the wings resist any attempt at a break through. . It is not always

possible to impound all the members of a herd which straggles into the stockade

in extended order, because the elephants, which first enter, sooner or later

realize the position and try to retreat. It is| amazing, however, that they

should take as long as they do to appreciate the situation : the elephants bustle

in at the door and hurry across to the far side of the stockade, but the sight of

the ditch with the palisade beyond seems to bemuse them, and it is only after

some moments’ contemplation that they slowly turn and begin to wander back,

The door must be shut, whatever elephants there may still be outside, before

the animals inside make a rush for the exit. The writer has seen elephants

which had been excluded because the gate could no longer be kept open, barge

the gate open, before it had been tied, and join their companions within, but as

a rule the excluded elephants make a mad rush for one of the wings and burst

their way through. :

There is a certain amount of danger tothe beaters from these escaping

elephants, but it is quite certain that no elephant would in such circum-

stances waste time in hunting a man if it could possibly get away past him,

‘Methods of greater finesse must be employed to catch elephants in stockades

built near salt-licks.

- The herds visit the salt-licks during the night-time only and at irregular inter-

vals, so it is necessary for the men always to be on watch from the late after-

noon until dawn.

Two men are stationed in the gate-machan, and the rest are distributed in

high machans in the forest on the far side-of the lick in such a manner that the

elephants can pass by their accustomed paths without getting any scent of man.

As soon as the elephants have reached the lick and are busy taking their medi-

cine, the beaters descend from the machans and hasten to their appointed sta-

tions by specially cut paths which are kept scrupulously cleanand free from leaves,

- When sufficient time has elapsed for all to reach their stations, torches are

suddenly lit and the elephants driven towards the stockade: it sometimes

happens that they simply rush straight into it, but more often they are less

obliging, and skill and bravery are required to prevent them from escaping along

any of the numerous game trails, which radiate from the lick. It is a matter of

the greatest difficulty for anyone not accustomed to night work to appreciate

what is happening, but a correct diagnosis of all the different crashes in the

jungle must be made by the men, as it may be necessary to let small batches go

rather than run the risk of frightening back the main portion of the herd.

- The noise alone is sufficient to terrify the ordinary mortal and the close

proximity of the big beasts is very alarming, but accidents seldom occur so

long as the men use their torches boldly.

The salt-licks are very frequently visited by solitary rogues, and it is found

that these are often the advance guard of a herd. There is always the chance

‘of a herd coming early in the morning, if a goonda has been at the lick the pre-

vious evening, or of the herd coming the next evening after an early morning

visit by a goonda.

It may be presumed from this that elephants pursue an ordered routine when

undisturbed, and that a herd will follow the regular round of drinking at. the

accustomed places, feeding at the accustomed places and lying up in the usual

retreats once it has started on one of its regular routes.

The goondas are, of course, not molested while at a lick, but a whiff of

human smell will occasionally set a goonda off squealing in anger and charging

aimlessly about. | ee

~The men’s machans have to be built‘in big trees as a suspicious elephant

will prospect the locality carefully, and may be bold. enough to try. and tear

down the machans.

’ The writer remembers how on one spleiidid moonlight night. ‘a. large Fisker

érept up noiselessty:- beneath his machan and - stood there puzzling as to.the

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

source of this poisoning of the night air ; at last his trunk reached the ladder

and told him that a man had gone up it not so very long before. The ladder

was soon made into mince-meat, but the tree stood firm and the huge beast

rolled off in avery grumpy frame of mind. The next obstacle, which he

encountered, was the outside of the stockade, which provided him with a little:

healthy exercise, and finally he played spillikins with one of the wings

before wandering off in high dudgeon. The amazing part of the story is that

the two-gate men slept through the whole performance, and were greatly

astonished when dawn arrived and they saw the destruction all around them.

At one lick, which we stockaded, there dwelt a very old and evil-tempered

mukhana, which soon came to learn all about the sites of the various machans,

so provokingly out of his reach : one night, abandoning his accustomed path, he-

entered the stockade unwittingly and, being short-sighted, tumbled, into the

ditch on the far side. This thoroughly frightened him and he essayed to retreat

at his best speed, but again his sight failed him and he tumbled into the ditch:

by the door.

This episode was too much for his nerves and we never saw him afterwards.

Elephants will certainly do quite unaccountable things at times; a goonda

that walked into a stockade one night, bit the cane, which was holding the gate

open, and consequently imprisoned himself inside the stockade, and he had to

do a lot of damage before he could punch a hole big enough to allow himself to.

escape through the palisade.

Elephants very seldom break out of a stockade, and when they do it is gene-.

rally due to the presence of a big tusker, which unmindful of the spears and fire-

brands succeeds in bursting his way through and escaping with all his herd.

It is quite clear that the elephants would have no difficulty in getting out, if

only they had the sense to rush pell-mell at the stockade and use their weight

against it, but that is not their way. They are exceedingly timid animals, and

spend most of their time in the stockade huddled up in the centre, scrimmaging

round and round, each trying to secure an inside berth, The scrimmages are-

painful to watch because one fears for the small beasts, but these remain safely

beneath their mothers and seldom come to harm,

As an illustration of how timid elephants are may be quoted the story of a

herd, which was nearly reduced to panic by the entry of two very small fowls

into the stockade. The religious ceremonies, which are performed on the com-

pletion of a stockade, include the releasing of two fowls, which from motives of

economy are usually quite small chickens. These chickens exist in the neigh-

bourhood of the stockade until some wild cat comes along and carries them oft.

On one occasion the diminutive pair sauntered into the stockade through scme

gap, looking for food amongst the debris on the ground, anc threw the small

elephants of the herd into the wildest confusion until angry charges from the:

bigger animals expelled them from the enclosure.

Single elephants will continually charge out from the scrum in the middle, but.

their charges end in precisely the same way as do the rushes which a dog will

make at a cat ; the brakes are put on before the ditch is reached, and 7 a

few kicks into space with the fore-feet the elephant retires.

Elephants are more restless at night, but a shout from a man and a wave of a

torch are generally sufficient to maintain discipline.

Different countries have different methods for getting the wild elephants out,

in Chittagong, for example, the koonkies enter the stockade backwards, the

phandis being armed with long spears to keep off any inquisitive wild elephant

that comes too close with evil intent. Men descend from the koonkies ané

eperating beneath them dexterously manage to bind the legs of the wild ele-.

phants, which can then be taken out very easily.

More direct and spectacular methods are employed in Assam, the hoantnes

entering head first and dragging out the reluctant wild elephants without any

preliminary hobbling.

ELEPHANT CATCHING IN ASSAM. 809

The koonkies are arranged in single file with the biggest animal. preferably @.

tusker, in front. The wild elephants smell the koonkies from afar, and the first

intimation of the koonkies’ approach is conveyed to those watching the stockade-

by the up-lifted trunks and visible uneasiness of the herd. The elephants

generally retreat towards the far side of the stockade and their attention is:

distracted there by fodder being thrown to them.

The bands tying the gate are loosed and, while men pull on ropes, the leading

~ koonkie butts the gate open and stalks in with the remaining koonkies crowding

after it.

It is advisable that the gate should be opened with reasonable speed. The

writer has seen a hy female charge at a gate, which stuck after being opened a

little way, and she banged it shut with such force in the face of the koonkie on

the other side that his morale was seriously effected.

It is still more advisable that the gate should shut quickly after the last koonkie-

has entered. On one occasion the leading koonkie swung the gate open so

violently as to unhinge it and prevent it from being closed. In the subsequent

eonfusion the men lost their heads and the koonkies were seized with panic,

although there were only a few small females to deal with, and the whole mob,

wild and tame, barged out through the open door amidst the groans and tears of

the stockade men.

The wild elephants never combine to overwhelm the koonkies ; one or two of

the bigger beasts may look a little aggressive, but the koonkies go straight up to-

them and start hustling the herd round and round with the same confidence as a

few disciplined men will show when dealing with an unruly but leaderless mob..

No great violence is necessary and there is no excuse for damaging the wild

elephants.

i: used to be the custom in Assam to delay putting the koonkies in until the

wild elephants had been weakened by thirst and hunger, but such cruelty is.

entirely unnecessary and has been discouraged by Government fixing a limit of

time, within which the stockade must be cleared, or else the catch set free.

After five minutes or so the animals are allowed to settle down, and the men.

untie their nosses and get to work. The noosing is often a tiresome job, especi-

ally in the ease of small elephants, which will insist upon running under their

mothers ; this makes it difficult to sherten the rope and tie the noose properly

to prevent it getting any tighter and unless this is done thercis always the danger

of strangling.

It is necessary for the koonkies to kneel down when the noose on a very small

elephant is being tied, as otherwise the man cannot reach it.

An elephant may require one, two or even three koonkies to manage it ; in the

latter case the third noose is generally tied to a hind leg and is very effective in

checking too headlong a progress.

The noosed animals resent being detached from their companions and have-

to be hauled to the door and thereis a danger, when the koonkies have not sufficed

to noose the whole catch, of the un-noosed elephants following the procession

out, so that the biggest koonkie is detailed to act as rear-guard, and he turns

round and looks very fierce if the rest of the herd show signs of following.

Once outside the door (and the getting outside may be a regular case of pull

devil, pull baker), the pace quickens up, and the koonkies have to use all their

strength to prevent their captives from pulling them off the track into the forest.

The passage from the stockade to the camp is usually rather a rough one for all

concerned.

The new elephants are tied up for the first night by the hind legs to one tree-

and by a long rope from the neck to another tree, and as high up on it as possible,

to prevent the elephants from catching the rope and biting through it. It is

necessary to have a koonkie on each side, when the hind legs are being fastened,

in order to obscure the elephant’s view and prevent its frantic kicks from being.

properly aimed.

810 VOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

An elephant, tied in this way can throw itself on the ground. and exert all its

-weight in trying to break the ropes on the hind legs, and it is hihgly desirable

that it should thus tire itself out as much as possible, because in the succeeding

marches to the training camp the koonkies have to carry the men’s kit, as well as.

lead the captives, and if the koonkies are few, one koonkie may have to take two,

wild elephants. :

A barbaric device to keep big elephants quiet on the march was to ah the heel

of the neck with a knife so that the noose could be fastened into the wound and

discourage struggling by the pain. Government is row taking every precaution

to discourage this sort of treatment. It is not difficult to detect a neck that has

been deliberately cut, but the phahdis can obtain much the same result by

‘sprinkling damp sand under the noose, which quickly eats through the skin in

a more natural looking manner. The Black List now awaits the men, who can-

not bring their elephants i in without a clean neck,

Tying the hind legs takes considerable time, so after the first night it is cus-

tomary to fasten the elephants short by the neck to a treein such a way that

they can run round and round the tree, from which the bark has been removed

‘in oréer to facilitate the rope slipping round without fraying.

- The training is the next episode in the elephant’s career on its road to a life

of domesticity and usefulness.

Keeping an elephant tied up tight by the head, and Bpyao ne it for every

misdemeanour has hitherto been considered the correct way to train an elephant,

but the writer has been conducting experiments, first on a small and then on a

very extensive scale, for the last five years, and has been able to prove that a

more rational method ot treatment yields better results in every way.

In the first place the training casualties, which have been known to be as

high as 48 per cent., have been reduced to less than 1 per cent., and in the second

place it has been found that elepharts, which are decently treated, settle down

to their work in an incredibly short space of time, and are more easily and effect-

ively trained than those which have been maltreated and have had _ their spirits

broken,

The elephants, of course, seek every opportunity during the first few days of

their captivity to attack any human being who goes near them, but their lack

of success, coupled with the heartiness with which the retaliatory stick is laid on,

soon convinces them of the futility of their attempts, and their desire for a quiet

and inoffensive life asserts itself so strongly that they abandon further resistance.

The stick they have to get sometimes, and it is adequate punishment for these

kindly beasts, though it cannot possibly hurt their thick skins.

The use of the spear is to be deprecated, not only because the wounds inflicted

may set upsepticaemia, but also because the fear of the pain distracts the |

elephant and prevents it concentrating its mind on its task and so delays the

completion of its education.

An elephant has to be tied up fore and aft by its legs in the training ‘depot,

except when taken out for training ; it is unnecessary to tie it up tight by the

head (save during the evening performance); and it is dangerous to do so, as it

may develop a bad neck wound, leading eventually to its death. Rope- harness

is attached to the elephant for the benefit of the man, who has to mount it.

The “ evening performance ” is a great show.

Eight or ten men approach the elephant after dark, and after its neck has

been tied closely to a Doses a man seizes its tail and the mahout springs on to.

its back. -

One man in front waves a Porehe in its face, and the others surround it, keeping

‘well away from reach of the trunk, and proceed to scrub it with wisps of oes

and all to the accompaniment of appropriate songs.

The frightened animal bellows, shakes, throws itself on to the ground, lunges

at® everyone with its trunk and tries to catch the irritating torch, but all in_

vain, it is well lambasted with sticks and the torch proves itself to ‘be a beastly

thot thing to catch hold of.

ELEPHANT CATCHING IN ASSAM. 811

This treatment is continued for’a , week or So o until the elephant makes no resist

ance, and the men can rub its face without being attacked.

The actual training takes place morning and evening.

The elephant, is taken out between two koonkies, to which it is : attached by

very short nooses.

=: The mahout is already on one of the koonkies and leaps on to the new elephant

when all is ready. The animal may shake a little,in which case the mahout

must hold on very tight, while the mahouts on the koonkies hit the elephant over

the head, and the men on the ground in front and behind beat it with

sticks. Shaking is a most dangerous vice and has to be stopped at all costs,

and it is lucky that very few elephants take to it. |

- It must be remembered that an elephant has generally lost a good deal of its

pep by this time. It has been through a rough and tumble in the stockade, may

have had several days’ march with inadequate food, has been tied on the stretch

by all four legs (to prevent it getting a real good rest), and has experienced the

terrifying performance at night, so, take it all round, the poor beast cannot be

in its best shaking form.

~The man on the ground in front is a source of much irritation to the new

elephant, but it cannot get at him and he can safely prod its trunk with his

‘stick or bamboo, while the mahout hammers it, whenever it tries to rush for-

ward.

The man behind, who sings the whole time in a horribly strident tone, is safe

from being kicked because the action of the hind legs is limited by ropes, but he

punishes all attempts at kicking, and the elephant has to learn to tolerate him.

When the mahout feels securely fixed, the order to proceed is shouted out, the

koonkies go forward and the elephant gets a prod behind each ear from a

sharpened bamboo.

The order to stop is shouted, the koonkies stop, and the mahout leans

forward and catches his beast a good clout between the eyes.

The order to go back is followed by the mahout digging the point into tke

elephant’s forehead and pulling, while the two koonkies pull the captive back a

few steps.

_ A full-grown female requires two koonkies for 4 or 5 days, after that one koon-

kie drops behind and, if the elephant behaves, goes about its business. The

remaining koonkie will be needed for another 4 days, but after that a man on

the ground with a leading rope will suftice until the animal can be taken out by

its rider in the company of other old and new elephants. .

_ Progress has meanwhile been made in the depot ; the elephant will allow itselt

to be tied up without attempting to kick, and it will feed nicely from the

Band.

“An elephant should be ready for removal to the purchaser’s home from within

14 to 21 days after the commencement of training, according to its size, ene

they are still far from being trained.

’_ A full grown female should begin bringing in a few stalks of fodtler after a

- fortnight and after 4 or 5 weeks should be fit for loading with almost a full feed.

.. Elephants are easiest taught to kneel down by being stretched out fore and

aft, and then prodded behind the withers with a sharp bamboo, while the word

f command is shouted, and men haul on the front ie ropes till the elephant

has to sink down to the ground.

Runaway elephants nh forget everything else, but never seem to forget how

to kneel down.

All the other accomplishments are: gradually taught, ‘and the elephant should

be safe to shoot from at the end-of 5 or 6 Bronce, though still Ly no means abso-

| infely psa. Bet es ate

ria

Wats

812

REVIEWS.

A Narvuratist. 1n Hrnpustan. By Major R. W. G. Hingston, I.M.S.

(London, 1923; H. F. and G. Witherby ; pp. XII+-292, 10

plates and text-figures ; price 16 Shillings nett).

Many of our readers will recollect with pleasure Major Hingston’s previous:

book, A Naturalist in Himalaya, in which were recounted the observations.

made by the author in the Hazara district. In the present book he gives us a

collection of varied observations and experiments made in one small patch of

jungle in Fyzabad in the United Provinces, which is described in the first chapter.

The remainder of the book is devoted to the habits and instincts of Ants (six

chapters), Spiders (four chapters) and Dung Beetles (three chapters), conclud-

ing with a chapter on the South-west Monsoon.

Written in a charming style, albeit clear to the point of simplicity, the author

presents us with vivid word-pictures of the habits and instincts of the insects:

and spiders which he has watched and, by well-devised and clearly explained.

experiments, gives us an excellent insight into the evolution of such subjects as

communication amongst ants or the construction of spiders’ webs. We feel

strongly tempted to make long quotations but considerations of space prevent

this; and, where there are so many plums, it becomes difficult to make any

adequate selection.

This is just the sort of book to appeal to many of our members who would

like to learn a little of the wonderful world which exists around them in everyday

life in every station in India and who have been looking for a_ well-written.

account in non-technical language. To all such we can strongly recommend.

A Naturalist in Hindustan as just the thing they have been waiting for.

A Bictocy or THe British HemMietERA-HETEROPTERA. By E. A Butler

(London, 1923; Witherby and Co.; pp. viii+682, with coloured

plates. photographs and text-figures ; price £3-3-0 nett).

This book gives an up-to-date account of all that is known regarding the

early stages, habits, food, life-cycle, and occurrence of all the species of Hemip-

tera (as opposed to Homoptera) which are known to occur in Great Britain.

The Indian student of this important Order of Insects may at first suppose

that little of interest to him is contained in this volume, but this is far from:

being the case. The general notes on the various groups are of universal inter-

est to entomologists in all parts of the world and, so far as the student of the

Indian Fauna is concerned, this book includes descriptions of the following

species which are definitely noted as occurring in India. viz:—(Pentatomide)

Eurygaster maura, Carpocoris fuscispina, Dolycoris baccarum, Eurydema dom-

nulus, Troilus luridus, Zicrona cerulae ; (Coreide) Therapha hyoscyami ; (Lyg-

wide) Lygeus equestris; (Pyrrhocoride) Pyrrhocoris apterus ; (Anthocoride)

Lyctocoris campestris ; (Capside) Miris calcaratus ; (Notonectide) Notonecta

glanca, N. furcata, N. maculata ; (Corixide) Coriza geoffroyi and

C. hieroglyphica. In addition to the above, about thirty other species are so

widely distributed in the Palearctic Region that they may reasonably be ex-

pected to occur in the Northern parts of the Indian Empire also. |

The book is well-written and well produced and will prove indispensable to

all serious workers on the Hemiptera.

Manvau or Entomonocy By H. Maxwell Lefroy. (London, Edward

Arnold and Co., 1923; pp. i-xiv+541 ; 35 Shillings nett in the

United Kingdom).

It is very difficult for any author to keep in proper perspective the entire

field of investigations in a branch of science like that of entomology with due

reference to varying degrees of keenness of different workers in different and —

REVIEWS, . 813

quite divergent directions, yet such an attempt has been successfully made

by Prof. Lefroy in the work under review. The book is not a complete treatise

dealing with all aspects of entomology, for such a work, as the author himself

rightly says, ““ would occupy many years and fill many volumes.”’ On the other

hand it is based on lectures delivered by the author in the second year of a three

years’ course in the Imperial College of Science and Technology in London.

No attempt is made to discuss details, but the essential points about the differ-

ent groups of insects are all fully dealt with. Details of structure and morphology

are sacrificed in favour of notes on habits, enemies and checks of various

insect pests. The latest classification of the insects is adopted, and for the

sake of comparison the schemes given in Sharp’s volumes on insects in the

Cambridge Natural History and in Sedgwick’s Yextbook of Zoology are given

in parallel columns. Generic and specific lists are avoided except in very

important cases like that of the silkworms. Regarding nomenclature the

author has done well to follow the middle course ‘‘ between the ultra-conser-

vative and the ultra-nomenclaturist’’—two very happy selections of names for

the present day exponents of the two Schools of Zoological Nomenclature.

The illustrations are reduced to the minimum as the author does not

believe in the identification of insects from drawings or pictures, and lays

greater stress on the examination of living and pinned collections, The text-

figures are, however, quite numerous, clear and in every way worthy of a

textbook. In addition there are four half-tone full-page plates, but these are

neither very characteristic nor is the reproduction very satisfactory.

In the matter of literature citing we cannot agree with the author, He assumes

that every student of entomology is familiar with the use of the Zoological Record,

Genera Insectorum and the Review of Applied Entomology, and therefore reduces

most of his references to the name of the author and the year of publication of

the work, as for example “‘ MacLachlan (1868).’? This course may be defended

‘on the basis of economy of space, but surely the work would not have increased

in bulk to any great extent if the name of the serial in which the work referred

to was published had also been given. This has been done in some cases, and

we only deplore that the method was not generally adopted. In short the

methods of citation of the literature, owing to their inconsistency, are not to be

commended.

The book seems remarkably free from misprints, but looking through casually

we have noticed an unfortunate lapsus calami in “Die Kriegelmiicken” on

p. 428 fo: ‘Die Kriebelmiicken.”’

The absence of synoptic keys for the various orders and families is a great

drawback, and a chapter in the beginning of the work dealing with the external

structure of a typical form as also the larval and pupal stages would have

been very useful. A glossary of descriptive terms would also have added to

the usefulness of the work.

The very high price of the work is somewhat prohibitive and will, we are

atraid, greatly discount the value of the book.

The work is primarily intended for the British student, and the literature

references are, therefore, mainly restricted to those on British insects, but the

book should prove of great value to students of entomology all over the worid,

B. PRASHAD.

Inp1an Earntuworms: The Fauna of British India including Burma

| and Ceylon (Oligochwta) By J. Stephenson, M. B., D. sc, Lieut.-Col.,

| I.M.S. (retired), Lecturer in Zoology, Edinburgh University.

The earthworms are not a popular group among naturalists. Their study

involves great practical difficulties if it be biological, and careful

_ if not section-cutting, if it be anatomical or systematic.

are of great practical moment in agriculture,

dicsection

Nevertheless they

while in zoogeography they are

814 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1X,

among the most important groups of animals. In the _ history. of scientifi¢

zoology in India, moreover, they have played a great part. This was due in

the first place to Dr. (now Sir Alfred) Bourne, late Director of Public Instruction

and formerly professor in the Presidency College, Madras; but the foundation

of a regular school of oligochztology (if one may be permitted to coin a word)

was instituted much more recently in Lahore by Lieut.-Col. J. Stephenson,

eel

LM.S., the author of the book under review. In addition to the early contri: —

butions to this branch of zoology by Sir Alfred Bourne, several important papers.

have been published by Dr. W. Michzlsen of Hamburg and others, but it is to

Col. Stephenson and his pupils that we owe the greater portion of the work

now summarized. 4

Two things seem to me of the first importance in the preparation of volumes

in a series like our “‘ Fauna ’’—a knowledge of the group discussed and a know-

ledge of the country under consideration. In some cases, when the author

has exceptional capacity, the latter may be dispensed with, as in Dr. Boulenger’s.

account of the reptiles and batrachians; but many of the recent volumes in

this series have suffered from the fact that their author was a museum specialist

without knowledge of India though he may have lived in the country. No

such reproach can be brought against Col. Stephenson, who has studied the

Oligocheta of the Indian Empire for fourteen years in India. There is one

point, an innovation in the fauna, in which he evinces his appreciation of the

geography of the country particularly, viz., the inclusion of maps illustrating

che range of different genera.

The introductory part of the volume is of the greatest interest to all natur-

alists, even if they do not wish to study the highly technical descriptive part.

Geography, bionomics and the methods of examination and determination

are discussed in a clear and at the same time an admirably concise style.

It is to the two former sections that I propose to direct my remarks.

Bionomics.—In spite of Darwin’s classical work on the British earthworms,

very little is known in detail about the natural history of the group as a whole. —

All that Col. Stephenson can find to say about that of the Indian forms

is comprised in three and a half pages, and the greater part of what he says

refers to the small aquatic species which are not, strictly speaking, earthworms

at all. These species, as he points out, are fascinating to the microscopist,

being for the most part minute and transparent with most of their internal -

anatomy displayed almost like a diagram under magnification. In Indian

waters at any rate many of them are associated frequently if not habitually

with sponges and polyzoa, while those of the genus Chetogaster are definitely

symbiotic with or parasitic in either sponges or freshwater snails. Another

little species (Aulophorus tonkinensis) builds for itself a portable abode which

is often composed of the seed-like reproductive bodies of sponges and polyzoa.

The methods by which some of these aquatic forms obtain oxygen for respira-

tion areremarkable, and Col. Stephenson has given full references to literature

on the subject. ,

Among the true earthworms differences of habitat are greater than is usually

recognized. Some are found habitually in rotten wood, others in the small

accumulations of earth or debris at the base of the leaf-stems of palm-trees

and plantains. Some genera and families find excessive moisture more neces-

sary than others, and some have assumed a completely aquatic life with little

or no structural modification.

The only instance that Col. Stephenson can give of an Oligochete worm of

direct commercial importance is that of a small aquatic species which is sold as

food for goldfish in Japan. It is said to be particularly good for the complexion —

of the fish.

Geography.—Col. Stephenson describes fully some 330 species. Of these about

40 are minute aquatic species of little or no geographical significance, the

genera, and in some cases even the species, being cosmopolitan. Except

OS RRPEBWE: EES ON ee

in Lahore and in Calcutta, moreover, these little animals have been very

little collected. The littoral species, found at the edge of the sea, are few

in number and equally unimportant from a geographical point of view.

Col. Stephenson divides India, Burma and Ceylon into nine “ regions ”

(it would have been better to call them districts or areas) as follows :—

: (The drainage of the Indus (plains); the

1, North-Western Territory .. Punjab, N. W. F. Frontier Province,

Bi N. Rajputana and Sind.

2. Western Himalayan Region .. { Himalayas from Hazara to Nepal, includ-

| ing Kashmir.

3. North-Eastern Frontier Re- ramcenae from Nepal eastwards and

gion. Assam.

4. Indo-Gangetic Plain .. oY nied Provinces, Behar and Bengal

(plains.)

5. Burma .. Sip ae .- Burma, the Andamans and Nicobars.

( Peninsular India E. of the W. Ghats, S.

6. Main Peninsular Area.. --< of the Indo-Gangetic Plain and N,

of lat. 15°, with S. Rajputana and the

; Central Indian Agency.

Southern Region s -. The Peninsula S. of lat. 15°.

8. The Western Region .. -. Goa, the W. Ghats and thence to the sea.

9. Ceylon.

A detect (which this volume shares with all others in the series) is the absence

of a detailed map of the Indian Empire and Ceylon showing the limits of these

SN an anaemia

areas graphically. :

The distribution of many of the genera, as is clear from a comparison of Col.

Stephenson’s outline maps of the genera with the charts in Eliot’s Climatological

Atlas of India, is closely correlated with that of excessive rainfall, but this of

course has not been the only factor in determining the range of different forms.

A considerable number of species are “‘ peregrine,” that is to say wanderers.

The word has been used in two senses, to indicate species that have been carried

about by man with cultivated plants, etc., and those that have spread them-

selves abroad naturally with the aid of birds, frogs and other animals to the

feet of which either the worms themselves or their cocoons have accidentally

adhered, or in floating logs or other flotsam. It is the true endemic species,

the genera of which are confined (except for forms of peculiar vigour and of

wandering tendencies) to limited areas, that provide valuable date for the study

of zoogeography. These seem to indicate in India that the fauna has been

recruited largely from areas of heavy rainfall to the east or north of the Bay of

Bengal. Other forms, however, have come from the south-west and are prob-

ably of Ethiopian origin. A few genera seem to have been evolved in the

Indian Peninsula. :

Considering Col. Stephenson’s work as a whole we may accept it as worthy

of the best (and older) traditions of the Fauna—no mere compilation, though

amply provided with references to literature—but the result of many years’

solid work in the field and with the microscope and the dissecting case as well

asin the museum and the library. It cannot fail to become and remain

@ standard book of reference.

. N, ANNANDALE.

A SURVEY OF THE Fauna oF Irag.—Mammats, Birps, Reprines, etc.—

MADE BY EMBERS OF THE MesoporaMIA EXPEDITIONARY Force ipl Die

1915-19, (Bombay Natural History Society, pp. XX+404, with coloured

plate, photographs, maps and text-figures. Price Rs. 7-8-0).

The following Review under the heading “‘ Progress of Science—War Collec-

tions from Iraq” appeared in the London Times of the 27th November.

Ihe reviewer being the scientific correspondent of the Times, we publish it in.

816 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL BIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1X,

full for the benefit of members who have not yet obtained copies. These

are obtainable in England from Messrs. Dulau & Co., Ltd., Margaret Street,

Cavendish Square, London, W., and in India from the Society’s Office. 7

‘¢ Fortunate were those persons who could relieve the vast tedium of a modern

campaign by observations on natural history. Many soldiers who had little

knowledge of the ways of wild creatures were amazed at the fashion in which

birds and beasts pursued the routine of their lives amidst the thunders of war,

‘sometimes even finding between the trenches less disturbance from man than in

cultivated fields. But military duty called many naturalists from the museum

to the field, and, in addition to random observations, much serious collecting was

done. In the course of the Mesopotamian campaign, the Bombay Natural

History Society got into touch with all those who were likely to collect mammals

or birds, reptiles or insects while they were on active service, and arranged to

take over the specimens and to have them examined and catalogued in Bombay

or in London and reported on in the Society’s journal.

The work so carried out has made a substantial contribution to knowledge of

the fauna of Mesopotamia and has been brought together in a single volume,

under the title “‘ A Survey of the Fauna of Iraq,” published under the auspices

of the Natural History Society at Bombay. In 1915, Captain N. B. Kinnear,

then of the Bombay Museum and now of the British Museum (Natural History),

wrote a little pamphlet for the use of members of the Expeditionary Force,

showing how little was known of the fauna of the regionin which the campaign

was to take place, and so advised soldier-naturalists of the excellent work that

they might possibly undertake. As a result, no less than 92 species new to science

were discovered and are described in this volume, and in addition the known

range of a much larger number of creatures has been extended, and a large fund

of information as to habits has been gained. Specimens and duplicates have

been deposited in the British Museum (Natural History), where all the material

-was sent at the end of hostilities, in the Bombay Museum, and in various well-

known institutions.

COLLECTING IN THE FIELD.

Many of the specimens were caught and even skinned close to the enemy’s lines |

and under range of his guns. Colonel Magrath for example caught and skinned

a lesser shrew—an animal not two inches long—under shell-fire in the trenches

in front of Kut. Captain Pitman, in charge of the Regimental Scouts, trained

his men to look out for specimens, as well as for the enemy. Sir Percy Cox,

especially in the earlier part of the campaign, sent many living creatures, includ-

ing five giant herons, to the Victoria Gardens at Bombay, and, although the end

of the war did not lighten his responsibilities, continued, in association with

Captain Cheesman, to collect and to send to London and India living and _pre-

pared specimens. Colonel Wall, of the Iadian Medical Service, an authority on

snakes, as soon as he arrived, covered the palmtrees at Basra with posters

advertising rewards for snakes sent in to him. Dr, Buxton, Captain Ingoldsby,

and many other soldier-naturalists of repute helped in the work.

Mesopotamia is an alluvial plain, about 450 miles long by 150 wide, watered |

by the Euphrates, Tigris, and Karun, and lying between the Syrian and Arabian

deserts on the west, and the foothills of the Persian and Kurdistan mountains on

the east. The country on the right bank of the Euphrates is actual desert, and

here were found hyznas, and pale desert foxes, jerboas and gerbils, cream-

coloured coursers and spotted sandgrouse, ostriches and partridge.

JUNGLE LiFe,

In the bends of the rivers there is thick jungle and the marshes give a safe

home for innumerable water-birds including pelicans and giant herons. Captain

Cheesman came to the conclusion that the legends of ancient Mesopotamian

REVIEWS, 817

forests were mythical, and does not believe that the Kings of Egypt came to

Mesopotamia to hunt elephants, unless these and their keepers had come together

from more distant lands. As huge canals were built there 4,000 years ago,

it-seems probable that even then the country required irrigation. In

any event, there is now only low cover, which harbours wild pig of a kind that

was not identified, but had striped young, and seemed larger than the Indian pig,

too brown for the European wild boar. But there are wild cat, probably caracals,

chares and jackals. On the higher ground gazelles are abundant, porcupines

were frequently found and examples of a new species of ratel discovered.

The most interesting character of the birds of Mesopotamia, on which full

information was obtained, was the relatively small number of permanent

residents, as compared with the long list of migrants and winter visitors. In

some places the only permanent resident was the crested lark, but during the

spring and autumn migrations even the most desolate spots were thronged with

birds, staying a while to rest, or merely passing over. Theriver valleys appear

to be part of an immemorial route of birds passing between Europe and Asia

and Africa. In consequence, probably, of this unsettled feature of the bird life,

the collections yielded almost nothing in the way of new species. ‘The inver-

tebrates, on the other hand, seem to have been little studied before, and crus-

taceans, butterflies, sawflies and orthopterans supplied a large proportion of

forms new to science.”

818

EDITORIAL.

One of the changes recently made in the Journal was the placing just

before the Miscellaneous Notes of comments by readers on what had.

appeared in previous numbers. When the Editors, however, have to draw

attention to a mistake made by themselves they should surely clothe-

themselves in sackcloth and ashes and confess their fault in their own

editorial, especially when their fault was that of giving wrong information.

about a distinguished and honoured visitor to India. The author of the

account of H. R.H. the Prince of Wales’ Shooting Tour in India,

when writing about the Gwalior Shoots, mentions in a footnote (see Vol..

XXIX, page 193) that Monsieur Clemenceau, when shooting at a tiger,

had the misfortune to shoot a buffalo that had been sent into the jungle

to locate a tiger which refused to move and that as the tiger attacked the

buffalo, in the rough and tumble whick ensued, Monsieur Clemenceau shct:

the buffalo. H.H.The Maharaja Scindia. who has been a member of our

Society for many years, noticed this statement and at once wrote to ask.

us to publish the correct version as it was he himself and not Monsieur

Clemenceau that by mistake wounded the buffalo. He writes: “ What

happened was this, that the tiger troke through the buffaloes and got

mixed with them ; I aimed atthe tiger but missed the tiger and hit a

buffalo ;and for that reason I had to fine myself heavily by compensating

the owner of that buffalo.” His Highness’ desire to have the matter put

right is what one would expect from such a good sportsman as he is, and

we hope that Monsieur Clemenceau will accept our apologies for permitting

an impression to appear in our Journal that he had ever failed to obtain

what he had intended to get, or that he was not as successful in his.

shooting in India as he had been when directing France in her great

battle for freedom

In the last editorial we referred to the Society’s publications. These:

have been causing the Committee some perturbation. A scientific

publication such as the Snake Chart prepared by Mr. Prater on Col. Wall’s.

book has sold well so far as the big charts for Hospitals and Dispensaries.

are concerned, and the small pocket charts are becoming more in demand,

but what one would have thought would have been the desire of all small

game shikaries in India— the sumptuous volumes of Stuart Baker’s “Game

Birds of India’—attract little attention and the lack of demand prevents.

any thought of bringing out another volume, although eagerly awaited

by those who have bought the first two volumes. This Journal will be in

the hands of members about Christmas or New Year time. Will they

think, when thinking of what their friends want for X’mas presents, of the

pleasure all lovers of small game shooting in India obtain from the perusal

of Stuart Baker’s fine volumes !

We do not mind appealing thus openly to members to act as agents for

the Society because they have responded to our appeal to bring the

advantages of meinbersbip of the Society to the notice of those who are not.

members. The number of new members who have joined the Society of

late has been very encouraging and makes a good set off to the number of

those who, by retirement from India, annually thin the ranks of the

Society. Naturally we, in the Society’s office, cannot understand why

retirement from India should necessitate retirement from the Society—

surely the very opposite should be the case! Is it not necessary in

retirement to keep fresh and to keep in touch with the hobbies of one’s.

youth ! Still, hard times and small pensions make it necessary for many

to resign but we do wish members would understand that to resign

whilst on service in India is—well we wish we couldsay ‘‘ It’s not done ”.

— a —EE = iene

EDITORIAL, ° . 819

But like some Padres who preach to those who attend Church about the

iniquity of those who do not go to Church, we are perhaps wasting our

space yet may we ask all those who are members to register their deter-

mination never to resign so long as they remain in India.

We cannot all remain in India and we have to record our regret that,

owing to ill health, Mr. B. C. Ellison, a former joint Editor of the Journal

and Curator of the Society’s Museum, has had to resign. Mr. Ellison

suffered severely from Malaria during his stay in India and his health had

evidently been undermined by having been attacked with Typhus in one of

the German Prison Camps. He was aman of great enthusiasms and was

full of schemes, Had his health permitted of his staying on in India he

would, no doubt, have retained his enthusiasm, but under the powerful brake

of ‘““Nomoney” applied unmercifully and at all times by a pessimistic

Honorary Secretary, he would have given up schemes for the future to

grapple with the practical realities of making bricks without straw.

His successor, Mr. S. H. Prater, has to grapple hard from the very

beginning with these unpleasant realities and it is well that he has spent a

long apprenticeship in the Society under Mr. Kinnear and Mr. Millard who

had no visions where finance was concerned and cut the Society’s coat in

strict accordance with the Society’s cloth. Members ought to realise that a

brake must be applied to the Society’s rake’s progress and, to show this is

no mere fashion of speech, we give below the Society’s ordinary income and

expenditure for the past 10 years :—

Income, Expenditure.

Rs. a. Riss has

1914 ae et 33,954 7 37,386 1

1915 30,273 12 25,086 9

1916 31,762 7 27,024 10

1917 31,132 7 22,054 15

1918 34,705 9 22,840 15

1919 33,151 10 32,308 10

1920 32,264 15 31,240 4

192] 64,563 13 54,273 0

1922 39,787 13 48,531 7

1923 37,048 5 45,462 8 to date, -

3,68,645 2 3,46,208 15

Investments ae 22,800 0

Rs. 3,69,008 15

Invested 1914-1923 on account of Life Membership Rs. 22,800.

The increase in 1921 was due to the receipt of a final Government Grant of

Rs. 15,000 in that year in full settlement and to the exceptionally large number

_ of Life Members who took advantage at the time of the increase in subscrip-

tion to become Life Members at the old rate and the receipt from this source was

Rs. 14,600. The total amount of Life Membership commutation received in’

the ten years amounted to Rs. 17,600. Our income from investments (of

Rs. 65,800) on behalf of Life Members is Rs. 2,812-14-0. We have 156 Life

Members who, if paying the ordinary subscription, would be bringing in a revenue

of Rs. 3,900. We ought to have another Rs. 20,000 invested on account of Life

Members and perhaps consider whether Rs. 350 is not too low a figure for ‘Life

Membership. Anyhow the Life Member is scoring at present and no doubt

congratulates himself on his wisdom. Still all this does not disguise the fact

820 JOURNAI, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X,

that in the two years 1922 and 1923 we spent some Rs. 16,000 more than we

received. Retrenchment is the order of the day, but what about an increase

in membership and so increased revenue ? .

In addition to the above the Society realised from the sale of Snake

Books, Pamphlet on White Ants, advertisements, sale of Pigeon Book, List

of Butterflies, and other sundries, including donations, etc., some

Rs, 10,000, —

Turning to matters outside the ordinary expenditure, the Society has

about recouped itself for the money expended on the Snake Charts, and

future sales will mean revenue to the Society, but with the ‘ Game Birds ”

publication the position is that we have only sold sufticient to repay us what

we have already paid out and that we still owe Rs. 16,000 to the publishers,

We want to sell 266 copies of Vol. I, and 227 copies of Vol. Ll, to recover

this sum, hence the earnestness of our appeal in an earlier part of this note.

Mr. Prater is, however, more concerned financially with the Prince of.

Wales’ Museum side of the Society’s activities. Here he is confronted with

a new world to create and no money to pay the builders. What he is

effecting and has already effected is something to be proud of, and “if”

‘if only ’’—yes-—even with him schemes hold the day!

Will our President’s appeal to some of our members, an appeal to

associate themselves with H. R. H. the Prince of Wales becoming our patron

by themselves becoming Vice-Patrons, bring in such a response as to make

the Natural History Section of the Prince of Wales’ Museum worthy of this

Society and of the City of Bombay ? ‘If so ”, well the answer will be

given in the next editorial.

There is one sad thing about the appeal and that is it is the last active

interest our President, Sir George Lloyd, has been able to take in the

Society’s governance. Sir George Lloyd's period of office as President of

our Society has witnessed bigger changes than any previous period. We

are not speaking of changes in personnel, though Sir George Lloyd’s

Presidentship has included the retirement of Mr. W. S. Millard and the

resignation of his office by Mr. N. B. Kinnear, we refer to the material |

change in the transfer of our show collections from the old rooms in Apollo

Street to the more spacious halls of the Prince of Wales’ Museum. We

could not have carried on as we were. The loss of the Government Grant

and the inability to expand would have spoilt our collections and given us

almost a knock out blow. A former President, Lord Lamington, conceived

the idea of housing us in new quarters. Sir George Lloyd saw to our

moving, and his last act has been to do his best to ensure our filling our new

home worthily. We regret very much his departure and hope that he will

remain a member of the Society for many years to come.

We are very glad to be able to publish in this Journal the lecture on

* Animal Life of the Ganges” delivered by Dr. Annandale, C.I.E., in

the Indian Museum, Calcutta, on the afternoon of August 22nd, 1923. We

hope Dr. Annandale will give us the pleasure of publishing several other

popular papers by him. In the next number of the Journal will appear the

first of a series of illustrated articles by Capt. R. 8. P. Bates on “ Birds’

nesting with a camera in India.” The whole will be divided into three

parts—

(1) The Sindh and Liddar Valleys, Kashmir.

(2) Rampur and the Lolab, Kashmir.

(8) An Indian Heronry. ea

Capt. Bates’ photos of birds’ nests and birds are wonderful nature photos |

and we are confident will make a great appeal to all interested in Bird

Life. We feel very fortunate in being able to include him amongst the

contributors to the Journal.

EDITORIAL, 821

Not very long ago Mr. F. J. Mitchell, the pioneer of trout fishing in

Kashmir, sent home a collection of flies taken from the trout streams of

Kashmir ; some of these were new to science, one specimen in particular

attracting considerable attention amongst Entomologists in England

(a reference to the collection was made in Vol. XXIX, No.1, page 305),

but we missed the opportunity of communicating that discovery to the

scientific world. This time we are to be more fortunate. Another collec-

tion has been sent home by Mr. Mitchell, and Mr. Edwards, of the British

Museum, who has examined the collection, has promised to describe the

collection in an illustrated articleon ‘“ New Nematocerous Diptera

from British India.”

We should like to offer our congratulations to Major R. W. G. Hingston,

I.M.S., and to Mr. E. O. Shebbeare, both members of our Society, on

their being selected members ot the Mt. Everest Expedition for 1924, and we

hope they will make use of our Journal to record their experiences.

The above editorial was already in the Press when we learnt with deep

regret of the death of our oldest Vice-President Mr. J. D. Inverarity. A short,

obituary notice appears on another page, but we take this opportunity of

expressing on behalf of the Committee of the Society their appreciation of the

work done for the Society during the early days of its career by Mr. Inverarity,

R99

aie

_ OBITUARY,

Joun Duncan INVERARITY.

J.D. Inverarity was born in Bombay in 1847; he was the son ‘of Dr,

Tnverarity ; the friend and brother-in-law of Jonathan Duncan, the Governor

of Bombay in the last days of the 18th and the early days of the 19th centuries.

Educated at Cheltenham, he returned to Bombay in 1869, where by the sheer

force of his character and the brilliancy of his intellect he soon established him-

self as one of the leading lights of the Bombay Bar. He was a great lawyer,

and was famed throughout India as such. In the words of the Chief Justice of

Bombay, the Bombay High Court prided itself in having as the leader of its Bar,

an Advocate, who for 30 years had no equal in India. It is not as a great lawyer;

however, that we would speak of John Duncan Inverarity, butas a big game

hunter and naturalist. It was in the early days of his career that Mr. Inverarity

associated himself with the Bombay Natural History Society. He joined the

Society almost at its inception in 1886, became member of its Managing Committee

in 1891 anda Life Member in 1893, and was elected its Vice-President on

the 6th April 1897 and continued as such till the time of his death. He was a

_ valued and constant contributor to the pages of the Journal. He was a big game

hunter of no mean repute and excelled, not only as a shikari, but as a close and

accurate observer of the habits and characteristics of the animals he hunted.

Being gifted with afacile pen he was able to include his observations in his writings

on sport and jungle life. In his ‘“‘ Unscientific Notes on the Tiger ’’, published

in Volume III of the Society’s Journal and read before the Bombay Natural

History Society on the 9th of April 1888, Mr. Inverarity wrote : ‘‘ One of the chief

pleasures of shikaring, to my mind, is the observation of the manners and customs

of the animals one pursues. I keep a journal when in the jungle; so I have

been able to correct my memory by reference to notes made at the time.”

Mr. Inverarity’s observations on the tiger helped to elucidate many points on

the subject of the breeding of tigers, their mode of attack, and the treatment of

their kill, Mr. Inverarity also gave the Society the benefit of his observations

in regard to the Indian Gaur, more often, though erroneously, spoken of as the

Bison. In his article ‘‘ The Indian Bison, with some notes on stalking him,”

Mr. Inverarity gives a very accurate description of the appearance of the

animal from observations made by him in the field, and his paper also includes

valuable hints to the hunter of this animal ; his concluding advice being an index

to the character of the man, ‘‘Find the tracks yourself, track him yourself for

miles and kill him with a single bullet in a fair stalk and the incidents of the day

will never fade from your memory.” His adventures while hunting big game

were varied and were recounted by him is a plain matter of fact style which

spoke more for the high courage of the man than pages of superlative description

could have done. Writing of a Bison hunt he says,‘ When a Bison charges he

commences by running at you with his head well up and nose in the air, and only

kicks his head down when a few yards off. At least that was the way the ones

that charged me behaved.” His description of an exciting encounter with a

bear is also worth quoting, the infuriated animal, on being hit charged up a tree

on which Mr. Inverarity!was sitting ‘“‘ So quickly did she came that although I

never reloaded quicker in my life she reached by legs just-as I got one barrel

reloaded, she was on the point of seizing my leg with her teeth when I fired and

dropped her.” Mr. Inverarity’s Hunting Expeditions were not confined to India.

He made two sporting expeditions to Somaliland, the first, in 1889, was cut short

at the end of a fortnight by a misadventure. In his article or notes on “‘ The

Mammalia of Somaliland’? Mr. Inverarity, beyond a reference, does not tell us

what the misadventure was—-it consisted in nothing less than his receiving a

Severe mauling from a lioness. Later in describing the charge of a lion he says :

** They charge with the same coughing roar that a tiger does, the lion comes at

Sa a er a ae

EEE =

OBITUARY, 823

a great speed close to the ground, not leaping in the air as you see in the picture.

‘The ears are pressed close to the head, giving the animal the appearance of being

without ears.”” So much for the observations made while the lion was actually

charging him. Further he writes, “So large an animal coming at full speed

against you naturally knocks you off your legs. The claws and teeth entering

the flesh does not hurt so much as you would think. The only really painful

part of the business is the squeeze given by the jaws on the bone. I felt none of

the dreamy stupor Livingstone describes, but on the contrary felt as usual; I

.adopted the course of lying quite still which is the best that one can do, as you

are quite helpless with a heavy animal on you and they are inclined to make

grabs at everything that moves, and the fewer bites you can get off with the

better. All the wounds are centres of inflammation and blood poisoning and the

more you get the less chance you have. The power of the lion’s jaw may be con-

ceived from the fact that the Lioness that seized me, although it had a broken

jaw, scored deep grooves in the barrel of my rifle with her teeth. Some claw

wounds were mere scratches which I attribute to the fact that they clutch at

the surface of your coat, thinking that is all solid underneath, and so reach the

flesh pretty late, in fact my coat was torn in some places without any correspond-

ing wound beneath. I never felt the slightest shock.’? The second expedi-

tion in 1890 occupied two months. He was on this occasion fortunate in getting

good specimens of “‘ almost all the animals found within a hundred miles of the

coast.’ His articles are illustrated by wonderful series of photographs (taken

by the author) of the animals shot by him and always include accurate descrip-

tions of them. Mr. Inverarity was a skilful amateur photographer and the

results of his work are to be seen in the many photos of big game animals now

hanging on the walls of the Prince of Wales’ Museum, Bombay. Mr.

Inverarity’s writings in the Society’s Journal would make an excellent guide

book for sportsmen in India, written as they are by a man who combined with

other great gifts, the keenest power of observation and a great love of nature

and outdoor life. The following articles from his pen give an idea of

Mr. Inverarity’s varied experiences as a big game hunter and naturalist:—

Unscientific Notes on the Tiger, Vol.III, page 143 ; Stalking the Indian Bison,

‘Vol. IV, p. 294 ; Wounded Bear charging up a tree, Vol. V, p. 380; The Mammalia

-of Somaliland, Vol. VI, p. 457; Does a Tiger kill Snakes ? Vol. VII, p. 405; A

Bear with three cubs, Vol. VII, p. 406; Sambar and Sambar Shooting, Vol.

VIII, p. 391; Man Eating Panthers, Vol. IX, p. 25 ; The Four-horned Antelope,

‘Vol. IX, p. 193; The Oorial, Vol. IX, p. 322; The Cheetal or Spotted Deer, Vol.

IX, p. 481; The Indian Wild Buffalo, Vol. X, p. 41; The Indian Wild Dog, Vol.

X, p. 449; A Wild Dog’s Earth, Vol. XIIT, p. 529; Abnormal Sambar Heads,

Vol. XIV, p. 378; Sambar Horns, Vol. XVII, p. 23.

Mr. Inverarity died as he would have wished in harness, being taken ill in his

‘Chambers at the High Court on the 4th December 1923 and passing away that

same evening,

824

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

No. —ON THE FORMS OF THE HIMALAYAN SEROW

CAPRICORNIS SUMATRANSIS.,

(With 2 Plates.)

In 1913 there was an article by Mr. Pocock in the Society’s Journal (J. B.

N. H.S., xxii, p. 296) om the serows, and in this article the author reviewed

the forms of the genus Capricornis, and treated them all as sub-species of

sumatrensis.

In his ‘“‘ Summary of the Indian Manual Survey” (J. B. N. H. S., xxvii,

p. 80) the late Mr. R. C. Wroughton has retained the same key and subdivision,

which I repeat.

Kry To THE Forms oF Capricornis sumatrensis.

A,.—Head, body and limbs not all red,

a. Head and body brownish black or olack.

a1. Legs white or dirty white below the

knee.

42, Belly only a little paler than the

sides, their colours blending ;

much less white on the jaw, |

throat, and breast .. . 1. s, thar, Hodgs.

2; Belly white, sharply contrasted

with the rufous brown of the

sides ; much white on chest and

along lower jaw. . 2. 8. rodoni, Poc.

bl, Legs with a consider able ‘amount

of rusty or yellow below the knees

and hocks,

a2, Legs below knees and hocks all

rusty ; body brownish black .. 3. s. milne-edwardsit,.

Dav.

62. Legs below knees and hocks rusty

fawn ; knees and fetlocks white ;

body jet black. .. 4, s. jamrachi, Poc.

b. Head pale chocolate brown, body probably

that colour also, and legs probably white

below the knee... ie lee .. 5. 8. humet, Poe.

_ B.—Head, body and limbs all red ne are .. 6. 8, rubidus, Bl.

Distribution

EAE OI Kopala a .. Type locality :—Nepal. (Hodgson).

Other localities:—Sutlej Valley, Kumaon: Nepal:

Sikkim (B.M.)

Lectotype :—B.M. No. 43.1.12.89.

2. C.s. rodoni .. -- Type locality :—Chamba State, Punjab. (Rodon.)

Other localities :—None.

Type :—B.M. No. 2.12.11.1.

3. C. s. milne edwardsi. Type locality :—-Moupin, Sze Chuen.

Other localities :—Sze Chuen; Pegu; Moulmein ; Mount

Muleyit; Tenasserim (B.M.); N.

Shan States Pegu (M.S.L.)

4, C. s. vamrachi eo Type :—-Perhaps in Paris Museum.

Type locality :—Kalimpong, Darjiling.

Other localities :—Kurseong, Darjiling (B.M.)

Type :—2.10, 12.1.

Journ,, Bombay Wat. Hist. Soc.

OLD MALE SEROW, Kashmir Valley, October 1922

“avel oyg FO COVFINSIOpUN 9YF UO Cole SIIYM SUIMOYS MOJO ATWUIYSSxyT OTeWo; oSIET

"90S ‘1SIH "3EN Aeqwog “usnor

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 82

5. C. s, humei .. .. Type locality :—Kashmir. (Hume).

BRE Bey ks | Other localities :—Pir Panjal, Kashmir, (B.M.).

. Type :—B.M. No. 91.8.7.65.

6. (. s. rubidus .. Type locality :—Arakan.

Other localities :—Arakan (B.M.)

Type :—Not traced.

The above key struck me at the time of its first publication as most un-

satisfactory, and, in particular, the description of C. s. humez, based on one 60-

year old headskin only, as being quite unwarranted.

I have now collected particulars of 23 specimens of serow, as under :—

(1) An adult female shot by me in Kishtwar, and another adult seen at the

same time.

(2) Eleven headskins, five of which had the body skins with them, of 7 males.

and 4 females, examined in the shops of Srinagar skin curers. All

these came from the Kashmir Valley, and included specimens from

the Liddar, Sind, and Bandipur rivers, and one from the Pir Panjal.

(3) Three headskins, 1 male and 2 females, shot in Chamba in the same:

month : all adults.

(4) <A careful examination of seven living serow in the hills a few miles N.E.

of Srinagar. These seven individuals comprised three adult males,

three adult females, and one young one which I[ judged to be 6 months.

old. I shot the oldest male. This was during last October (1922).

I will first take the descriptions of the individuals coming under (1) and (4),

as offering no chance of the skins having been discoloured or faded in any way :

(a) My own serow skin. The old male shot under (4). Shot Oct. 1922.

Description.

Legs white below knees.

Belly white.

Back and sides black, merging into rufous on rump,,

lower shoulders and thin band above white of belly.

Tail black above, white below.

Head and neck black, with small patches of white on

) angle of jaw and throat.

(6) Thefemale shot under (1)

This animal agreed very much with the old male, except that she

had no rufous colour on the buttocks and more on the sides,

while she had very little white on the jaw-bones, but a large patch

on the chest.

It would be expected, if Mr. Pocock’s description of C. s. rodont

were a good one, that this female, being shot 200 miles nearer

Chamba (in fact not 30 from Chamba State) would have shown

the “‘much white ’’ on the lower jaws described by Mr. Pocock

as being characteristic of C.s. rodoni.

the jaws, but had a large patch of white on the chest. In other

respects he corresponded with (a).

(d) Of the remaining six living individuals examined last October,

the two old males corresponded in body colouring to (a) but while

one had a considerable amount of white on jaws and chest, the

other and older animal had a very small patch of white on the

chest and none on the jaws. The older male appeared to be the

same age and size as that which I shot, and had the same amount

of rufous on the buttocks, the youngest of the three having a

much greater proportion of black in his colouring,

The two females seen had no rufous on the buttocks, only on the thighs.

and lower shoulders, and a thin band along the side merging into the black of

826 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. AX1X,

the back and the white of the belly. I could see no white on the jaws, and a very

small patch on the chest in one case, and a large one on the chest in the other.

The young one (a male I think) had no trace of white on the face or chest,

but was entirely black to just above the knees and hocks, which were white, as

were the legs below them. There was a small amount of white on the abdo-

men and inner thighs.

The general impression given me by the living animals was that the rufous

tint increases with age, and that the amount of white on the head and chest is

extremely variable in individuals.

This impression is borne out by the skins referred to under (2), and the amount

of white on the face is undoubtedly an individual peculiarity. There were two

heads from the same valley in Kashmir hanging on the wall of a skin-curer’s

shop in Srinagar last October. One had a patch of white on the angle of each

lower jawbone, while the other showed no white at all.

It will be seen from the above descriptions that there is no serow of a pale

brown colour from Kashmir, and we can eliminate C. sumatrensis humet with-

out question. Mr. Pocock admits describing it on the strength of one 60-year

old faded headskin, and this seems another case of describing a new race on in-

sufficient material. It is to be noted that the necessary material for checking

this description could easily have been obtained through the Bombay N.H.S.

or through the Secretary, Game Preservation Department, Kashmir,

Now let us turn to C. sumatrensis rodoni. It is noticeable that the descrip-

tion of this race is based on only one well-defined characteristic ;—namely the

amount of white on the face and lower jaw. It will be seen, on reference to the

Kashmir specimens, that the white is an individual characteristic, and that the

specimens from the Chenab Valley, Kishtwar, which would be expected to show

much white on the head, if Mr. Pocock’s differentiation of rodont were warranted,

show little white on the head.

Again, I had the privilege of examining three serow heads shot in the same

valley in Chamba on the south side of the main range and the amount of

white on the head differed in every case.

Now let us turn to Lydekker’s description of the serow, as given in his

** Game Animals of India.”

‘“* As regards colour, the Himalayan serow may be described as blackish or

dark grey on the upper-parts, with a generally grizzled appearance, owing to

the whitish bases of the hairs, the head, neck, and mane being black. On the

flanks, buttocks, upper portion of the limbs, chest, and throat, the black of the

back passes into rusty red, which in turn gives place on the under part of the

body, the inner side of the thighs, and the lower portion of the legs to dirty

white or greyish ; the inside of the ears and the front and sides of the chin being

likewise white, but of a purer tint. Frequently a black line down the back may

be more or less clearly distinguished.

Tees ieaaetre the typical Sumatran, or eastern, representative of the species

(Nemorhedus bubalinus typicus) is specially characterised by the lower part

of the legs being rufous, instead of white or grey, as well as by the more rufous

tinge of the hair generally. Apparently the size is not equal to that of the lar-

gest specimens of the Himalayan race, although small examples of the latter

do not exceed the present race in this respect.

“Probably there is a complete transition from one race to the other, since a

specimen was killed by General A. A. Kinloch near Darjiling, which in point ot

eclour was intermediate between the two. Apparently the geographical range

of the typical race extends from Sumatra through the elevated tracts of Siam,

Burma, and Assam, to the Eastern Himalaya. It is commonly called the

Burmese serow, but as it is typically from Sumatra it is better indicated

by the name of that island, if indeed the Sumatran and Burmese animals are

inseparable, °

P _. | MISCELLANEDUS NOTES. 827

-“Tn habits the Sumatran serow is doubtless identical with the Himalayan race,

although it inhabits somewhat lower elevations. The red colouring of the limbs

indicates that it is asemi-melano as compared with the Himalayan race ; red

or tan on the limbs and underparts in association with black above being, as

Mr. R. I. Pocock has shown in the case of black-and-tan dogs, the first stage

on the road to complete melanism.”’

Lydekker’s description seems to me to cover all Himalayan serow, and it is

noticeable that he has omitted all mention of a white patch on the chest, which

looks as if the materials on which he based his description varied from that uti-

lised by Mr. Pocock ; the inference is that Lydekker took this white patch to

be a variable individual character.

I would suggest therefore that we can safely eliminate Capricornis sumatre-

nsis humet and C. sumatrensts rodont and class all Himalayan serow under

Capricornis sumatraensis thar ; with the possible addition of C. swmatransis

jamrachi though it seems very desirable that more material be obtained before

the latter race can be considered as definitely established.

Since writing the above I have seen six more serow in Kashmir in the wild

state, which fully bear out the conclusions already arrived at. 1 give a photo-

graph of a very large female which was entirely white on the undersurface of

the jaw, the white also invading the outside of the jaw and the muzzle. This

serow was shot within half a mile of the place where [ killed the big male

_ Jast October, of which a photo is given. The amount of white is evidently

individual.

- RAWALPINDI, C. H. STOCKLEY,

November 1923. Major.

No. I.—A PANTHER SHOOT IN SIMLA.

With a plate.

The following account of the shooting of a panther at Simla may be of in-

_ terest to those familiar with that place,as it certainly was of interest to my fellow

** Shikari, ’” if not to myself. The scene is laid in a cup shaped valley imme-

diately below Summer Hill, overlooked from one direction by “‘ Potter’s Field”’

and over-looking in the other a valley of steep declivities and fields snatched

from the hill side. Clouds on the distant peaks, a wandering thunderstorm

and the incessant clamour of insect life heralded the monsoon and the proba-

bility of a damp vigil; a description that may serve to recall conditions

_ familiar to some of my readers and one that is ample for my purpose.

By devious paths I descended the hill side to my machan, a contraption

. of two boards roped to two saplings, and scrambling up was seated by 5 p.m.

shut off from my surroundings in all but one direction by a screen of fir branches.

_ Through a small aperture I could see the goat tied to a stump in the ground at a

distance of two or three yards only from bushes bordering a track along the

_ thickly wooded hill side. My companion was seated on a ledge 500 feet

_ above me with a view of goat, machan and hill-side as perfect as could be

; ‘desired.

Meanwhile the game had commenced below. The first twinges of cramp were

_ timed 5-30 p.m, and long before this I had been assailed by large and voracious

_ tree-ants whose attack was admirably supported by flights of mosquitoes. Man

1s not invincible and at 6 p.m.—my watch was on the boards between my knees

_ —I had relapsed into a stupor,engendered by the agony of restricted movement,

~ formic acid and other irritants, from which the movements of the. goat

even failed to rouse me. The shadows lengthened, the sun set behind ‘“ Potters’

Field” and objects seemed to become clear for a moment before gradually merg-

ing one into another and the whole into an ever deepening obscurity. The

‘828 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

goat seemed singularly passive, standing up and facing away from me until

7-30 p.m. when a barking deer gave disturbed tongue in the undergrowth above

me, [ bécame alert at this sign of alarm and peered through my peephole to the

limit of my horizon, but except for the goat which still stood rivetted and motion-

less I could see nothing and guessed less. I relaxed my limbs with every care

and was meditating on the waste of time involved in my present pursuit when

with a swerve and a rush from behind a bush a couple of yards from the goat

dashed a magnificent panther, every rippling muscle of its.body revealing perfect

condition and peculiar ferocity, I glanced at my watch which told 7-45 p.m. and,

quietly picking up my 12 bore, loaded with contractile bullets, waited for a fav-

ourable opportunity. In a minute the panther presented its side to me and [ was.

enabled to obtain an uninterrupted aim at its shoulder. Over it rolled and

crashed down the hill to utter a couple of strangled coughs—then silence. Night

was fast approaching and my retreat having been covered by my companion and

others, we left the search until dawn the following morning. Of all animals:

perhaps it is least advisable to take liberties with a wounded panther and our

decision to allow wounds to stiffen could only have been wise. My companion

had been charged in similar circumstances the previous year which added to

our disinclination to set about an immediate investigation.

From a comparison of notes I discovered that the panther had arrived behind

that bush at 7-15 p.m. and was observed immediately on arrival. It could not

have been more than 20 yards from me. It lay, belly pressed close to the earth,

intent on its prey which must have viewed it simultaneously. At intervals it was.

seen from above to crane its wicked head forward to obtain a better view until

finally it gathered itself for its rush. The experience ofthe watchers on the

heights above, who wondered if [ had seen the beast, whether I would move and

disclose my position, whether it would attack the goat and, if so, whilst

there was light to see, was infinitely more a matter for sympathy than my

own. I had two minutes in which to think; they had 36 minutes.

At dawn we were above the spot with dogs of every shape and form, and men

to assist in the search, but the end was near. The panther, a male. was found

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. | +, 829

Jead some thirty yards down the ** Khud” and it only remained to return with it

in triumph, A bullet hole in the shoulder, especially that of a devastating

contractile projectile, had proved sufficient. Its measurements were 6 ft. 94

inches, large for a hill panther. I enclose a photograph. Had it not been for

the gracious permission of His Highness the Maharaja of Patiala, within, whose

territory the beast was bagged, this story would not have been written.

SIMLA, | ROSTAND,

6th July 1923,

No. HI.—A FRESH HYPOTHESIS IN REGARD TO PROTEC.

TIVE COLOURATION IN ANIMALS.

‘In March 1888 being one of a party of six guns out after tiger in the Nepal

‘Terai I had one day my ideas of a tiger’s extraordinary power of concealment

very markedly illustrated.

Well away to the left of the beating line of elephants (60) I saw that a good

bit of ground would be Jeft out of the beat. Directing my mahout to guide

his charge in a wide circle to the left we got into a position ahead of the beating

line, but out of touch with it, taking up a position on the left bank of a dried up

stream. The banks ofthe stream were covered with Noogla jungle from 10 to

15 ft. in height. Looking at our surroundings I thought that a tiger would

stand out very clearly (1) in the dark Noogla-Jungle, (2) on the clear yellow

sand, (3) in the dark Noogla grass. .

- Suddenly I noticed that the elephant’s ears were fixed and directed forwards,

his trunk was also fixed. Listening tensely J could hear a faint swish swish

coming to us from the left, and the mahout looking up, I whispered ‘bagh ata

hat.’

I then asked him if his charge was steady to the tiger, he replied in the affirm-

ative, and I could see from his manner that he was not nervous. Elephants

are often said to be nervous or frightened in the presence of tigers, whereas it

is the mahout who is nervous, and who, sitting on the neck of the elephant,

communicates his feelings to his charge. Getting the rifle ready I

thought that the tiger must stand out very clear in the dark Noogla, but as he

appeared I was struck with his darkness, and delayed firing as, such a dark body,

must stand out very clear on the sandy bed of the stream. Instead of being a

dark body on a very light yellow glittering ground, | could see a light coloured

body crouching and quickly passing over the sand into the dark Noogla

of the opposite bank ; in the Noogla he was again a dark body. No time was to

be lost, and too quickly firing with the left J missed, but dropped him in his track

_ with the right barrel. The mahout beamed with delight and taking his ele-

phant up to the dead tiger circled round it making much of his charge.

The lightning like changes that that tiger assumed in passing through and

from a dark surrounding to over a light surrounding and from a light to again

into a dark surrounding, opened my eyes as to the difficulties to be met in the

pursuit of big game.

1 have often tried to think out the nature of this camouflage and have come

to the conclusion that it is due to the influence of the optic nerve on the skin

muscle Vaniculus carnosus.

When the eye meets a dark surrounding the skin muscle is contracted, bringing

the hairs close together thus densifying the general colour tone. When alight

colour is met the muscle is slackened, the hairs are loose standing out alone with

the light, passing through them, the whole blending with its light surrounding.

In ** Sport in Eastern Bengal ” by F. B. Simson, instances of concealments by

tigers are given on p. 133.

“A tiger will hide himself in places where a cat or a hare you would think

_ might be easily seen. They reduce themselves to the smallest possible compass

830 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXix.

and choose spots where the colour and markings of their skins correspond

with the roots and stalks of plants. I have had a tiger shown to me asleep,

and though within distance of his spring I have only been able to distinguish

him after very careful examination. JI have come tothe very last bush of

screw pine jungle and almost have left it as untenanted, when a tiger, larger ap-

parently than the bush itself, has appeared from under it. I have beaten all

the nice and likely jungle, when I had positive and certain information that

a tiger was close to me and have found him finally in a patch of weeds only

high enough, I would have thought, to have given cover to a Civet cat. I

have known a tiger almost conceal himself on the bare muddy sand of a river

bank, and again I have known them retreat at once to the thickest, densest

and most impracticable jungle near. I have known them leave thick jun-

gles almost at the first noise of the beating elephants, I have known them

also remain crouching till the elephant has all but trod onthem. If you have

reliable information that a tiger has entered a jungle just before you came to

it, if you can find no trace of its exit it is generally worth while to beat

it again and again till you can account for your want of success.”

These observations were made by a man who gave up all his spare time in

21 years’ service in India to the pursuit of big game, killing I have been told,

between five to six hundred tigers.

Sir Herbert Maxwell, to whom I forwarded this note, in commenting, writes

as follows :—

‘¢ Your note upon the protective colour of the tiger is very interesting. Having

never been in India, I have no experience of optical effects in the jungle :

but I find it hard to believe that a change of colour could be effected so instan-

taneously as you describe in an animal so highly organised as a tiger. No doubt

your eye received the impression of change, but the colour sense is purely sub-

jective, and is powerfully affected by light reflected from the environment of

the object immediately under observation,

Pray do not suppose that I dissent from your hypothesis of the movement.

of the skin muscle and its effect upon the absorption and reflection of light. It

seems to me a very proper subject for further research, and I certainly have

no more plausible theory to propound.”’

Professor J. Arthur Thomson, the University, Aberdeen, has also comment-

ed upon this theory : he writes to me :—

«Tt was very kind of you to send me such an interesting letter. Alfred Russell

Wallace used to speak of ‘“‘not knowing where tiger ended and jungle began,;’

but your experience is more subtle. Your theory of the influence of the skin

muscle on the disposition of the hair is quite new to me. One would like to.

corroborate it by actual observation.”’

INVEROAK, GERRARD Cross Bucks, ENGLAND, W. FORSYTH.

23rd June 1928.

No. IV.—THE MISHMI TAKIN (BUDORCAS TAXICOLOR.)

Mr. Cooper’s remarks on the distribution of the above animal in the Mishmi

Hills (Journ. B.N.H.S., Vol. XXIX., p. 550) are very interesting, and perhaps I

may be permitted to add a note culled from my experiences when collecting for

the Mammal Survey in these same hills in 1921. My work lay chiefly in the

Dening and Dreyi area amongst the Digaru Mishmis who are for ever hunting the

Takin, as witness the number of spoiled heads that may be seen in the Sadiya

Bazar and purchased for a few rupees. One especially keen hunter was old

Blyna of Dreyi who was my assistant for some time in trapping, and whose

name chiefly lingers in my memory on account of his foul pipe and capacity

ee ee

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 40) Boll

tor consuming opium, He was an inveterate poacher (much to my advantage as _»

regards mammals) and I think knew as much of the Mishmi fauna as anyone

in the district. From him and other Mishmis I often had requests to go up

and shoot Takin. According to him these were to be found about two days

trek from Chikorpani up towards the Headwaters of the Digaru River. The

mountains here do not rise above 7,000 feet and if Takin were to be found at

this elevation in April and May it is obvious that they come down much lower

during the winter, as snow was lying on some of the inner ranges on the 21st

April. I-also heard of them on the range 6,000’ which divides Dreyi from

Theroliang, and about four miles northward along the spur I came across

numerous tracks whichI tookto be ofthe Takin. Blyna also told me that he

has shot the Takin at Doloipani in the country ofthe Meja Mishmis which

lies on the route to Rima in Eastern Tibet. I had no time to spare to really

go after these beasts as I was busy on most days with the smaller mammals but

I have no doubt that with a certain amount of diligence they would be found

to be commoner than is generally supposed, a theory which is helped in no

small measure by the great difficulty of getting off the beaten track in the Mishmi

Hills,

BomMBAY, H. W. WELLS.

15th August 1923,

No. V.—NOTES ON PORCUPINES.

I have always found the porcupine an interesting animal in all the parts of

Asia and Africa in which I have made my home from time to time. My first

acquaintance with this nocturnal marauder was on the North-West Frontier

of India, where it was very common in the precipitous valleys and clefts running

through the barren hills of Waziristan. Many of these valleys were well watered

and usually contained crops which our spiny friends would raid during the night.

Military posts were frequently located in similar situations, and gardening was

rendered well nigh impossible by the persistent attentions of these elusive thieves.

No walls or hedges could be made strong enough to keep them out: if traps

were set at the gate-ways the porcupines tunnelled their way in beneath the

Massive stone walls: if snares were set at these holes, they came in at the gate-

ways.

Occasionally one would get caught by the leg in a gin but it quickly solved the

problem of its safety, by gnawing through the leg, and that is all we would find

left in the trap when we visited it inthe morning. I always hoped to remedy

this by setting a group of traps, only to discover that they were scrupulously

avoided.

It is readily admitted that the safest remedy is to attack these pests in their

own homes, but there again we were completely thwarted in our endeavours.

These hill porcupines had their lairs dug deep into the cliffs which often

towered hundreds of feet above the level of their earth.

To attempt to dig them out under such conditions was quite hopeless, to

smoke them out or suffocate them with poisonous fumes was equally futile ; as

all the ‘ earths ’ were well ventilated with numerous inaccessible cracks and

crannies,

_ All this was exasperating enough, but the final straw was the fact that there

was a method by which there was a remote chance of getting even with these

slippery customers, and that was by sitting up for them in the moonlight, and

even then it was uncanny how the porcupines would be conspicuous by their

absence on the nights that there was a watcher in the garden—this method

however was denied to us.

- Liberties such as sitting up in the moonlight in a garden outside the walls

of the protecting fort, cannot be lightly undertaken on the Indian Frontier, For

832 JGURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.,

we have to reckon with the raiding Mansud or the fanatical Ghazi—night

prowlers of the worst type—ever watchful for the opportunity to loot and to

slay; and their constant attentions practically make such night vigils quite

impossible.

The scene now changes to the Chanda Jungles of se Central Provinces in

India, recalling to me some of the happiest memories of successful shikar

expeditions, and there I became better acquainted with porcupines and their

habits as they were comparatively oy) to tackle in those haunts.

I had always wanted to dig out an ‘ earth’ and very conveniently found one

in the heart of the jungle, at a time when my activities were perforce confined

to quiet natural history work, as I did not want unnecessarily to disturb the

countryside while I was waiting for a tiger to be lured into killing one of the

baits I had put out for him.

My attention was first of all attracted to the ‘ earth’ by a variety of animal

skulls lying in its vicinity which the porcupines had been gnawing, and it was

soon evident that the tenants were at home. There were two or three bolt

holes near the mouth of the burrow but only one main tunnel, and before we

commenced work we closed all the exits.

I had no intention of digging out the whole length of the ‘earth ’ though

I was very anxious to determine the general length, depth and size.

First of all with the aid of a stick about ten feet in length we tested the direc-

tion of the tunnel, and by tapping on its roof located a spot above ground to

dig down to it.

The soil was soft and digging easy, and this procedure was repeated till

the dwelling chamber of the animal was reached.

Each shaft that was sunk to the tunnel was about four feet in diameter and

when completed the earth was blocked at that point, so that. section by section

we were gradually cornering its unfortunate inhabitants in the chamber at

the end. I should like to mention at this point that, having from time to time

dug out a good many porcupines in different countries and under very varied

conditions, I have come to the conclusion that they rarely if ever dig out

‘earths’ of their own, but invariably appropriate those of other animals which

eney enlarge—if necessary —for their own use.

When tapping forward with the long stick after sinking the third shaft,

evidently one of the porcupines was encountered, and a chattering noise, and

a distinct scampering was audible.

At the fourth shaft we had our first glimpse of the terrified creatures which

made desperate, though fruitless, efforts to get out; and it is quite extraordi-

nary the way in which | have sometimes seen these animals negotiate the banks

of deep, steep shafts and temporarily escape.

In this instance I had no intention of letting them get out until 1 wanted

them to, and when we broke into the tunnel at the fifth shaft and found ourselves

at the entrance of the dwelling chamber, and end of the earth, the whole space

below us appeared to be alive with porcupines.

Eventually we discovered two three-parts grown youngsters—both females—__

and a full grown pair, one of which contained a well formed youngster in the

foetus state, about the size of a small rat. I found the youngsters exceedingly

tasty and nice to eat, but the old animals, though providing rich and excellent

eating, are apt to be a trifle strong, and J have not yet acquired the taste neces-

sary to appreciate them. The earth was nearly sixty feet in length, and the

chamber almost five feet below the level of the ground. The tunnel was

just sufficiently Jarge to admit of the passage of a full grown porcupine, but the

animal could not turn round until it reached the chamber at the end.

This dwelling place cannot have been more than four square feet in area and

probably averaged eighteen inches from its floor to the roof. It seemed to me

very small compared to what it contained, but I always think the same about

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 833

every porcupine ‘earth’ when I eventually arrive at the end.

Dabbling in Natural History work during the Mesopotamian campaign next

brought me into contact with this species near the Rivers Euphrates and Tigris

in 1917 and 1918.

On the Euphrates I found their refuges near Feluja, due west of Baghdad,

and amongst the ruins of the ancient Persian fortress of Anbar.

In the Tigris area I found them common in the cliffs of the Adhaim river,a few

marches downstream of Samarra-—-in the high, steep banks of that huge monument

of ancient irrigation works,the Nahrwan Canals, and amongst the rivers of Eski

Baghdad in the vicinity of Samarra itself, where a succession of Caliphs each

attempted to build a city which would outrival Baghdad, and all of whom

failed in the attempt.

Amongst these rivers, in the majority of cases, their refuges were quite inacces-

sible, but I discovered one that offered a fair chance of success.

Digging was well nigh impossible as a great portion of the ruins were mixed

up with a type of hard lime-stone conglomerate.

However, with the united efforts of nearly two dozen men working hard

for a couple of days, the owners of the ‘earth’ were eventually captured ; but

they were so severely mauled in the process that they died at once. The

female was the heavier of the pair and weighed 25 lbs., while the male only

scaled 23 Ibs.

This ‘earth’ was of natura! formation amongst the hard, conglomerate

blocks, was over thirty feet length and terminated in quite a roomy chamber

also of nature’s handiwork.

This species has not yet been fully identified nor named by the British

Museum experts, and may prove to be something new.

In Palestine I knew of the existence of porcupines on the Jordan side of the

Judea Hills, but failed ever to bring any to bag.

Finally, there are my East African experiences with these mischievous crea-

tures, and I have previously, in an article in * The Field’ on the subject of small

mammals in Kenya Colony, generally described their habits in that country

but at that time had not had the good fortune to dig out a new habitat.

Most of the normal lairs are far too rocky to permit of the owners being dug

out, but during the harvest season they temporarily occupy untenanted pig holes

in the vicinity of the mealie fields, and are then quite easy to suffocate or cap-

ture. ‘These pig holes when converted to their own use by the porcupines are

rarely more than 20 feet in length, but the same porcupine or a pair will often

have several such holes at their disposal.

(A dog however will at once decide whether the earth is occupied or not.)

The biggest specimen captured by this method was a fine female weighing

considerably more than 30 lbs. The small path made by the porcupines through

the long grass, when on their nightly raids to and from the mealie fields, tell

their own story—for these animals always follow the same track. My dogs I

find will hurl themselves again and again on to the cruel spines ina vain

attempt to close with their formidable antagonist, though I always try to

capture or kill my quarry before the dogs can get near it.

However, one large dog, who has been severely mauled by Monkeys and Wart

Hog, has learnt the trick of attacking the head only, and when he sees the

opportunity he usually bites it in half.

In Volume XXIX, No. 2, of the Society’s Journalithere is a query as to

the porcupine’s method of attack.

I have previously written at length in the Journal a few years ago as to

the method of attack from my own painful experience—and I can now

further add to my observations by reason of frequent encounters with

porcupines during recent years in Kenya Colony.

8384 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X

When the porcupine is attacked by dogs it dcesits best to keep its tail

towards its tormenters, and to do this wheels from side to side with

remarkable agility.

All the time the quills are kept erect, forming an extensive prickly shield,

which when turned sharply in any direction acts as a sufficient barrier to

prevent the dogs bringing home their attack.

Though the dogs hurl themselves time and again at the porcupine they

always retire discomfited, but do little damage to themselves beyond

superficial injuries from the cruel spikes, many of which are left embedded

in their skins. But the porcupine does not take a passive part only in the

proceedings, for when it sees its opportunity it hurls itself backwards with

incredible rapidity and no mean force, backed up as it is with a weight often

exceeding 30 pounds. Then it is that fatal injuries are inflicted with a

bunch of short hard quills near the base of the animal’s spine, and dogs

frequently get pierced to the brain and killed when attacked in this

fashion.

One of my dogs has now learnt the trick of disabling porcupines—as he

waits till the animal is busily engaged with the rest of the pack, and then

he rushes in and bites the porcupine on the head.

KENYA CoLony, C. R. S. PITMAN, Magor.

14th July, 1923.

No. VI—CHANGE OF COLOUR IN THE BLACKBUCK (ANTILOPE

CERVICAPRA).

The correspondence in the Field on the subject of the colour change in the

coat of the Black Buck is not without interest to sportsmen in India. We

publish below the letter which appeared in the Freld, together with the editor’s

comment. We are also able to include observations on the subject received

from members and would welcome further opinion :—

“In the Field of May 24th there is a note about an abnormal black buck

horn. You comment on this and state: ‘The black is merely a transient

phase assumed by the black buck during the breeding season.’ I hesitate

to join issue with the editor of the Field, but this not the usually accepted

belief in India. All young buck are fawn-coloured like the does and gradually

assume their black coats. Some, however, never seem to turn black at all.

I was always told that the black colour is a sign of maturity. Certainly

there are buck which remain black all the year round. I have been out in

India over 20 years, and never once heard the suggestion that buck only

assumed their black coat as certain birds assume their breeding plumage.”

M. H. Stmmonps (Magor, INDIAN CAVALRY).

Berkshire Club, Reading.

(‘Horns are abnormally developed now and again in the females of species

of antelopes in which the male alone is typically provided with these append-

ages. There is a skull of a female black buck in the Natural History Museum

with a pair of down-curved horns. It formerly belonged to Mr. A. O. Hume.

The testimony of sportsmen as to the sex of the game they shoot must

be accepted, especially when there is no likelihood of error. The probability

of the colour-change of the male black buck being seasonal was suggested

by thelate Mr. Lydekker in 1907 (Game Animals of India) and was subsequently

confirmed by Mr. Pocock from observations on a living animal in 1910.

(Proceedings of the Zoological Society, 1910, p. 895). Mr. Pocock informs

us that he has subsequently observed the same phenomenon in other specimens.

It is quite possible, however, that in some cases the colour-change is permanent-

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 835

ly assumed after maturity ; and it may be that the species varies in this _re-

spect in different parts of India. Information on this point from sportsmen

would be welcome.’’—EDs. |

CoMMENT BY H. H. THE MAHARAJA OF DHAR.

H. H. the Maharaja of Dhar, writing on this subject, says:—I think that

there is much truth in the statement that ‘‘In some cases the colour-change

is permanently assumed after maturity and it may be that the species varies

in this respect in different parts of India.”’ It is a parallel case to the length of

horn attained by these animals which varies considerably in different districts.

I venture to give my experiences in regard to these animals.

I. The young buck assume the black coat on attaining maturity.

II. The change from fawn to black in the young males is gradual, all stages

of colouration, in which the density of tone varies, are observable but that

highly-polished velvetty black, that sportsmen must have observed in the skins

of certain animals, is only attained by the adult, and that, I believe, only at

a certain season of the year, the condition being dependent on food, climate

and local condition.

My experience and observations, made when collecting Black Buck skins for

the Bombay Natural History Society, have shown me that although certain

animals may be said to retain the black coat all the year round, there is, I believe,

a distinct falling off or fading in the intensity of the black at certain seasons.

Writing on the subject in February 1920 to Mr. Kinnear I stated that the full

grown buck appear to attain the velvetty black colour about the end of October

or early in November. It is interesting to mention here that it is written in the

**Shastras’”’ that the sun of the month of Kunwar (Ashwin) ‘ Vishwamitri

Unhala,” which is concurrent with the month of September and October, is

so hot that its rays blacken the backs of the black buck. The cause given may

not be correct but there is truth in the time indicated. In December, possibly

not till January, there is a falling off in condition and the coats appear to grow

fainter. The change is dependent on local conditions, the abundance of

food at the close of the monsoon, and the decrease in quantity as the dry season

sets in being possibly a determining factor.

Comment BY Mavor C. H. Stockuiey, D.S.O.

With reference to the statement in the Freld quoted from Lydekker’s

“Game Animals of India” and “‘ subsequently confirmed by Mr. Pocock from

observations on a living animal” that Black Buck assume théir black hue in the

Tutting season and lose it later in the year, my experience does not at all accord

with this. I have notes on Black Buck since 1902 from most parts of India where

they exist, and the general trend of my observations has been to show that in

the Punjab and Rajputana most (at least 90 per cent) bucks assume the black

hue on reaching maturity and keep it for the remainder of their lives, except

for a slight fading in the hot weather. This fading usually amounts to a

rustiness of coat and no more. I have observations on black buck in the

Punjab last year (1923) extending from April to August, which confirm this,

I have only once seen a conspicuous instance in the Punjab of the black colour

not being assumed, and that was in northern Patiala in the end of November

1919, when I came across a herd about 70 strong in some sand hills, and,

though there were at least six mature buck with horns ranging from 21 to 23

inches in the herd, there was not a single black one amongst them.

In the United Provinces and Central India,I have found that some of the best

heads were carried by brown bucks, though it was always a matter for comment

when one came across bucks of this type in the cold season; whereas, in the

hot weather, the proportion of mature brown bucks increased very greatly, and

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

by the end of May at least half seemed to be brown. Travelling on the Jhansi-

Bhopal section of the railway in May last year, and July this year, I took

particular note of the numbers seen, and my earlier observations were fully

confirmed. That there is no definite rule in the matter is amply proved by the

existence of both black and brown mature bucks at the same time and place;

and the most that can be said is that there is a greater tendency for black buck

to lose the black hue in the hot weather in the central portions of India than

in the north.

I think Mr. Pocock’s observations are based on individuals in captivity,

which are not to be taken as sure proofs of the same thing happening with

animals under natural conditions,

One point I have noticed is that, particularly with the bigger and more massive

heads, the buff colour on the nape of the neck seems to increase as the buck

passes maturity.

Note By Masor F, L. AnpReEws, O.B.E., D.C.M., Duar.

The colour is assumed gradually and is permanent. All young buck (male)

are fawn coloured like the doe and as they grow older so the coat becomes

darker until maturity is attained. I think the darkness of the coat depends

to the great extent on the nature of the country and the climatic conditions.

I have noticed that the black buck of Mysore and Madras and Southern India

are quite different in colour to those of Central India, United Provinces and the

Punjab. In Southern India the coat of the buck very rarely turns black, it is

more of a dark fawn and one never sees the beautiful black and white face of

the buck found farther north, while a head with horns measuring 19” is

considered quite good. I have shot full grown buck with coats quite light

brown and only a very little darker than the does. The sheen of the coats

depends, | think,.to a great extent on the season.

The length of horn seems to depend on the soil and food.

The coats certainly are thick in winter. In the Deccan the coats are darker

and the horns longer than those of Southern India, but are not so dark or as

long as the buck found farther north. Buck appear to thrive better on black

cotton soil,

ComMMENT BY Mr. B. A. RoKEBY, CONSERVATOR OF FoRESTS,

Duar STATE, DHAR.

Y. My experience is that the colour-change is permanently assumed after

maturity. There is a change in the thickness of the coat inthe hot weather, like

the case of all other animals. In winter their coats are thickened. In the

case of tigers and panthers the summer coat is much lighter in colour.

2. J would add that it also depends on the time of the year. As to horns,

my experience is that the best horns are to be obtained in the driest and hottest

districts. In the east of Oudh, where the climate is damp, an 18” head is

considered quite good whereas in Bikaner anything under 24” would be thought

small.

3. I think the “ gloss” of the coat depends on the season.

Note BY Masor M. Wy tin, DHARAMSALA.

The following note by Major M. Wylie, written from Nabha, Nabha State,

supplies an instance in which the black coat has apparently not been |

assumed with maturity :—

“Thad the good fortune to shoot a fine black buck yesterday and

having seen the details of the Jhind head in your August Journal I

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 837

thought the measurements of a Nabha head might be of interest. The

measurements are as follows :—

Right horn w sie .. 282 inches,

Left horn AN mp Fish PIO Rhys

Between tips .. ae RNA die le Bae

Circumference .. 5

The length is nothing out of the ordinary, though I imagine that few

heads of over 28 inches are obtained now-a-days, but the spread between

tips is the largest I have seen recorded, and another point of interest is

that the buck was a light brown colour—in fact just the same as the does and

emmature bucks of his herd. Local people say that an old buck loses his

colour, but I have seen many very long-horned black-coated bucks. This

buck was still in his prime and lord of his herd. He was shot on the 9th

November 1923 about 7 miles from Nabha City. The shooting in Nabha

has been very strictly preserved for the last 12 years, the late Maharajah

inflicting severe penalties on anyone found killing any game—in spite

of the fact that he himself seldom if ever shot. The result is that game

abounds—especially Black Buck, Nilgai and Pig, but so far no absolute

record heads have been obtained. I have also been lucky enough to get

a 104 inch Nilgai which I believe is a good head.”

No. VII.—DOUBLE NEST OF THE KASHMIR GREAT TIT (PARUS

MAJOR KASHMIRIENSIS.)

It is not uncommon in England for instances to be recorded in which various

species of the genus Parus have built double nests, but I cannot recollect seeing

any record of a similar occurrence in India. It may therefore be of interest

to describe a double nest of the Kashmir Great Tit, Parus major kashmiriensis,

found at Lower Dharmsala (4,000 feet) on 3lst May 1923.

The nest was placed under the top stone of a culvert wall on the motor road ;

the wall was of loose stone work without mortar. On lifting the stone I found

two nests composed of the fur and similar materials affected by Tits: they were

roughly speaking touching. In one nest were four moderately incubated eggs. In

the other nest the Tit was sitting and she did not move at my inspection but

remained there until I replaced the stone in spite of my handling the eggs in the

first nest. The orderly who found the nest informed me that there was one egg

under the sitting bird. The nest was unfortunately found by school boys and

interfered with, and I then discovered that the single egg was incubated. Ii

would seem that after laying and commencing to incubate four eggs the Tit

built a new nest and started to lay a fresh clutch of eggs for some reason which

does not appear.

DHARMSALA, HUGH WHISTLER, F.Z.S,

14th June, 1923. Indian Police.

No. VIiI.-LATE AND EARLY SNIPE IN THE DECCAN, POONA

DISTRICT.

With reference to Miscellaneous Note No. X XVII of Vol. XXLX, the following

details may be of interest to sportsmen in this Presidency :—

I shot my last snipe last season on 3rd May 1925, which is the latest date I

have ever shot these birds in these parts. It was a Fantail (G. celestis) 2 and in

particularly good condition. My shikarireported that he had seen birds botb

on llth May 1923, and on 13th May 1923 but though in each case I went out

on the following day I did not see any signs of them.

I have just shot my first snipe for this season yesterday, Lith September 1923,

when I saw four birds, out of which I bagged three, losing the fourth which fell

some distance away in thick ‘Jantana’ and could not be found. The three birds

picked up were two Fantail and one Pintail (G. stenura), and had evidently only

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

just arrived as my shikari had been over the same ground two days previously

when there were no signs of any birds. I fancy this date must be a record for

these parts. Formerly September 22nd was my earliest date though I have

heard reports some years ago of snipe being shot on September 15th or 17th,

but was never able to verify it. I saw one last year on September 12th but

missed it among some thick ‘babul? trees.

C. W. I., Poona, W. B. TREVENEN.

12th Sepiember, 1923.

No. IX.—-ON THE BREEDING OF THE BLACK-WINGED STILT

(HIMANTOPUS CANDIDUS.)

The Black-winged Stilt breeds in small numbers at the Kallar Kahar lake

in the Jhelum portion of the Punjab Salt Range, and a visit to the lake in July

of this year gave me a chance of observing its nesting habits. As these were

found to differ in some respects from those at the Sultanpur and other breeding

grounds described in Hume's Nests and Eggs (2nd Edition, Volume iii, 353) a

note on the subject may perhaps be of interest. The Kallar Kahar lake lies

close under the northern slope of the Salt Range, at an elevation of 2,100

feet, and its waters are distinctly salt. It is roughly circular and nearly a mile

across when full, its greatest depth being then about 4 feet. Occasionally, in

years of drought, it dries up completely, as was the case in 1921. According

to the District Gazetteer the reason for its saltness is not properly known, but it

appears to be due partly to ordinary precipitation and partly to brine springs.

I arrived at the lake on the 26th June and the same evening found a Stilt’s

nest containing 2 eggs, one addled and the other on the point of hatching. The

next day urgent work took me elsewhere, but before leaving I engaged a villager

to make a thorough search for more. I returned on the 9th July to find that he

had collected some 60 eggs, and, in spite of strict injunctions to the contrary,

had succeeded in mixing up the various clutches. I had therefore to adopt

the doubtful and very unsatisfactory expedient of separating them by appearance

and state of incubation. It seemed fairly clear, however, that more than half

of the nests found had contained 4 eggs, varying from very slightly incubated

to hard set. Apparent clutches of 2 and 3 were mostly fresh but 3 such were

well incubated. It is of course possible that some eggs were smashed by the

searcher while collecting them.

On the 9th July I myself found 2 more nests, trom which were taken 2 fresh

eggs and 4 showing faint signs of incubation. Both these nests were on the out-

er edge of a wide belt of reedy grass from two to three feet high fringing the east

end of the lake. They consisted of a kind of weedy scum, which covers con-

siderable portions of the lake’s surface, collected and built up, with a small reed

clump as foundation, to a height of about 3 inches above the surface of the

surrounding water, there some 6 inches deep. These little mounds were 8

or 9 inches in diameter, and the eggs were lying on them in a shallow depression

lined with a few bits of grass. The whole mass was saturated with water, and

pieces of the grass lining adhered to the eggs when they were taken from it.

The behaviour of the birds was as described in ‘*‘ Nests and Eggs”, except in

the case of the nest found on the 26th June, when both the parent birds stood

a short distance away and continued uttering their harsh cry and flapping their

wings until [ had left the spot. This nest was situated on the south side of the

lake, which is there fed by some fresh watersprings and has a_ bottom of black

and evil-smelling mud in which one flounders up to the knees. It differed

from those described above in being a thick pad of grass on a tuft in a swamp

overgrown by some kind of creeping water plant.

I subsequently examined several of the nests from which my searcher had taken

eggs. In situation and structure they were similar to those first described,

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 839

except that where small mounds of mud showed above the surface of the water

some of these had been utilized in preference to making heaps of scum, The

local name for the bird is Kakua.

Other species found nesting on the lake were Podicipes albipennis (eggs taken

in April and June) and Gallinula chloropus (eggs taken in July). I have little

doubt that Fulica atra and Hydrophasianus chirurgus also breed there, but

so far I have not succeeded in finding their nests.

JHELUM, | H, W. WAITE,

lst August 1923. Indian Police.

No. X.—RANGE OF THE TUFTED POCHARD (FULIGULA

FULIGULA).

In “Indian Ducks and their Allies” by Stuart Baker, it. would appear that the

Tufted Duck was not recorded from Kashmir before 1906, in which year two

were obtained (page 286).

It may therefore be of interest to record that, on reference to my diary, I

find I have a note that I observed some Tufted Duck, in company with Common

Pochard, on a small lake not far from Shiggar in Baltistan on 12th August

1922.

There was no possibility of my mistaking the birds asI observed them through

glasses from a short distance, and I am also well acquainted with the Tufted

Duck.

R. F. RUTTLEDGE.,

JHANSI, 4th Auqust 1928.

No. XI.—LATE STAY OF PINTAIL (DAFILA ACUTA) IN THE C. P.

I shot to-day a pintail drake (Dajfila acuta) at this place. They are winter

visitors here but, as June is very late for them to remain, I write as your Society

may care to have a record of the date. He was one of a flock of eight. Duck

have been very late in returning to the North this year, and until quite recently

the tanks in the vicinity have held large flocks of various kinds, principally

Querquedula circia.

Nagpur, C P., F, W. A. PRIDEAUX.

14th June 1923.

No. XII—DRONGO AND CICADA,

Owing to their colouring, to their strong, sudden and short flight, it must be

rare, [ imagine, that the Cicade are preyed upon by birds. Recently, however,

I witnessed such an occasion. I did not actually see the capture, but I heard

the beginning of the tragedy and saw its gastronomic ending.

For reasons that will be obvious I cannot particularise as to the identity

of the dinner but the diner was a common ‘King Crow.’

Just before dusk I was seated, reading, by a jungle rest house and heard a

cicada start off from the roof. Immediately after I noticed the wing beat

of a bird and two snaps of its beak, the cicada evidently had jinked. This

was followed by a loud continuous note from the insect and as | looked up I

saw the bird make for a near-by tree with what must have been a large cicada

in his beak. He perched so that I could not clearly follow the proceedings of the

next two minutes ; but, apparently he retained the prey in his beak and rapped

it repeatedly against a branch. For full two minutes the unhappy victim

continued to protest and then followed silence and presumably death. Just

before this the bird shifted into better view, transferred the insect to his feet and

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

proceeded to tear it into bits which were swallowed. This lasted for another

three or four minutes. Then the Drongo wiped his beak on the napkin provided

by nature, said grace and departed.

HORSLEYKONDA, C. E. C. FISCHER.

15th May, 1923.

No, XIJ+—-THE COMMON FLAMINGO (PH@NICOPTERUS

ANTIQUORUM) IN THE PUNJAB SALT RANGE.

In the Ibis for 1916 p. 115 I wrote that Captain Whitehead informs me that

Flamingoes are common throughout the winter in the Salt Range Lake of Kallar

Kahar. Although I did not visit the lake myself I had an opportunity of examin-

ing a skin obtained there and found it to belong to this species. I have now

received through the kindness of a correspondent a fine adult male of this

species shot at Kallar Kahar on 27th April 1923, and the heads and wings of a

pair of immature birds shot at Uchali in the neighbouring district of Shahpur

on 20th May 1928. The soft parts in these specimens have been carefully

recorded as follows :—

Adult Male . Iris light-yellow; eyelids french-grey; bill flesh colour,

tip black, gape flesh colour; roof and edge of mouth

dark-grey, legs bright coral-pink; nails black.

Mature Male - --Iris dark-brown; eyepatch dark-grey; bill light-

greenish horn, tip black, lower half with a bluish tinge ;

legs grey flesh-tinge behind.

Immature female ..Similar but legs pinkish-grey.

Mr. H. W. Waite, Indian Police, who has an intimate acquaintance with the

Kallar Kahar lake, informs me that he has seen Flamingoes on it in every month

of the year. Their number vary but there are always more in the winter than

in the summer.

It would be of interest if any member of the Society could furnish details

of the Flamingo at the Uchali Lake or any other of the Salt Range Lakes.

DHARMSALA, PUNJAB, HUGH WHISTLER, F.Z.S.

Tth July 1923. Indian Police,

No. XIII.—BIRDS ATTACKING A SNAKE.

On August 31st, whilst walking round a Tea Estate, I was attracted by the

chattering and excited notes of several Passerine birds coming from the neigh-

bourhood of a biggish tree, on the bank of a stream. I at once suspected a

snake, and having arrived close to the tree, where some possibly 50 small birds

were all wildly chattering and flying about, fairly high up, from branch to

branch, I remained perfectly still. Having discovered where the birds were

concentrating, I eventually made out the snake, about 24 feet long, hanging

along and stretched over two or three small branches. From what I could’ see

of it, it was of the genus Dipsadomorphus, probably Dipsadomorphus ceylonensis,

Gunther’ s Catsnake. I counted 7 species of birds in the attack as follows :—

Small White-throated Babbler .. Dumetia a. albigularis.

Purple Sun-bird tke .. Crytostomus zeylonicus.

Madras Red-vented Bulbul B .. Molpastes h. hemorrhous.

The White Browed Bulbul .. .. Pycnonotus luteolus.

Indian White Eye ce NE .. Losterops p. palpebrosa.

Indian Grey Tit Parus major mahrattarum.

The Common Indian Green Barbet. . Thereiceryx 2. zeylonicus,

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 841

The interesting part of the attack seemed to me to be that all the birds made

direct assault on the head of the cat-snake, but none ever seemed to attack

its long tail, which, hanging over the branch, appeared to be completely unde-

fended, and open to a considerable amount of harrassing. The most persistent

and venturous of the birds were the little Babblers, 4 in number, who were

extraordinarily quick in their thrusts, and their wings also appeared to be used

in the attack, just as a swan would use its wings. The little Sun-birds

poised themselves in mid-air, directly in front of the snake’s face, and every

now and then darted in, though they rarely brought the attack right home.

The White-Eyes were very numerous and very noisy, but perhaps The Madras

Bulbuls seemed the noisiest of the lot, though beyond noise, they did not lend

much actual support to the fight. The White-browed Bulbuls, a pair of them,

contented themselves with out-bursts of chattering only, and flying up close

to watch, and then back again to a safe distance. The Common Indian Barbet,

_possibiy because he did not belong to the same order of the other birds, sat

apart, and watched proceedings quietly. When the Cat-snake started to move,

the noise grew in intensity, and it was rather interesting how the snake kept its

balance slithering along the small branches, with such a babel of voices, and

so many small assailants. This went on for the best part of three-quarters of

an hour, till the Cat-snake eventually found itself right out at the end ofa

branch overhanging the stream, and it made me wonder, as it poised at the end

of the leafy branch, if it was going to dive oft into the water below, but not at

all, it drew its tail gradually after it, and made itself apparently into a kind

of big figure of 8, with an extra curve in it, and so remained, and thus I left. it,

with the noise of the attack still continuing. Having got into this position, the

snake did not seem further to be particularly interested in the proceedings.

BaLANGgopa, CEYLON, GEORGE BROWN.

18th September 1923.

No. XV.—WOODCOCK IN THE NILGIRIS.

I gee in the Journal No. 2, Vol. X XIX, Misc. Note No. XIX ‘‘ Notes on Wood-

cock in the Nilgiris,” Mr. Chas Inglis quotes letters, etc., about arrival of Wood-

cock.

I think it will be of interest to readers to know that [ put up a woodcock on

the Krurmand Mukerti Peak track, Nilgiris, en 28th April this year, which must

be an exceptionally late date for this species to be found there. I asked my

Shikari if he had seen woodcock at that time of the year and he said never

before.

W. M. LOGAN HOME,

MAJOR.

No. XVI.—THE CORVIDA OF THE PUNJAB.

Reference Mr. Hugh Whistler’s article on the Corvide of the Punjab in the

eurrent number of the Magazine, on page 161 the author states that he failed

to find the jungle crow in the Rawalpindi plain. I saw one in Topi Park, Rawal-

pindi on the 3rd March this year. There was no chance of mistaken identifica-

tion as the bird was very tame and hopped about the ride close to my horse.

RONALD T. FOSTER,

KvuLrana, MurREE HILzs, Magor,

18th June 1923.

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

No XVII—THE AFFINITIES OF ERYX JACULUS AND

ERYX JOHNI.

Captain Ingoldby’s suggestion in our last Journal (Vol. XXIX, p. 127)

that Hryx johni does not deserve recognition as a species apart from

E. jaculus has prompted me to refer to my notes on the specimens I have examined

of both supposed species. I have for some years considered the two so closely

allied that I have been guided largely by the locality of a specimen in identi-

fying the species. In this Journal (Vol. XIX, p. 1,000). I identified a

specimen from Jhelum as jaculus, the lepidosis being nearer to the description

of this species in Boulenger’s Catalogue (Vol. 1, p. 125) than that of johni (loc.

eit. p. 127).

I think my records given below giving details of the lepidosis upon which

the two supposed species are separated, strongly support Captain Ingoldby’s

view that johni should be rejected as a species apart from jaculus.

tee

Costals. |

S| bd : oP as 3S 5 ocality.

Biases er iis cues | ‘

ioe eet | cg 1 Ged A eee

al rare | re eae ue cela cee

— os cet ab | |

: g pie ie i

ov os \

BO | Era | |

at iS La.

1 | 51 57 37 190 | 26 (Iraq. (Basra.)

2 48 53 Oo” 190 24 Do. do.

3 | 42, 49 37 190 3 Do. do.

4 | 47 52 35 198 27 \Muhammerah, 8 Persia,

5 | 44 | 50 35 | 195 | 30 | Do.

@ | 47. | Be | 39. 4) Wom? 26. Do.

Ful Wass VMBie seed oi etOOMn lees Do

8 48 54 39 199 25 Do

9 48 52 37 191 26 | Do

10 46 49 2 193 26 Do

i 48 52 38 194? 26 Do. _

yw! 47 53 41 | 190? | 33 {Baluchistan (Hanna).

13 42 47 34 199 33 Do. (Duki.)

14 | 44 51 38 200 29 Do. (_ do.)

15 | 45 53 38 195 35 |Waziristan (Kaur bridge).

er Ay Waa ea ae Do. (do).

17 | 46 51 37 193 34 Do. (Wana).

18 | 46 52 3 189 30 |Punjab (Jhelum).

io | 647, ee a ot eT oye acim)

20 47 | 52 40 193 30 Dos Gedo: ay:

21 | 54 | 61 46 cA S| Do. (Mooltan),

22 | 44 52 40 190 | 28 |Sind (Karachi)

23 47 52 4] 193 29 Do. ( do. ).

24. 39 48 53 192 34 Do. ( do. ).

25 51 59 42 201 31 Do. ( do. ):

26 49 | 58 42 198 o4 Dox(Gaudosm):

27 54 60 41 215 30 Do: (dor):

28 | 52 | 62 45 213 | .. |S. India (Bangalevey

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 843

Céelouration—Captain Ingoldby says in the few young Indian specimens he

has seen the body was quite unmarked. In young Sind specimens, however,

and up to the time they are half grown, one sees ill-defined black bars on the

body, more pronounced posteriorly.

I have never seen any specimens from Iraq and Persia that had acquired the

uniform dark brown dorsal colouration so typical of the adult Indian form ot

the species, but immature Indian specimens resemble in colouration the speci.

mens so typical of Iraq and Persia. .

Dentition.—I have skulls of six Indian specimens that I have hitherto labelled

johni, and two from Persia and Iraq identified as jaculus. A study of the teeth

supports the view that they constitute a single species as will be seen from the

following details.

Maxillary. Palatine, |Pterygoid. besa

| ar. | Locatrry.

Left of 11 4 | 3 13

Right .. i 4. 5) 15 Trichinopoly.

Left ss 16 4 5 12

Right .. 10 4 4 12 Karachi.

Left oe: 10 4 + ?

Right .. 10 4 4 i Karachi.

Left ote 10 5) 4. 1]

Right .. 10 3 4 12 J helum.

Left a 10 3 4 12

Right .. 10 5) 4 12 Jhelum.

Lett oe 16 4 4 183

Right .. 10 + 4 | 13. |Jhelum.

Left ee il 3 4 14. |

Right .. 10 3 4 16 Muhammerah.

Lett eed 19 3 4 11

Right .. 9 3 4 11 Basra.

The mazillary series are anododont, syncranterian and scaphiodont. The

palatine anododont, isodont. The pterygoid anododont, isodont. The mands-

bular anododont, strongly scaphiodont. |

Distribution. The distribution of this snake is interesting as only one other

species, 27z., Echis carinatus occurring in South India extends to Persia and Iraq.

KARACHI, F. WALL,

4th August 1923, CotongL, [.M.8.

No, XVITI—AN UNUSUALLY LARGE LABEO FROM THE

INDRAYANI RIVER.

The following incident, which may be of interest to fishermen in these parts

occurred yesterday.

In company with Major and Mrs. T. W. Corbett, I had been out after green

pigeon and was returning to Poona via the Nasik Road. On reaching the

causeway over the river Indrayani we stopped for a smoke and to give the

cars a drink. The water on the upstream side of the causeway was about a foot

below road level and about five or six feet below the road on the lower side,

with a series of small waterfalls rushing out from the sluices in the middle, the

844 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIA.

surface of each waterfall being only about 2 feet below the road. We noticed

a@ number of small fish endeavouring to jump up through the sluices in their

efforts to get upstream, many of them missing the sluices, which were about

two feet wide, and striking the masonry at the side. Wesat down on the edge

of the causeway to watch them and then noticed a few big fish of several pounds

weight moving in the water below, but these did not then appear to be making

any efforts to surmount the waterfalls. One fish of about half a pound, how-

ever, actually struck the ankles of one of the party in his jump. Shortly after-

wards a fine fish of 8 lbs. weight jumped clean on to the causeway and was

secured after an exciting moment or so with the aid of the coat of one of the

members of the party! He proved to be a fine specimen of “‘ Labeo fimort-

atus, and I give the measurements and particulars below as he appears to be

of unusual size according to ‘Day’ (F. B.I., Fishes, Vol. I, p. 258) who states

that this fish only grows as arule up to a foot and a half in length.

Weight 8 Ibs; length 27"; girth 173”; head 44’; tail 6”;

Scales. Lateral Line 44;6 rows between L. |. and Ventral fin.

Dorsal fin 20 spines ; anal 7; caudal 19;

2 small barbels on upper lip and 2 very minute on snout. Tail deeply forked,

and the soft pad of the snout was spotted with small globules or pores.

I do not think there can be any doubt as to the fish being a specimen of

Labeo jimbriatus as this is the only Labeo known in these parts having more

than 15 spines in the dorsal fin or more than 40 scales in the Lateral line.

W. B. TREVENEN.

Poona, Septemher 3rd, 1923.

No. XIX.—A NOTE ON SOME DISCREPANCIES IN FAUNA

OF BRITISH INDIA, BUTTERFLIES.

When engaged in rearranging the coilections of the Rhopalocera in the Forest

Research Institute obtained from the following sources :—

Mr. P. Mackinnon (Mussoorie), Major Burn (Burma and Assam), Mr. A. E.

Osmaston, I.F.S. (Naini Tal and Kumaon), Mr. T. R. D. Bell, LF.S. (Kar-

war, Bombay) and Mr. O. C. Ollenbach (Dehra Dun),

The work by Col. Bingham was largely used, and I have noticed that the

keys to the genera do not tally in all cases with the characters given for the

species belonging thereto, as will be seen below :—

Keys as given in Fauna of British India. Characters actually found.

Vol. 1.

SATYRIN®!, p. 49. In Y. huebneri, Y. indica,

62 YYPTHIMA. Y. asterope, and Y. nareda vein

Vs. 10 and 11 of forewing not free; 11 Starts from cell, veins 8-10 bran-

ching from V. 7.

Vs. 8-11 branching from 7. In Y. sakra VII and V.7 spring from

upper apex of cell.

NYMPHALINA, p. 204,

B-a cell of both fore and hind wing In some specimens of Cyrestis nivea

closed. cells are not closed.

Doputa, p. 205.

B-a5 Hindwing, veins 3 and 4 from In Dophla paiala veins 3 and 4 stalked

lower apex of cell. and not from lower apex of cell.

b4 Forewing, veins’3 and 4 from lower

apex of cell.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 845

AuUZAKIA, p. 205.

b5 Hindwing, veins 3 and 4 stalked ‘Forewing veins 3 and 4in some of

branching beyond lower apex of cell. examples of Auzakia danava stalked.

Hindwing, veins 3 and 4 not stalked

in some examples of A. danava and

constantly non-stalked in Cyrestis

cocles, and Kallima sp.

P. 206.

B-b-b’-a4—E yes hairy....Limrnitis. In Liminitis trivena eyes are not

hairy.*

JUNONIA, p. 207 B.d.

~ Cell of both fore and hind wing open In some examples of J. ailites and J.

uphita cell of forewing closed.

Sepuisa, p. 207, B-d-bl :

Forewing, vein 10 out of 7, not In Sephisa chandra vein 16 comes out

free. . Vol. II. of the sub-costal.

Papitio, p. Il.

A--b-a3.

No conspicuous blue or green col- The forewing of Papilio telarchus

ouring or markings on upper is richly glossed with blue.

side of wings.

Preripan, p. 136.

A-B-a6 Hindwing: precostal vein pre- Precostal vein in Catopsilia very

sent. rudimentary or absent.

(erias, p. 137.

b6. Hindwing: precostal vein ab- In Yerias it is less prominent, but

sent. not wholly absent.

GoNoPTERYX p. 137.

A. 7. Hindwing, termen more or less Hindwing, termen........ angulated

acutely angulated at apex of vein4.. at apex of vein 3.

(This is probably a printer’s error.)

CoLias, p. 137.

bd. Forewing : vein 10 emitted Forewing vein 10 in some examples of

from vein 7, Colias giycia starts from cell.

LycHZNIN&, p. 305.

A-a, Forewing: vein 11 anasto- Forewing V.7 not anastomosed with

mosed with V. 12. V.12 in Zizera.

CASTALIUS, p. 307.

B. b2—eyes not hairy. in C. ethion, C. roxus, and C. decida

eyes are covered with fine hairs,

B al—Veins 11 andi2 anastomosed. Veins ]1 and 12 not anastomosed

in Tarucus.

It will be seen that it isin the neuration that the anomalies chiefly exist,

and in this connection attention may be drawn to the paper by Nathan Banks in

the May number of the ‘“ Canadian Entomologist ” of 1922 on the venational

variation in Raphdia. He also notes that the wings were found in some cases to

be asymetrical in neuration and similar asymetry has been noticed in some

examples of Rhopalocera that have been examined by me.

Forrst ReseaRcH Instirurs, S. N. CHATTERJEE,

Drnra Dun, March 1923. Assistant to Systematic Entomologist.

y * In the specific table on p. 294 Col. Bingham states that L. trzvena and L. “igyes have non

hairy eyes. The latter species has not been seen by me,

846

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE MEETING HELD ON 19TH SEPTEMBER 1923.

A meeting of members of the Bombay Natural History Society and their

friends was held in the Board room at the Prince of Wales Museum, Bombay,

on Wednesday, the 19th September. The Revd. E. Blatter, 8. J., presiding.

ELECTON OF MEMBERS.

The following 9 new members were elected since the last meeting :—The

Head of the Department of Zoology, University of Amoy, China; Capt. B.

Stuart Horner, Rajputana; Mr. H. C. O’Brien, Abadan; Mr. W. T. Palmes,

LC.S., Rangoon; Mr. D. Kydd, Bombay; Mr. C. Hunnybun, Nilgiris; Lt. H.

R. Napier, Karachi; Mr. N. A. Tombazi, F. R. G. 8., Bombay ; The Director,

King Institute, Madras.

APPOINTMENT OF NEW CURATOR.

The Honorary Secretary announced that the Committee had received advice

from home of the resignation owing to ill-health of Mr. B. C. Ellison who had

been Curator since November 1920. Mr. Ellison’s health had been undermined

by the attack of typhus he had whilst in a German prison camp and he had suffered

badly from malaria whilst in India. He was sure that all members would join

in wishing Mr. Ellison good health and prosperity in the new work he was

taking up in England.

Members would be glad to hear that the Committee had decided to appoint

Mr. S. H. Prater to the vacant post of Curator. The Honorary Secretary said he

remembered Mr. Prater when he first joined the Society in 1907 as a boy fresh

from St. Mary’s School. He had hada long apprenticeship—he possessed

natural gifts and, under the direction of Mr. Kinnear and Father Blatter, he

learnt how to apply those gifts. It was not however Mr. Prater’s natural gifts

alone which had recommended him to the Committee. It was the knowledge,

gained by observation of the work he had done, that in Mr. Prater the Society

had a man they could rely on to give of his best—to serve the Society to the

utmost of his power and to work for the good of the Society first and foremost.

He asked the members to join with him in an expression of pleasure that Mr.

Prater, who joined them as an inexperienced apprentice, had risen by merit to a

post he was sure he had set his eye on from the time he had joined them.

Mr. Prater was heartily congratulated by those present and in reply said he

would do his best to show that the Committee had made no mistake in their

appointment and that he would try and express his thanks in serving the

Society. Continning Mr. Prater said:—‘‘ Mr. Spence has chosen to say a number

of nice things about me, buthe has omitted to tell you what to me at least was

the most important. If the work that I have done for the Society has met

with any measure of success it was largely due to the continuous sympathy and

encouragement I have received at his hands. My apprenticeship has been

long but the way has been made easier by the privilege I have had of serving

under a man whom I considered not only my employer but also a friend. I wish

to thank Mr. Spence for all that he has done for me and to thank you all for your

expression of confidence. It is my hope that the reliance that has been placed

on me will be justified by my service to the Society and to Museum.”

PROCEEDINGS. 847

SNAKES OF BomBay.

Mr. 8. H. Prater then read a paper on the Snakes of Bombay and Salsette,

which will appear in fullin the Journal. There was considerable interest shown

in the subject, and more questions were asked the lecturer than is usually the

case at our meetings.

The model plaster casts of snakes made in the Society’s work rooms were

found very useful in illustrating the lecture and were evidently appreciated by

those present.

The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the lecturer and to the Chair.

For Sale,

Set of B. N. H. S. Journal—Vols. I to X XVI inclusive—handsomely bound

alike in dark green leather and cloth. Price Rs. 500,

Apply G. O. ALLEN, Esq., I.C.S., Saharanpur, U. P.

Just Published.

ROWLAND WARD'S

SPORTSMAN’S HANDBOOK

ELEVENTH EDITION.

ROWLAND WARD’S

RECORDS OF BIG GAME

EIGHTH EDITION.

Profusely Illustrated. Price Rs. 50.

Increased facilities, and the most

modern methods inthe ROWLAND

WARD STUDIOS, have enabled us

to make a considerable reduction in

our charges for modelling heads.

New Price List on Application.

ROWLAND WARD, LTD.,

Naturalists,

By Appointment to H. M. The King,

167, Piccadilly LONDON, W.

Among Pygmies and Gorillas

The Swedish Zoological Expedition

- to Central Africa, 1921. .

By H.R. H. PRINCE WILLIAM OF SWEDEN

With So Photogravure Lilustrations and two Maps

Demy 8vo Cloth 25s. net

HIS record of the Swedish Zoological Expedition to Central Africa, from the

able and entertaining pen of Prince William, will appeal to the general reader

no less than to the zoologist, the ethnologist and the big-game hunter.

The two main objects of the journey are indicated in the title, and in both of

these the Expedition was entirely successful; many specimens of the rare moun-

tain gorilla were secured, and ample opportunities occurred of studying the

little-known and elusive Pygmy folk.

The narrative is written with a zest which few explorers or hunters have

equalled, and it is richly illustrated by a remarkable series of photographs.

“His narrative holds one from the moment of the arrival in Kenya Colony |

....to the time, nearly a year later, when it came out on the waters of the Upper

Nile.’—Zhe Daily Telegraph. a

ote

Twenty Minutes with Scandinavian Authors.

Pest free, GRATIS from the Publishers. "

GYLDENDAL, 11, HANOVER SQUARE, LONDON, W.

SEES Er ede

FG TRY PM DEC LAI Dae Oo

NCIS EDWARDS,

FRA

Bookseller,

83a; High Street, Marylebone, London, W. 1.

Catalogues of Books on the Indian Empire,

Ornithology of Natural History are issued at

intervals and the latest will be sent post free

on application.

‘‘OUT OF PRINT” BOOKS SEARCHED FOR,

JANSON & SONS.

Natural History Agents and Booksellers. Established 1852.

Makers of HIGH GRADE SPECIMEN CABINETS FOR MUSEUMS,

WITH INTERCHANGEABLE DRAWERS.

Large Stock of EXOTIC LEPIDOPTERA AND CLEOPTERA AND ALL

OTHER ORDERS OF INSECTS. :

Books on Natural History Especially Entomology.

SCIENTIFIC ENTOMOLOGICAL ere) j

LIBRARIES PURCHASED. LE cae AN :

Catalogues of Books or Apparatus on application.

44, GREAT RUSSELL STREET, LONDON, W. C. 1].

Opposite The British Museum.

THACKER SPINK & Co.

ae. BOOKS ON SHIKAR, SHOOTING AND SPORT. | :

AJAX.—“ Good Hunting, ”? or What to do on Shikar and odoi

ALBAN WILSON.—Trout Fishing in Kashmir. Rs. 3-8. TESS ee ae

BAKER.—The Indian Ducks and their Allies. With coloured plates.

_ Vol. I. Swans, Geese and Ducks. znd Edition, 30 Coloured Plates. By H. G.

_ GRONVOLD, G. E, LopGr and J. G. KsuLemans. Published at Four Guineas,

_ Price Rs. 63.

_ Vol. II. Snipe, Bustards and Sand-Grouse. 19 Coloured Pilates. By H.

_ GRONVOLD. Published at £3-13-6. Price Rs. 55.

BHATT ACARYYA.—Hints to Amateurs on Tank Angling in India, Re. 1.

BURKE.—The Indian Field Shikar Book and Game Register. New edition. Rs. 8.

CHAUDHURI.—Sport in Jheel and Jungle, mainly ia different parts of Bengal and

- Central India. Illustrated. Rs. 7-8.

CHRISTOPHER.—Big Game Shooting in Lower Burma. Rs. 12,

‘COOCH BEHAR.—Thirty-seven Years of Big Game Shooting in Cooch Behar

an A Savy sae Illustrated. Rs. 12. ¢

DEWAR.—A Bir endar for Northern India, from Bengal to the Punjab Rs, ¢.

-DEWAR.—tThe Sportsman’s Birds of India. Desctibed by Seat aes

Illustrated by G. A. Levert-Yeats. Published in 3 parts with Index, Complete

Paper Covers. Rs. 7-8.

eee Companions Feathered, Furred and Scaled, with numerous illustra-

tions. x. 1-0.

-FINN.—Garden and Aviary Birds of India. With seven full page plates illustra-

ting thirty-four birds. Rs. 3-8.

ew to Know the Indian Waders. Illustrated. Second edition, revised.

\ om S. e

FINN.—The Birds of Calcutta. Illustrated. Rs. 2-4.

FINN.—Indian Sporting Birds. With over too coloured plates from Hume and

“Marshall's ‘‘ Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon.” Rs. 35.

FINN.—The Game Birds of India and Asia. With 12 Illustrations. Rs. 3.

FINN.—The Water Fowl of India and Asia. With 21 illustrations. Third edition,

- Revised. Rs. 4-8. |

Indian Horse Notes. An epitome of useful information arranged for easy refer-

' ence and specially adapted for officers and country residents.

“By Major C.— Seventh edition. Rs. 2-8.

Indian Notes about Dogs, their Diseases and Treatment. By Majcr C.— Ninth

- edition. Rs. 2.

'“KADER.”’—The Management and Breeding of Dogs in India, and the points to

| breed for. Rs. 3.

“KILDEER.”—Camp Cookery. A little guide to outdoor Cookery for Sportsmen

-and others. Re. 1.

|LE MESURIER.—Game, Shore and Water Birds of India, with Additional Refer-

‘ences to their Allied Species in other parts of the World. 180 natural size

illustrations from actual specimens. Rs. 12-8.

Letters on Polo in India. Written toa Beginner. By ‘‘ A Lover of the Game,”’

Illustrated. Rs. 3-8.

‘MOORE.—The Examination of Horses for Soundness. A Guide for Students and

‘Beginners. Re. I.

‘SINHA—Purnea: A Shikar Land. With several photographic illustrations.

/ Rs, 4-8.

-STERNDALE.—Denizens of the Jungle. A series of sketches of wild animals, with

_ letterpress descriptions. Rs. 10. =

‘THOMAS.—The Rod in India. Hints how to obtain Sport, with Remarks on the

_ Natural History of Fish and their Culture, and illustrations of Fish and Tackle.

LaeRS.2 O15,

TYACKE. The Sportsman’s Manual in Quest of Game in Kulu, Lahoul and

Ladak, to the Tso Morari Lake, with notes on Shooting in Spiti, Bara Begahal,

| Chamba and Kashmir and a detailed: description of sport in more than 130

| Nalas. With 8sketch maps. Rs. 4.

| TYACKE.—Fish and Fishing in Kulu. Re. 1-4.

| WALKER.—Angling in the Kumaun Lakes. With map of the Kumaon Lake Coun-

i try. Rs, 4.

| WESTON. Hints on the Use of the Saddle. Horse and Shot Gun in India, written

| for Beginners, containing a Riding School Course. Rs. 2-8.

THACKER SPINK & Co.,

P. O. Box. 54, Calcutta and Rezent House, SIMLA.

s vi

Edited by SIR STANLEY REED, K.B.E., LL. D. 4

Issued early in each year. A

Nearly 900 pages.

COMPACT and comprehensive reference book

which will be found up-to-date and reliable inform:

tion on every subject of interest in the Indian Emp@

Many maps and copious index. :

Price Rs. 7-0. V. P. Postage 11 annas.

Some Press Opinions.

We have tested the book upon a great number of questions al

have never failed to get tne information that was wanted. :

Statesman (Calcu

Tts oy an indispensable volume.

Advocate of India (Bomb

As a vade mecum to the political, economic and social proble

of the Indian Empire it has no rival.

Civil and Military Gazette (Lal

Whatever other books might be read with a view to a clear g

of the essentials of the various problems of administration |

government in India, this must be studied.

Jam-e-Jamshed. (Bomb

Many are the improvements making the book indispeneat|

both Europeans and Indians,

Indian Daily Telegraph (Luckn

The book is comprehensive and posal

Rangoon Gos

It is an original, independent survey of all things Indian and 1

quality capable, impartial and authoritative.

The Daily Gasette (Kara

BENNETT, COLEMAN & COMPANY, LIMITED,

“The Times of India’ Offices:

Bombay & Calcutta,

and all Booksellers.

Printed at ‘le Times Press, Bombay, and rublished by) R. A. Srence for the

Rompbay Natural History Society, Bombay.

| (He

JOURNAL

-Bowsay NatoraL History Socrery,

EDITED BY

. a R. A. SPENCE, F.Z.S., P. M. SANDERSON, F.Z.S. and

os _ §. H. PRATER, C.M.Z.S.

= <ul (AW fiss

VOL, XXIX, No. & ae

Zonal MUS!

Date of Publication, 15th May 1924.

Price to Non-Members Ce. . ts. 12-0-0

or 16s. —

For terms of membership see inside front cover.

LONDON AGENTS:

.DULAU & Co., Ltd., 3

S 34-36, Margaret Street, Cavendish Square, .W.

- PRINTED AT THE TIMES PRESS, BOMBAY.

THE SOCIETY'S PUBLICATIONS.

Mesopotamia.

A Survey of the Fauna of Iraq. Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, etc., made by Members -

of the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force “ D”’, 1915-1919. Rs. 7-8.

Birds.

A Hand List of Genera and Species of Birds of the Indian Empire by E. C. Sruarr

Baker, O.B.E., M.B.O.U., F.Z.S., C.F.A.0.U. Rs. 6.

(Price tv Members Rs. 4-12).

Game Birds of India, Vol. I. (Indian Ducks and their allies) 2nd Edition. Rs. 63.

(Price to Members Rs. 50).

Game Birds of India, Vol. II. (Woodcock, Snipe, Bustards, and Sandgrouse) Ist

Edition. Rs. 55,

(Price to Members Rs. 42).

Set of Game Bird Plates (30), Vol. I. : Rs. 20,

(Price to Members Rs. 15).

Set of Game Bird Plates (19), Vol. IT. Rs. 13.8.

(Price to Members Rs. 10).

Indian Pigeons and Doves with coloured illustrations by E. C. Stuart Baxer,

O.B.E., M.B.O.U., F.Z.S., etc. : Rs. 37-12,

(Price to. Members Rs. 28-12).

Snakes.

Poisonous Terrestrial Snakes of our British Indian Dominions, 3rd Edition,

by Cou. F. Watt, C.M.G., I.M.S. Rs. 3.

Identification of Poisonous Snakes—

Hanging Wall Chart, 30” x40". Rs. 5.

Folding Pocket Chart. | Rs, 1-8,

3 3 Miscellaneous. ae

Mood Destroying White Ants of the Bombay Presidency by Rev. J. ee

Catalogue of the Society’s Library. Re. 1.

List of Indian Butterflies by Lt.-Cot. W. H. Evans, R.E. Aas Rs. 2.

‘TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP.

Life Members pay an entrance fee of Rs. 20/- and a Life Membership fee ot

Rs. 350/-.

Ordinary Members pay an entrance fee of Rs. 20/« and an annual subscription

of Rs. 25/-.

Members elected in November and December are not liable for the subscription |

for the year in which they are elected,

MEMBERS RESIDING OUTSIDE INDIA.

The terms are the same for members living outside India, Such members

should pay their subscriptions by means of orders on their Bankers to pay the

amount of the subscription, plus postage—in all Rs, 26-8-0 to the Society in

Bombay on the 1st January in each year. If this cannot be done then the sum

of £t-15-4 should be paid annually to the Society’s London Bankers—The

Nationa] Bank of India, Bishopsgate Street, London, E. C.

3 Hoe

CONTENTS OF Vol. XXIX, No. 4.

PaGE

‘Tur Game Brevs oF Inpra, BURMA AND Cuyton. Part XXXVI. (genus Oryptopleciron)

(With a plate.) By E. C. Stuart Baker, F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.0.U.,°C.F.A.0.U. ...... 849

‘A Hanp-List oF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN Empire. Part IIT. By Col. F. Wall, -

SES CNG OT Say tal Munsee ces Mls Os oe hy oo aa 86-4

[Tue Mamars anv Birps or Kasumre anb tae Apsacent Hitt Provinces. By Col.

eH. Ward: (Wath 5 plates and 4. photos). sce. 0 i.e ees cod to ea dese wlestccee 879

Tax IDENTIFICATION OF [NDIAN BuTTEeRFLiIEs. Part IV. (With 5 plates.) By Lt.-

Ses Vets Hivinhs, 1). SUOs weit: NZIS RMS susie eG aenualers ee ester eiel wll Sale achat «a 890

: He Rep Ant. Part III. (With a text figure.) By Major R. W. G. Hingston, im.s. .. 908

aE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE Puarns oF Inpia. Part XXXII. By. T.R. Bell, |

MMBIDNE TESS omPEU UL) oles sara ti-al gusvg: tctlel anereh gta! oda va\cehat Shcra'd, alee aredaca ape lbeai a “oy oi aearn een hon inae ova 921

Birps’ Nustrne witn a Cammra in InprA. Part I. (With 6 plates.) By Capt. R.S. P.

Bs Bates Me SiMe Si /euisateab ah Bie) ah Mey elias vals vals nates Lorene Cote tiee giorinnh Ae 947

JBSERVATIONS ON THE BREEDING HaABitTs OF SOME FRESH WATER FISHES IN THE FUN-

|. TAB. (With 2 plates.) By M. Hamid Khan, M.sc., F.R.MLS. .......e0ccccecee es 958

\Dzscription or THE Nests AND Ecos oF THE CoMMON [BIRDS OCCURRING IN THE

_ Puarns of tHE Unirep Provinces. PartIV. By E. H.N. Gill. (With a plate.). 963

ES ON [npIAN Buttrerriies. By Lt.-Col. W. H. Evans, D.s.0., R.E., F.Z.S., F.E.S. 97}

OURNEY TO Sram AN D Back. Part IV. (With 2 plates.) By Major C. H. Stockley,

SEO eR rete Coton Hs Uhr sr ye diy otsl2 sy Gatatctuee Wikia: waste gt etrcasvelohigels avemuaneel: Seabee yey nee ie 974

IAN Draconrures, Part XVII. (With two plates and two text figures.) By

i Berne Cy ireisens WMS eR. WYSy ul Loti iy esl o-2% ois souls sess vanes wes ia ga 982

PEE ROTTS MVE P MOMs r evar sie fara als acre tas mictasa laiQulerets Slaieiy! ele'd slacha ache alee ee ee sue apne 1007

fees: —BurrTeRrLy Lore. By H. Eltringham....:.5.....6 6c ccs cee ees e eed 1031

| A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF FisHES. By Bashford Dean and others............. 103]

| | WILD ANIMALS IN CENTRAL INDIA. By A. A. Dunbar Brander .......... 1032

HIMALAYAN AND Kasumiri Birps. By Douglas Dewar................. 1086

rie

CONTENTS OF Vol. XXIX, No. 4.

Page ©

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES :—- =. |

Readers’ Comments on previous notes and articles... ...........eeee cece. 1043

Tr;

II. Large Tusks of Indian Elephant. (H. maximus). (With a photo.) By

Or Bi Te Comerevie 2k. siti wes Wie, s hate tas Ste ale ons ees acne eee 1044

III. In the Haunts of the Indian Wild Dog (C. dukhunensis) By C. B.S. . |

Pitman Mer nmeL oe ky Ua 1046 |

IV. <A Novel Method of shooting Black Bear in the ‘“ Galis”. By C. R. S. |

Pitman... es eee eee eect eee et eee bette tet e eens 1049 |

V. Black-Buck and Jackal. By Capt. L. G.W. Hamber .....:.......99 1050 :

VI. Malformed horns in the Cheetal (Axis azis). (With a photo.) By B, A. |

PART 8 5 bigs a:b Ata ee eRe eM lane cP ce ner ec EN aces et en Sea ae 105] |

VII. Southern Range of the Mallard (Anas boscas). By J. R. Abercrombie |

BG ObHELS ss: Uw eae scvsces tr golem es guiemaneine sae Math ces eh anne irae tr en 1052.

VE. Nest of Mrs. Gould’s Y ellow-Backed Sunbird (Aithopyga gouldiae). By

S. M. Robinson M.BO}U). s3 cbais cueuws ee bt cele ce ee ecko 1052.

IX. Nesting of Walden’s Yellow-Backed Sunbird (Atthopya sanguinipecta). |

By. 5: My Robinson, M.B:000) ir eche seers eye seen nn ee 1053

X. Nidification of the Western Spotted Babbler (P. ruficeps jonesi). By B. B.

Osmaston,C.2, Bi TRIS eset sie euetels care erslere on overehe «lots ho hop eee 1053

XI. Migration of Eagles. By C. H. Donald, F.z.s., M.B.0.U.............006: 1054 |

XII. Wire Nests. By Major W. P. Pakenham Walsh, R. E. (With a photo.) 1066 |

XIII. The incubation period of Bulbul’s eggs. By Satya Churn Law.......... 1056

XIV. A Note on the White-Bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaétus leucogaster). By S. C. | |

LAW cece ee ccc cece eee ee cee eee cee eee sees ee eceeeeeecsseeccececcc es OBE

XV. Flighting on a Delhi heel. By Rostand.......ccececcecceeeeeeeeeees 100

XVI. A Mugger shooting experience. By L. Stansfield ..............0: |

XVII. A Note on the habits of the Large-scaled Earth Snake (Silybura macrolepis). |

By: ‘Charles MeCann sc 0 8) 2.6 Scheie. wp tee cle eieieta ete eee 106;

XVIII. Further Notes on the breeding habits of the Pearl Spot Fish (Htroplus — | |

suratensis). By N. P. Panikkar’ 00.05 cc6 jc on. 5 go tec ee 106:

Proceedings jo cies s'aleeie st slalettietsetate Se'ae eieiolerstelatslelece ac eenem eee 106:

106

Accounts for 1923 ie es Sa EU oe ee ee ec ee

Nesap lallisar

BOMBAY

IRN.

ana

¢€

— a

. I

A 9

‘=

Q 0

alma:

VITTY & SEABORNE, LTO.,

eevuien Nes

JOURNAL

OF THE

Bombay Natural History Society.

May 1924. Vote XX LX: No. 4.

—_—

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON.

E. C. Stuart Baker, F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.0.U., C.F.A.0.U.

Pane x XX VEIL

(With a plate.)

(Continued from page 597 of this Volume.)

Genus—CRYPTOPLECTRON.

Cryptoplectron Streubel, mm Ersch. u. Gruber Alig. Encycl. 3, vol.

16, p. 291 (1842). Type Coturn erythrorhyncha, Sykes.

The genus Cryptoplectron is very closely allied to Perdicula, but

differs from that genus in many respects. The tail has only 10

feathers instead of 12; the tarsus is spurless; the bill is decidedly

longer and less high, and the wing is shorter and more rounded ;

the first primary is equal to the 10th, and the 4th, 5th and 6th are

sub-equal and longest.

There are only two species known and these are confined to India

and possibly, the extreme North-West of Burma in the Chin Hills

South of Manipur.

The name Microperdiz Gould, (B. of A. vu, pl. 1, 1862) by which

this genus has hitherto been generally known is unfortunately

antedated by Cryptoplectron, 1842, and accordingly the latter name

must be used.

Key To SPECIES AND SUB-SPECIES.

A.—Upper surface brown with black spots.

a. Throat white.

a’. Darker and larger; wing 81 to 92

mm. ee 5 at .. C. e@ erythrorhynchus.

3 p.

b'. Paler and smaller; wing 76 to 84

mm, a q ihe -. Cie, blewitti, 3 p.

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

b. Throat, chest and breast brick-red. )

c'. Darker and larger... es .. C. e. erythrorhynchus,

| 2 Pp.

d'. Paler and smaller Ne Ae 1 Cie. blewittt,. 2.

B.—Upper surface slaty grey with black bars and spots.

c. Throat chestnut.

e’. Upper surface boldly barred with

black a , . C. m. manipurensis,

dg. P-

jf’. Upper surface with very little black

Markingy suey, “le o .. C.m. glist, 3 p.

d. Throat dark grey.

g. Upper surface oe marked with

black ; ofa . C. m. manipurensis,

h'. Upper surface only eh marked

with black .. ae . C.m. inglisr, 2 -p.

CRYPTOPLECTRON ERYTHRORHYNCHUS ERYTHRORHYNCHUS.

The Painted Bush Quail.

— Coturnix erythrorhyncha Sykes, P.Z.S8., 1832, p. 153, (Karli Valley,

N. Konkan); Gray, III. Ind. Zool., IT, pl. 44 (1834) ; Sykes, Trans.

Z.8. IL. p. 16, pl. L. (1841).

Penis erythrorhyncha Blyth, J.A.8.B., XI, p. 808 (1842), (S.

India).

Perdicula erythrorhyncha Bonpte., Comp. Rend., XLII., p. 881

(1856); Jerdon, B. of I. IIL., p. 584 (1863); Bnlger, P.Z.S., 1866,

p. 571 (Nilgiris) ; Blyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 160; Blanf, ibid, 1867, p. 464,

(Seroncha) ; Elwes, ibid, 1870, p. 528 (Cardamum Hills, Travancore) ;

Fairbank, S. F. V., p. 409 (1877) (Palni Hills); David. & Wend.,

VII., p. 82 (1878), (Sholapur, Puna and Satara Hills).

Mi wroperdiz erythrorhyncha Gould, B. of A., VIL, pl. 3 Grays ;

Hume, N. & Eggs, Ist ed., p. 548 (1873) ; Fairbank, 8. BuTV spe 262

(1876), (Khandala, Mahableswar).

Microperdix erythrorhynchus Hume & Marsh., Game-B., II., p. 123

(1879) ; Butler, 8S. F., IX., p. 428 (1880) (Bombay); id, Cat. B. 8.

Bombay, p. 69 (1880); Davis., 8. F., X., p. 411 (1883), (Nilgiris,

Mysore, Wynaad); Terry, ibid, X., p. 479 (1887), (Palni Hills) ;

Oates, Hume’s N. & E., III., p. 442 (1890); O-Grant, Cat. B. M.,

XXITI., p. 203 (1893); id., Hand. B., Game-B. L, -p. 156 (1895));

Oates., Man. Game-B., I., p. 100 (1898); Blanf., Avifauna B. I., IV.,

p. 121 (1898) ; Davids... J. Bo N. HS. X11., p. 64. (1898)5 ake

Kanara) ; Oates, Cat. Eggs, B. M., I, p. 41 (1901); Bourdillon, Jour.

B. N. H. 8, XVI, p. 4 (1904), (Travancore); C. Primrose, ibid,

XXIV., p. 597 (1916), (Nilgiris).

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON, 851

Cryptoplectron erythrorhynchus erythrorhynchus Stuart Baker,

Hand-L. B. of I. E., p. 199 (1923).

Vernacular Names.—Kokni lowa, (Hind.) ; Kadaz, (Tamil).

Description, Adult Male.—Forehead, lores, pomt of chin and

_ round the eye black; a broad band above the forehead and running

_ back above the eye to the nape, white, sometimes spotted with black ;

crown black, mixed to a varying degree with brown and always

brown on the centre of the occiput; upper parts brown tinged with

olive and with large velvety black subterminal spots to each feather ;

scapulars, wing-coverts and innermost secondaries with white or

creamy shaft-lines ; the coverts to the outer edge of the wing become

more and more cross-barred with rufous; the outer primaries are

edged with rufous and the inner primaries barred with the same on

the outer webs ; the bars become more definite on the secondaries

extending across both webs; tail feathers blackish brown, barred

with rufous, the bars paler towards the tips; posterior ear-coverts

hair-brown ; anterior ear-coverts, cheeks, throat and sides of neck

white surrounded by a narrow black band ; remainder of lower parts

chestnut, the upper breast washed with the colour of the back and the

} feathers sub-tipped. with small black spots ; sides of the breast, flanks

_ and under tail-coverts with large subterminal blotches of black and

with the feathers fringed with pure white.

Colours of Soft Parts.—Irides dull grey-brown, (probably in the

young only) to brown, a light yellow-brown or hazel (in old birds

only) ; bill, legs and feet rich red. Young birds have bill and legs a

_ duller red, sometimes almost a brownish red.

Measurements —Wing 81 to 92 mm.; tail 38 to 49 mm. ; tarsus

25°5 to 27 mm.; culmen 14 to 16 mm. Nearly every specimen in the

British Museum has a culmen full 15 mm. or over, but one bird from

Travancore has it only 14 mm.

Female.—Head and throat with no black or white, these . colours

being replaced with dull rufous ; the black marks on the crown and

back are much smaller; the wings are marked with duller and paler

rufous ; the breast is immaculate rufous, the blotches on the flanks

are smaller and there is little or no white on these parts.

Colours of Soft Parts——As in the male, but duller.

Measurements.—Wing 84 to 89 mm.

Chick in Down.—* Pretty little dark things with three stripes

ot a very light cream colour extending down their backs.” (Miss

~ Cockburn.)

Distribution.—South-West India from the South of Travancore

Northwards as far as Poona. Eastwards this little quail only extends

throughout the various hill ranges of Mysore, Nilgiris, Palni Hills,

Cardamon Hills, the Wynaad and throughout the Western Ghats*

There is a specimen in the British Museum labelled “ Madras ”. ;

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

Nidification —This Little Quail breeds at all elevations throughout

its range in suitable localities, that is to say, round about civiliza-

tion, cultivation and open grassy land where there are also bushes

and sufficient cover to hide the nests and eggs. Of nest there is really

none at all, for the bird merely scratches a hollow in the ground

under the shelter of a tuft of grass, a bush, or even under a clod, rock

or boulder. It is apparently never placed in heavy cover of any kind

whether tree forest, dense scrub or thick long grass. On the other

hand it is occasionally placed practically in the open and not

infrequently in among ferns, bushes and grass on the outskirts of

gardens and compounds.

The number of eggs laid is not quite definite. Hume certainly

accepted 10 as the full complement, and Darling, who was a reliable —

collector, says that he took as many as this in a clutch. Miss

Cockburn gives the number as up to 14 but this may have been |

recorded merely on the strength of native assertions, notoriously |

unreliable. Probably 10 is the utmost number ever laid, and that

only very exceptionally, the normal clutch being 5to 7. I have tried

for forty years, without avail, to obtaim any certain record of

anything over 7, and all the collectors who have been so kind as to

help me have assured me that they have been unable to find any

clutch more numerous than this.

The eggs are miniatures of those of the Grey Partridge, though

they average broader in proportion. In colour they vary from almost

white to a comparatively warm cafée-au-lait or buff, rarely with a |

faint olive tinge. They are never as white as are many eggs of Perdi-

cula and never as deep a tint as some of the deepest eggs of Francolonus.

50 eggs average 31°0 <x 23:0 mm. and the extremes are:— maxima,

343 <x 24:0 mm. and 31-1 x 243 mm.; minima; 23:1 <x Zam

mm. and 31:0 x 22:0 mm. |

It is difficult to define the breeding season; probably August to

October are the favourite months, but in Travancore Bourdillon took

eggs in January and February and again in July to September and in —

December ; in the Nilgiris they breed from January to March again |

August to November and I have also 3 eggs taken at Kotagir :n June. |

These Quails certainly breed twice in the year but probably most |

birds breed according to the monsoons, laying after the first break

of the rains when insect life is most’ plentiful and the young

when hatched are easily fed.

There appears to be nothing on record asto the male Painted Bush _

Quail’s domestic habits ; whether he is polygamous or monogamous ; __

what part, if any, he takes in incubation or looking after the young, |—

etc. Judging from its pugnacity alone one would expect it to be

polygamous, at the same time, as both parents are found with the

coveys after they are hatched it is probabie that it is monogamous.

eee

| THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON, 853

| Habits—The Painted Bush Quail seems to be found wherever the

ground is broken up into low foothills and ravines and from these

| up to at least 6,000 feet or higher. It 1s common in the plateaus at

| 2,000 feet when these are not too flat or too densely covered with

| forest but it is not found in the true plains countries. It resorts

| to thin scrub, light deciduous forest with scanty bush and grass

undergrowth, but its favourite resorts are cultivated tracks inter-

spersed with patches of cover and with others of open waste land.

| Mr. A. P. Kinloch records it as bemg very numerous in the Lily

Downs in Cochin Nelliampatty at 4,700 feet, bemg found round the

edge of every shola. He writes :—

‘These pretty birds are absurdly tame and seem even more

deficient in intelligence than most Galles. By sitting on a

rock a few yards from the shola edge early in the mornings or

late mm the evenings and keeping still, I could repeatedly have

knocked these birds over with a stick. They came within a

couple of feet of my boots on one occasion.”

In the mornings and evenings it wanders about in the open, often

on roadsides, in gardens or in cultivated fields and, except when

_ breeding, is found in little coveys of half-a-dozen to a dozen birds,

| evidently consisting of the old birds and their last brood, two families

combining their forces in a few cases. In the heat of the day they

seek shelter among bushes, grass or high crops and are then very

hard to flush without a dog and, even with such help, they are very

joth to rise again a second time.

They appear to be tame little birds and even when feeding in the

open they will often run along in front of the disturber rather than

take to wing, finally scuttling into the nearest cover when the danger

comes too close.

Like the rest of our Indian Game-Birds, especially the more

pugnacious ones such as this bird is, it suffers from the attentions

of snarers and bird-catchers of all kinds. They are caught in the

Nilg i. b : let traps as described by Miss Cockburn, who writes :—

am ~ The natives often rear these Quails as decoy birds. They

-. make small square bamboo cages. In the centre is a small

square compartment, in which the decoy bird (male or female)

) is confined. Little bars run from each corner of this inner

-. compartment to the mner corner of the cage, thus dividing the

space which runs all round the former mto four verandahs,

if I may use the word. The outer sides of these, in fact of the

cage itself, let down, and are so arranged that, by the pressure

of the bird’s feet on the bars, which form the floor of the verandah,

they start up again, and enclose whatever is in that particular

| verandah. Spring cages of this nature are in use, I believe, in

many parts of India, though the arrangements for springing the

sides vary a good deal.

854° JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

“ The cage, the spring sides duly set, is placed on the ground

in some locality where the wild birds are common. The owner

hides himself behind a bush, and begins to imitate the bird’s

note by whistling like them. Instantly his own bird begins |

to call, and the wild ones all around answer it. In a few minutes

these surround the cage, and rush into the verandahs to get

at the decoy bird ; the spring sides fly up and close with a click,

and the would-be combatants are captured. Hearing the sound,

the Quail-catcher runs out, transfers the captured bird to his — |

netted bag, re-sets the spring sides, and repeats the process.”

Other methods she describes as follows :—

‘“ Sometimes, in addition to the spring cage, a small bamboo

frame-work of varying length, and 3 or 4 inches in height, is

placed upon the ground in a zigzag shape, partly or entirely

surrounding the cage, and distant from it 2 or 3 feet. This

little fence is pierced by numerous apertures (just large enough

to allow the bird to pass), to each of which is attached a horse-

hair noose. As this Quail prefers creeping through any hole a

to flying over any obstacle, however low, many bane escape

the spring cage are caught in the nooses.

‘‘ When the natives come across a very young brood, me catch

two or three of them, and put them into a-hole about a foot |

deep, which they dig in the ground. The parent birds, finding

that the young ones cannot come out to them, very soon drop.

into the hole, when the native, who has been watching from

behind some bush, creeps softly up, throws a cloth over the

hole, and captures them.”

Their flight is like that of the ordinary Quail, very direct and —

straight but much less noisy. They rise at one’s feet and whiz away

in a bee-line from the intruder, and then tumble headlong into cover ;

sometimes the whole covey rises all together, scattering in every |

direction, at other times they rise singly at intervals but eventually

they all collect again together, calling continuously in a soft low

whistle. Their ordinary call is a whistle which Davison syllabifies

as tu-tu-tu-tu-tutu-tutu, etc., and which he says is very ventrilo- _

quistic, sometimes sounding far away and at other times as if almost

at one’s feet.

They feed on grain, seeds and small insects but the young are. |

at first fed almost entirely on the latter. Although so tiny, they |

are by no means to be despised as an article of diet, their meat being

very white and sweet if rather dry.

CRYPTOPLECTRON ERYTHRORHYNCHUS BLEWITTI.

Blewitt’s Bush Quail.

Perdicula erythrorhyncha Ball (Nec. Sykes), Str. Feath., IL.,

p. 428 (1874), ( Chota Nagpur and Satpura Hills ).

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON, 855

Microperdix blewitts Hume, 8. F., IT., p. 512 (1874), (Raipur) ; Ball,

ibid, ITI., p. 294 (1875), (Chota Nagpur and Satpura Hills) ; Ball, ibid,

VIL., p. 225 (1878), (Sirguja, Raipur, Nowagarh and Karial) ; Hume

& Marshall, Game-Birds Ind., II., p. 130, pl. (1879) ; Ogilvie-Grant,

Cat. Birds B. M., XXII., p. 204 (1893); Ogilvie-Grant, Hand-B.,

~Game-B. L., p. 158 (1895); Oates, Man. Game-B. India, I., p. 104

(1898) ; Blanf., Faun. Brit. Ind. IV., p. 122 (1898).

Cryptoplectron erythrorhynchus blewitty Stuart Baker, Hand-L. B.

Orb: Bis. py 199 (1923).

Vernacular Names.—Sersee-lawa (Mundla, Balaghat, Chanda).

Description, Adult Male—Similar to M. e. erythrorhynchus, but

generally paler and duller ; the black gorget round the white throat.

is very broken ; the white sincipital line is broader, and the black

forehead narrower ; the brown-grey wash on the breast is stronger

and comes lower down and there is more white on the feathers of the

flanks.

Colours of Soft Parts ——“ Iris brown ; bill, legs and feet coral-red’’.

(Hume).

Measurements—Wing 76 to 84 mm.; tail 39 to 44 mm.; tarsus

about 26 mm. ; culmen 13 to 14 mm.

Female.—Differs in degree of colouration from that of the Painted

Bush Quail as does the male.

Measurements.—Of the few sexed females available these are much.

the same as in the male.

Immature Birds are like the female but show considerable white.

shaft-linng, both on the breast and upper back. Young males soon.

acquire the black on the crown.

Distribution.—Central Provinces, North and East of the range of

the preceding bird, having been found in Mandla, Balaghat, Seoni,

Chandpur, Raipur, Sironcha and Bastar; it occurs round about the

Sambalpur District on the East and thence North-East through

Manbhum and Singbhum to Hazaribagh. _

Nidification—There is nothing on record about the nidification

of this Quail, but 3 eggs sent me from Chanda in the Central Provinces

as those of C. e. erythrorhynchus are undoubtedly those of this bird.

_ They were taken on the 31st August 1889, and were said to have

been laid in a scratching in thin Sal-tree and scrub jungle. Possibly

on account of their age they are somewhat discoloured, but they

certainly appear duller and are more olive-tinted than any eggs I have.

seen of the typical form. They measure 30°5x24:0; 32°023°-0;

and 30°0 x 23°4 mm. A series would probably differ from those

of the Painted Bush Quail in averaging somewhat smaller. According

to Mr. Blewitt (vide infra) the breeding season is from November to

January, but Mr. R. Thompson says that the breeding season begins

in June-July, and that young birds are on the wing by September.

I twice came across this little Quail on the Ranchi District of Chota

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

Nagpore, and in both cases the coveys were of full-grown birds,

but this was in May and June, possibly before they had begun to

think of domestic duties. )

Habits—There has been absolutely nothing recorded about

this Quail since the days of Hume and Marshall, when Blewitt

“wrote :

“This really pretty Bush Quail is extensively distributed

throughout the forest tracts and scrub jungle bordering the various

low hill ranges in the districts of Raipur and Bhandiira, and more

sparsely in similar localities in the South-Western sections only

of the Sambalpur District. Ido not believe it exists in the other

half, at least my men and I never secured a specimen. It

also affects, at certain seasons, grass patches and fields near

hills or jungle.

“This Quail is invariably found associated in coveys of

from four to a dozen, and even more. A bevy will, when suddenly

alarmed, rise all together, but, owimg to their softer plumage,

with a less noisy whirr than the other Bush Quails. Indeed

in its habits this species is identical with the others; if there is

a difference, 1t 1s in the call notes, which, in M. blewitti, 1s more

soft and melodious. When feeding, chiefly in the early morn‘ngs

and evenings, they run actively about, diligently searching for

and picking up seeds of sorts and insects. From the statements

of the villagers and others, the period of nidification would appear.

to be from November to January. It was some time in the

former month or December that my men brought certain Quail

eggs, which they positively stated to be of this species, but

without the parent bird. There is, however, this fact to be

noticed, that very young birds were shot and snared in February

and March in the Raipur district. This Bush Quail is netted in

great numbers in the cold and hot seasons. The flesh is very

delicate and well flavoured.”

The few birds we saw in Ranchi were in flocks of about 7 or 8 birds,

and were put up, one flock out of a millet field, the other out of

mixed Sal and scrub jungle which we were beating for Spur Fowl.

My father bagged four birds out of the two flocks and I manfully

missed the lot. The birds rose like Quail, one or two at a time, and

not as Mr. R. Thompson says his did, en masse. They flew fast and

straight, but not far, and tumbled down as if shot after flying for fifty

to sixty yards, in fact they flew much as Common Quail fly but with

a much softer whirr. They called a rather loud short whistle when

rising and, after settling, again called to one another with a very

soft, low little note.

Mr. Thompson says they soon become tame in captivity and make

charming pets, but that the males are very pugnacious.

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 857

CRYPTOPLECTRON MANIPURENSIS MANIPURENSIS.

Lhe Manipur Bush Quail.

Perdicula manipurensis Hume, 8. F., IX., p. 467 (1880), (Bases

of Eastern Manipur Hills) ; Hume, ibid, XI. ?. 309 (1888).

Microperdix manipurensis Ogilvie- Grant, Cat. B. M., XXII, p. 204

(1893) ; id., Hand-B., Game-B. I., p. 159 (1895) ; Oates Man. Game-B.

i p. 107 (1898) ; Finn, Ibis, 1899, p. 472 (Manipur); Wood, J. A.8.

B, LXVIIL, pt. 2, p. 110 (1899), (Manipur) ; Connor, J. B. N. H. 2.5

XVIITI., p. 496 (1906) ; Higgins, ibid, XXII., p.399 (1913), (Manipur).

Microperdix manipurensis manipurensis, Stuart Baker, Hand-L.B.

of I. EH. p. 200 (1928).

Vernacular Names.—Lanz-Soibol (Manipur).

Description, Adult Male-—¥orehead, round the eye, cheeks, chin

and throat deep rufous chestnut ; lores, a line through the eye and a

spot behind the ear-coverts white; ear-coverts brown; the whole

upper plumage dark slaty-grey barred throughout with velvety

black ; the bars becoming bold black patches on the scapulars and

inner secondaries : quills dark brown, the outer primaries edged with

buff and the inner primaries and outer secondaries barred with the

same ; neck and upper breast ashy grey with black centres, lower

breast and abdomen rufous buff, more grey on the flanks and each

feather with a black cross formed by a black shaft lime and broader

cross bar ; under tail-coverts black, tipped and spotted with white.

Colours of Soft Parts—Iris dark brown or hazel; bill dark grey,

paler and yellowish at the base; legs and feet orange red to deep

vermilion red, probably darker and redder in the breeding season

than at other times ; claws light brown. :

Measurements —Wing 80 to 86 mm.; tail 45 to 52 mm.; tarsus

about 25 to 26 mm.; culmen 14 to 15 mm.

Weight 2°28 to 2°65 ozs.

Female——Like the male but duller and paler and without any

chestnut on the head ; the rufous below is repiaced by pale greyish

buff and the centre of the chin and throat is very pale grey.

Weight 2°37 to 2: 94-ozs.

Distribution.—Manipur, Cachar, Naga Hills and Khasia Hills.

Nidification——The only note recorded about the nesting of this

bird is that of Captain H. 8. Wood, quoted further on, given in the

Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1899, p. 110, but these

eggs were probably those of a Bustard Quail. Once, however, I was

so fortunate as to take their eggs myself.

On the 13th May 1899 whilst marching over the grass-covered

hills on the Lere-Baladhun road in North Cachar one of these Quail

_ rose from a patch of rather thin short grass, not more than a couple

of feet high, almost at my feet. After bowling it over and picking

it up I returned to my original position and hunted round on the oft

_ chance of a nest. A few minutes’ search revealed to my delight

858 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXLX,

four almost white eggs snugly ensconced in a hollow scratched in

among the roots of the sun grass. There was no nest though a few

scraps of grass and leaves lay scattered in the hollow where the eggs

lay, pots inward, as in the manner of Plover’s eggs. These, the eggs,

are whiter than any I have seen of Cryptoplectron erythrorhynchus and

are not so pointed in shape. They measure 30°4 x 24:1; 31:2 x

23°5; 31°2 x 24:0 and 29°3 x 24°9 mni.

Habits—There is so little on record about the Quail that I |

quote fully Hume’s original note on his find. He writes :—

“Once, and once only, did I meet with this species, and that

was near the bases of the hills in the South-Hastern portion of

the Manipur Plain.

“There were two coveys—one of 6 and the other of 5—feeding

in the very early morning in a tiny patch of ground a few yards

square, thickly covered with large tufts of freshly springing

elephant grass. This patch had recently been burnt ; probably

it had been fired by design, but the fire had not spread, and all

around for many hundreds of yards stretched a dense unbroken |

thicket of elephant grass, 15 feet high, and so thickly set that

it was next to impossible to force one’s way through it. I did

not see the birds myself as I was a few yards to the right, but

two of my people, on whom I could rely, saw them distinctly

as they ran into the high grass, and described them to me as

small blackish Partridges of an unknown kind.

“There were about two square miles of high grass covering

very uneven and broken ground, and it seemed hopeless to beat» |

it, as we had no elephants and no dogs. So sending everyone away

quietly, I ensconced myself in the high grass on the opposite

side of the little opening to the place at which the birds had

disappeared, and stood patiently waiting for about two hours.

When it became too late to hope for their reappearance (this |

kind of bird rarely feeds in the open after 9 a.m.), I recalled

my men and set to work to try and burn the grass, as a good

breeze was blowing ; but after an hour thus wasted, we had to

abandon the attempt. The fire would not spread, the grass

was nearly dry, it had lost, I mean, all greenness, and nearly

all natural moisture, but it had rained incessantly for the

previous three days and nights and was still drizzling, and every-

thing was too sodden to take fire. Naturally, I was not going

to move until I did get a specimen, so my whole camp, soldiers

and sailors (we had a lot of boatmen), camp follewers, and all

the inhabitants of the viliage were turned out. First we tried

cutting, but it soon became obvious that this would be too long

ajob. So we set to work to divide off the expanse into a number

of irregularly sized patches, and this the configuration of the

ground with its several ridges, along the crests of which the grass

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON, 859

grew comparatively thinly, greatly facilitated. Although we

had fully one hundred men working with their heavy hatchet-

swords (dahs as the Burmese call them), and working, as only

these Easterns can, at trace cutting, it was some hours _betore

we had got the ground into shape, and fully three o’clock before

beating commenced. At dusk, by dint of our united efforts,

I had knocked over six, of which we had failed to retrieve one.

The first bird had convinced me that the species was new to me,

and what still more surprised me was that the villagers one and

all denied having ever previously seen the bird. We were one

and all exhausted 7 ith pushing through and through the thicket.

and were so cut and scratched by the grass and bruised with

stumbles in the broken grourd thut we were scarcely able to get

back to our huts. But I had been very lucky. I had dropped

every bird that rose, some cf them very difficult shots. They

had risen singly and at long intervals.

* Next day I let every one have a long sleep, a good break-

fast and a good smoke, and by 10 a.m., we were again in the

: grass. By 3 o’clock I had knocked down five more, of which,

however, we failed to find one. After that we saw no more,

and I fully believe that there were only the two coveys of 6

and 5 respectively seen and counted by my people. I have

had many hard days shooting 1 in my life, but never any harder

than these two.

“ But what can we think of the hind ?-Can it really have been

a purely accidental straggler from further East ? Not only did

the villagers of the place declare that they had never pre-

viously seen it, but the same was said in many other villages where

I showed skins of it. Moreover, though I beat numbers of other

seemingly suitable spots, I never saw another. On the other

_ hand I never again had one-tenth of the number of men beating

any patch of grass that I had on those two days, and no bird ever

rose on that occasion until it chanced to get so hemmed in bet-

ween half-dozen beaters that no other alternative remained to it,

and about ten days after I shot my nine birds, one of my men

saw and shot one in the early dawn just as it was retreating

into a patch of grass, also at the foot of the Eastern Hills, but

about 50 miles further North.

“I never heard it call, though certainly the birds go normally

i coveys, and we separated the individuals composing these

widely enough.

“Those killed had fed on grass seeds, pods of a tiny wild lentil,

and ants of various colours. In one there were tiny black frag-

ments that looked like portions of the wing-cases of some cole-

opterous insect.”

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

Major Woods writes of this Quail :—

‘“* During my seven years of residence in Manipur I must hare

shot over 80 birds of this species there. It is by no means such

a rare bird as Hume thinks. . The Manipuri name for

this bird is Lanz-Sabol, literally, the Trap Quail, as the Nagas

snare this bird in nooses after the jungle fires. These birds

breed in Manipur; the egg as in all the Quail tribe is very large

in proportion to the size of the bird, and is of a greenish colour,

blotched with patches of brown and black. The nest is merely

a hole scratched m the ground and there is no particular nest

formation. i have only seen these birds at certain seasons of

the year, during the rains and before the jungle fires. They keep

to very dense jungle composed entirely of sun and elephant

grass, and as they are great runners they are very hard to see.

It is only after the jungle fires from February to April that

one sees these birds in any quantity. They are always in coveys

varying in number from 6 to 8. They are great runners and at

first look like black rats running along the ground and are hard

to see in the burnt grass the colour of which they so resemble.

They will rise readily to dogs and after a short flight drop agam

into any patch of unburnt grass. I found them in greatest abun-

dance in jungles adjoming nullahs in which there was a certain

amount of water,—in fact they are always found close to water.

Their call is a low whistle, soit in character, and this is heard

chiefly in the evening after one has been firmg the jungle, appa-

rently a call for the assembly,..........1 have never seenui™

this bird in the low hills. They are associates of the Common

Francolin and where one is found the other is also in the locality.

When running they keep very close to each other; in this way

I have bagged as many as 4 in a single shot.”

Mr. J. Higgins, C. S., also sends me the following mteresting note on

this Quail :—

‘“T bagged 88 Hume’ s Bush Quail during the nine years I was

in Manipur, 4 in the first five years and 84 in the last four when

I had learnt more about their haunts. My best year produced

36 birds, and on my two best days I bagged 14 and 13 birds res-

pectively, both days shooting in the same locaiity, at the foot

of the hills on the East of the Imphal Valley, near where Col.

Wilson got his Wood Snipe. They are to be found anywhere

in the Manipur Valley where there is long grass and water, but

almost exclusively round the edge of the valley, near the hills,

and away from the populous portion of the country. They run

in coveys up to a dozen and generally when first disturbed all

rise together and then break up and scatter when it is difficult

to flush them again, though they do not seem to run far. One day

when shooting with Coi. Cole we came on a piece of grazing ground

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON, 861

and stream that was thick with different kinds of Quail and we

shot 13 Blue-Breasted Quail, 4 Bustard Quail, 9 Hume’s Quail

and 2 Turmx communis-japonica. We were shooting with

beaters and dogs, and one covey of Hume’s Bush Quails furni-

shed us with excellent sport. This particular covey instead

of rising all in a bunch got up by ones and _ twos flying right

across us so that we succeeded in shooting and picking up nine

out of the whole covey of eleven.

“In the open they fly strongly and at a fair height, 6 or 8 feet

off the ground. In long grass, however, or a jungly stream they

soon drop and give rather difficult shots. I have not noticed them

when running, so cannot say if they separate or keep together.

“ The flesh of Hume’s Bush Quail, which is distinctly a table

‘bird and nearly as big as a Common Quail, is pure white through-

out, and I consider it the best eating bird I know, better than

Florican, Garganey Teal or Jungle-Fowl.

“IT never saw it out of the Manipur Valley and its tributary

valleys.”

CRYPTOPLECTRON MANIPURENSIS INGLISI.

Primrose’s Bush Quail.

Microperdix inglist Ogilvie-Grant, Journal B. N. H.8., XIX., p. 1

(1909), (Goalpara, Assam); Inglis, ibic, pp. 2, 3; id., XIX., p. 993

(1910) ; id., ibid, XXVII., p. 151 (Jalpaiguri, Bengal).

Microperdiz manipurensis Thornhill, Journal B. N. H. 8., XV.,

p. 527 (1904), (Alipur Duars).

Microperdiz: manipurensis inglesi Stuart Baker, Hand L. B. of I.

E. p. 200 (1923).

Vernacular Names.—Kala Goondri (Assamese).

Description, Adult Male.—Difiers from C. m. manipurensis in being

somewhat paler and less boldly marked with black both above and

below.

Colours of Soft Parts —‘‘ Bill dark grey, base of mandible lighter and

in some specimens this is tinged with yellow; tarsus orange-red, toes and

back of tarsus lighter, claws light brown. Inis brown.” (C. M. Inglis).

Measurements.—The same as in CU. m. manvpurensis.

Female.—Differs from the female of C. m. manipurensis in being

paler and more grey and in having the black markings smaller and

less conspicuous.

Colours of Soft Parts —As in the male.

Young.—Browner than the adult, but more heavily marked with

black. Bill above dark grey, with pale tip and base to lower mandible;

tarsus fleshy.

Distribution —The foot hills and adjoining plains of the Eastern

Duars, Jalpaiguri, through Assam North of the Brahmaputra as far

Hast as Sadiya where a specimen was shot by Mr. J. Needham.

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

Nidificaton —Unknown.

Habits—This bird was first obtained by Thornhill in the slips

Duars and identified as M. manipurensis. Later several were obtained

by Mr. A. M. Primrose and Mr. Ch. M. Inglis, specimens being sent

home by the latter which were named after him by Mr. Ogilvie-Grant. —

Mr. Inglis thus writes about this little Quail :—

“This Quail is the commonest quail got in that garden” (Mornai

i Goalpara), ‘“ but on account of the nature of the jungle it

frequents it is seldom seen and is difficult to get.. They are

found in damp, dense ekra jungle which grows in the nullahs,

and when these get inundated during the rains, they move into

higher pieces of ekra and also into the sungrass. We have

never seen them on absolutely dry ground except when feeding ;

at other times they keep exclusively to the damp nullahs. Our

observations are mostly confined to the cold weather, and up to

April, as after that the jungle is too heavy to walk through or

have beaten. They are excessively local birds, only certain

patches of jungle holding them, and they frequent the same spot

year after year. Although there may be, what appears to us,

identical patches of ekra in the same nullahs and which one would

think should contain these quails still none will be found in them.

One soon getsto know which patches are worth beating and which

not. Many of these birds must get destroyed in the fierce fires

which rage in that part of Assam during the early part of the

year. A good method of getting these birds is as follows :—

‘““A day or two before the beat takes place burn patches in

the nullah, leaving those which contain the birds. This has

to be done carefully. This thinning of the jungle gives. one

a better chance, as it gives the birds fewer places to put up in

when flushed and also fewer wounded birds get lost. Without

doing this it is very difficult indeed to retrieve wounded birds _

as they run a lot and have a knack of getting over the, ground

at a good pace. A good dog or two would of course be of great

service both for retrieving and putting up the birds. Burning

- the grass in front of one as one goes along is of no use, as the

birds only run before or else through the fire and will not take

to flight. They are usually seen in coveys of 4 to 6, but during

March and April they collect into larger ones from 6 to 12 birds

or perhaps even more. On the 28th March Mr. Primrose wrote

that they were exceedingly plentiful and that he picked up 4 during |

one evening’s stroll. The coveys separate on being disturbed,

some flying ahead and others back over the beaters. They are

not difficult to flush a second and even a third time with a suffi-

cient quantity of good beaters. At first they rise up into the

air and they go off with a straight, steady flight, for about 50

yards and then drop suddenly. This habit they have of thus

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 863

dropping often makes one believe one has missed one’s bird

instead of which it is probably stone dead where it fell, whereas

those one thinks are killed have merely dropped and run away.

On touching the ground they either start running at once or else

if the beaters are close up they will squat. It is most difficult

to spot them either running over or squatting upon the burnt

grass, for their colour matches that of the ash most perfectly.

When they squat they sit very closely being sometimes picked up

alive by the beaters. Their note is like that of the Painted Bush

Quail (Microperdix erythrorhynchus) and is often uttered when

the covey separates. As far as we could observe, males out-

numbered females. Their food consists principally of seed. They

are very occasionally flushed from the edges of the tea. We on

several occasions came upon coveys feeding in the open on the

burnt groundup to about midday and probably during dull wea-

ther they feed there all day. With fair luck and straight powder,

two men, one taking each side of the nullah, ought to be able

to account for every bird in it. Our biggest bag fora morning was

8 birds, but that I am certain could be easily beaten in a place

like Mornai. They are known by the name of Kala goondri a*

Mornai Tea Estate where all our specimens were obtained. Adults

showed signs of breeding in the beginning of March, and we

_were fortunate enowgh to obtain a fully fledged young one on the

11th January.”

(To be contiiuwed.)

864

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE

INDIAN EMPIRE.

FF. WALL, CMG, ©MiZ.S..1 F0L.S., W.A.S-B.) UO +7, Soles

CoLONEL, I.M.S.

(Continued from ieah 632 of this Volume.)

Pare 0h.

Family.— COLUBRIDAi—(Continued.) . |

Subfamily —COLU BRIN.

205 (368) Liopeltis scriptus (Theobald.) Theobald’s Smooth Snake.

Ablabes scriptus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol IT, 1894, p 284 ; Sclater List |

Sn. Ind. Mus., 1891, p 18.

Type.—In the Indian Museum from Martaban.

Length.—451 mm. (1 foot, 5% inches). Tail, 145 mm. (53 inches), |

Lepid.—Costals. In 13 rows in the whole body length. Ventrals, |

146. Anal. Divided. Subcaudals. 88. |

Distn.— Burma. Martaban. |

Note—Malcolm-Smith’s authority for the Malay Peninsula. |

North of Kra, is not known to me.

26. (Nil.) Liopeltis stoliczke (Sclater.) Stolizcka’s Smooth Snake.

Ablabes stoliczke Boulenger, Cat. Vol II, 1894, p 281; Sclater, |

List Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 18; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol |

XIX, p 380.

Lepid—Ventrals. 148 to 154.

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas. Sikkim. (Darjeeling Dist. F. W. |

Mungpoo. Bombay colln.) Assam. Naga Hills. (Samaguting. |

Ind. Mus.) Burma, Karen Hills (Bia-po.) i

207. (370) Liopeltis doriz (Boulenger.)* Doria’s Smooth Snake.

Ablabes dorize Boulenger, Cat. Vol II, 1894, p 279; WSclater, List. Sn. |

Ind. Mus. 1891, p 18.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 160? to 187. Subcaudals. 74 to 80. |

Distn.— Assam. (Boulenger.) Burma. Kachin Hills. Manipur. (Ind, |

Mus.) China. Yangtse Valley (F. W.). |

208. (369) Liopeltis frenatus (Ginther.) Jerdon’s Smooth Snake.

Ablabes frenatus Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, pp 37,47 and 53; |

Boulenger, Cat. Vol IT, 1894, p 280; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus.

1891, p 18; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVIII, p 328.

Lepid.—Subcaudals. 87 to 97. |

Distn.—Assam. Abor Hills. Khasi Hills. Burma. Mansi. (Lat. 24-7. | |

Long. 95°7°. Bombay colln.)

Note.—Boulenger has already questioned the authenticity of the |

localities of specimens labelled Afghanistan and Mesopotamia in the. I"

British Museum. Murray refers to a specimen from Sind. (Vert. |

Zool. Sind. 1884, p 376.) The specimen was not in the Quetta

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 865.

Museum when [I examined the collection nor in the Karachi

- Museum. This ‘collection includes snakes from many parts of

India, such as JPlectrurus perroteti, Silybura ocellata, Cylindrophis

rufus, etc. Sind is to be discredited. I have seen one specimen in

the Indian Museum from Assam, and acquired six, three from

Shillong, and three from Cherrapunji.

209. (367) Liopeltis calamaria (Ginther.) Giinther’s Smooth Snake.

_ Ablabes calamaria. Boulenger, Cat. Vol II, 1894, » 282 ; Sclater, List.

Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 18; Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIV, p

386 ; Pearless, Spol, Zeylan. 1909, p 54; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena.

1910, p 128; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XX VI, p 569; Willey, Spol.

Zeylan. 1906, p 233.

Liopeltis calamaria. Wall, Oph. Tap. 1921, p 251.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 126 to 163. Subcaudals. 53 to 76.

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas. Buxa Dooars. (Bombay colln.). Western

Himalayas. Songara, Gonda Dist. Kurkhana, Pilibhit Dist. Melan-

ghat, Almora Dist. (Ind. Mus.) Hills of Peninsular India. Surguja,

Chota Nagpur Dist. (Ind. Mus.) Western Ghats. (Mahableshwar,

Bombay colln. Mysore Plateau. F. W. Tinnevelly. Ind. Mus.)

Ceylon.

210. (871) Liopeltis rappi (Giinther.) Rapp’s Smooth Snake.

Ablabes rappi. Boulenger, Cat. Vol II, 1894, p 282; Sclater, List. S.

Ind. Mus. 1891, p 19; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 146 ; Wall,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIX, p 351.

Lepid.—Subcaudals. 60 to 76.

Disitn.— Western Himalayas. Simla. (Ind. Mus.) Hastern Himalayas.

Nepal to Sikkim.

211. (Nil.) Liopeltis hamptoni (Boulenger.) Hampton’s Smooth Snake.

Ablabes hamptoni. Boulenger, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIII, p 553.

Type.—From Mogok, in the British Museum.

Length.—1,050 mm. (3 feet, 52 inches). Tail, 220 mm. (82 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. In 15 rows at midbody. Ventrals. 194. Anal.

Entire. Subcaudals. 76.

Distn.— Burma, Mogok, Ruby Mines.

212. (372) Liopeltis nicobariensis (Stoliczka.) The Nicobar Smooth Snake

Ablabes nicobariensis. Annandale, J.A. 8., Beng., 1905, p 175; Boulenger,

Cat. Vol IT, 1894, p 285 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 19.

Type.—In the Indian Museum from Camorta.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 188 on right side, 186 on left. Subcaudals. 86.

Disin.—Nicobar Islands. Camorta. (No 7201. Ind. Mus.)

Genus.—CALAMARIA Bote.

213, (332) Calamaria pavimentata Dumeril and Bibron. Dumeril’s Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol II, 1894, p 348; Prater, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XXVI,

p 684; Wall, Bomb. N. A. J. Vol XXVI, p 866.

Lepid. _Ventrals. 140 to 200.

Distn.—Assam. Garo Hills. (Tura. Bombay colln.) Burma. Chin-Hills.

Pegu. ( ? Hills.) Siam. Indo-China. Lao Hills. China. Canton. Yangtse

Valley. Malay Peninsula. Penang Hill. Pahang. Perak. Prov.

Wellesley. Malay Archipelago. Java.

866 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, X XIX,

Series. -OPISTHOGLYPHA.

Sub-family—HOMALOPSIN Ad.

Genus—Hypsiruina Wagler.

214. (466) Hypsirhina plumbea (Boie.) Bove’s Water Snake.

Hypsirhina plumbea. Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 53; Sclater,

List. Sn. Ind. Mus, 1891, p 54.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 117 to 139.

Distn.— Burma. Mandalay. (Stoliczka.) Pyawbwe and Rangoon

(Bombay colln.) Thayetmyo. (Theobald.) Meiktila. (F. W.)

Siam. Patani. Pachebone. Indo-China. China. Southern Provinces

and Coastal Islands. Formosa. Malay Peninsula. Penang. Tahkamen,

Malay Archipelago. Java. Borneo. Celebes.

215. (467) Hypsirhina enhydris (Schneider.) Schneider's Water Snake.

Helicops indicus. Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, p 211.

Hypsirhina enhydris. Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 6; D’Abreu,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XXII, p 203 ; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910,

p 131; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 54; Wall and Evans,

Bomb. N. fl. J.. Vol XITI, pp %348 and 616 Wail, \Bomis

IN. He J. Vol XIX. p 83s ich V ou XX > ploy:

Length.—972 mm. (3 feet, 24 inches). (Captain Frere in a private

letter, dated July 1911. Locality, Minbu. Burma.)

Distn.—Peninsular India. North-East litoral, North of the Godavery

tiver. Anakapalle, Vizagapatam. (Russell.) Orissa. Berhampore.

(F. W.) Puri. Kendrapara. (Ind. Mus.) Bengal. Manbhum, Calcutta,

and Sunderbunds. (Ind. Mus.) Burdwan. (D’Abreu in private |

letter.) Behar. Darbhanga. Siripur. (Ind. Mus.). Gonda, Oudh.

(Bombay colin.) Patna. (D’Abreu in private letter.) Jalpaiguri.

(F. W.) Assam. Goalpara and Cachar. (Ind. Mus.) Dibrugarh.

(F. W.) Burma. From Mandalay (Ind. Mus.) in the North, to Tavoy

(Ind. Mus.) in the South. Stam. Bangkok. (Bombay colln.) Patani.

Cochin-China. China. Southern Provinces and Coastal Islands.

Malay Peninsula. Kedah. Penang. Singapore. Malay Archipelago — |

Borneo.

Note.—Both Flower and Boulenger mention Ceylon within its habitat

but I can find no authority for this. Possiblyit has been confused with

Helicops schistosus, a mistake I have discovered in examining various

collections.

216. (468) Hypsirhina blanfordi Boulenger. Blanford’s Water Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol II], 1896, p 10; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891,

p 5d.

Type.—In the Indian Museum. Locality dubious.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 122 to 125. Subcaudals. 33 to 45.

Disin.— Burma. Pegu. (Blanford.) Bassein ? (Sclater.)

217. (469) Hypsirhina sieboldi (Schlegel). Siebold’s Water Snake.

‘* New Homalopsid.”’ Dreckman, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol I, p 24.

Ferania sieboldi. Murray, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol I, p 219.

Hypsirhina sieboldi. Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, » 11; Sarasin,

Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 144; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XI, p 732;

l.c. Vol XVIII, pp 118 and 920.

Length.—775 mm. (2 feet, 64 inches).

. a

| A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 867

Lepid.—Costals. In 27 to 33 rows. Ventrals. 143 to 158. Subcaudais.

43 to 56.

Distn.—Peninsular India. Malabar Coast. Travancore. (F. W.)

Bombay. (Brit. Mus.) Ganges River System. Delhi. (F. W.) Agra.

(Ind. Mus.). Saugor. (Bombay colin.) Fyzabad. (fF. W.)

Champaran. (F. W.) Patna. (D’Abreu in private letter.) Monghyr.

Purneah. (Ind. Mus.) Pusa. (Bombay colln.). Brahmaputra River.

Samaguting. (Ind. Mus.) Mymensingh. (Bombay colln.). Rangoon

River. Pegu. (Ind. Mus.)

Note.—I discredit Penang on Cantor’s authority for reasons cited in

the note to T'yphlops bothriorhynchus.

Genus.—Homatopsis AKuwhl.

218. (464) Homalopsis buccata (Linné.) Linné’s Water Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 14; Sclater, List Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891,

p 53.

Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIII, pp 349 and 616;

Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVI, p 388.

Length.—1,310 mm. (4 feet, 34 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 157 to 173. Subcaudals. 65 to 106.

Distn.—Burma. Lower reaches of the Bassein, Rangoon and Moulmein

Rivers, and adjacent tanks. Siam. Indo-China. Malay Peninsula.

Malay Archipelago. Sumatra. Java. Borneo.

Genus.—Hvurrisa Daudin.

1799 Hydrus. Schneider, part. Hist. Amph. I, p 246 (type. H. platurus (Linné)].

1801 Elaps. Schneider, part. Hist. Amph. II, p 301 [type E. marcgravi. ( Wied)).

1803 Hurria. Daudin, Hist. Nat. Rept. V, p 281 [type H. bilineata=H. rhynchops

(Schneider) |.

1803 Coluber. (non Linné, 1766.) Daudin, Hist. Nat. Rept. VII, p 167.

1820 Python. (non Daudin, 1803.) Merrem, Tent. Syst. Amph., p 89.

1826 Homalopsis. (non Kuhl, 1822) Fitzinyer, N. Class Rept., p 55.

1829 Cerberus. Cuvier, Regne. Anim. IT, p 8\[ type Coluber cerberus =H. rhynchops

(Schneider) |.

{ 219. (465) Hurriarhynchops (Schneider.) The Dog-faced Water Snake.

Cerberus beeformis. Blyth, And. Islanders, pp 365 and 366.

Cerberus rhynchops. Alcock and Rogers, Proc. Roy. Soc., 1902, p 449 ;

Annandale, J. A. S. 1905,» 176; Mem. Ind. Mus. 1915, p 170 ;

Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 16; Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol

X,p 74; “ Keswal,”’ Bomb. N. H. J. Vol I, p 173; Selater, List. Sn.

Ind. Mus. 1891, p 54; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 131; Wall

and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIII, pp. 345 and 612; Wail,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVI, p 307; t.c. 1919, » 89.

Hurria rhynchops. Wall, Oph. Tap. 1921, p 257.

Length.—991 mm. (3 feet, 3 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 122 to 160.

Disin.—Coasts and tidal Rivers from Bombay to Indo-China. Ceylon.

Andamans. Nicobars. Malay Archipelago. Sumatra to Celebes,

Philippines. Formosa.

Note.—One was brought to me in Bangalore on the 22nd of July 1920

by a snakeman, who tried to convince me he had procured it locally

He eventually confessed that he had captured it on the West Coast.

‘“‘ Nilgiris ”’ as the locality of a specimen in the British Museum

868

220.

223.

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

presented by Mr. Theobald may be similarly explained. In every

case where a snake has been acquired through snakemen the fact.

should be recorded.

Genus—GERARDIA Gray.

(471) Gerardia prevostiana (Eydoux and Gervais.) Gerard’s Water Snake,

Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 20; Phipson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol IX,

p 486; Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIII, p 6163 Wall,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVI, p 307 ; Oph. Tap. 1921, p 262.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 145 to 156. Subcaudals. 29 to 36.

Distn.— Coasts and Rivers of India. Alibag. (Bombay colln.) Bandora.

(Brit. Mus.) Cannanore. (F. W.) Burma. Rangoon. (F. W.) Pegu.

(Brit. Mus.) Amherst. (Ind. Mus.) Ceylon. Kelani River.

Note.—The Ceylon record, though disputed, is on the authority of

Ferguson, a thoroughly reliable observer. Further I found a speci-

men labelled Kelani River in the Colombo Museum obviously the

one referred to by that authority.

Genus.—¥oRDONIA Gray.

(470) Fordonia leucobalia (Schlegel.) Fordon’s Water Snake.

Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, p 176; Boulenger, Cat. Vol III,

1896, p 21; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 55; Walland Evans.

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIII, p 347.

Distn.—Rivers and Coasts from the Sunderbunds to Cochin-China.

Bengal. Sunderbunds. (Ind. Mus.) Burma. Rangoon. (Theobald.)

Watya. (Wall and Evans.) Moulmein. (Bombay colln.) Nicobars,

Cochin-China. Malay Peninsula. Singapore. Penang. Malay Archi-

pelago. Java. Borneo. Ceram. New Guinea. North Australia.

Genus.—CanToria Girard.

(472) Cantoria violacea Girard. Cantor’s Water Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 23 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891,

p55; Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H.J. Vol XIII, p 611; Wall, ©

Bomb. N. H. J.. Vol XXITI, p 126:

Length.—1,220 mm. (4 feet).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 241 to 284. Subcaudals. 52 to 69. —

Distn.—Rivers of Burma. Irrawadi. (Wakema.) Moulmein. Amherst.

Andamans (F. W.) Malay Peninsula. Singapore. Malay Archipelago.

Borneo.

Genus.—HIPIsTEs Gray.

(473) Hipistes hydrinus (Cantor.) Gray's Water Snake.

Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 24; Sclater, cist. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891,

p 56; Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIII, pp 347 and 616,

Lepid.—Ventrals. 153 to 172. Subcaudals, 21 to 35.

Distn.—Coasts and tidal rivers of Burma. Rangoon River. (Watiya. —

Rangoon. Pegu.) Thaton. Moulmein. Amherst. Mergui. Malay

Peninsula. Selangor, Penang. Kedah. Singapore. Siam. Bangkok. —

Genus.—TARBOPHIS Fleischmann.

(Nil) Tartophis rhinopoma (Blanford.) Blanford’s Cat Snake.

Dipsas rhinopoma. Blanford, Ann. and Mag. N. H. (4) XIV, 1874, p

34; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 48. "

Dipsadomorphus jollyi. Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Val XXIII, p 167.

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 869

Tarbophis rhinopoma. Boulenger, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol IX, p 325 ;

Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 50.

Type.—From Karman. In the Indian Museum.

Lepid.—Costals. In 21 to 25 rows to behind midbody, reducing to 17

before the vent. Ventrals. 247 to 280. Anal. Entire. Subcaudals.

76 to 99.

Distn.—Sind. Baluchistan. Kacha Thana. Miranshah, Tochi Valley.

Persia.

DIPSADOMORPHUS Fitzinger.

1827 Dipsas. (non Laurenti, 1768.) Bote, part Isis, p 548.

1843 Dipsadomorphus. itzinger, Syst. Rept., p 27 [type D trigonatus (Schn-

erder)].

225. (448) Dipsadomorphus multimaculatus (Boie.) The Argus Cat

Snake.

Dipsas multimaculatus. Boulenger, Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept., 1890, p

360; -Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus., 1891, p 46.

Dipsadomorphus multimaculatus. Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1904,

p 210; Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 63; Wall and Evans,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIII, pp 346 and 615; Wall, Bomb. N. H.

J. Vol XIII, p 534; 1. ¢. Vol XXV, p 525.

Length.—997 mm. (3 feet, 3} inches).

Lepid.—Costals. In 19 rows to behind midbody, 15 two heads-lengths

before the vent. Ventrals. 202 to 245. Subcaudals. 80 to 111.

Distn.— Eastern Bengal. Chittagong. (F. W.) Burma. As far North as

Mandalay. (Bombay colln.), and South to Moulmein. Shan States.

Siam. Pachebon. Pitsanuloke. Sanam Cheng. Bangkok. Indo-China,

China. Southern Provinces and Coastal Islands.. Fumun. Canton.

Hongkong. Malay Peninsula? Penang. (Cantor.) Malay Archi-

pelago. Sumatra. Java. Celebes.

Note.—I attach a query to the Malay Peninsula for reasons cited in

the note to Natrix parallelus. Cantor appears to be the only

authority for this locality.

_ 226. (445) Dipsadomorphus barnesi (Giimther.) Barnes’s Cat Snake.

Dipsas barnesi. Abercromby, Sn. of Ceylon, 1910, pp 47 and 78 ; Spol.

Zeylan. 1911, p 206; Boulenger, Faun, Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890, p

359; Willey, Spol. Zeylan. 1903, p 81; 1. c. 1906, p 233.

Dipsadomorphus barnesi. Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 738;

Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, » 127; Wall, Oph. Tap. 1921, p

283.

Lepid.—Costals. In 19 rows to behind midbody, reducing to 15 two

heads-lengths before the vent. Ventrals. 208 to 220. Subcau-

dals. 99.

Disin.—Ceylon. Gangaruwa.

Note.—-I have examined the type, and the only other known specimen

in the Colombo Museum.

227. (Nil.) Dipsadomorphus quincunciatus Wall. Waill’s Cat Snake,

Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVIII, » 272; 1. ¢.. Vol XIX, p 833.

Type.—In the British Museum from Tinsukia near Dibrugarh, Assam.

Length.—1,055 mm. (3 feet, 53 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. In 19 rows to behind midbody, 15 two heads-lengths

before the vent. Ventrals. 237 to 242. Anal. Divided. Subcaudals.

118.

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

Distn._-Assam. Tinsukia and Rangagara, both near Dibrugarh.

Notes.—I have seen two examples the only ones known.

228. (446) Dipsadomorphus ceylonensis Giinther. Giinther’s Cat Snake.

Dipsas ceylonensis, Abereromby, Sn. of Ceylon, 1901, pp 49 and 77;

Spol. Zeylan. 1911, pp 205 and 207; Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J .

Vol X, p 73; Pearless, Spol. Zeylan. 1909, p 54; Willey, Spol.

Zeylan. 1903, p 82.

Dipsadomorphus ceylonensis. Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 66

(part.); Wall, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1909,» 152; Bomb. N. AH. J. Vol

XXVI,p 519; Oph. Tap. 1921, » 278.

Length.—1,283 mm. (4 feet, 23 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. In 19 rows to behind midbody, 13 or 15 two heads-

lengths before vent. Ventrals. 214 to 235. Subcaudals. 91 to 111.

Distn.—Western Ghats. From Matheran to Travancore. Ceylon.

Hills of Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces.

Note.—Has been confused with beddomei, nuchalis, and andamanensis.

I have examined 82 examples. Annandale (Rec. Ind. Mus. 1909,

p 281) contests my view that these four “forms ”’ are entitled to rank

as species, and I expect many others to accept his view in opposition

to mine, which I adhere to. In the circumstances it is open to

those who agree with Annandale to relegate beddomei, nuchalis, and

andamanensis to the rank of varieties of ceylonensis.

229. (446) Dipsadomorphus beddomei Wall. Beddome’s Cat Snake.

Dipsas ceylonensis. Abercromby, Spol. Zeylan. 1911, pp 205 and 207,

Boulenger, Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890; p 359 (part); Ferguson,

Bomb. N. H, J. Vol X, 1895, p 73; Willey, Syol. Zeylan. 1903

p 82.

Dipsadomorphus ceylonensis. Boulenger, Cat. Vol IIT, 1896, » 66

(part); Wall, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1909, » 152.

Dipsadomorphus beddomei. Wall, Spol. Zeylan. 1921, p 406; Oph.

Tap. 1921, p 282.

Length.—1,232 mm. (4 feet and 3 an inch).

Lepid.—Costals. In 19 rows to behind midbody, 15 or 13 two heads-

lengths before the vent. Ventrals. 248 to 266. Subcaudais. 111

to 129.

Distn.— Western Ghats. Matheran to ‘Travancore. Ganjam Dist.

(Berhampore close to Hiils.) Ceylon. C. Prov. (Kandy. Peradeniya.)

N. Prov. (Mullaitivu).

Note.—I have examined 13 specimens.

230. (449) Dipsadomorphus hexagonotus (Stoliczka) (non Blyth) The

Tawny Cat Snake.

Dipsas hexagonotus. Anderson, P. Z. S. 1871, p 185 (part); Boulenger,

Faun. Ind. Rept. 1890, » 361 (part); Stoliczka, J. A. S., Beng., 1870, |

p 198 (part); Wall and Hvans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XITI, pp 346 and

615. |

Dipsadomorphus hexagonotus. Roulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, 65

(part); Venning, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XX, p 342; Wall, Rec. Ind.

Mus. 1909, p 154.

Length.—1,016 mm. (3 feet, 4 inches).

Lepid.—-Costals. In 19 rows to behind midbody, 15 two heads-lengths

before vent. Ventrals. 221 to 246. Subcaudals. 89 to 107.

Distn.—Burma. From Bhamo in the North to Tenasserim (Kawkareit)

in the South. Chin Hills. (Haka.) §S. Shan States. (Taunggyi.)}

Andamans.

A HWAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 871

Note.-—This is not the snake described by Blyth as hexagonotus. (J. A.

S., Beng., 1856, p 360.) His type specimen (No 8048 in the Indian

Museum) is a voung D. cyaneus (Dumeril and Bibron). It is pro-

bable that the specimens reported from Siam, Cochin-China and the

Andamans are hexagonotus, but precise details regarding the lepidosis

are wanting. I have examined 22 examples. |

93), (444) Dipsadomorphus trigonatus (Schneider.) The Common Cat

Snake or Gamma Snake.

Dipsas gokool. Phipson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol II, p 2473; Traiill,

Bomo. Need nV ol, LX pi 4go.

Dipsas trigonatus. Boulenger, Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890, p 360;

Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol X, p 73; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus.

1891, p 45; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVI, » 307.

Dipsadomorphus trigonatus. Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1904, p 209;

Boulenger, Cat Vol IIT, 1896, » 63; Mullan, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol

XVII, p 919; Nurse, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XITI, p 340; Sarasin,,.

Zool. Jahr. Jena, 1910, p 144; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XV, p 524 ;.

lc. Vol XVIII, pp 120 and 543; 1. c. Vol XIX, pp 267a and’

352; l.c. Vol XX, pp 864 and 1038; 1. c. Vol XXVI, p 569; Oph..

Tap. 1921, p 269.

Length.—940 mm. (3 feet, 1 inch).

Lepid.—Costals. 21 to behind midbody, 15 two heads-lengths before:

vent. Ventrals. 206 to 256. Subcaudals. 75 to 96.

Distn.—Peninsular India, To the Himalayas. Punjab. Sind.

Baluchistan. Transcaspia. N. W. Frontier. Western Himalayas..

Subathu. (Ind. Mus.) Almora. (F. W.) Eastern Himalayas. Sikkim..

(Ff. W.) Bengal. As far East as Calcutta. Ceylon. Uva Prov..

(Haldamulle. F. W.)

Note.—The snakes referred to by Anderson (J. A. S., Beng., Vol XU,

p 35) from Assam and Naga Hills are probably D. gokool, a species.

with which D. trigonatus was frequently confused by early herpeto-

logists.

232. (447) Dipsadomorphus gokool (Gray.) Gray’s Cat Snake.

Dipsas gokool. Boulenger, Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890, p 360; Sclater,

Inst. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 46.

Dipsadomorphus gokool. Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, pp 37

and 49; Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 64; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J..

Vol XIX, p 831.

Length.—870 mm. (2 feet, 191 inches).

Lepid.—-Costals. 21 to behind midbody, 17 or 15. two heads-lengths.

before the vent. Ventrals. 224 to 232. Subcaudals. 87 to 101.

Distn.— Bengal. Jessore. Jalpaiguri. (Ind. Mus.) Darjeeling Dist.

(Ff. W.). Assam. Sadiya. Sonapur. Sibsagar. (Ind. Mus.) Dibrugarh.

Dejoo. (F. W.) Cachar (Monacherra. Bombay colln.) Garo Hills.

(Tura. Bombay colln.) Khasi Hills. (Shillong. F. W.) Naga Hills.

(Samaguting. Ind. Mus.). Burma. Manipur (F. W.).

Note.—Malay Peninsula I discredit for reasons cited in the note to:

Typhiops bothriorhynchus.

233. (Nil.) Dipsadomorphus multifasciatus Blyth. The Himalayan Cat

Snake.

Dipsas multifasciatus. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 46.

Dipsadomorphus multifasciatus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 69;

Wall, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1907, p 157; Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIX, p

352 3 l.c. Vol XXVI, p 866.

872 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX,

Length.—1,157 mm. (3 feet, 93 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. In 21 rows to behind midbody, 15 two heads-lengths

before the vent. Ventrals. 223 to 251. Subcaudals. 96 to 116.

Distn.—Himalayas. W. Himalayas. Subathu. Mussooree. Naini Tal.

(Ind. Mus.) Naini Tal. Muktesar. (F. W.) EZ. Himalayas. Nepal.

(Chitlong. Ind. Mus.) Darjeeling Dist. (Ind. Mus.) Pashok. Tindharia.

Mungpoo. (F. W.)

Note.—I have seen over 20 specimens, and though uncommon, it ap-

pears to be about as numerous in the Western Himalayas as in the

Kastern part of that. Range, up to 7,000 feet.

234. (449) Dipsadomorphus stoliczkx Wall. Stoliczka’s Cat Snake.

Dipsas hexagonotus. Boulenger, Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890, p

65 (part); Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 47 (part, No 7932).

Dipsadomorphus hexagonotus. Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1909, p

281; Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 65 (part); Rec. Ind. Mus.

1913, p 338; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIX, pp 352 and 758; Rec.

Ind. Mus. 1909, p 154.

Dipsadomorphus stoliczke. Wall, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1909, p 155.

Length.—1,105 mm. (3 feet, 74 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. In 21 rows to behind midbody, 15 two heads-lengths

before the vent. Ventrals. 223 to 252. Subcaudals. 100 to 119.

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas. Buxa Dooars to Sikkim. Assam.

Goalpara. Sibsagar. Cachar. (Ind. Mus.)

Note.—Has been confused with D. hexagonotus Stoticzka, so I give

only localities I can guarantee. J have examined in all 74 examples.

It is to be noted that two specimens in the British Museum from

Burma conform to this type, but their donor Colonel Beddome has

been shown unreliable in many of his records. See note to Natriz

parallelus.

Annandale (Rec. Ind. Mus. 1909, p 281) contests my view that

this deserves specific rank apart from hexagonotus. To those who

share his view this “form” should be considered a “ variety’’ of

hexagonotus.

235. (446) Dipsadomorphus nuchalis (Giinther.) The Collared Cat Snake. .

Dipsas ceylonensis. Boulenger, Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890, p 66

(part); Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1890, p 46 (part except No 7932).

Dipsadomorphus ceylonensis. Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 66

(part). ;

Dipsadomorphus nuchalis. Wall, Rec. Ind. Mus. Vol XIX, p 153;

lc. Vol. XXI, p 279; Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XXVI, p 571.

Length.—1,309 mm. (4 feet, 33 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. In 21 rows to behind midbody, 15 two heads-lengths

before vent. Ventrals. 234 to 251. Subcaudals. 90 to 108.

Distn.— Western Ghats. South of the Goa gap. Wynad to Travancore.

Shevaroys. Hastern Himalayas. Nepal (Chitlong). Assam. Sibsagar.

N. Cachar. (Ind. Mus.)

Note.—I have seen 60 examples. I have two skulls, the teeth of which |

number. Maxillary, 14 praecranterian, 2 cranterian. Palatine,

6 to 7. Pterygoid, 15 to 17. Mandibular, 20 to 23.

236. (Nil.) Dipsadomorphus dightoni (Boulenger.) Dighton’s Cat Snake.

Dipsas dightoni. Boulenger, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol VIII, p 528 ; Ferguson,

Bombs N.S Vol Xp fe:

A HAND.LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 873

Dipsadomorphus dightoni. Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1904, p 210;

Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 69; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910

p 136.

Lepid.—Costals. In 23 rows to behind midbody, 17 or 15 two heads-

lengths before the vent. Ventrals. 228 to 241. Subcaudals. 95 to 102.

Distn.— Western Ghats. ‘Travancore. | Pirmed. Brit. Mus. Ind. Mus.

(No 13787). ]

Note.—I have examined three specimens, the only ones known, all from

Pirmed.

Botea Fitzcnger.

1803 Hurria. Daudin, part, Bull. Soc. Philom. Paris. I1I, No 72, p 187

[type Hurria rynchops (Schneider) ].

1826 Boiga. Fitzinger, part, Neue. Class Rept. p 29 [type Coluber irregularis

—Boiga irregularis (Merrem) i

1827 Dipsas. (non Laurenti, 1768.) Boie, part, Isis., p 548.

1843 ? Macrocephalus. Fitzinger,. Syst. Rept. p. 27 [type Dipsas drapiezii=

Boiga ? drapiezi (Bote) }.

1843 Gonyodipsas. Fitzinger, S: yst. Rept. p 27 |type Dipsas irregularis—Boiga

irregularis (Merrem) ].

1843 Eudipsas. Fitzinger, Syst. Rept. p 27 [type Dipsas eynoson. Beige

cynodon (Bote) |.

1843 ! Cephalophis. Fitzinger, Syst. Rept. p 27 |type Dipsas dendrophila=

Boiga dendrophila (Boie) |.

1853 Opetiodon. Dumeril, Prodr. Class. Ophid. p 98 [type O. cynodon=

Boiga cynodon (Bote) |}.

1853 Triglyphodon. Dumeril, Prodr. Class. Ophid., p 1 [type T. irregulare=

Boiga irregularis (Merrem) ].

1857 ! Toxicodryas. Hallowell, Proc. Philad. Acad. p 60 (type T. blandingi).

1877 Pappophis. Macleay, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales, II, p 39 [type P

| laticeps=Boiga irregularis (Merrem) }.

1895 ? Liophallus. Cope, Proc. Philad. Acad. p 427 [type Dipsas fusca=Boiga?

fusca (Gray) |.

237. (446) Boiga andamanensis (Wall.) The Andaman Cat Snake.

Dipsas ceylonensis. Stoliczka, J. A. S., Beng., 1870, p 198 (part).

Dipsas fusca. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 47 (part, Nos 7928,

7929, 7930 and 8641).

Dipsadomorphus ceylonensis. Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, p 174

(part): WStoliczka, J. A. S., Beng., 1856, p 360 (part).

Dipsadomorphus andamanensis. Wall, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1909, p 153.

Types.—In the Indian Museum from the Andamans.

Length.—1,486 mm. (4 feet, 104 inches).

Lepid.—Costals, 21 to behind midbody, 15 two heads-lengths before

the vent. Ventrals. 259 to 269. Subcaudals. 118 to 133.

Distn.— Andaman Islands.

Note.—-I have seen 9 examples. I have one skull, the teeth of which

number. Maxillary. 13 praecranterian, 3 cranterian. Palatine 7 to

8, Pterygoid 20. Mandibular 21 to 22.

288. (450) Boiga cyanea (Dumeril and Bibron.) The Green Cat Snake.

_Dipsas hexagonotus. Blyth, J. A. S., Beng., 1856, p 360; Stoliczka,

J. A. 8., Beng., Vol XX XIX, p 198 (part).

Dipsas fusca. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 47 (part, No 8048),

| Dipsas cyaneus. Boulenger, Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890, p 361; Evans,

| Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIII, p 553 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891,

| p47; Wall and Evans. Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIII, pp 188 and 346,

44 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XAIX.

(e6)

ae)

Dipsadomorphus ceylonensis. Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1905, p 174

(part); Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 134 (part).

Dipsadomorphus. cyaneus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 72;

Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVI, p 170; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vot

XVIII, p 329; 1. c. Vol XIX, p 353 ; Rec. Ind. Mus, 1909, p 154.

Length.—1,448 mm. (4 feet, 9 inches).

Lepid.—Costals. 21 to behind midbody, 15 two heads-lengths before

the vent. In some specimens the vertebral row divides as in other

species of this genus. making the scale rows appear 23 in places.

Ventrals. 237 to 257. Subcaudals. 124 to 134.

Distn.—Kastern Himalayas. Darjecling. (Brit. Mus.) Tindharia. (F. W.)

Assam. Cachar. (Ind. Mus.) Sonapur. Monacherra. (Bombay colln.).

Khasi Hills. (Cherrapunji. Ind. Mus. Nongpho F. W.) Burma. Kokine,

near Rangoon. (Evans) Insein near Rangoon. (Wall and Evans)

Tavoy. (Ind. Mus.) Siam. Klong Menao. East of Sriracha. Koh Phai »

Island (Malcolm-Smith) Indo-China. (Mocquard.)

239. (Nil.) Boiga cynodon (Boie.) Boie’s Cat Snake.

Dipsas cyanea. Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIII, p 615.

Dipsas cynodon. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 47.

Dipsadomorphus cynodon. Boulenger, Cat. Vol IIT, 1896, pp 78

and 164;.Wall, Bomb.. N: H. J. Vol XTX, p33: lo cs, Vol Xie

pp 832 and 899.

Lepid.—Costals. In 23 or 25 rows to behind midbody, 15 two heads-

iengths before the vent. Ventrals (for Indian specimens). 249 to 277,

Subcaudals (for Indian specimens). 114 to 147.

Disin.—Eastern Himalayas. Jalpaiguri. Tindharia. (F. W.) Assam.

(Dibrugarh. F. W.) Cachar. (Ind. Mus). Garo Hills. (Ind. Mus.) Naga

Hills. (Samaguting. Ind. Mus.) Burma. Thayetmyo. (Ind. Mus.)

‘Toungoo. (Brit. Mus.) Rangoon. Myitkyina. (F. W.) Mergui. (Ind.

Mus.) Burma-Siam Hills. (Ind. Mus.) Stam. Bangnara, Patani

State. (M. Smith). Malay Peninsula. (Brit. and Ind. Mus.) Malay

Archipelago. Borneo. (Brit. Mus.) Philippines. (Brit. Mus.)

240, (451) Boiga forsteni (Dumeril and Bibron.) Forsten’s Cat Snake.

| Dipsas forsteni. Abercromby, Sn. of Ceylon. 1910, pp 47 and 78 ; Spole

Zeylan. 1911, p 206; U. c. 1913, » 145; Alcock and Rogers, Proc. Roy-

Soc. 1902, 9 449; Boulenger, Faun. Brit. Ind. Rept. 1890, p 362;

Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol X, p 73; Pearless, Spol. Zeylan. 1909,

p 54; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 47; Willey, Spol. Zeylan.

1903, p 82; l.c. 1906, p 233.

Dipsadomorphus forsteni. Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, » 80;

Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 130; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol

ALX, p 757; 1.¢c. Vol XXVI, p 571; Spol. Zeylan. 1921, p 406.

Boiga forsteni. Wall, Oph. Tap. 1921, » 285.

Length.—2,313 mm. (7 feet, 7 inches). if

Lepid.— Costals. In from 25 to 31 rows to behind midbody, 17 or 15.

before the vent. Ventrals. 254 to 273. Subcaudals. 102 to 119 (131

Boulenger).

Distn.—Ceylon. Peninsular India. Western Ghats. Matheran to

Travancore. Ganges Valley. Orcha. Fyzabad. Gorakhpur. (Bombay

collin.) Balrampur. (F. W.) Purnea. Manbhum (Ind. Mus.).

Orissa. Berhampore. (F. W.) Bengal. Sijna (F. W.). Western.

Himalayas. Naini Tal Dist. (Kaladungi. I. W.) astern Himalayas.

Darjeeling Dist. (F. W.).

rae

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 875

Genus.—TAPHROMETAPON Brandt.

241. (Nil.) Taphrometapon lineolatum Brandt. Brands Sand Snake.

Psammophis leithi. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 50 (part,

No 11697).

Psammophis schokari. Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XX, p 1039 (part).

Psammophis triticeus. Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. X XI, p 634.

Taphrometapon lineolatum. Alcock and Finn, J. A. S., Beng., 1896.

p 563; Annandale, J. A. S., Beng., 1904, p 210; Boulenger, Cat.

Vol III, 1896, p 151; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus, 1891 p 49.

Length.— 870 mm. (2 feet, 10} inches).

Lepid.—Costals. In 17 rows to behind midbody, 13 two heads-lengths

before the vent. Ventrals. 174 to 197. Anal. Divided. Subcaudals.

72 to 107.

Distn.—Baluchistan. Quetta. Marachak. Chaman. Baleli. Afghanistan.

Persia. Turkestan. Aralo-Caspian Steppes.

Genus.—PSAMMOPHIS Bove.

242. (454) Psammophis leithi Giinther. Leith’s Sand Snake.

P. leithi. Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 155; WSclater, List. Sn. Ind,

Mus. 1891, p 50 (part, Nos 7596, 8663, 8705 and 11453); Wail.

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVIII, pp 120 and 203 ; l. c. Vol XX, p 1039,

Lepid.—Ventrals. 161 to 185. Subcaudals. 85 to 107.

Distn.— Ganges Valley. Fyzabad. Rae Bareli. (F. W.) Gwalior. (Brit.

Mus.) Banda. N. W. P. (Ind. Mus.) Cutch. (Ind. Mus.) Rajputana.

Ajmer. (Brit. Mus.) Punjab. Campbellpore. (Bombay colln.) Sind.

Karachi. (Ind. Mus.) Baluchistan. Munro Khalat. (Brit. Mus.) Duki.

(Quetta Mus.) NV. W. Frontier. Thal. (F. W.)

Note.—A specimen in the Bombay collection (No 652 ) is labelled

*“Cannanore. Donor Major F. Wall.” This is a mistake as I never

obtained it from that locality. It is necessary to remark upon this

to show that the records of this collection are not completely reliable,

in spite of every care. (See note to Stlybura phipsoni.)

243, (Nil.) Psammophis schokari (Forskal.) Schokar’s Sand Snake.

P. leithi.. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 50 (part, Nos 4612.

4613, 4614, 7602, 7603, 8440, 8584, 8585, 8593, 10974, 11421, 13421,

13422.)

P. schokari.. Boulenger, Cat. Vol IIT, 1896, » 157; P. Z S. 1919.

: pp 290 and 305; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVIII, p 808; 1. c,.

Vol, (XiXE > 1039.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 174 to 186. (Boulenger, 162 to 195.) Subcaudals.

112 to 187. (Boulenger, 93 to 149).

Disin.—Punjab. Lahore. (F. W.) Sind. Karachi. Sukkur. Baluchistan,

Afghanistan. Persia. Syria. Arabia. Somaliland. N. Africa. Sahara,

244, (456) Psammophis longifrons Boulenger. Boulenger’s Sand Snake.

P. longifrons. Boulenger, Cat. Vol ITI, 1896, p 165; D° Abreu, Bomb.

N. A. J. Vol XXII, p 634; Dreckman, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol VII.

p 406; Gleadow, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol VIII, p 553.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 166 to 175.

Distn.—Peninsular India, Cuddapah Hills ? Bombay Dist. (Godra.

Thana. Kalyan. Bulsar. Bombay colln.). Central Provinces (Nagpur).

Note.—I attach a query to Cuddapah Hills as this locality rests upon

the sole authority of Beddome. (See note to Natrix parallelus.)

876 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX,

245. (455) Psammophis condanarus (Merrem.) Merrem’s Sand Snake.

P. condanarus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 165; Sclater, List,

Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 50 (part, all except No 8730); Wall and

Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIII, p 617; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J.

Vol XVIII, p 121; Ul. «. Vol XX, p 626.

Length.—978 mm. (3 feet, 24 inches). ©

Lepid.—Ventrals. 156 to 188. Subcaudals. 71 to 92.

Distn.— Cutch. (Ind. Mus.) Punjab. Chillianwala. (Brit. Mus.) Sand.

Kotri. (Brit. Mus.) Western Himalayas. Simla. (Ind. Mus.) Mussoorie.

Almora. Muktesar. (F. W.) Ganges Valley. Fyzabad. (Ff. W.) Lower

Bengal. (Ind. Mus.) Burma. Pegu. (Brit. Mus.) Prome. Bassein.

(Ind. Mus.) Tharrawady. (F. W.) 8. Shan States. (Brit. Mus.)

Siam. (Brit. Mus.) .

Genus.—PSAMMODYNASTES Guinther.

246. (453) Psammodynastes pulverulentus (Ginther.) The Mock Viper.

P. pulverulentus. Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, pp 37,50 and 54 ;

Boulenger, Cat. Vol IIT, 1896, p 172 ; Rec. Ind. Mus. 1913, p 338;

Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 49; Venning, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol

XX, p 342; 1.c. Vol XX, pp 72 and 774; Walland Hvans, Bomb,

N. H. J. Vol XIII, pp 349 and 617; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol

XVIII, pp 204 and 330; 1. c. Vol XIX, pp 353, 758 and 833;

lc. Vol XX, pp 73 and 686.

Length.—629 mm. (2 feet and # of an inch).

Lepid.—Subcaudals. 44 to 71.

Distn.—Eastern Himalayas. Buxa Dooars to Sikkim. Assam. Hills

and Plains North and South of the Bramaputra. Burma.

From Katha (Long.-96°1°. Lat. 24°1°) in the North to Tenasserim.

Malay Peninsular. Siam. Indo-China. S. China. Malay Archipelago. —

Sumatra to Celebes. Philippines. Formosa.

Genus.—Dryopuis Dalman.

247. (457) Dryophis perroteti (Dumeril and Bibron.) Perrotet’s Whip Snake.

D. perroteti. Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, » 178 ; Sarasin, Zool,

Jahr. Jena. 1910, » 138 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 513.

Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVII, p17; L.c Vol XXW I; prai2:

Length.—585 mm. (1 foot, 11 inches).

Lepid.—Subcaudals. 65 to 84.

Distn.— Western Ghats. N. Canara. Nilgiris.

248. (459) Dryophis fronticiactus Ginther. Ginther’s Whip Snake.

-D. fronticinctus. Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, » 179; Sclater, List.

Sn. Ind: Mus. 1891, 951; Walland Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIII,

p 346; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVII, p 7; 1. c. Vol XIX, p 353:

Length.—864 mm. (2 feet, 10 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 168 to 196.

Distn.—H astern Himalayas. Darjeeling Dist. (F. W.) Assam. Sibsagar.

(Ind. Mus.) Burma. Watiya. Rangoon. (F. W.) Pegu. (Brit. Mus.)

Note.—I think the specimens from Darjeeling and Assam will prove

to constitute a species distinct from fronticinctus. In two Burmese

specimens in the Indian Museum (Nos 7791 and 7792) I find the

praecranterian teeth (behind the second edentulous space) 6, and 7

(? 8) respectively. In the specimen from Dibrugarh (preserved in |

the Bombay collection) these teeth number 3, and in a specimen from

Sibsagar in the Indian Museum (No 6924) they number 4. I cannot

A HAND-LIST OF THE SNAKES OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 877

however discover any difference in lepidosis. It is significant that

the Burmese species which Stoliczka (J.A.S., Bengal, Vol XX XIX,

p 197) reports a true brackish water species common about the

mouth of the Moulmein River, and Theobald (Cat. Rept. Brit. Burma,,.

p 53) reports “‘by no means scarce’ in the Mangrove swamps on the

Arakan Coast, should not have been recorded anywhere in Burma

except at the mouths of rivers, and should again be found far inland.

in Assam,-and in the Darjeeling District.

249. (458) Dryophis dispar (Gimther.) Beddome’s Whip Snake.

D. dispar. Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 179 ; Ferguson, Bomb.

N. H. J. Vol X, 1895, p 73 ; Fischer, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XXIV

p 194; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 142; Sclater, List. Sn.

Ind. Mus. 1891, p. 51; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVII, p 7.

Length.—788 mm. (2 feet, 7 inches).

Lepid.—Ventrals. 136 to 156. Subcaudals. 78 to 106.

Distn.— Western Ghats. Nilgiris to Travancore.

Note.—The snake alluded to by Mocquard (Rept. L’Indo-Chine, 1907,,

p 47 ) is obviously not this species, or if the identification is correct

did not come from Indo-China.

250. (460) Dryophis prasinus Boie. Boies Whip Snake.

Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus. 1912, pp 37, 50 and 54; Boulenger, Cat..

Vol III, 1896, » 180; Rec. Ind. Mus. 1913, p 338 ; Hvans, Bomb.

N. H. J. Vol XVI, p 169; Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol

XITI, p 616; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 51; Wall, Bomb..

N.H.J. Vol XVII, p73; l.c. Vol XIX, pp 353, 825, 834 and 899.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 194 to 235. (196 to 215 for Indo-Burmese specimens).

Subcaudals. 151 to 207. (155 to 182 for Indo-Burmese specimens. ).

Disin.— Bengal. Jalpaiguri Dist. (F..W.) Eastern Himalayas. Sikkim.

Bhutan. dssam. Plains and Hills North and South of the Bramaputra

River. Chittagong Hills. Burma. As far North as Mansi. (Lat. 24°7°.

Long. 95°7°.) South to Tenasserim. East to 8. Shan States. Malay

Peninsula. Siam. Indo-China. Malay Archipelago. ee to Celebes.

Philippines.

251. +(461) Dryophis mycterizans (Linné.) Zhe Common Green Whip Snake,

D. pulverulentus. Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 52 (part, Nos

7811 and 7816).

D. mycterizans. Abercromby, Sn. of Ceylon, 1910, pp 49 and 63:

Spol. Zeylan. 1911, pp 205 and 207; 1. c. 1913, p 144; Alcock and

Rogers, Proc. Roy. Soc. 1902, p 450 ; Annandale, Mem. A. 8., Beng.,

Vol 10, p 196; Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 182; Caius, Bomdé.

Ne Vol XXVIT, p 862; Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVI, p

169 ; Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol VI, p 420; 1. ¢. Vol XX. Pilar;

Green, Spol. Zeylan. 1903, p 36; Kinlock, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XXVI,,

p. 681; Kinnear, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XXI, p 1336; Pearless, Spol.

Zeylan, 1909, p 54; Primrose, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XV, p 347;

Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 131; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus.

1891, p 52; Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XIII, pp 347

and 615; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVI, pp 308, 394 and 542;

lc. Vol XVII, p 731. c. Vol XVIII, pp 783 -and 919 ; 1. c. Vot

XIX, p 75731. ¢. Vol Ox pp 229 and 524 ; 1. c. Vol DEX, p 572 ;

Spol. Zeylan. 1921, p 401 ; Oph. Tap. 1921, p 291; Willey, Spoi,

Zeylan. 1906, p 227.

| Length.—1,944 mm. (6 feet, 44 inches).

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

Lepid.—Ventrals. 168 to 206. (Peninsular India, 168 to 188. Bengal, E.

Himalayas and Burma, 176 to 206.) Subcaudals. 136 to 174.

(Peninsular India, 187 to 174. Bengal, E. Himalayas, and Burma. 140

to 153.)

Distn.—Ceylon. Peninsular India. Excluding the Ganges Valley West of

Patna. Bengal. Eastern Himalayas. Assam. Burma. Siam. Indo-China.

Note.—I question the reliability of Mount Abu (Ind. Mus.) and Allaha-

bad on the authority of the von Schlagintweits. These collectors

are also responsible for the records of Hryx conicus and Eryx john

from Sikkim at 4,900 and 9,800 feet respectively. Thisis an extremely

common species in the stock in trade of itinerant jugglers, and all

the three species alluded to may have been derived from this source.

Vide my note to Hurria rynchops.

252, (462) Dryophis pulverulentus (Dumeril and Bibron.) The Brown

Speckled Whip Snake.

D. pulverulentus. Abercromby, Sn. of Ceylon, 1910 pp 49 and 79;

Spol. Zeylan. 1913, p 144; Boulenger, Cat. Vol IIT, 1896, p 184;

Ferguson, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XIV, p 386 ; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr.

Jena. 1910, p 128 ; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891 p 52 (part.

No 8386); Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol. XXII, p 639; tc. Vol

XXVI, p 574; Spol. Zeylan. 1921, p 401; Oph. Pap. 1921 ge

302; Willey, Spot. Zeylan. 1908, p 84.

Lepid.—Ventrals. 179 to 202. Subcaudals. 161 to 207.

Distn.—Ceylon, Western Ghats. Nuilgiris to Travancore.

Genus.—CHRYSOPELEA Boie,

253. (463) Chrysopelea ornata (Shaw.) The Gold and Black Tree Snake.

(©. ornata. Abercromby, Sn. of Ceylon, 1910, pp 49 and 80; Annandale,

J. A. S., Beng., 1904, » 210 ; 1. c. 1905, p 176; Boulenger, Cat. Vol

ITT, 1896, » 196; Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XVI, p 170; Ferguson,

Bomb. N. H. J. Vol X, » 74; Millard, Bomb. N. Hf. J. Vol. XV,

p 348; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. 1910, p 134; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind.

Mus. 1891, p 53; Wall and Evans, Bomb. N. H. J. Vel XIII, pp.

345 and 614; Wall, Bomb. N. H. J. Vol XV, p 525; 1.¢. Vol XVIJ,

p 1035; 1, ¢c. Vol XVIII, p 227; 1. c. Vol XIX, pp. Tola sane

899; lc Vol XXVI, p 574; Spol. Zeylan. 1921, p 401; Oph. @

Tap. 1921, » 305 ; Willey, Spol. Zeylan. 1906, p 230.

Length.—1,400 mm. (4 feet, 74 inches).

Lepid.—Subcaudals. 100 to 144.

Distn.—Ceylon. Western Ghats of India. South of the Goa gap to

Travancore. Bengal. As far West as Patna. Lastern Himalayas,

Buxa Dooars to Sikkim. Assam. Burma. Necobars. Siam. Indo-

China. S. China. Malay Peninsula. Malay Archipelago. Sumatra to

Celebes. Philippines.

Sub-family 6.—ELACHISTODONTINAE.

Genus.—ELaAcuHIstopon Reinhard.

254. (452) Elachistodon westermanni Reinhardt. Westermann’s Snake. .

Boulenger, Cat. Vol III, 1896, p 264; Sarasin, Zool. Jahr. Jena. |

1910, p 146; Sclater, List. Sn. Ind. Mus. 1891, p 48; Wall, Bomb |

N. H. J. Vol XXIT, p 400. » |

Lepid.—Costals. Two heads-lengths behind the head 19, midbody 15,

two heads-lengths before the vent 15. Ventrals. 208 to 217.

Disin.—Bengal. Rangpur. (Type, Copenhagen Museum.) Purnea

(Ind. Mus.) Jalpaiguri. (Bombay colln.)

( Zo be continued. )

879

* THE MAMMALS AND BIRDS OF KASHMIR AND THE

ADJACENT HILL PROVINCES.

Bring NatruraAu History Norss.

; BY

Gor. At EL Warp:

(With 7 plates and four photos.)

The task before me is to write a series of articles on the fauna of Kash-

mir and the adjacent hills; the idea is to produce a book of reference ina

popular form and at the same time not to lose sight of the scientific side.

When describing the larger animals, it may be possible to interest a

large number of the readers of this magazine, but the naturalist alone will

care to study the notes on the small mammals.

The difficulty ahead is the prevailing fashion of sub-dividing species, and

giving generic rank which in many instances is not due.

Environment often conduces to change in size and colour. In many

cases these characteristics pass from the parent stock to the offspring, this

however cannot be said to be the universal rule, hence latent variations

may be found in some of the descendants, in plain language a throw back

may occur and these variations may be transmitted; hence great caution

is required before the acceptance of a new type.

Take the “ Voles” asanexample, the variations seem to be endless, and

many of the smaller Rodentia present great difficulties in their classifica-

tion.

- Without implying that the naturalist is not in need of further knowledge

of large animals, it is undoubtedly the case that by far the largest scope

for research is amongst the small mammals such as the rats, mice, bats, etc.

Hence it is proposed to note on the larger animals before passing on to

the smaller, for this arrangement will give more time in which all the

‘specimens can be arranged and examined.

Crass—MAMMALTIA.

OrRDER— UNGULATA.

In this group are included the four-footed animals which have no claws

at the ends of their toes, they are provided with sheaths or hoofs into

which the digits fit ; these vary in number, for instance the elephant has

five in the front and four on the hind foot, and each toe has a sheath.

The horse has one hoof, the ruminants and pigs have cloven hoofs which

contain the two central toes, whilst the exterior toes are less developed

a do not reach the ground, but here again these two are provided with

oofs.

The cloven hoofs stand flat on the ground and are the only ones of any

use to the animal except perhaps when it treads on soft snow or mud, even

then very little support would be given to the body; it is reasonable to

Suppose that in some future stage of evolution these apparently useless

_ toes may disappear.

*The following Natural History Notes have been written by Col. Ward asa

supplement to his articles on ‘“ Big and Small game shooting in Kashmir’,

[Eds. }

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

The feet of the camel do not follow the usual formation of the ruminat-

ing quadrupeds, the two toes are enclosed in a common sole and have a

fatty covering.

The Ungulates are divided up into various suborders and families, the

first to be dealt with is that of the horses.

SuporpEr I,.—PERISSODACTYLA.

Family—EquliDAE.

THE Horsz, Ass AND ZEBRA.

A single member of this family is found in the area now dealt with :—

THE Asiatic Wi1LD Ass—Equus hemionus, The “‘ Kiang ”’ of Tibetans,

Distribution.—Ladak, Turkistan, Mongolia, and in various countries in

Asia.

Tho variety of wild ass known as the “‘ Ghorka’” which differs little from

the “ Kiang” is found in Cutch, Sind and Baluchistan.

Description.—The colouring of the upper portion of the body is a ruddy

chestnut which varies in tinge, in some specimens being more or less red.

Underneath white. A dark brown dorsal stripe extends from the nape

of the neck to the tuft of the tail, the hair in this tuft is practically black,

so also is that round the coronet and at the tip of the ears.

Height of a stallion shot in Ladak just overil hands. The skull 18ins,

Looking at the body of a “ Kiang,” attention is at once drawn to the

large size of the head, and the small hard hoofs, which look as if contracted.

The “ Kiang” is much given to galloping. On the hard stony plains, its

great weight and the velocity with which it travels, but for the protection

afforded by nature, would destroy the whole structure of the leg.

The foot bone known as the coftin bone of the horse or ass does not fill

the hoof, moreover it is provided with passages which permit the flow of

the blood to a padding of fleshy material which is elastic, and thus the jar

caused is so much reduced as to be innocuous. The leg of a horse presents.

a most interesting study, itis very complicated and delicate, but the above

note indicates why a ‘ Kiang.” can gallop over the rocky ground

with impunity.

General — Notes.

The wild ass is shy but inquisitive; when suspicious the herd willap- |

proach at a considerable pace, then, when the danger is confirmed, they |

will sometime stand for a second or two, snort and gallop off. A herd may |

consist of almost any number, but asarule three to ten or twelve asses |

are to be seen together. |

Many astalk after wild sheep and antelope is spoilt by the ‘“ Kiang.” ...

The photographs, for which I am indebted to Col. C. B. Wood, show three .

asses standing between the wild sheep and the stalker, and the ending of |

the chance of a shot, for the “ Kiang” have got suspicious and given the |

alarm. |

To the sportsman the “Kiang” is only a disadvantage ; the skin is useful |

for the soles of numdah boots and for patching the coverings of mule trunks. |

The Tartars will eat the flesh, and so also do the wolves, |

Rarely a young “Kiang’’ is caught and partially tamed, one or two were |

with the Wazir of Ladak’s ponies ‘and wandered about near Leh, but the

“were very shy.

(7,

(‘po

OSOCTOH N

Olt

OM FT '°D 109 fq o0Yq)

“! 32314

Se ey

S1 AO)

dada HS NV LAGI LV

Huo dO GUGH GUNV YAMWIVIS HAL

Naa

€ ONIGNV.LS ONVIM

°2SIH ‘37UN Avquog “usanor

er “MIV.LS AHL LTWOds

VH WHO OYNIOD DNVI 2

"ll 92Uld *90S 3SIHM *(3CN Aequwog “usnor

THE MAMMALS AND BIRDS OF KASHMIR. 88!

_SusBorper LL—ARTIODACTYLA.

Section A.—Prcora.:

Family—BovipakE.

Subfamily i.— Bovine,

Included in this family are cattle, sheep, goats, antelopes and gazellea,

all of which have horns consisting of a core covered with a sheath. These

are permanent. In many of the species both sexes carry horns. The

genus Bos has only one representative in the area dealt with.

THe YaK—Bos grunniens.

The “Dong” of Tibetans—also the “Bon-Chour’’—-is found in Northern

Ladak and op most of the uplands of Tibet. |

Description.—Male. Height 16 hands, a big bull 163 ; length 7 ft. ; horns’

30” to 83” any measurement above this being rare, 353” is undoubtedly

a correct measurement of a pair, and 39’ has been recorded. The females

are smaller and have short horns.

An old bull when standing within about 50 yards looked as if it were a

mass of black hair with scarcely any length of leg. These masses of hair

hung down nearly to the ground from the shoulders and sides, also from

the chest. The tail which does not reach the ground had a very large

oe of black hair over a footin thickness. After shooting the bull the

ollowing notes were made:—

i Colouring blackish but with a brown fie annals grey, hoofs very large,

fore legs almost entirely concealed by hair, both at the sides and front,

probable weight 900 to 1,000 lbs. Height just over 16 hands.” |

The photo of a bull yas is unfortunately much fore-shortened, but the

horns are clear and show the outward and inward curves, they are 31” long

and 17” in girth.

The sense of smell is highly developed, as also appears is that of

peerings it is said that sight is deficient but this seems to be doubtful.

General Notes.

Yak are gregarious, seldom found in large herds except in the spring and

summer when large numbers of cows and calves congregate on a good

grazing ground. Bulls are generally found in parties of three or four until

the late summer, when the rutting season commences and extends through

July, August and September, then one male is accompanied by four or

five or more cows.

The calves are well grown at a year old.

Wild yak cross freely with the Ladaki cattle which are turned out when

the pairing season begins, Dr. Heber informs me “The hybrids do not

breed at all but the crossing of the yak and cow is quite easy.’

The local name of the hybrid is phonetically ‘‘Zo” for the male, and

““Tsomo ” for the female animal. The cross-bred beasts are very sure

- footed, they are used for riding, and are capable of carrying a load of

200 lbs. on very difficult ground. When the camping ground is reached

the yaks are turned out to fend for themselves, up to a certain point they

are enduring but when once tired, they lie down and refuse to move, The

Ladakis declare that many of the wearied animals get up when hungry

and wander off to where they can get grazing, and are retrieved in the

following summer.

When starting on a long fp I was pressed to buy a small sized red

baggage yak which would ‘bring luck; this animal was seldom loaded for

fear the ‘ mascot’. should tire, yet on the return journey, and when within

two Marches of Tankse, the driv er reported the creature hai lain dewr

5 |

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

and would not go on and would have to be sent for later. At any rate the

purchase of that red ‘Zo’ was a cheap form of amusement, for the price

paid was Rs, 10 only.

There may be some superstition which exalts the red creature into the

position of a ‘ Mascot’, but I suspect the Ladaki coveted it and thought of

this method of acquiring it.

Subfamily ii.—Caprine.

SHEEP—Ovvs.

This genus is 4s poptesenited by O. hodgsont, O. ammon and 0. ‘poli ana allied

forms, but these are the three large sheep of Ladak and Central Asia, and

in addition there is O. vignezi, this last has a wide range in both hot and

cold climates and also has closely allied races.

THE Great TIBETAN SHEEP—Ovis ammon hodgeon.

This is the Nyan of Ladakis, and is known to sportsmen as the Ammon,

whereas the true Ovis ammon is the species found in Siberia and Mongolia.

Description —The ram weighs about 240 lbs. and measures 46” at the

shoulder, from between the horns to the tail 5’-4”, tail 3”.

A very large ram was 47” at the shoulder. Length 5’- 5 and scaled

280 lbs.; it owned very thick horns with the points broken off.

There is some doubt as to the size of the largest horns. Rowland Ward’s

‘‘ Records of Big Game ’”’ mentions a_ pair of horns from Tibet as 57”. If.

this was from a Hodgson’s ram it is far the longest. Three trophies of

50” to slightly over 51” in length have been carefully measured, one of |

these had a girth of 19”. Horns of 45” with a girth of 17” are good and

exceptional. Ca

Judging from many heads of ewes which were picked up, the ewes carry

horns 708 18”, but one pair, found near Haule, was 20” long; they are

straight for the greater part of their length and gently twisted at the top.

The female is of “considerable size and must weigh 150 lbs. or more.

The male is light brown above, and white on the chest, stomach and on

the insides of the legs. The ruff is whitish, a dark brown line of long hair

extends along the back. Early in the summer the upper portions are

greyish brown. When viewed through glasses the white chest and neck

are very obvious. Females are brownish onthe upper part, the colour

merging into a brownish or yellowish-white in the lower parts. I never

had a chance of measuring a ewe. The females of the Central Asian

sheep are all large, :

Genel Notes.

There is no beard. Like the rest of the sheep, the glands under se

eyes and in the division of the cleft hoof are present.

Gregarious and migratory, the Hodgson’s sheep wander in small docks

from place to place searching for their food, hence in’ one year numbers

_ may be found in a tract of country whilst i in the next season not a single

animal can be seen.

The flocks in the very early summer may consist of both sexes aa may

number from about three or four to ten or more, then as the season

advances four or five rams may be alone ; the females and young Corer

gate in mid summer.

As recorded in the ‘‘ Sportsman’s Guide ”’ ] have seen three lambs with

a single ewe, and on two or more occasions, twine. '

Shy by nature, also possessing keen powers of scent and apne thead

sheep are hard to approach. When they have taken up their summer

quarters, having found grazing, the rams may be sighted day after day,

——- == weer

BULL YAK FROM TIBET (BOS GRUNIE

‘ . : oS

is - 2 : fy ; ee oS > ees

es 2 ES See Re: s ;

‘Al 928ld ee zi ‘90S °3SIH "2 UN Aveqwog “uanor

THE MAMMALS AND BIRDS OF KASHMIR 883

‘it.is therefore desirable to be patient and to wait until the game is

favourably placed for a stalk before making the attempt, for once

_ thoroughly frightened they will trek for many miles and ascend the highest

mountains. At the best of times it is useless to expect to find them under

14,000’ to 16,000’ in the summer.

The open ground, which is the general rule in Ladak, tells both ways

for and against the sportsman, it may make the stalk difticult, but it

enables the game to be located.

Plate IV shows a Hodgson’s sheep left out at night to freeze and

photographed in the morning by Capt. J. Y. Allan.

Plate V shows heads of three animals, including a hybrid between

-a ram of Hodgson’s sheep and a Ewe Urial (Vigne’s sheep). ‘This hybrid

was at one time called O. brookei, and was first noticed in the Rampak

_ ravine, Ladak, Three or four of these cross-bred sheep have since been

_ obtained, whether they would produce offspring or not cannot be discov-

ered, but that the two species occasionally cross is not open to doubt.

| The pairing season is in the early winter and the Hodgson’s ram probably

__was driven down to the lower ground by the weather and could easily

_ ‘force the Vigne’s ram away.

| The cross-bred between Vigne’s ram and the Hodgson’s ewes is more

_ difficult to explain—possibly the ram was killed ‘and ewes were joined

‘after this by the male Oorial. I have only heard of one such hybrid which

was shot by Major Cumberland many years ago. The .Oorial must have

- wintered much higher up the hill than is their usual habit, for the

_ Hodgson’s sheep rarely come below 13,000’. The Ladakis say that the

presence of the ewes of the Nyan must have been due to their being

_ driven by wolves.

SIBERIAN ARGALI—Ovis ammon Ammon.

Fig, I ~ eh dal Siberian or Altai Argali, Ovis ammon 4mmon from the Altai.

Shot by Major C. S. Cumberland

The typical race of Ammon is found in Mongolia and differs from Hodg-

S8on’s sheep in the shape of the horns and in the absence of the white ruff,

dt has been stated that the Ammon is the largest of the Central Asian

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

sheep. I have however no record of any. that: exceeds that of the huge.

Hodgson’s ram which weighed 280 lbs.

. There is a considerable difference between an animal shot in April that..

has gone through 5 or 6 months of semi-starvation, and one obtained in

August or September which has been grazing freely for 3 or 4 months.

Probably any full grown ram of the larger Se exceeds 200 lbs. and does

not reach 300 Ibs. in weight.

~The Siberian or Altai Ammon (0. ammon ammon) is decd of the —

white ruff on the neck, and comes chiefly from the Altai, the southern parts

of Siberia, and northern Mongolia. The Mongolian Ammon (OQ. ammon

mongolica) is not entirely devoid of the ruff, but the hair is not pure white

nor so much developed as in Hodgson’s sheep. Itis found to the eastward

in Mongolia. The type locality being the Gobi Desert of Mongolia.

-The Altai animal has very large horns of 60” in length and upwards.

Rowland Ward gives the record at 6234” by 19%” in girth.

The. second form which for’ convenience sake has. been styled the

‘* Mongolian Ammon ”’ has smaller horns, and in addition differs slightly

in colouring. Fig. I shows ‘the Altai ‘Ammon’s head, it was shot by

Major Cumberland and measures

Length on Curve, Girth. Tip to Tip.

562” 182” 384”

This i is a typical head, the horns turn abruptly outwards we an down--

wards at the points.. In some specimens there is a slight tendency to do

so, but not toa marked degree. See the head of the Siberian Argali,

B. N..H. Society Journal Vol. XXVIII, page 336. Below is given a fine

specimen shot by Colonel C. B. Wood.

Bie. il: —Siberian Argali (Cris ammon ammon).

From the Altai shot by Col. C. B. Wood.

621” by girth 193” Tip to tip 412”.

‘yepey ‘yeduey wo st puqdy oy,

(1auba *Q + “Uuowutn *Q)

“‘dTYad AH

‘A 97€8ld

(uosbpoy Uowun $:2gQ)

dHHHS NVLAPIL LV

(

‘aubia raubhra sag)

"IVIAOO

IA 93¥Iid

“APL WIS ,,{g9 ‘wearing “yp ‘Top £4 yo4g

‘ITOd NOWWY STAO

20s

+SiH

7eN ACqQwoad

uanor

THE MAMMALS AND BIRDS OF KASHMIR, 885

There are three closely allied forms:—one to the westward and south-

west of the Altai on the Irtish river and adjacent mountains; this is a

smaller race, the horns are more twisted at the extremity and turn down-

wards, but the habitat of these and other closely allied forms is beyond

the geographical scope of this article, in fact the real object of dwelling

on the various forms of the Ammon which are outside Ladak and the

Pamirs is to point out to sportsmen who visit Kashmir territory that the

Great Tibetan Sheep or O. ammon hodgsoni is not the true ammon.

THe GREAT Pamir SHEEP—Ovis ammon poli.

ag. TL, HGt oat, Pamir Sheep. Ovisammon polit. A picked up head

brought to Kashmir—1874.

The Kulja.—This sheep is in many respects like the closely allied race

from Ladak (O. ammon hadgsoni). The ram is smaller and measures 43” to

44” at the shoulder and weighs about 220 lbs. The white ruff and dark

crest are present in both species, but the Poli has a white muzzle. In this

‘respect it resembles the sheep found in the Irtish and Sair district, which

have been briefly alluded to already.

The few skins I have seen of this sheep are darker on the upper Bede

‘than those of the Hodgson’s sheep, the tail is longer, but the chief

difference is in the horns which unlike those of the Ammon turn consider-

‘ably downward at the tips.

The ewe is of large size and has horns which are very similar to those

of the Great Tibetan Sheep, and are about 17” long.

The horns were brought down to Srinagar in large numbers between

1875 and 1888. Every collector wanted a specimen and every sportsman

who could afford the expense and could get a permit wanted to shoot a

iTam.

886 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIS. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

There is not much difference in the general shape of the horns, although

some have the downward bend much tucked in towards the sides of the

skull, and in others the outward turn is a good deal splayed.

At first there was a «ood deal of speculation as to whether there were

two species of Marco Polo’s sheep, and one was tentatively called

Karelini. This name is now apparently used for an inferior form of poli

which come from Tian Shan.

As many of the horns were obtained through traders, the exact

locality from which they came could not often be guaranteed. The two

photos show the horns which were amongst the first to arrive in Kashmir, ©

both, as is evident, were ‘ picked up heads’. No. 2 is 73” along the curve

and is 16” in girth hence it nearly approaches the record of 75” x 1638”

which used to hang on the walls at Snowdon in Simla,

Fig. [V.—Great Pamir Sheep, Ovis ammon polr. 73” x 15”. One of the

first to be brought from “ Little Pamirs.”

The horns of the Great Pamir sheep do not girth as much as those of the

Great Tibetan sheep, (O. a. hodgsoni) and out of dozens of heads I have seen

none come quite up to 17”. A‘reference to the B.N.H.S. Journal, Vol.

XXVIII, page 337, will show that, out of the 13 heads of O. ammon

hodgsont mentioned, 8 exceed 17” in girth, which is by no means uncom-

mon. Large horns are now seldom seen. The photo of a poli shot by the

late Colonel G. Sulivan shows what is the best obtained of late years.

The length is 63’, girth 142”. A good hsad just under 60” was brought

down in 1922, butfrom all accounts the increase in the number of rifles

owned by the Khirgis and others has enabled them to shoot large

numbers of poli and the many horns lying about point to the reason for

the decrease mentioned.

Lately I was told that this shéep had suffered from rinderpest; this

is quite possible for the disease has been prevalent in some of the far

hills, but the improved rifle is probably the main cause of the trouble.

UANVIA SLAVS

LVL400 LHe

HA 33€@Iid "90S '

SIH ‘ICN Avquiog “usanor

eet

THE MAMMALS AND BIRDS OF KASHMIR On a, 887

UrIAL on OorIAL.—Ovis vignei.

There is but little difference to be traced between the various sheep

which are generally known as the Urial or Vigne’s sheep.

The following are the forms of local races :—

1, The Sha or Sharpu of Ladak. Ovis vignet vigner.

2. The Urial of the Punjab. Ovis vignet punjabensis,

3. The Gad of Baluchistan. Ovis vignet cycloceros.

4, The Ouch or Arkhar of Persia. Ovis vignei arkar.

The Urial is smaller than the Sharpu, rarely exceeding 32” at the

shoulder whilst the latter stands 34”. The weight of the Sharpu is about

125 to 130 lbs., that of the Urial 10 to 15 Ibs. less.

The ruff, which is almost black, is fully developed on the Punjab Urial,

whilst the Sharpu, although it has a decided ruf'in the winter, does not

even carry. the very dark ruff which in the Urial falls well down the chest.

The Urial horns are not so thick as those of the Sharpu or the Gad.

The Ouch or Arkhar of Persia has horns exceeding in length and equalling

in girth those of the Sharpu or the Gad.

The Gmelin sheep’ O. orientalis gmelini of Asia Minor is known as the

Red Sheep and is allied tothose mentioned, au ewes which in. all the

other races carry small horns do not do so,

After all that can be said in regard to the shane of the horns the

variations in colouring and the presence or the partial absence of the ruft,

there is practically nothing to justify the separation of these sheep into

different species. They extend from the Salt Range of the Punjab to the

North-Western Frontier, from Sind to Baluchistan and Afghanistan, and

from Ladak to Turkistan and into Persia. With so extensive a habitat.

it would be strange if there were no variations in size and colour.

The record horns of the Punjab form are figured in Rowland Ward’s

last edition, they were got by my friend Col. H. V. Biggs, R.E., and

taped 36” by 93” in girth, the points turn upwards rather sharply, more so:

than is generally the rule.

The finest Sharpu horns are 39’ x 11}?’. |

The horns also mentioned as near ‘Leh’ are 364” X 112” and, if they

had not been broken at the points would probably have been nearly the

record, they are very circular in shape and resembles those of the Afghan

Urial (Ovis v. cycloceros).

The winter garb of a ram is a greyish-brown or red on the back, the

legs have dark hair on the outside, the rest being white as also is the

chest and the lower part of the body. The ruff is black in some of the

races and induced to rufousin others. As the Summer approaches the

colouring is generally less defined and redder.

_ Ewes are as a rule greyish-brown and keep much the same colouring

in both seasons, the under parts are of a paler tinge than the upper.

General Notes.

Active and shy if at all persecuted, Vigne’s sheep is easily tamed and

crosses freely with tame sheep. It frequents for choice fairly easy ground

but when disturbed will take to the precipices.

Sharpu and Urial kept four miles from Srinagar used to be loose on the

hills, and would join the tame flocks when out grazing, they would

come back as far as the homestead but did not enter the enclosures,

but would stay close at hand and go up hill in the morning. Dogs used

to worry them and finally they disappeared and were probably killed by

leopards.

(To be continued.)

888

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY

No. XLIV

‘ON A NEW FIELD-MOUSE FROM NEPAL, WITH A NOTE ON THE

CLASSIFICATION OF THE GENUS APODEMUS.

By OLpFIELD THomas, F.R.S,

(By permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.)

Among the mammals obtained in Nepal by Mr. N. A. Baptista, on behalf

of the Bombay Natural History Society’s Mammal Survey, are 16 specimens

of a mouse quite unlike any we have hitherto received, and evidently a very

distinct species.

With a certain superficial resemblance to Mus pahari or the Metad, it is really

an Apodemus, and would seem to be the most western and oneof the most

southern members of the group with 2-2—8 mamme, of which various spe-

cies have been described from Burma and further east.

It may be called :—

Apodemus gurkha, sp. n.

Size medium. Fur rather soft, but not very long, hairs of back about 8—9

mm. in length; no spines intermixed. General colour dark smoky or bluish—

grey, nearest to “deep mouse-grey”’ of Ridgeway, darker on the back, more

drabby on the sides. Under-surtace soiled greyish, the hairs slaty for two-thirds

their length, washed with greyish white ; line of demarcation not sharply defined.

Ears medium, blackish, darker than the head. Hands and feet white. Tail

rather longer than the head and body, with about 13 rings. of scales to the centi-

meter, finely haired, not tufted, blackish above, dull whitish below, not very

sharply defined. Mamme 2-2—8.

Skull smooth, rounded, with well-filled braincase, somewhat asin A. mystacinus,

although smaller. Less angular and ridged than in spectosus, though faint

but distinct supraorbital ridges are present, which do not however pass back-

wards on to the braincase. Palatal foramina of medium length. Bulle

small.

Teeth with the characteristic structure of the sylvaticus-speciosus sec-

tion of the genus, not as in agrarius ; tri-lobular character of m3 well marked.

Dimensions of the type :—

Head and body 102 mm.; tail 118 ; hindfoot 24; ear 16.

Skull, greatest length 29; condylo-incisive length 26°3; zygomatic breadth

14°5; nasals 11; interorbital breadth 4:5; breadth of braincase 12°8; palatal

foramina 6; upper molar series 4:2.

Hab,—Nepal. Type from Laprak, Gorkha; altitude about 11,500’.

Type.—Adult male. B. M. No. 23.11.5.44. Original number 941. Collected

9 May 1923 by N. A. Baptista, and presented by the Bombay Natural History

Society. 16 specimens examined.

This species would appear to be most nearly allied to the A. speciosus group,

of which a number of species and subspecies have been described. But it is

readily distinguishable by its dark greyish colour and by the detailed characters

of its skull and teeth. The related western forms all have 1-2=6 mamme.

While studying this Nepalese mouse I have again examined the characters

that separate the various groups of Apodemus, with especial regard to the

question as to whether they are all strictly congeneric. The most salient point

concerns the considerable differences that exist between agrarius, with its

near allies chevrieri and fergussoni, and the sylvaticus-mystacinus-speciosus

group. These differences, in external form, skull and dentition, have been set

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY, 889

~ out by Forsyth Major*, by myself+ and more fully and completely by Hinton, {

the latter giving a good account, with figures, of the dental structure in the_

various forms.

The characters, however, are inclined to be nearly all inconstant, either

individuals or races, and it would therefore seem to be inadvisable to separate

the two groups as genera. But none the less I think the subject would be sim-

_ plified if they were considered as subgenera, the name Apodemus to be used for

the agrarius-chevriert group and the new name Nemomys for the sylvaticus-

mystacinus-speciosus group, Linneus’s .Mus sylvaticus being taken as the

genotype of the latter.

That these groups are natural is evidenced by the general external appearance

-of the animals, by the shape of the skull, compressed, ridged, and convex upwards

- in Apodemus, rounded, smooth, and with flat or concave forehead in Nemomys,

as well as by the various dental characters described, of which the most constant

are the trifid structure of the inner side of m3 in Nemomys, while bifid in Apode-

mus, and the common presence in the STU of an antero-exterior cusplet on

m2, this being absent in Apodemus.

The following is a list of the more important names which occur in A podemus,

arranged alphabetically under their respective subgenera; those of Nemomys

again divided by the number of mamme.§

Apodemus (s. 8.)

agrarius (type), chevrieri, core, fergussoni, harti, mantchuricus, ning-

poensis, rubens.

Nemomys.

Mamme 1-2—6,

arianus, epimelas, flavicollis, fr idariensis, hayt, hebridensis, hirtensis, wlex-

mystacinus, pentax, rusiges,. semotus, sylvaticus (type), tscherga, wardi, win-

ton.

Mammz 2-2—8,

ainu, draco, geisha, gurkha, laironum, nigritalus, orestes, peninsule,

speciosus,

* Proc. Verb. Atti. Soc. Tosc. IV, p. 135, 1884.

Tee Zases LOD. p., 135.

{ Hist. Brit Mamm. II, p. 504, 1914.

§ This divison is inserted as an ’aid to memory, but is clearly no certain indi-

eation of the true affinities of the species. Thus A. (N.) semotus, with six mammz

is obviously more related to the speciosus group, with eight, than it is to sylvaticus

and its allies,

850

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES.

By Linvt.-Cononet W. H. Evans, D.S.O., R.E., F.Z.S8., F.E.S.

Part IV.

(With 5 plates.)

(Continued from page 707 of this Volume.)

F. Nymphalidze.—The Nymphalids. Key to genera.

la (51a). Hindwings channelled to receive abdomen.

lb (48a). F v12 not swollen.

le (18a). Larva, where known, smooth and the head with horns. Palpi

with no long projecting hairs.

1d (4a). I v8 from before the middle of v7. Eyes smooth. Palpi smooth

Pal

and white. Antenne longer than half costa, club gradual. J ceil closed and

upper apex right angled. Body stout.

le (3). F costa serrate. H pre-costal as a spur forward. Larva with 4 horns:

on the head.

1 (2). H cell closed.

Charaxes, Ochs. The Rajahs. (Plate 17).

2 (1). H cell open.

Eribeea, Hub. The Nawabs. (Plate 17).

3 (le). F costa smooth. H. precostal! curved back.

Prothoe, Hub. The Begums. (Plate 17).

4a (1d). F v8 never from before the middle of v7.

4b (14a). F upper end of cell opposite well before the origin v3.

4c (9a). Palpi white or brown throughout. Antenne longer than half costa. —

4 (5a). F upper end of cell obtuse; v10 ex 7; cell open. Eyes smooth.

Antenne club sharply spatulate.

Helcyra, Fd. The White Emperor. (Plate 17).

5a (4). F upper end of cell right angled or acute ; vl0 ex cell. Antenne |

club stout, yradual.

5 (6a). Cells closed. Eyes hairy. F v9 from well beyond end cell. H

pre-costal forked. Forelegs hairy.

Dilipa, M. The Golden Emperor. (Plate 18).

6a (5). Cells open.

7 (7a). EF v3 much shorter than the mv. Genitalia of 4 protruding. Eyes:

hairy. .

ani M. The EJegant Emperors. (Plate 18).

7a (6). EF v3 nearly equaltothe mv. ¢ genitalia not protruding.

7 (8). F origin v8 nearer termen than origin v9. Eyes smooth or hairy.

Larva with 2 horns.

Apatura, F. The Emperors. (Plate 18).

8 (7). F origin v8 nearer origin v9 than termen. Eyes smooth.

Herona, Db. The Pasha. (Plate 18).

9a (4c). Palpi black or black and white. Antenne equal to half the costa.

Cells open. H pre-costal mostly straight. “4

9b (12a). Fvl0ex 7. Larva with 2 horns.

9 (10a). Palpi very lony, black with a white tip.

Sephisa, M. The Courtiers. (Plate 18).

10a (9). Palpi short, only white at base.

10 (11). Eyes smooth.

Euripus, Wd. The Courtesans. (Plate 18).

11 (10). Eyes hairy.

Diagora, Snell. The Sirens. (Plate 18).

12a (9b.) Fvl0 excell. Eyes smooth. Palpi mostly black.

12 (13). Fend v 12 long before origin of v9.

Hestina, Wd. The Circe. (Plate 18).

eee eee —

JHE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 891.

F. Nymphalidae.—Key to genera.—(conid.).

13 (12). F v12 ends after the origin of v9.

Sasakia, M. The Empress. (Plate 18).

14a (4b). F upper end cell opposite origin of v3 or beyond. Cells closed..

Antenne and palpi black.

14b (16a). F upper end of cell right angled. 4H pre-costal straight or curved.

back.

14 (15). F lower dev straight. Antenne equal to one-third costa. Eyes.

hairy. H v8 ends before apex.

Calinaga, M. The Freaks. (Plate 21).

15 (14). F lower dev highly curved. Antenne equal to half the costa..

Eyes smooth. H v8 ends at apex as usual.

Penthema, Wd. The Kaisers. (Pate 21).

16a (14b). F upper apex of cell acute. Eyes hairy.

16 (17). H pre-costal straight. Antenne longer than half costa.

Dichorragia, But. The Constable. (Plate 19).

17 (16). H pre-costal curved forward. Antenne shorter than half costa..

Stibochiona, But. The Popinjay. (Plate 19).

18a (1b). Larva not smooth.

18b (30a). Larva with tubercles, never with more than a few rows of spiny

processes. Palpi and antenne never black.

18c (20a). Larva on either side with a complete row of very long horizontal:

pinnate processes. Eyes and palpi smooth. F upper end cell opposite beyond.

the orgin of v3, right angled or acute. Pre-costal well curved forward and.

arises from well before the origin of v8. F origin vll from far before the end

of the cell, opposite origin v2. Antenne longerthan half costa, club gradual.

18 (19). F cell, if closed, lower dev ends at origin v3.

Euthalia, Hub. The Barons, Counts, etc. (Plates 19-20).

19 (18). F cell closed and lower dev ends weil beyond origin v3.

Adolias, Hub. The Archdukes. (Plate 20).

20a (18c). Larva without long horizontal pinnate spines.

20b (27a). Larva without long horns on the head.

20c (22a). H precostal from beyond origin v8. Eyes smooth. Cells closed..

F upper apex cell acute and far beyond opposite origin v3.

20 (21). Palpi with thin long hairs. H pre-costal forked at end. F v9:

distorted and arises just before 8.

Parthenos, Hub. The Clipper. (Plate 21).

21 (20). Palpi smooth. H pre-costal curved forward. F vs. 9, 10, 11

distorted, but 9 rises well before 8.

Lebadea, Fd. The Knight. (Plate 21).

22a (20c). H pre-costal rises from origin v8. Antenne club slender.

22b (26a). H v8 reaches apex. Palpi smooth. H_= pre-costal curved for-

ward.

22 (23a). F vl highly sinuous, vs 9 and 10 distorted. Cells closed. Eyes.

smooth. Antennz equal to half costa.

Neurosigma, But. The Panther. (Plate 21).

23a (22). F vl straight.

23 (24a). F lower dev highly concave. H cell open or shut; F shut. Eyes.

smooth. Antennz equal to half costa.

Abrota, M. The Sergeant-major. (Plate 21).

24a (23). F lower dev nearly straight. Antenne equal to or longer than,

half costa. Eyes smooth or hairy. Cells open or shut.

24 (25). F upper end cell opposite origin v3 or beyond.

Liminitis, F. The Admirals, etc. (Plates 21-22).

25 (24). F upper end cell before opposite origin v3.

Pantoporia, Hub. The Sergeants. (Plate 22).

892 JOURNAL, BUMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

F. Nymphalidae.—Key to genera—(conid.)

26 (22b). H v8 not to apex. Cells open. Eyes smooth. Palpi hairy. F

upper end cell opposite es beyond origin v3; vl0 ex cell or 7. H pre-costal

‘straight.

Neptis, F. The Sailors and Lascars. (Plate 22).

27a (20b). Larva with very long horns on the head and very few processes

‘on the body. Cells shut. Eyes smooth. H _ pre-costal from beyond origin

v8. Palpi smooth. Antenne equal to half costa, club slender.

27b (29). F v9 not to apex.. Palpi very long.

27 (28). F-vl0 ex cell; vs 10 & 11 free,

Cyrestis, Bdv. The Maps. (Plate 23).

28 (27). EF vl0 ex 7; vs 10 & 11 anastomosed.

Chersonesia, Dist. The Maplets. (Plate 23),

29 (27b). EF v9 to apex; v10 ex cell. Palpi comparatively short.

Pseudergolis, Fd. The Tabby. (Plate 23). -

30a (18b). Larva spiny with many rows of spines or knobs (Melita) F

‘upper end cell opposite origin v3.

30b (35a) Palpi smooth and abnormally long. Eyes smooth. Larva with

‘2 stout branched horns on the head. Antenne equal to half the costa, club

gradual.

30 (3la. 33a). H not tailed. F apex produced, termen rounded, but apex

‘broadly truncate and termen concave just below.

Hypolimnas, Hub. The Egeflies. (Plate 23).

31a (30. 33a). H shortly tailed at v4 and Jobed at vl. F apex sharply

‘truncate and falcate.

31 (32). Cells closed.

Yoma, Doh. The Lurcher. (Plate 23).

32 (31). Cells open. F termen highly concave in middle and convex bet-

‘ween vs 1 & 2.

Rhinopalpa, Fd. The Wizard. (Plate 23).

33a (30-3la). H long tail at v1 only.

33 (34). Cells open. F upper apex of cell right angled (acute in rest of

group). F apex broadly truncate and concave below; convex above tornus.

Doleschallia, Fd. The Autumn Leaf. (Plate 23).

34 (33). Cells closed. F. apex sharp pointed, termen highly convex opposite

‘v2.

Kallima, Bdv. The Oakleafs. (Plate 23.)

35a (30b). Palpi not abnormally long and usually more or less hairy.

35b (47). Claws normal and with appendages.

35¢c (41a). F lower dev, if present, ends well beyond origin v3. Larva with

no horns on the head.

35d (37a). F ends vs 6, 7, 8, 9in a straight line.

35 (36). Eyes smooth. Palpi smooth. Cells open. Antenne equal to half

‘costa, club gradual or sharply spatulate.

ae Hub. The Pansies. (Plate 24).

6 (35). Eyes hairy. Palpi more or less hairy. Cells closed. nak ee

douree than half costa, club gradual, stout.

Vanessa, F. The Tortoise. Shells, etc. (Plate 24).

37a (35d). F ends vs 6, 7, 8, 9 not in line, 9 well back.

37b (39a). Eyes hairy. Antenne equal to half costa, club stout, gradual.

*Cell F closed, H open.

37 (38). Palpi hairy.

Araschnia, Hub. The Mongol. (Plate 24).

38 (37). Palpi smooth.

Symbrenthia, Hub. The Jesters. (Plate 24).

39a (37b). Eyes smooth. Antenne equal to or longer than costa, club

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 893:

F. Nymphalide.—Key to genera—(contd.)

abruptly spatulate. Palpi hairy.

39 (40). H cell closed. F upper end cell acute or right angled, opposite:

beyond origin v3; v10 ex 7 orcell. Larva spiny.

Argynnis, F. The Fritillaries. (Plate 24).

40 (39). H cell open. F upper end cell right angled or obtuse, opposite.

origin v3; v10 ex 7. Larva with humps.

M eliteea, F. The Small Fritillaries. (Plate 24).

41a (35c). F lower dev ends before, at or only just beyond the origin of v3.

41b (46). Eyes smooth. Palpi with long fine hairs at the sides.

41c (44a). F vl0 ex 7, v9 ends on costa and v8 behind a line joining the

ends of vs6and 7. Larva head hornless.

41 (42a). H cell open. F origin v10 well beyond origin v7, v8 very short.

_ Antenne equal to half costa, club absent.

Cupha, Hub. The Rustic. (Plate 25). ;

42a (41). H cell closed. F origin v10 just beyond origin v7. Antenne equal

to half costa, club moderate. |

42 (43). H no spur from the angle of v4.

Atella, Db. The Leopards. (Plate 25).

43(42). H with a spur from the angle of v4 towards v5.

Issoria, Hub. The Vagrant. (Plate 25).

44a (4lc). F v10 ex cell, v9 ends on apex behind a line joining the ends.

of vs 6, 7, 8. H with a spur or fold from the angle of v4 towards v5. H cell

open. Larva with or without horns.

44 (45). Flower dcv ends at or just beyond the origin of v3. Antenne longer

than half the costa, club gradual.

Cynthia, F. The Cruiser. (Plate 25).

45 (44). F lower dev ends before the origin of v3. Antenne equal to half

the costa, slender and clubless.

Cirrochroa, Db. The Yeomen. (Plate 25).

46 (41b). Eyes hairy. Palpi smooth. H with fold inthe wing from the

angle of v4 towards v5. Cells closed. F v10 ex cell; v9 ends at apex behind the.

line joining the ends of 6, 7 , 8. Antenne equal to half the costa, club gradual.

Terinos, Bdv. The Assyrian. (Plate 25).

47 (34b). Claws very long and without appendages. Eyes smooth. Palpi

white with long thin black hairs. Antenne equal to half the costa, no club.

Cells closed. F v10 ex 7, from well beyond end cell. Larva with 2 fine horns.

Cethosia, F. The Lacewings. (Plate 25).

49a (1b). F vl swollen. Larva spiny with 2 thin horns on the head. Eyes

smooth. Palpi slender, smooth. Antenne equal to half the costa. Cells.

closed. .

48b (50). Posterior tibiz and tarsi with rows of spines.

48 (49). Antenne club sharply spatulate. Apex F not truncate.

Byblia, Hub. The Joker. (Plate 25).

49 (48). Antenne slender, clubless. Apex F truncate.

Ergolis, Bdv. The Castors. (Plate 25.)

50 (48b). Posterior tibiz and tarsi without rows of spines. Antennz slender:

and clubless. Apex F truncate.

Laringa, M. The Dandies. (Plate 25).

5la (la). Hindwings not channelled to receivethe abdomen. Antenne

hardly as long as half the costa. Palpi sparely hairy. Eyes smooth, Wings

sparsely scaled.

1 (52). Antenne club gradual. H v7 ex 6.

Pareba, Db. The Yellow Coster. . (Plate 25).

52 (51). Antenne club short, abrupt. H v7 ex cell.

Telchinia, Hub. The Tawny Coster. (Plate 25).

394 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXTX,

F1. Charaxes.—The Rajahs. (Plate 17).

la(7). Abovetawny orchestnut. ¢ more or lesstoothed and Q tailed at v4.

1 (2a). Uph margin broadly pale greenish white, bearing, a central series

‘of black rings. Bases chestnut brown, outer half of F dark brown, bearing 2

rows of crescentic white markings.

durnfordi nicholi, GrS. (95-115). The Chestnut Rajah. Assam—S, Burma.

VR. |

2a (1). Uph margin not broadly pale.

2b (6). Unf costa not silver white at base.

2 (3a). o upf border broad black, never with tawny spots atthe apex; 9

‘with broad white discal band. Below purple tawny.

a. Upt black border immaculate, border broad, equal to one-third of the

wing at the dorsum; d _ never with pale discal band, basal area uniform

‘tawny with only a black bar at end cell. Q white discal band immaculate,

reaches costa. @ with a tail at v4 H.

polyxena psaphon, Wd. (90-112). The Tawny Rajah. Ceylon. R.

8. As last, black border narrower. In DSF @ some tawny markings appear

on the border upf towards tornus.

*nolyxena imna, But. (90-100). S. India—Orissa. NR.

y- o& upf black border with tawny markings from dorsum to v2 or 3;

uniform tawny with a black discal line and bar at end cell. 2 discal band yellow-

ish white and on inner side of border there are some pale tawny spots in-

wardly bordered by a lunular line; pale discal band not quite to costa and

always with 2 black spotsin middle in 5 and 6. 6d only toothed H.

polyxena hemana, But. (85-100). Mussoorie—Kumaon. R.

5. As last, but very variable; ¢ with several well marked varieties.

@ discal band white and pale spots on the border mostly white. Typical 4 with

no pale band upf and uph white dots in centre of black spots along border.

polyxena hierax, Fd. (80-100). Sikkim—N. Burma. C.

dv. corax, Fd. No pale band: white spots uph on inner edge of the black

‘spots.

A dv. hindia, But. Upf pale discal band ; base fulvous and margin spotted.

av. hipponax, Fd. Upf pale band ; base fulvous to dark, margin not spotted. -

dv. pleistoanax, Fd. Upf pale band; base dark, margin white spotted and

uph with the white discal band from F continued to v3 or 4.

<6 upf with no pale discal band; discal line usually absent; very like

-corax. Below darker and more variegated.

*nolyxena agna, M. (80-100). Karens—S. Burma. NR.

3a (2). o upf black border narrow, bearing tawny spots reaching to the apex

-and inwardly bordered by a lunular dark line. 2 never with a pale discal band;

3 (4a). Upf apical spots not above v6. Below purple tawny.

aristogiton, Fd. (70-95). The Scarce Tawny Rajah. Sikkim—Burma. R.

4a (3). Upf tawny apical spots into 6. Below ochreous.

4 (5). Below more or less uniform and markings regular; unf black bar mid

‘cell macular ; unh dark discal line beyond cell more or less straight, except just.

beyond end cell. In WSF central band darker.

marmax, Wd. (90-120). The Yellow Rajah. Kumaon—Burma. R.

5 (4). Below markings prominent and irregular central band much darker.

Unf all cell bars entire; unh dark discal line very irregular and breken, highly

‘concave in 6.

kahruba, M. (90-120). The Variegated Rajah. Kumaon—Burma. R.

6 (2b). Unf with a silver white bar at the base of the costa. Above much

as No. 3. Below tawny.

distanti, Hon. (90-120). The Silver-edged Rajah. VR.

7(1a). Above dark brown with a yellow or whitish discal band. H long ~

vequal tails at vs 2 and 4.

ourN. Bompay Nar. Hist. Soc. Puate XVII.

cement OE

yes

FE. Nymphalidae. 1. Charaxes: 2. Hriboea: 3. Prothoe.

- (THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 895

¥1. Charaxes.—(conid.)

a. Above pale band narrow and dark yellow.

fabius cerynthus, Fruh. (70-80). The Black Rajah. Ceylon. NR.

g. Above pale discal band wide, dark in WSF, pale in DSF.

*fabius fabius, F. 8. India—Kangra—Sikkim. NR.

y. Above pale discal band wide and sulphur yellow ; H spotting on termen

‘wider.

fabius sulphureus, Roth. Assam—Burma. R.

F2. Eribcea.—The Nawabs. (Plate 17).

la (4a). Above dark brown with a broad pale discal band, which does not

reach the dorsum H. Uph termen with small white spots on the outer edge

of the broad dark border.

1 (2a). Unh dark basal band passes through the outer half of the cell. Above

discal band white, broadly blue edged. |

a. Upf discal band continued evenly to v5, with 2 adjacent spots beyond

in 5 and 6.

*schreibert wardi, M. (90-100). The Blue Nawab. S. India VR.

g. Upf discal band tapers at the upper end and just reaches 4; white spot

in 5 much nearer apex and with an apical dot in 6.

schreibert assamensis, Roth. Assam—N. Burma. VR.

y. Upf as last, but discal band not into 4, detached spot in 5 very small

and spot in 6 absent.

schreibert tisamenus, Fruh. Karens—S. Burma. Andamans. VR.

2a (1). Unh dark basal band passes through inner half of cell. Above dis:

al band not blue edged.

2 (3). Above discal band pale yellow, width varies greatly with the season ;

races only very slightly differentiated.

a. Small, band broad.

athamas madeus, Roth. (60-75). The Common Nawab. Ceylon. C

g. Larger, usually 2 pale sub-apical spots upf.

athamas agrarius, Swin. 8. India. C.

y. Large and very variable.

*athamas athamas, Dr. Kulu—N. Burma. C.

6. Smaller and darker.

athamas samatha, M. Karens—S. Burma. C,

e. Much larger and very dark.

athamas andamanicus, Fruh. Andamans. C.

3(2). Above discal band pale greenish white. Three seasonal forms as in

last and width band varies very considerably with the season.

arja, Fd. (75-85). The Pallid Nawab. Sikkim—Burma. NR.

4a (la). Above pale yellow or greenish yellow, base H never dark; F with

_ ‘broad black apex.

4b (11). Unh dark discal band through basal half of cell meeting post-

‘discal band at tornus.

4c (7a). Unf curv dark band from base through end cell to sub-marginal

lunular band. U'pf single pale spot on black apex.

4 (5a). Upf black margin not decreasing towards tornus,

4 Been sandakanus, Fruh, (80-85). The Malayan Nawab. Sikkim—Burma.

5a (4). Upf black margin decreasing markedly in width towards tornus.

5 (6) Unh pale area coves more than half wing.

yalysus, Fd. (75-85). The Yellow Begum. Karens—S. Burma R,

6 (5). Unh pale area covers less than half wing.

hebe chersonesus, Fruh. (75-85). Victoria Point. VR.

7a(4c). Unf broad barend cell extending to base v2; sub-marginal band

896 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol; XXIX.

F2. Eribeea.—(contd.)

continuous, not lunular and nearer cell.

7b (Ya). Unt costa dark chocolate brown ; upf single row pale spots on margin,

7 (8). Upt and Unt no broad bar from end cell towards discal band. Uph

sub-marginal dark band bearing pale spots along the outer edge and.

blueish Junules along the inner edge.

a. Smaller and paler.

dolon dolon, Wd. (80-90). The Stately Nawab. Kulu—Kumaon. R,

6. Upf pale spots smaller and shorter.

dolon centralis, Roth. (85-95). Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan. R.

y. Upf spots larger thanin a. Uph sub-marginal band narrow and blue-

lunules small.

*dolon magniplaga, Roth. (95-105). Assam—N. Burma. R. °

5.. Uph more deeply scalloped and uph blue sub-marginal lunules more. —

prominent.

dolon grandis, Roth. (95-110). Shan States—Karens. R.

8 (7). Upf and unf broad dark bar from lower end cell along 3 to the discal

band, enclosing a large pale spot beyond end cell; spots on margin increase in:

size totornus. Uph with a postdiscal dark band. |

‘a. Larger. Usually a postdiscal pale spot in 7 upf. Uph sub-terminal

narrow dark bars in spaces up to 6.

*narceea aborica, Evans. (70-75). The China Nawab. Abor Valley. RB.

68. Smaller. Upfnospotin 7. Uph sub-terminal dark bars obsolete above 3:

narcea lissainei, Tyt. (70-75). Naga Hills. R.

9a (7b). Unf costa white and upf with sub-marginal as well as postdiscal

row spots. Uph band as in No. 7. Upand unf bar from lower end cell

towards discal band asin No. 8, but much shorter.

9 (10). Upf 2 pale spots end cell; dark margin becoming obsolete at tornus.

nepenthes, Gr S.(80). TheShan Nawab. Shan States. VR.

10 (9). Upf single pale spot end cell and 2 spots beyond.

a. Large. Seasonal forms differ much in size and size of spots.

eudamippus eudamippus, Db. (100-120). The Great Nawab. Kumaon—

Assam, NR.

6. Upf cell all black or very nearly so.

*eudamippus nigrobasalis, Lathy. N. Burma. N.R.

y. Asa, but smaller. Uph no blue border to band and outer white spots

larger.

eudamippus jamblichus, Frun. Karens—-S. Burma. R.

11 (4b). Below no dark bands; large spots end cells, base 2 F and mid costa H.;

sub-marginal row reddish spots preceded by a blue line and on H followed by

a greenish yellow line as well as aterminal blue and greenish yellow line. Above

broad black apex bearing one or two pale spots and on H sub-terminal blueish,

white centred, line.

*delphis, Db. (95-100). The Jewelled Nawab. Assam—Burma. NR.

F3. Prothoe.—The Begums. (Plate 17).

1 (2). Above pale yellow, broad black apex and margins. Below variegated

red and black. FEF lower dev evenly curved.

*calydonia belisama, Crow. (110-120). The Glorious Begum. Karens—

S. Burma. VR. |

2(1). Above dark brown witha blue band F. Below variegated dark brown

and whiteish; H with broad greenish marginal lunules. F lower dev highly

concave at lower end.

a. Upf blue band very broad and not marked with white; complete series

terminal blue spots, upper 2 being white.

: : *

;

33 : ; ‘ :

. = es f o : - :

nant. ‘

‘ ' .

’ 7 \ ye me A

Ph F =.

» ' a ry

- t f .

ne 1 ' : 7

‘ 6 ' ‘ : ¢ 1

\ .

‘ 7

‘ - 1" 7

- i. ‘

. : i 3 4 - : eG

Journ. Bompay Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE XVI:

F 10.2

F, Nymphalidae. 4. Helcyra: 5. Dilipa: 6. Eulaceura: 7. Apatura: 8. Herona: 9. Sephisa

10. Euripus: 11. Diagora: 12. Hestina : 13. Sasakia. |

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES, 897

F3. Prothoe.—contd.

franckii regalis, But. (70-80). The Blue Begum. Manipur, Upper Assam. VR,

8. Upft blue band narrow and centrally with white splashes ; white marginal

spots only in 5,7 and 8. |

*franckit angelica, But. Karens—S. Burma. R.

-F4, Helcyra.—The White Emperor. (Plate 18).

Above glazed white ; upf black spotsin cell and 1, broad black apex with 2

white spots; uph with afew irregular black discal spots. Below only a thin

discal line of black lunules.

*hemina, Hew. (65-75). The White Emperor. Sikkim—-Burma. R.

F5. Dilipa—The Golden Emperor. (Plate 18).

Above dark brown , & with golden bronzy, Q with white, central and discal

spots F and whole disc H ; upf 2 white apical dots.

*morgiana, Wd. (70-80). The Golden Emperor. Kashmir—Shan States. R.

F6. Eulaceura.—The Elegant Emperors. (Plate 18).

1 (2).. Above transparent pale brown, with dark brown costa F and large

spot in 2 as well as margins and discal band H.

manipuriensis, Tyt. (75-80). Tytler’s Emperor. Manipur. VR.

2 (1). Above dark brown with a continuous white discal band, extending on F

from dorsum to 3. Below asin last, glazed pale violet brown with an ocellus in

2) FE and’ H,

*osteria kumana, Fruh. (65-70). The Elegant Emperor. S. Burma. R.

F7. Apatura.—The Emperors. (Plate 18).

la (6a). Unf no row of minute sub-apical white dotsin 5, 6 and 8.

lb ((8a). Unf no black spots in cell.

1 (2). Upf single discal pale band, macular in ¢ continuous in 2, in addition

to the white apical spots. Above dark brown, no pale band H. Below ocellus

in 2 F and H fulvous ringed ; dark discal line white edged at upper end.

a. Upf discal band white. Uph ocellusin 2 prominent. Below pale brown.

sordida sordida, M. (60-70). The Sordid Emperor. Sikkim—N. Burma. R.

6. Upft discal band yellow tinted. ae ocellus in 2 absent. Below pale

greenish brown.

sordida naga, Tyt. Nagas. R.

(1). Upf 2 pale discal bands in addition to the apical spots. Unh dark

discal line pale edged throughout. Above dark greenish brown; <d upf

markings tawny and inner band crosses cell; 2 markings white or yellowish

white, inner band not crossing cell.

a, Upf outer discal band continuous. Uph mostly tawny; unh complete

row postdiscal ocelli.

ulupr ulupi, Doh. (65-70). The Tawny Emperor. Upper Assam. VR.

8 Upf outer discal band broken at v4. Uph ¢o only tawny in 5 aud 6; Q@

postdiscal spots well defined in 5 and 6. Below pale greenish white.

aupt florencie, T'yt. Nagas. R.

3a (1b). Unf with black spots in cell.

3 (4a). Upf2 discal bands ; no sub-marginal spots F or H. Above dark brown

and tawny, shot blue in ¢. Below pale tawny, prominent pale discal band

unh, no sub-marginal dark band.

ilia here, Fd. (70-80). The Tawny Purple Emperor. Shan States, VR,

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

F7. Apatura.—(contd.)

. 4a (3). Upf single white discal band in addition to the apical spots, nearly

always sub-marginal pale spots H and often on F. Below bluish white, prominent

ferruginous discal and terminal band F and H, which on H meet at apex and

tornus.

4 (5). Upfno white streak in cell from base. d above shot brilliant blue.

a. Very large. Blue gloss duller; white markings broad and diffused ;

upf discal band to v1l. Unh ocellus in 2 absent. Uph sub-marginal white mark-

ings very large.

ambica chitralensis, Evans. (75-90). The Indian Purple Emperor. Chitral—

Kashmir. NR.

6. Smaller and all markings more sharply defined. Variable and liable

to aberrations.

*ambica ambica, Koll. (65-75). Kashmir—Shan States. NR.

5 (4). Upf with white streak in cell from base, sub-marginal spots prominent.

d very obscurely blue shot. Uph with white discal band from mid costa to

base 1. Body prominently white banded. Verylike a Pantoporia. (F. 25)

chevana, M. (75-80). The Sergeant Emperor. Sikkim—N. Burma. R.

6a (1). Unf prominent small sub-apical white dots in 5,6 and 8, F end

cell opposite origin v3. Club antenne narrow. Unf prominent spots in cell.

6 (7). Above dark ochreous brown; uph with a straight yellow band; upf

discal band of yellow spots, apical spots continued to 3 and a prominent black

spot in 2. Eyes hairy.

parvata, M. (50-60). The Brown Prince. Sikkim—Assam. R.

7 (6). Above @ velvet black, unmarked except for white apical dots. 9

ochreous brown with a paler discal band, which on H is always irregular.

a. © upf with 3 apical dots.

parisatis camiba, M. (45-50). The Black Prince. Ceylon. NR.

6. As last, rather larger. Q paler and with pale bands prominent.

parisatis atacinus, Fruh. §S. India. NR.

y. & upf single apical dot. @ much darker.

*parisatis parisatis, God. Kumaon—Burma. NR.

F8. Herona.—The Pasha. (Plate 18).

Above dark brown with 2 yellow or white discal bands F and H and a basal

streak in 1 F. Unf conspicuous white streak in outer half of 5 to termen.

a. Above bands tawny, very wide and confluent.

*marathus marathus, Db. (70-90). The Pasha. Sikkim—Shan States. NR.

6B. Above bands tawny and narrow; discal bands H and outer band F

macular.

marathus angustata, M. Karens—S. Burma. R.

y. Aslast but bandsin ¢ whitish and in 2 white.

marathus andamana, M. Andamans. NR.

F9. Sephisa.—The Courtiers. (Plate 18).

1 (2). Above dark brown with 2 tawny bands F; H tawny with black veins

and a dark postdiscal band. In @ upf the apical spots are whitish.

dichroa, Koll. (60-75). The Western Courtier. Chitral—Kumaon. NR.

2 (1). o above outer discal band and apical and sub-marginal spots white ;

typical 2 mostly blue; 2nd form 2 spots as d, but all white except for a

yellow spot in cell and on H the tawny colour is replaced by white; 3rd form

*chandra, M. (75-90). The Eastern Courtier. Sikkim—Karens. NR; 2 VR.

2 v. albina, Evans. VR.

2» chandrana, Evans. RB.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 899

F10. Euripus.—The Gourtesans) (Plate 18).

1 (2). Unh with red basal markings. ¢ H red sub-marginal spots in la to 3

a. Darker. H vs broader black and black discal band continued in @ to

costa, also traceable in 2 ; F discal band narrow.

consimillis meridionalis, WM. (60-85). The Painted Courtesan. S. India. R.

8. Pale markings broader. Uph black discal band only traceable in @.

Unf dark discal band prominently broader at lower end.

consimilis consimilis, Wd. Dun—Dawnas. R.

2 (1). Unhno red basal markings. 6 black with pale spots as in No l. 2

in several forms ; typical form with a broad white band upf and uph all white

except for a narrow sub-marginal brown band.

*halitherses, Db. (65-85). The Courtesan. Sikkim—Burma. NR.

Qv, isa, M. As typical form, outer half uph dark brown. NR.

* Ov, nyctelius, Db. Upf dark brown with apex broadly suffused bluish ;

uph all dark brown. NR.

Qv. cinnamoneus, WM. As last, but uph outwardly with white streaks. R.

Qv. alcatheoides, DeN. As nyctelius, but upf all dark brown. VR.

Fl1. Diagora.—The Sirens. (Plate 18).

1 (2). Upf black bar mid cell ; unh dorsum not yellow.

a. Paler, white markings wider.

persimilis zella, But. (65-75). The Siren. Simla—Kumaon. R.

8. Darker, white markings narrower. Apex F more produced.

*pnersimilis persimilis, Wd. Sikkim—Assam.

2 (1). Upf no black bar in cell. Unh dorsum yellowish. Development

of black markings very variable.

mena, M. (75). The Scarce Siren. Dalhousie—Mussoorie. VR.

F12. Hestina.—The Circe. (Plate 18).

Upf with broac black veins and spotted borders. Uph veins and border

broad bright chestnut.

*nama, Db. (95-105). The Circe. Mussoorie—Burma. NR.

F13. Sasakia.—The Empress. (Plate 18).

Above black, outer half with prominent pale streaks; upf narrow red basal

streak in cell, which unf is much wider; unh some basal red markings below

costa.

*funebris, Leech. (125-130). The Empress. Nagas. VR.

F14. Calinaga.—The Freaks. (Plate 21).

a. Only fore part of thorax above orange. Unh dull ochreous.

buddha buddha, M. (90-105). The Freak. Murree—Kumaon. VR.

8. Darker. Unh pale brown. F more elongated.

buddha gautama, M. Sikkim. VR.

y- Above all pale markings very reduced, sharply defined and clear, not

diffused as usual.

buddha aborica, Tyt. Abor Valley. VR.

6. All thorax above orange. Dark with the pale markings reduced. Unh

pale slate.

*buddha brahma, But. Assam—-N. Burma. R.

7. All thorax orange above. Uph tornus broadly orange.

buddha sudassana, Melvill. Shan States—Karens. VR.

F15. Penthema.—The Kaisers. (Plate 21.)

1 (2a). Upf dark brown with pale yellow spots ; large basal streaks in 2 and

3. oh cell all yellow; sub-marginal and discal spots small, preceded by

streaks.

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

F15. Penthema.—(Conid.)

a. Below reddish brown. DSF with apex produced.

*lisarda lisarda, Db. (125-135). The Yellow Kaiser. Sikkim—Manipur. R.

8. Below dull brown.

lisarda mthintala, Fruh. Chin Hills. R.

2a (1). Upf black with a blue sheen and all spots bluish ; basal streaks in 2 a

3 replaced by spots ; all markings smaller. Uph sub-marginal spots shaped like

arrow-heads.

2 (3). Uph cell with yellow streaks followed by postcellular streaks, |

separate from discal spots. Upf long streak in 1.

darlisa, M. (125-135). The Blue Kaiser. Shan States—S. Burma. R.

3 (2). Uph cell all black.

a Upf long streak in 1. Uph postcellular streaks conjoined to discal

spots.

binghami yoma, Ellis, (125-135). The Black Kaiser. Pegu Yoma. VR.

g. Upf no streakin 1. Uphno postcellular streaks.

binghami binghamit, W.M. Dawnas. VR.

y. Upf no streak in 1. Uph postcellular streaks conjoined to discal

spots.

binghamt merguie, Evans. Mergui. VR.

F16. Dichorragia.—The Constable. ”(Plate 19).

Dark green with small whitish spots F and very prominent zigzag sub- marginal

line, singlein ¢, double in &.

*nesimachus, Bdv. (65-85). The Constable. Kulu—Burma. NR.

F17. Stibochiona.—The Popinjay. (Plate 19).

3 above velvet black, 2 darkgreen ; upf white spotted and with a dull blue

sub-marginal line; uph prominent row sub-marginal black spots, inwardly blue

(2 green) bordered and outwardly white.

a. Uph width of white edging narrower than width of black spots; wider

in DSF.

nicea nicea, Gray. (60-80). The Popinjay. Kulu—N. Burma. NR.

8. Uph width of white edging twice as wide as the black spots.

*nicea subucula, Fruh. Karens—S. Burma. NR.

F18.. Euthalia.—The Barons, Counts, etc. (Plates 19 & 20).

la (27a). Unh base with 2 spectacle marks in cell, outer one extending to

base 5, small ring base 6 and a larger one base 7; these markings variable and

may be obscure or absent.

1b (18a). Unf cell entirely open.

lc (4a). H termen straight to just above v3, where it is angled, giving

the wing a squared appearance. F vs 11 and 12 anastomosed, 11 and 10 touch

10 & 9; 9from mid 7. F prominently faleate. Uph d a black brand at bases

of 6 and 7.

Id (3). Unf post discal line prominent and not parallel to termen, much

nearer termen at apex than at tornus.

1 (2). Unf postdiscal line quite straight. od uph with a very broad lavender:

grey margin extending to vd F ; upf large dark greenish spots in cell and beyond.

@ pale brown; upf a prominent straight black banc from termen at end of v7

to outer third of dorsum, continued on H behind end cell ; upf apex greenish and

with prominent elongated white spots in 5 and 6, smaller spot beyond in 6,

minute spots in 3 and 4 and spot in 2. Below yellowish, margins not paler.

*cocytus, satrapaces, Hew. (65-80). The Lavender Count. Manipur—s.

Burma. NR.

2 (1). Unf postdiscal line sinuous. @ above nearly black with a pale blue

border F and H ; unf margin bluish ; unh all dark brown : above pale brown ;

upf large dusky white spots in 2 and 3 and elongated spots in 5 and 6, all bor-

dered pale dusky bluish.

burn. Bompay Nar. Hist. Soc. Prate XIX.

F, Nymphalidae. 16. Dichorragia: 17. Stibochiona: 18. Euthalia.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 901

F18. Euthalia—(contd.)

godarti asoka, Fd. (70-80). The Malay Count. Mergui. VR.

3 (1d). Unf postdiscal line waved and parallel to termen. Sexes alike. Uph

broad pale margin to v6 F. Below margins prominently paler.

a- Small; borders above very pale grey. Below clouded brown.

lepidea miyana, Fruh. (65-75). The Grey Count. N. Kanara, Orissa. R,

g. Larger; borders above pale grey.

*lepidea lepidea, But. (70-80). Kumaon—Assam. NR.

+. Rather smaller; borders darker grey. Below more uniform, reddish

brown. 2 upf pale brown spots beyond cell.

lepidea sthavara, Fruh. (65-75). N. Burma—Dawnas and Tavoy, NR.

5. Borders above pale blue.

lepidea andersoni, M. (70-80). The Blue Count. Tavoy—S. Burma. NR

4a, (c). H termen not angled at v3.

4 (5a). Palpi 3rd joint very long and needle like. Above rather pale brown

with 2 dark, highly zigzag, discal lines filled in between with white on F. Unf

outer half bluish white.

pelea, F. (70-80). The Malay Viscount. Mergui. VR.

5a (4). Palpi not long and needle like.

5b (8a). Palpi 3rd joint sharply attenuate. H termen evenly convex and

wing symmetrical about a central axis from base to mid termen. Upf basal

markings in 1 very wide and the ring under origin of v2 reaches vl. F venation

as in last group, but origin v9 usually nearer base. Unh with black spots usually

at bases 1, 2 and 3.

5 (6a). ¢ & above with a broad white discal band F and H, outwardly

bordered by conical black spots, which on H are surmounted by blue spots.

Below pale green,

*cibaritis, Hew (75-85). The Andaman Viscount. Andamans. NR.

6a (5). Above no continuous white band F and H ; 2 dark bands parallel to

one another and to the termen ; these bands may be filled in between with pale

colouring on ¥ and on H may be obscured by a pale blue margin in the @.

6 (7). Above dark bands not conspicuously lunulated, composed more of

diffuse spots,

a. Ouph blue margin uph to outer discal band and reaching v6. @ rather

pale brown with whitish spots upf at the upper end of each discal band in 6.

Unh @ tornal half green, Q all bluish except apex.

julit apriades, Men. (65-80). The Common Earl. Kumaon—Sikkim. C.

8. Larger, @ uph blue margin absent or narrow and broken. Q very

variable, portion between discal bands upf may be entirely filled in whitish or

may be asinlast.

*julit adima, M. (70-85). Khasi Hills. C.

vy. Paler and blue border uph in 3 broader. Upf dark bands closer and in

@ often with pale brown large spots in cell and beyond. 9 as variable as last

but smaller.

julir sedeva, M. (65-80). Sylhet, Cachar. Manipur and N. Burma. NR.

6. As last, but blue border uph in ¢ still broader, reaches nearly to inner

discal band. Abovemore uniform. as last, but dark bands H closer together.

Unh ¢ and @ green or bluish over the whole wing or nearly so.

*ialit xiphiones, But. (65-80) Karens—S. Burma. NR.

7 (6). Above discal bands conspicuously lunulated. o rich vinaceous brown,

no blue border H. @ pale brown, paler between the dark discal bands, often

whitish on F especially at upper end. Below @ yellowish brown; @ yellow,

H more or less blueish.

Larger.

ujahnu jahnu, M. (65-80). The Plain Earl. Sikkim—N. Burma. NR.

8, Smaller and wings broader.

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

F18. Euthalia—(contd.)

jahnu jahnita, Evans. (60-75). Karens—S. Burma. NR.

8a (5b). Palpi 3rd joint gradual. Upf basal markings never wide. Unh

no or only traces of black spots at bases of 1,2 and 3. F vs never anastomosed

in ¢ and only in @ of Nos. 8, 9 and 10.

8b (14a). Up or unf never with 2 detached apical white spots on either side

of v7, just behind origin v8, unless forming part of the pale band in the @.

Upf basal markings in 1 consist of a well defined ring under the origin of v2,

reaching mid 1 (in Nos. 8 and 10 usually a small ring or dot below) as well as a

dark dot at the extreme base.

8c (10a). Unf at base 1 always a ring or round spot under origin v2 with

usually a 2nd below it.

8 (9). Apex F pointed ; H tornus in d produced and termen convex. ¢ dark

brown with broad bluish grey margin uph and discal band upf, which is

very wide at its lower end ; a whitish spot base 3 upf. d paler brown with the

usual 2 dark discal lines, as in Nos. 6 and 7, area between much paler especially

at upper end F; band pushed in at base 3 corresponding to the white spot in the @.

Below yellow and dorsal area H greenish. do uph a dark brand of modified

scales at bases 6 and 7.

a. small and pale ; pale brown costal area more extensive; below band

obscure especially in DSF. @ pale discal band less developed.

kesava arhat, Fruh. (50-80). The Powdered Baron. Sikkim. NR.

6B. © larger, darker greenish. @ whitish discal band more developed

especially in WSF. Below darker.

*kesava kesava, M. (55-80). Assam—N. Burma. N.R.

y. inner side of discal band sinuous. 2 whitish discal band very pro-

minent, broader and edges more sinuous.

*kesava discispilota, M. (50-70). Bhamo—S. Burma. NR.

9 (8). Apex F highly falcate and in @ tornus produced, termen being concave

before tornus. Above ashy grey, more or less suffused greenish. @ with curved

row small white spots beyond cell from 8 to eosta.

a. Larger and more uniform. d no white costa! patch, but a prominent

white spot base 3. @ upf spots rounded.

anosia sattaphernes, Fruh. (70-85). The Grey Baron. R.

8. Smaller, darker and more marmorated. ¢ upf with a white costal patch

beyond cell, no spot base 3. Q upf spots pointed.

*anosia anosia, M. (65-80). Assam—Burma. R.

10a (6c). Unf at base 1 no markings or only a single spot or dash under origin

v2 and only very rarely a spot at the extreme base.

10 (lla). Upf cilia white at apex, which is produced, not pointed ; H termen

evenly convex, tornus not produced. od above very dark brown, with blue

margin uph, extending to v3 F. 2 above rather pale brown, inclined broad dark

brown border from apex to two-thirds along dorsum, continued on H to just

beyond cell ; upf 5 dusky white spots in a curved row beyond cell.

*telchinia, Men. (70-85). The Blue Baron. Sikkim—N. Burma. R.

lla (10). Upf cilia brown throughout. d¢ tornus H produced.

11b (13). Apex F sharply pointed and tornus gently convave from apex to v2.

11 (12). Above ¢o very dark brown, broad blue margin H to v6, which inward-

ly bears a row of black discal spots. Upf termen broadly paler beyond the

discal band, which is wide and widens at lower end; inner discal band merged

into basal dark area. Below ochreous brown, H dorsal area more or less green

washed; the 2 parallel discal bands prominent, on F outer one widens to dorsum,

inner one curved in at upper end ; H inner band continuous, diffuse and pale,

outer one consists of very small spots ; apex unf whitish. 2 unknown.

mahadeva binghami, DeN. (65-80). Bingham’s Blue Baron. S. Burma. VR.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 903.

F18. Euthalia—(conid.)

12 (11). Uph no blue border. Upf the 2 discal bands more or less separated.

throughout. od above very dark brown, outer discal band connected in each

space by a dark bar to the termen, inner band merged to dark basal area ;.

H outer discal band prominent, inner merged to dark basal area. Below dark

ochreous brown, bands ag in No. 11 and apex F whitish ; in DSF bands faint..

small spots uph ; upf row of white spots beyond cell (small in WSF, large in.

DSF) from 2 or 3 to costa, asin No. 10. Below pale ochreous brown, more or

less washed greenish on H.

merta eriphyle, DeN. (60-70). The White-tipped Baron. Assam—S, Burma. R.

13 (11b). F apex not sharp pointed, termen slightly concave in middle.

only. do above dull dark ochreous brown, very uniform ; outer discal band F

_and inner discal band H very faint. Below yellow, outwardly darker and dorsal.

area H paler; inner discal bands faint; outer discal band fairly prominent,

especially at ends ; on H outer discal band of small, obscure spots. 2 unknown.

kanda elicius, DeN. (60-70). The Yellow Baron. S. Burma. VR.

14a (8b). Up or unf always 2 detached white apical spots on either side v7

just before origin v8. Upf basal markings in 1 consist of a spot, not a ring,

under origin v2 and a dash at extreme base, both may be absent. Unf spot

under origin v2 may be replaced by a ring. od apex F pointed and tornus

H produced.

14b (17). None of the spots red.

14 (15a). Uph outer discal band of small, usually well defined and well

‘separated, spots. od with a more or less complete row of small white spots.

beyond cell in bases 2-6. Normal 2 similar, but spots larger. Unf spot in 1 of

outer discal band shifted in.

a. very dark. @ upf with a stright white macular discal band from

costa beyond cell to v2 near termen. Upf apical spots obscure.

garuda vasanta, M. (60-75). The Baron. Ceylon. C.

8. Very large. do basal area dark ; discal spots small or absent ; discal area

dusted whitish. 2 discal spots large, pure white, discal area beyond promi-.

nently dusted whitish.

garuda meridionalis, Fruh. (65-80). S. India—N. Kanara. C.

y Small and pale. ¢ upf discal spots small, but those beyond end cell.

always present. 2 discal spots small and dusky, spots in 2 and 3 small or absent.

garuda anagama, Fruh. (55-75). Bombay—Orissa. Kangra—Kumaon. NR..

6. Darker than last and discal spots upf smaller.

garuda suddhodana, Fruh. (55-75). Bengal. Sikkim. NR.

nm WSF dark and spots upf complete and prominent. WSF 2 spots as in

3 ; DSF @ spots end cell very large and confluent, spots in 2 and 3 may be.

small or absent.

*garuda garuda, M. (55-80). Assam—Burma. NR. .

¢ Very large. ¢d dark and discal spots obscure, apical spots prominent and.

outer discal band wide. 2 with complete discal band asin a, but more diffused.

and linked Y—wise to the apical spots; discal band continued widely on H

between the dark discal lines.

garuda acontius, Hew. (65-85). Andamans. NR.

15a (14). Uph outer discal line continuous or absent, but never of well.

separated small spots.

15 (16). Upf white streak at termen in 7, which on unf extends into 6 and 8,

¢ above very dark brown, outer discal band broad and inclined inwards, being

continued on H as the inner band. Upf beyond cell a series of double spots in.

3-6, the lower one in 5 being continued as a streak so as to meet a lower spot in:

6. @ paler and outer discal band narrower.

ae Small, pale and markings narrow.

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

F18. Euthalia—(contd.) |

jama jamida, Fruh. (55-75). TheStreaked Baron. Sikkim. NR.

8. Larger and darker. ¢ upf white streaks prominent above in WSF, absent —

in DSF.

jama jama, Fd. (55-85). Assam, Manipur. NR.

y. As last. but smaller and never so dark. ¢ upf white streaks nearly or

‘quite obsolete.

jama verend, Fruh. (55-80). Burma. NR.

16 (15). Upf no white streak at termen in 7. 6 upf marked as in last, but

‘outer discal band is parallel to margin and white streaks very prominent; uph

‘margin broadly pale blue to v6 and termen narrowly pure white. 2 quite

‘different, paler brown with a broad white discal band upf from costa to termen

‘at V1; 2 prominent apical spots.

* phemius, Db. (65-70). The White-edged blue Baron. Sikkim—Burma. NR.

17 (14b). Above dark green with red spots H and incell F. ¢ upf a Y-shaped

‘discal band of small white spots and 2 witha large white spot before end celi

as well as a macular white discal band. Uph outer row dark spots sub-marginal,

not discal.

a. Upf sub-marginal band much broader. In 4G there is a strong contrast

between the dark basal and the green marginal areas. 2 outer edges of the 2

spots in 1 and lower edge spot in 2 not to termen, in line with spot in 3.

lubentina psittacus, Fruh. (65-80)... The Gaudy Baron. Ceylon. NR.

8. o& above nearly uniform dark green, but paler than other races. Q

more brilliant pale green, upf band narrow and sharply defined.

lubentina arasada, Fruh. (60-80). 8S. India.

y. Dark and uniform. Considerable seasonal variation.

*lubentina indica, Fruh. Bombay—Bengal. Kangra—Burma.

18a (1b). Unf cell closed or at least with a small spur from base of v5. Mostly

‘dark green.

18 (19a). Upf a sub-marginal row white spots; white discal band to just

beyond mid dorsum and on H to v2. Below shining pale greenish blue. F

cell not fully closed. Upf and unf no basal markings in 1.

a. Above white discal band broad and all markings slightly diffused.

france francie, Gray. (75-90). The French Duke. Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan. R.

8. Above white discal band narrow and all markings sharp.

*trancie rajah, Fd. Assam—Karens. R.

19a (18). Upf no row of sub-marginal white spots. F cell closed.

i9b (26). Apex F not falcate; no red spot in cell upf. Usually prominent

pale discal band upf. Upf at base 1 a ring and a dot usually under origin v2.

19¢ (21a). Upf white discal band Vertical, reaches dorsum just beyond middle;

on H discal band to v1 and outwardly bordered bright greenish blue. H_ cell

open; F vs 1] and 12 anastomosed.

19 (20). Uph white discal band not black edged outwardly before the blue area.

duda, Stg. (9C-100). The Blue Duchess, Sikkim—Assam. R.

- 20 (19). Uph white discal band outwardly black edged.

a. Uph blue area not formed into lunules except near costa.

*durga durga, M. (95-105). The Blue Duke. Sikkim—aAbor. R.

8. Uph blue area formed into blue lunules throughout. The discal band

upf and all the markings below broader.

durga splendens, Tyt. Nagas. VR.

21a (17c). Upf white discal band, if present, directed to tornus and not

extending below v2. Cell H shut; Fv11 free.

21 (22a). 3 above bronzy olive green, no white discal band ; upf large dusky

pale spots in 2 and 3; uph prominent yellow area in 6 and 7. Q upf with a

rather narrow white discal band, spot in 4 narrow, elengate, pointed and weil

separated from the spots on either side.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 905

-F18. Euthalia—(vonid.)

*nara nara M, (70-95). The Bronze Duke. Sikkim—N, Burma, R.

Bg. Above bright dark green, nara shania, Evans. Shan States.

— 22a (21). Bupf with pale discal band; ¢ 2 with spot in 4 conjoined to spots

on either side.

22 (23a). Uph @ Qcontinuous curved discal band from costa to v4; upf

discal band narrow and dusky at lower end, upper spots small, that in 4 smaller

than the rest. Above shining bronzy olive green.

curvifascia, Fd. (75-95). The Naga Duke. Nagas. Manipur. VR.

23a (22). Uph discal band macular and upf spot in 4 as large as the rest ;

discal band in the @ pale yellow, in 2 white usually.

23 (24a). Upf discal spot in 4 so placed that its inner edge is in line with the

inner edge of spot in 5 and against the middle of the spot in 3.

a. dO uph the discal spots extend to 1 and beyond the spotsin 5 and 6 the

wing is conspicuously paler, showing up the very broad postdiscal dark band.

sahadeva sahadeva, M. (80-105). The Green Duke. Sikkim—Bhutan. NR,

8. Darker. Zuph discal spots at most only to 2. 2 uph usually only spots

and in 6 & 7 and often none at all.

*sahadeva nadaka, Fruh. Assam—Manipur. NR.

y. Smaller, paler and with a less bronzy hue. All spots smaller and paler.

schadeva narayana, GrS. N. Burma—N. Shan States. NR.

z4a (23). Upf discal spot in 4 so placed that its inner edge is in line with the

inner edge of the spot in 3 and opposite the middle of the spot in 5.

_ 24 (25). Uph all spots well separated ; upf all spots very large and with

their outer edges pointed. ;

iva, M, (115-125). The Grand Duke. Sikkim—Manipur. VR.

25 (24). Uph spotsin 6 and 7 at least contiguous; upf spots more or less

blunt.

a. Upf no white spots in 1; upf discal band yeliow in d and whitein &.

patala patala, Koll. (85-105). The Grand Duchess. Murree—Nepal. NR.

8. Upf or unf 2 small white spots in 1. Upf discal band yellow in @ and

¢, all spots elongated. Below paler and spots on H more complete.

Coe taooana, GrS. (100-12C). Manipur—Karens. R.

6 (17b). Apex F falcate. Upf red spot in cell. Above no white band.

Unt no markings base 1. Cells shut.

a.ddark, 2 paler, olive green, basal areas darker.

evelina evelina, Stoll. (75-100). The Redspot Duke. Ceylon. R.

8. @shining green; upf with a white costal patch beyond cell; 2 naler,

the whole discal area between the basal and dark marginal area is whitish.

*evelina laudabilis, Swin. S. India. R.

y. Above brown.

evelina derma, Koll. Assam—S. Burma.

27a (la). Unh with 2 spots in cell, which may be reddish and no markings

in 5, 6 and 7,

27 (28a). Above tawny orange with black markings. Cells open.

*nais, Forst. (60-70). The Baronet. Ceylon. S. India—Dun—Sikkim. NR.

28a (27). Above brown, with a white band or spots. Cells faintly closed.

28b (30). Uph white spots in 6 and 7 not conspicuously far larger than the

rest. Upf and uph a complete discal band (except 2 of No 29 8) ending on F

just beyond mid dorsum.

28 (29). Upf upper spot of discal band in exact line with rest. Uph 1 or 2

small red tornal spots.

recta, DeN. (65-85). The Redtail Marquis. Assam—Burma. R.

29 (28). Upf upper spot of discal band shifted in. Uph red tornal spots.

a. Below pale ochreous brown. Upf discal band decreasing slightly, but

evenly, to costa. Sexes nearly alike.

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

F18. Euthalia—(contd.)

*teula teuta, M. (85-85). The Banded Marquis. Assam—Arracan. R.

B.A as last but discal band much narrower and uph postdiscal black spots

usually joined to form a lunular line. 2 very variable: upf discal spots may be

small and complete, increasing in size to costa, or some or all may be absent,

being sometimes replaced by black spots ; uph similar, but the discal spots never

below v4. Ground colour in 2 may be pale or dark brown and the area between

the 2 discal rows of spots upf may be greenish blue. Below pale lavender grey

to ochreous brown.

*teuta gupta, DeN. Dawnas—S. Burma. VR.

y. Below pale glazed violet brown. Above as @ in both sexes, but upfin @

spot in 5 very small; @Qspots at upper end of discal band very large and at

dorsal end very small, spot’ in 1 double.

teuta teutoides, M. (65-90). Andamans. R.

30 (28b). Uph spots in 6 and 7 very large and contiguous. Above rather pale

brown ; upf with 2 discal spots in 1, oneineach 2, 3 and 6; aspotin mid cell

flanked white on either side. Uph small white spots in 1-5 directed to mid

dorsum and not to tornus as usual.

*dunya, Db. (85-100). The Great Marquis. S. Burma.

F1$. Adollas.—The Archdukes. (Plate 20.)

1 (2a). Palpi below greenish brown in @; whitish inQ. Antennzx black

above. d upf velvet black with a few whitish spots in and beyond the cell ; 2

with numerous white spots. Below indigo blue at base F; apex F and all H

dark green ; spots white.

cyanipardus, But. (110-135). The Great Archuduke. Assam—Karens. R.

2a (1). Palpi below reddish brown.

2 (3). Antenne black above. Below d ferruginous brown.

a. Supt practically unspotted and the blue border vestigial ; uph blue border

narrow and mostly purple. 2 above spots bluish white; below ochreous brown

and H hardly or not at all green washed ; upf spots at bases 2 and 3 large.

khasiana khasiana, Swin. (80-105). The Dark Archduke. Assam. NR.

68. upf markings more developed, uph blue border broader and mostly

blue, turning to green at the tornus. spots pale yellow upf and dark yellow

uph.

*chasiana intermedia, Tyt. Manipur, NR.

3 (2). Antenne prominently yellow tipped above. Below 4 pale ochreous.

brown. blue border upf broad and small spots in and beyond cell prominent,

yellow ; uph blue margin very broad, blue at upper end, green at tornus. all

spots yellow ; upf spots at bases 2 and 3 small.

*dirtea jadettina, Fruh. (80-105). The Archduke. Manipur—Burma. NR.

F20. Parthenos—The Clipper. (Plate 21).

Above some shade of green with very large discal white spots F ; uph on disc

the veins are black and there are 2 black lines between each vein, followed by a

series of sub-marginal black markings.

a. Above pale greenish grey ; F white spots very large; uph sub-marginal

markings consist of narrow flattened lunules.

*sylvia cyaneus, M. (115-130). The Clipper. Ceylon. NR.

8. Above greenish golden; F spot end cell as large as spot in 8. Uph

sub-marginal markings are conical spots, heads rounded.

sylvia virens, M. (105-125). S. India. R.

y. Above rather pale bluish green. DSF upf with the apex whitish and

the white spots more contiguous.

sylvia gambrisius, F. (95-110). Bengal—Burma. NR.

6. Above moss green, below paler; upf apex white tipped.

sylvia reepstorfii, M. (95-110). Andamans. NR. ,

oo BomsBay Nat. Hist. Soc. Pratt XXI,

] Nymphalidae, 14. Calinaga: 15. Penthema : 20. Parthenos: 21, Lebadea : 22. Newrosigma

23. Abrota: 24. Liminitis.

JBN. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc. Puate XX.

F, Nymphalidae. 18. Zuthalia: 19, Adolias.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN BUTTERFLIES, 907

F21. Lebadea.—The Knight. (Plate 21).

a. Larger, bands above broader; upf inner edge spot in 2 vertical ; uph

discal band fills base 3.

martha martha, F. (62-75). The Knight. Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan. NR.

6. Smaller, not so bright and bands narrower; upf inner edge of spot in

2 curved ; uph discal band just enters base 3in @ only.

martha ismene, Db. (60-70). Assam—Manipur. NR.

*, Still smaller and bands very narrow ; uph band not entering base 3 at all.

martha attenuata, M. (55-65) Burma. NR.

Note-—Numbering on Plates 19 and 20 under Genus F.18. to bealtered

thus:—15to14: 17to16: 18to17: 19 tol18: 21to20: 22 to2l1:

24 to 23: 27to2Zhi: 28to27: 380to0 29: 38Lto 30.

908

THE RED ANT.

} BY

Magor R.W.G. Hrneston, 1.M.s.

(Continued from page 693 of this volume.)

Part IIL.

SPECIAL SENSES AND INSTINCTS.

(With one text figure.)

Sight—-Hearing—Taste—T ouch—Smell—Directive sense—Experiments on

directive sense—Communication of danger—Establishment of rest camps—Con-

struction of bridges—Enemies of red ants—Seasonal activity--The Queen—Duties

of diminutive workers—Naxedness of larvae—Economic position of ant—Order in

the commune.

I come now to the consideration of the special senses by which these ants are

guided in their daily toil. They have a highly developed faculty of vision,

far superior to that possessed by the generality of ants. Some species seem to

distinguish only light from darkness, others are totally blind, but the red ant

can recognize different objects, fixing them with its coal—black eyes.

I make some simple experiments on one of their workers. I move a stick

across its line of vision ; its attention is aroused ; it points its antennze in the

direction of the stick, and with them follows each successive movement as L

transfer the object from place to place. Certain other kinds of ants would have

taken no notice, but this species easily detected the movement over a distance

of six inches or more. Such superiority of vision must be important to an ant

which spends most of its existence wandering in the trees. Itis by means of

this sense that they communicate danger, that they detect their enemies and the

movements of their prey, and that they calculate the spaces in the midst of the

foliage across which they may have to climb, They have a peculiar habit of

erecting their antenne and of giving their abdomens a sudden flick when their

attention is momentarily aroused. This permits us to determine the extent of

their vision and the particular service that it is to these ants. They noticed the

vibrations of the blades of a forceps held four inches away, and I think that they

could detect the movement of my hand at a distance of five or six feet.

As is usual in the case of other kinds of ants, I could find no indication of any

auditory sense. I fired a shot from my collecting gun six inches from their line

of march. There was no disturbance, no interruption in the even regularity

of their course. I repeated the experirnent near the entrance to a byre. A

few on the exterior seemed to appreciate the shock ; it was unlikely that they

actually heard any sound, more probably they observed the sudden jerk result-

ing from the sharp recoil. I also blew a whistle within three inches of the byre,

but I could not see that it had any effect on the ants. Certainly their sense of

hearing must be extremely slight, if indeed it exists at all. They are very sen-

sitive to intrusion when employed in their byres, and if they had heard the noise

of the gun or whistle they would surely have poured through the gates of the

chamber in their usual tumultuous swarm.

Ants, which are so fond of sweet limpid fluid, are certain to possess some sense

of taste. See the way they heap themselves around a spoonful of syrup and

there will be little doubt that they enjoy the flavour of the food. On_ the con-

trary they are nauseated by the juices of the Monophlebus ; when some of the

substance gets into their mouths they try to brush out the unpleasant taste. I

induced some of them to sip a solution of quinine. They became agitated, ran |

a little distance to one side, tried to cleanse their mouth-parts with their fore

legs, and were clearly much discomfited by the bitter substance which they had

so foolishly tried to devour.

a a

, THE RED ANT. 909

Of course they possess a sense of touch, that common attribute of all living

matter in every form and shape. But in addition to the grosser tactile appre-

ciations, they are very sensitive to the effect of a thrill, clearly perceiving the

sudden vibrations which follow a sharp tap upon a branch, Yet they are able

to discriminate with some nicety in this matter, for they do not confuse such

adventitious tremors with the natural vibrations which occur in a wind or the

beatings of the drops of rain.

Like other ants, which move in long columns or processions, they recognize

their road by the faculty of smell. Without some guide they could not accurately

follow one another in their long journeys in search of food. Irubbed my moist

finger across the track while the workers were moving in a continuous stream.

A considerable disturbance immediately followed. The steady flow of labour

ceased, and a barrier appeared to intercept their course. When the workers

reached the line made by my finger they were brought to a sudden halt. They

were disconcerted, they sprang backward, they attempted again to make an

advance, but their progress was as completely checked as if they had come

face to face with a wall. The blockage, however, did not last very long ; some of

_ the workers made little lateral explorations, managed at last to find their way

ac.oss the gap and picked up the scent on the opposite side.

I placed a small lump of camphor on their track as they advanced along the

branch of a tree. There was an immediate interruption in the regularity of their

march, Many of the workers came to a halt, their sense of sight being, no doubt,

affected in addition to that of smell. They gathered in a ring around the strange

obstruction ; had it been a piece of stick they might have tried to shift it, but

they perceived the unpleasant odour of the camphor and kept a safe distance

away. I placed a nodule of the substance on the outside of a nest. It caused

no particular flurry or excitement. The ants just quietly withdrew from the

area so as to leave an open space around the lump. I then removed the

camphor and the ants immediately re-occupied the ground. I tried them in

the same way with the oil of eucalyptus and the aromatic oil of aniseed.

_ But the ants appreciated the odours of these fluids and withdrew from the

unpleasant smell.

It is natural to inquire how these streams of ants can find their way amidst

the branches of the trees. They do not march in a haphazard manner, just

wandering aimlessly as inclination moves them ; on the contrary each individual

stream has its own established course. The procession, after leaving a particular

chamber, keeps toa fixed path. It bends and turns from one branch to another ;

it meets and coalesces with adjacent streams ; for some distance they may move

in a common flow, but at length the first stream leaves the main current to follow

its own special course,

How is it that each of these living streams is not lost in the innumerable turn-

ings of its path ?. I have already shown that by scent they recognize their road.

But this, I feel sure, is not their only guide. For when the minor streams from

the branches, after blending into the main stream, come to the point where they

have to separate again, then, if they just kept to a scented road, they would

naturally follow the main current instead of unerringly turning from the path.

I established a bridge about one foot in length between a branch and one of their

byres. The ants soon learnt to make use of the structure, since I blocked their

alternative route. I removed it as soon as they had grown accustomed to the

change, and replaced it immediately by a similar bridge over which no ants had

previously crossed. I anticipated that the ants would have been very much at

loss owing to the removal of their scented road. But they did not show extreme

discomfiture. After the usual display of hesitation and excitement they made

their way along the new bridge and did not seem very inconvenienced by the

change. It would, therefore, appear that they had some other guide in addition

to the faculty of smell.

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

Can it be that sight is a supplementary aid ? These ants, as we have learnt,

have strong visual perceptions. Perhaps by the inspection of the objects on

their route they know that they are on the true road. Ata point where a branch

divided into a fork there was a choice of courses open to the ants. They could

take the road to the right which-would lead them to their byre, or the one to the

left which would lose them in the leaves. There was a steady stream along the

road to the right since the ants at the time were busily engaged in transporting

cattle to the shed. I surrounded this road with a white strip of cloth, fixing it one

inch from the bifurcation of the branch. I left it in position for twenty-four hours.

The ants had by then become accustomed to it, and, as it Was a very conspicu-

ous object, they must surely have fixed it as a landmark on their path if they

were guided at all by sight. I removed it from its place on the next day, and at

the same time transferred it to a corresponding position on the road that led to

the left. Now, if the ants were in any way directed by sight, they ought to have

thought themselves on the wrong track when they found that their landmark

had disappeared. Also they might have seen it on the path to the left, and, as

a consequence, have turned in that course. But the facts were otherwise. The

disappearance of the cloth did not confuse the ants. They continued to take

the road to the right with the same deliberation as before. The ants, in their

power to recognize the road, are not guided by the faculty of sight.

Sight being, in this way, placed out of account, and smell being, at best, only

a partial influence, we are forced into the idea of a directive sense, some faculty

of feeling the true direction in a manner unintelligible to us. The following

experiment will indicate what I mean. I arranged two sticks like the letter T

(see diagram) and trained the ants to move along them in order to reach their

byre. There was a pivot at the junction of the two limbs of the T, so that the

horizontal one could freely rotate on the vertical one by turning it to either the

right or left. I ailowed the apparatus to remain in position for two days in

order that the ants might become accustomed to the route.

tn)

= SS

Diagram of experiment on directive sense.

a. Byre.

b. Horizontal limb.

ce. Vertical limb.

d. Pivot.

e. Branch of tree.

The arrows indicate the track of the ants.

changing their direction, ascending one branch, descending another branch, now

turning one way, now in an opposite way, always altering their line of pro-

it, Ml oe wt SE -- io

THE RED ANT. 91]

The illustration will indicate the direction of their course. They had first to

ascend the vertical limb, then make a rectangular turn, then advance along the

right half of the horizontal limb at the end of which they found their byre.

When they were perfectly familiar with the direction of the route I thoroughly

purified the left half of the limb in order to deprive it of any trace of scent. The

right half was now scented and led to the byre, the left half was unscented and

ended blindly in the air. The train of ants was moving along the right half on

their way to and from the byre. I now rotated the horizontal limb so that the

portion which previously led to the left now became the road to the byre. The

point which demands attention is this. What will the ants now do when they

reach the top of the vertical stick ? How will they turn, to the right or to the

left ? If to the right, then it is clear that they are guided by the sense of direc-

tion, for that is now the unscented side and it is in the direction of their previous

course. If to the left, then they must be guided by the sense of smell, for it is

on that branch of the limb that they vreviously travelled and it therefore retains

the scent. I take note of twenty successive workers on their journey from the

tree to the byre. Nineteen of them turn without hesitation to the right and pro-

ceed direct to their goal; only one happens to go astray by making its turn to

the left. Two out of the nineteen certainly hesitate and first move an inch or

so to the left, but this, I think, is of little significance, for the ants do the same

in their ordinary journeys; they frequently appear a trifle confused at points

where the branches join, and will run a few pacesin a wrong direction before fol-

lowing the true road. Thus the conclusion appears to be clear. The ants are

under a powerful directive influence; it is infinitely superior as a guiding force to

the more intelligible faculty of smell. Itis this force which mainly directs their

journeys. The scent may help to keep them to the general track, and to dis-

tinguish a branch which has been traversed by the workers from one over

which none have moved. But their essential guide is the directive sense, that

feeling that they must turn in a certain direction in order to follow the correct

road. And we have seen how powerful this sense must be, how far superior it

is to the faculty of smell, for when the ants have to chose between direction and

scent, then direction easily wins.

This sense of direction seems most highly developed in those species of ants

which frequent the trees. I have elsewhere shown its force in the case of the

black ant, how it guides the workers in their ascents to the foliage and back

_ again to the formicary on the ground. Its exceptional development in these

arboreal species is most probably related to the widespread journeys which such

ants have to make through the midst of the tree. They traverse each branch,

investigate each twig, thoroughly search the whole canopy of foliage in their

ceaseless explorations for food. In these complicated journeys they are always

| gress, yet when it comes to making the return journey, they never lose the road.

_ It seems a kind of feat of directive memory, yet how can they keep in mind

each separate turn in the complexity of the ever-changing route. At least we

_€an realize the value of the sense to ants with habits such as these. Itis beyond

our powers to feel its influence ; we can only observe the manner of its work.

Yet we can see its great power as a guide in the labyrinth, and must regard it

|as another of those feats of wonder performed by the hymenopteron

brain.

| The capacity to communicate the presence of danger is a common charac-

|teristic of a community of ants. In some species it is more highly developed

than in others, and in the @cophylla we observe it in a refined degree especially

in regard to the defence of the nest. I have elsewhere supplied instances of

its manner of occurrence and have shown how it takes place through the medium

of the antenne by virtue of the sense of touch. Alarm an antin a Messor nest

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

-and the following sequence occurs. The alarmed ant runs excitedly about ;

it meets a comrade, they touch antenne, the second is imbued with the enthu- —

siasm of the first, in the same way the information is transmitted to others,

and soon the whole of the Messor nest is a bustling excited swarm. The point

that deserves our attention here is that the information is transmitted from !

individual to individual through the medium of the sense of touch.

I think that it is otherwise with these arboreal ants and their far more spirited

defence. There is no doubt as to their capacity to distribute information when-

ever a particular occasion requires. Anyone who has intruded too close to the

nest will be satisfied with the truth of this. But the difference lies in the manner

of communication, which takes place, I believe, in this arboreal species through

the medium of the sense of sight. Alarm one of these Gtcophylla workers. It does

not, like the Messor, immediately run away in order to touch antennez with the

first comrade that it meets. On the contrary it more often fixes itself to one

spot ; there it remains on the alert watching for the slightest movement to occur,

It assumes a characteristically expectant attitude. It stands still, raises its

head, erects the fore part of its body, straightens out its long antenne and

holds them rigidly at full length. Then it throws itself into a quivering move-

ment ; it elevates its body in sudden jerks ; it rapidly vibrates the points of its

antenne ; it quickly raises and lowers its abdomen so as to give it a kind of

instantaneous flick. The worker, in this way standing erect, makes its whole

body as conspicuous as possible while it quivers with these sudden jerks.

Now what is the meaning and purpose of this? I think that the peculiar -

quivering motion is a signal to the other ants in the community that danger has

arrived in the vicinity of the nest. These ants, as we have seen, possess excellent

vision, and it is motion even more than the actual object which they can so readily

detect. Therefore, when one ant elevates itself and throws its body into jerks,

those in the vicinity see the movement and immediately vibrate in the same way.

Others see them, and thus almost in a moment, as fast as the faculty of vision

permits and far more rapidly than by tactile communication, the news of danger

is widely spread. The whole community is quickly aroused and the army is

ready for the attack.

I once had a nest under close observation ; it had been broken from its place

on the branches of the tree and its walls had become withered and dry. Never-

theless the ants still occupied the interior, and I noticed that, when they hap-

pened to be alarmed, a sharp and tapping noise was audible, a kind of hammering

on the desiccated wall. On further investigation I came to the conclusion that _

this was a peculiar mode of communication by means of which the outside

workers signalled to their comrades in the interior of the nest. We have seen

their attitude in the face of danger, and how they raise and lower their abdomens

so as to jerk them sharply in the air. It was by means of this sudden abdominal’

movement that the workers were able to produce the noise, for the abdomen,

when it fell with a sudden jerk, often came in contact with the leaf and resulted’ |

in a sharp tap. It was a special device to permit of communication between op-

posite sides of the wall. When danger arrives in the vicinity of the formicary all

the workers are on the alert. Those on the exterior are instantly aroused, since

each can see the vibrations of the other and the information, as a consequence, _

can rapidly spread. But the main army is in reserve in the interior of the for-

micary ; it cannot see the angry thrill, and, as a consequence, some special device

is necessary to summon it from the leafy walls. The device is simple and highly’ |

efficient. The outside workers strike the wall with a sharp and sudden tap;

the signal is received by those in the interior ; they realize that danger of some_ |

kind approaches and the ferocious army comes pouring through the gate.

Can we reconcile this conclusion with the previous observations that the ants i

have no auditory sense? If they are unaffected by the report of a gun, how: |

can they be sensitive to these gentle taps? Itis not, I believe, that their hon

SS.

THE RED ANT, 913

is affected ; they perceive the vibrations rather than the sound, It is their

sense of touch which, in reality, is excited ; they literally feel the delicate thrills

which spread through the leafy wall. |

Another point which 1 observed with respect to these ants was the fact that

they establish a series of rest-camps at intervals along their line of march. Think

for a moment on their industrious toil and we can scarcely deny them the neces-

sity of rest. Consider their tireless and energetic nature, the burdens they carry,

the victims they overcome, their ceaseless search for prey and provender, the

impetuous manner in which they enter into battle, and their labour which never

ceases day or night. These are examples of a busy life which must demand its

periods of rest.

The ants gain some little repose from their labours as they journey from place

to place. As a rule they do not halt in their onward progress while they traverse

an unobstructed branch. Here and there one may turn from the main stream,

moving to one side of the general current, and may there rest by itself for a little

while and soon march on again. But the spot more usually chosen for their rest is

the place where two branches join. Here, at the fork, they congregate in a body,

often such a number at the same time, that I cannot but compare these selected

places to rest-camps along their route. A few may collect where the smaller

branches join, but it is usually at the junction of the main limbs that they estab-

lish the most populous camps. They choose such places for a special reason.

If a number were to halt in the main road they would certainly impede the move-

- ment of the stream, but where the branches join there is more space available ;

there they can easily gather to one side without in any way obstructing the road.

In a large camp there may be fifty or more workers collected, and at many of

the junctions of the smaller branches three or four may be seen taking their rest.

Most of them appear to be empty-handed, others are replete with juice. Occa-

sionally one arrives with a larva as its burden or with a coccid fixed between its

jaws. It is obvious that they are enjoying a well-needed rest. They remain

quite stationary, fixed to the bark. Even the ceaseless tremblings of the antennze

have temporarily died away. Almost all of them hang with their heads turned

downward, this being apparently the most restful attitude which these ants are

able to assume. A halt for a minute or two seems to satisfy their needs. The

encampment is in a state of continual change. Those which have rested are

moving off and others are taking their place. What burden is equal to the labour

of these ants? Their life is one of continuous effort, unceasing night and da}

They have no relaxations as we understand them ; the most they can hope for

is an occasional rest in one of their established camps.

Lord Avebury, in his delightful record on ants, expresses surprise at the inabi-

lity of these insects to make a short drop through the air in order to reach some

object below. Thus in one instance they made a journey of nearly seven feet

rather than drop only half an inch. At another time they abandoned their

precious larvae, though if they had allowed themselves to fall three-tenths of an

inch they could easily have gained their ends. But Lord Avebury’s ants were

inhabitants of the soil; he would have arrived at a different conclusion had he

_ investigated these arboreal kinds. For they are so excellently adapted to a

life amidst the branches that they are able in a highly efficient manner to make

their way across an empty space. On an island standing in a basin of water I

established a branch of a mango tree with one of these nests attached. It was

a very vigorous and populous colony, and the ants every evening displaved great

activity, spreading themselves over all parts of the branch. I imagined that

the colony was safely marooned, that the ants could wander freely about their

island, but could not manage to effect an escape unless they crossed the watery

moat. But I did not realize the efficiency of the ants and their admirable powers

of resource. On the second evening of their captivity they became very restless;

they were clearly discontented with the closeness of their prison and wished to

914 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX,

spread themselves abroad. They repeatedly explored their narrow surroundings |

and thoroughly searched the whole of the branch in their efforts to effect an

escape. Now, in one place a leaf happened to droop to within two inches of the

ground, On this leaf a number of the workers had collected ; the colony seemed

to have concentrated on this most dependent point ; it was obvious that they

could see the ground beneath, and many of them stretched down from the apex

of the leaf as if trying to reach their mark. I thought at first that they would

surely allow themselves to drop, but, though many of them hung down by the

mere tips of their legs, yet they would not risk a fall. They had at their disposal

the leaf with its hind claws. A second then climbed down along its body and

thus almost doubled the length. Then a third and a fourth came down, and in

this way the living line was elongated until it ultimately reached the ground.

The ants had established a living ladder between the ground and the apex of

the leaf. At this stage it was fragile and would not bear much strain, but other

workers soon joined in it, linked themselves together, strengthened it round about . -

on every side until it developed into a multiple chain. Nor must it be imagined ~

that these ants were just thinking of themselves, that the second climbed down

along the body of the first merely in order to reach the ground. This certainly

was not the case. The workers that took part in the construction of the chain

remained as permanent links. They never attempted to break from the machine |

or to escape themselves over the ground, ‘They had linked themselves together

so as to fashion a bridge which others in the community might use. These

others availed themselves of the new construction. ‘Those in the foliage soon

discovered it, and a stream of workers was so quickly established that in ten

minutes a hundred or more must have crossed it, and I lost nearly half the nest.

It would have pleased Lord Avebury to observe this incident. ““In order

to test their intelligence,’’ he says, “‘it has always seemed to me that there was no

better way than to ascertain some object which they would clearly desire, and

then to interpose some obstacle which a little ingenuity would enable them

to overcome.” Is not this construction of the living bridge sufficient to satisfy

Lord Avebury’s demands? The ants desire to escape from their island. In

order to do so they must surmount an obstacle; they must either cross over a

sheet of water or descend through two inches of space. They select the latter

as the easier feat, and the method they employ of surmounting the obstacle is —

the establishment of a living bridge.

Similar types of engineering workmanship are performed in their natural

haunts. I have occasionally met with their construction in the trees. The chain

as a rule is thrown vertically downward, but they will sometimes fashion a hori-

zontal bridge so as to climb from leaf to leaf. Their chains may be as long as _

four or five inches. Some forty or fifty ants will then enter its construction,

since they cannot merely link themselves in a single line, but must also mass

themselves around the structure so as to give it the necessary strength.

That they are in the habit of thus bridging spaces in the foliage is made evident

of the workers soon deserted it and made their way up into the branches in order

to get back to the original site. As soon as they reached the amputated stem

their further progress was checked. It was amusing to watch their manner of

behaviour, how they vainly attempted to construct a bridge in order to make a

further advance. Many of the workers just stretched out from the stump. —

Another seized a comrade by the waist thrust it forward at full length, waved

it in the air through the empty space, obviously in the hope of finding an attach-

ment and thus laying the foundation of a living bridge. Of course in this instance

the ants could not gain their ends for the nest had been completely cut away,

but it showed how they instinctively build their bridges when thev wish to cross

the spaces in the leaves, |

| THE RED ANT, 915

1 observed another more delightful illustration of this kind. A stream of

workers was moving through the foliage, passing and repassing in a double line

which led from the collecting ground to the nest. At one place they had to

negotiate a difficult situation; it was where the branches of two trees intermingled

their foliage and caused irregular spaces in the vegetation through which the ants

found it difficult to cross. At a certain point they encountered a serious obs-

_ tacle. There was a wide gap between a leaf and a stem over which they were

- unable to pass. Buta solitary worker had taken up a position and solely by the

exertion of its individual efforts had managed to construct a bridge. With

its jaws it had gripped the edge of the leaf ; with its tarsi it had taken a hold on

the stem, and the two were drawn close together by its exerting a continuous

strain. In this way it fashioned an excellent bridge, partly by supplying its

body as a road and partly by narrowing the gap.

Every minute hundreds of workers crossed and recrossed this simple bridge.

They were all dependent on this solitary ant ; if for a moment it relaxed its hold,

then confusion would spread along their ranks. Nor did the single worker seek |

for assistance. Without aid, without relief, without a thought of relaxation,

alone it had assumed this important duty and just clung with a rigid tenacity

to its post. I have no idea how long it thus remained. I watched it in position

for half an hour during which time many thousands of workers crossed it on their

’ way from the leaf to the stem. It must have exerted itself to an extreme degree

in order to continue so persistent a strain, yet it never for a moment made the

slightest attempt to desert its self-established post.

J severed the bridge thus ingeniously formed, and restored the original gap.

- Consternation followed in the stream of workers, and a congested assemblage

of helpless ants collected on the stem and leaf. But another worker soon came

to the rescue and took the place of the one I had removed. It stretched itself

across the gap in the same rigid way linking together the opposite sides, and thus

replacing the original worker in the duty of constructing a bridge. Order and

discipline then. reappeared; the accumulation of workers soon dispersed and the

even flow of labour was restored.

I know of no better example of individual co-operation in all the multifarious

activities of ants. Here is a single worker lending itself to the advantage of the

common weal. It is not merely an instinctive behaviour; it is an action

employed in a special difficulty to meet a particular end. It indicates how the

ants can divide their labour even to a refined degree. Moreover it displays a

teeling of self-sacrifice, in that one will submit to tremendous effort in order to

advance the well-being of ail.

Here again we see the value of the attenuated structure so characteristic of

this species of ant. Its elongated legs and extended body specially fit it for the

construction of a bridge. Such must be the case in the simplest architecture

and even more so in the manufacture of those complicated chains. composed of

a number of ants. We have already seen its value in the building of the nest,

and it is also of use in the ejection of poison by permitting the ant to turn up its

abdomen until the point is brought forward over the head. Thus the struc-

ture of the ant is eminently fitted for the duties of its daily life.

It would scarcely have been thought that these well-protected insects could

have any very serious foes. They are able to attack in so fierce a manner and

each is so well armed with a virulent poison that no ordinary enemy would dare

to approach. And from the way they march in conspicuous files all over the

branches of the trees it would seem as if they realized themselves that they had

little danger to fear. I was, therefore, surprised to find in Mr. Mason’s records

that he had met with examples of the red ant in the stomachs of twenty-one

species of birds. Thisis a powerful array of enemies. It includes the tit.

_ babbler, drongo, shrike, oriole, myna, flycatcher, magpie-robin, ground-thrusb,

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

sparrow, lark, woodpecker, roller, bee-eater, hoopoe, hawk, cuckoo, coucal, par-

tridge and waterhen. When confronted with so formidable a list as this, how can

we say that the Ccophylila is immune? Nevertheless it is only on the rarest

occasions that we ever see them attacked by birds, and if they were really a

tasty morsel they could never thus live exposed on the trees. We must remem-

ber that the red ant is easily identified, and, therefore, would seldom escape

detection in the investigation of the debris from the stomach of a bird. I also

calculate from Mr. Mason’s records that, if the year be divided in half, more than

three times as many ants were taken in the winter than during the summer

months. This suggests that birds will have recourse to such food only when

insects are scarce. The Golden-backed Woodpecker is their essential enemy

and this might naturally have been expected for the bird lives largely on all

kinds of ants. But few would have imagined that the Black Partridge ranked

second in the number of their foes. ;

I have only casually referred to the state of the formicary at different seasons

of the year. The community is active during winter and summer ; unlike many

ants there is no period of complete torpidity ; even in the coldest months their

columns may be seen ascending and descending the trees. In the cold season,

however, they are distinctly more sluggish ; the numbers that join in the streams

are less, and there are fewer habitations to be found upon the trees. Yet even

at this time the larvae exist; all through the cold months some are retained,

and this must be essential to a community which depends on the special machi-

nery of the larvae for keeping their chambers in efficient repair.

In March and April, as the warmth increases, the strength of the colony at the

same time expands. The ants can now be seen at their various industries, —

capturing their victims, tending their cattle, bending and uniting the leaves.

The area of the community also enlarges ; it may send its columns across the

soil to invade the neighbouring trees. The larvae in the nests are increasing in

number, the cattle are becoming more abundant on the foliage, and the time has

arrived for architectural work. In some places byres are under construction,

in others they are being stocked with food, and the complicated machinery of

architecture and provision is working at the highest pitch. Columns of ants

are advancing along the branches ; some are transporting the machinery tor

spinning, others are carrying cattle to the shed, others which support no obvious

burden have their bellies distended with juice. Itis a busy and energetic stream

of workers that toils through these oppressive days.

This industry persists into the rainy season. It lasts until the sexual forms

are reared and have abandoned the parent nest. Then the activity begins

to decline. By August the armies have diminished in numbers. Here and there

the files continue, but the multitude which overspread the foliage in June, has

to a large extent melted away. Withered nests and deserted byres are now

scattered about through the body of the tree ; most of them are empty, having

done their work, and the fresh leafy habitation, teeming with life, is now less

commonly seen. The great business of the year has been satisfactorily performed.

The broods have been reared, the queens despatched ; hence the vigour of the

commune now diminishes and the numerous chambers are no longer required.

Sufficient workers will remain for the toil of winter. The community, though

dwindled, will be kept intact for its reinvigoration in the succeeding year.

The sexual forms are not likely to be met with before the beginning of May.

They are very different in appearance from the ordinary ants. The queen is

immensely larger than the worker and is provided with extensive wings. Her

usual colour is a vivid green which gives her a beautiful and striking appearance.

It is from her that the species receives the name of the smaragdine or emerald

ant. But the queens in this mango-grove were less handsomely adorned.

They belonged to a variety with a yellowish dress. Nome ot them showed a

faint tinge of green, but in the majority the colour was similar, though paler, to

THE RED ANT. 9T7

that of the worker ants. It would be tedious to describe minutely the queen.

I will draw attention merely to her massive size, to her stout and bulky quadran-

gular thorax, to her long satiny transparent wings elegantly patterned with

veins. The male in his structure resembles the queen, and is furnished with

the same type of wings. Heis, however, distinctly darker in colour, being almost

a uniform brown. He is also clothed in a garment of hairs of which the queen

shows only the slightest trace, and in bulk he is, of course, considerably smaller,

being less than that of a worker ant. These are the sexual members of the

commune. There will be a number of each in every nest. The male is but an

agent for the production of fertilization ; the queen has within her the potential

essence for the generation of a new swarm.

Most nests, if examined at the suitable season, will illustrate the mode of

development of the queen. First, we will observe the royal larvae, stout, cylin-

drical, fleshy masses, slightly curved, with blunt extremities, and encircled with

successive rings. They are enormous when compared with the worker larvae,

appearing at least twenty times the size. Second, we will note the naked pupae.

those in the early stages perfectly white, with all the parts well formed and

distinct, the head bowed, the antenne laid close along the middle of the chest,

the legs bent neatly along the sides of the body, and the insect perfectly

motionless and inert as though wrapped in a profound sleep. At a later

stage we observe that the organs of vision appear as distinct points ; the ocellii

from a triangle of brown spots upon the vertex, and the eyes develop into oval

discs on either side of the head. Still later we note that the body darkens so

as to assume a pale yellow tint. <A few fleeting signs of life appear ; the quiv-

ering of the antennze and the trembling of the limbs shows that the royal

insect is waking from her sleep. Then the final stages follow. The wings, hither-

to folded against the sides, are now drawn out of their delicate sheaths. They

are trailed behind like gauzy streamers, limp and helpless without any strength,

not yet being hardened by the roughness of exposure and still white with the

tenderness of youth. This, however, is the final stage. It marks the awakening

of the queen. She now moves feebly through the chambers of the nest. Her

body expands, her limbs become more firm, vigour and rigidity come to her

wings, her colour darkens to a yellowish red, black lines appear along the ner-

vures of her wings and she develops her full muscular strength.

The larvae are fed by the worker ants during the period of their development

in the nest. Indeed there is a special caste of workers associated with this busi-

ness. They are distinctly smaller than the ordinary type ; they do not engage

in the general duties ; they capture no insects, transport no loads, and are rarely

seen in the streams of workers that journey everywhere along the branches of

the trees. These diminutive workers are few in number. Their attentionis

given to the duties of the nursery, where they specially look to the welfare of the

young. They act as nurses to the developing larvae, shifting them about from

chamber to chamber, imbibing the fluid excreted by the cattle and ejecting it

into the nurseling’s mouths. It is not that they alone tend the larvae ; the ordi-

nary workers too associate in the task. Also the smaller ones will enter into

battle. Interfere with the habitation and they will join in its defence fighting

with their diminutive jaws.

A remarkable peculiarity in the development of this ant is the fact that the

larvae remain permanently naked ; they never construct a silken case in which

to rest during their pupal sleep. I have already described the appearance of

these larvae when telling of their use in the architecture of the nest. At this

period, however, they look almost structureless ; later the external appendages

develop and they become naked miniatures of the adult workers, perfect in

all their parts. Each is pearly white in colour with the faintest yellowish tinge.

There is a delicate translucency about its structure; we seem to see into the

substance of the tender tissues, and cannot but admire its simple elegance and its

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

exquisite form and shape. It lies helplessly against the wall of the nest or hangs

passive in its nurse’s jaws. Allits appendages are pressed close against its

beneath its chest ; its antenne lie close along its ventral surface, and its slender

legs, in parallel rows, are acutely bent and pressed tight along its sides. Thus

it lies with no attempt at motion ; to all appearances it is a dead thing. Yet this

is but a passing phase ; it is the wonderful trance of insect youth which will one

day waken into life. :

But its nakedness is the point of interest here. All its delicacy of structure

is completely exposed ; there is not a trace of an enclosing sheath. This is a

most unusual occurrence amongst ants. The rule is for the larva to fashion a

cocoon, a brownish bag of fine-spun silk which it wraps loosely about its body

so as to invest itself on every side. Within this sac its development continues ;.

there it changes from a structureless larva into the perfect form of the ant. All

the steps in the metamorphosis are concealed owing to the enclosing sheath of

silk. But it is otherwise in the case of the cophylla. Here all is naked and

exposed to view ; we can follow the wonderful unfolding process unobscured by

a concealing veil.

It is natural to ask why the larvae of these ants do not sheath themselves in

a pupal case. It is not through deficiency in the power of manufacture, for these

larvae, as we have seen, are expert weavers, capable of constructing the silken

fabric that enters into the walls and partitions of the nest. It might be thought

that, since they expended so much in architecture, they had no more available

for the construction of cocoons. But this can scarcely be a sufficient expla-

nation, for there is a byre-building ant, the Polyrhachis simplex, of which the

larvae both fashion their silk into cases and also weave it into the architecture

of their nests.

I suspect that the explanation of the nakedness of the pupae is to be found

in the nature of their arboreal life. The purpose, I take it, of a pupal case is to

serve as a protection to the developing young. Itis a loose impermeable sheath

of silk which must shield the inmate from physical injuries, perhaps help to —

maintain a uniform temperature, and more especially protect it from damp.

Ants seem particularly susceptible to moisture; if the nest of the Ccophylla

becomes too dry, then the ants will transfer their larvae elsewhere ; if the rain

should permeate the tunnels of the Polyrhachis, then they will migrate to some

drier abode. Now the nests which the red ants establish in the branches are

infinitely less exposed to the effects of moisture than those which other species

construct in the ground. The floods soon percolate into the soil, and the mois-

ture, oozing through its porous substance, invades the galleries of an under-

ground nest. In places it brings destruction to thousands of formicaries ; it —

often compels incessant migrations ; it forces a species, such as the Polyrhachis,

to desert the dwelling dug in the soil and build a new one in the branches of the

trees. But apart altogether from these serious inundations, the underground

nest will be often in jeopardy. There must always be danger from occasional

rainfalls ; at some seasons the walls of the tunnels will be moist, at another

crumbling and dry. Hence the larvae must be shielded from such variations ;

they must be swathed in an impermeable sheath if they are kept in an under-

ground nest.

It is otherwise with the formicaries established in the foliage. The leaves,

by their structure, are impermeable to moisture ; the connecting fabric is of water-

proof material, at least sufficient to keep out the rain. The only possible place

where moisture can enter is through the narrow gateway of the nest. The

larvae live in an impermeable chamber, and are consequently far better protected —

than if surrounded by the porous earth. They have, therefore, no need for individ-

ual encasements, and have abandoned the usual habit of sheltering themselves

in the interior of cocoons.

THE RED ANT, ~ 919

We naturally seek for confirmation of this view. The Polyrhachis is the other

important byre-builder, and we, therefore, expect to find naked larvae

housed in its arboreal nests. But the larvae of the Polyrhachis are well sheathed

in silk ; each is completely hidden from view in a loosely crumpled bag. However,

we must remember that for most of the year the Polyrhachis lives in an under-

ground nest. It evacuates the soil only under stress of moisture, being but a

temporary inhabitant of the trees. Moreover, its arboreal nest is not imper-

meable. It easily becomes waterlogged in heavy rain, The walls are composed

of porous materials, particles of leaves, fragments of stems, often the soft seeds

of grass. These result in a somewhat spongy collection which easily absorbs the

rain. Thus the Polyrhachis, though it makes temporary arboreal habitations,

has not lost the necessity of a pupal case. Its larvae are still subject to the

effects of moisture, and thus differ from those of the red ants which live per- |

manently in watertight nests.

Though the larvae of the red ants have lost the power of constructing individ-

ual cocoons, yet. their silk-producing instinct has in no degree diminished ; it is

only applied to another use. It, no doubt, first originated for the ordinary

purpose, each larvae using its own supply for the manufacture of a personal

sheath. Later it was directed to more altruistic ends. The silk-producing

machinery was not used for themselves; it was introduced as a part of the

general architecture, and thus applied to the well-being of the whole nest.

The last point for consideration is of some practical interest. These ants have

a certain economic value. Their columns, which so perpetually search the

foliage, must in some way affect the existence of the tree. Arboreal mammals

will be driven from the branches, birds will be prevented from nesting in the

leaves. Insects of all kinds will be captured and destroyed ; those special forms

which serve the purpose of cattle, will, on the other hand, be carefully preserved.

Some insects advantageous to the life of the tree, such as those of use for cross

fertilization, may be prevented from fztining such ends. It is more likely,

_ however, that injurious kinds are kept away by the swarms of ants. Leaf-eating

insects and caterpillars and those which tunnel in the wood are sure to be cap-

tured when they invade the tree ; coccids and membracids, which drain the sap

from the shoots, are carried off and collected elsewhere. We know little of the

complex chain in which so many lives are interlinked, but on the whole it would

seem that the presence of the ants makes for the general advantage of the tree.

It may be that both the ants and the tree are equally in each others debt, that the

ants defend the tree from enemies and the tree supplies the ants with shelter and

food.

Mr. Dutt has discussed this question in the agricultural memoirs, and he tells

us there some interesting facts with regard to the relation of this ant to man.

In Eastern Bengal and Assam the red ants area pest. The mango-pickers cannot

climb to collect their fruit and have to break it down with poles. But more

extraordinary is the fact that people eat these ants. The Murries of Bastar

in the Central Provinces are said to use them as a regular food. They collect

the nests, shake out the contents, beat up the insects into a pulpy mass and then

enclose them in a packet of leaves. Each of these packets, about the size of

a goose-egg, is sold for one pice. The squashed ants are then prepared for food.

They are mixed with salt, turmeric and chillies, again ground down with stones,

and then eaten raw or with boiled rice. These facts are quoted by Mr. Dutt

from a communication by Mr. Long. The eater is said to derive resistance

against fatigue and endurance in the sun’s heat. We may possibly doubt these

supposed advantages, but, when we consider the amount of formic acid in these

ants, we will certainly allow good gastric functions to those who can tolerate

such corrosive food.

This concludes what I have to say on the subject of the red ants. If I have

not wearied my readers with the long description, it will be due to the intrinsic

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

interest of the subject, to the multifarious activities of the busy commune and

the wonderful instincts by which the ants are guided in the fulfilment of their

essential ends. ‘“‘ Order is Heaven’s first law.’’ Such indeed do we see exempli-

fied as we watch this ebb and flow of life. We have observed the order in relation

to the seasons, the steady growth in activity and numbers, and then the subse-

quent decline. Each stream shows order in its methodical progress as it flows

from branch to branch. Lach load that is carried has a place in the operations ;

it is a capture on its way to be drained of fluid, a Lecanium about to be lodged in

the enclosure, a larvae brought along for the important business of securing the

walls of a shed. Every bend in the stream is an ordered action, controlled by

that wonderful directive sense through all the turns and complexities of the

march. What order do we not see in the nest-construction, how all combine

in a harmonious union, how the leaves are drawn together with a uniform tension,

how in one place a, worker will strain as an individual, in another place two or

more will link themselves together, how all will maintain the leaves in position

until the larvae have completed their remarkable work. Weseeorder and system

in the taking of the prey, in the tenacity of the first worker that makes the capture,

in the speed with which the reinforcements come to the rescue, and above all

in the stubborn unyielding stretch. So also we observe it in their efficient trans-

portation, and in their regular manner of securing cattle and of herding them

within the sheds. How marvellously methodical is their system of bridges,

either where one ant resigns itself to the general good, or where fifty workers

link themselves together so as to construct a living rope. There is order in their

repeated periods of rest. Though at first sight they seem engaged in ceaseless

toil, yet on close examination we locate the rest-camps in which each ant takes

its temporary rest. Even the defensive army, though it may appear like chaos,

is governed by an ordered plan. It comes forth on the summons of the outside

sentries, 1mpetuously and ferociously engages the enemy, each ant prepared to

render up its life in order to achieve the safety of the nest. ‘There is no confusion

in a colony of ants. Order and system is the guiding law. Each member of the

commune has its allotted place and its duty in the daily toil.

92]

THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA

(INCLUDING THOSE MET WITH IN THE HILL STATIONS

OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY).

; T. R. BELL, ¢.1.E., 1.8.8. (Retd.)

(Continued from page 717 of this Volume.)

Part XXXI.

Family—HsrEriin a—continued,

Genus 7.—SARANGESA.

This genus is characterised as under in the Lepidoptera Indica

Vol. X, p. 88 :—

Antenne.—Very slender, about two-thirds lengths of costa of fore wing ; club

moderate, slightly recurved.

Palpi.—Porrect, third joint short, bluntly conical.

Hind tibie.—With two pairs of spurs. In the male with tuft of hairs attach-

ed to proximal end.

Fore wing.—Vein 12 ends on costa a little before end of the cell; discocellu-

lars suberect, the lower the longer; vein 3 from close below lower end of cell,

2 from about one-third from base; median vein slightly curved up between

bases of 2 and 3. Cell less than two-thirds length of costa; costa gently arched

with outer margin convex, shorter than the hinder margin as a rule (in dan it is

equal to it); hinder margin straight.

Hind wing.—Discocellulars very faint, apparently in one quite straight line,

of about equal length ; vein 3 from very close to lower end of cell, 2 from a little

beyond the middle; costa slightly arched, apex rounded, outer margin somewhat

sinuous ; wing about as broad as long.

Egg.—Dome-shaped, the height about two-thirds the breadth, very slightly

constricted at the base, the top very slightly depressed ; green or yellowish in

colour ; shining, the surface sculptured by 14 or 15 meridional ribs that are

somewhat coarse, minutely beaded.

Larva.—Spindle-shaped, fattest in the middle, somewhat narrowed in the anal

end, broader in the fore end where the neck is narrow compared to the some-

what bullet-shaped, bilobed, dark-brown head with a rugose surface. The sur-

face of the larva covered with tiny feathered hairs only visible under a lens. The

colour olive-green of a darkish shade, sometimes brownish with always a white

collar consisting of nearly the whole of segment 2.

Pupa.—Not very stout, fattest in middle, pointed at anal end, rather broad

and square in front, the frons convex but not actuaily beaked ; with a triangular

cremaster, prominent spiracular expansions to segment 2 and the proboscis

produced free beyond the ends of wings. The colour green or yellowish brown

with a greyish “‘ bloom ”’ caused by a copious clothing of minute, erect hairs

all over the body.

Habits—tThe eggs are laid on the top or underside of a leaf, on a

leaf-bud or stalk. The larva makes a cell by turning over a small

portion from the edge on to the top, the shape of this “lid” being

triangular ; it is fixed lightly down and coated on the inside or

underside with a carpet of white silks upon which the larva lies with

its back towards the main leaf-surface, its head turned round on its

side. Later on it continues this mode of living but, often, makes

a cell out of a hanging or caught up withered leaf with no particular

922 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX. ‘

shape. The pupation takes place in such a cell as a very general rule.

The pupa is attached by the tail strongly. The butterfly flies near

the earth, is active, quick, resting on the upper surface of leaves,

close to the ground ; flies strongly but not for any length of time at

a flight, returning to the same perch again and again; basks with the

wings horizontally outspread in the sun, sometimes even on the bare

ground or ona stone and generally rests in that position, although.

at night it sits on the underside of leaves but always keeping the

wings spread. The larva feed upon dicotyledonous plants of the

families Acanthaceew and Amarantacee. |

207. Sarangesa dan, (Fabricius).—Male. Upperside.— Rufous-brown.

Fore wing, with three small, semihyaline, subapical dots from near costa in

interspaces 6, 7, 8, the middle one the smallest and most innermost ; in some

specimens one or both the lower absent ; a large semihyaline spot in end of cell,

its inner side straight, its outer side deeply excavated and sometimes this exca-

vation dividing it into two, of which then the upper is only half the length of the

lower which is elongated ; a small spot between this cell-spot and costa; a small

Square or round spot near base of interspace 3 ; a much larger one inside this last

in interspace 2 touching it with its outer, upper side ; and a minute spot, some-

times two below them in interspace 1, one above the other; all these spots slightly

tinged with ochreous, brilliantly golden-ochreous in one incidence of light,

all varying much in size in different examples ; some brownish, indistinct marks

on the wing decipherable as a subbasal transverse band, a post discal band

highly excurved towards apex with the subapical dots on its upper part and a

submarginal band ; base of wing with ochreous hairs ; the inner margin with a

short fringe of similar hairs. Hind wing with a basal, indistinct brown trans-

verse band ; a subbasal similar band including a spot in cell; a medial curved

similar one con-joining the subbasal at costa and a very slight marginal brown

one. Cilia of both wings brown, those of the hind wing chequered faintly in

some specimens ; the fore wing with a light area just above tornus. Underside.—

Like the upperside but duller ; both wings with the markings of the upperside.

The hind wing has a clothing of long, ochreous hairs from base outwards, reaching

the outer margin on hinder half of wing and the abdominal margin has a fringe

of shorter ones. Female.—Similar to male but with the hyaline spots, on the

whole, always smaller, and always silvery-looking. Antenne with the shatt

brown, ochreous above, clearer ochreous below the club; club black, the upperside _

greyish ; palpi light-ochreous above and below as well as the head and the

underside of body ; the legs have the tarsi with pinkish tinge. The tuft on

hind legs of male is more orange.

Larva.—The larva is in shape a fat one, fining towards both ends

which are comparatively narrow ; the anal flap is semielliptical, slightly longer

than a semicircle, sloping at an angle of 30° ; segment 13 a little broader rather

than one-third its length in the middle, for this 13th segment is curved con-

vexly backwards, being thus broadest in the dorsal line; segment 12 broader

again than this latter and only a little more than twice the length in dorsal line ;

segment 11 twice the length of segment 12 and again slightly broader than it.

The body comes to a distinct neck at front margin of segment 2 and the head

is, as usual with skippers, a large one compared to this neck; the legs are all well

tucked under the body ; the whole larva generally sits humped up in the middle ~

with its head turned round on its side. The head is perfectly heart-shaped, the

dorsal line being considerably depressed below the rounded lobe-summits though

not broadly, less depressed of course down the face; the clypeus is triangular

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 923

and not small, also depressed ; the surface is very rugose in irregular raised longi-

- tudinal broken, uneven lines and is clothed with silky appressed hairs though not

very densely ; the surface is shining ; the labrum and ligula are, like the whole

head, dark chocolate or brown, the eyes, jaws and antennal second joint the same,

the basal joint also. The spiracles are very broadly oval, nearly round, whitish

in colour, small, those of segments 11,12 slightly larger, that of segment 2 the

largest. The surface of the body is covered all over with minute, short hairs to

the extent of about 4 or 5 to the linear millimetre, each with a thickened, rounded

top, those round the margin of the anal flap being comparatively long; each

hair rising from a little white dot : they are white themselves, these hairs ; there

is a longer, simple hair sticking out backwards from the edge of the anal flap-

- margin in the lateral region on each side; the prolegs, claspers and true legs

have also longer, simple hairs on them. The colour of the larva is, when full

grown, olive-green with an indigo-coloured, narrow, dorsal, pulsating line or

band ; the front half of segment 2 whitish and shining. In the earlier stages

the tint is much browner, approaching in some cases rusty, the white colour

very conspicuous then. L: 20 mm.; B: 45 mm. at middle ; half that at

segment 13. There is an indistinct lateral and spiracular white line, very

thin and inconspicuous.

Pupa.-—The chrysalis 1s light green, slightly covered with a white ‘ bloom,”

covered with fine, more or less erect, fairly densely arranged hairs with shortly

curved points except on wings; stout, with a humped thorax and spiracles of

segment 2 with a semicircular, prominent small, furred, chocolate-coloured

expansion behind each. It is of the ordinarv shape, that is of transverse cir-

cular section, slightiy constricted somewhat shallowly and broadly Jaterally

at middle, more conspicuously dorsally because of the humped thorax ; the cre-

master has a very short and transverse base, the suspensory portion oblong,

somewhat bend down, the suspensory hooklets arranged along truncated extre-

mity, the whole member rather stout, the edges or margins thickened leaving

the dorsal line broadly depressed, ventral extensor ridges slight and produced

forwards, at first diverging, then curving round towards each other but not

meeting ; segment 13 transverse, half the length of the whole cremastral segment;

12 somewhat longer than 13, though not much; 11 than 12. Head rather

small, bowed, the frons prominently convex between the prominent eyes, in

a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of pupa ; the vertex nearly square

between the bases of antenn*, in a plane at an angle of 30° to that axis; the

eyes bulging, longer than broad with a depressed, broad, shining, smooth band

across middle perpendicular to the length of eye. Segment 2 about the same

length as head-vertex and, like it, somewhat convex dorsally (in sense of length) ;

thorax at first ascending from segment 2 in the same plane, then curving

broadly up to apex and down again to hinder margin, the apical point being

about two-third its whole length from front margin ; its hinder margin elliptically

curved towards segment 4, meeting the wing-margins in a very broadly-curved,

open angle of about 90° ; segment 4, therefore, long laterally, half the length in

dorsal line ; abdominal dorsal line straight thence to segment 12; ventral line

slightly convex in extreme half of wings then gently curved to cremaster ; the

proboscis produced free beyond ends of wings to hinder margin of segment

9, the pupal surface somewhat depressed to receive it. Spiracles of segment

2 indicated by a linear, short, brown line on common margin of segments 2 and

3, with a semicircular (slightly higher however than broad) lappet or expansion

behind it and immediately contiguous to it and perpendicular to the pupal sur-

face, thickest at base, facing forwards, the surface of this little body being silky-

plush-like and deep chocolate in colour; the other spiracles of ordinary size,

- broadly oval, slightly raised, brown. The surface of pupa is shining, though not

excessively so, the wings have the veins thinly(gradually) raised, the whole surface

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

with the exception of these wings and a fairly broad hinder (bevilled) margin

to segments 8-10 and front margin to segments 9-11 covered with the fine, erect

straight hairs with little curved tips mentioned above, like a sort of down, that

on dorsum being perhaps slightly inclined backwards, that on head, eyes (with

the exception of the band across them which is smooth) being longer than rest

slightly, each hair-proceeding from a tiny brown spot. Colour green with a

white “ bloom” dotted with brown. L: 16 mm.; B: slightly over 4mm, at

middle.

Habiis—The young larva cuts a piece out of the centre of a leaf,

either young or mature, turns it over on to the top—it is often trian-

gular in shape—and fixes it down with silks all round, leaving an

opening for emergence and entrance ; it coats this piece with silk and

lives upside-down on the piece ; lying always humped and contracted

with its head turned round on its side it is always sluggish. After-

wards, in the second stage; it turns over a larger piece; after that it

lives in folded leaves which wither, and it attaches them to the plant

to prevent them falling to the ground. It pupates in such leaves

which it does not cover with silk inside to any extent. The pupa is

attached strongly by the tail and by a rather loose body-band which

in its turn is fastened by the middle by a silk to the top of the cell, the

body band being fastened to the sides, one on each side of the pupa.

The pupa moves lazily from side to side when disturbed, the motion

being from the segment margins, or in the intersegmental mem-

branes of segments 8, 9; 9, 10 and 10, 11. A lot of larvee were

obtained in the Chandwadi evergreen, in North Kanara and round

it at Christmas, in the Supa Petha, at 1,500' elevation. The butterfly

is not uncommon in the District above Ghats and frequents the big

jungles where there is a heavy monsoon rainfall and where the

ground-vegetation practically never dries up. It keeps altogether to

the underwood where it may be seen on leaves close to the ground,

its wings outstretched horizontally, basking in the sun-patches that

come through the overhead leaf-canopy. It rests generally on the

undersides of leaves and is not commonly to be seen although the

larvee are plentiful enough. The flight is very similar to that of the

insects Sarangesa dasahara and purendra; the larva is also extremely

like those of that genus. All the specimens of the imago that occur

in Kanara District in Bombay are golden-brown in colour and much

brighter than those figured by Colonel Swinhoe in Lepidoptera

Indica, vol. x, pl. 773, figs 2 to 2d; the male, also, invariably has the

larger hyaline spots on the fore wing. The foodplant of the larva is

amarantaceus (of the family Amarantacew) and is known by the

natives as Agadha. Its scientific name is Achyranthes aspera and

it may be known by its very elongated spikes of small, sessile, hooked

fruits that stick to the clothes as one walks through it-—it 1s often

gregarious; the flowers are very small and inconspicuous, the

leaves rather large and obovate with soft pubescence. Colonel

Swinhoe, in his book says “ Habitat : Southern India, Burma, Siam,

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 925

Malay Peninsula. Distribution ; the type came from Tranquebar in

S. India; we took it at Mahableshwar and in several parts of the

Bombay District and we have it from Coorg, Ootacamund in the

Nilgiris, Rangoon, the Meplay Valley and Siam; Distant records it

from Perak, Manders from the Shan States, Elwes from the Karen

Hills, Moulmein and Tenasserim, Watson from the Chin Hills,

Moore from Mergui, Wood-Mason and de Nicéville from Cachar,

Davidson, Bell and Aitken from Kanara, Evans from the Palni Hills

and Fergusson from Travancore. We give figures of the two extreme

forms ; they may be seasonal but we have no evidence to prove it.

Unfortunately Davidson, Bell and Aitken did not figure the larva

and pupa.’ This omission has been remedied long ago but the

figures have not been published ; they are still waiting.

208. Sarangesa purendra, (JMoore).—Pl. N. figs. 83¢, 83a 92.—Male.

Upperside dark vinaceous blackish-brown. Fore wing with three subapical

dots of equal size in a curve from near costa, a bar across the cell near its end,

its outer side deeply excavated ; a small spot between it and costa; another

immediately outside its lower end with a short linear spot below it; all whitish

and semihvaline. Hind wing with a spot at end of cell with a discal and marginal

band all very little darker than the ground colour and very indistinct. Cilia

of both wings brown alternated with grey, touched with a little whitish above

the tornal angle of fcre wing. Underside : —Paler than the upperside with the

markings similar ; an additional, whitish, indistinct spot on the fore wing towards

the base of the internomedial interspace. Antenne black with white dots

on the shaft and a whitish streak on the underside below the club ; palpi, head

and body above blackish-trown ; on the underside the palpi are grey ; pectus

and legs with grey hairs.—Female. Upperside.—Similar to the male, the semi-

hyaline spots on the fore wing a httle larger. Underside :—paler than in the

male. Forewing with the whitish spots larger. Hind wing with a whitish

spot at end of cell, a discal series of whitish, lunular spots and a few more indis-

tinct whitish spots inside the wing. Expanse: 32mm. to 35mm. (Swinhoe.

Lepidoptera Indica, vol. X, p. 89.)

It is probable that all the specimens from which Colonel Swinhoe

described the species were caught insects and that none of them

were bred. The following description is from a series of fifty bred

specimens from Kanara :—

Male. Fore wing. Upperside with white, short, decumbent hairs sparsely

disposed from base to middle of wing. stopping before the discal markings ;

the outer half beyond discal markings similarly clothed, sometimes more densely

but always leaving a broad terminal border more or less without them; this

white hair-scaling giving a distinct greyish look to the portions having it; the

usual short fringe of brown-black hair along inner margin. Cilia brown broadly

at ends of veins, leaving the intervals narrowly white sullied with brown ; the

cilia at apex and above tornal angle rather prominently white. There are the

three semihyaline, subapical spots mentioned in Swinhoe’s description above ; the

bar at end of cell which is, however, not excavated on the outside, sometimes

shallowly and widely ; the spot above the bar on costa; a spot below the bar in

interspace 2 outside end of bar, about as broad as that bar and filling the whole

breadth of interspace; a small spot outside the upper, outside corner of this

last in interspace 3; besides: a small spot or dot, joined to the inside lower

corner of the spot in interspace 2, in the upper part of interspace 1 with another

dot inside and under in the lower part of the same interspace 1; often, algo,

926 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1X,

finally, another similar spot or dot inwards half way towards base of wing from

this last and in the same interspace 1. All these spots and dots are shaded with —

black, discal markings on_ their inside borders, the subbasal spot (the last

mentioned) on its outside edge,the subapical also on the outside, Beyond the grey

hair-scaling the outer part of the wing is, as said above, broadly dark-blackish

with pale dots showing through by transparency so to speak from the under-

side in a submarginal series in interspaces 1 (two in this) to 8 and even 9 (the

9 spot then above the top preapical series of three semihyaline white spots),

those in interspace 1 quite marginal as also those in 2 and 3; those in 4 and

5 a little in from margin, those in 6, 7, 8 still further in; parallel to this submargin-

al series there is a faint postdiscal series of four of which two are in interspace

1 and one each in 2and 3. All these submarginal and post discal spots are very

faint but the submarginal ones of interspace 1 are generally a little clearer than

the others as are also those in interspaces 4, 5 while the post discal dots are always

blurred. The basal third of the cilia is always brown. Hind wing clothed

sparsely with much longer white hairs, those in the inside area longest, standing

away from the surface; the fringe along abdominal margin-edge short and

brown with white tips. The wing is of the same ground colour exactly as the

fore wing and has a subbasal series of three blackish, rather large, very indis- —

tinct spots of which the central one is in the cell, the top one in interspace 7, the

bottom one in | ; a postmedia! series of similar dark spots but rather elongated

and quite complete ; all the white spots of underside showing through obscurely-

pale except the one in the middle of cell which is more or less distinct but small.

Cilia exactly as on fore wing except that the white intervals are more extensive,

their bases brown. Underside :—Much paler than the upperside, the black borders

to the spots showing darker against the ground colour and slightly extended-

suffused. Forewing with the subapical three dots confluent, the cell-bar

confluent with the spot above it; all the other semihyaline white spots similar —

to those of the upperside ; the four white spots in interspaces 1 (two in this), 2

and 3 of the postdiscal series blurred-white or yellowish but distinct ; those of

the submarginal series on the whole better defined also, those in interspace | and

4, 5 quite distinct but very small, white, the upper occasionally yellowish as

are the apical ones of the series—the dots in interspaces 2, 3 are nearly absent or

very feebly expressed in all cases ; there is a white streak from the origin of

vein 2 inwards along the vein to base of wing often reduced to a spot at end

(below origin of vein 2); the internomedian interspace is very pale brown through-

out ; the base of wing with a clothing of sparse, longish decumbent white hairs

and a few white scales. Hind wing of the same shade as fore wing with similar

white hairs at base and white scales in posterior part as far as anal angle; with the

following white or yellowish-white spots: a subbasal or antemedial series of three,

one in interspace 7 one in the upper part of cell and an obscure one in interspace

1; a postmedia!l series in a curve parallel to outer margin, quite complete, the first

or uppermost in interspace 7, one in each of the interspaces 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and

a pairin 1; between these two series there is a thin white bar on the discocellulars

with a streak-spot beyond in interspaces 4 and 5 with a slight blurred spot above

them in 6 and a series of three more below in interspaces 2 and 1; so that there

is really a sequence of three transverse bands of spots ; antemedial, medial and

postmedial ; there is always an attempt at a fourth series, marginal, also, but it

is nearly always limited to two in interspace | and one in interspace 2 ; the margin

thinly darker. The ‘“ streak-spots ” are elongated spots in interspaces 4, 5, and,

curiously enough, on the underside of the fore wing, the same interspaces are

often whitish postmedially resembling two streaks corresponding to those on

the hind wing. Antenne the same colour as wings, ringed with white all up the

shaft, the club black with the ventral side of its base extending a short way down

shaft ochreous-whitish head, palpi, body concolorous with wings above;

below the palpi, pectus or breast and abdomen are white. The long fringe~itis —

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 921

hardly a tuft—on the tibia of the hind legs is light-ochreous in colour.--- Female.

Very like the male in colour but darker on the upperside, with a slight russet

tinge on the underside. Markings identical; also antenne, &c, Expanse:

30 mm.

Egg.—Dome-shaped, broadest just above the base, slightly flattened on top

ribs of 0.05 mm width and 0.03 in height, rounded, rough ; none of these ridges

reach further than the edge of the concave area surrounding the micropyle which

is only very slightly depressed and is 0.1 mm in diameter, circular ; every alter-

nate rib finished well short of the others; besides this the surface is shining,

cross-rayed between the ribs with little, parallel, equally-spaced lines which are

0.05 mm. apart and about 0°0125 mm. in width, very low; all these ribs and

eross-rays become more or less obsolescent towards the base of the egg ; the

distance between the ribs at the broadest part is 0.1 mm and between the cross-

rays of two adjacent ribs 0.175 mm. Colour is light-green when laid, turning red

before thelarva emerges; the ribs are all white, the cross-rays green like the

ground-colour. B: 0.7 5mm; H: 0.5 mm.

Larva.—The shape of the larva is that of a spindle, the transverse section of seg-

ments 2 to 12 is circular, the body is much fattest in the middle, the ventrum

is, however, somewhat flattened, the ventral surface separated from the dorsal

half-segments by a slight ridge or fold immediately below the spiracular line ;

the anal segment is rather long, in shape a parabola, the end rounded ; segment

13 well-developed ; segment 2 is rosey-whitish, shining, the front margin

straight, as long as segment 3 but narrower; there is a distinct neck and the head

is comparatively very large, round in shape witha distinct though narrow,

shallow sinus on the vertex in dorsal line dividing it into two, well-defined broadly

rounded (on the vertex of each) lobes, the surface shining, rugose and covered

with minute, decumbent, fan-shaped bunches of short, translucent-white hairs,

each fan being made up of five or six rays or hairs all pointing downwards ; it

is really broadly heart-shaped ; the true clypeus is equilateral, triangular, the

apex acute, the length about half the height of face, the sides slightly con-

vex outwards; the false clypeus outside reaches three-quarters the height of

- the head, similarly triangular, a broad stripe rather difficult to make out ; labrum

transverse, shining red-brown, one-third the length of the true clypeus ; ligula

the same length as labrum, red-brown with a wide, frontal, triangular sinus or

emargination set with a few stiff, short, rusty-red hairs on the edge ; antennal

basal joint blackish red-brown as also the second joint; mandibles dark red-brown

broad, strong and with their cutting-edges obscurely toothed; the eyes are

arranged numbers 1, 2 close together, 3 a little further apart, 4 still further away,

6 about as far from 4 as 4 is from 3, number 5 behind and somewhat nearer

6 than 4 , forming a triangle with these two, numbers | to 6 in a slight curve

convex forwards, all blackish ; colour of head deep red-brown ; the small fans

are really cup-shaped bodies with thin, hair like rays from a small conical tuber-

cle surmounted by a thin stem, about 0.05 mm in height or length, the fan

0.05mm. in diameter, the space between two ray-ends being about 0.15 mm.

all translucent-white ; surface of body is minutely pitted and covered with small,

short, transparent-looking star-topped hairs as above described ; the segments

all well-marked and thin, parallel, impressed lines transversely across body in

front of the hinder margin of each segment, 3 or 4 to each, the free margin of

anal segment set with some 8 or 10 longish, simple hairs as well as having some

longer-stemmed (than the rest of the body) star-topped ones; bases of pro-

legs and true legs also with fine, simple hairs. Spiracles oval, small but well

defined slightly raised, yellow-brownish. Colour of body a dark, blackish olive-

green with a dark, dorsal, pulsating line and a fine, rather faint, lateral longi-

tudinal line; segment 2 rosey-whitish ; ventrum a shade or two lighter. L:

21 mm.; B: 4.5 mm. at middle.

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

Pupa.—This is, in shape, like that of Sarangesa dasahara: eyes prominent,

square in front and bioad, the frons cf the head slizhtly ‘“‘bossed ”’ with a small,

round, hemispherical swelling ; the breadth of the pupa at the eyes is broader

than that at the shoulders or, at any rate, quite as broad ; the lateral outline

behind the shoulder parallel-sided as far as ends of wings with a slight dorsal

constriction at segment 5 and a slighter, longer, lateral one between those

points ; head bowed, the frons prominent strongly between the eyes, in a plane

perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body ; vertex inclined at an angle

of 30° to that axis with the dorsal ascents of segment 2 and the front of thorax,

the hinder margin straight, the length rather greater than that of segment 2 ;

this latter segment a transverse piece with straight hinder margin, as long as

segment 4; the thorax broadly humped, the apex close to the hinder

margin, the same height more or less from about one-quarter behind front

margin to one-quarter before the hinder margin, the falling to the slight con-

strictions, the hinder margin a short parabolic curve meeting the wing in an

open, well-rounded angle of something under 90° ; segment 4 is one-fifth the

length of thorax in the dorsal line ; 5 slightly shorter ; segment 6 quite twice as

long as 4 (this segment has the hinder margin broadly curved backwards, that

of segment 5 less curved) ; segment 6 has the hinder margin straight ; the portions

of segments 9, 10 not included in the bevilled margins are short, the bevilled

margins are smooth ; 11 behind the bevilled front margin is also short ; 12 has

the dorsal line inclined to the axis of pupa at an angle of about 30° ; 13 inclined

at 452 ; segments 11, 12, 13 coequal in length but narrowing backwards of

course ; 14 is composed of an anterior, broad, triangular portion and a much

narrower, oblong, equally long, terminal moiety. Surface covered with erect,

fine, light hairs all over, the end-halves strongly curved but without

branchings, about 0.2 mm. in length, some form minute, dark depressions or dots;

the wings shining, the rest covered with a blue-glaucous “‘ bloom ”’; proboscis

free after ends of wings as far as segment 11, fore legs reaching one-third of

length of wings towards their ends, mid legs about two-thirds, antennz between

the two ; there are no signs of any inserted parts between the two halves of pro-

boscis near base or between it and fore legs ; the clypeus is small, diamond-

shaped and longer than broad ; the extensor ridges of cremaster ventrally meet

forwards making a completely enclosed circular space round the scars of the

claspers ; the suspensory hooked shaftlets are bunched at extremity of cremaster

and orange in colour, short; the segments are all well-marked and the wing-veins

are obtusely prominent. Spiracles of segment 2 are very prominent semicircular

processes, dark-brown and spongy-looking, facing forwards with a diameter

quite as great as half the length of segment 2; the other spiracles are small,

broadly oval, prominent, with central, depressed slits, soiled, dull orange in

colour. The colour of the pupa is rather dark yellowish-brown with the

bloom above mentioned ; thorax and head darker. L: 14 mm.; B: somewhat

over 4 mm.

Habits.—The eggs are laid singly anywhere on a leaf or leaf-stalk,

the larva, emerging, immediately makes itself a house, turning over

a triangular part of the leaf from the edge. It does not eat the shell

of the egg and emerges through a hole towards the apex which it

eats through from inside. Later on, as it grows larger it makes new

cells which are always only lightly fixed down round the edges; in the

last stage, when full-grown, it prefers making its home in the middle of

two or three withered leaves which it binds together strongly with

silks, often choosing a dead leaf and a couple of green ones ; 1t pupates

in this, fixing itself by the tail firmly and throwing a band round the

body in the usual position ; the inside of the cell or house is generally

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA, 929

lined thinly with web or silks. This skipper has the same habits

exactly as Sarangesa dasahara frequenting similar places and flying

m a similar manner, resting in the same positions and generally

occurring in similar numbers together with that species. Many

specimens were bred in the Kanara District in Bombay on species

of Asystasia (Acanthaceae) both in the dry weather as well as in the

monsoon. It is found there from sea level up to 2,000' in the Ghats.

This species is most similar to the Sarangesa purendra figured by

Swinhoe in plate 778, figures 3, 3a and 3b in Lepidoptera Indica,

volume X. Fresh specimens are, however, much blacker and the

undersides of the hind wings are dotted with white more like his

S. satv on the following plate. These butterflies (Sarangesa dasahara

when fresh is just as black) fade very much with time and become

earthen coloured. Swinhoe says purendra is a common species all

over India; “‘ Moore records it from Bombay, Umballa, Kasaoli and

Kangra; we took it at Bombay, Poona, Mhow, Karachi and Hyderabad,

Sind; we have it also from Ranikhet, Dehra Dun, Pachmari and

_ Karwar where Davidson, Bell and Aitken bred it ; de Rhé-Philipe

records it from Masuri, Betham from Matheran, Hannyngton from

Kumaon, Doherty from Kunawar. It does not appear to extend into

Burma or Ceylon.” (Swinhoe, Lepidoptera indica, vol. x, p. 90).

_ The male and female butterflies are represented on plate N, figures

83 and 83a respectively. While the female is a good colour in the

picture, the male is far too red although it has, in nature, a slight tint

of the red in the brown, as compared to the female, on the underside.

The actual insects from which the paintings were made were certainly

not Kanara specimens and came most probably from the neighbour.

hood of Bombay or north of that.

209. Sarangesa dasahara. (Moore).—Male. Upperside.—Coloured like

S. purendra, a little darker. Fore wing with three similar subapical dots ;

a small dot at the upper end of the cell with another above it ; a very indistinct,

discal band and a similar middle band both slightly darker than the ground

colour. Hind wing with indications of a discal and marginal band. Underside :-

Much paler, the bands consequently more pronounced, the hind wing with some

grey suffusion between the band and along the abdominal area, caused by

minute, greyish-white scaling. Cilia as in S. purendra.—Female. Similar

to the male but, in the fore wing, there is an additional dot below the cell, all

three being in a line and a dot in the interspace 3 a little before its middle.

Underside :—Similarly marked, the coloration and bands as in the male. Ex-

panse up to 35mm. |

The above is Swinhoe’s descripti n. In Lepidoptera Indica, Vol.

X, p. 90, he says that the types came from Bengal and that the species

_ seems to be common all over India but, apparently, by his enumera-

_. tion of localities from which he has seen specimens, he has not had

it from anywhere in Peninsular India except Ganjam on the east

coast and Travancore south of Bombay Presidency on the west coast.

His above description is meagre and, judging by bred specimens of

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

which we have half a hundred available, based upon inadequate num-

bers. He has erected a species, the one following S. dasahara in the

book, which he has named S. davidsont from Mahableshwar and

Karwar (this latter in Kanara) and gives descriptions of the larva, pupa

and habits from ‘ Davidson, Bell and Aitken in the Journal of the

Bombay Natural History Society, Vol. XI, 1897, p. 34.” Davidson,

Bell and Aitken called it S. dasahara and it is difficult to say how the

mistake arose, for mistake there certainly is. The insect that occurs

in Kanara is certainly not S. davidsom, Swinh. A description of

it is as follows, taken from the fifty specimens ; if it is not S. dasahara,

then it must be a new species and dasahara does not exist in the

District of Kanara.

Male. Fore wing. Upperside-Vinaceous—blackish-brown, certainly dar-

ker than in S. purendra because there are no grey hair-scales on either wing ;

they are replaced by much fewer yellow hair-scales on the fore wing and by

brown hairs on the hind wing. Fore wing with the three subapical, semi-

hyaline spots, two spots towards end of cell, the upper triangular, and some-

times joined to the lower by its lower angle, the two then forming one spot

deeply excavated on the outer side ; a somewhat smaller spot between these and

the costa ; a white, semihyaline dot towards the base of interspace 3 half way

between the cell-spots and the subapical spots, on a level with the lower of the

former ; another in the middle of interspace 2 about half way between the cell

spot and the one in 3; a transverse medial (cr very nearly) band from inside

the cell-spots to inner margin appearing somewhat macular and a similar trans-

verse, postmedial band somewhat oblique, beginning rather broad inside the

subapical spots, including the dots in interspaces 2 and 3, to inner margin

before tornal angle, the inner margin in continuation and a marginal band up

again to apex in further continuation, all darker than the ground colour; the |

interval between the postmedial and marginal bands often lighter than the

ground colour because of ochreous scales; a fringe of short, dark hairs along

inner margin, Hind wing with the following dark transverse bands: an ante-

medial, much excurved one, consisting of a large spot in interspace 7, another

at end of cell and filling it, a third in median interspace by abdominal fold ;

a postmedial series of spots beginning with one in interspace 7 below middle of

costa, excurved in the middle of wing, with a spot in each interspace 6, 5, 4, 3,

2 and two spots in interspace 1, the band practically continuous and some-

what irregular—that is not always. exactly symmetrical in two specimens ;

the abdominal margin fringed on its edge with white hairs. Underside: Paler

on the fore wing with some ochreous hairs at base, the semihyaline, white

spots as on upperside, the dark, transverse bands rather more obscure ; with a

pale streak from origin of vein 2 inwards under the vein to base. On the hind

wing much paler ochreous-greyish because of a plentiful sprinkling of hairs

Cilia of fore wing brown practically with apex tipped white and interval between

veins 1 and 2 above tornus also white-tipped ; on the hind wing broadly yellow-

ish-white with the bases brown.—Female. Like the male in every respect,

perhaps a wee bit lighter in colour, the markings similar. Antenne in both

sexes concolorous with upperside of wings, ringed with white, the club black

with the tip whitish below and the shaft also at its distal end ; palpi ochraceous

below as also the pectus, the third joint and upperside of palpi and the head

concolourous with upperside of wings; body and abdomen also concolorous

with upperside of wings above; below ochreous but with, in the male, grey

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 931

black hairs on the thorax; the legs brownish; the tuft of hairs on the hind

tibia of male black amongst the ochreous fringe. Expanse: 30mm., the same

for both sexes.

In small specimens the two cell-spots are well separated and the dots in

interspaces 2 and 3 on the fore wing are entirely wanting both above and below.

All these specimens, from which the above description is taken, unfortunately,

were bred in the rains. In the dry weather, doubtless the colour would be

lighter, possibly the spots smaller (or larger?) and some of them might

_ possibly be wanting.

Egg.—The egg isin shape a dome, circular, the base as broad as the diameter

_ further up the sides. The surface is shining, minutely tuberculate generally and

sculptured by 14 meridional ridges of which 7 reach a flat, circular surface that

- forms the apex and is likewise tuberculate in the same way as the rest; these

0:075mm. in diameter.

ridges coarse and high, 0-025 mm. in breadth by 0°05 mm, in height, separated

by an interspace of 0°2 mm. in the middle of the sides of the egg ; the surface is

also cross-rayed by low, paralleled rays between these ridges in the top one-third,

not cross-rayed on the rest of the surface ; the ridges are all rough-tuberculate ;

the longer ridges are 015mm. longer than the shorter and, as a rule, between

these; the flat—it is slightly concave—space on apex is between 0°1 ad

The colour of the egg isa soiled, light yellowish or

extremely light brown all over. H. 0°9mm.; B. 0°65mm. with the meridicn-

prominence, the B. without them is 0°055mm.

Larva.—This is of exactly the same shape and type as the larva of Coladenia

dan. The body is fattest in the middle, circular in transverse section from

segment 2 to segment 12-end, the analend rather fine, the neck or segment 2

about the same width as segment11; segment 13a transverse distinct piece

little shorter in the dorsal line than segment 12 but having a curved hinder

margin, convexly produced in a curve towards analsegmentfrom the spiracular

_ region on one side to the same on the other ; the anal segment slightly narrower,

as long as 13 and 12 together, consisting of a basal transverse, short piece with

a semicircular longer piece in continuation, this semicircular piece convex trans-

versely with four longish reddish hairs directed horizontally out backwards from

its margin, one on each side dorsolateral, one spiracular, the hairsas long as

segment 13; segment 11 one third as long again as segment 12; segment 10 longer

still ; the prolegs and true legs all short, the ventral surface flattened as usual so

that the “ transverse section ”’ of the larva is not really circular as stated above—

in larval descriptions we have generally called it so, however. Head as broad

as segment 3 at front margin and as high, higher and broader than segment

2; more or less quadrate in shape though slightly broader above than at

mouth, with a very gradual, shallow sinus on vertex leaving each lobe broadly

rounded there; the surfaceis shining, rather coarsely cellular-rugose, the

dividing lines or ridgesrather broad, each depression between them set with a

single, decumbent, longly feathered, white, shining hair which is about as long

as the depression and the feathers about half as long in the middle of the hair,

getting smaller towards the tip ; the clypeus is triangular, equilateral about one-

third the height of the face; thefalse clypeus about two-thirds the height of

the face very broad, are-shaped but longer than broad; the labrum is transverse,

| narrow, lightish ; the ligula small ; the antennal joint both dark-brown-reddish,

the mandibles the same, the eyes black; a few longer hairs, simple, about

mouth-opening. Surface of larvais dull, smooth, the skin thin, covered with

minute, well-spaced, short, rather long-stemmed, star-topped hairs that are

_ lightin colour and have the rays of the stars consisting of many single

hair-like processes; some of these hairs being surrounded by a _ whitish,

| slightly raised, circular, collapsed tubercle or something like it; those on

_ the extreme segments 13, 14 form redbrown, lowly conical, shining tubercles—

few, funny looking, oval, larger, very lowly-convex, glassy turbercles surrounded

932 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XAIX,

by a thin line on segment 14 where the hairs are all longer than anywhere else and

where, also, there are 4 much longer hairs pointing backwards—as mentioned

in front of hinder margin. Spiracles small. oval, nearly flush, whitish ; those of

segments 2 and 12 larger. Colour of the larva is brownish olive-green with

a spiracular, white, thin, somewhat interrupted line and a dark, sometimes inter-

rupted, dorsal line ; the paired bodies between segments 9,10 yellowish, large (in

the male); the anal segment yellowish, the segments 3, 4 pinkish headed ;

segment 2 nearly white ; the sides of the body from spiracular line down lighter

as wellas the ventrum and legs. L.20mm.; 3B. 4mm.

Pupa.—This is a normally shaped chrysalis, fattest in the middie, blunt and

square in front, pointed behind, the head with the frons in a plane perpendicular

to the longitudinal axis of body, the vertex in the same plane as segment 2 and the

front slope of the thorax about 30° to that axis or slightly over, the frons rather

prominently convex between the eyes, the eyes prominent rounded, the whole

piece, including segment 2, quadrate, somewhat constricted behind the eyes, the

margins of head and segment 2 straight ; the thorax humped and broadly convex

about 4x the length of segment 2, the apex about half way between front and

hinder margin, the dorsal line sloping with segment 4 to segment 5 ata gentle

angle; the pupa constricted shallowly and rather conspicuously dorsally and

laterally behind thorax the hinder margin of which is a semicircle curve,

slightly produced (though not in the least angled) in dorsal line, meeting

the wings in a widely rounded, deep angle of about 60°, this angle limiting

the somewhat convex lateral portions of segment 4 laterally and anteriorly ;

segment 4 as long as segment 2 in the dorsal line; segment 5 rather shorter

than 4if anything, segment 6twice aslong; segment 12 about as long as

segment 2; segment 13 little shorter; segment 11 about equal 12; the

cremastral (anal segment) a thick triangular piece, the sides concave, the end

shortly square, the wholesegment 2 x the length of 13, bent down rather

strongly, the end set with short, dark-rusty, hooked shaftlets, the hinder

margin with a central, quite large, semicircular depression that has its reproduc-

tion, though slighter, on the hinder margin of segment 13; the dorsal outline

behind thorax straight as far as segment 9, then sloping to anal end ; the ventral

line straight to near the cremaster then bent down ; the abdomen fattest in the

middle of pupa again after the constriction behind the thorax. Surface not

particularly shining except on thorax, wings and head with segment 2 covered all

over with a fairly dense coating of half-erect, very fine, whitish hairs that are

as long as segment 13 is long or somewhat less, except on wings and segmental

membranes ; the bevilled edges of segments 8-11 sloping, the anterior (segment

9-11) rather steeply, the posterior (segments 8-10) gradually, the former more

roughly granulated than the latter though both are very finely so and all are

delimited by a rather prominent angle from the rest of the surface ; the venation

of the wing weill-expressed ; the proboscis produced free beyond the wings to

end of segment 12; the hairs on the head are also well developed, those on the

eyes being particularly long. Spiracles of segment 2 indicated by a broadly |

semielliptical, convex, dark red-brown, rugose surface with its base on the

front margin of segment 3 and lying on the surface of that segment, facing

slightly obliquely up and forwards, about as long as half the length of segment

2—not quite; the rest of the spiracles broadly oval, red-brown in colour, very

prominent, broadly truncated cones, of moderate size. Colour bright emerald-

green toned down to glaucous by the clothing of hairs except on thorax, wings,

and segments 1, 2; the wings whiter as well as the cremaster. L. 14mm, ;

B. 4mm. ; H. 4mm.

Habits—The egg, always single, is laid anywhere on the leaf or the

leaf stalk. The young larva, when it first emerges, proceeds to the

edge of the leaf where it turns over a small, triangular portion of

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 933

the leaf on to the top, coating the piece thus turned over with a lax

cloth of silk and fastening it down all round by a few strings or

threads. It lives on the underside of this piece, lying with its head

turned round on its side like the rest of the Sarangesa and Coladenia

tribe that we are acquainted with. In all future stages this position

of rest is adhered to. After the second moult it folds a leaf by draw-

ing the two edges together with web, often using withered leaves

for the purpose ; sometimes, more rarely, even a leaf of another plant

that may happen to be lying about or against the foodplant. It

is always sluggish in its movements and dislikes the light at all times.

The pupa is formed in a roomy cell, coated with silk, made of withered

leaves of the foodplant or any other shrub or weed ; and is attached

_by the tail with a loose body-band that is generally attached by an

anchoring-thread to the roof of the cell as described for Badama

exclamationis. The foodplant is acanthaceous and may be either

Asystasia or Blepharis asperrima, both low, more or less herbaceous,

weeds that are common in the jungles and regions of heavy to moderate

rainfall from sea-level up to some thousands of feet. The butterfly

flies low down amongst the bushes and grasses with a fairly fast,

jerky flight and devious path; it settles with the wings spread out

horizontally at all times and may be met with at all times of the yea

but is, of course, most plentiful towards the end of the monsoon in

Bombay ; it visits flowers frequently but never rises to any height

above the ground.

Genus 8.—TAPENA.

Colonel Swinhoe gives the following :—

Anienne.—The club moderately fine, well-hooked, often very much h coke

the tip acuminate.

Palpi.—Porrect, third joint short and obtusely conical.

Hind tibie.—With two pairs of spurs, the male witha long tuft of blackish

hair lying along its inner side.

Forewing.— Vein 12 ends on costa before end of cell ; discocellulars sub-erect,

the lower the longer ; vein 3 emitted about one-sixth before lower end of ceil,

2 one-fourth from the base, cella little less than two-thirds length of costa, the

costa evenly arched, apex acute, outer margin straight to vein 2 and inwardiy

oblique and slightly concave to tornal angle, hinder margin of similar length,

nearly straight ; some brown hairs at base—very few—and a short fringe along

inner margin.

Hind wing.—Vein 7 from a little before upper end of cell ; discocellulars and

vein 5 faint, the lower discocellular the longer ; vein 3 from close to lower end

of cell, vein 2 from very little inwards ; costa highly arched in the middle, apex

angular, outer margin sinuate and somewhat produced and angled at the end

ot vein 3, slightly concave above the angling, the wing somewhat square in

shape; the base with longish, brown hairs as far out as middle of disc, with

much longer hairs reaching little short of termen on hinder half, the abnominal

' margin with a thin, short fringe of brown hairs. Cilia concolorous with the

wings.

Concerning egg, larva, pupa and habits see below. There is only

asingle species @ propos of which Colonel Swinhoe notes : Elwes and

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

Edwardes have erected two species on account of some differences

in the genitalia. They were not able to examine the genitalia of any

Ceylon specimens, therefore cannot say how they differ from Burmese

and Nilgiri examples. We have examined this species from different

localities ; we find that the size and shade of colour varies much in

examples from the same locality and, for purposes of this work, it

is impossible to recognise species that can only be differentiated

by the examination of the genitalia of such male specimens. (Lepi-

doptera Indica, Vol. X, p. 60.) |

210. Tapena thwaitesi, Moore——Male. Upperside :—Dark-brown with a

purplish tint. Fore wing. With two subapical, semihyaline, white dots

near the costa and, sometimes, a very minute dot below them; an indistinct,

discal fascia a little darker than the ground colour of the wing. The species

varies in the shade of colour ; in some examples it is much paler and more brown

than in others, showing the fascia more plainly. Hind wing. Also with

discal fascia, not visible in the darker specimens ; a white semihyaline dot at

end of cell, sometimes absent. Underside +—Similar but paler. Cilia con-

colorous with the wings. Antenne with the upper half of club dull-ochreous

on the underside and a whitish streak below on shaft, the two sometimes one, -— |

the upperside pinkish ; palpi brown above, ochreous below ; head, body above

and below and the legs concolorous with the wings. Female—Upperside:—

Paler with an ochreous tint. Fore wing. With three subapical spots, more

linear and larger than in the male; a larger spot at the end of the cell with its

inner margin extending upwards and with a dot between the extension and the

costa ; a spot below it in interspace 2 rather larger and a dot outside at the base

of interspace 3 between the large spots. Hind wing. With a prominent white

spot at the end of the cell. Underside s—Similar. Antenne as in the male;

a white spot on each side of the collar ; palpi greyish-white, with short, brown

hairs and a white patch on each side below the eyes. Expanse : 40mm. to 45mm.

The Kanara specimens are uniformly smaller, never over 35mm. in expanse.

In the fore wing the dark fascia deciphers into a black spot towards base of cell,

another outward in base of interspace 2 with a black mark across interspace

1 below it a little inward; the large semihyaline two spots with black inside

edges continued as two dark spots to inner margin; their outer borders also

blackish-suffused, connected by blackish suffusion with the black-bordered

subapical dots; a submarginal black-suffusion forming a band but interrupted

broadly in the middle; in very dark, fresh specimens the whole of the outer

disc from end of cell to this last submarginal band is suffused blackish. In the

hind wing the markings decipher into a subbasal band, a medial band through

end of cell and a postmedial band of spotted appearance with the terminal

margin darker also than the general colour. The tarsi of all legs are golden-

ochreous ; the palpi dull-ochreous in the male, ochreous-grey in the female.

Egg.—tThe general shape is that of a dome with 13 or 14 meridional, sharply-

defined, tuberculate, white ribs or ridges on the surface which are more or less

broken at about one-quarter their length from the apex—some 7 or 8 that is

thus broken, the other 6 or 7 continue up to the flat, apical, 7 or 8 sided area,

the ridges coming in at the angles; this flat space, and for some distance out-

side it, is punctuated by little raised, white dots (shortened lines): the flat area —

itself is bounded by a darker shade than the rest of the egg and has a central,

‘white dot on it (the micropyle probably) and is about one-sixth of the whole

diameter of egg in width ; the surface between the ridges is nearly obscured by

many tiny, very short, white, hair-fine, longitudinal, raised lines, about

9 parallel to each other between every two ribs near the top of the egg, just below

the “lid,” which lid is that portion of the egg above the break in the meridional

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 935

ribs—the interspaces between these tiny lines are broader than the lines them-

selves; hardly shining. Colour is green. B. 0° 75mm. H. 0°50mm.

Larva.—The shape of this larva is nearly perfectly spindle-shaped ; the

transverse section circular—except that, as usual, it is somewhat flattened

on ventrum—with the anal end narrowly square ; the 2nd segment just a trifle

broader than the anal extremity, and much narrower than the head which is as

broad and high as segment 3 at front margin ; segment 13 is half the length

of segment 12, a well-defined, transverse piece; the anal segment after it is a

perfect trapeze with the extremity about half the width of the anterior margin,

the whole segment convex transversely, sloping at about 30° to the longitudinal

axis dorsally, overhanging the anal claspers and low on the resting surface;

segment 13 has the same dorsal slope ; segment 12 is over three-quarters the

length of 11; all prolegs and legs are small, short; the body is slightly flanged

along the dorsoventral line and is by far fatter in middle than anywhere else.

The head is large and exceptionally flat, hardly convex on face, very broadly

heart-shaped, broader than high, nearly straight across the vertex except for the

very slight, shallow, central sinus; surface reticulated all over with comparatively

broad, flattened, shining lines, the cells or interspaces being dull, greyish and,

of course depressed between the lines; the clypeus is triangular, apex acute,

about one-third the height of face; the false clypeus moderately broad out-

side it from just below the middle, a band with convexly curved (outwards)

margins, apex acute, reaching half the height of the face, the surface also reti-

culated ; labrum transverse, rather short, light in colour ; ligula broadly kidney-

shaped, rusty with darker ends to the broad, deep, frontal sinus; antennal,

basal joint light as also the second; mandibles large, strong, broad, light-

orange, the ends dark and quite entire (without teeth) ; the eyes arranged rather

abnormally : numbers 2, 3, 4, 6 in a quite straight line, number | a little behind,

1 to 4 all equispaced, rather close together, number 6 twice the distance from 4

and number 5 behind 4, on a level with it and further away from it than 4 from

- 3 for example, all dark coloured ; the colour of the whole head soiled orange

with a moderately broad, marginal, dark-brown band from the eye-circle up

each side and over the vertex, another, less broad, behind limiting the foramen

or where the body fits into the head. Surface dull and quite destitute of hairs

of any description, the segments well marked and the few impressed lines in.

front of hinder margins punctuate occasionally dorsally. The spiracles extremely

small, in depressions; those of segments 2, 12 larger; all whitish and broadly

oval. Colour of the whole larva chalky-white with a slightly bluish shade,

opaque, the segment-margins and impressed lines showing thinly dark. L.

24mm. at the most when stretched, and B. 4mm. and slightly over at middle.

Pupa.—tThe general aspect is stout, the anal end pointed, the thorax humped,

the head-piece, consisting of segments 1 and 2, quadrate, the vertex of head

with segment 2 and the front slope of thorax in a plane at about 30° to the

longitudinal axis of the pupa; the frons in a plane at right angles to that axis,

produced out into a porrect, slightly upturned, conical, rugose-surfaced beak

which is as long as the head-vertex ; segment 2 a transverse piece not as long as

the head and with the front and hinder margins quite straight, parallel to

each other; shoulders somewhat prominent but evenly rounded, the dorsal

outline of thorax convex, gradually rising from front margin to about one-quarter:

before hinder margin, then descending to segment 5, including segment 4 in the

gradual descent ; the hinder margin of thorax a short parabolic curve meeting

the wing-lines in a broadly rounded, deepish angle of something over 45° ;

segment 4 dorsally slightly longer than 5; segment 5 about half segment 6 ;

pupa broadest at middle but very nearly the same breadth there as at should

ders, highest at thoracic apex; dorsal line of abdomen straight, ventral line

slightly convex ; segment 13 a transverse piece disappearing on the sides of the

pupa, convex longitudinally, shorter than segment 12; segments 11, 10, 9 also.

9386 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

about equalling 12; segment 14 with a short, truncate-conical basal portion

produced into an equally long, nearly perfectly oblong cremaster with tiny

hooked shaftlets as its extremity, the whole segment equal 13 + 12 in length;

both 12 and 13 with a slight sinus in the dorsal line on their hinder margins ;

proboscis reaches just to the ends of wings ; the antennz about three-quarters

the way; the cremaster is only very slightly bent down. Surface shining,

thinly transversely aciculate all over except on wings which might be said to be

minutely granulate ; the segments all well marked ; the bevilled edges of seg-

ments 8-11 hardly existing on hinder margins of 8-10, sloping and quite well

developed on the front margins of 9-11; both margins of segment 13 rather

suddenly raised from 12 and 14, hinder margin of thorax rather suddenly higher

also than the adjacent surface. WSpiracles of segment 2 are slits, linear, between

segment margins 2, 3 bordered by dull-white, broadish bands on each side

which are ditierentiated from the surrounding surface only by being dull instead

of shining, about as long as segment 2 or only slightly less; the rest of the

spiracles small, oval, dull, opaque white. Colour waxy looking white with a

transiucent greenish tinge on wings, thorax and hvad; the only colour about

being the reddish cremastral hooked shaftlets. L.18 mm.; B. 45mm.

Habits —The eggs are laid singly on the young shoots ; the egg larva

after emerging turns over a long section of the edge on to the top,

parallel to the midrib, the section adhering, by a narrow stalk left at its

middle, tothe leaf; the larva lives upside down on this turned-over

piece coating it withsilk. When full grown it places one leailet over

another nibbling pieces out of the edge all round. The change to pupa

takes place in such a cell and the chrysalis is attached by the tail and a

body-band inside. The cell is always rather laxly lined inside with

silk. The larva is sluggish and does not like the light and lies in its —

cell with the head turned round on the side as often as not. The

places chosen for oviposition are generally shady, out of the sun and

the leaf is always a young one. The larva lives on young or youngish

leaves at all times. Often there are many eggs laid on a single tree

or bush and banks and the sides of nallas are favourite places. The

imago is a strong flier, rises at times high up in the air, is moderately

fond of flowers and has a jerky, devious flight. At all times it rests

with the wings horizontally extended, always slightly bent down

at the ends. The foodplants are Dalbergia latifolia, the Rosewood

or Blackwood or Shisam found all over Western India, Dalbergra

tamarindifolia and rubiqinosa, both large climbers of the Western

Ghats. Sumatra, Borneo, Ceylon, South India are given as the

distribution. It is very common in the North Kanara District of

Bombay and is met with in the vicinity of Dharwar town so that it

is more than probable it is to be found wherever there is a rainfall

varying from 300 inches to 30 inches wherever its foodplant is to be

found, either at sea-level or 3000’.

Subfamily (2)—HEsPERIINA,

This is a somewhat unsatisfactory subfamily but forms the best

intermediary group between the butterflies with horizontally spread

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 937

wings when at rest and those with wings held perpendicularly

closed over the back, that is between the Celenorrhine and the

~ Ismeneme. Colonel Swinhoe characterises it as under :—

Antenne.—Club robust, more or less straight, curved in T'hanaos and

Carcharodus. Palpi.—Suberect, the third joint blunt.

Hind tibie.—Two pairs of spurs, the upper pair very minute in J'hanaos and

Carcharodus,

Fore wing.—Vein 12 ends on the costa before the end of the cell ; disco-

cellulars suberect ; vein 3 arises shortly before the lower end of the cell, 2 from

before the middle; the cell is about two-thirds the length of the costa.

Hind wing.—Vein 7 arises just before the upper end of the cell, 3 from just

before lower end, 2 from the middle—in Carcharodus a little more inwards, in

Thanaos a little beyond the middle.

And he informs us also (Lepidoptera Indica, Vol. X, p. 95) of some

interesting facts concerning the group :—

“In this subfamily we put Hesperia, Fabricius ; Spialia, Swinhoe ;

Pyrgus, Hiibner; Caracharodus, Hiibner; Thanaos, Boisduval; and

Gomalia, Moore.

“ The first three were put by Watson into sections under Hesperia,

but he himself states that it is a genus that wants splitting up.

“Species of the first three genera are distributed all over the

world, except in the Australian region ; Thanaos and Carcharodus are

paleearctic, Gomalia is apparently confined to South India and Ceylon.

“ Doherty says that the eggs are small, hard, seven-eighths as high

as wide or even higher, constricted at base, with wide scalloped

anastonosing ribs, remarking that this group is very distinct and in-

cludes Hesperia and Gomalia.

“The life history of typical Hesperia is well known, the type

malve, Linnaeus, beng a common English species ; for the life his-

tory of galba, Fabricius, the type of Spialia, we are indebted to

Davidson, Bell and Aitken ; their habits of life are very different.”

We know that the eggs of Hesperia maluw at home in England

(The Grizzled Skipper) and those of Thanaos tages (The Dingy Skipper)

are dome-shaped and strongly ribbed with some 20 smooth-backed

ribs with cross-rays between them that are much finer and lower.

Those of Hesperia (Spialia, Swinh.) galba are exactly of the same type

also. But that of Gomalia is very different in sculpture though more

or less the same as will be seen if a reference is made to its description

below under Gomalia albofasciata. The larve of Hesperia and Spialia

are very similar, those of Thanaos and Gomalia have more or less

naked heads, thus different from the others which have a clothing of

long, more or less erect, blackish hairs; all the heads are, however,

round, rather bullet-shaped. The pupe of all of them are somewhat

alike, having large, spiracular expansions to the spiracles of segment

2, a well-formed, more or less triangular cremaster, the thorax humped,

the colour green or yellowish. The habits of the larvee of Hesperia,

Spialia, Gomalia are similar in the matter of manufacture of the cells

and the caterpillars’ way of lying in them; the pupation offers no

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

great difference of method in the various genera—that is in the three

that are known in India; Thanaos tages at home seems to make a

different sort of cell to the other three. In the matter of habits of

the butterflies themselves there are important differences in the way

the wings are held in repose. Hesperia (Spialia) hold them perpen-

dicularly over the back as do all the IJsmeneine, Pamphiline,

Erynnne, &c. that come after them in classification. Thanaos,

according to available information, rests with the wings penthouse-

wise like most moths. Gomalia assumes both or either of these

positions indifferently as will be seen under that insect further on.

They all agree in that the larvae feed only upon dieotyledonous

plants. The butterflies are all quick in flight, frequent low herbage

_ and live in the open country and, in India, always, with the exception

of Spialia galba (Hesperia galba), at levels above 2,000 feet above the

ea. fH. galba is found at all heights, even along the sea-shore.

Genus 9.—HESPERIA.

Quoted as under, following Swinhoe in Lepidoptera Indica, Vol. X :—

Antenno.—Less than half the length of costa of fore wing, the club robust

arcuate, blunt at tip, with no terminal crook.

Palpi—Suberect, second joint laxly clothed with longish scales, third

joint slender, blunt, almost concealed by the scaling of the second.

Hind tibie.—With two pairs of spurs ; no tuft of hairs in male.

Fore wing.—Vein 12 not straight but slightly recurved before bending up to

the costa, ending there some distance before the end of cell; discocelluars sub-

erect, the lower the longer, vein 3 emitted a little before lower end of cell, 2 from

a little before middle; cell a little less than two-thirds length of wing; costa

arched at base, then nearly straight to apex, the apex and outer margin

evenly rounded ; no costal fold.

Hind wing.—Vein 6 emitted quite close to the upper end of cell; discocel-

lulars and vein 5 very faint ; vein 3 from immediately before lower end_ of cell,

2 froma little beyond the middle.

Swinhoe has the following genera, based mostly on male characters

of wings and legs :—

A. . Male with no costal fold ‘to fore wing’... ........00.c0c06: Pyrgus.

B. Male with a costal fold to fore wing.

a. Male with a pair of scabbard-shaped, scaly and hairy

appendages springing from the breast posteriorly

at base of hind legs and about one-third the length

OF Ue abAOMeM ei secs suey ee cesses siele wiete apmicnereseeetenrate Hesperia.

b. Male without these appendages.

a’ Antenne with the club absolutely blunt in n both sexes,

a! Wings on the upperside spotted all over with numerous

WHITE SPOS ee /ee ecco lain sclera atehelereieteteta tees Spiahia,

b™ Not so.

a Hind wing dark-brown, immaculate ........ Thanaos.

b™! Hind wing with white band .............. Gomalia.

h! Antenne with club minutely apiculate ............ Carcharodus,

Only Spialia—Which will be called Hesperia—and Gomalia need

trouble us here. But it is interesting to know from Colonel

Swinhoe that “Lang says that the position of the wings of Hesperia

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 939

cashmirensis during repose is different from that of the butterflies

of any of the other families, the hind wings being held in a horizontal

position, the fore wings only half erect ; the wings are never closed

perpendicularly over the trunk, the inner margin of the hind wing

is not deflected but is thrown into a slight fold, so that there is no

canal for the reception of the abdomen.” This gives another posi-

tion for the wings in the family. Of course Hesperia (Spialza) galba

often parts the wings too when basking in the sun, keeping the hind

wing nearly horizontal while the fore wings are half opened; it has never

been observed that the hind wing was anything but quite horizontal

although the fact that it was may have been taken for granted. It

may possibly be held as for Hesperia cashmurensis.

211. Hesperia galba, Fabricius—PI].M., tigs. 80 5, 80a 2 —Male. Upperside—

Black with slight olive tint, spotted with white. Fore wing with three spots in

the cell, subbasal, medial and terminal ; a spot on the submedian vein below the

subbasal spot ; a discal series of eight spots commencing with three that are

subapical and close together from near costa in interspaces 6, 7, 8, then two

together in 3 and 4, the lower the larger followed by two larger and more or less

conjugated a little inwards in interspaces 2 and 1 and one still further in on the

submedian vein; a complete submarginal series of small spots, one in each

interspace 7 to 2 and two in 1; four short, white streaks on costa between middle

and apex; there are a few white scales at base of the wing spreading along costa

and inner marginal area for some way;inner margin with short brown hair

fringe. Hind wing with a subbasal white spot in cell, a large, somewhat quadrate

white spot at the end of the cell with a smaller one below it in interspace 2 and

a still smaller one above it interspace 6; a submarginal series of small spots

from anal angle becoming obsolete upwards; some longish grey-whitish hairs on

hinder part of wing and a short, white fringe on abdominal edge. Cilia of both

wings checkered black and white. Underside :—Grey of a shade variable with

the locality and with a certain area of fore wing nearly always brown ; the hind

wing always very much greyer. Fore wing with the spots as above but larger, the

apex, inner margin and costa rather broadly grey, the rest of discvery much

lighter brown than the upperside, all the spots similar, perhaps a little larger.

Hind wing with the abdominal fold bluish-white ; three subbasal spots in cell,

interspace 1 and interspace 7, this last with even a further one indicated in 8;

the spot at the end of the cell forming part of medial, transverse whitish band

with irregular margins from costa to abdominal fold ; submarginal spots as on

upperside; the ground colour of the hind wing is often ochreous brown of a greyish

shade due to a thick overlaying of the brown ground colour with very light brow-

nish-ochreous scales ; the edge of abdominal margin with a fringe of white hair.

Antenne brown above spotted with white, the club sometimes tipped chestnut

but pure white below with most of the club chestnut; palpi, head and body above

concolorous with wings, the abdomen banded with intersegmental, narrow bands

of grey; beneath everything white including legs. Female. Usually darker

than the male, markings similar, the spots of upperside often smaller, Expanse

up to 25mm.

Egg.—Dome-shaped, perfectly rounded on top where, centrally, is a depressed

micropyle. Surface shining and covered with small, 0:0.5mm. x high tubercles,

irregularly hemispherical in shape and arranged in meridional lines: 20 or 21

such lines all round the egg, only about 8 actually reaching the circumference of

the micropyle-depression, all the others shorter. Colour pale grass-green with the

tubercles whitish ; on the whole the meridions are very regular though not quite.

B.0-'7mm. ; H. 0-5mm. 3

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

Larva,—tThe body is in shape somewhat like a spindle, the anal end somewhat .

narrowly rounded and held rather high off the surface, the claspers being perpen-

dicular beneath it, short; fattest in the middle decreasing in width to both ends

about equally, segment 2 much narrower and lower than head, orange-brown of

a light shade with a transverse, narrow, black collar nearer hinder margin broken

by a light, thin, dorsal line ; legs and true legs short ; head comparatively very

large, round, deep, rugose, shining black, covered with fine, close, light yellowish

fur on the face and set with very long (comparatively), erect, black and white

hairs (some are longer than the head is broad) some of the black ones being

longest and stout, thickening to their extremities ; the front of the face has only

short, white hairs, longest about the mouth-opening ; clypeus hidden by the

fur ; labrum and ligula orange-brown ; mandibles black. Surface of body covered

fairly closely with tiny, white, truncated-concal tubercles (say 26 to each

transverse row from the dorsoventral margin on one side, to that of the other

side) each of which bears a long, white or brown, erect hair, the brown ones con-

fined to the front part of the body; the segments are well-marked and there

are the usual, transverse, parallel, depressed, fine lines to each segment, in front

of and parallel to the hinder margins. Spiracles broadly oval, small, brown-

yellow in colour, flush ; those of segments 2 and 12 much larger. Colour glaucous-

green with a darkish, dorsal, pulsating line and a whitish, spiracular line. L,

16mm.; B. 4mm.

Pupa.—sStout, in shape more or less cylindrical from shoulders to end of wings,

then conical to end ; the head-piece square broader than long, slightly “ bossed”’

between the eyes which are themselves prominent, the vertex convex; segment

2 long, convex ; thorax slightly humped and evenly convex; shoulders evenly

rounded ; a slight constriction behind thorax ; the body is fattest at middle and

slightly broader there than at shoulders ; the abdomen curved down : cremaster

transversely convex, short, square, hollowed out ventrally, narrow, set with a

dense tuft of hooked shaftlets at extremity ; from fore-end to end of wings is

about two-thirds the total length of pupa; hinder margin of thorax nearly a

semicircle meeting the wings in a_ broadly-rounded, deep angle of about 80 .

Surface, all except the wings, covered with long, white, fine hairs, densest about

eyes and on head ; all the segments well-marked; the hairs are all about as long as

segment 2, appressed more or less to surface ; the proboscis reaches free bevond

the wings only very slightly. Spiracles of segment 2 have large expansions

oval, convex, transverse, standing out from surface of the thorax, dark chocolate-

brown in colour with a slit down the middle; the other spiracles small, oval, light-

brown in colour, more or less flush with the surface. Colour of body greenish-

yellow or light yellowish-green ; of thorax, wings and head, green; of cremaster,

brown ; suspensory hairs or shafts bright golden. L. 12°5mm.; B. 5mm. H.

nearly equals breadth.

Habits —The larva doubles up part of a leaf on top or underneath,

fastening it down tightly all round and lining the inside thickly with

silk; before turning into the pupa makes a strong cell by lining

the inside still more thickly. Of course it changes the cell as often

as necessary during growth to suit its size—it always fits the body

fairly closely. The pupa is covered all over with a white, creous

powder excreted by the larva. The pupa is attached by the tail very

strongly and seems to have no body-band. The larva rests inside

with its head turned round on its side. The egg is laid on leaves,

stalks, shoots or grasses near at hand. The foodplant is Waltherva

endica (Sterculiacee), a low, often inconspicuous weed, growing flat

against the ground amongst the grass; although it does grow erect

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 941

where opportunity offers. It is common throughout the country from

the sands of the sea-coast to the open plains of the Deccan, fields,

grass-lands, all places. The little larva is very sluggish in its move-

ments and does not like the light although inhabiting the sunniest,

openest situations. The butterfly flies fast and keeps to the ground,

being fond of flowers and the sunlight. It basks on the ground or

leaves close to the ground and, when doing so, keeps the wings open

half-way, the fore wings in a different plane to the hinder ones which

are generally held nearly horizontal. At night it rests on grasses, flower-

heads, &c. with the wings closed over the back and may be caught

with the fingers in the early misty and dewy mornings when numbed

with the cold. When flying it is very difficult to see as the checkered

grey and black blends well with the sunny ground and grass-shadows :

besides, it is very small and quick, although it never flies very far.

It is more difficult to see, even, than the smallest of the Indian skip-

pers, Aderomachus which is dark-coloured and not nearly so marked—

indeed it is not at all protectively marked. The habitat is India,

Ceylon and Burma, and it is found in regions of heavy rain and in

the driest places where the rain is slight ; in hills and plains, in forest

or open country at all elevations. Swinhoe says “ Recorded from

the Chin Hills by Watson, and Pungadaw, Upper Burma ; by Manders

from Fort Stedman in the Shan States ; it is a common species through-

out India and Ceylon and has been recorded from many localities ;

we took it at Poona, Bombay, Mhow, Karachi and have it from

Ranikhet, Kurnal, Raipur, Madras, Kandy and the Khasia Hills

and it is in the British Museum also from Barrackpur near Calcutta,

Ganjam, Ootacamund, the Shan States and Burma. We cannot

separate Pyrgus evanidus, Butler (Swinhoe places this insect in the

genus Pyrgus), from galba ; his type from the Habb River, just out-

side the Sind border, was taken by us: it only varies from galba in

its smaller size and in having the white, discal band of the hind wing

on the underside more or less broken up; in galba it is complete ;

we took many examples of both sexes of evandus in Sind, all in mid-

winter ; it is undoubtedly the extreme cold-weather form of galba.

Yerbury took it at Campbellpur in the cold weather. Our figures of

the larva and pupa are from Davidson’s original drawings, bred at

Karwar.”

The insects are represented on Plate M, figures 80 and 80a, male

and female respectively. They are fairly good but the female is too

red on the underside as usual. The red dot at base of fore wing at

imner margin should not be there. The abdomen of the male is too

black.

Genus 10.—GoMALIA.

According to Swinhoe characterised as under :—

Antenne.—With a somewhat slender club, blunt at the end, no termina! crook

Or sign of one, not half the length of costa of fore wing.

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

Palpi.—Suberect, second joint clothed with longish scales, the third blunt,

more or less concealed by the hairs of the second.

Hind tibie.—With two pairs of spurs, more or less of equal size, the terminal

ones thicker ; fringed lightly with longish, white hairs in both sexes on the out-

side.

Fore wing.— Vein 12 ends on costa well before end of cell, 11 at end, level with

it ; discocellulars suberect, the lower very slightly the longer; vein 3 emitted

before lower end of the cell at a distance from and about equal to lower discocellu-

lar ; 2 from before middle ; cell a little more than two-thirds the length of costa,

costa slightly arched, apex subacute, outer margin evenly convex, shorter than

the inner margin which is nearly straight. The surface of wing covered with

decumbent, white hairs fairly closely, the inner margin with a short fringe of

them. Male with a costal fold.

Hind wing.—Vein 7 from close to upper end of cell, 3 close to lower end ;

discocellulars and 5 very faint ; costa lightly arched at base, outer margin

evenly rounded ; hinder half of wing clothed with long, greyish-white hairs

and fringe of similar, shorter ones on edge of abdominal margin.

There is only one species; descriptions of egg, larva, pupa and

habits will be found below.

212. Gomalia albofasciata, Moore—Male. Upperside. With the ground

colour brownish olive-grey. Fore wing with a basal blackish-brown band and

an antemedial darker band, the latter with its outer margin limited by a thick,

black line which extends from the subcostal vein to the submedian vein in an

outward curve, the portion in the cell edged by a semihyaline somewhat lunular

mark closing the cell; a semihyaline, yellowish-white spot at the base of

interspace 3, another inwards below it in interspace 2, almost touching the one

in 3; a curved series of three contiguous, subapical, semihyaline similar small

spots in interspaces 6, 7, 8 and, sometimes one still smaller below in 5 with a

rather large dark, quadrate patch on costa limiting the series inwards ; a similar,

but smaller patch at apex of wing ; a larger dark patch at middle of outer margin

extending triangularly inwards to the spots in interspaces 2 and 3 and bordered

by a whitish shade ; another brown patch at tornal angle, longer, extended along

inner margin then along outer, also bordered whitish above; the hair-covering

and fringe along inner margin as for genus. Hind wing darker than the fore wing,

brown with a broad, white, medial band from vein 7 to the abdominal fold and

a white subbasal mark in the cell on the nearly quite black basal third of the

wing ; a black band bordering the white, medial one outside, narrowing upwards,

bordered in its turn by a whitish shade beyond which the terminal portion of

surface is black with a grey wash at tornal area and a white, terminal patch at

end of vein 5; longish grey hairs clothing the hinder half of wing, the abdominal

margin-edge fringed white. Cilia of fore wings brown with some grey scales ; of

hind wings nearly pure white except at anal angle where they are brown and grey.

Underside : grey. Fore wing really brown overlaid with grey scales which become

brown outside the cell and below it except for the internomedian interspace

along the inner margin which is white extending somewhat up into the sub-

median interspace, right up to vein 2 in a quadrate patch under the semihyaline

spot in interspace 2, a bit inwards of it; the semihyaline spots as on upperside,

silvery ; but none of the other markings. Hind wing; also brown overlaid with

whitish scales and with white hairs in the cell; the subbasal] cell-spot and

broad medial, white band present, the latter extending right up to the costa, the

cell-spot joined to another white spot, a bit outwards of it, in interspace 7 ; the

abdominal fold blue-greyish, the anal angle with a short, white submarginal band

running up from it and the white patch on outer margin between veins 4 and 6

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA, 943

just indicated. Female. Larger, lighter in colour above and_ below. Fore

wing above is similar to that of male, the hind wing also. Underside: With

grey decumbent hairs in cell and along costa above cell not found in male ; mark-

ings similar to male, larger in both fore and hind wing. Antennze concolorous

with wings above, speckled with white on the shaft but with the club black,

white below ; body and abdomen concolorous with wings, above, white below,

the abdomen with light intersegmental bands ; palpi with third joint concolorous

with wings, white below.

Egg.—Is peculiar in the sculpture. It is dome-shaped, somewhat depressed

_ rather less than twice as high as broad. The surface is rather dull and occupied

by coarse, somewhat irregularly-rounded prominences, or knobs of considerable

size ; occupying the top of dome is a lid, circular in shape, quite half the diameter

of the whole which opens to allow the little larva to emerge ; this lid is composed

of six very broadly-club-shaped convex prominences surrounding the micropyle-

surface in the centre which is also circular and takes up the central third of the

lid, the narrow ends of the club shaped prominences touching each other round

this surface ; surrounding this lid is a series of circular (more or less) prominences

to the number of twelve, the series not quite regular, very nearly touching the lid

prominences ; outside this is another series of rather more knobs and. beyond that

another, three in all. When the larva is ready to come out it eats away the

intervals between the clubs, leaving them quite intact and connected by the

micropyle-surface ; this lid, then a star-shaped piece with six broad rays, comes

away, allowing free egress. The colour of the egg is white when first laid be-

coming reddish-orange later on with the rays and knobs always white and con-

cealing most of the ground colour. B. about 0:'90mm.; H. about 0°5mm. B. of

lid about O. 3mm.

Larva,—Shape is more or less the usual shape of all skippers : the transverse

section a circle flattened on the ventrum ; the anal end is narrowed from behind

the middle of body to extremity, the 13th segment being apparent, as along as

half the 12th and divided into two parts by a line transverse to the body ;

the anal segment is nearly semicircular in outline and overhangs the anal

prolegs slightly : the curve is very even and the edge thin, the dorsal slope being

about 308 to the longitudinal axis of the larva ; the thickest part of body is just

before the middle whence it thins gradually to segment 3, segment 2 being still

narrower, the head about the same diameter—perhaps slightly less, the neck

short but distinct, the head being certainly broader and higher than it; the

prolegs and anal claspers are short and held well beneath the body as in all butter-

flies, the true legs also rather short. The head is rather broader than high,

otherwise nearly circular and has a shallow, very broad and gradual vertical

sinus or curve dividing the two lobes ; the clypeus is triangular but hardly notice-

able, being one with the rest ; face rather flattened ; surface of head hexagonal-

celled rugose minutely, hardly shining, covered all over fairly densely with

erect, plumose, brownish, short hairs, nearly wanting on the vertex of the head

and simple on clypeus ; the labrum is shining, short, transverse, the ligula also

short, broad, shallowly sinuate in middle anteriorly, both the same colour as

the whole head though the labrum in some lights looks lighter ; the colour of

head, antennal joints, eyes, all very dark red-brown, nearly black. Surface

of body dull, transversely thinly lined near margins of segments, the segments

_ not at all constricted ; the whole covered all over with small, densely disposed

(not enough to hide the skin in any way), fine, white translucent, erect hairs

which are branched into 2 and 3 short branches at their extremities ; besides a

fringe of longer, soft, erect also moderately plentiful hairs along dorsoventral

margin, densest and longest on anal segment ; all quite distinct under a lens and

each rising from a minute colourless tubercle. Spiracles very small, roundly oval,

light soiled yellow, those of segments 2 and 12 much larger. Colour soft villous.

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

looking white with a greenish shade and indications of a slightly darker dorsal

line ; ventrum, legs and prolegs light green ; segment 2 is nearly smooth except

for the lateral posterior portions. L. 20mm.; B: 4mm.

The penultimate stage is the same; the antepenultimate has a thin, black

collar across middle of segment 2, transverse ; the one before that has the whole

of segment 2 black ; the egg-caterpillar, again, has the thin, black collar.

Pupa.—ls an ordinarily shaped little chrysalis broadest just at shoulders, the

same breadth practically continued to segment 7 middle, after which it decreases

gradually to segment 9 and more rapidly afterwards to the pointed cremastral

end ; circular in transverse section in all that portion (from shoulders to segment

13) ; segment 12 equalling 11 in length, segment 13 being half the length of 12

and the anal segment a broad, short triangle with the apex produced into a

dorsally and ventrally flattened, somewhat down-curved, parabolic piece, half

as broad as the posterior margin of segment (or anterior margin of segment 13),

the apex of parabola or end of pupa set with a bunch of golden-brown, hooked

shaftlets which are half as long as the segment, by which it is attached to little

pad of laxly-spun, white silk. The front of the pupa is broadly blunt, formed of

the lowly and broadly rounded or convex frons of the head between the some-

what prominent eyes of which only the top portions are narrowly visible from

above and separated from each of these by a minute, sharp sinus ; the lateral

outline to shoulders being formed thereafter by the outline of these eyes further

back and a small portion of the front of the thorax, for the head is somewhat

bowed and the frons low, so that the dorsal and ventral head-surfaces are separa-

ted only by a low bit of the frons which is in a plane at right angles to the longi-

tudinal axis of the pupa; the change from the ventral aspect and from the

perpendicular frons to the vertex is of course gradual and rounded ; the vertex

ot head is rather broad between the eyes and, chiefly, between the bases of the

antenne, it is in a plane at about 458 to the longitudinal axis and segment 2

and the front half of thorax are also similarly inclined ; segment 2 is rather

short, only moderately convex transversely and straight along both posterior

and anterior margins (7.e., these margins are quite parallel to each other trans-

versely across pupa); the thorax is very moderately humped (convex longitu-

dinally, and transversely) highest about the middle (may be a little before)

which is the highest point of the whole pupa, thence gently sloping to hinder

margin which is a somewhat broad parabolic curve meeting the wing-line

in a very broadly rounded, rather deep angle of 458 ; the visible part of segment

4 thereafter is, in the dorsal line, the same length as segment 5 and this latter

is somewhat shorter than segment 6 ; indeed segments 5-11 are about equal in

length; the ventral line is straight from head to near the ends of wings where it is

very slightly convex, then slightly concave to end, as the end is somewhat turned

down ; the proboscis is free at its extremity from the end of wings to near the

hinder margin of segment 9, the wings themselves being slightly produced at

their apices: the proboscis is stout, very slightly broadened toward extremity

and then somewhat bluntly pointed. Spiracles of segment 2 are large, oval, very

prominent raised perpendicularly from thorax-surface on hinder margin, slightly

convex transversely and longitudinally on front face, the colour light brown with

the hinder margin black; the rest of the spiracles are small, oval, convex, light

brown with black central slit. Surface of pupa is somewhat dull, aciculate-

striate very superficially on thorax, rather distantly, minutely pitted on abdo-

men, more or less smooth on wings, shining on segment 14; the whole surface

except wings and the major part of cremaster, covered with short, erect, fine

nearly white, sometimes minutely bifid hairs all over ; this again all powdered

with a white cereous powder more or less thickly. Colour very light, dead-

yellow somewhat flushed brown on dorsum of the whole pupa, darkest on

segments 1-3; the end of proboscis dark-brown ; the cremaster soiled, lightish

brown-orange. L, 12mm.; B, 4mm.

COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA, 945

Habits —The egg is laid on the top surface of a leaf, not neces-

sarily a particularly young one; the little larva eats the lid free and

goes to the underside of the leaf at once where it cuts itself a small,

nearly round cover from the edge, leaving it attached at a pomt

on the edge and turns it over onto the underside. It fixes this down

and lives under it, coating the inside with silk laxly and eating in

the immediate neighbourhood. In the next stage it cuts a much

larger, more or less square or oblong, piece from the edge inwards

and turns it, generally, onto the upperside, living underneath and

coating it with silk as usual, after fastening it down all round.

Finally it doubles a whole leaf sometimes. None of the fixing-down

after the first cell is particularly tight. The pupation takes place in

a more tightly-woven and strongly closed cell, often made of young

leaves which wither and fall or get caught up somewhere; so that,

presumably, the cell is as often as not made amongst withered leaves

or in a withered leaf.

One egg wasfoundon .. Pe: x .. 8th June 1916.

Larve emerged therefrom _.. Se: SCRLO Uy a aks

Changed into second skin ne Re Pe (el ata he ee

Changed into third skin .. ae Pee ACen ee, 4,

Changed into fourth skin a Ms se, SS Wee 2s

Changed for last time .. a ae ~. 24th? 4,

Pupated onthe .. rs oh cae .. 3rd July 1916.

Butterfly emerged on... . = Voth x

giving about forty days for a generation. The larvee are shy of a

very bright light and, in consequence, feed in the immediate vicinity

of their cells on the leaf upon which it has been made. They are

not particularly sluggish and sit in the cell at rest with the head

turned round on the side. The butterfly flies quickly and in spas-

modic starts and jumps so to speak ; it settles on a leaf and is gone.

It appears to fall off or jump off but that is about all that can be

seen. It visits flowers in the mornings and afternoons, During the

day, in the intervals of flight, it sits with the wings raised half way

between the horizontal and perpendicular, the upper half of fore

wing, the apical part that is, bent down slightly, the fore wing nor-

mally separated from the hind wing. In the mornings and evenings,

when resting, the wings are generally held horizontally out, the

costa of the fore wing at about 45° to the axis of the body or, in other

_ words, the fore wing covering the hind wing partially. It has been

observed resting at nights with the wings held perpendicularly over

the back as in Parnara, Hasora, &c. The foodplant of the larva is

malvaceous and it has always been, so far, Abutilon indicum, Sweet,

a@ common weed all over the Deccan, in the Plains country. The

insect is never found in the jungles or hills being apparently confined

to regions of light rainfall above 2,000 feet level in Bombay. It is

common in Dharwar, Poona, Khandesh Districts. Swinhoe says the

946 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX., |

type came from Ceylon; that it exists at Karachi in Sind and he

took it at Poona and has it from Madras and from Quetta; Evans

records it from the Palni Hills and Moore from Kangra. He says

it is a scarce species, though widely distributed within India, Ceylon ~

and Baluchistan.

(To be continued.)

947

BIRDS’ NESTING WITH A CAMERA IN INDIA.

Captain R. 8. P. Batss.

Part I,

(With 6 plates.)

THE SIND AND LippaR VALLEYS, Kasur.

It was towards the end of June 1920, that I left Srinagar by tonga in time

to reach Ganderbal at the mouth of the Sind Valley before tiffin. After this

having arranged pony transport for the next morning, I went out into the rice

fields to look for nests of the Northern Ruddy Crake (Amaurornis fuscus

bakert). My efforts were not attended by much success, as I returned to camp

very wet, very dirty and perspiring freely from the etforts of plodding through

18 inches or so of soft mud, having been shown one nest, which was said to

have been ravished the previous day, and having flushed a brooding female off

another but newly completed. However it served to strengthen my opinion

that this crake prefers rice fields and ditches to large reed-covered jhils, of

which more elsewhere.

The first day’s march was not worthy of note, as the Sind Valley is here very

open, and the avifauna differs little from that of the main valley. Beyon

finding some sort of Willow-wren’s nest containing young ones, and seeing a

pair of Red-headed Buntings (Hmberiza luteola), I noticed nothing of outstanding

interest. Willow-wrens and warblers are most confusing birds. Many have

such slight differences, that unless one is prepared to shoot on sight, and then

examine the shattered remains with the aid of a book, it is usually impossible

to say for certain to what species the victim belongs. Thus the identity

of this Willow-wren, whose nest I found on three other occasions, all containing

smail young ones, remains a mystery, although I suspect it to be the Greenish

Willow-warbler (Acanthopneuste nitidus viridanus). The owner of the nest in

question showed itself to be a creature of fixed habit. In a cavity in a branch,

the nest had two entrances, or rather according to the tenant an entrance and

an exit, as it invariably went in at the top hole and reappeared, when the

excitement, which the sight of food always seems to create in children, had

somewhat died down, out of another hole about a foot further down the trunk.

I have often noticed this traitin birds. A Tailor-bird, which had its abode in

a creeper onthe verandah of a bungalow I was recently occupying, always

pitched on the lowest branch of the creeper, and hopped up invariably by

exactlv the same route to its nest some four feet higher up. And a Red-

flanked Bush-robin (mentioned later on) had the same trick as the Willow-

wren, entering its nest, which was under a fallen stump, from one side of a

piece of loose bark and leaving from the other. In this case I was able to

observe that both the male and female did likewise.

The next day I succeeded in finding a Plumbeous Redstart’s .(Rhyacornis

fuliginosa) nest containing three young ones. This was on the underside of

a stump overhanging the river, which was now a raging torrent of intensely cold

snow-water. This made the getting of. photographs a rather unpleasant job,

as I had to fix up the camera in the water. The Plumbeous Redstart has all

the attributes of the true Redstarts with a great partiality for water

thrown in. It is a restless Robin-like bird with a short tail, which it is conti-

nually vibrating, and which is of totally different colouration in the two sexes.

In the female the base of the tail is white, and this white increases on the outer

feathers towards the outside, the outermost feather being almost entirely white.

The remainder of the tail is bluish brown. That of the male is wholly bright-

chestnut. They effect every mountain torrent and all the side rivers of Kashmir

up.to considerable elevations, but are not to be found in the main vailev, where

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

the current is sluggish. They feed on the insects on the wet rocks, and some-

times flutter into the air after winged prey. The nest is cup-shaped and made

of moss and roots and is lined with hair and wool. The situations chosen are a

ledge, well concealed by grass and ferns, the underside of an overhanging

tree-trunk, sometimes a fork of a tree, or the masonry of a bridge, and are nearly

always overlooking the water. The eggs, four in number, are white, thickly

mottled and spotted with yellowish and reddish brown, and are about 76” by °6”.

At Gund I began to meet with the Eastern Meadow Bunting (Hmberiza

cia stracheyi), evidence that the bed of the valley was steadily rising, as I have

never found this bird lower than a thousand feet above the main vallev. This

Bunting is the favourite duve of the Asiatic Cuckoo, but it was now rather

too late to hope to find the latter’s egg. At Koolan I found two unusual nests

of this species, as they were both substantially built cups well off the ground

in bushes. The usual nest is rather a flimsy affair placed at the foot of a bush,

in the side of a bank or in long grass. The eggs remind one strongly of the

Yellow-Hammers’, often having the same pencilling, though not usually to such

a great extent. I also obtained one most curious egg of this species here, a

light grev ground with a zone near the large end of thin concentric circles of

a dried-blood colour.

For two reasons I decided to remain one day at Koolan. Firstly because

I had decided to cross over into the Liddar Valley, and Koolan is the starting

point, and only the previous day there had been a very bad storm, covering

the hills with snow down to a thousand feet or so of the valley, probably render-

ing the Yamhar Pass (13,400 feet) uncrossable. Secondly because from the

bushy slopes just above my camp came the far-reaching and long-drawn-out

whistle of the Pale Bush-Warbler (Horornis pallidus pallidus), a small

insignificant bird with a wonderful voice and a still more wonderful egg.

There is no need to describe the bird asits notes are frequently uttered and

absolutely unmistakable—a plaintive monotone, which one can never quite

locate, and which goes on until one feels the bird must collapse from sheer

exhaustion. When it does eventually come to an end, it is finished off by two

quick sharp notes, It also possesses a rather feeble song. The nest is an

untidy globe of grass lined with feathers; but the egg a rich uniform purple

brown.

I entertained great hopes of finding a nest, as but a week before a friend had

taken one near Srinagar containing four fresh eggs. I had no luck, however,

and, returning to camp, consoled myself by taking photos of Jungle Crows

(Corvus coronoides intermedius), which I enticed into range with pieces of a vile

and uneatable plum cake, a ghastly attempt on the part of my cook. The

Jungle Crow of Kashmir is a far finer specimen than that of the plains.

The bird of the Nilgiris nearly approaches to it, butis I think consi-

derably smaller. Thereis an even greater difference in the eggs. I was shown

a clutch taken at Kotah in Rajputana, which were littleif any bigger than

Indian House Crows’. Whereas those I have seen taken in Kashmir are about

as large as Carrion Crows. The markings too are much pronounced.

The first stage of the appallingly stiff ascent to the Yamhar yielded little

beyond perfect views, and even these were few and far between, as the thick

deodar forest afforded one but few glimpses of the snow-capped hills, into which

one was mounting. When perhaps about 2,000 feet above the valley, 7.e., about

9,000 feet up, I came across a Small-billed Mountain Thrush (Oreocincla dauma.

dauma) on its nest among the exposed roots of a deodar. This bird is an

exceedingly close sitter and I made an abortive attempt to catch it. I really

believe it would have allowed me to photograph it as it sat, and I regret that I

did not make the attempt. Once flushed it made off straight down the hillside

and never putin another appearance. There were four eggs in the nest, which

was made of roots lined exclusively with pine-needles. Three of the eggs were

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

tracheyt).

za Ca §

THE EASTERN MEADOW BUNTING (Emler

dius).

des interme

‘US COTONOL

THE HIMALAYAN JUNGLE CROW (Co)

‘(noyyo mai) TVOUHL-ALIHM WASSaT — *Quopial snyniydous DyeUnt gt) MOWAVAS AOUAH S.NUUUaL

"3SiH ‘WeN AePquoca ‘uanor

BIRDS’ NESTING WITH A CAMERA IN INDIA. | 949

normal, a greenish white background specked with pale reddish. The fourth

was rather a freak, being very large and having the markings collected in a band

round the larger end. The sitting female reminded one strongly of a Song

Thrush (Turdus musicus), owing, I suppose, to the wearing down of the fulvous

margins of the feathers.

Shortly after this I espied a Grey-headed Ouzel (Planesticus castaneus

castaneus) with its beak full of wriggling insects. After watching it for some

time, I came to the conclusion that its nest was somewhere in a low bank

just below me. As I wason the point of jumping down, a movement caught

my eye and there, where I had intended landing, was a beautifully marked but

very evil looking viper just uncoiling itself. I disposed of it hastily with my

khudstick, and then discovered that it was evidently there with the intention

of satisfying the inner snake, as there too in a slight depression was the Ouzel’s

nest with two naked young in it. This is the only time I have ever found a

Grey-headed Ouzel’s nest on the ground. A decayed stump seems to be a

favourite site, and I have found them more than 10 feet up against the side of a

tree trunk. :

I was now at about 10,000 feet and the nature of the forest began to change,

birch becoming increasingly plentiful. With this change the avifauna too

showed distinct alterations, Flycatchers, Nutcrackers and evidence of a large

Woodpecker becoming numerous. I frequently noticed a little Robin-like bird,

which I find I described in my diary, written at the time, as “a little earthy

coloured fellow with a white throat and abdomen, red flanks and large inquiring

eyes, which obviously say: ‘‘ Who on earth are you. If you mean mischief, go

away.” Its peculiarly suspicious manner struck me afresh at every encounter.

This was the Red-flanked Bush-robin (Ianthia rufilata), the female. The male

is a much darker bird, having the upper plumage and a patch on the cheeks,

extending down the neck and on to the sides of the breast, a dark blue. It

has an ultramarine blue eye-stripe, upper tail-coverts, rump, and median wing

coverts, and of course the red flanks. They are possessed of a very hoarse

danger note like the rasp of a file. I eventually found the nest containing

young, which I mentioned earlier on in this chapter. This was procured close

to camp at Zaiwan: Zaiwan consisting of a post to mark the camping ground

dug into the centre of a small grassy marg looking out across the forest clad

snow-capped valley. Three thousand feet below and but three miles distant

across the tops of an unbroken sea of firs lay the Sind river, a narrow gleaming

ribbon emerging from the frowning narrows of Gangangair. After arriving

in camp and while refreshing myself with a cup of tea and the glorious view,

I was visited by a Jungle Crow with two distinct white wing bars. I had also

noticed one just before leaving Koolan, which had a large white patch in the

left wing.

The next morning commenced with the most strenuous exercise I have ever

experienced. In just over half a mile measured across the contours, but pro-

bably entailing twice that amount of walking, the path rose 1,500 feet. I had

to content myself with plodding steadily upwards, and only took note of my

surroundings during the many rests my overtaxed lungs forced me to take.

The forest, which had for some time consisted exclusively of birch, here

became stunted and soon ceased altogether. And sofar I had drawn a blank.

Some two and-a-half miles further on lay the pass, apparently a mass of

snow and probably quite uncrossable, but in between lay grassy slopes dotted

with patches of juniper bushes and many small streamlets of ice cold snow

water.

The path, thank Heaven, ascended but very gently to the foot of the pass.

The very first juniper patch, I investigated, yielded a small compact nest com-

posed of roots and moss, lined with hair anda few downy feathers,

and contained three beautiful blue eggs. Nest and eggs might have been those

950 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX,

of a Hedge-Sparrow transported straight from home. They belonged initrd |

to Jerdon’s Hedge-Sparrow (Prunella strophiatus jerdoni). Later I found many

more nests mostly being built, others containing but one or two eggs, but none

as yet with theirfull compliment. This first nest was at an elevation of no

less than 12,200 feet and was the highest I obtained, though I am sure that there

were still more to be had at higher elevations.

At the foot of the pass, 12,500 feet, many Hodgson’s Pipits (Anthus

roseatus) were to be seen running round the edge of Kem Siar, a small half

frozen tarn, and when I was laboriously pulling myself up the side of the

Yamhir itself, feeling like an exhausted fly on a window pane, an Eastern Blue

Rock Thrush (Petrophila solitaria pandoo) flew out of a mass of rocks I was

crawling through, and seemed very agitated at my presence. Between 13 and

14 thousand feet hardly seems a suitable elevation, at which to bring up a

family. The only other birds I noticed in this region were the inevitable Jungle:

Crow and the Lammergeyer (Gypaétus barbatus grandis),

As soon as I had crossed the pass, which I was able to do by pulling myself

up a narrow chimney, which the driving snow had left more or less clear, and

which was about half a mile to the left of the actual road, and brought one out

about 200 feet higher, I fell in with a bird for which I was especially on the look-

out, namely, the Yellow-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus). The nature of

the country was here very different. A narrow valley, commencing in a semi-

circle of towering cliffs, descended more or less gently for some ten miles, even-

tually debouching into the Liddar Valley at Liddarwat. The right face of the

valley was dominated by snow-covered heights of 15,000 feet or more.

Himalayan Griffions and an occasional Bearded Vulture were to be seen like

tiny specks, closely following the line of the cliffs. From the left bank of the

tiny stream, which grew in volume with almost every step, rose grassy slopes

strewn with masses of tumbled rocks, the homes of numerous marmots.

Everywhere were patches of melting snow, forming tiny rivuiets, at the edges

of which many Hodgson’s Pipits were feeding. Other vegetation there was

none.

I pitched camp at Sekwas (about 11,250 feet) three miles down the valley.

Here on the left too there was a massive perpendicular cliff, at thefoot of which .

the patches of Juniper made their reappearance. Choughs were very plentiful.

Bands of them sported overhead, one moment flying steadily like any serious

crow, the next swerving, tumbling, and rolling earthwards in a peculiarly careless

flight, the wind eddies amongst the broken cliffs probably accounting for

these weird antics. The Yellow-billed Chough, slightly smaller than the Common

Indian Crow is biack plumaged, the wings and tail highly glossy, and has a short

and practically straight yellow beak and red legs and feet. I was told by a

friend, who was at this time at Sonemarg, which is not far distant and at about

the same elevation, that there the red-billed variety (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocoraz),

in which the bill is long slender and curved, Was common, while not a Yellow-

billed Chough was to be seen. The cliff was apparently their breeding place, as

on two occasions I saw Choughs fly out to mob a Griffon Vulture, which had

ventured too close. It was of course absolutely unscaleable, so I had to content

myself with a distant view of their haunts.

July started with great promise. Two most interesting nests being found

within a few yards of one another in the Juniper patch below the cliff: the first.

that of Tickell’s Willow-warbler (Phylloscopus affinis). This was a loose sphere

of grass about 5 inches in diameter with an entrance in the side. It was lined

with Chough feathers exclusively, and held two minute and almost oval white

eggs. One appeared to have a few microscopic red spots on it. The nest was

only about a foot from the ground and very imperfectly concealed. I am

sorry to have to confess that on this occasion I committed murder, as being

the onlv means of establishing the identity of the bird.

*(DIBQuIHI VaLLIGIs UOpriayo. WaT ) “(40gqn vinseueho miajphsouoky )

UHHOLVOATA ALOOS NVAWIVAIH FHL LVOUHLEHNATd GiLLOdSalIHM NYALSVaA WAL

4 em sees = cn enns fem

mune (ian ae

Journ,., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

_(Oretcola ferrea ferrea).

= —

RK-GREY BUSH-CHAT

THE DA

L..7

LTT

ie = a

Se ell

BIRDS’ NESTING WITH A CAMERA IN INDIA. 951

The second nest was of even greater interest. It was let well into the roots of

a. bush, and was semi-domed, rather like a coconut with a piece cut out of it.

Altogether it was about 7 inches in diameter with an entrance hole about 23

inches across. It was composed of grass, with a lining of goat’s hair, and

there were four eggs, rather pointed, light blue with red markings at the larger

end. They were very like large editions of the Indian Bushchats. I regret that

on this occasion I did not have resort to the gun, but I was never quite certain

as to who was the owner of the nest. I was unable to sit down and wait for

it to return, as it was already late. JI had struck camp in the morning and sent

the coolies on ahead, and I was now further from my objective, Lidderwat,

than when I started. As to the female I can only go_ by the story of the shikari,

who found the nest by nearly putting his foot on it, and who, incidentally,

having been engaged to find bears, was by this time quite convinced that his

sahib was a little touched. According to him she was an earthy coloured bird

with whitish underparts, and ran from the nest, sneaking someway through

the bushes before finally taking to flight. One cannot however go by an

Indian’s description. Should he catch the flash of a small patch of red on

an otherwise brown bird, it is quite on the cards that he would say the bird was

** Jal.” A black and white bird might be either black or white but not both.

However, I find Lhavealso written thefollowing in my diary; ‘‘A bird, which

may have been the male, was the same with a hlue throat and upper breast

and about the size and shape of an English Robin.’”’ This bird came quite

close to the nest when I was about 20 yards away. I am, therefore, of the opinion

that it must have been the nest of an Eastern White-spotted Bluethroat

(Cyanosylvia cyanecula abbott), which, I believe, is not supposed to breed

within Indian limits. If any of my readers have also found this bird breeding

in the Himalayas, I would be most delighted to hear from them.

One other nest besides numerous Hedge-sparrows’ fell to my lot. A Hodgson’s

Pipit (Anthus roseatus) flew from under a stone by the side of a sheep-

track, along which I was walking. The nest was the typical pipit nest, but

the eggs were very much darker than the usual pipit’s, having a distinctly

purplish tinge about them. There were three in the nest. I was lucky to get

a nest with eggs, as there were many voung birds about. Hodgson’s Pipit is

a small dark pipit, and in summer is only to be found at high elevations.

They are rather partial to water and stoney ground. In fact I never remember

meeting with them on dry ground. They seemed to prefer feeding on the wet

stones of the streams and round the edges of the tarns, running and fluttering

about like wagtails. They have a sweet little song and the habit of most larks

and pipits, but to a more marked degree, and when still some considerable

height from the ground, of cocking up the wings and tail and fluttering down

like a dead leaf or a butterfly at the mercy of the wind.

Descending below the 10,000 feet level, White-capped Redstarts (Chaimar-

rornis leucocephala) and Brown Dippers (Cinclus Pallasit tenuirostris) became

increasingly common. Himalayan Whistling Thrushes (Myiophoneus horsfieldi

temminckit) were numerous from a higher level. Choughs were now nowhere

to be seen. I had the luck to bring down a Snow Pigeon, the White-bellied

Pigeon (Columba leuconota) of the “ Fauna” (1st Edition), out of a flock,

which suddenly burst round some birch trees, which were once again in

evidence. Fine heavy birds with astrong swift flight they are, and really

beautiful to behold. Like great balls of snow with wings grey, banded with

brown, the primaries darker inclining to brown at the tips, a dark slate grey

head, pale earthy brown upper back, and upper tail coverts and tail blackish

brown, the latter having a broad crescent-shaped white cross-band.

I reached Liddarwat about 5 p.m., having used every plate I had out with

me, and reeling in consequence that I had had a very successful day. Unfortu-

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

nately the photographs of the Willow-warbler’s nest turned out failures ;

one being moved, the others for some reason I cannot now recall.

My tents were pitched on the left bank of the river on a little open space

surrounded by birch and deodars, the latter predominating. The valley at

this point is narrow and the hills immense and precipitous, yet thickly wooded

to a considerable height. Here the sun rises late and sets early, great black

shadows creeping over the river and darkening the opposite hillside in the early

afternoon. Theairis delightful, crisp and freshin the morning and pleasantly

warm during the daytime. I decided therefore that here was a charming spot to

rest. I discharged the coolies, and made up my mind to remain until I felt

inclined to move on, with due regard to the unhappy fact, that the powers that

be claimed my presence amongst the barren hills of the north-west frontier

in but 15 days time.

I had evidently struck one of those peculiar patches of forest, in which for

some unaccountable reason all the birds of the neighbourhood seem to be col-

lected. It may be that the feeding in such spots is superior to that in the sur-

rounding tracts, but I often doubt that this can be the true reason, as to outward

appearances at any rate there is often no difference in the vegetation or ground

whatsoever, and, consequently, one would conclude, in the food supply. Never-

theless for some 300 yards above and below my camp the place teemed with

birds ; and beyond this limit the forest was as still as death. My tent was

besieged by Jungle Crows ; bands of noisy Tree-creepers dashed piping shrilly

from trunk to trunk across my grass plot; Pied Woodpeckers would converse

with one another in stacato tones; afamily of Dippers gambled in the foaming

waters and a Himalayan Whistling Thrush down by the river spent all the hours

of daylight and most of the night in addition either mimicking every individual

member of the avian chorus in turn, or roundly swearing at anything that might

threaten its two hefty fledglings, sitting on a branch below it. Flycatchers

literally teemed, and every now and then the sweet lay of a Kashmir Wren

poured forth from a fallen trunk or moss covered boulder.

The first morning I passed repacking with greater care the negatives I had

so far obtained, and after tiffin took up a commanding position about 200 yards

the aid of binoculars and my own eyesight the doings of the feathered popula-

tion. By this means within a couple of hours I had marked down the nests of

no fewer than two Sooty Flycatchers, a White-browed Blue Flycatcher, and

two Large Crowned Willow-warblers. A Grey-headed Ouzel had a nest

behind an enormous boulder, which prevented me from discovering its exact

whereabouts. A Red-flanked Bush-robin evidently had its nest somewhere

in the vicinity of a fallen deodar, but would not disclose its position, and a

Kashmir Wren was_ busily feeding a large family amongst a small pile of under-

growth almost at my feet.

One is hardly likely to find the nest of the Himalayan Sooty Flycatcher

(Hemichelidon sibirica cacabata) except by the above means. The bird realises

thoroughly the advantages of camouflage, besides which it more often than not

builds on a horizontal moss-covered branch or close up against a tree-trunk.

The nest is small, and so in the former case from below merely gives one the

impression of a slight thickening in the branch. The materials used are

largely moss and lichens, and so closely resemble their surroundings. The

lining material is hair. It is placed at anything from 15 to 40 feet or more

from the ground and generally in a fir tree. The eggs 3 to 4 in number are

pale green heavily speckled with reddish, and measure about °65”’ by °46”.

The breeding season is extensive. I have found nests being built and contain-

ing young in May, June and July. Both sexes are inconspicuous in

coloration, but conspicuous otherwise, as they choose some high vantage

point, to which they return again and again after frequent sallies in pursuit

BIRDS’ NESTING WITH A CAMERA IN INDIA. 953

of winged prey. Why do birds feed so seldom on butterflies ? One would

expect such fat luscious morsels to be ata premium. Yet I[ can recall few

occasions, on which I have seen them molested, and then I have noticed that

they are not always easily caught, being adepts in the art of dodging and

swerving.

The LargeCrowned Willow-warblers’ (Acanthopneuste occipitalis occipitalis)

nests both contained young ones. One was at the end of a narrow hole in the

ground about a foot deep: the other well inside the decaying end of a fallen

pine. The Crowned Willow-warblers are distinguishable by the yellow eve

stripes and an additional stripe running from the forehead over the crown.

They invariably give away the presence of their nests by a continual loud

‘teeing’? whenever one is in their vicinity.

The White-browed Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis superciliaris) though a true

flycatcher is rather different in structure and habits from the last named

of the family, being rather slender in build. There is considerable dimor-

phism in the sexes, the male being entirely dark glossless blue above with a

white eye stripe, and white below. The blue extends down the sides of the

neck on to the breast, forming a partial collar. The female is in no way resplen-

dent, being brown above with pale buff underparts and having dark spots

on the crown of the head. The nest was about 7 feet from the ground in a cleft

in the trunk of a birch tree, and was an extraordinary structure. First came a

foundation of moss and on this a loose structure of thin strips, about 1/8 inch

in diameter, of the skin of birch bark. It looked for all the world as if the builder

had stolen the paper shavings out of a box of chocolates. A scanty lining of

hair finished it off. Uniortunately the building operations were over, as there

were three fresh eggs, so heavily speckled with biscuit brown as to completely

hide the ground colour. They were slightly darker at the large end. They had

a high gloss anda comparatively hard brittle shell and in size averaged

6’ by ‘5’. The male was by no means timid, and often came to admire his

property, while I was quite close.

The following morning I returned to the same area, but took up a slightlv

different position. I was soon rewarded by discovering the whereabouts of

the Grey-headed Ouzel’s (Planesticus castaneus castaneus) quarters. These

were somewhat unusual, being 12 feet or so above the ground in a thick tangle

of small branches sprouting from the trunk of a large tree, of the name of

which I am ignorant. Large feathered young ones were in possession, so I

left them severely alone, not wanting to make them leave home prematurely,

and so become prey to some ruthless marauder. Young birds are very

perverse creatures : once startle them into leaving the nest, and it is often

impossible to make them remain init again; no matter how many times one

puts them back.

Just behind me in the roots of another large tree was a nest of the Kashmir

Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes negleeta) containing five young ones, some three

or four days old. The Kashmir Wren resembles quite closely the English

Wren in size, shape and habits, but is much barred and darker in hue, which

readily serves as a factor in its identification. The nest is in no way different,

and I have also found unlined nests just as one finds them at home.

While watching the Grey-headed Ouzel, the evolutions of a Sooty Flycatcher

had attracted my attention. Every few moments it would fly past the same

spot in the side of the dead birch, at the foot of which I had posted myself. I

could see nothing unusual about the place beyond some loose flaps of bark.

There was an enormous boulder close by, on to which I climbed. From this

point of vantage, [found myselflookinginto the nest shownin the accompanying

illustration. It contained three eggs in an advanced state of incubation.

Allowing my gaze to pass beyond, I was surprised to catch sight of another

nest of the same species on a horizontal branch of another birch a few vards

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

further down the hillside. From my commanding position it was most con-

spicuous, but from anywhere near the tree it was almost unnoticeable. It

turned out to be empty, but next morning was found to contain one egg. I

took this egg and put in its place one of the well incubated ones from the other

nest. What a_ shock the parent birds must shortly afterwards have —-

sustained, finding themselves saddled with a hungry child some days before

scheduled time. The eggs in the first nest averaged °65’’ by ‘5’ and were

distinctly greenish, and the specks rather faint and brownish though just as

profuse. as usual. The single egg was of a slightly lighter shade and the

markings normal.

During both my vigils I was visited by a Blue-headed Rock-thrush (Petro-

phila cinclorhyncha) a truly beautiful bird, and nothing like his soberly arrayed

cousin the Eastern Blue Rock-thrush (P. solitaria pandoo). His head and

throat were dressed in cobalt blue, ear coverts, back and the greater part of the

wings, but for a white patch, and the tailin black, and the upper tail-coverts

and entire under parts in bright chestnut. The primaries and greater coverts,

and the tail feathers less so, are edged with blue. His abode I think must

have been higher up the hillside. I could hardly expect his nest too to be in

that little paradise.’ In a square of certainly not more than a hundred yards, -

in the space of a few hours I had found no less than the following nests—4

Sooty Flycatchers’; 1 White-browed Blue Flycatcher’s; 2 Great Crowned

Willow-warblers’ ; 1 Kashmir Wren’s, and 1 Grey-headed Ouzel’s. How many —

more were there, that I had missed ? Why there must have been millions as -

the rustic answered, when asked how many thousandths there were in an

inch.

Next day I decided to go to Kolahoi glacier, where the river takes its source,

one of the sights of Kashmir, the mountain from which it springs being

nearly 18,000 feet. I wasted the entire morning trudging along the left bank fre-

quently getting tied up in side nullahs and plodding through silent deodars,

which gradually gave way to birch and finally came to a straggling end, as one

steadily mounted. For the first two miles or so the woods were uncannily silent,

across a couple of old Tree-creepers’ (Certhia himalayana himalayana) nests,

both of which, by the way, were only about 3 or 4 feet from the ground, and

seeing a couple of families of the Red-flanked Bush-robin (Janthia rufilata).

Once a flock of Snow Pigeons (Columba leuconota leuconota) went hurtling past

within easy range, but I was empty-handed, and had to content myself with

admiring their beauty of form and flight.

Walking once more by the river’s edge, I saw many Brown Dippers (Cinclus _

pallasit tenuirostris) and eventually disturbed a pair of Plumbeous Water-robins

busily engaged in supplying the wants of a nestful of chicks. This was in

a most unwonted situation, being not less than 50 yards from the water, and

at least 15 feet from the ground in a hole in a tree. As if wishful to show

that the exception proves the rule, the parents were void of all caution, and |

even went on feeding their charges while I was photographing the situation.

Above this, about 10,500 feet, I don’t remember meeting with this species

again, but White-capped Redstarts (Chaimarrornisleucocephala) were numerous,

and appeared to have nests to judge by their actions when one com-

menced searching likely spots. However, I was unsuccessful as far as they

were concerned, until, in the very last copse through which I passed, I saw

one enter a stump with a piece of building material in its bill. The nest was

almost completed, only requiring to be lined. ith

It was now pretty late, and I had still a couple of miles to go to reach the —

glacier, so nesting operations for the day perforce ceased. Even as it was, I

I did not reach camp again until well after dark, feeling pleasantly tired after

being on the move for some 10 hours with but a short break for a picnic lunch.

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

HODGSON’S PIPIT (Anthus roseatus).

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

WL).

temmine

sfiel

honeus hor:

yop

WHISTLING THRUSH (

THE HIMALAYA

BIRDS’ NESTING WITH A CAMERA IN INDIA, 955

After leaving Liddarwat, Aru was my next halting place. This was a.charming

little village surrounded by considerable cultivation and open park-land.

A short but wide side valley harbouring a mountain torrent of the same name

provided the necessary space, rendering possible the village’s existence, which

incidentally was the first I had encountered since leaving Koolan.

I took up my quarters by the stream and some half mile from the village.

There was now a decided difference in the heat of the sun, as the bed of the

valley was rapidly dropping, and I found myself eager to take advantage of

any shade that offered itself. As I was thus idly watching from the shelter

of some bushes the last remnants of what must once have been a large snow

drift, being rapidly eaten away by the fast flowing water, a female Plumbeous

Water-robin.flew down from a cleft in the rock a short distance away and com-

menced quietly feeding on the wet boulders in midstream. Apparently she

never saw me sitting motionless in the deep shadow. A few minutes later the

male, who had all the time been feeding a little way away, came downstream

and joined her, and the two played about together for upwards of half an hour,

after which the female flew up to the nest and the male returned to his former

and evidently favourite feeding ground. I remained watching the whole morn-

ing and not once did the male go to the nest. The female once again left her

post for a short period to snatch another hasty meal.

It thus dawned on me, why I had previously been unable to find the nest

of this species except by chance. How many dozens of times had I seen pairs

of them. playing about the water’s edge with seemingly no cares and nothing

to do but enjoy themselves the live-long day. These I had left alone or watched

for but a short time, but when I had espied a solitary male I had said to mvself,

‘* Now surely his lady is sitting, so soon he will take food to her.” The result

was that after watching him (through glasses as a rule) till my eyes ached, I

reluctantly gave up the struggle and the riddle remained unsolved.

It is apparent that the male does not take food to his consort, but she, when

she thinks the coast is clear, leaves the nest and fends for herself, and being of

a cautious disposition does not return again, until she is pretty certain that

she is unobserved. Hence I counsel as follows—watch the females or even the

pairs, making certain you have not been spotted, but.it is a Waa of time to

concentrate on a single male.

Half a mile up stream I had the opportunity of putting the aber into practice,

with the result that I found another nest in much the same sort of situation

as the first. It was a difficult nest to get to, and entailed a wetting, so I left

it alone. The first nest held four hardset eggs.

Another interesting problem was solved that day, as far as I am concerned.

at any rate, though I am open to correction, if I have drawn too hasty a conclu-

sion. By the end of May I have found many evacuated Himalayan Whistling

Thrushes’ (Myiophoneus horsfieldi temminckii) nests, and during this trip

too I had noticed numerous young birds about. I now found. within a few

yards of one another two nests, one soiled, and evidently finished with, the other

containing two quite fresh eggs. Not far away were two more nests, as

before one given up, while the other, overhanging the water as usual, was

clean and tidy but as yet empty. Before leaving Aru, however, it contained

eggs, which unfortunately met with a tragic end. I photographed it from a

bank, which slightly overlooked it, but was unable tosee how many eggs

it contained, It was too high up to get to from the ground, so Habiba, the

aforementioned shikari, climbed onto a coolie’s shoulders, and was thus just able

to reach it with astretch. The stretch proved fatal. He lost his balance, and in

an attempt to save himself clutched at the rock-face. His fingers closed on

the edge of the nest. The agony was not prolonged. <A bedraggled shivering

wretch (the water was icy cold) was soon ashore, but the nest and some

broken egg-shells were being swept rapidly seawards.

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

However to return to my guns. After leaving Aru, I observed three more

nests in each case with the bird sitting. Two were inaccessible; the

third was stillempty. Though it was now the second week in July, it was

evident that the great majority of birds were laying. It, therefore, seems to

me more than probable that the Himalayan Whistling Thrush has two broods

in the year, the first about April, the second about July.

The nest of this species is a massive well constructed cup of moss grass and

roots lined with finer grass, and is invariably placed on a ledge or the side of

a boulder, and always close to the water. Often a nest is seen on such a

narrow or sloping shelf, that it seems almost to be defying the laws of gravity,

but it will be found to be firmly fixed, being more or less cemented to its bed

by the dried mud amongst the moss of which it is composed. They are not

as a rule far above the water, but I remember once noticing one on the opposite

side of a narrow and immensely deep gorge, which could not have been much

under 200 feet above the torrent below. They are fine looking birds, black with

glistening light blue tips to the feathers of the neck and breast. These spots,

however, are only visible at close quarters. Thus at a distance they closely

resemble the Blackbird, being of the same clean build and also having a yellow |

bill. They are, however, considerably larger, an adult male attaining a length

of some 13 inches. They have a large variety of notes, a pleasing song, and |

are also excellent mimics. At times, however, especially when in attendance |

on a family of youngsters, the many noises they produce, the volume thereof,

and its unceasing flow are enough to get on the strongest of nerves. The eggs

are greyish, more or less covered with very light brown specks, and are rather

elongated. The shell is hard, slightly pitted and glossy. They average

about 1:4” by 1”, and 3 to 5 are laid.

On leaving Aru I noticed a Kashmir Cinnamon Tree Sparrow (Passer rutilans

debilis) carrying material to a hole in a gnarled tree-trunk, while on the next «

tree a Kashmir Wryneck (Iynx torquilla japonica) matching the bark to

perfection, was hunting for insects.

Some two miles above Pahlgam, while walking across a patch of shingle, a

Hodgson’s Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba hodgsoni) flew from under a large stone

at my feet. A nest was disclosed containing 5 eggs, which on testing one of

them in the river, turned out to be quite fresh. This rather surprised me, as

by the end of May practically every nest I found contained young ones.

Possibly this was a second brood, or they may have been unlucky in previous —

attempts to raise a family.

Just after leaving this nest, I disturbed a Western Spotted Forktail (Emi.

curus maculatus maculatus), feeding at the edge of a small stream, which

flowed across the path. .

I had just come to the conclusion that this day’s operations were over, as_

I was now approaching Batakot, where I intended staying the night, when a

soberly coloured little bird—evidently a female chat of some kind—caught my

eye. It was fussing about a branch but a few feet away from the path, with

what looked like a caterpillar in its bill. I walked on watching it out of the

corner of my eye, and had the satisfaction of seeing it fly to a deodar, and from

there to a scraggy wild rose at its foot. I was unaware of its identity, so

remained where I was, and was soon rewarded by the advent of the male, who, |

I was glad to observe, was doing his fair share of feeding his offsprings. Itwasa |

Dark-grey Bushchat (Oreicola ferrea ferrea). For a moment one almost

mistook it for a shrike of some kind, as it has a decidedly long tail, is black

above, and white below with a white wing patch and a white line above the _

eye, altogether giving it a most shrike-like appearance when in flight. The _

nest was a scanty contrivance of grass with a few feathers for lining, and — |i

contained three newly hatched downy chicks.

BIRDS’ NESTING WITH A CAMERA IN INDIA. 957

I was in the act of photographing this nest, when another female of the same

species flew down into the roots of a hazel some 30 yards distant, so when

I had finished, I transported my camera to this spot and here discovered a

nest containing 4 eggs. They were on the point of hatching, one being already

chipped, and a second showing signs of a slight ridge, where the file on its occu-

pant’s nose was already working through. The eggs were typical Bushchats,

blue green with reddish markings mostly at the large end, and measured about

“7” by °55”.

This to all intents and purposes finished my outing, as I spent the next day

walking hard, covering the 19 miles to Khanibal, where I found the Houseboat

awaiting me. 36 hours later I was in the post office in Srinagar, where I was

rather annoyed to find that a telecentric lens, that had been on order for the

best part of a year, and which might have been useful on one or two occasions,

had arrived the very day I left for the Sind Valley.

I had had a most interesting 18 days, very successful too, when one takes

into consideration the fact that I was on the move practically every day, and

this is by no means conducive to success. One will invariably find far more

by stationing oneself in a likely spot and observing with glasses, than by any

amount of actual searching on the march.

Still who could have wished for a pleasanter holiday than this. These valleys

of Kashmir are indeed an ornithologist’s paradise. Combined with an ever

changing mass of bird-life, one has before one’s eyes the finest scenery in

the world. Here are unfolded great sweeps of forest-class hillside; there

vivid green slopes, dotted with the herds of wandering gujars. Again immense

dark chasms present themselves, in the gloom of which foaming torrents deafen

one with their ceaseless din, while above all, touching the very vault of Heaven,

gigantic tumbled masses rear their snow-capped heads through the billowing

clouds. Oh! to watch again of an evening from one’s tent door the deepening

shadows in the valley below, and the ever-changing kaleidoscope of rainbow

colour thrown by the setting sun on the glistening snows above. whiie

recalling at leisure the events of a successful day. May it be soon!

(To be continued.)

958

OBSERVATIONS ON THE BREEDING HABITS OF SOME FRESH

WATER FISHES IN THE PUNJAB. —

M. Hamip Kuan, M. Sc., F.R.MLS.,

Superintendent of Fisheries, Punjab.

(With two plates.)

The observations on the breeding habits of Cyprinide and Siluride were

carried on in their natural spawning grounds from 1921-1923, while of

Ophiocephalide were recorded from Departmental ponds at Madhopur and

Sirkian. The measurements and weight of gravid females were taken and the

total number of eggs obtained by weighing the whole mass and then weighing a

small portion carefully and counting it as a basis for a calculation.

Number of »

: : vee ¢| eggs per lb.

Species of fish. ae ats of (6 tela)

z of weight.

Tolas. Approx

Labeo rohita of ae exe Us 410 19,05,00C 1,85,854

Labeo calbasu a Aye a ie 126 4,86,600 | = 1,62,200

Labeo calbasu Ke Oye its Le 160 7,39,400 1,84,850

Labeo gonius : ii ne ale 18 2,900 6,444

Labeo micr opthalmus ss Nh OO 19 3,400 6,105

Cirrhina mirgala .. he ute A 1324 2,16,800 65,450

. Cirrhina mirgala 80 1,24,800 62,400

Cirrhina reba = ee ts aes 17 3,200 7,530

Catla catla .. a “a aed gate 452 4,00,275 35,378

Rita rita ae | 40 20,800 20,800

Determination of the reproductive powers is not only useful from a

theoretical point of view but it is of immense importance in the practical

question of fish culture. The extraordinary fecundity of fish is remarkable,

though it varies in different species, and this fact if properly considered by

the pisciculturist, will lead him to devise means to increase the production of |

fish by protecting the eggs as well as by shielding the young and helplessfry ,

from the many dangers which threaten them.

In the “ Natural History of British Fishes” by Buckland many instances |

are given of the number of eggs found in gravid female fish. A few of these |

selected by Dunsford (1) are given here for comparison with the Punjab Fish. ~

NI :

Species of fish. Weight. | Number of Number of

eggs, eggs per lb.

lbs.

Carpi ais mh ie oa 141 6,33,350 - 43,679

Carp ge one ale Ses 214 13,10,750 60,965

Carpe AM ay pons ve 165 . 20,59, 750 1 24, 833

Pike a aye Ale wit 24 2,24,640 9,360

Cod a a ig che 20 48,72,000. 2.43, 600

Drouter ri os bese) Eig l 1,000 1000

Journ., Bombay [Nat. Hist. Soé.

Fig. 1. NETTING FOR MURRAL.

ly »

. Live Car for keeping Eggs and Fry under Fig, 3. Tank at Sirkian for Murral

observation at Hatcheries,

(Ophio cephalide) breeding.

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. :

CHHENAWAN FARM ¥OR CARP BREEDING, CHHENAWAN FARM FOR CARP BREEDING.

1. Stock pond for breeders. 2. Stock pond for young fish.

BREEDING HABITS OF SOME FRESH WATERFISHES. 959

All attempts to breed the members of the family Cyprinide, namely, Labeo

rohita, L. calbasu, Cirrhina mirgala and Catla catia in artificial waters have

proved failures. Unlike their western species they do not lay their eggs, even

when brood fish from the river are introduced into the tanks. The experi-

ment was tried at the Departmental Hatcheries at Madhopur but no _ result

was obtained. One of the main reasons for our failure is the want of

knowledge of their-breeding habits in their natural environments.

The fish become ripe in May and both male and female seek shelter under

weeds and aquatic plants near banks and are not easily frightened by the

approach of intruders. Towards evening, groups of fish may be seen on the sur-

face splashing water and fighting with each other. These are signs of courtship !

And thus they wait for the first shower of rain. If there are no rains at all, or if

they are late, the eggs degenerate in the ovaries, leaving a filthy mass. In J uly

as soon as the rains set in. the streams become flooded and the fish move on to

shallow waters. If the flood is of a temporary character they fall back into. the

main channel with the diminishing current without spawning, but if the floods

are continuous the fish get into the surrounding fields, play together, lashing the

water with their caudal portions. A female is often followed by three or more

males, but reverse cases have also been observed. Very rarely are single couples

seen. If a mate is separated from its companion or is companionless it has

been heard to produce guttral sounds calling the other. This play lasts for only

a short time and the female then lays its eggs which are non-floating and the

males shed their seminal fluid or milt over or near them. Depth of water in

fields where spawning takes place varies from three inches to two feet, and tem-

perature of water ranges trom 76° F. to 98° F. Sometimes when the flood

subsides earlier, little pools are formed by the depressions and there the eggs

are found in heaps.

The eggs are not laid at one place and at the same time, but at intervals

during which the fish keeps on moving with its mates along with the current of

_water. The rivers are flooded first and the fish therein are the first to spawn,

while those of the tributaries wait for heavy rains which flood them sufficiently

to overflow into the fields where spawning takes place. The breeding time,

thus, lasts from the beginning of July to the middle of August.

An egg measures from 1°5 m.m. to 2 m.m. butit swells to 4 m.m. as soon as

it falls into the water due to the presence of a mucous like investment which

gives it a glassy bead like appearance. The colour varies in different species :

reddish in Labeo rohita, bluish in L. calbasu and L. gonius, light red in C, mirgala,

dirty white in C. reba and yellowish in Wallago attu. Milt or male fluid is milky

white, non-sticky and non-granular. The development is quickened by the

warmth of the sun falling directly on the eggs lying in shallow waters and unlike

their western species which hatch out toward the 12th or the 16th day, the

embryo is seen bursting the eggs after 30 to 40 hours from the time of laying.

There is very tiny yolk bag which is absorbed in three or four days. The

mouth opens on the third day after hatching for respiration and two days

after this, the young fry begin to seek their food in the diminutive pools where

- they have been left by their parents. .

The extraordinary fecundity of these fish which is unparalleled in animal life

is attended with enormous waste. The eggs are laid during floods which may

carry them to places where their fate becomes uncertain. The male sheds its

milt in water and there are very big chances of an egg being left unfertilized.

The eggs either sink to the bottom or rest on grass attached by their gelatinous

coats and there is every likelihood of the spawning fields drying up before they

are hatched. If, however, they are lucky enough to escape all these misfortunes

and are hatched in due time and find opportunity to run into a pool or stream

there their enemies do not leave them unmolested. Eggs of Wallago attu 5

Yo Sh

predaceous Siluroid and Labeo gonius, were collected from the same spot. They

960 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL GIS81',. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

hatched out at about the same time, but after a week the fry of Labeo gonius

was 7 m.m. long while that of Wallago attu 20 m.m. and the latter were chasing

the former and devouring them in large numbers; their mouths being big

enough to catch two of the Labeo ata time. The rate of growth of Wallago

attu fry is much faster than that of the Carp. In the latter the mouth opens

twenty-four hours after hatching for respirationand the gutis completely

formed after seventy-two hours. In Wallago attu the mouth opens within less

than twenty hours and the gut is complete within forty hours after hatching

and the fry begin to devour whatever comes in their way.

Even with such a loss and destruction of the eggs and fry the waters would -

teem with the finny tribe so long as man did not interfere with their normal

growth by indiscriminate and untimely slaughter. The killing of one gravid

female would mean the destruction of hundreds and thousands of eggs which

otherwise under the most unfavourable circumstances would develop to

continue their progeny. Observation of close season for fishing during breeding

time will help the matter much, while establishment of hatcheries on scientific

basis near the spawning grounds will ensure the development of eggs and fry

and lessen the chances of their loss and destruction.

Barbus tor (Mahsir) differs from other members of the Cyprinide in as much

as itis migratory in its habits. Barbus tor is seen in March and April ascend-

ing considerable heights and traversing long distances to get into the hilly

tracts for spawning purposes. It has been said that these fish ascend to

these hilly streams to find fresh feeding grounds or shallow waters best suited

to the puny strength of their fry when hatched, and also that the parent fish

drop back with the decreasing water, and therefore cannot return to devour

their fry which are completely cut off till the next rainy season. But all this

is trueina way regarding every other Cyprinide which spawn in the plains :

therefore what accounts for the migratory habits of Birbus tor? In the case

of Salmon, Roule (5) remarks “‘ the habits of salmon are largely determined by

the amount of oxygen dissolved in water. During the spawning season

Salmon need the respiration intensified and therefore select and ascend rivers

in which there is satisfactory proportion of oxygen.”’ L. Crosswell comment-

ing on this paper says ‘“‘Salmon are driven to seek the gravel beds of the

upper reaches of rivers, and trout the gravel beds of the lesser tributaries for

spawning purposes, not only by their natural thirst for oxygen or their need

of it in intensified respiration, but that their desire for the freshly aérated

supply of water afforded by downward rushing mountain brooks, streams and

rivers is fundamentally associated with the need of oxygen in oval develop-

ment in and after spawning.”” He supports his statement with conclusions

drawn from Loeb’s experiments on artificial parthenogensis, where fertilisa-

tion was initiated and development carried to the larval stage by means of

cortical cytolysis followed by accelaration of oxidation in unfertilized eggs of

molluses and amphibians. Loeb came to the conclusion that the essential

effect of the entrance of a spermatazoan into the ovum is also an acceleration

of oxidation. Here is, then, the importance of oxygen in relation to the

spawning of fish and the development of fry. Rapid flow of water brings

volumes of oxygen in the downward rushing streams and Barbus tor travels up.

to get them. These fish were introduced into the ponds at Madhopur, but

notwithstanding the submontaneous character of the place, they did not spawn

as no rushing currents of water during rains stimulated them to lay their eggs.

In India pisciculture has almost been wholly neglected and in the Punjab it

has never been seriously undertaken. The fecundity of fish is an established

fact and the truth of this has been recognised in foreign countries where

accordingly scientific methods have been devised to carry on fish culture.

Study of the breeding habits shows that the Indian Carp can be made to spawn _

in ponds and tanks provided that all the conditions of their natural spawning

BREEDING HABITS OF SOME FRESH WATER FISHES. 96}

grounds are taken into due consideration. A current of running water, flooded.

area during rains, escape of flood water into adjoining fields will, undoubtedly,

result in stimulating the fish to spawn.

Members of the Ophiocephalide have successfully bred in artificial waters ;

and they are mainly tank fishes. The enormous production of eggs in

Cyprinide and Siluride is in adaptation to their environmental conditions

which allow hardly one out of thousand eggs to develop,while in Ophiocephalide,

formation of nests, parental care and absence of floods play a great part

protecting the small number of eggs—two to seven thousands—which are laid

before the rains setin. The observations recorded here were made at the

Departmental Hatcheries on Ophiocephalus marulius mainly and O. gachua and

2, striatus occasionally.

Nest building of O. striatus of Ceylon has been described by Willey (6), and

of O. striatus of Mysore by Day (9) and of O. punctatus of Madras by Wilson.

Ophiocephalus marulius makes its nest amongst aquatic plants and in spots

where there is abundance of food for young fry. Just before the eggs are laid

the fish may be seen swimming towards the banks and hiding themselves under

vegetation : they are seen in pairs. A pair is often seen to frequent only one

place, where later on the nest is made by means of cut portions of weeds which

the fish break or uproot with their mouths. It takes at least a week to build

up a nest: which is merely a receptacle for the eggs without any elaborate

passages for ingress or egress of fish ; and both male and female take part in its

construction. !

Process of spawning has been observed in Ophiocephalus gachua. The pair

lies submerged in clear, but stagnant, water without any nest or receptacle. The

female has its ventral surface directed upwards, while male lies crosswise over

it. Their genital pores are thus close together. Two to three hundred eggs

are liberated at a time at an intervals of a minute or two, and the fish remain

in the same position, and at the same place till all the eggs have come out. The:

male pours its milt at thesame time. Eggs rise to the surface,. spread there and

float. The fish use their fins all the time to keep their balance.

Eggs in Ophiocephalus marutius are floating, circular, light, reddish yellow and

non-adhesive. There is a single large oil globule in the yolk which makes the egg

bouyant. Each egg measures 2 mm. There is no gelatinous covering. The

embryonic development goes on rapidly, but depends considerably on the

temperature of water. The eggs hatched out in fifty four hours at temperature

ol to 79° F and in thirty hours where the temperature ranged from 83°

to 92° F.

The breeding season of Ophiocephalide in the Punjab lasts from the middle of

April to the end of July. The fish guard their fry for about a month or so. In

the case of O, marulius six weeks old fry do not keep together and probably when

the fish find its young ones have become disobedient and have begun to wander

about, it begins to devour them. |

Whether it is the male or female that guards the nest is an open question. The

female has been frequently seen just beneath the eggs and fry, keeping strict

guard over them and is easily recognised by its large size. The male keeps

watch at a short distance, and whenever the nest is approached, the male runs

away causing a splashing noise which warns the female. The female does not

run away immediately but keeps looking at the intruder and withdraws her-

self backwards slowly, keeping an eye on the nest at the same time. The posi-

tions of male and female are very often reversed. Yor full one week the frv

remain in the nest, and then the parent fishes take them along with them. The

fry sometimes separate into several groups, but the parents stay at one place

and each group comes back as though they have been ordered to do so. In

one instance the parent fish jumped a foot clear out of water after a

kingfisher, which after taking afry had flown to a branchof atree a vard

“15

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

above the surface of water. When the fry grow big and are too numerous

guarded by the male and the other by the female. The fish at this

stage when approached would either hide itself under its young ones or

would leave them very reluctantly, going not far off, and returning soon

after the intruder had gone away. A pair of Ophiocephalus gachua were once

seen in a pond with a few days old fry. The male swam immediately below the

swarm while the female was ata little distance off. Positions were, however,

frequently reversed, and the female as often remained below while the male

kept watch on one side or the other, swimming round and round. Two Belone

cancilla made their appearance, evidently attracted by the frv, but were met

with by the angry eye of the mother. Both intruders came to a halt and remain-

ed as motionless as O. gachua, and a staring match ensued : both being absolutely —

motionless for the space of quite a minute or more, though not nine inches of

water divided them. At length a very slight fin movement of O. gachua sent

her slightly forward and like a flash both the Belone cancilla turned about and

made off, while O. gachua returned to her brood. Both the Belone cancilla

were considerably longer than the O. gachua which sent them about their

business.

LITERATURE.

(1) Dunsford, H.S. .. .. Report on Punjab Fisheries 1911.

(2) Thomas,H.S. .. .. Rod in India.

(3) Gupta, Ky Ge)". .. Bengal Fisheries Report No. 39.

(4) Boulenger & Bridge .. Natural Camb. Hist. (Fishes) Vol. VII.

(5) Roule .. ee .. Fishing Gazette, June 6th, 1914.

(6) Willey, A. he .. Observations on the nests, eggs and larvae of

Ophiocephalus striatus. Spolia Zeylanica,

Vol. vi. Pt. xxiii, Dec. 1909, pp. 108-123. |

(7) Willey A. .. .. Notes on the Fresh water fisheries of Ceylon,

Spolia Zeylandia Vol. vii, Pt. xxvi, Dec. 1910.

(8) oS. Rage hal Wis .. Notes on the Fresh water Fishes of Madras,

Rec. Ind. Mus. Vol. xii, 1916.

(9) Day EK sc ae ..» Fauna of British India, Fishes.

963

A DESCRIPTION OF THE NESTS AND EGGS OF THE COMMON

BIRDS OCCURRING IN THE PLAINS OF THE UNITED PROVINCES.

E. H. N. GIL.

Part IV.

(With a plate).

(Continued from page 768 of this volume.)

Motacilla ta alee (831) .. The Large Pied Wagtail.

Local name ne -» Bhuin Mamula.

Anglo-Indian name at -- The Common Wagtail.

This is a familiar bird in the well-watered tracts of the western districts, and

of all the numerous species visiting us in the winter is the only one which remains

behind to breed. I have never seen the birds East of Benares, and I very much

doubt whether they occur in the Eastern Districts at all. .

On the Ganges and Jumna, and various other streams and swamps in the

_ Western Districts the birds are common, and are met with either singly or in

pairs in the immediate neighbourhood of water, from the surface and by the

side of which they procure their sustenance. They are resident throughout

their range practically all the year round, and are seldom absent from the

vicinity of their breeding grounds.

The period of nidification is from about March to May—quite a short one.

Both birds assist in building the nest, and if watched carefully will soon lead one

to the selected spot. The sites chosen for these nurseries are influenced to a

great extent by environment, so that in the Bundelkhand streams, those with

rocky bottoms, the nests are invariably placed in holes and crevices in rocks

quite close to the water ; whereas on the Jumna and Ganges the most favoured

sites are pontoon bridges, the nests being carefully tucked away in some nook or

corner of an old boat or iron pontoon, in which circumstances the birds evince

no fear of man whatsover. On tanks and marshes old disused boats are often

appropriated, the nests being hidden away under the gunwales ; while holes in

the walls or drain pipes of old buildings in the vicinity are also favoured. In

the Jhansi district there is a weir across the Dassan river which contains an

arcade of considerable length. Inside this arcade little alcoves have been let

into the wall at frequent intervals, and on one occasion I found about a dozen

nests in these alcoves all of which contained eggs. It will therefore be seen that

the building sites selected by these birds are by no means limited, and not con-

_ fined to any particular locality ; and, as Hume puts it, “‘It is impossible to

generalise satisfactorily in regard to the nidification of such irregularly-minded

birds as these’’.

_ The nest varies in size and structure in accordance with the position in which

itis placed. The choice of building material is also unlimited—fine twigs, grass-

stems, wool, old rags, hair and tow, and various coarse vegetable fibres being

freely used ; and while some nests are frail and delapidated with only a slight

depression in the centre to contain the eggs, others are strong and substantial

with a well-formed and deeply cup-shaped egg-cavity in the middle, neatly

lined with horse-hair and soft vegetable fibres.

The normal number of eggs is four, occasionally five, and often only three.

In shape they vary considerably, but are typically moderately long ovals more

or less pointed towards the small end. In regard to colouring they are, as a

_ whole, of two distinct types. In one the ground-colour is a greenish white with

markings of slightly darker shades, and in the other a dull white with dingy brown

markings; and between these two types intermediate varieties varying in

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

tone and character of the markings occur quite commonly. The markings

consist of spots, specks, clouds and smudges, in some more some less, some

times bold and distinct and sometimes so confluent as to almost obscure the ground-

colour altogether. In fact the variation is so considerable that a reliable des-

cription is almost impossible. A normal specimen would measure about 0:9 by

0°6 inch.

Alauda gulguia (861) 7 .. The Indian Sky-Lark.

Local name hs He fe hunts

Anglo-Indian name ip .. The Sky-Lark.

This bird seems to be pretty evenly distributed throughout the alluvial

tracts of the Province, and is at once recognised by its pleasing song uttered

while on the wing. It is met with either singly or in pairs, and seems to prefer ~

wild open country ; usually avoiding anything in the nature of heavy grasg

or forest.

The breeding season seems to be from about April to the end of June, but the

birds, being terrestrial in their habits, are wary and suspicious ; with the result

that the nests are, as a rule, rather difficult of location ; and on account of the

remarkably protective nature of their colouring, the birds are capable.of seeing.

without being seen ; a fact which renders careful observation somewhat difficult..

Broken country interspersed with stubble, patches of stunted tamarisk and.

camel-thorn, with perhaps a stunted acacia here and there, are ideal nesting

places; but even though the birds may be seen to frequent particular spots

the nests will not be revealed till after diligent search, and very often not at all.

If the birds are busy constructing a nest they will always be on the lookout

for intruders. Consequently the observer, though he may have concealed him-

self at a respectful distance, has probably made his presence known long before

he got there. He wonders then how it is that he is unable to detect the position

of the nest. Hesees a bird descend at a certain spot with building material in

its bill, he watches it leave the same spot with its bill empty. and yet a careful

search reveals nonest. He returns to his observation post and again watches

the same farce enacted ; perhaps in the same spot, perhaps in several others.

But this does not bring him any nearer the nest, nor afford the smallest clue to

its whereabouts. Eventually he gives the business a miss in baulk, and

goes away thoroughly disgusted ;—a sadder but not a wiser man.

What actually happens is this. Though the birds may be quite aware of the

presence of a stranger, his mere presence, provided he is not too close, is not

sufficient to deter them from the more important work of reproduction. Con-

sequently building operations are continued in the usual way; but with

fiendish persistence the birds contrive to put the watcher off the scent by

descending with building materials quite near the latter, but at some distance

from the nest. Then. watching their opportunity and taking advantage of

every conceivable bit of cover, they worm their way to the nest, and, after fixing

the materia] in the desired position, worm their way back to the position from

which they started before flying off again.

Practically the same procedure is adopted when the eggs are laid and incuba-

tion is in progress. The sitting bird will leave the nest on the approach of a

stranger if it can possibly do so without being detected, and will travel some |

distance along the ground before rising into the air. But if caught napping—

not a common occurrence—it will sit tight and trust to its colouring to escape

observation. In these circumstances it is often flushed, and the nest is then

revealed. Ordinarily the nests are found purely by accident, but the majority

escape detection altogether.

The nest is always placed on the ground in a hollow scraped up by the birds

themselves, sometimes under a stone or clod of earth, sometimes under or at

the roots of tufts of grass, and sometimes at the base of some stunted bush.

Sometimes it is a deep and sometimes a shallow cup, built into the hollow with

NESTS AND EGGS OF COMMON BIRDS OF THE U.P. 965

the rim only slightly protruding above, and composed of fine grasses, roots, and

stems with the egg-cavity carefully lined with much finer material; and both

birds assist in its construction.

Five is the full complement of eggs laid, but it is more usual to find three

occasionally four. In shape they are typically moderately elongated ovals,

sometimes a good deal pointed towards one end. The ground-colour varies from

a greyish to a vellowish white with a moderate gloss; rather densely freckled,

spotted and speckled, sometimes blotched, with various shades of dingy yellow

and pale purple. Some specimens are almost inseparable from those of the

Common Sparrow, and a normal egg would measure about 0°8 by 0°6 inch.

Alaudula raytal Oe a .. The Ganges Sand-Lark.

Local name ss .. Unknown.

Anglo-Indian name .. Unknown.

This inconspicuous though sprightly bird is commonly distributed throughout

the Eastern and Western districts alike, but seems to be confined almost exclu-

sively to the undulating sandy dunes of the Ganges and other large streams.

Its habits are the same as those of the other allied species, save that it is not

much of a songster, and is perhaps even more terrestrial than the last species.

Straggling patches of tamarisk, camel-thorn, and other deep-rooted fungi, com-

mon along most sandy dunes, are favourite nesting places ; but here again the

protective colouring of the birds renders the detection of their nests very diffi-

cult.

The breeding season is from about March to May, and the nests, though

similar in structure to those of the last species, are much smaller; being about

three inches across and placed, as a rule, at the roots of tamarisk and camel-

thorn bushes, or under tufts of grass; grass-stems, roots, and dry tamarisk

leaflets being freely used in the structure.

The full complement of eggs is three, though normally only two are laid. In-

shape they are typically rather perfect ovals, slightly compressed towards one

end, ‘The ground-colour is a yellowish or greyish white with a moderate gloss,

The markings are peculiar and characteristic and consist of amass of minute

speckles of a slightly darker shade scattered profusely all over the egg, and only

very occasionally presenting secondary markings of pale purple shades. A nor-

mal egg would measure about 0:7 by 0°5 inch.

Mivrafra cantillans (869) .. .. The Singing Bush-Lark.

Local name a nes .. Aghun, Aghin.

Anglo-Indian name nd .. Unknown.

This species seems to be locally distributed in some portions of the

Provin:e, and is totally absent from others. In habits and coloration it

greatly resembies the Red-winged Bush-Lark, but its song is unmistakable.

' The two species are, however, much confused by the amateur.

The birds are found in wild bushy country, and several pairs may be seen

frequenting the same locality, flitting about the bushes to the accompaniment

of those quaint plaintive notes so characteristic of the species.

The breeding season is from about March to August, and the nests, invariably

placed on the ground amidst thick grass and well concealed, are of two distinct

types—a peculiarity for which there is no accounting. One is just the typical

Jark’s nest as already described, and the other is more or less dome-shapec!

with the eggs completely concealed from view. It is composed of dry grasses

and roots and is, in fact, a perfect miniature of a Coucal’s.

Four appears to be the full complement of eggs, though three is more usual.

In shape they vary a good deal, but are typically rather long ovals, somewhat

pointed towards one end. In colouring and character of the markings they

resemble certain types of Sparrow’s eggs, but in some specimens the markings

present a reddish brown tint by which they can be differentiated. A normal

egg would measure about 0°7 by 9°5 inch.

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

Mirafra Ee (871).. .. The Red-winged Bush-Lark.

Local name te .. Jungli aggia.

Anglo- Indian name is .» Unknown.

This is the common Bush-Lark of the Province, and is met with in most suit-

able localities. Its habits and particulars of nidification are identical with those

of the last species, even to the extent of constructing two different kinds of —

nests. The eggs, however, are remarkable for the uniform speckly character

of the markings, and the distinct red and reddish brown tints which

predominate in all the eggs, and which, in many cases, have a tendency to

collect in an irregular cap or zone atthe largeend. The eggs approximate i in

size to those of the last species.

Galerita deva St As de .. Sykes’s Crested Lark.

Local name his .. Chandul.

Anglo-Indian name wie" .. The Crested Lark.

This species occurs quite commonly in suitable localities throughout the

Province, particularly in the drier and cultivated tracts. Their pale colouring

and small perky crests are unmistakeable, but they do not seem to have

acquired the soaring habit of the Indian Sky-Lark. They are, however, adepts:

at evading observation themselves and leading intending robbers away

from their nests, and invariably evince the same cunning as the Indian

Sky-Lark.

The period of nidification is from about June to August, and the nest is always:

placed on the ground in dry and open country. Itis invariably builtinto asmalk

hollow or depression sometimes almost entirely concealed by some clod of earth,

or hidden away amidst a tussock of grass, or at the roots of some stunted bush.

It is composed of various grasses and vegetable fibres usually without any

lining whatsoever ; measuring about 4 inches in diameter and 23 inches in

height.

The eggs, usually three in number, vary considerably in shape, size and colo-

ration ; but typically are broad ovals, slightly pointed towards one end. The

ground-colour varies from a dull yellow to a greenish white and exhibits a bright-

er gloss than any of the other species. The markings consist sometimes of a

multitudinous collection of freckles of purple shades, and sometimes of spots:

and freckles of reddish brown underlaid by pale purple clouds particularly

towards the large end ; some eggs bearing a remarkable resemblance to those of

the Brown-backed Indian Robin. A normal egg would measure about 0°7 by

0:6 inch.

Pyrrhulauda grisea ae ns .. The Ashy-crowned Finch-Lark.

Local name ‘ .. -Diyora, Duri.

Anglo- Indian name a .. The Black-bellied Lark.

This is perhaps the commonest species in the Province, and occurs in almost:

every district in suitable localities. The birds seem to be more or less gregarious

in their habits and are usually met with in parties of a dozen or more, frequent-

ing dry open plains and undulating uplands. Their colouring is of a highly protec-

tive nature with the result that they will usually allow one to approach to with- —

in a few feet without being alarmed. They are much the smallest of the species:

already described, and the males can easily be recognised by their black under-

parts and the light grey patches on their heads.

The males of this species evince a curious habit of soaring into the air at:

frequent intervals, rising and falling in rapid undulations, and then descending

to earth in a fast nose dive, sometimes from considerable heights. This curious:

practice is more pronounced in the breeding season and has doubtless something

to do with it, though to the casual observer it would appear to have no meaning.

whatsoever.

The period of nidification is from about July to August, according to locality,.

though I am unable to state definitely whether two broods are raised in this:

“(noisy Ly IYOIUYODAY ) ‘HSA SALOVO

aula-NoS A1dund AHL fO LSAN V NI GUId-NOS AIdtnd AHL AO LSAN

90S ‘3SIH ‘}UN Avquwog “uanor

NESTS AND EGGS OF COMMON BIRDS OF THE U. P, 967

period or not. The work of nest construction would appear in most cases to be

undertaken entirely by the female, though the male doubtless assists in incubat-

ing the eggs and feeding the young. Nests may be found quite commonly on the

ground on dry open plains or fallow fields ; a hoof-print frequently forming the

cavity in which the nest is placed. Sometimes the nest is piaced against a clod

of earth, sometimes against the slender roots of camel-thorn, but is mostly right

out in the open without covering or canopy of any description. The nest itself is

merely a small, circular, more or less cup-shaped pad of various vegetable fibres

and soft materials, about 3 inches in diameter and quite substantial. But on

more than one occasion I have found eggs on the bare ground where there

was not any sign of a nest, while Hume records having found a nest amongst

the ballast, between the rails, where trains were passing a dozen times a day

over the sitting bird ; and “‘ When we think of the terrific heat glowing from the

bottom of the engine, the perpetual dusting out of red hot cinders, it seem

marvellous how the bird could have maintained her position’’.

The full complement of eggs is three, though one ordinarily finds only two.

In shape they are typically moderately elongated ovals somewhat pointed

towards one end. The ground-colour varies from a greyish to a greenish white,

and the markings consist of speckles, spots, and mottlings of yellowish brown

scattered over the egg. Some are remarkable for their freckled character, while

in others the markings are hazy and indistinct, and yet so uniform and conflu-

ent in others as to obscure the ground-colour almost entirely. A normal speci-

men would measure about 0°72 by 0°55 inch.

Arachnechthra asiatica (895) .. The Purple Sun-bird.

Local name : ee .. Shakar khora.

Anglo-Indian name : .. The Common Honey-Sucker.

The Purple Sun-bird, so often referred to as a Honey-Sucker, is very commonly

distributed throughout the Province. It is a familiar and fascinating garden

species, and is always seen frequenting certain fiowering trees and shrubs from

the blooms of which they extract the nectar ; fluttering and hovering about the -

blooms like gigantic honey-bees.

The male is unmistakeable on account of his brilliant peacock-blue plumage,

but the female is not nearly so conspicuous. Her colouring is, in fact, distinctly

sober; so that the uninitiated might quite easily pass her by, or perhaps not

identify her in any away with her sprightly and gaily-coloured mate.

The period of nidification seems to be quite an elastic one, for nests may be

found, according to locality, in almost any month of the year. February and

March, however, would seem to be the most favoured. The labours of nest

construction, incubation of the eggs, and feeding of the young, are borne entirely

by the female, while her retrograde mate disports himself gaily among the flowers,

makes himself most objectionable to all feathered society in the neighbourhood,

occasionally sitting near the nest and cheering his mate with loud and vigorous

song, and is not above carrying on an outrageous flirtation with the wife of

another elaborately-garbed gentlemen in thenext hvbiscus patch if she so

happen to pay him a visit within the limits of what he considers to be his bound-

aries. But where the reproductive faculty seems to have passed him by, it is

certainly an overmastering desire with the female, who devotes herself to her

arduous labours with a persistence beyond all praise. Not only does she evince

a sense of ingenuity truly remarkable in the matter of architecture, but her eye

for the picturesque is equalled only by her choice of protective environment,

her unbounded devotion to the voung, and the quixotic departures from the

normal in the choice of peculiar nesting sites.

_ The nest is pensile and of very remarkable structure, conforming to a shape

which I can best liken to an elongated pear; the lower part, comprising the

egg-compartment, being almost a perfect cup with the sides tapering gradually

upwards to meet at the point of suspension. ‘The choice of materials is practi-

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

cally unlimited, for anything soft and pliable, which can be woven with spider’s

web and silky materials into a compact nursery about 7 inches in height and 3

inches in width, is used for the purpose, and a perfect work of art is the result.

About midway between the point of suspension and the egg-compartment

a small circular hole about an inch in diameter is worked into the nest fabric

which operates as an entrance to the nest, and over which is worked a small

canopy or portico, which is a characteristic feature of the construction.

From the point of suspension the nest is gradually extended and widened till

the place where the aperture should be is reached ; the nest having acquired, by

this time the shape of a more or less solid cone with the apex on top. Now

comes the aperture with the little projecting cornice above it, and the greatest

care is exercised in its construction. Follows later the extension of the body

of the nest, and finally the soft and cosy egg-compartment. Then follows a short

period of activity during which the female may be seen going in and out of the

nest, twisting and turning her little body about inside it in order to get the pliable

materials to conform to the shape of her body ; and, as she sits in the nest with

her bill protruding from the aperture, it acquires a distinct bulge behind in

order to accommodate her tail in comfort. This little habitation is completed

in about ten days. Her food during the priod of nidification is reduced absolu-

tely to the minimum, for she is seldom away from the nest, and is not attended

to at all by her mate.

Rather a remarkable feature of these nests is the dry leaves and rubbish which

are stuck all round the egg-compartment, and also as streamers below it ; which

Hume and other observers ascribe purely to ornamentation. But I would

suggest that a much subtler motive is intended. . .It is a.curious fact (I speak

purely from personal observations) that nests. which. are built in what one might

consider abnormal positions—on punkah ropes or the wire netting across a

window for instance do not ordinarily exhibit these untidy streamers to any

appreciable extent. But those built in thorn and cactus bushes where rubbish

and cobwebs abound are most elaborately decorated with these materials in |

order, presumably, to harmonise with the surroundings as much as possible.

Protective mimicry or camouflage would therefore be quite a possible factor

when comtemplating the question of what others have been content to treat as

mere ornamentations. I should imagine that the struggle for existence amongst

these smaller species is sufficiently acute to preclude any idea of ornamentation

where a more useful purpose might be served. Concealment and mimicry

would ordinarily be the prime consideration.

Normally two eggs are laid, but one frequently finds three. In shape, size —

and colouring they vary considerably ; but typically are moderately broad

ovals, considerably pomted towards one end. The ground-colour varies from a

greyish, through shades of greenish, to a brownish white. The markings consist

principally of minute speckles of grey, pale purple, and brown shades pretty

uniformly scattered over the whole egg, usually obscuring the ground-colour

altogether, and invariably collecting in a confluent zone at the large end. The

dull, iil defined and confluent nature of the markings is a characteristic feature

of the eggs, and, in fact, quite unmistakeable. A normal egg would measure

about 0°65 by 0°45 inch.

Pricacum erythrorhynchus (919) .. Tickell’s Flower-Pecker.

Local name ane ae .. Unknown.

Anglo-Indian name bs .. The White Honey-Sucker.

This little bird is commoner than is usually supposed. It is to be found in

most districts in the Province, but on account of its inconspicuous colouring

and small size quite easily escapes observation. In general appearance it is

very like the female of the Purple Sun-Bird, though it is smaller, the bill much

shorter, and the upper plumage suffused with a greenish tint. ‘There is no

mistaking the difference when the two species are seen together,

NESTS AND EGGS OF COMMON BIRDS OF THE U. P. 969

Though of such small size, they differ from the Purple Sun-Bird in one import:

ant particular in that they are seldom seen among bushes or shrubbery, but

always on large trees for which they evince a curious attachment. They

are met with either singly or in pairs, flitting nervously about the highest bran-

ches and are everlastingly on the move. Their very faint but high-pitched

note repeated at intervals, is unmistakeable.

The breeding season is from about February to May, and the nest, always

placed high up on some large tree, is one of the most difficult to find. The birds

are extraordinarily wary, and I have seen several cases where they have deserted

the nest altogether on account of the observers being careless and arousing their

suspicions. Both birds assist in building the nest, and the male probably assists

in incubating the eggs as well.

A considerable amount of attention is paid to concealment, so that the nest is

invariably hidden away amongst a bunch of leaves. It is pensile, and in

appearance is not unlike,the Purple Sun-Bird’s, save that it is much smaller,

usually much rounder, and more carefully put together. The building materials

are much finer, and the egg-compartment is most carefully hned with soft vege-

table fibres and silky down, particularly silk-cotton from the pods of Bombax

malabaricum, The external decorations and streamers of rubbish, as also the

‘projection over the aperture, are almost entirely wanting.

Only two eggs are laid. In shape they are typically rather elongated ovals,

more or less pointed towards the small end. The ground-colour is pure white

and glossless without any markings of any description. A normal egg would

measure about 0:6 by 0°4 inch.

Piprisona ee m ee .. The Thick-billed Flower-Pecker.

Localname .. ; .. Unknown.

Anglo-Indian name se $e. Bul-tit.

This interesting little bird occurs quite commonly in almost every district

in the Province, and, like Tickell’s Flower-Pecker, evinces a curious liking for

large trees ; seldom or ever frequenting bushes or shrubbery. In size and colour-

ing it resembles greatly Tickell’s Flower-Pecker, but its note is quite different and

characteristic ; being a succession of loud tics uttered both whilst feeding and

during flight. The bill too is much shorter, and when looked at from above forms

a complete equilateral triangle. The birds are met with either singly or in pairs,

and are everlastingly on the move ; never resting for a single moment.

The breeding season is from about February to June, though the bulk seem to

breed in March, and the nest is so typical that when once seen it can never be

mistaken for any other. They are always placed on large trees, sometimes low

down, but invariably at considerable heights from the ground; and a great

deal of importance is attached to concealment.

The nest is composed throughout of extremely soft and pliable vegetable

fibres of a reddish brown shade, particularly the silkly down from the young

shoots and flowers of various plants which are woven together in such a manner

as to represent felt. It is small, pendant, and purse-shaped and slung along a

twig or bough which forms the roof of the structure ; and not suspended from a

point like the Purple Sun-Bird’s or Tickell’s Flower-Pecker’s. The aperture is

somewhat elongated and about an inch in length, withits major axis on the

same plane as the twig and immediately belowit. Measured from top to bottom

the nest would be about 34 inches, and the egg-compartment about 2 inches

across. The side walls are hardly a eighth of an inch in thickness, but the baggv

lower portion thickens perceptably to about halfaninch The curious felt-like

fabric and reddish brown colour are, however, unmistakeable.

Quite a number of nests are built amongst the leaf nests of a particularly

vicious species of red ant in which circumstances they seem to escape molesta-

tion altogether. Not only does the colour of the decaying leaves bend perfectly

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

with that of the nest, but the ants when disturbed become so aggressive as to

cause the intending robber to beat an ignominious retreat.

Normally two eggs are laid, but three is of quite common occurrence. In

shape and size they vary a good deal, but typically are rather elongated ovals.

The ground-colour varies from a light pink to a distinct rosy red usually thickly |

spotted and speckled with brownish pink and claret-colour, particularly towards

the large end where they have a tendency to form an irregular zone or cap. A

normal egg would measure about 0°6 by 0°4 inch.

(Fo be continued).

971

NOTES ON INDIAN BUTTERFLIES.

Lt.-Con, W. H. Evans, D.S8.0., R.E., HE Z.S. EES,

(Continued from Vol. XXVIII, p. 40.)

40, The following additions and corrections are needed to. the papers

appearing in the Journal on “‘ Butterfly collecting in India” and the “ Identi-

fication of Indian Butterflies.”’

(a)

(0)

(c)

(4)

(e)

Vol. XXVIII, p. 502 and 747. Morphids=Amathuside as far as

India is concerned. True Morphids are S. American.

Vol. X XIX, p. 231. Under A.1. TJ'roides alter la to 1b in the Ist and

7th lines : alter 1b to la in the Ist and last lines: put la, st seg. before

lb, e¢ seq.

Vol. XXIX, p. 242. Plate VI, bottom left hand figure, alter A. 12.1

to A. 11.1.

Vol. XXIX, p. 250: B. 6.1. Inthe B.M. there are2 $192 of Delhas

singhapura, Wall, trom Tavoy. It ditfers from agoranis in having

black veins on the hindwing below. Whether agostina, agoranis’

and singhapura are conspecific ‘is uncertain, but I prefer to regard

them as such tor the present, though the first two have been caught

flying together by Mr. G. R. E. Cooper. The races under B. €.1

should stand thus :

a, singhapura agostina, M. Sikkim-Dawnas.

B. singhapura egoranis, Grs. Dawnas.

y. singhapura sinyhapura, Wall. Dawnas—-S. Burma.

Vol. XXIX, p. 253. Mr. H. T. G. Watkins investigated the albina-

paulina—libythea group of Appias on my behalfin the B.M., last

summer. It was found that zelmira had been described from the

Coromandel Coast and its place must be taken by olferna, Swin.

swinhoer, Ml. and ares, Surin. (not in my list) also=libythea. It may

be remarked that, though the extreme dry season male of libythea

superficially resembles albina, it may always be separated easily

since there is only one tuft of hairs near the end of the abdomen,

instead of two. venusta proves to be a paulina form and flava

must be employed for the Cevlon race of albina. In Ceylon there

are three female forms of albina, viz., flava yellow above and below :

semiflava white above, yellow below: the common form, white

above and below, ior which I propose the name norma, nou: semi-

flava is Fruhstorfer’s name, not Rober’s. m<zlaniw is a distinct

Australian species and paulina should be substituced as the species

name. paulina was described from the Coromandel Coast, Java and.

Tranquetar, while the figure accompanying the description,

represents a female, which might well appertain to the Javan or

Ceylon form, but not to the S. Indian: therefore typical pawina

should ke regarded as Javanand qalene, Fd., employed for the

Ceylon race. The names should stand thus :

LB. 10.4, libythea libythea, F. Ceylon, India.

libythea olferna, Swin. Bengal-Assam-Burma,

B. 19.6. alhbina flava, Ro. Ceylon.

Q wv. semiflava, Fruh.

2 v. norma, Evans,

albina darada, Fd. S. India. Sikkim-Burma.

2 v. semiflava, Fruh.

972 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

B. 10.7. paulina galene, Fd. Ceylon.

Q v. lankanura, AT,

paulina werdu, WM. S. India.

poulina adamsoni, @. Burma.

paulina galathea, Fd, Andamans, Nicokars.

(f) Vol. XXIX. p. 254. ‘The Indian Empire forms of pyranthe and florella

are ;

B. 11.4. pyranthe minna, Herbst,

Behe 5: floretta gnoma, PF.

(9) Vol. XXIX, p. 255. The Burmese race of ere is not by any means

the same as the Malayan gobrias and I propose the name parva, nov.

B.13°1 g. verhueli parve, Evans. 4

(h) Vol. XXIX, p. 255. Mr. H. T.G. Watkins has pointed out some am

errors in the genus Genepieryx : the correct names are:

B. 14. 2. furinosa chitralensis, M.

B. 14. 3. a. aspasia zaneka, M.

B. aspasia zanekoides, De N.

41. The following butterflies were obtained by Major F. M. Bailey in August

1816 on the Safed Koh beyond Parachinar and in nearly every case the record

extends the pie eviously known range of the butterfly :

Parnassius delphius kasir, Avin. At 13 500 Teet:

Fieris callidice kalora, AM.

Pieris canidia, Sparr.

Aporia leucodice balucha, M,

Pararge schakra, Koll, e

Meniola pulchra, Fd.

Karanasa hubneri, Fd,

Aulocera podna, Koll.

Axlocera swaha kurrame, Evans,

Vaoressa urlice rizana, MM,

Vanessa cashmirensis, Koll,

Argynnis kamal., M.

Argynnis adippe jainadeva, M,

Argynnis lathonia issea, Db.

Zazera maha, Koll,

Polymmaius eros drunele, Swin,

Heodes phiseas siygianus, But.

Thecla sila, Kollar,

Fiesperia alnine, Ersch,

42. The following are new butterflies from Thiket :— :

(a) FErebia phyllis irma, nov. & above very dark brown: upf. with the

usual area of modified scales on the disc and a large pre-apical black

ocelius containing 2 prominent white pupils. ) paler brown, the

area between the end of the cell and the ocellus tawny, continued

under and outside the occllus. Unf. tawny with ashy borders, ocellus

as above, but with pale ashy ring. Unh. mottled brown and

white, a very obscure discal and asubmarginal irregular black

line, between which is a raw of obscure small white spots. Expanse

49 mm.Differs from all other forms of phyllis, Leech, in the g having

no fulvous colour above and in the 2 having no yellow ring to the

ocellus. S. E. Thibet, between Bhutan and Gyantse, 13,000

feet, August 1922; 2 ¢,3 Qcaught by Major F. M. Bailey: types

in BoM:

(5) Celias cocandica irma, nov. This name is proposed for the Colias

figured by me on the plate opposite page 540, vol. XIII, as

(c)

NOTES ON INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 9735:

cocandica. It differs four cocandica, Hirsch, chiefly in size, 54 mm.

against 42mm. ‘The type is in the B. M.

Colas pugo, nov. Above d pale yellowish white, 2 white, veins black

dusted, costa forewing red, cilia white. Upf. base black dusted,

a black spet end cell: marginal black border broad, one-third

of wing, with a central row of lar ge white spots, each of | which is

joined to the termen by a white line. Uph. basal ? black, a white

spot end cell: border broadly white. divided by Bees dusted veins.

Below costa F and H red. Unf. white, a black ring end cell, apex

yellowish green, obscure discal black spots. Unh. greenish yellow,

basal # black dusted, white spot end cell ; margin broadly pale, with

dark dusting on either side of the veins. Antenne: and legs red.

Hxpanse 48-50 mm. Much paler than any known form of cocandica,.

Ersch, and with larger marginal spots. Smaller than irma, Evans,

which has red cilia: not nearly as dark as nebulosa, Ob.: diilers from.

thibetana, Riley, in having the costa red. Nearest of all to thrasibulus,.

Fruh, as regards markings, but that species is yellow above. This

species was recorded by Mr. R. South in B. N. H. 8. Journal, vol.

XXIT, p. 153, as Colias nastes, Bdv., having been obtained by Major

F. M. Bailey at Pugo, 8. E. Thibet, 14,000 on June 27th, 1911:

3 ¢ 1 Y were obtained and the types are in the B. M.

(d) Cohas montium longto, nov. Q above yellowish white, mostly dusted

(e)

over with black scales. Antenne, legs, costas and cilia red. Upf.

veins prominently black, pale centred black spot end cell: margin

broadly black,bearing large pale spots in J, 2, 4 and 5, Uph. entirely

black dusted, a large white spot end cell: large ill defined, black

dusted, submarginal pale spots. Unf. white, dusted black scales,

cemplete series discal black spots: white centred spot end cell, apex

yellowish green, black dusted. Unh. entirely yellowish green, dust-

ed black scales, red ringed white spot end cell, with an external red

tongue anda red streak between base wing and base cell : obscure

discal biack spots. Expanse 48 mm. Resembles montium, Ob., which

occurs in 8, E. Thibet, but longto is paler with more black dusting,

resembling somewhat cocandica, Frsech, 19 ,the type in B. M. obtain-

ed by Major F. M. Bailey on August 8th, 1922, in Thibet between

Bhutan and Gyantse.

Lycaena orion tytleri, nov. Above rather as typical orion, Pail, but

much darker, smaller and wings more pointed: no traces of the

usual pale submarginal markings. Below marked as in orion,

the ground colour duller andthe orange Raa markings

in consequence much less prominent. Expanse 2$ -30 min. obtained

by Major-General BH. C. Tytler’s collector at Geran in May (911,

Type g and 9 in B. M.

974

A JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK.

BY Neth

Mayor C. H. Srocxzizy, D.S.O.

PART ULVe

(With 2 plates.)

(Continued from page 722 of this Volume.)

T left Hkambengpet on March 26th and did an uninteresting ten mile march

to Nam Me Kam, alittle N. of W. Very hot and mostly through dry deciduous

jungle. The march was only marked by my attempts to secure a Green Imperial

Pigeon, which flew from tree to tree ; invariably flying out of the wrong side and

also selecting the tallest trees on which to settle.

Next day we did a long hot march into the foothills to a hamlet called Ban

Samui, 16 miles winding through dry jungle and undulating country covered

with teak and grass. Here I halted a day and did a round through

the hills to the north, to look for game. It was evidently good game country,

but much of it was being burnt or had just been burnt and the game had left it

temporarily. Recent tracks of bison and tsine were plentiful, we jumped a small

herd of sambhar in one place and found fresh tracks of a bear in another,

Jungle fowl swarmed and I found a nest containing two fresh eggs,in a curious

‘situation. It was in a hole in the bank of a stream, the hole being about the size

top. Coming back I saw an emerald dove, the first of the trip, also many other

interesting birds, broadbills in particular.

We were camped in dense evergreen forest and most of the ponies eye in

‘search of grazing, so that we were very late in starting and had a hot waterless

12 mile march across the low hills southwards to Pong Nam Tan on the Klong

Suan Mak, here a clear rippling stream with a widesandy bed. It was here I

took several specimens of Anadebis diademoides which to my inexpert eye

looked extremely like a Huploea of sorts. Another butterfly, Danais mulciber,

provided me with a curious spectacle. While pitching camp I saw a sort of:

‘wavy movement in a clearing about 100 yards away and went over to

investigate. The clearing was about 50 yards wide and covered with the dead

‘stalks of some sorrel-like plant about two feet high. On these were clustered

the most amazing masses of butterflies I have ever seen. They were all of one

‘species, D. mulciber, and covered the entire clearing in clotted swarms.

Very few were fiying ; they were mostly settled wherever they could find room

on the dry stalks, sometimes clinging to each other.

That night the plaintive mewings of flying squirrels seemed to be in every

other tree, and I set forth with the gun to try and secure one but failed. ;

Next morning, April Ist, we marched early and reached the Karen village

of Klong Pung To at 44 miles. The village was, as usual, built on piles, and .

round the shady parts of the piles and under the floors were clustered large

numbers of butterflies, Huploea godarti and Euploea diocletianus. Leaving the

village we entered very fine forest, and it was here I saw the largest flocks of the

Great Black and Yellow-Hornbill I have ever seen. One contained 19 birds

and the second 23. Their wings made a loud rushing sound as they flew:

hard to describe but quite distinctive.

We camped at Klong Pong Kapo, on a narrow shelf of the bank of a small

‘stream. It was a great place for butterflies but also for bees, and after a while ~

I was driven inside the tent. Mahomed Kasim amused himself with the net

and shortly brought to me a fine specimen of Papilio paradoxus telearchust the —

only one taken on the trip. He brought it to me held firmly by one wing,

and now has the privilege of having his thumb impression on exhibition in

the Natural History Museum at S. Kensington. Fortunately it was otherwise

‘quite undamaged.

Journ,, Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

HEAD OF BISON SHOT IN ME’WANG.

OPEN JUNGLE IN THE MAN WANG VALLEY.

‘90S ‘1SIH "3UN Aequiog “usnor

A JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK. 975

- I went up the stream in the evening with the net, having sent Maung U with

the gun to shoot squirrels, and, not 40 yards from the tent, put up a handsome

Malay Tiger Bittern. Further on I saw a couple of little tamiops which I wanted,

and felt rather sore about things, until alittle later Maung U returned with a very

a Flying Squirrel (Petaurista annamensis) and two Jungle-fowl, one of which

IT gave him. He also ate the bodies of the specimens after skinning. All the

camp here ate freely of a white flower, rather like a large and very fleshy spiraea,

_ which they said was excellent when cooked. I tried it, but found it had an un-

pleasant musty flavour.

} Next morning I climbed the hill behind camp to look for game, and at the top

of a ridge about 800 feet above camp came on a sounder of pig 15 strong. I wasted

so much time looking for a boar that they got my wind and bolted, a snapshot

failing to kill. There was no boar in the lot but they were all of the lean black

heavily crested type which Ihad seen near Lampha. I saw a couple of bark-

Ing deer in the course of the morning but failed to get either.

_ On the 3rd we marched about 10 miles mostly through an evergreen jungle.

- At 31 miles we reached the Klong Sai, where I shot a Lesser Thick-billed Green

Pigeon and a Great Hornbill. The latter’s breast provided a couple of excellent

fillets later on. Fording the Klong Sai we entered the densest bit of evergreen

forest of the trip. It was about 53 miles to camp, and for a great part of it one

could not see a man five yards behind one on the track. I shot a Green-legged

Hill Partridge at one place by kneeling down and peering through the stems,

but it took us ten minutes and hard work with a dah to recover it. In places

where the path opened to a yard wide, I took several lovely Arhopalas, mostly

atosia and alea. They flit across from one evergreen to another with a flash of

_ Antwerp blue in a patch of sunlight and seem to vanish until one detects a sober

brown insect settled on a leaf with closed wings. Near camp I took several

specimens of Lebadea martha, also one of Laringa glaucescens, the only one

seen. E Ka Klo was a bad camp, very cramped in a narrow valley with dense

jungle. In the evening a mouse-deer was added to the bag. Here occurred

our first serious misfortune. That evening four ponies were missing. I had a

grazing guard out of two men, but they came in at sunset to fetch halters, saying

the ponies were alright and about 200 yards upstream from camp. Half an hour

Jater they came in with 10 ponies saying four could not be found. At 2 a.m.

two ponies trottled into camp and next morning I found by their tracks that they

had been right over the next ridge. We searched all next morning but the

jungle was desperately thick and I fancy the missing two were quietly

removed by tigers whose stronghold we were just entering.

We reached Klong Klung next evening, passing the Man Wang stream at three

miles, and ten miles in all to a bad camp by an old grass grown village site in

tthe river bed. Here the Siamese guide brought me a fruit with a hard woody

_ outside, the size of a large lemon, and recommended me to try theinside. I

found a little mawkish pulp and some seeds inside, neither of which were to my

taste. The Siamese asserted that the Great Hornbill eats this fruit I asked

him how they opened them, and he said they eat them whole, which I doubted

until he was backed up by all the others. Later I shot a Hornbill with one in

his crop, but how he swallowed it or how his digestion tackles the thick woody

‘shell I do not understand.

I halted next day to send for some rice from a village about 5 miles down

_ stream and myself had a try round for game, jumping some sambhar and a bar-

_ king deer. It is very hard to walk noisclessly in thick dry jungle, but the

_ Karen with me insisted on putting aside every stick and bamboo to allow My

_ High Mightiness to pass ; usually breaking off the branch witha loud report or

_ standing ona bunch of dry bamboos with a very good imitation of a Gatling

Gun. This did not make hunting any more easy.

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

On April 6th we began to get into real game country. We marched westwards:

up the Klong Klung for 4 miles, then turned S. up a subsidiary stream called the

Hue Tah So about 114 miles in all. About two miles before camp I saw fresh

tsine tracks, and thought of stopping to take a rifle off a pony, but decided not

to as it meant off-loading, and it was an improbable chance after all. I had a gun.

and lethal bullets with me. A mile on we topped a ridge and came toa slope of

fresh green grass, and there, 100 vards away down the slope was a herd of tsine,

5 or 6 cows and two bulls. One of the latter was a voung one of the usual rufous

colouring, but the other was nearing his prime and had a very curious coat, grey

down to the middle lateral line, then red below. I have seen many tsine bulls:

but never one like that. I ran down behind the cover of a fallen tree, pushing

a couple of lethal bullet cartridges into the gun, and got within about 20 yards,.

took careful aim at the bigger bull and pressed the trigger. Result two miss-

fires. The herd now must have got my wind, for they made off to my right,

disappearing in some bushes, but came on top of my ponies and turned off. The

bigger bull, however, came straight back towards me. I had changed the cart-

ridges and tried again when he was within 20 yards, result two more miss-fires.

He had been coming straight at me where I stood partially under cover of a

fallen branch. He must then have caught sight of my topi, stopped dead just — :

as I pressed the trigger for the second attempt, turned round and made off. Up

to then I certainly thought he was charging me, which shows how careful one

roust be in making such assumptions. I discovered the cause of the miss-fires

later. There had been a heavy shower of rain the day I went out from Ban

Samui, and Gunjanaw had been carrying my water proof haversac with the flap

pushed inside, so that all the rain had entered and formed a pool at the bottom..

The four lethal cartridges had been in this, and I had told Gunjanaw to throw

them away and take four more trom the gun case ; instead he had dried them

and replaced them. A mile through open grass and tree jungle and we turned off

the track and descended to a stream tocamp. Near the bottom out burst a bull —

bison and was gone in the jungle on the opposite bank just giving me a glimpse

of a fine pair of horns.

Arrived at the bottom, I found a nice shady flat beside a gravelly stream,

and we started to camp. Then things began to happen to Nawash Ali. He put

down his hurricane batti on the ground by the tree at the foot of which he intend--

ed making the kitchen fire. Out dashed a jungle hen from the dead leaves:

amongst the roots, knocked over the lamp and fled with a squawk. This startled

the bearer but we were five fresh eggs to the good and in an eggless country.

Then Nawash Ali lit his fire and about two minutes later he and Mahomed Kasim:

leapt in the air with a yell and fled in different directions. On enquiring I found

they had been stung by a “shaitan.”? Approaching carefully I discovered a

wasp’s nest on the tree trunk abont 10 feet above the still smoulding fire. It

was just like overlapping scales and was inhabited by a small dark brown wasp:

with no yellow markings, Later on we removed the kit to a site further down,

but in the process Mahomed Kasim got stung again, this time on the nose, and

T got stung on the hand. I can testify to the virulerce of my sting, while’

Mahomed Kasim’s nose gave visible, and much enlarged, evidence. I am glad

to say we were not the only sufferers. Maung U, having nearly split himself

laughing at the victims, went to fetch the hurricane batti when he thought all

was safe. He bent over to pick it up, and—afterwards went to sit in the nice”

cool stream for a _ bit.

I had a look round for a tsine in the afternoon, but although I saw plenty of

tracks, both old and fairly recent, none of the makers were to be found. That.

night we heard elephant to the W.

On the 7th we started early, and after a short climb of 250 feet, crossed the

dividing ridge into the Mewong watershed, the valley we entered trending 5...

about 1imiles gradual descent through open tree and grass jungle, where tupaia‘s

A JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK, bey a OU

abounded, brought us to a dry sandy nullah full of brushwood, where there were.

fairly recent tracks of bison, and where we lost the path in the undergrowth.

It took the best part of an hour to pick it up again, and then we climbed about.

600 feet to the west of the next ridge, and dropped down 300 to a small spring

at the head of a very pretty open gravelly valley, all scattered trees and long.

grass. Here I disgraced myself by letting sentiment get the better of science.

A couple of large langurs appeared in front of me, and jumped into a small tree

about 30 yards away and sat looking at me. They were light, almost white

grey with long fine hair, and appeared much bulkier than our familiar Presbytes

entellus. Also their hands and feet were not black. I felt I ought to slay one in

the interests of science, but I loathe killing monkeys, and these two were so-

particularly confiding that I could not bring myself todoit. I fancy they must

have been Presbytes robinsoni. ‘The track now kept up almost level on high

ground W. of the nullah bed, and steadily for four or five miles along it were the

fresh tracks of a tiger who had proceeded us only by an hour or less. At about

8 miles the track took us across a series of low jungle covered ridges until we

found overselves descending into what was evidently the main valley of the

Mewong stream. Here we lost the track altogether, and after two miles of

struggling through bamboo jungle, we came to a dense belt of jungle clothing

the river bank, through which we had the greatest difficulty in finding a way for

_ the ponies. Eventually we emerged into the river-bed, here sandy and about

80 yards wide, and after paddling up stream for half a mile through a couple of

inches of clear running water, I found a suitable camping ground on the right

bank.

While pitching camp a tiger roared in the forest on the opposite bank, and this

_ sound I was to hear every few hours for the next week. Tigers are very numerous

in the Mewong, and unusually noisy.

Since leaving Hkambengpet we had marched almost due south, except for

the first two days ; we now turned west up the Mewong, and I pushed up the

left bank on the 8th looking for a suitable camp.

The track was decidedly rough, the first two miles across a fairly open depres-

sion, then up among the ridges high above the stream. At seven miles we

descended to the flats by the river, which now flowed amongst rocks and grasse

_ covered sandbanks, and made our way through a stretch of most abominable

bamboo-thorn. I was about 200 yards ahead of the ponies when there was a

tremendous rush and crashing of bamboos on my left by the river, and I ran

through the tangle as fast as I could, arriving with a scratched face and a mere

remnant of a shirt, just in time to see the tail end of a buffalo disappear into

_ the jungle on the far bank. It was impossible to take up the chase then as I

had to see the camp pitched, and I had not yet found a site. Returning to the

track I put up a sambhar and two barking deer in the next half mile, and then

the track led us across the river and I found a good site for camp on a bamboo

flat on the right bank. Here I shot a Black-necked Stork for the breast fillets,

which are quite good eating.

Camp was on the east side of a long narrow loop the river makes in flowing

- round a low jungle-covered ridge. This loop was about # of a mile in depth,

but across the neck of the ridge was only about 350 yards, and in the evening

I crossed it to explore the valley to the north. On reaching the river again

on the far side of the ridge I found a boggy patch covered with tracks of bison,

tsine, buffalo and tiger. Some of these last were fresh, but all the others were

from two to four weeks old with one exception, that of a solitary bull buffalo, evi-

Note.—I have been in the Mewong again this year in February, and saw five

tigers (shooting two of them) and the tracks of many more but never

heard one roar,and only once “the titting *’ call. Is this seasonal

Comment invited, -C.H.S.

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

dently my friend of the morning. About five hundred yards higher up, the valley

widened and there was a stretch of reeds and marsh about a couple of acres

in extent, and I tracked the bull into this. Not being fool enough to take on

a_ buffalo in high reeds and sticky mud, I lay down under cover on a high portion

of the right bank and waited until after sunset in the hope that he would emerge

for his evening feed, but nothing showed, though a tiger roared in the jungle

behind me. On the way home I jumped another tiger as we came down the

slope of the ridge which faced camp, and he had evidently been watching the

ponies grazing in the river-bed. I got rather a shock when he bolted from

behind a bush twenty yards away, but this was only the prelude to an unpleas-

antly lively night.

I had dinner shortly after dark and had just finished when I heard some large

animal snorting on the far bank of the river. There was a fire burning at each

end of the camp, but the beast entered the river-bed and came towards camp

‘* click, clack’ over the loose stones and, after splashing through a couple of

pools, halted, snorting and breathing heavily, about thirty yards from me.

By this time I had my rifle and was entrenched behind an absurdly inadequate

tree, peering at the black mass through the darkness, and uncertain what to do.

‘The whole camp was in awed silence, broken only by Nawash Ali, who remarked

in a strained whisper when the brute shiftedits feet, “It’s going to charge now.”

This lasted two or three minutes, and I was greatly relieved when our visitor

turned with a contemptuous final snort and walked back whence he had come.

IT had naturally assumed from his truculent attitude that I had had a _ buffalo

to deal with, and had visualised the nasty results if he charged the camp in the

dark, but I was greatly surprised, on inspecting the tracks with a lantern, that

it had been a bison bull which had behaved in this eccentric and trying manner.

I traced him for two or three miles in the morning, and he seemed to be making

steadily for the Klong Klung by the track which we had followed. This incident

over, J went to bed and had just put mv head on the pillow when there was a

nerve-racking ‘“ aungr-r-r-r-h’’ from a tiger about thirty yards from my bed,

quickly followed by a repetition of the noise from the men’s end of the camp:

two of the brutes undoubtedly, and more trouble. Yells and cries from the men,

and snorts and violent halter-straining by the ponies which the enemy were

evidently trying to stampede into the river-bed. I shouted to the men to get

to the ponies’ heads, and was still hunting for a stray shoe when the sounds were

repeated and two ponies broke away. This was too serious, as the previous

loss of two at E Ka Klo had cut my transport and rations very fine, so I made

a wild dash and fortunately managed to grab both ponies just as they reached

the foot of the bank, and hung on until the orderlies and one ponyman reached

me. None of the others would move from the fire.

After hobbling all the ponies with loading ropes and lighting two more fires

I went back to bed, and though we were twice again disturbed during the night

nothing untoward happened, our enemies giving a final and combined roar while

I was dressing at dawn.

Tigers were undoubtedly very numerous and unusually vociferous in the

Mewong, and although it is a common trick with lions I have not before heard

of tigers trying this stampeding game on a camp. The Karens all said that

the tigers there were only dangerous to men who travelled alone, and that they

never attacked two or more together. J gave orders that no one was to leave

camp for woodcutting or other purposes unaccompanied, and were not to go

more than a couple of hundred yards.

Thad decided to try downstream that morning, but found that the lower I

went the scarcer the game seemed to become, though about three miles down |

I heard a sound, twice repeated, which could only have been a rhino bubbling

in his wallow. The Karen with me immediately said ‘‘ Rhino.”’ A search of

the hill from which the sounds had come was quite unsuccessful, and I could

A JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK. 979

find no tracks. The river here flowed though hard black rocks full of deep

pools, and the bed was so broken that progress was very difficult, and as_ the

bamboo thorn on the banks was an even worse obstacle I turned back at about

10-30, shooting a buck barking deer a mile below camp and getting in about

noon.

The whole camp seemed to be engaged in paddling and Maung U came up to

me with a handful of eggs which I immediately took to be from an owl’s nest, as

they were spherical in shape, with hard glossy shells through the white of which

the yolks showed faintly pink. Maung U then told me that they were from a

turtle and showed me a female which they had just caught and which weighed

16 pounds. All the turtles’ eggs I have seen before were dull white with chalky

leathery shells. The men caught a lot of smaller turtles and also a land tortoise

weighing over twenty pounds. J sent the carapace of both the big turtle and the

tortoise to Dr. Malcolm Smith and he said he was not certain of the species.

A little later a large tortoise was captured weighing over 20 Ibs. The turtles’

eggs were excellent eating, and I got over 40 of them, though I do not know

whether they all belonged to the same female.

Shortly before getting back to camp I had heard the sound of a shot from

up the valley, and found the guide and the Karen hunter had gone out to find

the track for the next march. They came in about 1 o’clock, and I taxed them

with having fired. They denied it at first, but on my pointing out that the

Karen’s muzzle-loading blunderbuss had been very recently discharged, they

admitted that they had seen the buffalo bull on their way back, and had fired

to frighten him away, as he was in the middle of the river-bed. On going out

in the evening I found that they had succeeded so thoroughly that the buil

had departed by the same game track as the bison bull had taken ; and evidently

for the same destination. This was annoying, as buffalo were evidently

scarce.

About 3 o’clock I saw two of the pony-men emerge suddenly from the opposite

jungle and walk rapidly to camp, where they sat down in the shade with rather

a chastened mien. On enquiry I found that they had disobeyed my orders,

and wandered off to have a look at the country from the neck of the opposite

ridge. Here they met a tiger suddenly ; evidently the same one which I had

jumped the previous evening. I took the rifle and went across to look for him

but failed to get a shot, though I caught a glimpse of his tail end as he made

off.

Next day, the 1¢th, I shifted camp five miles upstream to get nearer the pass

and find the onward track.

The path was very hard to follow, and in a bit of thick evergreen we were

quite deceived by an elephant path. A small herd had walked along the track

in file, and on into the jungle. Where they had walked was a nice beaten path,

and we very naturally missed the point where they had diverged from the right

track and followed their route. After about half a mile they had dispersed to

feed and our nice beaten path ended suddenly in a tangle of broken bamboos,

so we had to return and search for the right trail.

About three miles up the river we crossed to the right bank and I sat down

on a large fallen tree to wait for the ponies. While there, a hen silver pheasant

jumped on to the trunk about 15 feet from me, and I was interested to note

that her breast feathers showed no V-shaped white markings as in the hen

which I kad shot at Pang Yao, but only small white spots. She flew away

after about a minute, and I then rose and immediately put up a fine cock from

almost under my feet. He was remarkable for a very long and pure white

tail. The Pang Yao birds were got at about 3,000’, while here we were only at

about 700’, and the character of the jungle was quite different; at Pang Yao

it had been mainly big evergreen forest, here the trees were mostly deciduous

mixed with bamboo, the forest smaller and the humidity much less,

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

Crossing the river we entered a tract of giant bamboo growing on a level flat

with plenty of grass beneath them. This flat was covered with old tracks of

two small bands of buffalo, three and five in number, and they had evidently

been residing there up to about three weeks previously. I also picked up here

the skull of a bull buffalo with horns about 40 inches long, which, judging by

the teeth and cranial sutures, was not an old animal.

Leaving this flat we forded the river twice to cross a small loop, and climbing

up the right bank, came on a nice spring about 40 yards inland, at the foot of

a magnificent Ficus which was in fruit and crowded with green pigeon ; mostly

the Pin-tailed species, but also the Thick-billed and Orange-breasted. As we

approached the spring three sambhar dashed away from a patch of undergrowth,

Judging by the size, I think one of these was a stag, but Isaw no stag with horns

out of the thirty or more sambhar which I saw in the Mewong, and I think they

had just shed them.

Leaving the spring we entered a beautiful glade of grass and teak trees,

which was covered with old tracks of game, and re-crossing the river, camped

amongst giant bamboo on the left bank.

In the evening I explored the valley above camp, and found the jungle very

thick, with numbers of sambhar in it. I came on a party of half a dozen in the

river-bed, and shot a hind for meat. She fell on the opposite bank and rolled

down through some bushes, and I went across to examine her. Finding she

was badly afflicted with that curious sambhar disease “sore neck,” I caught

hold of the head to pull her into a better position, and was immediately covered

with red ants, a nest of which she had torn down in falling. I had to run toa

pool and divest myself of shirt and shorts as quickly as possible, but did not

escape without a severe biting. “Sore neck’ has never been explained satis-

factorily. Evans in ‘‘ Big Game Shooting in Upper Burma,” says that all

sambhar have it ; but though this may be so in the wild state it certainly is not

in captivity as I have recently examined sambhar in both the Calcutta and

Karachi zoos, which showed no trace of it. It begins with a circular naked

patch the size of a rupee, which has a small raw spot in its centre, and which

may spread so as to cause the loss of all the hair of the neck except the crest,

as had happened in the case of this particular hind.

On the way home I had a very curious experience. We were about 500 yards

from camp and heard a sound like the blows of an axe quite close to us. I

was annoyed, as I thought that some one had disobeyed orders and gone too

far to gather fuel. I traced the sound to a dead tree about 150 feet high, and

walked round it with the Siamese guide trying to locate our man, who, by the

sounds, seemed to be about fifty feet up the tree. We could see nothing, and

were standing there puzzled, when, with a loud rending crack, the tree began to ~

fall straight towards us, and it was only by a speedy dash to one side that we

avoided being crushed beneath it. The sounds we had heard were evidently

the preliminary breaking of dead fibres inside the trunk, but the effect of the

incident was disturbing, and I sympathised with the Siamese who said the

Mewong was full of devils.

This man had told me that he knew of a salt-lick to which the buffalo had

probably gone, so I took him out next morning and went down stream to Pigeon

Tree Spring, then started up the hill to the south. We laboured up a long way

and the ground grew less suitable for buffalo the farther we went, so I finally

demanded an explanation from the guide. He said that he thought I wanted

sambhar : the fact of the matter being that he had not expected to be taken out

after buffalo, and funked it. I started down the next ridge, seeing a dozen or

more sambhar, and half way down found the fresh tracks of a bison bull. From

the tracks he did not seem to be unusually big, and I wanted butialo much more

than bison, but as they led in the right direction I took them up.

A JOURNEY TO SIAM AND BACK. 981

-They led me straight down to the giant bamboo flat where I had found the

buffaio skull the previous day, and, passing thrcugh this entered a tract of

bamboo thorn. Fortunately I had not far to go through this, and after about

200 vards, up rose my bull from a small knoll about 35 yards away. I could

only see him indistinctly through the bamboo, and he turned and trotted off

to the right, so I dashed in to cut him off, passing the guide who was squatting

grey with fright, and ran into my bull at about 25 yards range, when a

bullet through the heart as he swung round to meet me, settled matters.

I had been very lucky in finding a fairly clear lane through which to attack,

but I found I was still more fortunate when I saw what a grand trophy I had

secured. He measured 453 inches across the horns as he fel!, and now, after

drving and shrinking. they measure 44? inches across, with a girth of 20 inches

and length of 314: this is as shown in Rowland Ward’s “‘ Records of Big Game ”

(8th edition) in which he tops the list of heads measured by them.

I sent back the guide for more men, and, after photographing the bull,

skinned off his neck—skin to the head, which I then cut off, and it took four men

to carry it back to camp, where it took me three hours labour and the acquisition

of some grand blisters on my hands, to complete the skinning. Faring the skin

took several hours a day for the next week, as the skin dried hard as flint on the

inner surface in the heat and remained soft in the centre, so that even with the

most careful use of preservatives I almost failed to save the mask,

(To be continued.)

982

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.

Masor I. C. Fraser, I.M.S., F.E.S.

Part XVIII.

(With 2 Plates and 2 Text-figures.)

(Continued from page 680 of Vol. XXIX.)

Group—OnycHoGoMmPHUS Laid.

( =Genus—ONYCHOGOMPHUS Selys.)

e ee

Cy (Xx

se FO2O 58:

COO TSS

Fig. 1.—Wings of Lamellogomphus acinaces Laid. 3

In this group are included all the species belonging to the Selysian genus

Onychogomphus. It has long been evident that such a heterogeneous collection

of species must sooner or later be split up into a number of subgenera and so far

as the Indian species are concerned, Laidlaw has already begun this dissection

by splitting up the genus into four sections.

Of these, in this paper, Section II becomes genus Mesogoinphus Forst. and

Section IV genus Lamellogomphus gen. nov. Dr. Ris in discussing the former

genus, an African one, states that it probably embraces some species from India,

obviously having in mind Onychogomphus lineatus Selys and allied species. A

careful comparsion of this species with others of the genus Mesogomphus fails

to reveal any characters of sufficient importance to separate it from the genus.

As regards raising Section IV to generic rank, in addition to the striking and

characteristic facies of the insects composing the group, I am relying on certain

larval characters which in themselves are of sufficient importance to justify the

step. Although most of the larve are as yet unknown, I think it quite safe to

infer that they will all be found eventually to share the characters of those of

L. nilgiriensis and acinaces.

Lastly as regards Sections I and III, more material, especially larval is needed.

before any further steps in classification can be adopted, these two sections are

therefore grouped together under the original genus Onychogomphus.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 98 3:

- In writing up the groupI have been greatly helped by, and am much indebted:

to Messrs. H. Stevens, H. V. O’Donel and C. M. Inglis all of whom have generously’

contributed material without which much of the descriptive matter could never:

have been written.

GROUP CHARACTERS.

Fore and hind wings showing equal specialization in regard to transverse

nervures between M?-111 and Mviv ; sectors of arc well separated, parallel at origin

and well curved ; Cui and Cui in hindwing parallel or nearly so as far as wing

margin ; pterostigma braced; Mav and Cui in fore wing parallel as far as

level of node ; Az separated from A by two rows of cells from immediately below

the substrigone ; 2 or 3 rows of cells between M1 and Mia at level of outer end

of stigma. Legs short, hind femora only slightly overlapping the posterior end.

of thorax when adpressed.

Larva very variable.

Genus—LAMELLOGOMPHUS gen. nov.

Moderately large to large insects with a jet black ground colour and limited’

but sharply defined yellow or yellowish green markings.

Dorsal bands confluent or not confluent with mesothoracic collar; humeral

stripe present, vestigial or entirely absent ; dilatation of end segments of abdomen

begins abruptly at base of segment eight, the apical half of segment seven barely

dilated. Anal appendages of great length, the inferior usually overlapping the

superior which, except in acinaces are strongly hooked downwards so that the

dorsal surface of their apices comes into contact with the dorsal surface of the

inferior appendage; branches of latter separated near origin, then converging

again until the apposed apices enclose a small oval foramen.

Genitalia variable.

Larva with the penultimate segment of antennz broadened into a flat tri-

angular lamella ; abdomen short, stout and strongly keeled.

Hab. Densely shaded rocky mountain streams. Genotype Lamellogomphus

‘ biforceps (Selys).

Lamellogomphus biforceps (Selys. )

Onychogomphus biforceps Selys, Bull. Acad. Belg. (2), xlvi, p. 420:

. (1878); Kirby, (Lindenia biforceps) Cat. Odon. p. 60 (1890); Will.

Proc. U. 8S. Mus. XX XIII, pp. 308, 312 (1908); Laid. Rec. Ind. Mus,

p. 407, Vol. XXIV (1922).

Male: Abdomen 41 mm. Hindwing 32 mm.

Head black, labium dark brown, labrum marked with a transverse yellow

oval spot on each side, the base of mandibles, anticlypeus and a broad stripe

across the upper surface of frons bright yellow, the base of frons black, this

colour extending as a short tongue into the floor of sulcus. Occiput black with

a small median spot of yellow, slightly rounded, ciliated along its free margin.

Prothorax black with a lateral spot of yellow.

Thorax black marked with greenish yellow as follows :—a complete meso-

thoracic collar confluent with a stripe on the lower part of the middorsal carina,

a dorsal oblique stripe not joined to the mesothoracic collar, and a humeral.

stripe. Laterally yellow marked with two broad black stripes on the sutures,

the black converging and becoming confluent at the middle of the stripes.

Beneath black.

Legs black, the four posterior femora with an outer yellow band.

Abdomen tumid at base, thin and cylindrical as far as segment 8, which is

abruptly dilated, 9 and 10 narrowing again slightly, black marked with bright

yellow as follows :—the sides of segment | and a triangular spot on the dorsum,

two large spots including the oreillets on the sides of segment 2 and a iobed stripe

984 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX. )

‘on the dorsum, segments 3 to 6 with narrow basal rings nearly divided by the black

of dorsal carina, occupying about one third of the segments, in addition an oval

spot at the middle of these segments, the basal half of segment 7 and a small

rounded spot near the base of both sides of segment 8.

Anal appendages rather longer than segments 9 and 10 taken together.

Superior yellow changing to black at the tips,thick at base where they are rather

widely separated, converging, tapering and finally meeting at the apices. Seen

‘in profile the basal thirds nearly straight, the apical third curved strongly down

and circling back so that finally their dorsal surface comes to lie in direct contact

‘with the dorsal surface of the inferior appendage. The latter black, equal in

‘length to or projecting slightly beyond the superiors, thickened at basal third

where the two branches separate to enclose an oval space, after which they come

‘together again, tapering and curving npwards to meet the superiors. The two

He _ appendages thus enclose a large subtriangular space when viewed from

the side. |

Wings slightly enfumed, venation black, costa finely yellow; pterostigma

deep blackish brown (3 mm.), nodal index 8-16—13-9.

Female undescribed. Martin in ‘Mission Pavie”’ states that the female is

very like the male but the yellow spots on abdomen are much larger, he gives no

detailed description unfortunately.

Hab. Darjeeling. Type in the Selysian collection; another male in the

Indian Museum collection, taken in May 1913. These, so far as I am aware, are

the only Indian specimens known but Martin has recorded it from Tonkin

where it is apparently not uncommon.

Lamellogomphus inglisi sp. nov.

Male: Abdomen with appendages 41+4 mm. Hindwing 36 mm.

Head. Labium pale yellow, the border of median lobe narrowly brown, base

of mandibles broadly greenish yellow, labrum glossy black with a large trans-

versely oval greenish yellow spot on each side, anteclypeus and a large spot on

each side of postclypeus against the eye citron yellow, frons black, greenish yellow

above, this colour slightly overlapping the foreborder, base of frons narrowly black

which projects for a short distance into the sulcus, rest of head matt black

except for an obsolete spot on occiput which appears to be due to translucence

of a greenish yellow spot on its posterior surface. Border of occipital scale rather

sinuous, fringed with long black hairs. Eyes bottle green.

Prothorax black with a small] citron yellow spot on each side.

Thorax black marked with yellow as follows :—a mesothoracic collar narrowly

broken in the middle line, antehumeral oblique stripes extending from the alar

sinus but not meeting the mesothoracic collar, a vestigial humeral spot above.

the whole of the sides except for a very broad median black stripe which bears a

small transverse oval spot of yellow immediately below the insertions of wings.

Legs black, the posterior pair of femora only bearing an outer yellow stripe.

Coxe and trochanters yellow. Hind femora furnished with a row of closely-set

evenly spaced short but robust spines on the outer side ; mid femora with longer,

less closelv-set spines.

Wings palely enfumed, costa finely yellow to well beyond the node, nodal

: 17s eo Wiel Bee A

index 1312 | 1344 stigma well braced, black, 3 rows of cells between Mi |

and Mia.

Abdomen tumid at the base as far as segment 2, very narrow and cylindrical

as far as extreme apex of segment 7;8to 10 greatly expanded, black marked

with yellow as follows :—segment 1 with a large lower lateral spot and a linear

transverse apical dorsal spot, 2 broadly yellow on the sides including the robust —

oreillets, a linear stripe on the middorsum broadening basalwards and longitudi-

Journ,, Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

EXPLANATION OF PLaTreE §.

Dorso-lateral view of Lamellogomphus nilyiriensis, Male.

The same of Lamellogomphus acinaces, Male.

The same of Lamellogomphus biforceps, Male.

The same of Lamellogomphus inglisi, Male.

The same of Lamellogomphus malabarensis, Female.

The same of Lamellogomphus drummondi, Female.

SU aco Se

a Lda ee }.

7 - iy

2 ae ee roe eee

ba - a Sa Pa a :

Stee 7 “ vs i : gas Liab

' - mm ‘ -

+ : as eS; ees + “—_

> z 7

4 , 4 *

7 é:

#7 ;

‘ &

“

* 4

. a .

+ ? 4

- 5

s .

Sal = (

= »

; :

: as

5 :

‘ — -

: x e =

)

;

ry +

F :

Pe,

. :

2 ,»

. . . - ‘ A j 4 *)

" -

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 985

nally cleft at the base by a brown mark on the dorsal carina, segments 3 to 6 with

basal annules occupying about the basal fourth of segments, all nearly cleft by an

invasion of the black along the dorsal carina posteriorly, segment 7 with rather

more than the basal half greenish yellow, the basal half of this marking on the

sides is squarely pale brown. Segments 8 to 10 unmarked.

Anal appendages about the length of segments 8+9, the superior yellow,

posterior two thirds straight as seen in profile, apical third curling strongly down

and then actually back so that finally its dorsum comes into contact with the

dorsal surface of the inferior appendage. The latter black, cleft to its base,

curving at first down and then bent at a right angle and prolonged to overlap

the superiors. A little dilated at base, then thin and cylindrical for as far as

middle third where it dilates rather abruptly and tapers to the ends, its branches

separated at base to enclose a long oval space. The appendages by their apposi-

tion enclose a large cordate space as seen in profile,

Genitalia—lamina broad depressed and obtusely notched, inner hamules

converging long sinuous, broad at base and tapering to a fine outwardly turned

point, outer hamules broad and conical, projecting well beyond the genital sac

and bearing a stiff pencil of hairs at the apices, lobe broad and deep, funnel-

shaped but not markedly prominent, surface black and coarsely corrugated.

Female: Abdomen 45 mm. Hindwing 38 mm.

Very similar to the male, markings similar in every respect. Wings rather

more enfumed, pterostigma well braced, blackish brown, 2 or 3 rows of cells

13-19 | 18-12

12-14 | 13-13

Anal appendages yellow, very fine and rather longer than segment 10.

Vulvar scale very short triangular, deeply encased by expanded sides of seg-

ments 8 and 9. Legs coloured as in the male, hind femora with a row of short but

robust closely-set spines on the proximal half and3to6 much longer, more

robust and more widely spaced spines on the distal half.

The markings in the Hasimara female, whichis distinctly teneral, are distinctly

broader and there is some evidence of a broken yellow stripe traversing the lateral

black stripe of thorax and there are small baso-lateral spots on segments 8 and 9.

Hab. A single pair collected by Mr. C. M. Inglis on the Riyang River,

Mangpu, Darjeeling District, 1800 ft. 17, V. 23. A female collected by Mr. H. V.

O’Donel at Hasimara tea estate, Duars, Bengal.

This species difters from L. biforceps by the colour of the labium, the presence

of lateral yellow spots on postclypeus, the vestigial character of the hunieral

line, the absence of middorsal markings on segments 5 and 6, the larger size and

greater number of antenodal nervures. From L. camelus (Mart.) by the absence

of excrecences on segment 8 ; by its smaller size, etc. ; from acinaces by the shape

of the anal appendages and from nilgiriensis by its much larger size and markings.

between Mi and Mia, nodal index

Lamellogomphus drummondj sp. nov.

Female: Abdomen 45 mm. Hindwing 40 mm.

Head. Labium with middle lobe entirely black, lateral lobes pale vellow,

labrum black with a transversely oval yellow spot on each side, anteclypeus

yellow, rest of face black. Frons greenish yellow, its base above narrowly

bordered with black, the black only slightly encroaching on the floor of the

sulcus, occiput largely yellow, raised into a point at its centre, behind greenish

yellow.*Eyes bottle green.

Prothorax black marked with a small yellow spot at centre of posterior lobe

in front of which is a much larger geminate spot of the same colour, finally a large

spot of yellow on each side.

Thorax black marked with yellow as follows :—a complete mesothoracic collar,

oblique antehumeral stripes extending from the alar sinus above to the

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

mesothoracic collar below with which they blend, a minute upper spot represent-

ing a vestigial humeral band, laterally yellow marked with a broad median black

band which bears a minute yellow spot above just below the insertions of wings

and a very narrow line well separated from it below.

Legs black, the anterior femora only bearing a well defined yellow stripe on the

inner side. Armature similar to that of the female of L. inglisi.

Abdomen. black marked with yellow as follows :—segments 1 and 2 broadly

yellow on the sides, a broad middorsal stripe tapering gradually from the base of

segment | to apex of segment 2, leaving a narrow black stripe between itself and

the lateral yellow, segments 3 to 7 with yellow basal annules occupying nearly

the basal fourth of each segment, segment 8 unmarked, 9 with a broad

dorsal yellow spot covering its apical half, 10 almost entirely yellow, marked

with a small subdorsal basal triangle of black on each side.

Anal appendages short conical, bright yellow.

Vulvar scale deeply sunk between the overhanging sides of segments, shore

and tongue-like, about one third the length of segment 8, black.

Wings palely enfumed, pterostigma dark brown, weakly braced in three of the

wings, not at all in the fourth, only 2 rows of cells between Mi and Mia, nodal

12-16|16-12

12-11 12-12

Hab. A single female collected by Captain Drummond at Loimwe, 3,000 ft.,

Siam Road, Southern Shan States.

The venation and general facies of this insect are so similar to L. biforceps and

LL. inglisi, especially to the female of the latter, from which it is only distinguish-

able by close inspection, that there can be no doubt but that it is a true Lamello-

gomphus, at the same time the differences in the markings are so great as to

distinguish it from any other species of the genus. It is very closely related to

the two species mentioned and less closely so to L. acinaces and nilgiriensis from

which it differs principally by its much larger size. From biforceps and

inglist it differs by the antehumeral band being confluent with the mesothoracic

collar, by the basal ring on segment 7 of the same size as those on segments 5 to

6 and by the extensive yellow markings on segments 9 and 19. From camelus

Mart (from Tonkin), the species is distinguished by the fewer antenodal nervures

and by the sides of thorax yellow marked with a single broad black stripe instead

of black marked by two yellow stripes.

Martin in ‘‘ Mission Pavie”? mentions a third species from Mandehowrie

unknown to me, and gives neither name nor references ; it differs from drummondt

by the humeral stripes being entirely absent, by segment 8 marked with a yellow

spot on the sides and by segment 9 with a similar spot instead of a broad apical

dorsal spot.

index

Lamellogomphus nilgiriensis ('ras.)

Onychogomphus biforceps nilgiriensis Fras. Rec. Ind. Mus., Voi. XXIV,

pp. 425, 426 (1922.)

Male. Abdomen (with appendages) 36 mm. Hindwing 30 mm.

Head. Labium entirely black; labrum black marked with two oval trans-

verse spots of yellow varving in size from very large to very small; bases of —

mandibles greenish yellow as is also the anteclypeus (but in cne specimen

examined, this latter was quite black) ; postclypeus black ; frons greenish yellow,

its base above rather broadly black, a prolongation of this colour invading the

floor of sulcus ; rest of head black (but a good number of specimens with a round-

ed spot of yellow behind the occiput only visible when the head is tilted forward).

Eyes deep bottle green or in younger specimens bluish green.

Prothorax black, occasionally unmarked but usually bearing a small geminate

spot of yellow at centre of posterior lobe and outside this an even smaller

spot.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 987

Thorax black marked with greenish yellow as follows :—the upper part of

middorsal carina only occasionally, a mesothoracic collar interrupted in the middle

line, oblique antehumeral stripes generally connected to the mesothoracic collar

but in a small percentage more or less widely separated thereform (in such cases,

the lower end of the stripe is squared off, not pointed as in acinaces), humeral

stripe absent (only in a single male was a vestigial spot found representing the

upper part of a humeral stripe), laterally two broad stripes separated by an almost

equally broad black stripe, the posterior the broadest and covering the

greater part of the metepimeron, the anterior slightly narrower, the black stripe

nearly always with linear longitudinal spot of yellow at its upper part close to

the insertions of the wings, but this occasionally absent on one or both

sides.

Wings hyaline; pterostigma black, over 5-6 cells, not robustly braced ; nodal

fd ee 10-15)16-1i 11-14)14-19 |

cee ee 12IONIEKO™. 12 -10)10-12.”

and Mia.

Leys black, without markings. Arowof moderately closely-set robust short.

spines on cither side of posterior femora which converge and merge into a common

field at the proximal] end, hind femora with a row of more robust more widely

spaced spines on either side.

Abdomen black marked with bright citron yellow as follows :—segment 1 with

a triangular spot on the dorsum, its base apicalward and a large apico-lateral

spot, segment 2 with a dorsal longitudinal stripe broadening at the middle,

tapering at the apex, the oreillets and an apicolateral spot varying in size, segment

3 with a large baso-dorsal spot deeply cleft behind by an invasion of the black on

dorsal carina, segments 4 to 6 with two dorsal triangular spots situated close to

base, 7 with nearly the basal half yellow, 8 with a basal spot low down on the

sides, this sometimes very minute or even absent altogether (but rarely), when

very large, then accompanied by a smaller apico-lateral spot, segments 9 and 10

unmarked. (In one specimen the dorsal spots on segments 4 to 6 were

almost obsolete and that on 7 was cutinto two by the black of dorsal

carina. )

Anal appendages black, the outer and upper surfaces of the superiors bright

citron yellow to nearly as far as the apex (in one specimen examined, the yellow

was restricted to a short linear streak on the basal half of the outer side only).

In shape exactly similar to those of L. biforceps and wnglisv. .

Genitalia scarcely differing from that of ¢nglisi, the outer hamules however are

much longer and tapering, projecting very prominently from the genital sac.

Female: Abdomen 36mm. Hindwing 33 mm.

Very similar to the male, the abdomen stout and cylindrical; markings

differing as follows:—spots on labrum smaller, band on frons cut into two large

oval spots by the black at base of frons joining up with that on front, antehumeral

stripe separated from the mesothoracic collar (in the only two specimens known

but this may be found to be variable when more material becomes available),

the first lateral yellow stripe on sides of thorax with its upper part isolated asa

separate spot, yellow markings on sides of segment 2 confluent, basal spots

on segments 3 and 7 separated by the black on dorsal carina, baso-lateral spots

on segment 8 very minute and apical spot never present.

Occiput armed with a pair of very long robust spines atits centre, the apices of

which curl outwards.

Wings enfumed and distinctly saffronated at the base; nodal index :—

12-14|15-11

11-10)10-13

Anal appendages rather longer than segment 10, tapering, black with a bright

yellow tip, a long triangular protuberance between them ; segments 7 to 10 pro-

gressively shortening.

2-3 rows of cells between M2

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

Vulvar scale half the length of segment 9, cleft to its base so as to form two

small triangular leaf-like processes which project back and somewhat down so

as to be easily visible in profile.

Larva. Totallength 23 mm. Length of hind femora 6 mm. Greatest breadth

of body at about centre of abdomen 9 mm. Head moderately broad and quads

rate, antennae with basal segment small and cylindrical, 3rd segment broad

flattened triangular, 4th segment rudimentary, exists as a tiny spine at inner

lateral angle of 3rd segment. A duplicated tubercle on the prothorax. Wing

sheaths broad, extending to segment 6. Abdomen depressed, strongly keeled

from segments 4 to 8 which bear robust spines on the carina, segment 7 to 10

with stout lateral spines. Mask very short, extending to base of first pair of

legs, middle lobe rounded, fringed with rather long stiff brissae, mentum angu-

lated, the whole mask nearly quadrate. The highly specialized shape of antennae

gives thename to the genus.

Habitat. Nilgiri-Wynaad, Coorg and South Kanara, from the end of Sep-

tember to the third week of Qctober. The insect which is very local, frequents

shady mountain streams, generally those with clean gravelly bottoms and is

found settled on rocks or twigs in mid stream. When disturbed it iminediately

rises perpendicularly to trees overhanging the stream. In Coorg it prefers streams

almost entirely hidden and closed in by overhanging cane brakes where it may

be found settled on rocksor on the gravelly beach or occasionally hawking to —

and fro over runlets or rapids to which places the female usually resorts to lay

her eggs. Whilst ovipositing the female hovers some two feet or less over

the surface of the water and drops her eggs perpendicularly into theswirling

stream.

L. nilgiriensis is a southern species and is easily distinguished from acizaces, _

from the same districts by the shape ofits anal appendages. It and acinaces

stand somewhat apart from biforceps, inglisi and drummondi by their relatively

smaller size, this being due to the shorterabdomen. It differs from biforceps by

the absence of a humeral stripe and dorsal spots on the middles of segments 3 to

6, from inglisi by its much smaller size, by its confluent antehumeral stripes and

by the absence of a vestigial humeral spot, etc., from drummondi by its much

smaller size and by the black occiput. Its female differs from all others by the

presence of two rebust occipital spines.

Lamellogomphus acinaces (Laid).

Onychogomphus acinaces Laid. Rec. Ind. Mus. le. pp. 407-408 (1922).

Male: Abdomen with appendages 35 + 4mm. Hindwing 30 mm.

Head. Labium black, vellow at the base; labrum black marked with a

pair of transversely oval greenish yellow spots ; anteclypeus yellow, postclypeus

black ; frons greenish yellow above, black in front, the base narrowly black, this

colour sending a prolongation forward into sulcus which meets the black on

front and cuts the greenish yellow into two oval spots; vertex and occiput

black (In some specimens there is a small spot of yellow behind the occiputas in

nilgirvensis) . :

Prothorax entirely black.

Thorax black marked with greenish yellow as follows :—the lower part of the

dorsal carina (only in about half the specimens examined), a mesothoracic collar,

complete where the mid line exists but broken when this is absent, an antehu-

meral oblique stripe not connected with the collar, squared above but tapering

to a point below, no trace of a humeral band, laterally greenish yellow with a -

broad median black stripe, usually marked above near the insertions of the wings

by a small linear spot of yellow.

Legs black, unmarked except for a broad greenish yellow stripe on_ the

flexor surface of the anterior femora; armature similar to that found in

nilgirvensis.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 989

Wings hyaline, rays of yellow tinting in the subcostal and cubital spaces ;

pterostigma black, over 5 to 5} cells, braced ; usually 2 but sometimes 3 rows of

10-16)15-11 — 12-15/16-12

11-10/11-11? 13-10}10-12°

Abdomen black marked with greenish yellow as follows :—segment 1 with

an apical triangular spot, its base resting on the apical border and continuous

with a middorsal stripe on segment 2 which expands medially and tapers api-

cally, segment 1 has also an apical lateral spot, segment 2 with two large yellow

lateral spots, the proximal including the oreillet and its surrounding area, seg-

ment 3 with a large basal spot nearly cut in two by an invasion of black along the

dorsal carina, 4 to 6 with smaller spots nearly or quite cut in two, 7 with its basal

half yellow and 8 with only a basal spot on the sides very variable in size, usually

quadrate and acutely indented on its apical border, 9 and 10 unmarked.

Anal appendages black, the superiors with the upper and outer surfaces bright

yellow as far as the apices. In some specimens these appendages are entirely

yellow and in such the upper surface of the inferior is of the same colour. Entire-

ly differing in shape to those of ali other species, the superiors truncate, taper-

ing sinuously backwards and sloping slightly downwards towards the apices,

equal inlengthto the two last segments of the abodmen, inferior slightly

longer, divided into two closely parallel branches almost as far as its base, the

distal halves curved gently upwards.

Genitalia almost similar to the last, the inner hamules are much stouter and

more robust, the outer shorter and stouter, the pencils of hairs at their apices

very long and prominent.

Female (hitherto undescribed): Abdomen 39-40 mm. MHindwing 32-35 mm.

Abdomen tumid at the base, stout, parallel-sided and cylindrical as far as

the anal end, black marked exactly as in the male except for the 2nd segment

.where the whole side is bright yellow, this in some specimens confluent with the

broad middorsal stripe, segment 8 unmarked. The dorsal carina on segment

7 usually finely black so that the basal spot is cut in two.

Anal appendages yellow, very short and conical.

Occiput fringed with long black hairs, slightly notched in the middle, without

the spines seen in nilgiriensis. Legs as for male but the hind femora furnished

with a row of very long, very robust, vers’ widely-spaced spines as in nilgiriensis

female.

Hab. Coorg, North and South Kanara. Found in company with nilgirien-.

sis in similar situations. Easily distinguished from all other species of the

genus by its abnormally shaped appendages. The species is very closely related

to nilgiriensis and apart from the appendages the only reliable character

by which to distinguish them is the pointed lower end of the antehumeral stripe

in acinaces and the absence of occipital spines in the female. L. acinaces is a far

more static insect than nilgiriensis which as has been noted above, exhibits con-

siderable variations ; this taken with its specialized anal appendages and with its

‘enormous preponderance in numbers would indicate that it is a more modern

and dominant insect and must eventually lead to the extinction of nilgiriensis.

The type which is lodged in the Indian Museum was taken by Dr. S. Kemp in

North Kanara (without date, probably October 1916). This was the only specimen

known until October 1923 when the species was rediscovered by myself in South

Kanara, and in considerable numbers. A large number of specimens were taken

on streams flowing down the Mangalore Ghat from Coorg to Kanara and event-

ually Mr. C. Souter, Commissioner of Coorg, found it swarming at Bhagmandala,

Coorg——“* After having taken about 59 males I grew tired of taking more and con-

tented myself with capturing females of which I was fortunate enough to take six

out of 10 specimens seen. All were hovering over a deep pool formed by damming

up the river below, and were busy ovipositing by dropping their eggs plumb

into the stream.’’ From Mr. Souter’s remarks it will be seen that their mode of

cells between Mi and Mia ; nodal index :—

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

oviposition is an exact parallel of that of nilgiriensis as observed by myself

The credit of the discovery of the female goes to Mr. Souter. The females

of these two species are easily distinguished by the presence of occipital spines

in nilgiriensis and by the antehumeral stripes in acinaces pointed instead of

squared below.

Lamellogomphus malabarensis SP. NOV.

Female (Male unknown): Abdomen.42 mm. Hindwing 35 mm.

Head. Labium pale yellow ; labrum yellow broadly edged with black with a

prolongation of this colour from the base joining the anterior border of black ;

anteclypeus yellow, postclypeus black with a large spot on each side close up to

the eyes ; frons black traversed by a broad stripe of yellow on the crest constricted

at its middle by an approximation of the black; vertex and occiput black, the

latter with a yellow spot at its middle which is raised into a small tubercle,

Prothorax black with a large spot of yellow on each side.

Thorax black marked with greenish yellow as_ follows:—-a_ mesothoracic

collar narrowly interrupted in the middle line, antehumeral oblique stripe

falling well short of the mesothoracic collar, no vestige of a humeral stripe, later-

ally greenish yellow traversed by a broad black stripe which is traversed by a

yellow stripe interrupted above by the black stripes confluent across it.

Legs. Femora yellow mottled with black, the hind femora with a row of

closely-set very short very robust black spines numbering 9 to 10.

Wings hyaline; pterostigma black, over five cells, well braced ; only 1 row of

cells between Mi and Mia at level of outer end of stigma; nodal index :—

10-16)17-10

9-1]{11-11

Abdomen black marked with yellow as follows :—segment 1 with a dorgal

spot and its sides broadly, 2 with a dorsal stripe, bilobed and extending from base

to apex and its sides very broadly, 3 with a broad basal ring and a spot situated

on the middle of the middorsal carina, 4 to 6 with subdorsal basal spots confluent —

across the middorsal carina and a middorsal spot as on segment 3 but progres-

basal half yellow, 8 a large baso-lateral spot, whilst 9 and 10 are unmarked.

Anal appendages yellow, small and pointed, the intermediate process also

yellow.

Vulvar scale small, deeply cleft to its base into two small triangular leaf like

processes, a shallow depression on segment 9 beneath the vulvar scale very

similar to that seen in M. lineatus.

The general conformation, size and colouring (deep black with sharply defined

yellow markings) of this insect are so similar to the known females of genus

Lamellogomphus that I have no hesitation in placing it in this genus, whilst it

differs so much from all other females in its markings that it must be given

specific rank.

From nilgiriensis it is distinguished by the yellow occiput without spines and

by the middorsal spots on segments 3 to 6, the latter character also serves to |

separate it from acinaces and inglisi, an additional point of difference being the

yellow stripe traversing the medio-lateral black stripe of thorax. From biforceps

the entire absence of the humeral stripe will at once distinguish it, lastly it differs

from drummondi by the presence of middorsal yellow spots on seginents 3 to 6,

by the presence of a lateral spot on segment 8 (unmarked in druwmmondz), and by

segments 9 and 10 without yellow markings.

Described from a single specimen in my own collection taken in Palghat by

Mr. T. N. Hearsey, 16 VI. 21. I had taken thisfor the female of biforceps —

(fec. Ind. Mus. Vol. XXIV, p. 124) being deceived by the middorsal spots on

segments 3 to 6 which are only found in this species and in bzforceps, I had however

Overlooked the fact that the humeral stripe is well developed in the latter species.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 991

The species will probably be found inhabiting the Annaimallai or Cardamom

Hills.

Genus—MEsoGgomMPpuus Forster.

(==Genus—ONYCHOGOMPHUS groups—O. COGNATUS

and O. GRAMMiIcus Selys,)

Mesogomphus Forster, “ Die Libelluliden Gatiungen von Afrika und

Madagascar” (71 und 72 Jahresber., Mannheim. Ver f. Naturk). p. 71

(1906).

Moderately large or small insects with ground colouring sandy yellow, more

or less poorly marked with pale brown, dark brown or black.

Pterostigma moderately long, shorter than one fourth the distance between

the node and distal end of stigma; discoidal field in front-wing narrow, only

beginning to dilate at or after the level of node ; no anal loop nor vestige of such

in the hindwing ; legs short, hind femora not extending to hinder end of thorax ;

abdominal segments 8 and 9 laterally foliate; 3rd to 7th very slender and

cylindrical; superior anal appendages of male much longer than the 10th seg-

ment, approximate in the mid-dorsum and contiguous for the greater part of

their length, inferior appendage considerably shorter, deeply divided into two

contiguous branches. Vulvar scale of female broad and short, notched ; on

ventral plate of 9th segment a shallow depression corresponding to the vulvar

scale and bordered by a low ridge. °

Larva rather long, narrow and cylindrical, antennae of the usual Gomphine

shape. .

Genotype Mesogomphus cognatus (Ramb). .

Dr. Ris points out that the name as given by Forster is synonymous with

that of Handlirsch’s fossil genus Mesogomphus but as both publications date

from the same month and cannot be fixed to a day, he has thought it advisable

to adopt it for the living group, a procedure which is followed here.

In the key given for the Gomphinae in Part XVI of this Monograph, Meso-

gomphus lineatus appears under the old name of Onychogomphus lineatus and

species Mesogomphus lindgrent and risi were not included as they had not been

recorded at the time the M.S. was written.

Mesogomphus lineatus (Selys).

Onychogomphus lineatus Selys, Rev. Odon, p. 386 (1850); id. Bull.

Acad. Belg. X XI. (2), p. 36 (1854); id. Mon. Gomph. p. 48 (1851) ;

Kirby (Lindenia lineata) Cat. Odon. p. 59 (1890); Will. Pros.

U.S. Nat. Hist. Mus. XX XIII, pp. 309-310 (1908); Laid. Rec. Ind.

Mus. pp. 403-404, Vol. XXIV (1922).

Male: Abdomen plus appendages 37 mm. Hindwing 27 mm. Dehra Dun,

N. India and Bihar.

Abdomen plus appendages 32 mm. Hindwing 25 mm. Deccan and Nilgiris.

Abdomen plus appendages 36 mm. Hindwing 26 mm. Coorg.

Abdomen plus appendages 33 mm. Hindwing 24 mm. Malabar and Madras,

Head: Labium pale yellow, labrum, face and frons sandy yellow, the lat-

ter with a more or less ill-defined brownish black line across the crest; vesicle

and occiput yellow, a narrow transverse streak of dark brown separating

them. In some specimens there is a narrow diffuse basal line of brown. on upper

surface of frons and the base of labrum may be clouded with the same colour.

Occiput raised into a slight point at its centre and usually bearing a line of

minute spines on either side of this eminence. Coorg specimens have three or

four such spines on either side, a Burmese specimen has a continuous row along

its free border, Dehra Dun specimens resemble those from Coorg, a Poona

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

specimen has four teeth on one side and only two on the other and in no speci-.

mens have I found the spines altogether missing although Laidlaw states that

in some of my Poona specimens they are entirely lacking.

Prothorax blackish brown, the posterior lobe narrowly and a large spot on

either side yellow. :

Thorax sandy yellow marked with dull or dark brown or even blackish brown

according to age of specimens, as follows: a dorsal line bordering the mesothora-

cic collar closely and turning abruptly up on either side of the mid-dorsal carina,

which is black in its upper part, an antehumeral oblique line beginning from the

lower end of the dorsal line and running upwards and inwards to join this line

in its upper part, thus enclosing a thin stripe of the ground colour, a humeral

tine on the humeral suture and two lateral lines close together, all three parallel,

of the two latter, one crossing the spiracle and the other mapping out the postero-

lateral suture.

Legs yellow marked with black, a stripe on the inner side of all femora, an

outer stripe on distal half of mid femora and a rounded distal spot or stripe on

outer side of hind femora; tarsi black. Two rows of robust evenly spaced,

short spines on the hind femora which converge to form a common field of

spines proximally ; mid femora with more numerous and more closely-set spines. .

Wings hyaline, costa yellow as far as pterostigma which is pale reddish brown

heavily bordered with black especially on the costa! border, covering 4-6 cells,

Ul rell braced dal index rath ery 10-15) 16-9 8-15] 15-7

nsually well braced ; nodal index rather variable :—j97441;9-9 's9 |9-7

= — 5-6 rows of postanal cells; 2 nervures between Mi-iit and AMiv;

in the forewing, only 1 in the hind; 2 rows of discoidal cells as far as node;

outer border of trigone in hindwing well angulated.

Abdomen black marked with yellow or yellow marked with black, the two

colours occupying a variable space according to the age of specimens, in old

adults the yellow reduced to basal annules, in young the black present as apical

annules. Segment 1 with the sides broadly yellow and a large dorsal apical

spot of the same colour, segment 2 has a subdorsal line of black on each side

enclosing a dorsal bilobed spot of yvellow, the black curving down on each side

thinly behind the oreillets, finally an apical black annule of variable width, seg-

ments 3 to 7 have usually broad black apical annules occupying a variable length

of the segments but generally less on 7 than on the others, a lateral line of black

runs from the apical annule on each side and extends just short of the base, the

dorsal carina and jugal sutures finely black. In some specimens the lateral

stripe shortens as traced from 3 to 7,in others the jugal suture is so broadly black

that it cuts off two dorsal spots of yellowfore and aftof itself; segments 8 and

9 with wide dilatations at their sides, black on the dorsum except fora fine

basal annule and an irreguar spot of the same colour on the middorsum, more

evident on segment 8 than 9, segment 10 sandy yellow with the basal half or two-

thirds of the dorsum black. The terminal three segments show considerable

variation, thus the foliate lateral processes may be broadly edged with black or

almost entirely blackish brown and the dorsal surfaces may be entirely deep

black save for a fine basal ring on segment 9 and an apical ring on 10, the latter

sending a slight prolongation along the dorsal carina. There are many varia-

tions of this pattern but the differences appear to be purely individual, not

even racial characters.

Anal appendages dull sandy yellow. Superior truncate, as long as segments

9 and 10 taken together. In profile they slope gently backwards and down-

wards and then rather abruptly downwards, the apices even turning finally «

little forwards. Seen from above they taper evenly to the apex and are closely

apposed throughout their entire length. :

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 993

Inferior much shorter, only one third the length of superiors which they

resemble only in colour. Cleft deeply into two closely contiguous branches

which curve at first abruptly down and then as abruptly up again, the apices,

finally directed straight back at aright angle to the part immediately in

rear.

Genitalia. Very similar to that of M. cognatus; lamina pale yellow, very

shallow, broadly notched ; inner hamules long and narrow, slightly convergent;

the apices ending in a short sharp and slightly turned out hook, black ; outer

hamules much longer and stouter, broadish at base but rapidly tapering to a point

turning directly in to nearly meet at their apices, each bearing on the inner

side, a short distance below the apex a short robust spine, black, yellow at the

base. Lebe deeply excavate, hood-shaped, its apex strongly indented, directed

almost straight back, black.

Female: Abdomen 31-36mm. Hindwing 24-27 mm. (Poona and Coory).

Closely resembles the male except for shape of abdomen which is of even width

throughout, much stouter and laterally compressed, no dilatations on the 8th

and 9th segments.

As a rule females are much paler coloured than males and less marked with

brown or black. The lateral prolongations of black extend on to the 2nd segment,

segments 8and 9 are deep black and unmarked. In some specimens however

the abdominal markings are much restricted and 8, 9 and 10 are entirely yellow.

Segments 3 to 6, ventral to the lateral black stripes are pure shining silvery

white, a colour rarely met with in other members of the genus. Occiput bearing

four spines on cither side of the middle line, very evenly disposed in all specimens

I have examined. (Laidlaw states that they are entirely absent in one of my

Poona female specimens). Wings palely enfumed or saffronated at the base

and even more faintly along the costal margin ; costa and many of the nervures,

6-13)12-5 7-14/16-8

“6-9 9-6 8-10]10-8

Hab. Breeds both in still and running waters; in Poona and Coorg it de-

posits its eggs in shallows either at the edge of a sandy beach or over ripples

flowing over a gravelly bottom. The males await them here, settled on the sandy

foreshore where by reason of their colour they are well nigh invisible. Occasion-

ally thev rise and patrol backwards and forwards over the shallow ripples, a

favourite spot to find them. In Coorg, at Hoskoti, I found quite a number of

tenerals emerging in a dense reedy swamp and can only conjecture that ova

had been deposited in a tiny brook withsandy bottom which flowed into

the marsh. The site was quite unusual and may have been forced on the

females by the extraordinary swollen state of the rivers which in 1923

overflowed their banks and flooded large areas throughout Coorg. Larvae

may possibly have been swept from the riversand left stranded in such

marshy retreats. The following is a description of the larva :—Length

25mm., of abdomen 17mm., of hind femora 5mm. Cylindrical, head moderately

large; antennae of four segments, clubbed. the last segment very minute.

Mask very broad, almost square, the base a little constricted, its outer surface

coated with short hairs, mid-lobe straight not projecting, fringed with fine

bristles, lateral lobe furnished with a long moveable hook, somewhat squat, saw-

shaped, its inner border with a row of blunt, molar-like teeth. Abdomen taper-

ing gradually to the end, 10th segment short, not hollowed out above and not

furnished with spines. All segments except the 9th and 10th furnished with a

blunt middorsal spine. Legs very short, femora fringed with long coarse hairs.

The larva thus differs strikingly from that of L. nilgriensis by its narrow and

cylindrical shape and by the clubbed antennae.

M, lineatus isa very wary and shy insect and somewhat difficult to catch.

Occurs almost throughout the year but is most common from September tc

November. Found throughout India, | have specimens from hurma. Ceylon

especially the nodal, light yellow ; nodal index :—

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

Bengal, Dehra Dun, Poona, Bangalore and Khandala in the Deccan, Madras,

Palghat (Malabar), Trichinopoly, Coorg and the Nilgiris.

Mesogomphus grammicus (Ramb.)

Gombhus grammicus Ramb., Ins. Névrop. p. 164 (1842) ;

Onychogomphus grammicus Selys. Bull. Acad. Belg. XX1 (2)

p. 35 (1854); id. Mon. Gomph. p. 45 (1857); Will. Proc.

U.S. Nat. Hist. Mus. Vol. XX XIII, p. 309 (1907); Laid. |

Rec. Ind. Mus. Vol. XX1V, pp. 371 and 403 (1922).

Male. Abdomen 33-39 mm. Hindwing 29-30 mm.

Head. Eyes bottle green: labium yellowish; labrum, face and frons

sandy yellow, a fine black line below frons, another between the ante-and

post-clypeus and an equally fine line at base of labrum. Base of frons,

vertex and occiput black, vesicle yellowish, as also back of occiput.

Behind eyes bright yellow, bordered with glossy black above.

Prothorax black with the posterior lobe, 2 small points just in front of it,

a narrow anterior collar and the sides yellow.

Thorax yellow marked with black as follows :—two dorsal bands converg-

ing above, widely divergent below, markedly convex towards one another,

(the middorsal carina and collar below are yellow and confluent, the

former tapering into the latter), a humeral stripe on each side connecting

up with the dorsal bands above and below, so as to enclose an oval spot

of the ground colour, a posthumeral stripe connected with the humeral at

its upper part only. Laterally both sutures finely black. Tergum spotted

with yellow. i

Legs yellow, femora marked with black or brownish black, the extreme

distal end of outer side of hind, the distal half of outer side of middle,

and the whole length of outer side of front pair; tibiae narrowly yellow

on extensor surface.

Wings hyaline, palely saffronated, costa yellow; pterostigma yellow

between black nervures, over 5 cells, 4 mm. long, braced ; 1 cubital nervure

to all wings; nodal index = a 3 to 4 rows of postanal cells in hind-

wing ; no vestige of a loop ; 2 rows of postanal cells in forewing ; membrane

almost obsolete.

Abdomen tumid at base, cylindrical and slender as far as segment 8, the

latter and 9 dilated, 10 very small. Black and yellow as follows :-—

segment 1 yellow with a basal black spot on each side separated by the

dorsal carina, 2 with a trilobed yellow dorsal band tapering apicad and

lying between narrow black stripes, sides broadly yellow, 3 to 6 yellow

with broad black apical rings and a median spot on the jugal suture

tapering laterally, basad and apicad. On segments +to 6 the apical ring

sends a prolongation forwards on either side which meets the jugal spot

and encloses a yellow subdcrsal spot, 7 to 10 ochreous or reddish yellow,

basal articulations finely black.

Anal appendages yellow, superior as long as segments 9 and 10 taken

together, subcylindrical, tapering apicad; where they curve downward.

Apices flattened plate-like, slightly bifid. Inferior appendage shorter,

broad and flat at base, curling abruptly upin its basal half; where it

bifurcates into two slender contiguous truncate branches.

Female. Abdomen 37 mm. Hindwing 30 mm.

Similar to male ex2ept for sexual differences in shape. Abdomen <iffers

slightly in colouring as follows :—the middorsal band on segment 2, the

jugal spots are more restricted and not connected to apical rings on seg-

ments 4 to 6, Segment 7 has a diffuse apical dorsal spot tapering basad, 8

to 10 are reddish yellow and the sides of 8 and 9 are only slightly dilated.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 995

Anal appendages short, conical, pointed, yellow.

Hind femora armed with a row of rather widely spaced, robust, gradual-

ly lengthening spines, mid femora with similar but more closely set and

smaller spines, black, both pairs with a close field of spines on inner side.

_ Distribution. Laidlaw records a male from Agra and I have examined a

female taken at Pusa: 16. VII. 20, which is quite complete. (In Pusa

Mus.)

Rambur’s type is an incomplete female labelled ‘ India, Stevens.” Type

and paratypes in Selysian collection, paratypes in Indian Museum and

Pusa collections. The insect is apparently very rare and confined to

Central and North India. |

-Mesogomphus lindgreni sp. nov.

Male : Abdomen with appendages 39 mm. Hindwing 29 mm.

Head: Labium whitish green ; labrum greenish yellow, broadly black at the

base; mandibles similarly coloured; anteclypeus and postclypeus greenish

yellow, the latter clouded with black on either side of the middle line; frons

greenish yellow with a streak of black along its crest and the base above broadly

black ; vertex black; occiput very dark brown, its border bearing no spines,

entirely naked save for a few hairs at each end.

Prothorax black.

Thorax greenish yellow, black markings similar to those of lineatus but much

more extensive, the antehumeral and humeral stripes coalesced and obliterating

the ground colour between them save for a small upper spot, similarly the two

lateral stripes coalescent, forming one broad black stripe and leaving a mere

vestige of the ground colour above.

Wings evenly enfumed, costa and pterostigma black; reticulation black; 3

8-13}13-8

~8-9| 9-8"

Legs black save for a spot of yellow behind the proximal end of each femora,

coxee and trochanters yellow.

Abdomen black marked with yellow as follows :—segment | entirely black

save for a small postero-lateral spot, segment 2 with a broad line on the mid-

dorsal carina and the sides including the oreillets, the black sending a prolong-

ation down behind the latter structures as in the case of lineatus, segments 3 to

7 with the basal half yellow, the lateral border of this colour running obliquely

from the m .d-dorsum to reach the ventrum of each segment just proximal to the

jugal suture, segment 3 with only a largish baso-lateral spot and a fine apical

yellow annule, the large, lateral foliate dilatations with an apical spot of yellow,

segment 9 with the lateral dilatations entirely yellow and an angulated spot on

the ventro-lateral and baso-lateral border, segraent 10 with a greenish yellow

diamond shaped spot on the mid-dorsum, otherwise deep black.

Anal appendages black, very similar to those of lineatus, superior as long as

the 9th and 10 segments taken together, exactly similar to those of lineatus as

seen in profile, but seen from above there is a distinct linear gap between them

for rather more than basal half. The apical portions closely apposed, the apposed

surfaces quite flat, thus resembling a pair of closed forceps. Inferior appendages

smaller than in lineatus, more curled on themselves and passing up between the

superiors, thus enclosing a tiny round foramina.

Genitalia. Lamina shallow, more depressed than in lineatus, its border not

curling outwards, black ; inner hamules more conical, broad at base and tapering

to a terminal, hook ; outer hamules stout hooks, more robust than in lineatus

and without the subapical spine ; lobe directed out at right angles to axis of bodv,

more prominent, its outlet more closed in and less indented at the apex than in

lineatus, black. 7

discoida! field of even width till well beyond the node ; nodal index :—

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

Hab. A single male taken by Mr. O. Lindgren, Turzum, Darjeeling

Dist. Very easily distinguished from M. lineatus, to which it is very closely

related, by the great extent of black markings, by the black costa and ptero-

stigma, by the absence of spines on the occiput and by the lack of specialization

of neuration between Mi-112 and Miv, by the genitalia (lamina black, stout

hamules and projecting lobe) and lastly by the anal appendages. Female

unknown. ,

I have much pleasure in naming this fine species after Mr. Oscar Lindgren.

Mesogomphus risi Sp. NOV.

Male (Female unknown), Abdomen with appendages 27 mm. Hindwing 26 mm,

Head. Labium pale yellow, middle lobe rather blackish ; labrum pale yellow,

its base and lateral borders deep black ; anteclypeus and postclypeus pale yellow,

the latter with a broad black bordering at its central third; mandibles pale

yellow ; frons deep black in front, bright, citron yellow above, its base deep black

and sending a fine medial prolongation forwards in the sulcus to join the black

on front of frons; vertex and occiput black, the latter with a broad yellow

stripe traversing it, fringed with whitish hairs and a few minute black

spines.

Prothorax blackish brown, yellow on the sides.

Thorax black with bright citron vellow markings as follows :—a mesothoracic

collar broken in the middle line, oblique pyriform dorsal spots, pointed below

and not joining the mesothoracic collar, a minute humeral spot on each side

above and a vestige of a stripe below separated from it but in the same straight

line ; laterally a broad medial black stripe dividing up the sides into three areas

of even width, two yellow and one black.

Legs black, anterior femora yellow on the inner side, hind femora with a row

of very small, verv closely-set, numerous black spines, mid femora with a row of

much more robust, less closely-set, less numerous spines.

Wings (badly damaged and shrivelled) hyaline, costa finely yellow, reticula-

tion and pterostigma black, the latter braced ; 2 nervures between M1-ii7 and

Miv in the forewing, only one in the hind ; discoidal field of even width to

beyond the level of node ; nodal index :— a5 a

Abdomen shaped as in lineatus but much shorter, jet black marked vividly

with bright yellow rings, segment 1 with the apico-laterai border yellow, seg-

ment 2 with a middorsal stripe expanding apically but not quite meeting the

apex of segment, its ventro-lateral borders rather broadly yellow, segments 3

to 7 with the basal halves yellow, this colour running obliquely from the mid-

dorsal carina to meet the ventral border just proximal to the jugal suture, seg-

ments 8 and 9 with only the foliate dilations bright yellow, 10 black with a

small middorsal subapical spot.

Anal appendages black, the superior turning to yellow near the base on the

outer side; very similar in shape to those of lineatus. Superior as long as

segments 9 and 10 taken together, rather straighter, the apex curled more

abruptly and the final point directed back towards the abdomen; seen from

above separated in rather more than the basal half, the ends closely apposed.

Inferior rather more than one third aslong, rather less curled and the apex

longer than in lineatus.

Genitalia. Lamina very shallow, very depressed, border barely concave,

yellow ; inner hamules comparatively short, broad at base and rapidly tapering

to a point, black; outer hamules very long, almost twice the length of inner,

very robust, their ends converging and curled in a very robust spine just below

the apex on its inner side (much more easily seen than in lineatus), black ; lobe

very similar to M. lindgreni, black directed somewhat outwards, deeply indented

at apex outlet squarish but not nearly so deep as in lindgrent.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 997

Hab. A single male from Burma, Kalaw, S. Shan States taken by Mr.

G. Dingavan. The species is very distinct from others by its very small size (the

smallest species of the genus) and by its brightly contrasted markings, by its

black pterostigma, etc. I have named the species after Dr. Ris in recognition

of his work on the genus.

Genus—ONYCHOGOMPHUS (Selys 1854, restrict).

(=Genus—ONYCHOGOMPHUS groupS—GEOMETRICUS, UNCATUS, FORCIPATUS,

AND CERAS'ES Selys.)

Lindenia De Haan, Bijd, Nat Wetenschi. (2) p. 47 (1826); Hoev.

op. cit. 111 p. 333 (1828).

Diastatomma, p., Burm, Handb. Ent. ii. p. 831 (1839); Charp.

Lib. Eur. p. 15 (1840.)

Onychozomphus, Selys, Bull, Acad. Belg. xxi. (2) p. 30 (1854);

Mon. Gomph. p. 15 (1857).

Lindenia, Kirby, Cat. Odon p. 57 (1890).

Onychogomphus, Will Proc. U.S. Nat. Hist. Vol. XX XIIT, pp,

308-315 (1908) ; Laid. (Sections 1, III, and V,) Rec. Ind. Mus. Vol.

XXIV, p. 402 (1922).

Moderately large insects with ground colouring bright yellow marked with

black (or rarely, black marked with yellow) ; pterostigma large, but not as long

as one fourth the distance between node and distal end of pterostigma ; discoidal

field in forewing narrow, only beginning to dilate at or after the level of node;

anal loop very small, consisting of the first anal cell which is divided into two

cells ; 2 or 3 cross nervures between Mi-ii2 and Miv in forewing, only 1 in the

hind ; legs short, extending to the posterior border of thorax when apposed ;

abdominal segments 8 and 9 or 9 only a little dilated, no foliate processes as in

Mesogomphus. Anal appendages of equal length, or the inferior slightly shorter

than the superiors, usually about as long as the two last segments of abdomen

taken together, superiors only slightly separated, parallel, inferior deeply cleft

into two contiguous branches (in O, williamsoni the inferior appendage is abnor-

mal and has divaricate branches); genitalia very similar in all species, lamina

depressed, inner hamules very fine hooks of variable length, usually rather

long and with a fine outturned point, converging gently on each other, external

hamules more robust and relatively shorter, ending in a robust point, lobe pro-

jecting, funnel or bottle shaped (in O. duaricus and striatus it is rather broader

and more depressed) ; vulvar scale very similar to that of Mesogomphus (except

in O.M-flavum in which it is abnormally prolonged as far as 10th segment).

Larvae unknown. Genotype O. forcipatus Linn.

The genus as restricted here, contains a number of species whose position in

the genus is very doubtful. No less than three species are known from females

only and a fourth from two incomplete males, so that we are entirely ignorant

of the character of the anal appendages of these, a very serious

disadvantage when dealing with the genus. A fifth species described by Mr,

Williamson has the inferior appendage divaricate, a character quite unique in the

genus and therefore throwing some doubt as to its correct placing. O. circularis

Selys has the superior appendages strongly curved circle-wise in the horizontal

plane, very much as in genus Heliogomphus to which it may possibly belong.

O. modestus differs from all others by its general black colouring and small size

(equal to that of Microgomphus). Selys considered it as related to O. sawnder-

st but it is difficult to see on what grounds as the size is one third smaller and the

genitalia are quite different. Laidlaw basing his opinion on the great extent

of black colouring and the shape of the anal appendages which compare favour-

ably with those of acinaces, thinks that it may belong to group biforceps (Lam-

ellogomphus), its very small size and the vesiculated genital lobe seem however

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

to bar it from that group. Nor are we at all helped by venational characters,

as Selys has given us no data to go upon, we are thus left with only the

character of the markings to base our diagnoses on.

Explanation of Fig. 2.

Latero-ventral view of genitalia of :—i. Heterogomphus hannyngtoni

ii. Gomphidia fletchert, iii. Gomphidia kodaguensis, iv. Gomphidia william-

soni, v. Oychogomphus, M-flavum, vi. Onychogomphus striatus, vii.

Onychogomphus duaricus, viii. Onychogomphus dingavani, ix. Ictinus rapax,

x. Lamellogomphus inglisi, xii. Mesogomphus lineatus, xi. Vulvar

scale, ventral view, of female of Onychogomphus M-flavum.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 999

The female described by Laidlaw from Kumaon is undoubtedly bistrigatus,

1 have a male which compares as closely with this specimen as it does with the

Selysian description in the Monograph of the type female of bistrigatus. Laidlaw

has evidently overlooked in this description, the mention of a character on which

he lays so much stress, viz., the vellow neuration at the base of the wings. This

character is strongly developed in the male mentioned above. The confusion

which has arisen between the descriptions of M-flavum and _ bistrigatus has

already been correctly interpreted by Williamson and Laidlaw, it is unfortunate

that Selys did not give us the character of the vulvar scale in the adult female

mentioned in the Monograph and that the end of the abdomen is missing from

the Vienna Museum specimen, the shape of the organ in M-flavum is so

characteristic that a knowledge of these points would have obviated any error.

The male from Kallar mentioned by myself in the Records, Indian Museum,

l.c., differs rather more from the female of . bistrigatus, than does the male men-

tioned above, and the neuration is black. Moreover its genital lobe varies con-

siderably from all other members of the genus except duaricus so that I have

_ described it below as a new species under the name of striatus.

Onychogomphus bistrigatus Selys, (Gomphus histrigatus) Bull. Acad. Belg,

xxi (2), p. 31 (1854); Mon Gomph. p. 22 (1857); Will. 1. p. 309

(1908); Laid. 1.c. p. 410 (1922), id. ibid. (Onychogomphus sp.) pp. 411-412.

_ Male: Abdomen 36+3 mm. Hindwing 31 mm.

Head. Labium pale whitish yellow ; labrum yellow very finely margined with

black anteriorly and at the base ; clypeus, base of mandibles and frons yellow, a

fine black line between the frons and post-clypeus incomplete laterally and send-

ing two fine points down on either side the middle line ; base of frons narrowly

black with but the slightest prolongation in the middle line; vertex black, a

small spot of yellow between the posterior ocelli ; occiput slightly convex, yellow

with the postero-lateral angles black, fringed with yellow hairs; behind occiput

and eyes yellow, a narrow black line margining the latter above.

Prothorax black, its anterior and posterior borders narrowly and two fine

approximated points yellow.

Thorax black on dorsum marked with yellow as follows :—the median part

of the dorsal carina narrowly, a mesothoracic collar slightly interrupted in the

middle line, oblique antehumeral stripes joined to the mesothoracic collar,

complete humeral stripes slightly constricted just below their upper end,

laterally yellow with two fine black lines mapping out the sutures.

Legs yellow, the anterior femora broadly black on the outer side, the middle

with a fine black line and the hind pair with but a vestige of same on outer

side; tibie black on the flexor surface, femora armed with a row of robust

short, closely-set black spines and a single larger one at the distal end.

Wings hyaline with a greenish yellow tinge, neuration black but a large

number of cross-nervures proximal to the node and on fore-part of wings bright

yellow. Pterostigma dark brown, well-braced, over 3-4 cells; costa to half

10-13 | 14-9 ; =

8-10 | 10-10 ’ cross nervures

between Mi-iii and Miv in forewing, only 1 in the hind, first postanal cell

undivided in both hindwings, (but this is probably an aberration as the network

is very irregular).

Abdomen black and yellow, segment 1 with a quadrate subdorsal black spot

not reaching the apex of segment ; 2 with broad subdorsal black stripes barely

reaching the apical border and enclosing a dorsal lobed spot of yellow, a tongue

of black running down behind each auricle ; 3 yellow with a broad black stripe

on each side falling well short of the basal end of segment and coalescing

beneath the ventrum, above a subbasal and subapical tongue of black running

up over the dorsum almost coalescing over the carina and enclosing a medial

_ way over stigma pale vellow; nodal index :—

1000 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX.

spot of yellow; on 4 to 6 the same markings but here the black processes coalesce

over the middorsal carina and the apical band extends right up to the apical

border ; 7 yellow with a black dorsal stripe, very broad at the apex of segment

where it sends a tongue-like process back along sides of segment, tapering

rapidly on the dorsum and extending to extreme basal end of segment; 8 to

10 yellow, broadly black on dorsum, the yellow however constricting the

black on segment 10 so as to almost cut it in two at the apical border. Apical

borders of last three segments finely black and bordered with black

spines. as

Anal appendages yellow, of nearly equallengths, aslong aslasttwo abdominal

segments taken together, the superiors separated but parallel, their apices

broadly flattened (lancet-shaped), turned rather abruptly down and a little in;

the inferior cleft nearly to its base into two closely contiguous branches,

nearly straight, the apex-turning up, bearing a robust blunt spine at the outer

end of the middle third and another similar spine near the apex, both very

prominent when appendages viewed in profile.

Genitalia: Lamina yellow, depressed, its border angulated outward so that it

appears rather deeply cleft ; inner hamules broad at base, deeply cleft into two

branches, an outer short spine and an inner, long thin spine which is everted

sinuously at its apex, seen from the front converging rapidly on each other,

black ; outer hamules very stout and short, yellow tipped with a blackish brown,

robust, forwardly-directed spine ; lobe funnel-shaped, with broad opening, pale

yellow narrowly margined with black.

Female: Abdomen 39mm. Hindwing 31 to 34 mm.

Very similar to the male. A comparison of the male and two females reveals

the following slight differences which are merely those of degree in extent of

black markings, ditlerences probably due to the varying age of specimens.

The type female does not appear to have a basal black line to the labrum,

whilst on the other hand the specimen from Kumaon has no similar border

anteriorly (both borderings in the male are however extremely narrow, the

anterior barely visible with the unaided eye, so that these may have been

overlooked in the descriptions of the females.) The occiput in the type

female is bordered with a row of six tiny spines, which are absent in the

Kumaon specimen.

Prothorax of type and the male similar but the two small dorsal spots absent

in the Kumaon specimen.

Thorax and legs similar in all three specimens.

Abdomen. Segment 1 entirely yellow in the Kumaon specimen, marked

with black in the type female and male, segment 2 variable, the subbasal black

bands not meeting the apical border in the type, barely separated from it in the

male and confluent with an articular black ring in the Kumaon female, seg-

ments 3 to 6 similar in the sexes (segments 4 to 6 missing in the Kumaon

specimen) but the black extensions not quite meeting over the carina in the

type, and 7 very similarly marked to the other segments.

Wings hyaline, many pale yellow nervures in both females similarly situated

as in male ; nodal index, 13-16 antenodal nervures in forewings, 10 in the hind,

10 postnodals in the forewings, 12 in the hind.

Anal appendages of female as long as segment 10, conical, pointed,

separated by a conical protuberance of shorter length than appendages,

yellow.

Vulvar scale short, about half the length of segmeni 9, deeply notched at apex

inte two subtriangular processes.

Hab. Type female in the Selysian collection from “India’’, cotype male

in my own collection from Gopaldhara, Assam, collected by H. Stevens, 21 IX.

20. (Will be eventually deposited in the B.M.) Laidlaw’s female is from Kumaon

N.E, Himalayas.

7 . i

}

en, es :

: ,

Journ., Bombay Nat. hist. Soc.

SAE Ne

EXPLANATION OF PuateE IT.

Dorso-lateral view of Mesogomphus lineatus, Male.

The same of Mesogomphus risi, Male.

The same of Mesogomphus lindgreni, Male.

The same of Onychogomphus bistrigatus, Male.

The same of Onychogomphus duaricus, Male.

The same of Onychogomphus M-flavum (Type Male).

The same of Onychogomphus dingavani, Male.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 1001

Onchogomphus striatus sp. nov.

Onychogomphus bistrigatus Fras. Rec. Ind. Mus. Vol. XXIV, p. 424 |

(1922).

Male: Abdomen 34+3 mm. Hindwing 28 mm.

Very similar to bistrigatus, differs as follows :—

Size slightly smaller ; labrum more broadly bordered with black Ee :

postclypeus entirely black at its centre, with a very large yellow spot on each

side ; vertex as for bistrigatus ; occiput with its border quite straight and turned

forward so that its posterior surface can be seen when the head is viewed from

above, black with a narrow yellow border, fringed with long black hairs.

Prothorax similar but without the middorsal spots.

Thorax. Humeral stripes tapering away below to a point and not confluent

with the yellow of thorax below. Lateral black lines on sutures rather thicker.

Wings with black retriculation, no pale yellow nervures present; nodal

; 9-13 | 12-10

index:— 9-9 | 10-10°

divided ; pterostigma pale brown, rather weakly braced.

Legs as for bistrigatus but tibiz black except at proximal ends.

Abdomen. Segment | black with a large lateral yellow spot, 2 with a narrow

complete basal black ring and broad subbasal black stripes broadly confluent

with the apical articular black ring, segments 3 to 6 with the yellow reduced to a

complete but irregular basal ring and a median dorsal spot, 7 with its basal half

yellow, 8 and 9 black with a large yellow spot on each side, 10 entirely black.

Anal appendages yellow, the inferior rather darker coloured and the superiors

with a fine black line along the upper surface of the apical third. Almost exactly

similar to those of bistrigatus but with the apices of superiors almost cylindrical,

not flattened out lancet-wise as in that species.

Genitalia : Lamina blackish brown, its dorsum with a longitudinal keel, its

border concave, neither everted nor angulated ; inner hamules more shallowly

notched, the inner branch not much longer than the outer and much shorter

than in bistrigatus, its apex tipped with yellow; outer hamules dark brownish

yellow, similar in shape to those of bistrigatus ; lobe black, prominent but not

markedly so, its border thickened, hollowed out medially, the extremities of the

notch forming rounded bosses.

Hab. A single male from Kallar, Nilgiris, about 1,000 ft., May 1917. The

species diifers from bistrigatus by the greater extent of black markings and by the

shape and colouring of the superior anal appendages and genitalia and lastly by

the reticulation being entirely black.

: 2 rows of cells between Mi and Mia; first postanal cell

Onychogomphus duaricus sp. nov.

Male: Abdomen 33°5 to 37:5+3-°5 mm. Hindwing 31 mm.

Head. lLabium pale whitish yellow; labrum greenish yellow, the base nar-

rowly, the anterior border broadly black and sending a point up which may

nearly or entirely cut the yellow in two by meeting the black of base (in the

majority of Gomphinae we usually find a tongue of black running down from the

base, the opposite condition found in this species is quite exceptional) ; antecly-

peus and base of mandibles greenish yellow, postclypeus black with a small

triangular spot of greenish yellow each side against the eyes; frons greenish

yellow, its lower part in front black this confluent with the black of postclypeus,

its base very finely black and a number of fine black points scattered about its

crest ; vertex and occiput black, border of latter nearly straight, not raised,

fringed with long black hairs.

Prothorax black with a small lateral spot of yellow.

Thorax black on dorsum marked with yellow as follows:—a mesothoracic

collar narrowly broken by the black dorsal carina which is narrowly yellow at

its middle, antehumeral oblique stripes connected to the collar below, humeral

1002 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. X XIX,

stripes variable, clubbed above, tapering to a fine point below (In some speci-

mens the tapered part is cut off from the upper part of stripe and in others it

breaks up into a chain of fine points) ; laterally greenish yellow, the lateral

sutures boldly mapped out in black, the anterior stripe connected to black of

dorsum by a line descending from latter.

Legs black, hind femora with a broad yellow stripe on inner side, furnished

with a row of closely-set, robust short black spines, the mid femora with a similar

row.

Wings distinctly tinted with greenish yellow especially towards the base;

costa finely yellow nearly as far as pterostigma which is deep brownish black,

well-braced, over 5 cells ; antenodal nervures and arc yellow; postanal cell

divided ; 2 to 3 rows of cells between Mi and Mia at level of outer end of stigma ;

10-15|17-10 = 12-16}18-11 |

plea 12213 |f2201~

Miv in forewing, only one in the hind; only 2 cells between Cui and Cuii at

wing margin in hindwing.

Abdomen black marked with yellow as follows:—Segments 1 and 2 with

a broad continuous dorsal lobed stripe, tapering at the apical end of segment

2 and bordered with a broad subdorsal band of black which is confluent with a

narrow apical articular ring on segment 2, a short apical process of black occa-

sionally runs along border of 1 and another behind the oriellets on segment 2.

Ventral border of latter segment furnished with a row of small black spines.

Segments 3 to 6 with clear yellow basal rings covering rather less than one fourth

the length of segments, on 3 to 5 middorsal oval spots of yellow, almost obsolete

on 5, absent entirely on 6, segment 7 with the basal half yellow, its crest finely

black, 8 and 9 with lateral yellow spots, bifid posteriorly, 10 entirely

black. Legs black except for stripe on innerside of first femora.

Anal appendages. Superior bright yellow, the apical third or more abruptly

black, inferior black with the upper surface sometimes paler. Superior similar

in shape to those of bistrigatus, parallel, converging at apices which are rather

sharply turned down and compressed ; inferior cleft nearly to the base, curved

rather abruptly at their middles so that their apices lie between the superiors,

a stout tooth on the upper border close to the base, no apical tooth.

Genitalia differing rather from that of other species except striatus. Lamina

black, keeled only in its posterior half, depressed, but shallowly notched ; inner

and outer hamules cf the same length, the inner long tapering black spines, the

apices only slightly everted, the outer much stouter, directed straight out

perpendicular to body axis, the apex curled and finally directed forward, yellow

at base, black at apex ; lobe rather prominent, borders tumid, similar in shape to

striatus.

female: Abdomen 40mm. Hindwing 33 mm.

Very similar to the male, differing as follows:—Yellow on labrum not quite

bisected by black ; black at base of frons extends a short way into floor of sulcus ;

occiput black and similar to male in shape ; yellow on middorsal carina meeting

the mesothoracic collar which is uninterrupted ; humeral stripe complete below

and connected with the elbow formed by the junction of mesothoracic collar and

antehumeral stripe ; sides of segments 1 and 2 more broadly yellow, the black

' sub-dorsal bands narrower and with straight borders ; no dorsal spots on segment

4, the basal yellow on segment 7 more restricted; spots on sides of 8 and 9

absent.

Anal appendages pale yellow, almost white, conical, pointed, rather longer

than segment 10, the protuberance between them pale yellow.

Legs with all the femora striped on the inner sides with yellow, the spines on

hind femora much less numerous, longer, more widely-spaced and more robust

than in the male,

nodal index 2 cross nervures between Mi-7ii and

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 1008

Wings with the greenish tinting more marked especially towards the base;

2 to 3 rows of cells between Mi and Mia, usually only 2 rows; nodal index

ibaa Hi! ndabh Teas 2 rows of cells in anal area of forewing

10-12/13-11’? 12-12]12-11’

Vulvar scale aborted, only perceptible as two rudimentary rounded shiny

‘tubercles, the remnants of.a bifid scale.

Hab. Hasimara, Duars, Bengal. Several pairs collected by Mr. H. V.

O’Donel to whom I am indebted for this beautiful species. Type male and

cotype female in the British Museum. |

The following combination of characters will distinguish this species from all

others:—the unusual distribution of black on the labrum, the black occiput,

the wide space between Mi and Muza, the shape of the genitalia in both sexes,

the striking colouration of the superior anal appendages and the presence of

oniy one tooth on the inferiors.

Onychogomphus M-flavum Selys. Causeries Odonatologiques No. 7, Ann.

Soc. Ent. Belg. pp. 163-181, 1894;

Onychogomphus bistrigatus, Mon Gomph. pp. 24, 392, (1857) ; Gomphus

bistrigatus Bull. Acad. Belg. X XI (2), p. 46 (1854) ; Onychogomphus

M-flavum. Will. l.e.p. 309; Laid. 1. ¢. 410, 411.

Male: Abdomen 35+3 mm. Hindwing 30-33 mm.

First male: Head. Labium dirty yellow; labrum greenish yellow, very

narrowly bordered with black at the base, more broadly along the anterior

oorder, a narrow streak of black running from its centre, of even width, not

quite reaching the black on anterior border; base of mandibles, anteclypeus

and a narrow bordering on lower edge of postclypeus yellow, latter black with a

large greenish yellow spot on each side ; lower part of frons black, this confluent

* with the black of postclypeus, upper part and above greenish yellow its base

narrowly black ; vertex and occiput black but a broad streak of greenish yellow

on posterior half of latter, its border slightly convex in the middle, and turned

forward so that the hinder surface is easily visible when the head is viewed from

above, back of eyes black, of occiput yellow.

Prothorax yellow with a large triangular spot of black on each side.

Thorax black on the dorsum marked with bright greenish yellow as follows :—

a mesothoracic collar broken by the black of middorsal carina, which is itself

bright yellow somewhat higher up ; antehumeral] oblique stripes confluent with

the collar, complete humeral stripes constricted alittle below the upper part ;

laterally greenish yellow, the sutures outlined rather finely in black and onthe

first suture showing two interruptions which cut off a small part of the line opposite

the spiracle.

Legs black, the anterior femora yellow within, the mid femora similar but

with a narrow interrupted streak on the outer side, hind femora with broad streaks

of yellow on both sides and furnished with a row of short robust closely-set black

spines.

Wings hyaline faintly tinged with greenish at extreme base; pterostigma

dark brown margined heavily with black nervures (much paler in teneral speci-

mens and black in very adult), over 4-5 cells, well-braced ; nodal index :—

15-14)15-13 | 12-15)15-12 |

15-12|13-14’ 13-11,11-13’

1 roll of cells between Mi and Mia except at extreme margin of wing; 2 cross

nervures between Mi-iii and Miv in forewing, only 1 in hind; first postanal cell

irregularly divided ; costa finely yellow as far as stigma but this colour lost

in very adult specimens.

Abdomen black marked with bright yellow, more ochreous towards the end

segments, as follows :—segments 1 and 2 with a dorsal lobed stripe extending

from base of 1 to apical border of 2 and separated from the yellow of sides by a

2 rows of cells in anal area of forewing; only

1064 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

moderately broad stripe of black which sends a stripe down behind the oreillets

segment 3 has a complete basal ring prolonged both along the ventrum and

dorsum and confluent on latter with a large irregularly angulated dorsal spot,

on 4 to 6 the basal rings less extensive laterally and partially bisected by an

invasion of the black along dorsal carina, the middorsal spots smaller, oval and

isolated from the basal rings, segment 7 with the basal two thirds yellow, 8

with the lower half of the sides, 9 with only a clouding of black on dorsum, 10

ochreous its apical margin finely black. All segments from 3 to 10 with an

apical ring of fine black spines.

Anal appendages golden yellow, the superior a little darker, very similar to

those of bistrigatus, broad at base, cylindrical and tapering to apex which is

rather more sharply angulated downwards and inwards and compressed ;

branches of inferior about two thirds the length of superior appendages,

closely contiguous and parallel, the apical third curved up, a robust tooth on

upper border near the base and a second near apex.

Genitalia: Lamina very depressed, its border much everted, arched and

folded back on itself, dark brown ; inner hamules of great length and very atte-

nuated, converging, the outer branch also elongate, black ; outer hamules broad.

of about the same length, yellow with a robust apical spine ; lobe black, project-

ing prominently like an open spout.

Second and type males.

Differing from the first described male by the much greater extent of black.

Anteclypeus, vertex and occiput entirely black ; no median short black stripe on

labrum; prothorax almost entirely black ; humeral stripe interrupted above in

the second male, entire in the type; lateral lines of thorax complete; costa

yellow in second male, black in the type; pterostigma blackish brown; yellow

on sides of segment 2 nearly cut into two by a prolongation of the subdorsal

black, completely cut into two in the type ; medial spot on dorsum of segment 3

small and completely isolated, almost obsolete on 4in the second male, com-

pletely so in type; only narrow basal lunules on segments 5 and 6 ; 7 with only

its basal half yellow and this divided by a narrow black dorsal carina, 8 and 9

broadly reddish yellow on the sides, the minature lateral wings black, 10 reddish

yellow finely margined with black along apical border.

Legs black, only the anterior femora marked with yellow within.

Female: Abdomen 39 mm. Hindwing 32-36 mm.

Very variable, differing not only from the males described above but also

individually in the sex.

Labrum finely or broadly bordered with black which may be more extensive

than the yellow ; anteclypeus dark brown or light greenish yellow, postclypeus

black marked with a small lateral yellow spot or else almost entirely greenish

yellow marked only with a small quadrate black spot at the middle of its post-

erior border ; the black stripe at base of frons and that bordering it below in front

very narrow or very broad ; vertex black or black marked with a small spot of

yellow between the posterior ocelli; occiput brownish in the type, black with a

small central spot of yellow or entirely bright yellowin others, its border almost

straight and yellow behind as in male; humeral stripe complete or occasionally

broken at its upper part, the first lateral line on thorax complete or widely

interrupted in one specimen asin the male described above.

Legs very variable, black marked with a variable extent cf yellow, the hind

femora armed with a row of very robust, very widely-spaced, long black

spines.

Abdomen very similar in all specimens examined and to the type male and

cotype female, the black on segment 1 reduced to a mere subdorsal vestige or

entirely wanting, segment 2 in two females examined, with a large lateral isolated

black spot, on segments 3 to 6 the basal yellow very broadly confluent with the

middorsal spots and extending almost to apical border of segments as a broad ~

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 1005

dorsal stripe ; remaining segments as for male but the yellow very dark reddish

or ochreous.

Anal appendages and protuberance between them rather dark yellow, short,

conical,

Vulvar scale very highly specialized and differing from any other species of

the genus, shaped like an acuminate leaf, very long, extending to the middle

of segment 10, cleft for rather more than its apical half into two closely conti-

guous halves, reddish brown, black at apex, very thin when viewed in profile,

its surface raised into two longitudinal folds.

Wings slightly enfumed ; pterostigma dark brown or blackish, over 43-53

11-16|15-13 = 12-16)15-13 —-13-17)17-13 |

13-11|11-11’) -14-12|12-14’ 12-13113-13’

male but in one female 2 rows of cells between Mi and Mia nearly as far as

stigma ; costa black in one female, yellow in another.

Hab. Gopaldhara, Assam, Darjeeling District. 1 am fortunate enough

to possess two males and three females and have seen a few others all taken at

the same time and place by Mr. H. Stevens. The remarkable shape of the female

ovipositor leaves no doubt as to their correct identity, and it is only reasonable

to presume that the males are related to them. At first sight it would appear

that the first male differs so markedly from the second and type males that it

cannot be conspecific but if we compare the three males with the females described

above, we find all the variations met with in the former, reproduced in the

latter.

The male and female described as O. M-flavum in the Rec. Ind. Mus. by

Laidlaw, undoubtedly belong to that species, the differences between them

and the type noted by the author being explained away similarly.

The female is easily distinguished from all others by its remarkable ovipositor

but greater difficulties are met with in distinguishing the males. From duaricus

the unicolourous superior appendage and inferior with two teeth will serve to

distinguish it ; from bistrigatus the all-black reticulation, the greater extent of

yellow on segment 7 and the lobe of genitals matt black; from striatus the

complete humeral stripe (tapering rapidly away in the latter), the much

narrower lateral lines on sides of thorax and the shape of the apices of superior

anal appendages and lastly the shape of the genital lobe.

cells; nodal index

reticulation as for

Onychogomphus dingavani sp. nov.

Male: Abdomen 32+3mm. Hindwing28mm. Pterostigma 3 mm,

Head, lLabium palest yellow; labrum greenish yellow, its anterior border

narrowly black and an obscure central black line not quite reaching its base;

anteclypeus yellow, postclypeus black with a large greenish yellow spot on each

side ; frons greenish yellow margined below the front with black which is confluent

with the black of postclypeus, its base broadly and evenly bordered with black ;

vertex black with a small spot of yellow between the posterior ocelli; occiput

bright greenish yellow, broadly yellow behind, its border quite straight and

fringed with long brownish hairs ; eyes black behind.

Prothorax black with an anterior collar, the posterior lobe, a small duplicated

spot on the dorsum and a linear one on the sides yellow.

Thorax black on dorsum marked with greenish yellow as follows :—a meso-

thoracic collar broadly interrupted by the black dorsal carina which is narrowly

bright yellow a little above for about its middle third; antehumeral oblique

stripes confluent with the collar, complete humeral stripes curling in above where

they become confluent with the antehumeral stripes, but slightly disconnected

from the yellow of thorax below.

Laterally greenish yellow with the remnants of an anterior lateral line on the

upper part of the first lateral suture and a complete narrow black line mapping

out the postero-lateral suture.

1006 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

Legs yellow marked with black, the first and second pairs of femora entirely

black on the outer side, the hind with only a narrow stripe not extending as far

as base. Flexor surface of hind femora thickly covered with small but rcbust

spines, the middle femora with a row of widely spaced, more robust, longer spines.

Wings faintly and diffusely tinged with greenish yellow; nodal index :—

11-14)14-13

12-10}10-12°

of wing margin ; 2 rows of cells in anal area of forewings ; first postanal cell in

hindwings undivided ; Cui and Cu7i with a single row of cells between, to within

4 cells of wing margin; pterostigma well-braced, over 4-5 cells, dark brown ;

costa yellow as far as stigma as also are many of the cross nervures in fore part

of wings, the antenodals, the arc and in spaces running out from it.

Abdomen black marked with yellow as follows :—segments | and 2 with broad

subdorsal black stripes of even width enclosing a lobed dorsal stripe of yellow,

sides of both segments broadly yellow including oreillets, a black articular ring

on segment 2 ; segment 3 with a narrow basal ring confluent with a short

ventral stripe and a broad dorsal stripe with crenulate borders which extends to

the apical border ; segments 4-6 similar but the basal rings limited below and no

ventral stripes ; 7 with the yellow extending apically along the dorsum for two

thirds the length of segment and black for the same length along the sides, the

ventrum yellow ; 8 and 9 with the sides broadly and the apical border of 9 nar-

rowly yellow, 10 with its basal fourth black, the rest yellow, 9 and 10 with a

fine apical border of black fringed with minute spines.

Anal appendages yellow, the inferior only slightly shorter than the superiors.

The latter broad at base, cylindrical and tapering to the apex which is evenly

and strongly curled down, separated at base, converging at apices. Inferior

deeply cleft into two closely contiguous branches, at first curling down and

then running nearly horizontally to the apices which are rather abruptly curled

up, passing between the ends of the superiors. A robust tooth on upper surface

close to the apex, basal third cylindrical and then abruptly thickened to nearly

as far as apical tooth (the thickening begins at the site of the basal tooth in

M-flavum and is really a continuation of this tooth).

Genitalia : Lamina low, shaped like that of M-flavum deeply arched, brownish;

inner hamules fine, divergent (this may be because the penis is erect between

them), of great length, passing down between the outer hamules nearly as far as

lobe ; outer hamules robust, yellow at base, black at apex, perpendicular to the

body axis, ending in a robust for wardly directed spine ; lobe matt black, projecting —

prominently like the spout of a tea-pot.

Hab. A single male from Kalaw, S. Shan States, Burma, collected by

Mr. G. Dingavan (in slightly damaged condition). The humeral stripe con-

fluent above with the antehumeral, the shape of the inferior anal appendages

and the genitalia will serve to distinguish this species from all others of the genus.

only one row of cells between Mi and Mia to within two cells

( To be continued. )

NOTE.

In Part XVII, Indian Dragonflies, the explanation of Plate I, page 680.

has been wrongly given as the explanation of Plate [I and the explanation of

Plate 1I as that of Plate I, the order should be reversed.

i ‘ ‘ : a

—_ - _ t ee a! bs _ -

- a - 7 z

. E §

JouRN. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc.

RIDGE IN NEPAL.

Below Kalo Pokhari. 15th April, 1912.

H, S, Photo.

KALO POKHARI.

Camp 10,160’. 15th April, 1912.

1007

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS.

Herpert Stevens, M.B.O.U.

Part ITI.

(With 3 plates.)

(Continued from page 740 of this Nene)

Sus-FaMILY—BRACHYPODIN#,

94. The White-throated Bulbul. Criniger tephrogenys

flaveolus (ould).

Occurs at low elevations in the Tista Valley. Obtained up to 1,500.’ (G. E.

Shaw). Nowhere does it reach the limit or anything approaching ‘ seldom

above 5,000’ ”” as recorded by Oates. It is strictly a plains Bulbul.

95. The Himalayan Black Bulbul. Microscelis psaroides

psaroides (Vig.). ‘* Kaki” Paharia.

Dr. Hartert nas stated the reason for this change in the generic name

FHlypsipetes now Mucroscelis (Nov. Zool., vol. xxix, 1922, pp. 366-7).

Numerous at all elevations up to 10,000" on the Outer Ranges. Tonglo

summit at 10,000’, 23-1-12*, a party of from twenty to thirty birds came

to rest in a tree adjacent to the Rest House; they were very wild and

only settled for a brief time. Observed around Singhik at 4,850’, 13-3-20*,

in a party of six or thereabouts.

96. The Brown-eared Bulbul. Hemixus flavala flavala

(Hodgs.).

More or less locally distributed. Occurs in the Rungbong Valley up to

5,000’. Obtained in the Tista Valley up to 3,800’, (G. E. Shaw).

97. The Rufous-bellied Bulbul. Hemixus macclellandi mac-

clellandi. (Hodgs.).

Common from 3,400’-6,000’ in the Rungbong Valley, and obtained in the

Tista Valley from 3,900’-4,500’. (G. E. Shaw).

98. The Striated Green Bulbul. Alcurus striatus. (Blyth).

Locally distributed and fairly numerous both in the Interior and on the Outer

Ranges at elevations of from 4,700’-6,000’, Obtained above Mangpu at 5,300’.

(G. E. Shaw). Temi to Namchi at 6,100’ 15-3-20*, much in evidence. Occurs

commonly at Gopaldhara from 4,700’ upwards, being strictly confined to forest.

99. The Bengal Red-vented Bulbul. Molpastes hemorrhous

bengalensis (Blyth).

Commonly distributed at all elevations up to 4,500’ at all events, but it is

very doubtful if it approaches an elevation of 7,000’ as recorded by Oates.

This Bulbul and the next species consort together during the cold weather at

the bottom of the Rungbong Valley and are then partial to the berries of the

** Panisajh ” trees.

1008 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

100. The White-cheeked Bulbul. Molpastes leucogenys,

(Gray).

** Jharali”’, Paharia, used for all Bulbuls without discrimination.

Commonly occurs from low elevations at 1,200’ in the Tista Valley

(G. E. Shaw), and probably lower, up to 6,000’ on the Outer Ranges, both in

East Nepal and Sikkim. Observed around Shamdong at 2,600’, in the interior

of Sikkim during February and March.

101. The Bengal Red-whiskered Bulbul, Otocompsa emeria

emeria (L).

In all probability does not occur much above Birik in the Tista Valley at

an elevation of 600’, where I have observed this Bulbul. Molpastes leucogeny

evidently takes its place on or about Tista Bridge and upwards.

102. The Black-crested Yellow Bulbul. Otocompsa flavi-

ventris flaviventris (Tick.).

Widely distributed from low levels up to 5,000’, Obtained up to 3,000’ only

in the Tista Valley. (G. E. Shaw).

103. The White-tailed Nuthatch. Sitta himalayensis Jard.

& Selby.

Generally distributed at somewhat lower levels in the Interior of Sikkim

than on the Outer Ranges. Locally migratory to some extent, descending

the slopes of the mountains in the winter and ascending from the valleys with

the advent of the hot weather. Observed below Gangtok at 3,100’ in early

March. Singhik, 4,800’, 24-2-20. Tonglo summit at 0,000’, a pair seen on

several occasions in January accompanying parties of Cole-Tits—L. rufonu-

chalis beavani and £. dichrous. Mai ‘ Khola,” East Nepal, 8,500’, 12-4-12,

several seen this day. Tonglo, 9,000’, 26-5-12, a pair, j obtained ; where they

are also to be found during the 8. W. monsoon. Gopaldhara, occasionally noted

around the bungalow at 4,720’ at times during the ‘“‘therains’ or “cold

weather,’’ never more than a pair of birds acting in concert with Minla,

Pseudominla, &c., 5,800’,¢ Q 7-10-21. Obtained at elevations of from 5,500’-

7,500’ above Mangpu. (G. E. Shaw.) Blanford met with it on the Cho La Range

(August) at 11,000’ but met with no Sitta above 7,000’ in Northern Sikkim,

which is also my experience in the winter.

104. The Cinnamon-bellied Nuthacch, Sitta castaneiven-

_ tris castaneiventris Blyth.

Resident and generally distributed. Found at all elevations up to 4,800!

around Gopaldhara, and obtained up to 3,800’ inthe Tista Valley, below

Mangpu. (G. E. Shaw.). 6,000’ as recorded by Jerdon and quoted by Oates is |

too great an extreme limit for Sikkim.

105. The Beautiful Nuthatch, Sitta formosa (Blyth).

The type locality is Darjiling and is thus recorded for Sikkim. Undoubted-

ly very rare and extremely locally distributed. I have failed to locate it,

Evidently Macintosh was acquainted with it, as he quotes Senchal as being one

of its hauntsin his “‘ Birds of Darjeeling.’’ Represented in the Tring Museum

by one specimen only ex. Elwes Coll., but well represented in the National

Collection by specimens obtained in almost every month of the vear.

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS. 1009

106. The Velvet-fronted Blue Nuthatch. Sitta frontalis

frontalis (Swainson).

A Plains Nuthatch. Obtained in the Tista Valley up to an elevation of 2,500.

(G. E. Shaw). Nowhere approaches to an elevation of 5,000’ or higher as recorded.

by Oates for the Himalayas, at all events in Sikkim. This Nuthatch is distin-

guished from true Sitta by several striking structural characters and is placed

inthe genus Callisitta by Hellmayr (“Genera Avium”’, Wytsman.) It well

might find its correct place in this last genus if numerous other genera are

retained.

107. The Crow-billed Drongo. Dicrurus annectens annec-

tens (Hodgs.).

Recorded for the lower levels of Nepal and Sikkim.

108. The Himalayan Black Drongo, Dicrurus macocercus

albirictus (Hodgs.).

Recorded for 5,000’ or even higher in the Himalayas. I have no information

respecting this Drongo. All my specimens of Dicrurus have proved to be the

next species.

109. The Himalayan Grey-Drongo. Dicrurus leucophzus

stevensi Stuart Baker.

Recorded for the Himalayas “ found as high as 10,000’ ”.. Generally distributed

at moderate elevations to higher limits. The common Drongo in the Darjeeling

District. Occurs around Gopaldhara at 5,000’, as a breeding resident, also occurs

plentifully in the Tista Valley at elevations of from 3,000’-3,750’. (G. E. Shaw),

Thurbo, 4,500’, 10-5-15*. Four King Crows observed mobbing a pair of Owls

(Glaucidium cuculordes).

110. The White-bellied Drongo, Dicrurus czrulescens (L.).

Recorded for the Himalayas up to about an elevation of 6,000’. I have no

information respecting this Drongo. Ifit has any status in these hills, it is not

likely to be overlooked, being a well-marked species. The series inthe B, M.

Coll. contains no specimen from the Sikkim Himalaya.

111. The Bronzed Drongo, Chaptia znea znea (Vieill.).

Generally distributed. Occurs up to 5,000’ at all events in the Rungbong

Valley. Not obtained above 3,000’ in the Tista Valley. (G. E. Shaw).

Probably occurs much higher, though Gammie found it breeding only at 2,000’.

112, The Hair-crested Drongo. Chibia hottentotta hotten-

totta (L.).

Sparingly distributed at the bottom of the RungbongValley from 3,500’-3,700’,

and when the “ Falada” trees are in flower, comes up to the Bw. elevation of

4,720’, 26-27-10-15*, a pair, 11-9-20*, a pair, 17-9-21*, several in evidence, many

even higher on occasions at 5,200’, 1-2-21*, noted hereabouts. As many as forty

birds seen in the “‘simal’” (Bombaz) trees at Namsoo at 3,000’ on the 18-5-15*,’

Obtained up to an elevation of 1,900’ in the Tista Valley. (G. HE. Shaw). Young

birds ready to leave the nest by the end of June, or the first week in July ; a

specific date being the 25-6-23, when two youngsters were brought in at

Gopaldhara,

1010 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

113. The Indian Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Bhringa

remifer tectirostris Hodgs.

Confined to the hot, moist, deep valleys. Observed around Dikchu at 2,150’

in the interior of Sikkim, in February and March. 5,000’ as recorded by Oates

is too great an extreme limit j in general for Sikkim, though Gammie mentions

it nesting at Rishap (Rashab) in the Tista Valley at 4,800’.

114. The Assam Racket-tailed Drongo. Dissemurus para-

diseus grandis (Gould).

Extends up the Tista Valley to at least 1,000’ (G. E. Shaw), but ae

not far into the interior. Absent around Dickchu at 2,150’, in February and

March 1920.

115. The Nepal Tree-Creeper. Certhia familiaris nipa-

lensis Blyth.

This Tree-Creeper is strictly sedentary, but on occasions descends to lower

limits to some modified extent under stress of severe weather.

Recorded for 13,000’, Pine forests, in September, North Sikkim. (Blanford).

Generally distributed from 8,000’ to 12,000’. Observed below Sookia Pokhari

at 6,500’ $ 2 18-1-12.* Occurs on Tonglo and Sandakphu summits throughout

the winter, when it is then partial to the dwarf birch trees on the bare mountain

slopes, generally in pairs, accompanying a foraging party of Cole-Tits: Parus

ater emodius, P. rufonuchallis beavani and L.d. dichrous. 'Tonglo, 9,000’ to

10,074’, summit level, a series of three ¢ 6, five 2,collected in January 1912.

Karponang at 11,000’, in March 1917, only an occasional bird seen, and

evidently far from common in the Pine forests during the winter.

Six specimens examined :

3d Billfrom feathers, at base 14; wing 68-69, av. 68°5.

Ope aie. » 11-12, av. 11°8; wing 65-66, av. 65°5.

Soft parts: Iris, brown ; bill, black on upper mandible, white on lower mandi-

ble ; tarsus, horny.

116. The Sikkim Tree-Creeper. Certhia discolor discolor

Blyth. ‘Soolsooli’’, Paharia.

Commonly occursin the Rungbong Valley from 3,500’-6,000’ in the *‘ cold

weather,” but seldom if ever observedin “‘therains.”” Obtained in the Tista

Valley around Mangpu at elevations of from 3,000’-4,500’. (G. EH. Shaw). In the

interior observed at Shamdong at 2,300’, 15-3-20. Apparently does not overlap

with C. familiaris nipalensis in its zonal distribution. Gopaldhara, 5,800,’ ¢

5-2-21. 5,000’, 216-2-18. 4,720’, 16-7-21*, a pair came into the compound in

company with Parus monticolus, Zosterops, Phylloscopus, &¢., 5800’, a single

bird observed in the forest 13-5-23, was most probably the pair to a breeding

‘bird.

Eight specimens examined :

& Billfrom feathers at base 14-15, av. 14°5; wing 67-70, av. 68°8.

2 bp T2273 pigs 12 odes a) 164267 ee.

Soft parts: Tris brown ; bill upper mandible dark horny, lower mandible

pale horny, dark at tip, gape inside pale fleshy ; tarsus dark fleshy-horny.

117. Stoliczka’s Tree-Creeper. Certhia stoliczkz Brooks,

Fairly common from 9,000’ to 10,000’ on the Singile La Ridge, January to May ;

specimens secured both in Nepal and Sikkim. Obtained as low as 6,500’, on the

Semana-Mirik Ridge, se 7-2-18. Ghoom to Sookia Pokhari, 7,100’, 13-12-13,

| Journ. Bompay Nat. Hist. Soc, PLATE VI.

| H.S. Photo.

THE RIDGES OF EAST NEPAL.

| Looking west from Phalut, February, 1912.

“

H, S. Pnoto.

“THER SNOWS” AND PINE FORKSTS.

Abies webbiana, Silver Firs of Hooker.

From Sandakphu, March, 1912.

several observed along the forest road. Tonglo, 10,000’, od 27-1-12. 9 :

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF TH# SIKKIM HIMALAYAS. 1011

@ 9-2-12. Kalo Pokhari, 10,160’, ¢ Q 19-4-12, 2 21-3-12, @ 23-

Observed around Lachung at 8,800’ in February and March.

Five specimens examined :

¢ Bill from feathers at base 12; wing 74-76, av. 75.

99 29- 29 cz) 125; ? 29 64- 71, 29 69°5.

Soft parts: Tris brown; bill, upper mandible dark horny, lighter towards

the tip, lower mandible pale horny, darkening towards the tip and edge in con-

tact with upper mandible ; tarsus pale horny.

Certhia himalayana himalayana Vig., is stated by Dresser, Brore, Stuart

Baker and others to have an extensive distribution throughout the Himalayas—

Kashmir to Kansu in Western China. Oates strictly confined this typical form

to the N. W. Himalayas—Gilgit, Almora, &c. No trace of this Tree-Creeper

occurring inthe Sikkim Himalaya has cometo my knowledge. It is not repre-

-gented in the Tring Museum from Sikkim, and notwithstanding the fact that

there is one specimen from Darjeeling collected by one of the Marshalls and also

one specimen from Nepal.—-ex Hodgson Coll. inthe B. M. series, for which

information I am indebted to Mr. N.B. Kinnear—there surely must be an error

‘in the locality on the label of the Parjeeling ? skin. Col. C. H.T. Marshall

refers toits breeding habits at Murree. (Hume's Nests and Eggs, Oates, Vol.

I, page 220.) The Sikkim Himalaya holds three well-defined species with

fairly distinct zonal distribution limits. It appears to have a discontinuous

‘distribution in the Eastern Himalayas.

If my surmise is not correct, it is surprising such a paucity of specimens

‘from this area exist in representative collections.

118. The Wall-Creeper. Tichodroma muraria (1.).

The Wall-Creeper may be found during the winier at diverse altitudes in suitable

Jocalities, though it is rare and of uncertain occurrence.

Obtained at Mangpu, 3,800’, 21-11-19. (G.E. Shaw). Jalapahar, 7,500’, 9°

13-2-20. Sandakphu, Nepal side of the Frontier at 11,800’, 7-3-12,* a single

bird observed this morning, foraging on the face of a huge boulder, rather wild

and difficult of approach once it was aware of my presence. Hereabouts, these |

' rocks seemed most suitable haunts for Wall-Creepers, yet this was the only

occasion I met withit. Lachung, circum. 9,000’, odd birds observed on the rocky

slopes of the valley during February and March 1920. One observed in the

‘stony bed of the La chu at 8,800’, 10-3-10*, had assumed the black throat associa-

ted with the adult insummer plumage. Three observed above Bhotan Ghat in

the Raidak Gorge in January 1922, two of which were secured.

Three specimens examined :

S Bill from feathers at base 25 ; wing 109. @. Bill 24, damaged in the

other example. Wing 102 in both cases. Compared with two females from the

North frontier of Assam. Bill 25; wing 102-103. prove these measurements

‘to be fairly constant. The spots onthe outer primaries and tail vary in size and

number individually in the adult, and the ochreous spot on the inner primaries

is sometimes retained at maturity.

Q (Assam), 2nd-5th primary, two spots, all white and large, 6th primary,

one upper white spot. Q 2nd-4th, similar, 5th, merely an indication of the upper

white spot, 6th, tinged ochreous, 7th, ochreous, 8th, merely an indication of an

-ochreous spot.

3 (Bhotan Dooars). 2nd-5th, two spotsall white and small, another 2

from the same locality somewhat similar.

Q@ (Darjeeling). 2nd-5th spots white, all lower ones small, upper spots

large, 6th, upper spot only; ochreous lower half, remainder white. 7th-9th,

single spots only, entirely ochreous. i

1012 JOURNAL, BOMBA NATURAL HIST. S CIETY, Vol. XX1X.

119. Hume’s Wedge-billed Wren. Sphenocichla humei

(Mand.).

Recorded for Sikkim. Undoubtedly rare, with a restricted distribution.

Specimens in the Tring Museum labelled Namchi, probably came from

Tendong above this place.

120. The Nepal Wren. Treglodytes troglodytes nipalensis.

Blyth.

Resident on the Singile La Ridge at elevations of from 9,000’- 12,000’, numerous

at this extreme limit in winter. Jn the interior of Sikkim at Lachung, occurs at

an elevation of 8,800’ in the valley during February and March.Karponang,10,000°

and above, on the slopes of the mountains during March. Once obtained amongst —

the rocks on Jalapahar at 7,500’ @ 14-2-20, which is food for speculation as the:

Senchal to Darjeeling Ridge is quite isolated from the main bulk of the higher

ranges, and it would mean a lengthy flight if such was the case, to avoid the

valleysfora sedentary resident. It frequentsthe rocky beds of mountain streams,

fallen decaying trees in the pine forests, equally at home amongst the snow in

inhospitable depths of the forest or the precincts of the flimsy dwellings of the-

shepherds. In the village of Lachung, it was partial to the crevices of the

stone walls which demarcated the plots of rudely cultivated land.

Tonglo, 9,000’-10,000’, 24th January to the 4th of February 1912, 3 ¢ 6,

22 ¥ secured. Sandakphu to Saburkum 11,500’, ¢ 16-2-12. Kalo Pokhari,.

10,160’ 3 4-3-12.

Karponang, 10,000’, @ 17-3-17. Lachung, 8,800’, 92 27-2-20, not observed in.

the winter beyond a three-mile limit above the village, along the path to Yum-

thang.

Kight specimens examined :

S Bill from feathers at base 10-11, av., 10°6 ; wing 51-53, av. 52°6.

Fe ass », 10°5'11°5, av. 10°8 ; wing 50-53, av. 51°6.

The female average is brought up with the large dimensions of a Lachung

specimen. Bill 11°5 ; wing, 53.

121. The Spotted Wren. Elachura formosa (Walden).

Recorded “high elevations in Sikkim.” I anticipate this Wren will

eventually be located along the foot-hills and probably inthe bottoms of the

valleys of the interior, at all events during the winter, with a similar habitat

to Pnepyga pusilla.

122. The Tailed Wren. Spelzornis caudata (Blyth).

Recorded for Sikkim at considerable altitudes. Obtained at Jore Pokhari,.

7,400’. (C.M. Inglis). Represented in the B.M. Coll. by a fine series collected.

by Mandelli with nothing more definite in regard to the exact localities than

* near Darjeeling.”

123. The Slaty-bellied Shortwing. Tesia cyaniventer —

Hodgs.

Generally distributed in forested country with a sufficiency of undergrowth

from the plains level up to 6,000’, and apparently not resident around Gopaldhara

at 4,700’, as it has only been noticed hereabouts at the breeding season from the-

end of March or thereabouts and onwards.

Eleven specimens examined from the Eastern Himalayas.

c Bill from base 14-145, av. 14°3 ; wing 47°5-49, av. 48°9.

OO etnias », 13-13°5, av. 13°33; wing 44-48, av. 46°3.

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS. 1013

One specimen, collected in the Plains of Upper Assam at Rungagora in the

Dibrugarh District, ¢ 10-1-04, has the crown concolorous with the back and the

whole of the underparts from the chin to the vent pale slaty-blue. This

phase ’ has always puzzled me, asI do not consider it referable to the male

juvenile stage of this species ; the bill, tarsus and hind claw are stronger than in

any of the other previously measured specimens.

Billfrom base 16; wing 49 ; tarsus 25; hind claw 7.

It is very near to Tesia cyaniventris superciliaris, La Touche, after com-

‘parison with the type.

“Very close to the female of typical J. cyaniveniris, but with a much

more pronounced and purer black eye-stripe and lores, and with a short,

pure grey stripe just behind the eye, between the yellowish supercilium and

the black eye-stripe. A bird from Manipurin the British Museum Collection

is very similar, but lacks the post-orbital grey stripe and is paler below.”

Ibis July 1923, pp. 369, 370. <“* On the Birds of South-East Yunnan, S. W.

‘China.”? (S. D. La Touche, M. B. O. U.)

Soft parts: (June.) Iris brown; bill upper mandible blackish-horuy,

lower mandible and inside gape, reddish-orange; tarsus, dark olivaceous ; claws

horny.

124. The Chestnut-headed Shortwing. Tesia castaneo-

coronata castanescoronata (Burton).

This Shortwing seems to me to be entitled to generic rank, but as Dr. Hartert

has shown, (Novitates Zoologice, Vol. XVII, 1920, page 480) Oligura cannot

stand. Apart from coloration which may have no significance in the definition

of genera ; the remarkable bill of Tesva cyaniventer appears to be a sound struc-

tural character for generic distinction and congeneric with this species is Pseudox-

enicus superciliaris (Bp.). Type Locality, Java, whereas Tesia castaneocoronata

has a totally different, slender and narrrow bill; which was one of the reasons

given by Oates for keeping them generically separated. It is found at all eleva-

tions from the foot of the hills in “‘ the cold weather, ” wp to 10,000’ or higher in sum-

mer. Blanford records it from Northern Sikkim at elevations of from 7,000’-10,000’.

Observed on the Singile La Ridge at Kalo Pokhari at 10,160’, in May. Mai

(‘“ Khola’’) Valley, East Nepal, 8,000’ upwards, g 9-4-12, @ 7-5-12. Bhotan

Ghat, Raidak River, Eastern Dooars, Q Q 22-24-1-22, others seen. Gopaldhara,

Runghong Valley, 3,550’,22-3-11*, noted on several occasions afterwards, more

in evidence than 7. cyaniventer. It is more addicted to frequenting the ground

than its former ally and hops about the rocks in like manner to a wren. 4,700,’ 5

29-10-16, 7-4-16* 4,800’, @ 1-11-18. 5,000’, 2 17-2-18. 5,900’, ¢ 17-2-18.

Mangpu, 3,800’, 26-3-15*, in scrub-growth. Rashab, Tista Valley, 4,500’,

15-3-20*, in bamboo forest.

Eight specimens examined and compared with four Assam skins ;

3 Bill from feathers at base 9°5-10, av. 9°6; wing 47°5-50, av. 48°4.

2 re a 10, av., 10; wing 46-48°5, av. 47°7.

These females show a tendency to have a slightly stronger bill, which is the

reverse case in my specimens of Tesia cyaniventer.

125. The Scaly breasted Wren. Pnepyga squamata

(Gould).

Blanford records it from northern Sikkim at 9,000’. It occurs in limited

numbers from 5,000’-10,000’ on the Outer Ranges according to season. Obtained

in the Tista Valley at 8,000-’5,900’, (G.E. Shaw). Resembles a small rodent as

it searches the ground in quest of food, most fearless, as on occasions it may

come up toone’s feet; neither isit easily dislodged from the crevices in

which it takes shelter when approached, in this respect is similar to

Troglodytes nipalensis.

1014 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

Six specimens examined :

S Billfrom feathers at base 10- 1, ay. 10° S; ; wing 58- 63, av. 61° 5. ?

sf »», 10-11, av. 10-5 ; wing 59°5-62. av. 60°8.

The fertiaries | in five adults are tipped with fulvous asin P. pusilla, a character

of no consequence in discriminating between the two species ; the difference i in.

size being, however, quite sufficient for this purpose.

126. The Brown Wren. Pncepyga pusilla Hodgs.

Soaunale He ibuted from the base of the hills up to an elevation of 6,500’ or:

thereabouts ; there is an overlapping to some extent in the breeding range of

both this wren and its near ally. Obtained on the Semana-Mirik Ridge at 6,250’,

18-2-18, and also on Tonglo (C. M. Inglis) at 10,000’, most likely a straggler,.

Gopaldhara, 4,700’, 28-2-21*, 5,500’, ¢ 14-4-21. Bhotan Ghat, Raidak River.

Eastern Dooars, 9 .20-1-22. Obtained at Mangpu at 3,600’, (G. E. Shaw).

Two specimens examined: ¢ Bill from feathers at base 11; ; wing 53.

rs psy aod OS 5) WANS aoe

In these two adults, “ correctly” sexed, & testes in advanced development ;

the usual distinguishing character in colour between the two sexes is reversed :

the whole of the lower plumage in the male being fulvous, while the female is in

the pale phase, which is regarded as the normal coloration of the male. All

specimens, if sexed with absolute certainty, will eventually help to solve this

interesting problem.

127. The Himalayan Golderest Regulus regulus hima-

layensis Jerd.

Sparingly distributed on the Singile La Ridge during the winter at 10,000’. In

the interior of Sikkim occurs at this period of the year at 9,000’ in the bed of the

valleys, and though by no means numerous, is apt to be overlooked, or its identity

mistaken if intermingled with Phylloscopi. Tonglo, 10,600’, Nepal side of the

Frontier, ¢ ¢ 2, 25-1-12; the only occasion on which the Goldcrest was observed,.

these three birds were keeping up a lively commotion during a bright afternoon.

amongst the flowers of a stunted tree (Daphne cannabina). Lachung, 9,500’,.

3 5b Q, 7-3-20. secured out of a party of eight to ten individuals accompanied’

with Cole-Tits: Parus ater emodius and P. rufonuchalis beavani, in light mixed’

tree-growth, Larch predominating, below the main belt of the Pine forests.

Five specimens examined :

& Bill from feathers at base 7-7°5, av. 7°3; wing 56-58, av. 57.

oe es os 7, av. 7; wing 54-55, av. 54:5

Soft parts: Tris brown ; bill black ; tarsus brownish- ochreous ; toes and

claws paler ochreous,

128. The Fire-cap. Cephalopyrus flammiceps (Barton).

Evidently locally distributed and by no means numerous, if indeed not actually’

rare. Obtained on four occasions in the Tista Valley at elevations of from

3,400’-3,700’, 16-23-2-19, 3,850’, 23-2-18. (G. E. Shaw).

Rungpo, Tista Valley, 1,250’, 19-2-20*. A party of twelve to fifteen counted:

at rest on the naked branches of a shade! tree near the road-side on the Sanko- .

khola road. On their taking flight they were more like Munias or Finches. I

observed them very carefully at close quarters under a powerful glass and could

hardly have made any mistake. So far I have failed to meet with it around

Gopaldhara, and it may only be confined to moderate elevations in the Tista

Valley. It is represented from Sikkim in the B. M. Coll. by 3 ¢ o, February

and March. :

Acrocephalus agricola eens nov.

— Aecrocephalus stentorea sub-sp. nov.

JOURN. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc. Prate VII.

H, S. Photo.

VALLEY IN NEPAL, below Phalut. February, 1912.

H, S. Photo. ;

TONGLO, near the summit level of 10,074’. January, 1912.

Haunts of Urocissa flavirostris, Nucifraga hemispila, Trochalopterum affinis,

Izops mpalensis, Yuhina gularis, Hulvetta vinipecta, Phenicurus schisticeps,

P. frontalis, Perissospiza icteroides affinis, Pyrrhula erythrocephala,

Carpodacus rhodochroa, Callacanthis burtoni, &c., &c.

H. S, Photo.

Mal (‘* KHOLA”) VALLEY, East Nepal, from Kalo Pokhari.

Rhododendrons in blocm. April, 1912,

. NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS. 1015

Inmy ‘“ Notes on the Birds of Upper Assam,” B. N. H. 8. Vol. XXIII, page

247, I recorded the first mentioned Reed-Warbler under the typical form.

The winter migrants to Assam have been considered to be the eastern race

* concinens’”’ (Swinh.). In recent years a breeding bird has been described

from (1920-Kaghan) North-west India, 7.e., “‘ haringtoni’’ Witherby.

I have made a further examination of my Assam skins and eggs, which has

resulted in an interesting discovery that there are two races of Acrocephalus

breeding on the “churs”’ of the Subansiri River in Upper Assam ; the larger

bird is a race of “‘stentorea’’ and the smaller birdisa race of “‘agricola.” Specimens

obtained in January at Gogaldhubie, ¢ 10-1-05, wing, 60. Boduti, ¢ 13-1-11,

wing, 57°5. In both specimens Ist primary, 12, “narrow.” These birds are

paler on the underside compared with specimens from Hessamara obtained in

April which have a decided rufous tinge on the underside, ¢ 11-4-15, wing, 53,

3 9-4-05, wing, 49°5. lst primary, 11-12°5 “‘ wider”’ than in the two former

specimens ; these latter can only be breeding birds, the difference in the wing

formula is significant. I expressed my surprise when, having noted this Réed-

Warbler as particularly numerousin April, I failed to meet with it in December

of the same year. This is not remarkable but at the time was not rightly under-

stood as the birds were evidently absent from their breeding haunts in the

winter. Undoubted Acrocephalus eggs have been laid aside during my long

residence in the east and it is only recently that I have been able to verify my

contention that breeding birds of two races of Acrocephalus did exist in the

Plains of Upper Assam. Whilst my skins are deficient in number ; seven

clutches of eggs have been examined.

Dr. Hartert gives the wing measurement of “‘concinens,”’ as somewhat shorter

than typical ‘agricola’? whichis stated @ 2 55-60°5, “‘haringtoni” < 56-

58, Q 54-58.

The habits of A. agricola are said to be “‘ very aquatic.” I only found this

to be the case with the bird obtained in the “cold weather.”

Contradictory data in respect to the habitat of this species and also A. dume-

torum which also occurred during the winter puzzled me considerably. I found

A, stentorea a terrible skulker but at the nesting time the birds might almost

be said to breed in colonies as all my eggs came from a limited area.

My cold-weather migrants have the 2nd primary between the 6th and the 7th,

which is the wing formula for typical A. agricola, whereas the 2nd is equal to the

10th in the breeding bird and in this character is nearest to A. concinens. Mr. E. C,

Stuart Baker has described this race as stevensit, and after comparing 60 eggs of

A. s. brunnescens, av., 22°7X15°9, with the eggs of the ‘“‘dark”’ breeding race

of stentorea in Assam, which are darker, more brown and less green, 20 eggs

average 19°6 15, has named this race amy, wing, 83, in honour of my wife.

The type specimens of these two new Acrocephali have been presented to the

British Museum.$

Soft parts in “agricola agricola,’ (January): Iris olive-brown; bill upper

mandible and tip of lower mandible blackish-horny, remainder horny-white ;

tarsus brownish-horny. ‘“‘ agricola stevensi,’ (April): Iris olive-brown; bill

upper mandible blackish- horny, commisure line pale, lower mandible homy,

darker towards tip ; tarsus, brownish-horny.

129. The Turkestan Grasshopper-Warbler. Locustella

nzvia straminea (Severtz.).

Recorded for Native Sikkim: a specimen having been procured in June

which is an immature bird collected in 1876 and represents the Sikkim Pe

in the National Collection.

——————————.

+ Represented in the B. M. Coll. by other specimens from the Bramaputra

“ churs”’ collected by Godw in-Austen.

§ Descriptions in the Bulletin B.O.C. VoL. xn1t1, No. cCLXxI, pp. 16 & 17.

1016 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

130. The Spotted Bush-Warbler. Tribura thoracica (Blyth).

Mandelli is mentioned in Hume’s “ Nests and Eggs”’ as having obtained it on

three occasions, breeding in July at Yendong ? (‘Tendong) and Gammie on one

occasion near Rungbee in June at 5,000’, a specimen in the B. M. Coll., is dated

15-6-75, female snared on the nest and probably refers to this record. There

are other six specimens collected in every month from February to June and one

in November and also a single specimen from the Bhotan Dooars, February,

1876, all of which are Mandelli’s skins. This material has furnished Oates

with its status as a nesting species and occurring up to 9,000’. It has in

recent years been obtained on Phalut in the summer. (C. M. Inglis).

131. The Brown Bush-Warbler. Tribura_ luteoventris

(Hodgs. )

Recorded under Tribura mandellii for Sikkim (February to May).

Represented in the B. M. Coll. by Hodgson’s specimens from Nepal and

Mandelli’s specimens from the Bhotan Dooars and Native Sikkim, from

which last area there is one, dated June 1874. Mr. C.M. Inglis has

obtained it on Phalut in the summer and this was apparently the species

I saw at Lachung at 9,000’ on the 28-2-20*, unfortunately none

were secured out of the small party, of which an odd bird or two were

noted on this single occasion, as they were on the move in and about

some scanty vegetation, and could have hardly been Suyas at this eleva-

tion in the winter, although they appeared to be a sedentary species to the

valley.

132. The Indian Tailor-bird. Orthotomus sutorius suto-

rius (Forst.).

At the foot of the hills, this Tailor-bird frequents light, open forest, but does

not penetrate the forest depths. Resident up to 4,720’ in the Rungbong Valley,

an odd pair or so frequent the compound of the Gopaldhara Bw. and may be

seen either in winter or summer. Obtained around Mangpu at 3,600’, (G. E.

Shaw) above the Tista Valley. where formerly Gammie obtained it. Gangtok at

5,800’ and lower, 21-2-20*, it was much in evidence to judge by its high-

pitched note, yet not actually observed in the dense scrub-growth which it

was frequenting. Gopaldhara, 4,500’, 28-5-23. Three fully fledged youngsters

almost ready to leave the nest.

133. The Black-necked Tailor-bird. Orthotomus atrogual-

ris (Temm.)

Its distribution is stated as Lower Ranges of the Himalayas from the Rangit

River in Sikkim to the Dhansiri Valley, Assam. It is somewhat remarkable

that all the specimens I have procured at the base of these hills have ail been

O. sutorius and I have singularly failed to meet with it anywhere along the

foot-hills of the Eastern Himalayas. The only locality in Upper Assam where

it occurred was above Margherita to the east, and Mr. E. C. Stuart Baker informs

me it had a habitat distinct from O. sutorius being confined to the forest and

not found in the open surroundings.

As I could only find the Dhansiri Valley specimen in the B. M. Collection,

T requested Mr. N. B. Kinnear for information and he reports that this species

is not represented from west of Assam. In view of this fact it certainly seems

asif the recorded distribution will have to be altered and this Himalayan portion

of its range eliminated, notwithstanding Mandelli is said to have obtained its

nest and egys near the Great Rangit River.

El pe aE ee &

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS. 1017

134. Franklin’s Wren-Warbler. Franklinia gracilis

(Frankl.).

Recorded as ‘‘ ascending the Himalayas to considerable elevations, and speci-

mensas having been collected at Darjiling and in Native Sikkim.’ I have no

record of this Wren-Warbler in these hills, which commonly occurs at plains-

levels. Mr. G. E. Shaw has obtained a Franklinia in the Tista Valley at eleva-

tions of from 2,000’-4,000’ which he puts down as F. rufescens and I observed at

Gitingy, 1.100’, 12-2-14*, a party of eight to ten birds on the maidan above the

Mahanuddi, which I considered were also this same species. I doubt very much

if this bird or any other member of this genus ever “abandons its accustomed

haunts on the approach of winter” as these birds are strictly sedentary. It is

more likely that allthe specimens that Oates went through, came from the

valleys in Sikkim.

This remark has no reference to its distribution in the North-West Himalayas.

This genus appears to bein an unsatisfactory state, both in regard to the charac-

ters, habitat and distribution of each species. My notes can only serve to draw

attention to the difficulties with a view to the ultimate clearing up of severai

knotty points which seem to me obscure.

In the Bhotan Dooars, January 1922, there occurred two species of Franklinia

in small parties occupying distinct habitats. The bird I regard as F. gracilis was

only to be found in the more open country, frequenting scrub-growth in the

dried-up beds of the river channels, outside of the heavy forest, about two miles

south of Bhotan Ghat on the Raidak River, 29-1-22, @ Bill from base 14

wing 46. 29-1-22, 9 Bill from base 13:5; wing 44.

Soft parts: Iris ochreous-brown; bill blackish-horny ; tarsus ochreous

fleshly ; claws, pale horny-black.

Coloration.—-Upper surface dark rufous, the tail tipped with white; which

character appears to be constant in this species, yet the bills in both these two

specimens are stronger than any of the following birds from Assam which have

heen measured for comparison. |

Upper Assam, Dibrugarh District, Margherita. (Base of the hillstothe east).

23-11-03, 2 Bill from base, 12; wing, 44. In coloration agrees with the two

former specimens.

Rungagora, (Plains), 6-4-03, 2 Bill from base 12; wing 42.

Rungagora, (Plains), 13-4-03, 2 ., 5, 4, 11°53 wing 43.

North Lakhimpur, Derpai, (Base of the hills to the west), 21-3-05, Q Bill

from base 123; wing 42.

Coloration.— Upper surface a drab ashy, which is evidently the normal breeding

plumage.

Dejoo, 15-6-04, @ Bill from base 12 ; wing 48°5

Dejoo, 3-7-04, & ,, 5 » 12°53; wing 48.

Dejoo, 16-7-04, g ., ae » 12°5; wing 48.

Deioo, 4-8-04, 2 ,, , » 12; wing 45.

Coloration.—These four specimens are in worn breeding garb and show the

well-defined ashy band on the breast.

Dejoo, 22-6-04, ¢ Juvenile, Bill from base 11; wing 43.

Dejoo, 12-8-04, 2 x ss i 11: 5; wing 44.

No use for comparison, being young birds which have not long left the nest.

Coloration.—-Pale ashy-rufous on the upper surface, below, white on the

throat to breast, pale rufous on the belly ; “‘ tips to tail white.”

Dibrugarh District, Rungagora, 16-1-03, 2, Bill from base 12; wing 42.

Rungagora, 16-1-03, 9, Bill from base, 12 ; wing, 41.

North Lakhimpur, Dejoo, 28-11-10, 2, Bill from base 12; wing 44.

Soft parts: Iris dark ochreous-yellow or dark straw-yellow.

1018 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX.

Coloration.—These last three specimens have the upper surface tinged with

rufous and to a less extent on the flanks; the tips to the tail are white. There

is no dark head as is said to be present in F. rufescens, and though the tarsi are

darker ; the bills are not a detined black, as is said to be the case with F. gracil-

lis. All the same I consider them to be iti a stage of rest. which appears —

_ to be referable to this species.

135. Beavan’s Wren-Warbler. Franklinia rufescens = (Blyth).

Bhotan Ghat, Raidak River, Eastern Dooars, 26-1-22, ¢ ¢ Bill from base

13°5-14; wing 45-45°5. Obtained out of a small party in light undergrowth

- inside the fringe of the heavy forest at the base of the hills.

Soft parts : “Tris pale brown ; bill horny-black, edge of the lower mandible

pale; tarsus fleshy-white; claws horny.

These specimens appear to be referable to F. rufescens. The crown is slightly

darker than the back in one example, but with the exception of the fulvous tips

to the tail approach in their bright rufous coloration the last three specimens of

F. gracilis. Oates makes this species to have a smaller wing and a larger bill

than F. gracilis. Thereisno appreciable difference in any of these characters

as compared to the birds recorded under F. gracilis obtained three days later in a

different habitat ; apart from the head, the rest of the plumage shows a marked

resemblance to F. cinereocapilla, Apparently F. rufescens is more cf a hill-

species, and appears to have a restricted range along the base of the hills, and F.

gracilis while extending right up to the foot of the hills and possibly in the

valleys shuns the well-wooded tracts. The exact distribution of the two

species from correctly identified specimens is desirable.

136. Hodgson’s Wren-Warbler, Franklinia cinereocapilla

(Hodgs.)

This Wren-Warbler occurs sparingly at the bottom of the Rungbong Valley

and below Gopaldhara at an elevation of from 3,500’-4,500". One secured on the

20-12-11, and a pair observed at 3,550’ on the 4-7-16* in a thicket of reeds.

Blanford noted this species from Sikkim, yet Oates regarded his description

as agreeing with F. rufescens. In my single specimen, I can detect no band

behind the eye dark bluish-ashy, which colour is confined to the crown and nape,

while the forehead is rufous, the supercilium is pale fulvous: broad in front of

the eye, narrowing posteriorly over the ear-coverts which are dark fulvous ;

immediately in front of the eye is a dark spot on the lores. A minute description

is very essential in the differentiation of the characters of the head in these

Franklinias. The seasonal changes are difficult to follow, as the colour differ-

ences do not lend to easy description.

137. The Thick-billed Warbler. Phragomaticola edon

(Pall.)

Recorded for Sikkim, both British and Native. With the exception of

two observations which are doubtful as no specimens were secured I have

nothing on record respecting this Warbler which | knew as a cold weather

visitor to the Plains of Upper Assam. Gopaldhara, 4,720’, 28-9-16*, a bird

came to my Kitson moth lamp at night which seemed to be this species.

Turzum, 4,800’ 18-1-12,* seen in “the tea”. yet not near enough for a cer-

tain identification. Represented in the B. M. Coll. by three September

and October specimens collected in 1876. :

138. Tickell’s Willow-Warbler. Phylloscopus affinis (Tick.).

Recorded ‘‘ breeds high elevations in the Himalayas.”

Only occurs sparingly on migration at moderate elevations. My observations

have been extremely limited in regard to this Willow-Warbler.

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF.THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS, 1019

Gopaldhara, 4,720’, 9-4-17’, one obtained. Chungthang to: Toong at 4,500’,

approx. elevation, 12-3-20*, a few noted in the valley at one locality only.

Blanford met with it in the Lachen and Lachung Valleys. at : 8,000’-9,000’, but

none before the 26th September. Recorded up to 15,200’ in Tibet. (Walton).

139. The Siioky Willow- Warbler. Phylloscopus fuligini-

venter (Hodgs.). |

Recorded for Sikkim “ 14,000’, Blanford,” and merely noted in the months

of “February to June, Mandelli.”” I have failed to meet with this Willow-

Warbler, which commonly occurred during ‘“‘ the cold weather ”’ in the Plains of

Upper Assam. Oates states this species to be resident and is evidently

quoting Blanford in reference to the specimen obtained on Momay Samdong

in rhododendron scrub.

140. The Dusky Willow-Warbler. Phylloscopus fuscatus

fuscatus Blyth. | | ,

Recorded distribution “Found in Nepa!’’; probably in summer, and in

Sikkim certainly at that season if we identify with this species the bird of which

Jerdon found the nest at Darjiling in July. Hodgson’s Horornis fulviventris

is undoubtedly this species as proved by his types (No. 878). in the British

Museum, and Jerdon identified his Darjiling, specimen with H. fulviventris.”

It seems unaccountable that I have totally failed to locate a_ single speci-

men of this Willow-Warbler in these hills. I found it just as common in the

Plains of the Eastern Dooars in‘‘ the cold weather,’ 1922, asit was at the

same time of the year in the Plains of Upper Assam. They evidently either

enter the plains to the east, or pass over the outlying hills during migration.

An examination of my material is detailed.

Upper Assam, (Plains).

Dibrugarh District.—

Rungagora.

¢ 25-1-03, wing 61°5; tail 46; Ist primary 20, (Dibru River), ‘‘ very

_aquatic’”’ noted on label. |

Sd 15-10-03, wing 63; tail 45.5; Ist primary 20°5.

SG 28-2-04, OS ae cA es as - 21°5.

3 no date, Sign Oo Sta AOE ey es ren

North Lakhimpur. Hessamara.

gd 4-1-06, wing 63; tail 48; 1st primary 21].

Derpai.

dS 14-3-06, wing 60; tail 48; 1st primary 21.

Dejoo.

Gi 15-38-10," : 5, Gls 4. 48355; : 19°5.

Dibrugarh District—

Rungagora.

Q 27-4-038, wing 59; tail 46; Ist primary 18

O328-038, 3.5, 58 ; Bue bm sO sets tas asi) LS;

Q 4-5-03, ,, 565; ,, 44; 5 ru LS:

Me 4-5-03, 29 56°5 5, 98) shires 99 99 18. i

Dejoo.

Q 28-9-10, wing 56, tail 44; Ist primary 18.

Hastern Bengal. (Plains. ) a

Jalpaiguri District.— |

Kumargram.

6 9-1-22, wing 63°5; tail 50; Ist primary 19.

CROW o 2 Oi Oia 8, 45 ; os $3 19:

1020 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, X XIX.

These two latter specimens are more “ dusky-olivaceous”’ than skins from

Upper Assam with a “ russet-olivaceous”’ tinge over the whole of the upper

surface. Dr. Hartert gives the measurements of “fuscata”’: 3 wing 60-66;

2 53-58, d¢ tail 53-58, 9 48-50; tarsus 20-22; culmen 12-13°5.

There appears to be more than one species amongst the above noted cold-

season? specimens, though it is impossible to discriminate. I could never under-

stand why this bird should remain in the plains of Upper Assam into May. I

have recorded fuscala homeyert (Dyb.) up to as late as the 22nd of May. It is

well known that the birds of this humid climate have the tendency to exhibit a

dark phase of plumage, and I shrewdly suspect a breeding Warbier will even-

tually turn up inthe Plains. Against this conjecture is the fact that birds which

have to accomplish a long journey to the far north invariably are late starters.

What was Oates’s reason for stating “ fuliginiventris ” to be a resident species ?

a somewhat similarly coloured bird to “ homeyeri,” both of which occurred in a

similar habitat in Upper Assam. It is to be presumed, he had seen specimens

from the plains at even later dates than what I have recorded, unless his remark

has no connection with the birds obtained in ‘the cold weather” at low ecleva-

tions and only refers to Blanford’s single specimen from 14,000’, which would

still be a contradiction.

141. The Grey-faced Willow-Warbler. Phylloscopus maculi-

pennis (Blyth.).

Obtained on the Outer Ranges at Gopaldhara at as low an elevation of 3,700°

27-2-19, up to an altitude of 10,160’, at Kalo Pokhari, 28-4-12. In the interior

obtained at an elevation of 4,600’, around Singhik, 23-2-20, and around

Lachung, at 8,900’, in the first week of March 1920, at which time it ranged the

highest of ail the Willow-Warblers. Commonly occurs around Gopaldhara at

4,700’ and upwards, during December and January. Obtained on the Ghoom

to Sookia Pokhari Ridge at 7,006’, 19-1-12. On Jalapahar at 7,500’, 14-2-20.

Numerous in the station of Darjeeling during January and February. A series

collected inthe Mai ‘‘Khola’” in East Nepal at 9,000’ and below, during April

1912.

Thirteen specimens examined :

S Wing 48-5], av.,50. QO 45-48, av., 46°8.

142, The Orange-barred Willow-Warbler. Phylloscopus

pulcher Blyth.

Recorded as a “‘resident where found and procured up to 13,000’, Cho La Range

(Blanford), in Sikkim.” Obtained as low as 3,900’ at Thurbo on the 2-4-1],

and at 4,720’, at Gopaldhara, 8-3-21 in the Rungbong Valley. The former record

is evidently a late straggler, as a few birds were also obtained at 10,160’ around

Kalo Pokhari on the 12-4-12 ; but it was more numerous in the Mai “‘ Khola”

in East Nepal at lower elevations, 7,000’-10,000’, March and April 1912. Plenti-

ful around Gopaldhara at 4,720’, November to February. Jt can by no means

be regarded as a resident as it performs an altitudinal movement.

Fourteen specimens examined :

& Wing 54-61, av. 57-4. 2 55-58, av. 56.

143. Pallas’s Himalayan Willow-Warbler. Phylloscopus

proregulus newtoni = (Gatke).

Occurs commonly around Gopaldhara from 3,500’, 30-1-19, up to 5,800’, 5-4-21.

Obtained at all intermediate elevations, December to March, also obtained at

the foot of the hills at Bhotan Ghat, Raidak River, Eastern Dooars, in January

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS. 1021

1922. Mangpu at elevations of from 3,500’-4,000’, (G. E. Shaw). This Willow-

Warbler is confined to moderate elevations only as a breeding species. Blanford

records obtaining two specimens in Upper Sikkim at the end of September and

the beginnirg of October.

Ten specimens examined: ¢ Wing 50-53, av. 51:7; 2 46-50, av. 48;

one Q 5-4-21, actually has a wing of 55; this abnormal specimen has not been

included. (Assam) skins for comparison. Seven examined : average, S wing 54;

2 50°5.

Soft parts: Iris hazel-brown; bill, upper mandible dusky, lower

mandible ochreous, dark at tip; tarsus dusky-ochreous ; soles ochreous.

144, The Crowned Willow-Warbler. Phylloscopus inornatus

inornatus (Biyth),

A series of four @ 4.2 2 collected at Bhotan Ghat on the Raidak River

Eastern Dooars, at the foot of the hills, 20—26-1-22.

Nurbong, below Tindharia at 2,240’, g 22-2-14. Thurbo, 3,900’, 2-4-11.

4,300’, 2 923—25-3-11. Gopaldhara, 3,700’, 2 27-2-18. 4,000’, 9 7-2-19. 4,720’,

32 919—23-12-1]1, 9214-12-19, 9 9-3-18, ¢ § 22-3-16. 4,650’, J 8-2-19. 4,720’,

29-3-18, give the zonal distribution of this Willow-Warbler during January,

February and March; some of the late records in March and April refer to

stragglers in partial moult, exhibiting a drab phase of plumage. This Warbler

is absent around Gopaldhara during “‘ the rains’ and probably retires to breed

in the vast regions north, as I have failed to meet with it at higher altitudes.

Obtained around Mangpu at elevations of from 3,500’-4,000’. (G.E. Shaw).

Highteen specimens examined: @ wing, 56-60, av., 57.7; 2 51-57, av., 54.

The Ist primary varies in length and breadth measuring in 8 @ 3, 11-15, av.

13°5, and in 11 92 Q, 10-14°5, av. 11°8. There is also some individual variation

in the depth of tone in coloration which seasonal change does not seem to

account for ; also it may be remarked on the wing-bar across the greater coverts,

the spots sometimes show as well-defined and deeper coloured blobs,

seeming to indicate a sign of immaturity, as the lengthening of the

inner feathers in growth causes this bar to assume a more oblique position. It is

similarly the case with other members of the genus.

Soft parts: Iris hazel; bill, upper mandible and tip of lower mandible

dusky-yellow (dark olivaceous), deeper in yellow tone at base of lower mandible

(pale olivaceous); tarsus and claws dark olivaceous (brownish-olivaceous) ;

soles yellowish.

This Willow-Warbler is not recorded for Sikkim. My specimens are certainly

this typical form. Until the type specimen of P. tnornatus mandellii (Brooks.)

has been compared and its correct status confirmed, it is quite impossible te

define its distribution, even though it is recorded for Sikkim and the Khasi Hills.

Judging from the original description ; the ‘“‘buff’’ supercilium seems to be the

only reliable character for differentiation. Brooks infers it is likely to be resi-

dent. The clearing up of this matter which at present is very obscure, is most

desirable.

In working out several difficult groups of Warblers, Chats, &c., I have had

the advantage of Mr. Arthur Goodson’s experience and knowledge.

145. The Greenish Willow-Warbler. Phylloscopus nitidus

Viridanus Blyth.

Recorded as distributed throughout the whole length of the Himalayas—

Hazara country to Sikkim. I have no personal information of its status in these

hills, having totally failed to locate it. Mr. G. E, Shaw has also failed with

this species and the two following species.

1022. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

One ¢ from Kumargram in the Plains of the Jalpaiguri District, Eastern

Bengal, collected on the 9-1-22 in open-cultivated country, is referable to

this Willow-Warbler. This specimen is ‘‘in moult’’! Bill from feathers at base,

9 ; wing, 61.

Unfortunately this race is poorly represented in the B. M. Coll. from the

Eastern Himalayas, and Sikkim appears to be east of its main distribution

area; there is one specimen collected by Mandelli in May 1876 and one specimen

labelled, Darjeeling, 15-1-79, ea. Coll. E. W. Oates, probably one of Mandelli’s

skins, also one specimen ex, Hume Coll., Nepal, no data, and one specimen,

Nepal Valley, 23-4-77, collected by Scully. Osmaston has recorded this bird

breeding in Skkim, Ibis, Vol. XIV, page 816.

146. The Large-billed Willow-Warbler. Phylloscopus

magnirostris Blyth.

Recorded in summer ‘‘ Himalayas :—Kashmir to Sikkim.’ I have no record

of this Warbler in these hills ; it must be of rare occurrence, and it is remarkable

that “* Acanthopneuste’’ should only be represented around Gopaldhara by

** trochiloides.”” As the wing measurement overlaps in this species with ‘“ iu.

gubris” correctly sexed specimens are essential, despite the different wing for-

mula:—2nd primary between the 7th and 8th or between the 6th and 7th, taken

in connection with the stronger bill ought to be sufficient for identification.

Wing, @ 9 62-72. (Hartert.) Mandelli’s specimens in the B. M. Collection

are few, but there is an undoubted specimen collected in August 1880, which

mightg however, have been obtained in the higher regions beyond the actual

boundaries of Sikkim.

147. The Dull Green Willow-Warbler. Phylloscopus lugu-

bris (Blyth).

Blanford found this Warbler at 12,000’-14,000’ on the Cho La Range and a

10,000’-13,000/ or 14,000’ in the Lachung Valley in the autumn.

As there are two races or even species occurring in the Eastern Himalayas,

I have gone into some detail with a view to elucidating further evidence as to

their identity and status. Singile La Ridge, Nepal-Sikkim Frontier, Kalo

Pokhari, 10,160’, 21-4-12. This morning I came across a small party of

these birds on arrival at their breeding haunts; they had ascended from the

valley below on the Sikkim side of the frontier. It is necessary to mention this

fact, as this valley is densely wooded, and if these birds had not been winter-

ing in the bottom of the valley, they must have. entered the hills by way of the

Tista and Great Rangit Valleys, as the stream which had its rise in the “‘pokhari’’

runs into the Lodhoma River, which again is a tributary of the Rammam River ;

allthese waters flow into the Great Rangit River and find their outlet to

the plains by the deep gorge of the Tista. JI have never come across this Warbler

wintering in the valleys or at moderate elevations, and it is somewhat curious

such an apparent, roundabout route should be chosen when the Mai Valley offer-

_ed free access from the south, except perhaps for a deficiency of forest at its up-

per limits where the land has been partially cleared; this might have been a deter-

rent to an easy ascent as these birds had certainly worked up with the forest. The

most feasible explanation appears to be one more instance of penetration into

these hills, but in this instance, that of a migratory species by a route which

is well marked. All specimens obtained on this occasion were males, and it is

evident this sex arrives ahead of the female; two other ¢ @ were obtained on

the 27-4-12 at elevations of 9,000’ and 10,000’ respectively, making a total of five

secured. I never met with it anywhere else along this ridge. The first and only

female secured, being snared on the nest on the 22-5-12. Nest composed

of moss and fine bents lined with a few feathers and the hair of some small

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS. 1023

rodent, probably Microtus sikkimensis? common hereabouts. It contained

three pure white eggs measuring 16-2 x 12°6, 16 12°7, 15°5X12°4 mm.

SERIES A,

Six specimens examined :

10,160’, @ 21-4-12. Billfrom base 13, from feathers 9; wing 64; tail 49;

lst primary, 19 ; 2nd primary equals the 9th.

. Bill 12°5 and 8; wing 65; tail 49; Ist primary 18 ; 2nd between the

8th and 9th.

3 Bill 18°5 and9; wing 66; tail 49; Ist primary 19:5; 2nd equals the

10th.

9,000’, & 27-4-12. Bill 13 and 9; wing 64; tail 49; Ist primary 17; 2nd

equals the 10th.

10,000, @ 27-4-12. Bill 14 and9; wing 65; tail 49; lst primary 18; ae

equals the 9th, Average male wing measurement, nearly 64°9.

@ 22-5-12, Bill from base, 12° 5, from feathers 8°5; wing 58; tail 46;

primary 16; 2nd equals the 10th.

During a month’s sojourn in the Eastern Dooars I found a Warbler, the exact

counterpart of the former birds, diftering remarkably in size. It was more

plentiful in the open, cultivated country of the plains, frequenting the bamboo

‘‘ baris”’ around the huts of the villagers, than it was in the heavy forest out-

skirts, in both of which localities I obtained specimens, but failed to make the

most of my opportunity, as I merely put them down to “ lugubris.’’ The differ-

ences have only been brought out by comparison. This has necessitated an

examination of my Assam material.

SERIES B.

Kumargram, (Piains) J alpaiguri, Eastern Bengal.

(a) 5 ad. 9-1-22. Bill from base 13, from feathers 9°5; wing 59; tail 45;

Ist primary, 17; 2nd equals the 10th.

Bhotan Ghat, (Base of Hills) Eastern Dooars.

(6) 2 ad. 22-1-22. Billfrom base 12, from feathers 9; wing 55; tail

41; Ist primary 16; 2nd equals the 10th.

Gauhati, (Plains) Lower Assam.

42; lst primary, 18 ; 2nd equals the 8th.

In all three examples the greater wing-coverts are faintly tipped with green-

ish white. The crown in the femaleis dark and only matched in this character

by one male of the A series. Notwithstanding, No. (c) has a different wing for-

mula, it appears to be nearest to this race. This specimen and the following

five detailed below were recorded in my “Notes on the Birds of Upper Assam’”’

under P. nitidus plumbeitarsus, Swinh. and my identification is confirmed by

others owing to the presence of two wing-bars, which are either greenish-white

or greenish-yellow. This character appears to be present in birds-of-the-year in

this form of P. lugubris, whereas the tips of the greater wing-coverts in “ plum-

beitarsus”’ are often of a more defined white; these specimens agree in the

general dark coloration with ** lugubris”’ even if the wing formula does not in

some examples.

SERIES C,

Rungagora, (Plains) Upper Assam.

3 16-9-03. Bill from base 13, from feathers 9; wing 58; tail 42; Ist

primary, 19 ; 2nd equals the 10th.

Silonibari, (Base of Hills) Upper Assam.

2? 30-8-11. Bill from base 13; from feathers 8; wing 58; tail 43; 1st

primary 17; 2nd equals the 9th.

1024 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1IX.

Dejoo, (Base of Hills) Upper Assam.

¢ 12-9-10. Bill from base 14°5, from feathers 9°5; wing 61; tail 44;

Ist primary 19; 2nd between 7th and 8th. @ 11-9-10. Bill from base 13:5,

from feathers 8; wing 60; tail 47; Ist primary 18; 2nd equals the 9th.

3 Bil! from base 12°5. from feathers 9; wing 59; tail 42; Ist primary

19°5 ; 2nd equals the 9th.

The arrival of this Warbler at the foot of the Hills and in the Plains of Upper

Assam at the end of August and in the second week of September before the

termination of “‘the rains” may or may not have any significance in reference

to a short journey from their breeding grounds, but the small birds in Series

B, I venture to surmise will be found to be a form breeding somewhere in the

foot-hills with probably only a limited extension into the plains at the cold

weather and this may be the solution of the status of the birds in Series

C, as these measurements average less than the birds in Series A, which

are typical ‘“‘lugubris’’ but here again these measurements are in excess of

Dr. Hartert’s. Wing, 59-62, seldom only 57, frequently up to 64'5. My shortest

and longest measurement is 55 and 66 respectively, when birds from the com-

bined areas are taken into consideration.

P. nitidus plumbeitarsus is very close to P. lugubris. The only reliable

characters are the “‘ whitish underside ’’, “‘ very pale on the throat.’’; the under

wing-coverts and axillaries are brighter, the breast is generally stippled with

yellow as occurs in “‘trochiloides”’ and a “‘finer lst primary.’’ Whiist the wing

formula, 2nd between the 7th and the 8th, is fairly constant, some examples.

of “lugubris’”’ are similar in this respect, as well as having the double wing-

bar, but a difference in some of the before mentioned characters will suffice to

eliminate ‘‘lugubris’’ when a series is compared. In general ‘‘lugubris” is colour-

ed a more “‘dusky-olivaceous below and above’? and sometimes has a darker

head. When “birds of the year” from Upper Assam are concerned, the

difficulties are apparent, which is not the case with typical birds from Sikkim.

** nlumbeitarsus ”’ also appears to be a slighter bird which wouid be more obvious.

in life. As there is such an appreciable difference in the size of the sexes in all

the species of Phylloscopus it 1s most essential that the measurements of each sea

be stated separately.

Blanford speaks of his specimens from the far interior at high elevations as

having distinct whitish tips to the wing-coverts. These specimens may weil

have been “birds-of-the-year.”’

148. Blyth’s Crowned Willow-Warbler Phylloscopus tro-

chiloides (Sundev.).

Recorded in summer as having been observed in the Himalayas from Kash-

mir to Sikkim and as ‘‘ probably wintering in the lower valleys of these parts.”’

A series of four ¢ @, three 2 2, obtained at Bhotan Ghat, (Base of the Hills)

Raidak River, Eastern Dooars, 20—-24-1-22. Gopaldhara, Rungbong Valley,

Darjeeling, 3,750’, ¢ @ 2-10-19, 5,500’, f 4-11-20. 3,500’, g 225-3-11. 6,000’-

3 25-3-20. Mai “Khola’’, East Nepal, 8,500’, ¢ 27-4-12, give its zonal distri-

bution fairly accurately during the “‘ cold weather’ months and towards the —

breeding season, as there is little doubt that it breeds at 6,000’ andupwards. I

have since found the nest containing a juvenile cuckoo, June 1923, at 6,300’,

above Seeyok.

Thirteen specimens examined :

do Bill from feathers at base 9-10, av. 9:2 ; wing 56-60, av. 58°6.

OMNES ee ge > 9» 9-9°5, av. 9'°1. wing 55-58 ; av. 56°3. |

Soft parts: Iris hazel (hazel-brown); bill, upper mandible dusky-yellow,

lower mandible yellow or pale yellow; tarsus pale yellowish-plumbeous (yellow-

ish-green); soles paler yellowish-plumbeous (deeper yellowish-green),

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SiKKIM HIMALAYAS. 1025

All these specimens have the two outer tai! feathers slightly margined on the

inner web with white.

I have not obtained this Warbler in the Interior of Sikkim. It is evidently

confined to the Outer Ranges during the breeding season, descending to lower

limits during ‘‘the cold weather.”’

149. The Allied Flycatcher-Warbler. Cryptolopha affinis

(Horsf. & Moore).

Observed plentifully in the Tisia Valley where it has been obtained up to

an elevation of 5,800’. (G. FE. Shaw). I have failed to locate it in the Rungbong

Valley at anything approaching this elevation. All my records refer to C.

poliogenys. It is somewhat a difficult matter to discriminate between the two

species, even when observed at close quarters under good conditions.

150. The Black-browed Flycatcher-Warbler. Cryptolopha

burkii burkii (Burton).

Apparently this Flycatcher-Warbler has the widest zonal distribution in

comparison with the other members of this genus. Common on the Singile

La Ridge at 10,000’ in Apriland May. Obtained in Nepal and Sikkim.

Numerous records from 3,400’and upwards in the Rungbong Valley, and obtained

as low as 2,000’ in the Tista Valley. (G. E. Shaw). There is every likelihood

that it occurs at much lower limits during ihe cold-season, yet it is strictly not

migratory, and it was observed on numerous occasions in the Eastern Dooars

in January 1922. Obtained at Bhotan Ghat onthe Raidak River, 9 24-1-22.

Bianford obtained one specimen at Lachung on the 28th September.

Eight specimens examined :

3 Wing. 58-60, av. 59°2. 9 53-56, av. 54.

These measurements average slightly larger than a series of five specimens

from Assam. 4 Wing, 57-58, av.,57°7. Q 52-53, av., 52°5

This difference is not surprising and might almost be expected, as more fre-

quently than not, specimens of all these small and other Warblers which have

been obtained at the extreme upper limits of their zonal distribution, have

a tendency to show a larger wing measurement than other specimens obtained

at lower levels, in species which merely move to some slight extent according

to season.

151, Brooks’s Grey-headed Flycatcher-Warbler, Cryptolo-

pha xanthoschistos jerdoni (Brooks).

Hodgson speaks of this form and the typical bird as breeding in Sikkim and

Nepal up to 6,000’ or 7,000’. It occurs commonly at all elevations up to 5,000

and obtained above Mangpu at 5,300, (G. E. Shaw). Generally distributed

over the whole area, and apparently the most plentiful of all the Flycatcher-

Warblers.

A series of three @ @, eight 9 9 Sikkim skins measure:

d@ Bill from feathers at base 7°5-8°5, av. 8; wing 52-55, av. 53°6.

. In comparison a series of six ¢ @, two? 9 Assam skins measure :

¢ Bill from feathers at base, 7°5-8, av. 7°8 ; wing 48°5-54, av. 50°6.

g Fe Sav 7°6 ; wing 47-50, av. 48:5.

One Bhotan Doone specimen & Bill from feathers at base, 8 ; wing, 49.

Sikkim birds on the whole certainly show more ashy-grey colour onthe

forehead, crown and napein comparison with Assam birds which are typical in

having these parts coloured blackish-ashy. The measurements however prove

the former to be this race.

1026 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXTIX,

152. The Grey-cheeked Flycatcher-Warbler. Cryptolopha

: poliogenys (Blyth).

Occurs in moderate numbers around Gopaldhara at 4,700’ in the Rungbong

Valley, and observed sparingly around Kalo Pokhari at 10,160’ on the Singile La

Ridge in April and May.

153. The Chestnut-headed Flycatcher-Warbler. Crypto-

lopha castaneoceps (Hodgs.).

Generally distributed at all elevations wp to 6,500’ at all events.

Apparently more plentiful from about 4,500’-6,000’. Obtained above Mangpu

at 6,300’, (G.E. Shaw). Mai ‘“Khola”, East Nepal, 26-4-12 ; Gopaldhara,

4,720’, 3-11-20 ; 5,000’, 1-11-18. Nawiseo. 2,100’ ; 13-3-14. A party of about

fifteen of these birds amongst which was intermingled a small assortment of

Abrornis albogularis and possibly an odd pair of C. cantator. Bhotan Ghat,

Raidak River, Eastern Dooars, 23-1-22; obtained and observed on other occasions.

It more often than not keeps to the leafy branches of the lofty trees, and does

not frequent the lighter, yet denser vegetation, to the same extent as the other

members of the genus.

Semana-Mirik Ridge, 6,000’-6,500’, May, June 1923. TI found six nests in all

containing both eggs, in one instance a single egg of Chalcococcyx maculatus

alorg with the three eggs, one of which was broken, slightly incubated and

forsaken on the 22nd of May and in other two cases, single juvenile cuckoos

of this species, females, the sole occupants. On the second occasion I visited

one of the latter nests at dusk ; I was struck by the chestnut head being so

prominent as to lead me to believe the parent bird was in possession.

Whilst it would be, perhaps, rash to hazard a guess that the majority of the

eggs laid by this Cuckoo in this Cryptolopha’s nest will prove to produce

females and that the eggs laid, for instance in the nest of -Hthopyga saturata

will turn out to be males; yet it would only bein keeping with what we

might expect of nature’s harmonizing methods.

It builds in the dark recess of an overhanging bank, constructing the usual

compact cup-shaped nest of moss, like its congeners with the entrance more

often than not facing the bank and opposing its main means of ingress and

egress. Although its habits in nidification allow of careful concealment ; there

is little doubt it suffers depletion of its numbers and eggs through the wiles of

snakes, when the brooding parent bird completely disappeais with its charge.

The full complement of pure white eggs, steel transparent, is three.

A small party seen on the 13-6-23* we1e probably composed of the parents

and young.

Four specimens examined; wing, 48-50, average, 49, which Simvlacy, com- |

pares with Assam specimens. The measurements show no appreciable difference |

between the sexes, which a large series would possibly refute.

Soft parts: Iris brown; bill upper mandible dark horny, lower mandible :

pale horny; tarsus dusky-horny.

154. Tickell’s Flycatcher-Warbler. Cryptolopha cantator

(Tick.).

Mandelli obtained numerous specimens of this species which are in the National

Collection, but it appears to be locally distributed, and only occurs sparingly at

moderate elevations. Obtained on one occasion at Gopaldhara 3,500’, in the —

bottom of the Rungbong Valley, 25-3-11, ¢ Bill from feathers at base 9;

wing 51.

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS. 1027

155. The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Warbler, Abrornis

superciliaris superciliaris Tick.

Confined to low elevations only. Great Rangit Valley, 18-2-20.*

Obtained up to an elevation of 3,300’ in the Tista Valley. (G. E. Shaw).

156. The Black-faced Flycatcher-Warbler. Abrornis

schisticlps schisticeps (Hodgs.).

Generally distributed but far from common and with a restricted zonal distri-

bution. Obtained around Gopaldhara up to an elevation of 5,800’, apparently not

to be found below 5,000’, also obtained above Singhik at 5,200’, in the interior

of Sikkim, 12-3-20, one d secured ; several noted in a mixed party of Cryptolopha,

Periorocotus, and in forest, on lofty trees. Gopaldhara, 5,000’, 26-2-19, ¢ testes

enlarged ; shot out of a large party of mixed species of small birds, in heavy

forest. 5,500’, ¢ 14-11-20, noted as a difficult optical task to distinguish between

this Abrornis and Chelidorhynx hypoxranthum; both of which species were

mixed up with Minla, Ivuius flavicollis‘and other small Warblers; the open

tail and short flights of Chelldorhynz were of course distinctive and it was only

when this trait in this Flycatcher was observable the Flycatcher-Warbler could

be identified with certainty. |

Three specimens examined :

3 Bill from feathers at base 6°5.; wing 48.

Soft parts: Iris red-brown of a defined tint; bill dark ochreous-horny

(pale brownish-horny),—a somewhat unusual colour for the bill in comparison

with its near allies; tarsus olivaceous-horny (dusky-olivaceous) ; claws similar.

157. The White-throated Flycatcher-Warbler. Abrornis

albogularis albogularis Hodgs,

Only found at low elevations probably not exceeding 2,500 or thereabouts.

Observed in the Great Rangit and Tista Valleys, alsoin the Balasan Valley,

Namsoo to Panighata.

158. The Broad-billed Flycatcher Warbler. Tickellia

hodgsoni (Moore).

Observed and obtained on numerous occasions in the Rungbong Valley from

2,800’, July, to 6,000’, March, and there is no doubt these limits are exceeded in

an upward direction. Gopaldhara, 3,800’, 19-7-21 ;* 5,900’, 9 17-2-18 ; 5,800’, 3

6-2-21 ; 6,000’, f 225-3-20,* in scrub-growth, every indication of their being

about to nest, 4,200’, 2 10-10-17.* 3,700’, 14-4-23,* a pairin evidence.

5,800’, 24-5-23,* a pair in company with a mixed assortment of small birds.

This Flycatcher-Warbler has very much the same habits as Horornis. It keeps

to the dense undergrowth, and though its high pitched note and_ bright coloration

is apt to cause it to be more easily located ; it is only on rare occasions, it may be

observed to advantage. Due to this trait in its habits I have been entirely

misled; as I had been under the impression all the birds that had come under my

observation were Phyllergates coronatus. On comparing my Assam skins of

the latter, it was then only apparent, as there is no likelihood of this Tailor-

bird,which could only possibly occur in the foot-hills, everbeing located at similar

elevations. Had I only examined the bills of the few obtained, apart from

my disinclination to shoot what I rightly regarded as a none too plentiful and

interesting bird, my mistake ought to have been apparent; instead of which my

interest has always been centred on the tops of the trees, wondering if ever I

should be fortunate enough to locate one of the few rare birds whose

whereabouts had so far baffled me. Even the field-ornithologist, left to his own

resources, has his difficulties.

1028 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vel. XXIX..

Two specimens examined :

& Bill from feathers at base 8°5; wing 47°5. @Q Bill 10; wing 46°5.

159. The Aberrant Warbler. Neornis flavolivacea flavoli=

vacea_ Blyth.

Dr. Hartert considers this Warbler congeneric with the four species to follow

which are all included in the genus Horeites.

In common with other near allies, probably only breeding at high altitudes:

and descending to the valleys in the winter. The distribution as given by Oates:

is conflicting. Himalayas, 6,000’-10,000’, ‘* breeds 3,500’-6,000 ”’ and is evidently

a mistake. Obtained near Kalo Pokhari in East Nepal at 10,00u’, 2 7-5-12.

Bill from feathers at base, 10; wing, 54.5. Gopaldhara, Rungbong Valley,-

Darjeeling, 3,500’, 13-2-19. Bill from feathers at base 10 ; wing 57. Well

represented in the B. M. Collection, May, June, August, October-December’

(Mandelli).

160. Hume’s Bush-Warbler. Horornis acanthizoides brun--

nescens (Hume).

Obtained near Kalo Pokhari, in East Nepal at 10,000’, 9 29-4-12. Bill from

feathers at base, 9 ; wing 50. Above Karponang, in the interior of Sikkim also:

at 10,000’, $ 24-3-17. Bill feathers at base 8; wing 52. On the latter

occasion procured in dense ‘ prong” bamboo thickets, a habitat similarly’

frequented by Conostoma cemodius. Well represented by Mandelli’s Sikkim

specimens in the B. M. Collection, January, February, spel November, but:

most without any data as to exact localities.

161, The Strong-footed Bush-Warbler. Horornis fortipes:

fortipes. Hodgs.

Occurs commonly around Gopaldhara, descending to the bottom of the Rung-

bong Valley in winter. Obtained at an elevation of 3,600’ in the Tista Valley,

(G.E.Shaw), and also at Chungthang at 5,500’, on the 26-2-20 3, in dense bamboo:

growth. Gopaldhara, 3,700’, 18-4-23, in evidence ina favoured locality, with

its high-pitched long drawn out note and a subsequent short trill, otherwise

difficult to locate as the few odd birds rarely showed themselves for anything

but a brief interval. There is some individual disparity in size as the follow-

ing measurements show :—

Four specimens examined :

3 Bill from feathers at base 8-5-1], av., 9-8; wing 50-57, av. 54.

2 29 9 29 29 99 2; ; wing, 49.

Seven Assam skins for comparison measure :—

S Bill from teathers at base 9°5-10, av. 9°8 : wing 50-56, av. 52.

Sie ae ies Rs » »» 10, av. 10 ; wing 48-53, av. 50.

162. Blanford’s Bush-Warbler. Horornis pallidipes (Blanf,).

Recorded as “‘breeding in Sikkim, Ging and Lebong near Darjeeling, May to:

June.” Represented in the B. M. (Hume Collection) by 8 Sikkim skins, March-

May, August, 1875-79, (Mandelli). 2 skins May, 1875, (Tweedale Collection.):

and 4 skins from the Bhotan Dooars, January and April, 1876-77. (Mandelli}.

163. The Large Bush Warbler. Horornis major (Moore).

Recorded for Sikkim. “ breeding high altitudes (Lachung.) in July.” Re-

presented in the B. M. Collection by 13 specimens, April-June, August,

October, November 1872-76 (Mandelli). 1 specimen L. A. Waddell and a2

23-10-70. Senchal 8,000’, (Blanford).

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SIKKIM HIMALAYAS. 1029

164. The Golden headed Warbler. Phyllergates coronatus

(Jerd, & Blyth).

Recorded for Sikkim. Probably confined to the base of the hills and the

-valleys of the interior at low elevations. There is a specimen dated February

1873, Mangpu and many others from Sikkim.

165. The Rufous-capped Bush-Warbler. Horeites brunni-

frons (Hodgs.).

A cold-season visitor to the Rungbong Valley descending to 3,600’ and possibly

much lower, ascending to 10,000’ and over on the Singile La Ridge, at and about

-which elevation it breeds. Obtained around Mangpu at elevations of 3,600’-3,900’

during the cold-weather, (G. E. Shaw). Gopaldhara, 4.000’, 28-1-19.* 6,000’,

26-12-20. Mai Valley, East Nepal, 8,000’ and upwards, 2 18-3-12. 928-3-12.

34-12, evidently on the upward migration, extending up the valley with the

advent of warm weather. Kalo Pokhari, 10,160’, & ¢ 12-4-12; 3 16-4-12; $ 25-4-1%¢

3 12-5-12; $22-5-12; males much in evidence. During the first weeks in April

it utters a loud, sweet, if short song. Nests composed of grass and bents with an

interior lining of feathers; clutch, usually four, on one occasion five eggs.

Blanford records it from the Lachung Valley at 10.G00’-12,000’ (September).

Nine specimens examined :

S Wing 45-49, av. 46°9; Q 44-47, av. 45-4.

The measurement of the bill varies little in either sex being 8-8°5.

Soft parts: Iris hazel; bill dark horny, basal half of lower mandible pale

-yellowish-horny, darkening towards the tip; tarsus pale brownish-horny.

166. The Brown Hill-Warbler. Suya crinigera crinigera

Hodgs.

Recorded as occurring upto 6,000’ in the Himalayas. I have failed to obtain

it on the Western side of the District of Darjeeling. It has some status to the

East, where it has been obtained in the Tista Valley at elevations of from 2,800’-

3,900’ around Mangpu by Mr. G. E. Shaw. This species is well represented in

the B. M. Collection from the Sikkim Himalaya and a number have reference

to the lower hills around the Tista River, where Gammie stated it bred up to

3,500."

167. The Black-throated Hill-Warbler. Suya atrogularis

Moore.

‘¢ Chiboorchay ” Paharia

Gammie is mentioned as having found this species breeding around Mangpu,

but so far Mr. G. E. Shaw has not obtained it from this same locality. There

may be some error in reference to its nidification in this area,

I could find none of Gammie’s specimens in the B. M. Collection. It

occurs commonly both in Hast Nepal, in the Mai Valley up to 7,000’ and

numerous as a resident, breeding species in the Rungbong Valley of the Sikkim

Himalaya at elevations of from 3,400’-6,500’, at all events. I found the nest on

the Semana-Mirik Ridge, containing the full complement of four eggs, at an

elevation of about 6,700’, 6-5-23. Mr. C. M. Inglis has obtained it in summer ak

Jore Pokhari 7,400’ and at Rinchenpong 6,000’. Oates doubts Hodgson’»

specimens as having come from Nepal. I have no knowledge of its western

‘dimits beyond where it was obtained.

1030 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXLX,

168. The Ashy Wren-Warbler. Prinia socialis socialis

Sykes, |

Recorded for the Lower Ranges of the Himalayas upto 4,000’. This species:

is well represented inthe B.M. Collection by numerous specimens from the

Bhotan Dooars collected by Mandelli, and othersin the Seebohm Collection:

evidently Mandelli’s skins also, with no definite data excepting the locality

Sikkim. Its exact status in the valleys of the interior is obscure.

( To be continued. )

L081

REVIEWS.

ButterFty Lore. py H. Eitrincuam, D.Sc., M.A., F.Z.S., F.E.S.,

CLARENDON PRESS, OXFORD. PRICE s. 4-6,

(180 pp., 1 coloured plate, 52 text figures, 5x73).

The title of this book is somewhat misleading. It deals equally with Butter-

flies and Moths: it is not concerned with descriptions or classification ; it does

not teach the reader how to catch butterflies or how to preserve them. The

object of the book is to set forth in simple language certain interesting details.

of insect life. The life history is described in detail, chapters being devoted

to the egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and perfect insect. Then follow descriptions

of the senses, scents, methods of concealment, mimicry and polymorphism. The

yeological record in respect ot butterflies is lightly touched upon and there is a

chapter dealing with the relations between butterflies and ants.

The subject is treated in a light vein and there are no technical terms or

intricate scientific descriptions. The whole book is absorbingly interesting

from start to finish and one is amazed at the revelations obtained by the use

of a high power microscope. The most interesting chapters are perhaps those

on mimicry and on the senses of butterflies and moths. The various artifices

that insects employ in order to keep their place in the acute struggle for exis-

tence are simply marvellous. Most people are aware that many butterflies mimic

others that are distasteful to enemies and that many again are coloured so as to

resemble their surroundings, but it will be news to many of us that there are

caterpillars provided with poisonous hypedermic syringes, others with fiendish-

ly shaped poisoned spikes, and so on. It is shown that butterflies and moths

have but poor eyesight, though the structure of the eye is extraordinary and

entirely different to that of a mammal’s. The sense of hearing is doubtiul

though, as in a few exceptional cases the insects can make a noise, it is

reasonable te assume that their mates can hearthem; in some moths there

appears to be a well developed ear on either side ofthe body. The senses of

touch and taste are undoubtedly more or less developed. But it is the sense

of smell that in certain.instances is so extraordinary, while a very large number

of the insects are provided with a wonderful scent preducing apparatus. In

addition it is suspected that insects have a sixth sense that we do not possess

and can only imagine with difficulty ; that is sense of what may be called grav-

ity, which permits a butterfly to sweep through dense forest at great speed

without touching a twig in spite of its poor eyesight. The microscopic examina.

‘tion of a butterfly’s feelers or antenne reveal the presence of four distinct types:

of organs, the uses of which are little known ; additional organs are contained

in the palpi, which are appendages in front of the face on either side between

the eyes.

The ordinary reader will find the book full of interest while for the expert

naturalist there is a great deal of matter that he will find new to him, that has

been gained from recent experiments and discoveries.

We EE BV ANS,

A BreviocRaPHy oF FisHes. By Basurorp Dean and others. 3 volumes.

(Vol. I, 1916 ; Vol. IT, 1917 ; Vol. ILI, 1923: New York). Published

by the American Museum of Natural History in the Science

Education Series.

-Ichthyologists and naturalists in general owe a deep debt of gratitude to the

American Museum of Natural History, and to Professor Bashford Dean and his

colleagues Messrs. C. R. Eastman, EK. W. Gudger and A.W. Henn, for their Biblio-

graphy of Fishes, the third and last volume of which has just appeared. Each

volume consists of over 700 pages of close print. The first two’ contain a

1032 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

catalogue of all papers on recent and fossil fishes published from the year 1758

the items arranged alphabetically under the author’s names ; while the third

contains a subject index and much miscellaneous information such as

“* Titles of Pre-Linnean Publications,” ‘‘ List of Periodicals relating to Fish and

Fisheries’, etc. The subject index is arranged in three main sections, (a) Mor-

phological and general section, (6) Systematic section and (c) “ Finding

index.”

The value of bibliographical work on so comprehensive a scale can hardly be

xaggerated at the present day, when biological investigations of all kinds

are hampered by the publication of an enormous mass of uncorrelated details.

So far as we have been able to test the volumes published by the American

Museum of Natural History the work has been done with the greatest possible

care and extremely few references have escaped the notice of its authors. We

congratulate them on the completion of an unusually important, laborious

and careful investigation, which is of infinitely greater value to the cause of

science than much so called original research.

N. ANNANDALE.

S. L. HORA.

WILD ANIMALS IN CENTRAL InpIA. By A. A. DUNBARBRANDER, F.Z.S.,

F.R.G.S., Conservator of Forests. London, 1923; Edward Arnold ; pp.

xxii+296, 19 plates ; price 18 Shillings, nett).

It has often been remarked that the writing of books on “ Shikar’”’ in India

has been overdone, and this, in respect to some previous publications, has been

said with some justification.

The book under review Wild animals in Ceniral India by Mr. A. A. Dunbar

Brander comes under a very different category, and will be welcomed by

sportsmen and field naturalists as an interesting and accurate work, useful to

those with experience and invaluable to novices. It is the result of diaries

and notes kept during twenty-one years passed in the Forest Service, and

shows that the author has indeed learnt *‘to grow wise in more than wood-

lore alone.” :

Mr. Dunbar Brander tells us that during about six of his twenty-one years he

practically ceased to shoot, and says, “It is to this period that Iam chiefly

indebted ; one can see so much more of an animal, and under such _ different

circumstances, if one is intent on not killing it.” How very true this is all

sportsmen know.

The object of the book is described by the author to be to supply information

to the field naturalist and sportsman who takes an intelligent: interest in the

animal he is hunting. It does not claim to be a guide to the hunting and kill-

ing cf the various animals dealt with. To the reader of experience, however, it

will be abundantly evident that the volume is a guide both to sportsmen and

field naturalists ; and the author can be assured that all who read his book will

derive both pleasure and profit from its perusal.

The arrangement of the book is good, and the writer expresses his meaning in

a clear and attractive manner. One wishes that the index had been more full.

and that there could have been more than the nineteen illustrations from photo-

graphs ; some of which might have been better, that of the two wild bears in

particular.

Twenty-four pages, full cf incident and interest, are given to the habits of the

sloth bear, to which animal the author accords pride of place, in matter of inte'-

ligence, over a!l the beasts in the jungle, the Primates excepted; and in the

reasons given for this view he takes the reader with him. In addition to telling

us all there is to know concerning the sloth bear, Mr. Dunbar Brander breaks

new ground as to his habits and character; and also sets out to lay at rest certain

errors which, he considers, have been handed down from the earliest writers.

REVIEWS. 1033

As to the known fact that the sloth bear has a_ very strong sense of smell, as

far as his food is concerned, and the anomaly that this animal is certainly not

difficult to approach when stalked or hunted, the authcr propounds the theory

that this bear is ‘‘ short-scented ” and fully explains what is meant by this term.

‘The theory is probably correct : and sportsmen will be interested in confirming

it by taking particular notice of the direction of the wind, in their future pur-

suits of ‘“ bruin’’ and so ascertaining whether, and at what distance, an adverse

wind affects the hunter’s approach. |

In regard to the manner of attack on human beings, our author is still on con-

‘troversial ground. He says he has never known bears, in seizing their enemy;

to stand upon their hind legs or attempt to hug: and that their usual method

is to knock the man over and burrow off his face and scalp with their fore

paws, adding that on occasions they will bite, but that they chiefly rely on their

fore-paws as their chief weapons of oftence. A sloth bear certainly does not hug

his enemy. That is a popular legend not founded on fact. But it cannot be

said that it is unusual for an attacking bear to stand up on his hind legs ; or that

the fore-paws are the chief weapons of offence. Your reviewer's experience is

to the contrary ; and in no case have wounds inflicted by sloth bears on human

beings been found to be from claws. The question could be satisfactorily settled

by medical reports from an area where injury by bears is of frequent occurrence.

Other habits also are discussed and the character of the beast illustrated by

amusing anecdotes. All who know * bruin” will agree that his manners are

uncouth, his character uncertain, and that he is a very real danger in the forests

tc unarmed people. Regarding the wild dog, a photograph of which would have

been a welcome addition to the illustrations, the author has much to say, a good

deal being new and interesting matter. The species is unpleasantly common

‘in the jungles of Central India and we are told how to destroy these pests by

‘means of an emulsion of strychnine, the strength of which is wisely not given,

but is known to those properly interested in the matter. Their manner of hunt-

ing and killing is described; the story that they are in the habit of emasculat-

‘ing the animals they attack being discredited from personal observation. This.

is only one of a number of such observances by which the value of this work is

enhanced, The chapter is full of interest. |

In respect of tigers and their ways our author writes in the light of a wide

experience and intimate knowledge, having shot, and seen shot, upwards of two

hundred tigers ; besides having to his credit the years of observation, without

‘shooting, which have already been mentioned. The subject is dealt with in

two chapters entitled ‘‘ Distribution—Size and Habits” and “ Tiger Hunting. ’’

The question of the twelve-foot tiger is sufficiently discussed, and some

authoritative weights and measurements of exceptionally large animals are given.

‘The reader will find much regarding the habits of the tiger that is of great inter-

ests. Mr. Dunbar Brander is able, from personal observation, to give a detailed

description of methods of killing, as against the conjectured accounts of so many

other writers. It is satisfactory to read that our author wholly discounts the

story for it is nothing else—that tigers and panthers suck the blood of the neck.

Because, from time immemorial, a bear has been said to hug his enemy, there-

fore he must do so: because a tiger is a blood thirsty animal, therefore he sucks

the blood of his victim. These are popular beliefs and difficult to dispel. And

in regard to the latter which is so deep-rooted among jungle people and Indian

shikaries as to be practically ineradicable, the sportsman will be wise to allow

‘the harmless legend to continue and so avoid being held to be an ignorant person.

All readers with experience will agree that the tiger hunts wholly by means of

sight and hearing, ana has very little sense of smell. This, and the marvellous

sense of localitv—shared by tigers and panthers alike—is illustrated from

observations of a tame tiger which the author once possessed.

1034 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXLX.

To extract more than this from the book would be unfair to the author : suffice

it to say that even the most experienced will find something that is new to them,

and any future writers will find it difficult to add to the wealth of information

furnished by Mr. Dunbar Brander.

Of ‘‘ tiger-hunting,”’ as carried out and suitable to the jungles of Central India.,.

the author gives us much thatis sound and sensible. Stalking on foot and shooting

the animal on his kill: hunting with dogs and shooting the bayed tiger on foot :

accompanying village cattle to graze and shooting the marauder while its vigi-

lance is lostin the ecstasy of killing : sitting up over the kill: and, lastly, beating.

All these methods are discussed and dealt with, the last named being that most

strongly advocated, a conclusion with which all willagree. Mr. Dunbar Brander

bars the use of the electric lamp for night shooting, considering that it does not °

give the tiger a fair chance, and pertinently asks “if we once admit the electric

lamp where are we to stop?” The practice of shooting tigers with aid of arti-

ficial light has been officially prohibited in the Forests of the United Provinces :

and most sportsmen will agree with the author that, except to get rid of a pest,

or, it may be added, in such dense jungles as absolutely prohibit any other method,,.

the use of electric torches oversteps the mark of what should be held to be sport-

ing.

Some twenty-five years ago the late Mr. Reginald Gilbert contributed to-

the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society an article designed to reduce

the number of casualties to sportsmen by telling them what to do and what

precautions to take when following up a wounded tiger: and our author tells

us that in 1916 the number of casualties which took place induced him to draw

up a fewsimplerules witha similar object. These are reproduced in the present

volume and it would be an excellent thing if this summary of ‘‘rules and precau-

tions to be taken so as to reduce risks in tiger shooting’’ were printed and

issued with all shooting passes.

Very excellent advice as to what description of weapon to useis given, as also:

an instance of the uselessness of firing at a tiger with a high velocity small bore..

Some instances of failure of even the heaviest weapons are recited: To all the

author has to say, one thing, obvious though it is, may be added, and that is:

‘itis the first shot that counts the most and that shot should be taken with all’

possible care so that the bullet will strike or reach a vital spot. An initial shot,

fired with insufficient deliberation, may have disastrous results.” .

Of leopards or panthers there is a somewhat less full account than of the tiger :

but practically all is said that the subject requires. The question as to whether

the tiger or the panther is the more dangerous, from the sportsman’s point of

view, is discussed ; and some weights and measurements are given. Habits and

character are illustrated by suitable incidents and the chapter generally gives:

a sufficiently full account of the panther and his ways. The author rightly

rejects the contentions of some former writers who have tried to divide Felis

pardus into two, and even three, species, based on size or number of caudal

vertebrae, etc., and tells us that throughout the length and breadth of the land

there is but one Felis pardus: a beast of great variability in size and colouring,

these being more or less occasioned by food supply, habitat, etc., etc. As to

shooting of panthers by aid of artificial] light we are told “as leopards can be

considered vermin pure and simple, the ethics of how they are killed does not

arise.” May sportsmen trap or poison them ? Wild dogs may be poisoned, so

why not panthers! We think that Felis pardus, indomitable beast that he is*

when wounded, and no mean antagonist at any time, deserves a higher status

than that assigned to him.

Gaur and buffalo are dealt with in one chapter, the former animal being better

known to our author than the latter. That bison are dangerous animals to hunt:

is shown to be a common error, with which conclusion those who have the neces-

sary experience wili be in fullagreement. This noble denizen of our Indian:

REVIEWS. . 1035.

jungles is fully and accurately described, some measurements are given, the

weight of one animal is recorded, and instances in illustration of their poor sight.

but excellent sense of smell are related. There is no finer sport to be had than

bison shooting with the aid of trackers. The author touches upon this and other

methods of hunting this animal. Your reviewer would put the case against

driving of bison stronger than does the author, and for a different reason, and bar

it altogether as ‘“‘ overstepping the mark.’’ Measurements to indicate the huge

dimensions attained by the Indian wild buffalo are given and some recorded

weights and measurements are referred to. Buffalo in Central India, and adja-

cent parts of the country, are now so diminished in numbers, that butfew of the

future generation of sportsmen will be able to include among their trophies the

imposing horns of this animal from anywhere outside Assam and Bengal. The

tracking of buffalo is a sport equal to that obtained in pursuit of the bison, with a

more exciting element in it, as this animal is undoubtedly more dangerous to

deal with, when wounded, than is the bison ; though it is to be doubted whether

he is so invariably dangerous as is popularly supposed : at least that is the

opinion of the present writer based on experience including the following on

foot of two wounded bulls.

The largest of the deer tribe in India—the Sambur—is dealt with in fullest

detail, and we are told all there is to know about the species ; indeed it may be

said that the most experienced sportsman could add nothing to the information

given. Samburin Central India run larger, bothin horn and body measurement,

than those from the Terai, Southern India, and other parts of the country. The

largest and heaviest stag measured by the author was five inches less in height.

than the 64 inches to which Lydekker states the species attains. A sambur

measuring 64 inches at the shoulder could certainly not be found outside Central

India. The oft repeated story that old sambur stags do not shed their horns:

annually is rejected with sensible remarks to the effect that when a sambur in

full horn can be shown to have been shotin August or September then the story

may be worthy of further investigation. In this chapter, as elsewhere in the

book, one meets with remarks and advice which should be borne in mind by alk

true sportsmen. The swamp deer, or “ barasingha,” of the Central Provinces,

is less well known to sportsmen in general than either the sambur or chital, the

extensive information given in the present volume being therefore all the more

welcome. Illustrations from photographs of the horns of both this deer and of

sambur show the more usual of the various types which are met with. The

author says that swamp deer are far more immune, and suffer less casualties,

from rinderpest and foot and mouth disease, than do sambur and bison. It

would be interesting to learn why this should be the case. Marked differences:

between the swamp deer of the Central Provinces and those of the Terai are

brought to notice and commented upon, so giving rise to conjecture as to which

of these areas was the originai habitat of the species. Our retiring littlefriend the

barking deer : muntjac : rib-faced deer : kakur, etc., as this widely known animal

is variously designated,is the smallest of the deer tribe to be found in the Central

Provinces. The several peculiar characteristics of this interesting animal are

discussed. Concerning the much debated point as to how the “‘ castanet’”’

noise is made by these.deer, the author concludes that it is merely a modified

. form of the usual cry of alarm, the sound being jerked out while the animal is:

in motion at the time. That itis a voice cry is probably correct, and confirms

tho conjecture of the present writer. Why should the kakur, when slightly

alarmed, make noises with its feet, or its teeth, ifindeedit can make such

noises !—when the natural mode of expression would. be the voice. Your

reviewer has heard this noise made by a female kakur which has not got canine

teeth. Instances of injury caused by the peculiar canine teeth of the male of this:

deer are recounted. Your reviewer once saw a case of a cow buffalo receiving a

cut, nearly eleven inches long, by which it was in danger of being disembowelled,.

1036 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

from amale kakur which got among the herd and became frightened. The

‘wound was sewn up and the buffalo recovered. It was not possible to say

whether the injury was caused by the canine tooth, or the sharp edge of a

chipped horn—most likely the latter. The cut was a clean one.

The antelopes are dealt with under one chapter, the nilgae or blue bull, the

blackbuck, the chinkara, and the four-horned antelope being all described,

habits discussed, and weights and measurements given. As might be expected

the author is not able to tell us much that is new in regard to these well known

animals. The elaborate arrangement of hairs inside the ears of chinkara, design-

ed by Nature to protect them from flies and insects, is remarked upon. Black

buck are similarly protected but in a lesser degree and camels have a very effi-

cient ‘ hair entanglement ” of the same description. On the Indian wild pig

we have a chapter entirely readable and infcrming, which, while not aspiring to

deal with the pig except from a sportsman-naturalist’s point of view, yet gives

the novice an insight into the art of pig sticking. The ‘‘ maxims for the novice’”’

are amusing, and probably wholly effective in guiding those for whom they

are intended. The field naturalist will find ample material upon which to re-

flect : and several things which he may not have himself observed. The conclud-

ing chapter deals with other jungle animals, the bats and rats being excluded,

those only which are likely to interest the average sportsman are selected. And

as regards these the author endeavours to confine his remarks to matters of

special interest. Hyaena, wolf, jackal, fox, caracal orlynx, hunting leopard,

wild cats, civets, mungooses, the Indian ratel, otters, squirrels, the mouse

deer, crocodiles, python ; all these are discoursed upon, and the reader will

learn much that he did not know before. We are not told that the hyaena will

attack and kill human beings; that has been known near Nowgong in Central

India. Of the wolf the author has had little personal knowledge, so also in res-

pect to the caracal, commonly misnamed lynx, and the hunting leopard, all of

which are rare animals in Central India. About the ratel there is much said

that is not generally known. The animal is very seldom met with. Natives

hold them in great dread. Weare told how to trap crocodiles, and how to shoot

them, with much else besides. The last paragraph of this informing volume

relates a remarkable instance of display of what appears incredible forethought

and reason on part of a python. This however is the experience of a friend of

the authors and not from his personal observations.

And so the pleasurable task of reviewing this excellent book comes to an end,

with the closing advice, from your reviewer, to both the experienced and the

inexperienced to take it with them into the Forests of Central India, and else-

where, and add, if they can, observations of their own on the various animals so

ably dealt with by Mr. Dunbar Brander.

R. B.

HIMALAYAN AND Kasumiri Brrps. By Dovertas Dewar, I.C.S.

(London 1923; John Lane: The Bodley Head Ltd.; pp. 200 ;

price 7 Shillings and 6 pence nett).

We have received for review a copy of Mr. Dewar’s latest book ‘‘ Himalayan

and Kashmiri Birds ’’ which is intended to be a companion and complementary

volume to his earlier ‘‘Indian Birds,” so that the two books between them cover

almost the whole of the Indian Empire, exclusive of Burma and Baluchistan.

As in the first work, the present volume is intended solely for the amateur

ignorant even of the names of the commonest birds that he meets with in his

rambles. Its scope is limited to the birds of Kashmere and the Himalayan Hill

Stations ordinarily met within the zone between 5,000—7,000 feet above sea-

level* and that in summer ; a total of 179 species have been selected as fulfilling

these conditions, and the number has been designedly kept as low as possible

in the effort to avoid distracting the beginner by an ‘‘ embaras de richesse.”’

REVIEWS. 1637

The book is divided into two parts. Of these the second part is the more

important and may be considered the main body of the work. It is a descrip-

tive list of the 179 species under consideration, comprising their names. descrip-

tions, habits and distribution, with their reference numbers in the “ Fauna

British India, Birds’ and Jerdon’s ‘“‘ Birds of India.”

The first part of the book is intended to be a key to the second part, guiding

the novice to identification of a bird by means of its salient characteristics in

life. The key is divided into three sections. Jn the first of these the birds are

classified by their structural peculiarities, such as bill, crest, tail and sexual

dimorphism in so far as these points catch the eye of an observer in the field ; in

the second the classification is by salient points of colour ; in the third stress is:

laid on habits and habitat.

The success of such a key of course depends on the closeness with which

the author succeeds in estimating the points that strike the average observer.

We have tested the key from that point of view and have found it work very

satisfactorily.

The descriptive list is somewhat harder to estimate. Opinions may differ as

to what species should have been included or omitted but on the whole the selec-

tion has been most judicious, except perhaps under the heading of ‘‘ Warblers’”

a group with which Mr. Dewar is but slightly acquainted, as appears from the

evidence of his previous books. The descriptions of plumage and habits are as

clear and succinct as possible, with the limits imposed, but there is a good deal

that is misleading in respect to distribution. It is a pity that Mr. Dewar did

not have his proofs read by others acquainted with the Hill Stations which he

has not visited personally.

We are glad to see that the book is free from the attacks on the scientific

student that disfigure so many of Mr. Dewar’s writings. But if Mr. Dewar

desires to continue as an instructor of the public mind he must bring his work.

more up to date.

Here as elsewhere the reference numbers of the various species in Jerdon and

Blanford and Oates are appended. Jerdon is worthy of all honour both as a

pioneer and as a very fine field naturalist and descriptive writer ; but to refer

the novice to a work hard to obtain and whose classification and nomenclature

are obsolete is of little value.

The references to the Fauna are important and should be cited. But the first:

edition of the Fauna to which all references are given is both out of date and out

of print. One volume of the new edition ha» appeared, another is in the press,

and the changes as a whole have been foreshadowed in the “‘ Hand list of Indian

Birds, which the author of the new edition has contributed to the Bombay

Natural History Society’s Journal. The binomial system has given place to the

trinomial, and many old names have been disturbed in the revolution of

nomenclature. Surely it would have been kinder to introduce the novice to the

names which his generation will use and not to the names current when Mr.

Dewar was himself a beginner. We may deprecate the changes but they are

necessary whether we like them or not, and all change is not necessarily for the

worse: to cite a case in point :—

Years ago the writer on his first visit to the Hills secured a lovely blue thrush

which appeared to be common enough ; yet search as he would he could not

identify it in Volume IT of the Fauna amongst the Jurdid@ to which it most:

obviously belonged. Some forgotten chance revealed the bird as Myiopho-

nens temmincki No. 187 in Volume I. The beginner’s instinctive recognition

of the species as a thrush has since been confirmed by the scientific world. Yet

true to his text Mr. Dewar continues to show the bird as a Babbler, doubtless to:

the confusion of many another beginner. Here is a change that he might admit,

and there are others that cannot reasonably be resisted. Growth and change

area feature of every healthy organism and to stand stillis to admit defeat,

H, W.

1038

EDITORIAL,

The maxims of Wilkins Micawber do not find a place in the statement of

accounts published on page 1067 of this number. Yet, in the manner of that well-

meaning though much-embarrassed financier, our Honorary Treasurer might

well have indicated the disastrous consequences which must inevitably result from

pursuing a policy which produced such a decidedly unfavourable balance sheet.

“Our receipts (other than what should be treated as capital and amounts

received on account of Game Books, etc.), as compared with expenditure,

appear to show a deficit on the year of very nearly Rs. 10,000.”

The causes leading to this gloomy result are indicated— .

‘a decrease in subscription apparently due to the fact that twice as

many members resigned from various causes as joined the Society.”

‘So much as regards decrease in our revenue, similarly on the expenditure

side we appear to entertain our very especial “‘ Ruhr ”’ problem :—the cost of

the Journal

‘‘ which shows a further increase of nearly Rs. 15,000 over last year, and

now costs Ks. 11,400 more to print than it did three years ago, an

increase of nearly 100 per cent. over 1920 printing charges.”

‘“* Expenditure under all other heads shows a decrease,”’

The source of our trouble stands revealed, namely—our anxiety to provide the

‘members of this Society with a Journal which would make its arrival an event to

‘be looked forward to ; this has been our undoing, but appreciation of our

efforts has not been wanting, witness the letter from a member, now retired from

this country, who writes that he has changed his mind about discontinuing his

membership, because he finds the Journal so interesting. An old Life Member,

one of that fortunate class who camein when the Life subscription stood

at Rs. 200 makes open confession :—

‘* After considerable thought I have come to the conclusion that I am

obtaining too great value for the Rs. 200 Life subscription, when the

cost of printing and prices in general are taken into consideration.”

Obviously in casting our bread plentifully upon the water we looked for some

such response as this: we looked to a wider circulation, to an increased member-

ship roll. But the harvest has been disappointing. Why have we failed ?

Is it possible that it is due to the lack of a keen interest and active co-operation

on the part of members of this Society ? May we, in return for our efforts to

produce a good Journal, appeal to members for a fuller recognition of those

responsibilities which make for more active membership ? It has been suggested

that the work of the Society is insufficiently advertised. ‘If you want a

thing well known—speak about it to your friends”, thus Lord Leverhulme

explains his phenomenal success as a salesman. A member writing from London

advises us that he has bought a complete set of the Journal down to the end of

the last volume, all being bound except the Jast volume, for £32. He adds

“There have been quite a number of sets, but mostly incomplete, offered in

London during the past twelve months and up to £40 has been asked. J think

if the Journal were better known over here that you would obtain a number of

subscribers. Certainly there is not in my opinion any Journal like it, and there

are always interesting articles on Sport and Natural History in all its branches.”’

Will members personally assist during the present year in making the Society

better known among their friends and help to further their own interests by adding

at least one new name to the membership roll? Another two hundred members

would place our finances on a sounder basis and.a guarantee would be afforded

for the continuance of the policy which endeavours to keep our publication at

its present standard. We must all agree with the Finance Member of the

Viceroy’s Council that we must cover our deficit and if we cannot cover it by

means of increased revenue we must use the Geddes and Inchcape Axe and cut

down the Journal, including therein the Editorial.

EDITORIAL. 1039

The presen year will probably write Finis to the work of the Society’s Mamma!

Survey of India, as it is unlikely that fresh funds will be forthcoming for the

continuance of this enterprise. Of the value of the work that the Survey has ac-

complished it is unnecessary to comment—before long we hope to see the results

of this unique endeavour epitomised in a new volume on the Mammals of India

in the Fauna of British India Series. Two of the Society’s collectors are still at

work. One of them is now negotiating the Pindari Glacier under the guidance of

Col. R. W. Burton, to whom our thanks are due for his continued assistance in

obtaining material for the Survey and the Prince of Wales’ Museum. To Major

C. H. Stockley we are in like manner indebted not only for his interesting narrative

of a ‘ Journey to Siam and Back,’ but also for many valued contributions to the

Society’s Museum. The subject of the Survey brings us to mention that very

interesting expedition which left England last February for Polynesia, via

Madeira: and the Panama Canal, on the Steam Yacht “‘ St. George’ chartered by

the Expeditionary Research Association with the object of carrying out scienti-

fic research in various parts of the globe. The scientific director of the

expedition is a member of this Society, Mr. James Hornell, late Director of

Fisheries, Madras. Mr. Hornell will take charge of the Ethnological work,

Dr. C. Crossley of Marine Zoology, and among others the party includes an

Ornithologist, an Entomologist, a Botanist and a Geologist. We wish the Expedi-

tionary Research Association every success in the enterprise and are gratified

to know that a member of this Society is serving it in so honoured a capacity.

Before leaving India, Mr. Hornell sang his nunc dimittis in his administration

report of the Madras Fisheries Department for the year 1922-23. In the report

we find the results of his years of endeavour to place this department on a satis-

factory basis. He writes, “In several respects the past year has proved a

record ; all the important Revenue sections have prospered exceedingly and I can

leave the department with the knowledge that it has successfully turned the

corner of adversity caused by the aftermath of the Great War. My successor

will find the department fully reorganized and the lines of further progress

definitely marked out so soon as the finances of the country justify renewed

expansion.”’ It must have afforded Mr. Hornell particular gratification to be

able to round off his fifteen years’ work in Madras with so highly satisfactory an

account of the result of his stewardship. One of the last acts of Mr. Hornell

was to secure for publication in the pages of this Journal a series of papers on

Indian Marine fish by Dr. H. W. Fowler of the Academy of Sciences, Philadelphia.

The urgent need for a revision of our knowledge on this subject has been apparent

for some considerable time—the works of Francis Day are now obsolete, and the

nomenclature is out of date and in many instances erroneous. Dr. Hora of the

Indian Museum has for sometime been engaged in the study of fresh water fish,

but the marine forms have been hitherto practically neglected, and Dr. Fowler

will be doing for us a long expected and much needed work. The Society pro-

poses to assist him with material collected in this country, and we appeal to

members to help in the work. Specimens should be pickled in spirits or formaline.

Particulars will be supplied to all those who signify their intention to further this

project.

- How long will it be before we have established here in Bombay a Department

of Fisheries which is doing work parallel to that which is being done in Madras?

At some future date, possibly after further costly and abortive attempts to

improve our fish supplies, tle urgent need for a scientific survey of the marine

fauna of the western Coast will be realised. Money spent in investigations which

do not immediately yield results in hard cash cause grievous heart-burning in a

commercially minded ‘community, yet times out of number investigations of

this nature have formed the essential basis upon which many a remunerative

and revenue earning industry has been built.

Speaking of revenue brings us to the subject of “ revenue and_ pigs,” as

the Department of Agriculture, Bombay, has recently published a record

1040 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX7X.

of evil doing on the part of that marauding desperado Sus cristatu s’

the Indian Wild Boar. Few people are aware of the extent of the havoc

wrought to agriculture in this country by wild pigs. That the grievance

is acute and calls for immediate remedy is apparent from the amazing statistics:

provided by the Department. In certain districts the pigs,are actually ousting

the villagers from their homes, and turning fertile fields into barren wastes.

Figures provided by the Department give the best indication of the appalling

conditions that obtain in certain areas. Witness the following tabulation of

annual damage to crops :—

Konkan : a 54 -. 8 to 10 lakhs of rupees.

Thana District ah Ke se) Oto 10 do.

Surat? .. aa a: ee 1) do.

Deccan Canal eee is eye a 13 do.

Gujerat 30 per cent. of the crop.

The direct damage 4g the ‘Presidency i is Wconccmraniele estimated at 70 lakhs,

whilst the indirect loss runs into crores of rupees. In most districts sugar cane

suffers to the extent of 50 per cent. of the crop, ground-nuts 25 per cent., rice 10°

per cent. The Department of Agriculture is devising ways and means to cope

with the menace. A war of extermination on a species which is among the most

prolific of hoofed animals would be worse than useless. Attention must therefore:

be directed to the saving of the crops. This is the thorny problem with which the

department is now wrestling. Fencing-in of large areas would necessarily be:

an exceedingly costly process, and would be impossible without liberal Govern--

ment support. Suggestions which would tend in any way towards the solu-

tion of the problem would be welcome.

In connection with the slaving of the mighty boar we have to record

with gratitude, that the Society has just received, on deposit, a collection of

manuscripts relating to the doingsof pigstickers, these being the Records:

of the Ahmedabad Tent Club, dating as far back as 1858. The

entries include such names as “ Roberts,’ believed to be the late Field

Marshall, and the manuscript is illustrated with many spirited drawings and

sketches. A perusal of these records will we are certain appeal not only to the

ardent pigsticker but will also interest a much wider field. They are records:

of more spacious days when the earning of one’s bread by the sweat of one’s

brow did not apply with such special force as it does to-day. The leisure of the

past filled the columns of those now defunct Journals the ‘ Asian” and the

‘‘ Oriental Sporting Magazine” with lively records and observations on Sport

and Natural History by a host of enthusiastic amateurs. To this Society has

fallen the privilege of carrying on work which has given joy and inspiration

to all who seek and ‘find solace within that fane which is—

‘* Nature’s Cathedral, boundless as our wonder,

Whose quenchless lamps the sun and moon supply,

Its choir the winds and waves, its organ thunder

Its dome the sky.”

It is with deep regret that we record the death at Calcutta of Dr. T..

N. Annandale, F.R.S., C.LE., D.Sc., late Director of the Zoological Survey of

India and Superintendent of the Indian Museum, Calcutta. Dr. Annandaie’s

contribution to the cause of Scientific Progress in India is appreciated by all who

are conversant with his work in this country.

His early demise has deprived the Zoological Survey of India, not only of its:

founder but also of a distinguished and capable leader.

Dr. 8S. W. Kemp, the Superintendent of the Zoological Survey of

India, writes us; —

‘¢T shall be obliged if you will convey to the Committee and Members:

of the Bombay Natural History Society the sincere thanks of myself

i ad

EDITORIAL. ; 1041

and my colleagues for yeur Jetter of condolence in the loss we have

sustained by the sudden death of our Director Dr. N. Annandale.

By his death we are deprived of a chief who had endeared himself to all

his staff by his never-failing generosity and consideration for others.

It is only a few years since he succeeded in placing this department

ona satisfactory footing and we feel that the loss of his high

scientific ability and long administrative experience is an irreparable

disaster.” :

Dr. Annandale recently consented to serve on the Managing Committee of

the Society and his loss has deprived us of the benefit of his mature experience

and advice. .

Our sincerest condolences are offered to the members of his family.

We hope in the next issue to have the privilege of publishing appreciation

~ and record of Dr. Annandale’s work in India.

FAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA.

In the ‘‘ FAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA” Series the further volumes which

the Editor, Sir Arthur E. Shipley, with the assistance of Dr. Hugh Scott. and with

the sanction of the Secretary of State for India, has arranged tor, are :—

Volumes on Butterflies (Lycenide and Hesperiide) by Mr, N. D. Riley:

on the /xodide and Arvgaside by Professor G. H. F. Nuttall and Mr. C. War-

burton : on Leeches by Mr. W. A. Harding and Prof. J. Percy Moore: on the

Curculionide by Dr. G. A. K. Marshall: on the Carabideé by Mr. H. E.

Andrewes:on the Meloide by Mr. K.G. Blair: on the Evotylide and Endo-

mychide by Mr. G. J. Arrow: on the Culicide by Capt. P. J. Barraud, Lt.-Col.

S. R. Christophers, and Mr. F. W, Edwards : 01 the Chrysomelide (subfamilies

Chrysomeline and Halticine) by Mr. S. Maulik : on the Scolytide and Platypodide

by Lt.-Col. Winn Sampson : together with a revised edition of Mammalia by

Mr, Martin A.C. Hinton and Mr. R.I, Pocock and of Birds (6 vols.) by Mr. E. C.

Stuart Baker,

26 Nov, 192}.

1042

OBITUARY.

CoLONEL CHARLES SwinHOE, M.A. (Oxon.), F.L.S., F.Z.S., F.E.S.

There passed away on December 2nd last year one of the eight original mem-

bers of our Society. The late Col. Swinhoe was born on August 29th, 1836 and

at the age of 19 entered the Army as an Ensign in the 56th Regiment of Foot.

He reached India just after the Mutiny and joined the Bombay Staff Corps,

with which Corps he served until his retirement from the Army 30 years ago.

He went through the Afghan War and was with Lord Roberts in Kandahar.

On his retirement from the Army he settled down at Oxford, but later on moved

to London, where he died.

Colonel Swinhoe was a man of many parts. A keen shikari of the old school,

who had accounted for between 50 and 60 tigers; devoted to most outdoor

games and sports ; interested in birds and amember of the British Ornithologists

Union ; but it is as an Entomologist that he has attained fame and for many

years he has been regarded as an expert on Lepidoptera. During his time in

India he was an indefatigable collectcr, working chiefly in the Bombay, Poona,

Mhow, and Karachi Districts and many contributions from his pen are to be

found in the earlier numbers of the Journal. After his retirement he devoted

the remainder of his life entirely to the study of Lepidoptera and contributed

freely to the Annals and Magazine of Natural History. On the death of Freder-

ick Moore, Col. Swinhoe was entrusted with the completion of that magnificent

work on Indian Butterflies, Lepidoptera Indica; the portions dealing with the

Lycenide (Blues), Hesperide (Skippers) and a part of the Pieridae, (Whites)

were compiled entirely by him. The Heterocera or Moths was, however, the

section of the Lepidoptera wherein Col. Swinhoe excelled; of these he had

amassed a collection containing 40,000 specimens, comprising 7,600 different

species and including over 400 types of new species described by him. He

remained active up to the commencement of his 87th year, just prior to which

he had completed “‘ A revision of the genera of the family Liparidae,” cover-

ing no fewer than 1,130 detailed entries.

He was well known as a lecturer on such subjects as Mimicry and was ac-

knowledged as an expert on all matters connected with Lepidoptera by investi-

gators of many countries. For his services to Entomology the University of

Oxford conferred upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts, and the Ento-

mological Society of France appointed him an Honorary Member. But until

some future generation throws into the scrap heap our present system of nomen-

clature, Col. Swinhoe’s name will be preserved as the describer of many new

butterflies and moths, while many others have been named after him by authors,

who have wished to honcur a name, that has been pre-eminent among Ento-

mologists for many years.

1043

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

No. —READER’S COMMENTS ON PREVIOUS NOTES

ARTICLES.

PRoTrEcTIVE COLOURATION IN WiLp ANIMALS.

(Vol. XXIX, No. 2, p. 469)

T read with considerable interest the article under the above title by B. P.

Tailyour in the August Number of the Journal. The principle of ‘ Counter-

shading’ to which he has been led by his observations and experiments is very

little different from what the American Artist-Naturalist Abbot H. Thayer

discovered in 1896. He called it the Neutralisation of Shadow. Poulton several

years before him had recognised the importance of this factor for purposes

of concealment in regard to two insects but for the wider generalisation credit

is due to Thayer. He published a book on ‘Concealing Colouration in the

Animal Kingdom’ (New York, 1910). I have not read this book but there are

copious references in Poulton’s papers from one of which the following may be

extracted.

“*The colours of large numbers of animals are darkest on the back, becoming

gradually lighter on the sides, and passing into white on the belly. Abbot H.

Thayer has suggested that this gradation obliterates the appearance of solidity,

which is due to shadow. A colour-harmony, which is also essential to con-

cealment, is produced because the back is of the same tint as the environment

(viz., earth), bathed in the cold blue-white of the sky, while the belly, being cold

blue-white bathed in shadow and yellow earth reflections, produces the

same effect. Thayer has made and presented models to the Natural History

Museums of Oxford, Cambridge, and London, which support his interpretation

in a very convincing manner.

‘* Special resemblances to twigs, upright stems, &c., are, Mr. Thayer considers,

represented upon a background in which the shadow is neutralized as described

above. Hence the background. 2z., the animal’s body, disappears, while the

markings upon it are alone distinctly seen.

«« For ages the artist has known how to produce the appearance of solid objects

standing out on his canvas, by painting in the likeness of the shadows. It has

remained for this great artist-naturalist to realize the logical antithesis, and

show how solid objects may be made to fade away and become ghost-like or

even invisible, by painting out the shadows.’’

I saw the models referred to in the Entrance Hall of the Museum of Natural

History, London. They were of ducks against a common back ground. One

coloured as the back ground uniformly throughout and the other asin a normal

bird and at a certain distance the latter one became invisible while the other was

conspicuous.

It will be seen that the principle thus described and illustrated by Thayer

is much the same as the one now enunciated by Mr. Tailyour. Mr. Thayer was

led to this interesting generalisation from his training and experience as an

artist. The credit is, therefore, all the greater to Mr. Tailyour for having arrived

independently though much later at practically the same conclusion without

any such training to guide him,

Dept. or AGRICULTURE, K. KUNHI KANNAN, M.A.,, Ph. D.

BANGALORE,

18th October 1923.

1044 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

““StrRANGE’’ BEHAVIOUR OF A PANTHER.

(Vol. XXIX, No. 2, p. 549)

The behaviour of a panther, referred toas ‘strange’? by Mr. Hanhartin his

notein the Journal of 25th August last (Vol. X XIX, No. 2), is easily accounted

for, and is, I think, not unusual. The animal was merely trying to avoid

observation. It was aware that by moving it would at once attract

attention, and by remaining motionless hoped to escape being seen.

As we all know, it is movement in nature that attracts observation

and nullifies the advantages of protective colouration, which is only

protective in a state of immobility. I think the behaviour of the panther

in question was not strange, but normal. No doubt many animals do

escape observation by this means. I saw the same thing in a hen pheasant a

few days ago, which was moving in an open stubble field. When it saw me ata

distance, the bird squatted with neck extended and head flat on the ground,

and did not move until I walked up to within five yards, when evidently realising

that it was observed, it took to flight. While still, it was quite invisible.

An experience very similar to that related by Mr. Hanhart occurred to me

some ten years ago. I was encamped in a country infested by panthers, when

some Brinjaras came with news that they had marked one down, and left some

of their people to watch it. I rode out to the spot, and found a grassy nullah

with few bushes ; the panther was said to be lying under a small bush about

forty yards off. From the top of the hill above, the men said they could see

the animal, and attempted to pointit out to me, but I could not make it out.

During this time, the men continued talking, and a dog with them barked at

times. I remonstrated with them, telling them not to talk or they would drive

the panther away. But one of them explained to me that, on the contrary, if

they ceased talking the panther would think they had gone, and would get up

and make off. So long as it was made aware of their presence, it would not

move, hoping thus to escape observation. It was with some difficulty and

after some shouting and throwing of stones that the beast was made to break

cover, and was shot.

It is for the same reason that it is advisable, when one is going to sit over a

kill or a tethered goat in wait for a panther, to cause one’s attendants to move

off talking after the arrangements have been made, leaving one in silence and

in ambush on the spot. The panther thus supposing that all the people have

gone and that the coast is clear will issue forth boldly as soon as the noise has

passed out of hearing.

R. G. BURTON,

Brigr.-General.

BaFFORD GRANGE, CHARLTON KINGs,

8th October 1923.

No. IlL—LARGE TUSKS OF INDIAN ELEPHANT (EZ. MAXIMUS),

With a Photo,

I enclose herewith two photos of a pair of elephant tusks which were found

in the Coimbatore jungles, as I think they must nearly constitute a record fo

India, taking all their measurements together with their weight. The,tusks wer-

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 1045

dry, and had evidently been lying in the jungle for at least a year, and, as I under-

stand ivory loses 5 per cent., the weight must have been very considerably

more when the elephant died. The measurements and weights were most

carefully taken, and were checked by two other European planters here.

Right Tusk .. Length. 7 ft. 8 inches. Girth ..183 Weight, 792 lbs.

Left Tusk .. Do. 7 ft: 10 inches. Do. ..194 Do. 822 lbs.

Total weight 162 lbs.

Weights and measurements carefully checked by the following—

E. W. Simcock.

C. L. Napier.

C. R. T. Congreve.

c. R. T. CONGREVE,

VALPARAI, COIMBATORE,

18th December 1923.

1046 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1IX.

No. III—IN THE HAUNTS OF THE RED INDIAN WILD DOG

(CUON DUKHUNENSIS).

As the dawn breaks over an Indian jungle, the glistening whiteness of a small

encampment is revealed beneath the fruit-laden trees of a shady mango tope.

Near by is a small village containing about a dozen huts of very flimsy con-

struction and principally built of bamboo. All round are parched fields which

spring into life on the advent of the monsoon, and from which the villagers

obtain their annual stock of rice. ,

This tiny hamlet, situated in the eastern corner of the Central Provinces,

almost on the borders of Bastar State, isinhabited by a very uncivilised,

aboriginal tribe known as the ‘“‘ Mariahs’”’ or ‘‘ Marie Gouds,”’ whose intellect

is akin to their dress in scantiness.

They are, however, a very willing and friendly folk, and are hard to surpass

in jungle craft : the way thirty or forty of them will drive game, and parti-

cularly tiger, through difficult and broken country, up to some fixed point is

quite marvellous ; besides which they are gifted with extraordinary powers of

tracking.

It was in this tiny camp that I found myself in May 1913, and from the look

of the surrounding jungles I seemed to have found a good spot.

Also, on my way there,three miles along the road, between two nullahs which

it crossed, were the going and returning “ pugs” of a huge tiger, who killed one

of my “‘baits’’ a few hours after my arrival, but as thereby hangs a tale and this

story does not concern him, I must leave him for a while.

These jungles are situated in very broken and hilly country, full of rock-

strewn, bamboo-covered ridges of granitoid gneiss, the haunts of countless

spur-fowl, sloth bear, sambhur and panther.

Between the hill ranges were expansive valleys—thinly treed, and clothed

with a garment of tall jungle grass, in which roamed herds of bison, swamp deer,

and pig, with occasionally herds of the mighty wild buffaloes ; these valleys

were intersected here and there by sandy water-courses and nullahs, the haunt

of tiger. Water was scarce. Here and there in the nullahs one would find a pool,

and from the countless tracks around it one quickly realized how much it was

frequented by all kinds of game. The surrounding country was destitute of

villages, the nearest being eight miles to the south west, after which one

could go some twelve miles or morein any direction without coming across any

human habitation.

As the incidents I am about to relate are connected with one of the watering

places near the village, a brief description of it is necessary.

A few hundred yards to the west of the village was a small sandy water

course, which turned sharply to the south, and then ran parallel with a

jungle road.

About half-a-mile from the village and alongside this road there still re-

mained in the nullah a broad, shallow pool, used daily for watering the small

herd of village cattle, and which at night was frequented by some half dozen

panthers and various other wild animals. In addition to this, in the vicinity of

the village, there were many small pools of water which had been obtained by

digging deeply into the sand, and wild animals, if disturbed at the large pool

on their nightly visits, would often go elsewhere in this nullah for water.

Previous to this I had often seen wild dogs without getting a shot at them,

and my Punjabi Mussulman orderly knew these red brutes well by sight.

Consequently, one morning, I had no doubts about his story when he arrived

breathless while I was breakfasting and told me that as he had been washing

his clothes at the large pool, a pack of about twenty-five wild dogs had trotted

down, and, without paying the slightest attention to him, had first of all

slaked their thirst, and then had all lain down in the water with just their heads

showing.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 1047

Any idea of tackling the rest of my breakfast was quickly dispensed with,

and I was soon—shot gun in hand—doubling after my orderly who was carrying

my spare weapon—a ‘256 Mannlicher. ‘‘S. G.’’ and “ B. B.” were the sizes of

the shot I took with me, but I was greatly handicapped by a broken gear-

spring in the mechanism of the action of the left trigger, which prevented

me from using the left barrel.

On arriving at the pool, which was not more than 60 feet by 30 feet in size,

not a sign of a “‘ cuon ”’ was to be seen, and _ bitterly disappointed, I was about

to turn away, when my orderly suggested having a look further in the jungle

round the nullah.

I had hardly taken a pace forward into the scrub when tawny forms rose

up from the shade of bushes and tussocks of grass, and the whole place

seemed alive with wild dogs.

Having read a great deal about the shyness of these animals, I hastily fired

a charge of ‘‘S.G.” at the largest one, but the range was too far to use such

pellets with effect which only scattered and did no damage.

Quickly reloading, a second shot was more successful, and bowled over a

fair-sized bitch.

Upon this second discharge a huge beast jumped out of the nullah and

passing close by me as I crammed in a fresh cartridge, halted a few yards

distant presenting an easy target.

Unfortunately I had loaded with lethal bullet, and a snapshot at him

proved in vain, for in my eagerness I jerked the trigger and caused the muzzle

of the gun to bob down, with the result that the bullet struck the ground

beneath the animal’s stomach. |

It was then that I noticed the curious whistling noise that these animals

make when alarmed, and I could hear it all around me in the jungle and on

the slopes of an adjacent hill.

Besides this I was rather surprised at the boldness of these ‘“‘ Red Dog ”

which, even after three shots, showed no inclination to hurry their departure

or move very far away.

Consequently, I sent my orderly to round them up and drive them back

again towards me from the hill where they had taken refuge.

This manceuvre was very nearly successful, but the “‘cuons ’’ had just enough

start to get ahead of me and making a detour they passed across the road at

the village end of the pool and began making their way up the slopes of another

scrub-covered hill.

Meanwhile I had noticed three ‘‘ Red Dog”’ lying in the pool, and missed

one badly with a snapshot from the Mannlicher. Then as the dogs were climb-

ing the northern slopes of the hill, I ran up from the south side, and on ascend-

ing a ridge near the top and looking over, I found myself face to face with a

large dog which I dropped, and which curiously enough turned out to be in

miserable condition. He had a mangy coat, was thin and emaciated in

form, and had diseased teeth. Why he had been allowed to live, let alone

remain in the pack, I cannot imagine, and I was sorry I had destroyed him, as he

might have spread his ailments through the pack with fatal consequences,

By this time it must have been 10-30 and as 1 did not feel inclined to resume

the chase over the hills at that hour, when the heat was distinctly un-

pleasant, I gave orders to the forest guard to make arrangements for the erection

of a well-screened machan in a low bushy tree growing at the edge of the water.

In about two hours time it was ready, and in the meantime I had returned

to camp.

When my orderly came to call me, he said that the parties of wild dogs had

been down to drink and bathe while they were at work.

Consequently, I was hardly surprised on arriving at the pool to see three

tawny heads sticking out of the water behind a rock at the farther end.

1048 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX,

A charge of “‘ B. B.”’ beyond peppering them did little damage, but I managed -

by running to cut off one from the hillit was making for, and bowled it over —

with a lucky shot—not quite good enough however—as he got up and limped off

on three legs in absolute ignorance of the direction of his aggressor.

Unfortunately, he saw me a few minutes later, and in spite of his wound was

off at a great pace and soon was lost to sightin the tall jungle grass and thick

serub. ;

After this disappointment and _ strenuous chase, I returned—hot and

exhausted—to the machan, but for a long time there were no further signs of

the ‘‘ cuons.”’

About 3-45 however, a movement to one side attracted my attention, and I

observed five reddish forms stealing along over the slippery, black rocks at the

north end of the pool. But what a change from the bold, devil-may-care-atti-

tude previously adopted by these animals. Now they come slinking cautiously

along, ears pricked up and attentive for the least sound, eyes searching in every

direction, now and then a pause, and last of alla careful look round as they reached

the edge of the inviting pool. I looked again, this time along the sights of my

gun ; all I could see were five tawny heads grouped close together sticking out

of the water. Bang! Five writhing forms are down in the shallow pool, but such

a bag is too good to be true, especially with a single barrel; and almost immediate-

ly, two of them, only slightly peppered, jump up and scamper away, whilea

third, in spite of a broken shoulder, makes off at a great pace.

The remaining two, however, are powerless to get away, and a couple of bullets

from a ‘22 bore rifle speedily put an end to their sufferings. Not so bad

after all, but what a triumph it would have been if I had had a second barrel to

follow up my first shot.

After this, I left the pool alone for the day and early next morning, as usual,

went for a long ramble in the jungle, but I had left a watcher at the pool, who,

on my return reported that he had seen three wild dogs. Accordingly, later

on in the day I again took up my position in the hide, and about midday the

member of the luckless party of five of the previous day, who had retired

with a broken shoulder came limping along and crept towards the pool

with the utmost wariness.

Although he did not detect me, he was very suspicious. As he paused at

the edge of the pool, he was struck by a charge of “ B.B.” and rolled over into

the water, out of which he scrambled on to the hill side, and fell dead after

going twenty paces.

The same evening I was sitting over a goat for a panther when two wild dogs

came down to drink at dusk. I had a shot at them, but both got away without

serious injury, although knocked over and well peppered by the charge.

The last glimpse I had of the remnants of the pack was on the following morning

as I passed the pool shortly after dawn. For I observed half-a-dozen reddish

hued forms stealing away ' through the clumps of bamboos which grew in

profusion on the slopes of the hill to the east of the watering place.

In passing from this subject I can only add my regrets that I had not doubled

or even trebled my bag as the red dogs are an absolute curse in the jungle, and

they are the most ruthless destroyers of game that exist. So bad are they

that in the Central Provinces a reward of Rs. 15 each is given for wild dog,

while in the United Provinces, both the Civil and Forest authorities give rewards

’ for their destruction.

One rarely gets such opportunities with a pack of “‘cuons’ and if only I ‘could

have followed up every shot with a second barrel, I would nae inflicted in-

finitely more damage on the pack.

G, R, S. PITMAN.

Kenya Cotony, East Aneaeae

12th September 1923.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 1049

No. IV.—A NOVEL METHOD OF SHOOTING BLACK BEAR

IN THE “ GALIS’’.

Finding myself at Nathia Galiin the Murree Hills at the end of June 1912 with

a few days to spare on my hands, I looked about for something to shoot. Having

ascertained that at Dunga Gali, 24 miles away, there was a shikari of sorts, I

sent for him and discussed the prospects of bagging a bear within the next week

or so.

I was shown a long and well-wooded nullah which ran down some thousands

of feet to the Jhelum River, and was told that bear would certainly be found there,

but were not likely to be obtained unless I cared to kill an ox and leave the carcase

in a certain favourable spot, known to the shikari, some way down the khud.

Having purchased the bullock, I left the whole of the bandobast in the hands

of the shikari who proceeded to tell me that Major ;

last year had managed to bag no less than four bears over oxen . he had

killed, and placed in the same spot where mine would be.

Pleased at the prospect of a new form of shikar I returned to my headquarters

and waited fornews. On June 24th the carcase was placed in the forest, and

that night a bear came round and inspected it ;butdidnotsummon up enough

courage to tackle it until the night of 26th June.

Being informed of this, I determined to sit up over the carcase the next night.

T arrived at the spot about 6 p.m. and saw that the head and one of the shoulders

had disappeared and that a large portion of the neck had been eaten.

At that time there was a bright moon and at 9 o’clock I heard a bear below

on the khud side but he had evidently got hold of a shoulder or the head for I

was entertained for a long time with the sounds of crunching and cracking of

bones, and then when he did start off for the carcase he must have winded us from

the slight breeze which was blowing, and moved off again without showing him-

self. Later, I heard another bear moving about, accompanied by a couple of

cubs, but they also eventually went off down the nullah.

The next night saw me again in the machan and on my way to it I came across

the fresh and unmistaken traces of a panther.

He had evidently inspected the carcase that evening, but as he was not likely

to touch the putrid remains unless very hard pressed for a meal, I was rather anxi-

ous to see if he would turn up that night.

And turn up he did, for at 8-30 that evening I detected a slight movement, and

heard the snapping of a few twigs as he took up his position beneath an adjacent

bush, and broke the stillness of the night from time to time with an occasional

rasping sigh,

I wondered what he intended. Was he wanting a meal, and having winded

us, Was awaiting further developments, or did he think that the old bear with

cubs would come along, and that while she was busily engaged at her nasty feed

he might have a chance of abducting one of the plump little youngsters ?

At any rate there he sat and about an hour later an old bear came bustling

down the hill from above me straight towards the carcase.

But no! he winds the panther and witha frightened * ‘woof ” crashes away

down into the rocky nullah. Soon afterwards ‘‘ Spots” tires of his task and

silently wends his way up the hill, and another profitless vigil ends with the chilly

dawn.

I told the shikari that I should not sit up that night, but to cut up the remains

and strew the surrounding forest with tempting morsels.

This apparently had the desired effect for the next day I heard that nearly the

whole of the ox had been eaten and that the panther had again been in the

vicinity. The moon was now rising later and later and, on arriving at the machan

that night, I quickly realised that it would probably be my last chance.

‘ Soon after I took up my position on the springy platform of fir branches I

heard a couple of martens fighting in a blasted pine which towered above me.

1050 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

As I waited and watched, I pondered over the chances of getting a shot that

night, and as the hours sped by I began to give up all hope.

But it was still early and at 10-30 I heard the welcome shuffling sound close by

and below me.

Holding my breath I waited ; I dare not raise my hand to keep off the myriads

of mosquitoes which took this opportunity of launching a determined attack on

me.

A branch cracked, some leaves rustled, and my aching limbs had to be eased :

the shikari scowled at me, but to no purpose: I had to move, but still the bear

shuffled on. A sound of bones being cracked showed me that he was for the

time being occupied with morsels previously dragged away from the carcase.

When he had been shuffling around for nearly an hour, he suddenly bestirred

himself, and with the utmost caution approached the open space where lay the

few remaining pieces of bullock.

A final crash as he burst through the thick bushes, and I perceived a blackform

waddle towards the carcase and sniff it.

Unlike the semi-blind and almost deaf Sloth Bear of the Indian Peninsula,

these Himalayan Bears are possessed of all their faculties.

Consequently I drew a bead on him at once, and waited till he should offer a

broadside shot.

As I watched, he turned towards meand presented quite a good target and the

contents of my first barrel, loaded with lethal bullet caught him in the shoulder,

and bowled him over. The second barrel unfortunately was not so successful

as he lay kicking on his back, and before I could reload, he had picked himself

up and flung himself over the steep khud, where I heard him crashing down

through the bushes and undergrowth into the nullah below.

It was impossible to follow him up at once, and I had to content myself till

dawn with the thought that he was badly wounded and could not go far.

But all kinds of bear are possessed of wonderful vitality and I was doomed to

disappointment.

When light came the trail was quickly picked up and from the marks and blood

it was at once evident that a badly smashed shoulder was the damage.

For over two miles we followed these tracks, and then found ourselves utterly

at fault when we arrived at a small mountain torrent.

Casting round in circles was of no avail, for the luckless bear had made good his

escape.

Trail probability he had washed his wound in the water, staunched the flow of

blood, and then plastered it with leaves and mud, and so got clear away, without

leaving a trace behind him.

C. R. S. PITMAN,

Kenya Cotony, East AFrica,

14th November 1923.

No. V.—BLACK-BUCK AND JACKAL,

An incident of interest which I saw a short while ago, was as follows :—I

was after Black Buck in fairly open country near Nabha when I saw a buck being |

chased by a single jackal. The buck must have had something the matter with

its leg, although it ran very fast, for the jackal succeeded in catching it up and

pulled it down three times single handed. It always went for the back part of

the stomach and eventually disabled it. I went up and shot the jackal which

was quite a small one, and finished off the buck which could not move. I could

not find any visible signs of any previous injury on the Black Buck which would

account for its lameness.

L. G. W. HAMBER, Capt.,

NasHa State, PunsAB, 1/1st K. G. O. Gurkha Rifles.

26th November 1923.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, ) 1051

No. VI—MALFORMED HORNS IN THE CHEETAL (AXIS AXIS).

(With a photo.)

No. 2. No. 1. No. 2. No. 3.

No. 1. Malformed horns of the cheetal (A. avis).

No. 2. 2. Picked up antlers of the same animal shed in the preceding year.

No. 3. Normal horns of the cheetal for comparison.

I send you for publication, a photograph of a freak of nature in the way of a

pair of Cheetal (Spotted Deer) horns.

I first observed the stag carrying these about the end of April 1921 when I was

shooting in little visited shrub jungle in the hope of securing one of the good

heads I knew were there.

I shot a stag in very open jungle and the report of my rifle put up 7 hinds

and a stag (this freak). The stag ran to my left and stood on a ridge barely

100 yards away and I could not but immediately notice the extraordinary horns.

He gave me a splendid shot (broad-side), but I missed him and later discovered

that the second leaf of the backsight wasup. I promptly followed the herd and

saw them crossing a piece of open for another patch of jungle and emptied my

magazine on the stag but with no result. I continued following and came across

the stag who had his horns badly entangledina big ‘‘ Karonda’’ bush and was

making frantic efforts to get loose, but before I could get round for a shot he

disentangled himself and disappeared, and though I searched the jungle tho-

roughly in a scorching sun all day, I did not see him again on this occasion.

On another visit to the same jungle I did not come across this stag but ona

third occasion I saw him again and this at the end of the day when I had given up

all hopes as I had worked hard in a thorough search of the surrounding jungles.

I was returning to my Headquarters through the jungle, when I saw a couple

of hinds with a good stag looking at me and shot the stag, and when they made

off I discovered to my chagrin that the object of my search wasin the herd. I

took a running snap shot but another Cheetal (female) intercepted and so I again

1052. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Volt, XXIX,

lost the trophy ; the possession of which had now become an ambition if not

an obsession. Unfortunately, I did not get an opportunity to go out again.

In August I sent my Shikari out to see if the stag was still there and report on

the condition of his horns and he brought in the horns numbered (2) the photo-

graph of which I send, ‘picked up by a grazier not far apart.

From then onward I had him very closely watched to see if he would grow —

freak horns again which he did and in April 1922, having been informed that his

horns were no longer in velvet, I went out and shot him with the horns

numbered (1).

Quite apart from being an abnormal freak, it clearly establishes that freak

horns are permanent and not only confined to one set. I may mention here that

beyond this freak, the stag had no other visible defect about him which I could

detect.

The horns numbered (3) are those of a natural head, (362”) in order to show the

vast contrast.

B. A. PARR,

HosHANGABAD, C.P., Inspector of Police.

November 1922.

No. VII.—SOUTHERN RANGE OF THE MALLARD (ANAS BOSCAS).

A Mallard was shot by Mr. Borrisow near Taluja (Panwell, Bombay) on Novem-

ber 17th. It was a male bird but the curl of the tail feathers was only just

beginning. The bird seemed in good condition but allowed us to get very close

before rising, which was all the more surprising because we had been shooting

snipe within 50 yards of the bunch of reeds from which we flushed him. Mr,

Borrisow shot the same ground a week later and saw another Mallard. |

J. R. ABERCROMBIE.

BomBay, 8th January 1924.

A drake Mallard, a solitary bird, was shot on Xmas day at Palam tank, about

5 miles from Bulsar. This I believe is further south than Stuart Baker records

its occurrence.

I obtained a solitary drake Mallard about a week earlier at Maroli, 30

miles from here, on the same tank where Mr. Ball of the B. B. & C. I. Railway

shot one a year ago. hbase

T. F. G. SHEPHARD.

BULSAR,

B. B. & C. I. Ratwway,

27th December 1923.

Stuart Baker’s book on Indian Birds does not record the ‘‘ Mallard Duck’’ in

this part of the world. I shot one at Pali (35 miles from Jodhpur) on Sunday,

the 16th instant. It may be of interest.

Masor-GenLt. H. D. WATSON.

J ODHPUR,

18th December 1923.

No. VILL—NEST OF MRS. GOULD’S YELLOW-BACKED SUNBIRD

(ETHOPYGA GOULDI 4).

I obtained the nest and eggs of this bird in April 1923 and later in the year I

showed the eggs to Mr. Stuart Baker who kindly fixed their identity forme. As

I was unable to find any description of the nest one may perhaps be useful. On

my describing it, Mr. Stuart Baker showed me a painting which left no doubt

about it. 7

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 1053

The nest is pear-shaped and was suspended from the end of a stem of wild

raspberry and beneath the two last leaves onthestem. It was composed entirely

of cotton silk or vegetable down. The whiteness of this material showing above

this stem would attract attention and to conceal it the bird had fixed green creep-

ing moss over it of the same shade as the raspberry leaf. This green creeping

moss was also used like filigree work over the body of the nest to keep it together.

There was only a suggestion of a porch over the entrance hole which was 3rds

of the way up. The material being so flimsy the bird had herring-boned the

lower edge of the entrance hole with the same green moss doubling it over the

edge so as to form a sharp firm edge. The eggs were typical Hthopyga,

spotted with greeny brown principally at the larger end where they formed a

thick circle, they measured °65 by -48 mm.

| S. M. ROBINSON, M.B.O.U.

No. [X.—NESTING OF WALDEN’S YELLOW-BACKED SUNBIRD

(4THOPYGA SANGUINIPECT A).

On seeing Mr. Stuart Baker at home I told him I had obtained this bird and

its nest and eggs at Thandaung in the Karen Hills east of Toungoo. He said

the nest and eggs had never previously been obtained and I apologize for not

having sent in a description before. I obtained them on 20th April 1923.

Nest.—Pear-shaped entrance 3rds of the way up with only a bare suggestion

of a porch, It was composed of dried grass stems lined heavily with silky white

grass down and decorated outside all over with chips of dealwood, bits of dead

bamboo and bamboo leaf. It was suspended from the end of a wild raspberzy

stem. The eggs are dull white spotted all over with greeny brown spots which

are thickest at the larger end where they run into each other and form a circle.

The eggs measure *69 by ‘48 mm.

S. M. ROBINSON, M.B.O.U.

January 1924.

No. X.—NIDIFICATION OF THE WESTERN SPOTTED

BABBLER. (P. RUFICEPS JONEST)

In the Fauna of British India—Birds—Vol. I (second edition) at page 242

under Pellorneum ruficeps jonesi (the Western Spotted Babbler) the note occurs

*- Nidification unknown.”’ As I have found several nests of this babbler in the

Dehra Dun, where it is a common bird, I write to record the fact.

This Babbler is found throughout the better wooded portions of the Dun. It

is specially numerous in the wooded ravines and in the tea gardens close to

Dehra itself. The male bird has a very pretty short song of six clear notes,

frequently repeated which may be musically represented as follows :—

The birds are shy and spend most of their time moving gently about among

dead leaves on the ground. They occur singly or in pairs and are not gregarious.

Nidification commences early in April.

On April 19th, 1916, I found a nest at the foot of a tea bush (Kowlagarh Tea

Estate) close to Dehra. It contained 4 incubated eggs.

On April 24th of the same year I observed a pair of birds building their nest on

the steep bank of a ravine. The nest was on the grounds, well concealed

among dead leaves.

1054 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX-

The same day in another ravine I came on a brood of young birds which had

only recently left the nest. The mother bird appeared on the scene and came

within two or three feet of me as I sat near the nest with one young bird in my

hand. She moved round me almost like a mouse, but with wings expanded and

feigning a wound. |

Nests were all very loosely constructed and domed with a large lateral entrance.

The nests, as well as the eggs, much resemble those of P. ruficeps ruficeps

subsequently found by me near Pachmarhi in the Central Provinces. Unfortu-

nately I cannot give detailed descriptions of the eggs with measurements as I

have not got the eggs by me.

RAwALPINDI, B. B. OSMASTON, I.F.S.

3rd February 1924.

No. XL—MIGRATION OF EAGLES.

On the 9th of November 1923 I was at a place called Jathingri in the Mandi

State, about 70 miles east of Dharmsala, and witnessed what could only be a

regular migration of eagles. At about 3 p.m. I noticed four birds passing over

the State bungalow at intervals of about a minute or two each. Later on I

went down the spur in an easterly direction and again noticed birds passing

in the same direction at short intervals. All camefrom the same direction and

followed exactly the same line of flight. I went along the ridge for a couple

of miles or so and took up a position on a point where the spur was quite open

and overlooked a small village and fields, and watched very carefully:each bird

as it passed me. Occasionally two came very close together but for the most

part they followed each other at intervals varying from one to four or five minutes.

Each succeeding one followed its predecessor on practically an exact alignment.

Each passed me on a line about 15 yards to my right as Isatand some 100 yards

above me. Every bird flew with wings about quarter flexed as though breast-

ing a strong wind and with tail widely spread. I had shot a Kalij pheasant

and a chikor on my way down and tied each at the end of a long string and

threw them out in opposite directions, and while well concealed myself kept

on tugging at the strings and moving the two birds asI saw an eagle approach.

They took not the slightest notice though they could not have helped seeing

them. A sparrow hawk came down and bound to the chikor and I felt certain

that she would attract an eagle, as any smaller bird of prey with a bird in its

talons has an irresistible attraction for any of the eagle tribe. Two passed

overhead while the sparrow hawk struggled with the chikor which was being

pulled over rough ground at the time. The first took no notice whatever. but

the second showed a small amount of interest, as I distinctly saw the head turn

and it keptits eye on the hawk and the chukor, even’after it had passed well over

them, but it did not check its flight in the smallest degree and followed steadily

in the wake of the others.

I did not count them but quite 40 birds must have gone over from the time

I left the bungalow until nearly sunset.

With but two or three exceptions every bird appeared to be very dark in colour,

and the only one that came directly over me was quite black and might have

been taken for a Black Eagle (I. malayensis) except for the typical short tail of

the true Aquila and the heavier flight with wings held in a line with the body.

The two or three light coloured birds I at once put down as young Imperial

(A. heliaca) in the lineated plumage but the dark birds defeated me entirely.

Unfortunately they passed between the sun and me so just when I could have seen

them best the underside of the plumage was in deep shadow.

I looked hard for any sign of white on the head or the tail bar of the typical

Imperial but could not definitely make it out, owing perhaps to the position

of the sun. The flight looked very much that of the Spotted Eagle (A. maculata),

especially on account of the wide spread tail, a characteristic of the latter.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 1055

but in that case the Jight coloured wing patch would have been in evidence in

at least some of the birds. Not one of them came within even a very long shot

or I should have tried to shoot it and make sure of the species.

The following morning I left Jathingri for Dharmsala and kept an eye open

for some sign of the birds I had seen the day before but only met with two during

the whole day and both of these were typical Steppe Eagles (A. bifasciaia).

The birds must have been the Imperial (A. heliaca)though I could not be sure

of the fact. That they were true Aguila I have not the smallest doubt and the

very dark colouring at once eliminates all the species of that genus save chry-

saétus, helaca and maculata. The flight and longer tail of the former at once

puts him out of count and leaves us with the two latter. As maculata is not a

migrant and distinctly uncommon in the hills, I cannot help thinking it was a

migration flight of the Imperial (A. heliaca) that Iwitnessed. Of course the

evidence is not good enough for a definite record, but is certainly in favour of

the last named species.

I had seen one or two Imperials around the station previous to that date and

I have not seen very many more since, perhaps a dozen in all, though Steppe

Eagles are now fairly numerous.

Humein his Rough Notes (p. 146) quotes, Capt. Hutton assaying thathe has

witnessed great flocks of A. bifasciata passing Mussoorie during their autumn

migration and if any of our members, who have seen similar sights, would

be so good as to send in a record for the Journal some very interesting data

might be collected. The direction of flight was approximately E. N. E. to

Wanise WV.

‘DHARMSALA CANTT. C. H. DONALD, F.Z.S., M.B.0.U.

Kanora District, PUNJAB.

November 20th, 1923.

No. XIIL—WIRE NESTS.

Dove’s NEST MADE OF WIRE.

1056 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

During the Great War a number of Germans were interned in the Wellesley

Barracks (Old British Infantry Lines) at Ahmednagar.

The Barracks were then surrounded by the usual high barbed wire fence.

In'1921 this fence was dismantled and the materials sent to Bellary for the

Moplah Prisoners Camp there. The small fragments of binding wire were left

lying on the ground. )

In the Autumn of 1923, during the Military reliefs, owing to the incoming regi-

ment arriving some months before the departure of the outgoing one, the

Wellesley Barracks had to be temporarily occupied, and when they were being

repaired, it was found that the local doves had been making their nests of the

wire cuttings. The nest is usually very well and closely woven with considerable

ingenuity, and the birds must have amazing strength of beak to bend the wire.

There is usually a very thin filling of dry grass and down on the inside.

‘Sixty-seven of these nests were taken out of one Barrack alone.

W. P. PAKENHAM WALSH,

Poona, _ Magsor, R. E.,

10th November 1923. Asstt. Commanding Royal Engineer, Poona.

Wire is often used in nest construction by crows and kites. There is

the classic instance of a pair of crows who built up a home with gold and

silver spectacle rims, stolen from a local firm of occulists.—EDS.

No. XIII—THE INCUBATION PERIOD OF BULBUL’S EGGS.

There is hardly any definite record regarding the period of incubation for

Bulbul’s eggs. Field observation in this respect does not exist. Oates, in

Hume’s “‘ Nests and Eggs”’ makes no mention of it. Two contributions, however,

one by Mr. Teschemaker and the other by Dr. Amsler, in the Avicultural

Magazine (third series, Vols. I and II,) supply us with aviary notes on this point.

But the conclusions therein. seem to be vitiated by imperfect records and

defective calculation, and I should like to examine the two notes before I put

down my own observations.

To fix the incubation period of eggs correctly we should first of all remember

one thing. There are some birds—game birds and domestic fowls for example—

that lay the full complement of eggs before they begin to sit. But the majority

of birds begin to sit as soon as the first egg islaid. Itmay bethat many donot

sit as closely on one or two eggs as when the full clutch has been laid. Even in

that case some amount of incubation occurs and this has to be taken count of

in determining the period of incubation. Those who keep canaries know full

well that these birds begin to sit as soon as the first egg islaid. So that those

who want to ensure simultaneous birth usually employ dummy eggs until the

full clutch is complete.

Two eggs are not laid simultaneously. When one is laid some time must

elapse before another appears. If the intervening period be 24 hours, then the

incubation of the first egg begins so much earlier. The result naturally is that the

first egg hatches out one day ahead of the second and so on, All the chicks do

not appear simultaneously ; they cannot, simply because their incubation does

not begin together. Sometimes, of course, two chicks may be found to have been |

hatched out on the same day. But in such cases also, there is always a differ-

ence of a few hours in their birth which escapes our notice. In determining the |

period of incubation, one has to count from the date when an egg is laid to the

date when that particular oneis hatched. Both Dr. Amsler and Mr. Teschemaker

suppose that Bulbuls begin incubation with three eggs, as if the birds think one

or two eggs too small a number for such an important task !

MISCELLANEOUS ‘NOTES. 1057

Of the tive broods raised by his Bulbuls (Otocompsa emeria), Mr. Teschemaker

kept record of one case only. Even in this one case the eggs hatched out—to

quote his own words—“‘in the unusually short period of nine days.” He says,

** Once more three es were laid and incubation commenced on the 14th July.

Two young hatched out on the 23rd.” It may

be asked, when were ‘the three eggs laid—how long before “‘ incubation commenc-

ed on the 23rd 2”? Without the dates when each egg was laid, we cannot fix the

period of incubation. We do not believe that the eggs hatched out after nine days’

incubation. .Even during a heat-wave in India, the eggs of Bulbuls require more:

than nine days’ incubation. Mr. Teschemaker evidently made some mistake.

Dr. Amsler’s records are more numerous but they are alike inconclusive. JIis

pair of Bulbuls—they too were Otocompsa emeria—raised four broods in one season...

The periods of incubation were, “‘ fourteen days in the case of the first and last,

and ten days in the case of the second and third nests.’ From this record we

cannot say what is the ‘normal’ period of incubation for Bulbuls’ eggs. Let us.

examine his records, The very first case would show that his method of calcu-

lation was wrong.

‘* The hen laid her first egg on the 25th (May). She started sitting on three

eggs and laid a fourth egg on the 28th. She hatched out her first and only chick

on the 9th June. One egg had disappeared, one turned out to be clear and the

fourth a dead chick.”

a clutch before she decides to brood. Dr. Amsler might have noticed it to sit.

closely on three eggs but it is possible—and natural—that the bird commenced

sitting even on the 25th when the first egg was laid. Of this case Dr. Amsler says:

that the period of incubation was fourteen days. But how does he calculate it ?

We may assume from his account that the bird laid one egg each day onthe |

25th, 26th and 27th and that she began sitting on the 27th. Hesays the chick

appeared on the 9th June, Leaving out the 9th June, the period of incubation,

we get, is—from the 27th May to 8th June—thirteen days and not fourteen.

Even this period cannot be definitely stated to be the incubation period for

the egg that hatched out. Which egg was it that hatched out on the 9th June ?

Between 25th and 28th May four eggs were laid. The doctor does not appear

to have marked the eggs as each was laid, which alone would have ensured

accurate calculation. Who can say that the chick in the above case did not

come out of the fourth egg which was laid on the 28th? In that case the

period of incubation would become twelve days.

Let us now consider one of those cases in which the period of incubation was

ten days according to Dr. Amsler. That was the period for the second and third

nests. This is what hesays of the third nest. ‘‘ On July 31st, the hen was again

sitting on three eggs, which all hatched out on August 11th and 12th.’ The very

fact that they were hatched out on different dates shows that their incubation

also began on different days. otherwise they would have come out on the same

day. This point escaped his notice. In the above case, evidently he counts the

first ten days of August and puts that period down as the incubation period. But

why should he leave out the 31st July when, he says, the bird began to sit? Does

not incubation begin as soon as the bird begins sitting ? And why should he leave

out of count the 11th of August for the eggs from which the chick appeared on

the 12th. The young which was hatched out on the 12th was incubated upto the

llth. From the 31st July to the 11th August it is twelve days. The eggs that

were hatched on the 11th were incubated upto the 10th; the period would be,

from the 3lst July, eleven days. Yet Dr. Amsler makes it out to be 10 days! Cere

tainly, this sort of calculation is defective, if not arbitary.

T shall now give my own observations. A pair of White-eared Bulbuls

Molpastes leucotis), in my aviary, nested four times. Their first clutch consisted

of three eggs on which the hen sat and sat for three weeks when Iremoved them

1058 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL Hi8sT. SOCIETY, Vol. X XIX.

and found them to be clear ones. Immediately after, they built another nest in

quite a large basket, full of straw which I had hung up for the use of a pair of

White Doves. In this straw the Bulbuls inserted a very neat and compact

cup of coir-fibres. I might mention, en.passant, that they were not at all shy at

this time and quite frequently came close to me to take the coir-fibres which I

would throw to them, sometimes even accepting them from my hands. Between

the 18th and 20th April the hen laid three eggs, one oneachday. On the 30th

April, I looked in but found no young. On the lst May I could not inspect the

aviary. On the 2nd I discovered two chicks. The egg laid on the 18th proved

to be clear. The egg laid on the 19th probably hatched out on the Ist May—

the day when I failed to look in, and the egg laid on the 20th hatched out on the

2nd. This makes the period of incubation 12 days. That this is the period of

incubation is more convincingly proved by the more accurately kept records

of the subsequent two nests which I give below. Of the next two nests I kept

exact records, and the reader will find a remarkable coincidence in their dates.

I should mention here that I missed the nestlings of the second nest a few days

after their birth.

After repairing the same nest, the hen again laid an egg on the 17th June. On the

18th there was another and on the 19th yet another. No more eggs were laid.

On the 29th June the first young hatched. Another young came out on the

next day and the third egg became addled. Here the period of incubation was

exactly twelve days. Going into the aviary one morning, I found a cock Dhayal

most enthusiastically trying to breakfast on a young Bulbul. My entrance

drove him off and I took up the half-dead thing to restore it to its nest, which I

found to be empty. On looking round I discovered the other chick in a corner,

pecked out of life. The cause of the disappearance of the first batch of Bulbul

nestlings now became apparent tome and I removed the Dhayals to another

compartment. It was well that I did so, for the next batch of nestlings lived

and throve and are now quite a healthy and lively pair of inmates of my

aviary.

After the above disaster, the Bulbuls left the basket and built a nestin a German

Roller Canary cage. On the 17th July, the first egg of the fourth clutch was laid.

On the 18th there was a second and on the 19th a third. Again on the 29th the

first egg hatched out. Two other nestlings followed consecutively on the next

two days. A comparison of the dates of the last nest and this one reveals a remark-

able coincidence. The third and the fourth nest, therefore, definitely settle for

us the period of incubation. According to Dr. Amsler the period was 14 days in

two instances and 10 in the other two of the four nests made by the same _ pair of

birds. In the case of my birds I found no variation on three successive occasions.

Dr. Amsler’s bird laid four eggs on three occasions and three on one. But my

bird kept on to three eggs every time.

Now I shall cite an example from Nature. In my country-house at Agarpara

seven miles from Calcutta, I discovered, ina bush, a nest of the Bengal Red-

Whiskered Bulbul (Otocompsa emeria) on the 15th April last, with one egg in it.

On the 17th, there were three eggs in it. On the 28th April there were three

nestlings init. Counting from the date the last egg was laid—the 17th—to the

date when the last young appeared (the 28th) the period of incubation is eleven

days, a day less than the time required by the birdsin my aviary. But I must

mention that at this time a heat-wave was passing over the country, the maxi-

mum temperature recorded in the shade having been 106°F. The normal period,

of incubation for the eggs of Bulbulsis, according to my observations, twelve _

days.

SATYA CHURN LAW,

M, A., F.Z.S., M.B,O.U.

CaLoutta, 5th January 1924,

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 1059

Mo, XIV.—A NOTE ON THE WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLE

(HALIAETUS LEUCOGASTER).

In the Fauna of British India (Vol. III, p. 368), Blanford quotes Legge and

says of Haliaetus leucogaster, *“‘ legs and feet whitish.”” Jerdon describes them

as ‘‘dirty white.”’ During my stay at Vizagapatam last year, I had, for over

two months, a pair of the White-bellied Sea-Eagles under observation. I noticed

that the legs and feet were of a pale brick-red colour ; even the feathers on the

upper tarsus were tinged with the same colour. The Calcutta Museum possesses

two specimens of these birds one of which has its legs of a reddish colour. Legge

says that the legs and feet of the unfledged nestling are fleshy white but the

yearling has its legs as in old birds. That neither of the two birds I saw was

very young is indicated by their tails which were black at the base and white

at the terminal, the position of the tail colours being the reverse in young birds.

Tt would be interesting to know whether young birds have, at any stage of their

life, reddish legs and feet which gradually change into dirty white.

One evening in October, the peculiar clanging call of the birds attracted my

attention. I traced them to a tree—a stone’s throw from my bungalow—that

towered over its neighbours. In the very topmost branch—a dry, leafless

one—the birds were sitting, occasionally shifting their position and uttering their

joud, far-reaching cry. Evidently, they were retiring for the night. Every

evening I used to notice them there and at roosting time they would become

very noisy.

In the morning the birds would leave the shore and sweep far out over the sea,

occasionally making a straight dive downwards with lightning rapidity to bear

away, from the surface of the blue water below, a fish or a sea-snake. Snakes

seem to be a very favourite food with them and they have a special knack of

fishing up these reptiles from the troubled billows. Towards mid-day, they would

return inland and, rising to an enormous height, soar majestically in circles with

motionless wings. Looked at from beneath, their white belly contrasted well

with the black of the wings and tail, the black of each appearing to run into

the other. In this position they might easily be mistaken for vultures, but for

their call which were frequently indulged in. Another pair of the same species

used to join them at such times. This pair, I discovered, had their home in the

hills that enclose the Valley Gardens behind the Dolphin’s Nose. The four of

them used to be very noisy. Their quang quang quang-a-quang notes coming, as

they did, from a height of at least eight or nine hundred feet, would recall to

one the collective voice of a flock of geese. Atnoon I invariably found the pair

near my residence silently perched on the top of some giant tree, lost in a mid-

day siesta. But when the sun had crossed the meridian, they would

become active again. I did not find them to be very shy ; they allowed me not

only to approach up to the tree on which they were sitting, but gave me consi-

derable time to scan them well with my field-glass.

S. C. LAW, M.A,, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.

CaLcutta, 6th February, 1924.

No. XV.—FLIGHTING ON A DELHI JHEEI.

This is one of a series of incidents that occurred to me at Xmas 1923 and is

presented simply with the object of obtaining the solution to a problem of duck

movement of some interest to those who shoot discriminately, and whose larder

is designed to receive only the best that nature can provide. It concerns pri-

marily the Pintail and unavoidably a variety of other duck which crossed the

sunset to their undoing.

My venue was a jheel ; let that be sufficient—else may the place next year be

a seething mass of sportsmen of keenness unqualified and precocity outrageous.

1060 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX

It lay North and South, in length 600 yards, in breadth 100 yards, in depth 6

inches shelving gradually to 2 feet in the centre where the sedge and grasses

yielded to disclose two handsome stretches of open water. It is on one side of

these stretches that the guns are finally posted to await the duck which aim for .

and settle in the open before paddling silently to the shallower feeding stretches

at the edge. The jheel was surrounded by a fringe of full grown sugar-cane.

Follow then the attention of the guns as they watch the last rim of the sun

disappear beneath the horizon and as they regard the clouds collected at its

point of departure with considerable disfavour. They value each precious:

minute of the time during which the duck will come and they grudge even the -

clouds their marvellous colourations and conformations when such may seem

likely to curtailit. Within a few minutes the ball opens with a battue at flights

of Brahminy quartering the ray-striped sky with their discordant notes in search

offood and safety. They flew too high even for No.2 shotand passed apparently

unscathed through patterns of S. G.

It was decided now that the guns should move out from the sheltering cane to

patches of dry land at the sides of the open water furthest from the sunset to

await the flighting. In due course the duck came in their whistling tumble

from the sky and the night rang with the sound of repeated shots. Alternate

explosions and the scutter of rising duck, which had flown in unseen, inter-

mingled with the whistle of newcomers and the occasional splash of a dropped

bird is the best description I can give of moments which remain a confused tur-

moil in my memory. One was continually whirling round to a new sound,

straining one’s eyes to an object that defeated them, and finally—silence. Night

had fallen, the duck had settled and there remained only the collection and classi-

fication of the bag ; this latter was achieved by the light of motor lamps and it

is herein lies the problem. Fifty per cent. of the bag was composed of that delect-

able duck the Pintail. On the particular occasicn of which I write the remainder

were :—I shoveller, 2 widgeon, 1 common pochard, 1 female of the red-crested

pochard. On subsequent occasions also Pintail formed the greater proportion

of the total, whereas on other jheels under same conditions not a Pintail was

obtained. Do the different species of duck utilize certain water as of habit

developed immediately upon arrival and carried through either until the food

supply ceases, or the water becomes unsafe and unsatisfactory ° Or does the

explanation of this curious segregation of species lie in the fact that the different

ducks require different food and conditions of enjoying it? As an instance

of the poetic influence of Xmas fare, I venture to reproduce with the author's

permission his description of the same incident—

A FANTASY FOUNDED ON FACT,

This is the tale of a darkling jheel,

Where pintail, pochard, mallard and teal,

Brahminy, widgeon, shoveller feeds,

Holding high revel among the reeds.

The sun has set in an angry West;

The snipe have flown to a fitful rest.

In the deep cane-coverts that flank the edge

Of their feeding grounds in the grass and sedge.

Slowly the flame-light Westward cools ;

On cane-brake covert and glassy pools.

The night flings wide her shadowy cape ;

Grass-banks fade to an uncouth shape,

And the mottled waters shiver and gleam,

In the Star of the Evening’s dim white beam,

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 1061

Silence is fallen on field and furrow ;

The fowl at his roost, the hare in his burrow.

Lie in the arms of night caress’d,

But life on the jheel is never at rest.

A myriad crickets, the banks along,

Up lift to Heaven their whispered song ;

A myriad frogs in throaty choir,

Sing a last long dirge to the Sun’s dead fire.

The quick bats flicker and swerve in flight,

From the hungry rush of the swooping kite ;

And Sarus summons his wayward spouse,

With cry discordant, to join carouse.

But hark! a new sound thrills the sky

Like the rush of the wind in an ecstasy,

Or of cloth-yard shafts, as of yore they flew,

True sped from the cord of the six foot yew.

Nigher it comes, and yet more nigh,

A swirl of shadows o’ercasts the sky.

They’re here! They’ ve gone! slow dies the sound.

As the duck wing South to their feeding ground.

Again that whistle, again the throb,

Of the swift-driven wings of that ordered mob,

Again the shadows of duck in flight,

Glimpsed in the gloom of the gathering night.

Gun leaps to shoulder from muzzle a roar—

The silence is riven—

The duck fear-driven

Swing from the flash and skyward soar.

But one breaks rank in that rocketing wheel,

And swift glissades to the waiting jheel,

With strengthless wings—and then he splashes!

The splash betrays him—he’s gathered in,

Or ever to deep reed-haven he win.

Again and again is borne on the breeze

The whistle and rush of those shadowy V’s ;

Again, as gun-flash shatters the gloom,

The duck wheel up or fall to their doom.

And birds, that have settled unseen, take flight

On swift-driven pinions into the night.

Then follows of wings a drumming more measured,

The pace is swift, tho’ the wing-beats leisured.

The shadows loom larger; the ‘‘ honks”’ betray,

The grey-goose to water winging their way,

The flight is checked as the grey-goose wheel,

Choosing their spot on the well-stocked jheel.

A shot roars out, another one,

And a grey goose drops to a well-held gun,

ROSTAND,

No. XVI—A MUGGER SHOOTING EXPERIENCE,

Some yearsago Ihad an experience when mugger shooting on the River

Jumna in the Delhi district, and although I have spoken to many shikaris

with regard to this I have never heard from any of a similar one. The facts

were as follows: We came across a mugger basking in the sun on a bank at a

place where the river was about 150 yards wide, I fired at his neck and hit bim,

1062 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXIX.

but just too low to be immediately fatal. The bullet was a 303 soft nosed split

and we found afterwards had opened out and caused a large wound in its exit.

The mugger rushed in the river and disappeared. A little while afterwards he

appeared in the centre of the river at short intervals raising his head and neck

out of the water and going down again. My shikari explained that the reason

for this was that fishes were nipping at the wound in his neck and his pushing

his neck out of the water was to get away from them. The shikari said the fish

would probably drive him out of the water sooner or later, so we left the river

for over an hour in the hope that this would happen. On returning, however,

we found the mugger doing exactly the same thing, so I decided to fire, which

Idid. I hit him on the head, the bullet glancing off. The mugger made a great

swish of water and almost Jumped out. Then he lay down on the top of the

water and made straight for me. I waited till he was about 3 yards from the

bank and then fired between his shoulders. This instantly paralysed him and

we dragged him out by the tail. We found even then he was not dead as he held

on with his teeth firmly to a lathi and it took a 303 through his brain to finish.

him. He was a mugger about 13 feet long.

I have never heard of a mugger after being wounded going for the firer, and

should be interested to know of any one, having a similar experience.

L. STANSFIELD.

19th February 1924.

No. XVIJT.—A NOTE ON THE HABITS OF THE LARGE-SCALED

EARTH SNAKE SILYBURA MACROLEPIS.

This little Earth Snake is very common in Mahableshwar during the rains. It

is found chiefly in the rubbish heaps, drains and in the humus of the forest—-

more commonly at dusk, from which one gathers that it is probably crepuscular

or nocturnal in habits, though I have captured one or two during the day. These

snakes are most numerous after a shower of rain, which appears to draw them

out of their burrows on to the roads and path ways. When alarmed or dis-

turbed in exposed positions these snakes adopt an attitude common more or

less to many snakes—they lie perfectly still with the body flattened out to the

utmost extent, the object being presumably to escape detection.

The principal food of this earth snake consists of earth worms and small

insects, though the former make up the bulk of its diet.

On a walk one evening I picked up one of these snakes and took it along

with me. Though extremely slow in movement when on the ground, when

picked up it struggled very vigerously. [saw an earth worm on the ground

and put the snake down next to the worm to see whether it would attack it.

To my satisfaction as soon as the snake noticed the worm it bit it, relaxing its

hold immediately afterwards; as the worm continued to wriggle the snake

bit it again, whereupon the worm ceased its struggles and lay quite still appar-

ently paralyzed. It might be mentioned here that Revd. Father Caius, 8. J.,

a bio-chemist, who is devoting a considerable amount cf attention to the study

of snake venoms, informs me that many of the Silyburidae secrete ‘a quantity

of venom in the parotid glands, which mixing with the saliva, possess sufficient

virulence to enable these reptiles to easily overcome their prey. To continue

with my experiment, after the worm ceased its struggles the snake commenced

swallowing the worm head first. In about two minutes the whole process

was complete, a great quantity of earth was forced out of the worm in the act

of swallowing, much of which adhered to the mouth of the snake. This the

reptile got rid of by rubbing its mouth this way and that on the ground. [

picked it up after it had finished its meal, took it home and discovered later

that a further quantity of mud had been ejected by the snake after I had put

it away,

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. : ~ 1063.

The natives are extremely afraid of these snakes and as usual have associated

it with legendary beliefs of a most alarming character ; a woman who saw me.

pick one up was horror stricken at the sight and gave vent to screams which

promptly brought a crowd around all shouting and gesticulating. On asking

what ailed them I was told that the snake would make a knot round my hand

and that I would never he able to get out of it.!

When the soil becomes dry these earth snakes burrow down into it. I am

inclined to believe that they use their abbreviated tails as stoppers to close the-

upper ends of their burrows. The burrow it: may be explained is not vertical bus

runs an olique course into the ground. The tail of a Silybura also ends obliquely

and when the snake is buried in its burrow the upper surface of the end of the:

tail lies flush with the ground and thus forms an excellent stopper.

Ace

Aes re

‘x, wt

ay oi

Fig 18—Diagram to illustrate methed of closing burrow. The oblique end

of the tail lies level with the surface of the ground.

J found one of these snakes in exactly this position and was at once struck

with the possibility, that this was an explanation to the abrupt and oblique

termination of the tail, which is a characteristic feature in snakes of

this family. Further may it not be possible that the rough papillie

with which the ends of the tail of the Silvburids are covered, giving

them a rasp like appearance, are of a sensory nature and would

therefore be in the nature of an additional safeguard warning the reptile

against possible intruders ? Further the end of the tail is tough and coarse-—

quite different to the smooth and tender texture of the rest of the body. So

tender is the texture of the epidermis that these snakes appear to be unable to

stand strong direct sunlight for very long. Numbers of them dug up by the

voad menders become scorched and perish a short time after exposure, hence

the toughening of the epidermis at the end of the tail, which while the snake

lies in its burrow remains continuously exposed at the surface.

In captivity they should be kept moist with damp earth and fed on earth

werms, under these conditions they survive for a long period.

BomBay Natura History Soctrety,

CHARLES McCANN,

Janusry 1924,

1064 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX1X.

No XVIII.—FURTHER NOTES ON THE BREEDING HABITS

OF THE PEARL SPOT FISH (ETROPLUS SURATENSIS).

In my notes on the Cichlid Fishes of Malabar (Madras Fisheries Bulletin,

Vol. XII, No. 5,1920) I have stated that the Fish breeds twice a year. Experi-

ments were afterwards conducted to find out whether the fish could be made to

breed more often. The results of these experiments undoubtedly answer the

question in the affirmative. A pair of breeders was singled out and kept in

an aquarium tank. The record of the successive spawnings is given below :—

9-11-22 .. The pair spawned for the first time and the young were allowed

to be cared for about 3 months until they left the parental

care.

fh. Me Spawned the second time and the larve hatched out were removed

on 12th April 1923.

6- 5-23 .. Spawned the third time. The larve removed on 10th May 1923.

17- 5-23 .. Spawned thefourth time. The larve removed on 21st May 1923.

4. 6-23 .. Spawned the fifth time. The spawn removed on the same day.

27- 6-23. .. Spawned the sixth time and the spawn removed.

14- 7-23. .. Spawned the seventh time and the spawn removed.

21- 7-23 ., The pair died on account of the washing in of lime into the tank.

The fish is admirably adapted for pond life and is found to thrive well under

novel conditions in the irrigation tanks of Shencottah where they have been

introduced. The greatest difficulty is now being experienced in acclimatising

the fish taken from saline and brackish waters to fresh water conditions and in

transporting them to long distances. The larve, before the absorption of the

yolk sac, can be kept quite safely in small earthern vessels for 7 days and can be

conveniently transported in numbers to very distant places. If the attempt to

feed and preserve a reasonable number of larve far beyond the critical period

after the resorption of the yolk until they attain the proper size for stocking

is successful most of the difficulties can be said to have been overcome, as 2 .

single pair of breeders can be utilised to raise large quantities of larve.

QUILON, N. P. PANIKKAR, B.A., F.L.S.,

A9th January 1924. Fishery Inspector.

1065

PROCEEDINGS

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING HELD OWN 131H

NOVEMBER. 1928.

A meeting of the members of the Bombay Natural History Society and their

friends was held in the Prince of Wales’ Museum, Bombay, on Tuesday, the

13th November 1923 at 6-30 p.m.

The following 22 new members were elected since the last meeting :—Miss C.

G. Kershaw, Ceylon ; Capt. J. H. Hislop, M.C., I.M.S., Tibet ; Lt. S. F. H. Wil-

liams, Bombay ; Capt. R. Hay, I.M.S., Nasirabad ; Mr. H. M. Glover, Rawal-

pindi ; Mr. J. I. Alfrey, Bombay ; Mr. C. E. D. Mears, Indore, C. I. ; Commander

George Wilson, R.N., East’ Indies Station ; Major R. H. Macdonald, Bombay ;

Mr. V. Aquino, Bombay; Lt. J. A. Theobalds, Rawalpindi; Mr. F. W.

Withers, I.F.S., Rangoon ; Mr. L. A. McCoard, Burma; Mr. K. Ringger, Bom-

bay ; Capt. 8. N. Hayes, I.M.S., Dera Ghazi Khan; Major H. G. Martin, Simla ;

Mr. V. G. Bell, England ; Lt.-Col. B: L. Cole, Jhansi; Major J. C. Tate, I.A.,

Chhota Udepur; Mr. A. P. F. Hamilton, LF.S., Sultanpur; Capt. C. Cardew,

R.E., Aden ; Miss N. F. Loch, Hyderabad, Deccan.

Mr. R. A. Spence, the Honorary Secretary, reported that 22 new members

had joined the Society since the last meeting held a month ago. This increase

in membership was very encouraging and was an acknowledgment of the value

of the work that the Society was doing ; he wished at the same time to thank

those members who had made a special effort to bring in new members on our

roll and he asked those present to help the Society in the same manner. Since

the Society had lost the grant, it used to receive for its ordinary work, from Gov-

ernment; it had become more dependent than ever on the individual efforts of

its members. It had been lis policy to popularise the work of the Society parti-

cularly in regard to the Journal by the inclusion of illustrated articles and

papers which would interest the lay reader, and the Journals issued during the

current year were proof of what had been accomplished in this way. The

number now in the Press contained several interesting articles. Among them

one on “ Animal Life in the Ganges” by Dr. Annandale which formed the

subject of a lecture delivered at the Indian Museum sometime ago, and Capt.

Hingston’s very interesting serial on ‘““The Red Ant.’? He was glad to say

that. the Society’s monthly meetings at the Prince of Wales’ Museum were

becoming more and more popular. Members were always welcome to bring

their friends to these meetings and he hoped that by their doing so they would

make the Society better known. Though the Society was known as the

Bombay Natural History Society the list of local members was comparatively

small and he was certain that if those present made up their minds to help,

this defect would soon be remedied.

THE EXHIPITS.

Mr. S. H. Prater, the Curator, exhibited some mounted birds and casts of fish

that had recently been prepared for the Museum in the Society’s work rooms.

It was his intention to prepare a series of mounted birds illustrating the Game

Birds of India and, as a result of appeals sent out, the Society had recently

received a handsome pair of Monal and Koklass Pheasants from Mr. Whistler,

while further additions to this series had been promised. He asked those present

who had the opportunity of shooting during the coming cold weather to

remember that the Society would be glad to receive specimens of any Game

Birds obtained by them that would be suitable for this purpose.

As regards Mammals the Society had recently received a complete skin of a

Kashmir Barasingh (C. cashmiriensis) for mounting from Col. Burton, who

had also promised to send a pair of Corial, Major C. H. Stockley, who was at pre-

1066 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXIX.

sent collecting for the Vernay expedition had also obtained a number of speci-

mens for us, and Major Bailey had secured a complete skin of a Great Tibetan

Sheep (O. ammon hodgsont). All these specimens would, he hoped, adorn the

Mammal Gallery in the near future. He reminded those present and the

public in general that the exhibits at present arranged in the Mammal Gallery

were of a purely temporary nature; as fresh specimens were mounted the flat

skins would gradually be withdrawn. It meant either having a temporary ~

exhibition of this nature or closing the Gallery to the Public until it was

ready. The cases for the bird gallery were now ready and the work of

preparing the mounted specimens was being pushed on but the whole matter

was a question of time and money.

ILLUSTRATED LANTERN LECTURE.

Mr. J. Addyman, M.L.C., gave those present the benefit of his long experience

in a lecture on the Culture and Life of the Honey Bee. Mr. Addyman’s lecture

was suitably illustrated by his excellent series of lantern slides. The lecturer was

heartily thanked by those present.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING HELD ON 61a APRIL 1924.

The aunual general meeting of the members of the Bombay Natural

History Society was held inthe Board Room of the Prince of Wales’

Museum on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. The Rev. E. Blatter, S. J.,

presiding.

The following 29 new members were elected since the last meeting :—

Mr. Radhakant Malaviya, M.A., LL.B., Bombay ; Mr. G. D. Sutherland,

Bombay ; Lt. K. L. Bodenham, Delhi; Mr. H. H. Sawyer, Bombay ; Capt.

M. R. Metcalfe, I. A., Deoli ; Kumar Shri Nutversinhji of Gondal, Jetalsar,

Kathiawar ; Capt. D. Moncrief Wright, Quetta ; Mr. A. H. Berriff, Simla ;

Mr. H. F. Mooney, I.F.S., Sambalpur, B.—N. Ry.; Mr. W. J. Barron,

Tavoy ; Maharaj Kumar Fattehsingh of Ali Rajpur State, Dohad, RB. B.

& C. I. Ry.; Mr. E. V. D. Chislett, Sion, Bombay ; Mr. W. N. R. Kemp,

Champaran ; Mr. E. J. A. Swan, Papun, Burma ; Mr. G. T. Burrows, Papun,

Burma; Mr. R. W. H. Davies, I.C.S., Karachi ; Mr. D. E. Reuben, I.C.S.,

Cuttack; Mr. J. W. Rowland, Karachi; Mr. N. K. B. Kurupp, B.A.,

M.Sc., Quilon ; Mr. A. W. J. Symes, Sabarmati; The Right Hon’ble Sir

Leslie Wilson, P. C., G.C.I.E., C.M.G., D.S.0., Bombay ; Mr. Alwyn Ezra,

Bombay ; Capt. P. R. H. Skrine, Jhansi; Mr. C. C. Demetriadi, Karachi ;

Mr. W. H. Workman, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., Ireland ; Mr Hamid Khan, M.Sc.,

Lahore ; Mr. Geo. B. Morton, Calcutta; Mr. Stephen Calvocoressi, Bom-

bay; Mr. A. McLean, Pyinmana, Burma. The appointment of officers for

the ensuing year was as follows :—

Patron:—H. R. H. The Prince of Waies.

Vice Patron :—H. H. The Maharao of Cutch.

- President :—H. E. Sir Leslie Wilson.

Vice-Presidents :—Sir Norman Macleod, the Manharao of Cutch, and

the Rev. E. Blatter.

Managing Committee :—Mr. T. Bainbrigge Fletcher, F.E.S., Pusa ;

Mr. T. R. Bell, C.LE., LF.S. (Retd.), Karwar ; Mr. R. D. Bell, C.LE., I.C.8.,

Bombay ; Mr. J. P. Bradshaw, Bombay ; Lt.-Col. W. H. Evans, R. E., Sim-

la ; Major F. C. Fraser, I.M.S., Mercara; Dr. N. Annandale, Calcutta ;

Dr. Gravely, Madras; Mr. J. E. B. Hotson, I.C.S., Bombay ; Prof.

V. N. Hate, M.A., Bombay ; Mr. C. M. Inglis, Darjeeling ; Mr. H. F.

Lodge, Bombay; Mr. R. C. Lowndes, Bombay; Mr. F. Ludlow

M.A., M.B.O.U., L.E.S., Tibet ; Sir Henry Macnaghten, Kt., M.A., M.L.C.

Bombay ; Mr. J. G. Ridland, Bombay ; Mr. P. M. D. Sanderson, Bombay ;

Major C. H. Stockley D.S.O ; Dr. D. A. Turkhud, Bombay ; Major J. Taylor,

PROCEEDINGS. 1067

I.M.S., Rangoon ; Mr. H. Whistler, F.Z.S., M.B.0.U., C.F.A.0.U., Punjab ;

Mr. W. D. Cumming, Quetta ; and Col. F. Wall, |1.M.S., Coonoor.

Honorary Treasurer :—Mr. T. A. M. Hill.

Flonorary Secretary .—Mr. R. A. Spence. F.Z.S.:

ACCOUNTS FOR 1923.

The Honorary Treasurer, Mr. T. A. M. Hill, who had been on leave

for a few months was welcomed back by the members. Mr. R, C.

Lowndes who had been acting for him placed betore the meeting the

audited Statement of accounts for the year 1923 and stated that at the

close of the year 1923 the number of members on the books were :—

Life Members 155 avd Ordinary Members 1,181. During 1923, 186

Members resigned, 93 Members joined and 2 rejoined.

An examination of the Receipts of the Society during the year 1923

shows that subscriptions were approximately Rs. 1,000 less than in 1922,

whereas the number of entrance fees shows a small increase over those

received last year. The decrease in the subscriptions is apparently due

to the fact that twice as many Members resigned from various causes

as joined the Society during the year. The number of members who

availed themselves of the privilege of becoming Life Members of the

Society has still further decreased this year and the receipts on this

account are some Rs. 1,250 less than in 1922. The increased subscription

has evidently had a deleterious effect upon the membership of the Society,

though it is hoped that this is only temporary and it may be mentioned

that the number of members who have joined the Society has shown an

increase during the last 6 months.

Tarning to the expenditure account the most important item of

expenditure is the cost of printing the Journal which shews a further

increase of nearly Rs. 1,500 over last year, and now costs Rs. 11,400

more to print than it did three years ago, an increase of more than 100

per cent. over 1920 printing charges. The Honorary Secretary has

already taken this matter up with the Publishers and it is hoped to

obtain some reduction in this item during the current year.

The Prince of Wales’ Museum continue to pay 50 per cent. of the

salaries of certain of the staffemployed by the Society but the salaries have

increased during the year by Rs. 3,200 which is due to the gratuity and

half pay given to Mr. Ellison on his relinquishing his appointment as

curator of the Society on account of ill health. This item will, therefore,

not recur in 1924.

Expenditure under practically all other heads shows a decrease and

the Honorary Secretary is to be congratulated on the economies he has

been able to effect in this respect.

A summary, however, of the receipts other than what should be treat-

ed as Capital, and amounts received on account of Game Books, etc., as

compared with the Revenue expenditure of the Society, appears to show

a deficit on the year of very nearly Rs. 10,000. This can only be improved

by an increase of the membership of the Society, and a reduction in the

expenditure, principally in the cost of printing the Journal.

With regard to the sale of books, charts, etc., most of the accounts

appear satisfactory with the possible exception of the sale of Game

Bird Books. There is for this still an amount of Rs. 16,199-1-0 due to

publishers, and jn addition the Society appears to be out of pocket by a

further sum of Rs. 15,946-2-0 at the end of last year. Very little more

than half the bound copies have as yet been sold, which accounts for the

1068 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XX1X.

above position, butif these and the unbound copies can be sold the

Society will not only cover out of pocket expenses, but will make quite.

a reasonable profit. Recent sales have, however, not been as promising

as were originally hoped.

MAMMAL FUND,

The fund opened with the balance of Rs. 21,745-15-9, but Rs. 2,922-11-7

only having been received during the year it closed with a balance of

only just over Rs. 10,000. Salaries will again be less this year, but I can-

not add to what was said last year, namely, that as it is unlikely that

fresh funds will be forthcoming it will be necessary to rely in future

principally on work being done for us by honorary workers.

The formal business having been concluded the members adjourned

to the Natural History Section of the Museum. Considerable interest

was shewn in the many recent additions mounted by the Curator and

his | Staff,

SB ‘Kyopo0g A101STA TeangeN Avquog "SLONDNE *SQUNIUNDIIP 19L07.10YD

o "SLONYNP 's7UNIUNDIOV PI13}2.40YO ‘labNSDIAT, K4DLOU0H “op Y NOSOYDUN ‘a ’¥ Cpsy

ea ‘00 ® NOSQDYNA “a ’V (PS) ‘SHANMO'T ‘0 °M (PS) 4081100 PUNO; PUL poUPWUX

MOY] YAM oUR[Vq OY} OJ‘ UOpdoT ‘yavg (PUONN ot) ULOIJ 9JBODT}L99 V OSTL

SB SZEl deqma0eqg IS{[E UO J[LYaq SAJOIDOS UO Pjoy 210M sal}TANVEG GAOGB YY "P26l Aeonigag YrSt ‘AVANKO

48Y1 Jaya 9y1 09 ‘paqiufry ‘VIpUT JO YUVE [VUOTIVN oY} WOLJ 19} 0] B W908 GAB OAL

0 0 008‘g9 ‘St & OT $08‘°L8

0 0 ooo'ot =|°° °° S310N AtosstmMOId 9361 SPUOT % 9 0 0 066 peas ares rare :

0 0 000'8 “7 ee guvoT quatadojaaed Avquiog % $3 0 0 098 Se gee (361) ; See

0 O O00ST spuog Isnay, AWoMaAOTdUT Lequiog Fo A919 % F 0 0 O8T ce ** - (Z8-T B61) PateAovold YeIS oF ooUPAPY

0 0 000° FI ee ee oe ee ee oe spuog 0 0 000‘S eeee oe ee eo ee ae ee quem

peojuurensuyg ysnig, yoqd Avquog % PF “UL9AOH) BAT WOT] potaaOdal sosIvyo Suu

0 0 000‘OT ‘UvOTT UOISIOAUOD BIpuy jo JUOULUIIAOY % F 9 § 6F2'FT SSS SS

0 0 003'8 "SOJON ALOSSTUOTd BIPUT JO JUSTIUTOAOH % FE o & PoP STRUINOL OU} Ul SIUSTIOS}AAAPY Woy sydtvoey

Il IT 8t6‘S cs * ss "O90 ‘s}UBUIISOAU] WO 4Sa104UT

*finquog “py'T 0 b OFZ aC oe td os aeSurvyoxs Uo IOI

‘pypur [0 YUNT 1OUOPION 2U2 UI 89979.4N008 6 L 89§ ee ie bkZ ie se ae °° SoLIpung

0 § T&F en bee ee. Ge Of PI1dAODaI SOSIVYD

ore een, Ce er Oe 0 8 60E 00 oo oe eo ee eo $918[d Jo geTRs

& OT Si8‘L8 0 0 O9 si a Fez DH °° soSivyo AWaIoprxey,

5 EE SS 0 0 88 ee ee oe - ee vuned bey 66 ee

DQ Geesise.cl | 7 0 8 st co ee ee ee SOT BLOIING JO IST] Jo LBs

S 0 2 0283 co ee Fae S-L-TLT F WOpuoT ‘vIpuy so yavg 0 0 LP 2s digee oii *s $1999VU pou 10090

S [VUOIUVN 949 YIIM qunodo,e jUaIIno UO D0ULleY 0 ZI eee oe ° ee ee syoog uoesig “* “

RY 9 0 0Sz ee oe eo ee so ee pusy uo yseg 0 FL F8I eo eo ee ee ee syoog oyBug ee 66

=) 6 O1nesp. co te pay jo aug 0 Lb ore [tt ** *% 8 * sHoog omen

RS JeUOHeN oy} YIM yUnove IUeITND UO soURTed 0 8 FOL'T ee ee . +s sey eyuug

& 0 0 000'9 ae te ce Aqato0g LN O91 ysodoqd paxty 8 SGI PROS = a6 Ser pen 877) 8S S[BUINOL JO SoTeg

= 0 0 OZ't 2 eee a °° - SBST SULANp Feyg 09 poouvaps WUNOWYV ; 0 T ¢98 ie ve se oe “a 99J UOIWBAISISOY

0 O O&&§ ee

a 9 g POS'EL —— ———— 0 0 089'T e ee eo eo ee ee $921 CA AGG §

9 0 &9¢ oe °° TIVAN 10D 09 pivd syOo, oyeug UO JYOId 0 0 oggt ae ee ** sUOTIdJIOSqng dIyssoquioeyl FIT

Go PALIC Lo oo her ee WOSITIM “AI LOF OSvssvd | E ZT BEhse 9 |————

0 O 00S‘2% ‘sHOOg “H JO sosaAVlD SUIQUII ‘Smog ole “Sasso ] 0 8 919 se suoIydiaosang jo punjoy—ssa7

0 0 Sse * puvpsuq Ul 109VJq “IP JO sasucdxo sul[oaAVay, 1 PF 6F0'GZ

0 6 09ss Ssold SOUIL], ‘sascvyo Suryuiig Vanvy beay — =

0 0 0&3 ee eo ee eo eo eo 90,7 IPRY e 9 GZP‘'Gs eo aBok yuolang 10 €¢é 66 6é

0 GI L9 oes: ie Oe oe °* = gunoosdy oingtuin 0 FT 0&8 se °* SIBOLIV UL SUOLJALIOSqNS Jo WOT4D9fTOD

0 FI Ise Seagate ee henge aa yunoosoy AxeIqryT | 9 OL £0B‘sE

0 SI &gZ‘T = ay as ides oe oa Q5B4S0g 0 $ 826'8 ee £4¥ TI-OT-S6¢F Uopuoy ‘sirpul Jo yuvg

9 9 TEL DG aa ce) ee KTSMOTNVAIG pus sulyUIIg [BUOIPEN 949 QIIA YONno%B JUCIINS UC DUBE

0 is €13°S eo ee ee eo ee ee eo quoy 4 0 0 0S3 @e ee ee ee ea puvyA 10 yseo

0 € 99P't oes ay °° oqo ‘Ysva Ao ‘sosrVyO [B198ue4 9 2 SLS‘T me Ze ee . ots etpal] jo yuvd

0 6 FI9ZT 2° se as a ore Sie oie SOLLBTBG [CUOIJBN 92 ITA JUNODDE 4ueIINd UO SOUR Bg

6 1 600% Si a oe ae Pas gunoooy [eurnor 0 0 000°SZ ** Brpuy JO yULg [VtqueD oY} YITM 4Isodoq poxly

'OZG6 Auonuve WS uo aounpng buruadoQ

*d 8 ‘ST “a U7) "Ss "SLNANAVd “d "8 "SU ‘d "’ "SU ‘SLdI“On

—— een

—

“EEGT HaquasayT ISTE 01 EZG1 Aupnuve gst wolf STNQOOQOV f° LNAWALVLS

"1 LANMCG AMO IA

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

1070

_“feTIOg eecioin emieyy itautta

LOUNSDILT, L0LOUITT

‘STGNMOT ‘0 ‘MH (‘ps)

€ IT 8go've: 8 IT 899‘t@

are oe 7 ew eee eo

LG esto a a

L @ ert oe oe eo e6e ee eo Avquiog ‘eIpur

jo quer 13) HONE N. aa WIE 4yunoooe eee Ey 18@)

0 0 9906 se ** ‘quad red 2¢ ae

&ya1009 SU peal put}LoqjON AIM qisodaq. poxly

oT é«ts’s a Se /

Lh Tl 826% So

0 FI FSI eo ee v0 oe ee ee sdeqy, jo 4809

Il § 868 a es uqpuoT' 0} STTOAN “IW 10F asesseg OT 6 F233

0 0 002 a Me ae uny JO 4809

6 OL #29‘T ee ee ie ste ote -sosuedxe Sa1yoa|[09

9 0 TL ue as eo sie °° sUIvISaI9J, puv OSBISOg 6 I 8

0 9 &0F oie 20 se sotmpuns pue sosaedxe [elou0y

9 & 069 30 20 ** ~— 810999[10) 09 SoSMed Xa BaTTOARA

9 ¢ #98 se ee 00 ** Sexoq uoultoeds ao 4481014 0 0 O10%

0 0 0g eo ee eo ee ee ee 90, JIpny

0 0 FG ooo oe ee ee eo **SosDIIqIBO jo 4S0O g CT CEL 1S SSS oe ee

9=F T0001 == 8 GT SPL tT

0 0 gst oe bg te a ny\nUMIyoIg 6

0 0 062'T ne oe see? eysrqadeg “aw ae 0 0 060'02

9 0 6LIT eee “Peeee = OUUOSM OA al ay ss

0 0 00e's ee eo ee Ci ee UUBOOW ‘IN 66

0 F 002‘F ia 3 ee °° SITOM “yy JO Aarepeg

‘d "Pp £tT °d 2 "Su ‘d i) ST “qd as) "SY

"SLONONY *s7uUDIUNODOP DILIILNYO

‘oO 2 NOSNOYAA WV *pg)

*4001100 punOo; puv poulMexg

‘PEGI A4nnagay WBE ‘XVANOg

ee = - qisodoq paxtgq uo 39910; U]

gUNnodow YUAAAND MO 489104UT

°¢ §$261 SULINP poaTodadt SUO; VU

YU [VUOIeN OY} WIT JUNODO’ QUDIIND TO

** KVquiog ‘poyrul'y ‘erpay

yueg [¥1ju9H 949 YIM BISOdeq pox

"E261 AUVOANVE LST NO AONVIVG ONINAIG

"EZAT HaquaoaT ISTE 07 EZGT Muvnune ast woul SLNQOOQOV f° INAWALV.LS

“ALHIOOS AUYOLSIH TVYONIVN AVANO

“LNNOQOVY GNNA IWAWWVIN

WARD TAXIDERMY FAMOUS FOR

OVER 100 YEARS.

Just Published.

ROWLAND WARD’S

SPORTSMAN’S HANDBOOK

ELEVENTH EDITION.

ROWLAND WARD’S

RECORDS OF BIG GAME

EIGHTH EDITION.

Profusely Illustrated. Price Rs. 50.

Increased facilities, and the most

modern methods inthe ROWLAND

WARD STUDIOS, have enabled us

to make a considerable reduction in

our charges for medelling heads.

New Price List on Application.

ROWLAND WARD, LTD.,

Naturalists,

By Appointment to H. M. The King,

167, Piccadilly LONDON, W.

FRANCIS EDWARDS,

Bookseller,

83a, High Street, Marylebone, London, W. 1.

Catalogues of Books on the Indian Empire,

Ornithology of Natural History are issued at

intervals and the latest will be sent post free

on application.

‘OUT OF PRINT” BOOKS SEARCHED FOR,

FREE OF CHARGE.

WANTED,

Nos. 2 and 3, Vol. IJ and Nos. 1 and 3, Vol. V of the Journal

of the Bombay Natural History Society. Please quote price for

same to—

THE FOREST ENTOMOLOGIST,

ForEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE,

Dehra Dun, U. P. (India).

FOR SALE.

Fauna of British India, inclus. Ceylon and Burma.

Published under the authority of the Secretary of State for

India.

Complete secondhand set, 41 volumes, many as new.

Offered at Rs. 800/-. To members, Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc.

Rs. 750/-.

Apply to—

THE HONORARY SECRETARY,

Bom. Nat. Hist, Society,

6, Apollo Street, Bombay.

FOR SALE.

Fauna of British India, Birds—4 volumes, Moths—4 volumes,

Mammals—2 volumes, Day’s Fishes—2 volumes, Bingham’s

Butterflies—2 volumes, Marshall and deNiceville Butterflies—3

volumes, deNiceville and Dr. Martin’s Butterflies of Sumatra. _

Apply to—

N. M. BILLIMORIA, Ese.,

Janghi, Cutch.

THACKER SPINK & Co.

BOOKS. ON SHIKAR, SHOOTING AND SPORT. ;

AJAX.—* Good Hunting, ” or What to do on Shikar and how to do it, ;

ALBAN WILSON.—Trout Fishing in Kashmir. Rs. 3-8. Bee

BAKER.—The Indian Ducks and their Allies. With coloured plates,

Vol. I. Swans, Geese and Ducks. 2nd Edition, 30 Coloured Plates, By H.G,.

GRONVOLD, G. E, LODGE and J. G. KauLemans, Published at Four Guineas

Price Rs. 63. ;

Vol. II. Snipe, Bustards and Sand-Grouse. 19 Coloured Plates. By H,

GRONVOLD. Published at £3-13-6, Price Rs. 55.

BHATTACARYYA.—Hints to Amateurs on Tank Angling in India, Re. 1.

BURKE.—The Indian Field Shikar Book and Game Register. New edition. Rs. 8.

CHAUDHURI.—Sport in Jheel and Jungle, mainly in different parts of Bengal and

Central India. Illustrated. Rs. 7-8.

CHRISTOPHER.—Big Game Shooting in Lower Burma. Rs. 12,

COOCH BEHAR.—Thirty-seven Years of Big Game Shooting in Cooch Behar,

the Duars and Assam. Illustrated. Rs. 12.

DEWAR.—A Bird Calendar for Northern India, from Benga! to the Punjab. Rs. 5.

DEWAR.—The Sportsman’s Birds of India. Described by Douctas DEwar.

Illustrated by G. A. LEvetT-YEATS. Published in 3 parts with Index, Complete

Paper Covers. Rs. 7-8.

PD companions Feathered, Furred and Scaled, with numerous illustra-

tions. 3. [°d.

FINN.—Garden and Aviary Birds of India. With seven full page plates illustra-

ting thirty-four birds. Rs. 3-8.

ire to Know the Indian Waders. Illustrated. Second edition, revised.

2 Rs. 6.

FINN.—The Birds of Calcutta. Illustrated. Rs. 2-4.

FiNN.—Indian Sporting Birds. With over too coloured plates from Hume and

Marshall's ‘‘ Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon.” Rs. 35.

FINN.—The Game Birds of India and Asia. With 12 Illustrations. Rs. 3.

FINN.—The Water Fowl of India and Asia. With ar illustrations. Third edition,

Revised. Rs. 4-8.

Indian Horse Notes. An epitome of useful information arranged for easy refer-

ence and specially adapted for officers and country residents,

By Major C.— Seventh edition. Rs. 2-8.

Indian Notes about Dogs, their Diseases and Treatment. By Majcr C.— Ninth

edition. Rs. 2.

* KADER.”—The Management and Breeding of Dogs in India, and the points to

breed for. Rs. 3.

“ KILDEER.”—Camp Cookery. A little guide to outdoor Cookery for Sportsmen

and others. Re. 1.

_ LE MESURIER.—Game, Shore and Water Birds of India, with Additional Refer-

ences to their Allied Species in other parts of the World. 180 natural size

illustrations from actual specimens. Rs. 12-8.

Letters on Polo in India. Written toa Beginner. By ‘‘ A Lover of the Game. ”

Illustrated. Rs. 3-8, ~ sel

MOORE.—The Examination of Horses for Soundness. A Guide for Students and

Beginners. Re, 1.

SINHA.—Purnea: A Shikar Land. With several photographic illustrations,

Rs, 4-8.

STERNDALE.—Denizen; of the Jungle. A series of sketches of wild animals, with

letterpress descriptions. Rs. Io. ;

THOMAS.—The Rod in India. Hints how to obtain Sport, with Remarks on the

Natural History of Fish and their Culture, and illustrations of Fish and Tackle.

Rs. 15.

TYACKE-The Sportsman’s Manual in Quest of Game in Kulu, Lahoul and

Ladak, to the Tso Morari Lake, with notes on Shooting in Spiti, Bara Begahal,

Chamba and Kashmir anda detailed description of sport in more than 130 |

Nalas. With 8 sketch maps. Rs. 4.

TYACKE.—Fish and Fishing in Kulu. Re. 1-4.

WALKER.—Ansgling in the Kumaun Lakes. With map of the Kumaon Lake Coun-

WESTON. Hints on the Use of the Saddle. Hors2 and Shot Gun in India, written

for Beginners, containing a Riding School Course. Rs. 2-8.

THACKER SPINK & Co.

P. O. Box. 54, Calcutta and Regent House, SIMLA.

INDIAN YEAR BOOK

Edited by SIR STANLEY REED, K.B.E., LL.D.

Issued early in each year. —

Nearly goo pages.

A COMPACT and comprehensive reference book: in

which will be found up-to-date and reliable informa- “4

tion on every subject of i interest in the Indian Empire.

Many maps and copious index.

Price Rs. 7-0. V. P. Postage 11 annas.

Some Press Opinions.

We have tested the book upon a great number of.queStions and

have never failed to get the information that was wanted.

Statesman (Calcutta).

It is certainly an indispensable volume.

Advocate of India (Bombay).

of the Indian Empire it has no rival.

Civil and Military Gazette (Lahore).

Whatever other books might be read with a view to a clear grasp

of the essentials of the various problems of administration and

government: in India, this must be studied.

Jam-e-Jamshed (Bombay).

Many are the improvements making the book indispensable to

both Europeans and Indians.

Indian Daily Telegraph (Lucknow). -

The book is comprehensive and essential.

Rangoon Gazette.

It is an Original, independent survey of all things Indian and is in

quality capable, impartial and authoritative.

The oe Gazette bs rachi).

BENNETT, COLEMAN & COMPANY, LIMITED.

oe The Times of India ’’ Offices : |

Bombay & Calcutta,

and all Booksellers.

Printed at the Times Press, Bcmbay, and published by R. A. Srence for the

Bombay N. atural History Society, Bombay. :

SESE Soe, 8

Fe i are Eee eee