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INDEX AND TITLE PAGE

VOL. XXXVI

NOS. 1&2

Price ae its. 2-4-0

MADRAS

PRINTED AT THE DIOCESAN PRESS

19395

INSTRUCTIONS TO BINDER

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

following order when they are being bound :—

Title page sue is

Contents of Nos. land 2 of Vol. XXXVII

List of Contributors ge ao To follow frontis-

List of Plates ... - | Byese an ANS Olen

Index to Illustrations oe aes

Errata aus ‘ Sue

Index of Species Re . Lo go at thee end of

two numbers.

THE

JOURNAL

OF THE

BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

EDITED BY

SIR REGINALD SPENCE, kKt., M.L.c., J.P., S. H. PRATER, C.M.Z.S., M.L.C., J.P.

& C. MCCANN, F.L.S.

VOL. XXXVIi

Nos. 1 & 2

Containing 15 Coloured Plates, 50 Black and White Plates,

and 28 Text-figures.

Dates of Publication

Part I. (Pages 1 to 244) ... 15th April, 1934.

ll. (¢ , 245 to 512) ... 15th August, 1934.

LONDON AGENTS

DULAU & CO., Ltd., 2, Stafford Street, London, W.I.

PRINTED AT THE DIOCESAN PRESS, MADRAS

1935

CGONEENDS OF VOLUME XXX VIT.

No. 1

Tur GAME BIRDS OF THE INDIAN Empire. By E. C. Stuart

Baker CEs, E-Z.S., FcL.S.; M-B.O.U., H.F.A.0.U. Vol. V.

Part XX. (With a coloured Ci of The Rutt and Reeve

(Philomachus pugnax)... ier pes

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE Bou Pens ocr ie

Reve. piatier, S.J;, PHD. F.u.5. Part <M xXiil = (W77Z. 3:

DUCIIAS) oe Sat oe RG ARETE ERGO One ee On ee ee ee

SomE BEAUTIFUL INDIAN TREES. By Rev. E. Blatter, s.z.,

Php Hb.Ss and: Wo. Mallard, "zs. Part XIV.; (W727h

one coloured and one black and white plates and two text-

figures)... EAS aR SAU ee a emery onnrtretnan Be

REPORT ON ee Pieaee. Caeeea by et. Cole We

Burton from the tributary streams of the Mali Hka River

of the Myitkyina District (Upper Burma). By D. D.

Whuokeri,. Part Li (W271 (ext-teCurves ac. ets cece

Tue GAME BrirRDS AND ANIMALS OF THE MANIPUR STATE

witH NOTES ON THEIR NUMBERS, MIGRATION AND

RVABInGg “Dy o7C. EigcinseiC.S. “Part TVs

THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS.

(Ornithological Section). By H. Whistler, M.B.o.Uv., assis-

| ted: by aN. bs Kinnear, M.B.O.0;, . Part Vil os

\/Some NoTres ON Bison (£2605 gaurus) in Burma. By W. S.

Miom, Pe (Retd:). (7th 2 plates)... ee ta UA

THE HyDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL ‘SOR By

Salim A. Adi. Part TV.. Nie hee ene

Nones os us FLviN-Pox (Pieropas egantew) Bruno Ry

Charles McCann, F.L.s. (With I plate)... Plone

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN. By Rev. E. Biter: Si Tag ate D.;

Hiss, and J Mermandez. Bart lle (Werk 2 plates)....:.

THE PALM CIVETS OR ‘ Toppy CATS’ OF THE GENERA Para-

doxurus and Paguma Inhabiting British India. By R. I.

Pocock, BRS: (With 2 text-eures):.. :

FURTHER RECORDS OF INDO-CEYLONESE Caacen Bris. aes

(WoW amaicnchnas Ayyari; B.A.. Plas, FZ:S. and V.

WearporaiocinGllatie Miva 28 ak eke Ae MRR yy re ae ge

SOUTH INDIAN WOODPECKERS. By F. N. Betts. (With 1

DUTIES Bet h6- 6-8 S NBER CEE AERP ARS ee rea en oe

PAGE

106

124

143

150

172

1O3

197

CONTENIS OP VOLOME 22OCWsT1

REVIEWS :—

II.

ETT.

IV.

A GAME BooK FOR BURMA AND ADJOINING TERRI-

TORTES.. 2 cu sion ard ee oie San hes Sat eee

NIDIFICATION OF BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE

THE JUNGLE IN SUNLIGHT AND SHADOW............

‘(RHE BOOK OF THE: MDIGER irs. rn eee ee ets

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES :-—

VIII.

XV:

XVI.

Notes on the Colouration of the White-browed

Gibbon (/7. hoolock). By J. F. Peart..

Daily Flighting of Flying Foxes S wiganters), “By

ColaMe-L. Berane

Bison (L2b0s gaurus) aad Hyprs, in nae egos

Zoo. By Lt.-Col. R. W. Burton. (W7th a photo.)

The Distribution of the Great Pamir Sheep (O. a.

pold).; By MajorsG. VB: Gillan. ee

The Loch Ness Monster. By A. A. Dunbar

Brander..

Beobicton ot Wild Life Gaylon). By jae OF

‘Tatein-Nolthemius) 0% cae ee eee

Woodsnipe in Malabar. By Major EG. ey than

AGA INS £0060 ois PNG Woes PR Me orn Bee

Note on the White-cheeked Bulbul (Molfastes

leucogenys). - By Humayun Abdulali.2 2

Occurrence of the larger Blue-winged Pitta (P.

megarhyncha) in Eastern Bengal. By Hugh

Whistler 8oZ.S 4.00 Ca ee Co nee

Catching of Chikor (4. g. chukar) in Kashmir. By

F. Ludlow... :

On the Ae satonen A Gilews ond Geduie in une

Central Provinces. By EB: A. Di Abreu, riziss..

Nuptial Performance of the Spur-winged Plover

(AZ. ventralis. By). 1K; Stantord, 1.655. e5.. 5.

Early Arrival of Snipe in the Andamans. By J.M.

Stapyltonm; 1-C.s.. e

Occurrence of the faces Gis aDeck oA oe zonor-

hyncha) and the Bronze-capped Teal (4. falcata)

on the Brahmaputra: = By, J: © Eieeins; 1.C:S:..

Dates of arrival of Migrant Birds in Coorg in 1932.

By aN] Betts: : : ve

Extension of the Rance os ae oie ten Bee

Anders.) in the Punjab. By E. A. D’Abreu, F.z.s.

PAGE

204

207

208

adil

214

ZA)

216

217, ,

Z19

220

Laas

Zoe

222

223

224

(ae)

226

CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXXVII

XVII. A Whip-Snake (2. mycterizans) feeding on the

«Lizard (Galozes versicolor). By.C. McCann, F.1/s.

XVIII. Battle with a Giant Ray (Dicerobatis eregoodoo) of

the Arabian Sea. By N. A. Tombazi, -F.R.G.s.

CWGUA DIGIC) Saher et ae eee aa Gee ee es fe

XIX. The Two Indian Subspecies Satyrus (Lumenis)

pbartsatis, Kollar. A Correction. By Col. H. D.

Xx Ay Butterily, Ground. in Kulu. --By Col. Mea,

XXI. Notes on Observations of some peculiar habits of

an Ant-mimicing Spider (A. forticeps Cambr.).

By G: GC; Bhattachanya (Wet 5 photos)... .2. 5...

Xie Wasp and the. Prap-Door-Spider,; By L. Munn...;

XXIII. A Meander through the Cinchona Plantation. By

Mrs.-P. Te Russelles. ii: ee

SUPPLEMENT :—

THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE AND ‘THE

PROBLEM OF THEIR PRESERVATION Part II. (S.)

No. 2

THE GAME BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. By E. C. Stuart

Baker C:1.b4°8.Z.S., E.L.S:, M-B.0.U.,. H.F-A.0.U.- Vol. V.

Part XXI. (With a coloured plate) of Red-necked Phala-

rope (Lobipes lobatus) and the Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus

fulicarius Jourdatnt)... heel ives

REVISION OF THE Bion | OF! THE Boney Hoe neT DENCY.

By the late H.- Blatter, S04 Ph.b.,) -F.E.S:~ Part XX1V.

(With 3 plates and one block)... Bed

STALKING A HERD OF SAING (Good Sport oes a oe in

Bamma\s: By (Fl. Peacocks \(W/2inis plates)... 2.

THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS

(Ornithological Section). . By HH. Whistler, _M.B.0.v.,

assisted by N. B. Kinnear, m.p.o.u. Part VIII..............

THE GAME BIRDS AND ANIMALS OF THE MANIPUR STATE

wiTH NOTES ON THEIR NUMBERS, MIGRATION AND

HAsins by wiC. biccinss hese Park Vibes svow

SOME BEAUTIFUL INDIAN TREES. By the late E. Blatter, s.s.,

PHD, Heb Sean VW O. Vitilandwns7.S. art XV 8

THE PALM CIVETS oR ‘ Toppy CATS’ OF THE GENERA Fara-

doxurus and Paguma inhabiting British India. By R. I.

OCOCK EIR. Sy a (20) STOUT IZO ULES) Oo lice ce Deas tae cog see

peed

Za,

230

233

239

242

Zoo

245

Zoo

278

281

298

310

314

vi CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXXVII

ON THE BIRDS OF THE ADUNG VALLEY, North-East Burma.

By N. B. Kinnear, M.B.O.U..

THE Lire History oF Myr War hehe Vilas Comune

A Spider-mimic ot the Indian Red Ant@ By Aye.

Mathew, MA. = CWiGi eG DIG) ee ei i eer eee eae

ON THE TYPE LOCALITY AND SYNONYMY OF Eoglaucomys

limbriatus and ats local caces. 7 By. Ju. Chawonth-

IMUSLETS Su. er Sue NN. Coa ee es cea ey ree eae

A Note on Sczuropterus gorkhalt, Lindsay with remarks on

Petaurista caniceps and its allies. By J. L. Chaworth-

Miusters ce, a ovine ee eg Nese eee ce

A NOTE ON THE BIRDS OF GHAZIPUR. By Rev. F.S. Briggs.

THE FLORA. OF WAZIRISTAN. By the late E. Blatter, s.s.,

Ph.D H.L.s. and J. Mermandez. Partive =@Vzia places)

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY. By

Salim vA. Alico Pant: Vie W203. Plates) eee

BARTH-EATING “AND SALT-LICKING IN IN DIAG. @bye.

Caius,.S.J., Fil.c.. and: 5. ke Chhapeat, up sca. emalyses

XXXII-XXXV

REVIEWS :—

I; EV.OLUDION OF HLABI@OEN BIRDS 25.55. eee

II]. NATURE STUDY READERS... Sore

III. Inpo-CHina—A Scone: S NOBPORLONIAS. to

TY DAR WAN, facie came et Wee ag yooman ae asa ca ae teen oe

OBITUARIES :—-

FATHER FE. BLATTER, S.J.. cee

Dr. Ernst JOHANN OTTO TiAR renee Hees ewan te.

Mr. BRANGCIS JAMES VIIT Crim h = aye eee

Mr EUGH SO) S YMONS io eee cae eet aeons

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES :—

I. The Indian Vampire (Wegaderma lyra) feeding on

a Pipistrels By Cr McCann, iss oe

I An Unusuals icerny By A. C2 wothiani here

tl. Do Foxes Occunmins Burma. By Wane Wiveseyas.

IVe A Bison Sanatorium © By (hk. ©. Moris...

VV. “White Bison: — By IRVC Moris eee 4 eee

VI... Growth and Shedding of Antlers in Sambar (usa

unicolor). and Cheetal (Ars “a275) (me South

Indias. ‘By. Rai @eaMonnisee ag nn ae

VII. Growth and Shedding of Antlers in the Swamp Deer

(Rucervus duvaucellt) in the United Provinces.

By. W.-Cham pions th Sra teee cnn ee eee teen

Ceecoerseeee ree eceo eee cee eee eee eee eee eee ere FOF C82 F788 280 OOo

PAGE

347

369

375

376

378

S97

425

455

460

461

462

464

466

474.

475

477

479

482

483

484

485

WILT:

MILT:

XIN.

XV.

DN dle

XV,

XVIII.

XIX.

».0.E

PONE

PO.GUE

XO.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXXVII

Notes on the Swamp Deer (Aucervus duvaucell)

invAssamue, by ©, A. R. bhadian, IRS... 5.6.07

Clicking Sounds made by Muntjac. By Sundara

AS Larce Pair of Blepbant’ s (Llephas maximus)

Muisks tom burma J. 1 Stantord, 1.c:s.

CUrt a plate ee, oe eee 8

Statistical Record of Growth in the Indian IB enol te

(2lephas maxis). by G. rundléy...2...25.5..

On the Occurrence of the White-collared Kinefisher

(Sauropatis chloris) in the District of 24-

Perganas with a Note on Juvenile Coloration.

By 5. ©. Law... 4 eae

Nesting-habits of the Bie. Rocka -pigeon Cobbs

Uiora ya By FL. IN, NChar yal neo e kico cece

Occurrence of the Mandarin Duck (Azx galericulata)

in the Manipur State: By ©. Gimson...2..2.......

Migration and Decrease of Snipe in the Andamans.

By J. Miles Stapylton, 1.c.s.. ae

Observation on the Nest of tHe Dabenick ( Poditens

rulicollis). By Mrs, P. S. sundara KRajy:............

A Large Mugger (Crocodilus palustris) from

Bikaner. By The: Secretary to the Heir-

Apparent, Bikaner.. i

Nete om “the Posecthead Durie” (open G.

olivacea) depositing its eggs. By J. B. Greaves

CHUGH O. PIQIO ari en ee,

The Larva of the Lobster Moth (Stauropus denti-

tinea), iy Col Te. Mraser, 1s. | (77h a2

The Flee-Beetle (/fa/tica cyanea) feeding on the

leaves of the Water Chestnut (Z7vapa bispinosa).

by. McCann wine ace ci. ee a ee

Outbreak of Millipedes at Jalgaon. By V. G.

Deshpande...

Termite Colletune i in Syehi Tndia fe ‘Food. “By

T. V. Subramaniam.. :

A Note on the Males of Briers (Hi pba) Le

iby. Ne Krishna Mennonite: coy cs snes snc oo cece ees.

Occurrence of /soetes coromandelina in the Bombay

Presidency. By C. McCann, F.1.8.... 00.02...

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEBETING........

vii

PAGE

485

486

487

488

490

491

492

493

494

495

496

491

498

299

501

503

LPH ABETICNL EIST: OF CONTRIB GLORS

7 | VOLUME XXXVII

Nos. 1

ABDULALI, HUMAVUN ; Note on

the White-cheeked Bulbul

{Molpastes leucogenys) in

Salsette, Bombay ace

ACHARYA, H. N.; Nesting-

habits of the Blue Rock

Pigeon (Columba livii)

ALI, .SALIM and WHISTLER,

Hucu; 7he Hyderabad State

Ornithological Survey, Part

IV Br

Part V. (With three plates)...

AvyvAR, T. V. RAMAKRISHNA,

B.A., Ph.D. and MARGABAN-

DHU, V., M.A.; Further Re-

cords- of -° Indo-Ceylonese

Chalcid Flies ae

BAKER, _E. C. STUART; C.LE.,

F.Z:S), HES M.B.O.U.,

H.F.A.O.U. ; The Game Birds

of the Indian Empire, Vol. V.

Part XX. With a coloured

plate of the Ruff or Reeve

(Philomachus pugnax)

a —— ra NEON.

Vo Part OX Wan a

coloured plate of The Eastern

Knot (Calidris tenuirostris),

Red-necked Phalarope

(Lobipes lobatus) and The

Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus —

fulicarius) [winter | a

Berrs, FF: N-: South Indiana

Woodpeckers (Wzth one plate)

—— ; Dates of arrival

of Migrant Birds in Coorg in

1932 Be ae:

BHADIAN, C.A.R.., 1.8.S., Notes

on the Swamp Deer

(Rucervus duvaucelli) in

Assam

PaGE

221

490

124

425

193

245

485

and 2

BHATTACHARYA, GOPAL

CHANDRA; Notes on Obser-

vations of some _ peculiar

habits of an Ant-mimicing

Spider (Amyciea forticeps)

(With 5 photos)

BIKANER, The Secretary to the

Heir-Apparent of ; A large

Mugger (Crocodilus palustris)

from Bikaner : ope

BLATTER, ETHELBERT, Obitu-

arial notice of S00

BEATTER, Reve hs Si. soe.

Bot. S26 and) MCCANN C7

F.L.S.; Revision of the Flora

of the Bombay Presidency.

Part XXIII. Cy peracee

( With three plates)...

Part XXIV. Cyperacee (With

three plates and I block)

and FERNANDEZ, J.; The

Flora of Waziristan. Part III.

(With two plates)

ee ee

and ManmirAR DD: \We Sen kheZ.Se.

Some Beautiful Indian Trees.

Part XIV. (With one colour-

ed, one black and white plate

and 2 text-figures)

oy - Sas

Part XV. (With one coloured

plate) Sek dk

BRANDER, A.. A. - DUNBAR ;

The Loch Ness Monster

BriccGs, Rev. F. S.; A Note on

the Birds of Ghazipur .

BURTON, U2 COL. @Ra Wi:

Bison (760s gaurus) H,

PAGE

239

493

466

26)

255

150

391

310

217

LIST OF CONTRILOLORS ix

Pace | PaGE

Smith and Hybrids in the FRASER, LIEvT.-CoL. F.C.,

Mysore Zoo, (With a photo- I.M.S.; The Larva of the

graph) See lo Lobster Moth (Stauropus

Carus Je-H 3S. de,caS. and dentilinea) (With a plate) 495

CHHAPGAR, B.Sc.; Earth- GILLAN, Major G. V. B.; The .

eating and Salt-licking in Distribution of the Great

India. Analyses XXXII- ' Pamir Sheep (Ovis ammon

XXXV oes Se ead 5 poli, Blyth) é ; 216

CHAMPION, F.W., 1.F.S.; The GREAVES, J. B.; Note on the

Preservation of Wild Life in Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta

India. No. 4...The United | ¢€. olivacea) depositing its

Provinces. Supplement ...105-1l11 | Eggs 494

-——-——— : Growth and Shed- GIMSON, C. Woe ieee of a

ding of Antlers in the Mandarin “piel (dix galeri-

Swamp Deer (Rucervus culata) in the Manipur State. 490

duvancell1) in the United HARTERT, ERNST JOHANN.

Provinces ... 485 | Orto, Obituarial Notice of ... 474

CHAWORTH- MuctaaS. i. ene Oni FIGGENS, Js C:,. to Cosh fhe

the Type Locality aa Game Birds and Animals of

Synonymy of Flog laucomys the Manipur State, with Notes

fimbriatus and its local races. 375 ontheir Numbers, Migration .

eet a Beale - Note and Habits, Part V 81

on Sciuropterus gorkhali with Sra nema ot

remarks on Petaurista cani- Part VI is ate 298

ceps and its allies ... Pee G7 ON Sees ; Oecutrence

CHHAPGAR, |S. K., B.Sc. See of the Eastern Grey Duck

Carus, J. Ey (Anas p. Zonorhyncha) and

D’ ABREU, E. A., F.Z.S.; On the Bronze-capped Teal

the Distribution of Curlews (Zunetta falcata) on the

and Godwits in the Central Brahmaputra see 224

Provinces ... g .. 223 | HUNDLEY, GORDON; Statistical

—_—— ; Exten- Record of Growth in the

sion of the Range of the Snake Pediat Elephant

(Contia persica) in the Pun- (Z. maximus) teas AOL

jab : BN. cos 1 220. || KINNEAR ONB:, M¢B.0.U.; On

DESHPANDE, V.°G., M.AY., the Birds of the Adung nie

Ph.p.; Outbreak of Milli- North-east Burma ... 347

pedes at Jalgaon 497 ——; Obituary

Epitors; A Hunting Wasp Notice of Dr. Ernst Johann

and Trap-door Spider 241 Otto Hartert ge ee

— Nesting-habits of —--— See WHISTLER,

the.-Blue Rock )Pa-ee on HUGH.

(Columba livia) : A90F aw, S. Gi MA; Plt.Ds. B-Z4S65

—-———— Red Antsas Food... 498 M.B.O.U. ; On the occurrence

FERNANDEZ, J. See BLATTER, of the White-collared. King-

Rev. I. fisher (Sauropatis chloris) in

FERRAR; M.L.; Daily Flighting the District of 24-Perganas.

of Flying Foxes (Pteropus with a note on juvenile colou-

giganieus, Brunn) 214 ration aoe wohaig OO

—_—-—— Bree VAX Buberty IV ESEY 21. Ih. Do Foxes

Ground in Kulu 230 Occurin Burma? ... 482

x LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS

LotuiAn, A. C.; An Unusual

Tiger oe tee

Luprow,. «hs: ) Catching, of

Chikor (Alectoris graeca

chukor) in Kashmir 3

McCann, C., F.L.S.; Notes on

the Flying Fox (Pleropus

giganteus). (With one plate)

—__——___-—— ; A Whip-

Snake (Dryophis myctert-

zans) feeding on the Lizard

(Calotes versicolor) =

; Obituary notice

Father Ethelbert

of Rev.

Blatter

ae he radian Viam-

pire (Megaderma lyra) feed-

ing ona a Fipiste) sie

The Flee- Beste

(Haltica FGI. feeding on

the leaves of the Water

Chestnut (Zrapa bispinosa)...

— 7 Occurrence of

Isoétes coromandelina in the

Bombay Presidency ae

See BLATTER, REV.

MARGABANDHU, V., M.A. Séé

AvvaR, T. V. RAMAKRISHNA.

Matuew, A.-P., M.A.; | The

Life-history of the Spider

(Myrmarachne plataleoides.)

(With one plate)

Menon, M. KRISHNA, M.A.;

A Note on the Males of

Emerita (Hippa) astatica ...

MIrLARD, W.-S., F.Z.S. See

BLATTER, REv. E.

Mitroyv, A. J. W.;-The Pre-

servation of Wild Life in

India,

MITCHELL, FRANCIS

Obituarial notice of

Morris, R. C.; A Bison Sana:

torium ba ante

——_—_—_—-_—_———__ Wie Bio.

; Growth and

Shedding of Antlers in

Sambar (Rusa wunicolor)

and Cheetal (Avs axis) in

South India aoe Bee

JAMES ;

—.

PaGE |

479 |

222

143

466

479

496

501

369

499

No. 3. Assam. Supp.97-104

475

483

484

MUKERJI, DEv Drv; Report

on Burmese Fishes collected

by. Lt.-Col. -R: W.. Burton

from the tributary streams of

the Mali Hka River of the

Myitkyina District (Upper

Burma) Part II ae eleven

teat-figures)

Monn, Capt. .L.; A Senhae

Wasp and _ ‘Trap-door

Spider See ores

RaJ, Mrs. P. S. SUNDARA;

Observation on the Nest of the

Dabchick (FPodiceps ruft-

collts) ats a56

— 8S. SuUNDARA; Clicking

Sounds made by Muntjac

REVIEWS :—

1. A Game Book for Burma

and Adjoining Terri-

tories ;

2. Nidification of ice of

the Indian Empire

The Jungle in Sunlight

and Shadow... eae

4. ‘The Book of the Tiger Bee

REVIEWS :—

I. Evolution of Habit in

Birds

Il. Nature Study Rewaene

ill. Indo-China, A Sports-

man's Opportunity...

[V2 = Darwin

RUSSELL, Mrs.

Meander through

Cinchona Plantation

Peacock, E. H.; Stalking a

Herd of Saing. (With three

plates) 60 aes

PEART, Cart. J. F.; Notes on

the Colouration of the White-

browed Gibbon (AH. hoolock

Hart.) ace

PEILE, H. D.; The Two taaiaa

Subspecies S atyrus (Luments)

barisatis, Kollar. A Correc-

tion

POCOCK RS. LFS. The Palm

Civets or a pondy Cats’ of

the Genera Paradoxurus and

Faguma inhabiting British

iS)

ee eA

the

PAGE

239

492

486

204

207

208

211

460

461

462

464

242

278

214

229

LISE- OF CON TRILOTORS

India, Part Il. (Welk two

text-figures) :

Part II. (With three text-

figures) Be As

PYTHIAN-ADAMS, MAJOR,

Bee Gaol Ace Weld.) F.ZiS.5

Wood-Snipe (Capella nemort-

cola, Hodgs.) in Malabar

STANHORD, cdi Ke IE 352:

Nuptial Performance of the

Spur-winged Plover (//oplop-

terus ventralis)

Pair of Elephant’s ( 2lephas

maximus) Tusks from Burma

(With a plate) se

STAPYLTON, J. MiLEs, I[.C.S.;

Early Arrival of Snipe in the

Andamans

Migration and Decrease of

Snipe in the Andamans

SUBRAMANIAM, T. V., B.A.;

Termite Collecting in South

India for Food ae

Symons, HEvuGH S., Obituarial

Notice of ... ee we

THOM... Woo 5.05 2 leP i (2eed.) :

—-; A Large

PaGE

172

314

220

486

224

491

498

477

Some Notes on Bison ( 4760s,

gaurus) in Burma (With two

plates) ane ests

TomBaAzl, N. A., F.R.G.S.; Bat-

tle with a Giant Bat-Ray

(Dicerobatis eregoodoo) (With

a plate) es Se5

‘TUTEIN-NOLTHENIUS, A. C.,,

F.Z.S.; Exploitation of Wild

Life (Ceylon) Pe

WEGSPEE RSs EU, Gk. R.Z.S..

M.B.O.U.; Occurrence of the

Larger Blue-Wivged Pitta

(Pitta megarhyncha Schleegl)

in Eastern Bengal ...

——.- ———— -

and KINNEAR, N.B.,M.B.0.U.;

The Vernay Scientific Survey

of the Eastera Ghats(Ornitho-

logical Section). Part VII...

Part Vili

See ALI, SALIM

Witp ANIMAL® oF THE

INDIAN EMPIRE, and the

Problem of Their Preserva-

tons Part) de Plates xv

XXXVI. Supplement

PAGE

106

eng

219

Zoe

281

... 09-11]

LIST. OF. Fill des

VOLUME XXXVII

Nos. i and 2

The Game Birds of the Indian Empire—

Plate The Ruff and Reeve (Philomachus pugnax)

Plate Eastern Knot (Calidris tenutrostris) Red- necked

Phalarope (Lobipes lobatus)

Grey Phalarope (winter) Phalaropus fulicarinus

jourdaint) ane

Revision of the Flora of the Bombay Presidency—

Plate I, (1) Rhachilla in the genus Pycreus < (2) Rhachilla

in genus Juncellus - es Rhachilla in the genus

Cyperus i

Plate Il. (1) Ayllinga Revioloa growing ina arain

(2) Inflorescence of Pycreus albomarginatus

Plate Ill. Pycreus malabaricus

Some Beautiful Indian Trees—

Plate 22. Jacaranda mimosaetoclia

Plate XXIII. Jacaranda mimosaefolia

Plate 23. Bauhinia variegata

Some Notes on Bison (#zbos gaurus) in Burma—

Plate I, (A) The Gayal or Mithun (4260s frontalts)

(B) Herd of Bison (Bibos gaurus) at a Salt-lick

Plate II. (A) Solitary Bull Bison (4260s gaurus) shot near

the Pidaung Plain, measuring 20 hands at the

shoulder.

(B) Solitary Bull Bison (470s gaurus) shot at an

elevation of 4,000 ft. in the Yoma Mountains

Notes on the Flying-Fox (Pleropus giganteus)—

Plate (A) Colony of Flying-Foxes at Malad, Salsette

Island

(B) ‘ Close up’ of the above Colony

The Flora of Waziristan—

Plate IV. (8) Near Razani due west. Mostly Quercus ilex,

Olea cuspidata and Sophora mollis

(9) Right bank of Khunai River, above Dossali Fort

with Olea cuspidata, Monotheca buxttolia ;

Sobhora mollis and grass

Plate V. (10) Looking across Dirdoni Village frou pelos

Alexandra Picket. Dense growth of Quercus tlex

on the ranges.

(11) Almost pure formation of Adhatoda vasica ina

side nala of Kaitu River at Spinwam Fort

South Indian Woodpeckers—

Plate (1) Southern Golden-backed Woodpecker at nest.

(2) Nest-holes of Malherbe’s Golden-backed Wood-

pecker.

(3) Young Southern Golden-backed Woodpecker ...

PAGE

245

310

106

118

143

150

154

Plate

LIST OF PILATES

Giant-Bat Ray (Du¢cerobatis eregoodoo) beached

near Cape Monze

The Wild Animals of the Indian Empire. Part II—SuPpPLEMENT

Himalayan Thar (Hemttragus jemlaicus)

Nilgiri Thar (Hemzitragus hylocrius) nee

Serow or Goat- Antelope (Capricornis sumatraensis)

Young Goral (Nemorhaedus goral)

Takin (Ludorcas taxicolor) ...

Black Buck (Antilope cervicapra)

Indian Gazelle or Chinkara (Gazella bennett)

Blue Bull or Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus)

Four-horned Antelope ( Tetraceros quadricornts) ..

Nilgai or Blue Bull ( Boselaphus tragocamelus)

Axis, Spotted Deer or Chital (Axzs axis)

Musk Deer (MJoschus moschiferus) 3

Munutjac or Barking Deer (J/untiacus muntjak)

Chital or Spotted Deer (Aazs axis)

Hog Deer (A/yelaphus porcinus)

Sambar (Azsa untcolor)

Sambar or Rusa Deer (Rusa unicolor) ...

Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvaucellt)

Swamp Deer ( Rucervus duvaucellt) oe

Thamin or Brow-antlered Deer (Rucervus Uanin)

Kashmir Stag or Hangul (Cervus cashmiriensis) ...

Indian Chevrotain or Mouse Deer (Moschiola me-

minna) :

Indian Wild Boar (Sus isis)

Bones of forefeet—Tapir, Rhinoceros and Horse ...

Indian Wild Ass (Aguus onager indicus)

Living and Extinct Rhinoceroses Se se

Great One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros uni-

corns) oak oe

Smaller One-horned or ee iiinoceros (Rhino-

ceros SONAUICUS ) ae Ane

Sumatran Two-horned Rimiocaros in tas

Sumatrensts ) oes Ba

Malay Tapir and Young ( 7apirus indicus)

Evolutionary changes of Proboscidea

Indian Elephant (Alephas maximus)

Revision of the Flora of the Bombay Presidency—

Plate XV

Plate XVI.

Plate; - XViIt.

Plate XVIII.

Plate XIX.

Plate DOR

Plate 2:

Plate 3

Plate XXI,

Plate 4,

Plate Se

Plate XXII.

Plate 6.

Plate Te

Plate 8.

Plate Sh

Plate 10.

Plate XXIII.

Plate deal

Plate XXIV

Plate XXV

Plate XXVI.

Plate 12:

Plate XXVII.

Plate XXVIII.

Plate XXIX.

Plate XXX.

Plate XXXI.

Plate XXXII.

Plate XXXIII.

Plate XXXIV.

Plate XXXV.

Plate XXXVI.

Plate I,

Plate II.

Plate TLE;

(A) Formation of Pycreus globosus interspersed

with Cyperus eleusinoides at Panchgani

(B) Cyperus nutans growing among boulders of

a stream south of the Tulsi Lake, Salsette Island.

(A) Formation of Cyperus eleusinoides on the banks

of the Benas River, Abu Road

(B) Common habitat of Cyperus corymbosus, Borivli

to Kanari Caves, Salsette Island -

(A) Formation of Cyperus macer at Lingmala near

Mahableshwar

X1i1

PAGE

22,

Tal

255

266

xiv LIST OF PLATES

PAGE

(B) Common habitat of Cyperus exaltatus in a

Marsh at Mulland, Salsette Island... an aa

Saing, Stalking a herd of—

Plate: © I. A herd of Saing (Azb0s banteng) iu a typical lwin:

the master-bull of the herd is seen on the left of

the picture ee 278

Plate II. An old bull Saing (260s RanteHD) onoloeTapned

at a‘ lick’ in a Northern Burma Sanctuary Spun eZ:

Plate III. (A) Asmall herd of Saing (4ibos banteng) feeding

in a light-flooded bay of the Zwzn

(B) ‘They clumped together and stared with

astonishment’ ... B56 CAN

Myrmarachne plataleoides (re wae life. REO) 371

The Flora of Waziristan—

Plate VI. (12) Right bank of Chasmai River near Miram

Shah Fort

(13) A single peak of the hill-range E. of

Miram Shah Fort. Plants Wonotheca buxttolia,

Acacia Nmodesta, annorhops ritchieana, Periple-

ca aphylla. On the top Fferiplora and Acacia

modesta ane Se aye Be Soll

Plate VII. (14) Looking W. N. W. from the hill-range E.

of Miram Shah Fort with Afghan hills in the

distance

(15) Lower slopes of Chota Darweshta W. of

Spinwam Fort. Huge boulders with gravel ... 396

Plate VIII. (16) Peak of Chota Darweshta, W. of Spinwam

Fort

(17) View towards S. from Shewa Post. Narai Pal

and Volam Rivers join here. Vegetation Wzthania

coagulans, Capparis decidua, Acacia modesta ... 404

Hyderabad State Ornithological Survey—

Plate I (A) Scavenger Vultures (Vecphron percnopterus)

(B) Pariah Kites (J/ilvus govinda) and eo

at a wayside carcase as 426

Plate II. (A) Scavenger Vulture on Nest (Katlas 26 Neen

(B) Downy Chick of Crested Hawk-Eagle (.Spzzaétus

cirrhatus) Utnoor 9 April ... 427

Plate III. (A) Paddy-bird (Ardeola grayit) wading) iter frowe

(B) Green Sandpiper (7rznga ochropus) in breeding-

plumage preparatory to emigration. Late April... 452

Plate Blatter, Reverend Father Ethelbert (Photo of

the late) “ rob ev460

Elephas maximus, eee pair bee tusks ita Parms 486

Plate (A) Caretta c. olivacea commencing to scoop a hole

in the sand before depositing eggs

(B) Caretta c. olivacea deepening the hole in the

sand to its maximum depth sre a. 494

— Stauropus dentilinea, Larva of ve Bee 496

INDE LO. TELUSTRALIONS

VOLUME XXXVII

Nos. 1 and 2

: PAGE PAGE

Acerathere (Extinct.) Bibos banteng, Pls. 273) 280

Plate xxx, fig. 2. Supple- Bibos gaurus.

ment ies nae 88 Bit A fiees 24 Perd.-at a

Amyciaea forticeps. Salt-lelk: 794i. 106

Fig. 1 (a) Enlarged photo- Pl 2, oss ce 2 Solitary

graph of ¢ 234 Bull Bisons reel

(6) Enlarged photo- Laurus.

graph of 2 ae 935 Fig. Bison and Hybrids in

Fig. 22 on unfolded leaf the Mysore Zoo 215

sitting on her eggs He 237 frontalis.

Fig. 3 Enlarged photo: Pine. ol 106

Shaph of erav id Boselaphus tragocamelus.

female a: 238 Plate xxi. Supplement 69

Hijo. 4 Mating of |... 239 Plate 5: Supplement 71

Antilope cervicapra.

Plate xx. Supplement 65

Plate 2. Supplement 67

Ardeola grayt, Pl., fig. 1 452

AXIS axis.

Plate xxii, Supplement 72

Plate 8 Supplement 75

Baluchithere (Extinct)

Plate xxx, fig. 1 Supplement 88

Barbus clavatus burton.

Fig. 10.@& 6. Dorsal and

ventral views of the

anterior portion of the

head and body 65

Fig. 11. Lateral view 66

COMPpYESSUS.

Pies 8, Lateral of the

anterior portion of the

head and body 60

Kies, 9(@),29(0). Scales =

from the base of the

dorsal-fin ... 60

Barilius barila.

Fig. 14. Lateral view of

the head 75

barnorals.

Fig. 13, Lateral view of

the head ... nite ae 74

Bauhinia variegata. Pl. 310

Brachy pternus 6b. puncticollts.

Plate (1) at nest

(3) young 197,

Budorcas taxtcolor.

Plate: xix, Supplement 64

Calidris tenuirostris. Pl., :

fide 6: 245

Capricornis su nce

Plate xvii. Supplement 62

Caretta c. olivacea. P\.

Cervus cashmiriensts.

Plate xxvii. Supplement 8?

Chrysocolaptes g. delesserti.

494

Plate (2) Nest-holes 197

Crossochilus latius.

Fig. 6. Lateral view 52

a punjabensis.

Fig. 7. Lateral view 53

Cyperus corymbosus, Pl., fig. 2 266

es -cleusinowdes, Fl. fis. 1 255

Piz. fio.. lee 266

a exvaliaius, Pl. 1e.2 272

—_— trea, fig. ae 265

ea. Vedlannates at 272

IO NEMS Uae 255

Dicerobatis eregovodoo.

Plate. Giant Bat-Ray

beached near Cape

Monze ga eral

xvi INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE

Etlasmothere (Extinct)

Plate xxx, fig. 7. Supplement 88

Etlephas columbt (Extinct)

Plate xxxv. fig. @2 Head

Supplemeat 93

- Maxtus.

Plate

Supplement 95

— Tusks Pl. 486

Eeguus.

Plate xxviii.

forefoot.

kianeg .

Plate xxix.

Gazella bennettt.

Plate 3.

Garra lamta,

Figs. 4.and 5. Dorsal and

ventral views of anterior

portion of head and body 49

Hemitragus jemlatcus.

(3) Bones of

Supplement 86

Supplement 87

Supplement 68

Plate xv. Supplement 59

hylocruts.

Plate xvi. Supplement 60

Hyelaphus porcinus.

Plate 9 Supplement 76

Jacaranda mimosaefolia.

PIs. ; aol sre OOO)

Juncellus (Ruachilla in the

genus) Pl... a ae 15

Kyllinga brevitolia. Pl., fig. 1 24

Lobipes lobatus, Pl. fig. 2 ered

Milvus govinda, Pl., fig. 2 426

Moeritherium (Extinct)

Plate xxxv. fig.d Head

Supplement 93

Moschiola meminna.

Plate 12 Supplement 83

Moschus moschiterus.

Plate 6 Supplement 73

Mummut americanum (Extinct)

Plate xxxv, fig.0 Head

Supplement 93 |

Muntiacus muntjak.

Plate 7 Supplement 74

Myrmarachne plataleoides.

Pic ae be ie hey OAs

Nemorhaedus goratl

Plate xviii. Supplement 63

Neophron percnopterus

Pleo ig As: 426

Tele Pap: ea DUI) Sc ee ei GAOT

PaGE

Paguma larvatus intrudens.

Head, fig. c: 335

Fig. D. 335

Upper and lower aside of

skull of old male, fig. ee Bae

—_——_——_— neglecta.

Head, fig. B. ae ice Soo

———-— -— wroughtoni,

Head, fig. A. aaa Pattee Sy)

Palaeomastadon. Extinct.

Plate xxxv, fig. e. Head

Supplement 93

Paradoxurus h. minor.

Head, fig. 4 ie Macca l

Ah. nictitans.

Fig. 3 Skulls of male and

female ape ous ed untal Wie

h. vavus.

Fig. A Her ie son oad

h. vellerosus.

Fig. 4 Skulls of adult and

young male ae ee Lol:

Phalaropus fulicarius jour dene

Plo, fous 5 ee Nine eae)

Philomachus pugnax.

Plo Sas: a ins ae il

Pteropus giganteus.

Plate (a) Colony of Flying

Foxes at Salsette Island,

(6) ‘Close up’ of above

colony was : seer EO

Pycreus ibe cin tie

Denon 2a ae oe es 24

-— globosus.

Pls fice ies ae Sain ASD

——- malabaricus.

1d aetna ae ae i: 28

Lehinoceros.

Plate xxviii. (2) Bones of

forefoot. Supplement &6

~ sondaicus.

Plate <xxii. Supplement 90

——— —— sumatrensis.

Supplement &&

Supplement 91

Plate xxx, fig.4

Plate xxxill.

——_-_———__ un1Cornis.

Biate xxi

Plate xxx.

Rohtee duvaucellt,

Fig. 12, Air bladder ae 70

Supplement 88

Supplement 89

INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE

Rucervus duvaucellt,

Platerit. Supplement 79

Plate xxiv. Supplement 80

—— thamin.

Plate xxv. Supplement 81

Rusa unicolor.

Plate 10. Supplement 77

Plate xxiii. Supplement 78

Spizaétus cirrhatus.

Bl. )25 fie.,2 427

Stauropus deniilinea.

Larva Pl. 496

Sus cristatus.

Plate xx. Supplement 85

Tapirus indicus.

Plate xxviii. (1) Bones of

forefoot. Supplement 86

Plate xxxiv, «i. Aan ee 92

Teleoceras (Extinct)

Plate xxx, fig. 8.

Tetrabelodon angustidens (Extinct)

Pilate, xxxv, fig. ¢. Head

Supplement 93

Tetraceros quadricornis.

Plate 4. Supplement 70

Tringa ochropus.

Pl., fig. 2 452

Waziristan, Flora of—

Plate iv. (a) Near Ranzani

due west

Supplement 88 |

(6) Right bank of

Khunai River above Dos-

sali Port ee fee

Plate v. (a) Looking across

Dirdoni Village from

below Alexandra Picket

(6) Side Nala of

Kaitu River at Spinwam

Fort

Waziristan, Flora of,

Pl. vi. (a) Right bank of

Chasmai River near

Miram Shah Fort

(6) A shingle peak

of the hill-range E. of

Miram Shah Fort és

FeV 22) a 020) ke iene a:

W.N.W., from the hill-

range EK. of Miram Shah

Fort with Afghan Hills in

the distance ;

(6) Lower slopes of

Chota Darweshta W. of

Spinwam Fort ic

Pl. viii. (@) Peak of Chota

Darweshta, W. of Spin-

wam Fort

(6) View towards

S. from Shewa Post.

Narai Pal and Vclam

Rivers join here ...

XVii

PAGE

150

154

391

396

404

ERRATA

Vol. XXXVII, No. 2

On page 493, ¢th line from above ‘On Saturday, 3rd March,

at about 4 p.m. on Malad-Merve beach near Bombay, at 2-20 p.m.,

substitute “On January 16th one chick emerged at 9-15 a.m. anda

second at 2-20 p.m. These’

INDEX OF SPECIES

Notr.—(S.) when placed before a paginal number = Supplement page.

Abelia triflora wcls ap

var. parvifolia ...

Abies pindrow

——- spinulosa ...

——- webbiana. iG

Abroscopus ereticen: tinpont

Acacia arabica

eburneae...

farnesiana

jacquemontii

modesta ...

Acantholimon sp.

Accipiter macrourus

nisus

Acherontia styx ...

Achyranthes aspera...

Acridotheres ginginianus

tristis

Acrocephalus steatoreus

Acroclesoides indicus ... Bob

Actinodura nipalensis poliotis...

_—_—__—_-—___ ——-—— waldeni

eee ee WAT Ci

Adhatoda vasica...

AXgialitis jerdoni

Aigithaliscus bonvaloti...

Aigithinia tiphia

Aerua javanica

lanata — ast

pseudo-tomentosa

tomentosa...

—_--——_ var. Bove

Zethopyga dabryil

—— ignicauda ienicanda

——— exultans...

—_—_—_——————

—_———. nipalensis nipalensis

siparaja vigorsit

Agromyza sp.

Agiommatus aehepontie:

Aix galericulata ...

Alauda coromandeliana

- dukhunensis

- grisea

- gulgula eeerolis

PAGE

207,

195;

232,

156

414

414 |

414

362

150

151

150

159

430

431

195

398

332

382

1225

196

354

392

445

352

379

397

364

285

195

490

103

102

104

101 |

Albunea symnista ~

Alcedo atthis.

- ——- ben eaieneie

- capensis ...

- smyrnensis

Alcippe (Proparus) bieti

Alectoris greca ... ae

Alisma plantago ...

Allium cassium

- cupani

- djimilense

- grifithianum

- leptophyllum

—- moschatum

- rubellum.. aa

—— var, erandifiora

- schcenoprasumn ...

- sibiricum

———- umbilicatum

———-- vulcanicum

Alnus nitida Sak

Amandava amandava ...

Amaranthus blitum var, élétacen

-—— paniculatus

-———+Viridis

Amaryllis tartarica

Amaurornis akool

phoenicura

—- ———— chinensis

Amblypodais dodonéa ...

Aminannia salicifolia —.<.

vetticillata ...

Sp.

PAGE

501

385

134

135

354

222

423

419

418

419

411

382

396

397

417

387

387, 441

2239

232

154

Ammomanes pheenicura phoenicura 104, 383

Amyciza forticeps

Anabasis phyllophora

——_——. setifera...

Anagallis arvensis :

——_——- — -—_ var. l\atifolia

Anas clypeata aan

——- coromandeliana ...

——- crecca crecca

233

He 402

~ 402

161

ee l6t

454

Anas ferina

——- ferruginea ...

——-- fuligula

—- fulva

——- javanica

——- peecilorhyncha

~-——- platyrhyncha

——-p.zonorhyncha ...

——-querquedula

Aunastatus colemani

Anastomus oscitans

Andrachne telephioides

Androsace rotundifolia ...

ae ees - |.

Anhinga melanogaster...

Anosporum pallidum

Anser anser

——- indicus

——- melanotos ...

Anteliomys wardi

Anthropoides virgo

Antigone antigone sharpei

Antilope cervicapra

Anthus arboreus...

———- brevirostris

—-—- campestris

- cockburniz

—- hodgsoni berezowskii ...

ibs WO, Za COS

——-—— inopinatus ...,

= ede son

——___- ——--——-— yunnanensis

-—__— - jerdoni

——-- maculatus

———- nicholsoni

nilghiriensis

——- richardi ... ue

centralasiae

= - = —— rufulus

-———- roseatus ...

—_—- rufescens...

— - rufulus rufulus...

———- ——— thermophilus ...

——-- similis similis

——- sordidus ...

——- striolatus

———\-- trivialis

-_——-- -———~ haringtoni

— sibirica,.,

Apanteles macheralis ...

Apodemus speciosus latronum

var. incisa

-- var. pusilla...

INDEX OF SPECIES

PAGE

454

453

454

453

389, 453

389

224

454

156

85, 451

407

160

161

16]

85, 389, 449

258

389

389, 454

452

349

387, 442

oe 83

(S.) 67

100

ss 99

sony. Wes

100

383

363

100

bag LOO

99, 100

100

96, 383

195

350

Aporia habellica

Aquila fasciata

——— rapax a ce

-- vindhiana

Arachnothera longirostra

Arborophila atrogularis

Ardea alba

—— ciconia

cinerea act

- rectirostris

dubia

episcopus...

garzetta

————— grayli

ibis .

javanica ...

———— nycticorax

oscitans

Sa OUT ONES), Soc eee

- manillensis

virgo

Ardeola bacchus ...

— grayii 5

Arenaria interpres interpres

Argya caudata

malcolmi ...

Ariszeema flavum ...

Armeria vulgaris...

Arum flavaum ane

Asclepias vincetoxicum

Asio flammeus flammeus

Asparagus acutifolius

-———- ascendens ...

-——— -—— capitatus

——— -——. dumosus

——_- ——- gracilis

-———-—— monophyllus

—————-—— racemosus ...

-——— --—— scaber

—_——-—— trichophyllus

-—— verticillatus

Astur badius Pee

—— —- ——— dussumieri

Athene brama brama

Atriplex afhinis leucoclado

-- belangeri

—-—-- crassifolia

-- farinosa...

-- hastata ...

PAGE

—rufogularis intermedia ...

——-——- torqueola torqueola

389,

5 605, d00,

141,

232

428

386

428

284

45]

450

451

450

452

451

389

451

442

452

379

423

159

423

165

140

418

417

418

417

418

127

430

385

399

INDEX OF SPE CLES

PAGE

Atriplex stocksii ... SRN)

Axyris ceratoides... 35 .. 400

Axis axis BEE .. 484 ; “ Ie

Badis badis.. Se a 76

Bambusicola letontl Hopton ae 94

Barbus chagunio bie ee ae 67

—- chola 506 ee ABP Aen 68

— - clavatus puRtOniL aes S96 64

- compressus ae eas eae Sy)

- nicholsi ... ees oa 71

ae aoe onana eandimareimatus ‘sis €8

————- spilopholus is ne ap 68

=atOose wei a a. ar 63

> Vincig@uerrae, - =... ac sis 71

Barilius barila_... es tah 7S)

— barna 72, 73

—-—- barnoides 3 73, 74

———- ornatus ... a Bae Be 79

Bauhinia candida 310

——-——- purpurea 312

——-——. variegata aes eel oko

Bergenia ligulata Ae ei So cetad waet

——-—— stracheyi ane eae fr Sal

Bibos banteng ... See aos 278, 305

——- frontalis . 109, 305; (S.) 103

——- gaurus 106, 215, 304; (S.) 103

——- sondaicus ... 106

Blastophaga (Blizabethiella) Sener 193

Blitum polymorphum 399

— virgatum ... 399

Boerhavia diffusa 396

—-- procumbens... 396

——- —- repanda 396

————-- verticillata 396

Boselaphus tragocamelus (Si) 41

Botia berdmoreéei... sig se ae 39

-——-- hymenophysa ... ee dats 3

-——— nebulosa ... as ee cee 40

Boucerosia aucheriana ... 3 166

Brachylophus xanthopygacus .. 286

Brachymeria nepantidis 194

Brachypternus benghalensis peagHne a-

lensis... 125,292, 295,.384

ee dilutus... -. 293

———_—_—_-_ ——__—— —__——_—__ interme-

dius us Berean tee

—_ —_—_ ——__ ——- puncti-

collis 199, 203, 292, 293

————— tehminae 293

——_——- — puncticollis 125

———-==———. erithronotus 293

xxi

PAGE

Bubalus bubalis ... weet B05

— - macroceros (S.) 102

Bubo bubo bengalensis... sent 3 140

Bubulcus ibis 389, 452

ee coromendus ne ee 86

Bucco indicus 126

- zeylonicus 126

Buceros birostris 135

—— nialabaricus 135

Buddleja crispa ... ee 166

—- —-—— var Porreitied su 167

Budorcas taxicolor (S.) 64

Burhinus cedicnemus ne 387, 442

———— indicus. ... Sis 83

Butastur teesa 386, 429

Butea frondosa ... 196

Buteo rufinus “5, 386

Butorides javanicus 86, 452

Buxus papilosa ... iis aes 405

- - sempervivens re 405

Cacomantis merulinus passerinus 127

Calandrella acutirostris.. ies teste). OOS

——_———- brach voactyla dukhun-

ensis des Beas 102

Calidris arenaria... oa ahs EA, 7

————-tenuirostris ... AP 245

Calinga budde 231

Calligonum polygonoides AQ2

Calliope calliope 379

—-——_ tschebaiewi 358

Callipeltis cucullaria 158

Callistemon lanceolatus 153

Calloscuirus erythreus 348

Calotes versicolor 226

Calotropis procera 165

Campanula leucoclada... 158

ee medium ... 158

aes Ly), 159

Campophaga elanochy ia 380

Canis indicus : 308

Cannabis sativa ... ane 408

Capella gallinago 388, 449

—~ nemoricola Ss 220

—_—_——- stenura .. 225, 388, 449

Capricornis sumatraensis (S.) 62

$$ $$ —__—__—_——_ rubidus 305

Caprimulgus asiaticus ... 139, 385

indicus indicus ... 138

—— macrourus 385

monticolus 385

—_-———- monticolus... 138

xxii

: PAGE

Caralluma (Boucerosia) tuberculata... 166

Caretta c. olivacea Beas

Carpodacus erythrinus .. Vilas Ce

-——-——- roseatus 362

Casarea ferruginea 389, 453

Cassia .sophera 150

Cassytha filiformis 403

Catalpa speciosa Sil

Cedrus deodara aS 415

libani var. deodara 415

Celtis australis. - 408

~ tetranda . 408

Centropus sinensis -.. 384

--—___-+____———— parroti 130

Cephalanthera ensifolia 416

Ceratonia siliqua 150

Ceratosolen berlandi 193

Cercomela fusca .. 379

Certhia-asiatica 283

-— erythror Henehoe 285

~ familiaris khamensis .... 356

——- longirostra - 284

— lotenia 282

— —zeylonica SpAk woes

Cervus affinis - (S.) 82

-cashmiriensis (S.) 82

Ceryle -rudis - é 384

icucomelantrs 134

Chaetoprocta - : 232

Chaimarrornis ecoceanenne Bashi iaino foie)

Chalcophaps indica 302, 433

Channa age Ud,

Charadrius soromendenede 443

— dubius 387

a _ jerdoni 445

—_———. duvauceli 446

—-————— fulvus 446

—_——. himantopus 447

———\——— malabaricus 446

cedicnemus 442

Chaulelasmus streperus a 389

Chelidorhyncha hypoxantha ... 361

Chenopodium album 398

= botrys 398

—— -foliosum 399

~-—_—_--——_— hybridum 398

——_————- maritimum 400

~ murale 398

~ opulifolium 398

—- rubrum 399

Chlidonias leucopareia ,,. 388

INDEX. OF SPECIES

PAGE

Chopraia rupicola 88

Choristis nigriceps . 442

Chrozophora hierosolymitana .. 408

Obigual = Vie en 407

Chrysocolaptes festivus e220, 294

———-guttacristatus cherso-

NESUIS. Zoo

——__.—____________——_' deles:

serti: 200, 203

—guttacristatus 295

—_-—_——-— indomalayicus 295

— — strictus... 294

Chrysophrys berda. Bocs 1\ Boa eee

Ciconia ciconia .. . 85, 389, 450

= javanica: 9h. 5 oprah! fot

Cinclus pallasi marila ... 357

—— soulie ae et 357

Cinnyris asiatica eee 283, 284

——-—\ lotenia ... 282

———_ minima 283

————_ vigorsi ... - 282

— zeylonica 284

Circetus gallicus ane sestigina ce

Circus zruginosus .. 225, 386, 431

——— cyaneus se SOo

—— macrourus 386, 430

—— pygareus ... 430.

teesa wide 429

Cissa chinensis chinensis 3 Sb

Cisticola juncidis ek ai 381

Citrullus colocynthis sess od

Clamator jacobinus no AS, Leo, atc!

—_ —_--—__ ———_ tapr Soames 128

Coccophagus tschirchii 196

Colchicum luteum 422

Collocalia brevirostris previrdsttis _ 366

= —_——.. pellos a, 1309

——innominator ... --366

Columba cambayensis ... 434

—— ——-elphinstonii ... Bee Beir iE eio)

ee incdic@aae) ‘ 433

————-- leuconota eradenie es a0 GOS

ee ee lavaal 386, 490

——_-—_—_- intermedia 433

——_———-- orientalis 433:

=2—__— pulchricollis,-. 302

————._ risoria ... 435

Sy suratensic 434

————-- sylvatica 433

—_-——- tranquebarica 435

~ Cometes surattensis 396 |

INDEX..OF SPECIES

PAGE

Contia persica... wi fe e220

Convolvulus Bcantnocladus ee Se 6S.

-——— aitchisonii es ay 168

——— AEVENSIS) «sy ye soe LOZ

—— erinaceus ae ata 168

a leiocalycinus ... Bes LOS

——— lineatus... tae bo LOS

-————_——— microphyllus ... pe 208

——_———— pilosellefolius ... .... 168

—_— DlUrICAWhIS ha) gs oe OS

~ rotterianus ie ene) 168

Copsychus saularis ae He ee ON

Coracias benghalensis ..._ ... Set OO

—-— — indica . Bs 12

Corvus brachyurus — ae ph ZOO

macrorhynchos imacroriyi:

chos me i ee 301% 378

splendens Shicndens es 11295378

Corydalla striolata sas sce LOOE

—— ——-. thermophilus os 20.4 2 OQ

Coturnix argoondah ... bts <3 3438

437

——_—— coturnix communis ... ve 299!

wa —-coturnix ... 298, 387, 437

——- japonica ... sec 298

Cressa cretica.... oe eo iaeem cual)

Crinum powellii ... oes se ee 2416).

Crocethia alba... Sos wise we 7

Crocodilus palustris ae Aes 493, 494

Crocopus phcenicopterus Ses ee 7380

chlorigaster 432

re phoenicop-

terus dan fe COU

viridifrons. 301

Crossochilus latius ia on ae AO 52

punjabensis_—... 53

Cryptoplectron manipurensis manipur-

ensis a a ai 300 |

Cuculus canorus ... a ao Seed A

——_——— jacobinus te tak ser ZS

———— micropterus ... Sa Be eZ se

——_——-passerinus... 127

———— poliocephalus poliocephalue 365

———scolopaceus ... Bs apenas)

——— telephonus ... ae ret 7

Cucumis colocynthis ... ase eur ded

———_-——— melo .... a wae wees bod

— prophetarum ... peer aly!

Culicicapa ceylonensis ee oneuce ao 300

Cuon dukhunensis aie aoe 308

——- rutilans

XXill

PAGE

Cupressus sp. 415

Cursorius coromandelicus 387, 443

Cyanosylvia suecica 379

_ Cyclopleura claripennis 195

Cycas revoluta 244

Cynanchum vincetoxicam 165

Cynopterus sphinx cae aS:

Cyperus albomarginatus ie 29.

—~—-—— alopecuroides ... 33

———— arenarius 261

——_—— aristatus we ~ 263

——-—— artticulatus 269, 270:

—— — atkinsoni cay === 262-

4740)

a Bateocde WE 16, 269.

———— capillaris var. pileimers te 29

— — cephalotes pee All)

——-~—— compressus 15, 20, 262.

-——_——— conglomeratus ea 202

—— var. Major .. 262:

—_———_——_- var. pachyrr- . :

ee2OZs

= ecorymbosus ... 15, 17,20; 270, 271.

—_——_—— var. pangorei.... 270.

————_—— castaneus 258

———— cephalotes 254,

—-—— cuspidatus _ 258

-_—_——— dehiscens 270.

————. difformis ot DOO

—_——— digitatus 267, 277.

———— diphyllus 270

——_——— distans ... 266

———— effusus ... See ance

a elusinoides 266, 267

—--—— enodis 270

———— esculentus pees

————. exaltatus 16.275):

—__ ——_ — Uar. dives Ses 276

._—_._—_—- fenzelianus 273

—— —— ferrugineus 30

—————-. flavescens : sae 27

—_____ flavidus 16, 259, 260

———— glaber ... 263

——_—— globosus 267

——-—— globulosus 29

———-— gularnethi 270...

———— haspan... ; nen _ 260 |

—_ —— ——-——_ var. indicus ... 259

———— hexastachyus ... 213

—-—— hochstetteri 29

-—-—— hyalinus ses 31:

XXiV

Cyperus iria 4 =

——- ——— tr, panici OIE

——-——. jeminicus

—_—_——. junciformis

——-_— koeneg1

COM OAt US

———— latespicatus

—._-—— leptostachyus' 2s.

——— leucocephalus...

--——_—— macer

—-_——— malabaricus

——— malaccensis

——-— marginellus

——— meeboldii

————— monocephalus

-—--—— monophyllus

———— nilagiricus

————— nivius

——--— nudus

== Hkanis: 7. o. é hoe

var. elusinoides

———— odoratus

— pallescens

— pangorii

— pilosus ...

—-— platystylis

———— polystachyos

— procerus

——— pulcherrimus ...

— pulvinatus

pumilus

— puncticulatus ...

——_—— pungens

———— pusillus

———-— pygmaeus

— radiatus

———— rotundus

— rubicundus

————_ sanguinolentus

——_——. seminudus

stoloniferus

——— subcapitatus

——_—— tegetiformis

eC eh MIn

——— teneriffz

— tenuifloris

———_——— tuberosus

— uncinatus

— wightii

Cyprinus for.

————

var. obliqua

INDEX OF SPECIES

PAGE

20, 264

264

269

270

Wie eye SS)

“Ail

273

26)

Te,

269

268

258

257

270

eee Ol

269, 270

266

267

273

“260, 270

16, 268

20, 258

268

259

262

Seo 3 34

276

16; 205 273

261

270

275

273

20 27a

270-274

261

273

258

261

PAGE

Cypselus affinis 137

— palmarum ae 137

Cypsuirus batasiensis palnetom 137

Dafila acuta 390

Danio browni aes oe 76

(Danio) aequipinnatus 76

Daphne acuminata 403

——- mucronata at 403

— oleoides ... 403

Datura alba 170

—- fastuosa ... : 170

—_-—_—- var. Abe 170

———- metei 170

-- stramonium 170

Delias belladonna 232

Dendrocitta rufa 378

Dencrocopus moluccensis 289

Dendrocyegna fulva Sees

- javamicar.. 389, 453

Dendronanthus indicus 225

Dendrophasa bicincta bicincta 302

—_-——_—_—___ -__——- praetermissa ... 302

- pompadora phayrei 301

Dendrotreron hodgsoni... : 303

Diczeum concolor concolor .,, 284

——— olivaceum 285

— erythrorhynchos ey tarounyn.

chos 285

——--—— eubdavann 285

Dicerobatis eregoodoo ... 227.

Dichorhagia she 232

Dischostylis micheliana 33

Dicliptera roxburghiana : foo,

posses ——-—— var. buplea-

roides.. a 392

Dicrurus Aaarmescens : 381

———— leucophzeus Hopmoodi 361

—-——— longicaudatus se OO

—— macrocercus 225.38)

Dinopicus javanensis Tabropy sighs Ere 00

Dinopium javanense malabaricum ... 294

Dirhinus pachymerum ... 193

Dissoura episcopa 89, 450

Dremomys macmillani ... 348

pitas hei gets peryi 348

Dryobates aurocristatus 288, 289

——-——-- cathpharius pernayi 365

ee eee pyrrhothorax. 365

PALES ce abana ee ao tenebrosus 364

== -——- darjellensis =. 365

——--——-- hardwickii prunneiceps 289,

INDEX OF SPECIES

PAGE

Dryobates hardwickii cinereigula 289

- - gymnophthal-

mus 289, 290

—————-—-——- hardwickii. 125, 289

——~ - nanus Bee AS

—— -semicoronatus... 125

——-——-- macei macei 288

——-—_—__—_—__——-_ westermanni 288

—— -——- mahrattensis mahrattensis

124, 288

——-——-- nanus canicapillus ... ow)

—_- -— nanus 289

—— Semicoronatus 289

Dryonastes ceerulatus kaurensis 352

Dryophis mycterizans toe O20:

Ducula badia griseicapilla 302, 366

- insignis : ae 302

Dupetor flavicollis Aaviconlis ae 86

Earias spp. 195

Echis carinata par C20)

Egretta alba 389, 451 |

_ modesta Ses 86

—- garzetta garzetta 86, 452

— intermedia intermedia 86

Eleagnus angustifolia 404

—— hortensis 404

——_——_ parvifolia 404

———_———- spinosa 404

— umbellata 404

Elanus caeruleus... 430

Elasmus brevicornis 195

ee ceylonicus 15

—-— claripennis 195

——— colemani 195

—-— homonz 15

—-—— hutsoni... 195

— hyblzea 195

——— — johnstoni 195

———— nephantidis 195

Elathea jocosa 379

Klephas columbi... “s j “(8). a9

— maximus 304, 486, 487 ; (S.) 101

a - indicus (S.) 95

- zeylanicus ... (S3)495

Emberiza pusilla 363

Emerita (Hippa) asiatica 499

Encyetus barbatus 194

——-—— tachardiae 194

Eoglaucomys fimbriatus 375

= - barberi 375

154

HWpilobium angustifolium

XXKV

PAGE

Epilobium minutiflorum 154

Epipactis gigantea 416

——-——- royleana 416

Equus kiang ee (S.) 87

onager indicus .. os ) 87

Erebias shallada... 231

Erem opterix frontalis 105

———- grisea ceylonensis see OD

——_—--—___---———-- grisea 104, 383

melanauchen 105

Eremurus aitchisoni 418

= _ persicus 418

Erencyrtus dewitzii 194

Erionata thrax 195

Erolia canutus ae estat 246

minuta minuta . 10, 388, 448

——-— temminckii . 12, 388, 448

Erythrina indica ... BEE reer 0)

Esacus recurvirostris 83, 443

Euaspa wae 232

Eublemma amabilis 195

Eucalyptus rostrata 153

- ——- sp, 153

Euchalcidia crassicornis 193

Eulophia campestris 415

Eudynamis scolopaceus ccolewaceuel 129, 384

Kunetta falcata 224

Euphedra foliata 413

——-——-- gerardiana sd 414

——-—— nebrodensis war. Reecerae 414

-——— —-. peduncularis bale soot 413

—— -—— vulgaris 414

Euphorbia darkeana 405

-—— esula 406

——-———. gerardiana ... 405

——_———- granulata 406

———_——— helioscopia ... 406

~-_-—— helioscopioides 406

———-— humifusa 406

-—-———- hypericifolia 405

—— --—-—— indica 405

= .— leptocaula . 405

————--—— microphylla 406

-_—_——. pauciradiata 406

——-—__— pilosa 405

———— thymifolia ... 405

—————. turcomanica 406

SS Sipe we 407

Eumyias tholecoina Shy lcci 360

Eurotia ceratoides 400

Evolvulus alsinoides_... a sve) LOS

XXVi

PAGE |

Excalfactoria chinensis chinensis. 299

Falco aeruginosus 430

—-cheela.. 429

————cinrnatus 428

—-- cceruleus 430

——- dussumieri 431

——- gallicus. 429

—- haliactus 425

——- indus... ... setae 22)

——- jugger.. - 386, 427

——- nisus sees aon

— tinnunculus 386, 427.

Felis bengalensis Bee TeAIKC)

- chaus eee S08

——- nebulosa ae es08

——-- pardus -308

——- temmincki ... 308

——- tigris 307

——- viverrina 308

Ficus carica 409

— —- glomerata ... 409

-——- palmata 409

-——- religiosa.. 409

Fimbristylis digitata 19

——- polytrichoides al

—- tetragona ... 17, 18

Forskohlea tenacissima wry 410

Francolinus francolinus melanonotus. 90

——- pictus . naa 439

—__——-——- pintadeanus phayrei 92

- pondicerianus 387, 439

Fraxinus oxycarpa var, sogdiana 163

- potamophila ... 163

——-——- sogdiana 163.

-—— xanthoxyloides sea lOZ

Fringilauda nemoricola nemoricola ... - 363.

Bringullaacilisy 22.0900: ve see ANG ASS)

Fritillaria imperialis a 419

= uniflora ... 420

Fuirena glomerata wie ae 30

Fulica atra atra ... 84, 87, 387, 441

chloropus 44]

Fulvetta vinipectus bieti 354

Gagea lutea ah ans 42]

-—_—— persica 506 fis 421

—_-- var. ebulbillosa 421

reticulata . : 421

—___—_-——_——-- var. fenuigole 421

Gaillonia hymenostephana ... 156

Galerida cristata chendoola 383

woe CEVA.) ue soe 104

INDEX OF SPECIES

PAGE

Galeridamalabavieay )25.9 ge 104

Galiumiaparine “2.05 fe. SY

- setaceum «.. NS \7/

- spurium ... Ae Re Sie lioye

——-- tricorne Seti ate tee eve

- Sp. cae Ae soe vat eo

Gallinula chloropus 387, 441.

————.- phceenicurus 44]

———--- poliocephala . 44]

Galloperdix lunulata 437

———-———- spadicea = tc. 437

Gallus bankiva murehins.. 22523 SS

- sonneratii Pe 30

(zardenia tetrasperma .. 156

Garra lamta 48

Garrulus sinensisis 351

Gavialis gangeticus dog) OS)

Gazella bennetti (S.) 68

—.picticauda (S.) 68

— seistanica ae ee (S.)- 68

Gennezeus horsfieldii horsheldii 89, 90, 366

williamsi ... eek 89

Gentiana kaufmanniana seer eal OF

-—— lowndesii 167

——-—— moorcroftiana... 167

Glareolagacteara sme sce. 387, 444.

———— maldivarum 83.

Gliricidia maculata wae 243

Glossonema vatials) = aeiccss ee) a ae 165

Glottis nebularia .. 448

Glaucidium ceanleides rakescens 366

-—— radiatum 142, 385

Gorsakius melanolophus mela no Lo-

phus 86

Grammatoptila striata annua 353

Grandala ceelicolor ceelicolor .... 358

—- -—_—__--———- florentes 358

Graucalus macei ... 380

Grevillea robusta 147, 243

Grus grus lilfordi 83

——- monachus - 83

Gymnema sylvestre 166

Gymnorhis xanthocollis 382

Gypaétus barbatus ae OO

Gyps fulvus mee ee ere 425

——- indicus 385, 426

Hzeematorius cheela ws 29

Halcyon smyrnensis 355.385

‘Haliaétus leucoryphus ... Sco

Haliastur indus : 386, 429

Halocharis violacea Bee 402

INDEX OF SPECIES.

PAGE

Halogeton glomeratus ... 402

Haloxylon articulatum .. 401

————— griffithi 401

———— multiflorum A901

—— —— recurvum 400

-—— salicornicum 400

Haltica cyanea 496

Hapalia macheralis. . 2 ale)

Harpactes fasciatus 136

Hedera helix .. Wes 130°

Helarctos malayanus _ ... » 309

Hemichelidon sibirica Po eieenildir 360

Hemicircus canente cordatus ... _ 207, 296

Hemidesmus indicus 164

Hemilophus hodgsoni ... 296

Hemipodius taigoor 440

Hemiprocne coronata 137

Hemitragus hylocrius ... (S.) 60

Soe - jemlahicus (S.) 59

Hemixus macclellandi similis... Ree) SOO:

Herniaria hirsuta 396.

Elibiscusnesculemttis, (2577. .0 ce 10S:

Hieraétus fasciatus 428

Hierococcyx varius 127, 384

Himantopus himantopus 388, 447

Hirundo coronata 138

——-—— daurica... 382

———— melba 136

——-—— rustica ... 22), 302

——_—— smithii ... se ea 382.

Hockeria atra ie 194.

Homalotylus flaminus ... 194.

Homaloptera rupicola ... 38

Homona caffearia 195

Hoplopterus duvaucellii . 82, 387, 446

ventralis ... 223

Hybloea puera ae 195

Hydrocissa fala baricns 139

Hydrocorax niger see 449

Hydrophasianus chirurgus | 387, 441

Hyelaphus porcinus 307; (S.) 76, 104

Hygrophila polysperma 391

Hylobates hoolock 214

Hyosyamus insanus 17]

—-- muticus Tl

———_——-- niger 170-

-—— pusillus 171.

Hypopicus hyperythrus Umea), 364

Ianthia cyanura rufiliata .. 1809

Ianthocincla affinis oustaleti .. 353

> forresti os See Oo De

XXVil

PAGE

Ianthocincla subunicolor griseata 353:

———subunicolor. 353.

Ibis leucocephalus 389, 451.

—- papillosa _. 450.

Indopicus dele: serti e295)

Iris ensata vee ALG

—- pumila ee » . 416

—- sisyrinchium .., 416

--——- stocksii : 416

_Isoétes, brachyglossa Leer Oi

: coromandelina 5 eos OO

iTsolepisumichehamay gs i ee0 38.

Isoptera pedunculata to O74

‘Ithaginis cruentus clarkei_ 368

- kuseri 367.

Ixiolirion ledebouri. 417

——_——-- montanum 417

——- tartaricum 417

Ixobrychus cinnamomeus 86, 389

—— sinensis sinensis 86

Ixos macclellandi similis 356

-Ixulus flavicollis harterti 399,

ee —— rouxi.., | 355.

Iyngipicus peninsularis pes 289

lynx torquilla es 334

Jacaranda mimosefolia 36

——- ovalifolia. 36

Jasminum grandiflorum 162

— humile 162

—————- officinale 162,

————— revolutum 162

—— sp. 162.

Juglans regia aac 411

Juncellus alopecuroides 33

—— - levigatus : 34

se es junciformis.. _ 34

oe michelianus (22: ot 33

—_——-- pygmeus 16, 33, 34

Juncus articulatus 422

glaucus 422

lampocarpus 422

Jynx torquilla torquilla 126, 297

— japonica 297

Ketupa zeylonensis 140

Kochia prostrata .,.. — 400

- stellaris ... ue ee a 400

Kyllinga brevifolia 2 24°25

— fuscescens 24

—_———_— melanosperma 24

-—_—_— metzli : 24

-_—— monocephala .., see ae 20,

XXVIii

PAGE

Kyllinga rheedsi ... 23

-——_——. squamulata 24

—- triceps 23

— vaginata 20

—— -var, major ... 20

Labeo barbus wes 63

(Labeo) dyocheilus ... ee 58

Lalage sykesii_ ... fe sok 225, 380

Lanius cristatus .. 225, 380

excubitor... 380

schach 380

— vittatus 380

Lantana indica ue EO OS,

Larus brunnicephalus ... 84, 388

——-- ridibundus... abe 388

Larvivora brunnea 225

Leiopicus mahrattensis iashratienais: 198

Leioptila pulchella czeruleotincta 354

Leiothrix lutea yunnanensis 355

Lemna minor «as 423°

Lepidagathis calycina ... oot

strobilifera 391

Sp. bee 392

Leptadenia pyrotechnica 166

——- spartium 166

Leptoderes ornatipennis 374

Leptoptilus dubius 450

= - javanicus 451

Lessonia rufa rufa 09

Lethe pulaha 231

Leuciscus alfredianus 71

——- duvaucelli aA

Leucocerca aureola 380

Leucospis malabarensis... 193

Lilium giganteum 232

himalaicum 232

Limosa limosa limosa ... 223

Leopicus mahrattensis ... 383

Lippia nodiflora ... 392

Lissencyrtus somerville 194

troupi Sha ees

Lobipes lobatus .. - 250,251

Lobipluvia malabarica ... 82, 446

Lobivanellus indicus 387, 446

Ss atronuenelis 82

Lonicera obovata 156

—_—— quinquelocularis 156

a Gp), 156

Lophoceros sclateri 366

Lophophanes ater zmodius Rag oOo)

--rufonuchalis beavani .. 351

INDEX OF SPECIES

Molpastes cafer saturatus

PAGE

Lycopersicum esculentum noe 169

Macropicus javensis hodgsoni... 296

Macropygia unchall tusalia 303

Macrotarsus bitorquatus . 443

Mammut americanum ... (S798

Manihiot utilissma 244

Mareca penelope 389

Mariscus compactus 17

— konkanensis 16

————- paniceus 16

Mastacembelus armatus 76

Megaderma lyra.. 479

Meiglyptes paeine 291

Melittophagus Saydteeessbelrs ery-

throcephalus 133

Melursus ursinus... 309

Merendera persica 422

Merops erythrocephalus artagys) 5%)

- orientalis 225, 384

——— —— orientalis 132

- superciliosus aisle 384

-- javanicus a tloe

Metopidius indicus . 87, 387, 441

Microcichla scouleri scouleri 357

Microgaster indicus 195

Micropternus brachyurus blythii 291

—_-— —-___ gularis 199, 203

ee humei 291

RS Sek ee eee one ee jerdoni 290, 292

ee ee lanka 290

———_ —_ —— ——— mesos 291

re phaioceps 290, 291

a - gularis ate ae COO

Micropus affinis affinis ... 137385

———— melba. 136

Microsarcops cinereus ... : fe 82

Microscelis leucocephalus leucoce-

phalus 356

Microterys onal yi 194

Milvus migrans ... is 386

— ——_—_ govinda.. 430

Mimosa eburnea... 151

Mirafra affinis 102

— assamica 103

—§—- cantillans oh eel O2

- erythroptera 103, 383

———- microptera 103

— phoenicura 104

Meceritherium (S52) 593

Mollugo pentaphylla 155

379

INDEX OF SPECIES

PAGE

Molpastes leucogenys ... 221

Monotheca buxifolia 161

Monticola cinclorhyncha 225

a - solitaria see Be 225, 380

Morus alba 408

indica 409

as BEIGRN 53 409

nigra 408

serrata ae 409

Moschiola meminna (S.) 83

Moschus moschiferous ... (S.) 73

Motacilia alba 383

—— leucopsis he SOS

——-——- cinerea 225, 383

—_— caspica 363

————- citreola calcarata 363

————- flava pe 383

Muntiacus grandicornis ia 307

——- muntjac 307; (S.) 74, 304

— —_—__ aureus (S.) 74

ee grandi cornis (S.) 74

—- vaginalis ... (S.) 74

—— vaginalis a6 sas OOF.

Muscadivora znea sylvatica ... 302, 433

Muscicapula sapphira 360

Mustela subhemachalana 349

Mycteria asiatica Ses ie 450

Myiophoneus temmincki eugenix 359

Myrmarachne plataleoides 236, 369

Myrtus communis 153

Myzornis pyrrhoura 355

Nannorhops ritchieana... 422

Narcissus poeticus 417

Nectarinia minima 283

Nemachilus botia ws 39

——— kangjupkhulensis 48

-———--—— multifasciatus 43

-——__—_-—— nebulosa 39

~—_——-—— paucifasciatus ac 43

Nemorhedus goral Ae (S863

—-— griseus ... se (S.)) OSs B00

—— hodgsoni... (Omi 09

Neophron percnopterus 386, 426

Nephantis serinopa 195,196

Neptis ananta 232

narayana 232

——-—— sankara 232

yerburyi 232

Nerium odorum ... 164

Netta rufina ; Fae ood)

Nettion crecca ... 500 aie 390, 453

XX1X

PAGE

Nettopus coromandelicus 389, 453

Nicotiana tabacum 171

Nucifraga caryocatactes yunnanensis 351

Numenius arquatus “ies 388

; orientalis 223

——--—— phceopus variegatus ae 84

Nyroca ferina 390, 454

~ fuligula 390, 454

-— nyroca ze 390

Nycticorax nycticorax ... 86, 389, 459

Ochotona roylei nepalensis 342

CEcophylla smaragdina 233), 309

CGidicnemus recurvirostris 443

(Enanthe deserti i) Bh

(Enopopelia tranquebarica 386, 435

7 — humilis =... 303

Olea cuspidata 163, 404

—— europea ein 163

2 -— var, cuspidata... 163

Oligura castaneo-coronata 356

Ophicephalus gachua Fel

Oreocincla dixoni 359

— mollissima ... ey 09

Oriolus oriolus 225, 381

— xanthornus 381

Orotanche amethystea... 171

——__ lar. hyreanay 171.

-—— sp. yal

Orthanthera viminea 166

Orthotomus sutorius 128, 381

Orygia decumbens 155

Osteobrama 69

Otis nigriceps 442

Otus bakkamoena 14]

—— bengalensis Be aes 140

—_—— marathez 141

Ovis ammon poli 216

— karelini dais o3e a; Zs,

Paguma grayi se G27, COUP OSE

———-— lanigera Bet ee

larvata... ; ee OLS

—— —- grayi ... 339, 333

—_—— —————-- intrudens 340

—___—_—__—_-—_- janetta ays Rei (S44

—___—— —- wroughtoni ... 329,333

——___—_—_—__—--- neglecta yee GOS

—______——_- robusta 343, 344

See ~ tytleri 338

—_—_____——-- vagans 340

a — yunalis ee 340

leucomystax janetta... oad

XXX

PAGE

Paguma levcomystax robusta... 343

Palaemastodon (Ss ) 93

Paleeornis manillensis. ... Wen y uraeye #2 O30

Pandion haliaétus 385, 424

Panicum punctulatum ... Sas aise 35

Panthalops hodgsoni (S.) 66

Pantoporia asura 231 232

Papyrus corymbosus 270

—-— dehiscens eer ete 20

———— pangorii _ 270

Parabramis terminalis ....... fee 69

Paradoxurus albifrons ... So 187

birmanicus - 314

Stance crossi : 177, 182

——_—__—__—__ grayi 329, 330, 333, 338

——— hermaphroditus bondar 182

ee uscus 324

———._ -___ ——___. _______— laneus 178

= Oru 314

iT A ea aol Oe 322

eS __—— ictitans ~ 1172

_ —__~—______-——- pallasii 187

—__—_ ___________ —_._ pallens 324

Naa Ue NUON re ale Aa ata la aS pugnax 325

—— —___- —__——_-——_ pulcher 325

—_—__ prays 314

—_— —_- —__ —__-—_—_—-——_ sacer,., 325

Se ee golaclien. 176

es — ——— —— senex... 324

SS — vellerosusia ell

= hirsutus 182

Seta lanigerus O27,

a leucopus Serie lie

—__—_-—-— niger |. 1725 183

eee nigrifrons 188

—___———— nipalensis 331

——. - —__ pallasii 317

————-——-. pennantii... 182

—_—_—_—— quadriscriptus 187

—___ — robustus ... 343, 344

-___——- —— strictus 182

——_—_—_——_ tytleri _ 338

fu —— vicinus - ... Sua 187

Pararge morrei 232

Parietaria debilis 410

Parnassia nubicola oe, os Jey

Parosteobrama ... ats Bae Apatite 8°)

-———— pelligrini oe betes 1S)

Parra indica ois one es te 44]

Parus monticolus yunnanensis 351

Paspalum distichum > 9.5) 0) 4 35

INDEX OF SPECIES

PAGE

Passer domesticus 382

rutilans intensior 363

Pastor roseus ash SoC oe Croll

Pavo cristatus ... ae tee 88, 436

—-- muticus Bee fess fa 87

Pavoncella pugnax was Ley sae Z

Pelecanus philippensis ... a op

Pentatropis cynanchoides 165

=e MICLOphy lila ae 165

—-spiralis ... aa 165

Penthoceryx sonneratii sonneratii 128

Perdix asiatica 437

lunulata 437

picta 439

Perdicula argoondah 438

| -———_——-- asiatica ; 437

Pericrocotus brevirostris 380

—-———-—. -—-- affinis 361

———__-—_—_—_____ _-- annamensis 36]

—_-——_——_--— ethelogus 361

o_O —— — -- ripponi 361

——————__—__.—__- styani 361

_————- peregrinus 380

solaris solaris... 361

Perilampus microgastris 195

Periploca aphylla ae Bods woop) LlOwt

Perissospiza carnipes carnipes 1 882

icteroides affinis 362

Pernis apivorus Been S 2

Petaurista caniceps Hes 370), 304

Se ee Cla bine laaaaer Sud

——-—- —_-—- gorkhali 377

—_ —___—_ xanthotis ... Oa

—_——-— filchnerine ... 377

-——_—-—— leucogenys ... Sd,

——--——— melanopterus sie Se ah

— — watasel is OTE:

Phaiopicus blythi oa Bie SAA ZO)

jerdoni 29 292

Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis ... 85, 368

--- fuscicollis a eee 85

ea TOOT 4 ant sap ae 85

Phalaropus fulicarius sae 248

———_—_—__—___—— jourdaini 248

——- hyperboreus 250

Philomachus pugnax 2 (Sk5)

Phoenicurus frontalis 358

——- ochrurus 379

- Phoenix dactylifera 422

Phyllanthus debilis 407

——- urinaria 407

INDEX OF SPECIES Rkxi

PAGE PAGE

Phylloscopus colly bitus a2 ii 39 Plantaco lagopus vey. major..: 395

—__+_—_——_ jnornatus inornatus 361, 381 | ————-- lanceoiata 394

—_—_—— magnirostris ine ey oO ki - altissima... — 304

——— pulcher pulcher... Son OE eee - brevifolia 395

Physalis somnifera BN. oe .. 10| —__ genuina.. s 394

Physochlaina preealta ... bat sou OI = =e - longe- cplindniex 395

Picea morinda oes ue son CA Se -lagopiformis ... 395

—- smithiana a aa oo EL calc - 394

Picumnius innominatus av eggouloaun 202) = ae lusitanica 395

297. |S AOL 395

—— —__—___—__——_- malayorum ... 296 | ————— - var, brevis 395

Picus benghalensis BEE Gas 125-292 mae ea OV ALO 393

——- (Brachypternus) puncticollis .... 293 | ——~———- saxatilis 393

—- ceylonus _.. 293 | Platalea leucorodia major 85

——- chlorolophus ohio tone 198, 287 | Platanus orientalis 410

chlorolophus ... 287 | Platyedra gossypiella 195

—- cinereigula bios li ... . 289 | Plegadis falcinellus ... eee Se 85

—~—- dehree or _....... 287 | Pleurotropis detrimentosus 196

-——-~ (Dendrocopus) Hérdwickii / 4s. 125 | Ploceus philippinus wat lace 2 882

-—- festivus a Ne Sale 125, 294 | Pluvialis dominicus fulvus ee 81, 446

—- guttacristatus... Bae .. 295 | Podagrion pachymerum - 194

——~— hardwickii ee en ... 289 | Podiceps cristatus si wale “87, 390

—- macei a ise ee W288) | ae Phicollis oe ...390, 454, 492

——- mahrattensis ois ae 124, 288 =a CApensis a. 84, 87

—- phaioceps ... ae ae hog een DOs. Pogostemom patchouli 195

———~ rubropygialis oO ett ... 294 | Polygonum aviculare i 402

—-—-rufanotus ... sliie a aha ee ZOE ——- baldschuanicum .... 403

———-.Vittatus. te... ci ees = Dah batam 402

- iunmecophancs .. 198 | ————-- flaccidum 403

——- xanthopygaeus ... ae NEI? SOc | torre - paronychioides 402

Rimusideodaray..... ... Ee Se ene Pec um 402

= excelsa.-6 4. ae es eo 414 eS 403

—- gerardiana is oa ... 415 | Polyplectron bicalcaratum ae 88

———-khutrow ... ae fe ... 414 | Populus alba. cee 413

——- longifolia ... we re Baas =-balsamifera <2. 412

——-pindrow ... ... ae es ANA ge — var. laurifolia 412

Pipastes agilis ... nee Sa ee 97 = - euphratica 413

Piprisoma agileagile ... ae 285, 383 > nigra, é . 413

Pistria stratiotes ... ies Pa 2586428) |\toae = DITA Car: pyramidalis 413

Pitta rach iirames no... “iss 225-286 it ae ae E cuavcolcus Seecmerides Sen eae A?

megarhyncha soe ae 222) | tremula... wet 413

Plantago amplexicaulis as ... 393 | Porcula salvania ; Pee eee (Ss ) co 104

Pee var. bauphula 393 | Porphyrio poliocephalus poliocephalus

=~ COTONOPUS 4 5. oe 394 87, 387, 44]

gt - var. alifor ners aes 394 Porzana pusilla pusilla Sere ae... 440

—— -var. simplex _... 394 | Potamageton indicus w-.. 424

————- ciliata ... Seas eee is .. 394 | Pouzolzia sp. ae Nes 410

o———————- Criantha —s_.... Bais ... 394 | Primula adenophora .... ee 160

—__———- ispaghula__... ies e803 === Gemticulatarmt ss. a spre (Sh)

————- lagopus ete vw» aee 394 | -———- rosa... ay poche VOU

aes — yer. lusitanica-~ ...-.395 - schlagintweitiana | 160

XXxXli

PAGE

Primula sp. aS a ae a NGO

Priniainoratay, =. ae se a iss SasroR

———- socialis 12S, Soe

Prosopis stephaniana 150

Prunella collaris ripponi a Bee Sos)

—— immaculata 360

—— strophiata multistriata 360

Psalis stultalis ba Hb Hee ee Ae)

Pseudibis papillosus ... a 85, 450

Pseudogyps benghalensis 385, 426

Pseudococcus citri ae coe los

Psidium guyava a 153

Psittacula cyanocephala cance phan

131, 384

———— - eupatria eupatria 130

—___-—-— krameri ee 384

manillensis 130

Psittacus cyanocephalus aa; ee Sil

——--——- eupatria 130

Psyche albipes 195

Pterocles exustus... 387

—___-—___-——- - erlangeri 436

—___——_- indicus 435

Pteromys xanthotis 377

Pteropus edulis ... Sealed 6)

——_-——. giganteus 143, 214

Pteruthius czenobarbes intermedius Soa COs)

—_—___—___—__——_- inelanotis 355

Ptilinopus elphinstonii 433

Punica granatum 153

Pupalia lappacea , 397

Pycnonotus aurigaster campneerons ot OOO.

Pycreus albomarginatus Sha aes 29

-- baccha ... ae ob Bee 29

-- capillaris re fee soe 29

-———--- ferrugineus... Sha ee 30

-- flavescens ae ay se 27

—-- globosus Pave : ae 29

—_—___—_—_-_——_ war qilaeinics seit 29

-- hyalinus ate aes Bar 31

--latespicatus ... o06 see 27

———--- malabaricus stesso

--nitens ... fae ak ie. 31

-- odoratus... 408 Sa Sti0 30

-- polystachyus ... Soe 30

-- pulvinatus agp oo¢ 400 31

-- pumilus ; 15, 31

-- puncticulatus ... ee So 29

-- sanguinolentus... ci 28

Pyrotrogon erythrocephalus erpehrece:

phalus 365

INDEX OF SPECIES

PAGE

Pyrrhula erythaca oa 362

——_——_——_—~ altera 362

Pyrrhula nepalensis ricketti 362

—--——_—_- Wictonmice™ ..: 362

Quercus dilatata... 411

ee UC Ate. me (ANZ

—— —— ilex 404, 411

————_ incana ... ie ace 411

— semecarpifolia 411

Querquedula querquedula 390, 454

Rallus benghalensis 442

pusillus 2 Sah .. 440

Ramphalcyon capensis... sds eae elo

Randia tetrasperma 156

Recurvirostris avocetta... 84, 388

Rhazya stricta... af ae for Oe

Rhinoceros indicus (S.) 88

——-—-——-~ paleeindicus (Sa)

—— - sivalensis (S.) 8

204, 304; (S.) a

90, 99, 102

——— ——- sondaicus

——-:——-- sumatrensis 204; (S.) 88,

91, 102

——- unicornis (S.) 89, 99, 102

Rhinoptilus bitorquatus 443

Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus ... 196

Rhodhophilaferrea haringtoni e307

Rhodonessa caryophyllacea (S.) 104

Rhopodytes viridirostris 129

Rhyacornis fuliginosa fuliginosa 358

Rhyncops albicollis 388, 445

Ribes orientale ... 152

Ricinis communis 408

Riparia paludicola ; 382

Rodophila ferrea ferrea aie i Or,

INontee: os. Se a 606 69

- devel oe ait en 71

- roeboides stl 71

Rostratula benghalensis benighaleneick 442.

Rubia albicaulis 157

——_——--- var. stenophnlla 157

- cordifolia IS

infundibularis ae 157

Rucervus duvaucelli ... 485; (S. ) 79, 104

——-——-- eldi Se (S63) Ce); to

——_———- thamin (S.) 81

—--—-———-- brucei (S.) 81

Rumex acutus 403

- — dentatus... ace 403

——— var. pleiodon 403

maritimus 403

INDEX OF SPECIES Xxxili

PAGE | PAGE

Rumex vesicarius Bis Bes ... 403 | Scops adenocalyx see ie Ae, 52

Ruppia maritima as: be .. 424 | —-adenotrichum ... a ec te aa iy

Rusa unicolor 306, 484; (S.) 77, 104 | ——- ewersii aoe ae Serene LOS

— — equinus He (Sa)RA7 = gresius 2, : ee wee aE

Rynchospora wightiana bea eek, 19 | Selenarctos pyibetanace sss Sea O09

Sagittaria sagittifolia ... ee ... 424 | Semiplotus semiplotus ... oo) eS

Salius flavus rah Rap wee 239, 241 | Sephisa dichroa _... ane ae S12 oe

Salix acmophylla... ... Hi ... 412 | Sesbania aculeata te 3 aoe, Lod

— alba ses aN ane ... 412 | Siphia parva ae ite 225, 380

——- babylonica Ae bie AAs eee WA strophiata erropiniaea see ee OU.

——- wallichiana ae aie eas 412 | Sitotroga cerealella Ae aa een OG

Salsola collina... s aes soo 401.) Sitta castamea: ... ae se Se OU

~ ericoides... Ps ss) ... 401 | Sitta europea nageensis He POD

—- fetida ... oe oe ee Ol ———— nebulosa vee ve 352

See ikali eis es See rAQ le bea THON tine 2 —.. sae one tie) OO?

- tetragona an ie ... 401 | Solanum gracilipes bot ans set a 169

—tetrandra pees ersce AOL i . 169

— verrucosa ons Be AON We eae ae CUDETOSUIM a -. re 1 169

Salvadora oleoides 0... SS «163 7 > Xanthocarpum eo ss LOO

Samolus valerandi Be of ... 161) Spatula clypeata sak 508 390, 454

Sarcogyps calvus wae see 385, 424 | Sphenocercus apicaudus . . 302

Sarkidiornis'melanotos... .... 389, 452 | —---~~-———-— sphenurus sphenurus a U2

Sasia ochracea ochracea Be) ... 365 | Spinacia oleracea ee see act Od

= querulivox ... ... 365 | Spindasis nepalisus ae aes Bayo

Satyrus (Eumenis) parisatis parsis ... 229 | Spinus tibetanus ae ce dpa 04

Be sult ue shiva ... 229] Spirostreptus modestus.., ake epee: 20/7!

Sauropatis chloris py an ... 488 | Spizaétus cirrhatus cirrhatus. ... Nee AZS

Saxicola torquata es 2 379 | Spodoptera mauritias (27... .. a 196

———— caprata sa .. 3/9| Squatarola squatarola ... ee tee OOL,

Saxicoloides fulicata eanbaiensis See SLO | ee ————- hypomela ... 82

Saxifraga ligulata ey, aS: ~ oe lol | Statice-axillanris’ ..: seh ee Bed)

————- petraschii_... Soe Si eake ran Cou cabulica ... coe se 22 MSO

——-—— rocheliana ... fb -» 151 | —— griffithi ... cs voi SAP a owe)

——-—— stracheyi ies eo .. 151 | ——macorrhabdos ... oe een Og

——-—— tombeanensis ae eee oda sp. a6 Aes Borie cg te WOO

Schizaspidia manipurensis... .. 194) Stauropus dentilinea. ... Bie Ge eC)

Schcenobius bipunctifer oR .- ~ 196 | Stellera passerina ie oes ww. = 404

incertellus a5 196 | Stenochalcis quadridentata ... coe OA

Scirpus articulatus ere ae 16, 17 | Sterna albifrons ... as <i Bie DOO

— grossus me see 16, 17, 20 aurantia ... aa st w. 444

os littoralis 00 989 ... 16, 17 | ———— melanogaster... ie 388, 445

- michelianus ... i. wes S35 OLGA acer ees Be sa OOO

Sciuropterus barberi... x oe SPO ha! seena ge be ie Le OOO

a CANICEPS! +.) .. ... 3/7 | Stibochiana St aeees aK Fee RE

—_—_ —_—_ fimbriatus ee ... 375 | Stoparola melanops ges ve. 225,- 360, 380

—_——— =— gorkhali «.. eat 376, 377 | Streptopelia chinensis ... ise cae at SOO

a SCuex he SNS Goenseu ee Oke) ——_———- suratensis. ... 434

Scolopax gallinago oh She fon Oe) - tigrina £5,019 309

Tee TCD ULATION <a tens .. 448 | ———_-.——- decaocto ... ae seq ahold

om: ScCuura ob as . 449 | ———_——_____.. xanthocycla ... 303

——-——_- totanus we ées Aiton eee eek orientalis. See igre Ags

XXXIV

PAGE

Streptopelia orientalis meena ... 303

Streptopelia risorius 435

——- senegalensis 386

Cn a cambavensia 434

——- suratensis 303

Strix alba 139

—.- brama vas Se re woe Add

—— flammea 140

— ocellata 140

—— radiata i 142

zeylonensis ... 8 sue sae AO

Sturnia malabarica 381

Sturnopastor contra 382

Suzeda fruticosa 400

maritima 400

—-— monoica ... ae A 400

SUS Chistatus |... “sete GUM ACS.)\hOos eLO4

Swertia cordata ... =e aie rene 1) LOW.

Sylepta derogata ase eke eS

Sypheotis bengalensis ... was «ae 81

Syringa sp. : ‘ : 162

= -— persica ... ss 06 x «162

Syrnium ocellatum sic «=. 140

Syrmaticus humiz humice se Ae 88

Taccocua leschenaultii leschenaultii 129, 384

Tachardia lacca : 196

Tachardiczephagus etewerdire bos 194

—— — thoracicus ... 194

Tachornis batassiensis .. 385

Tantalus leucocephalus 451

———— melanocephalus 450

Tapirus indicus ... s (S.) 92

Tarsiger chryszeus chryseus . 3909

Tchitrea paradisi 225, 380

Tecoma sp. 391

Tecomeila neal ool

Tectona grandis 195

Temenuchus pagodarum 381

Tephrodornis pondiceriana Berth OOO)

Tetrabelodon angustidens (Sa 88

Tetraceros quadricornis (S.) 70

Tetracnemusindicus ... cu aa 194

Tetrao coromandelicus 437

coturnix ... 437

indicus 435

pondicerianus 439

spadiceus — 437

Tetrastichus gardeneri ... 196

——- schoenobi ... a 196

—— (Goniocerus) purpureus 196

Thereiceryx zeylanicus ... 126, 384

INDEX OF SPECIES

PAGE

Thereiceryx zeylanicus caniceps re 126

Threskiornis melanocephalus ... 85, 449

Thripoctenus maculatus 196

Thriponax javanensis hodgsonii 201

Thuja orientalis 415

Thymelza arvensis 404

——- passerina 404

Tockus birostris 11355389

Totanus stagnatilis 447

——- tenuirostris as 245

‘Tragopan blythi blythi ey, oe 90

——-- temmincki bus. BOY

Tragulus canescens (S.) 83

—— —- kanchil ravus (S.) 83

Trapa bispinosa 495

Treron curvirostra nipalensis mee 302

Trianthema pentandra .. 155

Tribura thoracica Shoracicn 361

Trichogramma minutum , 196

Trigonogastra brunneicornis ... 195

Tringa calidris sca. 40

canutus 245, 246

— chirurgus St. w. AAI

—_ crassirostris 245

— erythropus aos ae wae 85

——— fulicarius ... 248

elareola tel wv ES

hypoleucos 225, 368, 388, 447

—-— indica | ies AAG

——— minuta 10, 448

-——— nebularia ... 388

—— ochropus ... 225, 388, 447

ae pucmax a tie as 2

—— stagnatilis 447

temminckii 12, 448

tobata ben. e200

totanus ve) 84, 448

———-- terigontze Sey sev--- - 84

Trochalopterum affine oustaleti 353

—__—_—_ —erythrocephalum for-

restii 42. 352

————<—_— good: 352

————- subunicolor griseata 353

Troglodytes troglodytes talifuensis 356

Trogon fasciatus 136

Trynga alba saaee dy. tases ber 500 7

Tulipa chrysantha 420

fernandezii 420

montana ... ee 420

porphyreo- cavicahtnn we 421

Turdoides somervillei 129, 378

INDEX OF SPECIES

PAGE

Turdoides somervillei malabaricus... 127

Turdus atrogularis Le ae 359, 379

Syoixoni- >... ee a, Pa BOO

~ ruficollis Se ies ae SEY)

Turnix dussumieri Sie a ios 6 B00

- maculatus maculatus ... me O00

— ——- tanki Nee poe SOIL

-suscitator plumbipes ... we (O00

——_——-——- taigoor fis w- 440

Typha angustata ee wes Seu ars)

Tyto alba aa sus Me 139, 385

Upupa epops ane aes ae 225, 385

————-——- ceylonensis wee 135, 136

a longirostris ae e305

— ————_ orientalis See 136

Urocissa erythrorhyncha eryiifornyn,

cha ee ook

Uroloncha malabarica on ele ODO

—— punctulata ... ame Sa GOL

Urtica dioica ae Hee cae 32. 409

pilulifera ... fee oe mee 410

Witticularia sp: .... es we pos E/N

Valeriana wallichii oe an ee OS

——-——- dioica... ae sa pa oS

—_—_——— sh. Aes fis See eo 168

Valerianella szovitziana oe 158

Vanellus vanellus ee ae Ss 82

Verbena officinalis aie es Boe 392

Viburnum cotinifolium ... ane we 156

Vinago chlorigaster a sae eZ

Vinca minor ves ioe eee See 164

= —~ var, atropurpurea com-

pactas...,. oh pee 104

Vincetoxicum officinale

Viscum album ..

Vitex agnus castus

- negundo

Viverra bondar

~ prehensilis

— zibetha

Vivia innominatus avaneniennin

——_——_—___——_- malayorum

Vultur bengalensis

calvus

———— fulvus

indicus

percnopterus

Withania coagulans

————-- somnifera

Xantholeema hzemacephala

- indica

Xenentodon cancila ~ :

Xenorhynchus asiaticus neiateds

Yuhina gularis griseotincta

yang piensis

Yungipicus hardwicki fordwick

a - nanus Sac

Zamenis rhodorhachis ...

Zanclostomus viridirostris

Zanichella palustris

Zizyphus jujuba ..

Zosterops ceylonensis

-—— palpebrosa

——_———_——— nileienes

~ occidentis

— salimalii

PRINTED AT THE DIOCESAN PRESS, MADRAS—1935, ©2182

187,

85,

199,

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fae tl Sfp) Ms

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Sa ae

ing ee

THE

JOURNAL

Ye \ OF THE

~ Bompay Naruran History Sociery.

_EDITED BY

Rs bet D. SANDERSON, F.Z.S., S. H. PRATER, M.L.C., C.M.Z.S.,

AND C. MCCANN, F.L.S.

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Il.—Nidification of Birds of the Indian Empire

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1V.—The Book of the Tiger.

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WIR EGE Ate vara CaN ecne MeO cones oO Ge clsuwet secede ces deldabcass

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Lt.-Col. R. W. Burton. (With a photo.) Ne kiovieeineh aii ts’s

22008025 +-220980988 +98 00000082770989 00

PAGE

214

219

il CONTENTS OF Vola ee Gain Nowe.

IV.—The Distribution of the Great Pamir Sheep (O. a. poli). By

Major Gs Vis Bo Gi aa rere gee oe ene Need cece eevee

V.—The Loch Ness Monster. By A. A. Dunbar Brander

VI.—Exploitation of Wild Life (Ceylon). By A. C. Tutein-

ONS Ke) hel alo) fe lcnaaNe nara: arn SAS Sia AeRGaCOR,. Her lte UNtarmnim so manoanGane

VII.—Woodsnipe in Malabar. By Major E. G. phythian Adame.

VIII.—Note on the White Cheeked Bulbul ((Wolpastes leucogenys).

BycHumayuneA baalaic pc seca ee nel eee yee ereren

IX.—Occurrence of the larger Blue-winged Pitta (P. megarhyn-

cha) in Eastern Bengal. By Hugh Whistler, F.z.s. ... ..

X.—Catching of Chikor (A. g. (ogee in Kashmir. By F.

| Bob Ve). 2 ma eere ars Ny a anmrtn Ravan Smach Attar ngd acl nahh Games Hoscricaes

XI.—On the distribution of Curlews and Godwits in the Central

Provinces: 2 By he Aw Dy Aone w i Z- Sin ey. enone cen see ae

XII.—Nuptial Performance of the Spur- wee Ge Plover ae ventva-

UES) ya EKG ia 15 SRAM IO RE, WeCSs Biers

XI{!.—Early arrival of Snipe in the Andamans. ‘By Woe ul, oe

COM; 2 We GaShe a. melee SOND HOO nqnbode onsboone Meade dodsnodoG. 6 dodo Ubash S005 O85

XIV.—Occurrence of the Eastern Grey Duck (A. p. zonorhyncha)

and the Bronze-capped Teal (£. falcata) on the Brahma-

puta. by. J) Cy Aiecins. T.CiS 5 ean cr seriiaccacem eee ee

XV.— Dates of arrival of Migrant Birds in Coorg in 1932. By F.N.

BGLtS Gass ies te seieltcne no sun tim atte seme ahetepoltoe arena be seme een ae CER RIOGG

XVI.—Extension of the range of the Snake Contza persica, Anders.

insthe: Punjab. “Byala De AMbreming 2 aie. setae Gea ee

XVII.—A Whip-Snake (D. mycterizans) feeding. on the Lizard.

By Co McGann. hb Sh4 ccs: Waceine suns sah canes fatal etre Slaton a taecaneee

XVIII.—Battle with a Giant Ray (Dicerobatis eregoodoo) of the

Arabian Sea. By N. A. Tombazi, F.R.G.s. (With a

: plate). ers je pup AAU nROAuoa soNdd SESE tonto sHoranucsg wocadesp sab pod eouobe

XIX.—The Two Indian Subspecies Satyrus (Humenis) paritsatis,

Kollar sAvCorrection:.. By Col Dy Pellew a aie.

XX, —A Butterfly Ground in Kulu. By Col. M. L. Ferrar

XXI.—-Notes on Observations of some peculiar habits of an Ant-

mimicing Spider (A. forticeps Canals) By «Gone:

Bhattacharya: (-W2ih > PROS): = vine ee eee. eee

XXII.—Wasp and the Trap-door Spider. By L. Munn. ...............

XXILII.—A meander through the Ceehoae Plantation. By Mrs. P. T.

IRUSSEL ey ccrei. cca smceeanencins ace Nene Sac esa ei cein ert oa meen a eae

SUPPLEMENT.—The Wild Animals of the Indian Empire and the

Problem of their Preservation. Part Il.

225

226

227

229

230

208)

239

242

Journ. Bompay Nat. Hist. Soc.

John ale Sons & Danielsson. Lt4 London.

THe Rure AND Reeve. '/3

pugnax.

Philomachus

JOURNAL

OF THE

Bombay Natural History Society.

APRIL, 1934. VoL. XXXVII. No. 1].

THE GAME BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE.

ite Ca LUART OBAKHR 1 CIE. E.Z%.S.-b.l.S., M.B:0.U., H.F.A.O.U.

VoL Vo

THE WADERS AND OTHER SEMI-SPORTING BIRDS.

ParRT XX.

(With a coloured plate).

(Continued from page 806, of Volume xxxvi).

GENUS: PHILOMACHUS.

Philomachus—Anon., Allg. Lit. Zeit, 1804, Col. 54.

Type by mon.—T'ringa pugnax Linne.

This genus is distinguished from other genera of the family in

having the male much larger than the female, whilst the former

in the breeding season assumes a ruff of long feathers extending

from the nape down each side of the neck and varying in colour

to the most extraordinary degree. The Ruff is said to be poly-

gamous and to fight and display for the females in a manner very

like some of the Game-birds.

The bill is moderately long, straight and flexible, both mandi-

bles grooved over the greater part of their length, the linear

nostril being placed in the groove close to the base of the upper

mandible; the wing is of the usual shape, long and pointed with

the first primary longest; the inner secondaries are lengthened;

tail rather short and rounded; the tarsus is longer than the bill

from the gape and transversely shielded in front and behind; hind

toe moderate, outer and middle toe connected by a web, that

between the inner and middle toe obsolete; the tail-coverts are

very long.

There is but one species which extends throughout Europe and

Asia.

2 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL Hist. SOCIBTY, Vol. XXXViI

PHILOMACHUS PUGNAX.

The tuff and Reeve.

Tringa pugnax.—tlLinn., Syst. Nat., 10th ed., i, p. 148 (1758)

(Sweden). oS

Pavoncella pugnax.—Blanf. & Oates, iv, p. 268.

Philomachus pugnax.—Fauna B.1., Birds, 2nd. ed., vol. vi,

—p. 228. :

Vernacular names.—Geh-wala (Hind.).

Description—Winter plumage.—Forehead, feathers round the

eye, cheeks and chin whitish, more or less suffused with buff; lores

speckled brown and buff; upper parts brown, the feathers of the

crown, scapulars and inner secondaries with visible dark brown

centres and bands, concealed on the hind neck and upper back;

tail brown with pale edges to the tip; wing-coverts lke the back;

the greater with broad white edges, primary coverts black with

white edges; primaries brownish-black with white shafts; outer

secondaries brown with white edges and tips; lower plumage and

axillaries white, the throat, fore-neck and breast suffused with

brown or buff. ,

Colours of soft parts.—Iris brown; bill dark brown, more yellow

and paler at the base; legs and feet fleshy-yellow to horny-brown

in adults; grey, olive-grey or plumbeous in the young.

Measurements.—Wing, ¢ 173 to 190 mm., Q 150 to 166 mm.;

tail, ¢ 78 to 89 mm., © 64 to 70 mm. >; tarsus, ¢ 46 to 00 mm.,

Q 41 to 44 mm.; culmen, ¢ 30 to 36 mm., 9 29 to 31 mm.

In Summer both sexes have the upper parts blackish, the

feathers edged with buff or rufous, whilst the breast, flanks etc.

are much more suffused with brown.

The male at this season has the face covered with yellow carbun-

cles and grows an enormous ruff which extends from the nape to

cover the entire breast. This rutf may be of any colour, chestnut,

buff, white, black or grey; sometimes it is Immaculate but most

often it is closely barred or streaked with blackish; whatever may

be the dominating colour of the ruff, it extends to the mantle and

scapulars and, less often, to the inner secondaries as well as to

the sides of the breast and flanks.

Young birds resemble the female in Summer but are duller

and less barred and marked with blackish; the underparts are

more strongly sullied with brownish-isabelline.

Distribution.—Ruffs and Reeves are found over the whole of

Northern Europe and Asia, breeding as far South as Denmark and

Holland—in former days in England—also in Esthonia and Cen-

tral Russia. Its limits south during the breeding season in Sibe-

ria have not been defined. In Winter it occurs in Africa and

Southern Asia. Within our own limits it has been found in the

extreme north and the extreme south and in Ceylon. By prefer-

ence the Ruff is a bird of coastal’ marshes and therefore its occur-

rences inland are not very numerous but there are not many places

in India where it has not been met with, provided there is suit-

able country.

Nidification.—There are few birds whose nidification and domes-

tic arrangements are more interesting than those of the Ruff and

THE GAME BIRDS OF THE INDIAN. EMPIRE 3

the Reeve. For breeding purposes they undoubtedly prefer wide

expanses of marshlands not very far from the sea or on the shores

of great lakes, such as occur in vast numbers in Finland and Lap-

land. When the breeding season commences the MRufis and

Reeves are still in combined flocks and the two sexes continue to-

gether until egg laying has actually begun. In the southern port-

ions of their breeding range nesting commences in May and I

have even heard of eggs laid in the last week Ob April). AS one

works further North nesting operations do not commence until

the middle or end of May, whilst in the far North few eggs are

laid before June. After the eggs are laid the Ruffs keep together

in parties but the Reeves no longer consort together. Both before

and after breeding commences Ruffs indulge in very wonderful

displays and in much mock fighting. These displays may be

carried out on any small piece of ground rising above the sur-

rounding marsh, but even when the site is selected on an expanse

of fairly dry land, the dancing nearly always takes place on the

highest portion of it. Attendance at these showing-off places does

not seem to be carried out according to any particular rule. Flights

ot three or four Ruffs arrive on the empty ground and aiter per-

haps casually pecking round for a short time, suddenly start danc-

ing.. Sometimes a Ruff will run a few paces forward entirely by

himself, then stop, spread his ruff and begin prancing about. At

other times two birds will perform the same manoeuvres, even-

tually facing one another, where they stand, ruffs widely distended

and heads held close to the ground. After a second or two in

this position, each bird will jump into the air and pretend to

tackle the other but I have never seen fighting take place in

earnest. After a few minutes, the first flock may be joined by a

second and so on for some hours; birds come and go, by no

means always leaving with the same flock as that with which

they arrived. When spending my holidays in Lapland I have

sometimes stayed at a small farmhouse from which I was able to

watch the Ruff’s dancing-ground not thirty yards away from my

window. So long as one kept quiet the birds seemed to be obliv-

lous to one’s presence, whether standing inside or outside the

house, and they seemed to bea equally little -affected by the

weather, for I have seen them performing all their evolutions with

the same zest during driving snow and bitter east wind and in the

midnight sun that shone warm and comforting. I have spent

many a pleasant hour watching the birds from the above farm-

house and my watching has made me wonder whether the reputa-

tion acquired by the Ruffs for being polygamous and by the Reeves

for being polyandrous is really deserved. In the first place the

showing-off and so-called fighting among the Ruffs took place

quite independently of whether any Reeves were present or not,

nor did the fighting increase in bitterness when a Reeve, or Reeves,

appeared on the scene. If two males were engaged in a pas a

deux, perhaps one would stop and go and join the Reeve, when

the other would continue his posturing and take absolutely no

interest whatsoever in the departing Ruff and his mate. Again,

I have sometimes, especially during the very early hours of the

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

mornine—between one and four o’clock—watched a Ruff and a

Reeve continue in company the whole of this time and on one

occasion | was within sight of three pairs, each wandering about

entirely on its own. I myself came to the conclusion that the

liuffs, who took extraordinarily little interest in nest, eggs, or

young, amused themselves at their ‘clubs’ while their wives

carried on their domestic duties and, if one of the latter wished

to interview her husband, she merely sought him out at one of

his ‘clubs’, where he promptly joined her without any unpleasant

remarks being made by his clubmates.

The extraordinary variation in the plumage of the Ruffs fortun-

ately makes the identification of individual birds a very easy

inatter, and day after day we would see the same little group or

groups of birds perform in exactly tae same spot or spots. The

opinion I formed after many visits to Lapland and much careful

watching of the birds, was that Ruffs and Reeves pair just like

other birds and, however neglectful a husband, the Ruff, may be,

neither he nor his wife deserve the reputation they now possess. —

Reeves breed in practically any kind of marshland and some-

times in almost dry pasture or sandy grassland. I have found

their nests in the middle of extensive swamps, knee-deep almost

everywhere in mud, with intervening spaces of much greater depth.

I have taken others in places where one might wander miles with-

out getting into mud over one’s ankles and I have also occasionally

taken them on the breeding grounds of Temminck’s Stint, stretches

of perfectly dry ground with alternating patches of short soft

erass and bare gravelly patches. One very favourite swamp in

the South of Lapland consists for the most part of black quiver-

ing mud of unknown depth, relieved here and there by little

patches of rather thicker mud where tussocks of grass enabled

one to walk in comparative safety. The one year. in which I

worked this. place and before experience had taught me its dan-

ger, we found many nests of the Reeve in these same tussocks

of grass, but one year’s experience of this particular swamp satis-

fied all my ambitions and I have since left it undisturbed.

The nest of the Reeve, wherever it may be placed, is nearly

always well hidden and, though it is such a common bird and one

feels that one ought to find nests by the dozen, one’s expectations

are never realised. Once the eggs are on the point of hatching

the hen bird sits very closely but she is so clever that when she

does leave the nest, she gives little clue to where that may be.

As a rule when one is still 20 or 80 paces away she comes off her

eges and, head and tail held low down, sneaks quietly away

through the cover. When she thinks she has got far enough away

from it she stands upright and in the most unconcerned way poss-

ible begins to peck insects off the grass all round her. As her

disturber approaches, she wanders away slowly in front, taking

a zigzag course, but one which all the time leads her away from

the nest. So anxious, however, is she to get one away that she

will frequently allow approach within two or three paces of her

and on one occasion I actually dropped my cap over her as she

stood in apparent unconcern a couple of yards in front of me.

THE GAME BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 5

Eventually we found that the easiest way to find the nest was

to place a stick in the ground at the spot where we had first seen

her and at the place where we were standing when we first caught

sight of her. A beat round between these two spots sometimes

revealed the nest. Of course when the birds are sitting close

after incubation has begun one may, especially if it is a windy, rainy

day, get quite close to them by walking against the wind and

rain and I have sometimes found two or three nests in a morning

in this way. The birds do not always, or even generally I think,

make their nests close to where the cock birds have their dance

erounds. JI remember one stretch of swamp where there were

three or four such places, and General Betham, a Swedish friend,

and I worked the whole area out most carefully but we only

found five Reeves’ nests in the course of three days’ search, al-

though there were at least fifty Ruffs showing off on the various

mounds and at least fifty Reeves visiting the place from time

to time. Indeed we noticed here that very often after the Reeves

had been to one of the ‘clubs’ they would fly away entirely out

of sight, obviously to some other swamp a good distance off. Nor

do all the Reeves, as has often been suggested, of any one parti-

cular area, breed in company and I have never found more than

three, or at the utmost four, nests in close proximity to one

another.

The nest itself is a very primitive affair, but whether placed

in swamp or in dry ground, it is always above the wet and, wher-

ever necessary, sufficiently lined with fine grass or by the sur-

rounding grass being beaten down to keep it snug and warm.

The grass over the nest is never arranged in the curious little

twist beloved both by the Common and Dusky Redshanks but,

at the same time, it is seldom easy to spot. The eggs are nor-

mally four in number though three only are occasionally laid.

When I wrote the Fauna of India I was under the impression that

threes and fours were almost equally common but my _ personal

experience of the last few years has shown me that threes are

really exceptional, and that four is really normal, just as it is

with other waders. As a series the eggs of the Reeve do not

vary very much. In nine clutches out of ten, the ground colour

is some shade of buffy brown, heavily blotched and spotted, espe-

cially at the larger end, with dark brown, or blackish brown

and a certain number of secondary blotches of pale lavender or

inky grey underlying. As a rule the markings are large, bold and

clean cut but in others they are somewhat smudgy. In

nearly all eggs the markings are most numerous at the larger end,

where they occasionally form a cap but never rings. In some

eggs the ground colour is tinged with yellowish and in others it

is distinctly greenish. Occasionally a clutch may be met with

with a pale grey stone ground. I have one clutch of this latter,

heavily marked with deep blackish brown and with numerous

secondary marks in addition, which but for their size, are exactly

like the eggs of the Greenshank. Occasionally also eggs may be

found which are very hard to distinguish from those of the Great

Snipe. In shape the eggs are generally rather broad ovals and

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

distinctly pointed at the smaller end. Other eggs are somewhat

longer ovals in shape while occasionally one meets with TG

short stumpy ovals.

Jourdain gives the average of 141 eggs as 48.9x 30.7 mm.;

maxima 47.5 mm. x 380.5mm. and 43.2 mm. x32./ mm. : minima

097.6 mm. x 3136 mm: ond 42.9 mmr x) 25.0 mam,

Habits.—Rufts and Reeves, all in winter dress, arrive in India

in some numbers during September and are in full force by the

middle of October, whilst a few small flocks arrive in the North

of India, especially in the North-West, in the end of August.

They leave us again for their breeding haunts in April, by which

time a few of the males are beginning to assume summer plumage.

Ticehurst remarks that he has never seen or heard of a bird being

obtained in India with a ruff, but such birds have been shot on

several occasions. Messrs. Mundy and Moore say they once shot

Ruffs in the Dibrugarh district which were beginning to assume

the ruff and I myself obtained one such specimen on the 2nd: of

May, an individual out of a small flock of about a dozen birds

on their migration to the North. The individual shot was the

only one in the flock which had begun, to acquire the ruff. As a

rule the males before they leave us have acquired a certain amount

of brown on the breast and flanks as well as the blackish upper

parts. It is curious that birds seem to stay later in India in

the North-East than they do in the North-West, for Ticehurst

says that the latest date he has seen them in Sind is the 2nd

of April, whereas, as already noted, in Assam I have seen birds

exactly one month later than this and have frequently seen others

in the middle and third week of April.

Ruffs and Reeves are very gregarious birds and one seldom

sees flocks of less than half a dozen or a dozen, though nearly

all the other waders may be met with singly or in pairs. Some-

times one sees in winter small flocks consisting entirely of males

or females but as a rule the two sexes are found together in about

the same numbers. Sometimes the flocks are very large and on

one occasion I saw one which must have numbered at least 200

and possibly a great many more. In their winter haunts they

are not at all wild and generally allow a fairly close approach,

though flocks coming into India or leaving it seem to be much

wilder than those which have settled down. With us they seem

to prefer the bigger swamps and marshes, especially those which

are on or near the coast, but I have seen them on sandbanks in

and beside rivers and, stranger still, once or twice on the shingly

shores of streams debouching from the Himalayas; probably in

the latter cases the birds were merely resting on migration to

and from India.

Like most of the waders and indeed with like most other migra-

tory birds as well, the Ruffs and Reeves when entering North-

East India seem to fly from one great mountain ridge to another

rather than, as is so generally supposed, following the course of

some great river. I have twice noted seeing Ruffs and Reeves on

grasslands of the Barail Range at about 4,000 feet. On both occa-

sions the birds merely pitched into the grass for a very short

THE GAME BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 7

period and then passed on South. When shooting on the North

bank of the Brahmapootra we of course often saw these birds in

the swamps but when we worked up rivers such as the Subansiri,

Dibong, or Dihong, well into the hills, we never met with them.

Ruffs and Reeves have a strong powerful flight, more direct and

less wheeling than that of most waders, but at the same time they

offer quite sporting shots and, as when shot they provide quite a

dainty dish, they are certainly entitled to be ranked as semi-

sporting birds. The only call we are likely to hear in India uttered

by this bird is a low ‘chuck, chuck’ as they alight or as they take

to wing. |

Their food consists of all insects, small mollusca, tiny frogs

and reptiles and also of many kinds of berries, seeds, rice and other

grain. When they arrive in India they are sometimes, but by no

means always, in poor condition, but a very few days serve to

fatten them and when shot in December, January and February,

they are often regular balls of fat.

SUB-FAMILY: Hroliinae.

In this sub-family are contained those genera in which the

anterior toes are divided to the base. In one genus there is no

hind toe but in the others this is well developed. The wing is

shaped as in the Tringinae, with the first primary the longest; the

bill is slender, flexible and either quite straight or slightly bending

downwards; the tail is moderate and almost square, some species

having the median rectrices slightly acuminated and projecting

beyond the others, for which they, in consequence, have been

placed ini a separate genus by some authors.

A. No hind toe ua CTOCELING, p. 200,

2), -A. hind toe

a. Bill spoon-shaped, greatly expanded

at the tip ce aes Eurynorhynchus,

p. 282.

b. Bill slender, not spoon-shaped ... Hrolia, p. 2383

GENUS: CROCETHIA.

Crocethia Billberg.—Synops., Faun. Seand., i (2), tab. A; p.

132 (1828).

Type by mon.—Tringa alba Vroeg.

This genus, which contains but one species, the Sanderling, is

very close to Hrolia but is separated from that genus by possessing

a hind toe; the bill and tarsus are about equal in length.

CROCETHIA ALBA.

The Sanderling.

Trynga alba Pallas, Vroeg’s Cat. Coll. Adum., p. 7 (1764,

(Holland)... !

Calidrig arenaria Blanf. & Oates, iv. p. 279.

Crocethia alba, Fauna of British India, Birds, 2nd. ed., vol. v1.,

p. 231, 3 | ;

8 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Vernacular names.—None recorded.

Description.—Breeding plumage.—Upper parts rufous, each

feather with a broad black centre and narrow white fringes; lateral

rump-feathers and upper tail-coverts white; primaries black with

white shafts and with pale inner webs becoming white, this ex-

tending to the outer webs on the innermost primaries; outer secon-

daries grey with white edges; greater coverts brown with broad

white tips; inner coverts like the back; chin, throat, foreneck and

upper breast rufous, spotted with black; remaining under plumage,

axillaries and under wing-coverts white, the rufous with black

spots sometimes extending down the flanks.

Colours of soft parts.—Inis dark brown; bill black; legs and

feet dusky-grey or brown to black.

Measurements.—Wing 118 to 129 mm.; tail 52 to 62 mm.; tar-

sus 23 to 26 mm. (once 21 mm. only); culmen about 21 to 26 mm.,

once 28 mm. |

In Winter the upper plumage is black with broad white edges,

giving the impression of greyness; the hind-neck is generally grey,

the dark centres obsolete; forehead and face white, but generally

some rufous and black markings on the lores; lower back, rump

and upper tail-coverts grey, the back and rump with tiny black

bars, the coverts with pale whitish tips and blackish sub-tips

merging into the grey of the base; wing-coverts and inner-most

secondaries like the back; quills as in the Summer plumage; lower

plumage all white.

Nestling.—Upper parts stippled with light and dark buff and

black with tiny specks of white; forehead buff with a black line

from the base of the upper mandible to the crown, two black lnes

above and below the lores to the eye. Under-parts white, cheeks,

chin and throat tinged with buff.

Distribution.—The Sanderling is one of the most northern of

our waders during the breeding season, being found in Spitzbergen

and the extreme North of Russia and Siberia. It also extends to

Greenland and Alaska and has been reported—probably by mistake

—as breeding in Iceland. In Winter it is practically cireumpolar

being found in Africa, practically the whole of Southern Asia,

Australia, Chile and Patagonia. In India it is a common bird

down the West Coast as far as Malabar but on the East Coast

and in Eastern India generally it is much less common, although

every winter a certain number do occur. In Assam and Eastern

Bengal I came across it yearly but never in any very great num-

bers.

Nidification.—The Sanderling is still one of the birds about

whose nidification very little is really known. It has been found

breeding in Spitzbergen, Taimyr, New Siberian Islands, Melville

Islands, and Ellesmere Land and Greenland and again in Alaska.

The bird is said generally to select rather barren stony places for

breeding purposes though the nest itself is generally made where

there is a little grass. It consists merely of a few blades of grass

in a natural hollow, occasionally surrounding grass being bent

down to make it rather more substantial. As might be expected

in a bird breeding so far North, the season is very late, few birds

THE GAME BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 9

commencing to lay before the end of June, while more lay about

the middle of July. The number of eggs laid is of course four

as with all waders. In Witherby’s Practical Handbook Jourdain

describes the eggs as follows :—

‘Ground colour pale greenish when fresh, fading to buffish

or ochreous, and sparsely marked with small brown spots and ashy

shell-marks, with occasionally a blackish streak or a spot or two

at the larger end.’

Average of 41 eggs:—35.7 x 24.7 mm.; maxima 38.2 x 24.7 mm.

and 041x261 mm. minima 33.4< 24.4 mm and 35.3:x 23.5 mm.

Both Fielden and Walter shot male birds off the nest, so there

is no doubt that both sexes participate in the duties of incubation.

During the breeding season they are said to be fairly tame and to

allow of a close approach when sitting. Dr. Hortling and I saw

this bird in full breeding plumage at Pumanki in the extreme

North of Lapland on the 20th of June, but this is very far South

of their usual breeding habitats, though nestlings were seen once

on Bear Island.

Habits.—In India the Sanderling is comparatively common as

a winter visitor but is much more numerous on the West than on

the Eastern side. In the extreme South it has twice been ob-

tained in Ceylon, but is extremely rare even so far South as

Travancore. In its habits generally it differs very little from those

other small waders that visit India but I do not think it is ever

found in separate flocks. As a rule single birds or pairs are seen

feeding on marsh lands or mud flats in company with other small

waders and as these may happen to be wild or tame so will appear

to be the Sanderling that are with them.

Their flight is exactly lke that of the Green Sandpiper or

Dunlin and is very fast but at the same time I do not think the

Sanderling is one of the small birds which one could call semi-

sporting. Its food consists of all kinds of small insects, tiny

worms, mollusca and also seeds and certain water plants. In

Kurope it feeds largely on small crustacea and, according to

Witherby, on bits of moss and alge.

The Sanderling arrives in India the same time as our other

small visitors. A few birds of the Western coast arrive in August

but the majority not until late September, while on the Eastern

side of India I do not remember ever seeing them before the end

of that month.

Ticehurst has an interesting little paragraph on this bird in the

Ibis of 1924, p. 118, where he writes :—

‘Amongst the host of small waders which frequent the broad

foreshore at low-water, the Sanderling can be recognized as far

off as it can be seen by its ceaseless activity: it is running quickly,

all the time incessantly picking at what it is searching for, leaving

all other waders ‘‘standing’’. I fancy its food consists of small

crustaceans brought in by each lap of the waves, but I also identi-

fied chrysalids of Diptera washed out of wrack. When the tide

comes up to the full of the beach (here sand), all waders stop

feeding and congregate in large flocks above high-water mark to

await the tide’s ebb, but the Sanderling feeds on after all the

10 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NA TG Ty AiG MES E55 OOH MV, SViol sn XOX Valul

others, and only joins them for a brief space at dead high-water.

li is remarkable how quick is digestion in waders: birds shot at

high-water during the rest-period, which only extends over about

an hour, have their stomachs already empty.’

GENUS: EROomtiA.

Hrokia Vieills Anal: mouy. Orn 0 foo aloe)

Type by mon.—Hrolia variegata = E. ferruginea Brunnich.

In this genus the bill is flexible and slender, varying a good deal

in length and either straight or slightly curving downwards; both

mandibles are grooved and the small nostril is placed near the

base; the tarsus is short and scutellated: there is a hind toe pre-

sent and the anterior toes have no webs between them; the wing

is long and pointed, the first primary longest; the tail is nearly

square, with the centre feathers pointed and projecting beyond the

others.

In the present work I retain in the genus Erolia all the species

accepted by Blanford as belonging to Tringa, with the exception

of the Knots, which are now emer Ey accepted as belonging to a

different genus, Calidris and the Broad-billed Stint, Limicola, by

itself, a division which is also now universally accepted. This

leaves seven species occurring within the hmits of this work, whilst

the genus, as a whole, may be said to be cosmopolitan.

EROLIA MINUTA MINUTA.

The thittle> Stiuvt.

Tringa mite Leisler, Nacht. Bechst. Nat. Deutsch., p. 74

(1812) (Hanau): Blanf. & Oates, iv, p. 273. |

Erolia minuta minuta.—Fauna of British India, Birds, 2nd. ed.,

Vol wi, p. 204,

Vernacular names.—Chota Pan-loha (Hind.).

Description.—Breeding plumage. Forehead and small super-

cihum, often obsolete, pale fawn; crown and mantle blackish, each

feather with rufous edges to the sides and those of the mantle

with white fringes; hind-neck paler and less broadly marked with

black; lower back, rump, upper tail-coverts and central tail-feathers

blackish with paler edges; sides of rump and lateral upper tail-

coverts white; lateral tail-feathers pale grey-brown with whitish

edges; wing-coverts grey-brown with darker centres and the greater

with broad white tips; quills blackish with white shafts; the imner

webs of the primaries and outermost secondaries paler and the

central secondaries dark grey with white edges; under-plumage

white, the breast suffused with rufous and speckled with black. |

Colours of soft parts.—Iris brown; bill black; legs and feet

olive-plumbeous or blackish-brown. |

Measurements.—Wing a bo 798) mom; vail! 38) 7 bo © 4or, mann,

tarsus about 20 to 21 mm.; culmen 17 to 19 mm.

In Winter the upper an are grey-brown, the erown with

broad black streaks, the hind-neck only faintly marked, the mantle

with black shaft-streaks and the scapulars and secondaries edged

THE GAME BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE ULE

with white; the greater coverts are grey-brown with broad white

tips forming a wing-band; below the whole plumage is white, the

breast sometimes faintly marked with brownish.

Young birds are like the adult in Summer with the whole

under-parts white or nearly so, the hind-neck is more grey, less

rufous, whilst the rufous on the mantle is less dominant.

Nestling.—Upper parts rufous, mottled with black, the nape

more ochraceous-buff and the crown dark buff; a black median

coronal line and a second black line from the lores through the

eye; sides of the head, chin, throat and breast ochraceous, remain-

ing under-parts white.

Distribution.—Northern Europe to Central Siberia, migrating

South in Winter to Northern Africa, Palestine, Arabia, Mesopota-

mia, North-West and Western India to Ceylon; East it is more

rare but extends to Bengal, Assam and Madras.

Nidification.—The Little Stint breeds from Northern Russia

to Central North Siberia and regularly, but in small numbers, as

far West as Finnish Lapland, where a nest has been occasionally

taken by Finnish naturalists, and where I personally saw pairs

during the breeding season, though I failed to find the nest. The

birds are late breeders; over the greater part of their range they

probably commence breeding about the 20th of June but at

Kelguev Pearson found fresh eggs on July 14th, taking numerous

nests during the greater part of that month and again equally

numerous nests at Novya Zembla from the last week in June to

the third week in July. Preferably the Little Stint breeds on

marshes close to the sea and frequently on islands in it, but at

the same time Pearson often found the nests on marshes far

inland, and he also found them breeding in thick green moss in

wet ground on the uplands. The nest is a very simple little

affair, merely a small amount of grass twisted round and _ placed

in hollows among dry grass in the marshes or, as already stated,

in thick soft green moss on the highlands. The nest is generally

fairly well concealed but the little bird sits so close that the

nests are very easy to find, for she never leaves it until almost

trodden on and even then remains in its immediate vicinity.

Again and again Pearson remarks on the extraordinary tameness

of this lttle wader. Frequently when the eggs were taken .and

Pearson and his brother sat down by the nest, the little bird woule

return and sit by it, within a few inches of them, looking up

in their faces as if beseeching them to return the eges, while

at other times she would ‘execute a little dance within a few

inches of their feet’. Apparently the depressions in which the

nests are placed are natural ones among the grass roots and not

excavated by the birds themselves, while at other times the nest

merely rests lightly at the bottom of a tuft.

A complete clutch of eges is invariably four in number and

they are in appearance typical little waders’ eggs. The ground

colour varies from pale grey, yellowish grey or stone colour, to

a pale buff, while still more rarely it may be a pale blue green.

The markings consist of small spots and blotches of various shades

of brown and red brown, ranging from quite a pale sienna hrown

12 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

to a rich purple or blackish brown. These are distributed fairly

numerously over the whole egg but are always more plentiful at

the larger end. Under these primary markings are a certain num-

ber of lavender and blue grey of the same size, which are distri-

buted in the same manner but are never very prominent. In

some eges the spots are all replaced by larger blotches, such

eges being very handsome. i

Jourdain gives the average of 100 eggs as 28.8x20.7 mm.;

maxima 3720.3 “mm. and, 730.0) <Dit4e mama, mains 2oniex

20,0) mm: and= 28:7 x 1956" man’.

In shape the eggs are the usual pegtop or pointed ovals and

in texture they are hard, close and fairly fine, sometimes showing

a slight but distinct gloss. The male bird does nearly all the

incubation but sometimes, at all events, the female also sits on

the eggs, for both Pearson and Harvie Brown caught female birds

on the nest. Incubation, according to the Finns, takes 16 days.

Habits.—This little wader arrives in India early in August,

the first few birds turning up in the second week in that month,

while the full flood arrives in September. I have noticed that

the first few birds to arrive in this country are always females

and Ticehurst remarks that the adults of nearly all waders arrive

in Sind during the first days of August, while the young of the

year do not arrive till three or four weeks later. _Ticehurst also

reports that in Karachi Harbour the Little Stint arrives with

ereat punctuality during the last days of July. In India it is an

inland swamp bird almost to the same extent as it is a bird of

swamps near the sea. I have noticed it in immense numbers in

Assam and even in Western Bengal but, apparently, in Central

India it is a comparatively rare bird. It is generally found either

singly, in pairs, or in quite small parties, though it consorts regu-

larly with other waders with which it feeds in company. It is

an active restless little bird except during the extreme heat of the

day, when they may be seen resting on one leg with their head

well tucked in between the shoulders. Their actions when run-

ning about and also their flight are very similar to those of other

smal] waders, but the speed with which they rise from the ground,

twisting rapidly the first few yards, is very noticeable. Their

breeding display is similar to that of Temminck’s Stint described

further on. Their food consists of small coleoptera, mollusca and

insects of all kinds and occasionally seeds and buds of marsh

plants.

EROLIA TEMMINCKII.

Temminck’s Stint.

Tringa temminckii Leisler, Nacht. Bechst. Nat. Deutsch.,

p. 68 (1912) (Hanau); Blanf. & Oates, iv, p. 275.

Erolia temminckii.cFauna of British India, Birds, 2nd. ed.,

VOLS Why O47

Vssmumteanlnn names.—None recorded.

Description.—Breeding plumage.—Upper plumage ‘elaale the

feathers of the crown edged with rufous, those of the back ete.

barred and tipped with rufous; lower back and rump _ blackish;

THE GAME BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 13

central tail-coverts blackish, finely edged and tipped with rufous

and sometimes notched with the same; lateral tail-coverts white;

inner wing-coverts and inner secondaries like the back; median

coverts brown edged with grey; greater coverts darker brown,

broadly edged with white; primary coverts and primaries — black,

the first primary with a white: shaft, the inner primaries with

a white patch at the base of the inner webs; outer secondaries

brown with white bases and edges; sides of the head and neck

fulvous-white streaked with dark brown; chin and throat fulvous-

white, very lightly streaked; breast a darker fulvous streaked with

black and with indefinite bars on the lower breast and anterior

flanks; axillaries and lower plumage white; central tail-feathers

brown; outer white.

Colours of soft parts.—Iris brown; bill black; legs and feet

olive-green or yellowish-olive.

Measurements.—Wing 90 to 100 mm.; tail 45 to 48 mm.;

tarsus about 16 to 19 mm.; culmen 15 to 17 mm.

In Winter the upper plumage is light grey-brown, each feather

with paler grey edges and a dark shaft-streak; head and neck

paler and more grey, the shaft-streaks obsolete; forehead and super-

cilium white; sides of the head pale grey; chin and throat white;

foreneck, sides of neck and extreme upper breast pale brownish-

grey, the centres of the feathers darker; remainder of under-

plumage white.

Nestling like that of the Little Stint but paler, more yellowish-

buff aud less cinnamon or rufous. —

Distribution.—Breeding from Scandinavia to North-East Sibe-

ria. In Winter South to North Africa and Southern Asia. In

India found all over the North in great numbers, becoming less

common in the South and rare in Ceylon. It is common some

Winters in-Assam and Bengal but much less common in Burma,

though it is found as far South as Tenasserim.

~ Nidification.—The nidification of Temminck’s Stint is very simi-

lar to that of the Little Stint but, although many nests of the

latter bird may be found fairly close together, it can hardly be said

to breed in colonies, whereas I have found 12 or 15 nests of Tlem-

minck’s Stint within an area of about half a square mile. Like

the Little Stint, they are late breeders and very few nests with

their full complement of eggs will be found before the second

week in June and far more in the last week of that month. I

have found them breeding on islands in the north of the Baltic

in great numbers but, in several years, no eggs were laid until the

end of June, while even in warm years I found none before the

15th of that month. On the other hand at Pumanki in extreme

Northern Lapland the birds all seem to have finished laying

—in 1983—before the last week in June, and we found hard-

set eggs on the 18th of that month. Undoubtedly Temminck’s

Stint prefers to breed in great stretches of short grass lands near

the sea but many couples breed far away on the inland pasture

lands where the country is to some extent drained and the deep

swamp is replaced by the very wet muddy pasture-land on which

the Finnish cattle are turned out in July and August. Here how-

14 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

ever [ never met with any colonies, generally only single pairs

were found and never more than two or three. The nests are like

those of the Little Stint, just neat little cups composed of a small

amount of grass wedged in amongst the roots of the growing grass.

The birds seem always to prefer cover which is quite short, gener-

ally a few inches high only, and no great attempt seems to be

made at concealment. On the other hand the birds do not. sit

nearly as closely, as does the Little Stint and the nests therefore

take more finding; at the same time they are not really wild,

generally getting up from their nests when one is ten or twenty

paces away and often returning immediately one’s back is turned,

while, once the eggs are very hard-set, they will occasionally sit

until almost touched.

The eggs of course number four as usual and cannot, in my

opinion, be distinguished from those of the preceding bird. At

the same time, as a series they are not so large and the blotches

are not so big, nor are the eggs as a whole quite so richly coloured.

With these exceptions the description given for the eggs of minuta

would do equally well for temminchit. :

Jourdain gives the average of 100 eggs as 27.9x 20.4 mm.,

maxima 30.5 x 20.8 mim.:: and 28:8 x21 5. minima 25.5 x 208nand

28.2 x 19.4 mm. |

The breeding display of this little bird is very charming. When

one first arrives on the breeding ground where there are several

pairs of birds nesting, one hears overhead and on all sides of one

a most beautiful little trillimg note continued for some seconds

and, on looking up, one sees what appears to be a large butterfly.

This, on a closer look, proves to be this tiny wader, its head held

high up and wings beating the air with incredible rapidity as it

hovers and sings; then, still singing, it descends in wide curves

to some rock or other point of vantage near its nest, where it again

utters its beautiful note. Undoubtedly the hen bird sometimes

trills and displays for, from the first nest I ever found, I put

up first one bird which rose trilling into the air and, while he

or she was so engaged, the other bird returned to the nest and

when I put that up, he or she did exactly the same. The greater

purt of incubation is carried on undoubtedly by the male but

the female takes a share in it, sitting while the male is away

feeding. We noticed that the birds sang and performed to a

greater or less extent throughout the whole day and as in most

cases the bird we put off the nest was the male, I think many

females must have been in the air trilling.

_ Habits.—There is really nothing one can say about the habits

of this little wader in addition to what has already been said

about the habits of the Little Stint. They arrive at the same

time and depart at the same time, i.e. in April and the first week

in May and they are found in the same kinds of places and in

company with the same kinds of other birds. Food, flight and

actions are also precisely similar.

(T'o be continued).

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UDA 0 12d:

‘T MLV Id "2008 “SIH eN Aequiog ‘*uanor

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY,

Hie BrATTERS S.J... Ph.D... Wobes:

Part XXIII.

(Continued from page 795 of volume xxxvi).

CYPERACEAE.

} PDEATITBE, (S) de. Pi Da Pulse, and C.. MCCANN; “F.i.8.

(With 3 plates).

CYPERACEAE (Cke. ii, 851).

MorpHouoay.

Seedlings; Little work appears to have been done on the seedlings of this

order. Most of the seeds are shed at mid-monsoon or after, with the exception

of those species that mature early. At this early stage Cyperaceae often are

hardly recognizable from grasses, and are consequently overlooked. Some species

have leaves only at this early stage, and these are lost later on. The seedlings

of Scirpus articulatus Linn., for example, produce at this period leaves which

are strap-shaped. In this state the plant does not look at all like one of the

Cyperaceae. Soon after the appearance of the flowering culms and the drop

in the level of the water, these leaves are shed, and the culms alone remain.

As the collecting 1s mostly done: soon after the monsoon, it is but natural that

the specimens thus far collected are devoid of leaves. And this also accounts

for the fact that the description records—leaves 0. The seedlings of Cyperus

corymbosus Rottb. are another instance in point. Long leaves are developed

in the seedlings of this species, while in old specimens the leaves are mere

vestiges, sheaths alone encircling the culms.

We are of opinion that no Cyperaceae are ever devoid of leaves as described

in the Iloras; leaves at least develop in the seedling, though they may be shed

sooner or later.

Rhizomes: Cyperaceae may be divided into two classes: (1) Those which

die down completely after reaching maturity, in one short season. These have

fibrous roots in all cases. (2) Those with an ‘underground rhizome which throws

up culms during the period of vegetation, or as: long as the supply of moisture

lasts, and then dies down above the surface of the soil and remains dormant

till the next favourable opportunity. We refrain from using the terms ‘annual’,

‘biennial’, ‘perennial’, etc., as they certaimly do not appear to be correct in

their application in many of the species. The term ‘annual’ may be suitable

to those with fibrous roots, but the other terms do not rightly describe the species

with rhizomatic underground stems. The rhizomes in the same species may be

very short with short nodes and the culms appearing caespitose, or they may

be long, developing into creeping rhizomes with elongate joints and distant

solitary culms.

Unless the complete plant is represented in the herbarium, it is next to im-

possible to distinguish the ‘annuals’ from the ‘perennials’. Plants belonging to

the first division have all fibrous roots, and do not call for any further com-

ment here. Good examples are Cyperus compressus Linn., and Pycreus pumilus

Dom. Many of these ‘annual’ species bud off at the base, but do not give.

rise to rhizomes or stolons. This process of budding is frequently responsible for

tufted stems.

In vyperus corymbosus Rottb. a thick long blackish rhizome is developed

which gives off culms at intervals. The distance varies with the nature of

the soil. The terminal anterior end of the rhizome at first produces a_ tuft of

ig JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

leaves (3-4) and from between these there appears the culm; when growth

has proceeded so far, another growing point is developed which carries on

the development of the rhizome. In Scirpus littoralis Schrad. the rhizomes

are thin and long in appearance, like a stolon (Clarke does not seem to dis-

tinguish between a rhizome and a stolon). This type of growth often makes

the plant appear as though it were planted in straight rows. In Cyperus

rotundus Linn. the rhizome is ovoid (perhaps better referred to as a tuber)

and thin wiry stolons are developed, connecting one tuber with the other.

Tubers are developed at the extremities of each stolon. In Mariscus paniceus

Vahl, the rhizomes are short and hard, in fact woody. In M. konkanensis

Sedgwick, we have short hard rhizomes which give off numerous ovoid or sub-

spherical tubers from the apex of which new individuals arise. As these tubers

are frequently in a dense mass the stems appear as though they were densely

tufted.

Rhizomes are generally covered with black-brown scarious scales, but we

are inclined to believe that in some cases these scales are the remains of

sheaths which split with the development of the rhizome and thus appear

like scales. In fresh specimens of Cyperus pilosus we have found bluish purple

lanceolate scales attached to the nodes of the rhizome. In Cyperus bulbosus

Vahl, these scales form a very distinctive character and, when they are present

in the specimens, this species cannot be confounded with C. rotundus Linn.

with which it is often confused.

The rhizome certainly forms a very useful character in determinating

species, but is not a reliable guide in all cases.

Clarke, in his excellent paper ‘On the Indian species of Cyperus’, makes

the following statement: ‘The whole of the Hxaltati (in which I include the

Papyri) are without stolons.’ This, to our knowledge, is not correct, as we

have found thick, hard, black rhizomes in Cyperus eaaltatus. They are such

large plants that they are rarely collected complete, and this may account for

Clarke’s opinion that they are devoid of rhizomes. If these plants are extracted

from the ground without digging the stems generally come away with only

a tuft of roots.

The roots of Cyperaceae vary much in the same species depending on the

locality in which they grow. Thus in Juncellus pygmaeus we have observed

the roots to be thick and spongy in soft waterlogged soil, while on drier sandy

soil we have found them to be thin and very short. In the former case the

size of the plant is small, while in the latter it is large.

Culms; ‘he culm may be erect, decumbent, prostrate, or semi-scandent as

in some of the forest-inhabiting Scleria in which the culms frequently reach a

considerable length and in consequence use their neighbours as a means of

support. The culm may be solitary, tufted, or arranged at intervals along

creeping rhizomes. It may be naked, as in some of the Scirpus, with the

exception of the sheaths which clothe it for a short distance up; or it may be

leafy as in some of the Scleria. It is never branched except in the region of

the inflorescence as in the case of Scleria and Carex. The stoutness of the

culm varies considerably, but it 1s never very thick.

The culm is generally trigonous; but in some species this character 1s modl-

fied till the culm appears terete, and even triquetrous. In some cases the modi-

fication is carried still further and the stem appears winged. Below, the culm

is invariably round, and gradually the shape characteristic of the species makes

itself. apparent until the position just under the umbel is reached, where it is

generally more accentuated, though the common form at this point is trigonous.

In Scirpus articulatus Linn. the stem is terete, while in Cyperus exaltatus it is

trigonous. Again in Scirpus grossus the stem is sharply triquetrous, while in

Cyperus flavidus Retz. the culm appears fluted. The culms of most Cyperaceae

are solid, but there are some that are hollow and septate; in both Cyperus arti-

culatus and Scirpus articulatus we find the latter condition. For the most

part the culm is glabrous, but there are some species in which the angles of

the culms are distinctly scabrid, so much so that they present a sharp cutting

edge. Some culms are striate (many that are not striate in the fresh state

present this character in the herbarium), while others are quite smooth. In

some cases the culm is ‘highly polished’ and shining, while in others it is

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY 1%

dull and in the case of Fimbristylis tetragona R. Br. the stem is covered with

a greyish powdery substance.

The character of the stem is fairly constant in the same species, but there

are cases in which there is a distinct difference in the same plant, as noticed

in Pycreus globosus All. The true character of the stem is more often than

not lost in herbarium material.

Leaves: ‘The leaves are generally narrowly linear and grasslike in appear-

ance, canaliculate above and carinate below, but unlike those of the Grami-

neae they are devoid of a ligule. They may be longer or shorter than the

culm, or entirely suppressed. In some cases they are basal, but in others

they are cauline, some ascending from one-third to half way up to the culm

and in others, like Scleria, nearly to the top. In rare cases they are short-lived,

decay and fall away. In Scirpus articulatus Linn., the leaves are developed

in the seedling, but are absent in the mature plant. In S. littoralis Schrad.,

long flaccid leaves are developed, but are shed at maturity with the drop in

the level of the water in which they grow. In both these species the leaves

are developed under the surface of the water. In Cyperus corymbosus Rottb.

long leaves are developed by the seedlings, and in the same plant the rhizome

sends forth leaves at its apex; after the appearance of the culm these leaves

disappear, leaving sheaths surrounding the base of the culm.

The leaves are usually long and flaccid, but in some instances, as in Remirea

maritima, they are short and stiff. In Mariscus compactus Druce they are

long and stiff, being very thick. The leaves are generally glabrous, but in

some cases they are scabrid as in Mariscus compactus; sometimes only. the

upper surface is so, in others both surfaces are affected, while in others again

they are scabrid on the nerves. The midrib is usually canaliculate above and

very prominent below. Many longitudinal nerves are developed in. the leaves,

certain of which are more prominent than others in some species. The length

of the leaves is a very poor character for diagnostic purposes as it varies con-

siderably in the same species or even specimen,

Sheaths; We think that the sheaths enclosing the base of the culm are

not always the remains of the leaf-sheath or sheathing petiole, but are of much

the same cataphyllous nature as in the Araceae. In Scirpus articulatus, for

example, the leaves are only developed in the juvenile stage, and not in the

mature plant; no appendages are developed at its extremity. In Cyperus

corymbosus Rottb. the same type of sheath is developed, but unlike that of

Scirpus articulatus. Sometimes long leaf-like appendages are developed, and

the Floras have treated them as leaves. Though, morphologically speaking,

they are perhaps derived from transformed leaves, we hardly think that they

should be treated as such in those species presenting this particular type of

sheath. It is only in those species which have a naked stem in the mature

state that we find these cataphyllous structures.

In the case of Scleria, for example, the sheaths encircling the culm are

undoubtedly the remains of the leaf-stalk. In this case, as growth proceeds, (in

tall forest species) the leaves in the lower portion are shed leaving the sheath

encircling the culm.

Bracts; Long or short bracts are present in most Cyperaceae, but there

are many cases in which they are reduced to mere vestiges or are altogether

suppressed. In appearance, texture, nervation, and scabrousness etc., the bracts

invariably resemble the leaves. The bracts are in most species apparently

umbellate, but are really always alternate. They are usually divaricate or

erect-patent; but in some species the lowest one is nearly erect or in some

cases appearing as if it were a continuation of the culm, and in these. instances

the umbel appears as though it were lateral, as in Cyperus laevigatus, and in

some cases of the genus Scirpus. The bracts are best represented in the genus

Cyperus and in Scirpus grossus.

The character of the bracts is useful in recognizing some of the species, but

on the whole of little value particularly in respect to their length. From the

axil of each bract springs a ray; the number of rays is never in excess of

the bracts though this may appear so in some species when the bracts are

suppressed. The lowest bract is usually the longest, and as we go higher

the bracts diminish in size till they disappear. In the case of compound and

further divided umbels, bracteoles are developed at almost every division of

18 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Volo XXXVii

the ray till the base of the spikelet is reached, where there are generally

one or two empty glumes. These bracteoles behave in much the same way as

the bracts and diminish in size the higher they go.

Inflorescence: The inflorescence may be composed of solitary, fasciculate,

paniculate, or spicate spikelets. In Kyllingae the inflorescence is reduced to

a dense capitellum or head, and this is also the case in some species of Cyperus

and Mariscus. In the majority of the larger Cyperi the inflorescence is um-

bellate, compound, decompound and so on, which makes them very difficult of

description. In the genus Carex we frequently have a paniculate or spicate

arrangement. The compact heads of the Kyllingae and the large compound

inflorescence of the Cyperi appear to us to be the result of the contraction of

the upper part of the culm. The rays of the inflorescence are much like the

culm in character. Upon the rays are arranged its branches or the spikes,

as the case may be. The ultimate unit of the inflorescence is the spikelet.

Spikelet: At the base of every spikelet there are usually present one or

two empty glumes. It is hard to ascribe their true nature to these structures,

but we are inclined to believe that they are the result of modified bracteoles,

as, In some instances, they certainly appear to have originated from this source.

The glumes that subtend each floret are arranged along a central axis, the

rhachilla. The glumes appear to be not far removed from the lower. empty

glumes, though in most cases they differ in configuration. It appears that

these glumes are nothing more than bracteoles and not true floral investments,

‘and that the true floral investments are represented by the ‘hypogynous bristles’

that are to be found in some of the genera such as Scirpus, Hleocharis, etc.,

and may be regarded as a primitive character. Within each one of these

glumes is to be found the floret. whether male or female. In this connection

we are of opinion that the so-called spikelet is in reality a spike and the floret

the ultimate division of the inflorescence.

The glumes are either distichously or spirally arranged along the rhachilla.

The rhachilla varies considerably in shape and length, it may. be winged or

not. The wings are undoubtedly formed by the decurrent margins of the

glumes, though this is not very noticeable unless very carefully examined.

The Cypert are most interesting in this respect. In C. corymbosus Rottb.

the rhachilla is broadly winged by the decurrent margin of the glume. In

‘some cases the colour of the wing is given as a diagnostic character; but this

point certainly cannot be relied on, as we have noticed that in this particular

species when the inflorescence is young the wings are hyaline and gradually

become browner as it gets older; thus the colour depends very much on the

age of the inflorescence. The wings of the rhachilla are within the glume,

below the one from which it is the decurrent margin and embraces the nut.

The colour of the glumes like that of the wing of the rhachilla is a dange-

rous character and should be used with circumspection, particularly in herba-

rium material. The glumes may or may not be nerved, but when this

character is present it forms an useful combination with the other characters

of the species.

Stamens: There are usually 1-8 stamens. The number of stamens in the

same species 1s usually a constant character, but occasionally there are excep-

tions to this rule. The filaments are flattened or ligulate, frequently becoming

a little broader above. In some species the filaments persist for a long time

after the glumes have fallen. In this case the anthers drop off. 5

~ 5 oS?

the branches are usually long and linear. The style proper, or the unbranched

portion, 18 sometimes variable in character—trigonous, triquetrous, or almost

winged. It may be glabrous or papillose.

Style: The style may be short or long, and may be either 2-fid or 3-fid:

Nut: ‘The nut varies much in size, shape, and texture according to the

species. It is generally 3-gonous in Cyperus, laterally compressed in Pycreus,

dorsally compressed in Juncellus, cylindric in Fimbristylis tetragona R. Br.

The surface may be smooth, puncticulate, tuberculate, reticulate, ete. The

mature. nut forms a very reliable. means of determination if the shape is

properly preserved in the herbarium; young nuts are very often misleading.

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY 19

The colour varies considerably with the age of the nut. Microscopical exami-

nation is essential, as determination of Cyperaceae from this character with a

pocket lens or a very low power cannot be relied upon.

FERTILIZATION.

Nothing of value has so far been observed with regard to pollination in

this order. Muller, in his work on ‘The Fertilization of Flowers’, glosses

over the subject with the remark that the flowers are aneomophilous, and says

that he has observed certain of the Carices visited by the hive-bee. The anthers

are ‘no doubt suited for this type of fertilization, though this is not the only

one the order depends on. If we examine the fruiting spikelet of any of the

Cyperaceae it will be noticed that all the florets have been fertilized and bear

nuts. Wind pollination in itself would not be responsible for this fertility

throughout. How then are we to account for this prolific fertilization? In

our experience this 1s effected in the following manner; The lowermost floret

in the spikelet develops first—here the anthers are matured before the stigmas.

This is true in some cases but not in all. As growth advances, the florets

develop in acropetal succession from below upwards and in all cases the anthers

mature before the stigmas. Now when the lowest stigmas are ripe the anthers

in the floret above it are mature. With the weight of the anthers and the

aid of the wind the stamens are deflexed and the anthers of the floret are

brought in contact with the stigmas of the floret just below it—thus bringing

about its fertilization. In other words both self-fertilization and cross-fertiliza-

tion are common. If these plants were dependent on cross-fertilization not all

the florets in the spikelet would be capable of producing nuts—there would be

some barren ones. During the period in which most of the Cyperaceous plants

are im flower, which is during the monsoon months, there is usually little wind

that is not accompanied by heavy downpours, so that whatever is in suspension

in the air is washed to the ground. In the intervals between the showers

little cross-ferilization could take place.

Species that grow in forests are generally protected from the wind, yet

complete fertilization is effected. In the cases of Carex with monoecious flowers,

the male flowers are situated above the female, and it is possible that when

the anthers are ripe the pollen is shed and falls directly downwards on to

the stigmas below. In this case the stigmas and anthers ripen at more

or less the same time. But we have not had sufficient experience to express

definite views on the subject, as far as this genus is concerned. No doubt

insects visit some of the Cyperaceae, but they are few; and we think it

hardly possible that every spikelet in a whole umbel should have all the

florets in each spikelet fertilized in this way. Even so there is little chance

of cross-fertilization, as the visiting insect may carry pollen from one part

of the inflorescence to another part—this again would result in self-fertilization

in so much as the pollen is from the same individual plant. The passage of

insects over the spikelets would have the same result to a large extent by the

deflection of the stamens.

The net result of these observations is that self-fertilization is not un-

common in this order, each set of anthers of a floret fertilizing the stigmas of

the floret below it. However, there remains a great deal of work still to be

done in this direction.

SEED DISPERSAL.

Ridley in his excellent work on the ‘Dispersal of Plants throughout the

World’ (p. 99) rightly remarks that Cyperaceae do not depend very much on

the wind for the dispersal of seed; we are of opinion that a certain amount

of dispersal is effected in this way (though very local) in the case of plants

which dry erect, and in the case of those that inhabit desert regions in the

drifting sand. However, the greater part of the dispersal is probably effected

by water and animal agents. Under the heading of water we might make

three divisions and consider them separately: (a) Monsoon wash, (b) floods,

and (c) rivers. F

Monsoon wash: Many of the Cyperaceae fruit long before the monsoons

terminate, for instance Fimbristylis digitata, Rynchospora Wightiana, and a

few others. The two plants mentioned above are soon overtopped by other

20 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

vegetation. The seeds drop to the ground and are probably washed away by

the subsequent showers of rain. Cyperus rotundus, a common pest in our

area, and C. compressus also flower early during the monsoon. The inflores-

cences break up, and they must be dispersed in the same way.

Floods: Floods, though not very largely responsible for the dispersal of

seed must nevertheless disperse a good deal at the first onrush; and not only

seed, but also entire plants and underground portions. ‘Thus, Clarke states (ex

Ridley), Cyperus cephalotes and C. platystylis are dispersed. Both species form

floating masses in tanks and ricefields. Large quantities of earth are also

washed away and in this there surely must be quantities of seed, etc.

Rivers: Along the banks of rivers and streams numerous Cyperi grow and

it is doubtless that many seeds fall into the water directly or indirectly;

whether the seeds sink or float 1s immaterial for they are certainly washed along

with the silt. Now the banks of rivers are always changing, large masses of

earth with the vegetation fall into the stream and are washed down whole.

Animals; We think animals are the greatest agents for the dispersal of

seed. In this case the seeds may be carried internally or externally for great

distances before they are dropped.

Internally: Many animals eat Cyperaceous plants along with other herba-

ceous vegetation. We have observed cattle eat Cyperus Iria, inflorescence and

all. It is quite possible that many of these seeds are proof against the gastric

juices and pass out unchanged in the droppings. Elephants after they have

uprooted a ‘trunk full’ of stuff are in the habit of dusting the tuft on their

bodies either for the purpose of freeing it of obnoxious insects or for driving

away tantalizing insects and in so doing disperse the seed.

Beasts of prey kill a number of herbivorous animals, and the stomach con-

tents are left where the prey has been eaten. We have frequently come across

quantities of seeds left in this way.

Externally: The seeds of Cyperaceac fall to the ground and are soon mixed

with the wet soil during the monsoon and in marshy ground. Animals passing

through these muddy tracts collect a quantity of the mud on their legs and in

between their hoofs, and in this way carry seed from one place to another.

Wallowing animals such as pigs, elephants and the buffalo carry away clots of

mud on their bodies which in all probability contain seed. These do not leave

the animal till dry. In the meantime the animal may have travelled far from

the place where it collected the earth.

Birds ; Numerous birds such as quail, partridge, and grouse, eat the seeds

of Cyperaceous plants; but it 1s quite likely that in these cases the seeds are

digested, as they constitute the food of these birds. Large numbers of grain

feeding birds are killed by birds of prey whereby the contents of the crops

are discarded.

But the greatest chance of dispersal les with the swimming and wading

birds. who visit places where Cyperaceae grow in abundance, such as rivers and

lakes. These birds invariably collect quantities of seed on their plumage as

they brush through the vegetation on the banks of the rivers and lakes, and

on their bills and feet with the mud which adheres to them, and is in this

way transported great distances.

Man; Man is by no means to be overlooked in this, connection as there

is no doubt that he transports many species with articles of commerce such

as' grain, grass, and other produce of the fields. Few Cyperaceous plants are

transported from one place to another for garden purposes. Some are cultivated

by the poorer classes in India, such as Scirpus grossus, for their edible tubers,

while Cyperus corymbosus is said to be cultivated for purposes of mat making;

but in either case this cultivation is by no means systematic.

HERBARIA EXAMINED.

(1) Herbarium of St. Xavier’s College, Bombay.

Collectors: Blatter, Hallberg, McCann, Sabnis, D’Almeida (a few speci-

mens), and Vakil (a few specimens).

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY 21

(2) Herbarium of Sedgwick and Bell (now) at St. Xavier’s College, Bombay.

Collectors: Sedgwick, Bell, and their collectors.

(3) Herbarium of the Economic Botanist (H.E.B.B.), Agricultural College,

Poona.

Collectors: Gammie, Paranjpye, Bhide, Garade, Patwardhan, Chibber,

Ryan, and Cooke.

(4) Herbarium of Talbot (now) at The Agricultural College, Poona.

Collector: Talbot.

(5) Herbarium of the Botanical Survey of India, Sibpur, Calcutta.

This herbarium is extremely poor in material from the Bombay Presidency.

The specimens are mostly a few duplicates from the Poona collection.

(6) Herbarium of Woodrow (now) at The Bombay Natural History Society,

6, Apollo Street, Bombay.

A poor collection—few sheets having any definite locality.

(7) Herbarium of Dalzell (now) at The Imperial Forest Institute (H.I.I.1.),

Dehra Dun.

Poor material, and without any precise locality

dency’.

(8) Herbarium of the Gujarat College, Ahmedabad.

Collectors: Sedgwick and Saxton.

(9) Herbarium of McCann, Bombay.

Collector: McCann,

just “Bombay Presi-

Somrp GENERAL NotTErEs.

This is perhaps one of the most difficult orders to work out for many

reasons.

(1) The development of Cyperaceae from the seed to the mature plant

often presents several different stages.

) Wet and dry season forms offer many varying characters.

(3) Specimens growing in or near water differ from those occupying drier

soil.

(4) If characters are not noted in the field they are generally lost in

herbarium material, and only personal touch and constant work

both in the herbarium and in the field can clear these difficulties.

(5) Size of individuals depends much on the type of soil and season at

which they are collected.

(6) Like the Gramineae most of the Cy peraceae will grow out of season

if in suitable localities; but these specimens usually present certain

characters unlike the ‘proper season’ forms.

Key to the genera (after Fischer):

A. Nut not enclosed in an utricle

I. Nut-bearing glumes containing perfect stamens

as well

1. Empty glumes at base of spikelets 0-2

a. Glumes distichous (see also 8. Fimbristy-

lis); hypogynous bristles 0

* Stigmas 2

+ Rhachilla deciduous as a whole Bae 1. Kyllinga.

++ Rhachilla persistent

§ Nut compressed radically to the

rhachilla 2. Pycreus.

§ Nut compressed tangentially to the |

thachills Ne ots 28. SJuncellus.

** Stigmas 3 or style subentire

+ Rhachilla persistent 4. Cyperus.

++ Rhachilla deciduous above ahs 2 low.

est glumes leaving a knob

§ Keels of nut-bearing glumes not

winged

Marisecus,

22 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

§§ Keels of nut-bearing glumes winged 6. Courtoisia.

b. Glumes spirally arranged (basal ones

sometimes distichous in 8. Fimbristylis) ;

hypogynous bristles or scales sometimes

present

* Style-base dilated and constricted or ar-

ticulated above the nut

+} Hypogynous bristles present; style

usually persistent; leaves 0 = F,

++ Hypogynous bristles 0; leaves usually

developed

§ Style-base often persistent, if falling

not leaving a tumour on the nut;

leaves sometimes reduced to sheaths 8. Fimbristylis.

§§ Style deciduous, ae a tumour

on the nut ue ee 9. Bulbostylus.

** Style-base not dilated, continuous with

the nut

+ Hypogynous bristles not hyaline,

sometimes 0, not enveloping the nut

§ Nut with hypogynous bristles. Style-

Cake not swollen ae 10

§§ Nut with 6 hypogynous scales, di-

vided to the base into linear seg-

ments; stigmas 3 itt

§§§ Nut with 6 or 3 or 0 scales mele

are not divided into segments, but

petal-hke. Stigmas 3 365 ce 12

++ Hypogynous bristles 2, hyaline, as

tic, enveloping the nut os 13

2. Empty glumes at base of spikelets 3 or more

a. Stigmas 2; style-base dilated, not conti-

nuous with the nut; not beaked by the

. Hleocharis.

. Scirpus.

. Eriophorum.

. Fuirena.

. Lipocarpha.

persistent style-base a fee nen 14. Rhyncospora.

b. Stigmas 3-fid. Lowest fertile glume

somewhat distant from the one above it. 15. Schoenus.

c. Stigmas 3; style-base not dilated; nut not

beaked ree as eae ue 16. Remirea.

TI. Nut-bearing glumes devoid of _ perfect

stamens

1. Spikelets 2-sexual; female flower solitary,

terminal; nuts not bony Soe s 17. Hypolytrum.

2. Spikelets 1-sexual or the female flower

basal; nuts bony

a. Spikelets usually 2-sexual, female flower

basal aa sas Se Bs 18. Scleria.

b. Spikelets unisexual, female flower termi-

nal , sad oF on 19. Diplacrum.

B. Nut enclosed in an utricle

Spikelets many-flowered; flowers _1-sexual;

rhachilla persistent; glumes not spathiform. 20. Carex.

1. Kytiinca Rottb. (Cke. ii, 876).

Species about 50.—Tropics and subtropics.

The members of this genus are readily recognized by the capitate inflo-

rescence at the termination of the culms. The heads vary in number from

1-7, are coloured light green, dirty white or pure white. Though the genus

is easily distinguished, the species are somewhat difficult to identify.

The Kyllingae are for the most part monsoon species, but will flourish where

there is sufficient moisture. K. brevifolia is particularly hygrophilous and will

grow throughout the year along the banks of streams and other wet places.

Cooke in the Flora of the Bombay (Presidency mentions two species:

Kk, triceps and K, monocephala, To these Sedgwick (Journ. Bom. Nat. Hist.

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY 28

Soc. ‘The Cyperaceae of the Bombay Presidency’) adds two more: K. melano-

cephala and K. brevifolia; to these we now add one more: K.. squamulata.

Sedgwick obtained specimens at Khandala, and there were some _ specimens

in the Herbarium of St. Xavier’s College; but he was not sure of his identi-

fication. This species, though on the whole very distinct from the others occur-

ring in the Presidency, varies much with regard to the conical teeth on .the

back of the glumes, even in the same head which, though given as a_ specific

character, 1s not very constant.

The Kyllingae are very distinct when seen fresh in the field and not

difficult to recognize, but herbarium material is very misleading as not much

reliance can be S point varies

too much in the same specimen. The colour of the heads, if noted when

fresh, forms a very good guide, at least as far as the Bombay material is

concerned,

I. Rhizome very short or 0; stems close

1. Keel of nut-bearing glume not crested

a. Rhizome practically 0; stems not robust,

more or less thickened at the base; heads

usually 8, rarely fewer or 4-5, cylindric-

ovoid, central one up to 1 cm. long, others :

smaller, 2 upper glumes narrow oe MIs triceps:

b. Rhizome horizontal, thick; stems 2-many,

rather robust, up to 0.9 mm. high, acutely

3-angled at summit; head solitary, sub-

globose or ovoid, up to 1 cm. long; keel

of glumes smooth, tip excurrent 2. K. melanosperma.

2 cel of nut-bearing glume with a broad, hya-

line, toothed crest; head usually solitary,

subglobose, 4.2 mm. diam.; keel of glumes

excurrent and recurved ... 3. K. squamulata.

IT. Rhizome elongate, clothed with oblong brown

scales, stems spaced, rarely close

1. Leaves usually much shorter than the stems;

head usually solitary, subglobose or ovoid,

up. to 7.5 mm. long; keel of glume setulose;

nut elongate ae: sae aa -- 4. K. brevifolia.

2. Leaves as long, longer or shorter than the

stems; head usually solitary, ovoid, up to

1 cm. long; keel of nut-bearing glume with

a lunate, entire crest; nut suborbicular ... 5. K. monocephala..

This is a copy of a key sent to C. McCann by C. HE. C. Fischer which he

has used in the meantime for his Flora of Madras.

1. Kyllinga triceps Rottb. Descr. et Ic. (1773) 14, t. 4, fig. 6 (exclusa

Rheedsi tab. et aliquibus synonymis); Cke. ii, 877.

Description: Oke. 11,- 877.

Locality: Without locality (Dalzell, H.I.F.I. !).—Sind: (Pinwill ex

Cooke).—Gujarat: Ahmedabad (Sedgwick !; Herb. St. X. C. 2164 ! 8176 !).

—W. Ghats: Khandala (Blatter, Hallberg’ & McCann 2405 ! 27417. !); Panch-

gani, exceedingly common (McCann !), Tableland (McCann 2804 ! 2872 = !);

Pasarni Ghat, near Panchgani (McCann 3036 !).—Deccan: Lena Hill, Nasik

(Blatter & Hallberg 2362 !); Deolali (Blatter & Hallberg 2359 ! 2834 !);

Kirkee, Mr. Gammie’s compound (Garade 481 ! 555 !); Poona (Jacquemont

345 ex Cooke; Woodrow ex ,Cooke).—Konkan: Sion (Blatter, Hallberg &

McCann 2481 !).—S. M. Country: Badami Hills (Paranjpye !); Dharwar,

2,400 ft., rainfall 35 in. (Sedgwick 2684 ! 6210 !). :

Flowering & fruiting: May 21, 1902 (Kirkee); June 18, 1902 (Kirkee);

July 1917 (Sion, Khandala, Dharwar); August 1914 (Ahmedabad); August 1919

(Dharwar); August 16, 18, 25, 1980 (Panchgani); September 1917 (Lena Hill,

Deolali); September 1, 1912 (Badami Hills); September 38, 1930 (Pasarni Ghat).

24 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Field notes: Usually a short tufted species of the drier parts of the Presi-

dency during the rains, growing on well drained ground. The heads are pale

straw-coloured and quite unlike those of the other species recorded from the

Presidency. In habit usually quite erect and growing in the open. The usual

3-headed inflorescence differentiates it from the other species but we have

ae specimens with as many as 5-7 heads forming one compact head, appearing

obed.

‘Abundant in pastures in the mid-monsoon period at Dharwar’ (Sedgwick).

‘A member of the sand flora’ (Saxton & Sedgwick).

Distribution: Sind, Gujarat, Deccan, Konkan, S. M. Country, N.-W.

India, Rajputana, Bengal, Burma.—Ceylon, Africa, China, N. Australia.

2. Kyllinga melanosperma Nees in Linnaea ix, 286; Boeck. in Linnaea

xxxv, 419.—K. brevifolia Nees l|.c. 91 (partim, non Rottb.)—K. fuscescens

ee lc, 421 (partim).—K. vaginata ( et var. major) Zoll. Verz. Ind. Archip.

Wy (Bie

Description: Rhizome thick, 1.3-3.8 cm. long. Stems 50-75 cm. lone,

triquetrous under the inflorescence. Leaves much shorter than the stems, often

16-15 cm. long, 4-5 mm. broad. Head of one spike, ovoid, dull green, 8 mm.

long and more; bracts 3-4, similar to the leaves, the lowest often 10 cm. long.

Spikelets numerous 3-4 mm. long, each producing 1 (very rarely 2) nut. Nut-

bearing glume ovate, acute; keel not winged, almost smooth. Nut 4-2 the

length of the glume, narrowly obovoid, finally black.

Locality: W. Ghats: Panchgani, Maratha Well (Blatter & Hallberg

B1738 !).—S. M. Country: Devarayi, 1,800 ft., rainfall 90 in. (Sedgwick

4413 !)—N. Kanara: Sampkhand, river bank, 1,600 ft., rainfall 200 in. (Sedg-

wick 6982 !, Hallberg & McCann C215 !); Anmod, in a marsh (Sedgwick

3293 !).

Flowering & fruiting: October 1918 (Devarayi); October 1919 (Sampkhand) ;

October 1920 (Panchgani); December 1917 (Anmod).

Field notes: A larger and coarser plant than any of the other species.

Distribution: W. Ghats of Bombay and Madras Presidency up to 7,000 ft.,

Travancore at 800 ft., Kollimalai Hills, N. Kanara, 58. M. Country.—Ceylon,

Malaya, S. and tropical Africa, Madagascar.

3. Kyllinga squamulata Vahl Enum. i, 381; Boeck. in Linnaea xxxv,

431.—K. Metzu Steud. Syn. Pl. Cyp. 70.

Description: Root fibrous. Stems closely caespitose. Leaves often as long

as the stem, 8 mm. broad. Head globose, usually of 1 spike, 8 mm. diam.,

green becoming brown; bracts 3, lowest often 10 cm. long, similar to the

leaves, patent. Spikelets numerous, 8 mm. long, perfecting one nut. Nut-

bearing glume crested by toothed scales coalescent into a wing on its keel.

Nut § the length of the glume, orbicular, dull brown.

Locality: W. Ghats: Khandala, on a wall (Sedgwick 7928 !, Blatter &

McCann 3037 ! 3057 !); Igatpuri (Blatter & Hallberg 2807 !).—Konkan: At

the top of the hill between Tulsi Lake and Mullund, on wet rocks (McCann

797 !); on Bund, south end of Tulsi Lake, between the blocks of stone (Mc-

Cann 1280 !).—N. Kanara: Kanara (Metz. ex Hook. F.B.I.).

Flowering &. fruiting: July 1916 (Khandala); July 1917 (Khandala);

August 11, 1929 (between Tulsi Lake and Mullund); September 1917 (Igat-

puri); September 22, 1929 (Tulsi Lake); October 1921 (Khandala).

Field notes: Heads a dirty white, not so compact as in the case of other

species of the genus. Specimen No. 797 was growing in a dense mat on a

rock over which water trickled, while specimen No. 1280 grew in between the

blocks of stone of which the dam was constructed. Densely tufted.

Clarke in Hook. F.B.I. remarks that the heads are either green or brown.

This may be the case in dry material but is certainly not so in fresh specimens.

The conical teeth on the back, though given as a distinguishing character

of this species, are misleading as they may be present or absent even on

glumes of the same head.

Distribution: W. Ghats, Konkan, 8. Kanara, Kashmir, Garhwal up to

5,500 ft., Mt. Abu.—Tropical Africa, Martinique,

Journ., Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc. PEATE ae

Inflorescence of Pycreus albomarginatus Nees.

Photos by C. McCann.

ee Wile sani Minne ay”

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY — 25

4. Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb. Descr. et Ic. (1773) 18, t. 4, fig. 3; Boeck.

in Linnaea xxxv, 424 (excl. aliquibus plantis citat.)—For synonyms see C.. B.

Clarke-am Hooke +f) HBals vi, “588:

Description: Rhizome creeping, 5-20 cm. long, rarely more than 2 mm.

thick. Stems usually distant, sometimes contiguous, not thickened by basal

sheaths. Leaves longer than the stem or scarcely one-third its length, 3 mm.

broad. Head of 1 (sometimes of 2-3) spike rarely more than 6 mm. diam.,

ovoid, of many spikelets, green finally dusky brown; bracts 38-4, similar to

the leaves, lowest up to 10-12.5 cm. long, or (in the short-leaved examples)

only 2.5-5 cm. long, patent. Spikelets 2.5 cm. long, each perfecting 1 nut.

Nut-bearing glume acute, mostly without glands; keel not winged, nearly

always scabrous. Nut 3-3 the length of the glume, yellow-brown.

Locality: W. Ghats: Khandala (Sedgwick 2571 !, Blatter & McCann

2088 ! 8041 !), on edge of a stream (McCann 400a ! 400b ! 402 ! 343 ! 346 3);

Matheran (Paranjpye !); Mahableshwar (Sedgwick 7650 !); Panchgani (Mc-

Cann 2780 ! 3003 !, Fernandez C213 ! C214 !); Castle Rock (Sedgwick 2755 !).

—Deccan: Poona (Blatter 3129 !).—Konkan: Bombay, marshy soil near water

pipe (McCann 464 !); Bhandup to Vehar Lake, on bank of a stream (McCann

637 !); Bhandup (Sedgwick, Herb. Nana 7685 !); Parel (Blatter, Hallberg

& McCann 3099 ! 53877 !); Sion (Blatter & McCann 52438 !); Foot of hills

N.-W. of Mulland, in humus under shade of bushes (McCann 796 !).—

S. M. Country: Devarayi, in a marsh, 1,800 ft., rainfall 80 in. ? (Sedgwick

4096 !), forests (Sedgwick 4016 ! 4099 ! 4104 ! 4110 ! 4111 !).—N. Kanara:

Karwar, rice fields (Talbot !, Sedgwick 5073 ! 6513 !); Yellapur (Talbot !);

Dandeli (Bell 4202 !); Gersoppa Falls, 1,400 ft., rainfall 200 in. (Sedgwick

7151 !, Hallberg & McCann @211! C212).

Flowering & fruiting: February 1917 (Parel); March 29, 1929 (Khandala);

April 15, 1929 (Khandala); June 24, 1929 (Bombay); July 1917 (Khandala);

July 1918 (Devarayi); July 7, 1929 (Bhandup to Vehar Lake); August 1917

(Castle Rock); August 1918 (Dandeli); August 1, 1885 (Karwar); August 11,

1929 (N.-W. of Mulland); August 18, 1930 (Panchgani); August 25, 1911

(Matheran); August 31, 1930 (Panchgani); October 1884 (Yellapur); October

1919 (Karwar, Gersoppa Falls); October 1920 (Mahableshwar, Bhandup) ;

November 12, 1916 (Sion); December 1918 (Karwar).

Field notes: Perhaps the most hygrophilous species of the Presidency and

also the commonest. Usually growing in soft sticky soil along the banks of

streams and often entering the water. The heads are pale green. The longest

bract stands almost upright as though it were a continuation of the stem.

The roots and rhizome are strongly aromatic—having a ‘gingery’ smell. In

tha field it is easily distinguished at a glance from other Bombay species by

its solitary pale green head and its dense matted habit and situation, but

herbarium material is difficult to distinguish and requires very careful examina-

tion.

Distribution: Throughout India.—Ceylon, Malacca. All warm regions ex-

cept the Mediterranean.

5. Kyllinga monocephala Rottb. Descr. et Ic. (1773) 18, t. 4, fig. 4; Cke.

ii, 876.—For synonyms see C. B. Clarke in Hook. f. F.B.I. vi, 589.

Description: Cke. l.c.—This species has a distinct though narrow wing

along the keel of the nut.—K. brevifolia has not but has from 1-4 setae.

Locality: W. Ghats: Khandala (Gammie 15885 !), Londa (H.E.B.B. !,

Cooke ex Cooke).—Konkan: Bombay St. X. C. compound (McCann 2396 !

2398 !), Victoria Gardens (McCann 722 ! 726 !); Sewri, Bombay Island

(Blatter & McCann 3073 !); Bhandup (Blatter & McCann 24384 !); Bhandup

to Vehar Lake, in shade of mango tree (McCann 642 ! 643 !); Versova (Blatter

& McCann 2828 ! 2898 !); Kondita, Salsette Isl. (Blatter & McCann 2441 !);

Bandra (Ryan 1400 !); fields behind Bandra Hill (Vakil C208 !): Sion (Blatter

& McCann 2427 !), under shade of tree (McCann 988 ! 941 ! 942 ! 943 !

944 !); Vetora (Sabnis 33441 ! 33521 !).—S. M. Country: Tadas, Dharwar

Dist., shady place, 2,200 ft., rainfall 35 in. (Sedgwick 1956 !); under shade

of trees, Kunnur, Dharwar Dist. (Sedgwick 4931 !)—N. Kanara: Yellapur

(Talbot !); Karwar, on grassy ground (Sedgwick 6514 !).

26 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Flowering & fruiting: May 1918 (Vetora); July 1917 (Kondita); July 7,

1929 (Bhandup to Vehar Lake); July 22, 1929 (Victoria Gardens); August 1918

(Bandra); August 25, 1929 (Sion); September 1884 (Yellapur); September

1917 (Versova); September 8, 1903 (Bandra); September 20 (Khandala); Octo-

ber 1891 (Londa); October 1919 (Karwar); December 1916 (Tadas); December

1918 (Kunnur); December 1919 (Victoria Gardens).

Field notes: Heads solitary, pure white. Anthers and filaments also pure

white when fresh. The white head is a very characteristic point in this species.

The anther and filaments stand straight out when fresh.

A plant of the shade, generally growing under the shade of trees where

there is a good supply of humus. Not just a monsoon species, for it may

be seen throughout the year in flower when there is sufficient moisture, parti-

cularly near waterpipes in gardens when they are in the shade. In the ‘wild’

state it dies down soon after the rains. The rhizomes run almost parallel to

the surface of the ground and are never very deep.

Specimen 941 from Sion was growing. among other plants and probably in

consequence became very elongate in all its proportions and did not represent

the usual short upright habit of the plant.

Distribution: Throughout India, Ceylon, Singapore.-—Hot and warm

regions of the Old World, except the Mediterranean.

2. PyorgEus Beauv. (Cke. under Cyperus).

Stems leafy at the base or sometimes above. Inflorescence of 1-many

corymbose-subumbellate spikes, sometimes fascicled; umbel usually simple.

Glumes distichous, 4-very many, 2 lowest empty, the next bisexual, the upper-

most 1-3 sterile or empty. Rhachilla persistent. Stamens 1-3. Style 2-fid. Nut

laterally compressed in the plane of the rhachilla.—Species about 100.—Cosmo-

politan.

In the Flora of the Bombay Presidency, Cooke includes the three genera,

Pycreus, Juncellus, and Mariscus in the genus Cyperus. Sedgwick in his paper

on the Cyperaceae of the Bombay Presidency, in the Journal of the Bombay

Natural History Society, follows the same system with the exception of Maris-

cus Which he separates. We do not agree with Cooke’s treatment of these

genera, nor entirely with that of Sedgwick. Though this view is controversial

we think that the characters of Pycreus and Juncellus are sufficiently distinct

from those of Cyperus, and between themselves, to separate them into totally

distinct genera. The 2-fid style (occasionally 3-fid) combined with the characters

of the nut (though somewhat artificial) are of sufficient value to separate these

two genera from Cyperus. There is also one more character (which to our

knowledge has been overlooked by Cyperologists so far) which we wish to

bring forward in favour of the separate treatment of these genera and that is

the character of the rhachilla which is totally distinct in configuration in these

three genera. This difference between the rhachilla of these three genera

is perhaps best explained by way of figures (See Pl. I). In the genus Cyperus

the rhachilla for the most part is broadly or narrowly winged by the de-

current margins of the glume, but this is not the case in the true sense

of the word in either Pycreus or Juncellus. The naked rhachilla in these

three genera clearly shows a distinct type and appears to be good ground for

their separation.

In Mariscus the disarticulation of the rhachilla above the two empty glumes

appears to us to be of real morphological importance. ‘This is not the case in

any of the three preceding genera. Cooke is certainly incorrect when he states

that this character ‘cannot be applied in the field, but may be said to be limited

to herbarium specimens’ (Fl. Bomb. Pres. 11, 853). We are in agreement with

Sedgwick who holds the opposite view. As a matter of fact, when. the spikelet

of a Mariscus is ripe it comes away easily even at the slightest touch. Arti-

culations are not apparent when the parts are immature. Lastly, the morphology

of the spikelet including the shape and construction of the glume is far removed

from the typical Cyperus spikelet which cannot be said of Pycreus and Jun-

cells,

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY 27

All the species of this genus that occur in the Presidency may be classed

as annuals or plants that will grow at any time of the year if in a suitable

locality.

Of all the species P. globosus— All. is perhaps the most common and shows

the greatest amount of variation which makes it exceedingly difficult to define

and ” identify. P. albomarginatus is the largest species that occurs in the

Presidency, and is readily distinguished. P. polystachyus Beauv. is another

variable plant.

Key after Sedgwick:

A. Superficial cells of the nut longitudinally elon-

gate. Ripe nuts usually appearing irregularly

zonate by the short sides of the cells running

into a wavy line.

. Nut black, narrowly obovoid, subacute, not

much compressed, the transverse ridges pro-

minent, glistening white Ae ip ledice. “fLA0eSCens.

2. Nut black, broadly obovoid, obtuse, rather

compressed, the transverse ridges distinct,

not white sae a ae 2 2. £, -latesprcatus.

3. Nut black, quite concolorous, almost com-

pletely rotund, very compressed, the trans-

verse ridges rather obscure ne .» 38. P. malabaricus.

B. Superficial cells of the nut quadrate. Rupe

nuts not zonate

1. Spikelets short, broad, 8 mm. reddish - 4. P. sanguinolentus.

2. Spikelets elongate, many-flowered, with paral-

lel sides, 3 mm., stem robust, 30-60 cm. ... 5. Pp. puncticulatus.

3. Spikelets gradually attenuated from base to :

tip, glumes lax, yellow, with prominent

white margin ae a » 6. P. albomarginatus.

4. Spikelets elongate (as 2) but stems slender;

tufted, 20-45 em. On ae Sombie globosus.

'5. Spikelets narrow, pale, in contracted umbels;

perennial, maritime 8. PP. : odoratus.

6. Small and slender; spikelets ‘few-flowered with

hump-backed elumes with strong, raised,

curving nerves on the sides oe VO a= fIOlinase

7. Small and slender, spikelets many-flowered,

elongate, parallel-sided, with normal glumes 10. P. pumillus.

1. Pycreus flavescens Nees in Linnaea ix, 283.—Cyperus flavescens Linn.

Sp. Pl. (753): 68:

Description: An annual, slender herb. Stems 8-30 cm. high. Leaves often

3; the length of the stem, 2 mm. wide, grass-like. Umbel simplé or reduced

to one head; bracts spreading; spikelets clustered, or very shortly spicate,

linear, 2.5 mm. wide, yellow or pale, spreading in fruit. Nut obovoid, com-

pressed, shining black, with transverse white lines, hardly half as long as the

glume; black ceils of surface longitudinally oblong.

The Tambad specimen of Woodrow was identified as P. malabaricus.

Locality: W. Ghats: Khandala (Gammie 15386 !, H.E.B.B. !, McCann

C197 !); Purandhar (Blatter & McCann 5584 !).—Deccan: Tambad, Mawal

(Woodrow !).—N. Kanara: (Chibber !).

Flowering & fruiting: September 20, 1895 (Khandala); September 20, 1902

(KXhandala); November 1910 (Kanara) ; December 1917 (Purandhar).

Distribution: N. temperate regions.

2. Pycreus latespicatus C. B. Clarke in Hook. f. F.B.I. vi, 590.—Cyperus

Be Boeck., in Flora xlii, 483 (of No. 28, July 1859, not of No. 27);

Cke. 11, 855.—Synonyms in I.B. yc

Deseription: Cke. l.c. (under Cyperus).—Filaments persistent on the rha-

chilla in dried material,

28 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL ATST: WOCTE LY: Vols XOX i

Locality: W. Ghats: Mahableshwar, rocky summit of Sindola Plateau

4,700 ft., rainfall 800 in. (Sedgwick 4850 !, Ryan 1523 !); Lingmala (McCann

3419 ! 3375 1); Panchgani (Blatter & Hallberg B1747 !, Blatter 1986 !, Mc-

Cann 2753 ! 2805 !), marshy banks of a watercourse (Fernandez C172 !

C173 !); Khandala (Chibber !); Lonavla (Blatter & McCann 2491 !).—Deccan:

Mawal (Woodrow !).-—Konkan: (Stocks, Law, ex Cooke); Borivli to Kanari

Caves, in open grassland (McCann 1120 !).—S. M. Country: Devarayi, 1,800 ft.,

rainiall 290 in. (Sedgwick 4465 !).—N. Kanara: Sirsi, 1,600 ft., rainfall 100 in.

(Sedgwick 7263 !); Yellapur (Talbot 1023 !).

Flowering & fruiting: August 16 and 18, 1980 (Panchgani); August 28, 1929

(Panchgani); September 1917 (lonavla); September 20, 1884 (Yellapur); Sep-

tember 24 and 27, 1930 (Lingmala); October 1908 (Panchgani); October 1918

(Devarayi); October 1919 (Sirsi); October 1920 (Panchgani); November 1918

(Mahableshwar); November 9, 1893 (Mawal).

Field notes: Spikes reddish brown, turning reddish in herbarium material ;

very pale spikes are also very common.

Umbel occasionally reduced to a single spikelet. Growing in the open, usually

associated with other short species.—Purely a monsoon species; tufted—many

stems arising from one point—not quite erect, usually inclined at an angele,

solid, one side compressed, the other rounded.

Distribution: W. Ghats, Deccan, Konkan, 8. M. Country, N. Kanara.—

More or Jess throughout India.

3. Pycreus malabaricus C. B. Clarke Journ. Linn. Soc. v, 34 (1898) 12.—

Cyperus malabaricus C. B. Clarke l.c.; Cke. 11, 856.

Description: Cke. ke.

Locality: W. Ghats: Igatpuri (Blatter in Sedgwick’s Herb. 3488 !; Blatter

& Hallberg 2845 !); Lonavla: (Woodrow ex Cooke; Blatter, Hallberg & Mc-

Cann 8146 !); Khandala (Cooke; Blatter, Hallberg & McCann 3044 !, H.E.B.B.

')\—N. Kanara: Arbail Ghat, grassland, 1,500 ft., rainfall 300 in. (Sedgwick

6584 !); Siddhapur, grassland, 1,600 ft., rainfall 100 in. (Sedgwick 7247 !);

Karwar, abundant (Sedgwick 6599 !; Hallberg & McCann C101 !).

Distribution: Apparently endemic.

4. Pycreus sanguinolentus Nees in Linnaea ix (1835) 283.—Cyperus san-

quinolentus Vahl Enum. i (1806) 851; Cke. 1, 856.—Synonyms in F.B.I. vi,

590.

Description: Cke. J.c. (under Cyperus).—Cooke states that the spikes are

‘reddish brown’ and that the glumes are ‘greenish yellow’. The colour reddish

brown in the spikes is certainly due to the colour of the glumes which are

reddish brown. We do not understand the contradiction. Further on in the

description he says that the sides of the glumes are reddish brown—the margins

and keel are certainly paler.

Locality: Sind: (Pinwill ex Cooke).—W. Ghats: Khandala (Woodrow ex

Cooke, McCann 3196 ! C110 !, Blatter & McCann 3160 ! 3191 !, Gammie

15407 !, H.E.B.B. !), in a marsh near the station (McCann 389 ! 403 !); Igat-

puri (Blatter & Hallberg 2810 ! 2818 ! 3009 ! 3016 !, McCann 2380 !); Panch-

gani, in the bed of a watercourse (Fernandez C159 !); Castle Rock, 1,600 ft.,

rainfall 250 in. (Sedgwick 2715 !).—Deccan: Talegaon (Blatter 3149 !); Khan-

dala to Talegaon (H.E.B.B. !).—Konkan: Mulland, in a marsh (McCann 811 !);

Kalyan (Woodrow 11 ex Cooke).—S. M. Country: Alnavar, 2,000 ft., rainfall

40 in. (Sedgwick 2924 !); Bidi, Dharwar Dist., 2,500 ft., rainfall 50 in. (Sedg-

wick 8088 !).—N. Kanara: Hattikeri, Karwar, in a pool (Herb. Sedgwick &

Bell 6765 !, Hallberg & McCann C109 !); Karwar, in rice fields (Talbot 1516 !);

Yellapur (Talbot !); Hangal (Chibber !).

Flowering & fruiting: March 1917, March 29, 1929, April 15, 1929, and May

1917 (Khandala); August 1917 (Castle Rock); August 10, 1885 (Karwar);

August 11, 1929 (Mulland); September (‘Talegaon); September 1884 (Yellapur) ;

September 1917 (Alnavar, Bidi); September 1918 (Khandala); September 20,

1895 (Khandala); September 26, 1895 (Khandala to Talegaon); October 1919

(Hattikeri); October 26, 1910 (Hangal).

Field notes: A plant of the marshes and open grassland where there is

plenty of water in the soil during the monsoon. The stems are comparatively

weak, always drooping when long—single or in small clusters.

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE Il.

KB. Das. der:

Pycreus malabaricus C. B. Clarke.

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY 290

A good species. Comparatively easy to distinguish both im the field and the

herbarium.

Flourishes throughout the year in marshes only, otherwise a monsoon species.

Spikelets: chocolate brown or dark reddish brown becoming a brighter red

when dry. Stems 38-gonous. . ;

Distribution: Sind, Konkan, W. Ghats, Deccan, $8. M. Country, N. Kanara,

throughout India, Ceylon.—Warm parts of the Old World.

5. Pycreus puncticulatus C. B. Clarke in Hook. f. V.B.I. vi, 593.—P.

Baccha Nees in Linnaea ix (1835) 288.—Cyperus puncticulatus Vahl Knum. u

(1806) 848; Cke. 1, 858.

Description: Cke. l.c:

Locality: Konkan: (Dalzell ex Cooke).—W. Ghats: onda (Cooke).—We

have seen no specimen from the Presidency.

Distribution: W. Peninsula.—Ceylon, China.

6. Pycreus albomarginatus Nees in Mart. Fl. Brass. i, pt. 1 (1842) 9.—

Cyperus albomarginatus Mart. & Schrad. ex Nees in Fl. Bras. i, pt. 1 (1842)

9; Cke. ii, 858.—C. Hochstetteri Nees ex Krauss in Flora xxvui (1845) 755, in

nota.

Description: Cke. lc. (under Cyperus).

Locality: W. Ghats: Igatpuri (McCann 2377 ! 2378 !); Khandala, St.

Mary’s Villa grounds (McCann C103 !); Castle Rock (Gammie !); Londa

(Gammie !, Woodrow ex Cooke).—Konkan: (Stocks ex Cooke); N. & S. Konkan

(Law ex Cooke); Bombay (ex Herb. Hook. in Herb. Kew. ex Cooke); Budlapur

(Herb. St. X. C. 3150 !); Vetora (Sabnis 33763 !); near Budlapur (Woodrow 1,

Ee RebeBy Ni; Karjat: (to. Palasdari- (HE -BiB. °!);" Borivli: to Kanari’ Caves,

margin of a tank (McCann 1107 ! 1108 ! 1099 !); Varol Tank, Bhivandi, near

Kalyan (McCann 1711 !).—S. M. Country: Alnavar, 2,000 ft., rainfall 40 in.

(Sedgwick 3054 !); Kasgod (Sedgwick 2974 !).—N. Kanara: Sejwad, near Kar-

war, m a tank (Sedgwick 6722 !); Yellapur, 1,500 ft., rainfall 100 in. (Sedg-

wick 6583 !); Karwar (Hallberg & McCann C104 !); Sampkhand (Hallberg &

McCann C105 !); Haliyal (Talbot !).

Flowering & fruiting: September 1917 (Kasgod, Alnavar); September 1918

(Khandala); September 15, 1929 (Borivli to Kanari Caves); September 20, 1888

(Haliyal); September 27, 1895 (near Budlapur); October 1899 (Londa); October

1902 (Castle Rock); October 1917 (Igatpuri); October 1919 (Sampkhand, IKar-

war, Sejwad).

Field notes: A good species. Purely a monsoon species commencing to

flower about the last week in August. Dies down completely after the rains.

A plant of ‘dry’ ground and in the shallow water of tanks, growing among

other plants. When on ‘dry’ ground a much shorter and robust plant, when

in water grows taller with larger umbels. Umbels generally very large but we

have seen specimens with the inflorescence reduced to a few spikes. Umbel

50 cm. across.

Stem terete below, near the base, 3-gonous with rounded angles above.

Leaves as long as the stem or slightly longer. Umbel-rays 14, 23.8 cm. long,

secondary rays 5.2 cm. Bracts reaching 89 cm. by 12 mm.

A robust plant with a large spreading umbel readily distinguished in the

field when mature, but very young specimens are very often difficult to place.

Spikelets brown, frequently becoming reddish in the herbarium.

The largest and most characteristic of the Pycreus species in the Presidency.

The species puncticulatus approaches it [from the single specimen seen in the

Calc. Herb. (not from the Presidency) | but we have seen no specimens of

this plant from our area.

Distribution: Konkan, W. Ghats, 8. M. Country, N. Kanara, Quilon, Ran-

goon.—Hthiopia, N. Australia.

7. Pycreus globosus Reichb. Fl. Germ. Excurs. 140!" (1830-32).—P. capil-

laris Nees in Linnaea ix (1834) 283.—Cyperus globosus All. Auct. Fl. Pedem.

(1789) 49; Cke. ii, 857.—C. nilagiricus Hochst. ex Steud. Syn. Pl. Glum. ii,

2.—P. capillaris var. mnilagiricus C. B. Cl. in Journ. Linn. Soc. xxi, 49.

P. globosus Reichb. var. nilagirica C. B. Cl. in Durand & Schinz Consp. FI.

Gbiee Veo Doe

Description: Cke. |.c. (under Cyperus).

30 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Specimen No. 5576 has spikelets which measure 36 mm. against Cooke's

measurements.

C. B. Clarke (Fl. Trop. Africa vil, 300) says: ‘The species nilagiricus was

originally grounded on the black-chestnut colour, while my var. nilagirica in-

cludes all the narrow spikeleted heads whatever the colour’. We quite agree

with Cooke (11, 858) when he says that this character is not a reliable one

and we therefore drop the var. nilagirica.

Parker (Flora of the Upper Gangetic Plain, vol. 111, pt. iii, 338) holds the

same view with regard to var. strictus C. B. Clarke, as it appears to be con-

nected with the type by all grades of intermediates.

Haines (Bot. Bihar & Orissa, 904) made a nov. comb. of P. globosus. He

was evidently not aware of Reichenbach having been the first to use that name.

Locality: Gujarat: Nalas near the Bokb, Prantij (Sedgwick 256 !).—

Khandesh: Amalner, Bori River (Blatter & Hallberg 1970 !); Bori River

(Blatter & Hallberg 1990 !); Tapti River (Blatter & Hallberg 3026 !); Bor,

Tapti River (Blatter & Hallberg 3012 ! 3032 !); Bhusawal, Tapti River (Blatter

& Hallberg 3087 !); Dhulia (Chibber !); Noti tank (Chibber !).—W. Ghats:

Khandala (Blatter & McCann 3181 !); Purandhar (Blatter & McCann 5575 !

5576 1! 5587 1); Mahableshwar (Chibber !, Woodrow ex Cooke); Panchgani,

below 8rd Tableland (McCann 3224 !).—Deccan: (Dalzell & Gibson ex Cooke);

Nasik (Blatter & Hallberg 2822 !, Kuntze); Gungapur, Nasik (Blatter & Hall-

berg 2831 !); Poona (Cooke, Belkar !, Jacquemont 409 ex Cooke), riverside

(Bhide 3 ! 22 !); Mangri, near Poona (Gammie 15341 !); Ganeshkhind Gardens

(Garade 431 !); Soos, 8 miles N.-W. of Poona (Babajee !, Bhiva ex Cooke);

Hura (Dalzell ex Clarke).—Konkan: (Stocks, Law ex Cooke); Bhandup (Blatter

& McCann 2415 !); near Kalyan (H.E.B.B. !).—S. M. Country: Havasbhavi,

fields, 1,800 ft., rainfall 85 in. (Sedgwick 2095 !);Bagalkot (Patwardhan !).—

N. Kanara: Yellapur, rice fields (Talbot 2950. !).

Flowering & fruiting: January 25, 1925 (Sangli); February 11, 1904

(Mangri); March 1917 (Khandala); March 17, 1908 (Mahableshwar); March 24,

1929 (EK. of Tulsi Lake); March 31, 1929 (Khandala); April 17, 1906 (Bagal-

kot); May 8 and 9, 1902 (Poona); June 1917 (Bhandup); June 13, 1902 (Ganesh-

khind); August 17, 1902 (Mangri); August 22, 1929 (Sivapur); August 28, 1929

(Panchgani); September 1906 (Bawada); September 1917 (Gangapur, Nasik) ;

September 1919 (Khandala); September 20, 1895 (Poona); September 28, 1884

(Yellapur); September 29, 1895 (Kalyan); October 1914 (Sonasan); October 24,

1929 (Gorair Bridge); Octoben 29, 1890 (Soos); November 12, 1929 (Panchgani) ;

December 1916 (Bhusawal, Bor, Amalner, Tapti River); December 1917 (Puran-

dhar); December 27, 1907 (Dhulia).

Field notes: A most variable species. A plant generally found in marshes,

river-beds and about springs. If there is sufficient moisture it will flourish all

the year round. ‘The specimens from the northern part of the Presidency (Guja-

rat) are generally much larger and with paler spikelets than those from the

southern part of the Presidency (Sedgwick also remarks on the point of colour-

ing). ‘The stem may have different forms in section LE C7 L—>.

| 2 3

The Panchgani and Mahableshwar specimens are remarkable for their long

bracts; margin serrulate.

The inflorescence rapidly breaks up when mature.

This plant is so variable, that it is difficult to define the specific limits.

Saxton and Sedgwick found this plant in Gujarat in close association with

Finrena glomerata Lam.

Distribution: Throughout India, Ceylon.—Most temperate and _ tropical

regions of the Old World.

5. Pycreus odoratus Urban Symb. Antill. u, 164.—P. polystachyus Beauv.

Fl, Owar. u,, 48, t...86, fig. .2.—Cyperus odoratus Tnnn. Sp. Pl. (753) 46;

Cke. 11, 859.—C. polystachyos Rottb. Descr, et Ic. (1773) 39, t. 1, fig. 1.—

C. ferrugincus Poir.. in Lam. Encyel. vu, 261.—Pycreus. ferrugineus C. B.

Clarke in ‘Hook... f. F.B.I. vi, 593.

Description: Cke. l.c. (under Cyperus).

Locality: Sind: (Pinwill ex Cooke).—Cutch: Near the coast (Blatter ex

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY © 31

J.B.N.H.S.).—Gujarat: Surat (Woodrow ex Cooke).—W. Ghats: Dudhsagar

Falls (McCann C187 ! C188 !); Castle Rock, 1,700 ft., rainfall 200 in. (Herb.

Sedgwick & Bell 5680 !).—Konkan: Sion, in a marsh near railway station (Mc-

Cann 967 ! 967a ! 967b !); Kurla, marshes (McCann !); Vickroli (McCann !);

Malvan (Woodrow ex Cooke).—S. M. Country: Devarayi, 1,800 ft., rainfall

90 in. (Sedgwick 4042 !); Siddhapur Taluka (Talbot in Calc. Herb. !).—

N. Kanara: Karwar, near the sea (Sedgwick 5081 !), salt marshes (Sedgwick

5102 !), on Light-House Island (Bell 7732 !), by a pool, Hattikeri (Herb. Sedg-

wick & Bell 6766 !, Hallberg & McCann C10L ! C180 !), on sandy soil (Talbot

1255 !).

Flowering & fruiting: March 1919 (Castle Rock, Dudhsagar); June 1918

(Devarayi); June 25, 1885 (Karwar); August 1918 (Sulgeri); August 28, 1929

(Sion); October 1919 (Karwar, Hattiker1); December 1918 (Karwar).

Field notes: A densely tufted species growing in marshes. Roots strongly

aromatic, Inflorescence pale brown, becoming darker and turning reddish when

drying. Stems 3-gonous becoming bilaterally compressed above CAD under the

umbel. Dies down after the monsoons or the culms remain without the in-

florescence. Quite common around Sion and Kurla during the monsoon. Com-

mences flowering in early July. The inflorescence is very variable.

In Sion we have found it growing together with Fimbristylis polytrichoides.

Uses: A good sand-binding species (Prain).

Distribution: Throughout India near the coast.—AIL warm, especially mari-

time regions,

9. Pycreus hyalinus Dom. in Biblioth. Bot. Ixxxv (1916) 417.—Cyperus

kyalinus Vahl Enum. u (1806) 329; Cke. u, 857.—C. pumilus Nees in Wight

Contrib. (1834) 74 (non Linn.).—Pycreus pumilus Nees in Linnaea ix (1835)

283; C. B. Clarke in Hook. f. F.B.I. vi, 591.

Description: Cke. L.e.

Locality: Without locality (Dr. Leith 25 ex Cooke).—Konkan: Sion

(H.E.B.B. !, Blatter & McCann 3151 !).

Flowering & fruiting: September 1917 (Sion).

Distribution: Konkan, about Madras City, Satiamangulam, Coimbatore Dis-

trict, Pulney Hills at 6,000 ft.—Ceylon, Timor.

Apparently an extremely rare species. McCann has repeatedly visited the

stated locality in recent years to obtain further information about this species,

buf has not succeeded in finding a single specimen.

Sedgwick, Rec. B. Sur. of Ind. vol. vi, p. 304—'Plants of Northern Gujarat’,

mentions this species as occurring in Gujarat. Evidently this is a mistake for

P. pumilus Dom. as this species has never been found in the Presidency out-

side Sion, and, in his Cyperaceae of the Bom. Pres. in the Journ. Bom. Nat.

Hist. Soc., Sedgwick remarks under the species ‘Very rare. Apparently only

from Sion, Bombay.’ This paper was published subsequent to the ‘Plants of

Northern Gujarat’ though in the same year. P. hyalinus does not occur in

Gujarat, but P. pumilus is extremely common.

10. Pycreus pumilus Dom. in Biblioth. Bot. Ixxxv (1916) 417.—Cyperus

pumilus Linn. Amoen. Acad. iv (1788) 802; Cke. 1, 857.—C. nitens Retz. Obs.

v (1789) 13 ?.—C. pulvinatus Nees et Meyen in Wight Contrib. (1834) 74.—

Pycreus pulvinatus Nees in Linnaea ix (1834) 283.—P. nitens Nees l.c.; C. B.

Clarke in Hook. f. F.B.I. vi, 591.—C. pygmaeus Retz. Obs. iv, 9—C. pusillus

Vahl Enum. u, 303.

Description: Cke. iu, 857 (under Cyperus).—Bracts reach 17.4 cm.

Cooke's measurements, Our measurements.

Bracts : up to 4} in. up to. 17 em.

Spikelets : 20-50-flowered 9 upwards.

All the Floras state that this species has 1-2 stamens (usually one). All

the specimens examined of this species have 3 stamens. One anther is on

a long filament, the other two filaments are short (one shorter than the other)

and close to the nut. The long filament is the only one which shows itself

a2 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

clearly and a careful dissection 1s needed to disclose the other two. These two

are displaced early by the developing nut leaving the long solitary stamen.

Locality: Sind: (Pinwill ex Cooke).—Gujarat: Godhra (H.E.B.B. !).—

W. Ghats: Khandala (McCann 3184 ! C119 ! C120 !, Gammie 15387 !), in

a marsh near the station (McCann 351 !); Lonavla (Blatter, Hallberg & Mc-

Cann 3148 !, Woodrow !).—Deccan: Bhusi, Mawai, Poona (Supt. of Lonavla

Farm 9 !); Mawal (Woodrow ex Cooke); between Nadsur and Pali, in rice

fields (Gammie 16047 !).—Konkan: (Stocks, Law ex Cooke); Bombay Isl. (Herb.

St. X. C. 2799 !), Dhobi Talao (Blatter & McCann 3092 !); Pen (Blatter,

Hallberg & McCann 3227 !); Mulland, open ground (McCann 897 ! 903 !);

Sion Hill (McCann 986 !); Borivli to Kanari Caves (McCann 1161 !).—S. M.

Country: Alnavar, 2,000 ft., rainfall 40 in. (Sedgwick 2938 !).—N. Kanara:

Hattikeri to Karwar, hillside, in rock crevices (Sedgwick & Bell 6770 !);

Karwar, growimg on old cart tracks (Talbot 1518 !); Damndeli, sand of river,

1,800 ft., rainfall 100 in. (Bell 4225 !); Yellapur (Talbot 983 !); Sanikalta, sea

shore (Chibber !); Kanara (Woodrow ex Cooke).

Flowering & fruiting: February 1917 (Pen); March 1917 (Khandala);

March 29, 1929 (Khandala); April 15, 1929 (Khandala); May 1917 (Khandala) ;

August 1895 (Karwar); August 1918 (Dandeli); August 11, 1929 (Mulland) ;

August 25, 1929 (Sion); September (Lonavla); September 1892 (Godhra); Sep-

tember 1914 (Wadaj); September 1919 (Khandala); September 1917 (Bombay,

Alnavar); September 10, 1883 (Yellapur); September 15, 1929 (Borivli to Kanari

Caves); September 20, 1902 (Khandala); October 1914 (Sonasan); October 1919

(Yellapur, Hattikeri); November 1, 1910 (Sanikalta); November 12, 1907 (Bhusi) ;

December 1916 (Bor); December 9, 1902 (between Nadsur and Pali).

Field notes: A monsoon and marsh species; during the dry weather usually

found in soft sticky soil. Forming small tufts of a number of plants growing

together in one mass.

In plants growing in marshes during the hot weather we have noticed the

entire plant, including the inflorescence, quite green, but in monsoon specimens

outside true marshes we have noticed the inflorescence straw: coloured. In the

northern parts of the Presidency this species is common in the sandy and

stony beds of streams.

A species easily overlooked during the hot weather on account of the uniform

ereen colourmg. ‘The best specimens are obtained in soft mud during the

monsoon.

With the exception of the marsh examples which flower the year round,

this species commences to flower in early August.

We cannot agree with Sedgwick that this plant is the commonest plant

on sandy places as it is equally common in thick sticky soil in marshes and

even in water. At Khandala particularly, it is extremely common in the marsh

between the railway station and the Parsi Sanatorium. Here it is quite green

—the whole plant—and is easily overlooked for a Cyperus with only leaves,

particularly in its dwarf state. In the same marsh it is to be found right

through the dry weather. Specimens taken on sandy soil were certainly taller

than those from the marsh. Where the marsh specimens lost in size they

made up in roots, as the roots in these specimens were much more elaborate

than in those obtained in sandy situations.

Distribution: Throughout India.—Ceylon, Malaya, China, tropical Afiica and

Australia.

3°) Jencarmmus: 6. 7B: Clarke:

Stems erect, leafy only near the base. Leaves rarely reduced to sheaths;

sheaths not inflated. Inflorescence wmbellate or capitate.’ Spikelets compressed ;

rhachilla persistent. Glumes distichous, concave, the 2 lowest empty, the upper-

most 1-8 sterile or empty, the intermediate bisexual. Stamens 3 or 2. Style

2-fid. Nut plano-convex, more or less compressed at right angles’ to the rha-

chilla—Species about 20.—In all warm climates.

Of the three Juncelli that occur in the Presidency all are very distinct from

one another and are easily recognized. J. alopecuroides Clarke is perhaps the

largest of the three and is liable to be confused with a Cyperus, but the

rhachilla and nut coupled with the 2-fid style separate it at once from that genus.

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY — 33

1. A tall stout herb. Spikelets in a large com-

pound umbel

met ie .. iL. J. alopecuroides.

2. A dwarf herb. Spikelets close-packed in a

small terminal head ae i aa de Maichelianus.

3. A glacuous herb, about 80 cm. igh. Spike-

lets in a small, apparently lateral head ... 3. J. laevigatus.

‘1. Juncelius alopecuroides C. B. Clarke in Hook. f. ’.B.1. vi (1898) 595.—

Cyperus alopecuroides Rottb. Descr. et Ic. (1773) 38, t. 8, fig. 4; Cke. ii, 860.

Descupion: « Ckew lic.

Rhizome stout, clothed with black, linear or linear-lanceolate scales, scales

striate (dry specimen). Stem up to 140 cm. by 138.5 mm. (at base), enclosed

in thick spongy sheaths, striate. Leaves 64 cm. (incomplete) by 15 mm.

Rays up to 7, up to 17.8 cm. (the longest) terminated by about 6 spikelets;

secondary rays 4.3 cm. Bracts exceeding 45 cm. by 12 mm., margins scabrous,

5 im number; bracteoles (secondary) at base of each primary ray 45 by 3 mm.

at base.

-Mr. Bhide remarks ‘Style occasionally 3-fid’. Sedgwick also says that the

style is sometimes 2-fid and sometimes 3-fid. In specimens examined we have

found the style 2-fid and ocasionally 3-fid.

Specimens taken at Shivneri Fort in March are golden in colour, while those

taken at other times are a pinkish grey.

Talbot's specimen No. 1064 was determined as Cyperus exaltatus, but this

specimen is undoubtedly a Juncellus. The specimen from Devikope is a very.

fine example.

~Locality: Sind: (Stocks ex Cooke); Kullan Kote Lake (Blatter & McCann

D711 !); Lake near Tatta (Blatter & McCann D712 !).—Gujarat: In standing

and running water (ex Saxton & Sedgwick); marshes near Prantiy (Sedgwick

283 !); Ahmedabad, Watrak River, rainfall 32 in. (Sedgwick 1061. !); Godhra

(Chibber 611 !); Panch Mahals (Woodrow ex Cooke).—Deccan: (Woodrow ex

Cooke); Patas (Bhide !); Shivneri Fort near Junnar, growing in tanks (Paran-

lype, several sheets !); between Ellora and Poona (Jacquemont 279 ex. Cooke).

—Konkan: Bombay (Jacquemont 488 ex Cooke).—S. M. Country: Alnavar,

2,000 -ft:,- rainfall 35 in. (Sedgwick 2290 !); Devikope (Talbot 1064 !).—N.

Kanara: Yellapur (Talbot !).

Flowering & fruiting: January 6, 1903 (Patas); February 1917 (Alnavaz) ;

March 22, 1911 (Shivneri Fort); May 10, 1912 (Shivneri Fort); August 1914

(near Prantij); August 1916 (Watrak River); September 10, 1911 (Shivneri I ort) ;

November 5, 1884 (Yellapur); December 5, 1907 (Godhra).

Distribution: Throughout India.—Ceylon, Tropical and N. Africa, Mas-

earene Islands, Malaya, Queensland, Guadeloupe.

2. Juncellus Michelianus (Linn.) Blatter & McCann, comb. nov.—Scirpus

Michelianus Linn. Sp. Pl. (1753) 76.—Isolepis Micheliana Roem. & Schult.

Syst. u, 114.—Dichostylis Micheliana Nees in Wight Contrib. 94.—Cyperus

pygmaeus Rottb. Descr. et Ic. (1778) 20, t. 14, fig. 5; Cke. i, 859.—Cyperus

pygmacus. var. B Boeck. in Linnaea xxxv (1868) 494.—Juncellus pygmaeus

@) Be Clarke im, Hook. 4. B.I) vi, (1893) 596:

Description: Cke. l.c. (under C. pygmaeus).

The following is a remark by Clarke on a sheet of Kurz (Herb. Sulp. Kurz.) :

‘Boeckeler has sunk Isolepis micheliana into Cyperus pygmaeus considering that

Cyperus pygmaeus has sometimes its axis twisted and the scales hence not

bifarious. But besides this difference Isolepis micheliana has the glumes im-

bricate on all sides (of) the axis, the achene is really quite different. In

Isolepis micheliana the achene has a translucent margin and under the micro-

scope one achene of Isolepis micheliana can easily be picked out of a heap of

achenes of Cyperus pygmaeus.’ C. B. Clarke, May 1883.

When working out the Cyperaceae of the Bombay Pres. McCann indepen-

dently arrived at the same conclusion as Boeckeler and remarked the following

in lis MS.: “I am of opinion that Boeckeler was right in uniting this species

(Juncellus pygmaeus) with Scirpus Michelianus. I find no difference between

the ‘two’. The only distinguishing point according to Clarke is the ‘imbricate’

spikelets (glumes) in S. Michelianus and distichous sp. in J. pygmaeus. 1

have examined all the material available from the Presidency. In the same

head are to be found the distichous as well as the ‘imbricate’ glumes. In all

34 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVIt

cases the lower portion of the spikelet is distichous while the upper, portion is

imbricate only. “This is possibly due to the close-set glumes (spikelets) in a

dense head causing the rhachilla to twist thus giving the appearance of the

glumes being imbricately set on it.’ After writing this remark I was able

to examine the material at Calcutta all of which was named by C. B. Clarke.

I compared the material of both species referred to and could not distinguish

one from the other. Hven the remarks regarding the nut (as above) do not

agree with the reality. I examined several nuts of both ‘species’ on the same

side and could not distinguish them. JI finally mixed them up and not even

then could separate one from the other.”’ C. McCann, March 17, 1980.

In the Journ. Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc. vol. xix, p. 162 (Flora of Cutch) there

is mentioned in the list Cyperus pygmaeus C. B. Clarke. This we take to

ba this species, viz. J. pygmaeus as the authority is evidently wrongly quoted—

there is no C. pygmaeus named by C. B. Clarke. Clarke transferred C. pyg-

maeus Rottb. to J. pygmaeus.

The specimens from Kanheri measure 40 cm. (Cf. Cooke). Judging from

the unusual length, these plants must have been growing among other vege-

tation and in their effort to get to the light the stems have become elongated ;

the stems are comparatively weak considering the usual habit of the plant.

Locality: Without locality (Dalzell H.E.B.B. !)—Cutch: Blatter (ex Journ.

Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc.).—Gujarat: Kabir Vad (Chibber 765 !, Gammie !);

Nadiad (Chibber 248 !); Surat (Woodrow ex Cooke, Gammie 16448 !); Ahmeda-

bad, dry edges of the Chandola tank (Sedgwick !); Sabarmati River, bank

(Saxton 2753 !).—Khandesh: Bhusawal, Tapti bank (McCann 3034 !, Gamumnie) ;

Taner, ‘Tapti bank (Blatter & Hallberg 5174 !); Bor, island, Tapti River (Blatter

& Hallberg 1862 ! 1925 !); Bori, island, Tapti River (Blatter & Hallberg C97

!).—W. Ghats: Khandala (Blatter & McCann 3168 ! 3173 ! 3174 ! 8186 !),

in a marsh near station (McCann 379 ! 398 ! 408 ! 409 !).—Deccan: Baira-

wadi,-near Purandhar (Blatter & McCann 5611 !); Sangh, river bank (Blatter

C95. ! C96 !): in the Katraj tank (Gammie 15226 !); Sholapur, Sideshwar tank

(H.E.B.B. !); Poona (Woodrow ex Cooke).—Konkan: (law ex Cooke); Pen

(Blatter, Hallberg & McCann 3234 ! 3249 !); Bhandup (Blatter & McCann

2433 !); Uran, Bombay Harbour (Hallberg & McCann 2736 !); Kanheri, Thana

Dist. (Gammie 16271 !); Sion (Blatter & McCann 2728 !).—S. M. Country:

Nigadi, rice fields (Dharwar Dist.), 2,000 ft., rainfall 35 in. (Sedgwick 5710 !);

W. of Dharwar, dried rice fields, 2,000 ft., 35 in. (Sedgwick 2207 !); Bagalkot,

Bijapur Dist. (H.E.B.B. !).—N. Kanara: Nincholi (label illegible, eaten by

insects) on river bank (Talbot 946 !).

Flowering & fruiting: January 1917 (Uran); January 21, 1925 (Sangli);

February 1917 (W. of Dharwar); February 1917 (Pen); March 1917 (Khandala) ;

March 1919 (Nigadi); April 1929 (Khandala); April 4, 1884 (Ninchoh); April 12,

1906 (Sholapur); April 17, 1906 (Bagalkot); May 1914 (Ahmedabad); May 1917

(Khandala); May 8, 19038 (Kanheri); May 28, 1902 (Katraj); June 1917 (Bhan-

dup); October 29, 1903 (Surat); November 25, 1907 (Nadiad); December 1916

(Bor, Bhusawal); December 1917 (Bairawadi); December 10, 1907 (Kabir Vad);

December 17, 1921 (Ahmedabad); December 20, 1904 (Kabir Vad); December 21,

1902 (Bhusawal): December 30, 1916 (Taner).

Field notes: A plant generally to be met with near water or damp earth

at any time of the year. Boggy or sandy soil is immaterial, but better speci-

mens are certainly developed on sandy situations, particularly on the banks

of tanks and streams. Where the specimens inhabiting marshes lose in size, this

is made up for by way of roots. On sand the roots are short and few in number

compared with those growing in marshes.

‘When growing on edges of tanks it flowers when exposed by the subsidence

of the water, and right on through tha dry season.’ (Saxton & Sedgwick).

Distribution: More or less throughout India.—Ceylon, Tropical and N.

Africa, Orient, China, Amurland, Malaya and Australia.

3. Juncellus laevigatus ©. B. Clarke in Hook. f. F.B.I. vi (1898) 596.—

J. laevigatus var. junciformis (Desf.) C. B. Clarke l.c. 597.—Cyperus junct-

formis Desf. Fl. Atlant. i, 42, t..7, fig. 1—C. laevigatus Linn. Mant. (1771)

179: Cke. i, 860.

Description: Cke. Le.

Ta the Herbarium of the Imperial Forest Institute, Dehra Dun, there is a

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY © 35

sheet of this species, collected by Dalzell without locality. The whole sheet

comprises a single specimen with a long creeping stolon on which both the

variety, var. junciformis, and the type are represented. ‘The part representing

the species is very large—38 cm. with a bunch of spikelets 2 cm. from the

top, all of a pale straw colour, or dirty white. ‘There are 13 spikelets, the

longest of which is 14 mm. and of about 40 flowers. The sheath ascends the

eulbn for about, 10 cm., the latter’ is 6 mm. thick (but it may not have the

diameter when fresh). The variety is represented by single and tufted culms

along the stolon. The stems are almost 20 cm. high, thin, with the sheath in

some cases reaching almost half way up. ‘The spikes are short and few-

flowered, a dark reddish brown in colour. They are from 1-4 in number and

about 16-flowered. The apparent continuation of the culm is a little longer

in these cases. All the spikelets of the culm representing the variety are all

in flower, while those on the culm representing the species are in fruit.

This is very curious and will perhaps enable us to throw some light on

other such cases. Under these circumstances the variety must necessarily fall

and the characters be added to the description of the species.

We think that the large culm representing the species is a late culm of the

wet season form and that those representing the variety are the dry season

form. This view is not altogether wrong as the ‘type culm’ is in fruit and the

variety culms are in early flower.

Locality: Without locality (Dalzell, H.I.F.I. !).—Sind: (Stocks 751 ex

Cooke, Pinwill ex Cooke).—Kathiawar: (Woodrow ex Cooke); Ghogho (Herb.

Col. of Sc. Poona now in Herb. Cale. !).—Gujarat: Ahmedabad (Rep. on Econ.

Prod. to Govt. of India 15610 !); nala near Wadaj, Ahmedabad (Sedgwick

300 !, Saxton 2831 !); Kharaghoda (Saxton !); edges of the Bokh, Pranti]

(Sedgwick 257 !); sandy bed of stream under Gorair Bridge, Chitrasani to

Sarotra (McCann 13865 ! 1865a !1465b ! 1865¢c !).—Khandesh: Dhulia (Chibber

!).—Deccan: Nira Canal, Poona Dist. (Chibber !); Happy Valley, Ahmed-

nagar Dist. (Chibber !).—Konkan: Bombay, salt marshes (Herb. St. X. C.

3144 !, Woodrow !); salt marshes behind Goods Yard, Bandra (Vakil C127 !).

—S. M. Country: Hubli, 2,000 ft., rainfall 80 in. (Sedgwick 5081 !); Yelvigi,

Dharwar Dist., 1,800 ft., rainfall 25 in. (Sedgwick 1936 !).

Flowering & fruiting: January 1919 (Hubli); February 1919 (Bandra) ;

February 2, 1894 (Ghogho); March 14, 1908 (Nira Canal); August 1914 (Pran-

t1j); September 1914 (Wadaj); October 11, 1914 (Kharaghoda); October 24, 1929

(Gorair Bridge); December 1916 (Yelvigi); December 25, 1907 (Happy Valley) ;

December 27, 1907 (Dhulia).

Field notes: A plant of sandy river beds and marsh alike with long far

reaching stolons with the culms at intervals, solitary, or many together. Roots

appearing along the underside of the stolon.. Stolon yellowish to light yellow-

brown.

Culms very obtusely 8-gonous, almost terete, a polished bright green.

Spikelets pale green, turning straw coloured (no brown dots in fresh speci-

mens). Rhachilla green (no brown spots). Glumes with 3 distinct green nerves,

sides hyaline, margins decurrent into the rhachilla. Stigmas occasionally 3.

Anthers yellow with bright red acute tips. Nut green at first, turning straw

coloured.

Saxton and Sedgwick found this species in close association with Paspalum

distichum Linn. and Panicum punctatum Burm.

See R. Ranade, Cyperus laevigatus as a soil indicator. In Proc. 10th Ind.

Sc. Congress (1924) 190. 2

Distribution: Kashmir, Punjab, Upper Gangetic Plain.—In all warm and

temperate regions.

(To be continued).

SOME BEAUTIFUL INDIAN TREES.

EK. BLATTER, s.J;, Phin, Fis." and We om VOLLARD, FOZ. S-

Parr XIV.

(With one coloured plate, one black-and-white plate and

two text-figures).

(Continued from page 780 of volume xxxvi).

Plate XE Da MIMOSA-LEAFED J ACARANDA.

Popular names: Jacaranda (Brazilian); Mimosa-leated Jaca-_

randa. | :

| y, *Jacaranda mimosaefolia D. Don in

Bot. Reg. (1822) t. 6381.—Jacarandeé

ovalifolia R. Br. in Bot. Mag. (1822)

t. 23827.—Belongs to the Bignonia-

ceae.

Description: * Ay tree, 750 i and

more. The foliage is as finely cut as

a tern, symmetrical and_ elegant.

The leaves are opposite, distant, each

one with 16 or more pairs of pinnae,

each pinna having 14-24 pairs of

leaflets; leaflets oblong-rhomboid* 4-4

in. long, the end-one larger. The

plant bears loose, pyramidal panicles,

8 in. lngh, of 40-90 blue flowers, cach

2 in. long and 14 in. wide, which

have a long, bent, swelling tube and

the 2 lobes of 1 lip smaller than the

3 other lobes. Calyx small, 5-tooth-

ed (or in other words: Corolla 2 in.

long, the tube slender and curved be-

low, inflated above, the limb 2-lipped,

one lip 2-lobed, the other 38-lobed).

Perfect stamens 4, 2 long and 2 short;

barren stamen (staminode) about as

long as the stamens, club-shaped at

the tip. Fruit an oblong, ovate or

broad dehiscent capsule.

A very beautiful tree with foliage

resembling that of the Albizzias or

Mimosas. It perhaps ranks among the best flowering trees or

shrubs for subtropical and tropical regions.

‘The name J. mimosacfolia must give place to J. ovalifolia, which ante-

dates it.—Eps. a

Journ. Bomaay Nat. Hist. Soc.

THe MimosA —-LEAFED JACARANDA.

Jacaranda mimosaefolia, D.Don.

(about V2 nat. size)

Prare 22:

John Bale Sons & Dameisson Lt? London

res

ors

—

uungorWt °O fig s0j0uUd

‘(uog “q ‘nofavsounm npunsvons) ‘(uog ‘q ‘PYyofansounm vpunuvon pf)

‘ePURIBIVE Pofeo]-VSOUTIJY 04} JO sdaMoyY jo Avads y ‘epURIROVL PoRo]-eLOUIT, OYJ,

HEX, TLV td ‘00G “LSI “LYN AVAWOG “NwnA0r

SOME BEAUTIFUL INDIAN TREES 37

It is a native of Brazil and of somewhat recent introduction,

but now becoming common in

eardens.

This tree is not common round

Bombay and although it does

sometimes flower there, the tem-

perature, or perhaps the sea air

does not appear to suit it so well

us upceountry. At Pachmarhi,

C.P., this tree thrives and flowers

splendidly as also in Northern

India.

The flowers are violet-blue in

colour and the tree flowers in

March and also at other times.

Gardening: Propagated by cut-

tings of half-ripened wood. It

stands pruning well and can be

kept in regular form.

(To be continued).

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES COLLECTED BY

LT-COL. BR. W. BURTON FROM THE TRIBUTARY

STREAMS OF THE MALI HKA RIVER OF THE

MYITKYINA DISTRICT (UPPER BURMA).' .

Dev Drv MUKERJI,

| Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta.

(Published with permission of the Director, Zoological Survey of India,

Indian Museum, Calcutta).

Part II.

(With text-figures 4 to 14).

(Continued from page 881, volume xxxvi).

: Faminy: HoMALopreripar.

Homaloptera rupicola (Prashad & Mukerji).

One specimen (86 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Nga Hpai’.

In 1929 Prashad and Mukerji (45) established the genus Cho-

praia to accommodate a very remarkable form of Homalopterid

fish, Chopraia rupicola, obtained from the rocky streams of

Kamaing in the Myitkyina District in Upper Burma. Despite the

form being closely related to the genus Homaloptera, the fish had

to be given a separate generic position in view of certain distinctive

features which, till the time of its discovery, had not been ascribed

to the genus Homaloptera. Jn his preliminary observations on the

classification of the Homalopterid fishes, Hora (86) recognised the

genus Chopraia as valid and placed it in the sub-family Homalop-

terinae. Later, in his monographic revision of the Homalopterid

fishes he (87) studied them in greater detail and defined the various

generic and specific limits. His extensive studies of these fishes,

including certain types preserved in different museums in England

and in other countries, enabled him rightly to delimit the various

genera and species. Of the genera of the family Homalopteridae

Homaloptera embraces a vast majority of remarkable torrential

fishes with similar or diverse adaptive modifications. Hora’s col-

lective survey of the whole group of these fishes justified his con-

siderably extending the generic limit of Homaloptera; and Chopraia

should now be considered a synonym of Homaloptera as emended

by Hora.

The specimen under report agrees almost entirely with the

specimens from the type-locality. The. interorbital width is nearly

equal to the diameter of the eyes. The pectoral fins reach the

ventrals which are shorter than the former.

One important feature of Homaloptera rupicola, to which atten-

_* Mr. Mukerji’s paper was published in two parts because of the need of keep-

ing down the number of pages in the Journal. The author was unaware of this

arrangement by the Editors; hence several citations to the bibliography which

is published at the end of the present part were made in Part I and again

references will be found in the present part to plates Nos. I-IIT which were

published with Part I in volume xxxvi.—Eps.

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES 39

tion has so far not been paid, is that the anterior portion of the

ventral surface up to the base of the ventral fins is perfectly hori-

zontal and this area is either devoid of seales or the scales are

rudimentary. The flat and the naked ventral surface, the Bali-

tora-like horizontal position of the pectoral fins, and the general

facies of the fish clearly mdicate that the fish is an fahobitann of

the rapids. The occurrence of the species in the Phungin Hka

seems to be rather unusual, and the specimen may have drifted

into the river from some of the rocky streams which abound in the

neighbourhood.

FAMILY: COBITIDAK,

Botia hymenophysa (Bleek.).

One specimen (100 mm.) from Sinan Hka: ‘Nga-shaba’.

One specimen (98 mm.) from Tang Hka: ‘Nga-pasi’.

Hora (26) has already discussed at some length the affinities

of Botia berdmorei of Blyth with B. hymenophysa of Bleeker and

has considered them conspecific. TI have also gone into the ques-

tion and after a thorough re-examination of the specimens of the two

species preserved in the collection of the Indian Museum I agree

that B. berdmorei is the same as B. hymenophysa. The species is

extremely variable in. regard to the colour pattern, the position of

the anal opening and the different body proportions at different

stages of its growth and in specimens from different localities.

The two well-preserved specimens from the Mali Hka system

have more or less the same colouration as that of B. berdmorei

figured by Day in his Fishes of India. There are from 11 to 12

broad vertical black bands along the sides which pass over the

back and join the corresponding ones on the other side. Series of

fine black specks and dots are arranged more or less longitudinally

all over the body. The dorsal fin is variegated with black bands

and blotches. The caudal fin is clouded all over with black dots;

it is devoid of any band. A few blackish dots are present on the

anal fin also. The rostral barbels are black.

Nemachilus botia (Ham. Buch.) sensu stricto.

(Bl ay he lel EL. hes: 3. 4).

Two specimens (102 and 73 mm.) from Tang Hka: ‘Sumbrun’.

Two specimens, (88 and 85 mm.) from Tang Hka: ‘Sumbrum Chang’.

- One specimen (81 mm.) from Tang Hka: ‘Taretw’.

One specimen (63 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Nga Kalang’.

In his revision of the fishes of the genus Nemachilus from

Burma, Hora (83) has rightly pointed “out that ‘‘many of the

species of the genus exhibit considerable individual variability’’ ;

and so far as I can judge, N. botia is perhaps one of the most

variable species. It is due chiefly, if not entirely, to the extreme

variability of the species that its precise limits have not so far been

properly understood and defined, and this has been responsible for

considerable misapprehensions. Specimens of N. botia have often

been erroneously considered to represent a different and distinct

species, while others of an allied but distinct species have been re-

ferred to N. botia. In this connection mention should be made of

N. nebulosa (Blyth), the short history of which, given below,

clearly shows how baffling at times may be the identity of N. botia.

40 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL -HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

In 1860, Blyth (8) described a new Cobitid fish from a single

eee obtained from Darjiling and presented by Dr. Wallich,

under the denomination, Botia nebulosa. He considered the form

to be closely allied to “‘B. grandis but with face shorter (as de-

scribed) and eight cirri not quite so strongly deyeloped’’. Giinther,

eyppo sean due. to having no access to the type- “specimen of B. nebu-

losa, which was deposited and is still preserved in the collection

of the Indian Museum, did not include B. nebulosa in the synopsis

of the various species of the genus Botia in his Catalogue (19);

but he referred to the species in a foot-note (p. 866) without any

comments. In 1869, Day (10) examined the type-specimen and

published a short account of B. nebulosa. He remarked that

bifid erectile (damaged) suborbital spine’’ is present. Later, in his

Monograph of the Indian Cyprinidae he (11) included a short de-

scription of the loach without any fresh comments. Both in his

Fishes of India and in the Fauna volume, Day retained the species

B. nebulosa, and emphasized in a foot-note (p. 606) that the “‘sub-

orbital spine was damaged in the unique example’’. The species

did not receive further attention till 1922, when in his revision of

the fishes of the genus Botia, Hora (26) remarked that ‘On exa-

mination I am unable to refer it (Botia nebulosa) to the genus

Botia. I beheve that it belongs to Nemachilus and in all proba-

bility is a male of N. botius’’. Hora gave sufficient reasons for

considering B. nebulosa to be a Nemachilus and pointed out that

Day’s contention regardmg the suborbital spine being damaged in

the type-specimen was rather far-fetched, for, ‘‘the groove that is

present is not sufficiently deep to justify the view that it ever con-

tained a spine. The groove is of the nature of a shallow slit partly

covered superiorly by a fold of skin. I have already remarked: in

a previous paper that such grooves and folds of skin form the

secondary sexual characters of certain species of Nemachilus’’

Owing to the paucity of adequate material of N. botia for com-

parison, it was, however, not possible for Hora to go into further

details about the systematic position of B. nebulosa.

T have thoroughly examined the five specimens under report

irom the Mali river svstem and compared them with the specimens

of N. botia obtained from different places of India and Burma, and

referred to by Hora in his revision of the genus, and I find that

my specimens are referrable to N. botia. Recently Messrs. G. E.

Shaw and E. O. Shebbeare have collected abundant material of

N. botia from various streams and rivers of Northern Bengal, and

have presented a fine series of them to the Indian Museum. I

have examined these specimens and after comparing the type-

specimen of Botia nebulosa with all the specimens of N. botia now

at my disposal, I am thoroughly convinced that B. nebulosa is not

only not a Botia but it is an absolute synonym of N. botia, of which

almost all the adult males are provided with a suborbital groove,

and that the presence of a spine in the suborbital groove of the

type-specimen, of the former was purely conjectural on the part of

the earher authors.

It may not be out of place to mention in this connection that

revently Deraniyagala (17) has reported the typical form of N. betia

“REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES 41

under the name Nemacheilus botia botia (Ham. Buch.) “‘from

several small streams’? in Ceylon. From his description of

the fish and the figure it appears that the Ceylonese fish is strik-

ingly allied to N. botia; but the fact that the typical form of the

species has not so far been known to occur anywhere in Peninsular

‘India, much less in Ceylon, throws a doubt on the accuracy of

the specific position of the Ceylonese loach. Moreover, it is quite

conceivable that similar environmental conditions may tend to pro-

duce similar characters, and that the great resemblance between

N. botia of India and the one of Ceylon may be due to a simi-

‘larity in their environments. In the absence of any specimen of

Ceylonese N. botia for comparative study, it is, however, impossible

to judge its affinities. It may yet be pointed out that according

to Deraniyagala the base of the dorsal fin of the Ceylonese N. botia

is ‘‘as long as head or pectorals, which latter usually reach ven-

trals’’ (p. 88). In all the Indian and the Burmese specimens that

-T have examined, the base of the dorsal is certainly almost as

long as the head or the pectorals, but the pectorals which are

invariably shorter than the head hardly reach the ventrals.

~ From the foregoing account it is quite clear that a certain

amount of confusion centres round the true identity of N. botia.

The species, as it is understood in the present state of our know-

ledge, is widely distributed in the Indian and the Burmese waters.

Below I have given, for future reference, a more or less detailed

description of the species from materials from India and Burma.

In view of the fact that no adequate figure of the loach has so

far been published I take this opportunity to give figures from a

well-preserved specimen from the Mali Hka system.

Si Ae o>. Po Vv. 1/7 CC) 18 (exclidine’ the: small

compact outer rays).

The dorsal profile rises from the tip of the snout to the insertion

of the dorsal fin with a sudden rise above the orbit. Behind the

origin of the dorsal, the outline slopes down slowly, falls appreci-

ably just beyond and below the end of the dorsal base, and then

rises up again to the root of the caudal fin. The ventral profile

is uniformly and faintly convex. The body is of rather stout build,

spindle-shaped and compressed from side to side. It is thinnest

at the caudal peduncle, which is squarish in shape and _ slightly

higher than long. The greatest depth of the body is contained

from 4.5 to about 5.2 times in the length of the body without the

‘caudal fin. The head is moderate, its length being contained

‘approximately from 4.2 to 4.5 times in the length of the body. It

is slightly broader than high. The snout is prominent and some-

what blunt anteriorly. Its length is ee about 2.5 times in the

length of the head. The eyes are rather large, placed high and

nearer to the angle of the operculum ie the tip of the snout.

In some grown-up individuals they may be situated almost in

the middle of the head. They are searcely visible from the ventral

surface. The orbital width is contained approximately from 38.8 to

5 times in. the length of the head. The interorbital space is flat

to faintly concave and is almost equal to or slightly narrower than

42 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

the diameter of the eyes. In front of and below the orbit on

either side is a transverse subcutaneous ridge-like prominence.

Usually there is no definite groove below the ridge, but in case of

most adult male specimens a moderately deep groove is discern-

ible. ‘he nostrils are situated nearer the anterior margin of the

orbit than the tip of the snout. The anterior ones are provided

with well-developed tubular flaps. The mouth is sub-inferior, mode-

rate and horse-shoe-shaped. The lips are rather fleshy and conti-

nuous at the angles of the mouth. The upper lip is provided with

«a few rows of small fleshy papillae, while the lower one has two

rounded, raised cushion-like clusters of similar papillae situated

centrally. The lower lp is interrupted in the middle. Both

the lips are capable of being partly everted off from the jaws.

The upper jaw is slightly longer than the lower and_ partly

overhangs it. Both the jaws are provided with thin and sharp

horny edges. The upper one is in the form of a small beak,

while the lower one is shovel-shaped with a faint symphysial emar-

gination to receive the upper jaw.’ The gill openings are in the

form of vertical slits extending below the insertions of the pectoral

fins. There are two rostral and one maxillary pairs of barbels

which are fairly well-developed. All the barbels are much longer

than the orbital width.

Usually the insertion of the dorsal fin is much nearer the tip

of the snout than the base of the caudal fin, but in some specimens,

irrespective of age and locality, it may be situated almost in the

middle of the same two points. It is long and in most cases

longer than high. The length of its base is equal to that of the

head or slightly shorter. Its outer margin is straight and oblique.

The paired fins are inserted sub-horizontally. The pectorals are

generally shorter than the head and are separated from the origin

of the ventrals by a variable distance. The ventrals are situated

almost vertically below the middle of the dorsal fin and are shorter

than the pectorals. They are separated from the commencement

of the anal by a considerable distance. The anal fin is short and

when laid flat reaches the base of the caudal or just misses it.

‘he pectorals, ventrals and the anal fins have rounded outer

margins. The caudal fin is as long as, or a little longer or shorter

than the head. It is longer than high, and faintly emarginate,

with somewhat rounded lobes. The anal opening is variable in

position, but in most cases it 1s situated) almost midway between

the tip of the ventrals and the origin of the anal fin. |

The scales are of small to moderate size, conspicuous and imbri-

cate. They are absent on the head and considerably reduced on the

chest. The lateral line is generally complete, but in some cases

it may be incomplete, not extending beyond the anal fin.

The colouration of the species is very variable, and not unlike

most of the other loaches, it depends on the nature of the water

* So far as I am aware, such characters of the jaws are found more pro-

nounced in the fast stream-dwelling species of the genus Nemachilus. In such

habitats as the, fish feed almost entirely by scraping and rasping off algae and

other organic matters from the rocky substratum, such modifications of the Jaws

are of the utmost utility.

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES 43

and other environmental conditions. Ordinarily, the ground colour

is pale olivaceous to yellowish orange with 12 to 16 blackish cross-

bars of various turns and twists, descending a little below the

level of the lateral line. These bands are generally uninterrupted

in the young and half-grown specimens, while in adults they may

be broken up into patches, scattered irregularly on the sides. A

narrow dark band joins the tip of the snout and the anterior mar-

ein of the eyes. Another similar band is present dorsally between

the eyes. A prominent black ocellus is usually to be found on

the upper base of the caudal fin. All the barbels are dusky,

excepting the maxillaries which are white. The fins are yellowish.

The dorsal has 5 to 6 oblique, zigzag narrow blackish bands, while

the caudal is provided with 5 to 7 posteriorly directed V-shaped

dark bands.

Measurements in millimetres:

Northern popes Mali Hka System

Ee TE

Length of body without caudal. 700 ;~=— 870 50°0 |102°0 | 88-0 | 63:0

Height of body bee 15:01) 12:5 10°0 | 18°0 | 18°0) 12°90

Length of head 16°0 | 13°0 | Hes f 21-0} 19°5 | 14°60

Breadth of head 11:0 | 9:0 | 7°70} 18°0 | 13:0, 10°5

Height of head 10°0 — 8:0 | 704) 140) 115) 9:0

Length of snout 70 | 5°0 4°0 | 10°0 70' 60

Diameter of eye... 3°5 3°0 3°0 4°0 40. 30

Interorbital width ... isl 3:0 3°0 20} 4:5 3:5: |; + 370

Height of dorsal fin ei oe 5 13°0 12°0 | 19°0 | 18°5 | 12:0

Length of pectoral fin 15°0 12:0 11:0 | 18-0 | 16°0 | 11°5

Length of ventral fin 11-5. { 9:5 90] 17:0 | 14:0 | 17:0

Length of anal fin ... IDE 8:0 8:5 | 17°0 | 13°5 | 11:0

Length of caudal fin 160 |) 13:0 MOF 22°07) 18S 1 13:6

Length of caudal peduncle 8:0 | 6°0 60] 12:0 | 10°5 70

Least height of caudal

peduncle io E2020 | 8:0 70] 145 13:0] 9-0

Nemachilus paucifasciatus Hora.

One specimen (51 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Nga Samwiyit’. i

In 1929, Hora (383) described this species from 15 specimens

obtained by Dr. J. Coggin Brown from Hwe-gna-sang river in the

Hsipaw State of the Northern Shan States. The single specimen

collected from the tributary of the Mali river, which I assign to

N. paucifasciatus, does not differ from the description and figure

of the species excepting that the inner rostral barbels do not extend

“as far as the nasal opening’. They are much shorter, and the

outer rostrals, instead of being extended to “‘below the middle of

the eyes’’ reach only to the nasal opening.

Nemachilus multifasciatus Day sensu lato.

One specimen (50 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Sambrun’.

In his Fishes of India, Day described this species from “‘Dar-

jeeling and Assam’’! and published an illustration of the fish from

* Dr. §. L. Hora kindly informs me that during his visit to Europe he

had examined a specimen (No, ‘89.2.1.1669’) in the collections of the British

Museum (Nat. Hist.) which is labelled in Day’s hand-writing as Nemachilus

multifasciatus. The specimen was collected by Day from Assam.

44 JOURNAL, BOMBAY. NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

a specimen from Darjiling (pl. eliii, fig. 7). In 1889, Vinciguerra

(53) reported the species from “Meekalan’ and ‘Thagata Juva’

near Moulmien in Burma. In his revision of the fishes of the

genus Nemachilus from Burma, Hora (83) briefly observed that

Vinciguerra’s specimens from Burma have, in all probability been

wrongly referred to N. multifasciatus and that the fish ‘‘appears

to represent a new species’. Unfortunately, the unique type-

specimen of N. multifasciatus from Darjiling which is still pre-

served in the collection of the Indian Museum is in such a state

of maceration that it has become useless for all taxonomic purposes.

Moreover, the species seems to be so very rare that since Day’s

disdcovery it has not been, leaving aside Vineiguert ra’s record from

‘Burma, reported again from the Darjiling Himalayas or the adjoin-

ing areas, although fairly extensive collections of similar fishes have

been made in these areas from time to time by parties of the Zoolo-

oical Survey of India, and very recently by Messrs. G. E. Shaw and

E. O. Shebbeare. Day's descriptions and figures of Fishes of

India, in general, have been found to be so indefinite and inaccurate

that 16 is often impossible ta judge the precise limits of a species

without having fresh specimens from the type-locality as a check.

Under these circumstances nothing can be said definitely in regard

to the specific limits of Day’s N. multifasciatus, and the fish must

be understood and shall remain provisionally known from whatever

descriptive accounts it has to its credit until such time as the

typical form is again obtained and definitely studied. It seems

justifiable, therefore, to make reasonable allowance, so far as this

fish is concerned, for minor differences in body proportions and

colouration, ete., rather than to consider these as differentiating

characters.

Sometime ago, Dr. D. Vinciguerra of the Genova Museum

kindly presented a specimen of his Burmese N. multifasciatus to

the Indian Museum. I have thoroughly examined the specimen

and I am in agreement with Hora’s view that the fish, judging it

bv Day's description of N. multifasciatus, appears to be new, differ-

ing from the latter chiefly in certain body proportions. But in view

of what has already been said about the merit of Day’s accounts

and of the well-known plasticity of shape and! structure under vari-

able environmental conditions, of the stream-dwelling loaches in

general, I do not propose to separate the Burmese N. multifasciatus

from the one of India. As for the difference in colouration of the

Burmese form, it is to be regarded as no more than a racial charac-

ter, for, it is well known that most of the freshwater fishes of

Burma have a characteristic brilliance of colouration.

Tn Colonel Burton’s collections from the Mali Hka system there

is a single specimen which is inseparable from Vinciguerra’s speci-

men from ‘Meekalan’, although it differs somewhat in colouration.

Quite recently, Dr. H. M. Smith, of the Fisheries Department,

Bangkok, Siam, collected several specimens of a _ species of

Nemachilus from Northern Siam and sent a fine series to

Dr. 8S. L. Hora for study and opinion. In forwarding the speci-

mens Dr. Smith wrote that the fish “‘seems to be close to multi-

fasciatus. It agrees in (1) very short barbels, (2) short pectotals,

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES {5 Ae

(3) shape of caudal, (4) complete lateral line, (0) black bar at base

of caudal and (6) general colouration, but (1) is more slender and

(2) colouration of fins different’. Having examined these Siamese.

specimens and after comparing them with Vinciguerra’s form Dr.

Hora informed Dr. Smith in a letter that the Siamese fish ‘‘is

undoubtedly N. multifasciatus of Vinciguerra (but not of Day)”’

and that ‘“‘Vinciguerra’s N. multifasciatus appears to represent a.

hew species’’, of which he already had a description written and.

an illustration made with a view to publish them under a new

specific name. 7 ke

I have also examined the same Siamese specimens, temporarily

retained in tha Indian Museum for study, and find that they are

indistinguishable both from the ‘“Meekalan’ specimen and the one’

irom the Phungin Hka tributary of the Mal river under report and

that all these specimens should be referred to one species. But

as to whether they are referable to Day’s N. multifasciatus or to

a new species appears to be only a matter of opinion. In the:

present state of our knowledge of the fish in question, I am _ per-

sonally inclined to refer both the Burmese and the Siamese forms

to N. multifasciatus. In case it is proved by future studies, based

on adequate material, that the typical form of Day’s N. multi-

fasciatus is specifically distinct from the Burmese and the Siamese

forms, the latter may be ranked as a separate species and the fol-

lowing description of the fish from the data before me as also

the figure of the ‘Meekalan’ specimen to be published elsewhere

by Dr. Hora will be of help in understanding the affinities of these

fishes,

DE 3/87 Ne oor Re A/V) i Oe 19) (excluding: small: com:

pact outer. rays).

The profile in front of the dorsal fin is moderately arched,

beyond which it is almost straight or a little slopimg to the root of

the caudal fin. The ventral profile is more or less horizontal or

very slightly convex. The body is of a rather slender build,

elongated and narrow. It is somewhat compressed from side to

side, being thinnest at the posterior end of the caudal peduncle,

which is squarish in shape and invariably. as long as igh. The

utmost height of the body is contained from 5.5 to 6.5 times in

the total length without the caudal fin. The head is short and

a little broader than high; its length is contained from 4.8 to 5.2

times in the length. of the body. The snout is moderate and

pointed anteriorly. Its length is contained from 2.5 to 3 times

in the length of the head. The eyes are small and situated almost

in the middle of the distance between the tip of the snout and the

angle of the operculum. They are not visible from the ventral

surface. The orbital width is contained from 4 to 5.4 times in the

length of the head. The interorbital space is usually shghtly con-

vex, but in certain adult specimens it may be almost flat. It is

generally. narrower than the diameter of the eyes. The nostrils

are situated much nearer the anterior margin of the orbit than the

tip of the snout. They are partitioned by a moderate and thin flap.

46° JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVIt

The mouth is sub-inferior, arched and of moderate size. ‘The

upper jaw is slightly longer than the lower one, and partly

overhangs the latter. Both the jaws have sharp horny edges.

The upper one is in the form of a small beak, while the lower is

somewhat shovel-shaped with a symphysial emargination to receive

the beak of the upper jaw. The upper lip is rather short

and thin. The lower one is better developed and has faint longi-

tudinal striations in the middle. The lips are continuous at the

angles of the mouth. The upper one is capable of being partly

everted off the jaw. The lower one is moderately united to the

isthmus. ‘The gill-openings are in the form of slghtly curved

slits, extending from the insertion of the lateral line to below the

bases of the pectorals. There are three pairs of short barbels.

The outer rostrals are slightly longer than the inner, but are almost

equal to the maxillaries.

The dorsal fin is inserted midway between the tip of the snout

and the base of the caudal fin or just a little nearer to the former.

If is shorter than high, the length of its base being almost equal to

the length of the head behind the nostrils; its height is slightly

less than the depth of the body below it. The outer margin is

straight or very slightly curved. The paired fins are placed sub-

horizontally. The pectorals are generally shorter but in some

specimens they may be equal to or even a little longer than the

head. They are separated from the origin of the ventrals by a

distance equalling about half their own length. The ventrals are

situated vertically below or a little behind the origin of the dorsal.

They are shorter than the pectorals and are separated from the

commencement of the anal by a variable distance. They invari-

ably reach as far as the anal opening, which is situated much

nearer the origin of the anal than that of the ventrals. The outer

margins of the paired fins are somewhat rounded. The anal fin

igs short and when laid flat it may almost reach the root of the

caudal or may be separated.from it by a short space. The caudal

fin is usually longer than the head, but in some specimens it may

be of equal length. It is longer than high and moderately emar-

ginate with more or less equal and blunt lobes.

The scales are rather small and imbricate, but are not imconspt-

cuous. They are more prominent on the posterior half of the body.

The head and the chest are without scales. The lateral line 1s

complete.

In regard to the colouration of N. multifasciatus, Day (14)

observed that ‘‘vertical bands as wide as the ground colour pass

from the back to the lower surface of the abdomen, those between

the head and the dorsal fin are numerous, whilst there are about five

posterior to it. In some examples these anterior bands coalesce.

A dark band at the base of the caudal and dark marks on the

head radiating from the eye. Fins yellow, the dorsal with four

bands of spots and an equal number or more on_ the caudal.

Ventral and anal with two bands each’’. (Italics are mine.). I find

that the colouration of the Burmese and the Siamese specimens

does not differ much from Day’s description except for the number

and the nature of the bands on the body and on the fins. In

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES 47

most specimens the colouration of the different fins is lost in alco-

hol. In a couple of specimens from Siam, however, I find two

distinct blackish bands on the dorsal and two on the caudal fin.

Both the ventrals and the anal fins have a faint and narrow band.

The characteristic dark band at the root of the caudal fin is present

in all the specimens.

temarks: From the present data it may be interred that

N. multifasciatus is more common in Burma and in Northern Siam

than in the Eastern Himalayas, and that in all probability it is

essentially a species of the Burmese and the Siamese waters, its

range extending from these areas through Assam to the Daryjiling

Himalayas. Under normal circumstances, the density of popula-

tion of a species of fish in any area is found to be inversely pro-

portional to the distance between the centre of distribution and

the area concerned. The extreme rarity of the species in the

Eastern Himalayas and particularly in the neighbourhood of Dar-

jiling, where fairly extensive collections have been made, seems

to corroborate this view.

Measurements in millimetres.

Meekalan Cesy Northern Siam

mote Rast eS

Length of body without caudal... 52:0 | 500 660 | 48°0 | 36:0.

Height of body ee 85 80 100 8:0 6°5

Length of head site Ae | 10°0 10500 1325 10°0 1S:

Breadth of head... alte. 35 7-0 9-0 S51) 50

Height of head — ee 6.0 eo @0 | 50) to

Length of snout aa aKa 4°0 40 | 4°5 4:0 : 25

Diameter ofeye ge 275 | 20, | 2285 AO athe

Interorbital width ... | 1°5 Noe 2°5 1°5 | 1:0

Height of dorsal fin ... a | 9°5 90 | 13-0 8:0 | 720

Length of pectoral fin | 4s 8.5.) 130 S10: a 70

Length of ventral fin 210-0 S015 8:0 | 6:0

Length of anal fin... = 18°0 17°0 | 10°5 17°5-| > -6:0

Length of caudal fin... . Se avek an 740) 11:0 | 15°5 10°0 | 7:5

Length of caudal peduncle .... 60] 70 95/ 70, 45

Least height of caudal peduncle. | GrOl (es: 675)) 9:0 G0 4:5

48 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HisST. SOCLETY, Vol. XXXVII

Nemachilus kangjupkhulensis Hora.

One specimen (48 mm.) from Tang Hka: ‘Zaibru Htw’.

The species was discovered by Hora (23) in 1921 from the hill-

- streams of the Manipur Valley where it is said to be ‘‘widely distri-

buted’’. The single specimen from the Tang Hka tributary of the

Mah river, which I assign to this species, does not appear to differ

in any essential feature from the description of the fish given

by Hora or from the type-specimen which I have examined. The

colouration of the Burmese specimen is partly lost im alcohol, but

it seems to correspond almost entirely to that of the Assamese

individuals. The lateral line extends to the commencement of the

ventral fins.

The species is recorded here for the first time from Burma.

FAMILY: CYPRINIDAE.

Genus: Garra Hamilton Buchanan.

When urging the revival of the oldest available generic names

Jordan (89) ‘pointed out that Hamilton Buchanan’s Garra (1822)

is a valid genus and it replaces Discognathus Heckel (1842). In

his elaborate studies. of the fishes of the genus Garra, Hora (24)

discussed the matter in detail and stressed the validity of the

genus Garra and pointed out its relationships with the aHied. genera.

This removed the confusion that. till then obscured the true status

of the names Garra and Discognathus; and it was due entirely to

this confusion that an indiscriminate use of both the names Gariu

and Discognathus found place in ichthyological literature. It is

unfortunate, however, that some ichthyologists still uphold the

name Discognathus, which despite its beg. more significant and

suitable for the dise-mouthed fishes than Garra, has no nomen-

clatural status.

Bleeker (2) divided the genus Garra into two groups viz.,

Garra and Discognathus according as the fish have four or two

barbels. Subsequently, Garman (18) suggested a third group. for

such forms as G. imberbis Vinciguerra in which the barbels are

absent. He called it Ageneiogarra. It appears to me far too arti-

ficial and quite unnecessary to split the genus Garra into three

subgenera on the character of the barbels alone. It is a well known

fact that barbels are very variable structures, specially among

Cyprinoid fishes. Recently, Rendahl (49), however, has recognised

these subgeneric divisions. ieee

Garra lamta (Ham: Buch.) sensu lato.

One specimen (116 mm.) from Phungin Kha: ‘Wuh tang’, ‘Bulldog mouth’.

The proboscis is trilobed (Text-fig. 4). The central lobe is flat

dorso-ventrally and occupies the greater portion of the snout. The

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES 49

lateral lobes are small and are partly overhung by the central lobe.

A deep groove marks me

off the tip of the : Pig

snout. The anterior

portion of all the lobes

and the tip of the

snout are covered with

sharp spiny tubercles.

The eyes are dorso-

lateral in position and

are placed wholly in

the posterior half of

the head.

I have compared the

specimen from the

Phungin Hka with one

of Vinciguerra’s G.

lamta (53) from ‘Mee-

kalan’ in Burma and :

have found that the Text-fig. 4.—Dorsal view of the ae penn

specimens agree in afte fea and bls af Gara fone,"

every detail except

; } nature of the proboscis and the tubercles on

for the proboscis, the snout, x1}.

which is bilobed in the

Meekalan specimen.

Remarks: I provisionally

refer the specimen under re-

port to this species as it can-

not be reconciled with any

other known species of the

genus found within the limits

of the Indian Empire. More-

over, it has a closer affinity

with G. lamta than with any

other species. G. lamta has

so far been considered as a

composite form. When, how-

ever, Buchanan’s (20) typical

‘Cyprinus (Garra) lamta’ has

been properly understood and

defined this form as well as

Vinciguerra’s G. lamta from

Meekalan may turn out to be

a new species.

Crossochilus latius

(Ham. Buch.).

Two specimens (109 and 119

mm.) from Phungin Hka:

Text-fig. 5.—Ventral view of the anterior

portion of the head and body of ‘Nga Lum’.

G. lamta showing the nature of the : ae

mouth, the lips and the suctorial disc, The SpecieS Was originally

x 1}. described by Hamilton

50 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Buchanan in his Gangetic Fishes (20) from the “‘Tista”’ river at

the base of the Darjiling Himalayas under the name ‘Cyprinus

lutius’. He placed the species in his 9th Division,—' Cyprinus

Garva’, because of certain morphological features and habits that

the fish has in common with some species of Garra. That Bucha-

nan was not far from the truth in considering C. latius a fish of

the ‘Garra kind’”’ is proved by the fact that later researches have

led most authors tentatively to believe that Garra has evolved

from a Crossochilus-like ancestor. It has been shown by Hora

(24) that in certain species of Garra, at any rate, the structure of

the air-bladder and the skeleton of the mouth-parts resemble those

of Crossochilus.

Since the discovery of the species from Northern Bengal,

the range of its distribution has been extended to ‘‘Nepaul and

Assam, (l1)\\ and to) Sind, Orissa, NW Provimcess sumiyalos

Decean and along the Himalayas’’ (14). In 1890, the species was

recorded for the first time from Burma by Vinciguerra (58).

After examining a large series of specimens of C. latius from

different places of India and Burma, preserved in the collection

of the Indian Museum, I indicated in an earlier paper (42) that

‘‘the species is very variable in respect of the shape of the head and

the body and the lepidosis’’. But in the absence of any specimens

from the type-locality it was not possible for me to go into greater

details. Quite recently, however, Messrs. G. E. Shaw and E. O.

Shebbeare have collected a fine series of C. latius from streams

and rivers below Darjiling and have kindly presented several well-

preserved specimens to the Indian Museum. Having examined

' these specimens, practically from the type-locality, I am more than

ever convinced that it is necessary to draw a distinction between

the group of individuals of C. latius found, on the one hand, along

the Eastern Himalayas, i.e. in Northern Bengal, Assam and in

Burma, and, on the other, those that are distributed in the Punjab

and the N.-W. Provinces. Furthermore, the Assamese and the

Burmese forms differ in certain noteworthy characters from the

typical form. No specimens from Orissa, Sind and Deccan are

avallable for examination at the present moment and it is, there-

fore, not possible to comment on them. Below I have given for

future reference detailed descriptions of (1) the typical form of

CU. latius from Northern Bengal, (11) the Assamese and the Burmese

form and (111) of the form from the Punjab.

Forma typica :

D. 3/8; A. Dio. P. 1/13, Ve i8. e218) (excludines they cimelll

compact outer rays); L. 1. 87-42; L. tr. 10 (54/44).

The body is more or less elongate. The dorsal profile rises

slowly from the tip of the snout to the point of insertion of the

dorsal fin, beyond and behind which it gradually converges to the

root of the caudal fin. The ventral outline is horizontal or slightly

curved. The head is small, flat and compressed, and resembles

that of Garra. It is considerably longer than broad and almost

as broad as deep. Ity length is contained from 5 to 5.2 times in

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES 51

the length of the body without the caudal fin. The snout is very

prominent, obtusely pointed, smooth, and overhanging the mouth.

its length is contained from 2.2 to 2.4 times in ,the length of the

head. The eyes are fairly large and situated nearer the angle of

the operculum than the tip of the snout. They are not easily

visible from the ventral surface. The orbital width is contained

from 38.6 to 3.7 times in the length of the head. The interorbital

space is rather wide and convex and is much wider than the dia-

meter of the eyes. The nostrils are situated nearer the anterior

margin of the eyes than the tip of the snout. The gill-openings

are moderate, extending from the anterior point of insertion of the

lateral line to a short distance below the base of the pectorals.

They are broadly attached to the isthmus.

‘The mouth is inferior and its opening is slightly arched. The

upper lip is in the form of a fairly broad and crenulated fold over-

hanging the vestibulum of the mouth. Numerous round and soft

papillae are arranged more or less regularly towards its free border.

The lower lip forms a median, elevated and fleshy area slightly

arched anteriorly. It is not separated from the isthmus and is

covered at its anterior border with papillae similar to those of the

upper lip. There is no distinct post-labial groove, and usually the

lower lip is not connected with the upper.’

A pair of rostral barbels, which are usually shorter than the

diameter of the eyes, are always present. For the most part

they remain hidden inside a moderately deep lateral groove on

either side of the snout. These lateral furrows may be indistinctly

connected with the angles of the mouth.

The insertion of the dorsal fin is considerably nearer the tip

of the snout than the base of the caudal fin. It is almost equi-

distant trom the tip of the snout and the middle or the posterior

edge of the ,base of the anal fin. It is higher than the maximum

depth of the body and the length of its own base. Its last un-

branched ray is weak, and the last branched ray is divided to the

root. The outline is slightly concave. The pectoral fins are nearly

as long as the head or a little longer. They are separated from

the base of the ventrals by a distance equalling almost half their

own length. When fully expanded they have a more or less

rounded outer margin. The ventrals are slightly shorter than the

pectorals, and are situated vertically below the 8rd or the 4th

branched ray of the dorsal fin. They are separated from the com-

mencement of the anal by a distance equalling about half their

own length. The anal fin is short and is separated from the root

of the caudal by a moderate distance. The caudal fin is strongly

furcate, the upper lobe being usually longer than the lower. It

is longer than the head and almost as long as high. The anal

* In a number of specimens from the streams of Manipur in Assam, 25 to

45 mm. long, I have observed that there is a well-defined post-labial groove and

a distinct connection of the lower lip with the upper; and it seems highly pro-

bable that these characters become obliterated as the fish grows. Unfortunately,

young specimens from Assam, as well as from other places, are not represented

in a sufficient number in the collection of the Indian Museum for a detailed

study.

62 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

opening is variously situated. In most specimens the ventral fins

extend considerably beyond it, while m others they just reach it.

The seales are of moderate size and arranged regularly. There

are from 10 to 11 scales before the dorsal fin and usually from 18

ta 19 round the caudal peduncle. The scales on the chest are con-

siderably reduced in size, while those situated between the bases

of the pelvic fins are somewhat enlarged. The lateral line is more

or less straight and extends to the middle of the base of the caudal

Colouration in aleohol is uniformly blackish above the insertion

of the lateral line and whitish to faint orange below. The dorsal

and the caudal fins are dusky. The other fins are almost colour-

less.

Assamese and Burmese form:

I have examined a large series of specimens from Assam col-

lected by Dr. 8. L. Hora from various streams in Manipur, and

from Burma only three specimens, one from the Kyenchaung river

in the Mergui District and two from the Phungin Hka in the

Myitkyina District. So far as I can judge, the specimens from

these two places do not differ in any essential characters from

the typical form except in scalation and in the proportion of the

Text-fig. -6.—Lateral view of Crossochilus latius (Ham. Buch.) from the Mali

Hka system, x2.

head in the length of the body. In most specimens from Assam

and in all the three Burmese individuals I have counted only 8

scales (44/34) in a transverse series and from 15 to 16 round the

caudal peduncle. In some of the Assamese individuals, however,

there may be one more scale in a transverse row. In the typical

form there are, as already mentioned above, 10 scales in a trans-

verse series and from 18 to 19 round the caudal peduncle. The

head of both the Assamese and the Burmese form is comparatively

longer than that of the typical form. Its length is contained from

4.38 to 4.8 times in the length of the body without the caudal fin

(versus 5 to 5.2 times).

These differences, however, in the number of scales and in the

proportion of the head to the length of the body, do not, in my

opinion warrant a claim of a separate taxonomic position for the

Assamo-Burmese group of individuals of C. latius, and I am in-

clined to consider them no more than local variations.

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES 53

Punjab form:

I have examined’ a large series of specimens of C. latius from

the Punjab collected by Drs. 8. L. Hora and H. 8. Pruthi from

Katas Nallah, Salt Range and Khewra Gorge (about 2,000 ft.

elevation), and as far as I can judge from the material before me,

they seem to represent a distinct form from the typical C. latius.

In my opinion the specimens from the Punjab, at any rate, should

be kept as a separate subspectes until the chief differential charac-

ters noted below can be correlated with the ecological conditions

in which the fish lives. For the subspecies I propose the name

punjabensis.

C. latius punjabensis appears to be a dwarf form, the largest

specimen at my disposal from the Salt Range is 186 mm. im length.

On dissecting a number of female specimens from 80 to 45 mm.

in length I have found ripe eggs. Unlike the typical form, the

fish is stout and thick in build. The snout is rather blunt and

broadly rounded anteriorly. It is not so prominent as in the typical

form, and only slightly, if at all, overhangs the mouth. Its length

is contained nearly 2.5 times in the length of the head. The length

Text-fig. 7.—Lateral view of Crossochilus latius punjabensis, subsp. nov.,

slightly reduced.

oi the head is contained from, 4.5 to about 5 times in the length of

the body without the caudal fin. The eyes are comparatively

small and their diameter is contained from 4.2 to 4.7 times in the

length of the head (versus 3.6 to 3.7 times). The fold of the

upper lip is relatively shorter and less crenulated, and so is the

lower lip. The body is usually considerably deeper than the height

of the dorsal fin (versus dorsal fin higher than the maximum depth

of the body). The pectoral fins are usually shorter than the length

of the head (versus equal to or shghtly longer) and consequently,

the distance between the tip of the pectorals and the insertion

of the ventrals is much greater than half the length of the former.

——

' Since this report went to the press, the Zoological Survey of India received

for determination a small collection of fish from Quetta from the Deputy Research

intomologist, Baluchistan. In the collection I found six specimens of different

sizes, which correspond to the Punjab subspecies of C. latius. I,am, therefore,

inclined to think that the two specimens of ‘Cirrhina latia H.B.’ reported by

Ziigmayer (Die Fische von Balutschistan, p. 24, Munchen, 1913) from Quetta and

Kushdil Khan respectively, are also referable to C. latius punjabensis,

JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

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REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES 55

Labeo (Labeo) dyocheilus (McClell.).

Geli nesk2 oye ls Wi, te, 2)

One specimen (200 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Nga Lai’.

One specimen (198 mm.) from Sinan Hka: ‘Ulaa’.

One specimen (192 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Nga Jan’.

One specimen (114 mm.) from Sinan Hka;: ‘Jan’.

One specimen (42 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Ukhang’.

In 1839, McClelland (41) described and figured the species under

the name ‘Cyprinus dyocheilus’ from “‘the clear active currents of

the Bramaputra from Middle Assam to the rapids at the extremity

of the valley’’. He further remarked that the fish ‘‘appears to be

equally unknown (sic) in the mountain torrents and sluggish rivers

and jeels of the plams’’. Unfortunately, both the description and

the figure of the species given by McClelland are inadequate for

determining the exact identity of the fish. Day, in his Fishes of

India and Fauna volume gave rather a general account of the fish,

but this and his figure (pl. exxx, fig. 1) are inadequate for deter-

mining the species. According to him L. dyocheilus is distributed

in the “Sind Hills and along the Himalayas to Sikkim and Assam”’

(14).

In the collection of the Indian Museum there are only three

specimens labelled as Labeo dyocheilus, two of which were purchased

from Dr. Francis Day, while the third one is a skin of a medium-

sized specimen procured by Dr. 8. W. Kemp from Yembung

(1100 ft.) in the Abor Country in Assam (8). One of Day’s speci-

mens comes from Hardwar (No. 1522), and the other from Simla

(No. 1533), and they are about 12.6 em. and 382 ecm. in length

respectively. These two specimens from the Western Himalayas

do not appear to me to represent the true L. dyocheilus so far

as I am able to judge by comparison with the Abor specimen, which

I consider to be the typical form of L. dyocheilus. It seems pro-

bable that the Western Himalayan form of the species is distinct

from the one distributed along the Eastern Himalayas; but in the

absence of adequate materials from both of these areas no definite

decision on this point can be reached.

Recently, Messrs. G. E. Shaw and E. O. Shebbeare have

‘collected a number of specimens from the rivers near Siliguri at

the base of the Darjiling Himalayas and have presented a few of

them to the Indian Museum. After a detailed study of all these

specimens and comparing them with the Abor specimen, both

Dr. S. L. Hora and I referred them to the typical form of L.

dyocheilus.

In the collections of fishes from the Mali Hka system under

report there are 5 well-preserved specimens, as detailed above.

56 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

These Burmese examples, although referable to L. dyocheilus,

differ from it to some extent in lepidosis, colouration, etc. :

During the preparation of the present account, a similar speci-

men has been received by Dr. Hora for determination and as dona-

tion to the Indian Museum from Dr. H. M. Smith of the Depart-

ment of Fisheries, Bangkok, Siam. Dr. Smith remarked that the

fish ‘‘eame from the north-western Siam, from a stream at Meh

Sord on the Burmese border. It is unhke anything else in our

eollection’’. The specimen has, however, been identified as L. dyo-

cheilus, and it may be noted that this is the first record of the

species from Siamese waters. On re-examination of this Siamese

specimen I find that it corresponds entirely to the Burmese form

and has the same differences from the Indian individuals. Thus

it seems that L. dyocheilus is a very variable species, and accord-

ing to its geographical distribution the species may be divided into

the following main groups:

4) Western Himalayan form.

(ii) Eastern Himalayan and Assamese form, i.e. forma

typica.

(iii) Burmese and Siamese form.

From the foregoing data it'is clear that if is not possible at the

present moment to deal with the Western Himalayan form, while

detailed accounts of the typical and the Burmo-Siamese form may

be given for future reference. Below I have given a description

of the forma typica of L. dyocheilus and the diagnostic features

as also figures of the Burmese type.

Forma typica :

138/12. Ae Oe ee Ne C. 19 (excluding the small

compact outer rays); L. 1. 40-44; L. tr. 16-17 (93-103 /6$-74).

The head and the body are laterally flattened. The head is

rather small and narrow, and covered with a thick integument.

It is much longer than it is broad and deep, the length being con-

tained about 4.5 times in the total length of the body without the

caudal fin. It is considerably higher than broad, the breadth

being almost equal to its length behind the anterior margm of the

eyes. The snout is very prominent, muscular, and more or less

pointed anteriorly. In some specimens, there is a distinct depres-

sion across it. A fairly deep lateral furrow is present on either

side of the snout in all the specimens. The length of the snout

is contained from 2.5 to about 3 times in the length of the head.

It is provided all over with a series of fairly large open pores. A

pendulous rostral fold is present. The eyes are rather small, have

a free orbital margin, and are situated much nearer the angle of

the operculum than the tip of the snout. The orbital width is

contained from 4.5 to about 5 times in the length of the head,

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES 57

and almost 2 times in the length of the snout. The interorbital

space is wide and slightly convex. It is nearly twice as broad as

the orbital width. The nostrils are situated much nearer to the

anterior margin of the orbit than to the tip of the snout.

The mouth is horse-shoe-shaped and sub-inferior. Its opening is

wide, the cleft extending nearly to the level of the anterior margin

of the eyes. Both the lips are continuous and more or less fleshy.

There is a distinct post-labial fold, deep-set in the post-labial

groove. The upper lip is protrusible and it partly overhangs the

vestibulum of the mouth. The lower lip is widely separated in

the middle and reflected from the lower jaw. Internally, it is

covered with series of stumpy papillae. A pair of maxillary bar-

bels, which are usually shorter than.the diameter of the eyes, are

situated at the angle of the post-labial fold. Both the jaws have

an inner horny covering.

All the fins are well developed. The insertion of the dorsal fin

is considerably nearer the tip of the snout than the base of the

caudal fin. It is equidistant from the tip of the snout and the

origin of the anal fin; in some cases it. is much nearer the former.

Ti is as high as or slightly less than the depth of the body below it.

Its outer margin is concave. The pectorals are shorter than the head

and are separated from the commencement of the ventrals by a dis-

tance equalling nearly half their own length. The ventral fins are

shehtly shorter than the pectorals and are separated from the in-

sertion of the anal by a distance equalling almost half their own

length. The anal fin is nearly as long as the ventrals, and when

adpressed just reaches the base of the caudal fin or misses it by

only a very short distance. It has a shghtly concave margin. The

caudal fin is much longer than the head and its own height. It is

deeply fureate, the upper lobe in some grown-up specimens being

slightly longer than the lower. All the rays of the dorsal, anal,

pectoral and ventral fins have thin fleshy lateral lappets which are

characteristic of most of the Cyprinoid fishes that inhabit the

mountainous streams and rivers.

The scales are of moderate size and are arranged regularly on

the body. There are from 40 to 44 scales along the lateral line

and from 16 to 17 rows between the bases of the dorsal and the

ventral fins. Between the base of the dorsal and the insertion

of the lateral line there are from 94 to 104 rows, while between

the lateral line and the base of the ventrals there are from 64 to

74 rows. The predorsal scales vary from 17 to 19. Around the

caudal peduncle there are from 22 to 23 scales. The scales on

the chest are considerably reduced in size. The bases of the

dorsal, anal and the caudal fins are more or less scaly. The scaly

appendages of the ventral fins are well-developed.

McClelland (41) has described the colouration of the fish as

‘bluish or brownish black above and on the extremities of the

fins, but bluish-white along the belly; the sides are also bluish-

white with various stains of red and yellow on the shoulder’’, while

according to Day (14) it is ‘‘of a dull green, darkest above; fins

darkest in the centre’. It appears that both McClelland’s and

58 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Day’s notes on colouration of L. dyocheilus were made on fresh

specimens. In specimens, ordinarily treated and preserved in

alcohol, the colouration is from a uniform reddish to greenish-

brown above and paler below. There appears to be a faint blackish

patch on the 4th and 5th scale of the lateral line.

Burmese and Siamese form:

In some of the Burmese and Siamese individuals of Labeo

dyocheilus the head may be slightly shorter than that in the typical

form, and the length of the head may be contained about 5 times

in the length of the body without the caudal fin. The snout is

rather bluntly rounded anteriorly. The depression across the snout

is very well-marked. The dorsal fin is variable in height and

may be as high as, shghtly more or a little less than the depth of

the body below it. The pectoral fins are usually shorter than the

head; but it seems that in well-grown individuals they may be a

little longer. In the Siamese individual from Meh Sord, which

is 222 mm. without the caudal fin, the pectorals are longer than

the head.

There are from 40 to 41 scales along the lateral line and 13

rows in a transverse series. Between the base of the dorsal fin and

the insertion of the lateral line there are 74 rows of scales, while

between the lateral line and the base of the ventrals 54 rows.

Before the dorsal there are about 18 seales, while the scales round

the caudal peduncle vary from 19 to 21.

The colouration m alcohol is dark brownish above and yellowish

to white below. A fairly large faint blackish precaudal blotch

seems to be characteristic of the Burmese and the Siamese forms.

A narrow blackish patch on the 4th and the 5th scales of the late-

ral line is also to be found in some individuals. All the fins are

dusky. The central rays of the caudal fin are blackish. In the

Siamese specimen traces of fine series of dusky longitudinal lines

are discernible on each side of the body. Each seale has a, faint

reddish dot in the centre.

Remarks: Labeo dyocheilus is a very variable and widely dis-

tributed species. It is known to occur in Northern Bengal, Assam,

Burma, along the Kastern Himalayas and in north-western Siam.

Dav’s specimens from Hardwar and Simla, mentioned above, do

not seem to represent this species, but any conclusive remarks on

the so-called L. dyocheilus of the Western Himalayas, are, how-

ever, impossible till adequate material from these areas becomes

available for further study.

The species is said to be common in Assam; and is known by

the local name ‘Gorea’. According to McClelland its “‘usual size

is from one to two and a half feet in length, and though sometimes

coarse, its flesh is always well flavoured’’. Colonel Burton has

noted that in the Mali river system in Upper Burma the fish

grows “‘upto 4 lbs,”’

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES 59

Measurements in millimetres:

North

Bengal. Mali Hka System. Siam

(EN amas Se a eee

Length of body without caudal ...} 205°0 198°0 192°0 114°9 222°0

Height of body ve sale 55:0 56°0 49-0 31:0 62°0

Length of head a wef / 44:0 43-0 | 40°0 24°0 46°0

Breadth of head eu os BES 26°0 21:0 15°0 28°0

Depth of head c ae 34°5 34°0 29°5 19°0 39:0

Length of snout see a 16°0 15°0 14:0 8°5 17:0

Diameter of eye Bag ae 9°0 8°5 7:5 315 9-0

Interorbital width ... 14°5 14:0 14:0 8:5 16°5

Height of dorsal fin ... wie a0:0 52°0 46-0 25°0 70°0

Length of pectoral fin i: 43°0 40°0 35°0 20°0 48°5

Length of ventral fin ... - 41:0 37°0 3279 19:5 45:0

Length of anal fin... ee 41°0 36°5 35°0 19°0 47°0

Length of caudal fin ... ae 58°0 es 5 ee —50°0

Length of caudal peduncle Ate 38°0 38°0 35°0 23°0 450

- Least height of caudal peduncle ... 27°0 24°5 23°5 13°5 28°5

Barbus compressus Day.

Gein 1 lies 6).

One specimen (122 mm.) from Tang Hka: ‘Urat’.

In 1869, Day (10) described the species from a single specimen,

the precise locality of which was not known. He remarked: ‘“‘The

native country of the type-specimen is uncertain, but the fish was

found in a bottle in the Caleutta Museum with an Oreinus from

Cashmere. It is a fine specimen in excellent preservation’’. Un-:

fortunately, since Day’s discovery of the species further material

was not available to clear up the doubt in regard to the provenance

of this interesting fish and consequently little or no attention has

been paid to ‘the species. In the collection of the Indian Museum

the unique type-specimen of B. compressus is preserved in the

original bottle. The specimen has not undergone any marked

60 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

deterioration through preservation in alcohol for a period of sixty-

four years, except for the colouration which is completely lost.

In the collection of fishes from the Mali Hka system there

is a fine specimen which agrees in all essential characters

with the — type-

Specimen) of wesae

compressus of Day,

and I have not the

least hesitation in

assigning the fish

to this species. In

view of the fact

that B. compressus

stands rather on

an inadequate des-

cription based on a

single specimen

{ : : a ha » the SI

Text-fig. 8.—Lateral view of the anterior portion of aS alte . me

the head and body of the type-specimen of Barbus “8% END yee

compressus Day showing the characters of the figured so far, I

eyes, mouth, the lips and the barbels ete., x1}. take this opportu-

nity to give a de-

tailed description of the species based on a comparative study of

both the type-specimen and the Mali river example and_ to

publish an illustration of the latter. To facilitate comparison, a

TEIN V\:

cae bain mh is

leat

Text-fig. 9.—a. Scale from the base of the dorsal fin of the type-specimen of

Barbus compressus Day, x6.

b. Scale from the base of the dorsal fin of Barbus compressus Day from

the Mali Hka system, x6.

fivure of the anterior portion of the type-specimen, showing the

characters of the head and eyes, etc. is also added (Text-fig. 8).

Characters of scales have often been considered to be of specific

value among Cyprinoid fishes. I have, therefore, given camera

lucida drawings of the scales of the two specimens under report.

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES 61

The scales are taken from below the base of the dorsal fins (Text-

fig. 9, a & b). It is clear from the structure of these scales that

they are more or less similar except for some minor differences

which are almost certainly due to a difference in the age of the two

specimens.

Devs Ao o7 bh. dy it. V 2/8. C. 26 (excluding the small

compact outer rays); L. 1. 25-26; L. tr. 7 (4/24).

The dorsal outline ascends gradually from the tip of the snout

to the nape where it falls slightly and then rises up again to the

origin of the dorsal fin. Beyond this point the outline slopes

down rather abruptly and converges to the base of the caudal

fin. The ventral outline is feebly convex throughout.

The head is conical, considerably compressed; and its length is

contained nearly 4 times in the length of the body excluding the

caudal tin. lt is higher than wide, the maximum height being

equal to the length of the head without the snout, while the width

is equal to the length of the head behind the middle of the

eyes. The snout is obtusely pointed and almost as long as the

diameter of the eyes. The eyes are of moderate size and situated

in advance of the middle of the head. Their diameter is contained

nearly 4 times in the length of the head. The interorbital region

is somewhat convex and its width is nearly equal to or slightly less

than the diameter ot the eyes. There are 5 to 6 transverse series

of well developed conical tubercles on the anterior portion of the

cheeks. On the snout there are no pores. The lips are thick and

fleshy. The upper jaw is slightly longer than the lower one and is

protrusible. Two pairs of barbels are present. The maxillary bar-

bels are slightly longer than the diameter of the eyes. The rostrals

are shorter than the maxillaries.

The dorsal fin is situated much nearer to the tip of the snout than

to the base of the caudal fin. The insertion is vertically above the

posterior margin of the 7th scale of the lateral line. The last

undivided dorsal ray is fairly strong and smooth posteriorly. The

height ot the dorsal fin is as long as the head behind the opening

of the nostrils. Its outer margin is slightly concave. The pec-

torals are as long as the head excluding the snout, and are separated

from the insertion of the ventrals by a distance equalling about

4 their own length. The ventrals are considerably shorter than

the pectorals and are separated from the origin of the anal by

4 their own length. The anal fin is rather short and extends to

the middle of the caudal peduncle. Its outer margin is similar to

that of the dorsal. The caudal fin is longer than high, the length

being slightly more than the length of the head without the snout.

The scales are large and arranged regularly. There are 9

scales before the dorsal fin and 10-11 round the caudal peduncle.

The bases of the dorsal and the caudak fins are scaly. The sealy

appendages of the ventrals are fairly well developed.

The colouration of the type specimen has been described by

Day as ‘‘silvery, fins stained darker’. But, as already mentioned,

the original colour of the specimen is totally lost. It is now

62 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

unitormly brownish with a faint golden sheen. The specimen from

the Tang Hka is dusky all over the body above the lateral line and

pale yellowish below. A fairly large black ocellus is present

at the base of the caudal fin. Each scale is marked with a small

dusky spot at the base. All the fins are dusky.

According to Colonel Burton’s notes the fish is said to grow

“up to 4 lbs.

Remarks: Vrom a careful examination and a thorough cogn-

parison of the two specimens under report [ am convinced that the

Burmese example is indistinguishable from the type-specimen ot

B. compressus Day. It is impossible, however, to come to any

definite conclusion in regard to the type-locality and the distri-

bution of the species even in the hght of the present discovery of

the species from Burma. For, on the one hand, its distribution may

be sporadic in Kashmir and in Burma, while on the other, the

fish may be an endemic Burmese form. Considering the very

specialised nature of the fish-fauna of Kashmir, the former does not

seem to me to be very probable, while in the event of the latter

being true, which I am more inclined to believe, it is self-evident

that, through inadvertence, the type specimen of B. compressus had

been put in the same bottle with an Oreinus from Kashmir.

Measurements in millimetres :

Type Burmese

specimen specimen

CM z

Length of body without caudal f ie 155°0 122°0

Height of body oe Ess a es 40:0 34-0

Length of head ies ae ae o 38°0 31:0

Breadth of head S ie ay ie 23°0 18:0

Height of head sc Bes ES AOS 22:0

Length of snout... ie Sone? Bhs 11°5 10:0

Diameter of eye sce ie si aa 10:0 8°5

Interorbital width ... sb ee ace 9°5 LS

Height of dorsal fin ... ee a ds 34:0 26:0

Height of last undivided dorsal ray Bt a 34:0 26°0

Length of anal fin ... A ee a 27155 20°0

Length of pectoral fin es : mre Sh 32°0 24°5

Length of ventral fin a me sae 26°0 18:5

Length of caudal fin a $35 .. ju@sroken)) 24-0

Length of caudal peduncle Se bs sap 30°0 20:0

Least height of caudal peduncle ae oe 18°5 13°5

fers

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES

Barbus tor (Haim. buch.) sensu lato.

One specimen (190 im.) from Phungin Hka: ‘“Shabym Ningshaw’.

One specimen (134 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Nga Rat’.

One specimen (182 mm.) from Tang Hka: ‘Shamyin Ningshaw’,

One specimen (64 mm.) from Phungin Hka: Hkauka La’.

In a recent paper Deraniyagala (17) has revived the genus Tor

Gray (1883) of which ‘Cyprinus tor’ of Hamilton Buchanan is the

type. In the Genera of Fishes, Jordan (89) remarked that Tor

Gray “‘replaces Labeobarbus Bleeker’’ (p. 189), while about Labeo-

barbus Riippell (1836) he opined that the genus is “‘probably not

distinct from Tor Gray’’ (p. 186). In the absence of any definite

data in regard to the specific limit of Buchanan’s (20) CU. tor which

he obtained from the Mahananda River in Northern Bengal, I am

unable to agree with Deraniyagala’s contention about using the

name T'or for the species in preference to Barbus of Cuvier (1817)

of which, Labeobarbus and certain other so-called allied genera have

by most authors been considered synonyms. In this connection

Gunther’s (19) useful remarks may be quoted. He observed:

“Many attempts have been made to divide the Barbels into generic

groups, as may be seen from the synonymy. And, indeed, when

we consider the great number of species, and the great apparent

diversity between the first and the last of the series, a further

division must appear to be highly desirable. Yet nothing would be

more contrary to the idea of natural genera, the transition from

one extreme species to the other being perfect; and those attempts

at generic subdivisions prove that the naturalists who proposed

them had only a partial acquaintance with the species. The size

of the scales, the development of the third dorsal ray, the form of

the snout (and consequently of the preorbital) are perfectly useless

as generic characters, in consequence of the complete series of

creed ate forms. The lips are subject to variation in the same

species: thus, for instance, some specimens of B. bynni would

belong to Barbus, others to Labeobarbus’’ (p. 84).

This remark apples equally truly in the case of the genus 1'or

and the species B. tor. It is a well-known fact that great con-

fusion centres round the true systematic position of B. tor, which

is due entirely to the extreme variability of certain differential

characters that are ascribed to the species, viz., the length of the

bead and its proportion to the length of the body, the shape and

size of the snout, the nature of the lips, the mesial lobe and the

lepidosis, etc. All these features have frequently been found to

vary so much in B. tor that they almost entirely overlap the dis-

tinguishing characters of the so-called allied genera and of the re-

lated species. Under these circumstances, I am of opinion that

it is futile to recognise the genus Tor for such fishes as are widely

variable in those very characters on which the genus is based, and

that B. tor should be regarded as a composite and variable species

of Barbus until it is possible to understand and define properly the

specific limits of Hamilton Buchanan’s ‘Cyprinus tor’

The specimens under report from the Mali Hka system have

64 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST SOCEHIY. Vole XOeuvall

the dorsal fin rays stained with black. Series of black marks are-

present in the centre and on the posterior edge of the scales. The

pigmentation is more prominent in the upper half of the body

than in the lower.

Tt has been noted in the field-notes of Colonel Burton that the

species grows “‘up to 60 lbs.’’ The fish, however, has been known

in Burma to grow to a much larger size, weighing over 90 lbs.?

Barbus clavatus burtoni, subsp. nov.

GEi gil aie: eine

Three specimens (162, 1380 and 110 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Nga Ju’,

One specimen (83 mim.) from Tang Hka: ‘Nga Ju Chang’.

One specimen (80 mm.) from Sinan Hka: ‘Nga Jw’.

One specimen (74 mm.) from Tang Hka: ‘Nga Ju Hpraw’.

In 1921, Hora (238) discussed at some length the affinities of

Barbus clavatus McClelland with its allies and published a de-

scription and a figure of the species from several fresh specimens

collected by him from the Senapati stream near Kairong in the

Naga Hills in Assam. 8B. clavatus has hitherto been found in

rivers at the foot of the Sikkim mountains on the northern frontier

of Bengal and in the Naga Hills in Assam. Among the fishes

of the Mali river system of the Myitkyina District under report,

there are 6 well-preserved specimens, as detailed above, which,

though very closely related to B. clavatus, differ from it in certain

characters by which they may be allotted to a separate group.

Besides these specimens from the tributaries of the Mali Hka,

I have also examined a similar, but much larger specimen (172

mim.) collected by Mr. A. Macdonald from Sahmaw in the Myitkyina

District and sent by the Curator of the Bombay Natural History

Society to Dr. 8. L. Hora for study, in March, 1926. On referring

the matter to Dr. Hora and looking through the correspondence,

I gather that, from an examination of the specimen in question,

Dr. Hora came to a provisional conclusion that it represented

a new form from Burma. He also had drawings made of this

unique specimen with a view to publish an illustrated account of

the fish in the Bombay Natural History Society’s Journal as soon as

a few more specimens of this interesting fish were available from

the same locality for testing the adequacy of the description.

But no more examples were obtained and the Sahmaw-fish, there-

fore, remained undescribed. Havmg before me a fine series of

the same fish in Colonel Burton’s collections from the same district

of the northern frontier of Burma, it is now possible to judge

of the affinities of the fish and to publish its description with

figures. I am in agreement with Dr. Hora’s original views about

the form being new to science and I refer the specimen from Sah-

maw, as well as the ones from the Mali Hka system, to a new

subspecies of B. clavatus. I have the greatest pleasure in associ-

‘ Hertz, W. A., Burma Gazetteer, Myitkyina District, p. 17 (Rangoon, 1912).

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES 65

ating the new form with the name of Lt.-Col. R. W. Burton. The

fish may be characterised as follows:

Drea 8a ae Ome MiG: V8, CO. 19 (excluding the small

compact outer rays); L.1. 35-388; L. tr. 10. (6$/8$).

Barbus clavatus burtont differs from the typical form clietly

in size, lepidosis, certain body proportions, colouration, etc. It

seems to represent a much larger form than B. clavatus, as I

find from an examination of the specimens of the latter form from

the Senapati stream referred to above as well as two others col-

lected by Dr. Murray Stuart from the Loglai and the Taron rivers

in the Naga Hills. All these specimens from Assam are from 45

to 120 mm. in total length without the caudal fin, and some of

them about 70 mm. in the minimum and 120 mm. in the maximum

are gravid females, whereas the largest female specimen of B.

clavatus burtont trom the Myitkyina District is 172 mm. long.

The head is short and conical and its length is contained from

almost 4 to 5 times in the total length of the body without the

caudal fin. It is proportionately longer in young specimens than in

adults. The snout is obtusely pointed and is longer than the dia-

meter of the eyes in adult individuals, while in young forms, in

which the eyes are relatively larger, it is almost equal to the orbital

Text-fig. 10.—a. Dorsal view of the anterior portion of the head and body

of Barbus clavatus burton, subsp. nov., xca. 3.

b. Ventral view of the same, x ca. 3.

width. Its length is contained from 38 to 3.3 times in the length

of the head. It is provided with 2 or 8 rows of horny tubercles,

which are less pronounced in immature stages. The eyes are fairly

large and are situated nearer the tip of the snout than the free

margin of the operculum. Their diameter is contained from 3.3 to

about 4 times in the length of the head. The interorbital space

is convex and greater than, or almost equal to the orbital width

according as the fish is grown up or young.

The mouth is horse-shoe-shaped and sub-inferior. The cleft

of the mouth extends nearly to the level of the anterior’ margin

66 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

of the orbit: Both the lips are fleshy and continuous, the upper

one partly overhanging the lower, which is widely interrupted in

the middle. A fleshy pendulous rostral fold is present. There

are two pais of barbels, which are of nearly equal length. They

are as long as the diameter of the eyes or slightly longer.

The dorsal fin is inserted almost in the middle of the distance

between the tip of the snout and the base of the caudal fin, or

shghtly nearer the former than the latter. It is of considerable

height, but its last osseous spine which is sharply denticulated

posteriorly, is not so high as the depth of the body below it. Its

outer margin is deeply concave. The pectorals are shorter than

the head, but longer than the ventrals. The anal fin is rather

short and has more or less a straight outer margin. The caudal

fin is deeply forked and usually longer than the head and its own

height. In some grown-up specimens the upper lobe is a little

longer than the lower. The caudal peduncle is considerably longer

than high, specially in adult individuals.

The scales are fairly large and arranged regularly. There are

from 85 to 88 seales along the lateral line, and 10 rows between

the bases of the dorsal and the ventral fins. Between the base of

the dorsal and the lateral line there are 64 scales, while 34 be-

tween the lateral line and the ventrals. The predorsal scales vary

from 12 to 14. The scaly appendages of the ventrals are fairly en-

larged. In some large-sized specimens a couple of rows of scales

at the base of the caudal fin are considerably enlarged as is seen

in the specimen from Sahmaw.*

Colouration in aleohol is dark bluish-black or brownish above and

pale white below the lateral line. Along the lateral line on either

Text-fig. 11.—Lateral view of a specimen of Barbus clavatus burtoni, subsp.

nov. from Sahmaw in Upper ‘Burma showing colour variation, x ca. 3

side is present a more or less complete and distinct band in some

specimens, wlile in others, as in the Sahmaw specimen, the free

mareins of a few longitudinal rows of scales are dotted with fine

blackish pigment forming a meshy design (Text-fig. 11). The fins

are dusky to whitish. The outer borders of the caudal fin are tipped

with black.

—-_ ES

1 I am indebted to Dr. 8. L. Hora for kindly allowing me to publish his

manuscript drawing of the Sahmaw-specimen.

REPORT ON. BURMESE FISHES 67

femarks: B. clavatus burtont may be easily distinguished

from the typical form by its longer snout, shorter third spine of

the dorsal fin, fewer scales along the lateral line, in a transverse

series and before the dorsal fin, and by the colouration which is

more dark than bright and silvery. According to Colonel Burton's

field-notes, the fish grows “‘up to 7 Ibs.”’

Distribution: Tributaries of the Mah Hka and Sahmaw in

the Myitkyina District of Northern Burma.

Type-specimen: No. FB, 14437 preserved in the collections

‘

of the Zoological Survey of India, Indian Museum, Calcutta.

Measurements in millimetres:

Sahmaw Mali Hka system

TO OOo Se

Length of body without caudal Spaa i es rat) 162°0 | 110°0 | 83°0

Height of body _... bie rh 42°0 41:0 30°0 2070

Length of head _... ne cm 35:0 35°0 26°0 20'0

Breadth of head _... a nk 23°0 216 14:0 eS

Depth of head es ee ae 28°0 27°0 19°0 15°0

Wenstm of snout... ie cise iS 107, 8°0 6°0

Diameter of eye ... ao oe 8'°5 9:0 75 6:0

Interorbital width ae oe 10°5 10°5 8°0 5°0

Height of dorsal fin ae aS 32°0 36:0 25°0 18:0

Length of pectoral fin is ee 30°0 32°0 21:0 15:0

Length of ventral fin ie ace 26°0 29°0 19°0 13:0

Length of anal fin ae et: 28°0 25°0 18:0 11°5

Length of caudal fin re ie 44°0 38°0 30:0 23°0

Length of caudal peduncle ... ae 29:0 30°0 22°0 15°0

Least height of caudal peduncle Pe 16-0 18-0 12:0 10.0

Barbus chagunio (Ham. buch.).

One specimen (125 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Chyet neug’.

The occurrence of this species in the Burmese waters was un-

known till its recent report from the Myitkyina District in Upper

Burma by Prashad and Mukerji (45). The specimen under report

agrees perfectly with the description of the Burmese specimens

given by these authors.

There had been a certain amount of confusion in regard to the

specific validity of B. chagunio, and the matter was discussed; in

detail by Hora (82). The relationship of the species B. chagunio

68 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

with B. spilopholus of McClelland had also been a matter of dis-

pute. Quite recently it has been shown by Hora and Mukerji (88)

that B. spilopholus is conspecific with B. chagunio. The species

is sexually dimorphic. B. spilopholus with the prolonged anal

rays and well developed tuberculated pads on the snout and the

cheeks represents a male, while B. chagunio without such

characters is a female. |

The specimen from the Phungm Hka is a female. It has no

definite pores or tubercles on the snout and the cheeks, nor the

elongated anal rays.

According to Colonel Burton’s notes the fish is said to grow

valp, tor 2) ibs.

Barbus chola (Ham. Buch.).

One specunen (90 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Shalwm shawng’.

A very faint blackish mark is present in the middle of the

caudal peduncle. Another deep black blotch behind the gill open-

ing is characteristic of the Burmese specimens. The dorsal fin has

a black mark along the anterior part of its base and another along

the centre. Posteriorly the seales have a dusky spot.

Barbus sarana caudimarginatus Blyth.

One specimen (154 min.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Nga pawk’.

One specimen (150 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Nga bupawk’.

One specimen (180 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Nga tawt’.

The three specimens, although they have different local names,

are all referable to this species. According to Colonel Burton’s

field-notes ‘Nga bupawk’ grows ‘‘up to 4 lb.’’, while ‘Nga pawh’

und “Nga tawt’ grow in weight ‘‘up to 2 lbs.’’, and ‘4 lbs.’’, res-

pectively. Since all the specimens represent a single species,

these weights must refer to different sizes and, presumably, ages

of the fish.

The barbels are blackish dorsally and whitish below. Both

the dorsal and the caudal fins are tipped with black. There are

very fine blackish longitudinal lines along the sides.

Semiplotus semiplotus (McClell.).

One specimen (44 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Salep la’.

One specimen (67 mm.) from Sinan Hka: ‘Salep la’.

One specimen (90 mm.) rom Phungin Hka: ‘Shalum shawng’.

One specimen (115 mm.) from Tang Hka: ‘Udi’.

One specimen (150 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Wudi’.

According to Colonel Burton’s field-notes, in young stages the

species is locally believed to represent a ‘‘small variety’? and known

as ‘Salep la’; but when the fish grows to a weight from ‘‘4 lbs.

to 7 lbs.’ it is known by the name ‘Udi’ or ‘Wud’.

In all the specimens under report there are from 9 to 12 pores

on either side of the snout. The last undivided dorsal ray is

slightly longer or shorter than the length of the head according as

the specimen is grown-up or young. The same is true in regard

tc the length of the pectoral fins.

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES 69

Genus :; Rohtee Sykes.

Most of the earlier ichthyologists adopted the name Osteo-

brama Heckel in preference to Rohtee Sykes. Hora (28) has already

discussed the matter and has pointed out that Sykes’ work (51)

was published in 1841, while Heckel established his genus Osteo-

brama in 1848, and that according to the International Rules of

Zoological Nomenclature Sykes’ genus T[?ohtee has priority over

Osteobrama of Heckel.

Recently, ee (52) has established a genus allied to Rohtee

(= Osteobrama) which he calls Parosteobrama to accommodate two

specimens of his P. pelligrini collected from ‘Se-tchuan’ (Sze-

ehuan) in China. He has defined the genus as follows

“Corps comprimé; bouche termnale et verticale levres cornées;

linge lfatérale plus rapprochée du ventre que du dos; dents pha-

ryngiennes sur 3 rangées; vessie natatoire en 3 parties; dorsale

débutant plus prés de la caudale que du bout du museau, son

troisieme rayon simple ossifié, mais sans denticulations; anal longue;

abdomen tranchant. |

Ce genre est voisin de Osteobrama Heckel (Rohtee Sykes);

sen distingue par ses lévres cornées et par la vessie natatoire en

5 parties.’

From the generic definition of Parosteobrama as well as from

the illustrated description of the species, P. pelligrini T find that

Tehang has considered the horny jaws and the tri-chambered_ air-

bladder to be the chief distinguishing features.

In certain species of the genus Rohtee there is an imdication of

horny pads on the jaws, and in Parosteobrama this condition is

probably accentuated.?

In my opinion, therefore, the horny covering on the jaws in

fishes should, in most cases, be correlated with the environmental

conditions of the fish and considered as an adaptive modification,

which must vary in accordance with the necessity and the degree

of adaptability.

In regard to the three-chambered air-bladder, Tchang observes

‘“vessie natatoire en 3 parties, la premiere, ovale et arrondie aux

deux bouts, la deuxieme plus longue que la premiere, la troisieme

tres petite’. Unfortunately, the author has not published any

eee

* Since this report went to the press, Messrs. H. W. Wu and K. F.

Wang’s interesting paper—' Preliminary note on the lips of Parabramis termin-

alis “(Richardson) ‘—published in Contrib. Biol. Lab. -Sci. Soc., China, viii,

Zool. Ser., No. 10 (1932) has become available. In dealing with the structure

of the epidermis of the lips of Parabramis terminalis, which are ‘more or less

horny in appearance’ in specimens preserved in formalin or alcohol, the authors

point out ‘Tchang recognizes the particular structure as a horny lip (levres cor-

nées) as a characteristic to his ‘new genus in describing Parosteobrama pelligrini

which is exactly synonymous of the present species. The so-called horny lip

which is considered as a characteristic of the genus Parosteobrama ‘is merely

the highly developed epidermis of the skin covering the surface of upper and

lower jaws, and the outer layers of epithelial cells have to become flattened

and more or less cornified.’ : :

This corroborates my view regarding the stability of the structure of the

lips in Parosteobrama and the inference in respect of the validity of the genus

70 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

illustration of this organ, which in view of its having an additional

small third chamber is very interesting. As is well known, in most

of the Cyprinoid fishes the air-bladder is bi-chambered. If, there-

fore, the tri-lobed air-bladder of P. pelligrini is proved by the future

researches to be a constant feature, the fish will have a claim to

a genus to itself. At this stage, however, this character cannot

be stressed, inasmuch as the conclusion arrived at by Tchang is

based on insufficient data. Moreover, the structure of the air-

bladder, although considered to be of taxonomic value, has been

known to vary considerably in many Cyprinoid fishes. Hora (24),

who studied at some length the structures of the swim-bladder in

certain Indian fishes, and specially of the various species of the

genus Garra, found so much structural variation of this organ that he

‘‘was almost tempted to regard it as a specific character; but further

examination showed that it is not only variable in the different

species of the genus (Garra) but differs in individuals of the same

species as well’. I have examined the air-bladder of Rohtee

vigorsil, the type-species of the genus, and also of R. duvaucelii

and ft. feae from Burma. In all these

species I have found that there are only

two chambers. The anterior chamber

is medium-sized and more or less oval

in outhne, while the posterior one is

fairly large and bean-shaped. The cham-

bers are connected together by a narrow

duct at a constriction whence the pneu-

matic duct arises (Text-fig. 12). The

aforesaid three species, as also the rest

of the species of the genus Rohtee, are

not so well represented in the collection

of the Indian Museum as to allow many

specimens to be dissected, and it is,

therefore not possible for me to judge

the nature and range of variation of this

structure in Rohtee, and to throw light

on that of Parosteobrama.

Another feature which Tchang has in-

cluded in the generic definition of Paro-

Text-fig. 12.—Air-bladder of Steobrama is that the last osseous ray

Rohtee duvaucelii (Cuv. & of the dorsal fin is not serrated, while

Val.) from the Myitkyina in Rohtee it is usually serrated. In this

District, | Upper Burma, : ‘

5) connection reference may be made to a

species of Nohteey R. cumna (Tickell)

Day in which the last osseous ray is simple. The fish was procured

and reported by Colonel Tickell from Mandalay in Burma and con-

sidered as a valid species by Day. In his Supplement to the Fishes

of India Day (15) has also re-defined the fish. Vinciguerra (53),

however, accepts the validity of this feature in R. cumna with

reserve and doubts the accuracy of the structure concerned in

Tickell’s original drawing of the species.

It is thus clear that to be certain about the validity of the

genus Parosteobrama examination of further material is essential.

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES 71

if such an examination reveals that the horny covering on the jaws,

the tripartite condition of the air-bladder and the smooth nature

of the last osseous ray of the dorsal fin are constant characters

in a large series of specimens, Parosteobrama will then stand on

a firmer basis.

Rohtee duvaucelii (Cuv. & Val.).

One specimen (105 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Shaping-naw-naw. kpa’.

A curious confusion has found currency in the ichthyological

literature, both earlier and modern, about the use of the specific

name of this species. In 1844, Cuvier and Valenciennes described

the species for the first time on page 77 of the 17th volume of their

Histoire Naturelle des Poissons under the denomination ‘‘La Breme

de Duvaucel: Leuciscus Duvaucelu’’ after the name of M. Alfred

Duvaucel who collected the type specimen from ‘‘Nepaul’’. In the

index of the same volume which is prefixed to the text, the name

‘‘La Breme d’Alfred (Leuc. Alfredianus nob)’’ is printed on page

xvi. But the references affixed to this name are made to the des-

eription of L. Duvaucelii (Pp. 77) and to a coloured plate of the fish,

No. 488 bearing the legend ° ‘Leuciscus Alfredianus nob’’. This dis-

crepancy has resulted in the indiscriminate use of both the names,

duvaucelu and alfredianus in the literature. Under the cireum-

stances it is necessary to decide the question of the nomenclatural

status of the two names used by Cuvier and Valenciennes for the

same fish. So far as I am able to judge, the question of the

‘‘Law of Priority’’ of names or of ‘‘page precedence’’, as embodied

in the International Code of the Zelical Nomenclature does not

seem to arise here, nor is there any existing eode of nomenclature

which provides for such a case as that under consideration. In

view of this fact the name duvaucelii under which the species was

described should, in my opinion, have a natural right to exist, while

aljfredianus, a misnomer in all probabilty, should be eliminated

from nomenclature.

In 1924 Myers (48) described a new species of Rohtee, R. roebo-

ides from a single young specimen, 80 mm. excluding the caudal

fin. The fish was collected from Monywa on the Chindwin river

in Upper Burma. In a letter Dr. G. S. Myers wrote to me: ‘‘In

working with the Burmese fishes you may have occasion to exa-

mine the cyprinoids I described in 1924. I have become dubious

of the validity of Rohtee roeboides and Barbus nicholsi! and should

welcome any attempt to properly place these fishes.’” But since

in the absence of typical specimens it is not possible to arrive at

_——$——— rs

1T take this opportunity to point out in passing that Dr. D. Vinciguerra

described an African species of Barbus under the name ‘B. Nicholsi’ (Ann.

Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. Genova, LIII, p. 11, 1928). According to the Inter-

national Rules of Zoological Nomenclature, Art. 35, B. nicholsi Vinciguerra (1928)

becomes a homonym of B. nicholsi Myers (1924). I directed the attention of

Dr. Vinciguerra to this point who agreed with me and kindly allowed me the

liberty to propose a new name for his. species. I have great pleasure in renaming

the fish as B. vinciguerrae.

72 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

any definite conclusion in regard to the validity of these fishes and

specially of hk. roeboides, which concerns me in connection with

my present studies, a request was made to Dr. J. T. Nichols of the

American Museum of Natural History to send to the Indian

Museum the types of these fishes for my examination. In reply

Dr. Nichols kindly informed: “‘I regret that we cannot send you

the types of Myers’ species for examination, as we are not per-

mitted to send such material outside the country’. Thus I have

had no chance of examining the type of R. roeboides. From Myers

description of the species, however, and after examining a large

series of specimens of R. duvaucelu of different sizes as well as

of the other species of the genus hitherto known from Burma, I

have come to a provisional conclusion that R. roeboides is strik-

ingly similar, if not identical with R. duvaucelii. Myers has already

remarked that the species is “‘related to Rohtee cotio (Hamilton

Buchanan) and R. duvaucelit (Cuvier and Valenciennes)’’ but

“differs from cotio and duvauceliu in fewer scales (49) and shorter

pectorals’’. It seems that Myers had no specimens of these two

species before him for comparison with his species, and that he,

therefore, depended considerably on Day’s descriptions and figures

of these fishes. He pointed out (p. 8 footnote): ‘‘Day’s figure of

duvaucelu. (alfrediana) shows only 45. seales’’. Unfortunately,

Day’s descriptions and figures that are given in his Fishes of India,

though standard references on the subject even today, have often

been found to be inadequate and inaccurate for the purpose of

‘understanding the precise limits of the various species; and any

conclusion based merely on Day’s observations and figures is likely

to lead to a mistake.

In an earlier account of the fishes of the Myitkyina District in

Upper Burma it has been already pointed out by Prashad and

Mukerji (45) that in Rh. duvaucelii the lepidosis is very variable.

The number of seales along the lateral line varies from 48 to 52

and there are 94 to 104 rows in a transverse series. This conclu-

sion was anes. at aban examination of a large series of speci-

mens of the species from various localities. The presence of 49

scales along the lateral line in R. roeboides, therefore, does not,

per se, preclude its assignment to Rk. duvaucelu. In all other

respects, as far as I can judge, R. roeboides is indistinguishable

from R. duvaucelui, except for the shorter pectorals. In all the

specimens of R. duvaucelu that I have examined the pectoral fins

either just reach the pelvics or extend slightly beyond them. The

length of these fins and their relative proportions, specially in im-

mature stages, can, however, be barely considered to be of speci-

fic. value. |

Barilius barna (Ham. Buch.).

One specimen (53 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Shapyin’.

One specimen (65 mm.) from Tang Hka: . ‘Nyimaungiza’.

One specimen (76 mm.) from. Phungin Hka: ‘Shapyin Pyinneu’.

One specimen (80 mm.) from Tang Hka: ‘Shapin’.

One specimen (100 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Nga-chyet-new’.

Although the specimens from different localities as well as

from the same locality are known by different local names as quoted

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES

above, all undoubtedly belong to B. barna. The species is very

variable in respect of the presence or absence of barbels, their

numbers and the colour pattern, ete. Hamilton Buchanan (20),

Giinther (19) and Day (14, 16) observe that barbels are entirely

absent in B. barna. I have examined a large series of specimens

of the species from different places in India and Burma and

have found that in some only minute maxillary barbels are pre-

sent, while others are provided with both the maxillary and the

rostral pairs. Specially among the specimens of the species from

the Siju Cave and the Garo Hills in Assam, I have found many

that are provided with one or both the pairs of barbels. Speci-

mens from Burma under report are, however, devoid of barbels

excepting the one from the Tang Hka (80 mm.) which has a rudi-

mentary pair of maxillary barbels.

The species seems to be sexually dimorphic so far as it could be

ascertained from the nature of the tuberculated structures on the

snout, cheeks and on other parts of the body. In males the snout,

the jaws, and the lower portion of the cheeks are thickly covered

with pointed horny tubercles. In grown-up males 8 or 4 outer

branched rays of the pectoral fins have soft cushion-like elevated

ridges in the middle, situated dorsally. These pad-like structures

are covered with minute tubercles. Some fine tubercles are also

present on the last few branched rays of the dorsal fin of some of

the males. In all the specimens the lower lobe of the caudal fin is

longer than the upper. In Burmese forms this feature appears

to be more pronounced than in the Indian individuals.

Broad, black vertical bands at the sides, which vary from 7 to

9, are present in all the specimens. The dorsal fin is edged with

black and white, white on the top and.black below. In most indi-

viduals the scales of the upper portion of the body have a fine

blackish outline.

Barilius barila (Ham. Buch.).

One specimen (81 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Hkumpyi Ulum’.

One specimen (81 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Shapyin’.

Two specimens (95 and 105 mm.) from Tang Hka: ‘Shapin’.

One specimen (101 mm.) from Sinan Hka: ‘Shapyin-Pyinzut’.

It appears from the local names quoted from the field-notes of

Colonel Burton that the fish is known by different names in the

same and in different localities. Comparing certain local names

of B. barila with those of B. barna it further appears that in certain

localities, at any rate, the Kachins do not recognise them

as two distinct species. For instance, both the species are known

by the names ‘Shapyin’ and ‘Shapin’ at Phungin Hka and Tang

Hka respectively, although elsewhere they have other local names.

Like the preceding species, B. barila is considerably variable

in respect of certain characters, and at certain stages of growth

the two species are so very similar that it is difficult to differentiate

one from the other. In this connection mention may be made of

B. barnoides deseribed from ‘Catchin’ in Burma by Vinciguerra

(53). I have examined a para-type of the species kindly presented

to the Indian Museum by Dr. D. Vinciguerra. A thorough

74 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

examination of this form and a detailed comparison with its allies

has convinced me that B. barnoides is conspecific with B. barila.

I have discussed this matter below under a separate heading.

Both Hamilton Buchanan (20) and Gitinther (19) have observed

that in B. barila the barbels are absent, while according to Day

(14, 16) ‘“‘a small rostral pair is present’’. Of the earher authors,

Day has given undue importance to the nature and the number

of the barbels in regard to the systematic classification of the

different species of the barbelled Cyprinid genera. He has based

his synopsis of the species of the genus Barilius on the presence

or absence of barbels. But this has been found to be faulty which

is due partly to Day’s having overlooked the minute tendrils in

many species of Barilius, and “partly to his having been influenced

by the a priori observations of other authors. Day’s synopsis of

the species of the genus Barilius can, therefore, be hardly rigidly

adhered to in the matter of determining the specific identity. I

have examined large series of B. barila from different localities and

have found that in most cases there are two pairs of barbels,

while two barbels and no barbels are found only in a few cases. Tn

all the specimens from the Mal Hka system there are two pairs

of barbels. The rostrals are nearly twice as long as the maxillary

barbels.

The sides and the lower portion of the mandible as also the

tip of the snout are covered with minute pores and tubercles. There

are 10 to 12 vertical black bands along the sides. The posterior

margin of the caudal fin is tipped with black.

Remarks on the identity of Barilius barnoides Vinciguerra:

In 1889, Vinciguerra described the species from ‘Catchin’ in

Burma, and characterised it chiefly by the absence of the barbels

and the third suborbital

bone not being in con-

tact with the pre-oper-

cular ridge. Having

carefully examined a

para-type of 8B. bar-

noides and studied the

illustrated description of

the species, I have come

to the conclusion that

B. barnoides cannot be

considered as a_ valid

species distinct from B.

barila. In Vinciguerra’s

form, as I find from the

para-type, both the ros-

Text-fig. 13.—Lateral view of the head of a tra] and the maxillary

paratype of Barilus barnoides Vincig. show- heel Ne a

ing relative positions of the third suborbital P&lDCtS ile present

bone and the preopercular ridge, x 2. which were somehow

overlooked by the

-author. The accompanying illustration (Text-fig. 18) of the anterior

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES 75

portion of the body of the para-type of B. barnoides shows these

barbels. The only other character that has been used by Vinci-

euerra in separating his on

species irom B.ebarila

is that in the former the :

third suborbital bone is .

not in contact with the

preopercular ridge, while

in the latter it is said

to be in contact. I have

examined a large series

of B. barila of different

sizes and from different

places and have found

that the bones under Ze

consideration are very

variable in shape and

Text-fig. 14.--Lateral view of the head of one

S1zZe, ete.., irrespective of of Day’s specimens of Barilius barila (Ham.

age and locality; and Buch.) showing relative positions of the

third suborbital bone and the preopercular

consequently, their re- ;

ridge, x3.

lative positions are also

variable. In most cases the third suborbital bone does not lie in

contact with the preopercular ridge or according to Day (14, 16)

it ‘“‘nearly’’ touches the latter (Text-fig. 14). Cousidlerine the vari-

ability in structures and the relative positions of the t hird suborbital

bone and the preopercular ridge in B. bavila, IT am unable to attach

any importance to one bone touching, nearly touching or not

touching the other. Leaving aside the questions of the barbels

and the position of the third suborbital bone, I find no other

character in B. barnoides that can be taken into consideration

in separating it from B. barila.

In reaching a conclusion regarding the affinity of his species,

B. barnoides, Vinciguerra seems to have depended considerably

on the short and inadequate descriptions of the allied species given

by Gunther, Day and others, and this induced him to place his

species, which he believed to be non-barbelled, closer to the so-

ealled non-barbelled form, B. barna, rather than to B. barila,

characterised so far with a pair of rostral barbels. From the

foregoing accounts of B. barna and B. barila it is, however, clear

that they are different from what they have been understood by

Giinther, Day and others, and their affinities with related species

of the genus must, therefore, be different. At the state of our

present “knowledge of the three species, viz. B. barna, B. barila

and B. barnoides, it is not possible to recognise Vinciguerra’s

species as distinct from B. barila.

In 1893 Boulenger (4) relegated B. barnoides to the synonymy

of B. ornatus Sauvage without assigning any reasons for it. As

IT am not familiar with the form B. ornatus, I am unable to make

any comment on its affinity with B. barnoides. It seems to me

probable, however, that Boulenger knew B. barnoides only from

Vinciguerra’s description and figure,

76 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Danio (Danio) aequipinnatus (McClell.)

One specimen (80 mm.) from Tang Hka: ‘Nga bit’.

Two specimens (61 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Salap la’.

One specimen (51 mm.) from Sinan Hka: ‘Nga wan’.

One specimen (30 mm.) from ? : ‘

Although at different places different local names are used, all

the specimens listed above belong to this species. The specimens

have the characteristic colour ation of the species and a small flake

of a metallic blue near the upper angle of the opercles. In some

individuals the lower jaw is papillated.

In 1907, Regan (47) described a new species of Danio, D.

browni from the Northern Shan States in Upper Burma. I have

examined the type-spectmens of this species preserved in the

collection of the Indian Museum, and have found that D. browni

is strikingly similar to D. aequipinnatus. I do not find any stable

character that can be taken into consideration in differentiating

Regan’s species from the other.. D. aequwipinnatus is such a vari-

able species, as I find from an examination of large series of speci-

mens from various places in India, Burma and Siam, that it

seems impossible to recognise D. browni a distinct form.

FAMILY: BELONIDAER.

Xenentodon cancila (Ham. Buch.).

One specimen (205 mm.) from Tang Hka: ‘Singawng tang’.

One specimen (203 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Singawng tang’.

Two indistinct blackish spots are present above the base of the

pectoral fins.

According to the field-notes of Colonel Burton the species

is said to grow ‘‘up to 3 lbs.’’ The fish is known to grow to a

fairly big size. Day (14) observed that it attains at least a foot

in length.

Faminy: NANDIDAE.

Badis badis (Ham. Buch.).

One specimen (40 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Nga-teng’.

One specimen (57 mm.) from Tang Hka: ‘Nkrai daw’.

There are 10 to 11 vertical black bands along the sides. The

dorsal fin is tipped with white. The outer margin of the ventrals

is blackish. :

The species is very variable in respect of the number of spines

of the dorsal fin and of the different fin rays. The nature of the

lateral line and the colour pattern are also variable.

FamMiIny: MASTACEMBELIDAE.

Mastacembelus armatus (Lacép.).

One specimen (140 mm.) from Phungin Hka: ‘Nga lapu’.

One specimen (200 mm.) from Tang Hka: ‘Shayu’.

Both the specimens are young and they belong to the same

species, although they are ee Tbs different local names. The

fish is said to grow ‘‘up to 7 lbs.”’

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES The

‘ FAMILY: OPHICEPHALIDAE.

GENUS: Ophicephalus Bloch.

In a recent paper Myers and Shapovalov (44) have shown that

in view of the records of occasional absence of the ventral fins in

Ophicephalus gachua Ham. Buch., Channa Scopoli (1777) which

has so far been separated from Ophicephalus Bloch (1794) chiefly

by the absence of the ventral fins cannot be regarded as a plhylo-

genetic entity distinct from Ophicephalus, and that according to

the relevant rules of the Zoological Nomenclature, the name

Ophicephalus must be superseded by Channa. Although I

thoroughly agree, as one must, with the views of Myers and Sha-

povalov I am for the present retaining Ophicephalus for its being

an eminently suitable and so very well- known a name. Recently

Herre (21) has also retained this name.

Ophicephalus gachua Ham. Buch.

ford

One specimen (147 min.) from Phungin Hka: ‘“Khumpup Nga’.

The species is perhaps the hardiest of all its relatives. It has

been observed by Deraniayagala (17) that “‘Ophicephalus gachua

flourishes in ponds rendered so stagnant as to prove toxic to

most fishes. The swarms of tadpoles and mosquito larvae which

thrive in these ponds supply food for the adults and fry respec-

tively. The fish is very hardy and exceedingly active on land,

progressing by series of leaps. It propels itself into the air by

bending its body, planting its tail on the ground and straightening

itself with a jerk, and it is a common sight to find these fishes

crossing overland, while the pond they inhabit is baled dry by

villagers in search of fish’’. It has also been found: in Ceylon to

be able to “withstand a considerable range of temperature from the

warm waters arising from the hot springs at Kanniya (EH. P.) to

the cold waters of Diyatalava (U.P

According to the field-notes of Colonel Burton the species

erows ‘‘up to 2 lbs.’’ This requires confirmation. So far as I am

aware the fish hardly attains oe size and Day’s remarks about

its attaining “‘at least 18 inches’’ is probably an over-statement.

List oF REFERENCES.

1. Annandale, N.—Fish and Fisheries of the Inlé Lake. Rec.

Ind. Mus., XIV, pp. 33-64, pls. i-vu (1918).

2. Bleeker, P.—Atlas ichthyologique des Indes Orientales

Néerlandaises, II] (Amsterdam: 1868).

8. Blyth, E.—Report on some fishes received cliefly from the

Sitang River and its tributary streams, Tenasserim Provinces.

Journ. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, XXIX, pp. 1388-173 (1860).

4. Boulenger, G. A.—List of Fishes collected by Mr. EH. W.

Oates in the Semuhonn Shan States, and presented by him to the

British Museum. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6), XII, pp. 198-203

(1893).

78 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVI

5. Chaudhuri, B. L.—Description of a new species of Danio

isom Lower Burma: ivecy Ind. Mus lp to a908),

6. Chaudhun, B. L.—Contribution to the fauna of Yunnan

based on collections made by J. Coggin Brown B.Se., 1909-1910,

parti, Mishessa Wee. dhvd. iis Van pn alse 2 4 ilies all Oitala):

7. Chaudhuri, B. L.—Deseription of some new species of fresh-

water fishes from North India. Rec. Ind. Mus., VII, pp. 487-444,

pis. xxxvill-xlry (1912),

8. Chaudhuri, B. L.—Zoological Results of the Abor Expedi-

tion), 1911-12) Mish. ech snd) Mors. aVANIE pp. 243-2 oem als

vil-ix (1918).

9. Chaudhuri, B. L.—Report on a small collection of fish from

Putao (Hkamti Long) on the northern frontier of Burma. Lec.

Ind. Maus. XV; pp. 271-287) ole xoan (1909)

10. Day, .—Remarks on some fishes in the Calcutta Museum.

Proc. Zool. Soc. London, pp. 548-560 (1869).

11. Day, F.—Monograph of Indian Cyprinidae, Pt. 1. Journ.

Asiat. Soc. Bengal, XL, pt. un, pp. 95-148, pl. ix (1871).

12. Day, F.—Monograph of Indian Cyprinidae, Pt. 5. Journ.

Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Xl) pr. ie pp ale -198 3872).

13. Day, F.—Report on the fresh-water Fish and the Fisheries

of India and Burma (Calcutta: 1878).

14. Day, F.—Fishes of India, II (London: 1878).

15. Day, F.—Fishes of India, Supplement (Hdinburgh: 1888).

16. Day, F.—Fauna of Byitish India, Fishes, I (London:

1889).

17. Deraniyagala, P. K. P.—Eventognathi of Ceylon. Spolia

Zeylanica, XVI, pt. i, pp. 1-41, pls. i-vi (19380).

18. Garman, §$.—Some Chinese Vertebrates, Pisces. Mem.

Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard, XI) p. 114 (912).

19. Gtipther, A.—Catalogue of Fishes in the British Museum,

VII (London: 1868).

20. Hamilton-Buchanan, F.—An account of the fishes found in

the River Ganges and its branches (Edinburgh: 1822).

21. Herre, A. W.—Fishes from Kwangtung Province and Hai-

man Island, China. Lingnan Sci. Journ. China, Il, No. 3, pp. 428-

443 (1982).

22. Hora, 8. L.—Revision of the Indian Homalopteridae and

of the genus Psilorhynchus (Cyprinidae). Rec. Ind. Mus., XIX,

pp. 195-215, pls. x-xi (1920).

23. Hora, 8. L.—Fish and Fisheries of Manipur with some ob-

servation on those of the Naga Hills. Rec. Ind. Mus., XXII, pp.

165-214, pls. ix-xu (1921).

24. Hora, 8. L.—Indian Cyprinoid Fishes of the genus Garra

with notes on related species from other countries. Rec. Ind. Mus.,

XXIT, pp. 633-687, pls. xxiv-xxvi (1921).

25. Hora, 8. L.—On some new and rare species of fish from

the Eastern Himalayas, Rec. Ind. Mus., XXII, pp. 731-744 (1921).

26. Hora 8. L.—Notes on fishes in the Indian Museum: iv.

On the fishes belonging to the genus Botia (Cobitidae). Rec. Ind.

Mus., XXIV, pp. 313-321 (1922).

REPORT ON BURMESE FISHES ) 49 --

27 sElora.- ©. WiNotes on fishes in the Indian Museum: v.

On the composite genus Glyptosternon McClelland. Rec. Ind.

Mus., XXV, pp. 1-44, pls. i-iw (1928).

28, Hora,-S. L.—Fish of the Salt Range. Rec. Ind. Mus.,

XXV, pp. 371-385, pl. viii (1923).

29. Hora, S. L.—Fish of the Siju Cave, Garo Hills, Assam.

ec, Ind, Mus. XXVI, pp: 27-81 (1924).

30. Hora, S$. L.—Notes on fishes in the Indian Museum: xii.

The systematic position of the Cyprinoid genus Psilorhynchus Mc-

Clelland. Rec. Ind. Mus., XVII, pp. 457 “460, text-fig. 8 (1925).

ile lord. © oO. Notes on fishes in Indian Saeee XV,

Notes on Burmese fishes. Rec. Ind. Mus., XXX, pp. 387-40 (1928).

82. Hora, 8. L.—Remarks on Giinther-Day controversy re-

garding the specific validity of Hamilton-Buchanan’s Cyprinus

chagunio. Journ. & Proc. Asiat. Soc. Bengal (N.S.), XXIII, pp.

415-417 (1928).

33. Hora, 8. L.—Notes on fishes in the Indian Museum: xvu.

Loaches of the genus Nemachilus from Burma, Rec. Ind, Mus.,

XXXI, pp. 3811-334, pls. xiv-xv (1929).

347 Hora .o- Jue and Chabanaud, P-—The —“Siluroid fish

Pseudecheneis and an allied genus. Rec. Ind. Mus., XXXII, pp.

215-221 (1980).

35. Hora, 8S. l..—Notes on fishes in the Indian Museum: xviii.

On two small collections of fishes from Burma. Rec. Ind. Mus.,

DOO pp. 1-27 (193).

86. Hora, 8S. L.—Classification of the Homalopterid fishes.

nee. Ind. Mus. “XXII pp. 67-69: (1931).

37. Hora, S. L.—Classification, Bionomics and Evolution of

Homalopterid fishes. Mem. Ind. Mus., XII, No. 2, pp. 263-330,

pls. x-xu (1982).

88. Hora, 8S. L. and Mukerji, D. D.—Further notes on

Hamilton-Buchanan’s Cyprinus chagunio. Journ. & Proc. Asiat.

Soc. Bengal, (N.S.), XXVII, pp. 187-139 (1933).

39. Jordan, D. 8.—Genera of Fishes (California: 1917-1920).

40. Jordan, D. 8.—Classification of Fishes (California: 1923).

41. McClelland, J.-—-Indian Cyprinidae. Asiatic Researches,

XIX (Calcutta: 1839).

42. Mukerji, D. D.—On a collection of fish from Lower

Burma. ivec. Ind. Mus., XXXIV, pp. 281-286 (1932).

43. Myers, G. 8.—On a small collection of fishes from Upper

Burma. Amer. Mus. Novitates, No. 150, pp. 1-7 (1924).

44. Myers, G. 8S. and Shapovalov, L.—On the identity of

Ophicephalus and Channa, two genera of Labyrinth fishes. Peking

Nat Hist. bull Xi pt. i, ppeos-o7 (1031),

45. Prashad, B. and Mukerji, D. D.—The fish of the

Indawgyi Lake and the streams of the Myitkyina District (Upper

Burma). Rec. Ind. Mus., XXX, pp. 161-223, pls. vii-x (1929).

46. Regan, C. Tate.—On a collection of fishes made by Mr.

John Graham at Yunnan Fu. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. @. XII,

p. 190 (1904).

80 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVIt

47. Regan, C. Tate.—Description of a new Cyprinoid fish of

the genus Danio from Upper Burma. Rec. Ind. Mus., I, p. 395

(1907).

48. Regan, C. Tate.—Description of three new fresh-water

fishes trom China’ Anni Mag. Nat.) His (8) ie pp Ooskeh.

pl.av (1908). 3

49, Rendahl, H.—Beitrige zur Kenntnis der Chinesischen

Stiswasser Fische. Arkiv. f. zool. XX (A), No. 1, pp. 1-194 (1928).

50. Smith, H. M.—Notes on Siamese fishes. Journ. Siam.

soc., Nat. Hist: Supplement, Vill Ne. 35 pp; 177-190 (1930)

51. Sykes, W. H.—On the fishes of Dukhun. Trans. Zool.

Soc. London, Il, p. 364 (1841).

52. Tchang, M. T.—Nouveau genere et nouvelles especes de

Cyprinidés de Chine. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, LY, pp. 46-52

(1930).

58. Vinciguerra, D.—Viaggio di Leonardo Fea in Birmania e

region vicini, Pesci. -Ann. Mus: Cio. Stor Nat, Genova, (2), xX

pp. 129-3862, pls. vil-xi (1890).

54. Weber, M. and de Beaufort, L. F.—The Fishes of the

Indo-Australian Archipelago, IIl (Leiden: 1916).

THE GAME BIRDS AND ANIMALS OF THE MANIPUR

SLATE WITH NOTES OF THEIR NUMBERS, MIGRATION

ND EAB TIS:

diss Cav EliGGiIns 1-6-3:

PARE OV:

(Continued from page 854 of volume xxxvi).

BUSTARDS.

The Bustard of Assam (Sypheotis bengalensis) is not found in

Manipur, and I have never seen or heard of a straggler of any

species.

PLOVERS.

The Eastern Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominicus fulvus)—Mani-

purl, nonggang.

Regarding the Golden Plover, Baker! says that they appear

in Assam in late August, or September, and leave in April.

‘Raoul’? notes that they reach Bengal in August. In Manipur

they arrive and leave just a little later than the Pintail Snipe.

The earliest recorded in the bag was shot on August 18th (1913),

and I actually saw two on August 7th of the same year. I

have shot them on May 18th (1917) and May 14th (1932): and

my shikaris have reported them on May 20th (1917), May 29th

(1932), and a flock of six as late as June 9th (1982). They are

seen annually in August and in May.

In the migration seasons, the Golden Plover is found in flocks,

occasionally as large as 200 or 300, on grazing grounds, the edges

of bils, and in fallow paddy fields, dry or not too wet. In the

cold weather most of them seem to disappear, though a few

flocks remain on the larger bils, where they rest on the islands

and feed round the edges. The best year’s bag is 83, in 1928-24,

and good days (largely contributed to by ‘browning’ flocks on bils)

were :—

14-53-20 ... AA

3-0-14 eo LO

28-9-14 sexys

The Golden Plover is a curious mixture of simplicity and

cunning. The flock invariably puts out one or more sentries, and,

unless cover is available, which they usually take very good care

there is not, it is difficult to approach them. But I have often

' The Game Birds of the Indian Empire, vol. v, J.B.N.H.S., vol. xxxv,

A aaa Oe

Z1Op. (cites ps, 29.

82 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

employed Baker’s device of driving them, with success, and it

is extraordinary how, once on the wing, they will often fly straight

past or over the guns, even when walking up snipe and making

no attempt at concealment. ©

As a table bird, I personally rele the Golden Plover to the

snipe, though I have found very few to agree with me, except

‘Raoul, 1b 1s probable, however, that they would pall sooner

than snipe as a continued diet.

The Lapwing, Peewit or Green Plover (Vanellus vanellus).

A very rare visitor. Five were shot on November 29th, 1916,

on a grazing ground. I saw 2 on the edge of the Loktak lake

on December 26th, 1920, and Colonel Goodall saw a large flock

on a bil north of the Loktak on February 138th, 1930.

The Spur-winged Plover (Hoplopterus duvauceli)—Manipuri,

ngdhoibi (‘fish-chaser’), the same name as is applied to the Red-

shanks.

This species is resident and breeds. It is found on the shingle

‘beds and sandbanks in streams in or near the hills, and is not

particularly common. It is only shot occasionally for the pot,

as it is tame.and flies so slowly that it can hardly be regarded

as. an object of sport.

I have never heard them eall aid che do it 2, as Baker? says

they do. The usual call is one sharp note, several times repeated,

ending with three staccato notes. |

The Burmese Red-wattled Lapwing (Lobivanellus indicus

atronuchalis)\—Manipuri, salangkak.

This species resides and breeds, but not in very large numbers.

It is shot seldom, for the pot, being tame and a poor flyer.

The Grey-headed Lapwing (Microsarcops cinereus)—Manipuri,

salang. In the Journal? I wrongly ascribed this name. to the

Yellow-wattled Lapwing (Lobipluvalia malabarica), which does

not occur in Manipur.

This species is migratory, but I have never obaercd the seasons

of migration. Baker* says he ‘never came across them in flocks,

but penorall: singly and occasionally in pairs’. In Manipur they

are almost invariably in flocks, sometimes as large as 50 birds,

both on the grazing grounds, as well as on the wet guowae round

marshes and on the bils.

The Eastern Grey Plover (Squatarola squatarola hypomela).

Mr. L. O. Clarke, I.C.S., records that one was brought in

ta him on October 17th, 1921. It had been killed by a kite.

2 Ops cite, JBN. AS. vol. 1xxxy, «1 pjoo:

+ Ojos Gita: dialsnNBlal Neon” (Ole soe ay, TA) 0. BAB,

3 J.B.N.H.S., vol. xxviii, p. 290, ‘Manipuri Names of certain birds’.

Ope cite, a0. 1200:

GAME BIRDS AND ANIMALS OF MANIPUR 83

The Turnstone (Arenaria interpres interpres).

I shot one on September 28th, 1914, on a grazing ground, the

identification being confirmed by the Society. I have never seen

it before or since.

The Indian Stone-Plover (Burhinus oedicnemus indicus).

I have only once met with this bird—a single specimen, shot

on September 6th, 1982.

The Great Stone-Plover (Hsacus recurvirostris).

These birds arrive just before the Pintail Snipe and only stay

until September, being found only on the grazing grounds. They

appear regularly every year, and I have seen them as early as July

29th. They are found in small parties (I have seen as many as

14 together) and seem to be particular as to the localities they

frequent. On some grazing grounds they never fail to appear,

while on others, apparently equally suitable, they are never seen.

Presumably they halt on their migration, but I have never seen

them on the backward migration. In Manipur they are easy to

approach, but are seldom shot.

The Large Indian Pratincole or Swallow-plover (Glareola maldi-

varum maldiwarum).

~ IT have only’ once noticed these birds. Mr. C. F. Jeffery shot

one out of a small flock on August 16th, 1931. It was identified

by the Society and recorded in the Journal.?

OTHER WADERS.

. Cranes.

The Hooded Crane (Grus monachus)—Manipuri, woimumal

(‘like a sarus’). In the Journal? I wrongly ascribed this name

to and identified the bird as the Eastern Common Crane (Grus

grus lilfordi), but from Baker’s? notes it is clear that the crane

of Manipur is G. monachus.

This bird is a regular visitor to Manipur, though not in large

numbers. They are very wary and none have been shot of late

years. But Colonel Cassels records 6 having been shot on Decem-

ber 31st, 1897 and January Ist, 1898. I once hit one, but farled

to retrieve it, as it fell a long way off: this is the only shot I

have ever had at them. The earliest by far that I have seen them

was on September 29th, 19380. They appear to leave early, as

I once watched a flock circling to gain elevation in order to cross

the western range of hills: I cannot recollect the exact date,

but it was certainly before the end of February.

The Burmese Sarus (Antigone antigone oP,

woinu, woinuren (‘the large woinw’).

This species is not uncommon, residing and breeding -in the

swamps in the south of the valley: but it is not shot. They are

1 J eDeNGH Sic vol. xxxv.., No.3. px. 686;

I BNES., vee Ny No. 1, = 290.

54. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

usually seen in pairs, but I once met with a large flock of between

20 and 30. Finn' mentions the tendency to collect in flocks as

one of the characteristics distinguishing this subspecies from G. a.

antigone.

GULLS.

There is only one gull in Manipur (Manipuri, taotra) which is

common on the lakes in the cold weather. It is fond of associat-

ing with the coots (Fulica atra atra) and the dabchicks (Podiceps

ruficollis capensis) and may be seen leading a party of the latter

about, like a school. I have never identified it, but it is probably

The Brown-headed Gull (Larus brunnicephalus).

TERNS.

There are several varieties of terns, which I have never identi-

fied. The Manipuri name for them is ngdrakpi (‘fish-catcher’),

which is also the term for kingfishers. A smaller variety is also

known as pdt chekpi (‘the lake flying-fox’).

The Avocet (Recurvirostra avocetta avocetta).

Baker? says of the Avocet that “eastward it has occurred as

far as Behar’. I once saw a pair in Manipur (date not recorded),

and my shikari once shot one and brought it in to me. He has

reported seeing it occasionally since (twice, I think, but I cannot

be certain, having kept no records). However, there can be no

doubt that it is an occasional visitor. Primrose*® also recorded it

from the Goalpara district of Assam in 1908.

The Eastern Curlew (Numenius pheopus variegatus).

A rare visitor. I shot one out of a pair on October 6th, 1926,

and Major E. R. Daboo, I.M.8., shot a single bird on September

10th, 1980. I saw a single bird on December 30th, 1925, another

on February 6th, 19380, and three on October 12th and Novem-

ber 2nd, 1930 (probably the same birds, as they were on the

same Dil).

The Eastern Whimbrel (Numenius phewpus variegatus).

A single bird was shot by Captain Bulfield on August 205th,

1932.

SANDPIPERS.

There are numerous kinds which I have never identified. The

Mainpuris call them chessd, chegaibi, the former being the name

used by the Muhammadans and the latter by the Hindus.

The Redshank (Tinga totanus)—Manipuri, ngahoibi (cf. the

Spur-winged Plover).

A regular visitor. I have never examined the few shot to see

whether they are Tringa totanus totanus or T. t. terigonte.

1 How to know the Indian Waders, p. 81.

2 Op cite. J NGS AvOlo axxo eta:

SO BEN sEleocs. VOl aaah ae) © DaOSer

GAME BIRDS AND ANIMALS OF MANIPUR 85

The Spotted or Dusky Redshank (Tringa erythropus) Manipuri,

ngahoibi. q

A regular visitor, seen in large flocks. It is a very swift flier.

The Ruff and Reeve (Philomachus pugnax).

This 1s an uncommon, though not infrequent visitor. Five

have been shot, the identification of two of which was confirmed

by the Society.

The Spotted-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis)—Manipuri,

uphong.

A fairly common visitor. They appear at the end of the cold

weather and leave again after the rains.

CORMORANTS.

The Indian Shag (Phalacrocorax fascicollis)—Manipuri urd

okmal (‘cormorant like a pig’) is found, also the Large Indian

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis)—Manipuri ura pongyat:

these two species migrate. The Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax

niger)—Manipuri, ura khomdol, is common and breeds. The shi-

karis always declare that there is a fourth species, which they

call ura milsang (‘green-eyed cormorant’), which is a little larger

than ura khomdol, and resides and breeds. Doubtless this is also

P. niger. The Indian Darter (Anhinga melanogaster)—Manipuri,

urd limal (‘cormorant like a snake’) resides and breeds.

IBISES.

The White Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus)—Manipuri,

maydng urok (‘the foreign egret’ or ‘the Cachar egret’) is not

uncommon. More plentiful is the Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus

falcinellus)—Manipuri, kaksu, (In the Journalt I wrongly classi-

fied this bird as the Black Ibis, Pseudibis paillosus).

STORKS.

There are only two storks in Manipur. The Open-bill (Anasto-

mus oscitans)—Manipuri, thdroichabi (‘snail-eater’) or pamjenj

(used only by the Hindus)—is very common, being seen in im-

mense flocks and breeding. In the Journal? this name was wrongly

assigned to the Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia major), which IT have

never seen in Manipur. The Black-necked Stork (Xenorhynchus

asiaticus asiaticus), which was formerly found occasionally is now

scarcely ever seen. The Fauna of British India’ records the

Kastern White Stork (Ciconia ciconia boyciana) as found in Mani-

pur, but I have never seen it.

Some at least of the Open-bills migrate, though many are to

be seen at all times of the year. On November 12th, 1926, when

returning through the hills from Burma, I saw a very large flock

circling round and round to gain elevation before crossing the

eee

je NEES. VOl. xxvii, “NO. ls 9. 289.)

ZI OCAM ON. }

86 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

watershed between the Manipur and Chindwin basins—4,750 ft. at

that point.

HERONS.

The Eastern Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea manillensis)—

Manipur, utsay saingdng (‘red-cheeked heron’).

This species; which is fairly common, resides and breeds.

The Eastern Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea rectirostris)—Manipuri,

utsat saingou (‘white-cheeked heron’).

Slightly less common than the preceding. It soiree to

breed, but returns early, as I saw a pair on August 17th, 1930.

EGRETS.

The generic Manipuri term for the Egrets is wrok.

The Hastern Large Egret (Hgretta alba modesta)—Manipuri,

urok loklenba (‘the egret which walks in streams’): The Indian

Smaller Egret (Hgretta intermedia intermedia)—Manipuni, lang-

khongsang (khongsang means ‘long legs’): The Little Egret

(Hgretta garzetta garzetta)—Manipuri, naokang; and The Cattle

Egret (Bubulcus ibis coromandus)—Manipuri, urok sandungil (‘the

egret which follows after cattle’) all reside and breed.

Ponp Herons.

The Indian Pond-heron (Ardeola grayu)—Manipuri, lampra.

This species is common, residing and breeding.

The Chinese Pond-heron (Ardeola bec lampra

amubi (‘the black pond-heron’). |

This species is not so common as the preceding one, but is

far from rare.

The Indian Little Green Heron (Butorides striatus ieee

T am not certain as to the vernacular name, but I think it shares

wakhambong with certain of the bitterns.

Not uncommon, especially in hill streams, where they debouch

into the Manipur valley.

The Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax)—Manipuri,

chongkhu.

Common: resides and breeds. My shikari declares there are

three varieties of night-heron. The other two are known as

chongkhu hawaimdn (‘the spotted night-heron’) and tourak chong-

khu (‘the reed-bed night-heron’), from its habitat. I have not

been able to investigate this statement.

BIvTtTERNS.

The Malay Bittern (Gorsakius melanolophus melanolophus) :

The Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis. sinensis): The Chestnut

Bittern (Ixobrychus cinnamomeus): and The Black Bittern

(Dupetor flavicollis flavicollis) all occur. The three former are

known in the vernacular as wakhambong, and the last as honglai

amubi (‘the black rail’). |

‘GAME BIRDS:AND ANIMALS OF MANIPUR 87.

GREBES.

The Great Crested Grehe (Podiceps cristatus cristata} Mani

puri, kumphengbi.

This species is fairly common.

The Indian Little Grebe (Podiceps ruficollis capensis)—Mani-

puri, upwim.

say common.

Coots.

The Common Coot (Fulica atra atra)—Manipuri, porom.

Very common. It is migratory, and the Manipuris say that

it comes with the Pochards, but leaves before them.

The Indian Purple Coot (Porphyrio poliocephalus acinremain

—Manipuri, umu.

This species is-less common, but is found in suitable localities.

It resides and breeds.

WATERHENS. -

The Chinese White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phenicurus

chinensis)—Manipuri, uren konthou: The Kora or Watercock

(Gallicrex cinerea)—Manipuri, utum; and The Indian’ Moorhen

(Gallinula chloropus parvifrons)—Manipuri, pat uren (‘the lake

waterhen’)—all reside and breed.

J ACANAS.

The Bronze-winged Jacana (Metopidius indicus)—Manipuri,

thamndchenbi (‘running on the lotus leaves’), and The Pheasant:

tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus)—Manipuri, yemparaba

(‘male fowl’) both reside and breed. oe

RAILS AND CRAKES.

There are a number of these, which I have never identified.

The Manipuri generig name for rails is honglat.

PHEASANTS.

The Manipur valley (except in the swamps, which are unsuit-

able) is too thickly populated and devoid of forest to be the abode

of the pheasant tribe. In the forest-clad hills of the State they

are fairly plentiful, and a few are shot every year in the glens

which run back into the hills from the main valley. Very little

shooting is done in the hills proper, as the jungle is too dense,

and game is not sufficiently thick on the ground to make organised

driving worth while.

The best year’s bag is 67, in 1928-29.

The Burmese Peafowl (Pavo muticus)—Manipuri, wdahong..

This species used to be fairly common in the Manipur hills,!

but is now peacocally extinct. The male of a pair flushed in the

* Fauna. of British India, vol. v, p-. 284,

88 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

extreme north of the Manipur valley was shot on January 28th,

1928. The only other record I have of these birds is the report

of a hen being seen near the same spot 2 or 3 years earlier (pos-

sibly the same bird).

The Common Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)—Manipuri, wahong.

His Highness the Maharaja has some pairs at the Palace, the

offspring of which have run wild over the country to some extent,

and have reached the hills east and north of Imphal. It will be

interesting to see whether they will be able to establish themselves

and replace the extinct Burmese race by the Indian.

The Bhutan Peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron bicalcaratum

bakeri).

This bird is fairly common in the hills, especially in the ever-

ereen forest of the west. In the valley of the Makru river I have

heard numbers calling in the early morning of mid-March. They

are seldom shot, as they are difficult to find and flush.

Baker! describes the call notes as ‘a deep, guttural “‘hoo’’,

rapidly repeated, and a large vocabulary of soft chuckling notes’.

The commonest call may be rendered ‘ok-kok-kok-kok’, and is not

unlike that of the English cock pheasant.

The Common Jungle Fowl (Gallus bankiva murghi)—Manipuri,

lamyel (‘wild fowl’).

IT have never examined the birds I have shot with a view to

identifying them as G. b. murghi or robinsoni, but Baker? gives

Assam as the habitat of the former and Burma of the latter sub-

species. Probably the two overlap in Manipur, as do the Black

and Chinese Francolins. Incidentally the new mongrel scientific

name for this species is hardly an improvement on those which it

has displaced.

The Jungle-fowl is common in the hills, especially in the foot-

hills of the Kabaw valley (Burma), and in the valleys of the Barak

and its tributaries, the Jiri, the Makru and the Irang, on the

Cachar border. It is fairly plentiful in the glens running off the

main valley of Manipur, where, with the Kalij and a few snipe

and woodcock it forms a weleome addition to the bags of Black

and Bamboo Partridges made in the spring. The best year’s bag

of Jungle-fowl, made in 1928-29, is 56, of which 49 were shot in

the Manipur valley. The best day’s bag is 18, shot on January

28th, 1928, by two guns. In the Kabaw valley of Burma, just at

the foot of the hills which form the Manipur border, 45 were shot

in three days in January, 1925, though this is not a large bag for

the Upper Chindwin district, in which that valley is situated.

Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant (Syrmaticus humic humie@)—Manipuri,

loiningkoi, noining (‘l’ and ‘n’ are interchangeable). The name

nongin, found in various books and articles, is a local name for the

* Fauna of British India, vol. v, p. 291.

* Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon, vol. iii, pp. 1383, 148,

GAME BIRDS AND ANIMALS OF MANIPUR 89

bird, but is not Manipuri but Chiru (one of the tribes inhabiting

the hills near the valley).

The range in Manipur given by Hume—‘from 2,500 ft. (the

height of the lower end of the Manipur plain) to fully 5,000 ft.’ is

discredited by Baker,! on the ground that he could not find the bird

in the Jiri valley, which forms the boundary between the Manipur

and North Cachar hills on the west of the State. But from the

information I have collected, Hume’s description is fairly accurate,

and Baker’s failure to procure one was doubtless due to the fact

that the habitat of every bird must end somewhere and the Jiri

valley possibly happens to be outside the western boundary of the

range of this species. Personally, though I have frequently

searched and driven likely places, I have only seen the bird twice.

The first occasion was during the rains, at Ukhrul in the eastern

hills, just below 6,000 ft. The second was in January, 1918, when

the flankers of a column I was out with put one up at Heika

(4,700 ft.), in the southern hills. This bird rose out of long grass

and dropped at the edge of the strip of forest, down the hill. I

did not pursue it, as the Kukis against whom we were operating

had been sniping us on the way up the hill. The shikaris report

that it is often seen in the valley of the Thoubal river, a tributary

of the Manipur river from the eastern hills, at an elevation of

2,700 to 2,900 ft., as late as March. -I have had several beats

in likely places, but have found nothing except Kalij and par-

tridges. How far it extends into the western hills I do not know.

That it does oceur there is certain, as the Kukis of the south-west

bring in the tail feathers, which form part of the head-dresses of

the Manipuri officials, boatmen and dancers, and Mr. J. Need-

ham, I.P., shot a number in the Irang valley in 1918-19. But

between the Irang and the Jiri, where Mr. Baker looked for them,

lie the valleys of the Barak and the Makru, and three ranges of

mountains, one very precipitous and running up to over 9,000 ft.

The Black-breasted Kalij Pheasant (Gennaeus horsfieldi hors-

fieldii)—Manipuri, wabd.

As Baker? says, this species is ‘the common pheasant’ of Mani-

pur. But it nowhere occurs in the same numbers as the Jungle-

fowl, and escapes being bagged because it is an inveterate skulker

and very difficult to flush. The best year’s bag is 15, in 1926-27.

In a few Manipuri villages in the main valley, where there are

sacred groves belonging to the ancient non-Hindu deities, a few

Kalij are to be found. There are quite a number on Thanga, a

hilly island in the Loktak, covered with scrub and bamboo, with

a Manipuri village along the water’s edge. Village Kalij are,

needless to say, filthy feeders and quite unfit for the table.

William’s Kalij Pheasant (Gennaeus horsfieldu williamsi).

IT was shown the feathers of a Kali shot in January, 1929,

at Karong in the Barak valley, 40 miles north of Imphal, at about

3,500 ft., by Mrs. A. A. Barnard, which were almost certainly

WOD>. Cite, Pewl1o: Ops er. 3p. 270;

90 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII-

those of a male of this species. About a month later, while driving

through the hills, I put up a Kalij in almost exactly the same

place, which was grey on the head, back and wings, and was

presumably another of this species. Baker! gives its habitat as

‘east of the Manipur river’, but all the localities he specifies are

in Burma, so presumably it has not been recorded from so far

north and west as Manipur. Doubtless this and the preceding

species overlap very considerably, as G. h. horsfieldii is certainly

common for a long distance south of Karong, and has been found

in the Chin Hills, at least 100 miles further south, as the crow

flies, by Hopwood and Mackenzie,? and by Blandy.?

_ Apparently Beebe does not admit G. h. williamsi as a stlhepacies

at all, but ‘relegates it to the wild hybrids’.4 This does not seem

probable, as I am almost certain that Genneus lineatus does not

occur in the State, and it can be taken as certain that the Karong

birds could not have strayed some 100 to 200 miles from the

lineatus parent.

The Grey-bellied Horned Pheasant (Tragopan blythi blythi). I

cannot ascertain the Manipuri name. Probably the Manipuri,

being a man of the valley, does not know this bird.

They are found only in thick forest in the higher ranges, both

east and west of the valley. Only one has been recorded, on

February 14th, 1928. But Colonel Cassels shot 2 in 1894 and 1

in 1896, and the sportsman who’ shot the bird recorded in 1928

said that he got another in 1926.

PARTRIDGES.

Five species are known to occur in Manipur. The local open

season sanctioned by the Darbar in from September Ist to March

Slst, but very few are shot before Christmas, as the grass and

jungle are too thick. The best year’s bag, in 1925-26, is 712,

made up of 578 Black Partridges, 11 Chinese Francolins and 128

Bamboo Partridges. The percentages of various species in the

total bag is: —

Black Partridges ... 87-29 per cent

Chinese Francolin | She TLS et es

Bamboo Partridges Re a BEG TA Gurr

Hill Partridges on WG Ur

The Assam Black Partridge (Francolinus francolinus melanonotus).

—Manipuri, urenbi, not ‘kembi’, as given by Baker,? or ‘vrembr’,

by Finn.®

This bird is very common in’ suitable localities. The best

country is found along the foot of the hills surrounding the Manipur

valley, particularly on the west and south-west. It is scarce near

Op. cit., p. 284.

Jap Ne HS. 4 VOl. -exen alee ormole

Je BUN GAS 2 @NOl. xxvii lee ipa OO.

nels, i BUN MES, Vol. a xxvilion 4. psa lee:

Op. cit., p. 202: Fauna of British India, vol. v, p. 411,

Indian Sporting Birds, p. 280,

oan ® &© WH

GAME BIRDS AND ANIMALS OF MANIPUR 91

Muhammadan villages, as the Manipuri Muhammadan runs _ it

down with dogs, as Travers! says the Santals do. It is uncommon

in the hills, though it occurs where the valleys and hill sides are

open and grassy, as in the upper valley of the Barak. In the

western hills, which are mostly. covered by evergreen forest and

bamboo, it is rare beyond the first range, where the foothills are

erassy. In the eastern hills I have seen it in the Iril, Thoubal

and Tuyungbi valleys, and as far as Ukhrul, where I put up a

bird at 6,000 ft. This village is 84 miles north-east of Imphal,

and. only 40 miles from the Chindwin river. Elsewhere in the

eastern hills I have heard the Chinese Francolin (fF. pintadeanus

phayrei) calling in a number of places, extending as far north as

Phuntret (Jessami) in the extreme north-east corner of the State,

and I am unable to say what is the boundary between the habitats

of the two species. Presumably they overlap in the hills as they

do in the. Manipur valley. I do not think the Black Partridge

extends to the Kabaw valley, across the Burma border. I have

visited it on seven occasions, between January and May, spending

in all nearly three months in camp in the valley, from the extreme

north to the-south, and I have never heard the Black Partridge

calling there.

Tn numbers this bird is on the decrease, though slowly. This

is due not so much to its being shot out (though this has un-

doubtedly affected some localities) as to the increase of population

and spread of cultivation. The Black Partridge, like his English

cousin, is very definitely a bird of cultivation; but in addition he

must have water and his little bit of cover to which to retire during

the day, and if the latter is destroyed, he moves on ceetaete.

The best year’s bag is 578, in 1925-26, and good days were :—

25-12-20 ig Sy BOE

29-12-24 PN aD

26-12-25 pr OH

16-2-19 Keri

29-12-25 GO

The home of the Black Partridge is essentially grass, prefer-

ably not too long: it is also necessary that the grass should not

be so thick as to prevent the birds from running freely. They

are not infrequently found in low oak scrub, and they like grassy

groves of silk-cotton (Bombar malabaricum).. In a_ well- watered

country, like Manipur, they are never found very far from water.

_ They are great runners and may be seen running rapidly in

front of the beaters in open pieces of burnt cover. Birds. will,

as often as not, run to the end of a piece of cover which has

not been burnt, where five or six will rise and fly in all directions,

frequently back over the line. The Black Partridge is a tame

bird and not a very fast flier (though Baker? says that it flies

————

god 2D Nee Ss vOle RXvil,: joe, lod:

2 “Game Birds of India, Burma and. Ceylon’, J.B.N:H.S.. vol. xxvii, 2.

ps 199;

92 JOURNAL,. BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

strong and straight), and is very easy to shoot. I fear that very

few flushed escape unwounded.

The call, which is intermediate between a hiss and a whistle,

consisting mostly of notes not unlike those of a snipe, has been

variously described. Baker!’ represents it as che-chirree chick

chiree, with the accent on the chick and the final syllable: he

quotes the Muhammadan version as subhan tere kudrut. Finn?

refers to the call as consisting of ‘about half a dozen syllables’, and

quotes Hume as saying that be quick, pay your debts is the best

English version. The Manipuri version is mi taret, thang taret

(‘seven men, seven daos’), referring to a folk-tale which ascribes

the origin of the bird to a man who was set on and killed by

seven rivals in the jungle. What is strange is that no one appears

to have noticed that the call consists of seven distinct syllables,

not six or five; the first being separated from the rest and very

short and sharp. This may be due to the fact that the first

syllable is so sharp as to be far less audible than the rest. Indeed,

some persons find difficulty in hearing the call at all, and I knew

one man, whose hearing was normally perfect, who was com-

pletely deaf to the call of a bird sitting even a few yards away.

The whole call may be represented as ‘tk: pss ps-wss ps-wss-wss’,

with a pause after the first, second and fourth syllables, which

are accented.

The Black Partridge, as Baker? and Finn* observe, pairs

remarkably early in the cold weather, as soon as the young birds

are mature, and if a cock is flushed it is always worth while looking

for the hen in the vicinity, or vice versa. The cocks are more

confirmed runners and harder to flush than the hens.

As a table bird, properly hung, I have always found the Black

Partridge excellent and well worth roasting (pace Baker’®).

‘Raoul’® appears to agree with me.

The Eastern or Chinese Francolin (Francolinus pintadeanus

phayrei)—Manipuri, kabo urenbi (‘the Kabaw partridge’), not

‘wrengbi’™ or “urengbi’,® as given by Baker.

The Chinese Francolin was, I think, never recorded as an

inhabitant of Manipur in any scientific or semi-scientifie books or

papers, until my note in the Journal of 1914,° though Colonel

Wilson! writes, ‘the painted francolin or Burmese partridge was

found in the tree jungle near cultivation’, doubtless referring to

this species. JI had just made its acquaintance (May, 1914) on

my first visit to the Kabaw valley, and was very surprised to find

» Opt eit’. di BINS. Ole exxvslan 2, pan loos

“Ops cite.) pe Zo.

oe Oe selec, pe lod

y ODay Clin ape col.

Ope elt.) ps 1200:

Op, cit... p. 48:

Op. cit. ; BONHES. voles xxyal,o, Ips 20:

®* Fauna of British India, vol. v, p. 419.

Ue BaNethse,. VOl. xXXIile ean 0s O00

*° Sport and Service in Assam and Elsewhere (1924), p. 17

Ss a

GAME BIRDS AND ANIMALS OF MANIPUR 93

it calling in the foothills of the south-east corner of the Manipur

valley, on my return journey. Its distribution in the Manipur

valley appears to commence from the glen of the Khuga river (in

the south-west corner of the valley), whence it follows the foot-

hills in the south-west, south and east of the valley as far north

as Pukhao, in the glen of the Iril river, in the extreme north-east

corner of the valley. It has never been recorded or heard north

of Kangwai (Survey of India Sheet 83 H/SEH, C1) on the western

foothills, and Yumnam Khunou (838 H/NE, Fl) on the eastern

foothills, although the country round the hills in the west and

north of the valley has been extensively shot over. It does not

frequent the isolated low ranges of hills in the Manipur valley itself.

In the hills, I have no knowledge of its occurrence anywhere west

of the Manipur and Khuga valleys. It occurs throughout the

southern hills, east of the Khuga valley, and in suitable localities

in the eastern hills, where I have heard it calling near Chakp1

Karong (88 H/SH, E4) and Lambung (83 L/SW, As), in the

valley of the Chakpi: near Sibong (838 L/SW, D8), in the valley

of the Lokehao; Khonglou (88 L/NW, F5), im the valley of the

Maklang: between Sareikhong (83 L/NW, Cl) and Chandrakhong

(838 L/NW, B4), in the valleys of the Thoubal and Itok: and

near Jessami (83 K/NE, A5) and Wahong (83 K/SEH, Al), in the

valley of the Viratai. It is possible that it may occur elsewhere

in this part of the hills.

The Chinese Francolin is nowhere so plentiful as the Black

Partridge, and is not bagged very frequently, as, unlike the latter,

it rarely leaves the low oak scrub on the foothills, where the

going is laborious and beating difficult. Moreover, it is harder

to flush than the latter, and has a disconcerting habit of perching

in a high tree and allowing the trouble to pass underneath it.

When flushed it is a far stronger flier than the Black. The best

day’s bag made in the Manipur valley is 5, on March 24th, 1929.

I obtained these birds (all I saw), with only 4 beaters and no dog,

by marking their call and beating the neighbouring scrub. In the

Kabaw valley I once bagged 6 (out of 9 flushed), with ten beaters

and a Springer bitch (worth all the beaters put together), in a

small grassy stream, surrounded by ‘in’ (Dipterocarpus tubercu-

latus) forest. Over the same ground three years later, with 380

beaters and no dog, I flushed two and shot one. The best year’s

bag is only 11, in 1925-26 (5 in the Manipur valley), and in 1928-29

(10 in the Manipur valley); and only 48 have been shot in all.

The descriptions of its call given by Baker'—‘ke kai, ke hai, ke

kar’, or ‘kai kai, kee kai, kee kurr’? (Swinhoe), and ‘hing puh tiy

yay, ko ko’ (Chinese)—afford little idea of the actual sound, though

they give an indication of the rhythm. The same applies to the

Manipuri version—‘aigi pot kadai?’ (‘where are my _ things ?’)—

said to be the lament of a traveller to Burma who was set upon

by dacoits and robbed, and subsequently changed into this bird—-

a curious link with the Black Partridge. But Wardlaw Ramsay’s

1 Fauna of British India, vol. v, p. 415.

94 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL. HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

version, quoted by Finn'—‘kak kak kuich, ka ka’ strikes me as

being remarkably near to it. With the exception of the Manipuri,

the others do not appear to have noticed that there are five notes

in the call, not six. For a partridge it is a strangely resonant call.

In describing this species, it does not seem to have been noted

that it possesses a far heavier head and thicker neck, in proportion

to its size, than the Black Partridge.

In view of the fact that Baker? records that ‘hybrids between

the Black and Painted Partridges are very common, as one might

expect between two game-birds so closely connected, whose habitats

overlap’, it is strange that none appear to have been recorded be-

tween the Black and the Chinese Francolin. I have always been

on the lookout for them, but have never seen a bird which might

be suspected of being a hybrid, though the Black Partridge ‘is

common in all the localities in the Manipur valley where the

Chinese Francolin is found.

The Assam Bamboo Partridge (Bambusicola fytchu hopkin-

soni)—Manipuri, wakrek (wad meaning ‘bamboo’, -krek presumably

representing the bird’s alarm call, when flushed).

The Bamboo Partridge is common throughout the hills, ascend-

ing to a fair altitude, hke the Black Partridge. I put up a party

of 11 at 6,000 ft. in the northern hills, on March 20th.,. 1982. I

know of one Manipuri village in the middle of the valley, where

there is a covey, and a few are found in villages as far as two

miles from the hills. It is only in such villages that I have ever

seen a Bamboo Partridge anywhere in the neighbourhood of a

bamboo. They seem to avoid bamboo jungle in favour of the hill

partridges (Arborophila), though Finn® mentions it as one of their

haunts. In the Manipur hills, few of the streams are without at least

one covey, and they are fairly common in all the glens off the

main valley, being particularly fond of the willow (Salix tetras-

perma) thickets on the banks of the streams. The best locality is

in the upper waters of the Manipur river itself, as far south as

Kanglatongbi, where they are found in the low oak serub on the

banks of the tributary streams, and in the mixture of elephant

erass, raspberry bushes, oak and willow along the main stream:

they are particularly fond of the grass known in ‘Manipuri. as

‘pullew’ and in Assamese as ‘tdrapat’—a wild cardamum. In this

neighbourhood one may put up 50 to 100 birds in a day. The best

bag igs 128; made in 1928-29, and good days were:— |

16-3-30 ple oor

14-38-29 i wo

28-38-32 ae 20)

The Bamboo Partridge is a strong straight fler when flushed.

Finn* credits it with being ‘generally found in pairs’. This is

not the case in Manipur: it is almost invariably found in coveys,

and, unlike the Black Partridge, does not pair until March is

y Ope cit, span 280: # O}Ds. Clic, (do. BRM

2Op! cith pa 419: | Op. cite ps. 221.

GAME BIRDS AND ANIMALS OF MANIPUR 95

well in, and not always before the end of the month. Wickhaim!

confirms this, saying that this species ‘keeps in coveys’. Finn?

says further that the Bamboo Partridge ‘perches freely’. I have

beaten them out of bushes, and on one occasion saw a bird take

refuge in a high tree, where it most effectually disappeared and

could not be dislodged. But they are nearly always found on the

eround, and are not such perchers as the Chinese Francolin.

Wickham’s description of their calls as ‘a curious chatter’,

which is quite musical, and a ‘scream’, when flushed, is accurate.

The ‘chatter’ has been rendered by Baker® as ‘chi chirree, chi

chirvree chi chirree’: it sounds to me more like ‘pishup, pishup,

pishup, pishup, pishup .. .’ (and so on indefinitely).

A day after Bamboo Partridge in the Manipur glens, with two

guns, ten or fifteen beaters, and a couple of dogs, is difficult to

beat, even-in England. At 2,500 ft. the climate is never too hot,

up to the end of March, when the partridge shooting closes. The

birds, good movers, almost invariably fly for one or both of the

hillsides, across the guns.. The bag is varied with an occasional

Black or Hill Partridge or Chinese Francolin, teal, snipe, woodcock,

jungle-fowl, kalij, quail and barking-deer, and, on a good day, may

number as many as 50 or 60 head. The going, apart from an occa-

sional swamp, or a thicket of thorns or raspberry bushes, is good.

, THE Hitt PARTRIDGES.

Both the Arakan Red-throated (Arborophila rufogularis inter-

media) and the White-cheeked Hill Partridge (A. atrogularis) have

been shot, though rarely. They are not uncommon in the hills—

indeed, in places quite the reverse—but are great runners, hard

to approach and equally hard to drive in the right direction. I have

heard two very distinct calls. One, which Baker* accurately

describes as ‘wheea-whu’, is usually repeated two or three times,

followed by a series of three short sharp whistles, ‘whu-whu-whuw’,

in an ascending scale. This, the commoner, which I have also

heard in Cachar and Nowgong, nearly as far as the Brahmaputra,

is presumably the call of A- atrogularis. I have spent several

profitless evenings trying to approach one of a large number utter-

ing this call, in various parts of the hills. The other call, a much

shorter and softer whistle, which I cannot describe, is probably the

call of A. rufogularis intermedia. I have never noticed particularly

in what localities the two calls are heard, but have heard the two

at the same time, both in the western and the southern hills.

I have never been out after Hill Partridges in the north-western

hills and have no knowledge of whether the Common Hill Partridge

(Arborophila torqueola torqueola) occurs, as Baker® thinks it pro-

bably does.

(To be continued).

1 ‘Notes on the Birds of the Upper Burma Hills’, J.B.N.H.S., vol.. xxxiv,

Nos 2p: 343.

27Op. cite. pe. 22k:

* Fauna of British India, vol. v, p. 366.

7 Ope tcitzsd | DaNaHes).,), vole xxvii. IG. pi. Soe

2 ODse Cita ve be Naldns.. Vol. xxval, 4) p O04.

THE- VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE BHASTERN

GHATS (ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION).

Huca WHISTLER, M.B.0.U., assisted by N. B. Kinnear, M.B.0.U.

Parr Vil.

(Continued from page 844 of volume xxxyl).

Anthus trivialis trivialis Linnaeus.

Anthus trivialis Linn., Syst. Nat., ed. 10, vol. 1 (1758), p. 166—Sweden.

Specimens collected :—1098-1100 9@@9Q 18-12-29; 1118-1114 9¢ 1115 9

1iWv g 15-12-29, 1128 [¢g ?], 16-12-29, Cumbum Valley; 1451-1454 9O0¢¢

1-38-30 Sankrametta 3,500 ft.

Measurements :—

Bil. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

43 14-15 83.5-88 59.5-65.5 20-21.5 mani.

17 @ 13.5-15 83-89 59-65 19-21.5 mm.

The Tree Pipit was met by the Survey in large flocks in February at

Anantagiri and Sankrametta. By the end of March their numbers were

greatly diminished and in April they had left the district (lua Personne). In

this area they had been previously recorded by Ball at Jeypore (S.F., v, 417).

M:. La Personne also informs me that in the Godaveri Delta Tree Pipits

were seen in large flocks in ploughed fields and also frequently met with in

wooded areas though no specimens were actually preserved. The series from

the Cumbum Valley in December complete the records for this side of the

Presidency.

In the Old Fauna Oates was unable to record this species south of Bel-

gaum, but its range on the western side of India certamly extends to the

Nilgiris as Col. H. R. Baker’s collection contains two specimens shot at

6,000 ft. on 26 January 1902. The New Fauna states that it reaches Travancore

but I have seen no evidence to that effect.

Anthus trivialis sibirica Sushkin, to which we should expect our Southern

and East Indian birds to belong, does not appear to me to be a race worth

recognition. It is evidently the intermediate between the typical race and

A. t. haringtoni and anyone who has had practical experience of the difficulty

of distinguishing those two forms out of their breeding areas will agree that

there is nothing to be gained by naming the intermediate.

Anthus hodgsoni hodgsoni Richmond.

Anthus hodgsont Richmond, Blackwelder’s Researches in China, pt. i

(1907), p. 4938—India.

Specimens collected: —1251 9 14-1-80 Godavery Delta.

Measurements :—

Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

14 81 59.5 20> mm.

Hodgson’s Tree-Pipit 1s a very common winter visitor to the hills of the

western side of the Presidency where it is usually met with in small flocks.

In the Wynaad, the Nilgiris, the lower hill country of the Nelliampathies and

in the Palnis it seems to be very generally distributed. In Travancore accord-

ing to Ferguson it is only found at high elevations in the hills and never

in the plains. He obtained it both on the High Range and at Chimunji at

4,000 ft. in South Travancore. The numerous specimens which I have exam-

ined from this side show that it occurs at least from 18 October to 19 April.

THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS 97

On the eastern side of the Presidency the above Survey specimen and

Ball’s statement (S.F., v, 417) that it has been met at Jeypore furnish the

only records traced.

Now it is evident at the first glance that the very uniform lightly streaked

birds found in South-West India are not the same as the heavily streaked

birds which breed at high altitudes in the Western Himalayas and winter

in the lower ranges and foothills of that area. As this fact does not agree

with Mr. Stuart Baker’s treatment of the species in the New Fauna (vol. ii,

pp. 281-2838) I have been compelled to examine the races de novo. Mr. Stuart

Baker recognises three races; the typical race of which he gives the type locality

(wrongly) as Nepal and to which he attributes all specimens found in the

Himalayas and India proper; A. h. yunnanensis (Mengtz, Yunnan) and 4. h.

berezowskit (S. W. Kansu) which occur in Burma, the former said to be much

darker than the typical race and the latter intermediate between the other

two. Neither of these races can I separate however from the Himalayan

breeding bird. As regards the first the describers Messrs. Uchida and Kuroda,

Annot. Zool. Japan, ix (1916), p. 184, merely claimed that it seems ‘to be

constantly characterised by having the bill distinctly shorter than in the

typical species’, a point which my examination does not bear out. A. h.

berezowskii was apparently only named by Zarudny at third hand, Orn.

Monatsb., vol. xvii (1909), p. 48; he seems never to have seen the specimens

he was naming but merely gave a name to some remarks by Berezowski and

Bianchi on specimens from Potanin’s expedition. The Kansu specimens I have

seen agree with Himalayan birds. It must be remembered that great num-

bers of this Pipit sweep down across Southern Asia in autumn and that it

is necessary to distinguish between those migrants and local breeding birds.

Both these races, even if good ones and it will be noted that Dr. C. B. Tice-

hurst (J.B.N.H.S., xxxu, p. 851) has independently thrown doubt on them,

are of the same dark heavily streaked type as the Himalayan bird. I find

however that Siberian birds are definitely separable. Compared with the

Himalayan breeding race the upper parts are greyer and more uniform, the

streaks on the hind neck, mantle and back being narrower and much less

distinct so that in some specimens the upper parts are almost immaculate

or appear merely mottled rather than streaked. The black streaking on the

lower parts is both narrower and less numerous, virtually dying out on the

flanks and abdomen which also I think do not attain the rich rufous brown

wash of Himalyan birds. The under-tail-coverts are white, not warm buffish

white as is usual in the latter.

These Siberian birds evidently account for our lightly marked birds in

South-Western India and indeed the greater part of India and it is therefore

necessary to establish their name; and that must depend on whether Anthus

hodgsom Richmond in Blackwelder’s Researches in China, pt. ii (1907), p. 493

refers to the heavily or lightly streaked birds. In Jerdon’s Birds of India,

vol. u, p. 228 Pipastes agilis Sykes is used as the name for this species. In

the Appendix, vol. iii, p. 873 Jerdon states that Sykes’ agilis is the true

arboreus and that ‘the common Indian race therefore will bear Hodgson’s name

maculatus’. This name was however not really available, as it was a nomen

nudum and had already been made a synonym of trivialis and it was in

place of Jerdon’s name maculatus, not Hodgson’s maculatus, that Richmond

gave his new name, which takes the description and type locality of Jerdon’s

vol. ii, p. 228. The description may perhaps be considered as a composite

in which the lightly streaked (Siberian) form is considered the winter plumage

and the heavily streaked (Himalayan) form is considered the summer _plu-

mage. The type locality is ‘all India’, the only specific locality mentioned

lower down being ‘Calcutta and elsewhere in Bengal’. As the lightly streaked

Siberian bird is the form found throughout the greater part of India and

as the only Bengal specimens I have seen belong to it we shall be safe in

attributing Richmond’s name to this race.

There is no doubt that Hodgson’s Anthus maculatus was the heavily

streaked Himalayan bird. I have examined his drawings and under the

name maculatus are figured two very heavily streaked specimens, whilst the

plain-backed bird is separately figured as Anthus brevirostris Mihi, a name

which also is unusable. Both forms are represented in his specimens in the

British Museum. Jerdon’s Anthus maculatus, however much it derived in the

G8 JOURNAL, BOMBAY. NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVIT

Author’s mind from Hodgson, has nomenclatorially to be treated as a separate

conception.

The Himalayan breeding form will then take, under my views as expressed

above, the next available name namely Anthus hodgson berezowsku Zarudny

does ects):

The single specunen obtained by the Survey is somewhat intermediate.

[Since the above was written part ii of the Supplement to Die Vogel der

palaarktischen Fauna has appeared and Dr. Hartert and Dr. Steinbacher have

described the lhghtly streaked form as Anthus hodgsont inopinatus (Sakhalin).

If my view as detailed above is correct then inopinatus will become a synonym

of hodgsoni. See also Ibis 1933, p. 571.]

Anthus nilghiriensis Sharpe.

Anthus nighiriensis Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. x (1885), p. 550—

Nilgiris.

The Nilgiri Pipit is peculiar to the Madras Presidency where it is resident

and only known to occur at high elevations in the hill ranges of the South-

West. On the Nilgiris it is restricted to the pleateau where its haunts are

the open downs covered with short grass and it does not occur below about

6,000 ft. (William Davison) or 5,000 ft. (Betts). Within these limits it

is common. It is similarly common at 7,000 ft., and probably, lower, on the

grassy downs of the Palnis and it is also fairly common on the open grass

lands of the High Range in Travancore. Ierguson also records (J.B.N.H.S.,

xii, 203) that he had a specimen from Ponmudi in South Travancore.

The breeding season according to Terry, Davison and Betham is in April

and May.

Anthus similis similis Jerdon.

Anthus similis Jerdon, Madras Jour. Lit. Sci., vol. xi (1840), p. 85—South

India = Jalna.

The Rufous Rock-Pipit is a somewhat scarce resident on the Nilgiris where

it is confined to open slopes and high plateaux and escapes observation by

its shyness. Hume (S.F., i, 203) says that it also occurs in the Palnis and

Anamalais and in Travancore Ferguson obtained a single specimen at Pon-

mudi in August 1900 at 3,500 ft.

Eges were taken in the Nilgiris by Miss Cockburn in March and May.

There is a certain amount of difficulty about the correct name of the Rufous

Rock-Pipit and this has not been cleared up by the very confused; discussion

of it in the New Fauna, vol. iu, p. 284.

The first name to be given to any member of this group of subspecies in

India was Anthus similis Jerdon, Madras Jour. Lit. Sci., vol. xi (1840), p. 35.

The description accurately indicated this species but was not sufficiently

detailed to show which of the three closely allied Indian subspecies was meant.

The type locality was not clearly indicated but he said ‘I only once observed

this large Titlark in an open stony plain, there were a pair of them together

and I noticed that their flight was performed somewhat differently to that of

the Titlarks in general, there being a more frequent flapping of the wings’.

_ ‘The type locality is however clearly settled by Jerdon’s later statement in

his IHustrations of Indian Ornithology, pl. xlv (1847), where he says ‘my

first specimens were procured at Jalna in the neighbourhood of low hills

on a bare plain’. The fact that he then figured the dark Nilgiri bird and

remarked ‘I have since, on several occasions, seen it on the Segoor Pass of

the Neelgherries among rocky ground about 4,000 ft. high’ no more makes

the type locality the Nilgiris than his idea that it also probably occurred in

the Himalayas could transfer the type locality northwards.

The actual type specimens are not known to exist. We have, therefore, to

decide whether the bird that Jerdon met at Jalna is more likely to have be-

longed to the Himalayan, Baluchistan or Nilgiri races. Both the novthern

forms wander southwards in winter as far as the Bombay Presidency, so

either might easily occur at Jalna. At the same time the Nilgiri bird might

easily be found as far north. There is a single male specimen (not specti-

mens as Mr. Stuart Baker says) in the British Museum collected by Fairbank

THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS 99

on 30-12-74 on the Imampur Ghat near Ahmednagar (8.1I'., iv, 260), and Cap-

tain Gosse obtained a female with 38 eggs on the Two Sister’s 2,300 ft. near

Poona on llth August. This bird we have carefully examined and can only

attribute to the Nilgiri form. As Jerdon’s pair were evidently displaying

the obvious inference would seem to be that Anthus similis of Jalna must

be the Southern form. Against that inference however we must set the fact

that Jerdon later in 1863 (Birds of India, vol. ii, p. 236) when he had recog-

nised that the Himalayan and Nilgiri birds were distinct expressly attributed

his original Jalna specimens to the Himalayan, form, though there is nothing

to show whether they were still available for comparison. Identification of

these races by memory would not be trustworthy.

In face of these difficulties it would have been better to reject the name

Anthus similis Jerdon as unrecognisable had only a subspecific name been at

issue. The issue is however wider. The specific name for this group of pipits,

which includes various African members, is given in the New Fauna as Anthus

sordidus Rtppel, Neue Wirb., Aves (1885), p. 103—Abyssinia. This cannot,

however, be used since, as Friedmann has pointed out (Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash.

1932, p. 164) that name is preoccupied by Anthus sordidus Lesson. Chili. Voy.

Coquelle Zool., i (2) 1831, p. 644=Lessonia rufa es (Gmelin). Friedmann

suggests that Anthus nicholsoni Sharpe, Layards Birds, 8. Africa (1844), p. 536,

is the next oldest name but he has apparently overlooked both this Matis

similis Jerdon (1840) and also Anthus jerdont Finsch. 1870, Tr. Z. 8., p. 241.

Anthus similis Jerdon must clearly be used for: the specific name of the group

even if it is not clearly recognisable subspecifically. Under the circumstances

I propose to restrict the name to the South Indian breeding bird and use

Anthus cockburnie Oates, Fauna, Brit. Ind., Birds, vol. 11 (1890), p. 805—

Nilgiris, Coonoor, as a synonym.

Anthus richardi Vieillot.

Anthus aye Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. nouv., ed., 1818, vol.

xxvi, p. 491

Specimen sollecied: —1279 2 20-1-30 Godaveri Delta.

Measurements :—

Bill. Wing. Mane Tarsus.

16 90.5 75 30 mm.

One cannot consider as very satisfactory the account of Richard’s Pipit in

the New Fauna (ili, p. 289):—‘common all down the east coast to Ceylon,

west it has been found as far as the Sutley Valley, but has not been recorded

from the Bombay Presidency or further South on the West Coast’.

Richard’s Pipit is a well known and common winter visitor to the eastern

part of the Indian Empire from Assam and lower Bengal to Tenasserim.

It also is common in the Andamans and in Ceylon (which it may perhaps

reach via the Andamans) it is found from October until May. I can find no

authority at all for the statement that it is common all down the east coast

of India. There are indeed only three records for that side south of Lower

Bengal, viz., Ball’s inclusion of it in his list of Nowaghar and Karial birds

1876-1877 (S.F., vu, 220), the above Survey specimen, and the fact that a

specimen obtained in Chingleput is said to be in the Madras Museum.

In the Nepal Valley Scully found it a rather scarce winter visitor (S.F..

vill, 316) and there are one or two records from Bihar and the United Pro-

vinces. The statement that it occurs in the Sutlej Valley is due to Stoliczka

but I am by no means certain that that record was not; due to confusion with

A. s. jerdoni. Be that as it may, and there are no records for the Punjab,

Sind and Rajputana, Richard’s Pipit has been recorded far further west at

Kohat (Whitehead, Ibis 1909, p. 248) and two specimens collected there on

4-1-06 and 14-2-08 are in the British Museum. Captain Whitehead later ob-

tained it at Sehore on 22 May (J.B.N.H.S., xxii, p. 156—specimen in the

British Museum), though the record for Mhow (J.B.N.H.S., xxxv, 393) is

based on a misidentification of A. r. thermophilus.

In the Bombay Presidency it has been recorded by James Davidson—two

specimens obtained at Honawar in January 1890 (J.B.N.H.S., xi, 674). Fur-

ther south on the west there are specimens in the British Museum from Coorg

100 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVIt

(Tweedale Coll.), Kotagiri (Q@ 17-10-70 Cockburn), Slope of the Nilgiris (¢

March 1877 Hume Coll.), and two Anjango specimens in the Hume Collection.

Colonel H. R. Baker also obtained a male at Cannanore on 24-2-10 and this

specimen is now in my collection.

This fine Pipit is a confirmed wanderer. It has been recorded over 80 times

in the British Isles and it may be expected to occur casually in any part of

India though its true winter quarters lie further to the east.

I have left the name binomial as I have considerable doubts whether

Richard’s Pipit is to be considered as having any races. Anthus thermophilus

Jerdon (=striolatus auct.) is now said to be a race of campestris (vide Kozlova,

Ibis 1983, p. 88). Anthus rufulus and allied forms in Asia and Africa are

best treated as a separate group. I am unable to recognise Anthus richardi

centralasiae Kistiakowsky, Works of the Ukraine Academy of Sciences, vol. vi,

no. 3 (1928), p. 551—Nanshan, for Madame Koslov (loc. cit.) has shown that

the supposed colour differences do not hold good and whilst she is inclined

to agree to a slight difference in size my own researches show that that is

also non-existent.

Anthus campestris thermophilus! Jerdon.

Corydalla thermophilus Jerdon, Birds of India, vol. u (1863), p. 233 (ex.

Hodgson nom. nud. quoted as synonym of Corydalla striolata)—Nepal.

Mr. Stuart Baker throws considerable doubt on the validity of Blyth’s

Pipit as a good form (New Fauna, vol. iti, p. 289) and says that the only

difference between it and Richard’s Pipit consists in the length of the hind

claw. The matter cannot be satisfactorily cleared up until a series of Blvth’s

Pipit is available from its breeding quarters but in the meantime I personally

find no difficulty in accepting the distinction in size made in the Old Fauna

(vol. i1, 308) which is most easily recognised from the tarsus. Witherby gives

the length of the tarsus in the male Richard’s Pipit as 31-382 mm. (Prac. Hand-

book, 1, 178) and J find that 12 males from Central Asia, taken at random,

give a tarsus length of 29.5-33 mm. I have not been able to examine such

a satisfactory series of females but in that sex also the tarsus is evidently

as a rule 30 mm. or longer.

Fifteen supposed thermophilus of both sexes, on the other hand, yield a

tarsial length of 25-28.5 mm. and if this difference can in due course be

shown to be correlated with a distinct breeding range it must certainly be

recognised. According to Stegman and Madame Koslov who have studied the

various breeding ranges thermophilus is to be considered a race of campestris

and not of richardi.

Accepting thermophilus as a good form, therefore, I find the following records

for the Presidency. Jerdon (Birds of India, ii, 234) says that he procured it

in the Nellore district, generally near low bushy hills. Ferguson says that

it is a winter visitor to Travancore, found in fairly large numbers in February

and March in the dry paddy fields after the crops have been cut. A male col-

lected at Coimbatore on 9-10-68 by A. G. R. Carter, a female from Kotaghery

collected by Miss Cockburn on 17-10-70 and a third bird from the slopes of

the Nilgiris, March 1877 are in the Hume Collection in the British Museum.

Blyth’s Pipit is not nearly so widely distributed in India as Mr. Stuart

Baker implies. There is no record for the N.-W.F.P., Baluchistan, Punjab,

Sind or Rajputana.

Anthus rufulus rufulus Vieillot.

Anthus rufulus Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., nouv. ed., vol. xxxvi,

(1818), p. 494—Bengal.

EEE

* This name cannot really be used as it had already been quoted as a

synonym of A. rufescens of Temminck. No other name appears to be available

and I hesitate to give one in view of my doubts as to the validity of this

form.

THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS 101

Specimens collected :—230-288 G9O9°99°d¢Sh92Q 16-5-29 Shevaroy Hills

5,400 ft.; 680 sex? 12-8-29 Palkonda Hills 500 ft.; 1119 ¢ 16-12-29 Cumbum

Valley; 1192 g 1195 9 6-1-80, 1199 ¢g 7-1-30, 1211-2 g¢ 1215 9 9-1-30,

1224 § 11-1-30, 1288 9 18-1-30, 1261 9. 16-1-80, 1268-1270 9S QQ 1234 3

19-1-30, 1277 ¢ 20-1-80, 1296 9 23-1-80, 1806 ¢ 1808 9 25-1-30, 1312-3 g 9

26-1-30 Godaveri Delta; 1689 © 16-4-30, 1706 [¢] 19-4-30 Jeypore Agency

3,000 ft.

Measurements : —

Bill. Wing. Tail. ‘Tarsus,

IES) 15-17.5 79-85 54-62 24-27 mm

15 9 15-16.5 76.5-81 58-56.5 25-26 mm.

Dewar states that the Indian Pipit does not seem to be very common at

Madras. With that exception the whole of the records for the Eastern side

of the Presidency are supplied by the above series collected by the Survey.

La Personne remarks that they were common on the grassy hill tops of the

Shevaroy Peak 5,400 ft. where they were breeding under the low scrub that

clothed the summit. They were also found breeding commonly in the Goda-

very Delta.

On the western side there is much more information about it. In Coorg

it 18 a common resident, breeding wherever there is open grassland (Betts).

In the Brahmagherries, the Wynaad and the Nilgiris it is very common

(William Davison). In the last named Mr. Betts informs me that it replaces

the Nilgiri Pipit on the lower hillsides, wherever they are sufficiently open

and grassy. Kinloch found it on the Lily Downs of the Nelliampathies about

4,700 ft. Fairbank obtained it at the base of the Palnis and at 4,000 ft. in

these hills. In Travancore (Ferguson) it is resident and very numerous in

the low country in the dried paddyfields and also on open grassy ridges in

the hills at all elevations.

Nothing appears to have been recorded about the breeding season in the

Presidency. From the careful notes about the state of the organs on the

labels of the fine Survey series it is evident that in the Godavery Delta the

birds were laying about the middle of January and in the Shevaroy Hills they

were breeding in May.

Ticehurst has already pointed out (J.B.N.H.S., xxxu, p. 352) that the

New Fauna is wrong in extending the typical race of this Pipit to Ceylon and

we agree with him that the island birds must be attributed to the race

malayensis. We are not yet satisfied as to the subspecific identity of the

birds of the western side of the Presidency but hope to return to this point

in the report on the Travancore Survey.

Alauda gulgula australis Brooks.

Alauda australis Brooks, 8.F., i (1878), p. 486—Ootacamund.

Specimens collected:—1190 ¢ 1193 ¢ 1197 @ 6-1-30, 1198 ¢ 1200 ¢

1202 g 7-1-30, 1218-4 $4 9-1-80, 1228 g¢ 1225 g 1227-8 9 11-1-30, 1236 3

1239) ©) 1040, 6 1240 So 10d 131-80, 1257-8 od 1260 ¢ 16-1-30,

1264 gS 1267 S 1272 ¢G 19-1-30, 1280-1 gd 20-1-30, 1307 SG 25-1-30,

1311 ¢ 26-1-30 Godaveri Delta.

Measurements : —

Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

24 g 14-16 (once 13) 87-93 49-56 925-26 (once 21.5) mm.

3 Q = 13-14.5 84.5-85.5 48.5-50 22.5-24.5 mm.

From the organs of the above series it was evident that they were breeding,

and Mr. La Personne moreover remarks that they were breeding freely on

the sandbanks opposite Dowlaisheram, the nests being built under tufts of

grass about 3 feet from water, usually on damp soil.

No other skylarks were obtained by the Survey and on the eastern side

of the Presidency the only other record is Dewar’s statement that the skylark

is common at Madras.

On the west the Indian Skylark is far better known. Although less abun-

dant in the Wynaad it is according to William Davison and others very

common all over the grassy downs of the Nilgiris. Here, Mr. Betts informs

102 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

me, it breeds in April and May and again after the monsoon, in September

and October. Terry found nests at Pulungi and Pittur in the Palnis in

April and considered it common on the tops of bare rocky ills. In Travan-

core Ferguson says that it is common on the High Range and he also met

with it in the plains.

It is with great hesitation that I have referred the above series of skylarks

to A. g. australis. They are certainly smaller than the few Nilgiri spect

mens which I have been able to examine, but my series from the latter range

is not large enough to settle this point satisfactorily. I hope to obtain more

material in time to return to the question in connection with the Travancore

Survey.

Calandrella brachydactyla dukhunensis (Sykes).

Alauda dukhunensis Sykes, P.Z.S. 1832 (July 31), p. 983—Dukhun.

Specimens collected: —1271 9 19-1-30, 1294 ¢@ 23-1-30, 13816 ¢ 26-1-30

Godaveri Delta.

Measurements : —

Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

2G 13-18.5 100-101 59.5-60 20.5-21.5 mm.

Q 13 92 51 20 mm.

These three specimens provide the only records of the Rufous Short-toed

Lark within the Presidency. This race of Short-toed Lark appears to be

confined in winter in India to an area lying east of a line through Etawah,

Mhow and Khandesh and north of another line from North Kanara to the

Godavery Delta. The implication in the New Fauna (vol. iii, p. 826) that it

occurs in North-West India is not supported by any evidence except a specimen

in the Hume Collection obtained by Dr. Day at Karachi on 21-10-71 of which

the identification is doubtful and not accepted by Ticehurst (Birds of Sind

Ibis and J.B.N.H.S., xxxii, 358). ae

[Mirafra javanica cantillans Blyth.

Mirafra cantillans Blyth, J.A.8.B., vol. xiii (after December 1844), p. 960

ex J.A.5.B., vol. xii (1843), p. 181 nom nud; ex Jerdon. MS.—Bengal.

The status of the Singing Bush-Lark in the Presidency is not very clear.

Jerdon informs us that 1t is most abundant in the Carnatic and the Northern

Circars and the New Fauna states that it is found down to Travancore on

the west, but no corroboration of Jerdon’s statement was found by the

Survey and the bird does not occur in Ferguson’s' Travancore list. Nor have

I traced any other record for the Presidency].

Mirafra affinis Jerdon.

Mirafra affinis Jerdon, Madr, Jour. Lit. Sci., xiii, pt. 2 (1844-1845), p. 186—

Goomsoor in Ganjam.

Specimens collected:—7 G 9-4-29, 9 © - 18-4-29, 43 36 18-4-29, 61 9

16-4-29, 75 3 17-4-29, 128 9 24-4-29, 196 @ 25-4.29 Kurumbapatti; 298 ¢

31-5-29, 309 2 2-6-29, 376-377 go 11-6-29, 386 9 12-6-29, 395 2 13-6-29,

418 § 15-6-29 Chitteri range 2,000-8,000 ft.; 448-444 9 18-6-29 Harur 1,000

ft.; 454 ¢ 20-6-29, 465 sex? 23-6-29 Tirthamalai 1,000 ft.; 484 © 2-7-99

Trichinopoly; 503 ¢ 509-510 GQ 4-7-29 Kalai; 584-5385 ¢ $ 8-7-29 Vyampatti

Trichinopoly; 550 ¢ 18-7-29, 577 Q 22-7-29, 588 $ 23-7-29 Gingee; 746 ¢

24-8-29, 751 9 752 3 juv. 758 2 759 § 26-8-29, 760 3 juv. 761. g 27-8-29

Palkonda Hills 5,000 ft.; 809 ¢ 810 S$ 12-9-29, 820 G 822 sex? 17-9-29,

885 ¢ 838 J 20-9-29 Kodur; 867 ¢$ 870 9 38-10-29, 914 § 13-10-29 Sesha-

chalam Hills 2,000 ft.

Measurements : ==

Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

25S 14.5-17.5 77-88 43-50 23.5-27 mm.

13). 2 13-17 75-82 38.5-45 24.5-28 mm.

The Madras Bush-Lark according to Jerdon occurs as far north as Gumsoor

THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS 103

in Ganjam and Midnapur and the former is the type locality. The only

specimen that I have been able to examine from as far north is one collected

by Colonel Walton at Samol, Jalchar, Orissa (Bombay Society's Museum) and

there appears to be no other record until the Godavery valley is reached,

a specimen from near Ellore being in the Hume Collection. The fine series

collected by the Survey proves that this lark is very generally distributed

both in the plains and in the hills up to 5,000 ft. from Kodur and the Sescha-

chalam Hills down to the Cauvery River, and doubtless on to Cape Comorin

and the bases of the Travancore ranges. On the west it is less well known.

A specimen was collected by Col. H. R. Baker at Cannanore on 29 May 1910.

There are two specimens from Coorg in the Tweedale Collection. William

Davison tells us that it occurs round the base of the Nilgiris but the only

specimens I have seen are a female collected by Col. Sparrow at Goodalore

on 1-4-1914 and a male in the Hume Collection collected by Dr. Day on

1-1-1878 at Coonoor. In Travancore, according to Ferguson, it is common in

the plains, where it occurs in the grasslands, sometimes in flocks and some-

times. solitary.

The breeding season has not been accurately recorded. The organs of the

Survey series suggest that it extends from about April to July on the eastern

side and Ferguson took a single egg in Travancore on 26 April. Young birds

obtained by the Survey in August resemble the adults. ‘The feathers of the

upper parts have pale fringes producing the scale marking characteristic of

most juvenile alaudidae; the pale chestnut edges to the wing coverts, and

wing and tail quills are proportionately broader than in the adult and on the

primaries: extend also round their tips.

The Madras Bush-Lark can certainly not be considered a race of Muirafra

assamica. The change in colour is too abrupt and striking and hardly likely

to be correlated with the reappearance of the dark affinis-like. form microptera

in Burma. It must either be treated as a separate species or as a race of

Mirafra erythroptera the Red-winged Bush-Lark. From this it differs :—

(1) Size: larger with a proportionately larger bill and shorter tail. 18

males of M. ec. erythroptera measure bill 13-15, wing 76-84, tail 47-55 mm.

(2) The upper parts are darker, with the dark centres of the feathers

proportionately larger; lower parts darker, more buff, less creamy.

(3) The chestnut on both webs of the primaries is less extensive, being

divided along the shaft by a long dark distal wedge, whereas in erythroptera

the whole of the basal two-thirds of the feather is chestnut, the shaft alone being

dark brown.

(4) The inner secondaries are dark brown merely edged with chestnut,

whereas in erythroptera they are usually completely chestnut.

These differences are merely those of degree such as one finds amongst sub-

species and intermediate specimens are certainly found. Moreover the ranges

of the two forms are largely complementary in the Peninsula. I have plotted

out the records of both forms on a map and find they are only said to coin-

cide in certain areas near the junction of the two distributions. These areas

are Chota Nagpur (Singhbhum: Mannbhum), Hyderabad State, Belgaum and

N. Kanara, Manzeerabad, Mysore and Cannanore. Some of these coincidences

can I think be dismissed as erroneous, based on old and faulty identifications,

and the only one substantiated by specimens is that of Hyderabad. In Hydera-

bad both Colonel Sparrow and Mr. Salim Ali undoubtedly’ obtained both forms

in the south-east of the State as has been narrated in detail in the Hyderabad

Survey. I expect that further observation in this area will show that either

both forms occur in different terrain, as Jerdon expressly stated to be the

case when he met Mirafra erythroptera ‘once only in the Carnatic at the foot

of the Eastern Ghats inland from Nellore’ (B. of I., ii, 419) or that there is

some seasonal wandering.

[Except for the above statement by Jerdon there is no reason to admit

Mirafra erythroptera erythroptera to the Presidency list. Colonel H. R. Baker

states (Birds of S. India, p. 120) that he obtained it and its nest during the

monsoon at Cannanore. This specimen duly labelled M. erythroptera 29 May

Cannanore is still in his collection, which I purchased about 1925-1926, but it

is a specimen of M. affinis.]

Alauda coromandeliana Pucheran ex Cuvier MSS., Revue Mag. Zool. 1854,

p. 63, based on a specimen obtained by Leschenault in 1819 at Pondicherry is

a synonym for this race.

104. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Galerida malabarica Scopoli.

Galerida malabarica Scopoli, Del. Flor. et Faun., Insubr., vol. u (1786),

p.. 94—Malabar Coast.

Not obtained by the Survey. The Malabar Crested Lark is confined to the

western side of the Presidency.

A female collected by Dr. Day at Mangalore on 28-4-1873 is in the British

Museum and another female collected by Col. H. R. Baker on 11-8-1910 at

Cannanore is. in my own collection. Two males collected by William Davison

near Manantoddy, Wynaad, on the 5th and 12th April 1881 are also in the

British Museum. Mr. Betts informs me that it is common in Coorg wherever

there is open country, gathering in flocks out of the breeding season.

In the Nilgiris, according to Davison, it replaces Galerida deva, which is

the lark on the low country on the Mysore border. It is not uncommon on

the plateau, frequenting the grassy hills in pairs and small parties, and in

the main it is certainly resident though Davison relates how on 23 May he

met a flock of some 380 birds, unsettled as if on passage, a few miles from

Gundalopet in Mysore.

In Travancore Ferguson says that it is only found on the High Range at

6,000 ft., where it is fairly abundant and goes about usually in small flocks.

* In the Nilgiris according to Miss Cockburn the Malabar Crested Lark

breeds twice a year in March and April and again in August and September.

Colonel Sparrow informs me that he took 2 nests with eggs in the Cardamum

Fills in March.

It seems hard to believe that Sykes’ Crested Lark Galerida deva (Sykes)

should not be treated as a race of this species. The differences of colour and

size in the two forms might easily be merely subspecific and in the main

the ranges of the two forms are complementary, malabarica being confined

to a narrow strip along the west coast from Ahmedabad to Travancore whilst

deva is widely spread in the centre of the Peninsula. There seems however to

be no doubt that both forms occur in Ahmedabad, Nassick, Belgaum and S.

Mysore. Careful field work in the future may show that these coincidences

are compatible with two subspecies, but in the meantime it is safer to treat

both forms as species.

Ammomanes phoenicura phoenicura (Franklin).

Mirafra phoencura Franklin, P.Z.S. 1830-1831 (25 October 1831), p. 119—

Between Calcutta and Benares and in the Vindhyan Hills between the latter

place and Gurra Mundela.

Specimens collected : —530-5381 G juv., o? juv. 7-29 Kalai, Trichinopoly ;

930 Q 18-10-29 Seschachalam Hills 2,000 ft.; 10483 g 1046-7 GG 5-12-29,

1048-1051 $53 Qo 6-12-29, 1053 § 7-12-29, 1087 9° 1090 S 11-12-29, 1103 ¢

13-12-29, 11381 9 17-12-29, 1137 @ 18-12-29, 1157 9 29-19-99, 1181-2 ¢9¢

27-12-29 Cumbum Valley.

Measurements ; —

Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

12 ¢ 15.5-17.5 104-110 58-63 21.5-23 mm.

5 © 15-16 99-108 52-59.5 20.5-23 mm.

The Rufous-tailed Finch-Lark is evidently confined to the drier parts of

the Presidency as a resident species. In addition to the three localities in

which it was obtained by the Survey in the Cumbum Valley, the Seschachalam

Hills and Trichinopoly I can only trace a single record for our area, namely

a female in the Hume collection obtained by A. G. R. Theobald at Coim:

batore on 10 October 1868.

The organs of the Cumbum Valley series suggest that they would have

bred in the early part of the year.

Eremopterix grisea grisea (Scopoli).

Alauda grisea Scopoli, Del. Flor. et Faun., Insubr., vol. ii (1786), p. 95--

Ginge, South Arcot District, India.

THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS 105

Specimens collected: —483, 485 GQ 2-7-29 Trichinopoly; 496 2 498 g

3-7-29, 500 ¢ 4-7-29 Kalai; 592-3 gd 24-7-29 Gingee; 800 9 10-9-29, 821 ¢

17-9-29 Kodur; 1047A 6 6-12-29, 1052 ¢ 1054-1057 GSS 7-12-29, 1061-2

35 2 1064-5 g¢Q 8-12-29, 1070 S 1072 9 9-12-29, 1092 9 12-12-29, 1104 ¢

13-12-29, 1116 9 15-12-29, 1163 92 1168 @ 28-12-29, 1194 9 6-1-30, 1201 9

7-1-30, 1273 2 19-1-30, 1276 9 20-1-30 Cumbum Valley; 1191 <¢ 6-1-30,

1226 $ 11-1-30, 1287 ¢G 138-1-30, 1259 g 16-1-30, 1265 SG 19-1-30, 13819 o

29-1-30 Godavery Delta.

Measuremenits : —

Bill. Wing. Taal. Tarsus.

24 10.5-18 74-78 39.5-46 14-16 mm.

ge wo J1-12.5 71.5-77.5 37-42.5 14.5-16.5 mm.

There is no record of the Ashy-crowned [Fineh-Lark in the Presidency

north of the Godaveri River but southwards it is evidently so common and

so generally distributed that there is no need to cite the various records.

Tt is however confined to the plains and does not ascend any of the hill

ranges. It occurs on Rameswaram Island.

The few breeding records suggest that individual birds may nest at any

time of the year. Theobald found a nest with 38 eggs at Salem on 21 August

(N. & E., ed. 2, vol. ii, p. 245); Terry found a nest on the roof of a godown

at Bellary in December (loc. cit., p. 246). The organs of the Survey series

suggest that some birds were breeding about T'richinopoly in July and in

the Cumbum Valley in December and January. Captain R. 8. P. Bates

informs me that it breeds from February onwards until the rains and gives

me an interesting account of how in June at St. Thomas’ Mount he found

4 nests within 130 yards, of which two were only four paces apart.

Owing to the courtesy of the Director of the Colombo Museum I have

been able to examine a fine series of 12 males and 5 females of this lark

from Ceylon. These undoubtedly differ from the typical form in the slightly

longer and much heavier bill which approximates to that of Hremopteryx

frontalis (melanauchen Old Fauna). As a large bill is an oft-recurring charac-

teristic of the insular races in Ceylon, I think it should be emphasised again

in this case by the bestowal of a name and I therefore propose the name

EREMOPTERIX GRISEA CEYLONENSIS subs. nov.

Type:---3 ad. 11 January 1922, collected by G. Brown, 8 miles north of

Paletupini Hast Coast, Ceylon (H. Whistler Coll.).

(To be continued).

SOME NOTES ON BISON (BIBOS GAURUS) IN BURMA

Woe Laon sade aCiuetd.).

(With two plates).

No one who has followed and shot a solitary bull Gaur, or

Bison, as he is usually called, can fail to be impressed by his

immense size, noble appearance, and magnificence of the trophy

obtained. Neither can he deny that the sportsman in Burma will,

on oceasions, in encounters with these animals, obtain all the

thrills and excitement he can possibly desire, and, had I not said

in a previous article in the Journal that I considered elephant shoot-

ing the grandest of all sports, I might, on reflection, have reversed

that decision in favour of bison shooting.

My own experience over a course of 45 years of the jungles

of Burma has shown me that no more dangerous animal is to

be met with in the jungle in any part of the world, except, per-

haps, a wounded tiger, boar, or lion, than an old wounded bull

bison standing between 19 al 1 hands at the shoulder. Bison

are indeed the largest of all the oxen in the world and stand, if I

mistake not, higher than the biggest cart horse that was ever

foaled. Woe betide the sportsman who, when following up a

wounded bull bison, especially in the dense forests of Burma,

fails to stop him in his charge, when, with head down he comes

tearing along with great strides bent on demolishing everything

in his “path. To say that a Taine or Banting (Bibos sondaicus) is

a more dangerous animal to tackle than a ‘bison when wounded

or otherwise, is quite incorrect. A bull Tsaine is certainly more

active, and more alert, and has better hearing and sight than

a bull bison but he is not nearly so dangerous. Bison as a rule

stand higher in Burma than they do in any other part of the

world, and also have finer heads than are obtainable elsewhere.

The true bison is the American animal, so to speak of the gaur

as a bison is a misnomer although for the purposes of this article

I shall refer to it as a bison. The sportsman and his hunters

will require not only, to exercise every atom of the skill and wood-

craft possessed by them to avoid fatal mishaps occurring when

tracking down old sohtary bull bison, but a good rifle is also

a sine qua non.

Nothing smaller than a 577, 500, or 470 bore cordite’ rifle

should, in my opinion, be used on these big animals. In fact I

would recommend the use of one or other of these rifles on all

large and dangereus game such as elephant, bison, tiger,

rhinoceros, buffalo, and tsaine, when you have to meet them on

an equal footing, that is to say on foot and not when you are

up a tree in a machan, or on the back of an elephant where you

are in a comparatively safe position, and can afford to take risks

and experiment with rifles of smaller calibres than those referred

to above. It is all very well for the experienced sportsman who

Journ., Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc.

1. The Gayal or Mithun (Bibos frontal

Lamb.).

cry ae

2 et cea Ihe

Br misais sR tell

So Nescavt mma er ashy satel veered hha ¥ Jah Wa

meat me Fe

sees

een

eas

(oat

aH NPs

SOME NOTES ON BISON (BIBOS GAURUS) IN BURMA 107

considers himself to be a good shot and thinks he can place a

bullet in the body of an animal in a fatal spot with his first shot

nearly every time, and uses in consequence weapons of calibres

such as 256, 280, 318, 375, 400, or 428. Such men, in my opinion,

would set a bad example to the beginner when the latter essays

out after big game, were they to suggest to him that he should

start using one or other of the above “mentioned weapons instead

of recommending him to start his novitiate with a really reliable

weapon such as a 450 or 500 bore cordite rifle burning charges of

70 or 80 grains of cordite. There are far more indifferent shots

and beginners in this world, than there are experts, so far as big

game shooting is concerned.

A bull bison shot through the intestines is a devil incarnate

for at least four, or even five days, until peritonitis sets in and

earries him off. For such bulky animals, bison can cover the

eround when in full charge at a great pace and nothing but a

heavy bullet with a big powder charge behind it of at least 80 to

100 grains of cordite placed in the vertebrae, or the brain of the

animal, will stop them on these occasions. Some men who have

had the luek to shoot two or three bison dead with one shot

each on first going out after these animals with, say, a powerful

small bore, such as a magnuin 375 or a 818, make little of bison

shooting in consequence, and imagine that these animals are

easily disposed of. These men cannot, however, by any manner

of means be permitted to be judges and until they have gone

through the mill and have had the pleasure and experience of

following up wounded solitary bulls, they can know nothing about

it. “But why wound an animal at all’, I hear some one gay,

‘and have to follow him up and risk a charge,’ ‘why not hold

oe in the first instance’? It is easy, of course to talk like

that. I do not profess to be a trained Bisly shot moreover when

T have been climbing up and down the steepest hills all day

long, through the densest jungles and undergrowth imaginable, with

the sweat pouring into my smarting eyes aad my skin itching all

over hke the devil from brushing up against thorns, stinging

nettles, hornets’ nests, and the hair from the bamboos, it is not al-

ways so easy to hold as straight as one would like to. Conse-

quently shots are sometimes badly placed thus necessitating the

following ap of an animal. There are very few men indeed who

have not had to follow up wounded animals during their shikar

experiences. Referring to the use of small bore rifles on dangerous

eame I knew one military Eolice Otiicer, PsS; by name, who

went after a bull bison armed with only a 308 service rifle with

which he had the luck to bag the animal with a single shot through

the heart. He remarked 60 me on his return from his successful

venture ‘well after that a 303 is good enough for me for use upon

any animal’. Another well known sportsman who contributes to

the B.N.H.S. Journal, had his tensest moment with a tiger armed

with only a 280 Ross. It is not what a weapon has done or may

do on certain occasions, it is what it will or should do on every

occasion and a good ‘big un’ is far better than a good ‘little

un’. In Burma one has sometimes to deliver at close quarters. a

108. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

knockdown blow in heavy jungle. This cannot always be done

with a small bore rifle. One has to realize what an old solitary

bull bison can take sometimes in the way of lead before he has

been rendered hors de combat, which can only be accomplished

by the brain or heart being pierced by the bullet, or the vertebrae

of the neck being severed. A shot through the lungs is not necess-

arily immediately fatal. It depends a good deal on the extent of

the damage caused in that region by the bullet. I have known

of solitary bull bison getting away and recovering from lung

wounds. The brain shot is a difficult one especially when the ani-

mal is facing one with its head thrown up. Moreover, one is liable

to damage the horns in these cases. It is always well to shoot

low when taking the shoulder shot. <A novice is likely to be de-

ceived by the size of the dorsal ridge, a shot through which only

causes a temporary collapse of the animal, which generally rises

and makes off again none the worse. If charged by a bison the

only thing to do, unless the sportsman can make certain of his

shot, or in case he cannot retreat behind the trunk of a tree,

bamboo clump, or rock, in time, is to throw himself on to the

eround at full length and chance the beast overstepping him when

passing over him in his stride, as happened to me on one occas-

ion (an account of which will be described later on). The animal

cannot pull up until he has overshot the sportsman by at least

20 or 80 yards. The bull may, however, turn round again and

repeat his charge and hunt the sportsman as a terrier would a rat,

and unless he can spring to his feet in time and kill the animal

before it reaches him he is in for a,20-foot toss, if he is not badly

gored or killed on the spot. An old bull bison has such a short

thick massive neck that he is generally unable to lower his horns

sufficiently to be able to pick up and toss a human being lying

flat on a level piece of ground. To think of escape by running

when charged by a bull bison is to court almost certain death.

Never approach a bison that may have been floored if its

eyes are closed and there is an occasional flicker of the eyelids or

ears, as this means that the animal is not dead. Only when the

_ eyes are staring wide open and still can you assume him to be

dead. A number of men have been attacked or gored to death

through coming too near a seemingly dead bison. Always bom-

bard the body from a safe position with a few sticks or stones

before approaching too near or administer a coup de grace in

the shape of another bullet through the head or neck. With

rare exceptions there is no animal in the East, other than the

rhinoceros and the tapir which avoids man’s proximity more than

the bison. The Banting (Bibos sondaicus), the true wild cattle of

Burma, is usually found nearer villages than bison. The size of

a bison can generally be gauged by the size of his hoof marks. I

have on several occasions seen tracks very nearly as large as those

of a half-grown bull buffalo, although a bison for his size has ordin-

arily very small hoofs. It does not necessarily follow, however,

that large tracks indicate that the owner possesses large horns, for

several very large bulls shot by me of over 19 and 20 hands with

large hoofs had inferior horns, so what the animal gains in bulk

SOME NOTES ON BISON (BIBOS GAURUS) IN BURMA 109

he seems to lose in size of horn. The owners of some of the finest

heads shot in Burma had on the whole, small but rather long and

wide hoofs. Regarding dewlaps I have noticed that very few bison

shot by me had a pronounced dewlap whilst others had only a

slight thickening of the skin. <A bison’s sense of smell is very

keen, so stalking them, unless the wind is in one’s favour is not

easy as some think. The Gayal or Mithun (Bibos frontalis) (see

Pl. I, 1) is another animal which looks like a bison as he exudes

the same oily sweat from his skin and has a very similar odour.

The skin, hair and general appearance are almost identical. These

hill cattle are kept by the hill people such as the Kamis and Chins

solely for sacrificial purposes, and to hand over as dowries by the

hill people of the Arakan Hill Tracts, Chin Hills of Burma, Mani-

pur, Assam and elsewhere. They are not used for milch or agri-

cultural purposes. The hill people, as a matter of fact, consider

milk a most disgusting fluid and will never use it, quite forgetting,

nevertheless, that as babies they were brought up on it. Solitary

bull bison in the Arakan Hill Tracts of Lower Burma frequently

enter the cultivations and villages of the hill people to consort with

the herds of mithun kept by them. I sent a crossbred animal,

i.e. half bison and half mithun, from the Arakan Hill Tracts, with

four or five pure mithun, to the Rangoon Zoological Gardens some

years ago but I am afraid they are not likely to thrive as these

animals must have plenty of shrubs and green bamboo leaves and

shoots on which to browse. I have watched a bull bison accom-

pany a herd of mithun right up to a village in the Arakan Hill

Tracts at dusk and pass the night there with them within 20 or 30

yards of the village. It stayed there the whole night. At day-

light, when it would go off to a neighbouring jungle-clad hillside

to lhe up, invariably joming the mithun again in the morning

when these animals turned out to graze in the neighbouring clear-

ings. This particular bull was somewhat of a nuisance for the

women drawing water from a stream near by the village used to

meet him often. The only notice he took of them, however, was

to snort and toss his head at them which caused them to run

back screaming to the village. The villagers wanted me to shoot

him, but I declined to do so, pointing out to them. that the animal

was useful, as he was infusing new blood into their herds of

mithun. It seems however that the offspring of a cross between

a bison and a mithun are a little wild. The hill people find them

more difficult to catch when they require an animal to be killed

for a feast or for sacrificial purposes even though the usual hand-

ful of salt is offered. It is well known all over the Arakan Hill

Tracts of Burma that bull bison consort freely with mithun and

that the former seem to get accustomed to the presence of human

beings to such an extent that they do not make off into the jungle

on scenting, or seeing them, but simply slip quietly away and

he up close by.

T suppose that the mithun is a cross between ordinary cattle

and bison many generations back out of which has evolved the

present species. I have not seen Mr. Stuart-Baker’s note on the

relationship between bison and mithun, and I have never seen

110 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

a wild mithun nor have LI ever met or heard of any one who had

ever seen or shot one. I do not understand, therefore why we

are still given licenses to shoot mithun. Is it a jest on the part

of the Forest Department? During the past 45 years of my resi-

dence in Burma I have on numerous occasions, when in the dense

forests of Burma, been seated on the ground surrounded on all sides

by bison for fairly long periods studying their habits and the sounds

emitted by them, from calves upto full-grown cows and bulls. I

have often also sat on the ground in the jungle for many minutes

at a time within a few yards of many old solitary bull bison on

different occasions, and listened to their deep breathing sounds

whilst they chewed the cud, tossed their heads, and swished their

tails about from side to side to keep off the flies. Although I

must confess to having shot many wild animals in my time, it

has always given me the ereatest pleasure to be in their midst

watching and photographing them and endeavouring to see how

near I could get to them without being discovered. Photograph

No. 2 (Plate 1) depicts a herd of bison at a salt lick partaking of

the waters to get rid of internal parasites. All animals, as is well

known, visit salt licks for this purpose. In the fly season, that

is to say from March to the end of June, these being the hottest

months of the year, all large game like elephants, bison, and tsaine

are more irritable from the bites of gad flies, mosquitoes, and

other flies. At this time they are more dangerous and more on the

alert. In order to escape from the bites of flies most animals,

such as sambar, bison, elephant, tiger, tsaine and barking deer,

prefer to he up in heavy jungle unless they can find some suit-

able high open ridge, where a good breeze is blowing. I remem-

ber seeing an old solitary bull tsame in the Momeik State

of the Ruby Mines District, Upper Burma, careering along through

some fairly open country past me in May, during the hottest

time of the day as if the devil were at his heels, seemingly obliv-

ious of my presence, surrounded by a black cloud of bad flies,

and shaking his head from side to side in his maddened efforts to

get rid of them. These flies are only found in certain dry belts

of country where a growth of ‘Eng’ sal or bastard teak pre-

dominates. The bites are most irritating for both man and beast

and blood is freely drawn. I remember once having to gallop on

horseback fairly quickly through a belt of five oF ‘ok similar fly-

infested country, referred to in Burma, as ‘In’ ‘Ene dang’, mm

the Ruby Mines District, in order that my cai and I might

escape to some extent the onslaughts of these pests.

I have noticed during the many battles-royal witnessed by me

between solitary bull bison on the one hand and between solitary

bull tsaine on the other that they as a preliminary to an attack

generally approached each other sideways with lowered heads in

t half circle pawing the ground occasionally and uttering at the

sume time half-suppressed snorts or spurts of air from their nostrils

and throats. At other times they seemed to draw in their breath

making at the same time a low, double, half-suppressed, indrawn

guttural sound. The fight generally ended after they had battered

each jother ina (silly: sort. of way) jvith them) homes: by one

SOME NOTES ON BISON (BIBOS GAURUS) IN BURMA iil

bull chasing the other away and prodding it the while from behind

as it made off, in the same way as fights generally end between

domesticated buffaloes and ordinary cattle. It was never a fight

to death, as often happens between tusker elephants. I have

never seen or heard of any fatal encounters between bull

bison or between bull tsaine, the reason being, I think,

that the horns of these animals especially bison are generally

either too curved or too blunt to enable them to inflict a fatal

wound whilst their hides are also thick. There is no doubt, of

course, that they do gore and injure one another rather badly at

times, but these occasions are very rare indeed. The formidable

horns of a buffalo are far more likely to inflict a serious wound on

the body of an animal. I once came on two bull tsaine hammering

away at one another in a duel to such an extent that they did not

see my approach till I was within 8 or 10 yards of them. I shot

the bigger animal of the two and the other one bolted, but on hear-

ing the death bellow of the dying animal it returned to the attack

in spite of my presence and only went off at a slow trot when

I shouted at it. On one occasion I came on a herd of bison in

the Yoma Mountains on the watershed between Arakan and_ the

Thayetmyo District of Burma away in the blue, that had treed

a leopard, which, no doubt, had attempted to carry off a calf. I

was attracted to the spot during a short halt for breakfast by

hearing at intervals a succession of raucous grunting noises.

Aoreeing with my hunter, Tha Yauk, that the noises we had heard

must have been made by a couple of bears fighting over a nest

of bees, I armed myself with a double hammerless 3808 rifle and

taking Tha Yauk with me went off to reconnoitre. Aiter going

some way we came upon bison tracks, and finally some 15 to 20

paces off, burst upon a scene that gladdened my heart, for there

on a fork of a large tree, some 15 feet from the ground, was a

large leopard snarling like the devil and showing his teeth at in-

tervals, whilst he glared at a cirele of bison that stood stolidly

round the base of the trunk of the tree pawing the ground with

their hoofs and uttering at intervals the low peculiar half sup-

pressed double indrawn guttural sounds, which are usually made

by the majority of bovine “animals when they are annoyed, and want

to fight. No bellows were uttered at all. There is a vast difference

between a bellow and the low guttural half-suppressed indrawn

sounds referred to, uttered by these animals. The leopard was the

first to either wind or see us, for he took a mighty leap from his

perch, clear of the bison, his tail swinging round and round in mid

air, to enable him to maintain his equilibrium. The herd scattered

almost immediately after the disappearance of the leopard without

a shot being fired and the jungle became dead and silent once

more. It was now apparent that the noises we had heard had been

made by the leopard as well as by the bison. Bison have only

two enemies to fear, viz. tiger, and man, but the former is no

match for a full-grown bull and it is only when a bison feels his

end is approaching through old age, disease or wounds, that he

succumbs to the repeated attacks of a tiger; but, even then, the

latter has usually to put forth all his cunning and his utmost

112 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXvVIt

strength before he can hamstring and bring his mighty opponent

to the ground. A tiger generally endeavours to hamstring all large

bovine animals, such as bison, buffalo and tsaine when he can do

it with impunity, although he has a wholesome respect for the horns

of a buffalo. When there is a herd of domestic buffaloes about, of

course a tiger usually hasn’t a look in.

A description of the various sounds and calls emitted by bison

may not be out of place here. I will first describe the sounds

uttered by a bison when he has been (1) alarmed and (2) when he

is-at bay. Call No. 1 is the well known startling loud whistling

snort of alarm, which is emitted when the beast has either winded

or seen a human being. Call No. 2 is a low deep rumbling long-

drawn-out menacing note or challenge, which is only sounded when

a bull, not necessarily disabled, is standing at bay and means busi-

ness. There is no mistaking the meaning of the sound as I have

heard it on several occasions and it is a warning that the animal

is annoyed and will charge on scenting or sighting the hunter.

The sound, in fact, is not unlike the low rumble of distant thunder

or that uttered by an elephant.

Call No. 3 is a low ‘Moo’ a kind of note of apprehension, suspic-

ion, or alarm which is uttered, by a bison when he has seen the

hunter without winding him or realizing what to make of him. Call

No. 4 is a long-drawn-out sonorous roar which is usually uttered by

a bull or leader of a herd and is very similar to that emitted by

un elephant. Many European sportsmen have been deceived on

hearing this roar into believing that it has emanated from an

elephant. This call, or roar, for it cannot be called a bellow, is

generally uttered by an old bull or leader of a herd as a call,

or signal, to its companions that may be resting for the day, that

it 18 time to’ turm out and feed. The same call, se. Noo 4.1

also uttered by the leader of a herd to bring the herd together when

it has been decided to trek for new feeding grounds. On these

latter occasions the animals generally go a considerable distance

before they settle down and begin feeding again in their new feed-

ing grounds. I remember being within 200 yards or so of a herd

of bison one very hot afternoon in April at about 4-30 p.m. My

hunters and I had been following the spoor of a bison which,

judging by the size of its tracks was a very large animal. ‘The

tracks, in fact, looked lke those of a buffalo, so large were they.

The surrounding jungle was very still and hardly a breath of air

stirred the leaves of the trees. My hunters suggested a halt of

half an hour before going further in case we should disturb the

bull resting. We accordingly pulled up on reaching the bed

of the Ru, a stream some 45 yards in width with bushes and

undergrowth scattered about along its bed and banks. We had

hardly been seated 25 minutes when our ears were greeted by the

sound of the snapping of a bamboo from the bank of the stream

on our left, some 80 yards off, followed by the appearance of a

very large bull bison which suddenly stopped dead, raised

his nose slightly in the air, and uttered the well-known, loud

continuous sonorous roar or signal. Almost immediately after

the reply to the summons came, for we heard the distinet patter

SOME NOTES ON BISON (BIBOS GAURUS) IN BURMA 113

on the leaves and twigs of the rapidly moving feet of large animals

coming towards us from the opposite side of the stream to our

right. Had anyone tried he could not have succeeded in placing

us in a better position to witness the whole affair. There was no

getting away from the fact that the bull’s roar was a signal to the

herd which was resting in the jungle on the opposite bank, that it

was time for the herd to come out and graze, or that it was a

signal that they were about to trek for new grazing grounds.

I have often heard this roar used for both purposes. The same

call or roar is also used by the leader of a herd to summon any

laggards that strayed or remained behind in the grazing grounds

when the rest of the herd have moved off from the grazing

ground, say at about 8-30 a.m. into the cool recesses of the

adjoining jungle to lie up during the heat of the day. The bull

almost immediately after uttering his trumpetlke summons

became suspicious that things were not as they should be, for

he suddenly raised his head and looked fixedly in our direction.

My first shot from a 500-bore cordite rifle burning 80 grs. of

cordite got him in the neck but failed to stop him as he raced

down towards the opposite bank of the stream. The second

bullet, however, got him in almost the same place smashing his

vertebrae and bringing him to the ground with a crash. He

turned out to be a very large animal measuring as accurately as

I could take it with a steel tape a little over 20 hands. The head

measured 80 inches from point to point, outside measurement,

taken straight across the forehead at once, which in my opinion

is the best way to measure all the heads of the oxen. A fifth call,

or low ‘bhay’ may occasionally be heard by any observant sports-

man who has had long experience of the jungle. This call is

usually uttered by a member of a herd that having become sepa-

rated from its companions, owing to their having been disturbed

by human agency, desires to rejoin its companions. This sound

is a subdued bellow. It is, in fact, a note which has been made

purposely low so as not to attract unduly the attention of its

enemy—man. The sound of this ‘bhay’ never travels very far, not

further than perhaps a distance of from 3850 to 500 yards at most.

With regard to call No. 8, already described, this ‘moo’ is really

one of apprehension, perplexity, suspense, or uncertainty, call it

which you will, which is uttered by bison when they have spotted

something they have not winded and cannot quite make out. I

will give you an instance of this in my own experience. When

out with my men on one occasion, on the watershed of the Yoma

Mountains between Arakan and Thayetmyo District we sud-

denly came on a herd of bison that was lying up in the jungle

during the heat of the day. A portion of the herd saw us at

the same moment, but my men and [| allayed their suspicions by

throwing ourselves flat on the ground and remaining still. The

animals, whose nervousness was quite apparent, although they saw

us move, had not winded us. They stood stock-still at first,

craning and twisting their necks from side to side in their efforts

to try and make out what we were, uttering at the same time

at intervals the low husky suppressed “moo’s’ referred to above.

114 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Then, when evidently they could stand the tension no longer, some

four or five young bulls and cows began to walk slowly towards

us in a very hesitating manner, still uttering from time to time

low ‘moo’s’, and lowering and raising their heads in an endeavour

to get our scent. I have not the slightest idea what they took us

for, a tiger perhaps, but when they had approached to within four

or five paces of us I thought it time to spring to my feet and

stampede them as I did not relish being trampled upon or gored

even though they were only young bulls and cows.

Mr. Dunbar-Brander (see pages 151 and 153 of his admirable

and popular work Wild Animals in Central India) states that bulls

bellow with rage. He says ‘I had shot a bull in the middle of a

grass maidan. The herd bolted a short distance and then returned

to their fallen lord. The herd excited and angered at the smell of

the blood commenced to bellow and paw up the earth.’ The paw-

ing of the earth is a common enough occurrence amongst even

domestic cattle but I am of opinion that both the bellowing and

the pawing of the ground on this occasion was not due to rage

so much as to panic and fear brought on by the smell of the blood

and by their desire to be with their stricken leader whose death,

moreover, they were unable to connect with the shot whilst they

also thought, perhaps, he might yet be able to rise to his feet.

It was only after hearing the human voice that they realized the

truth. So far as my experience goes, I have never heard of bison

bellowing in a rage. I am of opinion, in fact, that they only

bellow, as do all domestic cattle when they are in a panic or in

mortal fear. I have seen many head of cattle lassoed and thrown

to the ground to be castrated, doctored, or branded and in the

majority of cases they nearly all bellowed in terror. Then, again,

the five mithun and the animal which was the result of a cross

between a bison and a mithun, which I sent from Arakan to the

Rangoon Zoo some years ago, all bellowed pitifully when they

were being hoisted on board ship. <A sixth note which may be

referred to as being uttered by bison, is the long-drawn-out death

call which is uttered by a bull in its death throes. This roar, or

death call, is not so loud, prolonged or as sonorous as the roar

uttered by the leader of a herd when (1) he asks the herd to come

out and feed, when (2) he asks them to trek for new feeding

grounds, and when (3) he is calling up the laggards to hurry up

and join the rest of the herd and get a move on out of the grazing

erounds.

Three large solitary bull bison that I wounded on different

occasions waited for me to come up with them after uttering the

low long-drawn-out deep rumbling warning notes peculiar to these

animals. Old solitary bull bison although they may seem to have

lost all sexual instincts are yet found either following the tracks

of a herd or in the vicinity of one in the hope of annexing a

female sooner or later.

An old man of 75 years of age or over still has sometimes a

hankering after the fair sex.

Solitary bull bison occasionally visit remote hill cultivations

planted out in paddy and Indian corn as I followed up and shot

SOME NOTES ON BISON (BIBOS GAURUS) IN BURMA 1i5

a very old bull eating the young rice plants in a cultivation. situ-

ated about 600 yards or so from a Chin village. This village I

should state was a long way from other villages. I once came

across the largest solitary cow bison with the finest pair of horns

for a cow that I have ever seen. My hunter and I examined her

very careiully at fairly close quarters through a powerful pair of

binoculars and he informed me that she would be dropping a calf

in a day or two. My experience goes to show, however, that

cow bison drop their calves invariably when with a_ herd

and that the latter as do elephants generally rest for two or three

days until the calves are strong enough to move on. This cow

through having been disturbed may have become separated from

the oy ot ihe herd, but she seemed to be in no hurry and in

no way perturbed as she was grazing and moving along quite

unconcernedly. To say that solitary bull bison are not given to

charging is hardly correct. Solitary bulls in Burma have been

known to charge without any provocation whatsoever on sometimes

scenting as well as on sighting a human being. Many cases of

this kind have occurred in Burma to my knowledge. Mr. King

of the Survey of India was recently charged and killed by a solitary

bull bison near Taungdwingyi, in the Magwe District. He and

a companion apparently, when on duty in the jungle, suddenly

came upon the animal, which charged at once in spite. of being

shouted at. Shouting at some wild animals in an attempt to drive

them off is by no means always successful, especially in the case

of a solitary elephant. The human voice in some eases often causes

an animal to charge, especially in areas where game has been

fired at and frequently disturbed. I was once charged by a very

truculent old bull bison I was tracking up very cautiously accom-

panied by a hunter. He came down on us so suddenly through

thick stuff from a distance of about 40 yards that I could not see

him until he was almost on us. In fact, I had barely time to

get out of his way. However after overshooting my hunter and

me by about 25 yards, I could see he meant business, for he turned

round and came back at us again full tilt. I killed him this time

with a lucky shot in the brain.

Some years ago when after bison in the Tavoy District of

Lower Burma, along the upper reaches of the Tavoy river beyond

a place known as Mijyaunghlang where a morass of hot sulphur

springs are to be found, I had an unpleasant experience with an

old bull bison which nearly got me. We, that is to say a Karen

hunter named Maung Ba eee Tha and I, had just s struck the trail

of a large solitary bull bison. It was raining at the time. The

tracks led into a thicket of low dwarf bamboo jungle into which

we cautiously picked our way. The noise of the rain falling on

the leaves of the jungle drowned any little sound made by us. It

was impossible to see more than 8 or 10 yards ahead. Ba Han

Tha was armed with a single-barrelled 8-bore breech-loading gun

which burned 8 drs. of ode: and carried a heavy spherical ball I

was armed with a double 8-bore rifle, which took a charge of

10 drs. of powder and a heavy conical bullet. We had not gone

more than 20 yards into the patch of bamboo when I caught sight

116 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

of a motionless black patch about the size of a large saucepan

not 12 paces off. It was very fortunate for us that the wind was

blowing in our. favour, i.e., from the animal to us. I did not

hesitate a second longer than was necessary, but fired into it at

once, as the beast seemed to me to be suspicious and standing

stock-still as if listening. There was a crash on the report and

away went the bull making a terrific clatter as he smashed his

way through the bamboos at a fast gallop. Now.came the exciting

time. I could not tell where I had hit him but in duty bound we

had to follow. There was a certain amount of blood spoor on the

eround and judging by the height of the smears left by the wound

on the stems and leaves of the surrounding bamboos, as the animal

forced its way through the jungle, I would appear to have hit him

on the body, too far back in the intestines. After following the

animal for about two miles or so we lost the tracks, whilst no

blood could be seen on the ground. Bison often have a thick

layer of fat under the skin especially about the beginning or end

ot the cold weather, when they are generally in good condition;

and do not in consequence bleed much externally. One would be

surprised to see how little blood escapes sometimes from a wound

of this kind, which often closes up. If this happens the result is

that internal haemorrhage sets in which naturally makes it much

worse for the animal especially if he drinks water at any pool or

stream as he moves along. All this seems very bloodthirsty and

unnecessary, but it is meant more to assist and to initiate the

novice in the art and mysteries of big game shooting. How-

ever, “just. at this jumcture as (Ba Han Tha and) i were

separated about 80 paces apart casting around most anxiously

for the tracks and blood spoor of the bison, which, by the

way, had been going up wind all this time, as most wounded

animals generally do, to get the scent of those following, there

was a loud crash, and before we had xealized what had happened,

the wounded bull was charging straight down upon us at a great

pace. There was no time to do much, but, fortunately, the jungle

in that locality was not thick, and one could see ahead and

around for 20 or 30 paces clearly enough. The bison in his mad

determination to get. one or other of us just missed) Ba Han Tha

by about a foot, he having jumped to one side behind a tree in

time. I had nothing to get behind and to make a bolt for it

was quite out of the question. As the bison was almost on top

of me I threw myself over flat. on the ground to one side

clutching the heavy rifle with my right hand. The animal took

me in his stride crossing over my legs. I could almost have

counted the black hair on his wet jet black muzzle, as he shot

over me. J remember wondering at the time as I lay, which foot

would come down upon me and why the brute did not stop to

gore me, for it did not strike me at the time that he had missed

me, and that he was travelling so fast that he could not possibly

pull up until he had overshot me by a good many yards. I

was up and on to my feet again and round like a flash for, after

overshooting me by some 25 or 80 paces, he pulled up on to his

haunches scoring the wet ground with his hoofs for nearly 8 or

SOME NOTES ON BISON (BIBOS GAURUS) IN BURMA 17

10 yards in the mighty efforts he made to pull up, and wheeling

round came back at me again full tilt, with lowered head evidently

meaning to finish either myself or Ba Han Tha. I fired my first

shot somewhat hurriedly as he wheeled round. This shot as I

afterwards discovered gave him a nasty flesh wound in the side

of the chest without doing much damage or reducing his pace in

the slightest and he was almost on to me, within 8 or 4 paces,

in fact, when my second shot got him fairly in the centre of the

neck and after ploughing a hole clean through it found a resting

place in the animal’s stomach. This lucky “shot which smashed

the vertebrae crumpled him up at my feet like a sack of potatoes

pitched out of a cart, for he collapsed on to his head, and after

turning a complete somersault, rolled over and remained motion-

less, with the exception of a tremor here and there, and uttering

at the same time a long-drawn-out mournful bellow. It was cer-

tainly very exciting whilst it lasted, too exciting in fact, and

IT must admit I was shaking lke a leaf from the excitement

when it was all over. The bull when he collapsed fell with one

leg over my discarded rifle, which I had flung from me after the

second shot, intending to make a bold bid for freedom should I

not bring the animal down with my second shot. In the heat

of the moment I quite unjustly cursed Ba Han Tha my hunter

for not firmg at the bison as it passed over and returned at me.

I was quite wrong, however, in doing this and made amends after-

wards for what I had said, as he explained to me quite correctly

that it was quite impossible for him to fire either when the bull

was passing over me or even when it was coming back at me for

fear of hitting me as I was more or less in the line of fire. More-

over, as he reminded me he had never fired a gun of the descrip-

tion he was carrying before and ‘was unaccustomed to its use.

My first shot I found after holding a post-mortem had hit the

bull through the ribs on the right side and had found its exit

on the opposite side. This bull, had I not got him, would cer-

tainly have hunted Ba Han Tha or myself as a terrier dog would

have hunted a rat. His horns measured 79 inches from tip to

tip outside measurement across the forehead. The girth of each

horn was 19 inches. The bull itself measured a little under 20

hands. :

T shot a very fine old solitary bull bison near the Pidaung Plain,

in the Myitkyina District of Upper Burma which was blind of

one eye, the right one and minus his tail. When I was following

this animal’s tracks on foot at 8 a.m. one morning it looked to

me as if he was heading for the railway line with the intention of

crossing it and entering the Pidaung Plain, now a game sanctuary.

I was following the bull armed with a single-barrelled take down

577 cordite rifle by Messrs. Westley Richards, which took a charge

of 100 erains of cordite, and was accompanied by a very good

Kachin tracker. We were nearing the railway line carefully pick-

ing up the tracks and keeping our eyes and wits about us when IT

suddenly caught sight of the bull coming back on his tracks having

been evidently disturbed by some coolies coming along the railway

line, He was a monster. We met at about 15 paces. I happened

118: JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL Hist SOChHEM: Vol XXX

to be on his blind side and as he passed me I let him

have a shot behind the shoulder. I had opened out a fresh tin

of ten cartridges that morning with soft nosed bullets. On receiv-

ing the shot the bull collapsed into some ‘theke’ grass, some four

or five feet high, a kind of grass which is commonly used by the

people for thatching the roofs of their houses. I immediately sent

the tracker up an “adjacent tree to see what had happened. No

sooner did the Kachin begin to make a rustling noise in his ascent

of the tree than the bull rose to his feet and came blundering

along in my direction to: try and get at me without however know-

ing my exact position as [ was still, as I afterwards discovered,

on his. blind side: I had by now inserted another cartridge into

the chamber of the rifle and let drive at him again. He collapsed

again on receiving the bullet not five yards away; but, as he was

struggling hard to regain his legs once more I finished him off

with a third shot, which got him in the neck and severed the verte-

brae. Had I been using a small bore rifle, such as some men use

upon these animals, I am afraid it would not have fared very well

with me. The bullets from the first two shots had made their

exit on the opposite side taking a large amount of the contents

or the stomach with them which showed that they had mushroomed

properly and done their duty. The bull’s tail had probably been

bitten off short in some encounter with a tiger which had prob-

ably damaged his right eye at the same time. The animal’s horns

measured 86 inches from tip to tip across the forehead taken out-

side, and were beautifully corrugated. This bull measured a little

over 20 hands at the shoulder, noted down after a very careful

measurement. For a picture of this bull see Pl. Il, 1. The ele-

phants in this picture were used as baggage animals only.

I once used a double hammerless 803 upon a solitary bull bison

when these weapons first appeared on the market, somewhere

about the eighties or about the beginning of the nineties when

they were very highly spoken of by men who had used them in

Africa. I was on the top of the Yoma Mountains on the water-

shed some 4,000 feet above sea level far away from all villages.

The summit was all open undulating country covered with short

erass and ferns. The jungle and undergrowth came up from below

on either side and ended off abruptly like a park at home. I was

seated on a rock gazing into space as in a dream, devouring the

magnificent view that lay stretched out at my feet to the west

towards the sea when I was rudely aroused from my idle reverie

by my hunter Tha Yauk’s voice informing me that he saw two

dark objects lying down on the grass out in the open some 600

yards or so away which he took to be sambar. My glasses soon

proved that he was right and a closer inspection revealed the

fact that two of the Ane were stags with good heads. Leaving

my 8-bore in charge of two men and telling them on no account to

move from the grassy knoll we were then, standing on, Tha Yauk

and I strolled off to stalk the animals. The sambat were lying

or an open grassy slope devoid of all cover and about 150 yards

away from a narrow belt of densely wooded jungle some 30 yards

in width which, fortunately, intervened and hid us from view.

Journ., Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE Ii.

1. A solitary Bull Bison (Bibos gaurus H. Smith) shot near the Pidaung

Plain, measuring 20 hands at the shoulder.

2. A solitary Bull Bison (B. gaurus H. Smith) shot at an elevation of

4,000 ft. in the Yoma Mountains.

(: ea"

eae Tome

Uiraen

Pars

Mili. 35

SOME NOTES ON BISON (BIBOS GAURUS) IN BURMA 119

Telling Tha Yauk to lie down till he heard me fire I went down

on all fours and commenced the stalk. One of the stags who was

lcoking in my direction from the slope above some 800 yards off

immediately came into view and then lay down. I thought at

first I had been seen and hardly knew what to do as I was not

prepared to risk a shot at the animal which was not lying in a very

favourable position. While lying flat on the grass meditating as to

whether I should risk a shot or not I was suddenly startled by

hearing the sound of some large animal cropping the grass a short

distance ahead of me. Raising my head cautiously above the grass

T peered over a slight dip in the ground regardless as to whether

the sambar saw me or not and to my utter astonishment in a

hollow below me, only a few yards away I saw a solitary bull bison

feeding head on towards me. To say that I received the shock of

my life was putting it midly and as can be imagined I wriggled

back again and joined Tha Yauk three times as quickly as I had

moved forward to stalk the sambar. It may be all right sometimes

for some men to tackle a solitary bull in the jungle with a 303

when you are behind the protection of a big tree or clump of

bamboos, but to do so in the open, with not a tree or a bamboo in

sight in the vicinity, is tempting providence. Tha Yauk after

reconnoitring the bison’s position came back with the information

that as the animal was evidently grazing slowly towards a small

cluster of rocks which jutted out slightly from the hillside some

50 or 60 yards above him, and about 150 yards from where we were,

it would be more advisable to fire at him from the rocks instead of

tackling him in the open where he was sure to charge and get one of

us, even if I did happen to hit him in a vulnerable spot with the

303. Ii we lay out at full length flat on the rocks the animal

would not be able to see us imlecs) we moved but if he did spot us he

could get at us easily from in front or from either side. Tha Yauk

and I ‘finally decided after a short palaver to take up our position

on the rocks and trust to the 303 with solid nickel coated bullets.

T had only 4 of the latter with me and 6 with soft noses: We

did at one time think of sending back for the 8-bore and chance

the animal remaining in the same position and not getting our

wind, but gave up the idea.

Some people may perhaps want to know why I could not have

killed the animal with one shot through the head considering it

was only a few yards off and feeding head on to me. There are

several very cogent reasons why I did not do so, one of these being

that on one occasion I tried and failed at ten paces to finish off a

wounded bull bison by putting a 803 bullet into the spot where

IT thought the brain lay.

Then again the brain pan of a bison is, if anything only a little

larger than a breakfast cup. How much harder then would it be

t; place a bullet in the brain of an animal that was moving its

head from side to side in the act of feeding? A bullet will

sometimes even if driven clean through the head of a bison fail

tu bring him down. I once met a solitary bull bison standing

facing me in some bamboo jungle on the watershed of the “Yoma

hills between Arakan and Thayetmyo’. The distance between us

120. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

was about 25 paces. I fired at the animal’s head using an 8-bore

Paradox and hardened conical bullets driven by 10 drachms_ of

powder. The bull on receiving the shot turned round as if unhit

and galloped off for over a mile. I came up with him again after

a stalk of about three-quarters of an hour but he got up out of

some thick stuff, having heard my approach, and dashed away

down a steep hillside at the bottony of which, however, he collapsed

quite suddenly stone-dead. ‘The bullet, I found after a careful

examination, had hit the bull exactly on the centre of the muzzle,

between and a little above the nostrils, and after passing clean

through the head and neck without touching the brain, was picked

cut of the cavity of the stomach having pierced the liver and lungs

in its course. Internal hemorrhage had killed him subsequently.

But let me get back to the other bison. A small valley on our

right enabled us to make a detour and take up our position on

the bunch of rocks already referred to, unperceived by the bull.

Two sambar, a doe and a stag, had in the meantime risen and

were grazing quite unconcernedly about 100 yards above our posi-

tion. The old stag I had first seen with the fine head, did not

seem to mind our presence in the shghtest, although he had watch-

ed us crawl up to the rocks and then lie down. He kept his head

turned steadfastly in our direction, nevertheless, and occasionally

flicked an ear or shook his head. I really believe that these

sambar took us for some four-footed animals like themselves and

that they had never seen any human beings before. There would

have been a very different tale to tell, however, I expect had the

wind been blowing from us to them for their instinct; would have

warned them then that all was not right and they would probably

then have galloped off out of sight. The rocks upon which Tha

Yauk and I were lying were flush with the slope behind us and

although they jutted out a little from the face of the slope and

had a drop of less than five feet in front looking towards the bison,

there was nothing to prevent the animal charging us from in front,

behind, or on either side. Our invisibility was our only protection.

We arranged beforehand that if matters should not go well with

us we were to make a bee-line for the jungle by the shortest route,

a matter of about 100 yards or so. The bison had now taken up

a position broadside on to us at a distance of about 40 yards, its

left side turned towards us. Making myself as comfortable as

possible, I placed my cap under one elbow, and my handkerchief

under the other, as the rocks were rather rough, and after taking

a deliberate aim fired for the point of the shoulder low down. The

bull on receiving the shot spun rapidly round first to one side and

then round again to the other side repeatedly with quick jerky

movements in his endeavours to locate us, emitting at the same

time through his nostrils two or three loud short sharp spurts of

air, its whole demeanour and actions indicating the while a curious

admixture of fury, fear and defiance. Finally, after swinging round

and round backwards and forwards several times as if standing

on a pivot in its endeavours to make out its enemies, it stood

stock-still with its right side turned broadside on to us affording

me another excellent shot, which I immediately availed myself of,

SOME NOTES ON BISON (BIBOS GAURUS) IN: BURMA 121

letting him have another solid bullet clean through the right

shoulder. This bullet took effect in some unaccountable manner

on the other side, for the bull presently began to lmp off slowly

on three legs, the left foreleg which had been shattered at the

shoulder, swinging free of the ground. Stepping off the rocks,

regardless of dear old Tha Yauk’s warning to remain and fire from

where I was, and taking advantage of several bunches of: grass

and tall ferns I crept up unperceived to within about 10 paces of

the bison and killed him with one shot which must have passed

through his heart for on feeling the bullet he stood perfectly still

for a second or two and then sihek lurching unsteadily forward from

side to side in a vain effort to maintain his equilibrium, he col-

lapsed and died after uttering the usual long-drawn-out death

bellow followed by a few convulsive quiverings. (For the photo-

graph of thisvanmmalisee, Pl 11,2) Had Tha Yauk and 1 been

in the open in full view of this bison when I fired my first’ shot

with the 308 things would not, I am afraid, have gone very well

with us, as in all likelihood I would never have been able > to

stop the animal with my second or even third shot. There are

no doubt some really powerful magnum small bore rifles on the

market just now, that are capable of doing a lot of damage but

T am of opinion nevertheless that no one should begin using them

on large dangerous animals until they have first gained a very great

deal of experience ,of such game armed with rifles of heavier

calibres. The new 803 magnum cartridge, recently introduced,

which has a streamlined bullet and whose official designation is 303

mark VIT is said to propel a bullet to a distance of 5,500 yards as

compared with the extreme range of the present service rifle viz.

3,600 yards, may make some difference in the efficacy of the 3803

when used on certain kinds of game by experienced sportsmen.

If my readers will not be bored, I will relate the result of

another encounter I had with a solitary bull bison which very

nearly ended my career. I was out in the Thayetmyo Yoma hills

between Arakan and Burma with a brother police officer, F. C.

Annesley by name, who like many other old pals of mine have

gone to that undiscovered land from whose bourne no traveller

or animal returns. We left camp in different directions, each

accompanied by our own hunters. I went westwards into the

Arakan Yoma hills accompanied by my hunter Tha Yauk who

alas has also gone to Nirvana. A—, not being much of a climber,

skirted the valleys below in search of elephants, a large herd of

which, with several fine tuskers were reported to be in the vici-

nity. My hunter and I reached the top of the watershed after

some 83 hours’ steady climbing. The jungle on the top came up

and ended off abruptly on either side like a park at home. It

was all open undulating country with short grass whilst - ferns.

orchids and wild flowers abounded. Here, whilst admiring the

view and soliloquizing on things mundane, I had the tuck to wit-

ness in a small valley below devoid of all jungle a battle-roval be-

tween two fine sambar stags which were surrounded by an admir-

ing retinue of about 8 or 10 does and young stags. It was the

clash of their horng which could be heard a fone way off as they

122 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

met in mid air that had first attracted my attention. It seemed

cruel, but we have all inherited to some extent in our breasts the

savage instincts of our forefathers and I was determined to put

an end to the contest by bagging the stag with the best antlers.

This I succeeded in doing with a well placed soft nosed bullet

from my 308. As it was by this time past sunset we started off

downhill again towards camp by a different route to the one

ue had come by. When half way down, when it was almost dark

had three shots with my 8-bore Paradox at a solitary bull bison

He was ascending the ridge down which we were mi aking tracks

for camp. The shots were fired in failing light at ranges varying

from 40 to 50 yards and the bullets were as it atienrenls cis-

covered badly placed in each ease. On receiving the second bul-

let the bull walked ao behind a large bamboo ‘clump and stand-

ing there uttered the low, deep, menacing warning, rumbling note,

‘already referred to by me in a previous portion of this article.

As it began to get too dark to enable me to align the sights of

my rifle properly we decided to return to camp. Unfortunately

in spite of my hunter Tha Yauk’s wonderful knowledge of ne

jungles we took the wrong ridge down to the valley and had i

consequence to camp for the night in the jungle under a aa

clump. Next morning we reached camp at about 7 a.m. A— was

very interested to hear about my experiences with the bison and

stag sambar and said he would like to accompany me on the follow-

ing day as he had never seen a bison dead or alive and would

like to see one. ‘Right oh,’ said I, ‘come along by all means.’

I knew, however, what this meant viz. too many followers, and

consequently too much noise, whilst Annesley was a big heavy man

not in good training who could not walk through the jungle with-

out making a deuce of a noise. After going a few miles, we were

approaching the place where I had lett the bison the evening

before, when I heard the animal rise stiffly to his feet in a elit

of bamboos some 40 yards or so ahead. It may be stated here

that a bison rises from the ground with his hind legs first whereas

an elephant does so with his front legs. Tha Yauk, my hunter, now

whispered to me ‘Sir, there are too many of us, ask the gentleman

A— who steps so heavily to fall back a bit so that you and I ean

enter the jungle alone as the bull will most certainly charge us or

make off altogether if we all go on together as we are doing now

and if he ehanace some one is sure to be killed.’ Tha Yauk was

quite right of course and A—, like a wise fellow kindly consented

to fall back about 150 yards with his men. I then went on ahead

alone armed with the 8-bore Paradox with Tha Yauk some 40 yards

to the rear. Nothing could be seen of the bull and although I

guessed his whereabouts I could not see any portion of him. ‘Any-

way,’ I said to myself, ‘he must be pretty sick after having had

three heavy conical 8-bore bullets into him the day before and

cannot do much harm.’ I reckoned without my host, however,

as the old devil had plenty of life left in him still as I found out

to my cost. I was standing between two large bamboo clumps

which were about 8 or 10 feet apart bending forward peering i-

tently into the bamboo jungle ahead with the 8-bore held in my

SOME NOTES ON BISON (BIBOS GAURUS) IN BURMA 123

right hand across my right knee with my left hand resting on my

left knee to see if I could see him as the jungle was by no means

dense. Just then there was a loud crash and out came the bull

at me travelling, for a wounded animal, at a great pace. He had

evidently been waiting for jusb such a moment. To say that |

was taken aback was putting it mildly. It took the bull such a

short time to cover the distance between us that all I remember

having time to do was to cock the hammerless action of my rifle

when he was about five paces from me, and take a flying leap

to my right behind one of the two clumps of bamboos I had been

standing “between. The bison swerved to his left at the same

time with me, and, after carrying away a number of the bamboos

of the clump I had jumped behind, lunged out at me with his

horns, and caught me a nasty blow on my left thigh with the

rounded portion of his left horn as he passed me, sending me

spinning to the ground. It was a close call but I was up like

a shot and went off limping and dodging in and out of the bamboo

elumps like a wounded rabbit in the direction the bison had come

from, fully expecting the bull to come back at me again any

minute. Fortunately for me, he did not do so, but headed straight

on into the jungles ahead. My thigh was bruised and sore, and

took on all the colours of the ibe that evening from my knee

to my groin, but, fortunately no bones had been broken and I

was notineapacitated from gomg at a slow walk. On the Penne

I was fit enough on the following morning to take on the bull

tracks again accompanied this fe only be my hunter Tha Yaak

‘Sir’, said the dear old fellow to me as we moved off stealthily

on the trail of the bison hke two leopards following up a deer,

‘keep a careful lookout ahead, and on either side, whilet iT do

the tracking, as I. am not as young as you are, whilst I am also

a little deaf. Your eyes are good, Sir, and you have also good

hearing. It would be a bad business for me if you were killed,

as I might be blamed. This is a dangerous animal and his wounds

will have made him vicious. He will most certainly charge and

get one of us if we do not get him next time we meet him.’

About 24 to 8 hours after this, we had gone perhaps about 5 miles

from the spot the bison had charged me the day before, and were

proceeding cautiously down a densely wooded slope towards a

stream known as the Bathi Chaung, when I happened to hear a

very faint rustling sound ahead. The noise could have been

made by a pheasant, or a barking deer, moving quietly

through the undergrowth, so slight was it. Drawing Tha Yauk’s

attention to it at once by uttering a faint hiss, I pointed ahead

and there sure enough, some 30 paces off amongst the under-

erowth the black outline of the bull could be clearly seen standing

stock-still head on like a block of black marble, ready to charge,

the moment we reached the bottom of the incline. Poor brute!

I suppose he thought he could not be seen. To let him have

aright and left from the 8-bore Paradox was the work of a moment.

A erash followed the two reports as the grand old beast dashed

away only to collapse when he had reached the other bank of the

Bathi stream some 70 yards away.

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY

Satim ALI.

With Notes by HucH WHISTLER.

Joi JEN

(Continued from page 919 of Volume xxxvi).

FAMILY: PIcIDz.

Dryobates mahrattensis mahrattensis (Latham). The Yellow-fronted Pied

Woodpecker.

Picus mahrattensis Latham, Suppl. Index Orn. (1801), p. xxxi—Mahratta

Country. [Restricted to Belgaum, Stuart Baker Fauna B.I., Birds (2nd. ed.),

vol) -civ,<3p-) 40.

Specimens collected: 56 9, 57 ? 8-10-31, 1381 ¢? 14-10-31 Mananur 2,000

ft.; 893 G 30-11-31 Narsampet 800 ft.; 628 ? juv., 629 G 2-4-32 Utnoor

1,250 ft. he Sparrow Collection has ¢ Q 25-1-11 Jalna.

Elsewhere noted at: Nelipaka, Paloncha, Asifabad, Kaulas, Bhamarvadi.

Iris reddish-brown; bill plumbeous, horny-brown on culmen; mouth. greyish-

pink; legs, feet and claws horny-grey or slate. Im juvenile (No. 628) Iris

brown; bill pale horny-grey, dusky on culmen; mouth pale pink; legs and

feet lavender grey, claws darker.

[The Survey specimens measure as follows:

Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

cine! 24-27 98-103 55-60 15-18 mm.

Q 23.5 100 5Y 18.5 mm.

and therefore belong clearly to the southern and typical form. The blacker

brown and richer red of the lower parts, as compared with north-western

specimens, are also typical. The specimens from Jalna in Col. . Sparrow’s

collection also agree.—H.W. |

The Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker is generally distributed throughout

the State. It is usually met with in pairs frequenting well-wooded country

as well as light deciduous forest, mango-groves and the like, flying from

tree to tree, often alighting on the stem near the ground and scuttling its

way upwards, peering into the crevices of the bark and tapping from time to

time to dislodge lurking insects. It was noted as a common constituent of the

localised forest associations. :

Breeding: On 18 March (Kaulas) a: nest was located in the hollow ‘vertical

branch of a dry tree in open deciduous forest, at a height of about 18 ft.

It contained chicks. The female parent brought a dragonfly; it approached

the hole in a very cautious and circumspect manner, first alighting on distant

branches then hopping across to the stem some way above the entrance-hole

and surreptitiously sliding backwards and downwards to the hollow, uttering

a concerned ‘click, click’ from time to time. I observed identical manoeuvres

in another case also.

No. 628 (2 April) was a juvenile with very imperfectly ossified skull and

was attended by its male parent (No. 629) who carried a grub in his bill. The

testes of the latter—measuring ca. 4x3 mm.—appeared to to be reverting to

non-breeding condition. He had an incubation patch on the abdomen which

suggests that both sexes share in incubation.

Davidson & Wenden (S.F., vii, 78) found this woodpecker common and

breeding in suitable localities in the Deccan. Aitken (N. & E., ii, 306) records

a pair at over 4,000 ft, on Singurh near Poona on 26 May. ,

THER HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 125

Dryobates hardwickii hardwickii (Jerdon). he Pigmy Woodpecker.

Picus (Dendrocopus) hardwicku Jerdon, Madras Jour. Lit. Sci., vol. xi

(1844-1845), p. 188—South India =Goomsoor.

Specimens collected: 58 ¢, 59 Q 8-10-31 Mananur 2,000 ft.; 155 J 17-10-31,

174 9 19-10-31 Farahabad 2,800 ft.; 382 92 26-11-32 Paloncha 300 ft.; 649 ¢

4-4-32 Utnoor 1,250 ft.; 735 ¢G 22-4-32 Bhamarvadi 2,500. ft.

HKlsewhere noted at: Nehpaka, Kaulas, Itchora.

tris pale lemon yellow; bill horny grey, dusky on culmen; mouth greyish-

pink or greyish-magenta; eyelids and skin round eye magenta; legs and teet

dark slate or purplish-brown; claws brown.

| the west- and east-Himalayan forms (nanus and semicoronatus) appear

to me to be specifically distinct to the forms found in the Peninsula, and for

the latter therefore nardwickiit will remain the specific name. ‘Ine genus

Yungiprcus cannot possibly be maintained (see Ticehurst, J.B.N.H.8., xxxiv,

4o¥)—1. W. |

‘nis littte woodpecker inhabits secondary jungle and open deciduous forest,

being met with singty or in paws, usually tne latcer. On the Amrabau Viaveau

1 commonly found 16 among the localised forest associations. Jts actions and

movements are oiten very reminiscent of a Nuthatch. I have noticed it oi

several occasions probing ito the flowers of butea frondosa; a specimen shot

ofi these, however, had no pollen adhering to its bill or feathers. I also

1ound it reeding regularly on the pulp of ‘charol’ drupes (Buchanamia latifolia).

Breeding: On 81 March (Itchora—Utnoor) a juvenile just out of nest was

observed being fed by its parent. From the testes of No. 735 (22 April) it

was apparent that it had finished breeding.

The gonads of the rest of the specimens gave no indication as regards

breeding.

Brachypternus benghalensis Linn. The Golden-backed Woodpecker.

Picus benghalensis Linn., Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. 1 (Jan. 1758), p. 1138—

Bengal.

Specimens collected: 98 ? 11-10-31 Manantr 2,000 ft.; 157 @Q 17-10-51

Farahabad 2,800 ft.; 211 ? 1-11-31 Borgampad 160 ft.; 268 ¢, 269 Q 9-11-31

Nehpaka 160 ft.

Hilsewhere noted at Kaulas, Bhamarvadi.

Jris reddish-brown; bill horny-black; mouth slaty-pink or greyish-pink;

skin round eye sage green; legs and feet greyish leaf-green; claws slate.

[This species is individually very variable in the features on which the

subspecific distinctions are based and only a certain percentage of extreme

specumens can therefore be definitely identified. All five specimens from the

eastern side of Hyderabad are intermediate in character and match equally

well many specimens both of puncticollis and of benghalensis. The upper parts

are richly coloured as in benghalensis; the spotting on the throat is inter-

mediate but more nearly approaches that of puncticollis.—H.W. |

The Golden-backed Woodpecker is fairly common everywhere in Hyderabad

State, being more abundant in some localities than in others. It frequents

gardens and compounds, mango topes, deciduous forest as well as scrub jungle

with small trees, usually in pairs. Its food consists to a great extent of large

black ants (Camponotus compressus ?) which the bird mostly picks off the

trunk and branches of trees, sometimes even from the ground. The stomachs

of two examined contained these insects exclusively. The tongue of a speci-

nen. preserved for morphological examination measured 133 mim.

Breeding: The gonads of all the specimens were in) an undeveloped condi-

tion, but on two occasions (19 and 25 March, Kaulas) a bird was observed

emerging from the same hole in a dry tree-stump at about 12 ft., where it

was apparently breeding.

Chrysocolaptes festivus (Boddaert). The Black-backed Woodpecker.

Picus festivus Boddaert, Table Pl. Enlum. (December 1783) for Pl. Enlum.

696—Goa, India.

No specimen obtained, but Col. Sparrow's collection has a @ (evidently

immature) 19-2-1911 Mirzapalli, Deccan.

i126 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

I came across a paw of these woodpeckers on a thickly afforested hillside

at Bhamarvadi (ca 4,500 ft.) on 23 April. The timbre of its call was easily

distinguishable from that of the Golden-backed species, though the two are

perhaps often confused.

Vidal records it as uncommon in Ratnagiri; Butler (S.F., ix, 385) men-

tions it from Dharwar.

Jynx torquilla torquilla Linn. The Wryneck.

Jynx torquilla Linn., Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. 1 (1758), p. 112-Sweden.

Specimens collected: 246 ?, 23/ @Q 43-11-31 Borgampad 160 ft.; 452 ?

1-14-31, 479 J 16-12-31 Asifabad 1,200 ft.

Hlsewhere noted at: Narsampeét, Mukher, Kamareddi, Bhamarvad..

Jris brown; bill brownish flesh colour; gape yellowish cream; mouth pale

pink; legs and feet greyish leaf-green; claws dusky.

The Wryneck is a common winter visitor to the State. The last seen by

me was on 21 April (Bhamarvadi). It is met with singly or in pairs in open

scrub jungle or about hedges etc. in the neighbourhood of cultivation. It

hops about the ground in search of ants and other insect food remarkably

like a finch, and its general behaviour and flight are also very finch-like. In

Hyderabad I observed that it kept much more to the ground than to trees,

only flying up into them when disturbed, but descending again to feed as soon

as danger was past.

The organs of the specimens were in a quiescent state.

FAMILY: CAPITONIDA.

Thereiceryx zeylonicus (Ginel.). The Green Barbet.

Bucco zeylonicus Gmel., Syst. Nat., vol. i, pt. i (1788), p. 408—Ceylon.

Specimens collected: 27 J 5-11-31 Mananur 2,000 ft.

Klsewhere noted at: Harahabad, Borgampad, Nelipaka, Paloncha, Utnoor.

Tris hazel brown; bill pale orange-red; mouth pale pink; orbital skin

orange, more reddish above eye; legs and feet pale lemon yellow; claws dusky.

[An intermediate specimen. It agrees very closely in colour with Thereiceryx

Z. caniceps, but is too small for that race, having a wing 117.5 mm. Five

males in my collection measure 121.5-125.5 mm.—H.W. ]

This barbet is purely a forest species and common in the forested tracts of

the Telingana, its call of ‘krrrr, ku-troo, ku-troo’ etc. being in many loca-

lities one of the commonest bird voices in the jungle. I did not meet with

it west of a line from Utnooy to Mananuir. Its food consists to a large extent

of Peepal (Ficus religiosa) and Gulair (Ff. glomerata) figs.

The testes of the specimen were undeveloped.

Xantholeema hemacephala indica (isatham). The Crimson-breasted Barbet.

Bucco indicus Latham, Index Orn., vol. i (1790), p. 205—India.

Specimens collected: 80 9, 81 G 10-10-31 Mananur 2,000 ft.; 225 Q

2-11-31 Borgampad 160 ft.

Hlsewhere noted at: Farahabad, Hyderabad City and Environs, Singarenni

Collieries, Nehpaka, Kaulas, Utnoor, Bhamarvadi.

Iris brown; eyelids coral red; bill dark horny-brown or black; mouth pale

pinkish-grey; legs and feet coral red; claws black; soles yellowish.

The Coppersmith is a common and familiar bird throughout the State affect-

ing gardens and groves as well as forest. When the various species of Ficus

are in fruit these birds invariably collect on the trees to feed in company with

Mynas, Green Pigeons and numerous other frugivorous species.

Breeding: The gonads of the specimens were in hon-breeding condition.

On 19 March one was observed feeding young in a nest-hole in a decayed

branch ca 25 feet up in deciduous forest, and another on 22 April was similarly

occupied. In the latter case the chicks—two im number—were three-quarter

fledged. The nest hole was about 12 ft. from the ground. On 20 April a

bird was busy excavating in a dry branch.

Both parents appear to assist in feeding the young.

In Belgaum, Butler took nests from 11 February to 25 March (N. & EH. ii,

332).

THE HYDERABAD STATE OBNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 127

FAMILY: CUCULIDA.

Cuculus canurus or C. micropterus ?

1 constantiy observed some species of cuckoo of a slender build, somewhat

smaller than a Shikra and with longish tail, flying about singly high up over

the Amrabad Plateau. Unfortunately no specimen could be secured; hence its

identity must remain doubtful.

The Sparrow Collection contains a specimen of Cueulus canorus labelled :

Q 22-9-12 Trimulgherry, on which Mr. Whistler comments as follows: ‘This

specimen belongs to the paler type (with the undertail- coverts lightly barred)

which is usually called telephonus. In view, however, of my own experience

that both canorus and telephonus types are found breeding in the same area in

Kashmir territory and EH. V. Kozlova’s opinion (Ibis 1932, 588) that telephonus

cannot be admitted as a valid race, it appears wiser to keep this record under

the typical form.

Hierococcyx varius Vahl. The Common Hawk-Cuckoo.

Hierococcyxs varius Vahl., Skriv. Nat. Selsk. Kjobenhavn, vol. iv (1797),

pt. 1, p. 61—Tranquebar.

Specimens collected: 142 ¢ (mm.) 16-10-31 Farahabad 2,800 ft.; 282 ?

16-11-31 Nelipaka 160 ft. The Sparrow Coll. contains the following: ¢ 31-1-12,

S$ 1-2-12, g¢ 26-2-11 Trimulgherry.

Elsewhere noted at Asifabad, Kandahar, Mukhér, Utnoor, Bhamarvadi.

In adult: Iris orange-yellow; eyelids same; bill greenish-brown, black on

culmen; gape yellow; legs and feet chrome yellow; claws duskier.

In immature: Iris dark grey; eyelids greenish-yellow; bill orange-yellow,

greenish at base of both mandibles; gape and mouth bright lemon yellow; legs,

feet and claws chrome yellow.

The Hawk-Cuckoo or Brain-fever Bird appears to be fairly generally distri-

buted throughout the Dominions. It haunts gardens, mango topes, scrub

jungle and deciduous forest, and is usually met with singly. The flight—a

few rapid wing beats followed by a little sailing—and its habit of shooting

up into the branches of a tree before alighting are exactly like those of the

Shikra (Astur badius). Many small birds are sufficiently taken in by its

appearance to sound the alarm, and I have constantly noted the flutter it

causes among them.

Its monotonous ‘Brain-fever’ call was noted as the earliest bird note at

Bhamarvadi, being frequently heard between 2 and 38 in the morning, and |

sometimes throughout the night.

Breeding: No. 142 (16 October) was one of two immature birds being tend-

ed by a pair of Turdoides s. malabaricus, under which species a fuller account

of them has been given. The clamour of the young sounded like some of the

harsh single notes occasionally uttered by the Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula

krameri).

Cacomantis merulinus passerinus (Vahl). The Indian Plaintive Cuckoo.

Cuculus passermus Vahl, Skriv. Nat. Selsk.. Kjobenhavn, vol. iv, pt. i

(1797), p. 57—Tranquebar.

Specimens collected: 90 dG 11-10-31 Mananur 2,000 ft.; 249 ¢ 5-11-31

Borgampad 160 ft. The Sparrow Coll. contains the following: ¢ 30-11-10,

¢@Q 16-6-11 Trimulgherry.

Elsewhere noted at Hyderabad City and Environs, Narsampet, Kandahar.

Iris bright orange-red in No. 90, khaki in 249; bill horny-brown, tinged

with orange-red at base of lower mandible in 90, greenish-brown in 249; gape

and mouth bright orange-red (brick-colour) in 90, gape yellow, mouth pale

yellowish brick-red in 249; legs and feet brownish-yellow; claws dark brown;

soles bright orange-yellow; eyelids in 90 bright orange-red.

The Plaintive Cuckoo is a generally distributed and common species through-

out the area. It keeps, usually singly, to gardens, groves and open scrub

country near cultivation. Its call of several notes Peee-pi-pee-peee, pi-pee-pece

or just pi-pee, pi-pee is a familiar sound in Hyderabad gardens and is usually

uttered from some exposed part of a tree. When calling, the bird’s tail remains

depressed, the rump is slightly arched and the wings often droop at the sides.

i398 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVI

The stomach of one contained remains of a grasshopper and many red bugs

(Coccmelid?). It sometimes descends to the ground and hops a few steps after

insects, and I have also observed one catching red bugs in mid-air atter the

inanner of a flycatcher.

Breeding: ‘Lhe organs of the specimens were in an undeveloped condition.

Gn 23 Uctober (Sairabad) a juvenile was observed being fed and fussed over

by a pair of Ashy Wren-Warblers (Prinia socialis) (see note). ‘lhe imposter

was fully fledged and .able to fly about. ‘The ‘cheeps’ it uttered when clamour-

ing to pe fed were low and teeble such as one would expect from a much

smaller bird. While in the act of being fed it uttered .a long excited cheeping

noise. In Hyderabad City and immediate environs this Cuckoo usually lays in

the nests of Prinia socialis, while a few miles outside, the Tailor Burd (Orthoto-

mus sutorius) is the common fosterer. In both these cases, as shown by the

remarkable series collected by Mr. R. K. Burnett, the colouration of its eggs

has evolved in such a way as to bring avout a close resemblance to those of

the fosterers in the two different: areas.

Fairbank (S8.F., iv, 255) records the Piaintive Cuckoo from Ahmednagar and

the. Goa Frontier. According to Vidal (Butler, S.F., ix, 388) it is common

during the rains in many parts of the south, especially in the forest tracts

west of Belgaum as far west as Vengurla, less common northwards. He

noticed it at Satara and considers it rare at Ratnagiri.

Penthoceryx sonneratii sonneratii Latham. The Indian Bay-banded Cuckoo.

Penthoceryx sonneratu Latham, Index Orn., vol. 1 (1790), p. 215—India.

Specimen collected: 572 ¢G 18-38-32 Kaulas 1,400 ft.

Hlsewhere not noted.

' Iris brown; bill horny-black, olive-grey at base of lower mandible; legs and

feet greyish-green; claws horny brown.

The above was a solitary bird among overgrown fort ruins, hunting insects

in the same manner as the Plaintive Cuckoo. It was silent.

The testes measured da 4x2 mm. and appeared to be developing.

From neighbouring areas, Fairbank (S.F., iv, 255) records it from Khan-

dala on the Ghats, and Butler (S.F., ix, 388) from Belgaum.

Clamator jacobinus (Boddaert). The Pied Crested Cuckoo.

* Cuculus jacobinus Boddaert, Tabl. Pl. Enlum (1783), p. 58 for Pl. Enl. 872—

Coromandel Coast.

Specimens collected: 343 Q, 344 g 20-11-31 Paloncha 300 ft. The Sparrow

Coll. contains the following : G (ad.) 23-10-10, ¢ (imm.) 5-12-10, 9 (mm)

P1250; © (ad.) 13-610, OF (ad) 5-610.

Elsewhere noted at: “Hyderabad City and Environs, Mananur, Borgampad,

Khuldabad and Vizaptr (Aurangabad Dist. 18-31 October 1924).

Last seen 20 November (Paloncha).

In No. 848: Iris brown; bill horny-black, lemon-yellow at chin; mouth

pale yellowish pink; legs and feet slaty-grey; claws black. In 344: gape and

basal two-thirds of lower mandible lemon-yellow; mouth: inside both mandibles

bright yellow; palate and gullet livid pink.

[The two races depend entirely on measurements. A small series of adults

(2 ¢¢- wing 144 mm., 3 @Q wing 145-154 mm.) collected in Hyderabad

suggests that they are closer to the small race taprobanus than to the larger

typical race, and the dates tend to corroborate this. Tor the present therefore

it is advisable to leave the name binomial.—H.W. |]

The Pied Crested Cuckoo is probably a rainy season migrant into the

Hyderabad State as it is in neighbouring areas. It frequents gardens, groves

and the neighbourhood of cultivaion and is usually met with either singly or

in pairs. I found it silent on the whole and the birds had probably finished

breeding by then. It is fond of hunting among low’ bushes and scrub close

to the ground.

The specimens were a pair, the only ones seen in the locality, and also

the last to be met with by the Survey. Their gonads were undeveloped and

they were im worn brownish immature plumage although their skulls ‘Atmeiuelniea

no indication as regards juvenescence.

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 129

At Kihim in the Kolaba Dist. of North Konkan, where also it is a rainy

season immigrant, I observed a pair in copula on 16 August. About this

time the birds were busy foisting their eggs on Bombay Babblers (Turdoides

s. somervillei) and I recovered a fully formed egg from the oviduct of a

female shot on 29 August.

Eudynamis scolopaceus scolopacess (Linn.). The Iloel.

Cuculus scolopaceus Linn., Syst. Nat. ed. x (1758), vol. i, p. 111—Bengal.

Specimen collected: 165 Q 18-10-31 Farahabad 2,800 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Hyderabad City, Achampet, Mananur, Borgampad,

Mukhéer, Utnoor, Aurangabad, Bhamarvadi.

Iris brownish-red; bill pale sea-green, dusky on culmen; legs and _ feet

slaty-blue; claws dusky.

The Koel is generally distributed in the State, but I did not find it really

abundant anywhere. Before 19 January it was noted as quite silent but there-

after its crescendo Koo-00, koo-oo etc. was increasingly heard, till about the

end of April it was heard on all sides, being also one of the earliest bird

voices in the morning. Koels were regularly observed feeding on ripe Peepal

and Banyan figs in mixed avian company.

The ovaries of the specimen were in non-breeding condition. Davidson &

Wenden (8.F., vii, 79) considered the Koel common in the Deccan in the

rains and breeding then. According to Butler (S.F’., 1x, 389) it is a permanent

resident in some of the Deccan districts though locally common throughout

the region, especially in Belgaum and Ratnagiri etc. where he found it very

abundant. The same writer took eggs in Belgaum from 13 April to 15 May

CIN2e co) Ey , o00-0)).

In the neighbourhood of Bombay and about Kihim in the Kolaba district

(N. Konkan) the principal laying season seems to be June and July, synchron-

ising with the breeding of the House-Crow (Corvus splendens) in whose nests

most of the eggs are deposited.

Rhopedytes viridirostris (Jerdon). The Small Green-billed Malkoha.

Zanclostomus viridirostris Jerdon, Madr. Jour. Lit. Sci., vol. xi (1840),

p. 223—Coonoor.

Specimens collected: 97 ¢ 11-10-31 Mananur 2,000 ft.; 359 dg 28-11-31

Paloncha 300. ft.

Elsewhere noted at Borgampad.

Iris dark brown; loose crinkled orbital skin greenish-grey in 97, sky-blue

in 859; bill sea-green, paler in 97, richer in 359; palate sea-green, gullet slaty-

black; legs and feet olive-slate; claws dusky.

This Cuckoo was met with singly, in scrub and secondary jungle, and

usually kept to low bushes and _ trees.

Breeding: The testes jof the specimen were undeveloped. Davidson &

Wenden (8.I’., vii, 79) who considered it tolerably common in the jungles about

Nulwar, took a nest with two eggs there in July.

Other breeding records from neighbourhing areas are as follows: A clutch

of two eggs on 10 March near Wandiwash in North Arcot (Cardew); another

clutch of two eggs in the granite hills N.-H. of Nulwar station in the middle

of July (Wenden) (N. & E., u1, 399).

Butler (5.F., ix, 389) considered this a resident species and not uncommon

in the Deccan and Southern Mahratta country. He describes it occurring

in the jungles about Belgaum, Ratnagiri and Nulwar.

Taccocua leschenaultii leschenauitii Lesson. The Southern Sirkeer Cuckoo.

Taccocua leschenaultti Lesson, Traite d’Orn. (May 9, 1830), p. 144—L’Inde.

Specimens collected: 592 9 22-38-32, 596 9 23-3-82 Kaulas 1,850 ft. The

Sparrow Coll. contains Q 22-12-? Trimulgherry.

Elsewhere noted at: Malegaon (Nander Dist., Mrs. Tasker !), Kandahar,

Kannad, Bhamarvadi, Utnoor.

Tris brown; bill magenta-crimson, yellow at tips of both mandibles and brown

on commissure; mouth slaty- or brownish-black; legs and feet horny plumbeous ;

claws duskier.

i30 ~JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, VO DIO ALE

Excepting just once at Utnoor, I met this bird only in the drier portions

of the State—the Mahrattwada. It inhabits open, broken, lightly-wooded or

scrub-covered hillsides, and was on the whole shy. Jrequently, when followed

up, it alights on the ground and escapes by running over the loose stones and

dodging round the bushes at great speed, with lowered head and horizontally

held tail.

Davidson & Wenden (S.F., vii, 79) recorded this species as common in the

Nulwar jungles and also in the bare hills at Satara. They secured a specimen

at Lanaoli in the Ghats. Vidal obtained a few specimens and eggs in Ratna-

giri, and Jerdon procured specimens at Jalna (Butler, S.F., 1x, 389).

Breeding: No. 592 (22 March) had the ovarian follicles developed to ca.

3 mm. in diameter, and the testes of No. 596 (283 March) measured 5X3 mm.

The birds at this period had paired off and it was apparent that they were

preparing to breed. The behaviour of a pair on 23 April (Bhamarvadi) also

suggested that they were breeding.

Centropus sinensis parroti Stresemann. ‘The Southern Crow-pheasant.

Centropus sinensis parroti Stresemann, Nov. Zool., vol. xx (1913), p. 3823—

Ceylon. )

Specimen collected: 642 G 3-4-82 Utnoor 1,250 ft. The Sparrow Coll.

contains: @Q 10-1-11 Limbgaon, Deccan @Q 20-2-11 Masaipet, Deccan.

Elsewhere noted at: Mananur, Borgampad, Asifabad, Kandahar, Auranga-

bad, Bhamarvadi, Hyderabad City & Environs.

Tris crimson; bill, legs, feet and claws black. 7 ae

A common species throughout the State, affecting scrub jungle, light deci-

duous forest and the neighbourhood of cultivation, usually singly or in pairs.

Besides the familiar Ook-ook-ook call, it has a large variety of harsh croaks

and chuckles.

The stomach of the specimen contained one large locust and other unidenti-

fiable insect remains. Its testes were small and gave no indication as regards

the breeding season.

FamMiIty: PsiItTTaAcIDé.

Psittacula ewpatria eupatria (L.). The Large Indian Paroquet.

Psittacus cupatria Linn., Syst. Nat., ed. x (1766), p. 140—Guingee.

Specimens collected: 129 G 14-10-31 Manantr 2,000 ft.; 176 g 19-10-31

Farahabad 2,800 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Borgampad, Pakhal Lake, Asifabad, Kaulas, Utnoor.

Iris lemon-yellow; eyelids orange-yellow; bill scarlet, orange-red at tips and

darker on culmen; legs and feet dirty yellow; claws slate.

[The above two males have wings 214 and 215 mm. respectively and the

beak is less massive than in nipalensis.—H.W. |

The Large Indian Paroquet was commonest on the Amrabad Plateau, a

locality which for some obscure reason has become famous popularly for its

wonderful variety of parrots! Actually, I found no others besides this and the

next two species, none of which happen to be confined to this neighbourhood.

This species keeps in small parties of four to ten birds, and I found it much

less destructive to jowari and other crops than the other parakeets. On the

Amrabad Plateau it usually kept to the forest and was seldom seen in culti-

vated country except when flying across from one patch of jungle to another.

Its cry is deeper and more ‘sedate’ than that of the Rose-ringed species.

The testes of the specimens were in non-breeding condition.

Psittacula krameri manillensis (Bechst.). The Rose-ringed Paroquet.

Paleorns manillensis Bechst., Stubenvogel (1794), p. 612—Ceylon.

Specimens collected: 25 ¢ 5-10-31 Mananur 2,000 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Singarenni Collieries, Borgampad, Pakhal Lake, Asi-

fabad, Kandahar, Mukhér, Utnoor, Kaulas, Nirmal, Ellora, Aurangabad, Hydera-

bad City & Environs.

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 131

Iris greyish-blue; eyelids bright orange; bill scarlet, brownish on commis-

sure and brownish-black on tips; mouth pale flesh pink; legs, feet and claws

grey.

This is the commonest paroquet in the Dominions, and one of the most

destructive individual bird species to ripening crops. I frequently observed

flocks of hundreds in jowari fields. It also does much damage to fruit gardens

and has practically no compensating virtues. It is a constant attendant on the

blossoms of Butea frondosa and Hrythrina indica, but even here its value as

an agent in their cross-pollination is doubtful. Mhowa flowers when in season,

also form a substantial part of its dietary. The birds may frequently be seen

at wayside railway stations clinging to bags of grain awaiting shipment, biting

into them and helping themselves to the contents.

Breeding: The organs of the specimen were in an undeveloped condition.

On 26 April, numbers were observed occupying holes in the scarp of rock

at the back of Kailasa Cave at Ellora, but whether they were actually, breed-

ing at the time it is difficult to say. On 14 April the same was noted of

several birds in holes in buildings in Aurangabad City.

Davidson & Wenden (S8.F., vii, 78) who also found it common in the Deccan,

say that it breeds in December, January and February. Butler (N. & E.,

ii, 86) took clutches of 8 and 4 eggs at Belgaum on December 28 and 381 and

on February 3 and 23.

Psittacula cyanocephala cyanccephala (..). The Blossom-headed Paroquet.

Psittacus cyanocephalus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. xi (176), p. 141, No.

10—India orientale=Gingee.

Specimens collected: 164 9 18-10-31 Farahabad 2,800 ft.; 467 ¢ 14-12-31

Asifabad 1,200 ft.; 626 ¢§ 1-4-82 Utnoor 1,250 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Mananur, Borgampad, fPaloncha, Pakhal Lake,

Kannad, Bhamarvadi.

3 Iris outer ring cream colour, inner khaki; bill, upper mandible orange

with paler tip, lower mandible brownish-black; legs and feet greenish-grey ;

claws plumbeous. Q iris lemon yellow; bill yellow, dusky at sides and tip

of lower mandible; legs and feet pale grey; claws dusky; mouth pale fleshy

grey.

A generally distributed and fairly common species, though more confined

to wooded country. On the Amrabad Plateau it is a scourge to the cultivator

and does great damage to ripening jowari crops, being assisted in its ravages

by the Rose-ringed Paroquet. I have frequently seen flocks of between two

and four hundred birds in this locality.

The flight of these paroquets is very swift, and flocks on the wing turn

and twist their way through the stems of trees in the forest with astonishing

agility and orderliness, uttering a shrill interrogatory tooi? or tooi-tooi? This

peculiar call and the yellow tail-tip which is conspicuous in flight make their

identity unmistakable.

Besides grain, I found their food to consist largely of Ficus figs and the

small black drupes of Zizyphus oenoplia. Mhowa and Butea flowers are also

eaten and a specimen shot off the latter had a quantity of pollen adhering to

its throat feathers.

This bird appears to be a resident in some parts of its range while in

others it is only a seasonal visitor; its status in the Hyderabad State is un-

certain. It is said by Davidson & Wenden (8.F., vii, 78) to be an abundant

resident in the Satara District, but in the Sholapoor District to be apparently

more of a rains visitor. Fairbank (S.F., iv, 255) also states that it is common

along the Sahyadris but visits the Deccan plains in flocks only at some seasons.

According to Butler (S.F., ix, 384) most retire to the Ghats to breed. Aitken

(N. & E., iii, 88) records its arriving in flocks about the middle of June in

Berar, after an absence of several months.

Breeding: The gonads of the specimens were in non-breeding condition,

but on 31 March (Utnoor) a pair werg observed in courtship, immediately after

which the female entered a hole in a dead tree at about 12 feet (deciduous

forest) whence she could be dislodged only after much knocking. On 12 April also

132. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

a pair was noted in courtship on the wall of the ruined fort at Nirmal, and

the birds appeared to be breeding in one of the numerous holes there.

According to Davidson & Wenden (S.F., vii, 78) it breeds in the plains of

the Satara District in December and on the Ghats in March.

FAMILY: CORACIIDA.

Coracias benghalensis indica Linn. The Indian Roller.

Coracias indica Linn., Syst. Nat., ed. xii, vol. i (1766), p. 159—Ceylon.

Specimens collected: 3867 ¢, 368 S 24-11-31 Paloncha 300 ft. The Sparrow

Coll. contains ¢ 1-11-10, ¢ 25-11-10, ¢ 16-1-18 Trimulgherry.

Elsewhere noted at: Hyderabad City Environs, Mananur, Kazipet, Bor-

gampad, Nelpaka, Asifabad, Kandahar, Utnoor, Aurangabad. .

Iris pale brown; eyelids dull orange; bill brownish-black; mouth sulphur

yellow and pink; legs and feet dirty brownish-yellow; claws black.

[The Survey specimens as well as those in Col. Sparrow’s collection and

an unsexed Hyderabad specimen of Gould’s in the British Museum are in-

distinguishable in colour from the Ceylon race and also agree in measurements

with the Ceylon bird.—H. W. |

The Roller is a common and familiar bird (resident?) of cultivated and

open country throughout the State. At Utnoor (April) it was found to be

abundant in the leafless deciduous forest, the attraction no doubt being the

suitable nesting sites afforded by holes in the dry trees. The birds as a rule

are met with singly or in pairs, perched on posts, stakes or hedges near fields,

whence they descend to the ground now and again to pick up an insect, return-

ing with the morsel to the same perch or flying lazily across to another in

the vicinity. Like the Drongo, they appear to be wholly beneficial to agri-

culture, and their destruction for the sake of their showy plumes (which I

unfortunately often observed) should be severely penalised.

Breeding: The testes of the specimens were in a quiescent state. By the

beginning of March courtship displays had become common. In_ these, the

male usually rises perpendicularly to some height in the air to the accompani-

ment of hoarse cries, and describes a series of wave-crests, his glorious plumage

flashing in the sun. The axis of the body, held vertical till the crest is reached

is thereupon suddenly reversed so that the bill which was formerly pointing

skywards now points to the ground. In this manner the bird shoots down

with closed wings about the same distance he had mounted, and after a few

repetitions of this stunt returns to his perch on the top of some tree or other

exposed situation. Much the same sort of display is indulged in by the Black-

bellied Finch-Lark also.

From about this time on, pairs were observed appropriating suitable holes

in dry trees as nesting sites and chasing off kites, crows and other birds that

transgressed into their territories, with loud raucous screams and much bluster.

Between 1 and 10 April, it was commonly found to be breeding in holes in

trees in the deciduous forest about Utnoor.

Aitken (N. & K., i, 54) found it very common in Berar and also nesting

there in May, and in the face of the evidence we have it is difficult to under-

stand the statement of Davidson & Wenden (S.F., vu, 77) that it does not

breed in the ‘Deccan’ (by which presumably they meant the Bhima Valley).

Famity: MerROoOpIDz.

Merops orientalis orientalis Latham. The Common Indian Bee-eater.

Merops orientalis Latham, Ind. Orn. Suppl. (801), pl. xxxui—Mahratta

Country.

Specimens collected: 634 ¢ 2-4-82 Utnoor 1,250 ft.; 701 @ 16-4-82 Kannad

2,000 ft.

Hilsewhere noted at: Hyderabad City & Environs, Manantr, Singarenni

Colhieries, Borgampad, Narsampét, Asifabad, Kandahar, Kaulas, Aurangabad,

Nirmal and Bhamarvadi. Also at Malegaon (Nander Dist.) and Khulabad

(Aurangabad Dist.) by Mrs. Tasker.

Tris scarlet or brownish-crimson; bill brownish-black; mouth pink; legs and

feet yellowish-brown; claws horny brown.

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 133

The status of this bird im Hyderabad seems to be partly resident and partly

winter visitor. Although some numbers remain the whole year round and

breed, a marked influx from outside was noted from the end of September

and in the first half of October. From this time on, upto the end of February

or thereabouts, the Bee-eater was very common all over the country. 'There-

after there was again a noticeable diminution in their numbers and what

remained behind had mostly paired off.

Large numbers assemble to roost in the evenings on selected trees, and

much noise and bustle prevails before the birds finally retire for the night.

Every now and again the whole concourse rises in the air and after circling

round in a confused rabble to the accompaniment of much ‘trilling’ the birds

gradually settle down once more. ‘These manoeuvres are repeated several times

before quiet is restored. They are late risers and may frequently be seen hud-

dled together in groups on the branches of a tree with their heads tucked away

under their wings and fast asleep till after the sun is well up. I frequently |

observed them capturing and eating dragonflies.

Davidson & Wenden (S.F., vii, 77) found this species common and breeding

in the Deccan. According to Aitken (N. & E., ii, 61) they disappear in the

hot weather from Poona, which I have also noticed to be the case with the

large majority of Bee-eaters in and around Bombay.

Breeding: The testes of both the specimens (2 and 16 April) appeared to

be developing. They measured ca. 5X3 mm. On 21 April a pair had cheeping

young in the side of a pit in the D.S.P.’s garden near the Aurangabad Jail.

Other birds, from their behaviour, also appeared to be breeding about this

time.

Merops superciliosus javanicus Horsf. The Blue-tailed Bee-eater.

Merops javanicus Horsf., Trans. Linn. Soc. vol. xii, pt. 1 (May 1821), p. 171

—Java.

No specimen obtained.

I am unable to say whether this bird is just a passage migrant over Hyder-

abad State or whether some birds actually winter in this area. In the course

of the Survey I only came across a small party of 3 or 4 birds at the foot of

the Amrabad Ghat on 4 October. The only other record I have for the area

is a flock of about 12 birds seen at Saifabad (Hyderabad City) between 5 and

11 October, 1925.

Davidson got a young specimen near Pundharptr in October and_ states

(S.F., vil, 77) that they are not common in the Deccan (Bhima Valley) and

appear only in the cold season. Fairbank (S.F., iv, 254) seems to have met

with it only once at Ahmednagar.

The flight of the Blue-tailed Bee-eater seems much swifter and the swoops

more graceful than those of the smaller species, while its call notes are lower

in key and easily distinguishable from those of the Common Bee-eater, but

very similar to those of the next species.

Melittophagus erythrccephalus erythrocephalus (Gmel.). The Chestnut-headed

Bee-eater.

Merops erythrocephalus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. i, pt. i (1788), p. 463—

India orientale.

Specimens collected: 277 Q 9-11-31, 337 Q 17-11-31 Nelipaka 160 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Paloncha Hill, Pakhal Lake.

Iris brownish-orange or scarlet; bill black; mouth pink; legs and _ feet

brownish-slate; claws black.

Small flocks of the Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, usually of 4-8 birds, were

seen in forest in the above localities, launching graceful sallies after winged

insects and circling back to their perches on the bare upper branches of forest

trees. I found their call notes indistinguishable from those of the Blue-tailed

species.

: The ovaries of the specimens showed no departure from the normal non-

breeding condition.

Fairbank (S.F., iv, 254) met with this Bee-eater on the sides and bases

of the Goa and Savantvadi Hills, and Butler (S8.F'., 1x, 382) noticed it on the

Amboli Ghat west of Belgaum,

1IBf JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL Has i SOC IBIS WVioln: XOXexGyAle

FAMILY: ALCEDINIDZA.

Ceryle rudis leucomelanura Reichenbach. The Indian Pied Kingfisher.

Ceryle leucomelanura Reichenbach, Handb. Alced. (1851), p. 21—Ceylon.

Specimen collected: 528 ¢ 9-38-32 Mukhér 1,350 ft.

Hlsewhere noted at: Hyderabad City and Environs, Kazipet, Dornakal,

Borgampad, Narsampét, Asifabad, Kandahar.

ae brown; bill, legs, feet and claws horny-black; mouth pale yellowish-

pink.

A common resident species, almost invariably present about tanks and

streams, usually in pairs. The hovering, which is such a spectacular habit of

this Kingfisher, is invariably done against the wind, the bird taking full ad-

vantage of the resistance. Occasionally the bird has to wheel right round to

do this.

Breeding: The testes of the specimen were undeveloped, but on 22 March

a nest was dug up in the bank of a stream at Kaulas, about 12 inches above

water level, with a tunnel about 3 feet long. It contained 4 newly-hatched

chicks and one cracked egg. Inspite of the excavation, the parents continued to

feed the young. A fresh fish, one inch long, was found in the nest.

Davidson & Wenden (S.F., vu, 77) found this Kingfisher common in the

Deccan (Bhima Valley) and apparently breeding at all seasons except the

very hot months. Aitken (N. & EH., in, 10) took a clutch of 6 eggs at Akola

(Berar) at the end of January or thé beginning of February.

Alcedo atthis bengalensis Gmelin. The Common Indian Kingfisher.

Alcedo bengalensis Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. i, pt. 1 (1788), p. 450—Bengal.

Specimens collected: 518 Q 7-3-82 Mukhér 1,350 ft.; 662 92 6-4-32 Utnoor

1,250 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Nelipaka, Dornakal, Pakhal Lake, Asifabad, Kanda-

har, Nirmal, Kannad.

Iris brown; bill, upper mandible brown, gape and lower mandible bright

orange; mouth orange-brick; legs and feet like lower mandible but brighter;

claws dusky.

This little Kingfisher is a resident species and commonly found in the neigh-

bourhood of streams, pools, flooded borrow-pits and even wells. It is usually

solitary except in the breeding season when pairs is the rule. I definitely

failed to meet with it at Manantr and Farahabad.

Breeding: No. 518 (7 March) had the ovaries in a quiescent state, while

in 662 (6 April) the follicles measured ca. 1 mm. in diameter, and were

apparently maturing. On 12 April (Nirmal) a brood of 4 fully-fledged chicks

was observed at a roadside pool being tended by one of the parents who

brought them small fish. The bill, legs and feet of the young were horny-

brown, the latter tinged with red.

Davidson & Wenden (S.F., vii, 77) found this species fairly common and

breeding in the Bhima Valley. They took a nest at Satara in June. Bruce

took clutches of 5 and 6 eggs respectively on 15 March at Rahuri (Ahmednagar)

and Butler a clutch of 4 hard-set eggs on 22 August and another of 7 eggs on

3 September (N. & E., ui, 2-8).

Ramphalcyon capensis (Linn.) ssp.?. The Brown-headed Stork-billed King-

fisher.

Alcedo capensis Linn., Syst. Nat., ed. xn, vol. i (1766), p. 180—Cape of

Good Hope in errore=Java.

No specimens obtained.

Noted at Pakhal Lake, Asifabad and Utnoor.

This large kingfisher is entirely a forest species, keeping to heavily shaded

and overgrown forest streams either singly or in widely separated pairs. Its

chattering call or ‘laugh’—ke-ke-ke-ke-ke-ke 1s somewhat like that of the White-

breasted species but louder and more raucous. I have an unconfirmed note

that one was heard at Saifabad on 19 and 20 January.

Fairbank (S.F., iv, 254) found it once near Mahableshwar and Mr. Laird

(S.F., ix, 382) obtained it in the forests west of Belgaum,

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 135

Halcyon smyrnensis (Linn.) subspecies? The White-breasted Kingfisher.

Alcedo smyrnensis Linn., Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. 1 (1758), p. 116—Africa

and Asia.

No specimens obtained.

A common, familiar and generally distributed species met with both near

and away from water in deciduous forest, scrub country and cultivation. Its

food seems to consist more of insects than of fishes and frogs. On one

occasion I saw it carry off a day-old chick of the Red-wattled Lapwing.

Davidson & Wenden (8.F., vii, 77) describe it as very abundant in the

Deccan (Bhima Valley) and breeding there in March and April. Fairbank

(S.F., iv, 254) and Butler (S.F'., ix, 382) also found it common and generally

distributed and a resident everywhere.

In the neighbourhood of Bombay (N. Konkan) I have taken eggs in the

first half of May.

FAMILY: BUCEROTIDZ.

Hydrocissa matabaricus (Gmelin). The Malabar Pied Hornbill.

Buceros malabaricus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol, 1 (1788), p. 359—Malabar.

No specimens obtained.

I came across this Hornbill only at Borgampad in the Godavari Forest Belt

on the extreme eastern boundary of the State. A flock of 6 birds was met

three days in succession in a patch of riverain jungle on the banks of the

Kinarsani River. They were extremely wary and kept to the tops of the loftiest

trees, feeding on a species of Ficus figs. Their loud harsh call was also once

heard subsequently at Nelipaka (10 November).

Teckus birostris (Scopoli). The Common Grey Hornbill. Telugu: Supanati.

Buceros birostris Scopoli, Del. Flor. et. Faun. Insubr., vol. 11 (1786), p. 87

—Coromandel.

Specimen collected: 551 ¢ 15-3-82 Deglir 1,300 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Mananur, Farahabad, Borgampad, Paloncha, Mukher,

Utnoor, Aurangabad, Kannad, Bhamarvadi.

Iris bright brownish-orange; bill slaty-black on basal portion including

casque, creamy-white on culmen, tips and most of lower mandible; mouth:

palate pale yellowish-flesh, gullet dark slate; legs and feet slaty-black; claws

black.

A commonly distributed species usually met with in pairs or small parties

in light deciduous forest or open country about villages and cultivation, wher-

ever there is a sprinkling of Ficus trees in fruit. Among a mixed gathering

of birds feeding on ripe Banyan figs near Mananur village, as many as thirty

of these Hornbills were counted. It has a shrill alarm whistle ‘wheee’ by

which the assembly is apprised of the approach of danger. It soon breaks up

into small parties which fly off in different directions in follow-my-leader

fashion. The flight, typical of the hornbills, consists of a few laboured wing

beats followed by intervals of sailing.

The stomach of the specimen contained Banyan figs (Ficus bengalensis)

exclusively.

Breeding: The testes of the specimen were enlarged to 16x10 mm. and

the bird was evidently preparing to breed. I presume that it was not actually

breeding at that date from the fact that it was one of a party moving about

in a mango grove near Deglur town.

A single male was seen in a grove of large mango trees at Kannad (16 April)

from whose behaviour it appeared that he might have his mate on a nest in

the neighbourhood.

Davidson & Wenden (8.F., vu, 78) record it as moderately numerous in

suitable places in the Deccan i.e. principally the Bhima Valley.

Famity: UPpupipz.

Upupa epops ceylonensis Reichenbach. 'The Ceylon Hoopoe.

Upupa ceylonensis Reichenbach, Handb, spec. Orn., Scans. (1853), p. 320,—-

Ceylon, :

136 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL Hist. SOCIETY Volk XoCxC Vt

Upupa epops orientalis Stuart Baker. The Indian Hoopoe.

Upupa epops orientalis Stuart Baker, Bull. B.O.C., xli (29 November 1921),

p. 29—India.

Specimens collected: 124 9 18-10-81 Manantr 2,000 ft.; 850 ¢, 351 ¢

21s Paloncha, 300) ft. = oor >) Gime) ll9-3232 7 KMalashelsa > Ome than 02a ©

(amm.,) 16-4-82 Kannad 2,000 ft.

Hlsewhere noted at: Hyderabad City & Environs, Kandahar, Mukher, Ut-

noor, Nirmal.

Tris brown; bill horny-brown or horny-black, paler (flesh colour) at gape

and base of lower mandible; mouth pale flesh; legs and feet greyish- or slaty-

brown.

[Nos. 124, 576 and 702 belong to the small dark resident form ceylonensis

without the white at the end of the crest. Nos. 350 and 851 are of the north

Indian form orientalis, evidently a winter visitor to Hyderabad. 'This probably

is the epops of some records.—H.W. |

The Hoopoe affects open country in the neighbourhood of cultivation and

villages as well as scrub jungle and light deciduous forest. It is usually met

with in pairs which are often much separated when feeding on the ground.

It probes amongst fallen leaves and in the earth with the bill partly open

like a pair of forceps. The crest is erected and opened out fanwise upon

alighting after every short flight. It runs about on the ground on its short

legs with a quail-hke but somewhat waddling gait, at times quite fast.

Breeding: About the beginning of March, I noticed that the males had

begun calling their distinctive Hoo-po or Hoo-po-po ete. on every side. While

uttering this, the head jerks forward as if the bird was barking, and the

crest is erected and depressed from time to time. No. 576 (19 March) was

a juvenile with imperfectly ossified skull, while 702 (16 April) was shghtly

older having the unossified portion confined only to the centre of the skull.

According to Burgess (N. & E., u, 335) the Hoopoe (presumably U. e.

ceylonensis) breeds in the Deccan in the middle of April and in May. Butler

(N .& E., ii, 336) took a nest with young on 31 March at Belgaum.

Famity: TROGONIDE.

Harpactes fasciatus (Pennant) subspecies? The (Malabar?) Trogon.

Trogon fasciatus Pennant, Ind. Zool. (1769), pl. iv

No specimen obtained.

On 12 October (1931) in mixed bamboo jungle on the hillside leading up to

Mahéswara Plateau (Amrabad) I caught a fleeting glimpse of a bird that

almost certainly was this Trogon. This was the only occasion when I came

across the species in Hyderabad State. It was unfortunately not possible to

secure the specimen, but it doubtless belonged to the form malabaricus of

Gould.

Regarding the distribution of this bird in the Southern Mahratta Country

Butler (S.F., ix, 881) states that it is resident, occurring sparingly in most

of the well-wooded tracts along the Sahyadris and in the forest tract west of

Belgaum; that it is not uncommon in Kanara and that Fairbank obtained it

in the woods of Savantvadi and at the base of the Goa Hills.

Bingham (N. & E., ii, 341) took a nest with eggs about the middle of May

on the Ram Ghat between Belgaum and Vingorla.

Ceylon.

FamMiIty: MiIcROPID-.

Micropus melba (Linn.) ssp? The Alpine Swift.

Hirundo melba Linn., Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. 1 (Jan. 1758), p. 192—

Gibraltar.

No specimen obtained.

Several of these magnificent birds were constantly observed flying about the

escarpment and hills at Outram Ghat (Bhamarvadi) 2,500 ft., overlooking

Chalisgaon and the Khandesh Plains (18-24 April).

Davidson & Wenden (S.F., vii, 77) described it as a permanent resident

in Satara, and Davidson thought that it bred about the cliffs and on old build-

ings in the fort there. As far as I know this has never been confirmed,

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 137

Butler (S.F., ix, 879) records it only as a cold weather visitor to Deccan

and the Southern Mahratta Country being common all along the Ghats where

if roosts, going by day to feed over the plains.

McMaster (N. & E., ui, 21) is said to have observed several swifts, appa-

rently this species, at Gawilgarh and Chiklada (Berar) at ca. 3,700 ft. in

April and May which appeared to be breeding on the cliffs. This also lacks

confirmation.

Micropus affinis affinis (Gray). The Common Indian Swift.

Cypselus affinis Gray, Illustr. Ind. Zool., vol. i (March 1880), pl. 35, fig. 2

—Bengal as known to the EH. I. Co.

Specimen collected: 517 SG 7-3-3832 Mukhér 1,350 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Hyderabad City & Environs, Manantr, Kandahar.

Kamareddi Railway Station, Kannad, Elloraé Caves, Khildabad (Aurangabad

Dist.).

Iris brown; bill horny-black; mouth pink; legs and feet pinky brown; claws

horny-black.

The Common Swift is a familiar bird in Hyderabad City and in most

other towns in the Dominions. It is invariably to be met wherever old forts,

mosques, bridges and buildings with porticos are present to furnish suitable

nesting sites. Large disorderly gatherings may frequently be seen in the

evenings wheeling round high up in the air uttering their shrill joyous ‘screams’

and quite obviously sporting themselves.

Breeding: On 10 October a pair commenced building under the ceiling of

the Dak Bungalow verandah at Mananur, but deserted after 2 or 3 days. On

10 February T observed many nests being ‘built under eaves etc. of the Osmania

General Hospital in Hyderabad City. The testes of the specimen (7 March)

measured ca. 7X4 mm. and suggested breeding, although curiously enough as

in the case of Passer domesticus recorded above, the skull clearly indicated

by two soft patches in the centre that the bird was not yet fully adult.

Davidson & Wenden (8.F., vil, 77) found it common everywhere in the

Deccan (Bhima Valley) and about Ahmednagar; also Fairbank (S.F., iv, 254)

recorded it as abundant. On the other hand Jerdon (B. of I., i, 178) writes:

‘I on one occasion traversed the whole tableland of Southern India from the

Taipoor Pass near Jaulnah to Salem and only saw it twice and then in

small numbers.’

Cypsiurus batasiensis palmarum (Gray). The Palm Swift.

Cypselus palmarum Gray in Hardwicke’s Illustr. Ind. Zool., vol. i (1832),

pl. 35, figs. la and 1b—Cawnpore.

Specimens collected: 247 $ 5-11-31 Borgampad 160 ft.; 681 ? (juv.), 682 ¢

9-4-82, Utnoor 1,250 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Hyderabad City & Environs, Malkapir, Nekonda,

Narsampet, Kaulas, Aurangabad.

Iris dark brown; bill black; legs and feet dark blackish-brown.~

The distribution of this little swift in the State is inseparably linked with

the occurrence of Tad palms (Borassus flabellifer). It is found where the

palms are found and is absent where they are absent; thus at Mananir and

Farahabad the absence of both was conspicuous. The precise factor (or

factors) in this biotic relationship needs to be determined, but the rigid folds

and furrows of the palm leaf provide admirable roosting and nesting ‘sites for

the birds. Along the road from Nekonda Railway Station to Narsampét, the

Tad palm increases in abundance after Aminabad until in the vicinity of Nar-

sampet it may be counted by the hundred thousand. With the palms a corres-

ponding increase in the numbers of palm swifts is immediately noticeable.

Breeding: The testes of No. 247 (5 November) were in non-breeding con-

dition. By about March-April the breeding season appeared to be in progress.

No. 681 (9 April) was juvenile with a very soft skull, while No. 682 had the

testes enlarged to 6x4 mm. and the bird was in general (post-nuptial?) moult.

According to Davidson & Wenden (S8.F., vii, 77) the Palm Swift is very

rare in the drier portions of the Deccan. It is tolerably numerous in the

palm groves near Nulwar. Davidson saw 38 amongst some small palms about

5 miles from Akulkote. Fairbank (S.F., iv, 254) found them common in the

138 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

vicinity of Ahmednagar and Butler (S.F., ix, 380) in Poona. Aitken (N. & E.,

ill, 26) notes that in Berar palm trees are scarce, but that wherever there is

one this bird will be found. He saw it once round a grove of mangoes, miles

from any palm.

Hemiprocne coronata (Tickell). The Indian Crested Swift.

Hirundo coronata Tickell, J.A.S.B., vol. 11 (November 1838), p. 580—Bora-

bhum.

Specimens collected: 483 ¢ 7-12-31 Pakhal Lake 800 ft.; 637 ¢, 638 9

3-4-82 Utnoor 1,250 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Sirkonda (en route Itchora-Utnoor), Narsampét.

Iris brown; bill black; mouth pinkish-grey; legs and feet purplish-brown;

claws brown.

Besides the above localities, this species was not met with by the Survey.

It was commoner at Utnoor than elsewhere, though by no means abundant.

The Crested Swift keeps to open deciduous forest. Its flight is very similar

to that of the Palm Swift from which, however, it is immediately distin-

euishable by its larger size and the longer and more deeply forked tail. It

utters a harsh chuck-chuck or tichuck-tichuck from time to time, like Artamus,

and perches freely like a swallow on the bare higher branches of forest trees.

Breeding: The testes of No. 433 (7 December) were undeveloped but both

637 and 688 (8 April) were certainly breeding. The male had the testes en-

larged to 5X8 mm. and it had an incubation patch on the abdomen. Some

of the ovarian follicles of the female measured 2.5 mm. in diameter.

On 6 April a pair was observed building on the bare twig of a leafless Salai

tree (Boswellia serrata) at about 40 feet in open deciduous forest bordering

a nullah at Arti-Margoo (near Utnoor). The tiny cup looked like a knot in

the branch from below. Both birds were working at the structure. The

strands of saliva used in the agglutination process were clearly visible gleaming

in the sunlight.

Both Fairbanks (8.F., iv, 254) and Butler (S. F., ix, 880) observed the

Crested Swift at Khandala and along the Ghats. Thompson (N. & E., iii, 37)

found a nest with one egg in the Ahini forests of Chanda (Central Provinces)

on 7 May.

FAMILY: JAPRIMULGIDA.

Caprimulgus indicus indicus Latham. The Indian Jungle Nightjar.

Caprimulgus indicus Latham, Index Orn., vol. i (1790), p. 588—India.

Specimens collected: 728 3 21-4-32, 746 9 25-4-32 Kannad 2,500 ft. The

Sparrow Coll. contains Q 1-11-10 Trimulgherry.

Tris dark brown; eyelids dull yellow; bill brownish-black, paler at gape;

mouth greyish-pink; legs and feet fleshy- or pinkish-brown; claws black.

A common species chiefly frequenting deciduous forest; flitting about at

dusk among the trunks of trees, deftly turning and twisting on the wing as

it hawks beetles and other insects. The call is usually uttered from the

branch of a tree on which the bird crouches lengthwise. The notes I have

likened to water dripping on water (but much louder) at the rate of about.

2 drips a second, connected as it were by the echo of the dripping: chuck-ko,

chuck-ko, chuck-ko and so on.

Breeding: The birds appeared to be breeding in April. Specimen No, 728

(21 April) had the testes enlarged to 7x5 mm. while some of the ovarian

follicles of the female measured about 1.5 mm. in diameter. Col. Sparrow’s

shikari collected the following eggs for him (presumably of this species) at

Eswantaraopet, about 25 miles N.-W. of Trimulgherry in thin jungle: C/2

19-4-14, C/1 27-4-14, C/2 6-5-14, C/1 24-5-14.

Caprimulgus monticolus monticolus Franklin. Vranklin’s Nightjar.

Caprimulgus monticolus Franklin, P.Z.S. 1880-1881 (Oct. 25, 1831), p. 116

—Between Calcutta and Benares and in the Vindhyan Hills between the latter

place and Gurra Mundela,

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 139

Specimens collected: 297 Q 18-11-31, 324 9 16-11-31 Nelipaika 160 ft.; 631

Q 2-4-82, 665 ¢ 7-4-32 Utnoor 1,250 ft. Col. Sparrow’s collection contains

S$ 2-1-11 Ditchpali, 9 16-12-10 Wadiarum.

lris dark brown; eyelids dull yellow; bill brownish-black, paler at gape;

mouth greyish-pink; legs and feet fleshy-brown; claws black. The gape of

No. 297 measured 30 mm. across.

.This Nightjar inhabits scrub and deciduous jungle. At Nelipaka it was

commonly observed hawking insects over the grassy mudbanks bordering the

Godavari River, while at Utnoor dry beds of forest streams with pools here and

there invariably attracted these birds. It is largely crepuscular in its habits

and is usually heard either between sundown and dark or sometimes a little .

later, and again at early dawn. The loud penetrating call of a single note,

sweesh is uttered chiefly on the wing.

Breeding: The organs of Nos. 297 and 3824 shot in November showed no

departure from the normal quiescent condition, but the April birds were breed-

ing. No. 631 (2 April) had the ovarian follicles measuring ca. 1.5 mm. in

diameter. It was shot off one hard-set egg lying on a bare burnt patch

of ground in deciduous forest. When the body was pressed a quantity of

clear viscid fluid like the white of an egg exuded from the vent. The bird

was very fat about the rump. There was no depression or hning to mark the

nest and no shelter of any kind. The bird skulked off a couple of yards on

our approach. The egg was of a shade of salmon in ground colour with blotches

and mottling of reddish-brown bearing a remarkable resemblance to the pieces

of red marble-hke gravel with which the ground here was strewn. It measured

29 x 22 mm.

The testes of No. 665 (7 April) were enlarged to 11x5 mm.

Col. Sparrow’s collector obtained the following eggs for him (unconfirmed

by skin of parent !): C/2 (fresh) 23-7-12 Trimulgherry, C/2 380-7-12, C/2 15-3-13

Eswantaraopet. Col. Sparrow himself found the following in the Central

Provinces: C/2 (fresh) 3-5-12 Muthpalli, C/2. (hatching) 20-5-12 Indravati River.

From the above dates it appears that the breeding season is a prolonged one.

Caprimulgus asiaticus Latham. The Common Indian Nightjar.

Caprimulgus asiaticus Latham, Index Orn., vol. 11 (1790), p. 588—India,

restricted to Bombay (J.B.N.H.8., xxviii, p. 323).

Specimens collected: 100 @, 101 9, 102 ¢ 12-10-31 Manantr 2,000 ft.;

528 ¢ 8-38-82 Miukhér 1,350 ft.; 582 ¢, 5838 ¢ 21-3-382 Kaulas 1,350 ft. Col.

Sparrow’s coll. contains Q 12-12-12 Trimulgherry.

Elsewhere noted at: Hyderabad City & Environs, Borgampad, Kandahar.

Iris brown; eyelids pale yellow; bill horny-brown, paler and pinkish at

gape and base of lower mandible; legs and feet brownish-pink; claws dusky.

The commonest Nightjar in the Dominions, being found everywhere about

cultivation and in open scrub and boulder country. Its familiar ‘chuck-chuck-

chuck-chuck-r-r-r’ notes are amongst the commonest bird voices at dusk. ‘These

are usually uttered from a perch on a stake, stone or similar situation. The

birds are very fond of squatting on roads after dusk and are adept at dodging

clear of an oncoming car when it is almost upon them. One of the specimens

had a hard-shelled black beetle in its bill.

The first 8 specimens were undergoing a complete moult and their organs

were in the normal non-breeding condition. In the birds procured in March a

slight development of the gonads was noticeable, but they did not appear to

be breeding.

Col. Sparrow's collector obtained 11 clutches of one or two eggs each in

thin jungle at Eswantaraopet between 19 April and 7 July.

FamiIty: ‘T'YTONIDA.

Tyto alba (Scopoli) ssp.? The Barn Owl.

Strix alba Scopoli, Annus I, Hist. Nat. (1769), p. 21—Friuli in N. Italy.

No specimens obtained.

Noted in the ruins of the fort and about an old temple near Kaulas village

between 18 and 23 March (1932). Also at Talamadri village ca. 15 miles from

Utnoor, on 14 October (1925). The bird is probably much commoner than

these records suggest,

140 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCTETY, Vol. XXXVIT

FAMILY: ASIONIDA.

Asio flammeus (flammeus ?) Pontoppidan. The Short-eared Owl.

Striz flammea Pontoppidan, Danske Atlas, vol. i (1763), p. 617, pl. xxv-—

Denmark. .

Not met with by the Survey.

Col. Sparrow shot a ¢ at Partir on 31-1-11.

Strix ocellata (Lesson). The Mottled Wood-Owl.

Syrnium ocellatum Lesson, Rev. Zool. (Oct.-Nov. 1839), p. 289—Pondicherry.

Specimens collected: 414 ¢, 415 9 3-12-31 Narsampet 800 ft.; 643 ©

(imm.) 4-4-32 Utnoor 1,250 ft.

Elsewhere noted: Kaulas.

Iris orange-brown; eyelids dull coral red; bill blackish plumbeous, paler at

tip; mouth pale yellowish-pink; feet dirty yellowish-brown; soles yellow. In

immature (No. 643) feet greenish-grey.

The Mottled Wood-Owl, is a dweller of forest, where old Banyan trees are

a favourite daytime resort. It is usually met with in pairs but after the

breeding season family parties of parents with one or two young were seen.

At Kaulas it was partial to the ancient Tamarind groves between the village

and the ruined fort. Its call, most commonly heard at dusk and at dawn, is

a deep eerie quavering Chu-hooaa.

Besides this it has a mellow monosyllabic hoot which is more commonly

uttered.

Breeding: The pair shot on 8 December appeared ready to breed. ‘The

testes of the male were enlarged ta ca. 148 mm. while the largest follicles in

the ovaries of the female measured 4 mm. in diameter. Specimen No. 648

was juvenile with soft skull and its rectrices and contour feathers were grow-

ing. From the above it is evident that in Hyderabad this owl breeds between

December and February or thereabouts. Col. Sparrow’s Coll. contains the fol-

lowing eggs: G©/2 31-12-18 Navipet, C/1 7-38-14, C/1 1-4-14 Hswantaraopet.

Ketupa zeylonensis Gmelin. ssp.? The Fish-Owl.

Stric zeylonensis Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol..i1, pt. 1 (1788), p. 287—Ceylon.

Not met with by the Survey. Col. Sparrow has a record of a pair at

Muiloorpet on 28-1-14 and two fledged young at Eswantaraopet on 14-38-13. He

also took a fresh egg at the latter place on 28-1-14.

Bubo bubo bengalensis (Franklin). The Indian Great Horned Owl.

Otus bengalensis Franklin, P.Z.S. 1830-1831 (Oct. 25, 1831), p. 115—Be-

tween Calcutta and Benares and in the Vindhyan Hills between the latter place

and Gurra Mundela.

Specimens collected: 184 ¢ 29-10-31 Borgampad 160 ‘ft. 5388 Q 12-38-32

Deglair 1,800 ft.; 584 Q 21-3-82 Kaulas 1,350 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Nelipaka, Kannad, Bhamarvadi.

Tris bright orange-yellow; bill horny black: mouth pink; toes dirty greyish-

white; claws horny-black.

This owl frequents well-wooded and boulder hillock country and is partial

to mango and tamarind groves. At Borgampad and Nelipaka its favourite

resort was among the thick bushes of Vitex negundo bordering the steep,

deeply outscoured banks of the Godavari River. They emerged soon after

sunset with their deep resounding calls of Bu-bo (2nd syllable much _ pro-

longed) which while not really loud have the quality of carrying long distances.

A small colony of these birds inhabited the rocks of the Patalganga Gorge at

Deglir. They were shy and flew about in broad sunlight with little apparent

discomfort.

The stomachs of the specimens all contained field rats and mice, besides

in one case a large earthworm. I also had occasion to examine the pellets

disgorged by the birds which were freely strewn about the rocks and found

them in every case to consist chiefly of the fur, skulls and other skeletal

remains of field rats and mice, while in many cases, the pellets were composed

exclusively of these. The Horned Owls are a constant natural check on these

yermin and therefore obviously of great economic value to agriculture,

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 141

Breeding: No satisfactory evidence as regards breeding was obtained by

the Survey beyond the fact that specimen No. 584 (21 March) had some of

the ovarian follicles measuring 1 mm. in diameter. The gonads of the other

two specimens were in an undeveloped condition.

Col. Sparrow took a clutch of 4 eggs at Eswantaraopet on 5-11-14, and found

large young at Masaipet on 5 January.

Otus bakkameena Pennant. subsp.? The Collared Scops Owl.

Otus bakkamoena Pennant, Ind. Zool., vol. i (1769), p. oP ii—Ceylon.

Specimens collected: .188 9, 140 ¢ 16-10-31 Farahabad 2,800 ft.

Not noted elsewhere.

Iris brownish-orange; feet dusky lemon-yellow or dusky flesh-colour; claws

same but duskier at tips; cere greenish lemon-yellow; upper mandible horny-

brown, lower mandible pale flesh colour; commissure brownish.

[These two Scops Owls belong without any doubt to the group of the Collared

Scops Owls Otus bakkamoena Pennant and the wing formula (2=6/7 in no. 138

and 2=7/8 in no. 140) agrees with this attribution. This group was very

thoroughly revised by Ticehurst in 1923 (Ibis 1923, p. 239). The two birds,

whilst obviously belonging to the same form are not alike. The female no. 138,

wing 146 mm., is a warm fulvous brown in colouration, whereas the male no.

140, wing 144 mm., is of a grey phase. I have carefully compared them at

the British Museum. They are certainly not referable to the dark typical

race (Ceylon), with which they agree in size, as they are far paler. On the other

hand they are definitely too small to refer to O. b. marathae. 'The probability

is that they represent an intermediate EH. ghats race—for what is Farahabad

expect a slice of the E. ghats contained in Hyderabad State? This is I suspect

the form which Jerdon described under his Scops griseus Madras Jour. Lit.

Sci., xui, pt. 2, p. 119. I do not think however it would be wise to attempt

to set up a new and intermediate race of this highly variable group on two

specimens only, more especially when those two specimens vary inter se. |

should therefore record these specimens binomially until such time as a proper

series is available from this or other neighbouring areas of the E. ghats. Un-

fortunately no Scops Owls were obtained by the Vernay Survey.—H.W. |

Met with in pairs, not uncommonly, in mixed Bamboo forest at Farahabad.

The gonads of the specimens were in an undeveloped condition.

Col. Sparrow’s collector obtained 2 clutches for him (not supported by speci-

men of parent!) of 4 and‘3 eggs respectively on 21 February and 2 April (the

latter hard-set) at Hswantaraopet.

Athene brama brama (T'emm.). ‘The Spotted Owlet.

Striz brama Temm., Planch. Color d’Ois. (1823), livr. 12, pl. 68—Pondi-

cherry.

Specimens collected: 89 Q 11-10-31 Mananur 2,000 ft.; 331 ¢, 882 Q Neli-

paka 160 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Singarenni Collieries, Narsampet, IXandahar, Kaulas,

Utnoor, Nirmal, Aurangabad, Hyderabad City & Environs.

Iris bright lemon-yellow; bill yellowish grey-green; legs and feet dirty

lemon-yellow; claws horny-black.

The Spotted Owlet is the commonest representative of the family in the

Hyderabad State. It is found in the neighbourhood of villages and cultivation

wherever ancient and gnarled tamarind, Banyan or mango trees are present

to furnish harbourage. In some localities, as at Mananur, almost every large

tamarind or Banyan tree holds a pair or two, and one has but to tap on the

trunk to bring forth an inquiring little face to the entrance of a hollow or to

dislodge a pair sitting huddled together on some secluded branch. Though largely

crepuscular in its habits it seems little inconvenienced by sunlight and when

disturbed flies from one tree to another without any apparent discomfort. I

once even observed an individual chasing a Striped Squirrel in bright sunlight.

They sally forth from their retreats at dusk and may then be commonly seen

perched about on stakes or clods—even on the bare ground—or sailing close to

the surface in search of grasshoppers, earthworms, mice, lizards, etc. The flext-

bility of their necks as with most owls is remarkable. The face can be

screwed right round without altering the stanch of the body in the least, so

142 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

that in fading light it is often difficult to tell if the bird’ is looking at or away

from one !

Breeding: The organs of the specimens were in non-breeding condition.

On 12 April a nest was found in the crevice of a ruined fort) wall at Nirmal

(at about 4 feet) containing one nearly full-fledged young with pirmaries sprout-

ing and as yet unable to fly properly. The nest was a pad of coir fibres, quite

clean and without any bones or excreta. On 15 April (Aurangabad) another

nest was noted in a hole in an ancient wall at about 15 feet with three chicks

in the same stage of growth.

Col. Sparrow has taken eggs in all stages of incubation and chicks (2 to

4 as a rule) at Trimulgherry, Nekonda and Rampoor between 11 March and

10 April.

Glaucidum radiatum radiatum (Tickell.). The Jungle Owlet.

Strix radiata Tickell, J.A.S.B., vol. ii (Nov. 1883), p. 572—Borabhum and

Dholbhum.

Specimens collected: 181 ¢ 20-10-31 Farahabad 2,800 ft.; 635 ? 3-4-2

Utnoor 1,250 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Paloncha.

Iris bright lemon-yellow; bill plumbeous- to greenish-yellow; feet dirty

lemon-yellow; claws same, blackish at tips.

Only met with in forest, either singly or in pairs. —

Gonads of the specimens in an undeveloped condition.

(To be continued).

FROM %

eg a i ine ae

~ eee ah ‘ g : ied a edie: as

: : ¢ Behan

3 Ss

ae A,

Journ., Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc.

iP.

Colony of Flying-Foxes (Pteropus giganteus Brinn) at Malad, Salsette Island.

A ‘close up’ of part of the above colony.

Photos by Author.

NOTES ON THE FLYING-FOX (PTEROPUS

GIGANTEUS, BRUNN.).

CHARLES McCann, F.L.S.

(With one plate)

The Flying-Fox needs no introduction. It is the largest of the

bats. Its weird shape, half rat and half ‘bird’ or Pterodactyle,

finds its place in folklore and legend. The Evil Spirit is generally

represented as one of these creatures. In a recent film Dracula

was represented as a large bat, undoubtedly, a Flying-Fox, which

was considered a vampire, sucking the hfe blood of its victims.

However, this is slur on the true character of this nocturnal animal

—it is a pure ‘vegetarian’. We must leave the fantastic to the

screen and legend and come down to hard facts. Nevertheless, it

is noteworthy to observe that legend is frequently based on a

natural history point which through ages has been distorted beyond

recognition, as we shall presently see.

Tt is difficult to write anything without reviving and analysing

the facts or fallacies recorded by previous writers. Some observ-

ation, no doubt, will stand their ground while others must be

relegated to the shelves of fiction. Animals and plants are plastic

living organisms which cannot be made to conform with man-made

rules and regulations—there is as much ‘individualism’ among

them as is to be found in Man. This, is what makes it extremely

difficult to observe them and attribute definite reasons for their

behaviour. Then again, this is made doubly difficult by the atti-

tude adopted by the observer and his ‘individualism’ in explaining

their actions.

The Flying-Fox, like most other bats is undoubtedly gregarious,

at least, this is very much so at the time of roosting. Blanford

states, “Pteropi fly singly, never in flocks’. There is no doubt

that they fly singly and not in close formation as do many gre-

garious birds, but I am of the opinion that certain parties meet

and have particular beats when feeding. Flying-Foxes, as is well

known, will always return to the same roost for years, and it

takes much to drive them away once they have established them-

selves in a particular locality. EHA (EK. A. Aitkin) UJ.B.N.H.S.,

vol. i, p. 144, 1886) observed several trees at Belapur, near Pan-

vel, covered with Pteropi as far back as 1886 and I have no doubt

that these colonies still persist in the same neighbourhood, and

perhaps on the same trees, if the trees have not died or been re-

moved.

Bombay city is regularly invaded every evening at dusk by large

numbers of these animals. Most of them appear to come in from

the north. Others come over the harbour from the mainland to

the east. To the best of my knowledge, there are two roosts in

144 JOURNAL. BOMBAY NATURAL BIST. SOCIETY. Vol x xxaVil

the island of Bombay, one in the Victoria Gardens at Byculla and

another in the grounds of the School of Art. Further north, on the

island of Salsette, there are two large colonies, one at Malad! and

the other at Thanna. At the above mentioned places they are to

be found the whole year round, there is no tendency to migrate.

These colonies I have known to exist in the same locality for

well over 20 years. I have already mentioned the colony at Bela-

pur, near Panvel. Mr. Salim A. Ali tells me that there is one

at Kihim. ‘To go further afield, I know of two other colonies, one

at Kalyan and the other at Karli, near Lonavala. Mr. Humayun

Ali informs me that there is one at Belapur, in the Ahmednagar

district. It would be interesting to have a record of all the known

colonies. This information would possibly help in studying the

distribution and movements of these animals.

It is rather curious that these bats establish their colonies in

the vicinity of villages, if not in their very midst. In all my

experience, I do not ever remember coming across colonies in the

jungles. They appear to be animals truly commensal with man.

Generally, the tree which forms the roost is very thinly clothed

with or devoid of leaves. This may possibly be due to one of two

reasons, or both, the young shoots are broken off by the bats in

their movements, or to the effect of the urine falling on the tender

tissues of the plant.

To follow the activities of a colony would -perhaps be the best

way of describing their habits. Towards evening the whole colony

is astir, much screeching and cantankerousness is evinced by

every member as it gives itself a general ‘clean up’ before setting

out. By nature, Flying-Foxes appear to be quarrelsome, and there

ig generally much ado about nothing. As the light begins to fade

these nocturnal spirits move off by ones and two and in small

parties till finally there is not a bat left at the roost. They do not

all go in the same direction, but a few follow in the ‘wake’ of each

other. Their first objective is the feeding grounds, these will de-

pend on the fruit or flowers available at the time. Hn route they

will have a drink at any tank or stream they may happen to fly

over. I shall refer to this habit in more detail later on.

Once at its destination, the Flying Fox concentrates on feeding

—now and again quarrelling with neighbours or intruders. It

alights in a most clumsy manner on or near its objective. Once

there, it moves about by means of its ‘hooks’ and feet. After feed-

ing for a couple of hours or more, the bats hang about on the tree

as they do at the roost. This appears to be an interval of rest.

During the mating season this interval is occupied by sexual over-

tures. As they hang about there is frequently heard a ‘clapping’

noise, which is made by beating their semi-closed wings together.

This clapping appears to me as though it were an invitation to

———— ee

' Since writing these notes, I visited this colony and found that the original

roost, a peepal tree, has suffered much and in consequence died down const-

derably. The bats have now taken to the neighbouring trees rather than leave

the locality.

NOTES ON THE FLYING-FOX (PTEROPUS GIGANTEUS) 145

the opposite sex, but I could not definitely establish whether it

was made by the female or the male, or by both, though I am

inclined to believe the female is responsible for it. I have fre-

quently observed an individual alight near a clapping” companion

when copulation took place in the ‘upside down’ posture in which

flying foxes hang. I have noticed copulation from October to

December. About the middle of January I secured a fairly well

advanced embryo. Judging from this, the period of peabation ‘would

be -a short one. Tickell gives the time of birth as end of March

to Apri, but I am inclined to give it a month earlier, for this part

of the country (Bombay). om ever, this may vary with the locality

and needs further investigation. To return to the activities of the

flock. After a period of rest the animals feed again for a brief

while and before dawn move off in the direction of their roost in

the same manner as they left it.

The scene at the roost is.one of confusion and commotion, and

continuous fighting for position. Probably these bats return to the

identical spot each morning. With the arrival of each new-comer,

which circles round the roost a couple of times or more before

coming to rest, the colony is thrown into confusion. This pande-

monium does not cease till about 10 a.m., but at no time of the

day is a colony really quiet. Too close approach to a neighbour

is sufficient for a new quarrel. At the roost they hang upside down

in true ‘bat fashion’ with the snout turned skywi ards and the

whole snout enveloped in the wings. During the hottest part of

the day several, if not the whole colony, will be found fanning

themselves with one wing or the other. Much time is also spent

in scratching, as the animals are usually infested with crab-like

ticks, which seem to cause the bats much annoyance. In this way

the hours of daylight are past. Looking at the confusion that

exists among the members of such a colony one really wonders how

much rest these animals get.

Let me now refer to some of the debated points in the life

of these interesting creatures. It is hard enough for the naturalist

to wrest a few points from the life of diurnal animals, but when

it comes to the nocturnal! Well! with unaided diurnal eyes, I

must say; I am blind.

Drinking. —Jerdon remarks, ‘If water is tank, a

river, or the sea—they fly cautiously down a ee ihe water,

but I could not ascertain if they took a sip or merely dipped part

of their. bodies in.’ Many have no doubt observed this habit of

Flying-Foxes as they pass over sheets of water. I have frequently

observed these bats skimming over water, pause in their flight to

sip the water in the same way as swallows. I have noticed that

the head is lowered and the mouth is dipped into the water—

T have no doubt that they do drink water—in fact, most bats do,

if not all. I have frequently watched the Fruit Bat (Cynopterus

sphinx) go down a well and do exactly the same thing. Dr. J.

Shortt [P.Z.S. (1863), p. 438] in a letter to the Zoological Society

of London attributed this habit of the Flying-F ox to catching fish.

This is not likely, as I shall have occasion to show presently.

The letter is of interest and as it is in an old’ number of that

146 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol.. XXXVII

Journal, I take the liberty of reproducing it in full. It is as

follows : —

ome

At about 6 p.m. on the 30th of April last, when at Conjeeveram, my

attention was attracted to a tank next the Dispensary, which, owing to a

light shower of rain that had just fallen, literally seemed alive with small

fish gambolling and jumping about in the water. There was nothing new in

this; but my attention was drawn to a number of large birds with a some-

what heavy flight, hovering over the water and seizing with their feet the

fish, with which they then made off to some tamarind-trees on the bund of

the tank, to devour them at their leisure, I suppose.

On a close examination, I discovered that what I had imagined mere

birds were none other than flying-foxes, the Pteropus edulis. After watching

them fishing for some time, I had to leave, owing to the darkness of the

evening. .I returned to the tank the next evening half an hour earlier, and

again witnessed the same occurrence.

I then got my assistant, Mr. Watson, to bring his gun and shoot some,

so that I might satisfy myself as to the identity of these animals. Mr.

Watson shot some two or three. whilst in the act of seizing their fishy prey,

and on examination I found them to be actually Flying-Foxes. During a

second visit, on the 5th and 6th of June, I observe the same thing occur

again.

I am not aware of the fishing-propensities of this animal ever having been

noticed, for I find no account of them in any work on natural history that

I have had opportunities of consulting on the subject. This habit of the

Flying-Fox appearing new to me, I send you this communication, as there

may be others who have witnessed the same thing; and if made known,

this would, I am sure, prove of interest to the naturalist.

Chingleput, June 12th, 1863.”

It is rather a pity that Dr. Shortt after taking the trouble to

secure the Flying-Foxes did not take the trouble to examine the

stomach contents of the specimens. If he had, he would have

soon been convinced that these animals do not catch fish at all,

nor eat them. Blanford doubted Shortt’s statement and quite

rightly. However, with regard to these bats drinking salt water,

I have very grave doubts. I have seen them taking a sip in the

sea, but this I think is done in error.

Food.—Reverting to Shortt’s letter, we find the statement that

the bats were seizing fish ‘with their feet’. Firstly, as I have

said, Flying-Foxes do not eat fish; secondly, the feet are so con-

structed that they are only used as ‘hangers’ and not for convey-

ing anything. Food, when conveyed, is carried in the mouth. I

have frequently watched Flying-Foxes feeding on the fruit of

Bassia latifolia, and when disturbed, they carried away the fruit

in the mouth. Blanford (/’.B.J. Mammalia, p. 258) quoting from

Tickell writes, ‘The bats hang, head downwards as usual, by one

foot and hold the fruit with the other, not by grasping, but by

sticking the claws in lke a fork.’ I have not observed this be-

haviour. My observations on these bats eating fruit are somewhat

different. They hang in the usual manner by the legs. When

chewing a large fruit, they either chew it without detaching it from

its stalk, or hold it in the folded extremities (‘wrists’) of both the

wings, or in the folds of one wing, where it is probably held in

place by the phalanges. Be this as it may, I have not seen these

bats use the feet as described by Tickell. I have seen insectivorous

bats with large tail membranes use this interfemoral membrane

NOTES ON THE FLYING-FOX (PTEROPUS GIGANTEUS) 147

as a sac and move the prey about with the feet while they sus-

pended themselves with the ‘hooks’ on the wings.

No doubt many people have noticed the state of the ground

below a tree where a party of Flying-Foxes has fed the night pre-

vious. The ground is littered with wholly or partially chewn re-

mains of fruit—presumably the excreta of the bats—perhaps few

people have ever seen the latter. From the looks of things, the

bats must have gorged themselves. Legend has it that the flying-

fox has no anus and that it must consequently pass the excreta

from the mouth. The following extract from a note in the Journal

by Fitzpatrick entitled Folklore of Birds and Beasts in India

(J.B.N.H.S., xxviii, 562) will not be out of place. It is told that

the Almighty permitted Moses to try his hand at Creation.

“The second effort was not so successful, he still kept the

ground plan of the rat and now put wings on the beast thus making

the bat. As the Almighty imbued it with life, Moses in great

excitement, called out ‘My Lord and God, don’t let it fly yet for

I have forgotten the anus.’ “Too late,’ said God, thus the bat

flies without an anus.’’ After repeated observations I am _ con-

vineed that the Flying-Fox lives on juices and on fruit which lque-

fy easily, the harder parts being ejected. The ejection of the chewn

residue of fruit was undoubtedly one of the points which gave

rise to the popular belief quoted above, plus the fact that the

bat hangs head downwards—perhaps a natural conclusion to the

ignorant mind. Here we have a legend based on a crude obser-

vation which needs explanation.

Blanford (loc.cit., p. 258) in a footnote writes, ‘They are also

fond of the fruit of Terminalia catappa, and are said by Day to ex-

tract the kernels, often utilizing the verandahs of houses as a resort

while thus engaged, and alarming the inhabitants by sounds sug-

gestive of house-breaking.’ W. F. Sinclair in the Journal (vol.

vii, p. 544) writes, “Dr. Day’s observation has been verified by

two seasons’ experience of burglarious bats at Tanna. When the

tree is out of fruit the bats are ‘“‘not-a-burgling’’.’ That these bats

do eat the fruit of Terminalia catappa I have had ample proof, that

is, they suck out the juice and discard the hard portions. Often

in their attempts to extract the juice they bite through the stones

but they do not eat the kernels. Both the kernels and the seed

coats will be found on the ground. In the morning Palm Squirrels

feed on the kernels. With regard to these bats entering houses

I have no evidence—I am doubtful whether they ever do. How-

ever, this point needs further confirmation.

In my note on the fertilization of Grevillea robusta A. Cunn.

in this Journal (xxxvi, p. 763) I remarked ‘It seems extraordinary

that so large an animal could survive for several weeks on nectar

alone . . .’ This observation led me to investigate the food of

these bats and examine the stomach contents of several specimens.

A. doubt arose in my mind as to whether these bats really ate

the whole fruit or only extracted the juice and discarded the

remains. It is common knowledge that the Flying-Fox and other

fruit bats cause tremendous damage in orchards and_ perhaps

rightly deserve to be relegated to the list of animals and birds harm-

148 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXXVI

ful to crops. However, at the same time I do not for a moment

suggest that they should be exterminated. We have yet to learn

whether these ‘destroyers’ are not also beneficial.

My first subjects for dissection were naturally the specimens

mentioned in my note quoted above. I expressed my doubts and

views to Mr. Humayun Ali and asked him to keep a lookout for

specimens, to dissect them and report the results to me. On the

31st August (1933) he wrote to me as follows:—‘Yes, eventually

I did manage to get down to Belapur (Ahmednagar District) and

to the “‘battery’’. I shot five of them one morning and was glad

to find that you ‘were right. The stomach held no solid stuff

whatever, not even seeds. The intestines were full of white, milky

slime and one of the bats had a lot of dark viscous lquid in the

stomach.’ His statement supports my view.

Some time later, Dr. Laud, Supermtendent of the Victoria

Gardens, kindly sent me five specimens from the Byculla colony

for dissection. These examples were shot early in the morning

when to all reasonable expectation the stomachs should have been

loaded. On dissection these animals were found to be extremely

fat and well conditioned. Examination of the stomachs revealed

nothing beyond a small quantity of viscous fluid. The intestines

contained a similar liquid, but in the lower end of the intestines

this fluid was yellowish brown, turning brown towards the extre-

mity. In-a single instance did I find five minute seeds of a fig

in the stomach but none in the intestines. Surely, if these ani-

mals had eaten any solid food during the night, it would have be-

trayed itself in the lower end of the alimentary canal? However,

this was not the case. Another point of interest is that none of

the specimens dissected by me contaimed any large parasites either

in the stomach or in the intestines.

Subsequent dissections of these animals have yielded the same

results. Hence I think it is quite reasonable to conclude that

Flying-Foxes subsist on hquid or semi-liquid foods, namely fruit

juices and nectar and such fruit that are readily soluble. I have

frequently observed these bats feeding on the nectar of the Silk

Cotton Tree (Bombax malabaricum) besides the nectar from the

flowers of the Grevillea. Beside the cultivated fruit trees I have

observed them feeding on the following plants :—

Ficus bengalensis, L.

Ficus glomerata, Roxb.

Ficus infectoria, Roxb.

Ficus mysorensis, Heyne.

Ficus religiosa, L.

Ficus retusa, lL.

(Ripe fruit).

See ee ee

The Flying-Fox probably attacks the fruit of all the members

of this genus.

_ Polyalthia longifolia, Bth. & Hk. f. (Ripe fruit).

Bombax malabaricum, DC. (Nectar from the flowers).

Calophyllum inophyllum, L. (Ripe fruit).

Bassia latifolia, Roxb. (Ripe fruit).

NOTES ON THE FLYING-FOX (PTEROPUS GIGANTEUS) 149

Grevillea: robusta, A. Cunn. (Nectar from the flowers).

Terminalia catappa, L. (Ripe fruit).

I have never known Flying-Foxes to feed on the fruit of the

genus Zyziphus, this is probably due to the strongly armed nature

of these trees. The menu of this bat is undoubtedly by far larger

than what I have given.

Knud Anderson, in his Catalogue of the Chiroptera in the

Collection of the British Museum (2nd. ed.) vol. i, p. 328 de-

scribing the feeding habits of the Flying-Fox writes, ‘On captive

specimens it has been observed that they chew the figs, until

they have extracted the juice, when the remaining pulp is ejected

out of the mouth; glutinous and farinaceous food, such as plan-

tains, they do not serve in this manner.’ In these few lines we

observe what I have stated above. If this is true of specimens

in captivity why should it not also apply to the animals in the

natural state? The habit of the Flying-Fox of ejecting the solid

portions of the fruit it eats accounts for the large amount of litter

found under the trees where they have been feeding.

Miscellaneous.—Indians consider the fat of these animals very

efficacious in cases of rheumatism (like tiger and other fats) and

for baldness. It is also said that the bone from the wing of a

flying-fox tied to the ankle with hair from the tail of a black cow

will ensure painless childbirth. J am not in a position. to vouch

for the truth of this statement!

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN.

HE. BLATTER, s.J., ph.p., F.u.s. and™). HERNANDEZ.

Jeveuagd he JUDE

(Continued from page 977 of vol, xxxvi).

(With two plates).

CAESALPINIACEAE.

Cassia Tourn. ex L.

400 species.—Tropics and warm temperate regions.

Cassia sophera L. Sp. Pl. (1758) 379.

Locality: Waziristan (Duthie’s Collect. 15734).

Distribution: In most tropical countries, probably of American origin.

CERATONIA L.

1 species.—Mediterranean.

*Ceratonia siliqua L. Sp. Pl. 1026.

Vernacular name: Carob Tree.

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah (B. & F. 46 }).

Distribution: E. Mediterranean region.

MIMOSACEAE.

Prosopis L.

30 species.—Tropics and subtropics.

Prosopis Stephaniana Spreng. Syst. 11, 726.

Locality: Tank (Stewart).

Flowers: April 1860 (Tank).

Distribution: Peshawar, Afghanistan, Orient, Mediterranean,

Acacia (Tourn.) I.

550 species.—Tropics and subtropics.

Acacia arabica Willd. Sp. Pl. iv (1805) 1085.

Locality: Tank: City of Tank, abundant (Stewart).

Distribution: India, Ceylon, Arabia, Egypt, tropical Africa, Natal.

Acacia Farnesiana Willd. Sp. Pl. iv (1805) 1083.

Vernacular name: Walayti kikar (Hind).

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah, cultivated (B. & F. 27 3).

Tank (Stewart).

Flowers & Fruit: 19-83-30 (Miram Shah).

Flowers: April 1860 (Tank).

Distribution: Indigenous in America, naturalized throughout India and

Burma.

Acacia Jacquemontii Benth. in Hook. Journ. Bot. 1, 409.

Locality: S.W.: Above Palosina (Stewart).

Distribution: Punjab plains and Outer Himalaya up to 3,000 ft., Gujarat,

Rajputana, Sind, Baluchistan, Trans-Indus.

Acacia modesta Wall. Pl. As. Rar. 1 (18381) 27, t. 1380.

Vernacular name: Palessa, Palosa (Waziri), Pulosa.

Locality: .N.W.: Miram: Shah, 3,000 ft. (hs 947! 1397 1.1398 1 Bo

F, 3 !).—Boya, 4,000 ft. (F. 1515 !), open stony plain (F. 4850 !).—Razani,

Journ., Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE IV.

8. Near Razani due West. Mostly Quercus ilex L. Qlea cuspidata Wall.

and Sophora mollis Grah.

Right bank of Khunai River above Dossali Fort with Olea cuspidata Wall.,

Monotheca buxifolia Dene.; Sophora mollis Grah. and grass.

Photos by J. Fernandez.

lene sri

Ge aera

vee

7 Bt

Wires Sane

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 15]

5,000 ft. (Stewart).—Siroba (Stewart).—Above Khirgi (Stewart).—Spinwam,

2,650 ft. (B. & F. 959 !).—Shewa Post, bank of Volam River (B. & F. 886 !).

S.W.: Palosina (Stewart).—Sarwekai, common on hills and here and

there in stony plain, 3,200 ft. and higher (F. 3954 !).—Jandola, open stony

ground and nalas, 2,200 ft. (Ff. 668 ! 676 ! 696 ! 4206 !).—Dargai Post,

on hillsides (F. 3721 ! 3722 ! 3723 !).—Sararogha, 4,000 ft. (F. 179 ! 180 !~

594 ! 598 ! 614 !), in dry nala W. of Camp and along dry stony slopeg in the

nala area (EF. 597 !).

Tank: Near Tank (J. Williams !).—Zam Valley, N.-W. of Tank (Ste-

wart !).

Flowers: April, May.

Fruit of previous year still on tree in March.

Distribution: Baluchistan, Salt Range, Sind Sagar Doab, Sub-Himalayan

tract and Outer Himalaya from the Jumna westwards to 4,000 ft.

Acacia eburnea Willd. Sp. Pl. iv (1805) 1081.—Mimosa eburnea Roxb. Corom.

Pi teed 99:

Locality: S.W.: Sararogha, dry nalas W. of Camp, along dry stony

slopes in nala area, 4,000 ft. (F. 147 ! 150 ! 584 ! 595 !).—Jandola, open

stony ground and nalas, 2,270 ft. (F. 674 ! 677 !}).

Fruit: May.

Distribution: Arabia, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Salt Range, Sub-Himalayan

tract and outer valleys, up to 3,000 ft., east as far as Oudh, Sind, Deccan,

Ceylon. (Parker says that it does not occur in the Punjab).

SAXIFR AGACEAE.

750 species.—Cosmopolitan, chiefly temperate.

*SaxIFRAGA (Tourn.) ex IL.

325 species.—N. temperate, Arctic, Andes, chiefly alpine.

*Saxifraga Petraschii Siinderm.=S. tombeanensis Boiss. x S. Rocheliana

Sternb.

Locality: S.W.: Razmak, in garden (B. & F. !).

Flowers: April.

Distribution: Parents from 8. Tyrol, N. Italy and Bosnia, N. Albania res-

pectively.

BercGentA Moench.

10 species.—E. Asia.

Bergenia ligulata Engl. in Bot. Zeitg. xxvi (1868) 840.—Saxifraga ligulata

Wall. in As. Res. xiii, 398.

Vernacular name: Kamargul (Waziri).

Locality: S.W.: Near Kaniguram, about 6,500 ft. (Stewart).—Pre Ghal

(J. Williams 7816 !).—Shuidar, 9,000-11,000 ft. (F. 2541 !); 7,000-8,000 ft.,

between rocks together with Selaginella and ferns (F. 1557 !).—Razmak (1.

1798 3).

Flowers: 18-4-80, 8-5-27 (Shuidar); 8-8-1888 (Pre Ghal); September 1860

(Kaniguram).

Distribution: Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Bhutan, 7,000-10,000

ft., Khasia Hills, Kuram Valley.

Bergenia Stracheyi (Hook. f. & Th.) Engl. in Bot. Zeitg. (1868) 842.—

Saxifraga Stracheyt Hook. f. & Th. in Journ. Linn. Soc. ii (1858) 61.

Locality: S.W.: Pre Ghal (Duthie’s Collect. 15608 !).

Flowers: 17-5-1895 (Pre Ghal).

Distribution: W. Himalaya, from Kashmir to Kumaon, 8,000-14,00@ ft.

Afghanistan.

ParnassiA (Tourn.) L.

25 species.—N. temperate region, chiefly in mountain bogs.

Parnassia nubicola Wall in Wight Ill. t. 21.

Locality: S.W.:; Pre Ghal (Hay).

152) JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AYST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXX Vit

Rises L.

60 species. —N. temperate and Andes.

Ribes orientale Desf. Hist. Arb. 11 (1809) 88; Boiss. Fl. Or. ii (1872) 817.

Locality: S.W.: Razmak, 6,500 ft. (FP. 1606 ! 1608 ! 1646 1).—Shuidar

11,000 ft. (Ff. 2474 1).

Young leaves: 8-5-27 (Razmak).

Distribution: Afghanistan, Kuram Valley, Baluchistan, Kashmir, inner arid

Himalaya, 8,000-12,000 ft., Lahul, Kunawar, Kumaon, West Tibet, mountains

of Greece and W. Asia.

CRASSULACEAE.

450 species.—Cosmopolitan, chiefly S. Africa.

SepuM Tourn. ex L.

150 species.—N. temperate.

Sedum adenotrichum Wall. Cat. 7231.

Locality: S.W.: In the upper regions (Stewart).—N. of Razmak, below

Springs, 7,700 ft. (B. & F. 1801 ! 1870 !).—Slopes of Shuidar, 9,000-11,000 ft.

(F. 1546 !). :

Flowers & Fruit: 18-4-830 (Shuidar); 25-4-30 (Razmak); 8-5-27 (N. of

Razmak).

Distribution: W. Himalaya, Kashmir to Kumaon, 38,000-8,000 ft., Afghanis-

tan 11,000 ft;

Sedum Ewersii Ledeb. I'l. Alt. u, 191.

Locality: S.W.: Pre Ghal (Hay).

Distribution: Temperate and alpine Himalaya, 9,000-17,000 ft., alpine

Siberia, Soongaria.

Sedum adenocalyx Blatter sp. nov. [Crassulacea. Refert S. adenotrichum

Wall. sed facile distinguitur pedicellis brevissimis (1-1.5 mm.), sepalis oblongo-

linearibus obtusis, extus dense glanduloso-pubescentibus, petalis ovato-acumi-

natis vel cuspidatis sepala paullum tantum superantibus, seminibus lineari-

oblongis, laevibus. |

Perennis (?), pluricaulis, caules steriles abbreviatos emittens. Caules crassi,

carnosi, ascendentes usque ad 8 cm. alti, dimidia parte superiore dense glandu-

loso-pubescentes. Folia crassa, complanata, glabra, radicalia laxe rosu-

lata spathulata, apice obtusa vel subacuta, ad 16 mm. longa et 4 mm. lata,

caulium sparsa, forma radicalium, ad 10 mm. longa et 3 mm. lata, sensim bre-

viora et angustiora, caulium sterilium abbreviata. Panicula brevis, tota dense

glandulosa-pubescens, cymis 2-3-floris bracteatis constans; pedicelli brevissimi,

1-1.5 mm. longi. Flores 3 mm. longi. Sepala libera fere ad basin, oblongo-

linearia, attenuata versus apicem, obtusa, extus dense glanduloso-pubescentia,

2.5 mm. longa, ca. 1 mm. lata. Petala albida, libera fere ad basin, ovato-

acuminata vel cuspidata, sepala paullum superantia, intus glabra, extus nervo

medio parce glanduloso-pubescentia. Stamina 10, 5 breviora. Carpella 5, erecta,

pallide brunnea, ovato-acuminata, apice capitatula. Semina multa minima,

pallide brunnea, lineari-oblongo, ad basin et apicem rotunda, laevia, glabra.

Perennial (2), several-stemmed, giving off abbreviated sterile stems. Stems

stout, fleshy, ascending, up to 8 cm. high, upper half densely glandular-pubes-

cent. Leaves fleshy, flat, glabrous, radical ones rosulate, spathulate, obtuse or

subacute at the apex, up to 16 mm. long and, 4 mm. broad, stem-leaves not

very dense, resembling the radical leaves in shape, up to 10 mm. long and

3 mm. broad, getting slowly narrower and shorter, leaves of sterile stems

abbreviated. Panicle short, the whole glandular-pubescent, consisting of 2-3-

flowered bracteate cymes; pedicels very short, 1-1.5 mm. long. Flowers 3 mm.

long. Sepals free almost to the base, oblong-linear, attenuate towards the apex,

obtuse, outside densely glandular-pubescent, 2.5 mm. long, ca. 1 mm. broad.

Petals whitish, free almost to the base, ovate-acuminate or cuspidate, slightly

longer than the sepals, inside glabrous, outside along the midvein sparingly

elandular-pubescent. Stamens 10, 5 shorter. Carpels 5, erect, pale brown, ovate-

acuminate, at the apex a small head. Seeds small, many, pale brown, lnear-

oblong, rounded at the base and apex, smooth, glabrous.

THE FLORA.OF WAZIRISTAN 1538

Locality: N.W.: lLoargai Narai, in wooded ravine, together with mosses

and lichens,. 6,600 ft. (B. & F. 13807 ! type, 1307a ! cotype).

Flowers & Fruit: 16-4-80.

MYRTACEAE.

2,800 species.—Warm regions, chief centres Australia and tropical America.

*Psipium IL.

110 species.—Tropical America, W.. Indies.

*Psidium Guyava L.

Vernacular name: Guava.

Locahiy: SW... Razmak, in’ carden (8; & Bs, 1).

Distribution: Indigenous in Mexico,

*Myrtus (Tourn.) IL.

70 species.—Tropics and subtropics.

*Myrtus communis L.

Vernacular name: The Myrtle.

ocatye, NeW: Moram= Shah @32 & i. 1):

Distribution: 8. Kurope, extending to Afghanistan.

*CALLISTEMON R. Br.

12 species.—Australia.

* Callistemen lanceolatus DC. Prodr. ili, 228.

Vernacular name: Bottle Brush Tree.

Localiiy: N.W.:). Miram Shah. (B. & FH. -32 -1).

Flowers: 19-3-30 (Miram Shah).

Distribution: Indigenous to Queensland: and New South Wales.

*HKucatyprus L’Herit.

230 species.—Australia, 2 or 3 Indo-Malaya.

*Eucalyptus rostrata Schl. in Linnaea xx (1847) 655.

Locality:. N.W.:. Miram Shah, garden (. 2367. !).

Flowers: 12-4-27.

Distribution: Indigenous to all the states of Australia, mainly inland.

“Eucalyptus sp.

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah Fort, garden, 3,150 ft. (B. & F. 40A !).

Flowers: 19-3-30 (Miram Shah).

PUNICACEAE.

Socotra, from the Balkans to the Himalayas, and cultivated.

2 species.

PuNIcAY (Lourn’.). iy.

Punica granatum L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 472.

Vernacular name: Narghesa (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Razani, in jungle amongst rocks, 5,000 ft. (F. 2072 !

2087 ! 2088 !).—Miram Shah (F. 346 !).—Dwa Warkha, abundant (Stewart).

—Spinwam (B. & F. 798 !).—Boya, 4,000 ft., cultivated (F. 1848 ! 1352 !).—

Shewa Post (B. & F. 909 !).

S.W.: Sararogha, stony hillside, 4,000 ft. (FW. 166 !).—Wana, 4,500 ft.,

cultivated (F. 3552 ! 3553 !).—Barrarra Pass, growing wild (Stewart).

Flowers: May.

Distribution: Indigenous in Persia, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Hazara and

Himalaya, 3,000-6,000 ft. Elsewhere cultivated,

154. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

LYTHRACEAE.

500 species.—All zones but frigid.

AMMANNIA (Houst.) LL.

20. species. —Cosmopolitan.

Ammannia verticillata Lam. Encycl. 1 (1783) 131 et Ill. i (1791) 312, t. 77,

f. 3; Boiss. Fl. Or. 11 (1872) 748; excl. synon.—A. salicifolia Monti Comm.

Acad. Bonon. v, I Opuse. (1767) 112. cum-tab.; Sabnis Fl. Sind (1923-24) 30.

Locality: S.W.: Dargai Post, along stream (IF. 3742 !).

Flowers: June.

Distribution: Italy, Montenegro, Lycia, Syria, Kurdistan, Transcaucasus,

Persia, Afghanistan, Sind.

Ammannia sp.

Locality: N.W.: Datta Khel, along canals, 4,500 ft. (FP. 1222 }).

ONAGRACEAE.

500 species.—Temperate and tropical regions.

Kpiropium Dill. ex L.

160 species.—Temperate and arctic regions.

Epilobium angustifolium L. Sp. Pl. 347.

Locality: S.W.: Pre Ghal (Hay !).—Razmak, planted (B. & F. ).

Distribution: Temperate W. Himalaya, 8,000-12,000 ft., Orient, Europe,

N. America.

Epilobium minutiflorum Haussk. in Oest. Bot. Zeitschr. 29 (1879) 55.

Locality: S.W.: Pre Ghal (Hay).

Distribution: Syria.

CUCURBITACEAE.

750 species.—Chiefly tropics.

Cucumis (Tourn.) IL.

25 species.—Tropics and subtropics.

Pp p Pp

Cucumis prophetarum UL. Cent. Amoen. Academ. 4 (1759) 295; Boiss. FI.

Or. ni -(872)_ 758:

Vernacular name: Khatkai (Wadziri).

Locality: S.W.: Wana, near stream, 8.-H. of Camp, 4,500 ft. (Ff.

3593 !), stony plain (I. 3468 !).

Flowers: June.

Distribution: Egypt, Nubia, Abyssinia, Kordofan, Arabia, Socotra, Baluchi-

stan, Sind, Rajputana Desert.

Cucumis melo L. Sp. Pl. 1011.

Popular. name: Melon.

Locality: S.W. (J. Willams 7146 !).

Flowers: 4-5-1888.

Distribution: Origin uncertain. De Candolle considers it to be probably

a native of N.-W. India, Baluchistan and perhaps tropical Africa.

Cirrutuus Forsk.

4 species.—Africa, Mediterranean, tropical Asia.

Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. in Linnaea xii (1838) 414; Boiss. Fl. Or. 11

(1872) 759.—Cucumus colocynthis L. Sp. Pl. (17538) 1011.

Vernacular name: Colocynth gourd; Madagini (N. Waziristan), Madaigini

(S. Waziristan).

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah, open stony ground, 3,000 ft. (F. 318 !

441 1 442 |! 464 ! 672b !), sandy banks of Tochi (I. 369 !),—K. of Spinwam

Journ., Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE V.

10. Looking across Dirdoni village from below Alexandra Picket. Note

the dense growth of Quercus ilex Li. on the ranges.

11. Almost pure formation of Adhatoda vasica Nees in a side nala of

Kaitu River at Spinwam Fort.

Photos by J. Fernandez.

eee

eek

latodeaure

= ey eo

Ee \

}

yt EN

eee eee

‘eae

i te

he :

% Peslset (4) ge

cs Ie Sena : a

ei “ fas =

¢ : Ut ach Bn 4 a3

Ons POrg al | . « vi

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 155

Fort, sandstone nala (B. & F. 672 !).—Chasmai River, bed, 3,100 ft. (B.

We He e460 te

S.W.: (Duthie’s Collect. 15737 !).—Sararogha, stony plain, 4,000 ft.

(F. 48 ! 195 ! 200 !).—Jandola, stony ground, 2,200 ft. (F. 660 !), dry

slopes on Tank River (I. 770 !).—Sarwekai, stony plain, 3,200 ft. (F. 3928 !).

—Pre Ghal (J. Williams 7820 !).

Distribution: Spain, Canaries, Cape Verde Islands, N. Africa, Arabia,

Palestine, Mesopotamia, Persia, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Punjab, Sind, Indian

Desert, India, Ceylon.

FICOIDACEAE.

(Aizoaceae.)

650 species.—Chiefly 5. Africa but also in California, S. America, tropical

Africa and Asia, Australia.

TRIANTHEMA I.

13 species.—Tropics.

Trianthema pentandra I. Mant. (1767) 70.

Locality: Tank: At and near Tank (J. Williams 7823 ! 7964 !).

Flowers: 5-6-1888 (Tank).

Fruit: 4-5-1888 (Tank).

Distribution: Sind, Rajputana Desert, Punjab, Baluchistan, tropical Africa

Uses: Leaves used as poultice in guinea worm (Williams).

Oryaia Forsk.

1 species.—Africa to India.

Orygia decumbens Jorsk. Fl. Aeg.-Arab. (1775) 103.

Locality: N.W.: Dwa Warkha (Stewart).

Distribution: Sind, Baluchistan, Punjab, Rajputana, Mysore, Coimbatore,

W. Asia, Africa.

Mouivueo L.

15 species.—Tropics and N. America.

Mollugo pentaphylla LL. Sp. Pl. (1753) 89.—M. stricta i. Sp. Pl. ed. ii

(1762) 1381.

Locality: Tank (J. Williams.7127 !).

Flowers: 9-5-1888 (Tank).

Distribution: Throughout India and Ceylon, eastwards to Malay Peninsula,

China, Japan, Fiji.

ARALIACEAE.

700 species.—Chiefly tropical, especially Indo-Malayan, tropical America.

HrpEera: Tourn: ex 1.”

5 species.—Temperate regions.

Hedera Helix I. Sp. Pl. (1753) 202.—H. himalaica Tobler Die Gattung

Hedera (1912) 67-79.

Vernacular name: Parvatiae (Wadziri).

Locality: N.W.: Razmak Narai, on slope of ravine, .7,000 ft. (B. & F.

Nels

S.W.: N. of Razmak, below Springs, on rocks and trees, 7,700 ft.

GBek. Bs SAR A769 ot 18738, 231s

Distribution: Throughout the Himalaya 6,000-10,000 ft., Khasia, from W.

Europe to Japan.

foo JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIS SOCIALE. Vol, XOX

CAPRIFOLIACEAE.

275 species.—Temperate regions and tropical mountains.

VipuRNUM IL.

110 species.—Temperate and subtropical regions, especially Asia, N. America.

Viburnum cotinifolium D. Don Prodr. Fl. Nep. (1825) 141.

Locality: S.W.: Kaniguram, about 8,200 ft, (Stewart).—Razmak (TF.

1861 ! 1906 !).—N.-E. of Razmak (Stewart).

Flowers: May.

Distribution: Himalaya, 4,000-11,000 ft., Trans-Indus to Bhutan.

ABELIA R. Br.

15 species.—Asia, Mexico.

Abelia triflora R. Br.: var. parvifolia C. B. Clarke in Hook. f. Fl. Brit.

fivd= ai (i880) 9:

Locality: S.W.: Kaniguram, %,500 ft. (Duthie’s Collect. 15798 !, Stewart).

Flowers: 18-5-1895 (Kaniguramy).

Distribution: Himalaya, 5,000-10,000 ft., from the Indus eastwards.

Lonicera L.

100 species.—N. hemisphere.

Lonicera cbovata Hook. f. & Th. in Journ. Linn. Soc. ii, 169.

Locality: S.W. (Duthie’s Collect. 15796 !).

Distribution: Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Kumaon, 8,000-13,000

ft., Sikkim, 12,000-14,000 ft.

Lonicera quinquelocularis Hardw. in As. Res. Soc. Beng. vi (1799) 351.

Vernacular name: Pastavaniae, Galashanki (Waziri).

Locality: S.W.: Near Kaniguram, about 8,200 ft. -(Stewart).—Razmak

CE. 1864 1915) te S104 Se S84t whe

Distribution: N.-W. Himalaya, Baluchistan, Kuram Valley, Bhutan, China.

*Lonicera sp.

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah Fort, Officers’ Garden (B. & F. 528 1).

Flowers: 28-3-30.

Lonicera sp.

Locahty: S.W.: Kaniguram (Stewart).

RUBIACEAE.

5.500 species.—Mostly tropical, a number temperate.

Ranpia Houst. ex L.

125 species.

Tropics.

Randia tetrasperma Benth. & Hook. f. in Gen. Pl. ii (1873) 88.—Gardenia

tetrasperma Roxb. Fl. Ind. 1 (1882) 709.

Locality: S.W.: Barrarra Pass, not uncommon (Stewart).

Distribution: Salt Range and subtropical Himalaya from Kashmir east-

wards, ascending to 4,000-6,000 ft. in Kumaon and to 7,000 ft. in Sikkim and

Bhutan, Assam, Sylhet.

Gaintonta A. Rich.

12 species.—Nubia to India.

Gaillonia hymenostephana Jaub. & Sp. Ill. Pl. Or. i (1842) AG, in, 7.

Locality : Si Wick Wana, 4,500 ft. (Duthie’s Collect. 15786 Ne BOBO ite,

(Stewart ex J. D. Hooker).—Barwand, 4,000 ft. (Duthie’s Collect. 15779 !)

Flowers: 21-4-1895 (Barwand), 17-5-1895 (Wana). fe

Distribution: Punjab, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Arabia.

; THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 15

Rupa (Tourn.) L.

15 species.—Hurope, Asia, America.

Rubia cordifolia L. Syst. ed. xu, 229.

Vernacular name: Warwaga (Williams).

Locality: S.W.: 8 miles below Kaniguram village (Stewart).—Pre Ghai

(J. Williams 7832 !).—Razmak, towards springs, 6,750-7,300 ft. (B. & F.

OMe tee Hy LSS 2. 1)

Fruit: 11-8-1888 (Pre Ghal).

Distribution: ‘Throughout the hilly districts of India, from the N.-W.

Himalaya to Ceylon and Malay Peninsula, Dahuria to Japan and Java, tropical

Africa.

Rubia infundibularis Hemsl. & Lace in Journ. Linn. Soc. xxvii (1891) 324.

Tocaityn swe.) ere Ghal” O.. Williams | 7833 1).

Fruit: 1-8-1888 (Pre Ghal).

Distribution: Baluchistan, Afghanistan.

Rubia albicaulis Boiss. Diagn. ser. 1, ii, 53, var. stenophylla Boiss. I'l.

Ones ik 19:

Locality: S.W.: (J. Williams 9155 !).—Kaniguram, 6,500 ft. (Duthie’s

Collect. 15770°— !).

Flowers: 14-5-1895 (kxaniguram).

Frat: 6-7-1888 (S. Waz.).

Distribution: Persia, Afghanistan.

Gatium IL.

250 species.—Cosmopolitan.

Galium aparine L. Sp. Pl. 108; Boiss. Fl. Or. in, 68.

Vernacular name: Babrezie (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Razani (Stewart).—Datta Khel Fort, stony plain 4,600

ft eB Ge H193i-'!)\ 4 miles” Hi of Datta’ Khel, ‘on: gravel (3. +& 60! |

605 !).—Boya, 3,550 ft. (B. & F. 86!).—Miram Shah (F. 507!), hills H. of

caves, 3,600 ft. (B & F. 533!).—Dossali Fort, nala, among tufts of grass

(B. & F. 1022!), mght bank of Khaisora River (B. & IF. 11633).

S.W.: Near Kaniguram (Stewart).—Lower slopes of Shuidar, up to

5,700 ft. (B. & F. 1615 !).—Razmak, stony plain (I*. 3187 !).

Flowers & Fruit: 21-38-80 (Boya); 30-38-80 (Datta Khel); 10-4-80 (Dossall) ;

18-4-27 (Miram Shah); 16-4-380 (Datta Khel); 18-4-30 (Shuidar); 5-5-27 (Raz-

mak).

Distribution: Temperate Himalaya up to 12,000 ft., from Kashmir to

Sikkim, N. and W. and Central Asia, N. Africa, Europe.

Galium tricorne Stokes in With. Bot. Arr. Brit. Pl. ed. If, i, 1538.

Vernacular name: Chapreth (Waziri).

Locality: —N.W.: . Datta Khel (?. 1253 1), im garden, 4,600 ft. (B. & F.

1387 !).—Dossali, nala (B.°& 1062. 1).

S.W.: (Stewart)—Razmak, stony plain (F. 2683. !).

Flowers & Fruit: 25-3-27 (Datta Khel); 11-4-80 (Dossali); 17-4-30 (Datta

Khel); 29-4-27 (Razmak).

Distribution: W. Himalaya, Orient, Hurope, N. Africa.

Galium spurium L. Sp. Pl. (1758) 154.

Locality: S.W.: Razmak, stony plain, 6,800 ft. (B. & F. 1748a }).

Flowers & Fruit: 24-4-80 (Razmak).

Galium setaceum Lam. Encycl. ii, 584; Boiss. Fl. Or. ui, 77.—G. capillare

Cave Ne: hy LOW hee ly.

Locality: S.W.: Wana, 4,500 ft. (Duthie’s Collect. 15784 | !).

Flowers: 5-5-1895 (Wana).

Distribution: Temperate Asia, Punjab, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Mediter-

ranean.

Galium sp.

Locality: S.W.: (Duthie’s Collect. 15615).

‘158 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

CALLIPELTIS Stev.

3 species.—Hgypt to Persia.

Callipeltis cucullaria DC. Prodr. iv, 613.

Vernacular name: Packikt boti (Williams).

Locality: S.W.: Shaur Hill (J.. Williams 2591 !).—Wana. (Duthie’s

Collect. 15629 1).

Fiowers: 1-5-1895 (Wana).

Distribution: Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Persia, Orient, Asia Minor, Medi-

terranean, N. Africa.

VALERIANACEAE.

Hurope, Asia, Africa, America.

350 species.

VALERIANA Tourn. ex Li.

200 species.—Hurope, Asia, Africa, America.

Valeriana Wallichii DC. Mem. Valer. 15, t, 4.

Vernacular name: Kamargul (Waziri).

Locality: S.W.: Razmak.—Pre Ghal (J. Williams 7834 ! 7835 !, Duthie’s

Collect. 15604 !).

Flowers: May, 16-5-1895 (Pre Ghal).

Fruit: 9-8-1888; 14-8-1888 (Pre Ghal).

Distribution: Afghanistan, Kuram Valley, temperate Himalaya from Kash-

mir to Bhutan, 10,000 ft., Khasia Hills, 4,000-6,000. ft.

Valeriana dioica L. Sp. Pl. 44.

Locality: S.W.: (Duthie’s Collect. 15643 _!).

Distribution: . Kurope, Central Russia, Asia Minor.

Valeriana sp.

Locality: S.W.: Upper regions (Stewart).

VALERIANELLA ‘'ourn. ex Hall.

50 species.—N. temperate regions.

Velerianella Szovitziana Fisch. & Mey. Ind. Sem. in, Petrop. 48.

Locality: N.W.: Left bank of Dariawasti Algad (B. & F. 1662 !).—

N. of Boya Fort near Tochi River, 3,550 ft. (B. & F. 1693 !).—Near Miram

Shah, bed of ;Chasmai River, 3,100 ft. (BS. @& hy 37 31):

S.W.: Slopes of Shuidar, 7,000-9,000 ft. (B. & F. 1593 !).—Barwand,

4,000 ft. (Duthie’s Collect. 15775 !).—Near Kaniguram, about 6,500 ft.

(Stewart).

Flowers & Fruit: 24-8-30 (Chasmai River); 18-4-80 (Shuidar); 19-4-30

(Dariawasti Algad); 21-4-30 (Boya).

Fruit: 26-4-1895 (Barwand).

Distribution: WKashmir, Afghanistan, Persia, Arabia, Syria, Asia Minor.

CAMPANULACEAE.

1,060 species.—Temperate and subtropical regions.

CAMPANULA (‘ourn.) L.

300 species.—N. temperate regions and tropical mountams, especially Medi-

terranean.

“Campanula Medium Li. Sp. Pl. 167.

Vernacular name: Canterbury Bells.

Locality: S.W.: Razmak, in garden (B. & F. !).

Distribution: §. Europe.

Campanula Jeucoclada Boiss. Diagn. ser. 2, iii, 109.—C. Griffithii Hook. f.

& Thiam Journ. Linn! sSoey 11 41858) 22:

Locality: .S.W.: Wana, 4,500 ft. (Duthie’s Collect. 15787 _!).:-

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 159

Flowers: 8-5-1895 (Wana).

Distribution: Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Kuram Valley.

Campanula sp. near C. sylvatica Wall.

“Locahiy: S:W.: (Duthie’s Collect. 15771 !).

Campanula sp.

Localiiy: S.W.: Kaniguram (Stewart).

PLUMBAGINACEAE.

Cosmopolitan, especially on salt steppes and seacoast.

280 species.

_ ACANTHOLIMON Boiss.

80 species. —H. Mediterranean (desert plants).

Acantholimon sp.

Vernacular name: Drab (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Near Datta Khel village, 4,600 ft., on gravel, forming

a low mat several feet in diam. (B. & F. 1434 !).

SratickE Tourn. ex L.

130 species.—Cosmopolitan, chiefly im steppes and salt marshes.

Statice axillaris Forsk. Fl. Aeg.-Arab. 58.

Locality: S.W.: Wana, in rock-crevices on hills (F. 3425 3).

Distribution: Baluchistan, Arabia, HKgypt.

Statice cabulica Boiss. in DC. Prodr. xii, 666; Fi. Or. v, 871.

locakiven Noa: Boya. (Ee. 4258" 3).

Distribution: Punjab, 2,000-4,000 ft., Afghanistan.

Statice macrorrhabdos Boiss. Diagn. ser. 2, iv, 67.

Vernacular name: Garbeta (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: 2 miles above Dossali Fort, hills on right bank of

Khunai River, 5,150 ft. (B. & F. 1142 !).—Boya, stony plain (I. 422 ! 928 !).

S.W.: Barwand, 4,000 ft. (Duthie’s Collect. 15635 !).

Hlowers: 27-38-27 (Boya); 12-4-80 (Dossali); 29-4-1895 (Barwand).

Distribution: Baluchistan, Afghanistan.

Statice Griffithii Aitch. & Hemsley in Journ. Linn. Soc. xvili, 175, pl. xxiii,

yea’

Locality: N.W.: EK. of Spinwam Fort, stony nala, 2,650 ft. (B. & F.

666 !).—N. of Dossali Fort, stony plain (B. & F. 1005 ! 1005a !).—Spinwam,

on hill (B. & F. 448 !).—E. of Miram Shah, hills (F. 1386 !).

Distribution: Kuram Valley, Jhelum Valley, 38,000 ft.

Statice sp.

Locality: S.W.: In the upper regions (Stewart).

*ARMERIA IL.

~ 60 species.—N. temperate and Andine.

*Armeria vulgaris Willd. Hnum. Hort. Berol. 883.—A. maritima Willd. 1.c.

Vernacular name: Common Thrift or Sea Pink.

Locality: S.W.: Razmak, in garden (B. & F.).

Flowers: April.

Distribution: HKurope and America, along the seacoast.

PRIMULACEAE.

550 species. —Cosmopolitan, but especially N. temperate.

PRimuta L.

220 species.—N. hemisphere, chiefly in hilly districts.

Primula denticulata Sm. Exot. Bot. ii (1805) 109, t. 114.

160 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Locality: S.W.: Sirdar near Razmak, below Shuidar (Dundas 64 !).

Flowers: 20-38-30 (Sirdar).

Distribution: ‘Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Bhutan, 7,000-18,000

ft., Khasia Hills, 5,000 ft., Afghanistan.

Primula adenophora Blatter sp. nov. [Primulacea pertinens ad sectionem

capitatarum Pax similis est Primulae denticulate Smith sed differt foliis

cum floribus nascentibus, foliis spathulatis, scapo glanduloso-pubescenti, brac-

teis ovato-triangularibus brevioribus pedicellis flavo-farinosis et glandulosis

corollae tubo multo breviore. |

Herba ad 10 cm. alta. Folia cum floribus coatanea 9 cm. longa 2 cm.

lata spathulata obtusa vel subacuta argute denticulata im. petiolum latum

alatum a lamina non discretum sensim attenuata nervis validis prominentibus

stramineis infra parcissime farinosa et parce speciatim secus nervos pubes-

centia supra sparsim pubescentia. Scapus validus rigidus folia superans 8.5

em. longus et 2 mm. diametiens capitulum nuiltiflorum densissimum gerenus,

brevissime glanduloso-pubescens speciatim in parte superiore, versus apicem

dense albofarinosus et squamis stellatis cooperatus. Bracteae ovato-triangulares

apice obtusae ad 5 mm. longae et 38 mm. latae ad basin, parcissime farinosae,

margine et dorso glandulis brevissimis parce ornatae. Pedicelli 1-5 imm.

longi, dense flavo-farinosi, brevissime glandulosi. Calyx 8 mm. longus tubuloso-

campanulatus; segmenta tubo-aequilonga anguste lanceolata subacuta viridi-

nigrescentia, marginae parce glandulosa. Corolia parce glandulosa, tubus 10

mm. longus extus flavus, limbus lilacinus fauce flavus 138 mm. diametiens,

lobt. obcordati profunde emarginati. Ovarium globosum. Stylus cum stigmate

filamentis subbrevior. Filamenta antheris multo longiora. Fructum non widi.

A herb up to 10 cm. high. Leaves appearing with the flowers, 9 cm. long

2 cm. broad, spathulate, obtuse or subacute, sharply denticulate, narrowed

slowly into a winged broad petiole, with strong broad prominent straw-

coloured nerves, on the back very sparingly farinose and sparingly pubescent

especially along the nerves, on the ventral side slightly pubescent. Scape

stout, rigid, longer than the leaves, 8.5 cm. long and 2 mm. diam., carrying a

big, dense, many-flowered head, glandular-pubescent especially in the upper

part, towards the apex densely white-farinose and sparingly covered with

stellate scales. Bracts ovate-triangular, obtuse, up. to 5 mm. long and 3

mm. broad at the base, very sparingly farinose, on the margin and_ back

with a very few short glands. Pedicels 1-5 mm. long, densely farinose,

with short glandular hairs. Calyx 8 mm. long, tubular-campanulate; seg-

ments as long as the tube, narrowly lanceolate, subacute, green blackish,

sparingly glandular on the margin. Corolla sparingly glandular; tube 10 mm.

long, outside yellow; lmb lilac, throat with a yellow rim, 18 mm. diam.;

lobes obcordate, deeply emarginate. Ovary globose; style with stigma slightly

shorter than the filaments. Filaments much longer than the anthers. Fruit

not seen.

Locality: S.W.: Razmak, 7,000 ft., shady gulleys on damp rocks (D. G.

Lowndes L4! type, L4a! cotype).

Flowers: February to March 1982.

Uses: Bulbs edible according to local information (Lowndes).

Primula Schlagintweitiana Pax in Engl. Pflanzenr. iv, 237 (1905) 91.

Locality: S.W.: On moist rocks EH. of Razmak Camp (B. & F. 1953 1).

Flowers: 28-4-830 (Razmak).

Distribution: W. Himalaya, Kashmir, Kumaon, up to 138,000 ft.

Primula erosa Wall. Cat. (1828) 611.

Locality: S.W.: N. of Razmak, below. Sprmgs, 7,700. ft. §(B: > & Ir.

IS iI boy a SUSHI ELSIE. |).

Flowers: 25-4-30 (Razmak).

Distribution: W. Himalaya.

Primula sp.

Locahty: —S:.W.:(Duthie’s “Collects 15602) 1).

Anprosacz (Tourn.) L.

84 species.—N. temperate (tufted xerophytes).

Audrosace rotundifolia Hardw. in Asiat. Res. vi (1799) 350.-

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 161

Locality: S.W.: Kaniguram, 6,500 ft. (Duthie’s: Collect. 15772 1).

Flowers: 18-5-95 (Kaniguram).

Distribution: Temperate Himalaya, 5,000-11,000 ft., from Kashmir to

Kumaon.

Androsace rotundifolia var. pusilla Kunth in Engl. Pflanzenr. iv, 237

(1905) 178.

roca aN Wiees) dazimak VNaKan (200 tt. (CB. GH.) L2hS) ot 2 2Ie ts

S.W.: EH. of Razmak, on hill, 6,800 ft. (F. 3108 ! 3106 !), on grassy

ground “(B.4.&) Hy 1946" )!).

Flowers & Fruit: .14-4-80 (Razmak Narai); 24-4-80, 5-5-27 (Razmak).

Distribution: W. Himalaya, Afghanistan.

Androsace rotundifofia Hardw. var. incisa Kunth in Engl. Pflanzenr. iv,

237 (1905) 177.—A. imcisa Wall. in Roxb. Fl. Ind. ed. Carey (1824) 16.

Locality: S.W.: Near Kaniguram brook (Stewart).

Distribution of var.: W. Himalaya, from Kashmir, Hazara, Afghanistan.

AnaGALLis (Tourn.) L.

25 species.—Hurope, Asia, Africa, S. America.

Anagallis arvensis L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 148.

Locality: S.W.: Barwand, 4,000 ft., on level stony plain (Dutuie’s Col-

lect. 15714 !).

Flowers: 26-4-1895 (Barwand).

Distribution: More or less throughout India, Europe, W. Asia and in-

troduced into most temperate regions.

Anagallis arvensis yar. latifolia Lange Pug. (1865) 221.

Locality: N.W.: Near Chasmai River, 3 miles from Miram Shah, in

cultivated held: 3150. it. (Bir & H. 3257 21):

Flowers & Fruit: 24-38-80 (Chasmai River).

Distribution: S. and N.W. Mediterranean, eastwards to Persia.

Samotus (Tourn.) UL.

10 species.—Cosmopolitan, especially 8. hemisphere.

Samolus Valerandi L. Sp. Pl. (17658) 248.

Vernacular name: Aukovanna, Aparyara. -

Locality: N.W.: Dwa Warkha (Stewart).

So Wee Pre sGhale Geo wWialliamss. 7867 7 !)\.

Tank: (J. Willams !).

Flowers: 1-5-1591 (Tank).

Fruit: 1-8-1888 (Pre Ghal).

Distribution: Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Persia, Persian Baluchistan. Most

temperate regions.

SAPOTACEAE.

600 species.—Tropics.

MonotHeca A. DC.

(Reptonia A. DC.).

1 species.—From India to Muscat.

Monotheca buxifolia Dcne. ex observ. facta a cl. Boissiero sub descript.

generis Reptoniae in sua Fl. Or. iv (1879) 32.—Reptonia buaifolia A. DC.

in DC. Prodr. vii (1844) 158.

Quoad Monothecam Mascatensem A. DC. vide quod Boissierus l.c. 33

observat: Reptonia buxifolia Monothecam Mascatensem omnino refert et ab

ea ex cl. Decaisne specifice non differt. Hac ratione inductus tamquam synony-

mum subjungo: Monotheca Mascatensis A. DC. in DC. Prodr. viii, 152.

Vernacular name: Gurgura (Pu., Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: N.-E. of Razmak, Siroba (Stewart)—Above Dossali,

5,050 ft. (B..& F. 1097 ! 1101 !).—Razani (F. 2974 !).—W. of Miram Shah

Fort, stony plain and hillside, 3,150-3,200 ft. (B. & F. 11 !).—Hills E. of

162 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST.. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Miram Shah Fort (B. & F. 530 !).—Datta Khel (F. 1288 ! 1240. !).—Boya

Ca AGi 1):

a S.W.: Sararogha (Ff. 149 ! 221 !).—Above Palosina (Stewart).—Near

Anai above Palosina (Stewart)—Barwand, 4,000 it. (Duthie’s Collect.

15717 !).—Jandola (F. 263- !)—Wana, on hills (F. 8882 !).—Sarwekai (F.

3703 !).—Dargai (F. 8720 ).

Tank: (J. Williams !).

Flowers: —29-3-30 (Miram Shah); 12-4-30 (Dossali); 26-4-1895, May (Bar-

wand); 22-6-27 (Sarwekai).

Fruit: 26-4-1895. (Barwand); 25-5-27 (Jandola).

Distribution: Punjab, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Muscat in Arabia.

Uses: Fruit eaten.

OLEACEAE.

400 species.—Tropical and warm temperate regions, especially E. Indies.

Jasminum. (Tourn.) IL.

170 species.—Tropics and subtropics.

Jasminum humile L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 7.—J. revolutum Sims in Bot. Mag.

(gaa Uffrosl bebe : :

Vernacular name: Gadanghgava (Waziri).

Locality: S.W.: Near Kaniguram, about 6,500 ft., occasional (Stewart).

—Pre Ghal (Duthie’s Collect. 15621 !).—Hili E. of Razmak, 6,800 ft. (B. &

1a lkstoy ee anSSHE Ne Weer eas:

Flowers: May, 15-5-1895 (Pre Ghal).

- Distribution: Himalaya, 4,000-10,000 ft., to Nepal, Bhutan, 5. India,

Ceylon, Salt Range, Baluchistan, Afghanistan.

Jasminum officinale L. Sp. Pl. (1758) 7.

Vernacular name: Shung (Waziri).

Locality: S.W.: Near Kaniguram, about 8,200 ft., (Stewart)—Hill E.

of Razmak:; 6,800 7h: -(B. ie I. dle 9F ale

Flowers: May.

Distribution: Himalaya, 3,000-9,000 ft., Trans-Indus.

Jasminum grandiflorum L. Sp. Pl. ed. 2 (1762) 9.

Bocahiy= IN.W.: Maram “Shah (FP) 3310) a))e

S.W.: Sur Duar Hills (Dundas 787a -!).—Razmak, 6,300 ft. (f. 1761 !

PSION aS. 2 ae ST cal

Flowers: 27-6-80 (Sur Dar Hulls).

Jasminum sp.

Locality: N.W.: Miram. Shah (B. &- F. 1).

Syrinea L.

10 species.—Europe, Asia.

Syringa persica Lu. Sp. Pl. 9; Boiss. FI. Or. iv (1879) 38; Stewart Punj.

Pl; (1869) 141; Aitchis’ FI. Kuram Valley (1880) 78; Brandis" Ind: ‘rees

(19t1) 445.

Locality: S.W.: Razmak, on open stony ground, 6,500 ft. (Ff. 2377 !

9390 1 3019 -1).—=N. of, Razmak, 7,700 tit. (Bw i. S46) Ny),

Flowers: 25-4-380, 2-5-27 (Razmak). :

Distribution: Persia, Caucasus.

Syringa sp. :

Locality: S.W.: Upper regions (Stewart).

. . Fraxinvus Tourn. ex L.

60 species:—N. hemisphere, especially N. America, E. Asia and Mediter-

ranean. —

Fraxinus: xanthoxyloides Wall. Cat. (1828) 2833.

— Vernacular name: Shung (Waziri).

. Locahkty: .S.W.: Kaniguram (Stewart).—Razmak (F. 3328 ! 3330 1).

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN : 163

Distribution: N.-W. Himalaya 3,000-9,000 ft., Baluchistan, Afghanistan,

Trans-Indus.

Fraxinus sogdiana Bunge Pl. Lehm. 390; Boiss. Fl. Or. iv, 41.—F. oxy-

carpa var. sogdiana Wenzig. in Engler’s Bot. Jahrb. iv (1883) 176.

Vernacular name: Shineae (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Above Dossali Fort, bed of Khunai River, 5,000 ft.

(B. & F. 1140 ! 1141 !).—N. of Dossali Fort, in nala called Rosh, 4,900 ft.

Geo he 1016):

Flowers: 12-4-80 (Dossali).

Distribution: Turkestan.

Fraxinus potamophila Herd. in Regel & Herder Enum. pl. Semen. no.

698.—F. Reqgelit Dippel Laubhozk. i (1889) 97.

Vernacular name: Shung (Waziri).

Eocahty: (S.W.: Razmak (FP: .2085 21).

Distribution: Lycia, Armenia, Persia, Turkestan.

OuEA (Tourn.) L.

35 species.—Mediterranean, Africa, Indo-Malaya, Australia, New Zealand,

Polynesia.

Olea cuspidata Wall. Cat. (1828) no. 2817.—O. europaea L. var. cuspidata

Wallks> Stewart Punj. Pl. (1869). 139:

Vernacular name: Shwavan (Waziri), Kau.

Locahty. Now. : RKazani, common, 5,000 it, (F. 2057 12838 1, Bi &.F.

68 !)—Boya (F. 1060 !).—Miram Shah (F. 800 ! 1453 !).—W.. of Spinwam

Fort, on Chota Darweshta, 3,000-4,800 ft. (B. & F. 744 !).—N. of Dossali

Fort, stony plain, 4,900 ft. (B. & F. 1000 }).

S-We: Wana, on: hills N.-H.. of Hort, 4,500. ft. (@.. 3407 1 3415 !

3427. | 3884 !).—Sarwekai, on hills, about 3,600 ft. (. 3985 ! 3986.! 3991 !

4010 !).—Razmak, common on the hill ranges, about 6,800 ft. (F. 3105 !

38338 ! 3340 ! 3349 !)._Sararogha (F. 42 ! 49 }).

Tank: Sheikh Badin near Tank (J. Williams 7868 _ !).

Flowers: 18-5-27, June (Sararogha).

Distribution: N.-W. India, Punjab, Nepal, Sind, Baluchistan, Afghanistan.

Olea europaea L. Sp. Fl. 8.

Vernacular name: Khwan (Pu.).

Locality: N.W.: Razani (Stewart), Siroba~ (Stewart).

S.W.: Above Palosina common on the lower hills (Stewart).—Near

Anai above Palosina (Stewart).—N. of Doboi, about 5,000 ft., on a feeder

of the Zam (Stewart).—Wide shingle plateau of Tandachina (Stewart).

Distribution: Mediterranean, Nubia, Orient.

SALVADORACEAE.

8 species.—Asia, . Africa.

SALVADORA Garcin ex L.

2 species.—W. Asia, Africa.

Salvadora oleoides Decne. in Jacq. Voy. Bot. (1844) 140, t. 144.

Vernacular name: Plewan (Pu.); Pilu (Hind.); Jal.

Locality: S.W.: Above Khirgi (Stewart).—Jandola (F. 4097 !). .

Tank: (Stewart, J. Wiliams 7170 !), common in many places along

the frontier (Stewart).

Flowers: April 1860, 4-5-1888 (Tank).

Distribution: Punjab, Sind, Baluchistan, Arabia.

Uses: ‘Its fruit is held by the inhabitants to be a great provocative of

sexual crimes, but the chances are that its supposed effects arise less from

any aphrodisiac qualities than from the opportunities afforded when parties of

both sexes go out from the villages to gather the ripe fruit.’ (Stewart).—Leaves

used in dyspepsia. Fruit eaten (Williams).

164 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

APOCYNACEAE.

1,400 species.—Mostly tropical, a few temperate.

-RHAzYA Dene.

2 species.—W. Asia.

Rhazya stricta Dcne. in Ann. Nat. Sc. ser. 2, iv, 81.

Vernacular name: Ganderai (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: In the lower regions (Stewart).—Stony ground at foot

nearest hill EK. of Spinwam Fort, 2,600 ft. (B. & F. 447 ! 652 ! 757 !).

Flowers: 1-4-380, 8-4-80 (Spinwam).

Fruit: 1-4-30 (Spinwam).

Distribution: Punjab, Salt Range, Sind, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Arabia.

*Vinca L.

5 species.—EHurope, W. Asia.

“Vinca minor L. var. atropurpurea compacta Hort.

Vernacular name: Common Periwinkle.

Locality: .NoWox: = Maram: Shah, 3,000) teas 9 sce (Ey 525:

Flowers: 28-83-30 (Miram Shah).

Distribution: Kurope.

Nerium L.

3 species.—Mediterranean to Japan.

Nerium odorum Soland in Hort. Kew. ed. 1, i (1789) 297.

Vernacular name: Ganderai (Mashudi).

Locality: N.W.:. Shakais 6,000-7,000" ft. (Duthie’s .Collect., 5654. 3), —

Razami (Ey 2055 2 205 ae

S.W.: Between Sararogha and Razmak, Marabi torrent bed (F. 1531 !

1583 1! 1584 -!.1539. 3),

Flowers: 380-4-1895 (Shakai); 24-6-27 (Marabi).

Distribution: Himalaya up to 5,000 ft., Punjab, Salt Range, Trans-Indus,

Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Persia.

ASCLEPIADACEAE.

Mostly tropics, especially Africa, but a few temperate.

1,700 species.

Hemipesmus R. Br.

1 species.—India.

Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. in Mem. Wern. Soc. i (1811) 57.

Locality: N.W.: W. of. Spinwam Fort, Chota Darweshta, 2,750-3,000 ft.

(Bares aahie eal ee)

Distribution: N. Provinces of India, Abu, Ceylon.

Perietoca Tourn. ex UL.

12 species.—Temperate regions of Old World, tropical Africa.

Periploca aphylla Decne. in Jacq. Voy. Bot. (1844) 109, t. 116.

Vernacular name: Barrarra (Pu.), Baradha (Waziri), Barad (Bettani

tribe).

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah, on hills and plain, 3,600 ft. and upwards

(B. & F. 18 ! 558 !).—Chota Darweshta, on boulder-strewn slopes, 3,000-

4,800 ft. (B. & F. 741 !).—Dariawasti near Datta Khel (B. & F. 16438 !).—

Near Shewa Post, left bank of Volam River, very common (B. & F. 893. !).—

Datta Khel (F. 13829 ! 1339 !).—Boya (F. 557 ! 568 ! 899 !).—Razani, rare

(F. 2083 !, Stewart)..

S.W.: Near Palosina, common (Stewart).—Barwand (Duthie’s Collect.

15715 !).—Sararogha (F. 155 ! 605 ! 621 !).—Jandola (F. 267 ! 4105 !).—

Sarwekai, common (F. 8989 °!).—Dargai Post (Ff. 8718 ! 8719 !).—Tenai

Post (Ff. 3791 !).—Spin (F. 3826 !).—Wana (F. 3409 ! 38871 !).

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 165

Flowers: 29-3-830 (Miram Shah); 2-4-80 (Chota Darweshta); 5-4-80 (Shewa

Post); 8-4-27 (Boya); 19-4-30 (Dariawasti); 26-4-1895 (Barwand); 18-6-27

(Wana).

Fruit: 22-6-27 (Dargai).

Distribution: Punjab, Sind, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Persia, Arabia,

Nubia.

Uses: Tender shoots eaten by donkeys and goats. Used to increase flow

of milk in cattle.

GLOSSONEMA Dene.

6 species.—Tropical Africa and Asia.

Glossonema yarians Benth. in Benth. & Hook. f. Gen. Pl. 11 (1876) 748.

Vernacular name: Mangartevna (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: 2 miles above Dossali Fort, bed of Khunai River,

5,050 ft. (B. & F. 1187 !).—Razani (F. 2948 ! 2959 .!)—Razmak Narai,

stony slope of ravine, 6,650 ft. (B. & F. 1225 ! 1257 !).

S.W Razmak, small plants scattered all over (F. 2361 !).—N. of

Razmak towards Springs, 6,750-7,300 ft. (B. & F. 1760 ! 1941 ! 1949 -3).

Flowers: 12-4-80 (Dossali); 14-4-80 (Razmak Narai); 5-5-27 (Razmak).

Fruit: Fruit of previous year still found on 5-5-27 at Razmak.

Distribution: Sind, Baluchistan, Persia.

CaALoTROPIS R. Br.

3 species.—Tropical Asia, Africa.

Calotropis procera R. Br. in Ait. Hort. Kew. ed. 2, u1, 78.

Vernacular name: Spulmei, Spelmei (Pu., Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah, on stony plain (I. 471 ! 882 !).—Dwa

Warkha (Stewart).

S.W.: Zam Valley above Khirgi N.-W. of Tank, frequent in the

shingly bed of river (Stewart).—Sararogha (F. 39 ! 48 !).—Jandola, open

stony ground and nalas (F. 653 !).—Sarwekai (F. 3917 !)—Dargai Post (F.

3732 !).—Spin, scattered all over stony plain (F. 3841 !).

Fiowers: 16-4-27 (Miram Shah); 18-5-27 (Sararogha); 24-5-27 (Jandola);

21-6-27 (Spin).

Distribution: Hot and drier parts of India, from the Punjab and Sind to

W. and Central India, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Persia, Arabia to Egypt and

tropical Africa.

PENTATROPIS FR. Br.

8 species. —Palaeotropics.

Pentatropis spiralis Dcne. in Ann. Se. Nat. ser. 2, ix (1838) 327, t. 11.—

P. cynanchoides R. Br. in Salt Voy. Abyss. (1814) App. p. 64.

Locality: N.W.: H. of Spinwam, stony sandy nala, 2,650 ft. (B. & F.

676 !).

Distribution: Punjab, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Arabia, tropical Africa.

Pentatropis microphylla W. & A. in Wight Contrib. (1834) 52.

Locality: N.W.: In the lower regions (Stewart).

Distribution: India, Ceylon.

ViINcETOXxICUM Rupp.

40 species.—Warm countries.

Vincetoxicum officinale Monch Meth. (1794) 317.—Cynanchum vincetoxicum

Gi) Re Br. in) Mem. Wern. Soc. 1, 47.—Asclepias’ Vincetoxicum: li. Sp. Pl.

(1753) 216.

Locality: S.W.: Kaniguram (Duthie’s Collect. 15766 !).

Flowers: 18-5-1895 (Kaniguram).

Distribution: Temperate Himalaya, Kashmir to Sikkim,: 7,000-11,000 ft.,

westwards to Europe.

166 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

GymneMA R. Br.

40 species.—W. Africa to Australia.

Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. in Mém. Wern. Soc. i (1811) 33.

Locality: S.W.: EH. of Razmak, on hill, 6,800 ft. (B. & F. 1886 )).

Flowers: 26-4-80 (Razmak).

Distribution: W. India, Ceylon, tropical Africa.

LEPTADENIA R. Br.

15 species.—Tropical Africa, Asia.

Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Iorsk.) Dene. in Ann. Se. Nat. (1838) 269.—L.

spartium Wight Contrib. (1834) 48.

Vernacular name: Movung (Waziri).

. Locality: N.W.: Boya (F. 1427 ! 1440 !).—Miram Shah (F. 1401 !).—

KH. of Spinwam Fort, sandstone ridge, 2,800 ft. (B. & F. 800) }).

Flowers: 27-83-27 (Boya); 14-4-27 (Miram Shah).

Distribution: Punjab, Rajputana Desert, Baluchistan, Arabia, Egypt, tro-

pical Africa.

Uses: Plant is dried and burnt and ground and mixed with tobacco,

and used as intoxicant (F.).

: ORTHANTHERA Wight.

4 species.—Africa, India.

Orthanthera viminea Wight Contrib. (1834) 48.

Vernacular name: Movung (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Razani (Stewart)—Boya (F. 1501 ! 1503 !).

Flowers: 8-4-27 (Boya).

Distribution: N.-W. India along the base of the Himalaya, 1,000-3,000 ft.,

from Peshawar to Oudh (See Parker, p. 358).

CARALLUMA. R. Br.

60 species.—Mediterranean to East Indies.

Caralluma (Boucerosia) tuberculata N. E. Brown in Kew Bull. (1895) 264;

Gravely & Mayuran. in Bull. Madras Govern. Museum, new series iv, pt. 1

(1931) 20.—Boucerosia aucheriana Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. iv (1885) 78 (non

Decaisne).

Vernacular name: Pavona (Waziri); Pamanai (Bettani tribe).

Locality: N.W.: Chota Darweshta, in the shade of boulders, 2,750-3,000

ft. (B. & F. 707 !).—Miram Shah, 3,100 ft. (B. & F. 6 !, F. 379 ! 4209 !).—

Boya (F. 279 ! 1064 !)

S.W.: Palosina (Stewart).—Jandola (F. 2389 !).—Wana (F. 3873 !).

~ Fruit: 2-4-80 (Chota Darweshta); 14-4-27 (Miram Shah):

Distribution: W. Punjab, Salt Range, Baluchistan, Afghanistan.

Uses: The leafless stems are intensely bitter and are regarded as

stomachic by both Pathans and Punjabis (Stewart).

Note: Its Persian name, Panj-angusht (five fingers), is descriptive of its

appearance (Stewart).

LOGANIACEAE.

550 species.—Tropics, a few warm temperate.

BuppLeEJA Houst.

90 species.—Tropics and subtropics.

Buddleja crispa Benth. Scroph. Ind. (18385) 48; Wall. Cat. 6404, Marquand

in Kew Bull. (1930) 199.

Vernacular name: Khadvanai (Waziri).

_ Locality: N.W.: Shakai (Duthie’s Collect. 15686 !).—Dossali, nala (B.

6 ee):

THH FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN ee nagita.s EOT

S.W.: Kaniguram, about 6,500 ft., frequent, also at 8,200 ft. (Stewart).

=—N.-E. of Razmak, common (Stewart).—N. of Razmak, 6,700-7,300 ft. (B. &

F. 1751 ! 1872 !)—H. of Razmak, on hill (B.& F.°1947 !).

- Flowers: April 1860 (Kaniguram, Razmak); 25-4-30 (Razmak); 30-4-1895

(Shaka).

Distribution: N.-W. Himalaya, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Kuram Valley,

Bhutan. on

Buddleja crispa Benth. var. ferruginea Blatter var. nov. [Ramuli, foliorum

facies inferior et inflorescentia ferrugineo-tomentosa, facies foliorum superior

cinereo-tomentosa. |

Vernacular name: Speravona, Speravonie (Waziri).

Locality: -N.W.: Bazani (F.-- 2849. 1! 2888 - !).

S.W.: N. of Razmak, below Springs, 7,700 ft. (B; & F. 1876. -!,.2:

2565 ! 2801 ! 2815 !)—Razmak (F. 31382 1).

In. bud: 25-4-830 (Razmak).

Flowers: 5-5-27 (Razmak).

Distribution: Waziristan.

GENTIANACEAE.

800. species. —Cosmopolitan.

: E GENTIANA Tourn. ex .L.

400 species.—Cosmopolitan, Africa excepted, chiefly alpine.

Gentiana Kaufmanniana Regel et Schmalh. in Acta Hort. Petrop. vi (1879),

331. :

Locality: S.W.: Pre Ghal (J. Williams _ 1873 1).

Flowers: 8-8-1888 (Pre Ghal).

Distribution: Turkestan.

Uses: Used for bronchitis (Williams).

Gentiana Moorcroftiana Wall. Cat. 4390.

Locality: S.W.: Pre Ghal (Hay).

Flowers: September (Pre Ghal).

Distribution: W. Himalaya, 8,000-12,000 ft.

Gentiana Lowndesii Blatter in Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc.. xxxv (1932),

861.

Locality: N.W.: Alexandra Ridge, 7,800 ft. (Capt. D. G.. Lowndes

2480 1!).—Plentiful on open hill-tops, 7,500-8,500 ft.

Flowers: October 1931.

Swert1a Lu.

90 species.—Cosmopolitan, except Africa.

Swertia cordata Wall. Cat. 4878. :

Locality: S.W.: -Pre Ghal (Hay). ;

Distribution: Temperate Himalaya, 4,000-12,000 ft. -from ‘Kashmir to

Bhutan, abundant westwards, Khasia Mts. 3,000-5,000 ft. ;

CONVOLVULACEAE.

1,000 species.—Tropical and temperate regions.

ConvotvuLus (Tourn.) I.

180 species.—Temperate, a few tropical regions.

Convolvulus arvensis L. Sp. Pl. 153.

Vernacular name: Parvatiae (Waziri). Ss cacat :

Locality: .-N.W.:°-Dwa. Warkha (Stewart). —Datta -Khel-~ Fort;- garden

4,600 ft. (B. & F. 1415 !).—Datta Khel village (B. & F. 1448 !).—Boya (F.

1015 ! 1083 ! 1159 !),—Miram Shah. village CB; & B. 459.1, -F.. 2938°-1).—

Razani (ie. 2919) 1); ae

168 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

S.W.: Kaniguram (Stewart, Duthie’s Collect. 15752 !).—N. of Razmak,

below Springs (B. & F. 1874 !, F. 1895 ! 1966 !).—Sararogha (F. 28 !).—

Dargai Post (F. 3753 ! 8773 !).

Flowers: 28-38-30 (Miram Shah village); 5-4-27 (Boya); 16-4-27 (Miram

Shah village); 17-4-30 (Datta Khel); 25-4-80 (Razmak); 380-4-27 (Razmak);

6-5-27 (Razmak); 18-5-27 (Sararogha).

Distribution: Nearly all temperate and subtropical regions.

Convolvulus pluricaulis Chois. Convolv. Or. 95.

Locality: S.W.: Near Palosina (Stewart).

Tank: ( Stewart).

Flowers: April 1860 (Tank, Palosina).

Distribution: Punjab Plain, Upper Gangetic Plain to Bihar and Chota

Nagpur, Gujarat, Senegal.

Uses: Considered by the Punjabis as a ‘cooling’ vegetable (Stewart).

Convolvulus leiocalycinus Boiss. Diagn. ser. 1, vii, 28; FI. Or. iv, 86.

Locality: Tank: Shaur Hill near Tank (J. Williams !).

Flowers: 25-38-1891 (Tank).

Distribution: Baluchistan, Persia.

Convolvulus lineatus L. Syst. ed. 10, 923; Led. Fl. Ross. iu, 90; Boiss.

HMM Or wave eS:

Locality: S.W.: Wana, 4,500 ft. (Duthie’s Collect. 15671 !).

Flowers: 6-5-1895 (Wana).

Distribution: Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Orient, Asia Minor, Europe, N.

Africa, Soongaria, Altai.

Convolvulus Aitchisonii C. B. Clarke in Journ. Linn. Soc. xix (1882) 179.

Locality: N.W.: N. of Dossali Fort, stony plain, 4,900 ft. (B. & F.

1010 ! 1079 ! 1263 |! 1264 !).—Rare.

Flowers: 15-4-380.

Distribution: Afghanistan.

Convolvulus erinaceus edeb. in Eichw. Casp.—Cauc. p. 3-11, t. 7.—Con-

volvulus spinosus Burm. Fl. Ind. 47, t. 19, fig. 4 (mon Descr. nec Hichw.);

Boiss: Wh yOre 15. Sie

Locality: S.W.: (Duthie’s Collect. 15740 !).

Distribution; Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Persia, Turkestan.

Convolvulus acanthocladus Boiss. Diagn. ser. 1, vu, 27.

Vernacular name: Jhauckzie (Mashudi).

Locality: S.W.: Sarwekai, stony ground (F. 4458 - !).

Fruit: 7-6-27 (Sarwekai),

Distribution: Persia.

Convolvulus rottlerianus Choisy Convolv. Orient. in Mém. Soc. Phys. Genéve

vi (1884) 477.

Locality: S.W.: Jandola (FF, 4109 !).

Flowers & Fruit: 29-5-27 (Jandola).

Distribution: Deccan, Rajputana Desert, Baluchistan, Afghanistan.

Convolvulus pilosellaefolius Descr. in Lam. Encycl. iti, 551; Boiss. Fl. Or.

iv, 103.

Locality: N.W.: Datta Khel, in a garden, 4,600 ft. (B. & F. 1405 3).

Distribution: Afghanistan, Persia, Mesopotamia.

Convolvulus microphyllus Sieb. ex Spreng. Syst. i (1825) 611.

Locality: 3S: W.? Dareai Post) (Be 377k i),

Distribution: Gujarat, Rajputana Desert, Sind, Baluchistan to Egypt and

Nubia.

~Evotvotus L.

90 species.—Tropics and subtropics.

Evolvulus alsinoides L. Sp. Pl. (1762) 392.

Locality: N.W.: 9 miles S. of Spinwam (B. & F. 694 1).

S.W.: Jandola, stony ground (F. 3892 ).

Flowers & Fruit: 1-4-30 (Spinwam); 38-6-27 (Jandola).

Distribution: Tropical and subtropical countries.

THEK FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 169

Cressa L.

5 species.—Tropics and subtropics.

Cressa cretica L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 223.

Locality: S.W.: Shalkh (J: Williams 7180 !)—Wana (F. 3501 )).

Distribution: All warm regions.

SOLANACEAE.

1,500 species.—Tropical and temperate regions; chief centre Central and

5S. America,

Soianum (Tourn.) J.

1,225 species.—Tropical and temperate regions.

Solanum nigrum L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 186.

Locality: N.W.: N. of Miram Shah village, clay bank of irrigation

channel, 3,150 ft. (B. & F. 454 !).—Hills east of Miram Shah Fort: (B. &

I’, 555 !).—Near Miram Shah Fort, bank of Chasmai River, sandy clay

(ee eg Mae ONLI wae

Tank: (Stewart, J. Williams 7180 !).

Flowers: 28-3-30 (Miram Shah); April 1860 (Tank); 4-5-1888 (Tank).

Distribution: All temperate and tropical regions of the world.

Solanum gracilipes Dcne. in Jacquem. Voy. Bot. 118, t. 119.

Locahty: N.W.: Lower regions (Stewart).—W. of Spinwam Fort, boul-

der slope of Chota Darweshta, 2,650-3,000 ft. (B. & F. 696 ! 706 !. 743 }).

Flowers: 2-4-80 (Spinwam).

Distribution: Kuram Valley, Baluchistan, Punjab, Sind.

Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl. Sert. 1 (1795) 8, t. 2.

Vernacular name: ISolkondai, Madaginiae (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Razani (Stewart)—Boya, rare (F. 552 ! 1425 !).—

Miram Shah, on stony ground, 3,000 ft. (F. 885 !)—Near Miram Shah Fort,

bed of Chasmai River in gravel and sand (B. & F. 274 !).—Hills E. of

Spinwam Fort, gravel (B. & F. 764 !).—Shewa Post, 2,100 ft. (B. & F. 869 3).

Sic Tenai, stony ground, not common (Ff. 4042).—Jandola, on dry

banks of Tank River, 2,200 ft. (F. 779 ! 4108 ! 4418 !).—Sararogha, dry

nala and dry stony slopes (F. 152 ! 608 !).—Spin, open stony plain (Tf.

354 !) —Sarwekai (Ff. 3921 ! 8950 !).

Flowers: April, May.

Fruit: April, May, June.

Distribution: Tropics of the Old World.

*Solanum tuberosum L. Sp. Pl. 185.

Vernacular name: Potato.

Bocohnty: “NIW.: in the: hills: above 5,000: ft. (Ba & B.).

Distribution: Native of America.

*Liycopersicum Hill.

10 species.—South America.

*Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. Gard. Dict. ed. 8 (1768) n. 2.

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah Fort, cultivated (B. & F. }).

Distribution: Tropical America.

WITHANIA Pauq.

5 species.—Palaeotropics, subtropics.

Withania coagulans Dunal in DC. Prodr. xii, pt. 1, 685; Boiss. Fl. Or.

iv (1879) 288.—Puneeria coagulans Stocks in Hook. Ic. t. 801; Wight Ic. 1616.

Vernacular name: Shapeanga (Waziri); Puniar called puniri or punir-bad

(i.e. cheese herb) in Afghanistan.

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah, open stony plain (F. 146 ! 481 ! 477 !

510 1! 877 ! 879 ! 1450 !).—Boya, open stony plain, 4,000 ft. (F. 986 ! 1445 !

1477 ! 1478 1), at foot of hill (F. 1444 !).—Datta Khel, open stony plain

170 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

a ee ; 1291 ! 1292 ! 1942 !).—Near Datta Khel village, 4,600 ft. (B. &

S.W.: Wana, 4,500 ft., in open stony plain (F. 3429 ! 3438 ! 3439 |

3448 |! 3449 ! 3554 ! 3556 ! 3589 ! 8629 ! 3696 ! 3890 1), on hillside F.

3682 !).—Palosina (Stewart).—Spin, open stony plain (F. 3550 ! 3883 ! 3854 |

3863 !).._Jandola, open stony plain and in nalas 2,300 ft.. (F. 262 ! 623 |!

724 ! 4115 !).—Sarwekai (F. 3908 ! 3909 !).—Sararogha, stony plain (F. 126 Ne

—Barwand (J. Williams).

Flowers: March, April.

Fruit: May, June.—Once in March found old fruits and new flowers on

same plant. a

Distribution: Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Kuram Valley, Punjab, Sind, Sut-

ley Valley, 3,300 ft. :

Uses: Used against stomach trouble.

Withania somnifera Dunal in DC. Prodr. xiii, i, 453; Boiss. Fl. Or. iv

(1879) 287.—Physalis sommifera Forsk. Fl. Aegypt.—Arab. (1775) lxiii no. 130

CVA, Non elioo:

Locality: S.W.: Jandola, on open stony plain, 2,200 ft. (EF. 627 ! 634 !

4122 !), along Tank River (F. 701 ! 4189 !).

Flowers: May.

Fruit: _ May.

Distribution: Mediterranean region, tropical and S8. Africa, Arabia, Persia,

Baluchistan, Kuram Valley, Sind, Punjab, other parts of India.

Datura L.

15 species.—Tropical and »warm temperate regions.

Datura Stramonium L. Sp. Pl. (1758) 179.

Vernacular name: Barbak (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah, nalas and banks (F. 380 }).

S.W.: On way to Razmak (Stewart)—N. of Razmak Camp, below

Springs, 7,700 ft. (BB: & FE. 1845 ‘!). ;

Fruit. of previous year found 25-4-30.

Distribution: Cosmopolitan.

Datura fastuosa L. Syst. Nat. ed. 10 (1759) 982.

Locality: N.W.: EH. of Miram Shah Fort, rocky bank of Chasmai River,

SOON Tt. (By e228 233 OM):

S.W.: Jandola in stony ground, 2,200 ft. (F. 725 ! 744 !).—Sararogha

Gis Zoe 7).

Flowers: 28-3-80, May (Chasmai River).

Distribution: Cosmopolitan in the tropics.

Datura alba Nees in Trans. Linn. Soc. xvii, 73.—D. fastuosa L. var. alba

Co B. Clarke in. Hook.f. Fl. Brity ind. 74. (iss3)z72it3,

Locality: Tank: (J. Wiliams 7883 }).

Flowers: 23-5-1888 (Tank).

Distribution: India to China and Malaya, Philippines.

Datura Metel L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 179.

Locality: S.W.: Sararogha, in sheltered spots in ravine, rare, 4,000 ft.

(Ey 50):

Distribution: Kashmir, N.-W. Himalaya, 8. Europe. Supposed to have

originally spread from §. America. Rai

PHYSOCHLAINA G. Don.

5 species.—Central Asia.

Physechlaina praealta Hook. f. Bot. Mag. t. 4600, in nota.

Locality: S.W.: In the ‘lower regions (Stewart). ;

Distribution: -N. Kashmir, W. Tibet, Kashgar, Yarkand.

Hyoscyamus (Tourn.) L.

11 species.—N. Africa, Europe, Asia.

Hyoscyamus niger Li. Sp. Pl. (1753) 179; Boiss. Fl. Or. iv (1879) 294.—

H. persicus Boiss. & Buhse Enum. 158. :

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 171

Locality: S.W.: N. of Razmak Camp in torrent bed, 6,500 ft. (Ff. 1592 !

1633 ! 2278 ! 2279 !)—Razmak (Stewart).—Kaniguram, 6,500 ft. (Duthie's

Collect. 15742 !).—Slopes of Shuidar, 7,000-9,000 ft. (F. 1588 ! 1589 !).

Tank: Near Tank, Shaur Hill (J. Williams !).

Flowers & Fruit: 18-4-380 (Shuidar); May.

Distribution: HKurope, W. & N. Asia, Persia, Caucasus, Transcaucasus,

temperate W. Himalaya, 8,000-11,000 ft., from Kashmir to Garhwal.

Hyoscyamus muticus UL. Mant. 45.—H. insanus Stocks in Hook. Kew

JOULE Vs, 116.

Locality: N.W.: Khajuri Post, right bank of Sua Algad, on gravel,

2,250 ft. (B. & F. 348 ! 877 !).—Hills about Datta Khel (Dundas 72 !).

S.W.: Wana, 4,500 ft. (Duthie’s Collect. 15785 !).—Jandola, along

Tank: iRiver (E.. 702:.. 1).

Flowers: 20-38-30 (Datta Khel); 26-3-30 (Khajuri); 7-5-1895 (Wana);

26-5-27 (Jandola).

Distribution: W. Punjab, Sind, Afghanistan to Egypt.

Hyoscyamus pusillus L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 258.

Locality: N.W.: E. of Spinwam Fort, sandstone nala, 2,650 ft. (B.

Ge Hy 662-1).

Fruit: 1-4-3830 (Spinwam).

Distribution: Mediterranean, Orient to the Altai.

*NIcoTIANA L.

45 species.—America, Polynesia, 1 in Australia.

*Nicotiana Tabacum L. Sp. Pl. (1758) 180.

Vernacular name: ‘Tobacco — Plant.

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah (B. & F-.):

Flowers: March (Miram Shah).

Distribution: Supposed to be a native of S. America, others say of

Africa.

OROBANCHACEAE.

140 species.—Chiefly N. temperate regions of the Old World, a few. Ame-

rican and_ tropical.

OroBANCHE (Tourn.) L.

90 species.—Temperate and subtropical regions.

Orobanche amethystea Thuillier Fl. Paris ed. 2, i (1797) 317, var. hyrcana

G. Beck Monogr. Orob. (1890) 381.

Locality: N.W.: Near Miram Shah Fort, on bank of Chasmai_ River,

in .erass;, 3,100 1t-4(B. & My 204 1-230 1.231 1). ;

Flowers: 23-3-30 (Chasmai).

Distribution of var.: N. Persia.

Orobanche sp.

Locality: S.W.: (Duthie’s Collect. 15626 !).

LENTIBULARIACEAE.

250 species.—Cosmopolitan.

Urricutaria L.

210 species.—Tropical and temperate regions.

Utricularia sp.—Flowers blue, large.

Locality: &.W.:- Sur: Dar Mills (Dundas 1).

Flowers: 27-6-30.

(To be continued).

PAE PAN ClV ETS OR ODD CAMS 20 ihaa Meas,

GENERA PARADOXURUS AND PAGUMA INHABITING

BRITISH INDIA.

Re de Pocock ERs:

Unofficial Assistant of the British Museum (Natural History).

PART lc

(With text-figures 3 & 4).

(Continued from page 877 of volume xxxvi).

PARADOXURUS HERMAPHRODITUS NICTITANS, Taylor.

? Paradoxurus leucopus, Ogilby, Zool. Journ., iv, p. 300, 1828."

Paradoxurus nictitans, Taylor, Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc.,

Vip 420, 1eo1. :

Locality of type: Skondmals, Orissa Division of 8. Bengal.

Distribution: Southern Bengal.

The partial albinism of the typical example of nictitans, upon

which Taylor established this ‘species’, has not the systematic

value claimed for it; and Wroughton, without further inquiry, dis-

missed nictitans as a synonym of niger, the name he adopted for

the Southern Indian form. But Taylor’s specimens and one other

that I have seen from Southern Bengal, present certain characters

suggesting that they may prove to be racially separable from other

Peninsular Indian forms; and, pending the collection of additional

examples, I provisionally give nictitans the benefit of the doubt

to prevent it being overlooked and to draw the attention of natu-

ralists to the need of fresh material from that part of India. Its

resemblances to bondar, described below, are unmistakable.

The Museum has three unmeasured, undated male skins from

the typical locality, presented by Mr. J. H. Taylor and all affected

by albinism. The type, -immature, has only the head and

shoulders normally coloured, the rest being white as shown by

‘ This variety, based on a menagerie specimen without locality, will pro-

Lably never be allocated. It is questionably inserted here because its partial

wlbinism manifested by a white abdominal belt, white paws and end of the

tail was similar to that of two of the three examples named nictitans. But

it differed from the specimens I assign to the latter race in having the ground

colour ‘pale brown’.

THE) PAEM C1VitS: OR TODDY CATS’ 173

Mr. Taylor’s plate. The others have a broad white belt. encircling

the hind body and extending forwards and backwards over the

ventral surface; the feet and the terminal third or more of the tail

are also white, but the extent of the white varies in the two. Since

the mother of the type was said to resemble her offspring, all the

examples recorded from Kondmals are partial albinos, suggesting

the prevalence of albinism in that district; but probably these speci-

mens were preserved merely because of that peculiarity. No doubt

normally tinted individuals occur there also. Where the coat is

pigmented it is very similar in tint in the three specimens, the

ground tint varying from clear grey to shghtly buffy grey, overlaid

to a varying extent by long black-tipped hairs, but the tail is

mainly grey, the black being little in evidence. The pattern is

indefinite and superficial. The coat is good but varies in

length and thickness. In the type, known to have been killed in

December, and in one of the others it is thick and full, with more

underwool than in average examples of typical hermaphrodt-

tus.

At Pareshnath in Hazaribagh, some 240 miles to the north of

Kondmals, Crump secured, on June 14, an adult 9 which I assign

to this race. The coat is long and rather shaggy, the under hair

is grey and the black-tipped hairs are tolerably abundant. No

pattern is traceable. Wroughton consequently identified the

specimen as crossi which he said was bigger than niger; but this

specimen is decidedly smaller, as the table of measurements

shows.

In English Inches. In Millim.

= SS eee SS SSS

Head Hind

Locality, date and Sex andy) ath Fat Weight | Wool! Hair

Body

Kondmails, Orissa (type). Dec);

Younis Qe ae eae ae, 18 ane ie 26 45

Kondmals, Orissa;? date; justad.¢| ... ti an ae 26 39

os He a een wes tlWsae an Me an 3 51

Hazaribagh ; June 14; ad. @ POS sal Oa gS 3 lips. eco 57

The body and tail measurements of the type were recorded by

Mr. Taylor in his paper at the time of the animal’s death. As a

made-up skin it is nearly as large as the other two males, of which

the dimensions were not taken.

The difference in the length of the coat of the type and of

the example from Hazaribagh is considerable, but is probably

to be explained by the coat not having attained its full length by

174 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL GIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

December in the type, whereas the Hazaribagh specimen was no

doubt still carrying its winter coat in June.

The following are the measurements of the few available sleuils

In English Inches. In Mill:metres.

aren

, : Int «

: : Total | Zygom.|Waist pol eMaxcis=

Locality and Sex : OW. || Se Se Pine M}

length} width |width wen width a

Kondamals, Orissa;

just ad. 413 (o> es “4 7 Bi a eee ic hiss 7)

Kondamals, Orissa; :

just ad. g sees ez0 22a 26) 7 oF SE U7 ee) 5x61

Kondamals, Orissa

(type) young ¢... |3°73 1°81 ot—| -6: 6 | 14/6 x5 5x7

Hazaribagh ; ad. 9 |3°61+| 1:9+ | -44 | -6 6 | 14118 x6 | 5x72

The first skull on this list has apparently attained practically

its total length. It has a long and narrow ‘waist’, with the tem-

poral crests diverging far in advance of its narrowest point and

Fig. 8.—A. Skull of just adult male of P. h. nictitans from Kondamals, Orissa.

B. The skull of adult female assigned to this race, from Plezeribaeu

Both 2/3 nat. size.

THE PALM CIVETS OR ‘TODDY CATS’ 175

forming behind a distinct but low sagittal crest, thick over the

frontals, narrow over the parietals; the postorbital processes are

quite short. The second skull, judging from the sutures, appears

to be about the same age, but in other respects looks younger,

the sagittal crest being lower and thinner, the ridges divergent a

ttle farther back, the ‘waist’ shorter and a trifle wider and the

postorbital processes shorter, 21 mm. from tip to tip as compared

with 25 mm. in the larger skull. The skull of the type, of which

the tooth change was described above (p. 174), is young. It has

no sagittal crest, the temporal ridges being 5 mm. apart at the

fronto-parietal suture and 8 in the middle of the parietals, the

waist is wide but the postorbital processes from tip to tip are only

53 mm. narrower than in the largest skull. The largest skull is

considerably smaller than the average size of male Indian skulls

assigned to typical hermaphroditus, the nearest to it being the skull

from Rorighat, Hoshangabad. It looks indeed like a female skull

of that race. It must also be compared with a skull of a male col-

lected by Crump at Singar in Gaya, some 800 miles to the north

of Kondmals. This skull is a little larger, but considerably younger

as shown by its more manifest sutures, lower, thinner sagittal crest

and weaker divergent ridges on the frontals; the waist too is much

shorter, and, despite the difference of age the postorbital processes

are wider, 29 mm. as compared with 25 mm., and the frontals

about halt- -way between the waist and the suture more salient and

convex, 24 mm. instead of 20 mm. across. This skull indeed is

much more like the skulls of typical hermaphroditus, hirsutus and

bondar than is the ¢ skull of nictitans.

The female skull, assigned to nictitans, from Hazaribagh, some

250 miles north of Kondmals and geographically just south of Gaya,

is evidently adult, there being hardly a trace of the sutures remain-

ing, but it is considerably smaller than any adult female skulls of the

other Indian races of P. hermaphroditus. The temporal ridges are

weak and although almost meeting on the crown, they form hardly

any saggital crest and become almost obsolete in front of their. point

of divergence a long way behind the ‘waist’; the postorbital pro-

cesses, as in the male skulls, are very short, only 19 mm. across.

This skull is nearly the same size as the young female skull of

hermaphroditus from Alnavar, Dharwar, entered in the table (vol.

xxxvl, p. 874). But the latter is much younger, the temporal ridges

being 7 mm. apart at the junction of the frontals and parietals

and ‘10 mm. on the parietals where the vermiform suture between

them is still very manifest; the postorbital processes also are

much better developed, being 24 mm. from tip to. tip. Judging

by the sutures this Hazaribagh skull is as old as the Q skull of

bondar from Rohilkand; but. fhe latter is a much larger skull, with

the sagittal crest slightly better developed, the divergent temporal

ridges well defined in front of the waist and the postorbital pro-

cesses 25 mm. from tip to tip. It is also noticeably smaller than

the young @ skull from Darbanga which has the temporal crests

wide apart. : | |

76, JOURNAL, BOMBAY (NATURAL, BIST. \SOCHHDY Vol OxOCy iT

PARADOXURUS HERMAPHRODITUS SCINDIAE.' Subsp. nov.

Locality of type: Guna in Gwalior, about 40 miles N. of lat.

24°,

Distribution: Gwalior, Bhopal C.I., and probably Rajputana,

i.e. the country drained by the Chambal and its tributaries, flowing

N.E. into the Ganges. _ i

Description: Distinguished from typical hermaphroditus of

Southern India and Ceylon by its slightly larger size and, in

winter, by its longer, more luxuriant coat, and less conspicuous

black tips of the longer hairs. The pale ground colour varies

from pure darker or lighter grey to slightly buffy grey, and owing

to the length and fulness of the coat the pattern tends to be

marbled or blotchy in type.

Several adult, subadult, and young specimens were collected

for the Mammal Survey in various parts of Gwalior by J. Riley

O’Brien. The recorded measurements of four of these from Guna

(type), Binganj, Cachora Fort and Agar, are entered in the table

below. There are, in addition, an unmeasured 9 skin from Guna

and four half-grown specimens from Binganj.

There are also in the Museum two unmeasured and unsexed

skins, without skulls, collected in 1879 by Col. J. W. Yerbury at

Neemuch (Nimach) about 140 miles W. of Guna. One, a ¢

judging from the skin, obtained at the Cantonment, 1,400 ft., in

March, has the coat scanty but long, the general hue pale brown

owing to the under hair, which is about 40 mm. being tawny, and

the longer hairs, about 60 mm. blackish brown, as if faded, and

the pattern is obscure and streaky. The other, obtained at Baval,

near Neemuch, 1,500 ft., in April, has the coat of about the same

length, but much fuller, and the general colour very different owing

to the under hairs being clear grey and the long hairs normally

black, forming a mottled pattern. Another skin 9, of apparently

the same race, was collected on April 29th, at Sehore in Bhopal,

to the south of Gwalior, by Whitehead. The coat is thin and

rather shaggy, as in the tawny example from Neemuch, but is

about the same length; the general colour, however, is more

like that of the example from Baval, but duskier owing to

the deeper hue of the grey under hair. Sehore is only about 50

miles north of Hoshangabad, where the Palm Civets appear to be

typical hermaphroditus; but the two places are separated by the

Vindhya Range, Sehore being in the Chambal River system and

Hoshangabad on the Narbada River. From the subjoined table of

measurements it may be seen that the @ from Sehore, which

may or may not be quite adult, there being no skull wherewith

1 At the suggestion of Mr. W. 8. Millard this race is named after H. H.

the late Maharaja Sir Madhowrao Scindia, G.C.S.H., G.C.V.O., of Gwalior,

commonly known as Maharajah Scindia, one of the first subscribers to the fund

which enabled the Natural History Society of Bombay to start work in the

field for the Survey of the Mammals of British India.

THE PALM CIVETS Of .TODDY CATS’ 177

to settle the point, is larger than the adult males from Hoshan-

gabad, and noticeably larger than the average size of females of

hermaphroditus.

These three skins from Neemuch and Sehore, which were

assigned by Wroughton to his imaginary species, crossi, are of

some interest, because, collected in the spring, they retain some

of the hairs of the full winter coat and indicate the length of coat

O’Brien’s specimens would have attained if they had lived till

that time of the year.

I also assign to this race two skins, ¢ and Q, collected on

September 15th at Sambhar, Rajputana, by H. M. Adam and, like

the examples from Neemuch and Sehore, identified by Wroughton

as crossi. They are in poor coat, many of the longer hairs being

shed; the general colour is dark grey, lke the specimen from

Sehore but with a shght tawny tint; the pattern is represented

ati most by indefinite lines. The body measurements of the femele,

an old animal, were lost with the original label. Those of the

male, not quite full grown, are entered on the following table.

In English Inches. In Millimetres.

Locality, Date and Sex.

Head mae Hind

and Tail. F Wool. | Hai

foot.

Body.

Guna, 1,564’; Oct. 28, (type), yg. |

adios 264 222 34 30 52

Binoany, 1375"; Nov. 28, ad. 9 26 24 3h 34 57

Cachora~ Fort, -1,681’;. Nov.. 18 ;

alas 244 22 34 28 45

Agar Malwa ;? alt., Dec. 12: yg.

ad: © 243 204 3 30 Sy/

Sehore, Bhopal, 1,700’; Apr. 29, |

rad, 9 234 214 34 40 62

Sambhar, Rajputana; Sept. 15;

Gad. o 242 23 32 28 58

This table shows marked average superiority in the length of

the head and body and of the tail over the examples assigned to

hermaphroditus. The approximate average dimensions of the

females of scindiae, for instance, are: head and body 244 ins.,

tail 22 ins.; of hermaphroditus, head and body, 214 ins., tail 20

ins. The hind feet are about the same length.

The measurements also attest average superiority in the length

of the coat, at its best, in scindiae. By taking examples of the

two races killed between and including December and April, before

178 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

the winter coat is moulted, the average length of its two consti-

tuents can be estimated. In scindiae the approximate average ol

the ‘wool’ is 45 mm., of the long hairs 60 mm.; the corresponding

measurements in hermaphroditus being about 80 mm. and 53 mm.

Skull-measurements are as follows :—

In English Inches In Millimetres.

ae Oe

Locality and Sex. ony 4

: ae) $6)#2|84/a6| 2 | « | :

do) BS.) 82 |ige | ee aS

SS Ne Ee) eee a

eae |

Guna (type) yg. ad. | 4:5 PANES) 7— 8 16 Syd Oh @ oe 7

Binganj. aVels Ole dled 24 | *§—- 73 74 16. |:8x6-| 5x7

Agar Malwacye.) ead. 2) 492) 92:2 a5 7 7 17 | 8x5 5x7

Cachora Fort. ad. 32| (41s 2: Sale 5 "73 *8- 151 | 8x6 | 6x&

Guna. Vie 7 420 PA HO) 6 “6 15 |7x5—| 5x6}

Sambhar, Rajputana;

yo adig|) 44a 72°32 sis ‘8- 8 18 | 81x7/6+ x8

Sambhar, Rajputana;

Older o) 4s 24) 4+ | °7 ‘8- WE SOR) Ok Ts

From the data supplied by this table it cannot be claimed that

the skulls of this race are larger than those of typical hermaphro-

ditus of Southern India, despite the superiority in the bodily dimen-

sions. The skulls are similar and vary similarly in the two races.

The difference in the size of the teeth between the females from

Guna and Cachora Fort is very noticeable; and the difference, of

course, has nothing to do with the difference of age.

PARADOXURUS HERMAPHRODITUS LANEUS, subsp. nov.

Locality of type: Gopalpur, 5,200 ft., in Kangra..,

Distribution: Kangra, in the Upper Punjab, from 2,000 ft. to

7,000 ft. | .

Nearly resembling scindiae from Gwalior in size and general ap-

pearance, but with the winter coat fuller, more woolly, perceptibly

more resistant to the touch; the long hairs are not so extensively

black terminally and there is more black on the sides of the neck.

Five adult and young adult examples collected in March by

H. W. Wells for the Mammal Survey at Gopalpur in Kangra 5,200

ft. and 7,000 ft. and in the Kangra Valley 2,000 ft. to 2, 500 ft.

There is in addition a flat, undated, unsexed alan probably procured

from a native.

THH PALM CIVETS OR ‘TODDY CATS’ 179

In the typical example, an oldish ¢ from Gopalpur, 5,200 it.,

March 6 (collector’s No. 2173), the colour is buffy grey and black

in about equal proportions, the black forming a rather irregular

pattern of lines and spots, somewhat mottled or marbled; the coat

is luxuriant and upstanding, with the wool deep reaching almost

as high as the summit of the pale area of the long hairs which,

erected by it, do not conceal with their black tips the lower pale

areas of the coat. The brow-band is not so conspicuous as in the

rest of the specimens, being interrupted by black which reduces

it to a pair of grey patches on the forehead and a grey patch above

the posterior corner of each eye. A young ¢, with milk teeth, from

Gopalpur, 7,000 ft., March 8 (No. 2166), is almost identical with

the type in colour and pattern, but grey with no buff on the belly;

the coat is beginning to come away on the rump. In most of the

other specimens, taker at lower levels in the Kangra Valley, 2,000

to 2,500 ft., the coao is still luxuriant but shows signs of breaking

with the moult, the dates of their capture being a fortnight or more

later. One of them, a 9 skin (No. 2253) is buffier grey than the

type and has the pattern much less distinct. Another, a ¢ skin

(No. 2211) has lost a lot of the black-tipped hairs on the rump,

the wool remaining. Finally, the skin of an adult 9, March 28

(No. 2285), apparently suckling young to judge from the size of

the mammae and the nakedness of the surrounding skin, is in full

moult, as recorded below. Apart from its size this skin is not

distinguishable from skins of typical hermaphroditus similarly

moulting.

The recorded flesh-measurements and weights are as follows :—

jaliceke Hind

Locality, Date and Sex and Matt aor Weight | Wool! Hair

Body a

Gopalpur, Kangra, 5,200’ ; Mar. 274 244 32 | Olbs. 40 62

G3 ad. J

is a 7,000’ ; Mar. 224 213 Seale Op ui 30 47

3, immat.

Kangra Valley, 2,000’ ; Mar. 26 ; 202.29 33 a 41 52

yg. ad. o

i Ke s Man 21h: 234 22% 32 a 40 60

ad. ¢

5 2, 0002 3 Mar. re 254 24 34 aes 4] 63

ad.

2,000’ ; Mar. 28 ; 264 253 33

ade

The flesh-measurements here recorded agree tolerably closely

with those of scindiae.

180 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

To the skull measurements of laneus given below, are added

those of the Kashmir race next described.

Locality and Sex

laneus

Kangra, Gopalpur (type)

ads Cease 258 75 Ope nS) Ife DO) <7

>”) oe) immat.

len. em | eG | ep op ae

a Valley; ye. ad.

Ae 55 adic |

(PQ) (eae 2a eS ‘7% = |°8-—; 183 | 9x6 | 6x83

ye. ad.

O(? g)| 464 | 2:5 5)

RIK

—

ide)

ie)

die

: . ad, |) 4-32 | 2:32 | <5 | 6 1278) do 0) 6 teas

vellerosus |

Kashmir ; yo. ad. fo 94°93 | 2:74" | 26 Ee Orel a ZA

In the list of the Kangra specimens the queries regarding the

sex of the fourth and fifth skulls are explained below.

The first on the list, the type of laneus, is fully adult, rather old

indeed judging from the worn teeth. It is well developed and

similar to the skull of hermaphroditus from Bellary with the tem-

poral ridges strong where they meet over the waist and running into

a large sagittal crest, 8 mm. high, the postorbital processes wide

and salient, 41-mm. from tip to tip, exceeding that dimension in

any other Indian skull and the zygomatic arches at their level

65 mm. across. The third skull still has the basioccipital suture

open and would probably have exceeded the type-skull when full

erown. I believe, however, that the fourth and fifth skulls, res-

pectively marked 3g and 9, have had their labels exchanged. The

fourth (collector’s No. 2211) is approximately as old as the type

skull, but it has all the characters of a female skull and almost

exactly matches the last on the list (No. 2285) which belongs to

the 9 skin in moult. It is comparatively small, with the temporal

ridges weak over the waist, forming a crest from 1 to 2 mm. high

on the frontals and separated on the parietals; the postorbital pro-

cesses are only 30 mm. across and the zygomatic arches on a level

THE PALM CIVETS OR ‘TODDY CATS’ 181

with them only 54 mm. wide. The fifth skull, on the contrary,

marked Q (No. 2253) almost exactly resembles the third on the

Fig. 4.—A. Skull of young adult male (type) of the Kashmir race (P. h.

vellerosus. B. Fully adult male skull of the Kangra race (P. h. laneus).

Figs. 2/3 nat. size.

list, a young adult g¢ (No. 2265), and would probably have exceed-

ed the type in size when full grown.

The immature dimensions of the second skull on the list have

been added to show the size with the milk teeth still functional and

the permanent set, although ready to erupt, still beneath the gum.

Although the data are few and not very satisfactorily compar-

able, the measurements in this table attest slight superiority of

the skulls of laneus over those of scindiae in all the dimensions

cited, except the waist. The bullae and teeth are also a little

bigger.

PARADOXURUS HERMAPHRODITUS VELLEROSUS, subsb. nov.

Locality of type and only known specimen: Kashmir.

Like. the type of laneus from Gopalpur, 5,200 ft., in Kangra,

in colour and pattern but with a larger skull and a better coat, the

woolly under hair about 50 mm. long, the longer hairs about 60 mm.

On the made-up skin the tail measures 28 in.; on the similarly

182 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

made-up skin of the type of laneus the tail is 254 in., the head and

body being about the same in the two specimens. _

The type of this race (B.M. No. 23.9.1.17), purchased from

Mrs. Entwistle, is apparently the first example of Paradoxurus re-

ceived from Kashmir, although Col. Ward recorded the occurrence

of the genus in that country.

The skull, of which some measurements are given in the table,

with a total length of 125 mm. and a condylo-basal length of 122

mm., is the longest Paradoxurus skull I have seen, the correspond-

ing measurements of the typical skull of laneus being respectively

119 mm. and 118 mm. The skull, nevertheless, is decidedly young-

er; and since the basioccipital suture is still visible, it had probably

not reached its full length and had certainly not attained complete

development in other respects. The sagittal crest, for instance, is

only 44 mm. high, just surpassing half the height of the crest in the

type of laneus, the ridges in front of ij are weak and diverge from

a point on a level with the narrowest part of the longish waist,

the postorbital processes are only 34 mm. from tip to tip, and the

zygomatic arches at their level 60 mm. wide, the same measure-

ments in the type of laneus being respectively 45 mm. and 65 mm.,

and the cranium is narrower at the level of the posterior root

of the zygomatic arches. No doubt it would have surpassed the

typical skull of laneus in those respects with development.

PARADOXURUS HERMAPHRODITUS BONDAR, Desm.

Viverra bondar, Desmarest, Mamm., p. 210, 1820.

Paradoxurus bondar, Gray, Illusire Ind. Zool, —pl. sat, 1633. 70.

Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. a3l.

Paradoxurus pennantii, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1832, p. 66; id.

ust: Ind. Zool. pl) xi, 1833)

Paradoxurus crossi, Gray, Proc. Zool. ‘Soca. "8320p. On. 1a),

lusty. tnd: Zool. spl. val, 1833.

Paradoxurus hirsutus, Hodgson, Asiat. Res., xix, p. 72, 1836.

Paradoxurus strictus, Horsfield, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (2), xvi,

p. 105, 1850; id. Proc. Zool, Soc. 1856, p. 896) 2m). 47,

Locality of type of bondar: Bengal.

Locality of type of pennantu: Higher Province of Bengal.

Locality of type of crossi: . India’.

Locality of type of hirsutus: Nipalese Tarai.

Locality of type of strictus: Nepal Tarai.

Distribution: Rohilkund and ‘the open parts of Nipalese Tarai

and generally in British districts on the left (north) side of the

Ganges to Northern Bihar’ (Hodgson); Bengal (Desmarest).

Description: Closely resembling scindiae and laneus in the

length and luxuriance of the winter coat, the under hair long and

thick so that the longer black-tipped hairs are raised, not lying

smoothly as in hermaphroditus; the pattern less pronounced than

THE PALM CIVETS OB ‘TODDY CATS’ 183

in scindiae and laneus, sometimes evanescent and when indicated

formed by the confluence of the black tips of the longer hairs and

therefore readily disarranged; general colour varying from nearly

white to pale whitish grey with a faint buff tinge or to conspl-

cuously ‘yellow’ or tawny.

This Survey only procured a few examples assigned to this race

and there are only two, or possibly three, in Hodgson’s collection.

I see no reason for dissenting from Gray’s determination of

Desmarest’s bondar. Blanford, on the contrary, reversing Gray’s

decision, quoted bondar as a synonym of niger, although Desma-

rest’s descriptions of the two emphatically attest their distinctness

and the characters he assigned to bondar contradict the diagnosis

of niger given by Blanford in his analytical key. According to Des-

marest his description of Viverra bondar was taken from a sketch,

sent to him by Blainville, which was alleged to be a copy of an

unpublished coloured drawing seen by him in London of a speci-

men from Bengal named ‘Ichneumon bondar’. The original paint-

ing, by Buchanan Hamilton, was in the possession of the East

India Company. Blanford examined it, and without comparing it

with Desmarest’s description of bondar, came to the conclusion that

it represented the South Indian Palm Civet (niger). I do not agree

with that opinion, but the point is of no importance because

Buchanan Hamilton’s painting is not the type of bondar as Blan-

ford claimed. The type is Blainville’s alleged copy of it. I say

‘alleged’ because the original painting, still preserved at the India

Office, where I was courteously allowed to see it, differs in several

points from Desmarest’s description of bondar and suggests that

Blainville inaccurately copied it, possibly modified his drawing from

a specimen in his possession which he identified as Buchanan

Hamilton’s ‘bondar’.* For the determination of bondar, therefore,

we are dependent upon Desmarest’s description, which states

that the coat is very thick and tawny in tint with the points of

the longest hairs black, the pattern consisting of a median dorsal

stripe continued all along the tail and of two narrow parallel bands

extending along the flanks from the shoulders to the croup; the

tail is black in its terminal third and below the eye there is a grey

patch surrounded by black continuous with a black patch on the

sides of the muzzle.

The type of pennantii was a coloured sketch by Hardwicke of

a specimen from the Higher Province of Bengal which in those days

extended westward to the frontier of Oudh, south of the Nepal

Tarai. The reproduction of it in Illustrations of Indian Zoology

1 Even more manifest are the discrepancies between Desmarest’s description

of Viverra prehensilis, which has the same history as bondar, and Buchanan

Hamilton’s original painting. According to the latter, for instance, only the

basal third of thd tail is the same colour as the rump and its tip is white.

Desmarest’s description of Blainville’s alleged copy says the ‘greater part’ of

the tail is the same colour as the body and the tip black. The identification. of

Desmarest’s prehensilis is, however, of no particular importance, the name

being preoccupied.

184 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCTHELY « Vol. XOxvil

represents the body and at least the proximal half of the tail as

tolerably uniformly tawny buff with some darker streaks running

over the flanks from the shoulders to the root of the tail. Gray

himself, in his revision of 1864 dropped the name as a synonym

of bondar and I accept that decision. By Blanford pennantiu,

without any apparent reason, was added to the synonymy of his

niger. :

The type of crossi, said to have come from India and exhibited

in the Surrey Zoological Gardens, was drawn while still alive and

the figure, reproduced in Illustrations of Indian Zoology, depicts

the body as yellowish or buff all over without trace of definite

pattern of lines or spots, and covered with a luxuriant, obviously

woolly, coat. It unmistakably resembles Hodgson’s unpublished

drawings of his hirsutus and is quite unlike any specimens of Palm

Civets I have seen from Southern India. But a skin in the British

Museum, labelled as the type, is very different from the sketch.

The coat is thick, but quite short and harsh, dirty whitish grey

in hue superficially, although buffy beneath, and irregularly blotch-

ed with black. It similarly disagrees with Desmarest’s description

of bondar, with Gray’s illustrations of the latter and of pennantit,

and with Hodgson’s deseription of hirsutus. In my opinion it can-

not with confidence be regarded as the type of crossi, a_ belief

which probably arose from its coming from the Surrey Zoological

Gardens, which is of course unsatisfactory evidence. Blanford

cited crossi aS a synonym of niger, an opinion unsupported by

Gray’s original figure and by the alleged type specimen.

Hodgson described hirsutus as ‘full clear yellow, largely tipped

with black and entirely void of markings or lines (definite pattern),

the brow band pale yellow, the long hairs free and erectile, not

applied to the body and 24 ins. (57 mm.) long, and the yellow

wool, greyish basally, more than half their length. This example

was evidently in perfect coat. For this and other reasons it is

impossible to accept Thomas’s decision that one of Hodgson’s ori-

ginally unnamed examples in the British Museum is the type of

hirsutus, for in this specimen (No. 48.1.12.119) the coat is in poor

condition owing to the moult and, apart from the faint tawny tinge

on the back, the pale areas of the long hairs, which are only about

43 mm. and scanty on the rump and flanks, are mostly pale grey

and the distal portion of the wool, which is about 25 mm. deep

is the same tint, as also is the brow-band, instead of yellow as in

Hodgson’s example. Moreover, the black tips of the long hairs

form by their confluence an indistinct pattern. It would be im-

possible to guess the racial identity of this skin' if its locality were

unknown. By Blanford it was mistaken for niger. Wroughton

called it crossi. I assign it to bondar, because of some resemblance

it shows to the examples from Rohilkand described below. Hodg-

son, 1i may be added, appears to have seen a good many examples

like his type of hirsutus, which he thought was the same animal

as bondar, Desm., for he recorded the species, as quoted above,

from the Nepal Tarai and the adjoining British territories to the

north of the Ganges, including northern Bihar.

THE PALM CIVETS OR ‘TODDY CATS’ 185

I add strictus to the synonymy of bondar because Horsfield,

who adopted Hodgson’s M.S. name for the species, declared the

type came from Nepal Tarai. This type (No. 79.11.21.546) in the

British Museum is otherwise unidentifiable as bondar on account

of the condition of the skin, which is in moult. No doubt Hodgson

considered it to be specifically distinct from those he called hirsutus

because he was unaware of the profound effect of coat change on

colour and pattern. But admittedly it is extremely unlikely that

two distinct forms occur in the Nepal Tarai. The skin exhibits

a later stage of moult than that of the alleged type of hirsutus, as

recorded above (p. 184).

According to Hodgson, as above quoted, hirsutus is found in

British territory between the Ganges and the Nepal Tarai, as well

as in the Tarai itself; and two handsome skins in full winter coat

collected by Crump on March 8th, at Pilbhit, 800 ft., in Rohil-

kand, seem to belong to this race. Wroughton identified them as

crossi. They apparently only differ from those seen by Hodgson

in having the luxuriant woolly coat, which is 35 to 37 mm. long,

white or silvery grey instead of clear yellow, with a pale slate-tint

at the base. The difference in colour, similar to that which occurs

in hermaphroditus, pallasti and other races, is possibly due to fading

of the coat in March before the summer moult. The brow band

also is white, the abdomen pale grey, the throat smoky grey. The

dorsal surface is sprinkled with the black tips of the longer hairs,

from 50 to 55 mm. in length, which at most show the faintest

possible tawny tinge below the black. The pattern is vague,

hardly to be described as consisting of definite black stripes and

spots, but rather as irregular, elongated patches resulting from the

confluence of the black tips of the longer hairs and therefore readily

dissarranged. The basal half of the tail is, like the back, white,

sprinkled with black. Of the two skins, one has no skull or measure-

ments and cannot be sexed. The other is that of an oldish 9.

In the character of the pelage they resemble the examples of

scindiae from Gwalior; but differ from them strikingly in general

colour briefly describable as white with copious black speckling, the

precise reverse of the colour of the winter coat of the ‘silver-tip’

fox, which is black with white speckling.!

Two additional skins, collected by Baptista in Darbhanga, 150

ft., support in a measure Hodgson’s claim, likely enough to be true,

that hirsutus oceurs in N. Bihar, south of the eastern end of the

Nepal Tarai. But both skins, owing to the time of the year, are

in bad coat, differing in tint and in length and luxuriance from

the March skins from Rohilkand. One (September 6), a young

adult ¢ by the skull, has the wool shabby, thin and short, about

* An adult 3 skin and skull in Hodgson’s collection, referred to below

under pallasii, may belong to this race. The skin hardly differs from the

Rohilkand skins in coat and colour; but the skull agrees better with that of

pallasi.

186 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

20 mm. long; and dull grey in colour with here and there a tinge

of tawny buff; there is a good deal of grey about the head. <A few

long hairs, 30 mm., are present on the hind-back, but there are

more on the fore-quarters. The pattern is represented on the short

coat of the back by three irregular stripes. The tail is in better

condition, clothed in its basal half with clear grey wool, 30 mm.,

and sprinkled with the black tips of the longer hairs, 40 mm., thus

closely resembling the tail of the Rohilkand skins. The second

skin, an adult but not old Q (July 28), is generally similar to the

last in coat and colour; the grey wool of the back is about 23 mm.

and the long hair about 47 mm., but the dark tips of the hairs

and the pattern have a decided brownish tinge as if faded. The

large size of the teats and the naked area round, them show that

this specimen was suckling young. This skin, in general appear-

ance and the stata of the coat, closely resembles a skin of typical

hermaphroditus collected on July 25 (? 27) by Baptista in the Pal-

konda Hills; but the long hairs are not so coarse and the wool is

softer and silkier to the touch. A kitten from Darbhanga (C. M.

Inglis) September 28, has abundance of greyish buff wool, with

the longer black tipped hairs rather sparse and the pattern obscure.

The following table gives the available flesh measurements : —

In English Inches. Millimetres.

a OA

[

: Head :

Locality, -, | Hind : :

Date and Sex. ee dake Foot. oe Wool, Hair.

ody. |

‘ Nepal Tarai’ (Hodgson) 6h lhe 2S 22 500 6 lbs. | 35 58

Rohilkand ; Mar. 8; old2| 20 18 3— Aes 35 50

A Mar. 8 ; POSEXEA| Geo wts se ae as 37 55

Darbhanga: July 28; ~ ys,ads2| 18) |) 19°) 3, A 23 \ a7

a Sept. 6; Vou adas 720 18 3} 8 lbs.| 20 30

The length of the wool in Hodgson’s specimen has been roughly

estimated from his statement that it exceeds half the length of the

long hairs. It seems probable that that specimen, like those from

Rohilkand, was in full winter coat. The difference in coat length

between the two examples from Darbhanga is probably to be ex-

plained by the retention, of the long hairs of the winter coat in the

July specimen. 7

To the following table of skull measurements of the examples

from Rohilkand and Darbhanga are added those of three skulls,

VHE PALM CIVETS OR ‘TODDY CATS’ 187

without skins and unsexed, belonging to Hodgson’s collection; but

they may belong to the following race pallasit.

In English Inches. In Millimetres.

Locality and Sex. 8 & c= 2 S 58 i S = ‘g =

So Rs ss E BE leas |

Darbhanga; yg. ad. dg} 4:3 Te} °5— °7 *8— 164/735 |54x7

Nepal (Hodgson) yg.

ad. ?sex| 4:3 202 2 eas Sis ed Se nia x55 x7

Do. yg. ad. ? sex] 4°2 242 4 a7, Te LGM 3184 67.161 3037

Do. ye.ad.?sex! 41 ZO e295 Ge lee7 = sie de: (Ol Kel

Rohilkand; old Q| 4:1 2°2 | *S— ou 26 1S) 174 x 956 1x78

Darbhaneay.. youad. 2) 3°82 |. 2-0" | 253 "65 | °62 14 |8 x 5/6 x8

The skull from Rohilkand is entered as old because the teeth

are much worn, perhaps not a convincing reason. It is about as

large as the smallest 9@ skulls of scindiae and hermaphroditus ;

but the cranial material of this race is too inadequate for discussion.

PARADOXURUS HERMAPHRODITUS PALLASII, Gray.

Viverra prehensilis, Desmarest, Mamm., p. 208, 1820 (not of

Kerr, 1792). | :

Paradoxurus albifrons Ogilby, 1831 (unpublished at the time

and preoccupied).

Paradorurus pallasi, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1832, p. .67; id.

Illustr. Ind. Zool., pl. viii, 1884 and subsequent papers.

Paradoxurus quadriscriptus, Horsfield, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.

(2) lp. LOG, 1885.-1d, “Proc. Zool. Soc. 1856. p.. 396, pl.. 48.

Paradoxurus vicinus, Schwarz, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (8), vi,

p. 280, 1910.

Paradoxurus strictus, Wroughton, Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist.

Soc., xxy, p. 48, 1917 (mot P. strictus, Horsfield).

Locality of type of prehensilis: Bengal (Buchanan).

Locality of type of pallasti: India (Buchanan, probably there-

fore Bengal).

Locality of type of quadriscriptus: Nepal, in the hills.

Locality of type of vicinus: Probably Assam (McClelland).

- Distribution: Nepal, Sikhim, Upper Bengal, Assam and Upper

urma.

Notes on the synonymy: The name _ prehensilis, referred to

above under bondar, was based upon an alleged copy by Blainville

188 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

of a painting by Buchanan Hamilton of a Palm Civet from Bengal.

The description leaves no doubt that the name, if available, should

be adopted for the race under notice; but, as Blanford pointed out,

Kerr in 1792 called the American Kinkajou Viverra prehensilis.

About the name pallasu there has been much difference of opinion.

It was given to a living specimen in the Zoological Gardens brought

by Buchanan (afterwards Buchanan Hamilton) from India, no

doubt Bengal, where Buchanan was resident. A coloured drawing

of it, also taken from the living animal, was published by Gray,

and this seems to have misled Temminck into thinking that the

animal was the same as the previously described Javan form he

named musanga, an opinion which in 1864 was tentatively adopted

by Gray himself in defiance of the history of the specimen he him-

self recorded. By Blanford pallasii was cited as a synonym of

hermaphroditus on account presumably of the distinctness of the

pattern depicted in the plate; and according to his application of

the name hermaphroditus this verdict was correct. Wroughton

considered pallasii to be synonym of the species he called crossi

because the pattern is obscured by the bad make-up of the skin of

the type preserved in the British Museum.

The plate in question is most misleading. It agrees neither with

Gray’s description nor with the specimen. The body colour is re-

presented as slate grey and the brow band is unusually large and

conspicuously white. In the type the ground colour is pale, faintly

buffy whitish grey, noticeably paler than the brow-band which is

buffy grey, not so extensive as in the plate and with considerably

more deep brown round and between the eyes. The pattern, al-

though disarranged, as stated above, by the ‘make-up’ of the skin

consists of black dorsal stripes and lateral spots. The coat was

apparently new at the time of the animal’s death, but although not

so thick with underwool or so long as in the winter coated specimens

recorded below, is of similar soft texture and differs in this respect

from the coat of the Burmese race assigned to ravus. The colour

is clearer grey than in the palest of the specimens above referred

to, but the difference is not nearly so great as between the palest

and richest tinted examples of the series.

Horsfield’s type of quadriscriptus which, on Hodgson’s authority,

came from the hills of Nepal, I cannot distinguish from several

specimens collected for the Survey in Sikhim, Bhutan Duars, Upper

Bengal and Assam. The type of nigrifrons, Gray, a menagerie

specimen from India, closely resembles the. type of pallasii, and

has the pattern similarly obscured by the ‘make-up’ of the skin

but is decidedly more buffy grey in ground tint. The type of

vicinus, one of McClelland’s specimens and probably from Assam,

is indistinguishable from examples from Bhutan Duars. Wrough-

ton correctly identified this race but called it strictus because of

the distinctness of the pattern, due in reality to the moult, in the

type of the latter.

Description: Winter coat full, soft, with abundance of under-

wool but shorter than in bondar, laneus and scindiae ; general colour

of the under hair varying from clear grey through shades of buffy

THE PALM CIVETS OR ‘TODDY CATS’ 189

grey to rich ochreous and only slightly dimmed by the black tips

of the longer hairs; pattern well defined and at its best composed

of spots on the flanks, thighs and shoulders and of five dorsal

stripes, the right and left externals broken into spots, the median

often not passing as far forwards as the shoulders; head with a pale

patch on each side of the muzzle and below the eye, the brow-

band varying in greyness, typically more or less interrupted by

black speckling in the middle line and above the anterior angle of

the eye; throat black; belly varying from grey to rich buff in the

same locality; tail black at the end, generally obscurely striped in

its proximal portion where the pale areas of the hairs and of the

wool are exposed.

In addition to the types of pallasit and nigrifrons, already refer-

red to, the British Museum has the following specimens : —

An old ¢ from Nepal, belonging to Hodgson’s collection, but

received without a name, I am very doubtful about. It is nearly

intermediate between the pale examples of bondar from Rohilkand

and the type of quadriscriptus. The ground colour is decidedly

whitish, but the pattern is distinct although superficial and result-

ing from the confluence of the black tips of the long hairs (see

note on the skull).

The type of quadriscriptus from the hills of Nepal has the coat

in good condition, full and with the long hairs about 40 mm., their

black tips surpassing by about 10 mm. the underlying pale portions

which are buffy grey in tint; the pattern consists of very distinct

stripes extending from the shoulders to the rump. Allowing for

a certain amount of fading this skin agrees tolerably closely with

Horsfield’s description and with his coloured figure; but the fur,

although soft, is not long and straggling, as he said. |

An old ¢ from Narbong, Darjiling, 2,000 ft. (Crump),

March 13, closely matches the type of quadriscriptus in coat, colour

and pattern. .

An adult pair from Sivok in Upper Bengal, 8. of Darjiling,

(Crump), March 26. Except for its rather longer coat the 9

almost exactly matches the specimen from Narbong. The ¢ has

the coat as in the latter but the colour is decidedly more buffy.

An adult ¢ from Hasimara, Bhutan Duars, 600 ft. (C.

Crump), December 29, is pale buff like the ¢ from Sivok. Another

adult ¢, January.6, is richer buff than any of the preceding,

almost orange-ochreous buff in tint. There are also several im-

mature specimens from this locality resembling the adults and

similarly varying from greyish buff to almost orange-ochreous buff;

the bellies similarly vary from grey to buff.

A young §& from Haldibari in Cooch’ Behar. 150 ft. (C.

Crump), April 17, is in poor coat, apparently beginning to change;

the hind-back, rump and root of tail are decidedly buffy, but the

bright hue dies away forwards.

A flat, unmeasured ¢ skin from the Duranga River, North

Kamrup (Wells), February 10, is hardly distinguishable from the

specimen from Narbong, Darjiling.

1909 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

A flat, unsexable skin from Dura Banda, Garo Hills (Wells),

March 12, is tawny buffish grey in tint, mtermediate between

the paler and better coloured varieties.

An old ¢ and a young adult ¢, both unmeasured, from

Golaghat in Sibsagar, north of the Naga Hills, Assam (Wells), Janu-

ary 10 and 26, are rich ochreous buff in colour with the pattern

well defined, like the richest tinted of the skins from Bhutan

Duars. The coat measurements are 28 and 32 mm., and 82 and

40 mm. respectively.

An adult mounted specimen from Cachar, Assam (Rowland

Ward), has the ground colour pale buffy white, the pattern well

defined, the brow-band reduced to two grey patches on each side

and the grey muzzle-patch suppressed; the coat is 24 and 386 mm.

Two young adult Q examples (McClelland), probably from

Assam. One, the type of vicinus, resembles in the coat, which is

27 and 87 mm., and in colour, the brighest tinted skins from Bhutan

Duars and Golaghat. The other, with similar coat, is consider-

ably greyer, like the less brightly tinted of the previously described

skins. }

A young specimen from the Uvu Forest, 60 miles East of Homa-

lin in Upper Chindwin, and indistinguishable in coat and colour

from the richly tinted Assamese examples, attests the extension of

pallasti into N.-W. Burma.

The following are the specimens in which flesh measurements

are available :—

a SSS SE I SS

In English Inches. In Millimetres.

Soe = os s i) ty

Locality, Date and Sex. | oa S a6 a ro) a

ey 9 re A ry Se eS an

Hasimara, Bhutan Duars;

Dec. 29 ; ad. | 242 23 32 SA 29 37

Hasimara, Bhutan Duars;

Jan. 6; ad..g) 23% 224 34 ay 26 34

Sivok, Upper Bengal;

Mar. 26 ; ACs ulmeee. 213 33 hae 25 38

Haldibari, Cooch Behar;

Apr. 17; yg. 5} 20 214 ch; |) OF Woes, 22 36

Duranga River, N. Kam-

rup ; Feb. 10; Giles ae 3t Stas, Zi 38

Sivok, Upper Bengal;

Mar. 26; aah, ip 28 224 34 34 43

This table shows inferiority in size of pallastt as compared with

laneus and scindiae and superiority over hermaphroditus. The

THE PALM CIVETS OR ‘TODDY CATS’ 191

winter coat also is shorter both in wool and long hair than in bondar,

laneus and scindiae, and the long hairs are shorter than in nicti-

tans and hermaphroditus.

Cranial and dental measurements :—

“In English Inches. | —_In Millimetres.

(GREE A + (sane —-A- sas |

: | Int. w

; Total | Zygom.|Waist Max.| =

Tocality and! Sex ength| width {width sath widen | Poe

Nepal (Hodgson)

old ¢ Tig eae cenit 2" 3 4 82 °8 eo Ox S506 8

Nepal (Hodgson

yg.ad. ¢ sole aie 2°32 ob) 8 ‘8 IOWA x Oo Oe xp 7:

Narbong, Darjil-

ing; old dg pas 2°54 a! es a8 18|9 x6 | 637

Hasimara, Bhutan

Didarseo adie. <5 eed 2°5 “4 8 8 19|8 x6 |6 x7

Hasimara, Bhutan

Duars; ad. Gg ... | 4:6 2°6 5 8 162 (-18 (8. x6. 6 x8

Sivok, Upper Ben-

gal; ad. ¢ | 44 225 ‘4 oy a 19: |) 9x6) Ge x 7

Haldibari, Cooch

Behar; yg.¢ ...| 4°2 2°3 25 eats 16 | 84x6 | 7— x8

Golaghat, N. E.

Assam ; old ¢ ... | 4:6 2°81 °5 "Bi 8 17

Golaghat, N. E.

Assam ; yg.ad.¢| 412 ee 5 "634+] °7 152) 98x 7 — 1.09 x 8—

Sivok, Upper Ben-

galivade 2 oe 42 22 bs) 63 7 17 | 8 x6. 16. x8

PAssam (vicinus, :

type) ye.ad. On. |) 4 222 5 7 = Ad 826, 1 6 x 74

The first skull on this list belongs to the skin in Hodgson’s col-

lection, above referred to, which in pattern and colour is more

like whitish examples of bondar. Apart from the bullae which

are exceptionally long, it agrees tolerably closely with the biggest

of the rest. The second skull, also Hodgson’s, has no skin and

like the first is doubtfully inserted here. The teeth are short, but

it is peculiar in the extreme abbreviation of the obtusely angular

postorbital processes which are only 22 mm. from point to point,

clearly an abnormality.

192 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

In the rest the skulls and teeth closely resemble in size those

of hermaphroditus and laneus. The skull of the old ¢ from Gola-

ghat with a condylobasal length of 115 mm. has the sagittal crest

44 mm. high and the postorbital processes 86 mm. from point to

point, large and transversely directed as in the type of laneus and

in the old skull of typical hermaphroditus from Bellary. The ¢

skull from Narbong, Darjiling, with a condylobasal length of

113 mm. is similar, with the sagital crest 5 mm. high but the

postorbital processes only 80 mm. from point to point. The

larger og skull from Hasimara, with a condylobasal length of

118 mm. and the occipital suture just traceable also has

the sagittal crest 5 mm. high, but the processes are de-

fective.’ Im the rather older “G tskulll “irom = Sivok with a

condylobasal length of 111 mm., the crest is only 3 mm.

high and the processes are thinner than in the Narbong

skull and 81 mm. from point to point.

The skull of the adult 9 from Sivok, with a condylobasal length

of 109 mm., and the occipital suture obliterated, has no true sagit-

tal crest, the temporal ridges being merely coalescent to form a

median ridge with slightly undulating edges, 8 mm. wide, on the

parietals. In the young adult type-skull of vicinus, with the basi-

occipital suture unclosed but the dentition complete and the median

frontal suture obliterated, the temporal ridges are 24 mm. apart

on the frontals, 8 mm. on the parietals. In the young adult ¢

skull from Golaghat, shown to be younger by the unfused median

frontal suture, but with complete dentition, the temporal ridges

are 6 mm. apart on the frontals, 10 mm. on the parietals. This

comparatively late development of the sagittal crest in Q pallasi

may be contrasted with its average earlier development in the fol-

lowing race ravus.

(To be continued).

FURTHER RECORDS OF INDO-CEYLONESE CHALCID

FLIES.

IB.

i Vio RAMAKRISHNA AYYAR, BA., Php.

and

V. MARGABANDHU, M.A.

(Madras Agricultural Department).

Over fifteen years ago the senior author published an annotated list’ of

the then known chalcid flies of ‘the Indo- Ceylonese region and two years

later he issued another paper? on the parasitic hymenoptera of South India

in which were included some more of the chalcid flies which were not re-

corded previously. Since then many more forms have been noted and it 1s

the object of this paper to supplement the earlier lists with a record of the

Indo-Ceylonese forms which have been noted and identified recently with

brief notes as regards their hosts, locality, distribution etc., and with biblio-

graphical references.. As a continuation of the previous lists it 1s hoped

that this paper may serve to bring our knowledge of the Indo-Ceylonese

forms uptodate and in view of the economic importance of these minute

wasps as natural enemies of some of our important crop-pests it may be of

some help to agricultural entomologists who may be interested in the biological

control of insect pests by means of various insect parasites. The thanks of

the writers are due to Dr. Ferriere of the Imperial Institute of Entomology,

London, to Prof. Timberlake, the famous Californian authority on Chalcids

and to others who examined our specimens and helped us in getting them

identified for us. It is also hoped that this lst might prove of some use

as a reference list to those interested in the study of. this interesting group

of parasites.

SUPEREAMILY: CHALCIDOIDEA.

Hamity: AGAONIDAE.

Blastophaga Grav.

Sub-genus: Hlizabethiella Grandi.

Blastophaga (Hlizabethiella) gomberti, Grandi, Bull. Soc. Zool. Fr. liu,

p. 70 (1928), India.

Ceratosolen Mayr.

Ceratosolen berlandi, Grandi, Bull. Soc. Zool. Fr. lui, p. 74 (1928), India.

FAMILY: CHALCIDIDAE.

Leucospis Fabricius.

Leucospis malabarensis, Brues, Psyche, xxxil, p. 27 (1925), India.

Huchalecidia Masi.

Euchalcidia crassicornis, Masi, Bull. Ent. Bologna u, p. 173 (1929), India.

Dirhinus Dalman.

Dirhinus pachymerum, Masi, Hos. ii, p. 42, India.

**A Check List of Indo-Ceylonese Chalcid Flies’ by T. V. Ramakrishna

Ayyar, Spolia Zeylanica, vol. xiii, 1925.

- “The Parasitic Hymenoptera of Economic Importance in South India’ by

T. V. Ramakrishna Ayyar, Bulletin of Entomological Research, vol. xviii, 1927.

194° JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVI

Brachymeria Westw.

Brachymeria nephantidis, Gahan, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. No. 2831, Art. 77,

p. d (1930), on Nephantis, India.

Hlockeria Walk.

Hockeria atra, Masi, Boll. Lab. Ent. Bologna, ii, p. 180 (1929), . India.

Stenochalcis Masi.

Stenochalcis quadridentata, Masi, Boll. Lab. Ent. Bologna, i, p. 157

(1929). India:

Famity: HKUuCHARIDAE.

Schizaspidia Westw.

Schizaspidia manipurensis, Clausen, Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash., xxx, pp. 88, 85

(1928). Manipur State, Assam, India.

Faminy: 'TORYMIDAE.

Podagrion Spinola.

Podagrion pachymerum, Walk. Ramaswamiah, Madras Agril. Dept. Year

Book, pp. 55-57 (i922). An account is given about the oviposition.

Vamity: HNCYRTIDAE.

Erencyrtus Mahdihassan.

Erencyrtus dewitzii, Mahdihassan, JI. Sc. Assoc, Maharajah’s College, Vijia-

hagaram, i, p. 71 (1923). .On lac. Mysore, India.

Lissencyrtus Cameron.

Lissencyrtus somerville, Mahdihassan, Jl. Sc. Assoc. Maharajah’s College,

Vijianagaram, i, p. 71 (1923). On lac. Mysore, India.

Tachardiaephagus Ashmead.

Tachardiaephagus tachardiae (How.) Ferriere, Bull. Ent. Res. x1x, Pie;

p. 171 (October 1928). Synonymical notes given:

= Lncyrtus tachardiae, Howard, 1896.

= Tachardiaephagus “thoracicus, Ashmead, 1904.

= Lissencyrtus troupi, Cameron, 1913.

Accerding to Dr, Ferricre the species somerville should. be included in this

genus and the same can be distinguished from T. tachardiae (How.) ‘especially

by the colour of the head, which is orange yellow like the thorax, instead

of dark’. Insects noted on lac, on Zizyphus jujuba; Bengal, India.

Encyrtus Latreille.

HKncyrtus barbatus, Timb., on Lecamum mngrum, Coimbatore, India.

Microterys ‘Thoms.

Microterys kotinskyi, Full, on Lecanum nigrum, Coimbatore, India.

Tetracnemus Westw.

_ Tetracnemus indicus, Ramakrishna, Rec. Ind. Mus. xxxiv, Pt. iii, pp. 287-

288 (September 1932). Parasites of an injurious mealy bug Pseudococcus citri

commonly noted on Agathi—Sesbana aculeata in Coimbatore, India.

Homalotylus Mayr.

Homalotylus flaminus (Daim.). On Coccinellid, Coimbatore, India.

FURTHER RECORDS OF INDO-CEYLONESE CHALCID FLIES 195

FaMILy: PTeROMALIDAE,

Trigonogastra Ashmead.

Trigonogastra brunneicornis, Ferriere, Bull. Ent. Res. xxi, Pt. 8, pp. 356-

357 (October 1930). Species described. On Pupa of Agromyza sp. mining

stems of Hibiscus esculentus. This species differs from T. rugosa and T, mega-

cephala “by the large size, the darker green coloration of head and thorax,

the presence of four teeth on both mandibles and the more elongated funicle

joints.’ Peradeniya, Ceylon.

Acroclisoides Girault.

Acroclisoides imdicus, Ferriere, Bull. Ent. Res. xxii, Pt. 2, pp: 279-280

(June 1931). Species described. ‘Genus is well characterized by its large

head, which is much broader than the thorax and broader than long when

seen in front, by the elongate antennae with two ring-joints, the thickened

marginal vein, the very short petiole, and the small triangular abdomen.’ Also

key to species of the genus given. On eggs of a Pentatomid bug on teak

leaf > Dehra, Dun, U.R;. India.

Agiommatus Crawford.

Agicmmatus acherontiae, Ferriere, Bull. Ent. Res. xxii, Pt, 2, pp. 280-281

(June 1981). Species described. Key for distinguishing the three species

of the genus given. On eggs of Acherontia styx, Westw. Dehra Dun, U.P.

FAMILY: PERILAMPIDAE.

Perilampus Latr.

Perilampus nucrogastris, Ferriere, Bull, Ent. Res. xxi, Pt. 8, pp. 353-354

(October 1930). Species described. A hyper-parasite on Microgaster indicus,

Wilkn., Apanteles machaeralis, Wilkn., and a Braconid parasite of Nephantis

serinopa, Meyr., Hosangabad, C.P., and Dehra Dun, U.P., India.

Famity: HWLAsMIDAE.

Hiasmus Westw,

Elasmus brevicornis, Gahan, Treubia iii, p. 50 (1922): Type locality Java,

Buitenzorg: Host—Erionata thrax, L.; Ferriere, Bull. Ent. Res. xx, Pt. 4,

p. 418 (December 1929). Parasitic on larva of Hapalia machaeralis, Wlk., on

Tectona grandis, Dehra Dun, India, also noted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya,

from Psalis stultalis on Pogostemom patchouli, and also found parasitic on

larva of Sylepta derogata. ;

" Elasmus ceylonicus, Ferriere, Bull.-Ent, Res. xx, Pt. 4, p. 418 (December

1929). Species described. From cases of Psyche albipes—the Tea Bagworm,

Pelmadulla, Ceylon.

Eiasmus homonae, Ferriere, Bull. Ent. Res. xx, Pt. 4, pp. 415-416 (Decem-

ber 1929). Species described. From Homona coffearia, Nietn,, on tea, Ceylon.

Points that distinguish this species from H. nephantidis, Roh., are also given.

Elasmus hutsom, Ferriere, Bull. Ent. -Res. xx, Pt, 4, p. 412 (December

1929). Species described. Bred from cases of the Tea Bagworm Psyche albipes,

Mo., Pelmadulla, Ceylon.

Elasmus hyblaea, Ferriere, Bull. Ent. Res. xx, Pt. 4, p, 414 (December

1929). Species described. Parasitic on second instar of Hyblaea puera larva

Aravallica, Nilambur, Madras. ie

Hlasmus johnstoni, Ferriere, Bull. Ent. Res. xx, Pt. 3, pp, 258-259 (Octo-

ber 1929). Species described. Karnal, Punjab, India. Bred from Platyedra

gossypiella aud Harias spp.

‘This species may be distinguished by the dark colouration of its body

and legs, by the hind tibiae being clear with a brown ring below the middle

and by the form of antennae and abdomen.’

Elasmus claripennis, Cameron. Ferriere, Bull. Ent. Res. xx, Pt. 4, p. 418

(December 1929). Synonyms given:

= Cyclopieura claripennis, Cameron, Ind. For. Rec. iv, p. 92 (1918).

= Elasnus colemani, Mahdihassan, Jl. Sc. Assoc. Maharajah’s College,

Vijianagaram, i, p, 69 (1923) as parasitic on Hublemma amabilis, M.; bred

196 JOURNAL, BOMBAY. NATURAL EIST "SOCMATY > Vols Oeil

with Tachardia lacca from Hublemma amabilis predaceous on the former,

India, Dehra Dun and from Bengal; Werrrere, Bully Ent. Res.» xix, Pt. 2)

pp. 171-172 (October 1928). Species described. The relationship of the genus

Cuclopleura with Elasmus given and the synonyms discussed. The distinguish-

ing features that characterise H. claripennis, H. indicus, Roh., and H, nephan-

tidis Roh., are also given.

amity: KULOPHIDAE

Pleurotropis Vorster.

Pleurotropis detrimentosus, Gahan, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. No. 28381, Art.

lie 29 YW GhOSO) 5 Slaadiars

Thripoctenus Craw.

Tivripoctenus maculatus, Waterston, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist, v (10), pp. 248-

244 (1930). Species described. Punjab, India. An internal parasite of the

Vine thrips (lihipiphorothrips cruentatus, H.).

Coccophagus Westw.

Coccophagus tschirchii, Mahdihassan, Jl. Sc. Assoc. Maharajah’s College,

Vijianagaram, i, p. 82 (1923). Reared from the Mysore lac insect; Ferriere,

Bull. Ent. Res. xix, Pt. 2, pp. 173-174 (October 1928). Fully described; Com-

pare, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. vol. Ixxviii, Art. 7, p. 41 (1931). Redescribed from

specimens from Bengal, Kundari, 1927, on Lac insect on Butea frondosa.

Tetrastichus Haliday.

Tetrastichus gardeneri, Ferriere, Bull. Ent. Res. xxii, Pt. 2, pp. 291-292

(June 1931). Species described: from eggs of Pentatomidae on teak; from

the same eggs were also bred Acroclisoides indicus, and an Hupelmid identified

as Anastatus colemani, Craw.; notes on Tetrastichus species given as regards

their parasitic habits, Dehra Dun, India.

Tetrastichus schoenobii, Ferriere, Bull. Ent. Res: xxii, Pt. 2, pp. 290-291

(June 1931). Described: Malaya Peninsula, Ceylon and Siam on eggs of

Schoenobius bipunctifer (Malaya and Siam) and of Spodoptera mauritia in

Ceylon; also uoted on eggs of Schoenobius in South India.

Sub-genus: Geniocerus Ratz.

Tetrastichus (Geniocerus) purpureus (Cam.). Ferriere, Bull. Ent. Res. xix,

Pt. 2, pp. 174-175 (Octoher 1928). Synonyms given: Reared from Lac on

Zizyphus jujuba, Bengal. Its relationship with the synonyms given and also

the distinguishing features of the sub-genus Geniocerus, Ratz.

Trichospilus Ferriere.

Trichospilus pupivora, Ferriere, Bull, Ent. Res. xxi, Pt, 3, pp. 358-359

(October 1980). Species described. On Nephantis serinopa, Meyr. Coimba-

tore, India; Peradeniya, Ceylon etc.

Note.— By an oversight the record of the species Trichogramma minutum, R.

(T'RICHOGRAMMATIDAE) was left out in the text. It has been noted in India on

the eggs of the sugarcane borers (Diatroea, Argyria and Scirpophaga spp.), the

paddy stem borer (Schoenobius incertellus, W.) and the stored paddy moth

(Sitotroga cerealella, Ol.). During recent years this wasp assumed very great

importance as an important parasite and a good deal of literature has accumu-

lated in connection with its utility as a natural enemy of borers on cane.’—

(I. V.R. & \V.M.)

re pa

nee he

Secs

ie eri

eS ai

Journ., Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc.

1. Southern Golden-backed Woodpecker at nest.? 2. Nest holes of Malherbe’s Golden-backed

Woodpecker.

3. Young Southern Golden-backed Woodpecker.

' This nest entrance was originally quite round but has been enlarged with

a knife to secure the eggs,

SOUTH INDIAN WOODPECKERS.

EF. N. Betts.

The heavily wooded slopes of the Nilgiris and other ranges of

the Western Ghats provide an ideal habitat for the Woodpeckers,

a family which is richly represented in Southern India. Even

the most casual observer cannot help being struck by their abun-

dance and variety, for their brilliant plumage and loud voices make

them among the most conspicuous of the avifauna of the hill jungles.

The woodpeckers furnish an interesting study in evolution and

an excellent example of how under favourable conditions, a par-

ticular form of life will tend to develop on widely divergent lines.

The most striking instance of this phenomenon is the unique

fauna of Australia, where the primitive marsupial mammals which

have been ousted by more efficient rivals throughout the rest of

the world, have, through the isolating action of a sea barrier, been

freed from competition and enabled to evolve types as different

as the kangaroos and the marsupial wolf, the Tasmanian devil and

the pouched mole. In a similar way on a small scale, the Wood-

peckers, having tapped a source of food supply unavailable to other

birds, have thrown up a great variety of species all more or less

highly specialised for their line of life. In their case, however, the

process is in a much earlier stage and there are living genera show-

ing every grade from comparative primitiveness up to a very

inet deeree of specialisation. So far progress has been all on one

particular line but it seems as if the limit has been reached in

that direction and that various species are now beginning to evolve

along different paths.

The two greatest controlling factors in bird life are the .food

supply and the problem of safeguarding their young whilst they

are in the helpless stage. The woodpeckers have solved both ques-

tions very successfully by developing themselves into living pick-

axes. The ordinary insectivorous birds can only obtain their

food on the leaves and outer surfaces of the boughs and trunks

of trees and are quite unable to get at the rich stores of inver-

tebrate hfe lurking under the bark or boring into the wood and

the woodpeckers have a free field. Again in “the matter of breed-

ing sites, birds which nest in holes have many advantages and

are far less exposed to the elements and their enemies than those

which build open nests in trees or lay their eggs upon the ground.

Many species of almost every order of the avian class have adopt-

ed the hole-breeding habit and probably more would have done so

had it not been for the comparative scarcity of suitable natural

hollows. One has only to think of the extraordinary sites often

chosen by Tits to realise the straits to which some birds may, be

put. The Parrots, Nuthatches and others have got as far as en-

larging or adapting ready-made holes but it is only the Wood-

peckers and their cousins the Barbets who have solyed the

198 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

problem and made themselves independent of nature by learning to

tunnel in wood. There are of course many other birds which

excavate holes in the ground but that is another story. As a

matter of fact, the majority of the smaller and medium sized

birds which nest in holes in trees are parasitic on the Woodpeckers

in so far as the disused ‘dug-outs’ of the latter are eagerly adopted

as breeding sites and the rightful owner may even be evicted

whilst still in occupation in certain cases.

Though the family by specialising have been so successful in

exploiting their particular environment, it must be remembered

that this is a strictly limited one. The typical Woodpecker can

only exist in well wooded regions and even in such a considerable

area 1s necessary to support each bird. Thus we find a keen and

ever increasing competition among the various members of the

family forcing some species to diverge from the main type to

begin to seek a livelihood along different lines. As the pressure in

the more congenial environment increases they are forced to adapt

themselves to less agreeable conditions until we find them colonis-

ing areas so apparently unsuitable as the Arizona desert or the

treeless Pampas of South America.

The region covered in this paper is a particularly suitable one

for the study of the evolution of the Woodpeckers. For among the

twelve species that occur are types representative of every phase

m the history of the family. Before going further it would be as

- well to give some account of them.

1. The Little Sealy-bellied Green Woodpecker, Picus vittatus

myrmecophaneus (Stresemann) appears to be an uncommon species.

Davison says a few pairs are resident in the sholas round Ootaca-

mund and the only two I have seen were on the borders of copses

on the downs of the Nilgiri plateau. It seems to feed mainly on

eround dwelling ants like its English congener Picus viridis and is

consequently partial to park land and open country.

2. The Southern Yellow-naped Woodpecker, Picus chlorola-

phus chlorigaster Jerdon is very widely spread throughout the

forested regions of South India and wanders up to 5,000 ft. but is

not common above about 3,500 ft. Rather a shy, solitary species

it is only to be found in heavily wooded country being particularly

fond of dark, marshy ravines clad. in evergreen forest or the

borders of jungle streams, where it hunts over rotting fallen trees.

The nest is excavated usually quite low down in a rotten stump

in heavy jungle. The entrance is a neat round hole seemingly

very small for the bird and on two occasions I have found them

made just below where a large flat fungus jutted out from the

tree like a_half plate and almost concealed the nest. After the

breeding season small family parties are to be seen but they do

not hang together for long. They are ‘silent birds, their only

note being an occasional loud sharp ‘tchak’. :

3. The Southern Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, Leiopicus mah-

rattensis mahrattensis (iath:) is a low country species which sel-

dom ventures far into the hills and only into the drier areas such

as the northern slopes of the Nilgiris round Masinagudi where the

jungle is of a light dry zone type mostly teak, scrub and bamboo,

SOUTH INDIAN WOODPECKERS 199

4. The Southern Indian Pigmy Woodpecker, Yungipicus

hardwicku hardwickit (Jerdon) is widely spread and much com-

moner than one suspects as owing to its size and habits it is very

inconspicuous. Entirely arboreal it keeps to the topmost branches

of high trees where it is extremely active in running over the boughs

and is constantly on the wing as it flits from one twig to another.

Pairs and single birds are the rule though they very frequently go

about in company with the large mixed flocks of insectivorous

birds which are such a feature of the monsoon. They are more

like Nuthatches in their ways than Woodpeckers though they can-

not run head downwards as the former do. In their flight too,

they lack the bounding action so characteristic of the family.

Parklands and open woodlands are their favourite haunts and they

will ascend as high as 4,500 ft. in suitable country though com-

moner at lower elevations. Like all our Woodpeckers they are

very early breeders, having young by the end of February.. The

nest-hole is usually excavated very high up in a small dead bough

of a tree standing more or less in the open. This is the only

Woodpecker which I have seen with food in its bill when visiting

the nest, the usual habit being to regurgitate from the crop. In

this case, the male used to fly up with a beakful of insects utter-

ing his little trilling call, on hearing which the female who was in

the nest would poke her head’ out to receive the prey.

5. The Southern Rufous Woodpecker, Micropternus brachyu-

rus gularis (Jerdon) is a rather scarce species but well distributed

in forest country up to about 4,000 ft. They are silent and _ soli-

tary birds. Their food seems to consist almost exclusively of ants

both terrestrial and arboreal. Their breeding habits are remark-

able for the breeding cavity is always excavated in a nest of the

arboreal Cremastogaster ants, which build those black football-

shaped papier-maché-looking affairs so common in the jungle trees.

I have never had the luck to find one but many observers state

that the Woodpeckers choose occupied colonies and that the ants

remain in possession throughout the period of incubation though

doubtless they are mostly devoured by the birds before very long.

Davison remarks that he has found small naked young of this

species in a nest still swarming with ants which is extraordinary

when one considers that these insects are among the greatest

menaces to which the helpless nestlings of most birds are subject.

6. The Southern Golden-backed Woodpecker, Brachypternus

benghalensis puncticollis (Malherbe) is quite the commonest Wood-

pecker below 4,000 ft., occurrmg numerously almost everywhere

trees are to be found. Above that level its place is taken by Mal-

herbe’s Golden-backed Woodpecker (q. v. infra) which is definitely

a hill species. In the Nilgiris it does not seem to wander much

above the plains level but in Coorg at any rate it is extremely

common at 3,500 ft. and there is a zone in which both species

occur. On the whole B. benghalensis prefers the drier and lower

regions and Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus the higher and wetter.

The Golden-backed Woodpecker is a very noisy bird and decidedly

sociable. The family parties hang together until the following

breeding season and in the monsoon they are always to be found

200 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXYVII

in the large mixed flocks which gather at that time of year. They

are mainly arboreal in their habits but come to the ground on ocea-

sion. Their staple food is ants of various sorts but they will take

any insects they find. On one or two occasions an odd fruit or

two has been taken from the stomachs of specimens but this was

probably accidentally swallowed. I have on two occasions seen one

drinking honey, once from the blossoms of an Acrocarpus and once

from a Grevillea. The bird looked most out of place clambering

awkwardly among the sprays. They are mainly arboreal but come

to the ground occasionally. Like all our Woodpeckers, this species

is an early breeder and the two or three eges are usually laid by

the end of February. The nest-hole with its neat round entrance

is excavated in dead trees at any height but most commonly from

10-20 ft. up. The sitting bird is very wary poking her head out

at the first sound of approaching footsteps though she will often

delay taking flight until one is quite near, thus betraying the

presence of an otherwise unsuspected nest.

7. The Golden-backed Three-toed Wosodpecker, Dinopicus

javanensis rubropygialis (Malherbe) is another common species in-

habiting much the same range as the last. Superficially the three

Golden-backed Woodpeckers are extraordinarily similar. In the

hand, of course, they can be distinguished without difficulty but

in the field this is by no means the case. Size is little criterion

unless one has a standard of comparison and the easiest points to

look for are the colours of the hindneck, which is white in C. gutta-

cristatus and black in the other two species, and the rump and

lower back which in the case of B. benghalensis is black but crim-

son in the other two. In general habits the present species closely

resembles the last but its call is quite distinct being a rather weak,

tinny scream. The breeding season is in January and February and

it seems to choose extremely rotten trees in which to excavate

its nest. TI have found one or two dug in such decayed wood that

it was possible to enlarge the hole with no tools other than the

fingers.

8. Malherbe’s Golden-backed Woodpecker, Chrysocolaptes

guttacristatus delesserti (Malherbe) as before mentioned is a_ hill

species and the only Woodpecker at all common on the plateau

and higher slopes of the Nilgiris. In Coorg it is found from the

tops a the highest hills at 5,000 ft. and more, down to below

3,000 ft. It is more of a forest bird than Brachypternus bengha-

lensis and while by no means shy or averse to the neighbourhood

of mankind, it is very much at home in the interior of the heavy

evergreen woods which clothe the hillsides in the wetter areas

where it hunts among the great tree trunks, seldom coming near

the ground. Except in the breeding season small family parties

are the rule but they are select and do not mingle with other species.

They are excessively noisy especially when alarmed their cry being

a discordant trilling seream. The breeding season seems to be very

early even for this family. I have found eges by the middle of

December. A favourite tree will be used year after year, a fresh

hole being excavated each time until the trunk is so riddled with

borings that it collapses. <A distinctive characteristic of the species

SOUTH INDIAN WOODPECKERS 201

is that the entrance to the hole which is very large for the size of

the bird is practically never neatly circular as in the case of most

Woodpeckers, but is a rather irregular oval deeper than it is wide.

In one case I found it took a full month to excavate the cavity.

9. The Black-Backed Woodpecker, Chrysocolaptes festivus

(Bodd.) is rare in South India and there are but few records of its

occurrence. Hume obtained specimens and Howard Campbell a

nest at the northern foot of the Nilgiris.

10. The Malabar Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Hemicircus

canente cordatus Jerdon though nowhere numerous is to be found

over most of the wooded hilly country of South India, wandering

as high as 4,500 ft. on the Nilgiris. They are most comic little

birds having all the family mannerisms exaggerated to an absurd

degree. Their flight is weak and excessively undulating. The tail

is extremely short and this is very apparent when on the wing and

gives them the appearance of having met with an accident. When

running up a bough, they move in short, sharp jerks accompanied

by convulsive bobs and bows so that they look more like eclock-

work toys than living creatures. They are solitary birds and

ereat wanderers seldom remaining long in any one locality. They

rather shun cultivated land but otherwise their tastes are catholic

and they may be found anywhere there is a good growth of tim-

ber. They are entirely arboreal and hunt very largely among the

thin terminal twigs where they as often perch across a branch,

albeit somewhat awkwardly, as in the normal Picine manner.

The call is a very characteristic and rather pleasant ‘twee, twee,

twee’ which is sometimes extended into a trill of seven or eight

notes. There seems to be little known of the breeding habits of

this bird. I have not so far been fortunate enough to find a nest

but both in the Nilgiris and in Coorg the birds are paired in

January and February and it is probable that they breed then in

eommon with most of the members of the family.

11. The Malabar Great Black Woodpecker, Thiroponax java-

nensis hodgsonu (Jerdon) is typically a bird of the heaviest ever-

ereen forests of the Western Ghats where it occurs fairly commonly

up to 4,000 ft. In Coorg I have seen it in the drier and more open

teak and bamboo jungle of the Mysore border but it is only a

wanderer there. Shy and wary, they keep to the interior of the

forests and only oceasionally venture into cultivation on the jungle

edge. Such large birds need a wide range so that the numbers

in any one locality are never great. They seem to work a consider-

able area with some regularity for a family of three or four used

to appear in the neighbourhood of my bungalow in the Nilgiris for

a few days every six weeks or so for months on end. They would

be seen for a couple of days and then disappear until their next

visit fell due. Except in the breeding season small parties keep

together. They are very noisy and the single, wild clanging note

is audible at a great distance. As they take wing this eall is often

expanded into a ringing laugh. They seem to be exclusively arbo-

real and frequent the largest and tallest trees, hunting over the

trunks and main boughs seldom venturing out among the smaller

branches.

202 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

12. The Nilgiri Piculet, Picuwmnus innominatus avunculorum

Hartert is a rare species only reported from Travancore, Wynaad

and the Nilgiris. I have only seen it on two occasions, both on

the Nilgiri Jone: at about 4,500. feet among scrubby trees on the

border of open grassland. In habits they were more like Nut-

hatches than Woodpeckers being very active in running up and

down among the thin outer branches, frequently perching across

them and taking wing to pass from one to another. They were

silent little birds very much preoccupied in their affairs and very

tame or rather quite indifferent to the presence of man. Their

fight was strong and direct with but little of the usual Wood-

pecker bounds.

It seems probable that the original Woodpecker stock came

from small birds with normal tails and comparatively small though

powerful bills which obtained their food much as the Nuthatch

does by searching the branches of trees for the small insects con-

cealed in the bark and which bred in natural holes, but gradually

learned to enlarge and adapt them for their purposes. The Piculets

even at the present time, have hardly advanced beyond this stage

as their tail feathers are still soft a weak and the bill fairly

short and conical. While they do on occasion excavate a complete

hole, they nearly always breed in bamboos which only entails

making an entrance into the ready-made hollow interior. Once

started on this line of advance, specialisation proceeded apace;

the tail feathers stiffened to act as a support and a fulerum, the

bill became flattened and lengthened until it formed a most efficient

chisel while the tongue grew long and sticky to aid in the with-

drawal of erubs from their galleries in the tree trunks. Size also

increased until the typical Woodpeckers reached their acme in

species such as the Great Black Woodpecker and the Slaty Wood-

pecker of Burma and Assam. It would seem that the latter

represent about the size limit for birds of their particular habits,

as these giants of the race are seldom numerous, and require a

very large territory to provide them with a sufficiency of food,

besides being necessarily restricted to the densest and biggest

forest country.

With increasing size the typical Woodpeckers become more

and more dependent on wood-boring grubs as food though ants are

always a great stand-by with all the members of the family. The

larger species are prevented by their size from working the smaller

leafy branches and outermost twigs, the regions richest in insect-

life, while ants and such small fry unless available in great quan-

tity do not make nearly so satisfying a meal as a few large juicy

erubs. Accordingly, it is in the largest forms that the greatest

development of the bill is found. In the smallest birds, like

Yungipicus hardwickti and Hemicircus canente, the. bill is sharp-

ly pointed and fairly short. In the medium genera such as Leio-

picus and Dinopicus it is still pointed but comparatively much

longer and stronger. In the largest of all such as Thriponax and

Chiysocolaptes it terminates in a flat chisel edge, a much more

efficient tool than a mere point.

While the majority of our Woodpeckers conform to type in

SOUTH INDIAN WOODPECKERS 203

fneir habits there are at least two genera which show a well-

marked divergence from the main path. The Green Woodpeckers,

for instance, as typified by Picus vittatus are apparently gradu-

ally turning into ground feeders. Whilst still true Woodpeckers

in all respects they obtain a great deal of their food by preying

on terrestrial ants’ nests and have left the heavier forests for

lighter and more open woodlands, venturing right out into treeless

country in search of their favourite rations. In our local species

this trait is only in its early stages but it is carried much further

in other countries such as the Argentine where trees are scarce.

The Rufous Woodpecker has followed a different line of deve-

lopment to the extent of becoming almost a parasite on the

arboreal Cremastogaster ants. It is not a very common species

but as far as my personal observation goes, it lives almost en-

tirely on these ants, seldom, if ever boring for grubs though it

occasionally comes to the ground and has been seen by Legge break-

ing up dried cowdung in search of the maggots and beetles below.

The sticky acrid substance which is nearly always found smeared

over the head and breast of birds of this species is said to be

derived from the ants’ nests into which it burrows, but there

seems a possibility that it might be a secretion of the bird itselt,

developed as a defence against the enraged insects whose homes

it attacks and uses for breeding purposes.

Before closing this paper I must allude to the curious habit of

drumming indulged in by many if not all Woodpeckers. There

has been a lot of discussion lately in the Field and other papers

‘as to whether this sound is produced purely mechanically or

whether it may be vocal. I have watched birds in the act at close

quarters on several occasions and as far as I could detect the

former is the correct view. A particular and presumably specially

resonant dead branch is chosen and the bird proceeds to tap

it with the bill lightly and so rapidly that the movements of the

head are barely visible giving an effect much like the roll of a

drum. After every few seconds the bird pauses and looks round

expectantly as though awaiting an answer or the arrival of its

mate. The same branch is resorted to time after time and will

be found to be almost unmarked, the whole action being verv

different from the slow, heavy strokes employed when a nest is

being excavated or grubs dug out. While apparently a mating

call in its origin, drumming may be heard throughout the year.

The species which I have seen in the act are Chrysocolaptes qutta-

cristatus, Brachypternus benghalensis, Micropternus brachurus and

Yungipicus hardwickit.

REVIEWS.

I, A GAME BOOK FOR BURMA AND ADJOINING TERRITORIES, by

KH. H. Peacock, Deputy Conservator of Forests and Game Warden, Burma

(Retired), 292 pages, with xxvi plates, sketches, and a map. H. F. & G.,

Witherby, London, 1938, price, 12/6.

The best way to commence this Review appears to be by quoting from the

Hcreword by Mr. C. W. Hobley: ‘A Book of the character provided by Mr. Pea-

cock was badly needed, . . . His main difficulty has been one of compression.

Visitors to Burma, whether for sport or for nature study, will find this book

a mine of information, all well arranged.’

Those who have visited Burma in recent years—as did the present writer—

have indeed felt the need of such a book as this. To follow this work there is

need for an Angler’s Book for Burma, on the lines of The Rod in India by

H. 8. Thomas, for the country in its hilly regions is an Angler’s Paradise.

The anthor accurately describes Burma as hard to equal from the point of

view of a sportsman with naturalistic tendencies; and it is to be hoped that

this book will attract visiting sportsmen of the right type the presence of whom

in the forests is a check on poachers, and their methods an example to the

people of the country.

It is sad to read that the Javan Rhinoceros—the Lesser One-horned Rhino-

ceros (R. sondaicus) is almost certainly doomed to extinction in Burma; and

that its smaller relative, the Asiatic Two-horned Rhinoceros (R. swmatrensis),

is much restricted in habitat and also in danger of extermination.

The appointment of a Provisional Game Warden for Burma was attended

by many good results; and it is urged (with small hope of success) by all

who know the subject well that in most Provinces in India there should be a

Wild Life Department. Game and Wild Life Associations do much good, but

only by means of a Government Department can protective measures be co-

ordinated and have the desired results. That the post of Game Warden in

Burma has been abolished is very much to be regretted.

Reading of ‘Plans and Preliminaries’ the intending sportsman will find all

the information he requires. One thing only is omitted—the best method of

keeping off leeches! The writer can say that woollen stockings, over which

cotton stockings, and a high felt spat damped with kerosine, will afford immunity

from leech bites even if it be necessary to wade through water.

Those with experience will concur with the author’s choice of rifles (p. 40);

but few will agree that a return to the 8 and 12 gauge black powder rifles of

their early days can be viewed with equanimity. The -577 black power magnum

rifle, however, has scarcely been surpassed in practical efficiency by any of the

modern H. V. weapons.

Writing of cameras and photography the author gives much practical advice,

the result of experience—the reading of which would have saved many, this

writer for one—much avoidable expense. The results obtained by the author

are not equal to the expert illustrations in some recent books; but as he says,

his are the first to appear in a book of wild life in Burma: and they are much

in advance of what most amateurs have achieved.

In Tracking and Still-Hunting, the reader travels with a skilled sportsman ;

and in ‘Preservation and Care of Trophies’ he receives much sound advice.

hree pounds of the burnt alum and saltpetre mixture is a short allowance for

a tiger skin: double that quantity is nearer the mark: and it should be noted

that the alum and saltpetre ought to be kept in separate tins until required for

use. The writer has found that, unless the circumstances be exceptional, it

is not necessary to stretch a skin on the ground, or on a frame, as the skin,

if spread out on the ground in symmetrical proportions, will retain that shape

within fifteen minutes of the application of the preservative powder. It can

then be left on the ground, or raised for airing and drying in any manner

found necessary. Unburnt alum and common salt is also efficacious, and can

be used in proportions varying with the humidity of the atmosphere.

Of the elephant, Mr. Peacock writes with intimate knowledge. It is inter-

esting to learn that sharp tusks are the result of constant rubbing and sharpen-

ing He remarks at page 89 as to measures found entirely successful in dealing

with crop-raiding elephants. These could be usefully followed in parts of

Southern India, and in Ceylon,

REVIEWS 205

Of the bison also there is everything that a sportsman can wish to know.

There is no finer sport than the tracking up of a solitary bull bison and what

the author writes of this and the similar pursuit of elephant and Tsaine should

certainly attract sportsmen to a delightful country. The photographs give

excellent impressions of these animals. The intending sportsman is, very pro-

perly, carefully warned to avoid shooting immature bulls or cows of bison and

Tsaine. It may be added that sportsmen without experience should try and

arrange a visit to the Pidaung Sanctuary to there see bison and Tsaine of all

ages and learn to distinguish them.

One would not go to Burma for buffalo, the heads obtainable in India being

larger and without suspicion of the animal having run wild. Anyone desirous

of adding the horns of a thamin stag to his collection, or even of seeing these

beautiful deer im the wild state, should pay a speedy visit to Burma, for this

species is fast disappearing from the country. When the writer was in Burma

over forty-two years ago thamin were exceedingly common in all suitable

localities, and even now some few of the thousands of former days may be

seen near Shwebo; but their time is not long. As the author says, thamin

shooting in forest reserves should be entirely prohibited, and sanctuaries esta-

blished to preserve them from extinction. So also with hog deer.

There are chapters on the Malayan sambur and on barking deer. Of the

former the opinion is given that these are quite the hardest deer to photograph

on foot. And attention is drawn to the peculiar bare hairless patch to be

found on the throat of every wild sambur in Burma, the cause being probably

a parasite pecuhar to Burmese forests. Here is something for one of the

‘ologists’ to identify and explain.

Of other animals, Serow and Goral,—good photographs of these,—takin, wild

pig, tapir, jackal, wild dog, mouse deer, are dealt with. Then there are chapters

on the Himalayan black bear, the Malay bear, and the clouded leopard. Judging

by the measurements and weight given, the Himalayan black bear of Burma is

a smaller animal than the inhabitant of the Himalayas of India, where a

large male will weigh as much as 380 Ibs. and measure over 6 ft.

The author remarks that he has never known panther or tiger baits to be

found or killed by wild dogs. In India such incidents are within the experience

of a number of sportsmen.

The chapter on the tiger contains much of interest. The weight of a full

grown tiger is underestimated at 400 lbs. and that of a tigress overstated as

300 lbs. The latter would be an extra large beast and 420 to 450 is the

weight of the majority of tigers. The author truly remarks that in their

writings many sportsmen of Indian experience have merely repeated observations

of others without offering facts within their own observation. An instance

is the common statement that tigers do not eat carrion, or the kills of other

animals. This, as the author remarks, is far from the case.- It is only by

written notes taken on the spot that one can declare positively as to such

things as the method of a tiger in killing, the extent of his appetite, whether

it is the tiger or tigress which discards the tail of a kill or devours it, the

direction of the wind in connection with sense of smell, and other matters

requring elucidation.

‘Tigers do not attempt to cover their kills with leaves and grass in the

mianner of a panther’. ‘That may be so in the dense forests of Burma, but

tigers in India often cover kills in this way. ‘In Burma tigers almost invariably

break the hind legs of large buffaloes and bullocks before attempting to kill

them, . . .’ In this also tigers of India differ, for the breaking of the hind

legs of animals is most uncommon. The author is of course quite right in

stating that tigers do not kill animals in a uniform manner. He is likely to

be alone in his statement that the ‘tit’ of the tiger is in imitation of the

sambur alarm call. He remarks, however, that the question remains an open

one.

Those who have done much sitting over kills at night know that tigers

make many different sounds. One that is not noticed is that very cat-like call

made by a wounded tiger or tigress when on the point of dissolution. The

experience of the writer is that tigers are not so silent in their ways as the

author remarks. :

Two pages of very interesting matter are given to the subject of the power

of scent of the tiger. Mr. Peacock’s views are moderate. Various writers pro-

206 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVI

ceed to one or other extreme on the subject. The late Mr. Abel Chapman

wrote that a lon will accurately locate the position of an intended victim at

a good half mile. He was of opinion also that wild fowl, teal especially,

are keenly alive to the faintest clue from scent: a statement not borne out by

the test of experience. My. Dunbar Brander writes that the tiger has hardly

any sense of smell. The tiger has no doubt more sense of smell than many

will credit him with. A large series of accurate observations, made with a

testing of the wind on each occasion, is necessary to support positive assertions

on the matter.

It is remarked that the sense of smell of a panther is more highly developed

than that of a tiger. Perhaps the many occasions on which the writer has

shot panther from a hide on the ground are no evidence of want of power of

scent on the part of the panther, but due to his familiarity with the habitations

of man and the smell of the human being.

Has anyone ever known a case in India of an animal being fed upon by

a tiger when alive? That, surely, must be peculiar to the tiger of Burma.

_ As to ‘sitting up’ versus ‘beating’ Mr. Peacock has a good deal to say.

One sportsman has remarked to the writer as to sitting up over a kill that

one might as well set a spring gun, or press a button at one’s tent door!

The same sportsman would shoot a tiger from his perch in a beat when he

had done nothing towards the rounding up of the tiger except sitting in the

place he was told. The fact is that to arrive at such a pitch of perfection

in one’s knowledge of the habits of a tiger in respect to his kill, as will enable

the sportsman to be confident of the return of the animal on the greater majority

of occasions, is attained by few; for much experience in the methods leading

to success 1s necessary.

In countries ike Burma, where beating is almost impossible, sitting up is

the only. method; and the use of the electric torch is justified for several reasons

if the tiger is to be fired at after dark: but it is true that this form of shikar

engenders a distaste born of the secure success obtained by experience in such

methods for: ‘The sweets of destruction are somewhat tame, when no personal

risks befall’. In any case the days are not far off when—in many parts of

India at any rate—the shooting of tiger by night will have to be barred, as it

has been for a number of years in the United Provinces.

As to photography, the invention of a noiseless flashight bulb eliminates

the objection to the very disturbing influence to game of cameras set at salt

licks and water holes.

The author has never known his tiger or panther baits to be molested by

wild dogs. In India such incidents are within the experience of a number of

sportsmen.

Part III of the book is devoted to small game, and the information as to

species and their habits etc. is useful and well tabulated. To an ear accustomed

to the call of the Indian peafowl the call of the Burmese bird seemed markedly

different. No writer on birds appears to have remarked this.

Miscellaneous mammals, birds, and reptiles, are dealt with in Part IV.

The list is a long one. It does not seem safe in these days of the indis-

criminate possession of firearms by all and sundry to say that any form of wild

life is undeserving of protective legislation. In Ceylon the gunner slays any-

thing that will go into the cooking pot, so the slaughter done by 70,000 license

holders is immense; probably the 20,000 Burmese license holders are not back-

ward as to destruction of the same description.

Part V notices the waters of Burma as teeming with fish, and the immense

quantities of fish that are trapped annually as they pass to and from their

spawning grounds. Many rivers in India have been almost depleted of fish

by the merciless killing of everything that swims in their upper waters and

tributary streams; and from what was observed by the writer in respect to

the tributary streams of the upper Irrawady it is necessary that steps should

be taken to prevent similar destruction in the rivers of Burma.

Mr. Peacock is much to be congratulated upon his most useful and well

arranged book.

It is noticed that in the Map of Burma the railway lines from Thazi

Junction to the Shan States on the Hast, and to Myingyan on the West, have

been omitted. And it would have been as well for the several Game Sanctu-

aries mentioned in the book to have been indicated on the map.

Ji Nie 185

REVIEWS 5 207

Ii. NIDIFICATION OF BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE by E. C.

Dtuabt! ssakel. Cort.) O.BeEe. BV Zas., euc. Vol. Tl. | TURDIDAL-STURNIDAE.

Taylor & Francis, London, May 31, 1983. Price, 30/-.

The present volume deals with the whole of the birds included in vol. i

of the Fauna, with the exception of the Cinclidae (Dippers), the nidification

of which was described in vol. i of the present series. It also includes the

Irenidae (The Fairy Blue Bird), Oriolidae (Orioles), Graculidae (Grackles and

Stares), and Sturnidae (Starlings and Mynas), which come into vol. ui of the

Fauna.

As noted by Mr. Stuart Baker in his preface, the total number of species

and subspecies dealt with in the book under review amounts to 540, of which

13 have been described or resuscitated since the publication of the Fauna nine

years ago.

Of this number, seventy-five birds do not breed within the limits of the

Indian Kmpire, and of the remaining 465 species and subspecies the nidification

of no less than 403 is now described, the percentage being roughly eighty-six as

against fifty-five mcluded in Hume’s Nests and Egqs.

The sixty-two of which nothing is so far recorded are mostly birds which

breed in the higher Himalayas or the extreme East and South of Burma, so

that field workers having access to these localities still have scope for much

useful work.

Apart from those of which nothing at all is known, the nidification in some

cases requires confirmation, and in “others only a single nest and eggs are

recorded, and although the authenticity of such unique specimens is not in

question, the desirability of further material is obvious.

A case in point is the race of Acrocephalus stentoreus, the Reed Warbler

which breeds on the Inle Lake in the Southern Shan States. Although Mr.

Livesey has taken a number of nests and eggs, the exact status. of the bird is

still in doubt.

Similarly, the Bush Warbler of the genus Horeites, which occurs in the

Shan States and is not uncommon at Maymyo requires identification. The

bird 1s a great skulker, breeding in dense tangled undergrowth, and I remember

Harington telling me that he had obatined both birds and eggs after endless

search, but neither the eggs nor Harington’s notes appear to have been available

to Mr. Stuart Baker.

Such instances can be maeleipled. and are cited, not in a spirit of -criticism,

but to draw attention to the fact that, despite the immense advance in our

knowledge of breeding habits that we owe to Mr. Stuart Baker’s labours, much

still remains to be discovered by the enthusiastic ornithologists of the present

day. To name but one locality, with which I am personally acquainted, there

are still many discoveries to be made in the evergreen forests and mountainous

regions of South Tenasserim.

Bearing in mind the extreme rarity of many of the birds dealt with in

the present volume, and the inaccessibility of their breeding haunts, it is im-

possible to express in words one’s admiration for the immense mass of material

that My. Stuart Baker has collected and collated.

Moreover, in addition to that scrupulous accuracy of scientific detail that

one associates with all his work, the information is imparted in that felicitous

style that one has long been accustomed to associate with the author’s writings.

Far from being a dry catalogue of scientific data, the whole book is pre-

eminently readable, and will revive many happy memories for those who, lke

myself, are no longer workers in the field.

The book contains six beautiful photographs, the work of Capt. and Mrs.

Bates, and one hopes that Mr. Stuart Baker may find it possible to include

even more in his subsequent volumes.

The same type has been used as in the first volume, which renders the

letter press very easy to read, and I have failed to detect a single printing

error. It is true that a few place names are misspelt, but here the fault lies

with his correspondents and not with the author, and even so they are easily

recognisable.

208 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Til. THE JUNGLE IN SUNLIGHT AND SHADOW by F. W. Champion,

M.A. (Oxon), ¥.z.S., Imperial Forest Service of India (Author of With a Camera

in Tiger-land), Chatto & Windus, London, 1930, 270 pages, 95 illustrations,

Price, 2i'/=.

More than five years have passed since we had the pleasure of reviewing

Mr. Champion’s former book With a Camera in Tiger-land (Journal of the

Bombay Natural History Society, vol. xxxii, p. 775). It was the first book,

illustrated throughout with photographs of wild animals in their natural sur-

roundings, ever published about the wild animals of India. Now comes this

larger, more profusely illustrated, and yet cheaper volume from the pen and

camera of the gifted author. The book is wonderfully light for its size, is

well arranged, and has large print.

The publication of this work comes at a very opportune time because the

powerful advocacy of Mr. Champion is a much needed stimulus to recent move-

iments in this country, and in other British Possessions in the Hast, towards

the Protection of Wild Life which has become so urgently necessary.

In his introduction, the Author informs the reader of the objects and hopes

with which he has designed the book. These are, among others, ©... in the

even greater hope that if may raise a deeper sympathy for wild creatures:

that it may give some sportsmen cause to think twice before ae pull Umigget

on animais that, possibly, they often gain nothing by shooting

these he should amply attain.

In the former book there were some animals of the United Provinces forests

which had not been ‘shot’; among others the sambur, barking deer, wild dog,

and some of lesser note but not of less interest on that account, and now these

are all pictured to us by pen and by camera in their natural surroundings.

Every one of the twenty-six chapters in the book is complete in itself, and

each a model of its kind, compelling thought towards that deeper sympathy

for wild creatures which human beings must have if wild life is to be pre-

served and allowed the right to live which is the heritage of all animate things.

The author quite rightly remarks that Nature would seem to be intensely

cruel, which in fact it is not. ‘Yet it is difficult for the reasoning human being

—the only animal which is intentionally cruel—to admit this. There is the

snake which swallows frogs alive, or other snakes; that seems horribly cruel,

ana so on... However, let all who ponder on the cruelty of Nature, the in-

exorable Laws of Nature, read carefully all that there is in this book, especially

the last chapter “‘The other side of the picture’’.’

Now let us pass the book in review. ‘The first chapter reveals the literary

talent of the author who could, if he wished, be famous as a writer of short

stories! In this there are lovely pictures of elephant and sambar; and that

of the hyaena brings to memory the many occasions on which the furtive pur-

loiner of others’ dinner went off in just this way with a joint from the kill

of tiger or panther.

Next comes a life-like description of a tiger at home. LEHvery word of this

chapter most vividly portrays the life of the forest creatures. Only one who

has held many an ali-night vigil in the jungle could write with such intimate

knowledge as this.

After the Tiger, the Pangolin, a creature seen by few. ‘The present writer

once found a dead pangolin in the Ganges Kadir, a victim apparently of snake

bite.. lt “was 3 ft) 10 in. an’ lemeth, tail 1 ft: 10) in.) : tongue 14) ans, cenure

claw 33 in., weight 29 Ibs. and obviously full grown. One sometimes meets

with dead pangolins in the jungle, apparently killed by panthers. The chapter

gives much interesting information and is illustrated with five perfect photo-

graphs of this peculiar animal.

Quite true! The tiger is not a cruel beast; he kills because he must in order

to exist. Perhaps his early efforts are cruel—to our ideas—but they are not

intentionally so; and it is a fact—as those of us who have experienced sudden

and extensive injuries, broken bones, maulings by tiger or by bear, can testify—

that the shock of the impact deadens all pain. Yes, the human being is cruel

—think of all the creatures condemned to life-long imprisonment behind the

bars—the tiger is not. Hand in hand with game preservation should go a suff-

cient measure of protection to the greater Carnivora.

Now the reader is in the forests of Oudh. He sees the stately Sarus crane.

REVIEWS 209

Its sonorous cry is now heard in Whipsnade Park! Also the foxes, the croco-

diles, the pythons, just as those of us who have had the fortune to know those

forests have seen them in their native haunts. All is so readable, so vividly

true, so full of ‘meat’! And then the few forceful lines of wild life propaganda

at the end of it; and of other chapters also.

The question as to why the horns of the numerous sambur stags of those

forests are so poor in comparison with those of the Central Provinces is con-

sidered, and various theories are discussed. It cannot be that the flatness of

the Oudh forests has resulted in the production of a local race with a tendency

to produce small horns, as the sambur of the Himalaya, which are found at

an. elevation of as much as 9,000 ft., can show no better heads. The sambur

of South India, hills and plains alike, have comparatively small horns; so also

in Burma, where the horns generally are not much better than those of Oudh;

and in Ceylon where the horns of both sambur and spotted deer are small in

comparison with those of the Central Provinces. In parts of Central India

sambur horns tend to become abnormal both as to thickness and number of

points. It is a baffling problem, and can be considered in respect to other

animals—black-buck for instance—the horns of which are smaller in the south

than in the north, chinkara too.

Now the Ratel; another animal seldom met with. The writer has only seen

two 1n forty-three years of jungle jaunts; once in Kheri, once in Hoshangabad.

There is a most interesting account of this animal, with five excellent pictures.

All will be grateful to the author for this chapter and that on the pangolin.

Space does not permit of more than a passing mention of ‘A Winter’s Morning

in the Khotri Doon’. Pictures of pig and panther, and all about the monkeys

and birds; the pheasants and the leopard cat which stalks them; and the

serow standing immovable as a statue on the edge of the forest in the fading

light of the dying day.

‘What is the use of the leopard’? It is good to read some words of praise

of this indomitable beast, and not the abuse of some writers who describe him

as ‘a perfect swine’, ‘to be killed by any possible means’, and so on. There

are sound reflections upon the balance of nature and need for some protection

of the Carnivora. Of course if the game is not protected the Carnivora soon

finish off the diminished stock and then take to the cattle and the people, to

finally disappear from that part of the country. This has happened in several

parts of India now denuded of all the larger wild animals. The time has

certainly arrived in many parts of India when all shooting of every description

should be stopped for a period of years. In others there should be protection

of the Carnivora and in others the protection of certain species only. Through-

out the Indian Empire shooting by night should be prohibited and the use of

the motor car as a direct aid to destruction of wild life be most drastically

dealt with. In fact what is wanted in all the Provinces of India, and _ in

Burma, is a Department for the Protection of Wild Life: then perhaps some-

thing may be done. But we seem to have strayed from the forests of Oudh!

There is a striking description of “Drought in the Jungle’ and a story of an

elephant in the same connection.

Of the many lesser cats of the-forests three are illustrated; the Common

Jungle Cat, the Leopard Cat, and the Fishing Cat; and much of interest related

about them. It is not said that hybrids of the first-named species with the

domestic cat are not uncommon, and that hybrids of the domestic-cum-leopard

cat are pot unknown.

The author asks for explanation as to why the jackal should make such an

appalling noise at night— throughout the silent watches of the night’—But does

this concert not occur mostly, in the early hours of the evening, with a com-

plete cessation from about two hours after dark to an hour before dawn?

And may it not be that the howls are to call together scattered members of

tha band of prowlers for the nightly search for food? and again to collect friends

and relations near the break of day?

The chapter on Swamp deer is beautifully illustrated; yet not to the satis-

faction of the high standard of the author.

Mr. Champion remarks that the animal photographer is as scarce as he was

ten years ago. There are several reasons for this. One is that the equipment

is expensive and it is difficult to know where to get it. The writer of this

review has struggled with many difficulties and not yet succeeded in obtaiming

210 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

necessary apparatus. ast year in London no dealer could be found who could

supply a flashhght equipment! Now, by such ingenuity and manual dexterity

as he possesses the camera with a suitable lens will be fitted by himself with

a synchronizing arrangement to enable pictures to be taken by the light of the

noiseless Sashalte bulb. It remains to be seen if there will be any result.

What is wanted is a Handbook, of not too technical a nature, to place

the aspirant to this fascinating pursuit in the right path. Perhaps Mr. Cham-

pion will write such a Manual? It would convert many users of the rifle and

save the lives of a great number of animals; for it cannot be gainsaid that

the photographing of an animal is infinitely more difficult than shooting it:

and is a very high form of sport.

‘Freedom versus Captivity’: with charming pictures of nilgai and chital

and one of a bear. All who have intimate acquaintance with the jungle creatures

wul agree with the author that they do not live a life of terror. Most certainly

they would not be, and are not, happier caged. There is great cruelty in

caging animals and birds—especially the Carnivora and birds of prey—yet,

although nine people out of ten will admit this, the thing goes on; and if

you write an article about it it will not be accepted, ‘because you are attacking

an established institution’—the 4 o’clock feeding of the lions!

Chapter 13, ‘Curiosity in Animals’: and we are only half through the book.

Read and enjoy; also learn. And pass on to ‘A Foot-hill Stream’ and see how

much is due to the patient Balmati and her mahawat. That flashlight work 1s

expensive. Ten rupees for each ‘shot’!

‘Bhaloo the Bear’ and all about him. It does not seem likely that the

sucking of paws by the sloth bear is a salve for bruised feet; for the baby bear

one keeps in camp sucks his paws in quite a grown-up manner. ‘The idea that

he gets a taste of salt may be an explanation of the habit. Those four lines

at the end by W.J.K.S. excellently describe Adam-zad, the bear.

‘The Ganges Forests’ must be but briefly referred to. Here again the faith-

ful Balmati has been invaluable and given us lovely pictures of ‘elephant

children’; and what a unique picture is the flashhight photograph of the sloth

bear with two cubs on her back.

‘Jungle Camouflage’ is instructive; and an excellent article on a very large

subject. To which of the eleven or twelve known members of the genus krait

does the remark of the danger to which we are constantly exposed from the

‘inconspicuous dust coloured krait’ refer? The Common Krait is the krait of

the United Provinces and is a conspicuously marked snake having lnear white

arches, more or less in pairs, on a blueish ground. The author is so consistently

accurate that he will excuse this small matter being noticed.

An Indian Hill Station in the Monsoon can be very dull to many people;

but, as the author points out, some people never see birds, insects, or butter-

fhes. He illustrates somd of the creatures one can see, and one not likely to

be seen unless specially looked for. The handsome Himalayan Flying Squirrel

can be seen at dusk if it is known what tree they inhabit. That is the diffi-

culty. Natives watch them parachute down to the foot of a tree and kill them

with sticks. It was a wonderful feat to obtain the photograph that we admire.

Are Station leopards half starved? A number shot at Chakrata and Ranikhet

were of the usual weight. One carried along in the early morning was heartily

cursed by the langoors.

‘Hyaenas’. That is quite right about the hyaena. He was not created to

fight, so why dub him cowardly? Speaking for himself the writer has never

come across an instance of a hyaena driving a panthen off its kill. The author

has never heard the cry of the hyaena. He is right in saying that it is a very

silent beast but it will utter the sound, well described by Dumbar-Brander as

a ‘sort of chattering laugh’, when disputing a feast with another animal, a

pig for instance. As remarked in former reviews the hyaena when hard pressed

for food will kill adult women and big children.

‘The Senses of the Tiger’: with two excellent photographs. Many watchers

in machans have no doubt heard and sometimes seen, as one might express

it, unsuccessful sniffs as the tiger searches around for taint of man. All with

the necessary experience will agree that the tiger has a poor sense of smell;

yet that incident in the Pidoung Sanctuary, related in a former Review, rather

shakes one’s opinion. The tiger’s sense of taste is a very preverted one to

our ideas as he will eat a kill which is more ‘rice’ than meat! and he will

REVIEWS 211

quite often annex the kill of a panther, and sometimes of another tiger, if

he comes across it on his rounds, though on those occasions he seems just to

take his fill and pass along with no intention of returning to the easy feast.

It is good to read that the Siwalik Hills are still ‘a happy home for count-

less numbers of God’s wild creatures’, as one thought that the animals and

game birds had been sadly thinned out by the inhabitants of Dehra Doon Can-

tonment. A very good photograph of the Siwalik’s, a quite perfect flashlight

of a tiger, and a stag chital apparently in velvet.

Chapter 22 and the Sixth Sense. That article in Blackwood’s Magazine for

July 1931 was very intriguing. The writer drew the attention of ‘Kim’ of

the ‘Statesman’ to it but was unable to follow the subsequent talk. There

is no doubt some sense, apart from the five senses, which informs a human

being at any rate of someone being close by. That was shown to the writer

only last month. A sandy river bank and two Irulas, he of the tousled hair

lying prone while the other deloused his head. The interesting operation was

watched for fully a half minute. Then the operator looked up suddenly to

find the white man standing within six feet of him. Some sense apart from

the ordinary five must have told him of this. So it may be with animals.

The writer has certainly had warnings of danger in the way of accidents and

learnt not to disregard them. As Shaik Badulla of Orrcha used to say: ‘Jab

dil bolta jaunga; qub dil nahin bolta kabhi nahin jaunga’.

Now read all about tiger tracks and study the matter with the aid of the

photographs; and then about the kill being on the left side or the right side;

and the direction in which the head is pointing; and kills in the open. There

ave more of these sort of beliefs not mentioned by the author. If the tiger you

have shot has his tongue between his teeth then you will be again successful in

a day or two; and the number of lobes in his liver will tell you his age; and

some more of the same kind, including a new one told to the author by a

jungle man.

Do tigers eat carrion? The answer to this is in the affirmative, as they

say in the ‘House’. In the Upper Chindwin country it is usual to put out the

carcase of an animal if you want to shoot a tiger; also see previous remarks.

There are other ‘Jungle Riddles’ discussed in this chapter and the next, and

perhaps by writing about these the author may attract to the pages of our Journal

interesting observations on all these matters by Members of the Society.

Your reviewer would like to say that he is not a famous hunter and is

in agreement with all the author says as to the alarm calls of the langoor. That

is it; the pitch and the violence will tell one the true alarm from the false:

and in connection with alarm calls is it not possible to say from the tone

of a sambur’s call that the alarm is caused by a tiger or by a panther?

That is what the present writer thinks he can quite frequently distinguish.

Chapter 26 discusses ‘The other Side of the Picture’ with, incidentally,

pictures of chital, panther, and a sambur hind; also two good reasons why the

jungle need never be lonely.

The whole of this chapter should be read and re-read; and further than

this it may be said that this book should be where it can be often taken up

and. looked into, for in it is all that a lover of nature, or one seeking en-

lightenment, could wish to have to inform and guide him.

This Review seems to have come to a great length. Has it been too appre-

clative? Possess the lovely book and judge for yourself and you will be grate-

ful to Mr. Champion for having written it.

Rea) fe De

yo he, BOOK Ol MH, hiGH ER:

It is with much diffidence that I comment on a review in this Journal

(vol. xxxvi, No. 3) of a book of my own, but there is a precedent on page 209,

vol. xxx, where the author of Wild Animals in Central India has replied to

some criticisms of his work. I have myself reviewed many books and am

sensible of the difficulties of the reviewer, as he is of those of the author. All

that the author can ask of the critic besides accuracy and discrimination is

that he should be as well equipped as, or better than, himself to deal not

only with a part but the whole of so vast a subject, involving an extensive field

212, JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURA EIST. SOCKET Vol. OCG ii

of research besides the experience of the field naturalist, in which capacity the

reviewer speaks with unrivalled knowledge and experience that I cannot for a

moment claim. The reviewer has also to take into consideration all that a

book contains, and not merely occasional omissions or isolated items on which,

moreover, a light may be cast by other and perhaps unnoted passages, as

for example on the senses and on colouration in Chapter I, in addition to

Chapter II of my book.

The Book of the Tiger is not:intended to be a scientific treatise, but merely,

as stated in the Preface, to ‘present a comprehensive view of the animal’, with

so much detail as is essential to offer a general idea of its nature and habits,

and not an exact description of every attribute and action. It is of necessity

largely dependent on the accumulated experience of many observers over a

prolonged period, which is in the nature of things more extensive than that

gathered by a single individual, although the experience and opinions on the

subject of different people must have different values. One who has, in years

long gone by, made occasional visits to jungles cannot possess the obvious ad-

vantages of prolonged residence in the wilds and of resources in information

and personnel available to Forest Officers, of which such excellent use has been

made by Messrs. Dunbar Brander and Champion, who have in their books

depicted every movement of the tiger in description or in photographs.

In writing such a book one may omit many things mentioned elsewhere in

one’s own publications or in those of other authors, some perhaps being too

trivial to notice. I must refer to a few passages in the review which need

not vitiate the value of the whole any more than, as the reviewer kindly says,

the reader from his criticisms ‘might wrongly conclude that the book is of

little value’. With regard to the complaint that I have not ‘pronounced judg-

ment’, I certainly would not do this dogmatically concerning points which

embody not only facts but theories, or where action or habit is not uniform

but varies with circumstances. In the first category are theories relating to

evolution and colouration, and in the second the tiger’s methods of hunting and

killing. Has the time yet come to settle finally such things as the uses of the

senses of hearing, seeing, and scent, or the proportion of the sexes? On many

matters, including that of the length of tigers, I have reached the same con-

clusions as the author of Wild Animals in Central India.

There is no ‘effort to be original’ in the suggestion that ‘cleanliness in a

beast of prey may reduce the probability of detection by scent on the part of

a prospective prey’; the remark is not original, but is that of a scientific natu-

ralist who specialised on the Felidae. It may be fantastic, but is given for

what it is worth. The reviewer asks: ‘Who can say what the powers of vision

of animals are at night?’ It may be added; ‘or by day?’ As remarked in

my first chapter, ‘the structure of the visual organs of the tiger is adjusted for

hunting by day and by night’, and surely we can advance some speculative

suggestions as to what is beheld by the eye, whose structure is practically

identical in all mammals, including man, although in the Felidae and some

other animals a brilliant pigment increases the powers of vision, especially in

a feeble light. The question is less one of sight than of perception, a matter

dealt with on pages 128-124 of my book. The tiger’s reason for hunting by

night when ‘the animals he hunts are on the move themselves’ is clearly indi-

cated im my remarks on nocturnal habits on page 115.

As for the length of tigers, enough is as good as a feast. I have purposely

omitted many ‘records’, including that of Satunin referred to by Professor

Pocock on page 522, of vol. xxxiii of this Journal; the Russian naturalist, we

are told, states that he saw in the flesh a Transcaspian tiger whose stripped

skin measured from the tip of the nose to the root of the tail 114 ft. Perhaps

there is a mistake in translation, koren, root, being confused with konchik, tip,

or konetz, end.

The reviewer has read part of the book with insufficient care. I did not,

as he says, ‘predate the entrance of the tiger into India to 5000 B.c., a con-

clusion based on the finding of a single coin.’ I predated the entrance ‘as far

back as 5,000 years ago’ (not 5000 B.c.), based not on the finding of a single

coin, but of a number of seals engraved with figures of the tiger found in the

5,000-year-old ruins of the city of Mohenjo-Daro in the Indus valley.

IT am not surprised that the reviewer is astonished at the ‘200-lbs. of beef

eaten. at a sitting’; this is an error in printing or transcription. The original

REVIEWS : 213

manuscript gives 100-lbs., which is perhaps excessive, although it is said in

Wild Animals in Central India that a tiger will eat ‘three-quarters of a fair-

sized buffalo at one meal’. I regret that my careless proof-reading should

have put the reviewer to the trouble of writing ten lines on this matter; and

that he has found it necessary to write fifteen lnes because I overlooked a

third instance of two tigers being killed with one shot.

My chapter on ‘The Lion in India’ is obviously a sketch and not an ex-

haustive monograph. The reviewer says that I make no mention of the records

of lions shot by the Central India Horse near Goona. I have on page 278

referred sufficiently to these records in what I was told by two of the most

famous Central India Horse sportsmen of those days. He adds that my views

as to the disappearance of the lion from its former haunts would have been wel-

come, My views are expressed on pages 70, 272, and 280.

Finally the reviewer refers to the ‘proud title’ of the Book. The italics are

his, not mine. The title is not one of pride; it was adopted as convenient and

appropriate for a companion volume to Sir Alfred Pease’s less comprehensive

work, The Book of the Lion.

Re GB:

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

I.—NOTES ON THE COLOURATION OF THE

WHITE-BROWED GIBBON (Ho ZOCTOCKI® Teinrn)

Reference: Mr. Charles McCann’s notes on the Gibbon in vol.

XXXVI, p. ogo of the 15th April:

I enclose notes by Major W. B. Shakespear, Commandant of

the Military Police Bn. here, on a Hoolock of his. They may be

useful as confirmation. On account of its colouration the Hoolock

was considered a male until it changed to grey, or rather began to

change, last cold weather.

“Our Hoolock. when we got him (her) in late July 1927, was a

ereyish colour, gradually changing to jet black until about five and

a half years old, when greyish patches were again visible. At six

vears old the whole body is of a greyish tinge, the hair next to the

skin being a deep sandy shade. The big fangs (canines) came

through between five and five and a half years. (Aijal, August,

OS),

Ist. Assam RIFLES,

A1gaAL, ASSAM. Oe eR ee Adie

August 23, 1933. Captain.

II.—DAILY FLIGHTING OF FLYING FOXES

(PTEROPUS GIGANTEUS BRUNN.).

In a note in vol. xxxv, pt. 8 of the Journal, a Gurdaspur cor-

respondent suggests that Flying Foxes travel long distances daily.

I can add two instances of this habit.

On the occasion of my first visit to Kulu in 1910, I was told that

Flying Foxes which were believed to roost in Mandi invaded Ujji,

that is Upper Kulu every night in the fruit season. The apple

erowers dealt with them by stretching wires among their fruit

trees and also by shooting them when conditions permitted.

Another instance of considerable daily flights by Flying Foxes

occurs on South Sentinel Wsland, to the northowesuon amde 7

miles distant from the Little Andaman which is barely visible on

the horizon. A large colony of these bats shares a Box and Cox

existence with an equally numerous colony of Pied Imperial Pigeons.

At daybreak the pigeons start off for the Little Andaman in small

and large parties which continue to succeed one another for 80 to

40 minutes. During the last 30 or 40 minutes of daylight they

return in like fashion. The moment the sun has set, out come the

ereat bats and disappear over the anchorage in a long-drawn-out

MISCELLANHOUS NOTES 215

procession into the darkening east. They must return just before

daylight and must have a good sense of direction for South Sentinel

is a poor landmark even by day. Three times have I landed on

this little desert island and each time have sworn wallah wa billah

that I would never do so again. After the easy walking through

the forests of the Great Andaman (always excepting the fearsome

thorny canebrakes in the fresh water swamps) the going on South

Sentinel is the reverse of pleasant. Through a seanty humus peep

sharp points of limestone which tear one’s bootleather wlile the

undergrowth is unexpectedly resistant and is armed with cruel

thorns. Innumerable fat, smooth, pink, land crabs crawl about the

dry leaves underfoot and scuttle into holes in the limestone, while

every 80 or 40 yards one encounters a robber crab, of the size

and colour of a purple savoy cabbage and standing fiercely at bay

in the gloom. These discouragements are nothing compared with

the all-pervading stench of flying fox which soon drives one back

to the beach. The Pied Imperial Pigeon must have a very in-

different sense of smell to be able to “put up with his bat fellow-

lodger. Why should either find it necessary to roost so far from

their feeding grounds? I do not know what enemy they can fear

on the Little Andaman.

INGATESTONE, Essex. Miro ia cP RE RRA,

October 11, 19383:

tit BIson (BiBOS GAURUS HW. SMITH) AND HYBRIDS

IN THE MYSORE ZOO.

(With a photograph).

In the Mysore Zoological Gardens—officially known as the Sri

Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens—are some bison calves cap-

tured in the forests by men of jungle tribes. Observation is kept

on a herd, and when a ealf is dropped the cow is driven off and the

calf taken away.

Here is a photograph, taken on the 14th November 19383 with

the kind permission of the Government, in which can be seen

calves of several ages.

The small one on the left is about 2 months old; the centre one.

a cow, about 4 months; the little one with head down, 25 days;

and the young bull on the right is one and a half years of age.

It was very interesting 60 see these animals of different ages

and observe the gradual changes in colouration. The two smaller

animals are waiod: The smallest, is mouse-coloured, and shows no

sign of the white stockings: the top of the head is very slightly

darker than the other parts of the head and neck. The other shows

shght signs of the coming white stockings and the top of the head

is darkening. The 4-months’ cow has obvious white stockings and

the head is getting black,

916 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

The calves have as foster-mother a domestic buffalo cow which

is very fond of her charges. All the animals are in excellent con-

dition and enjoy the freedom and grazing of open paddocks.

A domestic cow is expected to shortly calve to a bison bull.

This is probably a new hybrid; a similar cross to the Cattalo of

the United States and Canada. ;

Hybrid lion-tiger cubs are also shortly expected, and the cross

between wild dog and jackal is to be seen in one of the enclosures.

In one of the animals, can be observed jackal feet and tail, and

in the other, the tail and feet of the wild dog, with, in each case,

a mixed colouration.

Another hybrid, the making of which one can but most strongly

condemn, with the hope that such an experiment will never be

again attempted, is a cross between a jackal and a Cocker Spaniel.

Poor terrified little smooth coated black creature. Its pleading

brown Cocker eyes will haunt me for many a day. It would be a

mercy to end its unnatural existence.

CoOoONOOR. Re WwW “BUR LON:

November 23, 1988. Lt.-Col., Indian Army (Retd.).

TV. THE DISTRIBUTION Ol) VUE Gini Ae Sees Vialeky

SHEEP (OVIS AMMON POLI. BLYTH).

I return herewith your letter from the Bombay Natural His-

tory Society. |

Ovis poli are found regularly in one nullah called Hak, just

south of the Kilik Pass, within Hunza limits. I believe they used

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

—

to be only casual visitors south of the Pass, but the Mir of Hunza,

finding that they were much persecuted on the Chinese side very

wisely gave them strict protection on his side for some years and

they may now be considered to be established. There must be

about 100 animals in this herd.

On the Chinese side they exist, in reduced numbers, in most

of the side valleys of the Taghdumbash. I have seen them at

Lup Gaz (immediately on, the north side of the Mintaka), whence

they must be occasional visitors into Hunza territory on the south

of that Pass, and in the Kara Chukor Valley. They are still fairly

plentiful in the Khunjerab and Paik Valleys and also towards Kara

su and Tagharma north of Tashkurghan. Another place in Chinese

territory, where I know of them, is the Muji Pami near the head

of the Kashgar River.

They seem to be still very plentiful in the Russian Pamirs.

W. J. Morden! who came out to collect specimens in 1926 for the

New York Natural History Museum, told me in Kashgar that he

had seen many herds all along the Russian side. To the north of

Kashgar lie the foothills and main ranges of the Thian Shan.

There are equally big wild sheep here but not, I think, poli. They

are Ovis karelint and other varieties of ammon: my wife shot

one near Aksu which the London Natural History Museum would

have described as a new species altogether if it had not been a

single specimen! Probably, there are various sub-species from

Siberia to Turkestan, but I doubt whether the true Ovis poli exists

anywhere north of Lat. 40°.

GILGIT. GeV. GILLAN,

March 28, 1933. Major.

V.—THE LOCH NESS MONSTER.

It has occurred to me that owing to the publicity which it

has received a number of your readers may be interested in the

‘Loch Ness Monster’. Living as I do only a short distance from

the loch and possessing as I believe the confidence of your readers

I endeavour in what follows to winnow the ‘wheat’ from ‘chaff’

out of the monstrous publicity which envelops and obscures this

phenomenon.

_ It is necessary to state right away that the subject cannot be

dismissed as ‘Bunk’ or a mere Newspaper ‘stunt’. The evidence

is too overwhelming for that: in fact it is the great mass of

——____.

Vide “Notes from an Expedition for Ovis poli? by W. J. Morden. Jour

Bom, Nat, Hist. Soc., vol. KXOGLV),{ 10) ops ; le eae

218 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURA alsa tS OCT Tie Vols @Xxoxay lai

evidence, often quite conflicting, which opens the door to the

seoffer. The animal had been seen occasionally, months before it

received any publicity; and it has since been seen by a number of

reliable witnesses whose testimony it is impossible to ignore. It can

be taken as established that a large animal, strange to the locality,

does inhabit the loch. The question then arises ‘what ani-

mal’?

There is a contention that the animal is prelistoric and not

known to science. The evidence in support of this is such as

cannot at present be accepted by any cautious naturalist: the more

improbable the event, the stronger is the necessary evidence for

its acceptance.

The evidence therefore for the prehistoric animal, which in itself

is weak, must, be rejected, in favour of the evidence, which is

stronger, and which supports the presence of a known animal. So

far no investigation has been carried out as to what the animal

feeds on: but it must either be herbivorous or carnivorous and

moreover an animal of such bulk must require a generous diet.

The vegetation on the banks of the loch consists of bracken, some

rushes, larch, Scotch pine, alder and various other trees. It is ob-

vious that the depredations of a shore feeding animal would by

this time have become apparent and there only remains aquatic

plants. The loch is deep and rocky; there are practically no aquatic

plants save, possibly, those in the extreme bottom; it is therefore

very improbable that the animal is herbivorous. A carnivorous diet,

is a much more concentrated form of food, than a herbivorous

one, and of the former there is ample; trout, salmon, eels and

possibly land animals which water at the loch. The loch itself

drains out partly:in the Ness River, and partly in a section of the

Caledonian Canal: the intake to the canal is supported by a ramp

or ‘bund’ of small height and easy slope, presenting no real obstacle

to any fish or sea mammal: and the Ness River which commences

below the ramp for its 8-mile journey to the sea contains ample

water to carry an animal of the size and nature which on all

accounts we are discussing.

It can therefore be fairly certain that some marine animal has

forced its way up the Ness River into the loch and has failed to

find its way out. There are two local animals which might fit

the evidence so far obtained. One “The Basking Shark’ which is

fairly common and attains a length of 30 feet but it is not known

if this animal will live in fresh water and it is doubtful if even in

its most enthusiastic moments it would face fresh water.

The other local animal is the ‘Grey Seal’ which in its colour-

ation would account for the conflicting evidence as to the monster’s

appearance. It attains a length of 10 ft. which is ample to

account for the descriptions of the beast after one has lopped a few

feet for exaggeration and excitement: (N.B.—A few feet have

been lopped off Indian Tigers!) Salmon over 7 in. is its chief diet

and it is probable that a Grey Seal enthusiastically followed up a

big run of Salmon into the Ness River and seeing them escaping

up the river into the Loch itself, adventurously followed them up.

Time will show unless some barbarian puts a bullet into it; no

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 219

foundation at present should be placed on sensational stories as

te its being prehistoric or antediluvian.

A. A. DUNBAB BRANDER.

IvyBaNnk, BISHOPMILL,

HEGin NB] SCOTLAND:

February 9, 1984.

VI.—EXPLOITATION OF WILD LIFE (CEYLON).

The following figures are of interest and give cause for serious

thought. They were kindly supplied to me by the Principal Col-

lector of Customs, so that I can keep all my records and data up

to date.

I give the figures for 1981 and 1982.

1. Skins, raw and salted, of wild animals, exported during

1981 and 1932.

Nature of skins. Weight. | Value. Weight. | Value

Cwis. Rs. Cwts. Rs.

Crocodile he 176 24 300-— 232 39 100—

Talagoya eas 24 13. 500-— 168 39 000—

Python wee 23 1 433- 23 14 800—

Reptiles, snakes -_... 28 1 325— 25 8 600—

Mixeds skins’ (0 2) ) 5 353 58 000-— |- 324 49 100-

Leopards os 17 3 265— 23 7 005—

ois 7) | od? olg23= | 798 | 157 Gos

There is no export duty on these skins.

Note.—Taking the average weights for the skins at a_ high

figure, we get the following truly amazing number of wild animals

killed and destroyed, to suit a whim of fashion! These were /illed,

how many were left wounded and died?

Crocodile. At an average of 10 lbs., means that in 1931, 1,936

of these animal skins were exported. In 1982, some 2,552 croco-

diles were killed for this export figure alone.

Talagoya. 1982 figures show an increase of some 4,000 of these

useful animals having been killed, as compared with figures for

1931.

Python. At an average of 8 lbs., 322 pythons were killed in

1932, against some 387 only in 1981.

I't is difficult to estimate,-or even guess at the total of snake

skins needed to make up one hundredweight, perhaps 50? At

that figure, in 1982 alone some 1,250 snakes were killed to supply

the skins exported.

Leopard. At an average of 10 lbs., salted and raw, gives 253

leopards represented by the export figures for 1932,

220 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Other figures of interest are the statements of animals exported

from Ceylon, during the years 1931 and 1982. I am not aware

how the ‘value’ has been arrived at.

1932,

ee ae aotal Value.

fe RSe hy Rs.

Elephant Se ae nil. a | ni}. | ses

Beat ni ae 1 | 2 -50F00)

Deer m 4 2| 200-00 1) 250-00

Palm cats se BA 8 55-00 mautiles

Mongoose see ae 7 70-00 1 5-00

Lizards BBE ee 4} 40-00 nil.

Monkeys ee ASS 27 245-00 30 | 310-00

Snakes hs oe 7, 250-00 24 | 200-00

Pythons ae ae nil. BA 1 | 200-00

Squirrels nee Gs il 5-00 nil.

Owls a Hees 2 5-00 nil,

Frogs bias ee 51 10-00 nil.

Porcupines ae vee | 2 15-00 1 10-00

Peacocks ae sa nil; ae 2 | 200-00

Wild cats sa oe nil. “ids 3 15-00

1931. 259 wild animals, representing a value of Rs. 945, were

exported.

1932.-263 wild animals: atva value of Ws, 15190;

No export duty on wild animals, excepting elephants.

T'otal value of produce of wild life, exported during 1931 and

1932, Rs. 2,61,563.

West HaputaLe Estate, A. C. TUTEIN-NOLTHENIUS,

OHIYA. Be ZS

October 1, 19338:

VIT.—WOODSNIPE (CAPELLA NEMORICOLA HODGS.)

IN MALABAR. |

This snipe though uncommon, is stated to occur regularly during

winter in the South Indian hill ranges, and several are shot every

year in the Nilgiris, but I cannot find that it has yet been recorded

from Malabar. It may therefore be of interest to report that |

iMiSCELLANEOUS NOTES 921

shot one on the edge of a large open rice stubble far from any

dense cover such as this species usually frequents, on November

: 1933, about 12 miles north of Cannanore and only 4 miles in

a direct line from the sea coast. The bird was in excellent condi-

tion and weighed just under 6 oz. The skin was sent to the

Society and verified.

DG Pa varia NeADAMS:

NILGIRIS. Major, I.A. (Retd.),

January 4, 19384. F.Z.8.

VIII.—NOTE ON THE WHITE-CHEEKED BULBUL

(MOLPASTES LEUCOGENYS) IN SALSETTE, BOMBAY.

While collecting in Salstte Island last week, I shot a specimen

of the White- cheeked Bulbul (Molpastes leucogenys subsp. leu-

cotis 2) which has a tiny patch of orange-coloured feathers on each

side of the forehead, a few millimetres behind the base of the

culmen. I shot another and this too has a less distinct but similar

patch.

I cannot trace any reference to this, and shall be glad if you

will let me have an opinion on the first specimen which I am send-

ing you. You may make whatever use you like of the skin.

GopREJI Houss, BUMAYUN ABDULAELT,

ANDHERI.

August 17, 1988.

Many thanks for your letter of the 22nd inst. It is interesting

to note that birds from Persia and Mesopotamia show the same

trait.

T note that you express the opinion that the birds are probably

escapes. The bird is known to occur in Guzerat and there does

not appear to be any reason why it should not come down the

eoast as other birds have done. I saw quite a number of them

at Goregaon where the specimen was obtained. On the 24th of

January 1982, I saw several of these birds at Godhbunder. All the

birds appeared to be in prime condition. I remember seeing them

at Nala Sopara too.

EA, in his Common Birds of Bombay, records that a ‘Sind bul-

bul’ of his escaped and then reappeared with, a mate. This was in

all probability also an escape, but at present it seems to me that

they have either established themeslves firmly or drifted south-

wards, and should be given a place in the local avifauna.

Gopres Hovss, HUMAYUN ABDULALI.

ANDHERI.

August 31, 1935.

222 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVit

IX.—OCCURRENCE OF THE LARGER BLUE-WINGED

PITTA (PITTA MEGARHYNCHA SCHLEGEL) IN EASTERN

BENGAL,

Some years ago, Mr. F. Field kindly gave me a specimen of

the Larger Blue-winged Pitta which he had collected at Barisal,

Eastern Bengal, on 19 March, 1925. It was doubtless then on

migration. This is the first record for India and suggests that

the range of this little-known bird may be wider than is generally

realised. This occurrence should have been recorded in print at

the time but for some reason both he and I omitted to send it to

the Journal and I now make good the omission. The specimen

has been compared at the British Museum and agrees well with

the series in the Hume collection, except, that it is slightly paler

in colouration both above and below than most of the specimens.

CALDBEC : HousE, HUGH WHISTLER,

BATTLE, F.Z.8.

September 8, 1938.

X.—CATCHING OF CHIKOR [ALECTORIS GRAECA

CHUKAR (GRAY)] IN KASHMIR.

In the last issue of the Journal Mr. Stirling remarks that a

common way of catching Grey Partridge in Rajputana is to chase

them on ponies or with dogs. After two or three flights the birds

can be picked up by hand in an exhausted condition.

This reminds me of the Kashmiri method of catching, or rather

poaching, Chikor in winter. Two conditions are necessary for this

purpose. First, there must be a fall of fresh snow sufficiently

heavy to drive the birds down to the low foot-hills; and secondly

there must be level ground at the base of these foot-hills. Given

these conditions the procedure is as follows. Twenty or thirty

villagers scatter themselves about the face of a hill-slope with an

interval of say 150 yards between each man. When everybody

is in position and the hill-slope is dotted with men at various alti-

tudes and regular intervals, the drive begins. The birds are put

up, fly a few hundred yards, settle, and are then immediately put

up again by the nearest villager. At each successive flight the birds

get lower and lower, and at last descend to the soft snow on the

level plain where they flounder about in an exhausted state and

are easily caught. |

SRINAGAR. He LUDLOW.

January 1, 1984.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

KH.

(ot)

XI.—ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF CURLEWS AND

GODWITS IN THE CENTRAL PROVINCES.

These birds are seldom seen in the Central Provinces south of

the Nerbudda. All Curlews seen on inland tanks and jheels in

the Nagpur and Bhandara districts have hitherto proved to be the

Eastern Curlew (Numenius arquata orientalis, Brehm). One

either comes across a solitary individual or a small flock of three

or four birds. On the Mahanady River, however, Curlews are

more in evidence and larger flocks may be met with. I shot speci-

mens here in March 1925 and again in November 1929 and in

both cases the birds were the Western Curlew (Numenius arquata

arquata, Linn.). It would be interesting to note what forms are

met with on the Nerbudda and in the districts north of that river,

where I have had few opportunities of collecting.

The two races of Curlews are easy to discriminate; the Western

form has the lower parts broadly streaked and the axillaries are

white with bold streaks of blackish; the Eastern race has the lower

parts finely streaked, and the axillaries are white or finely streaked

with blackish.

IT have only once come across a Godwit and it was a black

tailed one (Limosa limosa limosa, L.). It was a solitary individual

associating with another wader, and was shot on the Sonegaon

lad

tank, 5 miles south of Nagpur.

CENTRAL Museum, Ke A. DABREHU,

NAGPUR. HZ Sia

December 7, 1988. Curato?.

XIT.—NUPTIAL PERFORMANCE OF THE SPUR-WINGED

PLOVER -[-HOPLOPTERUS VENTRALIS (WAGL.)].

Stuart Baker (Fauna, vi, 186) remarks that ‘the flight, walk

and general actions of Hoplopterus ventralis are very like those of

the Peewit’, so that I venture to put on record some remarkable

antics of Hoplopterus ventralis, which I observed in March 1982

on a sand-bank on the Namti stream in this district. I have

watched hundreds of Green and Ringed Plover in England in the

breeding season and never saw anything remotely approaching this

performance. There was a party of four birds on the sand. First

two approached each other slowly, and then stooping their bodies

until they were in a horizontal position, whirled rapidly round on

their ‘axes’, twice or thrice, describing a complete circle. (The

Peewit stoops and bows in a similar position but I never saw one

whirl round in this way.) They then drew themselves bolt up-

right, so that they appeared to be standing erect and as it were,

on tip-toe, with bodies held vertically and breasts puffed out, and

in this, for a wader, extraordinary position, ran, or rather shuffled,

with short quick steps side by side, exactly as if ‘dressing by a

224 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVii

flank’ (to use the term which alone seems to describe their move-

ments). At times all four birds were running, or shuffling, side

by side in this alignment almost touching each other. Occasionally

one would bob his body up and down and then square up to another

bird, with a threat of a blow from his wing, but I saw no actual

fighting. The Spur-winged Plover is so common, and the use to

which it puts the formidable curved spur on its wing, is so little

known, that I sincerely hope some other naturalist will endeavour

to confirm this observation, and prove whether or not the spur is

actually used as a weapon of offence in the breeding season.

Myrrxyina, Upper Burma. J. K. STANFORD,

November 20, 1933 AC aS:

XUI.—EARLY ARRIVAL OF SNIPE IN THE ANDAMANS.

In vol. xxxvi, No. 2 of the Bombay Natural History Journal I

wrote that I had shot snipe on August 28th in the Andamans.

This year on August 17th I put up two snipe in one of our best

beats. The birds, however, did not arrive in any quantity till the

middle of September. Of course, the two birds may have been

pricked birds which had remained in the Andamans throughout

the year. They were strong on the wing and appeared to be in

good condition.

Port Buatr, J. MILE Ss sis PY ETON,

ANDAMAN ISLANDS. ECS...

October, > 1935: Deputy Commissioner.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

XIV .—OCCURRENCEH OF THE HASEERN GREY) DUCK

(ANAS P. ZONORHYNCHA SWINHOB) AND THE

BRONZE-CAPPED THAL |[HUNETTA FALCATA (GEORG])]

ON THE BRAHMAPUTRA.

On December 29th I shot 2 Hlastern Grey Duck (Anas p.-zono-

rhyncha) on a bil on the north bank of the Brahmaputra—one out

of a pair and one out of a lot of 8 or 10.

On December 25th a Bronze-capped Teal (Hunetta falcata) was

shot in the same locality.

D1IBRUGARH, J. C. HIGGINS,

ASSAM. JEG.S);

January 38, 1934.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 225

XV.—DATES OF ARRIVAL OF MIGRANT BIRDS IN

COORG IN (1932:

August 21. Grey Wagtail—Motacilla cinerea Tunstall.

August 28. Common Sandpiper—Tringa hypoleucos Linn.

September 9. Pintail Snipe—Capella stenura (Bonaparte).

September 12. Common Indian Bee-eater—Merops orientalis

Lath. (Local migrant).

September 26. March Harrier—Circus aeruginosus (Linn.).

September 26. Brown Shrike—Lanius cristatus Linn.

September 25. Green Sandpiper—Tringa ochrophus Linn.

(first seen but had doubtless arrived much earlier).

October 3. Black Drongo—Dicrurus macrocercus (Vieill.)

(Local migrant).

October 5. 7 ls lime Rock Thrush—Monticola solitaria

G2 di Ss: Muller),

October 7. Forest Wagtail—Dendronanthus indicus

(Gmelin).

October 11. Eastern (?) Swallow—Hirundo rustica Linn.

October 11. Indian Pitta—Pitta brachyura (Linn.) (Local

migrant).

October 12. Blue-headed Rock-Thrust—Monticola cinclo-

rhyncha (Vigors).

October 14. Indian Tree Pipit—Anthus hodgsoni (Rich-

mond).

October 14. Indian Oriole—Oriolus oriolus (Linn.) (Local

migrant).

October 26. Himalayan Blue Chat—Larvivora — brunnea

Hodgs.

October 31. Indian Great Reed Warbler—Acrocephalus sten-

toreus (Humpr. & Ehreub.).

November 1. Pied Crested Cuckoo—Clamator jacobinus

(Bodd.) (Local migrant).

November 1. Black-headed Cuckoo Shrike—Lalage sykesii

Strickl. (Local migrant).

November 4. Verditer Flycatcher—Stoparola melanops

(Vigors).

November 7. Hodgson’s Rose Finch—Carpodacus erythri-

nus (Pallas).

November 9. Paradise Flycatcher—Tchitrea paradisi Linn.

(Local migrant).

November 18. Red Breasted Flycatcher—Siphia parva

(Bechst.).

December 25. Hoopoe—Upupa epops Linn. (Local migrant).

COOVERCOLLY, KN, BETTS:

SOMWARPET.

September 18, 1988.

226: JOURNAL, BOMBAY. NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

XVI._EXTENSION OF THE RANGE OF Wak SNAIGE

CONTIA PEBSICA ANDERS. IN THE PUNJAB.

Among some snakes sent to me from Sakessar, 4,500 ft. on

the Salt Range by Mr. A. D. R. D’Abreu, Civil Surgeon, Sar-

godah, was a specimen of Contia persica, Anders. This snake in-

habits Persia, Baluchistan, the North-West Frontier Provinces and

has been taken at Murree; the present locality extends its range

further south into the Punjab. Other snakes from the same loca-

lity were Zamenis rhodorhachis, Jan. and a Phoorsa HEchis cari-

nata.

CENTRAL MusEvum, | KA. DABREU,

NAGPUR. Se

December 7, 1938. ; | Curator.

XVII.—A WHIP-SNAKE (DRYOPHIS MYCTERIZANS DAUD.)

- FEEDING ON THE LIZARD (CALOTES VERSICOLOR).

The other day at Andheri, I saw a Whip-Snake: capture

the lizard commonly known as the ‘‘Bloodsucker’’ on a wire fence.

The snake caught the lizard just behind the head and held it firmly.

The lizard in its struggles dropped off the wire and dangled in the

air while the snake maintained its hold. The Bloodsucker was

very active at first, but gradually it quietened down, its movements

became feeble and were eventually stilled. As death approached

the lizard changed colour from light brown to dark brown.

When the hzard stopped struggling the snake gradually moved

its jaws alternately till it got the head lengthwise into its mouth.

It now commenced to swallow it, hanging head downwards from

the wire. The body of the victim gradually disappeared leaving

the tail protruding. When the body of the lizard past the head

the snake altered its position. It put its head on one of the

upper wires of the fence:and by contortions of the body pushed the

lizard down till it reached the stomach, the snake rising higher and

higher as the lizard went down. All this time I remained per-

fectly still and carefully followed the proceedings from about a

yard away. The whole process was completed in twenty-five

minutes. The interesting point is the gradual death of the lizard

from the poison of this snake. Death followed in almost ten minutes

after capture. It is well-known that the Whip-Snake is one of the

back-fanged colubrines. It is poisonous only to its natural prey

but is harmless to man. It may be freely handled and will alway

give warning if it intends to bite, by opening its mouth wide before

‘azuoyy odeg 1eeu poyoeveq Aey-yeq yueLy

‘20G ‘ISI “JEN ‘quiog ‘‘udnor

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES — 227

it does so, however, this is frequently all bravado. For the sceptic

I might mention that I was bitten by the same snake while handling

it and am still alive to tell the tale.

Bompay Natrurat History Soctety, C. McCANN,

Bompsay. Bens).

September 8, 1938. Asst. Curator.

XVIII.— BATTLE WITH A GIANT BAT-RAY

(DICEROBATIS EREGOODOO).

On the 18th of October I left Karachi in a 3-ton sailing boat

on a fishing expedition to Cape Monze, 20 miles from Karachi

harbour. There were seven of us in the boat; a crew of six Indians

and myself.

We had a successful afternoon’s fishing off the coast of ‘Kopha-

na’ where we had a good catch of the locally known ‘Camel fish’

(vernacular: ‘Dun-de-a’—Chrysophrys berda) and, later in the

evening, we moved westward and had a good bag of herrings during

the night.

Before daybreak on the 19th we anchored about two-and-a-half

miles west of Cape Monze, the depth at that particular place being

20 fathoms. The weather was fine and the sea fairly calm with

a flood tide. Soon after sunrise all lines were out and we were

settling down to our day’s fishing when, suddenly, the boat took

a list as if hit by a tidal wave and after a number of rolls and

pitches commenced to move through the water, being towed by

something invisible at the end of our 80-fathom anchor warp. I

ordered all lines to be taken in by which time the speed of the

boat had reached a good 2 miles per hour. Astounded at this

mysterious submarine foree that had suddenly taken our boat in

tow I joined the crew whom I had ordered. to haul in the warp.

Our efforts, however, proved futile as the force with which the

boat was being towed was such that I expected the 2-inch warp to

part at any moment. 5

For the next half hour we were thus irresistibly towed towards

the open sea when, suddenly, the warp slackened and the boat

almost stopped. J rushed forward and hauled in a good four-to-

five fathoms of the warp. At first I thought that I was to be

disappointed, in as much that I would never discover what was

the mysterious being that had taken us in tow, but in a few

seconds the warp was jerked from my hands with such force that

I was nearly thrown overboard and we continued our “joy ride’

after taking a sharp turn landwards. A few minutes later the

warp came to the surface and, about fifty yards ahead of us, a

body which looked like an aeroplane broke through the waves, its

228) JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. (SOOM RY, Volo XOXO van

wings working with terrific sweeps. It was then identified to be

a Giant Bat-Ray. So powerful was the action of its wings that

it splashed water to within a few yards of the boat. Fortunately,

however, the monster did not approach us for it would have in-

volved the possible danger of severe damage to the boat. Another

long hour lapsed before the Ray showed signs of exhaustion when

renewed efforts were made to haul in the warp. This was even-

tually done by all hands on the warp with a turn taken round the

thwarts and mast. Meantime, I got ready 2 harpoons, an 8-inch

hook, gaffs and all the rope that was available on board.

Inch by inch the monster was drawn nearer the boat when a

closer examination revealed that it was securely entangled in the

anchor warp which was looped round its body, passing between its

cephalic horns and near its tail. I presume that it must have

hit the slack warp a few feet above the anchor and, trying to

defend itself it probably lashed backwards with its tail, every

subsequent movement only serving to tighten still further the

knot it had tied round its body.

Another haul brought the monster within distance of the har-

poons and two of these were plunged into its wings simultaneously

by myself and by one of the fishermen. This was the signal for

another hectic time, the Ray resuming its frantic struggles to release

itself from the various ropes that were, by then, securing it firmly.

The powerful movements of its wings smashed the pole of one of

the harpoons and a half-inch steel hook was straightened out as if

it were a bit of soft wire.

The Ray gradually lost strength and, at this stage, it was evi-

dent that there was little chance for it to escape. It eventually

came to the surface and the boat being drawn close up a battle

with ‘kukris’ ensued one of the crew diving under the monster

plunging a ‘kukri’ into its throat.

It was my intention to tow the Ray to Karachi in order to

determine its actual weight and obtain photographs showing the

full outline of its body. Unfortunately this proved impossible in

view of its size and the fact that it would have taken at least

twelve to fifteen hours to reach harbour. We were then 23 miles

from Karachi. I therefore decided to tow it ashore, the operation

occupying another two hours.

Seven and a half hours after the Bat-Ray had taken charge of

our boat it was landed in a small cove near Cape Monze. The tide

was then running out and I had to wait for this in order to take the

best photographs under these difficult circumstances as it proved

impossible to drag the creature any further up the sand.

The measurements which I determined accurately were: 22 feet

from wing tip to wing tip; 17 feet from head (excluding cephalic

horns) to the base of the tail, and 4 feet the tail itself. Cephalic

horns, of a convoluted appearance, said to be used by the animal

to draw its prey into its- mouth, 2 feet 2 inches. Body rough,

about. 3 feet thick at the maximum point. Colour of a deep grey

with white patches on either side of the spine; white below. Head

flattened; mouth 4-foot, opening like a huge cavern between the

cephalic horns. Teeth small, file-like, extending practically the

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 229

full length of the mouth; I counted seven rows of these on the

lower jaw and six on the upper. Tail hard, very rigid and dis-

proportionately short. Eyes, placed on the outer sides of the cepha-

lic horns, about 84 inches in diameter. The fishermen say that

the animal cannot see straight ahead but is dangerous when

attacked from the side.

This Ray belongs to the family of Myliobatidae, genus Dicero-

batis and is akin to the species eregoodoo. I find, however, that

it differs from the latter in the wings which are more elongated and

narrower near the centre; also in its tail which is definitely rigid

and not whip-like. I estimate that its weight must have been be-

tween 4,000 and 5,000 Ibs. The vernacular name of this beast is

‘Karanj’, smaller ones are caught occasionally in drift nets and

during the winter months are frequently seen leaping out of the

water. They are more numerous in the gulf of Kutch.

Raut BrotHers Ltp., N- AS TOMBAZT.

KARACHI. F.R.G.S.

November 8, 1938.

XIX.—THE TWO INDIAN SUBSPECIES SATYRUS

(EUMENIS) PARISATIS, KOLLAR.

Subsp. parsis, Le Cerf.

Subsp. shiva, Le Cerf.

A CORRECTION.

Comparison of the series of specimens of these two subspecies

of S. parisatis in the British Museum (Natural History) and Evans’s

Identification, p. 118, with the original descriptions. by Le Cerf

(Annales D’ Histoire Naturelle, Entomologie, 1913) shows that some

confusion of the names parsis and shiva has arisen, mainly owing

to inaccuracies in the details given regarding the type-localities.

(1) Subspecies parsis is the form having on upperside hindwing

the submarginal border broad and unsullied bluish white, and the

subtornal black spot ‘at least partly on the white band’.

The type-locality as given by Le Cerf is ‘Toba (Népaul), vii,

vine L907 (a ©.) Hi Cooper coll.), W. Rosenburg;? 1911 “(ex ‘coll,

Bug: Boulet); in coll. Muséum de Paris: 2 45.2 '¢2 Types.’

This form, parsis, is not from ‘Nepaul’, but from the opposite

side of North India, the mostly very dry region of Baluchistan,

the Tochi Valley, Kandahar and the Swat Valley.

In Baluchistan, where (See Evans, ‘Buttfls. of Baluchistan’,

J. B.N.H.S., vol. xxxvi, p. 198, 6) the late Mr. G. EH. R. Cooper

230: JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

collected on the Toba Plateau, S. parisatis, Brigadier Evans in-

forms. me, is one of the commonest butterflies.

- Thus: “Toba (Népaul)’ is doubtless an error for ‘Toba Plateau,

Baluchistan’, as the type-locality for subsp. parsis, Le Cerf.

(2) Subspecies shiva is the form having on upperside hindwing

the submarginal border narrow and more or less sullied, and the

subtornal black spot either entirely or mostly in the dark area away

from (‘en dehors de’) the white border.

The type-locality as given by Le Cerf is ‘Simla (Cachemyre)

(Doncaster, 1910) ex coll. Hug. Boullet, in Muséum de Paris; 1 ¢,

2 9: Types.’ .

‘Simla and Cachemyre’ would probably be more accurate, as

this form, shiva, is from Cashmere, Ladakh, Murree and Kangra

to Mussoorie, that is, the N.-W. Himalayas, a less dry region

than that for subsp. parsis.

In the series in the Brit. Mus. are two specimens, one labelled

merely ‘N.-W. Himalayas’, the other a female taken by myself at

Mussoorie on 1 June, 1912 at 5,600 ft., which are extreme examples

of subsp. shiva, the white border on upper hindwing being narrow

and so much sullied by extension into it of the dark area that it is

almost macular.

Mackinnon and de Nicéville, in their Butts. of Mussoorie

(J.B.N.H.S., xi) record only one example of S. parisatis from Mus-

soorie, and I met with only the one example above mentioned in

some five years of collecting there.

There are in the Brit. Mus. series two specimens from the

Moore coll., one a ¢ (‘Kalapani, 25, ix, 85’) of the form shiva;

the other a @ (‘Kalapani, 1, ix, 86’) of the form parsis. It may

be that the label of one of these two old specimens is erroneous.

The series of these two subspecies are correctely named in the

Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) collection.

In Evans’s Identification (1932), p. 118, the names shiva and

parsis against the descriptions should be interchanged, and parsis be

substituted for shiva in that author’s Buttfls. of Baluchistan, p. 201.

LonpDown. | jel, ID. IRB UB.

October 15, 1988.

XX.—A BUTTERFLY GROUND IN KULU.

No paper, says Brigadier Evans in his Identification of Indian

Butterflies, has been written on the butterflies of Kulu. The task

is no light one, for the Kulu Subdivision is not only extensive in

size but is cut up by mountain ranges the passes over which run

from 13,000 to 17,000 ft. and in consequence it possesses extremes

of altitude, rainfall and climate that produce a diversity of condi-

tions which can hardly find their match in a tract of similar area

anywhere else in the world. Only long local residence coupled with

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES: 25 .° oly 2k

leisure and freedom of movement would qualify any individual to

write a first hand account of the butterflies of Upper Kulu, Rupi,

Inner and Outer Saraj, Spiti and Lahul all of which go to form

the Kulu Subdivision. JI am not aware that Spiti has been properly

worked and even Lahul has probably some butterfly secrets still

to give up. Of one man only am I aware who could have written

a paper on the butterflies of at least Kulu and Inner Saraj; that

was the late Mr. A. Graham Toung so frequently mentioned. by

de Nicéville in his unfinished work on the butterflies of India. But

for Mr, Toung the source from which he obtained his many articles

remained somewhat of a trade secret for the sale of - butterflies

formed an important source of part of his slender, his. too slender

income. The ruins of the modest dwelling in which he lived near

Bajaura were already grassed over when I first visited Kulu in

1910. Graham Toung’s secret had died with him but was accident-

ally discovered by me in that year. It is with some shame that

I have at last summoned up the energy to ‘COHELELIE CEs this SSE):

to others.

I had started butterfly collecting two years before in Laalipes

which despite the conversion of the “desolate Ganji Bar into a rich

agricultural tract could still only boast of some 40 kinds of butter-

flies. To this number I had added another 40 or 50 during brief

visits to Simla but knew very little of Himalayan sorts especially

the rarer ones. In April 1910 I left on a two months”* recess’ to

visit J—C— then in charge of the Kulu Subdivision. ‘Four new

Erebias at Palampur, then H. shallada and V. xanthomelas on the

Bubbu Pass with some new Lethes as I dropped! down into Sultan-

pur made a good start and I passed up the Valley to Nagar hoping

for great things to come. Very great was my disappointment.

Perhaps nowhere in the Himalayas is there such a dearth of butter-

flies as on the main road from Larji to Manali, some 40 miles of

Valley rising from an elevation of about 3,000 to one of 6,000 it.

In a day’s march one seldom sees more than 20 kinds and those all

common. I had begun to despair of doing anything much..in the

butterfly line when late in May my host started for Outer Saraj

where he was to meet the Settlement Commissioner. It was also

time for me to move on to Simla and get to work on the report

for the writing of which my recess had .been granted.- We decided

to travel not by the hot low route via Larji but the higher one

which rejoins it at Ptach. Accordingly somewhere near the ruin of

Graham Toung’s house we crossed the Beas and struck into the

mountains to our left and following a little stream found ourselves

at Garsa rest house. The elevation I forget but it is something

below 5,000 ft. After breakfast I strolled down to. the stream

where it formed a gravelly pool shaded by. bushes. There on the

wet sand I found a number of strange butterflies quite unknown

to me. During the next couple of hours I caught 8 EH. dolon, a

couple of A. ambica, a male Dilipa, a couple of Pantoporia asura,

a Spindasis nepalisus and, chief of all, two Calinga-budde... Others

new to me were Lethe pulaha, EH. athamas and C. thyodames. Atl

of these I had to search Bingham for. What a catch for a begin-

ner! Had I had fuller knowledge I would have stayed next day

232 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

and caught more. I did not then know that I would later search

Kulu in vain for two whole seasons without finding any of these

excepting asura in any other locality. Next day’s march yielded

first, sitting on the road, numerous Dichorrhagia and Stibochiana

never taken elsewhere, Sephisa dichroa and Pararge moorei seldom

seen again in Kulu and further on we found swarms of Chaetoprocta

and Huaspa and the three common Amblypodais, dodonea, rama

and ganesa. Excepting the Amblypodias these also were new. For

the last mile before the top the road passes up the middle of a

great vault formed by immense horsechestnut trees then in full

bloom. As far as one could see through the forest there was an

undergrowth of tall irises and the lovely six-foot Lilium gigan-

teum (or is it himalaicum?) the whole forming a scene of beauty

I can never forget. Among the horsechestnuts floated numerous

P. philoxemus, Delias belladonna and a few Aporia habellica. After

crossing the pass there was little of interest except a few Rapalas

and Theclas till we came to Jibhi under the Jalori Pass. There I

took several good neptis including yerburyi, sankara, ananta and

narayana. Almost all the butterflies taken during these 3 days

were new to me and my excitement was only made greater when

I found how rare some of them were. Three years later I was

posted to Kulu as Assistant Commissioner and twice paid visits of

2 or 8 days each to Garsa in the hopes of repeating the catch of

1910 but on neither occasion had I one quarter of that great suc-

cess. Furthermore, all the rarer butterflies taken by me at Garsa

were never seen by me elsewhere in Kulu in spite of much hunt-

ing throughout the seasons of 1913 and 1914. The Garsa Glen

emerges as the one place in Kulu where all the rare Kulu butter-

flies occurring at that altitude may be found. There may be other

spots equally good but they escaped my search and one may safely

assume that it was at Garsa that Graham Toung got all his good

things.

For the rest of Kulu and Saraj there is little to be said. The

edges and glades of the higher forests and especially the thatches

or sheepfolds found here and there among them are good for

Theclas, Amblypodias, Rapalas and such like. As is usual else-

where the passes and open hill tops attract some of the more pug-

nacious of the Nymphalidae.

The collector should not omit a visit to Lahul which can be

carried out in 8 to 10 days and will add numerous fresh forms to

his collection. Once over the Rotang Pass, 18,000 ft., a new set

of butterflies present themselves. The first day spent among the

delicious water meadows and barley and buckwheat fields of Sissu

or Kyelang will long be remembered by the newcomer for the

astonishing beauty and variety of the wild flowers and for the

many new butterflies seen for the first time.

I regret that I cannot add a proper list to this brief account but

my Kulu collection was far from being complete and has long since

been given away piecemeal or broken up. I have written from

memory.

Tf any student of de Nicéville has ever visited Kulu in the hope

of lighting on some of the many rarities recorded by Graham Toung

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 233

he has probably gone back disappointed. These lines have been

written in the hope that some collector more knowledgable than I

was 23 years ago will make use of my tip and work the Garsa

Glen in a good season and make a rich haul. That glen has also

another wonderful memory for me. One day towards evening in

February 1914 I entered the horsechestnut wood from a higher hill

near by. In the next ten minutes I saw anything up to 100 Monal

rising in twos and threes from all over the ground. Never was there

such a show of monal. I shot 5 and stopped shooting. Why they

were gathered in such strength so low down the range I cannot

imagine. During two winters I shot many Monal but never saw so

strange a gathering of them. Do they feed on horsechestnuts?

INGATESTONE, Mk. FERRAR,

Essex.

October 11, 1938,

XXI.—NOTES ON OBSERVATIONS OF SOME PECULIAR

HABITS OF AN ANT-MIMICING SPIDER (AMYCIAEA

FORTICEPS CAMBR.).

(With 5 photos.)

It is said that hunters can detect from afar the whereabouts of

a rhinoceros, hiding under thick cover, simply by the sight of a

particular kind of bird (the Rhinoceros-bird, a kind of tick-bird)

that always flutters overhead or follows the animal in the hope of

getting food in the form of ticks that infest the hide of a rhinoceros.

Though the authenticity of this story is questioned, and we are

not concerned with its veracity, a curious fact, to some extent

similar to the above story, came under my observation, about

Amyciaea forticeps, an.aggressive, mimic of the red-ant Gicophylla

smaragdina.

Early in October, 1931, while searching for spiders in a jungle

very close to a village in Kast Bengal, my attention was drawn to

a flock of peculiar minute insects, hovering vertically over a leaf

of a small plant, at a distance of about 16 ft. from me. I ap-

proached the spot to examine the matter closely and try, if possible,

to capture some of them; I thought they might serve as excellent

food for some of the young spiders that I had been rearing.

234 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

As I got nearer, I noticed a small brick-red spider, Amyciaea

forticeps,’ on the upper surface of the leaf, quietly sucking the

Fig. 1 a.—Enlarged photograph of A. forticeps, Cambr. ¢.

juice out of a red-ant (Gicophylla smaragdina). (Figs. la and b).

It is rather peculiar as it has been observed in most cases that these

spiders suck up juice from any one of the internodes of the red-

ant and not from the abdomen which is full of juice and also easy

to puncture. The insects were flying up and down round about

the spider but did not dare sit. upon the red-ant on the leaf. The

spider seemed to be absolutely indifferent to the movements of the

insects and was busy with its repast.

When I had. approached within easy reach of the spider, it

disappeared with such alertness in a series of rushes and pauses

that I failed to follow it. The insects also disappeared. After a

few minutes I saw them again flying over a twig of another plant

1 (a) Simon, -Ei,.. Histome Naturelle Des Anatanees. Tome IP TEMICT- in.

986 (1892-95).

(b) Hingston, Major R. W. G., ‘Field Observations on ‘Spider Mimics’ ;

Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond.; pt: 1, pp: 844- 848 (1927).

Nat. Hist. Soc., xxxiv ae pp. 157-158 (1930).

(d) Pocock, Proc. Zool. Soc:, No. lvi (1927).

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 235

close to the former one. At first I did not notice the spider

though I was quite near it, as it had taken shelter under a leaf,

but the insects, I noticed, were moving from one leaf to another.

It struck me that possibly the insects were following the spider

so I followed their movements very cautiously. Some eight or

ten minutes elapsed before I found the spider crawling on to the

surface of a leaf, over which the insects were now flying; I then

caught the spider and put it in a glass tube.

A few days later,

‘ust before the jmeeceermeecen

approach of dusk, ~~

the same kind of

insects were found

flying about some-

thing hanging in

the air. which IT

observed from a

distance of about

25 ft. The rays of

the declining sun

reflected from

their wings, made

the insects quite

conspicuous even

from that distance.

On approaching

the spot I found

the creature to be

the mimicing

spider (Amyciaea

forticeps) hanging

from a leaf by its

silk with a red-ant

in its jaws. These

spiders are generally very timid and afraid of the ants because of

their bites. They stealthily approach the lines of the ants and

when opportunity offers, snatch away a stray, weak or crippled

member of the group. It this case the spider might have dropped

down upon the thread for fear of the ants. The timid habits of

this particular species of spider ule also been observed by Mr.

Kunhikannam of Bangalore.!

The insects that hover over the spiders, are in appearance like

enats with blunt proboscises and feather-like antennae. They

measure about 0.3 to 0.7 mm. in length.

From various observations I was fully convinced that the hover-

Fie. 1 b.—Enlarged photograph of A. forticeps,

Cambr. 9

? Kunhikannan, K,, ‘An ae Mimic of the Red-Tree Ant’, Jour. Bom.

Nat. Hist. Soc., xxxiv, pp. 873-874 (1915). 503}

236. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

ing of the flying insects over leaves of plants or in air was a sure

indication of the presence of this spider sucking the juice from a

red-ant in that locality.

Amyciaea forticeps, Cambr. generally dwell on small plants or

weeds, that grow around any big tree where red-ants are in

abundance, while Myrmarchne plataleoides, Camb., which mimic

the same ants, generally weave their retreats on higher branches

of plants. In the Records of the Indian Museum, Dr. K. Narayan

writes: —‘Dr. Annandale tells me that he has seen this (M.

plataleoides) or a very similar spider eating specimens of this ant

CGicophylla smaragdina).t But I have never seen a M. plataleoides

touching a red-ant for food and it is rather possible that Dr.

Annandale might have seen a member of Amyciaea forticeps who

very much relish those ants.

These red-ants (Gicophylla smaragdina) build their nests on

high branches of trees and plants and occasionally but not

generally, they come down the trunk of the tree to the ground in

search of food. In the Royal Botanical Gardens, Sibpore near Cal-

cutta, I have often seen these red-ants coming down to the ground

in columns; this is specially the case during the rainy season when

the termites attack the decaying wood, leaves and bark of trees.

They are very fond of these termites and are often seen loitering

here and there along the mud-roofed lines of the ‘white ants’.

In weak places of the mud roofings they make a small hole with

their powerful jaws and thrusting their heads in, catch the termites.

Sometimes they he in ambush by the side of a breach of the tunnel

and intently watch the movements of the termites and snatch one

of them when opportunity arises.

The mimicing spider makes good use of this opportunity to

catch its victim, the red-ant, which has wandered from the file

to get its prey, the termites. The spider waits its chance and

attacks the ant as it halts apprehensive of danger and after a short

tussle drags the victim to a suitable place. In the Botanical

Gardens these spiders are mostly found loitering on the ground

upon dead leaves and weeds. But in Hast Bengal these spiders

are generally found on a kind of small plant where the red-ants are

abundantly seen in company with a kind of plant-lice which attach

themselves upon twigs and stems. Here my observations are

slightly different from those of Major Hingston, who says:—

‘Amongst the leaves it makes a silk shelter from which it emerges

to attack the ants’.2, In numerous cases I have observed the

spiders wandering about the lines of ants awaiting a chance to prey

upon them without emerging from a neighbouring silk shelter.

In regard to the place of retreat of this particular mimicing

spider, my observations are also different from those of Major

* K. Narayan, ‘Notes on Ant-like Spiders of the Family Attidae in the

Collection of the Indian Museum’, Rec. Ind. Mus. xi, p. 396 (1915).

* Hingston, Major R. W. G., ‘Field Observations on. Spider Mimics’, Proc.

Zool. Soc. Lond., pt. ii, p. 846 (1927).

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 237

Hingston.’ The male and female of A. forticeps hardly shelter in

any retreat except

during the breed- a Bhai ee

ing time when the

female makes an

ingenious nest by

folding a small

leaf lengthwise and

securime it by

three stitches, one

in the middle and

two at the extreme

edges. Inside the

fold the female

spies 2. round _

patch of white

silk in which she |

lays about 15 to Le

25 yellowish glob-

ular eges enclosing

them once more

im a white sheet

Of ile. (ie. 2);

The female spider

sits upon the eggs

and never goes out :

for about 15 days _

till the young ones

are hatched. ‘The

young spiders do

not leave their ——_.

shelter for 5 to 6 Fic. 2.—On the unfolded leaf, the female

days after hatch- spider is seen sitting on her eggs.

ing.

The young spiders are quite different from their parents in

colour, markings and other characteristics, as happens in most other

classes of spiders. The colour of the mature spider is brick-red all

over except the tarsal joints of the Ist. and 2nd. pairs of legs which

are white. But these young spiders are light green all over with

several prominent reddish-violet or crimson-red bands all over the

first two pairs. Specially the femoral portions are thickly banded.

The bands on the 83rd. and 4th. legs are less prominent. The two

posterior abdominal spots gradually appear after 3 or 4 moultings.

During pregnancy, the female appears quite different from its

normal condition. Naturally the abdomen is elongated with a wide

dorsal depression in the middle, measuring about 1.2 mm. in width.

But in pregnant condition, all the blackish shades and depressions

disappear and the two black spots on the posterior portion of the

abdomen become broader and more striking. The shape of the

abdomen becomes somewhat triangular and truncated at its poste-

1 Ibid., p. 846.

238 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

rior end, rather than oblong; from one spot to the other the distance

is about 3.5 mm. (Fig. 3.) The colour is now changed into a light

ia. 3,—Enlarged photograph of “Amyciaea forticeps (gravid female).

yellowish orange, on which account they may be mistaken as be-

longing to a different species.

As in most spiders of the family Afttidae, and some of the other

families, these mimics have two accommodating eyes. From

numerous observations I am inclined to think that the power of

vision, in several species of spiders of different families, such as

Thomisidae, Attidae etc., is restricted to one pair of eyes only; the

rest of the eyes may be of little or no use to them. In using the

word ‘accommodating’ for this particular pair of eyes, 1t is meant

that the spider can adjust the cones within the eyes for vision at

different distances and at various angles. The anterior median pair

of eyes of A. forticeps which are much smaller than the four lateral

ones, are accommodating. They can adjust the inner retinal cones

(or cone-like sacs) of these two accommodating eyes at will so as to

have a clear and perfect vision. Mr. Mathew writes in a recently

published article about the changing of colour of the eyes of a spider

(M. plataleoides).‘ This phenomenon was also observed by Mr.

T. Padmanabha Pillay, Trivandrum,. and published. in - Nature,

Vol. 68 (1908). I have, however, succeeded in observing different

species of spiders having acquired these peculiar characteristics of

moving their internal retinal cones of only one pair of frontal or

median eyes. In some cases these accommodating eyes are bigger

and. in some cases smaller. In the case of A. forticeps it is-the

smaller pair of eyes. | mot

1 Mathew, A. P., ‘A Spider that Changes the Colour of its Eyes at Will’,

Jour. Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc., xxxv, No. oe p. 182 (1981).

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES o 4 2598

Owing to the predatory habits they often lose most of their

appendages and crawl with the help of pedipalps or remaining one

: ani oe . ie came —. .

or two legs. Notwithstanding the timid habits of A. forticeps, the

bigger M. plataleoides are no match for them and they are often

defeated and become crippled in the short struggle.

The mating habits of these spiders are different from those of

other mimics. Before mating both of them display their graceful

movements of legs. The male comes upon her back from behind

and rests his head in the same direction as that of the female.

(Fig. 4). This position being unlike the ones observed in other

spiders. A detailed account of mating of these spiders will be given

in a subsequent paper.

GOPAL CHANDRA BHATTACHARYA.

93, Upper CrrcuLtArR Roap,

: CALCUTTA.

September, 1982.

XXII.—A HUNTING WASP AND TRAP-DOOR SPIDER.

I was returning from my usual evening ramble watching birds,

when my attention was drawn to one of the hornet-like insects

alighting on the ground but a few yards away. If to know the

Latin- names’ of each and. every bird and insect-is essential before

calling oneself a naturalist, then I do not come under that cate-

gory, but can only bé a lover of Nature. The wasp in question

is not the mud wasp who makes mud nests in my library, stocked

with green caterpillars, but a bigger species with a black metallic

240° JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

body, yellow legs and conspicuous brown sienna wings tipped with

black which when closed she flutters at intervals the action remind-

ing one rather of an agitated lady tapping herself with her fan.

She landed on an open space alongside the cart track, her wings

vividly contrasting with the ash coloured earth and at once began

a search amongst the pebbles. Back and forth she hunted much

like a gun dog so that my interest was aroused as to what was

the object of her search. The time was then 5-55 p.m. She

crossed the track just in front of me without a pause and con-

tinued her search on the other side where there was a small cactus

alongside a small toddy palm and a few isolated tufts of coarse

erass. At intervals the wasp momentarily paused, gave a few agi-

tated flaps to her wings, and then resumed her search, sometimes

forcing her way through patches of grass which must have towered

above her lke palm trees. The hunt continued till 6-10. By

then I had made up my mind that it could not be for any class

of mud she was searching it must be for food. At last, quite near

the small cactus she paused, not 18 inches from my boot. It was a

little open space between small tufts of grass and alongside one

small white quartz pebble. Suddenly she savagely tore at some

small scraps of grass, as if to clear a space, then suddenly appeared

to lft something which at the time I imagined was a small clod

of earth and tried to wriggle under it, lying on her side. Twice

she failed in her attempt and came out from under what I still

thought to be a clod of earth and stood as if contemplating. I now

thought I was. watching the wasp starting to make a new nest,

though it seemed very late in the evening to start on such a big

task. Again the struggle with the clod of earth commenced, and

now I was on my knees, and realized I was witnessing a case of

day-light house-breaking, and that the object of attack was not a

clod of earth, but the flap door of a trap door spider’s nest. Now

IT was nearer and with the aid of my eye-glass I was able to better

realize what was happening. The wasp struggled to lft the trap

door and again got on her side, at intervals thrusting in her sting

beneath the lid. Suddenly she disappeared under the trap door of

which presumably the spider had relinquished her grip and retreated

down the tunnel. The spider must have fought her ground inch

by inch and sometimes proving the stronger, for occasionally the

trap door fluttered, showing the wasp had been forced to retreat.

It was now 6-25 and past sun-set.

Curiously it was only the previous day that I had been reading

Alexander de Mattos’ translation of Fabre’s Life of the Spider and

the fights between the bee and the Tarantula. But here I realized

was an entirely different case going on right below my feet, for

had not I watched the wasp for half an hour searching for the

trapdoor, like a dog hunting for truffles. And so the wasp’s attack

must have been deliberate, planned with malice and aforethought,

an incident of her daily life of house-breaking and murder. Ten

more minutes passed and no sign of anything on the surface, and

now as dusk had come I got a screw driver and an electric torch

from the car, for I couldn’t go home without knowing who had

won the fight. Carefully I lifted the trap whose edges were only

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 4241

just visible with the aid of my eye-glass held to get the greatest

magnification, and poked a piece of grass down the hole. At less

than 4 inches I met an obstruction and a moment after the wasp

appeared, very agitated, flapping her wings, and at first stood along-

side the trap door. Having been stung once by one of these in-

furiated ladies I rose from my knees. I rather hoped the wasp

intended to renew the attack, but after most carefully dusting her-

self and walking up and down as if to sum up the pros and cons

of the situation, she flew away. I waited a few minutes with

the hope that the spider would regain hold of the flap of the door,

then lunged the screw driver into the earth at an angle, as advised

by Fabre, but only succeeded in extracting the top section of the

trap door spider’s nest, luckily with trap intact which is on the

table before me as I write.

The measurement of the sloping tunnel is just 4” in diameter.

This I imagine would have made the fight fairer, for I do not think

the wasp which is at least 14 in. long could have brought her sting

into play in such a confined space. So during that quarter of an

hour those two ladies had been fighting cheek to jowl like a dog

and a badger.

This is the first time I knew trap door spiders lived in India.

EH. H. A. does not mention them. I have studied them in the

Murchison district in West Australia, and there their main enemy

is a lizard, which burrows down incline shafts to attack the colony.

To circumvent this, the spiders build a ring of dummy holes at

a small distance around the inhabited colony, to delude the lizard,

and make him waste his time in abortive mining.

If all trap door spider’s nests in India are like the one before me,

I defy anybody without microscopic examination of each inch of

ground to find them. The trap now, even after the camouflaging

erass has been removed by the wasp, and the edge of the trap

slightly bent by the screw driver, is quite indistinguishable to the

naked eye from the surrounding earth. To follow up my search it

seems the only thing to do, is to watch the movements of the

brown sienna winged wasp, who may have discovered the nest by

smell. But it is unwise to jump to hasty conclusions when study-

ing insect life.

LINGSUGUR, L. MUNN,

RAICHUR. Capt.

September 12, 1988.

[The Wasp to which Capt. Munn refers is a Pompilid species

known as Salius flavus. It is a common yellow insect with yellow

wings which are deep purplish black at the apex. It nests in the

eround, and its usual prey is spiders. The huntress lays her eggs

in the Spider’s body after rendering it comatose with its sting.

For this purpose ib is usually seen busily searching the ground for

spiders with great patience. It moves quickly on its long limbs

and its occasional flight is very graceful to look upon. Combats

between spiders and this wasp are frequent. The spider usually

emerges from its hole and stands at bay with erect cephalothorax

(242 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

and jaws (with the poison fangs) wide open. Its action is entirely

defensive. There is a series of tactical movements displayed by

the Wasp. It seems to realise the capacity of the death dealing

jaws of its antagonist. She approaches with the greatest caution,

turns round and round, the spider doing the same, always facing its

attacker. The wasp however appears to know the weak point of

the spider, namely its inability to strike upwards. She therefore

seeks an opportunity to jump on the spider and with a clever and

agile leap, alights on its back. It applies its sting, first paralising

its victim’s poisonous weapons from below. It stings again thrust-

ing its lancet along the side of the cephalothoracie shield which

covers the head and chest of the spider. The victim is thus para-

lised and the fight ends. Salius flavus is never found frequenting

houses as it almost exclusively confines itself to catching ground

spiders.

Dr. Gravely has written a popular article on Indian Spiders in

the Journal of the Society, vol. xxviii, p. 1045, in which he refers

to the Trap-door Spiders.—Eps. ] 7

XXUI.—A MEANDER THROUGH THE CINCHONA

PLANTATION.

One bright and clear day during a break in the monsoon, we

motored to the western area of the Cinchona Plantation. Our

way led us through the Ipecacuanha nurseries where men were

trimming and planting rooted cuttings, each in its own little place,

in long even rows. Ipecacuanha is a small evergreen plant from

the roots of which Emetine is extracted. It is of great medicinal

value, especially in the treatment of Dysentery.

The pathways, which in the dry weather are baked hard, were

covered with tiny, ferns and grasses, and around us on the hillsides

arose tall forest trees, and those near the stream on swampy ground,

were covered from root to top with Screw Pine, the adventitious

roots of which were securely fastened to the tree, giving the tree,

at a distance, the appearance of being covered with strips of green

ribbon. |

We continued our way through the virgin forest keeping a

good lookout for snakes, which have a habit of basking in the sun-

light, or on the warm grass almost unseen. My husband had a

bad shock sometime ago. He trod on what appeared to be dried

rubbish, but which concealed a Cobra, and in a flash an are of fury

appeared. With the. instinct of self preservation which dwells in

all living creatures, my husband saved his hfe by lowering a large

Chinese umbrella which he was carrying, and which caught the

vicious stabs, before the reptile vanished down the hillside.

The forest was rich in vegetation which is never seen in the

dry weather. Creepers of all shapes and sizes were chmbing the

trees, joyous and green, all in a hurry to reach the top of the tree

and sunlight. :

Clumps of bird’s-nest ferns, orchids, which later will give yellow,

white, mauve, and pink flowers, and many other epiphytes and

ferns, covered the branches and treetops.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 243

The huge buttresses and boles of large trees were turned into

fairy gardens, and were covered with mosses, lichens, tiny ferns,

and dainty Begonias with heart-shaped leaves and pink wax like

flowers. Occasionally a tiny stray Begonia would be in flower quite

fifteen feet up a tree.

From the rank undergrowth many flowers pushed their heads.

Here a splash of red Ixora, a white Polygonom with dainty spike-

like sprays of flowers, reminding one of the Lily of the Valley, a

creeper with hard purple balls of flowers lying close to the stem,

and on the ground a plant with variegated leaves and flowers both

mauve and violet, it has no perfume but we eall it the violet.

We emerged into the bright sunight and the Cinchona Plan-

tation. The wonderful febrifugal quality of the bark is well known,

but it is a very delicate plant to grow and needs much care and

attention.

The trees were in flower and the air was filled with a perfume

like new mown hay. Under our feet the path was covered with

springy grass among which grew tiny Oxalis and Vandelias. The

dew still glstened on the grass and where it lay upon a cobweb,

the cobweb was transformed into a shining gem of exquisite work-

manship.

In the crevices and crannies of the banks were Selaginella,

mosses, lichens, and fungi. We found one lovely specimen of

Lycopodium climbing a tree, it was quite a yard and half in length.

There were fresh depressions in the soft ground of a Bison’s feet,

for the jungle folk still wander in their old haunts.

Around us was Cinchona of a hybrid type, and as the leaves

seldom come true to either of their parents they were of a great

variety. Some had shiny dark green lanceolate leaves, others were

much larger and broader, twice the size of the first, of a lighter

ereen, traversed with brilliant crimson veins and stalks of the same

colour. Between the two, leaves of many shapes and sizes.

The flowers were both pink and white. Large panicles of tiny

flowers some of which had gone to seed. The seed pod is eylindri-

cal, about half an inch long, containing numerous tiny light seeds,

many thousands of which go to make an ounce.

In Bengal, Cinchona is grown at an elevation of between 2,000

ft. and 5,000 ft. Here it is grown between 200 ft. and 1,000 ft. and

climatic conditions are very diffenent. Shade trees are necessary

during the heat of the dry weather, so with a view to shade, manure,

and when the Cinchona is uprooted, to reafforestation, several varie-

ties of forest trees are planted. Gliricidia maculata, which in the

spring is a mass of sprays of pinky mauve blossoms springing from

its bare branches, Erythrina indica, Grevillia robusta, Pyinkado,

the Ironwood of Burma, Rubber, Cassia with yellow scented sprays

of flowers. All are intermingled with Cinchona and make one large

garden, through which several miles of road and path meander.

Quite near we heard the tap-tap-tap, of wood upon wood, and

the murmur of children’s voices, we are near the object of our

walk. There in the shade of the trees sat the children each upon

a sack, with a quantity of small washed broken branches beside

each. In front a long basket lying on its side, with its opening

244 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

towards the child. The piece of Cinchona to be barked is placed

upon a small block of wood and the bark knocked, off with a small

wooden mallet, and scraped with a blunt knife into the basket.

We continued our way uphill, butterflies darted around, the

air was filled with the cheerful buzz of insects, all nature rejoiced

at the sunshine after so much rain. A breeze swayed the graceful

branches of the Gliricidia and made the Silver Oak leaves dance.

At last we were at the top of the hill, and what a view met our

eyes! Although only about 600 ft. up we appeared to be on the

edge of a gigantic green basin, with a dip towards the west. All

around us were range upon range of evergreen forest. Looking

before us in the distance, dark green of virgin forest, on a ridge

in the middle distance the Doctor’s house and hospital, among the

bright green of the Phaledo, our house on the next ridge among the

darker green of the rubber, a patch of bamboo jungle, then a strip

of dark forest descending to the valley. To our left at the very

bottom of the basin were the workshops, houses, bazaar and a large

tin mining dredge all looking like tiny toys in the bottom of the

enormous green bowl.

We turned our steps homewards, and were glad to dip once

again into the forest, away from the sun. In the cool shade the

small tree stumps were covered and made beautiful with a tiny

climbing Ficus. A Cycas revoluta stood among the jungle. One

of the oldest known plants, found in fossils all over the world, yet

growing in its natural state here. We found a cluster of double

seed-pods ,two pods joined together formed miniature Ram’s Horns.

Then a small black tree stump with a filigree of dainty lace in pure

white lichen.

A sound in the jungle! and the calling of monkeys not far

away, and away dashes the dog, regardless of our calls, forgetful

that only last week he and his mate dashed into the jungle, then

a snarl! <A yelp! and only he returned very frightened and sub-

dued. A hunt yielded the remains of his poor little pal. She

must have rushed straight into the leopard.

At last we were among the coole houses which are built of

the ever useful bamboo, and roofted with dhani palm, lifted about

4 ft. above ground on posts, and each having some cultivation,

chief of which is the Manihot utilissma, with digitate leaves on

long red stalks. The root gives a kind oi yam, 18 succd as a vege-

table and has a slightly bitter taste. It is ground into flour for

bread, and is often fermented and made into a drink much appre-

ciated by the coolies. Many chubby children, some quite naked,

played in the sunshine, among the dogs, goats, and hens.

We climbed again through the rubber to our house and the per-

fume from the Frangipani welcomed us home.

GOVERNMENT CINCHONA PLANTATION, Mes Pa RUSsSHii th.

_Mereutr, Lower Burma.

September 21, 1983.

PRINTED AT THE DIOCESAN PRESS, MADRAS, AND PUBLISHED BY

SIR REGINALD SPENCE FOR THE BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, BOMBAY.

Continued from Vol. XXXVI, No. 4, of the

Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society.

THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE

INDIAN EMPIRE

AND THE

Problem of their Preservation

Part Il.

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THE HIMALAYAN TAHR (HEMITRAGUS JEMLAHICUS.

H. §M.). :

_ The Tahr does not compare well with his big-horned relatives the

Ibex and Markhor. It is a wild goat with a finely formed head,

narrow erect ears, a heavy body and long robust limbs. A well

erown male stands from 36-40 in. at the shoulder and scales near

200 lbs. While the hair on the Tahr’s head and face is short its

body is covered with tangled masses of coarse, flowing hair. It

erows longest on the neck and shoulders where it develops into a

mane which sweeps down to the knees. An old buck poised on

some precipitous cliff presents a grand picture. The colouring is

very variable. Generally it is a deep reddish brown and there is a

dark dorsal streak—not always distinct. Old males are darker,

particularly about the back and quarters. Fiwes and young males

are lighter brown; kids much paler.

The horns are short and close set. They are stout at the base,

keeled in front and wrinkled, except towards the tips. They curve

backwards and in old bucks continue downwards. They are about

15 in. in length with a circumference of 10-11 in. at the base. The

record measures 164 with a girth of 104. Females are smaller in

build. Their horns are dimunitive. They are easily recognised by

their lighter colouring and less shaggy coats. 3

Tahr live in a precipitous terrain of towering cliffs, rock and

forest. Because of the difficult country they inhabit, it is said

that few Himalayan game animals so tax the skill and endurance

of the hunter. :

About March and April before the snows have melted, Tahr

crowd into the bottoms of the valleys. In summer, the older males

herd together or live singly. They frequent the densest under-

growth and the most precipitous cliffs. They rejoin the females in

late September or October. During the rutting season the males

are always fighting and many are said to be killed by falling down

the crags.

- Tahr feed in grassy spots among rocks. If alarmed they go off

with great speed and clatter but soon halt and turn to stare at

the intruder. They generally follow the guidance of an old male and

seek security in the almost perpendicular precipices. Their sense

of sight and smell are both keenly developed. The range of the

Tahr includes the Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan but does

not extend to the northern side of the Vale of Kashmir. Tahr are

common on the southern slopes of the Himalayas but do not occur

on the Tibetan side of the range.

60 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

THER NILGIRI TARR (PEMITRAGUS HYLOCRIUS BLYTH),

Frequently misnamed the Nilgiri Ibex, the Nilgiri Tahr is a

near relative of the Himalayan species. It is slightly larger than

the Himalayan Tahr, standing 39-42 in. at the shoulder. Its short

crisp coat, the rounded outer surface of its horns and the presence

of only a single pair of teats are other distinguishing characters.

The general colour of the animal is a dark yellowish brown,

paler on the undersurface. Does and young bucks are grey. With

age the bucks get a very deep brown—almost black coat with a

distinetive light ‘saddle’ patch on the loins. From a distance the

saddle looks almost white. In build bucks are far heavier and

sotckier than the does.

The horns, almost in contact at the base, rise parallel for some

length then diverge and curve downwards in a bold sweep. They

are deeply wrinkled. The knotted keel in front, so distinctive

in the horns of the Himalayan Tahr, is absent. The record buck

horns measure 174 with a girth of 9% in. The record doe 14 in.

Nilgiri heads are small in comparison to those found in the more

southerly ranges.

Nilgiri Tahr lve on the open cliffs and when alarmed take

shelter on the precipitous slopes. They feed in flocks on the

grassy downs which top the summits, grazing in the early morn-

ing or late afternoon and resting during the hot hours of the day.

One or more does stand sentinel over the resting herd. While

exceedingly watchful against any danger approaching from below,

they are frequently outwitted by the enemy from above. Panthers

levy the heaviest toll on the herds.

During the south-west monsoon Tahr generally move down to

lower elevations. Old bucks desert the herds during the hot

weather and, more often than not, are found solitary. Tahr some-

times have two young but one is more usual. The kids are dropped

most commonly during the hot weather.

The isolated distribution of this wild goat so far south of the

usual range is interesting and is taken to indicate the existence at

some remote epoch of the earth’s history of conditions which

enabled Tahr to inhabit the country now lying between the Hima-

layas and the Nilgiris.

Strict preservation has saved the Tahr from extermination in

the Nilgiris. From these hills its range extends to the Anamallais

and thence southwards along the Western Ghats.

Journ. BompBay Nat. Hist. Soc. PEA EX V Ie

Photo by ee 7 SENATE

The Nilgiri Thar ( Hemitragus hylocrius Blyth ).

( Height at shoulder 39-42 in.).

THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 61

Sub-Family III. Rupicaprinae: Goat-ANTELOPES,

Serow, Goral and Takin.

The Goat-Antelopes are said to hold an intermediate position

between the Goats and that heterogeneous assemblage of animals

collectively known as ‘Antelopes’. All of them are mountain ani-

mals. Most have a more or less goat-like build, goat-like teeth

and short tails. Relatively small cylindrical horns are present in

both sexes.

Serow, Goral and Takin belong to this group. It also includes

the Chamois (Rupicapra), the type which gives its name to the

eroup, and the Rocky Mountain Goat of North America.

Serow and Goral have distinctive conical horns. They curve

backwards and have not the terminal hook seen in the straight

horns of the Chamois. Though there is a superficial resemblance

between them, Serow and Goral differ much in the structure of

the skull. Further, unlike Goral, Serow have well-developed face

glands which rest in a depression in the skull. The gland opens

with its small orifice in front of the eye. At times the opening

looks like a small sore. It exudes a whitish secretion which, when

dry, has the consistency and smell of gum arabic. Serow have a

strong goaty odour. As in sheep and goats it appears to come

from the surface of the skin and not from any special glands.

Goral are much smaller animals than Serow. They have no

face glands but are furnished with foot glands similar to those

found in sheep. These glands open by a small orifice in front of

the pastern, above the hoof. It is not known whether Serow have

them. Strangely enough, in the structure of its skull, the Goral

approaches the Takin. A kinship is here suggested which one

would not easily suspect from the widely different appearance of

these two animals.

The Takin is a large heavily built, aberrant form of goat-

antelope. It lacks that hghtness of limb and body to which Serow

and Goral owe their agility. The horns, which are thick and nearly

in contact at the base, grow outwards, downwards or forwards

and then take an abrupt curve upwards or backwards in the same

direction as the plane of the face.

62 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol.. XXXVII

THE SEROW (CAPRICORNIS SUMATRAENSIS POCOCK).

With its large head and donkey-like ears, its thick neck and

short limbs the Serow is an ungainly creature. Its habit of

standing with its forelegs astraddle, the hoofs widely splayed and

the head thrust downwards adds to its awkward appearance. Both

sexes are similar in build.. A full grown Serow is from 86-38 in.

at the shoulder and scales from 170-200 lbs.

The coat is coarse and rather thin in Serow which live at lower

elevations. Its colour varies so much that it is difficult to de-

scribe. It ranges from grizzled black or blackish grey-roan to red.

In the darker animals the head, neck and the mane, which covers

the nape and withers, is grizzled black. The black passes into

rusty red on the shoulders, flanks and lower thighs and turns

a dirty grey on the inside of the limbs and belly. There is a

varying amount of white on the muzzle, throat and chest. In the

Chin Hills and Arakan a red race of Serow (C. s. rubidus) occurs.

In the Himalayan races the lmbs are chestnut above and dirty

white below from this there is a transition to the Malay serows in

which the hmbs are wholly black. tues

Horns are common to both sexes. They are black, conical and

closely wrinkled for three quarters of their length. They run to

10 or VL in. |

In the Himalayas the Serow favours an elevation between 6,000

to 10,000 ft, In the Burmese hill ranges they may be met with

at a height which varies from 700 to 8,000 ft.

Serow live in the recesses of thickly wooded gorges whose boulder

strewn slopes and shallow caves give them shelter from the weather.

In the mornings and evenings they come out to feed on the rank

herbage of the more open slopes. They are more or less solitary

creatures though four or five may be seen feeding on the same hill.

Their movements belie their awkward appearance. They are ex-

ceedingly active animals, not only on rock. but also on flat ground.

When disturbed, serow dash away with a hissing snort. Their call

is a whistling scream. The female usually has one kid at birth,

sometmies two. In the Himalayas the rut commences at the end

of October and the young are born in May and June. In Burma the

young are born about the end of September. The period of gesta-.

tion is said to be about 7 months. :

Serow range from the Himalayas to the mountains of China

and southwards through Burma and the Malay countries. They

are also found in Formosa and Japan. Hight races have been de-

scribed from British India and the Strait Settlements all localised

forms of a single variable species.

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THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 63

GORAL (NEMORHAEDUS).

Three species of Goral are found within the Indian Empire :—

The Grey Himalayan Goral (Nemorhaedus goral Hardwicke) of

Kashmir and the Western Himalayas, the Brown Goral (N. hodg-

sont Pocock) of Nepal and Sikhim, and the Burmese Goral (N.

griseus Milne-Edwards) found in Burma, Eastern Tibet and South-

ern China. .

The Goral is sometimes called the Himalayan Chamois. It has

little in common with the Chamois and is distinct in the form of

its horns, and the colouring and shagginess of its coat. Its kin-

ship with the Takin has already been suggested. The Goral is a

goat-like animal standing about 26-28 in. at the shoulder.

The general colour of the Grey Goral is a yellowish grey suf-

fused with black. Individuals differ, but no Grey Goral has the

pale area of the hairs tinged with rufous or brown. The chin,

upper lip, underside of the jaws and throat patch are white. The

dark spinal stripe if present, does not pass beyond the withers.

There is no stripe down the middle of the tail and none up the

back of the thighs. The Brown Goral is distinguished by its golden

or rufous brown coat, speckled with black. The black spinal stripe

reaches to the root of the tail but tapers away and is indistinct

on the croup. The tail is black above. A dark ill-defined stripe

runs up the back of the thigh from the hocks.

The Goral of Burma is distinguishable from the two Himalayan

forms by two main characters. The tail is larger; about 5 ins. long

in the adult. The black stripe on the fore-leg does not pass over

the knee as in the Himalayan Gorals but turns aside and runs

down the outer side of the cannon bone on to the back of the

fetlock.

Goral have short insignificant horns. They diverge slightly,

curve backwards and are marked with rings or ridges for the

greater part of their length. The record pair of Grey Goral horns

measures 87 in.

Goral frequent hillsides or rocky forest clad ground. They

graze in small parties of 4-8 individuals. Old bucks are

frequently solitary. In the Himalayas, Goral favour an elevation

of 38,000-9,000 ft. though they may ascend to and have been

observed at 138,000-14,000 ft. In the Arakan and Chin Hills,

Goral are found above 3,000 ft. In Garhwal new born young have

been observed in April.

64 JOURNAL, BOMBAY ‘NATURAL: HIS?. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

TAKIN (BUDORCAS TAXICOLOR HODGS.).

There are said to be three species of Takin:—The Mishmi

Takin (Budorcas taxicolor Hodgs.), the Tibetan Takin (B. tibetana

M.-Eds.) and Bedford’s Takin (B. bedfordi Thomas). So far as

is known the Mishmi Takin occurs in Bhutan Himalaya in the

Mishmi Hills, on the Burma Assam Tibet frontier and in the

Mountains of the Salween Irrawady divide. The Tibetan Takin

is found in Eastern Tibet and Western Sze Chuan. Bedford’s Takin

in the Tsinling Range in Shensi, W. China. It is possible that

the three forms are geographical races of a single species.

The Bhutan Takin is recognised as a separate race, B. t.

whitei, because of its smaller size, darker colouring and smaller

saddle.

The Takin is a clumsy heavy animal which from the shape of

its horns looks as if it might have some relation to the gnu or

musk ox, though there is no structural affinity between them. Its

most striking feature is its immense convex ‘face’, heavy mouth

and tremendously thick neck. The muzzle, except for a bare spot

at the extremity is covered with hair. It is a character seen also

in the yak and is probably associated with life at high altitudes,

where the snow in winter has to be scraped away to get at the

vegetation beneath. The Takin’s heavy body is supported by ex-

ceptionally short, thick legs, thicker than those of a bison. Its

withers are slightly raised and its narrow back arches in the

centre and slopes downward to the root of the tail.

There is great variety of colour in Takin, ranging from dark

brown to golden yellow. The withers are conspicuously lighter in

tone. Adult males of the Mishmi Takin are golden yellow merg-

ing into dark brown or black on the flanks and quarters. There

is a dark dorsal stripe. Young males are reddish brown in front

merging into black. Calves all black. Females are greyer than

the bulls with no trace of yellow. The dark dorsal stripe is in-

conspicuous in females and young males.

The horns of a young Takin grow straight up from the head

with an outward tendency. Later they grow outwards and down-

wards. In the final stage the horns grow forwards, bend down-

wards and outwards with the poimts growing up.

Takin live in the steepest and most thickly wooded declivities

of their native mountains. In the Mishmi hills they have been

seen in tropical forest as low as 3,000-4,000 ft. They are usually

found in dense bamboo and rhododendron jungle at an elevation of

7,000-10,000 ft. In the summer months they collect in herds of

considerable size as many as 300 have been observed congregated

about a hot spring to drink. They went to cover at mid-day

and came out in the late afternoon. In the winter the herds are

said to break up into smaller parties. In Western China the rut

takes’ place in July, August. The calves, usually one at birth are

dropped towards the end of March or early in April.

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PLATE XX,

Journ. BomsBay Nat. Hist, Soc.

The Amer, Mus. Nat. Hist., New York,

By courtesy of

The Black Buck ( Antilope cervicapra, L.).

THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 65

Sub-family IV. Antilopinae: ANTELOPES.

The Antelopes form an extensive group of ruminating ungu-

lates which includes almost all the remaining members of the

Bovine family. Although the term ‘antelope’ is in common use

and though most antelopes are easily recognised, they are so nume-

rous, so diverse in form that it is difficult to distinguish them as

a whole from the oxen on the one hand and the goats on the other.

They represent a transition between the two. Antelopes are the

most generalised and oldest known representatives of the Bovidae.

It is believed that the more distinctive and more specialised mem-

bers of the family which we have so far described have been

derived from them. In general, antelopes are light and graceful

in build. Fleet of foot, they depend for their safety on great

speed. Horns may or may not be present in both sexes. - The

bony core of an antelope’s horn is nearly solid throughout and not

honeycombed as are the horns of oxen. In the structure of their

teeth some Antelopes resemble oxen, others, the sheep and goats.

Antelopes very generally have a gland beneath the eye, which

distinguishes them from oxen and goats. The prominent glands be-

low the eyes of the Indian Antelope or Black Buck attract the

attention of most people. When closed the gland takes the form

of a vertical slit of black, nearly hairless skin. This opens into a

deep hair lined and perforated pocket into which the secretion

of the underlying gland exudes.

It is difficult to surmise the exact function of these glands.

They are present, as we have already seen, in other ruminants.

They may have a sexual significance. They are particularly active

in certain seasons and generally better developed in males than

in females. But apart from this they may also serve as scent

glands and, like the foot and other skin glands serve as a guide

in keeping individuals of a herd together.

Antelopes are not nearly so well represented in India and

Malaya as they are in Africa. If we exclude the widely spread

group of gazelles the only Antelopes found outside Africa, Syria

or Arabia are the Black Buck which is confined to India, the Saiga

Antelope of Tartary and the Chiru of Tibet.

66 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

THE CHIRU OR TIBETAN ANTELOPE (PANTHALOPS

HODGSONI ABEL.).

In the elevated and barren plateaux of Tibet there is a species

of antelope which is remarkable for its curiously swollen snout

and long, elegant horns. This is the Chiru, an antelope which is

said to be the living prototype of the fabulous unicorn. Its long

and slender horns, if seen in profile, may well suggest a unicorned

animal. The Chiru is classed in a separate subfamily of antelopes

—the Panthalopinae of which it is the only representative. The

nearest relatives of the Chiru are the Saiga Antelope of Eastern

Russia and the Impala of Africa. The Saiga carries to greater

degree the curious snout development of Chiru. Its nose is in-

flated and prolonged into a downwardly bent, trunk-like proboscis.

This inflation of the nose may have some connection with the high

altitudes in which these animals live. At the side of each nostril,

the Chiru has a large lateral chamber or sac whose function may

assist breathing in the rarefied atmosphere of its native wilds.

Another pecuharity of the Chiru is the unusual development of

the inguinal or groin glands. Perhaps the function of these glands,

which are possessed also by other ruminants, is to scent the ground

and so indicate to other individuals of a herd the place where one

of them has rested. Chiru are known to lie up concealed in shal-

low pits which they scrape out for themselves in the sand. Large

scent glands are also present between the fore and hind hoofs

of the Chiru. It has no face glands.

The Chiru stands about 31-32 in. at the shoulder. Its body is

covered with dense wool. The colour is variable. Generally it is

pale fawn above and white below. The whole of the face and a

stripe down the front of each leg is black or dark brown in the

bucks. The horns of the bucks rise close together; they diverge

towards the tips and curve slightly forward. They reach from

24-26 in. The record pair is 273 in. Females are hornless.

Chiru live in the open rolling plains and the broad river valleys

of the Tibetan Plateau, some 12,000-18,000 ft. above sea level.

They may collect in large herds but it is more usual to find them

in small parties of 3 or 4. They graze on the grass and small

plants which grow on the open wind swept river flats. In summer

the bucks live apart. The young are born in May and June. One

young is produced at birth.

The Chiru is found only on the Tibetan Plateau. Its range

extends north from the Chang-chenmo district of Ladak along the

Nepal Tibetan frontier to the north of Tibet.

ale

a Vy

So gieme

JourN. Bompay Nat. Hist. Soc. GAS, INO, 2

The Black Buck (Antilope cervicapra, L.).

( Height at shoulder about 32 in.).

THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 67

THEHK BLACK BUCK OR INDIAN ANTELOPE

CANTTCOR EH” OF mh ViCAr iy A luilNIN: yy.

The Black Buck is the sole representative of the genus Anti-

lope.

Its striking colour, its beautiful spiraled horns, which may

reach the shoulder height of the animal, give it an elegance hardly

equalled by any antelope. This exclusively Indian animal is per-

haps the most beautiful of all its tribe.

A well-grown buck stands about 80 in. at the shoulder and on

the average weighs some 80 Ibs. When young, its coat, like that

of the does, is a yellowish fawn. When 38 years old it commences

so turn black. This darkening of the coat varies in intensity. In

South India the adult buck is rarely black, his coat remains a

dark brown. Well matured brown bucks may again be seen in all

parts of the country. In general there is a fading in the richness

of tone during the hot weather and an increase in its velvety

lustre after the rains.

In the yearling buck the horns are without a spiral. In the

second year a large open spiral is developed. It is believed that

the full number of spiral twists are attained with the dark coat

about the end of the third year. The best heads come from the

dry and arid districts of the Punjab and Rajputana, the poorest

from South India and the humid plains lying west of the United

Provinces. Here a head above 18 in. is considered good. The

record 812 in. is from Jind State.

Black Buck are usually seen in herds of 20 or 80, though in

Rajputana and the Punjab herds may number several hundreds.

Black Buck live in open plains covered with scrub or cultivation.

They teed on grass or various cereal crops. Usually Black Buck

eraze till mid-day and again in the late afternoon. Their sense

of hearing is moderate: scent fair. Keen eye-sight and speed are

their protection. When alarmed the herd moves off in a series of

astonishing leaps and bounds and then breaks into a gallop. The

leadership of the herd is usually vested in an old and vigilant

female. There is generally an old buck in attendance who keeps

in the vicinity. He frequently deserts the herd for a period taking

a favoured doe with him. Black Buck breed at all seasons but

mainly about February and March. Then the bucks grunt and

strut about with their peculiar gait, their heads thrown well back.

Their great face glands are everted and give off their strong smell-

ing secretion. One or two fawns are born at a time, these are

usually concealed by the mother in tall grass or among bushes.

Black Buck may be found practically all over-the Indian plains

except on the Malabar Coast. They avoid forest or hill tracts.

68 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

THE CHINKARA OR INDIAN GAZELLE

(GAZELLA BENNETTI, SYKES.).

Three species of Gazelles inhabit the Indian Region: —The

Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennetti Sykes), The Tibetan or Goa

Gazelle (G. picticauda Hodgs.) and The Seistan Gazelle (G. seista-

nica Lyd.).

The Chinkara or Indian Gazelle is found practically all over the

plains districts of India. It lives in small herds of 10 or 20 in

waste lands broken up by nullahs and ravines, in scattered bush

and thin jungle. It is common in the sandhills of the desert zone.

In the Salt Range, Punjab, Chinkara have been seen as high as

4,000 ft. They do not enter forest; prefer broken country and

live less in open level plains than Black Buck.

A buck Chinkara is 26 in. high at the shoulder and scales about

50 lbs. The horns which usually have 15 or 16 rings average

from 10-12 in. They rarely exceed this length in Central or South

India. The best heads come from the dry desert tracts of Raj-

putana and the North-West. The record is slightly over 16 in.

Both sexes are usually horned. Though hornless females are not

uncommon. The horns of the doe are smooth conical spikes

usually about 4-5 in. long, slightly curved at the tip or straight

and distinctly ringed at the base. Chinkara are less diurnal than

Black Buck. They lie up earlier in the day and come out later

in the evening. A Chinkara is a wary animal when feeding,

always on the alert, always raising its head to look round. When

alarmed the herd goes off at a wild pace and then stops at about

200 or 800 yds. on some eminence to turn and discover the cause

of their alarm. Their food consists of grass, leaves, various crops

and fruits such as gourds and melons. They go without water for

long periods but will drink when they can get access to it. There

is no regular breeding season. One or two fawns are born at a

time.

The Tibetan Gazelle inhabits North-Eastern Ladak, the

Tibetan Plateau and Shensi. It is a small gazelle, from 24-25 in.

at the withers. Its slender close ringed horns rise vertically and

curve sharply backwards. A good head tapes 12 in. The record

is 153 in. The summer coat is short and slate grey. In winter

it is dense and pale fawn. The Seistan Gazelle, described from

Siestan in Persia, is found in Baluchistan. The females are horn-

less. The horns of the bucks bend backwards and have their tips

more or less distinctly in-turned. The greyish forehead of the

older buck and the white muzzle and a whitish band at the base

of the horns are distinctive.

Journ. Bompay Nat. Hist, Soc. Bie Adee aNOms.

The Indian Gazelle or Chinkara (Gazella bennetti Sykes).

(Height at shoulder 26 in.).

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THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 69

Sub-Family V. Tragelaphinac: 'TRAGELAPHINE ANTELOPES.

The Tragelaphine Antelopes form a fifth division of the Hollow-

horned Ruminants. The group is more African than Indian. It

includes the African Bushbueks, Kudus, Bongo and Elands. Only

two forms are found in India:—the Nilgai and the Four-horned

Antelope. Tragelaphine Antelopes are characterised by the general

absence of horns in the females (except in two African genera).

The horns of the males are not ringed; they are keeled in front and

in most genera, such as Eland, Kudu etec., they are spirally twist-

ed. The Indian genera are characterised by the shortness and

straightness of their horns, the absence of distinctive body stripes

and by the possession of face glands. The hoofs are not deeply

cleft as in true antelopes and there are no foot glands. The

structure of the foot is practically the same as in Bovines—the

molar teeth again are semi-Bovine. Lateral or false hoofs are well

developed in both limbs. The muzzle is naked and the tail long.

The distributional area includes Ethiopian Africa and Penin-

sular India. There is reason to believe that a Tragelaphine Ante-

lope probably existed in the Euphrates Valley during the Assyrian

period.

70 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

THE FOUR-HORNED ANTELOPE (TETRACEROS

QUADRICORNIS BLAINV.).

The Four-horned Antelope or Chousingha is the only Antelope

with 2 pairs of horns. Of these the front pair are always the

shorter. At times they are no more than horn-covered studs or

mere bony knobs under the skin. The maximum length of the

back pair is 44 in., of the front 24 in.

One of the most imteresting features in this Antelope is the

presence of a pair of well-developed glands between the false hoofs

of the hind legs in both males and females. This is the only ante-

lene which has such glands.

The Chousingha is about 25 in. high and scales near 50 Ibs.

Its coarse coat is dull red brown above and white below. It

lives in undulating or hill country and shelters in tall grass or open

jungle—a terrain more usual to deer than to antelope. In this

environment it has developed some of the habits of deer. It has

a low whistling call, which the bucks repeat frequently in the

hot weather and a sharp alarm note which the doe uses to guide

her fawns through cover when in flight.

These little antelopes drink regularly. They are much more

dependent on water than other antelopes and seldom live far from

it. The edge of the jungle round a village tank is a favourite

resort. Again, unlike antelopes they do not gather in large herds.

Chousingha are usually seen alone or in pairs. In the early part

of the year, before the rains, the female may be accompanied

by one or two fawns. Sometimes two old animals and two young

will be seen together, or even a buck with 4 or 5 does.

The Four-horned Antelope is found, along the base of the Hima-

layas. It does not occur in the Gangetic plain. In the peninsula

of India it has a more or less localised distribution. Here it keeps

to the hill tracts covered with open forest. It is not found on the

Malabar Coast.

PLATE No. 4.

Journ. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc.

So (Slainve).

UCOYnVS

The Fourehorned Antelope (Tetraceros quadr

(Height at shoulder about 25 in.).

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THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 71

THE NILGAI OR BLUE BULL (BOSELAPHUS

TRAGOCAMEEUS PAILIE:).

The Nilgai is a great ungainly antelope standing fully 54 in. at

the shoulder and weighing about 600 Ibs.

Its high withers and low hind quarters recall the build of the

African Hartebeeste. As is usual with so many African Tragela-

phines, the sexes differ in colour.

The adult bull has a coarse iron grey coat. He has a white

ring below each fetlock and two white spots on each cheek. His

lips, chin, the inside of his ears and the undersurface of his tail

are white. Young bulls and the cows are tawny. Both sexes have

dark manes and the males wear a distinctive tuft of stiff black

hairs on the throat. The bulls have stout cone-like horns. They

are distinctly keeled, triangular at the base and circular towards

the tips.

Horns average about 8 in. The maximum length is 11} in.

Nilgai are usually seen in herds of 10-15 animals. Males are

often solitary or perhaps several bulls will herd together. Females

and young, attended or not, by one on two old males may be seen

in smaller or larger parties.. The country they live in may be

level, undulating or hilly. They favour a mixture of grassland,

scrub and cultivation, usually avoid really dense forest but will

live in more or less open tree jungle.

They feed on grass and cereal crops and browse on leaves and

wild fruit and are particularly fond of eating the fallen flowers of

the Mowha tree. They feed at all times of the day.

When alarmed the herd goes off with an ungainly slouching

gallop covering the most difficult ground with ease.

Nilgai droppings are commonly found heaped in one particular

spot. This habit is common in many animals. It is suggested

that the spot may provide rendezvous for reassembling the scatter-

ed members of a herd.

The period of gestation is 8-9 months. Young are seen at all

seasons.

The Nilgai is found in the Indian Peninsula from the base of

the Himalayas to Mysore. It does not occur in Hastern Bengal

or Assam or on the Malabar coast. The sanctity attributed to it

is the main scurce of its protection in many districts where it has

survived.

72 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol XXX Vit

Family Il. CHRVIDAE OR DEER.

The last tribe of true ruminants is the Deer. Branching horns

or antlers are the distinctive appanage of deer. Save in one or

two aberrant forms only males carry them. In the Reindeer alone

both sexes are horned. Deer, like other ruminants, are gen-

erally large and heavy creatures without the agility and litheness

ot beasts of prey. It is precisely to this sort of animal, where

weight is an important factor, that horns are the most suitable

weapons. They are perhaps a counterpoise to the teeth and claws

of Carnivores. The need for defence against enemies, for weapons

of attack in combats with their own kind has led to this distinctive

form of protective armament among hoofed animals. But there

is a distinction between the horns of oxen, sheep and antelopes

and the deer tribe. A deer’s horn when fully developed is really

a mass of dead bone, devoid of any covering of skin or horn. The

antlers are worn for a time, shed and then replaced. The budding

antler grows from a pedestal or pedicel of bone which forms part

of the skull. It appears as a velvety knob, grows rapidly, increas-

ing in length by the vigorous deposition of bony matter. In young

deer it remains a simple spike. In adult stags it branches into

tines and takes the form of the complete antler. The new grown

antler is highly sensitive. It is covered with ‘velvet’—a thick soft

skin, fed by numerous blood vessels and clothed with a mat of

fine hair. When the growth of the antler is complete, a ring of

bony matter, the ‘burr’, forms at its base just above its union with

the pedicle. The bony ring constricts and cuts off the flow of

blood to the antler. The blood vessels in the ‘velvet’ dry up.

The ‘velvet’ shrinks and is eventually rubbed away by the deer.

When present, it takes the place of the horny sheath which forms

a permanent cover over the bony cores of the horns of cattle and

other hollow-horned ruminants. But in the deer the outer cover

of the antler is temporary. It is removed and leaves behind the

dead bone which we eall horn.

Besides the antlers, there are other characters which distin-

euish deer from other ruminants. Deer have a large fissure in the

skull just in advance of the eye socket. As a rule canine teeth

are present in the upper jaw. They are particularly well devel-

oped in forms which have no antlers such as Musk deer and

Chevrotains.

Again, with the exception of the Musk deer, none of the tribe

have a gall bladder. All deer have well developed lateral hoofs

in both feet. The tribe ranges over a great part of Asia, North

and South America and North-West Africa.

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The Musk-Deer (Moschus moschiferus L.).

( Height at shoulder 20 in.).

THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 73

Sub-Family I. Moschinae: Musx DEEr.

THE MUSK DEER (MOSCHUS MOSCHIFEROUS L.).

The Deer tribe is divided into two groups or sub-families—

the Moschinae, containing a single genus and species the Musk

deer and the Cervinae which includes all the remaining deer. The

Musk Deer holds a place between the deer and the antelopes. It

is regarded as an undeveloped form of deer which has not pro-

pressed with the rest of its tribe. It is hornless, has no face

glands; these are generally present in all deer, and it has a gall

bladder which no deer possesses. In some ways it has taken a

special line of development of its own. This is seen in its posses-

sion of a caudal gland and a musk gland. The tail of a musk

deer is peculiar. It is completely buried in the long hairs of the

anal region and is for the most part naked except for a large

tuft at the tip and a tuft at the base which covers its upper

surface and sides. The lateral surface of the tail bears a narrow

shit in its flacid skin which is the opening of the caudal gland.

The musk gland is situated beneath the skin of the abdomen of the

males. When fresh its secretion has an unpleasant pungent,

urinary odour, when dry it acquires the scent of musk. Valued

as a commercial product it induces the persecution of the species.

From the great development of the caudal and musk glands it is

inferred that in this deer the females seek out the males in the

breeding season. Finally, musk deer have specially mobile feet,

the hoofs are long and pointed and the unusually large lateral hoofs

are well adapted to give it a foothold on snowy slopes and. slippery

rocks. The absence of horns is compensated by the great develop-

ment of the canine teeth.

The Musk Deer is a little creature standing 20 in. at the shoulder

and weighing as many lbs. It is protected from the cold by a deep

ecat of thick and bristly hairs, almost pithy in structure. The

general colour is a shade of rich dark brown speckled with grey.

It lives singly or in pairs. Musk deer are generally met with in

birch forest above the zone of the pines, at times they come down to

lower levels but always keep in thick cover. They scrape out a

shallow form in which they lie concealed and come out to feed in

the mornings and evenings.

The breeding season is believed to be in January and the young

are born in June. Musk Deer range over a wide area in Central

and North Eastern Asia. The typical form Moschus moschiferous

is found in Kashmir, Nepal and Sikhim.

74 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Sub-Family IT. Cervinae: DeEsr.

THE MUNTJAC (MUNTIACUS MUNTJAK ZIMM.).

The second division of the Deer tribe—the Cervinae contains

all the remaining deer. True deer have no gall bladder, no caudal

or musk glands—all present in musk deer. With the exception of

Roe deer, all deer have face glands. Again, all, save the Chinese

water deer, have antlers and all of them, except the little Pudu

deer of the Chilian Andes, have foot glands. The group contains

19 genera six of which are present in our area.

The Muntjacs, known also as Barking Deer, are small animals

standing from 20-80 in. at the shoulder. The antlers are small.

They consist of a short brow tine and a beam which is undivided

and curves downwards and inwards at its extremity. The horns

are set on long bony pedicels. A bony ridge extends down each

side of the face from the base of each pedicel. The marked pro-

minence of the facial ridges gives the creature the name ‘rib-faced

deer’. In females there is a bristly tuft of hair and a small pro-

jection in place of each horn.

Muntjacs range over the greater part of the Indo Malayan

countries and are found also in China, Formosa and Japan. Various

races are recognised over this wide range.

In our area there are supposed to be three: the Muntjac of North

India is known as (Muntiacus m. vaginalis); the southern form is

(M.. m. aureus), Uhe third: vace (Won. grandicomis)) ais

found in Burma. The Muntjac of Tenasserim (M. feae) is regarded

as a distinct species. The coat of the Burmese Muntjac is de-

scribed as tawny yellow; the North Indian race is bright chestnut.

A. bright red form is equally common in Burma. The antlers of an

adult male in Burma average 4 in., their bony pedicels measuring

from 2-4 in. The best Burmese head is 7 in, Average Indian ant-

lers measure from 2-3 in. The pedicel 3-4 in. The maximum length

obtained in the C.P. is 7 in. A good buck weighs from 48-50 lbs.

Horns are shed during May and June. The Muntjac is a solitary

animal. It is seen singly or in pairs; more rarely, in small family

‘parties. It keeps to more or less thick jungle and comes out

to graze in the outskirts of forest or in open clearings. It is

fairly diurnal in habit. The food consists of various leaves and

erasses and wild fruits. Its call from a distance sounds much

like the bark of a dog. It is given out at intervals; usually in the

mornings and evenings, sometimes after nightfall.

When alarmed and in flight these deer give out a series of

short cackling barks which may be reduced to a sharp rattle likened

to the sound of castanets. Muntjac appear to breed at all

seasons. The rut mainly takes place in the cold weather. The

young usually one—sometimes two, are born at the beginning of

the rains. The young are spotted white till about 6 months old.

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F.Tassa ree

The Chital or Spotted Deer (Axis avis Erxl.).

( Height at shoulder 36 in.).

THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 75

THE CHITAL OR SPOTTED DEER (AXIS AXIS EXRL.).

The Chital, perhaps the most beautiful of all deer, is found

only in India and Ceylon. In India, it is found in the forests at

the base of the Himalayas and practically throughout the penin-

sula wherever there is more or less open jungle combined with

good grazing and a plentiful supply of water. It is unknown

in the arid plains of the Punjab, Sind, in a large portion of Raj-

putana, in Assam and the countries east of the Bay of Bengal.

The Spotted Deer is at its best in the Himalayan foot hills,

in the jungles of the Terai and in the Central Provinces.- A

well-built stag from these parts stands 36 in. at the shoulder and

weighs about 190 lbs.

In South India, or in the jungles of the Sunderbans, the height

seldom exceeds 2 ft. 6 in. The coat is a bright rufous fawn pro-

fusely spotted with white. The lower series of spots on the flanks

are arranged in longitudinal rows and suggest broken linear

marking. Its dappled hide almost obliterates the chital in a

sun-flecked jungle, particularly when it sits down to rest as it

usually does, in some shady place.

The graceful antlers have 3 tines—a long brow tine set nearly

at right angles to the beam and two branch tines at the top.

The outer tine, the continuation of the beam, is always the longer.

The record head measures 392 in. A 34 in. antler would be

good anywhere; 31 in. in South India.

One always associates Chital with beautiful scenery, with

grassy forest glades and shaded streams. They are seen in herds

of ten to thirty, which may contain two or three stags; but

assemblages numbering several hundred have been met with.

They do not shun the proximity of villages, enter cultivation and

frequently associate with many forest animals, particularly with

monkeys. They are less nocturnal than sambar and feed till late

in the morning and again in the afternoon, and lie down in the

interval in some shaded spot.

The time at which the stags shed their antlers varies in differ-

ent localities. In the Central Provinces and South India, as a rule,

stags cast their horns in August and September. The new antlers

are in velvet till the end of December. But stags carrying horns

in various stages of development have been seen at all seasons. It

is suggested that regularity in the intervals at which antlers are

shed is only attained by fully mature stags. In the Central Pro-

vinces, the pairing season is at its height in May. The rutting

stag has a loud harsh bellow and combats between males for the

possession of the hinds are fierce and frequent. In North India

the pairing is said to take place during the winter months. Fawns

may be met with at any season. One to three are born at a time

two being the commoner number. Chital are prolific breeders;

an interval of 6 months: may see the production of a new family.

76 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

THE HOG DEER (HYHLAPHUS PORCINUS ZIMM.).

The name Hog Deer has been probably suggested by the squat

pig-like appearance of this animal and by its hog-like move-

ments. When running it keeps its head low down, moves without

that bounding action so characteristic in deer.

The Hog Deer is a relative of the Chital but is smaller and

stouter in build. The body is long and the legs relatively short.

The height at the withers is about 27-29 in. The fur is brown,

dark brown in old stags, with a yellowish or reddish tinge. The

white tips to the individual hairs give the coat a speckly appear-

anee. The under parts of the body are paler and the inside of

the ears and the underside of the tail are white. The young are

spotted. Some young stags and hinds show these spots though

they are not always discernible. The summer coat is generally

paler.

The small antlers are set upon very long bony pedicels. After

giving out a short brow tine the beam is almost straight till it

divides into a shorter fore and longer hind tine. Average horns

measure from 12-15 in. Burmese stags carry better heads than

Indian. The record is 24 in. Hog deer favour grass jungles by the

banks or rivers, grass-covered delta islands or open grass plains;

always where the grass is not too high. On the banks of the Indus

in Upper Sind they live in scrub jungle and in Burma, they were

once common in mangroves. Hog Deer are generally solitary

creatures. A pair will continue to frequent a particular stretch of

grassland. Sometimes small parties of 2-5 may be found grazing

together. They come out to feed early in the mornings and in the

evenings, and shelter in long grass during the hot hours of the day.

They are wary creaures; their sense of sight, smell and hearing

is acute. Persecution has made them almost nocturnal in many

parts of their range.

The main pairing season is believed to be in September and

October and the young are dropped in April and May. Pairing

must also take place earlier in the year as young are often born

during the rains. The period of gestation is 8 months. The Hog

Deer is not found in the Indian Peninsula. It lives in the low

alluvial grass plains of North India from Sind and the Punjab to

Assam whence its range extends into Burma and Tenasserim.

Journ. Bompay Nar. Hist. Soc. PLATE No. 9.

The Hog-Deer (Hyelaphus porcinus Zimm.).

(Height at shoulder 27-29 in.).

Journ. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE No. 10.

The Sambar (Rusa unocolor Kerr.).

(Height at shoulder 5 ft.).

THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE Vh

THE SAMBAR (RUSA UNICOLOR KERR.).

The Sambar is the typical forest deer of South Eastern Asia.

In the Indian Empire it is represented by the Indian Sambar

(Rusa unicolor), whose range includes Ceylon and by the Malay

Sambar (Rusa unicolor equinus), which inhabits Assam, Burma

and the Malay countries.

Of the many races of Sambar, the Indian is the largest and

carries the grandest horns. It is a heavily built deer which may

reach a shoulder height of nearly 5 ft. The average height is about

55 in. A full grown stag scales from 500-600 Ibs. The coat is coarse

and shaggy. In stags it forms a mane about the neck and throat.

In the hot weather much of the hair is shed. The general colour

is brown with a yellowish or greyish tinge. The under parts are

paler. Females are lighter in tone. Old stags tend to grow very

dark—almost black. The antlers are stout and rugged. The brow

tine is set at an acute angle with the beam. At its summit, the

beam forks into two nearly equal tines. In some heads the outer,

in others the inner tine is longer. The full number of points are

developed in the fourth year. The Sambar stag is said to be at

its prime in its ninth year. Really old beasts carry poor heads.

Sambar from the Himalayan foot hills have more rugose and per-

haps more massive antlers than those of the C.P., but they are

never so long or so graceful. The finest heads come from the

forests about the Narbada and Tapti and from the Central Pro-

vinees generally. The record is the famous head from Bhopal

which tapes 503 in. The horns of the Malay Sambar are set

closer. They have a more rugged and massive appearance. The

average length is 26 in. A head over 30 in. is good.

Forested hill sides, preferably near cultivation, are the favourite

haunt of Sambar. Their food consists of grass, leaves and various

kinds of wild fruit. They feed mainly at night and retire into

heavy cover at day-break and do not come out till dusk. The

capacity of so heavy an animal to move silently through dense

jungle is amazing. Their powers of sight are moderate; their

scent and hearing acute. Sambar take to water readily and swim

with the body submerged only the face and the antler showing

above the surface. There is much variation both as to the pairing

season and the time at which the antlers are shed. Stags

in velvet and others with mature horns are seen together. In

Central and Southern India the majority of stags cast their antlers

between the end of March and mid-April. The horns commence

to grow in May and are in velvet during the rains. In September,

the. stags commence to clean their horns by rubbing them against

trees. The tree is taken between the brow tine and beam and the

antler is rubbed up and down leaving a long blaze on the bark.

Most of the stags are clear of velvet by November. They: roar in

challenge to ah other. The challenge is a loud metallic bellow

quite distinct from sharp short ‘ponk’ which is the alarm note.

The males fight for territory. Each stag fights to obtain sole

rights over some fayoured valley. The victor becomes master of

78 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

the hinds which enter it. The hinds are attracted to the stags by

their calls and the scent of the face glands, which are everted

during the rut and give out their strong smelling secretion. Pairing

takes place in November and December. The stag’s harem is

limited to a few hinds. After the rut he deserts them and lives a

solitary life till the return of the mating season. The young are

born at the commencement of the rains, in late May or early June.

Young stags remain with the hinds. Sambar are rarely found asso-

ciating in large numbers. Four or five to dozen are what one

usually sees. Both stags and hinds are seen singly or a party of

hinds and fawns without a stag.

JourN. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE XXIII.

Amer, Mus, Nat. Hist,, New York,

The Sambar or Rusa Deer ( Rusa unicolory Kerr.)

(Height at shoulder 5 ft.).

Journ. Bompay Nat. Hist. Soc. PUATE Nos i

The Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvaucellt Cuv.).

( Height at shoulder 54 in.).

THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 79

| THE SWAMP DEER (RUCERVUS DUVAUCELLI CUV,).

The Swamp Deer group, forming the genus Rucervus contains

three species within our area: —The Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvau-

celli), Eld’s Deer (Rucervus eldi) of Manipur and the Thamin

(Rucervus thamin) of Burma.

The Swamp Deer—the Barasingh of the Central Provinces and

the Gond of the United Provinces and Terai is found in the Cen-

tral Provinces, the United Provinces, parts of Assam and the

Sunderbans. Its occurrence in Sind is doubted.

This splendid deer attains its finest development in the Central

Provinees. A good stag stands 54 in. at the shoulder and scales

from 370-400 lbs. Its coat almost woolly in texture shades from

brown to yellowish brown. The stags are maned and darker in

colour. The summer coat of stags and hinds is paler, some deve-

lop spots, not always distinct, of lighter tone. The young are

spotted.

There is much variation in the form of the antlers. Two dis-

tinct types are recognised with a wide range of intermediary

patterns. In the first form, the beam takes a backward and then

forward curve bringing the points of the horns in line with the top

of the head. Half way up the beam, tines are given off at inter-

vals: the first usually having a shoot of its own. In the second

and far handsomer type, the brow tine is set at right angles to the

beam, which grows with an outward curve giving the antlers a

wider spread. At the point where it branches, the beam takes

an almost horizontal curve and gives off number of vigorous ver-

tical tines each of which throws out shoots. The whole effect is

to produce an extraordinarily beautiful form of antler. Antlers

from the Terai are smoother and whiter than C. P. heads. Heads

exceeding 41 in. are rare. 10-14 is the usual number of points,

though antlers with as many as twenty points have been obtained.

The term Swamp Deer exactly suits the animal in the Terai where

it lives in marsh land and is seldom out of water. In the Central

Provinces this deer lves in grassy plains on hard ground and is,

on the whole, less dependent on the proximity of water than the

Chital. In Assam they usually live in high ground in the proximity

of water. Swamp Deer are highly gregarious. In parts of the

Terai a few miles of swamp may contain thousands of these magni-

ficent animals. Swamp deer are less nocturnal than Sambar.

They feed till late in the morning, again in the evening and le up

during the day. Their eyesight and hearing is moderate. The

sense of smell acute. When alarmed the whole herd sets up a

shrill baying sound which is continued in flight. In Assam the

antlers are shed in February and March. The new antlers appear

between April and May. ‘They are in velvet till the end-of July

and are clean by the end of September. In the U.P. and C.P.

stags are hornless by mid-April. Horns are mostly in velvet be-

tween May and August. They harden in September and are gene-

rally clear of velvet by mid-October. The master stags assemble.

80 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Their eerie and penetrating roars are thrilling and impressive. They

live more or less in amity till the rut develops. In the C.P. this

is mainly between mid-December and mid-January. In the U.P.

the chief rutting season is in. November and December. The males

fight for the possession of the hinds and each master stag so acquires

his harem which may number as many 4s 380 hinds. It is reported

that in Assam the pairing season is in April and May when the

stags’ new antlers are beginning to sprout! )

With the cooling of their short-lived ardour the stags desert

the hinds. The master stags collect again in small herds. The

younger males remain with the hinds. The finest stags go off to

live alone or in company with another of equal development. The

young are born just before the rams. In Assam the young

are born mainly between December and January or as late as

February.

PLATE XXIV.

JTourRN. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc.

The Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York.

Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvaucelli Cuv.).

By courtesy of

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THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 81

THE THAMIN OR BROW-ANTLERED DEER

CHUCHRVMUS: DAAMIEN: THOS).

The Thamin, the typical deer of Burma, is found mainly in

the dry zone of Central Burma. It is sparingly distributed in

other parts of the Province. It was once found in immense huin-

bers in the wide plains of Pegu.

This beautiful deer is nearly 4 ft. high at the withers. The

hinds are smaller. The coat is coarse and sparse. In stags it is

dark brown or nearly black. Stags have a dense mane or ruff

about the throat. Hinds are a light fawn. The young are spot-

ted. There appears to be a seasonal colour change; the dark

brown thamin of the cold season developing into the yellowish

brown animals of the hot weather. The close set antlers are very

handsome. In profile their form is almost circular. From the tip

of the brow tine to the point of the beam the antler sweeps in

one continuous, graceful curve. The number of terminal tines

varies from two or three to as many as eight or ten. There are

supposed to be two races of Thamin in Burma. The typical tha-

min and Bruce’s Thamin (R. thamin brucei), described from the

Ruby Mines District, in which. the horns are said to be slightly

palmated. The maximum length of the antlers is 42 in. Heads

over 85 in. are good. Stags are believed to acquire their horns in

the second year and reach their prime when 7 years old.

Thamin avoid hills or heavy forest. These Deer prefer open

scrub jungle on flat or undulating land between rivers and_ hill

ranges. They live in small herds, lying up in cover during the

heat of the day and feeding in the mornings and evenings. After

nightfall, they come out to graze in the large lwins and kwins or

to raid crops in their vicinity. Their speed and sharp sight is their

main protection.

Stags shed their antlers in mid August and are clear of velvet

by the end of December, when the horns are at their best. The

rut develops between March and April. The period of gestation

is 8 months. The fawns, one at birth, are dropped mostly in

October. After the rut the master stags go off either alone or

attended by one or two hinds. Big stags are seldom seen with

the herds after May.

Eld’s Deer (Rucervus eldi) is confined to Manipur where it

lives in grassy swamps. Its antlers are indistinguishable from the

Thamin. The hind pasterns are horny instead of hairy and applied

to the ground when walking.

Thamin have suffered much from persecution in Burma. With-

out effective measures for their protection this beautiful deer must

face extinction.

82 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol: XXXVII

THE KASHMIR STAG OR HANGUL (CERVUS

CASHMIRIENSIS FALC.).

The Red Deer of Europe typifies a group of large deer con-

sisting of several species and varieties distributed over Hurope,

Asia, north of the Himalayas, North Africa and North America.

The best known Asiatic species is the Hangul or Kashmir Stag.

Its range is limited to the north side of the valley of Kashmir

and some of the adjacent valleys.

The Kashmir Stag is smaller than the Sambar. It is from

48-50 in. high at the withers. A well grown stag scales a little

over 400 lbs. The coat ranges from light to dark brown, fading to

dingy white on the lps, chin, underparts and buttocks. The

colour fades during the summer but tones up with the denser

winter coat, which, in a big stag, is very dark or rufous brown.

Fawns are spotted. Old hinds may show white flecks. The fine

spreading antlers assume great variety in form. Normal heads

have 5 points on each antler. Heads with 16 points have been

obtained, 14 pointers are rare; 13 and 11 more common.

The Kashmir Stag is essentially a forest animal. These deer

are found singly or in small parties. They seldom remain long in

one area but roam from forest to forest to find good grazing. Stags

Shed their antlers between mid March and April. Young stags

may carry their horns upto the middle of May. After shedding

their antlers most stags go up hill and congregate about the snow

line. They spend the summer at an elevation of 9,000 to 12,000 ft.

About the end of September the stags’ new antlers have hardened.

They commence to roar and challenge. They join the hinds at the

beginning of October and, as the rut develops, engage in conflict.

The master stags collect a number of hinds whose possession 1s

disputed by rivals. In November, when the dry leaves cover the

eround, the stags desert the hinds and go to the upland meadows

or into the horse-chestnut forests. In hard winters the deer des-

cend to lower levels. They come to the lower elevations in the

early spring to feed on the new sprouting grass and the budding

larches. The fawns are born in April.

The Chumbi Valley in Tibet and some of the adjacent valleys

of Bhutan are inhabited by another species of the Red Deer group

—the Shou (Cervus affinis). It is also called the Sikhim Stag

though its existence in Sikhim is doubted. The Shou is much

larger than the Hangul, standing from 43 to 5 ft. at the shoulder.

Its antlers are longer and more massive. Their distinctive feature

is the forward bend of the beam at the junction of the third tine.

Journ. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc. PE ARE ver

SOS

Gore

BESS.

tS 3

The Kashmir Stag or Hangul (Cervus cashmiriensis Falc.).

(Height at shoulder 48-50 in.).

(‘[xiq PUuUImMam KvOLYISOP) 199q_ YSNOJ IO WieJOIAVYDO UeIpU] sy

6 CON ALVId "00S ‘LSIPT “IVN AvaWog ‘Nanof

THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE $3

SECTION TRAGULINA.

CHEVROTAINS OR MOUSE DEER.

The cloven-hoofed animals which we have considered so far

all belong to one great division—the Pecora or Ruminants. The

Mouse Deer represent a second division. They are true ruminants

and, like ruminants, have no front teeth in the upper jaw. But

they differ in having a three-chambered stomach in place of one

with four divisions. They have four well-developed toes on each

foot, the bones of the petty or side toes being complete. In true

ruminants some of these bones are imperfect or wanting.

Antlers are not developed. Mouse Deer, like Musk Deer, are furn-

ished with tusks. These are better developed in males. Mouse

Deer are included in a single family the Tragulidae which contains

three genera: (1) The Indian Chevrotain (Moschiola), (2) The

Malay Chevrotains (Tragulus) and (8) The African Water Chevro-

tain (Hyemoschus). The Asiatic Chevrotains are distinguished

from the African by having true cannon, bones developed.

The Indian Chevrotain or Mouse Deer (Moschiola meminna) is

a tiny little creature no more than 10 or 11 in. high. Because of

its small size, shy habits and very protective colouring it easily

escapes observation. Its coat is olive brown speckled with yellow.

The flanks are marked with rows of buff or white spots. The

lower parts are white. The throat has three white stripes. The

Malay Chevrotains are distinguished from the Indian by having

the skin on the chin and throat naked instead of hairy. Their

coats are not spotted. There are two species in Burma—the

larger Malay Chevrotain (Tragulus canescens) and the Lesser

Malay Chevrotain (Tragulus kanchil ravus). The former is about

28 in. long and 13 in. high, the latter is no longer than 18 in.

from the tip of the nose to the root of the tail. The smaller

animal has three white stripes on its throat, the larger five. Both

Species are common in the forests of Tenasserim.

All Chevrotain have similar habits. The Indian Mouse Deer

shelters in grass covered rocky hillsides or in forest. It conceals

itself in the crevices of rocks or among large boulders, coming

out to feed in the mornings or evenings and never venturing far

out into the open. In these ‘hides’ the female brings forth her

young, generally two in number, at the end of the rains or the

commencement of the cold season. The males live solitary except

during the pairing season. The Indian species is found in Central

and Southern India. The Malay species live in dense thickets.

Like the Indian species they pair in June or July,

84 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

SECTION. SUINA:

PIGS, PHueCCARITS ND) see POP Om Veet sitio:

The Chevrotains represent, as was shown, a group of animals

somewhat distinct from the true ruminants. Pigs, Pecearies and

Hippopotamuses are a stage yet further removed from typical

ruminants. They form a third section of the Artiodactyla. Their

feet, like the feet of the Chevrotains, have the bones of the 4 toes

complete. All these pig-hke animals have incisor teeth in the

upper jaws. ‘Their molar teeth when unworn are capped with small

hillock-like columns which do not wear down to crescentic patterns

seen in the grinding teeth of ruminants. As they are not rumin-

ants their stomachs are much less complex and may, as in the

pigs, consist of a single chamber.

Finally, cannon bones are not developed in the feet, the bones

which fuse to form a cannon bone in true ruminants remain distinet

in these animals. These pig-like animals represent a more primi-

tive type which existed at a time when ruminants were unknown

and which formed the ancestral stock from which they have des-

cended.

The Pecearies are exclusively American in their distribution.

Hippopotami are now limited to Africa but many species once in-

habited India. They were probably contemporary with the Stone

Age Man in this country.

The Pigs (Suidae) are the only representatives of the division

in our area. There are two genera: (1) the Wild Boar (Sus) and

(2) the Pigmy Hog (Porcula).. An elongate head with an abruptly

truncated mobile snout, ending in a flat disc containing the nostrils

is distinctive in pigs. Their feet are narrow. The petty toes are

completely developed but do not reach the eround when walking.

The upper canines curve upwards and outwards.

The Pigmy Hog is closely related to the typical Pigs. On

account of its small size, short tail and the presence of three pairs

of teats instead of 4, it is regarded as a separate genus. Though

a single species of wild boar is now found in India, in the Hocene

Period six or seven species inhabited the country—one of them a

monster form, the largest known of its race.

aries

sates

eee

Pa PN

aay

De fuitehoe

q Ay

eae

a aT

“a

itr Ae

Say seee

mot

pert

RRedice et

ana

‘(TIUSeAA SNZDISIAI SNS) TeEOT PILAA UIPUT 9yT

“worduvyd “Ay “4 hq 0j04d “wordmvy "MA Yetuddod .,,mopvy Ss puv zysyuns ur apsunf ay L ,, mosl pamnporday

‘TIAXX HALV Id ‘00G “ISIH ‘“IVN AVvaWog ‘Nunof

THE WILD ANIMALS OF THER INDIAN EMPIRE. Pash

Family IV. SUIDAH, PIGS.

THE INDIAN WILD BOAR (SUS CRISTATUS WAGN.).

The Indian Wild Boar is widely distributed. It ranges over

nearly the whole of India, Burma and Tenasserim, Siam and

part of the Malay Peninsula. It is also found in Ceylon.

A well grown male stands about 86 in. at the shoulder. It 1s

believed to be a larger animal than the European Boar with a

sparser coat and a fuller crest or mane. The weight of an adult

may well exceed 800 Ibs. The tusks are well developed in the

males both the upper and lower curve outwards and project from

the mouth. The lower tusks in a large boar are said to have

measured 12 in. including the portion embedded in the jaw. But

they rarely exceed 9 in.

The tame pig of India is probably derived from the wild. The

two probably interbreed when opportunity offers. The colour is

black mixed with grey, rusty-brown and white hairs. The young

are browner and old boars greyer. New born wild pig are brown

with light or dark stripes.

The Indian Wild Boar lives in grass or scanty bush jungle—

sometimes in forest; after the rains, quite commonly in high crops.

They are omnivorous living on crops, roots, tubers, insects, snakes,

offal and carrion. They feed in. the early mornings and late in

the evening and, where much disturbed, chiefly at night. No

animal is more destructive to crops and, in cultivated areas, it is

impossible to make a plea for its protection.

Wild Boar display great intelligence, and few animals show

greater courage and determination. .The sense of smell is acute,

the eyesight and hearing moderate. Wild Boar are highly prolific.

They apparently breed at all season. In Central India the mayjor-

ity of young are born at two periods shortly before or after the

rains. Boars and sows are known to collect in large assemblies

when pairing. A herd of 170 or more were seen by Mr. Dunbar

Brander. They were collected in a circle, the master boars in the

centre. Two males were fighting—two others had fought; the rest

were passive though interested spectators. The period of gestation

is said to be four months—4-6 young are born at a time. The

mother shelters them in a heaped up mass of grass or branches

which she builds before she litters.

After breeding the big boars. live alone or in company with

- another of equal size or with one or two sows.

The Pigmy Hog (Porcula salvania) inhabits. the forests at the

base of the Himalayas in Sikhim, Nepal, Bhutan and in Assam.

Its habits are similar to those of Wild Pig. It is said to live in

herds of 5-20. It is nocturnal and rarely seen.

86 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVIil

PERISSODACTYLA: ODD-TOED UNGULATES.

It has been shown that there are four main divisions or Orders

ot hoofed animals and that all those considered so far, belong to

the first and largest division the Artiodactyla or Even-toed Ungu-

lates. The salient feature which distinguishes the even-toed ungu-

iate lies in the arrangement of its toes. The axis of the foot—a

line drawn down its middle—passes between the third and fourth

toes. These two toes are large and equal in size. The hoofs which

encase them appear like a single hoof cleft in two. This prominence

of the third and fourth toe is accompanied by the diminishing in

size of the second and fifth and the complete disappearance of the

first toe. This is the general plan of structure in the feet of

oxen, sheep, goats, deer and pigs.

With Horses, Rhinoceroses and Tapirs we come to an ussem-

blage of animals differmg in many important respects from those

so far described. Their most obvious distinction is again dis-

played in the structure of the feet. Like the even-toed ungulates

they are descendants of 5-toed ancestors. But with them it is the

third or middle toe of the foot which has increased in size at the

expense of the others. The number of toes varies. A Tapir has

four and a Rhinoceros three toes on the fore feet. Both have only

three on the hind. The foot of a horse has but one functional

toe. But in all these animals it is the third or the middle toe of

the foot which is most prominent. It is always symmetrical in itself

and always larger than the other toes, when these are present.

This pre-eminence of the third or middle digit of the foot gives

this group of animals its name—Pcerissodactyla or Odd-toed Ungu-

lates. With them, except in the case of the Tapirs, the number

of toes in each foot is usually odd—either one or three. The Odd-

toed ungulates are further marked by having their molar and _ pre-

molar teeth in one unbroken series, the posterior molars resembl-

ing the pre-molars in shape and size.

The Odd-toed ungulates are poorly represented at the present

day. Horses, Rhinoceroses and Tapirs are the only surviving mem-

bers of a group of animals which flourished in great variety during

the earlier Tertiary period. With the exception of the Tapirs

which are found ialso in Central and South America all the existing

odd-toed ungulates are Old World animals.

JourN. BomsBay Nat Hist. Soc. PLATE XXVIII.

(f y

a TSSSSESS

=“ =>

= WSs

SS = Ss

——S

S 2

; U | ci

vat oa ANN |! ha

es “i Ee

ins d | Wy ;

i) \

(| yee '

YAK | A\ ior

NG (\= & y \\d " ap Dy SO

oP ibu shy a) ea

4 we | =~ ~~ OS AING

Lay — ae

wr MAY a

ventured, Mae WwW

RHINOCEROS. HORSE.

The bones of the forefoot of the three animals are shown: the Horse with 1 digit, the Rhinoceros

with 3 and the Tapir with 4. In all of them the 3rd or middle digit is symmetrical in itself and much

more developed than the other digits.

‘(ut gb-bb aapynoys qw yy sazy

‘(seled ‘snaipur sasdvuo snnbzZ ) ss¥ PIIM UeIpUT su

UUv IW 9 &q 0j04q

IOS AL ad ‘90S “LSIH “LVN AvaWog ‘NunNof

THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 87

Family I: HQUIDAE.

HORSES, ASSES AND ZEBRAS.

THe Kiana (Hquus kiang Moorcroft.).

THE GHOR-KHAR OR INDIAN WiLD Ass (Hquus onager indicus Blyth.).

The Horse tribe includes the Asses and Zebras. In all these

animals each foot has a single complete toe encased in a large

solid hoof. It is supported by a long bone known as the ‘cannon

bone’. Small splint bones on each side of the ‘cannon’ bone repre-

sent the vestiges of the second and fourth toes. The cheek teeth

are large, quadrangular and complex, the enamel foldings being

numerous as compared with the simpler ones of the Rhinoceroses

and Tapir. :

In the wild state the family is confined to the plains of Asia

and Africa. Two species are resident in our area. The Kiang

(Hquus kiang) and the Ghor-khar or Indian Wild Ass (E. onager

indicus). The Kiang lives in the high open plateaus of Ladak

and Tibet. The Indian Wild Ass is found in Baluchistan, Cutch

and in parts of the desert zone of North-Western India. Both the

Kiang and the Ghor-khar are more closely allied to the Horse than

to the true wild asses of North Africa. Like all Wild Asses, they

have short upright manes. Those curious callosities seen on the

inside of the legs of the horse, the purpose of which is unknown

are absent in the ass. The Kiang is distinguished by its large

horse-like hoofs. The hoofs of the Ghor-khar are smaller and more

ass-like. A Kiang’s ears are comparatively short. The coat is

reddish in summer, tawny grey, woolly and dense in winter. Like

all wild asses it has a dark brown stripe along the back from the

nape to the tail. A Kiang stands about 51-52 in. at the shoulder.

Wild asses are usually shy and difficult to approach but the

Kiang is one of the most inquisitive of animals and will frequently

approach within 50 yards or so of any strange object.

The Ghor-khar which is the eastern race of the Persian Wild

Ass is a smaller animal than the Kiang. It is about 46 in. high at

the shoulder. In summer its coat is sandy, in winter, grey.

Wild asses are remarkable for their fleetness and their capacity

of getting over rough and stony ground at a great pace. As a

rule these animals inhabit desert plains or as in the case of the

Kiang open rolling tablelands where both desert and arctic con-

ditions prevail.

They associate in small parties of 4 or 5. Sometimes these

parties unite and form large herds. During the foaling time the

Kiang mares collect in certain favoured areas while the stallions

are scattered about either solitary or in twos and threes. ~ :

In the plains to the west of the Indus, Wild Asses are found

wandering about for the greater part of the year but in the hot

weather when the grass withers and water is scarce they migrate

to the hills. The mares are said to drop their foals in July and

August. ;

88: JOURNAL,-BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVI

Family I1:. RHINOCEROTIDAE RHINOCEROSES.

The various species of Rhinoceroses, all now confined to the

Old World, differ remarkably from one another in structure. As

a result. of migrations during past epochs into different habitats.

and climates, into new feeding grounds to which they became

adapted, the various species appear to have become distinct at a.

very early period of their history.

-A comparison of the remains of numerous extinct: fours) with

ow now living indicates 7 distinct lines of descent and evolution

from. which lesser eee were given off. Though these animals

are externally similar they are thus really very far apart both in

history and anatomy: even the two living African Rhinoceroses

probably separated from each other and became distinct species a

million years ago. | &

Three species of Rhinoceros are found within our limits. The

Great One-horned Rhinoceros (thinoceros indicus) and its relative,

the Smaller One-horned or Javan Rhinoceros (/thinoceros sondat-

cus) have an obscure genealogical history. No representatives of

these true and typical Rhinoceroses have been discovered anywhere

but in South-Eastern Asia. Their remains are not found in the

more ancient Sivalik beds. But they appear with relative sudden-

ness in the uppermost and more recent beds:in the form of ‘two

species known as the Sivalik Rhinoceros (i. sivalensis) and

R. palacindicus the ancient Rhinoceros of India.

- The Asiatic two-horned Rhinoceros (R. sumatrensis) was on

the other hand widely distributed in the past. It was quite abund-

ant in the Sivahk hills in Pliocene times. It was a geological

period when these animals, favoured by a genial climate, inhabited

a broad forest belt which stretched from the east coast of England

ae and eastward across Southern France and North. Italy

to India. . :

All the living Rhinoceroses are included in a single genus.

The massive build, the thickness and solidity of eho bones,

their short stumpy legs each furnished with three toes are some

of the family characters. The skin in all the living forms is

elther thinly clad with hair or naked and in all the. Indian species

the heavy hide: in places is thrown into deep folds. The nasal bones

are enlarged to serve as a support for a single or double horns.

When two horns are present they are situated one behind the other

in the middle line of the snout. The horn is formed of a closely

matted mass of horny fibre issuing from the skin. It has no con-

nection with the skull, although a supporting boss of bone in the

skull may serve as its foundation.

The horns grow throughout life and if lost are reproduced.

Journ. Bompay Nar, Hist, Soc. PLATE XXX.

BALUCHITHERE

ACERATHERE

—__

BLACK--—----~- -AFRICAN RHINOCEROS ~ - ..-WHITE

TELEOCERAS

ELASMOTHERE

RHINOCEROSES LIVING: ( facing left); EXTINCT (facing right ).

The Baluchithere, an aberrant form of Rhinoceros, whose remains were

discovered in the Butgi Hills, Eastern Baluchistan is believed to have been

13 ft. high at the withers. It towers above allits relatives. (Reproduced

from Natural History, Vol. XXIII, No. 3).

‘(ut 69-09 sapynoys qw 7451977 )

"(JT Stus091UN SOAZIONIYY) SOIBIOUIYY PeuIOY-I9uGQ }eaID VU T,

oso D ‘unasnyy Par ay L fo sayunog tg

‘IXXX HALVW Id ‘00S “LSIH “LVN AvVaWog ‘“NuNno[

“WHR: WILD? ANIMALS.-OF.+ THE» INDIAN. EMPIRE: 2. 89.

THE GREAT ONE-HORNED RHINOCEROS

(RHINOCEROS UNICORNIS L.).

The Great Indian Rhinoceros, probably the largest of all living

Rhinoceroses may reach over 6 ft. at the shoulder.

The average height of a well-grown animal is about 5 ft. 8 in.

with a girth of 11 ft. behind the shoulder. The skin of this

massive creature is divided into great shields by heavy folds before

and behind the shoulder and in front of the thighs. In this Rhino-

ceros the folding of the skin in front of the shoulders is not con-

tinued right across the back. The skin on the flanks, shoulders

and hind quarters, is covered with a mass of rounded tubercles.

With his grotesque shape, long boat-shaped head, his folds of

armour, his sealy hide he Icons like a monster of some byegone

age. The horns of the Indian Rhinoceros never compare with

those ie the African. The record from Assam measures 24 in.

15-16 in. is a good average length.

The ae may be recognised from the females by a shorter usd

thicker horn blunted by frequent combats. The female’s horn

is sharper and longer. Though it prefers swamp and grass the

Great Indian Rhinoceros is also found in wood jungle up ravines

and low hills.

The animal is solitary as a rule though several may occupy the

same patch of jungle. Along the numerous rivers which flow

through the jungles of the Nepal Terai the rhino has particular

places for dropping its excreta. Mounds so accumulate in places.

In approaching these spots a rhinoceros walks backwards and falls

an easy victim to poachers. Breeding takes place at all times

of the year. The period of gestation is given as 17 to 18 months.

In Nepal it is generally believed to be one year. A fully developed

calf taken from the uterus measured 4 ft. 1 in. and scaled 120 lbs.

The food consists chiefly of grass. In Nepal during the rains

Rhinoceros frequently enter cultivation. Many legends ‘and beliefs

are attached to this animal. In Europe, during the Middle Ages

its horn was generally believed to have peculiar medicinal virtues.

In Nepal the flesh and the blood of the Rhinoceros is con-

sidered highly acceptable to the Manes. High caste Hindus and

most Gurkhas offer libation of the animal’s blood after entering

its disembowelled body. On ordinary Sradh days the libation of

water and milk is poured from a cup carved from its horn. The

urine is considered antiseptic and is hung in a vessel at the prin-

cipal door as a charm against ghosts, evil spirits and diseases.

These beliefs connected with the Rhinoceros are prevalent in vary-

ing form in Burma, Siam and China. They set a great value upon

the animal and provide the main reason for its persecution. In

Nepal, the Indian Rhinoceros is found only in the country to the

east of the Gandak river known as Chitawan where strict preser-

vation by the Nepal Government has saved it from extinction.

In parts of Assam, where it is still found, strict preservation has

temporarily saved it from extermination,

90 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

THE SMALLER ONE-HORNED OR JAVAN RHINOCEROS

(RHINOCEROS SONDAICUS CUV.).

The Javan Rhinoceros is a close relative of the Great One-

horned Rhinoceros. Though smaller, it is still a very bulky animal.

Old bulls measure about 5 ft. 10 in. at the shoulder. The single

horn is never very long. 102 in. is the record. The horn does

not appear to be developed in females or, if developed ‘at all, it is

only a low boss. In distinction to its relative, the fold of skin

on the shoulders is continued across the back. The hide is marked

all over with a mosaic hke pattern.

The Smaller One-horned Rhinoceros was once believed to range

from Bengal and Assam through Burma and the Malay Peninsula

to Sumatra. As far as can be ascertained its range is now limited

to the Malay Peninsula and Java where a few still exist under

protection. In earlier works on Burma, it is mentioned as having

been once abundant in the forested banks of large rivers in the

district of Tenasserim. Recent attempts to discover whether this

rhinoceros still exists in Burma have failed and it is doubted

whether there are more than half a dozen specimens and it is

doubtful whether these will survive without adequate measures for

their protection. Though it occurred in the Bengal Duars in

former years, its presence in this area at the present time requires

verification.

The Smaller One-horned Rhinoceros is more an inhabitant of

tree forest than of grass land. Its low crowned grinding teeth

indicate that it is a browser, indulging less in grazing than the

Indian Rhinoceros, whose armoury of high crowned grinding teeth

are peculiarly adapted to the mastication of grass. Its usual habi-

tat is hill country where it has been found at elevations as high

as 7,000 ft. above sea level.

‘(ut o£ aapynoys yw yy saz )

(AND snaWpUuos soszI0ULYY) SOIBIOUTYY, PauIOY-9uQ IdT[eWIS dy,

"(‘981H “UN sn ym ay , fo ksaqano9 ag

DOO Giv 1d ‘00S ‘LSIH “LVN AvaWog ‘Nuaof

‘(ur ZS ynoqv sapynoys qw yy Saf )

"CAND SISUAAIUNS SOLBI0UIYY) SOIBIOUIYY PIUIOY-OM], UeIZeUINS sy,

“y40K MAN “1StH JON ‘“snJy “sap ay L fo Asazanog tg

HID OOXe AV Td ‘20S ‘ISIH ‘LVN AVaWog ‘Nunof[

THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 91

THERE SUMATRAN TWO-HORNED RHINOCEROS (RHINO-

CHROS SUMATRENSIS CUV.).

The Sumatran Rhinoceros differs from the two other Asiatic

Rhinoceroses in possessing two horns. On this account it is con-

sidered to represent a distinct sub-generic group (Diocerhinus).

It is further distinguished by having a single pair of lower front

teeth instead of two pairs as in the Indian and Javan animals.

The Two-horned Rhinoceros, like the Lesser One-horned species

has a preference for forested hill tracts where it wanders up to

considerable elevations. A sufficiency of shade and a good supply

of water are essential to its habitat. A pair will frequent a given

area for a time and then move off, their movements being affected

by the water supply. They enter streams by night and also during

the hot hours of the day. In suitable spots there are regular

wallows or ‘mud baths’ in which the huge creatures roll much as

buffaloes and pigs do. As a result of this habit their bodies are

always well coated with mud. Tracks lead off in all directions

from these ‘wallows’. They present the appearance of large tunnels

hollowed through the dense undergrowth. Unlike the elephant,

a rhinoceros does not break through the jungle but burrows his way

through the dense tangle. They visit the wallows singly or a bull

and a cow may be found together. The night and early morning

is spent in wandering about and feeding; the hot hours of the

day in rest in some cool and shaded spot. In the cold weather

and rains they visit the low country coming down in search of

particular foods. They are not grazers but browse on twigs, shoots

and are very partial to fallen fruit:—wild mangoes, citrous fruits

and figs.

The sense of smell and hearing is acute but the sight is poor.

Collections of dung found at particular places reveal a habit

similar to that noticed with the Great One-horned Rhinoceros.

Little is known about their breeding habits but it is known that

the young remain with the mother to a fairly advanced age.

The Two-horned Rhinoceros was once fairly common through-

out Burma—it also occurred in Assam from which province it is

now practically exterminated. At the present time a few inhabit

the forests of Lower Tenasserim and the hill tracts about Myitkyina,

the Arrakan Hills and the Pegu Yomas. A small number are

present in the Shive-u-daung Sanctuary in the Mogok division of

the Katha District where proper protection may save this species

from extinction in Burmese limits,

92 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII _

Ramily (ii TAPED Aw iu MmnR S:

THE MALAY TAPIR (TAPIRUS INDICUS CUV)).

The third and least specialised family of surviving Odd-toed

Ungulates contains a single genus—Tapirus, the Tapirs. Tapirs

differ little in their anatomy from their fossil ancestors and appear

to have retained their primitive character even to our times. In

the remote past they probably inhabited, as they do now, the deep

recesses of the forest. Such protected environment is never favour-

able to rapid evolution but rather to persistence of type. We see

this exemplified in the Two-horned Rhinoceros, like the Tapir, a

creature of dense forest which shows little change in its anatomy

as compared with the Two-horned Rhinoceros of past geological

epochs.

Tapirs differ from all odd-toed ungulates in having 4 toes on

the front feet. Their hind feet as with the Rhinoceros is three-

toed. The three large toes of the fore foot correspond to the

three middle fingers of the human hand. The little outer toe re-

presents the fifth finger.

The cheek teeth have two simple transverse crests on their

crowns, very different from the complex enamel foldings of the

teeth of rhinoceroses and horses.

A heavy ungainly body, short stout limbs, a muzzle lengthened

to form a short trunk, small eyes, oval ears and stumpy tail, all

give the Tapir a peculiarly antedeluvian appearance.

Tapirs once inhabited Europe and from thence they appear to

have migrated southwards. One group reached the New World

where they still survive in Central and South America and the

other passed down into the Malay countries.

The Malay species is very distinct: from its American relations.

Tt is larger and has a bi-coloured coat. The head, limbs and front

part of the body is brownish black, the rest of the body behind

the shoulders is greyish white. The American Tapirs are uniform

brown. The young of both animals are striped. The Malay Tapir

stands from 8-33 ft. at the withers and shghtly higher at the

rump. The qnegiee is confined to Sumatra and the Malay Penin-

sula and only enters our limits in the south of Tenasserim. Here

it lives in densest forests and has many of the habits of the rhino-

ceros browsing on leaves and twigs and visiting wallows. It is a

‘water loving creature and swims and dives well. A pair of Tapir

in captivity displayed a habit of carefully concealing their drop-

pings. Copulation took place in the water. A single young was

produced. The period of gestation was 9 months.

(‘ut Zb-g€ sapjnoys yo 24 d1a

‘Cang snoiput snaidv 7) Sunok pure iidey Avpey{ ay

“aSpiudag °S*M hq of04d

TXDXOXOXS A LV Id ‘90S “ISIH ‘IVN AVaWOg ‘Nuno

JourN. BomsBay Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE XXXV

d é

Evolutionary changes of Proboscidea. Based on restorations modelled by

ks oe eulle

a. Elephas columbi; b. Mammut americanum ;

c. Tetrabelodon angustidens ; d. Moeritherium ,

e. Palaeomastodon. (Reproduced from Ann. Report,

Smithsonian Institution, 1909).

THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 93

PROBOSCIDEA: ELEPHANTS.

The proboscis or trunk of the elephant gives the name Probos-

cidea to this the fourth and last order of Ungulates. There are

but two species of elephants in exintence-_the Indian and the

African. They are the sole survivors of a great assemblage of

species which once inhabited the earth. No fewer than seven

species of elephants and 8 different Mastodons are known to have

existed in India during remote geological periods.

With its pendant trunk, its curious dentition, and its great

size the elephant presents distinctive characters which differenti-

ate them from all other mammals. However remarkable these

characters may be, they are the ultimate results of a gradual devi-

ation from a standard type of mammal—a hairy creature of no great

size walking on the soles of its five-toed feet and carrying in its

jaws the typical complement and number of incissor, canine and

molar teeth. A comparison of existing and extinet forms of ele-

phants and their allies has helped to indicate the great physical

changes which the race has undergone during the long ages of its

history. Changes which have been brought about largely by mi-

erations to new countries and the new condition of life which they

imposed. These migrations were impelled not only by the natural

urge of the creature to extend its territory but also by actual

changes in the earth’s surface which bringing about a difference

in climate and vegetation forced the ancestral forms to migrate

into areas where conditions of life were more congenial. The

physical modifications which elephants display are seen firstly in

an increase in size. This necessitated the development of pillar-

like limbs to support the enormous weight of the body which again

imphed the straightening of the limb bones and a change in the

angle of their articulation. The foot itself changed its posture ~

from the primitive plantigrade position. The heel and ankle bones

were elevated above the ground and a thick pad of gristle developed

beneath each foot and so formed a cushion to receive its share of

the weight. The toes were embedded in the common mass of the

cylindrical foot and encased in a common skin. Their position is

indicated externally by broad flat nails which may be fewer than

the number of toes. Thus, the hmb bones gradually developed

into vertical shafts through which the weight of the body was

transmitted.

The shortness of the neck and the height of the head from, the

sround necessitated the development of a proboscis or tr

combined and lengthened nose and upper lip—as a device for secur-

ing food and water. Its development was accompanied by marked

changes in the character and form of the skull. The skull of an

elephant shows no ‘snout’. The bony part of the face is almost

straight. But it would appear that the ancestral elephants had

a longer face—a prolonged bony snout more in conformity with the

standard mammal skull. This is seen to some extent in the skull

of the American Mastodon and to a more remarkable degree in a

yet more ancient form of Mastodon—the Tetrabelodon. The

creature had an extraordinary lengthened lower jaw furnished with

94 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVI!

two horizontal tusks. These tusks were additional to a downward

bent pair in the upper jaw. Its trunk must have rested horizon-

tally on its lower jaw between the tusks. It was not a pendant

trunk but an elongated upper lip. It is believed that an elephant’s

trunk originated in this way. Firstly by the great elongation of

the lower jaw producing a corresponding lengthening of the pro-

boscis to reach to the need of the tusks and then by a shrinkage

of the lower jaw and the straightening of the bones of the face.

The long proboscis was no longer supported by the lower jaw.

Gradually dropping as the lower jaw receded, in the course of sue-

cessive ages, it at last hung down as a pendant trunk.

Other physical changes undergone by elephants are seen in

increase in the size and complexity of the teeth, their consequent

diminution in number and the development of a peculiar method

of tooth succession. All the canine teeth have been lost and all

the incisors, except the second pair in the upper jaw. These have

developed into tusks. As to the grinding teeth an elephant deve-

lops 6 molars in each jaw during its life time. But the jaws are

so short and the grinders so large that there is never room for more

than two—one entirely and the other partly exposed above the

sums. The new tooth forms in the rear of the jaw. Pushing for-

ward it gradually replaces the preceding tooth which, as it wears

away, is crowded out of the jaw. The first milk molar appears at

the age of two weeks, it is shed at the age of 2 years, the second

is shed at the age of 6, the third at 9, the fourth (or first adult

tooth) between the 20th and 25th year, the fifth at 60 and the

sixth lasts for the remainder of the creature’s life.

Kach molar is larger than the one which preceded it. Its

structure has no parallel in the teeth of other animals. It is made

up of a series of plates each composed of a flattened mass of den-

tine invested by a layer of enamel, the whole bound together in

a solid mass by cement. As the dentine wears the harder enamel

appears in a series of transverse ridges across the crown of the

molar. The number of these ridges varies. In the Indian elephant

the last or 6th molar may show 27 of these ridges. In the African

species the number never exceeds 11. The African elephant is

harger than the Indian. It has enormous ears, a hollow back and

only three nails on each hind foot. There are 4 in the Indian

species. The trunk ends in two equal sized ‘lips’. The Indian

elephant has but one.

The Proboscidea form a single family the HElephantidae which

includes but one living genus.

Sey

at i Aas

Te ye

een

sighs

ran

wie

aoe waht aus uy

es j eres

utiee eeey

Rea hy

miNereae ninaress

i Y OT tits a

a ae

au A

PLATE XXXVI.

Journ, BomBay Nar. Hist. Soc.

W.S. Thom.

Photo by

The Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus indicus L.).

THE WILD ANIMALS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 95

THE INDIAN ELEPHANT (HELEPHAS, MAXIMUS INDICUS).

The Indian elephant rarely exceed 10 ft. 6 in. at the shoulder.

The average height of an adult male is 9 ft. The female is a foot

lower. Twice the circumference of an elephant’s fore foot gives a

fair indication of its height. The rule does not apply always in

the case of young and growing animals.

Generally only the males have large tusks. The tusks of females

scarcely protrude or perhaps protrude a few inches. In some

males the tusks are no longer than in females. Many of these

tuskless males or maknas are very large in build with extraordinarily

well developed trunks. The contour of the tusks varies. In some

elephants they are wide spread and curved, in others straight and

pointed downwards. A pair in the Royal Museum at Siam taped

9 ft. 103 in. A pair in the possession of H.M. the King measures

8 ft. 9 in. and 8 ft. 64 in. and weighs 160 and 161 lbs. respectively.

The elephants found in Ceylon are regarded as a separate race (EH.

maximus zeylanicus). The males carry quite normal tusks. The

females are tuskless. A few big tuskers shot in Ceylon are believed

to be the descendants of elephants introduced from India.

The Indian Elephant has normally five nails on its fore foot and

four on its hind. The outside nails are comparatively small and

crinkled and their impression is only traceable in very wet. soil.

Ordinarily the imprint of at most three nails is to be seen and

that only on soft ground. The colour of the elephant is greyish

black. The chest, forehead and ears are often covered with flesh

coloured spots.

An elephant usually moves at a walking pace, when alarmed

or annoyed it breaks into a shuffling run. The huge creature can

attain a wonderful speed and when ‘all out’ may travel at quite

20 miles an hour. Despite its bulk the elephant is wonderfully

active going up and down steep hill sides with ease. It is an ex-

cellent swimmer and in deep water swims with practically the

whole body except part of the head and trunk submerged.

Elephants chiefly frequent districts covered with tall forests

where the ground is hilly or undulating and where bamboos grow

in profusion. They are extremely adaptable and _ will live in

steamy humid jungle or in cool elevated forests. In Burma they

wander at all seasons of the year into bamboo forest at a height

of 10,000 ft. while in Sikkim, their tracks have been seen in the

snow 12,000 ft. above sea level. In the dry season the herds

generally keep to the denser forests but during the rains come

out into open glades and frequently enter cultivation. Individuals

of various sizes and ages associate in herds which may vary from

5 to 60 or more animals. Herds are believed to be composed of

single families. Different herds do not mix but stray females

and young males may migrate from one herd into another. When

fodder is scarce, the larger herds break up into small parties, which

reunite when conditions are favourable. The big tuskers are usual-

ly seen feeding at some distance from the main herd. The bulls

when they arrive at a certain age, live as solitaries or, two males

of equal age may associate together. A solitary bull will graze

with a herd when it happens to be in the same patch of jungle

96 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

and will seek the herd when the urge ta mate is on it and desert

it again when its desire is appeased. When travelling elephants

move in single file, the tuskers generally bringing up the rear. The

leader of a herd is invariably an old female. Herds travel to and

from their feeding grounds by well worn paths, wandering from

them when the terrain is favourable but returning to these fixed

paths, which generally follow the easiest and straightest line across

the country and represent the accumulated wisdom of generations

of travelling elephants. When undisturbed, the herd pursues a

regular and ordered routine, drinking and feeding in accustomed

places and lying up to rest in its usual retreat. They sleep during

the hot hours of the day, being intolerant of the sun, feed éarly

in the morning and evening and come out after nightfall to feed

in open forest or to raid crops; retiring to sleep after midnight.

An elephant rests standing or stretched out on its side. The food

consists of various kinds of grasses and leaves, stems and leaves

of wild bamboos and plantains, all species of crops and the bark

of particular kinds of trees. A full grown elephant will eat from

600-700 Ibs. of green fodder in a day.

Male elephants, very rarely females, both tame and wild, on

attaining maturity are subject to peculiar periodical paroxysms of

excitement known as ‘musth’. Musth seems to have some con-

nection with the sexual functions. It is probably analogous to

the ‘rut’ in deer. It occurs most frequently during the cold

season and may perhaps be due to ungratified sexual desire: In

some cases this is not always so since the society of a female will

by no means quell or pacify the animal. At other times an ele-

phant in musth will seek a mate. |

The exact breeding season is uncertain but as most of the

young are dropped in the late autumn and the period of gestation

lasts about 20 months it, is probable that the main breeding season

is during the hot weather and at the commencement of the rains.

One calf is only born at a time though, in rare instances twins

and once, even triplets have been recorded. The mother of a young

calf is invariably assisted in caring for her young by another female

who takes on the duties of a guardian and is as assiduous in her

care of the calf as its parent. A new born calf will walk a few

hours after birth. In height it averages about 2 ft. 10 in. It

suckles with its mouth and when alarmed takes refuge under its

mother’s body.

Elephants have a very poor sight, the sense of smell and

hearing is highly developed, more so than in most animals. Much

mystery is attached to the deaths of elephants. They are reputed

to seek out some solitary and secluded spot to which they retreat

when they feel their powers failing and death approaching. The

legend is widespread, though it remains to be substantiated. The

fact that dead elephants are seldom found may be explained. firstly

by the infrequency with which deaths must occur among such long

lived animals and secondly by the rapidity with which decompos-

ition in a tropical climate will remove all traces of the carcase. There

‘are some instances on record where other elephants have attempted

to move or have actually moved the dead body of a companion.

THE PRESERVATION OF WILD LIFE IN INDIA.

No. 3. ASSAM.

Ad WV NaEROY:

(Conservator of Forests, Assam).

The question of affording adequate protection to game in Assam

is a difficult one that we cannot expect will receive much local

attention just now with so many important political changes staged

for the immediate future, but in view of the imminence of these

inevitable changes in administration it might be undesirable to

postpone any longer the consideration of what system of preserv-

ing the fauna, whether the present one or something on different

hnes, will be most likely to survive the introduction of provincial

autonomy.

Up to thirty years ago there were still very extensive unoccu-

pied tracts in the Province, the first to disturb them being Gur-

khali buffalo-keepers who began then to invade Assam with their

herds, to be followed by ever-increasing hordes of immigrants, after

the Brahmaputra Valley had become linked to Bengal by the

railway.

Rules regarding close seasons had been framed at an early date

for the Reserve Forests in conformity with practice in other parts

of India, but game remained entirely unprotected in the waste lands

known as Unelassed State Forests, until about 1910 when close

seasons were introduced following a letter to The Times by Sir

Harry Johnston on the indifference shown by Provincial Govern-

ments in India to the fate of their wild animals; but as no fees

have ever been charged for shooting in the Unclassed Forests, there

have been no funds for the maintenance of a special patrolling or

protective staff, and the protection iafforded by the rules alone has

consequently been very meagre.

Types of Game Country.

Enormous areas of grass and reeds used to extend from the

banks of the Brahmaputra towards the hills which enclose the

valley on both sides, and it was here that most cae used always

to be found—rhinoceros, and swamp deer in the low-lying places,

elephants, bison, and oho deer nearer the hills—but these are pre-

cisely the very localities that attract the buffalo-herdsmen and the

settlers, so that a ereat deal of this type of jungle has now dis-

appeared for ever and it is only a matter of time before the most

of the balance goes too. In these circumstances the policy adopted

a few years ago of issuing gun-licences almost indiscriminately has

only accelerated what was bound eventually to take place, and

what has already occurred in all countries suffering from, or

98 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVit

blessed (as the less far-sighted hold) with, an increasing human

population.

Most of the former great shooting grounds are thus being occu-

pied exclusively by Man and nothing can be done in them for wild

animals. There remain for consideration the Reserve Forests,

which have been taken up mostly for timber, but which include

as Game Sanctuaries two important grassy areas.

Dense, evergreen forests contain comparatively little fodder

suitable for game animals, which prefer the more open and the

deciduous tree forests, but everywhere in Reserves reasonable game

preservation should be looked for, seeing that the sale of shooting

permits is a possible source of revenue, that rules exist for the

benefit of the various species of animals, and that a Forest Staff

is provided by Government to uphold these and other Forest Laws.

It must be confessed, however, that in Assam just as in Burma,

judging from some recent Annual Forest Administration Reports

from that Province, game preservation is largely a matter of indl-

vidual whim, and that encouraging results obtained by one Divi-

sional Forest Officer are only too often dissipated during the regime

of a suecessor, who is indifferent to this side of his multifarious

duties.

The present Government cannot be accused of lack of keenness.

Three years ago, a British Officer and a Company of Assam Rifles

were detailed to spend six weeks touring a district where the in-

habitants had got out of hand and were poaching in the Monas

Game Sanctuary on a commercial scale, while at the present

moment an energetic Assistant Conservator is on special duty at

the head of an anti-poaching campaign that is doing some very

good work indeed. The Assam Legislative Council have recently

declared Rhinoceros horns to be forest produce wherever found,

it has become much easier to deal into the trade in these, as horns

are now lable to seizure unless their possession can be satisfac-

torily accounted for. No help from the centre, however, can make

up for lack of interest on the part of the officers on the spot, though

an enthusiastic Conservator can do much to overcome apathy,

thanks to the tradition of loyalty in the Forest Service, but to be

really effective he must possess both the time and the inclination

to tour ‘off the map’ and away from the usual comfortable, stereo-

typed marching routes.

_At the worst a certain amount of game of most sorts will

linger on in the larger Reserves for some time yet, but not in

the smaller ones which can be easily raided, and from which

animals are always straying into settled lands bristling with guns:

at. the best, if the Forest Department does not depart from the

policy of recent years as regards Forest Villages and as regards de-

manding the co-operation in these matters of its subordinates,

quite a fair number (in some places sufficient to allow of restricted

shikar) of the more interesting species will survive in suitable loca-

lities within the forest boundaries. ;

Increased pressure on the outside land being likely to lead to

a demand for catastrophic disforestation of cultivable areas inside

the Reserves, it would appear to be advisable to proceed cautious-

THE PRESERVATION OF WILD LIFE IN INDIA 99

ly, when and where needs be, with the formation of Forest

Villages, especially of non-resident villages which luckily for wild

animals are preferable from the utilitarian point of view, as they

do not waste good forest land in hamlet sites and cattle-grazing

grounds. Forest Officers in Assam will always be dependent on

elephants for getting really inside thew forests, and this again 1s

lucky for the game, because it is essential permanently to set aside

from settlement adequate and inviolable elephant grazing grounds

while there is yet time, for want of which provident measure other

Provinces have had to plant fodder at considerable expense for

their Government elephants.

It would be illogical to allow villagers to grow crops in a forest

and then to withhold from them the means of guarding the same,

but the practice lately enforced of calling in guns for safe custody

after the harvest is over is only logical and reasonable, and_pre-

vents the villagers from degenerating into professional poachers,

as some of them have become in the past.

It had been intended, in order to obtain complete control, to

acquire on behalf of Government all the guns owned by Forest

Villagers for temporary issue at the right time, together with any

others that might be necessary, but this measure has had to be

postponed until funds become available again,

Game Sanctuaries.

The two Game Sanctuaries of which mention has been made

are situated, the Monas towards the north-west on the Bhutan

frontier and the Kazirunga in the centre of the valley on the south

bank of the Brahmaputra. Both areas were originally selected for

the Great One-horned Rhinoceros (2. unicornis) they contained ,

and a very fine stock of these animals was raised as the result

of the protection afforded. Kazirunga, the more low-lying, is

particularly suited for buffalo too, the Monas for bison along the

Bhutan boundary.

The rhinoceros, our most important animal from the natural

history point of view, is a difficult species to preserve even though

its destruction is forbidden by law, because all parts of its body

may be eaten even by Brahmins and because its horn is reputed

throughout the East to possess aphrodisiac properties, while it lays

itself open to easy slaughter by its habit of depositing dung on the

same heap day after day. The demand for rhinoceros’ horns has

always been considerable in India, but of recent years China has

also been in the market, consequent on the practical extermination

of R. sondaicus in Lower Burma, Tenasserim, ete., with the result

that a horn is now worth just about half its weight in gold. The

prospect of a lucrative business led to au organization being formed

for passing on rhinoceros’ horns and elephant tusks to Calcutta,

and the disturbed political conditions provided the virile Boro tribes

(Meches and Kacharies) living near the Monas with the opportunity

to take up poaching on a large seale.

The operations of the financiers in the background were checked

for the time being; the advent of the Assam Rifles restored order;

100 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

additional game-watchers were engaged, and an Assistant Conser-

vator was placed in charge of the Sanctuary to carry on the good

work, but in view of what has happened in Burma, despite. the

best efforts of the authorities there, one cannot be confident that

the fight we are putting up will not prove in the end to be a

losing one if we merely continue on present lines.

A fundamental obstacle to success lies in the difficulty of identi-

fying poachers unless these are actually caught im flagrante delicto,

and this must always be a rare occurrence when members of a

gang have only to separate and run a few yards into the high

grass to evade capture.

Both Sanctuaries are at present inaccessible for want of roads

and camping huts except to those who can travel light, such as

poachers and game-watchers, and to those who can command the

use of elephants, such as Forest Officers and a few planters. It

was pointed out some. years ago that this being so it would be quite

possible, without the outside world being any the wiser at the

time, for a dishonest subordinate in immediate charge of a Sanc-

tuary to sell all the game while his Forest Officer, absorbed in other

duties, was earning credit for the good work he might be doing else-

where in the division. The loss would obviously be irreparable,

and it was suggested that in these circumstances the western and

eastern portions of the Monas Sanctuary, which with adjacent

teserves contains an effective area of about 150 sq. miles, should

be opened to shooting under very strict supervision, the bag being

limited (wounded to count: as killed) and very high fees being

charged, while the central part was preserved inviolate for the

benefit of those interested in studying or photographing wild ani-

mals. The Sanctuary is only 10 miles north of the Amingaon

branch of the Eastern Bengal Railway, and the interior could very

cheaply be made accessible to lorries and cars running up from the

station by constructing a few cold weather roads in flat country;

the whole journey from Caleutta would take less than twenty-four

hours of comfortable travel.

It was felt that in this way a healthy publicity would be en-

sured, because anyone coming up to shoot or to photograph would

have plenty to say if game was found to be very scarce, also that

the Sanctuary would be put on a paying basis, for whether the

East actually is or is not less materialistic than the West, it is

certain that no Province will be able to afford idealistic Finance

Ministers, and finally it was felt that overstocking of the ground

could in this way be guarded against.

It is permissible to holies that the Sanctuaries might have some

chance of survival if they could be made more or less. self- support-

ing, but precious little otherwise, and the question is one on

oohiels we may feel sure, advice from the Society from the depths

of its experience would not be resented. The Assam of the future

may very well be proud to think it is taking its stand by the side

of other civilized countries in saving its fauna from extinction,

but it is going to be a poor Province, at any rate to start with,

and if only some revenue could be expected from shooting per-

mits and from the sale of captured specimens to Zoological Gar-

THE. PRESERVATION: OF WILD LIFE IN INDIA -101

dens, there would clearly be less initial hostility for the good

cause to face.

Anything in the nature of a Public Park on the lines of the

Kruger National Park would be out of the question unless it was

under Imperial control because if the Assamese tax payer ever wants

anything of this sort, he will certainly demand that all predatory

and dangerous animals be removed before he disports himself

in it.

Balipara Political Area.

Apart. from the two Sanctuaries mentioned previously, the

rhino have one remaining refuge, namely, the Balipara Polli-

tical Area. Here some very valuable protection has been afforded

to this animal in one area by a planter who is an enthusiastic game

preserver. Efforts should be made now to enlist the sympathies

of the authorities who will have to guard the welfare of. frontier

tracts for many years to come, and who will doubtless welcome

more extended interest being taken in a matter that has now

become of world-wide importance to naturalists.

The specially favourable factors in the case of the Balipara

Political Area are:—

(1) It will permanently remain outside the influence of the

new reforms.

(2) It consists very largely of Forest Reserves, which con-

tain a number of rhino haunts, Gohpur, the Diputa, Gabharu, and

Sonairupa rivers and, if buffalo-grazing was stopped, the Bor Dik-

Yai.

(3) The tract is under a Political Officer who is provided with

summary powers and the means of upholding them.

The possibilities here are obviously great, and the opportunity

of achieving something permanent seems too good to be neglected.

Type of Game.

A few particulars regarding some of the species fan in Assam

are added by way of conclusion :—

Elephant (EH. maximus). The country available for wild

elephants has been much reduced as the result of land being taken

up for settlement while the increasing unwillingness on the part

of villagers to tolerate damage to crops will prevent any slowing

down of catching operations, but elephants will continue to be

numerous in several districts for a long time yet. Over 400 were

caught three seasons ago by the Forest Department in one area

alone, but this was probably the last big Kheddah that the Pro-

vince will ever see. Casualties used to be heavy during training,

but Government took the matter up and has demonstrated that

these are unnecessary and that much higher profits follow, the adop-

tion of more humane methods. The rumour that a dumpy breed

ot wild elephant lived on the central ridge of the Garo Hills has

been found to be false as regards the existence of herds composed

of such animals, but the inquiry. showed that exceptionally short-

WwW

102 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

legged specimens are to be met with; it is a matter that some

local officer might find interesting to pursue further. ,

One result of the decrease in the number of wild elephants is

the inconvenience experienced in getting about Reserves where

elephants have become searce, as their paths are no longer kept

open by the passage of herds. The Province of Bihar has always

been the best customer for elephants but as it will be out of

this market for many years to come, it is not improbable that

elephant control measures will have to be undertaken as in Burma.

The Great One-horned Rhinoceros (. unicornis) has been dealt

with already at sufficient length.

The Smaller One-horned Rhinoceros (R. sondaicus).—lt is cn

record that Messrs. Rowland Ward identified the head and shield

from a rhino shot by a Forest Officer in the Bengal Dooars as be-

longing to this species, and it would be strange if it did not also

occur in the contiguous Goalpara Reserves and Monas Sanctuary.

Pairs of smaller, less truculent, and definitely less armoured rhino

can be put up in the Sanctuary and these, if not cases of R. uni-

cornis pairing while still far from mature, must be specimens of

R. sondaicus.

Investigation into this is most desirable, and perhaps the

Society could arrange for it being carried out in the course of

time. The Kacharies recognize three varieties of rhino, and though

their classification is not made on scientific lines, it does not follow

therefrom that it is all moonshine.

The Sumatran Two-horned Rhinoceros (R. sumatrensis).—

Formerly common in the Luhsai and Manipur Hills and occasional-

ly found in North Cachar, but by now almost hunted to the vanish-

ing point by Lushais and Kukis. The opening up by forest villagers

of several big patches of marshy land in the Forest Reserves of

South Cachar seriously reduced the number of suitable haunts

available for this species. Most of the remaining patches, how-

ever, will have-to be kept closed to cultivation in order to preserve

feeding-grounds for the timber-dragging elephants, and some

special steps have already been taken to try and look after the few

rhino still left alive in this difficult country where little control can

be exercised over shikaries. The record flood of July, 1929, drove

the rhino up into the hills and very few have been allowed by the

Lushais to return.

The Indian Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)—The great-horned

variety, macroceros, formerly existed on the Monas, but had been

practically shot out before the formation of the Sanctuary. The

writer was fortunate enough to meet the last survivor, a well-

known cow, at least a hand higher than the ordinary sized bull

with which she was consorting. The Vernay-Fanthorpe Expedi-

tion searched for this cow unsuccessfully, and she was never seen

afterwards. The best heads come from Central Assam, so there

should be some very fine specimens in the adjacent Kazirunga

Sanctuary.

The Assamese utilize the services of solitary wild bulls for their

domestic cow-buffaloes, a magnificent breed which is bound to

deteriorate now that wild bulls are getting scarce, and in the ab-

THE PRESERVATION OF WILD LIFE IN INDIA 103

sence of anyone interested in scientific breeding. Buffaloes with

wild blood in them live longer and are finer draught animals than

those of inferior strains, and the cows give more milk. Their dis-

advantages are sensitiveness to sun and bad tempers.

The wild and tame buffalo of the marshes live largely on the

wild rice-plant and are accustomed to warm wallows, but the wild

buffalo of the upper reaches of the Monas feed on highland grasses

and bathe daily in the cold river water which would be fatal to -

the marsh-dwellers. These upland buffalo are possibly a little

higher on the leg.

The wild buffalo in the Diyung Valley of the North Cachar

Hills are very distinctive with short legs, great barrels, and

straight horns without the backward sweep before coming forward

again to form the tips. Many Mikir Buffaloes ran wild about 1897,

when their owners had died from Kala-azar, but probably the whole

stock had tame ancestors as they closely resemble the so-called

‘Manipuri Buffalo’ which is brought through Manipur from Burma

for sale in the Surma Valley.

The Gaur (Bibos gaurus).—Just as the buffalo is having a bad

time from everyone wanting to grow rice where it wants to live,

so the gaur, though safe from the Hindu and living in hills in

which shifting cultivation alone is practised, is suffering from the

hilmen, who sit up at night over saltlicks and plug everything that

comes along; consequently it is already only a tradition in many

hills where formerly numerous. Solitary bison bulls breed with

the tame gayals or Mithun (Bibos frontalis) in the neighbourhood

of the Kutcha Naga villages in North Cachar and consequently the

tame animals there are coloured the same as the wild ones, but

wherever there has not been any infiltration of wild blood for a

long time, as in the Abor Hills and parts of Manipur, albinism in

varying degree is common, many Mithun being pied like Friesian

eattle.

A Kachari gamekeeper, a bold man not given to romancing but

also not infallible, declares that he has encountered and is scared

of a larger, redder, fiercer mithun to be found at a few places on

the Bhutan border, and the same story is told by the Mikirs in

the hills on the Kamrup-Nowgong border away on the south bank.

This may have something to do with the alleged large ’moh-mithun’

and smaller ‘Goru-mithun’ of the Assamese Plains. The writer. be-

fore he had heard about the supposed red variety was once eating his

breakfast at dawn on a cliff while camp was being struck, while

two bull mithun were mooning about in the rocky river bed below.

One, as ascertained by glasses, was young but was as big as the

old black fellow; the young one was very markedly red even to

the naked eye at a range of 500 or 600 yds., and was either a

freak in colour or else belonged to a separate variety, associating

perhaps with one of the black kind after having been driven out

from its own herd. Circumstances always arose to prevent the

fruition of the expeditions planned to investigate the matter but

as there is some possibility, if not probability, about the story

being true, it is to be hoped that somebody will one day be able

to find time to go and camp in those parts and inquire,

104 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Swamp Deer, Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii).—This beauti-

ful deer will soon only be found within protected areas, as it is

SO. easily shot by poachers using elephants in their business. The

horns in Assam are poor.

Sambar, Hog Deer, and Barking Deer (Rusa unicolor, Hyela-

phus porcinus, Muntiacus muntjak) are all common in Assam.

The sambar is the big-bodied, solitary Malayan type with small

antlers; both sexes display that extraordinary raw patch on the

lower side of the neck, for which no reasonable explanation has

been suggested. Specimens reared in captivity do not develop it.

The Indian Wild Boar (Sus cristatus) is abundant and still

interbreeds with village pigs. These without occasional crossing

with the wild stock often develop white patches, like the tame

mithun, either in the form of blazes or white socks.

Pigmy Hog (Porcula salvania).—Not uncommon in places but

seldom seems to be shot.

Wild. Dog (Cuon rutilans ?).—All villagers and many Europeans

in Assam assert that there are two kinds of wild dog, a larger

species hunting in packs. The writer had only come across the

latter once and so long ago that he was beginning to think he must

have been mistaken until an opportunity occurred a couple of years

ago on the Barak in Manipur to observe this small variety at close

range. A sambar hind was standing in the water staring into

a little hidden bay and occasionally stamping her foot. While

the boat was paddled quietly up the pool a wild dog appeared on

the bank, apparently to act as sentry, and not noticing the boat

at once it proceeded to perch itself on a rock. It was not only

considerably smaller and more foxy looking about the ears and

muzzle than the familiar wild dog, but in place of the rather short

thick tail it had a regular brush, which it curled gracefully. for-

ward just as a fox would do when sitting down. There were about

a dozen of these dogs round the corner worrying the skin of a

sambar fawn, which had been devoured before the very eyes of

the mother standing less than 30 ft. away. This was being dis-

cussed one day at a station on the hill-section of the Assam-Bengal

Railway called Harangajao when a Gurkhali herdsman chipped in

to say that both varieties of wild dog killed cattle of his during

the Rains: he distinguished them as Hindu and Mussulman dogs.

A good reward was promised if he would bring in skins and skulls

of both kinds, but without any result.

The most interesting bird that Assam can boast of is the Pink-

headed Duck (Rhodonessa caryophyllacea Latham), which is poss-

ibly extinct elsewhere.. There were a good few at one time in

some lagoons known to the writer and a few friends, but their

number was unfortunately thinned out by a baboo doctor posted in

the locality in connection with Kala-azar duty, who was the pos-

sessor of a gun and, if he liked eating these duck, of a most indiseri-

minating palate. The jungle which protects the lagoons is

gradually being cleared away and with it the last of the duck is

likely to disappear.

No 4. THEOCUNITED PROVINCES:

BYou)

F. W. CHAMPION, I.F.S.

(Deputy Conservator of Forests, United. Provinces). |

One among the numerous striking results of the Great War has

been an awakening, all over the world to the fact that wild animals

are tending to become less and less in numbers in many countries,

and often species that were common a few decades ago are being,

or actually have been, entirely exterminated. Most of us who

went through the War saw far too much of killing ever to want

to see any more, and the natural reaction has been that a new

spirit of sympathy with wild creatures has become firmly estab-

lished in many countries. Wild life protection societies are

springing up here and there, particularly in America and England,

and the Society for the Protection of the Fauna of the Empire is

doing great work in trying to preserve the wonderful fauna of the

British Empire from further wanton destruction. An enthusiastic

branch of this Society has been started in India and a very good

work is being done, but unfortunately it is not receiving so much

support from Indians as could be desired. Indians, many of whom

are prohibited by their religion from taking life, should be_ the

very first to support such a Society and a number are already

whole-heartedly doing so, but real mass support has yet to be re-

ceived. This I believe to be very largely due to lack of knowledge

of the aims and objects of such a society, and insufficient propa-

ganda, and I am confident that much greater support will be

received in future as a result of the great efforts now being made

by the Bombay Natural History Society and the various local

branches of the Society for the Preservation of the Fauna of the

Empire, which all who have the shghtest interest in wild animals

should join without a day’s further. delay. After all, once a

species of wild animal has been exterminated, no money, no

Society, no human agency can bring that species back to the world,

and delay in helping those who are doing their best to save species

already threatened with extermination may mean that help, tardily

given, is given too late. }

Position of Wild life.

The present position in the United Provinces is, perhaps, not

quite so bad as in some other parts of India, owing to the presence

of a very sympathetic government, an influential Forest Depart-

ment, and great land-holders, all of whom have always remem-

bered that, within limits, wild creatures have just as much right

to exist as the human race. The position inside reserved forests

and in certain large estates, which is fairly satisfactory, will be

discussed later in this article, but first the present state of affairs

in the ordinary districts will be considered. It is the conditions

in these ordinary districts, composing 80 per cent or more of the

106 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

whole Province, which are causing so much worry to those who

are interested in wild life. Frankly the position is appalling. The

vast increase in gun-licenses which has taken place within recent

years, combined with the greatly improved means of transport,

has caused a drain on the wild life of the districts such as can end

only in the almost complete destruction of any kind of wild

creature considered to be worth powder and shot. Laws do exist

imposing close seasons, but these laws often are not, and cannot

be, observed in present-day conditions. Deputy Commissioners

and Superintendents of Police in some cases do their utmost, but

they are so over-worked nowadays with political and economical

troubles that, however keen they may be, they literally have

neither the time nor the energy to try to enforce unpopular laws,

which, by comparison with present-day troubles, possibly do not

seem very important. Further the responsible officers in a district

are very few in number and it is quite impossible for them to stop

bribery among their often low-paid subordinates. A rupee or two

or a piece of meat is quite sufficient temptation to an underpaid

chowkidar not to report an offence under a Wild Animals’ Protec-

tion Act, particularly as it is often extremely difficult to prove

such an offence, and, even if proved, a subordinate magistrate

will generally let off the offender with a purely nominal fine. It

therefore seems that, in the present state of the country, any Act

enforcing close seasons outside Reserved Forests, however well it

may be conceived, is worth little more than the paper on which

it is written. In actual fact special efforts are now being made

in Hamirpur and Meerut districts to protect sambar and chital,

but it is not known to the writer how far such efforts are proving

successful. Animals like black-buck and chital and game-birds,

both in the plains and particularly the hills, are literally being

wiped out at an increasingly rapid rate and one wonders if there

will be anything left except monkeys and jackals after another two

or three decades. There is one bright spot, however, and that is

that non-game birds at least are not harried to the same extent

as in England because the egg-collector is scarce, and the average

Indian boy, unlike his English confrere, does not amuse himself

by collecting vast numbers of birds’ eges, only to throw them away

in most cases as soon as the boy begins to grow up. Taken as a

whole there is no doubt whatever but that the position-in these

plains districts of the United Provinces is just about as bad as it

could be, but one must always remember that these areas are

very densely populated and that really there is not very much

room for any considerable numbers of the larger game animals,

which must tend to interfere with the cultivator and his crops.

In any case leopards are found in many places, since they are

prolific breeders and very difficult to keep in check, and, even if

more adequate protection were given to the game animals in cultiv-

ated districts, it is probable that their numbers would still be

kept down by a corresponding increase in the numbers of leopards.

Sufficient has now been written to show that the position in

the cultivated districts is very unsatisfactory, but that increasing

population in already heavily populated areas, combined with the

THE UNITED PROVINCES 107

present political and economic distress, makes it very difficult to

make practical suggestions for improving matters. What can be

done is for large land-holders in sparsely populated districts to

preserve restricted areas really efficiently and noble examples of

what a great help to the wild life of a country such measures can

prove to be is to be found in the great swamp-deer preserves of

Oudh, notably those of the Mahrani Saheba of Singahi and of

Captain Lionel Hearsey. The former of these has been under

careful protection for many years and an area of perhaps 20 square

miles now contains several thousand head of these magnificent

deer. A few are shot annually, but the number destroyed is

almost certainly less than the natural increase, and these public-

spirited benefactors can justifiably feel that, so long as they main-

tain their present standard of efficient preservation, there is no

fear of the swamp-deer following the already long list of fine

animals which have been exterminated from the United Provinces.

Reserved Forests.

Now the position of wild animals in the Reserved Forests, of

which the writer, being a Forest Officer, has perhaps a specialised

knowledge, will be considered. Firstly the writer would state most

emphatically that United Provinces forest officers as a class are,

and always have been, extremely sympathetic towards wild animals.

Few are really heavy killers and quite a number do not shoot ani-

mals at all, beyond their requirements for food for themselves or

their camp followers, An odd: individual here and there, both in the

present day and in the past, has possibly let his sporting instincts

drive him into becoming a really heavy killer, but the amount of

slaughter done by the average forest officer in these Provinces is

conspicuously small. It sometimes happens that disgruntled

sportsmen state that Forest Officers are selfish or destroy more

animals than all other classes put together; but these statements

are most emphatically untrue and generally have an inner history,

which reveals the accuser as having some personal grudge against

an individual Forest Officer, which leads him to make general in-

sinuations which are totally unfounded. None could be keener on

the preservation of wild life than the present writer, and, if he

thought that his brother officers were indifferent to the preserv-

ation of wild animals, he would not hesitate to say so. The

writer believes that it would be a great mistake to remove the

wild animals inside Reserved Forests from the protection of the

Forest Department and place them in charge of a separate Game

Department. The present system is working very well and such

action would be regarded as a slur on Forest Officers and would

alienate the all-important sympathy of the powerful Forest

Department.

The United Provinces reserved forests are not very extensive

and they are all under the personal supervision of divisional forest

officers. Poaching: does occur to a limited extent, particularly

during the monsoon when the forests have to be deserted owing

to their unhealthiness, and from motor cars, but such poaching

108 JOURNAL, BOMBAY: NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

is not very extensive and every effort is made to keep it in cheek.

Elaborate rules, which are constantly being amended, do -exist for

the issue for shooting licenses, for the enforcement of close seasons,

and for helping any species which is tending to become searce.

These rules may not be perfect—no rules ever are—but at least

their object. is to provide shooting for all who apply in the right

way, and at the same time to preserve the wild animals in per-

petuity without letting them increase to such an extent as to

become a nuisance to forest management or to surrounding villagers.

Species that, for any particular reason, need help are entirely

protected, examples being wild elephants for many years ‘and

Sambar in Lansdowne division since an attack of rinderpest in

1927; and senior forest officers are always ready to lsten sympa-

thetically to applications for protecting particular animals in

particular tracts. Even tigers now have a close season and are

not allowed to be shot by artificial light. Some may argue that it

is a wrong policy to protect tigers, but at least such protection

shows that forest officers consider that even tigers have the right

to live in their own jungles.

On the other hand some wild animals, such as deer, do seri-

ously interfere with the management and revenue of valuable

forests, and the forest officer cannot allow deer to increase. to

an excessive extent. In some cases, particularly where the balance

of nature has been upset by the excessive destruction of carnivora,

deer have become a positive pest, and it has proved necessary

to reduce their numbers. Or again, the proportion of hinds may

have become excessive, with consequent deterioration in the size

of the stags, so that some of the hinds have had to be shot off;

but such destruction is stopped as soon as the position becomes

normal once again. It is true that individual forest officers, keen

silviculturists who have found all their efforts at improving the

forests ruined,. have occasionally advocated the total destruction

of deer; but it is not the general opinion that such drastic mea-

sures are required and interesting experiments are now in progress

by which considerable areas, in which plantations or efforts at

obtaining natural regeneration of valuable trees are in progress,

are entirely closed with game-proof fencing, which keeps out the

deer. Such fences are somewhat expensive in initial cost, but

they can be moved from place to place as required and are pro-

bably the best solution for managing forests both in the interest

of the forester and also of the indigenous wild hfe.

It is sometimes stated that, even in the reserved forests, wild

animals are much scarcer than they used to be. The writer cannot

speak for 80 or 40 years ago since the old records are not clear

and he was not in India at: that time; but, even if the head of

game had diminished, it is possible that the numbers were exces-

sive in the past or that the memories of those who claim that

animals are disappearing are a little at fault. After all, most

of us tend to think of the ‘good old times’, although it is possible

that those times were not. quite so good as they now appear in

perspective. An effort has been made to collect figures of animals

shot in the past with those shot nowadays. for comparison, but

THE UNITED PROVINCES 109

records of 80 or 40 years ago do not give the information required.

The following are the conclusions that the writer draws from the

figures that are available :—

(a) Taken as a whole the head of game shot recently has

generally not shown any marked decrease, except in the mountain

reserved forests, where control is not so easy.

(b) Tigers appear to have increased and marked decreases

seem to have taken place in the numbers of nilgai, kakar, wild-dog

and black-buck. The decreases are partly due to serious floods

and rinderpest epidemics, and are probably natural fluctuations

which will right themselves in time. Wild-dogs have decreased

owing to the large reward paid for their destruction.

cently are due to the removal of rewards as a measure of economy.

(d) It must always be remembered, however, that the

number of animals inside Reserved Forests is probably being

artificially swelled by the influx of refugees from the appalling

conditions at present prevailing outside. This influx will decrease

as animals outside become exterminated. Also modern rifles are

so good and shooting with the help of a motor-car is so easy, that

probably a greater proportion of the existing animal population is

shot annually nowadays than was the case in the past.

(e) The Forest Department watches these lists carefully and

takes action whenever such action appears to be required.

(f) The general impression of senior forest-officers is that,

although there have been considerable fiuctuations in particular

areas, the game in the United Provinces Reserved Forests as a

whole has not markedly decreased during the last 25 years, except

in the high hill forests.

To summarise, the present position of wild animals inside the

Reserved Forests of the plains and foot-hills of the United Pro-

vinces does not give cause for serious anxiety, except for the ever-

increasing use of that arch enemy of the wild animal—the motor

ear. The numbers of wild animals in the mountain reserved forests

appear definitely to be decreasing. The position in some zemin-

dari estates is good and in others poorer; and the position in

the ordinary districts is almost hopeless.

Some Suggestions.

The writer would make the following suggestions to help the

present state of affairs :—

(a) Public opinion.—This is by far the most important of

all methods of wild life conservation, and, without it, all efforts

to preserve wild creatures will prove abortive. Good work is al-

ready being done by propaganda and by lectures, but much more re-

mains to be done. Good illustrated books help greatly and the

formation of sanctuaries and national parks, where the general

public can see wild animals in their natural state, would all help.

Major Corbett as local Secretary of the United Provinces branch of

the Preservation of the Fauna of the Empire Society is domg a

lot to assist in this work.

110 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

(b) Laws.—It is much easier in the present state of India

to pass a law than to see it enforced, but the writer would greatly

like to see laws passed on the following points :—

(1) Sale of shikar meat, trophies, etc.—It is of vital impor-

tance that a law be passed at an early date totally forbidding the

sale of any portion of a wild animal, with certain definite excep-

tions. Such exceptions would be the dropped horns of deer, and

the hides of deer where numbers have to be reduced. Special

licences should be issued in such cases and such licences, liable to

cancellation at any moment, should be under the personal control

of the Divisional Forest Officers, where reserved forests are any-

where near, or under Deputy Commissioners where there are no

forest officers. The sale of any shikar trophy should be entirely

and absolutely prohibited. Such a law, properly enforced, would

finish the professional poacher, and would end the nefarious deal-

ings of certain taxidermists who sell shikar trophies to those

‘sportsmen’ who are incapable of bagging anything themselves.

(2) Limitation of gun licences.—This is very difficult in the

present political state of the country, but at least greater efforts

could be made to differentiate between game licences and licences

for the protection of the crops, person, property or display. Gun

licences for the protection of crops should insist that barrels should

be sawn-off short, as such licences are very largely applied for

when the real object is poaching.

(8) Motor cars (and also carts and tongas).—The shooting of

any wild animal from, or within, say, 400 yards of a motor-car,

cart or tonga, either by day or by night, should be made an

offence liable to prosecution. The writer personally would like to

stop motor cars altogether from entering Reserved Forests, or,

where this cannot be done, he would like to place check-chowkies

at the entrances and exits of such roads, the cost to be covered

by a small wheel-tax. Fire-arms would either have to be deposited

at such chowkies or would be sealed, so that they could not be

used while inside the forests. The excuse of requiring fire-arms

for protection en route should not be accepted, as pasengers m

motor-cars very rarely need protection from wild animals, except

possibly from occasional rogue elephants or man-eaters. Luckily

recent economies have resulted in the abandoning of some of the

motor-roads in the Reserved Forests of the United Provinces. The

writer would like to see them all abandoned! The old time shikari

or Forest Officer managed perfectly well without them, and they

tend only too often to make his modern successor slap-dash and

lazy.

(4) Protection of rare stragglers.—It occasionally happens

that a rare animal, such as a rhinoceros, strays into Reserved

Forests from Nepal or elsewhere. Such animals should be rigidly

protected with a fine of, say, Rs. 2,000, or imprisonment, for their

destruction. The excuse that ‘If I don’t shoot it, someone else will’

should never be accepted in such cases. The recent law passed

in Bengal for the protection of the rhinoceros, should be extended

to the whole of India.

(5) Rewards.—The writer considers that Government rewards

THE UNITED PROVINCES it

for destroying wild animals should be given far more sparingly

than in the past. Luckily, recent economies have resulted in a

great reduction in the rewards offered, and it is sincerely to be

hoped that such reduction will be permanent. Rewards in the past

have encouraged poachers and have sometimes caused an upset in

the balance of nature where they were misapplied. They are really

quite unnecessary except for man-eaters and notoriously destruc-

tive creatures such as porcupines.

It has been suggested that details of breeding-seasons of various

animals should be appended to this article. Inside Reserved

Forests every effort is made to protect wild creatures during their

breeding seasons and nothing more can be done. Outside Reserved

Forests, as already explained in this article, the position is such

that protection can very doubtfully be enforced. Hence such an

addition to an article which is already too long seems unneces-

sary, but the writer can supply a list of breeding seasons, so far

as they are known, to anyone who is specially interested in the

matter.

Since writing the above I have been reconsidering this question

and have read up a certain amount of literature on the subject.

On the whole 1 have little to add to what I wrote before except

that I am not so certain as I was that the head of game inside

the United Provinces’ reserved forests is not decreasing. I was

posted to N. Kheri Division in 1921 and I returned there again

in 1981. Although still a good place for animals in 1931, I would

estimate that there had been at least a 25 per cent decrease in

nearly all species during that decade. The reasons for this reduc-

tion I would put down to (a) Motor-cars making shooting far easier

than it used to be, (b) the destruction of game in the adjoining

areas outside the forests resulting in a smaller influx and greater

damage to animals straying outside.

I am now in Bahraich division in Oudh, which has a reputation

of being a good game division. I have now been here for 5 months

and, so far, I have found game of all kinds to be rather scarce, al-

though I hear that more animals come in from Nepal in the hot

weather. The reasons for this apparent decrease are the same as

in Kheri, i.e., motor-cars and destruction of animals outside

the forests, combined with increased poaching along and near the

Nepal border.

I have recently heard from Col. A. E. Wood, I.M.S.—a keen

supporter of the Darjeeling Natural History Society—that in his

earlier days Lachiwala in Dehra Dun division used to be a ‘veri-

table paradise’ for wild animals. I am well acquainted with

Lachiwala and I can only say that it is very far from being an

animal paradise nowadays. It is more a ‘paradise’ for motor-

pienicers from Dehra Dun City and Cantonment!

On the whole I am afraid that there is a distinct doubt that

the game inside the reserved forests—particularly in Oudh, where

motors now penetrate to every corner—is so plentiful as it was,

although the present position does not give rise to the same anxiety

as is the case with other areas not under the control of the Forest

Department.

PRINTED AT THE DIOCESAN PRESS, MADRAS—1934. (C9399.

Nox—

APPEAL = =

M* studies of the animal remains excavated at

Harappa, Punjab, have made it necessary to

elucidate the ancestry and determine the various races

of Pie dogs of India. For this work it is essential to

get together a large series of skulls for comparative

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of at least 6 Pie dogs from different localities in India.

So far as possible skulls of adult specimens should be

collected, and the sex of the individuals noted in each

case.

BAINI PRASHAD,

Director,

Zoological Survey of India,

January 23, 1934. CALCUTTA.

sat i 5 > SA ESE En TEE A

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CONTENTS Of VMOLUME XXXVIT No. 2.

PAGE

THE GAME BIRDS OF THE INDIAN Empire. By E.C. Stuart Baker,

CLE. 45h ZS), Boks S., M*B-O.U),,./H-ESA.O.U. Vol.) V. Part XXE.

(GHEE ORCOTOUUCOPVALE A i Bec vecaccecusaselcs cass stucessosnsssiisees canoer ou cesausees 245

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY. By the late

FE. Blatter, S.J., Ph.p., F...S. Part XXIV. (With 3 plates and

GI MOUOCK nen Re ose oniaetiacilnce cases weebads siiesdiele (ds lldanees erulaevaiese's ome Sor cuace 255

STALKING A HERD OF SAING. (Good Sport with a pamete | in Burma.)

yale ley Peacock in (W71h DS PIALES). i ccusseseecen saenoecesie sss Saaceueceueue 278

THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS. (Ornitho-

logical Section). By H. Whistler, m.B.0.U., assisted by N. B.

IGIMMICAT Me BLOLU Pate NT see ook sl Sseeiniesaiccaiiccdee.se eee Sececrsecesliaesiosie 281

THE GAME BIRDS AND ANIMALS OF THE MANIPUR STATE WITH NOTES

ON THEIR NUMBERS, MIGRATION AND Hapsits. By J. C. Higgins,

WC Sue Parts Nay oo oceans Bic Jab eager RM OW Or pe De le re 298

SOME BEAUTIFUL INDIAN TREES. By the late E. pies S.J, Ph-Ds,

ES ands We. os. Millard, F.z:S: Part) XV." ........... Mcleseeiees coroee SLO

THE PALM CIVETS OR ‘ TODDY CATS’ OF THE GENERA Paradoxurus

AND Paguma INHABITING BRITISH INDIA. By R. I. Pocock, F.R.S.

CHUTES) LORE TUG ITS NiO eee tae iis leek canled sc toes cea cuas asnignineosee es else ease 314

ON THE BIRDS OF THE ADUNG VALLEv, NortH-East Burma. By N,

eG CATE erence nit RE REE Gucci ie ele Coc VCs saclusiesesisees Cusec sesilon soeeansee 347

THE LIFE-HISTORY OF W/yrmarachne plataleoides (CAMBR.) A fshcee

mimic of the Indian Red Ant. By A. P. Mathew, mM.a. (Witha

DUCLC) rae te ee PH eee eae nse eRe se Comnes Mam usicees cacld osama auhalcient weclewiels’ 369

ON THE TYPE LOCALITY AND SYNONYMY OF Hoglaucomys fimbriatus

AND ITS LOCAL RACES, By J. L. Chaworth-Musters ...............00 375

A NOTE ON Sciuropterus gorkhali LINDSAY WITH REMARKS ON Fefau-

rista caniceps AND 1TS ALLIES. By J. L. Chaworth-Musters. _...... 376

A NOTE ON THE BIRDS OF GHaziIPpuR. By Rev. F.S. Briggs. ......... 378

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN. By the late E. Blatter, S.J., Ph.p.,

He. sean Jwernandez.) PartlV. (W7th 3 plates) ....0....: waisle sclelse 391

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY. By Salim A. Ali.

ATEN CLL CLI Sh PUALCS Bors aces foac i Oi oeckasscen scl coccusyeseucgetes sacues claves 425

EARTH-EATING AND SALT-LICKING IN INDIA. By J. F. Caius, S.J.,

F.L.S., and S. K. Chhapgar, B.sc., Analyses XXXII-XXXV. .......... 455

REVIEWS :—

Pe Ev oladon Of Habre tains | i. sol. cee cc vscas sedegucdd cevdac cases cs 460

I —Nature Study Readers). iic.c oes ssecck sie ce es <s RAP O Ona BANC Stan Geb 461

IlIJ.—Indo-China-A Sportsman’s Opportunity ......... cc cece cece eeeeeee 462

NED UN ANN oy Ne cae aac e erence nos eace e met cacao es seu ineheawads delete esuan ue: 464

OBITUARIES :— :

Matheree latter Si Tinea tant ko oA ust etm cede wc oucs ss 466

Dr ernst Johann: Otto: Martert: <hr ee oee ATG

Mr. Francis James Mitchell

Mr. Heugh S. Symons,

ii ; CONTENTS OF Vol, eOasT, Wo 2

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES :—

I.—The Indian Vampire (Megaderma lyra) feeding on a Pipis-

trel. > By: C.pMcCann jh. sS.6 Wes yassceaaeenc cos ceece eee nee

II.—An Unusual Tiger. By A. C. Lothian

III.—Do Foxes occur in Burma? By T. R. Livesey

00400 +*e8%eeacvce

1V.—A Bison sanatorium. By R. C. Morris

V.—White Bison. By R. C. Morris BORAGE Henan abel cagiine

VL.—Growth and shedding of hae in Jcuanee Coe: ore

and Cheetal ee axis) in South India. By R. C.

I Reg is ase ae Arneh Bh rnand adda Seroncnngcstticenocdded naa mu ocdaauesooDbG code

€eeeee oe BG0FFeLO8FeP%L +00

VII.—Growth and sheadiie of antlers in the Swamp Deer

(Rucervus duvaucelli) in the United Provinces. By F.

W. Champion, I.¥.S.

e@eoeerg @@727eSGLeDLLO TGC 100088908 2Oe M2OKDLOBFOXEO®

VIII.—Notes on the Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvaucell1) in Assam.

By C. A. R. Bhadian, 1.F.S.

IX.—Clicking sounds made by Muntjac. By Sundara Raj ......

X.—A large pair of elephant’s (Alephas maximus) tusks from

Burma. By J. K. Stanford, 1.c.s. (Witha photo) .....

XI.—Statistical record of growth in the Indian Elephant

(Elephas maximus). By G. Hundley

XII.—On the occurrence of the White-collared King-fisher (.Sauro-

patis chloris Bodd.) in the District of 24-Perganas witha

note On juvenile coloration. “By s. ©. aw.) cee yee

XIlf.—Nesting habits cf the Blue-Rock pe ee Hees

By H. N. Acharya a

X1V.—Occurrence of the Mandarin Duck ae pee Linn.

in the Manipur State. By C. Gimson

©CO8OCHZ2c Bee TseC0eOS DOR208

XV.—Migration and decrease of Snipe in the Andamans. By

J. Miles Stapylton, I.c.s.

ee2eeee Beee2 e828 eee 84 CO. 0028980 G0F208H 80

XVI.—Observation on the nest of the Dabchick (FPodiceps

ruticollis Vroeg). By P. S. Sundara’ Ray (Mis. 25.2 css

XVII.—A Large Mugger (Crocodilus palustris Lesson) from Bika-

ner. By The Secretary to the Heir-Apparent, Bikaner ...

XVIII.—Note on the Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta C. olivacea

Eschscholtz) depositing its eggs. By J. B. Greaves te

GQ Pla eer senor a. sas aes Drees eaeane ce cae AOA ak Go aneds nan

XIX.—The Larva of the Lobster Moth. (Stauropus dentilinea

Hampson). By Col. F.C. Fraser, 1.m.s. (With a plate).

XX.—The Flee-Beetle (//altica cyanea Weber) feeding on the

leaves of the Water Chestnut (7vapa bispinosa Roxb.)

By Ce McCann) aie Wica teresa uou i soo eaea ncaa ete ne sneer

XXI.— Outbreak of Millipedes at Jalgaon. By V. G. Deshpande...

XXIl.—Termite collecting in South India for food. By T. V.

Subramaniam ....... Betas 500

XXIII.—A note on the males of Amerita (Hippa) aszatica. By M.

Krishna Menon

@O25FCG,FCOOTHRG+ 8S SFHOTOFOSHLLODSEOCOF*SF OR F8F00' 26908888: Ce

XXIV.—Occurrence of /soéfes Coromandelina I... in the Sone

Presidency. By C. McCann, F.L.S.

Proceedings of the Annual Meeting

@oe8le S0002 220! CoLLoe oC KOL OOO

PAGE

why

‘ ny

as:

Journ. Bompay Nar. Hist. Soc.

John Bale, Sons & Damelsson. Lt? London.

PHALAROPE (winter). '/3

VY Grey

73 RED-NECKED PHALAROPE.

KNOT.

EASTERN

int.

dai

jour

icarius

Phalaropus ful

lobatus.

Lobipes

tenuirostris.

Calidris

JOURNAL

OF THE

Bombay Natural History Society.

AvucGustT, 1934. Vor. XXXVIT. No. 2

THE GAME BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE.

fC oruArntT BAKER, C.LH,, F.Z.S., F.l.8., M.B.0.U., H.F.A.0.U.

Vor Vi.

THE WADERS AND OTHER SEMI-SPORTING BIRDS.

PARTS XOX I.

(With a qulovnee plate).

(Continued from page 14 of this volume).

GENUS: CALIDRIS.

Calidris Anonymous, Allg. Lit. Zeitung, 1804, No. 168; col. 542.

Type by taut. Tringa calidris=Tringa canatus Linn.

In this genus the bill is long, straight and stout; both mandibles

grooved while the long linear nostril is placed near the base, at

the bottom of the groove on the upper mandible; the tarsi are

rather short and stout and scutellated throughout; posterior toe

present; anterior toes not joined together with webs; the wing is

long with first primary longest. :

One species of the genus occurs in India and the genus itself

is almost cosmopolitan.

CALIDRIS TENUIROSTRIS.

The Eastern Knot.

Totanus tenuirostris Horsf., Trans. Linn. Soc., xii, p. 192-(1881)

(Java). 7

Tringa crasswostris. Blant. & Oates, iv, p. 277. 3

Calidris tenuirostris.—Stuart Baker, Fauna of B. I., .vol. vi,

p. 247. |

Vernacular Names.—None recorded.

Description.—Breeding plumage.—Whole head black, ‘each

feather streaked laterally with white, broader on the hind-neck;

gat

246 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

back black, each feather narrowly edged with rufous-white and

with a little rufous marking; scapulars with broad chestnut mark-

ings on both webs; lower back brown, the feathers edged with

grey; upper tail-coverts barred: black and white; tail-feathers egrey-

brown, pale-edged and the lateral. also pale-shafted; wing-coverts

brown, edged with whitish and with darker centres and shafts;

primary coverts and primaries blackish, the latter white-shafted

and with paler inner webs; outer secondaries paler and inner secon-

daries darker again, the former with broader white edges, the latter

with rufous-white edges; sides of head, chin, throat and fore-neck

white streaked with black; upper breast black with very fine white

edges; lower breast and posterior flanks white with blackish spots;

centre of abdomen pure white; under tail-coverts white, lightly

spotted with black; axillaries w hite with contour lines of hight brown.

Colours of soft parts.—Ivis dark brown, bill dusky-black; legs

and feet greenish-dusky (Armstrong).

Vea ens ee ing 165 to 185 mm.; tail 63 to 69 mm.; tarsus

34 to 388 mm.; culmen 389 to 47 mm. It is possible that there

are two races of this bird, though it is impossible to separate these

until the breeding-haunts are known. Indian birds have the wing

from 176: to 185 mm., whilst Burmese and Malayan birds have it

only 165 to W/o" mom:

In Winter the upper parts are pale greyish-brown; each feather

with dark shafts, broadening to streaks on the head and neck;

longer feathers of the mantle and scapulars with white-edged tips;

chin and throat pure white; sides of head and neck, fore-neck,

upper breast and flanks white spotted with brown; remainder of

lower plumage pure white.

Distribution.—In Summer, Central and Eastern Siberia to

Japan. In Winter it is found south to India, the Malay Archu-

pelago and east to Australia. In India it has been obtained on

the. coasts of Sind and Baluchistan, south to the Laceadives on

the West coast; near Caleutta and at Madras on the East coast;

on the Andamans and the coasts of Burma.

Nidification.—Nothing recorded.

Habits.—This bird, the breeding haunts of which are not yet

definitely known beyond the fact that they are somewhere in

Eastern Siberia, is a- comparatively rare wanderer in Winter to

India and Burma. From there it is found in all the southern

countries and some of tne islands east to Australia.

In Burma, it was found by Oates in Arakan (Akyab) and by

Armstrong near the mouths of the Rangoon river; Wardlaw-Ramsay

obtained it in the Andamans; Moore and I myself shot it in Dibru-

earh and I had a specimen sent me from Cachar for identification ;

Jerdon, under the name canutus, records it from Madras and Cal-

cutta. In the West it has been found in the Laccadives by Hume

and it has been observed in Baluchistan and Sind.

Meinertzhagen records the Western Knot (Hrolia canutus canu-

tus), a single specimen, from Khushdil in Baluchistan, but. I have

not seen this specimen.

Very little is recorded’ about this bird, each is not uncommon

on the North-West coasts of India and undoubtedly also visits

THE GAME’ BIRDS OF -THE INDIAN EMPIRE 247

Assam and Burma more frequently than has hitherto been assumed

to be the ease. I only once shot it in Assam but Messrs. Moore and

Mundy also shot two and saw others from time to time, though

they found, as I did, that the birds were frequently unapproachable

and very wild.

In Sind, where Hume said it was common in his time, Ticehurst

writes (Ibis. 1924, p. 115):—

‘I found it to be the least common of all the waders which

frequent the tidal creeks, but as I only saw it at very high tides

it is quite likely that it was not shifted from its favourite “feeding

grounds to places where it could come under observation at other

times, normal tides leaving vast areas of mud flat uncovered or

only just covered. On the wing it looks a big bird and could not

be contused with the Common Knot—indeed I usually found it

more difficult to distinguish it in the distance from Bar-tailed God-

wits, with which it often associates.

‘By the end of April males are in nearly full breeding dress,

but females by mid-May are not nearly so far forward, and one

on the 17th had only just begun heavy moult. The last seen was

oth June.

- “Guadar on the Mekran coast is the Western limit of this

bird.’

I only saw this bird when it was evidently,on the move in the

October and Spring migrations. They were feeding with other

waders in vast swamps but were restless and constantly on the

move, often, when disturbed, at once flying away out of sight to

the South. I should expect them to be not so rare in Winter on

the alluvial river banks and flats of the Sunderbands.

The bird I shot, a male, had been feeding on tiny white worms

and was in very poor condition on October the 12th. The bird

shot in Cachar, in the same month, was comparatively fat.

SUBFAMILY: PHALAROPINAE.

Tn this family the toes are bordered throughout by a web divided

into lobes very much as in the Coots and Grebes. In other respects

they are similar to birds of the genus Hrolia but, unlike them,

the female is bigger and more richly coloured than the male, the

latter performing the duties of incubation. :

The subfamily contains three genera, each consisting of a single

species. wo genera and species are found in India during the

cold weather.

Key to Genera.

A. Bill flat, broader than the tarsus and broader

than high aye . EPhataropus:.

B. Bill slender and cullen abe alae al, anteriorly nar-

rower than the tarsus a o Lobipes.

GENUS: PHALAROPUS.

Phatoropus irisson, Orn., i, p. 90, vi, p. 12 (1760).

Type by taut. Tringa fulicaria Linn. 3

Characters those of the subfamily; the wings are long and

245- JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL JaQIS Me SOIT WON) ROO VALE

pointed with the first primary longest; the tail moderate and nearly

square; the tarsus scutellated all round; a hind toe present; the

bill is short and straight, distinctly flattened or depressed and

rather stout; the nostril is placed near the base of the bill in a

well-defined groove.

PHALAROPUS FULICARIUS.

Tringa fulicarius Linn., Syst. Nat., 10th ed., i, p. 148 (1758).

T'ype-locality. Hudson Bay, North America. —

This form is said to differ from P. f. jourdaini in being darker

and less rufous when in full breeding dress.

PHALAROPUS FULICARIUS JOURDAINI.

The Grey Phalarope.

Phalaropus fulicarius jourdaini Iredale, Bull. B.O.C., Ix, p. 8

(1922) (Spitzbergen).

Phalaropus fulicarius. Blanf. & Oates, iv, p. 282.

Phalaropus fulicayius jourdaini. Stuart Baker, Fauna of B.I.,

Birds, vol. vi, p; 248.

Vernacular Names.—None recorded.

Description.—Female in breeding plumage.—Face — blackish-

erey; crown and nape black; sides of head white; centre of hind-

neck grey, sides deep rufous; mantle velvet-black, the feathers

broadly edged with pale rufous or creamy-buff, forming two fairly

definite lines down the scapulars; lower back and rump grey in

the centre, white laterally; upper tail-coverts rufous, marked with

black and white on a few of the central feathers; tail-feathers grey,

almost black at the tip, edged with whitish and the two penulti-

mate pairs marked with rufous; wing-coverts grey edged with

white, the tips of the greater forming a white wing-bar; primary

coverts and primaries dark brown, the latter with white shafts and

a few of the later feathers with white edges to the base of the

outer webs; outer secondaries brown narrowly edged with white,

the central almost all white and the innermost long ones like the

mantle; chin grey-black; axillaries and under wing-coverts white;

remainder of lower plumage deep rufous, generally with a plum

tinge from lower breast to vent. |

Colours of soft parts.—Ivis dark brown; bill dark horny-brown,

orange at the base; legs and feet dull brown or fleshy-brown.

Measurements.—Wing 129 to 142 mm.; ‘tail 56 to 65 mm.;

tarsus 20 to 23 mm.; culmen about 20 to 24 mm.

Male in breeding plumage.—Similar to the female but the head

duller, the feathers of the crown with rufous edges; the patch of

white on the sides of the head smaller and mixed with rufous and

white; lower surface often mixed with white. The male is a little

smaller than the female. Wing 126 to 185 mm. (Witherby).

Male and female in non-breeding plumage.—Forehead, super-

cilium, sides of head and neck and whole lower plumage white;

hinder crown and nape blackish-brown or brown, running in a line

down the hind-neck to the extreme upper back; mantle grey with

very fine white edges to the feathers and darker shafts; tail and

wings as in. breeding plumage..

THE GAME BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 249

Young birds are like the male in Summer but have white fore-

heads and duller crowns; the chin to breast is rufous-buff fading

to white or buffy-white on the remainder of the lower parts.

Nestling in down.—lLine from the forehead and crown black,

centre of nape dull black; forehead buff, lateral coronal lines pale

vellowish-buff; upper parts cinnamon-buff mixed with black and

whitish; dorsal line and lines on flanks black; a narrow black eye-

streak; chin, throat and upper breast yellowish-white, remainder

of under surface greyish-white.

Distribution.—Breeds in the Arctic regions from Iceland and

Spitzbergen to Eastern Siberia, its place being taken in the Ameri-

can Arctic by the typical form. In Winter it migrates to the

Mediterranean countries, Northern Africa and has once occurred

in India, Blyth having obtained a single specimen in the Caleutta

bazaar.

Nidification.—Jourdain gives the following notes on some of

its breeding places (Ibis, 1922, p. 171) in his account of the birds

of Spitzbergen. ‘Koenig met with several pairs on the North coast

of Bear Island, evidently breeding, on 18-14 July, 1907. In Spitz-

bergen it occurs locally on many points on the West coast and in

Ice Fjord. On the North coast we found it breeding on the Islands

in Liefde Bay, as well as on the mainland, im the neighbourhood

of marshy pools. Nests were also met with by us on the Edinbergh

Isles, the Anser Islands, and the tundra near Cape Bokeman in

Ice Fjord. It has also been found on the East side, and breeds on

King Ludwig Island (Koenig) and. King Charles Land.’

Its nests and eges are very similar to those of the Red-necked

Phalarope but the colonies are often much bigger and the nests

are sometimes much closer together. The birds breed both in

swampy ground, in actual marsh land and in comparatively dry

stretches of short grass, making a nest which consists merely of

the growing grass matted down and twisted together to form a pad

among the roots of the grass. Rarely they have been known to

nest on shingle or open land and here the nest is more substantial,

consisting of a deep pad of soft grass in a hollow among the stones

and sheltered by tufts of grass or an overhanging stone or boulder.

When in deep swamps, tussocks of harder mud and grass are

selected and the nest built in among the roots of the latter. The

birds are specially fond of islands for breeding purposes but many

colonies breed on the mainland, sometimes on the coast and at

other times some way inland on the open tundra.

The breeding season, as might be expected of birds so far north,

is late. In Iceland early June is the principal time for laying but

the bird is rare and very local; in Spitzbergen laving does not start

until the end of June or early July, while in the Siberian islands

July seems to be the month for eggs.

The full clutch of eges is probably always four, though it is

said that three only are sometimes incubated. These small clutches

may, however, be due to accidents or to their being second broods.

In appearance the eggs are very like those of the much better known

Red-necked Phalarope but average larger and, as a whole, are more

boldly blotched with larger markings. Many eges, however, are

290 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL SHuSHE SOOTHE YM Vial SOxOGVaul

quite indistinguishable from those of the Red-necked bird. The

eround-colour varies from pale stone, or yellowish stone to a warm

buff, or brownish buff, blotched or speckled with blackish brown

or chocolate brown with sparse subsidiary markings of Bey OL pale

plum. colour.

In shape the eggs are the usual pyriform or broad: pegtop typical

of the Limicolae; the texture is close and hard and in some eggs

there is a fair clos.

Jourdain gives the following measurements of 155 eggs. Aver-

age 30.4x 21.8 mm.; maxima 33.8x 21.2 and 30.5x 24.5 mm.;

minima 27.5 x 20.6 and 28.5x 20.5 mm.

In both the Phalaropes the female is the dominant partner in

domestic affairs. She does make, or at least help to make, the

nest and she lays the eges but, this done, she leaves all the incu-

bation to the male as well as the greater part of feeding and looking

after the chicks when hatched.

‘Habits.—This little bird has only once been found in India. It

is not one of the birds which may have been overlooked as its

conspicuous grey colour in Winter singles it out from all other

waders of like size. If found again it will probably be seen singly

rather than in company with other small waders as it is a little

bird which seems to keep much to its own kind. Jn its confiding

ways and dainty little motions it is a most charming bird to watch.

When the swamp is shallow it may be often seen picking its way

about in the grass, feeding as it goes, but it prefers swimming and,

as a rule, spends much of its time in the deeper water of pools and

open spaces in swamps and marshes. Its food is mainly insecti-

vorous and I have seen it feeding on small ‘water spiders’ and

other surface insects, while it also eats tiny crustacea and mollusea,

flies, mosquitoes, etc. It is also said to feed on algae and on shoots

and seeds of various water plants. Its actions are sometimes curi-

ously deliberate yet at other times it dashes hither and_ thither

with extraordinary rapidity after small flying insects.

It is extremely tame and allows one to watch it within a very

few feet. |

Its flight is very much like that of the Stint but less sustained

and I have never seen its nuptial flight. Its alarm note has been

described by Miss Haviland as ‘drrrt-drrrt’ but when in flocks the

birds keep up a constant twitter, soft and rather low.

JENUS: LOBIPES.

Lobipes Cuvier, Regne Anim., i, p. 495, 1817’ =1816.

Type by mon. Tringa lobata Linn.

This genus differs principally from Phalaropus in haying a much

more s slender bill, no broader than high and almost cylindrical.

LOBIPES LOBATUS.

The Red-necked Phalarope.

Tinga tobata (‘t’ error: of type, corrected, p. 824) Linn., Syst.

Nat., 10th ed., i, p. 148 (1758) (Hudson Bay, N. Anierica).

Phalaropus hyperboreus. Blant. & Oates, iv, p. 281.

THH GAME BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 251

Lobipes ltobatus. -Stuart Baker, Fauna of B.I., 2nd ed., vol.

p. 249.

Vernacular Names.—None recorded. ye ,

Description.—Female in breeding plumage.—Upper plumage

dark grey-brown, the scapulars, innermost secondaries and_ tail

darker, each feather edged outwardly with rufous, those on the

secondaries and back sometimes obsolete; sides of the rump and

lateral tail-coverts whitish; central Parl teathiore blackish, the lateral

rather paler brown edged with white; wing-coverts dark bluish-

Brey: the greater broadly edged with white, ‘forming a wing-band;

primary coverts and primaries blackish, the latter with white shafts;

outer secondaries blackish edged with white; chin, throat and lower

sides of head white; sides of neck rich rufous, extending in a band

round the fore-neck; sides of breast, sometimes meeting below the

chestnut band, erey; flanks, axillaries and under wing-coverts mot-

tled white and grey; remainder of lower plumage lie.

Colours of soft parts.—Iris deep brown; bill dark horny-brown

fo black; legs and feet pale plumbeous or lavender-blue.

Measurements.—Wing, 105, to Li mm:.; 0 110 to 118 amma: ;

tail 42 to 47 mm.; conte about 19 to: 21 mm.; culmen 20 to

24.5 mm.

Male differs from the female in having the chestnut of the sides

of the neck divided by dark grey on the fore-neck.

In Winter the upper plumage is grey, the feathers of the

mantle edged with white; back, rump and upper tail-coverts black-

ish-grey; wings dark brown, the white wing-bar very conspicuous;

forehead, fore-crown, face and sides of the head white; posterior

erown blackish-brown; a patch round the eye, running down the

ear-coverts, blackish; sides of breast grey; remaining lower parts

white. |

Young birds have the upper plumage black or nearly so, the

feathers of the mantle narrowly edged with warm or pale buff;

crown dark brown, extending in a line down the back of the neck;

a dark brown line round the lower part of the eye extending over

the ear-coverts; sides of head and neck, chin, throat and lower

plumage white, the sides of the breast brown or erey-brown.

Nestling in down.—Similar to that of the Grey Phalarope but

more richly rufous and without the black line from the forehead

to the crown.

Young birds moult direct from the juvenile plumage into the

breeding plumage and do not assume an intervening Winter dress

but, on the other hand, a good many birds appear to breed in a

semi-mature dress, getting a partially red neck and grey breast but

retaining the rest of the juvenile plumage.

Distribution. —Breeding cireumpolar. In Bue south to the

Orkneys, South Norway, “Sweden, Finland, Russia, east to Com-

mander Island and throughout Northern America from Alaska to

the Yukon. In Winter it migrates south to North Africa and

Asia to India, Malaya, China and Japan.

Nidification.—The Red-necked Phalarope breeds in Aretic and

sub-Aretic regions round the world. It is very common in Iceland

and breeds as far south as the Shetlands and the Orkneys. Jn

252 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

ee far North it has comparatively recently been found to breed

p. Spitzbergen, while I found it breeding commonly in the extreme

nok of Lapland on the marshes and tundras opposite that coun-

try. It seems to be especially fond of islands for breeding purposes

and I have seen three or four pairs on tiny islands, hardly more

than a small collection of rocks with a few yards of coarse withered

grass. It sometimes collects in great numbers in favourite breed-

ing places. Great Heno, an island in the Arctic Ocean, perhaps

3 ‘kilometres long by rather less in width, possesses the usual

marshes existing everywhere in the North, and some half dozen

shallow lakes or pools ‘surrounded by grass swamp. On this island

some 40 or 00 pairs of these birds must breed annually and it is

difficult to find a more pleasant way of spending a long Arctic day

than one among these most charming little waders. One may not

find many nests as they are not too easy to find until one gets to

know the tiny owners and their habits, but har dly a minute passes

without some lttle action of interest to note. I have sat on a

tussock and had two or three pairs wandering about within a few

yards of me and often within a few inches showing the utmost

unconcern until finally the httle cock thinks it time to settle on

the nest and show where it is. Once down he remains down until

one almost, or quite, touches him. Often I have not had the heart

to disturb him and as one leaves he looks up at one with a quaint

‘little side-long glance as much as to say ‘thank you’. Once when

standing in this little marsh a Phalarope passed actually between

my ‘eos as he darted at some insect on the grass, after which he

proceeded to preen his plumage, almost sitting on one of my feet.

After about ten minutes at his toilet he dived into a tuft of erass

and when I pulled this apart I found him snugly seated on his

nest. Touching him with my finger he slipped off but, instead

of flying away, “stood alongside me peering into the nest and when

if stepped back he at once sat down again upon the single egg which

had been laid. As a rule when disturbed on the nest ‘the cock-bird

flies off, though he often returns as soon as he can, ae if the

finder remains very close to it. In the Shetlands, where the birds

are much disturbed, they are not quite so tame but, even there,

I have had the male swim about within a yard or two of me as I

examined his nest.

The nests vary a good deal, some being quite well-made little

cups of grass and others no more than a “mat made by some of

the grass beirig beaten down. On the Fisher Peninsula, where the

Phi alaropes breed within 50 and 100 vards of the small fishing vil-

lage, I found two nests which were eood examples of the best and

worst. One was made just at the edge of a small reedy pool but

on dry ground covered with grass only a few inches high and much

Reindeer moss. In this latter, the birds had fas] hioned out a neat

little cup, perhaps three inches deep, and then lined it warmly and

neatly with the finest shreds of grass, making a bed fully half an

inch thick, on which reposed Ane four eggs. Séime twenty yards

from this, in the longer grass in a swamp, where the mud and

water reached my thighs, was another nest and anything more

fragile it would be difficult to conceive. There was no tuft of grass

THE GAME BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE 258

but the stems grew close together out of the water and in the

centre of a little patch, where the grass grew thicker than else-

where, the stems and blades had been bent down to form a cradle

resting on the water. Possibly a dozen or so stems had been added

to the growing pieces but the whole affair was so flimsy that when

the eggs were removed I could push my finger through it without

using any force. Often the nest is placed on a tussock in a swamp

which is covered with coarse or fine erass and then a few bits of

erass or moss in a hollow among the roots is all that is considered

necessary by the bird.

In the more southern area the breeding season commences in

May but in the more northern not until the middle or end of

June. Much, however, depends on the season. In the bitter cold

of 1931 I found the Phalaropes in Nortlern Lapland just starting to

breed on the 27th June, no eggs having then been laid. In 1938,

a year of almost sub-tropical warmth, I found eges chipping on the

12th June a hundred miles further North. In normal years fresh

eggs may be taken any time from the middle of June to the

middle of July. In any one colony the birds seem to breed at the

same time. Thus in one colony, one year on the 20th June, all

the clutches were complete and varied from quite fresh to about

five days set. In another colony six miles away, not one bird had

begun to lay.

The eggs are invariably four in number and sets of three are

abnormal.

Most eggs have a buff-brown varving from pale dull buff to a

warm clear brown. Other eggs have an ochre or sandy yellow

eround and very rarely there is a faint tinge of green. The mark-

ings consist of blotches and specks of brown, sometimes nearly

black, sometimes purplish brown and at other times deep reddish

brown. In many eggs the blotches are quite small and scanty in

number, the specks and spots being dominant; in a few eggs the

blotches are vary large and then usually confined to the larger end,

though they very seldom form rings or caps. I have one clutch

with a sandy yellow ground freely speckled all over with blackish

brown; another has a warm buff-brown ground with a few large

blotches of purplish-brown at the larger end while a third is a dull

oily yellow-brown minutely speckled with deep red- ae n, the specks

in one egg being confined to the larger end.

In shi rape and texture the eges are just the same as those of

the Grey Phalarope.

One hundred eggs average 29.6 x 20.9 mm.; maxima 32.0 x 21.8

and 51.0 «22.2 mm. minima 26.7 x 19.7 and 22.6 79.3 mm.

They are undoubtedly single-brooded. The cock bird alone in-

cubated and the Finns say that incubation takes 15 days.

Habits.—The Red-necked Phalarope arrives in India in the last

week of August or the first week in September and then in increas-

ing numbers to the end of the month. I think it occurs inland on

migration only but in many coastal districts it is found all the

Winter and on the great tidal rivers of Eastern Bengal it may be

constantly seen in flocks, often of some size, from October to April,

frequenting not only the muddy banks of the rivers but the swamps

04° (JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL ISL, (SOCK LY? Vol Oxo Val

and marshes near them. Ticehurst has a very interesting note

on this species in Sind (Ibis, 1924, p. 126). Here it appears to-be

a passer-through on its Southern journey in September but on

the return journey, it seems to go straight on North without a

break. At the same time some must stop all the Winter as he

says, ‘During their winter sojourn off the Sind coast they never

come to land, as the sea is never so rough they cannot ride it out’.

He also remarks, ‘It may be met with in flocks of itwenty to a

hundred or more, sometimes within a few miles of land, but more

often well out to sea. Here they are extremely wild and seldom

let a boat come within 200 yards of them’, yet inland ‘on any

small pool or shallow jheel little parties may be met with swim-

ming about. ... At those times they are absurdly tame.

This tameness and utter fearlessness of man is their most re-

markable characteristic and even when they are on waters frequent-

ed by other waders and birds it is seldom they are startled into

flight by the sudden departure of the other birds when man gets

too close.

They swim far more than wade, sitting very high on the water

and moving with great ease and celerity, often darting hither and

thither after surface insects but more often daintily picking at odd

flies here and there as they leisurely make their way about. They

feed on insects of all kinds and also on shoots and seeds of many

water plants;.some I watched in Lapland were eating small water

snails which were feeding on the grass in the swamp. On _ the

islands they were apparently feeding on small shrimps, crustacea

and mollusea.

In the swamps where they were nesting both male and female

constantly uttered a soft chirring note to one another and they had

a sharp but not loud note sounding like ‘twit-twit’ generally uttered

when we first approached.

Their flight is very much like that of the Stints and equally

strong but, as a rule, less sustained. When they rise off the nest

the flight is very like that of a Dunlin and they se indulge

in the. same antics, feigning a broken wing or leg, to draw the

intruder away.

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Pa AOR ele

Formation of P. globosus Reichb. interspersed with C. eleusinoides Kunth

at Panchgani,

Cyperus nutans Vahl, growing among bolders of a stream south of the

Tulsi Lake, Salsette Island.

Photos by C. McCann.

REVISION OF

THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY.

Tan Wate: Hi; BEATTER, §.J., Ph.D.; °F:L.S8.

PART OCI:

(Continued from page 35 of this volume).

CYPERACEAE

K. Buarrsr, s.J., ph.p., ¥.u.s. and C.' McCann, F.L.8.

(With 3 plates and one block).

4. Cyprrus Linn.

Annual or perennial erect or. floating herbs. Leaves usually radical, flat or

terete and channelled, rarely entirely reduced to sheaths. Inflorescence capitate

or of simple or compound umbels; bracts like the leaves, rarely reduced almost

to scales, usually divaricate, sometimes one erect. Spikelets linear or oblong,

usually compressed, seldom terete. Rhachilla persistent, often winged, the

wings often interrupted and in pairs opposite the nuts, sometimes united to

the glumes. Glumes usually distichous, the 2 lowest empty, 4-many succeeding

ones bisexual, the uppermost 1-3 sterile or empty. Stamens 3 or 2, rarely 1;

anthers sometimes crested. Style 3-fid, rarely undivided, not tumid at the

base nor articulated to the nut. Nut usually 3-gonous, less often plano-convex.

Species about 300.—All warm and temperate regions.

A most difficult genus and in our opinion badly in need of revision. Her-

barium material alone is very misleading in the identification of the numerous

species. Some of the species are incompletely described and from the descrip-

tions alone may as well be united, as there are no specific differences of real

value.

Cooke has 44 species. But then we must remember that his Cyperus includes

9 species of Pycreus, 3 species of Juncellus and 5 species of Mariscus. He

described, therefore, 27 species of Cyperus as considered in this paper. We

have united his C. tegetum and C. tegetiformis with C. corymbosus, and again

his C. tuberosus with C. rotundus, so that of Cooke’s species there remain 24.

Of species new to the Presidency we have added 11.

I. ANnosporsumM. Style long, undivided or ob-

scurely 3-2-toothed a on ae I. €z-.Cephalotes.

II. Pycnosracuys. Inflorescence umbellate

throughout or capitate; spikelets digitate or

clustered, not spicate. Style-branches linear,

rarely linear-lanceolate

1. Style-branches linear-lanceolate. Nut corky

below oe sa ws 2. C. platystylis.

2. Slender annuals. Umbel very rarely reduced ~

to a single head. Spikelets small.

Glumes mucronate ©

a. Nut not broader. upwards.... wettti23. > O--eastanens.

b. Nut broader upwards “ee ah

ce. Nut broadly obovate, suddenly cuneate

towards the base an Hie 5, C. Meeboldii.

4. C. uncinatus.

206 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NAPURAD HIST. SO CLEA. AViole XOXO a

3. Small or middle-sized, annuals or biennials,

rhizome O, or in C. Haspan creeping.

Leaves and bracts moderately long, nar-

row, weak. Inflorescence umbellate, some-

times reduced to a single head. Spikelets

small, numerous. Glumes_ scarcely cuspi-

date

a. Spikelets innumerable in globose heads,

green to blackish

b. Spikelets fewer in cach head

‘| No stolons

+ Nut broadly ellipsoid

++ Nut globosely trigonous, eranulate |

{1 Stoloniferous, nut usually triquetrous

4. Rhizome woody, very short; rootlets wiry.

Inflorescence of one head

a. Glumes very acute, conspicuously mucro-

nate. Nut obovoid, triquetrous, with

coneave faces, reticulate, black and

white ie Boe as

b. Glumes muticous. Nut sessile, oblong-

obovoid, trigonous, black age

c. Glumes oblong-obtuse, obscurely 3-1-

nerved. Nut oblong, black, white-reti-

culate a ser ae

5. Rhizome woody, creeping; rootlets thick,

often woolly. Inflorescence umbelled — or

with one head

a. Spikelets in one head, dirty straw-

coloured 3 Se

b. Spikelets in a contracted umbel, pinkish

grey, roots woolly

. Like b, but with many- -flowered spike-

lets and densely crowded glumes

d. Spikelets in a contracted umbel, roots

wiry

III. Cworistacuys. Inflorescence umbellate, spikes

often more or less corymbed. Spikelets

(sometimes very shortly) spicate. Style-

branches linear

1. Rhachilla of spikelets not much winged.

Leaves and bracts long (except in C.

malaccensis)

a. Annuals, or sometimes flowering the

second year

{| Spikelets compressed; glumes green on

the sides

{4 Glumes nearly always reddish on the

sides :

"9 Glumes squarrose ue ls

“4 Glumes distant, obtuse, golden yellow

b. Rhizome becoming woody; _ elongate

stolons frequent. Large or middle-

sized

{ Perennials. Rhachilla of spikelets not

much winged, slender. Glumes

(mature) with concave backs, not

appressed

+ Spikelets very slender, almost fili-

form, spreading stellatelvy, glumes

very distant ay i

++ Spikelets less. slender, secund, in

tassel-like clusters on the ends of

the very long rays

10.

ik,

21.

22.

ele ou |

C. difformis.

/, pulcherrimus.

C. flavidus.

C. Haspan.

C.- Tenerifiac:

C. niveus.

C. leucocephalus.

C. arenarius.

C. conglomeratus.

C. effusus.

C. Atkinsoni.

C. compressus.

C. glaber.

C. aristatus.

C. Iria.

C. distans.

C, nutans.

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE

+++ Spikelets less slender,

spreading :

{| Leafy perennials.

ed. Glumes closely imbricating

scarlous margins and_ tips.

herbs of marshes

+ Rhachis of spike pilose-scabrid

++ Rhachis of spike glabrous

BOMBAY PRESIDENCY — 257

firm, erect, o1

eleusinoides.

Spikelets compress-

with

Tall

pilosus.

procerus.

1 Maritime herbs with terete pale spike-

lets.

round

Glumes crisply incurved

all

malaccensis.

2. Rhachilla of spikelets ‘(usually conspicuously)

winged

a. Stolons slender, soon disappearing,

minating in tunicated bulbils

b. Stolons long, hardening

rhizomes.

length of the stem.

mate, closely imbricate

{ Bracts 1-3, scale-like, triangular,

under 2.5 cm. long

{{ Bracts 3-5, linear ensiform,

longer than the inflorescence

c. Rhizome very short, woody; stolon

i.e. lateral shoots from

immediately ascending.

imbricate in fruit.

narrow-oblong, hyaline,

Glumes

ter-

bulbosus.

into creeping

Leaves short, rarely half the

Glumes approxi-

acute,

28. articulatus.

shorter or

29. . corymbosus.

SeaQr

base of stem

not

Wings of rhachilla

disappearing

30.

» macer,

d. Tall or medium plants, stoloniferous or

rhizome woody. leaves and

long. Rhachilla of spikelets

Glumes closely imbricated

{ Leaves flaccid,

usually compound

+ Tubers not zoned

++ Tubers zoned a

{4 Leaves rigid, fihform or very

umbel simple, compact

e. Tall, = stout. Stolons. 0. Leaves

bracts long. Umbel large,

Spikes and spikelets many.

of spikelets conspicuously

Anthers apiculate, not rarely

Style with its 3 branches small.

small, ashy black

‘| Spikelets much compressed, ascending

wings persistent

Narrow 5

bracts

winged.

flat, umbels expanded,

31. C. rotundus.

C. esculentus.

33. C. stoloniferus.

and

compound.

Rhac

winged.

crested.

hilla

Nut

34. C. exaltatus.

141 Spikelets terete, spreading horizontally,

wings deciduous

its

Ind.

Cyperus Cephalotes Vahl Enum.

i (1882) 188.

ul,

311.—C.

oo. C. digutatus.

monocephalus Roxb, Fl.

Description: Glabrous, floating in tanks; stolons slender. Stems 10-40 cm.

Leaves 2-5, as long as 2 stem, 4 mm. broad. Bracts 3-5 up to 10-20 cm.,

leaf-like. Inflorescence of one compound dense head; heads 3-20 mm. diam.

Spikelets 10-70, 6-13 by 3 mm., compressed,

rhachilla stout, persistent, angular, hardly winged.

shaped, green, more or less marked with red or

broadly ligulate; anthers large, linear-oblong,

corky, half length of glume, ovoid, unequally

convex) passing gradually into the linear style

Locality: N. Kanara: ‘Tank between

rainfall 40/45 in. (Sedgwick 2404 !); Kirwultu,

Mundgod and Haliyal,

rigid, often bent, 10-386-flowered ;

Glumes closely packed, boat-

Stamens 3-2; filaments

muticous. Nut stipitate, below

trigonous (i.e. somewhat plano-

length of nut.

chestnut.

2,000 ft.,

from tank (Talbot 1125 ! 1589 !).

258 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Flowering & fruiting: January 5th, 1885 Csirwultu); March 1917 (Mundgod

to Halhyal).

Field notes: Forms floating islands in association with Pistia stratiotes in

a very few tanks in the above Ghat talukas of N. Kanara (Sedgwick).

Distribution: From Bengal to Madras, Cochin, Travancore, N. Kanara,

Burma.—China, Malaya, Australia.

2. Cyperus platystylis R. Br. Prodr. 214.—Anosporum pallidum Boeck. im

Linnaea xxxvi, 412.

Description: Glabrous, floating in tanks. Stolons covered by ovate acute

striate pale brown scales. Stems solitary, 15 cm. to 1.05 m. Leaves often

as long as stem, up to 8-13 mm. broad, coarse, cutting, nerves: many, strong.

Umbel 2.5-25 cm. diam.; bracts 20-45 cm. leaf-like, somewhat corymbose.

Umbel compound. Spikes near together, offen very numerous. Spikelets 5-1,300,

1-6-together digitate, 13 by 38 mm., 20-40-flowered, brown pale or reddish;

rhachilla persistent, scarcely winged. Glumes very close-packed, boat-shaped,

back with 8 green nerves. Stamens 3; filaments ligulate; anthers linear-oblong,

crested with a small linear-lanceolate red mucro. Nut ellipsoid, 3 length of

glume, unequally trigonous, pale brown, corky cells of the angles straw-

coloured; style much shorter than nut, deciduous, branches as long as style.

Locality: N. Kanara: Devimane Ghat (Kulkarni ! 2 sheets); Sirsi

(Chibber !).

Flowering & fruiting: May 20th, 1911 (Sirsi); November 20th, 1908 (Devi-

mane).

Distribution: From Bengal and Burma to Ceylon and Penang, N. Kanara.

3. Cyperus castaneus Willd. Sp. Pl. i (1797) 278; Che. ii, 861.

Deseription: Cke. 1.c.

We have examined two sheets identified by C. B. Clarke as C. castaneus.

The filaments are sometimes long and sometimes short. At times there are

two, three and one stamen; style 2-fid, occasionally 3-fid.

Locality: Konkan: (Cooke); Bombay (Woodrow ex Cooke); Laddapur

(Bhiva ex Cooke), open grassland (H.E.B.B. !).

Flowering & fruiting: September 7th, 1892 (Laddapur).

Distribution: From KE. Nepal to Ceylon and Prak.—Tonkin, Central Aus-

tralia.

4, Cyperus uncinatus Poir. Enceyc. Méthod vii (1806) 247; Cke. ii, 862.—

C. cuspidatus H.B. & K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. i (1815) 204.

Description: Cke. l.c.

Locality: Sind (Pinwill ex Cooke).—W. Ghats: Lonavla (Woodrow ex

Cooke).

Distribution: Throughout India.—Common in all tropical and warm tem-

perate countries.

5. Cyperus Meeboldii Ixtkenthal in Fedde Report spec. nov.. xvi (1922)

345.

Description: No rhizome. Root fibrous. Stems several, caespitose, 6-10 cm.

high, setaceous, shghtly curved, triangular, smooth, at the base bulbous-

thickened, sheaths brown, split into fibres, few-leaved below. Leaves setaceous,

canaliculate, as long as the stems. Spikelets 12, oblong, 6 mm. long, scarcely

2 mm. broad, compressed, stellately united into one globose, 8-12 mm. broad

head. Bracts 2-3, very much spreading, the lowest quasi a continuation of the

culm, much longer. than the inflorescence. Rhachilla straight, firm, wingless.

Glumes densely imbricate, membranous, fuscescent, 3-nerved from the keeled

back, broadly green, excurrent into a short, strong, outward-curved mucro. Nut

small, scarcely 4} of the glume, broadly obovate, ‘towards the base suddenly

cuneately contracted, trigonous, blackish brown, densely elevately punctate, api-

culate. Style short.. Stigmas 3, thin. Stamen 1.

Locality: S. M. Country:. Badami, 2,000-3,000 ft. (A. Meebold 11257).

Note.—According to Kukenthal this species resembles C. pumilis Linn.

Tbe spikelets and glumes are very similar. But the nuts are trigonous and

the style has 8 ‘stigmas. C. Meeboldii, therefore, is. a true Cyperus, not a

Pycreus. It would be best to put it between C. jucundus and C. Schlechteri,

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY 259

from both of which it can be easily distinguished by the nut being cuneately

hairowed towards the base.

Distribution: Endemic.

6. Cyperus difformis Linn. Cent. Pl.- pt. 2 (1755), in Amoen. Acad. iv

(1788): 302; Cke. ii, 862. poe

Description: -Cke. lc:

Rhachilla narrowly, but distinctly winged by the decurrent margin of the

glume.

Locality: Gujarat: Kabir Vad, Broach (Gammie !); Sevalia, Kaira Dist.

(Chibber !); Vasvad (Chibber !); in sandy bed of stream Chitrasani to Sarotra

(McCann 1872 !).—Khendesh: Talner, Tapti bank (Blatter & Hallberg 3019 !);

Nimb, Tapti River (Blatter & Hallberg 19381 ! 3097 !); Bori River (Blatter

& Hallberg 1928 !); Bor, Bori River (Blatter & Hallberg 3024 !, sandy mud

3031 !); Bhusawal (McCann 3088 !); Dadgaum (Blatter, Hallberg & McCann

29582. !)—W. Ghats: Khandala (Woodrow ex Cooke); marshes (Sedgwick

2551 .!, McCann C92 !, Blatter & McCann 3155 ! 3168 !); Purandhar (Blatter

& McCann 5574 !); Igatpuri (McCann 2389 !, Blatter & Hallberg 3209 !

5119 !); Igatpuri to Kasara (McCann 2389 !); Trimbak (H.H.B.B. !); Matheran

(Woodrow ex Cooke).—Deccan: Poona, riverside (Bhide 20 !); between Nadsur

and Pali, in rice fields (Gammie 16024 !); Ganeshkhind Gardens (Garade 482 !);

Bhandala (H.E.B.B. !); Bopodi, near Poona (Gammie 15307 !); Chinchwad,

near Poona (Woodrow ex Cooke); between Ellora and Poona (Jacquemont 275

ex Cooke).—Konkan: Uran, Bombay Harbour (Hallberg & McCann 2734 !

2747 !); Pen (Blatter, Hallberg & McCann 32386 !); Bhandup (Blatter &

McCann 2419 !); Nagothna to Pen (Gammie 16091 !).—S. M. Country: W. of

Dharwar, rice fields, 2,000 ft., rainfall 35 in. (Sedgwick 2254 !).—N. Kanara:

Karwar (Hallberg & McCann C94 ! C98 !, Talbot !); Banks of Kala Nuddi

(Talbot 1000 !); Dandeli (Talbot 2271 !); Kilgerry (Talbot 2619 !).

Flowering & fruiting: January 1917 (Uran; Igatpuri); January 11th, 1890

(Dandeli); February 1917 (Pen, W. of Dharwar); March 1917 (Khandala); May

1919 (Khandala); May 8th, 1902 (Poona, riverside); June 1917 (Bhandup);

June 138th, 1902 (Ganeshkhind); July 1917 (Khandala); August 18th, 1902

(Bopodi); August 15th, 1891 (Kilgerry); September 1885 (Karwar); September

1914 (Wadaj); September .1918 (Khandala); September 6th, 1911 (Kulgeri,

tank); September 13th, 1919 (Ahmedabad); September 20th, 1895 (Bhandala) ;

October 1917 (Igatpuri Ghats); October 1919 (Karwar); October 24th, 1914

(Talod); October 24th, 1929 (Chitrasani to Sarotra); November 30th, 1907

(Trimbak);° December 1916 (Bhusawal, Taler, Nimb, Bor, Bori River); Decem-

ber 1917 (Purandhar); December 1918 (Dudgaon); December 8rd, 1907 (Sevalia) ;

December 9th, 1902 (Between Nadsur and Pali); December 14th, 1902 (Nagothna

to Pen); December 20th, 1904 (Kabir Vad); December 29th, 1911 (Vasvad). .

Field notes: A plant met with at any time of the year, generally in sandy

soil, in or near streams or other damp places.

The dense round heads of the umbel distinguish it readily. The glumes are

at first pale green tinged with reddish brown or purple on the sides, but even-

tually turn brown—almost the colour of burnt umber in herbarium specimens.

Flowers throughout the year under favourable conditions. Specimens collected

during the monsoon (late) are best developed.

Distribution: Throughout India and the Old World.

7. Cyperus pulcherrimus Willd. in Kunth numer (ES8y in Sosa Cke ai,

863.

Description: Cke. lc.

Locality: Sind: (Pinwill ex Cooke).

Distribution: Sind, Bengal, Assam.—Ceylon, Penang, Java, Borneo.

8. Cyperus flavidus Retz.. Obs. v (1789) 138; Cke. 11, 862.—C. Haspan var.

indicus Boeck. in Linnaea xxxv (1868) 574.

Description: Cke. l.c.

The specimen’ recorded for Cutch, viz. Biatter 1972, may possibly. be the

plant which was identified as C. Haspan.

Nut minute, 0.4 mm., trigonous, sometimes certainly appearing plano-convex,

marble white, granulate, frequently adhering to the rhachilla long after the

260 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

fall of the glume. Style 0.5-0.8 mm. long; stigmas 3, linear, occasionally 2,

three-fourths the length of the slender style; styles often remain attached to

the nut. Glumes deciduous from below upwards. Spikelets up to 10 mm.

Locality: Cutch: (Blatter 1972 !).—Gwjarat: Talod, just out of water,

by roadside pond (Saxton 562b !); Sonasan, by a small tank (Sedgwick 332 !);

Mehemnagar, near Ahmedabad, rice fields (Sedgwick 331 !)—W. Ghats: Igat-

puri (Blatter & Hallberg 2801 ! 2802 !, McCann 2388 !); Tingalwadi, Igatpuri

(Blatter & Hallberg 1999 !); Khandala (Blatter & McCann 2754 ! 3180 !);

Matheran (Gammie 16642 !); Lonavla, in a marsh near Walwan Lake (McCann

1586 !); Castle Rock, on Duski River bank (McCann C126 1!).—Deccan:

(Dalzell & Gibson ex Cooke); Bhusi, Mawal, Poona (Supt. Lonavla Farm 6 = !);

Sakar Pathar (Gammie 15904 !).—Konkan: Pen (Blatter, Hallberg & McCann

3232 !); Uran, Bombay Harbour (Hallberg & McCann 2738 !); Bhandup

(Blatter & McCann 2743 !); Mulgaon (Blatter & McCann 30838 !); Andheri

(Blatter & McCann 3090 !); Gokhirwa, Bassein (Ryan 86 !); Borivli to Kanari

Caves (McCann 1127 ! 1128 !); Vetora (Sabmnis 33234 ° !); Varol Tank, near

Bhivandi (McCann 1722 !).—S. M. Country: Dharwar, 2,400 ft., rainfall 34 in.

(Sedgwick 4976 !); Dastikop, rice fields, 2,500 ft., rainfall 35 in. (Sedgwick

1901 !); Havasbhavi, rice fields 1,800 ft., rainfall 35 in. (Sedgwick 1995 !);

Bidi, Belgaum Dist., 2,500 ft., rainfall 60 in. (Sedgwick 2996 !).—N. Kanara:

Siddhapur, rice fields 1,600 ft., rainfall 100 in. (Sedgwick 70138 !); Yellapur

Tank (Talbot 925 !); Karwar, borders of rice fields (Talbot !).

Flowering & fruiting: January 1917 ([gatpuri, Uran); February 1917 (Pen) ;

February 28th, 1884 (Yellapur); March 1917 (Khandala); March 1919 (Castle

Rock); May 1918 (Vetora); August 10th, 1885 (Karwar); September 1884 (Yella-

pur); September 1917 ([gatpuri, Bidi, Lonavla); September 15th, 1929 (Borivli

to Kanari Caves); October 1914 (Mehemnagar); October 1917 (Igatpuri); Octo-

ber 1919 (Siddhapur); October 24th, 1914 (Talod); October 26th, 1918 (Lonavla) ;

November 1916 (Bhandup, Khandala, Dastikop); November 12th, 1907. (Bhusi);

November 21st, 1902 (Gokhirwa); November 30th, 1929 (onavla); December

1907 (Cutch); December 1916 (Havasbhavi, Mulgaon, Andheri); December 1918

(Dharwar); December Ist, 1903 (Matheran); December 5th, 1902 (Sakar Pathar).

Field notes: A monsoon species, but may be met with all the year round

in suitable localities. Usually found growing in soft sticky soil of fields and

pools. A pest of rice fields; fortunetely (as far as we have seen) this plant

has no stolons but this is compensated by the large umbel with its minute,

numerous seeds. It commences to flower in early September and carries on till

the fields are dry.

Its large divaricate umbel, too large for the size of the plant, is unmistak-

able. Inflorescence at first pale yellow, eventually turning brown. Stems

8-gonous, with a ridge on every side making it appear hexagonous until cross-

sectioned.

Distribution: More or less throughout India, Ceylon.—The Old World,

generally in warm regions.

9. Cyperus Haspan Linn. Sp. Pl. (1758) 45; Cke. u, 868.

Description: Cke. l.c.

We are much inclined to believe that the record for Cutch is not correct

as this species is a plant inhabiting heavy rainfall country. We have not seen

specimens in any herbarium from the drier parts of the Presidency.

This species is exceedingly difficult to separate from good specimens of

C. flavidus.

We are of opinion that the Cutch and Deccan specimens are more likely

C. flavidus and not C. Haspan.

Locality: Cutch: (Blatter ex Journ. Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc., Flora of Cutch).

—Konkan: Ratnagiri (Woodrow ex Cooke; Herb. Col. of Sc. Pa. now in Cal-

cutta !; H.E.B.B.); Vetora (Sabnis 3371 !).—W. Ghats: Lonavla (Woodrow

ex Cooke); Castle Rock, 1,700 ft. rainfall 200 in. (Sedgwick 5600 !, Gammie

15765 !, Bhide !).—N. Kanara: 30 miles HE. of Karwar, “rivulet by ‘road,

400 it., raimfall 150 in. (Sedgwick 6571 !); Devimane Ghat, 600 ft., rainfall

250 in. (Sedgwick 6950 !); Sulgeri, 1,000 ft., rainfall 200 in. (Bell 4246 !);

Ramangoli, 1,000 ft., rainfall 200 in. (Sedgwick 3475 !); Anmod, rice fields,

2,000 ft., rainfall 200 in. (Sedgwick 3275 !); Yellapur (Talbot !), Arbail Ghat,

1,800 ft., rainfall 200 in. (Sedgwick 5846. !). i

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY 261

Flowering & fruiting: February 28th, 1884 (Yellapur); March 1919 (Castle

Rock); April 1919 (Yellapur, Arbail Ghat); August 1918 (Sulgeri); October

1918 (Vetora); October 1919 (Karwar, Devimane); October 27th, 1902 (Castle

Rock); November 10th, 1911 (Castle Rock); December 1917 (Anmod); December

1919 (Ramangoli); December 25th, 1593 (Ratnagiri).

Field notes: A weak looking plant with very large umbels.

Distribution: Confined to the heavy rainfal! areas of the Bombay Pres.,

throughout India, in marshy localities and in rice fields——Ceylon, Malaya, Indo-

China, tropical Africa and Australia.

10. Cyperus Teneriffae Poir. Encycl. Méthod. vii (1806) 245; Cke. 11, 861.—

C. Wightii Nees in Wight Contrib. (1884) 78.—C. rubicundus Kunth HKnum.

ii (1837) 49 (non Vahl).

Description: Cke. l.c.

Locality: Deccan: Poona (Woodrow 148 ex Cooke, Herb. St. X.C. 3140 !);

Gungapur, Nasik (Blatter & Hallberg C102 !)—S. M. Country: Varavand1,

Ahmednagar Dist. (Herb. Sedgwick 73887 !); Dharwar, weed on poor land,

2,400 ft., rainfall 35 in. (Sedgwick 2880 !).

Flowering & fruiting: February 1920 (Varavandi); September 1917 (Ganga-

pur, Dharwar).

Field notes: Confined to the drier open tracts of the Presidency. A very

characteristic species.

Distribution: Deccan, 8. M. Country, Nallamalai Hills, Coromandel, Nilgiris,

Anamalai Hills, Travancore.—S. and tropical Africa, Teneriffe, Madagascar,

. Arabia.

11. Cyperus niveus Retz. Obs. v (1789) 12; Cke. i1, 864.

Description: Cke. l.c.

Locality: Without locality (Dalzell, H.I.F.I. !).—Sind: (Pinwill ex Cooke) ;

Hyderabad (Woodrow ex Cooke).—Gujarat: Ahmedabad, sandy hills (Sedgwick !,

Saxton 1718 !), on cultivated and waste land fairly common (Saxton 1718b !);

Bodeli (Col. of Sc. Herb. now in Calcutta !, Woodrow §!).

Flowering & fruiting: July 1914 (Ahmedabad); July 6th and 12th, 1919

(Ahmedabad).

Distribution: Confined to the dry sandy tracts of the Presidency, Raj-

putana, N. Circars up to 1,500 ft., Rampa, more or less throughout India.—

Afghanistan, China.

12. Cyperus leucocephalus Retz. Obs. v (1789) 11; Cke. ii, 864.

Description: Cke. l.c.

Locality: Without locality (Dalzell, H.1.F.I. !).—Konkan: Parol, Bassein

Range (Ryan 2442 !); Kaman, Bassein (Ryan 1160 !); Vetora (Sabnis 33553 !);

N. & 8. Konkan (Law ex Cooke).—S. M. Country: Devarayi, 1,800 ft., rainfall

90 in. (Sedgwick 4089 !); Astoli, in grass near forest, 2,000 ft., rainfall 100 in.

(Sedgwick 2607 !).—N. Kanara: Karwar, rice fields (Talbot !).

Flowering & fruiting: May 1918 (Vetora); June 1918 (Devarayi); July

1917 (Astoh); July 26th, 1904 (Parol); August 10th, 1885 (Karwar); August

19th, 1903 (Kaman).

Distribution: Konkan, S. M. Country, N. Kanara, Deccan, Madanapalle,

Cuddapah, Martaban.—Tropics generally.

13. Cyperus arenarius Retz. Obs. iv (1786) 9; Cke. i, 864.—For synonyms

Secrob Bele vay, 602:

Description: Cke. l.c.

“Rhizome slender, creeping, 12 inches or more, below the shoots erect’

(Saxton).

Stems up to 59 cm. excluding the inflorescence. Inflorescence occasionally

with 3 rays with 6-8 sessile spikelets. Rays 15 mm. long. Bracts 5, the

longest up to 21 cm. diminishing in size (upwards) to 7 mm., the smallest

being lost among the spikelets.

Locality: Without locality (Dalzell H.I.F.I. !).—Sind: (Pimwill ex Cooke,

Stocks ex Cooke); Karachi, by railway line (Hooper 388717 !, Dalzell Herb.

Cale. !); Gharo (Blatter & McCann D718 !); Jamadar ka Landa near Karachi

262 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

(Stocks ex Cooke).—Cutch: on the sea coast (Blatter ex J.B.N.H.S.).—

Gujarat: Ahmedabad (Woodrow 21 ex Cooke, H.H.B.B. !), river bed (Sedgwick

7416 !), dry sand hills (Sedgwick !); Sarkhaj road, sand area, close to river,

Ahmedabad (Saxton 1781 !); in deep sand, Chitrasani to Sarotra (McCann

1364 !); Dumas near Surat, on the sea-coast (Dalzell ex Cooke); Tithal,

Bulsar, sand dunes (Chibber !).—Konkan: Shore, Salsette-Bombay (Blatter

Herb. Sedgwick 3582 !); Juvem, Salsette (Blatter, Hallberg & McCann 3040 !);

Bassein (Paranjpye !); Versova, sand dune (Blatter, Hallberg & McCann

29574 !).—N. Kanara: Karwar, sandy seashore (Sedgwick 5082 !, Talbot 553 !

663071 997 laa oa 0.):

Flowering & fruiting: March 1918 (Salsette); July 1914 (Ahmedabad); July

1918 (Versova); July 1920 (Ahmedabad); July 30th, 1883 (Karwar); August

4nd, 1919 (Ahmedabad); August 9th, 1912 (Bassein); August 12th, 1912

(Karachi); September 1916 (Juvem); September 20th, 1885 (Karwar); October

24th, 1929 (Chitrasani to Sarotra); December 1918 (Karwar); December 27th,

UGid Riba).

Field notes: A species of sandy localities. In the Palanpur State we have

found this species growing in dry, sandy river beds, which are dry for the

greater part of the year. The culms and roots descend deep into the earth

making it difficult to extract.

Distribution: India, sea-coast from Sind to Ceylon and Orissa, Punjab

Plains, Rajputana.—Persia, Arabia.

_ 14. Cyperus conglomeratus Rottb. Descr. et Ic. (1773) 21, t. 15, fig. 7;

Cke. 11, 865.—C. pungens Boeck. in Linnaea xxxv (1868) 587.

Description: Cke. l.c.

Locality: Sind: (Pinwill ex Cooke); Karachi (Ticehurst 73801 !); Sibi

(Lace 3462 ex Cooke).—Cutch: (Blatter ex J.B.N.H.S.).—Gujarat: Ahmedabad

(Saxton !), sandy hills (Sedgwick !, Woodrow ex Cooke).

Flowering & fruiting: July 1914 (Ahmedabad).

Field notes: Grows in sandy country in both wet and dry places.

Distribution: Sind, Cutch, Gujarat, Baluchistan.—Ceylon, Arabia, Mediter-

ranean region, tropical Africa.

Var. pachyrrhizus Trimen MS. ex Hook. f. in Trimen in Fl. Ceylon v

(1900) 23; Cke. 11, 866.—C. pachyrrhizus Nees ex Boeck. in Linnaea xxxv (1868)

Ihe

Description: ~Triumen \c.

Locality: Kathiawar: Veraval (Woodrow !); Porbandar (Chibber !, Bhide !,

Javlekar !, Blatter 3185 !, Woodrow !).—Konkan: (Law ex Cooke).

Flowering & fruiting: January 7th, 1910 (Porbandar); April 20th, 1909

(Porbandar); December 1891 (Veraval).

Distribution: Kathiawar, Konkan, Madras Pres. (coastal sands, Krusadai

Island), Laccadive Isles.—Ceylon.

15. Cyperus effusus Rottb. Descr. et Ic. 22, t. 12, fig. 8.—C. conglomeratus

var. effusus Boiss. Fl. Or. v, 869.—C. conglomeratus var. major Boeck. in

Linnaea xxxv, 544 (partim).

Description: Spikelets linear, compressed, 20-60-flowered, 8-25 by 2-3 mm.,

much narrower than in C. conglomeratus; glumes most densely packed, scarcely

mucronate, otherwise as C. conglomeratus.

Locality: Sind: (Pinwill ex C. B. Clarke).

Distribution: Sind.—Arabia, Socotra, Syria, Egypt, tropical Africa.

16. Cyperus Atkinsoni C. B. Clarke in Journ. Linn. Soc. xxi (1884) 109;

Cke. 11, 865.

Description: Cke. l.c.

Locality: Without locality: (Dalzell ex Cooke).—Sind: (Stocks ex Cooke) ;

Jamadar ka Landa, near Karachi (Stocks ex Cooke).

Distribution: Kashmir, N.-W. Himalaya, Sind.

17. Cyperus compressus Linn. Sp. Pl. (1753) 46; Cke. 1, 866.

Description: Cke. l.c.

Locality: Sind: (Pinwill ex Cooke).—Gujarat: Nadiad (Chibber !); Roho

to Chitrasani (Allan, Herb. McCann 1055 !).—Deccan: (Dalzell & Gibson ex

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY | 263

Cooke); Deolali (Blatter & Hallberg 2833 ! 2835 ); Lena Hill, Nasik (Biatter

& Hallberg 2832 !); Poona (Ranade !, Woodrow ex Cooke), College Garden

(Garade 747 !)—W. Ghats: Khandala, St. Xavier’s Villa (McCann C113 !).—

Konkan: Bombay, St. Xavier’s College grounds (McCann 23899 ! 4238 !);

Juvem (Blatter & McCann 3084 !); Bandra (Blatter & McCann 2867 !),

foreshore: 1 Vialkal Clubs )s =chelds u@Vakil) Cll2))\ee- yN.-Bies “shore, ).of > Vehar

Lake -(McCann 689 !, 640 !):—S:. M. Country: Badami (Herb. St.

X.C. 3136 !); Badami Hills (Paranjpye !).—N. Kanara: Karwar (Bell 2697 !),

rice: melds) (LRalbot i254 i -1305) ie -“Kumpta: > (Chibber !):

Flowering & jruiting: June 1916 (Bombay); July 1917 (Bombay, Karwar) ;

July 1919 (Bandra); July 7th, 1929 (Vehar Lake); August 6th, 1916 (Bombay) ;

August 12th, 1902 (Poona); August 12th, 1929 (Roho to Chitrasani); September

1885 (Karwar); September 1917 (Lena Hill, Deolali, Bandra); September 1919

(Khandala); September Ist, 1912 (Badami Hills); September 6th, 1912 (Nadi-

ad); September 22nd, 1895 (Poona); November 1891 (Badami); November Ist,

1910 (Kumpta).

Field notes: Purely a monsoon species, but may be met with by streams

and other water at almost any time of the year. A very prolific species.

Very common in the islands of Bombay and Salsette, by roadsides, drains,

waste land and on paths.

The period of activity of this species is from a month and a half to

two months. These remarks apply to the individual plants (and not to the

whole). ‘Soon after the plants have shed their seed new individuals spring

up.

A tufted species with many stems arising from the same base; there are

no stolons or rhizomes. Possibly the tufted appearance is brought about by a

portion of the spikelet germinating in the same _ spot.

Distribution: ‘Throughout India.—In nearly all tropical and _ subtropical

countries.

18. Cyperus glaber Linn. Mantiss. (1771) 179.

Description: Annual, with fibrous roots, stems triangular-subcompressed,

leafy below. Leaves flat, shorter than the stems. Umbels often subcompound;

rays 4-8, the central one often the shortest. Bracts unequal, the largest very

long; spikelets very closely spicate, more or less red-tinged, linear-lanceolate,

compressed, subsessile; glumes muticous or very nearly so, ovate-oblong with

a green keel, the sides 38-nerved, purplish, white-margined, obtuse, the keel

excurrent, mucronulate; rhachis not winged; stamens 3; style 3-fid. Nut black,

obovate, triquetrous, minutely conic-apiculate.

Locality: Sind: (Pinwill ex C. B. Clarke).

Distribution: From Sind westward to Sicily.

: 19. Cyperus aristatus Rottb. Descr. et Ic. (1778) 23, t. 6, fig. 1; Cke. ii,

66.

Description: Cke. lac.

Locality: Gujarat: Ahmedabad, sandy places (Sedgwick !), nala near

Wadaj (Sedgwick 806 !).—W. Ghats: Khandala (Blatter, Hallberg & McCann

2403 |! 2404 |! 3064 !); Purandhar Fort (Bhide 988 !); Panchgani, very com-

mon (McCann !); Londa, on wet rocks (Gammie 15860 !).—Deccan: Gungapur,

Nasik (Blatter & Hallberg 28387 !); Lena Hill, Nasik (Blatter & Hallberg

2363 .!); Deolali (Blatter & Hallberg 4557 !); Talegaon (Herb. ‘St. X.C.

3184 !); Khadkalla to Talegaon (Woodrow !); Poona (Talbot !, Jacquemont

315 ex Cooke, Woodrow ex Cooke), Parvati Hill (H.E.B.B. !); Kirkee, Mr.

Gammie’s compound (H.H.B.B. 903 !); Khed (Paranjpye !); Shivneri Fort,

Junnar (Paranjpye !).—Konkan: Kondita, Salsette Isl. (Blatter & McCann

1852 !); Bombay, Antop Hill (Blatter & McCann 2424 ! 2448 !); Victoria

Gardens (Blatter & McCann 2391 !), St. Xavier’s College grounds (McCann

2847 1); Bandra (Ryan 1256 !), seashore (Gammie 2482 !); Alibag Fort

(Bhide !); Narel (Herb. Col. of Sc. Pa. now in Cale. !).—S. M. Country:

Dharwar, 2,400 ft., rainfall 34 in. (Sedgwick 2948 ! 6196 ! 6857 !, Talbot

2620 !); Badami Hills (Paranjpye !).—N. Kanara: Karwar, sea-face, rainfall

120 in. (Sedgwick 6711 !).

Flowering & fruiting: July 1914 (Ahmedabad); July 1917 (Condita); July

1919 (Bombay, Khandala); August 1917 (Antop Hill); August 1919 (Dharwar) ;

064 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

August 8th, 1904 (Bandra); August 10th, 1904 (Bandra); August 15th, 1891

(Dharwar); August 21st, 1891 (Narel); August 30th, 1903 (Bandra); September

1888 (Parvati Hill); September 1914 (Wadaj); September 1917 (Lena Hill,

Deolali, Dharwar, Gangapur); September 1919 (Dharwar); September Ist, 1902

(Ktirkee); September Ist, 1912 (Badami Hills); September 10th, 1911 (Shivneri

Hort); September 11th, 1911 (khed); September 22nd, 1902 (Purandhar Fort) ;

September 26th (Khadkalla to Talegaon); October (Talegaon); October 1919

(Karwar); October 9th, 1910 (Alibag Fort); November 38rd, 1902 (Londa).

Field notes: An extremely common species in the town of Bombay, soon

after the break of the monsoon. It grows in ditches, on walls, pathways,

waste land, and is even to be found in choked gutters on roof tops.

The inflorescence is at first quite green, in keeping with the whole plant;

but turns brown when mature.

As far as we have been able to judge it grows best on soil containing

gravel and lime. Firm soil appears to be preferred on which the plant

thrives best.

Distribution: More or less throughout India.—Ceylon, tropical Africa, Aus-

tralia, the whole of America.

20. Cyperus Irla Linn. Sp. Pl. (1753) 45; Cke. 1, 867.—C. Ima var.

paniciforms C. B. Clarke in Hook. f. E.B.I. yi, 607.

Descriptionizs:: Che. lie:

Cooke mentions that the variety paniciformis bears two nuts, but does not say

how many nuts the species bears.

A sheet in the Herbarium of the Gujarat College, collected by Sedgwick

shows the typical species and the variety growing on the same plant.

Locality: Without locality (Dalzell H.I.F.1. !).—Sind: Karachi, extracted

from a bird’s crop and grown in a pot, Ticehurst No. 17 (Herb. St. X.C.

28958 !).—Cutch: In rice fields (Blatter, ex J.B.N.H.S.).—Guwarat: Nadiad

(Chibber !); Ahmedabad-Bhadar, famine grass plot (Sedgwick !); Ahmedabad

(Blatter 2170 !), nala near Wadaj (Saxton 1816 !), sandy fields (Sedg-

wick !); Vastrapur, in a flooded field (Saxton 1883 !).—W. Ghats: Igatpuri

(Blatter & Hallberg 2407 ! 28038 ! 8206 !); Khandala (Woodrow ex Cooke,

Sedgwick 2560 !, Blatter & McCann 3162 !, Blatter, Hallberg & McCann

1993 ! 1994 ! 38046 !); Khandala to Campoli (Blatter, Hallberg & McCann

27603 !); Lonavla (H.E.B.B. !); Purandhar (Blatter & McCann 5583 ! 5585 1),

Bairawadi Purandhar (Blatter & McCann 5577 ! 5580 !); near. Shivapur

village, Poona Dist. (Fernandez C157 !); Panchgani (Blatter & Hallberg

B1750 !, D’Almeida C209 !, McCann 2982 !); Matheran (Woodrow ex Cooke).

—Deccan: (Dalzell & Gibson ex Cooke); Nasik, Lena Hill (Blatter & Hall-

berg 2823 ! 2841 !), Gangapur (Blatter & Hallberg 2824 !); Bopodi, near

Poona (Gammie 15308 !); Shivneri Fort, Junnar (Paranjpye !); Poona (Jacque-

mont 344 ex Cooke); Konkan: Pen, rice fields (Blatter, McCann & Hallberg

3235 !); Sion (Blatter & McCann 2364 !); Bombay, St. Xavier’s College com-

pound (McCann 2400 !); Mahim (Blatter & McCann 2730 !); Palghar, Mahim

(Ryan 1781 !); Trombay, on hill (Blatter & McCann 2827 !); Juvem (Blatter,

Hallberg & McCann 3086 !); Bassein (Blatter & McCann 2369 1); Bandra

(Ryan 1867 !), fallow fields (Vakil C99 !); Neral GCH bebo! sp hivarse xX

Cooke); Parsik (Ryan 1214 !); Mulland (McCann 813 ! 905 !); Borivli to

Kanari Caves (McCann 1159 !); Bhandup to Vehar Lake (McCann 646 !).—

S. M. Country: Devarayi, 1,800 ft., rainfall 90 in. (Sedgwick 4459 !);. Dhar-

war, in water hole, 2,400 ft., rainfall 84 in. (Sedgwick 6208 !); Shiggaon,

2,000 ft., rainfall 85 in. (Sedgwick 2116 !); Badami Hills (Paranjpye !).—

N. Kanara: Yellapur (Talbot !); Dandeli, 1,800 ft., rainfall 100 in. (Bell

4918 !).

ee & fruiting: January 1917 (Igatpuri); February 1917 (Pen);

March 1917 (Khandala); May 1917 (Khandala); June 1917 (Sion); July 1916

(Khandala); July 1917 (Bombay); July 7th, 1929 (Bhandup to Vehar); August

1908 (Bombay); August 1914 (Ahmedabad); August 1916 (Khandala); August

1917. (Sion, Kanari Caves); August 1918 (Dandeli); August 1919 (Dharwar);

August 11th, 1929 (Mulland); August 18th, 1902 (Bopodi); August 16th, 1919

(Wadaj); August 22nd, 1929 (Shivapur); August 23rd, 1908 (Parsik); August

29th, 1919 (Vastrapur); September (Trombay Hill); September 1916 (Juvem);

September 1917 (Gangapur, Igatpuri Ghats, Bassein, Bandra); September 1919

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY = 265

(Khandala); September Ist, 1912 (Badami Hills); September 6th, 1912 (Nadiad) ;

September 10th, 1911 (Shivneri Fort); September 15th, 1903 (Jootara); Sep-

tember 20th, 1884 (Yellapur); October 1917 (Igatpuri); October 1918 (Deva-

rayi, Campoli); October 1920 (Panchgani); November 1916 (Mahim); November

Qnd, 1905 (Lonavla); November 16th, 1908 (Palghar, Mahim); December 1916

(Shiggaon); December 1917 (Purandhar).

Cyperus Irea Li. growing in a drain, Khandala.

Field notes: Mainly a monsoon plant, but may be met with at any time

of the year near water or in marsh land. Appearing soon after the break of

the monsoon everywhere. A most variable plant (perhaps the most variable

of all the Cyperaceae) varying from a fine filamentous form, a few inches

high with just one reduced spikelet of a few glumes to a form 0.9 m. high

with large compound umbel. Specimens growing in streams usually reach

a large size whereas those on ‘drier’ soil remain small.

A curious point is that the so-called variety paniciformis is developed in

specimens which have an excess amount of water and hence the ‘variety’ is

a pest in flooded fallow fields. The umbel in this form is usually larger

with smaller glumes. In short, the ‘type’ grows on firm ‘drier’ soil than the

variety. The type is smaller than the variety, with a much more regular

umbel, with large glumes.

We have seen specimens of this species presenting both the typical and

varietal forms on the same plant; Sedgwick’s Nos. 2116 and 6208 are good

examples. Under these circumstances and considering the fact that this species

is very variable between considerable limits, we have dropped the variety.

The roots in fresh specimens are reddish or reddish purple and aromatic.

(This remark applies to the ‘form’.) a)

266 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIERY | Vols XX2G VET

The form paniciformis 1s more a monsoon form than the typical form but

the typical form alone is usually the form met with in marshes during the

dry season. :

We have also noticed the form paniciformis growing on firm soil, but this

is seldom the case compared with the vast number found in water-logged soil.

In Salsette we have observed it entirely covering fallow fields during the

monsoon almost to the exclusion of everything else.

Distribution: ‘Throughout India in rice fields.—Ceylon, China, Japan,

Malaya, Australia, Persia, Afghanistan, tropical , Africa.

21. Cyperus distans Linn. f. Suppl. 108; C. B. Clarke in Hook. f. F.B.I.

vi, 607.—Synonyms in C. B. Clarke l.c.

Description: Glabrous, large or medium sized. Stolons elongate, hardening

into a stout horizontal rhizome, but many plants flower the first year. Stems

0.3-0.9 m. long. eaves often as long (or } as long) as the stem, 6-8 mm.

broad. Umbel compound, usually open 20-830 cm. in diam., sometimes con-

gested or depauperated; bracts usually overtopping the umbel, similar to the

leaves. Spikelets usually spicate (rhachis of the spike 8-50 mm. long), 18-38

by 1 mm., almost acicular, reddish, 10-12-flowered, in fruit divaricate at right

angles; rhachilla very slender, not winged, appearing zigzag in the lower

half where the glumes have fallen. Glumes very remote, oblong-elliptic,

obtuse. Nut 4-2 the length of the glume, oblong or narrow-ellipsoid, trigonous,

dusky-black, style much shorter than the nut; branches 38, shortly exserted.

Locality: W. Ghats: lLingmala, near the falls (McCann 3409 ! 3426 !

3427 !); Castle Rock (Gammie 15573 !).—S. M. Country: Devarayi, 1,800 ft.,

rainfall 90 in. (Sedgwick 4432 !); Devikop, 1,800 ft., rainfall 40 in. (Sedgwick

4440 -1)- Belgaum (DEL OF 10416>>)) lerb, ae a.) Ne onara. wellapure

1,800. ft:, rainfall 100 in. (Sedgwick 6546 !); Siddhapur, 1,600 ft., 100 in.

(Sedgwick 7021 !); Karwar (Talbot 1514 !, Hallberg & McCann C198 !).

Flowering & fruiting: September 24th, 1930 (Lingmala); October 1918

(Devikop, Devarayi); October 1919 (Yellapur, Siddhapur, Karwar).

Field notes: The three specimens obtained by us were partly in forest

amone other plants on the bank of the Yenna River. The spikelets were rusty

brown.

Distribution: From the Himalaya to Ceylon and Singapore.—In nearly all

warm countries.

22. Cyperus nutans Vahl Enum. ii (1806) 363; Cke. 11, 868. -

Description: Cke. 1.c.

Rhachilla broadly winged by the decurrent margins of the glumes. Wings

hyaline, easily detachable—the rhachilla often appearing wingless on _ this

account.

Woodrow’s Marval specimen was identified as C. eleusinoides.

Locality: Without locality (Dalzell ex Cooke).—W. Ghats: Igatpuri (Mc-

Cann 2383 !, Blatter & Hallberg -5170 !); Mahableshwar (Talbot 4541 !);

Panchgani (Blatter & Hallberg B1752 ! B1753 !); Khandala (Woodrow ex

Cooke, Blatter & McCann 2756 !); Castle. Rock, 1,600 ft., rainfall 250 in.

(Sedgwick 2759 !).—Deccan: Marval (Woodrow !); _Lohogahad Fort, top

(Blatter, Hallberg & McCann C136 !); Mawal, Poona Dist. (Blatter 3137 !).—

Konkan: In a rocky stream-bed, south of Tulsi Lake, among rocks (McCann

1274 1! 1281 ! 1283 ! 1284 !); Borivli to Kanari Caves, in rocky stream-bed

(McCann 1102 ! 1127 - 1.11991 1193 1). Foot of Kanari Caves Blatter’ ‘Eaili=

berg & McCann 28622 ! 286389 !).—S..M. Country: Devarayi, 1,800 ft.,

rainfall 90 in. (Sedgwick 4466 !).—N. Kanara: Sampkhand, riverbank (Sedg-

wick 6981 !, Hallberg & McCann C108 !); Yellapur (Talbot !); pools below

Gersoppa Falls (Sedgwick 7107 !).

Flowering & fruiting: January 38rd, 1917 (Igatpuri); August 1917 (Castle

Rock); September 15th, 1929 (Borivli to Kanari Caves); September 22nd, 1929

(south end of Tulsi Lake); October 1917 (Igatpuri); October 1918 (Devarayi,

Lohogahad Fort); October 1919 (Gersoppa Falls, Sampkhand); October 1920

(Panchgani); October 10th, 1884 (Yellapur); October 16th, 1893 (Marval);

October 20th, 1905 (Mahableshwar); November 1916 (Khandala); November 1918

(Borivli to Kanari Caves).

Field notes: Purely a monsoon species, though perennial when inhabiting

the rocky and sandy beds of streams and watercourses. Commences to flower

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. PATE Ee

Formation of Cyperus eleusinoides Kunth on the banks of Benas River,

Abu Road.

Common habitat of Cyperus corymbosus Rottb., Borivli to Kanari Caves,

Salsette Island.

Photos by C. McCann,

qiew savin cot He 47

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY 267

about the end of August. Dies down soon after the monsoon. This perhaps

explains the supposed rarity.

The inflorescence in the young state is erect and much unlike the mature

umbel which is much diffused with the ends pendulous by the weight of the

seed (?). The spikelets are quite brown, becoming reddish when dry in the

field and sometimes in the herbarium. Young spikelets in open situations,

in the sun, are reddish. Stem 38-gonous, polished.

A species almost confined to rocky, stony and sandy localities, usually in

forest. The mature plant is readily distinguished in the field by its enormous

umbel (too large for the size of the plant !), drooping extremities and small

glumes.

Distribution: More or less throughout India.—Ceylon, China, tropical Africa.

23. Cyperus eleusinoides Kunth Enum. ii (1837) 39; Cke. ii, 868.—

C. nutans Vahl var. eleusinoides (Kunth) Haines Bot. Bihar & Orissa 898.

Descmptiow: ‘Cle. ‘\.e.

Plant reaching 1384 cm., umbel 28 cm., primary ray 22 cm., bracts of

primary umbel 58 cm., margins and upper one-third scabrid on both surfaces.

Leaves on margins and towards the tip scabrid.

Woodrow’s Talegaon to Chinchwad specimen was identified as C. digitatus.

Locality: Without locality (Dalzell !).—Sind: (Pinwill ex Cooke).—Gujarat :

Banks of Watrak River, Modasa Petha (Sedgwick 1061 !); nala near the

Bokh, Prantijy (Sedgwick 251 !).—Khandesh: Amalner, Bori River (Blatter

& Hallberg 1969 !); Andra, Bori River (Blatter & Hallberg 2760 .!).—

W. Ghats: Panchgani, watercourse (Blatter C155 !, Fernandez C156 !, Blatter

& Hallberg B1749 !), below Tata’s (Blatter 2000 !); Katraj, tank (Bhide

939 !); Pasarni Ghat, soft soil of watercourse (McCann 3038 !); Khandala

(Blatter, Hallberg & McCann 3048 !, McCann 3187 ! 3188 !), tank (Blatter

& McCann 3156 !).—Deccan: Gangapur, Nasik (Blatter & Hallberg 2340 !);

Talegaon (Blatter 8133 !); Ganeshkhind Gardens, Poona (Garade !, Patwar-

dhan !); Bopodi, near Poona (Gammie 15317 !); Talegaon to Chinchwad

(Woodrow !); Mawal (Woodrow ex Cooke); Happy Valley (H.E.B.B. !); Digras,

Ahmednagar Dist. (Herb. Sedgwick 6266 !).—Konkan: (Lambert ex Cooke).—

S. M. Country: Devarayi, 1,800 ft., rainfall 80 in. (Sedgwick 4121 !); Dhar-

war, in a nala, 2,400 ft., rainfall 34 in. (Sedgwick 2881 !); Bidi, Belgaum

Dist., 2,500 ft., rainfall 60 in. (Sedgwick 3022 !).

Flowering & fruiting: March 1917 (Khandala); March 31st, 1929 (Khan-

dala); May 1917 (Khandala); June 1905 (Ganeshkhind); July 1916 (Khandala) ;

July 1918 (Devarayi); August 1911 (Digras); August 1914 (Prantij); August

10th, 1905 (Ganeshkhind); August 18th, 1902 (Bopodi); August 20th, 1903

(Ganeshkhind); September (Talegaon); September 1915 (Watrak River); Sep-

tember 1917 (Gangapur, Dharwar, Bidi); September 8rd, 1930 (Pasarni Ghat) ;

September 5th, 1929 (Panchgani); September 19th, 1902 (Katraj, tank); Sep-

tember 27th, 1895 (Talegaon to Chinchwad); October 1908 (Panchgani); Novem-

ber 28rd, 1929 (Panchgani); December 1916 (Amalner, Amda); December 21st,

1907 (Happy Valley).

Field notes: A monsoon plant on the whole, but may be found at any

time of the year in marshes and on the banks of rivers. Always to be found

partially in or near water along the banks of rivers, streams and tanks. It

is best in flower just before the rains give over and immediately after.

A good species easily recognizable both in the field and in the herbarium.

The leaves and stems are highly polished.

The distribution is rather curious. Though a very common plant in the

Presidency it apparently prefers the drier portions, not being found in N.

Kanara. When in very dry situations it dies down very rapidly after the

monsoon; this may possibly explain its absence from Cutch and Kathiawar.

In Rajputana (Abu Road) we have observed this species growing on the

banks of the Benas River in close formation covering a considerable area

associated with the Northern form of Pycreus globosus Nees. Here it attained

a height of a little over 60 cm. with ridged culms.

In Panchgani specimens were found growing in a water hole (an old

tank built in) deeper than the height of a man (in some places). Here these

plants reached extraordinary proportions with regard to height, size of umbel

and length of bracts,

268 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Distribution: Sind, Gujarat, Khandesh, Deccan, Konkan, §. M. Country,

and all EK. and Central districts of the Madras Pres., Nilgiris, Pulney and

Travancore Hills, Punjab, Upper Gangetic Plain, Ranchi, Naga Huills.—Ceylon,

tropical and warmer parts of Asia, Africa and Australia.

24. Cyperus pilosus Vahl Enum. iu, 354.—C. marginellus Nees in Wight

Contrib. 83.—Synonyms in F.B.I. vi, 609.

Description: Glabrous, except the rhachis of spikes. Stolons scarcely 1.25

mm. diam., with distant nodes and scales 6-8 mm. long, easily overlooked

when young as roots, but afterwards thickening somewhat into a wiry rhizome.

Stems at top acutely triquetrous, from 0.9 m. with umbel 40 cm. across,

to 10 cm. with umbel reduced to 1 head. Secondary umbel closely corymbed.

Leaves often ? length of stem, 5-8 mm. broad; bracts overtopping umbel,

leaf-like. Rhachis of spikes in most examples definitely pilose, often only

more or less scabrous subpilose, in the form marginellus microscopically glabrous.

Spikelets (commonly) 10 by 2 mm., hnear, 10-20-flowered, compressed, reddish

or brown or straw-coloured, close or remote, when ripe spreading at right

angles; rhacheola obscurely (or not) winged. Glumes ovate, muticous, scarcely

keeled, 3-7-nerved on back, ultimately loosely imbricated. Stamens 3; anthers

linear-oblong, muticous. Nut acutely trigonous, ellipsoid, apiculate, 3/5 length

of the glume, black; style shorter than nut; branches linear, moderately ex-

serted.

We see no good line of demarcation between this species and C. procerus

Rottb. The rhachis of the inflorescence is pilose to varying degrees. In this

matter we find that we are in agreement with the views of Boeckeler. We

certainly cannot separate the two species.

Leaves and bracts scabrid throughout on both surfaces. The margins leaving

a sharp cutting edge when the finger is rubbed from tip to base. Margins of

glumes distinctly hyaline.

Locality: W. Ghats: Panchgani, in a marsh near a stream (McCann

3172 ! 3194 !, Fernandez C200 ! C201 ! C202 ! C206 !).—Konkan: Foot of

hill W. of Mulland, in a stream (McCann 1632 ! 1633 !); Bhandup (Blatter

& McCann 2416 !); near Vehar Lake (McCann 649 ! 650 ! 1285 ! 1286 !);

Vetora (Sabnis 33763 !).—S. M. Country: Devarayi, 1,800 ft., rainfall 90 in.

(Sedgwick 4483 !).—N. Kanara: (Bell 4447 !); marshes near Nagagati, 1,800 ft.,

rainfall 90 in. (Sedgwick 2915 !); Sampkhand (Hallberg & McCann C105 !

CIGes)):

Flowering & fruiting: April 27th, 1980 (Hills W. of Mulland); June 1917

(Bhandup); July 7th, 1929 (Vehar Lake); September 19th, 1930 (Panchgani) ;

September 22nd, 1929 (Vehar Lake); October 1918 (Kanara, Devarayi); Novem-

ber 23rd, 1929 (Panchgani).

Field notes: A monsoon species to a certain extent; but it may be found

at any time of the year on the banks of streams or otherwise near water.

The stems are sharply triquetrous. The inflorescence is very characteristic

being frequently straw-coloured or reddish. The rays and spikelets are very

stiff. The long creeping stolons are covered at intervals with bluish purple

scales.

Distribution: Throughout India from sea-level to 5,000 ft.—Tropical Asia,

Africa and Australia.

Var. obliqua Clarke in Journ. Linn. Soc. xxi, 151.—C. obliquus Nees in

Wight Contrib. 86.

Description: Spikelets with fewer, sometimes only 5-6 flowers, often pale

and very far apart.

Locality: .N. Kanara = Nellapux, (alot, 987-21).

Flowering & fruiting: September 15th, 1884 (Yellapur).

Distribution: Widely scattered in India.—Java.

25. Cyperus precerus Rottb. Descrip. et Ic. (1773) 29, t. 5, fig. 3; Cke.

ii, 867.—Synonyms in F.B.I. vi, 610.

Description: » -Cke;, 1J:c:

Locality: Goa: (Woodrow ex Cooke).—S. M. Country: Dastikop, small

tank, 1,800 ft., 35 in. rainfall (Sedgwick 8790 !); Shiggaon, 2,000 ft., rainfall

33 in. (Sedgwick 2129 !); Devikop, 2,000 ft., rainfall 45 in. (Sedgwick 2972 1),

Distribution: More or less throughout India.—Ceylon, Tonkin, Java,

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY — 269

26. Cyperus malaccensis Lam. Illustr. i (1791) 146; Cke. uu, 869.—C. Pan-

gorii Roxb. Hort. Beng. (1814) 6.—Synonyms in F’.B.I. vi, 608.

Description: Cke. ii, 869.

The Keti specimen D719 was determined as Cyperus tegetum Roxb. in the

Fl. Indus Delta by B. N. Vakil.

Locality: Sind: (Pinwill ex Cooke); Keti (Blatter & McCann D719 !).—

Konkan: Kalyan (Woodrow ex Cooke).—Goa: (Woodrow ex Cooke).—

N. Kanara: Mirjan (Sedgwick 6844 !, Hallberg & McCann C192 !).

Flowering & fruiting: October 1919 (Mirjan); October 1922 (Ket).

Field notes: A species. of salt marshes where the marshes are not too

salt—generally in the mouths of rivers under tidal influence.

Uses: ‘A large glabrous sedge, useful for binding and protecting muddy

river banks’ (Prain, Fl. Sundribuns, Rec. Bot. Sur. Ind. vol. ui, p. 361).

Distribution: Sind, Konkan, N. Kanara, Quilon, Bengal to Singapore,

Cirears ?—Japan, China, Borneo, Australia, Persia.

27. Cyperus bulbosus Vahl Enum. 11 (1806) 342; Cke. 11, 871.—C. jemi-

nicus Retz. Obs. iv (1786) 11.—Synonyms in F.B.I. vi, 611.

Description: Cke. l.c.

The Mirpur Sakro and Gholam specimens were determined as C. Haspan

in the Fl. Indus Delta by B. N. Vakil. C. Haspan is a heavy rainfall species

and is not likely to occur in. Sind.

Locality: Sandy shores near the sea (Dalzell & Gibson ex Cooke).—Sind :

(Herb. St. X.C. 1971 !); Mirpur Sakro (Blatter & McCann D713 ! D714 });

Gholam (Blatter & McCann D715 ! D716 ! D717 !); Hyderabad (Woodrow ex

Cooke); Jamadar ka Landa, near Karachi (Stocks ex Cooke).—Cutch: (Blatter

ex J.B.N.H.S.).—Gujarat: Ahmedabad, fields (Sedgwick !); Vastrapur, near

Ahmedabad (Saxton 1771 !).—Deccan: Kirkee, Mr. Gammie’s compound

(Garade 4 sheets 572 !).—Konkan: Sewri, Bombay Isl. (Blatter & McCann

1851 !); Victoria Gardens (Blatter & McCann 2392 !); Bandra, from pasture

on side of Danda Rd. (Vakil C170 !).—N. Kanara: Karwar, sandy shore

(Sedgwick 5050 !, Talbot 1262 ! 1537 }).

Flowering & fruiting: June 25th and 30th, 1885 (Karwar); July 1917 (Vic-

toria Gardens Sewri); July 1919 (Bandra); July 21st, 1902 (Kirkee); July 27th,

1919 (Vastrapur); August 1914 (Ahmedabad); October 1922 (Gholam, Mirpur

Sakro).

Uses: Cyperus bulbosus, called Theg (Ahmedabad) or Bid (Viramgam)

‘grows in a river near Viramgam. Its bulbs are dried and powdered and used

with jowari, bajri or wheat flour. It is not very nutritious, therefore it is

mixed with the above flours. It grows wild and its effects are that people

who use it as food become night blind.’ Gammie Rec. Bot. Surv. of India,

ig ALS

Distribution: Sind, Baluchistan, Rajputana.—Ceylon, tropical Africa and

Australia.

28. Cyperus articulatus Linn. Sp. Pl. (1753) 66; C. B. Clarke in Hook. f.

Bali va oll —-C, -oidus Roxby “Minds 1 (1832) 138% (mon 209; neque

Ee Oo Kes)

Description: Glabrous. Stolons 3-4 mm. diam., clothed by ovate-lanceolate

striate brown-black scales 17 mm. long. Stems 0.9-1.8 m., often 5-10 cm.

apart on the thick woody rhizome, at top 3-4 mm. diam., terete or scarcely

trigonous, when dry usually with false nodes 18 mm. apart; upper sheaths

usually terminated by a subspathaceous lanceolate coloured limb, rarely by a

small green leaf. Leaves hardly any. Umbel compound of many _ spikes.

Umbel-rays often 10, up to 5-15 cm.; bracts very short, 8-17 mm., ovate, acute,

scale-like, striate, subturgid at base hardly keeled, concave, margins not re-

flexed. Spikes linear, many-flowered. Spikelets 5-15 together, shortly spicate,

8-388 by 2 mm., 12-50-flowered, straw-coloured, afterwards dusky. Glumes even

in fruit imbricate, ovate, obtuse, concave, scarcely keeled, obscurely 3-5-nerved

on back; wings of rhachilla oblong or elliptic, scarious, ultimately deciduous.

Stamens 8; anthers linear-oblong, muticous. Nut trigonous, oblong-ellipsoid,

acute at either end, 3/5 length of glume, black; style shorter than nut;

branches linear, shortly exsert.

Stems hollow but traversed transversely by thin white septa.

270. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIHIY: Vole XOxOC yun

Locality: Gujarat: Ahmedabad, riverside (Sedgwick 1018 !).—W. Ghats:

Khandala (McCann 38195 !).—Konkan: Varol tank, Bhivandi, near Kalyan

(McCann 1682 ! 1683 ! 1720 ! 1721 !).—S. M. Country: Mishrikot, 1,800 ft.,

rainfall 380 in. (Sedgwick 8179 !); Devikop (Talbot 1062 !); Kilgerry, Dharwar

mie (Talbot 2612 !); Dastikop (Talbot 1062 !).—N. Kanara: Mundgod (Tal-

Oba).

Flowering & fruiting: February 1884 (Mundgod); April 1917 (Khandala);

May 1915 (Ahmedabad); September 15th, 1891 (Kilgerry); October 26th, 1980

(Varol Tank); October 29th, 1884 (Dastikop); October 30th, 1884 (Devikop) ;

December 1917 (Mishrikot).

Field notes: A plant of the banks of rivers and lakes. The Varol speci-

mens were growing mixed in the same clump with C. tegetwm, but were

easily distinguished from that plant by the difference of the stems and the

inflorescence. The spikes are pale straw-coloured (in C. articulatus) the older

ones slightly tinged with brown. The entire inflorescence is very weak and

all the rays hanging down. The presence of septa is not always apparent

in herbarium material.

Distribution: Bengal to Ceylon.—Tropical and warm regions of both

hemispheres.

29. Cyperus corymbosus Rottb. Descr. et Ic. (17783) 48, t. 7, fig. 4; C. B.

Clarke in Journ. Linn. Soc. xxi, 158, and in Hook. f. F.B.1. vi, 612; Cke. ii,

870.—C. diphyllus Retz. Obs. v (1789) 11 (non Benth.); Boeck. in Linnaea

xxxv1 (1870) 272.—C. Koenigii Vahl Enum. ii (1806) 302; Kunth Enum. ii,

54.—C. monophyllus Vahl l.c. 11, 352 (fide Nees).—C. seminudus Roxb. FI.

Ind. 1 (1832) 187; Nees in Wight Contrib. 80; Kunth l.c. 55 (nom Moritz.).—

C. enodis Boeck. l.c. 271.—Papyrus Pangorii Nees l.c. 88 (partim).—C. articulatus

Ridley in Trans. Linn. Soc. ser. 2, Bot. ii, 141 (partim).—C. corymbosus var.

Pangorei C. B. Clarke l.c. 292, 159.—C. Pangorei Rottb. l.c. 31, t. 7, fig. 3.—

C. tegetiformis Roxb. Hort. Beng. (1814) 6; Arn. in Wight Contrib. 89 (in

nota); C. B. Clarke 1l.c.—C. nudus Roxb. Fl. Ind. i (1832) 209 (non 187

neque H.B.K.).—C. bengalensis C. Spreng Neue Entdeck. iii, 101.—C. Gula-

Methi Roem. & Schult. Syst. u, Mant. 125.—C. tegetum Roxb. Fl. Ind. i (1882)

208; C. B. Clarke l.c. (partim).—C. dehiscens Nees in Linnaea ix, 286; Kunth

Enum. u, 56 (excl. syn. Roxb.).—Papyrus dehiscens Nees in Wight Contrib.

89.—P. Pangore: Nees l.c. 88.—P. corymbosus Nees l.c. 89.

We have united C. tegetum Roxb. and C. tegetiformis with C. corymbosus

Rottb. for the reasons given below.

Description: Stems bluntly or sharply trigonous above, spongy below, septa

not or hardly visible when dry, up to 1.8 m. high. Rhizome creeping, stout,

woody. Leaves reduced to sheaths or sometimes with a blade up to 15 cm.

long. Bracts 3-5, linear-ensiform, shorter or longer than the inflorescence, be-

tween 7 and 65 cm. long and 5-12 mm. wide. Umbel compound; primary rays

6-15, slender, up to 15 cm. long; secondary rays terminated. by spikes or

corymbs of 4-16 spikelets; spikelets linear, 10-37 mm. long, glumes ovate-

oblong when unfolded, obtuse or subacute, 2.5 mm. long, straw-coloured or

pale reddish brown or red-brown, rhachilla of spikelets distinctly 2-winged

opposite the seeds, narrow or wide, usually pale or blood red in fruit. Nut

narrowly elliptic-oblong, trigonous, 1.6 mm. long, black.

We have spent much time both in the field and in the herbarium trying to find

a character to separate these three species but have failed completely. Beside

studying the fresh material we have also examined the material determined by

C. B. Clarke in the Calcutta Herbarium.

Much stress has been laid on the length of the bracts by some authors but

this is a very unreliable character in most Cyperaceae. Of the three ‘species’

C. tegetum is supposed to have the longest bracts, while C. tegetiformis rarely

has the bracts half as long as the umbel, and in C. corymbosus the bracts are

said to be rarely as long as the umbel. ‘The term ‘rarely’ indicates that at

times the bracts may be as long as the umbel, though these may be ‘ex-

ceptional. cases’. On this account some authors regard C. tegetiformis as a

variety of or conspecific with C. corymbosus, and rightly so.

Cooke in the Flora of the Bomb. Pres. has the following remark under C.

tegetiformis: “Woodrow gives Kalyan as the habitat of the plant, but I have seen

no specimen from the Bombay Presidency; there are none in Herb. Kew. It

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY 271

is possible that the plant collected by Woodrow may have been C. corymbosus,

which is scarcely separable from C. tegetiformis and which is also reported

from Kalyan.’ Cooke has not seen either C. corymbosus or C. tegetiformis.

Sedgwick, in The Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, xxv, 695,

had added the following note under C. tegetiformis: ‘Both C. tegetiformis and

C. corymbosus, Rottb., are given by Cooke as occurring at Kalyan fide Wood-

row). ‘These two species are very imperfectly characterized, and are very pro-

bably forms of one species. Cooke doubts whether they both occur. I have

placed the St. Xavier’s College specimens in tegetiformis as the spikelets are

pale, whereas the spikelets of corymbosus should be red. The bracts, how-

ever, are more than half the inflorescence.’

Here again we have a character, viz. colour, which is unreliable not only

in dried but also in fresh specimens.

Haines, in the Botany of Bihar and Orissa, pt. v, p. 899, makes the follow-

ing remark under C. tegetiformis: ‘There is only one specimen from our area

(Gaya) which has been named in the Cal. Herb. and that appears to me

doubtful and is possibly C. corymbosus. The bracts slightly exceed the umbel

and the erect spikelets are very young. Glumes -11 in. long, back with

5 slender nerves, anthers 3 minutely apiculate, wings of rhachilla very ob-

scure, nut undeveloped. Most of the specimens named by Clarke are from

Lower and Eastern Bengal. I suspect that the length of the involucral bracts

is not a good character, especially in inflorescence of different stages of growth.’

Under the species C. corymbosus, l.c. Haines writes: ‘I have seen no ripe

nuts, and suspect that some specimens ascribed to this species are young

states of others and that there is no specific difference between this and

tegetiformis. Rhizome creeping, clothed with dark brown scales and hardening

into rhizomes. The new shoots are said to arise on these at some distance

from one another as also in the case of tegetiformis, whereas in C. tegetum

there are said to be no stolons and thus the lateral shoots arise from the

base of the older ones. Herbarium material is insufficient to check these

characters.’

Again, with reference to C. tegetum, |.c. Haines remarks: ‘Rhizomes stout

and in some of my specimens culms quite 1 in. apart. Sheaths much inflated

when old. Leaves above the sheath 0 or 3-9 in. long. Inflorescence with

long folaceous bracts often one and a half times its length, about -2--3 in.

wide, margins scaberulous, midrib strong. Branches of umbel 1-10 in. long

suddenly contracted at the corymbs of spikes, branches and peduncles of spikes

with short lanceolate finely or setaceously acuminate bracts as well as a short

truncate sheath at their base. Glumes sometimes only -06 in. long in flower.

Wings of rachilla about -:04--05 in. long, as long as the ovary and _ usually

green in flower, ultimately red or brown. Stamens 38. Style rather persistent

about -04 in., leaving no base on falling, stigmas 38 long and slender, often

“2h anes lone,

‘This is a good species for observing that the wings of the rachilla form

no part of the glumes (as stated to be the case by Cooke); the glumes very

clearly embrace the wings and can be removed over the wings.’

Another character stressed by authors is in the wings of the rhachilla,

which are supposed to be dark brown in C. tegetum. This is, however, the

case with all the so-called species if the inflorescence is allowed to mature.

We have in our collection specimens of the three ‘species’ with the wings of the

rhachilla varying in tint from hyaline to deep brown and we have seen material

in other collections exhibiting the same degree of variation. When the spikes

are immature the wing of the rhachilla is hyaline, becoming dark brown as the

spikes get older. Haines remarks that he has seen no ripe nuts of C. corym-

bosus, and that in the case of the one specimen of tegetiformis from the

area the nut was undeveloped.

Though the bracts and the rhachilla are much used as a means of identi-

fying these three ‘species’ we must admit that they are unreliable characters.

Comparing the descriptions of the spikelets, glumes and nuts we find that there

are barely any differences worthy of specific rank.

The most essential characters are thus either the same or overlapping. In

the case of tegetiformis there are said to be 5-9 nerves to the glume but this

is a very variable character in all three ‘species’,

272 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Locality: Sind: (Pinwill ex Cooke).—Gwarat: Marshy ground, the Wat-

rak riverbanks, Sabarmati river-bed, the Bokh (Saxton & Sedgwick, Pl. N.

Guj. R.B.S.I. vi, 805).—W. Ghats: Igatpuri (Blatter & Hallberg 3211 !, Mc-

Cann 2386 !); Panchgani, stream below Dalkeith (McCann 3492 !); Bairawadi,

foot of Purandhar (Blatter & McCann 5578 !); Khandala, on sandy soil (Mc-

Cann C117 !, Blatter, Hallberg & McCann 2420 ! 3049 !, Blatter 1856 !);

Khandala to Karjat. (Blatter & Hallberg 3171 !); Lonavla (Garade ex Cooke).

—Deccan: Poona (Talbot !); Kirkee (Talbot !); Gangapur, Nasik (Blatter &

Hallberg 2821 !).—Konkan: (Cooke); Thana (Blatter & McCann 8727 !);

Trombay (Blatter & McCann 33855 !); Borivli to Kanari Caves, on sand in

bed of watercourse (McCann 1103 !); in a marsh among the hills W. of Vick-

roli (McCann 1021 !); Mulland, in a stream (McCann 901 ! 907 ! 908 !);

foot of hills W. of Mulland (McCann 906 !); Iills W. of Tulsi Lake, in a

stream (McCann 357a ! 857b ! 357c ! 810 !); Kalyan (Woodrow ex Cooke).—

S. M. Country: Devarayi, 1,800 ft. (Sedgwick 4119 !); Havasbhavi, 2,000 ft.,

rainfall 35 in. (Sedgwick 2159 !).—N. Kanara: Gersoppa Falls (Hallberg &

McCann C118 !, Sedgwick 7126 !); Kalanuddi, Supa, 1,800 ft., rainfall 100 in.

(Sedgwick 4863 !); Haliyal (Talbot 2219 !); Kilgerry (Talbot 2613 !).

Flowering & fruiting: January 5th, 1890 (Haliyal); March 1917 (Khandala

to Karjat); March 11th, 1929 (Hills W. of Mulland); July 1918 (Devarayi);

August 1914 (Prantij); August 11th, 1929 (Mulland; Hills W. of Mulland);

August 25th, 1929 (Hills W. of Vickroli); September 1915 (Watrak River);

September 1917 (Gangapur); September 15th, 1890 (Kilgerry); September 15th,

1929 (Borivli to Kanari Caves); September 15th, 1905 (Kirkee); October 1890

(Poona); October 1917 (Igatpuri); October 1919 (Gersoppa Falls); November

1918 (Supa); December 1914 (Watrak River); December 1916 (Havasbhavi).

Field notes: A tall perennial species with thick hard, black, creeping

rhizomes, the anterior end of which usually sends up few short leaves before

the appearance of the culm. Wherever there is water this species lasts through-

out the year. The culms that flower during the monsoon loose the inflorescence

with the approach of the dry weather and then die down, but if there is plenty

of water these old culms remain and new ones are also developed but these

hot weather culms do not reach the same size as those produced during the

monsoon, nor are the inflorescences so large.

The plants developed in soft clayey soil are generally the most vigorous.

The rhizomes are usually deep rooted and are difficult to extract.

The Floras give leaves short or 0 for this section. In our experience this

is not the case. In specimens with mature rhizomes a few short leaves are

often developed, but usually longer than the measurements given in the Floras.

The leaves are developed on the new shoots of the mature rhizomes long

before the inflorescence-bearing stem appears. When the culm appears the

leaves fall away leaving a sheath embracing it with a short prolongation—

the leaf of the Floras.

Seedlings have long fairly broad leaves (sometimes exceeding 45 cm. and

more). These leaves are generally longer than those developed directly from

new shoots of the rhizome. Another point worthy of note is that the in-

florescence-bearing culms endure for a long time in a green state, long after

the spikelets have fallen, and so do the bracts—but the culms remain longer.

The wing of the rhachilla is at first quite hyaline and gradually changes

to a dark brown. In herbarium material the colour of the rhachilla depends

much on the time when the inflorescence was collected and how far advanced

it is.

Uses: This plant is used for the manufacture of mats.

Distribution: Throughout India.—Ceylon, China, Japan, most of tropical

Asia, Africa and America, Madagascar.

30. Cyperus macer C. B. Clarke in Journ. Linn. ‘Soc. xxi, 160; in Hook. f.

BBeleevie Gils.

Description: Glabrous. Stems long, slender, 60-90 cm., at top very slen-

der triquetrous. Leaves few, short, inconspicuous, uppermost 10-15 (rarely 20-

25) em. long, erect, narrow. Umbel loose, irregular, slender. Umbel-rays 3-6,

slender, 5-10 cm. long, sometimes again divided; bracts 13-50 mm., leaf-like.

Spikelets 8-16-flowered, linear, 13 by 1.5 mm.; wings of rhachilla narrow-

oblong, hyaline, disappearing. Glumes somewhat remote, in fruit not imbricate,

-Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE III.

Common habitat of Cyperus exaltatus Retz. in a marsh at

Mulland, Salsette Island.

Photos by C. McCann,

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY 278

ovate-oblong, obtuse, 3-5-nerved, back green, sides brown, nerveless. Stamens

3; anthers linear-oblong, muticous. Nut trigonous, obovoid, ashy black, 4-3

length of glume; style shorter than nut; branches linear, long.

Locality: Gujarat: Under Gorair Bridge, Chitrasani to Sarotra, in sandy

bed of a stream, at water’s edge (McCann 1875 ! 1875a !); Karad to Islampur

Road (Chibber !).—Khandesh: Wadli, Tapti bank (Blatter & Hallberg 5491 !);

Bor, Tapti River (Blatter & Hallberg 1929 ! 3014 !); Thalner, Tapti bank

(Blatter & Hallberg 3021 !); N.-H. of Bhusawal, in Tapti bed (Blatter &

Hallberg 2759 !).—W. Ghats: Panchgani, 24 mm. W. (Blatter & Hallberg

BI751 !, Fernandez C189 !); Mahableshwar in a stream on hillside, 4,500 ft.,

rainfall 270 in. (Sedgwick 4551 !); Lingmala, common in river (McCann 3361 !

3352 ! 3383 !); foot of Fitzgerald Ghat, river-bed (Blatter C216 !).—N. Kanara:

Sampkhand, in river (Sedgwick 6972 !).

Flowering & fruiting: January 8rd, 1917 (Wadl); September 24th and

27th, 1980 (Lingmala); October 1919 (Sampkhand); October 1920 (Panchgani) ;

October 24th, 1929 (Gorair Bridge); November 1918 (Mahableshwar); Novem-

ber 28th, 1902 (Karad to Islampur Road); December 1916 (Bor, Thalner).

Field notes: We have several records of this species from the Presidency

but are of opinion that this species was overlooked for small forms of C. corym-

bosus, and included under that species. In the field it is easily distinguished

from that species, but herbarium material is somewhat difficult to determine.

It is a plant of rocky beds of rivers and also of pebbles where it forms dense

mats with its roots. The Yenna River is full of this species. The dense

mats of roots and rhizomes are quite different from those of C. corymbosus, in

which case the rhizomes are very thick.

Distribution: Pegu, Chittagong, Central India, Gujarat, Khandesh, W. Ghats,

Deccan, N. Kanara.

31. Cyperus rotundus Linn. Sp. Pl. (1753) 45; Cke. ii, 871.—C. hewxasta-

chyus Rottb. Descr. et Ic. (1773) 28, t. 14, fig. 2.—C. leptostachyus Griff.

Itin. Notes 3821 (non Nees).—C. tenwiflorus Royle Ill. 412 (non Rottb.).—

C. Fenzelianus Steud. Syn. Cyp. 33.—C. pallescens Boiss. Fl. Or. v, 875 (non

Desi.).—C. subcapitatus C. B. Clarke in Hook. f. F.B.I. vi, 616.—C. tuberosus

Rottb. l.c. 28, t. 7, fig. 1.—For synonyms see C. B. Clarke in F.B.I. l.c.

We follow Fischer (Fl. Madras, 1641) in uniting C. Fenzelianus, C. sub-

capitatus, and C. tuberosus with C. rotundus. Here we have to deal only

with C. tuberosus. Cooke already (l.c.) remarks with regard to C. tuberosus :

‘Not distinguishable from Cyperus rotundus by any good characters and it

might well be united with it’.

Description: ‘Tubers not zoned. Stems subsolitary, trigonous, 0.1-1.2 m.

high. Leaves flat, flaccid, shorter or longer, narrow, often numerous; bracts

usually 8, shorter or more often longer than the inflorescence, up to 60 cm.

long. Umbel simple or compound; rays few to many, up to 15 cm. long;

secondary, if present, few, ending in 4-8 approximate, spreading spikelets;

spikelets linear to lanceolate, 7.5-35 mm. long; glumes imbricate, 2.5 mm. long,

plicate, ovate when expanded, obtuse or acute, keel 5-7-nerved, pale straw or

brown, or chestnut, sometimes with a reddish tinge. Nut trigonous, broadly

obovoid, greyish black.

The Poona specimen collected by Bhagwat is an excellent specimen with

bulbils and bulbous bases to the stems but no proper inflorescence.

Possess both stolons and rhizomes (Sedgwick).

Locality: Without locality (Dalzell !).—Sind: (H.E.B.B. !, Bhola Puran

25 ex Cooke); Mirpur Sakro (Blatter & McCann D720-D726 !); Bohara (Blatter

& McCann D727 !); Gholam (Blatter & McCann D728 !), in a garden (Blatter

& McCann D729 !); Kullan Kote Lake (Blatter & McCann D730 !); Tatta

(Blatter & McCann D731 ! D732 !); Bughar, on the Indus (Blatter & Mc-

Cann D733 ! D734 !); Chunar (Blatter & McCann D735 !); Bhubak (Woodrow

ex Cooke).—Cutch: (Blatter 3774 !); Pacham Isl., Rann of Cutch (Blatter

1973 !).—Gujarat: Surat (H.H.B.B. !, Gammie 16440 !, Woodrow !); Empress

Gardens, Ahmedabad (Sedgwick 1049 !); Ahmedabad (Sedgwick !, Blatter

2166 !, Cooper !).—Khandesh: Bori River (Blatter & Hallberg 2750 !); Bor,

Tapti River (Blatter & Hallberg 1860 ! 38011 ! 51382 !); Taner, Tapti bank

(Blatter & Hallberg 5171 !); Dhulia, Thikhi tank (Chibber !).—W. Ghats:

Lonavla (Woodrow ex Cooke, H.H.B.B. !); Khandala (Blatter, Hallberg &

974 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

McCann 3045 ! 8066 !); Purandhar (Blatter & McCann 5569 ! C217 !); Panch-

gani (McCann 2988 ! 3021 !); Matheran (Woodrow ex Cooke).—Deccan: Ahmed-

nagar, 1,800 ft., rainfall 24 in. (Herb. Sedgwick & Bell 63837 !); Poona

(Woodrow ex Cooke, Jacquemont 882 ex Cooke, Bhagwat !); College Farm

(Ezekiel !); Kirkee, Mr. Gammie’s compound (Garade 552 !); Parvati tank

(H.E.B.B. !); Deolali (Blatter & Hallberg C143 ! 2836 !).—Konkan: (Law

ex Cooke); Bombay (McCann 469 ! 470 ! 471 ! 472 ! 714 ! 715 1! 716 !

774 !), St. Xavier’s College compound (McCann 2414 ! 24382 ! 2447 1),

Victoria Gardens (Blatter & McCann 2390 ! 2393 ! 2413 !); Parel (Blatter &

McCann 3074 !); Sion (Blatter & McCann 1988 ! 2374 !); Bhandup (Blatter,

Hallberg & McCann 2412 !); Bhandup to Vehar Lake (McCann 644 !); KH.

shore of Vehar. Lake (McCann 636 !); Bandra, Danda Road (Vakil C144 !);

Mulland, in a marsh W. of village (McCann 892 ! 899 !); Mulgaon (Blatter

& McCann 24438 !); Thana (Woodrow); Sangli, river bank (Blatter C142 !);

very common throughout the Islands of Bombay and Salsette (McCann !).—

S. M. Country: Margins of tank, Kalghatgi, 2,000 ft., rainfall 380 in. (Sedg-

wick 8667 !); Dharwar, rice fields, 2,400 ft., rainfall 84 in. (Sedgwick 6189 1);

Yelvigi, 2,000 ft., rainfall 80 in. (Sedgwick 1914 !); Hubli (H.H.B.B. 1); Kail-

gerry (Talbot 2625 !).

Flowering & fruiting: January 15th, 1890 (Kilgerry); January 22nd, 1925

(Sangli); June 1917 (Bombay, Bhandup, Sion); June 1919 (Bandra); June 24th,

1929 (Bombay); June 28th, 1917 (Poona); July 1914 (Ahmedabad); July 1916

(Parel); July 1917 (Mulgaon, Bombay, Khandala); July 7th, 1929 (Vehar

Lake, Bhandup to Vehar Lake); July 21st, 1902 (Kirkee); July 27th, 1929

(Bombay); July 28th, 1920 (Parvati); August 1915 (Ahmedabad); August 1916

(Khandala); August 1919 (Dharwar); August 7th, 1924 (Bombay); August 11th,

1929 (Mulland); August 27th and 31st, 1980 (Panchgani); September 1917

(Devlali); September 1919 (Ahmednagar); September 2nd, 1895 (Lonavla); Sep-

tember 27th, 1913 (Ahmedabad); October 16th, 1906 (Hubli); October 29th,

1908 (Surat); November 1905 (Poona); November 1916 (Sion); December 1907

(Pacham Isl.); December 1916 (Taner, Bor, Bori River, Yelvigi); December

17th, 1892 (Surat); December 28th, 1907 (Dhulia).

Field notes: ‘The commonest and worst weed in Gujarat’ (Sedgwick).

Sedgwick rightly remarks that this is the commonest and worst weed,

but not only in Gujarat. It flourishes the whole year where there is sufficient

moisture, but it is most striking after the break of the rains. It is more

essentially a monsoon plant. It fills up every available bit of ground whether

stony, sandy or marshy.

On sandy and stony soil the plant attains its most characteristic form while

in marshes it becomes much larger, with sharply 3-gonous stems and a large

pendulous umbel. The leaves frequently persist throughout the year in spite

of dry conditions (especially so on lawns). It is an exceptionally fast growing

species. When the inflorescence is detached it soon puts forth a new one. It

is a most variable plant.

Along the railway lines it is very abundant in the Islands of Bornbay

and Salsette. In these places we have noticed this species pass over the coun-

try in two distinct waves. With the break of the monsoon it springs up every-

where and is soon after in full bloom. This is the first wave which ends

about the end of July when all the spikelets turn almost black and fall away.

About a month or so later a second wave appears but this is not as strong as

the first and the plants do not appear so well developed. We presume the

second wave is the result of the seed of the first wave; but this we would

not like to say for certain, as it may also be due to a second crop of individuals

from the new shoots that are formed by the stolons.

Distribution: All warm countries.

32. Cyperus esculentus Linn. Sp. Pl. (1753) 67.

Description: An erect glabrous herb up to 50 cm. in height with slender

subterranean stolons more or less covered with acute rather hard strongly

veined scales and ending in ovoid to cylindrical edible tubers up to 2 cm. in

length. Stem-base pale brown, leaf-sheaths not fibrous, stems triquetrous,

smooth, finely striated. Leaf-blades shorter than the stems, linear and gradu-

ally tapering in the upper part to a fine acuminate apex, 3-5 mm. in width.

Inflorescence primarily umbellate, of sessile and peduncled spikes the rays up

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY 275

to 7.5 cm. in length, primary bracts about 4, unequal, leaf-like, the longest

up sto% LOr em.) Of more, 7 Spikesi rarely) exceeding »2.5.em. (and most. often

sunple, the first glumes (or secondary bracts) of the lowest spikelets sometimes

with a short narrow leafy blade. ‘Spikelets linear, about 1.3 cm. long or

shorter, 1.5 mm. wide; rhachis slender with narrow hyaline wings. The 2

lowest glumes of each spikelet linear-lanceolate, acuminate. Flowering glumes

boat-shaped, with a rounded or slightly emarginate apex, 8 mm. long, 1.5 mm.

in breadth when spread out, 8 lateral nerves on each side of the keel nerve.

Stamens 38. Style divided to below the middle, with its 3 branches 2 mm. long.

Nut obovoid-ellipsoid in outline with 3 sharp angles, 1.5 mm. long.

Locality: Gujarat: Hdge of the tank, Talod, August 1914; never seen

again, one plant only a viviparous form (Saxton & Sedgwick Pl. N. Guj.

RBs ols vas. 806):

This plant is now firmly established on both sides of the Colaba Road,

Bombay, when it crosses over the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Rail-

way. There also the plants are often viviparous (Saxton & Sedgwick l.c.).

Distribution: Upper Gangetic Plain, from the Ganges Plain to the Nilgiris

and Anamalais.—In nearly all warm countries, especially in America.

33. Cyperus stoloniferus Retz. Obs. iv, 10; Nees in Wight Contrib. 81;

Fischer Fl. Madras 1641.—For synonyms see C. B. Clarke in Hook. f. F.B.I.

Wigs

Description: ‘Stolons long, hardening into a long-creeping woody rhizome,

not producing tunicated bulbils. Stems 10-30 cm., at top trigonous, at base

nodose, wiry, often flexuous. Leaves shorter or as long, usually subulate and

squarrosely recurved. Bracts 3, up to 7.5 cm. long. Umbel of 4-6 rays, sessile

or with peduncles up to 80 mm. long, bearing 3-8 spreading spikelets. Spike-

lets ovate- or linear-oblong, hardly compressed, 6-15 mm. long; glumes densely

imbricate, broadly ovate when expanded, plicate, acute, 2.6 mm. long, red,

keel greenish, margins broadly hyaline, the lowest sometimes scarious. Nut

obovoid, plano-convex, dorsal surface hardly keeled, dark brown.

Locality: Sind: (Pinwill ex Clarke).—Cutch: On sandy seashore (Blatter

ex J.B.N.H.S.).—Konkan: Bombay (Jacquemont 480 ex Clarke), seashore (Herb.

Sedgwick & Bell 7318 !); seaface near Mahalaxmi Battery, among rocks and

gravel (McCann 358 ! 359 !); Mahim, shore (Blatter 2741 !).—N. Kanara:

Karwar, on rocks by the sea (Sedgwick & Bell 6758 !, Hallberg & McCann

C125 !), sandy seashore (Sedgwick 5050 !).

Flowering & fruiting: March 28rd, 1929 (Mahalaxmi Battery); October

1919 (Karwar); December 1915 (Mahim); December 1918 (Karwar); Bombay

(December 1919).

Field notes: Hssentially a maritime species. Growing among rocks, gravel

and sand, usually a little below the high water mark. Stolons thick, strong,

horizontal with a strong perpendicular root descending from the base of each

sucker. Very difficult to extract. Inflorescence inclined to droop, pale yellowish

green. ‘Stems erect, trigonous just under the umbel. Leaves dark green,

recurved.

Near Mahalaxmi Battery it forms a dense carpet often mixed with Himbri-

stylis polythrichoides.

Distribution: Shores of India, especially in sea sand.—Ceylon, Malay Penin-

sula, Mauritius, China, Malaya, Australia.

34. Cyperus exaltatus Retz. Obs. v (1789) 11; Cke. ii, 872.—For synonyms

seoe ©: By Clarkecin Hook, i. Keb vai. Oli

Description: - Cle. Kec.

Locality: Gujarat: Marshy banks of the Watrak River, Modasa Petha

(Sedgewick 1058 !); marshy places on the Watrak River banks (Saxton & Sedg-

wick: BIN, Guy. RwB.S.1 vi,))/306); | Sevalia,. Kaira Dist.; (Chibber 1).——

Khandesh: Bor, Tapti River, sandy mud (Blatter & Hallberg 3080 !); Dhulia,

Thikhi tank (H.E.B.B. !); Dadgaon (Blatter, Hallberg & McCann 29586 !);

Toranmal (Blatter, Hallberg & McCann 29575 !).—W. Ghats: Khandala, in

a rivulet (Sedgwick 2572 !, Blatter 1854 !, Blatter & McCann 3165 !, Blatter,

Hallberg & McCann 2410 ! 8056 !, McCann C207 !); Lonavla (Woodrow ex

Cooke; Blatter, Hallberg & McCann 3148 !); Londa (Gammie_ !).—Deccan:

(Dalzell & Gibson ex Cooke); Lena Hill, Nasik (Blatter & Hallberg C187 !).—

Konkan: Dhobi Talao, Bombay (Blatter & McCann 3092 !), St. Xavier’s

376 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

College grounds (McCann 2799 !); Pen (Blatter, Hallberg & McCann 3227 !);

near Budlapur (H.H.B.B. !); Mulland, in a swamp (McCann 1270 ! 1271 !

1272 !); Sion (McCann 966 !); hills W. of Vickrol, in a swamp (McCann

1022 !); Borivli, in a ditch (McCann 1113! 1114 ! 1115 !); Kondita (Blatter,

Hallberg & McCann 3082 !); Vehar Lake (Blatter & McCann 2753 !); Varol

tank, near Bhivandi (McCann 1695 ! 1712 !); Karjat (Woodrow ex Cooke).—

S. M. Country: Dharwar, 2,400 ft., rainfall 34 in. (Herb. Sedgwick & Bell

4977 !, Sedgwick 1858 !); Nigadi, bank of tank (Sedgwick 5709 !); Belgaum

(D.F.O. !); Haveri (Talbot 2227 !); Kilgerry (Talbot 2950 !); Devikope (Talbot

1064 !), at 2,000 ft., rainfall 45 in. (Sedgwick 2971 !); Dambal, Dharwar

Dist. (Dalzell ex Cooke).—N. Kanara: Yellapur (Talbot 1064 !); Kincholi

(Talbot !)—Bombay Pres.: Bawh (H.H.B.B. !).

Flowering & fruiting: May 25th, 1914 (Belgaum); July 1916 (Khandala) ;

July 1917 (Khandala); August llth, 1929 (Mulland); August 25th, 1929 (Sion,

Vickroli); September 1918 (Khandala); September 15th, 1929 (Borivli); Sep-

tember 27th, 1895 (near Budlapur); October 1899 (onda); October 1905

(Khandala); October 26th, 1930 (Varol Tank); November 1896 (Bawli); Novem-

ber 1916 (Vehar); December 1916 (Kondita); December 1918 (Toranmal, Dad-

gaon); December 1919 (Lena Hill); December 38rd, 1907 (Sevalia); December

28th, 1907 (Dhulia).

Field notes: A species appearing during the monsoon. Commences to

flower in July. It persists in suitable localities long after the monsoon is

over, even as far as January, February—rarely till May. Otherwise it dies

down soon after the rains when the marshes dry. The plant generally grows

in water, in pools and marshes formed during the rains with about 2 to 3 of the

stems submerged. The stems are densely tufted and black up to the point of

the water level—3-gonous, solid, polished. The rhizomes form a dense black

knotty mass with numerous black roots.

The inflorescence is at first erect but soon spreads out when fully developed.

When young the spikelets are from light straw coloured to golden brown but

become dark brown when mature. Stems frequently bend down with the

weight (? may have been knocked down) of the umbel when fully mature, and

are often submerged, in which case the spikelets become almost black but do

not decompose.

A most variable species in appearance especially from the juvenile to the

mature state.

Uses: This tall sedge is used for matting (Prain, Fl. Sundribuns. Rec. Bot.

Suny. Imdiovol: a1: (p.085).

Distribution: All over India.—Tropical and subtropical regions.

Var. dives C. B. Clarke in Journ. Linn. Soc. xxi (1884) 187; Cke. ii, 873.

Description: Cke. Le.

Locality: Sind: (Pinwill ex Cooke).—Gujarat: Godhra (H.H.B.B. 1);

Dakose, Kaira Dist. (Chibber !).—Khandesh: Chinchpada to Borpada, Dhulia

(Chibber !); Nimb, Tapti bank (Blatter & Hallberg 4442 ! 1997 !).—W. Ghats:

Lonavla (Talbot 4797 !); Purandhar (Blatter & McCann C185 !).—Deccan:

Pandu, Lena Caves, Nasik (Jeuken !); Poona, Ferguson College garden, in

muddy tank (Paranjpye !); Bairawadi, Purandhar (Blatter & McCann C135).

—§. M. Country: Dharwar, in pools (Sedgwick 1858 ! 4977 !).

Flowering & fruiting: January Ist, 1908 (Chinchpada to Borpada); March

12th, 1905 (Nasik); November 8th, 1911 (Ferguson College); December 1916

(Nimb); December 1917 (Bairawadi); December 5th, 1907 (Godhra).

Field notes: This variety, in our opinion, should be classed as a variety

of C. radiatus Vahl which it more closely resembles. There is also another

point in common between this and the true C. radiatus Vahl, and that is an

exudation of a resinous secretion from the margins of the glumes, which is not

produced by C. ewxaltatus Retz. This point has so far been overlooked, possibly

owing to the secretion being mistaken for the gum used for pasting the speci-

mens on the. sheets. The exudation was first observed by us in the field and

was later confirmed by herbarium material. The general colour of the inflo-

rescence of this variety is yellowish green, turning yellowish later and even-

tually a light brown. The young portions of the spikelets are at first green,

then yellowish and finally hght brown.

The habit is much like that of C. radiatus, in marshes on the banks of

REVISION OF THE FLORA OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY 2i7

pools and in pools themselves. Often in water 4 of the way up the stem. The

plants (at least those from the N. of the Presidency) are generally much larger

and of a paler green in general tone. The spikes are frequently longer than those

of C. exaltatus and more flexuous. The secretion from the margin of the

glumes seems to us to be a good character. It frequently flakes off in old

herbarium material leaving the glumes as though highly polished.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency, Bengal, Chittagong.—Africa.

35. Cyperus digitatus Roxb. Hort. Beng. (1814) 81; Cke. i, 873.—For

synonyms see C. B. Clarke in Hook, f---’.B.I. vi, 618.

Description: Ce. |.c.

Locality: Bombay Pres.: .Ambowne, rice. fields (Gammie 15995 !).—W.

Ghats: Khandala, in a rivulet (Sedgwick 2572 !), soldiers’ playground, water-

course (Blatter & McCann 2401 !, McCann C219 !); Lonavla (Woodrow ex

Cooke, Paranjpye !), along river (Chibber !, Gammie 154938 ! young state,

Blatter, Hallberg & McCann 28001 ! 28233 !); Panchgani, 3rd Tableland,

W. face (Fernandez 203 ! 204 ! 205 !); Panchgani to Mahableshwar, in a

rocky nulla (Blatter C199 !); Londa (Cooke).—Deccan: Poona (Woodrow 204

ex Cooke), Ganeshkhind Gardens (Garade ! young state).—Konkan: (aw ex

Cooke); Satiwali, Bassein (Ryan 1181 !).—S. M. Country: Dharwar, 2,400 ft.,

rainfall 34 in. (Sedgwick & Bell 4978 !); Devarayi, 1,800 ft., rainfall 90 in.

(Sedgwick 4467 !).—N. Kanara: Arbail Ghat, 1,500 ft., rainfall 300 in., water

hole (Sedgwick 6581 !).

Flowering & fruiting: June 18th, 1902 (Ganeshkhind); August 10th, 1903

(Satiwali); September 12th, 1895, September 22nd, 1902, September 29th, 1914,

October 1918, October 7th, 1907 and November 1918 (Lonavla); November 12th,

1929 (Panchgani to Mahableshwar); November 26th, 1929 (Panchgani).

Distribution: From the Punjab to Ceylon, Assam and Penang.—S.-K. Asia,

Australia, tropical Africa, Madagascar, throughout the warmer parts of America.

(To be continued).

STALKING A HERD OF SAING.!

(Good Sport with a Camera in Burma.)

ID Jaks JNO.

(With 3 plates).

An exasperated sportsman once recorded that the intelligence of

an old saing bull was so much greater than that of all other game

that he was capable of any feat of cunning except, perhaps, walking

backwards with a view to confusing those who might be following

his tracks! ~

The big game hunter is concerned only with the old bulls. If

he has had a fair measure of experience he will waste no time in

‘still-hunting’ for these wild oxen. As he traverses the forests his

eyes are on the ground, seeking always for the fresh tracks of an

indubitably old warrantable bull.

When he finds such tracks he must follow them along the hard

and tortuous course that those tracks will inevitably lead him. ‘T'oo

often the end of that trail is marked by a sharp snort, the crash

of a heavy body breaking through cover and a glimpse, perhaps,

of something red and white vanishing quickly through the green

maze of the forest.

This experience is so terribly common. The young bulls and

cows do not possess in so marked a degree that uncanny sixth sense

of danger with which the old bull disconcerts his pursuers.

‘Caucut THroucH His Lapy FRIENDS.

The best of the old bulls generally prefer a solitary life. Occa-

sionally, however, they will join herds and, in that state, they

may be led by their lady friends into situations which they would

avoid in their solitary condition. The ‘leary’ look in the eye of the

bull photographed at a ‘lick’ in a northern game sanctuary indicates

plainly that it was entirely foreign to his nature to be caught out

in so childish a fashion.

This was a case of ‘lick’ photography, entailing a good deal of

patience, it is true, but a sedentary occupation, nevertheless, and

having small relationship to the labour and wooderaft involved in

the more virile sport of getting alongside a truly warrantable head

with a rifle. ‘Still-hunting’ with a camera for herds of saing, how-

ever, is pure pleasure, and respectable sport withal, even to the

mind of the conservative big game hunter who scorns ‘licks’ and

water-holes and allied places and means of obtaining easy sport.

1 Reprinted by courtesy of the Field.

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STALKING A HERD OF SAING 279

When the annual ground fires of March and April have cleared

the heavy undergrowth from the woods and burnt the long rank

erass in the clearings, it is pure delight to ‘still-hunt’ for saing in

the fresh rainswept mornings and evenings of the early monsoons.

It is a different proposition to tracking down the bull of one’s choice,

and it lacks the strained, half-savage climax when the rifle con-

nects with its game; but it 1s even greater fun than lying in wait

at a ‘lick’ for such game as may chance to walk up to the camera.

Two of the other photographs here reproduced were the reward

of a day spent in ‘still-hunting’ with a camera. A terribly wet

day in May brought us no luck in the forenoon, and despite our

strongest imprecations the rain clouds continued to blot out the

sun, while the ceaseless drizzle of rain lent a most dreary appear-

ance to the lwins and took all the heart out of us, keen as we

were. A couple of hours before sundown my patience was com-

pletely worn away.

‘I’ve had enough of this so-and-so weather,’ I said to my com-

panion. ‘I’m going back to camp.’

But when we were well inclined to the homeward route the

clouds fell away and the tree-tops above us were splashed with

gold. The camera hunter is, of course, first cousin to the sun-

worshipper—and what a worthy object of worship it is, to be sure,

after a long day of tramping through sodden woods! We gave

thanks and bent our line towards a clearing where we might take

unawares a sambur or a barking deer.

When we reached this lwin of short new grass, half of it was

ablaze with sunhght, so that we must keep to the shadowed side

and stalk slowly along the skirts of the forest. For a while we

saw no game, but on turning a bend in the line of woods I saw,

to my delight, a small herd of saing feeding near the edge of the

forest in a light-flooded bay of the clearing.

They were grazing in ankle-short grass, and their bright red and

white bodies presented a wonderful splash of colour against the

sombre woods behind them.

I could not stalk this herd by following the lne of woods on

our side of the lwin because the wind was blowing from that side.

Neither could I circle right round the clearing and come up-wind

to them, because it would have consumed more time than the

sinking sun would have allowed us.

My only hope of obtaining a picture before the sun went down

lay in a direct crawl of about 150 yds. to the cover of some small

bushes growing right out on the lwin and within about 80 yds. of

the herd.

When Kipling’s Moweli conducted his man through the ‘hundred

agonies of a jungle stalk’ he had, at most, only a solid rifle to lug

along—my delicate camera with its 5 ft. long tripod legs created

a few additional agonies.

It was a case of ‘lie flat when their heads are up and move on

when their heads are down; and no dawdling on the way in case

the light fails.’ But eventually I reached a bush about 4 ft. high.

behind which I sat down and straddled the tripod legs about me,

raising the lens very slowly above the level of the bush.

989 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVIii

Cautious APPROACH.

When this had been done I raised my head to the level of the

camera, quite resigned to the possibility of the animals having

detected me in the uncanny way they often do: but they were all

there, and a minute later I had made my first exposures, using the

very small aperture and correspondingly long exposure necessary to

obtain the clear definition required for a fair enlargement of a

long-range photo.

‘Eighty yards, however, is a very eae range for a photon aibin

sc, after making a number of careful exposures, I decided to see

how much closer I could approach. Stepping clear of the bush

when their heads were down and holding the camera and extended

tripod before me I merely walked slowly towards them, standing

still at the first sign of a liftimg head. I covered fully 80 yds. in

this manner, and made two exposures before I was seen.

Even so, I was not detected in actual movement, and the saing

could make nothing out of the queer object with three thin legs

and two fat ones which had suddenly appeared within their vision.

So they clumped together and stared in SOUL Sluteeut, while I

made the last exposure of the evening.

What a pity it is that there is ‘no way of developing ane Ae

ing one’s negatives within a few minutes of making an exposure.

The climax in the dark-room—after one has returned to a stuffy

tent, seen the objectionable features of one’s mail-runner, and

delved into his large green bag of official correspondence—is too

long delayed for any but an exceptionally cold-blooded nature.

COMPENSATIONS.

But there are compensations, one supposes. I recollect walk-

ing home many miles one day in a very exalted frame of mind in

the certitude that I had achieved a priceless photograph of a sambur

herd containing two fine stags.

The climax—I shall never forget it—was the realisation that

I had committed the ghastly blunder of making two exposures—two

perfectly good exposures—on one plate!

Journ. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE III.

See

‘“ They clumped together and stared with astonishment.”

THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE

EASTERN GHATS.

(ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION).

HucuH WHISTLER, M.B.0.U., ASSISTED BY N. B. KINNEAR, M.B.0.U.

PART VIII.

(Continued from page 105 of this volume).

Zosterops palpebrosa salimalii Whistler.

Zosterops palpebrosa salimalii Whistler, J.B.N.H.8., xxxvi, (15 December,

1933), p. 811—Ferahabad 2,688 ft., S.-H. Hyderabad.

Specimens collected :—197-199 GO Q 11-5-29, 257 2 258 ¢d 260-261 dd

21-5-29 Shevaroy Hills 3,500-4,800 ft.; 402 ¢ 18-6-29 Chitteri range 3,000 ft. ;

842 9 juv. 28-9-29, 848 Q 29-9-29 Seschachalam Hills 2,000 ft. ; 943. 946 ¢ juv.,

Og 31-10-29, 961-962 Go? 3-11-29, 968 Q 4-11-29, 1011 3 16-11-29 Nalla-

mallai Range 2,000 ft.

Measurements : —:

Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

10S Hele 5-12 Do-O10 37.5-40 14-15.5 mm.

6 Q 11-12.5 51.5-55.5 35.5-39 14-15 mm.

Our information about the Common White-eye on the eastern side of the

Presidency below the Godavery is confined to the above series of specimens and

LaPersonne’s note that he found it very common in the Shevaroy and Chitteri

ranges where it is known to the Planters as the White-eyed Tit. On the

Shevaroys they were particularly partial to the Silver Oak-trees. From the

notes on the labels regarding the organs they appear to have been breeding in

May.

Students of this difficult group will remember that Stuart-Baker (New Fauna,

vol. il, p. 858 et seq.) and Ticehurst (Bull. B.O.C., xlvii, February 1927 and

J.B.N.H.S., xxxii, p. 354) have come to very different views as regards the

Indian races of Zosterops palpebrosa. My own investigations corroborate those

of Ticehurst and as he has gone into the matter in considerable detail there is

no need for me to reopen the subject here.

Zosterops palpebrosa occidentis Ticehurst.

Zosterops palpebrosa occidentis Ticehurst, Bull. B.O.C., vol. xlvii, no. ceexii

(February 1927), p. 88—Simla.

Specimens collected :—1336 ¢ 6-2-30, 1415 J 20-2-30, 1427 ¢ 22-2-30, 1481

0? 238-2-80 Anantagiri, 3,000 ft.; 1484 J 6-3-3830, 1498-1500 9° $d 8-83-30, 1517

S 11-3-80, 1576 gG 20-2-80, 1598 ¢ 24-3-30, 1601 9 26-3-30, 1652 9 3-4-30,

1678 S 12-4-30, Sankrametta 3,000-3,800 ft.; 1702 ¢g 19-4-30 Jeypore Agency

3,000 ft.

Measurements : —

Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

idles 19-13 54-57 38.5-42 15-16.5 mm.

3. 19) 12 54-55 39-41 15-1525. mom.

Mr. LaPersonne says that in the Vizagapatam district the White-eyes were

extremely common all over the hills both in forest and open country. They

282; JOURNAL, BOMBA YONATU HA ly THUS iy 4S OC li Tver Viol sa XOX ay ale

were in flocks in May though the organs of the specimens suggest that they

were then breeding.

i cannot separate the above series of White-eyes from the North-Western

form which Ticehurst has already shown occurs in the Central Provinces as

far east as Raipur.

Zosterops palpebrosa nilgiriensis ‘Ticehurst, Bull. B.O.C., vol. xlvii, no. cecxil

(February 1927), p. 88—Coonoor.

This dark large-billed race of the White-eye is confined to the west of

the Presidency. Betts says that it is common in Coorg. William Davison

considered it rare in the low country of the Wynaad, but it grows increasingly

common as the country rises and it is very abundant in the higher ranges of

the Nilgiris. It is very common in the Nelliampathies, the Palnis and through-

out the hill range of Travancore from north to south from 1,000 ft. upwards.

The breeding season appears to be from March till May.

[The reported occurrence of Zosterops ceylonensis at Coonoor on 5 June, 1903

(Hatchwell, J.B.N.H.S., xv, 726), must certainly be due to wrong identification. |

[Aethopyga siparaja vigorsii (Sykes).

Cinnyris vigorsu, Sykes, P.Z.S8. 18382 (July 31), p. 98

Ghauts.

The New Fauna (vol. ii, p. 382) is wrong in stating that Vigor’s Yellow-

backed Sunbird occurs on the west coast of India from Bombay to Travancore.

It does not occur in the Madras Presidency and there appears to be no record

from below the South Konkan. ].

Dense woods of. the

Cinnyris lotenia (Linnaeus).

Certhia lotenia Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. xii (1766), p. 188—Ceylon.

Specimens collected: —21 Q 11-4-29, 88 9 85 @G 19-4-29, 151 ¢@ 29-4-29

Kurumbapatti; 1037 ¢ 25-11-29 Nallamallai Range 2,500 ft.

Measurements :—

Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

23 25-27.5 57 37-38 15-15.5 mm.

3 Q 25.5-28 53-53.5 33-35 14.5-16 mm.

The above specimen from the Nallamallai Range extends the known distri-

bution of Loten’s Sunbird which on the east side of India has hitherto not

been recorded north of Madras where it is very common. On this side in

addition to the Survey specimens it occurs at Salem, Pondicherry and Trichino-

poly, from all of which places there are specimens in the British Museum, and

if is probably generally distributed down to Cape Comorin as a single specimen

(in the British Museum) was seen and obtained by Fairbank at the eastern

base of the Palnis while Ferguson says that it is common in the low country

of Travancore, ascending the hills to 2,000 ft.

In the north-west of the Presidency it is evidently general and common.

It has been recorded or obtained at Tellicherry (Jerdon), Calicut (Dr. Day),

Coorg (Tweeddale collection), the Wynaad (where William Davison found it

generally distributed) and the Nilgiris where it occurs on the slopes up to

5,000 ft. or rather more (William Davison).

Dewar says that the breeding season at Madras is in February and March.

Indian and Cinghalese birds are not separable. I have seen no evidence

that Loten’s Sunbird sheds the brilliant male plumage in winter’ and I have

seen specimens in that plumage in every month except July, August and

December. William Davison (S.F., x, 362) and Dewar (J.B.N.H.S., xvii, 540)

held opposite views on the point. The New Fauna fails to make clear the

proportionately large size of the beak. It gives the culmen as measuring 16 to

19 mm., whereas in the five Survey specimens it measures from the feathers

22.5-25 mm.

1 Dr. C. B. Ticehurst informs me that he has seen specimens moulting

from the metallic plumage to metallic plumage from September to November,

i.e. definite evidence that there is no eclipse winter plumage.

THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS 288

Cinnyris asiatica astiatica (Latham).

Certhia asiatica Latham, Index Orn., vol. i (1790), p. 288—India.

Specimens collected :—820 Q 3-6-29 Chitteri Range 2,000 ft.; 540 Q 17-7-29

Gingee; 843 [¢] 28-9-29, 879 3 5-10-24 Seschachalam Hills 2,000 ft.; 1162 ¢

25-12-29, 1180 27-12-29 Cumbum Valley; 1351 J 8-2-30, 1360 ¢ 9-2-8380, 1395

S 16-2-80, 1709 @ 4-5-30 Anantagiri 3,000 ft.; 1501 J 8-3-380, 1669 ¢ 6-4-30

1521 92 11-38-80 Sankrametta 3,000 ft.

Measurements :—

Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

98; 20-21 55-59 33.5-36 14-14.5 mm.

4 9 19.5-21 52-53.5 29-34 13.5-14 mm.

The Purple Sunbird appears to be very generally distributed all down the

eastern side of the Presidency, occurring in the hills up to at least 38,000 ft.,

especially in the Vizagapatam area where LaPersonne found it very common.

About Madras itself it is said to be numerically less abundant than Loten’s

Sunbird. On the west it is evidently more patchy in distribution, with some

curious anomalies. In the Wynaad and at the foot of the Nilgiris William

Davison says that it is entirely replaced by Loten’s Sunbird, though according

to Jerdon—and Mr. Betts confirms this—it occurs in the Nilgiris at all higher

elevations up to 7,500 ft. In the Palnis and the Travancore Hills, on the

other hand, Fairbank and Ferguson say that it is not found except around

their bases. In the Presidency this Sunbird is a_ resident.

In the Nilgiris, Miss Cockburn gives the breeding season as January.

Rhodes Morgan gives the breeding season for the Presidency generally as from

February to June, most nests being constructed in March and April.

Ticehurst has already shown that the north-western race brevirostris has

a seasonal change of plumage (J.B.N.H.S., xxvi, p. 286 and Ibis 1928, p. 24).

This is the case also with the typical race in the Presidency. The complete

postnuptial moult takes place between the beginning of July and early October

and the non-metallic plumage—easily distinguished from the immature plumage,

in which the male and female are alike, by the dark wings, and from its

short period of retention meriting the name of ‘eclipse’ rather than winter

plumage—is shed again in November to December by a complete body moult.

The shortness of this eclipse explains the divergence of opinion as_ to its

existence.

Birds from Ceylon are not separable.

Cinnyris minima Sykes.

Cinnyris minima Sykes, P.Z.S. 1832 (July 1), p. 99

Ghauts.

The range of the Small Sunbird lies outside the area covered by the Survey.

It is confined in the Presidency to the western side and there is as yet only

recorded from the hill areas. It occurs throughout the Wynaad and the Nilgiris

being most abundant and the commonest of the genus at high altitudes, especially

on the plateau. In the Palnis it is common from 4,000 ft. to the summit

(Fairbank). In Travancore it is common on the High Range and at all eleva-

tions in the hills of the south (Ferguson).

Mr. Betts informs me that the breeding season in the Nilgiris is in March

and April and again in September. William Davison says that it breeds there

in September and early October. In Travancore the breeding season is vari-

ously given as December to January (Ferguson) and [February to April (Stuart

Baker).

This Sunbird appears to have a seasonal change of plumage. I have only

seen fully iridescent males from August to April and specimens dated in May

and June are in a plumage similar to that of the female except that the lower

back, rump and upper tail-coverts retain their iridescent colours. This post-

nuptial eclipse is also noted by Fairbank (S.F., iv, 256) and Davison (8.F.,

XPeTOODIE

er minima Tickell [J.A.S.B., vol. i1, 1833 (after November), pp.

569-582], described as common in Sal Jungle in Borabhum and Dholbhum of

Dense woods of the

984 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVI

course cannot be this species. The description is very poor. but it evidently

provides an overlooked synonym for Cinnyris asvatica.

Cinnyris zeylonica (Linnaeus).

Certhia zeylonica Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. xii, vol. i (1766), p. 188—Ceylon.

Specimens collected: —20 J 11-4-29, 67 ¢ 16-4-29, 146 ¢ 28-4-29 176 9°

0-5-29 Kurumbapatti; 296 @ juv. 20-5-29, 318-319 99 juvs. 3-6-29, 355 ¢ imm.

7-6-29 Chitter1 Range 2,000 ft.; 507 92 juv. 4-7-29 Kalai, Trichinopoly; 562 9

19-7-29, 567 ¢ 20-7-29 Gingee; 705 ¢ 18-8-29 Palkonda Hills 1,000 ft.; 776 9

31-9-29 Kodur; 866 92 3-10-29, 896 ¢ 10-10-29 Seschachalam Hills 2,000 ft.;

986 S 9-11-29, 1018 ¢ 16-11-29, 1086 J 25-11-29, 1004 © 13-11-29, 1012 ¢

imm. 16-11-29 Nallamallai: Range 2,000 ft.; 1111 g 14-12-29, 1160 ¢ 23-12-29

Cumbum Valley.

Measurements :—

Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. :

Il ¢ 17-19 51-58 30-35.5 15-17 mm.

5 Q 16-17.5 52-55.5 30-32.5 14-15.5 mm.

Hume tells us (S.F., v, 270) that the Purple-rumped Sunbird is found

throughout the Madras Presidency but I have so far failed to trace any record

from the area north of the Godavery Valley and it was not reported by the

Survey from the camps in the Vizagapatam Hills. South of the Godavery it

is so common—indeed it is the common species of Sunbird in the Presidency—

and generally distributed that it is here only necessary to point out certain

exceptions. In the Nilgiris it is said by William Davison to occur only up

to 2,500 ft. In the Palnis Fairbank’s account implies that that it is only

found at the lower altitudes. In Travancore Ferguson says that it is never

found in the hills.

The breeding season is said to be February and March in ‘Travancore

(Ferguson). At Madras it is also mainly in March (Dewar). William Davison

however saw young in a nest at Madras late in December (N. & E., 2nd. ed.,

il, p. 263) and Theobald (loc. cit., p. 264) considered that at Sooramungalum,

Salem August was the laying season.

There are no separable races of this species but the bill averages slightly

longer in the Bombay Presidency than in Ceylon. The male of this species

does not moult into a non-metallic winter plumage, and the young male assumes

the metallic plumage at the postjuvenal moult. This accounts for the appar-

ent increase of the adult males at the end of the hot weather in Coorg as re-

marked on by Betts (J.B.N.H.S., xxxiii, p. 547).

Arachnothera longirostra longirostra (Juatham).

Certhia longirostra Tatham, Index Orn., vol. i (1790), p.. 299—Bengal.

Not obtained by the Survey. The Little Spider-Hunter is in the Presidency

confined to the western side. Never very numerous it is found on the Malabar

Coast, throughout the Wynaad, on the slopes of the Nilgiris up to about

5,500 ft., in the Nellhiampathies and Palnis (4,000 ft.) and throughout the

Travancore Range from about 2,000-5,000 ft.

The only breeding record I have seen for our area is that by Cardew

(J.B.N.H.S., x, 149) of two nests between June and September at Ootaca-

mund.

I can find no difference between birds from §.-W. India and the Duars.

Assam topotypical range.

Dicaeum concolor concolor Jerdon.

Dicaeum concolor Jerdon, Madras Jour. Lit. Sci., vol. xi (1840), p. 277—

Malabar Coast.

The Nilgiri Flowerpecker is confined to the western side of the Presidency

and was therefore not met with by the Survey. On the western side it is

found throughout the Wynaad, all over the slopes of the Nilgiris and most

abundantly on the plateau. If is common at WKodgikanal in the Jer ybauisiges lla)

THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE HASTERN GHATS 285

Travancore, Ferguson says that it is common from the foot of the hills to the

summits and may occasionally be found in the low country. According to the

New Fauna (vol. iii, p. 480) the breeding season lasts from February to April,

but many birds have second broods in May and June. Miss Cockburn however

found eggs in January (N. & H., u, 274).

In the New Fauna the race D. c. subflavum is said to be distributed in

‘Belgaum, North to Khandala and Mahableshwar; east to the Central Pro-

vinces’. This race is based on three specimens from Belgaum, one from

Savant Vadi and one from Mahableshwar in the British Museum, and appears

to me to require confirmation. At any rate in Belgaum, Butler apparently

considered it a rains visitor (S.F., ix, 391) and I have seen three specimens

from the Nilgiris which could not be separated from the Belgaum specimens.

The extension to the Central Provinces in any case cannot be accepted. It

is based on a doubtful record from Bilaspur by Blanford which Hume threw

doubt on fifty years ago (S.F., vu, p. 208).

irroneous records are hard to eradicate. It may therefore be pointed out

here that the record of Dicaeum concolor olivaceum breeding at Gorakhpur in

April -(J.B.N.H.S., xxu, 539) 1s incorrect. The specimen is in my collection

and really pertains to D. erythroryhnchos.

Cinnyris concolor Sykes, P.Z.S. 1832, p. 99, does not refer to this species

but is a synonym of AMthopyga siparaja vigorsu Sykes.

Dicaeum erythrorhynchos erythrorhynchos (Latham).

Certhia erythrorhynchos Latham, Index Orn., vol. i (1790), p. 299—India

(Restricted to Bombay New Fauna, vol. in, p. 482).

Specimens collected: —576 21-7-29 Gingee; 1352 G 8-2-3830 Anantagiri

3,000 ft.;. 1483 juv. 6-38-80, 1489 9 7-3-30, 1509 9 9-3-3830 Sankrametta 3,000 ft.;

1745 @ 29-4-30 Jeypore Agency 3,000 ft.

Measurements : —

Bull. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

27.6 1-19-05 49-495 93-24 125 19-5- mam:

3 Q AO. d-dl5 46-47.5 DRAIN 12-19.5 mm.

Tickell’s Flowerpecker was found by the Survey to be common in the Vizaga-

patam Hills at Anantagiri and Sankrametta in February, March and April.

This was evidently the breeding season as in addition to the juvenile obtained

the females collected in March were either laying or had recently laid. The

Gingee specimen provides the only other record for the eastern side of the

Presidency.

On the west it is better known. Betts states that it is a common resident

in Coorg, breeding about April. It occurs in the Wynaad and round the base

of the Nilgiris (Burliar; Goodalor) and Colonel Sparrow has lent me a speci-

men collected at Malappuram, 8. Malabar, on 14 June 1912. Fairbank says

that it is common in the plains about the base of the Palnis—ai specimen col-

lected by him at Periakulam at the EK. base of the Palnis on 5 January 1877

is in the British Museum—and that it was also sometimes observed on the

hillsides. In Travancore, according to Ferguson it is found throughout the

hills from their base to their summits, occurring also occasionally in the low

country. He found a nest with young at Trivandrum on 16 March.

Piprisoma agile agile (Tickell).

Fringilla agilis Tickell, J.A.S.B., vol. ii (November 1833), p. 578—Bhora-

bhum and Dholbhum.

The Thick-billed Flowerpecker was not procured by the Survey and its

distribution in the Presidency is not easy to define. I have only traced the

following records. Jerdon says ‘I have procured it in Goomsoor and_ the

Eastern Ghats’ (B. of I., vol. i, 376). There is a specimen in the collection

of the Bombay Natural History Society collected by Mr. J. P. Cook in the

Wynaad on 3 January 1894. In the Hume collection there are 4 specimens

collected by Miss Cockburn at Kotagherry on 22 September 1874.

The amount of grey or green in the upper plumage of this Flowerpecker

986. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

and the amount of streaking on the lower parts is purely a question of indi-

vidual variation. There is only the one race throughout the range in the

Indian Peninsula. Hume (S8.F., 1, 484) suggested that the Ceylon bird is

separable but I have seen no specimens from that island.

Pitta braciyura (Linnaeus).

Corvus brachyurus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. xii, vol. i (1766), p. 158—

Ceylon.

Specimens collected:—15 ¢ 27 Q 11-4-29, 68 ¢ 16-4-29 Kurumbapatti.

Measurements : —-

Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

2 3 23.5-24.5 106.5-107.5 37-40 36.5-37.5 mm.

Ibe 23:5 108 39 36.5 mm.

The status of the Indian Pitta is well-known on the western side of the

Presidency but on the eastern side we know comparatively little about it.

Jerdon tells us that he saw it in Goomsoor (Madras Jour. Lit. Sci., x, p. 251).

LaPersonne says that he saw and heard it at Sankrametta at 3,500 ft. in the

thick evergreen forests though no specimens were actually collected. Between

here and Nellore, where Jerdon says he found it exhausted on passage, there

are no records. About Madras it is fairly well-known as a straggler in com-

pounds and topes. Dewar considered it a resident but this seems unlikely

and Jerdon who originally thought it a winter visitor says definitely that it

occurs chiefly on the spring passage at the beginning of the hot weather when

the strong winds blow from the west. Captain Bates however tells us of a

bird picked up dead in December and there are three February specimens in the

Hume collection.

The Survey found it common in the Kurumbapatti Forests in April and

Mr. LaPersonne thought that it was breeding then, though this was not proved.

Jerdon mentions it as occurring in winter at Trichinopoly.

On the west the records are definite that it is a winter visitor, fairly common

in Coorg (Betts), never very numerous in the Wynaad and Nilgiris (William

Davison), common in the Nelliampathies (Kinloch) and in Travancore (Ferguson).

The latter says that it occurs in the low country and in the hills up to

2,500 ft. In the Nilgiris it is found as high as Ootacamund. Colonel Sparrow

has a female killed at Malappuram on 14 December 1912. As this Pitta is a

winter visitor to Ceylon from October to April it must be a passage migrant

somewhere in the Presidency and this fact probably explains the records on the

eastern side. The western birds doubtless travel up the line of the Western

Ghats as there are various passage records for Mount Aboo, Deesa, Bombay,

Sholapur, Belgaum etc. Much more information is, however, required before

we can work out the breeding distribution and the marked migrations of this

most interesting species, whose distribution and status are so obscured by the

account in the New Fauna.

Picus xanthopygaeus (Gray). *

Brachylophus «anthopygaeus Gray, Cat. Birds Nepal (1846), p. 117—Nepal.

Nom noy. quoted as synonym of Geocinus striolatus (Blyth) 1843 preoccupied.

Specimens collected: —177 ¢ 5-29 Shevaroy Hills; 288 Q 29-5-29 Chitteri

Range 2,000 ft.; 725 ¢ 21-8-29 Palkonda Hills 1,000 ft.

Measurements :—

Bille Wing. Paile2 Tarsus.

226 31-34.5 130 76-87 24-25.5 mm.

Q 34.5 130 86.5 26 mm.

The Little Scaly-bellied Green Woodpecker appears to be nowhere very numer-

ous in the Presidency. For the Hastern side Jerdon’s statement that he

1 Mr. Betts’ interesting note on the Woodpeckers of Southern India

(J.B.N.H.S., xxxvu, pp. 197-203) unfortunately appeared too late for inclusion

in this paper.

2 A good deal of variation in the size of the bills and tails of Woodpeckers

must be discounted as they suffer greatly from wear,

THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE HASTERN GHATS 287

found it tolerably abundant in the Eastern Ghats is all that there is to supple-

ment the above Survey records. On the west William Davison says that it

is sparingly spread through the Wynaad and the Nilgiris. A few pairs are

always to be found in the forests about Ootacamund but it is rarer at that

elevation than lower down.

In the Palnis Fairbank records it at Periur 4,000 ft. on 15 June while Terry

says that he saw it 2 or 3 times at Pulungi and very frequently at Pittur.

Ferguson had only two records for Travancore—one specimen obtained at

Cape Comorin in January 1902 and another at Quilon at the beginning of 1903.

The breeding season in the Presidency does not seem to have been recorded.

The reasons for not considering this Woodpecker a race of Picus vittatus

have been given in detail both by Kloss (Ibis 1926, pp. 684-689) and Ticehurst

(J.B.N.H.S., xxxvi, 932), and need not be repeated here. I have independently

arrived at the conclusion elaborated by Ticehurst (loc. cit.) that Mr. Stuart

Baker’s North-Western Himalayan race dehrae [Bull. B.O.C., xlvi (1926),

p. 69—Dehra Dun] is not recognisable.

Picus chlorolophus chlorolophus Vieillot.

Picus chlorolophus Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., nouv. ed.,! vol. xxvi

(1818), p. 78—Bengal.

Specimen collected:—1701 9 18-4-80 Jeypore Agency 3,000 ft.

Measurements : —

Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

D5,D 125 86 19 mm.

Kividently breeding as an incubation patch was present. This is a most

interesting record. Not only does it provide an addition to the Presidency list

but it suggests the correctness of certain old records which were discredited in

the Old Fauna, vol. iii, p. 24 and omitted in the New Fauna, vol. iv, p. 17.

For Ball says (8.F., vii, p. 206) that the Small Himalayan Yellow-naped Wood-

pecker occurs in Orissa, south of the Mahanadi, Cuttack (on Jerdon’s authority),

and probably Lohardugga. The single specimen collected lacks almost entirely

the golden sheen on the upper parts which is almost invariably present in Hima-

layan specimens.

Picus chlorolophus chiorigaster

Picus chlorigaster Jerdon, Madras Jour. Lit. Sci

(after August 1845), p. 189—S. India.

Specimen collected:—1025 ¢ 22-11-29 Nallamallai Range 2,500 ft.

VOM il, plas 2, 1844

Measurements : —

Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

28 LOTS 88.5 20.5 mm.

The South Indian Yellow-naped Woodpecker is best known on the western

side of the Presidency. In Coorg according to Betts it is widely spread but

nowhere numerous. Specimens from Cannanore (Wardlaw-Ramsay), Calicut

(Hume collection) and the Wynaad (Hume collection) are in the British Museum

and William Davison says that it is nowhere very common either in the

Wynaad or in the Nilgiris where it occurs on the slopes up to 5,000 ft. Major

Pythian Adams found a pair breeding as high as 6,000 ft. (Baker and Inglis,

B. of S. India, p. 185). A specimen from Malappuram is in Col. Sparrow’s

collection. In Travancore it is fairly common in the hills at moderate ele-

vations (Ferguson).

On the eastern side Stuart Baker (New Fauna, iv, p. 19) says that it is

apparently found only from Madras southwards. The above Survey specimen,

however, provides the only record which I have been able to trace on the

eastern side.

The breeding season on the west is said to be from January to early May.

288 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL BIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Dryobates macei macei (Vieillot).

Picus macei Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., nouv. ed., vol. xxvi (1818),

p. 80—Bengal.

Specimens collected: —1542 9 1543 ¢ 14-38-80, 1559 ¢ 17-3-80 Sankra-

metta 3,500 ft.

Measurements :—

Bil. Wing. avenile Tarsus.

Ds 23.5-25 108.5-105 60-61 17-18 mm,

These specimens provide a considerable extension of the known range of the

rulvous-breasted Pied Woodpecker which hitherto has pot been recorded south

of Muddapur and Calcutta where it is said by Jerdon to be common.

The West Himalayan race of this Woodpecker Dryobates macei westermant

Blyth (Ibis 1870, p. 163) should certainly be recognised as already pointed

out by Dr. Ticehurst (J.B.N.H.S., xxxiv, p. 468). Not only is it considerably

larger as shown by Dr. Ticehurst but the indistinct and broken gorget of

black spots 1s more marked in the typical form than in the north-western bird.

A series measured give the following results :—

Bill. Wing. Tail.

5 3d Western Himalayas 27-30 114-120 66-71 mm.

.8 ¢ Eastern Himalayas 23-27.5 103.5-110 54-62.5 mm.

3 ¢ Calcutta 93-25 101.5-106 58-60.5 mm,

There is a marked difference between the size of the sexes in this Wood-

pecker, as for instance six females (Western Himalayas) measure: bill 23.5-26;

wing 109-118.5; tail 58-70 mm. The sexes must be compared separately.

Dryobates mahrattensis mahrattensis (Latham).

Picus mahrattensis Latham, Suppl. Index Orn. (1801), p. xxxi—India,

restricted to Belgaum Stuart Baker, New Fauna, vol. iv, p. 46.

Specimens colleccted:—191 Q juv., 192 3S 6-5-29 Kurumbapatti; 977 ¢--979

Q 7-11-29, 1019 ¢ 1020 [9] 19-11-29 Nallamallai Range 2,000 ft.; 1515 @

11-83-30, 1582 9 22-3-380 Sankrametta 3,000 ft.

Measurements : —

Bill Wing. Tail. . Larsus.

Be 25-27 97.5-104 58-60 = 18.5-19- mm.

4 9 91-24.5 99-109.5 57-61 (oman.

The Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker does not appear to be very plentiful

in the Presidency and the above Survey specimens provide all the records for

the eastern side.

On the west it occurs sparingly in the Wynaad and also in the drier foothills

of the Nilgiris. Jerdon tells us that it is rare on the Malabar Coast but

that he found it most plentiful in a patch of thin tree jungle near Wulliar

in the gap of Coimbatore. Fairbank says—rather surprisingly I think—that it

is not uncommon in the Palnis up to 5,000 ft. In Travancore Ferguson only

records 2 specimens from Kuttyani about 10 miles from Travancore.

There is no published record of the breeding season in the presidency but

on the label of no. 1582 shot at Sankrametta on 22 March Mr. LaPersonne

has recorded that it contained a full-sized egg.

It is with considerable doubt that I have included the two Sankrametta

specimens under this form. They have wings respectively of 102.5 and 109.5

and Sankrametta is not so very far from Bhorabhum, the type-locality of

Tickell’s aurocristatus which Ticehurst (J.B.N.H.S., xxxiv, 469) considers to

be the correct name for the Northern and Burmese race. No specimens from

Borabhum are in existence and from the neighbouring area Maunbhum there

are only one pair of adults (¢ wing 102.5, 9 100 mm.) in the British Museum.

Now Dryobates mahrattensis is evidently not a species which is very susceptible

to climatic influences. It has developed no peculiar Malabar race and even .

if birds from the extreme north-west are compared with birds from the south

THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS 289

the recognition of two races is only just feasible. The difference in colour

is not constant, the amount of white is only just appreciable in a series, and

there is much overlapping in measurements. ‘The single pair from Maunbhum

are not therefore really sufficient to settle the exact identity of qaurocristatus

with the northern and southern form, and it is probable, as a matter of

fact, that birds from this area are intermediate. Under the circumstances I have

kept the two Sankrametta birds with the typical race.

Dryobates hardwickii hardwickii (Jerdon).

Picus hardwicku Jerdon, Madras Jour. Lit. Sci., vol. xii (1844), p. 138—

South India, Goomsoor.

Specimens collected:—128 ¢ 25-4-29 Kurumbapatti; 347 9 6-6-29, 392 [¢]

12-6-29, 396 92 138-6-29 Chitteri Range 2,000 ft.; 706 ¢ 18-8-29 Palkonda Hills

IFOOO iE LON0n > OM gs 19-11-29" Nallamallai Range. 25500. ft:7 1328 -©

5-2-80, 1406 ¢ 18-2-30, 1446 ¢ 26-2-80 Anantagiri 3,000 ft.; 1541 92 14-38-30

Sankrametta, 3,500 ft.

Measurements :—

Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

6d 13.5-15 (25-82 34.5-388 12.5-13.5" mm.

yO Ae AS 73-80.5 SDEOL DO 19)-5-13.55 mm.

This race of the Indian Pygmy Woodpecker is confined in the Presidency to

the eastern side where the above series provides the only evidence as to its

distribution in addition to Jerdon’s statement that it occurs in Goomsoor. In

Salem district Mr. LaPersonne says it was fairly common both in the hills and

in the plains. In Vizagapatam district he also states that it was fairly com-

mon in the wooded parts at Sankrametta at 3,500 ft. It was evidently then

breeding as birds were seen carrying food in April.

In the New Fauna, vol. iv, Mr. Stuart Baker considers that all the forms

of Pygmy Woodpecker found in the limits of his work should be treated as

races of one species. I prefer to divide them into two species namely Dryobates

nanus, with races nanus, semicoronatus and canicapillus, and Dryobates hard-

wicktii with races brunneiceps, hardwicki, cinereigula and gymnophthalmus.

It appears to me that the plumage characteristics of these two groups are quite

distinct inter se, that whilst there is complete intergrading between the mem-

bers of each group separately there is no intergrading between the two groups,

and finally it appears that in certain areas outside: our limits both forms occur.

The type-locality of hardwicki is not the Wynaad as given by Mr. Stuart Baker

(New Fauna, vol. iv, p. 52) but Goomsoor in Ganjam, the first of the two

localities in Jerdon’s account of his Dendrocopus moluccensis (Madras Jour.

lit. Sci., vol. xi, p. 218) for which later (loc. cit., xii, p. 188) he proposed

the new name of hardwicku. Jerdon only mentioned the Wynaad to remark

that his specimen from there was not the same as his moluccensis, later

hardwickii, and this point is again referred to in the Birds of India, vol. un,

p. 279 and vol. i, p. 871 (appendix) where this dark Wynaad specimen is

identified as gymnophthalmos Blyth, synonym P. cimereigula Malherbe. All

along this Wynaad bird is definitely contrasted with the true hardwicku. 'This

initial mistake has thrown Mr. Stuart Baker out in his account of the distri-

bution of the various races and made him overlook the existence of the very

distinct Malabar-Travancore race. The existence of this race was recognised

by Hargitt (British Museum Catalogue, vol. xvill, p. 381) but his name

Tyngipicus peninsularis (Ibis 1882, p. 48) is antedated by Picus cinereigula

Malherbe (Rev. et Mag. de Zool. Nov. 1849, p. 5381). Malherbe says that

he first discriminated this form from a specimen in the British Museum and

his type is still there. It is a male labelled ‘Madras’ presented by ‘H. H.

Baber’. This last is a mistake for H. H. Baker, a clergyman correspondent of

Blyth’s who lived at Allepy in Travancore in the Madras Presidency.

The genus Iyngipicus is certainly not separable from Dryobates (see 'Tice-

hursty J.B NE.S:, xxxiv, p. 469).

Dryobates hardwickii cinereigula (Malherbe).

Picus cinereigula Malherbe, Rev. et Mag. de Zool. Nov. 1849, p. 5381—

Madras=Alleppey, Travancore.

29) JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

The Malabar race of the Indian Pygmy Woodpecker is confined to the

western side of the Presidency. Betts says that it is fairly common in Coorg,

often being found in the mixed hunting parties. It occurs in the Wynaad and

on the lower slopes of the Nilgiris being found up to 38,000 ft. (Wilham

Davison) or occasionally 4,500 ft. (Betts). Col. Sparrow’s collection contains

two males killed at Malappuram. Fairbank met with two at Machur on the

road between the Lower Palnis and Kodaikanal. In Travancore Ferguson

says that it is found both in the low country and up to 2,000 ft. on the hills.

The statement that D. h. gymnophthalmus the Ceylon race occurs in ex-

treme southern Travancore is based on two Anjango specimens in the British

Museum. It must be remembered however that these Anjango specimens—

of which there are examples of most Travancore species in the British Museum,

semi-flat skins all of the same type and with the same data—cannot be accepted

as evidence of distribution. Ferguson points out that the Shikaris of Anjango

did a regular trade in bird skins and that the skins were brought there from

other localities.

Micropternus brachyurus phaioceps Blyth.

Micropternus phaioceps Blyth, J.A.S.B., vol. xiv (1845), p. 195—‘India proper

extending eastwards to Tipperah and Arracan’, restricted type-locality Calcutta.

Specimens collected: —1401 G 17-2-30, 1772-1773 GQ 5-5-80 Anantagiri

3,000. ft.

Measurements :—

Bill. Wing. Tail. ‘Tarsus.

26 27-30 121.5-123.5 61-62 21.5 mm.

Ae 29 118.5 57.5 20.5 mm.

These three specimens of the Rufous Woodpecker furnish the only record of

this race within the Presidency. Nos. 1772-1773 were presumably a pair and

by the state of the organs as noted on the labels were evidently just about

to breed.

There has been of late years a good deal of discussion about the races of

the Rufous Woodpecker (see in particular Kloss, Ibis 1918, pp. 107-109;

Robinson, Ibis 1919, pp. 179-181; Stuart Baker, Ibis 1919, pp. 197-204). There

is, we think, no particular difficulty in understanding the position with regard

to the Indian Peninsula so long as one appreciates the fact that in India the

differences of colour (dull to bright chestnut or bay), the amount of barring on

the upper parts (virtually absent to fairly general) and the colour of the head

(chestnut to dark brown) are mainly due to individual variation, whilst the

character and colour of the squamation on the throat although a good racial

characteristic in series is also individually reliable—as in the case of the throat

markings in Brachypternus benghalensis. Size is of importance but the races

grade into each other in this respect.

On the evidence at present available the distribution of the Rufous Wood-

pecker in India falls into two separate areas with a wide gap between them.

In the southern area it is found all down the west coast from Khandala to

Travancore and Ceylon extending also to the Shevaroys. In the northern area

it is found along the Himalayas from Dehra Dun to Assam and from Bengal

southwards to the Balaghat, Chanda and Anantagiri.

In the southern area the squamation of the throat is dark chocolate and

white throughout. There is, however, a regular increase in size from Ceylon

to the Bombay Presidency. It has been customary of late years to divide these

southern birds into two forms M. b. jerdoni=gularis and M. b. lanka. Kloss

(Ibis 1918, p. 108) who named the latter form confined it to Ceylon. Stuart

Baker (Ibis 1919, p. 204; New’ Fauna, vol. iv, p. 66) added South Travancore

to Ceylon. The difference is only one of size.

It is very difficult to say on the specimens available whether it is worth

while recognising two forms in this area, as the increase in size is doubtless

gradual with no natural boundary anywhere to mark it.

15 specimens from Ceylon measure: 9 ¢ Bill 26-30, wing 115-122 mm.;

6 @ bill 25-28, wing 116-122 mm. Nine specimens from S. Konkan and

N. Kanara measure:—4 ¢ bill 28-31, wing 127-130 mm.; 5 9 bill 28.5-31,

wing 126-129 mm. These wing lengths do not overlap and such specimens as

THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE HASTERN GHATS 291

[ have seen from Travancore, the Nilgiris, Burliar, Calicut, Cannanore and the

Shevaroys must clearly go with the smaller Ceylon birds. Seven birds from

the Wynaad, on the other hand, are with one exception (Q wing 123.5 mm.)

large birds:—4 <¢ bill 28.5-30.5, wing 126-129 mm.; 2 @ bill 28-28.5, wing

126.5-128 mm. Anyone who desires to recognise two races here—and I at

present see no value in it—will have to find a new name for the larger birds,

as jerdonu and lanka clearly refer to the same (smaller) bird.

Phaiopicus jerdonii Malherbe, Rev. Mag. Zool. 1849 (November-December),

p. 585—Indian Peninsula was described from specimens in the British

Museum. Apparently he examined the specimens in London in 1845 and then

gave them the manuscript name of Picus phaiopicus. At that date there were

four specimens in the British Museum, namely two skins (¢ @) from ‘Madras’

presented by the Rev. H. H. Baber and two from ‘Madras’ from Sir Walter

Hiliot. Now only the pair of Baber birds in the Museum can be traced and

none of Hlliot’s, though according to the catalogue there should be three of

Baber’s and one of Ellot’s. As Malherbe described a male and female and

Baber’s are such it seems reasonable to accept them as the types. The Revd.

H. H. Baber, the name of the donor, is of course merely a clerical error for

the Rev. H. H. Baker, a correspondent of Blyth’s who lived at Alipi (Allepey)

in Travancore where no doubt the birds were collected. I therefore restrict

the type-locality of Indian Peninsula to Travancore. LHlliot’s ‘Madras’ birds

no doubt also came from somewhere on the lower western coast in or near

Travancore.

For the northern area in India the New Fauna accepts three races. This

is, however, evidently due to the error in the type-locality of phaioceps which

is given as Arrakan. Blyth said his birds came from ‘India proper, extending

eastwards to Tipperah and Arracan’. From his catalogue we know that his

only specimens when the description was published were a male and female

from Calcutta and a female from Tipperah. This had already been pointed

out by Robinson (Ibis 1919, p. 180) who states that the types have wings of

115 and 121 mm. I have seen no Calcutta specimens but birds from Sikkim,

Duars, Assam, Bihar, Dacca, Tipperah, and Anantagiri and Chanda can cer-

tainly not be separated from Burmese and Tenasserim birds. Dr. Ticehurst gives

me the following wing measurements of males:—15 S Burma 125-1382, 86 ¢

Tenasserim 114, 120-138, 21 ¢ Assam 119-180 mm. and such birds as I have

seen from the other localities fall within those measurements. The squamation

of the throat, chestnut and buff, however separates these birds from those of

the extreme south of India and Ceylon. M. b. mesos Kloss, doubtfully accepted

by Mr. Stuart Baker is therefore a synonym of M. b. phaioceps.

The large bird from the North-Western foothills of the Himalayas (7 ¢

bill 31.5-33, wing 129-144.5 mm.) is, however, a very good race, distinguished

not only by its larger size, but by its paler upper parts and paler, rather grayer

head. This race is called in the New Fauna by Kloss’s name. M. b. humei

(the type-locality is the Kumaon Bhabar not Rohilkand as given), I think

correctly, and Robinson appears to have been wrong in considering (Ibis 1919,

p. 180) that the correct name should be M. 6. blythii Malherbe, Rev. Mag.

Zool. (November-December), 1849, p. 534—Himalayas. This last is evidently

a synonymy for M. b. phaioceps.

Phaiopicus blythi Malherbe was in reality a new name for Phatopicus

rufinotus (misquoted as rufanotus), a manuscript name written on the labels of

certain specimens in the British Museum in 1845 (first described by Bonaparte

in Consp. Gen. Av., 1, p: 113, 1850).

In describing his Phaiopicus blythi in 1849 Malherbe (Rev. et Mag. Zool.,

p. 584) quoted as synonymous Picus rufanotus (Malherbe, antea 1845, British

Museum), Meiglyptes badius (Hodgson, Cat. Nepal Birds) and Micropternus

phaioceps (Blyth, J.A.S.B., xiv, p. 195). The type-locality is evidently Nepal

and not Hastern Himalayas as given in the New Fauna since in 1849 there

appear only to have been Hodgson’s specimens for Malherbe to see in the

British Museum. In 1848, 2 males and 2 females were received from Nepal

(Hodgson) and early in 1845 one male, one female, and one juvenile were

received from the same source and apparently no further examples till some

years later. Malherbe described male, female and juvenile. The four males

from Nepal now in the British Museum although pale in colour appear to be

bleached. Their wings measure 126.5-130 mm.

993 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Micropternus brachyurus jerdonii (Malherbe).

Phaiopicus jerdonii Malherbe, Rev. Mag. Zool. 1849 (November-December),

p. 5385—Indian Peninsula, restricted to Travancore.

Specimens collected: —282 ¢ imm. 25-5-29, 265 Q 22-5-29, 280 9 24-5-29

Shevaroy Hulls 4,000-4,500 ft.

Measurements :—

Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

o imm. 23.5 123 63 23 mm.

2 Q 29 122.5 61 —mm.

On the eastern side of the Presidency, the Rufous Woodpecker is only known

to occur on the Shevaroy Hills about 3,000-4,500 ft. where according to Mr.

LiaPersonne the species is well-distributed, and invariably found wherever there

were old silver oak and rubber trees.

On the west it is fairly common in Coorg (Betts). It occurs, though nowhere

numerous, in the Wynaad and on the slopes of the Nilgiris and William Davison

remarks that he obtained one specimen a few miles from Ootacamund though -

this was exceptional. Specimens from Cannanore and Calicut are in the British

Museum. This Woodpecker does not seem to have been recorded from the

Nelliampathies or the Palnis. In Travancore, according to Ferguson it is only

seen in the low country and at the foot of the hills.

Brachypternus benghalensis puncticollis (Malherbe).

Specimens collected: —129 Q 25-4-29, 154 4 juv. 29-4-29 Kurumbapatti;

281 ¢S 24-5-29 Shevaroy Hills 4,000 ft.; 338 ¢ juv. 5-6-29, 339 ¢ juv. 340 ©

349 ¢ 6-6-29 Chitteri Range 2,000 ft.; 863 Q 2-10-29 Seschachalam Hills

2,000 ft.; 1029 ¢ 24-11-29 Nallamalai Range 2,500 ft.

Measurements : —

Bull. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

3.6 34.5-41 140-146 82.5-87.5 25-26.5 mm.

3 9 37 137-145.5 86.5-92 24.5-26 mm.

Although the Golden-backed Woodpecker is recorded from Jeypore (Ball,

S.F., vii, 206) I have seen no specimen from north of Rajamundry whence a

skin in the British Museum collected by Blanford on Ist June 1871 is attributable

to this race. Southwards on the eastern side of the Presidency a young male

obtained by Wardlaw Ramsay in 1876 at Madras and now in the British Museum

supphes the only record other than those furnished by the Survey. In Salem

district LaPersonne remarks that it was common over the whole area from the

foot of the Shevaroys to the Chitter1 Range and Tirthamalai. Westwards it is

found to the base of the Nilgiris whence came Malherbe’s type. The type-locality

of Ceylon given in the New Fauna (vol. vil, p. 314) is wrong.

Along the Malabar side it is replaced by the next form.

The races of the Golden-backed Woodpecker are somewhat difficult to make

out as there is a good deal of individual variation, which leads to occasional

specimens within the area of one form tending to vary in the direction of the

characteristics of another form. The red fringing to the feathers found in a

greater or less degree on the golden upper parts of many specimens in India

has no racial significance beyond the fact that it apparently never occurs in

the desert race dilutus.

We recognise the follownig races, but it is not yet possible to give their

full distribution accurately :—

Brachyternus benghalensis benghalensis (iinnaecus).

Picus benghalensis Linn., Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. 1 (1758), p. 113—Bengal.’

Upper parts rich golden-yellow; rump black; shoulder black with conspicuous

* Based on Albin, vol. ili, pl. 21, where the specimen is said to have been

brought from Bengal in 17387 and to be in the possession of Mr. Dandridge.

THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS 293

creamy white spotting; chin, throat and breast black, streaked with white;

white of lower parts pure.

Assam, Bengal, Bihar, United Provinces, Upper Punjab, Central India,

Central Provinces and Orissa.

Brachypternus benghalensis dilutus Blyth.

Brachypternus dilutus Blyth, Cat. Birds. Mus. Asiat. Soc. (1852), p. 56—

Scinde.

Upper parts a pale golden-yellow with, in a series, an impression of fine

white spotting and dark flecking; rump black; shoulder black with conspicuous

white spotting; chin, throat and breast white, streaked with black; white of

lower parts pure.

Sindh, Mt. Aboo; birds from the lower Punjab are intermediate between

this and benghalensis.

Brachypternus benghalensis puncticollis Malherbe.

Picus (Brachypternus) puncticolis Malherbe, Rev. Zool. 1845, p. 405—India,

restricted to slopes of Nilgiris.

Upper parts golden-yellow, intermediate between the above two forms; rump

black; shoulder partly black with conspicuous creamy-white spotting; chin,

throat and breast black, with small white triangular spots; white of lower parts

pale creamy white.

South India, excluding the range of the next form, up to the River Godavery.

Birds from Eastern Hyderabad are intermediate between this and benghalensis.

Brachypternus benghalensis tehminae Subsp. nov.

Upper parts rich golden-olive yellow; black of rump much restricted and

obscured by an olive wash; black of shoulder practically obscured by a golden-

olive wash, the spots small or obsolete and yellowish cream in colour; chin,

throat and breast black with fine white spotting and barring; white of lower

parts with a creamy buff tinge. :

West Coast from Malabar to Travancore. Type $ no. 475 Travancore Survey

Coll. 20 March 1983 Rajampara 1,350 ft., Panthalam Hills. Collected by Mr.

Salim A. Ali. (Presented to the British Museum).

Brachypternus benghalensis intermedius Legge.

Brachypternus intermedius Legge, Stray Feathers, vol. iv (December 1876),

p. 242—Ceylon.

Very similar to B. b. puncticollis but more washed with olive on the mantle;

the pale spots on the wing coverts are much smaller and it is altogether a

smaller bird with a hghter bill.

Ceylon. us

Note.—Picus ceylonus Cuvier, Régne Anim., vol. i (1829), p. 451, is erro-

neously used for this race in the New Fauna. It is based on a description,

apparently by Forster, in Der Naturforscher, vol. xii (1779), pp. 14-15, plate iv,

which evidently refers to the red bird already described by Vieillot as Picus

erithronotus. The bird described was a female and is said to have come from

Legationsrath Meuschen.

“Brachypternus erithronotus (Vieillot) should be treated as a separate species.

Brachypternus benghalensis tehminae Subsp. nov.

This race of the Golden-backed Woodpecker is confined to the plains and lower

slopes of the hills. In Travancore it is common in the plains as for instance

about Trivandrum. Fairbank found it common in the heavy forest of the Lower

Palnis. Kinloch recorded it as very common in the Nelliampathies. William

Davison says that it is not uncommon about the base of the Nilgiris and in the

better wooded parts of the Wynaad. There are 5 specimens from Calicut

_ (Haines) in the British Museum.

There appear to be no published records of the breeding season in this area.

994 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVIi

Dinopium javanense malabaricuni Nom. Noy.

This form of the Common Golden-backed Three-toed Woodpecker is confined

ta the west of the Presidency and so was not met with by the Survey. Here

it is most common in the hills of Travancore where it is said by Herguson

to be one of the most common of all birds though not met with in the low

country. It has not been recorded from either the Palnis or Nelliampathies

and in the Nilgiris it 1s certainly less common, occurring up to 5,000 ft. Wilham

Davison considered it uncommon in the Wynaad but in Coorg Mr. Betts tells

me that it 1s very common round Mercara in woodland country, often joining

the mixed hunting parties.

Further north beyond our hmits it extends as far as North Kanara.

I find no evidence for the statement that this race occurs in Orissa (New

Fauna, vol. iv, p. 74). The only record of any form of Golden-backed Three-

toed Woodpecker in this area is in Blyth’s catalogue no. 253 where a specimen

of Tiga (Dinopium) shorei is listed from Gumsoor in Ganjam.

This raises the point whether the name Picus rubropygialis Malherbe, Rev.

Zool. (November-December), 1845, p. 400, can possibly refer to this race.

Malherbe himself said that he had only seen a single specimen and that a

mounted female which came from Bengal. Jerdon’s statement (B. of I., 1, p. 299)

that the type came from Bangalore is of course merely a lapsus calami. There

is in the British Museum a specimen that is probably the type. It is a dis-

mounted female, said to be from India and presented by Mr. J. Inskipp. It

was in the collection prior to 1837 and was still the only specimen of its kind

at the date of Gray’s Catalogue of 1868. This specimen is certainly neither

the South Indian nor the Himalayan form but evidently agrees with the typical

race. If it is the type—and the presumption is strong—India must mean the

Kast Indies and refer to the far east, as is so often the case in these early

descriptions, and rubropygialis Malherbe is a synonym of javanense. In any

case the South-West Indian form is left without a name so for it I propose

Dinopiam javanense malabaricum

Type ¢ 23-4-1881 Manantoddy, Wynaad. Collected by William Davison. In

the british Museum, Register No. 1887.8.10.2019.

It differs from the typical race in being duller and darker with a more

olive wash in the golden colour of the upper parts. In size it is larger, wing ¢

135-142, Q 1387.5-189 mm. The olive wash also separates it from the Burmese

bird D. 7. intermedium compared with which it is somewhat smaller.

Chrysocolaptes festivus Boddaert.

Picus festivus Boddaert, Table Pl. Mnlum. (December 1783), p. 48 for Pl.

Enlum, 696—Goa, India.

Not met by the Survey. As in most parts of India, the Black-backed Wood-

pecker is rare in the Presidency. I do not know where Jerdon was referring

to when he said (B. of I., vol. 1, p. 2838) that he had found it in the jungles of

the Kastern Ghats. Hume said (S.F., x, 355) that he had received it from

the northern bases of the Nilgiris and there are two Nilgiri specimens in the

British Museum, namely a male with no precise locality dated 8 June 1875

(Watkins) and another male dated September 1876 from the Coonoor Ghat

(Wardlaw-Ramsay). The New fauna states that the Revd. Howard Campbell

took an egg in the Nilgiris on 28 January.

The statement, also in the New Fauna, that Stewart took an egg in Travan-

core on the 4th February provides the only record that I have traced for that

State.

It was unnecessary (New Fauna, iv, 77) to cite the analogy of C. strictus in

order’ to suggest that the young have the crown black, spotted with white.

Bell, (S.F., ii, p. 391) and John Davidson (8.F., x, 279) had already recorded

that the crown and crest of the young are yellow tipped with red or flame-

coloured, presumably a sexual difference, and this is corroborated by a newly

fledged bird from Raipur in the Hume collection.

I have not seen proper material from Ceylon to settle the question whether

Ceylon birds are separable. They are said by Legge to be smaller with weaker

beaks.

THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS 295

Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus guttacristatus (Tickell).

Picus guttacristatus Tickell, J.A.S.B., vol. u (after December 18838), p. 578—

Borabhum.

Specimen collected:—1479 9 5-3-3830 Sankrametta 3,500 ft.

Measurements :—

Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

50.5 109 OL 32 mm.

Tickell’s Golden-backed Woodpecker was not common in the Vizagapatam

district. A few pairs were seen.

- This is the only record for the Presidency and it is evident that we are

here on the southern limit of the typical form.

Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus chersonesus Kloss.

Chrysocolaptes strictus chersonesus Kloss, Ibis 1918, p. 118—(Singapore

Island).

This race of Tickell’s Golden-backed Woodpecker is distributed along the

West Coast of India and so was not met by the Survey. It is common in

the Presidency and like all others of our Woodpeckers is strictly resident.

In Coorg it is much the commonest and most conspicuous Woodpecker as

Mr. Betts tells me that his record to that effect under Brachypternus bengha-

lensis (J.B.N.H.S., xxxill, p. 548) should really refer to this species. In the

Wynaad, William Davison considered it not uncommon. It is common on

the slopes of the Nilgiris and occurs in smaller numbers on the plateau. In

the Neiliampathies and the Palnis, it 1s common, occurring in the latter hills

from top to bottom. Kinloch gives us a note about its roosting habit

GHB NCHUS:, xxau, p. 546).° In Travancore. it seems to be ‘less. common.

Bourdillon (8.F., iv, 389) says that it inhabits the lower ranges of forest.

Ferguson, however, says that he has shot it at 3,000 ft. and also 6,000 ft.

on the High Range, usually in the neighbourhood of streams. A female col-

lected by Mr. Prater at Madura is in the Society’s collection.

In Coorg, Betts says that the young hatch about the first week of March.

In the Nilgiris according to William Davison and Darling, December, January

and February are the breeding season (N. & H., 11, 318) and Howard Campbell

took eggs in March near Ootacamund (New Fauna, vol. iv, p. 81).

It is quite certain that the name Indopicus delesserti Malherbe, Mem. Acad.

Metz., vol. xxx (1849), p. 3848, commonly used for the South Indian race

cannot properly refer to it. The type-locality is not Malabar as given in the

New Fauna, vol. vii, p. 317, but simply ‘L’Inde’ and it is. evident from a

perusal of Malherbe’s descriptions that he was not referring to the South

Indian form at all. He says that he had only seen two specimens, both

females, of which the actual locality was not precisely known. These two birds

are contrasted in the description with sultaneus and strictus. This latter name

Malherbe applied to the South Indian bird of which he said he had received

several examples from Jerdon who stated that they were found commonly in

Malabar and South-Hast India.

M. Berlioz informs us that a pair of Woodpeckers, not 2 females, in the

Paris Museum are believed to be the types of Malherbe’s delesserts. Both

measure approximately the same, viz.:—bill from frontal feathers 43 mm.,

wing 172-173 mm. This is too big for the South Indian form (wing ¢ 149-159,

@ 147-158 mm.) and agrees roughly with a measurement of 170-180 mm. for

the folded wing as given in Malherbe’s description. Hume has already sug-

gested (S.F., viii, 154) that Malherbe’s birds were probably from the some-

what intermediate zone of Burma, and the name Indopicus delesserti Malherbe

must be considered as a synonym of the typical form.

What name should take its place? Mr. Stuart Baker says (New Fauna,

vol. iv, p. 81) that he cannot separate South Indian birds from others from

Peninsular Burma and Siam and Malaya which have been named indomalayicus

(type-locality Junk-Seylan) by Hesse and chersonesus (type-locality Singapore

Island) by Kloss. Kloss has shown that the former name is a synonym of the

typical form (Ibis 1918, p. 112). The latter race appears to be based entirely

996 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

on size and I can see no colour difference. No proper series has been available

for examination but Robinson and Kloss give the range of measurement for

both sexes as 142-150 mm. -(J.N°H-S! “Siam, voll v;, Now 2) (October 1923);

p- 196]. Ten birds (6 ¢ 5 Q) measured from S.-W. India have wings 147-

159 mm. This slight discrepancy seems hardly worth recognition and would

doubtless disappear if a larger series from both localities were compared. I

have no doubt that in this species we have another example of the fact that

birds at the extremities of the horse-shoe Ceylon, India, Burma and Malaya

are alike and therefore propose to use the name chersonesus for the S.-W.

Indian bird.

Hemicircus canente cordatus Jerdon.

Hemicircus cordatus Jerdon, Madras Jour. Lit. Sci., vol. xi (1840), p. 211—

Malabar.

Not obtained by the Survey. The Heart-spotted Woodpecker is confined to

the western side of the Presidency where it is fairly well-known. In Coorg

it is certainly rare but Mr. Betts tells me he has met with it on two occasions.

It is sparingly distributed throughout the Wynaad and more commonly on

the western slopes of the Nilgiris up to 38,000 ft. (William Davison) or 4,500 ft.

(Betts). There are 3 birds from Calicut in the Hume collection. Further south

it is commoner, both in the Nelliampathies (Kinloch) and in Travancore where

it is found both in the low country and on the hills.

The only breeding records in our area are from Travancore. Mr. C. Primrose

took single eggs on November 26th and December 15th (J.B.N.H.'., xxxv, 207)

and Bourdillon (8.F., iv, 389) found it excavating in February. Mr. Stewart

found it breeding from January to March (New Fauna, iv, 85).

The range on the west is rather more extensive than the New Fauna makes

clear. Not only did Laird obtain it in N. Kanara, as stated, but so did Bell

and John Davidson found that it occurred both above: and below ghats in that

district and Aitken took eggs near Castle Rock on 10 January (J.B.N.H.S5.,

xi, 679). Laird also obtained it in the Forests west of Belgaum (S.F.,° ix,

385) and Butler (S.F., v, 503) shot the female of a pair at Khandala.

Both sexes bear tufts of bristly feathers in the middle of the back, which

are usually covered with a gummy substance, which has a very strong peculiar,

somewhat resinous but decidedly pleasant smell. Both the viscidity and the

scent completely disappear after the specimen has been preserved a_ short

time (William Davison, 8.F., vi, 127). Nothing is known of the purpose of

this unusual feather, and whether it is seasonal or not. The point may be

commended to observers for investigation.

Macropicus javensis hodgsoni

Hemilophus hodgsonu Jerdon, Madras Jour. Lit. Sci., vol. xi (1840), p. 215,

pl. i—Malabar.

The Malabar Great Black Woodpecker is confined in the Presidency to the

western side where it is somewhat local in distribution and dependent on the

condition of the forest areas. Jerdon tells us that he saw it in Coorg and

at the foot of the Peria Pass. It is not uncommon in the Wynaad according

to William Davison. In the Lower Nilgiris it is apparently very scarce and

local according to Mr. Betts and Davison once obtained it in Bamboo-jungle

near Goodalore. In the Nelhampathies it is common and there Kinloch wrote

a series of notes on its habits and breeding (J.B.N.H.S., xxvii, p. 941; xxix,

pp. 294 and 561). In Travancore Ferguson says that it is confined to the

forests between 500 ft. and 3,000 ft. elevation.

According to Kinloch the eggs are laid about the end of January in the

Nelliampathies.

For the mistakes in the New Fauna over the specific name of this bird, see

Ticehurst, J.B.N.H.S., xxxvi, 933. The specimen described by Jerdon was

sent to him by Mr. Vaughan the Circuit Judge at Tellicherry.

Vivia innominatus malayorum (Hartert).

Picumnus innominatus malayorum Hartert, vos Pal. Fauna, vol. ii (1912),

p. 937—Perak.

THE VERNAY SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF THE EASTERN GHATS 297

Specimens collected: —1445 ¢ 26-2-30 Anantagiri 3,000 ft.; 1476-1477 9d

5-38-80; 1682 92 81-38-30 Sankrametta 3,000-3,500 ft.

Measurements :—

Bill. Wing. Tail. Tarsus.

20d 11.5-12 5i.0=D 98) 30-32 12 mm.

2 Q 11-11.5 58-59.5 30-31 ; 12-13 mm.

Mr. LaPersonne says that these Speckled Piculets were not uncommon at

Anantagiri and Sankrametta and it was evident from the organs that they

were breeding in March. The courtship consisted in the male pursuing the

female round and round the branch of a tree in little jerky movements,

always working downwards.

The discovery of this species in the Vizagapatam area was one of the

surprises of the Survey as the species was within India hitherto only known

from the Himalayas from Hazara to Upper Assam and in South-West India

from N. Kanara to Travancore. The series obtained by the Survey cannot be

separated from Burmese-Malayan birds.

Vivia innominatus avunculorum (Hartert).

Picumnus innominatus avunculorum Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, vol. u (1912),

937—Kotagherry, Nilgiris.

In South-West India the Speckled Piculet seems to be very rare. The

New Fauna (vol. iv, p. 94) gives the range as the Nilgiri and Wynaad Hills,

Agrore and Travancore Hills. Leaving aside the fact that Agrore is in Hazara,

N.-W. Himalayas, this distribution overlooks the fact that the bird has been

recorded as far north as N. Kanara, (John Davidson, J.B.N.H.S., xi, 679).

In the Presidency the bird was first recorded from the Wynaad where

it was obtained by Mr. Darling on the 8th July 1877 (Hume, S.F., v, p. 351).

This specimen is in the British Museum and a _ second obtained in the

Wynaad by Mr. J. P. Cook on Ist January 1894 is in the Society’s collection.

The type of avunculorum, a male obtained on 14 March 1881 at Kotagherry

is in the British Museum. Mr. Betts informs me that he has once or twice

seen a pair in the Ochterloney Valley and that they were active and restless

in behaviour. In Travancore, Ferguson states (J.B.N.H.5., xu, p. 203, and xv,

p. 656) that he shot one and saw another at 4,000 ft. in heavy jungle at

Chimunji. Stewart has also obtained it in Travancore according to the New

Fauna.

I have only been able to examine 4 specimens of this race and on them

should have had considerable hesitation in separating this race from V. 7.

malayorum, which takes page precedence. Dr. Hartert however in his descrip-

tion is so emphatic that this race is recognisable at the first glance and

indeed almost merits recognition as a full species, that I deem it better to

be guided by his decision until further material is available.

Jynx torquilla Linnaeus.

Jynxz torquilla Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x (1758), p. 112—Europe; restricted

type-locality Sweden.

The New Fauna (vol. iv, p. 99) states that the typical race of the Wryneck

occurs in the greater part of India but particularly on the western side and in

Southern India and (p. 100) that Jyna torquilla japonica occurs in the greater

part of Eastern India as far south as Madras. The evidence for these state-

ments is—so far as our Presidency is concerned—unknown to me. Jerdon

states that he obtained the Wryneck at Nellore and Madras (B. of I., vol. i,

p. 304) and Dewar, probably on this evidence, says that it is ‘Not at all

common at Madras’ (J.B.N.H.S., xvi, p. 491). There is one old specimen

from ‘Madras’ in the Gould collection in the British Museum. The species

was not obtained by the Survey and I have no other information regarding it.

(To be continued).

THE GAME BIRDS AND ANIMALS OF THE MANIPUR

STATE WITH NOTES OF THEIR NUMBERS, MIGRATION

AND HABITS.

JC AIG: Gin.s; si.C29.

PART. Vale

(Continued from page 95 of this volume).

(QUAILS.

Five species of quail reside and breed and two migratory

species have been recorded, but are most uncommon. ‘There are

not sufficient quail anywhere to make it worth while to go out

after them alone. <A few are bagged out snipe or partridge shoot-

ing, but many sportsmen let most of them go as not being worth

powder and shot. The best bag is 110, in 1915-16. The Manipuri

name for all the quails is sorbol, irrespective of species. The name

is sometimes corrupted to soibol.

The Japanese Grey Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

One specimen is recorded as having been shot in Manipur in

1899.

The Common or Grey Quail (Coturnix coturnix coturnix)—Mani-

puri, sorbol.

This species is rare in Manipur, as it is in Assam: as Baker?

says, it only ‘struggles into that province’. Further, the variation

in the numbers seen from year to year is considerable. In some

years a fair number are bagged, while in others not a single one

is flushed. The same seems to be true of the Assam valley. In

1920-21, the first year I was in Nowgong, I bagged 15: in 1921-22

and 1922-23 I never saw one. The earliest recorded in Manipur

was shot on September 3rd (1919) and the latest on April 20th

(1919), but these are the only records in September and April.

Only 80 have been shot since 1910, the best year being 1916-17,

when 17 were bagged. The best days were:— _

10-38-17 Nee)

19-1-26 .. A

Being always on the lookout for C. c. japonica, and not being

entirely certain of my identification, I submitted a single skin to

; Op. citi; J BINH 4S.) Ol. xexixc eNO, sp. 0So:

GAME BIRDS AND ANIMALS OF MANIPUR 299

the Society in 1916, followed by a small series in the next. year.

With reference to the single skin, Mr. Millard wrote:—

‘It is a very difficult matter to say exactly which species this

is. It does not tally exactly with either the description of

japonica or communis. So far as we can ascertain, the

specimen sent is mid-way between these two species, having

points of resemblance to both. . . . It is probable they

interbreed and on the border line where the two species meet

one would find birds grading into either japonica or com-

munis.’

and later :—

‘In Japan and China coturnix communis during the breeding

season occupies the same tract of territory as c. japonica

and there is no doubt that all sorts of hybrids are produced.’

With regard to the series he wrote :—

‘The quail are all Coturnix communis japonica, as they un-

doubtedly would be, situated as you are on the border line

of these two species.’

I have always examined my Grey Quail carefully, and most

of the specimens I have shot appear to be intermediate between

the two races, though some approximate very closely to C. c. cotur-

nix. The throat feathers are only slightly, not definitely lanceolate:

but the reddish tint of the throat and flanks is very noticeable, in

comparison with the typical Grey Quail. But I have never found

a specimen which ‘was sufficiently close to the description of

C. c. japonica to make it worth while sending the skin for identi-

fication, on suspicion of its belonging to that species. The true

japonica must be very rare indeed in Manipur.

Baker! refers to ‘breeding birds being found as far east as

Manipur’. He does not quote his authority for this statement,

and I have no confirmation of its breeding, unless the bird shot

in April can be taken as such: but this does not seem to be very

conclusive evidence.

The Indian Blue-breasted Quail (Hxcalfactoria chinensis chinen-

sis)—Manipuri, sorbol.

As Baker? remarks, ‘this species is very common in Manipur’.

At the same time, it is only found in small parties, and I have

only once seen them sufficiently thick to allow of anything like

a ‘bag’ being made—on March 22nd, 1916, when we shot 13 and

could have shot more. The next best bags were 8, on January

10th, 1916, and January 19th, 1919. The best year’s bag is 68,

in 1915-16. In the hills I have never found them plentiful, even

where the terrain is suitable. They like wetter country than most

of the quails and are frequently put up on grazing grounds at the

end of the rains, when snipe shooting, and occasionally in bogs,

especially in the spring. As a table bird they are far superior to

the Grey Quail.

ZOD Clin. dib IN .S., Vol.- xxix, No. 6) p: oo0. and Fauna of British

India, vol. v, p. 373.

EOp. cit. ud BN AS.) vol, xxx; No. Ly ip. 4,

300 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

The Manipur Bush Quail (Cryptoplectron manipurensis mani-

purensis)—Manipuri, sorbol amuba (‘the black quail’): I have never

heard it called lang sorbol (‘the snare-quail’).'

This sporting little bird appears to be getting scarcer, as the

last 18 years have only produced 93 birds—the same number as-

the four seasons 1915-16 to 1918-19. The decrease is probably

due to increasing population and the “consequent spread of culti-

vation. None have been shot in the past two years, and I have

not even seen one. The best year is 1918-19, when 42 were shot.

Good days were :—

24-3-26 coe bal

10-3-17 ome) oe

19-38-29 ep lke

Hume’s? failure to flush them by burning the grass is not

surprising. Partridges very rarely fly out of burnt grass and quails

never, probably from fear of the hawks which hover round, eating

the insects. The birds break out at the edges and run to the

nearest cover. Inglis? has remarked this characteristic, in his

notes on C. m. inglist.

There is nothing to add, regarding their habits, to the notes

recorded in the Journal by Baker and Inglis (referred to above),

and by Connor.* I have seen these birds in the bogs and swamps

in the south of the valley and also in the glens which run into it.

The Burmese Bustard-quail (Turnix suscitator plumbipes)—

Manipuri, sorbol.

Fairly common, both in the valley and in the hills, in suitable

localities, but nowhere really plentiful. The best year’s bag is

18, in 1917-18, and good days were :—

22-38-25 Beg)

5-38-18 eran

This bird, like the other button-quails, is better eating than the

Grey Quail.

The Little Button-quail (Turnix dussumieri)—Manipuri, sorbol.

This bird is not common, but occurs in suitable localities, as

Baker® says, ‘mostly in fairly wide stretches of sun-grass, not

necessarily very long or very dense’. I have also shot it on graz-

ing grounds with very little cover. The best year’s bag was 7 in

1925-26. Only 18 have been bagged altogether, but, like the other

small quail, they are sometimes allowed to go unmolested.

The Burmese Button-quail (Turnix maculatus maculatus)—

Manipuri, sorbol.

This species is very scarce. It has been recorded on 138 occas-

ions only, but personally I have only seen it five times in 17

* Fauna of British India, vol.-v, p. 383:

* Baker, ‘Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon’, J.B.N.H.S., vol. xxix,

No. 4, p. 858. f

Sd BON Ialel Sion Ola: 2ab<y INO Jes Jor, 28k

BENGE Sys VOluexvili< INO. 02 pee A0G.

° Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon, vol. ili, p. 34,

GAME BIRDS AND ANIMALS OF MANIPUR 301

seasons, and cannot vouch for the identification of the other eight

being correct. Indeed, it is almost certainly not so: many sports-

men call the Blue-breasted Quail a ‘button-quail’, on account of its

small size, and as that species has yellow legs, it is, I know, some-

times classified as this bird in error. ‘Of my five birds, four were

obtained in the Manipur valley and one in the Jiri valley, on the

Cachar border. I have never seen it in the hills. The identification

of the Manipur bird as T. m. maculatus and not T. m. tanki was

confirmed by the Society, and it was remarked that the specimen

sent ‘differed slightly from the Burmese specimens, being darker’.

PIGEONS AND DOovVEs.

Doves of various species are common in the Manipur valley:

pigeons are fairly common in the hills, but very rare in the valley.

Consequently, the Manipuri has different names for the doves, but

does not distinguish between the various species of pigeon and

lumps them all together under the term lam khunu (‘wild pigeon’)

or ching khunu (hill pigeon’). Only 838 pigeons have been shot

since 1916, many of them in the Kabaw valley of Burma, where

they are plentiful.

The Bengal Green Pigeon (Crocopus phenicopterus phanicop-

terus).

Baker! says that south of the Naga Hills (which le immediately

north of Manipur) this species and the Burmese race (C. p. viridi-

frons) overlap. In the plains of the Surma valley, immediately

to the west, which he knew well, he ascribes the birds to an inter-

mediate type, tending towards viridifrons. I have never seen any

of either species in Manipur itself, though I have no doubt they

occur. But I have shot them on several occasions in the Kabaw

valley, just across the Burma border, where they are plentiful, and

all the specimens I have examined appeared to fall under the

description of phenicopterus. This identification was confirmed by

the Society in the case of a specimen sent up in 1916. It may

be noted that, while Wickham? speaks of viridifrons as common

in the Upper Burma hills, Hopwood and Mackenzie* classify the

bird of the northern Chin Hills, which adjoin both Manipur and

the Kabaw valley, as phenicopterus.

The Ashy-headed Green Pigeon (Dendrophasa pompadora

phayret).

This species is fairly common in the hills. I shot a single

bird in a village on the west edge of the Manipur valley, about

2 miles from the foot of the hills, on February 5th, 1915. Mrs.

A. A. Barnard saw a few in Imphal in July, 1932. Three green

pigeons, unidentified but probably of this species, were shot near

the foot of the eastern’ hills on March 8th, 1920.

ndian Pigeons and Doves, pp. 8, 18.

DeNVGrieoeneVOl. xxxiv,. No. 2) p. 340.

PB NisktiSe,) VOL SViaINO. th, p. 90:

3802 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

The Thick-billed Green Pigeon (Treron curvirostra nipalenis).

This species is not uncommon in the hills. On March 28rd,

1918, I saw a number of flocks inthe jungle surrounding a village

in the eastern hills, at 4,200 it. There was no doubt as to the

identification, as a sepoy shot one the previous evening.

The Pin-tailed Green Pigeon (Sphenocercus apicaudus).

This species is not uncommon and has been shot in the hills.

The Orange-breasted Green Pigeon (Dendrophasa bicincta

bicincta or pretermissa).

Mr. A. A. Barnard, 1.8.E., saw a pair at Kanglatongbi, at the

foot of the hills in the north of the valley, in July, 1932.

The Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon (Sphenocercus sphenurus sphe-

NUTUS).

I have never seen or heard of this species in Manipur, though

fron: Baker’s! description of its habitat there seems to be no doubt

that it must occur.

The Green imperial Pigeon (Muscadivora enea sylvatica).

Baker? says that this species is ‘a bird of the hills and plains

alike... in Assam and Burma’. It does not occur in the Manipur

valley and I have never seen it in the hills. But it is common

in the Kabaw and Jiri valleys, on the Burma and Cachar borders

of the State, and also in the Nambar forest, at the foot of the

Naga Hills on the north.

The Grey-headed Imperial Pigeon (Ducula badia griseicapilla).

Baker® rightly says of the Manipur birds that ‘though somewhat

intermediate’, they are nearest to griseicapilla and not to insignis.

This species is fairly common in the hills, and one meets it fre-

quently in jhums, on the march when one has no gun. I only

once saw a large flock, of about 80, on November 22nd, 1931, in

the south-western hills, at about 38,500 ft.

The Bronze-winged or Emerald Dove (Calcophaps indica).

This species is fairly common in the western hills, where it finds

the evergreen forest which it likes. I have never noticed it in the

eastern hills, though it may occur there.

The Ashy Wood-pigeon (Columba pulchricollis).

On July 17th, 1926, I saw three large grey pigeons (not the

Grey-headed Imperial Pigeon) in a small thicket of mixed pine

and evergreen forest, on the upper slopes of the high range west

of the Manipur valley, at 5,100 ft. I heard the call of the same

LOE Clim aon: 2 Ops cits, ps Oe.

* Fauna of British India, vol. v, p. 204. :

GAME BIRDS AND ANIMALS OF MANIPUR 303

bird in the same place on July 2nd, 1927. From Baker’s' de-

scription of their calls, it seems probable that these birds belonged

to this species and were not the Speckled Wood-pigeon (Dendro-

treron hodgsont).

The Indian Rufous Turtle-dove (Streptopelia orientalis meena)—

Manipuri, khunu chaphubi (‘the pot pigeon’, alluding to the likeness

of their colouring to that of a red earthenware pot, burnt blue in

patches) or leima khunu (‘the goddess pigeon’).

This species is fairly common. It frequents the Residency

garden in flocks during the rains, beginning to appear about the

end of May.

The Malay or Burmese Spotted Dove (Stretopelia chinensis

tigrina)—Manipur1, khunu hawaimdn (‘the spotted pigeon’).

Very common in the Manipur valley and lower hills. I have

never examined them to see whether they are tigrina or suratensis.

Baker? says that the Manipur birds are ‘intermediate between

suraicnsis and tigrina’, but ‘nearer the Burmese than the Indian

torm .°

The Burmese Ring-dove (Streptopelia decaocto xanthocycla)—

Manipuri, khunu halaman (Hindu), or khunu gurumén (Muham-

madan): I am informed that these names are both derived from

the sound of the bird’s call.

This species is common in the Manipur valley, especially near

the foothills. An albino specimen was shot by Mr. C. Gimson,

I.C.8., on December 26th, 1925.

The Burmese Red Turtle-dove (Oenopopelia tranquebarica humi-

lis)—Manipuri, wa khunu (‘the bamboo pigeon’). It is curious that

the term ‘bamboo-pigeon’ is applied to Streptopelia orientalis meena

in Bengal as locan contirm.

These littl doves are common in the Manipur valley. They

are found in flocks on the grazing grounds at the end of the rains,

and collect in very large parties in the cold weather. They are

very fast fliers, and I have had excellent sport shooting them when

driven over bamboos at the corner of a village.

The Bar-tailed Cuckoo-dove (Macropygia unchall tusalia).

I have only seen one in Manipur, in a glen off the Manipur

valley in the south-west.

18)

MAMMALS.

Big game is scarce in Manipur. The Manipur valley is too

thickly populated and deforested to hold many wild animals. In

‘ Indian Pigeons and Doves, pp. 158, 175.

2 Fauna of British India, vol. v, p. 243.

* Indian Pigeons and Doves, pp. 205, 211.

4 ‘Vertebrates of Jalpaiguri District’, (Inglis, Travers, O’Donel and Sheb-

beare), J.B.N.H.S., vol. xxvii, No! I, p. 153,

a04;” JOURNAL, BOMBAY. NALUWTAL “HUST: SOC LHe, aViol Oxy lu

the hills, the Kukis—the “scourge of God’ as far as wild animals

are concerned, have completely killed off a number of species since

they migrated northwards into the State a little over a century ago,

and have greatly diminished the rest.

The Elephant (Hlephas maximus)—Manipuri, sdmu (‘the black

animal’).

The Elephant was formerly common in the hills, and the Maha-

rajas used to run kheddahs: the last of which I can find any record

appears to have taken place in 1872, when 21 were caught in the

Leimatak valley, which is the next valley to the west from the

Manipur valley. In 1918 I saw the skull of an elephant in the

house of a Kuki Chief, which had been shot by him some years

before in the valley of the Khuga river, which flows into the

Manipur valley from the south-west. Now the only elephants

in the State are a very few in the extreme north and north-west,

adjoining the Naga and North Cachar Hills, and in the foothills

adjoining the Kabaw valley of Burma, in the south-east. The

only one recorded in the Game Book since 1910 was shot in the

Kabaw valley, where they are fairly plentiful.

The Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus)—Manipuri, sdmu

ganda (‘black animal rhinoceros’).

Now only found as an occasional straggler, the rhinoceros was

formerly not uncommon in suitable localities in the hills. I saw

a skull in 1918, in the house of a Kuki Chief, which he had shot in

the valley of the Khuga river. In the past 20 years, 2 or 3 have

been killed by Kukis in the lower valley of the Barak, near Tipai-

mukh, on the Lushai Hills border. These were probably stragglers

from the North Lushai Hills. I have never had an opportunity of

ascertaining with certainty to what species these belong, but they

are probably sondaicus.

The Gaur or Indian Bison (Bibos gaurus)—Manipuri, lamsan

(‘wild cattle’).

The bison was formerly found throughout the hills, but now

occurs only in the mountainous forests of the headwaters of the

Jiri and Makru rivers, near the North Cachar border, and in the

foothills above the Kabaw valley. Tradition has it that a pair

always resides in the wild uninhabited country on the lofty Laikot

range, between the Barak and the headwaters of the Irang, in the

north-western hills. Some years ago one wandered across the

eastern hills from the Kabaw valley or Somra, into the valley of

the Thoubal river, two marches east of Imphal. The bison is not

very common, even in the Kabaw valley. Colonel Wilson! records

that they ‘had existed in the State in fair numbers, but were

practically wiped out by foot and mouth disease in 1896’. No

doubt the Kukis helped.

‘Op. seit. peels2,

GAME BIRDS AND ANIMALS OF MANIPUR 305

The Gayal or Mithun (Bibos frontalis)—Manipuri, sandang.

liyddeker' says that ‘there has been much discussion as to

whether the Gayal or Mithun is a truly wild animal or only a

domesticated breed’. There is, I think, no doubt whatever that

it is the latter, derived from the Gaur, with a strain of domestic

cattle. The Gayal is kept as a domestic animal by hill men through-

out the Manipur State, as well as elsewhere in Assam and Burma.

Notes regarding it were published in the Journal recently by Mr.

Livesey? and myself*. Since then, I have seen an entirely white

Gayal and have heard of another.

The Bantin or Tsaing (Bibos banteng)—Manipuri, santhou.

Lyddeker* claims that the Tsaing ‘occurs in the Manipur dis-

trict, especially in the Kubbu (Kabaw) valley, between Manipur

and Northern Burma’. As a matter of fact, this species now only

occurs in Manipur as a straggler in the foothills above the Kabaw

valley, where it is plentiful. But this valley is now wholly in

Burma, although it was a part of Manipur prior to 1834, when it

was ceded to Burma. The Tsaing formerly penetrated further

into the State, as in 1918 I saw a head in the house of a Kuki

Chief, which he had shot some years before in the Khuga valley.

Lyddeker puts forward the theory that the ‘Manipur Bantin’,

meaning the Kabaw valley animal, may be a distinct subspecies

from the Burma Bantin. On this I can express no opinion, having

had no experience of any but the Kabaw Tsaing, but the descrip-

tion of the Kabaw bulls given by Colonel Wood, which he quotes,

iS correct.

The Indian Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)—Manipuri, iroi (‘the

swimmer’).

The wild Buffalo does not occur at all in the Manipur State,

and there is no historical record or tradition of its occurrence. I

mention the animal because, as Lyddeker® quotes the Manipuri

name, it might be inferred that the animal is found wild in Mani-

pur.

The Serow (Capricornis sumatrensis rubidus). I can find no

Manipuri name.

The Serow occurs throughout the hills. I have never shot one

and have only seen one skin. But from enquiries it seems certain

that only one form occurs—C. s. rubidus. This is confirmed by

the observations of Mogeridge® with regard to the Upper Chindwin,

on the east, and of Mackenzie with regard to the Upper Chindwin’?

‘The Game Animals of India (1924), p. 64.

BENG Se. VOla xxv No. lies 2199:

ERAN SES. “Ole xxxv, NO. 2), 9p. 444.

POP Clue, De. lee

POD e. cits ups Oo

Se BENeHES:, vol. xix. No, 45. p. 980;

Tew Me See. VOln xxi Nos 45° .p.7 190.

306, JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HUST. SOCIETY, Volo XxXxVil

and the Chin Hills,’ to the south. In the Naga Hills also, to the

north, Mills? ascribes the serow to this subspecies.

The Goral (Nemorhaedus griseus)—No Manipuri name.

This animal only occurs on three contiguous ranges in the

south-western hills, Tonglon, Lungthul and Songchal (838 H, BC4)

in the valley of the Tuivai river. Leddeker*® gives no indication

of which species occurs in Manipur, saying that N. hodgsoni is

‘said to occur in the Naga Hills, and N. griseus in Upper Burma.

Pocock* says that the Naga Hills specimen was probably griseus,

to which subspecies he ascribes the Goral of the Lushai Hills

to the south-west of Manipur and the Chin Hills to the south,

which districts are only separated from the locality where the

Goral is found in Manipur by the Tuivai river and its tributary,

the Tuikui. I have never shot a Goral myself, but have seen

them, including dead animals shot by Kukis. These appeared to

correspond to the description of cinereus.

The Sambar (usa unicolor)—Manipuri, sajan.

The Sambar of Manipur, which is not uncommon in the hills

and in the glens running off the Manipur valley, belongs to the

subspecies named equinus by lyddeker,® being of the Malay

variety. The heads are, as a rule, not large, even for the Malay

Sambar. I have seen two instances of abnormal horns, both

brought in by hillmen. In the first, of which I have not pre-

served the measurements, the right horn was normal; but the left

horn had five points, with a tine as long as the brow tine and

between it and the beam, and also a tine as long as those of the

crowning fork and between them. This head was unusually mas-

sive. The second is an extraordinary head, with six points on the

right and four on the left horn. The length of the right horn is

254. in., and of the brow tine 104 in.; the forked tines at the end.

of the’ horn are short—l2 in, ‘and 47% in.; but imside the beam

and the brow tine, growing from the burr, are a second beam,

184 in., and a second brow tine, 4 in.; while between the main

beam and main brow tine is a short sixth tine, 3g in. The

burvy measures 128 in. in circumference. The left horn measures

804 in. in length, with the rear tine of the fork 104 in. and the

front tine 153 in.; the brow tine measures 183 in.; halfway up

‘the iront tine of the fork, a tine of 83 in. juts backwards towards

the rear tine; there is a small rudimentary tine on the inside of

the brow tine, not sufficiently large to count as a point; the burr

is 11 im. in circumference, and the, beam is 102 in. in circum-

ference just below the fork.

Sei rNOlls Soane, NON Ze poe Oe,

J BAN cSt, | Vols xoxo sNOe le oes 208

Op rverbs,) pps whol dp 4

ieee vol. xeaa, 4 No: 125 pol:

ao > te LS) =

GAME BIRDS AND ANIMALS OF MANIPUR 307

The Hog Deer (Hycelaphus porcinus)—Manipuri, kharisa.

This species is not uncommon in the swamps in the south of

the valley, the grassy tracts at the foot of the hills surrounding

the valley, and the glens running off it. The heads are small.

The Manipuri Muhammadans hunt the Hog Deer in bands,

consisting of mounted men armed with polo sticks and men on

foot armed with spears, accompanied by trained dogs.

The Panolia or Eld’s Deer (Rucervus eldi)—Manipuri, sangai:

not ‘sangnai’ or ‘sangrai’, as in Lyddeker! and Oldfield Thomas.’

This species is found in the swamps and bogs in the south of

the Manipur valley, and nowhere else in the State; incidentally,

the whole valley is not ‘one huge swamp’, as Lyddeker*® says. In

the swamps it is fairly common, but, although nominally pre-

served by law, its numbers have decreased in late years, owing

to the attentions of wild dogs and poachers. In times of high

flood the wretched animals are driven out of their haunts to

isolated pieces of high ground, where the neighbourmg Nagas and

Muhammadans take heavy toll, regardless of sex, age, close season

or the rules directing the taking out of licenses to hunt them.

The best heads shot since 1910 are those recorded in the

Journal,* bagged by Major-General H. C. Tytler (52 and 53 in.,

including the brow-antler), and by Jemadar Bahadur Khan, 17th.

Infantry (534 in.).

The Muntjac or Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjak)—Mani-

puri, sajt.

This species is very common throughout the hills, and is

found also in the isolated low hills and ranges in the valley itself,

wherever they are sufficiently wooded. I have never examined the

Manipur animals, with a view to determining whether they are

vaginalis or grandicornis. Liyddeker® puts them down as vaginalis,

to which subspecies Mills® ascribes the Naga Hills specimens. But

Wroughton’ recoeds both subspecies as occurring in the Upper

Chindwin district, grandicornis having been obtained from the

Kabaw valley. It seems probable, therefore, that both may occur

in Manipur.

Ne Indian Wiid Boar (Sus cristatus)—Manipuri, lamok (‘wild

pies | |

Pig are common in the hills. In the valley they occur in the

grassy tracts along the foothills and in the swamps in the south.

The Tiger (felis tigris)—Manipuri, kei, keijao (‘big tiger’).

Tigers are found throughout the hills, and very occasionally in

the valley near the foothills. But they rarely venture far from

TeOD. Gite, p. Zo. 7 JBN TS. vol. xxv; No. 3,.p. 363.

SFOp: cits, ps 253. 2 BIN ESs, vol xxi, No. 2)». 655.

° Op. cit., p. 259. Sd. Ba Nae See viol: xxx; No. ps 229)

DENG eS aaVOl XXIV. NOs 2. Pp: 08, 309, and vol. xxiv, No. 45 Det:

308 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

the hills, as the Manipur valley is bare of forest, and, except in

the swampy south, of heavy grass cover. Moreover, the Manipuris

have an ancient organisation under which their villages are grouped

into kewups or ‘tiger-clubs’, for the purpose of ringing and killing

tigers as soon as they make their appearance.

Between 1910 and 1924 (when the system was abolished)

rewards were paid to the hilimen for the destruction of 189 tigers.

The Leopard (felis pardus)—Manipuri, kabo kei (‘the Kabaw

tiger’).

Leopards are common throughout the hills and straggle into

the low hills in the Manipur valley itself.

Between 1910 and 1924 rewards were paid to hillmen for the

destruction of 595 leopards. Of these, about 880 passed through

my hands, of which only 2 or 8 were black.

The Clouded Leopard (Felis nebulosa).

This animal occurs in the hills, but is uncommon.

The Golden or Bay Cat (felis temmincki).

This cat also occurs in the hills, but is rarer than the previous

species. I only remember seeing 2 or 3 brought in for the reward,

in seven years.

The Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis).

Not uncommon.

The Fishing Cat (Felis viverrina).

I have never seen this animal in Manipur, although it is fairly

common in the Assam valley.

The Jungle Cat (Felis chaus)—Manipuri, tokpa.

Fairly common.

The Civet Cat (Viverra zibetha).

Rare; but a species of Palm Civet (paradoxurus), known in

Manipuri as moirdng sdthibi (‘the dirty animal from Moirang’, a

village in the south of the valley) is common.

The Wild Dog (Cuon dukhunensis)—Manipuri, huithou.

Not uncommon, in the hills and in the swamps in the south

of the valley.

The Jackal (Canis indicus)—Manipuri, lamhui (‘the wild dog’).

Jackals are rare and do not multiply. They are said to have

come up with the bullock carts, when the road through the hills

to the Manipur valley from Assam was opened in 1896. Another

tradition has it that a Political Agent who was administering the

State during the minority of His Highness the Maharaja intro-

duced missionaries, jackals and pleaders, in the interests of

humanity. The Durbar have eliminated pleaders, but jackals and

missionaries persist.

GAME BIRDS AND ANIMALS OF MANIPUR 309

The Himalayan Black Bear (Sclenarctos thibetanus)—Manipuri,

sawom.

This bear is common in the hills: between 1910 and 1924 the

hillmen claimed rewards for 2,480 bears, at least 99 per cent of

which must have belonged to this species. I only know one in-

stance of a bear being found in the Manipur valley. In September,

1912, when I was staying at Moirang, at the southern extremity

of the Loktak lake, some Manipuri fishermen brought in a large

bear which they had killed with their paddles, as it was swimming

across the lake. It had been visiting Ithing, an island on which

His Highness the Maharaja has a fruit garden, and was making

its way back to the western shore, about two miles from the hills.

The Bruan or Malay Bear (Helarctos malayanus)—Manipuri,

sadwom.

This species occurs in the hills, but is rare. In a note recently

published in the Journal,! I estimated the percentage brought in

for rewards as not more than 1 per cent of the bears.

The Sloth Bear (Melursus wrsinus).

Though common in Assam, this species does not occur at all

in Manipur.

The head ‘Various and Big Game’ in the records includes the

waders noted on above, occasionally shot for the pot or purposes

of identification, the game and other animals mentioned, and

otters (Man., sanamba). The latter are common in the bils and

rivers, and the Manipuris say that there are two varieties.

Hares do not occur in Manipur at all.

A few Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) penetrate up the Barak

river from Cachar, as high as Tipaimukh or a little higher. There

are none elsewhere in the State.

(The end).

LU BONG S., Vol. xxxVv. NO. 3, p: Oia,

SOME BEAUTIFUL INDIAN TREES.

Tor Lare KH. Buarrer, s.J., ph.p., ¥.t.s. and W. 8. MILLard, F.z.8.

ARE ee

(With one coloured plate).

(Continued from page 37 of this volume).

THE VARIEGATED BAUHINIA.

Popular names: Kachnar (Hind.); Kanchan (Mar.); Bodan-

tham, Mandari (Tel.).

Bauhinia variegata Linn. Sp. Pl. (1753) 875.—Bauhinia candida

Roxb. Fl. Brit. Ind. ii (1832) 318.—The name Bauhinia was given

in honour of John and Caspar Bauhin, sixteenth century herbal-

ists, the twin leaflets suggesting two brothers.—Belongs to the

family Caesalpiniaceae.

Description: A medium-sized tree with dark brown nearly

smooth bark. The young shoots are covered with a brown pubes-

cence. The leaves, which are shed during the cold weather,

are 4-6 inches long, as broad or broader than long, with a median

cleft reaching from 4-1 the way down into the blunted lobes.

When young they are minutely hairy but with age this character

is lost except along the nerves and their axils, their texture is

slightly leathery, the base is usually deeply heart-shaped, there

are 11-15 nerves; the stalks vary from 1-14 inches long. The

flowers are large, fragrant, white or purplish, appearing when the

tree is leafless, they are disposed in short, few-flowered, grey

pubescent racemes at the ends of the branches or in the axils of

the leaves, the flower stalks are short or absent with bracts and

minute bracteoles which are slightly hairy and deltoid in shape.

Calyx tube slender 4-1 inch long, the lmb spathe-hke, as long

as the tube and 5-toothed at the apex, softly grey-haired. Petals

2-24 inches long, obovate, with long rather broad claws, all white

or 4 petals pale purple and the fifth darker with purple veins.

Stamens 5 fertile, no staminodes. Ovary softly hairy along the

sutures, long stalked; style long; stigma head-like. Pod 6-12 by

3-1 inch, hard, flat, dehiscent or a hairless stipe 1 inch long.

Seeds 10-15.

his beautiful tree has flowers of varied colours, pink white

and mauve splashed with purple. The white flowering form

(candida) is also common and is very striking with a yellow splash

at the base of one or more petals. These trees flower from Decem-

ber to March or April. Mr. C. M. Tambe, Superintendent of

Journ. Bomsay Nar. Hist. Soc. PAZ, pl

John Bale, Sons & Danie!sson.Lt4 London

VARIEGATED BAUHINIA.

Bauhinia variegata Linn.

(about 2 nat. size)

SOME BEAUTIFUL INDIAN TREES 3ii

Hee Whe Maharaja Holkar’s garden at Indore, The Manik Bagh,

says: ‘this tree is planted largely there in gardens and avenues

for ornamental purpose.’

Distribution: Found wild in the sub-Himalayan tract from the

Indus eastwards, Assam, Burma, Chota Nagpur, C. Provinces,

W. Peninsula. Cultivated largely.—Wild also in China.

Gardening: Often cultivated in gardens and will sometimes

flower in its second year as a shrub. It thrives in a variety of

soils. ‘They delight in high well-drained land. It is very tender

and easily affected by low temperatures. No particular care in

tillage or fertilizing is necessary, but better bloom is secured if

some attention is given to these details. Cuttings root with diffi-

culty.

Flowering, Leaf-shedding and Fruiting: The leaves commence

falling in November to December, and the tree is leafless or nearly

so by March; the new leaves appear in April and May. The large

pink to purple or white flowers appear from February to April,

chiefly on the upper leafless branches, the lower branches often

being still in leaf. The flowers are fragrant and are visited by

bees, by whose agency pollination is effected. The pods form

rapidly, ripening in May and June (Northern India); they are

6-12 inches by ,5-1 inch, hard and flat, with 10-15 seeds, and

dehisce for the most part on the tree, scattering the seeds. The

seeds are 4-3 inch by 3-5 inch, nearly circular, flat, brown, with

a somewhat coriaceous testa, 70-100 weighing 1 oz.; they germi-

nate readily and show a high percentage of fertility, which is

retained to some extent for at least a year. (Troup).

Natural reproduction: The seeds, which are scattered before

the beginning of the monsoon, germinate readily when the rains

begin, and germinating seeds may be found in quantity round the

trees. But unless the seed happens to become buried in earth

and debris, or is sheltered from the sun, most if not all of the

young plants may die off owing to the drying up of the radicle

if exposed to the sun, while birds and insects also cause a good

deal of mortality by eating off the radicles. The most favourable

condition for the establishment of reproduction appears to be the

presence of loose porous well-drained soil, in which in the first

place the seed has a chance of becoming covered with earth, and

in the second place the seedling develops sufficiently rapidly to

overcome weed-growth. (Troup).

Artificial reproduction: The most successful means of raising

the tree artificially is by sowing in lines in which the soil has been

well loosened, followed by regular weeding and loosening of the

soil. Unless regular watering can be carried out, transplanting

is difficult except in the case of small plants during the first rains.

The seed should be sown in May in drills 9-10 inches apart; the

young plants usually appear in 4-10 days, and may be transplanted

while still comparatively small during the first rains. ‘Trees

planted for ornament may be kept a second year in the nursery,

but regular watering is necessary in the dry season following trans-

planting; in this case either the seedlings should be pricked out

in the nursery during the first rains or the drills should be at least

312 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

12 inches apart, and the seedlings should be thinned out where

necessary. (Troup).

Uses: The flowers and flower-buds are eaten as a weg ills,

Lhe wood is used for agricultural implements and for fuel, ‘The

bark yields a fibre and is both eaten and used medicinally. The

bark is astringent, tonic and alterative, and a decoction is useful

in diarrhoea. The flowers are laxative. The dined buds are also

useful in diarrhoea and worms, and a decoction of the root is an

anti-fat remedy. The bark is also used in tanning and dyeing.

This tree can easily be mistaken for another beautiful tree often

erown in Indian gardens.

THE PuRPLE BAUHINIA.

Popular names: Khairwal, karar, koliar, kaniar (Hind.);

Aimatti (Mar.); Sarul, baswanapada, kanchivala (Kan.); Kan-

chan (Tel.); Mahahlegani (Burm.).

Bauhinia purpurea Linn. Sp. Pl. (1753) 3875

Description: A medium-sized tree with nearly ashy to dark-

brown bark, leafless during the cold season, young parts clothed

with brown pubescence. Leaves 3-6 inches

long, rather longer than broad cleft about

half way down ‘into 2 pointed or rounded

lobes, very minutely hairy beneath when

young, base usually heart-shaped, 9-11

nerved; leaf-stalks 1-14 inches _ long.

Flowers large, rose, purple, disposed in

tew-flowered panicles at the ends of the

branches, the panicles are covered with a

brown tomentum, stalks 4-4 inch long,

stout and covered with a powdery substance; bracts eae bracteoles

small, tomentose, deltoid. Calyx tomentose, tube ,8,—-2 inch long,

the hLmb twice as long as the tube usually splitting into 2 reflexed

segments, one irregular maregined, the other 3-toothed. Petals

13-2 inches long, oblanceolate, long-clawed, spreading veined.

Stamens usually 3 fertile, the others reduced to antherless fila-

nents. Ovary ‘downy, long-stalked, style long, stigma large and

oblique. Pod 6-10 by g4 “inch, on a tomentose style, 3-1 inch

long, linear, flat, pointed, ereenish tinged with purple a ripe,

breaking up late. Seeds 12 15, almost round, flattened, 4 inch in

diameter, dark | srown, smooth. |

It grows sparingLy throughout India and China and is culti-

vated in most parts of India. :

- Flowering and fruiting: The tomniine, panicled racemes of

large purple, deep rose to lilac flowers appear amongst the foliage

trom September to December. The flowers are very fragrant, and

are visited by numerous bees, by whose agency pollination is

effected. The pods form rapidly, some attaining a fair length while

the tree is still in flower; they ripen from January to March, and

are then greenish purple, 6-12 inches by to-l inch, flat, fairly

thick, pointed, slightly faleate, with coriaceous valves, contain-

10-15 seeds. The seeds are brown, compressed, 2 by $ inch.

‘They germinate readily and have a_ high percentage of fertility,

SOME BEAUTIFUL INDIAN TREES 313

which they retain unimpaired for at least one year; tests at Dehra

Dun with seed kept for 14 months showed

deastentiivy = ol 100" per: cent. «Lhe pods

dehisce on the tree during the hot season,

scattering the seeds. (Troup).

Natural reproduction: The seeds ger-

minate readily at the beginning of the

rains, when numerous young seedlings

may be found in the neighbourhood of

seed-bearers. -Where germination takes

place on the surface of the ground, how-

ever, much mortality takes place owing

to the drying up of the radicle if exposed

to the sun. The survival of the seedlings

is greatly facilitated if the seed becomes

buried in loose earth before germination

and the roots of the young plant are not

exposed. (Troup).

Artificial reproduction: Experiments at

Dehra Dun have shown that the best re-

sults are attained by line sowings kept

regularly weeded; irrigation also has a

marked effect on the growth. The seed-

lines are somewhat sensitive to transplant-

ing, which has to be done with care. The

seed should be sown in the nursery in

April or May in drills 9-10 inches apart,

and covered to a depth of about a quarter

of an inch, regular watering and weeding

being carried out. The seedlings appear in

about 4-10 days, and ean be transplanted

while still of small size during the first

rains. Transplanting with unpruned stem

and roots should not be attempted during

the second rains unless regular watering is possible for some time.

A certain amount of success has been attained by transplanting

after pruning the stem and taproot down to 2 and 9 inches res-

pectively, but this checks the growth severely for a time. (Troup).

‘ ESR SS

SS RS SS

SSS

= Se =

SSS

Saas

= SSS

IN .

Saas

SSSSQq

(To be continued).

THY PALM CIVETS OR TODDY CATS’ OF THE

GENERA PARADOXURUS AND PAGUMA INHABITING

BREESE EN aDirAS

i. le POoCoCk. F Rie.

Unofficial Assistant of the British Museum (Natural History).

PArw TN:

(With 3 teaxt-figures).

(Continued from page 192 of this volume).

PARADOXURUS HERMAPHRODITUS RAVUS, Muller.

Paradoxurus ravus, Miller, Sie Misce Cou xi p. <2.

19138. |

Paradoxurus hermaphroditus laotum, Gyldenstolpe, K. Sv. Vet.

Akad. Handl., lvii, No. 2, p. 26, pl. iv, figs. 2-4, 1917 (February);

and Journ. Nat. Hist. Soc. Siam, i, p. 147, 1919; Robinson and

Kloss, ec. Ind. Mus (xix, p. 19, 1920:

Paradoxurus birmanicus, Wroughton, Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist.

S0Cc., xxiv, p. ol, 1017 (March):

Locality of type of ravus: Trang in Peninsular Siam (Lat.

SON: \

Locality of type of laotum: Chieng\ Mai in N. Siam (said to

be Laos).

Locality of type of birmanicus: Mingun, W. of Sagaing, Upper

Burma.

Distribution: From Indo-China, N. Siam and Upper Burma

southwards through Tenasserim to the northern Malay Peninsula.

Note on the synonymy: Miller briefly described a subadult ¢

and an adult Q (type) of ravus from Trang as distinguishable from

Toe, PALM CLV Ets) Oh LODDY CAT'S: 315

the southern Malayan and Sumatran race, musanga, which he called

P. hermaphroditus hermaphroditus, by having the ground colour of

the upper parts noticeably paler (about pale-ecru.drab) instead of

brownish ochraceous tawny, so that the black spots and hair tips

are thrown into greater contrast. This description and the flesh

measurements of the type, as well as the measurements he gave

of the two skulls, agree so closely with some examples Shortridge

collected in Tenagserim Town that I do not doubt Wroughton cor-

rectly identified the latter as ravus. But these Tenasserim speci-

mens are indistinguishable from a large series of specimens in the

British Museum ranging from Pegu northwards to Sagaing in Upper

Burma, whence the type of birmanicus came, the character upon

which Wroughton reled for the separation of birmanicus from

ravus, namely the blackness of the crown between the ears, being

of no systematic importance since it varies profoundly in the

same locality as shown, below, more particularly in the series

of skins from Toungoo. But Byldenstolpe claims that birma-

nicus is unmistakably synonymous with the race from N. Siam,

Oi 2 Wiaos. = winch he called jaotwm, and this name ‘has > a

month’s priority over birmanicus. Glydenstolpe’s verdict on

this point has been generally accepted and there are reasons

for believing it to be correct, although his type is a little

larger in skull and body than any of the Burmese specimens I have

seen.

Description: Resembling pallasti in having the pattern of dors-

al stripes and lateral spots. distinct throughout the year, but in

the winter coat the wool is shorter and altogether less luxuriant, and

the long hairs are a little longer so that the coat is more shaggy;

the ground colour, also, in a great majority of cases is grey some-

times clear, generally slightly or moderately buffy, very rarely exhi-

biting the richer ochreous buff hue which is common in _ pallasii,

hence the pattern stands out more boldly in contrast with the paler

interspaces; the brow-band is noticeably more conspicuous than

in the Indian races and not subdivided by black speckling except

occasionally in the middle line (Fig. 1, C, vol. xxxvi, p. 870). In

the adult skull the postorbital processes are on the average small-

er, and the external pterygoid crest larger; the teeth ie are

larger, pm* and m! having their inner portions better developed

in a great majority of skulls; and in the female at least the sagittal

crest, as a rule, is formed earlier while the milk dentition is still

in use.

The distribution of this race from north to south in British

Burma corresponds very closely in latitude with that of typical

hermaphroditus in Peninsular India. Not surprisingly the two are

tolerably similar as regards the growth of the underwool and the

comparative shagginess of the coat owing to the relatively long

overlying hairs. But these hairs are not so long in ravus and hems

far less extensive black tips, so that the pattern is not concealed,

when the coat is fully developed, as it frequently is to a less or

greater extent in the Sigler race. Only very exceptionally too is

fad of ravus which, when unaffected by the moult, is a marked

316 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

the brow-band of hermaphroditus matched in conspicuousness by

facial feature.

Tn addition to a few unmeasured and mostly undated specimens

from one or two localities in Burma, the Museum contains good

series of examples collected for the Mammal Survey in. Upper “and

Lower Burma and Tenasserim. Best ss

Mingun, W. of Sagaing in Upper Burma. Three adult or sub-

adult moulting suckling females, including the type of birmanicus,

and three Lennar ae pine (G. C. Shortridge), July 9-18. The gene-

ral colour varies from tolerably uniform ashy grey to buffy grey

and the pattern is distinct in all; the brow-band may be

uniformly pale grey or mesially infuscate and in one example

(No. 3316) it is completely divided by a black lne 9 mm.

wide but expanding above to 25 mm., where it passes into

the black crown. The type (No. 8261) also has the crown black,

the back clear ashy grey, without buff tinge, and the interspaces —

well defined owing to the scantiness of the black speckling;

the forequarters are darker grey owing to more extensive black

pigmentation.

In another (No. 8252) tha crown is black except for a conspicu-

ous median white line; but in No. 3336 the median third of the

crown is speckled with grey, forming a band connecting the brow-

band with the nape. The Sees of coat change exhibited

by these skins are described above (p. 315).

The three immature skins, with the head and body measuring

about 14 in., resemble the older ones but show no signs of moult.

ing either the long coarse hairs or the under fur. Three kittens,

with the head and body about 10 in., were also collected; the coat

is soft and furry with the pattern distinct, and the general colour

varying, one being dull buffish grey, another less buffy and blacker,

the t hird blacker still.

Another example from the same locality, a 9 (No. 10.9.15.4)

nearly full size but still with milk dentition, was collected by

Major Harrington on January llth. The winter coat is about as

long as in the September examples but has abundant underwecol.

The ground colour is mostly clear, whitish grey, with at most a

faint buft tinge, but the copious black tipped hairs rather obscure

the pattern, ‘the dorsal surface presenting a somewhat marbled

black and white pattern. The black of the ecrcwn is mesially

speckled.

Lower Chindwin. Several specimens collected by G. W. Daw-

son and given to Shortridge. Three flat native skins from Thaya-

gon in the Budalin district, dated, but unreliably, August 20th,

resemble the Mingun skins in having the coat long and shaggy, with

little underwool, the general tint varying from clear to buffy grey

and the crown either black, or mesially speckled. An adult suck-

ling Q, June 4, also has the coat long and thin with no perceptible

underwool, the general colour ashy grey, hardly obscured by black

speckling, but with a shght buff tinge especially on the hind-

quarters, the nape with a good deal of grey and the crown mesially

speckled. A flat unmeasured ¢ skin from Yin in the Nani town-

THE PALM CIVETS OR ‘TODDY CATS’ 317

ship, November 5th, has the coat thickened with plenty of under-

wool and the ground colour a rich ochreous buff, much brighter

than the majority of examples of ravus and resembling the bright

Assamese examples of pallasii, but at once distinguishable by the

conspicuousness of the frontal band; the crown is mesially

speckled.

Mt. Popa, 4,961 ft., some 70 miles 8. of Lower Chindwin. Half

a dozen examples, mostly young, collected by G. C. Shortridge

between September 3 and 28. Closely resembling the Mingun

and Lower Chindwin specimens dated June and lke but with

plenty of underwool, the coat being nearly as full as in the Janu-

ary skin from Mingun, and with a rather more extensive range in

colour, the extremes being an adult Q@ (September 28), in which

the interspaces on the back are clear whitish grey, hardly dimmed

by black speckling and emphasising the pattern, with the crown

black and the nape more heavily pigmented, as in the type of bir-

manicus; and a young <6 (September 3), which is considerably

darker, almost brown, by comparison owing to the interspaces being

almost ochreous buff, but dimmed by the extreme black pigmen-

tation of the hair-tips so that the distinctness of the pattern is

obscured. The other skins are more or less intermediate between

these two.

» Toungoo. About a dozen adult and young adult specimens col-

lected by J. M. D. Mackenzie, 6 miles E. of the town, 100 ft.,

and from 20 to 80 miles N. and N.-W. of it, 500 ft., between

September 10 and 19, February 3 and 29, March 2 and 27. The

colour and pattern on the average are the same as in the writ

Chindwin and Mt. Popa specimens, clear ashy to buff grey tana

the crown similarly varies, being either black or mesially speckled

with erey in the same month ah the year. The two extremes are

a young adult g (No. 1341), September 11, in which the coat is

short, about 30 mm., the general colour aval olive grey, with the

pattern well defined, the stripes coalescing on the shoulders and

blackening them, the nape black in the middle, speckled black and

ereyish buff on the sides, the crown jet black; and a subadult 2

(No. 1468), March 2, in which the coat is longer, about 40 mm.,

the general colour pale buffy grey, the hairs having whiter, more

extensive pale areas, and less black at their tips, the pattern less

well defined owing to the, longer coat, the shoulders and nape grey,

speckled with black and the crown thickly speckled with grey

as far externally as the small black patch at the base of the

ears. There is also an adult Q skin and skull from Toungoo

(Wardlaw Ramsay, No. 79.11.20.1), with harsh, thinnish summer

coat, with the moult imminent, and large isolated teats;

the general colour is dull buff grey on the ‘hind back

and rump, darker, blacker grey forwards; the crown from

between the ears is entirely black and the pattern of stripes and

spots is well defined.

A young Q belonging to Mackenzie’s lot, January 29, is

of interest on account of its bright yellowish buff ground

318 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

colour, hke the skin from Yin in Lower Chindwin, both above

and below.

A young ¢o from the northern Zamayi Reserve, 80 miles N. of

Pegu town (J. M. D. Mackenzie), April 80, is interesting from the

effects of the moult upon the coloration. The coat is short,

thickish without long hairs, the general tint faded greyish

buff, the pattern brownish and ill-defined, and the head from

between the eyes, the neck and forequarters uniformly dull

brownish grey, the white and black tipped hairs, which nor-

mally ‘make a contrast between the grey frontal band and

the darker crown being alike absent. When in fresh coat

this specimen probably resembled the young brightly coloured

example from Toungoo.

An adult 9 from Kyeikpadam in Lower Pegu (#. W.

Dates), August 25, has the coat harsh and long, about 46 mm.,

with scanty underwool, the general colour closely resem-

bling that of the normal more northern specimens, dark

ashy grey with a wash--ot ~a. but on™ the back. amd

rump and the pattern well defined.

A skin, without date or other particulars, from Wimpong,

Thatone, 52 miles N.-W. of Moulmein (W. Davison), has the coat

thick and full, about 38 mm. long, the colour is brighter buff than

in the specimen from Lower Pegu and unmistakably resembles

that of the brightly tinted skin from Yin in Lower Chindwin. In

patches the hairs are quite yellow from fatty secretion from the

skin.

Tenasserim Town. An adult 9, March 5, and two subadult

3, March 14 (G. C. Shortridge). The Q@ (No. 4886) has the coat

longish, with scanty underwool, the general colour ashy grey above

and below, with a faint tinge of buff on the mid lumbar region

(2? due to dorsal gland), the neck darker grey than the back, the

crown conspicuously grizzled mesially, the coloration very like that

of many of the more northern Burmese specimens. One of the ¢

specimens (No. 4907) is darker than the 9 owing to a decided buff

wash on the back, and flanks, and to the dorsal interspaces being

more extensively speckled by the black tips of the hairs. This

skin closely resembles the one from Lower Pegu but is a little

buffier. The other ¢ (No. 4937) is, on the contrary, decidedly

lighter than the 9 and shorter coated, the general colour is not so

ashy, rather creamy greyish white, the pale hue of the dorsal

interspaces being more extensive and the black tips to the hairs

less in evidence, so that the pattern is more emphatic; the nape

is also much paler and the crown more extensively speckled

both on its individual hairs and externally towards the ears. This

skin almost exactly matches the pale skin from Toungoo

(No. 49837).

The difference between these skins shows that the coloration

of ravus, if I am right in assigning them to that race, is more

variable than Miller’s description of the specimens from Trang sug-

gests. Similar variations, in my experience, are exhibited by all

continental races of Paradorurus hermaphroditus.

THE PALM CIVETS OR “TODDY CATS’ 319

In the following table of flesh measurements the specimens are

arranged geographically from north to south.

In English Inches.

| Head Hina Coat

Locality, Date and Sex. and Tail. neat Weight.| in

Body. oot. mm

Mingun, W. of Sagaing (3316) |

July 13. AdS 2 | -224, ie 19% 33 + 63 1lbs., 38

Mingun, (d7rmanicus-type).

July 9. ad. 9) 226 20% 33 Veo al

Mingun (3252). July. ad.Q| 213 20 32 6 ,, |

Mingun (Harrington). Jan. 11, | |

immat.2; 20% ANE, ie Se in 44

Kin, Lower Chindwin (5387). | |

June 14. yz.ad.2| 242 21 3¢ 71lbs., 46

Thayagon, Lower Chindwin

(3905), Aug. 20. ad. -@ 20 194 3+ wee 46

Mt. Popa (3901). Sept. 28. yg. |

ad. @ Zee 194 34 63 lbs.| 46

. (3883). Sept. 25. yg.) 208 19 32 Ba A)

Toungoo (1508). Feb. 23. Ble 234 1 cae eg cet 41

oS (1341). Sept. 11. é| 224 23 32 4 | 30

Fe (1340). Sept. 19. Tape Do eta ar Sad ae

* (1474). March 27. Oi 203 IGS esa ee a las

a (1509). Heb. 23. On 204 23 32 40

Tenasserim Town. March 14. | |

yg.ad.d¢| 24+ 20 33 8 ibs. | 36

Tenasserim ‘Town, March 14. |

yg. ad. ¢ | 232 184 32 7 lbs. | 33

Tenasserim Town ; March 5; ye. |

ad. 2". 22 194 3¢ ae Al

Trang, Penin. Siam. (vavius type)

ad. 234 184 33

The following conclusions may be deduced from this table :—

In general size ravus agrees with pallasii; the males and females

ure approximately similar in bodily size; individual variation in

320 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

size at least in the females is considerable as attested by the two

from Lower Chindwin, the young adult Q from Kin being nearly

G in. longer from nose to tail-tip than the adult 9 from Thayagon;

Miller’s type of ravus, despite its comparatively small skull, is

only surpassed in dimensions by two of the Burmese skins. It is

unfortunately impossible to estimate accurately the age of most

of the Toungoo specimens because only one skull is available.

LLL AEIALAL ELLIE EEL DIDI,

In English Inches. | In Millimetres. |

(ER —_—H | ae oS —~

Locality and Sex. fe ed 4 E So| ial ¢ i

length| 2S S S| elfs| a | Pm* M*

- fiensth] SE BEERS a)

Allagappa, W. of Sagaing ; |

agapp ad. gj 4°5 2-7 POE Ohl Ou as 97a Ot oask

Leeyi village, W. of Sagaing ; |

ee : aKole re d(C IS RE be Soap Sp ea son | Ose 7/ 7~8

Mingun, W. of Sagaing ;

ad. @| 4:3 2°4 “A3)-8—| *8 | 17 | 9x7 6x8

Toungoo (1463) yg. ad. dj 4:3 225 De 185 28) 85 OO eG toc9

Kveikpadam, Lower Pegu ;

oo ? ad. | (4°2) DAE eS od al Ou aoee 9x 7 6x9

Tenasserim Town; yg. ad. @| 4°6 2:5 alee Oe Notes IW ise 6x8

r race os) ee | WE Oey (ole

Mingun (67rmanicus-type) ol |

ad. Glo 4:4 S19 2*3h yo | 72S 4 1885 x7 6x8

2 (6316) ad. @) 4:35 | 2-4) | +2) 8) 8) 17) Oh. ou

5, (3252) ye. ad. Ql 41 | 2:2) Se 77s 7 See | s6s a8

a (Harrington) ; | |

immat. Q| 4°0 2 “42) -6 | -7—| 19 |

Thayagon, Lower Chindwin |

(3905) ad. Q| 4:3 2A Ad 7A Oa LA) Obed 7 x 8h

% (3904) ye. ad. 9] 4:1 | 22 |°5/°7| -7 | 18 | 8x72 | 6x73

Kin (3903) ad. 9| 4:4 | 2:3-| -5 | °73| -73| 18 | 81x63 | 64x8

Lower Chindwin (5387) |

Vo adi) 44 | 2222 Wed 1G eS LOS no) <a 7x9

| Fe

Mt. Popa (3901) yolad. Oi2442 eo... OSS Saf teilisy Io. OS 7 aan

Toungoo (Ramsay) ad. Q| (4°4) |... 0 alien. alealecen (Ceara 07 OCS

Tenasserim Town ; yg. ad. Q| 4:4 244+) °421°7+)°8—| 17 | 9x7 \63x8—

Tenasserim Town ; yg. | coe | PbO), 8G. oh ies ponerse ans oe5)

i ‘ .

THE PALM CIVETS OR ‘TODDY CATs’ ees

In general dimensions the skulls of ravus agree closely with

those of pallasii, ¢ skulls being slightly larger than 9. The teeth

are on the average a little larger in ravus, especially in width,

and are more variable in shape. Very commonly the inner surface

of the upper carnassial (Pm*) is provided with a distinct ledge

(cingulum) passing obliquely from its anterior inner lobe to its

ig. 5.—A. Skull of adult male of the Burmese race (P. h. ravus) from

30 miles west of Sagaing. B. Skull of adult male of the Lesser Palm

Civet (P. h. minor) from Bankachon, Tenasserim. Figs. 2/3 nat. size.

posterior cusp, so that the tooth is more triangular in shape, with

its inner surface not so deeply emarginate nor noticeably concave

as in pallasit and other Indian races. But this ledge differs greatly

individually in development. In the larger of the two ¢ skulls

from Tenasserim Town, for instance, it is prominent; in the smaller

it is absent, the tooth resembling in shape that of pallasu. The

bullae also vary individually in length and shape. They are much

larger, for example, in the immature 9 skull from Mingun

(Harrington) than in the young adult female from Kin in Lower

Chindwin, these being the two extremes, with other skulls

from Mingun intermediate. The inflation may also be _ very

noticeably compressed or evenly convex. This difference is shown

even in the small series from Tenasserin Town.

Since my identification of this Burmese series as ravus rests

mainly on my belief that the specimens from Tenasserim Town

are, as Wroughton thought, racially inseparable from Muiller’s

specimens from Trang in Peninsular Siam, I may add that the

smaller of the two young ‘adult males from Tenasserim Town

agrees very closely in its measurements with those recorded by

592 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVI

Miller for his young adult ¢ from Trang. The condylobasal length

of 109 mm. is 1 mm. longer, the zygomatic width 603 mm. is about

2mm. greater, the cranial width 85 mm. is the same, the int-

orbital width 19 mm. is less than 1 mm. wider, the maxillary

width 21 mm. is 1 mm. wider and the upper cheek teeth, excluding

the incisors 41 mm. is 1 mm. less. The difference between the

Q skulls from the two localities is greater. In the 9 from Tenas-

serim Town the condylobasal length, 110 mm., is 54 mm. greater;

the cranial width, 85 mm., is 2 mm. wider; the zygomatic width,

62 mm., is nearly 4 mm. wider; the int-orbital width, 18 mm., is

the same; the maxillary width, 20 mm., is barely 14 mm. wider;

the upper cheek teeth, 41 mm., are about 3 mm. longer. But in

my opinion these differences fall within the range of individual

variation judging from the variation’ exhibited by the Q skulls

from Mingun and Lower Chindwin.

As regards the age at which the sagittal crest is developed,

a point referred to under pallasii, it may be noted that in the

immature Q skull from Mingun (Harrington), which still carries

all its milk teeth and has a condylobasal length of 102 mm., the

temporal ridges are just in contact. The same is true of a young

male with milk teeth, from Toungoo and in a young specimen

from Tenasserim, in which the tooth change has started. In the

youngish 9 from Kin, Lower Chindwin (No. 5387), with all the

second teeth in use except the upper pm? and lower pm’, of which

the points only are showing, the crest is as well developed as in

the adult type-skull of birmanicus from Mingun. That this com-

paratively early development of the sagittal crest is not, however,

invariable in the race, is shown by the skull of the young ¢ from

the Zamayi Reserve in Pegu. The milk teeth are all in place with

m* through the bone, yet the temporal ridges are widely separated,

18 mm. apart on the parietals.

PARADOXURUS HERMAPHRODITUS MINOR, Bonh.

Paradoxurus minor Bonhote, Fasc. Malay. Zool., 1, p. 8, 1908.

Locality of type: Kampong Jalor in Peninsular Siam.

Distribution: Malaya, Peninsular Siam, Tenasserim, ? Annain.

Distinguished from ravus by its smaller size, less robust denti-

tion and by the inconspicuousness of the frontal band which,

although variable in its amount of grey speckling, is not so sharply

contrasted with the crown and there is no pale patch on the muzzle;

the general colour also is typically much brighter although not

brighter than in a few exceptional examples of ravus, but these may

be distinguished from minor by their larger teeth and conspicuous

brow-band and white patch on each side of the muzzle.

Two examples, collected in Tenasserim by G. C. Shortridge

for the Mammal Survey, were originally identified by Wroughton

as Paradoxurus hermaphroditus and subsequently as P. ravus.

On neither occasion did Wroughton distinguish them from the

EH PALM CLVbES OR TODDY CAL'S: 823

examples collected at Tenasserim Town, also by Shortridge, despite

the marked difference between them. |

Bankachon, Victoria Point. Ad. ¢. December 17. Coat full

and moderately long, about 85 mm.; ground colour of back and

flanks rich ochreous buff fading in brightness on the fore quarters

and everywhere overlain by the long black tips of the hairs which

also render the pattern rather obscure; belly greyish brown with

an ochreous wash; head brown with the frontal band merely re-

presented obscurely by fine grey speckling; the blackness of the

muzzle and cheek relieved only by the grey subocular spot; the

throat, feet and distal three fourths of the tail black.

Thaget on the Little Tenasserim River. A young adult 4,

March 25. Closely resembling the last in general colour, but the

nape of the neck not so dark and the frontal band better developed,

consisting of a large patch of grey-speckled hairs on each side of

the black middle line of the forehead, and the belly greyish brown

without such noticeable ochreous wash.

Both in flesh-dimensions and cranial measurements these two

specimens are a little larger than the type and examples from

the Malay Peninsula I have seen; but the material is insufficient

to justify the attachment of systematic importance to the

differences.

The flesh measurements in Enelish inches and weights of the

two Tenasserim specimens and the measurements of the type are

as follows :—

‘Locality and Sex and | Tail ae Weight | Coat

Body | ook

Lista |

Bankachon, Victoria Point ; Dec. 194 LON 3+ 43 lbs. | 35 mm.

7; yg. ad. J |

iphagetninittle-enass., River; |). 193 19 3 OF 3s 30a aed

March 25 ; ¥euadeg4|

Jalor, Peninsular Siam (type) ; 18 18} 22 NRCC eA aa aie

Nov. 3; ye. ad. 2

The following are the skull measurements of the same.

In English Inches In Millimetres

= Se We aaa —~

Se a

Locality and Sex SB bo | Sos eel aes 4S = (eaccle tant | M?*

: oa | S= iw |Soa| 8

G2 | We BE a Bie 2) o | |

2 Peg cs a ) a

Bankachon ; Vio Sela 2e Qe ea Ore Os OR 7ex 0 2 Gn x7,

Thaget ; WoesaCes se ie tcOri ted wa ayecleed: ol LOE | Om One 16 x7

Jalor (type) ; Wea Q Sivas 2 ae Gl S6l ool 8 <6 A Sd xs7

$24 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

The skull from Bankachon, with a condylobasal length of

9&§ mm., although still showing the occipital suture, is muscularly

well developed, with narrow waist, complete sagittal crest, 4 mm.

high on the frontals, and large postorbital processes measuring

31 mm. from point to point. In the two ¢ skulls of ravus, of

about the same age, from Tenasserim Town, the processes

are not only thinner and more pointed but measure 30

and 28 mm. across. respectively, although the skulls are

considerably larger. The skull from Thaget is a lttle younger

and less well developed.

The typical 9 skull, with a condylobasal length of 95 mm.,

is about the same age as the ¢ skulls but has no sagittal crest, the

temporal ridges being separated throughout and 10 mm. apart on

the parietals and the postorbital processes are 28 mm. from tip to

tip. In this tardy advance of the temporal ridges this 92 skull

differs from © skulls of ravus from Burma and resembles 9 skulls

of pallasi from Assam.

The dentition too of minor, pm* and m! lacking the develop-

ment of the inner portion characteristic at ravus, 1s more like the

dentition of pallasti and other Indian races.

From various islands of the Mergui Archipelago the following

six subspecies were described by Miller (Smiths. Misc. Coll., 61,

pp. 38-5, 1918). I have seen no specimens from these islands

and can only judge of these races, three of which were described

from single specimens, from the analogy supplied by mainland

races. |

P.h. senex. Domel Isl. A single young adult ¢ distinguished

from Miller’s examples of ravus from Tame in Peninsular Siam by

having less traces of yellow on the hea and sides and ereatly

reduced auditory bullae which are slightly inflated and only 104 mm.

from the paroccipital process, not Inchidime Vit. Vass 2 ay,

measurements. Miller himself was dubious as to the con-

stanecy of the colour difference; and in view of the. vari-

ations between the three specimens of vravus from Tenas-

serim WYown, no: reliance ‘can; in. my. opimron, be ~ placed

upon it. The bulla is small; bub 1b 1s not clear «where

the measurement was taken: the bulla, of the bigger ¢ skull of

ravus from Tenasserim Town is 104 mm., Tnemennaal from the pro-

cess along its lower surface. In the other specimens it is 18 min.

Clearly more specimens are requned: from Domel Island to establish

the San Ol semen. a

P. h. fuscus. James Island. A single adult 9 deserbed <

tea! non senex by its more extensive black markings a

sooty brown underside. Both these colour-features are too variable

individually in mainland forms to be trusted on the evidence of a

single specimen. :

P. h. pallens. Wisseraing Isl. <A single adult ¢ differing from

Miller’s specimens of vavus by having the tail distinctly brownish

instead of essentially black, its basal third being the same colour

as the head and body and contrasted with its distal portion. In

Pi Pee Me CVE Sa Oke. LODDY CATS: 320

the examples I assign to ravus the tail is typically black, but in

a few specimens it is deep brown in its terminal portion. More-

over in a large number of specimens the basal third of the tail

above and below is like the back.

P. h. pugnax. Sullivan Island. Two specimens hke pallens

but shghtly smaller and with the dark markings rather more

extensive especially on the thighs, upper part of fore legs, nape

and cheeks. Similar differences fall within the range of individual

variation m the series I assign to ravus.

P. h. sacer. St. Matthew and St. Luke Islands. Five speci-

mens like the Kisseraing specimen but with the stripes reduced and

broken up into lines of spots and the skull smaller, the smallest

from the Mergui Archipelago and scarcely exceeding that of P.

minor. In none of the mainland specimens of ravus is the dorsal

pattern disintegrated into spots.

P. h. pulcher. Clara Island. Two specimens like pallens of

Kisseraing Island, but ground colour both above and below between

cartridge-buff and cream-buff, more yellowish than in any of the

other known races. It does not appear that these specimens differ

in colour from pallens more than the very brightly tinted young

example of ravus from Toungoo differs from typical grey specimens

from that locality.

The flesh measurements in English inches of the types of these

described Mergui races are as follows :—

{

Name, locality and sex | ee Tail

Domel Isiand (sevex) yg. Zt 183

James Island (fzscis) ad. 2 | 20

Kisseraing Island (fadlens) ad. 9 | 213 7,

Sullivan Island (pugnax) ade @ ll. 204 =

St. Matthews Island (sacer) ad.2| 204 yes

Clara Island (pulcher) a Oy 194 18+

This table shows close agreement in size between specimens

from different islands; but it supports the conclusion that collect-

ively they are a little smaller than the mainland form ravus,

although the difference between the adult @Q (pallens) from

Kisseraing Island and the adult Q (ravus) from Tenasserim Fows n

is negligible.

3826. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

In the following table are given some skull measurements

recorded by Miller in mm. converted into English inches, for com-

parison with those used in my tables above.

Locality and Ses | ous” | Ro Noa |

Domel Island (sener) yg.ad.g¢ 39 2:34 7 8

James Island (fuscus) aye | 4:0 Zell 62 + 7

Kisseraing Island (pallens) ad. Q. | 4°] a2 4S eg ele

Sullivan Island (pugnax) ad 2) 359 | 2°24 ‘7 73

St. Matthews Island (sacer) ad. 2 | 3-94 2°23 7 73

tb ie adil -A40 Qe 7 73

Clara Island (padcher) ad. 2 | 4:0 | 2°21 — 63 ifs

ie x % ad.g) 4:1- | 24+ 63 8

Collectively these skulls are smaller than those of ravus; but

there is not much to choose between them and the skulls of the

Tenasserim specimen of minor. So far as the measurements them-

selves -are concerned, they fall within the limrts of individual

variation in mainland races.

Genus: PaGuma, Grey.

Paguma, Gray; Proc. Zool. Soc., 1831, p. 94; and’ of all recent

authors. :

Paradoxurus, Blanford (in part).

Type of genus: larvata Gray, from 8. China.

Distribution: from 8. China westwards to Tibet and Kashmir,

and southwards to Sumatra and Borneo.

The external differences between this genus and Paradoxurus

are comparatively unimportant. Paguma never shows a trace of

pattern of spots and stripes, there 1s a median pale band on the face

extending from fhe rhinarium to the crown and, so far as my

experience goes, there are always two pairs of mamme, instead of

three pairs which seem to be invariable in Paradoxurus. The

essential differences between them in the skulls are given above

and need not be repeated.

Setting aside the Tibetan species described by Hodgson as

Paradoxurus lanigerus, of which the skull is unknown, most

authors have assigned three species to Paguma, namely: qrayi

from the Himalayas, a medium-sized form with an obscurely

TES PAM Chit sS Oh ~~ TODDY CATS: 327

defined ‘mask’ or facial pattern, a long luxuriant winter coat, and

dark, buffy-grey in tint from the crown to the rump; larvata from

China, a smaller form also with a long, thick winter coat,. but

more richly tinted on the body with the nape and part of the

shoulders black and a very pronounced black and white ‘mask: ;

and leucomystax from Malacca, Sumatra and Borneo, the largest

of the three, with a shorter, thinner coat, darker brownish hue

and obscurely defined mask. These were the earliest described

species, and widely sundered geographically; but specimens subse-

quently collected in Burma, Indo-China, Siam and the northern

part of the Malay Peninsula show intergradation in all the sup-

posedly specific characters,—size, coat, colour and the pattern of

the mask. Hence I have no hesitation in accepting the conclusion

of Robinson and Kloss that the three original names indicate: ex-

treme racial forms. of but one species, which must take the oldest

name, larvata.

I admit two species of Paguma which may be distinguished as

follows :—

a. ‘Tail short, only about half the length of the head and

body as se mae lanigera.

a. ‘Tail long, nearly, sometimes quite as long as the head

and body oe ae ... larvata.

PAGUMA LANIGERA, Hodgson.

Paradoxurus lanigerus, Hodgson, Asiat. Res., xix, p. 79, 1886.

Paradoxurus laniger, Hodgson, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal, x, p.

909, 1841; id. op. cit., xi, p. 279,,1842; also of Gray and Blanford

as Paradoxurus or Paguma. |

Paguma grayi, Wroughton, Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., xx,

p. 00, 1918 (not grayi, Bennett).

Locality of type: An only known specimen, originally said to

be ‘the northern region of Nepal’, but in 1842 said to be Tingree in

Tibet. |

Although the skull of this species is unknown, I adopt without

hesitation the view that it belongs to Paguma because of its dis-

tribution, and the absence of all trace of pattern on the body com-

bined with the forward growth of the hair on the nape. It differs

from all the other species of Paguma and all the species of Para-

doxurus in the shortness of the tail which is only about half the

length of the head and body. This feature was ignored by Wrough-

ton when he cited lanigera as a synonym of grayi.

The following is a description of the type and only known speci-

men preserved in the Natural.History Museum (No. 43.1.12.108):—

Dorsal coat from the crown backwards very thick, woolly

and matted, about 40 mm. long, the wool copiously mixed with

fine, whitish hairs with their curled, frizzled ends hardly projecting

beyond the summit of the wool; hairs of the face, paws, throat

and belly sleek and comparatively short, general colour pale brown,

darker and more rufous on the back than on the flanks; legs and

upper side of tail like the back; ventral surface mostly creamy

328 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCHETY, Vol. XXXVII

white from the throat backwards. No black tipped or annulated

hairs and no trace of pattern; the superciliary vibrissae buffy grey;

genal vibrissae white; mystacial vibrissae not preserved. Hair re-

versed in growth along the nape and on the crown between the

ears. ‘l'ail woolly like the body, thick at the base whence it gradu-

ally tapers to the point, only about half as long as the head and

body. Soles of the feet and pads apparently quite normal in their

hairy clothing. Head and body about 20 inches, tail 94 inches;

the tail is apparently perfect but Hodgson gave its length as 12

inches.*

From the condition of the coat of this skin I have no doubt

that the moult was imminent. The new coat, it is likely enough,

would be very differently coloured, possibly provided with black

or partially black hairs, which were already moulted or had lost

their black tips at the time of death. The thickness of the basal

part of the tail suggests an accumulation of fat for sustenance in

the winter months during which the animal perhaps hibernated.

PAGUMA LARVATA, Gray.

The principal bibliographical references to the British Indian

representatives of this species are quoted below under the various

subspecific headings. It may be distinguished from lanigera, the

only other species of the genus, here admitted, by the length of

the tail as stated above. Its distribution is from Southern China

westward through the Himalayas to Kashmir and southwards to

Sumatra and Borneo.

The following is a key to the British Indian races :—

a. Hairs of preaural fringe at most projecting forwards a

comparatively short distance over the cheek to form with

their tips a crest some distance behind the eye.

b. Pattern of mask emphatically black and white, the

median band separated from the pale areas between

the eye and ear and continued over the nape to the

withers or beyond see Ss sae

b'. Pattern of mask less emphasised, the median band

confluent on the forehead with the pale areas between

the eye and ear and not continued as a definite

stripe beyond the forepart of the nape.

c. Size large, coat longer and thicker, pattern of ‘mask

more distinct, its pale areas lighter than the

general tint of the back.

d. Nape black, with the pale median area of the

crown sharply contrasted with it, size larger. wroughtoni.

d'. Nape typically copiously speckled with grey like

the back and not sharply contrasted with

the crown of the head.

e. Winter coat. much longer and thicker tee OGIND:

e’. Winter coat shorter and thinner ... neglecta.

c'. Size small coat shorter and thinner, pattern of

mask obscure, its pale areas the same tint as

that of the back i. 5 tytlerii.

intrudens.

ooo

* Hodgson may have had more than one specimen. In his unpublished

drawings he gives three illustrations of the species and one of them is more

richly coloured than the others.

THE PALM CIVETS OR ‘TODDY CATS’ 329

a’. Hairs of preaural fringe projecting so far forwards as to

form a crest close to the eye, defining a large whitish

area on the cheek.

f. General colour tawny, nape at most pale

brown se ie ee robusta.

f'. Colour much darker, nape deep blackish

brown ae Ban oe janetta.

The primary distinctive features used in this table are those

of the three forms, formerly regarded as distinct species, namely

larvata, grayi and leucomystax. The characters cited in _para-

eraph 0b, eliminating intrudens, are true of most but not all, ex-

amples of typical larvata, the southern Chinese race. Those cited

in paragraph b* under which are comprised wroughtoni, grayi, neg-

lecta and tytleru, apply to grayi as understood by Blanford.

Finally, those cited under a comprising robusta and janetta, apply

to most specimens formerly regarded as leucomystax.

PAGUMA LARVATA WROUGHTONI, Schwarz.

Paradoxurus grayi, Blanford, Mamm. Brit. Ind., p. 112, 1888

(in part). :

Paguma grayt wroughtoni, Schwarz, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (8),

aa, p. 289, 1913:, Wroughton, Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., xx,

De ol O18:

Locality of type: Gharial near Murree in the Upper Punjab.

Distribution: Kashmir and the Upper Punjab.

Distinguished from the earlier described Himalayan race, grayi,

and approaching the Chinese race larvata, chiefly by the generally

black hue of the nape and fore portion of the shoulders, resulting

from the partial or complete suppression of pale speckling in the

hairs of those areas; by the more sharply contrasted facial pattern

and by the extension of the pale hairs of the crown to form a short

median, whitish streak set off by the blackness of the nape. The

winter coat also appears to be longer, looser, with less luxuriant

underwool than in grayi. The two races, however, completely

interegrade.

The type of wroughtont is the undated, unmeasured skin of an

old ¢ from Gharial, near Murree in the Upper Punjab (Major

H. N. Dunn, B.M. No. 7.11.21.11). The coat is long, about 46

mm. and loose with comparatively short and thin underwool. The

general colour of the back is dark greyish due to an intimate mix-

ture of black and pale speckling in the hairs of the upper side, the

pale speckling buffy grey on the hind back, clearer on the fore back

and reduced by the extension of the black to a nearly negligible

amount on the nape and fore part of the shoulders. Tail gradu-

ally darkening in its distal half. The under side whitish. The

‘mask’ is strongly emphasized; the sides of the muzzle and area

round the eyes brown; the middle line of the nose and forehead

ereyish white, the crown between the ears and the greater part

of the cheek, owing to the large size and confluence of the patches

above and below the eyes and the preaural fringe, grey; but behind

the crown on the occiput the median pale band forms a conspicuous

whitish streak set off by the black hairs on each side of it.

330 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIHTY Vol. XXX

A young adult 2° with the same history, but dated June 138,

is very similar to the ¢ but has the coat a little longer, about

50 mm., and the cheeks browner owing to the isolation of the

subocular spot. |

A skin, without skull or further particulars but ticketed Sopir

(Sopur, 65 miles N.E. of Murree, near Lake Wular), Kashmir, is

of interest as being the most northern representative of the species

yet recorded. It has the same loose, long coat, 52 mm., as the

Gharial specimen and closely resembles the type.

At Chamba, H. W. Wells procured two examples for the Sur-

vey. A young ¢ from Deolah, 6,000 ft., January 5, has the coat

long and loose, about 54 mm., ag in the other specimens, although

the underwool is considerably longer; the nape is black and the

face, apart from the sides of the muzzle mostly grey. The other

example from Pangi, 9,000 ft., is a flat skin with no measure-

ments, dated December 28rd, but this is no doubt the date of the

donation of the skin to Wells, not of its capture, because the coat

is only 40 mm. and appears to be new. The face is dominantly

erey, as in the one from Deolah, the nape is black with minute

buff speckling and the back has abundance of black speckling. At

Dharmsala, 5,000 ft., Mr. H. Whistler, secured a half grown 9

(No. 25.10.2.5), dated June 21, which also has the face dominantly

erey, the sides of the muzzle, a ring round the eye and a short

stripe above it alone being brown; the nape and shoulders are

dusky black, with no pale speckling and the coat is tolerably full,

soft and about 40 mm. long.

An adult from Simla (A.~O. Hume), referred ‘by Blantord

to grayi, has a thin, loose, Jong coat about 150 mm.” asim

the examples from Gharial and Sopur which it generally resembles

in colour, but the narrow white band on the crown is continued

backwards on to the nape and the pale areas of the mask

are duller, not so whitish grey, and the patches above and below

the eye, although large, are separated from each other and form

the grey of the preaural fringe. In its less conspicuous mask

pattern this specimen is transitional to gray.

The available material of this race is unfortunately scanty. All

the adult or subadult skins are undated and unmeasured, but in

all the coat is long and loose, at least as long as in the best skins

of grayi but with shorter, less luxuriant underwool. And _ this

apples to the only reliably dated skin, that of the immature ¢

with milk-teeth, collected at Chamba on January 5th, when the

coat should be nearly at its best. The only known skulls, however,

those of the type and topotype are a little longer than skulls of

grayi from Nepal. Hence the inference that wroughtoni is typically

rather larger than gray?.

PAGUMA LARVATA GRAYI, Bennett.

-Paradoxurus grayi, Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1835, p. 118;

Blantord! Proc. Zool Soc. 1885, p. 803; and Mamm. Brit. Inds

p. 112, 1888 Gn part):

Paguma grayi, Gray, List Mamm. Brit. Mus., p. 54, 1843;

DE AIM CUES Ons . COD DY \ CALS: 331

id. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 541; and of most subsequent authors

(at least in part). ie

Paradoxurus nipalensis, Hodgson, Asiat. Res., xix, p. 76, 1836.

Locality of type of grayt: ‘India’.

Locality of type of nipalensis: Nepal, mainly the hilly region

(Hodgson).

A little smaller than wroughtoni, judging from the size of the

skull, and with the underwool of the winter coat longer and more

luxuriant so far as the available skins indicate. Also in the tradi-

tionally typical form from Nepal further distinguished by the pro-

tuse pale speckling on the hairs of the nape and fore shoulders,

which, instead of being blackish and contrasted with the back and

lois as in wroughtoni, are nearly the same general hue; and by the

duller, less silvery grey tint of the pale facial pattern. This last

feature may, however, be due to soiling in the Nepal skins, which

have been nearly a century in the Museum; and in some skins

from Kumaon the nape is almost as black as in the typical form

of wroughtoni from Murree and Kashmir. |

The type of this race (B.M. No. 55.12.24. 232), ticketed ‘India’

Zool. Soc., was, judging from its skull, a menagerie-reared speci-

men, and since the abdomen is creamy white I sex it as a female.

Since, moreover, it resembles one of Hodgson’s Nepal specimens

more closely than it resembles any other skin from ‘India’ I have

seen, I accept the traditional identification of Hodgson’s specimens

as grayi. The coat is full and soft, the long hairs béing about

38 mm. and the wool about 24 mm., thus agreeing very closely

with Hodgson’s description of the coat of nipalensis which he said

was 14 inches long (=40 mm.) with the wool 1 inch (=25 mm.).

But the general tint of the hind-back, rump and tail is more buffy

than in most of Hodgson’s specimens, many of the hairs being

not perceptibly dark at the tip, and the tail, complete or nearly

so, is tolerably uniformly buffy throughout. On the fore-back, shoul-

ders and nape the pale speckling in the hairs becomes gradually

ereyer and the black speckling more evident. The pattern of the

face is fairly well defined, the greyish buff fronto-nasal band, paler

on the forehead, being defined above by a streak running up from

the corner of the eye, separating it from the greyish superciliary

patch which nearly blends with the grey hue of the preaural fringe;

the subocular patch is large but indistinctly defined posteriorly.

Specimens from Nepal: In the British Museum there are six

skins, ticketed ‘Nepal’, which on account of their thick coats I

judge to be early or late winter skins. All are without measure-

ments and unsexed, but most of them I have sexed by the glan-

dular area. Three belong to Hodgson’s collection. A ,Q (No.

43.1.12.118) very closely matches the type of grayi, but is not quite

so buffy and is more distinctly dark speckled on the hind back

and tail, the tail being all dark in its distal half. The coat is

thick with underwool and about 40 mm. long. <A second @ (No.

45.1.8.296) has greyer speckling than the last, almost silvery grey

on the fore quarters, the coat is 43 mm. long and equally thick.

332 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

A young, unsexable flat skin is speckled grey and black, the coat

being 46 mm. long. Two adult ¢ skins (Mrs. Warren, Nos. 167

a and b) are tolerably uniformly speckled buffish grey and brown

above, with the belly grey, not creamy white. In one the coat

is 41 mm., in the other 47 mm., the wool being respectively 21

and 25 mm. <A subadult g (Dhuleep Singh, No. 55.1.20.10) has

abundance of black speckling on, the back, with the belly grey, and

a very luxuriant coat, the long hairs 50 mm. and the wool about

385 mm. Another ¢ (Wormald, No. 88.10.25.1) ticketed ‘“Hima-

layas’, is very like the last but rather more richly buff tinted pos-

teriorly. The long hairs of the coat are also about 50 mm. and

the wool about 31 mm. These two specimens approach wroughtoni

in the black pigmentation of the neck; but have the pattern of

the mask comparatively dull as in all the Nepal specimens pre-

viously referred to. Otherwise the mask is variable, resembling

that of the type in some, but in others the pale areas encroach

over the forehead and cheek which are dull, but rich grey, only the

sides of the muzzle and the lower cheek being brown.

From the above given description it will be seen that the coat

varies in length from about 40 mm. to about 50 mm., the latter,

as exemplified in Dhuleep Singh’s skin, representing, I assume,

the complete winter coat of February and March. But four addi-

tional skins in Hodgson’s collection have comparatively short coats

with scanty underwool and these on the average are darker tinted

than the longer coated forms. Blanford took them for a lowland

variety of-grayt; but since several of them are obviously moulting,

T have no doubt they are ‘summer’ skins. One of them, appar-

ently ¢ (No. 45.1.8.297) was chosen by Thomas as the type of

nipalensis. But the choice was not very happy, since the coat

is short and thin, not agreeing with Hodgson’s description. The

pale speckling is richer buff than in the thick coated skins. The

remaining three are Q skins with two pairs only of large teats

indicating the suckling of young. One (No. 58.6.24.57) is a poor,

shabby skin in moult, very lke the skin selected as the type of

nipalensis, but tolerably uniformly speckled with ochreous above.

Another (No. 58.6.24.58) is in moult lke the last, but is a darker

specimen, with a good deal of blackish brown ochreous speckling

on the back. The third (No. 58.6.24.40) is also moulting, with

the new coat erupting on the neck and shoulders. It may be de-

scribed as a ‘rufescent’ variety, the whole dorsal surface being richly

speckled with rusty ochreous, with the belly rich ochreous buff,

especially round the gland, on the back of the thighs and on the

root of the tail; even the pale areas of the mask are tinted with

bufi. In none of these short-coated specimens is the pattern of the

mask strongly contrasted.

Specimen from Kumaon: Skins from this state resemble those

from Nepal, identified as grayt, in the size of the skull and the

length and luxuriance of the underwool of the winter coat, but

some of them have the nape as black as in wroughtoni, and in this

respect are annectant forms. Two ¢ examples collected for the

Survey by Crump at Dhakuri, 9,000 ft., on September 19th. and

THE PALM CIVETS OR “TODDY CATS’ 333

21st. are of special interest. The coat is long and thick, as good

aus in the best skins assigned to grayi, although judging from the

time of the year it had not attained full growth. It is much fuller

and closer than in the skin from Deolah, Chamba, January Sth.

They are darkish skins with abundance of black speckling in the

pelage; one is about as black on the nape as in wroughtoni, although

this area is not so strongly contrasted with the back; the other is

not so black on the nape and has the pale speckling on the body

more ochreous than the first.

A skin from Swarkot, 3,569 ft. (C. A. Crump), August 21st., is

moulting, with most of the long hairs gone; the nape is blackish as

in wroughtom. Two from Naini Tal (E. A. Smithies), on the

contrary, have the neck gray as in grayi; in one the coat is long

and loose as in wroughtoni, in the other it is thin and short, only

about 25 mm. long. The skin of an old, but suckling 9 collected

by Col. C. H. Stockley on July 8rd in Eastern Kumaon, also has

the neck grey; the coat is thin, short and in moult and the belly

is cream or pale buff, as is commonly the case in suckling females.

Skull measurements of wronghtoni and grayt.

In English Inches. In Millimetres.

| | : | |

__@)asgialse| s :

Locality and Sex | eS ey isy aim asi) us ~ | Bulla} Pm* | M?

[52 | Se eel as | ae. !

eGo i. len =e

wroughtonit

Murree, Upper Punjab | | | |

(type) old @...' 5°0 | 2°82: ,°92] 1:0 | °93 |16—17| 8x6 | 6x7

| |

‘8 -O= fe-O 119-1 1 906 6 x 7

” » yg. ad. |

gray

Dhakuri, Kumaon ad.g| 46 | 26 |°9 | ‘944 ‘9+ |

on 7 ye. ad.

E. Kumaon (Stockley) |

old 2) 473 | 2°53

Naini Tal sama Q 4°63 | 2°4 "8+ °88 17 8x53) 6x7

‘India’ (type) yg. ad.Q) 4°54 | 2°33

Nepal (58.6.24.40) ad. Q/ 4:7 | 2:73 ‘94 | 9+ | 19 | 9x6 | 7x8

@| 4:43 | 26 |°9 | -9 | SE | 168 |73~ 53! 6x7

”) (45.1.8.296) ad. |

2 |

334 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST: SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

This table shows the slight superiority in size of the skulls of

wroughtoni over those of grayi. The skull of the ¢ (type) of

wroughtoni is old, even most of the facial sutures being obliterated

and the teeth a good deal worn; but, despite its age the temporal

ridges merely meet without forming a definite sagittal crest. The

bullae vary in size, both being smaller than those of the smaller

and younger Q skull, which has the basi-occipital suture still un-

fused and the temporal ridges 9 mm. apart on the parietals. This

skull is a trifle longer than the largest of the 9 skulls of typical

grayt from Nepal, although considerably younger, and closely re-

sembles in all its dimensions the old skull from E. Kumaon

(Stockley), which has the teeth too worn for useful measurement.

This skull also has no sagittal crest, the ridges not quite meeting

on the crown, being 4 mm. apart at their widest. In the first

adult 9 from Naini Tal they are 9 mm. apart. The only skull

of this series, indeed, which has a distinct, though low, crest is

the oldish 92 skull from Nepal (58. 6. 24. 40), belonging to the

short-coated rufescent skin above described. It is on account of

the general agreement in size between the skulls from Kumaon

and Nepal that the former are assigned to grayi, although the

skins of the specimens from Dhakuri as well as the one from

Swarkot, might be taken for wroughtoni from the blackness of

the nape.

PAGUMA LARVATA NEGLECTA sub-sp. nov.

Paradoxurus grayi, Blanford and Paguma grayi, Wroughton

(in part).

Locality of type: Mokokchung, Naga Hills, Assam.

Distribution: Assam thence southwards to the Chin Hills and

Arakan in Burma, and apparently westwards to Darjiling and the

low lying districts of Nepal.

Resembling typical grayi of the hilly districts of Nepal in the

uniformly coloured dorsal surface from the crown to the tail, but

differing in its noticeably shorter and less luxuriant winter coat.

The proximal portion of the tail is also on the average more

brightly ochreous in examples from the districts to the east of the

Brahmaputvra. :

The type, a subadult ¢, unmeasured, from Mokokchung in

Naga Hills, 4,500 ft. (2. W. Wells, B.M. No. 21.8.2.7), collected

in April, before the early summer moult, has the coat about 38

mm. long and moderately thick with underwool. The dorsal sur-

face from the crown of the head to the root of the tail is well

coloured with black and buff speckling, the buff being richer on

the hind body and rump than anteriorly. The tail is rich ochreous

buff proximally, the hairs mostly without black tips, paler buff with

black tips distally, the terminal two inches black. The legs are

externally grizzled and the underside is whitish from the black

chin to the anus. The mask is well defined, dark brown and

GE PA Me CIVEES. OR. LOD DY: (CATS: 335

mostly clear silvery grey; the naso-frontal band, speckled black

and white on the forehead and over the eyes, passes over the

crown to blend with the buffy grey of the nape and between the

eye and the ear it is confluent with the speckled superciliary patch

Fig. 6.—A. Head of Paguma larvatus wroughtoni from the Upper Punjab.

B. sHead- of P.71. neglecta, from’ the Naga Malls. .C. Head of P. 1.

mtrudens from Myitkyina, Upper Burma. D. Head of P. 1. janetta

from ‘Tenasserim.

which itself blends with the whitish of the preaural fringe, so that

there is a continuous well-defined pale band running across the

forehead, in front of the ears on to the throat, the subocular patch

is large and conspicuous on the dark brown of the cheek.

A od from Duragiri in the Garo Hills 3,000 ft. (7. W. Wells),

March 21st., has the coat almost as in the type but a little shorter,

about 85 mm long. The general colour is not so rich, the pale

speckling being greyer, less buff, and the black and grey speckling

everywhere finer: the tail also is not so bright. The pattern of

the mask is not so contrasted, the forehead and superciiary patch

being more erizzled and this patch is separated from the frontal

band by the upward extension of the stripe above the eye to join

the circumaural brown area, but is broadly confluent with the

white of the preaural fringe and collar behind the cheek; the

subocular patch is smaller and less conspicuous.

336° 6 JOURNAL, CBOMBAY INA TUiy A Lesa. SOCHERY: Vol. XOOuValt

A flat, unmeasured skin from Dening in the Mishmi Hills im

N.E. Assam, 2,200 10. Wi) Wells), “April 22nd. has the coat

thickish but short, about 81 mm. The general coloration is very

much as in the type from the Naga Hills but the mask is not so

white, more as in the Garo Hill specimen, but the tail is rich

ochreous proximally.

I also refer to this race three badly preserved skins procured

by J. M.D. Mackenzie in’ the Chim hills, 2000 1) t50 uulles

west of Kindat in Upper Burma, some 200 miles seuliin of Mokok-

chung. They are dated April 22nd., but this only signifies the day

of their receipt from natives. Two of them are richly tinted lke

the type one with noticeably ochreous tail, and have the coat

84 and 388 mm. long; the third has longer hair, about 40 mm., and

is greyer as if bleached.

No doubt Blanford’s record of grayi from Arakan referred to

this race, which, so far as known, has a north and south extension

of some 500 miles to the west of the Chindwin River and Lower

Irrawaddy. Its distribution helps to explain the otherwise rather

puzzling general likeness between the Himalayan grayi and the

Andaman Island race tytleri.

Evidence for the extension of this race north-west of the

Brahmaputra, even into Nepal, where doubtless it blends with

typical grayi, is supplied by the following skins :—

Two from comparatively low altitudes in the Nepal Valley

collected for the Survey by N. A. Baptista, a young adult ¢g with

no skull, at Thankot on May 14th., and an adult 9 at Hathiban

on May 25th. The coat is not luxuriant with underwool and is

shortish, about 36 and 88 mm. long, with the pale areas of the

hairs, possibly due to bleaching before the moult, clearer, more

silvery grey than in the Nepalese skins identified as grayi, and

the pattern of the mask more sharply defined, the dark -areas

being blacker and the pale areas whiter grey, as in the type ot

neglecta from the Naga Hills, but the pale speckling is ereyer,

not so buff and the “proximal portion of the tail is not richly

tinted.

There are also two skins from Darjiling. One an adult ¢

collected for the Survey by Crump at Narbong, 2,000 ft., on

March 9th. The coat, which from the date should be at its best,

is only 85 mm. long and not nearly so thick as in the long and

thick coated examples of grayi from Nepal and Kumaon. The

general colour is considerably darker than in the type and in

Baptista’s specimens, owing to the fine pale speckling of the long

hairs, which is mostly silvery grey with a buffish wash on the

middle line of the back. It more resembles the example from

the Garo Hills; but the facial pattern is more strongly contrasted

as in Baptista’s specimens. The second from the Gopaldhana

Valley (i. Stevens, No: 19. 7) 26. 5)) Januar, 2th 1s mot

definitely assignable either to grayi or neglecta, but may be re-

garded as an annectant type. The general coloration is much as

in grayit and the winter coat is about as long, but it is softer and

has much thimner underwool than the best coated skins of grayi

TEAM CLV ES OR LODDY. CALS: 337

from Nepal and Kumaon. In neither of these Darjiling specimens

is the tail noticeably ochreous proximally. |

The following are the only availible flesh measurements, in

Knglish inches, and weights of specimens, referred to the three

races, wroughtoni, grayi and neglecta, described above. To these

is added the length of the coat in millimetres.

In English Inches.

Locality, Date and Sex Body Tail foot Weight | ee

wroughtont. | |

Deolah, Chamba, 6,000 ft. | |

Jani >: immat. ¢ OS i COs ead ve 54

Lrayt. |

Dhakuri, Kumaon, 9,000 ft. | |

Sept. 21. ad. 3 | 252 242 4+ 113 Ibs: | 51

Do. pepe 19: aye. |

ad. ¢ 232 . 223 4 — Orc e| 53

neglecta.

Hathiban, Nepal, May 25th. | |

ad. 9 242 | 244 34 Li ibs 36

Thankot, Nepal, May 14th. | | |

Ve.ade 4 232 252 a At Fehr OS

Narbong, Darjiling, March | | |

9, ad. ¢ 254 232 4p bo. 92 Abs. | 35

Duragiri, Garo Hills, March |

2A pad. ¢ 244 24 es Seat 34

In the measurements of the head and body, tail and hind foot

there is little to choose between the specimens; but the table

brings out clearly the difference in the length of the winter coat

between the western specimens from Chamba and Kumaon and the

eastern from Darjiling and the Garo Hills. In reality the differ-

ence is probably greater than the figures indicate. The example

of wroughtoni from Chamba is a male with milk teeth, killed in

January. One would expect the coat of the adult in March to be

still longer, also it is safe to claim that the September coat of the

specimen from Kumaon would have been considerably longer by

March. On the other hand, in the specimens from Darjiling and

338 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

the Garo Hills, killed in March, the coat may be regarded as

having reached its full growth. The coat of the examples from

Hathiban and Thankot in Nepal, killed in May, is more doubtful.

In both the underwool is thin from the moult; but the long hairs

seem to be those of the winter coat bleached grey. In that case

they resemble in leneth those of neglecta.

PAGUMA LARVATA TYTLERI, ‘Tytler.

Paradoxurus tytleru, Tytler, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal 33, p. 188,

1864: ‘Blantord= Proc. Zool. Soc. 1885, 9. S805, and) Mamm: soni.

India, p. 118, 1888 (referred to Paradoxurus gray), Miller, Proc.

OOS Nai Mas. 2A oe Wa, VOO2:

Locality of type: Port Blair; S. Andaman Island.

Distribution: Andaman Islands.

A shorter coated race than the northern mainland forms, also

smaller judging from the skull and the recorded body measure-

ments, and pale tinted, the dorsal pelage speckled grey and black,

and tolerably uniformly from the crown to near the end of the

tail; The ‘mask’ but little differentiated, its pale areas grey, like

the nape and back, and the dark areas pale brown.

There are three skins of this race in the British Museum; a

female unmeasured and without skull, from JRutland Island

(C. G. Rogers 6.9.1.3), April 4th., has a short thin coat, 18 mm.

long, the colour of the upper side is tolerably uniformly dark

erey, due to a mixture of black and grey speckling, and the under

side white; the tail is mostly the colour of the back, but becomes

blackish grey in its terminal third; the ‘mask’ is indistinct, grey

and brown, grey, matching the body, on the preaural fringe, the

superciliary patch, the forehead and the midline of the nose,

brown on the sides of the muzzle and the lower cheeks.

A young ¢, with skull but unmeasured and merely ticketed

Andamans (A. O. Hume; No. 85.8.1.30), has a longer coat, 26 mm.

with more underwool than the last and is rather better tinted

owing to the black and grey areas of the hairs being more exten-

sive, and the tail is not appreciably darkened at the end.

The third skm belonging to the mounted specimen mentioned

by Blantord is dull coloured, probably faded, and in moult.

Miller’s specimen, like the type, came from S. Andaman

Island. It was an adult g measuring: head and body 22 in.,

tail 19% in., hind foot cf in. The type, according to Tytler,

was very nearly the same, namely head and body 21 in., tail

20 in., but whether adult or not is unknown, Miller did not des-

cribe his specimen apart from the record of its dimensions in the

flesh and of the skull.

There are two skulls in the British Museum of which the

dimensions are as below, together with the corresponding dimen-

sions, where available, of Miller’s specimen.

THH PALM CIVETS OR ‘TODDY CATS’ 339

Skull measurements of neglecta and tytlerii.

In English. In Millimetres.

eS EE a

| : Int, w |

: r Total; Zygom. Waist Max.| =

Locality and Sex ; Of Dieter Shem serpeate ed a M?*

length} width |width eh width 4

neglecta. |

Hathiban, Nepal.

ad.Q2| 4°6 Zui5 "8+ | ‘82 °O= | 1Sic9— «6-7. x8

Narbong, Darjil-

ing. oldish 4} 4°8 2e7, Sah Oe) oe) ee eG) Wi eph Ne Flas Bt

Naga Hills, Assam |

(type). yg.ad. g| 4:9—| 2°73 of) io OE eer GO! Wi aoc

Chin Hills, Burma |

oldish (?) Jo| 4°82 2°84 9 9 BOE reo) Usths aNS Bee 7a ates

tytlerit.

Andamans. old (?)¢| 4:4 a7 oy) 8 ‘Oa dA. lite XO Ox 8

Andamans. young ¢| 4:32 a 8 8 8 Opec oa | Orex 7

S. Island, Anda-

mans: (Miller) |

ad. ¢| 4:23 24 558 SIS See

With regard to the skulls assigned to neglecta it 1s noticeable

that the ad. Q skull from Hathiban has no sagittal crest, the

temporal ridges being 9 mm. apart and that in the oldish male

skull from Narbong they are 5 mm. apart; thus agreeing with

the skulls of grayi and wroughtonit, which seem rarely to develop

the crest. In both the ¢ skulls from the east of the Brahma-

putra, on the contrary, there is a definite sharp sagittal crest,

even in the type-skull from the Naga Hills, which is not quite

fully developed. A

The two skulls of tytlerit in the British Museum are a little but

not very much smaller than those of the other races.

The first on the list (Zool. Soc. No. 70.12.17.1) is unsexed and

was extracted from the mounted specimen referred to by Blanford.

It is old, with worn teeth, and even the facial sutures obliterated;

the sagittal crest is 8 mm. high, the post-orbital area, or ‘waist’

unusually narrow, and the post-orbital processes long. These fea-

tures combine to make it more lke the skull of Paradorurus than

any skull of Paguma I have seen. But it cannot be regarded as

340 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVI1

typical of tytleri because, coming from the Zoological Society, it

is probably a menagerie-reared skull. The second, belonging

to Hume's specimen, *is young, wath all othe mule @eeuh

in place, but) the first molar) is) through, thew bome and

the permanent canines are showing. For measurement the

4th upper premolar of the permanent set was cut out of

the maxilla. Jt will be noticed that this skull, despite its

immaturity, is longer than that of the adult topotypical

o from South Island, recorded by Miller.

PAGUMA LARVATA INTRUDENS.

Paguma_ larvata intrudens, Wroughton, Journ. Bomb. Nat.

Hist, SOc... xix p: 93, 19lO- ids op. ei. sox, p. ol OS illlagniaes

Amn. Mag. Nat. Hist. (9), van, p. O17, 1921. Gr Allen, Amen.

WIS INODiites. INO, BO, 9. 74 MGAS.

Paguma larvata vagans, Kloss., Journ. Nat. Hist. Soc., Siam,

WE: Onc Weak LASHES).

Paguma larvata yunalis, Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (Q),

vil, p. Ol, 1921.

Locality of type of intrudens: Sima in Myitkyina, Upper Burma.

1» as VAGansS; Sikawtur, N.-W: of Rahene, Wi: Siam.

» »,yunalis; Yenguensien in 8S. Szechwan.

Dini baciane From $8. Szechwan, Yunnan and N.-E. Burma

to Laos, Tonkin, the Shan States and Siam.

Note on the synonymy: Wroughton distinguished the Burmese

specimens he named intrudens from a series of specimens from

S. Szechwan and Yunnan, which he identified as typical larvata,

by the extension of the white crest over and beyond the withers

and by their generally paler tint. Accepting this difference

Thomas subsequently named the Szechwan and Yunnan speci-

mens yunalis, separating this race from larvata by its better

colour. But G. M. Allen, who had a fine series of typical larvata

from 8. China and several skins from the districts whence yunalis

was recorded, showed that the characters relied on by Wroughton

and Thomas have not the value assigned to them. He therefore

united yunalis with intrudens, pointing out that the specimens to

which these names were given represent a race differmg from

typical larvata merely by its shehtly superior size. My exami-

nation of the sking and skulls seen by Wroughton and Thomas

confirms Allen’s conclusion. My reason for adding vagans to the

synonymy is given below.

Description: Distinguished from the Himalayan and Anda-

manese races, hitherto considered, by the more sharply contrasted

black and white pattern of the ‘mask’ , combined with the exten-

sion of the median white area of the crown along the nape to the

withers, or beyond, and its conspicuousness owing to the blackness

of those areas. Resembling in those respects apreal larvata of

southern China; but a little larger.

TIE PALM CLhVETS* OR TLODDY. CATS. dt

There are three Burmese examples of this race in the British

Museum. A young adult @ (type) from Sima in Myitkyina,

4,900 it., near the western border of Yunnan (A. W. Kemmis,

No. 9.7.20.6), November 9th. General colour of the dorsal surface

and flanks dull buff, speckled with black, the black more in evi-

dence on the shoulders than behind them; neck still blacker but

with a broad white median band continuous in front with the band

on the crown and passing on to the withers where it is interrupted,

but re-appears for a few inches behind them. Lower surface

mostly white, the hairs grey at the base; more grey on the chest,

throat white behind, black, like the chin, in front. Tail like the

back in its proximal portion; distally black. Mask, as above de-

scribed, with a broad median white band from the top of the

muzzle over the crown, a large subocular white patch; superciliary

patch also tolerably large and only narrowly separated from the

preaural fringe, the white of which is broadly continuous below

the ear with the white throat-collar; the rest of the face jet black,

emphasising the white. ah

Two examples from Pyaunggaung in the North Shan States,

2,794 ft. (G..C. Shortridge, No. 14.7.8.61 and 62). An immature

Q, May 11th, is practically identical with the last, with the coat

a little longer but thinning from the moult. An adult ¢, April

80th, also has the coat thinner than in the type owing to the moult,

most of the long hairs being shed on the neck. The general colour

is a richer, more golden buff than in the others, with less black

speckling because most of the hairs have no black tips, a feature

common in Chinese specimens, although small black tips are pre-

sent-on the shoulders. The white median stripe on the nape

owing to the shortness of the hairs is much narrower and does

not reach the withers; the mask is very similar but the super-

ciliary patch is confluent with the white of the preaural fringe.

The tail is grey, except. at the base, and the legs are brown,

speckled with grey, with black toes, not mainly black as in the

two females. |

The variations between these skins of intrudens have an im-

portant bearing on the status of the supposed race vagans based

upon a single female without the skull, said to differ from intru-

dens by the tips of the hairs being black instead of buff, the white

nape stripe not extending on to the withers, the superciliary and

preaural white patches confluent, the under side cream and the

hind legs ochreous on the inner side. But in the type of intrudens

the hairs are black tipped; in the ¢ from the N. Shan States the

nape stripe falls short of withers, and the two white areas on the

head are confluent; in both the females of intrudens there is some

ochreous on the inner side of the hind legs and the colour of the

belly is known to vary individually from white or grey to cream

in races of Paguma, cream, as above pointed out, being common

in females. Pees ta,

In the following table are entered the dimensions, in English

inches, and the weight, of the only examples of intrudens in the

British Museum, measured jn the: flesh, and those of the type of

342 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

vagans recorded by Kloss.

To these have been added the length

of the coat in millimetres. .

In English Inches.

(ia. = —KA-= any.

SS EI I EIEIO SIE EET

Nae Head and Rae Hind : Coat

Locality, Date and Sex ~ Body Tail Bee | Weight a

N. Shan States; April |

30 ; ye. adds 274 242 45 | 11 lbs. 37

N. Shan States; April |

30 ; immat. 2 22% 214 44 64 ,, 48

Myitkyina (type of zn-

trudens) Nov. 9; yg. |.

ad. @ 24 23 3% | 41

Hills N. W. of Teng-

yueh, Yunnan; Aug.

ad. 2 264 244 4 45

Nape, Laos. Jan. ad. Q 25 234 oF

N.W. of Raheng, Siam |

(type of wvagans) ?

tie ag ae 244 23 3

‘Measurements of the three available skulls of Burmese examples

of intrudens. ‘The second-on the list carries complete milk denti-

tion. :

In English Inches. In Millimetres.

I EE NE Sp Nae OS

| : Int. |

Locality and Sex ahs asec Fens orb. P = lexan Mt

png width width | ath width ie

N. Shan States; ak .

yo. adver) 4:7 2°54 1:0 9+ )-"9+ 119) 9 x61 72x8

N. Shan. States; aie

immat. 4:4 222 8 8 8 183

Myitkyina (type) i

ye. ad. 2} 4°6 Ps) "S84 °84 Qa LT Ae eO |) ay xed

These measurements agree very closely with those of the skulls

from Szechwan, Yunnan and Indo-China assigned by Thomas to

yunalis and with the average of 4.7 in. in total length given by

Allen for skulls of this race from Szechwan and western Yunnan.

He found, on the contrary, that the average total length of a

THE PALM CIVETS OR ‘TODDY CATS’ 343

number of adult skulls of typical larvata from Fokien in S. China

was only 4.4% in., indicating the smaller size of the latter race.

PAGUMA LARVATA RoBUSTA, Miller.

Paradoxurus robustus, Miller, Proc, Biol. Soc. Wash.; xix, p.

26, 1906. : nee

Paguma robusta, Kloss, Journ. Str. Br... Asiat. Soc., No. 53,

p. 24, 1909. :

Paguma leucomystax robusta, Wroughton, Journ. Bomb. Nat.

Hist. SOc. XXxvVl,, p., ol, 1918;

Locally of type: Tirons or Trang, Peninsular Siam (Lat. 8°

Distribution: Tenasserim, Peninsular Siam, “Northern Malay

Peninsula.

Distinguished from the more northern races - an average

shght superiority in size and by the shortness and. thinness of

the coat at all seasons of the year, but principally by the large

size and conspicuousness of the cream or white area of the cheek

in front of the ear resulting from the forward sweep of the short

hairs of the preaural fringe to form, where they meet the back-

wardly directed hairs of the rest of the face, a curved crest which

passes only a short distance. behind the eye. The general colour,

hardly differing from that of some examples of grayi or tytlerii,

varies from paler or darker tawny to buffy grey, the back some-

times with rusty ochreous speckling, but black or dark brown

speckling of the coat on the back is never conspicuous, but usually

more pronounced anteriorly, the nape sometimes being brownish.

The pale fronto-nasal band is conspicuous and may be practically

uniformly tinted throughout and fuse with the preaural patch or

darkened between them; it:-may stop short on the crown between

the ears or be continued on to the anterior portion of the nape;

the rest of the mask is brown with the subocular patch represented

at most by a grey smear; the belly is pale, creamy or greyish.

This description is based upon five examples collected by Kloss

in Peninsular Siam and the northern parts of the Malay Peninsula,

one of them, a large old ¢, being a topotype from ‘Trang.

The evidence that this race comes into the fauna of British

India rests upon the record by Miller of a specimen from Telok

Begar in Tenasserim. This was an adult ¢, a little smaller than

the t ype of the race, an adult .? from Trang, and much smaller,

almost 5 inches shorter in the length of the head and body, than

the topotypical ¢ above referred to. Miller did not give the

measurements of the skull of the example from Telok Besar, but

supplied those of the body taken in the flesh. In its size, the

pattern of the mask, and in its skull this race resembles the long-

known southern race leucomystax found in the southern Malay

Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo, but is much paler in general

coloration, in which it is very like grayi. It is one of the annec-

tant forms above referred to, justifying the view that leucomystax

is a subspecies of larvata.

344 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

PAGUMA LARVATA JANETTA, Thos.

Paguma robusta, Wroughton, Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc.,

xxill, p. 710, 1915 (not Paradoxurus robustus, Miller). 3

Paguma leucomystax janetta, Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.

(AO) a1, peg lol 1928,

Locality of type: Bankachon, Victoria Pt., S. Tenasserim.

Distribution: S. Tenasserim.

Distinguished from robusta, which it resembles in its short,

thinnish winter-coat, large white or cream preaural area and some

cranial features, by its much darker colour, the back being speck-

led with black and ochreous or buff, passing into grey on the

Hig. 7.—A. Upper and lower side of skull of oldish male (type) of P. J.

janetta from Bankachon, 'Tenasserim.

flanks, but the pale speckling dies out on the shoulders and nape

which are brownish black, with at most some white, continued

back from the crown, in the middle of the nape.

The British Museum has three examples of this race collected

for the Survey by G. C. Shortridge in Victoria, Tenasserim. They

must have been assigned originally to robusta on geographical

srounds without regard to Miller’s description of that race. The

type, an adult ¢ (No. 14.12.18.111) has no white on the nape or

crown; no subocular patch, the grey fronto-nasal band narrowly

continuous with the large preaural area and a pale brownish chin.

THE PALM CIVETS Oh TODDY CATS: 345

An adult 9 (No. 14.12.8.112) is a little paler on the upper side,

the black speckling being less evident, the pale speckling more

ochreous on the back and more buffy on the flanks; the fore part

of the under side is darker grey, the chin blackish; there are a few

speckles on the crown and an indistinct grey subocular patch.

A more interesting difference lies in the preaural fringe, the hairs

of which do not grow so far forwards, their disposition being inter-

mediate between those of the type and of the more northern races.

A young ¢ with milk teeth is like the adult ¢, but has a quan-

tity of white on the nape, some on the crown and clean white

facial areas, with the fronto-nasal band more clearly separated

from the large preaural patch, and the chin black.

The following table gives the flesh measurements in inches and

the coat in millimetres of the example of robusta from Tenasserim

and of the three specimens of janetta:—

English Inches.

eenet

_- So

Ce ooo

Head Coat

Locality, Date and Sex. and Tail. | Foot. in Weight.

: Body. : millim.

robusta. |

Telok Besar, Tenasserim

(Miller). ad. ¢ 2080 ly 228 4

; Pe

janetta. Weber aed

Bankachon, Tenasserim; | | |

Dec. 12; ad. & |, 26% sie 42 | 20 124 lbs.

Bankachon, Tenasserim; |

Dec. 27; immat. ¢ 234 202 4 — 62.5,

Bankachon, Tenasserim; |

Wee, 29; ad. 2 252 23 4 29 gi ,,

According to this table there is nothing to choose between

robusta and janetta in size; but the only two males of robusta

I have seen, namely an old example from Trang, the typical loca-

lity, and a young adult from Klong Wong Hip, both in Peninsular

Siam, are considerably larger being, respectively 302 and 292

inches in length of head and body. This suggests that the Tenas-

serim example of robusta serves in a measures to link robusta

and janetta, resembling the former in colour, the latter in size.

In four examples of robusta from Peninsular Siam and the northern

part of the Malay Peninsula, collected in October, February and

March, the coat varies in length from 23 to 31 mm., which is

about the same as in the examples of janetta collected in Decem-

ber. Both these races closely resemble tytlerii of the Andamans

3846. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

in the coat; but have it shorter than in neglecta and intrudens

found farther north in British Burma. Typical robusta seems to

be a little larger than intrudens and neglecta; the Tenasserim

robusta and janetta seem to agree eae well with those two races

in size.

Skull measurements of janetta.

In English Inches. In Millimetres.

ne ; Int.

Locality and | Total | Zygom.| Waist. ‘ Max ;

Sex. length. | width. | width. orb. ear Bulla.) Pm *,) M2.

; |. width.

Bankachon, . |

Tenasserim | |

(type) ad.g| 4:9 2°92 pled 1] 1:0 197 7) 9x641°8<'8

Bankachon, plas, Sean a | |

Tenasserim : |

immat. ~| 44 BPS} ]—. “9 9 17 | 8x6$| 7x 8

‘ : ae |

Bankachon,

‘Tenasserim |

=e a4 20 2°54 aah “82 Sopa prea Ie) = | 8x 641-78

Judging from the flesh measurements, the skull of Miller’s adult

d example of robusta from Tenasserim would not have exceeded

in size-that of the adult ¢ (type) of janetta. But the skull of the

oldish ¢: of robusta from Trang above referred to, is 5.34 in. long

and 8 in. wide, and ae of the adult 9 (type), recorded by Miller,

was 5 in. long and 2.7 in. wide, both being larger than the adult

g and 9 ails ee of janetta, this bearing out the con-

clusion derived from the flesh measurements that robusta is a

larger form than janetta. The immature <¢ skull of the latter

entered above carries its milk dentition, none. of the permanent

teeth being through the bone. The measured teeth were exposed

by cutting away the maxilla.

The skulls of these two races are better developed muscularly

than those of the preceding races. They exhibit a much more

marked depression on the crown at the junction of the frontal and

parietal bones and at this point the sagittal crest on the skull of

the adult 3 (type) of janetta is 5 mm. ian although in the adult

Q@ there is no crest, the ridges being 5 mm. apart approximately,

as in. Q@ skulls of grayi. In skulls of robusta from Peninsular

Siam the crest is still better developed. In an immature ¢, with

milk teeth, the ridges just meet on the crown and in a young adult

Q they rise into a low, sharp crest, as in the one oldish 2 skull

of grayi from Nepal.

ON THE BIRDS OF THE ADUNG VALLEY, NORTH-EAST BURMA.

No B: KINNEAR. :

[Assistant Keeper, British Musewm (Natural as

In 1930 Captain Kingdon Ward accompanied by Lord Cranbrook made

an expedition to the sources of the Irrawaddy with the object of studying the

flora and collecting seeds of plants for introduction into British gardens. In

his previous expeditions to Burma and Southern Tibet Captain Kingdon Ward

always endeavoured to collect a few birds, but naturally having first to pay

attention to plants, only when not engaged in botanizing or seed collecting

has he been able to secure birds. Any lack of numbers however, has been made

up in the rarity of the specimens secured. For instance, during his 1922

expedition he collected examples of Tetraophasis szechenzii in Yunnan and in

1924 obtained both Temminck’s Tragopan (Tragopan temmincki), and Sclater’s

Monal (Lophophorus sclateri), in Southern Tibet, while in 1926 he got several

specimens of the Yunnan Blood Pheasant, a new Trogon (Pyrotrogon wardt)

in the Seinghku Valley, N. Burma.

In the present expedition Captain Ward was singularly fortunate in having

as @ companion, Lord Cranbrook, who was able to devote himself almost

entirely to collecting zoological specimens. ft says a great deal for Lord

Cranbrook’s zeal as a collector that with no previous experience and only

one or two lessons in skinning he brought back some 152 birds, 340 mammals,

a number of reptiles—one of which was new—and a collection of insects. Among

the mammals four have been found to be new to science and I have described

two new races amongst the birds.

The interest in the collection however, -does not lie in the discovery of new

forms but in the addition to our knowledge of the distribution of certain

species. Some of the birds were previously only known from Nepal and

Sikkim and N.-W. Yunnan and were unrecorded from any intermediate locality.

While others again were known from the Himalayas and Assam, but not from

Burma or further East. A number of the species are new to Burma, but

exactly how many it is difficult to say definitely. In the second edition

of the bird volumes of the Fauna of British India, certain species are stated

to occur in Burma, but neither Dr. Ticehurst, who has made a very complete

bibliography of Burmese birds, nor I, have been able to trace any published

record and there are no skins in the Museum from Burma.

The field notes made by Lord Cranbrook are distinguished by a (C) and

those by Captain Kingdon Ward with (K. W.). All references to the Fauna

should be understood as meaning the volumes by Mr. Stuart Baker in the

second edition of the Fauna of British India series.

Out of the 152 skins in the collection 88 were presented by Lord Cranbrook

and Captain Kingdon Ward to the British Museum, the remainder going to

the Field Museum, Chicago.

Lord Cranbrook has kindly ‘contributed the following account of the trip

and the country visited.

NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION.

BY.

_ Lorp CRANBROOK.

“ihe object of estan Kingdon Ward’s 1931 Expedition was, of course,

mainly botanical, though we hoped to cross the pass at the head of the

348 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Nam Tamai valley into Tibet, and link up our route with that of any other

traveller further north. I was to make as representative a collection as I

could of the birds and mammals.

We arrived at Rangoon in November 1930 and proceeded to Myitkyina by

train, travelling from there by mules to Fort Hertz, where we arrived on

December 16th. Owing to the regulations of the Yunnan Government, Chinese

mules working in Burma are not allowed east of the Mali Hka, so after

leaving Fort. Hertz we had to rely on coolies for transport. As the country

is very sparsely inhabited and we were taking stores for a year, it meant

that travelling was slow and that we were separated from part of our kit

for days at a time, so it says much for the honesty of the inhabitants that,

though we had about a hundredweight .of coined silver, to say nothing of

a case of rum bottles—which even empty were almost priceless to the natives—

we never missed anything !

Between the Mali Hka and the Nam Tamai we had to cross three ranges

of about 6,000 ft. dropping down to the valleys between each at about 1,500 ft. ;

the road, a good mule path, running through evergreen hill jungle. Reaching.

‘the Tamai on January 7th we travelled up its east bank, arriving at the Adung-

Seinghku confluence on the 25th. Up to the time we crossed the last range

of hills which separates the Nam Tamai (one of the head waters of the Nmai

Hka, or Eastern Irrawaddy). from the last tributary of the Mali Hka, or

Western Irrawaddy, we heard or saw Gibbons every day: after crossing the.

divide some 6,500 ft., we never saw or heard any and the natives told me

they were not: to be found. This pass is the lowest over the divide until

many miles further south in the Triangle, and it would be interesting to

find out how far north from the plains near Myitkyina these monkeys go

in the valley of the Nmai;- the vegetation and climate seem to be exactly

the same both sides of the divide.

The Adung-Seinghku confluence (the Tamai from now on changing its

name- to Adung) is the end of administrative territory and from now we

had to rely on native tracks and more’ primitive bridges. Going was. pretty

slow as the path was not good for laden coolies: sometimes climbing small

cliffs on bamboo ladders or knotched logs, then down amongst the boulders in

the river bed with occasional easier places where it crossed cultivated terraces.

Tha- houses of the natives were all hidden away in the jungle but signs of

inhabitants were not wanting in small patches of cultivated land and occasional

‘monkey bridges’ over the river. On the fourth day the valley turned to the

north and there seemed to be a definite change from typical subtropical hill

jungle to forest of a more temperate type. Conifers were quite numerous

in the valley bottom and there were a good many deciduous trees: even the

fauna seemed to change as above this’ bend I saw none of the red-bellied

Callosciurus erythraeus which were so plentiful in the Tamai and Lower Adung

and the long-nosed Squirrels (Dremomys pernyi and D. macmillant) seemed to

take their place. The next day we arrived at Tahawndam, the last village in

Burma, which we made our base and where we were to stay for the next

three months.

The village itself consisted of three Tibetan families while there were

about six Daru families scattered up and down the valley.. There was also

one family who claimed to be Dalons, of a different race to the Darus and to

have come from over the hills to the South (? Taron valley): to my mind

they appeared identical with the Darus,—looking the same, clothed the same,

just as smelly and dirty and, after their first fear of us—just as friendly.

The Tibetans seemed to do themselves pretty well with a few acres of

permanent cultivation round their huts and fair sized herds of yak, sheep,

goats, pigs and a few fowls. They plough with yak and grow barley, maize,

peas, beans, millet and buckwheat. Although they do not seem to have any

fixed rotation they grow two crops a year with an occasional fallow. ‘The

leguminous crops are varied from field to field and they spread their litter from

the byres on the fields before ploughing. The plough only scratches the surface

of the ground, but the fields are thoroughly cultivated and the crops kept

moderately clean by hand-hoeing; this latter work being done by the women

and Darus. The men do the ploughing which TIT found not nearly such hard

work as using an Hnglish balance plough. The hoe used being merly an ‘L’

shaped branch, sometimes iron-shod, but usually fire hardened. The Tibetan

headiman hunted takin, gooral, serow and barking deer with dogs, shooting

ON THE BIRDS OF THE ADUNG VALLEY 349

then either with a matchlock or crossbow and poisoned arrows: he was a

bad shot with either and must have got very close to kill. They kept no bees

but collected wild honey: the early flow (mainly from rhododendrons) 1s poison-

ous and like Xenophon’s Greeks with their Pontine honey I fell a victim to

my greed and one day had to crawl back to camp, fainting at intervals, after

a comparatively small helping.

We stayed three months at our base camp until the snow melted enough

to allow us to move up the valley. During that time February-May 1931,

I made the bulk of the collection of birds and during the last few weeks

we were constantly noticing fresh arrivals as the migrants came up the valley.

There was also a smaller local movement up the sides, the birds constantly

pressing on the rear of the retreating snow.

Our second camp was three days’ march, some 14 miles, up the valley

at §S,000 ft. At this height there was a great difference in both fauna and

flora: the trees were about half Conifers and, to the non-botanist the rest of

the forest seemed to be rhododendrons with which the whole valley was ablaze.

Voles appeared for the first time, and the shrews and mice were quite differ-

ent from those at the base camp. Only the monotonous spring call of Leioptila

pulchella ceeruleotincta of the bird noises from down the valley followed us

still. While we were here on May 2Ist two Tibetans crossed the Namnila

and when. we moved camp again on June 6th we were thinking optimistically

of crossing ourselves in the near future. The next two marches brought us

within 2 hours of the foot of the pass and we established our top camp at

12,000 ft. by a very pleasant meadow, carpeted at the time of our arrival

with flowers and later with a very excellent strawberry. While later there

was an even better raspberry. Both these latter unfortunately have refused

to. grow from seed!

Owing to transport difficulties we had to stay here for three months during

which time we got to know the surrounding valleys pretty well. The absence

of large mammals was very noticeable though there were much deer droppings

in the forest. We were out every day and in all weathers but never saw

anything larger than a Weasel (Mustela subhemachalana); Pigmy Hares (Oche-

tona royler nepalensis) and Voles (Anteliomys wardi) were very common and

their runs made amongst the rhododendron, juniper and cotoneaster were

everywhere: as these runs were very conspicuous in places where the snow

had recently melted I think they must move about under the snow to a

certain extent during the winter. We were lucky enough to get two of

Temminck’s Horned Tragopans, and several Kusier’s Blood Pheasants which

with some Snow Pigeons were all the fresh meat we were’ able to get. The

Pigeon and Blood Pheasants were pleasantly tame for one shooting

for the pot but unfortunately not common: the T'ragopans were neither tame

nor common. There was also a large red fungus which grew on dead pine

trees; this cooked with wild garlic made a very savoury dish. Our cook

who, like myself, was out of tobacco used to smoke the dried leaves of an

‘aster: my cravings were not so bad as his so I did not try it, but he

assured me that it smoked well. Other local products were an aconite of

which the roots were collected by the villagers from lower down used to

make arrow-poison, and the bulbs of a fritillary to collect which several gangs

of Chinese and Tebetans crossed the pass during our stay: from what I

could make out they are a cure to every ill that the flesh is heir to whether

taken internally or applied externally to wounds or broken limbs!

As the snow melted we were able to make out more and more of the

surrounding country and found that the Adung has its source in a_ glacier

at a height of about 14,000 ft. This glacier, though now in retreat with

a typically convex snout, must at one time have gone down the valley almost

to its junction with the Seinghku, the sides of the valley being almost

entirely free from spurs and in places obviously ice worn.

Meanwhile we had sent repeated requests for coolies to the headman of

Tahawndam with no result but excuses, so after some time we _ persuaded

a gang of Chinese root-hunters to take us over the pass though they were

apparently too frightened of the Tibetans to pormise to take us beyond the

first village the other side. We left on September 1st with 10 half loads

on a wet misty day. We found the height of the pass to be 15,000 ft. after

the usual trouble with the boiling point apparatus in wind and snow: any scien-

tist who could invent a b.p. apparatus in which the water will not all evaporate

350 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

before it boils, or will boil before the spirit burns away would earn the grati-

tude of all travellers in mountainous country ! Ste ne

The path to the pass runs eastward from the foot of the glacier at the

head of the valley, and after crossing the pass descends steeply over a stone

screen and a snow bed to a lake lying some 1,500 ft. below. Descending steeply

if terns north down a stream which rises in three glaciers to the south. The

stream is about } mile joins another larger stream which rises in two other gla-

ciers to the west and north-west, one of these glaciers being split in two by a

slowing down on either side of an enormous pillar of black rock. We had to

ford the larger stream which though only knee-deep, ran fast and was extreme-

ly cold, after which we reached trees at 18,000 ft. and camped for the night,

with smooth ice cliffs rising above our camp on both sides of the valley. The

next day we travelled down the combined stream, now running east, to a large

open pasture over which yak, sheep and goats grazed, and which swarmed with

extremely voracious mosquitoes. The. latter had all gone by our return at the

end of the month. ‘This was a short easy march through fairly open forest with

large luscious raspberries growing in the more open spaces. On September 38rd

we marched down the valley in a north-east direction along a good mule path

crossing, the Shori Chu, a tributary which joins the main river from the west,

shortly before halting for the night: a path goes to Drowa Gompa up the

Shori and is the direct route from the Adung valley to the Tibetan province of

Zayul. The river here turns east and finally at the end of the next day’s

march, where it is joined by the Lokong Chu, to the south-east, eventually of

course to join the Taron. On a shelf, probably the old glacier bed, some

500 ft. above the Lokong confluence and .at a height of 10,350 ft. we came

to the village of Jite and beyond this we were unable to go. All the able

bodied men were away with the cattle at the summer grazing camps, and the

old men who were left. were not very friendly so in one. way or another we

could not get transport to go any further. One day I followed the Ridong road,

which here leaves the river. and runs north-east crossing 3 passes and 2 rivers

between Jitte and Ridong, to the top of the first pass, the Lachong La

(13,100 ft.), and with that. we had to be content.

At the time of our arrival the corn had all been cut and the old men and

women were carrying it, each sheaf being tied up with a wisp of straw from

which the ears were first’ carefully cut and put in a basket. The hay too had

been cut and was hanging on to the sides of the houses or festooned in the

trees to dry—and yet we in England often grumble at a wet haysel.!- At this

height there was no maize, but barley, oats, peas, turnips and, rather surpris-

ingly, potatoes. The corn was badly rusted, as one might. expect with many

species of barberry growing round the fields. We had taken no arms with

us for fear of offending the religious susceptibilities of the Tibetans, so that

collecting was difficult. For the same reason I did not lke to set traps,

but the cook jumped on a mouse in a granary which I skinned faute de mieux,

hoping much of my one Tibetan mammal. It turned out to be Apodemus speci-

osus latronum of which I had collected innumerable specimens on the other

side of the pass at all heights from 2,000-12,000 ft.

Finally we left for home on September 20th, crossing the Namni La, on

which there was a little fresh snow, on the 23rd with some little anxiety

for our kit as we had to carry it on ponies to the foot of the pass and the

coolies had to make two journies to bring it- over. When the Tibetans left

us at our 12,000 ft. camp, Kingdon Ward, the cook and I found ourselves

rather stranded as we had only a little food left; so I left Kingdon Ward -with

the cook to collect his seeds, and, carrying a blanket, a hot water bottle and

some food, made my way down to the base camp, sleeping under rocks etc.

at night, to send some food up and to wait the return of our other servant

whom we had sent back to Fort Hertz with our mail. When I arrived at

the base I found that our hut had been buried under a rockslide (fortunately

we had stored all our stuff in the headman’s granary) so I stayed with one

of the Tibetans for a week: board, lodging and service at Rs. 1-8 a day. They

fed me plentifully but I found sleeping on the floor in the general heap of

grown-ups, children and slaves rather trying and was glad to get away to

a new camp at 10,000 ft. where Kingdon Ward joined me on October’ 19th.

We got to our base camp once more on November 2nd and on the 20th we

broke camp for>the-last time and. reached Myitkyina on January Ist 1932

after an absence of just over 138 months. Panes

ON THE BIRDS OF THE ADUNG VALLEY | 351

SYSTEMATIC LIST.

N. B. KInnzEAR.

Corvus macrorhyachos macrorhynchos Jungle Crow.

156 2 October 12, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ E., 6,000 ft.

Crows are recorded several times in Lord Cranbrook and Captain Kingdon

Ward’s notes but as some of these may refer to Carrion Crows I have not given

them. The above specimen is an adult with the wing still in moult and has

a bill measuring from base of skull 61.5 mm.

Urocissa erythrorhyncha erythrorhyncha Chinese Red-billed Magpie.

117 9 May 22, Adung Valley 28°15’ N., 97°46’ E., 8,000 ft.

Cissa chinensis chinensis Green Magpie.

6 Q January 12, Nam Tami, 4,000 ft.

Caught in a trap baited with meat [C].

Garrulus bispecularis sinensis Chinese Jay.

Garrulus sinensis Swinhoe, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1871, p. 381—Foochow.

112 ¢G May 20, Adung Valley, 28°15’ N., 97°40’ E., 8,000 ft.

Shot. in fairly thick jungle [C].

This is the bird mentioned as G. b. rufescens in the key to Garrulus bispecu-

laris in the Fauna. As Lord Rothschild has pointed out G. b. rufescens Reiche-

now is a synonym of G. b. sinensis. A new record for Burma.

Nucifraga caryocactes yunnanensis Yunnan Nutcracker.

Nucifraga yunnanensis Ingram Bull. B.O.C., xxv, p. 86 (1910)—Mts. of

Yunnan. .

IO; S ‘juv.. May, Adung Valley 28°15 (N.,- 97°40’ B., 7,500' ft.

Shot on the March, alarm note a harsh croak [C.].

Parus monticolus yunnanensis Yunnan Green-backed Tit.

Parus monticolus yunnanensis La Touche Bull. B.O.C., xlu, p. 51 (1921)—

5.-E. Yunnan.

382 2 February 22, 79 3 April 5, 105 9 May 138, Adung Valley 28°10’ N.,

97°40’ E., 6,000 ft.

Very common. February 28. I don’t know whether tits are migratory but

the last two days I have seen many more similar to No. 32) than ever before,

usually in small parties between, four to a dozen [C.].

March 6.- Attacks the flowers of Rhododendron tanestylum and is. perhaps

responsible for some of the bitten through corallas. March 8. The last bush

of R. tanestylum is’ now finished. I saw four tits in it at one time and the

corallas were dropping fast. March 9. Very fond of Rubus lineatus and_ the

tits are always found there in the early morning. April 11. Almost the

commonest bird here is now busy collecting materials for its nest [K. W.].

In Manipur and on Mt. Victoria this race is represented by P. m. lepcharum

of the Eastern Himalayas.

Lophophanes ater aemodius Himalayan Cole-Tit.

159 § October 22, Adung Valley 28°15’ N.; 97°45’ E., 10,000 ft.

One of a flock of about fifty [C.].

This specimen does not differ from Nepal and Sikkim examples. It was

obtained by both Rippon and Forrest in Yunnan but has not been found in

Burma previously.

_ Lophophanes rufonuchalis beavani Sikkim Black-Tit.

189 g July 6, Adung Valley 28°20’ N., 97°45’ E., 12,000 ft. — ie

Shot in jungle; fairly common, habits much hke any other tit, but not so

352 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

active or acrobatic as some. Also seen in September in ‘Tibet 28°25’ N.,

97.09 i iC ads

New to the avifauna of Burma.

Agithaliscus bonvaloti Chinese Black-headed Tit.

26 February 19, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ E., 6,000 ft.

One of a flock, common [C.].

According to the Fauna, this Tit is found in ‘Western China, Yunnan and

N.-H. Shan States. There are several specimens from the last named place

in the British Museum Collection’. Previous to the receipt of the above speci-

men no examples of this Tit existed in the Museum Collection from anywhere

in Burma. Rippon, however, got a number in Yunnan, Gyi-dzin-Shan, Lichi-

ang, etc. and Forrest also collected many examples in the same area.

Sitta europea nebulosa Nuthatch.

Sitta europea nebulosa La Touche Bull. B.O.C., xl, p. 55 @921)—

Mittal, S.-E. Yunnan.

22 ¢ February 17, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ E., 6,000 ft.

Fairly common [C.].

In the Ibis 1899, p. 404, La Touche described the nuthatch from Fokien

as Sitta montium and some years later separated the bird from Miltai, §.-E.

Yunnan as S. e. nebulosa on account of certain colour differences and larger

size. Hartert considers the birds from Yunnan—lLichiang Range to Miltai—

and Szechuan to belong to the last mentioned race, but all our specimens from

the. latter locality are S. e. sinensis. There is very little difference in colour

between Lichiang and Fokien birds but the former were distinctly larger.

Wing. Bill from skull. Wing. Bill.

6 ¢ Fokien 72-78 17-5-18-5 138 N.-W. Yunnan 75-84 17-19

3 92 Fokien 71-74 16-5-18°5

The hind claw is said to be larger in S. e. nebulosa, but I do not find that

a constant character. We have several specimens of the present race in the

Museum from the South Shan States collected by Rippon, Thompson, Craddock

and Venning but no mention is made in the Fauna of this bird occurring there,

while the three examples from the Kauri Kachin Hills (Rippon) are apparently

recorded as S. e. nagaensis. Harington also notes this bird from the same

area and said it was plentiful in the hills.

Dryonastes cxrulatus kaurensis [Kachin Hills Laughing Thrush.

98 ¢G April 28, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ E., 6,000 ft.

One of a flock of about six [C.].

Rippon collected two specimens east of Bhamo and Harington two a Sinlum.

A single male obtained by Forrest on his last trip does not differ from these

and I think therefore that D. c. latrifrons Rothschild (Shweli-Salwin Divide)

must be considered a synonym of D. ¢. kaurensis.

Trochalopterum erythrocephalum forresti Forrest’s Red-headed Laughing-Thrush.

Ianthocincla forresti Rothschild Nov. Zool., xxviii, p. 85 (1921)—Shwelli-

Salwin Divide.

93 Q February 17, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ E., 6,000 ft.

One of a flock. Crop full of seeds of probably some sort of ivy, also one

ant and the pupae of a fly [C.].

Shot a new babbler which goes about in flocks. These birds have several

calls; the normal seems to be a sort of hissing whistle on two notes. I sur-

prised a flock in a tree and they flew one by one into the bushes. Then I

sat down and one bird came to scout for me and settled on a bush just above

my head and on perceiving me gave the warning signal and flew back to the

others [K. W.].

I do not understand why Lord Rothschild should consider forresti a very

distinct species and not a race of erythrocephalum since it is very near T. e.

woodi, only differmg in the greener back and darker underside... Forrest ob-

tained specimens on the Shweli-Salwin divide and at Tengyuedh and Rippon

collected a single example in the Kauri Kachin District in July 1901.

ON THE BIRDS OF THE ADUNG VALLEY. 353

Trochalopterum affine oustaleti Oustalet’s Laughing-Thrush.

lanthocincla affims oustaleti Hartert Vog. Pau. Vauna, 1, p. 633—''sekou,

Yunnan.

45 Q March 5; 48 ¢ March 6, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ H., 6,000 ft. ;

115 g May 27, Adung Valley 28°20° N., 97°40’ H., 9,000 ft.; 121 ¢ June 12,

Adung Valley 28°20’ N., 97°40° E., 8,000 ft.; 122 9 June 8, 187. ¢ July 4,

Adung Valley 28°20’ N., 97°45’ E., 12,000 ft.

45 not uncommon. Usually goes about in flocks, sometimes singly. Rather

silent and wary. 48 shot in low undergrowth, singing somewhat mournfully and

extremely monotonously by himself. The song is only four notes constantly

repeated. 115, 121. Common. 137 shot in forest, common. This bird goes

right up to the limit of trees, but I have never seen it in the scrub higher up,

though there is a pair in the last isolated patch of forest. Seen also during

September in Tibet 28°25’ N., 97°55’ H. [C.].

45 crop contained 50 seeds of Rubus and over 50 of Gaultheria besides other

seeds and remains of at least one beetle. 48 seeds of Viburnwm (9228), 8 of

Rubus lineatus and over 50 of Gaultheria (9248) [K. W.]

From T. a. affine this race differs in the darker head—in some ‘examples

black, in others blackish brown—less rufescent back and paler underside which

is distinctly greyer. It is found in northern Yunnan and east to N.-W. Szechuan.

13 g wing 102-118, 11 @ wing 101-109.

Trochalopterum subunicolor griseata The Yunnan Plain-coioured Laughing

Thrush.

Ianthocincla subunicolor griseata Roths. Nov. Zool., xxvii, p. 33 (1921)—

Shwelt-Salwin Divide.

124 3, 125 9 June 13, Adung Valley 28°20’ N., 97°40’ E., 138,000 ft.

Over Alpine Meadow. Iris yellow.

June 18. A new Babbler, with speckled breast, along with its mate was

hopping in and out through the bushes after Rubus berries. [From time to

time they hopped up onto the top of a Rubus bush and getting the two in

line I secured both [Kk. W.].

This race of the Plain-coloured Laughing Thrush was described by Lord

Rothschild in 1921 from five specimens collected by Forrest on the Shweli-

Salwin Divide in August 1919. It differs from the typical bird in the more

olive and less rufous colour of the upper parts, especially on the rump, darker

slaty head, darker throat and paler breast and abdomen, the feathers of which

have larger squamations.

Ianthocincla s. subunicolor was described from Nepal and ranges east to

the Dibang River, while the present race is known from the Adung Valley and

the ‘Tengyueh District and Shweli-Salwin Divide in Yunnan. It is a bird of

high altitudes and Forrest did not find it below 7,000 ft. |

Measurements of T. s. griseata 8 3 92-95; 2 no sex Oo ele OL OD.

i se suounicolon WO. 87. mo sex. 87-94.

Grammatoptila striata cranbrooki Cranbrook’s Striated Laughing Thrush.

Grammatoptila striata cranbrooki Kinnear, Bull. B.O.C.

7 3 January 28, Nami Tami, 4,000 ft., 90 9 April 16, 99 3, 113 ¢ April

24, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ E., 6,000-8,000 ft.

No. 7 shot in bamboo forest, goes about in flocks but often seen singly.

Fairly common, alarm note like a blackbird when alone ROA

No 90. Crop full of seeds, almost entirely Rubus lineatus and a few of

Gantheria [K. W.]. "

The Striated Laughing Thrush has not previously been recorded from

Burma, though in Assam it is said to be found as far east as Margherita.

These four specimens are darker on the mantle and rump than in G. s.

austeni and in size run larger.

Wing. Bill from Skull. Taal:

10 g Dafla Hills 137-145 29-31°5 120-129

3 ¢ Nami Tamai & 141-152 31-32 120-135

Adung Valley.

1 Q@ Adung Valley 152 3] 135

got. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCERTY:. Vol DOO IT

Fulvetta vinipectus bieti Yunnan [ulvetta.

__ Aleippe (Proparus) bieti Oustalet, Ann. Sci. Nat. (ser. 7), xii, p. - 283,

pl. ix (1892)—Ta-T'sien-lou. } 3

shay e February 18, 47 Q March 5, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ E.,

; it.

No. 25. Brought in by a small boy, who shot it with a crossbow. Crop

contained small seeds. No. 47. Very common goes about in flocks chattering

continuously and methodically searching low trees and undergrowth [C.].

These birds agree with a series collected by Forrest on the Lichiang Range

Lat. 27°20’ N. in Yunnan.

ue Leioptila pulchella ceruleotincta Yunnan Beautiful Sibia.

Leioptila pulchella coeruleotincta Rothschild Noy. Zool., xxviii, p. 88 (1921)

—Shweli-Salwin Divide.

~ 8 Q January 28, Tamai Valley 4,000 ft., 24 ¢, February 18, 37 ¢ Febru-

ary 24, 58 § March 11, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ K., 6,000 ft.

No. 8. Shot sitting high up on a dead tree. One of a flock of about eight

or - ten: ~.

No. 24. Goes about mainly in flocks, occasionally singly. Makes a conti-

nual chattering while searching trees and shrubs and often sits up in the top

branches of a dead tree. Very common. No. 387. This bird had its breast

covered with Rhododendron pollen like many at. this time, making a broad

yellow streak down its breast, so that it looked like a different species alto-

gether. Small parties often sit on clusters of rhododendron flowers putting

their beaks right down inside and probably do a good deal towards fertilizing

the flowers. During the last week or so this bird has developed a somewhat

annoying call rather like a redshank’s but with three other notes of the same

harshness introduced [C.].

February 24. At last I shot the five-note bird we hear every morning

and it turned out to be the Yunnan Beautiful Sibia. Its throat was yellow,

feathers yellow-tipped as I thought, lke the first one I saw in a few days ago,

which was uttering a very different cry. This yellow however was the pollen

from Rhododendron tanestylum and I watched a bird put its head inside the

flowers to suck the honey apparently. Often sits on the top-most twig of a

tree surveying the landscape for a few minutes on end. It is rather the buffoon

amongst birds, has as many calls as a starling and is a very cheerful bird

[Ke AW].

This Sibia is another of Forrest’s discoveries in north-west Yunnan,- where

it is not uncommon. From the Beautiful Sibia L. p. pulchella, inhabiting the

Naga, Nuri and Dafla Hills, it is distinguished by the bluish-grey colour of

the underside.

Actinodura nipalensis wardi Ward's Bar-wing.

Actinodura nipalensis wardi Kinnear Bull. B.O.C., lin, p. 79 (1932)—Adung

Valley.

71 8 March 27, 85 § April 18, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ EH.

71. Seen alone, breast covered with rhododendron pollen. I have~ not

seen this bird down in the valley. 85 shot in low bamboo: one of a pair

[C.]. In the gizzard of No. 71 I found only plant remains (probably moss).

No. 85 had seeds in gizzard, mostly Rubus lineatus, one of Ardesia, and a few

insect remains [K. W.}].

This new race of Bar-wing differs from A. n. waldeni Godwin-Austen (Japvo

Peak, Naga Hills) in the darker colouration of the back, blacker crest and

richer brown on the underside.

A. n. waldent is found on Japvo and Khunho Peaks in the Naga Hills

and Owenkulno Peak in Manipur and further south on Mt. Victoria is.a very

doubtfully distinct race A. n. poliotis in which the only difference seems to be

that the crest is darker. To say that A. n. poliotis is much darker than

waldeni, aS we read in the Fauna, is not in accordance with the specimens in

the British Museum. From Yunnan Lord Rothschild has described a further

race A. n. saturator (Shweli-Salwin Divide) which differs from cranbrooki in

the presence of pale edges to the feathers of the crest, mantle and underparts,

the crest too is paler and the barring more pronounced.

ON THE BIRDS OF THE ADUNG VALLEY 350

There is in Calcutta a specimen of Astinodura nepalensis collected by An-

derson at Ponsee which may be this race or saturator.

Yuhina gularis griseotincta Yunnan Yuhina.

Yuhina gularis griseotincta Rothschild, Nov. -Zool.; xxviii, p. 42--1921)—

Shweli-Salwin Divide.

64 9 March 14, Adung Watley 282100 NE On 400eH (> 8.0008 tt. 118)

March. 80, 28°10’ .N., 97°40’ E., 6,000 ft.

Shot in low bamboo forest [C.].. Had Rhododendorn grande pollen on

breast feathers [K. W.].

The name Yuhina yang piensis was given by Sharpe (Bull. B.O.C., xiii,

p. 12, 1902) to a single specimen collected by Colonel Rippon on the Yangpt-

Talifu Road, W. Yunnan on 22 March 1902 and given to the Museum in 1903

Apparently Rippon got no further specimens, at least there are none in the

Museum, but two years later in 1904 he made a collection on Mt. Victoria

and secured a series of a Yuhina in March and April which are quite indis-

tinguishable from the type of ‘yangpiensis’. and moreover I can see no. differ-

ence between them and the typical form from Nepal. In 1921 Lord Rothschild

described Y. g. griseotincta which differs from Y. g. gularis in having the

sides of the head and neck greyer, the throat and chest more vinaceous.

Ixulus flavicollis rouxi Chestnut-naped Ixulus.

Izulus rouxt Oustalet, Bull. Mus. Paris, 11, p. 186 (1896)—Ly-Sien-Kiang,

Yunnan.

15 6 February, Adung Valley 28°10’ N.,- 97°40’ H., 8,000 ft.;.86 6

April 14, Adung Valley 28°10° N., 97°40’ H:, 6,000 ft.

Very common, goes about in flocks methodically searching bushes and trees

keeping up a continual chatter all the time [C.].

I can see no difference between examples from Sinlum, Bhamo Hills, from

where Harington’s I. f. harterti was described, and specimens from Yunnan.

This species “has a wide range and. extends from Tonkin to Yunnan, Mt.

Victoria and 8. Assam. Harington recorded the Chestnut-naped Ixulus as fairly

common near Bhamo and Rippon also obtained it there.

Leiothrix lutea yunnanensis Yunnan Red-billed Leiothrix.

76 9 April 3, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ H.,..6,000 it.

I have not seen this bird until two days ago, but it seems to be le

common [C.]. =

Harington records this race in the Bhamo District and Anderson got six

examples from near Ponsee.

Pteruthius enebarbes melanotis Chestnut-headed Shrike-Babbler.

83 d February 22, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ H., 6,000 ft.

Fairly common; goes about in flocks [C.].

In the Fauna, P. a. melanotis Hodgson is given as ranging from Nepal to

Manipur and P. a. intermedius Hume * (Mooleyit) the Hastern “hills of Burma

from Bhamo to Tenasserim. This distribution is not however confirmed by

the specimens in the British Museum. Of the former there are examples

from Nepal, Sikkim, Naga Hills, Manipur, N. Chin Hills, Mt. | Victoria,

Kauri Kachin District (Rippon), Shweli-Salwin Divide (Forrest), Loi Pangnan,

W. of Mekong, S. Shan States (Craddock) and a single ¢. from Ngoi, Toi,

Tonkin (Stevens). Of P. a. intermedius there. are specimens from Mooleyit,

Thoungyeen, Tonghoo, Loi Maw, Kentung, 8. Shan States (Rippon), Chapa,

Fan-si-pan, Tonkin (Delacour). It appears therefore that the S. Shan States

and northern Tonkin are the meeting places of the two races, but there is no

sign amongst the few specimens examined of intergradation. In addition to

the specimens mentioned above of P. a. melanotis Harington collected three

birds near Bhamo. ;

Myzornis pyrrhoura Iire-tailed Myzornis.

73 9 March 28, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ E., 8,000 ft.

Goes about in flocks, chattering and methodically searching bushes and

low trees, sometimes makes flights hke a flycatcher. Common here but I have

not seen it in the valley. Breast covered with Rhododendron pollen [C.].

06 «JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HES i. SOChHIN: Viole DOCail

In the Fauna the distribution of this species is given as Nepal and Sikkim,

but in 1901 Oustalet recorded an example from T’sékou and: more recently it

has been collected by Forrest in Yunnan.

Microscelis leucocephalus leucocephalus Chinese Black Bulbul.

7 3, 78 $ April 3, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ B., 6,000 ft.

One of a party of three which by their behaviour were two males in pursuit

of a female. JI have not noticed them before. No. 78 had the gizzard full

of large seeds. Also seen in May at 8,000 ft. [C.]. ;

Rothschild and Streseman have shown that the race of this Bulbul in China

polychromatic (Nov. Zool. 1926, xxxiii, pp. 301-2 and Ornith Monatsb. 1923,

pp. 83-5) and in Yunnan is found in four different phases. These two birds

belong to the sinensis phase with glossy black locks and crests which has not

been recorded from Burma before.

Ixos macclellandi similis The Yunnan Bulbul.

Hemicus macclellandi similis Rothschild.

103 g May 8, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ E., 6,000 ft.

One of a pam) (C.4.

This specimen has rather more chestnut-brown on the cheeks, sides of neck

and breast than the majority of birds from N.-W. Yunnan, though one from

Gyi-dzin-Shan, EH. of Talifu is similar. Rippon obtained) examples in the Kauri

Kachin District at over 5,000 ft.

Pycnonotus aurigaster xanthorrous Anderson’s Yellow-vented Bulbul.

36 February 24, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ E., 104 g May 4, Adung

Valley. 28°10° (N:, 97°40) =) 63000) ft:

Fairly common [C.].

Certhia familiaris khamensis Tibetan ‘Tree-Creeper.

130 ¢G June 25, Adung Valley 28°20’ N., 97°45" H.; 13;000 ft.

A bird seen in September in Tibet 28°25’ N., 97°55’ H., probably also

belonged to this species [C.].

Harington observed Tree-Creepers which he took to be C. f. nipalensis in

the Kachin hills which doubtless belonged to this race as Baker suggests, but

this is the first actual record.

Troglodytes troglodytes taiifuensis Yunnan Wren.

56 G March 9, Adung Valley 28°10" N., 97°40’ E., 6,000 1%. :

Sharpe described this bird from an example collected by Rippon at Gyi-dzin-

Shan, East of Talifu in Yunnan. This specimen is an exceptionally pale

bird with the white spots on the wing coverts larger than usual. The Yunnan

series only differs from Nepal and Sikkim examples in the rather paler under-

side.

In the Fauna, Baker includes the Shan States in the distribution of this

Wren, but the only skins in the Museum collection are from Yunnan.

Oligura castaneo-eoronata Chestnut-headed Wren.

lll g May 19, 1931, Adung: Valley 28°15’ N., 97°40 H., 8,000 ft.

Shot in fairly thick forest, very common here and seen occasionally down

at os000) ft. Co.

In-the Fauna the distribution of this bird is said to be Himalayas from

Garhwal to the extreme Hast of Assam: the Khasia, Naga and Cachar Hills

South of the Brahmaputra but not recorded from Manipur or further South

or Hast. There is however in the British Museum a series collected by Rippon

on Mt. Victoria, four examples from Loi Maw, 8. Shan States (Rippon) and

several from N.-W. Yunnan, Lichiang Range (Forrest). I can see no differ-

ence in colour between Himalayan examples and those from Burma_ but

in size the Yunnan and §. Shan States birds run large.

ft 9 50 fA Ore 5Opmame

4—Shan States 53-5: 5—46-52

QO mm.

Mt. Victoria 9

ON THE BIRDS OF THE ADUNG VALLEY 357

Ciaclus pallasi marila Formosan Brown Dipper.

6,000 ft.

44. Fairly common. Always seen along the river, standing on stones and

diving for food. I have seen it dive off a rock about a foot above the water

level, but usually from the edge of the water. Swims a little occasionally

and I have once seen it dive when swimming. Very weary and shy; call like

our ouzel at home.

89. Lately seen in greater numbers. I have seen it swimming in a rapid

stream—about a six knot current—deliberately alight.on the water and swim

a considerable distance to land [C.].

There is no difference in colout in the Brown Dippers found from Assam

to Formosa, though in size they vary considerably, but unfortunately we

have not a good series of sexed birds from the extremes of the bird’s range.

10 ¢ Fokien and Shensi 109-117 mm. @ Szechuan 117, prob-

1 ¢ S. Shan States 109 mm. ably wrongly sexed.

2 ¢ Assam 100-102 mm. 2 Q Adung Valley and

17 2 Fokien, Chekiang Assam 100-102 mm.

and Shensi 105-110 mm. 1 @ Formosa 96 mm.

For the large Chinese bird the name soulie Oustalet, type locality Ta-tsien-lu,

is available and for that from Formosa marila of Swinhoe. Without further

material it is impossible to decide whether the Assam and Formosa birds are

different and for the present they must be treated as the same. In the Ibis

1907, p. 177, Messrs. Grant and La Touche state that the young of soulei can

be distinguished from marila by the different colour of the crossbars on the

underside but from the material in the Museum this does not appear to be

the case.

Rhodhophila ferrea haringtoni Hastern Dark-grey Bush-Chat.

Jag April i7, “Adung Valley 28°10° N.; 97°40). E., 6,000: ft.

I have not seen this bird before [C.].

Harington found this species breeding near Bhamo and Rippon collected

a young bird.

This is an unsatisfactory race and further breeding birds are wanted from

poubh Ching; Elarvert, (Voo.) Pal. Hauna, vol) 1," p. 111)" separated “the

Eastern bird from that of the Himalayas on account of the length of the

tail which in O. ferrea ferrea he gives as 63-68 mm. as against 57-61.5 in

O. f. harington. Baker, however, in the Fauna points out an additional

difference and says that 0. f. haringtoni is distinguished ‘in being whiter below

at all seasons of the year, in, summer the breast a abdomen are almost pure

white.’ After examining a large series I can see no difference in the colour

of freshly moulted eatin birds from S. China and the Himalayas, but in

the spring and summer when the plumage is abraded, western birds—the

reverse of what Mr. Baker says—are certainly very white below but unfortu-

nately we have practically no birds at this season of the year from S. China.

The measurements of the tails of the series of males examined is:

21. Simla, Sikkim, Manipur 59-65

4 Arakan and Chin Hills 58-65

7 Karen Hills 56-60

10 Yunnan 55-61

3 Szechuan 53-58

io.) China 56-60

The type of O. f. haringtont was collected at Lieng-Kiang near HFoochow

on January 18 and not at Moupin, as stated in the Fauna.

Microcichla scouleri scouleri Little Forktail.

88 ¢g February 26, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 98°40’ E., 6,000 ft.

Not uncommon; always seen by water running about on the stones like

a wagtail. Usually on the smaller streams [C.J:

There are specimens in the Museum from Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Assam,

the Miri and Dafla Hills and Tonkin but none from Northern Burma and the

Shan States, where, according to the Fauna, it occurs.

358 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Phoenicurus frontalis Blue-fronted Redstart.

20°°¢ February 14, Adumg) Valley 28 100IN.. 97 40¢ hi 6 O00mn: » 49.

March 6, Adunge Walley 28:10 N-, 197740; H., 6,000) ft.

Common [C.].

This species was found quite common in Yunnan by Rippon and Forrest

where it apparently breeds since the latter collected a juvenile unable to fly.

After comparing Sikkim birds with those from Szechuan and Kansu I can

see no difference and therefore Hartert’s P. frontalis sinae becomes a synonym.

Rhyacornis fuliginesa fuliginosa Piumbeous Redstart.

20 3 February 20, 66 Q March 21, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ E.,

6,000 ft.

Shot by the River. Very common, sitting on stones hawking flies like a

flycatcher and spending a certain amount of its time on trees and bushes

by the river bank. When other birds have gone to roost it is still active

and at this time of the day has a habit of flying almost vertically up into

the air some 15 or 20 ft., then swooping down on a large spiral to its original

position. Kingdon Ward has seen one dive into the water when in flight, like

a kingfisher [C.].

Harington found this species breeding in the Bhamo area.

Chaimarrornis leucocephalaus White-capped Redstart.

10:92 February. o;.(Adung, Valley 725,205 ING. 97 (455 Hi. D000) ant. talon?

July 15, Adung Valley 28°20’ N., 97°40° B., 13,000. {t.

10. ‘Shot by river. Sits on stones in and by the river flicking its tail and

hawking flies like a flycatcher. Periodically it runs under stones and occasion-

ally flies up into trees and bushes on the river bank but not often. Fairly

common, each pair seems to keep to its own stretch of water—six to eight

hundred yards. White patch in the sunlight shows up like a piece of bur-

nished tin. 146. Fairly common; seen on any stream up to 14,000 ft.

Grandala caelicolor florentes The Chinese Grandala.

Grandala caelicolor florentes Bangs, Proc. New Eng. Zool. Club., 1x, p. 77

(1926)—Tachienlu.

16 ¢, 17 Q February 13, Adung Valley, 6,000 ft.

Both killed at one shot fired at a large flock sitting on the topmost branches

of a high tree. Occasionally a dozen or so birds would leave the flock circle

round swooping up and down, then return to the main body and settle again.

Crops contained fruits and seeds of Vacciniwm [C.].

This race was separated by Bangs on account of the smaller size and

brighter blue colour of the male. In regard to the colour I find that this

appears to be due to structural alteration to the feather caused by wear. A

February and a May specimen from Sikkim cannot be distinguished from

three males from Chuan chee obtained in May and June but January and

December birds from the later locality are much darker. Hodgson’s type is

apparently a spring bird. The difference in size holds good.

626 Gs Co aflonenicsey Uolat3G LOmGmiiGse) caelicolor M4650

PO ances 137-144 Q ; 135-144

Calliope tschebaiewi Tibet Ruby-Throat.

135> 6 July 2, 14050) July 6; Adune Valley. 28 20/ oN oat) ane

12,000 ft.

185 shot in low rhododendron scrub above tree line. Rather fond of sitting

on rocks above scrub level. 146. This bird is the mate of 185—they both have

the same rather metallic call. On June 25, I saw this species in rhododen-

dron, scrub at 4 -oCOn tte iCal:

July 12. A young bird in full fledged but not able to fly very strongly,

seen at 12,000 ft. I think, judging by the behaviour of some old birds near,

it. was the young of C. tschebaiewi [C.].

According to the Fauna, this species breeds in N. Burma and in winter

is found throughout the Burmese hills. There are no specimens in the Museum

from any locality in Burma.

ON THE BIRDS OF THE ADUNG VALLEY 359

Tarsiger chryseus chryseus Golden Bush-Robin.

144 ¢ July 12, Adung Valley 28°20° N., 97°45’ E., 12,000 ft.

Shot in forest; not very common [C.].

Harington records a specimen from the Bhamo District and it is not un-

common on the Yunnan Mountains.

lanthia cyanura rufiliata Red-flanked Bush-Robin.

October 22, Adung Valley 28°15’ N., 97°45’ E., 10,000 ft.

5C. Not very common; sits on low bushes hawking flies and hops about

under them like a Robin. 158. Shot in forest, also seen at 12,000 ft. [C.].

These two birds do not differ from typical examples from Nepal and Sikkim. I

cannot distinguish I. practica Bangs and Phillips from Loukouchai.

Turdus atrogularis Black-throated Thrush.

55 ¢ March 9, 68 ¢ March 138, 68 ¢ March 23, Adung Valley 28°10’ N.,

97°40" K., 6,000 ft.

No. 55 not seen before, No. 68 not common but occasionally seen; always

alone [C.].

No. 55 crop full of big larvae, beetles etc.; No. 63 crop contained a whole

snail, beetles, larvae etc. no seeds [K. W.].

Turdus ruficollis Red-throated Thrush.

57 ¢g March 31, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ E., 6,000 ft.

Shot in fairly open country. I have not noticed this bird before [C.].

Crop fuil of larvae, beetles etc. [K. W.].

This thrush has not been recorded from Burma before, the statement in

the Fauna that it occurs in Northern Burma is probably based on two or

three specimens in the Museum collected by Rippon in Yunnan, but wrongly

labelled Kauri Kachin District.

Oreocincla dixoni Jiong-tailed Mountain-Thrush.

Turdus dixon Seebohm Cat. Birds British Museum v. p. 161, 1881.

150 ¢ August 12, Adung Valley 28°20’ N., 97°45’ E., 12,000 ft.

Shot in forest; the first of this species I have noticed here, two days later

I saw the same species in the scrub just above the tree line [C.].

In the Fauna this species is confused with O. mollissima and for the

differences between the two see Ibis 1980, p. 579.

We have in the Museum specimens of this thrush as follows. MKaren-nee

vi (Ramsay), 2 Na Noi, 8. Shan States, ii (Rippon), 2 8. Shan States (Thomp-

son and Craddock), Chapa, Tonkin, xi1 (Delacour), 2 Lichiang Range, vill, x

(Forrest), Chanting-Yangpi Road, Yunnan, vill (Rippon) Asalu, 1 (Godwin

Austen), Manipur (Hume), Darjeeling and Nepal (Hodgson).

Myiophoneus temmincki eugeniae Burmese Whistling Thrush.

157 § October 21, Adung Valley 28°15° N., 97°45’ H., 10,000 ft.

We have no specimens of this bird from N.-H. Burma, though over the

border it is not uncommon in Yunnan. The correct spelling of the generic

name of this bird 1s Myzophoneus and not Myophonus in spite of the note

in the Corrigenda volume to the Fauna.

Prunella collaris ripponi Rippon’s Accentor.

14 ¢ February 10, 42 § March 3, 70 ¢ March 26, Adung Valley 28°10’ N.,

OF A400 Ee 8,000 Mit:

No. 14 shot and brought in by a native. I had not noticed this bird

although the native got it in the open country. Crop contained a good many

small seeds including those of grasses. No. 42 brought in by a small boy.

Not uncommon in open country and among low bushes. No. 70 one of a

flock of about a dozen working about in open country and periodically flying

all together for a short distance and then scattering and searching the dead

grass and bracken, every now and again getting on top of a boulder to have

a look round [C.].

3860 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Prunella strophiata multistriata David’s Accentor.

46 gd May 5, 59 g May 12, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ E., 6,000 ft.

Not uncommon, habits like a robin hopping about under and amongst low

bushes. A chattering alarm note [C.].

Originally described from Moupin, this accentor is not uncommon in N.-W.

Yunnan, but has not before been noted so far west previously.

Prunella immaculata Maroon-backed Accentor.

12 g$ February 9, 344 9 February 22, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97° 40° Bi;

6,000 ft.

Goes about in small parties in fairly open country searching under leaves

and in low bushes; fairly common [C.].

This accentor ranges from Nepal eastward along the Himalaya to Szechuan

and south to Yunnan—the Mekong-Salween Divide etc. It has not been

previously recorded from Burma. =

Hemichelidon sibirica rothschildi Yunnan Sooty Flycatcher.

148 ¢ July 22, Adung Valley 28°20° N., 97°45° EH., 12,000 ft.

Shot in the forest, not uncommon [C.].

This race was described from birds collected by Forrest in the Tengyueh

District and the Lichiang Range. The specimen from the Shan States—pre-

sumably the bird collected by Rippon Hast of Stedman, §. Shan States but

no details are given—mentioned by Baker in the Fauna as belonging to this

trace appears to me to be indistinguishable from Himalayan examples. Bailey

however shot a male at Sangachu Dzong, 8.-E. Tibet in June.

Siphia strophiata strophiata Orange-gorgeted Flycatcher.

97.6 Apml 22,<Adune’ Valley 128 107 IN 33.97 400 oH 16,0007) tt:

Not seen before during this month. Flight and habits like a Robin [C.].

Forrest and Rippon collected numerous specimens in Yunnan and Anderson

obtained a male at Ponsee while Harington shot a single example in the Bhamo

District.

Muscicapula sapphira Sapphire-headed I lycatcher.

97 ¢ April 22, Adung Valley 28°10°-N., 97°40 E., 6,000 ft.

Shot in fairly open country, not seen before [C.].

Anderson got a specimen in April at Ponsee and Forrest several examples

in the Salwin Valley latitude 25°20’ N. Three Burmese birds in the Museum

do not differ from typical Nepal and Sikkim skins though they run larger.

7 ¢ Sikkim and Naga Hills 59-62.5 mm.

3 ¢ Salwin and Adung Valley and §. Shan States. 63-64 mm.

Eumyias thalassina thalassina Verditer Flycatcher.

81g April 8; 88 ¢G: April 13) Adunge Valley, 28°10) N..97 403 6,000 si.

Not seen before April 8, but fairly common afterwards [C.].

True Humyias thalassina thalassina (olim Stoparola melanops) is found

from Nepal and Sikkim through Assam, Burma, part of Assam down to S.

Annam, and has no black line “at the base of the bill, whereas in 90 per cent.

of the birds from the Malay Peninsula and Borneo it is present. In addition

these southern birds are smaller.

Wing.

8 ¢ Malay Peninsula 71-77 mm.

2 3 Borneo 75-77 mm.

4 ¢ 8. Annam 85-88 mm.

5 ¢ 8. Shan States and

IXaranee 86-89 mim.

7 oS Sikkim 81-87 mm.

Culicicapa ceylonensis ceylonensis Grey-headed Flycatcher.

102 2 May 32, 1981 Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ E., 6,000 ft.

Fairly common, but not seen until about ten days ago eon

Harington found this flycatcher common at Bhamo.

ON THE BIRDS OF FHH ADUNG VALLEY 361

Chelidorhynx hypoxantha Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.

Oe ume whe Lon oe dune 27, Adung Valley 98°20 IN OF 400, Ei,

12,000 ft. Also’ seen in September in Tibet’ 28°25 °N., 97°55’ EH. [C.].

Breeds commonly in the Bhamo district according to Harington and Forrest

found it common in Yunnan.

Pericrocotus brevirostris affinis Assam Short-billed Muinivet.

109-3 May 16, Adune Valley 20°15° N:, 97°40 H., 7,500. i.

Killed by a coolie with a stone Oma pa) “April, saw a flock of six scarlet

minivets today [K. W.].

The single male minivet listed above, two males collected by Rippon in

the Kauri Kachin District and one by Anderson on the Taping R., Kakhyen

Hills agree with birds from Assam and Sikkim. Unfortunately we have no

es skins of females from the first two localities to compare with topotypical

affinus, but they are sufficient to show that they are not P. b. styani

Pee (Szechuan), if indeed that race can be distinguished from P. b. ethelogus

Thayer and Bangs (Hupeh). Four females from Mt. Victoria are very rich

yellow below and grey on the back, wanting the greenish tinge in Assam

birds. A Manipur female is much the same and so too is one from Taungyi,

S. Shan States while another from ‘S. Shan States’ (Rippon) does not. differ

from the Assam examples. A single female from Fort Stedman (Rippon) is

paler on the back than typical affinis but with the same greenish yellow rump

to the female of Baker’s P. b. ripponi, the supposed male of which was collected

by Rippon at the same time and place. This ‘male’ is not sexed and there

is no evidence to show that it is a male—indeed I should say it was a female

abnormally coloured. It differs from the normal female in the darker back and

on the yellow replaced by reddish orange. From the normal male it differs

in not having a black throat, no black on the upper surface and the scarlet

replaced by ‘reddish orange. Furthermore it has a reddish orange band on

the forehead which is not found in any minivet. There is a very similar

bird, rather more orange, also collected by Rippon, from the Kauri Kachin

District in July 1901. These birds are indeed very similar to some of the

females of P. b. annamensis Robinson and Kloss from Dalat, 5. Annam.

Pericrocotus solaris solaris Yellow-throated Munivet.

9 $ January 31, Nam Tamai Valley N.-E. Burma, 4,000 ft.

Spiders and beetles in crop [C.].

Dicrurus leucopheus hopwoodi Assam Grey Drongo.

99.6 Apml 195 Adune. Valley 28°10° IN. 97°40 li. 6,000 ft:

Habits like any drongo, sits on the bare branch of a high tree hawking

flies etc. Very wary, I have been trying to get one for the last two months.

Not uncommon; there seems to be more about this last month [C.].

Tribura thoracica thoracica Spotted Bush-Warbler.

134 $ July 3, Adung Valley 28°20’ N., 97°45’ H., 12,000 ft.

Shot in low scrub jungle above tree line, common [C.].

Godwin-Austen obtained this species in Sylhet and apparently it has not

been found further east within Indian limits, though in Yunnan Forrest col-

lected specimens on the Mekong-Salwin Divide and the Lichiang Range.

Phylloscopus pulcher pulcher Nepal Orange-barred Willow-Warbler.

13679) July 3, 193l, Adung Valley 28°20° N., 97°45" B., 12,000 ft.

Shot in jungle, very common [C.].

Phylloscopus magnirostris Large-billed Willow-Warbler.

120 36 June 4, Adung Valley 28°20’ N., 97°40’ E., 9,000 ft.

Common [C.].

Phylloscopus inornatus inornatus Crowned Willow-Warbler.

Sain apm Oh Adung. Valley, 28010 ..N. 97 40° Ei. . 6,000) ft. + 149°. O

August 10, Adung Valley “98° DOC ANEeY Oia a, 12,000 ft.

“Anderson collected specimens at Bhamo and Ponsee.

3862 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Abroscopus schisticeps ripponi Sharp’s Flycatcher Warbler.

Shot with a crossbow, common, goes about in flocks methodically searching

bushes, sometimes going up trees, particularly those covered with creepers,

then flying down together one after the other hke a lot of falling leaves, make

a continual chattering [C.].

Rippon and Forrest found this bird common in N.-W. Yunnan.

Perissospiza icteroides affinis Allied Grosbeak.

1383 9 juv. June 28, Adung Valley 28°20’ N., 97°45’ EH., 12,000 ft.

One of a pair; the other presumably the male had a very attractive golden

yellow breast—both made rather a pleasant bell-like call [C.].

July 138. Watched one hopping about on the grass under bushes, picking

up seeds. It was quite close to me and did not appear afraid [K. W.].

Not recorded from Burma before, though Forrest and Rock found it not

uncommon on the Lichiang Range and Bailey obtained a male on June 19, 1911,

at La Gyap 18,500 ft., E.-K. Tibet latitude 28°50’ N., longitude 98° EH.

Perissospiza carnipes carnipes White-winged Grosbeak.

151 (9, bla 9 juvi, August (14 Adume ) Valley. 28.204 gN IS ROl 45a iia,

12,000 ft.

Hats the blue Gaultheria berries [K. W.]

According to the Fauna this Grosbeak is not known further east than ‘the

hills north of the Brahmaputra in Assam’. Both Rippon, Forrest and Rock

met with it in N.-W. Yunnan.

Pyrrhula erythaca Beavan’s Bullfinch.

123) 6) June: 13; 138" 6, July Sa Adume) Valleys 28 2065 ING anol baie

12,000 ft.

Shot in Abies forest; June 23, four seen [K. W.]. Not uncommon [C.].

It is very doubtful whether P. e. altera Rippon—Yunnan—can be kept

distinct from P. erythaca erythaca—Sikkim—since the only difference in colour

appears to be that in Sikkim males the red on the breast is suffused with yellow,

while in birds from Yunnan the yellowish tinge is wanting. In size Yunnan

birds run rather larger 8 ¢ 82-87 mm. as against 7 ¢ from Sikkim 80-84.5 mm.

We have no females of the typical form and I have not been able to hear

of one in any collection. According to the Fauna Bullfinches of this type

have been seen in the N. Shan States.

Pyrrhula nepalensis ricketti Rickett’s Bullfinch.

Pyrrhula ricketti La Touche Bull. B.O.C., xvi, p. 21 (1905)—Mts. of N.-W.

Fokien.

93 2, 94 4, Apnl 18, Adung Valley 28°07 N., 977407 Be: 6,000 Mt:

A pair not seen before [C.].

These two specimens agree with a series from Fokien. Forrest obtained

examples in N.-W. Yunnan. This race is distinguished from P. n. victoriae

by the darker colour of the back and more scaly appearance of the feathers

of the head. It is new to Burma. ‘

Carpodacus erythrinus roseatus Coimmsmon Indian Rose-Finch.

106 gG May 18, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ E., 7,500 ft.

Not uncommon, shot with a crossbow [C. |.

Spinus tibetanus Tibetan Siskin.

51 ¢, 52?, 538 9, March 8, Adung Valley 28°20’ N.,.97°40’ E., 6,600 ft.

Shot out of a flock of about forty or fifty wheeling about not very high up.

IT killed a fourth—a female—but it was too badly shot to preserve. Crops full

of small seeds and quartz grains. I have not noticed this bird before ‘[C.].

The Tibetan Siskin, originally described from the borders of Sikkim and

Tibet, was for long only known from that area. In 1926 Lord Rothschild

recorded in the Novitates Zoological, xxxii, p. 832, a male from the Lichiang

Range, Yunnan, collected by Forrest and in 1931 Dr. Rock obtained a pair

on Gyi-na-loko in the autumn.

ON THE BIRDS OF THE ADUNG VALLEY 363

In the Fauna it is stated that Whymper’s and Ward's collectors procured

a nest in Ladak, but the species is not included in Colonel Ward’s list of

birds of Kashmir and I think there must be some mistake. Moreover Ladak

has been carefully worked by a number of Ornithologists within recent years

and no one seems to have met with it. As pine forests do not exist in Ladak

it is most unlikely that a bird like a Siskin would be found there.

Passer rutilans intensior Yunnan Cinnamon Sparrow.

COOP GIG 4462 64 March ald, “Adunio,; Valley 28; 10) N.5, 972407 H., 6,000 ft.

Shot just before sundown as the tlock was going to roost in a high leafy

tree. They were behaving much the same and making a similar noise as

sparrows going to roost at home. Occasionally the whole flock—about 15-20

birds—would leave the tree, circle round once or twice and then go back and

sit chattering and moving about on the tree once more. I have not noticed

this bird before ;C.].

Fringillauda nemoricola nemoricola Hodgson’s Mountain Finch.

30 2, 31 3, February, 43 g March 3, Adung Valley 28°10° N., 97°40' E.,

6,000 ft.

No. 30. One of a flock of about twenty feeding on cultivated land lying

fallow. While feeding the whole flock would rise together, wheel round in

the air once or twice and again go down on the ground or settle in a tree for

a time. This and No. 31 were both got with one shot but unfortunately No. 43

only had a wing broken. It fluttered away along the ground with the remainder

of the flock flying round and swooping down on it just as rooks and jackdaws

will do when one of their number is wounded. I have not seen this bird

before. No. 43 brought in by a native. Not uncommon in open country and

cultivated land; always seen in flocks. Crop full of seeds [C.].

Not recorded from Burma before, though it occurs in Yunnan, on _ the

Lichiang Range (Forrest).

Emberiza pusilla Little Bunting.

19g Pebruary I, 40 2. March 1 Adune Valley -28°10' Ni :97°40°_ E.,

6,000. ft.

No. 19 brought in by a native, crop full of seed; No. 40 fairly common

on cultivated land and open country [C.].

Stanford obtained two females at Hopin in the plains of the Myitkyina

District in 1932.

Motacilla alba leacopsis White-faced Wagtail.

67 Go March 23, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40° E., 6,000 ft.

Two seen together. I have seen no others nor noticed this wagtail before

[C.]. Harington mentions this bird as occurring in the Bhamo District.

Motacilla cinerea caspica astern Grey Wagtail.

96 ¢ April 22, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ H., 6,000: ft.

Not seen before [C.].

Motacilla citreola calcarata Hlodgson’s Yellow-headed Wagtail.

100 g May 1, 101 @ May 2, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ E., 6,000 ft.

No. 100. One of a flock shot in open. First seen about a week ago. N. 101.

One of a pair, the other similar to No. 100 [C.].

Anthus hodgsoni Indian Tree Pipit.

13 ¢g February 9, 27, 28 ¢ February 19, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ E.,

6,000 ft.

Very common on the flat open bracken covered valley bottom. Crop full of

seeds [C.].

Anthus roseatus Hodgson’s Pipit.

128 ¢g June 23, Adung Valley 28°20’ N., 97°45’ E., 12,000 ft.; 147 [9]

July 21, Adung Valley 28°20 N., 97°40’ E., 12,000 ft, :

364. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Shot in open meadow above tree line, seems fairly common [C.].

According to the Fauna this bird is said to occur in the Northern Shan

States but there are no specimens in the Museum from anywhere in Burma.

AEthopyga ignicauda exultans Yunnan Fire-tailed Sunbird.

129° June 25, Adung Valley 28°20° N., 97-458, 13;000) ft.

Very common amongst the scrub rhododendron, juniper etc. above the tree

limit. I have not actually seen it in the forest yet [C.].

This race of the Fire-tailed Sunbird was included in the Fauna, although

it had not actually been recorded from within the limits dealt with. There

is however a female in the Museum collection obtained by Rippon in the

Kauri Kachin District. It is rather dark in colour, as are many of that collec-

tor’s specimens, owing to his methods of drying! Salvadori recorded ignicauda

from Bhamo. .

Five birds from Yunnan in the British Museum were separated from the

typical race by Stuart Baker as A. 1. ewultans on account of the deeper

crimson of the upper side, deeper yellow below, greater extent of red on the

breast and larger bills. A male from Kumaon and two from Nepal are cer-

tainly paler than the Yunnan birds, but in over eighteen from Sikkim and

Assam a few are the same as the Nepal birds while the majority are darker

and resemble very closely the Yunnan specimens, indeed, if these last were

better prepared I doubt much whether they could be distinguished from them.

Tn the yellow colour of the underside I can see no difference and in three

out of the five Yunnan specimens the red on the breast is in no way different

to Sikkim examples, but in the remaining two, the type and another, the red

on the breast is brighter and of greater extent. The bills according to

Baker measure A. 7. ignicauda 17-19 mm, A. 7. exultans 19-21 mm., but I find

there is no difference my measurements being 17.5-19.5 mm, and 18-19.5 mm.

respectively.

AEthopyga dabryii Dabry’s Sunbird.

72 3 March 27, 91 S April 16, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ E.

Not so common as Ai. nepalensis nepalensis [C.].

AEthopyga nipalensis nipalensis Nepal Yellow-backed Sunbird.

11 S February 6, 18 9 February 13, 35 SG February 24, 69 g March 23,

Adung Valley 28°10° N., 97°40’ E., 6,000 ft.

Very common. No. 69 shot with a crossbow. These little birds are very

common and equally confiding, so are a ready prey for small boys with a

crossbow [C.].

March 22. Saw Sunbird visiting Rhododendron stenautus [K. W.].

Hypopicus hyperythrus sikkimensis Eastern Rufous-bellied Woodpecker.

108 ¢ May 16, 116 9 May 29, 119 [9] June 2, Adung Valley 28°15" N.,

97°40’ E., 7,500-8,000 ft.; 155 ¢G October 11, Adung Valley 28°15" N., 97°40’

H., 6,000 ft.

In the Fauna this Woodpecker is not recorded further south in Burma than

the Kachin Hills but there are in the British Museum specimens from Maymyo

(Harington), Kalaw (Craddock, Thompson, Oates and Venning), ‘Tonghoo

(Hargett collection) and S.-W. Yunnan (Wingate). In addition it has been

recorded from Mt. Victoria by Wood, the Chin Hills by Hopwood and Mackenzie

and various localities in the 8. Shan States by Bingham and Cook.

Dryobates cathpharius tenebrosus Yunnan Red-breasted Pied Woodpecker.

Dryobates cathpharius tenebrosus Rothschild Nov. Zool. 1926, xxxiii, p. 240—

Shweli-Salwin Divide.

21/0 Bebruary 16), Adung Valley 28;10° N., 9740.7). 6.000) ft:

Habits are much more like a Tree Creeper, flying from dead tree to dead

tree and searching each one methodically. The call is loud for the size of: the

bird and is a rather monotonous chip, uttered at intervals when searching a

tree and rather more quickly when flying. Not uncommon, I have seen three

or four during the last ten days [C.].

This single specimen belongs to the race described by Lord Rothschild from

Yunnan which ‘differs from D, cathpharius in the less yellowish, more greyish

ON THE BIDS OF THE ADUNG VALLEY 365

underside, which is much more heavily spotted with black’. From D. c. pernayi

Verreaux (Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1867, p. 271) from Kansu this race is distinguished

by the smaller size and lesser amount of black on the breast and malar streaks,

while compared with D. c¢. pyrrhothorax Hume (Manipur and Naga Hills) it

has a greater amount of black on the underside and also is larger. In addition

to the female lsted above we have two males collected by Forrest on his last

expedition in Yunnan, a male from the Yangtze big Bend (Rippon) and others

from Na Noi, Loi Maw and the hills east of Fort Stedman in the S. Shan

States (Craddock and Rippon).

Measurements :—

Wing. Bill from base of skull. Wing. Bill.

D. ¢c. cathpharius 4 ¢ 100-102 18.5-20 A Oe OF -NO2, 725-20

Dec. pyrrhothorax 4G - 97-99 18.5-20 i Omor 18.5

D. c. tenebrosus 5 3G 97.5-104 19-21.5 4 9 99-104 18.5-20

D. c. pernyt 111-112 20.5 SS oes

Dryobates darjellensis Darjceling Pied Woodpecker.

114 9 May 27, Adung Valley 28°15’ N., 97°40’ E., 8,000 ft.

Shot in jungle, not uncommon [C.].

This Woodpecker in the Fauna is stated to be found in Burma—the Chin

and Kachin Hills, and Shan States. It is however not represented in the

Museum from the Shan States or Kachin Hills and I cannot find any record

of its occurrence there, though we have specimens from 'Tonghoo.

Sasia ochracea ochracea The Indian Rufous Picnilet.

2 ? December 2, 1930, Kadrangyang, 70 miles N. of Myitkyina, 2,000 ft.

Habits like any woodpecker tapping slowly and then tearing off slivers with

its beak. Mainly seen on dead bamboo and tall grasses—common [C. ].

This single example belongs to the typical race, which is found from Nepal

to Suddya and south to the Kauri Kachin District, whence Rippon obtained

an example. Harington records it nesting in the Bhamo District. S. 0. queru-

livox Baker, Assam. S. of the Brahmapootra, Naga Hills, Manipur, Lower

Chindwin and §. Shan States, is intermediate between the typical race and

S. 0. reichenowt Hesse a pale bird found in Tenasserim—as far south as the

Pakschan estuary—Tounghoo and §. Annam.

Some examples of S. 0. querulivox are very pale, indeed four skins in the

museum from the Khasia Hills are barely separable from Tenasserim specimens.

Cuculus poliocephalus poliocephalus Small Cuckoo.

107 ¢ May 14, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40" E., 7,500 it.

I heard this bird for some weeks, but have not been able to see it before.

It has a particularly maddening and monotonous call, rather like the expostu-

lations of a very young hen with a treble voice, which has just escaped being

run over by a car, repeated at short intervals for hours! [C.].

Rippon obtained a specimen in the Kauri Kachin District in July and

Harington lists it as occurring in the Bhamo District. Probably this cuckoo

breeds in the N.-W. Yunnan mountains as Forrest collected examples between

May and August on the Lichiang Range and the Tenguyeh Valley.

Upupa epops longirostris Burmese Hoopoe.

87? April, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ H., 6,000 ft.

Only seen during the last few days and then only twice [C.].

Pyrotrogon erythrocephalus erythrocephalus Red-headed Trogon.

5 3§ January 9, Nam Tamai 4,000 ft.

Fairly common [C.].

Collocalia brevirostris pellos Szechewan Swiftlet.

Collocalia inopina pellos Thayer and Bangs, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. Har-

vard., xl, p. 158 (1912)—Waschan, Szechuan.

65? March 15, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°40’ K., 8,000 ft.

February 25. Swifts seen tonight for the first time; 28 February seen

again just before sundown: 14 March. Seen flying very high tonight. No. 65;

366. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY; Vol. XXXVII

This is the bird referred to above as ‘swift’—a great number seen today—

15 March—all flying low. Also in Tibet 28°25’ N., 97°55’ E., September.

We have in the Museum only four specimens of this bird—in addition to

the above specimen in the Museum as follows: Tonkin (Stevens) recorded by

me as C. inominator (!); adult and juvenile Omi-hsien, 8. Szechuan (M. P.

Anderson) and an adult (labelled juvenile) from the Mekong-Salwin Divide

(Forrest), which was recorded as C. f. brevirostris by Lord Rothschild. To the

west this race of swiftlet is replaced by C. b. brevirostris, which ranges from

Eastern Assam and Manipur to Dalhousie, and differs in its smaller size.

Glaucidium cuculoides rufescens Burmese Barred Owlet

160 ? November 29, 1931, Nam 'Tamai.

Trapped and brought in by natives [C.].

Ducula badia griseicapilla Grey-headed Imperial Pigeon.

Ducula badia griseicapilla.

3 ¢ December 11, 1980, Kachin Hills, 150 miles N. of Myitkyina.

Recorded by Harington from Bhamo District. Apparently this pigeon does

not extend into Northern Yunnan as neither Forrest nor Rippon collected speci-

mens, though Wingate obtained a single male at S.-W. Yunnan.

Columba leuconota gradaria Hartert, Hastern Snow Pigeon.

131 9 June 25, Adung Valley 28°20’ N., 97°45° H., 14,000 ft.; 141-2 9

July 8, Adung Valley 97°40’ E., 18,000 ft.

No. 181 one of a pair, the other of which flew away and settled on a

stone slide, where its colouration, which was rather conspicuous on the grass,

merged perfectly with the background.

July 8. Climbed to about 15,000 ft. and saw several pigeons similar to

No. 181 and by a really fine effort succeeded in killing three out of a flock

of six at one shot. Both this flock and two others, which I saw were, feeding

on open screes between 13 and 15,000 ft. July 9. Another flock of pigeons,

similar to those seen yesterday, seen at about 14,000 ft. These pigeons are

almost always seen on stony screes feeding, though occasionally they are to

be seen on the grass when they are very conspicuous. In flight their white

bodies show up in marked contrast to their dark wings [C.]. No. 181. Crop

full of small bulbils of the pink Polygonum and a few seeds of Morina [K. W.].

This pigeon has not previously been recorded from Burma and Forrest sent

no specimens from Yunnan, though further north it occurs in that country

on the Yangtse, where Dr. Rock obtained examples, which according to Riley

(P.U.S.N.M. 80, p. 15, 1981) are somewhat intermediate in colour between

C. 1. leuconota and C. l. gradaria Hartert from Szechuan.

Genneus horsfieldi horsfieldi Black-breasted Kali.

4 § December 23, 1930, Hkampti Plains, Upper Burma, 1,500 ft.

This and a companion were seen together at close range and both seemed

identical. They walked about making a low clucking noise.

Rippon and others obtained this pheasant in the Bhama District where it

appears to be not uncommon.

Lophophorus sclateri Sclater’s Monal.

August 17, Monal heard calling at 13,000 ft. amongst scrub and cliffs above

the tree limit. I could not see them because of the mist and rain, though

they sounded quite near. August 19, high up above the tree line I saw

a flock of monal and after a difficult stalk managed to get within range and

shot two. One bird in the flock (the cock ?) was much bigger than the two

T shot and had the blue round the eye more pronounced, but otherwise appeared

very similar. These birds seem to keep very much to the same locality: during

the two months we have been here I have found two places where these birds

live and never have been there without either seeing or hearing them. They

are very cunning, one of the flock always seems to be on euard on some

ridge or prominent mound and gives away their position by uttering the rather

harsh alarm call (rather like a mixture between that of a peacock and a guinea

fowl), otherwise they would probably escape unobserved as their colouration

ON TEE BIRDS OF THE ADUNG )\VALEE Y. 367

harmonizes admirably with their haunts among the dwarf rhododendron,

juniper, cotoneaster, grass etc. Nos. 153-154 contained Polygonum seeds and

heads of some thistle or hard-headed flower in their crops [C.]. _

July 10. Saw a pair of Monal and then saw and heard six or eight higher

up on the grey scree. Two sentinels stood on rocks uttering their shrill, rather

plaintive alarm call, a single cry repeated again and again while the others

strutted up the scree together.

Baker does not give this Monal as occurring in Burma, though in the

donation list of the ‘Society, vol. xxill, p. 599 there is a record that Mr. -F. C.

Lowis presented three from the Burmo-Chinese frontier. These came from the

Htawgaw Hills, between the Kachin Hills and Yunnan, in the cold weather

of 1914 and Capt. Kingdon Ward has recorded it from Imam Bum in the same

Hills (Journal 1921, xxvu, p. 756). Later in 1925 the late Capt. West shot

two males near Myitkyina in October which are now in the National Collection.

Capt. Kingdon Ward, on his 1924 plant collecting expedition down the T'sangpo,

obtained a male in juvenile plumage and an adult female at the Po-Tsango

and 'T'sangpo confluence at 9,000 ft. on February 14. Lord Rothschild records

(Nov. Zool. 1926, p. 211) that Forrest obtained a young male which he says

‘is so far unique’ but does not give any description of it and I therefore add

one of Capt. Kingdon Ward’s bird. Differs from the adult female in the darker

colour of the mantle, the paler, more white, colour of the lower back, rump

and upper tail coverts and in the greater amount of cinamon on the tail feathers,

which colour is entirely absent from the adult from the T’sangpo, but present

in slight frecklings in a bird from the Mishmi country and figured in P.Z.5.

1879, pl. li. The upper side of the young male is narrowly barred with faint

cinamon bands instead of frecklings. On the breast and neck the black feathers

of the adult are beginning to appear and a few metallic feathers to show on

the head.

Tragopan temmincki Temminck’s Tragopan.

82g June 77, ,Adune Valley. 28°10" Ni. 977400 E., 7,000. ft:

Bill black; feet flesh; iris slate; round eye, throat and harns bright cobalt

blue.

Brought in by a native trapped in the jungle [C.]

According to Oates (J.B.N.H.S., xix, p. 260) Lt. C. M. Macmillan shot

a male of this Tragopan in 1903 at Sadon, due East of Myitkyina at an ele-

vation of about 9,000 ft., and in March 1904 Mr. W. Scott shot two examples

on the Pansing Pass near the same place.. In the cold weather of 1914 Mr.

F. C. Lowis obtained a male near Htawgaw, while we have in the British

Museum a pair procured by Major Burd in. the Myitkyina District in October

1925, and another got by Capt. West near Hipmaw in October 1925 and it

appears therefore that this Tragopan is not uncommon in N.-E. Burma. In

addition to the specimens obtained by Co. F. M. Bailey in the Mishmi coun-

try and §. Tibet (Op. cit., vol. xxiv, p. 76) it should be mentioned that Capt.

Kingdon Ward collected a young male on December 16, 1924. at the confluence

of the Po-Tsangpo and Tsangpo in 8.-E. Tibet.

All the western examples of this Tragopan I have examined are rather darker

below and of a less brick red than Chinese birds and in size tend to run larger,

wing 248, 254, 260, 2683 mm. as against 230-253 in fourteen Yunnan and Sze-

chuan birds.

Tragopan temmincki was first made known to science by Dr. J. E. Gray

in the Illustrations of Indian Zoology, vol. i, plate 50 (December 2, 1831) and

the bird from which the drawing was made was presented along with a second

male to the British Museum by J. R. Reeves. Gould (Birds of Asia, vol. vii,

pl. 47) tells us that Reeves first saw this species in the aviary of a Mr. Beal

in Macao and ‘did not rest until he had sent specimens to the National Collec-

tion’. On May 18, 1834 Dr. G. Bennett exhibited before a meeting of the

Zoological Society a drawing of one of Mr. Beal’s birds and stated that they

came from ‘the province of Yunnan bordering on Tibet’, adding that Mr. Beal

had not been able to obtain any female specimens.

Ithaginis cruentus kuseri Yunnan Blood-Pheasant.

(ee March 3h, Adung Valley: 28-1107 N97 40° H, 8,000: ft.; 126 ¢

April 20, 142, 145 ¢, 9 July 10, Adung Valley 28°45’ N., 97°45’ E., 12,000 ft.

3868 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

No. 74 shot sitting on a pile of logs. No. 142 shot in forest, alarm call

hike a hen common pheasant. One of a pair, the other ran about mewing for

some time, but I could not see it. July 10. I saw two pairs of Blood

pheasants, each pair walking about together with a well grown family. The

young were, I should say, at least six weeks old and were in the forest at about

18,008 ft. August 19. Today came across a family party of Blood pheasants.

Shot the cock and a young hen, the latter the size of a French partridge. The

‘party consisted of six or seven and I had to follow them through the forest

before I could get a second. All the time they kept 30-40 yards away and

continually uttered their alarm call, though occasionally they would stop to pick

up food [C.].

July 27. Alpine Valley. In the forest I saw a pair of Blood pheasants.

The female has a crest and strutted about, with tail outspread bobbing her

head abruptly to pick up food as she walked, then throwing it up suddenly

and all the time she uttered a single rather querulous cry. The male has the

same upright way of pecking at the ground and looking up quickly. His tail

however was not spread. October 4. In forest below ridge ( area 19,000 ft.)

I saw a whole party of Blood pheasants—at least eight—they were certainly

two cocks. The cock gives a shrill cry of alarm, runs a short distance, then

stops, the rest of the covey also. As often as not they stand on an eminence

and look at you from some twenty to thirty yards away. They seem to be

bewildered and run hither and thither, but never go far. The cock struts

and runs with his tail outspread. On October 30 a large family of Blood

pheasants visited the camp and five were shot, but the remainder took very

little notice and were scarcely alarmed, continuing to squawk and run this

way and that [K. W.].

In the Fauna, this Blood Pheasant is said ‘to inhabit Yunnan on the Shwel1-

Salwin Divide; extending west to Mishmi and Abor Hills and north and east

of the Dihong and Brahmapootra rivers... We have in the British Museum

the following specimens: @ Tsekou, Yunnan (P. R. Soulce); Tenguyeh,

Yunnan (EK. B. Howell); 9 (2 ¢ also obtained) near Htawgaw Hills, between

Kachin Hills and Yunnan cold weather 1914 (F. C. Lowis) 4 ¢, 1 Q@ Hipmau,

Myitkyina District October 1925 (West); 2 g, 1 Q@ Seinghku Valley 10,000 ft.,

98°8’ N., 97°24’ H., May, June and October, 1926 (F. Kingdon Ward); 6 6,

@, Tsu R., Mishmi Hills and Sumdo, S. Tibet (F. M. Bailey).

Two males of I. c. clarkei collected by Forrest on the Lichiang Range

approach I. c. kuseri and have the throat and breast washed buff, intermingled

with numerous red feathers. I have followed Lord Rothschild in considering

all the Blood Pheasants as races of I. cruentus Hardwick from Nepal.

Tringa hypoleucos Common Sandpiper.

1 ? November 30, 1930, Tiang Zup 50 miles N. of Myitkyina.

Seen on several occasions.

Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis Chinese Cormorant.

80 @ April 7, Adung Valley 28°10’ N., 97°41’ E., 6,000 ft.

Shot sitting on a log in the river and seen fairly often during the last

three weeks, but not before. Unexpectedly good eating! Several more also

seen [C.].

Anas crecca crecca Common Teal.

Shot at dusk in a small muddy backwater off the Mai river. I have not

seen this duck before [C.].

THE LIFE-HISTORY OF THE SPIDER (MYRMARACHNE

PLATALEOIDES) (CAMBBR).

A mimic of the Indian ted Ant.

A. P. MatTHEw, M.A.

(Lecturer in Zoology, The College of Science, Trivandrum).

(With one plate).

The Spider Myrmarachne plataleoides is a common mimic

of the Red Ant, Oecophylla smaragdina which may be seen al-

most anywhere in this country. The mimicry is so perfect that

quite often it requires the second glance of even an experienced

collector to distinguish one of these spiders from the ants amongst

whom they are often seen moving about. Mimicry of ants by

spiders is supposed to bestow on them certain advantages. In

some cases the mimicry is suggested to be aggressive; under the

false garb of an ant, the spider is supposed to be enabled to

approach the ants without raising their suspicions, and thus feed

on them with impunity. This, however, need not be considered

here since this spider does not appear to feed on its models.

In certain others, of which the present is an instance, the

mimicry is supposed to be protective; the ants being ferocious

are generally left alone by insectivorous animals and the spiders

by imitating them and living near them might share their im-

munity.

The Red Ants are certainly ferocious, but the protective value

of a spider imitating this ant is questioned on many grounds. It

is pointed out that the Oecophylla is not so immune from the

attacks of insectivorous animals as is generally believed to be;

there are certain birds and other animals which do feed on them.

C. W. Mason in his “‘Food of Birds in India’’ speaks about ants :—

“The ants like the grasshoppers are exceedingly abundant insects

and form a very large proportion of the insect food of birds in

India. They are perhaps the favourite food of the Woodpeckers,

Wrynecks, Rollers and some of the pheasants. Most birds that

eat insects of any kind will almost certainly be found to take ants

of one species or other.’’ In view of this it is useless merely to

assert that ants as a class are left alone by insectivorous animals

and that hence ant mimicry would be of high protective value

to the spider. Then, what advantage does this spider have by

going out of its way to imitate the ant?

That this mimicry is of some protective value I am convinced;

but the usual way of explaining the protective significance is

faulty, for it is based on the assertion that ants are rarely taken

by insectivorous animals. <A closer study of the habits and behav-

iour of these organisms, however, reveals certain facts hitherto

ignored, but which seem to me, to afford a satisfactory explanation

of this phenomenon.

In the first place, we have to remember that the ants are

so numerous and that the spiders moving about amongst them

so few and scattered that the chance of the spiders for escape even

370 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURA “HIST. “SOCIETY, Vol.” Xxx Vail

under the worst conditions is very great. The vast majority of

the victims would naturally be from the major species, the scat-

tered individuals very often being ignored or missed.

But a far more important factor may be recognised in the

different modes of behaviour of the ants and the spiders when

confronted by danger. When an intruder is sighted the ants rush

forward; they never slink away and so they easily fall a prey to

such animals as possess the power to resist their attacks and feed

on them. But the Myrmarachne which may be moving about

on an adjoining leaf or twig, as soon as it sees the possibility of

danger, the approach of any stranger, it by a sudden movement

hides under cover of a leaf. The prey-hunter loses its prey; but

it never has to search for the hidden quarry. All around run the

Red Ants, which boldly, in their characteristic aggressive manner,

hasten to the intruder which can, to the best of its ability, feed

on them. That this fact has hitherto been overlooked is nothing

to be wondered at when we remember that much of our know-

ledge of ant-mimics comes from preserved collections, there being

only scanty notes on their real behaviour and habits from field

observers. Thus we see that by ant-mimicry the Myrmarachne has

lessened its probable persecutors to a great extent, the common

enemies of spiders more or less leaving it free. Even from the ant-

feeding forms, it gains comparative safety due to its shy nature

and quicker movements as contrasted with the bold and assertive

behaviour of the ants.

Ant mimicry is certainly of considerable protective value to the

spider. Perhaps, it is a consequence of this protection that the

fertility in this spider is rather. low. This low fertility in ant-

mimicking spiders is usually regarded as an indirect proof of the

protective value of ant-mimicry. It is pointed out that whilst

spiders as a group are highly prolific, laying several hundreds of

eges at a time, these mimicking spiders lay only a few eggs.

Myrmarachne plataleoides lays only 15-20 eggs at a time. In

certain other kinds of ant- mimicking spiders the reduction of the

number of eggs laid has gone still further; for, some of them

appear to lay only three or even two eggs at a time!

While the reduction of the fertility of the ant-mimicking spiders

is very significant and lends strong indirect evidence to the pro-

tective value of mimicry, it should be noted that the comparison

of this with the prolificity of the Hpeiridae gives rather an exag-

gerated idea of this reduction. The Attidae generally lay only

a small number of eges compared with the Hpeindae. The ordi-

nary Attid spiders which are no ant-mimics lay only about 20-30

eggs in a cocoon. It is with these that the productivity of the

Attid ant-mimics should be properly compared.

Here, however, a puzzling question confronts us. M. plata-

leoides mimicking the Red-Ant is protected and in the light of

this, its low fertility is intelligible. But we also know that de-

struction among young spiders is very great and so if these few

young ones are not protected in some way they would not be able

to maintain their numerical strength. Protection during one stage

in life alone will not be efficient. If the spider is protected only

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THE LIFE-HISTORY OF MYRMARACHNE PLATALEOIDES 371i

during its adult stage while the other stages during which destruct-

ion seems to be very high, are left unprotected, the survival of

the species with low fertility would be a serious problem. This

difficulty has been already pointed out by McCook with regard to

Synageles picata, an American Ant-mimicking spider which lays

only three eggs! As far as I am aware no proper solution to

this has, as yet, been offered.

Are the earlier stages of this spider unprotected or, do they

have some means of protection ? If so, how are they protected ?

To understand this I made a study of the hfe-history of the spider

M. plataleoides. It revealed many interesting facts; a brief

account of this as I observed during the last three years is given

below.

The spider as has been mentioned above, lays about 15-20 eggs

at a time, which are enclosed in a cocoon or nest constructed

on a leaf. Over this cocoon a silken canopy is spun beneath which

the spider-mother remains guarding the eggs while they are being

hatched.

In a week’s time the eggs appear to hatch. The ege-mem-

brane splits and the embryo escapes from it. The limbs are

formed but are glued to. the body and the curious little animal

is incapable of movement. The front part of the body is translu-

cent while the hinder portion is yellowish and rounded with stored

volk. In this condition it remains only for a very short period

for, in two days it undergoes the first moult while still within

the cocoon (Fig. 1).

The Spiderling (Fig. 2).—The spiderling as the little spider

after the first moult may be called, has its limbs all free. Though

it can now move, it does not make free use of its limbs but

remains more or less quiet in the silky tangle of the cocoon. It

is quite a plumpy individual of a yellowish colour. It has no

particular similarity to the ants, the cephalothorax not possessing

the characteristic constrictions. In this stage if the cocoon is

opened the spiderlings shun the light and show great anxiety to

crawl into the depths of woolly mass of the nest; otherwise they

remain quiet but for certain slow movements of the legs which

take place every now and then. It is more or less translucent,

pigments being absent; and in many respects the creature is in-

complete. The spinnerets, the jaws and the sense organs are not

fully developed and the individual does not feed. Till it leaves

the cocoon, the young spider is dependent on the yolk retained

within its body.

In two days’ time the hinder portion of the abdomen becomes

dark blue with certain whitish transverse bands caused by rows

of white hairs. The ocular region 1s now distinct and the eyes

are marked by dark pigmentation. The arrangement of the eyes,

however, is quite different from that seen in the adult or even

in the next stage. The spinnerets too are completed and produce

silk but in very small quantities. The little spiders are not very

active but when disturbed they crawl about and the little silk

thread which hardens slowly may be noted attached to the spin-

nerets.

372 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVii

The Second Moult (Figs. 5 & 6.)\—In about a week’s time the

yellow spiderlings moult. They have now become distinctly elon-

gated and are clearly ant-like. All the yolk in the abdomen has

been used up and it is now thin and elongated. The eyes are all

developed. The young spiders remain for a considerable period

within the cocoon. However, if the cocoon is disturbed or opened

they rush out and move about in a very active manner. It is in

this stage that they finally emerge from the cocoon. They are ant-

like in form and movements. Like the adults these lift up their

first pair of legs and wave them continuously as they move about.

The body is dark coloured with a deeper colouration for the

cephalic part and for the hinder half of the abdomen. The young

spider at this stage possesses a very striking similarity to the small

dark brown ants so common here (Prenolepis) and also, to a less

extent, to the small black ants (Dolichoderinae). It is interesting

to note that these spiders, in this stage, are often seen in the

company of these ants or in proximity to their nests. Whether

they deliberately choose such localities is more than one can as-

certain; for, quite often, they have been encountered in

other situations as well, not particularly close to any dark ant

colony.

What really happens seems to be this. In this stage the young

spiders leave the cocoon often waiting for suitable fine weather.

They emerge and swarm up the twigs in a most busy manner.

They do not wait to reach the topmost twigs but immediately

spin forth silk threads, which the first gust of wind catches, and

they are carried away to diverse places. It is quite likely that

many of these individuals are thus brought to places near which

there are nests or colonies of the dark brown or black ants. .Some

of course would be earried to localities away from these ants, but

this is less likely, smcee most trees on which they would land,

would have some type or other of these little ants on them. Be

this as it may, it is clear that this similarity to these well-known

types of ants must be of high protective value to the spiders and

quite naturally this would be more efficient in the proximity of

their models than away from them.

From this stage the development of the young spiders is not

quite uniform. Some individuals moult rapidly, and go through

their life history in a shorter time than others. It has been found

that males generally get through their hfe cycle much more

rapidly than females. Another interesting feature noted after

this stage is that the shades of colour of the spiders vary to a

certain. extent.

The Third Moult.—The next moult takes place after an inter-

val of time—varying from nine days to a month. To a certain

extent, this variability seems to depend upon the food supply. The

spiders are now large and the colour of most of them turns a

shade lighter. As a rule, they are neither too big nor too light

coloured to lose their similarity to the small brown ants. Some

however retain the dark colouration of the previous stage, while

others become quite reddish yellow, the hinder half of the abdomen

alone retaining the dark colour. These latter manifest a very real

THE LIFE-HISTORY OF MYRMARACHNE PLATALEOIDES 373

resemblance to the smail stinging ants, the Solenopsis so common

here.

The Fourth Moult.—The next moult also takes place -attar

varying intervals in different specimens. The shortest period ob-

served was 16 days. At this moult, there is a definite tendency

for the spiders to assume a lighter colour. Most of them are

yellowish brown and when they move about with the front legs

stretched forth and waving, they resemble the Plagiolepis ants to

a remarkable extent. I have taken specimens of this spider at

this stage from plants on which a-number of these ants were

busy; but quite often these young Se have been found in

other situations as well.

The size and colouration of the spiders at this stage might also

entitle them to be regarded as mimics of the minor workers of

the Red ant Oecophylla; but it is decidedly from the next stage

onwards that they put on the most striking similarity to this ant.

However, near a stream of Red Ants in which the minor workers

are mingled with the major workers, the spiders at this stage may

quite easily pass for one of these minor workers. In this connec-

tion it is worth while noting that the Oecophylla ants are graded

into major and minor workers which enable the later immature

stages and the smaller individuals of the adults themselves—for

the adult spiders are known to vary considerably regarding their

size—to have suitable models.

The Fifth Moult.—The earliest interval after which the next

moult takes place is two weeks. After this moult, the spiders

are in the penultimate stage and have almost attained the adult

size and are perfect mimics of the Oecophylla.

The Siath Moult.—These-in another three weeks, at the

earliest, undergo the final moult. In this adult stage the sexes

differ in appearance from each other—the male being larger and

easily distinguishable from the female by the possession of a Bae

of horizontally extended chelicerae in front.

Such is the interesting life-history of this spider, It is clear

from the above that the young ones are not left unprotected but

that they too share in the advantages of mimicry. But if they

are mimics, what are their suitable models? The Oecophylla

which is mimicked by the adult, it is true, lays eggs but the tiny

creatures that come out of them are not in the least ant-like, and

when at last they put on their final garb they are too big for the

spiderlings to serve as models. The young spider cannot mimic

the mature Red ant—the model of the adult, however, by a slightly

altered colouration it becomes a perfect mimic of some other species

of ant that is more or less approximate to it in size. Thus the

young M. plataleoides, which just escape from the cocoon, are so

like the small brown ants that they may easily be mistaken for

them while in their proximity. I have many times come across

these spiders on plants infested by the brown ants and I hold that

distinction between the spider and the ant under these conditions

is not quite easy. Later on they mimic other types of ants and

show corresponding modifications in general appearance and colour-

ation.

374. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

This is a unique life-history. The spider is not only an ant-

mimic in its adult stage but the privileges of ant-mimicry seem

to be extended throughout its life-history.. A few instances. com-

parable to a certain toxtent with this life- history have been de-

scale by certain observers. In 1908, Vosseler gave an account

of the African Tettigoniid, Eurycorypha which begins life as an

ant-mimic but becomes leaf-like in the final stage. It is interest-

ing to note that the ant-like larva of Hurycorypha has long been

described under a different generic name Myrmecophana and thus

supposed to be quite a different animal. :

In the Transactions of the Entomological Society for 1922, Mr.

Uvarov gives an account of Leptoderes ornatipennis—a leaf- like

long-horned grasshopper from Java—which first mimics a Colly-

ris, one of the tiger beetles, and later the Tricondyla, another genus

of tiger beetles. ‘amd in the final stage resembles a leaf. Another

transformation beginning in an ant- like larva and ending in a leaf-

like adult has been described in the life- history of an Indian. grass-

hopper Isopsera pedunculata by Major Hingston in the Journal

of the Bombay Natural History Society, vol. xxxui, No. 3, p. 497.

I have observed a similar life-history in the case of a common

mantis and a bug from South India an account of which will

be given elsewhere.

oe Such cases, where one insect mimics in different stages of its

post-embryonic development certain other insects such as differ-

ent ants or tiger beetles and finally assumes the shape and colour-

ation of a leat, have been termed ‘Transformational Deceptive

Resemblaiice’. “The life-history of M. plataleoides given above,

however, differs from these instances in fhat it résorts to only

one type of protective resemblance in its life-history namely

mimicry, V while these examples show mimicry at the earlier stages

which “later- on passes into protective colouration. In the life-

history of Af: plataleoides full advantage seems to have been

taken of the fact that the general plan of structure of the ants

is so uniform. An alteration of colour corresponding to a differ-

ence in size makes the spider in its successive post-embryonic

stages: a successful mimic of different types of ants. 3

“Since all through the different stages of this spider, it mani-

fests -the phenomenon of mimicry and since during these succes-

sive stages by certain slight alterations in appearance and colour-

ation’ it mimics different. kinds of ants, it is suggested that this

restricted type of ‘Transformational Deceptive Eigse suns may

be: called ‘Transformational Mimicry’.

TPE NATION oF THE ‘TEXT-FIGURES.

Fig. 1.—The young spider just escaped - from the egg ‘membrane.

Fig. 2.—The spiderling immediately after the first moult. |

Fig. 8.—The spiderling—later stage—as seen. from the side...

Fig. 4.—The spiderling—later stage—as seen from above.

cabig. 6 —Mhe young spider after the second moult-as seen from nbove: in

this stage it escapes from. the ‘cocoon and has become ant-like.

Sie, 6.—The young spider after the second moult, as seen from. the side.

Big. 7.—The young spider after the third moult.

Fig: 8.—A. Front portion of the’ adult male.

B. Front portion of the adult female.

ON PHE TYPE LOCALITY AND SYNONYMY OF

HOGLAUCOMYS FIMBRIATUS AND ITS LOCAL RACES.

J. L. CHawortH-MvUSTERS.

[From the Department of Zoology, British Museum (Nat. Hist.). |

The type of Sciuropterus fimbriatus Gray (B.M. No. 87.6.10.55)

is labelled as -coming from “India* and no more definite locality

is given either on the label, or in Gray’s original description of the

Species. This specimen was obtained-by the Museum by purchase

on the salé of the coltection of Col. Cobbe on his death in 1886-

-lhrough the courtesy -of the India’ Office I’ have been “able “to

consult the record of service of Col. Cobbe in order to discover’ if

at any time he was stationed anywhere within the area of distri-

bution of this species. The result was negative. All the places

mentioned in this record were in Central India or Bengal and it is

probable that he received his specimen from friends stationed ‘in

the Hills and the most likely place from which he would have ob-

tained it is Simla. I have compared the type with a series: of

specimens from Simla and they are, allowing for fading, identical.

Therefore the typical locality for Hoglaucomys fimbriatus Gray,

should ~ be regar ‘ded as ‘Simla: until more definite evidente 1s” forth-

Coming. |

- Examination of the Jarge series of this species in the’ British

Museum shows that it can be divided into two races; the eastern

typical race, and a larger, lighter western race to which the name

babert Blyth is assignable. sane RAN poe ge tele ee ae

The genus Boglaucomys therefore contains one species divided

into two. races. They are:—

Eoglaucomys fimbriatus fimbriatus (Gray). mele on

-- 1837. --- Sciuropterus fimbriatus Gray, Mag.. Nat. - Hist.,;

new--series, -vol..1,.p.- 584. .

Type locality. Simla,

Hoglaucomys fimbriatus baber (Blyth). :

1847. Sciuropterus barberi Blyth, Journ., Asiat. Soce.,

Bengal, vol. xvi, p. 866. Tet rns Ve cae

Type locality. Mt. District. Nijrow, ORO

A NOTE ON SCIUROPTERUS GORKHALI LINDSAY

WITH REMARKS ON PETAURISTA CANICEPS AND

ITS ALLIES.

J. L. CHawortu-Musters.

|From the Department of Zoology, British Museum (Nat. Hist.).]

Helen Lindsay (Journal, Bombay Natural History Society, vol.

xxx, No. 38, p. 565, 1929) described under the name of Sciuropterus

gorkhali a species of flying squirrel from Nepal. In undertaking a

revision of the Palaearctic Pteromyidae I had occasion to study the

specimens upon which Mis. Lindsay’s species were based and after

careful comparison, I have come to the conclusion that it cannot

possibly be separated from Petaurista caniceps (Gray). Mrs. Lind-

say was apparently led astray in her conclusions by two misunder-

standings. In her paper she states that the two figures portraying

Sciuropterus senex in Hodgson’s ‘Drawings of Mammalia’ represent

animals of different sizes. Reference to Hodgson’s figures show

that the two plates are drawn to different scales and the slight

difference in colour may be easily accounted for by seasonal or

individual variation or by the fact that the plates were drawn at

different times and perhaps by different artists. Both plates portray

a large Flying Squirrel with a grey head and we must believe that

Hodgson realised that they portrayed the same animal when he

labelled them with the same name. The skins which Mrs. Lindsay

was studying were considerably shrunken owing to the fact that

they had not been stuffed out with any material. On the other

hand the skins of Petaurista caniceps and the type-specimens of

Sciuropterus senex in the British Museum collection have no

measurements taken in the flesh and may, as is often the case in

old specimens be considerably over-stuffed. This has made com-

parison in regard to size extremely difficult, but measurements of

the hindfoot and ear in the dry skin show that there is little diff-

erence between the species. I have carefully examined the skulls

of Sciuropterus gorkhali and except for their slightly smaller size,

as shown in Mrs. Lindsay’s table of measurements, I can find no

constant character by which they may be distinguished from the

skulls of Petaurista caniceps.

Owing to this slight difference in size and its brighter colour

Sciuropterus gorkhali must however be considered as a valid sub-

species of Petaurista caniceps.

In regard to the systematic position of Sciuropterus senex the

type-specimen B.M. No. 45.1.8. 242 is identical with specimens

of Petaurista caniceps from Sikkim and it must be regarded as a

synonym of that species.

From a careful examination of the material in the British

Museum it is obvious that Petaurista xanthotis and clarkei must

NOTH ON SCIUROPTERUS GORKHALI LINDSAY 377

be considered as geographical races of Petaurista caniceps, and it

is probable that this species through forms such as Petaurista mela-

nopterus, filchnerinae and watasei, from Northern China and Man-

churia, may connect up with Petaurista leucogenys of Japan and

Korea. ‘The material in the British Museum from Northern China

is at present far too scanty to form a basis upon which to give a

definite opinion as to whether all these forms should be considered

races of one species Petaurista leucogenys.

The synonymy and races of Petaurista caniceps are :—

Petaurista caniceps caniceps (Gray). 3

1842. Sciuropterus caniceps Gray, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.

Ser t volkox, p. 262:

1844. (Seiuropterus) senex Hodgson, Journ. Asiat. Soc.,

Bengal, vol. xiii, p. 68.

Type-locality, Darjeeling.

Petaurista caniceps gorkhali (Lindsay). -

1929. Sciuropterus gorkhali Lindsay, Journal, Bomb.

Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. xxxill, p. 565.

Type-locality. Gorkha, Nepal, 12,000 ft.

Petaurista caniceps xanthotis (Milne Edwards).

1872. Plteromys] xanthotis Milne Edwards, Rech.

Mamm., p. 301.

Type- locality. Moupin, Szechwan, Western China.

(Thomas). ce

Petaurista caniceps clarke, Thomas.

1922. co clarkei Thomas, Salle Mag. Nat. Hist.

per 9) vol xp. 396) :

Type- locality. irebane Valley at 28° North, Western

China, 9,000-10,000 ft.

A. NOTE ON THE BIRDS OF GHAZIPUR.

| BY

Rev. F. S. Briaes.

The town of Ghazipur hes in the Eastern part of the United Provinces,

on the north bank of the Ganges. The Civil District of the same name also,

lies, for the most part, on the north bank of the river, but one part of it,

the Tehsil of Zamania, is on the south bank. Most of the District is under

cultivation. In the immediate neighbourhood of Ghazipur itself there are large

plantations of Guava, Mango, and Custard-apple. In parts there are wide

stretches of Usar (barren ground), and there are occasional small patches of

Dak jungle. The area lable to annual flooding, known locally as the Diara

is of interest, as several species of birds are commoner there than anywhere

else, and, in some cases, only occur there.

The climate is more like that of Bihar than of the greater part of the

United Provinces, being very humid. The rainfall is not very heavy, being

only abont forty-five imches annually.. But the fact that when the more

western districts of the province are subject to the hot, dry west wind, or

‘loo’, Ghazipur generally has. a damp east wind tends to increase the. humidity

of the atmosphere.

In the following notes subspecific identifications are only given where

there can be no room for doubt. Unfortunately very few specimens were

collected, hence the number of subspecific identifications is small.

For the sake of completeness I have added notes on species which have

been observed in the Benares and Azamgarh Districts but not in the Ghazi-

pur District. It seems probable that they also occur in the latter district.

Such species, with the notes on them, have been enclosed in square brackets.

Corvus macrorhynchos Wagl. The Jungle. Crow.

. Numerous everywhere. The species breeds as freely in the station itself

as in the surrounding country. Out of the breeding season Jungle Crows

appear to gather nightly from a very wide area to some point so far undis-

covered north-west of Ghazipur. Eggs are laid at varying times from the

beginning of March to the end of April.

Corvus splendens splendens (Vieillot). The Indian, House Crow.

Most of the remarks on the last species apply also to this one. They

appear to roost in the same place as the last, as both Jungle and House Crows

frequently fly north together at sunset. Hees are laid in June, and the

nests are more carefully concealed than those of the last species.

Dendrocitta rufa (Liatham.) The Indian Tree-Pie.

A common pest. The number of eggs of small birds, particularly of Red-

vented Bulbuls, destroyed by the Tree-Pie must be immense. This bird

appears to breed in March, April, and possibly May, but is an adept at con-

cealing its nest.

Sitta castanea (Lesson). The Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch.

Numerous wherever there are trees, but particularly in gardens. They

occasionally catch small moths on the wing after the fashion of a Flycatcher.

Judging from the time young birds begin to appear eggs are laid early in

March.

Turdoides somervillei (Sykes). The Jungle Babbler.

Quite the commonest bird about Ghazipur. In the station every garden

seems to have its flock. They are less common in the country. On October 16,

1930 a pair were seen feeding two young Pied Crested Cuckoos in trees oppo-

site the compound of my bungalow. They appear to breed all the year

round, but more commonly between March and August than at other times.

There are no grounds for believing that they are anything but single-brooded.

Ui he 1. A NOTE ON.THE BIRDS OF GHAZIPUR 9-5-5 879

Argya caudata (Dumont). The Common Babbler. :

One seen in a Jasmine field: on the outskirts of Ghazipur, 20-120. No

other record. a

Argya malcomi (Sykes). The: Large Grey Babbler. :

Extraordinarily local. A flock is always to be seen in some acacias at

the south-west corner of the golf-links, except during the rains, when they

at the. western: corner of the District.

Aegithinia tiphia Linnaeus. The Common Iora.

Not seen during the cold weather. It was fairly numerous during the

hot. weather and. rains of 1980,- but was. only seen about three times

during the hot weather of 1931.

_Molpastes cafer saturatus Whistler. ‘The Red-vented Bulbul. 3 - 30-6-30,

3 19-7-30.

(his species is’ fees common about Ghazipur than in most parts of the

Indian plains. ‘The average height of their nests above the ground is greater

than in other places. One nest I found was forty feet up a mango, and I

have. found none in this district below twelve - feet. — are laid from

the middle of April till July, and. possibly later.

[Elathea jocosa (Linnaeus). “The Red-whiskered: Bulbul,

This species was not observed in the Ghazipur Distichy although itis not

uncommon at Benares, forty-five miles west, and is common at Azamgarh,

about the same distance north. |

~~ Saxicola torquata (Linnaeus). The 'Sionechat:

One seen at Mohammadabad, 6-11-29, and one or two near the northern

boundary of the district the following autumn. Presumably. all were on’ pas-

sage. It is surprising that this species is not commoner; and still more sur-

prising that Saaicola caprata was not recorded at all.

Oenanthe deserti Temminck & Laug. The Desert Wheatear.

One seen perched on a mohwa tree, 24-1-30. No other record.

[Cercomela fusca (Blyth). The Brown Rock-Chat.

_ Not recorded in the Ghazipur District, but oceurs at Azamgarh. ie

Phoenicurus ochrurus (Gmelin). The Black Redstart.

A common winter visitor. The males appear to outnumber the- females

slightly. Harliest date seen September 11. Latest date not recorded.

Cyanosylvia suecica (Linnaecus).. The. Bluethroat.

Occurs in the cold weather, but not in great numbers. It is more often

seen on the Diara than elsewhere, and is numerous there in tamerisk scrub

in the spring. Latest date seen April 2. One white-spotted individual only

was seen, 30-1-30.

Calliope calliope. (Pallas). The Rubythroat.

- “Two or three seen feeding in long grass and jasmine plantation on the

outskirts of Ghazipur, 3-12-29.

Saxicoloides fulicata | cambaiensis (Latham). The Brown-backed Indian

Robin.

Resident in considerable numbers. Eggs are laid at least from the end

of March to the beginning of oe oa perhaps earlier and. later than these

dates. .

Sopeyclus: saularis (Linnaeus). ~The Magpie Robin. °

Resident in smaller numbers than the last species. Breeds in the rains.

Turdus atrogularis Temminck. The Black-throated Thrash. :

One seen 20-11-31. No other record.

380 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

{Monticola solitaria (Linnaeus). The Blue Rock-Thrush.

Not seen in the Ghazipur District, but one seen at Sarnath, Benares Dis-

trict, 25-2-30. ]

Siphia parva (Bechstein). The Red-breasted Flycatcher.

Fairly numerous throughout the cold weather, and very much more so on

migration, particularly in the autumn. Females (or juveniles) appear to

arrive first. These were numerous at the end of October and throughout Nov-

ember and December in 1929, but no red-breasted males were seen till Decem-

ber 21. The same phenomenon was noted in the two succeeding years, but

dates were not recorded.

[Stoparola melanops (Vigors). The Verditer Flycatcher.

Not recorded in the Ghazipur District, but one seen at Azamgarh, 4-12-31.]

Tchitrea paradisi (Linnaeus). The Paradise Flycatcher.

In the Ghazipur District this species appears to occur both as a passage

migrant in the spring and autumn, and as a rains visitor. As passage migrants

they pass through in April and May, and again in October. The breeding

birds appear to be established about the middle of June, and to leave in

September, immediately after breeding. Eggs are laid in the earlier part

of July, mangoes and guavas being the trees most usually chosen for the nest.

Leucocerca aureola Lesson. The White-browed Fantail Flycatcher.

A resident in considerable numbers.

Lanius excubitor Linnaeus. The Grey Shrike.

This is the commonest of the four Lanii met with at Ghazipur, but is by

no means common. The few that occur appear to be resident, and to keep

closely to their breeding locality. They seem to occur only on usar and the

Diara. They breed in March, and probably also in the rains.

Lanius vittatus Valenciennes. The Bay-backed Shrike.

One in immature plumage seen on the outskirts of Ghazipur 27-1-30, and

one in adult plumage near the same spot 28-3-30. No other record.

Lanius schach Linnaeus. The Rufous-backed Shrike.

Occasionally seen at all seasons.

Lanius cristatus Linnaeus. The Brown Shrike.

One seen south of the Ganges 21-12-30. For two or three days in early

December, 1931, they were very numerous on the Ghazipur golf-links. No

other records.

Tephrodornis pondiceriana (Gmelin). The Wood-Shrike.

Fairly common wherever there is cover, particularly amongst the fruit-

gardens round Ghazipur. Appears to be resident.

Pericrocotus brevirostris (Vigors). The Short-billed Munivet.

A winter visitor in small numbers.

Pericrocotus perigrinus (Linnaeus). The Small Minivet.

Numerous, but erratic in its occurrence. Its appearances and disappearances

do not seem to be connected with the season. A flock which contained some

young birds which could not, from their appearance, long have left the nest,

was seen near the church at Ghazipur on 2-11-31.

Graucalus macei Lesson. The Large Grey Cuckoo-Shrike.

Fairly common, and appears to be resident.

Lalage sykesu Strickland. .The Black-headed Cuckoo-Shrike.

Occasionally seen, never in the cold weather. One was seen building a

nest in a mango on the outskirts of Ghazipur 16-7-31. The branch on which

the nest was placed was blown down in a storm before it was laid in.

Campophaga melanschista Hodgson. The Dark Grey Cuckoo-Shrike.

Occasionally seen.

A NOTE ON THE BIRDS OF GHAZIPUR 381

Dicrurus macrocercus (Vieillot). The Black Drongo or King Crow. ¢ 23-6-30,

3 10-7-30.

Numerous at all seasons. The majority of eggs are laid about the end

of June and the beginning of July, but some are laid a good deal later,

and possibly some earlier.

Dicrurus longicaudatus Jerdon. The Ashy Drongo.

Occasionally seen, most frequently in March, when the species sings. ‘The

song varies considerably in individual birds; but the best songsters amongst

them are quite equal to the best performers among Indian birds.

Dicrurus coerulescens (Linn.). The White-bellied Drongo.

One seen on the outskirts of Ghazipur 5-11-29. One was seen, probably

the same individual, in the same place for several days after this. No other

record.

Orthotomus sutorius (Pennant). The Tailor-Bird.

Surprisingly scarce. One came into my bungalow to hunt for insects on

several occasions, and a pair haunted the garden most of the two and a half

years I was there, but elsewhere I very rarely met with the species.

Cisticola juncidis (Rafinesque). The Fantail Warbler.

Fairly numerous, particularly in fields of Jasmine. ‘This species occasion-

ally seems to disappear entirely without any visible reason.

Phylloscopus inornatus Blyth. The Yellow-browed Warbler.

One seen near Mahommedabad, 6-11-29. This was the only Phylloscopus

(except collybitus) identified. On the whole Phylloscopi seem to be less nume-

rous winter visitors in the Ghazipur District than in most parts of Northern

India.

Phylloscopus collybitus (Vieillot). The Chiff-chaff.

Two seen 18-12-31, one of them singing rather half-heartedly.

Prinia socialis Sykes. The Ashy Wren-Warbler.

Fairly common, especially in sarpat and on the diara.

Prinia inornata Sykes. The Indian Wren-Warbler.

One of the commonest birds in the District. It appears in this District

to build exclusively in sarpat, where the nest is not even very carefully con-

cealed. Eggs are mostly laid in the last week of July and the first week

of August.

Oriolus oriolus (Linnaeus). The Golden Oriole.

A summer visitor, and probably also a passage migrant. It appears at

the beginning of April, but its numbers appear to decrease somewhat before

the end of the month. Eggs are laid in June. It leaves early in October.

Oriolus xanthornus (Linnaeus). The Black-headed Oriole.

Occurs at all seasons, but in greater numbers in winter than in summer.

The decrease in the number of Black-headed Orioles in the spring seems to

coincide with the arrival of the Golden Oriole, and their autumn increase

with the departure of the Golden Oriole.

Pastor roseus (Linnaeus). The Rosy Starling.

Occasionally seen, never in large numbers, between November and March.

Sturnia malabarica (Gmelin). The Grey-headed Myna.

Appears to be resident in small numbers. In February and March there

seem to be more of these birds about, and they congregate at that season

in great numbers round the blossoms of the Silk Cotton Tree. This increase

may, however, be only apparent, as they are a good deal shyer and more

difficult to observe than most members of their family.

Temenuchus pagodarum (Gmelin). The Brahminy Myna.

Resident in considerable numbers. Eggs laid in June; possibly also in

May. :

382, JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY,: Vol. XXXVII

Acridotheres tristis (Linnaeus). The Common Mynah. Hl

Very numerous. Out of the breeding season these birds appear: to roost

in the same neighbourhood as the Jungle and House Crows. ‘The breeding

season iappears. to extend | -from March- to September, but the majority.

ol eggs seem to be laid in July. In two successive years a pair of thém

built in a hole in the wall of my office after ib had been vacated ee a oy

of Indian Spotted Owlets.

Acridotheres ginginianus (Latham). The Bank Mynah. -

Fairly numerous. -During the late summer and the cold. weather they

frequently feed in mixed flocks with other members of the same family. In

April a large number of them disappear from their usual haunts, possibly

to breed in some of the sand cliffs of the River Ganges. No large colonies

of breeding birds observed, but two or three pairs may often be found breeding

in a well. LHggs laid early in May.

Sturnopastor contra (Linnaeus). The Pied-Mynah.

Numerous and resident. In the autumn these birds come into the stan.

often feeding in mixed flocks with Common, Bank, and Brahminy Mynas.

In the spring they leave the station for the surrounding ‘country.: Nests are

built in Acacias, eggs being laid in July and August.

Ploceus philippinus (Linnaeus). The Baya or- Weaver-Bird.

Resident, but not very numerous. fan Tee

Uroloncha malabarica (Linnaeus):- ‘The White-throated Munia.- -. ~~

Resident. and numerous. Most eggs are laid from- enuary, to. March,

Uroloncha punctulata (Linnaeus). The Spotted _ Munia. _

Occasionally seen, generally in small flocks’ in Jasmine Seine and Song

Amandava amandava (Linnaeus). The Red Munia or Amadavyat.

Occasionally seen, sometimes. in pairs, more often ‘in flocks, either homo-

geneous or mixed with the last species.

Carpodacus erythrinus (Pallas). The Common Tongan,

A flock in which some of the males were beginning to assume S breeding:

plumage was seen 25-1-30: They occur from about that date till the latter

half of February in varying numbers, giving the impression that they are

passing through. _None noted on the autumn passage.

Gymnorhis xanthocollis (Burton). The Yellow-throated Sparrow.

Appears to be resident in small numbers. Numbers increase in the ee.

Passer domesticus (Linnaeus). The House Sparrow.

Fairly numerous. Breeds irregularly,- but chiefly in March’ and. April. To

overcome the nuisance of having these. birds building inside their bungalows

some of the Huropean inhabitants put up nest-boxes in their verandahs. This

measure seems quite successful, the Sparrows accepting the nest-boxes pro-

vided in preference to the. inside of bungalows.

- Riparia paludicola (2) (Vieillot). The Indian Sand- Martin.

Fairly numerous. Breeds in November. As no specimens were ablar ned

it must remain doubtful whether the species is paludicola or riparia.

Hirundo rustica Linnaeus. The Common Swallow.

Occasionally seen in small. EUEEE IDES in October and November. Not recorded

in any other months. 5 ;

Hirundo smithii. Leach. The Wire: tailed Swallow. . | ee ee a

Occurs in small numbers in. the ‘hot weather and rains. Not noted in the

cold.- weather. <- S ose .

Hirundo daurica Linnaeus. The. Red. -rumped Swallow.

Resident, breeding as soon as the rains break. In addition to ihe resident

birds great numbers occur at intervals in the months of November, January,

February, and March. When. these large flocks appear they always ‘seem

to be entirely composed of very tired birds, which swarm on certain trees,

A NOTH ON THE BIRDS OF GHAZIPUR .. _ 383

especially mangoes and high bamboos. They rarely stay more than one day.

Probably they belong to a different race from the resident birds, but un-

fortunately no specimens were secured.

Motacilla alba Linnaeus. The White Wagtail. |

Eixceedingly numerous from October to March. THarliest date. seen October

Latest date not noted.

_ Motacilla cinerea Tunstall. The Grey Wagtail.

Fairly numerous, but never in flocks, throughout the cold weather.

Motacilla flava Linnaeus. The Grey- -headed Wagtail.

Occurs throughout the cold weather, but in greater numbers in spring and

autumn than in the winter months. Both on migration and when established

in winter quarters mixed flocks of this species. and M. alba are by no means

uncommon.

Anthus trivialis (Linnaeus). The Tree-Pipit.

A winter visitor in large numbers (October to March).

Anthus richardi rufulus (Vieillot). The Indian Pipit.

Occasionally seen, chiefly on ‘usar’, at all seasons.

Calandrella acutirostris Hume. ‘The Short-toed Lark. ¢ 7-4-80.

The above specimen was shot from a large flock on the ‘diara’. They

oceur-in autumn and spring, but I have not noted them in the winter.

Mirafra erythroptera Blyth. The Red-winged Bush-Lark.

Occasionally seen, almost invariably on ‘usar’, at all seasons.

Galerida cristata chendoola Franklin. The Indian Crested Lark. 6

December 30. : :

Not uncommon on the ‘diara’ and on ‘usar’; rarely seen elsewhere. . Resi-

dent. - ;

- Ammomones phoenicura (Franklin). ~The Rufous-tailed Finch-Lark.

Appears to be resident in small numbers.

Erenropterix grisea grisea Scopoli. The Ashy-crowned Finch-Lark. ¢ 9

2-10-30.

In the cold weather this bird occurs in large flocks on the ‘diara’- and

‘usar’. In summer it occurs sparingly in pairs everywhere. The flocks appear

to break up about the end of February.

-Zosterops palebrosa (Tiemminck). The White-eye.

Fairly numerous, and appears to be resident. As in other places this

species seems to appear at once in great numbers immediately after the fall

of unseasonable rain. Eggs are laid in June and July.

Cinnyris asiatica (Latham). The Purple Sunbird.

Common at all seasons. The earliest date at which a male was seen in

breeding plumage was November 17th, south of the Ganges. Nests containing

eggs or young were found from February 21 to May 5. In this district the

species seems to have a strong preference for prickly pears as a site for a nest.

Every nest found, with two exceptions, were suspended from the thorns of

prickly pear bushes. Of the two exceptions, one was suspended from a bush

growing five feet below the surface of the ground in a disused well, and the

other on a young neem inside a_ brick protector-wall.

Piprosoma agile (‘Tickell). The Thick-billed Flower-pecker.

Fairly common, and apparently resident. It is usually to be seen in

mango groves.

Liopicus mahrattensis: (Latham). The Mahratta Woodpecker.

_ Fairly numerous and resident.

- Yungipicus nanus (Vigors). The Pigmy W Redpockene 3S 11-12-29.

This one specimen was obtained from a grove of mangoes on the south

side of the Ganges. No other record.

384. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Brachypternus benghalensis (Linnaeus). The Golden-backed Woodpecker.

Resident in considerable numbers, particularly in the. station itself and

the fruit plantations surrounding it. ;

lynx torquilla, Linnaeus. The Wryneck.

One seen 20-2-31. No other record.

Thereiceryx zeylanicus (Gmelin). The Green Barbet.

Very numerous wherever there are trees. At no season is this bird. com-

pletely silent. Any sudden noise at night wakes them up and sets them

calling.

Xantholema haemacephala (P. L. 8S. Miller). The Coppersmith.

Numerous and resident. Most eggs are laid in April.- From an excavation

begun on the seventeenth of March two eggs were taken on the seventeenth

of April.

Hierococcyx varius (Vahl). The Common Hawk-Cuckoo, or Brainfever Bird.

Appears to be a summer visitor only, though the fact that even when

calling this bird is more often heard than seen makes one wary of stating

that none remain for the winter. During the hot weather and the rains the

Brainfever Bird occurs in large numbers. The earliest date at which it was

heard calling was February 18th. From that time till the end of September

or beginning of October there are few days on which it may not be heard.

Tts vocal activity is greatly increased immediately on the breaking of the

rains.

Clamator jacobinus (Boddaert). The Pied Crested Cuckoo.

Occurs in large numbers as a rains visitor. In 1980 it was first recorded

on June 17th, and in 1931 on June 15th. It grows noticeably scarcer in Sep-

tember, and the last appears to have left by the end of October. On 16-10-30

two juveniles were seen being fed by one pair of Babblers in trees opposite

my bungalow. The species is not particularly shy. .On one occasion one

was seen feeding on the ground only twenty yards to the right front of the

firing point of the rifle range during rifle practice.

Eudynamis scolopaceus (Linnaeus). The Koel.

A numerous summer visitor. Harliest date seen and heard February 21.

Taccocua leschenaulti Lesson. The Sirkeer Cuckoo.

Fairly numerous and resident. Chiefly seen on usar and open arable land.

Centropus sinensis (Stephen). The Coucal or Crow-Pheasant.

Common and resident. Eggs laid in July.

Psittacula krameri (Scopoli). The Green Parrakeet.

Common at all seasons wherever there are trees. Eggs laid in the earlier

part of April. ;

Psittacula cyanocephala (Linnaeus). The Blossom-headed Parrakeet.

Seen at all seasons on the northern borders of the District, but not else-

where. This species is kept as commonly in cages locally as the last.

Coraclas benghalensis Linnaeus. The Blue Jay or Indian Roller.

Common and resident. The mating-flight is commenced as early as the

third week in February.

Merops orientalis Latham. The Green Bee-eater.

Common at all seasons.

Merops supercifiosus Linnaeus. The Blue-tailed Bee-eater.

This bird is numerous, especially over tanks, in July, and is occasionlly

seen in the following two months. I have no record of it at any other season.

Ceryle rudis Iuinnaeus. The Pied Kingfisher.

Occurs wherever there is suitable water.

‘A NOTE ON THE BIRDS OF GHAZIPUR 385

Alcedo atthis (Linnaeus). The Common Kingfisher. ry

Appears to be resident on those village ponds which hold water all the

year round. In the rains they spread to those ponds which only hold water

for part of the year, staying there till they dry up in the late winter. Not

noticed on the river or large tanks.

Halcyon smyrnensis (Linnaeus). The White-breasted Iingfisher.

Occasionally seen at all seasons. In the Ghazipur District this species

is noticeably scarcer than in most parts of the plains of northern India.

Tockus birostris (Scopoli). The Grey Hornbill.

Occasionally seen, chiefly in spring.

Upupa epops Linnaeus. ‘The Hoopoe. :

Very numerous at all seasons. Eggs are laid from the latter part of

Kebruary and throughout March.

Micropus affinis (Gray). Indian House-Swift.

Numerous and apparently resident.

Tachornis batassiensis (Gray). ‘The Palm-Swift.

Resident in considerable numbers. They breed in November, and_ possibly

again in the spring.

Caprimulgus macrourus Horsefield. The Long-tailed Nightjar.

One seen at Sayedpur, 5-8-3830. No other record.

Caprimulgus monticolus Franklin. Franklin’s Nightjar.

Not uncommon in the station itself in the summer months. Numerous

in the grounds of Ghazipur Club in the latter half of October and the earlier

half of November.

Caprimulgus asiaticus Latham. Indian Nightjar.

Fairly numerous, and appears to be resident.

Tyto alba (Scopoli). The Barn Owl. ne

One seen near the railway between Sayedpur and Ghazipur, 9-11-29. No

other record.

Athene brama (‘Temminck). The Spotted Owlet.

Very numerous. At least two pairs bred in my compound each year, one

in a hollow Mohwa tree, and the other in a hole in a verandah wall. Eggs

are laid about the end of February and the beginning of March. Observa-

tion of the nest in my verandah showed that both sexes take a share in in-

cubation. All day one of the Owlets, apparently the male, sat on one of

the verandah pillars, his eyes fixed on the entrance to the nesting hole,

fill about 2-30 or 38 p.m. At that time the one that had been sitting

used to join the one on the pillar, and, after exchanging a few caresses,

a ee a the pillar went onto the nest, while the one from the nest flew

off to feed.

Glaucidium radiatum (Tickell). ‘The Jungle Owlet.

_ Fairly numerous at the west end of Ghazipur, in the now almost aban-

doned Cantonment. Rarely seen or heard elsewhere.

Pandion haliaetus (Linnaeus). The Osprey.

One seen near Mohammedabad, at the east end of the District, 6-11-29. No

other record.

Sarcogyps calyus (Scopoli). The King Vulture.

Common and resident. Several pairs of this species may often be seen

at the same carcass.

Gyps indicus (Scopoli). The Indian Long-billed Vulture.

Less numerous than the last species. foie

-Pseudogyps benghalensis (Gmelin). ‘The White-backed Vulture,

The commonest Vulture at Ghazipur.

386 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL, BIST. SOCIHRY A Vol. SXXV ET

Neophron percnopterus (Linnaeus). ‘The Neophron.

_Not as numerous as _in most parts of India.

Gypaetus barbatus (Linnaeus). The Lammergayer.

One seen on the northern border of the district, 27-2-31. No other record.

Falco jugger A. E. Gray. The Lagar Falcon.

One seen near Mohammedabad, 6-11-29. Not identified with certainty on

any other occasion.

Falco tinnunculus (Linnaeus). The Kestrel.

Occasionally seen in the cold weather. One seen near Shahabpur on 38-1-30

was an unusually brightly coloured bird for the Indian Plains. se

Aquila rapax (Temminck). The Tawny Hagle.

Fairly common. aie

Butastur teesa (Iranklin). The White-eyed Buzzard.

Resident in small numbers.

[Haliaetus leucoryphus Pallas. allas’s Fishing Eagle.

A pair seen on Ghosi Jhil (just over the border of the Azamgarh District)

27-12-80. One was attacking Coot, which huddled together on the water in

flocks of from forty to sixty strong for protection. It caught one on the

wing, but dropped it, apparently unhurt. | :

Haliastur indus (Boddaert). The Brahminy Kite.

Common and resident. It is common over the river, but most frequently

seen over village tanks.

Milvus migrans (Boddaert). The Common Pariah Kite.

Not as numerous as in many other parts of India. Eggs laid in January

and February.

Circus macrourus (S. G. Ginelin). The Hen Harrier.

Occasionally seen, chiefly over usar, in the cold weather.

Circus cyaneus (Linnaeus). The Pallid Harrier.

As the last.

Circus aeruginosus (Linnaeus). The Marsh Harrier.

Commoner from September to April than either of the last two species.

Seen on every kind of open country.

Buteo rufinus (Cretz). The Long-legged Buzzard.

One seen 25-11-30. No other record.

Crocopus phoenicopterus (Latham). The Common Green- Pigeon.

Fairly numerous, and apparently resident, but moving about within the

district in accordance with the food-supply. A pair shot on 3-1-30 each had

their crops stuffed with peas, which disproves the commonly made asser-

tion that the species never comes to the ground.

Columba livia Bonnaterre. The Blue Rock-Pigeon.

Resident, breeding irregularly throughout the year.

Streptopelia chinensis (Scopoli). The Spotted Dove.

Fairly numerous and_ resident.

Streptopelia senegalensis (Linnaeus). The Little Brown Dove.

As the last species. :

Streptopelia decaocto (rivaszky). The Indian Turtle-Dove. -

The commonest of the Doves. in this District.

Oenopopelia tranquebarica (Herman). The Red Turtle Dove.

Appears to be a hot weather visitor only in small numbers. Eggs laid

A NOTE ON. THE BIRDS OF GHAZIPUR:--. - 387

Pterocles exustus (Temminck). The Common Sandgrouse. - He

A flock of about a dozen was seen flying over Nagsar cRaileay Station,

south of the Ganges, 18-3-30. No other record.

Coturnix coturnix (Linnaeus). The Common Oneal

A winter visitor in surprisingly small numbers: Occurs in0re commonly

on the Diara than elsewhere. |

Francolinus pondicerianus (Gmelin). The Grey Partridge.

Resident in small numbers. .

Amaurornis phoenicura (Pennant). The White-breasted Waterhen. |

Fairly common, chiefly on well-shaded village ponds. . This. bird -is- re-

garded as a delicacy by the -Chamar caste. Eye ak

Ammurornis akool (Sykes). The Brown Crake.

Occasionally seen south of the Ganges.

Gallinula chtoropus (Linnaeus). The Waterhen. nae

A few seen on Ghosi Jhil 27-12-30. No record within the borders of

the District.:— @ raid :

Porphyrio poliocephalus (Latham). ‘The Purple Coot.

One seen on the village tank at Barodi, near the northern border of the

district, 2-1-30. No other record.

Fulica atra Linnaeus. The Common Coot.

Common on all tanks and jhils of any size. Also occurs on the Ganges.

On 16-38-80. on the river a House Crow was seen attacking a Coot. The

latter dived at each swoop of the Crow to avoid it.

Anthropoides virgo (Linnaeus). The Demoiselle Crane.

Occasionally seen in the cold. weather.

- Burhinus - oedicnemus (Linnaeus) The Stone- Curlew. : :

Resident in considerable Tienbere: Higgs ae Ll in en, bu possibly

both earlier and later as well. . ;

Glareola lactea Temminek. The Tuitele Indian Paeneslen

Resident in large numbers on the Ganges. LHggs.are laid. in the. earlier

half of April. When the rains bring out the swarms. of flying termites these

birds may be seen catching them on “the wing in large numbers at a consider-

able distance from the river.

Cursorius coromandelicus (Gmelin). The Indian Courser.

Fairly numerous, and appears to be resident. The flesh of these birds is

by no means bad eating. a6

Metapodius indicus (Latham). The Bronze-winged Jacana.

Numerous on all large jhils... Breed in the latter part of the rains.

Hydrophasianus chirurgus (Scopoli). The Pheasant-tailed Jacania.

Even more numerous than the last species, breeding on small tanks as

well as on the larger jhils.- A pair watched courting on 11-8-30 flew higher

and higher till they amost receded from sight.

Lobivanellus indicus (Boddaert). The Red-wattled Lapwing.

Common and resident. - In April-30 a pair laid their eggs on the flat. roof

of the Ghazipur Church. ae

-Hoplopterus duvaucellii (Lesson). The Spur- winged Plover. |

--Seen on several occasions on sandbanks on the Ganges, and probably

breed there, but no eggs were found.

Squatarola squataro!a (Linnacus).. The Grey, Plover. stdin aaccey

"Charadrius dubius ” Scopoliz. The. Little ‘Ringed Blower. . a

Occurs in small numbers in the winter,

388 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Himantopus himantopus (Linnaeus). The Black-winged Stilt.

Occurs in small numbers in the cold weather.

Recurvirostris avocetta Linnaeus. The Avocet.

Pair seen over the Ganges 27-4-31. No other record.

Numenius arquatus (Linnaeus). The Curlew.

Occurs in small flocks on the banks of the Ganges in winter.

Tringa hypoleuca Linnaeus. The Common Sandpiper.

A winter visitor in small numbers. Rather more numerous as a passage

migrant in the autumn. BKarliest date recorded October 10.

Tringa ochropus Linnaeus. The Green Sandpiper.

One or two wherever there is water in the cold weather.

Tringa nebularia (Gunner). The Greenshank.

Occurs in small numbers in the cold weather.

Erolia minuta (Leisler). The Little Stint.

Fairly numerous, chiefly in pairs or small parties up to half a dozen,

throughout the cold weather. More numerous as a_ passage migrant both

in spring and autumn. Latest date recorded April 2.

Erolia temminckii (Leisler). T’emminck’s Stint.

Tess numerous than the last species.

Capella gallinago (Linnaeus). The Fantail Snipe.

Occurs wherever the ground is suitable in the cold weather.

Capella stenura (Bonaparte). ‘The Pintail Snipe.

A pair seen near the Indian Cemetery 19-2-30. No other record.

Larus ridibundus Linnaeus. The Black-headed Gull.

One seen over the Ganges opposite the steamer ghat 16-3-80. No other

record.

Larus brunicephalus Jerdon. The Brown-headed Gull.

Not uncommon on the Ganges from October to April.

Chlidonias leucopareia (Temminck). The Whiskered Tern.

Several seen over Birhanpura Tank, 15-9-80. They may well have bred

there. No other record.

Sterna nilotica (Gmelin). The Gull-billed Tern.

One seen over the Ganges 28-4-31. No other record.

Sterna seena Sykes. The Common River Tern.

Very numerous at all seasons. They feed wherever there is water, but

gather to sleep on two or three sandbanks opposite the old cantonment of

Ghazipur. In the rains, when these banks are entirely submerged, they may

still be seen towards dusk flying in the same direction. Eggs are mostly

Jaid in the earlier half of April. They and Rhyncops albicollis frequently lay

on the same sandbank, but I have found no other species breeding with these

two.

Sterna melanogaster T'emminck. The Black-bellied Tern.

Much less numerous than the last species. Appears to be resident, but

no eggs taken. This species is rarely seen away from the river.

Sterna albifrons Vroeg. The Little Tern.

Fairly numerous on the river. Like the last species it does not often

occur away from the river. Eggs are laid in the earlier half of April. It

breeds in mixed colonies with the Pratincole.

Rhyncops alblcollis Swainson. The Indian Skimmer.

Fairly numerous on the Ganges. Eggs are laid in the first half of April,

and some before the end of March. It appears to breed either in homo-

geneous colonies or only mixed with Sterna seena.

(SER

A NOTE ON THE BIRDS OF GHAZIPUR

A hinga melanogaster Pennant. The Indian Darter.

Occurs in small numbers. Resident.

Ciconia ciconia Linnaeus. The White Stork.

Pair seen near Sadat, 2-1-30. No other record.

Dissoura episcopa (Boddaert). The White-necked Stork.

Common, but very local in its distribution. Local name Jangil. Amongst

the lower castes of Hindus its flesh is esteemed a delicacy.

Ibis leucocephalus (Pennant). The Painted Stork.

One seen in a tank near Jakhanian, 5-2-3830. No other record.

[Ardea purpurea Linnaeus. The Purple Heron.

Several seen on Ghosi Jhil, 27-12-30. No other record. |

Ardea cinerea Linnaeus. ‘The Common Heron.

Appears to be resident in small numbers.

Egretta alba (Linnaeus). The Large Egret.

Seen at Shahabpur, 13-1-30. No other record.

Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus). The Cattle Egret.

Fairly numerous and _ resident.

Ardeola grayii (Sykes). The Pond Heron or Paddy Bird.

Common wherever there is water.

Nycticorax nycticorax (Linnaeus). The Night Heron.

For some weeks at the end of 1930 two or three roosted daily in tall nim

trees in my compound. No other record.

Ixobrichus cinnamomeus (Gmelin). The Chestnut Bittern.

One seen on the banks of the Ganges in the evening, Sayedpur, 26-10-31.

Sarkidiornis melanotos (Pennant). The Nukta.

Resident in small numbers.

Nettopus coromandelicus Gmelin. The Cotton Teal.

Resident and fairly numerous.

Anser anser Linnaeus. The Grey Lag Goose.

A fairly numerous winter visitor, occurring both on the Ganges and on

tanks.

Anser indicus Latham. The Bar-headed Goose.

Less numerous than the last species.

Dendrocygna javanica (Horsfield). The Whistling Teal.

Numerous and_ resident.

Casarca ferruginea (Pallas). The Ruddy Sheldrake or Brahminy Duck.

Common in winter on the banks of the Ganges, sometimes seen on_ its

tributaries. In the neighbourhood ef Ghazipur most Huropeans seem to

believe that this bird feeds on corpses, and therefore avoid eating Ite 30

far I have met no Indians who believe this, and its flesh is eaten by several

castes.

Anas platyrhyncha Linnaeus. The Mallard.

Occurs occasionally in the cold weather, never in great numbers. In some

years none are shot.

Anas poccllorhyncha [orster. The Spotbill.

Several seen on Bishanpura Tank, 15-9-30. No other record.

Chaulelasmus streparus (Linnacus). The Gadwall.

Occurs in comparatively small numbers in the winter.

Mareca penelope (iuinnacus). The Wigeon.

A regular, but not very numerous winter visitor.

390 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXvVit

Nettion crecca (Linnaeus). The Common Teal.

Numerous throughout the cold weather and well into April.

Querquedula querqueduia (Linnaeus). The Blue-winged or Garganey Teall.

By no means so numerous as the last species, but stays even later.

Dafila acuta (Linnaeus). The Pintail.

Occurs in the cold weather, but not in large numbers. It is more nume-

rous as a passage migrant in the autumn than as a winter visitor.

Spatula clypeata (Linnaeus). The Shoveller. cae

Numerous throughout the cold weather.

Netta rufina (Pallas). The Red-crested Pochard.

A winter visitor in small numbers.

Nyroca nyroca Gildenstadt. The White-eye.

This appears to be the most numerous of the migratory Ducks in the

District.

Nyroca ferina (Linnaeus). The Pochard.

Less numerous than the last species, but more so than N. rufina.

Nyroca fuligula (Linnaeus). The Tufted Duck.

A few appear to be shot every winter, but they are never very numerous.

[Podiceps cristatus (Linnaeus). The Great Crested Grebe.

Very numerous on Ghosi Jhil, 27-12-80. Not seen within the borders of

the District. |

Podiceps ruficollis (Vroeg). The Little Grebe.

Very numerous wherever there is permanent water. Hggs appear mostly

to be laid in August, but some must be laid later, as a family of very young

chicks was seen on a tank near my bungalow on 31-11-31 and for several

days afterwards.

reas

Meh Senge: tae g

me I"

;

ae salty

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE

13. A single peak of the hill-range E. of Miram Shah Fort. Plants

Monotheca buaifolia Dene., Acacia modesta Wall., Nannorhops

Ritchieana H. Wendl., Periploca aphylla Decaisne. On

the top Periplora and Acacia modesta.

Photos by J. Fernandez.

Wa;

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN.

THe Late #.: BLATTER, s.J., Ph.p., F.L.s. and J. FERNANDEZ.

Parr IV.

(Continued from page 171 of this volume).

(With 3 plates).

BIGNONIACEAE.

800 species.—T'ropics.

TECOMELLA Seem.

1 species.—Arabia, S.-W. Asia.

Tecomella undulata Seem in Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, x, 30.

Vernacular name: Regdawan (Pu.); Whira (Hind.); Ribdhvan (Waziri) ;

Ribdunh (Mashudi).

Locality: N.W.: Shewa Post, on rocky bank (B. & F. 927 !).—Dwa

Warkha, abundant (Stewart); Isha (B. & F. 927a !).

S.W.: Sararogha (F. 1 ! 15 ! 577 !)._Sarwekai (F. 1464 !).—Jandola

(F. 4129 !).—Near Palosina (Stewart).—Barwand, 4,000 ft. (Duthie’s Collect.

5o3Ne a1):

Flowers: April 1860 (Palosina, Dwa Warkha); 5-4-80 (Shewa Post);

28-4-13895 (Barwand); 15-5-27 (Sararogha).

Distribution: Punjab, Rajputana Desert, Sind, Baluchistan to Arabia.

*TECOMA Juss.

90 species.—Tropical and warm temperate regions.

*Tecoma sp.

Kocahitg:. NeW Mirama Shah, garden, °3,150, ft. (B.. & FP. 39a 1, (BP.

2365 !).

Flowers: 19-83-80 (Miram Shah); 12-4-27 (Miram Shah).

*CATALPA Scop.

10 species.—America, E. Asia.

*Catalpa speciosa Warder ex Engelm. in Coult. Bot. Gaz. v (1880) 1.

Vernacular name: Hardy Catalpa.

Locahty: NiW.: Miram:-Shah- (B. &. EF. 45.1).

Distribution: Indigenous in the United States.

ACANTHACEAE.

2,000 species.—Especially tropics, but also Mediterranean, United States,

Australia.

HycGropHina R. Br.

40 species.—Tropics, in marshes.

Hygrophila polysperma T. Anders. in Journ. Linn. Soc. ix (1867) 456.

Bocahty=” S.W.: \Jandola, alone Tank. River (E..-789 4).

Distribution: Afghanistan, throughout India in wet places.

LepipacatTuis Willd.

80 species.—Tropics.

Lepidagathis calycina Hochst. ex DC. Prodr. xi (1847) 252.—L. strobilifera

Stocks in Kew Journ. Bot. iv (1852) 177.

392 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Locality: S.W.: Sararogha, in nala along slopes (F. 8 ! 9 ! 138 !j—

Jandola (iH. 2401 258 1274 1).

Flowers: 16-5-27 (Sararogha); 27-5-27 (Jandola).

Distribution: Sind, Baluchistan, Abyssinia.

Lepidagathis sp.—No flowers, no fruit. A stunted perennial. Leaves obo-

vate, acute or cuspidate.

Locality: S.W.: Jandola, along Tank River (F. 708. ).

ADHATODA ‘Tourn. ex Medic.

100 species.—Tropics.

Adhatoda vasica Nees in Wall. Pl. As. Rar. ini, 103.

Locality: N.W.: Spinwam, forming a pure formation on conglomerate

ridge NV. ot short (BS cys 4295)

Distribution: Almost throughout India, Malaya, S.-H. Asia.

DIcLIPTERA Juss.

100 species.—Tropics and subtropics.

Dicliptera Roxburghiana Nees in Wall. Pl. As. Rar. in, 111, var. buplea-

roides C. B. Clarke. Cae

Locality: N.W.: Razani (Stewart).

S.W.: (Duthie’s Collect. 15638 !).

Flowers: October 1860 (Razani).

Distribution: Throughout India in the hills, 1,000-6,000 ft., Himalayas,

Central India, Afghanistan.

VERBENACEAE.

750 species.—Almost all tropical and subtropical.

Lantana L.

60 species.—Tropics and _ subtropics.

Lantana indica Roxb. Hort. Beng. 46.

Locality: N.W.: Dwa Warkha (Stewart).

Distribution: Throughout India, Baluchistan, tropical Africa.

Lipp1A Houst. ex L.

120 species.—Mostly tropical America, Africa.

Lippia nodiflora Rich. in Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. u, 15.

Locality: N.W.: Khaisora River (Stewart).—Chasmai River, near Miram

Shah, 3,100 ft. (B. & F. 315 !).-Shewa Post, right bank of Kuram River

(Bo 2G) 925.) Maram. Shalt Cee. 670 al:

S.W.: Sarwekai (F. 3654 !).—Jandola (F. 759 !)._Spin (I. 3543 !).

Tank: (Duthie’s Collect. 15764 1 J. Wilhams 7186) 1).

Fiowers: 16-4-27 (Miram Shah); 12-6-27 (Sarwekai); 21-6-27 (Spin).

Distribution: All tropical and warm temperate regions.

VERBENA LL.

100 species.—Tropical and temperate regions.

Verbena officinalis L. Sp. Pl. 20.

Locality: N.W.: Dwa Warkha (Stewart).

Tank: (Duthie’s Collect. 15732 !).

Distribution: Himalaya up to 6,000 ft., from Kashmir to Bhutan, tem-

perate and tropical regions.

Vitex Tourn. ex I.

75 species.—Tropical and temperate regions.

Vitex negundo L. Sp. Pl. (1758) 688.

Vernacular name: Marivande (Pu.); Warmandai (Waziri).

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 393

Locality: N.W.: Dwa Warkha, abundant (Stewart).—Spinwam (Ste-

wart).—Near Datta Khei village, forming a rough hedge along water channel,

4600) ft.) & Ee 1435" .!).

S.W.: Above Khirgi, groves frequent along the edges of the ravine

(Stewart).—N. of Doboi, 5,000 ft., in damp places (Stewart).

Flowers: April, May.

Distribution: Throughout India and in Ceylon, N.-W. Himalaya up to

5,000 ft., Baluchistan, Afghanistan, extending to tropical Africa and Madagas-

car, and to China and the Philippines.

Vitex agnus castus lL. Sp. Pl. 890.

Vernacular name: Marmandai (Mashudi).

Locahty: N.W.: Boya, right bank of Tochi River, on sandy clay, -

8,550 ft. (B. & F. 1682 !).—Below Spinwam Fort, along nala, 2,650 ft. (B.

& EF. 432 '3).

S.W.: Sararogha (F. 2 ! 36 ! 188 ! 208 !).—Jandola, open stony

ground and nalas (Ff. 644 ! 649 1).

Flowers & Fruit: 27-3-80 (Spinwam); 21-4-80 (Boya); 15-5-27 (Sararogha) ;

94-5-27 (Jandola).

Distribution: Baluchistan, Afghanistan, W. Asia, Mediterranean.

PLANTAGINACEAE.

About 200 species.—Cosmopolitan.

PrANTAGO..(lourn.)) i:

200 species. —Cosmopolitan.

Plantago saxatilis M. Bieb. Taur. Cauc. i, 109.

Vernacular name: Khatakai.

Locality: N.W.: Boya, along irrigation channel, 3,550 ft. (Ff. 1155 !

1155a -!):.—-Boya Port, on ‘sand (B: & F. 78 !)—Miram Shah, 3,150. ft.

(B.&, -Be 4386 1).

SW ot, Wazmak), Camp, 6,600 ft, (Be = 1255-1).

Flowers & Fruit: 19-38-30 (Miram Shah); 21-3-30 (Boya); 5-4-27 (Boya);

14-4-30 (Razmak).

Distribution: Macedonia, Orient, Persia.

Plantago amplexicaulis Cav. Ic. ii, 22, t. 125.

Locality: N.W.: Pigeons’ Cave, on hill E. of Miram Shah Fort, 3,600

biG oe ie oA OU Ne bbO athe

Flowers & Fruit: 29-38-30.

‘Distribution: Punjab Plains, Malva, Sind, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, west-

wards to Greece and Egypt.

Plantago amplexicaulis Cav. Ic. 1, 22, t. 125, var. bauphula (Edgew.)

Pilger.—P. Bauphula Edgew. in Hook. Journ. Bot. ii (1840) 285.

Vernacular name: Isafgul.

Locality: N.W.: Pigeons’ Cave, on a hill K. of Miram Shah Fort,

3,000) fia CBG Hs 40 Ul ob2" 1):

S.W.: In the lower regions (Stewart).

Tank: (J. Williams 7189).

Flowers: 5-5-1888 (Tank); September 1860 (S.W.).

Distribution of type.

Uses: Seeds used in dysentery (Williams).

Plantago ovata T[orsk. Fl. Aegypt.-Arab. (1775) 31.—P. Ispaghula Roxb.

ee nds ie GSS 2)e 404:

Locality; NW: lett bank of Chasmai: River, 3.100 ft. (B. & He 301 4).

—Sandy clay EH. of Miram Shah, 3,150 ft. (B. & F. 151 !).—Bed of: Sua

Alead, near Khajuri Post, 2,250 ft. (B. & F. 359 !).-Shewa Post, on sand

and gravel, 2,150 ft. (B. & F. 988 !).—Tochi River near Miram Shah (F.

364 !).—At Boya, on gravel, 3,550 ft. (B. & F. 1691 !).—Miram Shah, on

eravels 3-150) ft. (B. & Hi 48201.) By 4490 1).

Flowers & Fruit: 24-3-30 (Chasmai River); 26-83-30 (Khajuri Post): 28-3-30

(Miram Shah); 5-4-30 (Shewa Post); 12-4-27 (Miram Shah): 14-4-27 (Tochi

River); 21-4-30 (Boya),

394 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Distribution: N.-W. India, Sind, Turkestan, Persia, westwards to Spain

and the Canaries.

Plantago Loeflingii LL. Sp. Pl. (1753) 166.

Locality: N.W.: HK. of Spinwam Fort, in sandstone nala, 2,650 ft.

(B. & F. 677 !).Plain W. of Spinwam Fort, on gravel, 2,650 ft. (B. &

F. 853 !).—Miram Shah (F. 312 }). ;

a eee & Fruit: 1-4-80 (Spinwam); 4-4-30 (Spinwam); 16-4-27 (Miram

yah).

: Distribution : Persia, Caucasus, Mesopotamia, Syria, N. Africa, Canaries,

opaln.

Plantago coronopus L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 166, var. filiformis (Koch) Muschler

Fl. Egypt ii, 912.—P. coronopus var. simplex Boiss. Fl. Or. iv, 888.

Vernacular name: Khatakai.

Bocaliy NW. Razant «(Be 213 aa)

Flowers & Fruit: 28-4-27 (Razani).

Distribution of var.: Persia, Transcaucasus, Mesopotamia, Egypt.

Plantago ciliata Desf. Fl. Atl. i, 137, t. 39.—P. eriantha Dene. in DC.

Prodi: xi lie O8:

Vernacular name: Haidar boti (Williams); Kharbita (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: In the lower regions (Stewart).—9 miles from Spin-

wam (B. & F. 690 !).—Sandstone nala EK. of Spinwam Fort (B. & F. 654 1).

—Miram Shah, on stony ground (B. & F. 319 !).—On boulder-strewn slope

of Chota Darweshta, W. of Spinwam Fort, 3,000-4,800 ft. (B. & F. 695 !

752 !).—On disintegrating limestone hills N. of Spinwam Fort (B. & F.

812 !).—Left bank of Volam River below Shewa Post (B. & F. 873 ! 89la !).—

Plain W. of Spinwam on gravel (B. & F. 852 !).—Bed of Kuram River near

Shewa Post (B. & F. 950 !).—Spinwam Fort, 2,600 ft. (B. & F. 775 ! 810 3).

—Right bank of Sua Algad at Khajuri Post, 2,250 ft. (B. & F. 357 !).

Tank: Near Lank, Shaur.; Hall «OW. Walliams: ~!).

Flowers: 29-5-1891 (Tank).

Flowers & Fruit: 26-3-80 (Khajuri Post); 1-4-80 (Spinwam); 2-4-30 (Chota

Darweshta); 4-4-80 (Spinwam); 5-4-30 (Shewa Post); 16-4-27 (Miram Shah).

Distribution: Punjab Hills, Salt Range, Orient, Egypt.

Plantago Lagopus .L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 165.

Locality: N.W.: Razani (F. 2193 ! 2195 !).—Datta Khel, along water

channel in garden, 4,600 ft. (B. & F. 1,400 !).—Datta Khel, on gravel along

irrigation channel, 4,600 ft. (B. & F. 1399 ! 1463 !).—Boya Fort, 3,550 ft.

(Bee Belo. 1).

S.W.: N. of Razmak Camp, below Springs, 7,700 ft. (B. & F. 1822 !).

—Razmak, below Springs (B. & F. 1821 !).—Hills 8.-W. of Razmak, 6,950

ft Bsc 1934" 4).

Flowers & Fruit: 21-83-30 (Boya); 17-4-80 (Datta Khel); 23-4-27 (Razani) ;

25-4-380 (Razmak); 27-4-80 (Razmak).

Distribution: Orient, Mediterranean.

Plantago lanceolata L. Sp. Pl. 113.

Vernacular name: Shekai_ para.

Locality: N.W.: Dwa Warkha (Stewart).—5,000-8,000 ft. (Stewart).—

Shakai, 6,000-7,000 ft. (Duthie’s Collect. 15694 !).

SoW.: Pre’ Ghal Go" Walliams 79575. 1).

Flowers: 30-4-1895 (Shakai).

Distribution: W. Himalaya, Salt Range, Europe, N. Asia.

Plantago lanceolata L. forma genuina Boiss.

Locality: N.W.: Datta Khel, along water channels (F. 1278 !).

S.W.: Wana Plain, in marshes (F. 3488 !).—Razmak, on slope of

hill (ere O38 ate

Flowers & Fruit: 25-3-27 (Datta Khel); 27-4-30 (Razmak); 16-6-27

(Wana).

Plantago lanceolata 1. forma altissimia Decne. in DC. Prodr. xiii, 1, 714.

Locality: N.W.: 8S. of Miram Shah village, in river-bed of sand and

gravel (B. & F. 508 !).—Miram Shah (F. 811 !).—Datta Khel village (B.

& F. !).—Chasmai River, in clayey sand, 3,100 ft. (B. & F. 240 ! 240b 1).—

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN O95

From Boya to Datta Khel, along water channel, 4,500 ft. (B. & F. 590 !).—

Near Spinwam Fort, in bed of Kaitu River (B. & F. 442 1).

S.W.: Slope of hill E. of Razmak, above 6,800 ft. (Be Coe O25 7a,

12, ADI) Die

Flowers: 23-3-30 (Chasmai River); 27-38-80 (Spinwam); 28-3-30 (Miram

Shah); 30-83-30 (Boya to Datta Khel); 16-4-27 (Miram Shah); 26-4-30 (Raz-

mak); 30-4-27 (Razmak).

Distribution of form: Afghanistan, Caucasus, Greece, alibi.

Plantago lanceolata L. forma longe-cylindrica Blatter.

Spicae angustae, cylindricac, 3.5 cm. longae; pedunculi folus triplo longiores.

Vernacular name: Khatakai (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: N. of Miram Shah village, on clay banks of irriga-

tion channel, 3,150 ft. (B. & F. 465!, F. 852!).—Razani (F. 2183 !).—Datta

Khel Fort, in garden along water channel, 4,600 ft. (B. & F. 1401 ).

Flowers & Fruit: 28-3-80 (Miram Shah); 16-4-27 (Miram Shah); 17-4-30

(Datta Khel); 23-4-27 (Razani); 18-5-27 (Sararogha).

Plantago lanceolata L. fornia lagopifermis Blatter.

Habet habitum vegetativum Pl. lagopt.

Vernacular name: Zundunh, Khatakai (Waziri).

Locahity: N.W.: Datta Khel Fort, under trees (B. & F. 591 !).—Above

Chasmai River, in cultivation (B. & F. 339 !).—Boya (F. 999 !).

S.W.: W. of Razmak, on gravel plain, 6,800 ft. (B. & F. 1729 !).—

Razmak (F. 23038 ! 3164 !).

Flowers: 24-83-80 (Chasmai River); 28-3-27 (Boya); 30-38-30 (Datta Khel);

24-4-80 (Razmak); 5-5-27 (Razmak).

Plantago lanceolata L. forma brevifolia Blatter.

Folia multo breviora et angustiora, spicae ovatae vel oblongae.

Vernacular name: Pevra (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Bed of Tochi River at Miram Shah village, on gravel

and sand, 3,150 ft. (B. & F. 510 !).—Datta Khel village, on clay bank cf

Waterachammel 4.6007 ft) (b. '& oh1495 tH O77! 1309" 1). Razani (Eh:

2620 !).

Flowers: 25-38-27 . (Datta Khel); 28-38-30 (Tochi River); 17-4-30 (Datta

Khel); 25-4-27 (Razani).

Plantago lusitanica Willd. Sp. Pl. i, 644; Dene. in De. Prodr. xii

(1852), pt. 1, 716.—P. Lagopus Li. var. major Boiss. Fl. Or. iv, 886.—P. lago-

pus L. var. lusitanica Muschler Fl. Egypt i, 910.

Boiss. 1l.c has put P. lusitanica Willd. as a variety under P. Lagopus I.

and Muschler has followed him. JI think this was an oversight, as will be

clear to everybody who carefully reads the descriptions in Decaisne (DC. Prodr.

l.c.). Our specimen shows the leaves 5-7-nerved.

Local N. Wa-. Razani CH.) 2209 0) 2833; 1).

S.W.: N. of Razmak below Springs, 7,700 ft. (8B. & F. 1256 ! 1823 }).

-——Slope of Shuidar, in meadow, 7,500-8,000 ft., together with Rumex (F.

58a!)

Flowers: 14-4-80 (Razmak); 18-4-30 (Shuidar); 19-4-27 (Razani); 23-4-27

(Razani); 25-4-30 (Razmak).

Distribution: Mesopotamia, Syria, Mediterranean.

Plantago major 1. Sp. Pl. 112.

Vernacular name: Gozi.

Locahty. 1S: Wa. Near Kameuram, brook >: (Stewart). ere 'Ghal —-@.

Williams 7910 !).

Flowers: 2-8-1888 (Pre Ghal); September 1860 (Kaniguram).

Distribution: Temperate and alpine Himalaya up to 12,000 ft., Konkan,

Deccan, Nilgiris, Ceylon, Assam, Khasia Hills, Burma, Malay Peninsula,

Afghanistan, westwards to the Atlantic.

Plantago meior var. brevis Pilger.

Locality: Tank: Near Tank (J. Williams 9225 ).

Fruit: 80-7-1888 (Tank).

896 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

NYCTAGINACEAE.

160 species.—Mostly tropical and especially American.

Borrwavia Vaill. ex L.

40 species.—Cosmopolitan.

Boerhavia diffusa L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 3.—B. procumbens Roxb. Fl. Ind. i

(1832) 146.

Vernacular name: Sussasir.

Locality: N.W.: Razani (Stewart).—Miram Shah, open stony plain (F.

027 ! 462 !)—Miram Shah, Tochi River (F. 361 !).—Khajuri Post, left bank

of Sua Algad, 2,250 ft. (B. & F. 392 !).—E. of Spinwam Fort, nearest

sandstone ridge, 2,800 ft. (B. & F. 780 !).—W. of Spinwam Fort, gravel

plain, 2.650" fi; (Bi & i 855 = !)e :

S.W.: Near Palosina (Stewart).—Razmak, stony plain (F. 2649 !).—

Spin (Ff. 35386 = !).

Tank: (J. Williams 7190 !).

Flowers & Fruit: 26-83-30 (Khajuri); April 1860 (Palosina, Razani);

4-5-1888 (Tank).

Distribution: Throughout India, Ceylon, tropical and subtropical Asia,

Africa and America.

Boerhavia verticillata Poir. Encycl. Méth. v (1804) 56.

Locality: N.W.: W. of Spinwam Fort, gravel plain, 2,650 ft. (B. & F.

834 $).

Flowers: 4-4-30 (Spinwam Fort).

Distribution: Punjab, W. Peninsula, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, to Syria

and tropical Africa.

Boerhavia repanda Willd. Sp. Pl. i (1797) 22.

Locality: S.W.: Sararogha, dry nalas (F. 6 ! 227 ! 611 !).—Jandola,

open stony ground and nalas (F. 625 ! 632 !).—Along Tank River (F. 728 }).

-—Spin (F. 3534 !).

Flowers & Fruit: 21-5-27 (Sararogha); 21-6-27 (Spin).

Distribution: Baluchistan, Upper Gangetic plain and Rohilkhand, Konkan,

Mysore, Travancore, Carnatic, Burma.

ILLECEBRACEAE.

About 70 species.—Most warm dry regions.

Herniagia (Tourn.) L.

20 species.—Mediterranean, Europe, 8. Africa.

Herniaria hirsuta L. Sp. Pl. 218.

Vernacular name: Meravarki.

Locality: .Tank: Near Tank, Shaur Hill (J. Willams !).

Flowers: 81-4-1891 (Tank).

Distribution: W. Himalaya, 4,000-8,000 ft., Punjab, Orient, westwards

to the Atlantic.

Cometes I.

2 species.—W. Asia, Abyssinia.

Cometes surattensis Burm. Fl. Ind. 39, t. 15, f. 5.

Locality: Waziristan (ex Annendale & Carter p. 286).

Distribution: Sind, Baluchistan, Orient to 8. Arabia.

AMARANTACEAE

700 species.—Tropical and temperate regions.

AMARANTHUS L.

60 species.—Tropical and temperate regions.

* Amaranthus Blitum L. var. oleracea Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. iv (1885) 721,

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah, in garden (B. & F. 636 3),

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. ASU Valule

14. Looking W.N.W. from the hill-range EH. of Miram Shah Fort

with Afghan hills in the distance.

15. Lower slopes of Chota Darweshta W. of Spinwam Fort.

Huge boulders with gravel.

Photos by J. Fernandez.

THH FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 397

Flowers: 31-3-30 (Miram Shah).

Distribution: Cultivated in India and elsewhere in warm regions.

Amaranthus paniculatus L. Sp. Pl. ed. u, 1406.

Vernacular name: Darvadhang (Waziri).

Localiiy: S.W.: Slope of Shuidar, in terrassed field, 7,000-9,000 ft., plant

of previous year (F. 1575 !).—Razmak (F. 2517 ! 2519 !).

Distribution: Cultivated or an escape in EK. and W. Asia and Africa.

Amaranthus viridis L. Sp. Pl. (1758) 1405.

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah; in garden (B. & FF. 641 }).

Flowers & Fruit: 31-3-30 (Miram Shah).

Distribution: All tropical countries.

PUPALIA Juss.

7 species.—Africa, Madagascar, Asia.

Pupalia lappacea Moq. in DC. Prodr. xii, 2, 331.

Locality: N.W.: In the plains (Stewart).

Tank: Near Tank (J. Williams 7912 !).

Flowers: 25-6-1888 (Tank).

Distribution: W. tropical Himalaya, 1,000-3,000 ft., from Kashmir to

Kumaon, Punjab, Deccan, tropical Asia and Africa.

Arrua Forsk.

12 species.—Tropical Asia, Africa.

Aerua tomentosa Forsk. Fl. Aeg.-Arab. (1775) n. 584, et p. 170.—A. javanica

Juss. in Ann. Mus. Par. ii (1803) 131.

Vernacular name: Ganderai, Khadavana (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Dwa Warkha (Stewart).—Slope of Chota Darweshta, W.

of Spinwam Fort, 2,700-3,000 ft. (B. & F. 716 !).—Miram Shah (F. 943 !

987 1! 990 !).—E. of Spinwam Fort, nearest sandstone ridge, 2,800 ft. (B.

6 arent):

S.W.: Nilikach, Gomal Pass (Duthie’s Collect. 15736 !).—Sararogha

(F. 45 ! 59 ! 80 !).—Jandola (F. 261 ! 4138 !), along Tank River (F. 693. !

707 ! 716 ! 4107 !).—Sarwekai (F. 3997 ! 4005 !).—Tenai Post (F. 3793 !).—

Tenai, on stony plain (F. 3813 !).

Tank: (Stewart, J. Williams 7192 !):

In bud: 21-6-27 (Tenai).

Flowers & Fruit: 18-4-27 (Miram Shah); April 1860 (Tank); 1-5-1888

(Tank); 18-5-27 (Sararogha); 27-5-27 (Jandola); 8-6-27 (Sarwekai).

Fruit: 23-5-1895 (Gomal Pass).

Distribution: India, Ceylon, Arabia, tropical Africa, Cape de Verde Islands.

Aerua tomentosa Forsk. var. Bovei (Webb) C. B. Clarke in Fl. Trop. Afr.

vi, 1 (1909) 38.—A. javanica var. Bovei Webb in Boiss. Fl. Or. iv, 993.

Vernacular name: Spinkhadai (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Spinwam, on stony ground at foot of hill to.the E.,

2,600 0fts (Bas GE 7.59 11):

Distribution: Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Arabia, HEgypt.

Aerua pseudo-tomentosa Blatter & Hall. in Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc.

xxvi- (1919) 817.

Locality: N.W.: N. of Spinwam Fort on desintegrating limestone hill,

2,650 ft. (B. & F. 826 !).—Near Khajuri, slope of ridge along left bank of

Sua Algad, 2,250 ft. (B. & F. 386 1). :

Flowers: 26-83-80 (Khajuri); 4-4-30 (Spinwam).

Distribution: Jodhpur and Jaisalmer States.

Aerua lanata Juss. in Ann. Mus. Par. ii (1803) 131.

Vernacular name: Kharbita.

Locality: N.W.: HE. of Spmwam Fort, on hill, 2,900: -ft.. fairly common

(B. & F. 777 !).—N. of Spinwam, on limestone hill, 2,650 ft. (B. & F. 830 !

831 !).—Miram Shah (F. 341 ! 348 ! 354 ! 949 !).

S.W.: Spin, open stony plain (F. 3530 ! 3829 ! 3855 ! 3870 }).

398 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

In bud: 3-4-3830 (Spinwam); 16-4-27 (Miram Shah).

Flowers & Fruit: 21-6-27 (Spin).

Distribution: Throughout India, Ceylon, Baluchistan, Arabia, tropical

Africa, Java, Philippines.

ACHYRANTHES L.

15 species.—Tropics and subtropics.

Achyranthes aspera Li. Sp. Pl. (1753) 204.

Vernacular name: Uput kanda (Wiliams).

Locality: N.W.: Dwa Warkha (Stewart).

S.W.: Sararogha (I. 235 !).—Jandola, along dry banks of Tank River

(aside. De

Tank: “(oe oNVallvamis), WalO4s a).

Flowers: 4-5-1888 (Tank); 21-5-27 (Sararogha); 25-5-27 (Jandola); Oct. 1860

(Dwa Warkha).

Distribution: Tropics generally.

Uses: Flowers used as a cathartic in children (Williams).

CHENOPODIACEAE.

500 species.—Natives of all climates as nearly all are halophytic.

CHENOPODIUM (Tourn.) L.

60 species.—All climates.

Chenopodium album L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 219.

Vernacular name: Ganar, Surmai (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Dwa Warkha (Stewart).—Near Datta Khel along irriga-

tion channel, 4,609 ft. (B. & F. 1440 !).—Datta Khel village, nala, 4,600 ft.

(B. & F. 1856 ! 1411 ! 1412 ! 1489 !)—Near Miram Shah village, bed of

Tochi River, in gravel and sand (B. & F. 493 !).—E. of Miram. Shah,

sandy plain, 3,150 ft. (B. & F. 182 !).—Near Miram Shah, right bank of

Chasmai River (B. & F. 288 !).—Spinwam Fort, 2,650 ft. (B. & F. 440 !

666" 1790! 865 “1).—Dossah Horii 4900 it. (Bec ESO Ne

S.W.: N. of Razmak, 7,700 ft. (B. & F. 1848 !).—Sararogha, 5,000

fit.) 140 <1) 6162!) Wana (E3433 a).

Tank = - (Ss Wallaamns (279 oi):

Flowers: 27-3-30 (Spinwam); 28-3-30 (Miram Shah village); 17-4-80 (Datta

Khel); 4-5-1888 (Tank).

Distribution: ‘Tropical and temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Sikkim

up to 14,000 ft., Punjab, Baluchistan, cosmopolitan.

Chenopodium opulifolium Schrad. in DC. Fl. Frane. 5 (1805) 372.

Locality: N.W.: Dossah Fort, left bank of Khaisora River, 4,900 ft. (B.

& os MalGOr t alGi en):

Flowers & Fruit: 138-4-80 (Dossali Fort).

Distribution: Central and W. Himalaya, N. and W. Asia, Europe, Medi-

terranean.

Chenopodium hybridum L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 219.

Locahty: N.W.: Dwa Warkha (Stewart).

Distribution: W. Himalaya, 12,000 ft., Punjab, Baluchistan, Europe, N.

Africa, N. Assia.

Chenopodium murale L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 219.

Vernacular name: 'Thormai (Waziri).

Locahty: N.W.: Hills EK. of Miram Shah. Fort (B. & F. 560 !).—Miram

Shah, garden, 3,150 ft.) (B. & W.7639)1)5) Richt bank jot Chasmai River,

3,100 ft. (B. & F. 232 !).—Near Khajuri Post, bed of Sua Algad, 2,250 ft.

(B. & F. 362 !).—W. of Spinwam Fort; 2,650 ft. (B. & EF. 755 1857 1).

Flowers & Fruit: 29-3-30 (Miram Shah); 4-4-30 (Spinwam).

Distribution: Ubiquitous.

Chenopodium botrys LL. Sp. Pl. (1753) 219.

Locahiy: 9N: Wee Boyaye3.550 «it. 3 (Baie eal ON Oeua)).

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 399

S.W.: Pre Ghal (Hay, J. Williams 7913 !).—N. of. Doboi, above

5,000 ft. on a feeder of the Zam, abundant (Stewart).—Kundiwan, 5,500 ft.

(Duthie’s Collect. 157633 !).

Flowers: 21-4-380 (Boya); May 1860 (Kundiwan); 10-5-1895 (Kundiwan).

Distribution: W. Himalaya, 4,000-14,000 ft., Punjab, Orient, N. Africa.

Chenopodium foliosum (Moench.) Aschers. Fl. Prov. Brandenb. (1864) 572.—

Blitum virgatum L. Sp. Pl. (1758) 4.

Vernacular name: Towe (Waziri).

Hocality NoWa:Razmak Narai,, 1,200 ft. (By & B.. 1192\ }):

S.W.: E. of Razmak, slope of hill, 6,800 ft. (B. & F. 1927 !).—Razmak

(F. 2286).—Between Makin and Razmak (Stewart).

Tani (oo. Walliams GLO)!

Flowers & Fruit: 25-4-80 (Razmak); 7-5-27 (Razmak); 1-7-1888 (Tank).

Distribution: N.W. India, Turkestan, Siberia, Orient, Europe, N. Africa.

Chenopodium rubrum LL. Sp. Pl. (1753) 218.—Blitum polymorphum C. A.

Mey. am Wed. El. Alt. 1 (1826) 13:

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah Fort, garden, 3,150 ft. (B. & F. 626 }).

SeWiee ou. of tRazmak.. 6.950%. (B. Gol 19385) !).

Flowers & Fruit: 31-3-30 (Miram Shah); 27-4-80 (Razmak).

Distribution: Siberia, Turkestan, Orient, Europe.

*SPINACIA (Tourn.) L.

2 species.—H. Mediterranean.

* Spinacia oleracea L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 1027.

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah village, 3,150 ft., cultivated (B. & F.

491 !).

Flowers & Fruit: 28-3-80.

Distribution: Cultivated everywhere.

AtTrRIpuex (Tourn.) IL.

180 species.—Temperate and subtropical regions.

Atriplex crassifolia C. A. Mey. in Led. Fl. Alt. iv, 309.

Locality: N.W.: Khaisora (Stewart)—Near Khajuri Post, right bank of

Sua Alsadee2 250 0tt.(3. & 3358 =):

Distribution: N. W. India and the Punjab, 8,000-12,000 ft., Afghanistan,

Turkestan, Soongaria, Altai Mts.

Atriplex Stecksii Boiss. Diagn. ser. ii, no. 4 (1859) 73.

Locality: N.W.: E. of Spinwam Fort, sandstone nala, 2,650 ft. (B. &

Hy 68s oN)

Distribution: Gujarat, Kathiawar, Sind.

Atriplex hastata L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 1058.

Vernacular name: Vorogo titkai (Waziri).

Locahijuns.W. x. sto RazmakeCamp, 6,800 ti) (Be Gel. 173%, tf A903 1,

F. 2404 1).

Flowers & Fruit: 2-5-27 (Razmak); 25-4-30 (Razmak).

Distribution: Siberia, Afghanistan, Orient, Mediterranean, Europe.

Atriplex Belangeri Moq. in DC. Prodr. xiii, 108.

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah village, old torrent bed, 3,150 ft. (B. &

F. 513 !).—Plain W. of Spinwam Fort, 2,650 ft. (B. & F. 866 !).

Distribution: Afghanistan, Persia.

Atriplex farinosa Forsk. Fl. Aeg.-Arab. (1775) exxiii, no. 302.

Locahty): SW: Wana, common, 5,000 ft: (i. 3465 !).

Flowers: 16-6-27 (Wana).

Distribution: Brit. E. Africa, Nubia, Egypt, Arabia, Petraea, tropical

Arabia.

Atriplex affinis leucoclado Boiss.

Locality: S.W.: Sarwekai (F. 3900 !).—Spin, open stony plain (Ff.

3859 1).

400 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Kurotia Adans.

2 species.—Mediterranean, W. Asia, N. America.

Eurotia ceratoides (L.) C. A. Mey. in Led. FI. Alt. iv (1883) 239.—Aayris

ceratoides Wi. ‘Sp: Pl. (1753) 979:

Locality: N.W.: Khajuri Post, right bank of Sua Algad, on gravel,

2250" fans eco me Solel):

Distribution: W. Himalaya, 8,000-14,000 ft., Central Asia, Siberia, Mon-

golia, Afghanistan, Hurope, Mediterranean.

Kocuia Roth.

35 species.—N. temperate regions, Australia, 5. Africa.

Kochia prostrata (l.) Schrad. Neues Journ. in, 3, 4 (1809) 85.

Locality: N.W.: E. of Datta Khel Fort, stony plain, 4,600 ft. (B. &

Ba akovioun)

S.W.: Spin, open stony plain (F. 3843 !).—Wana, 5,000 ft. (F. 3499 !).

Distribution: W. Himalaya, 10,000-14,000 ft., Central Asia, Siberia, west-

wards to Spain and N. Africa.

Kochia_ stellaris Mog.-Tand. Chenop. Monogr. Enum. (1840) 93.—K. odon-

toptera Schrenk. in Bull. Acad. Petersb. 1 (1848) 361.

Locality: Lower zone (Stewart).

Distribution: W. Tibet, 8,000-12,000 ft., Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Turkes-

tan, Persia.

SuAEDA Forsk.

40 species.—Cosmopolitan, on seacoast and in salt steppes.

Suaeda fruticosa Forsk. Fl. Aeg.-Arab. (1775) 70.

Vernacular name: Kal sauri (Williams).

Locality: .N.W.: Khajuri Post, left bank of Tochi- River, 2,250 ft. (B.

& Aloe): .

Tank: (J. Williams 7198 !).

Flowers: 26-3-30 (Khajuri); 4-5-1888 (Tank).

Distribution: N.W. India, westwards to the Atlantic, Africa, America.

Uses: Camels eat it.

Suaeda monoica Forsk. Fl. Aeg.-Arab. (1775) 70.

Locality: N.W.: Khajuri Post, right bank of Sua Algad, on gravel, 2,250

hte ACB Sree S49 ant)

S.W.: Jandola’ (FP: 3890 !):--Dargai “Post (Hl) 3765 4!)--Menar (i.

4020 !).—Spin, open stony plain (F. 3541 ! 3835 !).

Distribution: $8. India, Ceylon, Baluchistan, Arabia, tropical Africa.

Suaeda maritima (L.) Dumort. Fl. Belg. (1827) 22.—Chenopodium mariti-

MUM Esp. ek “Givos)= 22,

Locality: S.W.: Dargai Post (F. 3775 !).—Tenai (F. 4038 }).

Distribution: India, Ceylon, Siam, N. Asia, Orient, N. Africa, Europe,

N. America.

Suaeda sp.

Locality: Waziristan (Duthie’s Collect. 15730).

Hatoxynton Bunge.

10 species.—Mediterranean, Central Asia.

Haloxylon recurvum Bunge ex Boiss. Fl. Or. iv (1879) 949.

Locality: N.W.: 9 miles S. of Spinwam) Kort) (By & 127692 1),

S.W.: Spin, open stony plain (F. 3851 ! 3860 ! 3861 !).

Distribution: India, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Yunnan.

Haloxylon salicoraicum Bunge ex Boiss. Fl. Or. iv (1879) 949.

Vernacular name: Shurai, Karsussa, Nunai (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Datta Khel Fort, 4,500 ft. (B. & F. 608 !).—Plain N.

of Boya Fort, clayey sand, 3,550 ft. (B. & F. 74 !).—Plain KE. of Miram

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 401

Shah Fort, gravel, also in water, 3,150 ft. (BiG Ry Tat 20m MAG eT aOk

4790 1) =Spinwam, mills; 2,650 th (B. & ee oom a:

S.W.: Razmak (F. 1639 !).—Sarwekai (F. 3957 ! 3974 !) == "Penar Post

(i 3808" (!):

Distribution: Punjab, Baluchistan, Afghanistan.

Haloxylon articulatum Boiss. Fl. Or. iv (1879) 949.

Vernacular name: Sherai (Waziri). :

Locality: N.W.: Near Miram Shah Fort, right bank of Chasmai River,

S100 it: (B76) Wey 2340 1),

Distribution: ‘Syria, tropical Arabia N. Africa, Mediterranean.

Haloxylon multiflorum Bunge in Boiss. Fl. Or. iv (1879) 949.

Vernacular name: Uch sarakai (Waziri), Sherakai (at Boya), Shurai (at

Wana).

Locality: N.W.: Dwa Warkha (Stewart).—Datta Khel (F. 1182 !).—Boya,

gravel (B. & F. 1481 ! 1671 !).—Miram Shah, open stony ground (FF. 4384 !).

S.W.: Wana, open stony ground (F. 3615 }).

Distribution: Afghanistan.

Haloxylon Griffithii Boiss. Fl. Or. iv (1879) 950.

Vernacular name: Sherai (Madda Khel and Khaddar Khel, Waziri), Shorai

(by the Ahmadzai Waziri), Galmai (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Khaisora River (Stewart).—Datta Khel: 42500: th. @.> A.

Robinson !).—Miram Shah (F. 817 !).

S.W.: Sarwekai (. 3898 ! 3922 ! 3970 !).

Fruit: 3-11-29 (Datta Khel).

Distribution: Baluchistan, Afghanistan.

SALSOLA: (1a.

40 species. —Cosmopolitan, maritime or on salt steppes.

Salsola Kali L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 222.

Locality: N.W.: In the lower regions (Stewart).

S.W.: Tenai Post, common on stony plain (F. 3792 ! 3795 !)—Spin,

open stony plain (F. 3882 -!). ve AN ae ey ed

Distribution: N.W. Punjab and Himalaya, -12,000-14,000 -ft., westwards

to the Atlantic, N. Asia, N. & S. Africa, N. America: Z

Salsola coilina C. A. Mey. in Led. Fl. Alt. 1, 398.

Locality: N.W.: Datta Khel Fort, 4,600 ft., specimen of previous year

collected 17-4-80 (B. & F. 1410 !). —

s Distribution : Western Himalaya, 12,000-15,000 ft., Siberia, Soongaria, S.

ussla.

Salsola foetida Del. Fl. d Egypt (1818) 57. :

Locality: N.W.: In the lower regions (Stewart).—Khajuri Post, hill on

left bank of Sua Algad, 2,300 ft. (B. & EF. 355 1 3881 1 382. 1).

S.W.: Jandola, open stony plain (F. 3897 !).—Dargai Post, stony slope

(F. 3727 ! 4086 !).—Tenai (F. 4019 !).—Spin, open. stony plain, common

(H. 3542 ! 3849 !).

Distribution: Punjab Plains, Upper Gangetic Plain, Sind, Rajputana Desert,

Baluchistan, Persia, Arabia, Africa.

Salsola verrucosa M. B. in Mem. Soc. Nat. Mose. i (1811) 108.—S. ericoides

Cy Ns Mey. Ind. Cane. 160) (mon. MOB): |

Locality: N.W.: 8. of Spmwam Wort,: gravel plain (B. &. FF: 689 2).

S.W.: Spin, open stony plain (fH. 38848 1).

Fruit: 1-4-30, of previous year (Spinwam).

Distribution: Persia, Orient, S.E. Russia.

Salsola tetrandra Forsk. Fl. Aeg.-Arab. (1775) 58.—8. tetragona Del. FI.

d’Kg. (1813) 204, tab. 22.

Roca. NW: S, ot Spimwam Bort (3: \&. H. 69ia, | 1).

Distribution: Palestine, Arabia Petraea, Egypt, N. Africa,

4o3 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

AnaBasis Li.

20 species.—Mediterranean, Central Asia.

Anabasis phyllophora Kar. & Kir. Enum. Alt. (1841) no. 735.

Locality: N.W.: 8. of Spinwam Fort (B. & F. 691 }).

Distribution: Punjab, Turkestan, Soongaria, Altai.

Anabasis setifera Mog. in Chenop. Enum. 164 et DC. Prodr. xin, 2, 214.

Locality: N.W.: Khajuri Post, hill on left bank of Sua Algad, 2,450 ft.

(Be-& Wes96 4):

Distribution: Punjab, Salt Range, Persia, Arabia, Egypt.

Harocuaris Mog.

4 species.—W. Asia.

Halocharis violacea Bunge Anabas. Rev. 68, t. 1, f. 3.

Locality: N.W.: Dwa Warkha (Stewart).

Distribution: Punjab, Salt Range, Peshawar valley, Baluchistan, Afghan-

istan, S.E. Persia.

Hatoceton C. A. Mey.

5 species.—Mediterranean, Central Asia.

Halogeton glomeratus (M.B.) C. A. Mey. in Led. FI. Alt. 1 (1829) 378.

Locality: N.W.: Datta Khel, garden, 4,600 ft. (B. & F. 1396 !).

Distribution: W. Tibet, 12,000-14,000 ft., Afghanistan, Turkestan, Siberia,

Soongaria.

POLYGONACEAE.

750 species.—Chiefly N. temperate; a few tropical, arctic and southern.

CALLIGONUM lL.

20 species.—N. Africa, W. Asia, 8. Europe.

Calligonum polygonoides L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 5380.

Locality: Tank: (J. Williams 7204 !).

Flowers: 5-5-1888 (Tank).

Distribution: Punjab, Salt Range, Baluchistan, Orient.

Potyconum (Tourn.) LL.

275 species.—Cosmopolitan, but especially temperate.

Polygonum barbatum L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 362.

Locality: N.W.: Razani (Stewart).

Distribution: Throughout the tropics. :

Polygonum plebejum Br. Prodr. 420.

Vernacular name: Chiradha.

Locality: Tank (J. Williams 7201 !).

Flowers: 4-5-1888 (Tank).

Distribution: Afghanistan, tropics of the Old World.

Polygonum aviculare L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 362.

Locality: S.W.: In the lower regions (Stewart)—Kaniguram, about

6,500 ft. (Stewart).

Tank: (J. Williams 7916 ! Stewart).

Flowers: April 1860 (Tank, Kaniguram); 21-6-1888 (Tank).

Distribution: Widely dispersed, indigenous in Europe and N. Asia.

Polygonum paronychioides C. A. Mey. in Bull. Soc. Nat. Mosc. (1898) 356;

Meissn. in DC. Prodr. xiv, 1.—P. Paronychia C. A. Mey. Ind. cauc. 158 (non

Cham. et Schlecht).

Locality: Tank (Duthie’s Collect. 15634 !).

Flowers: 29-4-1895 (Tank).

Distribution: W. Himalaya, 8,000-12,000 ft., Afghanistan, Persia.

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 403

Polygonum baldschuanicum Regel in Act. Hort. Petrop. vin (1884) 684, t. 10.

ibocality Siw .s Razmak; im carden (B: & F.).

Distribution: Bokhara.

Polygonum flaccidum Meissn. in DC. Prodr. xiv, 107 (partim).

Locality: S.W.: In the upper regions (Stewart).

Distribution: Common throughout India in wet places, Ceylon, Malacca,

Malay Archipelago.

Polygonuin sp.

Locality: Waziristan (Duthie’s Collect. 15788).

Rumex L.

100 species.—EHspecially N. temperate.

Rumex maritimus L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 335.—R. acutus Roxb. Fl. Ind. 11, 208.

Locality: Tank (Stewart).

Flowers: April 1860 (Tank).

Distribution: Marshes in Assam, Sylhet, Cachar and Bengal, Asia, Europe,

N. Africa, S. America.

Rumex dentatus LL. Mant. 226.

Vernacular name: Lablaba (Williams).

Locality: S.W.: Kaniguram, 6,500 ft. (Duthie’s Collect. 15767 !).

Tank (J. Williams 7203 !).

Flowers: 18-5-1895 (Kaniguram); 14-5-1888 (Tank).

Distribution: N. India, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Orient, Egypt.

Rumex dentatus L. Mant. 226, var. pleiodon Boiss. Fl. Or. iv, 1013.

Locality: N.W.: In garden at Miram Shah, 3,150 ft. (B. & F. 635 }).

Flowers: 931-3-30 (Miram Shah).

Rumex vesicarius L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 479.

Locality: S.W.: Near Palosina (Stewart).

Distribution: W. Punjab, Baluchistan, Afghanistay, Persia, the Levant,

N. Africa.

LAURACEAE.

1,000 species.—Tropical and subtropical regions.

CassyTHA L.

15 species.—Palaeotropics.

Cassytha filiformis L. Sp. Pl. (1758) 35.

Locality: S.W.: Razmak, riverbed, on Berberis, 6,750 ft. (B. & F. 54 !).

Flowers: 20-38-80 (Razmak).

Distribution: ‘Tropics generally.

€

THYMELAEACEAE.

550 species.—Temperate regions and tropics, especially in Africa.

Darune Tourn. ex L.

40 species.—Hurope, temperate and subtropical Asia.

Daphne oleoides Schreb. Ic. Descr. Pi. Decad. i (1766) 18, t. 7; Brandis Ind.

Trees (1911) 544; Parker For. Fl. Punj. (1918) 432.—D. mucronata Royle. Ill.

022, t. 81, fig. 2; Brandis For. Fl. (1874) 384.—D. acuminata Boiss. & Hoh.

Digen, ser. lh oe 03); Boiss. Bl Or:.av (38/9) 1048.

Vernacular name: Laghinai, Pastavana (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Boya, on hills, 8. of Boya Post, about 4,800 ft. (F.

1468 ! 1492 ! 1498 ! 1494 ! 1495 ! 1496 !).—Miram Shah, on hills, about

8,200 ft. (F. 1888 ! 1891 ! 1403 ! 1408 !).—Razani, common: on hills, about

5,200 ft. GE. 2051: ! 2777 +! 2890 !).—Near Datta Khel (B. & F. 597 1!).—

Near Spinwam, Chota Darweshta, 4,800 ft. (B. & F. 737 !).—Dossali, stony

plain, 4,900 ft. (B. & F. 998 ! 999 ! 1021 !).

404. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVIi

S.W.: Pre Ghal (Hay).—Above Anai Gorge, about 4,000 ft. (Stewart).

—On wide shingle plateau of Tandachina (Stewart).—Razmak, open stony plain

and on hills, 6,500) ft. (EF) 1535 1 136 ' alos a 1833 2000) 2002 mio a!

2263! 2693 1 2675 9) 2699) | 270i) 2723) 1! 224 ei 2b oll. hea

scattered on plain, 4,500 ft. (F. 3454 ! 3461 !).—Barwand (Duthie’s Collect.

15725. !).—Shuidar, 7,000-9,000 ft. (F. 1591 !).

Flowers: 30-8-30 (Datta Khel); 10-4-30° (Dossali); June.

Distribution: Mediterranean region, W. Asia, Afghanistan, Baluchistan,

Kkuram Valley to 11,000 ft., Himalaya as far east as the Jumna, 3,000-9,000 ft.,

Punjab.

THYMELAEA Tourn. ex Scop.

20 species.—Mediterranean, temperate Asia.

Thymelaea passerina (L.) Coss. et Germ. ex Fedtschenko et Fedtschenko

Consp.. Fl. Turk. vi (1916) 296.—Stellera passerina L. Sp. Pl. (1758) 559.—

Thymelaea arvensis Lam. Fl. Fr. ui, 218.

Locality: S.W.: Lower regions (Stewart).

Flowers: April.

Distribution: Upper Punjab, Kashmir, Afghanistan, westwards to France

and N. Africa.

ELAEAGNACEAE.

25 species.—Chiefly on steppes and coasts of N. hemispheres.

ELAEAGNuS (Tourn.) L.

20 species.—Asia, Hurope, N. America.

Elaeagnus angustifolia L. Sp. Pl. ed. i (1753) 176; Fedtschenko & Fedts-

ehenko Consp. Fl. Turk. pt. 6 (1916) 298.—EH. spinosa Li. Amoen. Acad. iv,

305.—E. hortensis M. Bieb. Fl. Taur.-Cauc. 11 (1808) 112; Boiss. Fl. Or. iv

(1879) 1056; Servettaz Monogr. des Eléaguaceés in Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 2. Abt.

xxv (1909) 33.

Locality: N.W.: Razani, planted, 5,000 ft. @. 2210 1 22213. 1 2213

2227 | 2775 | 2776 ! 2782 !)—Muiram, Shah, 3,000 ft. (F. 1078 }).

S.W.: Wana, planted, 4,500 ft. (F. 8664 ! 3672 ! 3674 !).—Razmak,

6,500: ft2- (E2779. h).

Elaeagnus umbellata ‘Thunb. Fl. Jap. 66, t. 14; Brandis Ind. Trees (1911)

547; Parker For. Fl. (1918) 434.—#H. parvifolia Wall. Cat. 4026; Royle Ill.

329; t. Ol. she:

Vernacular name: Sanzela (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.:. Boya, 4,000 ft. (F894 1 137@. 1 130i! 3n2 a leis)

1874 !)—Miram Shah, 3,000 ft. (F. 1085 ! 1086 !, B. & F. d11 !).

S.W.: Wana, 8.H. of Camp, 4,500 ft. (F. 3602 ! 3634 ! 3675 !). All

the specimens from planted trees.

Flowers: April.

Distribution: Kuram Valley, Himalaya, 3,000-10,000 ft., Manipur, China,

Japan.

Uses: Fruit eaten.

LORANTHACEAE.

520 species.—Tropical and temperate regions.

Viscum Tourn. ex L.

20 species.—Old World.

Viscum album LL. Sp. Pl. (1758) 1028.

Vernacular name: Mistletoe, Kazhlavan, Kajhvavan.

Locality: N.W.: Above Dossali Fort, bed of Khunai River, 5,050 ft.,

on Olea cuspidata, very common (B. & F. 69 ! 1095 ! 1096 !), bed of Khaisora

River, 5,050 ft. (B. & F. 70 !).—Razani, on Quercus ilex, common (F. 2045 !

2168 !), on Olea cuspidata (F. 2048 1).

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE VOI.

16. Peak of Chota Darweshta, W. of Spinwam Fort.

17. View towards 8. from Shewa Post. Narai Pal and Volam Rivers

join here. Vegetion Withania coagulans Dunal, Capparis decidua

Hdgew., Acacia modesta Wall.

Photos by J. Fernandez.

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 405

S.W.: Near Kaniguram village, abundant on Oaks (Stewart).—N. of

Doboi, about 5,000 ft., on a feeder of the Zam, common on Quercus and Olea

ceurop. (Stewart).

Flowers: 12-4-30 (Dossali Fort).

Distribution: Kuram Valley, Drosh, Chitral, W. Himalaya, Kashmir to

Nepal, 3,000-9,000 ft., Burma, Afghanistan, Hurope, Orient, N. Asia, Japan.

BUXACEAE.

30 species.—Temperate and tropical regions.

iBuxus au,

25 species.—Palaeotemperate, West Indies.

Buxus papilosa C. K. Schneid. Ill. Handb. Laubholzk. 1 (1907) 189.—

B. sempervivens Li. in Fl. Brit. Ind. (partim).

Vernacular name: Box, Shamshath (Mashudi).

ocalinj: IN. Was) Ecol. Maram Shah Fort, on hills, 3,600 1b.) (B.&. WF.

568 !).

S.W.: Above Anai Gorge, about 4,000 ft., common (Stewart).—Sara-

osha (Ee 3a .! 13st) Ve2ien iy 23!)

Fruit: 29-3-80 (Miram Shah); 21-5-27 (Sararogha).

Distribution: Outer Himalaya, 2,000-4,000 ft., from the Jhelum westward,

Salt Range, Trans-Indus.

EUPHORBIACEAE.

4,000 species.—Cosmopolitan, except arctic.

HKupHorsia L.

750 species. —Chiefly subtropical and warm temperate.

Euphorbia thymifolia Burm. Fl. Ind. 2.

Locality: N.W.: Dwa Warkha (Stewart).

Distribution: All hot countries, except Australia.

Euphorbia Clarkeana Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. v (1887) 253.

Locality: Tank (J. Williams 7209 !).

Flowers: May 1888 (Tank).

Distribution: Punjab, Rajputana, W. Peninsula, Sind.

Euphorbia pilosa L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 460.

Locality: S§.W.: Pre Ghal (Hay, Duthie’s Collect. 15595 !).

Flowers: 17-5-1895 (Pre Ghal).

Distribution: W. Himalaya, Soongaria, HE. Siberia, westwards to the At-

lantic.

Euphorbia hypericifolia L. Hort. Cliff. 198.

Locality: N.W.: Razani (Stewart).

Tank: In water (J. Wilhams 7921 }).

Flowers: 1-6-1888 (Tank).

Distribution: Throughout tropics of both hemispheres except Australia and

the Pacific.

Euphorbia leptocaula Boiss. in DC. Prodr. xv, 159.

Locality: N.W.: Hills E. of Miram Shah Fort, among boulders and

sandy soil, 3,600 ft. (B. & F. 556 !)—Miram Shah (F. 402 ! 950 ! 960 }).

S.W.: HW. of Razmak Camp (B. & EF. 1952 1).

_ Flowers & Fruit: 29-3-30 (Miram Shah); 13-4-27 (Miram Shah); 28-4-30

(Razmak).

Distribution: S.W. Russia, Caucasus.

Euphorbia Gerardiana Jacq. Austr. v, 17.

Locality: N.W.: Dossali, in nala called Rosh, 4,900 ft. (B. & F. 1298 !),

Flowers & Fruit: 15-4-80 (Dossali).

Distribution: Hurope, Orient.

Euphorbia indica Lam. Encycl. ii (1786) 423; Boiss. Fl. Or. iv, 1088.

Pome. S.W.: Jandola, open stony ground and nalas, 2,270 ft. (F.

Lal

406 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HiST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Flowers & Fruit: 24-5-27 (Jandola).

Distribution: Egypt, Arabia, tropical Africa.

Euphorbia granulata Forsk. Il. Aeg.-Arab. (1775) 94.

Locality: N.W.: Khajuri Post, ridge along left bank of Sua Algad, 2,450

ft, CBwieay ei oo (al).

SiWee dandolad Ce 2a)

Tank (J. Williams 7208 4! 7922 1).

Flowers & Fruit: 26-38-80 (Khajuri Post); 27-5-27 (Jandola); 5-6-1888

(Tank).

Distribution: Punjab, Malva, Chota Nagpur, Rajputana, W. Peninsula,

Sind, Afghanistan, Arabia, Egypt, Canary Islands.

Euphorbia turcomanica Boiss. Cent. Huph. 13.

Locality: N.W.: Shewa Post, bed of Kuram River (B. & EF. 930° }).

Flowers & Fruit: 5-4-80 (Shewa Post).

Distribution: Mesopotamia, Persia.

Euphorbia humifusa Willd. Enum. H. Berol. Suppl. 18.

Locality: S.W.: Sarwekai, 3,930 ft. (F. 3926 !).—Tenai (F. 4040 1).

Flowers & Fruit: 7-6-27 (Sarwekai); 21-6-27 (T'enai).

Distribution: Caucasus, Siberia, Japan, Mongolia, China. Adventitious in

other places.

Euphorbia microphylla Heyne in Roth Nov. Pl. Sp. (1821) 229.

Locality: S.W.: Wana, on gravel, 4,560 ft. (F. 3576 !).—Jandola, along

Tank River, 2,270 ft. (F. 7386 ! 4417 !).—Sararogha, 4,000 ft. (Ff. 236 !).—

Sarwekai, 3,930 ft. (F. 4406 !).

Flowers & Fruit: 21-5-27 (Sararogha); 26-5-27 (Jandola); 8-6-27 (Sarwekai) ;

15-6-27 (Wana).

Distribution: India, Burma, Java.

Euphorbia pauciradiata Blatter in Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc. (19383) 4838.

Vernacular name: Kharbita (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah, 3,150 ft. (. 981 4 98la ! 982 1 983. 1).—

Near Spinwam, on boulder strewn slope of Chota Darweshta, 4,800 ft. (B.

Op debe TAR AD)

Flowers & Fruit: 2-4-80 (Spinwam); 13-4-27 (Miram Shah).

Uses: The fruit is a favourite food of the Chukor (Alectoris graeca).

Euphorbia helioscopia iu. Sp. Pl. 459.

Vernacular name: Sagergotiae (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Muiram Shah, in fields along water channels (F. 841 !).

~—-Datta Khel. (F. 1247 !).

S.W.: Kaniguram (Stewart).—Barwand, 4,000 ft. (Duthie’s Collect.

LOTS: 2):

Tank (J. Williams 7207 !).

Flowers: 25-38-27 (Datta Khel); 16-4-27 (Miram Shah); 26-4-1895 (Bar-

wand); 4-5-1888 (Tank).

- Distribution: W. Himalaya, Punjab, Afghanistan, westwards to the Atlan-

tic.

Uses: Juice used in herpes (Williams).

Euphorbia helioscopicides Blatter in Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc. (1938) 488.

Vernacular name: Chalwar-gotiae, Parparai (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Fields near Datta Khel village, 4,600 ft. (B. & F. 1497 }).

—Boya Fort, bed of Tochi River, 3,550 ft. (B. & F. 92 !)—Miram Shah Fort,

Chasmai River, in cultivation (B. & I. 348 !).—Datta Khel (F. 1245 ! 1388 !).—

Boya, cultivated fields (F. 1174 }).

SW... sararogha (Hs 92) toon tal oay ae

Flowers & Fruit: 21-38-30 (Boya); 24-3-830 (Chasmai River); 25-3-27 (Datta

Khel), 5-4-27 (Boya); 17-4-80 (Datta Khel); 18-5-27 (Sararogha).

Euphorbia Esula LL. Sp. Pl. (1758) 660.

Locahty: N.W,.: Boya (Ee 278. 3))-

Flowers & Fruit: 2-4-27 (Boya).

Distribution: Europe, Central and §. Europe, Orient, Siberia, China.

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 407

Euphorbia sp. affinis EH. Buhsei Boiss. in DC. Prodr. xv, 167.

Involucit lobi flavi.

Locality: N.W.: Near Miram Shah, rocky left bank of Chasmai River

(Big coe 32.1).

Flowers & Fruit: 24-3-80.

Euphorbia sp. (Sect. Hsulae).

Frutex 80 cm, altus, virgatus. Caules angulato-striati. Involucri lobi trun-

cati-fimbriati. Glandulae magnae bicornutae.

Vernacular name: Khajhabali (Waziri).

iocality:.. IN. W.; Maram: Shah Gi. 1390)!).

Flowers & Fruit: 14-4-27.

Euphorbia sp. near EH. Szovitsii FEF. & M. Index Petrop. i, 27.

Locality: S.W.: Jandola (Ff. 4126 !).

Flowers & Fruit: 29-5-27 (Jandola).

AANDRACHNE IL.

15 species.—Tropics and subtropics.

Andrachne telephioides . Sp. Pl. 1014.

Vernacular name: Menboti (Williams); Saebitae (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Razani (Stewart)—Hills EH. of Miram Shah _ Fort,

' 3,600 ft. (B. & FE. 542 !)—Khajuri Post, right bank of Sua Algad, gravel,

2,250 ft. (B. & F. 360 !).—Gravel plain W. of Spinwam, 2,650 ft. (B. & F.

835 !).—E. of Spinwam Fort, nearest sandstone ridge, 2,800 ft. (B. & F. 786 !).

—Near Miram Shah Fort, bed of Chasmai River, gravel and sand, 3,100 ft.

(B. & F. 253 ! 312 !).—W. of Miram Shah Fort, gravel plain, 3,150 ft. (B.

& F. 616 !)—Miram Shah village, clayey bank of irrigation channel, 3,050 ft.

(B. & F. 472 !).—Datta Khel Fort, in garden, 4,600 ft. (B. & F. 1409 !).—

Datta Khel village, 4,600 ft. (B. & F. 1444 !).—H. of Datta Khel Fort, stony

plamA(B.(& 358 1). Dossali Mort, mala. 4,900 ft. (Be & Hh. 1050.) 1060) !):

S.W.: Barwand (Duthie’s Collect. 15640 !).—Wana, open stony plain,

4000 tte (ts) 3466! 35607 7!).--Spim. (#3535 !).=—Sarwekai, 3,930 ft.. (@.

3913 !).—Tenai, 3,200 ft. (F. 4024 !).

Tanks “Near Vank., Shauri all Oi Walhams: . 1):

Flowers & Fruit: 26-3-30 (Khajuri); 29-38-30 (Miram Shah); 4-4-80 (Spin-

wam; 17-4-30 (Datta Khel); 28-4-1895 _(Barwand); 31-5-1891 (Tank); 16-6-27

(Wana). ;

Distribution: Punjab, Salt Range, Afghanistan, westwards to the Atlantic.

PHYLLANTHUS L.

500 species.—Temperate and tropical regions, excluding Europe and N. Asia.

Phyllanthus debilis Herb. Ham. ex Wall. Cat. (1828) sub no. 7892.

Locahtye: | NW IN. of Dossali “Mort. slopes; ot > Picket’ Hill (Bs & FF.

1279 !).—Dossali Fort, 4,900 ft. (B. & F. 1038a !), left bank of Khaisora River,

ASOO) ft. (Ba & GS: 1).

Flowers & Fruit: 10-4-80 (Dossali); 15-4-80 (Dossali).

Distribution: India (N.-W. Provinces, Bihar, Assam, W. Peninsula), tropi-

cal Africa.

Phyllanthus urinaria LL. Sp. Pl. (1753) 982.

Bocahth: NW: Razami, 5,000) tt... 2360).-)).

Flowers & Fruit: 27-4-27 (Razani).

Distribution: Tropics generally.

CHRoZOPHORA Neck.

10 species.—Mediterranean, India, W. Africa.

Chrozophora obliqua A. Juss. ex Spreng. Syst. Veg. in (1826) 850 var. genuina

Prain in Kew Bull. (918) 112.

Locality: S.W.: Sarwekai, 3,980 ft. (F. 8962 !).

Flowers: 7-6-27 (Sarwekai).

408 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Distribution: Mediterranean, Asia Minor, Syria, Mesopotamia, Persia, Tur-

kestan.

Chrozophora hierosolymitana Spreng. Syst. Veg. 11 (1826) 850; Prain in Kew

Bulls (L918) O39:

Locality: Tank (Duthie 7205 ex Prain).

Distribution: N.W. India, N.W. Himalaya, Baluchistan, Afghanistan,

Orient, Asia Minor, Arabia, Egypt.

Ricinus (Tourn.) L.

1 species.—Tropical Africa.

Ricinus communis L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 1007.

Vernacular name: Randanh (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Shewa Post, right bank of Kuram River (B. & F. 926 4).

Distribution: Tropics generally.

ULMACEAE.

130 species.—Tropical and temperate regions.

CeLTIs Tourn.

75 species.—N. hemisphere, 8. Africa.

Celtis australis L. Sp. Pl. (1758) 1043.—C. caucasica Willd. Sp. Pl. iv, 994.

Vernacular name: Nettle tree; Taghar (Pu.); Togonh (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Razani, planted, 5,000 ft. (RH. 2125 ! 2128 | 2131 1).

S.W.: Bungi Wala, about 4,500 ft. (Stewart).—Sararogha, in garden,

4,000 ft. (F. 60 ! 104 ! 2645 !).—Kaniguram, about 8,200 ft. (Stewart).

Flowers: April.

Fruit: April, May.

Distribution: Baluchistan, Kuram Valley, Afghanistan, Salt Range, N.W.

Himalaya up to 8,500 ft., often planted.

Celtis tetrandra Roxb. Hort. Beng. (1814) 21.

Locality: N.W.: Razani (Stewart).

Distribution: Oudh, Nepal, Sikkim up to 5,000 ft., Bihar, Central Pro-

vinces, Orissa, N. Circars, Deccan, W. Ghats, Assam, Chittagong, Burma.

MORACEAE.

800 species.—Tropical and subtropical, a few temperate.

CannaABIS (Tourn.) L.

1 species.—Central Asia.

Cannabis sativa L. Sp. Pl. (1758) 1027.

Locality: Tank: Common weed in gardens N. of Tank, cultivated (Ste-

wart).

Distribution: Wild in Central Asia.

*Morus (Tourn.) L.

12 species.—N. temperate.

* Morus nigra L. Sp. Pl. 1898.

Locality: S.W.: Spin, planted by Kaka Khel tribe (I*. 3847 !).—Tenai,

8,200 ft. (F. 8798 !).—Wana, 4,500 ft. (F. 3599 !).

Distribution: Europe, planted elsewhere.

* Morus alba L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 986; Parker For. Fl. Punj. (1918) 478.

Vernacular name: Mulberry; Teeth (Waziri); Tut.

Locality: N.W.: Boya, planted, 4,000 ft. (F. 1857 ! 1858 !).—Razani,

cultivated, 5,000 ft. .(H. 2177 1 2184.) 2189 -1).=—Miram: Shahs Gs. -& 1. 521).

S.W.: Sararogha, cultivated, 4,000 ft. (F. 128 !).

Tank (J. Williams, 9184 °*).

Flowers: April.

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 409

Fruit: 28-3-80 (Miram Shah).

Distribution: Probably a native of China.—Cultivated in Afghanistan,

Kuram Valley, Baluchistan, Punjab, Kashmir, N.W. Himalaya.

* Morus laevigata Wall. Cat. no. 4649.

Vernacular name: ‘Teeth (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Boya, cultivated, 4,000 ft. (F. 13859 !).—Miram Shah,

cultivated, 3,000 ft. (F. 1068 !).

Flowers: April.

Fruit: April at Miram Shah.

Distribution: Outer Himalaya from Kumaon eastwards, Assam, Khasia

Hills, Upper Burma, Martaban, Tenasserim.

* Morus indica L. Sp. Pl. (1758) 986.

Vernacular name: Tuth (at Boya).

Locality: N.W.: Boya, cultivated, 4,000 ft. (F. 895 !).

S.W.: Sararogha, cultivated, 4,000 ft. (F. 23 !).

Young fruit: 30-3-27 (Boya).

Distribution: Sub-Himalayan tract in dry forests from the Sutlej] eastwards,

up to 5,000 ft. (Brandis).

*Morus serrata Roxb. Hort. Beng. (1814) 103.

Vernacular name: ‘Teeth (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Razani, cultivated, 5,000 ft. (F. 2189 ! 2142 !).

Distribution: Baluchistan, Trans-Indus to Kumaon, chiefly in the inner

ranges.

Eieus, Tourn: ex. Li.

800 species.—Tropics, chiefly E. Indies, Polynesia, etc.

Ficus palmata Forsk. Fl. Aeg.-Arab. (1775) 179.

Vernacular name: Inzar (Waziri); Toga.

Bocahty= N.Wi:i:) Miram: Shah, :swald) 3,000 ft.) G2. 961.) 962\>.1.. 963!

964 !).—Razani, wild, 5,000 ft. (F. 2828 ! 2851 !).—Boya, 4,000 ft. (F. 897 !

1350 ! cultivated).—Datta Khel, in garden, 4,600 ft. (B. & F. 1420 !).—Datta

Khel village (B. & F. 1514 3).

S.W.: Razmak, below Springs, 7,700 ft. (B. & F. 1834 }).

Tank: (J. Wailhams 9228" !):

Distribution: Baluchistan, Eastern slopes of the Suleiman Range, Salt

Range and plains of Punjab, Mt. Abu, Merwara, N.W. Himalaya up to 5,000 ft.,

on the Sutle] to 9,000 ft. eastwards as far as Nepal (Brandis).

* Ficus religiosa Li. Sp. Pl. (1753) 1059.

Vernacular name: Pipal.

Locality: Tank: City of Tank, planted (Stewart).

Distribution: Wild in the Sub-Himalayan forests, Bengal, Central India,

elsewhere cultivated.

* Ficus carica L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 1518.

Locahty: N.W.:% Miram Shak (hy 1069, 1):

Tank @. Wailhams 7211-1):

Distribution: ‘Supposed to be indigenous in Syria and Palestine.

* Ficus glomerata Roxb. Corom. Pl. ii (1798) 13, t. 123.

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah, “planted (B; &. Fs 522 —}).

Distribution: Throughout India, Ceylon.

URTICACEAE,

480 species.—Tropics and temperate.

Urtica . (Tourn.) L.

30 species.—Temperate regions.

Urtica dioica L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 984.

Vernacular name: Sayankai (Afghanistan); Sisinaka, Sezinkae (Waziri)

(=the stinger),

410 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Locality: N.W.: Dariawasti Algad, near Datta Khel (B. & F. 1650 !

1656 !).—Chasmai River, right bank, in silt between grass, 3,100 ft. (B. &

F, 218 !).—Boya Fort, on sandy bank of Tochi River, 3,550 ft. (B. & F. 110 2).

—K. of Datta Khel Fort, stony plain, 4,600 ft. (B. & F. 1344 !).—Below

Dossali Fort, left bank of Khaisora River (B. & F. 1148 ! 1149 ! 1150 !).

S.W.: Pre Ghal (Hay).

Flowers: 28-3-30 (Chasmai River); 19-4-80 (Near Datta Khel).

Fruit: 18-4-80 (Dossal1).

Distribution: N. W. Himalaya, 8,000-12,000 ft., Salt Range, westwards to

the Atlantic.

Urtica pilulifera L. Sp. Pl. 1395.

Vernacular name: Sezankie, Sezinka (Waziri).

Locahty: N.W.: Miram Shah (F. 386 !).

S Wee Razak 1h o22ol ate 228 0a!)

Flowers: 14-4-27 (Miram Shah).

Distribution: Europe, N. Africa, Orient.

Povuzouzia Gaudich.

40 species.—Palaeotropics.

Pouzolzia sp.

Vernacular name: Sezinka, Sezankie (Waziri).

Locality: N:We. Miram Shah? 3,000 "it. (Hh. 7386 7 !):

S.W.: Razmak, 6,500 ft. (FP. 2251 ! 2266 ! 2280 1).

Flowers: April.

PaRIETARIA (Tourn.) L.

7 species.—Temperate and tropics.

Parietaria debilis Forst. f. Prodr. 73; Boiss. Fl. Or. iv (1879) 1150.

Locality: ~N.W.: Maram Shah, 3,000) ft. (Hh. 508° ! <5118:5).

Flowers & Fruit: April.

Distribution: Abyssinia, Afghanistan, Kuram Valley, Baluchistan, Punjab

to Sikkim, China, many temperate and tropical regions, extending to Australia

and Chili.

ForskoHLeEA L.

5 species.—Mediterranean to India.

Forskohlea tenacissima L. Mant. 72.

Locality: S.W.: Palosina, common on cliffs (Stewart).—Jandola, 2,270 ft.

(Ey Aalalioy =):

Tank: Near Tank (J. Williams 7892 !).

Flowers: 16-6-1888 (Tank).

Distribution: Punjab, Sind, Baluchistan, westwards to Arabia and N.

Africa, Spain.

PLATANACEAE.

1 genus.

*PLaTanus (Tourn.) L.

5 species.—N. temperate.

* Platanus orientalis [. Sp. Pl. 999.

Locahtyus NW. MiiramaiSliahe soo O) ith. (Sedan He 4 Ihe

S.W.: Razmak, planted in avenue, 6,500 ft. (F. 1557 ! 1558 }).

Distribution: Indigenous in the eastern Mediterranean region.—Cultivated

in Afghanistan, Kuram Valley, Baluchistan, N.W. Himalaya, Punjab.

JUGLANDACEAE.

40 species.—N. temperate, tropical Asia.

JUGLANS IL.

12 species.—N, hemisphere, Andes,

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 41]

Juglans regia LL. Sp. Pl. (1753) 997.

Vernacular name: Matak (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Razani, cultivated, 5,000 ft. (F. 2081 ! 2012 13013!

3014 1).

S.W.: Ridge of Pre Ghal (Stewart).

Flowers: April, May. oe

Distribution: Indigenous in the Kuram Valley, N.W. Himalaya, Sikkim,

Upper Burma.

BETULACEAE.

105 species.—N. temperate, tropical mountains, Andes, Argentine.

*ALNUS. .(Lournm,)) Tu:

17 species.—N. temperate regions, Andes.

* Alnus nitida Endl. Gen. Pl. Suppl. iv, 1 (1847) 20.

Vernacular name: Alder.

Locality: S.W.: Razmak, planted, 6,500 ft. (F. 1801 ! 1802 ! 1803 !).

Distribution: N.W. Himalaya, extending eastwards to the Jumna up to

9 000% tty, skunawar.. Elazara.

FAGACEAE.

850 species.—Tropical Asia, California, 8. America, New Zealand, §. Australia.

QuERcus (Tourn.) L.

300 species.—N. temperate, Indo-Malaya, Pacific coasts, etc.

Quercus ilex L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 995.

Vernacular name: Holm Oak, Chedai, Sperkai Chedai.

Locality: N.W.: Boya, common (F. 1506 ! 1508 !).—Above Dossali Fort,

bank of ‘Khunai ‘River, 5,150 ft. and upwards (B. & FE. 11438 -! 1145 !).—

Wossaliainemala Ss. ck 1040 tie tl46~ )—sRazani(H. 2078 <1 2135. !

2617) 2ENSes !):

SW Razmak ((E. -38318- iS: Ws of Razmak; hill, 6,950: ft. (B. &

AOS eh a O44 SR or Razak (Eh O84. 3294. I Bode 1.8351 -f 3347-1).

—Pre Ghal (Hay, J. Williams 7927 !).—Near Kaniguram, 6,500-8,200 ft. (Ste-

wart).—Wana (F. 8681 ! 8692 ! 38700 ! 8701 !).

Leaves coming out: 30-4-27 (Razmak).

Flowers: 12-4-30 (Dossali); 27-4-80 (Razmak); 5-5-27 (Razmak).

Uses: Fruit eaten. Wood used as fuel.

Distribution: Kuram Valley, 6,500-9,000 ft., N.W. Himalaya, Afghanistan,

Mediterranean region.

Quercus dilatata Lindl. in Wall. Cat. (1828) no. 2785.

Vernacular name: Holly Oak, Gora chirai, Gada charai (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Razani, common (F. 2969 ! 2999 ! 8001 !).

S.W.: Pre Ghal (Hay, J. Williams 7926 !).—Razmak, below Springs,

C00) to (Be de 1858. 1850) 1. Palacios (SiGe Vir 17489 18386 f 2084 4

2302 ! 2646 ! 3189 ! 3320 1).

Young leaves coming out: 25-4-27 (Razani); 5-5-27 (Razmak).

Flowers: 25-4-30 (Razmak).

Distribution: N.W. Himalaya, 5,000-9,000 ft., Kunawar, Kuram Valley,

7,000-8.500 ft., Afghanistan.

Quercus semeczrpifelia Smith in Rees Cyclop. xxix (1819) no. 20.

Vernacular name: Ghadha, tcherai, Charlanza tcherai.

Locality: S.W.: Pre Ghal (Hay).—Shuidar, 9,000-10,000 ft. (F. 1532 !

1j33d0. 1), wassociated, -with..pimes Ch, 1649 = t sl67Ont diGi1 3! 2546) -1).——T his’ 1s

the oak of the higher regions.

Distribution: Kuram Valley, 9,000-11,000 ft., Himalaya 8,000-10,000. ft.,

EK. Manipur 8,000-10,000 ft., China.

Quercus incana Roxb. Hort. Beng. (1814) 118,

Vernacular name: White Oak,

412 JOURNAL, BOMBAY: NATURAL HIST: SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Locality: N.W.: Loargai Narai, 6,500 ft. (B. & F. 1535a -!).

SoW.:* Shuidar. 9000-10000) it.” (ie alosd 7):

Distribution: Outer N.W. Himalaya to Nepal, 4,000-8,000 ft., Salt Range,

Trans-Indus.

Quercus glauca Thunb. Fl. Jap. (1784) 175.

Locality: N.W.: In the upper regions (Stewart), very likely planted.

Distribution: Valleys of the outer Himalaya up to 6,000 ft., Khasia Hills,

China.

SALICACEAE.

180 species.—N. temperate, tropics and subtropics.

Sauix (Tourn.) L.

160 species.—Cosmopolitan.

Salix acmophylla Boiss. Diagn. ser. 1, vil (1846) 98.

Vernacular name: Vallah, Wollah (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Boya, along fields on bank of Tochi River, 4,000 ft.

(F. 1888 ! 1839 ! 1840 ! 1842 !):—Isha (B. & F. 400 !).—Datta Khel, along

Tochi River, 4,500 ft. (F. 1274 ! 1808 ! 1817 !).—Razani in patch of culti-

vation along stream, 5,000 ft. (F. 2141 !).—Spinwam Fort (B. & F. 480 !).

S.W.: Shuidar. 95000 ft) (Bi lb52 =!)

Flowers: March, 27-3-80 (Spinwam); 30-3-30 (Boya); April.

Distribution: Afghanistan, Kuram Valley, Baluchistan, N. Punjab, Kash-

mi, sub-Himalayan tract east of the Ganges, W. Asia.

Uses: Haten by camels. Wood burnt and coal used in making crackers.

Salix Wallichiana Anders. in Act. Holm. (1850) 447.

Vernacular name: Vallah (Waziri).

Locality: S.W.: Sararogha, along Tank River, 4,000 ft. (F. 17 ! 18 !).

Distribution: Afghanistan, Kuram Valley, 10,000-12,000 ft., Himalaya

2,000-9,000 ft., China.

* Salix babylenica L. Sp. Pl. 1017; Boiss. Fl. Or. v (1884) 1185.

Vernacular name: Weeping Willow, Vallah.

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah, in fields along Tochi River, 3,000 ft. (F.

795 ! 965 !).—Dwa Warkha (Stewart).

S.W.: Razmak, in garden (B. & F.).—Wana, S.E. of Camp, 4,500 ft.

(F. 8577 ! 3586 ! 3610 !).—Wana, in garden along stream (F. 3595 !).—

Jandola, along Tank River, 2,200 ft. (F. 786 !).—Above Palosina, along banks

oi stream (Stewart).

Flowers: June. ;

Distribution: Indigenous in N. China, also very likely in N. Persia and

Kurdistan.

* Salix alba L. Sp. Pl. 1021.

Locality: N.W.: Datta Khel village, 4,600 ft. (B. & F. 1488 !).—Datta

Khel Fort, 4,600 ft. (B. & F. 1365 ! 1366 !).

Fruit: 16-4-30 (Datta Khel Fort); 17-4-30 (Datta Khel village).

Distribution: Europe, Orient, N. Asia. Cultivated in N.W. Himalaya.

Poputus LL.

29 species.—N. temperate.

Populus suaveolens Fisch., Led. Fl. Ross. ii1, 629; Fedtschenko & Fedtschenko

Consp. Fl. Turk. pt. 6 (1916) 332.—P. balsamifera Hook. f. in Fl. Brit. Ind.

v (1888) 688; Brandis Ind. Trees (1911) 640, et aliorum auctorum, non Linn.—

P. balsamifera var. laurifolia Wesm. et var. suaveolens Loud., Rgl. in Act.

Hort. Petrop. vi, 474 et 475.—P. laurifolia Led. Fl. Alt. iv, 297 (excl. syn.

plur.); Led. Fl. Ross. i, 629.

Vernacular name: Balsam Poplar, Chenar.

Locality: N.W.: Datta Khel Fort, 4,600 ft. (B. & F. 1416 }).

S.W.: Wana, planted, said to be introduced from Kabul, 4,500 ft. 8s

3647 1).

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 413

Distribution: Indigenous in Central and N. Asia and, according to some,

in N. America.

Populus euphratica Oliv. Voy. ii (1801) 449, tab. 45, 46.

Locality: S.W.: Above Palosina, along banks of stream (Stewart).

Distribution: Sind, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Punjab, W. Tibet, westwards

to Syria and Hgypt.

Populus nigra L. Sp. Pl. (1758) 1034, var. pyramidalis Spach; Aitchis.

Bot. Afgh. Del. Com. (1888) 111; Burkill Fl. Pl. Baluch. (1909) 72; Brandis

Ind. Trees (1911) 640; Parker For. Fl. Punj. (1918) 511.

Vernacular name: Pyramidal Poplar, Lombardy Poplar.

Locality: S.W.: Between Dargai Post and Sarwekai (F. 3707 ! 3708 !).

Distribution: ‘It isa staminate sport from P. nigra var. typica, originating

in the plains of Lombardy about 1,700-1,720 ft. and now widely spread over

the world by means of cuttings’ (lL. H. Bailey).

‘Hrequently planted in the N.W. Himalaya, particularly in Kashmir, in

Ladak as high as 12,500 ft. Also occasionally in the plains of the Punjab,

and of late years in Baluchistan’ (Brandis).

*Populus alba L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 10384.

Vernacular name: White Poplar; Spedore (Waziri); Sufedor (at Tank).

Locality: N.W.: Dwa Warkha (Stewart).—Razani, cultivated, 5,000 ft.

(I*, 2147 ! 2149 !).—Datta Khel village, 4,600 ft. (B. & F. 1438 !).

S.W.: Dargai Post, planted (F. 4068 ! 4181 !).—Wana, planted, 4,500

ft. (F. 3486 ! 3487 ! 3605 !).—Above Palosina along banks of stream (Stewart).

—Sararogha (F. 119 !).

Tank (J. Williams 9229).

Distribution: N.W. Himalaya, 4,000-10,000 ft., wild and cultivated. Planted

in Baluchistan, Kuram Valley, Punjab, Europe, N. Africa, N. and W. Asia,

China (Brandis).

Uses: Planted for timber.

*Populus tremula L. Sp. Pl. 1464.

Vernacular name: Spolilai (Waziri).

iocahty: NeW...) Maram Shah, 3,150 ft; “(Bi & (F401): ="Datta Khel

village, 4,600 ft. (B. & F. 1436 }).

Distribution: Europe, Orient, Siberia, Dahuria, Japan, N. Africa.

GNETACEAE.

800 species. —Cosmopolitan.

Hpurpra Tourn. ex L.

25 species.—Warm temperate.

Ephedra foliata Boiss. Fl. Or. v (1881) 716.—E. peduncularis Boiss. |.c. 717.

Vernacular name: Khadang-gawa, Gadanga-gawa, Creda, Ghardavangha.

Locality: N.W.: Boya Fort, right bank of Tochi River, 3,550 ft. (B. &

F. 84 !, F. 1112 ! 1465 !), on sandy clay (B. & F. 1684 !).—Miram Shah,

hills EH. of, 3,600 ft. (B. & F. 557 ! 558 ! 993 !).—Near Miram Shah, rocky

bank of Chasmai River (B. & F. 296a !).—Dossali Fort, left bank of Khaisora

River (B. & F. 1166 !).—N. of Dossali Fort, rocky nala, climbing on Quercus

iler (B. & F. 1290 ! 1291 !).—Dossali, right bank of Khunai River, 5,500 ft.

(B. & F. 1189 !).—Spinwam Fort, slope of Chota Darweshta, 3,000-4,800 ft.

(B. & F. 751 !).—Spinwam, nearest hill H. of, 2,900 ft. (B. & F. 802 ! 809 !).

—Shewa Post (B. & F. 917 ! 918 !).

S.W.: Razmak, below Springs, 7,700 ft. (B. & F. 1869 !).—Hill E. of

Razmak Camp, 6,800 ft. (B. & F. 1877 !).—Jandola (F. 2024 ! 4099 !).—

Sarwekai (F. 4045 !).

Flowers: 29-3-80 (Miram Shah); 2-4-80 (Spinwam); 5-4-27 (Boya); 18-4-27

(Miram Shah); 24-4-80 (Boya).

Fruit: 29-5-27 (Jandola).

Distribution: Punjab, Rajputana, Sind, Baluchistan, Afghanistan to Syria.

414 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Ephedra Gerardiana Wall. Cat. (1828) no. 6048.—H. vulgaris Hook. f. in

Kl. (Brite Ind v55640:

Locality: S.W.: N. of Razmak Camp, below Springs, 7,700 ft. (B. &

F. 1806 !).—Slope of Shuidar, 9,000-11,000 ft. (F. 1542 !).—Shuidar, forming

clumps at about 8,000 ft. (F. 1625 }).

Distribution: Temperate and alpine Himalaya 7,000-12,000 ft., Sikkim

12,000-16,000 ft., W. and Central Asia, Europe.

Ephedra nebrodensis Tineo in Guss. Fl. Sic. Syn. ui, 638, var. precera Stapf.

Locality: S.W.: Razmak (Herb. Dehra Dun 473826 1).

Distribution: Mediterranean, N. Asia.

PINACEAE.

About 800 species.—Mostly temperate.

Apigs (Tourn.) L.

Abies Pindrow Spach Hist. Phanerog. xi, 4283; Royle Ill. t. 86; Parker For.

Fl. Punj. (1918) 542; Troup Silvic. Ind. Trees (1921) 11383.—A. Webbiana

Lindley var. Pindrow Brandis For. Fl. (1874) 528; Hook. f. in Fl. Brit. Ind.

v, 655.—Pinus Pindrow Royle Ill. 354, t. 86.

Vernacular name: W. Himalaya low-level silver fir; Almanza (Waziri).

Locality: S.W.: N. of Razmak Camp (F. 1669 ! 2588 1!).—Slope of

Shuidar, 9,000-11,000 ft. (B. & F. 1628 !).

Distribution: Kuram Valley, W. Himalaya from Afghanistan to Nepal

7,500-11,000 ft. and even up to 12,000 ft., Chitral.

Picra Link.

35 species.—N. hemisphere.

Picea Morinda Link in Linnaea xv, 522; Hook. f. in Fl. Bre. .nd. v, 653;

Brandis Ind. Trees (1911) 692; Troup Silvic. Ind. Trees (1921) 1143.—Abies

Snuthiana Forbes Pinet. Woburn. 108, t. 30; Aitchis. F’, Kuram Valley (1880)

98; Brandis For. Fl. (1874) 525.—Picea Smithiana Boiss. Fl. Or. v (1884) 700.

—Pinus Khutrow Royle Ill. 3538, t. 84.—Abies spinulosa Griff. Ic. Pl. As.

t. 368.

Vernacular name: The Himalayan Spruce; farap (Waziri).

Locahty:) S-W.: IN. of Razmak. Camp «(Hh aG63 tia 2on a wei Gs eslione

L786) bl Sie No SS 23re OA Ss OA One 2Or ta? One mmo Ooommas

4183 ! 4201 ! 4453 !).—Slope of Shuidar, 9,000-11,000 ft. (B. & F. 1627 !).

Distribution: Kafiristan, Chitral, Kuram Valley, Himalaya from Kashmir to

Garhwal, 7,000-11,000 ft., Sikkim and Bhutan, 8,000-15,000 ft.

Pinus: (fourm) 1,

70 species.—N. temperate and on mountains in the N. tropical regions.

Pinus excelsa Wall. Pl. As. Rar. t. 201; Griff. Ic. Pl. As. t. 366; Boiss.

Fl Or. iv. 879) 698; Troup ‘Silvic. Ind: Mrees 14.92) 18i5.

Vernacular name: Blue Pine, Nastar (Waziri); Nuhktar in Kuram Valley

(ex Aitchis.).

Locality: S.W.: Pre Ghal (J. Williams 7928 !).—Razmak Camp, plenti-

ful, forming small forests on the hill range N. of Razmak. Associated with

Quercus ilex Ma. (E723) 1 724s 732 Lt? 2384 i plamteds 125360)!

DOO licaleA Ali A Als iat ea) top of Shuidar Peak, 10,980 ft. and on the slopes

of the range. N. of Razmak Camp (F. 2532 ! 4224 !).—Cone picked up in the

Tank River at Jandola, very likely carried down from the higher hills (FP.

4185 !).—Slopes of Shuidar, 9,000 ft. (B. & Fy }).

Distribution: Throughout the temperate regions of the Himalaya, chiefly

6,000-12,500 ft., to Bhutan (not in Central & N.W. Kumaon and Sikkim),

Afghanistan, Kafiristan, Kuram Valley, Baluchistan (Zob and Loralai).

Medical uses: Resin used by local practitioners against impotence. Pre-

pared in milk or honey and then mixed with an equal quantity of sugar, it

is taken for 40 days. | |

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 415

Pinus Gerardiana Wall. in Lamb. Pin. Ed. 3, t. 79; Brandis For. Fl. (1874)

508, t. 67, Ind. Trees 690; Royle Ill. t. 85; Clegh. Pines N.W. Himalaya t. 4;

Ranker Hors Hl) Pune lols); 539:

Vernacular name: Himalayan edible pine, Chilgoza pine; Zangezie, Zan-

guzie (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Cones picked up in the Tochi River at Boya (IF. 4203 1).

Sav. On top) of Shuidar Peak) only a) few trees, 10,980 ft. (Ea 1773!

A SE Ne Ao 2BAT QAG4T i O50 ol 2oi yy 2bh2 0 44497. 1) ——

Plentiful on slopes N. of Razmak Camp (IF. 2495 !).—Slopes of ‘Shuidar, 9,000-

OOO Mii (Bic O26) 1):

Distribution: Afghanistan (Khost, Kafiristan), Baluchistan (Zhob, Takht-

i-Suliman), Kuram Valley (Hariab 7,000-11000 ft.), from Chitral to the Niti

Pass in Garhwal chiefly between 6,000-10,000 ft.

Uses: Nuts eaten as is done everywhere where the pine occurs, seeds sold

in Bannu.

*Pinus longifolia Roxb. Fl. Ind. ii (1832) 651; Royle Il. t. 85.

Vernacular name: Chir Pine.

Koculigs (NoWa:. Miram Shah; oarden, 3,150. ft. (By & Bi i385 (4).

S.W.: Above Anai Gorge in bed of stream, cultivated (Stewart).

Distribution: Afghanistan, along the Himalaya and Siwalik Hills to Bhutan,

1,500-8,000 ft. (Parker). .

CuPpREssus Tourn. ex IL.

12 species.—Mediterranean, Asia, N. America.

*Cupressus sp.—T'oo incomplete for determination.

ocak SW.) damdolan Gh lola th 1526. ip):

Tavsa LL.

6 species.—China, Japan, N. America.

*Thuja orientalis L. Sp. Pl. 1002.—Oriental Arbor-vitae.

Bocaty NeW 2 Maram) Shah ~ (Hs) 23861, 9364 )s).) «Planted.

Fruit: March, young fruits and fruits of the previous year.

Distribution: China, Japan.

Crprus (Tourn.) Mill.

3 species.—Algeria to Himalaya.

Cedrus Deodara Loud. Arb. Brit. iv, 2428, f. 2283-2286; Boiss. Fl. Or. iv

(1879) 699.—C. Libani var. Deodara Hook. f. Himalay. Journ. i, 257.—Pinus

Weodara “Roxb. Bl ind. 11,7 651:

Vernacular name: Himalayan Cedar, Deodar; Almanzha (Waziri).

Locality: S.W.: Shawal, N. of Razmak Camp (F. 4166 ! 4167 ! 4168 !

A169 A ATO Ys ATA OY AON) ADA iN).

Distribution: Afghanistan, Chitral, Kuram Valley, 7,500-10,000 ft., N.W.

Himalaya, 4,000-10,000 ft. as far east as Alaknanda, sometimes up to 12,000 ft.

MONOCOTY LEDONEAE.

ORCHIDACEAE.

7,500 species.—Cosmopolitan, abundant in tropical, rare in arctic regions.

Kunopuia R. Br.

200 species.—Warm regions of the Old World.

Eulophia campestris Wall. Cat. 7617.

Locality: SiW.: Wana, 4,500 ft. (Duthie’s Collect. 15776: !):

Flowers & Fruit: 11-5-1895 (Wana).

Distribution: Plains of India, Sikkim, Afghanistan,

416 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL Hist. SOCTEIN, Vole DOOCyVay

CEPHALANTHERA Rich.

10 species.—N. temperate regions.

Caphalanthera ensifolia Rich. Orchid. Annot. 29.

Locality: S.W.: Kaniguram village (Stewart).—Razmak (F. 3133 ! 3138 !

3159 ! 3256 !).

Flowers: 5-5-27 (Razmak).

Distribution: Temperate Himalaya, 6,000-12,000 ft., from Kashmir to

Bhutan, Afghanistan to N. Africa, Europe, W. Siberia.

Hpipactis Adans.

10 species.—N. temperate regions.

Epipactis Royleana Lindl. in Roy. Ill. 868.—EH. gigantea Dougl. in Hook.

EEO Bor. Amer. 11202, 127202)

Locality: Waziristan (Duthie in Orchids of N. W. Himalaya, p. 162).

Distribution: Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Sikkim 7,000-12,000

ft., N. America.

IRIDACEAE.

800 species.—Tropical and temperate regions; the chief centres of distribu-

tion 8. Africa and tropical America.

Imis)< Lourn, ex. 1.

200 species.—N. temperate.

Iris Sisyrinchium L. Sp. Pl. (17538) 59.

Vernacular name: Khikhai, Dilai, Dilae (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Datta Khel, 4,600 ft. (Dundas 72 !, F. 1248 !).—Boya,

on clay, 3,500 ft. (B. & Fo 1686!) R109!) alongs) water wchanmels (i:

10394). in cullavation (Ey 113629 162s 64s 1) Maram bata Ci geo e

B. & F. 30 ! 474 !).—Right bank of Chasmai River, in field, 3,120 ft. (B.

& F. 296 }).

Flowers: 19-83-80 (Miram Shah); 20-3-30 (Datta Khel); 25-38-27 (Datta Khel);

28-3-27 (Boya); 28-38-30 (Miram Shah); 5-4-27 (Boya); 16-4-27 (Miram Shah);

21-4-80 (Boya).

Fruit: 28-83-27 (Boya); 16-4-27 (Miram Shah); 21-4-30 (Boya).

Distribution: Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Orient, Mediterranean, N. Africa.

Iris Stocksii Boiss. Fl. Or. v, 128.

Locality: N.W.: Datta Khel, stony ground (F. 1183 ! 1188 !).—Bed of

Khunai River, near Dossali, 5,050 ft. (B. & F. 1089 ! 1181 !).—Razani (@.

2044 1).

S.W.: Slopes of Shuidar, 7,000-9,000 ft. (F. 1586 !).

Flowers: 24-3-27 (Datta Khel).

Fruit: 18-4-80 (Dossali); 18-4-80 (Shuidar); 20-4-27 (Razani).

Distribution: Baluchistan, Kuram Valley, Afghanistan.

Iris ensata Thunb. in Trans. Linn. Soc. ui, 328.

Locality: NE Wa Boyan (be idan he 1).

Distribution: W. Himalaya, 5,000-9,000 ft., temperate Asia.

*Iris pumila L. Sp. Pl. 38.

Locahty: SW... inazmak. jim arden (bd) 1G. a)).

Distribution: Kurope, N. Asia.

AMARYLLIDACEAE.

1,050 species.—Usually tropical or subtropical.

Crinum L.

70 species.—Tropical and subtropical regions.

*Crinum Powellii Hort.=C. Moorii Hook. f. x C. longifolium Thunb.

Locality: S.W.: Razmak, planted (B. & FF: 4).

Distribution: Parents of Africa,

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 417

Ix1oLIRION Fisch.

2 species—W. Asia.

Ixiolirion tataricum Schult. f. Syst. vii, 752.—Amaryllis tatarica Pall. Reise

i (1776) 727.—1. Palasu Fisch. & Mey. ex. Led. Fl. Ross. iv (1842-1852) 116.—

I. montanum Kunth Enum. Pl. v (1850) 817.—I. Ledebourt Fisch. & Mey. in

Bong & Mey. Suppl. Fl. Alt. no. 293.—I. montanum Herb. Amar. (1837) 125,

iby PAU alg. Be

| We have united J. montanum and I. Pallasii under the much older specific

name tatarica. ‘The differences between the two species mentioned by Boissier

are very variable. As to the anthers Gilat Smith and Turril mention a speci-

men from Persia with the anthers 6 mm. long and another measuring 3.5-4 mm.

[Kew Bull. (1980) 487].

Locality: N.W.: Near Miram Shah village, in a wheat field (B. & F.

ONS Cogs |).

S.W.: Razmak, gravel-plain, 6,800 ft. (B. & F. 1707 ! 1708 !).—N. of

Razmak, on way to Springs, on gravel, 6,700-7,300 ft. (B. & F. 1768 ! 1805 !,

F. 1624 !).—Very rare.

Flowers: 28-38-30 (Miram Shah); 24-4-30 (Razmak); 25-4-80 (Razmak);

8-5-27 (Razmak).

Young fruits: 24-4-80 (Razmak).

Distribution: Baluchistan, Kuram Valley, Afghanistan, Persia to Asia

Minor, Soongaria, Siberia.

Narcissus (Tourn.) L.

40 species.—Europe, Mediterranean, Asia.

*Narcissus peticus L. Sp. Pl. 289.

Vernacular name: Poet’s Narcissus, Pheasant’s Hye.

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah, garden, 3,150 ft., doing well (B. & F.

24 1).

Flowers: 19-38-30 (Miram Shah).

Distribution: Mediterranean region.

LILIACEAE.

2,700 species.—Cosmopolitan.

Asparacus L.

120 species.—Hurope, temperate and tropical Asia and Africa.

Asparagus gracilis Royle Ill. i, 398.

Locality: S.W.: Sarwekai (F. 4006 !).

Distribution: Punjab, Baluchistan.

Asparagus capitatus Baker in Journ. Linn. Soc. xiv, 607.

Vernacular name: Gadavanga (Mashudi).

Hocanty. N.W.: Miram Shah) (i; 1383. 113899) !).

S.W.: Sarwekai (I. 3902 !).—Sarwekai to Dargai (F. 3706 ! 3709 !).

—Wana (F. 3892 !).

Tank: Near Tank (J. Williams 7212 ! 7919 ! 9189 ! 9190 3).

Flowers: 22-6-27 (Sarwekai).

Fruit: 2-7-1888 (Tank).

Distribution: Foot of W. Himalaya, 1,000-3,000 ft., Nilgiris.

Asparagus dumosus Baker in Journ. Linn. Soc. xiv, 609.

Vernacular name: Bzachoa, Gadhavanga (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Datta Khel, open. stony plain (#. 1295 !).—Boya (F.

1462 !).—Chasmai River, rocky bank (B. & F. 862a !).—W. of Spinwam Fort,

gravel, 2,650 ft. (B. & F. 862 }).

Distribution: Sind, Baluchistan.

Uses: Eaten by camels and goats.

Asparagus racemosus Willd. Sp. Pl. u, 152.

Vernacular name: Gadavanga, Gadangava.

Locality; N.W.: Datta Khel (F.-1818 !).—Miram Shah (F. 1449 . !).—

N. of Spinwam Fort on disintegrating limestone hill, 2,650 ft. (B. & F. 819 !).

dig JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol: XxXvii

—W. of Spinwam, on hill, 2,650 ft. (B. & F. 449 !).—On slope of Chota Dar-

weshta, 3,000-4,800 ft. (B. & F. 75la !).—N. of Dossali Fort, stony plain,

4.900 ft. (@B. & F. 991 -!).—-2 miles “N- of Dossalu, Port; (5 150 it. (Be ice

1188 !).—Razani (Ff. 2878 !).

SV oararogina (i aA la le Mo) ale

Distribution: Tropical and subtropical India and Ceylon, Himalaya up te

4,000 ft., Baluchistan, tropical Africa, Java, Australia.

Asparagus ascendens Roxb. Fl. Ind. in (1882) 153.

Locality: « NJWes) Ee ot Miram Shah Wort,“ hl (By Ge 56b5 4)

S.W.: N. of Razmak towards Springs, 6,700-7,300 ft. (B. & F. 1758 !).

—Jandola, open stony ground and nalas (IF. 671 !).—Along Tank River (F.

(OLIN)

Flowers: 26-5-27 (Jandola).

Fruit: 24-5-27 (Jandola).

Distribution: Rohilkhand, W. Himalaya, Punjab, Afghanistan.

Asparagus trichophyllus Bunge Enum. Chin. bor. 65.

Vernacular name: Gadawanya (at Razami); Gadangava (at Sararogha).

Locality: N.W.: Datta Khel village, 4,700 ft. (B. & F. 1487 !)._N. of

Boya Fort towards Tochi River, 3,550 ft. (B. & F. 89 !).—Shewa Post, bed of

Volam River (B. & F. 908 !).—N. of Dossali Fort, in nala, 4,900 ft. (B. &

He 12660!) Razani «(hee 2056.

SiW.: Sararogha, Ch. d78i a):

Distribution: Afghanistan, Armenia, 8.H. Russia, Soongaria, Turkestan,

N. China.

Asparagus monophyllus Baker in Journ. Linn. Soc. xiv, 604.

Vernacular name: Gadanggoa (Waziri).

Locahty = UNoW..:. Maram Shah {He 96oe te o8600)):

Distribution: Baluchistan.

Asparagus verticillatus LL. Sp. Pl. 450; Boiss. Fl. Or. v, 3889.

Locality: N.W.: Miram. Shah -Gis<-288)9 1)

Distribution: Persia, Orient, S. Hurope, W. Russia.

Asparagus scaber Brign. Fasc. Horojulei 192: Boiss, Hie Ors v.50:

Locality: S.W.: Jandola, open stony ground and nalas (F. 6387 }).

Distribution: Caucasus, Mediterranean, Siberia.

Asparagus ? acutifolius L. Sp. Pl. 449; Boiss. Fl. Or. v, 387.

Locality: S.W:: Jandola, along Tank River (F. 722 1).

Distribution: Mediterranean.

HKREMURUS Bieb.

20 species.—Alpine W. and Central Asia.

Eremurus persicus Boiss. Diagn. ser. 1, vu, 119; Fl. Or. v, 327.

Vernacular name: Khezi (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Near Dossali Fort, highest point of Picket no. 1 (B.

ge cliben AMAA {0s

Flowers: 11-4-80 (Dossali).

Distribution: Baluchistan, Persia.

Eremurus Aitchisoni Baker in Journ. Linn. Soc. xvui, 102.

Vernacular name: Pioz (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: W. of Spinwam Fort, on slope of Chota Darweshta (B.

val aha | Testes DY»

Distribution: Kuram Valley.

Auuium (Tourn.) L.

325 species.—N. hemisphere.

Allium Schenoprasum L. Sp. Pl. 482.—A. sibiricum Linn. Mant. 562.

Vernacular name: Yovrai (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: In bed of Khunai River below Razani, 5,050 ft. (B.

& F. 1182 !).—Bed of Khunai River above Dossali, 5,000 ft. (B. & F. 1132 1).

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 419

S.W.: Im gravel on way to Springs N. of Razmak, 6,750-7,300 ft. (B.

Copel OE ol)

Flowers & Fruit: 12-4-30 (Razani, Khunai River); 25-4-80 (Razmak).

Distribution: Baluchistan, Orient.

Uses: Bulb eaten.

Allium rubellum M. Bieb. FI. Taur. Cauc. 1, 264.—A. leptophyllum Wall.

Cat. 5073A.

Vernacular name: Garanai Pioz (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Datta Khel Fort, on gravel plain, 4,600 ft. (B. & F.

612 !). ;

S.W.: Pre Ghal (Hay).—Near Palosina (Stewart).

Flowers: September 1860 (Palosina, Pre Ghal).

Distribution: W. Himalaya, from Kashmir to Kumaon, 1,500-8,000 ft.,

Punjab. Westwards to the Ural, and in Siberia.

Allium rubellum M. Bieb. var. grandiflora Boiss. FI. Or. v., 253.—A. Griffi-

thianum Boiss. Diagn. ser. 2, iv, 117.—A. vulcanicum Boiss. in Pl. Kotsch.

Pers. Bot. No. 49.

Vernacular name: Spai khukh (Williams); Pioziki, Piozgai (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Bed of Sua Algad near Khajuri Post, in gravel and

sand, 2,250 ft. (B. & F. 873 !).—Khajuri, bed of Tochi River, in sand (B. &

F. 412 !).—S. of Miram Shah, gravel plain, 3,150 ft. (B. & F. 481 !), in

cultivation (Ff. 885 !).

S.W.: (J. Wilhams 9188 !).—Razmak (F. 3038 =).

Tank (J. Willams !).

Flowers & Fruit: 26-38-30 (Khajuri); 28-83-80 (Miram Shah); 14-4-27 (Miram

Shah); 1-5-1891 (Tank); 2-5-27 (Razmak); 20-6-1888 (S.W.).

Distribution of var.: Kashmir, 5,000-7,000 ft., Baluchistan, Afghanistan,

westwards to Persia.

Allium umbilicatum Boiss. Diagn. ser. 2, iv, 1138; FI. Or. v, 251.

Locality: N.W.: Near Datta Khel village, 4,600 ft. (B. & F. 1516 1).

Flowers with bulbils: 17-4-80 (Datta Khel).

Distribution: Baluchistan, Kuram Valley.

Allium cupani Raf. Car. (1818) 86; Boiss. Fl. Or. v, 265.

iocahiy No Wis: Woargay Narai, 6,600. ft. (B, & BF. 1311 —)).

S.W.: N. of Razmak, towards Springs, on gravel, 6,700-7,300 ft. (B.

eee OIE!)

Flowers: 16-4-30 (Loargai Narai); 25-4-30 (Razmak).

Distribution: §. Europe, Mediterranean.

Allium djimilense Boiss. Fl. Or. v, 265.

: Locality: N.W.: N. of Dossali Fort, on stony plain, 4,900 ft. (B. &

oleae) 2

Flowers: 10-4-30.

Distribution: Pontus.

Allium cassium Boiss. Diagn. ser. 1, xi, 28.

Locality: N.W.: W. of Spinwam, slopes of Chota Darweshta, 2,750-8,000

fGen (a. Ga Ee wi OA yt)

Flowers: 2-4-3830 (Spinwam).

Distribution: Syria, Cilicia.

Allium moschatum L. Sp. Pl. 427.

Vernacular name: Spipekh, Spikikh (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Near Miram Shah, right bank of Chasmai River, on

sandy clay, 3,100 ft. (B. & F. 286 !).—lLoargai Narai, in a tuft of grass,

6,600uth (Bs .&: B391322)..!):

Distribution: Persia, Caucasus, 8. Hurope.

FRITILLARIA L.

50 species.—N. temperate regions.

Fritillacia imperialis L. Sp. Pl. 308.

Sometimes the bracts are broadly lanceolate. The flowers are generally

shorter than described.

190. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST: (SOChHINE Vol, SOCC/ i

Locality: S.W.: Shuidar, 7,000-9,000 ft. (Ff. 1462 ! 1604 ! 1606 !).

Flowers: 18-4-80 (Shuidar).

Distribution: W. Himalaya, 7,000-9,000 ft., Afghanistan, Persia, Kurdistan.

Fritillaria imperialis L. forma uniflora Blatter.

Locahty: S/W: shuidar, 7000-9000 tt. (Eh. 1605 — Ir

Flowers: 18-4-80 (Shuidar).

Tuurpa L.

50 species.—N. temperate regions of the Old World, especially on the steppes

of Central Asia.

Tulipa chrysantha Boiss. in Kotsch. Pl. Pers. Bor. Exsicc. 1846, no. 17;

Fl Ore, os:

Vernacular name: Sundai (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Near Miram Shah village, in wheat field together with

Ins) (Bir & Es 529") Datta “khel’ (Ee. 1 nO atlas ati) ss varzeaumnan ible

1190 ! 2886 ! 2927 ! 29382 ! 2985 ! 2937 !).—Chota Darweshta, on stony slope,

2,750 ft. (B. & F. 722 !).—Boya, on stony slope 8. of Boya Post (I. 558 !).

S:W.: N: of dkazmal, near, Sprnes,, 7 1000 it (B. teu S04)

Razmak (7 (2020 182027, at -sl20) =):

Flowers: 24-3-27 (Datta Khel); 28-38-80 (Miram Shah); 8-4-27 (Boya); 14-4-30

(Razmak); 19-4-27 (Razani); 25-4-30 (Razmak); 30-4-27 (Razmak); 8-5-27 (Raz-

mak).

Distribution: Punjab, Salt Range, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Turkestan,

Persia, Central Asia.

Tulipa montana Lindl. Bot. Reg. t. 1106.

Vernacular name: Shundai (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Dossali, in nala and on slope leading to Picket Hill

(B.°& F. 1278 !).

Old fruit of previous year: 15-4-80 (Dossali).

Distribution: Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Persia, Mesopotamia, Syria,

Palestine.

Tulipa Fernandezii* Blatter sp. nov. [Liliacea. Refert T. porphyreo-chrysan-

tham Biatter, sed distinguitur caule duplo maiore, 24 cm. attingente, pedunculo

rubro, foliis pedunculo semper multo brevioribus, omnibus acuminatis, inferiori-

bus lanceolatis, superioribus linearibus, phyllis perigonii eaternis oblongo-acutis

vel oblongo-apiculatis (non acuminatis), internis oblongo-obtusis (non obovatis),

omnibus ad 19 mm. longis, ca. 7 mm. latis, staminibus 8 mm. longis , dimidium

perigonu attingentibus, filamentis quam antherae brevioribus. |

Bulbus ovatus, 12xX8 mm., rufo-brunneus, intus rufescenti-villosus. Caulis

cum pedunculo usque ad 24 cm. altus, erectus, glaber. Folia 4, pedunculo

semper multo breviora, omnia acuminata, erecta, inferiora lanceolata, ad 12 cm.

longa, 9 mm. lata, superiora lanceolato-linearia, omnia margine anguste carti-

laginea, subundulata. Pedunculus ruber. Phylla perigonii ad 19 mm. longa,

ca. 7 mm. lata, externa quidem oblongo-acuta vel oblongo-apiculata (non acumi-

nata), intus flava, extus rubra, interna oblongo-obtusa (non obovata) utrimque

flava. Stamina 8 mm. longa, dimidium perigonti attingentia; filamenta an-

theris aliquantulum breviora. Capsula oblongo-cylindrica, angustior versus

apicem.

Bulb ovate, 12x8 mm., dark brown, inside near the top rufescent-villous.

Stem, including the peduncle up to 24 cm. high, erect, glabrous. Leaves 4,

always much shorter than the peduncle, all acuminate, erect, more or legs

strict, the lower ones lanceolate, up to 12 em. long, 9 mm. broad, the upper

ones lanceolate-linear, all with a narrowly cartilaginous margin, subundulate.

Peduncle red. Perigone-leaves up to 19 mm. long, ca. 7 mm. broad, the outer

ones oblong-acute or oblong-apiculate (not acuminate), inside yellow, outside

red, the inner ones oblong-obtuse (not obovate), yellow on both sides. Stamens

8 mm. long, reaching half-way up the perigone; filaments slightly shorter than

the anther. Young capsule oblong-cylindric, getting thinner towards apex.

* After Mr. Joseph Fernandez who, on several occasions, made valuable

collections in Waziristan.

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 421

Vernacular name: Sundai, Shandi gul (Waziri). i

Locality: N.W.: Hillside near Anghm village (Lit. Meynell 99la ! 999 !).

S.W.: On slope of Shuidar, 9,000-11,000 ft. (f. 1526 ! 1526a !).

Flowers & young fruit: 18-4-30. The snow had just disappeared from the

locality.

Tulipa porphyreo-chrysantha Blatter sp. nov. [Liliacea, persimilis Tulipae

chrysanthae Boiss. sed distinguitur statura minore, folus erectis variantibus,

4-5, phyllis perigoni eaterioribus intus aureis, extus purpureis, interioribus

aureis, absentia ad basim macularum brunnearum, staminibus longioribus peri-

gonium dinudium attingentibus. |

Caulis cum pedunculo gracilis, ad 18 cm. altus, glaber. Folia 4-5, glauca,

distantia, elongata, latitudine variantia erecta, lanceolata, lanceolato-linearia,

lineari-acuminata, latiora undulata et margine cartilaginea, breviora vel longiora

pedunculo. Flos mediocris unicus ad 27 mm. longus, erectus, campanulatus ;

phylla exteriora aurea intus, purpurea extus, oblongo-ellipsoidea, acuta vel

breviter acuminata, interiora aurea, anguste obovata, obtusa. Stamina peri-

gonio duplo breviora, 13 mm. longa, aurea filamenta aliquantulum antheris

longiora vel us aequilonga, glaberrima. Bulbum et fructum non vidi.

Stem, including peduncle, up to 13 cm. high, glabrous. Leaves 4-5, glaucous,

distant, elongate, varying in breadth, erect, lanceolate, lanceolate-linear, linear-

acuminate, the broadest ones undulate with a cartilaginous margin, shorter or

longer than the peduncle. Flower medium-size, 1, up to 27 mm. long, erect,

campanulate; outer perigone-leaves golden-yellow inside, purple outside, oblong-

ellipsoid, acute or shortly acuminate, inner ones golden-yellow, narrowly obovate,

obtuse. Stamens reaching half-way up the perigone, 13 mm. long; filaments

yellow, slightly longer than the anthers, glabrous. Bulb and fruit not seen.

Vernacular name: Shandi gul (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Hillside near Anghm village (Lt. Meynell 999 ! type,

999a ! cotype).

Flowers: April 1930.

Gaara Salish. -

30 species.—N. temperate regions of Old World.

Gagea reticulata Schult. f. Syst. vi, 542.

Locality: N.W.: N. of Dossali Fort, in stony nala, 4,900 ft. (B. & F.

IAS DAS eis

SW Not Razmak, cravel plain, 6,750: {t. (B. & E..49 !).

Fruit: 15-4-80 (Dossali).

Distribution: Afghanistan, Orient, S. Europe, N. Africa, Turkomania, Tur-

cestan.

uaece reticulata) Schult. f. Syst. vii, 542 var. tenuifolia Boiss. Fl. Or.

V5 A

ocwhitys NW. Halls) 1.7 of Miram Shah, 3.600) ft.) (Be & 8. 577 1).

Spinwam, disintegrating limestone hill, 2,650 ft. (B. & F. 818 !).—Shewa

Post, right bank of Kuram River (B. & F. 953 !).—E. of Miram Shah, gravel

plain, 3,150 ft. (B. & F. 162 !).—N. of Dossali (B. & F. 1047 ).

S.W.: N. of Razmak, towards Springs, on gravel, 6,700-7,300 ft. (B.

& F. 1782 !).—S.W. of Razmak on hill, 6,900 ft. (B. & F. 1944 }).

Flowers: 4-4-8380 (Spinwam); 10-4-80 (Dossali).

Flowers & Fruit: 22-3-30 (EB. of Miram Shah); 29-83-80 (EF. of Miram

Shah); 25-4-30 (Razmak).

Distribution of var.: Persia to Higypt.

Gagea lutea Schult. f. Syst. vii, 538.

Locality: S.W.: Razmak, on gravel and sand, 6,750 ft. (B. & F. 48 !).

Flowers: 20-38-80 (Razmak).

Distribution: W. Himalaya, westwards to the Atlantic, N. Asia.

Giagea persica Boiss. Diagn. ser. 1, vii (1846) 108 var. ebulbillosa Boiss.

ENO) ice vee OO?

Locality: S.W.: Razmak (B. & F. }).

Distribution of var.: Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Persia.

422 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST.- SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

CoLcHicum L.

45 species.—Hurope, W. Asia, N. Africa.

Colchicum luteum Baker in Gard. Chron. (1874) 383.

Locality: N.W.: W. of Miram Shah, moist firm sand in old river-bed,

3, LOOM its (CB. Ed: i):

S.W.: N. of Razmak towards Springs, on open stony ground, 6,700-

7,000) ft. (Be Geb. AVS ar lots ele

Fruit: 19-83-80 (Miram Shah); 25-4-80 (Razmak); 10-5-27 (Razmak).

Distribution: W. temperate Himalaya, 4,000-7,000 ft., Afghanistan, Tur-

kestan.

M&RENDERA Ram.

10 species.—Mediterranean, Abyssinia, Afghanistan.

Merendera persica Boiss. & Kotsch. Diagn. xii, 37; Fl. Or. v, 169.

Locality: S.W.: Wana, 4,500 ft. (Duthie’s Collect. 15662 !).—Razmak,

6,500 ft. (D. G. Towndes Ff. 3 «!).

Flowers: 4-5-1895 (Wana).

Distribution: Punjab, Salt Range, Afghanistan, Persia.

JUNCACEAE.

300 species.—In damp and cold places, temperate and arctic regions, tropical

mountains.

JUNCUS.

225 species.—Cosmopolitan.

Juncus glaucus Ehrh. Beitr. vi, 83.

Locality: S.W.: Near Kaniguram (Stewart)—Wana (Duthie’s Collect.

15668 !).

Distribution: W. Himalaya, 6,000-9,000 ft., from Kashmir to Nepal, Nil-

giris, Ceylon, N. Asia, N. Africa, Europe.

Juncus lampocarpus Ehrh. Calam. no. 126.—J. articulatus L. Sp. Pl. 1, 327.

Locality: S.W.: Near Kaniguram (Stewart).

Distribution: N.W. India, W. Himalaya, 7,000-14,000 ft., N. temperate

regions.

PALMAE.

1,500 species.—T'ropical and subtropical regions.

*PHorEnix. L.

12 species. —Warm Africa, Asia.

«Phoenix dactylifera L. Hort. Cliff. 482.

Vernacular name: Edible Date Palm; Khajura (Waziri); Shewa (Pu.).

Locality: N.W.: Miram Shah, Cultivated CH 801 oI:

S.W.: Zam Valley above Khirgi, rare (Stewart).

Tank (Stewart).

Distribution: N. Africa, 8.W. Asia, India.

NannorHors H. Wendl.

1 species—N.W. India, Persia. -

Nannorhops Ritchieana H. Wendl. in Bot. Zeit. (1879) 148.—Chamaerops

Ritchieana Griff. in Cale. Journ. Nat. Hist. v, 342...

Vernacular name: Mazrai (Waziri); Maizurrye (Pu.); Pish, Mazari, Dhora

(Baluch.). CU Aat aN Tos

Locality: N.W.: Boya (F. 423 ! 1464--! 1520 !).—Miram Shah (I. 489 !

1497 !).—Razani (F. 3015 !, Stewart).

S.W.: Sararogha (F, 177 ! 620 !)--Tenai Post-(F: 4015 ! 4017 !).—

Wana (I. 3414 !).—Between Sarwekai and-- Dargai Post on mountain (I.

THE FLORA OF WAZIRISTAN 13)

3450 !).—Sarwekai (F. 8982 !).—On hills N.- of Anai Gorge,- abundant -(Ste-

wart). ;

Flowers: June 1927.

' Uses: Used for making ropes, sandals and mats. ~

Distribution: Sind, Baluchistan, Waziristan, Punjab, Afghanistan.

TYPHACEAE.

TypHa L.

12 species.—Temperate and tropical regions, in marshes.

Typha angustata Chaub. & Bory Exped. cient Moorée Bot. 338.

Vernacular name: Rukh (Pu.); Dilla (Waziri). oe

Locality: N.W.: Razani, in swamp (F. 2181 !).—Dwa Warkha (Stewart).

Sie Jandola, along bank of Tank» River (Ff. 763 !).—Sarwekai (I.

3907 !).—Tenai Post, along stream, on way to ‘Spin (F. 4086 !).—Dargai

Post, in marsh (F. 3738 Ne ~_Wana, along river and in swamp~(F. 3598).

Tonk: In rayine S. of Tank (Stewart).

Flowers: 25-5-27 (Jandola); .22-6-27 (Dargai Post).

Distribution: N. India from Kashmir to Manipur and southwards to Sind

and Coromandel, N. Asia, N. Africa, S. Hurope. —

Uses: Leaves used for thatch at Tank and other places (Stewart).

ARACEAE.

1,000 species.—Tropical and temperate regions.

PAISHTA: i.

1 species.—Tropical and subtropical regions.

Pistia Stratiotes L. Sp. Pl. (1758) 963; Roxb. Corom. Pl “tity 68, 4. 269),

PL hnd mies bors Mb Or. ov 45 ie ea

Locality: 8. Wi: Razmak, 6,300 ft. (E.- 1653. I. 1655 1.1658. 12028 Ne

Distribution: All the warm regions of the earth. ¢ :

Flowers: April.

prea Mart.

105 species.—Asia, Abyssinia, N. America.

Arisaema flayum Schott. Prodr. (1860) 40.—Arum flavum Forsk. Fl. Aeg.-

Arab. (1775), p. exx, no. 525, 157.—Eruit scarlet.; .

Locality: S.W.: Razmak, at” base of small bushes, plentiful, 6,500. ft.

(Capt. Lowndes 8 }). ee Siege

Flowers & Fruit: July 19382.

Distribution: Subtropical W. Eimaleya. Simla, Garhwal, - Afghanistan,

Kuram Valley, Arabia, Abyssinia, “Eritrea. Dae ers

LEMNACEAE.

18 species.—Free-swimming perennial water-plants.

Lemna IL.

6 species.—Cosmopolitan.

Lemna minor L. Sp. Pl. 976.

Locality: N.W.: Boya, in Tochi River (F. 525 1).

Distribution: Cosmopolitan in temperate and tropical regions.

ALISMACEAE.

75 species.—Cosmopolitan.

AuisMA IL.

1 species.—N. temperate regions, Australia.

Alisma plantago L. Sp. Pl. (1758) 342. _

Locality: “8.W.: Kaniguram (Stewart)—N. of Razmak, below Springs

424 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

7,700 ft. (B. & F. 1856 !).—Wana Plain, along stream (F. 3400 ! 3412 !).—

E. of Wana Fort, in marsh (F. 3402 1).

Flowers: 18-6-27 (Wana).

Distribution: Lower Himalaya, 1,000-7,000 ft., from Kashmir to - Manipur

and Burma, N. and 8S. temperate regions.

SAGITTARIA Rupp. ex L. —

33 species.—Temperate and tropical regions.

Sagittaria sagittifolia L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 998.

Locality: S.W.: Wana Plain, marsh (F. 3455 ).

Distribution: India, Afghanistan, Mesopotamia, Europe, N. Asia, N.

America.

POTAMOGETONACEAE.

120 species. —Cosmopolitan.

PotamMoceEton (Tourn.) L.

90 species.—Cosmopolitan.

Potamogeton indicus Roxb. Fl. Ind. 1 (1882) 452.

Locality: S.W.: Jandola, bed of Tank River (F. 749 !).—Wana, marsh

(FF. 3522 ! 38565 !).

Flowers & Fruit: 25-5-27 (Jandola).

Distribution: Throughout the plains of India, Ceylon, Malay and Sandwich

Islands.

Ruppia Li.

1 species.—Temperate and subtropical regions.

Ruppia maritima L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 127.

Locality: N.W.: Boya, Tochi River (F. 524 !)—Muiram Shah (I. 350 !).

Fruit: 7-4-27 (Boya).

Distribution: Europe, N. Africa, tropical Asia, N. America.

ZANICHELLIA Mich. ex L.

1 species.—Cosmopolitan.

Zanichellia palustris L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 669.

Vernacular name: Shan shabae (Waziri).

Locality: N.W.: Boya, Tochi River (F. 1419 ! 1421 !).—Miram Shah

village, in a pond, 3,150 ft. (B. & F. 512 !).—Near Chasmai River, in muddy

pool, 3,150 ft. (B. & F. 331 }).

Flowers & Fruit: 24-83-80 (Chasmai River); 27-3-27 (Boya).

Distribution: Cosmopolitan, except Australia.

(To be continued).

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY.

SAtimm At.

With Notes by HucH WuHistLer.

Parr V.

(With three plates).

(Continued from page 142 of this Volume).

FaMILy: PANDIONIDZ.

Pandion haliaétus (Linn.) The Osprey.

Falco haliaétus Linneus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 91—EHurope,

restricted to Sweden.

No specimen obtained.

A single bird (or birds?) was. frequently observed at the junction of the

Godavari and Kinarsani Rivers at Borgampad between 1 and 7 November.

Col. Sparrow also has sight records from SBhiknir, Hussein Sagar Tank

(Hyderabad City) and elsewhere between 25 November and 10 March.

Sarcogypus calyus (Scopoli). The Black, Pondicherry or King Vulture.

Vultur calvus Scopoli, Del. Flor. et Faun. Insubr., vol. ii (1786), p. 85—

Pondicherry.

No specimen obtained.

Noted at Mananur, Borgampad, Nelipaka, Asifabad, Kandahar, Deglir,

Kaulas and Kannad.

The Black Vulture is common everywhere, but not numerous. T'wo_ or

three may invariably be seen in every vulture gathering at wayside carcases,

and the density of their population relative to the other species probably bears

the same ratio.

William Davidson (S.F., x) writes: ‘I too have noticed what Jerdon says

about the fear shown by Gyps bengalensis and Gyps indicus of this species’.

It is curious that my experience has been quite the opposite. I have always

found this so-called King Vulture to be the most cowardly member of the

fraternity that usually gathers at a feast, keeping itself aloof of the scrim-

mage, only occasionally venturing forward in obvious fear and trembling to

tug at a gobbet and withdrawing hurriedly when overwhelmed by the press.

The photograph published with Part I of this paper (J.B.N.H.S., xxxvi, 368)

depicts a King Vulture on the extreme left in its typically cowardly attitude.

Breeding: Col. Sparrow took a fresh egg at Navipét (?) on 3-1-14 and

found young at Ramakapétt (?) on 31-1-14. ee

Gypsfulvous (Hablizl) subspecies? The Indian Griffon Vulture.

Vultur fulvous Hablizl, Neue Nord. Beytro., vol. iv (1783), p. 58—Mtns.

of Gilan, N. Persia.

No specimen obtained. aN :

Noted at: Mananitr, Nelipaka, Kandahar, -Deglir, Kaulas, Auranga-

bad, Utnoor, Hyderabad City and Environs, and elsewhere.

This is one of the commonest vultures, probably even more so than the

White-backed species. At Daulatabad Fort (Aurangabad Dist.) numbers were

observed on the cliffs at the base of the battlements, and this appeared to be

an admirable nesting site. At the time, however, the birds were not breeding.

(26 April).

496 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Gyps indicus (Scopoli) subspecies? The Long-billed Vulture.

Vultur indicus Scopoli, Del. Flor. et Faun. Insubr., vol. 1 (1786), p. 85—

Pondicherry.

No specimen obtained.

Noted at: Manantr, Kaulas, Utnoor and elsewhere.

Common, sharing the honours almost evenly as regards numbers with the

White-backed Vulture, and present at every wayside carcase. Also observed

at a panther’s kill in deciduous forest.

Breeding: Col. Sparrow has taken eggs and young in various stages at

Mulkaram and EHEswantaraopét between 7 January and 16 March.

Pseudogyps bengalensis (Gmelin). The White-backed Vulture.

Vultur bengalensis Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. i (1788), p. 245—Bengal.

No specimens obtained.

Noted at: Mananir, Borgampad, Paloncha, Deglir, Utnoor, Asifabad,

Kaulas, Hyderabad City Environs and elsewhere.

This common and familiar species is easily recognised by its white back

and, in overhead flight, by the white bands across the underside of the wings.

Vultures certainly follow one another’s movements when descending to a

carcase. Some make a wide spiral descent while others just let themselves

down through space more or less perpendicularly, wings half pulled in. The

feet are always dropped dangling in descent and even when a bird is soaring

high up in the heavens, such behaviour leaves no doubt as to its intentions.

Before taking off from the ground they generally hop along for some distance

against the wind, taking advantage of the resistance to lft them up. I

have frequently observed that they will do so even if they have to turn right

round and run into the face of the observer from whom they are fleeing.

- Breeding: On 18 December (Asifabad) a pair were observed in copula.

During the act the birds (or female only ?) made a loud raucous grating

noise very like a hoe being scraped over a cemented floor.

Col. Sparrow found nests with young at Kamareddi and Ramakapett ‘on

28 January. é

Neophron percnopterus (Linn.) subsp.? The White Scavenger Vulture. —

Vultur percnopterus Linnzus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol: i (1758), p. 87—

Kgypt. |

' No specimens obtained.

Noted at: Hyderabad City and Environs, Nagar Karnul, Manantr, Far-

ahabad, Borgampad, Asifabad, Kandahar, Deglir, Kaulas, Aurangabad, Kannad

and elsewhere.

A common and abundant species usually met an on the outskirts’ of

towns and villages either perched on roof-tops, rocks or stakes, or goose-

stepping along the ground. Besides the human ordure on which it~ largely

feeds, it is- also invariably present in small numbers at wayside carcases,

timidly tugging and pulling at odds and ends whenever the coast is clear.

Breeding: On 26 March (Kaulas) a nest was located in a niche among the

battlements of the ruined fort, .containing two fairly hard-set eggs. They

measured 61x49 and 66x54 mm. respectively. The nest was no more than

a rough, flimsy and untidy pad composed of the most filthy and disreputable

rags,. goats’. hair, dung (that looked like a hyaena’s) and so forth. The parent

was a Close sitter and had to be moved with a stick, although it made no

effort at defence subsequently. On 27 March a second nest was found in an

identical situation not a hundred yards away, also a collection of the same

filthy odds. and ‘ends. A fresh egg was lying smashed on a ledge about 5 ft.

above _the nest. On the same day a 3rd nest was discovered with the bird

sitting on it, in an imaccessible niche in the ramparts at about 30 ft.

Col. Sparrow found several nests containing eggs and young (usually one

or two) at Masaipét, Trimulgherry, Eswantaraopet and elsewhere, | between

20 oe and 5 pent One 68 on: the last. date was fresh. :

Wena recone

Falco. peregrinus Tunstall. subsp.2? The Peregrine Falcon.

“Falco peregrinus Tunstall, Orn, Brit. (1771), p. 1—Great Bahan.

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

Gig,

1. Scavenger Vultures (Neophron percnopterus).

Pariah Kites (Milvus govinda)

and Neophrons at a wayside carcase.

Photos by Author.

°?

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE If,

| 2. Downy Chick of the Crested Hawk-Hagle (Spizaétus cirrhatus),

Utnoor, 9 April (see description).

Photos by Author.

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 427

No specimens obtained.

One was noted at Borgampad on 28 October 1931. Col. Sparrow has a

sight record of one at Chintakani on 3-2-13.

I do not mention other sight records as I cannot be certain of my identi-

fications of this group of birds in the field.

Falco jugger J. E. Gray. The Lagar Falcon.

Falco jugger J. BE. Gray in Hardwicke’s Illust. Ind. Zool., vol. 1 (April

1834), pl. 26—India.

Specimens collected: 214 @ 1-11-31 Borgampad 160 ft.; 548 ¢ 18-3-82

Deglar 1,300 ft.

Noted elsewhere at: Kaulas (19 March).

Iris brown; cere and circumorbital skin pale greenish-yellow to bright

lemon-yellow; corneous part of bill plumbeous, tip black; legs and feet greyish-

yellow to bright yellow; claws horny-black.

Only seen singly or in pairs in the neighbourhood of cultivation. No. 214

and its pair were being mobbed by crows. It uttered from time to time a

shrill prolonged cry whi-ee-eee. No. 5438 was being chivvied by a pair of

Black Drongos. Its stomach contained a field rat.

The testes of the specimens were in an undeveloped condition.

Falco subbuteo Linn. subsp.? The Hobby.

Falco subbuteo Linnzus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 89—Hurope,

restricted to Sweden.

I did not observe this species in Hyderabad, but Cap. E. A. Butler records

one shot near Jalna in his ‘Tentative Catalogue of Birds in the Deccan and

Southern Mahratta Country’ (S.F., 1x, 3867- 442) ca. - 1881.

Falco chiquera Daudin. The Red-headed Mclanae

Falco chiquera Daudin, Traité d’Orn., vol. 1 (1800), p. 121—Bengal.

No specimens obtained.

Noted at: Borgampad where a pair was worrying and chasing crows: close

to the village, and at Narsampét—a solitary bird near a marsh.

Col. Sparrow saw it at Trimulgherry 6-11-12 and shot-a ¢ at Jalna O11.

Cerchneis tinnunculus tinnunculus Linn. The Kestrel.

Falco tinnunculus Linnzeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol: 1 (1758), p. 90—Europe,

restricted to Sweden.

Specimens collected: 182 9 29-10-31, 215 9 1-11-81, 216 ¢. 2-11-31, -227 9

(?) 38-11-31 Borgampad 160 ft.; 318 15-11-31 Nelipaka 160 ft.

Hlsewhere noted at: Narsampét, Malegaon (Mrs. Tasker !); Mukhér,

Deglir, Kaulas.

Iris dark brown; cere and circumorbital skin lemon yellow; bill greenish-

horn, black at tips; mouth greyish pink or pale pink; legs. and feet bright

yellow; claws black.

The Kestrel was abundant in the cultivated country at Borgampad where

it was commonly seen perched singly on mounds, stones or low bushes—

sometimes on the ground—in the middle or on the edge of fields and ploughed

land. The fields appear to be apportioned off among “the birds, and encroach-

ment on neighbouring ‘feeding territories’ meets with active ‘resistance from

the rightful owner. For some reason, the birds were less numerous at Neli-

paka although the country seemed identical, and at the other places their

numbers were considerably less. The stomachs of the specimens contained field

rats and mice, besides locusts, grasshoppers and other insects.

The familiar hovering is always accomplished with the pele of wind resis-

tance, the bird invariably facing the wind todo: so.

The gonads of the specimens gave no indication as needa breeding.

In the following I only mention such of. the Eagles, of the identity of

which I am positive. There is no doubt that many’ others must. also occur

within the limits of this vast tract of country; but I hesitate to men-

tion unconfirmed sight records as these can obviously be of little scientific value.

If the Hyderabad Survey is resumed, I aoe to be able to pay greater atten-

tion to the Birds of Prey.

428 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Aquila rapax vindhiana Franklin. The Indian Tawny Hagle.

Aquila vindhiana Franklin, P.Z.S. 1830-1831 (October 25, 1881), p. 114—

Vindhyan Hills.

No specimens obtained by the Survey. Col. Sparrow shot two examples as

follows: G 9-2-11 Karkeli (Deccan); ¢ 1-2-12 Trimulgherry.

Noted at: Borgampad, Kandahar, Kaulas, and elsewhere.

A common resident species.

At Kandahar a single individual came regularly round the camp to pick

up carcases of skinned birds, and was constantly persecuted by rival kites and

crows. At Kaulags one was observed picking up scraps left by vultures after a

feast, in company with Scavenger and King Vultures.

Breeding: Col. Sparrow took a clutch of two eggs at Hswantaraopét on

15 December (1918).

Davidson and Wenden (S.F., vii, 74) who found this eagle extremely abun-

dant in the Deccan, took eggs from 28 October to 12 February.

B. Aitken (N. & E., iii, 185) found a nest in Akola (Berar) on 1 January

containing a half-fledged chick. On 10 Vebruary, according to him, the same

pair laid C/1 in a new nest.

Hieraétus fasciatus (Vieillot). Bonelli’s Eagle.

Aquila fasciata Vieillot, Mem. Linn. Soc., Paris, vol. u (2), 1822, p. 152—

Montpelier, France.

Not met with by the Survey.

Breeding: Col. Sparrow took a clutch of 2 eggs at Navipet (?) on 2 Janu-

ary (1914).

Davidson and Wenden (S.F., vii, 74) found a single newly hatched chick

on 10 February, and took slightly set eggs on 13 January at Kassigaum (pre-

sumably in the Bhima Valley, Deccan). They saw eyries with young also

at Dhotri and Subjar.

Spizaétus ‘cirrhatus cirrhatus (Gmelin). The Crested Hawk-Hagle (Teligt:

Namli-piri-gadda).

Falco cirrhatus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. i, pt. 1 (1788), p. 274—India.

Paloncha 300 ft.; 668 2 7-4-82, 680 9 (juv.) Utnoor 1,250 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Asifabad:

Iris pale khaki to bright orange yellow, apparently varying with age; cere

greyish to greenish-brown; corneous portion of bill horny-black; gape and

eyelids greyish-green; feet lemon yellow; claws horny-black. In nestling:

Tris greyish-brown; cere slaty-grey; bill horny-black; gape greenish-grey; bare

skin round and in front of eyes, slaty-grey; mouth pink; feet pale greenish-

grey; claws horny-black.

The Crested Hawk-Eagle is not uncommon in the forested tracts of the

State. It has a loud high-pitched cry: ‘Ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-keee’ begin-

ning short, rising in a crescendo and ending in a scream.

The stomach of No. 321 contained a large lizard (Calotes versicolor), and

the bird was exceedingly fat. According to the local Gonds, this species is

very destructive to hares and young peafowl.

Breeding: No. 668 (7 April) was shot off a nest—a collection of sticks—

in the fork of a straight Mbhowa tree in deciduous forest, at a height of

about 60 ft. Its ovaries were reverting to normal condition and a conspicuous

incubation patch was present. The nest contained a chick in white fluffy down

(No. 680). It was kept alive for two days on carcases of skinned birds,

swallowing an entire Munia (Amandava) at a time. It also drank greedily.

As far as I know the nestling of this eagle has not before been described.

The following is a detailed description of No. 680: A thick rudimentary tuft

of white down af nape, where crest in adult; brown primaries sprouting, also

bastard wing quails, secondaries, upper wing-coverts, dark brown scapulars,

upper tail-coverts and rectrices. A central tract of brown feathers down the

back of the neck to midway between the scapulars, and two tracts of fulvous-

brown feathers on either side of the breast.

The ¢$ parent did not put in an appearance during the time the nest was

being climbed up to and handled.

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 429

Col. Sparrow has taken 10 clutches of a single egg each in every stage

of incubation, at Eswantaraopét between 21 February and 3 May.

According to Vidal (N. & E., iii, 147) the Crested Hawk-Hagle breeds in

South Konkan from December to April, during which time he examined 32 nests.

The favourite month is said to be January. The species is not mentioned in

D. & W’s list for the Deccan.

Circaétus gallicus (Gmelin). The Short-toed Hagle.

Falco gallicus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. i, pt. 1 (1788), p. 259—France.

Not met with by the Survey. ‘

Breeding: Col. Sparrow has taken 3 clutches of a single egg each, at

Eswantaraopét between 28 January and 20 February.

Davidson and Wenden (S.F., vii, 74) describe it as not uncommon in the

bare parts of the Sholapir District from September to the beginning. of April.

They did not observe it breeding.

Hematornis cheela (Latham) subsp.? The Crested Serpent Hagle.

Falco cheela Gatham, Index Ornith., vol. i (1790), p. 14—India.

Noted in the environs of Hyderabad City (25 September) and at Nelipaka

(9 November). Apparently rather an uncommon species.

Butastur teesa (Franklin). The White-eyed Buzzard-Kagle.

Circus teesa Franklin, P.Z.S. 1830-1831 (25 October, 1831), p. 115—Between

Calcutta and Benares and in the Vindhyan Hills between the latter place and

Gurra Mandela.

Specimen collected: 99 ¢ 11-10-31 Mananur 2,000 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Borgampad, Narsampét, Kandahar, Deglir, Utnoor,

Itchora, Kannad.

Tris pure China white; base of lower mandible bright yellow, rest of bill

horny-brown; mouth pale pinkish; legs and feet bright yellow; claws black.

A commonly distributed species frequenting both open country and deci-

duous forest. At Borgampad it was commonly observed perched singly on

small mounds or bush-tops in or about cultivation, while in the deciduous

forest between Itchora and Utnoor it was noted as the commonest bird of

prey.

The stomach of the specimen contained two large Mabuia (carinata ?)

lizards, 1 locust (apparently Acridium peregrinum), 1 large green grass-hopper

(species?) and remains of Katydids and other grasshoppers. There was also

found a tangle of endoparasitic worms, sent for determination to the Berlin

University Zoological Museum.

Breeding: The testes of the specimen (11 October) were in non-breeding

condition. On 4 April a nest was located in the fork of a straight Boswellia

serrata tree in deciduous jungle, at a height of about 25 ft. The owner was

observed carrying a lizard to the nest which obviously contained young.

Unfortunately it was inaccessible and could not be examined.

Col. Sparrow, who found this species very common in the jungles about

Eswantaraopét, has taken numerous clutches of eggs in varying stages of fresh-

ness and incubation between 30 March and 5 May. Most nests contained

two eggs, but some had three and occasionally there was only one.

B. Aitken (N. & E., ii, 160) found it breeding in Akola (Berar). D. and

W.’s Deccan list does not include this species.

Haliastur indus (Boddaert). The Brahminy Kite.

Falco indus Boddaert, Tabl. Pl. Enlum (1783), p. 25 for pl. Enl. 416—

Pondicherry.

No specimens collected.

Noted at: Borgampad, Manantr (7 February, Mrs. Tasker !), Deglur,

Kaulas, Utnoor, Kannad.

A fairly common species. Curiously enough I failed to meet it on the

Amrabad Plateau between 3 and 21 October, though Mrs. Tasker who visited

the place subsequently, in February, found it there. The Brahminy Kate

480 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

moves about locally a good deal with the seasons, a fact well. known to resi-

dents in Bombay and suburbs. In the Punjab also, Mr. Whistler has found

it to be an almost entirely rains visitor.

Breeding: Col. Sparrow has 38 clutches of 2 eggs each taken at Mirzapalli

and Masaipet between 25 January and 19 February.

Davidson and Wenden (8.F., vii, 75) record it as rather rare in the Deccan.

They shot a female on January 16 from a newly-built nest—no eggs—on the

Bhima river which would have laid in about a week. Another nest on the

Bhima River on 24 April contained 1 egg and 1 chick, and a third on 14 Febru-

ary on the Dew River (14 miles from Poona) one nestling. According to

Vidal (N. & E., iii, 171) it breeds in South Konkan from the middle of

January to the end of March. I found this to be the case in the Kolaba

Dist. (N. Konkan) also.

Milvus migrans govinda Sykes. The Common Pariah Kite.

Milvus govinda Sykes, P.Z.S. 1832 (81 July, 1832), p. 81—Dukhun.

No specimens collected.

Noted at: Hyderabad City and Environs, Mananir, Borgampad, Nelipaka,

Kandahar, Deglir, Kaulas, Utnoor, Aurangabad, Kannad, Vijapur (1924).

An ubiquitous species in open country, especially in the neighbourhood of

towns and villages. Large assemblages were sometimes seen on marshy

ground bordering tanks etc. in the vicinity of Manantr. Pariah Kites are

invariably present in some numbers at wayside carcases in company with

vultures, and about slaughter-houses, wherever they may be.

Breeding: ‘The first pair observed in copula was on 7 November (Nelipaka),

while as late as 14 April two nests were noted on large tamarind trees near

the weekly bazaar square in Aurangabad with birds sitting on them, obvi-

ously brooding.

Col. Sparrow took seven clutches of two eggs each in varying stages of

incubation at Trimulgherry, between 8 November and 6 March.

In the Bhima Valley (Deccan) it breeds freely from the middle of Seavert

ber to the middle of March (Davidson and Wenden, $.F., vii, 75.)

Elanus ceruleus (Desfontaines). The Black-winged Kite.

Falco ceruleus Desfontaines, Hist. (Mem.) Acad. Paris 1787 (1789), p. 508,

pl. 15—Algiers.

No specimens obtained. :

Noted at: Kandahar and Deglir only. Col. Sparrow has seen it at Alwal

and Masaipet.

This little Kite was met with singly in open country about cultivation.

Its flight consists of slow and deliberate wing-beats reminiscent of the Blue-

Jay (Coracias).

Capt. J. H. Yule (N. & E., iii, 179) describes it as very common about

Poona, where he took eggs in June, July, August, September and October and

found a nest with young on 2 February.

In the Sholaptr District, Davidson (N. & E., iii, 180) considered it the

commonest bird of prey. He found many nests with young and also many

fledged young in April, and again with eggs in the last week of June. David-

son and Wenden (S.F., vii, 75) record it as moderately common in the Bhima

Valley. They took C/3 on 10 July and state that it breeds abundantly in

December in Caladgi District, some 50 miles from Sholapur.

Circus macrourus (S. G. Gmelin). The Pale Harrier.

Accipiter macrourus 5. G. Gmel., Nov. Comm. Acad. Petrop., vol. ae LATA)

p. 489, pl. vii, 1x—Woronecz to River Don, Russia.

“Specimen collected: 356 G 28-11-31 Paloncha 300 ft. Col. Soacost ob-

tained the following: 9 2-11-11, 9 14-2-11 Dichpalli; g 21-2-11 Medchal.

Elsewhere noted at: Kaulas (20 March), Partir (81-1-11, Col. Sparrow !).

Iris bright lemon yellow; bill horny-black; cere and gape yellowish-green ;

legs and feet bright yellow; claws black. " read

The Pale Harrier was usually seen skimming over standing fields of jowari

and rice and low scrub jungle, perching now and again on clods, mounds

and the like. The stomach of the specimen contained a field-mouse.

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 431

Its testes were in a quiescent state.

I do not give other sight records owing to the uncertainty of the species

to which they refer.

Circus pygargus Linnzus. Montague’s Harrier,

Circus pygargus Linn., Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 89—Hngland.

Specimens collected: 363 Q 24-11-31 Paloncha 300 ft.; 589 @Q 12-3-32

Deglair (both imm.) 1,300 ft. Col. Sparrow shot one at Wadiarum Gaus)

16-12-10.

Haunts and habits same as the foregoing.

Iris brown; cere lemon yellow, base of lower mandible and gape Pereemien

grey, rest. of ill horny black; mouth bluish-slate; legs and feet bright ochre

yellow; claws black. :

No. 539 (12 March) was very fat suggesting that it was preparing to

emigrate. Its stomach contained a field-mouse and 1 large locust, apparently

Acridium peregrinum. The ovaries of both were undeveloped.

Circus xruginosus (Linneus). The Marsh Harrier.

Falco eruginosus Linn., Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 91—Sweden.

No specimens obtained by the Survey. Col. Sparrow procured the follow-

ing: G 16-1-18 Medohil (Madhol ?); ¢ ad. 9-2-1838 Kupra (?); ¢Q 9-11-18

Chintakani Tank.

Noted at: Narsampét, Pakhal.

The Marsh Harrier was seen in the neighbourhood of tanks and marsh

land, skimming on motionless wings close over the reed beds or water-logged

fields, and dropping now and again on some unwary frog, lizard or snake.

Astur badius duss umieri (Temm.). The Shikra.

Falco dussumieri Temm., Planch. Color. d’Ois (1824), livr. 52, pl. 3808—

Bengal.

Specimens collected: 604 Q 24-3-82, 612 ¢ 26-3-32 Kaulas 1,350 ft.; 716 ¢

18-4-82 Kannad 2,000 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Hyderabad City and Environs, Mananur, Farahabad,

Kandahar, Utnoor, Aurangabad.

Iris bright orange, reddish-orange or orange-scarlet; cere yellow, rest of

bill slaty-grey, blackish on culmen; legs and feet yellow; claws black.

The Shikra is a resident, commonly distributed and familiar little hawk

throughout the State. It affects gardens, mango and tamarind groves and

open deciduous forest, but preferably keeps to the neighbourhood of villages

and cultivation. Its usual call notes are exactly like those of the Black Drongo

only somewhat louder. Near villages they are very destructive to young

chickens. The stomach of No. 604 contained a field mouse, apparently Mus

buduga.

Breeding: No. 604 (24 March) had the ovaries enlarged, the largest follicle

measuring 4 mm. in diameter. Judging from the oviduct, the bird had

apparently not laid yet, but it was one of a pair who had a nest in a leafy

mango tree in the grove where we were encamped. No. 612 (25 March) was

observed carrying a twig in its feet into the leafy top of a large tamarind

tree in the village precincts, where it was building. Its testes were in

breeding condition, measuring 16x7 mm. No. 716 (18 April), evidently also

breeding, had testes 14x6 mm. The birds were very noisy at this time, and

pairs were frequently observed indulging in curious aerial antics. The note

commonly uttered at this, the breeding season, was a sharp double ti-tut.

Col. Sparrow took many clutches “of the Shikra’s eggs, usually 1 to 3, at

Bezwada, Eswantaraopét and elsewhere in the State, between 4 April and

2- June.

Davidson and Wenden (S.F., vii, 73) found this species common in the

Bhima Valley at all seasons. They took C/2 (fresh) on 31 March. In Akola

(Berar) it breeds in May and June, (B. Aitken, N. & H., iu, 121):

Accipiter nisus (Linn.) subspecies? The Sparrow-Hawk.

Falco nisus Linnzus, Sys. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 92—Sweden.

Not met with by the Survey. Col. Sparrow has a sight record from

Masaipet 3-12-13.

432 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Pernis ptilorhynchus ruficollis Lesson. The Indian Crested Honey-Buzzard.

Pernis ruficollis Lesson, Traité d’Orn. 18380, p. 77—Locality unknown=

Bengal.

Specimen collected: 585 @Q 21-3-32 Kaulas 1,350 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Manantr and Narsampét.

Iris bright yellow; bill horny-black, greyer at base of lower mandible;

legs and feet dirty yellow; claws horny-black.

[According to the Key to the species of Pernis (F.B.I., 2nd ed., vol. v,

p. 165)—‘black subterminal and median bands much narrower than the paler

ones’—the specimen would fall under Pernis apivorous. As D’Abreu has

pointed out, however (J.B.N.H.S., xxxv, 219), birds from the Central Pro-

vinces with the above characteristics are P. p. ruficollis. The Key therefore

needs amending. The wing of the specimen measured 444 mm. |

The Crested Honey-Buzzard is not uncommon in the well-wooded tracts

of the State, where it was frequently observed soaring in circles high above

the forest, usually singly but sometimes in pairs. In flight the rounded tail,

cross-barred black and white, and the similarly but more closely barred under-

surface of the wings is conspicuous. The call uttered in flight is a high-

pitched, short scream-like whistle, quickly repeated. It has also a single pro-

longed note whee-ee-eew which I have only heard when the bird is perched

on some tree-top.

A large quantity of honey dripped from the bill of the specimen when held

up by its legs, and its stomach contained a greenish: honey-scented mass.

Its ovaries gave no positive indication as regards breeding, though the follicles

were distinctly granular and appeared to be enlarging.

Breeding: Col. Sparrow has taken the following eggs: C/1 5-4-18, C/1

6-6-14 (both fresh). Eswantaraopét; C/2 (hard set) 8-6-14 Kamareddi.

Davidson and Wenden (S.F., vii, 75) found this species rather rare about

‘Sholapir. They saw a pair breeding on 6 February and state that the birds

were very noisy.

ORDER: COLUMBA.

FAMILY: COLUMBIDA.

Crocopus phcenicopterus chlorigaster (Blyth). The Southern Green Pigeon.

(Teligti: Pacha-polka).

Vinago chlorigaster Blyth, J.A-S.B., vol. xii (1843), p. 167, note—no locality

=South India.

Nelipaka 160 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Farahabad, Borgampad, Paloncha, Narsampét,

Pakhal Lake, Kaulas, Utnoor.

Iris outer ring pink, inner bright lapis blue; bill pale French grey, basal

portion including cere greenish; mouth greyish-pink (greyish-yellow in 820);

legs and feet bright chrome yellow; claws French grey.

Common throughout the forested tracts of the State and also found sparingly

in the opener portions where they come long distances to gorge themselves

on the ripe figs of Ficus bengalensis, F. religiosa, F. glomerata and others.

They are likewise partial to ripe Ber (Zizyphus oenoplia) and Bridelia Hamil-

toniana berries. J found this Green Pigeon most abundant in the deciduous

forest round Narsampét, the total prohibition of shooting and snaring in this

area, which is H. E. H. the Nizam’s Shikadrgah, doubtless being mainly res-

ponsible for their abundance. Flocks of 30 to 50 birds were common in this

locality, while often they were much larger.

The birds have a remarkable capacity for studiedly obliterating themselves

among the foliage of a tree as if they were conscious of the camouflage afforded

them by their plumage. When a tree is approached, the birds promptly. get

out of the skyline, become silent and motionless having got behind the foliage

in such a cunning manner that while the body may be fully exposed, looking

for all the world like a leaf among the leaves, the concealed head will be

watching the movements of the intruder through some tiny opening between

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 483

the leaves! It is only with the help of powerful field glasses that these

manoeuvres can be followed.

The gonads of the specimens were in an undeveloped condition.

Davidson and Wenden (S8.F., vii, 86) write: ‘Observed but rarely about

Sholapir. Commonest at Lanoli and EHgutpoora. Nests taken on the Satara

Hills where it is not uncommon, in March. Observed at Nulwar’.

Muscadivora enea sylvatica (Tickell). The Imperial Green Pigeon.

Columba sylvatica Tickell, J.A-S.B., vol. i (November 1833), p. 581—Bora-

bhum.

Specimen collected: 162 ¢ 18-10-31 Farahabad 2,800 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Nelipaka and Paloncha. Also at Kamlapur near

Sironcha (Col. Sparrow 6-6-12 !). ;

Iris crimson; eyelids magenta; bill horny-grey, magenta at base of upper

mandible and on culmen; mouth pinkish-grey; legs and feet magenta; claws

dusky-horn.

The Imperial Green Pigeon is confined to forests, in my experience only

in the eastern and southern portions of the State. Numbers collect to feed

on the various Fici and other trees when in fruit, but ordinarily they are

mostly met with singly or in pairs. Occasionally small parties of three or

four birds are seen.

The crop and stomach of the specimen contained figs of Ficus glomerata,

F. bengalensis and F. religiosa exclusively. The gape and gullet in this species

is remarkably capacious and elastic. When opened out to the full they were

large enough, in the specimen, to accommodate a sour lime 1} in. in diameter

without difficulty.

The testes of the specimen were in non-breeding condition.

Chalcophaps indica (Linnzus). The Bronze-winged or Emerald Dove.

Columba indica Linnzeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. 1 (1758), p. 164—India.

No specimens obtained.

Only once seen at Paloncha (19 November) as a. solitary bird in thick

scrub undergrowth in deciduous forest.

Columba livia intermedia Strickland. The Blue Rock Pigeon.

Columba intermedia Strickland, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. xii (January

1844), p. 39—lIndia.

Specimen collected: 412 ¢ 2-12-31 Narsampét 800 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Amrabad Plateau, Kandahar, Kaulas, Ellora Caves,

Daulatabad Fort. Also Hyderabad City and Environs and other towns in the

Dominions, here probably a mixed breed.

Iris orange; bill brownish-black, cere powdery greyish-white; legs and feet

magenta; claws brownish-black.

These pigeons were met with in flocks of 10-15 birds, usually on or about

rock scarps, ruined forts etc. where they nested in holes and on ledges.

' Breeding: The specimen (2. December) had well-developed elongate testes

22 mm. long. It was one of a pair nesting in a hollow in the decaying trunk

of a Borassus palm in scrub country, at a height of about 20 ft. The bird

was clinging to the outside of the hollow somewhat lke a woodpecker.

Columba elphinstonii (Sykes). The Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon.

Ptilinopus elphinstonii Sykes, P.Z.5. 1832 (November), p. 149—Nilgiris.

No specimens obtained.

I got just a glimpse of a pigeon in the forest round Mananir (at the foot

of the Mahéswara Plateau) which may have been this species.

According to the Fauna (2nd. ed., vol. v, p. 229) Col. Sykes obtained this

pigeon in the ‘Deccan Ghats’, where it was rare. The exact locality is un-

specified.

Streptopelia orientalis (Latham). ‘he Rufous Turtle-Dove.

Columba orientalis Latham, Index. Orn., vol. ti (1790), p. 606—China.

No specimens obtained.

A single bird was seen in dense hill forest at Kaulas (23 March). It has

a deep guttural Coo.

434 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Davidson and Wenden (S.F., vii, 86) found this dove common in Satara

and neighbouring hills.

Streptopelia chinensis suratensis (Gmelin). The Indian Spotted Dove. (Telugu

for all doves: Good).

Columba suratensis Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. 1, pt. 1 (1789), p. 778—Surat.

Specimen collected: 169 g 18-10-31 Farahabad 2,800 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Hyderabad City and Environs, Manantr, Borgampad,

Nelipaka, Paloncha, Pakhal Lake, Asifabad, Kandahar, Kaulas, Utnoor,

Kannad, Bhamarvadi.

Iris pale reddish-brown; eyelids dull crimson; legs and feet bright magenta;

claws brown.

The ‘Spotted Dove is generally distributed throughout the Dominions, in-

habiting both open country (with or without cultivation) and deciduous forest.

The density of its numbers, however, varies considerably in different loca-

lities. At Paloncha for instance it was noted as the commonest dove both

inside and out of forest, while on the other hand it was comparatively rare

at Kandahar, Aurangabad and Kannad where its numbers were conspicuously

lesser than any of the other three species, namely Streptopelia risorius,

S. cambayensis and Cinopopelia tranquebarica. On the whole I found it much

less common in the opener and drier districts of the Mahrattwada than in

the forested portions of the Telingana.

Breeding: The testes of the specimen (18 October) were in non-breeding

condition. On 25 September, however, a nest was located in a garden at

Saifabad (Hyderabad City)—the usual flimsy platform of twigs—about 8 ft.

up in a Nim tree containing two eggs which the parent was brooding.

On 4 April (Utnoor) a partially fledged young, just out of nest, was observed.

Col. Sparrow has taken eggs at Trimulgherry between 31 October and

9 May. It is common in Sholapar during the rains (D. & W.,'S.F., vii, 86).

Streptopelia senegalensis cambayensis (Gmelin). The Little Brown Dove.

Columba cambayensis Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. i, pt. it (1789), p. 779—

Cambaya.

Hlsewhere noted at: Hyderabad City and Environs, Jedcherla, Achampét,

Nagar Karnal, Manantr, Borgampad, Paloncha, Asifabad, Kandahar, Kaulas,

Nirmal, Aurangabad, Kannad, Bhamarvadi.

Iris brown; eyelids pale magenta; bill brownish-black; legs and_ feet

magenta ; claws like bill.

The Little Brown Dove is an inhabitant of open country and cultivation

and eschews forest. Thus it was absent at Farahabad and Utnoor, while at

Asifabad and elsewhere, although met with in open country and cultivation

on the fringe of forest, it was never actually within. It loves the boulder

hillock country such as obtains in the environs of Hyderabad City and Hanam-

konda and was also noted as very partial to the thick patches of Opuntia

scrub on the outskirts of Aurangabad town.

Breeding: The ovaries of the specimen were in non- breeding condition.

The following records of nests were obtained:

(1) 15 March (Deglar). On rafter in verandah of inhabited bungalow,

9 ft. up. Bird brooding.

(2) 22 March (Kaulas). In bush at 18 in. from ground, scrub jungle.

2 eggs measuring 26x18 and 24x18 mm.

(3) 25 March (Kaulas).. In fork of low -treé at about 3 ft., pas deci-

duous forest. 2 eggs.

(4) 25 March (Kaulas). In bush at about 2 ft., open deciduous forest.

2 eggs.

(5) 27 March (Kaulas). In niche in wall of ruined fort, a fou feet

distant from nest of Scavenger Vulture. 2 eggs. —

(6) 29-March (Nirmal). In bush in borrow-pit by motor roa: ait Autti

2 eggs.

(i) 2 April (Nirmal). On stone ledge in ruined fort all abe ap eatt:

2 eggs. De ae ved 8

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 435

(8) 16 April (Kannad). In Karonda bush bordering dry nullah at 5 ft.;

open scrub and cultivated country. No eggs yet.

The injury feigning habit when its nest is approached suddenly. and

without warning, 1s a@ common feature with this bird.

Col. Sparrow has taken eggs of this species at Trimulgherry between 12 April

and 28 August. It is common throughout the Sholapur District, and breeds

(Daa Nien oe Et vali GO) on Bs. Aiton found a nest on the ground in Berar

in November (N. & E., u, 358).

Sireptopelia risorius (Linnzus). The Indian Ring Dove.

Columba risoria Linnzeus, Syst. Nat., vol. 1 (1766), p. 285—India.

No specimens obtained.

Noted at: Jedcherla, Achampét, Nagar Jarnul, Mananur, Borgampad,

Paloncha, Asifabad, Kandahar, Kaulas, Utnoor, Aurangabad, Kannad, Bhamar-

vadi.

The Ring Dove is another common member of this group which has a

general distribution in Hyderabad... I, however, failed to meet it at Haraha-

bad and noted that in wooded country as at Utnoor, Asifabad and elsewhere

it was markedly less abundant than the Spotted Dove.

It is a bird primarily of open cultivated country interspersed with patches

of Babool or Butea, into the foliage of which it can retire in the hotter parts

of the day, emerging again to feed at about three in the afternoon. In the

neighbourhood of Borgampad it has been recorded as the most numerous. of

the doves.

Breeding: Col. Sparrow has taken eggs at various places in the Deccan

in all months between 11 January and 26 August except June and July.

(Enopopelia tranquebarica (Herman). The Indian Red Turtle-Dove.

Columba tranquebarica Herman, Obsery. Zool. (1804), p. 200—Tranquebar.

No specimens obtained.

Noted at: Hyderabad City and een Borgampacs Kandahar, Nirmal

(1925).

This species appears to be ner patchily dreuribuuea in. our area. With

the exception of Borgampad, and perhaps Kandahar, it was nowhere common,

its numbers even at these places being far less than any of the other doves.

It is usually seen singly or in pairs feeding in the mornings and afternoons

in company with other doves in freshly-sown jowari fields ete. It retires

into shady trees during the heat of the day.

Breeding: Col. Sparrow has records of eggs from various places in ue

Deccan for January, February, March and November.

ORDER: PrEROCLETES.

Faminy: Prerocuip2®.

Pterocles indicus (Gmelin). The Painted Sandgrouse.

‘ Tetrao indicus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. i, pt. ii (1789), p. 755—Coromandel]

oast. ;

Specimens collected) 275 O, "976 <6 9211-31 Nelipaka 160 ft.; 598 <6

23-38-82 Kaulas 1,400 ft.

‘--Klsewhere~ noted at: ‘Uinoor, Bhamarvadi.

Iris brown; bill orange-brown; naked skin round eye pale yellowish-green ;

hind (unfeathered) portion of tarsus and feet dull yellow or greyish leaf-green;

claws brownish-orange to dark brown.

Met with in small numbers in parties of 5 or 6 birds, but more often

pairs, on open stony patches in the midst of thick deciduous or scrub jungle.

The birds were not abundant anywhere, but in the country round Utnoor two

or three pairs were frequently flushed in the course of a morning’s collecting.

Pairs were usually observed coming down to drink at a rocky pool in a nullah-

bed as late as 6-50 p.m. when “dusk had well set in. -This seems to be a

regular habit as it was also noted at Kaulas on several occasions. The stomachs

and crops of Nos. 275 and 276 contained grass seeds and some small berries.

436 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Breeding: The organs of Nos. 275 and 276 (9 November) shot from a

small flock of 5 or 6 birds, were undeveloped, but the testes of 598 (23 March),

one of a pair, appeared to be enlarging. They measured 5x3 mm. From now

onwards also, the birds were seen almost invariably in pairs.

Col. Sparrow found nests and eggs in thin jungle about Hswantaraopét as

follows: 1 in January, 1 in February, 2 in March, 38 in April and 3 in May.

Pterocles exustus erlangeri Neumann. The Common Indian Sandgrouse.

Pterocles exustus erlangeri Neumann, Orn. Monatsb. 1909, p. 154—DLahadj,

S. Arabia.

Specimen collected: 459 Q 13-12-81 Asifabad 1,200 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Nelipaka, Paloncha, Kandahar, Mikher, Kaulas,

Vijapur.

Iris dark brown; eyelids greenish yellow; bill horny-plumbeous; feet and

claws greyish-brown.

The Common Sandgrouse was usually met with in small flocks of 4-15

birds on fallow-land, stubble country or newly ploughed fields. At Mukher

a great many of these parties were observed coming to drink in relays at

a sandy stream, and at Degltr at a tank, at about 8-30 in the mornings.

Breeding: The ovaries of the specimen gave no indication as regards breed-

ing.

Col. Sparrow has taken 2 fresh eggs at Omri (?) Deccan on 8-2-11, and

found 4 nests containing young, about a fortnight old, at the same place on

16-2-14.

ORDER: GALLINE.

FamiIny: PHASIANIDA.

Pavo cristatus Linnzeus. The Common Peafowl.

Pavo cristatus Linnzeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 156—India.

No specimens collected.

Noted and/or shot at: Mananir, Farahabad, Nelipaka, Asifabad, Kaulas,

Utnoor, Bhamarvadi.

The Peafowl is common in all afforested tracts within the State and was

usually met with in flocks of 6 or 7 birds. They were particularly abundant

at Utnoor in the forest about Arti-Margoo, where they regularly trooped down

to drink at pools in the rocky stream-bed between 7 and 9 in the mornings and

again at about 5-30 p.m.

Breeding: On 16 October a flock contaiming besides adults, 3 or 4 young

shghtly larger than a fair-sized Orpington hen, were observed at Farahabad.

The condition of the gonads of 4 specimens shot on 5 April (Ufnoor) was as

follows: (1) testes enlarged to 24x12 mm. (2 & 3) ovarian follicles ca. 3 mm.

in diameter (4) immature; ovaries undeveloped.

Col. Sparrow took a clutch of 4 hard-set eggs by the Indravati River (C.P.)

on 28-5-12.

Gallus sonneratii Temminck. The Grey Jungle Fowl.

Gallus sonneratii Temm., Pig. & Gal., vol. it (1813), p. 246—Iindia.

Specimens not collected.

Noted and/or shot at: Mananur, Farahabad, Nelipika, Paloncha, Nar-

sampeét, Asifabad, Utnoor.

3 Iris orange-brown; bill horny-brown, commissure and lower mandible

paler (yellowish); legs and feet yellow; spurs horny-brown.

The Grey Jungle Fowl is common in the afforested portions of the State

where it affects scrub jungle in the vicinity of cultivation. It is usually met

with in small parties, but the cocks often detach themselves and keep singly.

At Mananir and Farahabad their crowing was one of the commonest jungle

sounds early in the mornings and at dusk, sometimes even continuing till

almost pitch dark. It is generally uttered from the top of an ant-hill, stone or

fallen log and is not invariably preceded by a flapping of wings. The birds

roost at night up in a bamboo clump or in trees.

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 437

Berries picked up from under the bushes, especially those of Zizyphus

enoplia, are eaten to a very large extent, and these birds are doubtless

responsible to a considerable degree for the dissemination of the seed of this

plant.

A cock shot on 6 October (Mananar) was moulting primaries, secondaries

and neck-hackles. Another, an immature bird, on 9 November was moulting

primaries and secondaries.

Breeding: On 14 November (Nelipaka) several family parties consisting of

parents and 3-5 young were observed. The young were about three-quarters

grown and from analogy with domestic birds would be 2-3 months old.

Galloperdix spadicea (Gmelin). The Red Spur-Fowl.

Tetrao spadiceus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. i, pt. 11 (1789), p. 759—Mada-

gascar errore=Nilgiris.

No specimens obtained.

Noted at Mananur, Farahabad and Utnoor in bamboo forest and on rocky

deciduous hillsides with thorny scrub, usually in pairs.

Galloperdix ftunulata (Valenciennes). The Painted Spur-lowl.

Perdix lunulata Valenciennes in Levrault’s Dict. Sci. Nat., vol. xxxvil

(1826), p. 446—Bengal.

Specimens collected: 568 ¢ 18-38-32, 617 Q 26-38-82 Kaulas 1,350 ft.

Elsewhere not noted.

Iris hazel brown; bill horny-brown, paler at chin; legs and feet greyish

olive-brown; claws and spurs horny-brown.

This beautiful Spur Fowl was not uncommon in the above locality. It

was usually seen in pairs in rocky, broken scrub-country or on hillsides. It

is a good runner and reluctant to leave the ground unless hard-pressed or

fired at, when it arises for a few yards but settles down again to continue

the run.

Breeding: No. 568 was in fresh plumage, but its testes were undeveloped.

In 617 (26 March) the ovary was mature, the largest follicle measuring 13 mm.

in diameter. From the distended condition of the oviduct, moreover, it was

evident that she was laying.

Col. Sparrow found several nests with eggs—usually 38, occasionally 4—in

varying stages of incubation, among the small rocky hillocks at HKswantaraopét

between March and August, mostly in May.

Coturnix coturnix coturnix (Linneus). The Common or Grey Quail.

Tetrao coturnix Linnzus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 161—Sweden.

Specimens shot (not preserved): 22-11-31 Paloncha, 300 ft.; 20-3-82 Kaulas

1,350 ft.

I found the Grey Quail to be rare in Hyderabad State, the above being

the only two occasions when it was come across—singly in tooar fields.

Coturnix coromandelicus (Gmelin). The Black-breasted or Rain Quail.

Tetrao coromandelicus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. i, pt. ii (1789), p. 764—

Coromandel.

Specimens collected: 519 Q 7-38-32 Mukhér 1,400 ft.; 540 ¢ 18-3-32 Deglir

1,350 ft.

Elsewhere noted and/or shot at: Kandahar, Kaulas, Utnoor.

Iris orange-brown; bill horny-grey, dusky on culmen; legs, feet and claws

pale yellowish flesh-colour.

Though met with rather more frequently than the preceding, this species

was also nowhere really common or abundant. It was usually found in pairs,

less often coveys of 6-8 birds, in grassland, gram-fields or in and about cut

jowari fields.

The specimens were in fresh plumage, but their organs were in a quiescent

condition.

Perdicula asiatica (Latham). The Jungle Bush Quail.

Perdiz asiatica Latham, Index Orn., vol. ii (1790), p. 649—Mahratta region.

Specimens collected: 310 ¢ 14-11-31 Nelipaka 160 ft.; 386 ¢ 30-11-31

Nrasampét 800 ft.; 541 Q 18-3-82 Deglir 1,400 ft.; 654 g 5-4-82, 658 ¢ 6-4-32

Utnoor 1,250 ft.

438 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Hlsewhere noted at: Borgampad, Paloncha, Kandahar, Kaulas, Aurangabad.

Iris pale brown to orange-brown; bill blackish-brown on upper mandible,

grey on lower mandible and at base of commissure; mouth greyish-pink; legs

and feet dusky orange-yellow; claws flesh colour.

Whether the Jungle and Rock Bush Quails are really two different species

or races, or whether they are merely dimorphic forms of the same species is a

question that still remains to be settled. I am uncertain about their respective

distributions in Hyderabad and also cannot be sure if I ever saw the two

forms associating in one and the same covey as has recently been suggested.

The professional snarers recognise two forms or ‘species’, examples of which

I was shown. What is known to them as Lowwa I found was P. asiatica,

whereas Girja was P. argoondah. I was told that round Mananur both forms

occurred in the same terrain which necessitated the employing of both species

of decoys or call-birds.

Bush Quails (along with partridges, bustard and hares) are largely netted

in the Hyderabad State by Pardis and other professional snarers, often with

complete disregard as to season, with the result that many areas have been

more or less completely denuded of such game while in others the process of

decimation is in full swing. Unfortunately even officials and vakils, and people

who should know better, aid and abet in this work of destruction either

directly by commissioning the snarers to snare for them for special occasions,

or indirectly by purchasing birds brought to the bazaars for sale out of

season. I once came across a party of snarers on the outskirts of Aurangabad

town in the second half of April, and learnt that they had been commissioned

to snare Bush Quails for a military ‘bara saheb’ in the British Cantonments

who was giving a dinner party the next day! :

In the lst of close seasons given at the end of the Hyderabad Game

Regulations—for the infringement of which there is a penalty prescribed—I

find no reference to Quails at all. Surely this does not mean that quails may

be shot or netted all the year round? It is an oversight that demands speedy

rectification if it is desired that quails should not completely disappear from

the State. However, even with statutory protection, unless there is at the

same time a ruthless enforcement of the game laws it is unhkely that much

can be achieved.

Breeding: On 10 October (Mananir) I found a nest at the base of a small

plant in a grassy patch in scrub jungle. It was a shallow depression lined

with grass and contained 6 pure white eggs. The owner could not be secured

so it 1s doubtful to which form it belonged.

The testes of No. 310 (14 November) were enlarged to 11x7 mm. and it

was one of a pair, while those of No. 3886 (80 November), also one of a

pai, were sufficiently developed to suggest breeding. In the rest of the speci-

mens the gonads were in a quiescent state.

the wing and tail quills. of No. 654 had the curious appearance of being

chpped !

At Trimulgherry, Col. Sparrow took several clutches of up to 6 eggs bet-

ween 24 August and 26 March.

P. asiatica is common in the hills of Satara and Nulwar according to

Davidson and Wenden (S.F., vii, 87).

In Salsette I have seen chicks in down on 19 April (1925, Trombay Hill)

and Mr. Prater obtained a similar chick in December at Andheri (1923).

Perdicula argoondah (Sykes). The Rock Bush-Quail.

Coturnia argoondah Sykes, P.Z.S. 1832 (22 November), p. 158—Dukhun.

No specimens obtained by the Survey, but the following in Col. H. R.

Baker’s Collection, all from Aurangabad, have been examined by Mr. Whistler

and found to belong to this form: @ 14-83-07, ¢ 21-3-07, ¢ 9-6-07, 2 29-8-09,

(5) 9-9-09.

According to Davidson and Wenden (8.F., vii, 87) P. argoondah is very

common and breeds in the Bhima Valley, Deccan. At Oomraotee in Berar

also, J. Aitken found it very common and breeding in November and December,

while at Sholaptr Davidson says it does so in the latter part of the rains

(N. & H., in, 441-442).

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 439

Francolinus pictus (Jardine and Selby). The Southern Painted Partridge.

Perdix picta Jardine and Selby, Illust. Orn., pl. 50 (1828)—Bangalore.

Specimen collected: 581 G 19-3-32 Kaulas 1,300 ft.; Col. Baker’s Coll.

contains ¢$ 16-9-09 Aurangabad.

Elsewhere noted and/ or shot at: Hyderabad City Environs, Mananur,

Farahabad, Narsampét, Asifabad, Kandahar, Mukhér, Utnoor, Itchora, Kannad.

Tris orange-brown; bill horny-black; legs and feet brownish-orange; claws

horny-brown.

Widely distributed, in small numbers, all over the State but confined to

well-watered patches where it keeps to the vicinity of streamlets, water channels

and grassy water-logged ground. In the rains they move about a great deal

locally, so that they may then be met with in places where there are none in

the drier months.

The males have a habit of mounting stones or fallen logwood etc., bunds

separating fields or isolated. trees standing amidst them, and uttering their

familiar tar-reaching and often curiously ventriloquistic call; Chick . . . cheek,

cheek, keraykek (or as the HKmperor Baber syllabified it; Shir darem shakarek !)

mostly in the mornings up to 11 and then from 38 onwards right up to dusk.

- During the hottest parts of the day they are mostly silent.

Breeding: 'The testes of the specimen were in non-breeding condition.

Col. Sparrow found nests with 3 and 5 eggs respectively on 1 and 80 August

(1912) at Trimulgherry, and 2 nests with 5 fresh eggs each at Bezwada on

6-3-12.

Davidson and Wenden (8.F., vii, 87) describe the Painted Partridge as

common in the Deccan (Bhima Valley) and breeding in September. At Oomra-

otee in Berar it breeds in the Monsoon, most eggs being found in August and

September (J. Aitken, N. & E., iii, 480).

The statement on p. 409, vol. v of the F.B.I., Birds (nd edition), that

Col. Sparrow found Francolinus f. asie@ common near Trimulgherry is most

certainly erroneous. As far as I am aware no material is available to support

the assertion that this species occurs as far south as Hyderabad. The Survey

definitely failed to meet with it in the State.

Francolinus pondicerianus pondicerianus (Gmelin). ‘The Grey Partridge.

Tetrao pondicerianus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. i, pt. ii (1789), p. 760—Pondi-

cherry.

Specimens collected: 703 2 17-4-82 716 ¢ 18-4-82 Kannad 2,000 ft.; the

Baker Coll. has: 17-2-07, Q 20-2-07 Aurangabad.

Elsewhere noted and/ or shot at: Hyderabad City Environs, Mananir, Bor-

gampad, Paloncha, Narsampét, Asifabad, Kandahar, Mukhér, Kaulas.

Iris brown; bill horny-brown, paler at gape and base of lower mandible; legs

and feet dusky coral red; claws brown.

[All the above specimens are clearly intermediate between pondicerianus and

interpositus, but on the whole closer to the former.—H. W.]

The Grey Partridge is a common bird in Hyderabad State though owing

to ceaseless and indiscriminate persecution, its numbers during recent years

have been steadily on the decline in a great many areas. It frequents scrub

jungle in the neighbourhood of fields. At Borgampad and Nelipaka a favourite

haunt was the dense growth of Vitex negundo and other bushes bordering the

Godavari River whence they emerged into the adjacent jowari fields to feed.

I noted this species as absent at Utnoor between 1 and 10 April.

Breeding: A bird shot on 24 March (Kaulas) was half grown (apparently

1 or 2 months old) just undergoing complete moult into adult plumage. It

was one of a brood of 4 in the company of parents. On 17 April (Kannad)

a pair were noted accompanied by two young somewhat smaller than the

above, while another pair, the next day, also had in attendance a couple of

chicks of approximately the same age. In No. 703 (17 April—parent of the

young recorded) the ovaries were reverting to non-breeding condition whereas

No. 716 (18 April) accompanying the 8rd brood, still had enlarged testes measur-

ing 13x8 mm.

The breeding season is apparently far from well-defined. The statutory

close season, 1 March to 30 September, which unfortunately is nowhere very

strictly observed, perhaps meets the requirements in a general way, but under

440 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

a properly organised scheme of game protection it might in addition prove

advisable to prohibit netting and snaring altogether and at all seasons in diffe-

rent areas by rotation until such time as they become sufficiently re-stocked.

A highly placed Hyderabad Police Officer, who was also a keen sportsman

and Nature-lover, expressed his views as follows: ‘The man with the gun does

not do half so much damage as the snarer. ‘The latter is like a broom for he

sweeps everything before him into his net, old and young, male and female’.

According to him a further factor in the depletion was the taking of eggs of

ground game by herd-boys and the like. This of course should be made penal.

According to Davidson and Wenden (S.F., vi, 87) the Grey Partridge

breeds in the Bhima Valley in March and again during the rains. In Berar

J. Aitken (N. & E., ii, 486) found it breeding in the beginning of the year.

He took C/6 in February.

ORDER: HEMIPODIL.

FamMity: ‘TURNICIDZA.

Turnix suscitator taigoor (Sykes). The Common Bustard Quail.

Hemipodius taigoor Sykes, P.Z.S. 1832 (November), p. 165—Dukhun.

Specimens collected: 299 3S 12-11-31 Nelipaka 160 ft.; 616 ¢ 26-3-32, 619

Q 27-38-82 Kaulas 1,350 ft.

Elsewhere noted and/ or shot at: Mananutr, Paloncha, Hanamkonda.

Iris creamy white or China white; bill bluish-grey, blackish on culmen;

legs and feet pale grey or greyish-white; claws dusky.

The Bustard Quail is widely distributed in Hyderabad but is nowhere

abundant, being met with in pairs, rarely 8 or 4 together. It frequents scrub

jungle and is partial to foot-paths or firelines, flanked with short grass and

scrub, into which it comes out to feed.

Hither the male or the female (probably the latter—but of this I am not

positive) produces a loud drumming sound Dr-r-r-r-r-r-r and so on, which 1

have sometimes heard continued for over 15 seconds at a stretch. I

have also heard this up to 10 o'clock on a pitch dark mght. It is apparently

a signal to other birds denoting the whereabouts of the producer, as frequently

when a pair is disturbed and the birds fly off in different directions, one of

them presently begins to drum.

Breeding: Only in No. 616 (26 March) did the gonads show any tendency

towards development. Its testes measured ca 5X3 mm. and from the fact

that the specimen was in perfect fresh plumage it is likely that it was pre-

paring to breed.

On 12 October (1928—Hanamkonda) I found a nest containing 3 fresh

eggs off which the parent bird (male) was shot. There was no depression

or lining; the eggs lay on the bare ground with a few blades of the short

growing grass bent over to form a rough flimsy bower. The eggs were greyish-

buff in colour with reddish-brown spots and speckles. The-nest was situated

in a patch of scraggy grass in hght scrub jungle.

At Kihim (Kolaba Dist.—North Konkan) I shot a female on 25 July which

had a hard-shelled egg in its oviduct ready for laying.

Davidson and Wenden (8.F., vu, p. 87) found the Bustard Quail scattered

sparingly all over the Sholapair District, and breeding there.

ORDER: GRALLA.

Faminty: RALuIpé.

Porzana pusilla pusilla (Pallas). The Eastern. Baillon’s Crake.

Rallus pusillus Pallas, Reise Russ. Reichs., vol. iii (1776), p. 700—Dauria.

Specimen collected: 892 @Q (imm.) 30-11-31 Narsampét 800 ft.

Elsewhere not noted.

Iris bright orange; bill leaf-green, brownish on culmen; legs and feet

greyish-green; claws dusky.

The specimen—a solitary bird—was flushed in a thick swampy reed-bed at

the edge of a tank, where it lay very low.

Its skull had an unossified patch in the centre.

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 44]

Amaurornis phoenicurus (Pennant). The Chinese White-breasted Water-hen.

Gallinula phenicurus Pennant, Ind. Zool. (1769), p. 10, pl. ix—Ceylon.

Specimen collected: 192 ¢ 29-10-31 Borgampad 160 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Narsampét, Kaulas.

Iris damaged; bill sage-green, reddish on forehead and at base of culmen;

legs and feet brownish sage-green; claws brown.

Met with among bushes and undergrowth in the neighbourhood of village

tanks, streamlets or water channels, singly or in pairs. Though an extremely

noisy bird in the breeding season, it was now silent.

The testes of the specimen were undeveloped and it was undergoing heavy

general moult.

According to Davidson and Wenden (S.F., vu, 90) the White-breasted

Waterhen is tolerably common in the Bhima Valley, Deccan. They found

5 nests at Nulwar in July.

Gallinula chlorepus (Linnzeus). The Indian Moorhen.

Fulica chloropus Linnzeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. 1 (1758), p. 152—England.

No specimens collected.

Noted at: Narsampét, Kandahar, Utnoor, Dornakal.

Fairly common on lotus-covered tanks where they run about on the floating

leaves in search of insects and water bugs. They are also good swimmers.

The birds were particularly numerous at Utnoor.

Porphyrio poliocephalus (Latham). The Indian Purple Moorhen.

Gallinula poliocephala Latham, Suppl. Index. Orn. (1801), p. 68—India.

No specimens collected.

Noted at Narsampét and Utnoor where the birds were not uncommon on

lotus and reed-covered tanks.

Breeding: Col. Sparrow found 3 nests at Navipét on 26-8-14 with 8, 5 and

4 eggs respectively, and one at Madaram on 30-11-13 with 2 eggs.

Fulica atra Linnaeus. The Coot.

Fulica atra Linn., ed. x, vol. 1 (1758), p. 152—Sweden.

No specimens collected.

Several birds were observed on tanks at Narsampét, Kandahar and Deglur.

Last seen on 14 March (1982).

Breeding: On 11-8-14 Col. Sparrow found 3 nests and on 14-8-14 1 nest

at Navipét containing 10, 8, 2 and 7 eggs respectively, while 2 nests at Eswan-

taraopet on 29-8-14 held 8 and 4 eggs each.

FAMILY: JACANIDA.

Metopidius indicus (Latham). The Bronze-winged. Jacana.

Parra indica Latham, Index. Orn., vol. 1 (1790), p. 775—India.

No specimens collected.

Noted at: Nelipaka, Narsampét, Utnoor.

The Bronze-winged Jacana was invariably present on lotus-covered tanks in

the above localities, tripping gingerly over the large floating leaves.

Curiously enough the breeding biology of this common bird is almost un-

known. Field work is necessary to determine, for instance, the significance of

the fact that females are so much bigger than males, a condition different to

that obtaining in the generality of birds of the same and allied families.

Hydrophasianus chirurgus (Scopoli). The Pheasant-tailed Jacana.

Tringa chirurgus Scopoli, Del. Flor. et Faun. Insubr., vol. ii (1786), p. 92—

New Guinea errore= Philippines.

No specimens collected.

Noted at: Kazipét, Dornakal, Borgampad, Narsampét and Utnoor.

A fairly common species being, like the above, present on every lotus-covered

tank. The long and slender toes are most beautifully adapted for progression

over floating vegetation. The weight of the bird is so well distributed by their

means that not a ripple shows as it skips lightly from one leaf to another,

At the season under reference they kept in flocks,

443; JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL is Ts SOC TE TYG Viole Oexa yall

Breeding: Col. Sparrow found nests at Basar on 10 and 11 August 1914,

containing 8, 4 and 2 eggs respectively.

SUB-ORDER: RoOSTRATULA.

Faminy: RostRATULIDA.

Rostratula benghalensis benghalensis (Linn.). The Painted Snipe.

Rallus benghalensis ULinn., Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. 1 (1758), p. 153—Asia.

Specimen collected: 482 9 7-12-31 Pakhal Lake 800 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Utnoor.

Iris dark brown; bill pale horny-brown; legs and feet greenish-grey; claws

dark brown.

The Painted Snipe is, in my experience, not a common species in Hyderabad.

The specimen was one of the only pair seen on marshy savannah land close

to the lake, while at Utnoor also it was met with in very small numbers

among reedy marshes bordering tanks.

The ovaries of the specimen were in a quiescent state.

Davidson and Wenden (S.F., vu, 89) describe this species as common at

all seasons in the Deccan (Bhima Valley) and believe that it breeds there.

SUB-ORDER: (GRUES.

FAMILY: GRUIDZ.

Anthropoides virgo (Linnzeus). ‘The Demoiselle Crane.

Ardea virgo Linnzeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 141—‘In Oriente’.

Not met with by the Survey.

These Cranes visit many parts of the State in large flocks during the

cold weather to feed on ripening gram and wheat crops to which they cause a

certain amount of damage.

Personally I have only come across and shot them at Vijaptr in the Aurang-

abad District (1925).

They also visit the Bhima Valley in the cold weather in immense flocks

(De and aWis, Soh) vil, 38):

SUB-ORDER: O*TIDES.

FaMILy: OvIDIDA.

Choriotis nigriceps (Vigors). The Great Indian Bustard.

Otis nigriceps Vigors, P.Z.8. 1830-381 (March 2, 1831), p. 35—Huimalayas.

Not met with by the Survey.

This magnificent bird, known in Hyderabad as Toqdar or Tughdar is found

to my knowledge in the Aurangabad, Parbhani and Nander Districts. I shot

two males in fresh adult plumage on 20 October (1924), at Vijapur (Aurangabad

District). The birds frequented open scanty grass country or waste land inter-

spersed with scrub and bushes, in the neighbourhood of cultivation, and were

then in widely separated pairs. They were extremely wary, but permitted

a close approach in a bullock-cart. The wing expanse of one was 874 inches.

They are said to be fairly numerous still in remoter areas, but almost

shot out in some of their former haunts now made easily accessible by means

of cars and motor buses.

Davidson and Wenden (S.F., vii, 87) write: ‘Common and breeds. It is

very much more common during the rains and cold season than at other times’.

This relates principally to the Bhima Valley—Deccan.

ORDER: CHARADRIIFORMES.

SUB-ORDER: Or71-LIMICOLA.

FAMILY: CDICNEMIDA.

Burhinus oedicnemus (Linnzus). The Stone Plover.

Charadrius cedicnemus Winn., Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. lol—

England, —

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 443

No specimens collected.

Noted at: Nelipaka, Utnoor.

The Stone Plover was met with on several occasions at Nelipaka frequenting

heavy thorn-scrub country, either singly or in widely scattered pairs. Being of

crepuscular habits, they usually came out at dusk to feed in open spaces in

the scrub jungle, and small flocks of 5 or 6 were observed at such times.

At Utnoor, only a single pair was seen on broken, stony ground in sparse

deciduous forest.

Esacus recurvirostris (Cuvier). The Great Stone Plover.

Cidicnemus recurvirostris Cuvier, Regne Anim., ed. 11, vol. i (1829), p. 500—

India.

Specimen collected: 281 ¢ 9-11-31 Nehpaka 160 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Borgampad.

Iris lemon yellow; sides of bill at base including gape and base of lower

mandible bright chrome yellow, entire culmen and rest of bill black; legs and

feet greenish-grey; claws black.

The Great Stone Plover was present in small numbers, either singly or in

small parties of 3 or 4 on the Godavari and Kinarsani Rivers, where they

kept to the mudspits and sandbanks. The carriage of the body in flight is

peculiarly arched, while the round white patch on the primaries is then

rendered conspicuous. The birds are good runners, and when wounded the

specimen also swam with ease and swiftness, riding the water very hke a

duck.

Its testes were undeveloped. The stomach contained small crabs and other

crustacea exclusively.

Col. Sparrow found nests with eggs—one or two—in various stages of

freshness and incubation on the Godavari River at Bezwada between 12 and

14 February (1914), and large young on 22-3-14.

SUB-ORDER: JLARO-LIMICOLA.

FAMILY: GLAREOLIDZA.

SUB-FAMILY: CURSORIINA.

Cursorius coromandelicus (Gmelin). The Indian Courser. (Teligii: Chitwa).

Charadrius coromandelicus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. i, pt. ii (1789), p. 692—

Coromandel Coast.

Specimens. collected: 259 9, 260 @ 6-11-31 Borgampad: 160: ft.; 557 ¢

15-38-82 Deglir 1,400 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Asifabad, Mukhér, Kandahar, Kaulas, Kannad.

Iris dark brown; bill horny-brown; mouth greyish-pink; legs and feet dirty

China-white; claws dark brown.

The Indian Courser is a fairly common bird in the State, about cultivation,

especially where this les in the midst of open scrub country. It was met

with singly or in pairs or small flocks of 6-8 birds and was partial to freshly

ploughed fields. Its habit of running a few yards, halting abruptly and raising

itself high, and then again resuming the run for a few yards further, is

distinctive. |

The stomachs of the specimens contained grubs, beetles, grasshoppers and

crickets.

Breeding: The testes of No. 557 (15 March) measured 7x5 mm. and appeared

to be developing, and the bird was in freshly moulted plumage. The gonads

of the other two specimens gave no indication as regards breeding.

The Indian Courser breeds abundantly about Sholapur in April, May, June,

July and August, chiefly during May and June (Davidson and Wenden, N. & E.,

ili, 823-4).

Rhinoptilus bitorquatus Blyth. Jerdon’s Courser.

Macrotarsius bitorquatus Blyth, J.A.8.B., vol. xvii (1), 1848, p. 254—Hastern

Ghats.

Not met with by the Survey.

A440 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL VATS T SO CRE EN GO Viol. xOOX Viel

I scoured the country for miles both at Borgampad and at Nelipaka, and

investigated every likely patch in search of this elusive creature; my shikaris

(urged by promises of reward) and myself, were constantly on the look-out

for it all through my stay at these two camps, but without success. Borgam-

pad and Bhadrachalam (near where Blanford obtained his specimens) are on

either bank of the Godavari River and lie almost directly opposite each other.

It is therefore either that the birds move about with the seasons and I was

looking for them at the wrong time, or that they have disappeared from the

face of the earth altogether! Inspite of special effort, the Hastern Ghats Survey

also failed to come across this species in Cuddapah and Nellore (where Jerdon

first discovered it) or indeed anywhere else in the areas worked by them. It

would be interesting to know what the last authentic record of its being shot

or seen is.

The Teligi name given in the Fauna, namely ‘Adava-wuttu-tittr’? was as

great a mystery to the local Telugts as the bird itself, and one would like

to know how it was come about !

SUB-FAMILY: GLAREOLINA.

Glareola lactea Temminck. The Small Indian Pratincole or Swallow-Plover.

Glareola lactea Temm., Man. d’Orn., 2nd ed., vol. ii (1820), p. 5083—Bengal.

Specimens collected: 221 9, 222 9, 223 9 2-11-31 Borgampad 160 ft.

Elsewhere not noted.

Iris dark brown; bill black; gape orange-brown; mouth pink; legs, feet

and claws black.

These little Plovers were common on the Godavari and Kinarsani Rivers in

flocks of upto 80 or 40 birds, either feeding or resting on the sandbanks or

flying up and down the rivers.

I frequently observed them hawking winged insects in the twilight, after

sunset, over an open patch of waste-land on the banks of the Godavari, in

company with Palm Swifts, both close to the ground (80 or 40 ft.) and higher

up in the air. The flight and movements of the birds in this quest were

exactly lke those of a pipistrelle bat, and they stopped short, and turned

and twisted in the air with the same agility and complete mastery. Their

flight and actions were indeed so similar that in the case of the higher yas

individuals it needed special attention to distinguish them as birds!

The stomachs of the specimens contained crustaceans and hymenopterous

insects.

Breeding: The ovaries in each case were in a quiescent state.

Col. Sparrow collected 10 clutches of 1-4 fresh eggs each (some doubtless

incomplete), at Bezwada between 21 and 22 March 1918.

Davidson and Wenden (S.F., vu, 88) found these birds common on the

Bhima River in the cold weather. —

FAMILY: STERNIDZ.

Sterna aurantia Gray. The Indian River Tern.

Sterna aurantia Gray, Illust. Ind. Zool., vol. i, pl. 69, fig. 2 (1831)—India.

Specimens not collected.

A tern seen about the junction of the Godavari and Kinarsani Rivers at

Borgampad, in company with the next, was presumably this species. Its

numbers were considerably less than those of the Black-bellied Tern.

Breeding: Col. Sparrow took a clutch of 3 fresh eggs and another

of 2, on 6-3-12 at Bezwada (Madras Presidency), and 3 more clutches (fresh)

at the same place on 22-3-18. In the Central Provinces he found 2 hard set

egos on 19-5-12 on the Indravati River and notes that by that time the majority

of young had flown.

Sterna melanogaster Temminck. The Black-bellied Tern.

Sterna melanogaster Temm., Planch. Color., pl. 484 (1827)—Ceylon.

Specimens collected: 217 9, 218 9, 219 3S 2-11-31 Borgampad 160 ft,

Elsewhere not noted.

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 445

Tris dark brown; bill, mouth, legs and feet bright orange; claws black.

The Black-belied Tern was common on the Godavari and Kinarsani Rivers,

often in large flocks, resting on the sandbanks and islets or flying to and fro

over the water. When one bird drops to the shot two or three others im-

mediately follow suit and plunge down almost instinctively with him. This is

a familiar trait with other terns as well. I suggest that the birds do so

because they think their companion has darted down at some food. After a

couple of circles overhead, and on discovering the real cause, the other birds

gradually move off.

I have frequently watched these Terns skimming slowly over the surface

of the water against wind, taking advantage of the resistance as described

under the Swallow (Hirundo rustica).

Breeding: ‘The gonads of the specimens were in an undeveloped condition,

and they were in varying stages of complete moult.

Col. Sparrow has taken several clutches of 1-3 eggs (mostly 3) at Bezwada

between 26 February and 7 April. He found a, brood of 3 young, about 7 days

old, on the Indravati River (Central Provinces) on 18 May (1912).

Famity: RHYNCHOPIDA.

Rhynchops albicollis Swains. The Indian Skimmer.

Rhynchops albicollis Swainson, Anim. in Menag. (1838), p. 360—India.

Not met with by the Survey.

The Skimmer probably occurs in the Hyderabad State on the larger rivers

such as the Godavari and Krishna.

Col. Sparrow found it breeding at Bezwada in the Madras Presidency and

on the Indravati River in the Central Provinces, and took eggs in varying

stages of freshness and incubation between 6 April and 19 May, by which

latter date the majority of young had flown. The earliest date on which he

saw flying young was 21 March (1913—Bezwada).

SUB-ORDER: LIMICOLZE.

FAMILY: CHARADRIINZE.

SUB-FAMILY: CHARADRIINZ.

Charadrius dubius jerdoni (Legge). The Little Ringed Plover.

Afgialitis jerdoni Legge, P.Z.S. 1880 (June Ist), p. 389—Ceylon.

Specimens collected: 545 Q 14-38-32 Deglir 1,300 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Borgampad, Malkapir (along Nalgonda Road), Mukher,

Kandahar.

Iris brown; eyelids bright yellow; bill horny-brown, yellow at base of

lower mandible; legs and feet yellow; claws brown.

A fairly common species’ but usually met with in small numbers—pairs or

small parties of 5-7, occasionally more—frequenting the edges of tanks and

shingly stream beds.

In most of its haunts the Ring Plover presents a remarkable example of

protective colouration, and inspite of the white underparts it is often quite

impossible to pick out a bird from its surroundings even at such short range

as 10 or 15 yards, until it moves.

I noticed curious behaviour in the case of one of these birds feeding on

marshy ground. At every. step where no insect or crustacean was disturbed,

the bird put out one of its feet slightly forward and ‘drummed’ with the toes

on the soft mud with a rapid vibratory motion. In almost every case I could

see it darting at something immediately after. I went up to the spot and

tried the same manoeuvre with a piece of stick and discovered that this tapping

really had the effect of dislodging a number of insects, sand-hoppers and

tiny crabs lurking in holes in the mud. I have been able to confirm this

observation several times subsequently and it has also been independently con-

firmed by my brother Mr. Hamid Ali. This appears to be a regular habit

with the species.

Mr. Whistler points out that the habit of stamping on mud has been noted

with Gulls in England, and recently also in America (Auk, April 1934, p. 234)

446 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Breeding: ‘The ovaries of the specimen were undeveloped. It was under-

going heavy body and tail moult, the remiges being fresh.

Col. Sparrow took clutches of 3 fresh eggs each at Bezwada on 14 February

(1914) and 20 March (1913). Another C/8 was on the point of hatching on

8) Avpril @913)).

Pluvialis dominicus fulvus (Gmelin). The Golden Plover.

Charadrius fulvus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. i, pt. ii (1789), p. 687—Tahiti.

Specimen collected: 183 ¢ 29-10-81 Borgampad 160 ft.

Elsewhere not noted.

Iris dark brown; bill greenish-black; legs and feet greenish-grey.

Several flocks of 15 to 20 birds were observed in or about ploughed and

freshly-sown jowari or partially inundated fields, in the neighbourhood of the

Godavari River.

The testes of the specimen were undeveloped.

[This is probably the bird which Fairbank records as Squatarola helvetica,

‘Dakhan: in flocks in the cold weather’ (S.F., iv, 262)—H. W.].

SUB-FAMILY: VANELLINZE

Hoplopterus duvaucelii (Lesson). The Spur-winged Plover.

Charadrius duvaucelu Lesson in Levrault’s Dict. Sci. Nat., xlii (1826),

p. 88—Calecutta.

Specimen collected: 194 ¢ 80-10-81 Borgampad 160 ft.

Elsewhere not noted.

Iris dark brown; bill black; wing-spurs horny-black; legs and feet greenish

slaty-black.

These birds were present in small numbers on the sandbanks of the Goda-

vari and Kinarsani Rivers, especially about their junction. They kept in small

parties of 38 or 4 individuals.

The testes of the specimen were in normal non-breeding condition.

Lobivanellus indicus (Boddaert.). The Red-wattled Lapwing.

Tringa indica Boddaert., Tabl. Pl. Enlum, p. 5 on Pl. Enl. 807 (1783)—

Goa. ;

Specimens not collected.

Noted at: Hyderabad City Environs, Manantr, Borgampad, Nelipaka,

Narsampét, Kandahar, Kaulas, Utnoor, Aurangabad.

The Red-wattled Lapwing or ‘Did-he-do-it’ is a common and familiar bird

throughout the State being invariably met with in pairs or parties of 8 or 4

in the vicinity of tanks, flooded fields or puddles in open waste-land or in

forest clearings.

Breeding: On 14 April (Aurangabad) a nest was found among scabs of

dry algae on the bed of a small square masonry tank among the ruins near

‘Bibi-ka-Maqbera’. It was a shallow depression or ‘scrape’ without lining,

and contained 3 fresh eggs.

Col. Sparrow collected many clutches of 2-4 eggs at Hswantaraopét, Trimul-

gherry and Navipét between 14 April and 15 August. According to Davidson

and Wenden (S.F., vii, 88) this Lapwing breeds from March to August in

the Bhima Valley (Deccan).

In the neighbourhood of Bombay (Salsette and Kihim—N. Konkan) TI have

taken many nests between 29 March and 31 July.

Lobipluvia malabarica Boddaert. The Yellow-wattled Lapwing.

Charadrius malabaricus Boddaert., Tabl. Pl. Enl., p. 53 for Pl. Enl. 880

(1783)—Malabar.

Specimens collected: 483 ¢, 484 9 18-12-82 Asifabad 1,200 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Manantir, Borgampad, Nelipaka, Paloncha, Kandahar,

Deglur, Kaulas, Utnoor.

Iris brown; wattles and skin round eye bright lemon-yellow; bill brownish-

black; legs and feet bright lemon-yellow; claws brownish-black.

This Lapwing is also a fairly common species, being met with in pairs

or small parties of 3 or 4 on fallow and waste-land or ploughed fields, less

dependently on the neighbourhood of water than the foregoing.

Baker says (F.B.1., ‘vol. vi, /p. 191) that Jim aight) food and ‘voice ait) 11s

very similar to the Red-wattled Lapwing’. As regards the voice, at any rate,

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 447

this statement is hardly correct. Its cry has no suggestion in it of the

‘Did-he-do-it’ so characteristic of the Red-wattled species. It is a somewhat

plaintive, bisyllabic ti-ee, punctuated by a high-pitched ‘tittering’ indulged in

especially when the birds are agitated, as when their chicks are being handled.

Breeding: The gonads of the specimens were in an undeveloped condition.

Col. Sparrow took several clutches of 2-4 eggs each at Trimulgherry and

Eswantaraopét between 16 May and 6 June, and Davidson and Wenden (S8.F.,

vii, 88) found it breeding in the Bhima Valley from May to July. At Kihim

(Kolaba Dist., North Konkan) I have seen newly born (downy) chicks on

24 June.

Himantopus himantopus himantopus (L.). The Black-winged Stilt.

Charadrius himantopus Linnzus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 151—

Southern Hurope.

Specimen collected: 202 Q 30-10-31 Borgampad 160 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Manantr (Mrs. Tasker !); Deglur.

Tris brown; bill. black; legs and feet salmon pink; claws black.

The Black-winged Stilt was present singly or in small numbers round the

margins of tanks. JI found its distribution rather patchy; at Narsampét with

its numerous tanks, none were noted.

The ovaries of the specimen were in an undeveloped condition.

FAMILY: ScCOLOPACIDA.

SUB-FAMILY: TRINGINA.

Tringa ochropus Linneus. The Green Sandpiper.

Tringa ocrophus (sic) Linnzus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 149—-

Europe, Sweden.

Specimen collected: 615 JG 26-38-82 Kaulas 1,300 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Narsampét, Kandahar, Deglir, Utnoor, Kannad.

Tris brown; bill greenish horn colour, blackish at tips; legs and _ feet

greyish green; claws black.

Small numbers of the Green Sandpiper were met with, usually singly, in

the vicinity of tanks and flooded paddy-fields. Of 20 or more sandpipers seen

at Gangannapét Tank at Utnoor on 1 April, only one belonged to this species,

all the rest being glareola. The last recorded was on 16 April when most of

these birds seemed to have departed.

The testes of the specimen were undeveloped, but it was completmmg body

moult into breeding plumage. The wing- and tail-quills were fresh.

Tringa stagnatilis (Bechst.). The Marsh Sandpiper.

Totanus stagnatilis Bechstein, Orn. Taschenb., vol. 11 (1803), p. 292—Ger-

many.

Specimen collected: 549 ¢ 14-3-32 Degltr 1,300 ft:

Elsewhere noted at: Manantr, Narsampét, Kandahar.

Tris brown; bill horny-brown, yellowish at chin; legs and feet olive-green;

claws black.

Present in fair numbers by tanks, marshland and inundated paddy-fields.

The testes of the specimen showed signs of enlargement measuring ca

3x2 mm. The bird was in freshly moulted breeding plumage and was ex-

tremely fat indicating that it was ready for emigration to its northern breeding

grounds.

Tringa hypoleucos Linnzus. The Common Sandpiper.

Tringa hypoleucos Linnzeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 149—Europe,

Sweden.

Specimen collected: 233 ¢ 3-11-81 Borgampad 160 ft.

Hlsewhere noted at: Hyderabad City Environs, Mananir, Narsampét,

Mukher, Deglir, Hanamkonda, Aurangabad.

Tris dark brown; bill horny-brown, greyer at base of lower mandible; mouth

pale French grey; legs and feet greenish-grey; claws dusky.

Commonly met with, singly, by tanks, streams, pools and puddles, flooded

borrow-pits and the like. 14 March was the last date on which one was

noted by the Survey, though at Alibag (N. Konkan) I have seen one as late

448 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST? SOCIHEY, Vol. XXXVil

as 24 July while another was observed to frequent a tank throughout the mon-

soon.

The testes of the specimen were in a quiescent state.

Tringa glareola Linnzus. The Wood Sandpiper.

Tringa glareola Linnzeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 149—Europe,

Sweden.

Specimen collected: 5385 ¢ 12-3-82, 546 ¢ 14-83-82 Deglir 1,300 ft.

Klsewhere noted at: Utnoor, Nirmal, Aurangabad, Narsampét.

Iris brown; bill blackish-brown, olive at base; legs and feet pale sage green

or olive-green; claws brown.

This was the most abundant of the sandpipers met with in Hyderabad

State, going about in small parties as well as in flocks of 20 to 80 birds or

more, in inundated paddy fields (preferably where cut or newly grown), and

by the marshy reed-covered edges of tanks. The last seen was on 14 April—

a sohtary bird.

The testes of the specimens were in non-breeding condition. No. 546

(14 March) was in heavy body moult, the rectrices and remiges being fresh.

Tringa totanus (Linnzus). The Redshank.

Scolopax totanus Linneeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 145—EHurope,

Sweden.

Specimens not collected.

Noted at: Borgampad, Deglir.

Pairs and small parties of Redshanks were observed on sandbanks in the

Godavari River, about its junction with the Kinarsani. At Deglir they kept

to the edges of tanks.

Glottis nebularia Gunnerus. The Greenshank.

Scolopax nebularia Gunnerus, Leem, Beskr. Finm. Lapp. (1767), p. 251—

Norway.

Specimens not collected.

Noted at: Borgampad, Deglur.

Observed in small numbers—singly or in pairs or small parties of 3 or 4—

on sandbanks in the Godavari River. At Deglir only a solitary example was

seen at a tank (14-38-32).

SUB-FAMILY: JHROLIINA.

Erolia temminckii (Leisler). Temminck’s Stint.

Tringa temmincku Leisler, Nachtrage zu Bechst. Naturg. Deutsch]. (1812),

pp. 63-78—near Hanau on the Main.

Specimen collected: 224 9 2-11-81 Borgampad 160 ft.

Elsewhere noted ?

Frolia minuta (Licisler). The Little Stint.

Tringa minuta Leisler, Nachtrige zu Bechst. Naturg. Deutsch]. (1812), p. 74

—near Hanau on the Main.

Specimen collected: 548 9 14-83-32 Deglur 1,300 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Hyderabad City Environs, Malkaptr (along Nalgonda

Road).

Tris brown; bill horny-brown, greenish at base of both mandibles; legs

and feet olive-green; claws black.

Stints were seen in fair numbers at Borgampad, where they frequented

mudbanks and spits in the Godavari and Kinarsani Rivers also marshy, cut

paddy-fields by the edge of irrigation tanks. They were usually in flocks

of 10-80 or more birds, flying swiftly, turning and twisting on the wing in

orderly squad formation, and uttering a soft wit-wit-wit. In the other localities

also, marshy country about irrigation tanks was their favourite haunt.

The ovaries of the specimens were in an undeveloped condition. In No. 548

(14 March) however, the follicles had a distinctly granulated appearance and

the bird was moulting its primaries and coverts in preparation for its northern

migratory journey. a

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 449

SUB-FAMILY: SCOLOPACINA.

Capella gallinago gallinago (Linnaeus). The Common or Fantail Snipe.

Scolopax gallinago Linneeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 147—Hurope,

Sweden.

Specimen collected: 187 dg. 29-10-31 Borgampad 160 ft.

Elsewhere noted and/or shot at: Nelipaka, Pakhal Lake, Malkapir (along

Nalgonda Road), Deglur, Utnoor.

Iris dark brown; bill dark horny-brown, greyish-green at base of lower

mandible and brownish-flesh at basal half of culmen; legs and feet greyish-

green; claws black.

The Fantail Snipe visits the State in fair numbers during the cold weather,

but in my experience it is not nearly so plentiful as the next species. Of

18 birds shot one morning at Nelipaka (12 November) only one belonged to

this species, all the rest being Pintails. The bags in other places also in-

variably contained a much larger proportion of Pintails than Fantails. The

birds frequent marshy grassland by the edge of tanks, and waterlogged cut

paddy-fields.

A body moult apparently takes place on arrival in their winter quarters

as seen in the case of birds shot and examined early in the season. The

wing quills of all such birds were fresh, suggesting that these are moulted

prior to starting on the southward migration.

The testes of the specimen, of course, were in an undeveloped condition.

The latest record I have for this species is 8 April when 2 birds were flushed

among reeds bordering a tank at Utnoor. One shot was in perfect fresh plu-'

mage and fat.

Capella stenura (Bonaparte). The Pintail Snipe.

Scolopaz stenura Bonaparte, Ann. Stor. Nat. Bologna, vol. iv (18380), p. 385

—Sunda Island.

Specimens not collected.

Noted and shot at: Borgampad, Nelipaka, Pakhal Lake, Malkaptr (along

Nalgonda Road), Utnoor.

The Pintail Snipe, in my experience, is a much more abundant winter

visitor to the State than the foregoing species. They were both found in the

same type of country, and usually together. My remarks regarding moult

apply to this species as well. The last to be shot or seen were 2 birds on

9 April (Utnoor) both of which were in perfect fresh plumage and very fat.

ORDER: STEGANOPODES.

FamMiILty: PHALAGROCORACIDA.

Phalacrocorax niger (Vieillot). The Little Cormorant.

Hydrocoraz niger Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., nouv. ed., vol. viii

(1817), p. 88—India.

Specimens not collected.

Noted at: Narsampét, Malkaptr (along Nalgonda Road), Kandahar, Deglur,

Pakhal Lake.

Present in small numbers on most tanks. When alighting on the water

their tails are the first to break the surface and are employed as brakes to check

the momentum.

SuB-FAMILY: ANHINGINZE.

Anhinga melanogaster Pennant. The Indian Darter or Snake Bird.

Anhinga melanogaster Pennant, Ind. Zool. (1769), p. 18—Ceylon and Java.

Specimens not collected.

Noted at: Kazipéet, Dornakal, Narsampét, Malkapur, Utnoor.

Met with singly or in scattered pairs on tanks. In common with the

Cormorants, they have the characteristic habit of perching on dry stumps etc.

in the water or on bare trees at the edge, and spreading out their wings and

tails to dry, on the model of the German eagle. These birds also use their

tails as a brake when alighting on the water.

450 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVIl

OrDER: JH ERODIONES.

FAMILY: IBIDIDZA.

Threskiornis melanocephalus (Latham). The White Ibis.

Tantalus melanocephalus Latham, Index. Orn., vol. 1 (4790), p. 709—India.

Specimens not collected.

Three or four birds were noted on a tank at Narsampéet on 1 December.

Pseudibis papillosa (Temminck). The Indian White Ibis.

Ibis papillosa Temm., Planch. Color. d’Ois. (1824), pl. 3804—India and

Ceylon.

Specimens not collected.

Noted at: Mananur, Kazipet, Nelipaka, Narsampét.

This is not an uncommon species. Pairs and small parties of 3 to 7 or

8 birds were met with about jheels etc., also on the Godavari River. Their

cries or ‘screams’ are reminiscent of those of the Ruddy Sheldrake.

It is said to be common in the Bhima Valley and to breed in May and

again in the last three months of the year (Davidson and Wenden, 5.F.,

vii, 92).

SUB-ORDER: CICONLA.

FAaMILy: CIGONIIDA.

Ciconia ciconia (Linnezus). The White Stork.

Ardea ciconia Linneus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 142—Hurope,

Sweden.

No specimens collected.

Noted at: Narsampét (29-11-31), Devarkonda (Mahbabnagar Dist., 11-2-32

Mrs. Tasker !), Degltr (15-83-32).

I only saw a party of 4 White Storks feeding on the reed-covered marshy

edge of a tank near the town (Narsampét) and a solitary bird in similar facies

at Deglir. :

The red bills, which I particularly noted, would indicate that they belonged

to the typical race.

Dissoura episcopus episcopus (Boddaert). The White-necked Stork.

Ardea episcopus Boddaert., Tabl. Pl. Enlum, p. 54 (1783) for Pl. Hnlum.

906—Coromandel Coast.

No specimens collected.

Noted at: Borgampad, Pakhal Lake, Asifabad, Devarkonda (Mahbtbnagar

Dist. Mrs. Tasker !), Deglur.

Usually seen in pairs, feeding on water-logged fallow land or the edge of

tanks, or sailing in circles high up in the air in parties of 3 to 5 birds. On

7 December one was noted on a lofty tree in the forest near Pakhal Lake

beside a partially-built nest—a huge platform of twigs—at about 380 ft. from

the ground. I am, however, not positive that the nest belonged to the bird

though presumably this was the case. Davidson and Wenden (S.F., vii, 90)

found it breeding in Sholapur Dist. in December and January, and in Satara

Dist. in February.

Xenorhynchus asiaticus asiaticus (Latham). The Black-necked Stork.

Mycteria asiatica Latham, Ind. Orn.,: vol. ii (1790), p. 670—India.

No specimens collected.

At Borgampad a pair was observed through glasses circling high overhead

(8-11-31).

Leptoptilos dubius (Gmelin). The Adjutant.

Ardea dubia Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. i, pt. 11 (1789), p. 624—India.

Not met with by the Survey.

Davidson and Wenden (S.F., vii, 90) and Fairbank (S.F., iv) observed the

Adjutant in the Deccan, but record it as rare. Davidson saw one feeding with

a lot of vultures.

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 451

Leptoptilos javanicus (Horsf.). The Smaller Adjutant.

Ciconia javanica Horsfield, Trans. Linn. ‘Soc., vol. xiii, pt. 1 (May 1821),

p. 188—Java.

Not met with by the Survey.

Davidson and Wenden (S.F., vii, 90) write as follows: ‘Wenden is sure

that he has seen this bird on more than one occasion about the marshy tanks

on the outskirts of the Nulwar jungles. It is, however, a very rare visitant,

and seen in the rainy season only’.

Ibis leucocephalus leucocephalus (Pennant). The Painted Stork.

Tantalus leucocephalus Pennant, Ind. Zool. (1769), p. 11, pl. 10—Ceylon.

No specimens collected.

A flock of 5 birds was observed on a mudbank in the Godavari River at

Borgampad on 1-11-31.

Anastomus oscitans (Boddaert). The Open-billed Stork.

Ardea oscitans Boddaert, Tabl. Pl. Enlum. (1783), p. 55 for Pl. Enlum. 932—

Pondicherry.

No specimens collected.

Small flocks were observed on jheels at Kazipet (27-10-31) and Multg

(Warangal Dist., May 1927).

SUB-ORDER: ARDEA.

FAMILY: ARDEIDA.

Ardea purpurea manillensis Meyer. The Purple Heron.

Ardea purpurea var. manillensis Meyer, Nova Acta Acad. Leop.. Carol.,

vol. xvi, Suppl. (1884), p. 102—Philippines.

Specimen collected: 644 Q 4-4-3832 Utnoor 1,250 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Borgampad, Nelipaka, Narsampét.

Iris bright yellow; bare lores and lower mandible greenish-yellow, upper

mandible mostly horny-brown; bare tibia yellow; tarsus horny-brown; hind

aspect of tarsus and soles of feet yellow.

Usually met with as a solitary bird standing motionless in water by river

banks and islets or reedy tanks, darting forward with its bill now and again

as some frog or fish comes within striking distance.

The ovaries of the specimen were in a quiescent state. It was undergoing

a complete moult,

Ardea cinerea Linnzus. The Common Grey Heron.

Ardea cinerea Linnzus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. 1 (1758), p. 143—Europe,

Sweden.

No specimens collected.

Noted at: Borgampad, along Nekonda-Narsampét Road and at Utnoor,

singly as the foregoing.

Major-General E. F. Burton in his ‘Reminiscences of Sport in India’ (pub-

lished about 1885) mentions a heronry close to a small village which he passed

en route from Hanamkonda to ‘Percall’ Lake (Parkal or Pakhal?) in February

1847 where ‘the great blue birds occupied all the topmost branches of the

tall trees with their coarsely formed nests and straddled over their eggs and

young in an ungainly way’. February (unless there is some oversight here)

is much too early a month for these birds to have had young. The breeding

season is usually in the monsoon months.

Egretta alba (Linneus). The (Hastern) Large Hgret.

Ardea alba Linneus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. 1 (1758), p. 144—Europe.

No specimens collected.

Noted at: Kazipet, Borgampad, Narsampét, Devarkonda (Mahbibnagar

Dist., Mrs. Tasker !), Deglur.

Usually seen as a solitary bird on sandbanks in the Godavari and Kuinar-

sani Rivers, also by marshy reed-bordered tanks. On one occasion 8 or 10 were

seen together on a sandbank, presenting a magnificent sight.

Breeding: Col. Sparrow has two eggs from Navipét, 10-8-14,

452.> JOURNAL. BOMBAY. NATURAL HISE.. SOCIETY, Vol. XXX Vit.

Egretta garzetta (Linneus). The Little HKgret. pales

Ardea garzetta Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. xu, vol..1 (1766), p. 237—‘In Oriente’.

No specimens collected.

Noted along road between Achampet and Hyderabad City, and at Kandahar.

The birds were fairly common in the vicinity of water.

I seem to have overlooked intermedia, which I find not recorded in my field

notes, but which must surely occur in this area.

Bubulcus ibis (Linnzus). The Cattle Heret.

Ardea ibis Linneus, Syst.. Nat., ed. x, vol. 1 (1758), p. 144—Egypt.

No specimens collected.

Noted at: Hyderabad City Environs, along Nekonda-Narsampét Road,

Kandahar, Deglir, Utnoor.

The Cattle “Egret is a common species in Hyderabad, usually seen in atten-

dance on grazing cattle, picking up grasshoppers and other insects disturbed

by the animals’ progress through the grass.

In a_ ploughed inundated field near Narsampet I noticed an assemblage

of many hundreds of these birds, apparently for the benefit of the frogs !

Ardeola grayii (Sykes). The Indian Pond Heron or Paddy Bird.

Ardea grayit Sykes, P.Z.S. 1832 (22 November), p. 158—Dukhun.

No specimens collected.

Noted at: Mananur, Borgampad, Narsampét, Kandahar, Deglir, Kaulas,

Utnoor, Hyderabad City and Environs.

A common and familiar ‘species frequenting tanks, ponds and even kutcha

wells, and feeding principally on frogs.

On 9 October (Mananir) some individuals were still in breeding plumage.

Breeding: At Navipét on 10-8-14, Col. Sparrow found several nests with

3 or 4 eggs each in varying stages of incubation, and also large young.

Butorides striatus javanicus (Horsfield). The Indian Little Green Heron.

Ardea javanica Horsfield, Trans. Linn. Soc., vol. xiii, pt. 1 (May 1821),

p. 190—Java.

Specimens collected: 542 3 18-3-32 Deglir 1,300 ft.; 661 ¢ 6-4-3832 Utnoor

1,250 ft.

Elsewhere not noted.

Tris bright lemon yellow; ‘upper mandible dark horny-brown, lower sage

green ;- eyelids and bare patch-in front of eyes: bright yellowish leaf- -green; legs

and feet yellowish leaf-green, yellower on hind tarsus and soles; claws dusky. -

On both - occasions solitary birds were flushed from secluded, well-shaded

rocky pools in stream beds. At Utnoor the stream ran through - deciduous

forest. Their stomachs contained mostly remains of crabs and frogs.

The testes of the specimens were undeveloped. No. 661 (6 April) was

undergoing a body moult, the rectrices and wing-quills being unaffected.

Nycticorax nycticorax (Linneus). The Night Heron.

Ardea nycticorax Linnzus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol..i (1758), p. 142—Southern

Europe.

No specimens collected. -

Noted. at: Paloncha, Hyderabad City, Kandahar, Deglar, Utnoor.

Usually seen flighting to and from their feeding grounds by tanks etc., at

dusk and early in the mornings. Though often from “the same roost, the birds

do not fly in any kind of orderly flocks. They utter loud hoarse quaak’s from

time to time as they flap lazily along.

ORDER: ANSERES.

Ears SuB-FAMILY: PLECTROPTERINA.

Sarkidiornis melanota (Pennant). The Nukhta or Comb Duck. —

Anser -melanotos Pennant, Ind. Zool. (1769), 2 12—Ceylon.

No specimens collected.

Noted and/or shot at: -Mananir, Paloncha, -Narsampét, Utnoor,

The Nukhta was present in small numbers on jheels and tanks. At Utnoor

only a solitary bird. was seen (5. April). On 11 October (Mananir) a duck was

observed on a tank accompanied by 14 half-grown. ducklings. . She refused to

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. PGA, Et.

1. Paddy-bird (Ardeola grayii) wading after Frogs.

2. Green Sandpiper (Tinga ochropus) in breeding plumage preparatory to

emigration. Late April.

Photos by Author,

Dees

- Ras hyve,

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aera cage: mene nara

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wits

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, sate

perithecia intranet dahed Mind inal GE

Pea Ag =o

Pfiiem eal:

THE HYDERABAD STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEY 453

forsake the brood even when her mate (?) and another duck of the party flew

away to the report of shots close by. As late as 25 November (Paloncha) also,

another bird was noted to be accompanied by 8 half-grown ducklings.

SuB-FAMILY: CHENONETTINZA.

Nettapus coromandelianus (Gmelin). The Cotton Teal.

Anas coromandeliana Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. i, pt. 1 (1789), p. 522—Coro-

mandel, India.

Specimens collected: 405 ?, 406 ? (imm.) 2-12-31 Narsampet 800 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Hyderabad City Environs, Malkapur (Nalgonda Road),

Utnoor.

Iris dark brown; bill, upper mandible plumbeous-brown, lower pale dull

orange-flesh colour; legs and. feet greyish-green; claws brown.

This little teal is a fairly common resident in the State and is present in

some numbers on most tanks and jheels. The largest flock seen was of about 50.

No. 406 (2 December) was a young bird with soft skull, just growing its

wing-quills.

SUB-FAMILY: ANATINA.

Dendrocygna javanica (Horsfield). The Lesser or Common Whistling Teal.

Anas javanica Horsfield, Trans. Linn. Soc., vol. xin, pt. 1 (1821), p. 199—

Java.

Specimens collected: 407 ? 2-12-31 Narsampét 800 ft.

Elsewhere noted at: Mananur, Borgampad, Deglir, Utnoor, Hyderabad

City Environs, Malkaptr (along Nalgonda Road). ;

Iris dark brown; eyelids dull chrome yellow; bill slaty-black; legs and feet

slate colour.

The Lesser Whistling Teal is one of the two commonest resident ducks in

the State, the other being the Cotton Teal. It usually keeps in flocks of from

8 to 30 birds or more, of which one or two will be found on every jheel of

any size.

On a tank at Narsampét, a pair were seen accompanied by 3 half-grown

ducklings on 2 December.

Dendrocygna fulva (Gmelin). The Large Whistling Teal.

Anas fulva Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. 1 (1889), p. 5830—Novo Hispania.

Not met with by the Survey.

Davidson and Wenden (8.F., vu, 92) write: ‘W. is sure he has observed

this species at Nulwar and shot several in 1873’. Fairbanks (S.F., iv) also

obtained a pair once near Ahmadnagar, but this was the only occasion on

which he came across the species.

Casarca ferruginea (Pallas). The Ruddy Sheldrake or Brahminy Duck.

Anas ferruginea Pallas in Vroeg, Cat. d’Ois. Adumb. (1764), p. 5—Tartary.

No specimens collected.

Noted only at Nelipaka where small parties were frequently seen flying

up and down the Godavari River and resting on the sandbanks.

Anas pecilorhyncha J. R. Forster. The Spot-bill or Grey Duck.

Anas pecilorhyncha J. R. Forster, Zool. Indica (1781), p. 28, pl. 18, fig. 1—

Ceylon.

No specimens collected.

Noted and/or shot at: Manantr, Malkaptr (along Nalgonda Road),

Deglur.

‘Found on tanks and jheels in small numbers.

Nettion crecca (Luinnzeus). The Common Teal.

Anas crecca Linnzus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 125—Europe,

Sweden.

No specimens collected.

Noted and/or shot at: Aurangabad, Paloncha.

Present on tanks etc. in small numbers, along with other species. Also

observed in flooded borrow-pits by road.

454 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVIi

- Querquedula querquedula (Linnus). The Garganey or Blue-winged Teal.

Anas querquedula Linnzeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 126—Europe,

Sweden.

No specimens collected.

Noted and/or shot at: Deglur, Malkapar (along Nalgonda Road),

Utnoor.

Seen in flocks of 50 or more on tanks and jheels. It is an inveterate diver

and swims well under water. This species is one of the earliest of the migratory

wildfowl to arrive in India and also the latest to leave. A flock of 8 was

seen at Utnoor on 9 April when no other migratory ducks were present.

Spatula clypeata (Uinnzcus). The ‘Shoveller.

Anas clypeata Linnzus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 124—Kurope,

5S. Sweden.

No specimens collected.

Noted and/or shot at: Borgampad, Deglir, Utnoor (15-10-24), Malkapur.

The Shoveller is fairly common on tanks and jheels, but not numerous.

It keeps in small flocks of 6-8 birds.

SUB-FAMILY: NYROCINZ:

Nyroca ferina (Linnzeus). The Pochard or Dun Bird.

Anas ferina linnzus, ‘Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758)—Kurope, Sweden.

No specimens collected.

Noted and/or shot at: Hyderabad City Environs, Malkapur, Kandahar,

Deglur.

A fairly common species on tanks and jheels.

Nyroca fuligula (Linnzeus). The Tufted Pochard.

Anas fuligula Linneus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, vol. i (1758), p. 128—Europe,

Sweden.

No specimens collected.

Noted and/or shot at: Malkapur, Devarkonda (Mrs. Tasker !), Kandahar,

Deglur.

A common species in winter on irrigation and village tanke and jheels,

often in large numbers.

I have no doubt that a good many species of duck besides those mentioned

above must occur within our limits during the cold weather months. Duck-

shooting on the whole, however, is rather poor in the Hyderabad State as the

tanks on which the birds are mostly found are artificial reservoirs for irrigation

purposes where the water is usually too deep or too open to supply the require-

ments of the sport. It is interesting to read in Major-General EK. F. Burton’s

‘Reminiscences of Sport in India’ the description of a journey from Hanam-

konda (then a military station occupied by the Hyderabad Contingent) to ‘Per-

call’ Lake, thirty miles ‘through wild country studded with fine sheets of

water which were full of ducks and geese of all kinds’. The geese most pro-

bably were of the Bar-headed species (Anser indicus) which doubtless even now

visit parts of the State in the cold weather. The nearest place to the Hyder-

abad State where I have come across them is on the Godavari River near

Nasik.

ORDER: PyYGOPODES.

Famity: PopDIcEPIDz.

Podiceps ruficollis (Pallas). The Indian Little Grebe or Dabchick.

Podiceps ruficoliis Pallas in Vroeg. Cat. d’Ois. Adumb. (1764)—Holland.

No specimens collected.

Noted at: Hyderabad City Environs, Mananur, Kazipét, and along the

railway line to Dornakal, Narsampét, Malkaptr, Kandahar, Deglur, Utnoor,

Nirmal.

A common species throughout the ‘State, almost invariably present on tanks

and jheels. <A pair was also noted in the moat surrounding Kandahar Fort.

Breeding: Col. Sparrow has taken several clutches of the Dabchick’s eggs

(usually 6) at Mulkaram, Eswantaraopét and elsewhere, between 26 July and

9 September.

(The end).

EARTH-EATING AND SALT-LICKING IN INDIA.

de i OANUS: 6d Hens)

AnD,

S. K. CHHAPGAR, B.SC.

(St. Xavier's College, Bombay).

(Continued from page 981 of volume xxxvi).

ANALYSES XXKILXXXV.

XX XIT.—Common ane

SERIAL No. 28.

Locatiry.—Near Murtiha in the Reserved Forest of Bahraich

District, United Provinces.

COLLECTED AND SENT BY—The Divisional Forest Officer; Bah-

raich.

Cement-grey, friable lumps with rootlets. Powder soft.

Minerals bile Be we O:79n per cent.

Clay a oe ete TP ORLO i

Sand is sae a Po O49 i

Organic debris oN oo a 2°13 A

Humus ree ae re Orao ie

~ Moisture a5 Roe 2-96 EA

Fine Earth (20 mesh i ee me 2 962105 a

Insoluble in nitric acid ae ce OL biases

Soda (Na, ® ae ee i 1-681 ae

Potash (K,O) a: ae ka 0-588 =

Magnesia (MgO) ios me oe 0-431 e

Lime (CaO) ane oe a O4 40 =

> Alumina (AlO,) ae ay Bis 1-946 -= ,,

Silica, (S105) (soluble -s. ae te 6-680 -

Sulphur. (SO,) ae co oe 0-008 -

“ehosplhouie @b,Or) tee x 0-147 S

Hemme goxide (ihe, O;) is ae 3°146

Moisture and organic matter ... 5°155 i

Remarks.—1. The earth was taken within 100 Jane from, but

outside, Salt-Lick No. 27.

2. “The earth from the salt-lick is very hard and

unmistakeable, and that from the adjoining area is easier to break

and: crumbles: (OD. Dayis, sq. 1Fs.). :

456 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVIi

XX XIII.—Common Earru.

SERIAL No. 46.

LocaLtiry—Gonda Forest Division, Bhambar Range, Chandan-

pore Block. , :

COLLECTED AND sENT By—The Forest Ranger, Bhambar Range,

United Provinces. j

Hard buffy lumps crumbling to powder. Powder soft.

Clay ae ee ae o-41 per cent.

Sand ae BS oo Oli 9g a3

Organic debris a is ee 2-07 i

Moisture af ee ae 0-19 ks,

Fine Earth (20 mesh sieve) a ee Oat y

Insoluble in nitric acid Be poo touhealoys oe

Potash (K,O) Me ne A 3°196 _

Magnesia (MgO) an a Sie 0-269 ae

Lime (CaO) See ne os 0-312 .

Alumina (A1I,O,) ae a as 2°052 i

Silica (Si0,) soluble ... es 7:310 3

Kerme oxide (de,0O)). Go i 2-002 Ge

Moisture and organic matter ... ve 2-940 ‘

Remarks.—l1. The soil contains traces of humus and_phos-

phorus.

2. The earth was collected at a distance of about

a chain from Salt-Lick No. 47, on the left in cpt. 101 B.

XXXIV.—Soit FRoM Saut-Lick.

SERIAL No. 47.

Locatiry—Gonda Forest Division, Bhambar Range, Chandan-

pore Block, United Provinces.

COLLECTED AND SENT By—The Forest Ranger, Bhambar Range,

United Provinces.

Hard buffy lumps. crumbling to powder. Powder soft.

Minerals me es Soe 0:06 per cent.

Clay a aa ae wl Or o4 Ha

Sand ee Se fe OO.08 -

Organic debris dee Ue ie 1-76 -

Humus nee Mike Ne 0:08 -

Moisture eee a ae 1-09 Re

Fine Earth (20 mesh sieve) ae ey Ska :

Insoluble in nitric acid bees sag asta DIG) ie

Potash (K,O) tes se an 1-213 a

Magnesia (MgO) Ae sean ec 0-283 ‘i

Lime (CaO) ae a Soe 0-230

Alumina (AI,O,) vee ae ay 3°432 .B

silica (S10,) soluble ... at aa 6:725 BF

EARTH-EHEATING AND SALT-LICKING IN INDIA 457

Phosphorus, (2, Ol) 02... nes ae 0-916 per cent.

eerie roxide) (Me, O02) 1. os ha 1-552 a

Moisture and organic matter ... ae 2110

Remarks.—l. The soil contains traces of manganese.

2. (a) The earth was collected on the right of

Chandanpore-Nerhewa 15 ft. road in cpt.

103A, about 500 yds. from Chandanpore

Forest Rest-house.

(b) Cows, deer, chital, sambhar, barking deer,

four-horned deer, and sometimes pigs,

poreupine, and langoor black-faced mon-

keys visit these licks. In some places cattle

are very fond of it; so much so that if they

are not driven away by their owner, the

animals will overfeed and kill themselves.

but sambhar are always late comers. They

lick salt all the year round, but mostly in

wet weather when the earth is soft. Octo-

ber is the best period for the wild animals.

(d) ‘The reason why they take to this is that it

acts on them as a purgative and: feel re-

freshed after they have taken it.’ (Ganga

Ram, F.R.O.).

XXXV.—Soit FRoM SAuLt-Lick.

SERIAL No. 48.

Locatiry—Sironcha Range, Chanda District, Central Provinces.

COLLECTED AND SENT BY—The Deputy Conservator of Forests,

South Chanda Division.

Friable grey lumps with a few rootlets. Powder gritty and

soapy to the touch.

Minerals a ee ae 2°84 per cent.

Clay ee an aes 5:47 .

Sand ae a le BQEbs és

Organic debris a Ate et 4-838 a

Moisture ee as ae 3:86 =

Fine Earth (20 mesh sieve) oS so 93-408 ie

Insoluble in nitric acid ae ... 64-646 .

Soda (Na,O) bets tee ie 0-891 Bs

Potash (K,O) Be Pe bi 0-960 :

Magnesia (MgO) Ee es AY. 0-452 5

Lime (CaO) es 1 Be 0-580 3

Alumina (A1,0,) oe ae ne 4-872 *

Silica (Si0,) soluble ... pe) a a AAC es) ss

Sulphur (SO,) pie oe oe 0-117

Ehesphorus) (P,0;) <., a ae 1-497

458 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Herric.oxide “(Hes@Oyr me ee 1-321 per cent.

Moisture and organic matter ... ie 4-850

Nemarks.—The following animals visit the salt-licks specially in

rains when the ground is soft:—

Elephants, buffaloes, bisons, barasinga, blue bulls, sambars,

chitals, other kinds of deer, pigs, monkeys, all domestic

cattle. They lick this earth and drink water as well col-

lected in salt-lick areas to have a change of taste after

their daily feed. They eat this earth in excess when they

want to clean their bowels or when they get eruption on

their tongue. (Range Officer, Sironcha Range).

ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS.

_ Journ. Bomb. Wat, Hist. “Soc,, vol. xxxyi, No. 1. November 15:

1932. sp 2:

XV1I.—SeErRIAL No, 81. Remarks.—2. The lick les between

Wain and Balahama about eight miles out of Srinagar, Kashmir, at

a distance of about two miles from Khanmoo Rukh Big Game

Reserve, which is a part of the lower ranges of Kashmir moun-

tains. The lick is a mound on small rising ground in the field at

the foot of the above range. ise

3 3. It is in the winter months only that the stags in num-

bers come out of the Khanmoo Rukh and lick the earth all round

this hillock and everywhere on it. They have a great liking for it.

XVII.—Soil from Salt-Lick to read Common Earth.

XV1II.—Seriat No. 82. Remarks.—2. The earth was collect-

ed from an area adjoining Salt-Lick No. 81.

P. 224—XXV. Seriat No. 156. Remarks.—2. The place was

a little cliff about 6 ft. high, its foot sloping down to a shallow

ford in a small stream. Both the ford and the foot of the cliff

showed every sign of being much frequented by sambar, cheetal,

and barking deer; but there were no sign of bison or tiger or

panther foot-prints. The jungle-man with me pointed out porcu-

pine foot-prints actually at the salt-lick . . . .There has been a

good, deal of rain in these parts in the last week, and the soil

between the cliff and the stream was all puddled and soft, and

so was much of that at the actual foot of the cliff.

8. The sample was collected from the central boss of

plastic clay encircled by a smooth channel, about 12 in. or 16 in.

in radius; the channel possibly made by deer’s chins or tongues,

I can’t be sure which, it being about 34 in. across and 24 in.

deep. The central boss bore distinct tongue marks as having been

licked, and also queer flat impressions, mixed up with the lick

marks, and with a distinct sort of golf ball ‘bramble’ marking

pattern on them. Whether these can have been caused by the

tongue being laid on the earth and lifted with a sucking effect

I do not know... The porcupine foot-prints were seen on this

central boss . . . Deer had knelt to get their heads down to

this spot . . .. Other parts of the cliff at the same point showed

less regular marks of being licked and bitten,

EARTH-EATING AND SALT-LICKING IN INDIA 459

Vol. xxxvi, No. 4, December 15, 1933, p. 978.

NOG a= SeRin Novo. “Remarks.—3. A few. teeu «1uruher

along there was a part of the chff about 4 ft. from the ground

level where the earth was hard and dry and which showed fresh

marks of being bitten. I collected a sample of this also (No. 157).

The foot of the cliff at this point also was puddled and _ plastic

and had a straight channel very much lke the circular channel

referred to above (cf. No. 156). Apparently showing that at the

time some of the deer were at it last night. The earth was very

much more liquid; one could see drops of solidified mud lodged on

a bank some 3 ft. high just above the end of this channel. These

drops must have dropped off their chin.

XX VIT.—Ssrian No. 18. Remarks.—2. The sample is from the

South Banda Range of the Banda Forest Division. These forests

are on the Vindhya Range and Panna Plateau.

REVIEWS.

I. EVOLUTION OF HABIT IN BIRDS. By Edmund Selous, 296 pages,

London, 1988 (Constable & Co. Litd.).

For many years now, the name of Edmund Selous has been well to the fore

amongst ornithologists and nature-lovers. His excellent field studies of living

birds presented to us through the pages of various natural history magazines

and journals, have earned him just renown and have, moreover, been largely

responsible for the happy change that has come about in recent years in

the attitude of the ‘scientific’ or ‘museum’ ornithologist towards the value

and importance of this type of research. Field observation had come to be

regarded in ‘museum scientist’ circles with something akin to contempt or at

the most with a species of benign indulgence as being merely ‘bird-lore’ and

of little or no scientific value.

Fortunately for science, things have taken a healthier turn and it is now

becoming increasingly recognised that the contribution which intelligent and

rational field observation can make in unravelling many of Nature’s puzzles

is as great, if indeed not greater than any the pure museum worker (System-

atist or Classification-monger, as the author feelingly calls him !) with often

merely a pile of dry stuffed skins at his disposal, can. In other words it

is becoming increasingly clear that to understand the ecology, i.e. the relation

of an organism to its surroundings, its affinities with other creatures and its

position in the general scheme of Nature, field observation is the only depend-

able via media. While systematic work and -classification are also indispensable

to a proper understanding of such problems, they are likewise only a means

to the end and not the end itself.

In the present volume the author has attempted to show how his own

observations on many different species of living birds have brought him to

the conclusion that all or most of the habits noticeable in this group at the

present day are the outcome of something more fundamental than appears on

the surface, and that many of them can be directly attributed to the subtle

influences of sex, i.e. that many of the habits which we see crystalized among

our modern birds have a sexual origin, and being of direct benefit to the species,

have been worked upon and evolved by Natural Selection, a factor to which

the author attaches cardinal importance. Such acts among Stock Doves and

Stone-Curlews as the assuming of bellicose and ludicrous postures without en-

gaging in actual serious combats are, he believes, where fighting has passed

into formality to the benefit of the species, since actual encounters in strong

and well-armed birds would result in heavy mortality to the detriment of the

race. These mock battles, martial displays and sabre-rattling which the author

terms ‘Formalisation’, have according to him clearly grown out of real fights,

thus resulting in ‘the proportionate dissipation through Natural Selection of

energies that have become to any extent deleterious, into channels entirely or

comparatively innocuous.’ He suggests that ‘Formalisation’ is only practised

iter se i.e. between rival individuals of the same species, but that against an

outside enemy like a dog it is still capable of turning into actual and serious

fighting.

In another part of the book entitled ‘Sexual Origin of Nest-building’ the

author attempts to demonstrate by a covious citation of his notes relating to the

Peewit, Blackbird, Flycatcher and other species, that nidification has been

slowly developed out of physiological reaction to sexual stimulus. He affirms—

and we think with reason—that the origin of nest-building can never have

been purely architectural. It is pointed out that in the case of the Lapwing’s

nest, the scrape in which the eggs are laid has originated not as a deliberate

and thought-out plan, but merely accidentally from.the bird’s observable habit

of pressing its breast down and turning round and round excitedly, when its

actions are exactly the same as in the act of copulation. The movements

are indulged in principally by the male in the breeding season, probably as

REVIEWS 461

an outlet to his exuberant and surplus energy. Bits of grass etc. are torn

up at the same time from the immediate surroundings and allowed to drop

at the sides and find their way into the scrape, suggesting or explaining the

origin of the lining.

Many other topics of absorbing interest are discussed in other chapters,

such as Origin of Sexual Display in Birds, Suggested Origin of Darwinian

Selection, Origin of Domestic Cleanliness, Parental Care of Young, and Song

in Birds, based on the author’s field observations.

We have nothing but admiration for the painstaking manner in which the

author has recorded his field observations and collected his data, and for the

ingenuity with which he has interpreted it. In a footnote somewhere, he says

‘My idea is that in serious field natural history, by which I mean the kind

into which thinking as well as seeing enters, every reader is entitled to the

actual field notes of the author where these exist and are pertinent. True,

he may not want them, but in that case the serious element: is absent on

his side.’ Acting upon this principle the author has filled his book with copious

notes in which many observations often also those not immediately bearing

on the subject in hand, are brought in. While we agree that every reader

is entitled to the field notes of an observer, we think some better and more

convenient method should have been devised—such as in an appendix—for pre-

senting them rather than in the actual text. The procedure now adopted

tends to make the style unnecessarily involved, and it is often quite difficult

for the reader not to lose the thread of the anthor’s arguments and reasoning,

or to arrive at the conclusions he is expected to.

The book is nevertheless a stimulating, and in many respects an original

one. It provides plenty of food for thought to scientist and layman alike, and

deserves to be read by all naturalists and bird-lovers.

Se ALAS

Il. NATURE STUDY READERS. The Teachers’ Scheme Book for First

and Second Year Pupils. By Phyllis 8. Darling, m.n.s.T., F.R.a.8. (Oxford

University Press). Price As. 8.

One of the greatest obstacles in the teaching of Nature Study in Indian

schools has been, and still is, the lack of teachers who are themselves familiar

with the subject. The ordinary teacher in primary, secondary and even high

schools, is usually as much a stranger to Nature Study as are his pupils, and

it is therefore not surprising that he should often resent this further addition

to the already long list of subjects he is expected to teach. Even among

better qualified teachers, including those possessing an academic degree in

Natural Sciences, there are very few endowed with the gift of bringing their

knowledge down to a level where it will be readily intelligible to the children.

Neither is it sufficient for the teacher merely to make himself understood, for

unless he can at the same time succeed in arousing the necessary interest in

the child and creating in his pupil a thirst for further knowledge and _ investi-

gation, the essence of Nature Study teaching is lost.

With a view to easing the lot of the average school teacher, primarily, a

series of Nature Study Readers is beine written by Mrs. Darling, the first

of which had already been published while others are in course of preparation.

The aim of the present booklet is to help teachers in inculeating in their

pupils a love of Nature and a snirit of independent enquiry and_ research

which will goad them on to observing and investigating things for themselves

and finding out the answers to their difficulties without recourse to continual

assistance and ‘spoon-feeding’. This admittedly is the true aim and_ purpose

of Nature Study teaching.

The readers will supply a real and lone-felt want and we hove they will

receive the encouragement they deserve from educational institutions in this

country. We also hope that in course of time they may be translated into

the vernaculars so as to be available to teachers in village schools who are

often ignorant of English.

Sig Ways vas

462 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

III. INDO-CHINA, A SPORTSMAN’S OPPORTUNITY. By Archibald

Harrison, made and privately printed at the Mayflower Press, Plymouth, 1938,

157 pages with 12 photographs and a sketch map of itinerary of the trip.

Archibald Cary Harrison, an American sportsman, died in London in 1928

and this record of his experience in Indo-China durmg a hunting expedition

undertaken in 1917 is now privately printed by his daughter and his elder

brother.

Jt is evident from the Foreword, dated May 1918, and other indications

in the book, that Archibald Harrison intended at one time to publish this

record of his observations and experiences in a French colony, but we do not

know why the manuscript was laid by for the ten years before his death.

The book is interesting as introducing the reader to a little known country

of which the big game possibilities were very attractive; but are they so now?

The Game Laws for the Province of Lang-Biang provided that in the Reserved

Zone in which the Harrison expedition hunted, the Special License (200 piastres),

good for three months in the year only allowed one elephant, one gaur, three

wild cattle, and only males, to be shot; all other beasts except tigers and pan-

thers being protected. In the Protected Zone the law was strict for all forms

of game and there was a summer closed season; in the Free Zone a male

gaur could be killed for 30 piastres.

The author remarks that these regulations, framed by Mr. Millet and

introduced in February 1917, ‘will be bound to conserve the game and become

important when Annam gets into the sportsman’s eye’. From a perusal of

the book the obvious remark has to be made that no game laws can be

effective if the Forest Officer responsible for their enforcement permits flagrant

disregard of them in his presence and actively connives at the slaughter of

cows and hinds!

At the time of Archibald Harrison’s expedition—13th June to 8th August,

1917—the striking feature of this region to sportsmen was that it was quite

unspoiled. Previous visits had been by one famous Frenchman who ‘slew

widely’; and_ several Belgians and Germans before the War; besides these

had been only the trips of his brother F. B. Harrison, and one or two

Americans from the Philippines. ;

Indo-China consists, as A. H. tells us, of Cochin China, a colony, Tonkin,

Laos, Cambodia, and Annam which are protectorates in charge of native Em-

perors who ‘rule’ under strictly French supervision. The shooting was done in

the sub-division of Liang-Biang in Southern Annam, a narrow strip touching

for its entire length the China Sea.

The terrain is mountainous and the climate perfect, the wanderings of the

party taking them from five to six thousand feet above the sea. Although it

was supposed to be the rainy season most of the days and nights resembled

those of September and October in the State of Maine. Occasionally heavy

thunderstorms disturbed the afternoons. The relief of getting to the shooting

country was a transportation from heat and paddy fields to pine trees and

blankets. The forests are described as being in general fairly open, of pine

and other large trees, with frequent glades and meadows, the undergrowth

knee high, coarse grass growing from soil soft enough to make the tracking

of heavy animals possible. The inhabitants are Mois, a simple and_ friendly

tribe of aborigines, gentle savages without any terror or suspicion of the

visitor from outside, and both men and women carry @ surprising pack will-

ingly, and all day. They were scrupulously honest.

So we realize what a wonderful country is there, on the shores of the

China fea but a thousand miles from Hong Kong, and it is a thousand pities

that such snortsmen as E. C. Kirkendall should have ravaged it, and that

Archibald Harrison should have had him as a shooting companion. For A. H.

was, we realize curing perusal of his book, a true sportsman refraining from

useless slaughter and at heart, as his brother says of him, a true conserva-

tionist of game.

A list of the principal game animals and birds, the former including the

python, cobra, and monkeys of eight varieties, closely corresponds to the fauna

of Burma. The list is French and says -that there are of gaur 3 varieties,

of wild cattle 2, of panthers 2, of bear 3, of wild dog 2, and of wild hog 2.

Nothing is said in the book about these varieties so we are left to conjecture

REVIEWS 463

what they may be. As to the bear and panther one can make a probably

accurate guess; but of the others? It would be interesting to have more in-

formation.

Mr. Millet of the French Forestry Service was the guide, philosopher, and

friend of the party. ‘I never had a better shooting companion hor a more

expert one’; but it has to be remarked that, although the Game Laws were

drawn up by him, conservation of game was not one of his strong points,

nor was he a naturalist.

The four tigers shot were obtained by a method originated by Mr. Millet

‘the only sure way of killing them’. A. H. remarks that he never heard

of the use of a stationary bait in India. Certainly it is not the custom in

India to lead an unsuspecting kill to the foot of a stout tree and shoot it

behind the ear with a revolver; but both in India and Burma baits are, when

beating is not intended, so tied that they cannot be dragged away: and it

is a usual practice in parts of Burma to leave out the carcase of any large

animal which may have been shot and visit it in the hope that a tiger may

have been attracted to the feast. Some of us have essayed Mr. Millet’s method

of an approach path swept clear of leaves to give noiseless access to a loop-

holed screen of branches, but not in the systematic fashion here described.

An instance of a tigress covering up a kill with grass is cited; a not

unusual occurrence, as recently remarked in connection with Mr. Peacock’s book

on Burma. It is said on Mr. Maillet’s authority that panthers turn away from

carrion, but that is not at all correct. Night shooting of tiger did not appeal

to A. H.; he preferred his nights in bed.

Mr. Millet was evidently responsible for the several observations as to the

habits of tiger. ‘The tiger tears off the skin (of a carcase) like tissue paper’;

‘if hungry they come with a roar and throw themselves upon the carcase’;

a female of this species gives birth at irregular intervals, often several years

apart, and takes care of the little ones for a time, moving them from place

to place. A singular instinct then causes her to eat all but one of the babies

a saving grace for the rustics, otherwise the country would be overrun with

tigers’. These are truly remarkable Natural History observations.

It is seen by the measurements given that the Annam tiger is a lightly

built animal as compared with the tiger of India. The largest shot had a

body length of 5 ft. 11 in. with a girth of but 41} in. There appeared to

be a great many tigers in that country, many of them maneaters, and ‘there

is a vast supply awaiting the generations to come’.

‘Kirkendall and Millet celebrated the Fourth of July by killing four gaur

and wounding a fifth (one allowed on the license!) practically demolishing a

herd’; and again, ‘Kirkendall and Millet had the good luck, during a day

on which I had chosen: to stop in camp, to fall in with a troop of gaur . .

Three cows and an exceptionally heavy bull paid the penalty, while a second

bull dragged itself off sorely wounded’; once more, ‘Kirkendall at length

covered himself with ambiguous glory by killing an adult cow (wild cattle)

and mortally wounding another‘ and lastly, ‘Kirkendall fired four times landing

once through the intestine. That he died of gangrene there is no question’.

‘Kirkendall, insatiable . . . . amused himself at Da-Nhim in pursuing con-nai

(sambur) at night with an electric torch device pinned on his campaign hat.

There is no law against it as in most other countries in the world... . His

first evening’s ‘‘jacking’’ was a towering success; he bagged a full grown buck

and doe with two shots along the maccadam road’.

Enough of this butcher Kirkendall. It is a thousand pities that A. H.

had him with him on this trip. It must not be thought that Harrison

intentionally pillorics his friend; the book does not in the remotest degree

read like that. The best of two gaur bulls had a spread of 38} in. A. H.

was himself a good sportsman. All through the book there are remarks and

observations which clearly indicate that he was a forbearing sportsman with

no desire for unnecessary slaughter. He shot two of the. tigers, a bull. gaur,

and a bull kron (wild cattle). . Only once did he fire at a deer the whole trip

and shot no sambur, going home with but an old horn or two picked up in the

woods. It is good to read that the party did not fire at the brow antler deer,

of which there were plenty. Millet was the formulator of the recently intro-

duced game laws yet, ‘Our guardian even pulled off a fine shot himself at a

doe (sambur) at three hundred yards’.

464 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

The chapters on ‘Miscellaneous Game’, ‘Camps and Side Issues’, ‘Mois,

Annamites, and Generalities’, are readable and informing on many matters.

The American rifles were found to shoot high and there were futile stalks

and days of hunting owing to want of knowledge of what the rifles would do;

‘They shot high at from 50 to 200 yards. It took us some weeks to get in

the habit of proper allowance’. They found the bulls of the wild cattle more

difficult to come by than the bison. The photographs do not show that heads

much worth having were obtained.

Villagers are restricted to native arms—spears and cross-bows,—and are

no doubt adepts in the use of poisoned arrows, for they trade largely in skins.

They are not permitted to trap, but one reads elsewhere that they are expert

trappers.

In this Review pretty well all that calls for remark has been noticed, and it

is because the book is not available to the general public that it has been

treated at such length.

Archibald Harrison was a man of lovable character. He died at the com-

paratively early age of fifty-two.

Re Web:

IV. ‘DARWIN’. By R. W. G. Hingston (Duckworth, London. 2s.).

The readers of the Society’s Journal need no introduction to the author of

the volume under review; his delightful series of articles on the life and

biology of spiders,. ants and other insects published in the Journal a few years

back are well known to all of us. He is also the author of ‘A Naturalist in

the Himalayas’, ‘A Naturalist in Hindustan’, and ‘A Naturalist in the Guiana

Forest’.

The work under Review is the first attempt by the author in the biographical

line. It contains a careful and fairly detailed account of the life and work

of the great naturalist and biologist, Charles Darwin, and is one of the

series of small volumes entitled ‘Great Lives’ published by Messrs. Duckworth

& Co. Hach of these volumes reviews briefly the life and work of celebrities

in various branches of learning, Art and Science, and provides at a moderate

price handy biographies such as should enable the lay public to get an idea

of the life and work of these great men.

Hingston’s ‘Life of Darwin’ is not planned on the ambitious scale of the

famous biologist’s life in three volumes edited by his son Francis Darwin,

but deals in six chapters with his ancestry, early years, schooling, University

education, and traces the history of his monumental work in connection with

the theory of Evolution. Darwin’s father, who was himself a successful physi-

cian, wanted that his son should follow in his footsteps, but after repeated

attempts both in Shrewsbury Grammar School and later in the University of

Edinburgh he found it impossible to carry on with the training necessary for

a medical student and after long cogitations the clerical profession was decided

upon. With this end in view he shifted to Cambridge, but was only able

to get an ordinary B.A. degree. During his stay at Cambridge, however, he

under the guidance of Henslow and Sedgwick had obtained a general, though

not intensive, training as a naturalist. Fortunately for Natural History, the

Admiralty brig ‘Beagle’ was about this time starting on its round-the-world

voyage, mainly for the survey of the South American coast line but also intend-

ing to carry round the world a chain of chronometrical measurements. As

the author very rightly points out, Darwin when he set out on this voyage,

was totally unacquainted with his powers and only expected ‘to accumulate

collections for the big guns to classify in obscure periodicals’, but in his new

school on board the ‘Beagle’ ‘he developed with riotous precocity’ and collected

material which provided the necessary withal not only for the wonderful account

of ‘A Naturalist’s Voyage Round the World’, but also the materials for his

theory of the formation of Atolls and Coral Reefs and geological observations

on volcanic islands etc. It was during this voyage that Darwin had begun

to consider the problem of the origin of species and its bearing on Evolution.

‘Darwin did not initiate the idea of Evolution. What he did was to resurrect

REVIEWS 465

it and demonstrate its truth’ by careful studies on domestic animals and

several years of ‘pondering and investigation’. In three chapters Hingston

gives a most delightful summary of Darwin’s work not only as a zoologist

but also as a geologist, botanist and, above all, a biologist with an excep-

tionally fruitful mind for discovering and collating the facts involved in the

study of Evolution.

The little book is written in a delightful style and both the author and the

publishers are to be congratulated on a beautifully got-up volume which they

have been able to produce in such a short compass and at so low a price.

Bark:

OBITUARIES

ETHELBERT BLATTER, s.3.

It is with the deepest regret that we record the death of

Reverend Father Kthelbert Blatter, who passed away peacefully on

Saturday evening, the 26th May (1934) at 6-45 p.m. at St. Vincent’s

High School, Poona.

Father Blatter was born in Switzerland on the 15th December,

1877. The Blatters hail from the Swiss Canton of Appenzell

stretching around the slopes of the majestic Saentis. He lost his

father very early in life and grew up in the castle above the village

of Rebstein, in the valley of the young and boisterous Rhine. The

Rebstein Castle belonged to Fr. Blatter’s uncle, a very popular

doctor in that corner of the Canton of St. Gall. After the death

of Dr. Blatter, the romantic place, which had been built in

A.D. 1207, was acquired by a charitable industrialist of Rebstein

and is now a boarding house for factory girls in charge of motherly

nuns.

After his elementary education in the village school, young

Ethelbert went to the college (high school) of Sarnen, in the Canton

of Obwalden, in Central Switzerland. Classmates still talk of

the brilliant youngster who simply played with every subject of

the classical course, and quite as readily with the good Benedictine

Fathers. But all are agreed that there was a certain frank noble-

ness about the jolly schoolboy. His countless pranks were con-

ceived in the spirit of fun and hurt nobody. He was bursting with

buoyancy and could not suppress the Appenzeller in him. The

Appenzellers are renowned for their wit, and famous for their quick

repartee. Blatter excelled in both. The last years of student-lfe

he spent in the college of Schwyz at the foot of the imposing twin

peaks of the Mythen. A colleague referring to this period (Schwyz)

writes: ““There I came to know him, when I was still in the ‘small

division’. Ethelbert was soon the hero of the school as he had

been at Sarnen. He was easily first in class, and on the stage,

and . . . would you believe it ?—could run in the playground lke

a deer, although his physical proportions were relatively the same

as when he was the Reverend Principal of St. Xavier’s College,

Bombay. Only those who did not know young Blatter sufficiently

were astonished, when from Schwyz he went to Feldkirch in

Austria to join the Noviciate of the German Province of the Society

of Jesus.’’ It was very often jokingly said that young Blatter had

been in every school in Switzerland.

Blatter joined the Society of Jesus on the Ist October, 1896.

Two years later he went to Holland to brush up his classical

studies. At that time the German Jesuits were in exile under

the Bismarckian law, and the so-called Juniorate was a very lonely

place in the Dutch heath. Philosophy followed in the fine college

of Valkenburg, somewhat closer to the German frontier and quite

tS)

fo)

sal

S.J.

ETHELBERT BLATTER,

OBITUARY NOTES 467

hear the snug town of the Dutch Limburg. In 1903, during the

interval between philosophy and theology Blatter came to india

for the first time. A companion writes: “Probably in quiet Holland

he had chosen botany as his ‘hobby’; but he would have been

equipped for anything else in positive science, not so tor merely

speculative learning. He always lked to poke fun at the deep

thinkers, who never returned to the reauties of creation.’’ However,

from Blatter’s own words, his botanical instinct had its origin

much farther back. He had studied the flora of his native hills

in boyhood and could name almost all the local plants, not only by

sight but by taste. He had also acquired a sound knowledge of

zoology and geology; but realising that he could not do justice to

the three subjects at the same time, he concentrated on botany.

He joined St. Xavier's College as Professor of Biology.

As a scientist he had already been very active in Hurope.

Wherever there was an important scientific congress, Blatter was

sure to be there, his command of several Huropean languages

always stood him in good stead. Blatter related with much

amusement an incident at one of these learned gathering. Returning

home late one night from a congress meeting in Brussels he was

accosted in a back street by a fellow who became abusive. Soon

the Appenzeller awoke, and Blatter felled the ruffian who rolled

into the gutter like a log. Next morning in the papers he read to

his horror that in the night a man had been kiled in the street.

Out went Blatter to see where he had knocked down his man.

Yo his great relief he found that the reported fatality had occurred

in another part of the town and that he was not ‘wanted’. It was

never advisable to fool with Blatter neither with the Swiss nor with

the Jesuit.

Soon after his arrival in India, Blatter joined the Bombay

Natural History Society. He was elected a member on the 19th

January, 1904, and began soon after to contribute important scienti-

fic articles to the pages of the Society’s Journal. His first article

was entitled The Fauna and Flora of our Metalic Money (1). This

was followed by others in quick succession. A list of his numerous

publications on Indian and Asiatic Botany appears at the end of

this obituary. During his stay in India he travelled much _ to

different parts of the country, and made collections which formed

the basis of all his writings. His most important contribution be-

tween 1904-1909 was a series of articles which appeared under the

title of The Palms of British India and Ceylon, Indigenous and

Introduced (17). This was subsequently published in book form

by the Oxford University Press (29).

In 1909 Blatter returned to Europe to complete his ecclesi-

astical studiés. By this time he had acquired that remarkable

knowledge of the flora of India which was to help him considerably

later on, and was to stamp him as one of the greatest systematists

in the Indian field. Moreover, he had gathered around him a

wide circle of friends who were sorry to lose him, and whom he

was loath to quit.

From Bombay Blatter went to Hastings where the exiled

Jesuits of two French Provinces had opened a house of theology.

468 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

During the early days of the war—when many of the English

Jesuits. joined up as Military Chaplains, Blatter had to resume his

priestly duties. He was for some time chaplain to the Dowager

Duchess of Sussex.. Blatter used to relate with loud laughter

how the noble lady was wont to apportion him a single slice of meat

which she carved in truly ducal manner from the daily shoulder

of mutton. She considered this ample fare for an obviously over

nurtured Jesuit. Unable to agree with her judgement of his capa-

city as a good trencherman, Blatter, unknown to the Duchess,

was compelled to go to the local inn to supplement Her Grace’s

ration with more generous, if more plebian fare.

During this period of absence from India Blatter was a fre-

quent visitor at Kew, where he spent much time compiling the

Flora of Aden (23). At Kew he made numerous friends among the

staff of the Herbarium, and they were to prove very helpful to

him after his return to India. 3

Blatter was ordained priest on the 25th August, 1912, after |

which he spent another year in Holland and there for the first time

felt that his health was no longer good. Before leaving a second

time for India he went for special studies to London and compiled

the Flora Arabica (28). He was in London when the Great War

began. Hearing of the difficult position of the Bombay Mission,

he secured a passage on a Japanese boat, passed through the Suez

Canal through Turkish rifle fire and eventually landed in Bombay

in October 1915. He had undertaken the second journey contrary

to medical advice, but he knew that his superiors wished him to

help the much tried Mission, especially St. Xavier’s College. More

than once, before and after that, Fr. Blatter had occasion to show

his spirit of religious obedience; however much he might detest

to be bothered with trifles, he knew his duty and never flinched.

On his return to Bombay he once more took up the Professor-

ship of Biology at St. Xavier’s College. He built up extensive

collections, chiefly of botanical material, and thanks to him, St.

Xavier's College is now the proud possessor of one of the finest

herbaria in Western India. He travelled extensively in different

parts of the country. In 1916 he was elected a member of the exe-

cutive committee of the Society. In 1919 he was appointed Prin-

cipal of the College, but though this honour hampered his botanical

activities to a great extent, he nevertheless remained in his pro-

fessorial chair till 1924. He was also a prominent member of the

Bombay University Senate, and as such he had much to do with

the present University Reforms. In 1925 he retired to Panchgani as

Parish Priest, and this gave him ample opportunity to pursue his

botanical studies. In 1980 while on an expedition in Waziristan he

had a bad fall from his horse which resulted in a slight concussion

of the brain and brought on partial paralysis. From this time though

he still carried on with his botanical studies his health began to

fail. In 1926 Fr. Blatter was elected a_ Vice-President of the

Society. He was also on the Society’s Advisory Board, and his

sound advice and forceful arguments always carried much weight.

In his death the Society has lost one of its ablest members and

advisers, and India loses a great man who has done much for the

OBITUARY NOTES 469

country of his adoption. He was loved by members of every com-

munity, and large is the circle of friends and admirers who mourn

> hisiloss:

In recognition of his botanical work Fr. Blatter received the

Johannes Bruehl Memorial Medal for the year 1931. The an-

nouncement was made at the Annual Meeting of the Asiatic Society

of Bengal held on Monday, Ist February, 1932. The award was

made in recognition of his ‘Conspicuous Important contributions to

the knowledge of Asiatic Botany’. Fr. Blatter was the first to

receive this medal. He much appreciated this recognition of his

efforts, and was really proud of it, as it was the only acknowledge-

ment he ever received for the vast amount of work he had done

for India. Strange to say honours did not come his way and, in

the words of one of his friends, ‘the familiar of three Governors,

the eminent botanist, the educationist of no mean standing died

plain Father Blatter’. Fr. Blatter’s death ends the long line of

the Blatter family as he was the only son and only survivor.

None who knew him will forget this loveable man. Under an

ever joyous and ever ebullient surface there lay a deep, sensitive,

almost melancholy soul, full of sympathy with the sufferings and

hardships of others, ready to help even with imprudent liberality.

Young and old, great and small, came to him and were the better

for it.

Simple of heart he loved children. They flocked around him

and clambered about him unafraid. About Xmas he would acquire

a pile of children’s annuals and gift books, and derive as much

pleasure in the reading of them as did the little friends to whom

he gave them. Nothing, not his successes nor his disappointments

could suppress the boy in him.

Those who were unable to understand the man shook their

solemn heads when he appeared to strain the hmits of their nar-

rower decorum. Then he was perfectly capable of going yet fur-

ther purposely to shock the stiff guardians of the literal law. Thus

he acted as a boy, thus he continued as a man. He cared nothing

for mere disciplinarians. But he died as he lived faithful to the

spirit of religious obedience and to the high traditions of his priestly

order. His was a great heart. Of Blatter one might truly say :—

““His life was gentle; and the elements

So mix’d in him, that Nature might stand up,

And say to all the world, ‘This was a man!’ ”’

The Office of the Society was closed for half the day on Monday

the 28th May as a mark of respect for its late Vice-President.

C. McC;

List oF Screntiric PUBLICATIONS.

Blatter, E. :—

1. The Fauna and Flora of our Metalic Money. Journ., Bom.

Nat. Hist. Soc., xvi (1905), 334-339.

2. The Mangrove of the Bombay Presidency and its Biology.

Ibid., xvi (1905), 644-656.

470

ou)

JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Voi. XXXvit

The Pectinate’ Organs’ of Trapa bispinosa. Jbid:, xvu

(1906), 84-88.

Flowering Season and Climate. Ibid., xvii (1906), 884-350,

697-708. :

The Student’s Companion in the Study of the Natural

Orders in Botany. Bombay, 1906. Second Edition, 1916.

Practical Petrography. Bombay, 1907.

Acta et Agenda by the Bombay Botanists. Journ., Bom.

Nat. Hast. Soc.) xv (l90%),. 502-07

The Flora of Aden. Ibid., xvii (1907), 895-920, xviii (1908),

54-68.

Cassia renigera. Ibid., xvi (1907), 1036-1087.

The Flora of the Bombay Presidency, Statistico- Biological

Notes: | bids sven (1908) 5o2-oMi:

Caterpillars as Ants Pets. Ibid., xviii (1908), 591-595.

The Ferns of the Bombay Presidency. Ibid., xviii (1908),

599-612.

Ceylon Ferns in the Bombay Natural History Society’s

Herbarium. Ibid., xvii (1908), 639-648.

Contributions to the Flora of North Coimbatore. Ibid., xviii

(1908), 890-429.

On the Plora of Cutele Ford, xvi (1908) a0 Wierea

(1909), 157-176.

The Flora of Panchgani. Jbid., xix (1909), 314-332.

The Palms of British India and Ceylon, Indigenous and

Introduced. Jbid., xx (1910), 33-64, 347-360, xx (1911),

675-705, 981-995, xxi (1911), 66-86, xxi (1912), 348-391,

912-968, xxii (1913), 67-86, 444-463, xxii (1914), 665-681,

xxii (1914), 269-281, xxi (1915), 5G. Oe0l, 7387-744, xxiv

(1916), 329-840, 507-538, 673-688, xxv (1917), 52-62, 207-

230, xxv (1918), 386-415.

History of the Sea Cocoanut (Lodoicea seychellarum).

Toi. ax. (LOnOy 925-930

Pest, Floche und Ratten. Natur und Offenbarung, 1910.

Zur Bionomie der Palmen der Alten Kelt. Actes du Con-

gres International de Botanique, Bruxelles, 1910.

A Bibliography of the Botany of British India and Ceylon.

Joum. Bom. Nat. Vadst. Soe, psc dolla) lxecic cllxexaai

A List of Indian Fungi, chiefly of the Bombay Presidency,

with a description of two New Species. IJbid., xxi (1911),

146-152.

Flora of Aden. Kec. Bot. Suro india, vi (gi4alole)s te

418. Calcutta.

Scorpion Sting and Garden Rue. Journ., Bom. Nat. Hist.

Soc., xxiv (1916), 839-843.

Plant Types for College Students. Examiner Press, Bom-

bay, 1917. Wind Wdittem, V923)

The Edible Date Palm in Bombay. Journ., Bom. Nat.

ELISt SOC... xXxavin( LoS). 2300:

Oleander Poisoning Camels. Ibid., xxvi (1918), 806-309.

Flora Arabica. ec. Bot. Surv. India, viu (1919-1923), 1-

450. Calcutta.

ol.

OBITUARY NOTES ee Ue

The Palms of British India and Ceylon. Oxford University

inresst O20" xo. pl. GOO, ply 106;

Facts and Hypotheses in the Problem of Evolution. Pro-

ceedings of the 18th Indian Science Congress, 197-209.

Asiatic Society of Bengal, Calcutta, 1926. |

Revision of the Flora of the Bombay Presidency. Jouwrn.,

BOM NGb. rsh. SOC. xxx, (1926), D4 (2007, xxx (1927);

SO7-oiy, xxx (1927), 14-33, 281-293," xxx (1928), 408-

435, 622-649, xxxi (1928), 7-25, xxxii (1929), 229-243,

480-496, 758-775, xxxiv (1980), 12-25, 291-306, 628-637,

xxxiv (1981), 877-900, xxxv (19381), 18-31 with 7 plates,

254-275 with 8 plates and 6 text-figs., xxxv (1932), 484-

495 with 8 plates and 1 text-fig., 722-7386 with 4 plates

and 1 text-fig., xxxvi (19383), 12-28 with 9 plates, 307-320

with 2 plates, 524-537 with 2 plates, 781-795 with 1 plate

and 1 photo, xxxvu (1984), 15-85 with 8 plates.

Luminescence in Plants and Animals. IJbid., xxxi (1926),

748-753. |

Beautiful Flowers of Kashmir. John Bale Sons: &

Danielsson; itd:, London, vol. 1 (1927), pp. xv, 198, 33

coloured plates. Vol. 1 (1928), pp. xv, 204, 81 coloured

plates.

Myrmecosymbiosis in the Indo Malaya Flora. Journ., Ind.

Bot Soc. vir (1928). 176-135,

List of Orchids with some New Species from the High Wavy

Mountains (Madura District), Journ., Bomb. Nat. Hist.

S0ce.. xxx (1928) ole-o23:

New Commelinaceae from the Western Ghats. Jbid., xxxiu

(1928), 73-77.

A New Species of Balanophora from Mahableshwar, Bombay

Presidency: Ibid.) xxxin (1929). 300-510.

Mosses of the Bombay Presidency, the High Wavy Moun-

tam and Mi. Nowe noid. xxx (1929) 869-879.

The Flowering of Bamboos. Ibid., xxxii (1929), 899-921,

xxxiv (1930), 185-141, 447-467.

The Indian Bamboos brought up-to-date. Indian Forester,

lv (1929), 541-562, 586-613.

Revision, of the Genus Butea Koen. Journ., Ind. Bot. Soc.,

vili (1929), 133-188.

The Indian Species of Terminalia Linn. Journ., Ind. Bot.

Soc., viii (1929), 245-262.

A proposed Revision of the Flora of British India. Jbid., 1x

(1980), 140-150.

Plantae Novae Waziristanenses (collectae a Josepho Fer-

nandez).. Ibid., 199-207.

What Age can a tree reach? Journ., Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc.,

xxxiv (1980), 594-597.

A Terrestial Orchis found Epiphytic. Jbid.,, xxxiv (1980),

SOS),

New Species of Indian Plants. Journ. and Proc., Asiatic

Soc. Bengal (New Series), xxvi (19380), 339-366,

472 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

45. Some Notes on the Flowering of Bamboos. Journ., Bom.

Nat. Hist. Soc. xooay, (19a) 0 o7eloogo:

49. Plants from Basra in Mesopotamia. Journ., Ind. Bot.

Soc., xi (1982), 28-47.

00. A New Gentian from North Waziristan? Journ., Bomb.

Nat. ist. 0c.) xy (1952). Sole i

51. A Plantago New to the Bombay Presidency. Ibid., xxxv

(1932), 915.

52. New Plants from Waziristan. Ibid., xxxvi (1983), 477-484.

Blatter: Hise DM aAlmerda ek 7

538. The Ferns of Bombay. D. B. Taraporevala Sons & Co.,

Bombay, 1932, pp. vili, 228, pl. 15.

Blatter, EK. & Hallberg, F.:—

54. Preliminary Notes on a recent Botanical tour to the High

Wavy Mountains (South India). Journ., Bom. Nat. Hist.

SoC. xox, (IIIT), 2902292: |

55. New Indian Scrophulariaceae and some Notes on the Same

Order. Ibid., xxv (1919), 416-429.

56. A Revision of the Indian Species of Rotala and Ammanaia.

Toid., xx (TOUS), VOl=122, xxvii sons) 210 2

57. Contributions towards the Flora of Persian Baluchistan and

Makran, from the material suppled by Capt. J. EK. B.

iiotson, 1A: O07 ) lbid:. xo (193) Zon 38Or

58. The Flora of the Indian Desert (Jodhpur and Jaisalmer).

Tbid., xxvi (1918), 218-246, xxvi (1919), 525-551, 811-818,

xxvi (1920), 968-987, xxvii (1920), 40-47, 270-279, xxvii

(1921), 506-519. :

59. Species Novae Indiae Orientalis, Decas I. Journ., Ind.

Bot., 11 (1921), 44-54. :

Blatter, B:.; Hallbere, Ff. & MeCann, C.:—

60. Contributions towards the Flora of Baluchistan, from mater-

ials supplied by Col. J. K. B. Hotson. Journ., Ind. Bot.

(1919) ., 6) pp:

Blatter, E., McCann. CC. -& Sabmc,. 2) S2:——

61. The Flora of the Imdus* Delta. Jou. ind. Bot. Soc wi

(1927), 31-47, 57-78, 115-132, vir (1928), 22-48, 70-96, 168-

WS, aml UPD). Ie,

62. Flora of the Indus Delta. Methodist Publishing House,

Madras (1929), pp. Ive, pl: 27:

Blatter, E. & McCann, C.:—

63. Two New Species of Grasses from Panchgani. Journ.,

Bom. Nat. Hist. Soce xxx (92%) oot aoer

64. Some New Species of Plants from the Western Ghats. Ibid.,

xxxli (1928), 733-736.

65. A new Ceropegia from the Western Ghats. Ibid., xxxiv

(1981), 9386 with one plate.

62:

OBITUARY NOTES 473

Another New Ceropegia from the Western Ghats: Ibid.,

xxxv (1931), 409 with one plate.

A New Indian Species of Begonia. Journ., Ind. Bot. Soc.,

x (1981), 27-28 with one plate.

Two New Utricularias from the Western Ghats. Ibid., x

(1981), 122-125 with 4 plates.

Fruit of Cryptocoryne tortuosa Blatter & McCann. Journ.,

Bombo. Nat. bist. Soc, xxv (1933), 760:

Blatter: He & Eermandez, J. :——

70.

Waziristan Mosses. Journ., Ind. Bot. Soc., x (1931), 145-

15a"

thes Hliora- ot Waziristans Joum.. Bom. Nat. Hast. Soc.,

xxxvi (1933), 665-687 with one map and: one plate, 950-977

with two plates, xxxvil (1984), 150-171 with two plates.

Blather. fio’, Millard W.-.S.:——

TOR,

Some Beautiful. Indian Trees. Journ., Bomb. Nat. Hist.

Soc., xxxii (1929), 624-635 with 2 colour-plates, 2 black-

and-white plates and 4 text-figs., 851-856 with 2 colour-

plates, 2 black-and-white plates and 5 text-figs., xxxiv

(1930), 88-86 with 2 colour-plates, 2 black-and-white plates

and 4 text-figs., 271-273 with 2 colour-plates, 2 black-and-

white plates and 4 text-figs., 716-719 with 2 colour-plates,

2 black-and-white plates and 5 text-figs., xxxv (1931),

60-65 with 2 colour-plates, 2 black-and-white plates and

5 text-figs., 289-296 with 2 colour-plates, 3 black-and-

white plates and 7 text-figs., xxxv (1932), 525-529 with 2

colour-plates, 2 black-and-white plates and 6 text-figs.,

824-825 with 1 colour-plate, 1 black-and-white plate and

2 text-figs., xxxvi (1933), 189-140 with 1 colour-plate, 1

black-and-white plate and 2 text-figs., 858-3855 with

1 colour-plate, 1 black-and-white plate and 2 text-figs.,

521-528 with 1 colour-plate, 1 black-and-white plate and

2 text-figs., 778-780 with 1 colour-plate, 1 black-and-white

plate and 3 text-figs., xxxvii (1934), 86-37 with 1 colour-

plate, 1 black-and-white plate and 2 text-figs.

474. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

ERNST JOHANN OTTO HARTERT.

Through the death of Dr. Ernst Hartert on November 11, 19338,

Ornithological Science has lost one of the most outstanding sys-

tematic workers in the last fifty years. Born on October 29, 1859

at Hamburg, where his father a Major in the Hanseatic contin-

gent was then living, young Hartert from his earliest age showed

a great taste for Natural History. As a schoolboy he began forming

a collection of eggs which he greatly added to while a student at

Konigsberg.

When twenty-five years old he was attached as volunteer zoolo-

gist to an expedition sent out to explore the Niger and Benue

basins in West Africa and after a year and 4 months’ absence

returned to Germany via Sierra Leone. In 1887 he undertook a

second expedition and this time went to the East Indies to collect

beetles and butterflies. Most of his collecting was done in Sumatra

and returning from thence to Penang he met William Doherty, the

American collector, and arranged with him to go to Tibet. Owing,

however, to troubles in Sikkim the collectors were unable to reach

Tibet and instead went to Assam and the Naga Hills, hoping to

penetrate into the Mishmi country, but were prevented from doing

so by the authorities. The principal aim of this journey was to

collect insects, but Hartert paid considerable attention to birds

and published some interesting notes on the species met with in

the Journal fur Ornithologie for 1889. On his return to Germany

he undertook the preparation of a catalogue of the birds in the

Senckenbery Museum which was published in 1891. In the same

year he married and came to London at the invitation of Dr.

Ginther to write the Swifts and Goatsuckers in vol. xvi of the Cata-

logue of Birds in the British Museum. When he had completed

that work he was commissioned by Lord Rothschild and Count

Berlepsch to make a collection of birds and lepidoptera in Vene-

zuela and sailed for that country, accompanied by Mrs. Hartert,

in 1892. Owing to a revolution in Venezuela he was unable to

collect there and instead went to the Dutch West Indian Islands

of Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire where he made valuable collections

of which he gave an account of the birds in the Ibis for 1898.

Returning to England in the Autumn of 1892, he was appointed

by Lord Rothschild to take charge of the Zoological Museum at

Tring, which post he held till his retirement in 1980. During his long

curatorship at Tring, Dr. Hartert assisted Lord Rothschild to build

up the magnificent collection that Museum has long been famous

for. As new collections were received they were reported on by

Dr. Hartert in the Tring Museum Journal, Noviates Zoologicae,

and from 1894 till his retirement a steady stream of papers appear-

ed from his pen. In spite of the enormous number of specimens

received yearly at Tring, Dr. Hartert kept the collection in perfect

order and had an extraordinary knowledge of the specimens under

his care.

He was greatly interested in the birds of the East Indian Islands

and New Guinea, but it was the great Palaearctic region in which

his chief interest lay and it will be by his book on the birds of

that region that he will be principally remembered,

* wheat trom India—

}

OBITUARY NOTES 475

After the Pastor Brehm collection had been acquired, Lord

Rothschild, with Dr. Hartert’s assistance, started to bring toge-

ther the unique collection of Palaearctic birds at Tring on which

the latter’s well known book Die Vogel der paldarktischen Fauna

was based. The first part was published in November 1908 and

was completed in 1923 with a supplement in 1923. ‘Two parts

of a further revision were published, in conjunetion with Pro-

fessor Steinbacher after his retirement, a third appearing a short

time after his death.

While this work was in progress Hartert made several trips to

Europe to collect additional material and, accompanied by Lord

Rothschild and at other times alone, he made some ten trips to

North Africa, exploring the Avifauna from Morocco to Cyrenaica.

Although trinomials had been recognised in England before

Hartert came to Tring it may be said that he was mainly respons-

ible for the introduction of subspecies and the study of geographi-

eal races, which he did in the face of much opposition from the

older ornithologists. But though the controversy was often rather

bitter, Dr. Hartert never allowed it to affect his personal relation-

ships with his fellow ornithologists. By the continual advocacy

of his views he gradually convinced the younger ornithologists of

the value of trinomials’ for denoting geographical races and by

the time the first part of the Handbook of British Birds was pub-

lished, all opposition had died down.

Hartert was keenly interested in other branches of Natural

History, and had made a special study of beetles of the genus

Carabus. He was a very careful and painstaking collector and had

a wonderful knowledge of the birds of the world and the hterature

concerning them, which was always at the disposal of others. After

his retirement we greatly missed his monthly visits to the British

Museum, when the latest ornithological news was discussed and

specimens from Tring compared with. others in the British

Museum.

Ne BK,

FRANCIS JAMES MITCHELL.

Frank Mitchell (as he was better known among his friends)

“was born at Saucheri, Ayrshire, Scotland. He was educated at

_the Madras College, St. Andrew’s and in 1873 at the age of 18,

‘came out to India to join his brothers in a contracting and

_ brokering business at Cawnpore. Then followed years of strenu-

‘ous effort, among them the period of the great famine, when

“Mitchell was instrumental in supplying quantities of wheat to the

Government for the relief of distress. Always a pioneer, ready to

‘grapple with fresh enterprise, he conceived the idea of exporting

a successful trial shipment to England resulted

in the opening up of the export trade of Indian wheat.

Other important works of lasting benefit to the country in

which Frank Mitchell was concerned with his brothers was the

‘building of the Bengal-Nagpur Railway and the construction of

the Jhelum Valley Road from Khola to Srinagar.

476 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURALS GIST. SOCIEING Viol OCG

Subsequently Frank founded a brokering business in Bombay

under the name of Mitchell & Co. About 1890 he retired from

India a fairly wealthy man. Speculation in 8S. Africa practically

ruined him. A friend relates that Mitchell was shooting in

Scotland when he received a wire to say that he was “‘broke’’.

Mitchell shot his best that day and topped the bag and returned

to London, financially ruined but not in spirit. When hearing of

men in financial distress committing suicide he would say ‘I know

what it is like, something hits you hard in the middle and it’s

the very devil to face the future’. Undaunted by his losses,

Mitchell came out to India again in 1900, accepting a job in his

brother’s carpet factory at Srinagar on a salary of Rs. 200. The

business was in low water, but Frank devoted his talents and

energy to it. He travelled in Persia, Turkey and other countries,

studying the methods of using vegetable dyes and finally succeed-

ed in exhibiting his carpets at European exhibitions, and opening

up a wider market for the Kashmir product.

Later he interested himself in olive culture in Kashmir and

the Punjab. While studying on behalf of the Government the

possibilities of olive growing in the Punjab and establishing an

olive plantation at Kahire Murat near Rawal Pindi he also in-

vestigated the possibilities of working petroleum oil. His energies

in this direction brought about, with the help of Sir Louis Dane,

then Lt.-Governor of the Punjab, the formation of the Attock Oil

Company Ltd. which he successfully floated in London just before

the outbreak of the war.

In 1920, Frank Mitchell took over 700 acres in the Lower Bara

Doab Canal Colony, Montgomerry District, and started the plan-

tation of over 400 acres of fruit now known as the Indian Mildura

Fruit Farm Ltd.—one of the largest fruit farms in India. His

work in this connection has done much for the development of

fruit culture in the Punjab and has been of benefit to the Pro-

vince. :

His leisure hours in Kashmir were spent in various hobbies,

such as pheasant rearing and fish culture. He, it was, who con-.

ceived the idea of introducing Trout into Kashmir and he helped:

to found the Kashmir Trout Fishing Club. The excellent sport.

now available to Fly fishers in the State is due mainly to his un-'

remitting effort. On behalf of this Club he undertook to obtain’

Trout ova while on a visit to England. This success was made

possible by the assistance given him by the Duke of Bedford who

arranged for supplies from his Devonshire estate near Tavistock.

The first consignment of ova was not very successful, but Mitchell |

tried again. He met the second consignment at Bombay and

personally looked after its transport to Kashmir. The ova even-.

tually hatched out at Harwan and the Dochigan river was stocked.

Hatcheries established by him at Harwan and Achibal have sup- |

plied the stock for most of the Kashmir rivers and lakes. Mitchell |

trained the local men in trout culture and taught them the work |

from spawning to distribution of yearlings. His story of how Trout

were introduced into Kashmir was published in the Journal

(vol, xxxvi,p..-29a),

OBITUARY NOTES 477

Mitchell was an old valued member of the Society. He publish-

ed various notes in the Journal mainly dealing with fish and fish

culture but it was always difficult to induce him to write. One

of the many things which he did for Kashmir which he go loved

was to arrange with his friend, the late Fr. Blatter, for the publi-

cation of a work on the Beautiful Flowers of Kashmir which

Mitchell financed. Two volumes have been published and the

third was being considered; but death has now removed both the

author and the inspirer of this fine work.

A. genial loveable man, Frank Mitchell endeared himself to all

with whom he came in contact. He was always a welcome

visitor to the Society’s office, never failing to come in when passing

through Bombay. In spite of his age he was ever active, ever

planning fresh projects and actively developing the enterprises he

had in hand. He was happy in his many activities to the very

end. He died at Baramulla, Kashmir on 20th November, 1933. He

served India well and his loss will be regretted not only by his

many friends but also by many a humble peasant. For besides

his many abilities he had just those qualities which endear the best

type of Englishman to the Indian villager.

POG Ss. SYMONS:

An APPRECIATION.

By A CoNTEMPORARY OF His Son.

A large circle of friends outside Devon and Cornwall will hear

with deep regret of the death of Heugh Symons, of Hatt. The

knowledge that he died after but a few days’ illness, as he would

himself have wished, and that he was well and active up to and

after his eightieth birthday, will be some slight consolation.

It is not my intention to write of his life at Hatt, the home of

his childhood which, after various vicissitudes, he bought back in

1903 and where he retired to live when he finally came home from

Bombay in 1914. It was undoubtedly a cherished hope of his that

he would in due time be succeeded at Hatt by his only son, Hubert.

Fate decreed otherwise, for Hubert was killed in March, 1918, com-

manding his battery in France, and his father never, I think, quite

eot over his loss.

Rather would I recall some of the old days in Bombay—days

of which he was never tired of talking. There was plenty to talk

about, for during his thirty-eight years in India, all but the earliest

of which were spent in Bombay, he filled every moment he could

spare from his business with some form of sport. His business

he did not talk about; on his sporting experiences it was quite

easy to get him started. Polo he did not play, partly because of

his weight, but principally, I think, because he preferred to get

out into the jungle and find his recreation there.

When speaking of pig-sticking, he was wont to belittle his own

performances and to aver that he was not in the same class as

his brothers, Nick and Jack. Possibly he was correct in his esti-

mate. The two elder brothers that he so admired were amongst

478 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

the elite of the pig-sticking world on the Bombay side in the

eighties, having each won several Bheema Cups and also being

credited with one Guzerat Cup each. Im fact, in 1886 Nick only

won the latter trophy after dead-heating with his brother Jack in

the final and having to run it off. Surely a family record in the

pig-sticking world! Nick also held the distinction of being one

of the few men who are known to have ridden down and killed

full-grown wolf single-handed. The head of that wolf is at Hatt

now.

A man might well not be in the same class as these two giants

and still be considered a good man to pig. Mention of his brothers

reminds one that Heugh, a modest man if ever there was one, was

somewhat inclined to boast about one fact. That fact was that the

four brothers, the fourth being General Pen Symons, killed in

South Africa, had only five eyes between them. The soldier was

the only one that had the full allowance. Each of the other three,

Heugh from infaney, the other two owing to accidents with gun or

spear, had only one apiece!

Riding to hounds with the Bombay or Poona and Kirkee, Heugh

was, even when well on in years, most emphatically a ‘bad ‘un

to beat’. Always well mounted and thoroughly appreciating a good

horse, he yet did not hunt to ride. He loved watching hounds

and observing the various signs of wild life that were to be seen

on those early morning hunts by those who knew how to use their

eyes. He saw more out of one eye than the majority of people

did out of two, and it was aiways a joy to hear him describe a

day’s hunting.

Keen as he was on hunting, it was on shooting that his heart

was most firmly set, especially during his later years out there.

What he did not know about the snipe ground within reasonable

distance of Bombay was literally not worth knowing. He was a

noted shot in a land of good snipe shots, and on could be quite

sure that if anybody got a good bag, Heugh Symons would get

as good or better.

As a man, his popularity with seniors and juniors alike was

firmly established on the sure foundation of his personality. Speak-

ing as one of the juniors, I can testify to his sympathetic good fellow-

ship. Always ready to join in a ‘rag,’ he was never so happy as

when surrounded by a gang of cheerful youngsters, and they were

just as happy to have him in their midst. One felt instinctively

that if in a difficulty his help and advice would be generously given

for the asking, and that they would never be forced upon one un-

asked. In that probably lay the secret of the bond between him

and younger men.

One thing he could not abide was a slacker. Whether at work

or play, he had always ‘gone sixteen annas’ himself and had no

sympathy for anybody who did less.

To the end of his days he was an outstanding example of un-

bounded energy and of good sportsmanship in the best sense of

that much abused term. The world is the poorer for his leaving it.

—(The Gazette, December 7, 19383).

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

Ce ae UN DIEAN VAMPIRE (MEGADERMA LYRA)

BEE DING ON A) PIPISTREL.

It is well-established that the Indian Vampire Bat is carni-

vorous, feeding chiefly on small bats and birds, but I record the

fact once more as I actually saw this bat capture a Pipistrel in

flight. There are several records in the Journal dealing with the

food of the Indian Vampire (see vol. xvii, pp. 835, 1021).

While sitting by the bedside of a sick man one evening, a

Pipistrel entered the room at about eight o'clock, the light was on.

t seemed to be in an awful hurry, circling round the room. at

‘full speed’. Shortly after it entered, in came an Indian Vampire

Bat and immediately chased the Pipistrel. The chase lasted

about a minute before the Vampire caught the smaller bat. The

Vampire carried the Pipistrel about for a little while, but in trying

to get out of the door it dropped its prey. It re-entered the room

to recover the lost meal, but as I had risen from my seat it took

fright and left altogether. This observation was made in Poona.

Bompay Naturat History Society, C. McCANN,

BomBay. Asst. Curator.

January 25, 19584.

II.—AN UNUSUAL TIGER.

The northern part of the Jaipur State is composed of two dis-

triets called Shekhawati and Torawati, the first of which consists

mainly of sandy desert, and the second of bare stony hills, and

a less likely area in which to get tiger, it would seem hard to find.

Nevertheless in the year 1931 from reports received from villagers

of cattle being killed and people being mauled, it became evident

that a tiger had taken up its home near a place called Buchara, on

the borders of Khetri, an important Chiefship in the Jaipur State,

and as the Superintendent of Khetri had kindly offered to pitch a

camp there, I decided to make an effort to shoot it. His Highness

the Maharaja not merely gave the required permission, but was

good enough to lend the help of the State Shikar Department, some

of the shikaris from which were sent on ahead to make the local

arrangements. As soon as word came in from them that there

had been a kill and the tiger had been located, I set out for

Buchara accompanied by my wife, and was there met by the

Superintendent and his wife, and the minor Raja of Khetri. We

reached Buchara in the morning and rode out to see the reported

kill. We found on arrival that there had been no less than five

480, JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL “HISh. SOCIETY.) Viol xoxox Val

kills during the night all within a short distance of each other.

Ihe Shikaris were of opinion that there were two tigers, because of

differences which they alleged to exist in the various pug marks

in the loose sand that had been strewn round the kills. Although

ii is very unusual for a tiger to be so destructive, it seemed doubt-

ful whether there was more than one tiger concerned, as the differ-

ences in the pug marks resembled those which would normally

occur between the front and hind paws, and what happened sub-

sequently suggests that this view was right. The country round

Buchara consists of sand broken by rugged hills and is almost

treeless. About a mile above the places where the tiger had

killed there is a big embankment between two hills which impounds

a lot of water during the rainy season, and the seepage channel

for a mile or so below the embankment is marked by a dense

growth of reeds about 6 ft. high, interspersed with occasional

pools of water. This channel has fairly well-defined banks some

4 or 5 ft. igh, and only at one place near the scene of the kills

were there any trees, two small babul trees on the far bank. A

machan had been prepared on one of these trees by the shikaris,

but as our party was too large for one machan, we had a second

one hurriedly constructed on the other babul tree. The Super-

intendent and I then rode back, intending to commence the beat

after lunch. At 12-80 however word was brought that the tiger

was on the move and so without waiting for lunch we proceeded

to our machans. The beat began at a point some 500 or 600 yards

distant on the other bank and was directed diagonally across the

channel, as this was necessary to bring the tiger near the machans,

and it looked as though the whole affair would be over in an hour

at most. We had an army of coolies and 5 elephants; and a

number cf stops were also placed all round. Some avenues had

been, cut through the reeds, one of them right opposite the machans

in order to make the tiger expose itself.

Shortly after the beat started the tiger was seen to cross one

of the further avenues, and dive into the big block of reeds that

came right up to our machan. We could occasionally see a slight

movement of the reeds as the beat advanced, and eventually the

tiger reached a point not more than 75 yards from the nearer

machan, but without ever having exposed himself to view. As

the beat closed in towards the machans, the beaters fell in behind

the elephants, and it was just as well they did so, as the tiger

then made three determined rushes on the elephants, upsetting

their equilibrium badly. In spite of having been warned and the

obvious danger, one or two Naga! beaters however advanced be-

yond the elephants and the tiger charged them, mauling one man

rather badly. He would have been killed but for the fact that

ore of the other Nagas in the confusion fell on the top of the tiger

so frightening it off. The beat was then stopped, and as it was

clear the tiger was in a dangerous mood and unwilling to come for-

ward, it was decided, in order to avoid any chance of further

* Curious semi-military ascetics peculiar to this part of Rajputana.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 48]

accident, to burn it out. The reeds were very dry except round

the occasional water pools and soon with the help of bundles of

dried reeds an area of about 2 acres was burning fiercely. The

tiger remained absolutely still all the while the reeds were burn-

ing, till the flames came right up to where he was lying, although

the wind was carrying the smoke towards him and the heat even

to us on the machan was almost insupportable. The tiger then

suddenly broke back through a partial gap in the flames, scattered

an elephant and some coolies who were advancing over the burnt

out ground, and took refuge in a still smouldering but only par-

tially burnt clump of reeds about 50 yds. further back. All this

while, he was screened from the view of the machan by the

flames and the smoke. The 5 elephants were then brought up in

a close circle behind this clump and more burning reeds were

thrown into it. At the last moment when it seemed that nothing

would move the tiger, he made a sudden fierce rush across the

narrow avenue that had been cleared opposite the machans at a

distance from us of about 70 or 80 yds.

My wife had the first shot at it, and the Superintendent and I

both fired, but although we thought the tiger had been hit by the

first shot, we could not be certain of this. We then stopped the

beat and the Superintendent and I, each on an elephant and keep-

ing about 100 yds. apart went down the channel for some 200

or 800 yds. to get to the next. open ground and had the reeds set

fire to again. The heat where we were standing on our elephants

was intense as the wind was blowing the smoke and the flames

down on to us with the result that our elephants were most restive.

Apparently the tiger, after coming down the channel towards us

for some distance, broke back at an angle of 45° and showed itself

for a brief moment in an open space, before diving into the only

remaining unburned patch of reeds that was near. It was then

clear that it had been hit, as he was moving rather slowly.

Neither the Superintendent nor I had a chance of a shot, as we

were facing in the wrong direction, but the shikari who was sitting

on the elephant behind the Superintendent, had a snapshot which

missed, as the elephant was swerving violently. We followed up

the tiger taking up positions on opposite sides of the reeds and

had them set fire to. Eventually when all but a small portion

had been burned up, we moved in towards this, and the Super-

intendent coming upon the tiger lying with his head in a pool of

water and obviously very sick, finished him off with 2 shots at

close range. The shot which had first wounded the tiger had hit

him in the breast rather low down and passed in and out between |

the ribs without breaking a bone.

On inspection the tiger proved to be a female, only 8 ft. 7 in.

in size, but she had caused more trouble than any half a dozen

ordinary tigers. For she kept us hard at work from 1 to 6 p.m.

in the heat of a hot-weather day, severely injured one beater,

frightened all the elephants and was only dislodged after several

acres of reeds had been burned. I had always understood that

wild animals dreaded fire, yet this tigress even when she was

unwounded, lay quiet till the flames came right up to her, and

482. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol: XXXVilt

broke back through the smouldering reeds rather than come out

in front of the machans, which cbviously she must have seen,

as they were very low, and babul trees offer little cover. No other

tiger was seen during the beat; although the whole area in which

tigers could have lain hidden was gone over; so there is little doubt

that this one tigress was responsible for all five kills the previous

night, and was the same beast which had mauled several of the

villagers, and destroyed numerous cattle.

THE RESIDENCY,

JAIPUR, RAJPUTANA. | NS (Og J KOM RIEULAIN

February 14, 1984.

IiI.—DO FOXES OCCUR IN BURMA?

There is some mystery about the occurrence of the Fox in

Burma.

The fox is of course known to the people of Burma—the ‘earth-

dog’—they call it—but during ten years I have spent in the country

I have only seen a fox on one occasion. It was at Bhamo in

1925, when I was occupying one of the old officers’ houses in the

Cantonments, that one day I saw a Kachin approaching my house

leading a fox on a chain! : .

I called him up into my verandah, and then examined the

fox which was a full grown young one in excellent condition and

as tame and as confidential as a dog. Two airedales I had at the

time were present, and examined the fox with interest. The fox

showed no fear of them at all.

It was a typical fox of darkish colouration not reddish and with

a good coat and ‘brush’. It was of ordinary fox size, and quite

typical. At that time I was not aware of the rarity of such an

animal in Burma or I would have taken possession of it. The

Kachin wanted Rs. 60 for it. He at any rate was in no doubt

about its rarity.

He had an extraordinary story to tell as to how he had caught it.

He said a fox and two cubs attacked one of the village pigs and

killed it, and that he killed the fox with a stick and caught this

eub which he had since brought up.

There is doubt about the occurrence of the fox in Burma and

my letter is intended to open up the question with this record of

one.

Personally I am of the opinion that there are no foxes in this

country—although one would have thought the Shan States ideal

for them—and that this one recorded came from across the border

from Yunnam.

TAUNGGYI, 5.5.5.

BurMA. feet VE Sine

February 14, 1984,

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 483

IV.—A BISON SANATORIUM.

Namagundibetta (5,500 ft.) is a favourite haunt of bison on the

Billigirirangans, but is chiefly remarkable for the fact that nearly

every solitary bull shot in this hill has been found to be either

injured or suffering from some disability. Out of ten solitaries

shot there in recent years two were blind in one eye, three had been

mauled by tiger, two were lame (one with a bullet wound and the

other with foot and mouth disease), and another had a 6 in. piece

of wooden stake imbedded in its chest and also a fly-blown ear.

This bull had evidently impaled itself on a sharpened stake placed

for deer (generally in a gap in a hedge bordering cultivation).

HonnaMETTI Estate,

Arrixan P.O., Via Mysore, R. C. MORRIS.

S. Inpia.

March 22, 1934.

V.— WHITE BISON’.

With reference to Dunbar Brander’s comments on the colour

of ‘white’ bison, while agreeing with him that the term ‘white’

is strictly a misnomer I consider it is no more so than in the

case of the White Rhino of Africa, and as a distinctive term I do

not think it can be bettered. Many similar cases exist of animal

species being distinguished in works on Natural History by a de-

finite colour term whereas they are not of the actual colour applied

to them. If Mr. Dunbar Brander can say that the appearance of

one or more of his hght coloured bison among a herd of the normal

type, even when seen from a considerable distance, is startling

in its light shade, there is a possibility that we are both referring

to a similar type. I may add that Mr. C. C. Wilson, Conservator

of Forests, Madras, recently had occasion to visit the South Coim-

batore ‘white’ bison area. He went there, as I did originally,

somewhat sceptical as: to the existence of bison of the type that

had been deseribed, and he describes the specimen he saw, among

normal herds, as quite remarkable.

I cannot do better than quote from his letter to me on the

subject: —‘‘Dunbar Brander is wide off the mark on this occasion.

I have seen very many herds of bison all over South India, in

Malabar, Coimbatore, Vellore, Madura, Nilgiris etc., and I have

seen very many light coloured individuals before, but never any-

thing’ so unexpectedly ‘white’ as these are. In my opinion

‘“‘white”’ is the most accurate description of these bison that we

can get, and can leave no doubt in anybody’s mind as to what

to look for. If we call them ‘dormouse coloured’ (which they

are not) many people will be misled and will be reporting that

they have seen them all over the country whenever the not un-

common lght coloured bison is found in a herd.’’

484 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Writing independently to a mutual friend Mr. Wilson describes

the colour as a very light cream, and I agree with his description.

HonnaMetTtTi Estate,

AttTiIKAN P.O., Via Mysore,

S. Lnpia. R. C. MORRIS.

January 18, 1984.

VI.—GROWTH AND SHEDDING OF ANTLERS IN SAMBAR

(RUSA UNICOLOR) AND CHEAT (Axa s Anes)

IN SOUME TNIDIA:

SAMBUR.

(A) Time of shedding antlers . end March to mid-April.

(B) Period during which antlers

are in velvet ... end May to end October.

(D) Paime season °.” middle to end November.

(E) Time when young are born late May or early June.

I find that the above periods are lable to variations of a fortnight

or so in different years; for instance I have known sambur to be

in hard horn by the middle of October, and in this case the pairing

season would also start a fortnight earlier.

CHITAL.

(A) Time of shedding antlers ... majority in August-September.

(B) Period during which antlers

are in velvet ... majority in September-lebru-

ary.

(D) Pairing season ... majority in March-May.

(EK) Time when young are born majority in September-Novem-

ber.

As is well known, chital are mostly irregular in their antler

shedding and rutting. Fawns may be seen at any time during the

year, as also chital in velvet, but mature stags are fairly regular

in their seasons except that the periods during which they shed their

antlers, are in velvet, are clean, and are pairing, are longer in

that these periods vary with individuals during those three months.

I am now referring to mature animals only. There is no such

regularity in the case of immature stags.

HonnaMetti Estate,

ArtiKAn P.O., Via Mysore,

S. Iyp1a. R. C. MORRIS.

February 4, 1934.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 485

VIIl.—GROWTH AND SHEDDING OF ANTLERS IN

THE SWAMP DEER (RUCHRVUS DUVAUCELLI) IN

THE UNITED PROVINCES.

(1) The antlers begin to drop from about February 15th, but

there are still a good many stags carrying horns during March.

By about April 15th, practically all stags are hornless.

(2) The new horns begin to grow in a few cases at about the

end of March, but the main period for velvet horn is May to

August, continuing in a few cases into September.

(8) Horns begin to harden in September and most are quite clean

by Ocober 15th.

(4) The chief rutting season is November to December, when

the peculiar rutting call of the stag (something like a donkey

braying with a droning under-note) is frequently to be heard.

(5) Most of the young are said to be born from May to July,

but I have not very much personal experience on this point.

The closed season for gond in the United Provinces is from

March 15th to October 14th.

BawraicH Division. KF. W. CHAMPION,

February 9, 1934. LF.S,

Divisional Forest Officer.

VIII.—NOTES ON THE SWAMP DEER (RUCEERVUS

DUVAUCELLI) IN ASSAM.

(1) Assamese Name.—Male: Batina-Sakal Jati. Female:

Belingi.

(2) Time of shedding of antlers.—February to March.

(3) Time when antlers are in velvet.——New antlers begin to

appear in April to May. The antlers remain in velvet till the

end of July; and the dry skin falls off during August to September.

(4) Period when antlers are clean.—August to September to

February to March.

(5) Pairing season.—April to May, when the male is practically

without antlers.

(6) Time when young are born.—This varies with the age of

the mother. In the case of females that are not past them prime

the young may be delivered in December to January; while in

the case of older females the young may be delayed in their

appearance till as late as the end of February.

(7) Habit.—Prefers high land surrounded by water all round.

Does not care much for leaves of plants. Prefers grasses and

reeds; and stays where these abound. Feeds mostly in the early

hours of the morning and at evening time. Also loves to feed on.

rice cultivation soon after nightfall. It is believed that the animal

takes a short rest after midnight.

486 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

(8) Habitat.—Exists in Goalpara, Kamrup, Nowgong, Siban-

ger and Danang Districts of Assam.

Common Hindustani name.—Barasingha.

NortH Kamrup, C. A. R. BHADIAN, 1.r-s.,

ASSAM. Asst. Conservator of Forests

March 7, 1984. in charge North Kamrup Sanctuary.

IX.—CLICKING SOUNDS MADE BY MUN.

I have often seen mentioned, both in the Toc and else-

where, that the Barking Deer makes a peculiar clicking sound. I

have kept a deer for nearly three years and it is very tame. It

frequently makes such a noise, and does it by putting its tongue

out against its big canine teeth, first on owe side, then on the

other. It invariably does this when it sees me eating something,

such .as toast, of which it is fond. , Whether this is the sound

others have heard I do not know, but it answers the description

and is certainly made with the tongue.

Nowrog GARDENS, CHETPUT,

MADRAS. S. SUNDARA RAJ.

February 24, 1984.

X.—A LARGE PAIR OF ELEPHANT’S (ELEPHAS

MAXIMUS) TUSKS FROM BURMA.

(With a plate).

{ send herewith two photographs of a remarkable pair of elephant

tusks which I saw recently at Lonhkin, in the house of Sinwa

Nawng, Duwa of Kansi in the Kachin Hill Tracts of this district.

These tusks are said to have been obtained from an elephant which

was found dead about some eight years ago near Kansi village.

This village is on the Uyu, a tributary of the Chindwin in the

western part of this district. One photograph depicts a 5 ft. 6 in.

Kachin standing between the tusks.

(2) The tusk (a) on the left-hand side of the photograph is

794 in. long, and (b) on the right-hand side measures 774 in. The

cirth of (a) near its base is 17 fa and that of (b) is 174 in. and at

5 in. from the tip, the girth of (b) is 104 in. These tusks are

slightly larger than a very fine pair shot by Mr. H. E. Flint, 0.8.£.,

in-the Ruby Mines some years ago (which he has in Myitkyina and

of which one is 79 in. and the other 69 in.). The Kansi tusks

are extremely dark in colour. I did not get an opportunity to

weigh them. |

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

4 in. length, 17 in. cir. near base.

4 in. length, 174 im. cir. near base.

girth of (b) 5 in. from tip was 101 in.

The man is 5 ft. 6 in.

ASAT

“MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 487

(3) I hope that the photographs will be sufficiently clear for

reproduction, as though not a record they must be among the

biggest obtained in Burma.

Myirxyina, ee

Upper Burma. ce J. K. STANFORD,

February 20, 1984. ms Deputy Commissioner.

[In Rowland Ward’s Records. of Big Game, 9th Ed. (1928) the

largest tusks obtained in Burma (owner’s measurements). are

10it. 6 in. in length and owned by Mr. H. Shaw Dunn. ..The

longest measured in the Rowland Ward Studio taped 7 ft. 38 in.

in. length, 174 in. in circumference and weighed 102 lbs.—Eps, |.

AI.—STATISTICAL RECORD OF GROWTH IN --

THE INDIAN ELEPHANT (H. MAXIMUS).

The following notes may prove of interest. They have been

compiled from a Register of Working Indian Elephants (1,507) and

Calves (865) born in the service of a Firm extracting Teak in Burma.

1. No one has any reliable information regarding “milk tusks’

and none of our employees has seen them.

2. Parentage and Sex.—(a) A tusker calf shows its tusks from

the age of-2 years to 5 years. .

(b) Cases of calves with double tusks shedding one and so

becoming ‘tehs’ are now authenticated.

as fathers. Tuskless males, as fathers, have reproduced double

tusker calves.

Musth.—Reports by eyewitnesses prove that ‘musth’ in males

was not present in the. majority of cases of coition, and -that

the female has a periodical period of heat, which cannot usually

be detected by the human being. A few cases have been recorded

of females discharging wom the musth gland, when apparently

not on heat.

A tusker calf came on abn in his 15th year.

Reproduction.—A female calf, 15 years old, has produced her

first ca She muust have been covered when just over 13 years

old

Height Increment.—Calves measured within three days of birth

averaged 3 ft. 0 in. in height. 109 male and 111 female calves

measured produced the’ following results in heights :—

In Ist year 6 males averaged 3’0” 8 females averaged 3’0”

2nd 9 8 ¥9 9 4/2” 3 9 99 oY 130K

See ka hel: a SS Crem oe i A ee!

4th yy qe 3) om) 4/10” Sie 9 9) i 4/6”

Bi fe Pu SOR ol he ae

Be See Oc re gage

7th dy 1 om) 9 SLOG 12 ” . ” Soe

488 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

In 8th year 8 males averaged 5’11” 13 females averaged 5/9”

Sth ) 9 ” ”) eye 4 ” 0) pesky

10th 9 i ”) ) 675” 4 ” ” SalO

iith, 3; 30), r) OG Oe, »» Gn0"

12th Os, of oy Oe) ey 6'4”

Toth. re ee A eee) i i 6'6”

Ae Oe s) Ce aa . 615%

Ste ay dis ; 6 5 : 617”

TG th aa ee . ee a oe ae

17th 9 il ” ”) a Sif 3) ”9 9 6’6"

Ste ay le 3 i Oe ites) . Hf Gwe

POT i ea i 187 : ae

ZOU 3 eee s, 3 PS eee: - a 7/6”

CASE yee oe gd m5 ie erase ma 6 6F 8”

Cio aS a Ny Cok jae rea 1630 i

23rd |. . Tos ale i 67”

(ag Sa Bah ray ee ae 1 A v3 6/8”

5th oe ae : TAG! A = Ae ‘ 7/0"

Gh a j 7/10” a

An exceptional Tusker calf, not included in the above, measured

8 it. Lin’ in is 19th year. : :

We do not consider these statistics perfectly accurate, for the

margin of error during measurements has to be considered. Also

far greater numbers of calf measurements are needed. As statis-

tics progress, however, this margin of error will decrease.

STEEL Broturrs & Co., Lrp.,

RANGOON. GORDON HUNDLEY.

February 26, 1984.

XI.—ON THE OCCURRENCE OF THE WHITE-COLLARED

KING-PISHER [SAUROPATIS CHLORIS (BODD).] IN

THE DISTRICT OF 24-PERGANAS WITH A NOTE ON

JUVENILE COLORATION.

The form chloris of the species Sauropatis chloris (Bodd.) has

its range, according to Mr. Stuart Baker’s record in F.B.I. (Birds),

2nd ed., vol. iv, 275, limited to the “coasts of the North-Eastern

Districts of Bengal; once Cachar in Assam; Burmese Coastal Dis-

tricts, Siam, Malay States, Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Annam’. No

mention is made of the Sunderbans, where Blyth found and col-

lected his specimens (Cat. B. Mus. A.S.B., 48), and Blanford

noted the occurrence of the bird as being as common throughout

the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal. (F.B.1., old ed., vol. iu,

186). It is difficult to..see:if the ‘North-Eastern Districts of

Bengal’ may, by implication, have any reference at all to the

Sunderbans. The Indian Museum holds a goodly number of skins

(Nos. B517-21 and B529) of ‘this form all collected trom the

Sunderbans. So far as Lower Bengal is concerned, not only do

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 489

the Sunderbans afford the birds a congenial habitat but the inland

parts as well, in many cases considerably away from the Sunder-

bans, harbour the race in not negligible numbers. Their occur-

rence in the immediate vicinity of Calcutta was noted by Cunning-

ham who wrote (1903) ‘another characteristically Sunderban

species, Sauropatis chloris, may sometimes be seen about the ponds

in the Botanic Garden’. Curiously enough there appears to be

no other record of such occurrence. In my rambles in the District

of 24-Perganas I have found them not uncommon in its north-

eastern parts, and affecting the low-lying alluvial tracts known

as Churr lands on the banks of the river Ichamati, a little beyond

and to the east of Basirhat town (about 40 miles North-East of

Calcutta). Chiefly arboreal as they are, they affect not only the

date trees and shrubs growing on or near swamps and Churr lands

but also orchards of neighbouring villages and even roadside trees.

Fairly bold and noisy, they keep on the trail of fisher people when

dragging nets and incessantly utter their shrill calls. They are

easily captured with fish bait, fish being their tempting food.

However local and circumscribed their habitat the birds are found

in this area throughout the year. They nest in tree-holes, such

nests being often found in orchards or fruit gardens adjoining

the villagers’ huts. Of the specimens obtained by me two young

birds (fledglings, just out of nest) deserve mention. Their

juvenile coloration being thus noted in my diary:

July 26, 1981. Two young S. chloris (Bodd.) out of nest,

sitting on two different branches of a jack tree beside the road

beyond Basirhat town to Itinda. Being fed on insects by both

parents. Coronal plumes erectile,—a feature specially noticeable

whenever agitated, with the tail moving and shaking.

Measurements : —

Reg. No. T1931. 5. Wing 99 mm.; tail 55 mm.; tarsus

18 mm.; culmen 86 mm.; gape 45 mm.

Reg. No: T1931. 6. Wing 100 mm.; tail 50 mm.; tarsus

17 mm.; culmen 38 mm.; gape 46 mm.

Coloration more pronounced: head and crown with more

ereen; neck-collar white mixed with buff and tipped

greenish black; barrings on breast brownish black; buff

on flanks and vent prominent.

Description: —Forehead, crown and nape dull brownish-

green contrasting with the bluish-green of the upper back; sides

of head brighter green, feathers of forehead edged with rufous;

lores black; a rufous-white patch above the lores extending over

the eye; ear-coverts black, which is produced as a band _ be-

hind the nape, the latter having an ill-defined patch of white

tipped with brownish-green; below the black band is a broad collar

of reddish-white tipped with bluish-green; lower back, rump and

upper tail-coverts bright blue, rather inchned to purplish; scapulars

and wing-coverts bluish-green tipped with rufous. Quills black on

inner and greenish-blue on outer webs; two central tail feathers

blue as lower back, the others blue on outer web and portion of

inner web, the rest of the latter dark brown or black. -Under-

490 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

surface of quills and tail feathers glossy grey. Lower parts

white; feathers of breast and flanks fulvous and edged with dusky,

the latter appearing as crescentic bars of brown; abdomen, vent

and. undertail-coverts white, faintly tinged with buff; axillaries and

underwing-coverts. white, edged with silver grey, a few feathers

tipped with greenish- blue.

Tris light brown; upper mandible and the edges of the lower

dull. black, with white and hooked extreme tips; basal two-thirds

of the lower mandible light flesh-colour; inside of mouth red; legs

plumbeous, inner surface of toes, and tarsus pale fleshy; claws

blackish or dark horn. |

CALCUTTA. S. C. LAW, 1 Oy Wa 2a De

February 18, 1934. F.2.S8:,. M-B:0.U)

XIJI.—NESTING HABITS OF THE

BLUE-ROCK PIGEON (COLUMBIA GT VATA)

‘Will you, please, let me know if the following incident is un-

usual? My engineer, once saw two Blue-Rock pigeons drinking

from the exhaust water of a steam engine—temperature of the

water being 140° F.! I have found these birds living happily in

very odd places: in the engine room where two coupled vertical

triple expansion steam engines (developing a total of two thousand

horsepower) are working day and night; over a battery of steam

boilers where valves are hissing continuously—even the blowing

off of live steam under a pressure of 200 lbs. does not disturb their

equanimity. They not only reside in these places but even breed

there !

AHMEDABAD, | Hi NO AGEA BY A

December 18, 1988. , i

[The Blue-Rock Pigeon, which is almost semi-domesticated in

many parts of India has adapted itself to the varied conditions of

life which its association with man imposes. It is not uncommon

to see the nests of these birds in the engine rooms of mills, or in

railway stations, where, in the roofing above the track, the nests

and their occupants are exposed to heat, steam and smoke. Con-

ditions which appear to cause them little inconvenience.—Eps. ].

XIV.—OCCUBRENCE OF THE MANDARIN DUCK

|AIX GALERICULATA (LINN.)] IN-'THE MANIPUR STATE.

On the 8rd March, 1934, two Mandarin drakes and two Man-

darin ducks were shot in Manipur State. As the bird has been

recorded very rarely in India, I send a description of the shooting

in case it may be of interest. Capt. W. L. Neal, 1.m.s., and I

were shooting down the Mayangkhang Valley at a height of nee

3,500 ft, The valley is narrow varying from about 200 yds.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES . 491

half a mile in width with hills on either side rising to 5,000 ft.

or more. The Senapati stream runs through the valley joining

the Barak river about 6 miles away. It is quite a small stream

varying from about 12 to 25 ft. in width, with a stony bottom, and

at this time of year about ankle-deep in most places. There are

occasional pools and here and there old beds of the river with

water and high grass in them.

~ Capt. Neal who was walking along the bed of the stream fired

at 4 or 5 duck which rose from it. ‘Two birds fell; but they were

rather far away, and, although we searched for some time, we

could find no trace of them. At this place the stream is right

up against the hillside which was covered with thick grass and

some trees. It was a shady spot and the water was perhaps a

foot deep. In the shade the visibility was poor and we did not

recognise that the birds were any unusual kind of duck. Com-

mon teal have been shot in that valley before.

About one mile further on one pair, a drake and a duck rose

out of an old bed of the stream from thick high grass in front

of me. I had just shot a bamboo partridge and was not loaded

when the duck rose. It flew back and Capt. Neal shot it.. The

drake rose’ a moment later and flew back. I failed to. bring it

down. We still did not know what the birds were. The drake

appeared to settle about a mile away up stream. 7

- Later in the day Capt. Neal left and Mr. C. F. Jeffery, State

Engineer, joined me. We returned along the stream and this

time I shot the drake, which Mr. Jeffery identified. There seems

to be no possible doubt about the identification. JI have sent you

the skin of one drake and one duck to verify.

When we went to the place where Capt. Neal had first fired,

Mr. Jeffery’s Labrador bitch found both the wounded birds in the

long grass on the hillside. We had previously decided that, if

they could fly, we should not shoot; but both had been hard hit

and we could not leave them.

IMPHAL,

Manipur STATE, : C. GIMSON.

ASSAM.

March 28, 1934.

[The birds sent in for identification were Mandarin Ducks

(A. galericulata). According to Stuart Baker, New Fauna, the Man-

darin has so far only been obtained at Lakhimpur. Assam, by

Stevens. Six birds were once seen by the author ao DS i.

XV.—MIGRATION AND DECREASE OF SNIPE IN

THE ANDAMANS.

I was very pleased to read in vol. xxxvi, No. 4, B.N.H.S.

Journal, Major A. Bayley-de-Castro’s reply to my letter on

early snipe in the Andamans. I too have found odd birds very

late in the year but I seldom shoot them as IJ find them usually

492 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXYVII

quite unfit to eat. I consider that it is quite possible that some

snipe do permanently remain in the Andamans.

Major Bayley-de-Castro’s letter has also touched on another

matter in which I am greatly interested—the migration of snipe.

Unless 1982 and 1933 were exceptionally bad years for migratory

snipe the number of birds which visit the Andamans is steadily

decreasing. Recently I was speaking to a retired Indian Officer

of the Military Police Battalion who has spent more than 30 years

in the Andamans and he assured me that this was the case. This

year out of 23 days I had 7 days shooting with an officer who

is a good average shot. On no occasion, if we had shot brilliantly,

could we have killed 25 couple of snipe and our best bag was

actually 18 couple. When we did find birds in any quantity, and

that was chiefly on the hillsides, they were extremely wild and

got up in wisps. There was a minor cyclone in the middle of

November and on November 19th, after the wind had dropped I

went out alone and picked up 164 couple of snipe which was my

best bag this season. In the Settlement Mess Game book there

is an entry to the effect that one gun shooting alone in 1928

killed 1,000 snipe before Christmas. Since then the book, al-

though it has not been too carefully kept, clearly shows that

there have been a series of very lean years. Last year I per-

sonally accounted for 1054 couple of snipe and this year for 1184

couple. I have one more year to serve in the Andamans and

IT hope that it will produce a really good snipe season but I am

afraid that the days of big bags are past, although the birds are

not harried by overshooting, another officer and myself being the

only two regular guns.

Port Buarr, dt. NEUES SAR YTREON. inc.s,

ANDAMAN ISLANDS. Deputy Commissioner.

January 31, 1984, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

XVI.—OBSERVATION ON THE NEST OF THE DABCHICK

[PODICEPS RUFICOLLIS VROHG]|

I am indebted for much help in recording these observations

to Master Kannan, the young son of Dr. M. Ramaswami Nayudu,

ph.p. (Liverpool), who kept careful watch over the nest and bird.

His first experiment was to hatch one of the dabchick’s eggs under

a hen, thinking he would get a young one to study at his conve-

nience, but the hen, wondering what sort of strange creature had

got into her nest, ate it up directly it emerged from the egg!

The nest was built on the top of a bush near the bank of a pond

in Madras City. It was not more than two inches above the

water level and took the form of a shallow saucer-hke hollow

12.25 em. in diameter, consisting of a soft padding of weeds, chiefly

Elodia. Two eggs were in the nest when I saw it. They were

whitish when laid, but by that time had become dark brown with

mud and water. The two eggs measured 36 and 36.5 mm. in

MISCELLANHOUS NOTES 493 ~

length and 25 mm. in breadth. Four eggs were laid; according

to Kannan’s diary, as follows—one each on the 25th, 27th, 29th

and 30th December.

On Saturday, 8rd March, at about 4 p.m. on Malad-Merve beach

near Bombay, at 2-20 p.m. two chicks were brought to me and

I kept them for a few days, putting them into a box at night with

a lamp and in the day time into an improvised nest of weeds in

a large vessel of water. From the moment of birth they were

able to swim and dive. Feeding was difficult but they learnt to

take minute scraps of fish from a pair of tweezers. They were

coloured characteristically with black and buffy stripes, but in

addition had a beautiful coral red beak. This red colour quite dis-

appeared by the third day. After keeping them for three days one

died, and I returned the other to the nest. In the meantime the

third egg hatched and, four days after the first, the fourth and

last egg hatched. After that the hen abandoned the old nest and

took the young ones to the weeds in an inaccessible part of the

pond.

The bird covered her eggs very carefully every time she left the

nest. At the slightest alarm she would hastily throw some weed

over the eggs and dive into the water, to emerge some distance

from the nest. When all was quiet she would Tetum by, a) cir

cuitous route, uncover the eggs and sit again. The nest was soak-

ing wet.

At the time of writing—February 21st—there seemed to be only

one young one left with the mother bird, which she was intent

on teaching to fend for itself. At least it got a sharp peck if it

came too near.

Stuart Baker gives January and December and again in June

as the period of nidification in Ceylon, and May and June as the

usual time in South India. It appears from this however that

nesting goes on at the same time in Madras as in Ceylon.

Nowrog GARDENS,

CHETPUT, Pico, SUNDARA BAS.

MADRAS. (Mrs.)

February 24, 1984.

XVIT.—A LARGE MUGGER (CROCODILUS PALUSTRIS

LESSON) FROM BIKANER.

The Heir-Apparent of Bikaner has just shot a very fine mugger

proper, not gharial, which measured 11 ft. 0 in. exactly from nose

to tip of tail. I give below some measurements:

ft. i.

Skull just above the eyes 3 24

Girth of neck Sy edule

Girth of largest portion of body 40 6

As this appears to be a very fine specimen indeed, the Prince

would be grateful by your kindly letting me know how it compares

494 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

with some of the largest muggers shot in India and what-the record

length is. | | 2 |

BIKANER. THE SECRETARY TO THE

~ February 10-1934. HEIR-APPARENT OF BIKANER.

[In the second edition of the Fauna British India (Reptilia) the

Mugger (C. palustris) is said to attain a total length of 4 metres

(approximately 13 ft. 2 in.). The Estuary Crocodile (C. porosus)

is said to attain a length of 33 ft. but individuals exceeding 20 ft.

are rare. We should be glad to receive from readers of the

Journal, measurements of large mugger which they may have

occasion to take.—Kps. ]. 7

XVIII.—NOTE ON THE LOGGHERHEAD TURTLE [CARETTA

C. OLIVACEA (ESCHSCHOLTZ)| DEPOSITING ITS EGGS.

(With a plate).

On Saturday, 8rd March, at about 4 p.m. on Malad-Merve beach,

I was idly watching the sea when a curious upheaval, which sub-

sequently resolved itself into something which looked like the Loch

Ness monster, showed up near the edge of the water, and proceeded

to steadily move towards the shore. I walked down to have a

lock and saw a large turtle emerge. The turtle crawled laboriously

from the edge of the sea up to about 6 ft. above the high water

mark at the foot of the sand dunes. Her progress was slow and

she frequently stopped and held her head in the air swallowing

vigorously. On arrival at the foot of the sand dunes, she imme-

diately set to work to dig a hole with powerful alternate strokes

from her hind flippers, holding herself rigidly in position by her

fore flippers. She gradually deepened the hole until she had got

quite a respectable excavation about a foot wide and 18 or 19 inches

deep. ‘Towards the last, it was curious to see the tremendous

efforts she made to get her back flippers down to the maximum

extent possible into the hole in order to dig it as deep as possible.

The two photographs show her clearly

(a) at the point where she is flipping out the sand with her

body in a horizontal position, —- 3

(b) straining to get her back flippers down into the hole

to the maximum extent.

By this time, quite a large crowd of villagers and others had

gathered around her. She took not the slightest notice of anybody,

but continued to dig. She then settled down flat on the top of

the hole. One of the villagers started digging a deeper hole behind

the egg-chamber and tunnelled through to it. As her eggs dropped,

they rolled through the tunnel and he removed them. In all she

laid 122 eggs about the size of ping-pong balls, with a tough skin

of a whitish-blue hue. |

The whole process of laying took about 12 minutes. The vil-

lager then quickly covered up his hole so as not to disturb her.

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

1. Loggerhead Turtle [Caretta ¢. olivacea (Eschscholtz)] commencing to

scoop a hole in the sand before depositing eggs.

2. Loggerhead Turtle (C. ¢. olivacea) deepening the hole in the sand

to its maximum depth.

Photos by J. B. Greaves.

i ae ns panned

‘

ete

eae.

oF al eee

Nao *

A paeae

6 Be

Sean

MISCHELLANHOUS NOTES |. 495

_and she, oblivious of the fact that all her eggs had gone, proceeded

to rotate round and round, smoothing the sand, as she thought,

over her eggs. :

When the hole was quite filled up, she started off back to the

sea with the same laborious slow process, with frequent pauses

and gulpings for breath.

As soon as she entered the water, her speed increased, and it

was as much as one could do to keep pace with her wading quite

fast. She went straight out through quite heavy surf until she

was no longer visible.

The -whole proceeding took about two hours from when she

emerged from the sea to when she returned to it.

FORBES STREET,

Bompsay. J. B:-GREAVES.

March 15, 1934.

XIX.—THE LARVA OF THE LOBSTER MOTH

(STAUROPUS DENTILINEA HAMPSON).

(With a plate).

Of all known larvae, surely that of Stauropus or the Lobster

Moth is the most bizarre. The moth is more commonly come

across than the larva but neither are common; the latter from its

cryptic colouring and stance is most difficult to see even to the

trained eye and because few collectors have had the good fortune

to come across it, the following short note will be of interest.

Stauropus fagi Linn., the genotype is found throughout Europe

and England and was considered a prize even in my young days.

Five species have been described from within Indian hmits of which

three are confined to the Himalayas, one to the Nilgiris and a fifth

to a much wider area extending from Assam to Burma, Ceylon and

Java. The latter probably includes several distinct races. The

larvae of the genotype, of Stauropus alternus and sikkimensis alone

are known, that of dentilinea hitherto being unknown.

The latter closely resembles that of the genotype and of S. alter-

nus in its colouring, there is however only a single subdorsal oblique

stripe which is of pure dazzling white and confined to the 6th

somite. Laterally two pale purplish white arches are found, one

extending from the 4th to the 7th somite and the other confined

to the 9th and 10th somites. The ground colouring is of a rich

mahoghany tint with diffuse brighter ferruginous patches on the

sides. There is also a dark brownish streak on each side of the

head. Paired dorsal processes are found on the 4th to the 9th

somites instead of on only the 6th to 8th, and there are also two

unpaired processes on the terminal somite. The sides of the latter

are expanded broadly and the preceding somite has three fleshy

spines on each side. The legs show the same extraordinary deye-

lopment characteristic of the genotype (Fig. e) and are minutely

spined throughout.. Hampson states that the anal prolegs are

496 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

absent but this is an error, as the two angular processes attached

to the anal somite, are in reality extraordinarily developed pro-

legs, as in the case of the 2nd and 38rd pairs of true legs. In some

specimens these are absent having been lost from autotomy or

eaten off by other larvae, a not uncommon accident when several

larvae are kept together in captivity. When at rest, the larva rests

on its prolegs which are stretched out like a suspension bridge,

the head and anterior somites being curved strongly over the dor-

sum of the insect so as to meet the expanded anal somite which

is also held strongly curved forwards over the dorsum. The anal

prolegs are held in close apposition except when the insect is

moving or feeding when they diverge strongly, apparently to allow

of the free passage of frass from the anal orifice situated just above

them. During rest the tarsi are constantly flexed and extended, a

pecuhar action which strongly reminded the writer of the action

of cilia in a vorticella. The purport of this action was not at all

clear. When at rest also the true legs are held straight out in

front very like a praying-mantis, the 2nd and 3rd pairs of tibiae

being closely apposed to the femora. As a rule the larvae pose on

the edge of a leaf and look for all the world like a piece of dried

crumbled or curled leaf. It was interesting to note that dried

broken leaf on the food plant was of exactly the same bright

mahoghany colour, so that the detection of the larvae was ex-

tremely difficult. When moving, the head is held well back,

flexed over the dorsum of the anterior segment except when actually

feeding, and the terminal somite is invariably carried aloft. In

spite of its remarkably eryptic appearance, this larva falls a fre-

quent victim to parasitic flies and few specimens can be obtained

which are not victims to these unwelcome insects. The figures

shown were drawn from specimens obtained in Coimbatore during

December and the type larva has been sent to the Society’s col-

lections.

COIMBATORE. HC) PEAS ER mains..

January 6, 1934. Lt.-Col.

EXPLANATION OF FIGURES.

a. Side view of larva of Stauropus dentilinea Hamp. (The Lobster Moth)

in defensive or resting attitude.

b. The same larva moving actively.

c. Terminal somites viewed from above.

d. Anal proleg greatly magnified.

e. First and second legs. (The third pair are rather shorter than the second.)

XX .=-THE FLEE BEETLE AALPICA CYANHA Wit ii

FEEDING ON THE LEAVES OF THE WATER-CHESTNUT

(TRAPA BISPINOSA ROXB.).

While botanising near Panvel on the 25th February this year

I noticed large numbers of the Chrysomelid beetle Haltica cyanea

feeding on the leaves of the Water-chestnut (Trapa bispinosa). The

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

Larva of Stauropus dentilinea, Hmps.

: (for explanation of figures see end of note.)

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 497

beetles completely destroyed the floating leaves, particularly of the

plants nearest the shore of the tank.

Maxwell-Lefroy (Indian Insect Life, p. 861) states that the

larvae of this species feed on the common weed Ammania rotundi-

folia which comes up abundantly after the rains. This observation

I am able to confirm but add that the adult is a common beetle

met on most Ammanias, even the strong smelling A. baccifera, L.

Bompay Natrurat History Society,

Bombay. C. McCANN,

February 27, 1984. Asst. Curator.

XXI.—_OUTBREAK ‘OF MILLIPEDES AT JALGAON.

Millipedes are known to be vegetable feeders and are always

found in fields and gardens especially in wet places among plants

and in decaying vegetable matter. Until the ae 1932 at least

in this part of India they were never reported to have done any

damage to cultivated crops. In July of that year at Jalgaon Farm,

East Khandesh, the young seedlings of jowar, tur and “oround- nut

were destroyed by these millepedes all of a sudden appearing in

enormous numbers. The damage was considerable, so much so,

that the jowar crop had to be resown. In the year 1933 exactly

in the month of July on the same Farm the appearance of these

millipedes was noticed, but the damage was not much in the jowar

crop. The reason was that there was a break in the rains for abéut

a fortnight and three repeated interculturings, which were neces-

sary to enable the crop to hold out without rains, checked them,

whereas last year the conditions were different on account of the

wet season. However, in the Cotton Breeder’s area the outbreak

was very serious. The Cotton Breeder reported that the damage

done to cotton plants in the pedigree culture (where every plant

had its value) would have been enormous were it not for the severe

campaign that was set up against these creatures. The enormity

of the numbers can be judged from the fact that no less than two

millions of these animals could be hand picked and destroyed from

an area of two acres only within the course of four days. The

amount of money spent ‘for the collection was about 50 rupees

besides the use of a tin of Kerosine oil for destroying them. These

millipedes have been identified by Professor Silvestri of Portici,

Italy, as a species of Spirostreptus allied to sp. modestus.

CoLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, V. G. DESHPANDE.

Poona. MAG... Plat

January 29, 1934,

498 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

XXI.—TERMITE COLLECTING IN SOUTH INDIA FOR

FOOD.

-dt will be interesting’ to learn that ‘white ants’ have got an

edible value. The queen ants were formerly used for medical

purposes but now people use them both medically as well as for

food. In Madura, Nagercoil and other places people make big col-

lections of these insects during the rainy months when ‘swarming’

takes place.

There are two popular methods by which these termites are

captured. In some places during the swarming season men dig

moderately large pits by the side of the termite nests and fill them

with water. Near these pits lighted torches are fixed. The insects

attracted by the light crowd over the pits and eventually fall into

them. The fallen insects are soon caught and filled in empty

bags. This is the hight mechanism.

In Madura the method is quite different. In these parts child-

ren seem to take more interest in termite collection than men.

During rainy months they search for the termite holes and finding

one, they blow hardly into it making a shrill sound. The winged

termites disturbed by the sound, swarm out and in their attempt

to fly they are easily captured in cloth-nets.

The wings and the legs of the termites so collected are removed

and the rest roasted with a small quantity of salt and pepper

added to it. The roasted white ants are widely used as a delicious

article of food. In Nagercoil and such localities it is a-common

sight to see poor men and women sitting by the road-side and

selling these roasted insects as they sell roasted ground-nuts or

beans.

GOVERNMENT Museum,

MaApRAS. T. V. SUBRAHMANIAM, B.a.

January 28, 1934.

[We recall here a note on Red Ants as food (A. M. Long, vol.

xiii, p. 856). The Murries of Bastar, the southernmost Native

State in the Central Provinces use red ants as a regular article

of food. Whole nests of these insects are taken, torn apart and

shaken into a cloth. The occupants. mature and immature are

beaten into a pulpy mass with a stone and then parcelled into

small packets for sale. You may eat the bolus raw after season-

ing it with salt, turmeric and chillies or you may cook it with rice

flour, chillies ete. into a thick paste. Regular consumption is said

to give great power of resistance against fatigue and the sun's

heat. The jungle people of Canara have the same liking for red

ants as food and deal with them in much the same way as the

Murries do. (Aitken, vol. iv, p. 153.) The squashed insect gives

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES ay 499

out an acrid smell and when many are being pounded up the

‘fumes’ which arise make the eyes smart. Aitken suggests that

the sensation produced when eating them ‘must be like a torch

light procession going down the throat’. Apart from food value

it is good to know that the acrid aroma of pulverised red ant is a

substitute for smelling salts.’ Tamil coolies in Ceylon use it (A. L.

Butler, vol. x, p. 8380). The modus operandi is to go to a teeming

nest in a bush, seize it with both hands and rub ants and nest

together violently between the palms, then take a few good pene-

trating sniffs of the ammonia-like fumes which arise from the

erushed. and bruised insects. This, we are told, will instantly

relieve a severe cold in the head. The termites which form the

subject of the above note are no connections of ants. As a family

they are considered relatives of the Cockroaches. Cockroaches as

an article of food also provide a long and interesting subject.

Space does not permit us to discuss it here.—Eps. ].

XXIII.—A NOTE ON THE MALES OF EMERITA (HIPPA)

ASIATICA.

No reference to the males of this species occurs in the works

of any of the Carcinologists! who have dealt with it. The only

explanation is that they either failed to notice it, or, which is

more probable, their great disparity in size would have caused them

to be mistaken for young ones.

A. Female of Emerita (Hippa) asiatica. B. Male.

The carapace of the adult females varies from 22 to 30 mm.

in length with an average of 25 mm., while the largest male I have

been able to secure at this place has a carapace length of only

* Milne Edwards, 1837; Heller, 1868; Miers, 1879; Henderson, 1893; Nobili,

1908.

500 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

7.0 mm. The corresponding lengths for the two American species

EL. emerita and EH. analoga are respectively 20 to 22 mm. (female),

14 mm. (male) and 22.4 mm. (female), 12 to 14 mm. (male). It

is thus seen that though the adult females of the Asiatic species

are decidedly larger than their American confreres, the males are

only about half of those of the latter. There is, however, no posi-

tive evidence to show that they do not grow beyond this size;

but the failure to secure larger ones, though collections were con-

tinued for more than two months amounting to a couple of hundred

specimens, seems to show that such is the case.

A very interesting point about their habits that has been ob-

served seems worth mentioning here. In the months of March and

April the narrow zone of the low water mark was teeming with

the young ones of this animal, so that one can collect several by

simply scooping up a handful of sand. A collection made at this

time shows a good number of males, which can be easily recog-

nised by the presence of the genital papillae on the coxopodites

of the last pair of thoracic legs. They varied from, 4 to 6 mm. in

the length of their carapace. No attempt was made to collect

them in the next two months. In July, however, they had grown

considerably and all of the large ones were females. This inexpli-

cable absence of large sized males led to a more careful search and

it was then discovered that adult females which had recently

moulted and were therefore softbodied had each two or three, and

sometimes more, young individuals on the ventral side between the

posterior part of the thorax and the abdomen; the latter being

normally pressed against the underside of the thorax. They do

not seem to be attached to any part of the female; but are pro-

bably prevented by the thorax from being displaced.

On examination all of them were found to be males. In one

or two cases a stray female was also noticed, but that seems to

be only exceptional. The females carrying them had a mass olf

spermatophores in the groove between the sixth and seventh pair

of thoracic legs. In Emerita also therefore, as in several other

crabs, the union of sexes takes place soon after moulting. The

spermatophores are simply deposited on the ventral surface of the

female, the coxal papillae of the last legs probably aiding in the

process.

The smallest of these males measured only 3.5 mm., that is

only slightly bigger than the first post larval stage and possessed

vestiges of ‘the abdominal limbs which coripletcly disappear later.

The reproductive system on the other hand was well developed

and often contained fully developed sperms. Most of the males

secured irom females varied between 3:5 and 6 mm. in length,

larger ones being only found very rarely in association. In some

of these specimens a part of the long string of spermatophores was

actually seen protruding through the cenital opening. There is

therefore no doubt that these are fully mature individuals.

Though the habits of the two American species have been

studied by several authors, nothing so far as I am aware, has been

recorded about such an early association of sexes as obtains in the

sase of the present form.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 501

The very early development and maturation of the sexual

organs in young ones which have probably undergone only a single

moult after the first post larval stage (as indicated by the size)

is also a very interesting phenomenon in the Decapoda. It appears

that sex difterentiation takes place at a very early stage in the

life of this form and the males, whenever possible, come into

association with the females soon after leaving their free swimming

existence.

In a few instances one or two of the smallest individuals were

in the process of eedysis which might indicate that in their case

at any rate the association 1s not quite temporary.

In the allied form Albunea, one species of which, A. symnista,

exists side by side with Hmerita at Madras, adult males attain

to about two-third of the size of females and are easily got at

certain times of the year. It would seem therefore that the case

oi the latter is an instance of premature sexual maturity. Second-

ary sexual characters hke greater size, differently shaped chelpeds,

narrow abdomens and so on are frequent in male Decapods. Dimor-

phism of males, the two forms in some cases being ‘alternating

breeding and non-breeding phases in the life-history of the same

individual’ has also been noticed among some Crayfishes and crabs

belonging to the subtribe Oxyrhyncha. But instances parallel to

that of Emerita do not seem to be of common occurrence. The

fate of these males, after the transference of the reproductive ele-

ments should therfore be of great interest and it is hoped that

a systematic search to be made hereafter would yield definite in-

formation bearing on it.

MapRAS. M. KRISHNA MENON, m.a.

XXI1V.—OCCURRENCE OF ISOETES COROMANDELINA L.

IN THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY.

In vol. xxxv, p. 471, I recorded the occurrence of a species of

Isoétes in the Presidency. I submitted the material for exam-

ination and report to Dr. H. Reimers of the Botanischen Garten

und Botanischen Museum, Dahlem (Berlin). He writes: ‘‘There

is only one species in East India, namely Isoétes coromandelina L.

Your plant is a large form of this species and agrees very well

with I. brachyglossa Braun described in 1862 from the Nilgiris

(Wight No. 309) but now considered as a mere form of I. coro-

mandelina. The species is also represented in our herbarium from

Madras and Terampur: (near Calcutta ?). In N. E. Pferffer’s

monograph of the Isoétaceae (Annals of the Missouri Bot. Garden,

vol. ix, 1922) the following species are recorded from ‘Peninsula

India Wight Crypt. No. 4; ‘Peninsula India’ leg. Royle; Madras

leg. Fyson 19138; Madras, near Seven Pagodas leg. Kashyan 1922.

* This is obviously a mistake for ‘Serampur’ which is near Calcutta.

ily

502 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Lhe type specimens of I. coromandelina were collected by Konig

in the ‘Coromandel’. The species was described by Linné fil. in

1781 (Suppl. Plantarum, p. 447). We have in Berlin specimens

probably from the type collection in the Willdenow Herbarium.

Now I give a short description of the species.

Corm 38-lobed (in other species 2-lobed); leaves 16-20 cm.

long, with very wide membraneous wings at base, extending above

the sporangium level; stomata numerous in upper region, lacking

in basal portion of leaves; peripheral strands ‘sklerenchym-strang’

present, 4 very strongly developed with several weaker accessory;

ligule conspicuous, very wide and short, often appearing truncate

in older leaves but pointed in young leaves (after Braun I. coro-

mandelina has a pointed ligule, I. brachyglossa a truncate one);

sporangium large 12 x9 mm.; velum none; megaspores white when

dry, grey when moist, 480-540 yw in diameter, marked with numer-

ous large tubercles, closely arranged and occasionally extended

into very short rounded ridges; microspores red-brown or paler, 26-

33 p smooth.”’

My thanks are due to Dr. Reimers for the trouble he has taken

over my material.

Bompay Naturat History Society, C. McCANN,

BomBay. stay,

January 7, 1984. Asst. Curator.

WILD ANIMALS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE

AND THE

PROBLEM OF THEIR PRESERVATION.

The Plates for this serial were not received in time for publica-

tion. Part III which deals with the Carnivora will appear in the

next issue of the Journal.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE

BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

The Annual General Meeting of the Society was held at the Prince of Wales’

Museum on Monday the 19th March, 1934, at 6 p.m. Sir Reginald Spence

was in the Chair.

AGENDA.

1. Reading of the Annual Report of the Committee.

2. Presentation of the Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts for the

past year.

3. Hlection of the Committee.

4. Such other business as may be properly brought before the meeting.

Mr. P. M. D. Sanderson announced the election of 61 members. These

included the Governors of the Central Provinces and of the United Provinces.

His Excellency the Governor of Bombay Lord Brabourne has honoured the

Society in becoming its President.

In presenting the Report for the year 1933, Mr. Sanderson said that there

were 3 important events during the year: one was the completion of the

thirty-sixth volume of the Journal; the second the Fiftieth Anniversary of the

founding of the Society; and the third the decision of the Trustees of the

Prince of Wales’ Museum to build an extension to the existing building to

which the Natural History Section would be transferred and in which it would

have the much needed additional space.

Mr. Sandérson then reviewed the main contribution to the Journal, to the

various activities of the Society during the year as embodied in the Report

which is printed in this number.

Mr. A. Forrington, Honorary Treasurer presented the balance sheet and

statement of accounts for the year 1933 which were duly adopted. The Balance

Sheet and Statement of Accounts are issued with the Report.

The following gentlemen were elected to serve on the Society’s Executive

and Advisory Committees during the year 1934 :—

BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

Orrick BEARERS—1934.

Patrons.—His Excellency The Viceroy of India; H. R. H. The Prince of

Wales, K.G.

Vice-Patrons.—_H. H. The Maharao of Kutch, G.o.s.1., G.c.1.E.; H. H. The

Maharaja of Jodhpur, x.c.s.1., K.c.v.o.; H. H. The Maharaja of Rewa, k.c.s.1.;

H. H. The Maharaja of Bhavnagar; H. H. The Maharaja of Travancore; Mr.

ive vans, liverpool; Sir David Hzra, kta, F.2.8-, Calcutta; Mr, A. ‘S:

Vernay, New York and London.

President. -—H. EK. The Right Hon’ble Lord Brabourne, G.c.1.E., M.c.

Vice-Presidents.—H. H. The Maharao of Kutch, G.c.s8.1., G.c.1.E.; Rev. E.

Blatter 26 ep. e.t.s-5) Dhe: Hom ble Mr. ih. Ds Bell.) c.s.1.,. C-1.E., 1-C.S.

Executive Committee.—Right Revd. R. D. Acland, Bishop of Bombay, Mr.

Harrokh: a. Bharucha,, Rev. Er. J... 8. Caius, 8.3... Mr C. B. B. Clee, r.c.s:,

Mr. Alwyn Ezra, F.R.G.s., F.z.8., Mr. J. ‘Be Greaves. M:n.c., Prot. Wer

Hate, p.sc., Mr. J. G. Ridland, Lt.-Col. 8. 8. Sokhey, 1.M.s., Mr. A. Forring-

ton (Honorary Treasurer), Mr. P. M. D. Sanderson, F.z.s. (Honorary Secretary),

Mr. H. M. McGusty, Bombay.

Advisory Committee.—Dr. C. F. C. Beeson, D.Sc., M.A., I.F.S., Dehra Dun.

Mr. T. R. Bell, c.1.u., 1.F.s.. (Retd.), Karwar. et -Cole kas Ve BULLOM, mleA™

(Retd.), Coonoor. Mr. C. H. Donald, F.z.s., Dharmsala.. Lt.-Col. F. C. Fraser,

1.M.g., Coimbatore. Dr. F. H. Gravely, p.sc., Madras. Mr. S. F. Hopwood,

L.F.s., Rangoon, Mr. C. M. Inglis, M.B.0.U., F.z.8., Darjeeling. Mr. Re:

504 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

Morris, F.R.G.S., F-Z-8., Coimbatore. Major EH. G. Phythian-Adams, F.z.s., 1.4.

(Retd.), Nilgiris. Dr. Baini Prashad, p.sc., Calcutta. Mr. H. C. Smith, 1F.s.,

Burma. Biti-Col..-C, El. (Stockley, .o.BsH.,, aD:S.05 M.C- a Nlecenmt 7a Wie dinette

Williams, Coimbatore.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 3lst DECEMBER 1933.

ADMINISTRATION.

President.—H. K. the Right Hon’ble Major-General Sir Frederik Sykes,

P.O.) (GCs Eu eG Bak. Ke Orbe.) OAMeG.

Vice-Presidents.—H. H. The Maharao of Kutch, G.c.s.1., G.c.1.E.; Rev. EH.

Blatter, (sain: ihe seont ble Min Rap Bellic ss. Cllrs Crs)

Executive Committee.—Right Revd. R. D. Acland, Bishop of Bombay, Mr.

HD. Ash) Mr. Warrokh 9H. Bharucha. Rev.c Mirsd. ) Catusnsey. Cols oir

Frank: Connor, Kt) DiS.0.,0F R.C.S., 1.M.s. Mr, Alwyn) Hara sin RG. c.0 F.Zssu,

Mr.: J. Bs Greaves, W.b.¢., ‘Brot. Vs INe late; B.se. Maes JEG. inidlandamiat.

Col. 8. 8. Sokhey, 1.m.s., Mr. A. Forrington (Honorary Treasurer), Mr. P. M. D.

Sanderson, F.z.s., Sir Reginald Spence, Kt., M.u.c., F.Z.S8. (Joint Honorary

Secretaries), Bombay.

Advisory Committee.—Dr. C. F. C. Beeson, pD.sc., M.A., 1.F.8., Dehra Dun.

Mr (TD. (R. Bell; Gan. Fs. (Retd:); Warwar. eine iC. ee Donald erase

Dharmsala. . Iut,-Col. F.C. Fraser, 1.mM.s., (Coimbatore. Dr. Hy Gravely,

D.S¢., Madras.) Mr. 3S: oH Hopwood i165) Rangoon.) Minae@. sir Inglis,

M.B.0.U.;) F.Z8., Darjeeling, Mr: oR Ce Morris, 9. zise es R1G.ce (Coimbatore:

Major E. G. Phythian-Adams, rF.z.s., Mysore. Dr. Baini Prashad, D.sc.,

Caleutta.< Mr, El. 3C. ISmithe)Burmas, Ite-Coly CO. He Stockley, 0.B.E., D.S.0.,

M.c., Meerut. Major W. B. Trevenen, Jubbulpore.

and V. §. La Personne (Assistant Curators).

THE HONORARY SECRETARY’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1933.

THE SocretTy’s JOURNAL.

The Thirty-sixth Volume of the Journal was completed during the year

under review.

Scientific Papers.—Mammals.—Mr. R. I. Pocock continued his important

papers on Indian Mammals. His papers constitute a revision of the various

genera and species based on all records and data available. During the period

under review he published a revision of the ‘Civet-Cats of Asia’ and in Part IV

appeared the first part of his paper dealing with ‘The Palm Civets or ‘‘Toddy-

Cats’’ of the Genera Paradoxurus and Paquma inhabiting British India.’

In dealing with the Civet-Cats of Asia, Mr. Pocock revised the group

Viverrinae, which includes the large and small Civets (Viverra and Viverricula

of older authors). His diagnosis is based mainly on the structure of the feet

and the cranial characters. In his opinion the genus Viverra, as previously

understood, embraced animals whose characters are worthy of distinctive generic

rank. He accordingly split up the genus into two, retaining the genus Viverra

to contain the Large Indian Civet (V. zibetha) and the Malay Civet (V. tanga-

lunga) and placed the Burmese Civet (V. megasnila) and the Malabar Civet

(V. civettina) in a separate genus:—Moschothera, created by him. ‘This arrange-

ment is based on the presence or absence of skin-lobes forming claw sheaths

on the 8rd and 4th digits. In the genus Viverra these particular claw sheaths

are present whereas they are absent in the genus Moscshothera. The author |

describes five races of V. zibetha, four of which occur within Indian limits.

In the second part of this paper the author deals with the Small Indian

Civets of the genus Viverricula. Mr. Pocock has shown that the old name,

V. malaccensis of Gmelin, is inadmissible on the ground that the name was

misapplied to this species and must therefore give place to the name indica of

Geoffroy. The author has divided the single species up into 11 geographical

races, See

PROCEEDINGS AND ACCOUNTS 505

Mr. Pocock im a second paper, on the Palm Civets, the first part of which

appeared in Part IV of the Journal, revises the two genera Paradoxurus and

Paguma. This paper is based mainly on the fine material obtained by the

collectors of the Society’s Mammal Survey. The author admits only three

species as representatives of the genus Paradoxurus:—namely the Ceylon Palm

Civet, P. zeylonensis, the South Indian Palm Civet, P. jerdoni, and the Indian

Palm Civet, P. hermaphroditus. The first named is without any subspecies,

the second has been split up into two races, and the last into several races.

The paper is in the course of publication.

Mr. C. McCann, the Assistant Curator of the Society, published a paper

on the colouration and habits of the White-browed Gibbon or Hoolock. In

this paper, the author indicates that there is a complete change of colour in

this gibbon from birth to maturity and that this is more evident in the case

of the females. Tull recently, it was generally accepted that the black and

fawn colour was assumed by both sexes, but the author has been able to show

that only the females become fawn when they reach maturity and that the

males remain black throughout life, after passing through the creamy juvenile

phase. The misconceptions which have arisen regarding the colouration of the

gibbon are attributed to incorrect sexing of the animals. The length of the

peniform clitoris, when superficially examined, has led to the confusing of

females with males.

In Part ITT Mr. McCann published an account of some of the Indian Langurs.

The paper is based on material collected by himself and numerous notes made

in the field over a period of a number of years. The author is of opinion

that there is much variation in the colour in the coat from birth to maturity

and that the colouration probably varies also with season and environment.

The author also deals with some of the much debated popular beliefs relative

to the social hfe of Langurs and indicates the reasons for some of the errors

that have been made.

In Part IV of the volume of the Journal under review Mr. McCann con-

tributed a paper on Indian Macaques. He described in detail the little known

species Macaca speciosa, the Stump-tailed Macaque, from material obtained

by him in the Naga Hills, Assam. The paper deals with the colour phases

and anatomical changes passed through by these animals from birth to matur-

ity. Mr. McCann is of the opinion that the annulation of the fur may possibly

be correlated with the development of the teeth and thereby provide an index

of maturity. Along with the article the author has published some good photo-

graphs of the adults of this species in the flesh.

Birds.—Vhree further reports (IV-VI) dealing with the collections obtained

by the Vernay Survey of the Eastern Ghats, were published by Mr. H. Whistler

and Mr. N. B. Kinnear during the period under review. This brings the

Survey material now dealt with as far as the Wagtails (Dendronanthus).

Three parts dealing with the Hyderabad State Ornithological Survey were

published during the year by Mr. S. A. Ali, who is being assisted by Mr.

H. Whistler. We published an introductory account of the origin of the

Survey in Part II of the Journal under review. The Nizam’s Dominions, except

perhaps for a few stray records, were a closed book to the ornithological world.

The report deals not only with the birds met with by the Survey, but also

with all known records thus making the results as complete as possible. A

study of the published records and the collection made available by

the Survey necessitated a revision of some of the hitherto known § geo-

graphical races.

~My. Ali who undertook the Survey himself has added much valuable data

by way of carefully recorded field notes which have added greatly to the value

of the report.

The thanks of the Society are due to Mr. Ali for the painstaking thorough-

ness with which he conducted the Survey and the careful way he has prepared

the report and to the Nizam’s Government for their generous assistance.

In Part IV, Dr. Ticehurst contributed a paper on ‘Some Birds from

Southern Arakan’. This paper is based on a collection made by Mr. Villar

while on tour through the Arakan Yomas. The services of the Society’s col-

lector, Mr. Henricks was loaned to Mr. Villar. The collection comprised 357

506 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

specimens of birds. Dr. Ticehurst is of the opinion that extensive collecting

is necessary in Arakan before it can be ascertained what forms occur. and any

definite conclusion arrived at.

Fishes.—In Part III Dr. 8. L. Hora published a report on the Fishes of

Afghanistan. This report was based on specimens collected by the Military

Attache, British Legation, Kabul. The specimens were secured in the Pagh-

man River. With the aid of this collection Dr. Hora was able to amplify

some of McClelland’s original descriptions. The author considers that Afghan-

istan is an important area from a zoo-geographical point of view. It forms

the boundary line between the Indian element and that of Turkestan. The

affinities of the Afghan fish fauna have to be sought further to the north-east.

According to the author the Indian element in the fauna does not extend

beyond Jalalabad.

In Part IV Mr. Mukerji commenced his report on Burmese Fishes. This

report is based on a collection of fish made by Lt-Col. -R. W. Burton from the

tributary streams of the Mali Hka River in the Myitkyina District. The

collection contained 78 specimens comprising 382 species. The author considers

that the fish fauna of Burma, beside including endemic species, includes forms

which are identical with or related to Indian fishes, particularly those found

in the adjacent provinces of Bengal and Assam. There are also to be found

forms essentially Chinese or with Indo Australian affinities. The paper is still

in the course of publication.

Insects.—In Part II Mr. J. A. Yates published a paper on the butterflies

of Bangalore and the neighbourhood. His paper is based on a collection made

by himself and on the collection and notes of Col. H. C. Winchworth who

did much collecting in the area.

In Part IIT Mr. M. E. Mosley commenced a series on the Caddis Flies, but

owing to the late arrival of the MS. the continuity of the series had to be

broken. In this paper the author attempts to popularise and encourage the

study and collecting of Caddis Flies, by giving a detailed account of their

life history and habits. The paper is still in the course of publication.

In Part IV Lt.-Col. F. B. Scott published a paper on the foodplants of

Indian Hawkmoths. The author in his paper shows the interrelation that

exists between the distribution of hawkmoths and their food plants. The

distribution of Hawkmoths and the number of individuals in any locality is

intimately connected with their choice of food plants and the distribution of

these food plants. The extinction of a certain plant in a particular locality

will result in the disappearance of the particular species of moth which feeds

on it.

In the same Part, Mr. B. Krishnamurti contributed a paper on the biology

and morphology of Epipyrops eurybrachydis, a species of moth parasitising Hury-

brachys tomentosa, one of the members of the aphid group.

During the period under review we published a paper by Col. F. C.

Fraser in which he makes additions to the Dragonfly fauna and also describes

two new species. He also contributed part xli of his series on Indian Dragon-

flies. Col. Fraser is now engaged writing the volumes on the Dragonfly

fauna of India for the Fauna of British India series, the first volume of

which appeared during the period under review.

Botany.—Dnuring the year we published parts xx, xxi, and xxii of Rev.

Father Blatter’s Revision of the Flora of the Bombay Presidency. The parts

deal with the Balsaminaceae, Rutaceae, Asclepiadaceae, and. Rubiaceae. The

Asclepiadaceae and the Rubiaceae were written in collaboration with Mr. Me

Cann. ‘They include descriptions of new species and many necessary changes

in nomenclature, thereby bringing it up to date in accordance with recent

publications.

In Part II of the Journal Fr. Blatter published the descriptions of twelve

new species of plants from Waziristan. In the subsequent issues Fr. Blatter

published the first part of his Flora of Waziristan in collaboration with Mr.

J. Fernandez. The material for this flora was collected by the authors when

on expedition in the area.

The thanks of the Society are due to Tr. Blatter for his valuable contri-

butions on Indian Botany to the Journal. In spite of very indifferent health

PROCEEDINGS AND ACCOUNTS 507

he has carried on his labours without interruption and we hope that he will

be spared to continue and to complete his great work.

Popular Papers.—During the year under review we published part xix of

vol. v of Mr. Stuart Baker’s popular serial on Indian Waders which is now

close on completion. We hope that Mr. Stuart Baker will continue to contri-

bute to the Society’s Journal. He has written for our Journal for close on

4% years and has done much to increase its popularity and interest.

Parts xi, xii and xiii, of the serial on beautitul Indian ‘lrees by Rev.

Fr. Blatter and Mr. W. 8S. Millard were issued during the year. Our thanks

are due to the authors for these contributions whicn add so much to the

interest and attraction of the Journal.

Mr. W. S. ‘Thom wrote on Some Hxperiences amongst HMlephants and other

big game in Burma from 1887-1981. in this interesting article the author

narrates his varied experiences and gives sound advice to younger generations

of sportsmen.

In the same-number (No. 2) Mr. J. C. Higgins commences his article

on The Game Birds and Animals of the Manipur State with notes on their

number, migration and habits. During the year we published parts 1-3.

This paper torms a carefully kept record of all the game shot in Manipur State

from 1911-19381.

In Part IL of the Journal, Mr. 5S. Hi: Prater, Curator of the Society,

contributed two papers on snakes, one dealing with ‘“Non-poisonous’ Snakes and

the other on the Social Life of Snakes. In the first paper the author discusses

the use of the term ‘non-poisonous’ and shows that the majority of snakes

are poisonous and equipped with the means of paralysing or killing their

prey with their venom. it is not the quality of the poison but the quantity

which they inject which controls their power for harming animals which are

larger than their accustomed prey. ‘he paper records the investigations carried

out by Bertrand, Phisalix and Caius on the toxicity of the venoms of various

Silyburine and Colubrine snakes which prove that the venoms which they

secrete are sufficiently powerful to kill or paralyse their legitimate prey and

that the limited quantity secreted alone prevents them from becoming dange-

rous to larger animals.

In his second paper Mr. Prater discusses the social life of snakes and the

much debated question as to whether a snake traces its mate. He holds

that there is much to be said for snakes following on the trail of one another,

when driven by sexual impulses. This following is effected by scent. Snakes

possess a scent gland near the anus and leave a scent trail behind them where-

ever they go.

In Part III Dr. Hora published an interesting and valuable paper on the

Respiration in Fishes. The article deals with the different means of respi-

ration which have been evolved by fish living under different conditions and

assuming different modes of life.

Economics.—During the year Mr. Rai published the second and last part

of his Report on the Survey of the Shell Fisheries of the West Coast. The

author in this part of his paper deals with the Crustacea, the Lobsters,

Prawns and Crabs, and the methods employed in catching and preserving them

for export. He has shown the necessity of safeguarding the industry and

is of the opinion that steps should be taken to improve the industry and prevent

the catching of breeding and undersized individuals. He suggests that a closed

season should be observed after the necessary investigations have been made

regarding the breeding habits and local movements.

In 19383 Mr. Sorley published his Report on the Marine Fishes of the

Bombay Presidency. While the Report shows a grasp of the economic, socio-

logical and statistical problems underlying the development of fisheries, its

attitude towards Scientific Research is less convincing. While the , Report

admits the need for research and indicates that the author was greatly handi-

capped because of the absence of data, it recommends that Government, as

such, should have nothing to do with research and relegates the work to

private bodies but makes no recommendation as regards the co-ordination of

research or the financial assistance to private bodies undertaking it.

Government have appointed a Fisheries Officer, but under the present cir-

t08 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HiST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

cumstances he cannot possibly have the time to investigate the biological

problems which Mr. Sorley in his report admits require immediate investi-

gation. Apart from this, the problems are so vast and cover so many distinct

nelds of research, that it would require the attention of a number of specialists.

Government could make a small peginning by availing themselves of the ser-

vices of 2 or 3 men who, as a minimum qualification, should have obtained

the M.Sc. degree. ‘hese men could be paid a small honorarium. They could

work under the direction of the Fisheries Officer, who could place practical

problems before them for investigation. Hydrographical and Morphological

research could be carried out by the teaching staft of the University. ‘he

identification of species could be effected through the agency of the Society

which is in touch with experts in the Zoological Survey ot india and the

British Museum.

A study of the habits, food, growth, parasites and enemies of fishes could

best be investigated by the establishment of a Marine Aquarium. LHvery

one who has studied the question will agree with Mr’ ‘sSorley when he says

that a Marine Aquarium if established in Bombay will be self supporting.

Complete plans for an Aquarium in Bombay were made by the Society but

the scheme is held in abeyance for want of money. If an Aquarium could

be built in Bombay no special staff would be required for managing it as

this could be done by the officials of the Society. Research work in the

aquarium could be eftected through the Fisheries Officer and his scientific

assistants. Apart from its recreational and educational value the Aquarium

would become a factor in the development of local fisheries. Finally Govern-

ment should establish a Board of Fisheries on which representatives of the

Society and other scientific institutions should find a place, together with

such other interests as government might like to consult. Among others we

would recommend a representative of the Zoological Survey of india and of

the Madras Fisheries department. There is. need for co-operation between

Fishery experts of various provinces.

Preservation of the Fauna.—During the period under review the first part

of the series dealing with the Preservation of the Fauna of this country

appeared in Part IV of the Journal, as a separate suyplement. A foreword

to the series was written by H. EH. the Viceroy. Tbe Introduction gives a

broad outline of the various problems underlying the question of wild lfe

protection in this country and indicates the need for a concerted policy and

concerted action on the part of the State. It is followed by a short sketch

of the geographical features of the country and the animal life inhabiting it.

It stresses the necessity for giving the matter sufficient publicity and awaken-

ing the interest of the public. This is followed by descriptions of the animals

together with coloured and black and white illustrations. The thanks of the

Society are due to Mr. F. V. Evans cf Liverpool who has very generously

paid for the illustrations and to Their Highnesses the Maharaja of Chamba

State, Jodhpur, Travancore, Bhavnagar, Rajgarh and Junagadh who have

authors have contributed their views to the present position of game in

their particular districts and suggested measures that should be adopted

for the protection of the fauna in their localities. Mr. Dunbar Brander deals

with the Central Provinces and Mr. G. Monteath with the Bombay

Presidency.

Miscellaneous Notes.—The Miscellaneous Notes which comprise the observa-

tions of numerous individuals add greatly to the interest of the Journal. Our

thanks are due to all the authors of the various papers who have contributed

so much to make the Journal a success.

Expeditions and Ezaplorations.—The Society was able during the year to

undertake an Ornithological Survey of the Jodhpur ‘State. Mr. V. 8. la

Personne conducted the Survey. Our grateful thanks are due to His Highness

the Maharaja of Jodhpur for a grant of Rs. 3,500 made by him towards the

cost of the expedition and to his officers for the assistance they gave to the

expedition.

Expenditure and Receipts.—The total anticipated income of the Society for

the year 1988 was Rs. 38,024-15-9. Actual receipts amounted to Rs. 39,948-9-4

PROCEEDINGS AND ACCOUNTS. - 509

‘as compared with Rs. 36 ,3899-8-5 during 1932, shewing an increase of

Rs. 3,549-0-11.

The increase in revenue is mainly due to receipts under the following heads :—

1932 1933

Rs. Rs.

Life Membership Los wae 700 _. 1,950

Entrance Fees SH Cees 678 - 1,070

Savings in Jodhpur Survey . oe ieee 600

All other receipts are within estimated income.

The following figures show comparatively the number of members on the

roll of the Society (excluding Life Members) on the Ist of January 1933 and

1934 and the number who paid their subscription during the year:—

No. of Members No. of Members

on Roll who paid

subscription

1933, Ist. January das a 963 893

1934, Ist. January a an 979 885

During the year 1933 the Society has lost 91 members from resignations,

while new members for this period. amount to 107. —

1933 was the Jubilee year of the Society in which it completed. 50. years

of continuous progress. To enable it to continue its work the Society requires

the generous support of its members. This help they can give most eftfect-

ively by continuing their membership and inducing their friends to join. We

would greatly appreciate the active co-operation of members at the present

time.

A Special Meeting to commemorate the Fiftieth Anniversay of the Society

was held at the Cowasjee Jehangir Hall on the 10th August 1933 at 9-45 p.m.

Sir Hugh Cocke, the Sheriff of Bombay, was in the chair. His Excellency

the Viceroy was unfortunately unable to be present, but a special message was

received from His Excellency the Governor of Bombay, the President of the

Society, congratulating the Society on the great work it had accomplished during

the 50 years of its existence and wishing it all success in the future.

Mr. P. M. D. Sanderson, Honorary Secretary, gave a brief History of

the Progress and Development of the Society. He was followed by Mr. S. H.

Prater, the Society’s Curator, the subject of whose address was the ‘Problem

of Wild Life Protection in India’. The text of Mr. Prater’s address on Wild

Life Protection appeared in the Supplement to volume xxxvi, No. 4.

The text of Mr. Sanderson’s speech is not published as it is proposed to

issue shortly a special Jubilee Number of the Journal which will give an

account of the origin and growth of the Society and provide a record of its

various activities during the last 50 years of its existence.

The thanks of the Committee and Members of the Society are due to Mr.

A. 8. Vernay who has given the Society a special donation to meet the cost

of printing this Special Number.

Sir Reginald Spence.—The Committee wished to place on record their

thanks and appreciation of Sir Reginald Spence’s services to the Society as

Honorary Secretary and Editor of its Journal. The progress the Society has

made during the past 10 years was largely due to his able management of

its affairs. His departure from India is a great loss and it is hoped that he

will continue his interest in the Society and that we shall continue to receive

the benefit of his help, and encouragement.

Staff—The Committee take this opportunity of placing on record their

appreciation of the services of the Curator and his staff whose labours have

enabled it to continue and maintain the standard of its work under the

difficult conditions which prevail at present.

P. M. D. SANDERSON,

12th March, 1934. Honorary Secretary.

JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXXVII

510

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‘The Macro- benidapters of the World’

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er alenent to the Palaearctic Fauna

Since the publication of the four original volumes the great increase

in Scientific knowledge has made the publication of a supplement necessary.

Supplement to main volume 1, Palaearctic Butterflies, complete

400 pp. of text and 625 illustrations on 16 plates.

_ In parts, £7 17s. 6d. ; bound, £8 15s.

Supplement to main volume 2, Palaearctic Bombycides and Sphingides,

now complete. 315 pp. of text and 890 illustrations on 16 plates. In

parts, £6 7s. 6d.; bound, £7 5s.

Supplements to main volumes 3 and 4, now in course of publication.

INDISPENSABLE TO EVERY OWNER OF THE CHIEF SECTION.

Indo-Australian Section

Volume IX, Butterflies. 1200 pp. text, 7600 life-like figures on.177 plates

(Stocks almost exhausted.) In parts, £20 10s. ; bound, £22 10s.

Volume X, Bombyces and Sphinges, 890 pp. text, 105 plates, now complete.

Ia parts, £12 10s.; bound, £13) 15s.

Volumes XI, Noctuae, and XII, Geometrae, in course of publication.

For full particulars of all parts and sections of this important work apply

to the Agents—

os. WATKINS & DONCASTER, 7.61

36 STRAND, LONDON, W.C.2.

Our New Catalogue of Apparatus, Cabinets, Books, Specimens, etc.,

sent immediately on request.

- Pictures of

COMMON INDIAN BIRDS.

Coloured illustrations of 196 Common Indian Birds, neatly

bound in book form, as a Volume of reference.

Price Rs. 40. Postage and packing extra.

(Price to Members Rs. 32)

Apply : Bombay Natural History Society

6, Apoilo Street, Bombay.

— BIRD-LIFE IN INDIA.

By Capt. R. S. P. Bates, M.B.O.U.

Profusely illustrated with black and white plates.

| Price Rs. 9/- net,

(Price to Members Rs. 6-12-0 net.)

Apply to:

The Bombay Natural History Society,

6, Byer? Street, es oF BOMBAY.

SLUUHINTUTUAQQU0Y WUMAATOUADUOVTUOUOQQ0GUTEUOUOQUTOEUQQQQUOOONNOQQUAUUUEANOOQOUUOTEOROOUEOQQUUUUENUUUUUUUOEENULUUUUE

Se ee eee MLNS

THE

GAME-BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA & CEYLON.

rE: i STUART BAKER, c.LE., ope F.LS., F.Z.S., M.B.OU, H.F.A.0.U.

Imperial @ve. Halt bound.

VOL. IIL.

- PHEASANTS AND BUSTARD- -QUAIL.

About 320 pp. With 12 Galonred Plates and

numerous Black and White Plates.

Price to Members who have not purchased —

Vols. I & II 5 £1-15-0— Re 23:

Members who have purchased one

of the above Volumes

o£ 00— -Rs. 20.

Members who have aiceMeel

both the above Volumes ... 4 1- 5-O=Rs, 17.

Two Guineas=Rs. 28.

Packing and postage extra.

Price to Non-members.

COMMON INDIAN BIRDS.

| ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOUR.

Two hundred and ten Common Birds of the

Indian Piains, arranged in a set of 5 Charts.

measuring 40x 36 in., fitted with wooden rollers and designed

for hanging on a wall.

Price to Members eRe 36 Postage

Non-members ... Rs. 45

» ‘ Packing extra.

Apply to:—

The Bombay Natural History Society,

| 6, igo Street, BOMBAY. | :

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