CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXVIII.

No. 1.

Tur Game Birps or Inp14, BuRMA AND CEYLON. Part XXX

(concluded). (Genus Arboricola) (With a coloured Plate).

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

ScrENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAamMAL Survey, No. XXIX.

Bane luce Bo OC. Wiroughton (23.0 ae eh oo. ae

Screntiric ResuLtts FROM THE Mamma Survey, Nos. XXX

png eee) (By Oldheld Thomas, MRS) 0... Lae ss

A NEw ARABIAN Hare. By Oldfield Thomas, F.R.s.

6) evie)\ 8) ace

Notes on Inpian Butterriies. By Lt.-Col. W. H. Evans,

D.S.0., R.E., F.Z.S., F.E.S.

A New SNakeE oF THE Famity Uropeltide (with a Plate).

By Col. F. Wall, 1.M.s., C.M.G., C.M.z.s.

Notes on soME NorasBLE ADDITIONS TO THE BOMBAY

Naturat History Socrery’s SNAKE COLLECTION (with

a Plate). By Col. F. Wall, LM.s., C.M.G., ©.M.z.S.

Bic GAME SHOOTING OF KASHMIR AND ADJACENT HILL PRo-

VINCES (with two Plates). By Lt.-Col. A. E. Ward

THE Burrerriics OF Mesopotamia (with a Plate). By Col.

Le Le SEAS 2725 Sie ofS 0 Lala PR a aD eA

THREE NEw ALPINE ORTHOPTEKA FROM CENTRAL Asta. By

B. P. Uvarov, F.E.s.

A Few Hints on CrocopiLe SHootTine (with two Plates).

By W. H. O. Shortt

Brrps OF THE InpIAN Empire, Part IV. By E. C. Stuart

Pee Pit Sy ght Z Cc. MBO. «6.6.0, §.she) cs Meine eee we

Ce ey

InDIAN DRAGONFLIES (with Text-figures). By Major F. C.

Fraser, 1.M.s.

Ce |

A List oF BUTTERFLIES COLLECTED IN THE Tavoy District,

Burma (with a Plate), By O. C, Ollenbach

PAGE

1v CONTENTS OF .:.VOLUME XXVIII.

PAGE

Note ON THE NIDIFICATION AND HABITS OF SOME BIRDS

In British GARHWAL (with 3 Plates and a Map). By

PAM IB MORI ABT OTN, ic gavs eS Sig alsa e o.2 chan sete tessa ose nee le 4 ote 140

SHAKLSPEARE ON THE NOBLE ArT OF Hawkine. By Col. C. EH.

Mirra UAE Uta Ae ee UG carrer nlg ie toade toa eines lovin « OMe karen 161

MyYRIAPODS COLLECTED By P. A. Buxton (with two Plates).

By. Ele WBrolemani. se yee tec are em cio aie alee tect olay si 165

Morus or Mesopotamia AND N. W. Persia. By Various

INGGIOTS We Beker oe Mere ec CE ee ee aie ie 170

Annotatep Lists oF ACCULEATE HYMENOPTERA (EXCEPT

HETEROGYNA) AND CHRYSIDS RECENTLY COLLECTED IN

MesoporamrA AND Norra-West Persia (with 8 Text-

fieunes).) By 1: Ds iMorice, McA ch). ie eleerrmeme ye ee 192

Quaint Beasts AND QUEER Hasrrs. By Major C. H. Stockley,

EVENTOS A. w cicscllerase Be RL elite dpe Tar elead boven cne saat TRE NRE oceans aee 204

THE Birps oF Mesoporamia (with two Plates). By Dr. C.

Bo Ticehursts MeAy MB OcUe yiseks Gi Seki eae kh eee 210

FurtHer LizARDS AND SNAKES FROM PERSIA AND MEsopo-

PAMTA By Joan. Procter, W284 52) ar. nent) ee 261

Reviews (SMALL GAME SHOOTING AROUND OOTACAMUND)..

Tyg Livelink Oe egein aan a ten ration cares eee) cc ie 254

THe WaTER Fow. oF INDIA AND Asta. By Frank Finn.. 254

PEDTEORTAMG: + exon tais/couGdasions tase eiecane: <:c. cle ng team eeene arene 255

OBrevary. JOR WADEAGE, CoH ee crore ieee een oa oS

MiscsLLaneous Notes -—

I. The Power of Scent in Wild Animals. By H.

Copley gee. de ae ee erence yey « 262

IJ. Panthers and Artificial Light. By C. B.

Beadwell oe eee eee On «cee rs 265

Ill. The Food of the Smal! Indian Civet (Viveri-

cula malaccensis), m captivity. By C. M.

IngliSMNKBLO;U,, OW Zi Sa. RV BeSe | cise a notary sete 265

XVII.

XVIII.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXVIII.

A good female Chinkara Head (G. bennetti).

By G. B. Powar :

Wild Dogs in Burma. By C. E. Milner ..

Distribution of Serow in Burma. By C. E.

TWIN RUT Ps ec ae De STP Le el i ae

Some Notes on the horns of the Thamin

(Cervus eldi) with a Plate. By Major C. H.

MLOee ya DIS Onviavac sateen sista edie a aonies. 4

A baby Hog Deer in captivity (with a Plate).

Ee Maer ONG Shek Sarah's ann aende en

The Indian Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla, L.).

By N.C) Chatterjee, B.Sc, WIE:S). 252 50.0.

The Habits of the Grey Mongoose. By C. E.

Ou PH ISU HE MAI MH IG APR CP AiR RE. AA. Ay. oe

The Effect of a Scorpion’s sting on a Terrier.

By bt-Col HO Bren ce Me es

A Panther’s indifference. By H. Copley ....

Kashmir Bird Notes. By H. A. F. Magrath.

The Avifauna of the Nelliampathy Hills. By

Ji TESA Sie Oye ale ip ete ear EN le

Roosting habits of the Common Babbler

(Argya caudata). By Major A. G. Frere, 1.4.

Behaviour of the White-cheeked Bulbul

(Molpastes leucogenys), when its young

is in danger; and the (?) parental mstinct

of love for the offspring displayed by the

Dark-Grey Bush Chat (Ovetcola ferrea). By

8. Basil-Hdwardes. 5... 44.9 +,-aet a 2203

An albinoid Otoconypsa emeria. By Satya

Chima Way ees o.oo eee ee sete ee

The White-spotted Fantail Flycatcher. (Rhi-

pidura pectoralis). By B. B. Osmaston,

TS Sign OdaBhts oy tai Mahle) theta daleueipia ee ase e's

XIX.

XX.

XXI,

XXII.

OWE

XXY.

XV TL,

XXVII.

XXVIII.

XXIX.

XXX.

XXXII.

Butterfly Notes,

CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXVIII,

The Crested Swift (Macropteryx coronata). By

B. B. Osmaston 1.F.8., C.1.E.

Breeding of the Indian Pitta. By R. C.

Bolster, HOS A Pewee tis be ian

The Call of Franklin’s Nightjar (Caprimulgus

monticola). By H. Whistler, F.z.s. M.B.O.U.

Nidification of the Black Vulture or Indian

King Vulture (Otogyps calvus). By Lt.-Col.

Ei jO Bren tee ele anaes een

Some curious nesting places. By Lt.-Col. A.

Re B.Shinttleworthy i. 2/6 ss gts oe

Destruction of Birds’ Nests. By R. C. Bolster,

LOWS cokats fate ien tron hones spe POE Stee ee eee

Breeding of the Khyah or Marsh Partridge

(Francolinus gularis) in captivity in Bihar.

By C. M. Inglis, m.3.0.U., F.Z.S., F.E.S......

The Adjutant Bird, and other matters. By

) Brig=Genk Re G. Burton: 2.14 ..i fren weemee

By Jae

PIG OTNS IR@LSL,reecbovce si eecoeee x Severe ania

Manipuri names of certain Birds.

Crocodile Shooting in Nepal. By Miss Kennion.

An aggressive Phoorsa (Echis carinata). By

Major AviG) Mrere; As) hci) honen ee aa ee

The Enemies of Butterflies. By C. E. C. Fischer,

LFS,

0:8) oe US) a -0, a: je) ele) feel e fele) em eile) obec) v) es mie .«, @ 6 6 «

By W. M. Crawford, 1.¢.s.....

Butterflies at Sea. By Col. F. Wall, 1.ms.,

Cus, Woz ee eae a ier So

On the habits of a Sceliphron Wasp (S. deforme).

By. 8) Basil Md wardos ies . See eee aie

284

CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXVIII,

XXXIV. An undescribed natural history enemy of the

Castor Semilooper (Achaea (Ophiusa) meli-

certe; Hmp.) (with a Plate). By T. V. Ram-

Enishita: Anya ot aches oY pohh Cnn eeeesls%

RMB RCS RC REITIS ES 22 a Aden ce See AE e Une A ork MNES ik) eneyc.g ay dge wis

No. 2.

THe GAME Birps oF Inp1IA, BURMA AND CEYLON. Part XXXI.

(Genus Alectoris) (with a coloured Plate.) By E. C. Stuart

Baer eeb. Rais Phra. Sey MP Be OU scien eek esse tian BIR eels

Birps oF THE INDIAN Empire. Part V. By E. C. Stuart

Reece etree Robe n eo Wemere MOS OAM aol eset oi cidsci aya aheten ates fei'cyexe

GAME ANIMALS OF KasHMIR AND ADJACENT HILL PRovin-

ces. Part II. (With Plates and Text-figures.) By Lt.-

NSU SGS GC] Dek AY UEP os NR EO A RAE SRE he ee Er

Tue BurrerFiics oF Mesopotamia, Part Il. (With a Plate.)

iB ylob Ole ile PsP eile W168) TM Seas ing 0 5 woofs a's ale a ale

On Inpran Parasitic Fires. By Harold Russell, F.1.8., F.z.s.

THE Brrps or Mesopotamia, Part II. By Dr. C. B. Ticehurst,

Wok MBL OuU. WAC WOR tWOlE lates): boi 6 s..)c care see's is eve ee

SciENTIFIC RESULTS OF THE MAMMAL Survey, No. XXXII.

By Oldfield Thomas, F.R.s.

A. New and interesting mammals from the Mishmi

AQ OE CLG RE REE RTS ee ere

Bee (he Porcupine Of Assan), O41 .6 Sack es 6.2 dase

C. A new Ferret Badger (Helictis) from the Naga

SEY LV aaNet aide eiee ae ge hha Gea eee ePRMTALN Trine ce

NoTEs ON THE NOMENCLATURE OF THE NORTHERN SLOW

Loris. By Oldfield Thomas, F:B.8, 2.2.5.5. .0 ke eens

A Day’s SHOOTING ON THE NILGIRIS NEAR OOTACAMUND. By

Lt.-Col. H. R, Baker, 1.4. (With two Plates)........

Notes oN THE Batracuta. By C. R. Narayan Rao, M.A.

(Widths, Text block) oo. ou cael nde et ok 285% eee cee

vii

PAGE

298

301

334

345

370

381

428

431

432

433

434

vill CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXVIII.

NovEs ON THE HABITS OF SOME CEYLON Bats. By W. W. A.

PUNE RA AL GS. ciate: ie Wasateeedes Matern nists elsitns ose 2s :

Birps or PacumMarHI. By B. B. Osmaston, C.LE., IFS.

OWVTtaE WO MELE GES) isc ls alamo ape weve tel eae ei are!e Nas lel Gi

NeEsT-BOXES FOR Birps. By §. H. Prater, c.m.z.s. (With a

note by H. Whistler, F.z.s., M.B.o.uU. (With two Plates

AMG cag: sex OURS) oar ice a) score be oi cue a ieee Rep ae eek

Nores oN THE GENERIC Names OF INDIAN THECLINA AND

Avenyeonina, By N. DiBiley. a. ss 2 .s ees oro

Norres on Mesopotamian MamMats. By Capt. C. R. Pitman.

InpiAN Draconruies. By Major F.C. Fraser, 1.m.s. ( With

free: Lext-nomnes) Part: MOLY Go ts eas aie me nctece tele

Notes ON SOME LizARDS, Frogs, AND Human BEINGS IN

THE Niueiri Hints. By Col. F. WALL, 1.M.8., C.M.z.S.

BUTTERFLY COLLECTING IN InDIA. By Lt.-Col. W. H.

Evans, D.S.0., R.E., F.Z.S., F.E.S. (With 9 Text-figures) ...

Review. (ZOOLOGY—A TEXT BOOK FOR COLLEGES AND ‘UNI-

VeRsmies. By UD. Woclkerell). (oii akeas evap

Opmrusny —bt-Coly dae in Menton se oe ace eo witness ere

FSM IRODANS oe. cheese. uctoatle uu th cleon we he. wy Se Wiest Soi GR cine

In Licuter Vern. Notes by a Pseudo Collector ............

MisceLLANEous Notes :—

I. Notes on Lydekker’s ‘‘Game Animals of

India.’ (With a Plate.) By Major C. H.

Stockdeys piste) cer Sak eR h toe meraerue e

II. Editors’ and readers’ comments on notes which

appeared in previous numbers ............

Ili. An interesting Panther incident. (With a

photo.) By Major C. H. Stockley, pD.s.o. ..

IV. Occurrence of the Tree Shrew (Anathana

wroughton) at Khandalla, Poona District.

By Dr. wiser, Dis: ... sfioneneet acme

PAGE

448

481

493

529

533

535

Vil.

VILL.

IT:

XIII.

LY.

XVI.

XVII.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXVIII,

The breeding of Elephants in Captivity. By

COMA EAMG ye eh ois 16 oie dae idee wed so

Notes on the Tsaine (Bos sondaicus). (With a

Plate.) By Major C. H. Stockley, D.s.o. ...

Some measurements of Big Game. By Major

OPS! 5 baroi) cid) Ataa SNS )eg Ores Far went, Oe Onn S ea ae

Abnormal Ibex head (witha photo), By Lt.-

Col pe Wi et UcbOlke tue ee once sts: Saisie ste

An addition to the list of Indian Birds. By H.

WVAMIS ET AS AL OUNOALA ON Ue jd eiate ced ane)es ech

Habits of the Southern Scimitar Babbler

(Pomatorhinus horsfieldi travancoriensis.) By

JAN AST Bg] rial Cove] Tea yA SR Rare

Nidification of the Southern Red Whiskered

Bulbul (Otocompsa emeria fuscicaudata)

ey PAu Kam els tir 28.907 s odin ehshas «dak le

Woodpeckers ‘“‘ Roosting”. By A. P. Kinloch,

TUES os aes boi see cl s abel ane Alegdae ey. (cut > acartena ales at

Predaceous habit of the common King Crow.

By. By Osmastomy gsi .jcsehe males oid eit

Nidification of the Ceylon Thrush (0. inbri-

cata, Layard). By T. HK. Tunnard ........

Occurrence of the Malay Bittern (Gorsachius

melanalophus) at Ootacamund, S. India.

By Lt.-Col. H. R. Baker, 1.4. (Retd.) ......

Notes on Duck in the Rawalpindi District.

By Major C. H. Stockley .............+--

Occurrence of the Flamingo (P. roseus) in the

Central Provinces. By B. B. Osmaston ..

XVIII. Noteson two young Indian Hornbills. (D.

bicornis) (With a Plate). By 8S. H. Prater,

540

543

545

550

XIX.

XXII.

XXIII.

XXIV.

XXV.

XX VI.

XXVII.

XXVIII.

XXIX.

PROCEEDINGS

A coouUNTS FOR OIOZI) hc Sunige nae Be ae

CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXVIII.

Notes on a fight between the Indian Screech

Owland a Cobra. By Major J. E. M. Boyd,

1S ee OR i ap, AOE EN Tees Se

Crocodile burying its food. By A. F.

A DEFELOMUD Vics cco jewadvke on paocaidene es sabnopehe

Hatching of Cobras (Naia tripudians) with

remarks on the Oodont, Genitalia, etc. By

Col. Bi Wall) tae slo wet Camia se

Acquisition of four more specimens of the

snake Brachyophidium rhodogaster. By

Col. F. Wall, 1.M.s., C..i.G., C.M.Z.S.

Leech attacking a snake. By A. P. Kinloch,

Food of the Snail-Jndrella ampula. By A.

P. Kinloch, F.z.s. Beh yids css Ten oa ee

Butterfly feeding on excreta. By Hugh

Witistler! 8.2.8. CAF Ac. O90.) ce vost. eceeuneas

The Black Rock Scorpion Palamnoeus swam-

merdami. By Major A. G. Frere, 1a. ....

Scorpion committing suicide. By A. A. Dunbar

DrAnGer eo ligul sacl ts tes wrpaaes + Meee es

A short note on instances of Syncarpy

in Magnifera indica (With a block). By

P. M. Debbarman, B.Sc., F.L.S., M.R.A.S ....

Folklore of Birdsand Beasts of India. By J.

Hitzyatrieky (5). jo? hag dls yale peaan ecehmneas

a: a! a) 6,e).e\ eth) lw 6, ue 16 6 lei cu la, \0, 1@, Uae: fete ele) eye) (4) 1G) 6) 10 Oe @. \e) (6) 0) Oe ew)

Pace

552

553

5D3

556

o57

557

508

5d8

509

beh ie ees OSSD

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

VOLUWEE Se Ir.

Apercromey, A. F, ; Crocodile

(C. palustris) burying its

food

AITKEN, E. H. ; Injury feign-

ing habits of Birds

Atyar, T. V. Ramakrishna ;

An undescribed natural

history enemy of the

Castor Semilooper (Achaea

(Ophiusa) melicerte).

(With a Plate)

Baker, E. C. Sruarr, J.P.,

BS: IAS.;) MB OoUS

The Game Birds of India,

Burma and Ceylon. Part

MAXX coned. (With..¢@

Coloured Plate.) The Arra-

Red-throated Hill

Partridge, Tickell’s Red-

throated Hill Partridge,

the Red-breasted Hill Par-

tridge, the White-cheeked

Hill Partridge, the Brown-

breasted Hill Partridge,

the Green-legged Hill

Partridge, the Ferruginous

Wood Partridge, the Long-

billed Wood Partridge

Hmp.

kan

——_—__—_——— ;.__ Part

XXXI. (With a@ Coloured

Plate). The Indian Chukor,

Hume’s Chukor

; The

Birds of the Indian Empire

Part 1V

Part V

PAGE |

298

305

Baker, Lr.-Cou. H. R., L.A. ;

A day’s shooting on the

Nilgiris near Ootacamund.

| (With 2 Plates)

—_— —_—___--—___—_; Oc-

currence of the Malay Bbit-

tern ‘Gorsachius melanolo-

phus) at Ootacamund, S.

Basit-Epwarpes, S.; Beha-

viour of the White-cheeked

Bulbul (Molpastes leucogenys)

: India

| its

when young is in

danger; and the (?) paren-

tal instinct of love for the

offspring displayed by the

Dark-Grey Bush Chat

(Oreicola ferrea)

— ; On the

Habits of a Sceliphron

Wasp. (S. deforme)

BEADNELL, C. B., Panthers

| and artificial light

' BotstEr, R.C., 1.C.S.; Breed-

; ing of the Indian Pitta

= -—; Des-

truction of Birds’ Nests .

History

Society’s Mammal Survey,

No. XXIX. A re-naming of

“ Mungos mungo_ ellioti ”

| Bombay Natural

| By R. C. Wroughton

Pact

434

bon |

280

284

286

Xil

Bombay Natural History

Society’s Mammal Survey ;

Scientific Results from the

Mammal Survey No. XXX.

The Mungooses of the Her-

pestes smitht group. By Old-

field Thomas

No. XXXI. Two New Rats

from Assam (2attus wellsi

and Rattus listert garonum).

By Oldfield Thomas

’

No. XXX11-—

(A} New and interesting

Mammals from the

Mishmi Hills

(B) The Porcupine of

Assam

(Helictis) from the Naga

Hills. By Oldfield Tho-

mas, F.L.S.

Boyp, Masor J. E. M.; Notes

on a fight between the

Indian Sereech Owl and a

Cobra

Brotemann, H. W.; Myria-

pods from Mesopotamia and

Persia. (With 2 Plates)

Burton, Bric.-Genu. R.G. ;

The Adjutant Bird and

other matters

Burton, Lr.-Cot. R.W.; Ab-

normal Ibex Head. (With a

plock)

nee P.A., EES. «aad

Warkxins, H. T. G.; Moths

bf Mesopotamia and N. W.

Persia, Part IL ae Ae

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

Pages

Buxton, P.A., M.B.0.U., T1cE-

HuRsT, Claud B., M. A.,

M.bB.O.U. and Major R. E.

| CHEESMAN, M.B.0.U. The

| “ Birds of Mesopotamia.”

| (With & Plates), Part 1

Part II. (With 2 Plates)..

| CHATTERJEE, IN. Cg MESES

| F.ES.; he Indian Pan-

| golin (Manis pentadactyla).

CHEESMAN, Mason R. H.,

TicEutuRstT, Claud B., M.A.,

M.B.O,U.and Buxton, P.A.,

MB OUR che Birds! of

| Mesopotamia.” (With 2

Plates) Part I

Part Il. (With 2 Plates) ..

CopLrey, Hucu; The Power of

Scent in Wild Animals

| CRawFrorp, W. M.,_ I.C.8.;

428 | Butterfly notes

DEBBARMAN, P. M.; A_ short

note on the instances of

| Synearpy in Magnifera in-

dica L. other

tropical plants. (Withe Text

block)

and some

DunBAR, BRANDER, A. A.;

Scorpion Committing Sui-

cide ..

Evans, -Lz.-Con. W. H.,

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

Notes on Indian Butterflies

(contd.)

287

544 | — aa

Butterfly collecting in

India. (With 9 Text-figures)

Fenton, Lt.-Cot. L. L.; Obi-

184 tuarial Notice

PAGE

We}

560

500

519

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS

Fiscurr, C.E.C.; The Habits

of the Grey Mongoose

; The Ene-

mies of Butterflies

Frirzparrick, J.; Folklore of

Birds and Beasts of India.

Fraser, Masor F. C., 1.M.S.;

Indian Dragontlies. (With

4 Text-figures)

Part XII.

(With 3 Text-

figures)

Frere, Masor A. G., L.A.,;

Roosting habits of the

Common Babbler. (Argya

caudata)

EE ee

aggressive Phoorsa (LEchis

carinata )

; The

Black Rock Scorpion (Pa-

lumnoeus swammerdamt)

Hiecins, J. C., 1.C.S. ; Mani-

puri names of certain birds

Hunpiry, G.; The Breeding

of Elephants in Captivity.

Hurton, J. H.; Sore-neck in

Sambhar

; Hornbills in

Captivity

—— ——-—; Indian Hornet.

Incuis, Cuas. M., M.B.O.U.,

F.Z.S., F.E.S.; The Food of

the Small Indian Civet

(Vivericula malaccensis) in

captivity

Pace |

286

291

558

288

537

533

534

265

| Inaxis, Cuoas. M., M.B.O.U.,

274 |

| the Kyah or Marsh Par-

F.Z.8., F,E.8,; Breeding of

tridge (Francolinus gularis)

| in captivity in Bihar

Kevynion, Miss, I. A.; A Baby

Hog Deer in captivity.

(With a Plate and Teat-

figure)

—_——_—_——; Croco-

dile Shooting in Nepal

[ecranpoxereig, AN, dee 8 | UBlnifey / A\ple

fauna of the Nelliampathy

Hills

; Habits of

the Southern Scimitar Bab-

ler. (Pomatorhinus horsfieldi

travancoriensis)

Nidification

Southern Red-whis-

Bulbul. (Otocompsa

emeria fuscicaudata)

of the

kered

—; Woodpeck-

ers “ Roosting”’ ..

Leech at-

tacking a Snake

—_—______—— ; Hood of the

Snail (Jndrella ampula)

Law, S. C.; An _ albinoid

Otocompsa emeria

LuaRp, Lr.-Cot. Combes:

Shakespeare on the noble

Art of Hawking

MacratH, H. A. F. ; Kashmir

Bird Notes..

Miner, C. E.; Wild Dogs

in Burma

: Distribution

of Serow in Burma

xitl

PaGs

557

267

X1V

PAGE

MitnER, J.; Burmese races

of Serow

Marrers, 2.30.) LE Bsc) 8

Panther’s Indifference

Mills, J: Ps

Burma

Wild Dogs in

Moricg, F. D., M.A., F.Z.S. ;

Annotated Lists of Acu-

leate Hymenoptera (except

Heterogyna) and Chrysids

recently collected in Meso-

potamia and North-West

Persia. (With 8 Text-

figures) 192

OxpituaRy, John Wallace, C.E.

-Lr-Cour. L. L.

Fentcn

O’Brien, Lt.-Cot. E.; The

effect of a Scorpion’s sting

on a Terrier S 2 274

; Nidi-

fication of the Biack Vul-

ture or Indian King Vul-

ture (Otogyps calvus). (With

Text-figure) 284

OLLENBACH, O. C.; A List of

Butterflies collected in the

Tavoy District, Burma.

(With a Plate)

As Bog) ek DOE

Nidification and

OsMASTON,

on the

Habits of some Birds in

British Garhwal. (With

3 Plates and a Map)

OsmastTon, B. B., LF.S.; The

White-spotted Fantail

Flycatcher (Khipidura pec-

toralis) 282

5d |

260 |

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

Osmaston, B. B., I.F.S.,; The

Crested Swift (Macropterya

coronata). (With a Text-

Jigure)

———_. ; Birds of

Pachmarhi. (With 2 Plates.)

; Predace-

ous habit of the Common

King Crow .

Pete, Lr.-Cou. H. D., F.E.S. ;

The Butterflies of Mesopo-

tamia. Part I. (With a

Plate)

Part Il. (Witha Plate) ..

Puitiirs, W. W. A.; Notes

on the habits

Ceylon Bats

Pitman, Carr. C.R.S., D.S.O.,

M.C., M.B.0.U. ; Notes on

Mesopotamian Mammals ..

of some

Powar, G. B.; A good female

Chinkara Head (G. bennettz)

Prater, S.H., C.M.Z.S8.; Nest

Boxes for Birds (With 2

Plates.) With a note by H.

Whistler, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.,

+) CLE Oru: By

——-—-— + Notes on) two

young Indian Hornbills.

(With a Plate)

leavenes Miss Joan B.,

{es Pseudo-Collector. ”’

Further Lizards

from Persia

KZ.8. 5

and Snakes

and Mesopotamia .

140 Prout, Lovis B. ; Moths of

Mesopotamia and N.-W.

Persia, Part III

Lighter Vein

PaGE

546

345

448

474

266

460

550

251

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

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

Notes on Batrachia. (With

a Text block)

RitEy, Carr. N. D., F.E.S.,

F.Z.8.; Notes on the

Generic Names of Indian

Thecline and Amblypo-

dinze (Lep. Rhop.) ..

Roruscuitp, Lorp ; Moths of

Mesopotamia and N.-W.

Persia, Part I

RUSSELL, Haroup, F.L.S.,

F.Z.S.; On Indian Parasitic

Flies ..

SHorrr, W.H.O. ; A few hints

on Crocodile shooting. (With

2 Plates and a Diagram)

Lr.-Cot.,

A.R.B.; Some curious Nest-

ing places

SHUTTLEWORTH,

Stock.Ley, Masor C.H., Quaint

Beasts and queer habits ..

SrockLey, Masor C. H.; Some

notes on the Horns of the

Thamin (Cevus eldi). (With a

Plate)

—__—__________.___- Notes

on Lydekker’s Game Ani-

mals of India. (With a Plate).

—_—+— ; Tha-

min Horns .

interesting Panther inci-

dent, (With a Photo)

on the Tsaine, (Bos sondai-

cus.) (With a Plate)

measurements of Big Game

PaGE |

439

465

170

370

76.

285

204

268

529

534

535

540

O45

| StocKLEY, Masor C. H.; Notes

on Duck in the Rawalpindi

District

Suter, M., D. Se.; Occurrence

of the Tree-Shrew (Anathana

wroughtoni) at Khandalla,

Poona District

THomas, OLDFIELD, F.R.S.;

See Bombay Natural History

Society’s Mammal Survey of

India, Burma and Ceylon.

; A new

Arabian Hare, Lepus oima-

nensis cheesmani

; Note

on the Nomenclature of the

Northern Slow Loris

TicrHurst, CLaup B., M.A.,

MB:O.U., wbusron, (PoA.,

M.B.O.U. and Masor R.E.

CHrESMAN, M.B.O.U ; “The

Birds of Mesopotamia

Part I (With 2 Plates)

bh)

Part IL (With 2 Plates)

TUNNARD, T. E. ; Nidification

of the Ceylon Thrush (Ore-

ocincla imbricata) Layard ..

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

New Alpine Orthoptera

from Central Asia. .

Watt, Cox. F., I.M.S., C.M.G.,

C.M.Z.S.; A New Snake of

the Family Uropeltide

(With a Plate)

-; Notes on

some notable additions to

the Bombay Natural

History Society’s Snake

Collection. (With a Plate)

ey)

“I

433

546

XV1

Watt, Cot. F., I.M.S., C.M.G.,

C.M.Z.S. ; Butterflies at sea.

Notes on some Lizards,

Frogs and Human Beings

in the Nilghiri Hills

—-——-—— ; Hatching of

Cobras (Naia tripudians)

with remarks on the Oodont,

Genitalia, ete.

sAcquisition of

four more specimens of

the Snake Srachyophidium

rhodogaster, Wall

Warp, Lr.-Cot, A. E.; Big

Game Shooting of Kashmir

and adjacent Hill Pro-

vinces. Part I. (With 2

Plates)

Part II (With 2 Plates and

2 Text-figures)

PAGE

293 |

493

534

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

WeADEINSS ins a eG. and

Buxton, P.A., M.A., F.E.S.,

Moths of Mesopotamia and

IN. ‘W. Persia, Part If

WHISTLER, Huan, F.Z.S.;

The call of Franklin’s Night-

jar (Caprimulgus monticola)

Frankl.

Notes on nest boxes for

birds

ANN OIE

dition to the List of

Indian Birds

Soe EEL OR

fly feeding on excreta

Wrovuauton, R. C., F.Z.S.;

See Bombay Natural History

Society's Mammal Survey of

India, Burma and Ceylon.

Pace

184

(0.0)

nse

460

XVil

Ce SEO OME i PAD BS;

VOLUME 2x== Vii.

No. 1.

The Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon. The Green-legged

Hill Partridge (7ropicoperdix chloropus) : ;

A new Snake of the family Uropeltidee (Lrachyophidium rhodogaster).

Some notable additions to the Bombay Natural History Society’s

Snake Collection (Coluber leonardt)

Big Game Shooting of Kashmir and adjacent Hill Provinces—

Plate I. The Kashmir Stag (Cervus cashmirianus) ..

II. Do. do.

The Butterflies of Mesopotamia

A Few Hints on Crocodile Shooting—

Plate I. (A) A heavy Mugger. (C. palustris) re

(B) Getting out a heavy Mugger. (C. palustris)

Plate II. (A) A female Gavial. (G. gangeticus}

(B) Male Gavial showing nob at the top

Butterflies of Tavov District, Burma

Pace

A Note on the Nidification and Habits of some Birds in British Garhwal—

Map of Garhwal District North of Lansdowne

Plate I. (A) Water falls in the Rup Ganga saparnane Be

forest an

(B) The northern ree of Cranienne

Plate II. (A) Chir Forest (Pinus longifolia)

(B) Deodar Forest.. : .

(A) A Forest-clad Ravine at abeat 10, 000!

(B) Dunagiri Peak 23,200’

Plate ITI.

Myriapods from Mesopotamia and Persia—

Plate I. Figs. 1-2. Strongylosoma persicum

Plate II. Fig. 3. Strongylosoma persicum

Fig. 4. Poluxenus ponticus

The Birds of Mesopotamia—

Plate I. (A) Creek at Makina near Busra, Mesopotamia

(B) From Table Mt. Jebel Hamrin, N.-E. of Baghdad.

xViil LIST OF PLATES.

Plate II. (A) Close to Amara, on Tigris. .

(B) Broken country on Tigris down stream of Samarra.

Some Notes on the Horns of the Thamin (Cervus eldi)—

(A) Side view of Stag No.7 .. ; sk .

(B) Showing horns forming 3 parts of a circle (Stag

No. 2) be oie

in the horns of the older animal A ie

(D) An old Stag with a very wide head. Tops palmated

(No. 5) ‘ Ph Ke

(E) A fine Stag. (No. 7, from the front)

A Baby Hog Deer in captivity—

(A) Surprised vt a wi

(B) Creeping along head down, ears back

An undescribed natural enemy of the Castor Semilooper (Achewa

(Ophiusa) melicerte)

No. 2.

The Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon. The Chukor Partridge

(Alectoris greca chukor) _ ..

Game Anima!s of Kashmir and adjacent Hil! Provinces—-

Plate I. (A) Great Pamir Sheep (Ovis ammon poli)

(B) Siberian Argali (Ovis ammon ammon)

Plate II. (A) Bharal (P. nahura)

(B) Oorial (O. vignei)

Some new forms of Lepidoptera from Mesopotamia and N.-W. Persia ..

The Birds of Mesopotamia—

Plate III. (A) Kentish Plover’s-nest on shelly clay, margin of

large marsh below Amara. Eggs (3), almost

hatching ss a oe a oe

(B) A salt pan about 4 mile W. of Euphrates

barrage

Plate IV. (A) Curious mound-like nest of Black-winged Stilt

with 3 eggs, in a shallow inundation a few

miles W. of Museyib on the R. Euphrates

‘B) Typical breeding country of Sand Grouse (Pterocles

aichaia caudacuta) on right bank of Tigris near Kut.

305

336

340

345

410

LIST OF PLATES.

A day’s shooting on the Nilgiris near Ootacamund—

Plate I. Country round Ootacamund

Plate II. (A) Wooded Nala leading down to nae aoa

likely spot for Woodcock

(B) A fine Jungle Fowl Shola near Ootacamund, Nilgiris aa

Birds of Pachmarhi—

Plate I. Views of Pachmarhi

EI: Do. do.

Nest-boxes for Birds—

Plate I. Suggestions for Bird-boxes

Te Do. do,

Notes on Lydekker’s Game Animals of India—Oorial

Notes on the Tsaine (Bos sondaicus).

Tsaine or Banting (Los sondaicus)

Notes on two young Indian Hornbills—

(A) Feeding time

(B) Joan and Helen

x1x

550

Imdex to illustrations.

WoLwvw0ME Sx VIiIiI.

Achaea (Ophiusa) melicerte, Pl..

Zischna erythromelas, Anal ap-

pendage, Fig. 3 (i)..

juncea, Anal appendage,

Hig 2 (i) «i Ne

mixta, Anal appendage,

Fig. 2 (ii)

ornithocephala, Anal ap-

pendage, Fig. 3 (iv).

petalura, Anal appen-

dage, Fig. 3 (ii)

Alectoris greeca chukor, Pl.

Anacieschna jaspidea, Anal

appendage, Fig. 3

(iii). <

Anax guttatus,Dorsal and lateral

aspects of anal appen-

dage, Fig. 3 (1)

——- immaculifrons, Dorsal

and lateral aspects of

anal appendage, Fig. 3

CSA Cee

—— parthenope julius, Dorsal

and lateral aspects of

anal appendage, Fig. 3

(2)

——- parthenope

wings, Fig. 2 ..

partheno pe,

——— Dorsal and

lateral aspects of anal

appendage, Fig. 3 (4)..

Occiput of fe-

male, Fig. 4..

Apis mellifera, Fig. 8, Teeth ..

Argali, Siberian, Pl., Fig. 2

Arhopala pagaiensis, Pl., Figs.

vii, Vili

———_—__—_______

PAGE

298

488

115

113

109

PAGE

Arhopala- sp., Pl., Fig. v 123

—-— woodti, Pl., Fig. vi. 123

Bharal, Pl. : 340, 342

Biduanda nicevillei, Pl. Fig.

BcAlvin ere an 123

Bos sondaicus, Pl. 540

Brachyophidium rhodogaster, Pi. 41

| Butterfly collecting in India—

Fig. 1. Butterfly-net spe-

cification 509

Figs. 2, 3. Setting-boards.. 510

Fig. 4, Setting-box 511

Fig. 5, Method of pinning. 511

Fig. 6, Pins ig eee

Fig. 7, Method of setting. 511

Fig. 8, Position of anten-

nee 512

Fig. 9, Paper envelopes

for Butterflies. 515

Castor semilooper, An unde-

scribed naturalenemy, Pl. .. 298

Fig. 1, Semilooper Cater-

pillar on castor

leaf os pee

Fig. 2, The Mothofsame 298

Fig. 3, A parasitised ca-

terpillar with

the cocoon of

the parasite at-

tached at the

tail end 298

Fig. 4. Cocoon of the pa-

rasite .. 298

Fig. 5, The parasitic wasp.

Microplitis

ophiuse, Ram.

dorsal view 298

INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

Castor semilooper—contd.

Fig. 6, The same—side

view cf thorax

to show crenat-

ed fovea atk

Cephaleschna, Abdominal end-

ing of female, |

Fig. 1 (i) 107

——————masoni, Anal ap-

pendage, Fig. 2 |

(iii) : 485 |

Cervus cashmirianus, Pl. .- 46,48

—eldi, Pl. .. 269

——— porcinus, Pl... areh hierdie

Chaukhamba, (Garwhal District) |

Northern slopes of, Pl. 147

Chir Forest, Garwhal District,

1) as ne is nen) (kod

Chrysis buxtoni, Fig. 11, Apex

of abdomen,

Fig. 12, Upper

part of head

viewed from

front.. 203

Cobras, Hatching of—

Fig. (A) Side view of |

skull 555

Fig. (B) Lower view of

skull 555

Celioxys coturnix, Fig. 6, Out-

line ot 6th ab-

dominal tergite,

Fig. 7, Apex of

abdomen 198

Coluber leonardi, PI. 43

Crocodilus palustris, Pl. 76 |

Decdar Forest, Garwhal Dis-

trict, Pl. oe 152

Dichoceros bicornis, Pl... 550 |

Dunagiri Peak, Garwhal Dis-

trict, Pl. 154

Dragonflies, Indian—

Rig. 1, Anaciceeschna jas-

pidea 481

ZG!

PAGE

Dragonflies, Indian—contd.

Fig. 2, Anal appendages

of (i) AMschna

juncea, (ii) Aisch-

na mixvta, (iii)

Cephaleschna

MASON’ .. -e 485

Fig. 3, Anal appendages of

(i) dschna eryth-

romelas, (ii) Avs-

chna petalura,(iii)

Anacueschna jas-

pidea, (iv) 4isch-

na ornithocephala. 488

Garwhal District, Map of, Pl... 140

— Rup Ganga

Waterfalls,

TEE ae 147

—Chaukhamba,

northern

slopes of,

Pl. ice) iy HE

Chir Forest,

Pi or weed Na.

en Die ord a'r

Forest, Pl. 152

—_——— A Forest-clad

Ravine at

about 10,000’

Pi: -- 154

a — Dunagiri

Peak, 23,200!

Pi: 154

sere Se A morning

bag at 7,000’

8 Cheer

Pheasants

and | Kalij,

Pl, cn ase)

| Gavialis gangeticus, Pl. MA 80

| Gynacantha, Aldominal ending

of female, Fig. 1

(3) ae ie ey

XxXil

PAGE

Gynacantheschna,

ending of fe-

male, Fig. 1

(2)

Hemianax ephippiger, Dorsal

and lateral as-

pects of anal

appen dage,

Fig. 3 (3)

Hog Deer, A baby in captivity.

** Going Mad ”

** Surprised,’’ Pl. .. AG

“Creeping along head

down, ears back”, PI.

Hornbills, Notes on

young Indian, Pl.

(A) Feeding time

(B) Joan and Helen ..

Hysudra hades, Pl., Fig. xii

Ibex, Abnormal head, Block ..

Jacoona anasuja, Pl., Figs. ix,x.

Lemonia peilei, Pl. :

Lithurgus tibialis, Fig. 5 6,

Hind-leg, a. coxa,

b. trochanter, ¢.

femur, d._ tibia,

e. metatarsus

Lycena dama karinda, Pl.

- damone damalis, Pl.

-— peilei, Pl.

Macropteryx coronata, Nest and

egg of

Magnifera indica

Mangoes, Instances of syncarpy

in Magnifera indica ..

Melitea didymeé casta, Pl.

-— trivia persea, PI.

Mesopotamia, ‘Plate i, (A) A

creek at Makina near Busra.

(B) From

Table Mt. Jebel Hamren, N.

E. of Baghdad i

Plate ii, (A)

Close to Amara on Tigris

two

Abdominal

107

113

271

272

550

123

544

123

345

196

345

283

560

£45

345

230

248

INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

Mesopotamia, Birds of—

Plate iii, (A) Kentish Plover’s

nest on shelly

clay, margin

of large marsh

below Amara,

Pi oes se

(B) A salt pan

about 4 mile

W. of

Euphrates

barrage, Pl...

(BY

Broken country on Tigris

down stream of Samarra

384

248

Plate iv. (A) Curious mound-

like nest of

Black-winged

Stilt with 3

eggs, in a

shallow inun-

dation a few

miles W. of

Mxsuyeb on

the R. Euph-

rates, Pl

(B) Typical breed-

ing country

of Sand-

grouse (Pter-

ocles alchata

caudacuta) on

right-bank of

Tigris near

Kut, PI.

Mesopotamian and Persian

Myriopods, Pls. 166,168

Lepidoptera, Pl. 345

Microplitis ophiuse, Pl. 298

Nest-boxes for birds—

Plate i. Suggestions for bird-

boxes, Pl.

Plate ii. Suggestions for

birds-boxes, Pl...

410

460

462

INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE |

Nilgiris near Ootacamund—

Plate i. Country round

Ootacamund e.

Plate ii.

(A) A wooded Nala lead-

ing down to mar-

shy ground, Pl, ..

(B) A fine Jungle Fowl

Shola near Oota-

camund, Pl. ae

Nortonia deceptriz, First and

second segments,

Figs. 9-A and

10-B ee

Nyctibatrachus sanctipalustris,

Tadpoles of, Fig.

A. Mouth parts ;

Fig. B, A tier of

teeth, showing

the a sie

Oorial, Pl.

A. & B. Oorial, Pl,

Otogyps calvus, Nest containing

young

Ovs ammon ammon, PI.

hodgsoni, Pl. oa

oe poli, Pl.

—— vignei, Pl. .. a

— vignei, Pl. :

Pachmarhi—

Plate i, Views of Pachmar-

hi, Pl. Se

Plate ii, Views of Pachmar-

Vege

Panther, An interesting inci-

dent,’ Photo .. Ae

Pararge megaera iranica, Pl. ..

Persian Lepidoptera, Pl.

Pinus longifolia, Pl.

434

436

201

458

535

345

182 |

XXul

PAGE

Polyxenus ponticus, Pl. 168

Pseudois nahura, Pl. 340

Rapala sphinx intermedia, Pl.,

Fig. xiii 123

subguttata, Pl., Fig. xv. 123

Rhipidura pectoralis, Nest of .. 282

Rup Ganga Waterfalls SNM

District), Pl. .. 147

Sceliphron Wasp, Nests (A) on

wood of ceiling, (B) stored

with spiders, (C) in course of

construction .. 294, 296

Sheep, Great Pamir, Pl. 336

- Tibetan, Pl. 336

Strongylosoma persicum, Pl. 166, 168

Strymon abdominalis gerhardti,

PL 345

—_—_—— marcidus, Pl... 345

Thamin (Cervus eldi), (A) Side

view of Stag No. 7, PI. -. 269

(B) Show-

ing horns forming 3 parts of

a circle stag No. 2 269

rs (C) Stags

Nos. 5, 4, 3, 2, showing

greater divergence in the

horns of the older animal 269

(D) An old

stag with a very wide head

tops palmated (No. 5) 269

(E) A fine

stag No. 7 from the front 269

Tropicoperdix chloropus, Pl. 1

Tsaine, Noteson, Pl. .. -- 540

Zegris eupheme dyala, Pl. 345

Zephyrus quercus longicauda,

Fl: ‘

345

XX1V

ERRATA’.

No. 4, VotumEe X XVII.

Page 941, No. 22 for “ Lanius erythronotus the rufous-backed

shrike ” read *‘ Lanius cristatus, the brown shrike.”’

No. 29, lmes 1 & 2 delete “very common” to “so

far South.”

3 e » line 5 for“ Blanford ” read “ Oates.”

i a », line 10 delete from “ Blanford to “up here.”

» No. 30 for “ Blanford’’ read ‘‘ Oates.”

Page 942, No, 45, line 12, for “22” deep read “24 feet deep.”

943, No. 78, delete lines 1 to 4 “ very common ”’ to “breed

up here.”

No. 1, VotumME XXVIII.

ie A A ee ee Se

Page 20, line 5 from the bottom for Orygernis read Orttygornes.

9 33

, 20, ., 5 from the bottom for Reicheul read Reichenb.

, 22, ,, 6 from the the top for N.C. Robinson read H.C.

Robinson.

Page 50, lme 13 for bemg read Being.

16 delete the comma after copper.

30 for bath white read Bath White.

40 ,, there read here.

9 from foot of page, for “ crocea

ie 52 92, » 2 for “ ticarus’’ read ‘* icarus.”

2 for painted lady read “ Paimted Lady.”

15 after hanifa, ansert ' ‘* Nordm.”’

ae 16°5, magne; |, eters”

Bepweon lines 17 and 18 insert NYMPHALIDAE.

,», 93, line 22 for Limenitis read Liminitis.

,, 26 after ““C” album, L. insert ‘ Subsp. hutchinsoni,

Robson.”’

,, 27 after “ J” album, insert Esp.

,, 40 for‘ kurdistana”’ read “ kurdistanica.”

read “ croceus.”’

3 ~~) 48g “* marginallis”’ read “ marginals.”

» 9» >, 6 from foot of page, for Bov. read Bal.

» 54, ,, 4 for 28c. read 28a.

», DD. Between lines 1 and 2 insert Genus COKNONYMPHA.

lme 9 from foot of page after Hb., insert “f. hanifa,

Nord.”

FSD Ts. ial CLE.

» 99, ,, 93 delete about stony hillscrests.

,, 60,lines 27, 31, 32, 36 & 37, for “palescens’ read

“* pallescens.”’

61. Between lines 7 and 8 znsert NY MPHALIDA!

and below this Genus LIMINITIS.

ERRATA XXV

Page 61 line 8 for “ Limenitis ” read “ Liminitis.”

. 28 ,, its read their.

» oo 3 32 after India cnsert fullstop followed by Capital O,

>» » > 15 from foot, for and read end.

Mae a - ,. end read and.

Se OSs Js, B dae: W. Persia, Karind valley, August 1918.

sia read ** Occurs ”’ for “‘ occurs.’

Ria oO Prom doots 10P<'Costa.: read“ Casta’

Pt eo as aiclnse Seitz I 62b in brackets.

pe ee eli for PERAMEKIS read PYRAMKIS.

» 3 >, 8from bottom, after May 22nd insert fullstop.

en ce ,, for white read with.

ipl Ca ae for bottom of page delete p. 7.

, 65 Transfer the black line and footnote at bottom to

above the description beginning “‘ Vanessa (Grapta)”

which is just above them.

» >» line 6 after album add Esp.

, 66, ,, 20 forthe older name read an older name than

lunigera.

» »° » 2. ,, “hanmigera’ read “‘lumgera.”’

» » 9: 24 ,, ‘* hutchisonn’’ read “ hutchinsoni.”’

, 67, ,, 3 nsert comma after swamp.

; 69, ,, 30 for “ didyma ” read ‘* persea.”

Meee ,, dl after or ensert a.

,, 199, Fig. 8 the words “96 Apis mellifera, L’’ should be

inserted at the commencement of the fourth para-

graph (line 19) instead of under Fig. 8 and should

read thus “96 Apis mellifera, I. Several specimens

have been sent by Captam Buxton from, etc.”

266,lme 7 “any” should read curry.

287. ,, 12 from beginning of note “large room” should

read “* large run .”’

292, Miscellaneous note No. XXXI for “ Eulepis eudamip-

pus ©” read “ Kulepis eudamippus 3.”

No. 2, Vol. XXVIII.

Page 26 from the top for fusciphaga read fuciphaga.

., 354, line 7 for figured read recorded and add footnote

t ‘ Alpheraky gives a coloured figure of a

specimen from S. Persia, lent him by Avinoff,

in Oberthiir’s Etudes Vol. VII.”

Pe ae Lifer 29° d2sreod over 80 “40.02 |

» 9» 7 from foot of page, add over 120 Specimens.

i 6 - > 3, alter more insert set.

359, ime 3. for brown read Brown.

» >, last lme, for rom read from.

XXV1 ERRATA,

Page 362, line 24 for “ its ” read << Seitz.”

», 366, ,, 7 for comma after appearance read fullstop.

» 967, ,, 6 for ‘‘Gerhardi, f. gerhard’’, read “ Gerhardt, f

Gerhardti.’’

»» 469, top line (legend) for page 499 read 469. ;

INDEX OF SPECIES.

XXVli

NUMBER. NUMBER.

Ablepharus brandtii .. 253 | Adelura ceruleicephala Bter- fit!

Acanthion : .. 477| Aigithaliscus erythrocephalus .. 142

-—- millsi, sp. n. .. 431 —_—__—~ niveigularis ara he

Acanthis cannabina He .. 228 | Agithina nigrolutea .. 404

—__— fringillirostris .. 228| Ainanthe znanthe enanthe .. 398

Acanthodactylus scutellatus .. 252 |———____ _____- rostrata . 398

Acanthopneuste lugubris .. .. 145|———— _alhboniger .. 402

—————-—— magnirostris ». 455 chrysopygia -. 401

Acanthylis leucopygialis .. 322 |—— deserti albifrons «. O99

—_— sylvatica -. 322 — montana .. 399

Accipiter brevipes .. 425 finschii barnesi .. ote .. 400

-- nisus : .. 164 hespanica amphileuca .. .. 399

nisosimilis .. .. 424 -— gaddi -. 399

—_ nisus . 424 - - melanoleuca . 399

Acersp. .. ae «561 isabellina .. 400

Acerbas ae 33 leucopyga .. 402

nitidifasciata sai ioe lugens lugens .. 402

Aceros nepalensis . 319) — persica a .. 402

Acesina . 465 |—_——_picata .. ts 4 .. 402

Achalarus Jae pleschanka pleschanka . 400

Acherontia styx -. 184 xanthoprymna chrysopygra .. 401

Achcea melicerte jaaegs cummingi . 401

Acidalia albidentaria ols xanthoprymna. 401

ochroleucata -. 187) Airomachus . 33

strigilaria . 187] Asalon chiquera .. 164

Acmonorhynchus vincens -. 91] Aschna affinis .. 486

Acontia hueberi van LSE annulata .. 492

lucida var. lugens eo LSe caucasica . 487

Acridotheres tristis Sis .. 455, 461 coluberculue a He .. 486

Acrocephalus arundinaceus zarudnyi .. 387 erythromelas 111, 488, 490, 610

- babylonicus.. .. 387 guttata ve LIS

—. palustris . 389 juncea 111, 487

——_- schoenobzenus . 389 mediterranea oe aioe bad

scirpaceus macronyx 56 Bfefs) || iby 111, 485, 486

— scirpaceus . 388 ocellata es .. 487

- stentoreus brunnescens .. 387 ornithocephala 111, 488, 610

streperus .. ; 388 parisinus « LIS

Acrocera.. oa is ws -. 376 | ——— parthenope -- 119

Acronycta pontica .. 180}|——— petalura 111, 491

Actinor 33 | ——— picta ane . 487

XXVIlli

Aischna propinqua

rustica

— sp.

— tahitenses

——— viridis

Adschnidee

Aithopyga anomala

dabryi

————- gouldese

————— ignicauda flavescens

——__—__- —————- ignicauda

—-———— nipalensis horsfieldi

— ———— nipalensis

_————-— —— victorize

———_—— sanguinipecta ..

—-—_—_—— saturata

separaja andersoni

a ee

——_.____ __*___—= miles ..

————— —__ — nicobarica

— ———~—— geherie

viridicauda

—-— vigorsi .

Agama nupta var. fusca

— persica

Agapetes larissa iranica

Agrobates familiaris persica

- galactodes familiaris

syriaca

Agrophilas sulphurails var. algira

Agrotis cognita

- comes

—-—— golickei

- ipsilon

—-—— pronuba

Alzemon alaudipes ..

Alauda arvensis ..

- cantarella

——_— —-—— cinerea

-— dulcivox ..

Alcedo atthis bengalensis ..

pallasii

taprobana

— ccerulescens asiatica

coltarti

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NUMBER. NUMBER.

. 487 | Alcedo ccerulescens rufigastra -. OLD

. 487 — scintillans -. old

. 492 euryzona «2 old

. 483 | ——— grandis Rela,

. 111 | ——— iredalei . 315

. 107, ——— ispida 2 457

87 | ——— —— pallasii .. 414

87 | _—— ——~ pallida .. 414

87 | -—-— meningting sb

87 | Alcippe phzeocephala , 454

87 | Alectoris greeca . 306

7 | ——-—— - chukor .. 306

87 | ——_—— - pallescens . dil

87 | Alispa acervella -. 182

87 | Allotinus horsfieldi . 123

87 | ——-—— subviolaceus isé we Ze

86 | Alophonerpes pulverulentus harterti « AGibe:

86 | Alsocomus elphinstoni 254, 436

86 | Alsophylax tuberculata és

86 | Amblypodia 465, 468

86 | ——————- narada .. 126

86 | Ammomanes deserti ; .. 238

86 | ——_—_—_——_— fraterculus .. . 238

252 | Amoora rohituka .. 561

.. 252) Amphidasis flabellaria 2191

53, 54 | Amphiesma himalayana 43

. 394] Ampittia .. ay os -. 3d

. 393 | Anacizschna donaldi sp. nov. .. 482

.. 393 | —————— jaspidea 481, 483

. 180} Anapalis sp. ‘6 SG

- 179} Anaphzis mesentina .. 293

-- 1714 Anas poecilorhyncha +s 289

. 179} Anathana elliotti oe OOT

.. 171 |————- pallida .. 537

oa! We BR - wroughtoni . 537

.. 240|Anaxephippiger .. LF, avs ve DB

239, 278 | ——- guttatus 109, 113, 115, 117

. 239 | ——- immaculifrons 109, 113, 114

.. 240} ——- magnus HA - 115

.. 239} ——- mediterranea ate oe |

.. 314|—-— parthenope bacchus 110, 117

.. 314} ——- --— julius 110, 113, 118

. 314| ——_- —————-- parthenope 110, 113, 119, 120

. 315|——. senegalensis .. of 4 . 121

. 315| Ancylolomia affinis sp. nov.

- 175

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NuMBER.

Andrena bimaculata Riced ty

— cordialis als 1B

cyanescens eahoe

_ dorsata ; 192

flavipes 192

———— gwynana . 192

—-—— hypopolia .. 192

———- lucens 192

—-——- thoracica .. 192 |

— vetula 192

Androcles androcles 31

——- viridis Sil

Anerastia ablutella 182

Anorhinus galeritus 319

Anorthura neglecta 144

Anser ferus 289

—— indicus 289

Antilope cervicapra 530

Anthidium florentinum 196

—_—\—- strigatum 196

——_—_—— tessellatum 196

Anthracoceros coronatus affinis 318

—— ——~ albirostris 318

— ae CoLonatus 318

Anthocichla phayrii 92

Anthophilodes baphialis 183

Anthoscopus pendulinus bie 247

— persimilis 247

Anthrax Ac oe ae JeodG

Anthreptes hypogrammica hypogram-

mica 3 Bice bikexy)

mallaccensis malaccensis 89

————— rhodolema ne 89

simplex xanthochlora 89

Anthus campestris .. .. 242

cervinus «0 242

maculatus .. .. 456

praterisis .. 242

——— enigmaticus . 242

richardi AS

rosaceus 153, 278

rutulus .. 456

sordidus 5. 243

— decaptus .. 243

spinoletta . 241)

Anthus spinoletta blakistoni

——— ———— coutellii

——— trivialis

Apatura parisatis

Aphnzeomorpha

Aphnieus

acamas ac

hypargyrus

———— hypargyrus marginalis ..

———— ictis maximus

———— lohita

Apis mellifera re

Apopestes spectrum innotata

Appias wardi

Apporasa :

Apporosa atkinsoni

Aquila chrysetus

—— fulva ..

heliaca heliaca

— maculata

nipalensis orientalis

rapax albicans

—-— vindhiana

Arachnecthra asiatica

Arachnothera affinis modesta

chrysogenys

== longirostra longirostra

magna aurata

magna..

Araotes

lapithis

Araneus sp. ..

Arboricola atrogularis

brunneipectus. .

brunneopecta. .

brunneopectus

chloropus

chloropus ..

intermedia

mandellii

rufogularis é

intermedia ..

tickelli

XX1xX

NUMBER.

241

. 241

53,

174,

.. 466

.. 134

.. 296

OOF DOE

xxxX

Arboricola torqueola

Arborophela atrigularis

——————— brunneopectus

——____——_ intermedia

mandellii

Archigalleria buxtoni, sp. n.

Arctornis chryserrhea

Arcyophora denticla

Ardea cinerea

Ardeola bacchus

grayi

Arenipses sabella

Argya caudata

malcolmi

Argynnis hyperbius catetsi

latona

maia

Argyramceba trifasciata

Arhopala

abseus

adala Alc ae

agaba .. oe

agnis bia ve

agrata

aida

albopunctata

ammonides

anniella ..

anthelus ..

antimuta

antura

apidanus

aroa oe oe

arvina

atosia aricia

———— azata

——— camdeo

————. centaurus

———— cumolphus fraquhari

diardi

duessa

—— fulgida

— fulla Fie

hewitsoni mes

hypomuta

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NuMBER.

. 159

Arhopala metamuta

moolaiana

oberthuri

cedias

— ormistoni

pagaiensis sp, n.

perimuta

perissa

rafflessi

selta

silhetensis

sp. ots

subfasciata

tunguva ..

——_— vihara

woodi, sp. n.

Aria bilineilla

Arnetta

}| Arrhenothrix

Artipe ay

Artipus 3 ce

Artocarpus integrifolia

Arunena nigerrima

Asio accepitrinus

flammeus

—— otus otus

Asopia ornatalis

Astictopterus

Astur badius

palumbarius ..

Athene brama

glaux

lilith

noctua bactriana

Athetis clavipalpis ..

pertinax

Augiades

Aurotis 35

Austrozschna intersedens

jaspidea

Autophyla grantis ..

Auxacia bilinecla

NuMBER.

.. 128

oe 127

«i» ) dae

s 129

128

Pare) |

131

ea) den

Pare by §

Ege |

se, dau

wo) dad

ie) Lod

<e oer

-- 129

- 182

. 466

466,

469

-. 466

. 561

417

aay

. 417

. 183

. 458

ee |

-. 458

-. 418

ve V2

- 172

466

110

111

- 174

176

INDEX OF

NUMBER.

Badamia a + 30

--— exclamationis . 139

Bambusicola fytchii . 289

Baracus Ses Pc 5,

Baspa ” mr .. 466

Batrachostomus afflnis « 020

- hodgsoni . 325

- moniliger .. 325

Belenois mesentina 52, 345

Berenicornis comatus ol

Bibasis ieee

Bidaspa .. 466

Biduanda ..* .. 466

melisa 2 halla:

—§— — nicevillei 38, 134

———— thesmia ‘ os, 134

—_—— fabricii .. se koe

Bindahara eve . 466

phoudes . 136

Bithys Bea oe ac a 466

Blythipicus pyrrhotis pyrrhotis 98

— tubiginosus 98

Bombylius major .. 375

— orientalis 375

Bos bubalus 529

caffer branchyceros .. 263

—— gaurus 529

—— gruniens 334

—— sondaicus ; 540

Bostra marginalis sp. nov. 177

Botys anaxisalis 183

——- armenialis 178

pentadalis 183

Brachyophidium gen. nov. 4]

——— —— rhodogaster 506

-——___—__ —————- 5p. 1. 4]

Brachypternus aurantius .. : 456

-- aurantius 100

—- dilutus 100

-- erithronotus .. 100

-- puncticollis 100

Brassica tourne fortii 348

Britomartis .. .. 466

Bubo bengalensis 155, 457

bubo nikolskii

SPECIES.

SENT

NUMBER.

Bubo bubo ruthenus .. 416

Bubulcus coromandus . 289

Buchanetes githaginea ». 228

a - crassirostris .. 228

Bufo beddomei .. 499

melanostictus se 490

viridis .. 2 2b

Bullis. . . 466

Butastur teesa . 458

Buteo buteo anceps . 422

desertorum . 422

ferox ferox . 423

Cabera pusaria Pash OO

Caccabis chukor 306, 311

kakelik humei 311

pallescens 311

pallidus 31]

saxatilis chukor.. 311

Cacomantis merulinus passerinus 327

oe querulus.. -. 327

Ccenonympha saadi 53, 55

Calandrella brachydactyla 237

— longipennis .. 237

Calandrella minor .. so 237

heinei .. 237

—— minor 237

——————- persica .. oe 238

Calieschna .. ae ae ae . 108

micostigma .. BO 116

Callacanthis burtoni 277

Calliaria af of 33

Callimorpha quadripunctaria 185

- quadripunctata 51

Calliope Ap ore ae 545

pectoralis .. ae ae 277

Callolophus miniatus malaccensis 96

Callophrys .. 466

Caloperdix ocellata 2) 8

- oculea oculea .. 18

oculeus

XXXli

NUMBER.

Calorhamphus fuliginosa hayi . 103) Carciniutes pulchellus amabilis ..

Calyptomena viridis .. 94)|Cardepia taylori sp. 10Vv. ..

Camena a .. 467 'Carduelis caniceps ..

—- orcusa culta . 133 | ————— carduelis. .

— ictoides 4 . 133 |———— ——-—— brevirostris

Campophaga melanoschista . 147; ———— ———— harmsi

Candidus . 471| ——— —— loudoni

Canis aureus . 475| ——+— — major..

——.- dukhunensis. . . 534; — —_——— minor..

=——-JUpUS .- . 532) —--—— ———— niedicki

——-- rutilans . 534, ——_—-— ————— volgensis

Capila 3 as oe {. 33|———— spinus

Capra hylocrius .. 530|Caridagrus concretus

—-— jemlaicus .. 530 | Carpodacus erythrinus

———— megaceros . 530 | Carpospiza brachydactyla..

- sibirica oe : 529, 543 | Casarca rutila

Capricornis sumatrensis rubidus.. 268, 534 Castalius

— swettenhami 267, 534) —- decidia

— —— milne-edwardsi. 534 | —— --— elna

Caprimulgus egyptius.. AP a eeom

—~——- andamanicus.. oe ea rosimon

arenicolor Ne OS

—_—___—_—-. asiaticus se is .. 323. Catachrysops cnejus

—— —atripennis .. a De oee pandava

—— —europeus zarudnyi .. | strabo

gp RLey oo unwini 324, 411 | Catamecia buxtoni sp. nov.

—- indicus 154, 457 ——jordana var bacheri

— - indicus os .. 324 — minima bacheri

jotaka . 324| Catapcecilma

a kelaarti . 324 elegans

_..—_____- maerurus albononotatus .. 324|Catocala elocata locata

bimaculatus B24) mesopotamica

———\— nipalensis .. 324 puerpera pallida..

—~———_——~ mahrattensis a .. 323! Catreus wallichi

— monticola 154, 284) Celerio lineata livornica

— —monticolus .. is os ooo nicea 3 te 43

Caprona : . 33] Celcenorrhinus oe

Capsicum frutescens : Dol aurivittata ..

Caradrina pertinax 180 | — spilothyrus. .

Carcharodus. . .. 33} Centropus andamanensis ..

alcez.. 53, 368 bengalensis bengalensis

—_—————_althee beeticus Biss, adhe) || = javanensis..

— malvie .. 368! ————- chlororhynchus..

Carcharodus malvarum ay 368 | = sinensis

INDEX OF SPECIES,

NUMBER.

290, 457

bh bo

I 8

330

INDEX OF SPECIES, XXX1li

NUMBER. ' NUMBER.

Centropus sinensis intermedius .. .. 330|;Charana.. . .: . -- 467

—_-—__ —_-—- parroti .. ay SMSO ra mandarinus = ye -. 136

: —. sinensis. . ae .. 330! Charasia dorsalis .. AT AY -. 493

Cephaleschna A if 2. L072 108 Charmion ... “s ere =F de hide

-—__—— acutifrons .. ae .. 110|Chaulelasmus streperus .. -- 289, 548

—-———~—— lugubris_.. ut .. 110! Chelidon nepalensis : i alos

=e masoni ay y Se 110 | Chelidorhynx Pion rithiuih AP 2. 148

orbifrons .. gh; .. 110} Chelostoma emarginatum ak ~- 195

Ceratina cyanea... a. a .. 195/Cheritra .. .- “ -. .- 467

leevifrons BA ae S95 -- freja “ 2 a -. 136

— nigrolabiata 0. x .. 195] Cheritrella. . te Se He .. 467

— tibialis .. Ne Ny .. 195|Chila incertulas .. Li Ay +o 82

Certhia hodgsoni .. i; R. .. 276| Chilades galba ne ete -- 52, 362

Cervulusfee.. .. .. .. .. 531|————trochilus .. .. .. 52, 364

— grandicornis Fe aS .. .531|Chilena proxima .. “as uh Bae bs /5y

—muntjac .. oe re .. 531| Chilo phragmitellus a as aio UTE

Cervus axis .. i a 28 .. 531|—— suppressalis .. .- a 22 295

— brucei Ba 3 ae .. 535] Chiiaria os os oye ae -. 467

——— cashmirianus ae ns -. 45|/—-——merguia .. 5% AN .0h133

eldi.. m He .. 268, 531 | ———— othona Be A sf. ge Mess

kashmirianus BP 5G .. 530] Chloridea nubigera .. as A 50 Ut

———porcinus .. ar ats 211, 531) peltigera... in we Sahl)

——— schomburgki as ne .. 533 | Chlorissa pulmentaria ri at a3 LST

——— thamin brucei He Me .. 268} Chloropsis jerdoni .. ae No .. 454

——— unicolor equinus .. Ae .. 530} Chordeumoidea sp. Wy: sh Se k68

Ceryle lugubris guttulata.. es .. 314] Chotorhea mystacephanes. . ne et LOZ

——- rudis.. A. a at .. 290° Chrysis blanchardi. . ae oo S202

——- - leucomelanura A carer! buxtoni sp. nov. .. oe - + 202

— =Tudis -.'. ste ap .. 414! ——— cyanopogon.. Hi bs +s, 202

varia .. ae Ve ae .. 457 exigua Be os ane Se ALY

Cettia cetti orientalis as ste .. 386} ——.— fuscipennis a as ~ 9 202

Ceyx tridactylus macrocercus .. pe Old) ————_— emit ae o5 oe -. 202

———.-__—_——- tridactylus ot 22 OLD maculicornis a a -. 202

Chietoprocta e He 22 .. 467| ——— palliditarsis. . dy ot ne UF

Chetura .. . a? Ms BAeG 2a scutellaris .. - a ne 2

Chakura pugnax.. a a .. 306| ——— stilboides .. Ey he «2. 202

Chalciope hyppasia is 32 oe ia | Chrysocolaptes festivus . Ls .. 100

Chaleococcyx maculatus .. .. 328\| ——-—- pubtionistatind oe .. 546

——————- xanthorhynchus faletagite 327 | —_________. ___________ delesserti .. 101

xanthor- | ———_——_——- ——— guttacris-

hynchus .. ie Ae o. out tatus .. 101

Chalcoparia singalensis sitivaleniis het Lie stricklandi. 101

Chaleostetha chalcostetha. . a -- 86|——_—_____. __________. gultaneus.. 101-

Chameleo calcaratus Ee ae .. 493! Chrysophanus Ae Boe siy

Charadrius fulvus .. A as .. 290} Chrysophlegma flaniusla Aavinsblia ce UG

XXXIV

Chrysophlegma mentalis humei ..

Chrysoptera, .

Cidaria ibericata

Cigaritis

maxima ..

Cilissa leporina

Cinclus asiaticus

Circus eeruginosus eruginosus

——— harterti

—-—— cineraceus..

———— cyaneus

——— macrourus ..

melanoleucus

Cirphis corrugata

——— loreyi

zee iridistincta

Cirrochroa aoris

———-—— orissa

Cisticola cisticola

cursitans. .

Citrus aurantium

Clamator coramandus

— glandarius

jacobinus. .

Cledeobia armenialis

Clemmys caspica

Cleophana beetica diluta

Clytie arenosa

Cobus coba thomasi

Coccystes coromandus

Cocos nucifera

Coclioxys afra

— argentea ..

—_—_—_—— hrevis

conoidea ..

coturnix ..

decipiens. .

elongata ..

heemorrhoa

obtusa “Fe

Coenonympha pamphilus hylas

Ccenotephria alfacariata

Coladenia

- dan

Colias croceus

INDEX OF

NUMBER,

sa! SOO

. 467

LARD ents

53, 366

.. 193

. 150

, 424 | -

.. 424

. 423

ee 423

458

» 420

1 pF

173,

. 197

.. 197

. 179

.. 198

.. 197

.. 197!

. 197

«508

53, 55

. 189

ic 88

51, 52, 535

SPECIES,

Colias edusa. .

Collocalia francica francica

— germaini

———-——-- ——-——- inexpectata

-—_—_——— fuciphaga brevirostris ..

Saas innominata

n= LINICHT BINS

~ elachyptera

————- unicolor unicolor

Colotis amata

——— fausta P

Coluber leonardi sp. nov. ..

Columba intermedia

——.: leuconota..

—— rupestris ..

Conops erythrocephala

Constantia argentalis

— canifusalis

Contia collaris

persica

Contyta profesta

Cophanta ;

Copsychus saularis . .

NuMBER

51, 52

. 322

-. 323

.. 822

. 322

.» 293

. 357

c. 40

155, 459

. 156

. 155

-. 380

ot ae

. 182

«+ 258

. 253

173

. 467

.- 290, 456, 461, 464

Coracias benghalensis affinis ve & 208

— benghalensis. 105, 416

— indica rr -- 105

garrula garrula oe £16

semenowi.. - 106, 415

—_—-—— indica - 154, 457

Coreana A -- 467

Corvus corax 140, 221

— Jaurencei 2 steel

cornix a 43 “ie 222

oe capellanus A ~. 222

a sharpii . -. 222

——— frugilegus.. a -. 223

—— macrorhynchus___ ... 276, 290, 436, 453

monedula a .. 224

—_— collaris.. .. 224

splendens .. sis a 453

Corydon sumatranus sumatranus wary BS

Cory}lis indicus . 333

- vernalis “ +. Soo

Cossus araraticus : . wie) LO

Crambus ramburiellus ote at war LBL

INDEX OF SPECIES, ZEZY

Nomeszz. Nomezz.

ne pe 5 sit pceneliee naan aa -. 104

= .. 172 ———— duvauceli cyanotis eet -- 14

- _. BB ———- ————_- mo binaonii ae -- 104

fy! .. 453,—_—_—— flavifrous.. ae a2 -- 104

| —_———- franklini franklini fe -- 19%

ee _- Bs —__ ————- ramsayi.- <a -- 1%

-- 46] ——_— incognita... - ne -- A

= %%, $10) | Cylindrophis rufus -- ae ne -- 43

= Cymborhynchus afinis -- 4

me ae ———— RDS leone:

a - = —_—$—$—$_$___—_—_ — ——___——_ wacaorr-

= -- 146 rhynchus ee oes. OF

va i malac-

ze re coms -- xe oa, 4

in rap i Cypscius afinis -- a So -- 457

-- 156, 4A\|—___——_-_ pacificus -- oe ae »-

oe -- 326) Cyornis lencomelanurus -- S -- 216

a -- 410|_ ___ —_ tickelli -- ae oes -- 433

laa ee ee eee PR

oo -- 41 Cyriosoma -- oe IF = ase

ia 2.) -. &

I »- 278] __§____ ______ intermedius a

policcephalus = -- « 926| __________ bragsilianz-- = so

boo

Le)

bed

a -- G61) _____ fammazillaris andamanicus.

Le ao C8 |. ease.

148, 426, 455) _ —— btenius oe a6 se

-- -- 23|peetoralis blanfondi se

eo - 139) _____________ Kloss wa ote

. x On * eae ene atan ess ae

XXXvi INDEX OF SPECIES.

NUMBER. NUMBER,

Danais chrysippus .. 52, 54| Draco dussumieri ie a4 .. 493

Darasana . 468! Dremomys lokriah garonum subsp. nov. 430

Darpa 33 | _——_-—_———_-—- subflaviventris - 429

Dattinia attinis sp. nov. 177] Drina . 468

— argentalis 177} —-— donina 2 a6

—————- canifusalis 177) Drupaalia .. 468

—— simplicialis sp.n. 177} Dryobates auriceps 97

Daulias ae : 545 | ——-_——- cabanisi cabanisi 96

Decalana vidiora burmana 132 | ——-— — cathparius cathparius. . 97

Deilephila nerii 184 --—-- pyrrhothorax 97

Delichon urbica . 409 | —_—__— darjellensis of wis steal

Dendrocitta rufa . 453|—_______himalayensis .. Legs

Dendrocopus auriceps 154 | —_____- hyperythrus biypur lin us 96

Dendrocycna javanica 289 _ - marshalli 96

Dendrotreron hodgsoni 156 | ——_-——_ macei atratus 97

Deramas 468 [eos et macei oF

—— livens . 36)——-—— pectoralis andamanensis a7

Deudorix .. 468 — ——-—— pectoralis .. 97

epijarbas is . 131 -— scindeanus oF

Dieexum chryscrrheum chrysochlore 30 —~ svriacus 409

— intensum 90 | Dryophis dispar 557

———— cruentatum cruentatum. . 90 | Dumetia hyperythra 453

—— -— — ignitum 30

———- — siamensis 90

— erythrorhynchus 91

— ignipectum 90

minullum concolor 91

olivaceum 91 | Farias chlorophyllana 172, 180

——— ‘subflavum 91 | Kchis carinata . 291

———- virescens 91 | Ectropis bistorta -- 191

—_—-—— trigonostigma rubropygium 90 | Edrisa pilicornis -. 299

Dichoceros bicornis 318, 533, 550 | Elephas maximus Gad

Dicranophyma gen. nov. 72 | Emberiza buchanani S235

- —-— hingstoni sp.n. 715) (ee calandra . 233

Dicranura vinula intermedia .. 186 | ——_— —crede . .. 233

Dicrurus ater 290, 454 minor speupeney

———— cerulescens 454 cinerea .. 234

—-+——-— longicaudatus 143 citrinella i .. 233

— macrocercus macrocercus 546 erythrogenys ih 2oene

Dipsas .. 468 hortulana .» 234

Discestra arenaria .. IP (LLS Uiy/))) ee - shah .. woiZSse

Dissemurus paradiseus 454 | — icterica .. oe .. 234

Dissura episcopus 459 leucocephala .. 234

Doritis appollinus 52, 70| ———— luteola -- 234

Dosithcea elongaria 188 | melanocephala .. ac -. 234

INDEX OF

SPECIES, XXXVI1

NUMBER. NUMBER.

Emberiza rustica .. de Se -- 235} Euchlce ausonia persica .. oe 52

—— schoeniclus de AG 6 at belemia “iid aa 4a 52, 349

pallidior .. aie ea - charlonia transeaspica .. 52, 352

semenowl 254 —- gruneri armeniaca ad 538, 352

—- stracheyi ar on -. 152) Eudynamis honorata cee ig .. 457

— striolata .. ye .. 235; ——__—_ scolopaceus malayana shal ey

Entomothera coramanda coramanda’ .. 317 —__— —____—- scolopaceus.. 328

- ———_—— mizorhina .. 317] Eugenia jambolana fe o .. 561

Eogenes ae “7 at ae -- 33|Eulepis eudamippus - oe -« 292

———— alcides a ne sie 53, 369 Eumenes coarctata Ss ata .. 200

Hooxylides .. oH oe a .. 468 | esuriens .. Ne se . 200

Epeira sp. .. .- - “ .. 296 | Euphyia polygrammata .. ac .. 189

Ephestia calittella .. or . -. 176) Kupithecia centaureata .. Hy .. 189

— cautella .. - . -+ 176 ultimaria —.. ae .. 189

—elutella .. ae cle -. 176| Hupleea core be ei ar .. 293

— inductella on -. 176, 182) Kurhodepe buxtoni sp, nov. Hy Brae viv

Epinephele jurtina persica -. 5t,53, 60/ Eurylaimus javanicus javanicus aS

——— lupinus centralis subsp.n 51, 52, 59 ochromelas .. i G3

——____—— mandane Ue fs 53, 60 | Eurystomus orientalis calonyx .. .. 106

—_—____——— telmessia kurdistana .. 53, 60 gigas H a KOE

palecens .. Eps ate G) | ee a a estione ots .. 106

Erastria trabealis algira .. ay VaMy2 orientalis OG

Ercta ornatalis.. + a .. 178] Kuxestes dentula .. Bs i e806

Erebus macrops.. a3 ag .. 173) Buxoa cognita ve ie vi Brava

Eremias velox var, persica He eiy2ne —conspicua .. ah ie yeratzal

Eremophela alpestris ays oe -. 241 lasserreil .. Wh pe .. 170

= {- bilopha... v- 24) lata golickei a ve mee

Erionota... ws .. .. -- 33 messaonda matritensis .. een)

batara.. . . .. 138; ___. mustelina terminalis subsp. nov. 171

thrax ae an oe sot dae spinifera .. ro wy ee tril!

Erithacus rubecula ee My .- 407] Everes rileyi py mt “ As RE

caucasicus.. -. 407] Exoprosopa .. ne he ts 5316

— ——— hyrcanus Ae .. 407

Hrynnis Be A ie Be area tose

Huaspa bic ie es she .. 468

Eublemma parva .. ae ae stl 4

-— uniformis a Be erent

Eubolia disputaria . . oe a .. 190] Falco xsalon aie th Se Be Liaes

Eucera dentata .. Ate us memos ——— insignis i ig .. 420

— distinguenda a oe .. 193 pallidus... .. are .. 420

————-longicornis .. ae oe ./ 193 - barbarus Sie AS aa ne alg

malvee ae ar Ar .. 193|——- hiarmicus tanypterus of -. 419

——~— radoszkovskyi a3 ip sienabes - buteo .. se ae “yh .. 164

tuberculata a a abo - cherrug cherrug Ke ae ee

Euchle ausonia_ .. ie ae 2. 348) —— ———. milvipes .. fe -. 419

XXX Vill

Falco feldeggii

—-— Jugger

—-—- naumanni naumanni

—-— peregrinator ..

——- peregrinus

babylonicus

calidus

—-— subbuteo

Felis caracal

chaus

isabellina

—— pardus

—— tigris

uncia :

Flammea alba alba

Flos .. a

Francolinus chinensis

gularis

longirostris

—oculeus. .

—_—_—_——— vulgaris

Franklinia gracilis

Fringilla celebs

montifringilla

‘Fringillauda sordida

Fulica atra ..

Galerida cristata

———-— magna

—— weigoldi ..

Gallinago coelestis ..

gallinula

——-——— nemoricola

-———— solitaria ..

stenura

Gallinula chloropus

Galloperdix lunulata

spadicea

Gallus ferrugineus

sonnerati

- tinnunculus tinnunculus

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NUMBER.

.. 419} Gangara

.. 458; ———— thyrsis

. 420] Garrulax albigularis

164,

458 | Garuga pinnata

Gavialis gangeticus

. 419} Gazella bennetti

. 420 Atos marica

.. 420, ——— sp.

478, 532 | Gazellus benneti

.. 474] Gecinulus grantia grantia ..

. 5321 —_——_- — viridis

. 531 | ——-——— viridis robinsoni

. 531] Gecinus squamatus

. 532 | Gegenes

419 | __—— lefebrei

. 468 | ———— nostrodamus

. 289| Gennezeus albocristatus

287 — horsfieldi

20 | Geocichla cyanonotus

.. 1g|————- wardi

159, 289 | Geometra estimaria

5 a — centaureata

. 229’ ———-— pumilata

. 229. —-——-—- signaria

. 152| Geron argentifrons ..

. 290 | Gerosis

.. 238 | Cale colchidaria

. 238 |

290,

Gerydus ancon

———— biggsli

|_______ boisduvalii

| ——— croton

Glaucidium radiatum

. 2391 Gnophos es

459 | Gomalia

. 290| Gonatedes jerdoni ..

. 290| Gonepteryx farinosa

.. 160! ———__.

. 290

157, 289| Grammodes geometrica

437, 459| Graucalus macii

. 164 | Gauropicoides rafilesi peninsularis

. 419

— objectaria

- centralasiae

chitralensis ..

. 290| Gorsachius melanolophus ..

. 459| Graculus eremita

. 459 | Grammatoptila striata

. 138

NUMBER,

.. 142

. 561

- 100

io oO

.. 530

-« S16

. 266

, 463

368

“- 168

.. 209

.. 456

. 149

«is» 190

. 189

-. 189

138

. 376

-- 123

os) de

oc, Ae

sha hes

- 458

we EOL

. 191

494

352

. ao2

547,

548

ee 8

wa 143

wis jes

-. 455

Grus communis

sharpii. .

Gymnorhis flavicollis

Gymnoscelis pumilata

Gynacantha. .

transfuga

bainbriggei

—_——— basiguttata

bayadera

— furcata. .

— hanumana

hyalina. .

—————— khasiaca

————— millardi

saltatrix

subinterrupta. .

Gynacantheschna. .-

sikkima

Gypaaétus barbatus

Gyps fulvus..

—— ——- fulvus..

—— indicus

Haleyon amauroptera

— pileata

— —smyrnensis

——_——_ —___——__ fusca ..

—_——_ -_____——_ generosa

—- saturatior

— smyrnensis

Haliaétus albicilla..

leucoryphus

Halpe

——— masoni

sikkima

zema..

Hantana

—— infernus ..

Hesora .... es a

—-— chabrona

——-— chuza

INDEX

NUMBER.

. 290

230, 456,

290

461

. 230

107,

189

107

112

108

ey lel)

. 426

sa. gia?

2. ALG

. 458

by eke

ee) 4

Sea

Bell

Eta Lb

eee d2

ne 2

so WU =

eat,

2 bh?

SPECIES.

Hedychridium hilare sp. nov.

Hedychrum rutilans

Helictis millsi sp. n.

Heliophobus matritensis

Heliophorus .. :

indicus. .

Heliothis nubigera

Hemianax ephippiger

Hemicercus canente

sordidus

Hemichelidon sibirica

Hemidactylus flavoviridis ..

—— persicus

Hemiéchinus auritus

Hemiprocne comata

——_—__— coronata

——_—_———- longipennis

Henicurus maculatus

Heodes

——-— phloeas

— thersamon kurdistana

— kurdistanica

Herodias alba

garzetta ..

intermedia

Herpestes edwardsi. .

- : —- carnaticus

ellioti

——- jerdoni..

= monticolus

——- persicus ..

- rubiginosus

———_—- smithi

canens subsp. n.

= jergoni

- —_——— rusanus subsp. n.

- —— smithi

——-—_—- thysanurus

- torquatus

————- yitticollis

Herrula undalis

Herse convolvuli

| Hesperia

alveus

- —_—~ zeylanius subsp. n.

XX Xix

NUMBER.

7200

. 201

. 432

\79

31, 468

sol

179

109, 113, 121

~ LOL

. 1)

. 147

. 201

we ol

.. 474

SeOLe,

Be aes:

-o20

Rome NS: a

i Av

ww pe b&w

re He OF He Or C¢

NUMBER,

Hesveria geron 53, 369

orbifer .. 369

—_—— hilaris 53, 369

————— proto Se 53, 3869

Hesperopterus tickelli . 450

Heterographis buxtoni sp. n. 6.

== - conveicella IG,

—— - deserticola ae

—-——_—_—__——- fulvobasella 176, 182

—___—_—___—- hellenica a6

—______——- microstictella 176, 182

—__—_—____—. monostictella 176, 182

—_—______——-- pallida os LI

oe - subcandidatella 176, 182

Hidari 5 33

Hieraétus fasciatus. . .. 458

— fasciatus -. 422

pennatus. . . 422

Hierococcyx fugax fugax .. . 326

—— —— nisicolor . 327

—_——__—_—_— nanus.. . 327

——— sparveroides. . 326

——__—_——— varius 326, 457

Hippoboscidze . 370

Hippotion celerio.. . 184

Hirschfeldia adpressa . 351

Hirundinapus caudacuta nudipes. . . 321

aoa cochinchinensis os O22

—--——- gigantea indica so ous

Hirundo daurica rufula . 409

erythropygia . 456

———- nepalensis .. . 153

———— rustica : .. 408

Hodgsonius phcenicuroides . 148

Holcocerus gloriosus mesopotamicus subsp.

nov. a

Homeea arefacta

Horaga

moulmeina ..

Horeites brunneifrons

Horornis brunnescens

pallidus ..

Hulodes caranea

Hyena hyena

Hyarotis

. 186

. 173

468

ets lichi|

. 146

475

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NuMBER.

Hydrophasianus chirurgus - = 290

Hyla arborea savigni Sin

Hylodes caranea } TS

Hypena ravalis var. syriacalis SE

Hyperalonia. . : . 376

Hyphinomos gen, n. 74

— fasciata sp. n. mye

Hypochrysops - 468

Hypocolius ampelinus -. SSF

Hypolais languida .. 389, 390

pallida eleica «. 389

== rama os SOD

Hypolimnas misippus .. 293

Hypolyczena .. 468

—— erylus . 133

Hypothymis azurea .. 455

Hypsipetes ganesa .. 436

Hysudra .. 469

—. hades . 131

Tambrix cee

salsala .. 138

Ianthia runilata .. 149

Ibis melanocephala. . .. 289

Icthyophis glutinosus .. 499

Idicapus sylvatica .. o. 322

Tlerda ie 31, 469

Indicator xanthonotus 25 "OS

Indoxylides .. 469

Indrella ampula -. 557

Tnocotis papillosus ~. 289

Tois.. .. 469

Tolaus .. 469

Trania gutturalis .. 408

Traota .. 469

-- rochana . 126

Isma 33

purpurascens. . 39

Ismene oe hee

——-— gomata Lae

Iton nists ees

semamora . 139

Jtys ..

Iuloidea sp...

Ixalus glandulosus . .

-- signatus

—--— variabilis

Tyngipicus canicapillus

gymnopthalmus

hardwickii

pygmeus

Tynx torquilla japonica

Jacoona

anasuja

Jaculus loftusi

Jagoria martini

Jalmenus

Japonica

Junonia hierta

——— lemonias

orithya hero

Jynx torquilla torquilla

Kerana

-— diocles

Ketupa semenowi .

——-— zeylonensis

Koruthaialos

———_-—---— rubecola

Lahera eryx

Lamoria anella

Lampides bceticus

———-— hbochus ..

——-— celeno

——-——- elpis

semicoronatus ..

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NUMBER.

168

. 497

- 496)

. 494

aoR

98, 456

Wee:

.. 469

38, 135

A cLTG

. 10

.. 469

_ 469

. 293 |

Lampides kondulana coerulea

——_——--— gubdita ..

Lanius collurio

——— —_-—-—_ fuscatus

——— ——-— kobylini

—-—— cristatus isabellinus

erythronotus

excubitor

———— —-—\-— — assimites

aucheri ..

fallax

pallidirostris

——— minor

—— nubicus

senator :

——-— ——-— niloticus ..

——— vittatus

phoenicuroides . .

147,

Laodamia fusca postalbidior subsp. nov.

Laothce kindermanni

Laphygma exigua .

Larentia fluviata

.. 293) Larus cachinnans

52, 63! Lasiocampa grandis

. 409,

salomonis

-— terreni ,

Lasiosticha hieroglyphiella

Lasius albigenus

— byssinus

ES eran farinosus

. 138;——-~ garrulus

ANG | ——— kessleri

. 457 | —— pilipes

33; ——— quadrifasciatus

.. 138} Lehera

. 136

sap d 0

52, 364

. 124

.. 124

. 124

Lemonia peilei sp. n.

——— pia a8

Leptoptilus dubius

Lepus craspedotes .

dayanus connori

Lerwa nivicola

Leucania corrugata. .

indistincta

Leucanitis cailino var. picta

174,

omanensis cheesmani subsp. n.

xlii

NUMBER.

Leucanitis picta.. ay A eetahves

Libellula coluberculus . 486

ocellata . 487

———— quadrifasciata . 487

Libythea celtis 63, 66

Licus = S .. 469

Liminitis rivularis camilla 53, 61

Liopicus mabrattensis 98, 456, 463

Liphyra brassolis -- 137

Listeria .. 469

Lithobius aeruginosus .. 165

buxtoni sp. n. a GT

Lithostege buxtoni .. 188

= — farinata es)

Lithurgus chrysurus ae 6

—— tibialis. . oo

Locustella fluviatilis Sood

ionostege sulpkhuralis eo 7S

Lophoceros birostris 319, 451

a — gingalensis eee

= griseus .. pinerle

Lophophorus refulgens .. 158

Loriculus . 333

Lotongus ‘ de as Ts)

—calathus .. loo

Loxostege palealis anaxwalis aS

- Sticticalis “ee Writs)

Loxura .. 469

= - atymnus seal sO

Lullula arborea . 240

pallida .. 240

Luperina lasserrei . Se I) |

Luscinia luscinia : ons .. 406

———— megarhynchos maine - 405

———— suecica discessa .. 544

— —-—-—— magna .. 406)

palliclogularis . . 544)

—— volge .. 406

Lusciniola melanopogon mimica .. . 386

Lutra tutra .. . 476

Lycrena -. 465

— admetus 53, 361

——— astrarche 52, 359

——— batonclara .. 53, 361

——— hellargus

INDEX OF SPECIES.

Lycena dama

——_— ——— karinda

—_—— damone damalis

——— lcearus persica

——— icarus var persica ..

——— peilei

Lyceenesthes

——__ — emolus

—————— lyceenina

Lyceenopsis trita

Licopersicum esculentum

Lycophotia margaritosa

Lycus

Lymantria dispar

Lyncornis cerviniceps bountalea

cerviniceps

Lyroderma lyra lyra

Lythria purpuraria.

Mabina septemtzeniata

———- vittata

Macaria exstimaria..

———-- notata

———— signata

—_—_— syriacaria ae

Machlolophus haplonotus ..

Macroglossa stellatarum

Macropteryx coronata

Mahathala

——-——— ameria ..

Maneca

Magnifera indica

Manis pentadactyla

Manto

—--— martina

Montoides licinius ..

Mareca penelope

Marmessus

—-— lysias

Marshallia

Massaca

53, 360 | Matapa

NUMBER,

Pere

53, 360

359

.. 359

360

124

Bap es

.. 561

a if |

. 469

.. 186

. 325

ivteoo

.. 448

. 188

INDEX OF

NUMBER.

Matapa aria J. 138

Megachile argentata La gel

——- centuncularis sin TI

————-~~~ flavipes oe i)

——+——— maritima 197

——-—_—— minutissima sil

—__——-~ rotundata >. LOT

——— —— schnabli.. te OM

Megaderma spasma ceylonensis .. . 448

Megaleema virens marshallorum . 103

ee virens 103

Melanastia cerraticornella Seba

Melanocorypha bimaculata AES

— -— calandra : 1. 230

—- -—- - calandra . 236

5S —— hebraica ae ee

Fae - — psammochroa .. 236

Melcita armata Loe

Melitea didyma casta 53, 63

= trivia persea 52, 62

Melittophagus erythrocephalus erythro-

cephalus .. 314

Melophus melanicterus .. 456

Melursus labiatus 288

ursinus . 288

Merops apiaster oe 4: 313, 412

—-—-— orientalis beludschicus 313, 413

——- -—— —— birmanus eens

——_.— —-—_——_ orientalis has

————-- persicus persicus 313, 412

—-.—— guperciliosus javanicus .. oe dhe

———-—- viridis 154, 413

Meruila albicincta .. 149

—— boulboul 149

——— castanea 149

——— maxima PAU

——— simillima ir OG

Metasia ochrifascialis 178, 183

-— ossealis 178, 183

Metopoceras omar caspica 171

———-— sacra var caspica 180

Meto ponia pusilla 152

Micrixalus opisthorhodus 497

Microloxia polemia 187

Microplitis eusirus 300

SPE CIES. xhii

NUMBER.

Microplitis . 5 .. 298

——_——— ophiuse sp. nov. . 298

Micropternus brachyurus gularis. . 99

a. - humei. . 99

—---___---__—_- __--__——_- lantia .. 99

——_—_—__-—_ —__——_—. mesos . 59

— ——_—.--_— ——_-—---—_ phaioceps 99

——- ——. —__—_—_— williamsoni 29

Micropus affinis affinis oe Oa

—— zalilejensis 321, 410

— -__—-- ——-- -— subfurcatus ee, Oak

———— apus pekinensis. . 320, 410

—-— .—~ melba melba .. 320

—-—----—— murinus murinus 320, 410

———.--— pacificus acuticauda 32]

———-- eooki 021

—---_—__~ _-—~___—. Jeuconyx 321

- pacificus 320

Microtoridea lissonota 299

Migyptes jugularis 99

——-—— tristis grammithorax oh)

———— tukki 7 99

Milvus govinda 458

—--— korschun 425

——--— lineatus 425

——--- migrans migrans 425

—-—-— milvus milvus 425

Miniopterus fuliginosus 450

Molpastes hemorrhous 154

———-- leucogenys 280

——-—.--—leucotis . 535

Monticola saxatilis 398

—_—-— solitarius transcaspicus 398

Mormonia mesopotamica .. L73

———-— neonympha 173

Moschus moschiferous 49

Mota .. : 470

Motacilla alba 245

—-_—— —-— alba 245

= —— dukhunensis 245

—_—___-—. ---— lugubris 246

——-_.- —-—— persica 245

—_—_-—_— ——— personata .. 246

oe boarula .. 243

---——-—- cinerea 243

xliv

Motacilla citreoloides

feldegg

——-——— flava

———— —— campestris

dombrowskii

—_———— —— flava

—— leucocephaila

———— —— thunbergi

leucopsis

———— melanocephala .

————— melanogriseus

melanope

Mungos mungo

ellioti

Munia atricapilla

Muntiacus vaginalis

Mus gentilis

Musa sapientum

Muscicapa artricapilla men onpalle

collaris

———— grisola grisola

— - neumauni

—————. parva parva

Mycalesis oculus

Mycerobas melanoxanthus

Myelois convixella ..

——-— deserticola. .

——-— pallida

Myiophoneus horsfieldi

Myvrina

Nacaduba

—— ancyra nha

—_———— andamanica

———— aphya

———-—— ardatis ..

———_— atrata

————— herenice..

————— bhutea .

ceelestis..

NuMBER.

—~ —-—-——_-—— semitorquata

-— rhodochrella vai. hellenica

5 agebl

. 470; Neopithecops zalmora

31, 124

INDEX OF SPECIES,

. 278| Nacaduba ceylonica

. 243 | — continentatis

. 244 | ——_-——— dana

A) EN Se euplea

. 244° baie wae GMa gythrion

- 244 ——_ hampsoni

. 244) —_______ kerriana..

: my ——--—~ kodi

. 456; ——_——— macropthalme ..

.. 243| ———-— - merguiana

.. 244| —___—_ nabo

DD, LOC ar nicobaricus

23 | —_———-- nora

> ge | —-—- pactolus. .

. 290; ——_—— pavgna .

46 | -——__—_— perusia ..

.. 477; _——_— plumbeomicans. .

. 561 : - ———— promineus

; 384 —_—_——-~ sivoka

. 384 | | ————— vajuna

; 384 | —-~ — viola

.. 383} Nadisepa

. 383] Naia tripudians

. 384| Narathura Ae

. 514; Nemoria pulmentaris

. 1511 Neolyczena

é hl ES ay

. 182;

. 182} Neophopteryx joeanegenalls

. 182 Neophron ginginianus

— perenopterus perenopterus

hiemates

Nepheluim titchi

Nephopteryx nucleolella

Nesokia buxtoni

Netta rufina

31] Nettium crecca

31 | Nettopus coromandelianus

31 | Nilasera

31| Noctua chalcites

31/— comes

conspicua

31 | ——— exigua

32 geometrica ..

3] ‘———_litura

NUMBER.

- 136

. 182

279, 458

- 426

- 123

-. 561

ak 82

Ate

.. 548

289, 459

. 470

2s ow

- 149

Relyis

. 180

382

- 180

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NUMBER.

Noctua loreyi Bie oe a .. 180} Ochus a :

margaritosa . 179] Ocneria signatoria poenitens

neonympha. . He .. ++ 180] Ocnerogyia amanda

——-ni_... Sy “ at .. 181} Ocnogyna lewii

parva i ss bs .. 180} Odina

peltiger Le Se om .. 49 — decoratus

——-segetum .. ok de .. 179 | ——— ortygia

spinifera .. ms an .. 179} Odontoptium

——— suffusa 5 és Ss .. 179|———-——-— angulata

———tanaceti.. ue ae .. 180; = pygela

————witellingd) 4s a .. 180} Odynerus chloroticus

Noctuelia fioralis .. MP: abs sett LOY ag crenatus ..

Nomada fucata.. ot my .. 193; —— melanocephalus

——— tigridis sp. n. 195 |= Parietum

Nomia diversipes .. uP se sean HOON aia simplex

———edentata .. oe <e ee LOS — transitorius

rufiventris .. .. =... ~—.._:193| Gidicnemus scolopax

Oenanthe, see Alnanthe

Nomophila noctuella se wu sca

_ 20] | Oerane

_ 33 | Oligodon herberti

_ 139 | Oligura castaneicoronata

Ommatopteryx ocellea

Nortonia deceptrix sp. nov.

Notocrypta..

feisthamelii

Nucifraga hemispila os ne Sat MEY

Nyctibratrachus major . 447|————— Tamburella

_ 447 | Oncodes

———_—— pygmeus.. .

——_—_——_-—\——_— sanctipalustris .. .. 446 Onryza a6 :

Nycticebus bengalensis

—— coucang : 433 | Ophiusa melicerte ..

Nycticorax griseus .. Ae ste .. 290 | OPS

Nyctiornis amictus.. be i O14) ear

athertoni ee iv 314, 457 aa dees 8

Nymphula afiinialis ae shy ATS TSS ees. valentia

nigrolinealis sordidior sub sp. Oreicole ferrea

nov 178 Oreocincla dauma ..

a nympheeata latifaseata sub sp. oe eee aa a

HOWay ts x bbs Bes Naam whiteheadi

989 Oreocosys sylvanus

Orinhippus gen. nov.

— tibetanus sp. n.

Nyroca beri ae ee, be :

ferina oe Mis .. 289, 548

= ferruginea .. ue we 2. 289

fee fuligula i 989 Oriolus melanocephalus

——— rufina ss sh ot. a5 289 oriolus

— trailii

Orthomiel!a ..

Orthonama cbstipata

Orthopcetus ..

——- lalita ..

_ 433 Ophiops elegans var. ehrenbergii

xlv

NUMBER.

.. 186

eels

. 185

aa anes

5 NIB 37

48) Bis:

Bio Bi

no ley

Ae lait

a5 PANO,

. 200

Bia eAuLe)

.. 200

. 459

. 402

xiv1

INDEX OF SPECIES.

NUMBER. NUMBER,

Orthotomus sutorius .. 454} Papilio aristolochize PS)

Ortygernis longirostris .. 20|——— chaon . 292

Osmia ccerulescens .. . 195|—-—-— demoleus . 293

——- dimidiata .. 196 |--—-— doson axion.. . 292

indigotea .. 195 |—~—~—-— helena cerberus 292

— panzeyi .. 195|———\ machaon “A 51, 52

Otocompsa emeria .. 281, 535 | —-——— ————- centralis .. 52. 66

——-__— — flaviventris .. bi .. 454 |——— paris.. >= 292

—__—_— fuscicaudata .. 436, 454, 535, 545 | —-—— podalirius 53, 70

Otogyps calvus 284, 458 | —_—_—- varuna 38

Otus brucei ; .. 417) Parantirrhea marshalli 514

——-— scops pulchellus .. 417) Pararge megera iranica subsp. n. 52, 58

Ovis ammon hodgsoni .. 995) Parellelia algira 173

aE) ahi 336, 339 | Parnara 33

—— nahura . 529 — oceia ~ LSS

orientalis gmelini . 264|———— mathias 53, 369

vignei .. .. 529] Parnopes grandior .. 2. 208

ima ice! .. 540| Parus atriceps 453, 464

Oxylides .. 470 —major.. : 246

Oxyopes sp. eo ~ blanfordi 246

——~- ——~ major.. 246

——- —-——- zagrossiensis .. a -. 246

Passer domesticus .. 230, 290, 456

—— ——-——-— hiblicus 230

Pachygiossa melanoxantha 92 | ——-- —— indicus 251

Pachymerium caucasicum . 167| ——- —————— _ parkini.. 231

— = ferrugineum .. 165|——— hispaniolensis 232

Pachyura etrusca .. 474 - transcaspicus 232

Pachyzancla pallidalis . 183|——~— mesopotamicus 232

Paduka .. 33|——- moabiticus 231

Palornis my . 331 |——— montanus 233

—-——--— cyanocephalus . 457 | ——— palestine 232

Wi Palensis 457 | —-- yatil.. .. 232

—_—_-—-—. torquatus . 457| Pastor roseus 226, 455

Palamnzeus swammerdami .. 558]! Pavo cristatus 289, 459

Palparia ocellea . 18] muticus. . os 287, 289

Palumbus casiotis .. 156| Pedestes a 33

Pamphila 33 | Pelecanus philippensis 290

Panchala .. £70} Pellorneum ruficeps.. 454

Pandesma anysa .. 174) Peloperdix chloropus 16

——— eanysa . 181] Pelosia muscerda 185

Pandion halidétus .. 426 uniformis sp. nov. .. 135

Paniscus lineatus .. 299) Pempelia cautella. . 182

Pantoporia ranga .. 292|— hieroglyphiella 182

Papilio . 471 | Penthoceryx sonneratii sonnerati- 327

INDEX OF SPECIES. xlvii

NUMBER. NuMBER.

Penthoceryx sonneratii waite .. .. 327| Phaleena sacraria .. ae Bs -- 188

a ee en asheh ct: .. o27|——— semirubella ue Sie -- 182

Beetontacaintiosiis.) |) 2!) )2 0 2 apg) op Sentosa wie)! ot. osu. 18D

| —— sticticalis Bs oe -- 183

Perdix chukar se oe ye OPO Se ate ay eM ay i _. 188

oe Kakelil s se Ei -- 306) Phaleratus . : Bi ay are -. 471

——— longirostris .. s . -- 20|Phasianus humie .. a Hs -. 289

“S oculea ae ae xs -- 18|Phenicophees pyrrhocephalus .. ». 329

Pergesa elpenor .. 36 a a 184 Pheenicoperdix chloropus . . Eis ere

Pericrocotus peregrinus .. Le .. 455) Pheenicopterus roseus Af ote .. 549

ae - speciosus Wy, aN .. 455) Pheenicurus erythronota .. a .. 405

Pericyma albidentaria i! 2) ars — gilbraltariensis oe -- 405

Der erofosta. i Of _. 181; —————— ochruros ochruros .. .. 404

mS cqualens.\ Be SPR oake |e - pheenicuroides .. 404

Pericechna magdalenee ... 2a a2 UO ee Teaicun Gar pheenicurus mmesolonce -- 404

Pernis apivorus apivorus .. 425 | oe pheenicurus .. 404

—— cristatus ae i Me ep SNO PEON ING re weston “ vs -- 405

Petronia petronia hs DOG sare Semirute oft oe -. 405

fiat — exigua “4 OGM gr a ee BLY Ss 4 ase 3 -- 405

Meee ter tamnedia A _, 299| Phyllanthus emblica sks ah 2 oO

Petrophila cyanus . Oh .. 149, 456 | Phyllodactylus elise = ee -» 251

Phalacrocorax carbo Ey + .. 160] Phylloscopus attinis 3 a -. 144

Phalena algira Ste —— bonelli orientalis... -. 386

Ee eat iY iv 2 183) colly ita. abietina’ |). ; .. 385

bistorta .. os ae 45 SL anecoaene CS collybita .. -- 384

circumflexa i Bs oe TSI | = —Ssindianus .. -- 384

——-—— clavipalpis . 180} os Ceistts i ++ 384

Pana. ot _. 189 | —————— indicus ata A -. 455

gamma NEST neglectus lorenzii .. -. 385

— hyppasia S18 ils — neglectus -. 386

ipsilon Vena proregulus .. SD so ets

ig trifolii >, 180 | —---—— pulcher ae 3 .. 145

Me macrops .. . 1s0| —_———— sibilatrix sibilatrix .. .. 386

nigropunctata .. hg _. 187) —— trochilus eversmanni -. 385

Fiero okcs is ie STG trochilus .. -. 385

pisiiputas. _ 189; Phylometra chalcites a Be ava em

Nae aS. mk i 187 daubei ae ot! Sole:

——-—— politata ay wa Ses es gemma a ss -0 173

polygrammata oe eed SSO Pica pica AC ae ee ee OA:

—prelata .. Ge m joie2|—— —— bactriana, . He Be .. 224

———_— pronuba .. SS ye .. 179| Picumnus innominatus avunculorsum .. 102

———— purpuraria ue =. -- 188} — - innominatus .. 102

———— pusaria - 190; —- —————~ malayorum 102

aaa Turalis - 183 | Picus canus gyldenstolpei . . aie o's (295

SPECIES.

xviii INDEX OF

NUMBER, | NUMBER.

Picus canus hessei .. 95) Plusia daubei BOBS Wo) |

——- occipitalis 95} Podicipes albipennis ~» 290

—-~—- chlorolophus chlorigaster 95) -—— cristatus .. 290

chlorolophus . 95| Polistes gallicus .. 199

—-— erythropygius nigrigenis 95 | — hebreeus 7 UD,

——- puniceus puniceus 95 | —--—- — maczensis - 2 OD

——- squamatus flavirostris 94 | Polygonia “CC” album 53, 66

——- —_——— squamatus Ot —— egea bi 2 ni aes

—.— striolatus 94 ee J” album 53, 65

—-—- vittatus viridanus 95 | Polyommatus 465, 470

— — vittatus 95 | — —— beeticus »» 124

Pieris ergane 53, 346 | Polyxenus lagurus .. . . 168

-——-- napi on 53

——-- —_— pseudorapie .. 546

—-—— rape iranica.. 52, 346

Pipistrellus ceylonicus ceylonicus 448

—_—--—- coromandra 449

——_— mimus mimus 449

Piprisoma squalidum ; 456 |

= - modestum .. gl

—-—_-— ——_——- squalidum .. On

Pipunculus : 378 |

Pirdana ays 33 |

— hyela rudolphii 139

Pithauria 33

aa marsena .. 138

Pithecops hylax aes aig oe

Pitta brachyura 93, 284, 456

- esrulea cerulea 92

—-— cucullata abbotti 93

——-- __——-- cucullata .. 93

- cyanea cyanea : 92

- granatina coccinea 93

——- gurneyi 93

——- megarhyncha 93

——.- moluccensis 92

——- nipalensis 92

——- oatesi.. 92

Plastingia si 33

callineura . 138

ae coxissa Sasi

naga Pcie 2)

Platalea leucorodia . 289

Platyplectrurus trilineatus . 42

Plotus melanogaster . 290 |

' Pontia chloridice

—— ponticus. . 165, 168, 169

Pomatorhinus horsfieldi travancoriensis.. 545

Be 400

52, 348, 369

obseurus

———— daplidice 52, 347, 351

——— glauconome.. 52

— iranica . d47

Poritia dawna 34

——— ——-—— sp. nov. 37

——— erycinoides .. 34

——— ~ phraatica 37

——— geta.. ot

——_——_ —— geta 37

—.—— —-— regia sp. nov. on noe

————\ hewitsoni P 34, 292

- hewitsoni 3

——-— ———— tavoyana 34, 124

——\~— karennia sp. n. 30, 36

——_— pediada 125

———- phalena 125

— phalia =. aee

——— phraatica 34, 124

——~— pleurata 34, 124

— regia +. ee

sumatree 34, 36

——_—— tavoyana 34

Porphyrio poliocephalus 290

Ponjadia pulverosa 182

Pratapa 4 : 470

Pratincola caprata . 456

maura 456

Precis orithya here 52

. 394

Prinia gracilis lepida

INDEX OF SPECIES. xlix

NUMBER. NUMBER.

Prinia inornata .. 455; Pycnorhamphus affinis pees sit

——-- lepida . 286} Pyctorhis sinensis .. bo 454.

—— socialis . 455] Pyralis cespitalis iy 183

Prionochilus ignicapillus 91 | ———— floralis . 183

maculatus 92 | ———— polygovalis .. 183

Procarduelis nipalensis 277| ——— sulphuralis .. «183

Procris micane 186| Pyrameis atalanta .. 52, 64

solana .. 486 |——— cardui 52, 64

Prodenia litura .. 172| Pyrausta aurata 178

Proparus vinipectus . 143; cegpitalis.. 178

Propasser pulcherrimus . 151| Pyrotrogon duvauceli +8 ees ta,

- thura se aed | =e Pitheceptalas erythroce-

Psara pallidalis vals phalus 325

Psarisomus dalhousei 94) —___—— fasciatus 325

Pseudochliaria AM .. 47] | ————— oreskias uniformis 325

Pseudogyps bengalensis 290, 456, 458} Pyrrhocorax alpinus 141, 276

Pseudois nahura . 342| Pyrrhulauda frontalis 235

Pseudolyczena .. 471 ; -— affinis 235

Pseudomyrina Seal -— frontalis 235

Psittacula alexandri fined ts 332 — melanauchen 235

calthrope 38 Y= — syncipitalis.. 235

—————— caniceps 332

———-—— columboides i 302

————— cyanocephala bengalensis 332

— eyanocephala .. 331

erythrogenys erythrogenys .. 332| Querquedula circia . 289, 548

—— — tytleri 332

eupatria avensis 331

— ————— eupatria.. 331

indoburmanica 331

— magnirostris .. 331] Ramphaleyon amauroptera . 316

— nipalensis .. 5h SB == capensis burmanica . 316

schisticeps finschi 6 es ae Ura Ya OLG

——_——— — —chisticeps .. AO AE PA ea a intermedia .. 316

————— torquata ee LN Seg osmastoni. . .. 316

Psittinus incertus malaccensis .. 333} Rana bhagmandlensis . . 442

Psorosa nucleolella . . .. 176|—-— gracilis montanus sub sp. nov, . 439

Ptiloloemus tickelli austeni .. 319}—-— limnocharis oh at . 497

—-—-—- tickelli . 319| —-— mysorensis sub sp. nov. 444

Ptyonoprogne concolor . 456|—--—temporalis .. . 498

rupestris .- 153|—-— tigrina , 444

Pudicitia .. a By 33| Rapala 471

Purlisa : 471 jarbas 132

Pycnonotus gularis : .. 280 | ——— petosiris 132

— leucotis mesopotamica .. . 382| ——— scintilla ny 132

l INDEX OF SPECIES.

Rapala sphinx intermedia subsp. nov. ..

——— subguttata ..

———— suffusa

varuna :

——— xenophon paasenielis

Raphimetopus ablutella

Rathinda

Rattus edwardsi

— —— listeri garonum sub. sp. noy.

——— mackenzie! ..

wellsi sp. n.

Remelana

Remigia arefacta

Rham phocoscyx ne eae thus...

Rhapidura leucopygialis

Rhene sp.

Rhinoplax vigil

Rhinortha chlorophea ahignanies

Rhipidura albicollis

— albifrontata

————— pectoralis

Rhizomys badius..

Rhizothera curvirostris

———~-— longirostris longirostris

Rhodometra sacraria

Rhodospiza obsoleta

Rhopalocampta

Rhopodytes diardi .

———-—— sumatranus

—_—__—.-— tristis longicaudatus. .

— tristis ..

——-— viridirostris

Rhynchina eremialis

—— ravalis syniocalis

Rhytidoceros narcondami

—___—_———— subruficollis

—__—_—_—_-—— undulatus

Ricinus comunis

Riparia obsoleta

-— riparia riparia

Ritra

Rivula sericealis

Rollulus ocellatus

Rostratula capensis

Rumicia

282, 455

. 181} Sancus

NuMBER.

131) Ruralis ee

. 132] Ruticilla frontalis ..

. 132 |—-———— rufiventris

5 BP

> ee

rks

. 471

27| Saccolaimus saccolaimus

27|Salea horsfieldi

26, 27| Salebria acervella

26! Saluria maculivitells

. 471 pulverosa

829 pulligo

. 322 | Sarangesa

hepkinsi sp. nov.

- 319| Sarciophorus malabaricus

. 329/Sarcogrammus atrinuchalis

indicus

. 455] Sasia abnormis abnormis

~.— ochracea ochracea

a SS --—reichenour ..

20 | Satadra

20 | Satarupa Ns

18 |; —_—-— bhagava ..

. 229) Satsuma -

393 | Satyrus briseis magna

- 329) — circe

. 325 | .-—— — hermionisyriaca

. 329|-— -— parisatis

. 329 |—__— pelopea

se 320) —___.— persephone

74, 181 | —- telephassa .. te

. 174| Sauropatis chloris chloris . .

»-3l9)— —-- davisoni

.. 318) ——--——- —- occipitalis

seus ee widali

.. 298) Saxicola caprata

. 409! —-—--— cenanthe

We) || ees — rubetra noskae

Bu. (| Sauce — rubetra

. 174; --_-- torquata maura ..

. 18, ——--— ——-— rubicola

.. 290| Sceliphron deforme

.. 47] |-————-- madraspatanum

NUMBER.

sae

148, 276

149, 456

. 452

» 404

175, 182

- 138

Schenobius incertellus

Scirpophaga prelata

Scobura

cephala

Scolapax rusticola ..

Scops bakkamcena ..

—-—- giu :

Scopula nigropunctata

— ochroleucata

— ornata

Scotocerca inquieta

Scotogramma tripolii

— chimera

Scotophilus kuhli

Sebastonyma

Semanga

————— superba ..

Sepa..

Septa noctis a“

Serilophus lunatus lunatus

Serinus pusillus

Sermotophora hornigii

Sideridis vitellina

Silybura nigra

- pulneyensis

Simiskina binghami

fulgens..

harterti ..

pediada .

——— -— phalena..

———-— phalia

————- pharyge

pheretia..

- potina

Sinapis alba

arvensis

Sinthusa

Siphia parva

Sithon << ay

-nedymond ..

Sitta castaneiventris

leucopsis oe

——neumayer.. ae

--- dresseri

LNDEX OF SPECIES.

——-— rubropygius ..

NUMBER. |

ae Wes)

Fe Hy 3)

. 138

160, 250

.. 458

oe Lom

Tp ore

Lod

389, 395

Bee irl

171, 180

. 450)

| Spizaetus limnaetus

5 eal

.. 455

See

so SE

.- 454

- 143

- 246

-» 246) Surendra florimel

Sftta rupicola ee

— — -- tschitscherini

Siva strigula De a

Solanum melongena

Soriculus baileyi

caudatus

——radulus sp. nov.

Spalgis epius : me

Spatula clypeata .. cs

Spermatophora hornigii

Sphenocercus sphenurus ..

Spilornis cheela

Spindasis .. 56 ae

Spintherops gracilis

Spodoptera abyssinia

| Stelis pheoptera

signata

Sterrha elongaria ey

politata abmarginata

‘Stilbum cyanurum

'Stimula swinhoei

Stoparola melanops

Strix flammea

'Strongylosoma persicum ..

Strymon

ae aL aiels

--— abdominalis

caudatula ..

--—mercidus ..

| Sturnus vulgaris

-— caucasicus

——-— —— jitkow

nobilior

oppenheimi

—— — ——— poltaratskyi

purpurascens

sophize

vulgaris ..

Suada

swerga

Suasa

lisides

Suastus is Sie oe

NUMBER.

.. 246

. 143

. 561

.. 429

. 429

.. 429

. 123

289, 548

. 182

.. 458

io 18h

458

172, 180

. 196

bie -. 196

188

©. 186

208

Phas

279, 455

419, 457

165, 166, 169

467, 472

53, 367

il INDEX OF SPECIES,

Surendra quercetorum

Surniculus lugubris ;

—-— ————- brachyurus .

een —— dicruroides ..

— stewarti

Sus cristatus

—— sp.

Suya crinigera

Sylepta ruralis

Sylvia althza

atricapilla

——— communé icterops

——~— curruca curruca

——— melanocephala

——_— merzbacheri

—-——— momus

——— mystacea

———— nana nana ..

———— nesoria

——— simplex

Synchle belemia

Syngrapha circumflexa

Syntarucus plinius

Syrnium biddulphi .

Systropus

Taccocua sirkee infuscata ..

Se — —leschenaul bur

sirkee

Tachornis batassiensis batassiensis

infumatus ..

‘Tacupa

Tagiades

atticus

—_——— dealbatta

—_-—-——— gana

— helferi ravi

lavata

pralaya

— trichoneura

Tajuria drucei

longinus

eri

solo

A ilsiv/

. 137

pees ts 1)

» Lez

se) MGW

- 137

.. 133

NuMBER.

nc ZO

> Loo

-. 328

. 328

.. 328

.. 53]

.. 480

sailed

Vilyps'

.» OOD

. 391

is OL

. 391

. 393

-» oo0

. 393

. 392

.. 390

. 390

lis

a eso)

. 330

be on

. 321

Tajuria mantra

——— tyro ..

Tapena

Taphozous melanopogon

— longimanus

Tarache lucida lugens

Tarachephia hueberi

Taractrocera. .

Taragama siva

Taraka

——- hamada

—_—— mendesia

Tarsiger chryszus ..

Tarucus alteratus..

—-——— ananda :

—_———— halcanicus areshanus

—___—— bengalensis oa

callinara

nigra

eee harte

—--_—. extricatus

—-——- mediterrane:e

—_———— nara

———— plinius

—-—-—— theophrastus.

venosus

Tatera bailwardi

Tegostoma hbaphialis

——_—_——- paralis

Telicota

——-— bambuse ..

———-— dara

——— gola

paragola

Temenuchus pagodarum

Tephrina disputaria

Tephris ochreella

Tephroclystia oblongata

Tephrodornis pondicerianus

Teracolus fausta

Terias hecabe

Terminalia chebula

Terpsiphone paradisi

Tetrao curvirostris

kekelik he

UMBER,

. 133

-> oe

.- 451

. 451

he 4

. Mae

ogee

« 1838

oath cae

». ie

INDEX OF

Tetraogallus himalayensis

Tetrastichus opiusze

Thais cerisyi deyrollei

Thalpochares uniformis

Thamala miniata

‘Thamnobia cambaiensis

fulicata

Thanaos

——_—— marloyi

——_—— tages unicolor

—_— var. unicolor

Tharrhaleus rubeculoides ..

--strophiatus ..

Thecla ats ee

Thereiceryx lineatus hodgsoni

- intermedius

—_——_—\_—— viridis

———-— —zeylanicus

caniceps. .

— inornatus-

zeylanicus

Theretra alecto cretica

Thriponax hodgei. .

———~—— hodgsoni feddeni

hodgsoni

javanensis

Thrix gama ..

Thymelicus lineola

Ticherra

acte vf

‘Tiga javanensis intermedia

rubropygialis

——— shorei ..

‘Tinea anella. .

— elutella

—— noctuella

phragmitella. .

Tinnunculus alaudarius

Tlithyia semirubella

Torpentis preelata ..

Totanus calidris

———— hypoleucus

‘Tragopan satyra

Tribura thoracica

‘Trirhinopholis nuchalis

NuMBER.

. 158

24299

52, 70

. 180

fa 13a

-. 456

. 464

369

.. 369

. 276

ae) LOU

471,

472

» «1 103

. 104

Sones

194,

436

- 456

- 108

. 103

a2 10S

. 18-4

ve 102

- 102

102

135

368

. 472

ve 4lo6

-. 100

so GO

ae LOO

Sy lite!

-. 182

7 83

airy hey

- 458

=) Lio

ae Alvis

———— —.——

SPECIES. liti

NuMBER.

Trochalopterum variegatum ote -» 142

Troglodytes troglodytes - 408

Tropicoperdix chloropus 15, 16

Tropidonotus parallelus : mae 8

Tupaia belangerilepcha sub sp. nov. .. 428

— versure subsp. nov. .. 428

Turdus merula intermedia. . 22 07

—- syriacus = O07

——— musicus a - 397

——— philomelos philomelos rood

ruficollis atrogularis . 397

Turnix pugnax - 459

Turtur ferrago 157, 459

orientalis - 459

-- suratensis -. 459

Typhlops diardi 43

Udaspes 33

—folus = 139

Una .. se ae : 3l

Upupa epops ceylonensis .. -- 320

—— | Spops. . 320, 413

——— —— longirostris . BAY)

——_— ——— laudoni . 413

~~ — orientalis -. 320

aaa a UU -. 320

- indica 290, 457

Urespheba polygonalis - 178

Urocissa flavirostris . 140

Uroloncha malabarica . 456

Uromastix loricatus 22 202

Ursus arctus isabellinus - 532

—— torquatus -. 532

Ussuriana oe Ee

Utetheisa pulchella -- 185

Utica.. - 472

liy

Vadebra

Vanessa cardui

——— io

——— urtice

Vespa cincta .. .

crabro crabroniform is

germanica

— orientalis

Vigna catiang

Virachola

Viverra zibetha

Viverricula malaccensis

Watsoniella ..

Wrightia tomentosa °

Xantholatma hematocephala

indica

malabarica ..

— rubricapilla ..

Xylocopa fenestrata

olivieri

——_—_———-_ ylolacea

Yasoda oie :

—- tripunctata

Yuhira gularis

NUMBER:

ee)

. 292

. 369

.. 369

. 534

.. 199

. 199

. 561

= 472

sae

.. 265

.. 472

ee) Lod

. 143

INDEX OF

SPECIES.

NUMBER.

Zamacra flabellaria.. ais LOR

Zamenis ravergieri . 253

ventrimaculatus . 253

Zamesochorus orientalis . aa 299

Zanclostomus javanicus . 329

Zaocys nigromarginatus 2 ae

Zarono jasoda 36, 125

zanella 2) ee

Zea mays fe OL

Zegris eupheme fe .» 303

——-- dyala 52, 353, 355

—--— — tigris 52, 354

Zeltus .. 472

-- etolus + 136

Zephyrius . 472

Zephyrus . 472

pavo 39

— quercus 36 ‘orenee

— longicauda 53, 366

Zesuis as tie = s Als

Zinaspa -. 473

Zizera karsandra 52, 362

-- otis 52

Zographetes 33

Zoothera monticola 150

Zophodia suberastriella sp. nov. wee Lint

Zosterops aureiventer aureiventer es

— ceylonensis a ney ER

———— palpebrosa 436, 454

a cacharensis .. 85.

egregia =) a

—— elwesi . 85

a nicobariensis 85

ieee es palpebrosa .. 85

al peguensis 85

--+ on slamensis . « 36

Zyyoena doryenii .. an . -- 186

3°

“

1. Papilio neptunus. Guer., &

2. Cutrrochroa orissa, &

3. Mycalesis fuscum, Felder, g

4, do. do. do. 2

5. Arhopala, sp. &

6. Arhopula woodii, Ollenbach, ¢..

7. Arkopala pagaiensis, Ollenbach, 3

8. do. do. do. 2

9. Jacoona anasuja, &

10. do. do. @

ll. Thrizx gama, Dist., 3¢

12. Hysudra nades, De N., 2 ae

13. Rapala sphinx intermedia, Ollenbach, &

14. Biduan!a nicevillei, Doh., 2 ..

15. Rapala subguttata, El., 2 a

A LIST OF BUTTERFLIES COLLECTED IN THE TAVOY

DISTRICT, BURMA.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE APPEARING ON PAGE 123.

Page.

. 893

. 886

129

128

135

..135

2135

..131

131

134

- 132

. .894, Vol. xxvii.

..130, Vol. xxviii

4OTRE aatT BEC T A EO

hy hon ale g nomi

ORD ae x By,

% Jes &

eS Ay 33

reba oy mah r

Ya ai bes DIN

TOURNAL

OF THE

Bompay Natorat History Sogrery.

EDITED BY

-‘R, A. SPENCE, F.Z.S., 5. C. ELLISON, C.M.Z.S.,

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

{ .

l “l/g> ‘

<ersuuat iSpy

| te SEP 7 1927 *)

VOL, XXVIII, No\Xt tS

‘4

TIONAL MUS=—

Date of Publication, 30th December 1921.

Price to Non-Members a = oe Les, 15-0-0

or & ©. 1-0-0

LONDON AGENTS:

DULAU & Co.,, Lid.,

34-36, Margaret Stre2t, Cavendish Square, W.

— —— +

PRINTED AT THH TIMES PRESS, BOMBAY.

CONTENTS-OF. THIS NUMBER:

Tue Game Brrps or Inp1a, Burma aNp Cryton, Part XXX (concluded)

(Genus Arboricola.) By HE. 0. Stuart Baker, F.Ls., F.Z.8., M.B.0.U. (With

a coloured plate.)

Scientivic ResuLts From THE Mammat Survey, No. XXIX. By the late

R. C. Wroughton...... an >

¢.0, 0 0 ae 6 Oe pee 6.6 8 eeeevreerreoeereretree ee eee .

Sorenririo Resutrs From THE Maman Survey, Nos. XXX and XXXI.

By Oidfield Thomas, F.R.S. ....0s a

A New Arasian Harz. By Oldfield Thomas, F.B.8. «+ ;

Nores on Inpran Butrerriises. By Lt.-Col. W. H. Evans, D.s.0., R.., F.Z.8.,F.E.S.

A New SNAKE OF THE FAMILY UROPELTIDAE. By Col. EF. Wall, “1.M.s., (MG

O.M.Z.8. (With a plate) .occcicccccvccecrcereneneseecreeercces

aie weee

Nores on Some NoTaBLE ADDITIONS TO THE BomBAY Naturat History Sociery’s

SNAKE COLLECTION. By Col. F, Wall, c.m.c., c.M.z.8. (With a plate) ...

Bic Game Suoorrne or Kasumir ann Apsacent Hitt Provinces. By Lt.-Col. A.

EB. Ward. (With two plates) oi. cccreeveeeeeercnreneecnns

eV Pe tener eevee ee

Tue BurrerFLies oF Mesopotamia. By Col. H. D. Peile, r.o.5.,1M.s. (With a

CL ne Bis Witness

Turee NEw ALPINE OrTHOPTERA FROM CenTRAL Asia. By B. P, Uvarov, F.z.s,

A Few Hints on Crocopite Suoorine. By W. Hz. O. Shortt. (With two plates.)

Birps or tHE Inp1an Empire. PartIV. By E. C. Stuart Baker, F.us., F.z.s.,

MAID S Sas e 0 5d Cs eo hens eS ae a ie

eeoeeveveee eeerereeeerr over ee ee eeee

Inpran Draconrires, By Major F. C. Fraser, 1.M.s, (With text figures.) ....

A List oF BUTTERFLIES COLLECTED IN THE Tavoy District, Burma. By O. C.

Ollenbach. (With a plate). .ccccccccveevecececesveeees Rota, ag Mire cies

Nore on THE NIDIFICATION AND HABITS OF SOME BirDS IN BritisH GaRHwaL. By

A. E. Osmaston. (With 3 plates and a Map)

SHAKESPEARE ON THE Nose Ant oF Hawxina. By Col. C. EH, Luard,1a...,...

Myriapops coLttecreD BY Mr, P. A. Buxton. By H. W. Brolemann. (With

two plates) .. severe ec cece cece eee terete seen enna een ee ee ee teen nets eee

Morus or Mxsoporamia anp N. W. Persia. By Various Authors...

eevee ves

Annotatep Lists or AcULEATE HyMENOPTERA (Excerpt HertreroGyNa) AND

CHRYSIDS RECENTLY COLLECTED IN MESOPOTAMIA AND NorrH-West PERSIA,

By F. D. Morice, M.A., F.Z.8. (With & text figures) oie 29.155 se tage i 0 Se late

QuAINT BEASTS AND QUEER HaBIrTs. By Major GC. Ho Stockley, 0.8.0... ase)

Tur Brrps or Mesopotamia. By Dr. C. B. Ticehurst, M.a., M.B.o.U. (With two

PUOAbesy evn vn sean vole aims be nee Rade eae pe Weegee give ete et ase tie en Se seme

FurtHek Lizarps AND SNAKES FROM PERSIA AND Mesopotamia. By Joan B.

Procter, ‘FZ. “eis, Oem oe a be tid es

Revinws. (SMALL GamME SHOOTING AROUND OoracamunD by Rolling Stone). ..

THe Water Fowr or Inpra anp Asta. By Frank Finn)

EpiIroriaL

eee 0 6 0.0 @ © 0-0 ly) otetecs be ese Be Smile 2 he cen Be O_o “Sw Jone Maris, stliee S14) CaPow PRUE Rees Mews Ole

6 6 eve va te 0:0 00. 0 60) eee) ej ane

OBITUARY

PaGE

We 5 6m CO NON Je: Oat we ey eile’ @veule cue le aun ea p eer eee. o

_ 5 Sie. Ss 2 ‘ 2

‘sot llaes ' a c .

Fan F fr:

- 4 *

. .

i :

JOURN. BOMBAY NAT. HIST. SOC.

PO ha

THE GREEN-LEGGED HILL PARTRIDGE.

Tropicoperdix chloropus.

natural size )

JOURNAL

Gr LHE

Bombay Natural History Society.

DECEMBER 1921. Von, XX VIL. NWost.

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BORMA AND CEYLON:

K. C. Stuart Baker, F.L.S., F.Z.8S., M.B.0O.U.

Part XX X—(contd.)

(Continued from page 664 of Volume XXVII)

(With a plate),

Genus—ARBORICOLA.

ARBORICOLA RUFOGULARIS INTERMEDIA.

The Arrakan Red-throated Hull Partridge.

Arboricola intermedia—Blyth, J. A. 5. B., xxiv, p. 277, (1856), (Arra-

kan) ; id., Ibis, 1867, p. 159, (Arrakan); Blyth and Wald., Cat., Mam.

and B. of B., p. 150, (1875), (Arrakan) ; Hume and Marsh. Game-B.,

ii, p. 85, (1879) ; Hume, S. F., vii, p. 111, (1879) ; Oates, B. of B. B.,

ii, p. 527, (1883) ; Hume, 8. F., xi, p. 307, (1888), (E. Manipur) ; Oates,

Hume’s N. and E., iu, p. 440, (1890) ; Ogilvie-Grant, Ibis, 1892, p. 393 ;

id., Cat. B. M., xxii, p. 211, (1895) ; id. Hand-L. Game-B., i, p. 165,

(1895) ; Oates, Man. Game-B., i, p. 140, (1895) ; Blanf. Avifauna, B. L.,

iv, p. 127, (1898) ; Stuart Baker, J. B. N. H.S., xu, p. 491, (1899), (N.

Cachar) ; Oates, Cat. Eggs, B. M., i, p. 43, (1901) ; Harington, J. B.

N. H.58., xix, p. 310, (1909), (Bhamo) ; Hopwood, ibid., xxi, p. 1215,

(1912), (Arrakan) ; Hopwood and Mackenzie, ibid., xxv, p. 91, (1917) ;

(N. Chin Hills).

Arborophila intermedia—Hume, 8. F., 11, p. 450, (1874), (Arrakan) ;

Oates, ibid, ii, p. 344, (1875), (Arrakan).

Vernacular Names.—Toung-Kha, (Burmese); Wo-gam or Gam-

toung, (Kachin) ; Daobuc or Daobu-yégashi, (Cachari), Inrui-whip,

(Kacha Naga).

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

Description—Adult Male—Similar to rufogularis, but with spots

on chin and throat so close together as to make these parts appear

uniform black, whilst the black bar below the rufous is absent.

The abdomen is generally a paler slate, and the spots on the crown

are often blacker and larger.

Colours of Soft Parts.—Irides brown ; orbital skin, gular skin and

gapered ; bill black ; legs red, claws paler and horny. In the breeding

season all the colours of the soft parts kecome more intensely and

vividly coloured. The red of the throat and gape is a brilliant red,

showing distinctly through the feathers, and the legs become a bright

coral-red as against a salmon or brick-red in the cold weather.

Measurements.—Wing from 138 to 148 mm., the average of 28

males, including those in the British Museum, bemg 145°5 mm. ;

tarsus 37°5 (a very short-legged bird) to 42 mm., averaging about

41 mm.: bill from front about 18 or 19 mm. ; tail 52 to 60 mm.

Adult Female —Is very like that of rufegularis, but has no black band

below the chestnut neck, and the chin may be rather more profusely

spotted with black. It dces not, however, seem ever to become uni-

form black as in the male.

Colours of Soft Parts—As in the male, but paler and duller. Legs

more yellow.

Measurements —The female appears to be decidedly smaller than

the male, the wing measurements vary between 134 and 143 mm., and

the average is only 138 mm.

Young in Furst Plumage.—Throat dull pale rufous-brown with only

faint signs of spotting above, like the adult, but duller ; the crown is

vermiculated rather than spotted with black. The sides are vermicu-

ated with brown and black, and the centre of breast and abdomen

are paler and whitish.

The Young when practically Adult are profusely spotted with white

all over the breast, atdomen and flanks ; otherwise they are like the

adult with the throat and chin duller rufous and the legs, orbital and

eular skin dull yellowish.

Nesiling—Rather bright chestnut brown above, dingy white below ;

superciium and cheeks paler, a dark brown line behind the eye

dividing into two.

Distributicn—The Arraken Red-throated Hill Partridge is found

throughout Assam East and South of the Brahmapootra, through

Manipur, Looshai, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Arrakan, Chin and Kachin

Hills. Niskett found it very common round about Sadon, and met

with it again at Thandoung ; Harington obtaimed it round about

Bhamo, and Hopwood, Mackenzie, Wickham, and many others have

obtained it practically all over the Chin and Kachin Hills, well to the

South, and it almost certainly occurs in the Northern Shan States,

but is replaced in the Southern Shan States, Siam and Karen-ne3 by

the next race, tickelli.

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 3

Nidification—This form of rufogularis breeds freely in the Assam

Hills and in Manipur, Chittagong, etc., at all heights between 1,500

feet and 6,000 feet, and in the Chin and Kachin Hills apparently still

higher than this, as it was obtained on Mount Victoria at about 9,000

feet during the breeding season. Probably its favourite elevation is

between 3,000 and 6,000 feet, and most of the nests taken by myself

both in North Cachar and the Khasia Hills were between 4,000 and

6,000 feet.

The breeding season commences in the first fortnight in April, and

continues until the end of May, but I have also found eggs through-

out the months of June and July and in the first two weeks of August.

It is, however, quite possible that many birds have two broods, and

two such imstances at least have come within my own experience.

It does not seem to be at all particular as to what kind of country

it makes its nest in so long as there is sufficient cover, and even this

need not be so very dense. I have personally taken nests from dense

evergreen forest with the most luxurious undergrowth, and from thin

bamboo jungle with only a little grass growing in the more open patches

between the clumps of bamboo. It was common in the beautiful Pine

forests of the Khasia Hills, and it equally often made its nest in the

rhododendron and oak forest on the rocky sides of its hills and peaks.

I also took its nest on more than one occasion in the deciduous oak

forests in the N. of N. Cachar. Here the trees grew far apart like

those in a glorified English Park, and their black stems grew straight

and sombre against a vivid ground of brilliant green grass. For the

most part the plateau consisted of gently undulating hills and slopes,

but in some places it was broken up into rocky ravimes and water

courses in which bushes were more plentiful, and in these the Hill Part-

ridges bred, often making their nest in some hollow under the shelter

of a stone or protecting buttress of rock.

The nests themselves varied very greatly in character. The first

I ever found was a mere hollow scraped out under a projecting stone

on a steep hill side. Here and there grew scattered trees and bushes,

but the grass which had been burnt off some couple of months pre-

viously was only a few inches high, and still sparse and thin. I was

coming home after a long day’s gaur shooting and sliding down the

steep hill to the ravine at the bottom, practically kicked the bird off

her nest in the dusk. An equally exposed position was that of a nest

containing four eggs placed in a bed of fallen bamboo leaves in thin

bamboo jungle with no undergrowth. In neither of these cases was

there any nest at all beyond the fallen debris lying on the ground

beneath the eggs. At the other extreme in description are the cleverly

hidden and well-made nests which one sometimes finds in grass. I

have seen nests composed of really well interlaced grass matted down

into a fine compact cup, whilst the surrounding grass was so arranged

that as it grew it formed a complete back, sides and roof to the nest,

4. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

whilst in front it was brought down and across the entrance so as to

make a regular little tunnel to the nest, sometimes nearly a foot in

length. How the growing grass was made to serve its purpose I

could never quite make out, as it did not appear to be interwoven so

much as matted down until it fitted into position, it really looked as if

one bird had stood below to fashion the tunnel, whilst the other had

beaten the grass down above its companion. I only noticed nests of

this kind when they were made in growing grass, and I never saw a

domed nest made when the material had to be brought to the nest for

the purpose of making the sides and roof.

The hen bird sits very close, and the Nagas always assured me that

they could make sure of catching her on the nest once they had found

it, certainly they generally brought me in the hen bird with her eggs

whenever these were brought in for me. I do not think the cock

bird assists in the incubation, but he may do so at night, as do so many

other cock birds amongst the Pigeons, etc. When his wife is sitting,

he is generally to be found somewhere round about in the immediate

vicinity, and I think these birds pair for life, as the same pair may be

seen year after year breeding in the same locality, if they are not

disturbed. A pair bred thus in a ravine quite close to my house at

Gunjong in N. Cachar. The first year the Nagas took the eggs, but

after I had forbidden this and let the hen bird loose when she was

brought to me, the partridges continued to breed for three more years

in the same spot, one year rearing two broods of four, all ten birds

being found together constantly throughout the following winter.

The eggs of this bird are just like those of A. r. rufogularis, pure

white, rather glossy, and generally broad ovals, pyriform in shape, but

not peg top. The smaller ends are nearly always very pomted, and

sometimes rather compressed. Narrower oval eggs are not uncommon,

and exceptionally broad ones about equal numerically.

The average of 100 eggs is 37°4 by 28°0 mm.

The longest and broadest measures 43°0 by 32°0 mm., and the short-

est and most narrow 33°4 by 26°6 mm. ; in both cases the two greatest

and least measurements being obtained in the same individual egg.

The number of eggs in a clutch is undoubtedly most often 4, some-

times 5, and very rarely more. It is possible that on the rare occasions

on which 7 and 8 have been taken they are the production of two hens

with one husband. I have frequently seen 3 eggs incubated, though

these have generally been taken very late or very early in the season.

General Habits —This very pretty little Partridge may be found in

practically any kind of cover, whether evergreen forest, deciduous

Oak, etc., Pine forest with but little undergrowth, dense secondary

srowth or any kind of Bamboo jungle. It does not venture much

into the open, except early in the mornings and evenings for feeding,

but at these times it may often be found at the edges of cultivation

clearings, more especially in long rice, cotton or mustard crops. It

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 5

wanders slowly about in small coveys, generally 5 or 6 in number,

sometimes a dozen or so, in the latter instances the parties being

formed either of two separate families or of two broods. As a rule

the individuals will be found close together, but often they string out

a good deal, and when this is the case they keep in touch with one

another by means of a soft-low whistle constantly uttered as they

move along. They also indulge in a crooning chuckle which they give

vent to as they move about, turning over the leaves in their search for

insects, seeds, etc., and scratching in all the fallen rubbish for odd

scraps of food. I have often sat in the open forest and watched them

feeding, and have been much impressed with their habit of conducting

a sort of follow my leader game. First one bird will saunter casually

along, scratching here and picking there, and then giving a quick

little run to another attractive spot ; the next bird comes along and

carries out almost exactly the same programme, and then another and

another, until they have all passed out of sight, and one hears their

low whistle gradually fade away in the distance, as they call to one

another to “come on.” The illustration gives a capital idea of how

these little birds come out to drink in a more or less open place. With

moss coveys of game-birds when one of their number has taken the

plunge and decided it is safe to face the open, the rest at once

follow suit without further precautions, but with the Hill Partridges

each individual has to satisfy himself that all is safe before he follows

in the stept of those ahead of him.

During the breeding season they split up into pairs, and the old

birds drive off their last brood to fend for themselves. The call, I

think there is no difference between that of male and female, is a loud

double whistle, very clear and musical, and one which can be heard at

a great distance. They are not fighters, as far as I am aware, but one

hears their call ringing out morning and evening, all over the forests

where these birds are plentiful, one bird answering another until the

sun gets high in the mornings or the darkness begins to close down in

the evenings. I have already syllablized this whistle as ‘‘ Wheea-whu”’

the first note rather prolonged, the second short and sharp.

Although a partridge, one can really hardly consider this a gamebird

from the sportsman’s point of view, for I know of no place where they

are sufficiently plentiful to ensure a day’s sport. They fly well and

fast, and are extraordinarily clever in getting through bamboo and

tree forest without mishap, and to kill them in cover it takes a rare

good shot to bowl them over with any certainty, for they twist, dodge

and turn in every direction at full speed. When out Jungle-fowl

shooting in N. Cachar, one or two of these birds generally formed a

portion of the bag, but the number never exceeded a dozen, and was

seldom half that number.

They roost either on trees or on bamboos, and I have frequently

disturbed them from such places during the heat of the day. When

6 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. ANI:

roosting, the whole covey generally snuggle close in to one another

on the same perch like a family of Munias or Love-birds, and the pot

hunter might well be able to wipe out the whole covey at one shot did

he ever get the chance, but, as a matter of fact, often as I have

disturbed them from trees, it is but seldom I have seen them before

they saw or heard me and flew off. On the rare occasions I have seen

them I have generally been on the track of big game, and have been

sneaking along as silently as possible.

They eat grain and insect food indiscriminately, and also buds and

leaves of many kinds. I have killed them with their crops full of

paddy, bajra (a kind of millet), mustard shoots and leaves, and often

with beetles, grubs, larvee and ants, of which latter they seem to be

especially fond. White ants or termites, they, of course, in common

with almost every bird, are very greedy over, not only seizing them as

they run about or fall to the ground, but also as they fly from the

ground, hopping high ito the air alter them and sometimes fluttering

a few feet in pursuit of them.

The Nagas and other Hill Tribes catch these Hill Partridges in

exactly the same manner as that described by Col. Godwin-Austen,

and they also take numbers in single spring nooses set with a single

termite as bait. In these latter traps the birds are nearly always

killed, for the bamboo springs are very strong, and as the birds are

invariably caught by the neck, the jerk back generally dislocates this.

They form an excellent table dish, rather dry, but very sweet and

very tender unless extra old.

They are easy to tame and keep in captivity, and not quarrel-

some either with other birds or with those of their own genus, but they

must have ample room, some cover and a diet with a liberal amount

of animal food, andif insects are unobtainable, a small amount of

chopped liver seems to suit them admirably.

ARBORICOLA RUFOGULARIS TICKELLI.

Tickell’s Red-throated Hill Partridge.

Arboricola tickelli— Hume, 8. ¥. Game-B., ii, p. 77 and footnote, p.

78, (1880), (Mooleyit, Tennasserim).

Arboricola rufogularis—Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. B. M., xxn, p. 212,

(1893), (part) ; Blanf., Avifauna, B. I., iv, p. 126, (1898), (part).

Arboricola rufogularis—Hume and Davis, 8. F., vi, p. 414, (1878),

(Muleyit) ; Barnby Smith, Avicul. Mag., 11, 10, p. 294, (Aug. 1911).

Vernacular Names.—Toung-kha, (Burmese).

Description—Adult Male and Female.—Similar to rufogularis, but

with no black band below the rufous of the throat and neck. The

white of the cheeks and cheek-stripe is perhaps more conspicuously

white, and the lower parts are decidedly paler, and with far more

white on the abdomen. I cannot find any distinguishing character

between the male and the female in colour.

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON, i)

Colours of Soft Parts—* The legs and feet appear to be always much

paler ” (than the Himalayan race) “a pinky and not a bright red. ”

(Hume).

Jeasurements.—Males, wings 158 to 148 mm., average 145 mm.,

females 132 to 136 mm., average 134 mm. There are only small

series of either sex in the British Museum, so that the averages

mean but little.

From the measurements available, however, it seems that Hume

was right in saying that the Tennasserim race is bigger than the Hima-

layan one.

Distribution —Tennasserim, South Shan States and probably

Eastern and Southern Siam and the Northern Malay Peninsula. A

specimen in the British Museum collection from the Southern Shan

States is quite typically of this race.

Nidification—There is no account of this bird breeding in a wild

state, but Mr. Barnby Smith has given us a very interesting account

of its nesting in captivity. He says :—

“T moved the partridges into a small run to thems«lves, the

ground being covered with old tussocks of grass and a small

shelter shed with sanded floor being provided at one end of the

run, also several branches for perches outside. I gave the birds

for nesting purposes a lot of dried grass both outside and inside

the shed.

“ About 10th March nearly all the dried grass inside the shed

was moved from one corner to another and formed into a covered

nest, the bottom of the nest being a hollow scooped out in the

sand. Apparently this nest was not pleasing to the birds, and

they were soon seen busy pulling about the dried grass I had

provided outside the shed.

“ By the 18th March they had completed a second nest—a

curious domed structure. The back of the nest was a large tuft

of grass, the nest itself being a rather deep, large hollow in the

ground lined with grass and covered all over (except the

entrance hole in the side opposite the tuft) with a large mass of

dried grass. . . It was interesting to note how careful

the birds were during the nesting period to put dried grass

from time to time so as nearly to block up the entrance at the

side of the nest when not in use. The result of this was ex-

cellent, as when one of the birds had just emerged from the

nest the round hole would strike the eye, but, when partly

blocked with grass, the nest was practically invisible.

“ Both birds continued to sit like stones for some time, and

when I finally disturbed the negt I found four eggs in it.

“ These eggs were white and measured 1°6 by 1:2 inches.”

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

Unfortunately both birds proved to be females, so nothing further

~ came of their nesting, but Mr. Barnby Smith records :—

“These Tree Partridges are absolutely hardy (sleeping out in

the open during the most severe weather without suffering) and

they are easily kept on grain, without any insect food, though

they much relish this whenever they can get it.

“They are very active and sprightly birds, and scratch about

constantly with the greatest vigour, far more than any other Tree

Partridge I know. They seldom perch during the day time, but

always roost a good height from the ground.”

General Habits—With the exception of what Davison has told us,

there is nothing on record about the Tennasserim Red-throated Hill

Partridge. He remarks :—

“This species is very abundant about the higher slopes ot

Mooleyit, keeping to the forest in small coveys of 10 or 12. When

flushed by a dog or otherwise, they almost always fly up, and perch

on the surrounding trees, where they squat and commence softly

calling to each other. I have shot 3 or 4 when thus perched

before the others have attempted to move, and I have had them

perch within a few feet of me, and keep staring at me, softly

whistling all the time. Their ordinary call is a series of double

whistles, commencing very soft and low, but gradually becoming

more and more rapid, and rising higher and higher, until, at

last, the bird has to stop. As soon as one stops, another takes up

the call. The call is very easily imitated, and, after a covey has

been. dispersed, it is not difficult to attract them by imitating the

call.

“I have done so more than once with complete success. The

birds chiefly call in the mornings and evenings, remaining quiet,

as a rule, during the day.

“They feed on insects, small land shells, fallen berries, and

various seeds, and are fond of scratching about among the dead

leaves.”

ARBORICOLA MANDELLIL.

The Red-breasted Hill Partridge.

Arborophila mandellii—Hume, 8.F., _ ii, p- 449, (1874), (Bhutan

Doars) ; id, ibid, ili, p. 262, (1875).

Arboricola mandellii—Hume and Marsh, Game-B., ii, p- 83, (1879) ;

id, 8. F., viii, p. 111, (1879) ; Ogilvie-Grant, Ibis, 1892, p. 394 ; id, Cat.

B. M., xxii, p. 214, (1893) ; id, Hand-L., Game-B., i, p. 167, (1895) ;

Oates, Man. Game-B., i, p. 143, (1898) ; Bailey, J. B. N. H. S., xxiv,

p- 78, (1915) ; Inglis, ibid, xxvii, p. 154, (1920).

Vernacular Names.—Pao-Er (Chulikatta Mishmi).

Description.— Forehead, lores and forecrown dull chestnut, shading

brown on hind crown and nape ; dark, pure grey superciliary stripes

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 9

from above either eye to the upper neck where they meet ; lower neck

or extreme upper back chestnut ferruginous with black spots ; back,

rump, upper tail-coverts and tail olive with narrow black edges, and

all but the back with bold black central spots ; scapulars and wing-

coverts like the back but with still finer black bars ; wing quills brown,

outer secondaries with mottled rufous and brown outer webs ; inner

secondaries and greater coverts with chestnut edges, faint grey patches,

and bold, black terminal spots.

Below chin and throat pale olive chestnut, followed by white and

black rings ; a small white moustachial streak, sides of head a darker

chestnut, forming a collar with the chestnut on the neck and spotted

with black in the same way ; upper breast deep rich chestnut ; from

lower breast to vent grey, the flanks marked with chestnut in varying

degree, and also more or less spotted with white ; the centre of the

abdomen is often paler, and sometimes ashy in tint. Under tail-

coverts olive, with white spots and rufous tips and markings ; the thigh

coverts and extreme posterior flanks are often olive with black centres

and rufous markings.

Colours of Soft Parts ——Bill black ; irides red-brown.

Measurements.—Total length about 275 mm. ; tail about 56-58 mm. ;

wing from 133 to 145 mm., the average of 7 being 137 mm. ; tarsus

43 to 45 mm. ; bill at front 19 to 20 mm.

The female only differs in being a little smaller, but the material

available does not suffice to give details.

Distribution—The hills North of the Brahmapootra from Sikkim

and Bhutan to the East of Assam. Bailey obtained a specimen on the

upper Dibong Valley and Needham gave me some specimens from the

hills North of Sadiya.

Nidification—Nothing recorded, but my collectors sent me a skin

of a female together with 4 eggs and notes to the following effect.

The eggs were laid on the ground under shelter of a rock, but with

practically no nest beyond a grass pad, in evergreen forest interspersed

with Rhododendron and Oak, the ground much split up into ravines

and cliffs, very rugged and very wet and humid in spite of the elevation,

which was about 8,000 feet in the Chambi Valley.

The eggs differ in no way from those of other species of Arboricola

and measure about 43 by 34 mm. They are probably quite abnor-

mally big eggs.

They were taken on the 3rd June.

Habits—The Red-breasted Hill Partridge is found principally be-

tween 3,000 and 6,000 feet, descending a good deal lower in the Cold

Weather, though it never seems to come actually into the Plains. In

the summer it must often ascend much higher than 6,000 feet, for the

nest taken for me in the Chambi Valley could not have been lower than

8,000 feet, and may have been a good deal higher. In some nests

taken by Mr. H. Stevens at altitudes a good deal over 6,000 feet, I

10 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIU1,.

found feathers of this bird used in the linings on several occasions.

Mr. Masson also informed me that it bred on some of the ranges beyond

Darjiling, at heights between 7,000 and 9,000 feet, though he failed

to procure nests or eggs.

There is nothing known about its habits, but it is undoubtedly a

bird which frequents dense, damp forests, and probably keeps much

to those which have streams or rivers running through them.

ARBORICOLA ATROGULARIS.

The White-cheeked Hill Partridge.

Arboricola atrogularis—Blyth, J.A.8.B., xvii, p. 819, (1849), (Assam,

Sylhet) ; id, Cat., B. Mus. As. Soc., p. 253, (1849) ; id, J. A. S. B., xxiv,

p- 276, (1855) ; Jerd., B. of L., ii, p. 579, (1864), (Tippera and Chitta-

gong); Blyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 159; Hume, 8. F., v, p. 44, (1877); Ander-

son, B. of Yunnan, ii, p. 673, (1878) ; (Kachin Hills) ; Hume and Marsh.,

Game-B., ii, p. 79, (1879), Hume, 8. F., viii, p. 3, (1879) ; id, ibid, xi,

p- 306, (1888) ; Oates ed. Hume’s N. and E, ui, p. 439, (1890) ; Ogil-

vie-Grant, Ibis, 1892, p. 393 ; id, Cat. B. M., xxii, p. 209, (1893) ; id.

Hand-L. Game¢-B., i, p. 163, (1895) ; Blanf., Avifauna, B. L., iv, p. 127,

(1898) ; Oates, Man. Game-B., i, p. 145, (1898) ; Stuart Baker, J. B. N.

H. &., xii, p. 492, (1899) ; (N. Cachar) ; Oates, Cat. Eggs B. M., 1, p. 42,

(1901) ; Stuart Baker, J. B. N. H. 5., xvu, p. 971, (1907), (Khasia

Hills) ; Barnby Smith, Av., Mag., i, p. 128, (1909) ; Hopwood, J. B.

N. H. §., xxi, p. 1215, (1912), (Arrakan) ; Stevens, ibid, xxi, p. 724 ;

(1915), (Dafla and Miri Hills) ; Hopwood and Mackenzie, J. B. N. H.5.,

xxv, p. 91, (1917), (N. Chin Hills).

Arborophila atriguaris—Hume, &. F., ii, p. 449, (1874).

Vernacular Names.—Peura (Sylhet) ; Duboy, Dubore, (Assamese) ;

San-batai, (Chittagong) ; Dao-bui or Daobui-yégashi (Cachari) ; Inrus-

whip (Kacha Naga) ; Toung-kha, (Burmese) ; Wo-gam or Gam-toung

(Kachin).

Description.—Forehead grey, changing to olive-brown on the crown,

and again into rufous on the nape, all the feathers with broad black

spots ; the grey of the forehead is produced backwards as a superci-

lium, and beneath this there is a black line, connecting with the black

lores and upper cheeks ; back, rump and upper tail-coverts light olive-

brown, the feathers edged at the tips, and with bars of black ; scapulars

the same but greyer and innermost secondaries also similar but with

bold terminal black bars and edged and mottled with rufous ; wing-

coverts olive-grey mottled with brown, and sometimes, especially on

the greater coverts, with a certain amount of rufous ; quills brown,

inner secondaries mottled with rufous and brown on the outer webs,

which are greyish towards the tips. Tail mottled olive and brown.

Cheeks from bill to ear-coverts white, passing into rufous on the poste-

rior ear-coverts, and with a few very fine black shaft-lines ; chin,

throat and foreneck black ; lower neck black and white ; breast and

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON, 11

flanks grey, passing into whitish on the centre of the abdomen ; poste-

rior flanks with white drops ; under tail-coverts rufescent with white

edges and black spots.

The spotting on the breast and flanks varies very greatly. A bird

from Dibrugarh has numerous boid black and white spots on the

breast, but other birds from the same place are quite normal.

Colours of Soft Parvts——Bill black ; irides brown or red-brown ;

orbital and gular skin bright pink, becoming a brilliant deep red in the

breeding season ; legs dull orange to a bright orange-red, or red, during

the spring and summer. The females never have the legs so red and

they are normally a dull waxy-yellow to a rather dark wax-yellow

very rarely at all tinged with red. In this sex also the bill is browner,

especially at the base.

Measurements.—Total length about 275 mm. ; tail about 60-65 mm.;

wing 135 to 147 mm., averaging about 140°5 ; tarsus 42 to 44 mm. ;

bill at front 18 to 20mm. The female is a good deal smaller ; the few

properly sexed skins I have been able to examine had wings varying

from 126 to 130 mm., and averaged only 129 mm. A larger series

would probably range somewhat larger.

Distribution.—Assam, South of the Brahmapootra, and also to the

North-East in the Dafla and Miri Hills, where it was obtained by God-

win Austen, and recently in some numbers by H. Stevens. It extends

through Cachar and Sylhet, Tippera and Chittagong into Arrakan,

the Chin and Kachin Hills. It has been obtained at Mytikyna by

Whitehead at 3,500 feet, by Bateman at Kamdoung and in the Kachin

Hills by Anderson. Dr. Coltart and I found it very common in Mar-

gherita in extreme Hast Assam, and I repeatedly saw it in Sadiya,

where Cockburn also got it very many years ago.

Nidification.—The White-cheeked Hill-Partridge breeds from the

level of the Plains up to at least 4,000 feet, but is most often found at

or below 2,000 feet. I have had its eggs brought to me more than

once in the Barail Hills at nearly 5,000 feet, but it is only a rare breeder

there. In Cachar, Sylhet and Assam its favourite breeding haunts

are the broken hills and ravines at the foot of the higher hills, and it

also nests freely in the scrub-covered hills, or tilaps which lie isolated

and some distance away from the main hills. In the Khasia Hills it

is most common at 2,000 feet and under, but is found right up to

Shillong itself, and I have taken its nest from the hills overlooking the

race-course at nearly 5,000 feet.

The breeding season is principally April and May, but in the plains

a few birds start breeding in March, and in the higher ranges it conti-

nues well into June, second broods often being reared in July and even

August.

It builds its nest in forest, bamboo or scrub jungle or grassland, and

does not adhere nearly so strictly to dense tree forest as do so many of

the genus. I have taken its nest in Cachar in thin scrub and quite

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

open bamboo jungle, in light secondary growth, and in cotton cultiva-

tion, and in the Khasia Hills I have more than once taken the nest in

the short grass, anything from one to three feet long, covering so many

of the hills between 3,500 and 4,500 feet. Sometimes it makes a most —

elaborate nest, this is especially the case when it lays in grass or brac-

ken covered country. The nest itself is a mere hollow scratched

amongst the roots of the grass, but it is well filled with grass and leaves

form a soft pad with a well-formed depression in the centre for the

eggs. Above the nest the grass is regularly twisted and interwoven

so as to form a complete canopy or hood, and behind the grass is suffi-

ciently beaten down and forced together to make a back which entirely

hides the eggs from view. In front the same process is repeated, but

a tunnel is left by which the bird enters and leaves the nest and which

is often a couple of fect long. When nesting in scrub the nest is much

simpler and generally nothing more than a well-lined hollow. For

the purpose of this linmg I have never seen anything used but grass

and leaves and dead fern fronds, but Cripps speaks of twigs in the

two nests found by him. In bamboo jungle the eggs are generally

laid on the bamboo leaves which have fallen into some natural hollow

under the protection of a clump of bamboo, tree or bush.

The number of eggs 'aid is most often 4, sometimes 5, rarely 6, and

very rarely 7. They are undistinguishable from those of the other

species of Arboricola, and like them, vary very greatly in size. 100

eggs avirage in size 37°6 by 28°4 mm., and the maxima are 42°6 by

28°4 mm. and the minima 32°4 by 26°2 mm., both maxima and both

minima being found in the same egg.

Hatits—This little Partridge is undoubtedly the low-level repre-

sentative of the genus Arboricola. True it is sometimes found at

considerable altitudes throughout its range, but typically it is a bird

of 2,000 feet and under, and, though it may not be found in real plains

country, it is most common in the broken foot hills of the higher ranges

and South of the Brahmapootra whenever this broken, hilly kind of

land is to be met with, the White-cheeked Hill-Partridge is almost sure

to occur. Jn Sylhet it is found commonly on all the isolated patches

of hills well away from the main ranges and in the Assam Valley much

the same obtains. Unlike its brethren also, this Partridge is not so much

a frequenter of dark, damp forests of mighty, densley growing trees.

It probably prefers to all other kinds of cover the sparse scrub growth

which is found in deserted cultivation where the hill soil is poor and

stony. It is also very partial to bamboo jungle of any kind, and may

often be found in quite open grassland as long as this is fairly near

forest or jungle of some kind, for, when disturbed, it always flies

straight to cover for protection.

It is generally found in small coveys consisting of a pair Pe : old birds

and their last brood, for the families remain united until it is time to

again think of the burdens of house-keeping. They, however, when

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON, 13

feeding, straggle a great deal and wander far from one another, though

they keep in touch by means of the usual soft low whistle. If danger

is near the whistling ceases at once, and as they lie very close and don’t

rise until almost trodden on, anyone disturbing one bird may easily

miss the rest. This has probably given rise to the idea so generally

met with that they are solitary birds. Should one be put up and fly

off, if the disturber of the peace will only stand absolutely still for a

few minutes, he will presently hear a mellow low whistle somewhere

near, and this will be taken up and replied to from all quarters until

each bird has located his fellows. This call is very soft and quite

inaudible to human ears unless one keeps very still, but the whistle

during the breeding season is a very beautiful, loud clear double note,

audible at very great distances.

They fly at a good rate, dodge about considerably, and have a habit

of hurling themselv2s suddenly into cover or from one side to another,

which is very disconcerting to a would-be shooter, but often they will

fly a considerable distance when put up before seeking shelter. They

perch readily and constantly, but perhaps not so frequently as some

of the others of their kind, and during the day I think they often lie

up in scrub and grass rather than roost on trees and bamboos.

Their food is the same as that of all other Arboricolas, both insects

and seeds, etc., and for the table they form quite a respectable dish,

for they are nearly always fat and in good condition.

ARBORICOLA BRUNNEOPECTA.

The Brown-breasted Hill Partridge.

Arboricola brunneopectus—Tick., Blyth, J. A. 8. B., xxiv, p. 276,

(1855), (Tennasserim) ; Hume, 8. F., ., p. 482, (1874) ; Hume and

Davis, ibid, vi, p. 443, (1878), (Kyouknyat) ; Hume, ibid, viii, p. 111,

(1879) ; Hume and Marsh, Game-B., 1, p. 87, (1879), (Tounghoo) ;

Bingham, ibid, ix, p. 195, (1880), (Dauna Range) ; Oates, ibid, x,

p. 236, (1882) ; (Pegu) ; Ogilvie-Grant, Ibis, 1892, p. 397 ; id, Cat.,

B. M., xxu, p. 216, (1893) ; id, Hand-L., Game-B., i, p. 169, (1895) ;

Oates, J. B. N. H.S., x, p. 112, (1895), (Ruby Mines) ; id, Game-B.,

1, p. 133, (1898) ; Blanf., Avifauna, B. I., iv, p. 128, (1898) ; Hopwood,

J. B.N. H.8., xvii, p. 433, (1908), (Chindwin) ; Harington, ibid, xix,

p- 365, (1909), (Rangoon) ; Barton, J. N. H.8., Siam, i. No. 2, p. 108,

(1914), (Raheng, Siam) ; Gyldenstolpe, Kang. Sven. Vet., Acad. Hand-

L., 56, p. 156, (1916), (N. W. Siam).

Arboricola brunnervpectus—Blyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 159; Blyth and

Wald., Cat, M. and B., Burma, ui, p. 325, (1883) ; Oates, B. of Burm., ii,

p. 325, (1883).

Arborophila brunneopectus—Hume, §. F., ii, p. 449, (1874) ; id,

ibid, ui, p. 174, (1875) ; Walden, Ibis, 1875, p. 459.

Vernacular Names.—Wo-gam, (Kachin) ; Touwng-kha (Burmese).

14 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Description—Forehead and broad supercilia running down the

sides of the neck buff, palest on the neck ; lores and two lines above

and below the eye and a broad patch on each side of the neck, black ;

crown olive-brown, each feather black-tipped, the black spots some-

times coalescing so as to make the crown almost wholly black ; nape

generally blacker than the crown ; back, rump and upper tail-coverts

bright olive-brown with black bars, varying a good deal in width, but

always less well-defined on rump and upper tail-coverts ; tail olive-

brown with black mottling ; scapulars, wing-coverts and inner secon-

daries chestnut with black drops or bars and large oval patches of pale

olive-brown ; primaries brown mottled near the tips with rufous, and

outer secondaries the same with broad rufous edges, becoming chestnut-

rufous on the inner ones. Chin, cheeks and ear-coverts white or bufty

white ; foreneck sparingly covered with black feathers with narrow

white bases ; breast and flanks brownish buff, the feathers with more

rufous edges ; flanks with round white spots and black bars ; abdomen

almost white ; under tail-coverts pale buff with broad black bars or

spots.

"The feathers of the breast have broad black bases which sometimes

show through.

Colours of Soft Parts— Iris dark brown ; eyelids, orbital skin and

gular skin bright red, red lake, or bright fleshy red ; legs and feet pale

bright red ; bill brownish black or black.

Measurements.—Total length about 280 mm. ; wing, males from

132 to 151, and on an average about 144 mm., females, from 122 to

139 mm., with an average for 13 birds of about 134 mm. ; tarsus

39 mm., in females to 42 mm. in males ; bill about 20 to 21 mm. ; tail

60 to 70 mm.

Distribution—Pegu and Eastern Burma, North to the Ruby Mines,

through the Karen Hills into Western, and North-Western Siam and

the South Shan States. Capt. Venning shot it 10 miles N. E. of

Myitkyna, and Harington obtained it breeding near Rangoon.

Pegu birds are very small, and have the backs much less marked

with black than have birds from elsewhere, and the brown of the breast

also seems to ke darker and duller. There are, however, only three

specimens from Pegu in the Nat. His. Museum and the differences

may be only individual, though I can find none like them amongst the

40 specimens I have examined from other tracts.

Nidification—Although this is a comparatively common bird over

a great area, nothing is recorded of its breeding habits beyond Haring-

ton’s brief note “ breeds at Tauckhan in June.”

The eggs taken at this place and now in my possession are typical

Arboricola eggs in every way, and measure about 37°3 by 28°4 mm.

Harington in a letter wrote me as follows :—

“T have at last got the eggs of A. brunneopectus, they were

found by my man at Taukchan near Rangoon in open bamboo

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 15

jungle, and were laid on the ground in a hollow well filled in with

bamboo leaves and grass. I went out and took them myself, and

shot a specimen of this Partridge close by, although not actually

off the nest, and I have no doubt as to their authenticity.”

These eggs were taken in June.

Habits—-The Brown-breasted Hill Partridge is a bird of compara-

tively low levels, and will be found principally in the broken, hilly

country bordering the plains, and thence commonly up to some 3,000

feet, and, again, some way into the plains themselves. On the other

hand they have been shot at some 5,000 feet, and occasionally may be

found to wander up even higher than this.

They keep in small coveys of 4 or 5 to 8 or 9 birds, probably just

the parent birds and their last brood, though possibly two families

may sometimes join forces. Typically they are frequenters of dense

forest with heavy undergrowth, but will now and then be seen—as

with those shot by Col. Harington—in bamboo and scrub jungle.

Although it has been obtained so often since Hume’s days, no one

has recorded anything about their habits. Darling wrote about that

time :—

“ There was not a day at Thoungyah that I did not see two or

three coveys of this Partridge, counting each from 3 to 10, or

even more birds ; but owing to their shyness and dead leaf colour,

they are very difficult to secure. They feed among the dead leaves

on seeds, insects, and small shells, and are very restless, giving a

scratch here, a short run and another scratch there, and so on,

uttering a short cooing whistle the whole time. When disturbed

by a man, they always disappeared into the dense undergrowths,

but a dog always sent them flying into some small tree, whence

they would at once begin calling to one another, whistling at first

low and soft, and gomg up higher and shriller, till the call was

taken up by another bird. I often got quite close to them, but the

instant I was seen, away they ran helter skelter in all directions,

and I could only now and then catch a glimpse of the little fellows

scuttling through the bushes. Of course they are entirely a

forest bird, though they may be seen just at the outskirts of this.”

Oates found this bird and Tropicoperdix chloropus very common in

the densely-wooded ravines and nullahs of the evergreen forests on

the Hastern slopes of the Pegu hills, but he never found the two birds

together in the same area “cach species appearimg to occupy one

stream to the exclusion of the other.”

Tickell refers to their making a curious low “ pur-r-r ” not unlike

the call of the Button Quail as they wandered about feeding in the

undergrowth. No one else seems to have heard any of the other Wood-

Partridges making a sound of this nature.

16 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

Grenus—TROPICOPERDIX, Blyth, 1859.

The birds of this genus are distinguished from those of the genus

Arboricola by the absence of the chain of peculiar supraorbital ossicles,

and by having a patch of downy white feathers on each side behind

the axilla.

There are only two species one of which is found in Burma.

Tropicoperdix charlion: appears to me to be a good species and not

a sub-species of 7’. chloropus.

TROPICOPERDIX CHLOROPUS.

The Green-legged Hill Partridge.

Tropicoperdiz chloropus—Tick., J. A. 8. B., xxiv, p. 415, (1859),

(Tennasserim); Ogilvie-Grant, Game-B., 1., p. 172, (1895) ; id, Ibis,

1895, p. 278 ; Blanf., Avifauna, B. I., iv, p. 129, (1898) ; Harington,

J. B. N. H.S., xix, p. 310, (1909), (Bhamo) ; Gyldenstolpe, Kungl.

Svenska. Vet. Akad., 50, No. 8, p. 67, (1913), (Siam) ; Robinson, Ibis,

1915, p. 721, (8. E. Siam) ; id., ibid, 1919, p. 407, (Cochin China).

Arboricola chloropus—Tick., J. A. 8. B., xxviii, p. 453, (1859),

(Amherst) ; Hume, 8. F., 1, p. 482, (1874), (Pakpoon) ; Blyth and

Wald., Cat. M. and B. Burma, p. 150, (1875), (Jummee River) ; Hume

and Dav., S. F., vi, p. 444, (1878), (Tennasserim) ; id., ibid, viii, p. 111,

(1879) ; Hume and Marsh, Game-B., 1, p. 91, (1879), (Tonghoo) ;

Bigham, S. F., x, p. 236, (1882), (Pegu) ; Oates, B. of B. B., ii, p. 326,

(1883), (Pegu) ; Ogilvie-Grant, Ibis, 1892, p. 398 ; id., Cat, B. M., xxii,

p- 219, (1893) ; Oates, Game-B., 1, p. 151, (1898).

Phoenicoperdix chloropus—Hume, 8. F., 11, p. 482, (1874) ; id., ibid,

vi, p. 447, (1878), (Moulmein).

Arborophila chloropus—Hume, 8. F., 11, p. 449, (1874).

Peloperdiz chloropus—Hume, 8. F., ii, p. 176, (1878).

Arboricola chloropus chloropus—Gyldenstolpe, Ibis, 1920, p. 735,

(Siam).

Vernacular Names.—None recorded.

Description.—Feathers of forehead, lores and supercilia dark brown

with white outer webs; the supercilia extend down the sides of the

neck, changing gradually to pale buff with black edges ; crown and

nape brown, in some individuals tinged olive, in others more rufous ;

upper parts brown, tinged with rufous with narrow crescentic black

bars and the rump and upper tail-coverts with fine black stippling as

well as a varying amount of buff mottling ; tail rufous-brown with bars

and mottle of black ; wing covers, scapulars and inner secondaries

like the back, but with a few paler mottlings and with more rufous

on the secondaries ; primaries brown ; axillaries white ; under wing-

coverts brown and white ; a tuft of downy white feathers on each flank.

Chin, throat and sides of head white, each feather with a black spot

at the tip ; neck and sides bright rufous similarly spotted ; breast brown

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. EG

like the back, immaculate next the neck, with wavy black bars on the

upper breast, changing to ferruginous red on the lower breast and to

very pale rufous-white on the abdomen ; flanks brown, mottled, barred

and streaked with fulvous and black ; the latter often extended on to

the lower breast, as black margins to the feathers.

Colour of Soft Parts—Bill apple-green or horn-green, dusky-red at

the base and with the tip a little darker ; iris brown or red-brown ;

ey¢lids and orbital skin purple-red ; legs dull greenish, greenish yellow

or apple-green ; claws yellow-horny.

Measurements— Wing, males from 152 to 166 mm., average 157,

female, 148-158, average 153 mm. ; the tarsus measures from 43 to 45

mm. and the bill from the forehead 18-19 mm. ; tailabout 76mm. The

total length is about 300 mm.

“ Weight, 8 to 10 ozs.” (Hume).

Disiribution.—Kastern Pegu and Tennasserim as far South as Tavoy.

To the North it evidently will eventually be found throughout Eastern

Burma and the Western Shan States. Harington obtained it at

Bhamo and Khamaing, Major Whitehead and Harington both shot it at

Myitkyna and Major Nisbett got it much further North again at

Katha. In Siam Gyldenstolpe reports it as “ fairly abundant in the

Northern Hill Forests ; also recorded from Klong Menao in the Eastern

parts of the country, and Gairdner states that it occurs in the provinces

of Ratburi and Pechaburi.” It extends East into Cochin China.

Nidification.—Nothing recorded.

Habits—Col. Tickell, who discovered this little partridge in Tennas-

serim, wrote as follows concerning its habits, etc., in that portion’ of

Burma :—

“It appears tolerably numerous, but, as far as my observa-

tions go, is entirely confined to the forests on the banks of the

Zamme River. Unlike its known congeners, it avoids mountains

and inhabits low, though not humid jungles, where the ground

merely undulates or rises into hillocks. Like the rest of its tribe

it is difficult to flush, and runs with great rapidity, jumping

adroitly over obstacles, and diving into impenetrable thickets for

security. Early in the mornings these birds come out on the path-

way, scratching about amongst the elephants’ dung and turning

over the dead leaves for insects. They do not appear to have

any crow or call, but in the pairing season this may not be the

case. The Karens do not even know the bird, but this is no

proot of its rarity, for these people pay no attention to the living

products of their forests.

“The sexes are precisely similar in plumage and size; the

flesh is rather dry and tasteless.”

Oates’ experience of these birds differed considerably from Col.

‘Tickell’s, for he found them only in the steepest ravines and valleys,

-and nearly always in dense evergreen growth.

18 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Davison, however, also says that he found them most abundant in

thin tree jungle as well as in thick forest. In Tennasserim, he met

them generally in pairs, and occasionally in small parties, and he

describes habits, voice, ete., all as being very much like that of the

partridges of the genus Arboriecola.

Harington found them only in dense forests at considerable eleva-

tions, as did Nisbett and Whitehead, and they were always in the

thickest of the evergreen cover and never in thin forest.

Grenus—CALOPERDIX. Blyth, 1865.

In addition to possessing no supraorbital ossicles, this genus is differ-

entiated very definitely both from Arboricola and Tropicoperdix by

the formation of its legs. The tarsus is considerably longer than the

middle toe and claw together, and is armed with one or more spurs.

The feet are short and the claws, though straight, are much shorter.

The wing is rounded as in Arboricola, and the tail consists of only

14 feathers.

It ranges from Java, Borneo and Sumatra, through the Malay,

Peninsula into Western Siam and Tennasserim.

Very little is as yet known concerning its habits, ete., which will,

however, probably be found to very closely approximate those of the

genus Arboricola.

CALOPERDIX OCULEA OCULEA.

The Ferruginous Wood Partridge.

Perdix oculea~-Temm. Pig. et. Gall. ii, pp. 408 and 732, (1815);

(Sumatra) ; Gray in Hardw. Ill. In. Zool., 1, pl. 58, (1830-32).

Cryptonyx ocellatus-—Vig. Zool. Jour., iv, p. 349, (1829). :

Rollulus ocellatus—Blyth, Cat., B. M. A.8., p. 253, (1849), (Ten-

nasserim).

Caloperdix oculea—Blyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 160, (Mergui) ; Hume, 8. F.,

iii, p. 825, (1875), (Bankassoon) ; Hume and Dav., ibid., vi, p. 449,

(1878), (Malewoon) ; Oates, B. of B. B., ii, p. 329, (1883), (Malay Pen.) ;

Ogilvie-Grant, Cat., B. M., xxii, p. 222, (1893) ; id., Ibis, 1894, p. 376,

id. Hand-L. Game-B., i, p. 129, (1898); Robinson and Kloss, Ibis,

1910, p. 671, (Trang).

-Caloperdix ocellata—Blyth and Wald., Cat. M. and B. Burma,

pr 151, (1875), (Mergu).

Caloperdia oculeus—Hume, §. EF, viii, p. 69, (1879), (Malacca);

Hume and Marsh., Game-B., i, p. 101, (1879), (Moulmein) ; Hume, S..

F., ix, p. 121, (1880), (Kopah).

Francolinus oculeus—Ogilvie-Grant, Ibis, 1892, p. 50.

Caloperdiz oculea oculea—Gyldenstolpe, Ibis, 1920, p. 736, (Trang

and Bandon).

Vernacular Names.— None recorded.

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 19

Description.— Whole head, neck and lower parts, bright ferruginous

red ; the crown deeper and more chestnut ; chin, throat and sides of

head, albescent and supercilia also paler ; upper back black, with two

sharply defined white bars on each feather ; lower back, rump and

upper tail-coverts black with bright rufous-pink V-shaped central

markings ; tail black, the central rectrices with narrow sub-terminal

rufous bars ; scapulars, wing-coverts and innermost secondaries light

olive-brown with bold sub-terminal black spots ; quills, grey-brown, the

outer secondaries tipped and edged with rufous mottlings ; flanks

black with white bars ; posterior flanks ferrugious with black drops ;

centre of abdomen and vent whitish ; under tail-coverts pale ferrugi-

nous and black.

Colowrs of Soft Parts.—Iris dark brown, bill black ; legs and feet

pale dirty-green to rather clear apple-green.

Measurements.— Total length about 275 mim. ; tarsus 47 to 48 mm. ;

bill from front 20 to 21 mm. ; tail 65 to 70 mm. ; wing, males, 143 to

151 mm. ; average about 146°6 mm. ; females 154 to 140 mm. ; aveTage

138°0 mm.

Distribution.—The Northern Malay Peninsula, extending into Ten-

nasserim, Siam and Northward to at least 100 miles North of Tavoy

where it has been obtained by Hopwood. In Siam it was obtained by

Mr. E. G. Herbert’s collectors and Gairdner states that it occurs in

Ratburi and Petchaburi.

Nidification.— Nothing known at present.

Habits.— All that Hume could find to record of this Partridge was

as follows :—

“A denizen of dense and uninhabited forest, where the tracts

of wild elephants, bufialoes and the Saladang (Bos sondaicus ?)

constitute the only pathways, nothing absolutely seems to be

known of its habits. My collectors have succeeded in snaring

a few specimens, and have ascertained that it feeds on insects,

seeds and berries, but they have never even seen it wild, nor have

they been able to procure any information about it or its nidifica-

tion from the Malays.”

Since the above was written over 50 years ago, but little has been

added to our knowledge. However, recently, Mr. C. Hopwood, Conser-

vator of Forests, has been so fortunate as to personally come across

this Partridge in its native haunts. In a letter to me, dated 30th

January 1918, he writes :—

“Yesterday I got a fine cock Caloperdia oculea near the head

waters of the Tavoy River, 100 miles North of Tavoy, which

extends its hitherto recorded habitat 300 miles or so to the North

of that given by Davison, Bankasun, Victoria Point. It is pre-

sumably to be found over the whole of Tennasserim at least up

to the Douna Range which forms the watershed of the Tavoy,

Ye and Thaungyin Rivers. Before I was successful in getting

20 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

this specimen I twice saw Partridge running in the jungle which

were probably this species, not far from where it was got. In all

three cases the birds were quite alone, at all events I saw no others

with them, and am sure I should have spotted them had there been

any others in their company. To-day, however, I came on several

of these little Partridges feeding on wild figs; there were a dozen or,

perhaps, 20 birds altogether, out of which I succeeded in bagging

two, and I hope soon to get more. The birds are not gregarious,

I think, the number seen together being merely owing to the fact

of the fallen fruit having furnished so great an attraction. From

what the natives say, they must be very numerous here.”

Grenus—RHIZOTHERA.,

The genus Rhizothera contains but one species of partridge containing

two races, R. 1. longirostris from the Malay Peninsula, etc., and R. 1.

dulitensis from the mountains of Borneo. Its long, heavy and much

bent down bill at once distinguishes it from all other Indian

Partridges. It has 12 tail feathers, a short rounded wing, the 5th and

6th primaries sub-equal and longest, and the Ist about equal to the

10th; the tarsi are stout and long, and are furnished with short blunt

spurs in both sexes ; the claws are straight but small, and there is a

small hind claw. The sexes are different to one another in colouration.

Very little is recorded about their habits.

RHIZOTHERA LONGIROSTRIS LONGIROSTRIS.

The Long-billed Wood Partridge.

Perdix longivostris—Temm. Pig. et Gall., ii, pp. 323 and 721,

(1815), (N. Sumatra).

Francolinus longirostris—Steph. In. Shaws, Gen. Zool., xi, p. 317,

(1819) ; Gray, Ill. Ind. Zool., i, pl. 45, (1833-4).

Tetrao curvirostris—Raffl., Trans. Lin. Soc., xin, p. 323, (1822),

(Sumatra).

Rhizothera longirostris—Gray, List Gen. B., p. 79, (1841) ; Kelham,

Ibis, 1882, p. 4 (Perak) ; Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. B. M. xxii, p. 183, (1893) ;

id., Hand-L., Game-B., i, p. 142, (1895) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1893, p. 552.

(Borneo) ; id., Ibis, 1894, p. 546 (Mt. Dulit) ; Inglis, J. B. N. H. S.,

xxvi, p. 291 (1918), (Tennasserim), Gyldenstolpe ; Ibis, 1920, p. 736,

Siam).

Rhizothera curvirostris—Blyth, Cat. B. M. A. 8., p. 252, (1849),

(Malacca). /

Ortygernis longirostris, Reichenl., Syst, Av., pl. xxvii, (1852).

Vernacular Names.—None recorded.

Description, Adult Male.—Crown and nape rich chocolate-brown,

palest on forehead ; lores, supercilia and sides of head and neck rusty

chestnut ; a line froin the nostrils through and over the eye black ; a

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 21

second black line at the edge of the base of the upper mandible ; back

of the neck grey, the feathers boldy edged with velvety black and with

a few longitudinal and cross bars of chestnut ; upper back reddish-

brown with black blotches, the feathers margined rufous on either web;

the feathers on either side of the back with pale buff central streaks ;

lower back and rump vermiculated buff and pale grey with a few

scattered black specks and spots; upper tail-coverts and tail same, but

more rufous, and the mottlings forming ill-defined bars on the latter ;

scapulars mostly buff with rufous brown edges and grey mottling ;

innermost secondaries chestnut-brown with deep, red margins, black

spots on the inner webs, buff tips and much mottled with buff and grey;

wing-coverts bufi, mottled with grey and brown ; primaries brown,

mottled with chestnut-bufi on the outer webs ; outer secondaries buff

with mottled brown bars.

Chin and throat like the sides of the head but paler ; neck and upper

breast grey, changing into rufous-buff on the lower breast and flanks,

and again to almost pure white on the abdomen and vent ; under tail-

coverts pale rufous.

Colours of Soft Parts—* Iris burnt umber ; bill black, legs lemon-

yellow ” (Herbert).

Bill black, legs flesh colour, claws horny ” (Hopwood).

Measurements.—Length about 220 mm., tail about 80 to 90 mm.,

Wing from 189 to 211 mm., average 10 birds, 197°5 mm. ; tarsus

55 to 63 mm. ; bill at front 28 to 33 mm.

Adult Female.—-Differs from the male in having nearly all the grey

of the neck and breast replaced by rufous-chestnut ; the rump, upper

tail-coverts and tail are generally more rusty and less grey, and the

rusty of the lower part is deeper and more extensive.

Colours of Soft Parts.—-Apparcutly as in male.

Measurements. —Wing 180 to 202 mm., average 8 birds, 190 mm. ;

tarsus 54 to 58 mm., bill 24 (possibly juv.) to 33 mm.

Young Male is like the female, but retains traces of barring on the

feathers of the breast and flanks, and probably this barring is still

more extensive in the quite young bird.

In this Partridge the depth and extent of the rufous on the head and

upper parts varies considerably in both sexes ; in the female practi-

cally the whole of the underparts are sometimes rufous, but occasion-

ally in this sex and more often in the male the abdomen is extensively

white.

Distribution.—8. W. Siam and Tennasserim throughout the Malay

Peninsula to Sumatra and West Borneo ; but replaced in some of the

mountains of Borneo by another race, dulitensis of Ogilvie-Grant. I

cannot discover any difference between birds from Sumatra and those

from the most Northern parts of its range.

There are two birds in the British Museum collection labelled

‘“‘ China, ” possibly meaning Cochin China.

22 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII,

Nidification.—Nothing recorded.

Halits.— Mr. Hopwood obtained a specimen of this species from a

Mr. French, who shot it almost 15 miles from a place called Bokpyin,

half-way between Mergui and Victoria Point in bamboo jungle. Bok-

pyin is about 150 miles South of Mergui.

Mr. N. C. Robinson, to whom the bird was eventually sent for identi-

fication, when returning it, sent also the following note :—

‘The Long-billed Hill-Partridge. . . is common over the

whole of the Malay Peninsula in suitable localities, and also in

Borneo and Sumatra in slightly modified forms. In the Malay

Peninsula it is an inhabitant of heavy jungle, usually dry jungle

in which there is much bamboo up to 4,000 feet. It 1s very terres-

trial and partly crepuscular in its habits. Its note is a loud,

clear whistle, often heard at night.”

(To be continued.)

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY.

No, XXIX.

A Renamine oF ** Mungos mungo ellioti’’, WRoUGHTON.

By THE LATE R. C. WrouGHTON.

In 1915, when sorting out the races of the Common Indian Mungoose,

Herpestes edwardsi, at that time known as Mungos mungo, I gave to

the Dharwar form the name of Mungos mungo ellioti.*

But it has now been pointed out to me that in 1851+ Blyth applied

the name of Herpestes elliott, to a Mungoose of the H. smithii group

from South India, thus invalidating my use of the term.

Using the revised generic and specific names for the Common

Mungoose, I would propose for the Dharwar race the name of Herpestes

edwardsi carnaticus, with the same type specimen, B. M. No. 12, 6.

29, 44.

No. XXX,

THe Munaoosrs oF THE Herpestes smithit GROUP.

By O.pFrizLp THomas, F.R.S.

(Published by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.)

During the course of the Survey a certain number of Mungooses

have come which have been referred to Herpestes smithii, but they

exhibit such a range of variation that I have thought it worth while

to lay out all the available series, in order to see how far the variation

is geographical.

The result proves highly interesting, as I find there are no less than

five definable geographical races, which may all be considered as

subspecies of H. smithiv.

With regard to the names, we may first take in rotation those given

in Blanford’s Synonymy of H. smithii. Detailed references will be

found in his work.

Herpestes smathi, Gray, 1837. Type in British Museum. No

locality, but the type closely agrees with specimens from the

Bombay region.

Herpestes thysanurus, Wagn., 1839. Said to be from Kashmir,

Far too small to be a member of this group at all. No

Mungoose with a black tip to the tail has been found in Kash-

mir, and it is probable there was some mistake as to the

locality. An African Mungoose of the H. gracilis group

would better fit the description.

Crossarchus rubiginosus, Wagn., 1841. Clearly not an H. smithir

at all, but synonymous with H. vitticollas.

=Jiournal, BLN. HS. xxvi, p.52, 1915: TJ.A.5S. B., xx, p. 162, 1851.

24 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Herpestes elliott, Blyth, 1851. Carnatic. Synonymous with true

smith.

Herpestes rubiginosus, Kelaart, 1852. nec Crossarchus rubiginosus,

Wagn. The Ceylon form. Name invalid.

Herpestes jerdoni, Gray, 1864. The co-types, which were sent to

the Museum by Jerdon, are apparently the same specimens

as those from the ‘“‘ Eastern Ghats inland of Nellore” on

which also was founded—

Herpestes monticolus, Jerd., 1867. Co-types and locality as last,

Herpestes torquatus, (Ell. M. 8.) Jerd. Mamm. Ind. p. 136, 1867.

From Carnatic ; same as smithiz.

Of these names therefore smithi, elliott and torquatus all refer

to the form of Western Peninsular India, jerdont and monticolus to

that of the Western Ghats, the invalid rzbiginosus, Kel., to the Ceylon

race, while neither thysanurus nor rubiginosus, Waegn., have anything

to do with the present group.

The following synopsis will give a clue to the races I should propose

to recognise :—

A.—General colour darker and browner. A considerable number

of hairs on body and limbs tippec with rufous.

a. Size averaging largest, though bulle generally smaller

than in next. Colour more richly rufous, the legs

noticeably reddish.

Ceylon. 1. H. s. zeylanius, subsp. n.

b. Size averaging less than a, but bulle generally larger.

Colour dark, with less rufous tipping, the legs not

conspicuously reddish, though the ankles often are.

Central and Western Continental India, from

Hoshangabad southwards to the Nilgiris.

2. H.s. smithu, Gray.

c. Size decidedly smaller ; colour as in b.

N. HE. Rajputana. 3 ZH. s. rusanus, subsp. n.

B.—General colour paler and greyer. Hardly any hairs, except on

head and fore quarters, tipped with rufous.

d. General colour drabby greyish. Skull normal.

Kastern Ghats. 4 H. s. jerdoni, Gray.

e. General colour clear grizzled grey. Hairs of tail

below tipped with yellowish. Skull usually depressed

in posterior frontal region.

S. W. Rajputana ; Bengal. 5. H.s. canens, subsp. n.

urther notes on new forms—

Herpestes smithii zeylanius.

A large strongly coloured animal with a maximum number of reddish

tipped hairs. Outer sides of hips and legs rich reddish, the red fading

oe a and passing into the blackish brown of the terminal half of

the foot.

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY, 25

Skull large, but the bulle averaging smaller than in the continental

animal.

Dimensions of type, measured by collector ;

Head and body, 430 mm. ; tail 375 ; hindfoot 74 mm. ; ear 28 mm.

Weight 34 lbs.

Skull, condylo-basal length 89 mm. ; zygomatic breadth 49.5 mm. ;

height of crown level with middle of zygoma 25.2 mm ; length of

bulle 16.6 mm.

Hab. Ceylon. Type from Mankeni, Eastern Province.

Type. Adult Male B. M. No. 15, 3, 1, 57. Original No. 531.

Collected 2nd September 1913 by Major E. W. Mayor. Presented

by the Bombay Natural History Society. Seven specimens seen.

The handsomest and most richly coloured form of the species.

Herpestes smith rusanus.

Colour as in true smithii, but size decidedly smaller. Legs not

markedly redder than the rest, while even the ankles are more brown

than red. Hairs of proximal half of feet inconspicuously tipped with

red.

Dimensions of type, measured on skin :—

Hindfoot 73 mm. ; Skull, condylo-basal length 82 mm. ; zygomatic

breadth 44 mm. ; height of crown 23 mm. ; length of bullz 17.3 mm.

Hab. of type. Sambhar, Rajputana.

Type. Adult male. B.M. No. 85, 8,1, 44. Collected 13th January

1878 by R. M. Adam. Presented by A. O. Hume, Esq., C.B.

This appears to represent the extreme inthe gradual reduction in

size from South to North. Whether the smithii type goes further North

we do not yet know, as the reported locality of Kashmir is apparently

unreliable.

Herpestes smith canens.

Size about as in true smithii. Colour clear grizzled grey without the

drabby tone found in jerdoni or the brownish or rufous characteristic

of the other subspecies; the general colour almost as in the paler

races of the Common Mungoose.

Almost no hairs tipped with red, except on muzzle andears. Legs

and ankles brown, darkening to black on the feet. Tail light grey,

its long hairs below broadly tipped with yellowish.

Skull of about the same length as in smuithiz, but the anterior half

of the brain case is more flattened above inthetwo specimens examined.

Dimensions of type, measured in flesh :—

Head and body 445 mm.; tail 410 mm.; hindfoot 83 mm. ; ear

32 mm.; weight 4 lbs.

Skull, condylo-basal length 88 mm. ; zygomatic breadth 46.5 mm. ;

length of crown 22.5 mm. ; length of bulle 18 mm.

Hab. Mt. Abu, 8. W. Rajputana. Alt. 4,300 feet.

26 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

Type. Old male with worn teeth. B. M. No. 13, 9, 18, 24. Original

number 3370. Collected 3rd June 1913 by C. A.Crump. Presented

by the Bombay Natural History Society. Two specimens.

A far greyer form than any other, evidently a native of a desert

country.

A single female mungoose from Hazaribagh is also remarkably

like the Mt. Abu snimal, and must be provisionally assigned to the

same subspecies.

No. XXXI,

OLDFIELD Tuomas, F.R.S.

(Published by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.)

TWO NEW RATS FROM ASSAM.

The late Mr. Wroughton had submitted to me some of the rats

recently received from Assam for the Survey Collections and I find

that the two following need description :—

RATTUS WELLSI, sp. D.

General size, and skull, smaller than in mackenziei (Journ. Bomb.

N. H. Soc. xxiv, p. 409, 1916), though the hindfeet are as long as in

that animal. Colour of the same iron-grey above and white below.

Ears blackish. Hands white, feet with dark metatarsals and white

digits. Tail with very fine scaling, about 13 rings going to the centi-

meter ; rather well covered with hairs ; dark brown above and below

for four-fifths its length, the terminal fifth white all round.

Skull peculiarly smooth and rounded, with proportionately large

braincase, the braincase about as large as in the much larger bowersz.

Muzzle short and narrow. Interorbital space smooth, with scarcely

any indication of lateral ridges. Interparietal large, strongly angular

forwards. Palatal foramina shorter than in mackenzier ; bulle about

as in that species or a little larger.

Incisors pale yellowish, fairly orthodont, the index of the single

example, 79. Molars rather more bulky than in mackenziev.

Dimensions of the type, measured in the flesh :—

Head and body 197 mm, tail 220, hindfoot 48, ear 33.

Skull, greatest length 47°5 ; condylo-incisive length 45°2 ; zygomatic

breadth 23°6 ; nasals 18°7 As 9 ; interorbital breadth 8 ; ‘breadi of

braincase 20 ; interparietal 7°2 «8-4 ; palatilar length 22: 5; palatal

foramina 8°4 ; upper molar series 8-6.

Hab.—Khasi Hills. Type from Mawphlang ; alt. 5,500’.

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY, 27

Type.—Adult female B. M. No. 20°11:1-56. Original number 431.

Dollected 10th April 1920 by H. W. Wells and presented by the

Bombay Natural History Society. One specimen only.

This rat is externally very like a small R. mackenzier, to which

species it is probably most closely allied. But it is readily distin-

guishable by its smaller skull, its large smooth braincase and small

muzzle. I have much pleasure in naming it after Mr. H. W. Wells, its

collector, who has already done such good work for the Mammal

Survey.

RaTTUS LISTERI GARONUM, subsp. nov.

Essential characters as in true listeri of Darjiling, but the colour

much more fulvescent, the upper surface, instead of brown (pale mars

brown) being light ochraceous-tawny lined with blackish, more as in

R. edwardsi and other members of this group.

Dimensions of the type :—

Head and body 232 mm. ; tail 305 ; hind-foot 46 ; ear 30.

Skull, greatest length 55; condylo-incisive length 50; zygomatic

breadth 25 ; nasals 21-5 ; interorbital breadth 8°1 ; breadth of brain-

case 20°2; interparietal 7x 14:3; palatilar length 23:8; palatal

foramina 8°9 ; upper molar series 9°7.

Hab.—Tura, Garo Hills, Assam. Alt. 1,400’.

Type.—Adult female. B. M. No. 20°11:1-55. Original number 426.

Collected 26th March 1920 by H. W. Wells. Presented by the Bombay

Natural History Society. Six specimens.

Study of the further material now available of this group shows that

the Darjiling listeri, the present Garo rat, and the Chinese R. edwardst

are all nearly related inter se, and are together distinguishable from

the Malay R. vociferans by the greater breadth of the interparietal,

which is less extended antero-posteriorly, by their more open choane,

and by their tails being very much more finely scaled, the rings run-

ning from 9-10 to the centimeter as compared with 7-9 in vociferans.

In size however the Chinese form, which extends westwards into

the Kachin region of Burma, markedly exceeds that of Darjilmg and

Assam, the skull being about 57—58 mm. in total, and 53—54 mm. in

condylo-incisive length as compared about 54—55 and 50—52 respect-

ively in R. listeri and its relative of the Garo Hills. R. edwardsi is

also rather less opisthodont than R. listeri, its index about 63°—65°

as compared with 53°.55°.

The difference in colour from true listeri, is well marked in all the

six Garo specimens, but two of the same group from the Naga Hills

presented by Mr. J. P. Mills are somewhat intermediate in tone.

A NEW. ARABIAN HARE.

OLDFIELD THOMAS, F.R.S.

(Published by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.)

During a recent collecting trip made by Major R. E. Cheesman

round the Persian Gulf, he obtained on the mainland opposite

the island of Bahrein, a small hare allied to the little Lepus oma-

nensis of Muscat, but very differently coloured. Since there are

no important skull differences I propose to refer it to that species,

of which it would seem to represent a desert subspecies.

In recognition of the pains taken by Major Cheesman to secure

mammals in this inhospitable part of the world, I would name it

Lepus omanensis cheesmani, subsp. n.

Size and general proportions as in true omanensis. Fur similarly

short, the hairs on the back about 15 mm. in length. General

colour light desert colour, pinkish buff instead of the dark drab of

omanensis. Undersurface pure white, that of omanensis dull

bufty, though the specimens of the latter may have been dis-

coloured. Crown like back, pinkish buff. Area round eye,

reaching back towards the ears, whitish, contrasting prominently

with the buffy crown. Proectote of ear pale buffy without

blackened tips, the tips being quite black in omanensis ; inner

fringe buffy whitish; metentote dull buffy, its edges whitish.

Nape patch ‘“‘warm buff.’ Hands and feet buffy whitish, the

palm and sole brushes soiled drabby. ‘Tail white, the proximal

part of the upper surface black.

‘“‘ Hye golden yellow” R. EH. C.

Skull as in omanensis.

Dimensions of the type :—

Head and. body, 380mm.; tail 54mm.; hindfoot 84mm. ;

ear 94mm.; Skull, greatest length 70°5mm.; condylo-

incisive length 65mm.; zygomatic breadth 34mm.; nasals,

oblique length 26:5mm.; interorbital breadth on supraorbital

wings 21mm. ; intertemporal breadth 10:2mm.; palatal foramina

18-2mm. by 7°7mm. ; breadth of palatal bridge 4-4mm.; tooth

row (alveoli) 8:2mm.

Hab,—Arabia on western shore of Persian Gulf. Type from

Dohat al Salwa, mainland coast to south of Bahrein Island.

Type.—Adult male. B.M. No. 21.6.23.1. Original number 616

of the Cox-Cheesman Collection. Killed 31st March 1921. Pre-

sented.

A NEW ARABIAN HARE, 29

This desert hare is readily distinguishable from omanensis by its

mucn paler colour, white rimmed eyes, concolor ears, paler nape

patch and white belly. It will probably be found to be widely

distributed over the sandy parts of Eastern Arabia, while true

omanensis is likely to be restricted to the neighbourhood of Muscat,

where different colour conditions would prevail.

Major Cheesman gives the following note on the capture of the

hare, ‘‘ From Ojair to Salwa hares were most plentiful; we saw

six and one of the- men shot one with his rifle—some shot— We

tried for the others, but they were always gone too far before

you could get your gun out of the saddle bag,—and shooting

from a moving camel is not easy.”

NOTES ON INDIAN BUTTERFLIES.

LiEvutT.-CotoneL W. H. Evans, D.S.O., R.E., F.Z.8., F.E.S.

(Continued from Vol. XXVII, page 93.)

29. Bethune Baker in T. E. S. 1918 has issued a revision of the genus

Tarucus based on the genitalia. He finds that not only are most of the theo-

phrastus like forms described by Moore and Butler good species, but that cer-

tain additional species exist in India. The following are confirmed as species :

theophrastus, F.; nara, Koll.; venosus, M.; callinara, But.; extricatus, But.; altera-

tus, M. The following are described asnew: callinara nigra from Karachi,

Cutch and Campbellpore ; bengalensis described from an unique male from

Calcutta and said to be very like the author’s mediterranee from Palestine and

Algeria. ananda, DeN., hitherto placed in Castalius, is removed te Tarucus

and a new species dharta, is described from a pair from Darjeeling, as differing

from ananda in being smaller, markings more separated below,. female with a

good deal of blue above and not all brown as ananda, plinius, F., is now-a-

days considered to belong to the genus Syntarucus.

Mr. Bethune Baker states that his studies have caused him to reconsider his

previous conclusions as to what constitutes a species; he does not, however,

enlarge on this point. I personally think that, as far as the Indian region is

concerned, we have only one theophrastus like species, but that it is exceedingly

susceptible to local influences and that any change in the facies may be corre-

lated with a change in the genitalia. I have no doubt that if someone studied

Terias hecabe, he could prove to his own satisfaction that the name comprised

numerous species. Even Colonel Swinhoe, who is our great exponent of the

theory that every variety should rank as a species, fights shy now and then of the

school that rely solely on genitalia examinations—e.g., his treatment of the

genus T'apena in Lepidoptera Indica, The whole question is very intricate and,

as an amateur, J] am diffident about writing on the subject at all. My own

studies have tended to prove that members of the same species from widely

separated localities always show differences in their genitalia; whether such

differences would constitute a bar to free interbreeding, it is impossible to

say off hand and practically impossible ever to prove; to me it seems

best to treat such differences as racial rather than as specific, though

after the lapse of time their specific value may become established. T. theo-

phrastus, however, presents a somewhat different problem; here we have,

according to Bethune Baker, a number of different species flourishing in the

same area. I have caught the species commonly at Jabalpur and Rawalpindi

and more rarely at several other places. I quite understand that the specimens

caught in different localities or obtained in the same locality at different sea-

sons are likely to differ and I know that they do differ, but I do not believe that

on the same day and in the same place I could capture more than one theo-

phrastus like species. I have caught a venosus form concurrently with a nara

form, but no one will persuade me that they were more than ordinary varieties.

If, however, two series caught at the same season and in the same locality

were shown to differ materially in the genitalia, I might be inclined to recon-

sider my opinion; I say “ might ” advisedly, since other factors have to be

taken into consideration, e.g., a brood produced from a food plant other than the

normal one might produce an incipient species, which under natural conditions

would soon be swamped by the prevailing form. Iremember at Jabalpur one day

catching a number of dwarf Tarucus plinius along with the normal form; I wili

aot venture to say how they were produced, but it never occurred to me that

NOTES ON INDIAN BUTTERFLIES, 51

the dwarfs were anything more than casual varieties. The results of local in-

fluences are peculiarly noticeable in the genus Parnassius and numerous

races have recently been named ; the problem is where to stop, I am quite

sure that if Mr. Bethune Baker were to employ a large gang of collectors hunt-

ing all over India for 7’. iheophrastus, he would more than double his list

of species in a very short time.

30. Fruhstorfer in Tijd voor Ent, 1918 gives us a revision of the genera

Castalius and Heliophorus (==/lerda), based on the genitalia, together with other

notes. He puts Taraka next Castalius, a change that is not justified by the

habits ; hamada is confined to Japan and Formosa, the Indian race being chris-

tened mendesia, Orthomiella is sunk to Una, a rather strange proposition, while

rovorea is described from the Chin Hills as a race of the Sikkim pontis. In

Castalius, the species ananda is included; approximatus, But., is given as

the Burmeso race of the Indian rosimon; roxana as the Indian race of

the Javan roxus, manluena being the Nicobar one ; elna noliteia is named ag

‘the elna race from India and Burma ; decidia is placed as the Indo-Burmese

race of the Celebssian caletu, Hew., the Ceylon race being hamatus, M.; the

Andaman forms of elna and roxus are placed as unnamed races.

Heliophorus indicus, Fruh, is given as the race of the Javan epicles flying

from Sikkim to North Burma; as a matter of fact epicles occurs as far South

as the Karen Hills in Burma and also in the Middle Andaman. Birmana

is given as a new race of the W. China saphir Blanch, as from Upper Burma.

Androcles androcles (= viridis, mihi) is given from the E. Himalayas and andro-

cles coruscans, M., from the W. Himalayas ; Fruhstorfer is no doubt right in

assuming that Doubleday’s types came from the E. Himalayas.

31. Fruhstorfer in Leiden Zool. Med. 1916 deals with the genera Lycenes-

thes and Nacaduba, basing his results on genitalia examination.

andamanicus is named as the race of tho Indian emolus. lycenina is confined

to Ceylon and lycambes, Hew., given as the N. Indian race; he does not tell

us what we are to call specimens of this species from 8. India and Burma,

In Nacaduba several important changes are made and I append a list of the

Indian species and races.

pavana, Hors., Java, with races ; nabo, Fr., India and ? Andamans ; VAjUNG,

Fr., Siam and Burma ; Ceylon not mentioned.

augusta, Druce, Borneo, race kerriana, Dist. Tenasserim.

pactolus, Fd., Amboina, with races; ceylonica, Fruh., Ceylon; race un-

named §. India; continentalis, Fruh., Sikkim to Burma; andamanica, Fruh.,

Andamans ; macropthalma, Fd. Nicobars.

nora, Fd., 8. Moluccas with race noreia, Fd. Indian region,

aluta, Druce, Borneo, race coelestis, DeN., N. India and N. Burma; unnamed

race, Andamans.

dana and hampsoni, DeN., Indian region.

viola, M. Sikkim to Burma and Andamans ; race merguiana, Fruh, Mergui,

ancyra, Fd., Assam to Burma and Nicobars.

berenice, H. 8. locality not clear but presumably Malayan, with races ; cey-

lonica, Fruh, Ceylon; plumbeomicans, W. M., Andamans and India; aphya,

Fruh, Siam and Rangoon, nicobaricus, W. M. Nicobars.

atrata, Hors, Java with race gythrion, Fruh, Indian region (Lep. Ind. Plate,

658 (3 to 3a.)

perusia, Fd., 8. Moluccas with races; prominens, M., Ceylon (Lep. Ind.

plate 658 3 c. to 3d.); ewplea, Fruh, India and Burma.

The difference between atrata and prominens would seem to need further

investigation. I have personally no doubt of the specific distinctness of the tailed

and tailless forms of what DeNiceville treated under the name ardates. In

J. B. N. H. 8. 1910 I described the tailless female from Sikkim with a yellow

underside as sivoka. Swinhoe in Lep. Ind. calls the tailless and tailed forms

22 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI11.

nora and noreia respectively and I think they might stand as nora sivoka and

noreia. I am not quite clear what Fruhstorfer’s intentions are in respect of

bhutea, DeN., but I imagine he wishes to unite it to noreia; bhutea is in my

opinion a perfectly good species, of which I described the Palni Hills race

as kodi in J. B. N. H.S., 1910.

32. Reverdin in Etudes Ent. Comp, 12, issues a revision of the genus Hes-

peria (palearctic), based on the male genitalia. Chapman in Ent. Rec.

1917-1919 reviews Reverdin’s results and gives his own. Amateurs, who

are interested in the study of genitalia, should read Dr. Chapman’s introduc-

tory remarks. Mr. Pierce’s works on the genitalia of the British Noctuide and

Geometridae are no doubt excellent, while Mr. Bethune Baker's writings and

photographs are full of interest, but nothing I have read has been so clear and

simple as Dr. Chapman’s short exposition referred to above.

33. Mr. E. J. Godfrey in J. N. H. S. Siam 1916 gives an interesting list of

the butterflies of Siam and describes a few new races and species of which the

most interesting is a new Hveres, viz., rileyi ; said to be like dipora above. and

parrhasius below ; Bangkok, Siam ; it is the only Hveres recorded from Siam.

34. Hampson in N. Z. XXYV, issues a list of families and sub-families of the

-order Lepidoptera. The Rhopalocera come thus between No. 37. Castniidz

and No. 44. Euschemoniide.

38. Danaide. (for Nymphalide),

Eupleeine. (for Danaine).

Manioline. (for Satyrinz).

A‘gine. (for Morphine),

Acreeinee.

Danaine. (for Nymphalinz).

39. Asciade. (for Pieride).

40. Cupidinide. (for Lycenide).

41, Plebejide. (for Nemeobidz).

Plebejine. (for Nemeobine).

Libythzine.

42. Equitide. (for Papilionide).

43. Erynnide. (for Hesperiide).

I suppose some useful purpose is served by this kind of thing but nothing

annoys the amateur student so much as apparently useless changes in nomen-

clature. It is a great pity that we have no international authority empowered

to issue an authoritative list of known families, genera and species ; any altera-

tions or additions might be proposed by individuals but should not come into

force. unless formally approved by the central authority after due discussion

in scientific journals. All delving into the records of the past should be vetoed,

as far as nomenclature is concerned the result would be that the energies of

many excellent naturalists would be diverted to useful progressive work, from

what may be termed useless retrogressive work.

35. All entomological students will welcome Mr. T. R. Bell’s important

-contribution towards the classification of the Hesperiidz in a recent number of

the journal. His results are primarily based on the early stages and of this

branch of lepidopterous entomology, not only is Mr. Bell a master, but it is a

deplorable fact that he is the only real student we have ; a Mr. Bell in Tavoy

and another in Assam would very soon put us all straight. I have devoted

considerable attention to this family and am acquainted with the habits of the

imago of most of the known species. I have also examined the structure

and genitalia of many species, but in this latter branch of study Mr. Ormiston

of Ceylon leads the way. Mr. Ormiston has published his results as regards

the Ceylon Skippers, but I understand he has been studying those from other

districts and I hope that in due course he will publish his further results.

NOTES ON INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 33

I think that there is no doubt that the data in which Mr. Bell relies are far

and away the most satisfactory for purposes of classification and that study

of the habits as well as what may be termed cabinet investigation are little

more than confirmatory ; yet, as Mr. Bell points out, there are many species

and even genera whose early stages are entirely unknown and all we have to

go on for the present are the habits and the results of examination of the imago.

J had already worked out a rough classification of the family and find that my

results accord very closely with Mr. Bell’s. I give below the points on which

we differ.

(a) Iagree with Swinhoe in putting the Ismeninz at the head of the

family. I quite understand Bell’s reasons for putting them after the Hesper-

iine, but they differ more from all the other sub-families than the latter do

inter se.

(6) Ormiston is of opinion that Hantana infernus is the male of Cele-

norrhinus spilothyrus and I am pretty certain that he is right, in which

case it would be wrong to put Hantana in any sub-family other than the

Celenorrhine. Again from genitalia examination it is evident that Achalarus

is a very close ally of Celenorrihinus, while Capila and its allies, with

their very peculiar, large trifid clasp, are quite separate and might be classed

as Capiline.

but, after the Hesperiine I should prefer to see the Pamphiline which are

decidedly allied to the MHesperiine. I should follow thus—Plastingiine,

Notocryptine, Erionotine and Erynnine, wherein I would include the

Baorine, as the latter group seem barely separable as a sub-family.

(2) I am surprised to see Baracus near the end of the Erynninz and

would prefer to see it next Astictopterus, which with its allies seems to come

better into the Pamphilinze. Pithauria (includes Pithauriopsis) should come

between Halpe and Parnara, where perhaps Jton is also better placed.

Grane is probably a near ally of Notocrypta, Hidari of Erionota and

Acerbas of Plastingia.

_ My arrangement would therefore be as given below and I think it more or

less brings together the order followed by Watson, Elwes and Swinhoe with

that given by Bell: I cannot, however, persuade myself to adopt al

Swinhoe’s new genera.

Ismenina, Ismenine. Bibasis. Hasora. Ismene. Rhopalocampta.

Badamia.

Hesperiina. Capilinze. Capila. Crossiura. Orthopetus. Calliana,

Celzenorrhinse. Charmion. Achalarus. Hantana. Celenorrhinus.

Coladenia. Gerosis, Sarangesa. Darpa. Tapena.

Ctenoptilum. Odontoptilum.. Caprona. Satarupa.

Tagiades. Odina.

Hesperiine. Gomalia. Carcharodus. Hesperia. Thanaos.

Pamphilina. Pamphiline. Pamphila. Taractrocera. Ampitiia. Aeromachus.

Ochus. Baracus. Astictopterus. Koruthaialos.

Lambriz.

Plastingiine, Suada. Suastus. Pedestes. Arnetia. Sebastonyma.

Itys. Isma. Zographetus. Scobura. Sepa.

Pirdana. Plastingia. Lotongus. Acerbas. Creteus.

Notocryptine. Hyarotis. Udaspes. Notocrypta, Oerane. Sancus.

Kerana, Watsoniella. Tacupa.

Erionotinz. Hidari. Erionota. Pudicitia. Gangara. Paduka.

Matapa.

Erynninze. Cupitha. Erynnis, Augiades. Telicota. Actinor.

Halpe. Onryza. Pithauria. Iton. Parnara.

Gegenes. Hogenes.

34 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII °

36. A note on the sub-family Poritiine.

I have recently returned from a 5 months collecting tour in Burma and was

fortunate enough to obtain some 200 specimens appertaining to 10 different

species of the genera Poritia, Simiskina and Zarona. The literature dealing

with this sub family is most confusing and I hope that this note will clear up

most of the doubtful points and that the keys will enable collectors to identify

their captures more easily than heretofore.

I will take in turn the species of Poritia that have been described from India

or the Malay Peninsula.

(a) sumatre, Fd, is a very distinct species about which there is no

(0)

{c)

{d)

confusion. I personally did not meet with it, but Bingham recorded

it from the extreme South of-Tenasserim. Distant’s figure in Rhop.

Mal. of suwmatre 2 var is undoubtedly referable to geta.

hewitsoni, M., is a well known species. Doherty (J. A. S. B. 1889)

described some specimens he caught at Myitta, Tavoy, as hewitsoni

var. tavoyana, but, as he seems to have mixed up this species with

geta, erycinoides, pleurata and possibly others, it is difficult to say

what tavoyana is referable to. There is however no doubt that

Burmese specimens of hewitsoni differ from Indian ones in the reduc-

tion of the blue spotting of the apical area of the forewing and

tavoyana, might stand as the Burmese race of hewitsoni. I only

met with this species rarely on the East side of the Dawna range.

It is probably commoner in Upper Burma.

pleurata, Hew, Singapore. The description mentions 2 blue spots

on the black apex of the male, which are missing in the plate. De

Niceville, Elwes and Bingham have all identified geta as this species,

but Swinhoe very correctly pointed out the, error in Lep. Ind. At

the foot of the Dawnas on the East side I caught 14 males and 3

females of a species I am naming dawna; it is nearer Hewitson’s

figures of pleurata than is geta, but there are certain pronounced

differences. It is possible that dawna may turn out to be the

Burmese race of the Singapore pleurata.

geta, Faw., Toungoo. This species is well figured by Swinhoe in

Lep. Ind. and the female by DeNiceville in his Vol. III, under

the name pleurata. I found it common in the Karen Hills and the

Dawnas, rather rare in Tavoy and Mergui. Specimens from Mergui

(King Island) have the blue apical markings reduced and I propose

to call them race regia. The spring form of geta in the Karen Hill

is larger and greener than the autumn form.

erycinoides, Fd., was described from a male from Java and pbhraa-

tica, Hew., from a female from Singapore. I feel convinced that,

as pointed out by DeNiceville in J. A. 8. B. 1895, these names

represent the male and female of the same species. Distant in Rhop.

Mal. described and figured a male to fit Hewitson’s female ; I think

his male probably=pleurata. Bingham in the Fauna and Swinhoe

in Lep. Ind. followed Distant but confessed they hid never seen a

male phraatica. Bingham seemed to think that erycinoides was

merely a blue variety of hewitsoni ; he assigned to it a hewitosni like

female and said he had only seen 3 males and 2 females. Swinhoe

in Lep. Ind. says that Bingham is entirely wrong about erycinoides ;

he claims to have specimens from Mergui and says that Druce has it

from Sikkim ; he figures a male, which he says resembles Felder’s

type exactly and he gives it a female, which differs but slightly from

Hewitson’s figure of phraatica. Now I found a (blue not greenish

blue as in the rest of the genus) male, matched by a female with

yellow discal areas, to be very common in Tavoy and not uncommon in

{f)

49)

(i)

NOTES ON INDIAN BUTTERFLIES,

the Karen Hills, the Dawnas and Mergui; on several occasions

males and females were taken in coitu. The male agrees fairly well

with Felder’s figures of erycinoides and the female with Hewitson’s

figure of phraatica, but both sexes were extremely variable. In De

Niceville’s collection there is a series of this species from Burma, the

Malay Peninsular, Sumatra and Java. Javan specimens differ from

the remainder in the much greater extent of the blue areas and

resemble exactly Swinhoe’s figure of male erycinoides in Lep. Ind.

Felder’s figure curiously enough resembles the continental form more

than the Javan. Fruhstorfer (B. E. Z. 1911) confines erycinoides

to Java and puts phraatica as the continental race : this is very likely

the correct course.

In the Karen Hills in November I obtained a species of Poritia,

which is not referable to any known species and which I propose to

call karennia. The male is not unlike hewitsoni, but the yellow female

is very different, while the underside in both sexes is strikingly

different to that of any other member of the genus. I personally only

caught 2 males and a single female, but there are other males in Mr.

W. Archbald’s collection caught both in the spring and the autumn

and there are 2 males in DeNiceville’s collection over the label

pleurata, which is the dumping ground for all hewitsoni like species

from Burma. Elwes in P. Z. S. 1892 mentions that Doherty

obtained in the Karen Hills 2 yellow females, which he suggests may

be dimorphic females of pleurata (recte geta), but I think they were

probably females of phraatica.

I will now turn to the genus Simiskina, which differs slightly

from Poritia in the secondary sexual characters of the male and very

markedly on the underside, which does not have the crowded

catenulated bands common to every Poritia.

phalena, Hew. (=harterti, Doh.) presents no difficulty. I caught one

pair in the Tavoy district and DeNiceville has a few specimens

from Katha. Fruhstorfer puts harterti as the Assam race in spite

of Hartert’s own assertion that his unique specimens from the Patkoi

Hills differed in no way from specimens he caught in Sumatra.

pediada, Hew., presents no difficulty. I caught several males and

females in the Tavoy district.

phalia, Hew., male, Borneo ; potina, Hew., female, Singapore: fulgens

District Malay Peninsular were, I think rightly united by Bing-

ham under the name phalia, but he figured a variety of the female

which led Fruhstorfer (B. E. Z. 1911) to call the Burmese race of

phalia (= potina and fulgens) binghami. Swinhoe in Lop. Ind. treats

phalia and potina (=fulgens) as distinct species; having never seen

a male potina, he copies Doherty’s figure (J. A. S. B. 1889), while

for phala he figures a male from Burma, which differs very slightly

from his figures of male potina, and he allots to it a purple female

from Labuan. Now I obtained several males and females of what

I call phalia in the Dawnas, Tavoy and Mergui. Except for one

Dawna specimen the males are pretty constant and resemble

Hewitson’s and Doherty’s figures. Females were very variable and

every gradation was obtained from Bingham’s figure with no black

shading on the upperside of the forewing along the dorsum, to

Hewitson’s figure with an entirely black inner margin. Tho aberrant

Dawna male is not unlike Swinhoe’s figure of phalia, but the blue

markings are more extended, the discal and sub-marginal spots

being completely joined in space | forewing and in 1 to 4 hindwing,

while the streak inl-a forewing extends to the base; the blue

36 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

colouring is pure blue with no hint at green as is the case with all

normal males; at present I intend to treat it as a variety of

phalia. What Swinhoe’s purple female from Labuan is I cannot

say, but it does not concern us in India at present.

There are two other members of the genus Simiskina that may turn up in

Burma, viz.—pheretia, Hew., Singapore; male below rather as phalena, but

above the hindwing is mostly pale blue ; female brown above with the termen

or the hindwing broadly pure white; pharyge, Hew., Borneo, Malay Peninsular

and Renong, Siam; not unlike pediada, but easily recognised by the presence

of a bright blue submarginal line on the hindwing below.

On two occasions a male and a female of Zarona jasoda were caught in coitu,

which puts an end to the doubt that has always existed, as to whether jasoda

and zanella were different species. A few specimens of both sexes were

obtained in the Dawnas, Tavoy and Mergui. Fruhstorfer has sunk Zarona to

Deramas and calls jasoda a race of the Malayan livens; the only difference

between the two is the secondary sexual characters ; Distant asserted that

they were present in livens and there are certainly none in jasoda. I have not

seen livens, but I can quite believe that Fruhstorfer is right and jasoda may

well be a race of livens, that has lost its secondary sexual characters.

Cyaniroides libna was not met with.

Key to Poritia.

Nofe.—All males are very similar and are brilliant blve or green above with

a broad black apex to the forewing, which, when the spotting is fully developed,

bears sub-marginal blue spots in 2 and 3 joining, a diagonal series beyond the

end of the cell leading te the costa. The presence or absence of a black spot of

varying size about the middle of vein 1 upf. and of marginal spots uph. are

variable individual and not specific characters.

l-a. (6). g uph. blue colour extends above vein 4 into space 4, at least near

the margin.

l-b. (4-a). @ upf. cell entirely black.

1. (2-a). @ upf. blue colour not above vein 2; green rather than blue; apical

area f. unmarked. Uph. lower part cell and all 4 blue. 2 purple with a black

apex bearing two rows of purple spots, the outer spots being separated by

ochereous lines. Below the catenulated bands are even, continuous and parallel

to one another, not discontinuous and irregular as in the rest of the genus.

sumatre, Fd. Extreme South of Tenasserim. (Bingham).

2-a, (1). @ Upf. blue colour extends into 2 and often into base of 3.

2. (3) @ uph. cell and basal part of 4 blue ; blue rather than green ; apex

unmarked except for marginal spots in 2 and 3. Q yellow, costa, termen and

outer third of dorsum f. dark brown, width -1 inch; h. entirely yellow except

that the costa is whiteish, the base has some dusky brown shading and there is

a row of dark brown sub-marginal spots. Below white, catenulated bands as

usual, but differs conspicuously from the rest of the genus in that on the

upper part of the disc f. and near the apices f. and h. there are prominent large

bright brown burnt sienna patches.

karennia, nov. Karen Hills, 3,000 feet.

3. (2). @ uph. lower part of cell and all 4 blue, with a dark streak at end

cell; green rather than blue. Y upf. pale purple blue in la, 1 and centre of 2 with

an orange patch in 3, sometimes extending into 2 ; cell black and apical spotting

asin the & but better developed ; uph. black except for a rather small blue

discal patch. Below smoky grey to pale cinnamon.

A. upf. apical spotting well developed in both sexes.

hewitsoni hewitsoni, M., Kumaon to Assam.

B. Ditto much reduced and sub-marginal spots absent.

NOTES ON INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 37

hewitsoni tavoyana, Doh., Burma.

4-a. (1-b). @ upf. cell all blue.

4, (5). @ uph. lower part cell and all space 4 blue ; green rather than blue.

2 pale blue obscurely shot with violet, black areas asin ¢ but apical spotting

more developed; uph, sub-marginal dark spots prominent. Below pale

cinnamon, but sometimes smoky grey in @.

A. Apical spotting well developed, especially spots beyond cell in 9. In ¢

blue colour always extends into 3 upf.

geta geta, Faw., North Burma to Tavoy.

B. Apical spotting much reduced, @ spotless and 2 only with sub-marginal

spots in 2 and 3. In ¢ blue colour does not extend into 3 upf.

geia regia, nov. Mergui.

5. (4). @ uph. lower part cell and basal half space 4 black; blue rather

than green ; upf. the lower edge of the cell is narrowly black from the middle

to the outer end and the blue colour extends into 3, apex only obscurely spotted;

uph. marginal spots and sub-marginal dark fascia better developed than usual.

area and spotting as in male, but latter much more developed ; upf. base dusky,

leaving a prominent blue spot in middle of cell; uph. costal margin dusky

and there is sometimes a blue spot in 5 near the margin. Below creamy white,

catenulated bands rather faint.

dawna, noy. Eastern Dawnas, 1000 feet.

6. (1-a). @ uph. cell and whole of space 4 black; rich royal blue with no

tinge of green, thus presenting an entirely different appearance to the rest

of the genus; upf. a narrow blue streak inside the cell from the extreme

base of the lower edge to the middle ; the spotting on the black apex is usually

very well developed (in the Javan race the apical and the discal blue areas

merge) but specimens occur, which are entirely black on both wings except

for a few blue spots. above dark brown with an orange yellow discal

patch upf. and a discal fascia uph of very variable extent, also uph. some

more or less obscure orange sub-marginal patches and an ochreous sub-terminal

line. Below ¢ smoky grey; 2 creamy white.

erycinoides phraatica, Hew., Burma,

Key to Simiskina.

Note.—Males are very alike above, but the pattern is quite differont to Pori-

tia ; black with brilliant blue or green markings. Upf. a streak from vein 1

to vein 4 along and below the median vein, outwardly irregular and produced

outwards in space 2 ; 2 or 3 spots beyond the end of the cell and a complete

sub-marginal series curved inwards at the upper end; a short diagonal streak in

the middle of 1-a with a small spot above its outer endin1. Uph. a streak in 1

from the base to the disc and discal spots above its lower end in 2 and 3; sub-mar-

ginal spots in 1, 2 and 3, the former being the largest and sometimes conjoined

to the streak in 1; costa broadly pale brown. Below there is a dark line at

the end of the cell on both wings, a curved discal and a similar post discal line.

1. (2-a). Below a white band across both wings in both sexes. @ above

markings brilliant green. 2 above brown with a prominent white discal spot

upf.

phalena, Hew. Assam to Burma,

z-a. (1) Below no white band.

2. (3). @ above markings brilliant green; Unf. apex only slightly if at

all paler. 2 uniform dark brown above.

pediada, Hew., South Burma.

3. (2). @ above markings brilliant blue, sometimes tinged with green: unf.

apex conspicuously paler than the rest of the wings. 2 orange yellow; upf. apex

and termen dark brown and sometimes with dark brown shading of varying

3 JOURNAI, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, AX VIII.

width and intensity along the dorsum and a thin line at the end of the cell;

uph. entirely orange yellow, sometimes suffused with brown scales at the base

and on the side disc and forming brown sub-marginal spots.

phalia, Hew. South Burma,

37. Ihave to note the following additions to the Indian List.

(a) Cutrrechroa orissa, Fd., Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo.

(6)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Discovered by Messrs. O. C. Ollenbach and W. A. Wood in Tavoy,

Caught by me on King Island, Mergui, in December. It differs

from all other members of the genus in having a very broad pale

yellow band across the forewing.

Papilio varuna, White, Malay Peninsula. Two females caught by

me on King Island, Mergui, in December. It differs from the race

astorion, Wd., in that the female has a very large white patch on the

lower part of the disc upperside forewing.

Arhopala ormistoni, Riley. The Entomologist, May 1920. This

is a new species obtained by Mr. W. A. Ormiston at Nakiadenya

near Galle in April. It is said to be nearest to aliteus and mirabella.

Mantoides licinius, Druce, Borneo. Discovered by Messrs. Ollenbach

and Wood on a hill at Pagaiye in Tavoy and a pair obtained

by me on the same spot in December. In general appearance

and size like Cheritra freja, but the long tail is at vein 1 and the

short tail at vein 2, not the other way about as in freja; also the

white area at the anal angle is greater. Below the general tone

is pale yellow brown except along the dorsums of both wings,

where it is white. The male has pronounced secondary sexual

characters, viz., a large polished area on the disc of the hindwing

upper hind and a pouch at the end of space 6; on the underside of

the forewing there is a prominent upturned tuft of hairs from the

middle of the dorsum, which is highly convex, nearly to vein 2

and overlying a dull lead grey patch, denuded of scales.

Jacoona unasuja, Fd., Malay Peninsula. Obtained by Messrs.

Ollenbach and Wood and subsequently by me at the same place

and month as Montoides licinius, to which group it belongs, as _re-

gards shape and tails, but the male has no secondary sexual char-

acters. It is a much larger insect, being 2 inches in expanse and

the male is very magnificent above, being dark brown with a bril-

liant dark blue area at the base and a similar pre-apical patch on

(f)

the forewing, a blue streak on the hindwing from the base to near

the centre of the termen and there is the usual anal white patch.

The female is without the blue areas. The long tail is 1 inch in

length and the short tail a quarter of an inch. Below it is white,

the forewing being for the most part pale yellow brown, shading to

bright ferruginous at the termen and the apex.

Bidvanda nicevilleit, Doh, female. I obtained a few males of this

very distinct species at Kanbavk and Pagaiye, Tavoy, and a single

female at Pagaiye, in Dec:mber. It is very similar to the female

of the commoner Bidwanda melisa, M.; above there is the same blue-

ish white patch at the arc! angle of the hindwing but on the fore-

wing there is a large red discal patch. Below the two species are

very alike differing constantly as follows. On the forewing of

melisa there is white patch on the dark discal area beyond the cell,

below which there is an irregular and more or less double dark

streak to vein 1 ; on the hindwing the inner of the two dark lines

at the end of the cell is much thicker and partly coalesced to the

outer line. On the forewing of nicevillei there is a very narrow

white line on the dark area beyond the cell, below which there is

NOTES ON INDIAN BUTTERFLIES. 59

an even single ochreous streak to vein 2, continuing as a broader,

but single, dark brown streak to vein 1; on the hindwing the two

lines at the end of the cell are even and well separated,

(kh) Semanga superba, Druce, Malacca and Borneo. A single female

of this species was caught by Mr. E. Fowle on King Island, Mergui,

and is now in my collection. It is a close ally of Catapecilma

elegans as regards shape, size and tails; in facies it is startlingly like

the widely separated Ilerda epicles. Above it is lilac blue with

brown borders and there is a broad sub-marginal ochreous band

along the lower part of the termen of the hindwing. Below it is

ochreous yellow with a narrow brown discal line on the forewing

and the outer half of the hindwing is reddish brown, interspersed

with black spots and pale silver blue dashes.

(7) Some time ago Mr. G. H. E. Hopkins sent me some specimens of

a small Sarangesa he had captured during the cold season at St,

Thomas Mount, Madras. It is a close ally of Sarangesa sati, De N.,

but in my opinion differs sufficiently to be accorded specific rank

and I will call it hopkinsi. nov. Above inky black frosted

over with minute white scales; unspotted (satt bears numerous

small hyaline white spots). Below dark brown and spotted after

the same manner as sati and purendra, but the spots are smaller

and fewer. The cilia are prominently chequered. Expanse 9 to 1

inch.

(j) Isma purpurascens, El, Pulo Laut. Several specimens caught by

me at the foot of the Dawnas on the East side in January. It is

very similar to [sma protoclea, but is purple washed below.

(k) Sepa noctis, Stg. One male at the foot of the Dawnas on the Mast

side in January. It is a rather small plain brown skipper with a

pointed forewing.

(1) <Acerbas nitidifasciata, El, Labuan and Borneo, Two males obtained

at the foot of the Dawnas on the East side. A rather large

dark brown skipper bearing white spots on the forewing and distin-

guished by having on the underside of the hindwing a broad curved

silver white band with even edges from the costa to the dorsum,

In anthea this band is very irregular outwardly ; anthea also differs

in having no cell spots on the forewing and in having a discal white

band on the hindwing above.

(m) Telicota paragola, De N. King Island, Mergui. Several specimens

were obtained in January. Above this form is exactly as typical,

gola, but below there is a very marked difference, though it is only

one of degree ; the ground colour is very dark brown and the yellow

bands on both wings stand out conspicuously ; in the typical form

the ground colour, except along the dorsum of the forewing, is over-

laid with yellow scales so that the yellow bands are not nearly go

“ conspicuous. ;

38. I am glad to be able to announce that Mr. N. D. Riley of the British

Museum has undertaken the preparation of Volume III of the Butterflies

in the Fauna of India series. Its publication will supply a long felt want and

I am certain that the work could not have been placed in abler hands,

39. Swinhoe in A. M. N. H. S. 1919 describes ;

(a) Zephyrus pavo, De N., male from Simla as an insect, which is green

above. He is wrong. The male of pavo was obtained by Col.

Tytler in the Naga Hills (J. B. N. H. 8, XXIV 125) and closely

resembles the female ; I have a pair in my collection. This species

is certainly not to be caught anywhere near Simla and Swinhoe’s

insect: is a variety of syla, ataxus or birupa.

40 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

(0)

(c)

(2)

Tajuria drucei, Swin, female from the Shan States in Burma, said

to be very like Tajuria jehana. :

Lycenopsis trita, nov. from Murree. The N. W. Himalayas are

too well known for anyone to expect to find a new species of this

genus and trita, I have no doubt is merely a veriety of celestina

or huegeli.

Arunena (nov.) nigerrima, nov. from the Khasi Hills. A plain black

skipper with no markings and an expanse of nearly ld inches. Swin-

hoe places the genus in his sub-family Astictopterine but neither in

his description of the genus nor of the species does he give any

comparison with its nearest allies ; so, as there is no figure, further

identification will be hopeless unless he lodges the type in the

British Museum.

. Journ. Bompay Nat. Hist. Soc.

A.—Upper surface of head. C.—Under surface of head.

B.—Side view of head. D.—Under surface of tail.

BRACHYOPHIDIUM RHODOGASTER.

(Enlarged about 6 times.)

A NEW SNAKE OF THE FAMILY UROPELTIDAE.

Cotonet F. Watt, I.M.S., C.M.G., C.M.Z.S.

(With a plate.)

Among a small collection of snakes in St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore,

I discovered a small Uropelt which is not only a species new to science,

but constitutes a very well marked genus, combining the characters

of Plectrurus, Pseudoplectrurus, and Platyplectrurus.

BRACHYOPHIDIUM, gen. nov.

General characters.—Body short, of considerably greater calibre

posteriorly than anteriorly, cylindrical, smooth. Head small. Snout

narrowly rounded. Eye in an ocular shield. No mental groove.

Neck not constricted. Tail short, strongly and increasingly more

compressed from base to apex.

Lepidosis. Nasals.—Meeting behind the rostral. Internasals.—

Absent. Prefrontals—A pair. Supraoculars.—Absent. Preocular.—

Absent. Ocular.—Present. Postocular.—Absent. Temporal.—

Present. Supralabials—Four. Infralabials.—Four. Sublinguals.—

Absent.—Costals. In 13 rows anteriorly, in 15 rows at midbody to

vent. Smooth. Last row enlarged ; about three-fourths the breadth

of the ventrals. Supracaudals——Smooth. Terminal Shield—Small,

compressed, ending as a single point.

Ventrals.—Moderately developed. Anal.—Divided, about twice

the breadth of the last ventral. Subcaudals.—In pairs.

BRACHYOPHIDIUM RHODOGASTER, spec. nov.

General characters.—Snout narrowly rounded. Nostrilin the anter-

ior part of the nasal. Eye more than half the length of the ocular.

Lepidosis.—Rostral.—Deeper than broad, portion visible above

equal to the suture between the nasals. Nasals.—-Large, in contact

behind the rostral. Prefrontals.—Long, nearly as long as the frontal,

in contact with the nasal, 2nd and 3rd_ supralabials, and ocular.

Frontal.—As long as the snout, much longer than broad, equal to the

parietals ; the ocular sutures about one third the parietal sutures.

Temporal.—One ; shorter than the ocular, about half the parietals.

Supralabials.—F¥our, fourth longest. Infralabials.—Three, the first in

‘contact behind the mental. Costals.—Two head-lengths behind the

head 13, midbody 15, two head-lengths before the vent 15. The 4th

row divides about four and a half head-lengths behind the head.

Ventrals.—143. Anal. Divided. Subcaudals. 7 pairs.

Length—178 mm. (7 inches).

Dentition.—The maxilla has 10? teeth.

42 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Colour—Head_ blackish-brown above. Body dorsally uniform

blackish-brown. An ill-defined and rather obscure pale spot on the

neck behind each parietal shield. Ventrally roseate from chin to vent,

including the ultimate row of costals. A median pink subcaudal

stripe.

The specimen is a gravid female, and contained three eggs about 12

mm. long.

It is unfortunate that there is no record of the date of capture or

the locality where found. However I found specimens of Platy-

plectrurus trilineatus, Silybura pulneyensis, and S. nigra in the collec-

tion, and as it is known that specimens were received from Shemba-

ganur everything points to its coming from the Palnai Hills.

My thanks are due to Father Accouturier for allowing me to present

the specimen to the British Museum.

The accompanying figure shows the detail of the lepidosis but the:

specimen is rather shrivelled, and the eye may not be quite accurate.

Journ. Bompay Nat. Hisv. Soc.

Fale & Danieleson, Ltd.

H. Green, del.

COLUBER LEONARDI

Sp. eee

A CORRECTION,

In the description of Coluber leonardi in the last Journal

(Vol. XXVIII, p. 43) under Rostral should read “Touches six

shields ; the internaso-rostya] sutures longer than the naso-rostral,

and the naso-labial, less than both the last taken together. Inter.

nasals, Two; the suture between them half that between the

pretrontal fellows, less than one quarter the internaso-prefrontals.”

The figure shows ; the nostril wrongly placed. This should reach

the suture behind. The shield behind is the postnasal, and not a

loreal as the wrongly placed nostril makes it appear.

Bompsay, F. WALL, Cou., 1.M.S,

23rd March 1922,

NOTES ON SOME NOTABLE ADDITIONS TO THE BOMBAY

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY’S SNAKE COLLECTION.

Cot. F. Watt, I.M.S., C.M.G., C.M.Z.S.

(With a plate.)

Our Society is indebted to Mr. P. R. M. Leonard for some valuable snakes

collected at Sinlum Kaba, Burma, Lat. 24” Long, 97° at an elevation of 6,000:

feet :—These include the following :—

Typhlops diardi Schlegel.

One typical mature specimen.

Cylindrophis rufus (Laurenti).

One halfgrown@ ? Ventrals 202. Subcaudals 5 on the right, 6 on the left

side ; the 2nd and 3rd entire.

Tropidonotus parallelus Boulenger.

An immature specimen 289 mm. (112 inches) long. Ventrals 160. Subcaudals

83. Maxillary teeth 22 ? Syneranterian, coryphodont.

Amphiesma himalayana (Gunther).

Two small specimens, one 292 mm. (114 inches) and the other 222 mm. (8?

inches). Both quite typical.

Trirhinopholis nuchalis Boulenger.

One specimen 298 mm. (113 inches) long. The tail 28 mm. (13 inches).

Costals 15 in the whole body length. Ventrals 126. Anal _ entire.

Subcaudals 21, the 2nd to 7th entire. The loreal is absent. (Possibly confluent

with the posterior nasal?) Labials 5, the 3rd only touching the eye. (The

3rd is long and appears to be a confluence of the normal 3rd and 4th.) The

nostril is placed equally in both nasals, and occupies the upper three-fourths

of the suture, so that the generic name is not at all appropriate. Light brown.

above, most scales finely bordered with black, thus producing a reticulate

pattern. The belly is pale yellow (white ?) with many, scattered, very small

blackish spots. The sagittal mark on the nape is conspicuous.

Zaocys nigromarginatus (Blyth).

One fine adult. Ventrals 196. Subcaudals 130.

Coluber leonardi, spec. nov.

Lenght 279 mm. (11 inches). Tail 41 mm. (12 inches). Costals two head-

lengths behind head 19, midbody 19, two head-lengths before vent 17 ;

smooth, with double apical facets. Ventrals 223 ? (damaged). Anal. Divided.

Subcaudals 53, divided. Rostral. Touches six shields ; the internaso-rostral

sutures longer than the naso-rostral, and naso-labial, half that between the pree-

frontals, less than both taken together. Internasals. Two ; the suture between

them less than one quarter the internaso-prefrontals. Prafronials. Two; the

suture between them subequal to the prefronto-frontals. Frontal. Touches six

shields, the supraocular sutures rather longest ; length equal to snout, two-

thirds the parietals. Supraoculars. Equal to the prefrontal and internasal,

rather less than the frontal, three-fifths the parietals, rather greater than the

anterior temporal. Nasals. Touching Ist and 2nd supralabials. Nostril wholly

in the anterior shield, and occupying the median two-fourths of the suture.

Loreal. Absent. Preocular, One. Postoculars. Two. Temporals. 1+2 ;

the anterior touching the 5th and 6th supralabials. Swpralabials 7 ; the 8rd.

44 JOURNAL BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

and 4th touching the eve, 6th longest. Posterior sublinguals about three-

fourths the anterior ; touching the 5th and 6th infralabials. IJnfralabials 6 ;

the 6th about three-fourths the length of the posterior sublinguals, and

subequal to the breadth of those shields ; in contact with two scales behind.

Maxillary teeth about 20 (?) Syncranterian ?, coryphodont.

Dorsally the prevailing tint is a pale brown. The scales are more or less

finely black-edged, producing a reticulate effect. The whole back from the

nape to the tail-tip is crossed with black-edged, buff bars involving threc or four

scales in the length of the snake, the intervals involving two or three scales.

The bars are dislocated dorso-laterally, and pass to the ventral edges. The

-belly is buff with squarish, black, lateral, irregularly distributed spots (like

some Oligodon). The tailis buff beneath, witha few small central blackish

spots. The head is buff. A conspicuous well-defined black V, shaped

like a tuning-fork, has its base on the nape behind the parietals, its arms ex-

tending to the prefrontals. A similar well-defined black postocular streak

meets its fellow over the nape. There isa black subocular spot on the 3rd

and 4th supralabials, and another similar one on the 6th and 7th passes below

the gape. There in a black spot at the meeting of the mental, and Ist infra-

labials, and another on the confines of the 4th and 5th infralabials.

Tassociate Mr. Leonard’s name with the species, which appears to me very

close to C. porphyraceus Cantor.

Oligodon herberli Boulenger.

A very fine example of this rare snake, described by Mr. Boulenger in 1905

has been received, the first representative in our collection, and only the third

known. It measured 400 mm. (1 foot, 32 inches). The costals are 13 in the

whole body length. Ventrals 208. Anal divided. Subcaudals 38. The. ab-

sence of internasals is a notable feature of this species, and it would appear

that they have been absorbed into the anterior nasals, for these shields ex-

tend remarkably on to the top of the snout. The light vertebral stripe in this

Specimen is regularly constricted bilaterally at intervals, to forma chain of

spindle-shaped beads. The maxillary teeth are dubiously 7 in number.

These are syncranterian and strongly coryphodont as in other members of the

genus. There is an edentulous space anterior to the teeth. Mr. Leonard is

to be congratulated on securing so many interesting rarities.

BIG GAME SHOOTING OF KASHMIR AND ADJACENT HILL

PROVINCES.

By Lr.-Cont. A. E. WARD.

(With two plates.)

DEER.

Omitting the chital or spotted deer which is only to be found in His Highness’

Game Reserve in the Jammu Province, the Kashmir Stag, the Barking Deer

and the little Musk Deer are the only representatives.

Tue KasHmMir Srac—Cervus cashmirianus.

His Highness’ Game Reserves, called locally Rukhs, and the introduction of

Game preservation laws have prevented the total destruction of this grand

animal.

At the present time the number of deer is on the increase in the Rukhs ; from

these there should be a chance of their spreading into the neighbouring hills.

The migration from the Rukhs is handicapped by Game license-holders who in

the autumn watch for stags in the immediate vicinity of the closed ground,

and in the winter by poachers who are constantly on the look-out.

Now if we remember the difficulties experienced in preserving game at home

over asmall area, we can imagine what has to be faced in the case of tens of

thousand square miles of country. It is useless to imagine that poaching in

Kashmir can be stopped.

Leopards take many deer, both stags and hinds. Bears are always on the

look out for new born fawns. The Indian martens when hunting in families will

pull down fawns of six or eight months of age. The destructive agencies at

work prevent any large increase of the Kashmir stag, hence it is doubtful whether

there is a larger number than existed say ten years ago.

In the early days of the shooting season it is necessary to visit the birch

forests, for the big stags are shy, they have been driven by the flocks of goats into

the high mountains and crags and until these flocks come down, the large horns

are hard to get. Still grand heads are to be got.

Owing to the kindness of Major Wigram and from perusal of the Rukh

records, the present list has been made.

The weight of the horns is really the only true test. Along point on top will

often give a false idea of the true size. Againsome horns are very thin and

good orbad grazing has much tosay. Ina favourable season horns are

heavy, in a dry spring they run smaller.

Divergency at

tips.

In- Length of Girth above

dex horns. | browantler. | Tines. Sportsman.

No. Greatest.| Tip to

tip.

| |

B13” 63” 41" | 21” | 6x5 |G. O. G. Rogers,

2 50! « 63” 44” | 90” | 7x6'|Game ‘Department,

1920.

3 48” Gera Wer ete g Wf Wags 5x5 |A. E. Ward in Sind

| | Valley.

4 474” 6% DO tandne 5x5 \Etherington Smith,

1910.

22” |-6x%6 | P. B. Vandertye,

1910.

46 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

{

{ Divergency at

tips.

In- Length of Girthyabovesy emia we AG

dex horns. brow antler. Tines. Sportsman.

No. Greatest | Tip to

tip.

6 47!" 63” 46” 29” 6x7 |A. E. Ward in Sind

Valley.

7 47” rid as” | va 6x6 |F. L. Edge, 1918.

Sulaous 47” bY” AB 281” | 5x4 |Major Fardell, 1918.

9 464" 61” 45 “| 193”. | 5x5 |Sir HariSingh, 1918.

10 463" eh es a .. |Major P. Radclyfie,

; 1918.

11 46’ 64” 36” Lb” .. |Miss Manners Smith,

1917.

12 46” 62 43” 173” .. |Genl. Berners, 1920.

13 46” ue 50” Aten .. |Aziz Khan, Liddar.

14 46"’ 53” aovl 122 6x6 |Sir Hari Singh, 1917.

15 46" 622 50” a 6x6 |A. E. Ward, Liddar.

16 46” 6” 39” 16” «. |H.1C@. Rallant, 1917:

17 46” 63” Ae ss 6x5 |Dachgam Rukh,

1918.

46” irs =e et 6x6 |A. E. Ward, 1912.

434°’ 7h" ae oe 5x5 |A E. Ward, 1912.

The photographs are of two stag heads both under 46, but they are showy

Specimens.

The Maharaja Kumar of Tikari lately shout two every large heads, the

measurements are not just now available.

There is available a long list of horns of 44” in length, some are grand trophies,

they are mostly ten pointers. The last head entered is probably the thickest

recorded. Barasingh seldom have heavy short horns; as they pass out of their

prime the tendency is for the horns to become thin and irregular.

In the Society’s Museum there is a fourteen-point head and _ its history is as

follows: Many years ago it was brought together with a second one for sale to

Kotsu in the Liddar, Aziz Khan, who has a 46” pair of horns (No. 13 in the

list), said he had shot both the stags. In those days it was lawful to shoot and

sell horns. From Aziz Khan the head passed into Monsieur Henri Dauvergne’s

possession, and at one time was in the Murree Brewery house at Rawalpindi.

The shooting season extends from September 15th to March 15th but few

heads are out of velvet’early in September, and some of the bigger animals drop

their antlers early in March.

The local Shikari is a necessity ; he must know every deer path, every pool

which is used for soiling or for drinking at. The rutting stag eats little but

bathes and drinks frequently. It may be that a travelling beast is met with,

but as a rule it will be necessary to be up early, and wander far before the much

longed for call is heard.

Journ.,

Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

THE KASHMIR STAG (CERVUS CASHMIRIANUS).

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Po. AAS try hee

7 LT on

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BIG GAME SHOOTING OF KASHMIR. A7

Half a century of wanderings after game gives curious instances of sport,

Once or twice wandering stags have come to their fate, on other occasions faulty

arrangements have caused the loss of good trophies.

On a cold day in October a stag had been tracked for miles. It was wounded in

the leg, at intervals it laid down. Twice it was blundered upon but did not give

a chance and at last the tracking had to be given up. About ten o’clock on

the same day, the time when deer return to the heights, having drunk in the

streams below, the disappointed sportsman was sitting behind a rock when a

stag called faintly at intervals. Then the sound increased, and eventually

the foot fallcould be heard coming nearer and nearer. Through the dense

forest a royal head appeared and emerged into the open, and the finest twelve

tine stag obtained during many years’ shooting was easily killed. On another

occasion an old stag came along a foot-path to within ten yards of the rifle

which was pointing at it, but to slay it would have been unfair. Both these

chances came about under similar circumstances, that is by waiting on a deer

path below the cliffs where deer conceal themselves during the day.

One of the finest ten-point heads was shot by mere chance. Late in the evening

this stag was driven down hill by a messenger returning to the camp, and

crossed the sportsman who was also going back to his tents. It galloped down

hilland gave a long but clear shot. Luck was good, and although the dead stag

rolled with great velocity down a grassy slope and fell with a thud into the rocky

bed of the river below, not the least damage was done to the horns.

Many tales could be told of successful sport, but it is well to relate failures,

and the first of these to be told is how a famous fourteen-point stag got off

unshot at !

As every one knows, stags fight in the rutting season. Many of these combats

take place and as the clash of the horns causes a noise which travels far, it is not

uncommen to have a chance of looking on whilst the stags settle their differences,

For three days, the fourteen-pointer had been seen, but not in any place

where a stalk was likely to succeed. On the fourth day two stags were fighting

not far from the bivouac on a steep slope of grass surrounded by firtrees. The

two were busily engaged with their horns locked—one was a strong, heavy-

antlered ten-pointer and the other the fourteen-tined animal. For a time the

horns were so closely locked, that the big stag could not be recognised. Suddenly

the fight was suspended and now came the error of judgment for it was

imagined that the fourteen-pointer must win, and if the victor, he would give an

easy shot.

The stags stood apart almost at the same level, when suddenly the ten-pointer

managed to get alittle advantage on the hillslope, and dashed at his adversary

hustling him down amongst the trees, and the chance of getting the trophy

had vanished. Once only in the same jungles has the big headed beast been

seen, and no one can now say what head of horns he carries, probably his

prime will soon be over and the horns will be short and thin.

A very disappointing termination of a stalk took place lately. At the time

when the ‘stalkeress’ had reached the game a second stag showed itself and in

response to an excited shikari’s entreaties of “‘ shoot, shoot” the small stag

was shot, for the“‘ lady”? had not seen the big one! The Kashmir shikari is an

excitable creature, and has to be restrained.

This was the last adventure of the big stag, for he was brought to bag by

another gun on the following day, and proved to be a beauty.

Up to the last week in October, the advantage is with the sportsman. The stags

are careless, they are in pursuit of the hinds, and it is even practicable to get them

to draw near by breaking a dry stick, which they imagine to be the approach of a

mate or perhaps a rival. Again some of the shikaris can imitate the roar or call,

but this plan however seldom answers. Of course the hinds are on the alert

48 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

whilst a small stag who is hanging about in the outskirts of the herd may

give an alarm. Still there is no doubt the rutting season is the easiest time

jn which to get trophies.

In November the dry leaves cover the ground, the stags have mostly gone

back to the upland meadows or to the horse-chestnut forests from whence the

flocks and herds of cattle have departed, and the hunter and the hunted are on

more even terms. A good pair of antlers obtained in November cause a satis-

faction which is superior to that obtained by a similar trophy got from a calling

stag.

Tracking in the snow may be undertaken. Some of the heads entered in

the list were obtained in mid-winter, but it is however very hard work, far too.

strenuous for most men who have been for long at an office desk. The stag as.

long as the snow is not above his legs cares little, and plods steadily up hill, but

however deep the snow may be he gallops down in a long succession of bounds.

After a most trying climb lasting for hours, a fine stag was suddenly found

resting under an overhanging rock. He was up and galloping down hill at once,

but by a fluke he was hit and fell. A big Tibetan dog broke loose and seized

the stag, as far as could be seen, by the head orear. The stag jumped up and

rushed on, and as he bounded was missed and a long follow had no result.

The only method of having sport in mid-winter is to build a shed, or live ina

village and from such headquarters to take the chance at game seen in a position.

favourable for a stalk. Now and again the hunter may manage to get along on

the surface of the crusted snow which will not carry the heavier animal, but

this seems to be taking rather a mean advantage. It is under these conditions.

that the leopard gets an innings. Sneaking along and concealing itself as only

a cat can, it rushes suddenly onits prey. If the deer gets a start it is possible

but not likely to escape. Such an escape was once seen from the verandah of

a hut in one of the Rukhs, but this was a sight which is witnessed once in a

life time.

It is very doubtful whether the call of the Barasingh gives any intimation of

the age—Kashmir Shikaris say they can tell. In the deer paddocks near Srinagar

stags of all ages have been kept, and beyond that the low moan, generally

made when the animal is lying down, comes from an old stag, nothing has been

learnt. Three-year old and ten-year stags seem to call alike, and all at times

conclude the roar with a long deep whistling noise which almost approaches a

squeal. This squeal is often (without the moaning sound) but not invariably,

the call of a pricket.

For the habits and description of the Kashmir deer, also for ail the rest of

the Game animals the reader is requested to wait for the second series of articles.

on ‘Natural History.’

The Barasingh played a curious part in the introduction of trout into the Vale:

of Kashmir. Many yearsago anurgent appeal for this deer was sent from

Europe. Some were required for ‘ Woburn,’ some for Loos, and others with the

view to improving the Red deer. Mr, Chance came to India on behalf of Mr.

Jamrach, he delivered the animals in England and had only one casualty,

which occurred in the docks.

The deer presented at Woburn were apparently acceptable, for the Duke of

Bedford kindly sent trout to Kashmir on two occasions.

In order to capture full grown stags and hinds it is essentially necessary to

choose suitable ground. A well wooded southern slope under a ridge of hills

with a pronounced low dip in the range is an ideal place. On the southern

slopes of the mountains few trees grow, they are covered with grass.

The herd of deer having been located in the northern woods are slowly driven

upwards by a few well trained men during the day time when the breeze blows

upwards, in other words the deer are “‘ given the wind.” If not hustled too much

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Plate Il.

THE KASHMIR STAG (CERVUS CASHMIRIANUS).

ae ie

a ag aT

Ties

Pht li re a

EARN VM

a Pb »

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BIG GAME SHOOTING OF KASHMIR, 49

they will work their way to the lower part of the range. When close to the top,

the beaters firea gun or shout, the herd breaks into a gallop, and dashes wildly

down the southern side. i here in the grass are set long lines of plaited nooses

made of sound leather and attached to ropes which are in lengths of about 50

or 60 yards, These ropes are pegged down, but not too strongly. The deer get

their feet entangled in the nooses, drag up the pegs, and make off with a line of

rope and nooses, but before going far they are pulled up by the bushes, and

it is then the fun begins for nets have to be employed. Stags are easier than

hinds to net, for as a rule they lower their heads, and the horns get into the

meshes, but the hinds use their feet and strike out violently.

Once in the nets, the hard work is over, a collar with ropes on opposite sides

is fixed on the neck, and the hinds can be led away. The stags have

generally to be picketed on the spot, otherwise they plunge about and knock

themselves and their captors out of time. In a day or two the deer will drink

water in which parched flour has been mixed. They are easily tamed, and

seldom die.

Another way, but a laborious one is to catch the fawns before they can run.

First they are fed on goat’s milk squeezed from a sponge, then from a baby’s

bottle, and finally a nanny goat is a foster mother. Most of the deer at Pandra-

than paddocks were thus reared. In captivity the Hangul breeds freely.

Barkine Deer—Muntiacus vaginalis.

The Muntjac or Jungli Bakri has a very wide distribution, hence is well

known to many sportsmen long before they come to Kashmir.

This small deer is rarely to be met with in the ‘Vale’. One came out in a beat

at Achabal, another was found by the State Shikar dogs in a small enclosure

which wasround some rice stalks in the vicinity of Koolgam. Both these had

probably strayed from the Pir-Panjal for the Barking deer is fairly common

in the outer ranges.

The horns obtainable in the hills of Jammu and Kashmir are smaller than

those of the United Provinces, rarely exceeding five inches, whilst 6” to 7}”

are recorded from Gharwal and elsewhere.

Ifa specimen is required, it will most likely have to be got in the Jhelum valley

near or below Chakoti, there the Barking deer was plentiful, but now is scarce.

The head when artistically set up is pretty, especially when the neck is slightly

curved.

Tue Musk Derr

Moschus moschiferous.

The (Roos) of the Kashmiris—‘“‘ Kastoora ” of the United Provinces is more

harried than is any other animal of the forest. Commerce calls for the musk

pod and pays highly, hence every winter the shikaris issue out with nets, dogs

and guns and kill this deer.

Special laws are supposed to protect the Musk deer, and special license has

to be obtained from the Game Preservation Department if the sportsman wishes

for a specimen in order to complete a collection.

The male is distinguishable from the female by canine teeth about 2” long

which show very plainly, but remember it may only be shot under the special

sanction.

There are many Musk deer in the Rukhs, some are easily shot whilst driving

is in progress, but the pursuit of them is not as a rule authorized.

Recollections go back to the days when many Musk deer were to be seen here

and there on the Ibex ground, and when a small bore rifle was used to bring

them to bag and to the kitchen, for the venison is quite good eating.

Tracking the sharp pointed slot in the snow was interesting, but there the

sport ended, for the long hair on the skin is very easily broken and will not stand

wear and tear. ’

(Z'o be continued.)

THE BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA.

By H. DD. Prmr;) EVE:S.

(With a plate*.)

As but little appears to be recorded on the butterflies of Mesopotamia and

their habits, the following notes on some 44 species recently taken there, and on

some 44 others taken in the adjacent highlands of North West Persia and Kur-

distan by members of the Society may be of interest to collectors.

The forms here mentioned include those taken by Major T. D. Broughton, R.E.,

Captain P. A. Buxton, R.A.M.C., Major F. C. Fraser, I.M.S., Lieut.-Colonel

GC. H. Watney, I.A., by myself and a few others.

Many of these notes were hastily put together when on Field Service ;

being now in England I have, through the kind permission of Dr. C. J.

Gahan at the British Museum of Natural History, South Kensington, been so

fortunate as to have had my collection, most of which has now been set up,

gone through by Capt. N. D. Riley who has found a number of forms te be

new, including a very interesting new Lycena whose males are orange-yellow

instead of the usual blue. I have also to thank Capt. Riley for permission to

quote from his notes on my specimens many of which are now incorporated

in the National Collection. Some specimens were at first identified by

Lieut.-Col. W. H. Evans, D.S.0O., R.E., and by Mr. H. T. G. Watkins whom

also I have to thank for notes upon variation, races, etc.

Mesopotamia, situated between the Persian Gulf to the South, the moun-

tains of Armenia and Persia to the North, East and South East, and deserts

on the West and South West, may be divided into :-—

‘1. A plain of river-silt with immense stretches of marsh and desert, ex-

tending from the Persian Gulf to about 300 feet above sea level, and

with the Euphrates, Tigris and Karun winding through it.

2. An upland region of undulating sedimentary plateaux, alternating

with ridges of sandstone, conglomerate and gypsum ; extending from

about 300 feet to a little over 800 feet elevation, and gently rising

to meet the foot-hills near the border; the gypsum often standing

out conspicuously white in the landscape. In the spring this region

is a gorgeous carpet of flowers, among the earliest being small mari-

golds, patches of a mauve stock ; white, blue and several shades of

purple anemones. Clumps of a large crimson ranunculus and poppies

make a rich mosaic with various yellow and mauve crucifers ; white

and yellow marguerites ; blue irises, borage and lupins, and pastures

gold with buttercups. Later, sprays of rue, and later still, when

all these are long over, a lowgrowing thistle here makes stretches of

yellow upon the plateaux. This thistle, common everywhere, here

makes up with the sharpness of its long needle-like spines for the

almost complete absence of stinging nettles both here and in the

highlands beyond the border: liquorice, a luxuriant jungle in the

lower alluvial region, continues as rather a stunted plant up onto the

plateaux of the highlands. Tamarisk spreads along the margins

and beds of the rivers. There too and in moist hollows umbellifers

cover immense areas. The green stems and leaves and white flower-

clusters of the latest of these (Ammi visuaga, Lam.) stand out conspi-

cuously brilliantly, when almost all else has been dried up and with-

ered by the summer heat. In Macedonia, as remarked by Mr. Mace

in the Entomologist, the same conditions occur. Flowering mint

along the margins of water-channels attracts large numbers of butter-

flies both. in Mesopotamia and in the highlands.

se ee ee ne a ae ee

® The plat> has not been received in time to be included in this number, and will be issued later-

— ss

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA. 51

Beyond the border to the North and North East are steep limestone mountain

ranges rising from about 2,000 feet, as at Paitak at the foot of the Takigerra

pass in Persia, where in August the satyr—S. parisatis—settles in scores in the

water-worn holes of the limestone cliff, up to plateaux at 5,000 and 6,000 feet,

such as the Kerind Valley, with peaks of 8,000 feet on either side, or 11,000 feet

as near Kermanshah. At four to five thousand feet stunted and other

hill-oaks are found ; and one may come across the silk cocoons of some large

moth, related to the ‘moon moth’, attached at about 5 feet from the ground to

some thorny bush, about which the crimson and yellow leaves of autumn produce

a wonderful effect against the grey-blue of the limestone rocks and boulders

of the hill side. Near the streams in the gorges and beautiful clefts

through the ranges are walnut, mulberry and other fruit trees, the haunt of

the magnificent fritillary, A. maia, and of the familiar Purple Hair-streak

(Zephyrus quercus) of England. In the glades many richly coloured blues are

found, such as Lycana dama, and C. thersamon, the latter a tailed copper, shot

with purple.

Humidity.—This in the lower or alluvial region is fairly high from November

to April, and low from June to September, when in the undulating uplands it

is very low.

Temperature.—In both regions January is usually the coldest month, and

there are frosts at night in the winter. Rarely, as in four days in February of

1920, when the rain was late, there is snow. The mean daily temperature varies

from about 40° F. in the cold season to about 90° in the Summer. The maximum

reaches to over 130° in the shade in July in the alluvial region and to 120° or

more in the higher region in August.

These conditions would account for so called ‘Wet’ season forms in Feb-

. ruary and October, and extreme Dry forms met with in June in the uplands

whereas in the highlands beyond a comparatively ‘Wet’ season form is still

to be found in July, as instanced by the bath white (daplidice) one of the com-

monest forms in some parts of Mesopotamia.

The butterfly species of Mesopotamia are comparatively few. In the alluvial

region such as at Amara they probably do not exceed a dozen in number. But

on the uplands of undulating plateaux and ‘“‘Jebels,”’ as the low hill ridges

are called, and on the foothills, some 40 forms occur to my own knowledge.

On these uplands the earliest broods appear towards the end of January, but

cold may delay them a month or more, as in 1920; and in the Spring, especially

early in May, with the wonderful profusion of flowers there is a corresponding

abundance of butterflies, that is of indviduals of some half dozen or so species, P.

machaon, Colias croceus (= edusa) Synchle belemia, etc., being there seen in

astonishing numbers. But in June the numbers rapidly diminish here, as the

heat asserts itself, whereas in the highlands in July the abundance of

lepidoptera is again amazing. The satyrs, Epinephele jurtina and EH. lupinus,

for instance, rise up in fluttering clouds accompanied by numbers of the

gorgeous “Jersey Tiger’? Callimorpha quadripunctata {= hera), as one

moves about beneath the trees. In October some new broods appear, but

not in such numbers as in the Spring. A few, such as the small cabbage

white (rape), bath white (daplidice) and clouded yellow (crocea = edusa),

continue almost throughout the year.

In character the butterfly fauna of Mesopotamia, like the flora, which of

course largely determines it, is much more English than that of the fauna of

say, the South of France, and the fact that a large proportion of the forms are

either the same as or nearly akin to English species at once strikes the collector;

machaon, for instance, is the only Papilio found below the highlands ; and other

examples of English forms are rape, daplidice, croceus ( = edusa), pamphilus

and atalanta ; besides the more widespread brown argus (astrarche), megera.

52 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

ticarus, and flava ( = thauwmas); and of course the ubiquitous painted lady

(cardui) and long tailed Blue (beticus).

It is noteworthy that although P. machaon, Melitea persea and Euchle are

found together on stony ridges as in India, their other associate there, Ypthima

bolanica, is not represented in Mesopotamia by any of its genus.

The Editor has asked for Keys and brief descriptions so that collectors

may recognize their captures.

A. Forms from Mesopotamia :—

DaANAIDA,

1. Danais chrysippus, L.

SATYRID&.

Pararge megera, L. Subsp. iranica, Riley.

Satyrus telephassa, Hb.

»» persephone, Hb. (=anthe, O.) f. hanifa.

a briseis, L. Subsp. magna.

Epinephele lupinus, Costa. ssp. centralis, Riley.

Precis (Junonia) orithya, L. Subsp. here, Lang.

Pyrameis cardui, L.

,» atalanta, L.

Polygonia egea, Cr.

Melitcea trivia, Subsp. persea, Koll.

SOMA oR oo bo

fam fel

PAPILIONID %.

12. Papilio machaon, L. Subsp. centralis, Stagr.

13. Thais cerisyi, Bdv. var. deyrollei, Ob.

14. Doritis apollinus, Herbst.

PIERID&.

15. Belenois mesentina, Cr. :

16. Pieris rape, L. Subsp. iranica, LeCerf.

17. Pontia daplidice, L.

18. oe glauconome, Klug.

19. 5 chloridice, Hb.

20. Euchle ausonia, Hb. Subsp. persica, Ver.

Pe belemia, E.

22. Ap charlonia, Subsp. transcaspica, Stgr.

23. Zegris eupheme, E. Subsp. dyala, Peile.

24. =A ” Subsp. tigris, Riley.

25. Colias croceus, Foure. ( = edusa, Fab.)

26. Teracolus (=Colotis) fausta, Ol.

LYCAZNID #&.

27. Lycena astrarche, Berg.

28. » tcarus, Rott. Subsp. persica, But.

29. Heodes (Chrysophanus) phleas, L.

30. Zizera karsandra, Moore.

Bille » otis, Kab.

32. Chilades galba, Led.

33 - 5 trochilus, Frey.

34. Lampides (Polyommatus) beticus, L.

35. Tarucus theophrastus, Fab.

86. Be balcanicus, Fr. areshanus, B. Baker.

_ .s

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA. 53

HESPERIID&.

37. Carcharodus alcee, HK.

38. Gegenes nostrodamus, Fabr.

39. » lefebvret, Rambur.

40. Thymelycus (Adope) lineola, Ochs.

41. Hesperia geron, Watson.

42. 53 proto, Esp.

43. 35 alveus, Hbn.

44. Parnara mathias, Fab.

B. Additional forms from N. W. Persia and Kurdistan :—

45. Agapetes larissa, Subsp. tranica, Seitz.

46. Cenonympha pamphilus, L. f. hylas, Esp.

47. “a saadi, Koll.

48. Satyrus pelopea, Klug.

49, » hermione, L. Subsp. syriaca, Stgr.

50. Pe CURCE La

51. » (Nytha) parisatis, Koll.

52. Epinephele jurtina, L. Subsp. persica, LeCerf.

58% “ telmessia, Subsp. kurdistana, Ruhl.

54. = 3 Subsp. palescens, Butler.

55. a mandane, Koll.

56. Limenitis rivularis, Scop. (camilla, Auctt.)

57. Argynnis maia, Cr. (=pandora, Schif.)

58. rs latona, L. (=lathonia, Auctt.)

59. Melitea didyma, Subsp. casta, Koll.

60. Polygonia (Vanessa) ** C”’ album, L.

“ “s egea, Subsp. * J”? album.

62. Libythea celtis, Fuess.

63. Papilio podalirius, L.

64. Pieris napi, L. pseudorape, Ver.

65. » ergane, Hbn.

66. Huchle gruneri, H.-S. Subsp. armeniaca, Chr.

67. Gonepteryx farinosa, Z.

68. Lycena dama, Stgr. Subsp. karinda, Riley.

69. ve peilei, B. Baker.

70. 55 damone, Ev. Subsp. damalis, Riley.

fale * admetus, Stgr.

72. > bellargus, Rott.

= baton, Berg. Subsp. clara, Stegr.

74. Heodes (Chrysophanus, thersamon, Esp. kurdistana, Riley.

79. 9 2? oe) Esp.

76. Cyaniris argiolus, L.

77. Aphneus epargyrus, marginallis, Riley.

(hse 6 acamas, Klug. hypargyros, Butler.

79. Cigaritis maxima, Staud.

80. Zephyrus quercus, Dal. longicauda, Riley.

81. Strymon (Thecla) abdominalis, Gerhard, f. gerhardti, Staud.

82. 5 Po ilicis, E. caudatula, Zell.

83. - 0 marcidus, Kiley.

84. Hogenes alcides, Herr. Schaeff.

85. Thanaos marloyi, Bov;

86. Carcharodus althee, beticus, Rambur.

87. Hesperia orbifer hilaris, Staud.

88. Thanaos tages, L. var. wnicolor, Freyer.

The eight forms named by Riley, one by B. Baker and one by the writer,

were found to be new.

54 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

DANAID AL.

Genus DANAIS, Latr.

D. chrysippus, L., Seitz. Vol. 1:28 c. F. Br. Ind. (Bingham), Vol. I, Pl. 1.

Key: Tawny brown, f.w. with white bar of spots near apex. Terminal

margin of wings black with white dots.

The Mesopotamian form is f. chrysippus.

Seen in small numbers in June and again in Oct., Nov. and December ; fre-

quents thistles and mint flowers.

Localities —Basra and Kut-el-Amara, seen occasionally (Major T. D.

Broughton) ; Kizil Robat ; Khanikin, 8. E. Europe, 8. Asia, the whole of

Africa and Malayan and Australian region.

ab. alcippoides, M., one example taken at Kizil Robat, Nov. 17th at mint,

having two-thirds of disc of hindwing white. The writer has not come across

in Mesopotamia the Asclepias species which is the usual food-plant in India.

Genus AGAPETES, Billb.

A. larissa, Hb. Subsp. iranica, Seitz.

Key: An irregular broad discal cream white band across both wings ; basal

and postdiscal portions of wings black, an oblong black spot in centre of

forewing.

Upperside : forewing ground colour, cream white ; basa] third mostly black ;

a sinuous black line across cell, the outer and posterior portion of the cell within

this line cream white ; an oblong black spot in centre of wing, between veins

3 and 4, and another black blotch to its inner side anteriorly. Apex black

with two large spots of the ground colour a submarginal row 7 spots of the

ground colour one in each interspace and connected with a corresponding sub-

marginal row of small conical spots.

Hindwing.—Basal third black except for a bar of the ground colour from its

centre forwards. A broad angled discal band with indications of two ocelli in

it posteriorly, a submarginal row of conical cream white spots and black

marginal line.

Underside ; darker cream tinted. Forewing a sinuous black line across middle

of wing, and two black blotches near posterior angle. Hindwing s there are

indications of three black ocelli posteriorly and of one anteriorly ; and of a row

of black sagittate markings beyond these.

This form from the Karind valley in N. W. Persia is fairly normal and

almost devoid of markings beneath. It is in June and July very

common at 5,300 ft. By July 13th the great majority of individuals

seen had the wings very much torn, apparently by the long needle like spines of

the yellow thistle which it frequents. It is a heavy flier and very easily caught.

None were seen later than July. The species seen by Lt.-Col. Watney on June

18th in the Bazian Pass in 8. Kurdistan was probably this.

1 &, 14 2 P from the Karind valley, July 13-17, 1918; all except § 2 2

are now in the British Museum. Capt. N. D. Riley remarks on them as

follows :—

** Figured in Seitz Pl. 39b as parthica and placed as a race of hylata, Men.

In his description of hylata Men. expressly states of the wings ‘ base imma-

culate’ and from the rest of his description hylata can only be the Taliche

form of titea. Similarly his teneates is obviously the Taliche form of japygia.

I am not able to separate iranica except as a race of larissa.”

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA, 55

Coenonympha saadi, Koll.

Harir, 15-16 July, 4 9.

Note by Capt. Riley :—“ Badly worn, certainly not var. mesopotamica,

Ruhl. which is a much more faintly and differently marked form, The

markings approach mesopofamica in these specimens in appearance, mainly

owing to their worn condition.”

Ccenonympha pamphilus, ssp. hylas, Esp.

1 9, Suwarra, July 1919. (Capt. Aldworth).

Genus SATYRUS.

A. Bands above white .. .brisers,

(Brown tinted forms of 2 of briseis may be distinguished

from the following species by their uniform reddish tinted

underside)

B. Bands above brown tinted... 3 hermione.

(The pale band on the hindwing above i is much nearer the

margin and not central as in briseis).

C. Bands above tawny.

a. Band containing white dots.

al. Band of f.w. broadly divided at the white dots ;

underside earth brown . .peloped.

61. Band not broadly divided underside greyish . .telephassa.

b. Band without white dots af a . .persephone.

S. telephassa, Hb.. Seitz. 1:43c. (87 examples).

This grayling is of a rather dark grey brown ground colour with a subter-

minal irregular tawny band on both wings, containing in f.w. two black, usually

white centred, eyespots in interspaces 2 and 5 and between them two white

dots, and in h.w. 2 minute, but complete spots in interspaces 1 and 2, the white

centres being more prominent. There is always in f.w. a sharp angle or tooth

of the ground colour encroaching on the band on its inner side and rarely

dividing it ; on the h.w. the band does not reach the costa.

¢ with a black and very distinct band or sex-mark in the cell. The 9

is of course without this and is also a good deal larger.

Underside of h.w. grey striated with darker, and usually with a fairly

distinct narrow whitish angled postmedian band.

Expanse:— 3 60 mm. (21 in,) 9 70 m.m. (22 in.). Common both in

Mesopotamia on the Dyala at Kizil Robat and a few by the Tigris at Baiji;

N. W. Persia, Harir and Kermanshah common.

Kizil Robat, March to May; Khanikin, October; N. W. Persia, Karind

Valley, July, August, September ; Buxton notes Qasvin, September, worn

females found flying among dessicated plants.

S. persephone, Hb., Seitz. 1:42e, Ochs. over 70 specimens.

Larger and darker than either letephassa or pelopea and the 3 d are shaped

as 9 © and of the same size.

¢ with band light ochreous, tinted in places with tawny. The eyespots

without white centres, and the dots absent. The prolongation of the band to

costa of f.w. from the upper eyespot is narrow and well marked. On the h.w.

it does not nearly reach tornus.

Q with the band bright tawny.

¢ without sexmark.

56 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII,

Underside more boldly marked on both wings than in the other spp. hindwings

with a white subterminal line as well as a white postmedian band, which is

bordered inwardly with a black line. Expanse 72 mm.

Capt. Riley, having examined 57 of the specimens from Fathah (=Baiji)

and Kizil-Robat, remarks :—‘‘ All are referable to the form hanifa, Nordm.

The typical pure white banded form does not seem to occur; the majority

of the females have the bands uniformly rich fulvous, but in 3 females and

in most of the males they are much broken or almost replaced by pale

yellowish. !t has. been suggested that the dark ochreous and the hight

forms are seasonal. In Kedosand Yezgat in Asia Minor both extremes seem

to occur at the same time, and the species appears to be single brooded

as in S. Russia. Col. Peile’s specimens are certainly all of tke Spring

brood and all dark ; it is unfortunate he was unable to secure any of the

Autumn brood, (As mentioned below, I when without,a net put up a few

one evening at Nineveh late in October when at Mosul for three days only.

H.D.P.) <A further character in addition to the white veining of the

underside which may serve to separate S. persephone from S. enervata in the

male sex is the great prominence of the black sex-mark of the latter across

the bases of areas 1b (part) to 3.”

Localities ;—Mesopotamia—Bank of Dyala at Kizil Robat, April, May 1919.

32 specimens. Bank of R. Tigris at Baiji near Fathah. April-May 1920, over

40 examples.

In typical persephone the veins of h.w. are white below and the bands above

often wholly white.

Lt.-Col. W. H. Evans to whom specimens of persephone from Baiji (on the

right bank of the Tigris) were sent, remarks in epistola :—“‘ The localities Seitz

gives are—

anthe.—Black Sea, S. Russia, Armenia, Afghanistan and Persia.

enervata.—C. Asia, Altai, Thian Sham and Turkestan.

The veins underneath in Chitral specimens could hardly be described as

white. In yours they are just beginning to be so; so perhaps yours are half

way to enervata and my Chitral ones (same as C. Asian which I have seen)

are enervata. Above there seems no difference whatever. In the Spring,

Chitral ones are tawny, some males being nearly white. In the Autumn they

were all white, with signs of being tawny. The tawny form is ab. hanifa.”’

So far in 1919 and 1920 only the spring brood has been taken, but the writer

one evening in October 1919 at Nineveh put up some dark graylings probably

of this species. anthe, Ochs., is from Russia, and always in the type has white

veins on the underside of h.w., but the form enervata is without these and is

much more tawny and regarded as separate by Elwes, but placed under anthe

in Seitz.

S. pelopea, Klug. Seitz. 1°43 f.

Similar to telephassa but smaller, and the band lighter in colour, ochreous

or earthy brown, not tawny, and always in forewing broadly divided by the

ground colour below the first eyespot, and in hindwing reaching the costa.

The sex-mark of the ¢ is much more obscure, and the white dots of forewing

in both sexes more distinct.

Underside of hindwing more brown than grey and more uniformly marked.

Expanse.— 3 54, 2 66 mm.

N. Persia: Karind, Harir and Kermanshah, July 16th to September, nineteen -

examples, 5 g,14 9.

Capt. Riley notes on these specimens :—“ Much nearer typical pelopea from

Syria than to any of the named forms, persica, schahrudensis, tekkensis, &c.,

the underside not quite so red, more mixed with grey and white, the latter

—"

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA. 57

colcur especially prevalent across the disc of the wing, bordering the zig-zag

transverse line.

This whiteness or paleness is the most conspicuous feature of the specimens :

they are mostly rather worn.”

S. parisatis parisatis, Koll.

28 specimens from Paitak, the Takigerra pass and Karind Gorge, from

mid July to mid September; and one ab. from Harir mid July 1918.

Capt. Riley notes:—‘ These all belong to the typical form of the species,

which was described from Farsistan, the S. E. end of the mountain system

which divides the Persian plateau from Mesopotamia and the Persian

Gulf. It is characterized by its generally small size, the somewhat inde-

finite inner margin of the white marginal border of the forewing and the

rather strong development of the common white band of the underside.

The general tone of the underside is very grey and white.”

LeCerf (Ann. d’Hist. Nat. 1913) has overhauled this species excellently

and set right agreat deal of confusion. The only point which still seems to

need investigation is the locality of his type-specimens of S. parisatis var.

parcis, which he describes from Nepal (Tola). It is the B.M. forms from

Upper Kumaun, Kangra, Kalapani near Abbottabad, Mandi, Mussoorie,

Murree and Urni, but not from further East, nor can I find any record of its

having been obtained further Hast.”

Common in N. W. Persia from 2,500 to 6,000 ft. settled in large numbers

in holes in the side of a limestone cliff, and at water on the road and on

stones around springs. In the open they had to be approached cautiously,

but a sweep of the net into the fluttering crowd in a large hole in a rock

secured about a dozen at once. An aberration taken at Harir, 16th July

1918, has :—

Underside transverse fascia absent from forewing replaced by a dusky

black band on hindwing.

Localities. —_N. W. Persia—Paitak, 2,500 ft. at the foot of the Takigerra

Pass; by the Greeco-Persian arch in the pass, August 7-8th; and the

Karind valley 5,300 to 6,000 ft. mid July to 19th September 1918; Kur-

distan, Suwarra, July 1919.

S. circe, L.

A fine famale, taken by Capt. T. P. Aldworth at Suwarra (5,400) early

July 1919.

S. briseis, L., sub-sp. magna, Stgr., Seitz. I. p. 124. 51 specimens.

3 Upperside forewing ground colour sooty brown with a cream white discal

band broken up into spots by the dark veins. Apical cream patch divided

by a black spot and the band containing in the third interspace another spot.

Costa and terminal margin dingy cream; two dark blotches divided by

discoidal cell.

Q differs in being larger, with larger eyespots, and with underside usually

reddish stone-colour. The hindwing being almost uniformly so.

2 dimorph (pirata, Hb.) with dull chestnut instead of cream bands, other-

wise like the normal form of the 9.

Very common at 6,000 ft. in N. W. Persia, from about the middle of June

to end of September. On 27th June 1919 a male in fresh state was taken at

Kizil Robat in Mesopotamia, the strong wind blowing at the time having pro-

bably carried it from the direction of the Persian hills. At Suleimanyeh in

S. Kurdistan a worn male was taken on September Ist, 1919 ; and on September

21st (1918) a worn female was taken at Harir at 5,800 feet in the Karind valley,

58 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

N. Persia. These dates give some indication of its time of occurrence. Most

were taken in shady spots by stone walls, rocks and roots of trees ; where they

were difficult to detect. When put up they flew only a few yards and weie

easily secured by dropping the net over them with the tail of the net held up

when they invariably rose up into it.

Localities ;—Mesopotamia: Kizil Robat, the Dyala. N. W. Persia: Karind

valley 5,300-6,000 ft. 8. Kurdistan: Bazian Pass, Suleimanyeh.

Of 83 specimens examined from the localities above mentioned,

Capt. Riley remarks :—‘‘ 6 Q are of f. pirata, Esp. All are referable to

the ssp. magna, Stgr. Underside very sandy. The 1 ¢ from Suleimanyeh

has white band of forewing so wide that the blind ocellus of forewing

upperside in area 2 is completely separated from the marginal dark border

(as in the Q).”

Buxton notes, Qasvin, 16th July-6th September 1919,

S, hermione, ssp. syriaca, Stgr.

1 g,1 9, Suwarra; early July 1919, ex. Capt. Aldworth,

Capt. Riley notes :—‘“‘ Recorded from Lenkoran (8, EK. Transcaucasus)

by LeCerf. N. Syria nearest locality in B. M. Seitz gives Mesopotamia,

i.e. (probably) Malatia.

Genus PARARGE, Hb.

P. megera, L., Subsp. iranica, Riley, and variety from Mesopotamia.

Compared with English specimens, eyespots somewhat larger, both the dusky

ground colour and the tawny marks are paler in tone, these last also reduced in

area. The postmedian tawny band of h.w., which is well marked in English

specimens and sometimes united with the tawny patches’ surrounding the

eyespots, almost obsolete. Underside greyer, less brown.

18 specimens; Kizil-Robat.2 ¢ ¢ ; 28rd March.

Karind Gorge, 6,2 92; Harir 8 ¢ gd, 10 QY, July and August.

All except 5 9 @ now in the British Museum.

Of these Capt. N. D. Riley remarks:—‘“ Underside of hindwing lighter

yellowish than in true lyssa, Bois., in that respect agreeing with Herrich-

Schaeffer’s description of megerina. Herrich-Schaeffer states, however,

that the upperside of megerina is that of Hubner’s fig. 914, i.e., lyssa. The

upperside of these specimens is more that of Staudinger’s transcaspica, 1.€.,

with the much obscured hindwing, but the underside of the hindwing

is much darker than in that form. ‘The specimens are rather smaller than

transcaspica and lyssa in the British Museum. Specimens referred by

LeCerf to var. megerina are probably of this race. I can only regard

megerina as a form of lyssa with yellower underside to the hindwing.

The ‘differences’ given by Herrich-Schaeffer apply equally well to any

form of megera.

In addition there are in the British Museum 1 g, 1 9, from Mungereah

Mountains, and 1 g, 1 2 from Gulek Taurus, which latter though rather

larger than the others agree in all other respects.

One of the 2 males taken by Col, Peile at Kizil-Robat is unusually dark

on the upperside, the distal yellow spot in area 1b of forewing being almost

entirely obscured by black and the fulvous markings being of a very dark

shade. The other male taken on the same day is quite normal.”

Capt. P. A, Buxton notes :—*2 ¢,2 9, 26-80th March, Menzil. These

are not lyssa, they are very bright and red on the upperside.”

Lt.-Col. Watney tooka 9 at Kizil Robat, February 1919.

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA, 59

The dark Mesopotamian example was taken about the crest of the ridge of

the Jebel Kizil Robat about stony hill crests. The 2 probably at rather lower

elevation. Others were taken about the stone walls of vineyards at

Harir in N. W. Persia.

Localities :—Mesopotamia—Kizil Robat, ¢ 2, 2 1. Feb.-March 199], N. W.

Persia, Harir, Karind valley, dg 1, 2 5, 13th-15th July 1918.

Genus EPINEPHELE, Hb.

. E. lupinus, centralis, Riley.

$ not unlike jurtina 3 but smaller, forewing more sharply pointed at apex

of a snuff-brown on costa and terminal margin, which shows up the black

brand more. Ocellus at apex of f. w. often blind. Hindwing more dentate.

Underside of forewing tawny with grey margins and ocellus at apex small and

pupilled. Hindwing helow grey striated and speckled with darker with

traces of a darker central band but no eyespots. ground colour dark-grey

brown, with the terminal area sharply marked off and containing in f. w. two

blind eyespots in pale yellow suffused rings. Occurs, but seems to be rare, in

Mesopotamia, but in N. W. Persia is abundant in company with H. jurtina: at

Kizil Robat a few males and a female were taken in April and May 1919 on the

bank of the Dyala and one male on the plateau nearby: and three females by

the Dyala at the Jebel Hamrin on June 25th in 1918.

Although the male at first sight somewhat resembles a dull meadow brown,

the females of the two species are very dissimilar.

Lupinus sometimes settled on leaves in half shade some 5 or 6 feet from the

ground.

Regarding 58 specimens from Mesopotamia (11); N. W. Persia (Karind

Valley and Kermanshah (45), and Suleimanyeh (2). Capt. N. D. Riley makes

the following interesting note :—“ Staudiger’s description of H. lycaon var.

intermedia, runs as follows: The almost universally common species

FE. lycaon is a species very variable as to size, nature of hair-scales,

colour, ete.

The large examples from S. E. Europe with the forewing more lightly

covered with long hairs was described long ago as var. lupinus, Costa, In

the lower lying (hotter) districts of Central Asia and Asia Minor as well as

in 8. Russia (according to Alpheraki) an intermediate form occurs which

I call intermedia. Specimens are much larger than typical German lycaon

and almost as densely hairy as the still larger lupinus, but darker and

mostly with a broader (shorter) androconial stripe (ur rather patch) on the

forewing. Also on the underside of the hindwing they are almost always

much lighter (more greyish-white) than lycaon, especially examples from

Samarkand, almost lke typical dupinus. 1 have this var. intermedia from

Samarkand, Margelan ; also one specimen each from Saison and Lepsa

(presumably taken in other hotter districts) I must include with them. In

the same way examples from Amaria and Achal Tekka District would be

best included here, although the Amaria specimens are darker on the

underside.

From this typical Staudinger description it at least appears that true

intermedia is the Samarkhand, Margelan race. Hence Turati’s margelanica

must fall as an absolute synonym of intermedia. In Mesopotamia, Kurdis-

tan and Western Persia occurs a race somewhat similar to intermedia but

characterised by its smaller size, greyer appearance (the females particu-

larly being very dark above, with very little orange as a rule) and the

greater uniformity of the markings of the underside of the hindwing, the

banded appearance of intermedia being absent or almost so, in the majority

60 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

of specimens. This may be known as centralis. (Types: B. M. Types No.

Rh. 169 ¢, 6-5-19; 170 Q, 7-5-19, Kizil-Robat, L. bank of R. Dyala,

H. D. Peile). Somewhat similar, but characterised by very much darker

underside to the hindwing, larger size, longer and yellower hair-scales

occupying amore extensive area, is the Asia Minor race (captus, B. M.

Types No. Rh. 171, o, 1-7-18; 172, 9, 24-6-18, Kedos N. V. L. Rybot).

This race is very intermediate between lupinus and centralis in all respects.

It is also in the B. M. from Brussa, Kilishlar, Gulek and Yazgat and,

according to Staudinger, occurs at Amasia. Finally the race from Cyprus

may be mentioned. It represents the extreme in depth of colouration in

both sexes above and below, with the only exception of the male of

mauritanica, Oberth , which is blacker above. The female has, by compari-

son, an almost sooty appearance above and the yellow markings are of a

very deep shade (cypriaca, B. M. Types No. Rh. 173, ¢, 24-5-09; 174, 9,

9-5-09, Nicosia, Cyprus, J. A. Bucknill).”

Buxton records “lupinus, Costa, 4 6th September 1919, 2 18th July

1919, Qasvin, determined by genitalia, bad specimens.”

£. jurtina, ssp. persica, LeCerf.

3 4,14 9, from Harir and Karind where it is far less common than

E. lupinus centralis in company with which it is found there.

Capt. Riley notes :—‘‘ All agree with LeCerf’s description and figures

A tendency to reduplicate the apical ocellus of forewing is rather marked.”

E. telmessia kurdistana, Ruhl.

Three females from Suleimenyeh, Kurdistan, 3lst August and Ist Sep-

tember 1919, taken among bushes on the bank of the Kalisan river.

Smaller than palescens, the female above darker purplish grey, forewing

with the fulvous area small and turning into a light yellow ring above

eye-spot. Underside hindwing more uniform light grey, striated with

darker, and without the well marked broad pale postmedian band of

palescens.

E. telmessia palescens, Butier.

N. W. Persia: Karind Gorge, 13th July 1918,29; Paitak, 6th August

1918, 19; Harir, 10th August 1918,1 @.

Capt. Riley notes :—‘‘JieCerf appears to have overlooked Butler’s

description of JH. palescens, as his areas seems to be identical with it.

Palescens was described from Dizful in N. W. Arabistan.”

In this race the fulvous discal band also extends towards the base, and

the hindwing beneath have a purplish grey basal half and a broad post-

median almost whitish grey band, and with some yellow markings or

suffusion on its inner side.

E. mandane, Koll.

2 6,24 9, Hari, 15th July to 16th August 1918.

Can be told at a glance by the long blind eye-spot at apex of forewing.

Tt has underside similar to davendra, but the white central line of hindwing

is curved gently, not angled at all. (Wagnerz, the race from N. Kurdistan,

has ground-colour deeper, and the apical spot on forewing shorter.)

Capt. Riley notes regarding the abeve specimens :—“ Typical mandane as

described by Kollar from Farsistan, S. W. Persia. 8 9, have an addi-

tional blind ocellus on forewing in area 2 on upperside, and one of these

has a furthur supplementary one in area 6,”

BUTVUERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA, 61

Common about stony ground and at flowering mint by water at 5,300 to

6,000 ft. in the Karind Valley, N. W. Persia. Among stones in the open

it is rather wary, but when settled at mint is easily caught. Taken from

mid July to mid September 1918. There being only 2 males to 24 females

taken seems to indicate that the season was rather late for this species.

Limenitis rivularis, Scop. (=camilla, Auctt.; drusilla. )

Of 9 2,89 examined, taken in the Karind Valley 5,800-6,000 ft. from

13th July to 12th August 1918. Capt. Riley notes :—LeCerf only gives var,

reducta, Stgr. from Persia. These specimens are by no means referable to

that form, which is represented in the B. M. by 2 7, from Hadschyabad

(Haberhauer), 1 4, “ Caucasus”? (Lederer) and 1 g Derband (Christoph).

They are not separable from the European form unless perhaps by an

average reduction of the red markings of:the underside.”

In perfect condition in mid July ; common in August, and fond of settling

on projecting boughs about eight feet from the ground, in a glade, now and

again sailing about between the trees and often returning to the leaf it

had left. Many settled on stones by a spring on August 12th at Karind

Gorge. Onetaken 9th September at flowering mint, and one seen 19th

September 1918. Taken also by Capt. Aldworth at Suwarra, Kurdistan,

July 1919.

Genus ARGYNNIS, Fab.

A. maia, Cr. (pandora, Schiff )

Seitz. 1-7lce. (pandora )

This very handsome fritillary is common in the Karind Valley and at Ker-

manshah in Persia. At 6,000 ft. in a beautiful gorge said by some to be the

garden of Omar Khayyam, numbers were, in July 1918, sailing about the wal-

nut-trees and, with the “Jersey Tiger’? moth (Callimorpha quadripunctata

=hera) greatly enhanced the beauty of its surroundings. Very common in

mid-July, it was rather less so in August, and a few only were seen there on

19th September.

Both sexes are fond of resting suspended with closed wings on the underside

of walnut-leaves on the sunny side of the trees. As one strolled

beneath the trees they sailed away to sport with others, three and four

together in a glade or about the cascades in the gorge below. Within an

hour twenty in fresh condition were taken settled on the underside of

leaves. They settled also among the pale green young foliage of apricot trees,

and at thistles. Pairs were seen mated in mid-July. Males were observed at

thistles on the open hillside at Kermanshah at the end of August, and Major

Broughton, who also took it there, found it common in September 1918, in

gardens flying round willows and fruit-trees. When settled on the underside

of leaves of walnut and apricot, with the sunshine coming through the leaves

they were very inconspicuous, only the green and silver being visible, particu-

larly with the wings seen edge-ways from below. A large wild viola grew in

the glades in the gorge, but no fritillaries were seen about these plants.

Localities—N. Persia, Karind Valley 5,300-6,000 feet; Kermanshah.

Occurs in South Europe and Asia Minor. According to Kirby the larva feeds

on the wild heartsease.

The habits of this species in Macedonia are mentioned by Mr. H. Mace in

the Entomologist, Vol. LIII, p. 64.

62 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

“/

A latons, L. (=lathonia, Auctt.)

Buxton notes having taken it at Menzil, 2,000 ft., 30th March 1919,

common but worn.

Genus MELITAMA, Fab.

M. trivia, Sehitf., Sub-sp. persea, Koll. Seitz. 1, 66d.

In the Brit. Mus. and by Lt.-Col. W. H. Evans, this form is classed under

trivia, Schiff., but Lt.-Col. Bingham (F. Br. Ind. Butt. Vol. 1, p. 453), described

it as a race of didyma, Esper. trivia and didyma, like all forms of Melitea, vary

greatly and are both widespread.

Key: Bright tawny with scalloped black marginal band and small black

spots above.

Underside apex of f.w. cream dotted with black, hindwing cream-white

with broken curved bands of tawny and small black spots, the terminations

of veins prominently black. Female, larger than male and hindwing beneath

more cream tinted.

Usually rather scarce where it is found, though in March ones one may

secure a dozeninamorning. The dry-season or June-July brood is apt to

be scarcer in collections than the other owing to the excessive heat, the

forbidding region where it occurs preventing much collecting. For these little

butterflies seem to delight in the hottest sunshine, with a temperature even in

the shade of 120° F. ; and the males being very small are particularly difficult

to follow with the eye in the glare and with perspiration streaming over one’s

eyelids. Indeed with a prospect of getting possibly a few little Melitea,

or very likely none, for one’s trouble, the collector needs to be an enthusiast

to go out into the heat and glare on these stony hills in June or July. These

butterflies must no doubt find dew or flowers of some sort on these seemingly

bare hills where they can renew the moisture of their small bodies in this

awful heat, where almost their only companions seem to be the large spiny-

tailed lizards (Uromastix loricatus}.

The habits of Persea here are like those of the race on the N. W. Frontier

of India on the Jebels or low hills at 400 to 600 feet elevation in Mespotamia,

the males settle on the stony ground at the crests of the ridges, now and again

rising to sport with some passing butterfly, and again settling with wings

spread to the sunshine.

Usually when put up they soon settle again near the same spot. Being

small they are not very easily seen when settled; so on coming up to a

hill-crest it is best to watch the sky-line when a Meliiea may be seen

to rise up to meet some rival and settle again on the ground, where the net with

tail and held up may be dropped over it. If the end of the net is not held up

the butterfly is apt to damage its wings against the stones. Females are much

the rarer, end may be met with unexpectedly: perhaps settled on the ground

near a camp, or at a flower. Freshly emerged examples were taken on 16th

March 1919; on 21st May worn specimens only were taken. The previous

year some in fresh condition were taken on 27th June.

An autumn brood, such as occurs on the N. W. F. of India, is probable also

in Mesopotamia. Females were seen flying along the sides of stony ridges without

settling, while the males kept often settling, about the crests both in Meso-

potamia and on the North West Frontier of India, where too a mated pair were

taken settled on the ground of the summit with a second male hovering about

them. So these stony hill-crests would appear to be their mating places, the

males waiting there to waylay the females as they come by. Lt.-Col.

Watney took this Sp. at Baghdad far from any hills on April 19th, 1919. A

pale form var robertsi, Rutt., also occurs on the N. W. F. of India.

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA, 63

Localities :—Jebel, Kizil Robat, on Dyala, 16th March to 9th April, 21st May

1919. Jebel Hamrin, Dyala, 27th June 1918. At Fathah on Tigris, 11th April,

19th June 1920. Baghdad, 19th April 1919.

N. W. Persia; Karind valley. August 1918, occurs also on N. W. Frontier

of India and Afghanistan.

Spring Brood.—Kizil Robat, 16th March to 35rd April, 32 ¢, 8 9;

Fathah, 11th April.

Summer Brood.—Fathah, right bank of Tigris, 17th June 1920; Jebel

Hamrin, bank of Dyala, 2/-28th June 1918.

Capt. Riley notes:—‘‘The summer brood is constantly smaller, much

lighter and sandier, the black markings very much reduced in size and

depth, above and below.”

M. didyma., casta, Koll.

Harir, 9th August 1918, 1 ¢ ; 12th August 1918, 1 Q.

Capt. Riley’s note continues :—‘‘Taking Kollar’s descriptions of casta and

persea in conjunction it appears very obvious, especially as he also records M.

phoebe, that one must refer to the Persian race of didyma, the other to that

of trivia. And, from en examingtion of the series of both species from

Mesopotamia and Persia in the B. M., lam convinced that, contrary to the

general usage, persea represents the race of trima and casta that of didyma.

I give below a translation of Kollar’s description (Deustch. Akad, Wissen.

Wien, I, p. 50, 1850). A character [have found of use in separating these

two species 1s the position of the black marks in areas 2 and 8 of the

hindwing underside, between the orange bands. These markings are

generally, in each area, three in number, and in érivia the middle one is

nearer the distal one ; in didyma nearer the proximal one.” *

Kollar Deut. K. K. Akad. Wissen Wien, I, p. 50, 1850.

Melitwa casta —Wings above fulvous, the costal strigee of forewings and

a broad submarginal fascia common to both wings and the margin itself

black ; hindwings pale yellowish, with two very pale fulvous bands, the

broad stripes and the series of black marginal spots less distinct,

Exp. TU eye

Next to M. didyma, from which, however, it differs most in that the

wings above have fewer black bands and spots, and that the bands of the

underside of the hindwing have almost disappeared.

Meliteea persea — Wing above fulvous ; forewings with three black macular

bands, hindwings with two; below, the apex of the former and the whole

of the latter pale yellow; the macular bands of the forewings (below)

conforming with those of upper surface, the hindwings with two pale

fulvous bands and black lunules and spots. Exp. alar. 17.’”

Similar to the preceding but the inarkings of hindwings on the underside,

which is casta in very similar to didyma; in this manifestly differs and

comes closer to M. didyma (sic!, ? some other species intended) from which,

however, it ought to be separated owing to the failure of the black spots

especially at the bases of the wings.

persea must be trivia, ssp. ;

costa 3. 95 didyma, ssp.

Genus JUNONIA (Precis).

J. orithya, L., Seitz. 1.62b. ssp. here, Lang.

Key: Bases black, outwardly broad bright blue, with a white apical bar

on the forewing. There are two red ocelli on each wing near the margin.

Common near Basra and Shaiba ; scarce at Kut (Major Broughton, R.E.).

64 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

Baghdad, October, several taken; Babylon, January ; Amara, May ; Baiji

near Fathah, in June ; Khanikin, October.

Buxton took this at Amara in May, July, September, October and November.

Baghdad, 31st October 1920—5th November }920,1 @, 6 9.

Key to the forms of Pyrameis, &c.

A. Upp. f.w. apex black with white spots.

Vermilion band across both wings. ..P. atalanta.

Upperside hindwing, terminal half sallow yellow . P. cardni.

B. A conspicuous small white L. eos mark on underside

ot hindwing as 33 . . Polygonia egea.

C. <A large conspicuous white cee on U. ‘ih: Waters Ae ..P. c-album.

Genus PERAMEIS, Hb.

P. atalanta, L., Seitz. 1. 62c.

The ‘“‘ Red Admiral.”

Black velvety ground with transverse bands of dark vermilion on f.w. and on

hindwing an outer marginal band of same enclosing four black spots. Apex

of f.w. velvety black with one large white spot and five smaller ones. H. w.

with a small double blue spot at tornus. Underside of f.w. as above, but bands

pale, parallel and followed by some bluish markings. The apex stone-coloured ;

of h.w. richly marked with dark and light brown, bluish and stone colour.

A few taken at Kizil Robat on the Dyala in November 1918 at mint flowers

- and hibernated specimens in March. Mosul “3 or 4, alla very small variety

(Capt. Aldworth).

Localities :—Mesopotamia—Kizil Robat, Mosul. Throughout Europe, N.

Africa, W. Asia, N. America, Hamarin Isles. As with other migratory butter-

flies, it varies little geographically.

P, cardui, Lin., Seitz. 1. 62d.

Larva. Blackish brown, with a longitudinal pale interrupted line on each

side. The segments armed with short branched spines. Feeds on _ thistles

and Artemisia. Pupa “ tuberculate: head bluntly cleft, pale ochraceous or

brown, more or less spotted with yellow.”

Abundant in Mesopotamia, especially in April. Basra abundant, Sheik

Saad, common in April 1917, disappearing during hot weather (Major T. D.

Broughton, R.E.). Amara, May 1918. Kizil Robat on R. Dyala 1919.

January 20th and Feb. 19th common ; March 6th in thousands at flowers, rather

worn; April4tha fresh brood appearing: 10th abundant, many flying West:

19th abundant both battered old ones and a handsome bright new brood ; May

10th larva found on leaf of small thistle, pupated, imago emerged May 22nd’

Khanikin, Sept.-Oct., both old and new broods. Baiji on right bank of Tigris,

common in worn states in March 1920; fresh bright ones later.

S. Kurdistan. Suleimanyeh, Sept. Ist. Jujar Nov. 22nd, a few seen.

'This-butterfly is widespread about the world.

Genus POLYGONIA.

P. egea, Cr. Seitz, Vol. I, p. 1, 64 c.

Pale golden fulvous white marginal row of yellow spots above.

L shaped mark on underside of hindwing.

Small white

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA, 65

f. egea,

5 @, Karind Gorge, 15-17th July, 12th August 1918.

1 @, Mosul, 24th April 1919 (ex. Aldworth).

Taken on walls and rock facing the sun, about 4 p.m.

f. J. album.

2 @, Karind Gorge, 14-17th July 1918.

Capt. Riley remarks on these as follows :—

“The two forms are very distinct. It will be noticed that on 17th

July 1918 both forms were caught flying together.”

It may be of interest here to publish a note on the Central Asiatic forms

of this genus which was made by M. Andre Avinoff whilst on a visit to the

(British) museum shortly before the war. He says: “* Polygonia egea

(triangulum) is found in Kurope; in the South, from Caucasus it begins to

get darker and generally runs into the form of Central Asia. It is not

the interposita of Staudinger, as the interposita is the OC. album form with

some character of egea (I saw the type and studied the form by the Turkis-

tan material). Grum-Grshmailo gave the name undina (Rom. Mem. IV.,

p. 424) to the egea of Turkistan but he was not quite right on the distri-

bution (all he says about Osh and Margelan). In reality wndina goes to

Chitral by Bokhara and flies together with interposita. The series of the

British Museum contain both species (egea does not go on the South),

interpostta is darker in Chitral, Goorais, Thundiani (cognata) and brighter

and less dark in the South Himalaya (Nepal, Sikkim to Ta-tsien-lu) (where

it is) the agnicula (=tibetana, Elwes). The interposita is very near to

C. album, but it may be a distinct species.” A. Avinoff.

From this and the series in the B. M., and in fact from Staudinger’s

original description* it is evident that interpositt has nothing to do with

egea but is a good species or the central asiatic race of ©. album. What

has generally been knewn as interposita must in future go by the name

undina, Gr. Gr.

“ Vanessa (Grapta) CO. album var, interposita, Stgr. Four specimens received from

Ala Tan necessitate my setting up a var. interposita, to which I now add algo the

specimen from the Saison District and one from the Altai District (Ustkameno-

gorsk). The specimens have above as dark an outer marginal area as the North

American form faunus, which name Strecker simply places as a synonym of

L. album, which name, however, in spite of the presence of intermediates, might

very well be maintained for this nearctie foria. The underside of this central

asiatic var. interposita resembles more the ab, (var. ?) J. album of egea, Cr. with the

dark underside tor which I at first took it. The C-mark especially is never so

completely round or large as always in typical C. albwm, but forms a somewhat

blunt angle as in egea or even only streak slightly bent below. Certainly this

(mark) also varies in C. albwm and in all other Grapta species. In the North

American faunus it is almost as bent as in C. album. EHgea ab. J. album is

ho vever on the uaderside much more longitudinally streaked and above has never

such a dar& outer margin as has interposita. The C.albwm which are dark below

are mostly brighter and in particular are without the brighter outer margin such

as interposita shows. On this account these cannot either be referred to var.

faunus all of which have a broader outer margin above, especially to the hind-

wing. Since examples from Kashmir and India also have this, and also in the

males the very round C-mark (the females have mostly only a dash) I refer them

rather to fawnus than to interposita. Two males from Margelan are very peculiar,

one of them agrees completely with interposita, the other is above almost exactly

as light as egea ab. J. album. Also below it (the latter) agrees almost completely

w.th it in all respects and also the other specimen is just as much longitudinally

streaked ; the C-mark is reduced to a dash. These two examples belong more

to egea than to C. album; butIrefer them both to interpostia. Unfortunately

I have no @. album from Amur or Japan before me.”

* Staudinger. Stell. Ent. Zell. 1881, p. 286.

66 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

My own impression is that itis a good species. It is very much like

agnicula, Moore, but has hind margin of the hindwing very broadly black,

enclosing, usually, five very small pale spots—in agnicula these pale spots

form a band—and the underside is somewhat, especially in the female,

reminiscent of egea. The fact that with it in various parts of Kashmir

cognata flies at the same time, and that cognata is pretty obviously a race

of C. album, tends to support this view. Intergrades to agnicula occur, but

not to cognata. The position in the Himalayas seems to be that there are

three species, viz. :—

1. P. egea undina, Gr. Gr. Chitral, Hunza.

2. P. C. album cognata, Moore, Thundiani; Kulu; Nandar; Simla;

Champur.

3. P. interposita interposita, Stgr. Chitral; Ladakh; Kylang; Kulu;

Gervais; Pungi Dugi; Goolmerg ; Gurwhal.

P. interposita agnicula, Moore, (=tibetana Elwes) Nepal; Sikkim ;

Tibet to Ta-sien-lu and Washan.

It may be well here to correct an error in Seitz. Macrolep, I. » Pp 208,

with regard to the Japanese forms :—

Fentoni i is not a synonym of hamigera. It is the older name for the form

with the light brown underside ; hamigera being based on a specimen of the

form with slightly narrower forewings and more melanic upperside, an

extreme of the form in fact”.

P. C. album, L. f. hutchisonni, Robson.

1 9, Karind Gorge, 12th August 1918.

Genus LIBYTHEA,

L, celtis, Esp.

1 9, Karind Gorge, 16th July 1918, taken at small tree ; another seen.

Underside coloration of hindwing more uniformly grey than in European

specimens ; more like some Chitral specimens.

PAPILIONIDA.

Genus 1—PAPILIO.

Key. a. Hindwing.—No central dark band ; a post-discal broad

black band .dusted with blue. Large

terra-cotta-red and blue tornal spot.

Ground colour bright yellow. machaon.

b. Hindwing.—Two black bands traversing hindwing cen-

trally. Ground colour yellowish white. podalirius.

P. machaon, L., ssp, centralis, Stgr.

19 g, 22 9 examined.

Capt. Riley notes :—‘“ A variable series, but not separable from centralis,

Stgr. On the whole the specimens are very pale in culour, more especially

the bred specimens.’

Expanse.—3°7 inches.

machaon in Mesopotamia averages larger than type and than the race from

Mussoorie in the Western Himalayas, though perhaps not so large as some

found in Sikkim.

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA. 67

Mesopotamia provides at least five food plants of machaon, three of

them in great abundance, so that, with the vast extent of swamp in places

somewhat like the Norfolk broads, and of plateaux, it is found commonly from

near sea level by the rivers, to the highlands across the northern border. In early

spring it is fond of cruising around the crests of stony hills or “‘ jebels ” and of

settling at flowers or on the ground there. But it is most plentiful in May,

about the banks and beds of the rivers and on the neighbouring plateaux where

its food-plants abound. In April and May a low growing deep-yellow flowered

rue is common on the table land at about 400 ft. elevation, the plant consisting

mostly of the flower-sprays which grow to about a foot in height, each plant

separately, but in groups forming yellow patches on the plateau. This plant

was identified at Kew as Ruta tuberculata, Linne. The whole plant has an un-

pleasant smell, and, when picked or handled, leaves as intensely bitter sub-

stance on the fingers. It occurs less plentifully on the banks of the rivers.

Larvee were most easily to be found by searching plants growing at the margin

of old trenches. They were conspicuous and, as with all Papilio larve, extruded

the orange-coloured osmeterium emitting a strong ‘Tom-cat’ like odour when

disturbed. The larve fed on the flowers. As this plant began to go to seed,

an umbellifer, Ammi majus, Linne, came into flower; and on this eggs were

laid by machaon singly on flower buds at the margin of young flower-clusters.

This plant was common about moist patches and in hollows ; and when young,

is very slender, so that one saw a machaon repeatedly hovering about what

at first appeared to be a grass-stem but on closer inspection proved to be an

umbellifer. As this plant began to goto seed, another—identified at Kew as

Ducrosia anethifolia, D. C.—which seemed to be local and not common, came

into flower on the banks of the Dyala ; the leaves being rather stiff and a little

like split miniature palm-leaves. The whole plant is a yellowish green, flowers

paler, and all parts having an aromatic parsley or carrotlike smell. It grows

in clumps and singly about conglomerate rock.

Two larve only were found on this, both having remarkably white bands

instead of yellowish or green ones, so that they were very conspicuous. While

A. majus and this last mentioned plant were going over, a fourth food-plant,

Ammi visnaga, Lam., had grown up among the first, especially in moist hollows

on the banks and in the bed of the rivers and old canals. It is thick-

stemmed, very erect, leaves made up of long filamentous branchings, the

whole plant except the flowers being conspicuously deep green with compact

umbrella like clusters of white flowers set more closely and uniformly together

than those of A. majus; the pedicels being evenly arranged like numerous

wires from the stem or stick of the umbrella.

This plant continued in abundance and conspicuously green when in the middle

of June A. majus and others had mostly withered to dry sticks. The larve

fed on the flowers of all these food plants and scarcely ever on the leaves

though Lt.-Col. W. H. Evans informs me that at Murree he has bred machaon

“ on fennel-leaves not flowers.”

Three of these food-plants grow in great abundance by the Dyala at about

400 feet elevation, where 34 larve almost full grown were easily obtained on

Ruta tuberculata within an hour. The extensive grass-fires which occur on

these plateaux in the hot months must destroy vast numbers of eggs, larvae

and pupz of butterflies and moths.

A fifth food-plant an umbellifer, Feniculum vulgare, Gerta, was noted on

May 2nd, 1920, at Baiji, having with its clusters of orange yellow flowers some

general resemblance to rue. On some of these, near which a bleached machaon

was seen, eggs of machaon were found laid singly, some on the lower and outer-

side of the pedicels of the flowers; some about the middle, others close

up below the florets, and one on a filament of a leaf arising by a flower-cluster.

The eggs were semi-opaque pale green and mostly with a broad reddish brown

68 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

band ; spherica] in shape, except where attached, and the surface seen under

the microscope was only slightly rough. On 7th May a spiny black larva, with

dull white medial patch and black head, hatched probably the previous day

from one of the same batch of eggs was found on a floret of this plant. Moulted

10th May, becoming greenish white spotted with black with some lateral orange

spots and slight spines, which were black except on segments 7 and 8, which

still remained white. At this stage the larva was much less orange than those

found at Kizil Robat the previous year.

On 12th May it again cast its skin becoming greenish white, banded transver-

sely on each segment with orange and black spots, and with black interseg-

mental bands. It eventually reached full size being greenish white with trans-

verse black band and orange spots. Towards the end it fed on the young seeds ;

on 19th May when wandering to pupate it fell into some water where it was

found motionless and limp, apparently dead ; but after being placed in the sun

for about an hour it slowly revived, and pupated on 21st May, becoming a

pale stone-brown pupa, but it died in this stage.

A pair were observed in copula on May 31st, one bright yellow, the other

much paler and slightly smaller; the former was doing the flying. On the

same date females were seen ovipositing, some on A. majus and others on A.

visnaga, the two being in flower at the same spot. The egg, nearly round and

like a shining semi-opaque pale-green bead, was laid at the base of a floret or on

the leaflet by the side of a floret. The eggs were remarkably easily detached

accidentally, as on handling the plant. On the same date, May 31st, eggs and

Jarve in almost all stages were found on both Ammi majus and A. visnaga ; and

one larva on a spray of Ruta tuberculata growing there and still in flower.

The larve on the yellow-flowered rue had yellowish-green bands ; the two

on D. anethifolia had pure white bands as before mentioned and a few found on

A. majus and A. visnaga on 31st May had very pale, nearly white, bands on

each segment.

At Kizii Robat the very young larva was orange brown with a white portion

medially. In early stages it has spine-like tubercles, which disappear later ;

and about the third moult the white median portion gives place to the orange-

spotted black bands on the ground-colour as in other segments. The orange

spots on these bands are of vivid colour.

When very small the larve lie along the stems of the pedicels of florets

when at rest, but at all stages are fairly easily seen.

Larve were easily reared on sprays of R. tuberculata placed in bottles, the

sprays and water being renewed twice daily. The escape of a few restless

larvee about to. pupate warned one to put the larger larvee together on sprays in

one bottle with an old butterfly net placed over the sprays and larvee and tied

around the neck of the bottie; then any larve showing signs of diarrhcea or

wandering could be detected and transferred each to an inverted glass tumbler

in which a stem had been placed slantways; and on this the larve usually

readily pupated, at first resting head upwards then turning head down while

making the tail-pad of silk and again turning head upwards to make the body-

girdle and to compiete pupation, the larval skin being very rapidly thrown off

after the moment of the first split in it being made. The pupating larva having

made its silk pad and girdle, the stem to which it was attached was then removed

from the tumbler and placed with others around a cork in a bottle to await the

emergence of the butterfly in from ten to fifteen days time in the warm weather

of May.

Pupz varied in colour from grass-green studded with bright yellow tubercles

of exactly the same shade as the flower-buds of the rue, these mostly producing

females, to stone colour and some darkly marked brown, males generally emerging

from these last.

Of four larve which temporarily escaped, one became a dust-coloured pupa

en the rope lacing of the tent ; a second turned to a green pupa at the side of

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA, 69

the back of a camp chair, matching exactly the colour of the Willesden-canvas

to which it was attached. A day or so before the writer had noticed on leaning

back in the chair the strong smell usually emitted by a machaon larva on being

disturbed, but, on looking for it, did not see it then ; a third pupated on a wood-

en box, here again matching the colour of the wood ; while the fourth, on the

camp-bed being set up again, after having been folded up in its case and moved

with other kit on a cart from the last camp, was found attached undamaged

to the iron cross-piece of the bed.

Circumstances prevented the completion of experiments with A. majus and

A. visnaga, and the larve on these had to be liberated. The emergence from the

pupa and wonderful, rapid, expansion of its wings was an ever-fascinating

process to watch. It took place often about 5 a.m. (in June) and emergence

was so rapid that one rarely witnessed the formation of the first crack in the

pupa-case.

A small black parasitic fly infests this species, scores of its pupe being found

in each of several pup found in the open attached to plants, whereas very

few pupz reared from larve taken nearly fully grown were thus infested.

One pupa was found on the stem of A. majus about three feet above the ground ;

another on the stem of a yellow composite flower scented like lavender.

To capture the free butterfly the net should be dropped over it as it is settled

or hovering, the tail of the net being held up, as a side sweep is very apt to

damage the wings or tails, especially among the sharp-spined yellow thistles

so attractive to butterflies, Like all swallow-tails it is very apt to damage

itself in the net if not quickly killed.

machaon was often to be found in the spring at the top of stony hill-crests

and, when first put up, usually cruised around for a _ bit but settled eventually

at a flower or on the bare ground in the sunshine at the highest spot, to be

secured by dropping the net over it after a cautious approach. As mentioned

before, it is often found associated with Melitea didyma and a Synchle belemia

or Luchle on the hill tops—Melitea settled on the ground and Synchle merely

hurrying past. In May itis remarkably common on the banks of the Dyala and

many may be taken in a short time especially between 9 and 10 in the morning.

But the best specimens are of course obtained by rearing from the larve, the

largest larvee being taken to ensure early pupation. On the banks of the Dyala

at the end of May many of these butterflies are worn and bleached.

Localities :—Kut-el-Amara : Kotamiyeh forest near Azizieh (Major Broughton) ;

Baghdad and Mosul (Lt.-Col. Watney); Kizil Robat by the Dyala, Baiji and

up to 6,000 feet at Karind in N. W. Persia.

The following notes regarding larve and periods of pupal stage may be of

interest. Many more larve pupated and emergence duly took place, but

date of pupation was not always noted.

Larvee were common on April 15th, and one was found on June 23rd.

The dates of pupation and emergence were noted in the following instances :—

Pupated. Emerged. Period in days. Sex.

April 18 April 28 10 3

g al May 1 10 2

2? 22 ”? 2 10 fo}

eae eo 12 2

9 23 ” 5 12 3d

ae oe - 6 12 2

” 24 2” 8 14 3

Pen 45, ; 9 14 ce)

Pras oe 13 2

May 22 wy ak - 2

3 ave une. 1 10 3

Po ees = 6 10 2

70 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII,

P. podalirius, L. Seitz. Vol. 1°7 ¢.

Much paler yellow than machaon. 2 black bands from costa to dorsum of

forewing. 1 black band trave sing hindwing centrally to anal eyespot: tail

long and straight continuation of hindwing.

Two specimens of this were taken by Capt. Aldworth and Capt. Marshall at

5,000 ft. at Suwarra above Mosul in the first half of July.

The fact that oak, plum and other fruit-trees are food-plants of this butterfly

explain its being found in the hills and not on the plain.

The larva is thick, narrowed posteriorly, green with many dark spots and

oblique yellow lateral lines.

P. alexanor, E. Seitz. Vol. 1.7a is likely to occur in the highlands. It has

a continuous yellow marginal band on forewing, a distinct black elongated

discoidal spot on hindwing and the antennz tipped with yellow.

Kane says its food-plants are ‘‘ Seseli montanum and other umbellifers.”

Genus 2.—THAIS, Hb.

T. cerisyi, Bdv. Sub.-sp. deyrollei, O!. Seitz. Vol. 1. 9d.

Kry: Hindwing, interrupted dentations along terminal margin, three

on each h.w. lengthened into tails.

Antenne short.

Upperside :—f. wing :-—ground colour very pale yellow with broad black

patches along costa ; dark shadings at apex and terminal margin.

ie Hindwing :—Interrupted dentation along terminal margin, and three on each

wing lengthened into tails. A median series of small red spots and one larger

costal one ringed with black.

Expanse :—just over 2 inches.

One, of large numbers seen migrating over open ground at Mosul at end of

April or early May, was taken by Capt. T. Aldworth, and sent to the British

Museum of Nat. History and there identified as this race of J. cerisyt

“having 3 fairly well developed tails to each hindwing,” one recorded also

from Tekrit by Stoneham.

The larva is stout, dark, but varying much in colour, with numerous tuber-

cles as in machaon, and 4 broad yellow longitudinal lines ; food-plant Aristolochia.

Genus 3.—DORITIS, Fabr.

D. apollinus, Herbst, Seitz. I-10c.

On the forewing rather densely pencilled transversely on a grey ground, the

3 being occasionally marked with a little red ; hindwing chalky white in fresh

specimens, yellowish in worn ones, the dark border bearing reddish spots centred

with blue. Q darker, stouter, pencilled also on the hindwing, here and there

irrorated with red. Western and South Western districts of Asia Minor, transi-

tional forms also in Syria and Mesopotamia.

T'wo specimens were sent to the Society, taken by Licut.-Col. Watney about

25 miles N. E. of Mosul at 1,000 feet where they were fairly common in fields

in April 1920.

(To be continued.)

THREE NEW ALPINE ORTHOPTERA FROM

CENTRAL ASIA,

B. P. UVAROV, F.E.S.

That the entirely unexplored Alpine Orthopteran fauna of the great mountain-

ous systems of the Central Asia (Kashmir, Tibet, etc.), includes many unknown

and even unexpected forms, is evidenced by the fact of my discovery of three

very peculiar new genera and species of these insects in the British Museum

collection where the Central Asiatic Orthoptera are represented by only a few

casual specimens. I hope, therefore, that the entomologists who have the chance

of collecting in those countries, will pay more attention to grasshoppers, locusts,

crickets and mantids, which are usually neglected as being “ uninteresting ”

In fact, the collecting and preserving (in paper packets, or amongst layers of

cotton-wool) of these insects is very easy and takes but very little time and

trouble, and the results are always very gratifying. The author should be very

glad to get for identification all collections of Orthoptera from Central Asia,

those from high mountains and from deserts* being the most interesting ; the

collections may be sent to the British Museum (Natural History), London,

Cromwell Road, 8. W. 7, and will be promptly worked out and returned, except

the types of new forms and duplicates wanted for the Museum.

The types and paratypes of the insects described in this paper are in the

British Museum collection.

Sub-family : Locustide,

1. Orinhippus, gen. nov.

. Resembling somewhat in its habitus to Sphingonotus but with very small,

lateral elytra and wings. Antennze sub-equal to the head and pronotum to-

gether, very slightly widened apically ; their bases are scarcely above the line

connecting the lower edges of the eyes. Head not thicker than the pronotum

in its fore part ; face somewhat reclinate ; frontal ridge distinctly prominent,

coarsely rugose, with its margins raised, teebly divergent from fastigium to-

wards the middle ocellum, suddenly and strongly constricted below it, then sub-

parallel but less distant than above the ocellum ; fastigium of the vertex sloping,

forming an obtuse but not rounded angle with the frontal ridge, longer than it is

broad, with the surface impressed ; temporal foveolz very small, irregular ; occi-

put globose, short ; eyes slightly ‘prominent sideways but not at all upwards,

short-oval, scar coly higher than long. Pronotum on the same level as the head,

distmetly narrowed anteriorly but without any constriction (7.e., conical) ; its

disc feebly convex ; median keel linear, interrupted by two transverse sulci ; the

second (typical) sulcus placed about the middle of the pronotum ; lateral keels

slightly indicated by the small elongate ridges at the fore margin, not reaching

the first sulcus ; fore margin straight ; higd margin very widely rounded ; lateral

lobes a little higher than long, narrowed downwards ; their fore angle obtuse ;

lower margin nearly straight, oblique ; hind angle obliquely truncate ; hind

margin oblique, slightly excavate. Prosternum somewhat incrassate. Mesos-

ternal lobes distinctly transverse, with inner margins and hind angles rounded ;

* As far as I know, not a single specimen of Orthoptera from the Indian Desert, for

instance, reached the hands of a specialist, and our knowledge of the fauna of Balu-

chistan, ‘Afghanistan a. o.is worse than fragmentary.

72 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

mososternal interspace about one half again as broad as one of the lobes. Metas-

tornal interspace sub-equal in width to one of the mesosternal lobes, Blytra per-

footly lateral, lance-shaped, extending a little beyond the hind margin of the me-

tanotum ; wings shorter than elytra, Tympanal organ open, but the tympanum

seems to be not membranaceous, and the organ is probably not functioning,

Abdomen distinetly conical, because the mesonotum, metanotum and the first

abdominal tergite are thickened ; a linear median keel runs all through the

abdominal tergites, gradually lowering backwards, Fore and middle legs short.

Hind femora not reaching the apex of the abdomen, moderately thickened basally

and gradually narrowed apically, Hind tibie with nine outer and eleven inner

apines, without an outer subapical spine ; apical spurs short, Valve of the

ovipositor short, rather thick, recurved apically ; the lower ones with obtuse

tooth,

Genotype : Orinhippus tibelanus, sp. n.

Orinhippus tibetanus, sp. n.

9. Greyish-ochraceous (has been preserved in’ spirit)” with greyish and

brownish dots, Face rugulose and spotted with brownish. Antenne with alter-

nate palo and brownish rings. Fastigium and occiput spotted with brownish,

Pronotum in the prosona rugulose, with brownish spots, in the metazona densely

punetured, ochraceous ; hind margin with brownish streaks along it. Elytra

of the general coloration, with indefinite greyish spots, Legs darker than the

body, marmorated and fasciated by brown, Hind femora with two fooble dark

fasciw on the upside, and with two still more indistinet oblique fascivw on the

outer side ; the second (subapical) upper fascia extends also in on the inner side

where it is somewhat better expressed ; the knees are brownish all over, with the

lobes paler, brown-spotitied. Hind tibie pale with the base, a fascia before the

middle and the apical fourth part, brownish ; spines and spurs with brown apices.

Length of body 18 mm, ; pronotum 4 mm. ; elytra 2°5 mm. yhind femora 9 mm.

Deseribed by a female from Gyangtse, 18,000 feet, June, 1904, Tibet Expedi-

tion, H. J. Walton ; three paratypic females are from the same locality,

The inseet is somewhat alike in its habitus to a Sphingonotus, but it lacks the

most characteristic feature of that genus—the constriction of the pronotum ; the

undeveloped elytra and thickened mesonotum and metanotum give it an alto-

gether peculiar appearance, Though the specimens are all rather discolored by

the spirit, it seems that their coloration when living has been essentially the

same as it is now,

2. Diecranophyma, gen. nov.

&. Resembling in its habitus to the New Zealandian genus Paprides, Hutt,

and the Indian Pileolwm, Bol,

Antenne somewhat compressed, a little longer than the head and pronotum

together, Head not prominent above the pronotum and not thicker than that.

Face strongly oblique ; frontal ridge elevated, in profile almost straight, flat,

with a feeble impression below the ocellum, with the margins straight, feebly

divergent downwards, very obtuse but nearly reaching the clypeus, Fastigium

of the vertex forming distinet angle with frontal ridge, distinctly prominent

before the eyes, but slightly shorter th@n broad, obtusely triangular ; its surface

very slightly impressed, with somewhat raised margins and with a low median

oarinula, which begins from the apex, but disappears in the occiput ; vertex be-

tween the eyes twice as broad as the frontal ridge between antenna, Eyes

irregularly oval, their vertical diameter exceeding the horizontal one by about

one-third of the latter; hind margin strongly rounded ; fore margin almost

straight ; both upper and lower angles subacute. Pronotum above flattened ;

median keel low, but very distinet, straight in profile, cut by the typical sulcus ;

ALPINE ORTHOPTERA FROM CHNTRAL ASIA, 73

prozona about twice as long a4 metazons ; lateral keols irregular owing to some

impressions alongside them, but quite distinct throughout (only in metazona

somewhat obliterate), interrupted by two sulci; fore margin of the dise slightly

convex ; hind margin deeply angularly excised, the margins of the emargination

distinctly convex ; lateral lobes distinctly longer than high, narrowed downwards

distinctly inflated in the upper part of the prozons ; their fore margin convex 5

fore angle widely rounded ; lower margin rotundato-angulate in the middle ;

hind angle very obtuse and widely rounded ; hind margin very oblique and slight-

ly concave, Prosternal tubercle transverse, with two conical spices directed

obliquely outwards. Mesosternal lobes distinetly broader than Jong, with inner

angles rounded ; mesosternal interspace a little broader than long, distinctly

widened backwards. Metasternal lobes distinetly separated, Elytra lateral,

oval, coriaceous, with only two longitudinal veins, while all other veing and vein-

lets are obliterate. Wings not developed. Tympanum large, open. Mesono-

tum, metanotum and abdomen with » low median keel, The last abdominal

segment with two teeth, Supraanal plate triangular, Cerci shorter than

supraanal plate, laterally compressed, triangular, Subgenital plate small, com-

prevsed laterally, with the apex conical, somewhat recurved, Kore and middle

femora short, distinctly inerarsate. Hind femora somewhat incrassate, but

only feebly dilated, extending well beyond the apex of the abdomen, Hind

tibie rounded, distinctly incrassate apically, armed with eight spines both in-

wardly and outwardly, without on outer apical spine ; inner spurs are longer

than the outer ones ; the outer lower spur is the smallest of all.

Genotype + Dicrunophyma hingstoni, ap.

Dicranophyma hingsoni, 8p. 1.

G. Olivaceous, moderately rugose. Vace greenish-grey, smooth; frontal

ridge sparsely, but rather coarsely punctured ; the sides of the fastigium, be-

tween the cases of antennwe, eyes and lateral margins of frontal ridge, black ;

heal from above with indefinite brownish fascia ; postocular fascim black,

narrowed posteriorly, Pronotum with the dise olivaceous, dull, but the keels

and raised rigdes are shining ; prozona with but few, rather indistinct, though

large, impressions ; metazona rugulose ; lateral lobes of a lighter shade than the

dise, shining, in metazons somewhat rugulose ; prozons with two oval impressions

just below the lateral keels, below the impressions inflated, with large oblique

black spot touching the lateral keels between the sulci and extending » little

beyond the hind sulcus. Metanotum and first tergite with irregular longitudi-

nal rugosities, olivaccous ond dull on the upper side, black and shining laterally ;

the upper part of mesopleure and metapleure shining black, the lower yellow-

ish green. Abdomen dull olivaceous from above, muddy yellow from beneath,

with the sides of 2-5 segments reddish. The teeth of the last abdominal segment

twiangular, broly separated ; supraanal plate longer than broad; its basal

half with » shallow median impression and two indistinct lateral impressions,

Fore and middle legs olivaceous. Hind femora olivaceous, with an yellowish

ring before the knee which is black all over; the inner and lower sides are

reddish, Hind tibie red, with the very base black and with » post-basal

yellowish ring ; the tips of spines brown. Hind tarsi reddish olivaceous.

Length of the body 17 mm, ; pronotum 4 mm. ; elytra 4 mm. ; hind femora

10 rom.

The type is unique ; it has been captured (13-9-1913) by that enthusiastic

explorer of Kashmir, Capt. RB. W. G. Hingston, in the Astor District, 9,000 feet,

and I am greatly pleased to have the opportunity of naming such an interest-

ing insect after him,

74 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

It is not easy to find a proper place in the system for this insect and the above

mentioned New Zealandian genus Paprides and Indian Pilcolum seem to be its

nearest, though by no means close, relatives. There are now three Central Asia-

tic Alpine wingless genera, belonging to the group Catantopine (Acridiine) :

Conophyma, Zub., Paraconophyma, Uvar.* and Dicranophyma, Uvar., and the

last named is easily distinguished from two others because it belongs to the

different section, without an outer apical spine on the hind tibiz.

Sub-family : Tettigoniide.

3. Hyphinomos, gen. nov.

2. Related to the Palearctic genera Amphiestris and Onconotus but strongly

differing from both in a number of characters.

Antenne longer than the body, setaceous, with rather dense short hairs ; first

joint thickened. Head short and thick, globose. Face vertical, convex, very

broad, smooth. Fastigium of the vertex produced in the shape of a truncate

tubercle, shallowly sulcate. Eyes small, but very prominent, perfectly round ;

their lower margins on the same line with the bases of the antenne.

Occiput broad, globose, smooth. Pronotum distinctly broader than long ;

rugose: its disc scarcely convex near the fore margin, feebly, but distinctly,

impressed behind the middle, with the hind margin slightly ascendent ;

one feeble transverse sulcus at the end of the fore fourth of the disc ; fore

margin slightly concave ; hind margin straight; all keels absent; lateral

lobes very uneven, strongly rugose, with lower margins raised and a rather

deep sub-marginal impression, the bottom of whichis finely longitudinally

rugulose ; hind part of lobes forming a straight, though widely rounded angle

with the surface of the dise ; general form of the lobes elongato-triangular,

the fore margin being straight and slightly oblique, fore angle obtuse, rounded,

lower margin in its fore part convex, then ascending obliquely to the shoulder,

so that there is no separate hind margin. Prosternum with two small, obtuse

widely separated tubercles. Mesosternum and metasternum transverse,

thickened, without separated lobes. Elytra lateral, round. Cerci short, conical.

Subgenital plate rather thick, transverse, slightly emarginate at the apex.

Ovipositor thick, broad, feebly recurved in the apical third, with the disc

longitudinally rugulose towards the apex. Fore coxe armed with a

strong, somewhat decurved spine. Fore femora short, rather thick, not armed.

Fore tibie thick, somewhat constricted in the middle, armed with an outer

upper subapical spine and with six strong spines on each side of the lower side.

Middle legs armed as the fore legs. Hind femora only twice as long as the

middle femora, not reaching the apex of the abdomen (if the latter is not

contracted) ; their basal half feebly incrassate ; the apical half bearing 8-10

spinules along each of the lower carine. Hind tibie thick, slightly decurved ;

all their keels obtuse, except the inner upper one, which is distinctly raised,

rather sharp and armed with about 10 spinules ; outer upper keel with about

8-10 small spinules ; the lower side with 4 inner and about 7 outer longer spines ;

two pairs of short spurs, the lower pair being shorter than the upper one. All

tarsi depressed, strongly bisuleate ; hind tarsi without moveable plantule.

Genotype : Hyphinomos fasciata, sp. n.

Hyphinomos fasciata, sp. n.

Q. Head smooth, sparsely and finely punctured in the middle of the face

and with two irregular rows of punctures on the occiput ; face whitish, with a

black transverse fascia along the upper margin of the clypeus ; another shining

black fascia runs across the bases of antenne, apex of the fastigium and eyes,

* Ann. Mag. Nat. History, Ser. I, vol. VII, p. 497, 1921.

ALPINE ORTHOPTERA FROM CENTRAL ASIA. 75

reaching the pronotum and widening behind the eyes. Antenne black. Pro-

notum reddish-brown ; lateral lobes margined with black. Mesopleure, meta-

pleure and all coxz on their upper side black. Abdomen smooth, brown. Elytra

reddish-ochraceous. All legs brownish-olivaceous ; hind femora with the base

of the inner side and the lower sulcus black. Ovipositor brownish, with the

upper margin black.

Length of body 22 mm., pronotum 5mm. ; elytra2 mm. ; hind femora 11 mm. ;

ovipositor 12 mm.

Described from three females (type and two paratypes) from Dakar, Western

Tibet, 15,000—16,000 feet. 23rd August 1905. T. G. Longstaft.

This is a very peculiar insect, occupying a rather isolated position amongst its

relatives, which are the Western Mediterranean genus Amphiestris and the

Siberian Onconotus. The male is unfortunately unknown, but there is no doubt

that it has the elytra more developed than the female, and transformed com-

pletely into a sounding apparatus ; it is not impossible that its pronotum is also

modified. I do not know any other records of Orthoptera from such an extra-

ordinary high altitude as this one.

A FEW HINTS ON CROCODILE SHOOTING.

W. H. O. SHortt. .

(Withtwo plates and a diagram.)

I have been asked by our Honorary Secretary to write a short article entitled

«* A few hints on crocodile shooting.”

T think it best to give a short summary of how to carry out a crocodile shoot,

so that a complete novice may know what to do, and an older hand, may,

perhaps, pick up one or two useful tips.

With mo the pen is certainly not mightier than the sword, but I will do my

best and trust to the leniency of my readers. This is not meant to be a literary

masterpiece, but merely a few practical remarks strung together. To start with

I will explain the outfit required for a shoot of a few days, as I presume you will

not go for a single day only, and even then the outfit would be much the same.

You will probably have to camp out when indulging in this sport, but that is a

pleasure in the cold weather. The outfit I give includes no camping out articles,

as that is a matter that does not concern this article.

OUTFIT AND PERSONNEL REQUIRED FOR A CROCODILE SHOOT.

Ariicles. Personnel.

Pair Binoculars. 1 Overseer.

Rifle. 1 Harpooner.

Rifle rest. 1 Axeman.

Gun. 2 Boatmen.

Axe (4 lbs.). 6 Chamaars.

Harpoons complete.

Feet 2” diam. rope.

Light boat.

Pole.

Paddle.

Feet tow line }” diam.

Skinning knives.

Sharpening board or stone.

Good file.

Ten foot bamboo for carrying skins.

Tape measure.

Set of maps.

Ball twine.

Sack needle.

Sacks or gunny cloth.

Salt, say three maunds.

—

(=) (oe)

DORM KH SBE ee HE OOeE HP HEP ORE HR Re

—

You want a very hard hitting rifle with a low trajectory, such as a Ross, which,

unfortunately, is not now obtainable. Westly Richards make a mfle which I

think is ‘318 bore ; this ought to be good according to the specification. If you

can afford to do so, get your rifle fitted with a telescopic sight, as in no branch

of shooting have you to be more accurate than in crocodile shooting. Another

Journ,, Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Pilate I.

)

eae i

A heavy Mugger (C. palustris).

Getting out a heavy Mugger (C. palustris).

Hints oN CrocopiLe SHOOTING.

Fah 46,

Sad

mi.

Dt Mes 39

‘he ’

We me tee Nealon rye

AFEW HINTS ON CROCODILE SHOOTING, 77

rifle which has the qualifications of being cheap and nasty but very accurate and

hard hitting is the -405 Winchester magazine rifle. This has an under lever action

which is very bad, as you do a good deal of your shooting lying down and in

that position you cannot conveniently open and close the breach, but with

this rifle, if you get a well placed shot in, you seldom require another.

The harpoon is a somewhat complicated affair. It consists of thres main

purts : (2) a shaft twelve to fifteen feet long, bound with wire at the thick end

to prevent it splitting ; (>) ten feet of stout cord about 4 inch diameter, fastened

to the shaft and about 8 strands of Linch diameter cord 15 feet long each, attached

to the loose end of the thick cord, uh other ends being attached - to the harpoon

ring. This is to prevent the animal cutting the cord near to the harpoon, as

occasionally happens if a single thick cord is used. These thin cords should be

bound together, at about 18 inches interval to avoid getting them entangled ;

2 inch flat iron, fitted into a wooden collar, and the end turned over to prevent

it being pulled out. The sketch of the harpoon explains things better than

words. This barbed head must always be kept sharp, and the point should be

fairly obtuse so as not to get bent by striking against a hard part of the

animal,

This outfit is for a one man show. If there are two or more of a party, it

is advisable for one to go on each side of the river, in which case you want

an extra harpooner and axeman, if you would save time.

The best time to plan your shoot is between December and February, before

the hot weather begins. During these three months, besides being cool, snow-fed

rivers such as the Kosi and its tributaries are at their lowest ebb, and the croco-

diles have numerous banks to bask on. It is cold in the mornings and evenings,

and warm all day, with the result that the animals are out from about 9 a.m. to

4 p.m. You don’t need to get up before sunrise. You get up at a respectable

hour, have your breakfast comfortably and then sally forth just in time to get

the early crocs. As it gets hotter the animals come up earlier and earlier, and

stay later and later, until when the weather gets really hot during the day

they come up about sunrise and then go down again about 10 a.m., coming up

78 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

again about 4 or 5 p.m. and staying till dark, or sometimes till after dark,

Very big animal occasionally come and bask at night during the hot weather.

When you have fixed your dates for shooting, get your outfit ready and engage

a shikarri. Tell him to first obtain full details of road and river communication,

especially in the Kosi district, and then to locate the favourite sandbanks of the

crocodiles. Get these fixed on your map as accurately as possible by getting

their direction from the nearest villages. Do not on any account trust to your

shikarri’s ideas of distances, as he will cheerfully call five miles a kos or two miles.

Having done this, engage your personnel and boat and fix your route roughly.

I say roughly on purpose, because local or climatic conditions may force you

to alter your plans. When you go crocodile shooting, wear breeches, as otherwise

crawling about or going on all fours will be found painful to your knees.

Breeches also save you from getting sun scorched if you are not accustomed to

wearing shorts, especially if you are in a boat. A dark khaki shirt and ordinary

pigsticker topie complete your outfit ; if you want to do it in style, add a pair of

rubber soled shoes or boots to your kit. These are very useful when stalking,

as, besides being noiseless they do not break dry twigs so readily as ordinary

boots. Crocodiles are extremely keen of hearing and very sharp sighted, so one

has to be careful to keep out of sight of them, and to avoid treading on dry

twigs or grass if possible. In localities where people are constantly coming

and going, such as near ghats, they become quite bold, and you can frequently

' walk up to a point opposite them on the other bank, sit down comfortably and.

pot one of them at your leisure.

This, of ccurse, is only possible when the river is narrow enough to shoot across.

Tf you are shooting along a river and travelling in a boat in preference to foot-

slogging it along the banks, always follow the outside curve of a bend in the river,

and keep close to the bank, as this enables you to see farthest head, and

also makes it easier to disembark quickly, as frequently one comes across an

animal that is not visible till you approach quite close to it, and if you have

then to come in from somewhere about midstream, and happen to be going

down current as well, you are on to the animal before you can come ashore.

This is obviated by sending scouts well ahead, one on each bank, to warn you.

When you arrive in the vicinity of the first bank, go forward and from a dis-

tance examine the plan and the animals carefully with your binoculars, select

your animal and the best place to shoot it from.

You will usually find that a short snouter, if on the opposite bank, is bolder

than a long snouter, and may be more easily approached, but if on the same side

of the river as yourself, the long-snouter is the bolder. If you have to stalk for

position, walk up till you can, just see them from a crouching position, and then

drop on all fours. If your glasses are in a sling case, you had better discard them

here, as they will impede you and are apt to disturb the animals by bumping

against your knees. For some reason or other a crocodile does not seem to object

to your approaching on all fours nearly as much as if walking. You can fre-

quently get to within 80 or 100 yards of them over absolutely open country if

you go on all fours. When you have gone as near as possible like this, Jie down

flat and imagine you are a worm and crawl as close as you can under cover.

Going like this you require very little, or low cover. A few sprigs, blades of

corn in the puggari of your helmet are a great assistance in stalking. I may

remark here, that it is advisable to have a foresight protector of a kind that

closes the muzzle of your rifle and prevents it getting filled with sand or mud

for this sort of stalking, as otherwise sand is bound to get in and then you have

to clean it out. All this means unnecessary movements on your part, which

you wish to avoid. When you have got as near as possible, slowly erect your

rifie rest, which should be adjustable. I use a pointed stick with nails driven

in three inches apart. If you are a humane person, don’t shoot without the

A FEW HINTS ON CROCODILE SHOOTING. 79

rest, as you have really a very small target to aim at. It is quite easy to hit

your animal, but unless you hit him in the right place, he will merely slip into

the water and be lost, wounded.

An animal of 7 to 8 feet in length may be knocked out by a heavy bullet through

the body, but above that length, unless you smash the spine, which is not usual,

it is quite useless to take a body shot and expect to stop the animal. You must

get him on the neck, between the jaw and shoulder. Even this target is limited.

Divide this part horizontally, into four equal divisions. You must get your bullet

into the middle two divisions if you want to stop your animal till you can har-

poon him. You may manage to harpoon him if he is hit above or below this,

but it is doubtful. There is one other spot to hit him. If you know your rifle

and can hit the mark, the upper quarter of the head, horizontally, is a very

deadly shot, as you usually blow out the animals brains, but it is also a very

difficult shot. I have seen an animal go away with two bullets in his head.

One got him behind the eye in the upper jaw, but below the brain line,

and remained inside, and the other took a piece of the top of his head off,

without smashing his brain. These were *405 bore Winchester bullets, and

anybody who knows that make of rifle, will have some idea of what a big

crocodile can stand.

Before starting to stalk your animal, place your harpooner. He should be as

close to the animal as he can approach without fear of disturbing it. On a still

day he ought to be about 40 or 50 yards off, but if a good wind is causing a rustle

in the grass or scrub, he may approach closer. As soon as you fire he will rush

down and harpoon the animal, near the head for choice, and from behind. This

prevents the animal seizing the harpoon, and the man in charge can then, with

a little trouble, free the head of the harpoon from the shaft and wrap the cord

round the animal’s snout three or four times. This prevents him snapping, and

while the harpoon holds the snout in one direction, the axeman severs its spinal

column from the opposite side. Because you may happen to have absolutely laid

out the animal with your rifle, unless it has been the brain shot, don’t neglect the

axe and leave the crocodile, because he almost certainly is not dead, and if

you left him for an hour and came back, it is quite possible you would not find

him. He will have recovered a little and struggled into the water. Once his

spinal column is severed, he is safe. If you have not the axe handy, put a charge

of No. 4 shot into his brain from about three feet away. If you are after a short

snouter you cannot wind the cord round his snout owing to the shape, therefore,

if he is of any size, always take a gun with you, and as soon as he is harpooned,

if he shows the least sign of life, put a charge of No. 4 into his head from 2 feet

away. He has a much thicker skull than the long snouter. If he appears quite

dead, or at all events, quiescent, seize him by the tail and hind legs and drag

him ashore, and then apply the axe. A short snouter is very much harder to

kill than a long snouter, and both, if alive, are very dangerous when harpooned,

so whatever you do, keep out of range of their jaws. The neck shot,

properly placed, and not too near the foreleg, will usually stop a short snouter

long enough to harpoon him, but you can never be sure. They have enormously

thick, muscular necks, and they will often get into the water without being har-

pooned, no matter where they are hit, as they usually lie very close to the water,

and almost invariably, where there are short snouters of any size, there you will

find very deep water, and deep close to the edge. The shot will usually kill him

eventually, but even if you get him a few days later when he floats up, his

skin is useless.

As soon as you have hit an animal, and stopped it, if it is in such a position

that the harpooner will take some time in reaching it, say over 20 seconds, which

will frequently be the case from some cause or another, get your glasses and

examine him again to see exactly where you have hit him. You will see the

blood oozing out of the bullet hole. If he is hit outside the deadly zone, the

80 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

probability is that he is only temporarily stunned, and will recover very quickly

and slip into the water. In this case, put another bullet into him. He

occasionally recovers so quickly, in spite of a second bullet that you are in-

clined to believe that the second shot acts as a sort of counter irritant, and in

some cases, though not usually, I think it doss. Once a wounded animal starts

wriggling towards the water, my experience is that you may put as many bullets

as you caninto him, but you won’t stop him reaching the water. I suppose

the reason is that you have only time, at the most, for two more hurried shots

and neither of them strikes within the deadly zone.

If a heavy animal gets into the water after being harpooned, don’t try too

hard to hold him by the harpoon cord. It is not m2ant to drag him ashore with.

Rather let the harpoon go altogether ; when the animal gets into the water, its

movements will soon shake the head clear of the shaft, the cord will unwind, and

the shaft float to the top. Now follow up in your boat and keep your feet clear

of the cord. Pull up the animal to the surface with the cord and get another

harpoon into him, or another bullet or charge of shot. You will very seldom

have to do this if you us9 a gocd rifle and are a decent shot.

As soon as you have your animal killed, get your thick rope round his snout

or head, according to class of animal, and pull him well away from the water’s

edge, out of sight of it, if possible, as his carcase is apt to deter others from

coming up in the same place.

Now your chamars can get to work. Don’t stay behind with them. Leave

two or three chamars, according to the size of the animal, to skin it, and take

the rest on. You want as many men as possible with you, as it will take a

dozen good men to pull a heavy animal up a steep bank. You will frequently

have to get help from the people round about for this job.

If shooting on a fairly narrow stream, say one varying from 50 to 120 yards

across, you will generally shoot from across the river. If you hit an animal and

stop him for a short time, though not long enough to harpoon him, don’t give

him up as lost. Twice out of five times he will come up near your bank, just

about opposite where you hit him, in about ten minutes or less. The water gets

into his body from the bullet wound and interferes with his breathing. The

larger the hole made the sooner he comes up. He will probably first rise some

distance out, but have patience, he will probably come right into the bank.

Keep under cover, and when he comes up, creep up as close as possible, he

probably won’t be hard to approach fairly close to, and give him a bullet

through the head. In a wide stream, he will probably come up a little lower |

down on the same side as he was on when hit.

Occasionally you will shoot an animal that is in the water, near the edge. If

you have got in a deadly shot, he will probably struggle and lash about but will

not leave the immediate vicinity. He will almost certainly turn on his back

and his tail or legs will show above water. He will gradually sink-and the current

will take him into deeper water. In this case, if you have not succeeded in har-

pooning him first, get your boat up as quickly as possible, when your harpooner

will feel all over the bottom of the river near where it sank, with the harpoon,

When he finds it, if he does, he will endeavour to stick the harpoon into it. This

done, you can pull him up with the harpoon. If it is in pretty deep water, he

probably will not be able to get enough power into the stab to drive the harpoon

into the animal, especially if it happens to be a short snouter’s back (his head,

of course, is quite hopeless). In this case place the harpoon head, as well as you

can judge, on the animal’s back, and then use your axe head as a hammer, and

drive the harpoon in as if it was a pile. If a wounded animal turns upside down,

it is usually quite safe to rush in and seize him by a hind leg or the tail. He

has not enough life in him to do any damage. You must expect to lose a big per-

centage of animals shot in the water, as they are usually near deep water, and

unless found very quickly, the current carries them away. Never shoot at an

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Plate Il.

A Female Gavial (G. gangeticus).

Male Gavial showing nob at the top.

Hints on Crocopine SHOOTING.

wy,

ple z

> anal mer

Law"

Wie

ris

iealitias eae

q) , ‘

oa ‘ :

i Aha eat

} sahte / z

A FEW HINTS ON CROCODILE SHOOTING. 81

animal that is swimming about in deep water, as it is quite impossible to recover

it, you only disturb the other animals, besides being unsportsmanlike to kill

wantonly. When swimming about, they present a very difficult target, as you

only see the top of the head and snout. This gives you a horizontal target about

two.inches deep, if a large animal, to get your bullet into. If you alone are shoot-

ing, tell your harpooner, or whoever you have on the opposite side, to keep a

sharp look out for animals basking on your side, especially if the banks are steep

or vertical. As soon as le sees one, he signs to you and then goes and stands

opposite the animal, well away from the edge, with his harpoon shaft pointing

straight at the animal. Then you go up and get in line. He now signals

which way the animal’s head is. Creep up from behind and try and get as nearly

as possible over him, and put a bullet through his brain. The rifle rest is no

use here. Usually, just as you catch sight of them, or prébably just before,

there will be a frantic splash and you may just see the tail disappear under water.

Occasionally you will bag one this way, and then the satisfaction more than

makes up for your other disappointments.

You will very seldom catch a big animal like this. A wind helps you a great

deal in this sort of work, as the rustling of the leaves and grasses deadens any

slight noise you may make. Rubber shoes come in handy here. If you are

wearing heavy boots, you had better take them off when you come near the animal,

and go in your stockinged soles. Have a harpooner handy, because stalking of

this sort is usually done in a river with steep banks, and the water is probably

deep at the edge, or gets deep very quickly, and you want to harpoon your animal

while he is struggling at the top.

If you happen to know a place where the crocodiles are used to

frequenting shallows or submerged sandbanks, and they are not visible

when you arrive on the scene, the procedure to adopt is as follows :—

Fix up your rifle rest in a suitable spot and get ready. Then give some one the

signal to fire a shot into the water. A rifle shot is best, but a gun will usually

do the trick. Crocodiles are gifted with curiosity, and almost at once you will

see their heads come up to see what is going on. Now select one over a shallow

part, preferably one looking away from you, and shoot him through the head,

A good maxim when shooting crocodiles is never to fire at a crocodile with only

one cartridge in the rifle. You never know when you may require a second or

third shot in a hurry. Even if you have cartridges with you, you will almost

certainly have to expose yourself in reloading. With a wounded animal this does

not much matter, but now and again, especially if there is a strong wind blowing,

and there are several animals up, all will not bolt at the first shot, but if you

expose yourself immediately after, they certainly will.

Although you have a gun with you, don’t shoot birds while after crocs, as

you only disturb the animals and make them shy. Shoot your birds early in the

morning or after the animals have gone down in the evening. Also, on no account

whatever take a padre or a dog with you. Short snouters are very partial to

dogs and dogs are thirsty creatures. They are also apt to trot down to the

water just as you are nearing the completion of an arduous stalk, and then

away go the animals and your temper with them. As regards the padre, when

you have badly wounded an animal and through some fault of one of your men,

you look like losing it, the air is apt to get hazy in your vicinity ; also, you have

those two most execrable of all living birds,theBrahminy duck and the Red wattled

Lapwing, to destroy your temper. I think the most saintly person ever born

would get frantic with fury if he was trying to stalk a crocodile and a couple of

these lapwings saw him and started screaming at him that it was a “‘pity to do it,”

or if a pair of Brahminies started trumpeting as soon as he came in sight of them,

and it is very hard indeed to keep out of sight of these birds. Many a time have

I felt that I would give a good deal to have the necks of these vile creatures in a

half hitch of stout cord, one end of which was fastened to a good stout stake,

82 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

driven well into the ground, and the other end in my hand. I would just glory

in tightening it at the first call, and wouldn’t I just pull! I think the lapwing is

the worst offender, as he is there all the time, and does not even fly away, espe-

cially later on when they have young ons. The brahminy flies off before you

come very near, and if the crocodile stays on after he flies off, you may be pretty

sure of a shot. Herons are also rather a nuisance, but they fly off even before

the brahminy and don’t usually make much noise about it. Another frequent

source of annoyance is that just as you are getting near your shooting point

after a careful stalk, an unwitting native selects precisely that time and place to

go and have a drink. One generally feels relief on these occasions by blowing

off a bit of steam, and the padre might not like it. I don’t know why a bit of

bad language relieves one’s feelings, but it certainly does have that effect.

The short snouter or man-eating crocodile is called a mugger (Crocodilus

yalustris) or a bocha by the natives, and the long snouter a gavial, gharial or

nakaar (Gavialis gangeticus). This latter name is applied to all long snouters,

but the male one, after attaining a certain stage of maturity, develops a large

knob on the point of his snout, on the upper jaw, under which his nostrils

are ; he is then called a Basoolia nakaar or just simply a Lasoolia. I believe

the above explanation is correct, but do not know for certain, and I should

like some definite information on the subject. The male grows considerably

longer than the female, which attains to about fourteen feet from my observations

I have shot males up to seventeen feet, and have seen some slightly larger, or

which appeared so. The short snouter is a shorter but very much heavier animal

especially as he gets bigger. Anything over thirteen feet is a big short snouter.

If any of my readers could give me details of large animals of either kind, I should

be much obliged. I should like, if possible, to know what the record size is.

I believe that in the Sunderbands* they grow to an enormous size, but I have

never seen any there. Tley have enormous heads, though that is not noticed

till you see them at fairly close quarters.

Out of an animal 133 feet long I took a complete corpse. It was in three

portions, the head and body complete and the legs separate. That will give

you an idea of what they can swallow. Their skins are very much tougher and

thicker than the long snouters’ skins, and take more work to remove them from

the carcase. If you have the option of choosing between two animals of equal

length as to which you will shoot, the long or the short snouter, you have one

or two things to consider. The long snouter will give you slightly less skin

but the short snouter is much more difficult to kill, and so a less certain bag.

Unless it is a really big short snouter, I would advise shooting the other. Ina

big short snouter there is always a greater element of excitement, you also make

curious finds in his stomach, stich as bangles, anklets, etc.. The long snouter

sticks to fish and turtles, though I have heard of bangles being found in them. I

don’t trouble to examine them myself. In both species, however, there is.

always a collection of stones, sometimes quite large, swallowed, I suppose, to aid

digestion. Small long snouters of from 3 to 6 feet or even a little larger may

readily be killed with shot from close ranges, say ten to fifteen yards, with shot

varying from No. 4 to AAA. For slightly larger animals L.G. is best. Always.

aim for the head or neck, though when using L. G. I am inclined to aim at the

body, as two or three simultaneous blows spread over an area of about 9 inches.

gives the animal a tremendous shock, and as you must be quite close to use it at.

all, you will probably have time to rush in and get it ashore before it recovers.

*The big Mugger of the Sunderbands is a different species to the short-snouter

(C. pajustris) Mr. Shortt writes about. The big Mugger of the Sunderbands is the

sea-going erccodile (C. porosus) which is considered more dangerous and ferocious

than palustris. According to Boulenger in the Fauna of British India C. yorosus

attains a length of 33feet. The largest palustris in the British Museum is 12 feet.

long— Eps.

A FEW HINTS ON CROCODILE SHOOTING, 83

In skinning your animals, do not cut down the centre of the stomach, as in

other animals. The stomach skin is the valuable part of the hide. The back

is quite useless, being composed of a number of bony shields. Cut along the

edge of the back below these hard shields, and go down to the end of the double

spiky ridge on the tail. Skin right.up to the chin, and in the legs, cut so as to

divide the large from the small scales, and skin as far as the first joint only.

After you have skinned the animal, have all the flesh and particularly the fat,

removed. Then lay it flat, wet surface uppermost, and rub a plentiful supply

of salt in, as much as it will absorb, and then as much more again sprinkled over

it and left. Dry the skin for a couple of days till all the liquid salt has soaked

in or dried up, and then roll it up, pack it ina sack and send it off. It would be

much better to send it off before drying, but the railway authorities will not now

take them like that, though they used to. Besides, if there is a long journey

before the skin, most of the salt drips off and the skin is apt to go wrong if there

is any delay in delivery. In a few days’ time you will receive a letter from the

tannery, telling you the skins arrived with very little salt rubbed into them, or

with too much fat on them, or in a doubtful condition, but that they have taken

them in hand and will do their best, etc., etc. Never mind, if you haven’t

spared the salt and it is not later in the year than February or March, they

will be quite all right.

- If at the end of your shoot you can show one skin for every two bullets, you

have done well. This does not include animals shot with your gun, or shot

cartridges expended. It is the animals which get away wounded, after you

have put two or three bullets into them that, lower your average. Ninety

per cent. at least of your animals actually bagged should have been secured

with a single shot each. You must also reckon on a good number of misses,

as your target is a very limited one, and you know that if you go a little too high

or low you will miss it. Remember that you are more apt to go low, and that

with a H. V. rifle, as soon as the bullet strikes the water, it is done. It never

ricochets off at the same angle it strikes the water at.

Large animals of 14 feet and over are suitable for trunks, while the smaller

ones are suitable for suit cases, gladstone bags, etc.

For small articles such as purses or writing wallets, you want animals up to

about 8 feet. The smaller the animal the finer the grain, and the smaller the

article it is suitable for.

In closing, I will just mention a few good shooting places. I only know the

Bihar district, so can speak for that only.

If you decide to shoot in this province, I would suggest the following

places :—

(1) Go to Dhamarra ghat on the B. N.W. railway ; you will get some fair shoot-

ing there. There is also an inspection bungalow close to the shooting ground

and station. Here there are jheels full of crocodiles, short snouters only, and

also a river which goes under various names. Here it is called the Kusela.

Where the railway crosses it isanexcellent stretch for both species, long and

short snouters. You can get a couple of days shooting here. (2) If

you go to Maheskhunt station, take a bicycle and ride to Chautham,

about five miles north of it. Here you can get another two days’ shooting on

the Ghugri. (3) This river joins the Labkhi Dhar, a branch of the Kosi, about

six miles down-stream, and just below the junction is the village of ‘Telihar.

This is a great spot. (4) About a mile or so west of this, another branch of the

Kosi joins the Labkhi Dhar, upstream of its confluence, with the Ghugri. I

do not know the name of this other stream, but its confluence with the

Labkhi is another favourite spot, particularly for short snouters, and really

big ones too. (5) If you follow the Labkhi upstream you will get shooting

for several miles, and good shooting, though there is a blank stretch between

the last confluence mentioned and a point about two miles upstream.

84 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

(6) From Mokhana Bazaar station go east to Sonbarsa, about eight miles. Here

you can get a couple of days shooting, and again (7) about five miles further

east near Kasnagar. (8) From Dauram Madhipura, about six miles south lies Pa-

tharghat, about a mile and a half south-east is an excellent spot. (9) The best

place of all, however, is about 6 miles east of.Patharghat, round about Mokhma

and Pachlakh. The main Kosi stream is here and is teeming with the reptiles, but

the shooting is difficult, as the biggest crocodiles frequent banks in mid-stream,

too far away for accurate shooting. There are good spots here and there, though,

where, with a little trouble you can get good shots where the sand banks are at

the edges of the stream. About half a mile east of Mokhma ghat is a stream, the

‘“‘Sathar Dhar,” running roughly parallel with the Kosi, one of its branches in

fact. This is a narrow stream from 60 to 100 yards across, and is simply

full of crocodiles of both classes, with plenty of good cover for stalking as a rule,

though here and there it is very thick and impossible to stalk in. Between

these two places you can have a week’s shooting of the very best. Drinking

water in the Kosi district is very indifferent. If your men are up to the ropes

you will always be able to get milk and vegetables, but take your own meat

ration, and a couple of tins or so of condensed milk.

You may have difficulty in getting labour, so I would strongly advise you to

take your own chamars with you, and to arrange for a boat long before hand.

At Sonbarsa or Khapsia, a little north of Patharghat, boats are always obtain-

able, though not at a moment’s notice. Carts may always be obtained if you pay

enough. If you go to Mokhma I would advise you to engage a boat at Khapsia,

where they make boats, and then load it on to a cart and take it across country

to Mokhma, as you cannot get boats there. That is a drawback on the Sathar

Phar too, but there are a fair number of ghats on the stream that you can cross

at ; also it is not too wide to shoot across.

I hope these few remarks may be of use to somebody. If they are. I shall

have done my job.

HAND-LIST OF THE “BIRDS OF INDIA.”

1174.

1175;

1176.

U7 7-

1178.

1179.

1180.

rey

E. C. Sruart BAKER, F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.

Part IV.

(Continued from page 744 of Volume XXVII.)

Family ZosTEROPIDA.

(226) Zosterops palpebrosa palpebrosa. The Indian

W hite-eye.

Sylvia palpebrosa Temm., Pl. Col., 293, Fig. 3, (1824), (Bengal)

(Cuttack Orissa).

Bengal, Orissa, E. Central Provinces, 8. India.

(226) Zosterops palpebrosa elwesi. The Western White-

eye.

Stuart Baker Bull., B.O.C., xlii., p. (1921), (Sikkim).

E. Central Provinces, N. W. and N. India, Himalayas to

N. Assam.

(226) Zosterops palpebrosa egregia. The Small Ceylon

W hite-eye.

Zosterops egregia Madaraz, Ann, Mus., Budapest, ix., p. 422,

IZA Hebe Te” Mere ), (Ceylon).

Ceylon only.

(226) Zosterops palpebrosa cacharensis. The Cachar

W hite-eye.

Stuart Baker Bull., B.O.C., alit., p. (1921), (Gunjgong, N.

Cachar).

Assam 8. of Brahmapootra to Chin Hills.

(228) Zosterops palpebrosa peguensis. The Pegu White-

eye.

Stuart Baker Bull., B.O.C., xlit., p.- (1921), (Tennasserim).

S. Burma, E. Burma, Yunnan, ? Hainan and Formosa.

(226) Zosterops palpebrosa nicobariensis. The Nico-

bar Whate-eye.

Z. nicobariensis Blyth, J.A.S.B., xiv., p. 563, (1845) (Nicobars).

Andamans and Nicobars, including Car Nicobar.

(229) Zosterops ceylonensis. The Large Ceylon White-eye.

Holds., P.Z.S., 1872, p. 459, Pl. 20, Fig. 2 (Ceylon).

Ceylon, only above 1,000 feet.

86 JOURNAL, BUMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

1181. (227) Zosterops aureiventer aureiventer, Hume's White-

eye.

Z. aureiventer Hume, Str. Feath., vi., p. 519, (1878), (Z'avoy).

Tennasserim, Malay Peninsula, North to 8. Shan States.

1182. (230) Zosterops siamensis. The Siamese White-eye.

Blyth, Jbis, 1867, p. 34, (Siam.)

Pegu, S.W. and Central Burma, Siam, Cochin China, ete.

Fe mily NEcTARINIDA.

Sub-Family Nectariniine.

Sunbirds.

1183. (881) Chalcostetha chalcostetha. Maclot’s Sunbird.

Nectarinia chalcostetha Jardine, Nat. His. Nect., p. 263, (1843),

(EZ. Indian Is.).

Tennasserim, South through Malay Pen. to Sumatra and

PJava, ete.

1184. (882-3*) AEthopyga siparaja seheriw. The Himalayan

Yellow-backed Sunbird.

Nectarinia seherize Tickell, J.A.S.B., ii., p. 577, (1833),

(Borabhum).

Foothills of Himalayas from Kalka to Lower Shan

States.

1185, (882) AEthopyga siparaja miles. The Nepal Yellow-backed

Sunbird.

Cinnyris miles Hodg. Ind., Rev., it., p. 273, (1837), (Nepaé).

Nepal, apparently above the breeding range of seherie.

1186. (884) 4Ethopyga siparaja cara. The Tennasserim Yellow-

backed Sunbird.

J. cara Hume, S.F., it., p. 473, (1874), (Tennasserim).

Siam and Burma, South from Rangoon through the Malay

Pen.

1187. (885) Aethopyga siparaja nicobarica. The Nicobar

Yellow-backed Sunbird.

A. nicobarica Hume, S.F., 7., p. 412, (1873), (Nocobars).

The Nicobar Islands.

1188. (886) 4ethopyga vigorsi. Vigors’ Yellow-backed Sunbird.

Cinnyris vigorsi Sykes, P.Z.S., 1832, p. 93, (Deccan).

S. W. Coast of India.

* 77. s. andersoni does not appear to be recognizable, the distinguishing charac-

ters being purely individual. Rothschild’s viridicauda (Nov. Zool. XXVIII, p. 58,

1921), seems also to be founded on individual variations.

1189.

1190.

1IQI.-

1192.

1193.

1194.

1195-

1196.

1197:

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 87

(887) ABthopyga ignicauda ignicauda, The Fire-tailed

Yellow-backed Sunbird.

Cinnyris ignicauda Hodg., Ind. Rev., ii., p. 273, (1837), (Nepal).

Garhwal, Nepal, Sikkim, Assam, N. & S. of Brahmapootra,

Chittagong.

( ) Aithopyga ignicauda flavescens. Rippon’s Yellow-

backed Sunbird.

Stuart Baker Bull., B.O.C., ali, p. 71, (1921), Mt. Victoria.

Chin Hills, 9,000 feet.

(888) AEthopyga gouldizw. Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird.

Cinnyris gouldie Vigors, P.Z.S., 1831, p. 44, (Himalayas).

Himalayas from Sutlej to Assam.

(889) A&thopyga dabryi. Dabry’s Yellow-backed Sunbird.

Nectarinia dabryi Verreaua, Rev. et. Mag. Zool., p. 173, (1867),

(Ta-tsien-lu, Szechuan).

Hills of Eastern and Southern Burma and S. W. China.

(890*) A&thopyga saturata. The Black-breasted Sunbird.

Cinnyris saturata Hodg., Ind. Rev., ii., p. 273, (1837), (Nepal).

Garhwal to Assam, Cachar, Chittagong to Kauri Kachin

Hills and ? Siam.

(891) AEthopyga sanguinipecta. Walden’s Yellow-backed

Sunbird.

Walden, A.M.N.H., (4), xv., p. 400, (1875), (Tennasserim).

Burma, S. and E. of Tounghoo.

(892) AEthopyga nipalensis nipalensis. The Nepal

Yellow-backed Sunbird.

Cinnyris nipalensis Hodg., Ind. Rev., ii., p. 273, (1837), (Nepal).

E. Nepal to E. and S. Assam, N. Burmese Hills to 8. Shan

States.

(893) A&thopyga nipalensis horsfieldi. Blyth’s Yellow-

backed Sunbird.

Cinnyris horsfieldi Blyth, J.A.S.B., xi., p. 107, (1842), (Nepal).

Garhwal, Kumaon and Western Nepal.

(892) AEthopyga nipalensis victoria. Rippon’s Yellow-

backed Sunbird.

Ai. victories Rippon, Bull., B.O.C., xiv., p. 83, (1904), (Mt.

Victoria).

Mt. Victoria, Chin Hills.

* Aithopyga anomala Richmond P.N.S. Nat: Mus. XXII, p. 319, is merely

saturata:

88 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

1198. (894) *Cyrtostomus lotenius, Loten’s Sunbird.

Certhia lotenia Linn., S.N., I., p. 188, (1766), (Ceylon).

Ceylon and S. India.

1199. (895) Cyrtostomus asiaticus asiaticus. The Purple

Sunbird.

Certhia asiatica Lath., Ind. Orn., i., p. 288, (1790), (India)>

(Gurgaon, C. India).

The whole of India except area occupied by brevirostris

and intermedia. ;

1200. (895) Cyrtostomus asiaticus brevirostris. The Balu-

chistan Purple Sunbird.

Nectarinia (Arachnecthra) brevirostris Blanford, Ibis, 1873,

p. 86, (Jalk, Baluchistan).

Sind, Baluchistan, Afghanistan and E. Persia.

1201. (895) Cyrtostomus asiaticus intermediu:, The Burmese

Purple Sunbird.

Arachnecthara intermedia Hume, Ibis, 1870, p. 436, (Burma).

Assam and Burma.

1202. (896) Cyrtostomus brasiliana. Van Hasselt’s Sunbird.

Certhia brasiliana Gmel., Sys. Nat., i., p. 474, (1788), (Brazil),

(Java, Oberholser).

Java and Singapore to Assam.

1203. (897+) Cyrtostomus pectoralis pectoralis. The Malay

Yellow-breasted Sunbird.

Nectarinia pectoralis Horsf., Trans., Linn. Soc., xiti.. p. 167,

(1821), (Java).

Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Lombok, Flores, Nicobars and

Malay Pen. to 8S. Tennasserim.

1204. (897) Cyrtostomus pectoralis blanfordi. The Kondol

Yellow-breasted Sunbird.

Stuart Baker Bull., B.O.C., xli., p. 71, (1921), (Kondol, Nicobars)

Kondol Is. Nicobars.

1205, (898) Cyrtostomus flammaxillaris flammaxillaris.

The Burmese Yellow-breasted Sunbird.

Nectarinia flammaxillaris Blyth, J.A.S.B., xiv., p. 557, (1845),

(Tennasserim).

South Burma, Cochin China, Siam and Malay Peninsula.

* Cyrtostomus and Arachnecthra being identical generically the former name

has priority.

+ I can trace no differences between C. pectoralis pectoralis and C. kloss

which are not purely individual.

1200.

1207.

1208.

1209.

I210.

I21].

1212.

R243:

I214.

I215.

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 89

(899) Cyrtostomus flammaxillaris andamanicus. The

Andaman Sunbird.

Arachnecthra andamanica Hume, S.F., i., p. 404, (1873), (An-

damans).

Andaman Islands.

(900) Cyrtostomus minimus. The Small Sunbird.

Cinnyris minima Sykes, P.Z.S., 1832, p. 99, (Deccan).

South India and Ceylon.

(901) Cyrtostomus zeylonicus The Purple-rumped Sun-

bord.

Certhia zeylonica Linn., S.N., i., p. 188, (1766), (Ceylon).

Ceylon to E. Bengal. ? Khasia Hills and Faridpore.

(902) Anthreptes hypogrammica hypogrammica. The

Banded Sunbird.

Nectarinia hypogrammica S. Mull. Verhand. Nat. Gesch. Zoot.

Aves., p. 173, (1843), (Sumatra).

Peninsula Siam and Burma to Sumatra.

(903) Anthreptes malaccensis malaccensis. The Brown-

throated Sunbird.

Certhia malaccensis Scop., del. Flor. et. Faun. Insubr., v2., p.

91, (1786), (Malacca).

Pen. Siam and Burma, Malaya to Sumatra.

(904) Anthreptes rhodoleama. The Rufous-throated Sun-

bord.

Shelley, Mon. Nect., p. 313, (1878), (Malacca).

S. Tennasserim to Borneo.

(905) Anthreptes simplex xanthochlora. The Plain-

coloured Sunbird.

A. xanthochlora Hume, S.F., iii., p. 330, footnote, (1875),

(Tennasserim).

Pen. Burma and Siam to Malay.

(906) Arachnothera magna magna. The Larger Streaked

Spider-hunter.

Cinnyris magna Hodg., Ind. Rev., ii., 1837, p. 272, (Nepal).

Himalayas, Sutlej to E. Assam, 8. to N. Tennasserim.,

(907) Arachnothera magna aurata. The Smaller Streaked

Spider-hunter.

A. aurata Blyth, J.A.S.B., xwiv., p. 478, (1855), (Pegu).

S. Tennasserim and Pen. Siam.

(908) Arachnothera affinis modesta. The rey-breasted

Spider-hunter.

Anthreptes modesta Eyton, P.Z.S., 1839, p. 105, (Malaya).

Pen. Siam and Burma to Borneo.

90 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII,

1216. (909) Arachnothera-longirostra longirostra. The Little

Spider-hunter.

Certhia longirostra Lath., Ind Orn., i., p. 299, (1790), (Bengal),

(Sylhet).

India and Burma.

1217. (910) Arachnothera chrysogenys. The Yellow-eared Spider-

hunter.

Nectarinia chrysogenys Temm., Pl. Col., pl. 388, Fig. i., (1826),

(Java).

S. Tennasserim to Java and Borneo.

1218. (912) Diceum cruentatum cruentatum. The Scarlet-

backed Flower-pecker.

Certhia cruentata Linn., S.N., i., p. 119, (1758), (Bengal),

(Calcutta).

Nepal, Bhutan Dooars, Bengal and Assam.

1219. (912) Diceum cruentatum ignitum. The Burmese Scar-

let-backed Flower-pecker.

Nectarinia ignita Begbie, ‘‘ Mal. Pen.,” p. 518, (1834), (Malay

Pen.). :

Malay Pen. N. to Chin Hills, Java and Sumatra.

1220. (912) Diczum cruentatum siamensis. The Siam Scavrlet-

backed Flower-pecker.

Kloss, Ibis, 1918, p. 216, (Lat Bua Kao, E. Siam).

Siam, (Eastern Tennasserim birds appear to be this race).

az21. (913) Diceum trigonostigma rubropygium. The Ten-

nasserum Orange-bellied Flower-pecker.

Stuart Baker Bull., B.O.C., 2li., p. 108, (1921), (Mergut).

Malay Pen. N. of 10° long., S. W. Siam amd S. Burma,

Lakhimpur, Assam.

1222. (913) Diceum chrysorrheum intensum. The Sikkim

Yellow-vented Flower-pecker.

Stuart Baker Bull., B.O.C., xli., p. 108, (1921), (Native Sikkim).

Assam to Sikkim.

1223. (914) Diceum chrysorrheum chrysoclhore. The Bur-

mese Yellow-vented Flower-pecker.

Diczeeum chrysoclhore Blyth, J. A. S. B., xit., p. 1009,

(1843), (Arrakan).

Burma, Siam amd Malay Pen. North of 10° lat.

1224. (915) Diceum ignipectum. The Fire-breasted Flower-

pecker.

Myzanthe ignipectus Hodg., Blyth., J.AS.B., xii., p. 983,

(1843), (Nepal).

Himalayas from Sutlej to Assam, Burma, Siam, Malay Pen.

and Islands.

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 91

1225. (916*) Diceum minullum concolor. The Nilgiri Flower-

pecker.

Diczeum concolor, Jerdon, Madr. Jour., xi., p. 227, (1840),

(Malabar Coast).

West coast from Mysore, 8. through the Hills to Palni

Hills.

(916) Diceum minullum subflavum. The Belgaum Flower-

pecker.

Stuart Baker Bull., B.O.C., alii., p. (1921), (Belgaum).

Belgaum North to Khandala and Mahabaleshwar and ?

Central Provinces.

1226,

1227. (917) Diceum minullum olivaceum. The Plain-coloured

Flower-pecker.

Diczeum olivaceum Walden, A.M.N.H., (4), xv., p. 401, (1875),

(Tounghoo).

Nepal, Bhutan, Assam, Burma, 8. to Sumatra.

1228. (918) Diceum minullum virescens. The Andamanese

Flower-pecker.

Diczeum virescens Hume, S.F., p. 482, (1873), (Port Blair,

Andamans).

Andamans.

1229. (919) Diceum erythrorhynchum. Tickell’s Flower-pecker.

Certhia erythrorhynchos Lath., Ind. Orn., i., p. 299, (1790),

(India).

Whole of India, West and South Burma.

1230. (920) Acmonorhynchus vincens. Legge’s Flower-pecker.

Prionochilus vincens, Sclater, P.Z.S., 1872, p..729, (Ceylon).

Ceylon only.

1231. (921) Piprisoma squalidum squalidum. The Thick-billed

Flower-pecker.

Pipra squalida Burton, P.Z.S., 1836, p. 113, (Himalayas).

Ceylon to Himalayas, E. to Assam, N. of Brahmapootra.

1232. (922) Piprisoma squalidum modestum. Hume's Flower-

pecker.

Prionochilus modestus Hume, S.F., iti., p. 298, (1875), (S.

Tennasserim),

Assam, 8. of Brahmapootra to S. Tennasserim.

1233. (923) Prionochilus ignicapillus. The Crimson-breasted

Flower-pecker.

Dicseum ignicapilla Hyton, P.Z.S., 1839, p. 105, (Malaya).

Bankasoon, South to Sumatra and Borneo.

* Our Indian birds are only geographical races of the Javan D. minullum.

92 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

1234. (924) Prionochillus maculatus. The Yellow-throated

Flower-pecker.

Pardalotus maculatus Z’emm., Pl. Col., iw., p. 600, f. 3, (1836),

(Borneo).

Tennasserim to Borneo. ? S. West Siam.

1235. (925) Pachyglossa melanoxantha. The Yellow-bellied

Flower-pecker.

Hodg., Blyth., J.AS.B., xii., p. 1010, (1843), (Nepal).

Nepal, East to 8. Shan States and W. China, S. to Manipur.

Family CHaLcoparup&.

1236. (911) Chalcoparia singalensis singalensis. The Ruby

Throat.

Motacilla singalensis G'mel., S. N., i., p. 964, (1788).

(Ceylon in errror), (Malacca, Oberholser).

Sikkim Duars to E. Assam, Burma, Malay Pen. and Islands.

Family PirripZ.

1237. (926) Anthocichla phayrii. Phayre’s Pitta.

Blyth, J.A.S.B., xxxi., p. 348, (1862), (Tounghoo).

South-East Burma and Siam.

1238. (927) Pitta nipalensis. The Blue-naped Pitta.

Paludicola nipalensis Hodg., J.A.S.B., vi., p. 103, (1837),

(Nepal). :

Nepal, N. and 8. Assam, Chin Hills and Arracan.

1239. (928) Pitta catesi. The Fulvous Pitta.

- Hydrornis oatesi Hume, S.F., i., p. 477, (1873), (Tennasserim).

South Burma and S. E. Siam.

1240. (929) Pitta coerulea cerulea. The Giant Pitta.

Myiothera ccerulea Raffl. Tran. LS., wiit., p. 301, (1822).

(Sumatra).

South Burma and Siam to Sumatra.

1241. (930) Pitta cyanea cyanea. The Blue Pitta.

Pitta cyanea Blyth J.A.S.B., xii., p. 1008, (1843), (Arracan).

Assam, North and W. Burma and Siam.

1242. (931*) Pitta moluccensis. The Lesser Blue-winged Pitta.

Turdus moluccensis P.Z.S., Mull., Natursyst. Suppl., p. 144,

(1776), (Moluccas). (Tennasserim).

Central and South Burma and Siam southwards. Not

Moluccas.

* Although the name given by Muller is unfortunate as the bird does not occur

in the Moluccas, we cannot discard it for that reason.

1243s

12443

1245.

1246;

1247+

1248.

[249s

12505

1251s

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 93

(932) Pitta megarhyncha. The Large-billed Blue-winged

Pitta,

Schleg., Vog. Ned. Ind. Pitta, p. 32, (1863), (Ile de Bangka).

Tennasserim south to Malay Pen. and island of Banka.

(933) Pitta brachyura. The Indian Pitta.

Corvus brachyurus Linn., S.N., 7., p. 158, (1766), (Muluccas,

Ceylon).

Simla to Ceylon, E. Rajputana to Assam, Chittagong

and Manipur.

(934) Pitta granatina coccinea. The Malayan Scarlet

Pitta.

Pitta coccinea Hyton, P.Z.S., 1839, p. 104, (Malaya).

South Tennasserim and Siam to Singapore.

(935) Pitta cucullata cucullata. The Green-breasted Piita.

Pitta cucullata Haril., Rev. Zool., 1843, p- 65, (Malacca).

Himalayas, Simla to Assam, S. to Tennasserim and ?

Malay Pen.

(935) Pitta cucullata abbotti. The Nicobar Green-breast-

ed Pitta.

Pitta abbotti Richmond, Pro. Nat. Mus., xav., p. 298, (1902),

(Nicobars).

Great and Little Nicobars.

(936) Pitta gurneyi. Gurney’s Pitta.

Hume, S.F., iii., p. 296, pl. 3, (1875), (S. Tennasserim).

Pen. Siam and Tennasserim to Malacca.

Order EURYLAIMI.

Family HurYLAIMID#,

(937) Eurylaimus javanicus javanicus. Horsfield’s

Broadbill.

Eurylaimus javanicus Horsf., Trans. Linn. Soc., xiit., p. 170,

(1821), (Java).

Malay States to Siam and Tennasserim, Sumatra, Java,

not Borneo.

(938) Eurylaimus ochromelas. The Black and Yellow

Broadbill.

Raffles, Trans. Linn. Soc., xiii., p. 297, (1822), (Singapore

and Sumatra).

ANT nee! a .

Siam, ‘lennasserim South to Sumatra, ete.

(939) Cerydon sumatranus sumatranus. The Dusky

Broadbill.

Coracias sumatranus Raffles, Trans. Linn. Soc., xitt., p. 303,

(1822), (Sumatra).

Siam, Tennasserim, South to Sumatra, not Borneo.

94 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

1252. (940*) Cymborhynchus macrorhynchus macrorhynchus,

1253:

1254-

1255:

1250.

1257:

1258.

1259.

1260.

(941)

(942)

(943)

(944)

(945)

(946)

(947)

(948)

The Black and Red Broadbill.

Todus macrorhynchus Gmel., S.N., 7., p. 446, (1788), (Borneo).

Tennasserim, South through the Malay Peninsula, Siam.

Cymborhynchus affinis. The Arrakan Black and

Red Broadbill.

Blyth, J.A.S.B., xv., p. 312, (1846), (Arrakan).

Arrakan, South to Cape Negrais and Rangoon.

Serilophus lunatus lunatus. (ould’s Broadbull.

Eurylaimus Junatus Gould, P.Z.8., 1833, p. 133, (Rangoon).

Tennasserim, Pegu Karennee.

Serilophus lunatus rubropygius. Hodgson’s Broad

bill.

Raya rubropygia Hodg., J.A.S.B., viti., p. 36, (1839), (Nepal).

Himalayas to East and South Assam, Manipur, Arrakan

and Chin Hills.

Psarisomus dalhousize. The Long-tailed Broadbuill.

Eurylaimus dalhousie Jameson, Hdinb., N. Ph. J., LVI,

p. 389, (1835), (N. India).

Himalayas from Musserie to E. Assam, Burma to Malay

Pen.

Calyptomena viridis. The Green Broadbull.

Raffles, Trans. L.S., xtii., p. 295, (1822), (Sumatra).

Tennasserim, 8S. Siam and Malay Pen.

Order PICI.

Family Picipé.

Picus squamatus squamatus. The Scaly-bellied

Green Woodpecker.

Picus squamatus Vigors, P.Z.S., 1931, p. 8, (Himalayas).

Gilgit to Kashmir and Western Nepal.

Picus squamatus flavirostris. Hargitt’s Scaly-

bellied Green Woodpecker.

Gecinus flavirostris Menzbier, Bull., Nat. Moscow, p. 440

1886, (Murghab).

Trancaspia to Baluchistan and Afghanistan.

Picus striolatus. The Little Scaly-bellied Green

Woodpecker.

Blyth, J.A.S.B, wit., p. 1000, (1843), (Nepal).

Himalayas, east to Burma, Siam.

* I cannot separate lemniscatus (Raffles) whilst affinis appears to be a species

rather than a race, there being no connecting forms. C. m. malaccensis may be

found within our limits.

1261.

1262.

1263.

1264.

1265.

5206.

1267.

1268.

1269.

(949)

(950)

(951)

(952)

(953)

(954)

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 95

Picus vittatus vittatus. The Malay Scaly-bellied

Green Woodpecker.

Picus vittatus Vieill., Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., xxvi., 1818,

p. 91, (Malacca).

Malay States, Java, Pen. Siam and Burma.

Picus vittatus viridanus. The Burmese Scaly-bellied

Green Woodpecker.

Picus viridanus Blyth, J.A.S.B., wii., 1843, p. 1000, (Arrakan).

Burma, Chin and Kachin Hills, Shan States, N. and

Central Siam. 7

Picus canus occipitalis. The Indian Black-naped

Green Woodpecker.

Picus occipitalis Vigors, P.Z.S., 1830, p. 8, (Mussoorie).

N. W. Himalayas to Eastern Nepal.

Picus canus gyldenstolpei. The Assam Black-naped

Green Woodpecker.

Stuart Baker, Bull., B.O.C., xxxix, 1918, p. 19, (Sadiya,

Assam).

Sikkim, Assam, Cachar, Sylhet, Manipur, Looshai Hills.

Picus canus hessei. The Burmese Black-naped Green

Woodpecker.

Gecinus canus hessi Gyldenstolpe, Orn. Monatsb., xviv., p. 28,

(1916), (NV. Siam).

North Central and 8. Burma, Siam as far S. as Mulmein.

Picus chlorolophus chlorolophus. The Small Hima-

layan Yellow-naped Woodpecker.

Picus chlorolophus Vieill., Nouv. Dict. d’ Hist. Nat., LUV. P.

78, (1818), (Bengal).

Himalayas and Hill ranges of Burma.

Picus chlorolophus chlorigaster. The Southern

Yellow-naped Woodpecker.

Picus chlorigaster Jerd., Madr. Jour. LS., xiti., pt. 2, p.

139, (1844), (S. India).

Hills of Southern India and Ceylon.

Picus puniceus puniceus. The Crimson-winged Green

Woodpecker.

Horsf. Trans. Linn. Soc., xiii., p. 176, (1821), (Java).

Tennasserim, South to Sumatra, Java and Borneo.

Picus erythropygius nigrigenis. The Red-rump-

ed Green Woodpecker.

Gecinus nigrigenis Hume, P.A.S.B., 1874, p. 106, (Pakchan,

Tennasserim).

Central and South Burma, West Siam and N. Malay Pen.

96 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL. HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

1270.

1271.

1272.

1273:

1274.

1275.

12706.

11277-

1278.

(955)

(958*)

(959)

(960)

(961)

(962)

Chrysophlegma flavinucha flavinucha. The

Large Yellow-naped Woodpecker.

Picus flavinucha Gould, P.Z.S., 1833, p. 120, (Himalayas).

Himalayas from Mussoorie to the Kachin Hills, Burma

and Siam.

Chrysophlegma mentalis humii. The Chequered-

throated Woodpecker.

Chrysophlegma humii Hargitt, Ibis, 1889, p. 231, (Malacca),

Tennasserim, South to Sumatra.

Callolophus miniatus malaccensis. The Banded

Red Woodpecker.

Picus malaccensis Lath., Ind. Orn., %., p. 241, (1790). (Malacca)

Tennasserim, South to Sumatra and Borneo.

Gecinulus grantia grantia. The Northern Pale-

headed Woodpecker.

Picus grantia McClelland, P.Z.S., 1839, p. 165, (Assam).

Nepal to Assam, Chin, Kachin Hills, N. Siam to French

Laos.

Gecinulus grantia viridis The Southern Pale-

headed Woodpecker.

G. viridis Blyth, J.A.S.B., xxxi., p. 341, (1862), (Pakpoon,

Tennasserim). ;

S. W. Siam and S. Burma to Kossum.

Dryobates hyperythrus hyperythrus. The Rufous-

bellied Pied Woodpecker.

Picus hyperythrus Vigors, P.Z.S., p. 23, (1831), (Himalaya,

Darjiling).

Himalayas, Nepal to N. Shan States.

Dryobates hyperythrus marshalli. The Western

Rufous-bellied Pred Woodpecker.

Hartert, Vog. Pal., vii., p. 926, (1912), (Murree).

N. W. Himalayas.

Dryobates himalayensis. The Western Himalayan

Pied Woodpecker.

Picus himalayensis Jard. & Sel., Ill. Orn., tit., pl. 116, (1835)s

(Mussurt).

N. W. Himalayas, Afghanistan to Murree.

Dryobates cabinisi cabinisi. The Chinese Pied Wood-

pecker.

Picus cabanisi Malh., Jour. f. Orn., 1854, p. 172, (China).

Manipur, Chin and Kachin Hills to China.

*Gecinulus viridis robinsont of Kloss, (Ibis, 1918, p. 105) is founded on individ-

“ual variation only, .

1270.

1280.

1281.

i282.

1283.

1284.

1285.

1286.

1287.

(963)

(964)

(965)

(966)

(967)

(968)

(969)

(970)

(971)

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 97

Dryobates scindeanus. The Sind Pied Wood-

pecker.

Picus scindeanus Horsf. & Moore, Cat. B., ii., p. 671, (1856-8),

(Shikarpore).

S. E. Persia, Baluchistan, Sind and W. Punjab.

Dryobates darjellensis. The Darjeeling Pied Wood-

pecker.

Picus darjellensis Blyth, J.A.S.B., xiv., p. 196, (1845)

(Darjiling).

Himalayas, Nepal to Mts. of W. China.

Dryobates cathparius cathparius. The Lesser

Pied Woodpecker.

Picus cathparius Blyth, J.A.S.B., xii., p. 1006, ( 1843), (Dar-

juling).

Nepal, Sikkim and Assam, N. and S. of Brahmapootra.

Dryobates cathparius pyrrhothorax. The Red-

breasted Pied Woodpecker.

Picus pyrrhothorax Hume, S.F., x., p. 150, (1887), (Aimole,

E. Manipur).

Hills 8. of Brahmapootra.

Dryobates macei macei. The Fulvous-breasted Pied

W ood pecker.

Picus macei Vieill., Nowv. Dict.d’ Hist. Nat., xevi., p. 80, (1818),

(Bengal). ;

Himalayas from Murree to E. Assam, (S. of Brahmapootra).

Dryobates macei atratus. The Stripe-breasted

Pied Woodpecker.

Picus atratus Blyth, J.A.S.B, xviii. p. 803, (1849),

(Tennasserim).

Hills 8. of Brahmapootra, Burmese Hills to Tennassermm.

Dryobates auriceps. The Brown-fronted Pied Wood-

pecker.

Picus auriceps Vigors., P.Z.S, 1831, p. 44, (Himalayas),

(Simla).

Himalayas, Afghanistan to W. Nepal.

Dryobates pectoralis pectoralis. The Spotted-

breasted Pied Woodpecker.

Picus pectoralis Blyth, J.A.S.B., wv., p. 15, (1846), (No Hab.

given. )

Southern Burma and S. W. Siam.

Dryobates pectoralis andamanensis. The Anda-

man Pied Woodpecker.

Picus andamanensis Blyth, J.A.S.B., xxviii., p. 412, (1859),

(Andamans),

Andamans.

98 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

1288. (972) Liopicus mahrattensis. The Yellow-fronted Pied

Woodpecker.

Picus mahrattensis Lath., Ind. Orn. Supp., p. xxat., (1801),

(India).

Ceylon, India and Burma.

1289. (973*) Iyngipicus semicoronatus, The Darjiling Pigmy

Woodpecker.

Picus semicoronatus Malherbe, Bull., Soc. d’ Hist. Nat. Moselle,

v., p. 21, (1848), (Himalayas).

Sikkim to E. Assam, Manipur, Chin, Kachin Hills and

Yunnan.

1290. (974) Iyngipicus pygmaeus. The Himalayan Pygmy-

Woodpecker.

Picus pygmaeus Vigors, P.Z.S., 1831, p. 44, (Himalayas).

Western Himalayas to Nepal.

1291. (978) lyngipicus canicapillus. The Burmese Pygmy Wood-

pecker.

Picus canicapillus Blyth, J.A.S.B., xw., p. 197, (1845),

(Arrakan).

Burma and ? Cachar, Manipur.

1292. (976) Iyngipicus hardwickii. The Indian Pygmy Wood-

pecker.

Picus hardwickii Jerd., Madr. Jour. L. 8., witt., p. 138, (1844),

(S. India).

Northern India.

1293. (979) Iyngipicus gymnopthaimus. The Ceylon Pygmy

Woodpecker.

Picus gymnopthalmus Blyth, J.A.S.B., xviii., p. 804, (1849),

(Ceylon).

Ceylon and 8. India.

1294. (978) Blythipicus pyrrhotis pyrrhotis. The Red-eared

Bay Woodpecker.

Picus pyrrhotis Hodg., J.A.S.B., vt., p. 108, (1837), (Nepal).

Nepal to South Burma and E. to Annam.

1295. (979) Blythipicus pyrrhotis rubiginosus. The Malay

Bay Woodpecker.

Hemicircus rubiginosus Swainson, B. of W. Africa, wt., p.

150, (1837), (W. Africa).

Tennasserim, South to Sumatra and Borneo.

* The genus Iyngipicus requires careful working out. Nothing has been att emp-

ted in this list.

1296.

1297.

1208.

1299.

1300.

1301.

1302.

1303.

1304.

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 99

(980) Miglyptes tristis grammithorax. The Fulvous-

rumped Barred Woodpecker.

Phaiopicus grammithorax Malh., Picidae, ii., p. 12, (1802),

(Malay Pen.)

Peninsular, Siam and Burma to Sumatra and Borneo.

(981) Miglyptes tukki. The Buff-necked Barred Wood,

pecker.

Picus tukki Less., Rev. Zool., 1839, p. 167, (Sumatra).

Extreme South Tennasserim to Borneo.

(982) Miglyptes jugularis. The Black and Buff Wood-

pecker.

Picus jugularis Blyth, J.A.S.B., wiv., p. 195, (1845),

(Arrakan).

Central and South Burma, Siam and Cochin China.

(984) Micropternus brachyurus williamsoni. The Siam

Rufous Woodpecker.

Kloss, Ibis, 1918, p. 107, (Koh Lak, S. W. Siam),

Peninsular Burma and Siam.

(983) Micropternus brachyurus phaioceps. The Northern

Rufous Woodpecker,

Micropternus phaioceps Blyth, J.A.S.B., xiv., p. 195, (1845),

(Arrakan).

Nepal, N. Assam, Burma, Shan States, N. and W. Siam.

(983) Micropternus brachyurus humei. The Western

Rufous Woodpecker.

Kloss, Ibis., 1918, f. 109, (Rohilkund).

N. W. Himalayas.

(983) Micropternus brachyurus mesos. The Orissa

Rufous Woodpecker.

Kloss, Ibis, 1918, p. 109, (Kuttak, Orissa).

Bengal, Behar, N. Orissa and Assam 8. of Brahmapootra.

(985) Micropternus brachyurus gularis. The Madras

Rufous Woodpecker.

Picus gularis Jerd., Madr. Jour., xiii., p. 139, (1844), (Southern

India). ;

India, 8. of Orissa and Bombay, not 8. Travancore.

(985) Micropternus brachyurus lanka. The Ceylon

Rufous Woodpecker. :

Kloss, Jbis, 1918, p. 108, (Ceylon).

Ceylon and South Travancore.

100 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

1305. (986) Brachypternus aurantius aurantius. The North-

ern Golden-backed Woodpecker.

Picus aurantius Linn., S.N., 7., p. 174, (1766), (Cape of Good

Hope) (Behar).

N. W. India, N. India, Bengal, Central India, Orissa and

Bombay.

1306. (986*) Brachypternus aurantius puncticollis. The South-

ern Golden-backed Woodpecker.

Brachyternopicus puncticollis Malh., Rev. Zool., 1845, p. 405,

(Ceylon).

India 8. of range of last bird and Ceylon.

1307. (986) Brachypternus aurantius dilutus. The Sind Gold-

en-backed Woodpecker.

Brachypternus dilutus Blyth, Cat., p. 56, (1852), (Sind).

Sind, Baluchistan and ? Punjab.

1308. (987*) Brachypternus aurantius erithronotus. The fed-

backed Woodpecker.

Picus erithronotus Vieill., Nouv. Dict. ad Hist. Nat., xxvi., p.

73, (1818), (Ceylon).

Ceylon (area different to that occupied by No. 1306).

1309. (988) Tiga javanensis intermedia. The Burmese Golden-

backed Three-toed Woodpecker.

Picus intermedius Blyth, J.A.S.B., 1845, p. 193, (Arrakan).

Assam, 8. of Brahmapootra, Chin Hills and N. Arrakan.

1310. (988) Tiga javanensis rubropygialis. The Malabar Gold-

en-backed Three-toed Woodpecker,

Picus rubropygialis Malh., Rev. Zool., 1845, p. 400, (Bengal).

S. India, north to Southern Orissa and, Bombay.

1311. (989) Tiga shorii. The Himalayan Golden-backed Three-

toed Woodpecker.

Picus shorii Vigors, P.Z.S., 1831, p. 175, (Himalaya Mts.).

Himalayas, Nepal through Burmese Hill Ranges.

1312. (990) Gauropicoides rafflesi peninsularis. The Malayan

Three-toed Woodpecker.

Hesse, Orn. Monatsb., xiv., 1911, p. 192, (Malacca).

S. Tennasserim, S.W. Siam and Malay Peninsula.

1313- (991) Chrysocolaptes festivus The Black-backed Wood-

pecker.

Picus festivus Bodd., Tabl., Pl. Enl., p. 48, (1783), (Goa).

Indian Plains and Ceylon.

* A series shewn me by Mr. W. E. Wait proves quite satisfactorily that erith-

ronotus is only a race of aurantius

1314.

1315)

1316.

1317:

1318.

1319.

1320.

1321.

BIRDS OF THE INDIAW EMPIRE, 101

(992) Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus guttacristatus.

Tickell’s Golden-backed Woodpecker.

Picus guttacristatus Tickell, J.A.S.B,, ii., 1833, p. 578, (Boras

bhum).

Behar, Bengal, Assam, Burma, North of Rangoon, Siam, ete,

(992) Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus sultaneus Hodgson’s

Golden-backed Woodpecker.

Picus sultaneus Hodg., J.A.S.B., vi., 1837, p. 105, (Nepal).

N. W. India, Mussoree to Nepal,

(992) Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus delesserti. Mal-

herbe’s Golden-backed Woodpecker.

Indopicus delesserti Malh., Mem. Acad. Metz., 1848, p. 343,

(Malabar).

India, S. of Bombay and Orissa, Peninsular Burma, Siam

and Malaya.

(993) Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus stricklandi. Layard’s

Woodpecker.

Brachypternus stricklandi Layard, A.M.N.H., (2), wiit., p.

449, (1554), (Ceylon).

Ceylon only.

(994*) Hemicercus sordidus. The Grey and Buff Wood-

pecker.

Dendrocopus sordidus Hyton, A.M.N.H., xvi., p. 229, (1845),

(Malacca).

Tennasserim, South to Malay Pen.

(995) *Hemicercus canente. The Heart-spotted Woodpecker.

Picus canente Less., Cent. Zool., p. 215, (1830), (Pegu).

Assam, 8. of the Brahmapootra to Siam, etc., Malabar

coast.

(996) Alophonerpes pulverulentulus harterti. Hesse’s

Great Slaty Woodpecker.

Muleripicus p. harterti Hesse, Orn. Monatsb., p. 182, (1911),

(Assam).

Himalayas, Simla to Assam, Burma, Malay States, etc,

(997) Thriponax hodgsonii hodgsonii. The Malabar Great

Black Woodpecker.

Hemilophus hodgsonii Jerd., Madr. Jour., xi., p. 215, (1840),

(Malabar Coast).

S. W. India from Travancore to Belgaum.

* There are probably several races of this genus which require working out,

102 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

1322e (998) Thriponax hodgsonii feddeni. The Burmese Great

13236

1324+

1325s

1326:

1327«

1328:

132906

1330-

Black Woodpecker.

Mulleripicus feddeni Blanf., Blyth, J.A.S.B., xxait., p. 75, (1863),

(Pegu). pete

Burma, Siam, Annam and Cochin China.

(999) Thriponax javanensis. The Malay Black Wood-

pecker.

Picus javanensis Lwngh., K. Vet. Ac. Nya. Hand-b. LVUI., Do

(1000)

(1001)

(1002)

137, (1797) (Java).

Malay Peninsula to Phillippines.

Thriponax hodgei. The Andaman Black Wood-

pecker.

Mulleripicus hodgei Blyth, J.A.S.B., xuix., p. 105, (1860),

(Andamans).

Sub-Family PicuMNIN#.

Picumnus innominatus innominatus. The Hima-

layan Speckled Prculet.

P. innominatus Burton, P.Z.S., 1836, p. 154, (Himalayas).

Himalayas, Kumaon to Assam.

Picumnus innominatus malayorum. The Malay

Speckled Piculet.

Hartert, Vog. Pal., vii., p. 937, (1912), (Perak).

Burma to Borneo, Annam.

Picumnus innominatus avunculorum. The

Madras Speckled Piculet.

Hartert, Vog. Pal., vit., p. 937, (1912), (Nilgiris).

Hills of Southern India.

Sasia ochracea.ochracea. The Indian Rufous

Piculet.

Sasia ochracea Hodg., J.A.S.B., v., p. 777, (1836), (Nepal).

Himalayas to Assam and Kachin Hills.

(1002) Sasia ochracea reichenowi. The Burmese Rufous

Prculet.

Hesse, Orn. Monatsb., xixz., p. 181, 1911, (Burma).

Burma, Siam, Annam, N. Malay Pen.

Sasia abnormis abnormis. Temminck’s Rufous

Piculet.

Picumnus abnormis Temm., Pl. Col., iv., pl. 371, (1825),

(Java).

Siam, Tennasserim to Sumatra, Borneo, ete.

1331s

1332

1333+

1334-

1335:

1336.

1337s

1338.

13.39%

(1003)

(1004)

(1005)

(1007)

(1006)

(1008)

(1009)

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 108 -

Sub-family Iyngine.

lynx torquilla japonica. The Kashmir Wryneck.

Iynx japonica Bonap., Con. Av., t., p. 150, (1850), (Japan).

E. Siberia to Japan, Himalayas, Kashmir to China.

Family InpicatToRIp&.

Indicator xanthonotus. The Yellow-backed Honeys

Guide.

Blyth, J.A.S.B., wi., p. 166, (1842). (Darjiling).

Himalayas, E. to Sikkim, Abbottabad.

Family CAaPrronip&.

Caloramphus fuliginosa hayi. The Brown Barbet.

Bucco hayi Gray, Zool. Misc., p. 33, (1831), (Jalacca).

Tennasserim, south to Sumatra.

Megalzma virens virens. The Great Chinese

Barbet.

Bucco virens Bodd., Tabl. Pl. Enl., (1783), (China).

Central and South Burma, east to China.

Megalzma virens marshallorum. The Great

Himalayan Barbet.

M. marshallorum Swinhoe, A.M.N.H., p. 348, (1870)

(Nepal).

Himalayas from Murree to Assam and N. Burma.

Thereiceryx zeylanicus zeylanicus. The Ceylon

Green Barbet.

Bucco zeylanicus .Gmel., Syst. Nat., i., p. 408, (1788),

(Ceyloi>.

Ceylon and South Travancore.

Thereiceryx zeylanicus caniceps. The Northern

Green Barbet.

Bucco caniceps Franklin, P.Z.S., 1831, p. 121, (Calcutta.

Benares).

Northern India from extreme W. to Western Bengal.

Thereiceryx zeylanicus inornatus. The Bombay

Green Barbet.

Megalema inornata Walden, A.M.N.H., Series iv., Us ps

219 (1870), (Coorg).

West Coast from N. Travancore to Bombay.

Thereiceryx lineatus hodgsoni. The Assam Line-

ated Barbet.

Megalema hodgsoni Bonap., Cons. Av., v., p. 144, (1850),

(Nepal).

Nepal to N. Siam.

104 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

13406

1341.

1342s

13438

1344.

1345+

13463

1347

1348.

*549-

(1009) Thereiceryx lineatus intermedius. The Burmese

Lineated Barbet.

Stuart Baker, Bull., B.O.C., xawix., 1918, p. 9, (Pakpoon

Burma).

Central, south and peninsular Burma and Siam.

(1010) Thereiceryx viridis. The Small Green Barbet.

Bucco viridis Bodd., Tabl. Fl. Enl., p. 53, (1783), (India).

South and South West India.

(1011) Chotorhea mystacophanes. The Gaudy Barbet.

Bucco mystacophanes Jemm., Pl. Col. No. 315, 1824,

(Sumatra),

Tennasserim, south to Sumatra.

(1012) Cyanops asiatica asiatica. The Blue-throated Barbet,

Trogon asiaticus Lath.,.Ind. Orn., p. 201, (1790), (India).

Himalayas, Chamba to South Burma.

(1012) Cyaneps asiatica rubescens. The Ruddy Barbet.

C. rubescens Stuart Baker, Nov. Zool., iii., p. 257, (1896),

(NV. Cachar).

Hills, S. of Brahmapootra above 3,500 feet.

(1013) Cyanops asiatica davisoni. Davison’s Blue-throated

Barbet.

Megalema davisoni Hume, S.I’., v., p. 108, (1877), (Meetan,

S. Tennasserim).

S. Tennasserim and S. W. Siam.

(1014) Cyanops incognita. Hume’s Blue-throated Barbet.

Megalaima incognita Hume, S. F., it., p. 442, (1874) (Ten-

nasserim, 25 m. N. of Yea).

Tavoy to Southern Tennasserim.

(1015) Cyanops flavifrons. The Yellow-fronted Barbet.

Bucco flavifrons Cuvier, Régne An., i., p. 428, ex Levaill.

(1817), (Ceylon).

Ceylon.

(1016) Cyanops duvauceli robinsoni. The Malay Blue-

eared Barbet.

‘Stuart Baker, Bull., B.O.C., xxxix., 1918, p. 20, (Klang

Malay.Pen.) ~

Pen, Siam amd Burma and Malay Pen.

(1016) Cyanops duvauceli cyanotis. The Indian Blue-

eared Barbet.

Bucco cyanotis Blyth, J.A.S.B., xvi., p. 487, (1847), (Bengal).

Sikkim, Bhutan, Assam,. "Borma and Siam.

1350.6

1351.

1352.

1353-

1354.

1355¢

1356s

1357

(1017)

(1018)

(1019)

(1020)

(1021)

(1022)

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 105

Cyanops robustirostris. The Thick-billed Barbet.

Stuart Baker, Bombay Nat. His. Jour., x, p. 356, (1896),

(NV. Cachar).

N. Cachar Hills, Naogang and ? Yunnan.

Cyanops franklinii franklinii. The Golden-throated

Barbet.

Bucco franklinii Blyth, J.AS.B., xi., p. 167, (1842), (Dar-

piling). .

Nepal to Assam and Chin Hills,

Cyanops franklinii ramsayi. Ramsay’s Golden-

throated Barbet.

Megalema ramsayi Walden, A.M.N.H., xv., p. 400, (1875),

(Karennee).

Central and 8, Burma, Siam and Malay Pen.

Xantholzema hzemacephala indica. The Indian

Crimson-breasted Barbet.

Bucco indicus Lath., Ind. Orn., i., p. 205, (1790), (India),

(Calcutta).

Plains of India, Ceylon, Burma, Siam, Yunnan, Malay

Pen. to Sumatra.

Xantholema malabarica. The Orimson-throated

Barbet.

Bucco malabaricus Blyth, J.A.S.B., avi., pp. 386, 465, (1847)»

(Malabar).

Malabar Coast.

Xantholema_ rubricapilla. The Small Ceylon

Barbet.

Bucco rubricapillus Gmel., Syst. Nat., i., p. 408, (1788),

(Ceylon).

Order ANISODACTYLI.

Sub-order Coracia,

Family Coractide.

Coracias benghalensis benghalensis. The North-

ern Indian Roller.

Corvus benghalensis Linn., S.N., x., ed. ., p. 106, (1758),

(Bengal).

Persian Gulf, Northern India to E. Bengal.

Coracias benghalensis indica. The Southern

Indian Roller.

Coracias indica Linn., S.N., wii., ed. I., p. 159, (1766),

(Ceylon).

The South of India and Ceylon.

106 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol; XXVIII-

1358. (1023) Coracias benghalensis affinis. The Burmese

Roller.

C. affinis McClell., P.Z.S., 1839, p. 164, (Assam).

Assam, Burma and Siam.

1359. (1024) Coracias garulla semenowi. The Kashmir Roller.

Loud. & Tschusi, Orn. Jahrb., xiii., p. 148, (1902), (T'rans-

caspia).

Transcaspia to Kashmir and Garhwal.

1360. (1025*) Eurystomus orientalis orientalis. The Indian

Broad-billed Roller.

Coracias orientalis Linn., S.N. I., p. 159, (1766), (India).

India, Burma, Siam and Southwards.

1361. (1025) Eurystomus orientalis gigas. The Andaman

Broad-billed Roller.

Stresemann, Nov. Zool., xx., p. 299, (1913), (S. Andamans).

South Andamans.

* T find it quite impossible to separate orientalis, calonyx and lacieor and think

the alleged differences are all individual rather than sub-specific. gigas is separable

on account of its large size and large bill.

(to be continued.)

107

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.

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

(With 4 Text figures.)

(Continued from page 691 of Volume XX VII.) :

Family—AESCHNID.

: Part XI.

Insects usually of large size, with long and cylindrical abdomen. Eyes

markedly or only slightly contiguous or more or less widely separated ; ocelli

arranged transversely in front of vesicle; labium with the middle lobe not

markedly smaller than or overlapped by the lateral lobes, the latter not

furnished with a moveable hook ; antenodal nervures of Ist and 2nd series not

coinciding save for occasional individuals ; t1igones more or less similar in all

wings and situated equally distal to the arc ; anal appendages specialized ; a

well developed ovipositor present in the females.

Fig.—1l. Abdominal endings of females of 1. Cephaleschna, 2. Gynacanth-

eschna, 3. Gynacantha (anal appendages shown broken off).

Subfamily 1—ArscHnin#.

Insects of large size, with long and cylindrical abdomen. Head large and

globular ; eyes markedly contiguous, which is the first essential character

separating them from the following subfamily Gomphine. Generally speak-

ing, Anax and Gynacantha have very large eyes which are contiguous for a

long distance, whilst they are smaller and less contiguous in the Aschnine.

Wings long and broad, reticulation usually close, trigones elongated in the

long axis of the wing and closely similar in shape in all wings. In the group

Anazx the wings are similar in the two sexes, the males of all other groups and

genera have the anal borders excavated or straight andthe anal angle promi-

ent but less so in Anacieschna. The anal border has a large triangle divided

108 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

into two or more cells and defined by a straight nervure which leaves the sub-

costal nervure and forms the acute point of the triangle by meeting the anal

border near the anal angle (or tornus). In the group Anaa the similarity

between the two sexes is very marked, the anal triangle disappearing in both

completely.

Oreillets more or less developed or in the group Anaz, entirely absent. The

connection between these organs and the excavation of the hindwings has al-

ready been commented on in dealing with Hemicordulia asiatica.

Lhe basal space (for which I propose the new name “ arcular space ”’ as it

is limited outwardly by the arc) is either entire or traversed by several ner-

vures. The 4th nervure (nodal sector) either curved uniformly or making an

abrupt curve towards the costa beneath the stigma; the 5th nervure (Rs or

subnodal sector) either bifurcated or not. at or before the inner end of the

stigma.

Q The terminal border of the 10th abdominal segment beneath (known

as the ‘“‘dentigerous plate”) most generally rounded and most often den-

ticulate, but in Gynacantha, Gynacantheschna and Pericschna it is prolonged

into a long, bifurcated fork.

Hat.—Cosmopolitan.

It is impossible to give an entirely satisfactory key for this subfamily owing

to the paucity of our knowledge of several forms of which only one or the other

Sex is at present known. This applies especially to the imperfectly Inown

genera Cali—and Cephaleschna.

Dr. Laidlaw in the Records of the Indian Museum has pointed out the errors

which have crept into the nomenclature of the species of these two genera and

these may be usefully recapitulated here.

The genus Calieschna was founded by Selys in 1883 Aschna microstigma,

Schneider, being the type. The rounded, subdenticulate, dentigerous plate

which is a characteristic of the female of this species was unknown to Selys

when he founded the related genus Cephaleschna from C. orbifrons in 1885 and

he gave the same character as of generic value to this genus.

Noticing that Selys had overlooked the character of the dentigerous plate

in Calieschna microstigma, Martin, in 1909, made the error of suppressing the

genus Cephalechna and of placing C. orbifrons in the genus Calieschna without

taking into account the diversity of the two species in other respects. A dis-

tinguishing feature is the remarkable development of the frons in Cephale-

schna orbifrons as compared with the normal development found in Caliceschna

microstigma.

Karsch in 1891 taking the development of the frons as the most important

feature described Cephaleschna sikkima. In this species the dentigerous plate

of the female is forked very much the same as is found in species belonging to

the genus Gynacantha so that it clearly cannot be placed in the genus Cephal-

eschna and for a similar reason it falls outside the range of Calieschna.

Thus it is seen that Cephaleschna must be retained and a new genus must

be erected to contain Karsch’s species, and others resembling it.

The three genera may be briefly defined as follows :—

1. Caliwschna with the dentigerous plate of the female rounded and sub-

denticulate and the frons of normal development.

Type—C. microstigma, Schneid.

2. Cephaleschna with the dentigerous plate of the female rounded and

subdenticulate and the frons remarkably developed.—

Type—C. orbifrons, Selys.

3. Gynacantnesohna gen. nov. with the dentigerous plate of the female

forked and the frons remarkably developed.

Type. —C. sikkima. Karsch.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 109

Dr. Tillyard merges the genus Hemianax with Anax but I prefer to keep

them separate, as in addition to the absence of the supplementary ridges to

abdomen, there are other generic characters.

SEN

4 { Sit) ee: me ey ry Ley OF

2 ST Hie Ss

/ 2 AERO Te E

<< eae

STITT

Fig. 2.—Wings of Anax parihenope parthenope, male.

1. Arcular or basal space, 2. 5th nervure (Rs), 3. 5a nervure (Rspl),

4. 4th nervure (M2 or nodal sector).

Key to the Sub-family—AiscHnIN»&.

Anal border of hindwing rounded in both sexes; 5th nervure (Rs)

not bifurcated ; 4th nervure (M2 or nodal sector) with an abrupt

convexity forwards at outer end of stigma; sectors of arc arising

from above the middle of arc

1 Anal border of the hindwing rounded in the female only ; 5th ner-

vure bifurcated (except in Jagoria); 4th nervure uniformly curved

as far as termen ; sectors of arc arising from or below the middle of

are ne ae 7

Genus Hemianax :—

Only a single, lateral bordering ridge to

2<~ segments 4 to 8, no supplementary ridge

above it ..

ae ae zs Me fe Hemianax ephippiger.

Genus Anax :—

{ Lateral, supplementary, parallel ridges to segments 4 to 6 3

The thorax laterally, sky-blue marked

with an anterior, narrow and a median, broad,

2< black stripe ae

| The thorax laterally gr

ee oe ot Anax immaculifrons.

een or pale brown, unmarked

vie ie Oe 4

Inferior anal appendages half the length of the

superior . Ar its a se ae Anax guttatus.

4 Inferior anal appendages considerable less than half the length of the

superior ae te we ‘ se ae ste ata

110 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

Inferior anal appendages one-third the

length of the superior ; a black, T-shaped mark

54 on upper surface of forehead .. .. Anax parthenope bacchus,

Inferior anal appendages only one- fourth the length of the asin

no black, T-shaped mark on upper surface of forehead . "

Crest of forehead with a transverse, brown

stripe bordered posteriorly with yellow;

membrane white 40 se -. Anax parthenope parthenope.

6 Crest of forehead with a bea transverse

stripe bordered posteriorly with blue ; mem-

brane black, white at base .. ae Ae Anax parthenope julius.

Basal space traversed by several nervures ete a ze Gr

Basal space entire a 4. 5 oe eye we Bee

' Dentigerous plate of female rounded and subdenticulate .. ae yee

Dentigerous plate of female forked 44 a oe s ate mie

Genus Calieschna (Persian species) :—

Frons only normally developed... Ne Caliceschna microstigma.

Genus Cephaleschna :—

Frons remarkably developed .. oe a a re eee

Frons projecting markedly, like the bows

of a ship; frons and face sea without

markings . Cephacelschna acutifrons.

Frons projecting markedly in a rounded,

globular form, pale brown ; face yellow above,

black below with two small yellow spots on

the labrum at Cephaleschna orbifrons.

Frons yellow nordleneal nih black abot - sc in Sonal

Frons yellow in front % os 3 Cephaleschna masoni.

Genus Perieschna :—

Trigones of forewings long, of 5 to 6 cells;

thorax dark brown marked with erent a

stripes .. Periechna magdalene.

Genus Gynacanthaschna : —

Trigones of forewings shorter, of 3 to 4

cells only; thorax brown or black marked

with green stripes ae as ae .. Gynacantheschna sikkima

| Frons shiny black in front .. te a: Cephaleschna lugubris.

Genus Jagoria i—

13 5th nervure (Rs) unforked .. oe 5 Jagoria martina

5th nervure forked ‘is fe ae Ue a ate sale

( Genus Austroeschna i—

14 Only 1 row of cells between nervures 5 and

ie (Rs and Rspl) Be .. Austroceschna intersedens.

3 to 7 rows of cells ieiwesanl nervures aS and 5a.. a, ass ss sale

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 111

Genus Anacieschna i—

Base of hindwing sub-rounded ; 4th nervure

15< making an abrupt curve towards the ae

beneath the stigma as in Anax : Anacieschna jaspidea.

Base of hindwing in the pinto? more or less angulated and

excavated Be ae ahs Ae Ae fs Ate as ae 26

ticulate or elongate .. >. oe + te a3 fi 5 7

Genus Gynacantha :—

Dentigerous plate in the female prolonged as a _ two- -pronged

Porky «2; se ae as oc a fe fe es 22

Genus Aischna i—

Dentigerous plate in the female rounded and denticulate or subden-

Dentigerous plate in the female elongate and spout-like, the hinder

border furnished with a number of long teeth .. : ee 1s

Dentigerous plate in the female rounded and subdenticulate eC

broadening widely at the apex and expanded

abruptly into a hawk’s-bill-like process inferi-

orly ; a robust spine on the dorsum of the

10th abdominal segment a Aischna ornithocephala,

Superior anal appendages broad and spa-

tulate ; only a poorly-developed spine on

the dorsum of the 10th abdominal seg-

Superior anal appendages narrow but

ment oe ap hs ait a Sf Aischna erythromelas.

, Antehumeral bands on thorax green = ig so Be ig 20)

mat

Ws oie bands on thorax bright yellow At ie a deal 2. |

Sides of thorax entirely green; a small

spine on the dorsum of the 10th abdominal

segment ; appendages narrow and tapering .. Aischna virrdis.

20 Sides of thorax with 2 broad, yellow stripes ;

no spine on the dorsum of 10th abdominal

segment ; superior anal appendages very

broad and leaf-like $c tke Ae es Aischna petalura.

about 74 mm.; a sharp, robust and promi-

nent spine on the dorsum of the 10th abdo-

et minal segment .. Aischna juncea.

Smaller insects with a . total length of about

E mm.; only a poorly developed, depressed

| Very large insects with a total length of

spine on the dorsum of 10th abdominal seg-

ment : i se oe od -f Aischna mixta.

Inferior anal appendages more than half

the length of the superiors® .. Gynacantha khasiaca.

Inferior anal appendages less than one- third the length of the su-

periors, usually one-fourth or one-fifth .. ; 23

Inferior anal appendages more than one-third but less than o one- half

the length of the superiors .. ore ae te se eee

112 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII,

( Superior anal appendages with the basal

three-fourths slender, the apical fourth di-

lated and spatulate-like, the apex slightly

23< rounded .. ae si 3 ws ee Gynacantha basiguttata.

Superior anal appendages with the basal

and apical thirds dilated, the middle third a

little constricted, the apex pointed .. as Gynacantha subinterrupta.

( Abdomen not constricted at the third

segment, unmarked save for some green on

the first two segments; frons without any

markings on its upper surface .. oy oe Gynacantha millardi.

244 Abdomen with at least some slight constriction of the third segment,

marked with yellow, green or blue markings on most segments ; frons

with a blakish T-shaped mark or an anterior bordering of the same

colour on its upper surface .. ahs ae na ihe ae Bay

f Superior anal appendages seen from above,

| markedly sinuous; abdomen only slightiy

25< constricted at the 3rd segment ; legs reddish.. Gynacantha furcata,

Superior anal appendages seen from above, more or less straight ;

3rd abdominal segment variable ; legs yellow or brown ae a 26

Length of hindwing not more than 35 mm.;

abdomen not more than 42 mm. in length;

abdomen reddish brown spotted with green ;

26< 3rd abdominal segment very constricted .. Gynacantha saltatrix.

1 Length of hindwing not less than 40 mm.; abdomen not less than

(45 mm., and usually more than this.. “4 an are He? ont tee

Upper surface of frons with its anterior

| border blackish brown; antenodal nervures

to forewing 18 to 21; 3rd abdominal segment

274 slightly constricted a oe bd a% Gynacantha bayadera.

Upper surface of frons with a blackish-brown T-shaped like mark ;

| antenodal nervures to forewing 24 to 34; 3rd abdominal segment

| markedly constricted a aks Em oe a he +. 28

Abdomen blackish brown above, reddish

282 beneath, no markings .. “f ae =e Gynacantha hyalina.

Abdomen black and grey, marked with blue spots... = -» 29

Abdomen and hindwing of approximately

| the same length (about 44 mm). ; blue mark-

294 ings on segments 3 to 7 rather obscure Ca Gynacantha hanumana.

Abdomen longer than the hindwing (50

mm. compared to 47 mm or less ; blue marks BAD

Lon segments .3 to 7 well defined ae ae Gynacantha bainbrigger.

Group—ANAXe

Eyes very large, globular and broadly contiguous ; occiput rather small.

Wings long and broad, reticulation close, the base of hindwings in both sexes

rounded and not excavated ; 4th nervure (M2 or nodal sector) making an abrupt

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 113

curve towards the costa near outer end of stigma; 5th nervure (Rs or sub-

nodal sector) not forked ; stigma long and slender ; arcular space entire ; mem-

brane long and broad; trigones very elongated, of 4 to 8 cells; border of 10th

abdominal segment in the female subrounded and subdenticulate ; anal appen-

dages entire, variable but more or less lanceolate in shape; abdomen with

or without lateral, accessory, longitudinal ridges on segments 4 to 8.

Only two genera—Anax and Hemianazx.

Genus—ANnax, LEACH,

Fig. 3.—Dorsal and lateral aspects of the anal appendages of 1. Anax gutta-

tus, 2. Anax parthenope julius, 3. Hemianax ephippiger, 4. Anax parthenope

parthenope, 5. Anax immaculifrons.

Anax, Leach, Edinb. Encycl. ix, p. 137 (1815).

Aischna, Van der Lind.

Cyrtosoma, Burm. Handb. Ent. ii, p. 839 (1839); Charp. Lib, Eur. p. 13

(1840).

Anax, Ramb. Ins. Nevr. p. 182 (1842); Brauer, Reise d Novara. Neur-

p. 59 (1856); Steph. IIT. Brit. Ent. Mand. vi, p. 81 (1836); Selys,

Mon. Lib. Eur. p. 113 (1840); id., Rev. Odon. p. 109 (1850); id..

Bull. Acad. Belg. (3) v., p. 723 (1883).

Lateral supplementary ridges on abdominal segments 4 to 8; anal superior

appendages thick, sublanceolate, hollowed inwardly, with a keel or ridge above,

the inferior quadrilateral.

114 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX VII,

Type. Anax formosus, Van der Lind.

1. Anax immacuiifrons, Ramb. Ins. Neur., p. 189 (1842); Brauer,

Reise d Novara, Neur, p. 60 (1866); Kirby, Cat. Odon., p. 84 (1890) ;

Martin, Cat. Coll. Selys, Aeschnines, xix, xx, p. 18, fig. 12 (1909) ;

id., Bull. Soc. Ent. Frn. xii, p. 212 (1909); Ris, Suppl. Ent. No.

v, pp. 63-65 (1916); Laid. Rec. Ind., Mus. MS (1921).

Male Abdomen 59 mm., Hindwing 57 mm.

Female Abdomen 57 mm., Hindwing 58 mm.

Male—Head large and globular; eyes a beautiful sea-blue during life,

broadly contiguous; labium, labrum, epistome, frons and vesicle all pale

bluish green, unmarked ; occiput green or bluish green.

Prothorax brown, completely hidden by the overhanging head.

Thorax bulky, matt green on front and dorsum, bright, glossy sky-blue on

the sides, which are marked with two jet black stripes, an anterior narrow and

a median, oblique broad, both somewhat sinuous. The tergum spotted with

blue in the form of a cross.

Wings hyaline, more commonly enfumed and often tinted with yellow for

a great part of their area, membrane large, black with a large, basal, white spot ;

reticulation close, black but many of the nervures at the base of wing, inclu-

ding the lower half of arc and the antenodal nervures of the 2nd series pale

yellow ; costa yellow ; antenodal nervures to the forewing 19 to 21, postnodals

10 to 12, antenodal nervures to hindwing 15, postnodals 12 to 14; trigones in

forewing with 6 cells, in bindwing 5; 5 cubital nervures in the forewing, 4 in

the hind; 4 to 5 rows of cells between 5 and 5a; stigma braced, narrow and

long, dark brown above, paler beneath.

Abdomen tumid at the base, a little constricted at base of 3rd segment,

cylindrical and of even width afterwards as far as the ana] end. First segment

black, 2nd and 3rd sky-blue on the dorsum and sides, the former with a broad,

transverse, subbasal, black band broadest on the dorsum and an apical, black

ring which extends squarely basalwards along the dorsum but is not usually

confluent with the subbasal mark ; remaining segments a dirty pale blue or

pale yellow with the apical halves or more, black and a small, triangular, dorsal

black mark on the paler area which is tho analogue of the larger marking seen

on the 2nd segment ; on the 8th segment, the apical black more extensive and

on 9 and 10 the black covers the whole of dorsum, tho sides and the apical border

of the 10th segment yellowish.

Legs black, robust, long. On the outer side of the hind femora at the distal

end, a robust, bifid spur is seen which is less marked on the other femora.

Anal superior appendages brown; seen from above they are narrow at the

base, then broadening rather abruptly and widely on the inner side and tapering

again gradually to the apex which is rather obtuse, bevelled outwardly to a

fine point. A prominent keel runs the length of the upper surface along the

outer border. Inferior appendages barely balf the length of the superior,

broadly triangular and strongly curved in profile. (Fig. 3, V).

Female.—Head: labium, labrum, epistome and frons pale yellowish green

and unmarked save for a narrow black bordering to the lips; eyes pale bluish

green, greenish yellow below ; occiput pale olivaceous.

Thorax sap green on the dorsum, pale greenish yellow on the sides which

are marked with a narrow, sinuous, black, posthumeral stripe and a broad,

pale brown or darker brown, median stripe which is bordered narrowly in front

and behind with black. The metepimeron bordered posteriorly, narrowly

with black.

Wings hyaline, their attachments to the thorax ashy ; other features as in

male.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 116

Abdomen: Ist segment pale brown with an incomplete apical, black ring ;

2nd segment pale greenish yellow on dorsum, pale bluish green on sides at the

apex and with a narrow, median, black mark on the dorsum ; remaining segments

a dirty yellow marked with a narrow, triangular, brown, median spot on dorsum

of segments 3 to 7 and broad, apical and narrow, basal annules on segments

3 to 8; 9th segment brown at the base and sides only ; 10th segment entirely

yellowish green or pale yellow. Often the 8th segment is entirely black save

for a small, apical spot which broadens laterally but does not meet its fellow

over the dorsum.

Dentigerous plate rounded and covered with small denticules.

Anal appendages brown lanceolate, as long as the 2 last abdominal segments.

Legs black.

Hab.—Throughout India in the montane and semi-montane areas, some-

what scarce in the North but becoming increasingly common as its distribution

is traced southwards. The Western Ghats are its natural habitat, where it

is found at any height above 2,000 ft. rarely being taken below that elevation.

Tt breeds freely in all watercourses at Ootacamund and other hill-tops of the

Nilgiris. I have taken it not uncommonly in the Poona District. and found

that it became more common as traced up to Satara and finally Mahableshwar

at which latter place (in a restricted locality below the lake) it literally swarms.

Anax immaculifrons is one of our finest species both as regards its size and

beauty. It is to be sought for in the beds of rocky mountain streams in which

places it has a regular beat of a mile or more, plying restlessly backwards and

forwards for hours. It oviposits in deep running water, inserting its eggs

into the stems of reeds and whilst doing so is always guarded by the male which

hovers above it at a height of 2 to 3 feet. The female engaged in this work

will often be submerged almost up to its neck in the water. The larve are

easily discernible crawling sluggishly along the mud at the bottom of moun-

tain streams, and the exuvize may be found in such situations clinging to reed

stems at the side of the streams.

2. Anax guttatus, Burm.

Brauer, Reise, d. Novara, Neur. p. 62 (1866); Hagen, Verh. Zool.

Ges. Wien, xvii., p. 39 (1867); Martin, Coll. Zool. de Selys.

Aeschnines (1909); Laidlaw, Ind. Mus. Rec. MS (1921).

Aeschna guttata, Burm. Handb. Ent. ii., p. 840. n. 14 (1839);

Anax magnus, Ramb. Ins. Nevr. p. 182 (1842); Brauer. |. c. p. 62 (1866).

Dr. Laidlaw has splitupa number of forms of this insect into three series,

A, Band C. Of these, series A is undoubtely the true Anax quttatus, of Burmei-

ster, and series B is most probably a local race of the same insect. Series C

seems to approach the parthenope group and is doubtfully Anax bacchus, Hagen.

Martin holds this view, as his description of the latter insect evidently tallies

with that of Laidlaw’s series C, and also with specimens of Anaz which I have

received from various parts of the Himalayas and had regarded as A. bacchus.

Male.—Abdomen 52 to 56 mm. Hindwing 49 to 52 mm.

Head : labium, labrum, epistome and frons pale yellow or olivaceous, unmark-

ed; eyes sap green above and at the sides, pale yellowish green beneath ;

vesicle black ; occiput black with a spot at its middle and the posterior border

yellow.

In some specimens the labrum is bordered with brown ; there is no T-shaped

mark on the upper surface of the frons.

Prothorax brown, more or less concealed by the overhanging head.

Thorax bulky, sap green, without any markings, The tergum is in some

specimens marked with brown.

Legs black, the femora reddish brown, especially the hinder pair.

116 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

Wings hyaline, slightly enfumed as a rule and the hinderpair marked broadly

with a large, saffronated spot which extends from the outer end of the trigone

as far as the 3rd postnodal nervure. This spot is not sharply defined but gra-

dually diffuses near the median nervure in front and quite close to or even

meeting the posterior border of the wing.

Es Wy fal i bet 9: 20 | 19-9 9-16 | 16°9

Nodal index to wings :— es as le RR A ee

11-123| Poy, TOs | 129° ee

About 14 cells in the loop; hypertrigones traversed 3 to 4 times; 4 to 6

cells in the trigones ; 4 to 5 cubital nervures.

Membrane moderately large, brown or grey and white or yellowish at the base;

stigma greyish yellow bordered with dark brown, 5 to 6 mm. length.

Abdomen blackish brown with blue and orange or yellow markings as fol-

lows :—Ist segment matt green on dorsum or buff coloured in some specimens

and always so after death, the apex edged narrowly with dark brown; 2nd

segment sky-blue above and at the sides but changing to white below and beneath,

the dorsum with two, transverse, linear, black lines, the basal one of which is

in the form of two scallops; 3rd segment withits basal half sky-blue, black

spotted with orange at the apical half, the black area extending back in a cone-

shaped manner into the blue and almost reaching the basal line of the segment ;

segments 4 to 8 blackish brown, each marked with a pair of small, basal spots

of orange, a pair of long, oval, apical, orange spots and finally a pair of similar

coloured spots in line with and between these two. On segment 7 and 8 and

not infrequently on all segments, the two apical spots coalesce to form an irregular

band, and occasionally all three spots are found to join up. On segment 8 the

basal spot is very small or missing ; segment 9 has a pair of triangular spots

and 10 a pair of rounded, orange spots.

Anal superior appendages brown, 5 to 6 mm. in length or equal to the combin-

ed length of segments 9 and 10. Inferior appendages rather less than half

the length of the superiors. (Fig. 3, i). The superior present a basal spine on

the inner side and a flat, projecting ledge on the inner side ; the apex is bevel-

led outwardly and pointed. The inferior appendages are curved up at the

apex and end in a blunt point.

The above description is made from a living specimen taken in Bombay and

differs somewhat from the description of the type and from others taken further

East and North. Dr. Laidlaw’s description of his Series B is as follows :—

“Wings. Yellow tinge of hindwings less extensive, extends only as far as

level of node. Basal white mark on membrane very small.

Head. A small triangular area in front of vertex is brown.

Abdomen. Black of dorsal surface is much more intense than in A (Type).

The spots on the whole are smaller and do not coalesce and they are of a

greenish yellow in colour. The basal spots on 7 and 8 are absent, the spot on

9 is small and that of 10 absent. There are no spots below the lateral, acces-

sory carine.

Anal appendages similar to Type. Female unknown.

Differs strongly in colour pattern from type and approaches Series C. In

other respects it is not very different from A (Type).

Length of hindwing 54 mm., of abdomen 56 mm., of superior appendages 6

mm.”

I regard this variety as a local race or variety of A. guttatus.

Female—Very similar to the male but differing a little in shape and colour.

The abdomen is more tumid and is not constricted at segment 3 as in the male.

The whole abdomen tapers gradually from segment 2.

The eyes are pale green, the face and frons yellowish, the latter having a fine,

basal, black line.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 117

Abdomen. Segment 1 is reddish buff, segment 2 is only blue for quite a small

area on the dorsum, its sides being silvery white. The ground colour is brown

rather than black and the spots are larger, less defined and paler in colour and

often coalesce.

Anal appendages lanceolate, with a stout mid-rib, brown.

Dentigerous plate rounded and coated with small denticules.

Hab.—Throughout India in the planes and submontane areas except in the

dry zones. I have taken specimens in Madras, Ceylon, Bombay and Poona

but have not seen it in the C. P. or Bangalore. It is most abundant in the

area of country lying between the ghats and the sea on the Western side of India

south of Mount Abu. Dr. Annandale has sent me specimens from Barkuda,

Ganjam District, where he states that it is common. It may be seen hawking

throughout the day along the borders of the Chilka Lake. I have seen the

female ovipositing in quite small tanks in Poona and Bombay and have bred

out larve obtained from a tank not more than 20 feet across. Clean, weedy

tanks are the favourite spots to find them. The imago in Poona always

emerged punctually at about 10-30 p.m., and the full colours had almost

developed by dawn.

The species described by Dr. Laidlaw as Series C, from Assam and Bengal

although closely allied to A. guttatus are I believe A. bacchus and are described as

such below, hence I define the limits of true guttatus for the present as south

of the montane areas of the Himalayas. Eastwards it extends into Burma and

throughout the Straits and Indo-China.

3. Anax parthenope, “ bacchus” Hagen. Verh. zool. bot. Ges. Wien, xvii’

p. 34 (1867); Martin, Cat. Coll. Selys, fig. 16, Aeschnines, p. 85

(1909) ; Kirby. Cat. p. 85 (1890).

Anax guttatus, Series ““C”’, Laid. Rec. Ind. Mus. (1921); Calv. Proc.

Acad, Nat. Sci. Philad. pp. 148, 150 (1899).

Male.—Length of abdomen 50 mm., hindwing 48 mm.

Head : eyes in the living state bluish grey ; face pale green; labrum and

labium yellow, the former more or less bordered with black; vesicle yellow ;

frons pale green in front, yellowish green above and marked with a broad, black.

T-shaped mark ; occiput black (In specimens from Shillong and the Himalayas,

the occiput is straight behind thus differing from Anazx quttatus in which there

is a minute point at the centre. In these specimens also, the colour is brow-

nish black). (In a specimen which I have examined in the British Museum and

which is labelled A. bacchus, the occiput is greenish yellow, the centre is raised

into a pyriform bosse and the free border is laminated, cleft in the middle by

a shallow notch, thus forming two laminated scallops. I think however that

this specimen is a local race of A. parthenope julius.)

Prothorax brown, hidden almost entirely by the overhanging head. The

thorax matt green, unmarked save for some occasional bluish spots on the

tergum and the sutural lines which are obscurely blackish brown.

Legs black, the anterior femora yellowish at their bases.

. Wings hyaline, the costa yellow outwardly, enfumed at the apices and diffuse-

M4 along the termen as far as the 6th nervure (M3) ; membrane blackish brown

r greyish black, its base not pale as in guttatus; stigma dark ochreous with

wean ; 9°16. | 16:39 10217 [19-10

black borders, 5 mm. long ; nodal index variable, Teil Pirin 1212) i211

trigones 4 to 6 cells, 4 to 5 cubital nervures ; hypertrigones traversed 2 to 3

times.

Abdomen. Segment 1 matt green or pale brown, segment 2 sky-blue above

and on the upper part of sides, the dorsum marked with a mid-dorsal line

of black, connected with two transverse lines of the same colour,

118 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII,

Segment 3 bluish at its base, black for the apical half or two-thirds and with

an apical and sometimes with a medial bluish spot on either side ; segments

4 to 8 black spotted with bluish grey or dirty blue, varying in almost every

specimen—usually however there is an oval, apical spot and a medial and basal

small spot on each side which are never connected up ; the 9th and 10th seg-

ments are black, the former with a single bluish spot and the latter either un-

spotted or with its apex and sides greenish yellow and the borders finely brown.

Anal superior appendages differ somewhat from those of Anaa gutiatus, they

are decidedly broader, the middle third projecting markedly inward ; the in-

ferior appendage is square, greyish and with borders diffusely black.

Female very similar to the male and differing as follows :—-

Eyes greenish grey in the living state ; abdomen more tumid at the base

and not constricted at the third segment as in the male. The blue on the 2nd

segment is only evidenced by a small, diffuse area on the dorsum and the sides

are silvery yellow ; segment 3 has no trace of blue colouring and the base is

greenish yellow.

The spots on the abdomen are greenish yellow in colour, larger and more

extcnsive and there are additional basal, infero-lateral spots on segments 4

to 5 and sometimes also on 6.

Hab.—N. E. Himalayas, Assam, Upper Burma, Missouri and Dehra Dun.

Anax parthenope tacchus appears to replace Anax gultatus in the North of India

and bridges the gap between the latter species and Anax parthenope julius.

It breeds in tanks and oviposits in shallow water.

4. Anax parthenope julius, Brauer,

Brauer, Verh. Zool. bot. Ges. Wien xvii (1865); Reise. d. Novara,

Neur. pp. 61, 63 (1866); Selys, Odon. du Japon, C. R. Soc. Ent.

Belg. xxvii. p. 116 (1883); Kirby Cat. Odon. p. 85 (1890).

Length of abdomen 58 mm, of hindwing 55 mm.

Male—Head : labium bright yellow ; labrum the same colour bordered with

black ; face and front of frons greenish yellow unmarked save for a small, diffuse

brown, transverse spot on lower part of frons where it joins the upper epistome ;

frons above finely bordered with black: behind which is a broad turquoise blue

band. Posterior half of frons bright yellow marked centrally in front of vesicle

by a projecting, subtriangular black spot. Eyes opalescent ; occiput yellow,

posterior border a little concave with the concavity bridged across by a thin

lamina.

Prothorax yellowish.

Thorax matt green, the alar sinus and the tergum blue, the former finely

outlined in black.

Legs black, femora reddish for their basal two-thirds ; coxee yellow margined

with black at their junction with the synthorax.

Wings hyaline, not enfumed or saffronated in any part ; costa yellow as

far as the stigma which is ochreous on its upper surface and yellowish beneath

and bordered with black, 6 mm. in length; membrane black, its basal third

white ; trigones with 6 ceus in the forewing, 4 in the hind; cubital nervures

10°17 | 19-10

5 in forewing; 4 in the hind ; nodal index :— Tr i2 [12-11 ; 14 to 15 cells in®

the loop.

Abdomen tumid at the base, constricted at the 3rd segment and of even

width thereafter as far as the end; segment 1 yellowish green finely bordered

basally with black, two irregular, diffuse, small, brownish spots on each side,

one subdorsal, the other nearly ventral; segment 2 turquoise blue, the dorsum

very finely, the base and two transverse, fine lines black; segments 3 to 8

pale dirty blue, the dorsum of all segments rather broadly black, this colour

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. Hyg

prolonged outwardly and finely along all transverse sutures and at the junc-

tion of the apical and middle thirds, as a short angular projection. The sup-

plementary ridges and the apical halves of the segments 3 to 6 below these ridges

are also black, whilst on segments 7 to 10 the part below the lateral ridges is

entirely black ; the 9th and 10th segments are broadly black on the dorsam and

finely along the lateral and posterior borders.

Superior anal appendages 5 mm. long, dark brown, very similar to guttatus

but more abruptly narrowed after the middle third. The inferior appendage

is barely one-third the length of the superior, quadrate, the end turned up

slightly and presenting two teeth at cither angle when viewed in profile, pale

brown but darker at the borders (Fig. 3, 2).

Female very similar tothe male but the abdomen more tumid at the base

and not constricted at the third segment. There is only a slight trace of

turquoise blue on the dorsum of the 2nd segment and none on that of the 3rd,

the sides of these two segments are silvery white.

The markings are almost identical with those of the male on the rest of the

segments, but the black is more extensive and tends to cut up the marginal

dull blue into spots which however are always coalescent to some extent. The

thorax is pale brown or fawny.

Dentigerous plate subdenticvlate and rounded.

Ana! appendages lanceolate and with a stout mid-rib.

Hab.—Himalayas, Bengal and Assam. The specimens described above are

from Darjeeling District. Eastwards it spreads into China and Japan.

Anaz julius bridges the gap between Anax bacchus and parthenope, both

of which it resembles somewhat, the colouring of the frons will however suflice

to differentiate them.

5. Anax parthenope parthenope, Selys, Bull. Acad. Belg. vi. (2) p.

389 (1859) ; id. Mon. Lib. Eur. p. 119 (1840); id. Rev. Odon. p. 111

(1850) ; Brauer Reise d. Novara, Neur. p. 61 (1866); Hagen, Neur.

N. Amer. p. (1867); Kirby, Cat. Odon p. 85 (1890); Laid Rec.

Ind. Mus. MS (1921). Calvert, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. (1898),

pp. 148-149, fig. 3 A. t.; Martin, Cat. Coll. Selys, Aeschnines, xix,

xx, p. 20 (fig. 15) (1909).

Aeschna parthenope, Selys. loc. cit.

Aeschna parisinu:, Ramb. Neurop. p. 185, t. 1. f. 10 (1842).

Length of abdomen, male 53 mm, female 50 mm, hindwing 49 to 50 mm.

Male—Head : labium, labrum and face as well as front of frons cinereous,

whitish or very pale yellow ; upper surface of frons marked anteriorly with a

broad, blackish brown, transverse band, posterior to which is a narrow line of

pale brown followed again by a band of pale blue. Base of frons bluish with

a very small, black triangle in the suture in front of vesicle ; the latter black

in front, pale yellow or whitish yellow above ; occiput bright yellow behind

but with a small, black, triangular area in front.

Prothorax pale brown, almost entirely obscured by the overlapping head.

Thorax pale brown or greyish or faintly tinted with greenish yellow. In

Basra specimens the colour is a pale slate blue and the only markings are the

sutures which are finely outlined in black.

Legs black, the middle and posterior pairs of femora reddish, the anterior

pair black outwardly, pale whitish yellow inwardly. The middle and posterior

femora with a row of very closely-set, very small even spines, the distal few

slightly more robust.

Wings hyaline or partially enfumed, often quite deeply so. In one specimen

from Basra the extreme tips of the wings are enfumed and the outer two-thirds,

from the outer end of the trigone to rather beyond the stigma is a smoky amber

tint ; in other specimens the wings have a deeply enfumed, brownish area

120 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIil.

beginning diffusely from distal to or proximal to the node and ending rather

abruptly at the level of the outer end of stigma. This fascia is very noticeable

when the insect is flying and is always much more extensive in the females.

Tf present in the males it is usually more amber tinted. Stigma pale brown

above, whitish yellow beneath, 40 to 5°5 mm. in length and larger in the female;

membrane white ; trigones with 4 to 6 cells in the forewing, 3 to 4 in the hind ;

; p , : 7°.15:| 16:8 $14] 14: §

cubital nervures 4 in all wings ; nodal index :-— 11 | 109” 71-12] 11-10

oe drat, 9 8: ih [15° 8

11-11 | 11-12’ 10°10] 10-9

Abdomen tumid at the base, well constricted at the 3rd segment and very

gradually enlarging thereafter as far as the anal end. Ist segment pale buff,

darker brown on the dorsum and with a pruinescent, dark round spot on the

side; 2nd segment pale turquoise blue, marked with a fine apical and a basal

black ring. There is also a small transverse, linear, black mark on either side

of the dorsum, distal to the middle of the segment. The dorsum more or less

spiny and black, this colour usually limited to the minute spines. A black

spot on the side represcnts the rudimentary auricle ; 3rd segment turquoise

blue for rather more than its basal half, white low down on the sides and brown-

ish black for the apical third or more and here marked with three conjoined,

dirty blue, elongate spots, somewhat irregular in shape, the brown on the dorsum

spreads basalwards into the blue almost up to the base of the segment; segments

4 to 8 blackish brown on the dorsum, pale blue at the sides, the dark dorsal

colouring invading it along the transverse sutures and by a triangular point

near the apex, the supplementary ridges are finely brown, as is also the apical area

beneath them; segment 9 is broadly black on the dorsum and blue at the

sides, its lateral borders finely black; 10 is brownish black with the sides

and apical border yellowish.

Anal superior appendages nearly as long as the 9th and 10th segments taken

together, dark brown, the apices paler

inwardly. Evenly convex onthe inner side

for the basal three-fourths and the apex

rather abruptly narrowed and with a

small point on the outer side.

Inferior appendage white with brown

borders, less than one-fourth the length

of the superiors, its apical border with

numerous fine spines directed upward

_ (Fig. 3, 4).

>» Female very similar to the male but

with a stouter abdomen and no con-

striction of the 3rd segment. Differs as

; 13 to 14 cells in the loop.

Fic. 4. _ follows :—Labrum bordered with brown ;

Occiput of Anaxz parthenope frons in front has a narrow, reddish

parthenope, female. brown bordering, above a bordering of

é dull blue and the base pale blue. There

is no basal, black, triangular spot. Occiput very highly specialized, shiny

black in front, bright yellow posteriorly, the posterior border projects back-

ward slightly as a quadrate lobe furnished with a small horn at either angle.

(fig. 4). The blue on abdominal segments 2 and 3 is restricted to but a small

area on the dorsum and the sides of these segments are silvery white. The

10th segment is entirely yellow save for a small, black, dorsal mark at the base.

Anal appendages brown, lanceolate, rapidly tapering to a point, with a

strong mid-rib running throughout their length. Dentigerous plate rounded,

its posterior border straight and its surface coated with minute denticules.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 121

Hab.—Mesopotamia, India throughout the Deccan, Rajputana and Sind.

I have found it breeding in small tanks in Poona. Elsewhere it is found

throughout the Mediterranean, and Asia Minor and the Near East.

Grnus HEMIANAX, Burm.

Hemranax, Selys, Bull. Acad. Belg. (3) v. p. 723 (1883); Kirby, Cat.

Odon. p. 85 (1890); Martin, Cat. Coll. Selys, Aeschnines, xix, XX}

p. 80 (1909); Tillyard, J. L. Soc. Lond, Zool. xxxiii, July (1916) ,

Laid. Rec. Ind. Mus. MS. (1921).

Cyrtosoma, Selys, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. p. 412 (1871).

A’schna, Van der Lind.

Very similar to genus Anazx but generally smaller and with shorter abdomen.

The latter has no supplementary ridges on the sides of segments 4 to 8 and is

therefore smooth and cylindrical.

The superior anal appendages are sublanceolate in the male and taper more

rapidly than in Anax, in the female they are typically lanceolate. Inferior

anal appendages subtriangular and with the lateral borders furnished with robust

imbricated spines. (Selys aptly described this appendages as resembling the

lower jaw of a python with its imbricated teeth.)

Wings similar to genus Anaz.

7. Hemianax ephippiger—Burmeister, (Aeschna ephippiger), Handbk-

‘Ent. ii. p. 840. n. 15 (1839).

Anax ephippiger, Brauer, Reise. d. Novara, Neur. p. 63 (1866) ; Hagen,

Verh. Zool. bot. Ges. Wien, xvii, p. 21 (1867).

Aischna mediterranea, Selys, Bull. Acad. Belg. vi. (2) p. 391 (1839).

Anax mediterranea, Selys, Mon. Lib. Eur. p. 120 (1840).

Anax mediterraneus, Selys, Rev. Odon. p. 329 (1850); Brauer, loc. cit.

p. 63 (1866).

Anax senegalensis, Ramb. Ins. Nevr. p. 190 (1842).

Length of abdomen 45 to 48 mm, of hindwing 45 to 46 mm.

Male—Head : eyes sage green above changing to yellow beneath ; labium

bright yellow ; labrum and face greenish yellow ; frons bright yellow, its anterior

border and front blackish brown, its base very narrowly black before the eyes

and vesicle ; vesicle yellow with a blackish base; occiput greenish yellow,

slightly concave behind and raised in a medial ridge in continuation of the

opthalmic suture. Eyes behind black and marked with bright yellow.

Prothorax yellowish.

Thorax pale ochreous brown or sage green on the dorsum, greenish yellow

on the sides, the metepimeron sometimes a bluish green. No markings save

for a fine black belt bordering the coxe.

Legs black, base ef hind femora reddish brown, anterior femora bright yellow

behind, and within, black in front. Hind femora with a row of closely-set,

gradually lengthening, but short spines.

Wings hyaline but with a diffuse saffronated spot in the hindwing very si-

milar to that seen in gutiatus extending from the trigone to well beyond the

node. Much smaller and often entirely absent in the male. In addition there

is some slight saffronation of the bases of the wings, especially in the female ;

membrane white, its anterior margin narrowly black throughout its length ;

stigma 5 to 5:5 mm in length, bright ochreous margined posteriorly with dark

brown ; reticulation black and yellow, the costa yellow as far as apex ; trigone

of forewing with 5 cells, 4 in the hind, narrower than in Anaz ; 5 cubital ner-

vures in the forewing, 4 in the hind; 10 to 14 cells in the loep.

8°15 | 167 7-14|15°7 7°16| 16-7

Nodal index—Male :— ———————_, Female ——-——_—-__ ———————-

9: 10 | 11°9 10°11 | 11-10 10° 10 | 10°10

122 JUURNAL, BOMBAY NATURLA HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

Abdomen tumid at the base, a little constricted at the 3rd segment and from

thence of even width as far as the anal end, the 9th and 10th being slightly

broadened. Cylindrical and smooth due to the absence of the supplementary

ridges on the sides. Ground colour ochreous on the dorsum changing to oli-

vaceous or greenish yellow on the sides and beneath. 1st segment brown on

the dorsum, this colour extending out as a transverse median line and also

along the apical margin. Space between the Ist and 2nd segments greenish

yellow. The dorsum of the 2nd segment turquoise blue, its apex finely and base

rather more broadly black or dark brown, its sides silvery white ; the dorsum

of segments 3 to 7 irregularly and narrowly brownish black and with a small,

lateral, diffuse brownish spot at the lower part of the apical half; on 8 and 9

this spot extends basalwards and joins up with the black of dorsum which is

much more extensive on these two segments, and thus encloses a large spot of

the ground colour, on segment 8 there is also a smaller spot enclosed at the base ;

10th segment has a single, large apical spot on each side, connected across the

dorsum apically with each other.

Anal superior appendages as long as the 9th and 10th segments taken together

lanceolate, tapered to a fine point, strongly keeled, the keel raised into a robust,

spinous process near the apex of the appendix, very prominent when viewed

from the side, reddish brown. Inferior appendage not half the length of the

superior, yellow stippled with black bordered laterally above with several,

robust imbricated, black spines.

Female very similar to the male but differing as follows :—

The occiput instead of being concave behind, projects back slightly in the

form of a fine lamina the edge of which curls slightly up. Above it is raised

into a pyriform, shiny bosse, the broad, rounded end of which is sharply

marked off from the laminated, posterior portion.

The abdomen is more tumid, the 3rd segment not constricted but tapering

gradually to the anal end ; the 2nd segment has only a small spot of turquoise

blue on its anterior third ; the sides of the 3rd segment more broadly white ;

the black markings less extensive on segments 3 to 7.

The anal appendages more typically lanceolate and with a strong keel run-

ning throughout their length and not raised in a tubercle or spine near the

apex. Dentigerous plate very similar to that of Anax parthenope parthenope,

rounded and subdenticulate.

Hab.—Mesopotamia, Persia, North Africa, India throughout the plains and

dry areas, more especially Sind, Gujerat, Rajputana and parts of the Deccan.

This species is given to long migrant flights, often swarming in great numbers.

I saw one such on the 20th November 1919 when at sea, some 40 miles off the

Kathiawar Coast. All the specimens taken on board the ship were fresh, and

some quite teneral. In Mesopotamia it breeds in irrigation canals and marshes,

whilst in India I have found it breeding in small tanks. It is interesting to

note that a close observer like De Selys when describing this species (under the

name of Anax mediterraneus) quite overlooked the absence of the supplementary

ridges on the abdomen which are so serviceable for identifying the inseer

(To be continued.)

Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

NO XM

BUTTERFLIES OF TAVOY.

123

A LIST OF BUTTERFLIES COLLECTED IN THE TAVOY

DISTRICT, BURMA.

O. C. OLLENBACH.

(With a Plate).

(Continued from page 897, Vol. XX VII.)

Family—LYCA‘NID.

Subfamily—GERYDIN&.

218. Gerydus boisduvalii, Moore.

Plentiful on the hills almost all the year round.

219. Gerydus ancon, Doh.

Several specimens of both sexes taken. It appears to be on the wing

throughout the yearasI have specimens which were caught in January,

April, August, September and December. It keeps mostly to the hills.

220. Gerydus croton, Sp.

Near to Croton, but differs in the band on the upperside of the forewings

being pure white and extending from near the costa to the 2nd median

nervule. On the underside the ground colour is lighter than the typical

form. Four males were taken on Sinbo Sinma in October 1918.

221. Gerydus biggsii, Dist.

A pair taken on Pagaye hill, 600,’ on 22nd May 1916.

222. Allotinus subviolaceus, Felder.

A single male taken on Pagaye hill, 6,000,’ on 30th December 1917.

223. Allotinus horsfieldit, Moore.

Plentiful on the hills from November to April.

Subfamily—Lycanin &.

224. Pithecops hylax, Fab.

Common at all elevations in heavy jungle throughout the year.

225. Neopithecops zalmora, Butler.

Common on the hills and along streams in all parts of the district.

226. Spalgis epius, Wd.

A few specimens taken at Myitta and Pagaye during December.

227. Taraka hamada, Druce. d

This is not a common species and has been taken sparingly at Myitta in

May and at Myekhanba in December.

228. Cyaniris puspa, Hors.

Common on hill-tops during December and January, and along streams at

the foot of the hills from February to June.

229. Catachrysops strabo, Fab. .

One of the commonest of butterflies and seen in greatest numbers during

December and January.

230. Catachrysops pandava, Hors.

Common all the year round, throughout the district.

231. Catachrysops cnejus, Fab.

Found sparingly throughout the district.

232. Castalius rosimon, Fab.

Common throughout the year ; very plentiful from December to April.

124 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

233. Castalius ethion, Db.

Plentiful on the hills from December to March and found sparingly during

the rest of the year.

234. Castalius roxus, God.

A few specimens taken at Pagaye during November.

235. Castalius decidia, Hew.

Very scarce ; only two specimens taken at Pagaye in December 1916.

236. Castalius elna, Hew.

Common at all times throughout the district in hilly country.

237. Lyceenesthes lycenina, Felder.

A very common species which appears in large numbers, on hill-tops, from

January to May.

238. Lyccenesthes emolus, God.

Common on the hills all the year round.

239. Nacaduba atrata, Hors.

A fair number of both sexes taken at Kambauk and Pagaye in January.

240. Nacaduba pavana, Hors.

®: Plex.tiful especially on the hills throughout the year.

241.* Nacaduba nora, Felder.

Very common from November to January but less so during the rest of the

year.

242. Nacaduba plumbeomicans, DeN.

Males very common but females less so. This species is very plentiful on

the hills during December and January.

243. Lampides bochus, Cramer.

Found sparingly on the hills from December to April. Females are deci-

dedly rare.

244. Lampides subdita, Moore.

A few taken at Myitta and Pagaye in May 1916 and several specimens of

both sexes taken on Sabataung, 400’, in December 1919.

245. Lampides celeno, Cramer.

Very common at all elevations throughout the district and at all seasons.

246. Lampides kondulana cerulea, Sw.

A few males and two females taken at Pagaye, Kalachaung and Kala-

taung. This is a rare species but appears to fly all the year round as I have

specimens taken in March, April, August, November, and December.

247. Lampides elpis, God.

Very common all over the district at all seasons.

248. Polyommatus beticus, L.

Extremely common at all times at low elevations. During November and

December they appear in vast numbers.

Subfamily—Poritinz.

249. Poritia hewitsoni tavoyana, Doh.

A few males but no females taken during December on Pagaye hill, 600’.

250. Poritia pleurata, Hew.

A rare species ; two males and four females taken on Pagaye hill, 600’, and

on Kalataung, 1,500’, during December 1920.

251. Poritia phraatica, Hew.

About 40 miles and 35 females were taken on Pagaye hill, 600, and on

Kalataung, 1500’, in December 1919. The males are almost exactly like

P. erycinoides, from the Karen hills, only the latter is larger. I take these

to be the males of P. phraatica, the female of which is brown above with

large medial orange area on both wings. On the undersides the markings of

BUTTERFLIES COLLECTED IN THE TAVOY DISTRICT. 125

the two sexes I caught on Pagaye and Kalataung appear to be the same,

only the female has the ground colour whitish. It appears strange that I

should have caught so large a number of two opposite sexes and yet for them

not to be the opposite sexes of one species. The blue markings on the up-

perside of the males are very variable, hardly any two specimens being alike.

The extent and distribution of the blue colouring of the male is said to be the

same as in P. hewitsoni, Moore, the difference bring that in P. hewitsoni, the

blue changes to emerald green in some lights; this I find is not the case as I

have three specimens in which the blue does change to green. The males are

quite distinct from that sex of P. hewitsont on both surfaces and are easily

recognisable.

252. Poritia phalia, Hew.

This is a rare species and seldom met with. Seven males and four females

only taken on Pagaye and Kalataung, 600’ to 1,500’, between November and

February. The males are indistinguishable from the same sex of P. pediada

on the upper surface, but P. phalia is said to be larger. On the underside

both are rufous-brown, but P. phalia is said to be of a brighter tint. I must

have caught well over 20 males of different sizes, so it is difficult to say

which are pediada and which phalia. On examining the undersides I find

that the larger specimens are not in every case brighter than the smaller ones

and they appear gradually to intergrade. The females of P. phalia are yellow

and those or pediada, brown, on both surfaces, but the shape of the wings

are much alike. The markings on the undersides of the females are the

same, the only difference being the colour.

Iam much inclined to think that these two species are one and the same

and that the female is dimorphic. The distribution of the markings and

colouring on the uppersurfaces of the males is very variable and it does not

seem possible to distinguish between the males of these two species.

253. Poritia pediada, Hew.

Several males and afew females taken on Pagaye hill, 600, and on Kala-

taung, 1,500’, during December and January 1919-20. As noted previously

I am unable to distinguish between these males and those of P. phalia. The

females of course are brown and appear to mimic abisara echerius angulata,

Moore.

254. Poritia phalena, Hew.

Of this species I have only been able to secure a pair; the male on Pagaye

hill, 600’, on 23rd November 1917, and the female on 22nd December 1919, on

Kalataung, 1,500’. The male on the upperside has the spots lustrous sea-green

in some lights and blue in others. Theshape and disposition of the markings

are the same as in P. phalia and P. pediada, but it differs entirely on the un-

derside in that it has a broad white band crossing both wings, about the

middle, besides which there are several whitish transverse streaks on the

forewings and the rufous-brown markings on the hindwings are outlined with

white. The tuft of long appressed hairs on the pale costal area on the upper-

side of the hindwings is not peculiar to this species but is also possessed by

the other two species mentioned above. The female is brown above as in

that sex of P. pediada, Hew., but on the underside it is rufous, rather paler

than the male. The broad white fascia on the underside of the male is re-

placed by a narrow whitish line across the forewings only. The whitish trans-

verse streaks on forewings and the white edging to the rufous-brown mark-

ings on the hindwings are wanting.

255. Zarona jasoda, DeN.

A rare species of which only three males and four females have been

caught ; a male at Yeawing in February 1919; two males and two females

on Pagaye hill, 600’, in December and two females on Kalataung, 1,500’, in

December 1919.

126 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII

Subfamily—CureEtin 2.

256. Curetis bulis, Db. and Hew.

Males very common but females are scarce. Numerous specimens were

taken in the Kalachaung in February 1919 and at Pagaye and at Wagon in

January 1920. I have not secured any specimens of the varieties angulata

or discalis.

257. Curetis bulis malayica, Felder.

A few of both sexes taken at Pagaye in December and at Myekhanbaw in

April 1919.

Subfamily—THeEciin&.,

258. Aphneeus lohita, Hors.

Found mostly at low elevations. It was plentiful along the Pachaung-

Kambauk road, on the flowers of the Aduratum. The females are not so

common and are heavily marked on the underside.

259. Aphneeus ictis maximus, El.

Taken very sparingly at Pagaye fe Wagon during December 1919.

Subfamily—ARHOPALIN2.

260. Mahathala ameria, Hew.

This is apparently a rare species as only two males anda single female

were taken at Myekhanbaw on 23rd May 1919.

261. Apporosa atkinsoni, Hew.

A few of both sexes taken at Myekhanbaw in May 1919 and numerous

specimens on Sabataung, 300’, in December 1919. This species appears to

be very local, being found only at one particular spot at each of the above

localities. It keeps to small bushes and flies little, even when disturbed.

262. Iraota rochana, Hors.

Many males taken on Pagaye hill, 500’, in bamboo jungle, during Decem-

ber 1919, but no females were seen here. The single female taken was caught

about five miles out of Kambauk, on the road to Pachaung, on 19th

January 1920. There appears to be no difference between these and J.

boswelliana Distant.

263. Amblypodia narada, Hors.

An uncommon species of which I secured only three males and two

females. A pair at Talaingya in October 1914, a pair at Pagaye, 300’, and

a female at Wagon, 1,000’, in December 1919.

264. Surendra quercetorum, Moore.

Plentiful all over in heavy forest.

265. Surendra florimel, Doh.

Rather an uncommon species. Two males taken on Kalataung, 1,500’,

at the end of December 1919 and a female at Kambauk in January 1920.

266. Arhopala centaurus, Fab.

Very common at low elevations, less so on the hills. It appeared in

large numbers on the lower slop«s of Sabataung during December 1919.

267. Arhopala camdeo, Varro.

Two females only taken ; one on Pagaye hill on 16th December 1919 and

the other at Pachaung on 11th January 1920. These specimens are a good

deal smaller than the Indian form and the colour on the upper side of the

wings is a bright, shining blue.

268. Arhopala albopunctata, Hew.

A common species found at all elevations in heavy forest. It is most plenti-

ful from Nevember to March.

BUTTERFLIES COLLECTED IN THE TAVOY DISTRICT, 127

269. Arhopala aida, DeN.

A male and two females taken, the male at Yeawing on 27th February

1919 and the females on Kalataung, 1,700’, on 21st December 1919.

Female. Expanse 1‘6—1°'8 inches.

Upperside ; Forewing bright rich purple, the costal margin very broadly,

increasingly to the apex, thence decreasingly to the anal angle, black; a

black spot on the disco-cellulars. Hindwing, the costal margin very widely,

the exterior margin less so, black, abdominal margin broadly pale fuscus,

anal lobe black with a tuft of white hair at the apex: tail black, tipped with

white. The margins of the hindwings are very wide so that the purple colour

is confined to the middle portion and appears as a large spot. Underside as in

male.

270. Arhopala vihara, Felder.

A single male taken at Yeawing, 300’, in February 1919.

270. Arhopala silhetensis, Hew.

Two males and a female of this rare species were taken. A male on Saba-

taung, 300’, in January 1920, one in Mergui district in February and a

female at Myekhanbaw in April 1920. These specimens agree exactly with

A. arama, DeN., which Bethune Baker places as a synonym of siihetensis.

The males are darker than the Sikkim specimens in my collection, but the

black borders are narrower.

272. Arhopala anthelus, Db. & Hew.

Several males and females of this magnificent species were taken at Kala-

chaung in April 1919, and also on Kalataung, 1,500’, during the last week

of December 1919.

273. Arhopala subfasciata, Moore.

Very common everywhere in heavy forest, but good specimens are

difficult to get.

274. Arhepala agata, Hew.

Rather a common species, found on the hills in heavy forest. Numerous

specimens of both sexes were taken at Pagaye, Kalataung and Sabataung

during December 1919.

275. Arhopala selta, Hew.

A rare species of which I took a female at Yeawing, 300’, on 28th

February 1919, a pair on Kalataung, 1,700’, and a male at Pagaye, 600’,

during December 1919.

276. Arhopala rafflesii, DeN.

Two males only taken ; one in the Mergui district in February and the

other at Kalachaung in March 1919.

277. Arhopala aroa, Hew.

Five males and four females were taken on Kalataung, 1,500’, on 22nd

December 1919 and a few at Pagaye and Myekhanbaw during December

and April respectively.

278. Arhopaia atosia aricia, Std.

Three males and two females taken during December and January 1919-

20 ; a female at Pagaye, 600’, a pair on Kambauk hill, 500’, and two males

at Yeawing, 300’.

279. Arhopala moolaiana, Moore.

This species was quite plentiful on the hill to the east of Yeawing

during February 1919. I also took many specimens at Pagaye, Wagon and

Kambauk, in December and January 1919-20. During the heat of the day

they descend to the streams and settle on damp patches of sand.

280. Arhopala antimuta, Felder.

A single female taken on Kalataung, 1,700’, on 22nd December 1919.

198 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

281. Arhopala hypomuta, Hew.

A common species of which a large series was secured. It is found on all

the hills throughout the district from December to March.

282. Arhopala metamuta, Hew.

Taken sparingly at Pagaye, Sabataung and Wagon, on hill-tops, during

December and January.

283. Arhopala pagaiensis,n. sp. @ No. VII, 2 No. VIII in plate.

Expanse ff 1:6, 2 1-4 inches,

Description :—Male :—Upper side both wings brilliant morpho blue,

changing to dull purple in certain lights, the costa and outer margins very

narrowly black, cilia dusky, the abdominal margin pale fuscus. Underside

brown, the spots darker and defined with pale lines. Forewing with a small

round spot at base of cell, a larger oval one in the middle and a still larger

one at end of cell; a discal fascia composed of five round spots of equal

size placed three and two, the two, which are the lower, shifted inwards,

a submarginal series of diffused spots: cilia brown. The area below the

median nervure and first median nervule paler than the rest of the

wing. Hindwings brown, three small round basal spots, a small spot on

the costa, a large oval spot in the cell with a still larger round spot below ;

a very large quadrate spot at end of cell. A discal series of spots, commenc-

ing at the costa, a little beyond the middle and ending on the abdominal

margin, composed of eight spots, the first six rounded, the last two linear;

this fascia is strongly broken at the fifth spot, whichis shifted inwards a sub-

marginal series of diffused spots ; three marginal black spots crowned with

brilliant metallic green scales, the middle spot the largest ; anal lobe small,

black; body above dark brown beneath whitish. Female :—.Upperside

light, shining blue, the margins broadly brown. Forewing, the costa increasing

to the apex, where it is very wide, about a third of the wing, and the outer

margin decreasingly broadly fuscus. Hindwing: the costal margin broadly

and exterior margin less broadly fuscus. Underside as in male.

284. Arhopala oberthuri, Std.

Several specimens of both sexes taken on Kalataung, 1,700’, and on Pagaye

hill 600’, during December and January 1919-20.

285. Arhopala cumolphus fraquhari, Dist.

Males extremely common on hill-tops especially so on Pagaye hill, 600’,

but females are very scarce. During December and the early part of January

1919-20, this butterfly appeared in great numbers on the top of Pagaye hill.

They always put in an appearance about 4 p.m. and could be seen sitting

with out spread wings on the leaves of trees in patches of sunlight. They

indulge in much fighting, not only among themselves, but with any other

insect that happens to pass by and in this respect are very different to the other

members of this genus. The flash of metalic green from their wings as they

flitted about in the rays of the sun was a fine sight and could be seen from

a distance,

286. Arhopala diardi, Hew.

Several specimens of both sexes were caught on Sabataung, 400’, and also

on Kalataung, 1,500’, during December 1919.

287. Arhopala anniella, Hew.

An uncommon species of which I secured several males and a few females

at Kalachaung in March 1917 and on Pagaye hill, 600’, in December 1919.

It appears to be identical with A. artegal, Doh., and is near to A. chinensis,

Felder— A. moelleri, DeN., which latter is probably only the Indian form.

The shape of the forewings in the males appear to vary to some extent, as i

have two specimens in which the fore wings are elongated and pointed at

the apex.

BUTTERFLIES COLLECTED IN THE TAVOY DISTRICT. 129

288. Arhopala abseus, Hew. ;

Several specimens taken at Pagaye and Kalataung during December 1919.

The males on the upperside are coloured like Ceylon specimens, but the black

borders are narrower. The females are like the Indian form and are typical.

289. Arhopala fulgida, Hew.

A single male taken on Pagaye hill, 600’, on 11th December 1919. This

species does not appear to have been recorded from so far South, the habitat

being given from Sikkim to Upper Burma.

290. Arhopala apidanus, Cramer.

Rather uncommon as only a few specimens of both sexes were taken

during December 1919, on Sabataung, 400’, and on Kalataung, 1,700’. One

specimen, a female, is exactly like the Assam form ahamus, Doh.

91. Arhopala antura, Sw.

A single male taken at Maungmagan on 7th April 1914 at about 200’

elevation.

292. Arhopala agrata, DeN.

This is an uncommon species as only three males and two females have

- been taken. All these were caught during December 1919, at Pagaye, 600’,

and on Kalataung, 1,500’.

293. Arhopala edias, Hew.

A good many specimens of both sexes were taken on Pagaye hill, 600’,

during December and January 1919-20. This species appears to be confined

to this particular hill, as I took it nowhere else.

294. Arhopala woodii, n. sp. & No. VI in plate.

Expanse 4 1-8, 2 1-9 inches.

Description :—Male. Upperside, both wings brilliant metallic blue, of about

the same shade asin the female of A. edias. Forewing with the costal

margin from the base increasing in width to the apex, wher: it is broadest, -2

inch, thence decreasing to the tornus, where it is ‘05 inch, black and evenly

curved inwardly. Hindwing with the costal margin broadly dusky, exterior

margin decreasingly to the anal angle, black, abdominal margin broadly

fusecus. Anal lobe very small; tail of moderate length, black, tipped with

white. Underside, both wings, dull brown, of much the same shade as in A.

edias, Hew., the markings of a darker shade, prominent and outwardly

defined by a fine pale line. Forewing with the inner margin, broadly paler,

up to the median nervure and first median'nervule; a small oval spot towards

the base of the cell, a large oval spot at the middle, with two small spots

below it, in the sub-median interspace, wanting in some specimens, a still

larger quadrate spot closing the cell ; a large triangular spot at the base of

the first median interspace, the discal band composed of six spots, un-

broken, macular, but sharply bent towards the costa at vein 4, of even width

throughout ; a sub-marginal series of diffused spots between the veins, In

some specimens there are one to two small diffused spots in the pale area

in continuation of the discal band. Hindwing: a very small round spot

at extreme base of the costa, four small round spots across base, a sub-coastal

spot, a spot in the middle of the cell, a large spot posterior to this latter,

another spot posterior to the last on the abdominal margin, an elongated

spot at the end of the cell ; the discal band much dislocated, the two anterior

most spots, conjoined, quadrate, and shifted inwards, touching the spot at the

end of the cell and the third spot of the discal series. The rest of the discal

band consists of six spots which are conjoined and placed in pairs, the post-

eriormost just touching the spot on the abdominal margin; a submarginal

series of diffused spots, as on forewing, anal lobe faint; three black spots

on margin, one at anal angle and one on either side of the tail, these

spots dusted with metallic green scales. Female, as in male but the costal

130 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXV1II,

dark margin is wider and extends nearly to vein 4, but does not coalesce here

with the terminal margin, thus leaving a small blue area. Hindwing on

upper and under surfaces as in the male.

295. Arphola agnis, Felder.

Three males and two females were taken on Kambauk hill, 300’, about the

middle of January 1920. It appears to be rare and was not seen anywhere else,

296. Arphola hewitsoni, B.B.

A common species of which I secured a large series. It is to be found on

all the hills from November to May.

297. Arhopala azata, DeN.

A single male taken on Pagaye hill, 600’, on 7th January 1920, This

species was described from the Malay Peninsula, and has so far not been re-

corded from the Indian region. Upperside both wings pale purple. Forewing

has the outer margin very narrowly black ; the discocellulars defined by a

narrow dark line. Hindwing has the exterior margin narrowly black, the anal

lobe black sprinkled with grey. Tail about $ inch long, black, tipped with

white. Underside : Forewing greyish-brown, the spots of a darker shade, an-

nular and outlined with white. Two spots within the cell, the basal one

small, the central one large and oval, with a larger spot at the end of the cell,

a spot below the cell in the first median interspace with a larger spot below

it in the submedian area. A discal series of eight spots, the first minuae on

the costa, the next three, subequal, in line and shifted upwards, followed by

four spots, shifted inwards and in line with the first ; a postdiscal and sub-

marginal lunular whitish band. Hindwing with three basal and three discal

annular spots, a large quadrate discocellular spot, a discal band of eight

spots, in pairs, all outlined with white. Postdiscal and submarginal lunulated

bands, whitish. Expanse ¢ 1-3 inches.

298. ArhopalaSp. Q No. V. in plate.

Expanse : female two inches. Upperside; purplish blue. Forewing with

the costal and outer margins, especially at the apex, broadly fuscus, this

margin decreasing in width to the anal angle. Hindwing with the costal

and outer margins, moderately broadly fuscus, and also decreasing in width

to the anal angle ; tail fuscus, tipped with white ; adbominal marginal whitish ;

anal lobe small but distinct. Underside; pale brown, the spots of a much

darker shade and outwardly defined with a pale line ; a small round spot at

base cf cell, a large oval one in the middle with two small spots above, bet-

ween it and the costa, the lower spot of the two is attached to the spot in the

middle of the cell; alarge ill-shaped spot at the end of the cell, with two

small spots aboveit and attached toit, making in all four small spots above

the cell ; the usual discal band represented by four oval spots, in pairs, the

upper pair placed obliquely on the disc, between the end of the cell and

outer margin; the lower pair shifted inwards and separated by the 2nd

median nervule; an elongated spot beneath the cell, between the bases of

the 2nd and Ist median nervules ; two large spots in the submedian inter-

space one below the middle of the cell and the other at the base of the

wings ; a submarginal series of diffused spots; a large pale area below the

cell and the first median nervule. Hindwing: five basal spots, the middle

one being at the base of the cell; a large oval spot in the middle of the cell

with a large spot above it, a quadrate spot on costal margin near apex, a

very large spot at end of cell, an oval spot between the bases of the Ist

and 2nd median nervules and a large cordate spot in the submedian area ;

a discal series of five sub-quadrate spots the first two on the disc, about

midway between the end of the cell and the outer margin, the next two

shifted inwards and separated by the 2nd median nervule, the fifth shifted

still further inwards in the first median interspace; submarginal band as.

BUTTERFIAES COLLECTED IN THE TAVOY DISTRICT. 131

on forewing; three black anal spots, the two outer crowned inwardly with

metallic blue scales, the middle spot entirely covered with similar scales.

This is evidently a new species but I hesitate to name it as I have not

succeeded in taking a male. It probably belongs to the group anunda, Hew.,

auxesia, B.B., auxea, DeN., and is near auxesia, B.B., but differs from it in

the obsolescence of the discal band on the underside of the forewings. It

agrees fairly well with A. agesia, Hew., the spots on the undersides of both

wings being much alike, but it differs from that species in being pale purple

on the upperside while A. agesia is violet-blue.

299, Arhopala tunguva, Gr. 8.

Many specimens of both sexes taken on Pagaye hill, during December 1919.

This species varies much in size and in the colour of the uppersides.

300. Arhopala perissa, Doh.

An uncommon species of which I secured only a few specimens. I took it

on Pagaye hill at 600’ and also on Kalataung, 1,700’, in December .

801. Arhopala perimuta, Moore.

Plentiful on hill tops throughout the district during January and February,

and less so at other times.

302. Arhopala duessa, Doh.

Found sparingly from November to March. I have a few specimens of

both sexes, of which some were taken at Kalachaung in March and others

on Kalataung, 1,500’, during December 1919.

303. Arhopala ammonides, Doh.

Several specimens of both sexes of this beautiful little butterfly were caught

at Kalachaung in March and Myekhanbaw in April 1920,

304. Arhopala arvina, Hew.

Two males and one female taken on Kalataung,1,700’,on 21st December 1919.

305. Arhopala adala, DeN.

A single male taken on Pagaye hill, 600’, during December 1919.

306. Arhopala fulla, Hew.

A single female caught on Kambauk hill, 300’, on 14th January 1920, This

species has previously been described from the Andaman Islands.

Subfamily—DrvuporicIn#,

307. Deudoryx epijarbas, Moore.

Common throughout the district.

308. Hysudra hades, DeN. @ No. XII in plate.

A single female taken about two miles from Kambauk, on the road to Paeha-

ung, on 16th January 1920. De Niceville, J.A.S.B., 1897, p. 500, described this

butterfly as ‘hair brown above, paler on the disc,” which is not the case in

the specimen I possess which has a distinct cupreous tint on the area below

the cell of the forewings, from the base to about three-fourths the length of

the wing. There is also a large dark spot in the cell, covering half the area

of the same. The hindwings are less cupreous, but this colour is spread over

the entire surface.

309. Rapala sphinx intermedia, nov. & No. XIII in plate.

Three males and two females were taken on Kalataung, 1,500’, on 22nd and

23rd December 1919. The males on the upperside are exactly as in Rapala

rhoecus, DeN., but on the underside they agree with Rapala sphinx, Fab. My

male specimens have the discal band on the forewings, as in R. rhecus

and though Swinhoe in Lep. Indica sinks rhecus to sphinx, he makes no

mention of the discal band, On the underside my specimens differ from

rhecus in having the ground colour dark brown and not olive green, This

is no doubt an undescribed form between sphinx and rhecus.

132 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVILL.

310. Rapala scintilla, DeN.

An uncommon species, found sparingly on Pagaye hill, 600’, during the

latter part of January. No females were secured.

311. Rapala varuna, Hors.

Common on the hills during December and January. Numerous speci-

mens of both sexes were taken at Pagaye, Wagon, Sabataung and Kambauk.

312. Rapala subguttata, El. Q No. XV in plate.

This appears to be a very local butterfly and has so far been found only

on the top of Pagaye hill, 600’. It flies during December and January and

is not to be seen for the rest of the year. In all over twenty males have been

taken within the last three years, all during December and January. Only

one female has been secured, and it was taken on 30th December 1917. | As

the female is up to the present unknown, I give a description of the same.

Female :—Expanse 1-3 inches.

Upperside: Both wings brown with a purple gloss, much as in the same

sex of Rapala petosiris, Hew.

Underside : Both wings brown with a pale purple tinge, the outer margins

of both wings and the inner margin of forewing somewhat ochreous.

Forewing: A large oval spot in the cell, about its middle, a spot at the

end of the cell with two spots just beyond separated by the middle discoidal

nervule, two similar spots in the same interspaces, about midway between

the apex of cell and outer margin ; two round spots on the disc, on each side

of the median nervule, all these spots are dark brown with pale borders.

Hindwing : With three basal spots, the one near the costa about

twice as large as either of the other two, alarge spot below the costa

about the middle of the margin; a very large spot at bend of cell ; a series

of six spots across the disc, placed in pairs, commencing on the costa and

ending on abdominal margin, all these spots dark brown with light

borders. The discal series have light brown centres in addition. A small

tail from the tip of the first median nervule, black tipped with white;

anal lobe black, crowned with yellow ; a black spot on margin in the first

median interspace, broadly crowned with yellow, a similar spot in the

interspace below, sprinkled with grey scales, a short black streak placed

along the abdominal margin, bordered with grey. Thorax and abdomen

above dark brown, below pale ochreous.

313. Rapala petosiris, Hew.

A very common butterfly, found all over the district in heavy jungle.

314. Rapala suffasa, Moore.

Fairly plentiful on the hills from November to May. Several specimens

of both sexes were taken at Pagaye, Sabataung and Wagon during Decem-

ber and January.

315. Rapala jarbas, Fab.

Exceedingly common everywhere; most plentiful during December and

January, females are rather scarce.

316. Rapala xenophon intermedia, Std.

Males plentiful on hill tops from November to January but females are

scarce. This butterfly varies much on the undersides from pale yellow to dark

brown.

817. Dacalana vidura burmana, Moore.

An uncommon species and difficult to get in good condition. Taken

sparingly at Pagaye, Sabataung, Kambauk and Wagon during December

and January. It feeds on the flowers of a species of Loranthus and was

rather plentiful at Wagon, 1,000’, during the latter part of December 1919.

Females were more numerous.

318.

319.

320.

321.

322.

323.

324,

325.

326.

327.

328.

329.

330,

BUTTERFLIES COLLECTED IN THE TAVOY DISTRICT. 133

Camena creusa culta, DeN.

Males taken very sparingly at Pagaye, 600’, during December, but no

females were caught.

Camena ictoides, El.

A few males only taken on Pagaye hill, 600’ in Decomber. Those speci-

mens are very like Camena crethus, DeN., which was described from Java

and Sumatra but the tuft of orange coloured hairs attached to the inner

margin of the forewings, on the underside, is small while in C. creusa it is

large. Also the prominent orange band at the extreme base of the costa in

C. creusa is wanting in these. It is also very near to C. carmentalis, DeN..,

on the upperside.

Ops eta, DeN.

A few males and several females were taken at the foot of Sabataung and

also at Wagon, 1,000’ during December 1919. It appears to be very local

and was not seen anywhere else. It comes to the flowers of a species

of Loranthus in company with Dacalana vidura burmana, Moore, and was

fairly plentiful at Wagon, close to the P, W. D. inspection bungalow.

Ops (Britomartis) cleoboides, El.

A male and two females taken; the male on Pagaye hill, 600’. in Sep-

tember, one female on Sinbo-Sinma, 4,000’, in October, and the other on

Kalataung, 1,500’, in December.

Ops (Bullis) valentia, Sw.

A single male taken on Kalataung, 1500’, in December 1919.

Tajuria longinus, Fab.

Several specimens of both sexes were secured on Sabataung, 300’,

during December 1919. These are larger and more strongly marked than

is usual.

Tajuria tyro, DeN.

A pair only taken; the male at Marmagan and the female on Kala-

taung in December.

Tajuria mantra, Felder.

Of this rare species I secured two males and one female on Pagaye hill,

600’, in January 1920.

Hypolycaena erylus, God.

An extremely common butterfly, found at all elevations, throughout

the district.

Chliaria othona, Hew.

Two males taken at Pagaye in April 1917.

Chliaria merquia, Doh.

A pair taken on Pagaye hill, 600’ ; the male in April and the female in May.

Thamala miniata, Moore.

Males pentiful but females are scarce. Numerous males were taken on

Pagaye and Penaichaung hills, 500’ to 600’,during December and January

1919-20, but no females were seen there. The few females taken were

caught on Kalataung, 1,500’, on 21st and 22nd December 1919. A few

males were also taken here and at Kambauk and Yeawing. They are

generally found in company with Rapala xenephon intermedia, Std., to

which they hear a good resemblance.

This butterfly was most plentiful on Penaichaung where I caught

over 25 specimens in a single day.

Sithon nedymond, Cramer.

A rare species and met with very sparingly. It is probably found on

all the hill-tops as I have specimens from Pagaye, Yeawing, Maungmagan

and Kalataung and is on the wing from October to May.

134

Sol,

333.

334.

335.

JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Araotes lapithis, Moore.

Three females taken a Maungmagan a little above sea level during

December 1919. They keep to heavy jungle and are difficult to catch

owing to their swift flight.

Biduanda thesmia, Hew.

A common species of which a large number of both sexes were secured.

It is found on the hills throughout the district and is most plentiful from

November to January.

Biduanda thesmia fabricii, Moore.

Fairly plentiful on the hills in company with B&B. thesmia from which it

differs but little in the male sex. The females are very like that sex

of Marmessus lysias, Fab.

Biduanda melisa, Hew.

Several males taken on Pagaye hill, 600’, and on Kalataung, 1,500’, from

December to May, but only three females were taken at the latter ’place,

on 23rd December 1919. These females have the forewings, on the upper-

side, brown with a rather large pale yellowish area on the disc; the anal

area of the hindwings js bluish grey. In volume III, page 427, of the

Butterflies of India, Burma and Ceylon, by DeNiceville, the female is said,

not to differ from the male, except that it has a medial white spot on the

forewings, upperside ; this is not the case in the specimens I possess. The

females of B. melisa and B. nicevillet, Doh., are very much alike on both

surfaces. On the forewing, upperside B. melisa differs in having a large

pale area on the disc, the hindwings being almost exactly alike. On the

underside the basal spots on both wings in B. melisa are annular while in

B. nicevillei they are simple. They also differ in the discal band on the

hindwings, underside, this band in B. melisa being entirely composed of

fine lines in pairs, while in B. nicevillei it has too large quadrate spots

near the apex in addition to the fine lines.

Biduanda nicevillei, Doh. Q No. XIV in plate.

Males uncommon but females are very rare. Numerous males were

taken on the hills throughout the district but only five females were

secured, two on Pagaye hill, 600’, in April and one in December, one at

Maungmagan in March and one on Kalataung, 1,500’, in October. As the

female is up to the present unknown, IJ give a description of the same.

Female :— Expanse 1:2 inches. Forewing brown, slightly paler towards

the base. Hindwing, brown with three tails, the anal area bluish grey,

divided by the dark veins two large lunular spots on the margin, one on

each side of the middle tail, a marginal black thread, cilia white, tails

white with a dark medial streak. _ Underside ; ; both wings white with

dark brown markings.

Forewing white, a minute spot at the base of the cell, a small spot beyond

and a large spot in the middle of the cell, with a small spot below it,

separated by the median nervure,the discocellulars defined by a fine ferrugi-

nous line, three subcostal spots, am irregular’ broad discal fascia com-

mencing at the costa and reaching just beyond the third medial nervule,

the outer margin of which is defined with white, a fine ferruginous line in

continuation of the fascia with a spot of the same colour placed beside it,

a dark quadrate spot below; apex and outer margin down to third

median nervule dark brown, below this the margin is ferruginous ; a sub-

marginal Junular dark brown line; cilia dark brown. Hindwing with

the apical part of the outer margin light ferruginous ; a large round spot

in the middle of the cell with many spots and lines round about it; a

discal curved fascia, parallel with the margin, commencing from the

costa about, two-thirds from the base, and ending near the abdominal

margin, composed of two quadrate dark spots followed by lines in groups

BUTTERFLIES COLLECTED IN THE TAVOY DISTRICT. 135

of three ; a submarginal dark brown lunulated line, two anal spots as on

upperside, the metallic green anal area larger and brighter than in the

male ; black marginal thread and cilia as on upperside.

336. Marmessus lysias, Fab.

337.

338.

339,

Very common all over in heavy jungle and at all seasons.

Suasa lisides, How.

Males uncommon but females are very rare. Several males and three

females were taken between November and April on hill-tops. Pagaye

hill is the best spot for this specie.

Thrix gama, Dist. ¢ No. XI in plate.

Three males were taken on the top of Pagaye hill, 600’, on 6th January

1920. As this species is new to the Indian region, I give a description of the

same.

Male: Expanse 1-4 inches,

Upperside. Forewings fuscus, slightly paler on the disc. Hindwings

fuscus, tho anal angular area greyish-white and containing two black

marginal spots, separated by the first median nervule, a smaller spot at

the extreme anal angle; a marginal blackish line; tails greyish-white

with dark medial lines. A large cupshaped depression on the disc,

below the inner margin, shining and very conspicuous in certain lights.

Underside. Forewing pale reddish ochraceous with the area beneath the

median nervure and first median nervule greyish. A small grey cavity in

the middle of the inner margin of the forewing bearing a tuft of orange

hairs and placed exactly above the depression on the upperside of the

hindwing. Hindwings with the anal augular greyish-white area as above

inwardly containing a transverse series of five blackish linear marks, the

spots as above, but the middle one very obscure and that at the anal angle

larger and brighter, inwardly margined with bluish. Body, above

brown, below con-colourous with the wings. Antenne brown, the tips

of the clubs yellow.

Jacoona anasuja, § No. 1X, 2 No. X in plate.

Two males and three females of this rare species were taken at Pagaye

and Sabataung during December 1919.

This species was recorded from Malacca and is new to the Indian region.

Description—Expanse ¢ 1:8, 9 2 inches.

Male. Forewing: Produced somewhat at apex, external margin slightly

concave inner margin straight. Hindwing: anal region somewhat

produced, a long tail from the tip of the upper internal neryule and an

acute tooth at the end of the first median nervule. Upgerside, both

wings black. Forewing with a large spot of dull cerulean blue from the

pase to beyond the middle, bounded by the inner margin, very much as

in Charana mandarinus, Hew.; an oblique fasciole beyond the cell dull

cyaneus. Hindwing ; the costal border pale fuscus, a large internal area

pale cyaneus, the internal groove grey, anal area whitish with two

transverse black spots, one on each side of the first median nervule, the

spot nearer the tail larger. Tails white, black at the base, the line

before the cilia and tooth black. Underside: Forewing ochraceous-

hoary, about the outermost part rufescent brownish. Hindwing: The

costal and outer margin, the latter as far as the median nervules, pale

ochraceous hoary, the rest of the wing whitish. The anal region witha

double series of black marks, four in each series, the 2nd and 4th spots of

the outer series sprinkled with dull cyaneus scales; tail and tooth as on

upperside, tail -7 inch long.

Female. Upperside: forewing brown immaculate. Hindwing; brown

with a broad whitish band, separating the anal from the middle region, the

inner margin of the white band much waved ; three large blackish spots

186 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

on the white area, the outermost touching the margin between the Ist and

2nd median nervules, outwardly sprinkled with blue scales, the middle spot

shifted inwards and the third at the extreme anal angle also sprinkled

with grey scales. There are two tails and an acute tooth; a long tail at

tip of upper internal nervule, 1-1 inch long, white with a dark medial

streak along its entire length, asmall tail emitted from the tip of the first

median neryule, about half inch long, white tipped with brown and bearing

a dark spot at-its base; an acute tooth from the second median

nervule, black; scilia white. Underside: much as in the male, but the

apex and outer margins of forewings of a brighter tint, the white anal

patch margined with a much waved black line; spots as on upperside.

340. Manto martina, Hew.

This is a rare species of which I secured three males and two females ; a

male at Yeawing on 15th May 1915, a pair on Pagaye hill, 600’, in December

1919, and a male at Wagon, 1,000’, on 22nd December 1919. On the under-

side it is very like Ticherra acte, Moore, which may account for it being

overlooked.

341. Cheritra freja, Fab.

A common species found at all elevations, throughout the district from

November to May.

342. Ticherra acte, Moore.

Not uncommon and flies in company with the above. The dry and wet

season-forms have been both taken.

343. Zeltus etolus, Fab.

Very common throughout the district at all seasons.

344. Bindahara phecides, Fab.

Rather an uncommon species, found sparingly on the hills during De-

cember and January. I took a few specimens of both sexes on Pagaye hill in

December 1919.

345. Loxura atymnus, Cramer.

Common at all times all through the district.

346. Yasoda tripunctata, Hew.

Appears to be a rare species as I have only succeeded in getting a few, a

male at Kambauk in January and a female at Maungmagan in April, also

a pair at Myekhanbaw in January 1919.

347. Neomyrina hiemalis, God and Salve.

This butterfly is quite common but is not found West of Pagaye. It is

most plentiful during December but is difficult to catch, and good specimens

are seldom taken. During December 1919 it appeared in great numbers on

Pagaye hill. It keeps to bamboo jungle and flies high, but on a good windy

day it comes down for shelter and can be taken in fair numbers. It settles

on the underside of leave, facing downwards, so that if a sweep of the net is

made from below it invariably escapes.

348. Drina donina, Hew.

Rather a common butterfly of which a number of both sexes were taken

on Kalataung, 1,500’, and a female at Pagaye and Kambauk, during Decem-

ber and January. It keeps to low trees and bushes and flies little, even

when disturbed. I found females more plentiful than males.

349. Charana mandarinus, Hew.

About twelve males and three females were caught on the top of Pagaye

hill, 600’, during December and January 1919-20. This butterfly seldom

approaches to within reach of an ordinary net and to secure most of the

specimens I have, my catcher had to climb a tree to about 25 feet from the

ground.

350. Lahera eryx, L.

A single male taken at Nabule on 11th August 1914.

BUTTERFLIES COLLECTED IN THE TAVOY DISTRICT. | 137

351. Catapecilma elegans, Druce.

Many specimens of both sexes taken at Pagaye, Wagon, Kambauk, Saba-

ie and Maungmagon. It appears to profer low elevations and heavy

jungle.

352. Horaga moulmeina, Moore.

Numerous males and few females taken at Pagaye, Sabataung, and Kala-

taung during December and January. It is most plentiful on Pagaye hill

during December.

353. Liphyra brassolis, Wd.

A single female taken in a garden in the town of Tavoy on 10th May

1917. This specimen was hovering around a nest of the large red ants and

was at first taken for a day moth.

Family—HESPERIID A.

Subfamily —HusPEerin &.

354. Orthopetus lalita, Doh.

A pair taken at Yeawing in February 1919, It appears to be a rare

species and was not met with in any other place.

355. Celenorrhinus aurivittata, Moore.

A pair taken on Sinbo-Sinma, 300’, in October 1918, and a female at

Pagaye, 600’, in December 1919,

356. Coledenia dan, Fab.

Very common throughout the district.

357. Odontoptilum angulata, Felder.

Not common ; a few specimens taken at Pagaye and Wagon during _De-

cember 1919.

358. Odontoptilum pygela, Hew.

Two males taken at Pagaye, 200’, in January 1920,

359. Tagiades helferi ravi, Moore.

Very common throughout the district on the flowers of a spocies of Agera-

tum, locally called ‘‘ Visa ”’.

360. Tagiades gana, Moore.

A single male taken at Pagaye, 200’, on 30th December 1919.

361. Tagiades lavata, Butler.

Two males taken at Pagaye, 200’, on 6th January 1920.

362. Tagiades atticus, Fab.

Very common, especially during December and January, throughout the

district.

363. Tagiades dealbata, Dist.

Two males taken at Pagaye, 200’, on 13th December 1919.

364. Tagiades trichoneura, Felder.

A few specimens taken on the hills at Pagaye, Wagon and Kadantaung,

between August and June.

365. Tagiades pralaya, Moore.

Several of both sexes taken in company with the above and from which

they appear to differ but little.

366. Satarupa bhagava, Moore.

Taken sparingly at Pagaye and in the Kaleinaung Forest Reserve

during December and January.

367. Odina decoratus, Hew.*

Eleven males and two females were caught on the top of Pagaye hill, 600’,

during December and January 1919-20. They ‘generally put in an appea-

rance, at one particular spot on this hill top at about 4 p.m., but were never

numerous, the most I saw in a day being three. They are most restless

creatures and fly almost continuously for an hour or so and then disappear,

138 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Occasionally they settle on the underside of a leaf and give one a chance, but

to take them on the wing is almost impossible owing to their extremely rapid

flight.

368. Odina ortygia, DeN.

A single male taken on the top of Pagaye hill, 600’, in company with

Odina decoratus, Hew, on 5th January 1920. This species has the same

habits as O. decoratus, flies extremely fast and suddenly settles on the

underside of a leaf with wings outspread.

Subfamily—PampuHitin &.

369. Sancus pulligo, Mab.

Extremely common everywhere at all seasons.

370. Koruthaialos xanites, But.

A common species found throughout the district. It keeps to damp and

shady ravines in dense forest.

371. Koruthaialos rubecola, Plotz.

Not near so plentiful as K. xanites, but flies in company with it. Maung-

magan and Kambauk are the best places for this species.

372. Suada swerga, DeN.

Fairly common at Pagaye and along the Pachaung-Kambauk road. lt

comes to the flowers of the “ Visa ”’.

373. lJambrix salsala, Moore.

Common at the foot of the hills all over the district.

374. MScobura cephala, Hew.

Several specimens of both sexes taken at Pagaye and along the Pachaung -

Kambauk road during December and January.

365. Erionota thrax, L.

Very common at the foot of the hills and on the plains throughout the

district.

376. Hrionota batara, Moore.

Appears to be rather a rare species as I only secured three males and

two females. A pair were taken on Sabataung, 200’, on 3rd December, and

a pair at Maungmagan on 28th December 1919, and a male at Pagaye, 200’

on 17th May 1916.

377. Gangara thyrsis, Fab.

Rather uncommon ; a few specimens of both sexes taken during Decem-

ber and January.

378. Matapa aria, Moore.

A few of both sexes taken on Sabataung, 500’, and at Pagaye, 200’, in

December.

379. Kerana diocles, Moore.

Common all through the district and at all seasons.

880. Stlimula, swinhoei, El. and Kd.

A single male taken at Yeawing in February 1918.

381. Plastingia callineura, Felder.

Two males taken at Pagaye, 300’, during January 1920 and a pair in

October 1919.

383. Plastingia corissa, Hew.

A pair taken on the Pachaung-Kambauk road on 10th January 1920.

383. Plastirgia naga, DeN.

Several males and two females were taken on Pagaye hill, 600’, from Decem-

ber to January 1919-20. These were all caught in one spot, in deep shade.

384. Lotongus calathus, Hew.

A single male taken on Pagaye hill, 200’, on 17th January 1920.

385. Pithauria marsena.

A few males taken at Pagaye and along the Pachaung-Kambauk road in

January 1920,

BUTTERFLIES COLLECTED IN THE TAVOY DISTRICT, 159

386. Notocrypta feisthamelii, Bdl.

Extremely common at all elevations.

887. Udaspes folus, Cramer.

Fairly plentiful at Pagaye and Wagon in June.

388. Cupitha purrea, Moore.

Taken sparingly ; a male at Maungmagan and one at Kambauk in January

and a few of both sexes at Pagaye during December.

389. Telicota bambuse, Moore.

Extremely common all over the district and at all elevations.

390. Telicota gola, Moore.

Very common at all seasons.

391. Telicota dara, Koll.

Very common throughout the district.

392. Pirdana hyela rudolphii, El. and DeN.

Taken sparingly at Pagaye and along the Pachaung-Kambauk road,

during December and January.

393. Halpe zema, Hew.

Common everywhere. I found it very plentiful along the Pachaung-

Kambauk road during January 1920.

394. Halpe sikkima, Moore.

Many of both sexes taken along the Pachaung-Kambauk road, during

January, on the flowers of the Ageratum (Visa).

395. Halpe masoni, Moore.

Taken very sparingly at Pagaye in December and at Kambauk during

January 1920.

396. ton semamora, Moore.

Fairly common at low elevations, along roads and streams.

397. Parnara oceia, Hew.

Several of both sexes taken at Pagaye during December 1919 and on the

Pachaung-Kambauk road in January 1920.

398. Badamia exclamationis, Fab.

Extremely common throughout the district but appears to keep to low

elevations.

399. Ismena gomata, Moore.

_ A single female taken on Pagaye hill, 300’, on 16th December 1919.

400. Hasora chuza, Hew.

A rare species of which only four males and one female were secured.

Two males on Kalataung, 1,700’, in November, one at Pagaye, 400’, in

April and one in May and a female at Myekhanbow in April.

401. Hasora chabrona, Pl.

Not common, a few taken at Pagaye and Maungmagan during December

1919. At Maungmagan I found this species on some prickly bushes on the

beach.

140

A NOTE ON THE NIDIFICATION AND HABITS OF SOME

BIRDS IN BRITISH GARHWAL,

A. E. OsmasTon.

(With three plates and a map)

This note is the result of about ten years’ residence in the district of Garhwal

lasting from 1910 to 1920. My work as Forest Officer necessitated much tour-

ing throughout this portion of the hills and often led me for weeks together into

more or less remote places where I had ample opportunities for observing the

very. interesting and varied bird life of these forests. My remarks are only

intended to cover the hilly portion of the district and do not include the plains

portion lying to the south. Actually my observations did not even extend to

the line of the plains and were almost entirely confined to the hills lying north of

a line drawn south-east and north-west through Lansdowne.

British Garhwal occupies a strip of the Himalaya running from the plains right

up to the borders of Tibet. The rivers drain directly into the Ganges, which

itself forms the western boundary of the district for a distance of some 80 miles.

Thence onwards to its source this fine river with all its tributaries, excepting only

the upper reaches of the Pindar, lie entirely within the district. To the east of

Garhwal are the hills of the Almora and Nani Tal districts, and to the west lie

the hills of the Tehri Garhwal State.

The rainfall varies considerably according to the local configuration, but it is

possible to differentiate three tracts as follows:—Firstly a wet tract comprising

all the hills south of Joshimath (and this includes about 3 of the whole area to

which this note applies) where the average annual precipitation varies roughly

between 50 and 80 inches. Secondly the area north of Joshimath excepting

that portion of the Dhauli Ganga above its junction with the Rishi Ganga.

Here the average annual precipitation probably varies between 20 and 40

inches. And thirdly the remaining area up the Dhauli valley as far as the

borders of Tibet where the average annual precipitation probably does not

exceed 10 to 20 inches.

There are in all some 2,000 square miles of forest which often forms uninterrupt-

ed blocks of large extent. In the central hill ranges, however, practically all the

available land below 8,000’ elevation has been brought under cultivation, though

even here there are always many slopes too steep for cultivation where forest,

often of a secondary type, intersects the broad expanses of terraced fields.

In a normal year snow does not fall below 5,000’ in winter, and it never lies

for many days together at elevations below 7,000’. By the beginning of June

there is seldom much snow left below 12,000’ and from this time on through the

months of July, August and September the beautiful alpine pasture lands offer

a welcome to those birds which retire each year to rear their families in the peace-

ful seclusion of these lofty mountains.

The uppermost limit at which forest will grow in the wet tract is about 11,000’,

but in the dry interior tract it reaches an elevation of 12,000’ to 13,000’.

In the notes which follow the numbers in brackets which will be found after

each scientific name refer to the numbers given in the Fauna of British India.

Corvus corax (1).—The Raven.

The Raven is, I believe, only found in Garhwal within a narrow belt of country

about ten miles wide lying along the Tibetan border eastwards from the Niti

pass. This tract lies entirely above 13,000’ elevation and consists of treeless

barren slopes. During two visits to these parts I only saw two or three pairs

and the species is certainly far from common.

Urocissa flavirostris (13).—The Yellow-billed Blue Magpie.

Tolerably common in forests of the central and interior ranges from about

6,000’ to 9,000’ elevation. I took a clutch of four fresh eggs in May from a nest

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BIRDS IN BRITISH GARHWAL, 141

which was placed 8’ from the ground in a shrub of Rhododendron arboreum.

The nest was a deep saucer of matted rootlets with a few twigs on the outside.

Though the range of this magpie slightly overlaps that of its equally common

relative U. occipitalis I have never seen the two associate together.

Nucifraga hemispila (27).—The Himalayan Nutcracker.

This bird is found all over the central and interior hill ranges wherever forest

of coniferous species occurs, though I have not noted its occurrence south of the

Dudatoli and Dhanpur ranges. This however is what one would naturally expect

since the only conifer found here is the chir (Pinus longifolia) and though the

nutcracker frequently descends to 6,000’ elevation to feed on the chir seedit would

not appear to be a permanent resident at this level except in some of the cooler

valleysof theinterior ranges. The bird is usually found between 6,000’ and 10,000’,

and in many of the coniferous forests, especially those composed of spruce and

blue pine, it is very common at these elevations. It frequently utters a raucous

* Kurr ”’, which is the only note I have ever heard. There is apparently a

mistake in Blanford’s Fauna where the nasal bristles are descibed as chocolate

brown. The nasal bristles of this bird are in reality black-and-white and are

quite similar to those of NV. multipunctata. The latter is found according to

Blanford as far east as Kumaon and should therefore occur in Garhwal, but

though I have taken some pains to discover its identity in Garhwal I did not

succeed in doing so.

Graculus eremita (29).—The Red-billed Chough.

This bird, like the yellow-billed chough, does not extend its range south of

the slopes immediately surrounding the main line of snows. Like its cousin it is

a bird of the open steep pasture-lands and rocky slopes which lie above and be-

yond the limits of tree forest, though it also frequents similar open ground at ele-

vations down. to 6,000’. The two species are about equally common. The na-

tives call the bird ““Kangni” and though it is not by any means shy it is not often

seen round habitations or cultivation. It breeds in clefts in vertical or over-

hanging cliffs from 6,500’ up to 14,000’ elevation. The lowest place at which I

found it breeding was in a vertical cliff overhanging the Dhauli River a few miles

below Surai Tota, but all the nests I located were so inaccessible that I was unable

to reach them. On Ist June some nests had young, so they probably commence

laying towards the end of April or early in May. I never found more than one

pair breeding in the same locality. A carcase of a burhal which, as I have men-

tioned elsewhere, was largely patronised by the yellow-billed species, did not to

my knowledge attract any of the red-billed species though they were not uncom-

mon in the immediate neighbourhood. The old birds have a call closely resembl-

ing that of the common jackdaw. By the end of July the young birds have left

the nest and at this time they congregate in large flocks, mainly I think at high

levels. At about 13,000’ elevation in August, I counted as many as 100 birds in

a single flock. I have never observed this species circling about in the air in

pursuit of insects in the manner so characteristic of the yellow-billed species.

Pyrrhocorax alpinus (30).—The Yellow-billed Chough.

In Garhwal this bird does not seem to wander south from the slopes which

directly diverge from the main axis of snowy peaks. Open rocky or grassy slopes

are its favourite haunts and it is never seen in forest. It also seems to shun cul-

tivation and this no doubt accounts for its absence from the high central ranges

which are either densely wooded or under cultivation, Their food seems to be

of a varied nature. I have seen a flock of them in July feeding on the rips fruit

of Berberis lycium and on another occasion I took from their gizzards the stones

of some wild fruit. I have also watched numbers of them come and feed on the

carcase of a barhal which had been killed by a snow leopard. They may

often be seen hawking about in the air for insects in parties of 20 or 30 and whe

142 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

thus engaged they float about in graceful circles on almost motionless wings

until attracted by the sight of some insect they suddenly dive headlong with

rapid twists and turns in deft pursuit of the quarry. They may also be observed

busily quartering the ground for insects, and should an insect be disturbed and

take to flight on the approach of one of the birds, the chough will immediately

take to its wings to continue the pursuit in the air. They may sometimes be

seen sitting on the backs of barhal just as starlings sit on the backs of sheep in

England. During the winter months they are commonly found as low as 6,000!

elevation, but as the snow disappears they seem to prefer higher elevations and

in July I did not find any birds below Juma in the Niti Valley which is at about

8,000’ elevation. Moreover as early as the beginning of June I found them

common up to 15,000’ elevation. The note of these birds closely resembles to

my mind that of the common bank-myna of the plains.

Aigithaliscus erythrocephalus (35).—The Red-headed Tit.

This bird is widely distributed throughout the hills and may be classed as one

of the common species though I have never seen them in large numbers together.

Four nests which I found on different occasions were situated at elevations bet-

ween 6,500’ and 8,000’, and eggs were laid during April or the first half of May.

They were situated at varying heights from a few inches up to 10’ above the

ground and were well concealed. The oval nest was in every case, of fine moss

lightly held together or intermingled with either spider’s web (especially the

cocoons) or vegetable down, and this was followed by a little bark, fibre, grass

or hair. The interior was copiously lined with feathers. I notice that Blan-

ford does not mention the feathers, but mentions roots instead, which I have

never found.

Aigithaliscus niveigularis (38).—The White-throated Tit.

The only place where I have seen this apparently rather rare bird is in the

forests of the Dhauli valley in Painkhanda Malla. Here in a mixed forest of

birch (Betula utilis) and silver fir (Abies pindrow) I came across two old birds

feeding a flock of young ones. This was at 11,000’ elevation on 24th June. in

my notes on one of the old birds which I shot I recorded that the bill was black

and the feet pale yellowish brown.

Garrulax albigularis (76).—The White-throated Laughing Thrush.

These birds are found practically throughout the hills at all elevations up to

10,000’, and are fairly common wherever there is forest. I have taken eggs at

7,500’ in April and again at 9,500’ in May. These two nests were placed from 5

to 10’ above the ground in the midst of oak forest. On the three occasions

when I have taken the eggs of this bird I have always been more or less surround-

ed by quite a number of individuals of the same species who invariably showed

their disapproval of my presence by loud and vehement hissing. From this,

one might reasonably expect to find several pairs breeding in close proximity,

and possibly they do so, though I have never found more than one nest in the

same immediate neighbourhood. One of the nests I found was composed ct

thin fibrous material and lined with a substantial layer of roots and rhizomorphs ;

the other was constructed of masses of rhizomorphs mixed with feathery grey

lichen and followed by a layer of dead ringal leaves with a thick lining of fine

roots and rhizomorphs. :

Trochalopterum variegatum (90).—The Eastern Variegated Laughing Thrush.

This is the common laughing thrush of the high level forests, namely those

situated above about 8,000’ elevation. ‘The only two nests I found contained

eggs during the second week of June. They were placed in bushes from 3’ to

5’ above the ground, and both were constructed of very similar material. On

the outside there was dry grass and fibre, and this was followed by a thick layer

of papery bark which in one case had been taken from the ‘ burans ” (Rhodo-

dendron arboreum) and in the other from the “ bhuj ” (Betula utilis). In both

cases there was a lining of fine roots.

BIRDS IN BRITISH GARHWAL, 143

Grammatoptila striata (101).—The Striated Laughing-Thrush,

Well distributed all over the hills wherever suitable dense forest occurs. Blan-

ford gives its range as 6,000’ to 9,000’, but in Garhwal it is found down to

4,000’ along densely wooded moist ravines of the outer hills.

Proparus vinipectus (183).—The Plain-brown Tit-Babbler.

On the 24th June I camo across a nest of this bird at an elevation of 9,509’ in

the Dhanpur range of hills in central Garhwal. The nest was suspended among

the fine pendant branchlets of a ringal culm (Arundinaria spathiflora) at a height

of about 4’ from the ground. It was situated in the middle of a fairly dense

forest of brushwood and ringal. The nest was a deep cup composed outside of

green moss and rhizomorphs, then a thin layer of lonicera fibre, birch bark, and

dead ringal leaves, then a thick layer of rhizomorphs and rootlets, with a final

lining of hair. The two eggs which the nest contained averaged ‘68’ x *53”

and were pale green heavily blotched round the larger end with pale sepia.

Hodgsonius phanicuroides (199).—Hodgson’s Short-wing.

This bird is very skulking in its habits which may partly account for the fact

that I very seldom observed it ; yet I do not think that the bird can be common.

Blanford writes of this bird “ Bill dusky reddish at the gape,” but I find my

own notes on a female are “ Bill black, lower mandible yellow at the base.”

I found it breeding in the middle of June up the Dhauli valley close to Dunagiri.

Of the two nests I found, one at 10,000’ elevation contained two fresh eggs, the

other at 11,500’ elevation contained three slightly incubated eggs. They were

placed in low bushes in the vicinity of cultivation at a height of 1’ to 2’ above the

ground. Both nests were deep cups and were similarly constructed. Outside

there was bark fibre followed by grass with a lining of hair. The dark blue eggs

averaged ‘84” x61” for the clutch of two, and °‘88” x 62” for the clutch of

three.

Oligura castaneicoronata (202).—The Chestnut-headed Short-wing.

In view of the limited distribution recorded by Blanford for this species its

occurrence in Garhwal deserves mention, though I am aware that it has already

een shot some years ago by my brother Mr. B. B. Osmaston, C.I.E., as far west

as Jaunsar. I only obtained one specimen in Garhwal and this bird was shot

close to Pauri at 6,000’ elevation in April. The skin was identified for me at the

British Museum.

Siva strigula (219).—The Stripe-throated Siva.

This bird is found over practically the whole of the hill ranges of Garhwal at

least as far north as Pipalkoti. In spite of its wide distribution it is not a bird

that is very frequently seen. It has a rather plaintive whistling call of three

notes uttered somewhat slowly and deliberately at equal intervals, the last note

pitched lower than the other two. The flight is rather slow and laboured.

Yuhina qularis (223).—The Stripe-throated Yuhina. :

Blanford has not recorded this species west of Nepal. I only shot the bird

once and this was in a “ banj” oak forest not very far from Rudrapryag at 7,500’

elevation. This bird, which was shot on 12th April, was one of a pair.

Sitta leucopsis (323).—The White-cheeked Nuthatch.

Blanford does not mention the occurrence of this species east of Mussoorie.

I however came across it in the dry interior blue pine (Pinus excelsa) forests of

the Dhauli valley where I obtained specimens at 9,500’ elevation in June. I did

not find the bird in any way common.

Dicrurus longicaudatus (328).—The Indian Ashy Drongo.

This is the common drongo of these hills and it breeds at all elevations up to

8,000’, and possibly higher. In the outer Himalayan valleys Chaptia enea and

other drongos are found and D. ater is also found locally in the outer hills, parti-

cularly in the more cultivated tracts, and occasionally at low elevations as far

north as Nandpryag. But in central and upper Garhwal D. longicaudatus is the

only common species. They leave the hills in the cold weather returning in

144 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

April and May for the nesting season, the eggs being usually laid in May. I

noticed birds as far north as Tapoban beyond which they probably do not go.

In the outer ranges they breed in the sal forest, but in the central hills they are

most numerous in the forests of ‘‘ banj ’’ oak, whilst in the forests to the north

they seem to prefer above all those mixed strips of deciduous forest in which

horse-chestnut, elm, birch and similar species abound. The nest is usually

placed from 10 to 20 feet above the ground wedged in a half-suspended position

into the fork of a bough. The material of which the nest is constructed is in-

variably strengthened and more or less covered on the exterior (but especially

the rim) with cobweb which is also used to bind the nest to its support. The

nest is a lightly -built deep saucer composed outside of herbaceous stems and

grasses, and for this part of the work the birds exercise considerable skill in

selecting material which has a natural stickiness and is of suitable shape to

conform to the curves of the nest. Thus where the tree Phyllanthus emblica is

found these birds, like many others, use the curved leafless and discarded

deciduous shoots which easily attach themselves by means of the numerous

slightly raised leaf-bases on either side of the twig. Similarly in the forests

beyond the region of Phyllanthus emblica these birds commonly use the dry

fruiting spikes of Desmodiwm concinnum which not only possess a natural

curvature suitable to the nest, but are also somewhat sticky owing to their

hairiness. The interior of the nest is lined with fine grass stems or the heads

of grasses or occasionally fine black rhizomorphs. Like most drongos they are

extremely bold and the parents frequently make angry sallies at any person

who approaches close to the nest.

Anorthura neglecta (352).—The Kashmir Wren.

Blanford says ‘‘I have seen no specimens of wrens collected between Simla

and the Nepal frontier and cannot say which of the two species occurs in that

portion of the Himalayas.”” I wish now therefore to record the occurrence of

the above species in the northern ranges of Garhwal.

Tribura thoracica (371).—The Spotted Bush-wren Warbler.

This bird is fairly common in suitable localities throughout the high ranges

north of the Pindar river. As I had some doubts about the identification of

the species, I sent two skins to the British Museum where they were kindly

identified for me. In summer it frequents open grassy places up to about 12,500’

elevation and is mainly found where the grass and other herbaceous growth is

rankest. It is thus frequently seen round sites where sheep are temporarily

quartered at this time of the year, and which are locally known as “ kharaks ”’.

Here the well manured soil often produces a vigorous growth of a species of

dock. The bird has a most persistent “see see’? note, and when uttering its

song it usually rises a short distance above the ground dropping again out of

sight into the grass and herbage. It may also occasionally be seen moving

about amongst low shrubs.

Phylloscopus affinis (405).—Tickell’s Willow-warbler.

Between the Chor-Hoti pass and the border of Tibet there lies a valley of gently

undulating slopes occupying an area some 6 miles long by 2 broad, much of which

lies between 12,000’ and 14,000’ elevation. This valley forms the head-

waters ofthe Girthiriver. The climate is Tibetan and the dry stony and sandy

ground supports a scanty vegetation of dwarf loniceras, caragana, juniper

and willow. It was in this valley that I found P. affinis breeding at 13,500’

elevation in considerable numbers, though I noticed no other member of the

warbler family here. Two birds which I shot were identified for me at the

British Museum, and I will give my own note on the freshly killed birds as it

differs in some respects from Blanford’s description. “‘ Legs, feet and claws

pale yellowish brown, the feet darker above but yellowish beneath. Irides dark

brown. Upper mandible blackish turning yellowish brown at the gape, lower

mandible yellowish brown.” The bird has a “‘tack-tack” note similar to that of

BIRDS IN BRITISH GARHWAL, 145

many other warblers. It also possesses a song, if such it may be called, composed

of a single note uttered some 4 to 6 times in rapid succession and preceded

by a single rather higher pitched note. In the first week of August nesting is

almost complete and at this time I could only find one nest with half-fledged

young, two from which the young had already flown, and one deserted nest with

eggs. These eggs were pure white and the average measurement of three of

them was *6” x *45”. The nests were all placed from 6” to 1’ above the ground

in low dense willow bushes which were growing in a gregarious manner on a

piece of level ground bordering the stream. They were almost round in shape

with a side entrance and were constructed of rough dry grass and lined with

feathers.

Phylloscopus pulcher (414).—The Orange-barred Willow-warbler.

This species breeds in considerable numbers in the birch (Betula utilis) forests of

the interior, and is abundant during the breeding season in forest of this species

at elevations between 11,000’ and 12,000’ situatedin the Dhauli valley. They seem

to be entirely arboreal in their habits and do not frequent bushes. Their note

during the breeding season is very characteristic and when once learnt readily

serves tc distinguish them from their many relations of somewhat similar appear-

ance. The song is composed of rapidly vibrated notes forming a high pitched

trill in a slightly descending cadence and is a very perfect imitation of a similar

trill uttered by the wood-wren in England. The only nest I succeeded in finding

was placed against the trunk of a birch where it had been securely wedged

between the trunk itself and some loosely attached pieces of the bark. The tree

was in the middle of fairly dense birch forest, and the nest was placed about

10’ from the ground. It was domed and composed externally of a few strips of

birch bark, a little moss, and grass, and lined with monal feathers. It contained

three hard set eggs which were white with pale reddish brown spots mostlycentered

round the larger end. Two of the eggs were so damaged in the process of blow-

ing that they could not be accurately measured, but the third egg measured

"ae 342",

Phylloscopus proregulus (415).—Pallas’s Willow-warbler.

I found two nests of this bird in forests up the Dhauli valley. One nest con-

tained 3 fresh eggs on 12th June and was placed about 10’ above the ground on

a horizontal deodar bough in open deodar forest at 9,500’ elevation. The other

nest contained 2 fresh eggs on 25th June and was placed about 10’ above the

ground near the top of a young silver fir in a fairly dense mixed silver fir and birch

forest at 11,000’ elevation. Both nests were domed, and whilst one was composed

of grass and blue pine needles with a little hair, the other was composed of moss

and grass with a few strips of birch bark. Both were copiously lined inside

with feathers.

Acanthopneuste lugubris (426).—The Dull-green Willow-warbler.

It appears that Blanford had no definite record of the occurrence of this spe-

cies anywhere west of Sikhim, but I found it not uncommon during the breeding

season in the birch (Betula utilis) forests of the Dhauli valley from 11,500’ to

12,500’ elevation. Two of the specimens I obtained were identified for me at

the British Museum and there can therefore be no doubt about the identification

being correct. During the breeding season the bird utters a loud sparrow-like

chirp repeated once or several times together. On 26th June I found a nest

with two fresh eggs. It was placed in a crevice in the side of an old birch tree

about 6’ from the ground, the tree being so situated that birch forest extended

in one direction and open grassy slopes in the other. The nest was domed and

was composed outside of moss with a little lichen, This was followed by a

mixture of grass lichen and moss, and there was a final lining of fine moss

mixed with just a few hairs and one or two small feathers. The eggs which wero

pure white average ‘62” x °46”.

i146 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Cryptolopha burkii (433).—The Black-browed Flycatcher-warbler.

This is not a common species in Garhwal and its distribution seems to be rather

local. During the breeding season it is found in some of the inner densely forest-

ed valleys, the Birai Ganga valley being.to my knowledge a regular resort of these

birds though seldom met with elsewhere. The cock bird has a really fine song

of loud clear notes, and it sometimes utters a trill resembling that of a trained

canary. On several occasions I have been filled with admiration for the song

which might easily be attributed to a much larger bird, and the notes loose none

of their enchantment when uttered from the depths of some shady forest such

as these birds frequent. On 24th June I found a nest near Lata village in the

Dhauli valley at 9,500’ elevation. It was placed on the ground and domed, be-

ing constructed entirely of strips of bark fibre and a little coarse grass, whilst

inside there was a thick pad of fine moss. There were four pure white eggs

which were on the point of hatching and which measured on the average

"65" >: “5.

Horornis brunnescens (447).—Hume’s Bush-warbler.

The distribution of this interesting little bird is given by Blanford as Sikhim

and probably also Nepal. It however occurs in Garhwal though it is local in ©

its distribution and probably rather rare. A skin obtained by me in March at

4,500’ elevation was kindly identified for me by the British Museum. From

April onwards I have observed it between 8,000’ and 9,000’ elevation where it

frequents dense forest of ringal (usually Arundinaria jaunsarensis) either pure

or mixed with a more or less open forest of karshu (Quercus semecarpifolia). The

song of this bird is most peculiar and striking, and consists of three very shrill

notes uttered in an ascending scale and pitched so as to give one the

impression of being out of tune. They are uttered slowly and with great

deliberation and are followed by a double note, something like ‘‘ chee chew, ”

repeated two or three times. The bird is a great skulker and extremely

difficult to detect amongst the thick ringal undergrowth which seems to form

its usual habitat during the breeding season.

Horornis pallidus (450).—The Pale Bush-warbler.

Blanford gives the distribution of this bird as extending east to the Bhagi-

rathi valley in the Tehri Garhwal State, but it is quite fairly common in the

central and interior bill ranges of British Garhwal. In summer it is found at

about 8,000’ elevation frequenting dense scrubby secondary forest of the type

usually found in the vicinity of villages where the trees and shrubs are continu-

ally lopped or periodically cleared. It has a very peculiar loud song consisting

of two distinct parts. These two parts are generally uttered alternately at an

interval of a minute or less. One part consists of 3 or occasionally 4 notes, the

other of 5 notes. In each case special stress is laid on the first note which is

drawn out to a considerable length in contrast to the notes which follow. When

singing, it occasionally mounts to a commanding position above the surround-

ing scrub; though it more frequently remains, as at other times, well hidden. It

is not however a shy bird. A skin of this species was kindly identified for me

by the British Museum.

Horeites brunneifrons (455).—The Rufous-capped Bush-warbler.

During the month of May I found this species not uncommon in open banj

(Quercus incana) forest near Pauri. Its habits were those of a confirmed skulker

and it largely frequented some low bushy undergrowth composed of Myrsine

africana and other small shrubs. It was observed creeping about on the ground

in and out of crevices, and even when forced to break cover it seldom rose more

than a foot or two. Its note is an abrupt “ pick pick ”, but as it was probably

not breeding in these low hills it may have quite a different breeding song. A

skin obtained at Pauri was identified for me at the British Museum.

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BIRDS IN BRITISH GARHWAL. 147

Suya crinigera (458).—The Brown Hill-warbler.

This is a common bird throughout the hill ranges of Garhwal and is found

up to at least 7,000’ elevation. It occurs in all forms of open forest, secondary

scrub, and along banks and hedges bordering cultivated fields. The breeding

season seems to commence about the beginning of June and at this time the cock

spends much of his time perched on the top of a bush, preferably some 10’ to 15’

from the ground, whence he continually utters his rather monotonous “ tsee

tswee-tsee tswce etc.”” From time to time he performs rather curious aerial evo-

lutions consisting of a series of short headlong dives which are moreover accom-

panied by a loud flutter, though how exactly this noise is produced I could not

discover. The nest is placed a few inches above the ground attached (in the

few cases I observed) to young growing grass stems. Blanford describes it as

a deep cup, but those I saw were egg shaped with a side entrance near the top

It is constructed of fine dry grass stems and lined with vegetable down.

Lanius vittatus (473).—The Bay-backed Shrike.

Found all over the outer and central ranges at least as far north as the Pindar

valley where I have observed it up to 6,000’ elevation.

Campophaga melanoschista (505).—The Dark-grey Cuckoo Shrike.

This bird is well distributed all over the low outer ranges during the breeding

season, and appears to rather prefer the cultivated tracts to continuous forest

areas. On the 20th May 1912 I succeeded in finding a nest with well incubated

eggs at an elevation of 3,500’. The nest, which was placed in a fork of a

pine bough about 10’ above the ground, was a flimsy structure with only a

shallow depression in the centre. It was composed almost entirely of the dead

deciduous shoots of Phyllanthus emblica woven together with spider’s web and

well decorated all round the rim with lichen. This nest was one of several built

apparently under the protection afforded by the proximity of a drongo’s nest.

This drongo, D. longicaudatus, had a nest in another chir tree and in this tree

there was also a nest of Molpastes leucogenys placed only 3 or 4 feet above the

drongo’s nest. The former contained young a few days old. The cuckoo-

shrike’s nest was not fifteen paces away, and in the same tree with the cuckoo-

shrike’s nest there was a nest of Oriolus kundoo just ready for eggs. But this

was not all; within a similar radius of 15 paces from the drongo’s tree a green

pigeon had its nest in a pollard Terminalia chebula and a rose starling was nest-

ing in a hole in an Engelhardtia tree. Thus five pairs representing five distinct

species had availed themselves of the protection afforded by the drongos. The

cuckoo-shrike has a dipping flight similar to that of an oriole.

Oriolus traillii (522).—The Maroon Oriole.

I have only observed this beautiful oriole on three occasions, once at Kanol

and twice in the Malla Kaliphat patti, and Blanford I think is correct when

he mentions that the distribution of this species is local. I found it during the

months of April and May in forest composed of banj (Quercus incana) and Moru

(Quercus dilatata) and also in mixed deciduous forest containing walnut, maple

hornbeam, alder and horse-chestnut at elevations between 5,000’ and 7,000’.

Hemichelidon sibirica (558).—The Sooty Flycatcher.

On the 12th June I found a nest containing two recently hatched young ones

and one rotten egg. This was at 9,500’ elevation in an open deodar forest in the

Dhauli valley. The bird was identified for me at the British Museum as M.

sibirica fuliginosa which differs from the typical bird in having the first primary

longer than the primary coverts and in possessing a shorter wing. The nest was

placed about 8’ from the ground resting on the top of a horizontal deodar bough.

It was composed of a little lichen, moss and grass woven together into a flimsy

shallow cup and lined with a little hair. The egg which is very pale green faintly

mottled all over with pinkish brown, measures *63” x °44”,

148 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII

Cyornis unicolor (574).—The Pale Blue Flycatcher.

This bird has not been recorded west of Sikhim and hence its occurrence in

Garhwal is of some interest. I obtained a specimen in April at 5,500’ elevation.

in the Parson Gadh which is a side valley of the Pindar river, and the skin was

afterwards kindly identified for me at the British Museum. This was the only

occasion on which I came across this beautiful flycatcher and it is therefore pro-

bably rare in these parts. It was found frequenting rather dense forest.

Culicicapa ceylonensis (592).—The Grey-headed Flycatcher.

This bird leaves the hills during the winter months and returns about the end

of February or beginning of March at which season its cheery little song is con-

stantly heard in the lower valleys of the outer hill ranges. By the middle of

May nesting operations are in full swing. Blanford says that the nest is built

against a rock or tree, but the former must be very exceptional in Garhwal,

where out of nearly a dozen nests which I have seen all have been placed against

a tree trunk. I have found nests at all heights from 2 to 40 feet above the

ground. ‘Trunks of oak trees seem to be special favourites, probably on account

of their convenient rough bark. The nest is a deep cup composed entirely of.

fine green mosses which are lightly woven together on the outside with spider’s

web. The rim of the cup is prolonged some two or three inches on each side

in a vertical direction up the tree trunk thus giving considerable support to the

nest, and occasionally these prolongations actually meet above to form a sort of

projection over the egg cavity.

Chelidorhynx hypoxanthum (603).—The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.

This graceful little bird may be seen during the cold weather months along the

main valleys where the elevation is only 1,000’ to 3,000’. It breeds however at

high altitudes, and on 29th June I found a nest with 3 fresh eggs in the middle

of a large forest at 11,500’ elevation. It was placed about 15’ from the ground

at a distance of a few feet from the main stem on the horizontal branch of a fair-

sized silver fir tree. The nest was a deep cup with rather thick walls, the exter-

nal diameter being about 3” whilst the cavity only measured 1” diameter and 13”

deep. It was composed of green moss thickly adorned with lichen which was.

attached by means of spider’s web, and lined with moss fructifications. The eggs

are a very pale pinkish white clouded in more or less of a ring round the larger

end with pinkish brown and average *57” x °43”.

Rhipidura albicollis (605).—The White-throated Fantail Flycatcher.

Found along streams and valleys all over the outer and central hills at least

as far north as the Pindar valley where I found a nest on 25th April at 5,500”

elevation.

Saxicola enanthe (624).—The Wheatear Chat.

On the 16th April I shot a female at about 6,000’ elevation in Ranigarh patti

in central Garhwal, and the skin was identified for me at the British Museum as.

S. enanthe atrigularis. This species was never seen on any other occasion.

Henicurus maculatus (630).—The Western Spotted Forktail.

Common, and found over all the lower, central, and some of the inner ranges.

Blanford also includes Garhwal within the habitat of H. immaculatus but I

never succeeded in identifying this species and if it occurs in Garhwal I think

it must be rare or very locally distributed.

Ruticilla frontalis (639).—The Blue-fronted Redstart.

In August I found these birds not uncommon on the hillsides round Niti

village frequenting bare stony ground, with large rocks scattered about, and

grassy patches between—-but no bushes. Amidst such surroundings they were

observed from 11,500’ to 13,500’ elevation, and at the former altitude I found a

nest on 20th August built inside a crevice in a stone wall and containing half-

fledged young ones. During the cold weather months these birds are common

all over the outer and central hill ranges between 4,000’ and 7,000’ elevation,

often amongst cultivation.

BIRDS IN BRITISH GARHWAL,

Ruticilla rufiventris (644).—The Indian Redstart.

In August I found this to be a not uncommon bird in the country north of

Niti bordering Tibet where it frequents the Bhutia camping grounds and be-

comes very tame. They appeared to have already completed breeding

operations.

Tarsiger chrysceus (653).—The Golden Bush-robin.

Widely distributed, but not common. It certainly occurs up to 6,000’ eleva-

tion, if not higher.

Ianthia rufilata (654).—The Red-flanked Bush-robin.

This is a fairly common resident species in Garhwal. During the cold weather

months it is most frequently seen from 5,000’ to 6,000’ elevation whilst in the

summer season it ascends to much higher altitudes, and I have then shot it at

12,000’. The ultramarine eyebrow is mixed with a narrow streak of white fea-

thers in all my specimens, and I am informed that white feathers are also present

in most of the specimens at the British Museum, though the description in Blan-

ford makes no mention of this, These birds frequent beds of streams, either dry

or containing water, and they appear to prefer those bordered with dense bushes

and shrubs, as they are of a retiring disposition and seldom expose themselves

‘in the open for long. They have a habit of rapidly expanding and contracting

the tail like a fan, but they do not move it vertically up and down.

Merula albicincta (672).—The White-collared Ouzel.

This fine ouzel is abundant all over the large forests of central and upper

Garhwal above about 9,000’. When going to roost, and again at dawn, it utters

a note closely resembling that made by the English blackbird under similar

circumstances ; but the actual song, which is distinctly fine, is more like that of

the English thrush. A nest which I found on 14th May contained 3 slightly

incubated eggs. It was placed 5’ from the ground against the mossy stem of a

karshu (Quercus semecarpijolia). The nest was constructed of masses of green

moss and lined with a pad of fine dry grass mixed with a few rhizomorphs.

Merula castanea (673).—The Grey-headed Ouzel.

I have only seen this ouzel once. This was in Malla Nagpur on 31st January

1919 on the day following a very heavy fall of snow which on this occasion actu-

ally fell as low as 3,500’ elevation. The bird which I shot at 5,000’ elevation was,

as far as I could discover, a solitary individual.

Merula boulboul (676).—The Grey-winged Ouzel.

This is a fairly common bird in some of the larger forests of central Garhwal,

but it always keeps to dense forest and is also rather shy. Two nests found in

May between 7,000’ and 8,000’ elevation were placed in trees at 7’ and 15’ from

the ground respectively, The alarm note is a plaintive whistle usually repeated

twice, but the cock has also a fine song of clear rich notes which are combined

in most pleasing variations.

Geocichla wardi (683).—The Pied Ground-Thrush.

In these hills this bird is rather uncommon, On 15th June I found a nest

with two eggs placed about 8’ from the ground in a small tree at 7,500’ elevation.

The nest was constructed of green moss with a thick lining of roots. The eggs

which are very pale greenish mottled all cover with pinkish brown and pale purple

measure on the average 1:02” x °73”.

Petrophila cyanus (693).—The Western Blue Rock-Thrush.

This bird is never very common and appears to be rather local, frequenting

steep rocky or boulder-strewn ground interspersed with grassy slopes. It occurs

over the whole tract of hills even up to the borders of Tibet where I found it in

August at 13,500’ elevation, The cock bird’s song is a soft melodious rather

short whistle which at times reminded me of an English blackbird. During the

latter half of June I found three nests with eggs between 5,500’ and 6,500’ in the

vicinity of Pauri. They were placed in cavities or crevices in the rocks so as to

be partly screened from view, and the sites selected are sometimes situated on

150 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

such steep rocky ground that they can only be reached with difficulty. The

nest is a shallow cup composed of dry grass and lined with fine roots. The eggs

are a rather pale blue and most of them have a few speckles of pinkish brown,

though one egg in each of two clutches of four is quite unspotted. In one of the

clutches the surface is rather glossy, but not in the other two. The average

measurements in two clutches of four eggs each are 1:04” x +76” and 1:06” x

*75” and a single egg measures 1:01” x +77”.

Orecincla dauma (698).—The Small-billed Mountain-Thrush.

On several occasions I have met with this bird during the months of April and

May at elevations between 8,500’ and 9,500’ in the forests of central and upper

Garhwal. On each occasion I flushed the bird off the ground in fairly dense

forest of karshu (Quercus semecarpifolia) or silver fir.

Oreocincla whiteheadi.

This mountain-thrush is described by Stuart Baker in Bull. B. O. C. XXXI,

p- 79 (1913) and two skins which I sent to the British Museum were identified

there as belonging to this species. One of these birds was shot on 27th April

at 8,000’ elevation about 5 miles below Badrinath on open rocky ground with

scattered bushes growing here and there. It was accompanied by 3 or 4 others

of the same species. The other bird was shot on 20th June at 12,800’ elevation

near Kulara camping ground in Dasoli where the surroundings for some consider-

able distance were open pasture land interspersed with rocky ground. This

bird was an apparently solitary male. For this bird I noted ‘‘ Inside mouth

yellow. Legs yellowish.”

Zoothera monticola (704).—The Large Brown Thrush.

I have seldom seen this bird and I think it must be a rather uncommon species

in these hills. On 12th June I found a nest near Wan with fresh or nearly fresh

eggs. It was placed about 15’ from the ground on the horizontal branch of a

small walnut tree growing at the side of a large rocky stream with dense karshu

(Quercus semecarpifolia) forest on all sides, the elevation being about 8,000’.

The nest was a bulky structure and was composed of fresh damp green moss

with a firm lining of roots, lichen and rhizomorphs. The eggs are a pale greenish

mottled all over with reddish brown and very pale purple, and closely resemble

a clutch I have of Merula boulboul. They average 1°26” x * 86’.

Cinclus asiaticus (709).—The Brown Dipper.

A common bird over the whole of the hilly portion of Garhwal. When I have

been at high elevations I have usually made a point of examining any dipper I

came across to see if it were C. kashmiriensis, a bird which I expected to find,

but for which I have searched in vain; so that if it occurs in these parts it must,

I think, be either rare or very local.

Tharrhaleus strophiatus (718).—The Rufous-breasted Accentor.

In the Girthi valley bordering Tibet which I have briefly described in a note

above on Phylloscopus affinis I also met with this accentor and it is possible that

it does not occur elsewhere in Garhwal. During the first week of August I found

three nests from one of which the birds had already flown. In one of the others

there were 3 deserted eggs, and in the third nest there was one single hard set

egg ; probably a second nest. The nests were placed from 12” to 18” above the

ground in low, rather dense, willow scrub (Salix sclerophylla). They were rather

deep substantially built cups. On the outside were a few twigs or coarse herb-

aceous stems, and this was followed by masses of green moss mixed with wool

and hair (of the Marmot). Moss fructifications were conspicuous throughout

the structure and especially in the interior, but I doubt if they are collected

separately from the moss itself. All these nests were at 13,500’ elevation. The

clutch of 3 eggs gave an average measurement of 81” x *57” and the single egg

measured .75” x .55”. The only note I heard these birds utter was a rather

high pitched “ tr-r-r ” somewhat resembling the noise produced by striking two

stones together.

BIRDS IN BRITISH GARHWAL, 151

Pycnorhamphus affinis (742).—The Allied Grosbeak.

Blanford gives the distribution of this species as Nepal and Sikhim, whilst he

includes Garhwal within the distribution of P. icteroides. I found P. affinis

widely distributed all over central and upper Garhwal and locally quite common

in some of the larger forests of this tract such as Dudatoli and Dasoli, whilst I

never succeeded in procuring a single specimen of P. icteroides. If Blanford’

based his “ Garhwal” on specimens collected in Tehri Garhwal, then I think P.

icteroides is probably not found at all in British Garhwal. I have seen P. affinis

at all elevations from 6,000’ up to 11,500’. They usually frequent forest con-

taining a certain percentage of one of the conifers, namely, spruce, silver fir, blue

pine, or chir, though I have also come across them in almost pure karshu (Quercus

semecarpifolia) forest. They probably feed mainly on coniferous seed though T

have watched them eating the kernels of the unripe fruit of Machilus Duthiet,

and on one occasion I extracted two hairless caterpillars from the gizzard of a

specimen I had shot. The alarm call is a double note somewhat resembling

the striking together of two stones, and might be written “ kurr”, They have

also a fine loud musical whistle of either 5 or 7 notes. When the full 7 notes

are uttered, the first six fall into two series of 3 ascending notes each, the seventh

note being pitched much lower. When only 5 notes are uttered the second and

third are omitted. The call might be written ‘“ Ti-di-li-ti-di-li-um”, emphasis

being placed on the first and fourth syllables. From what Ihave seen they

appear to commence building the end of May or beginning of June.

Mycerobas melanoxanthus (744).—The Spotted-winged Grosbeak.

I have only met with this bird on three occasions, and all three places where

it was seen were in upper Garhwal. On two of the three occasions I came on a

flock of these birds feeding on the fruit of “ kaphal ” (Myrica Nagi) the stones

of which are cracked and the kernel extracted. As the stone of this fruit is

extremely hard the bird’s bill must be very powerful indeed.

Propasser pulcherrimus (755).—The Beautiful Rose-Finch.

This is another species which I found breeding in the Girthi valley bordering

Tibet. It was not nearly so common as Carpodacus erythrinus, but there were

quite a fair number of birds about, and I managed to find three nests with eggs

between the 3rd and 8th of August, The nests were at 13,000’ to 13,500’ eleva-

tion and were placed 6” to 18” above the ground in bushes of Juniperus

pseudosabinus. They were fairly deep cups composed outside of the fibrous

bark of juniper and Lonicera with or without a little grass ; this was followed

by a layer of fine roots mixed with a little sheeps’ wool, and there was a final

lining of hair mixed in one case with red moss fructifications. All the nests

contained full clutches of 3 eggs each the average measurements for the three

clutches being 75” x °55” X °75” —-55” and -76” x °54”. All tho eggs are

greenish blue sparingly spotted or streaked with black round the larger end.

Blanford’s description of this bird contains the following: “‘ Iris reddish brown;

bill horny brown with the lower mandible greyish ; legs rosy grey ” but my notes

on these parts being somewhat dissimilar are perhaps worth recording ; they

are “Iris nut brown. Legs and feet pale fleshy brown, claws darker brown.

Bill dark horny brown, the lower mandible much paler.”

When the parent birds are flushed off the nest they do not utter the canary-like

note so distinctive of Carpodacus erythrinus, but they have instead a rather

sparrow like ‘‘ Cheet-cheet ”, and whenever they are excited they also raise a

distinct crest of feathers.

Carpodacus erythrinus (761).—The Common Rose-Finch.

In the part of the Girthi valley which I have already described I found these

rose-finches breeding in considerable numbers and I took altogether nine clut-

ches of eggs here during the first ten days of August. They were all at 13,000’ to

13,500’ elevation and were placed from 6” to 4’ above the ground in dense low

bushes of willow (Salix sclerophylla and Salix Wallichiana) growing along the

152 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII:

banks of streams. The nest is a deepish cup of herbaceous stems and dry coarse

grass, followed by a layer of fine roots or grass, with a lining of hair or fine roots

or both. In one case a little wool had been introduced. Six of the clutches

which were complete contained four eggs each and one only contained three

eggs. The eggs in the six complete clutches measured on the average!—- 81” x + 57”,

*84” x. +56", °81” x * 60”, 82” x 58”, 83” x 60” and 80” x ‘56’. They are pale

greenish blue lightly spotted round the larger end with dark sepia and pale

brown madder. Three out of 4 eggs in one clutch are unspotted. When driven

off her nest the hen bird almost invariably utters a canary-like wining ‘“‘twee-ee.”

The cock bird’s song is composed of three loud shrill notes which may be written

“ Ter-twee-you.” the middle note being pitched higher than the other two.

This is also sometimes varied by the addition of a few more notes. But the cock.

has also another quite different and distinct song composed of 4 high-pitched

notes which may be rendered ‘“‘ Tee-diew-di-diew.”

Carduelis caniceps (767).—The Himalayan Goldfinch.

During the months of June and July I found these finches not uncommon

along the Dhauli valley from Joshimath right up to the borders of Tibet. The

highest elevation at which I observed them was 13,500’. I could not discover

where they were breeding, though from the enlarged testes of a male shot on 20th

June I think this would be the nesting season. I have never met with these

birds south of Joshimath though it seems probable that in winter they move

down further south.

Metoponia pusilla (771).—The Gold-fronted Finch.

On 20th July I found a nest containing a clutch of 5 eggs at about 11,500’ ele-

vation close to Niti village. The nest was placed about 4’ from the ground in

a Rosa sericea bush. It was a deep cup composed of dead grass and bark fibre

and lined with a thick pad of wool and a little hair. The eggs, which are white

tinged with green and spotted round the larger end with pale pinkish brown,

measure on the average *65” x :48”. These birds were common at this time round

Niti, and were seen as high as 14,000’ near Rimkim in an adjoining valley, but

I did not find any other nests. During the winter months they extend their

range over a large part of north Garhwal and are found at least as low as 5,000’

elevation.

Fringillauda sordida (787).—Stoliczka’s Mountain-Finch.

This bird breeds in the tract of country lying north of Niti village on the borders

of Tibet. They were seen here during the latter half of July and early in August

frequenting the open grassy slopes between 13,000’ and 14,000’ elevation. On

several occasions I came across them in small flocks the members of which did

not appear to have commenced nesting operations, but on 3rd August I found

two nests at 13,500’ elevation one of which contained 3 and the other 4 freshly

hatched young ones. . The nests were placed within natural crevices which had

formed beneath large stones half-buried in the ground surface on steep bare

slopes.. As the nests were situated some 6” from the entrance they were practi-

cally invisible from outside. They were shallow cups composed of dry grass

stems and lined with a few feathers. In winter these birds congregate in large

flocks composed of 50 to 100 individuals and are found down to 7,000’ elevation.

_ Emberiza stracheyi (794).—The Eastern Meadow-Bunting.

During the breeding season this bunting is very abundant on open grassy or,

bush-clad slopes at elevations from 9,000’ to 11,000’. I have also found a nest as

high as 13,500’ elevation in the dry interior hills bordering Tibet. Blanford

says it breeds from 4,000’ to 9,000’, but in Garhwal I have never found a nest

below 8,000’ which is certainly I think the lowest level at which it breeds at all

commonly here. The nest is placed on sloping ground and is usually more or

less concealed by some small shrub, but may be merely placed beneath a tuft of

grass. It is a cup constructed of dry grass and lined with a little hair.

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BIRDS IN BRITISH GARHWAL, 153

Chelidon nepalensis (807).—Hodgson’s Martin.

A colony of these birds breeds every year on some cliffs at 7,000’ elevation in

the vicinity of Lohba in central Garhwal. In 1913 I obtained eggs on 19th June,

but in many nests the young had then already hatched. There were from 50 to

100 pairs of birds breeding together here, and in one favoured spot I counted

50 nests built over a space of about two square yards, most of the nests actually

touching one another. The cliff where the birds were nesting is in the middle of

banj (Quercus incana) forest, and during the winter it is frequented by rock

pigeons. The nests were placed on parts of the cliff where the surface shelved

slightly outwards from below. They were shaped like large mud saucers with a

small hole to one side. A specimen which I shot was identified for me at the

British Museum. Blanford’s description of this bird reads “ Bill brown, paler

at gape ;” but in my description I have recorded “ Bill black. Inside mouth

nearly white.” :

Piyonoprogne rupestris (810).—The Crag-Martin.

Towards the end of May 1914 I found two freshly built nests of this species

along the Girthi valley in Painkhanda Malla at an elevation of 10,500’. They

were unfortunately built against an overhanging rock in such a position that I

was unable to reach them. In August 1916 these birds were very common at

13,500’ elevation near the border of Tibet.

Hirundo nepalensis (822).—Hodgson’s Striated Swallow.

During the breeding season this bird is found all over the outer and central

ranges at least as far north as the Pindar valley. On 10th June I found a nest

with 4 eggs placed against the lower surface of a large overhanging boulder on

a steep hill side where the boulder was half hidden by bushy scrub, and again

on 18th June I found a nest with 3 hard set eggs in a bungalow verandah, the

nest being placed in the angle formed by the verandah roof with the outer wall.

The first of these nests was at 4,000’ elevation and the second at nearly 7,000’.

The nests were retort-shaped and 10” to 12” long and were lined with a few scraps

of dry grass and feathers. The parents of both were identified for me at the

British Museum.

Anthus rosaceus (850).—Hodgson’s Pipit.

During the breeding season this bird is found in abundance all over the high-

level grazing grounds which lie above the limits of tree forest along the outer

slopes of the high snowy ranges between 11,000’ and 13,000’ elevation. I did not

however come across it in the dry interior hills situated along the Dhauli valley.

Six nests with eggs were found on varying dates between 26th May and 26th

June. The nest is a shallow cup of dry grass (lined with hair of the musk deer

in one of the nests) placed on the ground in a slight depression beneath a tuft of

grass or occasionally half hidden by some small shrub. The parents in two

cases feigned a broken wing when flushed from the nest. One clutch was res-

tricted to two eggs only, but all the others contained three. The clutches of 3

eggs each averaged as follows :—°85” x ‘60’, 85” x 61”, °87” x °61”, °80°

x +59” and °83” x +60”. The eggs are white tinged with grey or brown and

more or less thickly marked all over with shades of colour varying from sepia to

chocolate brown.

Oreocorys sylvanus (853).—The Upland Pipit.

This pipit occurs in considerable numbers practically throughout the hills.

Steep grassy slopes interspersed with bushes or broken up by rocky ground are

its favourite haunts, and it is also common in open chir (Pinus longifolia) forest

where there is always abundance of grass. This bird has a characteristic mono-

tonous song of two rather prolonged notes which might be written “ See-saw. ”

Two nests containing eggs were found on 13th April and 12th May.

Gecinus squamatus (946).—The West-himalayan Scaly-bellied Green-wood-

pecker.

154 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol; XXVIII,

This woodpecker is found over practically the whole of the hilly portion of

Garhwal between 5,000’ and 9,000’ elevation and throughout its range it seems

to be far commoner than G. occipitalis, whichis also found. Its call is loud and

highpitched, normally consisting of two notes, but occasionally only one and

sometimes three.

Dendrocopus auriceps (969).—The Brown-fronted Pied Woodpecker.

This bird is extremely common throughout Garhwal in almost all forests below

7,000’ elevation. I discovered an interesting fact in regard to their diet, namely

that they eat considerable quantities of the seed of the chir pine (Pinus longi-

folia). Another woodpecker I have observed eating chir seed is Dendrocopus

himalayensis, and the latter species spends considerable time and energy in

breaking open the cones some months before they naturally open to let the seed

escape. ras

Cyanops asiatica (1012).—The Blue-throated Barbet.

Very common in the foot hills and low outer valleys as far north as the Nayar

river. Beyond this I have only observed it along the main valley of the

Alakhnanda where it occurs as far north as Rudrapryag.

Coracias indica (1022).—The Indian Roller.

This bird is seldom seen in the interior of the hills and I was much astonished

to find it at 4,500’ elevation near Gwaldam in the Pindar valley. This was in

June and I am unable to say whether these birds are resident here throughout

the year, but I think it’ improbable.

Merops viridis (1026).—The Common Indian Bee-eater.

I have seen this bird in July on the sandy banks of the Alakhnanda river be-

tween Karnpryag and Nandpryag, and it is found all along the Alakhnanda valley

up to this point which is over 100 miles from where the river leaves the foothills.

Halcyon smyrnensis (1044).—The White-breasted Kingfisher.

This kingfisher penetrates a considerable distance into the hills, namely as

far as Nagnath and the Pindar valley, and here I have seen it as high as 5,500’

elevation.

Cypselus pacificus (1071).—The Large White-rumped Swift.

Blanford does not include any point west of Assam within the distribution

of this species. On 21st’ May 1913 I shot several specimens in Garhwal and one

of the skins was kindly identified for me at the British Museum. When I shot

them they were apparently on migration, as for three days in succession they

were observed between 5 and 7 p.m., to pass northwards over a pass at 8,000’ in

upper Garhwal called Lohajang. They kept flying over in small parties of 3 or

4 birds at a time, and always in exactly the same direction. An examination of

their crops revealed the remains of winged termites.

Caprimuigus monticola (1090).—Franklin’s Nightjar.

This nightjar frequents scrubby forest along the outer ranges at elevations up

to 4,000’ and possibly higher, and here it occurs in large numbers during the

breeding season. It seems to have a special predilection for the broad dry stony

stream beds which are a marked feature of the outer hills. Its call during the

breeding season is a loud piercing “ tweet ” uttered both when the bird is on the

ground and when flying. I never heard this species make any call resembling

that of C. asiaticus as stated by Blanford. As far as I have observed neither

this species or C. macrurus penetrate far into the hills ; probably not beyond the .

limits of sal forest, or the Nayar valley, which are approximately coincident.

Caprimulgus indicus (1095).—The Jungle Nightjar.

This nightjar is very abundant in the low outer hills during the breeding sea-

son. At this time the call of the male is a single note repeated very fast 4 or 5

up. to about 15 times together, followed by an interval. The note is similar in

character to that of C. macrurus and may be likened to the noise produced by

striking wood with a hammer, the call note of C. macrurus is however repeated

very much slower. The jungle nightjar has also another note, not heard

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BIRDS IN BRITISH GARHWAL, 155

at any great distance, which almost exactly resembles the ‘“ whish-whish ” of

the wings of some powerful bird of flight. They penetrate well into the hills

and on 2lst May I found a clutch of 2 eggs at 4,700’ elevation only a few mile

south of Chamoli.

Cuculus canorus (1104).—The Cuckoo.

This cuckoo may be heard from the middle of April onwards at almost any

elevation up to 13,000’ throughout the whole district. In June I heard it up

the Dhauli valley in the vicinity of Niti and Malari villages though I heard no

other species of cuckoo in these parts, not even C. poliocephalus,

Surniculus lugubris (1117).—The Drongo Cuckoo.

These birds are very common in the outer hill ranges between 3,000’ and 4,000’

elevation during May, at which season their monotonous call is constantly heard

in open forest areas. Blanford quotes Legge as stating that the flight is straight

and that it has a remarkably human whistle of six ascending notes. As regards

the flight I cannot agree that it is straight, and I should rather compare it to

the dipping flight of a magpie ; nor does the bird flap its wings in a regular and

continuous manner as do most of the cuckoos with a straight flight. After

listening to the call of a large number of birds I found that it most frequently

consists of 5 ascending notes, but that occasionally it utters as few as 4 or as

many as eight. The furthest north that I have heard this bird is in the Pindar

valley at 5,600’ elevation.

Coccystus coromandus (1119).—The Red-winged Crested Cuckoo.

On 3rd May I shot one of these birds in the outer hills at 4,000’ elevation. This

is the only bird of this species which I have seen and the record is an extension

of its range as given by Blanford.

Bubo bengalensis (1168).—The Rock Horned Owl.

In November 1913 I shot one of these owls in the Pindar valley at an elevation

of 5,500’.

Columba intermedia (1292).—The Indian Blue Rock Pigeon.

This pigeon is found all over the district, but is most numerous along the

Ganges valley above Chamoli and thence right up the Dhauli valley as far as

Niti village. The innumerable cliffs which here drop sheer down to the river

banks from a height of many hundred feet constitute ideal surroundings. They

are often seen in large flocks of over 100 birds, and being seldom shot, they are

usually not very difficult to approach. Some birds have a distinct pale band

about 14” wide on the lower back, but the band is always pale grey and never

white as in C. livia.

Columba rupestris (1294).—The Blue Hill Pigeon.

After I had left Niti village some miles to the south I found this bird fairly

common along the path leading over the Chor Hoti pass into Tibet. This was

during the months of July and August when the Bhotias and Tibetans are busy

bringing over merchandise from Tibet and carrying back grain packed on the

backs of their sheep and goats. A certain amount of grain drops out of the

packs, and pigeons take full advantage of this easy method of obtaining their

food. They are extremely tame and will let anyone approach within a few yards

before flying on. I saw them here at elevations between 13,000’ and 17,000’,

and always either singly or in pairs. Some females I shot had ovaries in such

an advanced stage of development that they would certainly have laid in a few

days. I took the measurements of four females and it appears that birds here

are rather above the average size. Stuart Baker in his “Indian Pigeons and Doves”)

says that the average wing measurement for females is 8-73”, though the largest

have a wing up to 9.2”. The four birds I measured had wing measurements of

9:2”, 9-3”, 9-4” and 9°55” respectively. Except in this dry region bordering

Tibet, I have only once shot this species. This was on 6th November when I

shot a single bird at 4,000’ elevation near Pipalkoti out of a flock of C. intermedia.

156 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXT III,

Columba leuconota (1296).—The White-bellied Pigeon.

In Stuart Baker’s Indian Pigeons and Doves there are two remarks concerning

this pigeon which I should like to criticise. In the first place he says that they

are apparently never seen below 5,000’. This remark is not quite correct for

Garhwal where they constantly descend to 4,000’ in the Pindar valley opposite

to Gwaldam during the winter months, in fact there is a large cliff here facing

the Pindar river at a little below 4,000’ elevation to which snow pigeon regularly

resort at this season. Then he remarks a little further on that it is entirely a

rock-pigeonin its habits, and only very severe stress of weather will drive it

into forested country. With this remark I also cannot fully agree. It is cer-

tainly mainly a rock-pigeon in its habits, but I have constantly found it through-

out the cold weather in forested country, in fact at this time of year in Garhwal

these pigeons live mainly in tracts which are covered with forest. At the same

time I do not mean to imply that they actually feed about inside the forest.

They feed at all times in the open, either in cultivated fields or on more or less

bare grassy slopes but the immediate surroundings are frequently well forested,

and during the day time they often sit for hours in some tree at the edge of the

forest. The habits of snow pigeon in Garhwal differ somewhat according to the

time of year. In December, January and February which are the coldest months

they live very largely in flocks of 50 to 100 birds at elevations between 4,000’

and 7,000’. In the Pindar valley at this time of year they roost amongst steep

cliffs bordering the river itself. Early in the morning they come to feed on the

stubble and about 10 o’clock return to the cliffs where, after a drink from the

river, they seem to remain for the rest of the day. Sometimes a flock will sit

the greater part of the day in some large chir tree near their roosting cliff. The

crops of pigeons which I examined at this time contained small quantities of barley

and other grains, but much larger quantities of the seed of a leguminous plant

Vicia sativa, Linn., which is common in cultivated fields. They never seemed to

feed on crops which had germinated but only on bare stubble. When feeding

in this manner they keep rapidly on the move and often form up in a close phalanx

moving forward over the ground like a flock of sheep, each bird trying to rival

with his neighbours in being the first to investigate new ground. During April

and May the flocks are usually seen from 7,000’ to 10,000’,and at this season they

retire to roost amongst cliffs approximating the latter elevation. At about 7 a.m.,

they may be seen arriving on the stubbles which will probably be somewhere

between 7,000’ and 8,000’ elevation. They appear in pairs or small parties of half

a dozen or so, but they soon all join on the feeding grounds to form small flocks.

They were usually seen drinking between 8 or 9 in the morning and about 10

o’clock they commenced to work upwards again towards their roosting quarters

though they seemed to feed largely throughout the day at elevations between

9,000’ and 10,000’, where they investigate patches of bare ground from which

the snow has only recently disappeared. They do not return to lower feeding

grounds in the evening.

Dendrotreron hodgsoni (1297).—The Speckled Wood-Pigeon.

This is rather a rare pigeon in Garhwal and I have only seen it in the north of

the district, and here always in well-wooded parts at elevations between 7,000’

and 9,000’.. I have never seen more than 6 birds together at a time. Its native

name is ‘‘ Bhekala ” which is also the name for Prinsepia utilis, a small thorny

shrub which has a bluish black fruit like a small plum. The pigeons are parti-

cularly fond of this fruit which in fact seems to be one of their principal foods,

and it is on this account that the native name for the shrub and the bird are

identical.

Palumbus casiotis (1298).—The Eastern Wood-Pigeon.

Stuart Baker in his “Indian Pigeons and Doves’’ quotes Hum: to the effect that

these pigeons appear in this part of the Himalaya about the beginning of Novem-

ber and stay until the middle of April when they depart for other quarters, and

BIRDS IN BRITISH GARHWAL. 157

then he goes on to remark that this curious local migration is probably governed

by the birds’ food supply. These statements I can fully confirm from my ex-

perience of their occurrence in Garhwal, only I would add that in Garhwal

they do not seem to appear at all in four seasons out of five. During my ten

years’ residence in this district I only saw this species in two seasons. One of

these was the winter of 1917-18 when there were immense quantities of banj

(Quarcus incana) acorns, and during this winter from the beginning of December

up to the end of March they were to be seen in flocks of 50 to 100 birds in practi-

cally every banj forest in the district, generally at about 6,000’ elevation. The

last date on which I saw them was 3rd April. I examined the crops of several

birds and nearly always found them full of banj acorns, as many as 47 being

taken from a single bird’s crop, and I feel sure that these acorns are the princi-

pal attraction which affects their migration to these parts. They also eat the

seed of the chir pine of which I have taken 85 seeds from a single bird’s crop,

and green Jeaves and shoots are also not infrequently found to have been eaten,

though I never succeeded in identifying the plants to which they belonged.

Turtur ferrago (1305).—The Indian Turtle-Dove.

During the breeding season this dove is extremely abundant in all well-wooded

parts of the hills at elevations between 5,500’ and 10,500’, Blanford says that

it breeds at elevations from 4,000’ to 8,000’, and Stuart Baker whilst quoting a

record of a nest found at 8,500’ does not suggest that the usual height at which

they breed may exceed 8,000’. I am, however, quite convinced that they breed

in Garhwal in large numbers as high as 10,500’, as in June they are quite common

up to this height though they perhaps do not go much higher. That I never

actually found a nest above 8,000’ was Iam sure merely becauss I never looked

for their nests and did not happen to come across one.

Gallus furrugineus (1328).—The Red-Jungle Fowl.

Jungle fowl are found only in the outermost ranges and do not penetrate fur-

ther than the Nayar valley which lies just north of Lansdowne. In this respect

their distribution here corresponds with that of the pea fowl.

Catreus wallichi (1333).—The Cheer Pheasant.

A morning bag at 7,000’ 8 Cheer Pheasant and one Kalij.

158 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

The cheer is widely distributed in Garhwal, but is very seldom indeed found

in any numbers. Its favourite haunts being steep grassy slopes from 5,000’ to

8,000’ elevation, and ground of this description apparently well suited to cheer

occurring over very large areas, I have often wondered why this bird should not

become more numerous. I am inclined to the belief that annual forest fires, which

usually occur just about the time these birds are breeding, must be the principal

check to their further increase, and I believe that this fine pheasant will become

very much more plentiful now that large areas of chir pine forests are yearly

closed to fire by the Forest Department to enable the forests to be successfully

regenerated. Blanford’s distribution of this bird is distinctly misleading so

far as Garhwal is concerned. They are quite as common in the interior valleys

as they are in the outer hills, in fact more so ; for they even penetrate up the

Dhauli valley as far as its junction with the Rishi Ganga, and are also not un-

common along the Vishnu Ganga. Wilson’s description of this bird as quoted

by Stuart Baker in his work which is now appearing in this Journal seems to me

extremely good, and I am inclined to agree with Wilson when he says that the

cheer generally roosts on the ground, as I have spent some time trying to discover

their habits in this respect. Nothing is more characteristic of this bird than the

way it invariably calls at daybreak and again at dusk as mentioned by Wilson,

and the early morning call is often made when it is still too dark to perceive

objects more than a dozen yards away. I have also once heard these birds

continue calling for about ten minutes at midnight. The marked predilection

these birds exhibit for running away up—hill instead of taking to their wings to

escape danger was well shown on one occasion when several cheer started up

only 4 or 5 yards away from my feet on an open burned grassy area and immedi-

ately sought safety by running away up the hillside without making any attempt

to fly.

Genneus albocristatus (1336).—The White-crested Kalij Pheasant.

The kalij is by far the commonest pheasant throughout Garhwal in all forests

below 8,000’ except such open grassy slopes as are especially adapted to the cheer.

It is found up the Dhauli valley leading to Tibet at least as far as its junction

with the Vishnu Ganga, and possibly further, though I have no actual record of

its occurrence further north than this. On several occasions I have examined the

crops of these pheasants, and besides many kinds of roots which were seldom iden-

tifiable for certain I have found the following : Banj acorns with the outer husk

removed, the ripe fruit of Pyrus Pashia, the green stems of Viscum japonicum,

pods of Desmodium tiliefolium, bulbils of species of Dioscorea, ripe fruits of Rosa

moschata and the ripe seeds of Nycianthes arbortristis. In most cases the food is

quite clean and free from suspicion, though I regret to have to record that in the

vicinity of travellers’ paraos and human habitations this is by no means always

the case.

Lophophorus refulgens (1342).—The Monal.

As indicated in Stuart Baker’s work which is now appearing in this Journal

the monal is still tolerably common in parts of British Garhwal. In the Dudatoli

forest and along the Dhanpur ridge in central Garhwal monal are still to be found,

but they are scarce, and it is not till one reaches the spurs which diverge directly

from the main snowy range that they become at all abundant. Along the Dhauli

valley leading to the Niti pass I have seen them as far as the village of Malari, but

not north of this. Blanford and Stuart Baker both state that monal are found up

to 15,000’ during the breeding season, but I have never seen them above 13,000’

in Garhwal and I much doubt if they ever wander in Garhwal above this eleva-

tion. It must be remembered that the tree limit in Garhwal usually lies between

11,000’ and 12,000’, whilst in the eastern Himalaya I believe it is not less than

12,000’ and as the monal is really a forest bird this fact would be quite sufficient

to make a difference of 2,000’ in the maximum height at which the birds are to

be found. Stuart Baker says that in summer time they are generally to be found

BIRDS IN BRITISH GARHWAL, 159

from 10,000’ to 14,000’ elevation, but for Garhwal I should say without

‘hesitation 9,000’ to 12,000’. The same author states that in winter they descend

to 6,000’ and even 5,000’, but under the most severe conditions of weather I have

never seen a bird below 6,500’, and the normal elevation for this time of year

would be 8,000’ to 10,000’.. As regards the destruction of these birds for their

plumage no such case has ever come to my notice in Garhwal where I believe this

practice does not now exist. Hume’s note on the food of this bird agrees with

my own observations, and I might add that the monal is very fond of the ripe

fruit of Cotoneaster microphylla.

Tragopan satyra (1344).—The Crimson Horned Pheasant.

T have only met with this pheasant on two occasions, one was near the village

of Wan and the other in the Nawali reserve. Both these places are within the

water-shed of the Kail Ganga and situated fully 20 miles in a direct line east of

the Alakhnanda river, which has hitherto always been quoted as the western

limit of this bird. On both occasions the birds were frequenting dense ringal

forest.

Arboricola torqueola (1362).—The Common Hill-Partridge.

This partridge is found at suitable elevations throughout the hills. It is com.

monest in dense forest of banj (Quercus incana) from 6,000’ to 7,000’ elevation.

As a rule few birds are seen during a dav’s excursion, though in specially favoured

localities perhaps two dozen or more birds may be flushed within an area of a

few acres. Such favoured localities occur where the gradients are not too steep

and there is a rich moist humus beneath dense forest of oak, laurel and other

evergreen trees and shrubs. They usually run when first disturbed, and a dog

may have to follow a considerable distance before he comes up with one of these

birds when it is running on ahead ; but when they have once been flushed

they almost invariably sit very close, and this is especially the case if they have

been already fired at and missed.

Francolinus vulgaris (1372).—The Black Partridge.

The Black Partridge is widely distributed all over Garhwal, and at Wan I have

observed it at an elevation of 8,800’ which is unusually high.

Tetraogallus himalayensis (1378).—The Himalayan Snow-Cock.

In summer this bird not uncommonly descends to 8,000’ elevation, but never

to my knowledge enters forests of any description. It is never found away from

those spurs which diverge directly from the main Himalayan range, though a

few birds annually frequent the bare slopes above Kheta in the Pindar valley

during the winter months. I have never seen it in any numbers except in the

tract lying north of Malari and Niti where it is fairly common and a great source

of annoyance to anyone attempting to approach the wary burhal. In the early

spring I found it feeding on a small grass-like herb Gagea lutea which grows in

large quantities round deserted habitations and old camping grounds. When

disturbed these birds, unless at very close quarters, usually commence to run

away up hill and continue to climb till they have reached a point of vantage on

some high ridge or projecting rock whence they probably make an extended

flight. I have seen them make flights of fully a mile, often straight across some

wide intervening valley, and whilst on the wing they seem invariably to utter a

whistling note. When running away up bill they carry their short tails rather

high up so as to show the white feathers beneath, and at this time their waddling

gait is distinctly reminiscent of a goose. From the middle of May onwards

they are found in pairs usually at elevations from 12,000’ to 14,000’. The breed-

ing call is a prolonged whistle uttered with great persistence. The male when

courting pursues the female in a crouching position with his tail held vertically

up inthe air. After a few minutes of this courtship they probably both take to

their wings making a loud wild whistling cackle as long as the flight[continues.

160 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

Lerwa nivicola (1380).—The Snow-Partridge.

This partridge is never seen in large numbers though it is by no means rare.

The breeding call is very similar indeed to that of the common grey partridge of

the plains, but when alarmed a single whistle is uttered.

Scolopax rusticola (1482).—The Woodcock.

Though similar cases have I feel sure been frequently recorded, the following

note written 28th June 1914 at Kulara, a camping ground at 10,500’ elevation in

Painkhanda Malla, may still be of some interest: ‘‘ The forest here is mostly

composed of silver fir with a fairly dense undergrowth of shrubs. As I was

walking through the forest to-day a woodcock got up from a few yards off, flew

some ten yards and then began to flap its wings wildly and to scream as if some-

thing was killing it. I was completely taken in by the ruse and rushed up to where

the bird was. But when I got a few yards off it flew on another ten yards and

repeated the trick. It did this several times, and finally flew some distance

away. I went back and sat down in concealment close to where I had first seen

the bird. In about one minute she came running back through the undergrowth,

and was at once met by one of her young ones. In another minute I showed

myself and the mother flew off some 20 yards as before. I found the youngster

crouching under a log. Its quills were just emerging from their sheaths.”

During May and June woodcock may usually be seen round kharaks (cleared

camping grounds in the forest where sheep and goats are temporarily located

for grazing purposes) between 9,000’ and 11,000’ elevation. Both at dusk and

again at dawn they may be observed slowly flapping across the open spaces and

uttering at frequent intervals a bat-like squeak. In the winter they may be

found at almost any elevation from 5,000’ upwards, but owing to the steepness

of the slopes and the comparative absence of flat marshy ground woodcock are

never found in any abundance, and it has seldom been my fortune to see more

than a couple of birds during a day’s march.

Gallinago solitaria (1486).—The Himalayan Solitary Snipe.

I have shot this bird on very few occasions as they are not at all common.

In May and June, at which time they might possibly be breeding, I have twice

met with them along stony beds of streams at about 8,000’ elevation. I have

never seen or shot the wood-snipe, Gallinago nemoricola.

Phalacrocoraz carbo (1526).—The Large Cormorant.

This bird is not uncommonly seen along the Alakhnanda and its main tribu-

taries, the Mandagini and Pindar.

161

SHAKESPEARE ON.THE NOBLE ART OF HAWKING.

Lr.-Cou. C. E. Luarp.

The Hawker’s sporting toast : “‘ A health to all that shot and missed ”’.

Two classes of hawks are used for hunting, the true falcon or long-winged

hawk and the short-winged hawk : the peregrine par excellence representing the

former and the goshawk the latter. Shakespeare is always most careful never

to confound these two and everywhere his terms show a genuine and absolutely

accurate knowledge of the sport. Such accuracy disappeared when hawking

went out as a general sport, and only Chaucer, Spenser and lastly Dryden show

that they also knew well what they were writing about. The females among

hawks are usually the larger, and hence the males were called “tassels” or

*tiercels,” being about one-third less than the size of the female. The male

peregrine was called the “ tiercel-gentle ”, a compliment to his noble character,

which explains Juliet’s use of the term of her lover (R. & J. :II-ii-159). Shakes-

peare names the falcon, tercel-gentle, the estridge or goshawk, and her tercel,

and the musket. The big gerfalcon did not do well in the damp of England

and was little used. The ‘‘ musket ” was the male sparrow-hawk, and had the

least repute, especially as an “‘eyass’’* (M. W. W.: IIT-iii-22). Ignorant commen-

tators changed “‘estridge”’ into “ ostrich ’’, and made nonsense of the line ‘‘ the

dove will peck the estridge” (A. & C. ITT-ii-195) so tooin Henry IV we should

follow the folio reading

all furnished, all in arms

All plumed like estridges, that with the wind

Bated, like eagles having lately bathed

The reading ‘‘ baited’? makes nonsense; ‘‘ bated’? means

wings, fluttering.

Hawks were kept in the ‘‘ mews To ‘* mew” is to moult, (Fr. muer,

Lat. mutare). The Royal Stables in St. Martin’s Lane were built on the old

‘* Mews ” site and after them, all London stables have been called mews. Hence

the use of the word to mean shut up (T. S. I-i-87; MND: I-i-71 ; KJ: IV-ii-57 ;

R. III, 1-i-38, 131 ; R. & J: I[l-iv-11). The hawks each had a perch on a pole

where they stood “‘ weathering’. They were attached by thongs which were

fastened to flat silver rings called ‘‘ varvels ’ which were fastened to soft leather

bands on the feet called “‘ jesses ” (R. & J. : IIT-iii-261) ; when out of doors the

thong was held by the falconer.

A “falconer”’ is a man who deals with the long-winged hawk or falcon, of

which the peregrine was the finest. The man in charge of the short-winged

hawk, favoured in France, was called an “‘ astringer ” or “‘ ostringer ”’, from the

estridge or goshawk which he chiefly used (Fr. austour, autour; Lat. astur).

Thus all falcons are hawks, but not all hawks are falcons. The methods of attack

of the two birds, as Shakespeare well knew. are totally different. The falcon

attacks from high up, is used in open country and ‘‘ towering in her pride of place”

(Mae.: II-iv-12 ; Luc.: 506) “ stoops” or ‘‘ swoops’ upon her quarry, while

the short-winged hawk being used in woodlands flies after the bird, threading its

way among trees and bushes. The falcon is recovered by the lure, the goshawk

returns to his master’s wrist just as in nature he would to his perch on a bush.

The peregrine was held the hawk of an earl, the goshawk of a yeoman, and

French falconers even now distinguish the two arts as “ fauconnerie ” and

‘* autouserie ”’. The French were expert at the use of the small hawk, and were

rather looked down on by English professors (Ham: IT-iii-58), for flying at every

thing, but Tubervile, the old writer on hawking, always quotes them in reference

to short-winged hawks. Hence the appropriateness of introducing ‘“‘ a gentle

astringer ”’ into the French court (Alls Well : V-i-7) changed by some commenta-

tors into ‘‘ a gentle stranger ” ; in this case he is a man of gentle blood and as

such a favourite at court.

beating their

. 99

dawk clasee *

Tiercels.

Note.—The Ox-

ford Diction-

ary has gone

wrong here

calling t he

young and

female of a

goshawk a

‘faicon gen-

tel.”

Eyass.

Bate.

Mews.

Weather)

Varvels.

Jesses,

Falconer”

Astringer.

Tower

of place.

Lure.

Classes

hawks.

Astringer.

hiais, a

nestling-fool-

ish young thing

pride

using

Training,

“Haggard.”

Checking,

Hoods,

Bate.

Treatment of

hawks.

Other raptores.

Imp.

Weather for

hawking,

Starving,

Cadge.

Knave,

Making a

point—pitch,

Pride of place

towering.

162 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

Falcons were trained by two methods, either, that is, by taking a nestling or

** eyass ” (Fr. niais) or a full grown bird in its first mature plumage. The latter

makes the keenest hunter, as she has already been taughtin nature’s school in

which hunger is mistress, while the other, brought up by hand, has no such

knowledge. Moreover, the eyass, though quite tame, is more difficult to train,

and is querulous like a small child (Ham: IT-ii-362), and indeed Baert (1619), the

writer on training hawks, says,‘‘ he that meddleth with an eyass will spend his

time to no purpose ’’. So you should prefer to train a “‘ haggard ” or wild hawk,

that is a hawk after its first moult ; but sometimes she remains haggard (Oth:

TIT-iii-260), she is wayward and is always “‘ checking ” or going after some fresh

quarry (T. N., I[-v-72 ; Ham. : IV-vii-62); such ‘‘ proud disdainful birds ’’ are

hard to reclaim (T. S. : IV-ii-39). To tame a haggard it must be starved of food

and rest, being watched and kept awake (M. W. W.: V-v-109 ; Oth. : ITI-iii-22);

and also constantly handled (V. & A. : 560). But the haggard, so hard to deal

with (Much Ado. : IIT-i-35) is when once tamed far more affectionate than the

eyass and more constant (ibid, 109).

The falcon must be taken out hooded, as she remembers the past and gets

excited, while the eyass with no recollections of wild life needs no hood. If not

hooded, the tamed haggard will “‘ bate’ (Fr. se battre) or flutter and beat its

wings in eagerness (T. S.: IV-i-99 ; 1 Hen. IV-iiv-99, where read ‘“ bated ”’

with folio and not ‘“‘ baited’; R. & J. : III-ii-10 ; Hen. V, ITI-vii-121).

The kite or ‘‘ puttock ”’ was despised (T. 8. : IV-i-198 ; R. III, 1-i-133 ; Cymb :

J-i-140). Petruchio (a Gloucestershire gentleman masquerading as an Italian)

gives us a regular resumé of the proper treatment of hawks (T. 8. : IV-i-191 to

214). Fletcher who wrote: “‘ The Woman’s Prize’ as a sequel to this play carries

on the simile in a passage spoken by one of the female characters, Maria, who

is not unnaturally answered, “‘ You are learned, sister ”’.

In the same category as kites came kestrils (Cym. : I-i-140) which though long-

winged are hopeless cowards) buzzards (Rich. III-I-i-132) and hen-harriers :

for these Shakespeare had the true falconer’s contempt (T. 8.: IV-i-198). The

kestril is also called the “ staniel ”’, (T. N. I-iii-43 ; [I-v-126) or “* coystril.”’

The eyes of newly caught haggard falcons were “‘ seeled”’, that is closed by

a silken thread drawn through the eyelids (Oth. : 1-iii-271 ; IIT-iii-210). The

bird so blinded struts about in a comic way (A. & C.: III-xi-112) to the amuse-

ment of those looking on. Occasionally a hawk loses feathers, these, if wing

feathers, must be replaced, hence they were replaced by “‘ imping.” The stump

of the broken feather being rejoined to the old upper part or to a new feather,

of which a large stock was kept, by inserting a thin flexible iron wire into the

piths ; this was dipped in brine to make it rust, the rust forming an adhesive

(T. & Cr. Il, Il-i-292). To restrain a wild hawk, feathers were removed (J. C.

]-i-77).

A clear day, not too hot, and above all without a strong wind (2 Hen, VI,

II-i-3) in which a hawk may be lost, must: be chosen for the sport unless you wish

to get rid of a useless haggard (Oth. : IIT-iii-262). The hawk must be starved

on this day or he will not hunt (1 Hen. VI, I-ii-38, V. & A. 55; Luc. 694)

The hawks were brought out on a frame called a “ cadge”’, carried by the

“ cadger ’’, whose lowly occupation has led to his being classed with a “‘ knave ”’

(a menial servant Ger. knabe). We may suppose a flight made for a partridge.

This was done with a dog. The spaniel ‘“‘ Troilus ’’, some favourite, may be of

Shakespeare (T. S.: IV-i-152), is called up and sets at a covey. The hawk is

then set free and soars up in circles until she has made her point and reached her

full “pitch ” (1 Hen. VI, II-iv-11 ; 2 Hen. VI, IT-i-6; J. C. 1-i-87 and figuratively

Rich II, I-i-109 ; T. A. II-i-14; R. & J. I-iv-28 ; J. C. 8-i-78 ;.Son—Ixxxvi ; and

as to height in general, T. N. I-i-82 ; 1 Hen. VI, L-iii-55 ; Rich. III, II-i-vii-188 ;

Son: vii). Thus soaring (Mac. Il-iv-12 ; Luc. 506) she reaches ‘“‘ her pride of

place” and there waits or “‘towers’’. The dog is now set on and off go the birds,

SHAKESPEARE ON THE NOBLE ART OF HAWKING. 163

the hawk at once selecting its bird and stooping (T. 8. IV-i-194) or swooping

(Mac. IV-iii-219) *‘ foots ” the quarry (Cym.: V-iv-116) and “‘ souses”’ it, that is,

seizes it with her talons (K. J. V. ii-150) and starts to “ tire ” on it or devour it

(3 Hen. VI, I-i-268 ; Tof A, TII-vi-5 ; V. & A. 55 ; Luc. 417) so as to “ disedge”’

its appetite (Cym. : IIT-iv-96: Ric. II, I-iii-296 ; Ham. III-ii-264). If the dog

is let go too soon to rouse the birds, before the falcon has reached her pitch, she

may miss (2 Hen. VI, II-i-44) and must be recalled (T. 8. [V-i-42 ; Ham. I-v-115)

or lured back (R. J. I-ii-159). The lure was a sham bird made with pigeon’s

wings to which a piece of meat, the “‘ train ’’, was attached (Mac. IV-iii-117, and

hence “to train’ in C. of E. III-ii-45; K.J. II-iv-175 ; 1 Hen. IV, V-ii-21;

1 Hen. VI, IJ-iii-35 ; TA. V-i-104).

The falcon had bells on her feet which assisted in cowing (3 Hen. VI, I-i-45 ;

Luce. 510) or ‘‘ enmewing ” the birds (M. for M. III-i-89). They also indicated

where she was (Alls-Well, III-iii-80). This sport took place in open country over

the fields or “ acres ” (1 Hen. IV, I-i-125) divided up by ‘‘ balks ” or heaped up

mounds (1 Hen. IV, I-i-69).

The stoop of a falcon is done in one rush full of confidence (Ric. II, I-iii-67 ;

V. & A. 1027). While the falcon or female is required for all bigger and more

difficult game, the tercel can be used on duck (T. & C. IIT-ii-55).

The short-winged hawks are used as noted above for woodland work, they

start from the hand and return to it. Instead of swooping they follow the bird

in a stern chase, lurching from tree to tree and then, on sighting the game, shoot

forward, whence the term ‘“‘ musket” passed on to a gun, being applied to

early fowling pieces.

In hawking a ‘‘ hawking eye ”’ is useful (Alls-Well, I-i-105) ; to “ tell a hawk

from a handshaw (heron) ”’, no easy thing when the hawks are attacking and the

birds are between you and the sun (Ham. II-ii-397) ; a common trick with herons

it seems, as anold French writer says, he purposely flies thus (pour se couvrier

de la clarte).

Reverting to the mistakes often made in dealing with hawking. Scott makes

goshawks soar, and his falcons are males (see the Abbot, Ivanhoe, Rob Roy)

Tennyson and Morris in their poem on this bird make it a male. As regards the

Bacon-Shakespeare myth, from Bacon’s writings his attitude to such sports is

that of his relative Burleigh of whom Fuller recounts that when taken out and

kept standing during a check he exclaimed ‘‘What call you this °°—‘‘Oh now the

dogs are at fault ’°—‘* Yea take me again in such a fault and I’ll give you leave

to punish me.”

A hawk had to be purged of his ‘‘ ensayne ” or grease (Ham. III-iv-92) for

this he was given a mixture of fur and feathers which acted as an emetic or purge,

called “‘ castings ’’ (MWW, III-i-91). A hawk was sometimes rolled up in a

cloth to keep it from struggling, ‘‘ mailed” as it was called (2 Hen. VI, I-iv-q 1).

Small indurated knobs which appearon hawk feet are called “* gouts ”, but

this does not seem to be the use in Macbeth (II-i-45). Other terms are “‘ to hold

a wing ”’ (1 Hen. IV-iii-29), in Lear “‘ Oh well flown bird ” (IV-vi-32) and to the

waste of time in hunting snipe with hawks (Oth. I-iii-9) Merlins and Hobbies

were flown at lesser birds. On the Hobby’s approach the birds are scared or

‘dared ” and sit still till the fowler catches them. In the absence of a Hobby

a piece of red cloth or a mirror was used to secure them (Hen. VIII, II-ii-279).

_ Irish goshawks were famous, especially from Tyrone, whence the saying ‘‘ Tyrone

among the bushes ”’, and Master Ford had a “‘fine hawk for the bush” (MWW,

IIT -iii-245).

Note also ‘‘ croucheth”’ (Inc: 506) that is makes them cower down:

** prune ” (Cym: V. iv-118) meaning preen ; ‘‘dis-edge,” mentioned above is of

course to take the edge of one’s appetite; and ‘‘ cloys’’(Cym V. iv-118) that

is cleys or, 7.e., claws at or cleans his beak on his foot.

Toot. :

Souse & tire.

Lure train,

Bells enmew.

Stoop,

Musket.

Grease.

Castings.

Mailed,

Gouts.

164. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

The hawks belong to the ornithological Family of Falconide which includes

the Caracaras, Long-legged hawks, Buzzards, Bearded Vultures, Eagles and

Falcons. The falcons are characterized by the strong short bill, suddenly curved

from the base, with a tooth like process on each side. Among them are the Ger

or Jer falcon (Hierofalco), much the largest, the Peregrine (Falco peregrinus),

the Indian variety of it, the ‘‘ Shahin ” (F. peregrinator), the Merlin (fF. esalon)

and Hobby (F. buteo), also the red-headed Merlin (42. chiquera). —

The short-winged hawks such as the Goshawk (Astur palumbarius), Sparrow

hawk (Accipter nisus) belong to the Sub-family of Buteconine, short-winged

and short-tailed generally. The Hen harriers (Circus) belong to this group.

The foregoing paper was not originally written for publication, but for a

young ornithologist. Itis drawn mainly from that delightful but too little

known book ‘“‘ The Diary of William Silence” by Professor Madden. If this

note leads to its being better known, bird and Shakespeare lovers will alike be

grateful, and these few lines will have not leen made public in vain. All

references are to the “‘ Oxford Shakespeare.”

165

MYRIAPODS FROM MESOPOTAMIA AND PERSIA,

CoLLECTED BY Mr. P. A. BUXTON

H. W. BroLeMann, Pav, FRANCE.

(With two plates.)

The material collected by Mr. P. A. Buxton, though limited to a few specimens,

is far from being void of interest.

A new Lithobiid has had to be inscribed to the Persian fauna. The redis-

covery of Humbert and Saussure’s Strongylosoma persicum offered good oppor-

tunity for describing the sexual characters of the female, which were still un-

known ; such a type of vulva has not been observed before. The capture of a

species of the genus Polyxenus, most likely to be P. ponticus, afforded the possi-

bility of making up for the blanks of Lignau’s diagnosis.

For the favor granted in enabling him to put on records such valuable speci-

mens, the author wishes to express his sincerest thanks to Mr. Buxton.

MESOPOTAMIA.

PACHYMERIUM FERRUGINEUM (C. Koch, 1835).

Two female specimens with 55 pair of legs, from Amara; XII, 1917.

LiTHOBIUS ? AERUGINOSUS L. Koch, 1862. .

Length 10,50 mill. ; breadth 1,30 mill.

Tergites 9, 11, and 13 with rounded angles. Antenne 20-jointed. Ocelli

1+3 in a single irregular row. Coxosternal teeth of maxillipedes 2+-2 and

strong lateral spines.

Tarsi 1 to 13 single-jointed. Coxal pores: 2, 2, 2,2. Spinal armature of legs

; 0-9. p. &@ + 4% . , occasionally p is to be seen

Ist pair BAOS 6) aD, oR «1 ) Tin); jaorally on the 4th joint.

0. 0. oh Sas be By hs tart Os. 0% 5 ‘ =

Sad pare P eeu ie 29 Be? SR

pO) Mp.) am. m= oe, GO. - Fei mp \ amis. am.

ke 0.0 pap ap

pee pale 0:0,” mip. am‘. om.

Aes vate 0. 0. p- ap. a p.

0.0. mp. amp. am

0. 0.

5th pair soe

@.°O./4) mp: (ard, .* am,

6th & 7th pair 0. 0. pa Pp. ap ee Se a

0.0. mp. am. am OS Oo) Mp GM « ANI:

bs pair 0. 0. amp. p. a 6p 2 am. 8 Pe 8.

0.0. mp. am. am 0.0... TAP. , am, . | ana’.

0. 0. amp. pS Bop:

9th & 10th pair

0. 0. mpi am. am.

Hit pat oO. 0. amp. p. Pp.

o. 0. mp. amp. am,

oO. O. amp. (4 i

12th & 13th pair Pe ee

6.0. anip. iam. “nm.

Lear hae 0. 0. amp. p- Pp.

0. I, [anip) ant... a

15th, pais oO. 0. amp. pre

o.m. amp. am. a.

An additional dorsal p exists on the 4th joint of legs of 2nd, 6th and 9th pair,

but on one side only. No sexual structure on the last two pairs of legs, the last

being somewhat swollen (vet not as much asin L. crassipes) and bearing a

single claw.

166 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

Female unknown. A single male specimen from Amara; XII, 1917.

The palearctic members of the same group of Lithobius having rounded angles

of tergites 9, 11 and 13, ocelli few disposed in rows, and the anal legs without

coxolateral spine, without sexual structure and with a single claw, are: crassipes

L. K., q@ruginosus L. K., fallax Mural., ignotus Mural., and (possibly ?)

argensis Att. With none of them does the above specimen agree entirely,

and nothing is known of the legs of argensis. Therefore, rather than create a

new name for a single specimen, it is deemed wiser to ascribe it to the nearest

related form, L. eruginosus, in spite of the difference noticed in the spinal

armature of the hind legs.

STRONGYLOSOMA PERSICUM Humbert & Saussure, 1869.

The sterno-pleural suture is a curved ridge sharpened on the second segment

and gradually rounded backwards ; it disappears after the 10th segment. ‘The

dorsal furrow of the lateral keels is straight on the non- poriferous segments and

sinuate on the others.

The vulvar aperture of the 3rd segment is very wide, rounded laterally ; the

posterior margin is almost straight and moderately erected. Sternum of the

second pair of legs poorly developed, very low and not as wide as the lateral

expansions of the coxe. The posterior surface of the latter is hollowed at the

base so as to cause the distal half to appear swollen.

Vulvar invaginations shallow, scarcely deep enough to conceal the vulve

and hardly distinct from one another. When at rest the vulve have the oper-

culum (') turned upwards and the ridge outwards, the posterior end of the

mound filling the aperture of the 3rd segment. Vulve (fig, 1 and 2) not much

longer than deep. Operculum smaller than the mound, excised apically ; the

distal angles are produced and bear a particularly long and thick macrocheta

pointing backwards. Mound with its posterior end abruptly truncate. Outer

valve shorter and higher than the inner, the latter being much lower than

jong. The valves are not fused posteriorly but the upper angles are produced

internally into hooks, the concavities of which face each other. Surface

of the valves with few and rather short sctz; no macrochete. The apodema

is sinuous, it shows no superficial ornaments (as seen in Polydesmus) and seems

destitute of internal appendages. No trace of a shield could be noticed.

(‘) The description of vulve having so far been entirely neglected and no English

terms having been applied to the different parts of these organs, it is pro-

posed to use , provisionally the following :—

operculum == (Vopercule) the smallest, plate-like part ‘of the vulva, theo-

retically considered to be anterior ;

mound =(la bourse) the largest and theoretically the posterior part,

the anterior truncate surface of which is covered by the

operculum ;

valves =(les valves) inner and outer chitinized slopes of the mound

bearing sete and often macrochete ;

ridge =(le cimier) apical space left between the valves, beginning

immediately behind the anterior troncature and extending

more or less backwards ;

apodema =(lapodéme) gutter-shaped chitinous thickening extending

longitudinally below the ridge and communicating with

the latter by means of a

slit =(la fente de l’apodéme) ;

diverticula =(les diverticules apodématiques) differently shaped append-

ages of the apodematic gutter, erroneously considered as

glands by some authors ;

The operculum articulates with the mound by means of

hinges. =(les fourches) ;

chield =(le gorgerin) accessory posterior plate which is often missing

and is eventually replaced by some expansion of the valves.

The French terms are those used by Brolemann and Lichtenstein, ‘“‘ Les

vulves des Diplopodes,” Arch. Zool. exper. gen., LVIII, 4, 1919.

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- MESOPOTAMIAN AND PERSIAN MYRIAPODS, 167:

A sketch of the male gonapods (fig. 3) is added to show the development of

the secondary ramus. Attems states that this ramus is formed of two laminz,

a fact which could not be ascertained.

Amara; XII, 1917; 2, I, 1918, “under fallen palm branches” ; III, 1918.

PERSIA.

PACHYMERIUM cCaAuCcasicuM Attems, 1903.

One male specimen with 47 ee of legs.

Resht ; IJ, 1919.

LITHOBIUS BUXTONI, nl. sp.

d: length about 10 mill.

Colour drab. Head-plate with black margins and a black median spot. Main

tergites with black lateral and posterior edges and a black dorso-median line.

Mouth-pieces and_ ventral surface pale yellow. Anterior legs pale becoming

gradually fuscate backwards and from the apex towards the base, the last legs

being entirely dark coloured.

The cephalic plate as well as the anterior main tergites have their marginal

pad entire; this is interrupted mesially on the 7th tergite only. Posterior

margin of the 8th, 10th and 15th tergites scarcely or feebly emarginate ; poste-

rior margin of the 12th and 14th tergites decidedly excised, the posterior angles

being acute and somewhat raised. Tergites 9, 11 and 13 with moderately

produced, but sharp angles. Surface of all the tergites strongly rugose and

showing oblique, irregular longitudinal furrows.

Ocelli few, 1++3, 2, 2. Antennz long, 37-40 jointed.

Coxosternum of maxillipedes with the produced anterior margin armed with

2+2 small teeth; no deere! spines could be detected,.

Coxal pores 3, 2, 2, 2, small, rounded.

Spine armature of legs of

0. 0. : ;

Ist pair eal Mid co

.0. O Og ales an:

itt paie 0.074 Mp. a Pp a «

G0-4 irra oy 3 Ta

et pais OOF \ TPs. 2 Pi ap.

6s Och) 9 Ms arte. ~ STS

Sth tpair 0. 0. ponip.- spas Pp

OGe sites genie. 2 oT:

4 ~ On70re SMP Se Ps. a PB or ) With an occasional p below

oreee tase pat oo m. am.am. ™ |the 4th joint on P. 10.

12th pair eee eae ee PR

oo mp. am. am

: Oo. 0. amp. @ Pp. @ P- ¢ accidentally a dorsal m is

sou pair om. amp. am am ae on the 4th joint.

oO. 0. amp. a p. a Pp.

om. amp. am. m.

0. Oo. amp. Lil Oey eo Ob ys. GRIDS) Oba iirs

15th pair ease eee Ps i ee ee eS

om. amp. am. m. oO.m. amp. amp. m.

15th pair without coxolateral spine ; claw double. No special sexual structure

on 14th or 15th pair.

The female is unknown.

Resht : IT, 1919.

168 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII,

This new species is to be distinguished from L. melanops, Newpt., apparently

its nearest relative, by its rugose tergites and by the spinal armature of the legs.

The only Lithobius so far recorded from Persia is L. persicus Pocock, 1899, from.

Seir. The possibility of identifying the above described specimen with Pocock’s

species is excluded considering that the latter has only the 13th dorsal plate

angularly produced, that the anal leg is armed with O. 3. 3. 1 spines below, with

a single apical claw and with a coxolateral spine, and that the legs of the two

last pairs are sulcate above in the male.

CHORDEUMOIDEA, sp.

One female specimen from Resht; II, 1919.

TULOIDEA, sp.

One immature specimen from Resht; II, 1919.

POLYXENUS PoNnTICUS (Lignau, 1903) nob.

Length (without the anal bunch) 8, 50 to 9 mill. Breadth of the 7th segment

(including pleurz) about 0.95 mill.

In most of the morphological details the Persian specimens are identical

with P. lagurus Latr. The sense cones of the palpi are single-jointed. Ocelli

six. Sense calicles of the head disposed in a triangle as in the western species.

Also the anal bunches are located alike. .

Ae CE EC ert ee

Fig 5 --Polyxenus lagurus, Latr. :

A to E, sete corresponding to those represented in fig. 4; F, not

observed in ponticus.

‘qou (uvusr}) S9OLINOd SQNYXATOd ‘SA °H MAOISYAd VNOSOTAYONOUIS

*y OMT "g “S17

Sr, Soa,

‘SAdOdVIUAW NVISUHd ANV NVIAVLOdGOSHN

3SIH "}°N Aequiog “usnopr

‘20S

Il 93%ild

MESOPOTAMIAN AND PERSIAN MYRIAPODS. 169

Yet the sete are differently shaped. Generally speaking they are more

slender and longer in ponticus than in lagurus ; fig. 4 and 5 show the differences

in the corresponding sets of the head (A and B), of the dorsal rows of the ter-

gites (C and D) and of the pleural plumes (E). Quite striking are the set of

the posterior marginal row of the tergites; these are blade-like, with parallel

margins, and are neatly arranged side by side in a single line. The sete of

the anterior-marginal rows of the tergites are comparatively shorter and more

numerous, The hooked trichomes of the anal bunches are much (almost one

half) shorter than the central brush-like setz; they show two to five apical

lobes, as in lagurus ; the five-lobed trichomes appear to be less numerous than

the fewer-lobed ones, the contrary being witnessed in lagurus.

Enzeli (N. W. Persia); VI, 1919.

Whether this is Lignau’s true ponticus has still to be ascertained. The Rus-

~ sian author (Die Myriopoden der Pontus-Kiisten von Caucasus. Odessa,

1903, p. 131 of the German summary) only announces the description to appear

in a later work and states that the new species is to be known from lagurus

through the structure of the antennz, the setz of the anal bunch and other

particulars (?). Although no difference could be detected in the antenne

(the proportions of which are similar to those indicated by Latzel), it may be

assumed that the Persian specimens are specifically similar to those of the Cau-

casus considering the vicinity of the localities.

EXPLANATION OF PLATES.

Fig. 1.—Strongylosoma persicum, H. & S.

The left vulva from above. o=operculum ; F=hinges ;

ev, tv=outer and inner valve ; c=ridge

erated. Fig. 2—Strongylosoma persicum, H. & S.

The left vulva from without. Same lettering as fig.

l 1, plus: ov= oviduct.

{ Fig. 3—Strongylosoma persicum, H. & S.

Male copulatory leg.

Fig. 4—Polyxenus ponticus (Lign.) nob.

. Differently shaped sete: A and B, from the head; C,

sees from the anterior-marginal rows of the tergites ;

D, from the posterior-marginal row of same; E,

from the pleural plumes; F and G, from unascer-

L tained parts of the body and not observed in lagurus.

170

MOTHS OF MESPOTAMIA AND. N: W. PERSEA.

VARIOUS AUTHORS.

Note.—Throughout this series of papers the following abbreviations are used

for the collectors’ names and initials :—

B. T.—Major R. Brewitt-Taylor, R.A.M.C.; P. A. B.—Capt. P. A. Buxton,

R.A.M.C.; Br.—Major T. D. Broughton, R.E.; C.—Lt.-Col. F. P. Connor: W. 2.

E.—Capt. W. E. Evans, R.A.M.C.; LZ. H.—Capt, L. Harrison; H. D. P.—

Lt.-Col. H. D. Peile, I.M.S.

[The specimens taken by Col. Connor and Major Broughton are in the

B. N.H.S. Museum. No map is published, because all the localities mentioned

will be found on the maps which accompany Major R. E. Cheesman’s paper on

the Mammalia of Mesopotamia and Dr. P, A. Buxton’s paper on the Birds of

N. W. Persia |

Part I.

NOCTUIDA, LEMONIIDA AND PYRALID2.

Lorp RoruscHiILp, F.R.S.

I have been asked to contribute the portion dealing with the above 3 families

to this list of Mesopotamian and Western Persian Lepidoptera. As in the other

portions of the paper the captors’ names are indicated by initials.

The nature of the lepidopterous fauna as indicated by the insects of the above

3 groups is decidedly Central Asian in character, though appertaining to the

general desert fauna. As was to be expected, however, a few purely tropical

forms are present. These are specially the 2 Noctuids Hrebus macrops, Linn and

Hylodes caranea; Guen. All the types except that of Lemonia peilei are in the

Tring Museum,

NOoctTuIp®.

Agrotine.

1. Chloridea peltigera, Schiff.

3, Mirjana, Dyala River, November, 1 Jebel Hamrin, June 1918, H. D. P.;

13, Amara, Mesopotamia, July 1916, B. T. : 1, Amara, May 1918, P. A. B.

2. Chloridea nubigera, Herr.—Sch.

1, Amara, Mesopotamia, November 1918, P. A. B.; 1, Mirjana, Dyala

River, June 1918, H. D. P.

3. Euzxoa lata golicket, Ersch.

13, Amara, Mesopotamia, November 1918, P. A. B.; 1 2, Mirjana, Dyala

River, October 1918, H. D. P.

Sir George Hampson and many other writers have erroneously placed lata,

Treits and golickei, Ersch, as varieties of crassa, Hbn., but the much longer and

differently arranged pectinations of the antenne of the two latter forms at

once separate them from crassa. The 3 forms hitherto united under crassa

must therefore stand as Huxoa crassa. Hbn.; Euxoa lata lata, Treibs. and Huzxoa

lata golickei, Ersch.

4. Huxoa lasserrei, Oberth.

1 3, Khaniqin, Mesopotamia, November 1918, P. A. B.

5. Huxoa messaonda matritensis, Vasq.

1 Q, Baiji, River Tigris, November 1919, H. D. P.

6. Huxoa segetum, Schiff.

1 2, Mirjana, Mesopotamia, December 1918, H. D. P.

7. Huxoa spinifera, Hiibn.

MOTHS OF MESOPOTAMIA AND N. W. PERSIA, 171

2 g66, 1 2, Amara, Mesopotamia, May-August 1918, P. A. B.; 5—

Amara, August 1916, B. T.; 1 Q, Kut, April 1918, Br.

Ta. Euxoa cognita, Shdgr.

1 2, Qazvin, September 1919, P. A. B.

7b. Euxoa mustelina terminalis, Subsp. nov.

3 Distinguished from m. mustelina and m. centralis by the dark almost

black subterminal area of the forewings.

Habitat Qazvin, September 1919, 1 ¢, P. A. B.

8. Euxoa conspicua, Hbn.

13, Enzeli, Caspian, N. W. Persia, June 1919, P. A. B.

9. Agrotis ipsilon, Hufn.

1, Amara, Mesopotamia, September 1916, B. T.; 1 ¢, Kut, May 1918, Br.

10. Agrotis comes, Hbn.

1 2, Enzeli, Caspian (Gilan), N. W. Persia, June 1919, P. A. B.

11. Agrotis pronuba, Linn.

3, Qizil Robat, Mesopotamia, March-April 1918, H. D. P.

12. Lycophotia margaritosa, Haw.

1 3, Resht, N. W. Persia, February 1919, P. A. B.

Hadenine.

13. Discestra arenaria, Hmpsn.

1 ¢, Amara, Mesopotamia, May 1918, P. A. B.

14. Scotogramma tripolii, Roth.

2. Amara, Mesopotamia, September 1916, B. T.

14a. Scotogramma chimera, Rothock. 1 92, Baghdad, October 1917,

P. A. B. (2nd known specimen.)

15. Cardepia taylori, sp. nov.

3, similar to irrisor, Ersch., but larger and darker.

Antenne brown; head and thorax greyish wood brown, not pale mouse grey

abdomen wood grey, not buftish wood grey. Forewing dark brown grey, strongly

variegated with blue-grey and cinnamon brown. Orbicular much larger than

in irrisor, reniform more sharply defined and stained with black on lower por-

tion, claviform very large and intense brown black ; submarginal line much

deeper dentate and angulate ; fringe brown, not white, and with a row of large

dark brown patches. Hindwing basal } less white, outer half sooty black ;

fringe white. Length of forewing 18mm. Expanse 41 mm. 1 ¢, Amara,

Mesopotamia, October 1916, B. T.

16. WSideridis vitellina, Hiibn.

1 °, Baku, Caspian, May 1919, P. A. B.

17. Cirphis loreyi, Dup.

1 $,1 2, Amara, May-July 1918; 1 3, Kumait, River Tigris, November

1917, P. A. B.; Amara May-August 1916, B.T.; 2 2 2, Kut, May 1918, Br.

and B. N. H. 8.

18. Cirphis zee indistincta, Christ.

1 9, Basra, August; 1 ¢, Amara, October 1918, P. A. B.; 2, Amara,

August 1916, B. T.

19. Cirphis corrugata, Hmpsn.

1 2, Amara, July 1918, P. A. B.; 1, Amara, July 1916, B. T.

Cuculliane.

20. Cucullia tanaceti, Schiff. and Den.

1 Q, Enzeli, Caspian, June 1919, P. A. B.

21. Cleophana betica diluta, Rothsch.

3 63, Mirjana, Dyala River, February 1919, H. D. P.

22. Metopoceras omar caspica, Alph.

1 og, Amara. April 1918, P. A. B.

172 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Zenobiinee (Achronyctine, Auct.)

23. Cranioptora pontica, Stdgr.

1 2, Qazvin 4,000 feet, July 1919, P. A. B.

24. Prodenia litura, Fabr.

235 dg, Amara, November 1917 and June 1918; 1, Basra, August 1918,

1 2, Qurnah, May 1918, P. A. B.; 4, Basra, May-June ; 4, Amara, August

1916, BT.

25. Spodoptera abyssinia, Guen.

1, Basra, May 16; Amara, June-September 1916. B. T.; 1 9 Basra, August

1918, P. A. B.

26. Laphygma exigua, Hiibn.

1 3,8 2 2, Amara, May-September ; 1 ¢,2 2 9, Qurnah, May 1918,

P. A. B.; 5, Amara, August 1916, B. T.

27. Athetis clavipalpis, Scop.

1 2 Kumait, November 1917, B. A. B.

28. Athetis pertinax, Stdgr.

1 g, Amara, April 1918, P. A. B.

29. Catamecia buxtoni, sp. nov.

3 Q closely allied to deceptrix, Stdgr., but at once distinguished by the

postmedian band of forewing being much less strongly and not so evenly curv-

ed, also this band is not so strongly nor so regularly dentate as in deceptrix. The

black streak from the base of forewing is much stronger and more bent than in

deceptriz and the reniform is larger and has on its basal side a large dark patch

and a similar one is basal of the orbicular which patches are absent in deceptrix ;

the subterminal band very sharp and angulated on and above vein 4. Hind-

wings white but not so pure as in deceptrix being irregularly tinged with grey.

Length of forewing: 19mm. Expanse: 42mm.

Habitat—2 3 3,19, Ali ash Shargi, November 1917 (3 Type), 16,4 29,

Kumait, November 1917, P. A. B.

30. Catamecia minima bacheri, Stdgr.

1 2, Amara, June 1918, P. A. B.

Erastriane.

31. Eublemma parva, Hiibn.

1 3,5 2 9, Amara, May—October 1918, P. A. B.

32. Hublemma uniformis, Stdgr.

3 2 2,1 6, Qazvin, July 1919, P. A. B.

32a. LErastria trabealis algira, Oberth.

1, Amara, August 1916, B. T. (ab. flavoniteus, Aust.); 1¢,62 2, Amara

April-September 1918; 1, Qazvin, July 1919, P. A. B. (2 ab. deleta, Stdgr.)

Among the 5 ¢. algira there is only one quite typical, the remaining 4 are

intermediate between ¢. algira and typical trabealis in the amount of black on

the forewings.

33. Tarache lucida lugens, Alph. :

13,19, Menjil, N. W. Persia, March 1919, P. A. B.; 16, Baghdad, Nov-

ember 1917, L. H. (B. N. H. S.); 7, Kizil Robat, February-May; 1, Baiji,

River Tigris, November 1919, H. D. P.

Westermanniine, Acoutneii, Auct.

34. Earias chlorophyllana, Standgr.

2 2 Q, Enzeli, Caspian, April 1919, P. A. B.

35. Arcyophora dentula, Led.

14, Amara, July-October 1916, B. T.

MOTHS OF MESOPOTAMIA AND N, W, PERSIA, 173

Catocaline.

35a. Mormonia mesopotamica, Kusn.

1, Karind, July 1, Kermanshah, August 1918, H. D. P.

36. Mormonia neonympha, Esp.

1, Basra, May 1916, B. T.; 1, Dyala River, June 1918; 4, Jebel Hamrin,

June 1919, H. D. P.;2 5 gd, 1 2, Kut, May-June 1918, Br. (B. N. H.S.);1 2,

Qazvin, N. W. Persia, August 1919, P. A. B.

37. Catocala elocata locata, Stdgr.

1 3, Qazvin, N. W. Persia, July 1919, P. A. B.; 1, Jebel Hamrin, June

1918, H. D. P.; Kermanshah, August 1918, H. D. P.

38. Catocala puerpera pallida, Alph.

1 3, Kermanshah, September 1918, Br. (B. N. H. 8.)

39. Erebus macrops, Linn.

1 2, Off coast of Persia, November 1917, Captain Simmonds.

40. Home arefacta, Swinh.

‘19, Amara, September 1918, P. A. B.; 20, Amara, July-October 1916, B. T.

41. Parallelia algira, Linn.

1, Basra, June, 7; Amara, August 1916, B. T.

42. Grammodes geometrica, Fabr.

1, Amara, October 1916, B. T.

43. Chalciope hyppasia, Cram.

4, Amara, August-October 1916, B. T.

44. Leucanitis picta, Christ.

1 2, Menjil, March 1919, P. A. B.

45. Clytie arenosa, Rothsch.

1 2, Amara, August 1916, B. T. ; 1 9, Kut, June 1918, Br. (B. N. H. 8.).

46. Pericyma albidentaria, Frr.

1 3, Baghdad, October 1917, 2 ¢ gd, Amara, June 1918; 1 92, Kut,

August 1918, P. A. B. ; 3, Basra, June; 22, Amara, July-August 1916, B. T.

47. Pericyma squalens, Led.

3 2 9, Amara, April, June, July 1918, P. A. B.; 34, Amara, August 1916,

io eg be

48. Contyta profesta (Christ.)

25, Amara, August 1916, B.T.; 1, Dyala River, June 1918, H. D. P.; 1,

Kut, May 1918, Br. (B. N. H. S).; 2 dd, 6 9 2, Amara, June-September;

235, 3 29, Kut, August 1918, P. A. B.; 1, Jebel Hamrin, June 1919,

oD eP,

Phylometrine (Plusiine, Auct.)

49. Syngrapha circumflexa (Linn.)

1, Mirjana, February; 1, Kizil Robat, April 1919, H. D.P.:2 3,

Amara, May 1918, P. A. B.; 1 9, Kut, May 1918, Br. (B. N. H. S.).

50. Phylometra ni, Hiibn.

1g, Amara, May 1918, P. A. B.; 2, Amara, August 1916, B.-T. These

specimens are very dark.

51. Phylometra daubei, Boisd.

1 do, Basra, August 1918, P. A. B,

52. Phylometra chalcites, Borkh.

1, Mirjana, February 1919, H. D. P.; 2, Amara, August 1916, B. T.

53. Phylometra gamma, Linn.

8 Mirjana, January-February 1919, H. D. P.

Noctuine.

54. Tarachephia hueberi, Ersch.

22 2, Amara, May 1918, P. A. B.

55. Hylodes caranea, Guen.

12, Probably Karmanshah, Br. (B. N. H. 8.)

174 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIL.

56. Pandesma anysa, Guen. ~

3d 5, Kut, May 1918. 1, Br. (B. N. H. 8); 19,19, Amara, May-June

1918; 1d, Qazvin, August 1919, P. A. B.

56a. Apopestes spectrum innotata, Warr.

7, Kermanshah, August 1918 ; 1, Kirkuk, September 1919, H. D. P.; 1 ¢,

Qazvin, July 1919, P. A. B.

57. Autophyla gracilis, Stdgr. _

12, Menjil, March 1919, P. A. B.

58. Rivula sericealis, Scop.

46d, 329, Amara, October 1917-September 1918, P. A. B. ; 19,

Amara, September 1916, B.-T. This series is very variable.

Polypogonine (Hypenine, Auct.)

59. Rhynchina eremialis, Swinh.

1g, 229, Amara, September-October 1918, P.A.B;1¢, Amara,

September 1916, B.-T.

60. Rhynchina ravalis syniocalis, Stdgr.

365, 229, Amara, March-October 1918, P. A. B.; 22 2, Amara,

August-October 1916, B.-T.

LEMONIID#.

61. Lemonia peiler, sp. nov.

3g Allied to pia, Piingl., but larger and the wings longer and narrower. An-

tenn rufous chocolate ; head, thorax, and abdomen dark testaceous buff. Fore-

wing with apex strongly produced and pointed, costal edge deeply concave, costa

and terminal edge bright yellowish buff, rest of wing pale cinnamon chocolate, a

dark brown spot in cell ringed with buff, a submarginal band slightly convex and

toothed basad primrose yellow. Hindwing cinnamon chocolate, a postmedian

band, termen and fringe yellow.

Habitat—2 3, Mirjana, Dyala River, December 1918, H. D. P.

62. Lemonia pia, Piingl.

1¢, Qazvin. October 1919, P. A. B.

PYRALID #4.

Galleriine.

63. Arenipses sabella, Hmpsn.

265, 32 9, Amara, April-June 1918, P. A. B.; 19, August 1916, B.-T.

64. Archigalleria buxtoni, sp. nov.

3, very much smaller than the 2, forewings very short and at termen very

square, giving the insect much the appearance of a Hepialus.

Antenne grey brown; palpi, head and thorax pale grey mixed with mauve

brown; abdomen dark brown grey.

Forewing pale grey powdered with brown scales; a partially broken black

patch below median in basal 2ths of wing, outer $ths of wing below subcostal

area with strong cloud-like oil brown markings occupying almost the whole disc.

of the wing, a post discal whitish dentate band beyond which are black dots; a

marginal line of black dots; a black brown patch followed by a white one with

black brown spots in it below subcostal, fringe pale grey with chain of brown

spots. Hindwing basal 4 whitish passing gradually into the sooty black brown

of remainder of wing, fringe greyish white.

@. Antenne greyish white annulated with ~ brown; head, thorax and

abdomen grey slightly sprinkled with brown. Forewing similar to ¢ but much

paler and dark spots and markings smaller. Hindwing semivitreous white, with

MOTHS OF MESOPOTAMIA AND N, W. PERSIA, 175

brown grey terminal hairline. One specimen of the 5 has all light parts of

forewings sandy buff as well as head, thorax and abdomen and 2 others have all

these parts suffused with brown.

Length of forewing: ¢, 13mm., 2, 19mm. Expanse: J, 29mm., 2 42 mm.

Habitat—3 3 3,5 2 2, Amara, June 1918, P. A. B.

65. Lamoria anella, Schiff.

2 5 do, Enzeli, May-June 1919, P. A. B.

Crambine.

66. Ommatopteryx ramburella, Dup. ;

5 6 6,3 2 2, Amara, May 1917-June 1918; 1 2 Baghdad, September

1917: 1 2, Enzeli, June 1919, P. A. B.

67. Ommatopteryx ocellea, Haw.

1 3,1 9, Amara, June 1918, P. A. B.

68. Chilo phragmitellus, Hiibn.

1 S, Enzeli, June 1919, P. A. B.

69. Chilo suppressalis, Walk.

1 2, Amara, April 1918, P. A. B,

70. Ancylolomia affinis, sp. nov. .

3. Nearest to palpella, Schiff., but at once distinguishable by the entire

absence of the silver bands on the median nervure and costo-subcostal area.

Palpi, head and thorox sandy buff: antennz strongly pectinated, shaft white

pectinatious brown black; abdomen whitish buff with broad brown bandlike

markings, aval tuft white. Forewing sandy buff with intraneural brown bands

which are dotted sparsely with minute black and silver dots; a broad silver

streak from discocellulars to submarginal band which is brown and strongly

dentate on both sides, wing from submarginal band to termen whitish with 2

brown lines, terminal line metallic. Hindwing pale brownish grey with darker

terminal line; fringe white.

9. Antenne filiform brown; head and thorax pale buff; abdomen bush

segment glistening white, rest pale buff. Forewing yellowish buff. Hindwing

white.

Length of forewing: ¢ 20 mm., 2 24 mm.

Expanse: @, 43 mm., 2, 52 mm.

Habitat—1 3 , Amara, November 1917 ; 1 2, Qazvin, Sentember 1919, P. A. B.

Sigine (Schenobiine, Auct.).

71. Scirpophaga prelata, Scop.

1 Q, Enzeli, June 1919, P. A. B.

72. Scheenobius incertellus, Walk.

13,5 2 2, Amara, June-July 1918 ; 1 9, Qurnah, May 1918, P. A. B.; 1 ¢,

1 9 =ab. minutellus, Zell; 2 2 2 =ab, brunnesceus, Moore.

I have not used the genus Topentis for prwlata as Sir George Hampson has done

because, although included in Yopentis by Hiibner ; the genus 7opentis was res-

tricted by Stephens in 1829 as=Chilo, Zincken and therefore prelata, Scop.—=

phantasmella, Hbn, is excluded, the 4 species Stephens restricts Chilo= Topentis

to, not including it.

Hypsotropine (Anerastiince, Auct.).

73. Raphimetopus ablutella, Zell.

1 2, Baghdad, October 1917; 1 9, Qazvin, July 1919, P. A. B,

74. Saluria maculivitella, Rag.

1 3, Baghdad, October 1917: 1 ¢,3 2 2, Amara, October 1917 and June

1918, .P2 ASB.

75. Saluria pulverosa, Hmpsn.

3 34,2 2 9, Baghdad, October 1917: 22 9, Azizieh, October 1917;1¢,

4 29, Amara, October 1917—~May 1918, P. A. B,

‘176 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII

Anerastiine (Phycitine, Auct.).

76. Ephestia cautella, Walk.

1 2, Basra, September 1918; 1 9, Rainn April 1918; 1 ¢, Enzeli, May

1919, P. A. B.

77. Ephestia elutella, Hiibn.

1 9, Amara, April 1918, P. A. B.

77a. Ephestia inductella, Stdgr.

2 oo, Enzeli, June 1919, P. A. B.

78. Ephestia calidella, Guen.

1°, Baghdad, September 1917; 3 ¢ 5, Amara, June-September 1918, P. A. B

79. Spermotophora hornigii, Led.

1 2, Basrah, September 1918; 1 9, Amara, September 1918 ; aii

September 1917, P. A.B. ;1 2, Amara, September 1916, B. T.

Larva found in August feeding on windfall Dates.

80. Heterographis hellenica. Stdg.

3 66,2 2 9, Amara, April-September 1918, P. A. B.

81. Heterographis subcandidatella, Rag.

73,3 29, Amara, May-July 1918, P. A. B.

82. Heterographis convexella, Led.

1 9, Amara, June 1918, P. A. B.

83. Heterographis fulvobasella, Rag.

1 9, Amara, June 1918, P. A. B.

84. Heterographis monostictella, Rag.

1 ¢, Amara, September 1918, P. A. B.

85. Heterographis microshictella, Hmpsn.

1 9, Amara, June 1918, P. A. B.

86. Heterographis pallida, Stdgr

1 ¢,1 9, Qazvin, July-August 1919, P. A. B.

87. Heterographis buxtoni, sp. nov.

@. Antenne brownish cream; head, thorax and abdomen cream colour,

Forewings cream colour. Hindwings silvery white.

Length of forewings: 10mm. Expanse: 22 mm.

Habitat—1 2, Baghdad, October 1917, P. A. B.

87a. Heterographis deserticola, Stdgr.

1d, Qazvin, September 1919, P. A. B.

88. Psorosa nucleolella, Meeschl.

1g,19, Amara, June-October 1918, P. A. B.

89. Lasiosticha hieroglyphiella, Rag.

13, Qazvin, July 1919; 1¢, Amara, June 1918, P. A. B.

90. Aphyteles ochreella, Rag.

22 9, Amara, September 1918 ; 1d, September 1919, P. A. B.

90a. Melanastia cerraticornella, Zell.

19, Amara, September 1918, P. A. B.

91. Salebria acervella, Eusch.

19, Baghdad, September 1917, P. A. B.

91a. Laodamia fusca postalbidior, subsp. nov.

Differs from f. infausta, Rag., in the much whiter hindwings.

Habitat—1 3,192, Amara, April 1918, P. A. B.

92. Auaxacia bilineela, Rag.

4d g, 62 9, Amara, June-September 1918, P. A. B.

93. .Tlithyia semirubella, Scop.

I 5.19, Amara, Aptil-Septembes 1918 ; 1, Enzeli, June 1919, P. A. B.

94. Tlithyia buatont, sp. nov.

MOTHS OF MESOPOTAMIA AND N. W. PERSIA, 177

@ Antenne grey; head and thorax silvery slate grey ; abdomen slate grey,

Forewing slate grey, an oblique antemedian white band and 2 subterminal white

lines, disc between oblique band and basal subterminal line except on costa and

in cell variegated with greyish white. Hindwing silvery grey, whiter towards

base, fringe white.

Length of forewing ; 11 mm, Expanse : 24 mm.

Habitat—1 9°, Menjil, March 1919, P. A. B.

95. Zophodia suberastriella, sp. nov.

¢ closely allied to erastriella, Rag., but much greyer, less rufous.

Differs principally in having the curved oblique black antemedian line stopping

short in cell and the postmedian line more sinuate and more strongly angled.

Length of forewing: 9mm. Expanse: 20 mm.

Habitat—Enzeli, Caspian, June 1919, 12, P. A. B.

95a. Eurhodope buxtoni, sp. nov.

3 Nearest to monogrammos, Zell, but smaller and without metallic fringe

and submarginal line. Uniform mouse grey ; fringe of forewing and marginal

lines of both wings darker.

Habitat—1 3, Amara, June 1918, P. A. B.

Length of forewing : 8 mm. Expanse: 18 mm.

Pyraline.

96. Bostra marginalis, sp. nov.

: ? Antenne black partially ringed with white; head and thorax blackish

purple brown, slightly sprinkled with clay colour; abdomen purple brown,

sprinkled with yellowish wood brown.

Forewing sooty brown black, a pale antemedian angled band, a row of pale

spots along costa, a black stigmatic patch at end of cell, a sinuate strongly

dentate greyish buff postmedian line, termino-subterminal area beyond this

line yellowish wood grey with a smoky line and terminal row of black dots in

it. Hindwings silky wood brown paler on basal half, an indistinct yellowish

median band, fringe yellowish grey, terminal line brown.

Length of forewing: 10-13 mm. Expanse : 22-23 mm.

Habitat—Amara, 19, November 1918, P. A. B.; 22 9, August-Septem-

ber 1916, B.-T. (Type).

97. Dattinia argentalis, Hmpsn.

62 9, Amara, September 1918, P. A. B.

98. Daittinia canifusalis, Hmpsn.

1d, 19, Amara, May 1918, P. A. B.; 1, Kizil Robat, March 1919,

BoD. P.

99. Dattinia simplicialis, sp. nov.

2 Antenne, head, thorax and abdomen chalk white. Forewing chaik

white, a patch running in from apex to end of cell, a spot at end of cell,

terminal line, and outer 2 of inner margin very pale buff. Hindwing silky

white with pale buff terminal line.

Length of forewing: 12 mm. Expanse: 27 mm.

Habitat—Amara, June 1918, 19, P. A. B.

There is a 2 of the species mixed up with Jeonalis, Oberth, in the British

Museum from Elkantara, Algeria.

100. Dattinia affinis, sp. nov.

Q Nearest to poliopastalis, Hmpsn., in pattern, but with shorter rounder

wings more like vulgaris, Butl.

Differs from poliopastalis in lacking all blue-grey tints, in having a snow

white not buff first abdominal segment, in the antemedian band of forewings

being much broader and straight not angled in the white markings of forewings

being much closer together, and in the quadrate brown terminal markings not

row of terminal black spots.

178 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII

Length of forewing: 10mm, Expanse: 22 mm.

Habitat—Kut, August 1918, 1 9, P. A.B.

101, Botys armenialis, Led.

1, Azizieh, October 1917; 1 2, Baghdad, October 1917; 59 2, Amara

September-October 1918, P. A, B. :

Nymphuline.

102. Nymphula nympheata latifaseata, subsp. nov.

2 Differs from n. nympheata in the bands of the hindwings being much

broader, less irregular and less excised. The colour of the dark markings in

this specimen is also much darker.

Hahitat—Enzeli, June 1919, 19, P. A. B.

Staudinger already remarked that Syrian specimens were different.

103. Nympkula nigrolinealis sordidior, subsp. nov.

3 Differs from x. nigrolinealis, Pryer, in the yellow being duller and the

yellow marginal band on hindwings less even.

Habitat—Enzeli, June 1918, 1d, P. A. B.

104. Nymphula affinialis, Gnen.

434,799, Amara, April-June 1918, P. A B.

Agroterine.

105. Sylepta ruralis, Scop.

13,39 Q, Enzeli, May-June 1919, P. A. B.

105a. Ercta ornotalis, Dup.

19, Amara, October 1917, P. A. B.

106. Hellula undalis, Fabr.

1g, Enzeli, May 1919519, Qazvin, August 1919, P. A. B.

107. Nomophila noctuella, Schiff.

1@, Enzeli, May 1219. 14, Baghdad, October 1917; 1 2, Amara, April

1918, P. A. B.; 1, Kizil Robat, February 1919; 1 Baiji, March 1920, H. D. P.

107a. Psara pallidalis, Wmpsn.

13, Enzeli, May 1919, P. A. B.

108. Lonostege sulphuralis, Hub.

1¢, Enzeli, June 1919, P. A. B.

109 Loxostege palealis anaxisalis, Walk.

1¢, Persian Talysh, July 1919, P. A, B.

110. Loxostege sticticalis, Linn. °

Ld, 19, Persian Talysh, July 1919, P. A. B.

111. Uresphiba polygonalis, Hiibn.

12, Amara, Septem’ er, 1916, B.-T.

llla. Cybolomia pentadalis, Led.

23 3, Amara, June-September 1918, P. A. B.

112. Metasia ochrifascialis, Christ.

12, Kut, August 1918, P. A. B.

12a. Metasia ossealis, Stdegr.

22 9, Amara, June 1918, P. A. B.

113. Pyrausta aurata, Scop.

192, Enzeli, June 1919, P. A. B.

114. Pyrausta cespilalis, Schiff.

23 3, Amara, March-April 1918, P. A. B.

115. Tegostoma baphialis, Stdgr.

33 5,22 2, Amara, April-September 1918 ; 12, Qazvin, July 1919, P. A.,

B.323 6,192, Amara, July-August 1916, B.-T.

116. Tegostoma paralis, Hmpsn.

12, Baghdad, September 1917; 1¢, Qazvin, July 1919, P. A. B.

MOTHS OF MESOPOTAMIA AND N, W. PERSIA. 179

117.. Noctuelia florals, Hiibn.

22 2, Amara, May-September 1918; 1d, 22 9, Baghdad, September 1917;

12, Qazvin, Juiy 1919, 12, Menjil, March 1919, P. A. B.

As the nomenclature employed may be strange to some of the readers of this

iournal I give below the 1st quotation of the name of each species :—

1. Noctua peltigera, Schiffermuller and Denis; Aukiind. Syst. Werk. Schmett.

Wier. Geg., p. 89, Class W. No. 1. (1775) (Vienna).

2. Heliothis nubigera, Herrich-Schiiffer, Syst. Bearb. Schmett. Eur., Vol. IL.,

p- 366 (1845) (Asia Minor).

3. Agrotis golickei, Erschoff, Hor. Entom. Ross, Vol. VIII., p. 316 (1871) (Tur-

kestan).

4. Luperina lasserrei, Oberthur, Etud. Entom. Fasc. VI., p. 86, pl. 11, ff. 13, 14

(1881) (Magerta, Algeria).

5. Heliophobus matritensis, Vasquez, Bol. Espan. Hist. Nat., 1905, p. 116, f. 1

(Madrid).

6. Noctwa segetum, Schiffermuller and Denis, Aukiind. Syst. Werk. Schme't Wier

Geg., pp. 81, No. 12, 252, pl. 1, ff. 3a, b (1775) (Vienna).

7. Noctua spinifera, Hiibner, Samm. Europ. Schmett.Noct., £. 389 (1808) (Europe).

7a. Agrotis cognita, Standinger, Stett. Hntom. Zeit., 1881, p. 417 (Ala Tau).

8. Noctua conspicua, Hiibner, Samml. Europ. Schmett. Noct., ff. 718-719 (1830)

(Europe).

9. Phalaena, ipsilon, Hufuagel, Berl. Mag., Vol. Ill, p. 416, No. 99 (1766

(Berlin)—Noctua suffusa, Schiffermiiller and Denis, Aukiind Syst. Werk. Schmett.

Wier. Geg., p. 80, No. 4 (1775) (Vienna.)—Noctua Ypsilon, Rottenburg, Naturf.,

Vol. IX. p. 141 No. 99 (1776) (Berlin).

In Vol. 4 of the British Museum Catalogue of Lepidoptera Phalenae Sir George

Hampson has used Rottenburg’s name of Ypsilon for this insect. He did this on

the assumption that the ‘ Wiener Verzeichuiss” appeared in 1776 in which

case the Vol. IX of the “ Naturforscher” has some weeks priority ; but the

“Wiener Verzeichuiss” like so many of the older works was first put on the

market in a few copies in 1775 under the title Ankundigungerves, &c., as an experi-

ment, and when it was found successful, the remainder of the edition was issued

in and dated 1776; therefore all names given in this work must date from 1775.

Thus suffusa, Schiff, would, at first sight, appear to be the correct name by prio-

rity ; but it is not so. Apparently Sir George Hampson has not thoroughly

studied Rottenburg and Hufnagel’s lists, but has relied too implicitly on Staud-

inger’s “Catalogue.” The fact is that Rottenburg’s list is merely a critical

survey of Hufnagel’s work and in nearly every case Rottenburg’s names _publish-

ed in 1776 must be quoted as being of Hufnagel, 1766, this latter author having

10 years priority.

10. Noctua comes, Hubner, Samml. Europ. Schmett., £. 521 (1818) (Europe)=

Noctua comes, Treitschke, Schmett. Eur., Vol. V., part I., p. 254, No. 2 (1825)

(Europe).

In Vol. 4 of the British Museum Catalogue Sir George Hampson gives priority

to Treitschke (1825) as author of the name comes over Hiibner. This he does

because nearly all through his various lepidopterological books and articles, he has

taken 1827 as the date both of Hiibner’s “Sammlung Europiischer Schmetter-

linge’ and of his “ Verzeichniss bekannter Schmettlinge”’ whereas the date of

the first part of the first edition of the “Sammlung ” is 1796 and of the 2nd edition,

1805 and parts of the “ Verzeichniss”’ appeared from 1816 to 1826,

11. Phalena pronuba, Linneus, Syst. Nat., Edit. X., p. 512, No. 87 (1758)

(Sweden). ;

12. Noctua margaritosa, Haworth, Lepid. Brit., p. 18, No. 156 (1809) (Great

Britain).

13. Discestra arenaria, Hampson, Cat. Lepid. Phal. Brit. Mus., Vol. V., p. 16,

No. 1139, pl. LX XVIII, f. 25 (1905) (Sind).

180 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATUKAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

14. Phalena trifolii, Hufnagel, Berl.'Mag., Vol. IIl., part IV., p. 398, No. 70

(1766) (Berlin)= Noctua trifolii, Rottenburg, Naturf, Vol. TX, p. 131, No. 70 (1776)

(Berlin).

Here again Sir George Hampson in Vol. 5 of the British Museum Catalogue

follows Staudinger and gives Rottenburg as author of the above name, whereas

the lst author and describer was Hufnagel.

14a, Scotogramma chimaera, Rothschild, Novit. Zool., Vol.

16. Noctua vitellina, Hiibner, Samml. Europ. Schmett., ff. 379, 589 (1803)

(Europe).

17. Noctua loreyi, Duponche', Hist. Nat. Lépid France., Vol. VII, part I, p.

No. CCCCXXVIII (1827) (Province).

18. Leucania indistincta, Christoph, Rom. Mém Lépid., Vol. III., p. 79, pl. 4,

f. 5 (1887) (Kisil-Arwat).

19. Leucania corrugata, Hampson, Faun. Brit. India Moths., Vol. Il, p. 278,

No. 1923 (1894) (Simla).

20. Noctua tanaceti, Schiffermiiller and Denis, Ankiind Syst. Werk. Schmett.

Wier. Geg., p. 73, class T., No. 5 (1775) (Vienna).

21. Cleophana boetica diluta, Rothschild, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (8) VIUII.,

p. 232, No. 2 (1911) (Bon Saada).

22. Metopoceras sacra var. caspica, Alpheraky, Tis., Vol. VIII, p. 171 (1895)

(Tekke, Caspian).

23. Acronycta pontica, Staudinger, Hor. Soc. Entom. Ross., Vol. XIV, p.

364 (1879) (Kerasdere).

24. Noctua litura, Fabricius, Syst. Entom. p. 601, No. 50 (1775) (I India

Orientalis).

25. Spodoptera abyssinia, Guenée, Hist. Nat. Ins. Spec. Gen. Lépid. Vol. V.

Noct. I., p. 154, No. 244, (1852) (Abyssinia).

26. Noctua exigna, Hiibner, Samml. Europ. Schmett. Noci., f. 362 (1803)

(Europe).

27. Phalena clavipalpis, Scopoli, Entom. Carn., p. 213, No. 526 (1763) (Car-

niolia).

28. Caradrina pertinax, Staudinger, Hor. Soc. Entom Ross., Vol. XIV, p. 387

(1879) (Kerasdere).

30. Catamecia jordana var. bacheri, Staudinger, Cat. Lépid. Palaar. Fauneng

Edit. ITI, Part I, p. 213, No. 2192a, 1901 (Dead Sea).

31. Noctua parva, Hiibner, Samml. Europ. Schmett., f. 356 (1803) (Europe).

32. Thalpochares uniformis, Staudinger, Hor. Soc. Entom. Ross., Vol. XIV.,

p-. 414 (1879) (Schahrud, Persia).

32a. Agrophilas sulphuralis var. algira, Oberthur, Htud. Entom., Fasc. VI.,

p- 90 (1881) (Bone).

33. Acontia lucida var. lugens, Alpheraky, Rom. Mem. Lépid., Vol. V., p. 182,

No. 118 (1889) (Babatagh).

34. Hari1s chlorophyllana, Staudinger, Tris, Vol. IV., p. 249 (1891) (Mardin).

35. Euxestes dentula, Lederer, Hor. Soc. Entom. Ross., Vol. VI., p. 89., pl. V.,

f. 8. (1870) (Astrabad).

35a. Catocala mesopotamica, Kusnezov, Revue Russe Entom., p. 74, No. 2680.

(1903) (Nomen novum).

36. Noctua neonymphe, Esper, Schmett., part IV., Vol. 2, p. 75, 251st sp., pl.

CXCVIII., Noct, 49, f. 1, 2 (1796) (Sarepta.)

37. Catocala elocata var. locata, Staudinger, Tris., Vol. IV., p. 327 (1891)

(Taschkend, Margelan).

38. Catocala puerpera var. pallida, Alpheraky, Mem. Lépid Roman., Vol. IIl.,

p- 406 (1887) (Lob-noor-Ak-Su).

39. Phalena macrops, Linneus, Syst. Nat., Edit. XII, Vol. III, p. 225 (1768)

(India Orientalis). :

MOTHS OF MESOPOTAMIA AND N. W, PERSIA, 181

40. Remigia arefacta, Swinhee, Proc. Zool. Soc., Lond., 1884, p. 521, No. 63

(Karachi).

41. Phalena algira, Linneus, Syst. Nat., Edit. XII, Vol. I., part I, p. 836,

No. 98 (1767) (Algeria).

42. Noctua geom2trica, Fabricius, Syst. Hntom., p. 599, No. 37 (1775) (India

Orientalis).

43. Phalena hyppasia, Cramer, Pap. Exot., Vol. ILI, part XXI., p. 99, pl.

CCL, f. E. (1779) (Coast of Coromandel).

44. Leucanitis cailino var. picta, Christoph, Hor. Soc. Entom. Ross., Vol. XIL.,

p. 257, No. 22, pl. 7, f. 28 (1877) (Krasnowodsk).

45. Clytie arenosa, Rothschild. Novit. Zool., Vol. XX., p. 128, No. 69 (1913)

(S. Oned Mya).

46. Acidalia albidentaria, Freyer, Neu. Beitr. Schmetlerlingsk., Vol. 4, part

59, p. 115, No. 597, pl. 354, f. 1 (1842) (S. Russia).

47. Pericyma squalens, Lederer, Verh. Zool.-bot. Ver. Wien., Vol. V., p. 184,

pl. 5, f. 11 (1855) (Cyprus).

48. Pericyma profesta, Christoph, Unto: Zeit. Stett., Vol. 48, p. 165 (1887)

(Askhabad).

49. sPhalena circumflexa, Linneus, Syst. Nat., Edit. XII, p. 844, No. 128

(1767) (Europe).

50. Noctua ni, Hiibner, Samml. Europ. Schmett. Noct.. £. 284 (1802) (Europe).

51. Plusia daubei, Boisduval, Gen. et. Ind. Meth. Europ. Lepid., p. 159, No.

1281 (1840) (Spain, Andalusia).

52. Noctua chalcites, Esper, Schmett., Vol. I., part IV, pl. CXLI, Noct. 62, f. 3

(ante 1792); Borhausen, Syst. Beschr. Europ. Schmett. (Naturg. Europ. Schmett.)

part 4, p. 774, No. 352 (1792) ; Esper, Vol. I., part IV., p. 447, spec. 167

(1796-1805) (Central Italy).

53. Phalena gamma, Linneus, Syst. Nat., Edit. X., p. 513, No. 91 (1758)

(Sweden).

54. Acontia hueberi, Erschoff, in Fedtschenko Voyage au Turkestan Lepid, p.

49, pl. IIL, f. 47 (1874) (Desert of Kisil-Kum).

55. Hulodes caranea, Guenée, Hist. Nat. Ins. Spec. Gen. Lepid., Vol. VIL,

Noct. III., p. 208, No. 1608 (1852) (Yova, Sylhet, &c.).

56. Pandesma eanysa, Guenée, Hist. Nat. Ins. Spec. Gen. Lepid., Vol. V1.,

Noct. II., p. 439, No. 1311 (1852) (Central India).

56a. Apopestes spectrum innotata, Warren, in Seitz Grossschmett. Erde., Vol.

3, p. 370, pl. 68b (1913) (Amaria, Syria).

57. Spintherops gracilis, Standinger, Entom. Zeit. Stett., Vol. 35, p. 95 (1874)

(Krasnosowodsk).

58. Phalena sericealis, Scopoli, Hntom. Carn., p. 242, No. 615 (1763) (Carnio-

lia).

59. Rhychina eremialis, Swinhoe, Proc. Zool. Soc., Lond., 1889, p. 417 (Hy-

drabad).

60. Hypena ravalis, var. syriacalis, Staudinger, Tris. Vol. IV., p. 335 (1891)

(Syria).

62. Lemonia pia, Pingler, Tris., Vol. XV., p. 143, No. 2, pl. 6, f. 17 (1902)

(Dead Sea).

63. Arenipses sabella, Hampson, in Mem. Lepid. Koman. Vol. VILL, p. 501,

No. 93, pl. XXIV., fig. 1 (1901) (Fao).

65. Tinea anella, Schiffermiiller and Denis, Aukiind Syst. Werk. Schmett.

Wier. Geg., p. 135, No. 30 (1775) (Vienna).

66. Crambus ramburiellus, Dupouchel, Hist. Nat. Lepid. France, Vol. 10,

Coutin, Vol. VII, p. 83, No. MCCCLXXXIL., pl. 270, f. 8. (1836) (Ajaccio).

67. Palparia ocellea, Haworth, Lepid. Brit., Part Ill, p. 486, No. 21 (1811)

(London).

182 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXV1I11,

(68. Tinea phragmitella, Hubner, Samml. Europ. Schmett., ff. 297-298 (1811)

(Europe).

69. Crambus suppressalis, Walker, List Spec. Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus., part

XXVII., p. 166, No. 108 (1863) (Shanghai).

71. Phalena prelata, Scopoli, Entom. Carn., p. 198, No. 494 (1763) (Carnialia).

72. Chila incertulas, Walker, List Spec. Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus., part X XVII,

p. 148, No. 15 (1863) (Sarawak).

73. Anerastia ablutella, Zeller, Tris. 1839, part III, col. 177, No. 4 (Sicily).

74. Saluria maculivittella, Ragonot, Ann. Soc. Entom. France., Vol. LVI.

(Ser. 6, Vol. 7), p. 258, No. 181 (1887) (Gabes ; Mt. Elder; Marghilan).

75. Poujadia pulverosa, Hampson, Faun. Brit. Ind. Moths., Vol. IV., p. 60,

p. 73, No. 27 (1863) (Ceylon).

76. Pempelia cautella, Walker, List Spec. Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus., part

XXVII, p. No. 4302 (1896) (Sind). .

77. Tinea elutella, Hiibner, Samml. Europ. Schmett, f. 163 (1796) (Europe).

77a. LEphestia inductella, Staudinger, Hor. Soc. Entom. Ross., Vol. XV., p.

229 (1880) (Amasia).

78. Ephestia calidella, Guenée, Europ. Microl. Ind. Meth., p. 82 (1845) (Islands

of Hyéres).

79. Spermatophora hornigii, Lederer, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ver. Wien., Vol. II.,

p. 133 (1852) (Vienna).

80. Myelois rhodochrella var. hellenica, Staudinger, Hor. Soc. Entom. Ross.,

Vol. VIL., p. 209, No. 597, pl. IT, f. 18 (1871) (Africa).

81. Heterographis subcandidatella, Ragonot, Ann. Soc. Entom. France., Vol.

LVI. (Ser. 6, Vol. 7), p. 249, No. 126 (1887) (Marghilan).

82. Myelois convexella. Lederer, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ver. Wien., Vol. V., p. 222,

pl. 4, £. 9 (1855) (Beirut).

83. Heterographis fulvobasella, Ragonot, Ann. Soc. Entom. France., Vol. LVI.,

(Ser. 6, Vol. 7), p. 248, No. 123 (1887) (Shatrud).

84. Heterographis monostictella, Ragonot, Ann. Soc. Entom. France., Vol. LVI.

(Ser. 6, Vol. 7), p. 249, No. 127 (1887) (Derbent).

85. Heterographis microstictella, Hampson, Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., Vol.

XV., p. 23 (1903).

86. Myelois pallida, Staudinger, Berl. Entom. Zeitschr., Vol. 14, p. 202, No.

40 (1870) (Sarepta).

87a. Myelois deserticola, Staudinger, Berl. Entom. Zeitschr., Vol. 14, p. 201,

No. 39 (1870) (Sarepta).

88. Nephopteryx nucleolella, Méschler, Berl. Entom. Zeitschr., Vol. 10, p. 147

(1866) (Sarepta).

89. Pempelia hieroglyphiella, Ragonot, Ann. Soc. Entom. France. Vol. LVI.

(Ser. 6, Vol. 7), p. 244, No. 95 (1887) (Astrabad).

90. Tephris ochreella, Ragonot, in Mem. Lepid. Roman., Vol. VII., p. 448, pl.

XIII, f. 13 (1893) (Shahrud).

90a. Nephopteryx serraticornella, Zeller. Tris., 1839, part III, col. 179 (1839)

(S. Europe).

91. Alispa acervella, Erschoff in Fedtschenko, Voy. au Turk., p. 90, No. 309,

pl. V., f. 94 (1874) (Kisil-Kum).

92. Aria bilineella, Ragonot, Ann. Soc. Entom. France, Vol. LVI. (Ser. 6,

Vol. 7), p. 235, No. 50 (1887) (Turkistan).

93. Phalena semirubella, Scopoli, Entom. Carn., p. 245, No. 623 (1763) (Car-

niolia).

97. Constantia argentalis, Hampson, Trans. Entom. Soc., Lond., 1900, p. 380,

No. 6a (Syria). °

98. Constantia canifusalis, Hampson, Trans. Entom. Soc., Lond., 1900, p. 381,

No. 7b, pl. 111, f. 16 (Algeria, &c.).

MOTHS OF MESOPOTAMIA AND N. W. PERSIA, 183

101. Cledeobia armenialis, Lederer, Ann. Soc. Entom. Belg., Vol. 13, p. 51,

No. 14, pl. 11, ff. 7, 8 (1869-1870) (Transcaucasia).

104. Nymphula affinialis, Guenée, Hist. Nat. Ins. Spec. Gen. Lépid., Vol.

VIIIL., p. 270, No. 259 (1854) (Central India).

105. Phalena ruralis, Seopoli, Entom. Carn., p. 242, No. 616 (1763) (Carniolia),

105a. Asopia ornatalis, Duponchel, Hist. Nat. Lepid. France, Vol. VIII., pt.

II., p. 207, No. MXXX., pl. 223, f. 8 (1831) (France).

106. Phalena undalis, Fabricius, Entom. Syst., Vol. IIL., part II., p. 226, No.

362 (1794) (Italy).

107. Tinea noctuella, Schiffermiiller and Denis, Ankiind. Syst. Werk. Schmett.

Wier. Geg., p. 136, No. 35 (1775) (Vienna).

107a. Pachyzanclapallidalis, Hampson, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (8) XI., p. 513,

No. 18¢ (1913) (Tenimber).

108. Pyralis sulphuralis, Hiibner, Samml. Europ Schmeitt.. ff. 166, 167 (1818)

(Europe).

109. Botys anaxisalis, Walker, List. Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus., Part XVIII. ‘fps

658, No. 194 (1859) (Shanghai).

110. Phalena sticticalis, Linneus, Fauna Suecica, Edit. IL., p. 352, No. 1354

(1761) (Sweden).

lll. Pyralis polygovalis, Hiibner, Samml. Auserl. Vog. and Schmett, p. 76,

(1793).

Illa. Botys pentadalis, Lederer, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ver. Wien., Vol. V., p. 217

(1855) (Beirut).

112. Metasia ochrifascialis, Christoph, Hor. Soc. Entom. Ross., Vol. XVII, p.

121, No. 11 (1883) (Ordubat).

112a. Metasia ossealis, Staudinger, Hor. Soc. Entom. Ross., Vol. XV., p. 182

(1880) (Asia Minor). .

113. Phalena aurata, Scopoli, Entom. Carn., p. 227, No. 565 (1763) (Carnio-

lia).

114. Pyralis cespitalis, Schiffermiiller and Denis, Ankiind, Syst. Werk. Schmett.

Wier. Geg., p. 123, No. 32 (1775) (Vienna).

115. Anthophilodes baphialis, Staudinger, Hor. Soc. Entom Ross., Vol. VII.,

p- 183, No. 503, pl. IL, f. 7 (1870) (Astrochan).

116. Tegostoma paralis, Hampson, Trans. Entom. Soc., Lond., 1900, p. 399,

No. 3a (Namangan).

117. Pyralis floralis, Hiibner, Samml. Europ. Schmett., f£. 142 (1800) (Europe).

The numbers left out of the list of first quotations are those of species and

sub-species described as new in the body of the paper.

T have enumerated 133 species and sub-species in my section consisting of 64

Noctuide, 2 Lemoniide and 67 Pyralide. There are 4 Noctuide, 1 Lemoniide

and 11 Pyralide described here for the first time, making 16 new species and sub-

species.

—

184

MOTHS OF MESOPOTAMIA AND N. W. PERSIA.

Part II.

SPHINGES & BOMBYCES.

H. T. G. WatxKrns

AND

P. A. Buxton, M.A., F.E.S., Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.

General remarks on the affinities of the Mesopotamian fauna would be out of

place in a short paper devoted to systematics. One new species and one new

sub-species are described below :

Sphingide.

1. Acherontia styx, Westw.

One, July, one. August 1916, Amara, B.-T.; one, Baghdad, 10th October 1917.

Pp. A. B.; one, 30th May 1917, Amara, B. N. H.S. Closely allied to A. atropos,

of Europe.

2. Herse convolvuli, L.

One 15th May 1918, Baghdad—* 11-30 p.m. at light. Insect settled on

plaster wall Large wall lizard advanced towards it from in front, halting about

8 inches away. Lizard attacked, biting insect on left fore wing, costa near

thorax, injuring this regien. Insect escaped after struggle, fell to ground and

was secured.

N.B.—Sphingid moths seem very liable to attack by wall lizards, as

I have witnessed this also in C. lineata and T. alecto. Owing to their size

they also made their escape in the encounters mentioned,’ W. E. Waller.

3. Deilephila nerii, L.

One, Amara, 20th November 1916, C; one, 16th November 1918, Basra, C. ;

one, 30th April 1919, bred from Basra larva, B. N. H.S.; one, 30th March

1919, Beit Na’ama, “‘ one caught, several seen,” W. E. E.

4. Celerio lineata, Fab., subsp. livornica, Esp.

One, Amara, 7th May 1918, P. A. B.; one, May 1918, Kut; Qizil Robat,

14th March to 10th April 1919, ‘the moth fairly common by day at a white-

flowered scabious ; larva found on small plantain, pupated April 21st, emerged

llth May”; moth at light 15th May, H. D. P.

5. Celerio nicwa, de Prunner.

One, Kermanshah, 1918, Br. This specimen is of the typical European race

and not of the subspecies lathyrus, Wlk., of which the type from N. India is

in the British Museum. A coloured sketch of the showy larva, and a full

description of it was sent home by Col. Peile. This larva was found on a rock

high up at Harir, N. W. Persia, 12th September 1918 ; the food-plant is spurge

(Euphorbia). ;

6. Aippotion celerio, L.

Two, Beit Na’ama, Basra, 26th March and Ist April 1919, at light, W. E. E.

7. Theretra alecto subsp. cretica, Boisd.

We have seen specimens collected in every month from March to September,

at Basra, Amara and Baghdad. Buxton found pupz at Amara, one on the

ground under a log, and another under the bark of a Zizyphus tree four feet

from the ground ; both were completely without any cocoon or earthen cell.

8. Pergesa elpenor, L.

One 27th June 1919, Enzeli, Caspian Sea, P. A. B. This specimen is of the

typical European form.

MOTHS OF MESOPOTAMIA AND N. W, PERSIA, 185

9. Laothoe kindermanni, Lederer.

One, 9, Ararat, Kurdistan, C. This specimen is of the typica

race. Two(l ¢,1 2,) 16th November 1918, Basra, C., are subsp, orbata, Gr.

which is lighter and more uniformly marked. The species is allied to L.

acellatus of Europe.

10. Macroglossa stellatarum, L.

We have examined a number of specimens collected in September, October

and November at Basra, Amara, Baghdad, Mirjana, Khaniqin, Kirkuk, and

Kermanshah and two collected in April at Beit Na’ama, near Basra, W. E. E.

“one, 18th November 1918, Mirjana, near Qizil Robat ; often comes into tents

seeking hybernation ; ibid, 27th January 1919,” H. D. P.

Hypside.

11. Callimorpha quadripunctaria, Poda (=hera, L).

13th July to 19th August 1918, Harir and Karind, W. Persia. “ In large

numbers settled on leaves of trees a few feet from the ground, easy to catch ;

August 10, abundant still but more females; 19th August nearly over,”

BD. 2.

Arctiide.

12. Utetheisa pulchella, L.

We have seen a large series collected in every month between 2nd May and

Ist November from Nasiriyeh, Amara, Baghdad, Mirjana near Qizil Robat,

Jebel Hamrin on the River Diyala, Kut, Kirkuk, and Assur. The moth is

continuously on the wing throughout this period, and Buxton took two speci-

mens freshly emerged at Amara on 23rd October. Peile found larve in dozens

at Mirjana from December to February.

13. Ocnogyna lewii, Zell.

Five males taken at light between 11th December 1918 and 7th January 1919

at Mirjana, H. D. P.: Like a small pale Arctia ; the 2 has rudimentary wings.

14. Pelosia muscerda, Hufn.

One, 31st May 1919, Enzeli, Caspian Sea, P. A. B.

15. Pelosia uniformis, sp. nov.

Lord Rothschild has been good enough to give us this description for insertion

** Female uniform wood-brown. Forewing with three obsolete darker dots on

veins 3, 4 and 7 respectively. Hindwings slightly paler. Length of forewing

10 mm. Expanse 23 mm. 1 2, Enzeli, Caspian Sea, Ist June 1919, P. A.

Buxton.” The type is in the Tring Museum.

Lasiocampide.

16. Lasiocampa grandis, Rogenh. (=salomonis, Stgr.)

One male, 30 May 1917, Amara, C. This specimen agrees with the description

and figure in Seitz’s Macrolepidoptera of the world. L. grandis is already known

from Palestine, and there appears very little doubt that this specimen belongs

to that species, but we have been unable to compare it with actual specimens.

17. Lasiocampa terreni, H. Sch.

One male, 23rd October 1919, Mosul, H.D.P. This specimen appears to be

referable to the above species but is more silvery over the whole upper

surface except the fringes, than the only specimen in the British Museum, a

male from Transcaucasia.

18. Chilena proxima, Stgr.

One male “probably from Kut”, B. N. H. S.; one male, 12 May 1918.

Baghdad, at light. (W. E. Waller).

19. Taragama siva, Lef.

First brood : male bred 27th April 1918 Amara, W. E. E. ; female. 28th April

1918, Amara, at light, P. A. B. Second brood: male, 27th September 1916,

Amara,B. T ; male on poplar tree, 4th October 1918, W. E. E.; 1 gd, 1 2, 16th

November 1918, Basra, C. The larva feeds on the common shrub (Prosopis)

-4

86 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Fol. XXVIII,

which is generally called acacia; and its colour makes it exceedingly

difficult of detection even when a number of larve are resting on a bush

which they have rendered almost leafless ; the general colour of the larva is

a warm purplish brown, and it flattens itself over the surface of the’stem in

the manner of its relative the Lappet Moth (Gastropacha) in Great Britain.

Lymantriide (Liparide).

20. Lymantria dispar, L.

2 3, 13th July 1918, Harir, W. Persia, H. D. P.

21. Ocnerogyia amanda, Stgr.

35,1 2, 28th July 1918, Ba’qubah, River Diyala, P. A. B. This moth

though almost unknown in collections is a serious pest of figs in Mesopotamia ;

it completely defoliates the trees, and has been received from various parts

of the Diyala basin and from Kerbela ; it was originally described from Mardin

in the extreme north of Mesopotamia. Notes on its ravages, life history and

structure have been published by one of us in Bull. Ent. Res. XI. p. 181—186.

(1920).

22. Ocneria signatoria, Christoph, subsp. penitens, Stgr.

1 2, Baghdad, 9th October. 11 2, Aziziyeh, River Tigris, 14th October

1917, at light, P. A. B.

23. Arctornis (Porthesia) chrysorrhaa, L.

One female, 29th June 1919, Enzeli, P. A. B.

Notodontide (Ceruride).

24, Dicranura vinula, L., subsp. intermedia, Teich.

1 2, Ararat, Kurdistan, C; 1 9, 24th September 1918, Qalat Saleh, River

Tigris, P. A. B. In the British Museum there is a female from Quetta, and

a male from Fao, very like these specimens, but there are no specimens from

Syria. This form is possibly a species distinct from D. vinula.

Zygenide.

25. Zygena dorycnii, O.

Half a dozen specimens of both sexes from Tula Rud, Persian Talish, 3-8th

July 1919. The species was fairly common flying over grass and settling on

flowers of chicory, close to the shore of the Caspian, P. A. B.

26. Procris solana, Stgr.

1 3, 30th March 1919, Menjil, valley of Sufed Rud, N. W. Persia, alt. 2,000

ft.-(PcACB.)

27. Procris micane, Frr.

1 3, 28th March 1919, Menjil. P. A. B. It is curious that the only two

“* foresters ’’ taken at the same time and place represent quite different species ;

these were the only ones seen though a special effort was made to find more.

Cosside.

28. Cossus araraticus, Teich.

1 3, 29th May 1919, Enzeli, P. A. B.

29. Holcocerus gloriosus, Stgr., subsp., mesopotamicus, n. subsp.

2 5,3 2, 28th June 1918, Kut; Br. 5 2, 30th May to 28th June 1918, Amara,

P. A.B. It appears that the Mesopotamian race of this insect is undescribed,

and as we have been able to compare the above specimens with 9 specimens

from Bokhara, the terra typica, we feel justified in describing the race as new :

it differs from the typical form in that all the spots on the forewing are enlarged

into blotches, with the exception of the spots at the base of the fringe. The

type is a female collected at Kut by Major Broughton, and has been presented

to the British Museum by the B. N. H. 8.

187

MOTHS OF MESOPOTAMIA AND N. W. PERSIA.

Parr OT,

GEOMETRID&.

Louis B. Prov.

Subfamily— Hemitheine.

1. CHLORIsSA PULMENTARIA, Guen.

Nemorva pulmentaria, Guen, Spec. Gen. Lep., TX., 349 (1858).

“Mesopotamia”, without more exact data, 192, very rubbed, apparently

referable to this species (Br.)

Staudinger records C: pulmentaria from Syria, Asia Minor, Armenia and N.

Persia, as well as a great part of Europe and Central Asia, but as the closely allied

Indian species solidaria, Guen., extends to Fao on the Persian Gulf, it is possi-

ble that some of his records, together with the present one, are really referable

to solidaria.

2. MicROLOXIA POLEMIA, Prout.

Microloxia polemia, Prout, Nov. Zool, XX VII, 300 (1920).

Kut al Amara, 3 2 9, 7-9th August 1918 (P. A. B.)

The description of this interesting new species, as also that of Lithostege buatont,

appeared in 1920. The types are in my collection. No. 1 of the “ Novitates.”

Rather broader-winged than halimaria, Chret., the markings sometimes

rather suggestive of Xenochlorodes beryllaria, Mann, the hindwing even more

fully rounded. :

Subfamily—Sterrhine.

3. SCOPULA ORNATA, Scop.

Phalena ornata, Scop., Ent. Carn., 219 (1763).

‘Enzeli, N. W. Persia, 2 ¢ ¢, Ist May and 30th June 1919 (P. A. B.)

The earlier specimen is worn, the later probably represents a second brood.

The species has not hitherto been recorded from Persia and the form may prove

racially differentiable.

4, ScopuLa NiGRoPUNCTATA, Hufn.

Phalena nigropunctata, Hufn., Berl. Mag., IV., 526 (1767).

Acidalia strigilaria, Stgr. and Rbl., Cat. Lep. Pal. (i), 275 (1901).

Enzeli, N. W. Persia, sea level, 2 9 2, 6th and 30th June 1919 (P. A. B.)

5. ScoPULA OCHROLEUCATA; H.-Sch.

(Acidalia) ochroleucata, H.-Sch., Syst. Bearb. Schmett. Eur., III. t. 3, f. 21-23

1844).

Acidalia ochroleucaria, H.-Sch., tom. cit. p. 24 (1847).

Baghdad, 2 ¢ 5, 22nd September; 1 ¢, 25th September; 1d, 7th October

WORT (PAS Bs)

Amara, 1g, 2nd November 1918; 52 2, 2nd April, 15th June, 22nd June,

28th October, 19th November 1918 (P. A. B.)

Qazvin, N. W. Persia, 1d, 17th July 1919 (P. A. B.)

Variable as usual, the Amara 2, dated 2nd April, much larger than the rest.

At Baghdad the species was common in melon patches.

188 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Staudinger only records ochroleucata under its own name from the Canaries

and a few Mediterranean countries, referring to most of the N. African and Asiatic

localities under “‘ remotata, Guen. (preec. sp. forma Darw. ?)” It is certainly all

one and is doubtfully distinct, even racially, from minorata, Bdy. (S. Africa,

Madagascar, Mauritius, etc.)

6. SrerrHA Poxurrata, Hb.

Phalena Geometra politata, Hb., Vig. u. Schmett. p. 5, £. 1 (1793).

Enzeli, sea level, 2 5 5, 28th May, 13, 8th June, 1 2, 29th June 1919 (P. A. B.)

All are referable to the form abmarginata, Bhtsch., which seems racially constant

in some places (e.g., Hungary), while in others it occurs with the name-type. I

am not sure, however, that these Persian specimens may not form a separable

race from the European—slightly less glossy, more tinged with straw-colour,

costal markings rather weak, subterminal line broad (in the sole 2 almost reach-

ing the distal margin), underside rather sharply marked.

7. STERRHA ELONGARIA, Rbr.

Dosithoea elongaria, Rbr., Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr., II, 38 (1833).

Kut al Amara, 22 9, 9th August 1918 (P. A. B.)

Obscurely marked specimens with a strong sandy tone of colour, somewhat

doubtfully referred to this widely distributed and variable species, which perhaps

still comprises more than one not yet satisfactorily differentiated.

Subfamily—-Larentiine.

8. RHODOMETRA SACRARIA, Linn.

Phalena Geometra sacraria, Linn., Syst. Nat. (ed. 12) I (2) 863 (1767).

Baghdad, 33 ¢, 19, 23rd September 1917 (P. A. B.)

Amara, River Tigris,4 9 9, 11th May, 14th June, 16th Juneand 20th June

1918, P. A. B.

Shahroban, Dyala River (close to Persian border) 1 ¢ , 30th July 1918 (P. A. B.).

Kut al Amara, 1d, 9th August 1918 (P. A. B.)

Not very variable, all referable broadly to the name-typical form. On an

average small, especially the Baghdad specimens.

9. LYTHRIA PURPURARIA, Linn.

Phalena Geometra purpuraria, Linn., Syst. Nat. (ed. 10) I, 522 (1758).

Qazvin, N. W. Persia, 4,000 feet, 13, 30th July 1919 (P. A. B.)

Belongs to the form lutearia, Vill., which seems prevalent in the summer gene

ration in eastern localities. New for Persia (?).

10. LirHosTEGE BUXTONI, Prout.

Lithostege buxtoni, Prout, Nov. Zool., XX VII, 312 (1920).

Kangavar, Hamadan, N. W. Persia, 5,000 feet, 1 ¢, 6th December 1918 (P.A.

B.), the type of the species.

Shergat (Asshur), Mesopotamia, 1 ¢ , 27th December 1919, at light (H. D. P.)

A very interesting new species, forming (together, perhaps, with “ Anisopteryx”

chaoticaria, Alph., which is unknown to me) a new section of the genus, characteri-

zed by the long ciliation of the ¢ antenna. Apparently variable, the second

specimen darker than the type, with the longitudinal curved white stripe of the

forewing more sharply expressed.

MOTHS OF MESOPOTAMIA AND N, W. PERSIA. 189

1]. LitHosTEGE FARINATA, Hufn.

Phalena farinata, Hufn., Berl. Mag. 1V, 610 (1767).

Mirjana, near Kizil Robat, Dyala River, 1d, 20th February 1919, flying by

day (H. D. P.)

‘ Kizil Robat, 1d, 19, 23rd and 28th February 1919 (H. D. P.)

Apparently new for Mesopotamia, though recorded from Palestine and Arme-

nia.

12. ORTHONAMA OBSTIPATA, Fab.

Phalena obstipata, Fab., Ent. Syst. III (2), 199 (1794).

Larentia fluviata Stgr. and Rbl., Cat. Lep. Pal. (i), 298 (1901).

Amara, River Tigris, 1 J (small), 15th June 1918, 22 2, Ist May and 2nd

November, 1918 (P. A. B.)

Enzeli, N. W. Persia, 1d, 192, (small), 28th May 1919.

A migrant, found nearly throughout Europe and Continental Asia, besides

a great part of America.

13. Co:NOTEPHRIA ALFACARIATA, Rbr.

[ ] alfacariata, Rbr., Cat. Syst. Lep. Andal. (2) t. 18, f. 1 (1866).

Cidaria ibericata, Stgr., Cat. Lep. Eur. (ed. 2) 187 (1871).

Menjil, N. W. Persia, 2,000 feet, 1¢, 30th March 1919, atlight (P. A. B.)

Darker and more strongly marked, with a stronger cell-spot, than our western

forms, but I think referable here. Not hitherto recorded from further east

than Palestine. The similar reclamata Piing. is more elongate-winged, with the

hindwing whiter. :

14, EuPHYIA POLYGRAMMATA, Bkh.

Phalena Geometra polygrammata, Bkh., Naturg. Eur. Schmett, V, 560

(1794).

Enzeli, N. W. Persia, sea level, 22 2, 14th and 20th June 1919 (B: cA.-B:).

New for Persia, though known from Asia Minor and Turkestan,

15. EuPrIrHECIA CENTAUREATA, Schiff.

Geometra centaureata, Schiff., Schmett. Wien. 114 (1775).

Tephroclystia oblongata, Stgr. and Rbl., Cat. Lep. Pal. (i), 308 (1901).

Enzeli, N. W. Persia, sea level, 19, 26th May 1919 (P. A. B.).

Already known from Syria, Armenia, Transcaspia, etc.

16. EvupirHecrA ULTIMARIA, Bdv.

Eupithecia ultimaria, Bdy., Gen. et Ind. Meth., 210 (1840).

Amara, River Tigris, 1d, 3rd April 1918, 192 at light, 15th June 1918

(P. A. B.).

New for Mesopotamia. Both examples have the underside very sharply

marked and are probably referable to the form opisthographata, Dietze (Iris,

xix., 66).

17. GYMNOSCELIS PUMILATA, Hb.

Geometra pumiata, Hb., Samml. Eur. Schmett. IV., t. 75, f. 388 (1808-17).

Astara, N. W. Persia, sea level, 19, 4th July 1919, (P. A. B.)

Qazvin, N. W. Persia, 12, 2nd October 1919, (P. A. B.).

Recorded from Mesopotamia and Armenia but not. I think, from Persia.

190 JOURNAT, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX VII.

Sub-family—Geometrine.

18. CasBERA PUSARTA, Linn.

Phalena Geometra pusaria, Linn., Syst. Nat. (ed. 10), i., 522 (1758).

Enzeli, N. W. Persia, sea level, 1 ¢, 21st June 1919, 1g and 12, 30th June

1919 (P A. B.).

19. Macarta notata, Linn.

Phalzna Geometra notata, Linn., Syst. Nat. (ed. 10) i., 523 (1758).

Enzeli, N. W. Persia, sea level, 192, 24th April 1919 (P. A. B.,.

20. Macaria sIGNARIA, Hb.

Geometra signaria, Hb., Samml. Eur. Schmett., 1V., t. 61, £. 313 (1800-08).

Talysh, Persian 8. W. Caspian, sea level, 1¢, 9th July 1919 (P. A. B.).

New for Persia, though known from Armenia.

21. MAaAcaRIA STIMARIA, Hb.

Geometra estimaria, Hb., Samml. Eur. Schmett., IV., t. 64, f. 333 (1800-08).

Amara, 19, 15th June 1918 (P. A. B.).

By the shape,»tone and underside I think this example really belongs here

and not to the following, which is evidently the common Macaria of the region.

22. MACARIA SYRIACARIA, Stgr.

Macaria estimaria var. syriacaria, Stgr., Cat. Lep. Eur. (ed. 2) 160 (1871).

Kut al Amara, 392 2, 18th June 1915 (1918), 18th and 28th June 1918, also

one labelled ‘‘ Mesopotamia” and undated (Br.); 29 2, 8th and 9th August

1918 (P. A. B.); Amara, 5¢ ¢, lst May, 28th June (2), 10th and 26th August

1918; 129 2,23rd April (“common”), 25th April, 9th June, 2nd and 4th July.

Sth August, 9th August (2), lst September, 6th September (“2 among weeds

in garden”) 30th September and 28th October, all in 1918 (P. A. B.); 1d.

3lst August 1918, at light (W.E.E.)

Previously recorded from Syria, Cyprus, Armenia and Transcaspia and in

the form tenwiata, Stgr., from N. Persia. Standinger regards the last named

as a possibly distinct species, but unless he would treat the whole of the

material before me as referable to it—which is gainsaid by his diagnosis—I think

it is syriacaria which is the species, with tenwiata as an ab. The distal margin of

the hindwing is somewhat less crenulate than in @stimaria and there are other

appreciable differences.

The series is variable. One 2 (25th April) belongs to the extreme aberration

tenuiata, a second (25th April) is almost as extreme and the earliest J (1st

May) in large measure corresponds, though the dark postmedian line is finer

and reaches the costa. It is thus suggested that this form may be characteristic

of a first generation or of the earliest emergences. The specimen taken by

Capt. Evans is a pretty aberration with strong bands, on the hindwing accom-

panied distally by a large, irregular dark spot in the middle.

23. TEPHRINA DISPUTARIA, Guen.

Eubolia (2) disputaria, Guen., Spec. Gen. Lep. X., 489 (1858).

Amara, cultivated ground by the Chahala Canal, 1d, 24th August 1917

(W.E.E.).

MOTHS OF MESOPOTAMIA AND N. W. PERSIA. 191

24. Ecrropis BISTORTATA, Goeze.

Phalzna Geometra bistortata, Goeze, Ent. Beytr., III (3), 488 (1781).

Enzeli, Gilan, N. W. Persia, sea level, 19, 30th June 1919 (P. A. B.).

Apparently not very different from our western forms. The range of these

widely-distributed species in the Orient is not yet well ascertained, but Stau-

dinger records it (presumably) under the erroneous name of crepuscularia from

Armenia.

25. GNOPHARMIA COLCHIDARIA, Led.

Gnophos colchidaria, Led., Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. XIV., 39, 48 (1870).

Menjil, N. W. Persia, semi-desert hills, 2,000 feet, 23 ¢, 26th and 28th

March; 42 2, 26th, 28th and 29th March and 7th April 1919 (P. A. B.). .

New for Persia but described from Transcaucasia. Unfortunately I have little

materia! for comparison and the genus needs further study as regards geo-

graphical variation. The form before me is’ darkish, with the contrasts

of ground colour and bordering beneath not extremely pronounced.

26. GNOPHARMIA COLCHIDARIA OBJECTARIA, Stgr. (?) (sp. div. ?)

Gnopharmia colchidaria var. objectaria, Stgr., Iris V., 183 (1892).

Qazvin, N. W. Persia, 4,000 feet, 1 ¢, 27th August 1919.

Lighter and more variegated with reddish than the foregoing, the contrasts

of the undersurface extreme. The latter distinction is probably more weighty

than the former, as the response of the upperside to the immediate environ-

ment is such a marked feature in the Gnophos group.

27. ZAMACRA FLABELLARIA, Heeger.

Amphidasis flabellaria, Heeger, Beitr. Schmett., p 6, f. 6-11 (1838).

Mirjana, near Kizil Robat, Dyala River, 10 ¢ 5,6 2 2, 7th January

1919 (H. D. P.)

More variegated with white than my examples from Syria and on the

whole rather large.

192

ANNOTATED LISTS OF ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA (EXCEPT

HETEROGYNA) AND CHRYSIDS RECENTLY COLLECTED

IN MESOPOTAMIA AND NORTH-WEST PERSIA.

F. D. Morice, M.4A., F.z.S.,

(ForMERLY PresIDENT OF THE ENTOMOLoGICaL Society or Lonpon,

(With eight Text Figures.)

(Continued from p. 828, Vol. X XVII.)

29, Andrena bimaculata, Kirby var.—l1 6, Resht (P). 18th February.

According to Schmiedeknecht’s tabulation in Apid. Europ. This should be

basalis, Sichel, and it is coloured exactly according to Sichel’s description. It

can, however, have nothing to do with albicrus, of which Sichel supposed basalis

to be a variety.

Having examined the genitalia, I feel sure that this specimen (and probably

basalis also!) is merely one of the many highly coloured forms of bimaculata

which are common in most Mediterranean districts, and occur exceptionally

even in England (decorata, Sm., etc.) though there they seem to appear only in

the second brood. (I have taken one at Wisley (Surrey) in August, which is

very nearly as red as Captain Buxton’s specimen). Magrettiana Schmied,

which I found abundant near Naples in March and April, and a ¢ given to me

(I believe by Perez) as atrorubricaia, Dours, seem to be also local varieties of

bimaculata. I have met with still more highly coloured forms in Tunisia but

T do not doubt that these also may be referred to bimaculata, K.

30. Andrena thoracica, F.—8 3 do, Resht (P), 1 9, 11th-18th February.

1 3,1 Q, Enzeli (P), 14th-19th June.

31. Andrena gwynana, Kirby.—2 2 9, Resht (P), 25th-27th February. .

32. Andrena lucens, Imboff.—5 3 2, Resht (P), 11th-18th February.

33. Andrena dorsata, Kirby.—1 ¢, Resht (P), 18th February.

34. Andrena-flavipes, Pauzer. (—fulvicrus, K.),1 3, Resht (P), 18th Febr.,

1 3,1 o, Menjil (P), 30th March, 7th April.

836 d6,8 2 &, Amara (M), 24th March to

18th April.

13 2 9, Amara (M), 14th May to 19th June.

The March-April Amara specimens are smaller than either those from Persia

or the May-June Amara 2 2, but their g 3 have the peculiarly ‘“ notched ”

stipites of the genital armature by which a flavipes 3 may, I believe, always be

identified. (cf. Tr. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1899, p. 237, where the species is called

‘‘fulvicrus.”) The Persian 3 ¢_ shew the same character, but unluckily no

dg @ were taken with the May-June Amara? 9, and some (but not all) of

these differ from normal flavipes 3 ¢ in having the hind femora and tibize more

or less testaceous. But I believe this character is not specific. Something

like it occurs with the ‘‘ second broods’’ of other Andvena spp. (e.g. dorsata)

In my opinion all the specimens here recorded should be referred to one species,

viz., flavipes.

Of all Andrena spp. flavipes is perhaps the most widely distributed, and its

main distinguishing characters seem to be exceedingly constant in all districts.

Unless a specimen is badly * rubbed ’ there can be little difficulty in determining

it.

35. Andrena hypopolia, Pérez.—3 2 9-, Qazvin (P), 7th July.

36. Andrena, sp?—2 dd, 2 9 Y, Amara (M), 24th March-April.

I had thought that these specimens also were hypopolia, but after examining

the ¢ genitalia I now doubt it. Unfortunately all the specimens are more ox

less rubbed and faded, so I think it most prudent to leave them nameless,

ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA FROM MESOPOTAMIA. 193

37. Andrena cyanescens, Nyl.—1 92, Amara (M), 24th March.

I think this determination is correct, but the specimen has met with an accident

and the femora, tibize and tarsi of both hind-legs are missing !

38. [Andrena vetula, Lep.—1 2, Basrah (M), 6th April 1919.—Captain Evans.

39. Andrena cordialis, Morawitz.— 1 9, Basrah (M), 3lst March 1919.—

Captain Evans. ]

T know this species only from the author’s description, but the latter seems to

agree well with the characters of the specimen before me.

40. Cilissa leporina. —l 92, Qazvin (P), 17th July.

41. Noma diversipes, Latr—l 3, Qazvin (P), 27th July.

42. Nomia edentata, Moraw.—22 ¢ 5-172 9, Amara (M), Ist June to 9th

September.

1 9, Khaniqin (M), Ist July.

1 g,1 2, Baquba (M), 27th July.

The integument in these specimens varies greatly in colour; it may be

entirely black, or the abdomen and propodeum may be largely, or even entirely

red. The most highly coloured examples before me are males, but at least one

2 has the whole abdomen dark red. I believe this is merely a matter of indi-

vidual aberration. It does not seem to be accompanied by any structural

differences.

43. Nomia rufiventris, Spim.—1 2, Amara (M), April.

Spinola’s description suits this specimen perfectly. I believe that Morawitz’s

rufescens is the same species. The puncturation is very sparse and feeble, and the

basal pilosity of the abdominal tergites consists of long, thin, (not at all scale-

like}, hairs. The abdomen (but not the propodeum) is entirely red, except the

apical margins of the tergites, which are bright yellow.

Eucera dentata, Klug.*—1 3, Enzeli (P), 14th June.

45. Hucera malve, Rossi.—1 3.1 2, Talish (P), 10th July.

1 3, Enzeli (P), 14th June.

46. Hucera radoszkovskyt, Morawitz.—1 3,1 9, Qazvin (P), 17th-24th July.

47. Hucera distinguenda. Morawitz.—l 3, Amara (M).

[1 3, Beit-Na’ama near Basrah (M),

12th April 1919.—Captain Evans. ]

48. Hucera longicornis, L.—l 3, Amara (M), 15th February.

3 2 2, Amara (M), 24th March.

1 9, Amara (M), 30th March.

These appear to me to belong to the true longicornis, L., having the thorax

punctured just as in specimens from Britain and other North European countries.

49. Hucera tuberculata, F.—1 3, Resht (P), 20th March.

1 9, Resht (P), April.

This species is the longicornis, L., of Friese in Bienen Europa’s, but apparently

not that of Linné. In calling it twberculata I am following the opinion of Herr

Alfken, Bienenfauna von Bremen (1913).

50. Nomada fucata, Panzor.—l ¢, Amara (M), April.

51. Nomada tigridis, n. sp.—1 3, Amara (M), 30th March.

4 2 2, Amara (M), 28th May-8th June.

This is a fairly large and conspicuously coloured species, but I can find no

description to suit it, though several more or less similar forms are recorded by

Morawitz (robusta, regalis, etc.)

The antennz in both sexes are short and thick with the 3rd joint somewhat

shorter than the 4th and the joints near the apex about as broad as long. The

mandibles are acuminate ; the labrum has a very slight central tuberculation

(hardly to be called a tooth) at its apex. The 2 hind tibiz have incrassate apices

with a sort of small black knob-like projection at each corner (as viewed from

behind), between which projections three or four pale subequal spines may be

—

* This and the next three spp. belong to the Macrocera division of Eucera.

194 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

seen among the fringing hairs. The apical tergite of the ¢ abdomen is deeply

incised, so that its apex is bifid or might even be called bispinose.

The general colour of the 2 is reddish or ferruginous-orange, with the tips of

the mandibles, the propodeum, and the apices of the intermediate abdominal

tergites, generally also the breast and pleure (partly) black. The head and

mesonotum either entirely ferruginous, or with more or less blackening of the

ocellar area, and some ill defined vittz on the mesonotum. The pronotum

humeral tubercles tegule and scutellum are paler (yellowish), the two last

abdominal segments have broad fascie of a brighter yellow, and there may be

taces of similar fasciz (or at least of lateral spots) on the preceding segments

but these, if present at all, are almost obsolete. The antenne and legs, including

the cox, are ferruginous or yellowish, with no black marking except at the

extreme apex of the hind tibie. The punctuation of the head, thorax, and

propodeum is close, rather coarse, and more or less reticulate. That of the

abdomen is very minute and close, making the tergites look quite dull, except

their extreme apices which are impunctate and very slightly shining. The wings

are darkened almost throughout, but darkest along their apical margins. The

pilosity is short and very scanty, hardly noticeable except, of course, at the

apex of the abdomen.

The ¢ has the head (except the face) and the thorax except the pronotum,

tubercles, tegulz, scutellum, and a small spot on the post scutellum black. The

abdomen is coloured as in the 2, except that its extreme base is occupied by a

black mark (triangularly produced in the middle). The antennz are streaked

with black over a few of the intermediate joints behind, and the coxe of all the

legs are black. The pilosity of the head and thorax in this sex is pretty long,

and much more conspicuous than in the 9°.

Length 9 to 11 mm.

52. Lasius (= Anthophora) * albigenus, Lep.—2 & &, Amara (M), 4th-9th Sept.

1 2, Baquba (M), 27th July.

538. Lasius quadrifasciatus, Vill— 1 2, Qazvin (P), 17th July.

54. Lasius farinosus, K1—3 @ @, Baquba (M), 27th July; 2 @ 4, Amara

(M), 18th-20th July.

38 2 2, Amara (M), 10th June (on Capparis), 18th -

20th July.

[1 2, “at or near Amara ’”’, 27th August 1918—

Captain Evans. |

The specimens before me agree well with Klug’s description, and seem to me

distinguishable from the commoner quadrifasciatus by the much smaller black

markings on the face, the testaceous underside of the antennz (the scape is also

lined beneath with whitish-yellow), and the somewhat. broader abdominal

white fascize which are not simply linear, but distinctly dilated in the middle.

(In another form belonging to the same group. viz., wegeneri, Friese, these fascize

are on the contrary dilated at their sides!) The integument of the abdomen

beneath in all these specimens is more or less rufescent at least at the base.

55. Lasius garrulus, Rossi—1 @, Talish (P), 10th July ; 3 2 9, Enzeli(P),

30th June and July.

56. Lasius Kessleri, Morawitz.—1 92, Beit Na’ama, near Basrah (M), 31st

March 1919.—Captain Evans.

57. Lasius (Saropoda) byssinus, Klug.—1 2, Amara (M), 7th July.

I have not seen this species before, but feel sure that it is the true byssinus.

Almost the whole body, except the black triangle at the apex is clothed with

white (or whitish), subsquamose, decumbent hairs. The antennz beneath, the

coxe, trochanters, and femora of all the legs, and the ventral side of the abdomen

are testaceous. The front trochanters and femora are fringed on both sides with

* Lasius, Jurine (1801) has priority over 4nthophora (Latr) 1892 and invalidates Lasius F

et auctt (1804).

ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA FROM MESOPOTAMIA. 9

a row of slightly curving, suberect, white hairs. Of the hind-legs the femora are

nearly naked ; but the knees, tibize, and bases of the metatarsi have a beautiful

snow-white scopa externally, while the other hairs of these joints are absolutely

black. The present 9 (like Klug’s type) is 11 mm. long.

58. Lasius pilipes, F.—7 @ @, Resht (P), 18-25th February; 1 2, Enzeli

(P), 24th April.

The 2 is that common Continental form which has its pilosity coloured like

that of the @, (not black as in British specimens).

59. Melecta armata, Pauzer.—l 9, Resht (P), 25th February.

60. Crocisa ashabadensis, Radosz.—l 2 , Amara (M), 14th June.

61. Xylocopa olivierit, Lep.—Il1 @,1 2, Baquba (M), 30th July.

I have noticed, both in Greece and in Syria, that the ¢ ¢ of this species have

the curious habit of suddenly visiting flowers in great numbers about the time

of sunset. Earlier in the day that sex is usually nowhere to be found.

62. Xylocopa fenestrata, F.—3 S$ 3, Amara (M), 10th-19th June, 1sé

September.

3 9 2, Amara, Ist May, 10th

June (visiting Capparis), 19th

June.

[1 &, Beit Na’ama near Basrah

(M), 23rd March 1919 “at

Papaver somniferum.’’—Cap-

tain Evans. |

This is a common “‘ Oriental’? species, only exceptionally reaching Palearctic

districts !

63. Xylocopa violacea, L.—4 2 2, Enzeli(P), 8th, 14th, and 17th June.

64. Ceratina tibialis, Morawitz.—1 g, Amara (M), 8thJune; 1 g, Baquba

(M), 21st July.

2824.9 2 2, Amara (M), 12th September

[3 2 2, near Basrah, 3lst March 1919—

Captain Evans].

65. Ceratina nigrolabiata, Friese—1 @, Amara (M), 9th September; 1 9°,

Baquba, 27th July.

The 2 is very small, and may possibly be some species unknown to me. The

clypeus is almost impunctate on its disc, and the frontal area and mesonotum

are very sparsely punctured and shining. But in coloration it exactly matches

a nigrolabiata 9° named for me by the author of the species.

66. Ceratina laevifrons, Morawitz.—l 2, Shahroban (M), 21st July ;

1 2 Baquba (M), 27th July.

67. Ceratina cyanea, Kirby.—1 ¢,2 2 9, Enzeli (P), 6th June.

One of the 2 2 is not quite anormal specimen, having a very small

yellow spot in the middle of its clypeus. But I believe this is merely an

individual aberration.

68. Chelostoma emarginatum, Ngl.—1 9, Enzeli(P), Ist May.

I give this name with some little doubt, because I only know the species

in literature, and the present specimen has no less than 10 ular hooks, which

does not agree with Schletterer’s statement in Zool. Jahrb., 1889 (p. 619).

But its other characters suggest emarginatum, and that species has been pree

viously recorded from N. W. Persia.

69. Osmia cerulescens, L.—1 9, Qazvin (P), 17th July.

70. Osmia indigotea, Morawitz(?)—1 @, 1 9, near Basrah (M), 31st March

1919.

71. Osmia panzeri, Morawitz.—1 @ near Basrah (M), 12th April 1919.

These specimens (70 and 71) were all taken by Captain Evans in the same

locality and I thought at first that they were conspecific. But the very different

ventral segments of the two ¢ 4 shew that this is not so, and I believe the

196 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

determinations given of them above are probably correct. It is almost impos-

sible, however, to name, for certain, g @ of this section without special pre-

paration of the specimens, the actual apex of the abdomen being nearly always

imperfectly exposed.

72. Osmia dimidiata, Morawitz.—4 @ @, Enzeli (P), 8th-14th June.

73. Anthidium florentinum, F.—2 & %, Enzeli(P), 10th-23rd July.

2 2 9, Talish (P), 5th-10th July.

1 2, Qazvin (P), 17th July.

74. Anthidium strigatum, Panzer.— 1 2, Baquba (M), 27th July.

The specimen is below the usual size, and its ground colour, instead of being

simply black, is partly rufescent both on the thorax and abdomen. Probably

this may be an individual aberration, but it may again be characteristic of a

special local race. I do not think the peculiarity is “ specific.” [Captain Evans

took a ¢ near Basrah on 12th April 1919.]

75. [Anthidium tessellatum,K1.—1 4 ,Tanooma (M),Lieut. Harwood, ‘‘October.”’]

76. Stelis pheoptera, Kirby.—1 9, Talish (P), 10th July.

1 9, near Basrah (M), 6th April 1919.

The Persian specimen was very much larger than the Mesopotamian.

77. [Stelis signata, Latr.—l @ near Basrah, 10th April 1919.—Captain Evans. }

78. Lithurgus chrysurus, Fonsc.—3 & 8,4 2 9, Enzeli (P), 15th-17th June.

79. Lithurgus tibialis, Morawitz.— 1 &, Khaniqin (M), Ist August.

This specimen agrees exactly with Morawitz’s description. In May 18961

took at Dakrur in Egypt a ¢ which was determined for me by Prof. Friese, no:

doubt correctly, as belonging to this species. But it was a much smaller speci-

men than that here recorded, and the paradoxical characters of its hind legs

(perhaps only for that reason) appear to me not quite so well developed. In

the Figure below (Fig. 5) I have tried to give the exact outline of the right hind

leg in Captain Buxton’s specimen, when so placed that its inner side almost

directly faces the object glass of the microscope. (The legs are clothed, rather

thinly, with white hairs, which are very long and fine in the angle between the

femora and tibiz, much shorter and more bristle-like on the metatarsus, but I

have not attempted to show this pilosity in the mich )

As usual in Lithurgus spp.,

the ¢ genitalia are extremely

small for the sizeof the insect.

I notice that in this species the

interval which separates the pos-

terior ocelli from each other is at

least twice as great as that

between each of them and the

nearest compound eye. This is

not the case in chrysurus, where

the difference in length between

the corresponding spaces is very

slight.

When viewed from behind the

hind tibize are seen to be not only

dilated, but very incrassate, only,

however, about half as much so as

the femora.

Fig. 5. Hind-leg of L. tibialis @, a coxa.

b. trochanter, c. femur, d. tibia, e metatar-.

sus.

ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA FROM MESOPOTAMIA. 197

80. Megachile argentata, F.—1 @, Amara (M), 20th July: 2 @ 4, Baquba

(M), 27th July.

1 2, Shahroban (M), 31st July.

[1 3, below Amara (M), “about Tamarisk ’’

3lst August.—Captain Evans. ]

About 20 specimens, smaller than the above, but apparently all argentata & @

and 2 2 were also taken at or near Amara by Captain Buxton in June, July,

and September. Some of those taken in September were visiting Sunflowers,

others Zizyphus.

81. Megachile minutissima, Radosz (?)—13 @f, 14 292, Amara (M);

28th May to 14th June.

1 4,2 22, Shahroban (M), 31st

July.

I have named these chiefly in consequence of having compared them with

6 & which I took in Egypt in 1899, and which were determined for me as minu-

tissima by Professor Friese. But except in size (and not very much even in

that!) they differ very little from argentata 3 3. Captain Buxton’s 2 2,

however, certainly differ from argentata 2 2 in having no silvery pilosity on

the last abdominal segment. All these specimens, both g ¢ and 9 Q, are

small, but they vary considerably in size, and it is curious that the smallest of

them all are 29 9! One of these is only 6 mm. long, while another measures

fully 8 mm. (Radoszkowsky gives 7 mm. as the length of the 9, and 6 as that

of the ¢).

82. Megachile rotundata, F.—6 3 3, Astara (P), 2nd July, 1 9, Enzeli (P),

6th June.

1 Q, Talish (P), 10th July.

83. Megachile schnabli, Rad.—3 S$, Amara, 14thand 17th June, 6th

September.

[1 2, 6th September, “‘garden below Amara.”’—

Captain Evans. ]

All these ¢ ¢ agree with Radoszowsky’s description, except that the colour

of the abdomen seems to be altogether variable. In one specimen (June 17th)

it is completely reddish, and the scutellum is red also! In the other two the

antenne, legs, and venter are red, but the dorsal surface of the body shews

hardly any tendency to rufescence. The pilosity of all three specimens is very

dense and silvery, giving them that peculiar sheen which characterizes so many

desert-frequenting Hymenoptera.

84. Megachile flavipes, Spin.—13 3 @, 8 2 2, Amara (M), 28th May to 9th

August.

, 2 2 9, Qazvin (P), 17th July.

85. Megachile maritima, K.—1 2, Enzeli (P), 30th June.

86. Megachile centuncularis, L.—1 3, Talish (P), 10th July; 1 Q Enzeli

(P), 20th June.

87. Cclioxys conoidea, Klug.—2 3 5,1 @, Talish (P), 5th-10th July.

88. Celioxys elongata, Lep.—l 2, Enzeli(P), 8th June;1 QQ, Talish (P),

10th July.

89. Celioxys decipiens, Spin.—l 3,8 2 2, Amara (M), 10th-14th June. (visit

flowers of Acacia.)

90. Cealioxys argentea, Lep.—1 3, Qazvin (P), 17th July.

91. Celioxys brevis, Eversm.—l ¢, Talish (P), 11th July.

92. Celioxys afra, Lep.—1 @, Amara (M), 12th September.

93. Celioxys hemorrhoa, Forst.—2 g 3 ,Amara (M),18th July,9th September

1 2, Baquba (M), 27th July.

198 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

94. Celioxys coturnix, Pérez (?)—) 92, Amara (M), June 26th (also, between

June 19th and 22nd at Amara a @ which

seems to belong to the same form).

In both these specimens the abdomen is practically unicolorous, rosy-testace-

ous throughout! Otherwise the 2 appears to have exactly the characters by

which Pérez separated his coturnix from hemorrhoa. (He was not acquainted

with the ¢). There is the same ‘ powdering’ over of the vertex, mesonotum,

etc., etc., with silvery scales (mostly oval in form, but some of the smaller ones

almost circular !) the same fine close puncturation, and the same sort of “‘ caréne”’

which Pérez describes as running into the “‘ premarginal depression ”’ of the 6th

abdominal dorsal-plate.

I took at Biskra in Algeria 2 2 9 which seem to differ from Captain Buxton’s

specimen only in being much smaller, and these were recorded by Edward

Saunders in 7’rans. Ent. Soc., Lond., 1908, p. 241 as “‘coturnix, Pérez(?).” I have

also taken a 92 at Jericho whichis slightly larger than the Amara 9, and has two

of its abdominal segments (the 4th and the 5th) blackish above. Otherwise this

also agrees with the Mesopotamian form.

The 4 so much resembles the 2 in colour and general appearance, and was

taken so nearly at the same time, that I can scarcely

ee doubt that the two are conspecific. Apart from

re “yy colour and pilosity I have not succeeded in finding

a any substantial difference to distinguish it from

5 ‘ge hemorrhoa @. The “eight teeth”? on the apex of

the abdomen seem to be very similar and arranged

eae 7 hs “a in the same way. (Fig. 6. Outlines of the 6th

\/ \ Ree abdominal tergite viewed from above. I have not

} ' attempted to represent the fovecation, pilosity, etc.,

7 8 of the segment. As in hemorrhoa it is deeply and

widely sulcate down the middle, and clothed with

-like hairs at its base.

Ke Be Ouney sh oe ee

abdominal tergite in C.

coturnix.

(Fig. 7 represents the apex of the

2 abdomen viewed from above. The

dotted lines are meant to give an idea

of the “‘ premarginal depression ” and

by the carina which projects into it.

The apex of the 6th ventral plate

seems to be quite pointed, not narrow-

ly truncate and very slightly emargi-

nate, as usually in hemorrhoa.)

Fig. 7. Apex of abdomen in C.

colurnix.

95. Caelioxys obtusa, Pérez.—2 & &, Amara (M), 14th-15th June.

One specimen has the first 3 abdominal segments red, in another there is only

a touch of that colour at the base of segment 1. (In a ¢ from Gibraltar given to

me by E. Saunders the abdomen is entirely black, and it seems to have been

so in the specimen described by Pérez.)

what Pérez calls its “interruption” -

ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA FROM MESOPOTAMIA, 199

The ‘teeth’? which form the actual apex of

the abdomen (Nos. 7 and 8 in the Figure) are

very unlike those of hemorrhoa and ‘‘ cotur -

min.(?).??

Instead of being long slender spines, they are

short and broad, with broadly subtruncate apices

and their inner margins converging rapidly

almost at right angles. (All the ‘teeth’ in this

2 en Bi species seem liable to vary somewhat in shape.

more to They are even sometimes distinctly asymmetrical,

Fis. 8 Notwithstanding this, their general appearance

ssi : is so far uniform and unlike that of those in

96. Apis mellifera, L.

hemorrhoa that specimens of the two can

always be distinguished at a glance by the

characters of this segment only !)

The figure above (Fig. 8) is drawn from the redder of the two ¢ 4, and the

so-called teeth are numbered as in the corresponding figure (Fig. 6) of the

& apex in “coturnix ?”

Several specimens were sent by Captain Buxton’s from N. W. Persia (Resht,

Enzeli, Kermanshah,) but none from Mesopotamia. All were workers, and

belonged to the var. fasciata, Latr.

List 3, WASPS.

1. Vespa crabro L. var. crabroniformis, Smith.—1 9, Enzeli(P), 25th June.

This specimen is exactly like the Type (at 8. Kensington !) of Smith’s cra-

broniformis described from N. China as a new species. It only differs from

normal examples of V. crabro in having very narrow—in fact almost linear—

yellow bands on the 3rd and 4th abdominal tergites.

2. Vespa orientalis, L.—1 2, Amara (M), 25th June.

2 %%, Amara (M), 6th July.

[1 8, Amara (M), “from nest in roof of building ”’

17th August 1918.—Captain Evans. ]

1 &%, Shahroban (M), 31st July.

All these belong to the bright red and yellow typical form of the species.

The darker variety wgyptiaca, André, occurred in N. W. Persia (1 2, Qazvin,

25th July.)

3. Vespa germanica, F—Many 92 9° from Persia (Kermanshah, Enzeli, Qazvin,

etc.) also 3 @ @, Kermanshah, 3rd and 4th

December, 1 2, Enzeli, 20th June.

No specimens have been sent to me from Mesopotamia, nor is that country

cited in the list of Asiatic localities given for germanica in R. du Buysson’s

Monogr. des Guepes ou Vespa (1904).

4, Polistes gallicus, L—Many 2 2 and 2 9 were taken by Captain Buxton

in Persia, but no ¢ 4, [Captain Evans also sent a 9, one of “‘ three found under

a stone,” 22nd January 1919, from Harunabad (P).} In Mesopotamia the species

seems to have been completety anticipated—or evicted ?—by P. hebreus. At

any rate none have reached me from thence.

It may be that I am including under the Linnean name gallicus more than

one of several forms which have been separated by Kohl on account of differences

in their # ¢. There are certainly, there as elsewhere, two easily distinguishable

types of coloration. Specimens taken at Resht and Enzeli between February

and June were much darker and generally larger than others which occurred

at Qazvin and Menjil (July-September). But the Harunabad 2 “ hibernating

under a stone” in January was of the light form.

200 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

5. Polistes hebreus (macensis ?), F.—Of this species Captain Buxton took

several 2 9 at Amara (M) between November 1917 and June 1918, and seven

% % at Amara and Baghdad (M) during the same period and in July. [Captain

Evans found & & later also, viz., in August and September 1918.]

I have compared these specimens with Fabricius’s original Type of macensis

in the Banks Collection ; and, like it, they are very pale forms with hardly any

black markings. In most of them the mesonotum appears quite immaculate.

But I prefer to call them hebrceus which is the older name, because, after careful

consideration of all Fabricius’s many descriptions of his hebreus and macensis,

I can find absolutely nothing to shew why he thought them distinct. Some

authors hold that the two differ in colour, hebraws being a darker insect. It is

true that some so-called hebreus and macensis specimens differ in this respect.

But all the many specimens of both that I have seen appear to be mere individual

aberrations from a single specific Type, and both forms certainly occur together

in most of their Oriental habitats, together with many others which are inter-

mediate between them. The original descriptions are to all intents and purposes

identical ; and though Fabricius names one from Palestine (hebreus), and the

other from China (macensis,) he cannot have meant to distinguish them as

differing in ‘habitat.’ For he gives ‘‘ India orientalis ” as the habitat of hebreus,

and ‘‘ Macao Indiz”’ (sic !) as that of macensis! On the whole I believe that

the two names should be treated as synonymous, and that of the two hebraeus

has “ priority ’’ over the other.

6. Humenes coarctata, L.—l1 2, Qasr-i-Shirin (P), 24th November 1918.

This is the mediterranea of Kriechbaumer, the common form in most southern

districts. Both mediterranea and pomiformis, F, are probably only varieties

(local races) of the Linnéan species. ;

7. Humenes esuriens, Pauzer.—2 4 ¢ , Shahroban (M), 31st July; Amara (M),

17th September.

1 2, Amara (M), 9th September.

1 9, Kurna (P), 20th May.

[1 %, Amara (M), 17th August.

1 2, Amara (M), 27th August—Capt. Evans. ]

8. Odynerus simplex, F.—1 @, 2 2 9, Talish (P), 10th July.

9. Odynerus parietum, L.—1 2, Qazvin (P), 20th September.

10. Odynerus melanocephalus, Gmel.—6 & 8, 1 2, Amara (M), 3rd March

to 19th June.

In the 2 and in four of the six ¢ @ the scutellum bears two distinct yellow

spots, in another @ they are almost invisibly small, and in the June @ the

scutellum (as in normal melanocephalus) is immaculate. (I do not suppose this

character to have any systematic significance, but it is as well to mention it.)

11. Odynerus chloroticus, Spin.—1 g@ and1 2 Amara, (M), September.

[1 2, Beit-Na’ama near Basrah (M), 12th

April 1919.—Captain Evans. ]

12. Odynerus crenatus, Lep.(?)—1 @, Amara (M), 28th May.

[1 @ “Four miles below Amara, 17th

September.—Captain Evans. ]

These are very highly coloured specimens, but I think they do not differ

specifically from specimens determined as crenatus by Professor Pérez.

13. Odynerus transitorius, Morawitz.—9 4 @ and 11 @ 9 of this exceedingly

pretty little species were taken by Captain Buxton at Amara and Shahroban

(M). [Captain Evans also found it at Beit-Na’ama (M) on April 12th, 1919.]

Many specimens, apart from their ‘pictura pallida,’ were largely or even entirely

red. They were flying in April, May and June, and frequented the flowers

of an Acacia. [Captain Evans’s specimen occurred “ about Tamarisk.”] The

ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA FROM MESOPOTAMIA. 201

Species as Morawitz has remarked, much resembles the Algerian blanchardianus,

specially in the peculiar carinated base of the lst abdominal tergite (the carina

distinctly interrupted in the middle !)

14. Nortonia deceptrix, n. sp.—4 4, April; 1 @, 28th May ; 1 2, 14th May,

Amara (M).

In many respects, and especially in the form of its Ist and 2nd abdominal

segments, this species much resembles one which I described from several ¢ @

taken on February 12th, 1901, at Abba Eiland, by the Swedish Expedition to

Egypt and the White Nile (See Ann. and Mag. N. H., December 1903).* This

no doubt was also a Nortonia, but I wrongly referred it to ‘‘ Odynerus (Ancis-

trocerus ?)”’ and called it aberraticus.

The Mesopotamian species however seems to be certainly different from the

Egyptian in several characters of specific value. (a) The scutellum is transverse

and not almost quadrate, (b) the excision of the strongly bidentate @ clypeus is

not triangular, but semi-circular, (c) the lateral angles of the pronotum are

distinctly subspinose, (d) the coste at the base of the 2nd ventral segments

are fairly long, (e) the mandibles of the & appear to be simply acuminate

and not tridentate.

T notice also that the very coarse rugosities of the mesonotum, when viewed

from behind, appear as definite longitudinal strigz. I do not remember that

the specimens I examined in 1903 shewed any such character, and I find no

mention of it in the description of Kohl’s N. moricei.

The scutellum and postscutellum are both entirely yellow in deceptrix: the

former in the Egyptian species is black, and the latter only shews two small spots

of yellow. The colour of the abdomen varies to some extent in the specimens

now before me, but in most of them there is certainly more yellow and less

black than in the types of “‘ aberraticus.”

The accompanying sketches (Fi-

gures 9 and 10) representing the Ist and

2nd segments (viewed A laterally and B

dorsally) in the brightest of the dd,

will give an idea of this. In the only

2 there is a larger black triangle on

the disc of segment 1, but on its 2nd

segments there is more yellow still, the

yellow lateral macule at its base being

all but actually confluent !

Fig. 9 A.

First and second segments in N. deceptria.

The lateral margins of the propodeum are very spinulose throughout, as is

also the crest of the postscutellum which resembles those of O. blanchardianus

and transitorius.

List 4. CHRYSIDS.

1. Hedychrum rutilans, Vahlb.—1l 3, Kazvin (P), 17th July.

2. Hedychridium hilare, n. sp.—l ¢, Amara (M), 25th June.

At first sight this might be taken for an extreme variety or aberration of the

common H. rosewm. The colour of the abdomen much resembles that which

characterizes the latter, and contrasts in the same way with the prevailing green-

ness of the head and thorax. But the postscutellum and propodeum (except

Us es eg ee ee eee SS

* One of the same specimens, or one taken at the same place and on the same day, was des-

ceribed three years later by Kohl in his admirable work on Hymenoptera from South Arabia and

Socotra, Wien, 1906, as Nortonia moricei, Nn. sp. He accredits the capture to me, but I never

visited Abba Hiland, and was not in Egypt at allin 1901.

202 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

its lateral angles) are not green at all, the former being violaceous and the latter

testaceous. Again, though in certain aspects the pronotum appears to be

green, its real ground colour seems to be testaceous, as is also that of the antenne,

the mandibles, the sides of the face, and the whole of all the legs. The vertex,

however, and the tempora are distinctly green, like the mesonotum and scutel-

lum, but there is a slight touch of a warmer colour (reddish-golden) between

the ocelli and the compound eyes. Seen from beneath the whole body appears

testaceous and polished, except the green mesopleures, and occasional reflections

of the same colour playing over the legs which become visible enly in certain

lights.

But apart from mere colour, it seems to be certainly distinct from roseum by

more important characters.

(1) The antenne are shorter and stouter, with joints 2, 3, and 4 subequal

but joint 4 slightly longer than the others. (In rosewm, joint 3 is evidently

longer than 4, and fully twice as long as 2.)

(2) The green areas of therthorax are very shining, and their puncturation

irregular and mostly very sparse. (In rosewm the whole thorax is almost

opaque, its puncturation being uniform and close.) This difference is apparent

even to the naked eye.

(3) The abdomen, especially its basal segment, is also much more sparsely

punctured than that of rosewm, the punctures being everywhere separated by

intervals much larger than themselves.

(4) The face, which is bright metallic green in the middle, but testaceous

at the sides and below the antenne, is clothed with very short silvery pubes-

cence, conspicuous in some lights, but in others quite invisible, and not

concealing the sculpture of the integument. This is very small and shallow

(sub-coriaceous) and contrasts strongly with the much coarser rugose punctu-

ration of the vertex. (Inrosewm ¢ the face is deep-blue, the few hairs on its sur-

face are fairly long but quite inconspicuous, not appearing silvery (so far as 1

can see) in any aspect, and the integument is punctured very much in the same

style as that of the vertex.)

(5) The wings are perfectly clear. (In roseum they are distinctly infuscated.)

3. Chrysis fuscipennis, Brullé.—1 2, Amara (M), 28th October.

4. Chrysis palliditarsis, Spin—3 ¢ 5,4 2, “‘on Acacia,” Amara (M).

10th June.

2 2 2, Amara, 13th-17th June.

5. Chrysis blanchardi, Luc.—1 @, Amara (M), 6th September.

6. Chrysis maculicornis, KI—3 @ @, Amara (M), 10th June ‘“‘on Acacia,’

14th June, 18th August.

7. Chrysis exigua, Mocs.—1 @, Amara (M), April.

5 2 2, Amara, 10th and 13th June ‘‘ on Acacia.”’

8. Chrysis ignita, L._—2 2 2, Talysh (P), 18th July.

9. Chrysis scutellaris, F.—1 2, Amara (M), ‘“‘ on Sunflower’’ 12th September.

10. [Chrysis cyanopyga, Dahlb.—1 9, Beit-Na’ama (M), 10th April 1919.—

Captain Evans. ]

The last 8 species (3 to 10) all belong to the Section ‘‘ Tetrachrysis.”’

ll. [Chrysis (Hexachrysis) stilboides, Spin.—1 specimen taken “‘at or near

Amara,” 18th August 1918.

I omitted to take note of the

sex.—Captain Evans. |

12. Chrysis buxtoni, n. sp.—I1 ¢, Amara (M), 10th June.

This must also, no doubt, be reckoned as a Hexachrysis, though four of its

so-called “teeth ’’ only are really tooth-like. The outermost pair are /ateral,

situate one at each end of the series of fovee. The intermediate pair are apical,

ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA FROM MESOPOTAMIA, 203

these are sharp and spine-like. The innermost pair are merely obtuse undu-

lations of the margin (See figure 11). By its coloration it belongs to the Section

known as Viridis,

Fig. 11. Apex of abdomen in Chrysis buatoni 3.

Body above almost entirely bright metallic green, but with a more fiery

(reddish-golden) tinge at the sides of the mesonotum, and with the tegule deep

dark blue. Venter partly concolorous with the dorsum, partly blue, indigo, violet,

etc. (the colours blending where they meet, and as in many other species with a

pair of large rounded spots (black with violet reflections) at the base of its 2nd

segment. Antenne fuscous, densely clothed with minute, white sub-erect

hairs : joints 1, 2, and a part of joint 3, green.- Legs green, with yellowish (non-

metallic) knees and tarsi. Wings clouded in the middle, but quite clear at base

and apex. Face and genx (between eyes and mandibles), clothed with silvery

hairs. Pilosity of dorsal surface short and inconspicuous, but the femora and

tibize are fringed with rather long pale hairs.

Head about as wide as the pronotum. Third antennal joint about as long as

the second and fourth together. Least length of the cheeks about equal to that

of the second antennal joint. From near each end of the rather vaguely carinat-

ed brow which overhangs the facial cavity a very distinct carina runs backward

into the ocellar area, nearly isolating the anterior ocellus from the others. (Fig.

12.)

The apical half of the pronotum is sulcate longitudinally, and its lateral angles

(shoulders) subspinose. The dorsum

of the abdomen is evidently but

not strongly carinated longitudinally.

The head is closely punctured

(this is not shewn in the Figure) :

the thorax and abdomen less so,

and much more coarsely (about as

Fig. 12. Upper part of head Chrysis in C. micans, Dahlb.). On the sides

buxtoni & Viewed from in Front. of the mesonotum the punctures are

especially large and sparse.

Length of body about 7 mm.

[I have not attempted to shew the puncturation of the head, which would

have made the ‘characters’ I desired to illustrate more difficult to see.]

13. Stilbum cyanurum, Forster.—One specimen of the typical form was

taken “at or near’? Amara by Captain

Evans. I forgot to take note of the sex.

14. Parnopes grandior, Pall. (—Carnea, F.)—1 @, Enzeli (P), 30th June.

Nearly all the Mesopotamian Chrysids mentioned above occur also in R. du

Buysson’s List of Egyptian forms (Mem. Soc. Ent. d’ Egypte, Cairo, 1908.)

204

QUAINT BEASTS AND QUEER HABITS.

Mavsor C. H. Srocxtiey.

Every wandering sportsman has at times come across strange animals or

observed strange habits or actions of more common species which stand out

clear-cut amongst the memories of shooting or fishing trips. Sometimes it is

some particular physical feature of the beast, such as the bright orange teeth

of the Bamboo Rat (Rhizomys badius) found in Central and Lower Burma ; at

others it is the general build of the beast whose strangeness makes a first

encounter memorable. For instance the beast known as the Armoured Pangolin

presents a weird and formidable appearance, sheathed as it is in overlapping

scale armour, and its four feet or so of length make it a sufficiently alarming

apparition when met on the lawn of the mess on a moonlight night after dinner,

which was the manner of my first encounter with the species. Another beast

which startled me into immediate reminiscences of ‘‘ Alice through the Looking

Glass,” was a Binturong ; a quaint medley of fox, badger and raccoon, which

ran across my path when travelling up the Salween valley near the Burma-

Siam frontier. Then I defy anyone who has really read and enjoyed the afore-

mentioned book, not to be reminded of the illustration of a “ slithy tove ’’ when

he sees his first specimen of an “‘aard vark”’. The first one I ever saw was

discovered by the adjutant of my battalion of the King’s African Rifles under-

mining his tent in the middle of the night when camped in Somaliland. The

most strenuous efforts of two lusty officers, who attached themselves to his (the

aard vark’s, not the adjutant’s) tail, failed to extract him from the hole which

he had already dug, and which was about three feet in depth. Finally a

revolver bullet finished him, and he was duly photographed and skinned next

morning. From the uproar over his capture you might have thought that the

dervishes had rushed the camp. ~

Occasionally it is the incongruity of the beast with its surroundings that

strikes one, as any one will agree who has seen a couple of Himalayan Langur

monkeys sitting on the snew-laden boughs of a pine. One feels that monkeys

and Christmas trees have nothing in common, and that animals which one associ-

ates from childhood with hot weather and cocoanut palms should have retired

to the plains at the end of the summer in company with the Brass Hats, Grass

Widows and Simla Wirepullers.

Talking of monkeys, while on a hillside high above the Chenab river, I once

spotted a troop of monkeys far below on the opposite bank, amongst whom was

one the colour of whose coat can only be described as a bright orange. At first

I thought that something had gone wrong with my eyesight or my field-glasses,

while my shikari stoutly maintained that no monkey was ever coloured like that,

therefore it could not be a monkey. To settle the point we descended about a

thousand feet until we were opposite the troop and only separated from them by

the width of the river, here about eighty yards. We then sat and watched the

freak specimen with our glasses for half-an-hour. He seemed in every respect,

save that of colour, to be an ordinary Hill Macaque, such as swarm in parts of

the Lower Himalayas; and his companions seemed to notice nothing queer

about him. As we rose to go I asked my shikari what the people of his village

would say when he told them that he had seen a monkey of such an outlandish

colour. He replied, ‘‘ They will say, I am a liar.” When we got back to his

village he proved to be absolutely correct, and on my backing his statement, I

was obviously looked on as a rather clumsy accomplice.

It was with the same shikari that I one day lay ona hill-side waiting for a

serow to come out and feed as soon as the heat of the sun should abate a little, the

while Lidly directed the telescope on likely placesfor game. In doing so a goral

QUAINT BEASTS AND QUEER HABITS, 205:

lying on the opposite side of the valley came into the field. I watched him for a

bit without any great interest ; for, though a good buck, I had shot several as

big, until he did a thing I have never seen done by any other animal. Some

fifty yards from him in the shade of ansoverhanging rock, lay a bank of snow

some three feet thick which had melted as far as the rays of the sun could reach

it and then presented an upright frozen face with an upper edge of almost solid

ice, the product of the hard night frosts. The goral rose and walked over to this

bank of snow ; then, having evidently become uncomfortably warm through

lying in the sun, he proceeded to chew off great lumps from its solid edge, swallow-

ing large quantities and leaving wide gaps in its continuity. This he continued

to do for some ten minutes, showing more than a schoolboy’s capacity for ices,

and almost giving me a sympathetic pain in ‘ Little Mary.’

The victim of the most wonderful tragedy of wild life that I have ever wit-

nessed was another wild goat ; anibexto wit. A herd was traversing a perilous

face of rock by means of a slight fault across its slippery surface. Amongst the

herd were several young ones, and, as one of these crossed behind its mother,

down out of the sky swept two great Lammergeiers, eight and half feet from

wing-tip to wing-tip, and so beat and buffeted the poor little kid that it finally

fell half senseless, and was whirled to destruction on the crags below ; its

murderers sailing down to feast on the carcase. I have seen a good deal of the

Lammergeier in different countries, and never observed a like incident or

indeed heard of their killing anything bigger than a new-born lamb.

As a laughter-provoking nature comedy, it is hard to beat a hungry wolf

stalking marmots. He will spend an hour creeping nearer to a marmot who

pretends not to see him, but sits solemnly like a fat little alderman, on top of the

low mound of earth at the entrance to his burrow, in seeming blissful ignorance

ef peril. Then, just before the wolf arrives within springing distance, the

marmot whips round, whistles shrilly and dives into his home, while the wolf

bruises his nose on the doorstep in a wild and futile rush. Then the marmot

pops up at another exit a few yards away and challenges the wolf with another

whistle, the result again being a profitless attempt by the wolf to secure the

fat and tempting meal. More members of the marmot colony now appear on the

thresholds of their burrows and whistle derisively on every side of the marauder,

who, after one or two more vain efforts to secure a dinner retires in inipotent rage-

from the unequal contest ; usually to lie sulking on the hill-side overlooking the

colony in the hope of cutting off a member of it who may, later on, venture too

far from home on a grass-gathering expedition.

Twice I have watched this comedy through my telescope, till my sides ached.

with laughing, and my Tibetan companions (unable to see the cause of my mirth).

suspected me of being suddenly smitten with madness. On the first occasion

I rang down the curtain by slaying the would-be slayer ; on the second he was.

warned by a wandering back-eddy of wind and made off in safety.

Unfortunately for the game, wolves have greatly increased in numbers in

Ladakh of late years, and the unusually deep snow in the Rupshu district during:

the winter of 1910-11 gave them an advantage over their quarry which enabled

them almost to annihilate the Tibetan gazelle in some places, and everywhere

greatly reduce their numbers and those of the great Tibetan Sheep Ovis ammon.

For the hard, sharpedged feet of the sheep and gazelle made them sink deeply

into the snow while the splayed-out pads of the wolves kept them from going

far below the surface. The Ovis ammon owing to their greater size and height

off the ground were not nearly so heavily handicapped as the gazelle by the

eighteen inches of snow which lay everywhere, and so did not suffer nearly as.

heavily, while the kiang were hardly affected at all.

In August 1911, I was travelling up the left bank of the Indus close to where

it first enters Kashmir territory and flows placid and gentle beside wide flats of

short turf. As I walked about half a mile ahead of my baggage yaks, I spotted

206 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

a wolf sneaking along a small grassy depression in which three Kiangs or Tibetan

Wild Asses were feeding. It seemed tome that a solitary wolf would hardly

tackle as big a beast as a Kiang, but I was hardly prepared for the utter indiffe-

rence shown by the latter, who scarcety troubled to raise their heads to stare

at the wolf, as he passed between two of them feeding not ten yards apart. I

then saw that he was making for a large flock of sheep, which were grazing

some 250 yards further on, their Tibetan shepherds being squatted round a

small fire on the river bank as much again beyond them. The wolf having

arrived within forty yards of the flock seemed to cover the intervening ground

like a streak of lightning and pulled down a ram with one jerk of his

powerful jaws, seizing it behind the ears. He then proceeded to tear open the

stomach of his prey, while the remainder of the flock fled about eighty yards,

and then turned to stare, a huddle of woolly idiocy. The wolf then left his ram

and began to trot slowly towards them. When he was within fifty yards they

turned and began to flee, their enemy cantering behind them until he had

shepherded them into galloping at top speed. He then spurted suddenly

in the most amazing manner into the middle of the flock and pulled down

sheep after sheep with such wonderul speed and dexterity that there were

five lying on the ground within a distance of thirty yards. His method was

extraordinarily interesting. He came up on the right side of each sheep (there-

by bearing out the theory that most carnivora are left-handed) and, seizing the

galloping sheep behind the right ear, jerked its head downwards. and inwards

so that it pitched on its nose, the result being that it was stunned by the com-

bined effect of the downward jerk and the impact of its own fall almost or quite

dislocating its neck. At the fifth sheep the wolf stopped and began to tear open

its stomach, as he had done with the ram he had first pulled down. The shep-

herds then ran up and drove him off. I thought he would probably come back

to the first ram, and ran to try and get a shot ; but running at 14,000 feet above

sea-level is difficult work, and I had to sit down about two hundred yards

from it just as the wolf arrived there. Before I could get my sights on him, he

saw me, and immediately broke into a lope whose pace was so deceptive that,

although I thought I had allowed almost more than enough in front of him, my

bullet passed behind his tail, and he departed at a rate which made shooting with

any chance of hitting a task beyond my powers. Of the six sheep which he had

pulled down, the first ram was on its legs again, a piteous sight, its bowels dragg-

ing tumbled on the ground. Of the final batch of five only the last was dead, the

other four all getting on their legs and staggering about dazed and giddy.

It seemed to me that I had seen the Tibetan wolf’s usual way of securing a

stock of meat. For, having stunned several beasts, he would then proceed to

rip them open, and so prevent their going any further ; then kill them at his

leisure and have a supply which would keep an indefinite length of time in the

cold air of that altitude and in the absence of vultures and other thieves which

would render such a method unprofitable in other parts of India. I do not say

that this is necessarily so, but is merely a theory which seems the only possible

explanation of the wolf’s method in this particular case.

An interesting instance of the adaptation of an animal’s breeding habits to

the local climate in districts quite close to one another is shown by the Red

Jungle Fowlin Burma. Inthe Lower Salween valley you will find the chicks

hatched out by the first week in April and finding their food under the thick

carpet of dead leaves ; thus they are well advanced and able to withstand the

terrific downpour of the monsoon in May. In the dry zone of Burma, however,

conditions are reversed. There the jungle is not so heavy and the dead leaves

not so thick ; while the mongoon is reduced to a season of heavy, but helpful

showers with but rarely a few consecutive hours of rain. These conditions foster

the birth of a crowded insect life lasting till the dry season returns again. In

such districts the jungle fowl do not hatch out till the rains are well begun, and

QUAINT BEASTS AND QUEER HABITS. 207

I have found incomplete clutches in late July. Thus a continuous supply of

food is easily obtainable by the chicks, and they are able to fend for themselves

when the season of scarcity returns, and they must scatter over a wider area to

search for food.

Another, in fact, I might say “the other” common game bird of the Burma

jungles is the Silver Pheasant or “‘ Yit” ; for the Chinese Francolin sticks to the

more open slopes and bush country of the foot-hills, while peafowl are very

local.

Both Jungle Fowl! and “* Yit ’ (as the Burmans call the silver pheasant) are

snared in large numbers by tethering a tame cock bird of the species on top of

some small mound in the jungle and surrounding him with horse-hair nooses.

The tame bird then challenges the wild, who comes to do battle and is treacher-

ously snared. Some of the decoy birds are extraordinarily successful and seem

to take a delight in enticing their wild brethren to destruction ; such birds are

greatly valued by the Burmans, and occasionally change hands for sums of money

up to sixty or seventy rupees apiece. One “ Yit ’? was shown to me in the Papun

district, which had been the principal agent in the catching of twenty-two of its

species in a fortnight.

Burmans are wonderfully persevering in the pursuit of small beasts for food ;

the digging out of a Bamboo Rat or the pursuit of one of the big monitor lizards

keeping them happily employed for hours. Occasionally you will see a couple

of Burmans working the mud-flats surrounding a half-dried pond, one of them

armed with a spade the other with a thin iron rod. This last the operator will

thrust into the mud at intervals, and, on his getting the required ‘‘feel ’”’ at the

end of it, his companion will dig there and eventually excavate a muddy lump

which, on being washed, turns out to be a murrel. These fish are in the habit: of

aestivating in the mud and are excellent eating.

It always seems to me that we miss a lot of good things by our conservatism

in the matter of what we eat. Strange fruits and vegetables we are fairly ready

to try, but it is very hard to induce the average Briton to taste anything novel

in the way of meat. Yet many unfamiliar animals are most excellent eating. ©

Monkey and porcupine I can personally vouch for, and the big monitor lizards are

closely akin to the Iguana, and probably just as savoury food as that South

American delicacy. We eagerly devour snipe yet despise many shore birds such

as the Black Godwit and Curlew, whose mode of life is more cleanly and which

are just as good on the table. Very few birds can compare with a roast bittern

in January ; yet, when stationed in Peshawar in the vicinity of which canton-

ment they are comparatively common, I found very few sportsmen who did not

pass them by in ignorance of their culinary virtues. One of the best eating birds

in the East is the bustard of every species, but there is a curious superstition in

connection with them which I have come across both in India and Somaliland.

At certain seasons of the year the bustard tribe feed largely on the Cantharides

beetle, and it is said that the maa partaking of the flesh of their legs at that

period, will become impotent. Why the poison should be contained in their

legs only or whether there are any grounds whatever for the superstition I have

failed to discover,

The Houbara has very curious means of defence which is usually to be

seen in action when hawking them in Northern India. When the hawk is close

to them, they drop to the ground and squat. Then on his coming within range

they eject a sticky fluid (almost like birdlime) all over him, halfblinding him and

so glueing his feathers together as to render the hawk incapable of proper flight.

The houbara then rises in the air again and continues on its way rejoicing, while

the hawker rides up and finds a bedraggled object looking like a badly made

feather duster, sitting in impotent rage on the ground. The wary experienced

hawk will draw the houbara’s fire by feints, and then the latter’s supply of bird-

- lime becomes exhausted and the hawk goes in and finishes him.

208 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

One of the most thoroughly equipped animals for both attack and defence

that I have come across, was a large black ant, three-quarters of an inch long,

which was common in Somaliland. This insect was of stout build with very

hard black casing, and carried an immense pair of nippers in front, with which

he could inflict a most-severe bite. In addition he used to emit when irritated

an appalling odour, by reason of which he is generally known as the “ corpse ”’

ant. It used to be very amusing to see a couple of British officers earnestly

engaged in inducing a “corpse ” ant to quit their tent by guiding him gently

with bits of twig so as to avoid the fetid result of annoying him.

To return to hawks. I sometimes used to ride down a hare on the Arori Plain

in Somaliland, keeping on him till I killed him by striking him on the head with

the short handle of a camel whip which I swung by the leather thong, or else he

squatted so dead-beat that I could jump off my pony and pick him up. Twice

when I had an exhausted hare in front of me, an eagle swooped down and made

repeated attempts to deprive me of the fruits of the chase. Once I only succeeded

in rescuing my dinner by riding over the pirate, actually hitting him with my

whip as he rose under the pony’s nose.

The Arori Plain was a great place for Secretary Birds, which used to give a

weird display when killing a snake or lizard ; banging their prey with their

wings, stamping on it violently, and giving one the impression at a distance

that one was watching an unusually energetic war-dance by a Red Indian Brave.

The Hammer-head Storks, other queer denizens of the country, were wont to

build a huge thatched nest of sticks in the top of some moderate sized tree.

There was one in the top of adead ‘“ guda ”’ thorn tree close to one of my shoot-

ing camps, and watching the owners enter it’ was a source of unending interest.

The nest was at least five feet in diameter and the caves overhung the tunnel-like

entrance which sloped up towards the centre. To enter this the bird would fly

clumsily round two or three times until sufficient speed had been obtained ; then,

approaching the entrance, it would suddenly close its wings and shoot up

into it, the whole performance looking rather like a wind-blown umbrella suddenly

collapsing and bolting up a rabbit hole.

A most impressive flying performance is often given by choughs in Baltistan

in the spring. A small flock (of a dozen to fifteen as a rule) will circle up into

the sky with loud ringing cries until they are mere speck against the blue. Then

one after the other in rapid succession, they close their wings and drop like plum-

mets at a dizzy speed till within a few feet of destruction on the rocks, then spread _

their wings again and sail up to perch happily together on the hill-side. This

performance is gone through several times during the day, the object apparently

being to show off their flying powers by as near an approach to destruction

as possible.

A very delicate operation in the flying line is sometimes to be seen at the south

end of the Tsokr Chumr lake in Ladakh. Here there are some broken rocky

cliffs in which the Brahminy Ducks (or Ruddy Sheldrake) breed in large numbers.

When the young are hatched the parents (or perhaps the female only) have to

carry the young down to the lake. This they do by tucking them in between

the neck and shoulder, and it is very interesting to watch an old duck start with

short wing-strokes and then do a long vol-plane down to the shore, occasionally

cocking her head round to see to the safety of her youngster. These ducks are

sometimes found far from water and I once walked into a brood of fluffy ducklings

of this species on the Kiangchu Plain, which is waterless except for a couple of

small springs. These Brahminy, usually so wary in India, were much more con-

fiding than the Bar-headed Geese which breed at the south end of the Tso Moriri

lake. There I vainly tried in August 1911 to obtain a tender gosling for dinner,

but found them much too alert.

There is a Kiangchu, or ‘‘ wild horse water ” here also, but it belies its name

or I saw no Kiang there, but only a beautiful red fox, which I came on while he

QUAINT BEASTS AND QUEER HABITS, 209

was rolling in the sand of a dry watercourse. I was without a gun, so 1 was

unabije to secure him for tho British Museum and have never yet been able to

identify his species. The other Kiangchu, forty miles to the north-east, lived

upto its name with a vengeance. There, on the occasion of my first stalk after

Tibetan Gazelle in 1905, I was unfortunate enough to attract the attention by

one of those inquisitive nuisances known as Kiang in the local vernacular and of

other more expressive names to the sportsmen who have endured their vagaries.

On this occasion the first individual, having conducted an independent investi-

gation, then went off and fetched two of his friends to enjoy the sight of an angry

man trying to hide behind a stone five sizes too small. Others came up and

brought their pals till finally I had seventeen of them kicking up their heels and

playing at circus behind me, so that the gazelle I was stalking gathered that there

was something amiss and departed over the horizon. These coffin-headed

brutes, half horse, half donkey, turn up and show off their beautiful trotting

action (their only virtue amongst innumerable vices) in all sorts of out-of-the

way places, and generally manage to arrive at the very moment best calculated

to spoil a stalk. I had one or two stalks spoiled by wild asses in Somaliland.

but they were not nearly so numerous as the Kiang is in Ladakh, of which latter

I once collected twenty-three by the simple expedient of lying on the ground

and waving my handkerchief, there being but one solitary specimen in sight when

I began. Iam glad to say that I never lost my temper quite so badly as to shoot

one, as did one sportsman of my acquaintance with a Somali Wild Ass. At that

time these animals were on the “‘ protected ”’ list and when asked by the autho-

rities for an explanation of his crime, my friend stated that he had done it in

self-defence, as the animal had kicked him !

210

“THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA.”

Craup B. Troexurst, M.A., M.B.O.U., late Captain, R.A.M.C.

Assisted by

P. A. Buxton, M.A., M.B.0,U., late Captain, R.A.M.C.

and

Masor R, BE, Cuoreesman, M.B.0.U., 5th Buffs.

(With two plates.)

PREFACE,

During the late war a number of officers who were more or less

interested in Ornithology found themselves in Mesopotamia, and thanks

to the help and stimulus given by the Bombay Natural History So-

ciety, and especially by their Curator, Capt. N. B. Kinnear, consider-

able collections and observations were made, while Sir Percy Cox,

the High Commissioner, gave great help in many ways.

It has been the aim of the Society to get together all the information

available from the various members of the Force, and the collections

they made, in order that as comprehensive a paper as possible on the

Avifauna of Mesopotamia could be written for the use of present and

future British residents in that country, and the Society has asked me

to undertake the task of working out the collections and putting to-

gether this account, which I have had much pleasure m doiag,—ably

assisted by Major Cheesman and Capt. Buxton, without whese help

this paper could not have been written.

The chief collections were formed by (1) Maj. Cheesman and Sir

Percy Cox, (2) Capt. Pitman, (3) Capt. Buxton, while Major Ross, Lt.-

Col. Bailey, Maj. Logan Home, Capt. Aldworth, Capt. Harrison,

Capt. Armstrong, the writer and others contributed smaller numbers.

The first two collections have been presented to the Bombay Natural

History Society. Accompanying these collections were a number of

observations and field notes, while others contributed also notes of

varying amount and value. The list of contributors is as follows :—

Capt. T. P. Aldworth, D.8.0., 3rd Maj. Logan Home.

W. Kent.

Capt. J. Armstrong, R.A.M.C. Capt. F. Ludlow.

Capt. R. Bignell. Lt. A. St. G. Macdonald.

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 211

1t.-Col. F. M. Bailey, C.1.E. oe Tbe Col) BH, A. F) Magrath, 51st

Sikhs.

Maj.-Genl. Sir F. Brooking. The late Maj. G. A. Perreau.

Capt. Burgess. H. &t. J. Philby, Esq., C.LE.,

Pol. Dept.

Capt. P. A. Buxton, R.A.M.C. Capt. C. R. Pitman.

Maj. R. E. Cheesman, 5th Buffs. Capt. G. D. Robinson.

Maj. J. Chrystal. Maj. E. J. Ross.

Lt.-Col. F. P. Connor, I.M.S. Lt.-Col. Stevens.

Maj.-Genl. Sir Perey Cox, G.C.1L.E., Capt. H. F. Stoneham, O.B.E.,

K.C.8.1. lst EK. Surrey.

Lt.-Genl. Sir R. Egerton.

Maj. Fleming, D.S.0., Trench Mor- Capt. C. B. Ticehurst, R.A.M.C.

tar Brig.

Capt. W. Graham, R.A.M.C. Lt.-Col. F. E. Venning.

Capt. L. Harrison, R.A.M.C. Lt.-Col. F. Wall, C.M.G., I.M.S.

Capt. Hedgecock, Pol. Dept. Maj. Wernicke.

Capt. R. W. G. Hingston, M.S. Lt.-Col. Sir A. T. Wilson, C.8.L.,

C.I.E., D.S.O.

Capt. R. Hobkirk, 1st Manchesters.

Lt. W. Hyatt. Maj. Wimshurst, 5th Buffs.

‘Capt. C. M. Ingoldby, R.A.M.C. — Lt.-Col. H. 8. Wood, I.M.S.

‘Capt. T. R. Livesey, Pat. Lancers. Maj. Watts, 23rd Cavalry.

Maj.-Gen. H. D. Keary.

To all these gentlemen the thanks of the Society are due for their

help and co-operation.

The area covered by this paper is roughly from Mosul to Fao and

from the Jebel Hamrin range to the Syrio-Arabian desert, and although

over this large area there are a considerable number of observations

and collections from many places, these have naturally followed the

lines of war’s progression, and there are parts where it so happened no

one of ornithological tastes happened to be, notably on the Euph-

rates from Nasiriyeh to Hilla and from Feluja to Hit, and again in the

North on the line Khanikin-Kifri-Kirkuk-Mosul, little was done, while

Major Cheesman and Capt. Aldworth were the only ones to visit the

latter city. ‘This paper therefore, is not and cannot be the last word

on Mesopotamian Ornithology, but is intended to be a ground work

and book of reference for future workers. Defects and omissions there

are bound to be, but it must be remembered that these observations

and collections were made during war and often under extremely

trying circumstances.

In order to make this account as complete as possible for our area,

I have included or referred to anything which has been written in the

past on the subject, and a full bibliography (for which I am indebted

to the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain) is appended. During the war a few

notes have appeared in the B. N. H. 8. Journal and in the “ Field ; ”

212 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOUIETY, Vsl. XXVIII.

the latter were chiefly remarkable for the species the authors and no

one else ever met with and some of them were, to say the least, highly

improbable. :

The working up of the notes of various observers has been no simple

task ; many notes were made in the trenches, or at least under active

service conditions where baggage was reduced to a mimimum, and were

therefore not presented in a manner which lent themselves to easy

abstraction. Furthermore, as was to be expected, many observers

saw species which were quite new to them and mistakes in their identi-

fication were inevitable. Fortunately the collections contained speci-

mens of the great majority of the birds which are known to occur in

our area and so in many cases I have been able to correct wrong identi-

fications ;in other cases however, unless it is extremely probable or

known that the species recorded does occur, in the absence of specimens

I have omitted them or referred to them in the text. Names of places

in the text mean the districts round those places.

In the letter-press it will be noted here and there that I have drawn

attention to various points which require further elucidation, and it

is to be hoped that any one who has the chance will make special

efforts to throw light on the questions raised ; I shall be at all times

most willing to give any help or information to, or identify specimens

for any one who cares to communicate with me, and I propose from

time to time, as new facts accumulate, to add addenda and corrigenda.

to the Mesopotamian avifauna in the Journal.

Of each species I have given the English and Latin names and below

these, as a trinomial, the names of the race or races of that species

which I am satisfied occur in Mesopotamia ; I have also added, as I

think it may be of use, the original references and type localities to.

all, except to those species of which some, but at present underter-

mined, race occurs. In some cases (e.g., some Waders and Ducks, etc.)

for economy of space only the binomial name is given ; either I have

considered that no good races occur, or else are so remote from Meso-

potamia that any but the typical race 1s unlikely to occur.

As regards the much vexed question of nomenclature it is now fairly

widely agreed to start from the tenth edition of Linnzeus, an ill advised

procedure which for the time being has put nomenclature into a chaotic

state ; even the names of our British species, on which perhaps more-

study and discussion has taken place than on those of any other area,

are not yet finally and indisputably decided on, while in some faunal

areas hardly any revision has as yet been attempted.

Therefore it is needless to say that there isno up-to-date list (will

any list ever be correct according to the present rules of nomenclature:

for more than six months after publication ? !) which for our area we:

can follow. The hunting up of the latest published opinions, scattered

throughout the ornithological literature of the world, on what various.

names should now be, entails more time than is at my disposal and if

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 2138

accomplished would only produce a list which in a short time would

be “‘ out-of-date ” again! However it is to be hoped that the nomen-

clature here used will at all events be understood by everyone and that

after all is the only object of Latin nomenclature.

In working out the collections, I am greatly indebted to the facil-

ities given me by the authorities at the British Museum (Natural

History) and especially to Mr. N. B. Kinnear for the assistance he has

given me in many ways. My thanks are due to Captains P. A. Buxton

and J. Armstrong for the use of their collections, to Mr. Jourdain for

notes on Mesopotamian eggs in his collection and to Miss M. Shopland,

Miss D. Smith and Mr. F. W. Smalley for kind help in typing the

manuscript.

The total number of specimens from all sources available for exami-

nation is about 2,500 comprising 241 species out of the 330 species

known to occur.

C. B. TICEHURST.

LowestorT, ENGLAND,

March 1st, 1921.

INTRODUCTION.

1. GrocrarHy.—-The Mesopotamian plain, by which we mean that part of

Mesopotamia which, between Fao in the extreme south and Fatah Gorge (where

the Jebel Hamrin range crosses the Tigris) north of Baghdad, lies between the

latter range on the east and the edge of the Syrian desert on the west, is remark-

able above all things for its uniformity, or as some might put it, its extreme

monotony. As one passes from Fao up the Shatt-al-Arab, there is seen what at

first looks like a forest of date palms bordering the river banks ; but where here

and there a peep beyond is obtained, one realizes the “ forest” is only a belt of

trees a few yards up to two miles wide beyond which seems limitless mud desert.

The uniformity of the land is essentially due to geological causes ; the whole

area is rich alluvial soil and consists of very fine silt brought down through long

ages from the highlands of Eastern Asia Minor, Armenia and N. W. Persia. Over

the country this silt has been spread to a depth of hundreds of feet and it follows

therefore that underlying rocks exercise no influence on either the fauna or the

flora. The surface of this alluvial deposit is practically flat except where it has

been disturbed by the hand of man. This flatness is so extreme that it must

be seen to be realized, but we may mention that the altitude of Baghdad is 112

feet above sea level though its distance from the sea is 360 miles, and Samarra

420 miles from the coast is but 200 feet in elevation ; were the Kew flagstaff to be

erected at Fao, the flag would float above the level of the entire Mesopotamian

plain. On the very rough quarter inch maps, which were in use during the war,

small mounds were marked, and their heights relative to the plain, were it only

three or four feet, were indicated.

Through this alluvial plain run the two great rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates,

with their tributaries, e.g., the Karun in the south and the Dyala in the north,

both loaded with silt at the time of the annual high water in the month of April.

At this season the water of the rivers tends to overflow the whole country and

much of it is led away over the surface of the ground for irrigation ; most of the

silt which it carries is deposited fairly near the rivers, and it therefore happens

that the land nearest the river is generally very slightly higher than the land

further from it. Long ago the waters of the Tigris entered the sea at a place

214 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

to-day marked by the ruins of the Median Wail between Beled and Samarra and

now over 400 miles from the coast. The old estuary of the Euphrates would be

about the same distance while that of the Karun was in the vicinity of Ahwaz.

As the rivers raised the level of the delta, the sea was gradually forced back. In

Assyrian times it is supposed to have reached Ur of the Chaldees on the Euphrates

and to Amara on the Tigris ; since then it has receded another 180 miles to Fao.

The rivers when in flood, still rise above the level of the whole area and are kept

more or less in their course by artificial banks.

In many parts there is fertile soil right wp to the river banks on which wheat

and barley are grown, while the cultivatable area could by ascientific irrigation

be enormously extended. In places where the cultivation has lapsed for many

years, the river banks may become covered with an almost impenetrable jungle

consisting of Acacia (Prosopis stephania) and Liquorice (Glycerrhiza glabra)

waist high with bushes of Tamarisk (Tamarix), Poplar (Populus ewphratica), Tea-

tree (Lycium europeum) and Bramble (Rubus. sp.). Similar jungle grows on

one or two islands, especially that at Kharadah below Baghdad. Close to the

river where water is abundant date palms (Phenix dactylifera) are cultivated

over large areas ; there are also extensive vegetable gardens near towns which are

planted with figs, apricots, peaches, apples, pomegranates, mulberries, limes and

occasionally oranges.

In many parts of Mesopotamia, if one travels ten miles from the Tigris or

Euphrates or one of the main effluent irrigation canals, one comes to parts which

lie below the level of the corn land by a few feet. Such land is often temporary

marsh and is quite dry and sunbaked by mid-summer. There is no boundary

between these temporary marshes and the permanent ones, many of which con-

tain huge areas of water which remains two to three feet deep all the year round,

and grow crops of rushes and tall reeds ; such marshes are the Hor Hawaize,

parts of the Hamar Lake and the swamp at Nejef, while these at Suweikieh and

Akkakuf and many others partake of a more temporary character.

Certain areas are low-lying but have no natural drainage ; some of these patches.

are only a few acres in extent and are only “ low-lying ”’ by a few inches, others:

are much larger. In either case, flood and rain water accumulates here and’

evaporates, and gradually becomes salter and salter ; at some seasons they are:

quite white with a saline incrustation. Some of these patches are completely

devoid of vegetation, in others the succulent bush (Sueda monoica) grows freely.

Parts of the Mesopotamian plain, which are beyond the present reach of water

and so practically devoid of vegetation in the summer months, may be said to

consist of bare flat mud desert, and no stones or gravel are found in the plain

proper.

About 50 miles above Baghdad the aspect of the country changes somewhat and

one leaves the plain proper at the Median Wall. At 120 miles from Baghdad,

the Jebel Hamrin range crosses the Tigris which passes through the range at

Fatah Gorge. Between here and Mosul (our limit in this paper) is an undulating

plain (700 feet) of gravel and stones covered with grass in the spring, and here

and there along the river are cliffs 100 feet or so in height, similar to those which

are also found between Samarra and Tekrit. The ground now rises more quickly

and alluvium gives place to lime stones, gypsum, gravel and rocks. Lying above

the highest river level, the land cannot be irrigated ; a certain amount of ‘“‘ daim ”

or rain fed cultivation however, is carried on in the depressions where drought

resisting wheat and barley are grown and obtain a small amount of water in

addition to the actual rainfall from the shelving sides of the small hills. The

low table land after winter rains is covered for a short period with grasses and

flowers such as scabius, iris, delphinium and wild holly-hock, and is grazed

over by the herds and flocks of roving tribes.

2. Crimatr.—The average annual rainfall is six inches, which is confined to

the months of December to April. The shade temperature rises to 120° or more:

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 215

n July, and in January twelve degrees of frost have been registered. On the

whole, one may say that the climate from November to April is well nigh perfect,

and from May to September the reverse. The Shumaal or north wind commences

to blow about the end of May and continues into July ; it is welcomed as modi-

fying the hot days but causes a certain amount of dust storm. Snow is not

known in the plains but hail storms occur especially in spring. The tops of the

Pusht-i-kuh Mountains hold snow till about May and are visible from the Tigris

from Amara to Kut.

Tracing the Jebel Hamrin, a sandstone range, to the south-east, we find it

forms a more or less continuous line of hills to Ahwaz and form as it were foot-

hills to the great Pusht-i-kuh Mountains and also the eastern boundary of the

Mesopotamian plain ; this range runs up to 700-800 feet, while the Pusht-i-kuh

Mountains, which are outside our area, run up to about 9,000 feet. The latter,

however, exert a certain amount of influence on our area as not a few of the

winter visitors tq the plains pass the summer there and in the high table land of

Persia which is cooler and better supplied with vegetation. The Jebel Hamrin

range depends for its beauty on its colouring and except for a short period in

spring, it is destitute of vegetation. It is a rugged country of hills and vales and

includes the oil-fields at Maidan-i-Naptun on the east of the Karun.

3. Divistons.—Although the Mesopotamian plain is so flat and uniform, it

may, for purposes of zoo-geography and more particularly for the information

of residents in the country, be divided into eight sub-divisions with three more

outside the plains.

1. The Seacoast and mud banks at the mouth of the Shat-al-Arab at Fao.

A certain amount of information about the ornithology of this district was

supplied by Mr. W. D. Cumming during his residence there in the eighties, but

very little collecting was done there during the war and no description of the

place has been given. There are enormous areas of swampy grass and mud banks

more or less covered by high tide and probably many creeks and islets. In

winter it is, of course, the happy hunting ground of vast numbers of Waders,

Gulls, etc., while here the Pelican and Flamingo breed and the Reef Heron is

resident. Of particular interest is the Khor Abdulla or Abdulla Banks. Arm-

strong, who while at Fao made enquiries concerning them, states that they are

a group of rocks situated on the Arabian side of Fao and about 15 miles distant.

They lie in an old channel of the Shat-al-Arab surrounded at low water by vast

mud-banks, while between them there is a certain amount of silted mud and

sand. It must be a big breeding ground certainly of the Crab Plover, while the

Spoonhill, Pelican Reef Heron and perhaps other Herons are said to nest there.

No Englishman has apparently visited them, except the Superintendent, Tele-

graphs, at Fao from whom this information is derived.+

2. The edge of the Syrian and Arabian desert which lies on the right bank of the

Euphrates and Shat-al-Arab.

This consists of a sandy and gravelly table land gradually rising from 30 to

2,000 feet in altitude towards the centre of Arabia. This table land is very bare

excepting in the spring and has very few birds ; on migration, however, a fair

number of birds visit such oases as exist as at Shaiba. Here occur as typical

denizens the Bifasciated Lark (Alemon), the Finch Lark (Pyrrhulauda) and a

Desert Lark (Ammomanes).

3. Permanent marsh and reed areas, and temporary marsh.

The Hamar Lake, Horr Sanef, Howaiza marsh are formed by the continuous

overflow of the Euphrates, Tigris and Kerkha rivers into vast depressions just

above tidal influence in the Kurna district are the most important of these in

the south, and the Euphrates marshes round Museyib and the Nejef swamps in

the middle of the plain. In winter, countless myriads of wildfowl immigrate here.

+ Sir Percy Cox has visited these Rocks several times and the Society’s Collection

contains skins and eggs from therc presented by Sir Percy. A note ofthese is being sent to Dr.

Ticehurst : Eds:

216 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

The most frequently seen are Tufted Duck; the Grey Lag and White-fronted

are the common geese, while the Heron tribe is very well represented with Goliath

Purple, Common, Night and Squacco Herons, Bitterns, Little Bitterns, Egrets,

Ibis, etc., and Coots, Purple Gallinule, etc., swarm. In summer it would

seem to be ornithologically not so interesting. Buxton travelled by canoe twice

for two days across the Hor Hawezeh in July, and saw comparatively few birds.

For two days he passed through gigantic beds of reeds, many of them 18-20 feet

high, intersected by narrow channels of clear water, six feet deep in places ;

there were no small birds in the reeds except close to land, where the Moustached

Sedged Warbler was common, and the larger birds seemed to consist of nothing

but Purpie Coots, Pigmy Cormorants, Goliath Heron and Darters, but doubt-

less there were a few others such as Marsh Harrier and Purple Heron as in other

lakes, and there is a certain amount of evidence that a few Grey Lag remain to

breed, as certainly does the Marbled Duck, while in the Euphrates marshes

around Museyib, the Avocet, Whiskered Tern and Black-necked Grebe, etc., nest.

Temporary lakes are frequently formed by the spill of the rivers in flood such

as at the Umal Brahm and Akkarkuf, etc. These are large open sheets of water

affording a haven in winter for water fowl and waders generally, but under the

influenve of the spring sun, dry up quickly and on the receding mud waste, Com-

mon and Lesser Terns, Kentish and Little Ringed Plover and White-tailed Lap-

wing breed in numbers ; the Stilt on the more swampy parts.

4. Date and Fruit Gardens.

These are the haunts of the tree loving species to which in Mesopotamia,

little alternative exists. Among the resident birds are the Wood Pigeon,

Persian Crow, Indian Ringed Dove, Babbler and Bulbul, while the Indian

Roller is restricted to the Shat-al-Arab area. In winter come the song

Thrush, Persian Robin, Isabelline Shrike, Phylloscopi, etc., while the tall

date palms are resorted to for roosting by countless Rooks, Starlings, Black

Kites and Night Herons. In summer come to breed the Olivaceous Warbler,

Nightingale, Grey-backed Warbler, Persian Turtle Dove and Yellow-throated

Sparrow (Gymmnorhis), etc., and many passage migrants halt here. One day every

bush is full of Phylloscopi, another every pomegranate bush holds Woodchat or

Red-backed Shrikes or the bean fields are full of Great Reed Warblers. ;

5. The Corn Lands.

In winter, this is the haunt of Rooks, Jackdaws, Stock and Rock doves

which feed on the newly sewn corn; the Crested Lark is ubiquitous and _resi-

dent ; Sky, Wood and Short-toed Larks, House and Spanish Sparrows are to

be seen in flocks in winter while the Pallid Harrier and Kestrel particularly

affect this type of country. As the corn grows high, various migrants may here

be found such as the Sedge Warbler, Lesser White-throat, etc. During irrigation

in winter and early spring, numbers of Wagtails and Meadow, Water and Red-

throated Pipits haunt the wettest parts.

In the summer, after harvest, the Large Pin-tailed Sandgrouse in immense

numbers, and the Spotted Sand Grouse in small numbers breed in and round the

corn lands.

6. The Rivers and low Scrub Jungle along the banks.

In winter, the White Wagtail, Green Plover, Green and Red Shanks and Com-

mon Sandpiper are among the familiar winter visitors, while the Common,

Pied and White-breasted Kingfishers, Red-Wattled Lapwing are resident and

breed. In winter too, many Gulls (L. cachinnans and ridibundus) may be

seen far up the river inland, as well as Gull-billed, Little and Caspian Terns,

while among the ducks, the Smew and Golden-eye seem to show a predelic-

tion for the rivers themselves.

In the scrub and scrub jungles which only exist in the vicinity of rivers and

canals, the Black Partridge or Francolin is a characteristic bird, as also are Mene-

tries Warbler, Streaked Wren Warbler, and here and there (as a summer visitor)

the Grey Hypocolius and Scrub Sparrow, while in winter, these last are joined

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 217

at roost by hordes of Spanish Sparrow. Here, too,in winter may be seen Blue

Throats. Robins, Black Redstarts, etc., and the few Finches which occur, such as

the Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Eastern Linnet and rarer still the Red-fronted Finch

(Metaponia) and Crimson-winged Bullfinch (Rhodospiza).

7. Uncultivated land beyond the irrigated areu.

The dwellers in this desolate region are few; MacQueen’s Bustard breeds there

while the Norfolk Plover and Cream-coloured Courser have been seen in the brees

d.ng season in pairs, and almost certainly breed. Here, too, may be found the

Pratincole in colonies, while the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater makes its burrows into

the flat surface, choosing places with a sandy subsoil. In winter a few Eagles

Long-legged Buzzards, odd Isabelline and other Wheatears and occasionally the

Desert Warbler are almost the sole occupants to be seen on a long day’s journey.

8. Towns and Buildings.

The House Sparrow must take premier place and is a resident everywhere.

The White Stork nests on the houses and mosques in Baghdad and northwards.

The Barn Owl is a local resident, while the Kestrel and probably also the Lesses

Kestrel utilize suitable buildings. The Eastern Swift (C. murinus) breeds in

most of the larger towns. The Swallows are summer visitors and breed in most

of the houses, while their nests built on the tent poles were an annual feature of

the canvas camps. The Rock Dove inhabits the towns and ruins, such as at

Ctesiphon, in numbers, and enjoys animmunity from persecution from the Maho-

medans by living in the sacred mosques; ine flocks of unmixed blue are one

of the beauties of Baghdad and it is hoped it will be long before the nondescript

breeds of the fancier appear and convert them into the mongrel pigeon communi-

ties usually seen.

This concludes the subdivisions of the great alluvial plain; above this and

always above the highest level of the rivers we have :—

1. Undulating table land.—Here on the rolling plains of gravel and grass such

as between Fatah Gorge and Mosul, the Calandra and Short-toed Larks which

spread out in winter to lower parts, retire to nest ; in suitable spots the Desert

Lark (Ammomanes) is resident. In the clifis where the river has cut its way

through the hills of conglomerate rocks, Bonelli’s Hagle, Long-Legged Buzaard,

Egyptian Vulture and Raven breed. The See-See (Ammoperdiz) is not uncom-

mon on the rougher ground, and is, of course, resident.

Here, too, is one of the breeding places of the Brahminy Duck. On the vast

grassy plains, the Great Bustard is to be met with round Kirkuk and Mosul and

was not uncommon when these places were first occupied.

Correspondingly similar places are to be found at Shahroban on the Diala, at

Ahwaz on the Karun, and somewhere above Feluja on the Euphrates.

2. Foothills of the mountains 900—1,500 feet from Mosul to Ahwaz—

‘Cheesman and Buxton were about the only observers who visited these rugged

hills and they found very few species there but as might be expected a few species

occur there which are not found elsewhere, the Red-rumped Swallow and Rock

Nuthatch were apparently resident as also is the Chukar in suitable places, while

Hume’s Chat was also obtained here. The Pusht-i-kuh Mountains are outside

our area ; they include the Zagros referred to by Zarudny.

Pr Ayes

R. E, C.

4. Miaration—A feature of the avifauna of Mesopotamia is the small number

of resident species in contrast to a long list of migrants and winter visitors. In

fact one might mention places where there is but one resident—the crested lark.

During the spring and autumn migrations, even these desolate spots are thronged

with bird life undertaking the great pilgrimage, either staying a while to rest

or feed, or merely passing over. The small casis, such as Shaiba, on the edge of

218 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

the Syrian and Arabian deserts, provide more favourable opportunity for bird

migration study than would a much frequented island in mid-ocean, to which

the oasis in a reverse sense corresponds. The few tall tamarisk or palm trees can

be seen for long distances across the thirsty sand-waste and promise shade and a

refresher at the wells. Here taking advantage of the scantiest vegetation or

shelter, the most unexpected species in such a region were encountered, as land-

rails, moorhen and the nightingale ; next day these had departed, their place

being taken by wagtails, flycatchers, cuckoo, blackcap and white-thoat, and

so in even changing procession until the last one had passed and the small planta-

tion settles down to its normal aspect—the home of a pair or two of crested

larks.

Mesopotamia lies in one of the great migration routes of the Palearctic birds

(a geographical division of the bird kingdom to which the English birds also

belong). This division roughly comprises Europe and N. Asia. The Southern

boundary line passes along the Persian coast and at Fao strikes across the Syrian

desert to the Gult of Akaba. Most of Arabia at all events, is in the Ethiopian

or African region.*

Palmen suggested several routes by which most Palearctic birds travel to and

from their summer quarters. It is only necessary to give one here, but as a

matter of interest we will include route A which “ leaving the Siberian shores of

the Polar Sea passes down the west coast of Norway to the North Sea and the

British Isles’? thence through France and Spain to Africa, in some

vases far south in Africa. The route affecting this paper is route D,

Starting from the extreme north of Siberia it ascends the river Ob and branches

out near Tobolsk, one track diverging to the Volga, descends that river and so

passes to the sea of Azov, the Black Sea and thence by the Bosphorus and Aegean

to Egypt ; another track makes for the Caspian by way of the Ural river and so

leads to the Persian Gulf. The latter branch is that which passed twice a year

over the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, mostly following the line of the

three large rivers, Tigris, Euphrates and Karun, though doubtless many

birds also make their way through the valley and passes of the mountains of

Kurdistan and Luristan.

During the war, our stay in any one locality was always brief, our own migra-

tions were frequent and time was occupied in other directions and so our know-

ledge of migration is too scanty to do more than roughly indicate what possibly

happens. However our observations at the oasis of Shaiba led us to believe that

these birds which leave Mesopotamia for the winter pass on into Arabia and most

of them presumably cross the Red Sea to find winter quarters in Africa. The

centre of Arabia is unfortunately terra incognita ornithologically. The normal

autumn migration at Shaiba was moving in a south to south-west direction and

if these courses were held they must either go straight across Arabia or possibly

strike the Persian Gulf somewhere near Koweit and perhaps coast along before

striking across this continent. An exception to this general direction was noticed

at Shaiba in the case of the yellow wagtails, flocks of which were seen on several

consecutive days flying low over the desert in a North-easterly direction which

would bring them to the Shat-al-Arab near Busra. The only explanations of thig

* Where one should draw the boundary of the Palearctic and Ethiopian regions

cannot be determined as yet, until the fauna of Central Arabia is known and that of

the Arbian shore of the Persian Gulf. Palestine, in spite of its few Ethiopian forms

must certainly be considered Palearctic and so must Sinai; Hedjaz and Yemen on

the other hand partake of an Ethiopian character. Mr. H. St. J. Philby, C.I.E., who

has recently visited the Washm Province of Central Arabia informs me that be met

with a grey Partridge there, probably Francolinus pondicerianus, an exceedingly

interesting fact, as hitherto it was only known from Mascat in the Arabian continent.

Mr. Philby knows the Black Partridge and See-See well and is quite certain his birds

were not these.—C.B.T,

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA, 219

would seem to be that having “‘ made ” the oasis of Shaiba and found nothing

but limitless bare desert beyond, they had decided to make the river again and

coast on up the Gulf and cross inland elsewhere.

Besides the general north to south, south to north migrations there must be,

we think, with some species, an east and west migration and vice versa, by which

such species as the Blackheaded Bunting and Rosy Pastor reach their breeding

grounds but details of this we know little of. There are, of course, too many

local migrations as with the Pintailed Sand Grouse, which probably are influenced

by food supply, and those of the Gullsand Terns moving to their breeding

grounds.

It should not be inferred, of course, that the majority of birds make the com-

plete journey from the far north through Mesopotamia to Africa ; comparatively

few attempt this, and our migrants may be roughly grouped into the following

divisions :—

A. There are some which breed in the far north and in winter come no:

further south than the Caspian ; as example of this is the Redwing.

B. Others nesting north of Persia come further south and winter in Meso-

potamia such as many of the ducks and waders, some of the Pipits, the

Short-eared Owl], Siberian Chiffchaff, and Dark-backed Herring Gull.

C. Others nesting north of Persia are passage migrants through Mesopo-

tamia and winter in Africa such as many of the Cuckoos, Swallows,

Warblers, Wagtails.

D. Another group nesting in Persia merely descend to the Mesopotamian

plains to winter, among them are the Imperial Sand Grouse, Wheatears

of several species, Persian Robins, Sharpe’s Crow, Black Kite, Griffon,

Vulture, etc.

E. Another group are summer visitors to Mesopotamia and go in some

eases hardly north of this, and winter in Africa, such as the Blue-cheeked

Bee-eater.

R. E. C.

5. CHARACTER OF THE AviraAuNA—This is undoubtedly Palearctic, the

majority of the breeding species belonging to Palearctic genera, such as

Aidon, Hypolais, Sylvia, Passer, Pica, Acrocephalus, Melanocorypha, etc.,

but a few Indian species have spread west along the Persian Gulf as far as

Mesopotamia, such as Coracias benghalensis, Pycnonotus leucotis, Prinia

lepida, Porphyrio poliocephalus, Gymnorhis flavicollis, Sarcogrammus indicus,

Gallinula c. parvifrons. In winter and on the migrations, Mesopotamia is the

meeting ground of East and West ; thus we may find Phylloscopus collybita,

tristis. and trochilus all frequenting the same bushes; Calandrella minor minor

and m. heinei associating in the same flock ; Phenicurus phenicurus and ph.

mesoleuca ; P. ochruros with phenicuroides ; Saxicola r. rubicola with maura ;

Turdus merula syriacus with intermedius ; while Streptopelia turtur arenicola

comes to breed, S. ¢. turtur is a passage migrant through the country. So too

one finds different races passing through to reach their different breeding grounds

in the north, such as Motacilla f. thunbergi in the far north, campestris and dom-

browskyi to further south of this and so on. Here too in Mesopotamia probably

is the meeting ground, roughly speaking, of the breeding areas of some closely

allied races, as of the Blue Rock Thrush, See-See, Little Owl, Swallow, ete., but

details of this cannot yet be worked out.

On the other hand Africa supplies a few birds such as Th. ethiopicus, Plotus

rufus, Ceryle rudis while Phyrrhulauda frontalis, Dromas ardeola, Aleemon alau-

dipes, Podiceps capensis and Pterocles lichtensteini are Indo-African species.

Of widely distributed species it will be found generally that it is an eastern

race which visits Mesopotamia in winter and on passage, and besides receiving

migrants from Persia and the far north many must come from far more eastwards:

220 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

such as Alauda dulcivox, Anthus s. blakistoni, Calandrella m. heinei, Caprimulgus

e. zarudny?, Falcow. pallidus, ete., while there is no definite evidence of any

coming from the far north-west.

As one might expect from the character of the country some genera and fami-

lies are well represented while others are not, thus the Gulls, Terns and Waders

are to the fore, as also are the desert birds, while Shrikes, Larks and Wheatears

can claim at least eight forms each ; Woodpeckers, Creepers, Tree Nut-hatches

are as to be expected quite absent and of the Tits one species is found in

one corner only and another (Anthoscopus) is a rare visitor. It is somewhat

curious considering the abundant food supply during the war that Vultures

should be so scarce ; only two species occur with any regularity and then not

commonly.

Part of Mesopotamia has, of course, only emerged from the sea within historical

times as already explained, but it is somewhat remarkable that so few forms

have segregated out into recognizable geographical races more or less peculiar

to the country and it shews what a long period of colonization is necessary some-

times for differentiation to take place, thus the Prinia, Pica, Sarcogrammus

Porphyrio, Alemon, Crateropus caudatus, Coracias benghalensis and probably the

Cisticola are in no way differentiated from the Indo-Baluchi forms, while the

Ammomanes, Passer domesticus and Passer moabiticus are in no way separable

from the Palestine forms. Of European forms we have Sterna minuta, Hirundo

rustica, Riparia riparia, Aigialitis curonica and alexandrinus and Hypolais,

eleica but most of these are of wide distribution and great migrants. So far as

we know, the only species which have segregated out into recognisable races are

Ammoperdix griseogularis, Francolinus vulgaris, Corvus capellanus, Alectoris

greca and Pycnonotus leucotis, but the last two are not entirely confined to Meso-

potamia, while the only species entirely peculiar to the country are Acrocephalus

babylonicus and Crateropus altirostris.

Altogether one may say that Mesopotamia has an avifauna of peculiar interest,

and that in spite of the opinion of some, in few places does the study of geogra-

phical races tend to throw so great a light on the components of an avifauna as

here. Is it of no interest to ‘know whence the migrants come and from what

direction these plains have received their now resident species?

Two districts call for special comment ; Urfa in the far north-west and the

Karun district in the south-east. 1 have included all species noted at Urfa by

Weigold for comparison, though it is beyond the area proper dealt with in this

paper, and it is of interest as shewing apparently the western limit of some

species on passage, such as the Wood and Bonelli’s Warblers, the Collared

Flycatcher, etc. and, taking the determinations of his racial forms to be correct,

the western limit of some races which in our area are represented by more

eastern races ; as these are fully noted in the letter-press they need not be

detailed here.

As regards the Karun district we have only the bare statements of Zarudny

concerning the status of the various species found there ; these I have alluded to

where necessary, but it is to be noted that in many cases the status he gives does

not agree with those given by our observers in lower Mesopotamia, in that he

frequently records a species as a winter visitor of which we have no records in

winter at all. Future investigation is necessary to shew whether some of the

these, which otherwise are not known to winter north of Africa do find the Karun

district tempting enough to stay their passage further south or not. Several

other species are included on the strength of Zarudny’s records alone, not having

been so far met with elsewhere ; I do not of course vouch for Zarudny’s state-

ments.

It may perhaps be of some interest to give alist shewing the approximate

status of the species in each order ; our present knowledge does not admit of an

exact list and of course some species might be placed in more than one category.

—_—-

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 221

I have placed each species in what appears to be the predominant. category

and only one race where more than one occurs is included,

Res. | W. Vis.| Sum. Pass | Strag. St.

Vis. | Mig. incog.

Passeres ... 50 24 43 9 40 3 14

Pictform:: .. “| 4 3 6 ] 4

Strigiform .. as | 4 2 1

Accipitriform ap 5 15 1 3 2 | 5

Palecaniform seer 2 ] : | 2

Anseres.. oa 3 17 l 2 |

Pheenicopteriform. . | et | , |

Ardeiform .. Se | 6 3 1 | i

Gruiform 2 : |

Charadriform . | 10 28 2 2 2 fi

Lariform .. ie | 6 6 2 2

Podicipiform aos 2 1

Ralliform .. ae 3 3 2 g

Colum biform fe | 3 1 1 1 |

Pterocleiiform at 2 1 | 1

Galliform .. ac 3 | 1 | ‘

| 78 | 123 | 18 | 12 43

| |

Bed,

1. Raven. Corvus corax.

Corvus corax laurencet, Hume ( Lahore to Yarkhand, p. 335, 1873

—Punjab).

The Raven is at the most a local migrant in Mesopotamia, It is fairly

common and nests inthe Jebel Hamrin range from Ahwaz in the south to at

least Baiji, and probably further, in the north; it also breeds on the river

cliffs of the Adhaim and the Tigris from Samarra to Baiji. Logan Hume

noted it building at Tekrit at the end of January and Aldworth found nests

of seven and three eggs in the first week of March at the same place ;

Cheesman saw young being fed in the nest on April 18th at Baiji.

In winter the Raven wanders out into the plains but is only found

apparently at such places where the hills are no great distance away.

222 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII

‘Thus there are no records from the Euphrates and none from the Tigris

south of Ali Gharbi, at which place the hills are only some 15 miles distant.

Here and at Sheik Saad it is fairly common in winter frequenting in pairs

the old battle fields, at Kut it is scarce and from Kut to some way north

of Baghdad it appears to be absent, this stretch of the river being 60 miles

or more from the hills.

Four specimens examined: Q@, Sheik Saad, 22-12-16; Baiji, 18-4-19

{P.Z.C. and R.E.C.). ¢ 9, Ali Gharbi, 14-11-17 (P.A.B.).

The Mesopotamian birds agree well with the Indian ones, wings

427-440 mm.; bill 71-80, greatest height 27-29°5 mm.

In worn plumage they become very brown and might be mistaken for

C. ruficollis.

Weigold records this race also from Urfa and Zarudny from the Karun

district.

[The only record of C. ruficollis, the Brown-necked Raven, is that of a

skin in the B. M. labelled Mesopotamia from either Loftus or the Euphrates

Expedition. Mr. Kinnear, who kindly hunted up this skin and examined

it for me, says that itis a very worn specimen of Jdauwrencei. Statements

received concerning the occurrence of this species require verification and

until specimens are forthcoming I include it in square brackets.]

2. Hooded Crow. Corvus cornix. “Ghrabi.’’

1. Corvus corniax sharpit, Oates (Fauna Brit. India Birds, 1

p. 20, 1889—Siberia).

2. Corvus cornix capellanus, Sclater (P.Z.S., Lond., 1876, p. 694,

tab. LX VI—Head of Persian Gulf).

(1) Sharpe’s Crow is a winter visitor to the Mesopotamian plains from

the Persian highlands ; its time of arrival and departure were not reported

on and, as by some observers this bird was mixed up with the resident bird

it is somewhat difficult to elucidate its distribution. It has been noted at

Shush and on the Karun and Kerkha rivers in March by Woosnam and

is recorded as a winter visitor in this area by Zarudny and at Basra by

Tomlinson; but most observers agree it is a rarer bird everywhere than

-capellanus particularly so in the lower parts of the plain; thus Buxton met

with it but seldom at Amara and it was apparently not common at

Nasariyeh. Round Baghdad however it is plentiful and is reported from

the Euphrates as far north as Ramadi, but on the Tigris there are no records

_ north of Baghdad except from near Shahroban. Weigold records that a

crow nests at Urfa, near the Syrian boundary, which, he says, is somewhat

dark for sharpit but paler than corntv, This crow joins up with the flocks

of the resident bird in winter.

(2) Iam inclined to regard the resident crow of the Mesopotamian plains

as a subspecies of tne Hooded Crow and not as a separate species as it

clearly replaces sharpii as the breeding crow of the plains, whereas the

latter is also clearly the breeding bird of the Persian highlands.

The Mesopotamian Crow is resident throughout the year and its distribution

would appear to be practically that of the date palm.

It is found from Fao up the Karun river to Ahwaz, Dizful, Shuster, Bund-i-kir

and down towards Bushire ; but Woosnam noted that as soon as the plains were

left behind its place was taken by sharpii.

Passing up the Tigris it is common wherever there are palms to Baghdad

.and up the Euphrates to Museyib, beyond which town it seems to be scarce as

Pitman only knew of one pair at Feluja. North of Baghdad on the Tigris it is

said to be common in the gardens on the Diala river and near Sindia and it is

not uncommon as far north as Samarra and Tekrit, beyond which there are no

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 223

records. Weigold does not include it for Urfa, nor Meinerzhagen and Sassi for

Mosul.

This Crow is an early breeder ; Cumming says it breeds at Fao from February

15th to March 31st and Tomlinson found eggs on March 4th, and Aldworth several

nests in the Nasariyeh district in the first week of March. The top of a tall date

palm would appear to be the almost universal site, but Logan Home noted a

nest at Amarainalow willow tree about 15 feet from the ground. The full

number of eggs is 4 to 5. A nest examined by Buxton was a very untidy affair

built of camel thorn and lined with sheeps wool and old paper. Mr. Jourdain

informs me that the average of 43 eggsin his collectionis 44°05x29°22 mm.,

and maximum 49°5~x 29:2 and 48x 31°3 ; minimum 42°128-°6 and 41-1 x 27°6

mm. ; there is considerable variation in size and some would pass for Raven’s eggs

while others are no larger than Rook’s.

Their habits would seem to be much like those of Crows elsewhere, and they

are very fond of marshes and the vicinity of human habitation, doubtless for

what they can pick up ; Pitman notes that they are inveterate egg thieves, and

will drive Rooks off any morsel they covet ; in absence of any better perch they

will alight on tall reeds to which they cling like ungainly huge Reed warblers !

Their note struck me as being harsher than that of the European Hooded Crow,

and they have another deeper and gruffer note which I do not remember in the

latter bird.

In worn plumage the mantle of the Crow is a creamy white and the newly

moulted feathers are very pale grey.

(1) , Amara, 30-1-18; Baghdad, 13-12-18 (P. Z.C. and R. E.C.).

(2) Five specimens examined: Akkarkuf, 2-8-17 ; 25-7-17 (P. A. B.); Q,

Basra, 12-5-17; 2, Mohommerah, 29-3-17. (Q, Amara, 21-1-18. (P.Z.C. and

R.E.C.)

This has the same wing formula as cornix 2nd primary between 6th and 7th,

the Ist between 9th and 10th. Scapulatus, I may note, has quite a different

wing to the cornix group, a much shorter 6th primary so that the 2nd is between

the 5th and 6th and Ist equals the 8th.

Besides being noticeably paler than sharpii, capellanus has a larger bill and

stouter feet.

3 Rook. Corvus frugilegus,

Corvus frugilegus, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. X, p. 105, 1758—Sweden).

The Rook is an exceeding common winter visitor to the plains of Mesopotamia

arriving with great regularity during the third week of October and continu-

ing to arrive till the middle of November.

Its distribution is much influenced by the presence or absence of trees and

cultivation, but it may be said that in suitable places it occurs from Mosul on

the Tigris, and Ramadi on the Euphrates in the north, to Fao and the Karun

district in the south.

The huge flights to and from their roosting quarters, evening and morning, at

some places such as Basra, Amara, and Kazimain must have struck the least

ornithologically observant.

In some gardens they roost in such masses that their droppings constitute an

annual top dressing much appreciated ‘by the more intelligent land-owners.

Flying in to roost, at a fair height as a rule, a strong wind adversely affects them,

and Buxton noted that under such conditions they start to come in much earlier

and finish later, while they fly close above the ground.

Though a few depart as early as mid February the main migration does not

begin till mid March and continues on through that month till the end of April,

by which time all have gone. The direction is mostly north in spring and south

or south-east in autumn.

Whether any Rooks breed regularly in Mesopotamia is douktful, but Aldworth

in 1919 found an isolated colony at Mosul.

224 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Nine specimens examined : Amara, 10-12-17, 30-1-18, 17-2-18, 29-11-17, 13-1-18

(P. A. B.); @, Bagdad, 24-12-18 (two); @, Sheik Saad, 22-3-17. (P. Z. C. and

R. E. C.) ; Samarra, 28-2-18 (C. R. P.).

I have compared these with a series of European birds and a series of Eastern

ones (India, Turkestan, etc.), the so-called ischusii of Hartert, and I must confess

that I can see no constant difference between any of them and I am again led

to the conclusion as before (see Ibis, 1916, p. 41) that the differences are not

constant enough to warrant the separation of tschusii.

4. Jackdaw. Corvus monedula.

Corvus monedula collaris, Drummond (Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. XVIII,

p. 11, 1846—Macedonia).

There is not much on record concerning the Jackdaw in Mesopotamia.

According to Logan Home it is resident and breeds in the high clifis in fair

numbers below Tekrit, where he saw them building at the end of February and

evidently nesting early in May. Ludlow noted them entering holes in cliffs at

Khan Bagdadi in April, and they breed at Hit. Cheesman saw them at Tekrit

on April 19th feeding on young locusts, but does not mention anything as

regards nesting.

Meinertzhagen records large flocks at Mosul in winter. Elsewhere a few are

occasionally met with amongst rocks in winter as at Amara, Kut, and Baghdad.

Buxton found it to he common in November on the Jebel Hamrin near Shahro-

ban. South of Amara there are no records but it nests in the Zagros Mountains

and Persian highlands. Weigold met with it twice in April in the Urfa district.

One specimen examined: Shah Roban, 22-11-18 (P. A. B.).

The white neck band is very variable and in birds of one year old it is only

indicated as a spot on each side of the neck, little more than is found in some

specimens of the typical race.

5. Magpie. Pica pica. “Aq Aq’’

Pica pica bactriana, Bp. (Consp. Av. 1, p. 383, 1850—East Persia).

The distribution of the Magpie in Mesopotamia is rather curious ; starting at

Hilla on the Euphrates it is common and resident wherever there are suitable

gardens and date groves, as far north at all events as Ana, where they are numer-

ous ; round Baghdad it occurs but sparingly, and below the city on the Tigris

it is absent ; on the Diala river it is found at Bakuba, Shehroban and Kizil

Robat. i

The Samarra-Tekrit area is unsuited to it but it is found again at Mosul.

Wherever it occurs it probably breeds ; Pitman records it breeding at Feluja cn

March 1th and young in the nest were found there on April 28th ; at Museyib it

was one of the commonest garden birds, many young ones being seen in June.

Three specimens examined : Hilla, 16-3-19 (two) (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); Museyb,

12-7-17 (C. R. P.).

These have a very distinct white rump band and the black on the primaries

very restricted, the only specimen with a perfect wing, a male, measured 210 mm.

These birds exactly match specimens from Shiraz and are undoubtedly bactriana.

Neumann records the typical race from Ras-el-ain near the Syrian boundary,

whence I have seen no specimens.

(Capt. Burke says the Chough inhabits the cliffs in Kurdistan and is eaten by

the Kurds as food ! It might wander down to the foot hills in our area in winter.)

6. Starling. Sturnus vulgaris. ‘“Beiji.”’

(1) Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. X., p. 167, 1758—

Sweden).

(2) Sturnus vulgaris caucasicus, Lorenz. (Beitr. Orn, Faun. Caucas.,

p. 9, 1887—Kislowodsk).

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 225.

(3) Sturnus vulgaris nobilior, Hume (Stray Feathers, 1879, p. 175—

Kandahar).

(4) Sturnus vulgaris subsp. ?

(5) Sturnus vulgaris poltaratskyi, Vinsch. (P. Z.8., London, 1878,

p. 713—L. Marka-Kaul. Altai).

The Starling is an exceedingly abundant winter visitor to the plains arriving,

pretty regularly in the last days of October (earliest record 16th), and continuing

to arrive throughout most of November. Thus Pitman noted flocks going S.

and &. E. on most mornings up to the 24th of the month in the Adhaim-Samarra

area, and Cheesman saw flocks passing over Sheik Saad on November 9th. Many

move off again by the end of February, and in the first part of March they ave

quite scarce ; there are several records of small flocks moving north during the

early part of this month and the latest date of any seen is the 23rd.

They are of course most abundant where food supply is plentiful, such as round

camps, mule lines, transport dumps, etc., and they have their regular feeding and.

roosting places, the morning and evening flight between the two places being one

of the noticeable ornithological features at Basra and elsewhere. Prodigious

flocks are to be seen at times ; Evans records a flock exceeding 10,000 birds

collecting at dusk near Amara. Hobkirk informs me that the Starling is as else-

where a good imitator and he has heard it copying the note of the Pintailed

Sand-grouse exactly.

Many Starlings found their way into the pot during the seige of Kut and else-

where during the war, and Cheesman relates an amusing story thereon. At

Sheik Saad on one occasion when cartridges were at a premium, a shot “ into the

brown ” brought down a dozen which were secretly handed to the cook. The

word was given out to the Mess that a Quail pie was provided for dinner with loud

acclamation ; unfortunately however on serving, the heads and bills were found

protruding and the provider hastily changed his diagnosis to Snipe pudding,

hoping all would be well ! all partook ofthe dish without demur, save the O. C.,

who said he had never eaten Woodpeckers yet and he was not going to begin now !!

Thirty-five specimens examined :

(1) Amara, 15-2-18, 3-4-18, 7-11-1 (two), 15-2-18 (three), 4-12-17,.

27-1-18 (P. A. B.); Basra, 19-12-18 (Armstrong); Samarra, 4-12-17,

21-12-17 (three); Kut, 4-1-17, 25-11-16 (C. R. P.); Sheik Saad,

13-12-16, 3-3-17 (P. Z.C. ) and R. E.C.) ; Suleimania, 12-11-19 (Ross);

Shustar, 3-2-18 (F. M. B.); Basra, 21-11-17 (five) (C. B. T.).

(2) Amara, 26-2-18 (P. A. B.); Amara, 15-2-18, 4-2-18 (P. Z. C. and R.

E. C.); 8. Saad, 18-12-17 (Robinson).

(3) Shaik Saad, 23-12-17, 20-12-17 (Robinson); Kut n. d. (Keary).

(4) 3 Amara, 26-2-18 (P. A. B.); Shustar, 3-2-18 (F. M. B.).

(1) It is evident from the above numbers that vulgaris is far the commonest

Starling of Mesopotamia. An east-Russian form has been described—sophie of

Bianchi (=jitkowi, Buturlin) differing from the typical race by having more

purplish colour on crown and throat and it is this form which has been recorded

in winter in the Talysh, Palestine, Egypt, etc. (Hartert Novit. Zool. 25, p.

329) and which might be expected to occur in Mesopotamia. I have examined

a very large number of these eastern Starlings and a great many Starlings from

western Europe, and in my opinion the differences are too trivial and far too

inconstant to warrant the separation of sophie. A great many English Starlings

have purple heads and not green ones, and several breeding Swedish birds

(topo-types of vulgaris vulgaris) have purple heads, while two birds from

Moscow and Voronesh, which should have purple heads, have green ones f

I believe that the older and more worn the typical race becomes, the greener

is the head. I can find no constant difference between the two. This

“‘race ” sophie extends as far east as Shiraz in winter.

296 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

(2) caucasicus is of course a very recognizable race with the red purple wing-

coverts and green head, throat, mantle, and undertail coverts, when quite

typical ; however as with other races it is a little variable and T have examined

two from the type locality (breeding) which had the throat purplish and one

with purplish violet under-tail coverts. The crown however is invariably dark

green.

(3) These three skins are quite inseparable from typical nobilior from Kan-

dahar, differing from caucasicus in having the head, throat, and undertail

coverts purple.

(4) These two birds are very puzzling and agree with no race of which I have

been able to see descriptions of specimens of. There are two other skins,

which evidently belong to the same race, collected by Mr. Hotson near Shiraz.

These four specimens differ from caucasicus in having a bright, vivid green gloss

on the wing-coverts, mixed with violet-blue, instead of a purple red gloss ;

also the upper parts from mantle to rump have a varying amount of purple

sheen mixed with the green, so much so that an adult male from near Shiraz

has the whole of the upper part bright purple and no green gloss at all. All

four skins are winter specimens. As the breeding quarters of this bird are not

known and some races have been described by the Russians, the descriptions of

which I have not been able to see, I shall not compete with them in making

another new race! Dr. Hartert who kindly examined these skins for me says

they are “only caucasicus in their usual garb,” though he admits one has far

more purple on the back than usual. With this I must, I fear, disagree. I

have examined about a score of typical cawcasicus and all have the plum-red

wing-coverts, utterly different to those in these birds ; had there heen one bird

alone which differed from typical caucasicyg, one might have put it down as an

aberration, but with four skins all shewing the same differentiating characters

one cannot help supposing that they belong to some other race.

(5) One obtained by Cheesman from a flock at Bagdad on November 21st,

1920, clearly belongs to this race. Perhaps not uncommon.

This does not exhaust the races of Starling which have been recorded from

Mesopotamia! Meinerzhagen (Ibis 1914, p. 389) saw purpurascens in abund-

ance! It may of course occur, but none of our thirty-five skins are referable

to this race, and one cannot tell it in the field ; such “‘ records ”’ are better left

unpublished. Neumann (J. F. O., 1915, p. 121) described a new race from

Northern Mesopotamia which he cails oppenheimi, and remarks that it does not

fit in with any race according to Buturlin’s key! He says it breeds in Meso-

potamia as Dr. Pietschmann obtained on May 23rd at Mosul a grey, scarcely

fledged, young one. Now Neumann’s type came from Tel-Halaf (Ras-el-Ain)

(between Mosul and the Syrian boundary) in January and he has seen a

similar bird from Mosul, also in January (recorded by Sassi as nobilior), but

how he arrives at the conclusion that his new race breeds there is beyond my

comprehension, especially as the only breeding birds he has seen from this area,

and which he describes, do not at all fit in with his diagnosis of oppenheimi !

What exactly oppenheimi is, it is impossible to say without seeing the type and,

until a series of breeding birds can be seen from Mosul to ascertain whether a

distinct race does breed there, it is best, I think, not to recognize Neumann’s

race. From his description it is very close to purpurascens which breeds in Asia

Minor and Armenia. Hartert states (Nov. Zool. 25, p. 332) that he has seen a

Starling from south Mesopotamia which agreed with Neuman’s description.

7. Rosy Pastor. Pastor roseus.

Pastor roseus (L.) (Syst. Nat. Ed. X, p. 170—Lappland),

The migrations of the Rosy Pastor would seem to avoid for the most part the

Mesopotamian plain. Pitman saw several at Feluja on May 2nd and obtained

one, and on May 7th saw several more which departed in N. W. direction. On

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 227

May 21st Cheesman saw a party at Kizil-Robat and more at Kasr-i-Sherin

just over the frontier, they were flying N. E. Cumming records it from Fao

in the brown juvenile dress. At Urfa Weigold found it common in the vine-

yards in May. It is apparently a rare bird in 8. Palestine and Egypt and its

migrations must be largely east and west.

8. Golden Oriole. Oriolus oriolus.

Oriolus ortolus oriolus (L.) (Syst. Nat. Ed. X, p. 107, 1758—Sweden).

The Golden Oriole is a bird of passage in small numbers ; arriving rather late

in spring, its passage appears to cover the last week in April and the first part of

May. Pitman saw it at Feluja on April 27th—29th and Cheesman found

males in song at Khazimain on 29th ; Buxton met with it at Amara on the 30th

and again on May 7th. It was noted at Nasiriyah in May and Cheesman found

it at Khanikin on the 21st. Logan Home records that he saw a female at Daui

on June 2nd. We have no evidence of it breeding.

At Urfa it would seem to arrive earlier. as often is the case with other mi-

grants, and it is also commone: there; Weigold records that the males arrived on

April 18th and the females on the 29th. Cumming recorded it as a passage ;

migrant at Fao in May and June and again in September.

In autumn there are few records: Kut, August 9th; Amara, 2nd week in

September (Buxton); Ramadi, September (Brooking); Basra, September 4th

({L. Home) ; Fao, September 10th (Cumming) ; while there are skins in the B. M,

from Mesopotamia on August 20th and September Ist.

36, Two skins examined: Feluja, 27-4-17 (C.R.P.); @, Amara, 11-5-18

OPDA, B:):

9. Goldfinch. Carduelis carduelis.

(1) Carduelis carduelis niedicki (J. J. Ornith, 1907, p. 623—Eregli) (Taurus

(2) Carduelis carduelis loudonit (Morn. Monats., 1906—Lenkoran ?).

Goldfinches appear to be rather local and scarce in winter, possibly they are

erratic visitants. Cheesman noted it at Qalet Saleh on November 25th, 1917,

and on December 20th the same year Buxton found some flocks inhabiting

gardens at Amara where they remained till the middle of February. Ross met

with a large flock on thistles at Suleimania on December 19th, 1919, and Bailey

at Shustar on February 2nd. Weigold obtained two birds at Urfa in April but

apparently they were not breeding there; one he thinks is not distinguishable

from the European bird and the other is paler and he places it as niedicki.

Meinerzhagen records a flock at Baghdad on January 2nd.

(1) Nine skins: examined 4, ? Shustar, 3-2-18 (F. M. B.); ¢, Qalet Saleh,

25-11-17, $, Amara, 12-2-18 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); ¢, Amara, 27-12-17, ¢?,

13-1-18, g 13-1-18, g, 19-12-17 (P. A. B.); Suleimania, 19-12-19 (Ross).

(2) ¢, Amara, 23-11-17, (P. A. B.).

It is quite evident that two races are represented here and that none of the

skins are referable to the typical race ; the nine skins above are all too pale on

the mantle for this latter race and the cheeks are sullied white ; the colour of the

mantle alone, a grey brown, separates them at a glance and they are rather

smaller. They correspond well with niedicki, six topotypes of which I have

examined from Eregli, in colouration and in size. The Eregli birds measure

75° 5—82 in wing and the Mesopotamian ones 76-81:5 mm. Drs. Buxton and

Hartert, who also looked at these birds considered them to be Zarudny’s harmsi (a

name he substituted for minor and brevirostris which were preoccupied) but

neither they nor myself have seen topo-types of harmsi (Lac Krasnoye near

Baku). However as these birds agree well with niedicki and this is the older

name they must stand as this and probably it will be found that harmsi is a

synonym. There is a specimen of this race niedicki (Woosnam coll.) in the

B. M. from 8. coast of the Caspian in March which Witherby (Ibis. 1910, p. 510)

records as minor.

228 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

The single bird (Amara, 23-12-17) stands out from the rest at once and evidently

belongs to a different race. It is-browner, not so grey above. and more exten-

sively and purer brown, not grey brown, on the flanks, and this colour reaches

the undertail coverts. Dr. Buxton tells me it matches well a series of loudoni

in the Tring Museum from Lenkoran ; these are more like the typical race, but

bave the crown crimson red, not so flaming vermillion and the spots on the side

of the breast dull brown not red brown, and are of the same size—that is larger

than niedichi.

Lastly there is a bird in the B. M. obtained by Woosman on the Diz R. on

March 11th. Witherby (Ibis, 1907, p. 100) referring to this specimen thought it

was perhaps nearest the typical race, or might be volgensis of Buturlin of which

he had seen no specimens. I have examined this bird and could come to no

decisive opinion about it ; it certainly is not either niedicki or loudoni and it is

rather large and richly coloured for the typical race. It matches fairly well a

bird from Samarkund which is major, except that the upper part of the ramp

is greyer, but I notice that the pureness of white rump in major varies some-

what, however it is darker on the mantle than most major, are ; in absence of

any further similar specimens and of any topo-types of volgensis (Ibis, 1906,

p. 424, Ssuram to the Urals) one cannot come to any determination, but I may

remark that this bird seems to agree with Buturlin’s description, and Zarudny

records this race in winter from the Karun district.

The distribution of the various races of Goldfinches in this corner of Asia require

much more study and further specimens are needed before we can come to any

satisfactory conclusion about them. Zarudny says loudoni is the breeding bird

of Shustar and Kasvin and Buxton found it common at Resht in winter and I

have seen winter specimens from Shiraz. The breeding bird of the Persian

plateau is apparently harmsi, which probably is the same as niedicki.

10. Siskin. Carduelis spinus.

Carduelis spinus (L) (Syst. Nat. Ed. X, p. 181, 1758—Sweden).

One obtained by Ross at Suleimania on January 7th, 1920, is the sole record.

11. Linnet. Acanthis cannabina.

Acanthis cannabina fringillirostris, Bp. and Schleg. (Mon. Lox. p. 45,

1850—Cashmere).

Evidently the Linnet is a scarce winter visitor ; Buxton met with a flock of

twelve at Amara on February 11th and obtained specimens. Meinerzhagen

recorded a flock of Linnets at Nineveh, and Ross got one at Suleimania from a

large flock feeding on thistles and reeds on January 29th ; Bailey obtained two

early in January at Shustar, where Woosnam had previously met with it (March

21st) ; Witherby thought Woosman’s bird was rather dark for this race. Zarudny

says that fringillirostris is a winter visitor and passage migrant and that the

typical race is rare in the Karun district. I have seen none that could be as-

cribed to the typical race, all our skins are typical fringillirostris.

Four skins examined : Amara, 11-2-18 (P. A. B.); Shustar 1-2-18 (F. M. B.)

Suleimania, 19-1-20 (Ross).

12. Red-fronted Serin. Serinus pusillus,

Serinus pusillus (Pall.) (Zoogr. Rosso-Asiat. ii, p. 28, 1811—Caucasus:

and Caspian). ‘

Apparently a scarce, perhaps erratic winter visitor. Buxton met with a flock

in a garden at Amara on February 7th, 1918, and obtained four specimens. It

breeds in the Caucasus, North Persia, etc.

13. Trumpeter Bullfinch, Buchanetes githaginea.

Buchanetes githaginea crassirosiris, Blyth, (J. A. 8. B. XVI, p.

476, 1847—Afghanistan).

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 229

Tomlinson found this Bullfinch breeding at, Ahwaz on a barren hillside on March

25th ; the nest sheltered by a projecting piece of rock contained 4 fresh eggs.

Zarudny records it in winter and as nesting in the Karun District in small num-

bers. No specimens examined but I accept Zarudny’s determination of the race.

Jourdain informs me that these eggs resemble those of other races of this species

and average 18-7 x 14:2 mm.

14. Rose Finch. Rhodospiza obsoleta.

Rhodospiza obsoleta (Licht.) (Eversm. Reise, Anhang., p.132, 1823

—Bokhara).

Buxton obtained one at Amara in a pomegranate bush on December 16th, 1917,

it was extremely tame ; he found the remains of another on December 31st.

Weigold met with it once at Urfa on April 18th. Tomlinson obtained a nest of

5 eggs on barren hills near Ahwaz on March 24th, 1913 ; 3 of these eggs are in

Jourdain’s collection and he tells me they exactly agree with eggs from Quetta.

No birds were obtained and I consider the evidence inconclusive as certainly in

Quetta this bird does not breed on barren hills, butin vines and rose bushesin

gardens.

15. Chaffinch. Fringilla czlebs.

Fringilla celebs celebs, 1. (Syst. Nat. Ed. X, p. 179, 1758—-Sweden).

The Chaffinch is probably a weather migrant in winter to the Mesopotamian

plains, and does not come till forced by the hardness of the weather elsewhere.

Buxton first noticed it at Amara after a three days cold snap on December 15th

and they remained fairly common till March 6th. Pitman records small flocks at

Samarra in January and February. It is recorded from Baghdad, Suleimania,

Tekrit, Sushtar, from November to January and at Hit on March 8th ; Buxton

found it common at Khanikin on November 23rd. Sassi and Meinerzhagen

record it at Mosul in January and Zarudny as winter visitor to the Karun

district.

Fourteen skins examined: @, Amara, 7-3-18, 9, 11-1-18(P.A.B.); ¢Q,

Sushtar—14-1-18 (F. M. B.); 6 9 9, Samarra, 29-1-18, 9, Baghdad, 30-12-17

(C.R.P.) ; Q Amara, 2-1-18 (P.Z.C. and R. E.C.), 2 Q, Sweimania 14-11-19.

(Ross).

T cannot separate these from west European birds. Chaffinches vary much

in colour cf the breast, the tint in the males being very variable and that in the

females probably becoming pinker with age, and this obtains in these Mesopota-

mian birds as weli as in European ones. I can pass no opinion on Menzbier and

Sushkin’s salonikoi from Krim and W. Caucasus. (Orn. Monat., 1913, p. 192.)

16. Brambling. Fringilla montifringilla.

Fringilla montifringilla, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. X, p. 179, 1758—Sweden

Recorded by Sassi from Mosul in November and February, and by Zarudny

in winter in small numbers in the Karun district.

17. Rock Sparrow. Petronia petronia.

(1) Petronia petronia exigua (Hellm) (Orn, Jahrb., 1902, p. 128—

Rostov on the Don).

(2) Petronia petronia intermedia, Hart. (Nov. Zool., 1901, p. 324—

Gilgit.)

None of our observers met with this species for certain. Sassi records exigua

from Mosul on January 24th.

Weigold saw some race at Biredjik where it breeds.

Zarudny and Harms say that intermedia is not rare at Salmi in the Karun dis-

trict in winter ; it breeds in the oak wood district of Central Persia (Woosnam).

Meinerzhagen records a Rock Sparrow from the hills near Mosul in January and

Kingdon Ward says he saw a vair at Samarra.

230 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

18. Desert Rock Sparrow. Carpospiza brachydactyla.

Carpospiza brachydactyla (Bp.) (Consp. Av. i, p. 513, 1850—

Konfuda in W. Arabia).

Cheesman found this peculiar sparrow migrating in flocks on April 18th at

Fatah Gorge passing up the line of the Jebel Hamrin range going N. N. W.

He says the flight reminded him of that of a Hawfinch and the note is that of

a Bunting ; a large migration was in progress that day, other species moving in

the same direction were Spanish Sparrows, Ortolans and Wazgtails.

The crops of specimens obtained contained seeds ; the organs were advanced.

Later he found it breeding at a fair height on the Kermanshah road in Persian

Luristan and the song is a long drawn out note like that of Buntings. The legs

and feet in the male are horn colour, in the female pale flesh.

Zarudny records it as a winter visitor and passage migrant in the Karun area ;

it must I think breed not far from Fao as there is in the British Museum one got

by Cumming in 1893 in juvenile dress. This piumage resembles the summer

adult (worn) dress but it is a trifle more sandy, and much more sandy than the

winter plumage.

Three specimens examined: ¢ 9, Fatah Gorge, 18-4-19 ; 4, Tekrit, 19-4-19

(P. Z. C. and R. E. C.). These agree well with Arabian specimens.

19. Yellow-throated Sparrow. Gymnorhis flavicollis.

Gymnorhis flavicollis transfuga, Hart. (Vog. Pal. F.), p. 145—Bahu-

Kelat, Baluchistan).

This is one of the Indian species which extends its range to Mesopotamia. It

is @ summer visitor to the date palm areas from Fao to Baghdad arriving in

April, breeding in the latter part of May or even earlier and leaving again in

August and September. Beyond Baghdad there are no records of it; here

Cheesman found several in song on April 27th and the organs of a male were

well advanced, they were evidently breeding in the tall date palms. Tomlinson

records that it breeds in holes of date palms at heights varying from 8 to 20

feet at Basra; the nest is a typical sparrows, untidily built of dead grass and

lined with feathers and contains not more than 4 eggs. Cumming however at

Fao notes as many as five or six eggs in the clutch, and says the egys are typical

sparrows eggs but vary much in colour and notes three distinct types, one of

which is erythristic—a pinkish white ground mottled with pale reddish brown

spots. Jourdain informs me the eggs in his collectian are at once recognizable

from those of the House Sparrow by their smaller size, and the average size of

ten eggs is 18°8 x 15°8 m.m.

Cheesman records that one shot had the gizzard full of beetles.

Five skins examined : ¢, Fao, 6-5-18 (Armstrong)'; Khazimain, 27-4-19 ; Basra

18-4-17 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); 2 Basra, 1918 (Hobkirk).

These correspond perfectly with topo-types from Baluchistan which are paler

than the typical race from the Central Provinces of India.

20. House Sparrow. Passer domesticus. ‘Asfur.’’

Passer domesticus biblicus, Hart. (Vog. Pal. F., p. 149—Sueme, Pales-

tine *).

A very common resident throughout Mesopotamia wherever there are habi-

tations, and even following the camps out into the desert. In places where

food is abundant such as supply depots, mule lines, etc., it occurs in huge flocks.

They breed early, as Cheesman noted them feeding young with caterpillars

on April 19th, and nests may be found at the end of June ; so that as in other races

this form has two or more broods. A variety of nesting sites are chosen ;

Pitman found at Kut and Adhaim many nests in scrub jungle, some in quite

smali bushes, and Zarudny records finding 29 nests in one small bush in the

Karun district ; trees of course are utilized, especially poplar and palm buildings

JouRN. BompBay Nat, Hist, Soc. PLATE I.

Photo. Capt. W. Edgar Evans, 20th Oct.,§1917.

A.—Creek at Makina, near Busra, Mesopotamia.

Habitat of Halcyon smyrnensis, Yellow-throated Sparrow, Indian Roller, &c.

Photo. Capt. W. Edgar Evans, Nov., 1918.

B.—From Table Mt. Jebel Hamrin, N.E. of Baghdad. Rock Nuthatch, &c., ground.

Ravens, Griffon Vultures, See-see, Ammomanes, &c., seen on these hills.

Birps oF MESOPOTAMIA.

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 231

and ruins of all sorts, holes in banks, and even the nest hole of Ceryle rudis

was appropriated in one case reported by Evans, the deserted Kingfishers

being found behind the Sparrows.

The question arises what race or races of House Sparrow inhabit our area.

From 8. W. Persia and the head of the Gulf indicus has been repeatedly stated to

occur (Zarudny, Harms, Witherby, etc.). Now I have examined a very large

series from the Mesopotamian plain,—from Basra in the south to the Adhaim

in the north, and these match typical biblicus in every way and certainly are

not indicus, as they are too large and have grey, not white cheeks. In S. W.

Persia I have seen biblicus from Shustar, Dizful and even up to Kermanshah.

The south coast of the Caspian is inhabited by sparrows which I cannot separate

from the typical form. IJndicus, which is a small bird (wing usually 76-78 mm.

in males) and has white cheeks, [ have not seen west of Gwader on the Mekran

coast ; at Bampur, Karman, Shiraz, Bushire (in winter), Afghanistan and pro-

bably Beluchistan there lives a white-cheeked sparrow which has always been

eailed indicus, but for this it is much too big ; it is parkini of Whistler, a bird of

considerable range and whose type locality is Srinagar. Cashmere (vide Bull.

B. O. C. celiii, p. 13, 1920). Weigold says that specimens from Urfa are not

distinguishable from the typical form and Kolibay thinks the same. I have

seen none from this district so cannot pass any opinion. Sassi records

indieus from Mosul, probably an error.

23 skins examined: @, Kazimain, 9-2-19, 6-5-19; @, 7-4-19; Amara, 14-3-18

(two); @, Basra, 19-4-17; 9, Shustar, 13-1-18; 9. Sheik Saad, 25-11-16; 9,

Zear, 4-2-19 (two) (P. Z. C. and R. E.C.);2 @ 9, Samarra, 6-3-18; ¢, Adhaim,

20-10-17 (two); @, 7-10-17; 9, Bait-al-Khalifa, 21-12-17 (two) (C. R. P.); 9,

Shustar, 13-1-18 ; 39, Basra, 21-11-17; 9, 17-5-18 (C. B. T.). Wing @, 79—

83°5 mm., bill from base i4. 9 77°5-82imm.

21. Scrub Sparrow. Passer moabiticus.

Passer moahiticus moabiticus, Trist. (P. Z. S. Lond, 1864, p. 169—

Dead Sea).

This handsome little Sparrow is a local resident in suitable localities, wandering

away from its breeding haunts further afield in winter. Buxton met with a

small flock at Amara on December 9th in deep scrub of Prosopis, Rubus,

Tamariz, Liquorice, etc., and he saw another flock in the same place mixed with

domesticus on the 16th. Pitman found several large flocks 10 miles N. of Kut near

the Tigris in scrub and Sweda bushes on March 3rd and met with them again in

the same area in scrub round floods on April 7th and 10th. He noticed them

searching the leaves of the Sueda bushes for insects. Cheesman met with it

mixed with flocks of hispaniolensis near Amara on January 13th. He has

already given an account ‘Bull. B.O.C. CCXLVI, p. 39) of the nesting of this bird

which I reproduce :—

“On May Ist, 1919, this colony was nesting in thick scrub jungle near

Baghdad. The jungle was several miles in extent on the banks of the

Tigris. . . . The nests were always built in the stout stems of the

Euphrates Poplar or trees of dwarf Tamarisk 5 feet to 8 feet from the ground.

There were perhaps 100 nests scattered over 6 miles. Generally the nests were

200 yards apart. The main structure is of sticks and resembles a smail

Magpie’s nest. The large size of the stick selected is remarkable when the

smallness of the bird is considered. The eggsare placed on a thick pad of

down from rushes and thistles, a few fibres and small feathers. The root

is covered in, and the entrance is a small hole which winds down out of

sight from the top in a spiral.”

“One nest contained one half-fledged young and one egg, another 5 eggs,

2 fresh and 2 near hatching, another 6 eggs all fresh, another 3 eggs all

fresh. One nest, an old one, was being renovated by a pair of birds, The

‘232 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

clutches are usually composed of a majority of dark eggs, with one or two

totally different, being white with a few brown spots or blotches.”

Zarudny, who first discovered this Sparrow in Mesopotamia, found it in great

numbers in the lower reaches of the Karun between Ahwaz and Nasrie at the

end of January and beginning of February in jungle of Tamarisk, Lyciwm and

Poplar. Here he found old nests. He also met with it at Shellgati on the Gagar

R. in thick fruit gardens and at Kulichan on March 24th found it breeding in

Tamarisk. From specimens he obtained on this expedition he separated this

‘Sparrow as mesopotamicus, being intermediate in colour between moabiticus from

the Dead Sea and the very distinct Seistan form yatii and he says it is larger than

moabiticus.

He gives the measurements of mesopotamicus—

3, wing 62-66°3, tail 52°3,—56.5 m m.

Q , 59°3-63°5 ,, 49°3—53°6 mm.

Of typical moabiticus he only had two specimens for comparison !

I have examined the following skins from Mesopotamia :—

dg, nr. Baghdad, 30-4-19, W. 64:5, T. 59°5, B. 10 (P. Z. C. and R. E.C.).

3, Amara, 16-12-17, W. 66°5, T. 50°5, B. 10-5 (P.A.B.)

do, Amara, 9-12-17, W. 63, T. 48:5, B. 9°75 (P. A. B.).

9, Amara, 16-12-17, W. 62:5, T. 51, B. 10 (P. A. B.).

Q, nr. Baghdad, 30-4-19, W. 62:5, T. 49°5 B. 10(P. Z.C. and R. E. C.

“Of typical moabiticus from the Dead Sea I have examined 11 malesand 9 females.

These males measure W. 61—64°5 m.m., T. 47°5—62 m.m. and the females W.

59-62, T. 47°5-51. Between the Mesopotamian and Dead Sea birds I cannot

see the slightest difference in colour and, as above, there is practically no differ-

ence in size. I can only regard mesopotamicus, Zar., as a synonym of moabiticus,

‘Trist.

22. Spanish Sparrow. Passer hispaniolensis.

Passer hispaniolensis transcaspicus, Tschusi (Orn. Jahrb., 1903, p. 10,—

Jelotan in Transcaspia),

A winter visitor in great numbers, widely but rather patchily distributed.

‘There are no records of it before December 7th when Buxton noted that many

arrived at Amara and spent the winter. They became commoner still in

February and then gradually disappeared, the last: being seen in the first week

in April. He noted that they did not consort with House Sparrows and used

to roost all the winter in dense Peplar scrub and Lyciwm bushes in the desert,

even a couple of miles from the river. Pitman found it common in the Kut

area in February and says it may have been there earlier, and he noted it

wherever suitable scrub existed between Kut and Baghdad; he met with it

again at Feluja on April 17th during the spring migration of Wagtails, etc.,

while Cheesman saw large and frequent flocks on April 18th at Fatah Gorge

passing up the line of the Jebel Hamrin together with Wagtails, Ortolans and

Carpospiza in a very large migration rush. Cumming noted it at Fao with

House Sparrows during the winter and early spring.

Zarudny in 1911 includes it in his Karun list as common in winter and nesting

in small numbers. Writing in 1913 on the Sparrows of Persia (J. F. O., 1913) he

says it is common at Wais, Mohommera and Karun River, also at Ahwaz and

Shustar, from January to March and adds there is no evidence of iis breeding!

He further remarks that birds corresponding to palestine, Tschusi, are to be found »

in Persia, Transcaspia, Bokhara and Turkestan. I do not know this latter race

but some transcaspicus are quite difficult enough to tell from typical hispamio-

densis including some Palestine and Mesopotamian specimens and single birds

might equally well be of the latter form ; on the whole however I refer them to

transcaspicus.

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 233

25 specimens examined : 3, Shustar, 13-1-18, 18-1-18 (F. M. B.):3 0, Amara,

29-1-18 ; Q, Zoar, 4-2-18; Fatah, 18-4-19 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.).

3 Q, Feluja, 17-4-17; 9, Kut, 19-2-17, 3 3, 19-2-17 (C. R. P.); 6 d, Amara,

27-1-18, ¢, 21-1-18, 11-3-18, 25-1-18, 13-3-18, 28-2-18, 30-3-18 (P.A.B.).

Wing of ¢,77-84mm. The young birds of the year have broader edges to the

upper parts and are very pale and these and fresh moulted birds are the most

easily distinguishable, worn birds are most difficult to separate. The males of

the year have on the whole the shorter wing.

23. Tree Sparrow. Passer montanus.

Magrath is quite certain that he saw Tree Sparrows amongst flocks of Spanish

Sparrows at Felahiyeh on February 10th, 1917. There are no other records for

Mesopotamia, but as it is not an unlikely bird to occur (it occurs in many parts of

N. Persia) in winter and Magrath knows the species well T include it.

24, Corn Bunting. Emberiza calandra.

Emberiza calandra calandra, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. X, p. 176—Sweden).

The Corn Bunting is more or less resident in the Mesopotamian plain, appa-

rently such migrations as it performs being only local and so in some places, such

as Kut, it appears in the winter months only. It is widely distributed in winter,

frequenting scrub, arable land and corn fields. To places where it is a winter

visitor it leaves by about mid April and so a certain amount of migration may be

noticed in districts where it is in winter not common, from the end of March

onwards.

The only breeding record comes from Shaura about 40 miles south of Mosul

where Aldworth obtained a nest of six eggs and the parent bird on March

24th.

It probably breeds elsewhere, as at Amara, where Buxton obtained a maie

with advanced organs on April 7th. Cheesman noted a pair in song and the male

displaying at Sheik Saad as early as December 20th.

Weigold says this species was not common in the Urfa district and became

_ rarer eastwards ; he records it from Serudj on the Euphrates. Zarudny records

it as wintering in the Karun district, where Woosnam also found it at Shush and

Shuster in March.

Nine skins examined : 9, Shustar, 3-2-18 (two) (F.M. B.); 9, Kut, 12-2-17;

3, Feluja, 30-3-17; (C. R. P.); 9, Sheik Saad, 24-3-17 ; 20-12-16 (P. Z. C.

and R. E. C.); ¢, Zorr, 18-3-18; ¢, Amara, 7-4-18; 0? 11-2-18. (P.A.B.).

I cannot separate these birds from the typical race either by size or colour ;

at least two Eastern races have been described, minor of Radde from Tiflis, butur-

lint of Johansen from Kastek in W. Siberia (crede, Hartert) and another buturlini

of Zarudny from Turkestan! I have examined a good many Turkestan birds

and cannot separate winter or March birds thence from European ones. Eastern

birds generally wear quicker than western ones and so birds, like Corn Buntings,

appear greyer above and whiter below earlier in the year than do western

examples ; but these lafter in a few weeks will also become as grey and white as

the eastern ones. Also the amount of brownness or greyness above and the

yellowness or whiteness below varies a good deal individually.

25. Yellow Bunting. Emberiza citrinella.

This Bunting is apparently quite a straggler to Mesopotamia. Hobkirk is

quite certain he saw one at Basra on April 10th and from his description it

would seem that this was so. Sassi obtained two from Mosul on January 23rd

and Weigold saw one near Urfa on April 8th ; both suppose that their birds belong

to the eastern race erythrogenys which race Zarudny also gives as wintering in the

Karun district. As Ihave seennospecimens from our area I leave out the

trinomial name. .

234 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVUiil.

{Meinerzhagen states (Ibis, 1914, p. 390) that he saw Emberiza leucocephala

near Baghdad ; as there are no other records of this bird I include the record in

square brackets. ]

26. Black-headed Bunting. Emberiza melanocephala.

Emberiza melanocephala, (Hist. pl. 42 1769,—Carnioia). Scop. (Annus 1. Nat.

To most of our district this species is, where it occurs at all, a passage migrant

and all the records refer to the spring. Pitman says a few arrived at Feluja on

April 17th and inhabited some locust-infested fields together with Ortolans and

Wagtails until the 21st, when they disappeared. Cheesman noted odd ones at

Fatah Gorge on April 18th and Tomlinson records a large flock at Shustar on the

19th. Cumming found it at Bushire on the 14th, while Cheesman reports it from.

Shush on May Ist. It would appear from the absence of other records that this

species comes from the south-east and migrates along the line of the Jebel

Hamrin.

In the Urfa district according to Weigold the males appeared on April 28th.

Tt evidently breeds at Mosul, and perhaps elsewhere in northern Mesopotamia.

as Sassi says he received 11 eggs from there, but gives no further particulars.

Three skins examined: ¢ Feluja, 17, 21 and 22, iv, 17 (C. R. P.).

27. Red-headed Bunting. Emberiza icterica.

Emberiza icterica, (Add. ad. Pall. Zoogr. Russo, Asiat, ii, Eversm. p.

10, 1841—Caspian) (=luteola auct).

The only record of this species is that of a single young bird obtained at Fao:

by Cumming.

28. Grey-headed Bunting. Emberiza cinerea

Emberiza cinerea semenowi, Zar. (Orn. Jahrb. xy, 1904, p. 117—

Arabistan).

This somewhat rare Bunting is recorded by Zarudny as a passage migrant in

the Karun district. Cumming obtained it at Bushire on March 27th. As it

nests in large numbers in Arabistan (Zarudny) and occurs in Syria it should be

met with more commonly in Mesopotamia. Possibly it has been overlooked.

The grey head and rump, and yellow throat should suffice to distinguish

from other species,

29. Ortolan Bunting. Emberiza hortulana.

Emberiza hortulana, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. X, p. 177, 1758—Sweden).

This also is a passage migrant within our area and most records refer to the

spring. Cheesman noted large and frequent flocks passing up the line of the

Jebel Hamrin at Fatah Gorge on April 18th, halting for a few moments on a bush

by a pooi to drink before dashing off N.N. W. again. Pitman records it in great

numbers from April 15th to 20th feeding on young locusts and roosting in tail

poplars. After the latter date only a few were seen and the last on May 8th.

He also met with it in the Kut area from April 7th to 10th. Magrath saw a

passing flock at Basra on April 22nd, and Cheesman came across small parties on

the Baghdad-Tekrit railway feeding on the desert where it had been burnt by

grass fires. Zatrudny records it as a passage migrant in his area also, and

Weigold says they first arrived at Urfa on April 10th and continued passing to

the end of the month. The only autumn record relates to the oasis of Shaiba

where Cheesman found a pair at a well on September 27th.

Five skins examined: @, Basra, 18-4-17; ¢, Tekrit,17-4-19 ; Shaiba, 27-9-16.

(P.Z. C. and R. E.C.); ¢ 9, Faluja 17-4-17 (C. R. P.); ¢o 2, wing, 89-93 mm.

These Mesopotamian birds differ in no way from European ones, nor do those

I have seen from Persia, whence the so-called shah was desciibed ; a few Eastern

birds are a millimeter or so longer than European ones, sex for sex, but the differ-

ence is not sufficiently marked to warrant separation.

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA.

30. Grey-necked Bunting. Emberiza buchanani.

Emberiza buchanant, Biyth (J. A. 8. B, xiii, p. 957—Indian Peninsula).

Recorded only by Zarudny who says it is a passage migrant in the Karun

district. It nests in small numbers in the Zagros Mountains.

31. Rustic Bunting. Emberiza rustica.

Emberiza rustica, Pall. (Reise, Reichs. iii, p. 698, 1776—Daruria).

Recorded by Zarudny as a winter visitor to his district.

32. House Bunting. Emberiza striolata.

Emberiza striolata striolata (Licht.) (Verz. Doubl. Zool. Mus., Berlin,

p. 24, 1823—Ambukol in Nubia).

Zarudny records this Bunting also in winter in the Karun District and thinks

it may nest there—presumaoly in the low hills.

33. Reed Bunting. Emberiza scheeniclus.

Emberiza scheniclus pallidior, Hart. (Vog. Pal. F., p. 197—Aiderli

in Turkestan),

The Reed Bunting appears to be uncommon, or very local as a winter visiter.

Pitman states that he found a large flock near Kut frequenting some scrub of

Sueda bushes by the Tigris in January, they were very noisy and shy ; otherwise

he only met with a single bird at Samarra on December 18th. Cheesman got a

specimen at Sheik Saad on December 6th, the bird’s head was sc covered with

ticks that it could hardiy fly ; Magrath records it at Basra where I saw a singe

bird in reed beds on November 20th. Zarudny records this race as a winter

visitor to the Karun, as also the typical form.

Four specimens examined: Sheik Saad, 6-12-16; Amara, 2-2-18 (P. Z. C.

and R. E. C.) ; Samarra, 13-12-17; Kut, 13-1-17 (C. R. P.)}

These ali belong to the pale eastern race.

34. Black-crowned Finch Lark. Pyrrhulauda frontalis.

This Finch Lark was met with near the oasis of Shaiba on August 12th by

Buxton and Cheesman. Logan Hume informs me he saw it in the same district

(Rumailah) in June in pairs. It is evidently resident on this edge of the Syrio-

Arabian desert and is not recorded from anywhere else in Mesopotamia.

Two skins were obtained, both males, wings 85 and 86:5 mm. and not quite

fully grown. These two birds do not match any race of frontalis which I have

seen, and although I think that the birds, inhabiting Shaiba will prove to be a new

race yet I at present hesitate to separate them on only two specimens, as

there is in all races a certain amount of individual variation.

This Finch Lark has a very wide distribution, various races ranging from

N. EK. Africa through Arabia to Baluchistax east to Sind and Punjab.

The foliowing races have been recognized :-—

(1) P. f. fronialis, Bp. (Consp. Avium, 1850, p. 5)2—Nubia), Our birds

differ considerably from this in having a more finch like, stumpier,

higher bill; a black nuchal spot; greyer rump and upper tail

coverts and longer wing.

(2) P. f. melanauchen Cab. (Mus. Hein. i, 1851, p. 124—Abyssinan coast,

Somaliland, etc.).

(3) P. f. syncipitalis, Blyth (Ibis, 1867, p. 185—S. Arabia). Rather near this

race but Arabian examples [ have seen measure in wing 79-82 mm.

(4) P. #. affinis, Blyth (Ibis, 1867, p. 185, Type Madras (in error!) I designate

Karachi in Sind) Differs from Sind birds in the upper parts being

more isabelline washed with grey and with no obsolete dark centres,

while the black of the crown and under parts is more intense ; the

wing is as long or longer. I have however been unable to see any

Indian specimens in exactly the same plumage as these Shaiba birds,

236 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

The exact determination of this race is of considerable interest and further

specimens are greatly desired. Between Shaiba and Persian Beluchistan there

are no records of any Finch Lark.

35. Calandra Lark. Melanocorypha calandra. ‘“Usawah.’’

(1) Melanocorypha calandra calandra (1..) (Syst. Nat. Ed. xii, p. 288,

1766—Pyrenees).

(2) Melanocorypha calandra psammochroa, Hart. (Vog. Pal. F., p. 210—

Dur-Badom, Persia).

This is evidently a local bird and much commoner above Baghdad on the

uplands than below on the plains. Logan Home says it arrived at Tekrit in

December in large flocks and paired off at the end of February ; he records that

eggs were taken in this district—on March 29th a clutch of five, and another

of four at the end of May ; at the nest the birds were very tame ; one was secured

for identification. Cheesman found it plentiful on the hills and plateau at

Kalat Sherghat early in December, and at Samarra Pitman saw large flocks and

obtained several examples; here he found them in immense flocks from mid-

November, when he arrived, till mid-March when he teft, though a good many

moved away during February. They were very noisy and frequented mule

lined, camps, litter roads, ete., and proved excellent eating! In the Adhaim

area from September to mid-November and at Feluja from March to April he

however never met with it. At Urfa Weigold found this Lark quite common

in large flocks on passage in mid-April, but he obtained no specimens. Sassi,

who examined four skins from Mosul, considered them to belong to the typical

race, not to the eastern.

From Baghdad southwards there are few records; Buxton met with a single

bird at Kumait on February 28th and Cheesman found a few small parties at

Twin Canals on December Ist. Entering the hill country again Witherby

recorded it from Ahwaz on February 26th and Bailey obtained it at Shustar

on February ist. Zarudny lists it as a winter visitor (Karun District).

Eleven skins examined: ¢ 9, Shustar, 1-2-18 (F. M. B.); 4 ¢, Samarra,

14-12-17; 29, 4-12-17, 31-12-17 (C. R. P.); 5, Shergat, 12-188, 2 , Twin Canals,

1-12-16 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); one, Kumait, 28-2-18 (P. A. B.).

In determining these birds I have examiued a very large series of Calandra

Larks. Compared with European and with eastern skins (Persia, Turkestan,

etc.), they correspond best with the latter (psammochroa), in being paler and

yellower, especially on the ramp and mantle. than the western race ; one must

be very careful in comparing these larks to compare birds in a similar state

of wear ; it is true that psammochroa is on the whole a yellower bird than calandra

but as time goes on (April-May) it also gets very grey, rather a paler grey than

the western birds. Some birds partly worn (about December) in both races are

difficult to tell and odd ones of our Mesopotamian birds might equally belong to

either race. From Pitman’s observations it seems probable that some Calandra

Larks are winter visitors and it is possible that these belong to the typical race

which Sassi too recorded from Mosul.

Birds which T have examined from Palestine (Sharon, Meroni, Bashan and

Ludd (10 skins) are quite different to the Mesopotamian birds in being much

more rufous brown, and in fresh feathers are very red brown, with red brown

flanks ; these I take to be Meinerzhagen’s hebraica (Bull. B. O. C. XLI, p. 21):

one bird too from Cyprus and one from Syria match them exactly, other Cyprus

birds being calandra; on the other hand psammochroa is evidently also found

in Palestine whence I have seen two examples (Jaffa, March 3rd, and Judea,

February Ist). From Anatolia and Erzeroum I have seen the typical western

form. Meinerzhagen (1. c.) seems to think that his hebraica has a shorter wing

than psammochroa ; he gives for males 127—13] mm. as against 130—135 mm.

in psammochroa. With this I cannot agree as those which I have examined of

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 237

hebraica run up to 137 mm. Nor can I find any difference in wing measurements

between calandra and psammochroa ; in the two sexes the wings range from 118.

—142 (22 from Europe) and 120—138 mm. (Persia, Turkestan, etc.). Bills are

very variable apart from sex in all these races, some are large, some small ;

some high and stout; some long and thinner, and I can state with some

confidence there is no difference in wing length in the three races.

36. Bimaculated Lark. Melanocorypha bimaculata.

Melanocorypha bimaculata bimaculata (Menetr.) (Cat. Rais., p. 37,

1837—Talysh).

The only record of this species is from Cheesman who on April 19th found

several pairs evidently breeding in well clothed desert country along the Samarra-

Tekrit railway, and obtained a specimen which belongs to the typical form. It

has been recorded from Shustar on March 21st and is entered as a winter visitor

by Zarudny to the Karun area. As both species of this large Lark breed in Meso-

potamia, I must warn oologists, though it should not be necessary, to obtain the

bird with any eggs they take.

37- Short-toed Lark. Calandrella brachydactyla.

(1) Calandrella brachydactyla brachydactyla (Leisler). (Ann. d. Wetter.

Ges, iii, p. 357, 1814—Montpellier, 8. France).

(2) Calandrella brachydactyla longipennis (Eversm). (Buli. Soc. Imp,

d. Nat. Moskow, xxi, p. 219, 1848—Dzungharia, E. Turkestan),

(1) No observers distinguished between this species and the Lesser

Short-toed Lark in the field and so it is impossible to do more than state that

Pitman met with a few, which had just arrived, on October 16th and 17th at

Samarra and obtained two specimens belonging to this race. Weigold got

several specimens in the Urfa district where he says it was very common

between April 18th and May 2nd.

The status requires further investigation.

(2) Cumming obtained a typical specimen of this race at Fao on September

25th, 1886. It is in the British Museum where I have examined it.

38. Lesser Short-toed Lark. Calandrella minor.

(1) Calandreila minor heinet. (Hom.) (J. F. O., 1873, p. 197—Volga).

(2) Calandretia minor minor (Cab.) (Mus. Hein. I, p. 123, 1851—N. E.

Africa).

(1) Pitman’s notes apparently mostly refer to this race of which he obtained.

a large series. He says they arrived in large flocks about the middle of

October and from the 26th onwards thousands were passing to the south in

the Samarra district. They were exceedingly plentiful in this district from

mid-November till the middle of February when they began to disappear and.

by theend of the month most had gone. A few were noted on March 15th—19th

in the Baghdad area and the last recorded was on the 23rd at Feluja. During

the winter at Samarra they frequented a bare plain where there had been grass,

etc., in flocks of thousands and were distinguished by their noisy chirping and

dipping flight.

Buxton says this race was not common round Amara itself but he found it

common in small flocks out in the desert among Sueda bushes in winter. It

is probably common in suitable places throughout the countzy. I obtained

one from a large flock of mostly minor minor at Basra on November in a short

grass field and Cheesman obtained several specimens on the Tigiris in the Shiek

Saad—Azizieh district.

19 specimens examined: Samarra district, 26-10 to 21-12-17 (11 skins)

Feluja, 23-3-17 (2 skins) (C. R. P.); Amara, 16-12-17 . A.B.); @ Azizieh,

8-1-15 (2 skins); Sheik Saad, 1-11-16 ; Twin Canals, 1-12-16 (P. Z. C. and.

238 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

R. E. C.); & Basra, 21-11-17. (C. B. T.) Wings measure, @Q 90-103. This

race is greyer and less red-brown than m. minor.

(2) The status of this race is obscure. Cheesman obtained one from a flock

at Kasimain in the desert on March 5th and one of Pitman’s Samarra birds on

November 4th on which day he got also heinei, 1 refer to this race ; probably

they flock together in winter as I obtained twelve specimens out of a huge flock

at Basra on November 21st and from the same flock one typical hzinei. Cum-

ming obtained two at Fao on August 26th and September 25th, 1886.

Zarudny records minor and persica from the Karun district in winter and on

passage ; no specimens of ours aie referable to persica. @ 92—95°5; Q

87°5—91 mm.

Some scft of Short-toed Lark, whether of the minor or brachydactyla group is

not known, breeds, according to Cheesman, on the undulating uplands above

Tekrit.

39. Desert Lark. Ammomanes deserti.

Ammomanes deserti fraterculus, Trist. (P. Z.S8. Lond., 1864, p. 434—

Palestine). (I restrict this to “‘ Wilderness of Judea ’’.}

The Desert Lark occurs in at least four areas in Mesopotamia but whether all

belong to the same species or race is not known. It is fairly common in the

Tekrit-Adhaim area frequenting bare plain or rocky ground and is evidently

resident and breeds there, 2s L. Home found them in pairs on the Tekrit uplands

in May and found several nests, and Pitman and Cheesman met with it in this

district in winter in pairs or smail parties. It probably occurs in the foot hills

up to the Kurdistan boundary. Pitman notes that it can always be distin-

guished in the field by its querulous piping note.

A Desert Lark occurs on the western side of the Euphrates in the Museyib

district north of the Kerbela canal, where Pitman saw a few in June. Logan

Home records it from the desert west of the Euphrates at Rumailah on June 5th,

where it was evidently breeding. Zarudny says fraterculus is resident in the

Karun foot hilis. All our specimens come from the Tekrit-Adhaim area and all

belong to the Palestine form fraterculus, but it does not at all follow that the

birds from the Syrio-Arabian desert (west of the Euphrates) also belong to this

form; they may even belong to a race of the other species phaenicura, and

therefore specimens from this desert are highly desirable.

Buxton too informs me that one he obtained at Kasr-i-Sherin just over the

Persian frontier on the Kermanshah road does not belong to the form fralerculus

nor to any race of which there are specimens in British or Tring Museum.

Further specimens from this neighbourhood also are desiderata. The Desert

Larks are peculiarly local birds in their racial forms and though one may have

one race of wide distribution, abutting on its area may be another race whose

distribution is very local, and therefore the determination of this Lark in Meso-

potamia cannot be fully made out until specimens are forthcoming from every

district in which it occurs.

Nine specimens examined : Bait-al-Khalifa, 19-12-17 (two); Shat-al-Adhaim,

2-10-17 (two) ; (C. R. P). @ Y, Samarra, 30-11-18; @, Tekrit, 17-4-19. (P. Z. C.

and It. 8.C.).

These are in no way distinguishable from specimens from the Dead Sea and

Wilderness of Judea.

40. Crested Lark. Galerida cristata.

Galerida cristata magna, Hume (Ibis, 1871, p. 407—Yarkand).

This may be said to be the commonest and most generally distributed bird in

Mesopotamia, frequenting almost every kind of ground, though naturdlly scarcer

in quite bare desert and thick scrub ; even the oases have their pair of Crested

Larks, about the only resident birds they can boast. It is resident throughout

the whole district, but its numbers are augmented in winter by immigrants from

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 239

elsewhere (as noted by Buxton and Pitman), flocks being seen in February when

most of the resident birds have paired off ; Cumming, who noted the same thing

at Fao, states that these winter visitors come in August and leave in April.

The breeding season commences at the end of March ; the earliest nest con-

tained three eggs on the 30th. Pitman, who found 39 nests, says many have nests

and some are sitting by the middle of April and he notes young hatched on May

29th ; so that it seems certain that at least two broods are hatched out. The

usual clutch is four or five and Logan Home several times found six in a nest.

The nest, rather untidy and scanty, consists of dry bents, dirty straw, etc., and

is placed in any convenient hollow such as a hoof mark. under a tuft of grass,

or on bare ground concealed by grass, clods of earth, or bushes.

As in other races, this bird is a mimic of other birds. Pitman noted that it

often perches on walls, low bushes, telegraph wires, etc., and does good by feeding

on the maggots of flies. Many of them are subject to attacks by ticks and are

much affected by heat, and then they seek the shade of tents and water courses

in lieu of trees.

Thirty-five skins examined: From every month except May, June and Sep-

tember and from throughout our area from Samarra in the north to Basra and

Shustar in the south ; 20 males, 8 females, 7 unsexed.

Wings of males 107—113 mm., of females 98-5—104 mm. Bills (exposed) both

sexes 17—18°5 mm., 19—22-5 mm. from base.

These Crested Larks are so near magna that I hesitate to separate them and

with this Dr. Hartert agrees. Jf anything they run rather smaller than the

majority of magna but there is a big overlap. Wings of magna (Afghanistan,

Beluchistan, etc.) which I have measured run 105—117 (once 120 mm.) and it will

be seen that some of our Mesopotamian birds are smaller than this and none

reach the extremely large measurements some magna shew. In coloration fresh

moulted birds are quite like fresh moulted magna, but when a little worn most of

our birds seem a trifle browner, less sandy yellow on the upperparts and the larger

markings of these parts make them appear somewhat darker. One must allow

for a certain amount of individual variation and certainly a good many of our

birds could not be picked out from a series of magna. I have compared our

series with the topo-types of brachyura, twanowi and subtaurica and they certainly

do not belong to any of these races. In Orn. Monats, 29, Kolibay separated

as weigoldi the Crested Lark from Urfa (on one pair and two of doubtful sex).

I have seen no specimens from this place but from the description they appear

to be the same birds as ours. If any one considers the above characters as suffici-

ently distinctive then our Crested Lark muststand as weigoldi, but I am in-

clined to treat this name as a synonymn of magna.

41. Sky Lark. Alauda arvensis.

(1) Alauda arvensis dulcivox, Brooks (Stray Feathers, i, p. 484, 1873—

Alpine region of N. India).

(2) Alauda arvensis cantarclla, Bp. (Icon. ¥. Ital. Uccelli, Introd. p. 5

1832—41 Italy).

The Sky Lark is a common winter visitor to the Mesopotamian plains frequent-

ing desert, plough and green crops, preferring open country to gardens. It arrives

at the end of October and Pitmanon the Adhaim river noted flocks flying

south till November 7th. It is recorded from most suitable localities as far

south as Amara and it is probably pure chance that there are no records

from Basra district, as it occurs at Ahwaz and Bushire. Cheesman says

that the Sky Lark is a serious pest in some districts, as at Sheik Saad, where

large flocks cleared off acres of beet root and cabbage seedlings ;no method

of prevention was found to be efficacious, both guns and two men per acre to

scare the birds off proving useless ; he noted however that seedlings with more

than four leaves are practically immune. The only plan which seems to offer

240 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATUEAL AIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

any solution would be to sow the seeds a little earlier so that all the plants have

more than four leaves before the Sky Larks arrive, though whether this is possible

or not I leave to the agriculturists. Logan Home noted that in the Tekrit area

they often associated with Calandra Larks.

The Sky Larks leaves again in March, many have gone by mid. March and all

have departed by the end of the third week.

Thirty skins examined November to March, but many of them were in poor

condition and the determination of the races in some has been very difficult or

impossible. There is no doubt however that the majority belong to the grey

eastern form dulcivox, and that this is the commonest of the two races. Eight

birds I refer to the South-East European race cantarella which is rather darker.

Zarudny records both races for the Karun district in winter and Neumann

records A. arborea cinerea (a mis-print for A. arvensis cinerea from Ras-el-

Ain. 15 specimens of dulcivov measure :—Wing 105—120 mm.

Oi recent years the name cinerea (or cinerascens) of Ehmcke has been used for

this grey Eastern Sky Lark which is the breeding bird of West Siberia, Turkestan,

etc., and quite incorrectly as I believe. Brooks (8S. F. i, p. 484) described a Sky

Lark, clearly of the arvensis group, from the Alpine region of North India as

dulcivoa. His description agrees well with the Siberian bird and he did not

say nor is there any proof that his dulcivox was breeding in the Himalayas*.

Most of the older records of Sky Larks breeding in this region were muddled

up with gulgula and so far as I have been able to ascertain no arvensis breeds

in the alpine regions of North India except perhaps locally in Cashmere, and

these seem to me to be in no way different from the Siberian breeding hirds,

hence cinerascens must give place to the much older name of dulcivox for this

race.

42. Wood-Lark. Lullula arborea.

? Lullula arborea pallida, Zar. (Orn. Monat., 1902, p. 54—(Mountains

of Transcaspia.)

This species was perhaps overlooked by most observers as there are only

records from Amara, where Cheesman and Buxton found it plentiful in small

parties on the river banks from November to February 10th, 1918. Ihave no

other records from Mesopotamia. Zarudny includes it as a breeding species in

the Zagros and Khorasan districts.

Four specimens examined ; these are paler above, especially on the rump than

the typical race from western Europe and the underparts not so yellow below,

in fact barely tinged with yeliow. Similarly pale winter birds are to be found

‘in Palestine, the Taurus and Syria. Woodlarks are exceedingly difficult birds

to determine races of as each month’s wear makes such a great difference in the

plumage, but these four skins are distinctly paler than West European ones at

the same time of the year and it is probable that an Eastern race should be re-

cognized and so I place them under Zarudny’s name pallida tentatively, as I have

not seen any birds from Transcaspia.

43. Bifasciated Lark. Alamon alaudipes,

Alemon alaudipes pallida, Blyth (J. A. 8. B. xvi, p. 180, 1847—Ullah

Bund in Sind.

So far as records go this lark is only found on the desert on the west side of the

Euphrates and Shat-al-Arab ; Cheesman, who travelled extensively throughout

the country, failed to meet with it elsewhere. Cheesman and Buxton met with

it fairly commonly at Shaiba in June (breeding) and in August ; Logan Home at

Rumailah on June 5th saw half grown young ;Cheesman saw it near Nasariyeh.

and Harrisonat Ramadi in October. Pitman came across it twice, west

* He clearly considered (Ibis, 1892, p. 61) that the Punjab arvensis, the “ big grey Skylark ’’

which comes to the plains in winter, was dulcivoz,

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 241

of Museyib, June 12th and a few miles west of Baghdad on May 28th, the only

trans-Euphrates record. Cumming got it at Fao and Woosnam records it from

the coastal plain of N. W. Bushire. It is probably resident where it occurs, and a

true denizen of bare desert. Buxton notes that at Shaiba the desert is very slightly

covered with pebbles, otherwise it resembles the desert in other parts of the plain.

Ts is rather remarkable that its range should be so restricted, but in Sind I have

found it a very local bird, so possibly it may vet be proved to inhabit other parts

of the plain, indeed Zarudny records it from his ‘* Mesopotamian region ” which

in this paper I have referred to as Karun district. Cheesman says he was often

deceived by the note of this bird which is like the whistle of a school-boy.

Eight specimens examined: ¢ Shaiba, 1-6-18, 2 , 5-9-16, g, 11-9-16 (P.Z.C:

and R. E.C.); ¢ Shaiba, 12-8-18, 22-8-18, 2, 12-8-18 (P. A. B.); 2 Faoin B. M.-

The worn breeding birds are very grey above ; August birds in moult, with

body feathers aimost perfect, vary much in colour ; a male, shot on the same

day as a female in similar state of plumage, is much more washed with grey on

the upperparts than the latter, in which sandy isabelline predominates ; so that

evidently one must be very guarded in depending on colouration in determining

the races of these birds, and not only does individual variation have to be con-

sidered but the effect of wear, as in time the grey wash and the isabelline tone

both get worn off leaving a pronounced grey colour. These birds match a series

from Karachi very well. Wings ¢ 132-138, bill (exposed) ¢ 26-28, from base

32-33, 2 24-25, from base 30°5 mm. These are smaller measurements than

Hartert gives (Vég. Pal. F., p. 251), but I find Karachi birds measure almost

precisely the same.

44, Shore Lark. Eremophila alpestris.

Eremophila alpestris bilopha, Temm. (PI. Col., 244, 1823-—Akaba in Arabia)

Pitman was the only observer who came across the Shore Lark in Mesopotamia ;

he first noted a flock of six on December 12th, feeding on the parade ground at

Samarra away from the Sky and Short-toed Larks. He saw others at the same

place in January and also a flock of 20 or 39 out in the desert near the camp,

while on February 9th, a large flock was met with at Daur.

Five specimens examined: d ¢ 2, Samarra, 30-12-17, ¢ 2, 12-12-17 (C. R. P.).

I cannot separate these from specimens from Algiers, Tunisia, Morocco and the

Dead Sea. Wear often makes the upperparts a more orange-rust colour and

less vinaceous pink.

45. Water Pipit. Anthus spinoletta.

(1} Anthus spinoletta blakistoni, Swinh, (P. Z. S., 1863 p. 99—R.

Yangtze, China).

(2) Anthus spinoletta coutellii, Savig. (Desc. de Egypte, XX XIII, p.

360, 1828—Evypt).

There are remarkably few field notes about the Water Pipit, which is a fairly

common winter visitor. A fair number winter in Mesopotamia but more are to

be met with at the times of spring and autumn migrations, coming from and

going to places further south. Buxton noted it as common in flooded plaeas

on the grass farm at Amara in November and Decembez, and 1 found it common

though exceedingly wild in similar situations at Basra in November. The

spring passage appears to take place during the last week in March.

Sassi records cowiellit from Mosul in January and Zarudny both races in the

Karun district as winter visitors and passage migrants.

Thirteen specimens examined : blakistoni-- g , Amara, 7-11-17, 10-12-17, 26-2-18,

Q, 7-11-17; @ 2, Baghdad, 22-3-18; o, Kurna, 17-3-18; Aligharbi,—3-3-18

(P. A. B.); ¢, Sheik Saad, 25-3-17 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.) cowiell#i. Sheik Saad,

23-3-17, g 22-3-17 (P. Z.C. and R. E. C.) ; intermediate ¢, Twin Canals, 2-12-16

(P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); Hawi Plain, 13-12-17 (C. R. R.).

242 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

The majority are blakistoni, so apparently this race is the commoner. I have

examiued a large series of both races from topo-type localities and it is by no

means easy to separate out individual birds ; the most typical cowtellii with the

-warmer brown upperparts, especially the rump, come from Egypt and Persia :

probably the breeding area of this race is small compared with that of blakistons,

which has an enormous breeding range in Central Asia and is a very wide migrant.

So that it is not to be wondered at that numerically coutelli gets swamped by its

paler ally in its winter quarters. Of the thirteen specimens I regard nine as

blakistoni, two as coutellii and two are somewhat intermediate between the two.

I find no difference in size in these two races ; a topo-type series of blakistont

measure 84-93 mm. (often 92-93), of coutellit 82-94 mm.

46. Meadow Pipit. Anthus pratensis.

Anthus pratensis, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. X, p. 166, 1758—Sweden).

The various Pipits were so mixed up by so many observers that their status is

a matter for further investigation. The Meadow Pipit would appear not to be

very common, neither Buxton nor Cheesman’ met with it, nor did Cumming at

Fao. Pitman obtained four skins at Samarra between December 14th and March

8th and I found it not uncommon in small flocks frequenting damp places in

fields at Basra on November 20th and March 19th and obtained specimens on

each day.

Zarudny records A. pratensis enigmaticus as a winter visitor and passage mig-

rant in the Karun district. I do not know this bird, which Zarudny described

from Tashkent in Turkestan ; the Mesopotamian birds agree well with European

ones, and I suspect enigmaticus is really cervinus, which Zarudny omits from

his Mesopotamian list.

47. Tree Pipit. Anthus trivialis.

Anthus trivialis trivialis, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. X, p. 16, 1758—Sweden).

Cumming records this Pipit at Fao on spring and probably autumn passage,

Pitman found it fairly common at Nahr Umar on March 26th, 1917, and obtained

specimens there and at Feluja on March 29th the next year ; Cheesman obtained

one at Basra on April 18th, Buxton records it from Amara on September 28th.

Zarudny records it as a passage migrant in the Karun district and Weigold notes

it on passage on April 10th as not rare in the oasis and gardens at Urfa, where

there were still some on April 27th ; they were in flocks and the sexual organs

were not developed. It breeds on the south coast of the Black Sea (Woosnam).

48. Red-throated Pipit. Anthus cervinus.

Anthus cervinus, Pall. (Zoog. Rosso-Asiat. i., p. 311, 1827—Siberia).

One obtained by Cheesman at Sheik Saad on April 3rd and two shot by

Pitman at Feluja on April 16th, where he found it plentiful from 14th—17th.,

are our only records. Tomlinson records that he obtained one at Shustar on

April 19th, and one at Basra on November 21st.

49. Tawny Pipit. Anthus campestris. .

Anthus campestris campestris, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. X, p. 166, 1758—

Sweden).

The Tawny Pipit is a common winter visitor to the plains. Unlike most of

the other Pipits it affects dry places and is to be met with in scrub, and desert

where a little scrub is to be found ; it is found singly‘or at the most in pairs. It

occurs from Fao and Shustar in the south northwards everywhere in suitable

localities and Weigold records it from Urfa. The dates of arrival were not

noted but there are specimens obtained as late as April 5th and Weigold met

with it as late as the 23rd. According to Woosnam it probably breeds at. Lake

Van in Armenia.

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 243

Six specimens examined: 2, Amara, 16-1-18; ¢, Legait, 2-3-18 (P. Z. C. and

R. E. C.); 2, Feluja, 29-3-18; Nahr Umar, 5-4-18 (C. R. P.); od, Amara,

23-12-17—16-12-17 (P. A. B.).

All belong to the typical race.

50. Richard’s Pipit. Anthus richardi,

Anthus richardi richardi, Vieill. (Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. X XVI, p. 491,

1818—France).

Recorded by Zarudny as a winter visitor to the Karun district.

51. Plain Pipit. Anthus sordidus.

Anthus sordidus decaptus, Meinerz. (Bull. B.O.C. CCLILI, p. 23, 1920—

Rud-i-Taman, E. Persia).

Apparently a winter visitor in quite small numbers, as there is only one

specimen—obtained by Buxton at Amara on February 11th ; he met with three

or four in a ploughed field and remarks he had not seen it before. No one else

records it but some may have mistaken it for the Tawny Pipit to which it bears

some resemblance in general appearance and habits. Zarudny records it from

the Karun district in winter.

Hartert (Vég. Pal. F., p. 269) separated the Palestine race of this Pipit as

A. leucophrys captus. It is now generally recognized that it must stand as a race

of the N. E. African bird, A. sordidus. Hartert gave the distribution of captus as

Palestine, Persia, Afghanistan, Beluchistan and Sind. Meinerzhagen who

recently got a good series of these birds in Palestine has pointed out however that

the Palestine birds are smaller than those from further east and gives the wing

measurement of the Palestine birds as 90-95mm., and in the eastern race, which

he calls decaptus, the wing measures 95-106 mm. Buxton’s bird, a female, has a

wing of 97 and so clearly belongs to the eastern form.

52. Grey Wagtail. Motacilla cinerea (—boarula auct.).

Motacilla cinerea cinerea, Tunst. (Ornit. Britain, p. 2, 1771—Gt. Britain).

A winter visitor in small numbers, the first arriving at the end of August, and

it is widely distributed in suitable places throughout our area. Most depart by

the end of March and the latest date is April 11th ; before they leave they assume

full breeding dress. Weigold got three skins at Urfa in April and records that

they are intermediate between cinerea and melanope and possibly an inter-

mediate form occurs on the boundary between these two races, as the tails of

his specimens, somewhat abraided, are shorter (93-95 mm.) than in any cinerea.

He does not know if the Grey Wagtail breeds at Urfa.

Five skins examined: ¢ Kurna, 20-3-18, T. 100 (P. A. B.); 3 Sheik Saad,

22-3-17, oT. 98, 2-4-17, T. 98:5; dShaiba, 13-9-16, T. 100 (P. Z. C. and R.

E. C.); Samarra, 13-12-17, T. 97 (C. R. P.).

None of these differ in any way from and all have as long tails as British ones,

53. Black-headed Wagtail. Motacilla feldegg (melano-

cephala auct). ‘“‘Zit-ziata.’’

Motacilla feldegg feldegg, Michah. (Isis, 1830, p. 812—S. Dalmatia).

This Wagtail is an exceedingly abundant passage migrant throughout the

country ; the earliest date is March 13th and fair numbers may be seen through-

out the rest of the month. Cheesman saw flocks of Wagtails, many being of this

species going north at Sheik Saad in the third week of March, the males pre-

ceding the females. Huge flocks pass through in April but most have gone on

by the third week. It probably breeds not far off as Pitman saw it at the Eu-

phrates Barrage on July 8th, 1917, and many at Baghdad on the 18th.

Buxton also found a few in rice-fields by the Hawazieh swamp on July 12th

een? obtained was an adult male in very worn dress and just beginning to

moult.

244 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Magrath too found it on the Saweikieh marsh in short grass in mid-July while-

Logan Home records three or four seen and one shot (unfortunately the skin.

was lost) at Abu Aran, 40 miles from Busra, on June 26th. So itis quite within

the bounds of possibility that it even breeds in the plains. Zarudny says it

breeds in the Zagros and winters on the Karun; we have no winter records.

During their passage they affect any damp ground, particularly crops such as

wheat, grass, rice, etc., and associate with other Wagtails. Curiously enough

there are no specimens or records in autumn but the latter may be included under

Slava.

Nine specimensexamined: ¢ 9 Amara, 24-3-18 ; ¢ ,.Kurna, 17-3-18; ¢.Hawi-

zieh, 12-7-18 (P. A. B.) ; ¢ Sheik Saad, 27-3-17, 20-3-17, 925-3-17 (P. Z. G

and R. E.C.); @Feluja, 21-3-27 (C. R. P.).

Wings 82-85. Tail 70-76 m.m.

The white chin and moustachal streak in melanogriseus are rather inconstant

characters and some feldegg shew them; melanogriseus usually has a shorter

wing and tail; thus within the range of both forms one may meet with single

birds which are indeterminable and one or two of the above could not be picked

out from a series of melanogriseus, possibly both races do occur, but a larger

series are required to determine this.

I think it is perhaps better to treat the Black-headed Wagtails as a separate

Species and not as a race of the Blue-headed.

54. Blue-headed Wagtail. Motacilla flava.

(1) Motacilla flava dombrowskii (Tschusi) (Orn. Jahrb, xiv, 161, 1903—

Roumania).

(2) Motacilla flava thunbergi, Billb. (Synop. Faun. Scand., 1, 2, Aves,

1828, p. 50—Lappland (borealis auct).

(3) Motacilla flava campestris, Pall. (Russ. Reichs, iii, p. 696, 1776—E.

Russia).

(4) Motacilla flava flava, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed., x, p. 185, 1758—S. Sweden).

(5) Motacilla flava leucocephala ?, Przew. (Zap. Imp. Akad. Nauk. St.

Petersb. ,Lv., p. 85, 1887—-Dzungaria (Altai).

The records are not always separable into the different races unless born out

by specimens. The commonest form would seem to be dombrowskii and all

races are passage migrants.

(1) This race appears on passage about the same time as feldegg and mixes

freely with it. Cheesman found it common at Sheik Saad in the last week of

March and obtained specimens. Pitman got four at Feluja during a big rush of

mixed Yellow Wagtails on April 15th to 18th. Yellow Wagtails of sorts were

passing along the line of the Jebel Hamrin range at Fatah Gorge on April 18th.

On the return passage Yellow Wagtails were noted in the first week of August

and became commoner in the second and third weeks.

Many pass in September ; Cheesman noted the gardens at Sheik Saad full of

them on the 14th, and. on 16th at Shaiba, flocks were travelling north low over

the desert against the wind, these had probably made a turn in their migration

to gain the river and avoid the desert.

Pitman saw flocks passing near Baghdad going S. E. on September 9th and

again at Adhaim on 24th. Buxton noted many passing through Kut during

the first week in September and many at Amara during the third week and

up to October 3rd ; after this there are odd records up to the 10th. Other forms

are doubtless included in the above autumn notes.

About 15 skins of this race examined: ¢, Baghdad, 18-9-17, 19-9-17; d,

Amara, 14-9-18, 9-9-18. (P. A. B.) ;¢, Sheik Saad, 27-3-17; (two) 31-3-17, (two)

(P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); ¢ Q, Feluja, 17-4-17, 3 16-4-17, and several other

females on same date as males.

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 245

The males in spring are very distinctive ; the white chin is fairly constant,

white moustache rather variable, supercilium broad and distinct (noticeable

in the field), sometimes tinged with yellow ; ear-coverts are very dark blackish-

slate mixed with white. The females which I have presumed to be of the race

have a clear supercilium white or buffish white ; dark brown lores, ear-coverts

and head. The adult male in autumn is not unlike the spring bird, but the

head not so pure a dark grey, ear coverts dark brown mixed with a little white

and the yellow breast has a gorget of dark spots, as in many other forms.

(2) Records of this race cannot be picked out. Probably it is fairly common at

the same times of passage as the other Wagtails.

Buxton obtained two males at the Hamar Lake on May 18th from a party

and Pitman got one at Feluja on April 14th, one obtained by Buxton at Baghdad

on October 3rd I am inclined to think belongs to this race ; it is a male with brown

head and ear coverts, a white throat and hardly a trace of any supercilium.

(3) All that can be said of this race is that it is a fairly common passage

migrant along with the other forms. Cheesman obtained one at Sheik Saad on

March 27th when many Wagtails were on passage and two at Amara on April

19th and 20th where, with Buxton, he found them abundant in young wheat.

Venning obtained one at Sheik Saad on April 11th. All these are adult males

quite easily recognized of course by the large amount of yellow on the head.

Two obtained by Buxton at Amara on September 9thI attribute to this race,

the chin and supercilium are yellow and the head brown tinged with yellow.

(4) Apparently the typical form is rare ; I can only attribute to this race one

obtained by Cheesman at Sheik Saad on April 3rd, yet this is the only form of

Blue-headed Wagtail mentioned by Zarudny !

(5) I only include this to draw attention again to this remarkable form (if a

good race it be and not a partial albinism). Pitman says that at Feluja on

April 16th among the thousands of Yellow Wagtails present he saw two birds

which corresponded exactly to the description of this bird, that is, a Blue-headed

Wagtail in which white, or nearly white, replaces the blue of the head and ear-

coverts. Unfortunately he did not obtain it. This race is so rare that one can-

not help being suspicious that it is only a partial albinism of a commoner race.

55. White Wagtail. Motacilla alba.

(1) Motacilla alba alba, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed., x., p. 185, 1758—Sweden).

(2) Motacilla alba dukhunensis, Sykes (P. Z. 8., London, 1832, p. 91—

Deccan of India).

(3) Motacila alba persica, Blanf. (E. Persia, ii, p. 232—Niriz, east

of Shiraz).

White Wagtails are abundant winter visitors to the whole of our area. The

first arrive in the first days of October but it isnot until the latter half of the

month that they become numerous, and then in suitable localities settle down

singly or in quite small parties for the winter. Probably also it is a bird of

passage as Pitman at Kut noted an increase early in March ; by the end of this

month they have become quite scarce again but a few may be found well on into

April and according to Cumming at Fao occasionally early in May. This species

was a constant attendant at the trenches, attracted by the hosts of flies and

was but little perturbed by gun fire.

Races of course were not distinguished in the field but I think it can be safely

said that the European race is the commonest; Witherby referred most S.

W. Persian birds to alba as does Sassi 6 skins from Mosul.

Eleven skins examined :—Alba, ¢, Amara, 12-12-17 ; Baghdad, 6-10-17; Q,

Azizieh, 17-11-18 (P. A.B.) ; Shustar, 8-2-18; (F. M. B.) Sheik Saad, 26-3-17,

@. Baghdad 31-3-18, (P. A. B.) Sheikh Saad, 18-12-16 (P. Z. C.) and R. E.

C.) ; Shustar n. d. (F. M. B.).

246 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vel. XXVIII

These specimens of dukhunensis have rather paler upperparts and much

broader margins of white on the coverts and tertials than alba has. Other races

were reported by various observers at different places, but in the absence of speci-

mens I must.omit personata altogether and the same remark applies to Jugubris.

which Meinerzhagen (Ibis, 1914, p.390) said he found to be common—a bird mosé

unlikely to occur. However persica certainly occurs at Ahwaz; Woosnam got

one there on February 27th and Zarudny records it as a winter visitor.

56. Large Rock Nuthatch. Sitta neumayer.

Sitta neumayer dresseri, Zar. and But. (Orn. Monats, 1906, p. 132—

Mountains of S. W. Persia).

Buxton found Rock Nuthatches common in the gorge of the Diala river, where

it cuts through the Jebel Hamrin, on November 22nd and Cheesman obtained

this race at Kasir Sherin on May 22nd just over the Persian frontier in this

district. Probably it occurs in suitable places all along the Jebel Hamrin as

Baily obtained it at Shustar on February 7th. Cheesman found them in pairs

on overhanging rocks near the rivers and says their call is like that of the English

Nuthatch only louder.

Zarudny says it is resident in the Karun district, in the hilly parts only of

course.

One skin examined : Shustar, 7-2-18 (F. M. B.). Wing 90, Bill from base 28°5mm,

57- Small Rock Nuthatch. Sitta rupicola.

Sitta rupicole tschitscherini, Zar. (Orn. Jahrb., 1994, p. 218—Ispahan).

This species, which in some parts at all events lives alongside the Large

Nuthatch, is recorded by Zarudny as a resident in small numbers in the Karun

district. We have no certain records of it. For a full account of Persian Rock

Nuthatches, see Bull. B. O. C. ccli, pp. 135-9, where Buxton points out the very

interesting fact that in N. W. Persia there are two kinds differing much in size

but not in colour and in S. W. Persia these are replaced by two very pale sub-

species also differing from each other in size but not in colour.

58. Great Tit. Parus major.

Parus major blanfordi, Prazak (Orn. Jahrb. v., p. 240, 1894—Teheran

in Persia). ;

The Great Tit only occurs so far as we know at present in the Khusistan part

which for zoological purposes I have included in Mesopotamia. Cheesman met

with a family party at Shush in willow jungle by the Kerkha river where it evi-

dently breeds. Woosnam also obtained it at Dizful and Shush in March.

Zarudny gives it as a winter bird in this area.

Zarudny and Loudon (Orn. Monat., xiii, 1905, p. 108) separated the Great Tit

of S. W. Persia (type locality Zagros Mts.) as zagrossiensis and gave a number

of characters by which it differed from the typical race, P. major, of Sweden.

I must here point out and protest against what is a not uncommon practice

amongst some continental (and even some British) ornithologists and that is

comparing some supposed new race, vot with its nearest ally, but with something

totally different. Now all Great Tits from the Persian plateau south to Khu-

zistan differ very markedly from Swedish birds and it is fairly obvious that, if

birds from the Zagros are thought to be different to the former, it is with the

Teheran blanfordi that they should be compared, and not with the Swedish

birds.

Now I have compared 15 birds from Shush, Dizful, Shiraz, with a dozen or

more from Teheran, Kasvin, Kermanshah, and I cannot see the slightest differ-

snce between the two series. The differences which Zarudny and Loudon

give between zagrossiensis and major, when applied to the former and blanfordi

I find either hold good in both or are inconstant in both. I consider that

zagrossiensis is a pure synonym of blanfordi.

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 247

Great Tits from the South Caspian forest I consider to be inseparable from the

typical form, an opinion I believe Buxton independently has come to.

59. Penduline Tit. Anthoscopus pendulinus.

Anthoscopus pendulinus persimilis, Hart. (Novit, Zool., xxv., p. 308,

1918—Eregli, Asia Minor).

The Penduline Tit appears to be a rare winter visitor to Mesopotamia. Buxton

met with a family party in a ziziphus treein a garden at Amara on October

25th and another party at Ali Gharbi on poplar scrub on November 17th.

Venning obtained one at Busra on April 21st.

Three specimens examined. This Tit appears to take 15 months to become

adult, that is to say, to became adult at the second autumn moult, unless it has

a spring moult, of which I have seen no evidence in a good many examined.

Two of the above specimens are in the first winter dress without the distinctive

adult markings ; the Basra bird is adult, but nearly all the feather on the head

have slipped ! so that the determination of the race is a difficult matter. They

certainly do not belong to the typical race as they are too small and pale. They

also are not jurartensis. They agree very well with Hartert’s persimilis,

specimens of which from Kaisarieh and Lake Urmia I have compared them

with, in size of wing, paleness, and, as far as I could make out in the single

adult, in their having the chestnut line above the black forehead very narrow.

Zarudny has not made matters any easier by recording the typical form and

P. caspius as winter visitors to the Karun district and afterwards (Mess. Orn.,

1913) describing a new race, menzbiert, from the same district! According to

him menzbieri has a wider frontal chestnut band than the typical race which

persimilis certainly has not. There appears to be no proof that any Anthos-

copus breeds in the Karun district.

60. Lesser Grey Shrike, Lanius minor,

Lanius minor, Gm. (Syst. Nat. I., p. 308, 1788—Italy).

This is a passage migrant in small numbers from Urfa in the north to Fao in

the south where Cumming noted it as passing in March to May and again in

September ; most appear to pass through in the last half of April. It comes back

again early, during the third week of August, and the passage lasts until the third

week in September. Possibly some breed in Mesopotamia as Sassi records

one from Pechabour near Mosul on June Ist. Zarudny says it nests in small

numbers in the Zagros.

Specimens examined: Q Sheik Saad, 14-4-17; Tekrit, 17-4-19. (P. Z. C.

and R. E. C.); ¢, Amara, 14-9-18 (P. A. B.); d Basra, 20-8-19 (L. Home).

61. Great Grey Shrike. Lanius excubitor.

(1) Lanius excubitor pallidirostris, Cass. (Proc. Acad. Philad. v., p. 244,

1852—E. Africa).—Assimilis auct.)

(2) Lanius excubitor aucheri, Bp. (Rev. and Mag. Zool., 1853, p. 294—

Persia)=(fallav auct).

The status of the Great Grey Shrikes of Mesopotamia is rather obscure ;

records refer to Grey Shrikes without discrimination of races of course, and some

may even refer to the Lesser Grey Shrike, so that I must go almost entirely on

skins. Of fourteen specimens examined three are aucheri and the rest palli-

dirostris ; all were obtained in winter.

The Great Grey Shrike is probably a winter visitor, a few arriving in September,

most of them early in October. Cheesman obtained pallidirostris at Shaiba

on September 11th and Cumming got one at Fao also in September (erroneously

recorded by Sharpe as fallax). All the others were got between October and

February though Grey Shrikes are noted up to March 8th. They are widely

distributed, singly and sparsely, inhabiting gardens but more especially. thin

scrub on the desert, or even quite bare desert. Of the 3 examples of aucheri

248 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

two were obtained in October and the third bears no date. It seems certain

that some kind of Grey Shrike nests in the Mesopotamian plain. Pitman

records it between Baghdad and Musejib from July 14th onwards frequenting

telegraph wires near some gardens, and Logan Home says he found an unfinished

nest at Samara, whilst Livesay took Grey Shrikes’ eggs. I must here remark

that it is perfectly useless taking the eggs of any Grey Shrike without obtaining

the bird, and it may even be misleading.

Zarudny records aucheri, pallidirostris, and assimilis (which he considers

to be distinct from the latter) as winter visitors to the Karun district and palli-

dirostris as a resident on the Zagros.

(1) Kumait, 27-2-18, 13-11-17, ¢@ Amara, 16-12-17 (P. A. B.) ; Shaiba, 11-9-16

(P. Z.C. and R. E. C.) ; Shat-al-Adhaim, 3-10-17, 8-11-17; Baghdad, 31-12-17

(CABS E:):

(2) Baghdad ; 10-10-17 (P. A. B.) ; Shat-al-Adhaim, 3-10-17 (C. R. P.).

Aucheri have a distinct but narrow frontal line of black, grey on the sides of

the breast and a large wing spot and usually no pink tinge on the breast ; in

pallidirostris the pink tinge on the breast is well marked as a rule unless faded,

no frontal black, smaller or no wing spot, usually paler upperparts and a more

distinct supercilium ; the young birds in winter have the grey of the back over-

laid with a pale sandy colour and appear to lack the dark crescent markings

most other races shew.

62. Woodchat Shrike. Lanius senator.

Lanius senator niloticus, Bp. (Rey. Zoct., 1853, p. 489—-White Nile).

This is a much earlier passage migrant in spring than the Masked Shrike

and occurs in smaller numbers. Buxton first saw a few males at Amara on

March 13th and after that date there are numerous records throughout the plains

up to April 27th. The first autumn record comes from the oasis of Shaiba

on August 9th and the passage lasts up to the middle of September, again no

great numbers being recorded. Tomlinson in remarking that the species is not

uncommon in spring says it also probably breeds up the Karun river as he saw it

there early in June. Zarudny does not record it as nesting there, but says a

few winter there! Here again, as so often, our records do not at

al] tally with Zarudny’s. Woosnam got one on the Shuteit River on March

8th. The status of this and other Shrikes in the breeding season requires

further investigation. Zarudny says it breeds commonly in the Zagros.

Ten specimens examined : Amara, 18-4-19 (L. Hoome); Amara, 13-3-18;d,

Basra, 19-8-19 ; 9, Kurna, 17-3-18 (P. A. B.) @, Baghdad ; 19-3-18 (Harrison) ;

d,Shaiba, 8-9-16; ¢.Sheik Saad, 5-4-17 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.), 2. Feluja,

27-417 (C.. Rs PP); 9, Basra, 17-518 (CG, Be):

All are typical niloticus with much white at the base of the tail ; only in one

does the white not extend beyond the coverts.

63. Masked Shrike. Lanius nubicus.

Lanius nubicus, Licht. (Verz. Doubl., p. 47, 1823—Nubia).

This species is a common spring and autumn migrant; first few noted on

April 17th at Tekrit and Urfa ; at Feluja and Amara a sudden and marked

influx took place on the 23rd and for a fortnight it was quite common. It occurs

throughout the region south to /ao. The return passage takes place at the end

of August and lasts till the third week in September. Pitman noted that this

Shrike was shy and retiring making all use of thick foliage for concealment, not

a usual habit in Shrikes, and not universal with this species. Possibly a few

pairs remain to breed in the plains as Buxton records it in the first two weeks of

June at Amara and on June 17th saw a bird carrying food or nest material.

Ward (Field, Jan. 18th, 1919) records it as common at Samara breeding in the

scrub. Zarudny says it breeds commonly in the Zagros.

Journ. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE II.

Photo Capt. W. Edgar Evans, 1918.

A.—Close to Amara, on Tigris.

‘« Borrow-pits ’ where earth for brick making, &c., is dug; old and new kilns in distance.

Some of the faces where the Bee-eaters and Pied King-fishers nested in 1918 are seen to

right and in distance. Average height 6 to 7 feet. All the surrounding land is a mass of

the borrow-pits.

.< : > aE

Photo Capt. C. R. Pitman.

E —Broken country on Tigris down stream of Samarra where the Ruddy Sheldrake is

found breeding in holes in the ground, mounds and cliffs during April and May.

Brrps oF MEsoporamtia.

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 249

Eleven skins examined : ¢, Basra, 19-4-17,;¢, Sheik Saad, 31-4-18(P. Z. C.

and R. E.C.);9, Amara 232-4-18,1-5-18; ¢, Baghdad, 12-9-17 (P.A. B.); Basra,

€-5.19 (L. Home) ; Feluia 9. 23-4-17 (two), 27-4-17 (C. R. P.); ¢ Sheik Saad,

p- 2-5-17 (Robinsion) ; Baghdad, 7-9-17 (Ingoldby).

64. Red-backed Shrike. Lanius collurio.

Lanius collurio, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed., x., p. 94, 1758—-Sweden).

The Red-backed Shrike is also a passage migrant in large numbers. The

first few males arrive in the last days of March and small numbers are to be

met with throughout April, but it is not until towards the end of the month

and the early part of May that they pass through in any quantity, when they

become very common and are widely distributed. The return passage begins

in the last days of August and they quickly become common and soon pass on,

our latest date being September 24th, though Cumming at Fao recorded it up

to mid-November. Weigold found it common on sprmg passage at Urfa and

remarks that of his numerous specimens some are typical c. collurio, some typical

c. kobylinit and four are intermediate. This latter race was named by Buturlin

(Ibis, 1906, p. 416—Kutais in 8. Caucasus) as Zarudny’s name fuscatus for the

eastern race was preoccupied, but [ must point out that Zarudny in employing

this name used Hnneoctonus as the generic name, and that if this genus is used

for the Red-backed Shrike, as it is by some, Zarudny’s name must be upheld ; if

however Lanius is preferred then Buturlin’s name should stand. On points

like this, and they are always arising, there can never be any uniformity

of nomenclature or finality, unless every one agrees on the limitations of

genera !

This supposed eastern race is said to differ in the rather paler and restricted

amount of the chestnut colour of the mantle. As Weigold remarks one often

cannot measure this as it is quite indefinite where the colour begins and ends,

and as he says some are intermediate. The truth is kobylini is a thoroughly

bad race !

I have examined six spring males from Kutais, Caucasus and North Persia

and about eight spring males from Mesopotamia (which one may suppose should

also belong to this race), together with a large series of European males and I

find that the shade of the chestnut colour and its width vary very much both in

eastern and European examples; it so happens that in the Kutais birds it is

broad ! and in the Caucasian bird very dark! I cannot see any distinguishing

character between birds from the east and west; the bills too vary very much

in size throughout the range of the species.

Seventeen specimens examined ¢ ¢, Amara, 7-5-18,;¢ ¢.Baghdad, 31-8-17,

3, 24-9-17 9, Amara, 6-5-18, 16-4-19 (P. A. B.): 2 9,Fao, 10-5-18 (Armstrong) ;

3 >Feluja, 24-4-17, ¢, 21-4-17, 9, 23-4-17 (C. R. P.); Basra, 6-5-19 (L. Home) ;

Tekrit, 17-4-19, ¢, Sheik Saad, 10-9-17 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); ¢,Sulimania ;

2-9-17 (Ross).

65. Red-tailed Shrike. Lanius cristatus.

(1) Lanius cristatus isabellinus, H. and E. (Symb. Phys. fol. e. Anm.,

1828—Gonfode in Arabia).

(2) Lanius cristatus phoenicuroides, Schal. (J. F. O., 1875, p. 148—

Tschimkent).

The two races were naturally not identified in the field and records are scanty ;

judging from specimens obtained isabellinus is a common winter visitor arriving

during the last ten days of September, though one or the other form occurs

at the beginning of the month. It frequents thorny scrub or gardens singly,

or two or three in near proximity ; it leaves again somewhat late in the spring

{the latest specimen is April 29th), completing its body moult in February

and March before departure.

250 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

All the specimens (six) of phanicuroides were obtained during the spring

and autumn; Pitman noted that Red-tailed Shrikes were abundant in the

Adhaim area in the first ten days of October and after that only a few were

seen ; three specimens he obtained about that time were phenicuroides and as

no specimens were got between October 12th and early April, during which

period 8 specimens of isabellinus were obtained, it is extremely suggestive that

the former is only a bird of passage—as I know to be the case elsewhere. Since

all Red-tailed Shrikes were found commoner in spring and autumn, isabellinus

may too be in part a passage migrant. phenicuroides was obtained at Fao

as late as May 25th; it nests in the Zagros according to Zarudny. From a

specimen of isabellinus I took a parasitic worm from under the skin behind the

eye, a situation I have often found similar parasites in col/urio. Dr. Manson

Bahr informs me this is a filaria and the intermediate host is the feather louse.

Zarudny goes to far extremes in the recognition of racial forms and in some

cases at all events his ‘‘ races” are nothing but individual variations; this

“ oversplitting ’” and lack of proper conception of what a racial form is brings

this important part of ornithology into disrepute (there are still some who

“do not believe’’ in the existence of the most obvious subspecies), and moreover

gives an infinite amount of unproductive and needless toil to those who later

work in the same field ; work which in some cases is impossible as his specimens

are ungetable in Tashkent and many of his descriptions are written in Rus-

sian! His treatment of the Red-tailed Shrikes is a case in point. These

Shrikes throughout their range divide into five fairly well marked races, two of

which only concern us— phenicuroides and isabellinus (both of which vary some-

what individually). These two Zarudny makes into full species :—zsabellinus

with two races, speculigera and salina; and phenicuroides also with two races

caniceps and varia—all six forms to be found in Persia and all except varia and

salina inhabiting the Karun district in winter !

(1) Eighteen specimens examined: ¢, Amara, 25-10-17, 25-4-18, 26-10-18,

1-12-17, 5-1-18 ;¢, Baghdad, 21-9-17; L. Akkarkus, 12-10-17; Ezra’s Tomb,

23-2-18 (two) (P. A. B.); Abed, 9-2-18 (F. M. B.): Kamisiyeh, 7-1-17 (Aldworth)

Feluja, 24-4-17, 29-4-17 (C. R. P.); ¢ Q, Basra, 21-11-17 (C. B. T.); Q, Sheik

Saad, 31-3-17;¢, Kut, 1-10-18 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); Gurmat Ali, 26-9-20.

(2) Five examined: ¢, Fao, 25-5-18 (Armstrong); ¢, Sheik Saad, 4-4-19 (P.

Z.C. and R. E. C.); Adhaim, 2-10-17, 12-10-17, 27-9-17 (C. R. P.).

One isabellinus, 25-10-17, has much juvenile plumage still present. It

rather resembles juvenile of collurio, but the tail is longer and there is no white

on the outer web of the outer tail feathers and it is paler grey on the back.

( To be continued. )

FURTHER LIZARDS AND SNAKES FROM

PERSIA AND MESOPOTAMIA.

Chin Shields of Phyllodactylus elisoe, Werner.

This figure was omitted from Vol. XXVIII No. 1 of the

Journal and should be included with Miss Procter’s paper on

‘Further Lizards and Snakes from Persia and Mesopotamia to face

page 251.’

251

FURTHER LIZARDS AND SNAKES FROM PERSIA AND

MESOPOTAMIA.

JoAN B. Procter, F.Z.S.

Since the publication of Mr. Boulenger’s lists of the Snakes and Lizards

collected by the Expeditionary Forces in Mesopotamia", further material has been

received from Capt. H. E. Shortt, I.M.S., and Capt. W. E. Evans, R. A. M. C. ;

Mr. Kinnear has therefore asked me to write the following addendum, in which

species marked with an asterisk were not recorded by Mr. Boulenger.

Besides snakes and lizards, which are the subject of this paper, the follow-

ing were included in the collections :—Clemmys caspica (Capt. Evans), Bufo

viridis (Capt. Evans) and Hyla arborea var. savigni (Capt. Shortt and Capt.

Evans).

LACERTITIA.

GECKONID&.

1. Alsophylax tuberculata,* Blanf.

Jebel Hamrin, N. E. of Baghdad (Capt. Evans).

One specimen, well marked with alternate, curved transverse bands of light.

and dark grey; lower surfaces speckled with grey.

Habitat + Mesopotamia, Southern Persia, Baluchistan, Sind.

2. Phyllodactylus elise,* Werner,

Kuretu*, Persian frontier (Capt. Shortt).

Three specimens of this rare gecko. They show considerable variation in

the proportions and arrangements of the mental and chin-shields. In the case of

the first specimen the mental is moderate, followed by two pairs of chin-shields,

the first pair in contact in the middle for a distance equalling half

their length, as in the type-specimens; in the second the first pair of chin-shields

are only in contact for about one-quarter of their length, the mental shield being

larger in proportion ; in the third specimen the mental is enormous, followed by

a single pair of large triangular chin-shields, which are not in contact with each

other.

This amount of variation is very unusual , were it not for the intermediate

form one might consider the third specimen to be a distinct species. The first

specimen is almost white ; the other two are thickly speckled with very dark

brown.

Habitat : Mesopotamia. Capt. Shortt tells me that he caught these geckos

in natural caves formed by overhanging rocks. The types are from the ruins

of Nineveh.

3. Hemidactylus persicus,* Anders.

Baghdad (Capt. Shortt), Amara-on-Tigris (Capt. Evans),

Three specimens

Habitat : Mesopotamia, Persia, Sind. A new Record for Mesopotamia,

4. Hemidactylus flaviviridis* Ruppi.

One specimen from Amara (Capt. Evans).

Habitat ; Arabia, Persia, Baluchistan, India and Malay Peninsula.

+ Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., xxvii, No. 2, pp. 347-353 (1920),

2 Also spelled Quritu or Quraitu.

252 JOURNAL, BOMBA Y NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

AGAMID®.

5. Agama persica, Blanf.

Two specimens from Amara (Capt. Evans).

Note by Capt. Evans :—-

“ This lizard had the power of producing the purple-blue colour under its face

and neck, and along its sides ; or of losing the colour entirely, except a faint rusty

tinge on the sides only. The change could be accomplished ina minute or two.

I had it alive for some time.”

Habitat : Mesopotamia, Persia.

6. Agama nupta, De Fil.

One specimen from Jebel Hamrin (Capt. Evans).

One specimen from Kuretu, (Capt. Shortt).

Var. fusca,* Blanf.

One specimen, ¢ from Kangavar (Capt. Shortt).

This specimen must be regarded as var. fusca on account of the great develop-

ment of the spines on the head and neck, and the indistinctness of the nuchal fold.

Its colouration is different from the true fusca, being dark grey, mottled with black

on the neck and shoulders ; throat black instead of yellow ; enlarged dorsal

scales greenish grey.

Habitat : Mesopotamia, Persia, Baluchistan.

7. Uromastix loricatus,* Blanf.

One specimen from Ruz, N. E. of Baghdad (Capt. Evans),

Habitat : Mesopotamia, Persia.

A new record for Mesopotamia.

LACERTID &,

8. <Acanthodactylus scutellatus, Anders.

One specimen from Jebel Hamrin (Capt. Evans),

Habitat : Senegambia, North Africa, Somaliland, Sinaitic Peninsula, Syria.

Mesopotamia.

9. Ophiops elegans, Mén.

Var. ehrenbergiz, Wiegm.

Four specimens, from Kuretu, (Capt. Shortt).

Five specimens from Jebel Hamrin, Kizil Robat, and Abu Sidra on Tigris

(Capt. Evans).

Habitat: Constantinople and Tripolito N. W. India.

10. Hremias velow,* Pall.

Var. persica, Blanf.

One specimen from Kuretu (Capt. Shortt)

Habitat : Mesopotamia, Persia.

ScINCID =,

11. Mabuia vittata, Oliv.

‘One specimen from Amara (Capt. Evans).

Habitat : Algeria to Mesopotamia.

12. Mabuia septemteniata, Reuss.

One specimen from Kuretu (Capt. Shortt).

Two from Amara (Capt. Evans).

Habitat ; Erythrea to Transcaspia and Sind.

LIZARDS AND SNAKES FROM MESOPOTAMIA., ETC. 253

13. Ablepharus brandtii, Strauch.

Five specimens from Amara, and three from near Kizil Robat, N. E. of Baghdad

(Capt. Evans).

Habitat ; Tunisia to Transcaspia and Baluchistan.

OPHIDIA.

CoLUBRIN &.

14. Zamenis ventrimaculatus, Gray.

One young, Baghdad (Capt. Shortt).

Two young from Amara (Capt. Evans).

One from Amara has the priefrontals fused into a single shield.

Habitat : From the Euphrates to Kashmir and N. W. India.

15. Zamenis ravergieri,* Mén.

One specimen from Kerind, Persia (Capt. Shortt).

This individual is jet black above, dark grey below, uniform.

Capt. Shortt says of it:—‘Taken sunning itself in midwinter when the

ground was covered with snow. I have seen the same snake also taken at Fatha

Gorge ov the Tigris.”

Habitat : Transcaucasia, Mesopotamia, Persian Transcaspia, Turkestan,

Afganistan.

16. Contia collaris, Mén.

One specimen from Tak-I-Girreh, N. W. Persia (Capt. Evans).

Habitat 2 Caucasus, Mesopotamia, Persia.

17. Contia persica,* Anders.

Two specimens from Kizil Robat and Jebel Hamrin hills, N. E. of Baghdad

(Capt. Evans).

This rare littie snake has not been recorded from Mesopotamia before.

Habitat: Mesopotamia, Persia.

254

REVIEWS.

SMALL GAME SHOOTING AROUND OOTACAMUND.

“ RoLLiInG STONE.”

(The Ootacamund and Nilgiri Press. 8 as., postage extra.)

A nineteen page pamphlet giving some tips intended to assist the devotee of

the scatter gun who is a stranger to Ooty, in finding his quarry.

The subject is but lightly touched upon as is to be expected from the limited

size of the work. ‘The general advice given appears to be sound if not very ex-

haustive. Quail are not mentioned though hardly uncommon. The pigeon

referred to on page 17 is obviously the Nilgiri woodpigeon (Alsocomus elphin-

stonii) though we are not told so. Personally, I consider this woodpigeon to be

an infinitely finer game bird than the jungle fowl, spur fowl. etc. It offers far

prettier shots and calls for the highest quality of marksmanship. This is more

particularly true if the bird be walked up through the sholas, though even as a

driven bird it gives good sport. Finally it should net be put in a pie but served

on toast ! Though one cannot help regretting that this little work was not con-

siderably expanded, it is well worth the price to those for whom it was written.

The author mentions under the heading ‘‘ Conveyances ” that ‘‘ a pony can be

hired in the bazaar ”’ but very wisely adds “it is scarcely worthwhile hiring”.

The complete sportsman setting out from Ooty on a bazaar tat would be a

' refreshing novelty !

THE WATER FOWL OF INDIA AND ASIA.

Frank Frnn, B.A. (Oxon), F.ZS.

(Third Edition, published by Thacker Spink & Co.)

A previous edition of this excellent little book has accompanied me on many

duck shooting expeditions and Christmas Camps ; where, if not already known

to my companions or hosts, it has always been very favorably commented upon.

It has never been my good fortune to test the description of one of the rarer

ducks ; but we have got as many as ten species in a day and have always

found the descriptions and illustrations an easy guide to any species of. which

there is a doubt.

The third edition is serviceably and artistically bound and can be easily

carried, where the larger and more expensive books would only be a nuisance.

The book does not pretend to give a comprehensive description of the various

water fowls, but as a shooting camp companicn it will be much appreciated.

EDITORIAL.

Since the last editorial was published at the end of July—and it was written

several days before it appeared in print—a good deal has happened which is

of interest to members.

First perhaps is the fact that a statement made in that editorial has turned

out to be absolutely incorrect and the editors rejoice at their fallibility ! We

wrote last July ‘‘ We cannot look to Government for financial help (for the

Mammal Survey) though it is work for the good of India we are doing.... Per-

haps it may be possible when the Finance member has not to budget for a

deficit of eighteen crores, but if we wait for that happy day we shall never

be able to finish the Mammal Survey in time for the New Volume (Mammals—

Fauna of British India Series, New Edition) ”’.

Well, the happy day for the Finance Member has not arrived but the Society

has been granted a donation of Rs. 22,500 for the year 1921-22 for the services

of the Mammal Survey and a similar sum will be budgeted—-and we trust voted—

for 1922-23. We believe that two factors weighed heavily in the scale in our

favour. One was the fact that out of a total sum of Rs. 1,07,000 subscribed

since 1911 to the funds of the Survey only Rs. 37,500 had been subscribed by

various Governments in India and that out of this small proportion only Rs.7,500

had been provided by the Government of India. Speaking in connection with quite

a different matter the President of our Society (His Excellency Sir George Lloyd)

stated “‘ Government will help those who help themselves ” and a Society which

could help itself as ours had done evidently deserved help as it is good to encourage

private effort to do what otherwise Government would have to do. How rare

it is for private enterprise to undertake such, work and to relieve Government

of the task was pointed out by Mr. Oldfield Thomas, and his remarks were we

believe the second factor which weighed with the Financial Committee of the

Legislative Assembly and with the members. When applying for the grant the

Honorary Secretary quoted Mr. Oldfield Thomas’ remarks which were as

follows :—

“The work already carried out by the Bombay Natural History Society

is unique, in that it is the sole instance on record of such a Survey having been

carried out by a private Society with very little help by Government. The

only other systematic Survey of the Mammals of a country is that made of

the Mammalia of the United States. This was made at the sole cost of Govern-

ment.”

The grant from Government does not do away entirely with the necessity of

further help from members and we are glad it does not as the need of the Survey

has enabled some of our old members to show that though they may be some

considerable distance from India they are still as keenly interested in the Society

as in their young days. His Excellency the High Commissioner for Mesopotamia,

Sir Percy Cox, who has done so much for the Society in Mesopotamia and the

Coasts and Islands of the Persian Gulf, offered to contribute Rs. 1,000 a year

for three years to the Funds of the Survey in the hope and _ belief that others

would follow his example. His trust was not belied. Two Life Members at

home and one out here have already guaranteed similar sums and after

publication of this Journal we confidently look for many more.

The grant for the Prince of Wales Museum has at last been sanctioned by the

Local Government and though not yet paid Rs. 40,000 will in due course find its

way to our Treasurer and enable him to satisfy partially—and we are afraid very

partially—the importunate demands of the Curator. The grant for the Museum

would however have reached us too late to enable us to arrange, in time for the

Prince’s visit, the portion of the Museum wing placed at our disposal by the

Museum Authorities. Fortunately the Prince of Wales’ Reception Fund made

256 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

us a grant of Rs, 2,000 and the Museum Trustees advanced Rs. 3,000 and with

these sums our staff set energetizally to work to arrange in new surroundings the

old and interesting trophies of the Society. We are certain that the collections

will interest the Prince but we wish we had with us that Prince of Museum story-

tellers, H. M. Phipson, who could make every exhibit tell a story, anda good

one at that. However the pains our Curators are taking and the interest many

of our members have shown in the work will, we are confident, result in the

prince’s enjoying his visit to the Natural History Society’s Museum.*

In connection with His Royal Highness’ tour we are pleased to record that

Mr. B. C. Ellison,our Curator, has been selected to accompany His Royal High-

ness on his visits to Mysore, Bhopal and Nepal Terai in the capacity of Natura-

list. We hope to receive the permission of His Royal Highness to publish

an illustrated account of these shoots in our Journal.

Coming back to the subject of the Mammal Survey, we regret to report the

illness which has, we trust but temporarily, incapacitated Mr. Wells and which

at one time endangered his life. Mr. Wells’ labours in Assam and its Borderland

resulted not only in the collection for the Society of a valuable series of mammals

but also in the collection by him of the Malaria parasite in his system. After a

spell of some weeks in Hospital in Calcutta Mr. Wells considered himself fit

enough to proceed to the Chilka Lake District but the willing spirit tried too

much and aserious attack of Malaria at Nayagarh State has necessitated Mr.

Wells’ return to Hospital. He has worked since September 1919 in Assam and

a change to a healthy climate is undoubtedly desirable. We hope that he wili

soon be strong enough to continue Survey work and recuperate his health in the

healthy tracts of Central India where, through the generosity of H. H. The

Maharaja Scindia, we hope to make valuable collections.

Mr. Primrose has settled down to vigorous collecting in the Mergui District

undeterred by the heavy rains. His letters will help those who write the Scienti-

fic Reports on the work of the Mammal Survey to make their papers interest-

ing to the non-scientific reader as well as to the scientific one.

Mr. Riley O’Brien is still in the Palni Hills and after the Prince of Wales’ visit

to the Terai, the Society’s Indian collector will return to Nepal.

An interesting suggestion has been made to us by one of our members,

Capt. T. R. Livesey of Kotah, and we are sure he will not mind our boldly trans-

posing his letter almost in extenso to these pages. He writes :—

‘**T have been meaning to write to you on the subject of collection of skins

of Birds in India. At present there seems to be no method in it and stray

“Ornithologists ’’ in different parts of the country slay any bird they consider

rare which is hardly the way to encourage such species to extend their range !

and is of course abhorrent to any lover of Nature.

“Could you not co-ordinate and regulate such collecting, calling through your

Journal for exactly what you want and discourage, even prohibit, indiscrimi-”

nate slaughter of rare and beautiful birds ?

‘“‘Here is a diagram we will suppose of the geographical distribution of a spe-

cies of Indian Bird—as at present known. I suggest after having obtained a

typical series of skins, male, female, young, summer and winter plumage say

of the species—the further collection of skins should be stopped except

where needed—for in addition to the type you may require specimens from

N. E. S. and W. to place the limit of distribution and to ascertain any

variation in plumage, etc. Then extreme types from the boundaries of

distribution should be collected in the areas marked 1, 2 and 3 and not along

the outermost circle for therein the bird is presumably rare and trying to

extend itself.

° The Royal visit to the museum was unfortunately cancelled at the eleventh hour.

EDITORIAL, 257

“When the required number of skins from the areas 1, 2 and 3

have been acquired the fact should be published so as to prevent anyone send-

ing in others. Within the area marked 4—none should be shot—but there is

no objection to ornithologists reporting it.

““ Natural History Societies and Museums as a rule pay no heed at all to

reports of birds being seen—unless their dead remains are sent along—this en-

courages the useless killing of birds rare in that locality and harms the species,

“ Your wants might be published in the Journal under—

1—Centre of distribution from which the type skins come and in which the bird is most numerous probably,

2—The species is fairly common in this area,

3— Area in which bird is only seen on occasions and from which a limited number of skins are required.

4—Area in which it is rare if present at all and in which it must not be killed.

(A) Skins,

(B) Information regarding the species in question,

and also, as important as your wants—your “ don’t wants’? which will save

the lives of rare birds and the ‘ collectors ’ some trouble.”

In a subsequent letter Capt. Livesey elaborated a scheme to effect the desired

purpose on the following lines :—

The publication by the Society—say four times a year, of 12-15 special map

diagrams. The information given on the map would record as far as possible

the information already possessed, gleaned from the pages of the “* Fauna ”’

*‘ This ” and this Journal, and state the information required by those working

on Birds either out here or at the British Museum.

These booklets would be sold to members so that the expense to the Society

would not be great. To many members they should be an attraction and at

the end of the year should see the return to the Society of a great mass

of material. Here a difficulty presents itself as pointed out by Capt.

258 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

Livesey. Can the officials of the Society—already rather over-burdened

with work—find the time to collate and sift all the information obtained

and publish annually a fifth booklet giving the results obtained from the issue

of the previous four ? We doubt if, with the size of our staff limited by

necessity to the meagre size of our purse, we could undertake that such revising

work would be done by our staff, but in the old days of the Society we used

to rely, and in the present days we still rely, on the help of members of the

Society who are specially qualified in any particular subject and we see no

reason why with the assistance of so many ornithological members of the

Society we should not undertake the work.

Now as to the practicability of the foregoing

The above remarks may hold good for a country like England where the

area is comparatively limited, and where there are a comparatively large

number of people who take an _ intelligent interest in Natural

History, and there are many Field Clubs and other associatiens which

go in for observing Bird Life. Out here in India, conditions are on

a different scale. Firstly there are few Natural History Societies; the

number of Bird skins obtained by these Societies from their individual

members or by the various Museums is an almost negligible percentage

of the number shot. Further the rumber of individual collectors who go in

for systematic collecting and who are able to recognise and identify the

different species correctly is extremely limited. How many men we wonder

are there in the whole of India who are interested enough to undertake

work on the lines suggested ? The best method of bird protection is the

law against the export of plumage, which, though it is evaded often, is a

deterrent against the indiscriminate slaughter of bright plumaged birds,

etc. The large majority of our members merely take a sporting interest in

the subject and most of the skins sent us for identification are common

game birds. Therefore apart from the skins obtained by our collectors.

from areas where they are wanted the collecting of bird skins by members

of the Society is not likely to effect the issue We may be wrong and we

shall be glad to hear from members on the above subject and if the scheme is

popular we hope to start it next year. We are not reproducing the suggest-

ed map here but will send particulars to members interested in the idea.

The series of papers on the Fauna of Mesopotamia and parts of Persia are now

almost completed and it will not be long before they are published in book form.

This has been made possible by the foresight of the Mesopotamian Government

which, realising the necessity of such a publication and the expense a separate

publication would entail, arranged with the Society that 1,000 extra copies of

each paper should be printed off as issued and kept until such time as the whole

series was completed and the different papers could be bound together in one

whole. We take this opportunity of expressing our thanks to the authors of

the various papers and to the members of the Society whose exertions in a diffi-

cult country, within a sphere where War operations were active, made the writing

of the papers possible and provided through the medium of our journal such a

mass of new and valuable information on the Natural History of Iraq.

It is with great pleasure that we issue in this number the first of a series of

popular papers by Col. Ward on the Game of Kashmir. Col. Ward is one whose

knowledge of Natural History in Kashmir is unrivalled and who knows how to

convey his knowledge in a way which interests his reader and encourages in him

the desire not merely to read more and more about the delights of a Shikari and

Naturalist in Kashmir but to partake himself of its actual pleasures.

Readers of the Quarterly Review who remember the delightful article which

appeared in the issue for July 1920 will be glad to know that the next

yumber of the Journal (to be issued we hope in January) will contain a paper by

Harold Russell on Indian Parasitic Flies. Mr. Russell in his last letter writes

EDITORIAL, 259

“Tt has proved a much bigger work than I expected. I am well satisfied with

“the result because it puts together in readable form a lot that is not other-

‘* wise accessible which has not yet been attempted so far as I know. I have

** discovered how little is known about the India Diptera !”’

We want articles for our Journal on Fishing. The article in the last number

on the History of Trout Fishing in the Nilgiris has stimulated our interest. Col.

Ward will write for us on Fishing in Kashmir and we have hopes cf contributions

from other keen and experienced fishermen. Since Mr. Comber left Bombay,

the Bombay Anglers Association, so far as the issue of its Journal is concerned,

is to all appearance dormant, and this Society’s Journal offers the best opportun-

ity to anglers to discuss and ventilate their wants and to ensure that the dimen

sions of their fish are faithfully recorded.

It is with deep regret that we record the death of Mr. John Wallace, a member

of the Committee of this Society since 1901: An account of Mr.

Wallace’s life appears on another page. His death removes yet another of the

old band which used to work in the Society’s Rooms in Apollo Street. Some

have been taken by death—others we are glad to say enjoy their well earn

retirement in England. Is there no one amongst us who will not—while there

is time—write an account for us of those old days and those old workers E. H.

Aitken, R. A. Sterndale, G. W. Vidal, I.C.S., Father F. Dreckmann,

A. Abercrombie, L.C. H. Young, Col. Kirtikar. Ought we not to prepare

well in advance for our Jubilee and when that comes what is above all

things necessary ? Is it not that we should praise famous men and our

Fathers who begat us? But how are we to do so if we have no memories

ofthem ? The Society has several volumes of photos of animals and other

denizens of the jungle, but is entirely lacking in photos of those Homa

sapiens who founded and nursed and worked for the Society. May we appeal

to those who have photos to send them to us, and may we appeal to those

who know and possibly worked with these old friends to send us word

portraits of them ?

The Hanging Wall Charts showing how to distinguish between poisonous and

non-poisonous snakes have proved a great success, but the small pocket charts

specially designed for our members’ use hang fire so far as sales are concerned.

Why we cannot say. Perhaps members have not realised their value. Let us

hope they will now.

Just as this Journal is being issued from the Press, we learn that the

long expected copies of Stuart Baker’s Game Birds are on their way out to

us avd we hope the original subscribers will receive their copies about the

same time as this Journal. Although the subscription list is closed and

copies are no longer obtainable at the very low subscription rate, members

can obtain copies from the Society at a discount off the published price.

260

OBITUARY.

It is with great regret that we announce the death which took place in

Bombay on the 9th October 1921 of Mr. John Wallace, C.E., who joined the

Bombay Natural History Society as a member in 1891 and who was elected

a member of the Committee of the Society in 1901, a position he occupied

until his death.

Educated at King’s College, London, Mr. Wallace worked for some years in

important engineering firms at home and gained a thorough experience of machin-

ery of all kinds. He subsequently went to Cairo as Chief Engineer of the Egypt-

ian Railways. During the Egyptian Expedition of 1882, he volunteered his

services to the Military authorities and was appointed by Lord Charles Beresford

Chief of the Fire Brigade during the burning of Alexandria when his knowledge

of local conditions and familiarity with fire appliances proved of great value to

the Military authorities. or his services he received the Silver Medal and Bronze

Star of the Egyptian Expedition of 1882 and the Order of the Mejidieh from the

Egyptian Government,

In 1886 Mr. Wallace came to India and after designing the water works at

Cawnpore and mill buildings at Aurungabad, Gadag and Ahmedabad settled

down as an Engineer in Bombay and since 1893 was joint Editor of the Indian

Textile Journal.

Mr. Wallace specially devoted himself to the designing and making of the

simpler and cheaper appliances for handicrafts suitable for the average Indian

workman, and in this connection he rendered valuable services to the workshops

of the School of Arts in Bombay which he improved and remodelled considerably

while serving as Acting Principal in place of Mr. Cecil Burns.

In this connection however he will perhaps best be remembered as the inventor

and prime-mover in the idea which has developed into a flourishing little industry,

namely, the teaching of women to make beads out of the hard and various colour-

ed seeds which ordinarily fall ungathered in the jungles, and to make up these

beads into chicks, necklaces, curtain loops, hat-pins and many other ornamental

articles for which a good demand might be expected.

The seeds most suited to this purpose being very hard and of irregular shape

and size, it was by no means easy to devise an apparatus for drilling them which

should be both cheap, simple and efficient, but after a good deal of experiment a

drilling machine was evolved of the simplest kind—and we may say of the

cheapest as it was made from an old packing case! Its efficiency was proved

by the fact that work came in too fast for it, and it was supplemented by a

long table furnished with six drill heads, the whole of which are driven by

one cord, a coolie providing motive power.

Only in India could be found such a rich variety of seeds, brown, black,

yellow, red, white and olive, suited to the work. The rich brown Gharbi bean

of the size ot a watch, combines with the Rudraksha nut (sacred to Shiva) in a

very handsome loop for heavy curtains, and the gul mohr, the scarlet wild

liquorice, wild grass, acacia, soapnut, cana, moonflower, Lushai bean, Singara,

gall nut, fever nut and many others are worked up into a series of beautiful

articles which received their full share of appreciation in the Forest Depart-

ment of the Industrial and Agricultural Exhibition held in 1904 on the Oval

at Bombay.

The Mother Superior of the All Saints Home at Mazagaon, where the industry was

established, writing to the Honorary Secretary of the Society after Mr. Wallace’s

death, said “ All through—and up to within a few days of his death, he showed

the greatest interest in its development—he was constantly suggesting new

OBITUARY, 261

ideas, or helping us to overcome difficulties, his manifold technical skill was

placed untiringly at our service.

We lose i in him a most sympathetic friend as well as an efficient and valuable

supporter.”

It is as a sympathetic friend and an efficient supporter that John Wallace will

be best remembered by fellow members of the Committee and attendants at the

Society’s—now alas infrequent ‘“‘At homes”, A most regular attendant he shewed

a keen interest in all exhibits and papers placed before the meetings.

262

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

No. I.—THE POWER OF SCENT IN WILD ANIMALS.

In Volume XXVII, No. 1, there isan article by E. C. Stuart Baker

“* on the power of scent in wild animals ” and although I know very little from

personal experience about the ways and habits of Indian Fauna, experience

gained in other parts of the world causes me to burst forth on this fascinating

subject.

First might I say that I am of the same conviction as the writer of the

article, in fact I go further, contending that beasts depend not only when

LIONS

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MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 263

hunting but also for protection on their powers of hearing and sight ; to say

however that they never use the power of scent would be a mistake, as this

possession is used, or shall we say attempts are made by this means, to gain

information, but the animal seems to be adrift. I know such opinions are all

wreng to the armchair’ naturalist or museum scientist, but the instances put

forward by Mr. Stuart Baker are worth more than all our home gasbags put

together even if they were multiplied a hundredfold.

I know it is no use my laying down the law without giving facts, so here are

a few experiences :—

_ The Lion.—I was on “ Safari ” in Muri Province, Northern Nigeria, one early

morning, moving through small elephant grass about 10 to 12 feet high and going

down wind (of a force of about 12 miles per hour) when my old tracker (dot and

carry one) murmured softly ‘‘ Ziki Baturi.” After a few words of argument I

took the express and went forward softly for about 40 yards to where the grass

stopped and halted in amazement at the sight of 5 lions strewn round the car-

case of a Roan in artistic positions at a distance of no more than 20 yards. I was

so surprised that putting my hand to my pocket, in which I always carry a small

bag of flour, I tested the wind. The lions were not upset at all nor even had they

any suspicions, and it was not until I stepped out in full view that interest and

hurried life came on the scene. The resultant slaughter does not effect the

question at all.

Another example.—This time in a very far away country to the north of

Uganda where game animals had never had a modern gun fired at them and

herds of waterbuck, kob, zebra, etc., stood to gaze at one, full of curiosity.

I was out on a big plain teeming with Kob (Cobus coba thomas?) as far as the

eye could see about 1-30 a.m. on a glorious moonlight night, as Colonel Glasford

calls it ‘‘ Ghooming ” shod with very thick rubber soled boots. Finally taking

up the position (A) behind an anthill I sat quietly smoking, drinking in the glori-

ous beauty of the scene, when some hidden sense caused me to quietly look

round to my left where I saw a lion coming up wind about 80 yards away, quietly

and without any fuss just like a dog trotting down a lane at home. The lion

took the dotted path as shown in the diagram, passing me at thirty yards until he

arrived at (B). By this time I was very curious indeed to discover the whys

and wherefores. The lion waited at (B) for quite a time, ten or twelve minutes,

until I heard a cough between the hills. Our lion then got up and deliberately

walked down wind (I following) full in the open on to the Kob which bolted

down wind and were rushed by three lions, at about the place (C). The hunting

was successful as two Kob were pulled down. Our lion then joined up after a

friendly scap with a lioness and the two set to work on the one carcase, but the

other two, both lionesses, did not eat together. I did not see the actual pulling

down on this occasion but I have done so on other occasions and although it is

most difficult to get a proper idea, owing to bad light and the quickness of the

operation, what occurs seems to be that the lion rushes the prey, seizes it by the

neck with its mouth whilst it hurlsits force by impact onto the shoulders of the

animal giving the neck a wrench round. The whole business, done so quickly,

breaks one of the neck vertebrie, death being instantaneous.

African Buffalo.—Here Iam on delicate ground myself as scent does play

a part, but not the sole and only part our gas bag friends would have us believe.

The first instance was with Bos caffer branchyceros or the Lake Chad variety

of the Congo Desert species. This gentleman is small for his long name but

makes up for this by having a nature truly Corsican as when he is roused it is

war to the death, aggressive and defensive. The country is a nightmare for the

sportsman as only those can realise who have crawled after buffalo into their

strongholds.

’ The buffalo in question had been hit badly, but rather far back, about 6-30 a.m.

and had promptly gone for cover, so, giving him plenty of time to stiffen, I went

264 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

after him by myself as although I may be a fool I never allow a native retainer

to be a fool at the same time. One fool is quite enough on such an occasion. So

about 11-30 a.m. saw me crawling down a tunnel like track following good-look-

ing blood spoor. This I did for two hours with what little wind there was behind

me. About this time I missed the spoor and took a wrong turn. Finding out

my mistake I returned until I could just see the fork, so lay down behind an old

fallen tree to wipe my steaming face, as it is hot in these places. After a bit I

was electrified to hear the blowing of my friend,with a corresponding hammer of

my heart, and after a wait the buffalo came along the main path I had used

sniffing and blowing steam from his nostrils along my very spoor. He came to

the fork 30 feet away, sniffed, then went along the main track. Whilst trying to

see him through the undergrowth I must have made a noise as the resulting

charge crashed me over, and the ensuing ten minutes, with two ribs broken and

a shoulder dislocated before the buffalo finally went under, has taught the writer

a few things about being a fool. Now if that buffalo had had a proper sense of

scent he would have picked my spoor up the side track. He did not but went

straight on. I move, and am promptly charged, located exactly and instantly

by the power of hearing.

It might bore you to hear more about Bos caffer so I will proceed with.

The Rhinoceros, the clown of the animal world. Time and again when photo-

graphing this animal I have gone down wind, up wind, any wind so long as I

kept his stern in front of me and wore rubber soled boots,—but let his smail

pig eyes or ears see or hear me then it was hopeless,

The Elephant.—To my mind the elephant is an animal with the sense of scent

most developed and this I think is due to evolution, a subject which causes more

bad language than beer.

There is another absorbing subject, 7.e., a study of the senses shown by The

Crocodile, a reptile. I have always been keen to watch but as all my experiences:

have been with the African brute they might not be of interest to members of

an Indian Natural History Society, but I can assure you crocodiles will reward

any man who has the opportunity to watch them.

The Wild Goat and the Jailan.—Then take the wild goat (Capra hircus) and

the Jailan or Red Sheep (Ovis orientalis gmelini) of the Bos Dagh Range, Asia

Minor. They depend solely on sight alone.

One example I can give was whilst shooting on the Bos Dagh Range. We

had had a long day after the oldest and most cunning of all the tribe of big sheep,

until I was well-nigh finished. I was sitting in the snow telling myself what a

fool I was to go miles and miles after a poor sheep when I could buy a head in

Konia any day, when a hiss from Mehemet, my brigand guide, brought me flat

in the snow behind a tuft of grass. I remember thinking how my stern limbs must

be looming up on the horizon when an old ram with five ewes came along step-

ping in my own spoor which lay along the snow covered plateau plain to the

whole world. The sheep came along in single file and did not even sniff or take

the slightest interest in the strange footsteps in the snow until the old ram saw

my dreaded stern portion and I wondered if it was the rough patch in my old

flannel trousers which had upset the old boy’s sense of the artistic. Anyway he

was upset, spun round and away they went as only these animals can go.

Wild Goat—I have never in the Taurus Range, Asia Minor, been nearer to

wild goat than 600 yards and whatever other senses they may have these must.

be useless to them compared with their wonderful sight.

Ncw what we learn from all this is :—

(1) That the scent of man is unknown to the majority of wild animals and only,

known to leopards or other flesh eating animals by years of contact with mankind,

in other words by evolution or bitter hard experience passed down by genera-

tion to generation. .

(2) Wild animals depend firstly on sight for offensive and defensive action.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 26%

(3) Animals living in thick bush have the sense of hearing developed far

more than the other organs ; evolution again.

(4) Individual cases of any one animal confuse the judgment with re-

ference to the whole. Shikaries by keeping totally out of sight, or perfectly still

when sighted, suitably clad and having suitable foot wear and being careful of

dry twigs, etc., need have no fear of being scented.

I have bored you to tears by now, but I do hope that many more articles like

the one by Mr. Stuart Baker may appear in your Journal as they do give pleasure

and instruction to a mere ‘““Ghooming ” nature worshipper like myself who knows

no long latin names nor wishes to read the learned quibbles of the men of science

but who loves God’s creatures great and small and when filled with a good dinner

of buck is far more contented than if he had pushed a long new name on to some

poor lowly bug.

HUGH COPLEY.

NaGPour,

24th May 1921.

No, II.—PANTHERS AND ARTIFICIAL LIGHT.

I have read accounts in your Journal of panthers returning to kills beside

which a lamp had been placed, but do not remember having seen any account in

which a panther had actually killed an animal tied up beside a light. I located a

panther in a smal] hill near here and tied up a goat, but as the panther failed to

turn up before dark and as the moon rises late, also having no electric light, [

decided to have another try on the following afternoon, and tie the goat up

nearer the entrance of its cave. To do this however I had to dig a pit, as there

was no cover anywhere that I could sit behind, and bushed it in. I decided to

sit up till the moon rose but as there would be about 3 hours of darkness, I was

afraid the panther would haye time to kill the goat and eat it before I got a

chance of even seeing it, so I left word that a lantern should be brought and

placed about 15 yards from the goat as soon as it was dark, and should be

removed again as soon as the moon rose.

At about 7-15 p.m., the lantern was accordingly placed near the goat.

At 8-15, the goat which was lying down, got up and became very uneasy and

soon after the panther rushed in and seized it, lying, facing the lantern, holding

the goat by the throat. This is a panther that seems to have practically made

this hill its home, and lives on anything it can pick up in the surrounding villages,

and so has probably got pretty well accustomed to lights. I am wondering if a

panther that lives more in the jungles would be as bold; I know of men who have

a lantern hung up near their horse when camping in places where there are panth-

ers in order to protect their horse. It does not look as though this is of

much use, at any rate so far as the domesticated variety is concerned !

The panther was a female measuring. 6 feet.

C. B, BEADNELL.

VELLORE, NortH Arcot District,

25th June 1921.

No, I1I1.—THE FOOD OF THE SMALL INDIAN CIVET (VIVEREI-

CULA MALACCENSIS) IN CAPTIVITY.

On the 24th March 1920, a fully adult civet of this species was caught by my

coolies while cutting wheat and»I have kept it ever since. Blanford quoting

Jerdon says: ‘* Jerdon had several which caught rats, squirrels and birds. ’”

266 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

The late Mr. Sanyal states that in the Calcutta Zoological gardens they are “‘ fed

on a mixed diet consisting of meat, boiled or raw eggs. plantains, and other

fruits and bread ; in fact it, like a large civet, eats anything.”

I have not tried mine with either rats, squirrels, or fruit and bread but did

with cooked and raw meat.

It readily eats table scraps when they consist of ordinary fowl, pigeon or

duck, no matter how they have been cooked, not even objecting to any ; but

absolutely refuses to touch game whether raw or cooked. I have tried it with

quail, teal, snipe, sandpipers and godwit, sometimes cooked sometimes raw,

but they weren’t touched.

They are said to be easily tamed but though I have had mine over a year now

it is just as wild as when I got it. It is a most uninteresting animal, remaining

coiled up in a box all day and only coming out at night and darting back to its

box if anyone approaches it.

CHAS. M. INGLIS,

M.B.O,U., F.Z.S., F.E.S.

BaGHOWNIE Fry., DarBHanGa, Dt. Brnar,

26th May 1921.

No. IV.—A GOOD FEMALE CHINKARA HEAD (G. BENNETT).

Regarding measurements of the Indian Female Gazelle, it will be interesting

to note also that His Highness the Maharaja Sahib Bahadur of Dhar has recently

in one of his tours in the Districts killed a very fine head of a female, the photo

of which I send as it may be of interest to members.

The measurements of this Female Gazelle are as follows :—

Length 8”, circumference 1}?”, and tip to tip 2}”.

G. B. POWAR.

Duar, Ist July 1921.

[Unfortunately the photo will not reproduce well, We are unable therefore

to publish it but have placed it in the Society’s Album.—Eps. ]

No. V.—WILD DOGS IN BURMA.*

This is rather a hardy annual, but there has recently been much correspondence

in iocal papers regarding wild dogs and “ wolves ” said to have been seen by

various exalted officials. 'The following notes may therefore be of interest.

I believe your recent mammal survey only discovered the large wild dog in

Burma, an animal said to hunt in small packs of six or seven.

I recently sent you the skin of a wild dog shot by a reliable old Burmese hunter,

while I was in camp at his village. He killed three and told me next morning

that there were twenty-thirty feeding on a dead buffalo (died of rinderpest).

Js not this an unusual number ?

Another hunter, whom I have known for. years, told me that in the neighbour-

ing Sadwingyi Reserve, he had seen about eighty feeding on a full grown bull

Tsaing they had just killed (Several Tsaing have been killed by them recently

and last year they killed two village cows close to a village). If we divide by two

to allow for “‘ the little one that would not keep still for him to count it, ” this

would still give a pack of thirty or forty.

I thought that only the red dog of the Deccan hunted in such large numbers

and that the Big Burmese Dog was never more than six—ten to a pack.

I have myself never seen more than six or seven together, but in this same

Sadwingyi Reserve I have found fresh droppings (all along a road) of a pack that

must have numbered far more.

* See next page.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 267

The local legend is to the effect that wild dog live in a large pack numbering

anything up to a hundred and ruled over by a Black King-Dog, this troupe

however is rarely met with and what is usually seen is only a small band of

outlying scouts.

I have myself only met wild dog five times.

(1) In Shwebo District some Burmans brought one just dead which they had

killed with dahs while it was swimming the Irrawaddy (half a mile) ; it was

alone.

(2) In Tharrawaddy District some four or five (mute) were running a Gyi in

circles. Twice the Gyi galloped through my camp and the dogs were apparently

in relays ringing it in. As I could not see a dog I finished the hunt by bagging

the Gyi.

(3) In Shwebo District I saw one dog trotting up a stream and a good ten

minutes later the pack (six in open order) came through the jungle on both

sides. I killed two (similar to the skin just sent you).

(4) In Shwebo District I saw a Thamin covered with sweat and mud and on

killing it found one eye freshly torn out and the other badly gashed. It was

very ‘done ” and stiffened at once on being shot. On this occasion the dogs

were scared by the shooting as we heard them turn away, but did not see them.

(5) One night in Tharrawaddy in 1910 (cold weather) when camped in the

Pegu Yomas, I heard dogs in full cry (rather like a poor voiced pack of hounds).

We were some 20 miles from any village, so it wasn’t pie dog and as the noise

came from the valley below me it was not geese. The Burmese Girdling Coolies all

said “ wild dog” and added that one often heard them. This rather upsets

the theory that they run mute, but it is the only time I have heard them

** Scorning to cry ” like Puffington’s hounds.

On every occasion the dogs have been of apparently the species of which I

sent you a skin, and were in small packs. Is it possible, however, that these dogs

(apart from the Black King theory) do at times hunt in much larger packs, or

could these alleged packs of eighty seen by Burmans be the smaller variety ?

As to the reliability of the two Burmans, they were both skilled shikaris and

not the well known type that wants one after hours of tramping to shoot, a

sitting dove with a °470 H. V., rifle.

C. E. MILNER.

SHWEBO,

10th June 1921.

No. VI,—DISTRIBUTION OF SEROW IN BURMA.*

I have recently shot up here, in the Maigthon Hills of Mu Forest Division, a

Red Serow which does not seem to fit in with any of the species classified on

page 296, Volume XXII, No. 2, of the Journal. The skin and mask are now with

Messrs. Theobald of Mysore, should you consider it worth while examining them.

Perhaps a brief account of my distinctly limited experience of Serow in Burma

will best emphasize the points I want to raise, namely :—

(i) Do the various sub-species of Serow overlap ?

(ii) Are the sexes differently coloured ?

(tii) Do the different sub-species interbreed ?

I only know of three separate hills in this Division where Serow occur.

Each being some 30-—40 miles away from the other.

On the first two hills I have never seen more than the animals’ tracks, but in

each case the Burmans assure me the animal is black with reddish legs below the

knee, 7.e., Capricornis sumatrensis swettenhami, I imagine.

On the third hill I had two beats last January. In the first beat a mother and

kid were put out, but I did not see them. Burmese evidence as to their colour is

* The Editors’ comments on Mr. Milner’s interesting notes will appear in No, 3 having unfor-

tunately been crowded out of this number.

268 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

not conclusive (it was variously described as black or like a Saing Nyo, i.e.

the very dark colour of some old bull Tsaing).

In the second beat I saw the head and shoulders of an undoubtedly black

Serow, he (?) watched me for some time, but I could not get a shot ; there is how-

ever no doubt that he was black; I could not see his legs.

A month later I had another beat on the same hill and killed a female Serow in

dense jungle (hence the sex error) and this animal (now with Messrs. Theobald)

was red, but not so red as in the plate of C. s. rubidus ; more a dark red brown

with a few black hairs and a black mane.

Now these Maingthon Hills are continuous with the Chindwin Hills and should

therefore, I believe, produce Red Serow ; however on the same hill we have one

black one (¢ ?) and one red female. Is it therefore possible that females are

red and males black ? (Lydekher “Game animals of India” throws no light on

this) or do the species overlap or interbreed ?

The only other Serow head I have seen shot in the District (date, place and

sex unknown) was red, but on the other hand the Burmans state that the Serow

on the remaining two hills are black.

Again just across the Irrawaddy in the Ruby Mines Hills you get the Black

Serow, with a few white hairs on head and back, with red legs. I have seen the

head from Bernardmyo belonging to H. L. P. Walsh, IFS. (i.e, C. s.

swettenhami or is it milne edwards).

Some years ago (1910) when in Tharrawaddy Division, Lower Burma, I shot

one 3 and saw other Serow on the Pegu Yomas and these were all black with

red legs. The one I killed had no white hairs anywhere nor had it any white on

lips or muzzle.

According to books, however, this would appear to be a C. s. rubidus area

whereas no one had ever seen a Red Serow there.

Your recent Mammal Survey (I have not kept the journals) has probably

given you better statistics on which to base the range of each sub-species and I

should be interested to hear exactly what sub-species may be met with in Burma

and what their ranges are.

C. E. MILNER,

SHWEBO,

10th June 1921.

No. VIL—SOME NOTES ON THE HORNS OF THE THAMIN

(CERVUS ELDI.)

(With a plate.)

In 1918 Mr. Oldfield Thomas published in the Society’s Journal (Vol. XXV,

page 363) an article entitled “‘ The Nomenclature of the Geographical Races of

the Panolia Deer.’ In his article Mr. Thomas gives the specific features which

differentiate the various races of this deer and also describes a new subspecies,

R. thamin brucei, which he names after the late Mr. Bruce who shot the speci-

mens on the Thimbaung-gwin Plain.

Mr. Thomas has raised the Manipur race to a distinct species on account of its

naked pasterns. Is not this feature due to the marshy ground which these deer

inhabit in Manipur, and into which their feet continually sink, so wearing away

the hair ? I have been unable to discover any proof that the young of the deer

in that area are born with naked pasterns, and until such proof is obtained surely

this peculiarity should be considered as being characteristic of a geographical

race rather than of a separate species. Perhaps Mr. Thomas can give us such proof

or evidence of other special characteristics which in themselves justify the addi-

tion of another species to contuse further the mind of the sportsman-naturalist,

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Journ., Bombay Nat. His. Soc.

Side view of Stag No. 7. Compare with No. 2.

Showing horns forming 3 parts of a circle.

(Stag No. 2.)

Stag No.:— 5 4 3 Ag

Showing greater divergence in the horns of the older animal.

An old Stag with a very wide head.

Tops paly ated (No, 5.) A fine Stag. (Stag No. 7 from the front.)

THAMIN (CERVUS ELDI).

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 269

The individual variation of Thamin horns is very extensive, even in beasts of

the same age shot on the same ground.

In May 1914 I shot six stags of this species in the Taungwindgyi sub-division

of the Magwe district. This ground is almost the centre of the Thamin’s habitat,

and, as such, the stags should have shown the typical horn features as described

by Mr. Thomas in the above article: namely “the horns are comparatively

rough and basal snags are always present, commonly 3 to 6 inches long,” also

** with horns not palmated.”

The horns of the six stags I shot were as follows:—

1. Adult but not yet in his prime. Length 31} inches. One small basal

snag oneach horn. Beam rough.

2. Probably a year older than No. 1. Length 33 inches. Beam rough and

dark. Basal snag one inch long on each horn.

3. Avery big stagin his prime. Length 37? inches. Beam smooth and dark.

A basal button on each horn.

4, A very heavy head. Length 36} inches. Beam smooth and very light

coloured. A basal button on each horn.

5. An old stag with a very wide head. Length 34} inches. Horns very

rough and dark, palmated at ends. Small basal snag about 3 inch long on each

horn.

6. A stag just reaching his prime. Length 34} inches. Beam smooth and

medium colour. One small basal snag on each horn,

In May last year, in the corresponding week, I returned to the ground and

shot two more stags.

7. A very fine stag. Moderately smooth light-coloured beam. Length 361

inches. A small basal snag on right horn, a button on left horn. .

8. <A very old stag with horns “ going back’. I sent this head to Mr. Old-

field Thomas hoping that he would find it of interest and worth comment.

I have heard nothing from him however, and having mislaid my own notes I can

give no details.

For the benefit of sportsmen who may be interested, I may mention that the

** all-round ” measurement (i.e., tip of brow tine to tip of beam along the curve)

of Nos. 3, 4, and 7 respectively were 553, 503, and 543 inches.

Tt will be seen that the individual variation is considerable, that no stag has a

basal snag of more than 1+ inches long, and that one is palmated.

Mr. Thomas, in describing R. thamin brucei, lays stress on the angle of the

brow tine to the beam. In my experience a stag’s horns do not have the brow

tine and the beam in the same line as a rule until the stag is fully adult, and

as he grows old the beam develops a decided kink forward half-way up; so that

the horns, when viewed from the side, instead of forming three parts of a circle

as in stag No. 2 ( photo), show this forward kink, which in an old stag almost

assumes a right angle.

Another feature on which Mr. Thomas lays stress in his description of

R. Thamin Brucei, is the smaller divergence of the beam in the new sub-species.

This also I have found to increase with the age of the stag. A young stag has

the horns only slightly divergent, bent up from the pedicle, and forming three

parts of a circle when viewed from the side. Compare photo of No. 2 with that

of No. 1. Also compare the two outside heads in the photo of stags Nos. 5, 4,

3 and 2. The divergence in the older animal is very much the greater. I have

examined many thamin stags at close range and through glasses, and found this

to be a certain distinguishing feature between shootable and immature heads.

An immature beast viewed from the side often appears at first to have a good

head. Then the continuous curve without the forward kink is noticed, and the

horns‘seen from the front stand high up from the head but with no spread ;'quite

unlike the front view of stag No. 7,

270 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Is it not. possible that the two heads from which Mr. Thomas has described

R. thamin brucei are adult but not very old specimens of the type species ?

This would explain the small development of the supra-orbital ridge. Also the

locality whence the two specimens were obtained is not “ a considerable distance ””

from other thamin. There are plenty of thamin in the Lower Chindwin,

Sagaing and Shwebo, within 50 miles ofthe Thimbaung-gwin Plains, and thence

Southwards, wherever there is suitable ground, right away to Pegu.

T think Mr. Thomas should give us a little more evidence before adding an

other to the numerous sub-species which already exist to the confusion of the

field naturalist.

2. Siamese Thamin.

In the course of a journey in Siam last year (1920), I passed down the Meping

River from Raheng to Paknampo by boat and thence to Bangkok by rail ; re-

turning by the same route as far as Hkambengpet, where I left the river and

struck across country to recross the Burma border at one of the sources of the

Thaungyin River.

There are still a few thamin about 10 miles E. of Raheng, and further down

the Meping they seem to have been plentiful on the left bank below Hkam-

bengpet up to two or three years ago, but have now been much reduced by natives

hunting for the Chinese horn trade, and are only to be found 25 miles or more

from the river. According to native report they are still plentiful 30 miles East

of Klong Klung.

I examined three heads at Raheng, three at Hkambengpet, and two recently

killed near Klong Klung. ‘The first six had no traces of palmation. Of the last

two, one, which I purchased and which is still in my possession, is heavily pal-

mated : the other showed distinct flattening of the beam. The palmated head

is the larger of the two and measures 313 inches along the beam. At Paknampo

T saw three heads ; one inthe Bombay Burma Coy’s bungalow was well palmated,

while the other two were in shops in the bazaar and had no signs of palmation.

In Bangkok, of twenty heads I saw only eight were palmated, while five others

showed slight flattening in the terminal third of the beam. Basal snags were

wanting in some cases, and in no case numerous or large.

On my return to India I wrote to Mr. P. R. Kemp, head of the Survey Depart-

ment of Siam and a keen shikari and naturalist, to ask him for observations on

heads in Bangkok with particular regard to the sub-terminal tine and the ques-

tion of palmation. I quote from his reply. ‘. .. . I have been struck by the

lack of a sub-terminal tine of any length in the specimens that come from Eastern

Siam, Korat and Ubon provinces. In many there is no tine at all to speak of and

the end of the horn carries a series of snags for some 7 or 8 inches, with perhaps

one snag of considerablygreater length than the others. There is a certain amount

of flattening in addition though it hardly amounts to what I would call palma-

tion. Isaw no basal snags at the junction of beam and brow tine, Some heads

from Paknampo, probably brought down from Raheng district—carried a more

distinct subterminal tine in addition to snags and appeared—as heads—to ave-

rage a larger size than the Eastern heads... .. Most thamin heads in Bangkok

come from the Eastern provinces. I have not however examined sufficient

number to quote proportions, etc., but those I have looked at certainly have

nothing like the sub-terminal tine development that illustrations show in the

pukka ‘ Cervus eldi’ of Burma.” ‘

Mr. Kemp’s observations agree exactly with my own. I think it more than

probable that the thamin heads bought in Bangkok are more often than not

selected to be sent home on account of their being palmated, and that palmation

should not be laid down as a horn characteristic of the thamin of Siam.

The best pair of horns I could hear of from Siam measured 344 inches, and there

seems no doubt that they do not run nearly as big as the Burma heads, The

average of good heads is not more than 31 inches in Siam.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 271

From the above data, and judging from the large number of heads I have

examined in Rangoon, the following inferences may be drawn, That in the

Northern districts of its habitat the horns of R. thamin tend to few and small

basal snags, the number and size of the snags tending to increase the further

South they live in Burma, and to decrease in 8. E. Siam. That roughness (or the

reverse) of the beam is an individual peculiarity with, perhaps, a tendency in

Siam to more pronounced “ pearling’”’. That the sub-terminal tine is always

present in Burma specimens but is inclined to disappear the further to the South-

East we goin Siam. (My own specimen from the Meping valley has large sub-

terminal tines). That palmation is rare in Burma but that there is a strong

tendency to palmation in Siamese specimens, though I should say that under 40:

per cent. of Siamese heads are palmated.

From such data it seems undesirable to differentiate geographical races and

sub-species which must evidently grade into one another, until bodily character-

istics come to light which give us definite differences from definite districts.

I was told that stags in the Meping valley are spotted in the hot weather, but

could not obtain a skin or other confirmation.

I hear that Mr. Thomas is now working out the races of the Thamin, and all

sportsmen and naturalists will be greatly interested in the results.

C. H. STOCKLEY, Majsor.

CHAKLALA, PUNJAB,

July 1921,

No. VIII.—A BABY HOG DEER IN CAPTIVITY.

“* Going mad.”

One of the daintiest little pets, I have ever had, and I have had a great many

of all sorts, is a baby para (Hog deer), ‘‘Wee-Wun” was picked up by a mahout

when we were beating with a line of elephants the grass lands by the Kasi River

in the Mowng in March. The place was swarming with para, every fifty yards or

so there would be a rustle in the grass and up would jump a para, jinking in and

out of the grass with head low and ears laid flat back. Even when not scared

272 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII,

they creep about very quietly, hardly showing themselves at all. One little

one we put up was in such a hurry that he didn’t look where he was going—put

~ his foot in a tuft and went head over heels, much to the amusement of the mahouts.

The para stag’s horns all seemed to be in different stages. Some were in velvet,

some fully grown and one that I shot appeared to have dropped one horn.

Para get their name of Hog-deer from their habit of creeping about with their

heads down I suppose, though anything more unlike a pig I have seldom seen.

Two babies were brought to me when I got back to camp, a buck and a doe.

The doe was smaller, had rather a longer face and was not quite such a bright

brown as the buck. Both were spotted something like a cheetal or Spotted

Deer but without the white stripe along the side and with brown legs instead

of white. Neither could have been much more than a week old and both were

very tottery on their legs. It was rather a puzzle to know howto teed them,

but, remembering how I had once brought upa little Markhor successfully, I

tried the same dodge. I took a small sponge, wrapped it in a handkerchief, then

dipped it in warm milk and water. They refused at first to have anything to

do with it, but with patience and perseverance I succeeded in making them

take alittle. The doe, which was much the quietest, picked up the idea quite

quickly but the other was most difficult to manage. I fed them once or

twice during the next few nights, and tried to quiet them. but they were very

restless. Once they must have smelt a panther because both started up in

evident panic and the peacocks all started ,giving the alarm and I thought I

heard one talking far away.

They had a terrible journey up here (Khatmandu) poor little things, 8 hours on

an elephant, 36 hours in a train, a day in a Ford over the most appalling bumps,

and a day on coolie. That, and the change of temperature, was too much for

the little doe—she died during the first night. ‘‘ Wee-Wun ”’ missed her sadly

and bleated continuously at first but got over it in a day or two. The bleat was

not like that of a sheep or goat—more a drawn out squeak—often he would

squeak and seemed to want to make it longer, leaving his mouth open but

nothing happened. The full grown deer has a call something like the cheetal.

By this time he drank his goat’s milk out of a saucer and would take it without

any bother. Diluted cow’s milk didn’t suit him at all though he quite liked it.

He was loose in the garden all day and would totter about on his little wobbly

legs right on the very tips of his toes. Even now he never seems to stand down

on his hind feet, he only uses the very tips. In a week or so he began taking

interest .in leaves and would nibble at a leaf in an absent minded sort of way,

then stop and stare far away. Leaves seemed to attract him much more than

grass, which seems curious, as he came from a grass country and I believe para

are not browsers as a rule. He must have been about a month old before he

discovered that clover was most excellent. I had tried to induce him to eat it

for same time by picking it in front of him. He had been in the house with us

most of the day because it had been raining, then when we went out he suddenly

rushed at a tuft of clover and started eating as hard as he could. From that

day he made rapid progress in the grass eating line and I reduced his milk.

He is very tame and up till a week or so ago would follow me wherever I went,

and always lying down in the heat of the day, or when he got tired, in the rose

beds close to the house. From the very first he showed an inclination to get

amongst cover of some sort and was much happier creeping about, head low and

ears laid flat, in and out of the bushes, starting at imaginary alarms then quietly

going on again, than out in the open on a lawn. Now however he is much more

independent, preferring to go exploring all by himself and choosing new lying

down places. He is a most secret little fellow and hates to be seen lying down ;

if by any chance, when I’m hunting for him I come across him in his nest he

will never go to that spot again, though if I call him and he leaves his nest with-

out my actually seeing him in it, he will go there again and again till it is dis-

covered,

Journ., Bombay Nat. His. Soc.

“SURPRISED!”

‘* CREEPING ALONG HEAD DOWN, EARS BACK.”

YOUNG HOG DEER (CERVUS PORCINUS).

MISCELLANEOUS NOT 's. 273

We thought he might be rather lonely, so we asked if some other young deer

couldn’t be got and they brought a cheetal doe—six months old—which wasn’t

quite what we wanted. However we left her and now the two are great friends

though Wee-Wun at first was terribly scared, bolting right away when he first

caught sight of her. I sometimes take them a walk about the grounds in the

evening, both following me, then when they get to a good bank they go quite

mad—dashing up and down, bucking and skipping. “‘ Wee-Wun” is very quick

and nimble now on his legs bringing off the most astonishing jinks combined

with a buck and a kick. At first he used to fall down in his efforts, but he is quite

able to take care of himself now.

Up till quite lately I always shut him up at night because of the violent storms

we get. He always followed quite willingly and once or twice put himself to

bed, but lately he has been more and more unwilling to come to bed till the other

evening he flatly refused to come. I succeeded in making him come about 20

yards ; then realising it was bed time he kicked up his heels, shook his head and

bucked away into the bushes. So I let him have his way—possibly he may

realiso that a brick roof is better in a storm than the thickest bush. That shake

of his head is a most curious little trick. He began it when he first got at all

steady on his legs and is always doing it when he feels impish and full of beans.

His tail he uses as a sort of signal though P've not discovered yet quite what it

all means. If he is scared and wants to get away quietly he keeps it low, makes

himself invisible—but if he is being chased it goes up. When he goes mad it goes

up and when I’m calling him for his milk he answers with little squeaks and his

tail goes up as he hurries towards me. It seems to depend on the pace. Wee-

Wun gets in a fearful state of excitement over his cup of milk, stiffening all over

and nearly upsetting it all in his violent efforts to drink it more quickly. He

buries his nose right in, up to his eyes almost and I had to teach him to take a

breath in the middle otherwise the consequences were disastrous. A curious

thing about him is that when he has been asleep his tear ducts are very wide open,

so that the pink at the bottom can be seen though, at other times they are close

shut. What is the reason of this I wonder ?

Wee-Wun has a much shorter head than the cheetal—much deeper in the jaw,

really prettier. The spots on his sides have nearly disappeared now, only those

‘on each side of a dark stripe down his back remaining clear. One can feel the

place where his horns will come, rather softer spots than the rest of his skull, he

loves them to be rubbed. Wee-Wun imagines he is quite a big buck though

really he is only 174 inches high.

T. A. K.

No. [X.—THE INDIAN PANGOLIN. (UANIS PENTADACTYLA), L.

In the Fauna of British India (Mammalia), page 598, is given the dimensions

of three male pangolins as follows :—

No. Head and body. Tail. Total length.

1 24.5” 18” 42.5”

De 26” 1 Rie 44”

3 23.5” 22.5” 46”

The last one is a Ceylon specimen. A male specimen was brought to me

on the 18th April which measured—

head and body 31 inches.

tail 20°5 A

Total length 51:5 inches,

274 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

This is, as far as known to me, the largest specimen of the species yet recorded,

It was killed at Paunda, near village Kandholi, Dehra Dun (2,700 feet) U. P,

N. C. CHATTERJEE,

B. Se., EF. E.'S.

Denra Don, 21st April 1921.

No. X.—-THE HABITS OF THE GREY MONGOOSE,

I presume that the idea that the mongoose is immune to the venom of snakes

or that it instinctively recognises and eats a vegetable antidote (though how

the eating of anything could cure so rapidly acting a blood poison was never

explained) is now quite exploded. It would seem probable that this animal is

immune to the poison of scorpions and centipedes however. At least so it

appears to three of us who have been watching the operations of a tame mongoose

of late. As she (the object of our observations is feminine) has not yet been

offered every possible article of the first of the two great classes Heine sub-divided

nature into: ‘‘ things one can eat and things one cannot eat ’’, we are not

prepared to say definitely what is her favourite food. Though she is not

more than 3 months old she has killed and eaten several frogs (she invariably

seizes them by the head, so that they are unable to protest vocally), at least one

rat (and devoured another freshly killed) and several scorpions and centipedes,

besides insects galore. Her predilection seems to be for frogs, rats and scorpicns,

and also nice fat, luscious grasshoppers or locusts, and this she demonstrates

by a continuous growling while eating a morsel she specially appreciates, even

when there is no one near to interfere. When attacking either a scorpion or

centipede she takes no precaution to avoid being stung. We were able to watch

one affair with a scorpion fairly closely. The scorpion was brought in un-

damaged and placed onthe floor. The mongoose immediately seized it about

midbody so that nearly the whole of the tail was free and projecting from one

side of her mouth. She then carried it about without causing it any serious

injury as was seen when she dropped it and started playing with it as a cat

would with a mouse, while the unfortunate scorpion attempted to seek safety.

While the scorpion was carried in the mongoose’s mouth as described we noticed

that its sting was pressed against the beast’s cheek. Whether the sting actually

pierced the skin we could not tell, of course, but it had every appearance of

having done so and there seems no valid reason why it should not. The

mongoose, however, showed no sign of discomfort either then or afterwards.

When she had finally eaten her prey, including the poison bulb and the sting

which she seems to consider a bonne bouche, I carefully examined the cheek

but could perceive neither puncture, swelling nor soreness.

The mengoose is very friendly and playful with the dogs of the household

and with all humans. The cat, however, though she once knew and liked

another mongoose, will not let this one approach her and seems afraid. She

bolts if the mongoose comes near and the latter erects her hair so as to appear

twice her size.

Before meeting this exemplar I was not aware that a mongoose could purr like

a cat and for the same reason.

C. E. C. FISCHER.

TRIPLICANE, Mapras, 24th July 1921.

No. XI.—THE EFFECT OF A SCORPION’S STING ON A TERRIER.

At 10 p.m., on the 5th June, my dog, a big, smooth-haired fox terrier was stung

by a scorpion. I applied Scrubbs’ ammonia to his foot within a few minute

of his being stung, but it did not give him any relief. He yelped or howled almost

without ceasing for an hour and nearly went mad with the pain.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES,

-2

His eyes were bulging and he kept snapping at us. At one tims he gnawed at

the legs of his bed and bit through the strings. After an hour he was sick and

continued vomiting until his stomach was empty. This was followed by retch-

ing every few minutes, and he evidently broke a blood vessel as he brought up

some blood. He was much exhausted and lay on his side. He then passed a

lot of blood through his rectum while on the ground. From the time he began

to vomit, the attacks of severe pain became less frequent. About 1-30 a. m., he

seemed much quieter and I had him cleaned and put on a soft bed of grass. At

2 a.m. I gave him two dessert spoonfuls of brandy and water and he went off

to sleep in half an hour. At 7 a.m., he was a little weak but otherwise alright.

I gave him milk diet on that day which he took sparingly, and he is now quite

fit and well.

E. O’BRIEN, L1.-CoLtone..

Buus, Curcu, 9th June 1921.

No. XI1.—A PANTHER’S INDIFFERENCE.

I had the luck to bag a fine panther yesterday, of a size somewhat

remarkable for the Kanara District ; a male, length 7’-2”.. The circumstan-

ces which are very peculiar may be of interest for the records of the

Society as they indicate an extraordinary lack of fear of man in the animal

concerned. Yesterday afternoon, the 21st May, I left Mungod, on my

Motor Cycle for Konankeri, a distance of 10 miles, to shikar cheetal at the

latter place. Having spent an enjoyable though unsuccessful afternoon

there, I started on the return journey to Mungod about 20 minutes before

sundown. I had replaced my rifle in its leather case which was again

padded by several yards of cloth wound round it, and the whole securely

strapped by many passes of the strap, to the Motor Cycle carrier. As I

reckoned on getting home before dark, I opened the throttle and the

exhaust cut out, and the machine being a powerful Harley Davidson I was

travelling at over 30 miles an hour to the accompaniment of a very great

deal of noise and dust, About two miles from Konankeri coming round a

bend, I saw a large panther sitting on the road side. I immediately cut

off the engine and braked, and came to a standstill twenty yards past him:

it was lucky that he was not directly in my line of travel. Having dis-

mounted and pulled the machine up on the stand I allowed myself a hasty

glance and noticed that the panther was still sitting on his haunches and

quite unalarmed though the dust of my sudden passage was yet eddying

round him. I immediately began to unpack the rifle with all haste,

keeping my back to the panther. It wasa full half minute before the

rifle could be got ready for action possibly longer : then when I looked

again he was gone. I walked back the 20 yards to the spot I passed him,

and saw him at once ; he was lying at the foot of a tree ten yards inside

the jungle, and looked up at me quite unconcernedly without evincing the

slightest intention of moving. 1 believe I could have taken five minutes

over my aim had I so desired, but as he was offering his full broadside at

ten yards range this was quite unnecessary. I put a bullet through the

middle of the target, passing an inch behind the heart, and he dropped

dead at the end of al5 yard run. The rifle I was using used to be the

official property of a German infantryman. I had brought it from Ypres.

as a souvenir in 1917, It is of the 7mm. mauser pattern. Having dragged

the panther to the road, with the commandeered assistance of two cartmen

who were approaching within fifty yards of me when I fired, by the pers

bined effort of the three of us it was hoisted across the Motor Cycle carrier

and secured by a ten foot strap, its extremities being tied away from the

276 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII,

ground by means of the cloth previously referred to. The whole incident

had occupied less than a } hour, and now there only remained to light the

head lamp and proceed home, which was accomplished successfully though

cautiously at a modest speed of 7-8 miles an hour.

This incident demonstrates the extraordinary luck of shikar, a fine

panther being secured devoid of all cost in the matter of goats, beaters,

or § bundobust.’

H. J. C. MILLETT, 1.F.S,

Camp, via'DHARWAR,

21st May 1921.

No. XITI.—KASHMIR BIRD NOTES.

While not specially on ornithology bent the surrounding birdlife, among

other scenic charms, was a source of never failing interest and pleasure to me

on a walking tour, accompanied by Larry, an Irish terrier, through some of the

northern valleys of Kashmir in the fateful months of June and July 1914.

The following few observations, of many cursory and unrecorded ones on

birds met with during the tour, contain nothing new or original, but may be

of passing interest, and serve further to amplify notes on Kashmir birds

published by me in Vol. X XI of this journal.

THE JUNGLE Crow (Corvus macrorhynchus) is mentioned in the Fauna as

“occurring in every portion of the Empire except the higher parts of the Himalayas’

(the italics are mine). I have seen this species at 12,000 feet and over, and not

as an isolated occurrence, but commonly. Possibly the spread of graziers,

with their flocks and herds of cattle, sheep and goats, to the higher grazing

grounds on the borders of the melting snows in the Kashmir Himalayas in recent

years, may have attracted these crows to higher regions for the sake of the

pickings to be got.

THE YELLOW-BILLED CHoucH (Pyrrhocorax alpinus) is a much less noisy

bird than the red-billed variety.

Hopeson’s TREECREEPER (Certhia hodgsoni) was a new acquaintance which I

found nesting at about 11,300 feet. The nest was in, and behind, a large crevice

in the bark of a silver fir at some 12 feet from the ground. The visible portion

consisted of comparatively large bits of twig and chips of bark which must

have taxed the strength of the birds to carry and fix in position.

Both parents were indefatigable in their attentions to the young, arriving at

short intervals at the nest with bills festooned with the broken - remains of large

insects. Enormous quantities of food were thus apparently consumed by the

voracious nestlings during the day. I did not climb to the nest, but possibly

a young cuckoo was stumulating the parental care and activity. At this

elevation it would have been canorus or poliocephalus, both of which occurred.

The length of bill in this species is very noticsable compared with that of

C. himalayana.

The SLATEY-BLUE FLYCATCHER (Cyornis leucomelanurus) is very like typical

Siphia in the action of the tail. There is the same vigorous flick upwards

though the preliminary motions are more vibratory. The female is so similar

to Alseonax ruficaudus in coloration that although there is a difference in size,

a difference which is not always easy to detect when the bird is in a tree, it is the

tail action, and the less active habits of the present species, which will enable

one to differentiate between the two speciesin their natural surroundings. I

met with this flycatcher at over 9,000 feet.

THE BiuE-FRoNTED Repstart (Ruticilla frontalis.) At an elevation of about

11,300 feet I saw an abnormally placed nest, containing young of this species.

It was 20 feet up in a shallow hole in a birch tree, in a small grove of these trees.

THE Rosin Accentor (Tharrhaleus rubeculoides.) Onthe watershed above

Tar Sar lake, Liddar valley, at. an elevation of a little over 13,000 feet, an accentor

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. . 277

which, crossed my path I noted as Tharrhaleus rubeculoides. This bird’s mode

of progression on the ground was by long sparrow-like hops.

Tue Himatayan RvusytTHrRoAT (Calliope pectoralis) has a song which is

loud, continuous and shrill, but compasses some very pleasing notes. A fair

imitation of it could be produced by rapidly rotating the lid against the box of

an oldfashioned circular wooden pillbox. This bird has been usually associated

in my mind with glacier moraines and running water. But a nest found, con-

taining young, was on a small spur on an open hillside, at about 12,000 feet, far

from water, and within a fow feet of a track along which Kashmiris, gujars, pories

and cattle passed daily. It was built in the ground under a tiny juniper bush,

and, failing to see the parents, I should certainly have attributed the ownership.

to a pipit, lark, or meadow bunting.

The nest was a deep cup or rather cylinder, composed almost entirely of fine

grasses with a little moss to finish it off round the upper edge. The tail of the

female when sitting must almost have touched her head, the nest was so deep.

The young appeared to be fed principally on a species of leather jacket or

daddy longlegs which was plentiful in the vicinity. Both parents were equally

assiduous in bringing food to the nest.

This pair paid the penalty, usual in nature, of nesting in abnormal, and exposed

situations, for the family came to grief a few days later, the nest being rifled,

probably by some marauding Jungle crow.

THe BLuEHEADED Rosin (Adelura ceruleicephala). A robin hopped close

to my tent one day while I was encamped near Surphrar Sind valley, and

allowed me to catch it. It wasayoungfemale BLUEHEADED RoBrIN (Adelura

ceruleicephala.) I was surprised to find this species at such a low elevation,

not more than 7,000 feet, but came to the conclusion that it had dropped

down the steep hillsides from immediately above.

THE CENTRAL AsIAN BLACKBIRD (Merula maxima) was not uncommon at about

12,000 feet in two or three of the higher valleys I camped in but this species

appears to be local in its distribution in Kashmir. It differs in many respects

from our common blackbird, Merula merula. In coloration the male maxima

never seems to assume the glossy blackness of the male merula, and, in my ex-

perience, the colour of the former is always a dull brownish black. Moreover:

the females of the two species are very different in colour, M. maxima being

almost a grey bird as opposed to the distinctly brown female of J. merula.

Again the songs of the two species bear little resemblance to one another, that

of the present species having little of the fine flutelike tone one associates with

the song of the common blackbird. Although containing some pleasing notes,

the song of M. maxima is largely composed of wheezy drongo-like utterances with

an occasional loud whistle not unlike that used by Kashmiri shepherds when

herding their flocks. The alarm note also is much less loud, harsh and squeaky

than that of M. merula.

When hopping, however, along the edge of the melting snow, digging for

worms M. maxima does remind one of the “ blackbird on the lawn.”

At Sonamuss above Surphrar, at an elevation of 11,500 feet, I came across a

small flock of Rose-Finches composed of two species. These were Propasser

thura, THE WHITE-BROWED Rossz-F incu, and Procarduelis nepalensis, THE Dark

Ross-Fincu. The male of the latter species is a beautiful bird when in full

breeding plumage,

A pair of Rose-Finches was seen at as low an elevation as 9,500 feet in July. £

could not properly identify them but am nearly sure they were P. thura.

THE Rep-Browep Frvcu (Callacanthis burtoni). The song of this bird is

monotonous, and all more or less on one note, but the ‘ timbre’ redeems it

from being unmusical. The song is quite distinct from the call notes described

by me in Vol. XXI.

278 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. X XVI.

Hopeson’s YELLOw-HEapED Wacratts (Motacilla citreoloides), A few of these

were breeding around lake Gangabal Haramauk, and in the vicinity.

Hopeson’s Prerr (Anthus rosaceus) was also breeding in considerable numbers

about lake Gangabal, but among parties of this species was, what appeared to

me to be, a different pipit, very like the Tree-Pipit Anthus trivialis which

occurred in the locality. This doubtful pipit was, I feel nearly certain, THE

Mxavow Prrir (A. pratensis) but I failed to collect an example to make sure.

Hopeson’s PrrrtT sings mostly on the wing. The bird first soars to a consider-

able height; and then descends with outstretched wings in a sort of ‘ vol plane ’

while simultaneously it commences the song with a syllable like ‘ chup,’ rapidly

repeated several times, followed by a more slowly repeated ‘sweet’ as it approaches

the ground.

Stumbling on a nest of this species at Kolahoi one day I nearly trod on the

sitting female which rolled down the hillside in a wonderful manner with legs,

wings and neck apparently broken to smithereens.

The Common Lark (Alauda arvensis) is somewhat crepuscular in habits in

Kashmir. One delightful bird perched, with its mate, on a stone, about 30 yards

from my dinner table, one evening and serenaded me till it was almost quite

dark.

THE SMALL Cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus). I solved the (tome) enigma

of the notes, which so puzzled me at Sonamarg in 1912, vide p. 1313,

vol. XXI, 4, and which puzzled me again this year (1914) till at last

I caught a glimpse of a flying bird, and eventually secured an example

after much patient shikar and watching. The author of the sounds was none

other than THE SmaLt Cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus). This cuckoo is fairly ubi-

quitous in Kashmir, occurring at all elevations, and, in the same month, from

the valley itself 5,100 to 11,000 feet and over,though it is,perhaps, not so common

as C. canorus. In some favoured spots these little cuckoos collect, and here they

make both day, and a good part of the night, ‘ hideous ’ with their very extra-

ordinary notes, although perhaps not more than half a dozen individuals may

be present. The number of birds in a locality must always be hard to compute

from the notes. At Liddarwat, 9,500 feet, I was encamped in a clearing in silver

fir forest, and for one whole day one solitary individual of this species kept up

an almost incessant cackle, not being silent for more than half an hour from 8 A.M.

till dusk. It constantly changed its perch from tree to tree in the forest around

my camp, and sometimes called on the wing, and to anyone not versed in the

ways of this freak among birds it would certainly have appeared that there were

at least a dozen or more birds calling. This particular bird so exhausted its

syringeal muscles by its performance this day that it remained silent throughout

the night, but recommenced at 7-30 A.M. next morning, and called till about 9

A.M. ; then finding, I suppose, that there were no responsive females in the neigh-

bourhood it shifted to another part of the valley. But it returned in the even-

ing, and called at intervals during the night. It remained in the vicinity calling

daily, and, intermittently, at night till I left on the 23rd July. It was the only

bird of this species, to my knowledge that I heard or saw in this particular spot

during my stay of 12 days.

The following words may serve to convey to the ear the cadence and to some

extent, the sound of the notes, viz., ‘‘ That’s your choky pepper.” When the

bird is vigorous at the beginning of the-season a syllable is often added to this,

and conversely,when the vigour is waning at the end of the season, a syllable may

be omitted. The ‘ timbre ’ of the note allowing for the much greater loudness

is not unlike that of the WHITE-CHEEKED BUuLBUL (Molpastes leucogenys). Onan

open hillside it can be heard a quarter of a mile away or more. The note of the

female is not unlike that of the female canorus, but is more slowly repeated, and

perhaps more nearly resembles that of the female C. saturatus, but is less loud.

The immense energy put into the call-notes by the male, and the power of the

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 279

muscles of the syrinx is, apart from the volume of sound, evidenced in the work-

ing of the lower mandible, the marked distension of the throat, and the jerking

of the whole body and tail.

Unlike birds of the passerine families and indeed others of its genus, THE SMALL

Cuckoo does not usually call at dawn, but generally commences some two hours

after sunrise. It becomes active in this respect, from about 8 or 9 A.M. till noon,

then again in the evening, again at dusk, again, moderately so, after dark, and

even at midnight, and again commonly at about 3 or 4 A. M.

This is not an easy bird to spot or collect. One hears its notes all round but

they are ventriloquial in character, and when in a tree and calling, like others

of its genus, it keeps very still. Under favourable circumstances however, it

may be seen perched on the topmost twig of a tree, uttering its call, or may be

found, towards evening, coming to the ground to hunt for caterpillars in the

undergrowth.

I do not know what species this cuckoo victimises in Kashmir, but around

Surphrar, where it was so common, Horornis pallidus occurred in great numbers,

and Alseonaax ruficaudus was also extremely common.

Scuttys’ Woop Owt (Syrniwm biddulphi) is, in my experience, by far the com-

monest owl in Kashmir in summer. It occurs at comparatively high eleva-

tions, 11,000 to 12,000 feet or over, and occasionally nests above tree limit. This

latter was the case in one valley I camped in. Here there were only a few scat-

tered and stunted birches about, and I came to the conclusion that the owls,

which called so frequently at night, were nesting in holes in cliffs. These

particular birds certainly belied the generic trivial designation, for there was

nothing that could be called a wood in the immediate vicinity. Doubtless an

abundance of food supply explained their presence in these haunts, the hillsides

being riddled with the holes of mice and voles. Small rodents seem to be the

staple food of this owl in summer.

In connection with the food of this species I may remark in passing that a

solitary Scullys’ Wood Owl took up its winter quarters in the compound of my

bungalow in Kohat, and roosted there for 2 months or more, in a toon tree about

10 yards from the bungalow. This bird, I was glad to see, fed mainly on sparrows

but occasionally, he or she, (I did not discover the sex) varied the fare with a

bulbul (Molpastes leucogenys) or a shrew. <A feeble attempt at the * hoot’ was

sometimes to be heard, as the winter passed, but the *‘ khawak’ note was fre-

quently uttered when on the wing, and occasionally when perched.

H. A. F. MAGRATH.

MaanipeE, Co. DUBLIN,

September 1920.

No. XIV.—THE AVIFAUNA OF THE NELLIAMPATHY HILLS.

41. Motacilla melanope. In the series of these notes, published in Vol. XX VIT,

No. 4, I stated that this bird left early in March. This I then believed to be

correct, but this year, at any rate, these wagtails are still with us, though in

greatly reduced numbers, and what I certainly do not remember to have seen

before, are now in their summer plumage. The Rose Finch, Blue Headed

Rock Thrush, etc., left here in the first half of March.

29, Stoparola melanops. Mr. Stuart Baker, in epistola, considers that this

bird must have wandered so far South as a winter migrant. This is undoubtedly

correct as I have seen none of these birds since the end of March, but it was

decidedly common during the cold weather.

91. Neopheron ginginianus. Observed a solitary bird by some cooly lines on

the 20th March.

280 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

92. Pycnonotus gularis, The only specimen I have seen was on the 24th

March, near the top of the Northern slopes.

A. P. KINLOCH.

NELLIAMPATHIES,

8th April 1921.

No. XV—ROOSTING HABITS OF THE COMMON BABBLER

(ARGYA CAUDATA).

The other evening, early May, at dark dusk, sitting in my garden, I saw three

shadows go into a thick (leaf and flowers) branch of a pim tree about 7 feet from

the ground. Shortly 4 or 5 more arvived, from a different direction, which [

could just make out to be the ordinary “* Seven sisters’. I gave them time tc

settle and then went with a hurricane lantern to look. I found the birds sitting

in a row all heads the same way and so tight together that one who drew breath

out of time must have waked all the others. It really looked more like a close

brown fur ‘‘ boa ”’ with pale bird faces struck on. They did not mind the light

held within about 6 to 10 inches of them, nor did they mind my wife and two

other ladies making audible remarks about them. They were in the same place

and same position for about a week after I found them.

A. G. FRERE., ta. Masor,

Sr. Toomas’ Moun?,

4th June 1621.

No. XVI—BEHAVIOUR OF THE WHITE-CHEEKED BULBUL (MOL.

PASTES LEUCOGENYS) WHEN ITS YOUNG IS IN DANGER ;

AND THE (?} PARENTAL INSTINCT OF LOVE FOR THE

OFFSPRING DISPLAYED BY THE DARK-GREY

BUSH-CHAT (ORHICOLA FERREA.)

The habit among parent birds with eggs or young of simulating injury when one

approaches the eggs or young, as the case may be, seems to be one that is

practised by various species that are widely different from each other. The

Plovers possess this “‘ injury feigning instinct ”, and Mr. Dewar says that it is

best developed in the Pratincoles. But there are some other familiar Indian

birds which behave in a similar manner, For example, the late Mr. Dodsworth

recorded an interesting note on the behaviour of the Short-billed Minivet (Peri-

crocotus brevirostris) when its nest is in danger (Vide J.B.N.H.S,, Vol. XX, No.

2. pp. 156, 157). Such an instance seems very unusual, Recently I had an ex-

perience which provides another example of the fact that some of our commonest

Indian birds pretend (?) to be damaged. I do not know why it is, but the habit

of feigning injury seems to be one usually associated with birds of the plover type.

In this case the birds were White-cheeked Bulbuls (Molpastes lewcogenys).

On the 10th July I was going for an early morning stroll in the grounds of the

Imperial Secretariat at ‘‘ Gorton Castle” in the hopes of finding nests of Molpastes

leucogenys and Trochalopterum lineatum, but in this I was unsuccessful. While

examining a large wild-rose bush, I noticed a bulbul on an adjoining deodar, and

on coming under the rose-bush, another bulbul flew out from it. I thought per-

haps that there was a nest, especially as the two bulbuls on seeing me set up an

alarm which made me feel all the more convinced. Although I searched the

bush carefully I found no nest, but eventually I had the good fortune to spy a

young bulbul. To try and capture it was now my aim ; but it gave me a good

chase and finally succeeded in making good its escape by flying on to a low bush

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 28)

which was situated in a place where I dared not venture with any degree of safety.

I followed the bird from bush to bush and from tree to tree, but as soon as [

would approach sufficiently close to grab it, it would fly off again. This lasted for

vbout an hour and showed mo that the bird had fairly good powers of flight-

During my chase after the young bulbul, the behaviour of the parent birds was

very noticeable. Of course, they were full of alarms and curses. As a rule they

would follow the young bird about, sitting on the same branch with it, but flying

off again as soon as I came too close. On several occasions, however, one or the

other, and sometimes both parent birds would suddenly fly down to the ground,

and there tumble and roll about in a most peculiar manner, or flutter about with

one of their wings hanging helplessly as if it had been broken. I do not know

whether bulbuls often behave like this, but this is the first occasion on which [

have seen them doing so.

While chasing the young bulbul I noticed what may possibly be an example

of the parental instinct of love for the offspring. Before I came across the young

bulbul, I noticed a pair of Dark-grey Bush-Chats (Oreicola ferrea) which seemed

to be in a very disturbed state of mind at my presence. A little search revealed

a young bush-chat seated quietly in the middle of a small shrub. I had no desire

to capture the young bird, so I left it alone and passed on, but the parent birds

followed me with great pertinacity, giving vent to alarm cries the whole time.

The parent bush-chats followed me till I came across the young bulbul. Up to

that time perhaps they were concerned at my discovering their own offspring,

but now they joined in the cries raised by the old bulbuls! The bush chats

seemed to forget that they had a young one of their own and devoted their atten-

tions to the young bulbul! Although in my hunt after the bulbul, I twice passed

the bush where the bush-chat was, its parents thought no more about it and were

entirely absorbed in the welfare of the young bulbul! I do not profess to know

whether this is reason or instinct, but I am inclined to think it is instinct. Pre-

sumably the bush-chats recognised the bulbul as a young bird and instinct im-

pelled them to see to its safety ; and presumably also the bush-chats forgot about

their own young one on account of the behaviour of the parent bulbuls. If

there had been no buibuls to distract the attention“of the bush-chats they would

have concerned themselves about their own young one, as indeed they were

doing when I first found it. Otherwise, why would the bush-chats trouble about

the young of a bird of another species, when they had a young one of their own

to look after? And why did the bush-chats not leave me alone when they discover-

ed that I was after a young bulbul and not a young bush-chat ? Perhaps the

maternal (and paternal, I suppose) instinct was suppressed by intense fear, and the

birds were only thinking of raising an alarm and nothing else. This view may per-

haps be the right one, as at one time during the chase after the young bulbul, [

counted the following birds: the two adult bulbuls, the two adult bush-chats,

a male house-sparrow, a green-backed tit, and a pair of laughing-thrushes, all

helping to make an awful din, and to shout advice to the young bulbui !

S. BASIL-EDWARDES.*

Sma, 25th July 1921.

No. XVII.—AN AUBINOID OTOCOMPSA EMERIA.

Some time back I had experience of two “‘ freaks * among ‘‘ Bulbuls ”. One

was an albino Molpastes and the other a melanistic specimen of the same species.

I have been fortunate enough to come across another case of albinism in another

species—the Otocompsa emeria, the widely known Red-Whiskered Bulbul. The

bird was caught wild and brought for sale. Below I give a description of its

colouration :— '

All those parts, the head and around it which were deep black, have lost this

vivid colour. The forehead, lores and the front part of the cheeks are dark

* See footnote page 267.

282 JUURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

brown. The crown is also brown with a few whitish feathers in the crest. The

narrow black moustachial streak surrounding the ear-coverts and joining the

crown is light brown ; the hinder parts of cheeks and the ear-coverts are white

as usual. The crimson tuft of feathers springing from the lower eye-lids, is

retained in a very small spot just there. In a normal bird this crimson passes

over the ear-coverts, but in the present specimen it does not do so. Sides of

neck and a broad crescent interrupted in the middle of the breast, which should

have been brownish black, have become light brown, the crescent ending in

just a faint tinge. The undertail-coverts retain their normal crimson colour,

at the edges, however, it is lighter. Upper plumage, the flanks and thighs, as

also the lower plumage, are white with a tinge of bluish ; the tail is completely

white. Back and wings are white, the latter washed with a faint light-orange.

The colour of the bill, claws and legs has also been affected. The bill and

claws are blackish brown, the apex of the bill being whitish, while the legs are

pinkish brown, Iris light-brown.

SATYA CHURN LAW.

‘CaLcuTta, 3rd June 1921.

No. XVII.—THE WHITE-SPOTTED FANTAIL FLYCATCHER

(RHIPIDURA PECTORALIS).

This pretty little active flycatcher is common in the Central Provinces as well

as in other parts of Western and Southern India where it, replaces its near re-

lative, the White-throated Fantail, the common species of the sub-Himalaya

and Eastern portions of the Empire. It is essentially a bird of shady wooded

nalas and ravines but is also found in gardens and shady groves and is especially

fond of the big thorny bamboo. In the Central Provinces they breed in March

and April and possibly again later. The nest is a neat little inverted cone of

fine vegetable fibre felted together with cobwebs and lined with fine grass.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 283

Three or four eggs are laid which are cream with a dense ring of yellowish

brown and grey spots towards the big end.

The nest is often attached to drooping branches of shrubs or trees overhanging

a stream. That in the photo was in such a position, the plant to which it is

attached being Heptapleurum venulosum, an epiphytic shrub. The photograph

was taken by Mr. C. E. C. Cox.

B. B. OSMASTON, .1.F.s.

Pacumarat, July 1921.

No. XIX.—THE CRESTED SWIFT (MACROPTERYX CORONAT A).

The Indian Crested Swift differs in several respects from most other swifts

and may be easily recognized by its conspicuous crest and long pointed tail.

In size it is nearly as big as the European Swift, and in colour it is ashy

above and white below. The male bird has in addition a chestnut moustachial

stripe.

This swift is widely distributed in India and Burma but is nowhere very

numerous. They frequent open forest, and especially glades in the forest

near water. They are found usually in pairs but sometimes when feeding

they may be seen in larger numbers. They are resident and non-migratory

so far as my experience goes, being found at all seasons of the year even as far

north as Dehra Dun.

The nest is a small shallow half cup fixed in the side of a small branch (often

a dead branch is selected). It is composed of little steps of bark cemented

together by the saliva of the bird, and is only just large enough to contain the

single egg which, as shown in the accompanying photo, projects well above

the level of the top edge of the nest.

The birds lay in March and April. The nest in the photo was taken near

Allapilli (Chanda) in the Central Provinces.

The birds were observed commencing this nest on March 19th ; on March 26th

the nest was apparently completed but the egg was not laid till April 1]th.

The tree selected was a Dhaura (Anogeissus latifolia) and the nest was attached

to a dry branch about 40 feet from the ground.

It was impossible to get within 8 feet of the nest, and the egg was secured by

pushing it gently out of the nest with a long thin stick tipped with cotton wool

and used as a billiard cue, the egg being caught in a small butterfly net held

284 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

in readiness below the nest. The branch with the nest on it was afterwards

broken off. The egg is very faint greyish white, elliptical in shape, and measures

9” in length.

I am indebted for the photograph to Mr. C. E. C. Cox of the Imperial

Forest Service.

B. B. OSMASTON, 1.F.s.

PacuMARHI, July 1921.

No. XX.—BREEDING OF THE INDIAN PITTA.

Oates at page 285, Vol. II, of his ‘‘ Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds ” says

of the Indian Pitta (Pitta brachyura). “They also (i.e., besides in Central

India) breed, I know, (though I could never find the nests) in the Dun......... i

I write to say that His Highness the Nawab of Bahwalpur on the 26th June

found the Indian Pitta’s nest at a place about half way between the top of the

Mohand Pass in the Siwaliks and the foot of the Range on the Saharanpur side

near Dehra Dun. The nest was of the usual type described in the books, about

12 feet up in a tree. The eggs were four in number and the only two which it

was possible to recover unbroken, as well as one of the broken ones, were perfectly

fresh. Mr. C. H. Donald in Miscellaneous Notes No. VI of Vol. XV, No. 3,

recorded the finding of a nest of this species with five young in the Kangra.

District on the 15th June 1917.

R. C. BOLSTER, I.c.s.

TrpPeRAH Hovusz, DrHRa Dun,

28th June 1921.

No, XXI—THE CALL OF FRANKLIN’S NIGHTJAR (CAPRIMULGUS

MONTICOLA) FRANKL.

When writing on the Nightjars of the Punjab I stated (Journal, B.N.H.S,

xxvil, p. 369) that I had never heard the call of Franklin’s Nightjar but that it

was said to be similar to that of C. asiaticus asiaticus. While on tour

about the middle of this month at the western end of the Kangra Valley I found

this Nightjar very abundant in the foothills from Damtal on the Chakki River

to Kotli, at heights varying from 1,200—2,500 feet above sea level. It spends

the days in seclusien in the light forest and scrub jungle which covers these

hills and at dusk comes out to fly about over cultivation and the stony and

sandy beds of the torrent nalas. The call which is uttered both at rest and

over the wing may be heard all night long, before dark, and even after dawn : in

the distance it sounds like a loud grating chirp, which closer at hand resolves

itself almost exactly into the sound of a whiplash cutting through the air.

It is very distinctive and once heard cannot be mistaken.

DHARMSALA, HUGH WHISTLER, F.z.s.,

21st April 1921. Indian Police.

No. XXII.-—NIDIFICATION OF THE BLACK VULTURE OR INDIAN

KING VULTURE (OTOGYPS CALVUS).

Early in May near Mandvi, Cutch, I found a nest of this bird on a small thorny”

tree barely ten feet from the ground. There was a half fledged young one in it.

I took a photograph of the young one in the nest and my wife took one of

me taking the photograph.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 285

Murray states that the bird “is said to breed on inaccessible cliffs’ but Barnes

in his “‘ Handbook to the birds of the Bombay Presidency ’’ states that he has

seen their nests in Central India on lofty trees but that he has found nests near

Deesa in thick thorny, ‘ ber’ bushes about ten feet from the ground,

My shikarri, Ukha, who has collected birds’ eggs for two generations of British

Officers and is exceptionally well informed about birds, tells me that the Black

Vulture nests in small thorny trees in Cutch but once he found a nest in a

large cactus bush and he described how the bush had to be cut away to get

at the nest. His story may be accepted as absolutely true. .

It would be interesting to have the experiences of other members on the sub-

ject and one would like to know if a nest has ever been found on a cliff.

Buus Curcs, E. O’BRIEN, Lt.-Cononet.

21st April 1921.

No. XXIJI—SOME CURIOUS NESTING PLACES.

On the 10th of April this year I noticed a pair of hoopoes going into and com-

ing out of a small round hole in the door of an old out-house in my compound in

Rawal Pindi. The out: house is half full of old packing cases. I opened the door,

which had been locked for about four months, and was surprised to find a hoopoe’s

nest on the floor in one corner. The nest, containing young birds, was hollowed

out of a heap of sawdust and rubbish. I have never before found a hoopoe’s

nest on the ground, and I think that such a nesting place must be most unusual.

There was no smell from the nest, which is usual when the nest is in a hole in a

wall or tree. The out-house is not a dark one, as it possesses one large glazed

window. As I opened the door one of the birds brushed past me, and flew to the

nest. As soon as I walked to the nest, it flew rapidly out of the door, hitting

my head with its wing in its flight.

On the 26th of April, Lt.-Col. Lindsay Smith, of the S. and T. Corps, showed me

a wild cherry tree near Rowbury’s Hotel, Murree, on which he said that he felt

286 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XX VIII.

certain a pair of yellow and black Himalayan Grosbeaks were building a nest

as he had noticed the birds near the tree on two consecutive mornings. We sat

on a culvert about ten yards from the tree and waited. In a minute or two, both

birds appeared, and we were able to locate the nest, which was well hidden amongst

the leaves of the tree about fifteen feet from the ground. The tree is alongside

the road which is a busy one. There are houses on both sides of the tree, and the

culvert on which we were sitting is a resting place for numerous coolies as they

trek between Kashmir Point and the bazaar. Considering how shy these birds

are, and in what dense jungles they usually build their nests, the site selected

by this particular pair may be of interest to bird nesters.

In March of this year a pair of sparrow-hawks built their nest and hatched

their young in a chir pine tree in my compound in Rawal Pindi. Col. Lindsay

Smith tells me that he has never before heard of the sparrow-hawk nesting in the

plains of India. There is no doubt as to the identity of this pair that built its

nest in my compound.

A. R. B. SHUTTLEWORTH,

Lieut.-Con.

MureeEe, 27th April 1921.

No. XXIV.—DESTRUCTION OF BIRDS’ NESTS.

Yesterday I found a nest, with eggs, of the Streaked Wren Warbler (Prinia

levida), though I was not at the time able to identify the bird. I had no gun,

and, after putting a finger in the nest to satisfy myself that there were eggs, I

decided to visit the nest again next day in order to be able to secure the bird and

make sure of the identification.

To-day, accordingly, I again visited the nest, and this was what I found. Nearly

the whole roof of the little egg-shaped nest was torn off and lying alongside of it

on the top of the Kana grass tuft in which the nest was, also the eggs were com-

pletely gone, a close search round about revealing no trace of them.

This complete disappearance of the eggs is not my first experience of the sort

with the Sylviidez. What accounts for the disappearance of the eggs, and,

especially, what is the reason tor the destruction of the nest ?

Human agency may, I think, in the cases which have come to my notice be

eliminated. In this case, as in others, no human being saw me at the nest.

Even if I had been seen, the ordinary countryman, or country boy, in Northern

India, has no interest in small birds and eggs. Nor would any Indian have found

the nest independently of me. I once saw a sinister looking lizard, about a foot

in length, in a bush in which a nest was, the eggs of which had disappeared ; do

such creatures, if enemies of birds, take and destroy eggs, especially where un-

protected by the birds ? If so, one would at least expect to find broken egg-

shells in the neighbourhood, Birds have been known, I think, to transfer

their eggs to or from a nest. Supposing that the birds resent the violation of their

nest, is it possible that a bird that builds as elaborate a nest as Prinia lepida can

find another nest to which to transfer undamaged eggs, or will build another for

their reception ? Surely not. If, on the other hand, the bird itself destroys its

eggs, why, as before, are the broken eggs not there to show ? And, last of all,

if the bird can take the trouble to remove its eggs, what reason has it for

destroying its nest ? Fright, despair, anger, etc., would seem to point to

destruction of both eggs and nest.

Perhaps some member may be able to enlighten me.

I should add that I found to-day another nest, with eggs, and, after

shooting the bird, was able to identify it as Prinia lepida. I also found a

completed nest without eggs . The time—late July—would appear to be unusual

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 287

(see Hume and Oates, Vol. I, pp. 287 to 289) though the Fauna, Vol. I, p. 449.

does say ‘* March till October.”

R. C. BOLSTER, t.c.s.

Bawawa.pur, 24th July 1921.

No. XX V.—BREEDING OF THE KYAH OR MARSH PARTRIDGE

(FRANCOLINUS GULARIS) IN CAPTIVITY IN BIHAR.

In No. 3 of Vol. XXVIT Mr. Stuart Baker writes :—‘‘ Mr. Inglis has had these

birds in captivity, but has not recorded any success in rearing the young”. [

am certain I sent Mr. Baker some notes on the breeding of this bird at the same

time as I sent him some on the breeding of the Burmese Peafowl (Pavo muticus)

in captivity, but as he did not quote any of my notes on the latter bird, I pre-

sume he must have mislaid the notes on both species.

I was quite successful in rearing the young, and had quite a large family party

of these birds, but unfortunately, what with a jungle cat (Felis affinis) and a

monitor lizard (Varanus, sp.) getting into the aviary on different occasions, they

all came to an untimely end.

My birds were kept in a large open-air aviary with a masonry house at one

end, and in the large room was situated a small reservoir for water and at one

end some clumps of ‘‘ ekri”’ grass were planted.

The nests were made at the base of these clumps and formed of bits of “ ekri ”

and had a diameter of 6 inches and a depth of 3 inches.

They laid during March and April. One pair had 3 eggs up to the 11th March

and again laid on the 13th, 15th and 18th, making a total of 6 eggs. From these,

five chicks were hatched on the 14th April, one was killed by a Demoiselle

Crane (Anthropoides virgo) which inhabited the same aviary, and the others grew

up to be fine, healthy birds.

Another pair laid an egg on the 3rd April and on the 6th, but the birds didn’t

sit well till the 26th ; these two eggs hatched out on the 24th and 25th May.

I believe I sent Mr. Baker another clutch of eggs laid by my birds, but don’t

remember how many it contained, and I kept another clutch of seven eggs laid

during April. This was the largest clutch laid. The latter clutch was laid in

1913, and the other eggs in 1912. My birds also laid during 1910, but I can’t

find my notes onthem. For some unaccountable reason they didn’t breed during

1911, which was the same case with my Burmese Peafowl (Pavo muticus).

While the birds had chicks they were chiefly fed on millet with some unhusked

rice and white ants when obtainable ; they were also able to do a certain amount

of foraging in their large open-air run.

When two months old the chicks got white, arrow-shaped streaks bordered

with brown on the breast and the feathers of the back were barred and crossed.

with buff ; also the throat became a pale rufous colour.

BaGHOWNIE Fry, DarspHanca Dt., Braar,

26th May, 1921.

CHAS. M. INGLIS, m.z.0.v., ¥.z.s., F.E.S.

No. XXVI.—THE ADJUTANT STORK AND OTHER MATTERS.

With reference to the note on the Adjutant stork (Z. dubius) in No. 3, Vol.

XXVIT of the Journal, it would be interesting to know whether anything is on

record with regard to the distribution of these birds. I think it is generally sup-

posed not to range far South, but I recollect seeing this species feeding in company

288 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

‘with vultures on the carcase of a gaur I had killed the day before in the Melghat

Forest, south of the Tapti River, latitude 21 40’N. I also found and shot

a very large bear (Melursus ursinus or labiatus) in suspicious proximity to the

carcase of the gaur, but did not see any signs of his having fed on it. His

presence was revealed by the swearing of monkeys of the langur species, which

are usually supposed to confine their bad language to objurgations directed at

the felines—tigers and panthers.

During the same expedition I found, written in the book of nature in the

plainest language, the history of a herd of gaur which had been stampeded by a

tiger, which had killed a cow. There were the tiger’s tracks plainly imprinted

where the ground, now dry, had been soft with rain, and the hoof marks of the

bison as they had thundered off in terror, leaving the unhappy cow to her fate.

Nothing but the bones remained, and even the horns had gone, presumably.

gnawed off by porcupines. The tiger had also killed a vulture whose foul

feathers and bones lay near the remains of the kill. Generally vultures will

remain perched in the trees above when the tiger is at hand, but this one had

evidently been tempted by greed and, venturing too near, had been destroyed

with a stroke of the mighty paw.

There were several other interesting and unusual incidents during this ex-

pedition, although it lasted only ten days. I was moving camp and started

some hours before daybreak one morning, in bright moonlight. I was riding a

small pony on a narrow jungle path, accompanied by gun-bearers and other

men, when there was a rustling among the dry leaves by the roadside and a

bear rushed out at us into the moonlight, giving vent to gruff roars and growls.

However, the bear fortunately did not charge home, but turned tail and bolted

before I had time to get hold of my rifle. A few hours later, after sunrise,

we emerged into the main forest road, and came up with my servants and camp

equipage on two bullock carts. I was riding behind the carts when I saw a

panther sit up on its haunches under a tree by the roadside, about eighty yards

off. It did not seem alarmed, and I jumped off my pony and shot it through

the head. I saw in the jungle the same day a small animal which I recognised

as a lesser civet cat, the only one of the species I have seen. The same day

I saw two Rattels M. indica ; I had previously seen one in another part of the

same forest swimming about in a pool of water in the middle of the night.

The panther I killed had a mate which visited my camp that night ; I tied up

a goat near the well, hoping to get a shot, but the goat, perhaps frightened by

the panther, jumped into the well and hanged itself. A bear came into the

camp the same night. I ran after it, barefooted, but it plunged into the

shades of the forest, and I did not get a shot. I was shown, when out on this

occasion, the head of a fine old bull gaur that had been killed by a tiger. The

aborigines said that it had put up a great fight, and perhaps this accounted for

the condition of a tiger shot by an officer of the Royal Artillery in this locality

not long afterwards. For this tiger had one eye gouged out, evidently in an

encounter with some other wild beast.

R. G. BURTON,

30th May 1921. BRIGADIER-GENERAL,

No, XXVII.—MANIPURI NAMES OF CERTAIN BIRDS.

In referring to text books on game and other birds, I have always noticed

how inaccurate are the Manipuri names given therein. I enclose a list of the

Manipuri names of certain birds which, if you think it worth publishing in the

Journal, may be of use to future writers of text books. The names were collect-

ed mostly fron’ shikaris and beaters, during my nine years’ stay in the Manipur

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 289

State, and the majority were checked with the help of an educated Manipuri,

so the list can be taken as fairly accurate.

Noweonea, Assam, 20th May 1921.

Peacock (Pavo cristatus or muticus)

Red jungle Fowl (Gallus ferugineus)

Domestic Fowl

J. C: HIGGINS; r.c.s:

. -—=wahong.

.-=lamyel (means, “

..=yel, yen.

wild fowl ”’).

Mrs. Hume’s Phe pasant (Phasianus jamie). —nuining, nongin.

Black-breasted Kalij (Genneus horsfieldt)

Black Partridge (Francolinus vulgaris)

Chinese Franeolin (Francolinus chinensis)

Bamboo Partridge (Bambusicola fytciit)

Quail

Grey lag goose (Anser ferus)

Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus)

Duck (generally)

Pochards (Netta

Nyroca fuligula, ae oca bei

feruginea) :

Whistling Teal (Dendrocycna javanica)

Ruddy Sheldrake (Casarca rutila)

Cotton Teal (Nettopus coromandelianus)

Wigeon (Mareca penelope)

Shoveller (Spatula clypeaia)

Pintail (Dafila acuta)

Spot-bill (Anas pecilorhyncha)

xadwall (Chaulelasmus streperus)

Garganey Teal (Querquedula circia)

Common Teal : i ettiwm crecca)

Spoon-bill (£2: t lea ieucorodia)

White Ibis (1bis meianocephala)

Black Ibis( /nocotis papillosus )

Common Heron (Ardea cinerea)

Common Pond Heron (Ardeola gra yi)

Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus)

Cattle Egret (Bubulcws coromandus)

Large Egret (Herodias alba) ..

Smaller Egret (Herodias intermedia)

. = waba.

..=urenbi.

..==kabo urenbi (the partridge of the

Kabo or Kabaw valley, in the

Upper Chindwin District of

Burma, which adjoins’ the

Manipur State).

..==wakrek (wa—bamboo, krek—=the

sound made by the bird),

--=shorbol (different species not

distinguished).

..—kang-nga.

. .—kangshel.

.—=ngénu.

rufina, M yroca " ferrna,

Nyroca

c . -=I1rupi (means,

“diver’’)

locally, athaobi).

(also,

..==tingi.

. .=thang-gong.

--—=nganu pegdek (nganu—duck,

pegdek, from the sound made

by the bird).

..=thang-gong-mal (means, “like the

ruddy sheldrake”’ referring to

the similar colour of the head).

..=Khara, khara.

. .—leitung-nga.

-.—=nganu pirel.

. .=thoiding-nam (means,

“tastes of

sesamum ’’),

e——=sueGe

..==surit (also locally, leingangehabi. )

..—=théroichabi (means, shellush

eater).

- -==mayang urok (means, “‘egret {rom

Cachar).

..-=kaksu.

- «usa.

-.=lampra.

. -=lampra.

- -=san-dung-il (means, “ following

after cattle ”’).

--==loklenba (means, “ standing in

streams).

..-==lang-khong-sang (khongsang=

long legs).

290 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Little Egret (Herodias garzetta) .. . .—=naokang.

Kgret (generally) ste nn . .—=urok (means, “‘ stream bird ’’).

Night Heron (Nycticorax griseus) Sf . .=chongkhu.

Sarus (Grus antigone, Grus sharpii).. . -==Wo/nu, woinuren.

Common Crane (Grus communis) .. . -—woinumal (means, “‘ like a sarus’’).

Coot (Fulicaatra) .. ts ..—=porom, nganu porom.

Moorhen (Gallinulu chloropus) ald -==urel,

Purple moorhen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) -=umu.

Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) sf .-==sabal koudrak.

Woodsnipe (Gallinago nemoricola) .. ..==checklaobi, checklaobi amuba

(amuba=black).

Snipe (Gailinago solitarna, Gallinago colestis,

Gallinago stenura, Gallinago gallinula) ..==cheklaobi (means, “ calls Chek’’)

Painted snipe (Rostratula capensis). . ..-=kangdruk.

Redshank (J'otanus calidris) : . -==ngahoibi.

Burmese Red-wattled Lapwing (Sarcogram-

mus atrinuchalis) .. . =salangkak.

Yellow-wattled Lapwing (Sarciophor US mala-

baricus) os ..=salang.

Eastern Golden Plover (Charadrius pole us) —=nong-gang.

Pheasant-tailed Jacana (H ydrophasianus

chirurgus) .. ays ..=yemparaba (means, “cock bird”)

Sandpipers, snippets (ge nerally) ma ..=chessa, chegaibi (generally the

former is the Muhammadan

term, the latter the Hindu).

Pelican (Pelicanus phillipensis) .. . ==uphong.

Pigeon (generally) .. aes . .==khunu.

Wild pigeons & doves (generally) os ..=lamkhunu.

Mynas (generally) .. : us . = chong-nga.

Kites (generally) on ae ae .-=umaibi.

Hawks (generally) .. p es .—khunu karang.

Crow (Corvus macrorh ynchus) : _Eokowi ak.

White-backed Vulture (Pseudogyps bona:

lensis) ae . ==langdya.

Sparrow (Passer domesticus) _.=sendang.

Swallows, swifts, martins (generally) . =sembang.

Bulbuls (generally) .. Bia aie _.=khoining.

Hoopee (Upupa indica) ae a ..=songare aba, sangairaba.

Wagtails (generally) .. ae a ..—khongrangchak (regarded as an

incarnation of Durga).

Magpie robin (Copsychus a oes . -=Uchinao.

Parrots (generally) .. : oe . =tenuwa.

Black drongo (Dicrurus ater) mite . .=charoi, cheiroi.

Cuckoo (not hawk-cuckoo) .. se > Okan,

Cormorants (generally) os Sis ..—=ura.

Indian darter (1lotus melanogaster) . .==ura-limal (means, “cormorant like

a snake ’’).

Yellow-legged herring-gull (Larus cachinnans)=taotra.

Great crested grcbo (Podicipes cristatus) ..—kumphengbi.

Dabchick (Podicipes albipennis) .. ..=upum.

Crow-pheasant (Centr pus sinensis) . .—nongkoubi.

Chestnut-bellicd munia (Munia atricapilla) =usbuk.

Terns (generally) as ae 4a ..—ngarakpi (means, “ fish-catcher,”)

Kingfishers (generally) zu an ..=ongarakpi.

Pied kingfisher (Ceryle varia) He ..=ngarakpi, wakrek.

Owls (generally) ms . .==maku.

N ote. —a.is s pr onounced long.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 29

No. XX VIII.—CROCODILE SHOOTING IN NEPAL.

We were floating down the Gunduk between Nollpur, in Nepal, north of the

first sandstone range and Tirebani, the head-works of the Ramnuger-Tirebani

canal, trying to shoot a few of the hundreds of crocodiles that lay basking in the

sun on the edge of the stream. The banks all along this part of the river are

rather steep and even if a mugger is shot dead, the weight of his body carries

him in and he is gone. We lost several in this way, one was particularly aggra-

vating. We had spotted a gharial (yavialis gangeticus) lying on rather a flat

sandy bank, some 200 or 300 yards down stream, so I waited till we had floated

to within a 100 yards or so and could get a broadside shot, then I fired and

hit him in the head. Ithought I had surely got him this time as he lay quite

still, then just as we got the boat close to where he lay, he struggled into the

river turning as he reached the water on his back with the lower half of his jaw

sticking out of the water. Then he started to swim straight across the river

to the opposite shore on his back. I fired several shots at him in the hopes

that he might stop, when he could be roped. He had reached about mid-

stream still on his back when he suddenly dived and we saw him no more.

I suppose he floated up a few days later to provide a meal for the Tarus, who

greatly appreciate crocodile flesh, which is white, not unlike cod to look at,

though rather tough I should imagine.

There were both gharials and muggers (C. palustris) all the way down the

river, though chiefly gharials which seemed to prefer lying together in shoals

while the muggers were in ones or twos.

The natives are very much afraid of them and even when dead it requires a

lot of persuasion to make them touch one. I shot quite a small mugger in a ta/

in the Kheri district-—its neck was broken and it was dead, but muscular action

made it open and shut its eyelids and none of the natives would touch it, till

our orderly bravely got down off his elephant, and after thoroughly kicking it

and satisfying himself that it was dead, picked it up at arms length ; then one

or two others plucked up courage and rather gingerly helped him to load it on

an elephant. The mahout was in a fearful state of nerves and paid far mere

attention to what the dead mugger might do than to where his elephant was

going. The crocodile certainly did open its eyes once or twice and even after it

was skinned some muscles moved and its heart appeared to bo still beating.

We watched some fishermen working on the Gunduk one day. They chose

a likely looking pool in the river, then quickly rowing up stream to start with,

they ringed the pool paying out, as they went, a net weighted along one edge and

floats attached to the other, then wading waist deep into the river they started

hauling itin. Asit was drawn nearer and nearer in, a sudden swirl on the surface

of the water and a glint of silver betrayed the presence of at least one fish. In

that particular catch there was only one, quite a good mahseer about 10 lbs.

Most of the small rivers and streams in Nepal are trapped to such an extent

that there are few fish left. The Tarus build stone dams right across the stream

. forcing all the water through narrow channels, at the end of which are wicker-

work cages in which the fish get caught.

I. A. K.

No. XXIX.—AN AGGRESSIVE PHOORSA (ECHIS CARINAT A).

In mid-June walking across an open maidan near St. Thomas’ Mount in the

dusk, my wife and dog walked right over an Echis. They, at least my wife

was alarmed by the “ sandpaper noise ’’ jumped clear and called to me. I found

the snake furiously angry, lashing out and scrubbing his sides together. I wanted

to catch him, but had nothing but a thick, and for such work, clumsy walking

stick. While I was hesitating the snake made towards me giving a great

exhibition of frightfulness. He came slowly, his action having a scrambling

292 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL\HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. AXVIIT

appearance due to his having to scrub his sides together. He evidently mean

business and came on for some 8 to 10 yards when I, not fancying the job of

trying to handle such a furious beast in a failing light, killed him. I have never

seen this snake adopt such a curious and saggresive attitude before. He was

beautifully marked and had a clear skin. The brown and buff showing each

other up well and clearly. A female, non-gravid.

A. G. FRERE, 1.4., Major.

St. THomas’ Mount,

Ath June 1921.

No. XXX.—THE ENEMIES OF BUTTERFLIES.

A note by Mr. C. Dover, under the above heading, appeared in Vol. XXVII,

No. 3, pages 642-3 of the Journal.

One of the most important of destroyers of butterflies has been ignored in the

article, in the spider. Not only the spinners but also some of the hunting

spiders (notably the jumping spiders) and those that lie in ambush among flowers

{the crab spiders and the Peucetia) live very largely on butterflies.

The house lizard is stated by Mr. Dover as only a casual butterfly eater. I

think that creature would eat all lepidoptera freely, but from its habits it is mostly

moths that come in its way. I have seen a large, vigorous specimen of a hawk-

moth taken and devoured by the common gecko.

I imagine that one reason why birds do not feed to a greater extent on butter-

flies is their difficulty in catching them. The flight of butterflies is either erratic

or very swift and there is so much more expanse of innutritious wing, that breaks

off uselessly in the beak, than solid, satisfying body, that actually to arrive at

possession must be rather difficult to achieve. Nevertheless, most field natura-

lists have at times witnessed the attempts of birds to catch butterflies. Probably

they desist when experience has taught that the result of a very occasional success

does not justify the numberless futile efforts.

C. E. C. FISCHER,

PaLMANER, 5th June 1921.

No, XXXI.—BUTTERFLY NOTES.

The following instances of butterflies taken by me in new or unusual localities

may be of interest.

In Purulia (District Manbhum, Bihar and Orissa) I caught the following :—

Appias wardi, M. 2 and Cirrochroa aoris, Db. (Q in battered condition) in

June 1917 ; Pantoporia ranga, M. (perfect specimen) in April 1918.

Mourbhanj State Orissa.—Lt.-Col. (then Captain) W. H. Evans, R. E., re-

ferred in his ‘Notes on Indian butterflies ’ (Vol. XXII of the Journal, p. 770) to

some butterflies caught by me in this State on the Megbasini hills. I subse-

quently got from this same district, both ¢ and @Q of Poritia hewitsoni, M.,

while in a box recently sent to me by Mrs. E. G. Beckett of Sambalpur I got the

following butterflies from these same hills :—Papilio helena cerberus, Fd. (2);

Eulepis eudamippus, D.(Q). There were also in this box some further speci-

mens of Apatura parisatis, God ; Papilio chaon, Wd.; Papilio paris, L. ; and

Papilio doson axion, Fd.

At Sea—Having left Bombay per 8.8. City of Karachi on 20th August 1919,

we were off the coast of Arabia, but quite out of sight of it, when (on 26th August),

a Vanessa cardui, L., came on board, and was brought to me by a friend to whose

clothes it had clung.

W. M. CRAWFORD, 1.c.s.

BEFast, 25th May 1921.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 293

No. XXXIJ,—BUTTERFLIES AT SEA.

A voyage from Karachi to Bombay on October the 28th, 1921, was

remarkable for the numbers of Butterflies seen all day. From breakfast

time onwards, some half a dozen or more insects were to be seen on the

wing all day in about the length of the boat. Inthe afternoon they were

decidedly more numerous, and at about 4-30 p.m., when opposite Madiapur

on the Kathiawar Coast, at a distance estimated by the Captain as five to six

miles the ship passed through an immense flight for some minutes. They

were so thick that the Captain on the bridge had to brush them away from

his face. The sea was strewn with many hundreds, and many fell on deck

in such an exhausted condition that I picked them up in my fingers. The

large majority, however, still flying strong continued their migration.

During the whole day these insects were flying due East to the Indian

Coast where had they come from the nearest land to the West, viz.,

the Arabian Coast is many hundreds of miles distant, and one cannot

believe they travelled so long an expanse of sea without food or rest. Had

they flown South from the Persian Coast, and then changed direction

East. This seems unlikely as the Persian Coast at 4-30 p.m. must have

been two hundred miles distance. Had they been blown out to sea by a

strong Western current, and driven back by a reverse current ? Probably.

The predominant species all day were Terias hecabe,and a white species

probably Anapheis mesentina. Those actually identified having settled on

the ship were 7. hecabe, Junonia lemonias, Papilio demoleus, Papilio aristolo-

chie, Hypolimnas misippus, Colotis amata, a Euploea, probably core, and a

Hesperid. 1 think I also recognised Junonia hierta on the wing.

F. WALL, Cotonkt, I.M.s.

BaNGALOoRE, lst December 1921.

No, XXXIIl—ON THE HABITS OF A SCELIPHRON WASP

(S. DEFORME).

I give below a few observations made on a Sceliphron wasp. I have not

made a special study of Hymenoptera, but this species of wasp seems to be a

common visitor to the house and its interesting habits have led me to make a

few notes. I could not fix the identity of the wasp with certainty, and thought

it was a Sceliphron madraspatanum. I sent a specimen to the Society,

which was identified as coming close to Sceliphron deforme, Sm., (Sc. formosum,

Bingh., Fauna of Brit, Ind., Hymn., Vol. I, pp. 239-240), and that “ identical

specimens of this species were obtained in the Murree Hills.” I am much

obliged for this kindly assistance.

I have made a few diagrams, but these, I fear, are merely rough drawings,

and are not exactly works of art. I hope, however, that they will serve the

purpose for which they are intended—that of making my written note clearer

and easier to follow. I have also had five cells photographed so as to convey

a better idea as to their beauty.

In my bedroom alone several specimens of this Sceliphron have been busily

engaged for the last two months. There are several groups of cylindrical mud

cells fixed on various parts of the ceiling, and I have seen two insects working

at the same time and independently of one another. I assume, therefore, that

each lot of cells belongs to one insect, and that one wasp does not possess two

or more lots of these strange and beautiful mud structures.

Number and Distribution of Cells.

On making an examination of the ceilings of the other rooms in my house, I

294 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

AELR_e He” all

Y Zz iO

amplete Yes/s Gap Broker/yest

Sp/h

ma Circular

A......Nests or wood of cevlin

B......Nest slored wilh spiders

C.......Nest 17 course of cons/ruction

Showing manner in which

wasp builds

found several more cells. The following shows the distribution of the cells

in the ceilings of the rooms examined :—

Ist Room (Bedroom).

(1) A-single cell.

(2) 2? ”

(3) <A collection of cells .. 2 in number,

(ay: ; 7 ee 3

(5) 55 ” 2 Bie? -

(6) 5 eo en

(7) cy) b) ” A 99

(8) 5, 25 - me em

(9) 5 , 9 . ea

2nd Room.

(1) Asingle cell.

(2) A collection of cells 2 in number.

(3) 5, 5 ie ye at oF ae We) 2s

(4) »” 2”? , °° o- ee oe oe oe 2 39

(5) ” ” ” oe jere oe oe eo PT}

(6) ” ” ” 4 9

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 29%

3rd Room.

(1) A collection of cells oF si ae a .. 2 in number.

(2) 2” ” ” et, ”

(obress Pe ne as Wr 5 Reed is

Thus the total number of cells is 65—a comparatively large number.

Site of Cells.

The ceiling of my bedroom, as also of the other rooms, is made of polished

boards, and the cells have, in most instances, been built at the junction of the

roof proper with the additional planking placed below and, in some cases, at

the junction of this planking with the thick ridge of wood that runs all round

the rooms where the wall meets the roof. This seems to indicate that this site is

selected by preference, although the cells are not invariably placed on the ceiling.

I have seen cells built on the plaster of a wall, on the underside of the machinery

box of a gramaphone, and also on a haversack! But, perhaps, the strangest

place chosen is that which a friend told me of, inside the sleeve of a coat !

Arrangement of Cells.

There seems to be some sort of method followed by this wasp in the manner

in which it arranges its cells in groups. These structures are usually placed in

a line—the back and upper portion of one touching the front and lower portion of

the other. They all face in the same direction, and are all at a slight angle. It

should be mentioned that they do not always form a continuous line, as there are

gaps sometimes. This may be due to the fact that one of the cells has collapsed

at an incipient stage of its construction, or that the place where a cell would

naturally have been built is unsuitable for some reason or other. At first I

thought that the wasp invariably arranges its cells in a line as just

described, but one day I noticed a group of cells made by this wasp in an office

(in the topmost storey of the building). I was rather astonished to find that

one cell was built directly above another! This is the only instance in

which I have found the cells so arranged, and I suppose this must be an exception

to the usual style. Subsequently a friend of mine, who mentioned that there

were cells built in various parts of his house, showed me a fine series of cells

which differed not only in arrangement, but also as to site. I have already

mentioned the different places in which I saw these cells. As to their arrange-

ment, I found that there were two distinct styles : (a) the usual line and (b) in

a line, side by side, but vertically, 2.e., the line of cells runs vertically, the cells

themselves being horizontally placed. We sce, therefore, that the cells may be

arranged according to three distinct styles :

(a) in a line horizontally—the usual arrangement.

(6) in a line vertically—not uncommonly.

Manner in which Cells are built.

The manner in which this wasp works is interesting. It flies to its row of mud

buildings and commences operations with a loud, high, buzzing sound. By

this noise it usually indicates its presence. It carries a small quantity of mud

(or really light grey clayey soil) which it slowly begins to fashion into a cylinder.

The wasp first lays a ring of mud on the wood and then begins adding to this

in successive layers. Each layer is about one-sixteonth (?) of an inch thick, to

judge from the faint ridges one sees on a dry and complete structure. The wasp,

when it brings a lump of soil with it, starts on one side and works upwards to

the top of the circular arch, working down again from this point to the place

from where it started. Thus half of the arch is built up at a time. I have attempt-

ed to illustrate this by a diagram. The wasp continues to add fresh layers until

the structure attains a length of a little over an inch. By this time, of course,

it has taken the shape shown in the drawing and in the photograph—a sort of -

cylinder widest at the middle with narrower ends. When the wasp has finished

it decreases its ends off by leaving a very neat circular hole at end of the cell—

296 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

the other end, i.e., the end from which it started, being closed from the first.

When a structure has reached this practically complete stage, with one end

open, it is left to dry. Whenthe wasp has used up its load of clay in adding a

layer, it invariably goes inside the building. Why it should do this I do not

know ; either to push the wall outwards to prevent a collapse, or merely for

inspection! As far as I have been able to observe, this wasp works at the con-

struction and storage of its cells during the hours of daylight. As soon as the

sin sinks it leaves off although it is still quite bright and darkness has not set

in. During the night the wasp is not anywhere near the cells and does not come

near them till the following morning.

Storage of Cells.

After a cell has been finished and has dried, it is filled with food (for the larva)

which consists of spiders. The spiders were very kindly examined and identified

by Dr. Gravely. A male has been identified as a member of the Oxyopide

family and almost certainly as a member of the genus Oxyopes, while females

belonged to the Clubionide. A closer identification could not be given as the

spiders obtained by me were in a very damaged condition after the ravages of the

larva. I have sent some more spiders* which I trust will be in a better state

and will not be so difficult to determine. The spiders usually stored belong to

the Oxyopide and Clubionide families; but one day I saw a wasp carrying a

spider to its cell, and on making the wasp release the spider. I found that it

was of quite a different species to that usually collected. I sent it to the

Society for identification and was informed that it was a species of Araneus.

I broke a newly constructed cell to see if the spiders were put in at the same

time as a Jayer of mud was added, but found that the cell was empty.

Breeding of Larve inside Cells.

On examining the contents of some cells I found that after they had been

elled with spiders, an egg is laid, which develops into a small white larva. This

*These spiders sent have been identified by Dr. F. H. Gravely of the Madra

Museum—one specimen belonged to the genus Araneus (= petra) and six t

the Salticid genus Rhene and three remaining specimens were immature Thomisids

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 297

larva grows inside its temporary prison, and as it develops it feeds on the spiders.

It grows until it forms a thin, brown, membraneous casing round it, after the

manner of a butterfly chrysalis, and if this casing is broken, it reveals the larva

inside. Tho chitinous covering surrounding the larva seems to be enveloped

in a fine, flimsy, woolly web. From the chrysalis the imago emerges, but I have

not yet seen an insect in course of emergence. It is difficult to ascertain exactly

how long it takes for an egg to become an insect, because the contents

of a cell cannot be examined unless it is broken, and when this is done, all

further observations on that particular cell have to be concluded, and

another has to be found with the larva it contains in a more advanced

stage than the larva in the cell previously examined. I regret very much

that I cannot supply definite and accurate information as to the

duration of larval life of this wasp. Arguing from analogy this period ought

to be about a fortnight, while the time taken for an imago to develop

from an egg would probably be from about four weeks to a month ; but evidently

this Sceliphron takes longer to develop, as a large number of cells I have seen

were built about two’months ago and no wasp has emerged from any of them

yet. Some of the cells I have sent the Society are full and advantage may be

taken of this to ascertain the duration of larval life.

Difference in Habits from Sceliphron madraspatanum.

While considering the habits of this Sceliphron it would not perhaps be out

of place to make a few remarks with reference to the habits of Sceliphron madras-

patanum. In ‘Indian Insect Life’ there is a most interesting account of

the latter species, and with reference to the remarks therein made, the following

outstanding points of difference in the habits of this Sceliphron and Sc. madras-

patanum have been observed :—

(1) The total number of cells made by Sceliphron madraspatanum is appa-

rently not more than seven, but in the case of this Sceliphron I have shown

that as many as fifteen cells are built ;

(2) When all the cells are complete they are not coated with a layer of

mud as is done in the case of the cells made by Sceliphron madraspatanum ;

(3) When a wasp is unable to complete the task of filling in a cell with

spiders, it does not put a temporary mud covering over the mouth of the cell

as is done by Sc. madraspatanum ; t

(4) Taking the illustration given in ‘‘ Indian Insect Life ” of cells of

Sc. madraspatanum as depicting typical cells of that species, there is a great

difference in general appearance between them and the cells made by the

species at present written about. The cells of Sceliphron madraspatanum

arebigger and coarser looking, the layers being distinctly visible, and,

moreover, the manner in which the cells are grouped together is quite differ-

ent, as will be seen by a comparison between the illustration referred

to and the diagrams appended to these notes.

Mr. Ellison asked me to try and send the Society, for exhibition purposes,

some cells of this Sceliphron. After several unsuccessful attempts I have at

last succeeded in removing five cells whole, and I trust that these will be fit

for exhibition in the Society’s rooms.

In conclusion, I have no doubt that my observations and notes must necessarily

be imperfect, but as I have already stated, I am not an entomologist, and I have

written this note because. the Sceliphron wasps are very interesting and also

form an important genus from an economic point of view, and that, therefore,

any notes on their habits would probably be of some interest.

S. BASIL-EDWARDES.

Sma, Sth July 1921.

298 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

No. XXXIV.—AN UNDESCRIBED NATURAL ENEMY OF THE CASTOR

SEMILOOPER (ACH@A (OPHIUSA) MELICERTE, HMP.)

(With a plate.)

The semilooper caterpillar of the noctuid moth Achwa (ophiusa) melicerte

Hmp.is a common and well known pest of the castor oil plant (Ricinus

comunis) all over India. In many parts of the country, especially in 8S. India,

this caterpillar is kept in check by an important natural enemy—a hymenop-

terous parasite. In certain seasons this parasitic wasp has been found to

exercise a very effective natural control over this pest, as many as seventy

or eighty per cent. of the caterpillars being found dead in the castor plots.

The presence of this parasite is easily detected in the fields by the charac-

teristic appearance of its cocoon found attached as a sort of cushion

underneath the tail end of each victimised caterpillar (see fig. 3).

Though this parasitic wasp has been known to entomologists in India for

some years past, it is curious that it has not been identified or described any-

where till now. This is, of course, due to the fact that very little systematic work

has been done by any one on the parasitic hymenoptera, a group of insects of first

rate importance as natural enemies of various crop pests, and especially of the

forms belonging to the family ‘ Braconidee’. For some time past I have been

paying some attention to these insects and trying to do some systematic work

and as far as I can make out from available literature, this insect does not appear

to have been named or described anywhere. There are references to it in recent

works on Indian Entomology, but everywhere without a name of its own. I

have therefore attempted to publish the following description of thé insect in

this short paper. Though I have been able to classify the insect down to its

sub-family and genus with the aid of the valuable synoptical tables of authors

like Ashmead, Marshall and Szepligeti, I was in some doubt as to whether it

really belonged to the genus ‘ Microplitis’ or to one of the very closely allied

genera ‘ Diolocogaster ’, ‘ Microgaster’, or ‘ Hygroplitis ’, and wanted to get

my determination confirmed. Mr. H. L. Viereck of the U. S. A. Department of

Agriculture, to whom I submitted specimens very kindly examined them and

confirmed my identification that it belonged to the genus ‘ Microplitis’. I take

this opportunity of expressing my thanks to this Entomologist who is a well

known authority on the family :

Family—Braconide.

Sub-family—Microgasterine.

Genus—NMicroplitis, Forster.

Microplitis ophiuse—nov. sp.

Colowr.—General colour shining black clothed with thin silvery pubescence which

is more pronounced at the sides of the thorax. Head: black ; palpi fulvous ;

face covered with very scanty silvery pubescence ; ocelli brownish; antenne :

scape brown, flagellum dark rufescent. Thorax black ; with shining silvery hairs

at the sides ; front legs ferruginous excepting the coxa and trochanter which are

dark ; the tibize and tarsi of the second pair of legs ferruginous, the other joints

dark to fuscoferruginous ; the hind legs uniformly fuscoferruginous, the tibial-

spurs fulvous. Fore wings : smoky hyaline and irridescent, stigma dark brown,

a fuscous cloud below the stigma and a very light infumation on the discoidals ;

hind wings hyaline, very lightly infumated along marginal region. Abdomen :

for a third of its length at the proximal portion both above and below, of a light

yellowish white colour, excepting a narrow middorsal longitudinal patch which

is shining black ; the rest of the abdomen black.

General Structural Features.—Head : from above quadrate, almost as broad as

thorax ; face and occiput closely and coarsely punctured ; antennz slightly longer

Journ,, Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

An undescribed natural enemy of the Castor Semilooper.

Achoea Ophiusa) melicerte, Hmp.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 299

than the body, not cylindrical, slightly improssed ; clypous prominent ; eyes

large, edged with short silvery hairs. Thorax: coarsely and closely punctured

above ; the disc of mesonotum with three distinct paraspidal furrows which are

more or less crenated; along the pleure on each side there are two rows of distinct

shining black crenate fovez, one lateroventral row extending from the pro to

the mesopleura, and the other latero-tranverse from below the tegule down-

wards and backwards along the mesopleura : the space between these two rows

is in some specimens smooth and shining black ; scutellum gently grooved ;

post scutellum with distinct deep longitudinal striations ; median segment

coarsely and deeply reticulate. Wings :—radius very faintly distinct ; the 2nd

cubital small and triangular with the apex of the triangle rounded ; 3rd

cubital faint, nervures hardly reaching apex of wing. Hind limbs comparatively

longer, with the femora and tibiae somewhat incrassated ; the tibial spurs very

short. Abdomen : subsessile, proximal portion somewhat narrow ; segments

soft and shrunk in dead specimens, so that the boundaries of the first few

segments are not clearly defined ; in shape, abdomen slightly impressed dorso-

ventrally ; smooth and shining ; the tubercle on the first segments is seen as a

small shining faint projection. In the female, terebra seen as a very small

pointed piece at the penultimate ventral segment which is slightly conical.

Length: 3 mm. ; wing expanse 7 mm. Cocoon 4 mm. long ; elongate oval,

more or less cigar-shaped but with the poles bluntly rounded ; greyish brown,

strongly felted, not fluted as in the case of many other species of the genus ; the

adult emerges through one end by cutting off a circular lid. As mentioned above

the parasite is solitary, only one cocoon being found attached to each caterpillar.

The insect is a short, robust wasp, dark in colour with the portions of the abdo-

men and thorax shining ; the distinct crenate foveze at the pleure, the small

triangular 2nd cubital cell of the wing, and the nitid yellowish colour of the base

of the abdomen*are features which easily distinguish this insect. Lefroy makes

mention of this parasite in his monograph on the castor semilooper, (Memoirs of

the Department of Agriculture Vol. II, p. 73) but without any name, and a

figure of it appears on plate VII (fig. 7) of the monograph.

The’ great majority of the species of Microplitis recorded till now are

European and N. American, and none has been recorded from the Indian region ;

but it is not unlikely that more species of this interesting genus will be found in

different parts of India.

I believe it may not be out of place in this connection to add a note regarding

other parasitic wasps that have been recorded from India, as having been reared

out of this caterpillar so far. At the time Lefroy wrote his paper apparently

this was the only parasitic wasp reared on this caterpillar. The following have

since been found :—

Paniscus lineatus, Br.—Ichneumonid—reared on the castor semilooper at

Coimbatore by myself. ,

Microtoridea lissonota, Vier.*—Ichneumonid—reared on castor semilooper in

Mysore by Dr. Coleman.

Zamesochorus orientalis, Vier.*—Ichneumonid—reared on castor semilooper in

Mysore by Dr. Coleman.

Tetrastichus opiuse, Craw.*—Eulophidce—reared on castor semilooper in

Mysore by Dr. Coleman.

I am inclined to think that one or two of these might be hyperparasites on

Microplitis especially Zamesochorus ; for, there are records of species of Meso-

chorus (a closely allied genus) noted as hyperparasites on species of Microplitis

in Europe and America, This might be verified in course of time when further

observations are made of the castor caterpillar and its natural enemies. In page

8 of Pusa Bulletin 89 on ‘‘ Second Hundred notes on Indian Insects *? Mr. .Dutt

has recorded an Ichneumon parasite Hdrisa pilicornis Cam., which has been

* See Proceedings of U. S. National Museum. Vol. XLIT.

300 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

definitely found to be a parasite on Microplitis ophiuse and killing as many

as 72 per cent. of this beneficial insect.

Since the preparation of this description in January and the subsequent

submission of it for publication in this journal, I have recently seen a paper

by Lyle on three Indian Braconidsin the “ Bulletin of Entomological Re-

search * for September 1921; and of the three described from him one

‘ Microplitis eusirus > appears more or less to be the same described in this

paper, but I have not seen named specimens and so am unable to confirm

the same. The specimens seen and described by Lyle are North Indian

forms sent from Pusa.

Explanations of Figures.

1. Semilooper caterpillar on castor leaf.

2. The moth of same Achewa (Ophiusa) melicerte, Hamp.

3. <A parasitised caterpillar with the cocoon of the parasite attached at the

tail end.

4. Cocoon of the parasite.

5. The parasitic wasp—Microplitis ophiuse, Ram-—dorsal view.

6. The same—side view of thorax to show crenated fovea.

T. V. RAMAKRISHNA ATYAR,

CoIMBATORE, 28th February 1921. Assistant Entomologist.

301

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE MEETING HELD ON THE 2np AUGUST 1921.

A meeting of members and their friends took place on Tuesday, the 2nd August

1921, Mr. R. A. Spence, M.L.A., F.Z.S., presiding.

The election of the following 43 members since the last meeting was announ-

ced :—Mr. Labhsing, Allapili, P. O.; Mr. C. D. A. Caldecott, LF.S., Betul,

C. P. ; Miss J. Procter, England ; Capt. R. L. Issacs, Bombay ; Mr. J. M. Sladen,

LC.S., Belgaum ; Capt. K. J. H. Lindop, M. C., Belgaum; Mr. J. Fitzpatrick,

Ahmedabad; Lt.-Col. M. G. Barker, Belgaum; Mr. C. B. B. Clee. LCS.,

Belgaum ; Capt. B. R. Chaudhri, I-M.S., Ladha; Mr. Sydney Julius, Colombo ;

Capt. K. 8. Bonsle, Sawantwadi; Mr. C. T. Trigg, Jalpaiguri; Mr. 8S. Seymour

King, Madras; Lt.-Col. W. Stirling, C.M.G., D.S.O., Belgaum ; H. H. the Nawab

Sadiq Mahomed Khan Abassi, of Bhawalpur; Major C. P. F. Warton, Bombay ;

Major J. E. Laurie, England; Mr. Nagamichi Kuroda, Japan; Lieut. R. A. Grant,

Bombay ; Lieut. H. O. Banfield, R.I.M., Bombay ; Major E. C. Hodgson, D.S.O., -

I.M.S., Bombay; Mr. W. Meiklejohn, I.F.S., Nowgong, Assam ; The Librarian,

Police Memorial Library, P.O. Surada; Mr. R. F. Cockburn, Cal-

cutta; Mr. H. B, Simons, Bangalore ; Kumar Shri Godji, Bhuj, Cutch. (Life

member); Capt. B, A. S. Brunskill, Bombay; Mr. C. L. Campbell, Basra ;

Mr. C. Rowson, Munnar, P. O.; Mr. D. F. Stileman, Salem; Lt.-Col. J. Deane

Drummond, D.8.0., Travancore ; Dr. M. L. Freeman, Madras; Mr. 8. B. Hickin,

Bhatgar ; Capt. Maharaj Kumar Sri Sadul Singhji Bahadur of Bikaneer ; Mr. H.

M. Griffiths, Delhi; Mr. R. R. Proud, Caleutta ; Mr. E. Warwick, Sat Tal,

via Bhimtal, U. P. ; Lt.-Col. H. Grisewood, Bombay; Capt. V. Davies, LA.,

Rangoon ; The Mess Secretary, Staff College, Quetta; Mr. F. S. Grose, Burma ;

and Mr. E. Reut, Tellicherry.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE MUSEUM.

The Curators acknowledge a number of contributions received since the

last meeting. Among the more interesting contributions mention might be

made of two skins of the Mesopotamian Fallow Deer obtained by Capt. G. V.

Fitzpatrick in Kurdistan. The Fallow Deer is a close relation of the European

species, but he is a larger and much more brightly coloured animal, his coat

resembles the bright fawn of the Indian Spotted Deer or Cheetal. The speci-

mens obtained by Capt. Fitzpatrick were in winter coat and showed no_ trace

of the white spots usual in the summer animal. The horns bear little resemb-

lance to those of the Common Fallow Deer, being far less palmated and spread -

ing and more vertical. These deer were once said to be plentiful in the jungles

along the Dis and Kerhat and were also obtained on the Karun. A pair of

these animals were presented to the Zoological gardens in London in 1876. Capt.

Fitzpatrick also presented the Society with a Lynx and a large Jungle Cat shot

in the neighbourhood of Mosul. A very fine example of the Bear Cat was sent

to the Society by Mr. J. R. Hastings from Victoria Point, Tennaserim. The

Bear Cat is about the size of a large Palm Civet to which he bears an affinity,

his shaggy grizzled black coat, his long prehensile tail detracts however some-

what from the resemblance. It is an uncommon beast living on meat, fruit

and insects and entirely nocturnal. It climbs with great agility assisted much

by its long tail. It is a denizen of wild forests. Young Bear Cats are easily

tamed and make delightful pets. The Bear Cat is found from Assam, through

Arrakan, Tennasserim, Siam to the Malay Peninsula.

From Port Blair in the Andamans the Society received a specimen of the

Andaman Civet which, though smaller, closely resembles the Himalayan

Palm Civet. Two headsof Maiay Sambhar and three heads of the Red

Serow were presented by Mr. J. P. Mills. The Serow heads were well above

302 JOURNAL; BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

the average. Rowland Ward’s Game Records gives 11} inches as the largest,

the head presented by Mr. Mills measured 10 inches.

The skin of a Golden Cat was sent by Mr. J. Hutton from Kohima, Assam.

Normally the colour of the Golden Cat is a beautiful golden red, but a dark

brown variety also occurs. Mr. Hutton’s skin belongs to this latter class.

From Mr. C. E. Milner we received the skin of an Indian Wild Dog.

A large number of skins of supposed Indian Wild Dogs were sent to the So-

ciety for identification by the Deputy Commissioner, Saugor. The skins have

been sent in by people with a view to claiming the usual Government reward.

An examination of the skins proved that the entire assortment were dyed

skins of the Jackal. The Society recently issued a chart, prepared by

Mr. 8. H. Prater of the Society's staff, for the easy recognition of Wild Dogs from

Jackals, Foxes, etc. The chart was issued with the object of preventing Gov-

ernment from being defrauded by paying out rewards on pseudo Wild Dogs,

and it is hoped <hat officials concerned will avail themselves of the advantage

the chart offers.

Seven skins of the Bengal Macecaque and two Himalayan Langurs_ were

presented by Mr. H. Whistler in response to an appeal from the Society, Speci-

mens of the common Red-faced Short-tailed Monkey or Bengal Maccaque were

badly wanted by Mr. M. C. Hinton and the late Mr. R. C. Wroughton in connec-

tion with the proposed work on the revision of the Indian Mammalia which

has been recently authorised by the Secretary of State. It is astonishing to

discover that the distribution in India of so common an animal is not properly

known. Any specimens forwarded to the Society will be gratefully received. °

While on this topic we might mention that the Society is also anxious to obtain

examples of the iwe Adjutant Storks which occur in India:—the Large and the

Lesser. The former bird was once exceedingly common round Calcutta where

he did very excelient work in conjunction with the Local Sanitary Depart-

ment, but he has long since given up co-operating in this respect and is now

rather uncommon The Larger Adjutant is found in summer all

over Northern India and is very abundant in Burma in winter. While the

Smaller Adjutant is found over the greater part of India, but is no where

common.

As regards hirds we. must first mention the acquisition of two young Horn-

bills ; the specimens were procured for the Society through Mr. Tagarsee and

D. 8S. Kaikini of the Forest Department in the Kanara jungles. The Society has

been for a long time on the look out for a live specimen to replace the late

lamented ‘‘ William ” who lived for 26 years in the Museum, and who now

adorns the Society’s Museum beautifully mounted in a_ glass case. The new

arrivals are both females and have been named Joan and Helen, both birds are

in good condition and thcir continuous croaking is only to be equalled by their

hearty appetites. It will be interesting to watch tke developmen: sc: the great

casque which surmounts the beak of the adult Hornbills ; already the young

birds show signs of this development.

A Pochard and a Gargeny Teal were presented by Major C. H. Stockley from

the Karung river near Rawalpindi and another Pochard from Nowshera by

Capt. C. B. Wainwright. Major Stockley also sent us a few birds’ eggs. Three

Bronze Winged Jaccanas, a Common Snipe, Painted Snipe and a Little Stint

and a Greebe were contributed by Mr. B. C. Ellison and D. Murray.

Among the reptiles we might mention an example of the Clouded Monitor

sent to us by Mr. M. M. Mackenzie from Bihar, an Anammally Viper from Mr.

A. P. Kinloch from the Nelliampathy Hills and a Banded Wolf Snake from

Shillong sent in by Lt.-Col. G. R. Row. A young Russel’s Viper was brought

in by Mr: F. Hearn from Andheri. Mr. A. E. Heford presented us with a rather

nice example of a young Saw Fish and Mr. Ollenbach contributed a small col-

lection of Butterflies which will help to fill a number of blanks in the Society’s

collection.

PROCEEDINGS. 303

We give below a detailed list :—

MAMMALS.

1, Lynx (Cynelurus gubatus), Dahuk, Capt. G. V. Fitzpatrick.

1. Jungle Cat (2. chaus), Dahuk, Capt. G. V. Fitzpatrick.

2, Mesopotamian Fallow Deer (Dama mesopotamica), Dahuk, Capt. G. V.

Fitzpatrick.

1 Hedge-Hog (Hemiechinus auritus), Sistan, Major R. F. D. MacGregor.

4 Gerbills (Meriones hurrianw), Wana, Waziristan, Capt. C. M. Ingoldby.

1 Golden Cat (F'. éemmincki), Assam, J. Hutton.

1 Pine Martin (M. flavigula), Naga Hills, Assam, J. P. Mills.

2 Stump-tailed Maccaques (Maccaca sp.), Naga Hills, Assam, J. P. Mills,

7 Bengal red-faced Monkeys (M. rhesus), Punjab, H. Whistler.

1 Mouse Hare (Ochotona sp.) Punjab, H. Whistler.

2 Himalayan Langur (P. schistaceus), Punjab, H. Whistler.

1 Andaman Civet Cat (P. tytlevi), Port Blair, Andaman Islands, G. Field.

2 Malay Sambhar heads (C. wu. equinus), Naga Hills, Assam, J. P. Mills.

3 Red Serow (C. sumatrensis rubidus), Naga Hills, Assam, J. P. Mills.

1 Giant Squirrel (R. gigantea), Nepal, Major Lauri.

3 Grizzeled Giant Squirrels (#. m. sandolena), Darupuram, Salem Dist., M.

Syed Monavocr.

1] Hare (Lepus nigricollis), Sangum, Poona, G. C. Amore.

1 Himalayan Palm Civet (P. grayi), Nepal, Lt.-Col. R. L. Kennion.

A Collection of small mammals, Darjeeling, H. Stevens.

24 Mammals, Ceylon, W. W. A. Phillips.

1 Himalayan Porcupine (A. hodgsonz), N. W. Himalayas, A. E. Jones,

1 White-nosed Weasel (I. canigula), Koti State, N. W., A. E. Jones.

Bear Cat (A. binturong), Victoria Point, Burma, J. R. G. Hastings.

Tree Shrew (7. wroughtoni) Khandalla, W. Ghats, Dr. M. Sutor.

3 Malformed Horns of Sambhar (C. uwnicolor), Saugor, C. P., Mr. Hamilton.

Indian Bandicote (B. malabarica), Kurla, Thana, D. Baretto.

Indian Wild Dog (C. dukhunensis), Burma, C. E. Milner.

Himalayan Horse Shoe Bat (R. perniger), Darjeeling, D. A. Mathews.

5 Striped Squirrels (/'. pennanti}, Bengal, Chas. M. Inglis.

1 Giant Squirrel (R. gigantea), Bengal, Chas. M. Inglis.

1 Teddy Cat (P. niger), Bengal, Chas. M. Inglis.

Birds.

3 Bronze-winged Jacanas (Metopodius indicus), Thana, B. C. Ellison.

1 Fan-tailed Snipe (G. celestis), Thana, Bombay, B. C. Ellison.

1 Painted Snipe (R. capensis), Thana, Bombay, B. C. Ellison.

2 Little Stints (7’. minuta), Thana, Bombay, B. C. Ellison.

1 Indian Grebe (P. albipennis), Thana, Bombay, B. C. Ellison.

1 Mocr-Hen (4. chloropus), Thana, Bombay, B. C. Ellison.

1 Sociable Lapwing (C. gregaria), Nowshera, F. H. Peppe.

1 Southern Tree-pie (D. leucogaster) Southern India, A. M. Kinloch.

1 Great Indian Hornbill (DP. bicornis), Hanover, Karwar, Tuggerse.

1 White-eyed Duck (N. ferruginea), Nowshera, N. W. F., C. B. Wainright.

1 Great Indian Hornbill (D. bicornis), alive, Kanara, D. 8S. Kaikini.

1 Tufted Pechard (N. fuligula), Rawalpindi, C. H. Stockley.

1 Gargeney Teal (Q. circia), Rawalpindi, C. H. Stockley.

5 Birds Eggs, Rawalpindi, C. H. Stockley.

1 Jungle Crow (C. macrorhynchus) Kashmir, Mr. Livesey.

3 Adjutant Storks (Leptophlus dubius), Chas. M. Inglis.

304 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

Tnsecis.

1 Box Butterflies, Dehra Dun, O. C. Ollenbach.

6 Dragonflies, Duars, H. V. O.’ Donel.

Reptiles.

Spiny-tailed Lizard (4. occelatus), Arabia, Yamba, D. F. Fraser.

1 Annamaly Viper (4. anamallensis), Kollengode, 8. I., A. M. Kinloch.

1 Straited Wolf Snake (L. striatus), Wanourie, Poona, B. Barnett.

4 Sea Snakes, Bombay Coast, A. E. Hefford.

1 Clouded Monitor (V. nebulosus), Bihar, M. M. Mackenzie.

1 Snake (Trop. platyceps), Jutogh, Capt. C. M. Ingcldby.

1 Lizard (Gymnodactylus sp.), Jutogh, Capt. C. M. Ingoldby.

1 Earth Snake (7’. brahminus), Bombay, G. C. Amore.

1 Brown Tree Snake (D. trigonata), Seistan, Persia, Major R. F. D. MacGregor.

1 Banded Wolf Snake (/. fasciatus), Assam, Lt.-Col. G. R. Row.

1 Buff-striped Keel Back (7. stolatus), Igatpuri, Mr. Hitcheeck.

1 Keelback alive (MM. plumbicolor), [gatpuri, Mr. Hitchcock.

1 Russel’s Viper (V. rwsselliz), Andheri, Bombay, F. Hearn.

1 Cobra (NV. tripudians), Multan, Civil Surgeon.

Fishes.

1 Saw Fish (P. cuspidatus), Bombay Harbour, Hefford.

1 Kel (Murcenesox cinereus) Bombay Harbour, B. C. Ellison.

12 Fish, Back Bay, Bombay, G. C. Amore.

Miner contributions from Messrs. A. P. Kinloch, C. W. Burnside, 8. Basil

Edwards, Major R. F. D. MacGregor, Capt. Fitzpatrick, Major A. G. Frere and

Mr. J. A. Ferguson. Maj. A. G. Frere, Maj. C. H. Stockley.

Paper read.

Mr. Ellison, the Curator of the Museum, then read an interesting paper

written by Mr. Prater and himself on Bird Notes and Observations in Ahme-

dabad. The paper will be published in a future number of the Journal.

The lecture was illustrated throughout by photcgraphs and birds taken from

the Society’s collection.

CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBE R—(conid.)

_ MISCELLANEOUS NoTEs :—

I.—The Power of Scent in Wild Animals. By H. Copley

II,—Panthers and Artificial Light. By C, B. Beadnell ..........005,

IlIl.—The Food of the Small “Indian Civet (Viverricula malaccensis) in

captivity. By C. M. Inglis, M.B.0.U., F.z.8., F.E.S.

1V.—A Good Female Chinkara Head (G. bennetti)

V.— Wild Dogs in Burma. By C. BE. Milner 2... . ccc cece neces

VI. —Distribution of-Serow in Burma: By 0: BE, Milner i. 0. oo os as

V11l.—Some Notes on the Horns of the Thamin (Cervus eld) (With a plate. )

iby’ Major Omit. Stockley, Bib... ny cite via en ee ap Mess eyes enyet ol spires

VIIA Baby Hog Deer in Captivity. (With a plate.) By Miss Kennion,

IX,.—The Indian Pangolin, Manis pentadactyla, L. By N. C, Chatterjee,

B. SC., F.E.S.

X.—The Habits of the Grey Mongoose, By C, E, C. Fischer, 1.F.s.....

X1I,—The Effect of a Scorpion’s sting on a Terrier. By Lt.-Col. E,

(0 idl 2) TR Sa ce eer Oa RE Rear aeiy Sabir cca Micaty ar wer erar PRISE Spa

XII.—A Panther’s indifference. By H. J. C. Mitchell, 1F.s.............

XIII,.—Kashmir Bird Notes. By H. A. F. Magrath .......... cee enone

XIV.—The Avifauna of the Nelliampathy Hills. By A. P. Kinloch ......

XV.—Roosting Habits of the Common Babler (Argya caudata). By Major

PAGN eM ROT ATLA Mec acy (oh eA Pa cs a 0 hut ts peel einle dig atid eg, ne asl eens

XV1I,—Behaviour of the White-cheeked Bulbul (Molpastes lewcogenys) when

its young isin danger; and the (?) parental instinct of love for

the offspring displayed by the Dark-Grey Bush-Chat (Oretcola

terra). By S, Basil-Edwardes

XVII.—An Albinoid Otocompsa emeria. By Sataya Churn Law ..........

XVI1I.—The White-Spotted Fantail Flycatcher (Rhipidura pectoralis). By

Ep Ee, POORTRAS LOM, LEMS, OV gl cise sre se vas ocque eis © urls Nise itralely woecehy he W otacs

XIX.—The Crested Swift (Macropteryx coronata), By B. B, Osmaston, 1.¥.s.,

ELeUiater tes nee he tates a vt vcdea eek urao a caren: ook XA Braacavolene agate angie +l aie ics

XX.—Breeding of the Indian Pitta. By R. C. Bolster, 1.0.8.............

XXI.--The Call of Franklin’s Nightjar (Caprimulgus monticola) Frankl, By

H. Whistler, F.z.s., M.B.0.U.

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

CREP US) 2 yy tat. Ole Bi ON BTIOM es hy a, witha ecen ee 6 we dies axe pane be sone

XXilI.—Some Curious nesting places, By Lt.-Col. A. R. B, Shuttleworth .,

XXIV.—Destruction of Birds’ Nests. By R.C. Bolster, 1.08. ............

XXV.—Breeding of the Khyah or Marsh Partridge (Francolinus gularis) in

captivity in Bihar. By C. M. Inglis, M.B.0.U., F.z.S., F.E.S. ..

XXVI.---The Adjutant Bird, and other matters. By Brig. -Genl. R. G, Bur-

DOE Pierre Ree mei a NTE eb Te Raha Ca ew ae aag a PietR lary Ulguett ce snare

XX VIT.—Manipuri Names of Certain Birds. By J.C. Higgins, ROM ied

XX VIIT.—Crocodile Shooting in Nepal. By Miss Kennion Meares cee ole eer

XXIX.—An Aggressive Phoorsa (Echis earinata). By Major A. G. Frere, 1.4.

XXX.—The Enemies of Butterflies. By C. E. C. Fischer, 1.¥,s.

XXXI.— Butterfly Notes. By W.M. Crawford, 10.8. 0... ..es cence ceees

}XXX11.—Butterflies at Sea. By Col. F. Wall, 1.M.s, O.M.G., C.MZS. ....e0 0s

XX XIII.—On the habits of a Sceliphron Wasp (S. deforme). By 8S. Basil-

PILVUEM GSR acs Sco, Baek Aan OAs fee Ve <ofet'e, hm wha Orage Orta ele wre nt

XXXIV.—An,Undescribed Natural History Enemy ofthe Castor Semilooper

(Achea (Ophiusa) melicerte, Hmp.) (With a plate). By N.

tamcekrishna Aiyar

‘Proceedings

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BOMBAY NATURAL HIstTory SOCIETY.

EDITED BY

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

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

VOL. XXVIII.

Parts 1 and 2

Vontaining 3 Coloured Plates, 30 Lithographed Plates,

2 Diagrams, 1 Map and 21 Text-Figures.

Date of Publication.

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CONTENTS OF Vol. XXVIII, No. |.

Toe Game Brrps or Inpia, Burma anp Crxryton. Part XXX (concluded)

(Genus Arboricola.) By H.C, Stuart Baker, F.u.s., ¥.z.8,, M.B.O.U. (With

ERIE CD ULLGN Ag Yarels aiciste wd Om) athe setae el Wk elakeyee Hatove, ae ait «Ad ai 4 HAI g cack

Screntivic Resutrs rrom tHE Mammat Survey, No. XXIX. By the late

R. C. Wroughton ...... Mer sie Weber iaroi vases iia sfenevert a etn vf t'a\a, 0! svee tie ees Shieh ote

SOIENTIFIO Resutts FRoM THE Mammat Survey, Nos. XXX and XXXI.

Oo IGUIGNE IA OT AR a: Be a im eC Re Be

A New Arabian Hane. BysOleinoldy Dhamais. i Biis) 96 scsjs’s ce oterveetas note « witlelees

Notes on Inp1an Butrerriiss. By Lt.-Col. W. H. Evans, D.s.0., B.#., F.Z.8.,F.E.S.

A New SNAKE OF THE FAMILY UrnoPELTIpAE. By Col. F. Wall, 1.ms., c.m.a.,

Ogas. (Wath @ plate) 3ovcccecc eens chef rat eV prantinay ciel Lesaehs ol eotehas Aah eee eae

Nores oN SoME NOTABLE ADDITIONS TO THE Bombay Naturat History Soctrery’s

SNAKE COLLECTION. By Col. F. Wall, 1.M.s., c.M.G., ¢.M.z.s, (With a plate)

Bic Game SHoorine or KasHMiIn AND ADJACENT H1~L Provinces. By Lt.-Col. A.

MM IPAs UO HY GbR UPLO PLACES) is chaise olaio.s 8 dele ee deities toh we cadens ronan erence

Tue Burrerriies or Mesopotamia, By Col. H. D. Peile, r.n,8.,1.m.s. (With a

SIMU oleate lsat} svnessatie duces ole 2°e im faja.ieltiaiwhal'ectis winters leis ovale vue £6 Guehbvcin’s) osbieiats

THREE NEw ALPINE ORTHOPTERA FROM CentTRAL Asia. By B. P. Uvarov, F.z,s.

A Few Hints on CrocopiLe Suoorinc. By W.H. O. Shortt. (With two plates.)

_Birps or THE INDIAN Empire. PartIV. By E. C. Stuart Baker, r.us., F.z.s.,

M.B.0.U. ewes cree rscrerrrcveses ijtelvayleipielsi ie vel ei oie .

Inp1an DraconFiizes, By Major F.C, Fraser,1.m.s. (With teat figures.) ....

A List or BUTTERFLIES COLLECTED IN THE Tavoy District, Burma. By O. C.

Ollenbach: \- (With@ plate). ia. esa. Ene scat ah aE MT MY ehtern ote! eee

Nore on THE NIDIFICATION AND HABITS OF SOME BIRDS IN BritisH GARHWAL. By

ADH. @semaston. (Wath 3 plates and @ Map). ....6.ccccesccucetucties

SHAKESPEARE ON THE Nose Art or Hawxine. By Col. C. EH, Luard,1a.......

Myrtapops CoLLEcTED BY Mr, P. A. Buxton. By 3H. W. Brolemann. (With

MET PILER YIN ates ey oh a otal tie o rel Rar iertal he [epeice viel hagers ou8. «) soareiors. ore vesesaectoieire ie eon :

Morus or Mesopotamia anD N. W. Persia. By Various Authors... ........

Annotatep Lists oF AcuLEATE HYMENOPTERA (EXCEPT HETEROGYNA) AND

CHRYSIDS REOUNTLY COLLECTED IN Mrsoporamia anD NorruH-West Persia.

By F. D. Morice, M.a., F.2.8. (With 8 text figures’ ....cecccccuesces

Quaint Beasts AND QuEER Hasits. By Major C. H. Stockley, p.s.o...........

Tue Brrps or Mesoporamia, By Dr. C. B. Ticehurst, m.a., m.B.o.u. ( With two

plates)....... BOOS O Ong Con nine nnn nnn nae PORNO 3 Maeeaste Pha

Furruer Lizards AND SNAKES FROM PERSIA AND Mesopotamia. By Joan B.

MCC UCL, Meds Be, Weis! y atocel eis: oecahsi saree dhe a hstare ate ees aileky agtaviel valet abe: Gand Sie) vile, atelopale

Review. (SmaL~t Game SHoorinc arounD Ooracamunp by Rolling Stone) and

(THe Water Fown or Inpia anp Asia. By Frank Finn)................

POT 2 hci ce Onis as foratele fe Ai cusah ey phe aoe eASAK Na Mace fs cin aerde Rea he tes ee

MUNTRMEIRRHASEE AM cs ro.Pe fel farsa cel cas sitelee et apres te NetelapacshsAMelatte lat Rcen te Geehcis Oiste ahha eal eee Lie ek

PAGE

ii CONTENTS OF Vol. XXVIII, No. 1.—(contd.)

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES :—

I.—The Power of Scent in Wild Animals. By H. Copley

IJ.—Panthers and Artificial Light. By C. B. Beadnell ........ os aieate 265

IlI.—The Food of the Small Indian Civet (Viverricula malaccensis) in

captivity. By C. M. Inglis, M.B.0%0s)F.2.8., F.E:8. so. 0s) eee 265

1V.—A Good Female Chinkara Head (G. bennett?) 0.0... .. ccc cece ee 266

V.— Wild Dogs in Burma, By. C. 1, Milper 05, 6.'s. sa «cd ale 266

VI.—Distribution of Serow in Burma. By C. EK. Milner ..,........... 267

VII.—Some Notes on the Horns of the Thamin (Cervus eldz) (HW ith a plate.)

By Major C. BH. Stockley; Dis.0n dae cade no ss Cee eee 268

VIII.—A Baby Hog Deer in Captivity. (With a plate.) By Miss Kennion, 271

1X.—The Indian Pangolin, Manis pentadactyla, L. ip N. C. Chatterjee,

Bs BOL EE Biss occ indnve love ccun aye oak fue Bie noe oe weak Wisi: ch a Pee (S

X.—The Habits of the Grey Mongoose. By C. E, C. Fischer, 1.F.8... 274

X1,—The Effect of a Scorpion’s sting on a Terrier. By ‘Lt.-Col. E,

OPBrien ooh eek Stole aed ote Weis oe etd cs ede eo 5h de 274

XII.—A Panther’s indifference. By H. J. C. Millett, .rs............... 275

XI1,-—Kashmir Bird Notes. By H: A..F. Magrath ....... 0... 0. 0)eeeee 276

XIV.—tThe Avifauna of the Nelliampathy Hills. By A. P. Kinloch ...... 279

XV.—Roosting Habits of the Common Babler (Argya caudata). By Major

AAG AN POTOS ET AG Koel chan my siacoleid epost Sy sieiel uel rele o/s ta dave lees alee an 280

XV1.—Behaviour of the White-cheeked Bulbul-(Jolpastes leucogenys) when

its young isin danger; and the (?) parental instinct of love for

the offspring displayed by the Dark-Grey Bush-Chat (Oretcola

ferrea). ~ By ’S. Basil-Hdwardes 1°) 0. <. 000s seve os vee 280

XVII.—An Albinoid Otocompsa emeria. By Sataya Ghare Liaw,’ «0% demgeenns 281

XVI1I.—The White-Spotted Fantail Flycatcher (anne pectoralis), By ~

1B; Bo Osmaston, TFS. ,10.0.Bi, 2.006 scapes vim se orale chase Wane 282

XITX.—The Crested Swift (Macropterya coronata). By B. B. Osmaston, 1.F.s.,

DE, Wigs siiel sya ls 28 (oh ate” 8a} ot oNcota, sol bas fo wecel Sheff tals veie eee ee 283

XX.—Breeding of the Indian Pitta. By R. C. Bolster, 1.¢.8............. 284

XXI.--The Call of Franklin’s Nightjar (Caprimulgus monticola Frankl.) By

He Whistler, 2:72.85) BO 702 eh, ee a 284

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

ealews) — By Lt.-Gol) B./O7 Baten \ 3% iis oa Ae stehos cst ols ee 284

XXill.—Some Curious nesting places. By Lt.-Col. A. R. B. Shuttleworth .. 285

XXIV.—Destruction of Birds’ Nests. By R. C. Bolster, lcs. ............ 286

XXV.—Breeding of the Khyah or Marsh Partridge (Francolinus gularis) in

captivity in Bihar. By C. M. Inglis, M.B.0.U., F.z.8., F.E.S. .... +287

XXVI.-—-The Adjutant Bird, and other matters. By Brig.-Genl. R. G.

Borto 2 Ove. hiss t Ud ohn ads bebe) his we ahs) alae koe 287

XXVIJ.—Manipuri Names of Certain Birds. By J.C. Higgins, Los. ...... 288

XXVIII.—Crocodile Shooting in Nepal. By Miss Kennion

XXIX.—An Aggressive Phoorsa (Echis carinata). By Major A. G. Frere, 1.4. 291

XXX.—The Enemies of Butterflies. By C. E.C. Fischer, 17s. .......... 292

XX XI.—Butterfly Notes. By W: M. Crawford, : 1.0.8. ....000. ccc enone 292

XXX1I.— Butterflies at Sea. By Col. F. Wall, 1.m.s, 0.M.G., C.M.Z.S. .....00- 293

XX XIII.—On the habits of a Sceliphron Wasp (S. deforme). By S. Basil-

CL WRG 6 |e es aces eushetice ae We ie ORIEN sia othr, oles jake so 8 iaieg nah ae 293

XXXIV —An Undescribed Natural Enemy of the Castor Semilooper (Achea

(Ophiusa) melicerte, Hmp.) (With a plate). By N. Ramakrishna

ATVB FFA Haid aie Maas Apia mids eid oi dou tao dll dtdan tie eee er 298

Proceedings. 2 ctiva temas kllete wee, py ste ace Soc G0: $08 Calle ae ae 301

CONTENTS (OF) Vol XXVITI, No. 2. iit

PaGE

Tue Game Birps oF Inpia, BurMA AND Cayton. Part XXXI (Genus Alectoris)

(With a plate). By E, C. Stuart Baker, F.1.8., F.2.8., M.BO.U. sec. c see eeee 305

Birps oF THE INDIAN Empire. Part V. By KE. C. Stuart Baker, F.1.s., F.z.8.,

BR pad sone ah tr a hetal bi sieht nlee eye Pap eby ea Begs crs, 2° spam ka SF os Bt a es 8d Siesta a 313

GaME ANIMALS OF KasSHMIR AND ADJACENT Hitt Provinces. Part Il. (With

plates and text figures). By Lt.-Col. A. E. Ward......... Broo viene terol .. 334

Tue Bourrerriies oF Mersoporamia. Part II. (With a plate). By Lt.-Col.

Pret CRO, HRS. 5 TeMieS so. vs faye ca dene deytheieiese Wes, se; eae Auer eer cama ha ied oss ‘ 345

mania PARAsITiC’ Hiims, By Harold Russell, r.t.ig., F.z.8. 26....0¢..0... 30

Tue Brirps or Mesopotamia. Part II. By Dr. C. B. Ticehurst, m.a., M.B.o.u.

WPGC COO” DIGLES). 13). oly a as saps Pe auch eh eee Eee eh) GER EAN eg - PPh ty 381

Screnriric Resutts oF THE MamMat Survey No. XXXII. By Oldfield Thomas,

F.R.S.—

A. New anv InTERESTING MAMMALS FROM THE MisuHMi Hits, .......... 428

ee bh PORCUPINE OF AGSAM Qo... 0.00) ci0 ees ciarris Mets vache te valages A ouite os ttc aa at 431

C. A New Ferrer BanGer (Helictis) FRomM THE Naca HILis ............ 432

NorE ON THE NOMENCLATURE OF THE NorTHERN Stow Loris. By Oldfield

27S DAR AIS) Sic Peat eo Noi. Wi Een: Ha tions Ae te ae Oe Ra eS rae ec 453

A DAY’s sHOOTING ON THE NILGIRIS NEAR OoracamuNnp. By Lt.-Col. H. R.

Ereery eaten (EV COM We OR PLAUCE)Id, A2 ys Seba Vacs oss a avh 40a dodaci eine eye Maree ae 454

Notes oN Batracuia. By C. R. Narayan Rao, m.a. (With a tert block)..+..... 439

NoreEs ON THE HABITS OF sOME CEyLon Bars. By W. W. A. Phillips ........ 448

Brrps or PacuMAruHI. By B. B. Osmaston, ¢.1 £.,*1.F.s. (With two plates) .... 453

Nest Boxes For Birps. By S. H. Prater, c.m.z.s. (With a note by H. Whistler,

Piao MEO.) y Wer. cor plates mda tert Jigu4re, . owes she ah eete cased ds 460

NoreEs ON THE GENERIC NAMES OF INDIAN THECLINE aNd AMBLYPODIINE. By

Ee ERTL AT EA beara he RPE A Pace ata: Ee ahe & Alec die vince Wid Roalapbnteay, aloe 465

Norzs on Mesorotamian Mammats. By Capt. C. R. Pitman ................ 474

Inp1an Draconriizs. By Major F. C. Fraser, 1.m.s. (With 3 tert figures)

eh, MUA fa nea, ces estes Re MRNA ONO et Me gsi a Uda s AMER on eke soto SOE yeaa tree 481

Notes oN some Lizarps, Frogs, anp Human Beines In THE Nitcairi Hits,

Ook. Ly Wail MR), GUM meee! raw enyiNeaich. teehee hfs okt oe Mahia este Parole te 493

Burrerrry CoLtecTine 1N Inpia. By Lt.-Col. W. H. Evans, b.s.0., k.£., F.Z.S.,

MME UAND BLIGE LORE FUGUP ES) oe oe cede ht -Nsdsy sat eress ie» sit kro Mare thas Soe alae 500

Review. (ZooLtocy, A TEXT BOOK FOR COLLEGES aND Universities. By T. D. A.

60 EI EVR is aS i ed HME Aon AER Ad EL a aan Be ENERO MP nnn RARE Bi 518

See ene ah -CO)s) Lay, Fenton. wii s its ag leets 46 fold ab bes ae bb ts ha daluee eet 519

TR ME Ete esos) oak S 8c ous Tag os way oe a) gOMRNE she, shac ch crate sive, DOK bce sehah ohare Meee me 520

CONTENTS OF Vol. XXVIII, No. 2.—(conid.)

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES :—

I.—Notes on Lydekker’s “Game Animals of India.” (With a plate). By

Maron, TH. Stockleys Despont iis « vlvels ssa. 4 y+ 6 > ise ere

II.—Editors’ and Readers’ comments on notes which appeared in

PEGVIOUS “NUMDOES Li: Sea clei niete cue ele dala nine elas «Glen

III.—An interesting panther incident. (Witha photo). By Major C. H.

Sporkloy, “MsS.O. o 05 a ae cre he we WSR bo MIRO ve Stele ehe) Sintelaite ard a) eee

{V.—Occurrence of the Tree Shrew (Anathana wroughtoni) at Khandalla,

PoonaDistrict:, “By Drs WE Suter, D780. 'o4. +h os yes eee

V.—The breeding of elephants in captivity. By Gordon Hundley ....

VI.—Notes on the Tsine (Bos sondaicus). (With a plate). By Major C. H.

SHOBRI DY.) TNStOn Mica cteetshe vile che a ee ieer eit ns te ete /oiohe eh ornate

VII.—Some measurements of Big Game. By Major C. H. Stockley,

DDS Se Oye ict atre a/ieitereiayalietiaos(ta\lw tel la tesie ye hete) Rlehsiiiel.sc ie ieitel(a le! sjio/iviieas in imse}aive. \s\lelerlo leh tae

VIII.—Abnormal Ibex Head (With a photo), By Ut.-Col. R. W. Burton ..

IX.—An Addition to the list of Indian Birds. By H. Whistler,

BAIS ACOs | isha cdve erie ie dic iotetNe Ie em sad tole seen RC eat le eee i

X.—Habits of the Southern Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus horsfieldi

travancoriensis.) "By, Ay Pi Winloeh, Giz 8. oo. e sae «!e sueie ewe ee

XI.—Nidification of the Southern Red Whiskered Bulbul Ona

emeria fuscicaudata). By A. Po Woinloch, 8.2.8." 2%...

XII..—Woodpeckers “ Roosting’”. By A. P. Kinloch, E.Z:S. 6/0 sie ajateie ee

XIII.—Predaceous habit of the Common King Crow. By B. B. Osmaston.

XIV.—Nidification of the Ceylon Thrush (0. zmbricata, Layard). By T. E.

Blbearueteatel get te cect yer frst his © xaieroeses 3 a'9\<ipse: eS) Va whee fp en nee ene

- XV.—Occurre. ce of the Malay Bittern (Gorsachius melanolophus) at

Ootavamund, S. India. By Lt.-Col. H. B. Baker, 1.4. (Retd.) ..

XVI.—Notes on Duck in the Rawalpindi District. By Major C. H.

SSG BMIY. £8), cPeachinSs vier sc fn ds fn,2 5) nhs Sole seda caesar WeNeditys, n= 00' > oh pus ey

XVII.—Occurrence of the Flamingo (P. roseus) in the Central Provinces.

By BB. POSMaStOI AG Aeeccisys oie crete oshs aieie nis iets) otal eles ane

XVIII.—Notes on two young Indian Hornbills. (D. bicornis) (With a plate).

By SiH. Prater; OM 28.4 cnet esos! oe 3/0 hing! ste 6) 20 ee

X1X.—Notes on a fight between the Indian Screech Owl and a Cobra,

By Major J. E. M. Boyd, F.2.S., B.A.M.C.... 0c ceceeree cc en cree

XX.—Crocodile burying its food. By A. F, Abercromby................

XXI.—Hatching of Cobras (Nata tripudians) with remarks on the Oodont,

Genitalia, etc. By Col. F. Wall, 1.M.s., 0.M.G., C.M-Z.8..... 2.2500

XXI.—Acquisition of four more specimens of the Snake (Brachyophidium

rhodogaster) Wall. By Col. F, Wall, 1.M.s., C.M.G., C.M.z.8. :

XXI1LI.—Leech attacking a Snake. By A. P. Kinloch, BEZicSy ore 2 2 2 0.0) < eee

XXIV.—Food of the Snail: (Indrella ampula). By A. P. Kinloch, F.z.s.

XXV.—Butterfly feeding on excreta. By Hugh Whistler, F.z.s., ©.F.4.0.U.

XXVI.—The Black Rock Scorpion (Palamneus swammerdamt). By Major

AY GB Tere. TiAh.,: 6 cia ecliotst alee MED rteay nanS Sse es. «is 0's aoifohe hale aa ;

XXVII.—Scorpion committing suicide. By A.A. Dunbar Brander..........

XX VIII.—A Short Note on the instances of Synecarpy in Magnifera indica

(With a block), By P. M. Debbarman, B.SC., F.L.S., M.R.A.S. 6.6...

XXIX.—Folklore of Birds and Beasts of India. By ap Fitzpatrick, ...'3)an er

PROCSEAINGS EPL eau sie wish chees MRO A IR Sle IN aie [erie 8 lo. sh ony 8 loctalal ee inane

556

557

558

559

560

562

566

“eGmianamee aoynuy aul

‘AOMMHD VYOHUD! SlUOLoaay

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‘00S “4SIH ‘WBN ABquiog ‘udnoP

JOURNAL

OF THE

ey. Natural ae, una

— = ——— ee ————— ———

Marcu 1922 Vout. XXVIII. No. 2.

—— A DP = = oer — —— : = oo a

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON.

fae osruar® DAKkeR, FL:S....F.Z:8., M.5.0.U., ©.F.A.0.U.

Part XXXI,

(Continued from page 22 of this Volume.)

(With a plate.)

Genus ALECTORIS, Kaup.

Hartert in Novitates Zoologice has dealt very fully w ith the genus

we in India have hitherto known as Caccabis. In Volume XXIV,

p. 275, he shows that the proper name for this genusis Alectoris and

in the following pages he deals with the species and sub-species at length,

and with his usual care and thoroughness, although unfortunately

he does not give us a summary of the results of his deductions at the

end in accordance with his general custom. In so far as our Indian

birds are concerned, I follow this paper.

The typical form of the species Alectoris grawca greca is -found,

as its name denotes in Greece and thence various geogtaphical forms

range over practically the whole of South, West, Central and East

Europe, Western and Central Asia to India, two races entering our

limits.

In Alectoris the sexes are alike. They are Partridges of moderate

size, and almost uniform upper plumage, but have the flanks conspi-

cuously barred with black and chestnut, the tail is rounded and about

equal to two-thirds the length of the wing; the latter is short and

806 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII,

rounded, the first primary being equal to the 5th or 6th; the tarsus

is very powerful and armed with a short blunt spur in the male.

Key TO SUB-SPECIES,

A.—Darker “FS ‘ ah .. Alectoris greca chukar,

B.—Paler .. ee me sts .. Alectoris greca pallescens.

ALECTORIS GRECA CHUKAR,

The Indian Chukor.

Tetrao kakelik—Falk, Beitr. zur. topogr, Kennt, Russ. Rae iis

p- 390 (1786), (Russian Turkestan).

Perdix kakelik—Lath., Gen. Syn. Suppl., IL, p. 282. (1802) : id.,

Gen. Hist., VIII., p. 290 (1823).

Perdix chukar—Gray, Ill. Ind. Zool., I., pl. 54 (1830-32), (India) ;.

Gould, Cent. Him. B., pl. 71 (1882).

Chakura pugnax—Hodgs., Madr. Jour., 1837, p. 505.

Caccabis chukar—Gray, List of Birds, pt. 3, Gall., p. 36 (1844); id.,

Cat. Hods. ed., I., p. 127 (1846); Adams, Pp. Z. S., 1858, p. Boz

(W. Himalayas “and Punjab); Irby, Ibis, 1861, p. 236 (Kumaon) ;

Jerdon, B. of L., TIL, p. 564 (1863); Tytler, ibid, 1868, p. 203.

(Mussoorie) ; Pelzeln, ibid. p. 321 (Koteghur); Beavan, ibid, p. 384

(Simla); Brooks, ibid. 1869, p. 60 (Almorah) ; Hume, Nest and Eggs,

p-589 (1873); id., Str. Feath., I., p. 226, 1873 (Sindh); Cock. and Marsh.,

ibid. p. 358 (Murree): Ball, ahi: IIT., p. 208 (1875), (Suliman Hills) : :

Butler, Cat. B. Sind., p. B4 (1879); Hume and Marsh., Game-B. IL., p

34 (1879); Scully, Str. Feath. VIIL., pp. 348, 366, 367 (1879), (Nepal);.

Barnes, ibid. IX., pp. 219, 458 (1880), (Chaman); Biddulph, ibid, p.

358 (Gilgit); Wardlaw-Ram., Ibis, 1880, p. 70 (Kurram Valley) ;

Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 93 (Gilgit); Scully, Str. Feath., X., p. 139:

(1881), (Gilgit) ; Marshall, Ibis, 1884, p. 423 (Chamba): St. John,

Ibis, 1899, p..175 (Quetta); Oates’ ed., Hume’s Nests and Eggs, IIL,

p. 431 (1890); Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. B. M., XXII, p. 113 (1893);.

id., Game-B., L, p. 91 (1895); Oates’ Game-B., L., p. 179 (1898) ;

Blanf., Avifauna, B.L., IV., p. 131 (1898); Davidson, This, 1898, p. 39

(Kashmir and Sind); Marsh. J. B. N. H.8., XV., p. 353 (Quetta) ~

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

663, Murree ;. Whitehead, Ibis, 1908, p. 269 (Kohat) ;id., J.B. N. H.S.,

XX., p. 966 (1911), (Kurram); Meinertzhagen, ibid, XXIII., p. 363

(1914), (Quetta); Whistler, Ibis, 1916, p. 99 (Jhelum) ; Jones, J. B. N.

H.S., XXVI., p. 619 (1919), (Simla).

Alectoris greca—Meinertzhagen, Ibis, 1920, p. 186 (Quetta).

Alectoris greca chukar—Hartert, Nov. Zool., XXIV., p. 280 (1917).

Vernacular Names.—Chukar (Hind.)}; Kabk. (P.); Kau-kau,

(Kashmir) ; Chukru (Chamba); Zarkar (Pushtu).

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLION. 307

Description—Adult Male and Female.—Forehead and lines through

the eye, down the neck and meeting as a gorget between the throat

and upper breast, black; next the forehead pure grey, this colour

running back as an indistinct supercilium, often albescent posteriorly ;

crown vinous red changing to ashy on hind neck and again to vinous

red on back and scapulars, and then once more to ashy on lower back,

rump, and upper tail coverts ; ear-coverts dull chestnut ; middle tail

feathers ashy drab, outer feathers the same but pale chestnut on the

terminal half; outer scapulars with pure pale grey centres; smaller

and median coverts and innermost secondaries like the back; outer

wing-coverts ashy ; primaries and secondaries brown with a yellowish:

buff patch on the centre of the outer webs; point of chin and below

gape black; lores, cheeks, chin and throat white-tinged with buff to

a varying extent; below the black gorget the breast is ashy-tinged more

or less with brown and vinous at the sides, the lower breast being

generally a pure French grey; abdomen, vent, thighs and lower tail

coverts chestnut-buff or buff; feathers of the flanks grey atthe base,

with two black bars divided by pale buff and with chestnut tips.

Colours of Soft Parts.—‘‘ The irides are brown, yellowish, orange, or

even reddish brown; the margins of the eyelids crimson or coral

to brick red; the eyelids themselves grey; the bills are crimson

to deep coral red, often dusky on culmen, and generally so at

base and about the nostrils ; the legs and feet vary from coral

pink to deep-red ; claws dusky brown. In young birds the bill

is brownish black and the legs and feet orange-red.”

Measurements.—This bird varies most extraordinarily in size, but

the very great majority of the specimens available for examination have

not been sexed, and though there is no doubt that the males average

bigger than the females, the extremes of size seem to be much the same

in both sexes. The wing runs from 146 to 180 mm., both of these

extremes being specimens from the Simla Hills, the average of 80 birds

is 157 mm. Tarsus 41 to 52 mm., culmen 19 to 21 mm. ; tail 78 to

105 mm.

Hume gives the weights as “ male 19 to 27 ozs., females 13 to 19

0zs.””

Young Birds of the year, otherwise adult in plumage, often retain

some of the barred wing quills of the first plumage bird.

Young Bird in First Plumage dull brownish grey, each feather above

with white tip and two black spots next it ; head a little more rufescent ;

tail grey with mottley bars of black and white, the outer feather

tinged with rufous; below dirty brownish-white with faint brown

bars.

Chick in Down.—Crown pale bright rufous ; above pale fulvous, with

four stripes of speckled rufous and black ; wings pale fulvous, mottled

rufous and black ; below pale fulvous, a little deeper on chest.

308 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Distribution.—Through the Himalayas as far East as Nepal, and

in the hilly portions of the Punjab. Not in Sind or in the extreme

North of Kashmir and Ladak.

Nidification.—The Chukor breeds from practically the level of the

plains up to 15,000 and 16,000 feet, but appears to be most common

between about 4,000 and 10,000 feet. The altitude, however, alters

the time of breedings considerably ; in the foot-hills and lower eleva-

tions it lays in April and early May, a few eggs having been found

in the end of March ; in the middle ranges, say from 4,000 to 6,000

feet, it lays principally in May and early June, whilst in the highest

ranges eggs have been taken well on towards the end of August. The

nest 1s, as a rule, merely a hollow scratched in the ground, and lined

with a little grass or a few leaves, sometimes, however, it makes quite

a compact pad of grass, leaves and other rubbish with a well-formed

depression in the centre for the eggs. Frequently it may be foundin

open nullahs or on rocky hill sides, merely protected from sun and

rain by a rock or stone, but more often a site is selected amongst bushes,

scrub, willow-bushes or ferns, which shade as well as screen it

from enemies, human and otherwise. It is never, apparently, placed

in very thick scrub, and certainly never in forest, but may sometimes

be found in fairly long grass, especially if there are patches of rocky

and bare ground close by.

A very curious exception to the above nesting sites is one described

by Mr. H. Whistler in a letter to me. He writes :-—

“ Two nights ago, 11th June, I was going along the Hindustan-

Tibet road close to Gondla, 10,000 feet, in fact only some 200 yards

from the Rest-house at the entrance to the village, when my eye

suddenly caught a Chukor sitting on the head of one of the pollard

willows beside the road. Investigation showed that she was

sitting on a well-made nest of leaves, which contained 12 eggs.

These were rather stained, and there were a good many of the

bird’s own feathers in the nest, signs which are quoted locally

as proof that the eggs are incubated. The people here are in-

terested in this point as they take great quantities of Chukor eggs

for food. I accordingly only took two eggs in order to examine

them. They proved, however, to be quite unincubated, without

a trace of blood but rather congealed and I fancy the potential

chicks had been destroyed by the severe cold, snow and rain

which had occurred a few days ago, and which has destroyed many

eggs and young birds. Next morning I found that the eggs were

stone cold and the bird had evidently deserted.

“The other nests I have seen here were deep hollows in the

ground, well lined with bents, etc. and all were well hidden by

being placed either under a stone with herbage growing in front

ot it, or under a briar bush or a small green plant whichis very

common,”

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND Cu4YION.< 369

A normal full clutch is 8 to 10 but as few as 5 or 6 eggs have been

found incubated, whilst on the other hand 11 or 12 eggs are not rare

and occasionally clutches are found much bigger still. Mr. Livesey

records a nest of an allied Persian sub-species containing no less than

21 eggs.

In colour the eggs are generally a very pale yellowish or greyish stone

colour, more or less freckled all over with pale reddish brown or pinkish

purple; in some eggs there are no markings beyond these minute

freckles, but in others there are a fair number of small irregular blotches

of the same colour scattered here and there amongst the other mark-

ings, and in a few only these markings are still larger and more numer-

ous, Some eggs have the ground colour a pale café-au-lait, and in some

the eggs look, as described by Hume, “asif drops of white paint

tinged with purple had been dropped upon them.”

In shape they vary from fairly true ovals to ovato-pyriform, and

the texture is close and hard and with a fair amount of gloss.

The average of 200 eggs is 43:0 x 31°7 mm. and the extremes are

as follows: longest 48°2 x 32:1, shortest 37°6 x 30°4 mm. ; broadest

46°1x<33°1 mm.; most narrow 40°1x29°0 mm.

Habits.—The Chukor is found at practically all levels, from almost

that of the plains, where these are broken and rocky and interspersed

with hills and ravines, to 14,000 feet snow level and well above that

to 16,000 feet or more, as the summer advances and the snow recedes.

It is found in almost any kind of country other than actual forest,

but where there are grass uplands it may be found in the immediate

vicinity of these also. They must be amongst the most hardy and

adaptive of birds, for they will stand the most extraordinary heat,

such as that of the central portions of Arabia and Mesopotamia, or

the bitter cold of deep snows on the higher ranges of the Himalayas.

They are not, however, found in any of the more humid areas where the

rainfall is prolonged over many months. Typically, they are birds

of the deserts, rocky barren hills or the more moderately dry hills

of the outer ranges of the Himalayas which, though well watered and

wooded, have wide areas of grass land or stretches of cultivation.

According to Hume, Wilson and others, their favourite grounds

seem to be grassy hillsides, with or without a certain amount of culti-

vation and, indifferently, whether covered with a mere scanty growth

of coarse grass or fairly well covered with bushes, etc., in addition to

the grass itself. In the N.-W. of its range, however, it is found in the

barest and rockiest of country ; great hillsides, strewn with rocks and

boulders for the most part devoid of all vegetation beyond scattered

tufts of withered grass, a few windbeaten and distorted bushes, and

perhaps here and there in the hollows a wheat-field or some other kind

of cultivation.

In the non-breeding season they collect in coveys of some size,

generally of a dozen or so, often as many as 30, whilst Wilson talks of

310 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

“40, 50, or even 100.” In spring, of course, they separate, and then

in pairs attend to their domestic duties.

At this time of the year they are very pugnacious and their loud

challenges may be heard in every direction in places where they are

at all numerous. Hume describes their call as follows :—

“The tone varies, first he says ‘I’m here, I’m _ here,’ then he

asks ‘ Who’s dead ? Who's dead ? and when heisinformed of the

untimely decease of his pet brother and favourite sister, or

perhaps his eldest son and heir, he responds, ‘ Oh lor! Oh lor!’

in quite a mournful tone.”

In India he is not much used as a fighting bird in captivity except

in North-west Kashmir and a few other parts, but his cousins over

most of the range inhabited by them are very commonly kept for this

purpose. His character for pluck and pugnacity has ranked very

high from the time of the Romans, and then, as now, large sums were

won and lost over the victory or defeat of a favourite bird.

They are very easy to tame, whether caught adult or reared from the

egg, and soon learn to know their masters and to follow them. They

are usually kept in small cages, but are daily allowed out, practically

without any restraint, and allowed to wander about in search of food,

much like a farm-yard fowl. In the Grecian islands,’ as a matter of

fact, they seem to be kept just as any other domestic birds are, being

driven out in flocks during the day, and then recalled in the evening

by the children. They associate with the other members of the farm-

yard quite amicably, although during the breeding season the cocks

fight so desperately amongst themselves.

Hume thought them to be almost entirely vegetarians, eating only

seeds, grains, etc., and helping their digestion with numerous small

stones. Doubtlessthey are mainly seed-eaters, but they also eat all

kinds of small insects, especially ants, as well as caterpillars, grubs and

larvee.

From a sporting point of view the Chukor ranks fairly high amongst

our Indian game-birds, though he can nowhere be bagged in the vast

numbers that snipe, and grouse, duck and some of our other birds are

sometimes shot.

They lie fairly well, though when first disturbed, they sometimes

run a considerable distance before consenting to be flushed, but after

the first flight they seldom run unless the country is absolutely bare,

and even then, after running a short distance, they will generally squat

close until one gets within a few feet of them, when with a whirr and

-atush they are off again. They fly fast and strongly and carry shot

well for their size, and as the flocks after first being flushed often

scatter considerably, they furnish a number of shots, and, let us

hope, a satisfactory number of kills, from the same covey.

Apparently the number of birds to be found in the present day is much

the same as they were fifty years ago. With hard work and long

iis.

EEE Le

THE GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 311

trudges one can still get 10 or 12 brace to one gun in a day’s shoot,

and, with luck, even 20 couple may grace the game-bag where they are

most numerous. a

For the table they are dry, but not ill-flavoured, and some people

prefer them to the Grey and Black Partridges and even to Jungle-

fowl.

ALECTORIS GRECA: PALLESCENS,

Hume’s Chukor.

- Caccabis pallescens—Hume and Hend., Lahore to Yark., p. 383

(1875), (Kashgar) ; Scully, Str: Feath. IV., p. 182 (1876).

Caccabis pallidus—Hume and Hend., Lahore to Yark., p. 284

(1873) ; Forsyth, P.Z.S., 1874, p. 324 (Kashgar) ; Scully, Str. Feath.,

TV., p. 183, (1876) ; Sharpe, 2nd Yark, Miss., Aves, p. 121, (1891).

Caccabis saxatilis chukor—Witherby, Ibis, 1903, pp. 504, 570 (S.-W.

Persia) ; id., ibid. 1907, p. 108 (W. Persia),

Caccabis kakelik humei.—Falk., Sarudny, Mess. Orn. Moskva, 5,

p. 52 (1914).

Caccabis chukor—Swinhoe, Ibis, 1882, p. 119 (S. Afghanistan) ;

Sharpe, Ibis, 1886, p. 498 (Bushire) ; Meinertzhagen, J. B. N. H. &

XXIII, p. 363, (1914), (Quetta). Cumming, ibid. XXVI., p. 294

(1918), (Fao).

Alectoris greca pallescens—Hartert, Nov. Zool., XXIV., p. 286

(1917).

Vernacular Names.—As in the last. Keklik, (Turki).

Descrijtion.—This form of Chukor differs from the lasé in its much

paler general tint.

Distribution—Extreme North of Kashmir, Lek, Ladak, Eastern

Turkestan, Yarkand.

Nidification.—Dr. Sently records of this form :—

“Tt breeds from May to June, usually at an elevation of about

6,000 feet. On the 5th June a nest of the Chukor was found at

Kakin Powah ; it was on the ground under the edge of a rock,

and well sheltered by ferns and small bushes. The nest was a

nice pad of grass and leaves, and contained 7 nearly fresh eggs,

which were neatly arranged, 6ina circle, with the small ends

pointing inwards, and the 7th egg filling up the centre.”

Again he writes :—

“In the hills bounding the plains of Kashgaria on the south,

at elevations of from 6,000 to over 12,000 feet, the birds were

numerous near willow-bushes and streams. On the 30th August

near Gulgun Shah, at an elevation of about 12,500 feet I found

a nest of this species containing only 3 eggs. The nest was com-

posed of a few leaves and fibres, placed in a slight depression in

the ground, and covered over by a bush.”

312 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

The eggs of this form cannot be distinguished from those of the last

race..

Habits.—8ecully records that this Chukor abounds in all the hills

which surrounds the plains of Kashgaria on the North, West and South,

and says !

“In the winter they seem to come down to lower elevations than:

they frequent in the summer; numbers are then caught and

brought into Yarkand and Kashgar for sale.

“This species is rather prized by the Yarkandis on account

of its fighting propensities. I have seen some battles between

Chukor which I kept—not for fighting I need hardly say—the

birds appearing to be decidedly pugnacious.”

(To be continued.)

rr rn ee ee

313

HAND-LIST OF THE “BIRDS OF INDIA.”

E. C Stuart Baker, F.L.S., F.Z.8., M.B.0.U. C.F.A.0.U.

Part V.

(Continued from Page 1C6 of this volume.)

Sub-order MEROPES.

Family MERopip2.

1362. (1026) Merops crientalis orientalis. The Common Indian

Bee-Eater.

M. orientalis Lath., Ind. Orn. Suppl., p. vaaiti (1801), (Mahk-

ratta, India).

India, Bengal to Ceylon.

1363. (1026) Merops orientalis birmanus. The Burmese Green

Bee-Eater.

Merops viridis hirmanus Newmann., Orn. Monatsber., 1910,

p. 80, Lrvawaddy).

Assam and Burma.

1364. (1026) Merops orientalis biludschicus. The Sind Green

Bee-Eater.

Merops viridis hiludschicus Neumann., op. cit., p. 80 (Persian

Baluchisian).

S. E. Persia to Sind and Baluchistan.

1365. (1027) Merops supercilicsus javanicus. The Blue-toiled

Bee-Eater.

Merops javanicus Horsf., Trans. Lin. §., 1821, p. 171, (Jura):

India, Ceylon and Burma to Java,

1366. (1028) Mercps persicus persicus. The Blue-cheeked Bee-

Eater.

Merops persica Pall., Reis. versch. russ. Reichs., ti., p. 708

(1773), (Caspian Sea).

Summer visitor to W. and N. W. India.

367. (1029) Merops apiaster. The European Bee-Eater.

Linn., S. N., I. p. 117 (1758), (Europe).

N. and N. W. India, Kashmir, etc.

314 JOURNAL, BUMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII,

1368. (1030) Melittophagus erythrocephalus erythrocepha-

lus. The Chestnut-headed Bee-Eater.

Merops erythrocephalus Gimel., S. N., i, p. 463 (1788),

(India). (Ceylon).

Ceylon, S. India, sub-Himalayas, Burma, ete.

1369. (1031) Nyctiornis athertoni. The Blue-bearded Bee-Eater.

Merops athertoni Jard. and Selby., Ill. Orn., ti., pl. 58 (1829),

(India), (Cachar).

Sub-Himalayas, Dehra Doon to Assam, Burma, Malabar

Coast.

1370. (1032) Nyctiornis amictus. The Red-bearded Bee-Eater.

Merops amictus Jemm., Pl. Col., iv., pl. 310 (1824), (Ben-

coolen, Sumatra).

Tenasserim southwards.

Sub-order HALCYONES.

Family ALCEDINIDA.

1371. (1033) Ceryle rudis leacomelanura. The Indian Pred

Kingfisher.

Ceryle leucomelanura Reichen., Handl. Alced., p. 21 (1851),

(Ceylon).

India, Burma and Ceylon.

1372. (1034) Ceryle lugubris guttulata. The Himalayan Pied

Kingfisher.

Ceryle guttulata Stegneger, Pro. U. S. N. M., av., p. 294

(1893), (India), (Cachar). ,

Assam to China and Hainan.

1373. (1035) Alcedo atthis bengalensis. The Common Indian

Kingfisher.

Alcedo bengalensis Gmel., S. N., i., p. 450 (1788), (Bengal).

All India. ‘

1374. *(1035) Alcedo atthis pallasii. The Central Asian

Kingfisher.

Alcedo pallasii Reichen., Handl. spec. In. Alced., p. 3 (1851),

(West Siberia).

N. and Central Asia. Punjab and Sind, Kashmir.

1375: *(1035) Alcedo atthis taprobana. The Ceylon Kingfisher.

Alcedo ispida var. taprobana Kleinschm., Orn. Mber., it. p.

126 (1894), (Ceylon).

Ceylon.

* Neither of these are very strongly marked forms.

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 315

1376. +(1036) Alcedo cerulescens asiatica, Beavan’s Kingfisher.

Aleedo asiatica Swains., Zool. Illus. 1st. ser. 7., (1821), (some

part of India), (Bengal).

Bengal, Belgaum, Travancore, Ceylon.

1377- (1037) Alcedo cerulescens scintillans. The Tenasserim

Kingfisher.

Stuart Baker, Bull., B. O. C., xxxix., p. 38 (1919), (Bankasoon).

Peninsula, Burma and Siam, lat. 10° to 16°.

1378. (1037) Alcedo cerulescens coltarti. The Assam King-

Sisher

Stuart Baker, op. cit., p. 39, (Saddya, Assam).

Sikkim to Assam, N. Burma to lat. 16°; Siam, Cochin-

China,

1379. (1037) Alcedo cerulescens rufigastra. The Andaman

Kingfisher.

Alcedo rufigastra Wald., A. M. N. H., (4), xii., p. 487 (1873),

(S. Andamans).

Andamans.

1380. {(1038) Alcedoiredalei. Blyth’s Kingfisher.

Stuart Baker, Bull., B. O. C., alii., p. 29 (1921), (Dariiling).

Sikkim and lower hills N. and 8. of Brahmapootra in

Assam.

1381. (1039) Alcedoeuryzona. The Broad-zoned Kingfisher.

Temm., Pl. Col. lin. 36 (1830), (Java).

Java and Borneo as far N. as Muleyit in Tenasserim.

1382. (1040) Ceyx tridactylus tridactylus. The Indian Three-

toed Kingfisher.

Alcedo tridactyla Pall., Spec. Zool., VI., p. 10 (1769), (India)

(Assam).

India and Burma.

1383. (1040) Ceyx tridactylus macrocercus, The Andaman

Three-toed Kingfisher.

Oberholser, Smith. In. U. S. Nat. His. Bull., 98, p. 24 (1917)

(Andamans).

Andamans.

+ The true ceruiescens is not found as far north as Bankasoon, The name

meningting is ante-dated by Viellots, Alcedo carulescens Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat.

ix., p. 401, 1818, Timer (? errore).

t Alcedo grandis is pre-occupied and another name had therefore to be given.

316 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

1384.

1385,

1386,

1387,

1388.

1389.

1390,

1391.

(1041)

(1042)

(1043)

(1044)

Ramphalcyon amauroptera. Brown-winged King-

Jisher.

Haleyon amauropterus Pearson, J. A. 8. B., x., p. 635 (1841),

(Calcutta). ;

Coast localities from Bengal to Tenasserim.

Ramphalcyon capensis intermedia. The Nicobar

Stork-billed Kingfisher.

Pelargopsis intermedia Hume, S. F., ii., p. 166 (1874), (Galatea

Bay, Nicobars),

Nicobars.,

Ramphalcyon capensis gurial, Brown-headed

Stork-billed Kingfisher,

Alcedo gurial Pearson, J.A.S.B., x., 1841, p. 633 (Midnapore,.

Bengal).

All India.

Ramphalcyon capensis burmanica, The Burmese

Stork-billed Kingfisher.

Pelargopsis burmanica Sharpe, P.Z.8., 1870, p. 67 (Tonghoo,.

Burma),

Burma, Siam, Cambodia, Cochin-China.

Ramphalcyon capensis osmastoni. The Andaman

Stork-billed Kingfisher.

Stuart Baker, Bull. B. O. C.

Andamans.

Halcyon smyrnensis smyrnensis. The White

breasted Kingfisher.

Alcedo smyrnensis Linn., S.N., ¢., p. 116 (1758) (Africa and

Asia).

Central and W. Asia, Baluchistan and Sind.

Halcyon Soiy mcneie fusca. The Indian White-

breasted Kingfisher.

Alcedo fusca Bodd., Tabl., Pl. Enl., p. 54 (1783), (Malabar).

India, Burma, Malay Pen., Siam, 8. China, etc.

Halcyon smyrnensis generosa. The Ceylon

White-breasted Kingfisher.

Halcyon generosa Madar., Ann. Mus. Hun., ti., p. 85 (1904),.

(Ceylon).

Ceylon and ? (S. Travancore’.

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 317

1392. (1044) Halcyon smyrnensis saturatior. he Andaman

White-breasted Kingfisher.

Halcyon saturatior Hume, S:F., ti., 531 (1874), (Andamans).

Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

1393- (1045) Halcyon pileata. The Black-capped Kingfisher.

Alcedo pileata Bodd., Tabl. Pl. Enl., p. 41 (1783), (China),

(Canton).

Throughout India occasional, Assam, Burma, Siam, 8.

China.

1304. (1046) Emtcmothera coramanda ceramanda, The

Indian Ruddy Kingfisher.

Alcedo coramanda Lath., In, Orn., i., p. 252 (1790), (Cora-

mandel Coast).

India, Burma, Malay Pen., Siam and 8. China.

1395. (1046) Entomothera coramanda mizorhina. The Anda-

man Ruddy Kingfisher.

Oberholser, Pro. Nat. Mus. U.S., 1915 p. 645 (1925), (N.

Andaman Is.)

Andaman and Nicobars.

1396. (1047) Sauropatis chloris chloris. The White-couared

Kingfisher.

Alcedo chloris Bodd., Tab. Pl. Enl., p. 49 (1783), (Bourw).

Tennasserim, Southwards.

1397. (1047) Sauropatis chloris vidali. The Malabar White-

collared Kingfisher.

Halcyon vidali Sharpe, Cat. B.M., xvii., p. 278 (1892), (8.

Konkan).

S. W. Coast of India.

1398. (1047) Sauropatis chloris davisoni. The

White-collared Kingfisher.

Andaman.

Halcyon davisoni Sharpe, op. cit., p. 282 (Andaman).

Andamans.

1399. (1048) Sauropatis chloris cccipitalis. The Nicobar

White-collared Kingfisher.

Todiramphus occipitalis Blyth, J.A.S.B., xv., p. 23 (1847),

( Nicobars).

Nicobars.

1400, (1049) Caridagrus concretus. The Sumatran Kingfisher.

Dacelo concreta Temm. Pl. Col., p’. 346 (1825), (Sumatra) .

Extreme South of Tenasserim to Sumatra, Borneo, ete.

318 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

1401,

1402,

1403.

1404.

1405.

1406,

1407.

(1050)

(1051)

(1052)

(1053)

(1054)

(1055)

Carcineutes pulchellus amabilis. The Pegu

Banded Kingfisher.

Carcineutes amabilis Hume, S.F., i., p. 474 (1873), (Pegu

Hills).

Central and South Burma.

Sub-order BUCEROTES.

Family BucrRoTIDa.

Dichoceros bicornis, The Great Hornbill.

Buceros bicornis Linn., S.N., 7., p. 104 (1758), (China), (Tra-

vancore). :

West Coast from Travancore N. to Bombay, Himalayas

to Burma, Siam.

Anthracoceros coronatus coronatus. The Mala-

bar Pied Hornbill.

Buceros coronatus Bodd., Tabl., Pl. Enl., p. 53 (1783), (Mala-

bar).

Ceylon, South and South-West India, North to C. P.,

Orissa and Lower Bengal.

Anthracoceros coronatus affinis, The Large

Indian Pied Hornbill.

Buceros affinis Blyth, J.A.S.B., xviii., p. 802 (1849), (Deyra

Doon).

Sub-Himalayas, Dehra Dun to Assam, N. of Brahma-

pootra.

Anthracoceros coronatus albirostris. The Small

Indian Pied Hornbill.

Buceros albirostris Shaw and Nod., Nat. Mise., xix., p. 819

(1807), (Chandernagore).

Assam, S. of Brahmapootra to Tenasserim, Siam and

Cochin China.

Rhytidoceros undulatus. The Malayan Wreathed

Hornbill.

Buceros undulatus Shaw., Gen. Zool., viit., p. 26 (1811), (Java),

Assam and Burma to Java.

Rhytidoceros subruficollis, Blyth’s Wreathed Horn-

bill.

Buceros subruficollis Blyth, J.A.S.B., xii., p. 177 (1843),

(Tenasserim).

Arrakan and §. Burma, Sumatra and Borneo.

1408,

14090,

1410,

1411,

1412,

1413.

1414.

1415.

1416,

1417,

(1056)

(1057)

(1058)

(1059)

(1060)

(1061)

(1062)

(1063)

(1064)

(1065)

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 319

Rhytidoceros narcondami. The Narcondam Horn-

bill,

Hume, S.F., i., p. 411 (1873), (Narcondam).

Narcondam, N. Andamans.

Aceros nepalensis. The Ryfous-necked Hornbill.

Buceros nepalensis Hodg., As. Res., xviii., p. 178 (1829),

(Nepal).

Himalayas, Nepal to Assam, Central Burma to Tenasse-

rim,

Anorhinus galeritus. The Bushy-crested Hornbill.

Buceros galeritus Zemm., Pl. Col., pl. 520 (1824), (Sumatra),

Tenasserim, South to Borneo.

Ptilolamus tickelli tickelli, Tickell’s Hornbill.

Buceros tickelli Blyth., J.A.S.B., xviv., p. 266 - (1855),

(Tenasserim).

Pegu to Tenasserim.

Ptilolemus tickelli austeni. Godwin-Austen’ s.

Hornbill.

Anorhinus austeni Jerd., [bis., 1872, p. 6 (N. Cachar Hillis),

Assam, 8. of Brahmapootra.

Berenicornis comatus. The Long-crested Hornbill.

Buceros comatus Kaff., Trans. L.S., xiii., p. 339 (1822),.

(Sumatra).

S. Tenasserim, southwards to Sumatra and Borneo.

Lephoceros birostris. The Common Grey Hornbill.

Buceros birostris Scop., Del. Flor. et Faun. Insub., ii., p. 87

(1786), (Coramandel).

Plains of India, not N. W. or Malabar Coast.

Lophoceros griseus. The Malabar Grey Hornbill.

Buceros griseus Lath., Ind. Orn., i., p, 147 (1790), (Nove-

Hollandie-Malabar).

W. Coast from Travancore to Bombay.

Lophoceros gingalensis. The Ceylonese Hornbill.

Buceros gingalensis Shaw, Gen. Zool., viit., p. 37 (1811),.

(Ceylon).

Ceylon only.

Rhinoplax vigil. The Helmeted Hornbill.

Buceros vigil Forster, Ind. Zool., p. 40 (1781), (No loc.),.

(Tennasserim).

Tenasserim to Sumatra and Borneo.

320 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

1418,

4419,

4420,

ial

n422:

1423.

LADY.

1426,

(1066)

(1066) »

(1067)

(1069)

(4070)

Sub-order UPUP!,

Family Upupips.

Upupa epops epops. The European Hoopoe.

Upupa epops Jin., S.N., i., p. 117 (1758), (Sweden).

Straggler into N, W. India.

Upupa epops saturata. The Tibetan Hoopoe.

Lonnberg, Arkiv, fiir Zool., v., p. 29 (1909), (Kiachia).

Winter visitor to Assam, Burma, Siam and Yunnan,

Upupa epops orientalis. The Indian Hoopoe,

Nomen Nov. (Umballa), <2 e+ Kiauaet “Zz

Northern India to Sikkim,Dee 4°4,0-%., 4 ee

A926, Poa.

Upupa epops ceylonensis, The Ceylon Hoopoe.

Upupa ceylonensis Reich., op. cit. (Ceylon).

Ceylon and South India to Bombay and Orissa.

Upupa epops longirostris. The Burmese Hoopoe,

Upupa longirostris Jerd., B. of I., i., p. 393 (1862), (Burma).

Assam, Burma, Siam, Cambodia, ete.

Order MACROCHIRES,

Sub-order MICROPODES.,

Family Micropopipé&,

Sub-family Muicropodine.

Micropus melba melba. The Alpine Swift.

Hirundo melba Linn., S.N., 2., p. 192 (1758), (Gibraltar).

India, Ceylon and Assam.

Micropus apus pekinensis. The Eastern Swift.

Cypselus pekinensis Swinh., P.Z.S., 1870, p. 435 (Peking).

Himalayas to W. Assam.

Micrepus murinus murinus, The Pale Brown Surft.

Cypselus murinus Brehm., Vogelfung. p. 46 (1855), (Egypt).

Egypt, Persia, Baluchistan and Sind.

Micropus pacificus pacificus. The Large White-

rumped Swift.

Hirundo pacifica Lath., Ind. Orn. Suppl., p. lviit. (1801),

(Australia).

Assam, Burma to Japan and Australia,

* Upupa indica Reich., Handb. spec. Orn., p. 320, cannot be used as

it is preoccupied by Upupa indica Latham, Ind, Orn, i, p. 380, (1790), and

therefore a new name has to he given.

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 321

1427. (1071) Micropus _ pacificus acuticauda. The Khasia

Hills Surft.

Cypselus acuticauda Blyth, Ibis, 1865, p. 45 (Cherrapoonjt,

Khasia Hills).

Khasia Hills and ?

1428. (1071) Muicropus pacificus cooki. The Burmese While-

rumped Swift.

Cypselus paciticus cooki Harington, Bull. B.O.C., xxxt.,

p. 56 (1912), (N. Shan States).

N. Shan States ; resident.

1429. (1072) Micropus pacificus leuconyx. Blyth’s White-

rumped Swift. ;

Cypselus leuconyx Blyth, J.A.S.B., aviv. p. 212 (1845),

(NV. W. Himalayas).

N. W. Himalayas ; resident.

1430. (1073) Micropus affinis affinis. The Common Indian

House-Surft. ;

Cypselus affinis Gray, Ill. Ind. Zool., pl. 35 (1832), (Ganges).

Tropical India.

1431. (1073) Micropus affinis galilegensis. The Kashnur House-

Swift.

Cypselus galilegensis Antinori, Nawmannia,

(Palestine).

N. W. Africa, 8S. E. Asia to Kashmir.

1432. (1074) Micropus affinis subfurcatus. The Malayan

House-Swift.

Cypselus subfurcatus Blyth, J.A.S8.B., xviit., p. 807. (1849)

(Penang).

Assam, Burma and Malay Pen.

1433. (1075) Tachornis batassiensis batassiensis. The Palm-

Swift.

Cypselus balassiensis (misprint), Gray, in Grif. An. King. vii.,

p. 60 (1829), (India).

India and Ceylon.

1434. (1076) Tachornis batassiensis infumatus. The Eastern

Palm-Swift.

Cypselus infumatus Sclater, P.Z.S., 1865, p. 602 (Borneo).

Assam, Burma, E. to China, 8. to Java, ete.

Sub-family CH&TURINA,

*1435. (1077) Hirundinapus caudacuta nudipes. The White-

necked Spine-tail.

Chetura nudipes Hodg., J.A.S.B., v., p. 779 (1836), (Nepal).

Himalayas, Hazara to Assam.

* Chaturae is the generic name for an American species quite different to our

Indian forms. Hirundinapus must therefore be used for t e big forms whilst our

two small ones which are both quite different generically from the large birds

must be calledIndicapus Mathews, and Rhapidura, Oates.

p. 307 (1855),

322 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

1436, (1078) Hirundinapus gigantea indica. The Brown-necked

Spine-tail.

Chetura indica Hume, S.F., 1., p. 471 (1873), (Aneichardi,

Travancore).

Ceylon to ‘Assam, Burma, Andamans.

1437. Hirundinapus cochinchinensis. The Cochin China

~ Spine-tail..

Oustalet, Bull. Soc. Phil., 1878, p. 52 (Saigon, Cochin

China).

Assam, Burma, Siam, Cochin China.

+1438. (1079) Idicapus sylvatica, The White-rumped Spine-tail.

Acanthylis sylvatica Tickell, J.A.S.B., xv., p. 284 (1846),

Ceniral India.

Eastern India from the Himalayas to the extreme South

and West only as far North as the Bombay Pres.

114392 (1080) Rhapidura leucopygialis. The Grey-rumped Black

Spine-taal.

Acanthylis leucopygialis Blyth, J.A.S.B., xviii., p. 809 (1849),

(Penang).

Tenasserim, South through the Malay Pen.

1440, *(1081) Collocalia unicolor unicolor, The Indian Edible

Swiftlet.

Hirundo unicolor Jerd., Madr. Jour. L.S., 1840, p. 238 (Coo-

noor Pass).

Ceylon, 8S. W. India and W. Himalayas.

1441, (1082) Collocalia fusciphaga brevirostris. The Himal-

ayan Swiftlet.

Hirundo brevirostris McClell., P.Z.S., 1839, p. 155 (Assam)

Himalayas, from Simla to Assam and Manipur.

1442. (1083) Collocalia innominata. Hume's Swiftlet.

Hume, S.F., 7., p. 294 (1873), (Port Mouatt, S. Andamans)

S. Andamans, Tenasserim, Siam, Malay Pen.

1443. (1084) Collocalia francicafrancica. The Little Grey- .

rumped Swrftlet.

Hirundo francica Gmel., S.N., 2., p. 1017 (1789), (Mauritius).

Is. of Mauritius and Bourbon and ? Ceylon.

1444. Collocalia framcica inexpectata. The Andaman

Grey-rumped Swiftlet.

Collocalia inexpectata Hume., S.F., i., p. 296 (1873), (Button

Is. Andamans).

S. Andamans, Nicobars, 8. Malay Pen., Tenasserim.

+ Vide footnote at the bottom of page 321.

* For revision of this genus see Oberholser, Pro. Nat. Mus., U.S. A., Vol. 42,

p-ii., id. Acad. Nat. Scie. Philadelphia, 1906, p. 177 ; Stresemann, Nov. Zool., 1912

p. 347.

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 323

1445. Collocalia francica germaini. Oustalet’s Grey-

rumped Swiftlet.

Collocalia germani Oust., Bull. Soc. Phiiom. Paris, p. 1 (1876),

(Condore Is.).

Mergui Archipelago. Tenasserim and 8. Siam, Cochin

China and Philippines.

1446. (1085) Collocalia linchi affinis. Beavan’s Swiftlet.

Collocalia aftinis Beavan, Ibis, 1867, p. 318, (Port Blair).

Andamans and Nicobar Is.

1447. Collocalia linchi elachyptera. Oberholser’s

Swiftlet.

Oberholser, Pro. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil., U.S.A., 1906, p. 207

(Bentinck Is.)

Islands of Mergui Pen.

Sub-Family Hemiprocnina@.

1448. (1086) Hemiprocne coronata. The Indian Crested Swift.

Hirundo coronata Tick., J.A.S.B., ti., p. 580 (1833), (Bora,

bhum).

Ceylon, India, Burma and Siam.

1449. (1087) Hemiprocne longipennis. The Malayan Crested

Swift.

Hirundo longipennis Rafin., Bull. Soc. Phil. Paris, iii., p. 152

(1803), (Java).

Malay Pen. Tenasserim to Borneo, Java and Sumatra.

1450. (1088) Hemiprocne comata. The Tufted Tree Swift.

Cypselus comatus T’emm., Pl. Col., 268 (1824), (Sumatra).

Tenasserim, Malay Pen. to Celebes.

Sub-Order CAPRIMULGI.

Family CaPRIMULGIDZ2.

1451. (1089) Gaprimulgus mahrattensis. Sykes’ Nightjar.

Sykes, P.Z.S., 1832, p. 83, (Mahrattas).

Sind, N. W. Provinces, Afghanistan and Baluchistan.

Straggler East to Bengal.

1452. (1090) Caprimulgus monticolus, Franklin’s Nightjar.

Franklin, P.Z.S., 1831, p. 116 (Calcutta-Benares).

India from Mysore to Himalayas, Burma, Siam and

Cochin China.

. 1453. (1090) Caprimulgus asiaticus. The Common Indian

Nightjar.

Lath., Ind. Orn. ii., p. 588 (1790), (India), (Bombay).

India and Ceyion and Burma S. to Moulmein.

324 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIIL

1454. (1092) Caprimulgus europzus nuwini, Hume’s Nightjar.

Caprimulgus unwini Hume, Ibis., 1871, p. 406 (Hazara).

Transcaspia to Baluchistan, Sind, Kashmir and N. W.

India.

1455- (1093) Caprimulgus macrurus’ bimaculatus, The

Burmese Long-tailed Nightjar.

Caprimulgus bimaculatus Peale, U.S. Expl. Exp. 8, p. 170,.

(1848), (Malacca).

Malay Pen. to Burma, (and ? Assam), Siam, Yunnan and

S. W. China.

14506. Caprimulgus macrurus albononotus. The Indian

Long-tailed Nightjar.

Caprimulgus albononotus Tick., J.A.S.B., it., p. 580 (1833)

(Dolbhum, Bengal).

N. W. Provinces to Bengal.

1457. *(1093) Caprimulgus macrurus nipalensis. The Nepal.

Long-tailed Nightjar.

Caprimulgus nipalensis Hartert,Cat. B.M., xvi., p, 541 (1892)

(Nepal).

Nepal to N. Assam and Hills of 8. Assam.

1458. (1093) Caprimulgus atripennis. Jerdon’s Long-tailed:

Nightjar.

Jerdon, Ill. Ind. Orn., pl. 24 (1847), (Eastern Ghats, S. India).

Ceylon and S. India, N. to Godaveri and Belgaum.

1459. (1094) Caprimulgus andamanicus. The Andaman

Nightjar.

Hume, S.F., i., p. 470 (1873), (Andamans).

Andaman Is. only.

1460. (1095) Caprimulgus indicus indicus. The Jungle Nightjar.

Caprimulgus indicus Lath., Ind.Orn., it., p. 588 (1790), (India).

Practically all India 8. of Himalayas,

1461. (1095) Caprimulgus indicus jotaka. The Himalayan

Jungle Nightjar.

Caprimulgus jotaka Temm. and Schl., Faun. Jap., p. 37

(1847), (Japan).

Siberia to Japan, Himalayas E. to Assam, N.Burma and

Siam. ;

+1462. (4095) Caprimulgus kelaarti. The Ceylon Jungle Nightjar

Caprimulgus kelaarti Blyth, J.A.S.B., p. 175 (1851), (Ceylon).

Ceylon, possibly extreme S. Travancore.

* See Oberholser, Pro. Nat. Mus. 48, p. 587 (1915), C..atripennis is a separat

species and not a race of macrurus.

+The position of this bird is doubtful. It is not a race of indicus but is

possibly a Southern form of atripennis.

1463.

7464.

14605.

1466.

1467.

1468.

1469.

1470.

4471.

(1096)

(1097)

(1098)

(1099)

(1100)

(1101)

(1102)

(1103)

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 325

Lyncornis cerviniceps cerviniceps, Gould’s Great-

eared Nightjar.

Lyncornis cerviniceps Gould, Icon. Av., ii., pl. 14 (1838),

(China).

N- Malay Pen., Burma, Siam, Assam,

Lyncornis cerviniceps bourdilloni. Bowrdillon’s

Great-eared Nightjar.

Lyncornis bourdilloni Hume, S.F., iii., p. 302 (1875), (S+

Travancore).

Travancore.

Sub-order PODARGI.

Family PopARGIDAE.

Batrachostomus hodgsoni. Hodgson’s Frogmouth,

Otothrix hodgsoni Gray, P.Z.S., 1859, p. 101. (Darjiling).

Sikkim to Assam, Manipur to Karennee.

Batrachostomus affinis. Blyth’s Frogmouth.

Blyth, J.A.S.B., xvi., p. 1180 (1847), (Malacca).

Tenasserim to Borneo.

Batrachostomus moniliger. The Ceylonese

Frogmouth.

(Layard), Blyth., J.A.S.B., xviii., p. 806 (1849), (Ceylon).

Ceylon and Travancote.

Order TROGONES.

Family Troconip&.

Pyrotrogon fasciatus. The Malabar Trogon.

Trogon fasciatus Pennant, In. Zool., pl. iv. (1769), (Ceylon).

Chota Nagpur to the Godaveri, 8S. W. India and Ceylon.

fyrotrogon erythrocephalus erythrocephalus.

The Red-headed Trogon.

Trogon erythrocephalus Gould, P.Z.S., 1834, p. 25 (Rangoon).

Nepal E. to Assam, Burma, Siam and ? Malay Pen.

Pyrotrogon duvauceli. The Red-rumped Trogom

Trogon duvauceli Temm., Pl. Col., No. 291 (1824), (Sumatra)

Tenasserim, Pen. Siam to Borneo.

Pyrotrogon oreskias wuniformis. Rolinson’s

Yellow-breasted Trogon.

Robinson, Jour., F.M.S., vii., p. 149 (1917), (Trang., Pen.

Siam).

Arrakan, Siam, Cochin China and 8. to Malay Pen.

3826 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

1472.

1473.

1474.

1475.

1476.

1477.

1478.

1479.

Order .COCCYGES.

Family CucuLip2.

Sub-Family Cuculine.

(1104) Cuculus canorus telephonus. The Asiatic Cuckoo.

Cuculus telephonus Heine, Jour. f. Orn., 1863, p. 352 (Japan).

N. Asia, E. to Japan, S. to Himalayas and 8. China. Mi-

grant to Ceylon.

(1104) Cuculus canorus bakeri. The Khasia Hills

Cuckoo.

Hartert, Vog. Pal., vii., p. 948, (1912), (Shillong, Khasia

Hills).

Hills S. of Brahmapootra, Manipur, Chin Hills to Shan

States.

(1105) Cuculus optatus. The Himalayan Cuckoo.

Gould, P.Z.S., 1845, p. 18 (Port Essington, Australia).

N. Asia, Central Asia to Himalayas.

(1106) Cuculus poliocephalus poliocephalus. The Small

Cuckoo.

Cuculus poliocephalus Lath., In. Orn., p. 214 (1790), (India),

(Srinagar).

N. E. Asia, N. and C. China to Himalayas. Casual

Ceylon.

(1107) Cuculus micropterus micropterus. The Indian

Cuckoo.

Cuculus micropterus Gould, P.Z.S., 1837, p. 137 (Himalaya).

Breeding S. and Central China, Central Asia and India.

Casual Ceylon.

(1108) Hierococcyx sparveroides. The Large Hawk-

Cuckoo.

Cuculus sparveroides Vigors, P.Z.S., 1832, p. 173 (Central

Himalayas).

N. India and Burma, Yunnan, China, ete.

(1109) Hierococcyx varius. The Common Hawk-Cuckoo.

Cuculus varius Vahl., Skriv. Nat. Selsk., iv., p. 61 (1709),

(India).

India and Ceylon, not Assam, Punjab or Sind.

Hierococcyx fugax tugax. The Javan Hawk-

Cuckoo.

Cuculus fugax Horsf., Trans. L.S., xiti., p. 178 (1821), (Java).

A rare straggler into Burma.

1480.

1481.

1482.

1483.

1484.

1485.

1486.

1487.

1488.

(1110)

(1111)

(1118)

(1112)

(1114)

(1115)

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 327

Hierococcyx fugax nisicolor. Hodgson’s Hawk-

Cuckoo.

Cuculus nisicolor Blyth, J.A.S.B., xii., p. 943 (1843), (Nepal).

Himalayas, Nepal to Assam, Burma and Siam.

Hierococcyx nanus. The Small Hawk-Cuckoo.

Hume, S.F., v., p. 490 (1877), (S. Tenasserim).

S. Tenasserim, Salangor and N. Borneo.

Cacomantis merulinus querulus. The Rufous-

bellied Cuckoo.

Cacomantis querulus Heine, Jour., f. Orn., 1863, p. 352 (Nepal

Burma).

E. Bengal, N. and 8. Assam, Burma and 8S. China.

Cacomantis merulinus passerinus. The Indian

Plaintive Cuckoo.

Cuculus passerinus Vahl., Skriv., Nat. Selsk., iv., p. 57 (1797),

(India).

India and Ceylon, excluding previous area and Rajputana.

Penthoceryx sonneratii sonneratii. The Banded

Bay Cuckoo.

Cuculus sonneratii, Lath., Ind. Orn., ¢., p. 215 (1790), (India),

(N. Cachar Hills). -

India, Burma and Siam.

Penthoceryx sonneratii waiti. The Ceylon

Banded Bay Cuckoo.

Stuart Baker, Bull, B.O.C., xxxix., p. 46 (1918), (Ceylon).

Ceylon only.

Penthoceryx sonneratii venustus. The Malay

Banded Bay Cuckoo.

Cuculus venustus Jerd., Madr. Jour. L.S., xiii., p. 140 (1842),

(Malacca).

S. Tenasserim and Siam, Malay Pen. to Borneo and Java.

Chalcococcyx xanthorhynchus xanthorhynchus.

The Violet Cuckoo.

Cuculus xanthorynchus Horsf., Trans. L.8., xiii., p. 179 (1821),

(Java).

Assam to N. and Central Burma.

Chalcococcyx xanthorhynchus malayanus. The

Malay Violet Cuckoo.

Cuculus malayanus Raff., Tran. L. S., viit., p. 286 (1822),

(Malay Pen).

Pen. Siam and Burma, Andamans, etc., Malay Pen. to

Borneo.

$28 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

1489. (1116) Chalcococcyx maculatus. The Emerald Cuckoo.

Trogon maculatus Gmel., S.N., 7., p. 404 (1788), (Ceylon).

Himalayas, Simla to Assam, Burma, Siam, etc., to

Sumatra.

*1490. (1117) Surniculus lugubris brachyurus. | The Malay

Drongo Cuckoo.

Stresemann, Nov. Zool., xx., p. 340 (1913), (Pahang).

Pen. Burma and Siam, S. through Malay Pen.

1491. (1117) Surniculus lugubris dicruroides. The Indian

Drongo Cuckoo. :

Pseudornis dicruroides Hodg., J.A.&.B., viii., p. 136 (1839),

(Nepal).

Upper India, Assam, Burma, Siam, Hainan, China.

1492. (1117) Surniculus lugubris stewarti. The Ceylon Drongo

Cuckoo.

Stuart Baker, Nov. Zool., xxvi., p. 293 (1919), (Ceylon).

Ceylon, Travancore and W. Coast to Karwar.

+1493. (1118) Clamator jacobinus, The Pied Crested Cuckoo.

Cuculus jacobinus Bodd., Tabl. Pl. Enlum., p. 53 (1783),

(Coromandel Coast).

Ceylon, India ; W., N. and Central Burma,

1494. (1119) Clamator coramandus. The Red-winged Crested

Cuckoo.

Cuculus coramandus Linn., S.N., i... 171, (1766) (Coromandel

Coast).

Ceylon, India East, Burma.

Sub-Family Poa nicopHAaIné,

4495. (1120) Eudynamis scolopaceus scolopaceus. The Indian

Koel.

Cuculus scolopaceus. Linn., S.N., i., p. 111 (1758), (Bengal).

India and Ceylon.

1496. (1120) Eudynamis scolopaceus malayana. The Malay

Koel.

Eudynamis malayana Cab. and Hein., Mus. Hein., iv., p. 52

(1862), (Sumatra).

Siam and Burma, Assam, Malay Pen.

* See Stuart Baker, Nov. Zool., xxvi., p. 293, and Stresemann, ibid, xxiii., p. 335.

+ The name Clamator antedates -Coccystes, see Stegneger, Pro. Biol. Soc. Wash.,

Xv., p. 87. :

1497:

1498.

1499.

1500.

1501.

1502.

1503.

1504.

‘1505.

(1121)

(1122)

(1123)

(1124)

(1125)

(1126)

(1127)

(1128)

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. 329°

Zanclostomus javanicus. The Lesse; Red-billed

Malkoha.

Pheenicophies javanicus Horsf., Trans. L.S., 1822, p. 178

(Java).

Pen. Siam and Burma, Malay Pen. to Borneo, etc.

Rhopodytes_ viridirostris. The Small Green

Malkoha.

Zanclostomus viridirostris Jerd., Madr. Jour. L.S., xi., p. 223

(1840), (Coonoor).

Ceylon and S. India, N. to Belgaum and the Godaveri.

Rhopodytes tristis tristis. The Large Green-billed

Malkoha.

Melias tristis Less., Traité d’Orn., p. 132 (1831), (Bengal).

Lower Himalayas, Kumaon to Rengal and Assam, N. and

South.

Rhopodytes tristis longicaudatus. The Large

Malay Green Malkoha.

Pheenicopheus longicaudatus Blyth.. J.A.S.B., v., p. 923

(1841), (Moulmein).

Burma, Siam, Cambodia and Malay Pen.

Rhopodytes diardi. Dviard’s Green-billed Malkoha.

Melias diardi Less., Traité d’Orn., p. 132, 1831 (Sumatra).

Tenasserim and Malay Pen. to Sumatra.

Rhopodytes sumatranus. The Sumatran Green-billed

Malkoha.

Cuculus sumatranus Raff., Trans. L.S., xiii., p. 287 (1822),

(Sumatra).

Tenasserim 8S. to Sumatra.

Pheenicophaes pyrrhocephalus. The Red-faced

Malkoha.

Cuculus pyrrhocephalus Pennant, Ind. Zool., p. 66 (1769),

(Ceylon).

Ceylon only.

Ramphococcyx erythrognathus. The Chestnut-

breasted Malkoha.

Pheenicophies erythrognathus Hartl., Verz. Mus. Brom., p. 95

(1844), (Sumatra).

S. Tenasserim to Sumatra.

Rhinortha chlorophza chlorophzea. Raffles’

Green-billed Malkoha.

Cuculus chloropheus Raff., Tran. L.S., wiii., p.288 (1822),

(Sumatra).

S. Tenasserim to Sumatra, nof Borneo.

830 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

15006.

1507.

1508.

1509.

1510.

1513.

1514.

(1129)

(1130)

(1131)

(1132)

(1133)

Taccocua sirkee - sirkee. The Punjab Sirkeer

Cuckoo.

Centropus sirkee Gray, Hard. Ill. Ind. Zool., i., pl. 28 (1830-

32), (Nilgiris).

Upper India, Punjab to Behar and W. Bengal.

Taccocua sirkeeinfuscata. The Hill Sirkeer

Cuckoo.

Taccocua infuscata Blyth., J.A.S.B., xiv., p. 201 (1845), (Sub-

Himalayas).

Foot-hills of Himalayas, N. of last race.

Taccocua sirkee leschenaulti. The Southern

Siurkeer Cuckoo.

Taccocua leschenaulti Less., Traité d’Orn., p. 144, (1830),

(India), (Kanara, Bombay).

(2 ea ee,

South India and Ceylon.

Centropus sinensis sinensis. The Chinese Crow-

Pheasant.

Polophilus sinensis Stephen, Shaw’s Gen. Zool., ix., p. 51 (1815),

(Ningpo, China).

Himalayas and Sub-Himalayas, from Kashmir to N.

Assam and S. China.

Centropus sinensis intermedius. Hume’s Crow-

Pheasant.

Centrococcyx intermedius Hume, S.F.. i., p. 454 (1873),

(Thayetmyo).

8. Assam, Manipur, Burma, Siam to N. Malay Pen.

Centropus sinensis parroti. The Southern Crow-

Pheasant. ,

Stresemann, Nov. Zool., xx., p. 323 (1913), (Ceylon).

Ceylon and India, N. to the Ganges and Bombay, ete.

Centropus sar la tat The Ceylon Crow-

Pheasant.

Blyth, J.A.S.B., xviii., p. 805, (1849), (Ceylon).

Ceylon only.

Centropus andamanensis. The Andaman Crow-

Pheasant.

Tytler, Beavan, Ibis, 1867, p. 321 (Andamans).

Andaman Is. and Cocos.

Centropus bengalensis bengalensis. The Indian

Lesser Crow-Pheasant.

Cuculus bengalensis Gmel., S.N., i., p. 412, (1788) (Bengal).

Ceylon S., C., W. and N. E. India, N. Chin and Kachin

Hills, N. Siam,

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 331

1515. (1134) Centropus bengalensis javanensis. The Malay

Lesser Crow-Pheasant.

Cuculus javanensis Dumont, Dic. Sc. Nat., xi., p. 144 (1818 )

(Java).

Pen. Siam and Burma to Java.

OrpDeER PSITTACI.

Family Psrrracip2.

*1516. (1134) Psittacula eupatria eupatria, The Large Ceylonese

Paroquet.

Psittacus eupatria Linn., Syst. Nat., t., p. 140 (1766), (Ceylon).

Ceylon and Travancore, Mysore and Malabar.

1517. (1135) Psittacula eupatria nipalensis. The Large

Indian Paroquet.

Paleornis nipalensis Hodg., As. Res., xix., p. 177 (1836),

(Nepal).

N. and C. India, from Punjab to Bengal and Sunderbans.

1518. (1136) Psittacula eupatria indoburmanica. The Large

Assam Paroquet.

Paleornis indoburmanicus Hume, S.F., vit., p. 459 (1878),

(Sikkim).

Sikkim Himalayas, Assam, Chin Hills and W. Burma.

1519. Psittacula eupatria avensis. The Large Eastern

Burmese Paroquet.

Palzornis eupatria avensis Kloss, Jour. Siam Nat. His. Soc.,

ii., p. 219 (1917), (Bhamo).

Eastern Burma.

1520. (1137) Psittacula eupatria magnirostris. The Large

Andaman Paroquet.

Palzornis magnirostris Ball, J.A.S.B., xli., 2, p. 278 (1873),

(Andamans).

Andaman and Cocos Islands.

1521. (1138) Psittaculatorquata. The Rose-ringed Paroquet.

Psittacus torquatus Bodd., Tab. Pl. Enl., p. 32 (1783), (Behar).

1522. (1139) Psittacula cyanocephala cyanccephala. The

Western Blossom-headed Paroquet.

Psittacus cyanocephalus Linn., S.N.,I., p. 141 (1766), (India).

India and Ceylon E. to Sikkim.

* Paleornis not being available for this genus, Psittacula, (Cuvier 1800) must be

used in its place.

332 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

*1523. (1140) Psittacula cyanocephala bengalensis. The

Eastern Blossom-headed Paroquet.

Psittacus bengalensis Forster., Ind. Zool.,p.40 (1781), (Bengal).

Himalayas from Sikkim and E. Bengal to Assam and

Burma, Siam and W. China.

1524. (1141) Psittacula schisticeps schisticeps. The Slaty-

headed Paroquet.

Palzornis schisticeps Hodg., As. Res., xix., p. 178 (1836),

(Nepal).

Himalayas to Assam N. of Brahmapootra.

1525. (1142) Psittacula schisticepsfinschi. The Burmese Slaty-

headed Paroquet.

Paleornis finschi Hume, S.F., ti., p. 509 (1874), (Kollidoo).

Assam 8. of Brahmapootra, through Burma to Pegu and

Tenasserim.

1526, (1143) Psittacula columboides. The Blue-winged Paroquet.

Palzornis columboides Vigors, Zool. Jour., v., p. 274 (1835)

(No locality), (Aneichardi Travancore).

From S. Travancore to Khandala.

1527. (1144) Psittacula calthropx. Layard’s Paroquet.

Palzornis calthrope Layard, J.A.S.B., xviii., p. 800 (1849),

(Ceylon).

Ceylon only.

1528. (1145) Psittacula alexandri fasciata. The Indian Red-

breasted Paroquet.

Psittacus fasciatus Miill., Natur. Syst. Suppl., p. 74 (1776),

(Pondicherry).

Himalayas, Kumaon to Assam, Burma to Cochin China

and S. China.

1529. (1146) Psittacula caniceps. Blyth’s Nicobar Paroquet.

Palzornis caniceps Blyth, J.A.S.B., xv., p. 23, (1846), (Nico-

bars).

Nicobars Is. only.

1530. (1147) Psittacula erythrogenys erythrogenys. The

Nicobar Red-cheeked Paroquet.

Paleornis erythrogenys Blyth., J.A.S.B., xv., ». 23 (1846),

(Nicobars).

Nicobars only.

1531. (1148) Psittacula erythrogenys tytleri. The Andaman

Red-cheeked Paroquet.

Paleornis tytleri Hume, P.A.S.B., p.108 (1874), (Andamans).

Andaman, Cocos, Preparis Islands.

* Psittacus rosa Bodd. Tabi. Pl. Enlum., p. 53 (1783 is antedated by Forster as

above 1781.

BIRDS OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE, 333:

1532. (1149) Psittinus incertus malaccensis. The Litile Malay

Parrot.

Psittacus malaccensis Lath., In. Orn., i., p. 1380 (1790), (Ma-

lacca),

Penin. Burma and Siam South to Malacca.

*1533- (1150) Coryllis vernalis. The Indian Loriquet.

Psittacus vernalis Sparrm., Mus. Carls., No. 29 (1787), (No.

loc), (Cachar).

South and W. India to Bombay, East Bengal, Sikkim,

Assam to Burma.

1534. (1151) Coryllis indicus. The Ceylon Loriquet.

Psittacus indicus Gmel., S.N., 7., p. 349 (1788), (Ceylon).

Ceylon and South Travancore.

* Loriculus is ante-dated by Loricula. The next name is Coryllis.

( To be continued.)

304

GAME ANIMALS OF KASHMIR AND ADJACENT HILL PROVINCES.

Cou. A. E. Warp.

(Continued from page 49 of this volume,)

PART II.

(With 2 plates and two teat Figures.)

Having dealt with the Kashmir Deer, it is proposed to take up the animals

which do not shed their horns, and have a core inside the “‘ horny sheath.”

These are :—

The Yak, Sheep, Goats, Goat Antelope, Blue Bull, Antelopes and Gazelles

They are the great attraction to the sportsmen who visit Kashmir,

* No. 341—THE Yak (Bos gruniens).

The “* Dong” of Thibet.

Index No. | Length. | Girth. | Sportsman’s Name, Locality, etc.

(1) 31” 14” |Gogra, Ladak.

(2) 30” 14” ‘/J. Y. Allan-—Pangkong, Ladak.

(3) 29” 14” |J. Y. Allan—Pangkong, Ladak.

The protective mantle of religion now prevents the shooting of the sacred

Yak in His Highness’ dominions, Permission to cross the Frontier is also

withheld—hence the sportsman must try and obtain leave to shoot to the east-

ward if bent on having a specimen for his collection. After all, is it worth-

while to spend hard earned leave on the off chance ?

The skin of a freshly killed bull is a great weight, and as transport is hard to

get in the remote hills, it will generally have to be abandoned after taking off

the tuft of hair on the tail.

Horns of Yak from other Hill Provinces.

Index No.| Length. | Girth. Sportsman’s Name, Locality, etc.

peed ae

1 354” 15” _|E. I. Phelps (measured by Rowland Ward.)

2 32” 15” Niti.

3 31” 143” |A march beyond the Niti Pass.

4 31” 15” _—_—| Measured in Simla.

5 31” 15” Do. do.

* The numbers are those of Blandford’s Mammalia F.B. IL. series.

BIG GAME SHOOTING OF KASHMIR. 335

Horns of 39” in length were, it is understood, measured in Almorah

Kumaon—these must be taken as very exceptional.

With modern rifles, it is easy enough to knock out a yak, In former times a

solid bullet of pure lead from a °500 express driven by 5} drams of powder was

proved to be sufficient.

The story o1 one or two stalks may be of interest. The month was

June with a blazing sun on the stalker’s back ; the elevation over 17,000 ft.;

the locality, the northern side of the Chang-lung Burma pass. A cold wind had

set downwards, so the approach was of necessity from below.

The stony ground was very much broken up, but for this there would have

been no chance of success. After crawling upwards and peering over a rock,

the herd of seven were found to be about 100 yards away. They had moved down-

wards and were almost on the same level. As a few minutes would have taken *

them to a lower level and given them the wind, the shot had to be taken at once.

How it happened, cannot be told, as the herd had bunched up but the first

bullet wounded a cow, the next shot did for a bull.

There remained the cow which went slowly after the herd, and the toil of

following was perhaps a just retribution. The shooting was erratic, the

wretched cow took five or six bullets before it finally fell, and all the

use it represents is a chowry made from the tail. A sixteen hand bull is a

heavy beast to turn over when being skinned, evening was coming on, the

tents were far away, hence on the following day areturn had to be made. After

all this work the skin had to be abandoned for want of transport.

The country on the far side of the Chang-lung Burma is sterile. Formerly the

route to Yarkand was over this pass, it is marked out by the bones of

dead transport animals. Now the Yarkand route passes over the Khardong

and Sasseer passes, thence across the Shyok to the Karakoram.

Near the Kepsang-la there were, and may be now, a few Yak. Ina valley

several were seen grazing under some snow. The stalk appeared to be very

easy, the approach was made but a stone was displaced by a Tartar which

rolled down the hill. The Yak grouped together, stared upwards and then

fled,and as it was any odds against killing one they went on their way unmolested.

High up the Gogra ravine during mid-summer a few yaks come to graze.

Whether the Frontier is beyond or whether Ladak includes the ridges above

Gogra is uncertain. Anyhow the horns could not be brought into Leh,

It was up the Gogra that a small herd of two bulls and a few cows were met

with and stalked to within about 40 or 50 yards. I'rom thence they were watched,

. the bulls looking huge with long hair down almost to the ground. One passed

within a few yards, stopped, snorted and then lumbered off, The wind had be-

trayed the supposed danger, but there was in reality none, for both bulls could

have been easily killed. There was no looking back, the yak fled up the opposite

hill without halting and were gone after affording a most interesting sight

extending over several minutes.

SHEEP.

No. 343. Great TipeTan SHEEP (Ovis ammon hodgsoni).

Hodgson’s sheep: The Tibetan Argali: the “Ammon” of Sportsmen—called

** Nyan” in Ladak. The Ovis ammon ammon of Siberia the largest of all

sheep is the typical race of thisspecies. Inthe typical race the horns turn

outwards not upwards at the tips, and are thus unlike the Tibetan race ( Ovis

ammon hodgsoni.)

* Mr. J. H. Millar secure a head of a Siberian Argali with 60” horns and a

girth of 203”. This head is figured in Plate I. ;

* The record Siberian head measures 624”.

The record Tibetan head measures 57”.

( Rowland Ward's ‘‘ Records of Big Game ’’ 6th Edition.)

336 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

A plate showing the head of a Siberian Argali contrasted with that of

the Tibetan animal is reproduced.

To return to Hodgson’s Sheep, that is to say the Tibetan race.

Many horns have broken tips, this may be done whilst fighting, but the broad

frontal portion of the horns has to bear the impact when the combatants run

at each other. Rams do not get their horns interlocked as a rule, the tips are

very tough and would bear rough usage.

A suggestion has been made that the horns are damaged owing to the habit

of rubbing them against rock. Major P. Radclyffe noticed this was a common

custom of QO. poli, and everyone who has studied Hodgson’s Sheep must

have seen them rubbing their horns, which in time tends to flake off por-

tions of the homy sheath. Whatever may be the reason, it is the cause of much

disappointment and a perfect horn is hard to get. An example is a broken pair

of horns shot near Mirpo-Tso ; the fracture is nearly 3 inches across, the remain

ing part of the horn was 44 inches. When travellers were few, and the whole of

Northern Ladak. was visited by only two or three guns, when also it was not

difficult to cross the passes, Hodgson’s sheep were easy to get, Now thisis all

changed, and only one head may be got on a game license.

This sheep is very migratory, and naturally so, for all the game of Ladak has

to wander to wherever there is food to be got. As the melting snow causes the

scanty herbage to grow, the animals in Ladak are obliged to frequent the borders

of what is then the snow line. At certain seasons this is high up, in some years

the line varies greatly.

Not very far from Hanle, many ‘ picked up’ horns could be obtained, The

Tartarssaid‘the rams often wintered in that place, when if the snow was heavy,

they died of starvation. Now-a-days, a fine pair of horns of Hodgson’s sheep is

most eagerly sought for, Nos. 2 and 3 in the attached list show that this prize can

still be got, No, 2 may be the record shot by Europeans in Ladak as there is

nothing to show whether No. 1 wasa “ picked up ” head or not, It may have

been killed by a Ladakishikari, but more likely it was found after being killed

by an avalanche, or wolves may have run the ram down in the snow.

Head of great Tibetan Sheep (O. A. hodgsoni), Shot by Cap. J. Y. Allan.

(The upward curve of the horns tends to form a circle in this race.)

Journ. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc, Plate I.

ase

GREAT PAMIR SHEEP (OVIS AMMON POLI]

with horns measuring 59 inches along the curve.

(Reproduced from Lydekker’s Great and Small Game of India.)

SIBERIAN ARGALI (OVIS AMMON AMMON)

(Reproduced from Rowland Ward’s Records of Big Game.)

GREAT TIBETAN SHEEP (OVIS AMMON HODGSONT)

Note the outward curve of the horns in the Siberian (typical) race and the

upward curve in the Tibetan animal.

BIG GAME SHOOTING OF KASHMIR. 537

Horns of The Great Tibetan or Hodgson’s Sheep (Oris ammon hodgsoni).

Index

No, | Lensth.| Girth. i Sportsman’s Name, Locality, ete.

J 5023” | 19” 4 Brought to the Residency in Leh.

1884, see plate of No. 1 attached,

2 | 502” 15” 24” IR. St. G. Edge, 1921.

3 49” ie oe Mrs. MacCulloch, 1921.

4 A471” 172” 133” |Brooke Smith, 1905.

5 47)” 152” 24” |K.©. Lorzelsky, 1905.

6 47” 172” 18” |Col. Brazier Creagh, 1905.

a a7? 18” 27” Col. Appleton, R.E., 1905,

8 47” by bl 21” |Major Wall, 1907.

9 4632” bid 15’# Capt. S. B. Patterson, 1905.

10 462” ef A Capt. Charlesworth, 1920.

11 452” 172” 18” |Major C. P. Radclytfe, 1903.

12 451” 18” .. |Capt. E. P. Shewell, 1914.

13 45” | 152”) 202"|P.F-Hadow, 19083,

14 45” Capt. C. Maclver-Ritchie, 1906.

15 45” 1623” 203” |Capt. W. B. Benton, 1904,

a a a

Ewes have horns of about 15" to 20 in length.

338 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII

The illustration reprodruced on page 336 is from a tracing of a head shot by

the late Capt. J. Y. Allan. This ram fell into a small chasm, the head was put

into position and the carcase left out during the night when it froze stiff.

Memory recalls many stalks after Hodgson’s Sheep, and diaries kept at the

time prevent errors creeping into their narration.

In the country to the eastward of the Changchemno plenty of sheep and antes

lope were to be found during the early summer months. A yak with a driver,

two strong Kashmiri coolies and a dog comprised the whole following. High

up the hill side a solitary ram was seen to be walking slowly towards the top

of a spur which was broad, nearly flat and open. Would he cross or work his

way upwards and was he travelling to some distant place to feed, or was he

frightened by the smal] caravan? When once on the move, Hodgson’s Sheep

will, after galloping a short distance, settle down into a steady walk and travel far.

After meandering about on the flat ridge the ram crossed and was out of sight.

A fairly easy climb took the stalker across the plateau, but only to find

that the sheep had turned upwards towards a small glacier in the next ravine.

This entailed a long walk up the.slope on which the approach had begun.

At last under the glacier the shot was fired at the animal standing directly

facing the rifle. It is hard to judge distances, it is still harder to know what

to aim at when the quarry is head on and down hill. The bullet broke a foreleg.

How that ram travelled on three legs was wonderful. Luckily there was no

chances of his going upwards, at any rate at first, there was also no chance

of his stopping for some time. A return to the starting place was all that

could be done for that day. There was no scrub for a fire and very littie water,

&@ move was made up the ravine until darkness came on.

The next morning there was little climbing to be done, the flat top of the spur

was crossed and the glacier reached. The track was down the middle of an

open valley. Eventually the main valley was reached. By the river there

were rocxs and detached stones, and amongst these the ram was lying. Evidently

he dared not cross the water and having tired himself out, took to the first shelter

that could be found. -He was shot where he rested. One of the forelegs had

been splintered above the knee. A nice head of 41 inches but with both tips

damaged.

Far away from the beaten tracks, to the north-eastward of the Pangkong

Lake, after crossing the passes the rivers flow south-east and the border is passed.

Picture to yourself, the most sterile valley you have ever seen, a hot sun, and

the glare of the white borax. Joining this main valley there are many ravines

some of which hold trickling streams near which various kinds of struggling

plants try to grow. To graze on what can be here and there picked up Hodgson’s

Sheep migrates from his winter resorts.

Fairly high up amongst the ravines some rams were seen but how to get at

them was the difficulty for the wind was blowing upwards. The only plan was

to spend the day in the glaring main valley and take what shelter was possible

behind the few rocks which lay detached from the hill sides.

As evening approached the wind, as is usually the case, changed ; there was

moonlight and a move was made up the next ravine in which the sheep had been

seen.

Covered with fur rugs and lying by one of the small streams, the night was pas-

sed and hopes entertained that the game had not left the grazing ground. In the

early morning before a start could be made, the rams showed on the top of . the

ridge which lay between where they had been grazing on the previous day and

BIG GAME SHOOTING OF KASHMIR. ~ $39

the bivouack, If they came into the ravine below, they would get the wind, as

the morning was not yet sufliciently advanced for the change of the current to

set upwards. Apparently only a portion of the flock had topped the edge for

they lingered about and at times one or two went back on the side from which

they came.

The temperature was very low on the shady side of the ravine, very different

from the mid-day heat in the main valley below. The sides of the small stream

showed thin ice.

The sheep stayed until the sun shone on the spur but after a short while

they cleared off returning from whence they had come.

If the stalk was to be made by moving to the ridge where the rams were last

seen and they had moved upwards, there was no chance of success; if they had

gone downwards, there was a fair chance but probably the ravine was open

ground and stalking even from above impossible.

Luck was kind, the place where the rams had last been seen was reached and

by dint of crawling across the ridge towards a smal! indentation, cover was

found. This cutting made by the melting snow was painfully narrow, and

was lined with rough stones. The cover afforded by the sides of the small

ravine could only be of use fora few hundred yards as it merged into shale,

after which the open hill slope would be reached.

When near the end of this ravine or cutting a halt was made, by crawling

slowly upwards for a few yards on the shale, the main hill slope could be seen.

Standing on this slope the white neck of a ram showed up very plainly. Here and

there were others all evidently alarmed, doubtless the descent of only a few yards

in the shale had made a noise and the game was on the alert. The nearest ram

was looking upwards, suspecting danger from above. There was no time to be

lost. Itis not easy to be speedy on a slope which will not give a foothold, but

somehow the top was reached. The ram turned and stared long enough to give

a very easy shot to which he dropped stone dead.

The rest of the herd ran wildly downwards. One fell evidently hit far back

in the spine. He stayed crumpled up for a second or two, and then rolled over

and over down hill and was found in the valley below in the evening.

The stalk had taken 10 hours, so the camp was sent for, a two-day halt

ordered, during which the rams were weighed and measured and the skins, etc.,

cleaned.

The horns of the first ram shot were 39” only, but were absolutely perfect in

shape; the second was larger, but badly broken, an old heavy animal, whole

dimensions of which will be given in the Natural History notes.

What a lucky stalk! To arrive within shot of the -game that had not been

seen since the previous day was luck indeed! After this stalk, the country

was searched for a big head with unbroken points, but not a single one could be

found, which could be guessed at over 40” to 42”, so they were left in peace.

A fine old ram with a broken leg was met with on almost flat ground. He

had evidently hada bad time, and ought to have been tired of life, so he was

shot.

Shortly after firmg, a few Tartars appeared on the scene. By means of an

‘interpreter, it was ascertained they came from Rudok, they expressed an

earnest wish that a return to within Kashmir boundaries should be made.

This was promised. The Tartars gorged on the emaciated ram’s flesh, and peace

reigned. That Transfontier trip was over, not a bad thing, for every one was

tired and there was a longing for the green hill sides of the “‘ Happy Vale.”

No. 344.—Tur Great Pamir SHEEP (Ovis ammon poli).

The Ovis poli has its habitat far from the hunting ground of the sportsmen

who visit Kashmir and is found only in the adjacent “ Hill Provinces,” __

340 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Large horns are now hard to obtain. When this sheep was first brought to

notice, very long but as a rule damaged horns used to be brought down

for sale.

The Fauna of British India, p. 496, records horns 75” long and 16.75” in

girth.

Horns of the Great Pamir Sheep of distant dates.

Index No. | Length. | Girth. hp to Tip.| Sportsman’sName, Locality, ete:

1 733” 15”

2 13” 16”

3 73" 14” daca through Kashmir.

4 67” 14”

5 "768" 14”

Horns of comparatively recent date.

| | | |

oe "63" 148” | 324” | Col. G. Sullivan.

2 | 50” | 15%” | 40” | Shot by Martyn Kennard

| _ measured by Rowland Ward.

THe SHARPU OR OoRIAL (Ovis vignei vignei),

As the Sharpu, Urial, etc., are only local names for the same species, and

their distribution extends from Tibet to Sind, Baluchistan, ete., it is evident

that the conditions of sport must greatly vary. The range of the typical race

O. v. vignet extends from Astor to Laskar, Ladak, and probably Tibet.

Mo.

1 36} 11} Mr, A. O. Hume's

Collection .. ..| 1881 oahs

2 36 104 13. /F. W. Hodgkins, Esq. ..} 1906 |Guilgit.

3 35} 104 104 [Sir E. Lacon, ..| 1905 |Ladak.

4 354 11} 134 |Captain 8. B. Patterson...) 1905 33

5 35 124 104 |Lt.-Col. Goring .. .-| 1906 ,,

6 34 113 .. |Picked up by A.°E.

Ward .. aa sed ata fe ne

——_——— aa

JOURN. BOMBAY NAT. HIST. SOC. Plate Il.

BHARAL (P. nahura)

Shot in Ladak by Maj. C. H. Stockley.

OORIAL (0. vignet)

Shot in Ladak by Maj. C. H. Stockley.

(Photos contributed by Maj. C, H. Stockley.)

rw ve.

= oe ev g

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Li aaseyees

BIG GAME SHOOTING OF KASHMIR, 341

Es Length. | Girth. tp to Tip, Name of Sportsman, | Date.| Remarks,

OT oI eee

7 334 11 .. |P. F. Hadow, Esq. «-| 1904 |Ladaks

8 334 .. |notgiven. |Captain Carey .. --| 1900 |Gilgit.

9 33 a4 do. Captain Pearson .-| 1903 G

10 33 11 do. J.I. Darcey, Esq. «-| 1905 |Ladak.

ll 33 - do, |H.F.Burke,Esq. ../1909; , -

2 33 112 do. A. E. Ward es ..| 1893 Z

13 323 9} 9} |C. Hughes Gibb, Esq. ..| 1909 /Baltistan.

14 32 12 .. IN. C. Cockburn, Esq : | 1905 |Ladak.

15 32 104 11 |F. W. Hodgkins, Esq. ..) 1909 |Gilgit.

16 32 104 64 |Major Hutchinson ..| 1917 |Ladak.

17 32 1] 11 |Captain Charlesworth ..} 1920 s.

18 32 11 «. |Not known ia ..| 1903 Measured on

roadside.

19 312 10} 10} |F. 8. Irwin, Esq. ..| 1904

Spry sie | 10 .. [[email protected].. —..| 1904 baa

2) 314 =e .. |CaptainC. A.Smith ..| 1903 |Gilgit.

22 31k 103 13 |Captain L. D. Goff — ..| 1907 |Ladak.

23 314 9% 12. |J.W.E. Woodhouse, Esq.| 1907 |Baltistan.

24 314 92 9} |H. De B. Grant, Esq. ..| 1909 -

25 313 iT .. |J. A. Brooke, Esq. ..| 1809 '

26 314 104 15 |F. W. Hodgkins, Esq. ..| 1909 |Gilgit.

27 314 10$ 16 |E. W. Z. Farwell, Esq...| 1912 |Ladak.

28 3143 104 113 |J. F. Barington, Esq. ..|} 1912 |Baltistan.

29 31 11 16 |E. W. Botithe, Esq. ..| 1912 |Ladak.

30 31 10 124 |Capt. Thomson Glover. .| 1920 3

31 304 103 16% |Captain L. T. Goff Sol) Ue S

32 304 11 12 |Captain Newton .-| L911 Be

33 304 -s .. |R. V.C. Bodley, Esq. ..| 1913 |Baltistan.

34 304 10 13 |Capt. Thomson Glover..| 1920 |Ladak.

35 304 11 1l_ |G. 8. Cooper, Esq. .-| 1907 i,

36 30 11 18 |Major H. R. Wigram ..| 1904 |Baltistan.

37 30 ee .. |Major Napier .. --| 1908 |Astor.

38 30 114 26 |Major F. J. Craske ..} 1910 |Baltistan.

39 30 104 15 |Captain Torkington ..| 1911 |Ladak.

40 30 oe -. |Capt. Hony. C. Douglas | 1914 |Astor,

One difference of habit between the Great Tibetan Sheep and the Sharpu

is that the latter,although often found in open and almost flat ground, is a better

climber than the “Great sheep.’’ Hence although Sharpu may be first found in

easy places, they may move slowly away to the cliffs, for the spirit of wan-

dering appears to guide them and they do not mind moving over the hill

ranges during the hot hours of the day nearly so much as is the case with many

of the game animals,

In the “‘ Sportsman’s Guide to Kashmir and Ladak”’ a long dreary stalk

after Sharpu is described. In that stalk the game was particularly restless,

but at other times a very easy approach can often be made.

Starting on a clear evening from a camp in a ravine opposite to Nanga Parbat

some Sharpu were seen on the hill side. The object of the walk was not to shoot

any animal, but to get opposite to the glorious glaciers and view them by

moonlight. Care was taken not to cause any alarm as the ascent was continued.

At night the scene was magnificent, the towering sheets of ice standing out in the

moonlight from the dark valleys beneath. Cold and dreary it might be consider-

ed by some, but the huge mass of the ice covered mountain, and the vastness of

the view were entrancing. Cold it certainly was, and the journey back in the

darker parts of the ravines was not easy, but the spell and call of the mountain

was irresistible. So a second time camp was left on the following evening, and

342 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

this time fur rugs and a pillow were taken, also food and arifle. A slightly

different route was followed in order to avoid any chance of disturbing

the valley where the Sharpu had been seen.

The moonlight afforded the same glorious sight, a very curious effect was due

to the moon shining on a bare hill side which gave the appearance of being.

snow clad, also by a valley full of white lilies.

Early the next morning the Sharpu were looked for and found within a mile

or less from where they were first sighted ; probably they had taken up their

summer quarters in the vicinity and might have stayed for long. had it not

been for the wandering Britisher who loved mountain tops, and the deep:

valleys beneath.

The early morning wind was blowing downwards but with the rise of the sun

it changed, by mid-day the sense of smell so strongly possessed by sheep did

not help them. Within about a hundred yards a flock of rams were grazing, and!

the one selected was easily shot. Some hours before dark the camp was reached

and the followers were soon busy cooking the meat, probably if they thought

at all they wondered what the next freak of their employer might be and

devoutly hoped it would not entail sleeping out at high altitudes for the

purpose of gazing at the cold ice. .

Small Sharpu rams with the ewes are to be seen on the adjacent hills but

without leaving the tracks, which serve as roads, big heads are hard to get.

In the Natural History notes, reference will be made to ‘‘Brooke’s Sheep,”

suffice it to here say it has been proved to be a hybrid, nota distinct species,.

for the Sharpu and the Great Tibetan Sheep do occasionally cross.

No. 346.—Tur Buarat (Pseudois nahura).

Bharal Head, Length of Horns 29!’,

The Narpu—Nah or Sna of Ladak.

The Blue Sheep, as the Bharal or Burhel is often called, has a wide distri--

bution.

Whether or not this animal is more closely allied to the goats or to the

sheep can be left for future discussion as the sport it affords is what has:

now to be dealt with.

BIG GAME SHOOTING OF KASHMIR. 343

1 30 1 24 |Major B. L. Carew al LbOOD

2 294 12 25 |F. EH. P. Butler .. .«| L912

3 294 .. |Not given.|/Major Lawrie .. Peal ME PAD

4 293 3 5 G.W. Walker .. .-| 1920

5 294 112 |Tip broken.|Capt. Davidson al LOZ

6 294 12 16 |W.L. Farwell .. ree} 1912

7 294 104 102 |MajorH. R. Wigram ..| 1904

8 294 11? 194 |Capt. Somerville ¥.| LOL

9 29 .. |Not given. |Major Gregson .. v-| L927 are

10 29 11s ne Capt. J. G. Allan .-| 1903 |Below Sasser

Pass.

11 29 114 aie A. E. Ward Me relly yoet ej |claulke

The list of horns isa short one for big heads seem to be hard to get ; as men-

tioned in the ‘“‘ Tourist and Sportsman’s Guide ,”’ the biggest trophies do not

appear to come from the hills adjacent to Kashmir. In Kashmir proper there

are no Burhel, in Ladak they appear to be still plentiful, but they are not nearly

so much in evidence as the Sharpu. To see Burhel the high elevations have

to be visited; at 17,000 ft. on the Sasser pass leading to the Karakorum, where

No. 10 on the list of horns was shot. The Blue Sheep is rarely seen lower

than 12,000 ft. inthe summer but during the winter, where there is con-

venient ground, it may possibly come as low as 10,000 ft. As arule the skins

of wild sheep are not very interesting, but the skins of Burhel Rams are

exceptional, and an excellent carriage rug can be made from the spring and

late autumn coats of the rams.

In summer the black chest of the ram stands out clearly and it can be seen

at a considerable distance, affording at the same time information as to whether

a stalk should be undertaken or not. Whilst lying down the Burhel are hard

to discover as they take their mid-day rest amongst loose stones. If they do not

move, they can be easily overlooked, for a Ladak mountain is a huge tract of

ground to examine minutely.

In Ladak not very far from the route leading to Changchenmo numbers of

Burhel were once reported to have been seen. It wasa wild dreary part of the

hills, simply a mass of ill-defined stony mountains. The Burhel had been

seen by a yak driver who had gone to fetch in his animals. As there was no

hurry to move onwards. the main camp remained at Tankse whilst a visit was

made to the hills where the Ladaki said there were ‘‘ more Burhel than ina big

flock of sheep.”

A long dreary march, then a rest for the night and what seemed to be an endless

tramp during the next morning found us at the top ofahill. From the summit

the country was carefully searched, but to no purpose. Some distance

off was another hill, bare but covered here and there with a few loose rocks,

amongst which were many Burhel, all resting in a large depression or cup into

which the rocks had rolled.

It was impossible to make out which were the big rams, all that could be done

was to get as close as possible and then wait until the flock moved. By the time

a halt was made, and a good point of observation reached, some of the sheep

were standing up. Apparently they were not suspicious, for after a time

they found suitable spots for another rest, under the shade of some rocks.

Nothing worth shooting was to be seen, distinctly all that could be

done was to wait. The day was still and the sun scorching; apparently

the sheep would rest until it was cooler, and then move out of the depression, but

this might not be for hours. Patience is all very well, but the position was

344 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

scarcely bearable and after what seemed to be hours a nearer approach was tried

to a place where whatever direction the game moved it must be possible

to get some sort of a shot. Crawling over stones is painful work, and cannot be

done without some noise ; the Burhel were all standing up, males, females and

half grown lambs,—a poor lot onthe whole. A blanket thickly folded was

pushed on to a stone and used as a rest for the rifle. The best animal

which was the furthest away, fell to the shot, and then the whole

flock seemed to be utterly confused, for when too far to shoot at they all stood

and looked back. Then they separated and a small number turned and ran along

the side of the depression, nearly all were rams, one was missed, but the left

barrel brought down a better ram than the first one which was lying dead.

Both heads were good ones, but amongst what appeared to be a hundred

animals there was no pair of horns worth putting into the list attached. The

expedition was worth taking although it lasted for four days, for it did not

waste valuable time as the passes into Changchenmo were still very difficult.

On the way back to Tankse by a circuitous route a small herd of good rams

were seen, and out of them a 29” pair of horns was killed. This was luck; the

three pairs of horns could be left behind and would not have to be packed

before each march. What a bore the horns are before starting on a march! The

wretched things will not fit into their placesin the loads. As long as there is

room between a pair of trunks or rice bags all goes well but where this is not

practicable the trophies are very apt to get damaged.

Wolves, and the Ounce or Snow Leopard take heavy toll amongst

Burhel, but this hardy sheep still survives in Considerable numbers, probably

because it is impervious.to the cold and is not tempted to come into the lower

ground.

The custom of putting the horns of game on stone cairns is common in Ladak.

These often mark the top of a low pass or are placed in some spot to which a

legend is attached. Most of these collections contain more Sharpu than Burhel

horns, one réason being that fewer of the latter are shot by the villagers,

another, that Burhel horns are hard and, in the absence of iron implements,

they are used as hoes in rough cultivation. Sharpu horns are also thus utilised,

but not to the same extent.

(To be continued.)

uRN. BomBay Nat. Hist. Soc.

Some new forms of Lepidoptera from Mesopotamia and N.W. Persia.

SOME NEW FORMS OF LEPIDOPTERA FROM

MESOPOTAMIA AND N. W. PERSIA.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE.

1 Zegris eupheme dyala, Peile, g

2 ss ee A OF» aes a

3 Strymon abdominalis f. gerhardti, Staud 9

Ai is ‘ )

0 Zephyrus quercus longicauda, Riley ¢

6 ” 29) ” 2

7 Meliteea trivia persea, Koll. @ summer form

8 Lycena dama karinda, Riley ¢

aa ce 2

10 Lemonia peilei, Roth. ¢ oa

11 Melitsea trivia persea, Koll. ¢ spring form

12 * us 5 fe)

13 Lyceena damone damalis, Riley ¢

LAG Pr 3 fe)

15 Lyceena peilei, B-Baker g

16 es H: 2

17 Melitzea didyma casta, Koll. 9

18 Pararge megaera iranica, Riley g ...

19 ” ” oP) 2 tee

20 Strymon marcidus, Riley

The original for the Plate is by Mr. A. Terzi.

5 , . ; -

ys OS Le i at iu Lp Hig my ‘ite “

Me it uray: b ay

he a My e :

346

THE BUITERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA.

By H. D, Prem, F.E.S,

Part II,

(continued from page 70 of this volume).

(With a Plate.)

PIERIDAE.

Key,

A. Ground colour white—

a. Underside h.w. no green markings.

a‘. U.h.w. veins not black bordered.

wv, apex of forewing black above .. . Pieris brassice.

5°. apex of forewing plain above .. . Pieris rape.

ce’, f. w. above, apical, markings slight;

spot between veins 6 & 7; discal

spot nearer termen .. ae . Pieris napi, pseudorape.

d°, Apex f. w. very pointed.

U. h. w. yellow; size small .. . . Pieris ergane.

b'. U. h.w. veins broadly bordered with black. Belenois mesentina.

5. Underside h.w. markings green.

a’, U. hw. green edging to terminal portion

of veins clavate.. st .Pontia daplidice.

b'. Underside h. w. with vein closing cell

white or yellow, bordered with green..Pontia glauconome.

e', Underside h.w. green edgings to terminal

portion of veins straight not clavate.Pontia chloridice.

#. U.h.w. white areas in form of spots not

bands... : .Euchle ausonia.

2', U. h.w. white and green transverse bands, Euchle belemia.

f°. Underside h.w. uniform green except few

minute white spots .. a . Euchiea transcaspica.

g'. A brown ringed silver spot in centre of

h.w. beneath: cilia pink; ~ black

terminal band on h.w. ; .Colias croceus 2 f. pallida.

h'. U.h.w. a green and yellow 4 branched

patch occupying base and centre.

Up f.w. apex grey usually enclosing

an orange patch me i . .Zegris eupheme.

B. Ground colour yellow—

a. Scalloped margin to wings, small orange

spot in centre of each wing... . .Gonepteryx farinosa.

b. Brown ringed silver spot in centre of h.w.

cilia pink. (f. d. helice has cream grd.

col. varying in shade) .. ne . Colias crocea.

C. Ground colour Salmon pink .. a . Colotis fausta.

Genus BELENOIS, Hb. (AnapHzis, Hb.)

B. mesentina, Cr. Seitz. 1.21d & e. F. B. I. (Bingham.) Vol. II, p. 156.

Key : Colour white and black above. H. w. beneath, veins broadly bordered

~with black.

346 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Several specimens were taken at Kizil Robat through November, in early

December 1918 and at end of January 1919; and one at Khanikin, October

22nd, 1918, the black on the veins on the underside being well marked. One

female was taken having cream ground-colour.

Food-plant—capers (Capparis spinosa).

It ranges from East Africa, through Arabia, Persia and India.

Larva (description abridged from Chaumette) grass-green ; dorsal line dark

green ; lateral line very broad, plum coloured ; a white spot on either side of

dorsal line and a yellow spot on lateral line on each segment. Legs green hairy,

head shiny black and green; segments black and hairy.

Localities ;—Mesopotamia—Kizil Robat ; Khanikin ; and range as above men-

tioned. A female was taken at Kermanshah, N. W. Persia, on August 24th..

Of 9 &, 8 2 from Kizil Robat, Khanikin, Jebel Hamrin (Dyala), Fathah,

and Kermanshah, Capt. Riley notes:—‘‘ All agree very well with the male

described by LeCerf (Ann. d'Histoire Nat. 1913), but I do not consider they

can be separated as a race. Only the wet form is represented. Specimens

from Syria and Palestine are very similar, and also from Quetta, Kandahar,

Baghdad, &c.”

Genus PIERIS, Sch.

P. rapa, L. Sub-sp. iranica, LeCerf. Annales d'Histoire Naturelle 19138.

The “small cabbage white ’’ is abundant along the banks of the rivers and.

in gardens generally in Mesopotamia. There are probably several broods in

the year. Females were seen ovipositing on the upperside of the leaves of low

growing plants in the third week of June at Baiji, and in November at Baghdad.

Of 73 @, 52 Q from Mesopotamia (Amara, Baghdad, Fathah, Jebel

Hamrin, Khanikin, Kirkuk, & Kizil Robat.) and N. W. Persia (Harir, Karind:

and Kermanshah), 33 ¢, 31 Q of these are now in the British Museum

collection.

Capt. Riley notes :—-‘‘ A fine series, from every month in the year except

August. The January-March forms are very different from the summer

forms—May to November—and most nearly approach. British Spring rape.

Those from the transitional periods April and December compare well with the

British summer form whilst the summer form in Mesopotamia and Persia are

very different looking insects. The large bright yellow-green area at the base-

of the forewing below agd the delicate brightness (contrasted with the

rougher, greyer, winter forms) are very characteristic of it. The winter form

has the forewing costa below broadly and evenly ochreous from base to the

apical patch. Intermediate forms shew this breaking and gradually disappear-

ing to the replaced by the basal green area mentioned above.”

P. napi pseudorapae, Verity.

15 &, 3 @ from Harir, 5,300 ft. and Karind Gorge, 16th July, 19th August

1918.

Two pairs taken in copula.

All except 2 @ now incorporated in B. M. collection.

Note by Capt. Riley :—* This is undoubtedly the form which LeCerf quotes:

Verity as calling the 2nd generation of P. napi pseudorape ; ‘ 2nd generation’

is a trifle misleading ; what is meant is that this is the summer form. Unfor-

tunately Col. Peile did not obtain the winter and intermediate forms, which

resemble more the English forms.”

P, ergane, Hubn, Seitz. Vol. 1, 20d.

Karind Gorge, 1 Q, 13th August 1918; 3 @, 12, 19th September 1918.

Not previously recorded from any part of Persia, though taken in Upper

Mesopotamia and Western Kurdistan.

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA, 347

Genus PONTIA, Dab.

P. daplidice, L., Seitz. Vol. I. 21 f.

Of 88 g and 50 g examined (49 2, 39 9 of these are now in B, M.)

Capt. Riley notes:—“ Captures cover every month of the year excep?

December, and shew very well the gradual transition from the small dark

winter form, through the larger brighter spring and early summer forms,

to the small and very pale midsummer forms and back again. The end of

Jane and July show the ‘driest’ forms; in these the hindwing underside in

the male is sometimes almost devoid of markings. January and February

shew the darkest undersides, November closely approaching them.”

The ‘‘ Bath White” is here very common, and in June and July an extreme

“dry” small stunted form occurs; the ordinary or “ wet’ form being then

still found in the adjoining Persian hills where the climate is much cooler and

more moist.

In Mesopotamia there appear to be at least four, probably more, broods

in the year.

The first from about January 24th into February, is well marked with dark

green beneath, The second from about 29th March into April, has the

green, though still well marked, slightly less so and lighter in shade. This

form is larger and more plentiful than the first. The third appears in May

and continues into June and July, and is a stunted form with dense black

markings above and very pale beneath in the male, the slight markings

there being more yellow than green. The females though not so pale beneath

have much yellow with the green, the veins often appearing yellow.

From August to October there may be another brood. The last brood appears

about 2nd November, being common in mid November, and is well marked

with green beneath.

On March 28th two small green cylindrical larve with lateral and dorsal

blue bands and a yellow band between, and minutely dotted with black, the

dots being more distinct than in the larve of L. belemia, were found on a yellow-

flowered crucifer, and continued to feed on the seed-pods. One was accidentally

injured but the other pupated head up on the upper side of the stem of the

food-plant on 3lst March about noon. This pupa was banded dorsally and

laterally with bluish green and pale yellowish green in between these bands.

There were two prominent points on each side and a very prominent median

dorsal thoracic projection, so that it was rather Pieris like in shape. The whole

of the body, thorax and head were spotted with black, the wing-cases being

green. From this pupa a male daplidice emerged at 8-30 a.m, on 8th April.

The markings of the forewings had been visible for a day previous to emergence.

At times this butterfly is very active and much on the move, but not so con-

stantly on the wing as LZ. belemia. Although very active, while the sun is high,

it is easily caught about sunset when about to settle for the night. Eggs were

seen deposited on two kinds of yellow crucifer, and were laid both on young

flower-buds and on leaves.

Localities :—Mesopotamia—Sheik Said and Amara, fairly common in gardens

in April and May. Kizil Robat, on the Dyala, about old canal banks and

gardens most of the year. Baiji near Fathah 1920, none observed until June

when it became very common about lucerne and along the bank of the Tigris.

N. Persia: Harir, 5,300 ft., elevation and widespread in Europe, N, Africa,

Asia Minor and on the North West Frontier of India.

P. glauconome, Klug. r. iranica. Bienert, Seitz. 1°20 f.

Upperside very similar to P. daplidice. Underside: veins conspicuously lined

with yellow, and green markings proportionately less than in daplidice.

348 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

May be very easily passed over unrecognized owing to its close resemblance

to the more common daplidice. especially as the green on the underside varies

greatly in amount and in shade with the seasons. As with daplidice there

are wet and dry season forms.

Wet season form, 25th January 1919, Mirjana (Kizil Robat).:

Dyn ics a 8th June 1919 a os

Ay 3 20th November 1918

It ranges across the desert belt from N. and W Afrion to Syria, Arabia, Persia

and the Punjab. Larva described by Bingham as greenish yellow with 2 longi-

tudinal yellow bands and 5 transverse lines of minute black dots on each segment :

head yellowish green with black dots.

P. chloridice, Hb., Seitz., Vol. 1., Pl. 20 f.

Very similar to the common daplidice and easily mistaken for it: differs as

stated in the Key.

Localities :—Mesopotamia—Khanikin, 22nd October 1918, one Q example.

The range of chloridice is given as 8. Russia, Turkey and Chitral.

GENUS EUCHL@ Hb.

E. ausonia, Hb. (till lately known as belia, L.). Subsp. persica, Verity,

Seitz, Vol. 1, 22b.

Above white with black apical markings and black middle spot to rennne!

Hindwing beneath silvery white with regular yellowish green markings, which

are arranged as spots and not stripes as in belemia. The underside recalls

cardamines, the English ‘* Orange-tip. ’

7 &,7 Q (now in B. M.) and 8 others; taken 19-30th March 1920.

Referring Me these, Capt. Riley remarks :—

‘* Verity says of his type: ‘Latache apicale, peu ¢tendue, mais trés noire

et 4 limites trés nettes, rapelle plutot celle de belemia, tandis que le trait

discoidal trés reduit, tris droit et aussi ¢loigné de la céte que chez falloui, a

un aspect qu’on ne retrouve chez aucun autre Huchloé; ce trait a la méme

ampleur sur les deux surfaces’,

This exactly fits the specimens collected by Lt.-Col. Peile, but its application

by Verity to the specimens from Schahrud in the B. M. which he figures at

plate 67, figures 31 and 32, seems unjustifiable in view of this additional

material. The two features on which he lays stress are, the sharp definition

of the inner edge of the apical marking, and the reduction of the discoidal

spot; in the Schahrud specimens the former is very broad and diffuse, the

jatter large and almost quadrate in the both sexes. This race from N. E.

Persia may well be called verity, ssp. nov. the types being the ¢ and ¢ in

the B. M. figured by Verity (1. c.); and persica, Verity restricted to the race

from W. Persia, Kurdistan, &c.”’

The egg when fresh is pearl white, but soon changes to orange and later to

grey just before hatching. Eggs from the abdomen of female, and others laid

on food-plant are in shape a long oval, with flattened base when attached to the

plant. The egg resembles that of E. belemia, but its longitudinal ridges, about 20

in number, appear under the microscope rather stouter and more prominent than

in belemia. There are delicate fine transverse ridges which in certain lights are

seen to pass over the longitudinal ones. The egg is laid either on a sepal or

on a hair of a sepal of a young unopened flower-bud. Females of E. ausonia

were observed ovipositing on the following crucifers which have been identi-

fied at Kew :—

1. Brassiea tournefortii, Gouan.

About three feet high having small pale yellow flowers at the ends of

long thin succulent stems, the leaves being mostly at the base of the

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA. 349

plant. On this plant the eggs were laid singly upon the sepals of

a young unopened flower-bud, or upon the thin succulent stem of a

flower-bud.

2. Sinapis arvensis, L., a race (charlock).

About six inches high, when growing on ridges of gypsum rock, with

bright yellow flowers, short stem and very hairy leaves; an egg

being laid on the tip of an unopened flower-bud, another on a

hair on a sepal of a young flower-bud.

On April 9th (1920) several orange coloured, eggs, probably of ausonia, were

found on several plants of the first mentioned species, placed singly,

most being on the sepals of unopened flower-buds, but two on the stem of

flower-heads.

On April 11th some of the eggs darkened, and on the 12th the empty uneaten

shells of three were found still on the buds, the minute golden yellow hairy

larvee being near them on flower-buds. On 15th April these larve were still

yellow and markedly hairy with a dark particle at the tip of each hair.

Just after hatching the larve fed on the flower-bud. On 19th April one

larva on the food plant cast its skin, and after this measured five-eighths of an

inch long. Head large, pale green minutely dotted with black, alllegs green. A

white lateral line with spiracles in it, and with bluish mauve upper edge ;

above this yellowish green and dorsally mauve.

22nd April, the fivelarve on the plant are alike; length 12 inches,

deep green with a conspicuous white lateral or spiracular line with rather nar-

rower purple upper margin, above this deep green, then dorsally purple ; legs

green ; head purple, rather paler in front. Four of these larve pupated, three

head upwards and one head downwards. They all became pale brown with

dark brown long beak like process, a lateral white streak on each side and

dark dorsal streaks, They all became stiff and hard and failed to reach the

imago stage. Possibly small black ants, which destroyed other larvee and

were @ great nuisance there, may have bitten these larve shortly before they

pupated.

Both these larve and pupe resembled those of EF. belemia reared the previous

year. The only apparent difference from those of belemia being a rather broader

and more conspicuous white lateral line.

It is curious that although females were seen ovipositing and these larve and

pupe were reared from the eggs, no examples of ausonia were seen about to

correspond with this brood. No opportunity occurred of ascertaining whether

any were about on the Jebel Hamrin of this, which should have been the dry

season brood, the first brood having been taken in company with the Wet

season brood of £. belemia, of which also as previously noted the dry season

brood was noticeably absent at Baiji (in 1920).

E. ausonia was in March 1920 more common thanZ£. belemia on the Jebel Ham-

rin at Fathah gorge. On the other hand at Kizil Robat the previous year when

both broods of E. belemia were very common no ausonia were seen at all. ausonia

is very active, though its flight seems more fluttering and less direct than that

of belemia. ausonia averaged slightly larger than the same brood of belemia.

The two forms are found together and may easily be mistaken the one for the

other, and both vary much with the seasons ; but the distinct bands of green

and white beneath distinguish belemia. ausonia, like belemia was attracted

by the smell of sulphuretted hydrogen from some oil-drums.

Localities.—Mesopotamia—fairly common on the Jebel Hamrin and on the

right bank of the Tigris at Fathah.

E. belemia, Esp. Seitz. Vol. 1.22a.

Key: Colour white and black above; alternating green and white bands

across hindwing beneath.

350 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII

Of 98 specimens examined (23 @, 16 2, Spring form; 18°

form; [email protected] @ ? Third ay ies Riley ee ae a age

«Specimens of the first generation (f. belemia,) and those of the: 2nd gene-

ration (palestinensis) are very distinct although, as can be seen from’ thadatee

above, they overlap by about a fortnight, both forms being taken in perfectl

fresh condition in the last week of March at Kizil Robat. The five s ee

referred to above as a possible 3rd generation are interesting in that re their

smallness and the depth of the green of the hindwing underside they Sool

somewhat the Ist generation. They are readily separated from thé normal

second generation specimens; it seems reasonable to suppose they represent

a partial third generation.

Individual variation in the black markings of the forewing i i

1 g (Kizil Robat, 30th March 1919) has ie black patch = ms prrene Ts

expanded to form a large cloudy area which fuses with the apical patch

throughout the whole of its outer edge. The depth of the colour of the

apical patch is very variable in the summer forms, in some light french gre

in others as black as in the Ist brood. 1 2 (Kizil Robat, 2nd April 1919}

eee ne J he oat above, except that above, the atahaiGn of the

atch is confined to the veins, but below j i

ae el numer ta he : , the whole of the disc is covered

There are two broods, very distinct one from the other.

1. Wet season form (=bvelemia Esp.).—U pperside—Forewing : Gr

white, base black ; a broad densely Heck ous discoidal ee

but exclusive of the costa, which is pink near the base. Apex black containing

from 2 to 4 white spots decreasing in size from costa. =

Hindwing.—Base black, remainder white.

Underside —Forewing ground colour white; costa pink speckled with

green, A broad sinuous black discoidal spot with central white lunule

its eT nah ied aan four green bands, the innermost being a mere

spot, the outermost extending nearly to th i

ue gia ome a g y e tornal angle, with wedge-shaped

Hindwing.—Ground colour white with seven broad dark green bands crossing

the wing vertically ; a minute loop connecting band 3 to 2, a thick one band

4 to 3, so that band 4 appears to bifurcate ; sometimes a small loop connects

band 5 with 4, or 5 may join 6, but often extends only to the middle of the wing

These green bands have sharply defined margins and are broader than the

glistening pearly white bands between them.

2. Dry season form (=palestinensis, Rober).—Slightly larger on the average.

U pperside :—Forewing : The base of the wing is white; discoidal spot nar-

rower and less densely black, and black markings at apex less dense.

Hindwing—W hite.

U pperside.—Costa pink striated with black. The green bands much Tess

pronounced, narrower than the white bands, and much broken, forming a mesh-

work, their margins being very irregular. The white predominates over the

green, the white being tinged with yellow on the forewing at the posterior end

of the bands and in the hindwing across the middle of the wing from the base

and near the green.

In both forms—Antennez black above, pinkish white beneat j

with pink. Head black above, white hee hairs behind ey ee

Thorax and abdomen black above, white beneath. Proboscis and legs pink,

Cilia black opposite veins, white between on forewing ; white on hindwing

Expanse.—1°6 in. to 2-25 inches. ;

A few examples were taken having very faint markings beneath. Three

examples of aberration in which the dark markings on the forewing are in excess

were taken. One of these, taken on March 30th, has the black of the. apex

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA 351

extended inwards to the innerside of the discoidal spot, which merely appears

as a white semi-circle. Soar

An egg, glistening pearl-white, seen laid on March 24th by a 2, which was

then netted, on the tip of a small bud in the centre of a group of buds in a young

flower-head of a yellow crucifer like mustard.

On the 27th March this egg had become orange-coloured, and on 28th it

hatched, the larva being pale green dotted with black, head black. It was

‘seen feeding among the florets of the flower-clusters. This larva was subse-

quently lost. On March 24th a small grey larva with black head was found

on a head of flower-buds of this yellow crucifer, where the young leaves near

the buds had been eaten. On April 6th a female was netted after laying

a glistening white eggon a young unopened bud of a mauve-flowered crucifer,

the next day this egg had changed to dull yellow.

On 30th March (1926), on the Jebel Hamrin, at Fathah gorge, females of EH.

belemia were seen ovipositing on Hirschfeldia adpressa, Moench, a charlock-like

yellow crucifer ; and on white mustard, Sinapis alba, L., a race, the egg being

Jaid upon the young unopened flower-buds.

These plants were identified at Kew. The egg has about twenty loagitudi-

‘nal ridges with fine transverse ridges between and crossing these.

On March 28th (1919) three full-grown larve were found on seed stems of a

yellow crucifer. One pupated the same evening head upwards on the thicker

portion of the stem just below the seeds, the body-girdle being very slender,

-and the imago emerged on 6th April. The second pupated head downwards

-during the night on the same stem about four inches below the first pupa. This

pupa dried up and died. The third larva escaped. Another larva found on

“March 23rd pupated head downwards on 27th and a butterfly emerged on

April 5th.

A full grown larva measured 1% inch in length, tapered gradually toward

either end, was dark green with lateral line bright purple above, white below.

The dorsal line was dull purple, and the whole body minutely dotted with black.

Head purple. The larva on changing on March 29th to the pupal state took,

from the protrusion of the ‘‘ beak ’’, which emerged bent forwards, to the final

shaking off of the larval skin, about one minute only. The pupa was green

with long pointed mauve-coloured beak and at first had lateral purple

-and white lines, but these soon changed to pale green, uniform with the rest

-of the abdomen. From this pupa emerged at 7°37 a.m. on 6th April a female but-

terfly, the black and white markings of the upperside having been clearly

‘visible in the pupa the previous day.

This butterfly was common on the banks of old canals and on the crests of

stony hills at 600 feet and between them and the rivers Dyala and Tigris, flying

‘hurriedly up and down the canal banks or about flower-covered slopes near the

rivers, occasionally settling at flowers for a short time only. It is very active,

though the female settles the more often. It is inquisitive, having passed

the net it returns and hovers to and fro and so gives a chance of capture without

a chase, which in the case of this active little butterfly is a consideration on

‘steep stony ground. Large examples such as females may, when on the wing,

be mistaken for Pontia daplidice though they are usually less inclined to settle

than is that species. Both sexes were attracted by the smell of sulphuretted

‘hydrogen from some oil drums, and, it seems by the scent of honey from some

moths captured several years before, still retained by the net.

Localities :—Mesopotamia—Kizil Robat, and Jebel Hamrin and Jebel Kizi

Robat near the Dyala. Wet. S.form end of January to end of March 1919

Dry. 8. form end of March to mid April 1919, both broods common. Right bank

of the Tigris—at and near Fathah, Jebel Hamrin. Wet. S. form latter half of

March 1920. Common in Mediterranean region.

452 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

Synchle falloui, Allard, from Algeria to Somaliland and Arabia, is the

only near relation to S. belemia, and so is mentioned here.

E. charlonia, transcaspica, Stgr. Seitz. 1.22c.

Male wings more rounded than Jlucilla @ and much paler yellow,

about same tint as lucilla ¢ and, like, it with forewing paler than h.w.

Upperside, colour pale sulphur-yellow, base of wings black. Forewing :

discocellular broad, short, transverse oblique irregular oblong black bar

as in typical charlonia, not so large and rectangular as in /weilla, and not

quite extending to the costal margin: Apex . black with pale spots. Hindwing,

uniform immaculate: underside forewing yellowish white, pale yellow in cell ;

the discoidal spot black and oblong: costal and terminal margins pink. Hind-

wing and apex forewing green of the same tint as Jucilla, but the white

central spot of hindwing smaller and with very small white spots on costal

margin intermediate between the veins. Antennz cream-white, tips yellow.

Expanse.—1°5 inches.

Capt. Riley notes of this :—‘“ Of the typical transcaspica (2nd generation)

form. The first brood (? January-February) form has been named vernalis

by Verity. LeCerf records it from Danoh Konh, and says itis slightly

intermediate; the specimen referred to above agrees very well indeed

with transcaspian specimens in the B. M.”

This male in fresh condition was taken by the writer on 11th April 1920 on a

small hill-crest about 500 feet elevation on the Jebel Hamrin ridge at the

Fathah gorge on the right bank of the Tigris. Its habits seem to be identicai

with those of A. lucilla, which is very active, keeps much on the move and

has a hurried flight, keeping usually a foot or so above the ground on which

it occasionally settles with open wings.

Locality :—Mesopotamia—Jebel Hamrin range on the right bank of the

Tigris at Fathah gorge, on April 11th.

E. gruneri, H.-S., ssp. armeniaca, Chr.Seitz. Vol. 1. 22 g.

Captain P. A. Buxton obtained it commonly at Menjil towards the end of

March 1919, flying amongst thick bushes in a gully. Z. gruneri H. 8., which

is yellow, is found in Turkey and Greece. armeniaca is a white race flying

in Armenia, South Asia Minor, North Syria and North Mesopotamia.

Genus GONEPTERYX, Leach.

G farinosa, Zeller. Seitz. Vol. 1.42.b:

Key : Very similar to the English “‘ Brimstone,’ only with mealy appearance

on the upperside, and the orange discoidal spots of forewing are minute or

absent.

Two males were taken in the Karind Valley, N. W. Persia, at 5,300 to

6,000 elevation in mid-July, one of them in a vineyard, the other in a glade

in a wood.

They are slightly larger and have smaller orange spots than either rhamni

type or r. nepalensis; the hindwing being paler than the forewing, and the

butterfly when flying looked at first sight very like a Catopsilia.

Localities.—Greece, Asia Minor, W. Asia.

There are two named sub-species :—

centralasie, Stgr., from Turkestan, and chitralensis, M., from Chitral.

Food-plants—Zizyphus jujuba and Z. vulgaris.

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA. 353

Genus ZEGRIS, Ramb.

Z. eupheme, Esper. Seitz Vol. 1. 23 a.

Apex of forewing grey with orange centre. Underside of hindwing white

with an irregular branching green patch partly tinted with yellow or sienna.

This ‘‘ orange tip”’ occurs in 8. Spain and 8. Russia, also through Asia Minor

to Armenia, Caucasus, Syria and Persia. Its races intergrade, and the differences

between them are slight. The typical form is from 8. Russia and has normally

a good deal of yellow on the ground-colour of the hindwing beneath, this contain-

ing only about 6 small round spots of white.

The butterfly has a remarkable discontinuity in its European distribution,

there being no occurrence of the species between Spain and S. Russia. Its

transformations are described by Hofmann and others.

Subsp. meridionalis Lederer, Seitz. Vol. 1 23b, from Spain has underside

hindwing ground colour often quite yellow so that there are no white spots:

specimens hardly distinguishable from type also occur.

Subsp. menestho, Menetries, from Asia Minor and W. Kurdistan is described

as having f.w. with apex less black, powdered with light scales, underside of

hindwing a clearer yellow with less green.

But the nearest named form to that here mentioned from the Dyala is tschu-

dica, Herrich-Schaffer, Seitz. Vol. 1. 23 a, described as an aberration of the

typical form from 8. Russia, but occurring also in Syria and Caucasus, and having

no yellow on hindwing beneath, but only green on white. Many examples,

however, from Mesopotamia are “‘drier”’ still than this, having more white

in proportion to green, also the green is more tinted with yellow or sienna es-

pecially in the later emerged examples. The National collection, it may be noted,

has very few of these eastern or “dry” forms of ewpheme.

The egg, taken from the abdomen of a Z. ewpheme tigris, seen under the micro-

scope, is a broad stumpy sugar-loaf cone with slightly rounded base. One seen

‘end on’ showed fifteen longitudinal ridges, and also fine transverse ridges between

them, each distant from the next by about a third of its length. Breadth to

length of egg is as 3 to 4, it being much broader comparatively than the egg

of either H. belemia or E. ausonia.

Larva.—The larva is shaped like that of Huchle, but is hairy and, it is said,

spins itself a cocoon of stout silk attached at both extremities by threads, in

this cocoon-making habit resembling the Papilionid genera Thais and Parnassius.

Seitz says : “*‘ Larva thick, cylindrical, densely hairy. Pupa stout, with a dense

cocoon, in which one finds still a remnant of the thread characteristic for pupz

of Pierids”. The genus is based chiefly on the larva. Two other species

occur, Z. fausti, Chr., from C. Asia, with a brick-red “‘ tip’’; and Z. olympia

Edw., from Texas.

Kane says: Food plant. Sinapis incana and a species of Raphanus, etc.

Subsp. dyala. Peile. See Plate. Fig. 1:2. @ Q.

Description :— Upperside.—Forewing. Ground-colour white. Costa sinuous in

outline. Discoidal spot black, convex on basal side, concave exteriorly. Apex

inner third black turning outwards at an angle to join costa, middle third an

elongated bright orange patch which varies slightly in size and forms an angle

with a white subcostal bar, outer third grey. The orange patch usually less,

and grey apex darker than in menestho and not tinged with yellow. Hindwing

white, with markings of underside showing through slightly. Underside f.w.

ground colour white. Discoidal spot dense black as above. Apex with a

few touches of yellowish green. Hindwing, an irregular green patch, the shape

of which, on the right side, may roughly be compared with that of the map of

England and Scotland, with two broken up prolongations of the colour of

raw sienna and green towards the costa. These prolongations vary much in

‘

354 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

breadth and in the amount of yellow about them, but are less than in Seitz’s

fig. of tschudica.

2 slightly the larger as a rule; the orange patch at apex of f.w. usually

smaller, sometimes yellowish, and rarely absent (ab. luctifera, Verity).

Head much tufted with hairs. Palpi short. Antenne short with thick club.

Legs thick and short. LeCerf has figured this form, but as tschudica to which

it does not belong.

Locality—Common in Mesopotamia from 350 to 600 ft. elevation, in

March and April about low hills and plateaux near the river Dyala, especially

about two common species of crucifer, one having yellow and the other

mauve flowers. The males are active, scurrying about and also settle at

flowers.

The butterfly varies but little. The orange patch on the forewing is a little

larger in some males than in others, and, as before mentioned, in the female

may rarely be absent.

Expanse.—44-49 mm. Br. Mus. Types, No. Bh. 163 3,164 9; 5 29,9 22,

from Kizil Robat taken between 25th February and 6th April 1919.

Habits.—It is a fast flier, but is easily taken at crucifers which it frequents.

Flight rather like that of P. daplidice, settles more about 10 a.m. than later,

when it is much on the wing, flying fast and making the chase rather diflicult

over the rough stony ground where the loose stones are hidden by the grass

and flowers. On March 24th a female was seen to lay a glistening pearl white

egg, very similar in appearance to that of H. belemia, on a young head of flower-

buds of the common yellow crucifer. This had changed to orange on the 27th

and to blackish grey on the 30th. On March 24th another was seen to lay

a similar egg on the tip of a central small unopened flower-bud of wild mus-

tard. A pale green cylindrical larva, of normal Pierid shape, finely dotted

with black and covered with short hairs, was found on a seed stem of this

yellow crucifer about the end of March and was perhaps a full grown larva of

this species, but being hairy was thought at the time to be the larva of some

moth and so was not kept.

On April 9th a worn female ewpheme was seen to settle at some half dozen

young flower-clusters of this yellow crucifer and on one of a mauve-flowered

erucifer, and was seen to apply the tip of the abdomen to the flower-buds.

The butterfly was netted and these flower-clusters taken back to camp and

there examined with a lens, but no egg could be seen on them although the

abdomen of the butterfly was found to contain 9 eggs. Length to breadth of

egg is as 4 to 3. ;

This species was first observed on February 23rd and was commonest in the

second week of March. On June 25th dry seed-stems of crucifers where the but-

terfly had previously been common, were carefully searched, but no cocoons could

be found, so they are probably at the roots. In April 1920, a larva, purple

with yellow dotted line, was found on a yellow crucifer on a_ hill-crest at

Fathah which turned to be a‘ beaked * pupa which suspended itself with body-

girdle like other Huchloe pupa, and was very probably of this form. It died

as a pupa.

Z. eupheme dyala, Peile. (Htom. 54, p. 151, 1921). Ann. Mag,

Nat. Hist., Vol. 8, p 591. See. also Plate. Fig. 1 2.

Of 26 8, 26 ¥ (now incorporated in B. M. collection), and 6 more.

Capt. Riley notes :—

“In some five females the apical patch is entirely deficient of orange

(=ab. luctifuca, Verity) and in a number of others it is very much restricted

or nearly obsolete ; the males too show a considerable amount of variation

in the extent of the orange.

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA. 355

Resembles tschudica in the whiteness of the apical area of underside of

forewing, but can at once be separated from it by the far greater reduction

in the extent of the green mottling of the underside of the hindwing.

There are three pairs of typical tschudica in the B. M. from 8S. Russia, all

of which agree far better with Herrich-Schaeffor’s figures than do these

specimens from the R. Dyala.

I suspect that the @ mentioned by LeCerf taken at Danah Kouh

April 1908, is referable rather to this race than to true fschudica.”’

Z. eupheme tigris, Riley. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Vol. 8, p. 591.

13 g, 42 (now in B. M.) taken at Fathah on the right bank of

the Tigris from 3rd March to 5th April 1920, Capt. Riley remarks :—

‘This race, like the preceding, comes very close to tschudica, H.-S. It

can, however, be separated at once from that by the yellowness of the

apical area of the underside of the forewing, this area being white in

Herrich-Schaeffer’s figures (Schmett. Eur. f. 449-453) with the exception of

the extremes of the inner edge, uniformly yellow in tigris. The mottling of

the underside of the hindwing also has considerably more yellow in its com-

position than is the case in true tschudica. Two males approach menestho

in the richness of the underside coloration; one approaches dyala in the

poverty of it. The extent of the orange in the apical patch on forewing

above is on the average, appreciably greater than is the case in dyala.

B. M. Types No. Rh. 165 @, 166 @.

At Amara on 20th May 1918, the writer saw an ‘orange-tip’ with yellow

tinged ground-colour on hindwing which was probably a very late example

of this f. tigris. It was going from flower to flower in a garden, and was

then mistaken for Jvias pyrene.”

Genus COLIAS, Fabr.

C. croceus, Fourcroy (=edusa, Fab.) Seitz., 1.26g.

Of 60 ¢, 90 2 now incorporated in the National Collection, and 17 more

from Amara, Fathah Jebel Hamrin (River Dyala), Kizil Robat in Mesopota-

mia; and Paitak and the Karind Valley in Persia.

Capt. N. D. Riley remarks as follows :—

“A magnificent series. The Persian specimens cover the dates 14th July-

10th September; the Mesopotamian series represent captures in nearly every

week of the months January-July (middle). As regards size they range from an

expanse of 3°7 mm. (Q Jebel Hamrin. 3rd July 1918) to 5:4 mm. (9, Amara,

26th May 1918.) The January and February specimens are noticeably

and consistently smaller than those of any other month with the exception

of the one very small female mentioned above, and an exactly similar one

from same locality, dated 10th June 1918.

The amount of variation in colour and markings is remarkable. 1 @ (Kizil

Robat, 22nd March 1919) has ground almost lemon-yellow instead of orange ;

some examples in which all the veins are marked with yellow across the outer

marginal border, are referable to ab. faille. Stefanelli; of the females almost

exactly 333 per cent. are of the white helice form; 2 of the @Q f.

anbuisonni, Caradja, intermediates in which the yellow has failed; 1 of the

Q f. helicina, Oberth, an intermediate form in which the red pigment is

absent, leaving the specimen a delicate lemon-yellow.

For the rest no two specimens are alike, so it would serve no useful purpose

_ to go into details.”

There appear to be several broods of the “clouded yellow” in the year in

Mesopotamia. It is very common, especially about the end of March, and is

widespread from the banks of the Tigris to the highlands of Persia. Near the

Dyala it frequents slopes where its food-plant, a small yellow-flowered trefoil

356 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII,

grows on the fringes of the plateaux, andin vegetable gardens and about

patches of lucerne.

Among some large bright orange examples of the summer form taken in

Mesopotamia in July are a few having a white centre more or less distinct to the

black discoidal spot on the underside of the forewing, but no other resemblance

to C. fieldi. At Harir, at 5,300 ft. in W. Persia in July, some specimens were

taken having this discoidal spot black, the discoidal cell yellow anteriorly and

orange posteriorly, the remainder of the underside being markedly green.

As in other parts of its range, the green appears to be most marked in the

earliest or “‘ wet’ brood and in those found in the highlands ; the underside in

June and July in Mesopotamia, or by the Dyala at Kizil Robat, being more

“dry ’’, 7.e., more yellow than green. As elsewhere the females vary in shade.

White (pallida, Tutt), but not cream-coloured (helice, Hb.) forms were common ;

one taken at Mirjana on Jan. 28th, 1920, was of the faintly yellow-tinted form

citrina; another more like helice, Hb.. was taken on June 13th, 1920, at Baiji.

White females with much grey above were common at Lucerne. One dull cream

coloured helice form was taken with a slight edging of orange along the posterior

margin of the forewings. When in the paper envelope this one laid eggs

of the usual spindle shape and yellowish pearl colour. At Amarain May 1918

and at Baiji in June 1920 very fine grey white females with pale discoidal

spots on the hind wings and much grey above were taken. On 21st April 1919,

at Kizil Robat, a white female was taken in copula with croceus male, and similarly

another on 3rd June (1920) at Baiji, the male doing the flying. On stony-

slopes near the Dyala at Kizil Robat about 8 o’clock in the morning in early

April one could be fairly sure of putting up some white females of croceus.

Early in June at Baiji both yellow and white forms of the female were seen

laying eggs singly on the upper side of leaves of lucerne about the middle of

one half of the leaf, the butterfly settling but a short time to deposit each egg

and then going on to other leaves near-by. White clover was more plentiful

than the purple flowered lucerne, but the eggs were laid on lucerne.

The egg of yellowish pearl colour when just laid, changing later to salmon-

pink, appears slightly smaller and narrower than the egg of &, belemia, although

of the two butterflies croceus is much the larger. It is spindle shaped, the top

being pointed like the fuze-cap of a shell. 19 longitudinal ridges were counted :

a few of these coalesce and some do not quite reach the top of the egg. There

are fine transverse ridges. Figures of the various stages can be seen in South’s

and Kirby’s works.

Larve.—At Baiji in May and June two rugose dark green cylindrical larvee

were found on lucerne, having white lateral stripe, and on each segment a

minute black spot just below the stripe and a touch of red on the white stripe

just above the black spot. These fed on lucerne until they pupated ; one on

25th May suspended horizontally from the petiole of a lucerne leaf, the tail

end being towards the stem of the plant; the other pupated on 2Ist June

upright against the main stem of lucerne.

Pupa.—Stout and thick, the wing-cases being very prominent so that it appears

pigeon breasted and with a dorsal hump. In the horizontal one the body girdle

was remarkably long so that the pupa swung freely. Colour in one at first

semi-transparent green of the same shade as the leaves ; in the other pea-green,

this again much resembling the leaves. One of these pupe, as the leaves become

more yellow, also changed maintaining the resemblance. On the fifth day the

orange of the forewing showed through the pupa-skin as also a dark central

mark on each wing and at the end of each vein a minute black spot. On either

side of the ventral surface of the first three visible abdominal segments was

a brownish black-streak. On the sixth day the markings of the forewings

showed so distinctly that the sex of the enclosed butterfly could be determined.

The cilia and antenne were marked out in rose-pink. From the pupa of

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA. 357

25th May a male crocews emerged about 10 a.m. on Ist June; and from that

of 21st June a yellow female croceus emerged about 5 a.m. on 27th June

(1920). At Kizil Robat, from an egg seen laid on a small yellow flowered trefoil,

a larva was reared upon the same plant and a male C. croceus resulted.

Localities.—The butterfly is very common in Mesopotamia, especially about

patches of lucerne, in vegetable gardens and on slopes where the small yellow

flowered trefoil grows on the fringes of the plateaux. It is very common in

March, early April and June.

Mesopotamia.—Sheikh Saad ; Wadi river near Kut; Amara, Baghdad, Kizil

Robat, Baiji, Mosul.

S. Kurdistan.—Jujar (end of November).

N. Persia.—Karind Valley ; and abundant throughout Europe.

Genus COLOTIS, Hb. (Teracotus, Swains.)

C. fausta, Oliv. Seitz. 1.23c.

Of 31 3,41 Q (13 5,19 Q of these now in the B. M.) examined, Capt.

Riley notes :—

‘¢ The series shews very considerable variation in size, depth of colour-

ation and markings, but, according to the dates on the specimens, this does

not seem in any way to coincide with any month or months in the year.

The extreme forms in the direction both of ‘ wetness’ and ‘ dryness’

were all taken at Jebel Hamrin (R. Dyala,) within a few days at the beginning

of July. These include a large and very heavily marked (wet) pair; a

smaller male in which the marginal markings of the forewing above are

reduced to a darkening of the extremities of the veins only; females ranging

in colouration from that of the male to a pale yellowish pink and 1d which,

but for a faint pink tinge on the hindwings, is pure white due to failure of

pigment presumably, as the shape and structure of the scales appear to be

perfectly normal.”

Buxton took this at Amara from 11th September to 4th December and at

Shahroban and Baqubah, 29-3lst July; Qasr-i-Shirin, 24th November

1918. ‘* Rests at night among the yellow-green twigs of Sueda.”

Abundant in Mesopotamia and North Persia, from the middle of June

to the end of November. There are two well-marked broods, that of the dry

season up to mid-October, when the second brood, larger and with darkly

marked underside appears and is very common, especially at flowering mint

by water. In September and October 1918 the butterfly was seen migrating

in considerable numbers. A gynandromorph with left side male, right side

female, isin the National Collection; it was taken at Amara by Major R.

Brewitt Taylor, August 3rd, 1916.

On July 6th eggs were seen to be laid singly upon the upperside of the leaves

of a round-leaved thorny caper (Capparis spinosa, Ly) which has a very beautiful

rather large white flower, with long white stamens which turn mauve, and

curious green fruit about the size of a small lemon, the skin of which splits

irregularly into three portions each of which curls backwards towards the

stem exposing a crimson jam-like substance attached to it and in which the

seeds lie embedded.

This food-plant not being in leaf earlier than June no wet season brood was

seen in Spring, when “‘ wet’ forms of other species are about, although a well-

marked wet-season form appears in large numbers in October as already stated

Period. June 15th to December 31st.

Localities.—Mesopotamia.—Basra, Oct. and Nov. Kut, common, ‘ not seen

until June;” Baghdad ; Banks of Dyala at Jebel Hamrin and Kizil Robat ;

Khanikin, N. Persia—Seripul, common; Harir, 5,300 ft. very common in Sept

Kermanshah, Sept. to 10th October scarce.

358 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol.

LYCAENID.

Key to the forms of Lycenine of Mesopotamia.

A. Hindwing : Without tail.

a. Upperside, brown without blue ;

a complete subterminal series of

black spots and orange lunules.

Underside forewing a _ basal

blackspot , .Lycena astrarche.

b. Upperside, 3 blue. Q “brown.

a‘. Qwith more or less blue; an

incomplete subterminal series

of black spots and orange lu-

nules. Underside forewing no

basal spots .. ..D. icarus.

b.. @sky-blue. Black spots on

underside conspicuous .L. bellargus.

c. @ satiny blue; ¢ brown,

veins darker; Underside

cream, spots minute ..L. dama karinda

d'. Smaller, Exp. 30mm. @ dark

brown. Underside spots larger.L. damone damalis.

c. Upperside, brown, underside

hindwing, a row of 3 subtornal

jewelled black, orange circled

spots ne 4S .Chilades trochilus.

d. <o violet blue and brown above.

a‘ Underside. Hindwing, two

subcostal and another basal

prominent black spots . -Chilades galba.

b' Underside f.w. with many jet

black spots: no jewelled

spots, a black spot in middle

of cellofforewing .. . .Zizera karsandra.

c’ Underside, black spots minute.

No jewelled spots, no spot in

middle of cell of forewing ..Zizera otis.

e. @ yellowish tawny; Q pale

brown a DL. peilet.

B. Hindwing: with a short filament-

ous tail.

a Forewing: veins 11 and 12

anastomosed. Underside white

spotted with black or brown: a

subterminal series of spots, some ;

with shining metallic scales ..Tarucus theophrastus.

6 Forewing, veins 11 and 12 not

anastomosed, but an oblique

short bar between them near

base. Underside banded with

pale grey or brown be .Lampides boeticus.

C. Upperside more or less copper- red

a with dark outer border and spots.Heodes phleas.

6 more yellow-gold in colour ; fila-

mentous tail to n. w. ..H. thersamon kurdistanica.

AXVILI.

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA, 359

Genus LYCAINA, Fabr.

L. astrarche, Berg. “The brown Argus”. Seitz. 1.79k.

Upperside—Fore and hindwings brown without any blue colouring; a

black discoidal spot ; a well marked subterminal series of black spots bordered

outwardly by orange-red lunules complete to apex.

Localities—Kizil Robat, a few taken in April and May. Kirkuk, a 2 on

16th October 1919. Very common in the Karind valley at 5,500 ft. in July

and August.

Of 36 g, 24 2 examined (19%, 18 9 of these now in B. M.). Capt.

Riley notes :—

‘-Exceedingly variable both in size and markings. The short series from

Kizil-Robat (spring forms) are presumably referable to f. sarmatis, Gr. Gr.,

- on account of the white undersides and the width of the orange bands below ;

the N. W. Persian series (July-September) agree with them in respect of the

latter feature, but have the characteristic yellowish brown undersides of the

summer forms and would best be called f. estiva, Staud.”

L. icarus, Rott. var persica, Bienert. Seitz. 1.80g.

“The Common Blue.” Male, upperside purplish blue with rich satiny lustre,

and anticiliary slender black lines. Female, upperside very dark brown with

more or less blue irroration, and a subterminal series of conspicuous orange-

red spots, the spots becoming obsolete towards the apex of forewing. Under-

side male pale grey, female brownish grey, with a number of white encircled

black-spots and on hindwing a postdiscal series of black lunules outwardly

bordered with reddish brown. A basal black spot on forewing.

Localities.—Mesopotamia : fairly common. Kizil Robat, N. W. Persia : “‘ Seripul ,

where it was flying in numbers on 3rd September 1918. By far the commonest

Lycenid at Kermanshah ” (Broughton).

Kizil Robat, Mesopotamia, 14 ¢@,5 9, May-June, July 1919.

Some .of these Qs have much white on hindwing above just within the

orange lunules.

N. W. Persia; Kermanshah. 4 ¢,3 9, late August 1918; Harir, 21 @,

3 9; Karind Gorgé,8 4, 6 9, July, August, September 1918.

Small form, dwarf only, 8 ¢, 39, July, August 1918, Harir.

29 8, 17 Q, of these are now in the National collection. Buxton took 3

“very ordinary looking” at Menzil, 7th April 1919 ; and Qazvin, August and

September 1919, ‘* extremely brown below.”

L. bellargus, Rott. Seitz, Vol. 1., 8lb.

1 @, 9th August 1918 ;2 @,1 9, 16th August 1918, now added to B. M:

collection.

Only one specimen from Persia (1 ¢) in B. M. previously.

L. (Polyommatus) dama sub-sp. karinda, Riley. A. & M.N. H:

Vol. 8, p. 597. See Plate Fig. 8°9.

16 @, 12 Q, of which seven pairs are now in the National collection, taken

at Harir (5,300) and Karind Gorge (6,000) from 14th July to 9th September

1918. On 12th August males were common.

- Note by Capt. Riley :—‘‘ Differs from typical dama in that the discal series

of spots on underside of hindwing is always complete though the spots com-

posing it are minute. The marginal and submarginal markings also more

fully developed. In the female the veins on upperside are conspicuously

darker.”’

B. M. Types No. Rh. 75 % ; 76 Q, 16th July 1918. Karind Gorge.

LeCerf (Ann. d’Histoire Nat. 11, Pt. II, p. 69, 1913) records ‘1 @ L. dama

rom Deh Tchechma, Arabistan, Persia, 31, VII, 1898,’ otherwise it would

360 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

appear only to be known from Staudinger’s original locality, Malatia, Mesopo-

tamia. LeCerf’s specimen, however, is probably referable to karinda.

This form was taken in company with the two next mentioned and other

species of Lyczena at flowers in glades and waste ground by a stream.

L. (Polyommatus) peilei, Bethune-Baker Plate, Fig. 15:16;

Described by G. T. Bethune-Baker, in the Entomolgist’s Record Vol.

XXXIII, pp. 63-64, 1921.

«* An extraordinary and beautiful new’ Lycenid belonging to the dama

section of the genus Polyommatus.

&@ Both wings yellowish tawny colour (the exact colour is very difficult to

describe, at first sight it looks almost orange), the prevailing tone is deep

yellowish. Primaries with an abundant supply of greyish androconial hairs

and small scales, which give the wing an unusual aspect. The secondaries are

almost free of these scales except in the basal area. Fringes grey, the basal

half being darker than the terminal portion.

Underside.—Both wings cream colour with a slight pinkish tinge, with

blackish spots palely encircled. Primaries with a dark crescent closing the

cell, a postmedian line of six spots, the lowest one being double, those in the

radial area are excurved, the fourth and fifth spots recede sharply basewards,

the sixth (double spot) is shifted outwards.

Secondaries, with all the spots very small and inclined to obsolescence,

but the two subcostal ones, viz., that near the base and that half-way

along the costa, always present and definite though small, the spots in the

postmedian row are reduced to mere points and are often absent, there is a

trace of a submarginal row of dashes of the ground-colour edged with a tone

of cream colour paler than the ground.

Q Pale brown colour, otherwise like the male on the underside.

Expanse.— @ 38-42, Q 38 mm.

Habitat.—Karind Gerge (N. W. Persia), 6,000 ft. July (H. D. Peile).

Types in the British Museum, six ¢ ¢ and one Q. (B. M.. Types, Neo:

Rh. 179 #; 180 9, 17th July 1918, Karind Gorge, S co-types. )

“‘The Karind Gorge is just over the Persian frontier.

It is I think the most extraordinary Palearctic species of the true

Lycenine that 1 know, its colour separates it from everything, but the under-

side pattern shows it to be a near ally of that beautiful species that Staudin-

ger called dama, with which indeed it was flying when Lt.-Col. Peile captured

it. The androconial scales also connect it closely with the dolus group.”

Taken at flowers in glades, 14th to 17th July 1918. None seen 12th August.

The male is easily recognized on the wing: but the underside in both sexes

makes them readily mistaken, when settled, for the races of dama and damone

with which they are found,

L. (Polyommatus) damone, subsp. damalis, Riley. A: & M.N.H.

Vol. 8, p. 597. See Plate, Figs 13-14. ©

35 &,17 Q of which a series of 12 pairs are now in the National

collection,

Taken at same localities—Harir and Karind Gorge—as dama from 13th

July to 12th August 1918, and distinguished from that in the field chiefly

by being smaller and having generally more conspieuous spots on the

underside ; the females being more uniformly brown above. As with dama

the females average slightly smaller than the males. More robust and

the males more decidedly blue than damonides, Stgr. Capt. Riley notes as

follows :—

“Nearest the var. verzes, Staud, in colour, and in that the hindwing

underside is entirely devoid of any trace of the longitudinal white stripe ;

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA, 561

but differs constantly in its much larger size, 30mm. and more, whereas

xerves is 23-24 mm.; and in being entirely devoid of any trace of basal green

scaling on the underside of both wings. The upperside colouration ofthe @

is perhaps a shade paler and brighter than in typical werxes, and the hind-

marginal orange lunules in the female more. pronounced. The general

colouration of the underside in the male lighter, more greyish, less brown

than in werzes; in the female of a more yellowish brown. The discoidal

spot on the forewings is anteriorly more acute than in any zerzes examined.”

B. M. Types Nos. Rh. 177 @, 13th July 1918; 178 9, 16th July 1918,

Karind Gorge.

This form was about twice as numerous as dama karinda, but not taken

later than 12th August, most of the few then being females, whereas

dama karinda was taken up to yth September.

A form smaller than the last above mentioned and having a conspicuous

pale streak on the hindwing beneath, was taken by Capt. Aldworth at

Suwarra in July 1919. This may have been either f. carmon or actis of the

damon group. A few specimens were shown to the writer at Mosul.

L. admetus, Esq. Seitz. Voi. 1,81C.

One pair taken by Capt. Aldworth at Suwarra, 4,500 ft., July 1919.

L. baton, sub-sp. clara, Stgr. Seitz. I. 79d.

Harir, N. W. Persia, 24, 3 9. Taken at flowers of mint on damp

ground at 5,300 ft.

Not separable in any way as a race distinct from clara the Asia Minor-

Turkestan subspecies.

Taken aiso by Capt. Aldworth at Suwarra, Racca. July 1919.

Genus HEODES (Curysoryanus, Bdy.)

H. phioeas, L. ‘“ The small copper.” Seitz. 1.77b.

The spring form is very like the English form, forewing copper with black

spots and dark border.

The summer form is like ab. elews, F., the male sometimes appearing as

dark on the wing as an Ypthima.

Of 48 @, 52 9 examined (27 g, 30°92 of these now n B.M.), Capt.

Riley remarks :—

““The series shows specimens taken in every month of the year except

December and January. February, March, April and May specimens are all of

the typical phiwas form, and so is the single October specimen.

The remainder, J une-September, are of the form elews, and, as is usual with

the species throughout its range, very variable. The tendency to blue spot-

ting of the hindwing above is very marked, which seems rather surprising as,

in this country at any rate, the increase in these blue marks seems to be the

result of a wet habitat. Specimens from lowlying wet pastures usually seem

to have them largest, The form has been named cwruleopuncta, Staud.

There are such numbers of aberrational names applied to this unfortunate

species that it is impossible for me to attach any of them to anything—I am

afraid I must disregard them.”

Regarding the tendency to blue spotting mentioned by Capt. Riley, it is

worth mentioning that the majority of the specimens were taken either in a

damp meadow or about the banks of rivers or canals.

Localities.—Mesopotamia, common. Kizil Robat, spring form from February

to the end of April. Summer form end of June (bank of Dyala, Jebel Hamrin).

N. W, Persia: Karind valley, the dark form very common from mid July anda

362 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

few still about in mid September. Baghdad, 28th October to 30th November.

(Spring form). .

Kermanshah, “Common about cultivated ground and around bramble

bushes ”’ (Major Broughton).

H. thersamon, kurdistanica, Riley. A. & M.N.H. Vol. 8, p. 598.

31 4,34 2 (18 g, 18 of these now in B. M.) taken at flowers in a

meadow and glades at Harir, Karind Gorge and Kermanshah in N. W. Persia. :

Capt. Riley’s note on these runs :—

“These specimens are characterised by their small size on the whole,

especially the September ones, and the lack of any fiery tinge in their colour-

ation ; they are a much more yellow-gold even than usual in European

thersamon, though not nearly so golden as ochimus.

The underside colouration is more uniform than in typical thersamon, the

hindwing ground-colour approaching that of the forewing, and the dark spots

are much reduced in size. The hindwing tails are comparatively long.”

Type @, Harir, 19th August 1918; Q, Harir, 20th August 1918. (B. M.)

(Types No. Rh. 181 ¢ ; 182 9).

. persica, Mén., was described from N. E. Persia and is said to be a fiery golden

colour, large with a dark border,

H. thersamon, Esp. one female, very worn, 17th July 1919, Qasvin.

(Buxton).

Genus CYANIRIS, Dal,

Cyaniris argiolus, L. itz. Vol. 1,83g-

13.8 DRS SG Q* of these now in B.M.) taken by a brook at Harir

(5,300 ft.) in N. W. Persia.

Underside markings very faint on the whole, n some (August) specimens

almost entirely absent=f. hypoleuca, Koll.

Genus ZIZERA, M. (Ztzesri1a, Chapman). —

Z. karsandra, Seitz. 1.295.

3 violet blue with broad brown border above. Underside, grey with jet

black conspicuous spots, and a black spot in middle of cell of forewing.

Female above pale brown. Common, especially about cultivated ground, and

widespread. Basra, Amara, Kirkuk, etc., and in Europe and Asia.

Of 11 g,10 (now in B, M.) and 14 others, Capt. Riley remarks as

follows :—

“ T call this karsandra rather than lysimon in view of Chapman’s able paper

on the group in Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1910, p. 480. He says lysimon is

African, karsandra Asiatic, inter alia. These specimens agree with karsandra

type and with Chapman’s figures and description.”

Z. otis, Fab. Seitz. 1.295 “‘ g Kizil Robat, October 18th” (Lt.-Col.

Watney).

“‘T got another species of Zizera (besides Z. galba) at Kut, probably otis, but

the specimens were destroyed by ants” (Broughton). '

Genus CHILADES, M.

C. galba, Lederer. Seitz. 1:77k, described from Palestine. The veining,

basal black spots and 2 jewelled black tornal spots on underside of hindwing

are more like Chilades than Zizera ; and Chilades phiala. Gr. Gr. also in Seitz.

Macrolepidoptera, Pl. 77k, and of which the types from Bokhara are in the

British Museum, is identical with galba. galba is abundant in the hot months

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA, 363

about Acacia campbelli, Ainoff, which is widespread generally as a stunted bush

in Mesopotamia, (though at Kut it grows to five feet), Kurdistan, etc., and is

about the same size as Z. lysimon.

Of 56 @, 46 9 (18 g, 21 Q ofthese now in B, M.) examined, Capt.

Riley remarks :—

*‘ The species is sometimes placed in Zizera sometimes in Chilades. J don’t

Jnow which, if either, is correct.”

‘Apparently not recorded from Mesopotamia before. There is a nice little

series in the B. M. from Amara (B. Brewitt-Taylor) taken in July-August 1916.”

Although the butterfly is found in immense numbers in June and July about

the food-plant, which is also abundant in Mesopotamia, comparatively few

larvee were found. The presence of several small ants about the end of a young

shoot generally indicated a larva there. Small predacious wasps and a large

red ant frequent these plants and probably carry off many of the larve of this

butterfly.

A female Z. galba was seen to lay an egg on a very small shoot in the axil

of a young leaf.

Egg. The egg was immediately examined under a fairly high power micro-

scope. Shape flat and rounded about twice as broad as high, and with a small

concavity in the centre above. The surface is covered with prominent tetra-

gonal reticulate white projections on a ground of pale sea-green, the central

depression being also pale green.

Larva. De Niceville’s description of the larva of Chilades trochilus quoted by

Col. Bingham, would do very well for this also. The following modification of

it is made for galba :

Of the usual wood-louse shape when full grown, seven sixteenths of

an inch in length. Head when at rest hidden by the second segment

which overlaps the bitten end of the stem like a flap, the larva lying

along the stem. Colour pale green at all stages, of the shade of the

young leaves of the food-plant (Acacia campbelli). The very young

larva, just having thrown of its first skin, seen under the microscope

shows the brownish black head, segments and hairs very distinctly.

The head black, smooth and shining, with a dark green dorsal line

down the body from the 3rd to the 12th segments ; on either side of

this a rather conspicuous pale whitish line, next to it a narrow pale

green line, then two parallel narrow pale lines, with a narrow dark

green line between them, these being much less distinct. Then a pale

green line below which is an almost pure white lateral line below

the spiracles, which is the most conspicuous of all the markings. These

various parallel lines are divided up by the segmental constrictions

which are rather deep. The whole surface of the body slightly sha-

greened, being seen, under a lens, to be covered with extremely fine

short downy hairs, which are more evident at early stages than later.

The usual extensile organ on the 12th segment. Each larva is

diligently attended by several small brownish black ants which run

about over its body, apparently attracted by some secretion from

between its segments. The larva takes no notice of the antsrunning ,

about over it. Mr. C. W. Crawley kindly identified this ant as Mo-

nomorium (Paraholeomyrmex) gracillimum, Smith.

Pupa. Three tenths of an inch in length.

Two larve, enclosed with the food-plant, on which they were feeding, in

a glass shaving soap tube, pupated one on the glass side, one in the angle be-

tween this and the bottom, and not on the plant, and were attached to asilk

pad formed on the glass ; and in one the body-girth was very distinct produc-

ing a slight constriction on the pupa. The pupe examined with a hand lens

did not show any hairsonthem. In this detail and in the method of pupation

364 .JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

these two pupz did not conform to the details noted by Dé Niceville for Chilades

laius and Ch. trochilus. Shape short and thick, with constriction behind

thorax. Thorax and abdomen dorsally prominent, straight, ventrally smooth.

Colour at first green, wing-cases whitish and waxlike and semi-transparent,

the abdominal contents appearing opaque. About the 4th day the thorax is

grey, eyes black, conspicuous, antenne brown. Wing-cases pinkish waxlike,

abdomen green with the segments indicated. Late on the 5th day after pupa-

tion thorax and wing-case become chocolate brown, sharply distinct from the

pale brown abdomen.

Both male and female emerged on the 6th day after pupation, at about 8

o’clock in the morning.

By keeping the larve and pupe in the glass shaving soap tube with the

cap on, the small destructive black ants were kept off them; whereas the

attendant ants left with them did no harm.

Habits. Soon after sunrise the butterflies settle about the plants with their

wings half open to the sun; later on they fly about more actively and more

often close the wings when they settle. The butterfly is especially abundant

in the hot weather in June and July about the food-plant (Acacia campbelli).

The very close resemblance of its larva to those of Chilades laius and Ch.

trochilus—the similar venation to that of Chilades and the presence of jewelled

tornal spots and very prominent basal black spots on the hindwing—and the

fact that Chilades phiala Gr. Gr. is identical with galba,.should be considered in

deciding whether galba should be grouped under Chilades or Zizera.

Localities.—Mesopotamia : Kut, Kizil Robat, Baiji, etc. S. Kurdistan: Sulei-

manyeh, Sept. 1.

C. trochilus, Freyer, Seitz. Vol. 1. 77k.

A male taken at a flower on the plateau near Kizil Robat on 25th June

1919.

This is the smallest butterfly of Europe, Mesopotamia and India.

Expanse—O0°6 inch.

Ranges from Africa through Arabia and India to Australia.

Genus LAMPIDES (Potyvommartus).

L. beeticus, L. “The long tailed Blue.” Seitz. I. 77h.

Key: Upperside, male purplish blue ; female brown with some blue scaling

and often a white band and four dark spots—always two—on hindwing.

Beneath : the male banded grey, the female brown, a black spot in interspace,

another in interspace 2, margined inwardly with ochraceous and both spots

having metallic bluish green scales. It is very active and frequents cultivated

ground, especially bean-fields.

Localities.—Mesopotamia—common generally ; also widespread.

Genus TARUCUS, M.

T. theophrastus, Fab. Seitz, Vol. 1°77i.

Male. Upperside, pale violet, the markings of the underside apparent

through transparency. Underside white with black or brown spots, all or some

of the subterminal series on hindwing having shining bluish metallic scales.

Female, upperside dark brown, bases of wings suffused with blue: a white

area and black bands and spots on the forewing.

Localities—Basra, March 1917. (Broughton). Baghdad, Nov. 1920.

Ranges from N. and W. Africa, through Arabia, Persia, to India Burma and

Ceylon. Usually found about the thorny bushes of its food plant Zizyphus

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA, 365

jujuba which, as Capt. Buxton remarks regarding this form in Algeria (Ento-

mologists Record, Vol. XXVI), is a perfect terror to one’s net, The net once

caught on a bush seems to embrace it, and only very careful, patient picking

off of every part of the net will save it from rents.

T. mediterranez, B. Baker, distinguished by the genitalia, common at

Baghdad in September and at Amara in June on Zizyphus trees.

Dr. Chapman and Capt. P. A. Buxton, R.A.M.C., have recently contributed

an interesting illustrated article on the life history of this race, which is common

at Amara, in the ‘‘ Entomolgist’s Monthly Magazine” 3rd series, Vol. V, p. 163

T. balcanicus areshanus, B. Baker, Amara, April and Baghdad

September. The locality of the type specimen is Geok Tepe in Transcaucasia

near Elizabetpol, and not the more famous place of the same name in Trans-

easpia. Also obtained at Suleimanyeh in September.

Subfam. THECLINA.

Genus APHNAEUS.

A. epargyros marginalis, Riley A. & M. N. H., Vol. 8, p. 598.

N. W. Persia, Paitak, 6-7th August 1918. Suleimanyeh, Kurdistan

lst September 1919; 4 @,9 $ (all except 3 Q are now in B. M.).

On willows by a stream at Paitak, 2,500 ft. at the foot of the Takigerra

Pass. A few, in very worn condition, by the Kalisan stream at Suleima-

nyeh. Capt. Riley notes on these :—

*‘ Differs from typical epargyros (as represented in the B. M. by 13 @,

8 Q from Persia, Turkestan, etc.) which was described from the Aral Sea

region, by its much smaller size, darker ground colour, and the great

increase in the size of the black markings above. The submarginal band

of the forewing extends to the marginal line, thus forming a broad band

which posteriorly joins the median transverse band. The triangular patch

of ground-colour so enclosed is nearly half filled by the four black spots

between vein 4 and the costa. The black markings of hindwing are

correspondingly larger.

On the underside the ground colour is greenish grey, not silver-grey as

in typical epargyros, and the irregular blotches which in epargyros are

ochreous, are similarly slightly greenish. The blotches themselves are

more rounded, neater and the whole underside has a more delicate

appearance than it has in the typical form.”

B. M. Types No. Rh. 183 @ ; 184 Q, Paitak, 6th August 1918

N.B.—Since its description by Hversmann (1854) epargyros has always

been regarded as a synonym of acamas, Klug. A reference, however,

to the original descriptions and figures clearly shews the distinguishing

features of the two species. Acamas always has the base of the forewing

as far as the origin of vein 2, and usually also the whole, or greater part,

of proximal half of hindwing grey. In epargyros the yellow ground colour

extends right up to the base of the wing. In epargyros any light yellow

area in the forewing is confined to area 6; in acamas the lighter areas are

sometimes white and may extend into the celland into areas 5 and 4. But

the readiest means of separating the two species is by the shape of the

submarginal band of the forewing below. In acamas this is an even band

(or comparatively so) with a straight inner edge, or bordered by a series of

narrow straight lines ; in epargyros, as stated very clearly by Eversmann, it is

made up of a series of very decided crescents, their convex sides inwards.

A,, acamas subsp. hypargyros, Butler.

N. W. Persia, Harir, 9-19th August 1918; 11 @, 4 @Q (allexcept 5 @

are now in B, M.)

366 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Common among rocks and boulders, and some at mint-flowers, in Harir

Gorge 5,400 ft. Capt. Riley notes :—

‘* Typical acamas, described from ‘ Syria and Arabia’ is a brighter insect

with much less heavy black markings of upperside, and the markings of the

underside cloudier in appearance than in hypargyros. It has a softer

general appearance, Swinhoe’s figures in Lep. Ind. 8, are misleading. Fig.

1 and lb are froma @ ofepargyros from Persia. Fig. la is a Q acamas

hypargyros from Chaman. Both specimens are in the British Museum.

Typical acamas does not appear to occur east of the Euphrates.”’

Genus CIGARITIS.

C. maxima, Stud. Seitz, Vol. 1, p. 279.

Harir, 15th July to 9th August 1918; 2 %, 3 2 (now in B. M.)

Taken about open ground near stream; the date being apparently late

for this species. Taken also by Aldworth at Suwarra, above Mosul,

July 1919.

Capt. Riley remarks :—“ Mazima is usually considered a var. of cilissa.

I consider it a good species. The general pattern of underside in each is

similar, but there are small and constant differences.”

N.B—Type of Aphneus is African and differs morphologically from the

so called Aphneus of India, &e.

Genus ZEPHYRUS.

Z. quercus, longicauda, Riley. A. & M.N. H., Vol. 8, p. 599,

and see Plate, Fig. 5°6.

Karind Gorge, 13-17th July 1918; 24¢,25 2 (12 pairs now in B. M.

collection).

Paitak, 7th August 1918,1@.

Harir, 20th August 1918, 19.

Suwarra (ex Aldworth), 1 @, 1 9 (=ab. bellus), early July 1919.

Capt. Riley’s note on these runs :—‘‘A well marked local race. It is

distinguished from the typical European quercus by its generally rather

larger size, the brighter and more brilliant colour of the upperside of the

male, and the great increase in the length of the tails. These measure 3-4

mm. consistently against 1-2 mm.in European specimens. On tke under-

side the general colouration is much lighter grey, the transverse white

bands much straighter; the submarginal markings on the forewing, with

the exception of those in areas lb and 2 which are large, dark and promi-

nent, are aimost absent. The anal lobe of the hindwing much larger than

in typical quercus and the black spot which covers it consequently at least

twice the size of that in quercus.

Three males and two females, one of the latter a beautiful example of

ab. bellus, Gerh., taken at Suwarra, Kurdistan, 4,300 ft. in early July 1919,

and one male from Lekkoran, 30th June 1914, (ex. Christoph. collection) all

of which are in the B. M. are also referable to this longicauda. Although the

males lack the brilliance of upperside colouration characteristic of typical

longicauda, in this respect more resembling normal quercus, in all other

points they agree with longicauda. ”

B. M. Types No. Rh. 185 @ ; 186 Q, 16th July 1918, Karind Gorge.

This form was common settled in considerable numbers on the upper

and undersides of leaves, sometimes more than one on a leaf, of mulberry

BUTTERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA. 367

at Karind Gorge (6,000 ft.) in very fresh condition on 13th July, the fruit

on the tree being then not yet ripe. One taken 7th August at Paitak

2,500 ft. and another at flowering mint on 19th August at Harir 5,300 ft.

Genus STRYMON.

S. abdominalis, Gerhardi, f. gerhard, Staud. Seitz, Vol. 1, 73 c.

see plate Figs. 3 4.

3 2, 13-17th July 1918 (now in B. M.) Karind Gorge, 6,000 ft.

Capt. Riley notes :—* S. abdominalis, Gerh, is usually regarded as a form of

S. acacie, Fab. The two forms occur together over a wide range, extending

from Asia Minor to Persia, and throughout are easily separable, the most

conspicuous difference being afforded by the dark spots at anal angle of

forewing underside. These are invariably absent in acacie and just as inva-

riably present in abdominalis.

One specimen taken flying about a small tree about 8 feet from the ground,

another near the ground, at the border of a wood.”’

S, ificis caudatula, Zell. Seitz, Vol. 1°736.

1 Q, Karind Gorge, 14th July 1918.

Not previously recorded from Persia, the nearest record being Lenkoran

(S. E. Transcaucasus).

S. marcidus, Riley. A.& M.N. H., Vol. 8., p. 600, See plate Fig. 20,

1 Q, Harir 15 July 1918, 5,300 ft. type.

1 Q, Karind Gorge 16th July 1918, 6,000 ft. co-type. Both now in B. M.

Capt. N. D. Riley’s description is as follows :—

Q Upperside, both wings.—Dark brown, immaculate, a fine anticiliary line

xuore conspicuous on the hindwings, fringes whitish, especially on hindwings.

Hindwing.—Anal lobe yellowish, and some yellowish scaling close to margin

in areas 1b and 2.

Underside, both wings.—Pale yellowish grey, fringes of same colour, preceded

by a very fine darker marginal line which is separated from a very indistinct

submarginal shadowy dusky band by only a narrow white line.

Forewing.—A band of white linear spots runs from costa to vein 1, the

spots being limited by the veins and inwardly margined with black, the band

following almost exactly the curve of the hindmargin. The lowest spot (in

area 1b) is characteristic, being crescentic, the concave side facing outward,

and as fully developed as the other spots in the series.

Hindwing.—The transverse white band is similar to that of forewing but

slightly broader and less interrupted, follows almost exactly the curve of

the hindmargin, and in areas Ic, 2 and 3 is composed of V shaped spots the

apex directed inwardly. There is a submarginal series of spots, of which that

in area 2 is large and black, inwardly bordered with yellow, black then white ;

those in areas 3, 4 and 5 small black, ringed with paler, diminishing in size

so that the one in area 5 is barely traceable. Anal lobe black with some

whitish and yellowish scaling above it, which merges into the last spot

of the transverse white band. Between anal lobe and large spot in area

2 black and bluish grey scaling (the exact nature of this area cannot definitely

be stated, as the bulk of it is in both specimens completely missing)

Length of forewing, 16 mm. B. M. Type, No. Rh. 187.

Comes near S. abdominalis, put the different contour of the transverse band

of underside and the absence of the dark marks at anal angle of forewing

beneath readily separate it from that.

368 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL UIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

HESPERIID.

Genus CARCHARODUS, Hbn.

C. alceze, Esp. (=malvarum, Hoff. malve, F. Hb. Bdv). Seitz. 1

85a. Kane XV. fig. 1. 40 5,29 2 (25 &, 26 2, nowin B. M.)

Varies in colour. Warm brown dappled with sepia, and having transparent

white marks. Wings and margin of same chequered with brown and white

dentations. In the hottest months some examples are of a pale reddish colour.

Asandy brown female, taken July 11th, 1919, at Kizil Robat, is unlike any

already at the Brit. Mus. ; a second similar example was taken.

’ Of the 69 specimens above mentioned, Capt. Riley notes :—

“JT cannot agree with LeCerf in regarding swinhwi as a distinct species.

The type (and a considerable series from type locality) is in the B. M. and

does not shew the peculiarities which ‘he attributes to it and on which he

separates it from alcew. As a local race it is probably justifiable enough. His

ab. isolatrix, judging by the long series obtained by Lt.-Col. Peile, would appear

to bean extreme dry season form. Four @ and some 10 @ all taken during

June and July are of this form, though only one Q is so extremely pale as the

specimen figured by LeCert.

January and February specimens are as dark as the normal European ones,

and it is very instructive to note how the species get gradually paler during

April-May till the extreme is reached in June and July, after which they gra-

dually darken again. It is almost possible to tell the month of capture from

the colouration of the specimen.”

Localities—Mesopotamia: Jebel Hamrin, R. Dyala, June. Kizil Robat

(Mirjana), Feb., April, May, June, July. Khanikin, October. Baghdad,

August, October, November. N. Persia: Harir, Karind Gorge, Kermanshah,

very common. (Broughton), Qasvin, July; Baghdad, September-October

(Buxton). S. Kurdistan: Suleimanyeh, September. Widespread and abundant

in Europe, also Baluchistan, Kashmir and Chitral.

C. altheze beeticus, Rambur. Seitz, Vol, 1, 85a.

Harir, 10th August 1918, 1 @.

Genus GEGENHS, Hbn.

G. nostrodamus, Fab. Seitz. 1. 88 e.

Smoky black, unspotted; female with yellowish marks on discoidal cell of

forewing. 15 @,69 (9 &, 5 35 now in B. M.), Baghdad, Jebel Hamrin

(Dyala).

Localities—Mesopotamia : Kizil Robat, May ; Khanikin, October. Range; S.

Europe, W. & C. Asia.

G. lefebvrei. Rambur. Seitz, Vol. 1, p. 349.

One male, Kirkuk, 18th October 1919.

It is questionable whether this is specifically distinct from, or only a form of

G. nostrodamus, Fabr.

Genus THYMELICUS

T. lineola, Ochs. Seitz. Vol. 1°87 f.

Pale reddish yellow; wings narrowly bordered with black, a short stigma

on the forewing im males. Mosul, April, one female (Watney). Range :

Europe, N. and W. C. Asia, N. Africa.

Is very like ‘ The small skipper.’

BUTIERFLIES OF MESOPOTAMIA, 369

Genus HESPERIA, Latr.

H. geron, Watson, Seitz, Vol. 1°85 d.

Brown with numerous white spots. Exp. 1 to 1°25 in Kane XV. 11. Described

from Quetta, but the name was aM. S. one of Zellers’ who had it from

Shahrud in N. Persia. 3 2, 2 9 (now inB. M.) and 1 ¢,1 Q.

Localities.—Mesopotamia : Kizil Robat, May. 8. Kurdistan, Suleimanyeh,

September. N. Persia, Kermanshah (Broughton). Range: Baluchistan to N.

Persia ; also Turkey and Greece.

H. proto, Esp. Seitz Vol. 1°85 d. Kane Pl. XV. 4. Brown, basal half

of wings covered with yellowish fur and having dull yellowish spots and margin.

with serrated pattern on margin of hindwing. 3¢, 692 (now in B. M.)and2 2.

Localities.—Mirjana ( = Kizil Robat), May, November. Khankin, October

Also in Europe. N. W. Persia, Takigerra Pass, Harir.

H. alveus, Hbn. Seitz, Vol. 1, 85 b.

Kermanshah, 24th August 1918, 1 9.

H. orbifer, hilaris, Staud, Seitz, Vol. 1 p. 336.

Harir, Karind Gorge and Kermanshah, 12-24th August 1918, 6 @, 2 Q (now

in B. M.) and another 2.

H. orbifer, Hib.

One specimen, Qasvin, September (Buxton).

Genus PARNARA.

P. mathias, Fab. Seitz, Vol. 1, 88 f. g.

Kizi] Robat and Baghdad, July, September, November, 3¢, 2 9 (now

in B. M.) common at Amara, June to November and bred in November on

great millet (Gorghum vulgare); 10 days in pupa. It is not a pest. Noticed

sleeping on the upper surface of apricot leaves just before sun down (Buxton).

Genus KOGENES.

E. alcides, H. S., Seitz, Vola 1, 88 e.

Suleimanyeh, September Ist, 3 @

Paitak, 1 4 August 1918 (now in B. M.).

Genus THANAOS.

T. marloyi, Bdv. Seitz, Vol. 1, 86 d.

Harir, 16th August 1918, {1 g Common in sheltered spots amongst bare

» rocky hills at Menzil at end of March.

Thanaos tages, var. tnicolor, Freyer. Seitz, Vol. 1, 86 ¢,

Suwarra, one male (Capt. Aldworth).

Note.—Captain Stoneham’s records of Vanessa io and urticw and of Pontic

chloridice are now considered incorrect.

The reproduction of the plate by Messrs. Bale Sons and Danielsson is

excellent.

For Map of this region see. Vol. XX VII, No.2, p. 322,

370

ON INDIAN PARASITIC FLIES.

HaARro_tp RUSSELL, F.L.S., F.Z.9.

This paper is concerned with parasitism among Diptera and parti-

cularly among Indian flies. Of the dozen or thirteen families of two-

winged flies, in which parasitic habits have been developed, all but

one are represented in the insect fauna of India. In some cases it is

the larva, in others the perfect or winged insect, which is a parasite.

There are also cases of wingless flies, which pass the whole of their

existence on the bodies of the hosts from which they draw their

nourishment. By no means all blood-sucking flies are parasites ; for

parasitism, in the strict sense, implies that a hostis essential to the

well-being and development of the parasite. On the other hand all

Diptera which are parasitic in the imaginal, or final, stage of their

lives, are blood-suckers. When the respective life-histories of an

(Hstrid anda Hippoboscid fly are contrasted, it will be seen how

entirely larval parasitism differs from imaginal parasitism and what

adaptations have been developed to secure the well-being of the

larva and the perfect insect, respectively.

By way of preface some generalities on two-winged flies are neces-

sary to render intelligible what follows on the parasitic species. The

Diptera are physiologically among the highest insects; none get

through their life-history more rapidly; and no insects go through

such a complete metamorphosis as flies. In the Muscid flies we have

the most highly specialised imago and the most degraded larva known

in any group of insects. The larvee are usually called grubs or maggots.

Thoracic legs are always absent ; but many larve have pseudopods by

which they move about with great facility.

Diptera may at once be recognised by the presence of only one pair

of wings. The second or hind pair are represented by poisers or

balancers called halteres, which are small organs consisting of a stem

andaknob. The halteres are, obviously, homologous with wings ; and

in the parasitic wingless forms they usually disappear along with the

wings. They vibrate during flight, and besides acting as balancers,

they also serve as sense organs. The basal part is supposed to contain a

structure which allows sound to be perceived. The wing veins,

which are of great taxonomic importance, are comparatively few

and for the most part run longitudinally. If the halteres represent

wings, it is remarkable that no organs intermediate between the two

should be found in any Dipteron. The thorax is welded into a single

mass instead of being composed of three clearly divided segments.

The legs are characterised by five-jointed tarsi and are often long and

slender. In the purely parasitic Hippoboscide they tend to become

shorter but exceedingly stout. The foot of a fly is composed of a

ON INDIAN PARASITIC FLIES. 371

pair of claws and a pair of pads between them. The claws may be

extremely slender but in parasitic flies they tend to become strong

and serrated.

The antenne of flies show much variety and have, since the days

of Latreille (1802), been regarded as furnishing fundamental charac-

ters for classification. They are of two types. The primitive type

of antenna is Nematocerous (which means long-horned) and consists of a

number of nearly similar jomts. The Brachycerous (or short-horned)

type appears to consist of only three joints dissimilar from one another,

On closer examination the last is seen to be more or less distinctly

ringed and to be made up of several joints. The complex antenna of

the most highly specialised flies has, in fact, been evolved from the

simple Nematocerous antenna by a concentration of the basal joints

and an elongation of the distal. In the parasitic flies this latter type

of antenna is very much reduced. Sometimes only a single joint with

a few bristles is recognisable ; and this is sunk in a deep pit on the

head from which it can be protruded by the contraction of the muscles

at the base.

This is no place to enter into the controversies that have raged

around the homologies of the dipterous mouth parts. The fly’s

mouth is adapted for sucking and, sometimes, for piercing and sucking.

The mouth parts project beyond the head and form a more or less

cylindrical proboscis. In some of the parasitic Hippoboscid flies the

proboscis can be almost completely withdrawn within the head.

Whilst in the Cistrid flies, in which the larva is parasitic and the per-

fect insect does not feed, the mouth parts are rudimentary or absent.

In all typical flies the proboscis is formed of the labiuwm, or lower lip

which encloses and sheaths the other parts, which may be

variously modified and some of which may be absent.

The reader, who knows anything of entomology, need only be

reminded that the order Diptera is divided into two large groups or

sub-orders the Orthorrhapha and Cyclorrhapha. The main difference

between these two groups turns upon the manner in which the insect

emerges from the pupal envelope. In the Orthorrhapha the pupa

is mummy-like and shows, in outline, the parts of the future imago

which escapes by splitting the skin down the back. In the Cyclorr-

hapha the pupa is like a small barrel, showing only rings outside and

nothing of the future imago within. The fly emerges by pushing off a

circular cap. The group of flies known as Pupipara, because the larva

is retaied within the mother’s body and there nourished until it is

ready to pupate, are Cyclorrhaphous flies much modified by parasi-

tism.

The connection that, apparently, exists between development of

squame or tegule and parasitic habits deserves attention. It seems

to be chiefly those groups containing a large proportion of entopara-

sitic species that are provided with tegulle ; and it is possible that

3872 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

an acuter sense of hearing is necessary to those forms in their search

for hosts. The Cyrtid@ for instance are a group which have developed

extremely large tegule which conceal the halteres and are probably

accessory to a highly developed auditory sense. In Diptera auditory

organs are placed at the base of the wings and may well be sensitive to

air-waves which make no impression on our ears. The halteres

in Diptera are supplied by nerves only second to the optic nerves which

are the largest in the insect’s body. The tegule of Diptera are very

possibly functional in collecting sound waves and increasing the per-

ceptive power of the organs in the halteres. It seems safe to assume

that in those dipterous groups which have no tegule, the halteres

chiefly perform a function of equilibration ; but in those groups which

have highly developed tegule such as Cyrtide, Tachinide and most

Cistride, the halteres are mainly organs of hearing. So the presence

of large well-developed tegule in the parasitic flies indicates the

presence of a highly developed auditory sense in the halteres.

The tegule, if this view is correct, are analogous with the carti-

laginous external ears of mammals.

Between 40,000 and 50,000 species of Diptera have been described

and these have been distributed by modern systematists into about

60 families. The life histories of the parasites are among the most

amazing things in Nature. Diptera are not popular insects even

among entomologists. Beelzebub in Hebrew is the Prince of Flies

but protects his votaries from the molestations of these pests. If

this paper should induce one person in India to become a collector

of Diptera or, better still, an investigator of their life histories, about

many of which nothing is known, it will not have been written

in vain.

It will be convenient to show in the form of a table the families

of Diptera in which parasitic habits have been developed.

DIPTERA.

I. Orthorrhapha.

Nematocera .. None are parasitic.

Brachycera .. .. Bombylude Cyrti-

de=Acroceride ‘Larval parasitism.

II. Cyclorrhapha.

Aschiza ne .. Phoride & 2)

bg oe .. Pipunculide :

Schizophora .. .. Conopide BS

se . Tachinide .. .. | Larval parasitism

.. Dexriide

. Muscide

.. >» in many members

. Sarcophagide staid

of these groups.

. Kstride

ON INDIAN PARASITIC FLIES. 373

Section Pupipara. .. Hippoboscide a

Streblide meh As

Nycteribiidee ig > Imayo parasitic.

(Braulide) .. i

Various considerations, interesting to the student of parasites,

will occur to the reader who thinks over the facts disclosed by this

table. In the first place it will be noted that parasitism is far more

prevalent in the Cyclorrhapha than in the more primitive Orthorrha-

pha. Indeed in the Nematogerous division, which includes the most

primitive flies known, there are no parasitic species at all; and in

the Brachycerous division only two families, neither of which are

very large ones. This absence of parasites from the primitive groups

of Diptera is confirmation of Metchinkoff’s dictum: that among

parasites we are to look for the latest products of evolution.

In the secon4 place, it will be noted that parasitic larvae and para-

sitic wnagines are sharply contrasted and separated. Only in the

Pupipara do we find adult flies parasitic on mammals and birds. Larval

parasitism is far more widely spread. The nourishment of the indi-

vidual and the reproduction of the species is the aim and end of all

animals. In insects the larval stage is the period of feeding and of

growth; the imaginal stage is the period of love and procreation.

Now parasitism is ultimately a matter of securing nourishment. The

parasite solves the problem of nutrition, but is often confronted with

difficulties when the problem of reproduction has to be faced. This

explains why in Diptera, to deal only with the one order under review,

the feeding-stage, rather than the reproductive, should more com-

monly be the parasitic stage. It is an advantage to a larval fly to

be well supplied with food and, as an incident, to be a parasite. It

isequally an advantage toa mature fly to be free living, and to

move about seeking the other sex or depositing eggs. The

breeding habits of the Pupipara, which do not lay eggs and nourish

the larva within the maternal abdomen, enable the mature fly to enjoy

the advantages of a parasitic life. There is no free larval stage to be

considered ; but against this, nourishment for the adult fly is essential,

for without it the young could not be reared. As a result the adult

fly is parasitic.

There are other reasons why the larval stage should be parasitic.

The habits of Diptera easily pass over into parasitism; but this

involves some changes in the way of life which probably come

more easily at an immature stage, whilst development and growth

are in progress. The greater number of dipterous larvae are vege-

table feeders, but many live on decomposing animal matter. From

this it is but a step to live and feed in and on the living bodies of

other insects or snails, reptiles, birds and mammals. For obvious

reasons no dipterous larva is known to be parasitic in a fish. The

374 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. AX VIII.

dipterous larva, whether free or a parasite, always finds itself among

rich supplies of food. For this it must thank its mother who has

had a wonderful instinct and in some cases the needful specially

adapted ovipositor. This explams why in the Diptera, particular-

ly those in which the larva is parasitic, we find perfect instinct and

perfect structure in the imago coupled with comparative degradation

in the larva. Hence also arises the vast transformation which takes

place at the pupal stage.

I propose now to give some account of the structure and life-

history of the species which compose the families with parasitic larvae.

It will be possible to take a survey of the varieties of hosts that are

attacked, of the adaptations which these Dipterous families have

evolved in connection with their parasitic habits, and of the

most common representations of each family im India. The

Pupipara will best be treated asa group by themselves; though

some entomologists regard the group as polyphyletic and none are

agreed what value should be accorded to it. The families which

compose the Pupipara have little in common except habits. Two

of the families are parasites of bats and therefore unfamiliar to most

people but to the lover of parasites much the most interesting

of all Diptera. In the preceding table I have enclosed Braulidae

in brackets because the pupiparous habits of the single species

are doubtful. It is a minute insect found clinging to bees and not

recorded from India.

Bombylud@. These conspicuous flies are members of a large

cosmopolitan family and may be recognised by their habit of remaining

poised for some minutes in the air and then darting away. All are

lovers of sunshine and many are frequenters of arid, sandy places.

They are familiar features in the Indian plains.* Many attain con-

siderable size and some are gorgeously coloured and coated with fur.

The wings are often prettily marked. This family contains many

of the most briliantly coloured Diptera. The abdomen in the sub-.

family Bombylune is almost globular and clothed with a dense furry

pubescence like a bumble-bee. The adult flies frequent flowers and

feed on honey and pollen. The larve feed parasitically on the larvee

of other insects, in some cases Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera, in

others on Diptera (Tachinids) which are themselves parasitic on

lepidopterous larve. The female fly is not provided with any

specially adapted ovipositor for placing the eggs which are dropped

from above haphazard in the vicinity of the larval host. The Bomby-

lnd larva is amphineustic and cylindrical, with thirteen segments.

* A description of the Indian genera and species will be found in the recent (1920)

volume of “The Fauna of British India” Diptera Brachycera,by E. eae Vol.

Tpp. 173-295.

ON INDIAN PARASITIC FLIES. 375

It has a small retractile head with well-developed mouthparts, pa-

pillate antennae and no eyes. When full fed it pupates where it lies

and turns into a mummy-like pupa often with strong spines on the

head and anterior parts. These spines are appliances developed in

connection with the larva’s parasitic life to enable the imago to reach

the open air.

Most of what is known as to the parasitic habits ot these

flies we owe to the French entomologist Fabre. Argyrameba

Sch. is a widely distributed genus with thirteen India species. Fabre’s

account relates to A. trifasciata Mg. which is parasitic on larval

masonbees. These bees (Chalicodoma) make mud nests on walls

and roofs. The parent Bombyliid drops an egg on the nest whilst

hovering over it. From this an extremely minute and slender larva

is hatched. For a fortnight it remains quiescent and fasting. Then

it shows unexpected endurance for one that has fasted so long and

amazing pertinacity in seeking a way into the chamber where the larva

mason-bee is lying. The Bombyliid larva has a deflexed horny

head with stiff bristles. Four pairs of long setae serve as organs

of locomotion. By dint of searching it discovers some crack in

the masonry through whch it can insinuate its small body.

Fabre likens this persistence to the root of a plant working its

way through a wall to seek nourishment. This primary form of

the larva enables the parasite to reach its victim. Once within

reach of food it grows, becomes obese and the setae disappear.

The parasite feeds on the host, without killing it, by applying a de-

licate sucker-like mouth to different parts of the body in turn. At

the end of 12 or 15 days the parasite is full grown and the host is re-

duced to an empty shell. For some months the larva remains qui-

escent and in the followmg spring it pupates. Then comes the crisis,

for the Bombyliid fly must reach the outer world. Neither the

larva, nor the imago has organs capable of doing the work of

excavation which is needed and the haircrack which admitted the

fasting larva will not permit an exit to the full-fed animal. The

Bombyliid pupa, however, has the necessary appliances: (a)

on the anterior part, spines (b) on the middle segments, rigid hairs

directed backwards (c) on the posterior part, horns. The pupa as a

whole is curved into a crescent; and having fixed itself in a firm

position by the posterior horns it digs a gallery, by which it can escape,

using the head-spines as picks. The pupal skin bursts when an exit

has been effected; the fly emerges leaving the skin sticking in the

mouth of the gallery.

Bombylius I. is a large genus with a world-wide distribution. This

genus is parasitic on small bees (Andrena and Halictus and others)

which live in colonies in sand banks. From India ten species have

been collected. B. major L. is not at all uncommon on the Simla

hills and B. orientalis Macq. is found all over India. B. major has

376 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

been observed to jerk its eggs against a sand bank, from the distance of

an inch or more yet strangely enough not so as to drop them actually

into the burrow of any bee.* The larvae are of Hymenopterous

aspect but there is no mistaking the Dipterous head. The pupa

has most remarkable cephalic spines which act as digging organs.

There are five prongs on the ventral surface of the head which have

been likened to the tusks of a walrus. No part of the imago is form-

ed in these spines and they serve, when the time for emergence

comes, to tear down the clay stoppimg with which the bees close

their burrows. Without such tools for digging a way out of the earth,

the parasitic larva would have lived in vain.

This family is represented by a hundred described species in India.

Anthrax Scop., Exoprosopa Macq. and Hyperalonia Rond. are the

largest genera besides those mentioned already. In many cases the

life-history is unknown. Geron argentifrons Brun. is parasitic on

caterpillars found under the bark of the Sissoo-tree (Dalbergia sissoo).

The pupa of a species of Systropus Wied. has been found inside the

cocoons of a moth. At one end of the moth’s cocoon is a circular

piece which is easily removed and allows the perfect insect to escape.

The pupal Systropus has a strong frontal projection apparently used

for the purpose of forcing off this lid. When one considers the diffi-

culties which meet the emerging Bombyliid fly, especially when

masonry or clay-stopping has to be penetrated, one cannot but wonder

what percentage fail to get out and to perform their reproductive

work,

Cyrtide. This is quite a small family of rather small flies with

curious habits and often an unusual appearance. They are some-

times called Acroceride but the former name is used by the best

authorities whose judgment I follow. The range of the family is

world-wide but only some 200 species are named and of these 10 have

been collected in India, Oncodes, Latr. being the most important

genus in that region.* The family is allied to the Bombyliide; but

whereas the latter are parasitic on insect larvae, all the Cyrtide,

whose metamorphoses and life-histories are known, have larvae

which are parasitic in the abdomens or in the egg-cocoons of spiders.

The perfect insects are like caricatures of Bombylius with a head that

seems to consist of nothing but enormous globular eyes, a humped

thorax and a rounded, sometimes actually globular, abdomen. The

mouth-parts are so varied that one can draw no conclusion as to the

food that is taken if any. In Acrocera, there is a long slender pro-

boscis but in Oncodes, the proboscis is apparently absent and there

is no orifice into the mouth so that all the feeding must be done during

* Chapman, ‘‘On the economy of Bombylius.” Ent. Mo. Mag ((1878) Vol. 14,

p. 196.

For the Indian genera and species see “‘ Fauna of British India.” Diptera

Brachycera by E. Brunnetti, Vol 1, which appeared in May 1920.

ON INDIAN PARASITIC FLIES. 377

the larval stage which to the parasitologist is the interesting stage.

The eggs are laid by the flies on the stems of plants and when the

young larvae emerge they must reach a spider. It is perhaps for

this purpose, that they are endowed with unusual leaping powers.

They are amphineustic, short, thick, 12-segmented with small head

and smaller mouth parts. They burrow into the abdomen of the

spider and feed on the tissues. When full fed the larva eats a way |

out and the dried skins of the spiders are found with a circular orifice

clearly showing what has happened. The larva then pupates and

the pupa lies in the spider’s web until the fly emerges. Not having

to dig itself free like the members of the previous family, the Cyrtid

pupa has no cephalic spines but on the dorsum of the thorax there

is a longitudinal row of spines the use of which is unknown.

One matter in connection with the respiration of the parasitic

larva deserves to be mentioned. The hind spiracles are surrounded

by large and peculiar plates. Respiration is a matter which must

always present a problem for the internal parasite. In one case the

Cyrtid larva has been found lying in the abdomen of the host (a

spider of the genus Cteniza) with the terminal spiracles actually in

the lungs of the spider from which it, doubtless, obtained its oxygen. *

When the flies es.1gc liom the pupa they frequent flowers and

grass. They have rather small wings and no great powers of flight.

The halteres are quite concealed by large horizontal squamae which

have been previously referred to.

Phoride. This is an interesting family of small black and yellow

flies with varied and remarkable habits. They have been collected

from most parts of the world and are common in India, more so per-

haps in the hills than in the plains. They have a hunch-backed

appearance, well developed legs and as a rule well developed wings

though there are some wingless forms. Most frequently they are

to be found about decaying vegetable matter and fallen leaves but

sometimes on windows. Little is known about the habits of most

species and Brues, the leading authority on the family, has no doubt

that much of interest awaits anyone who may undertake to study

the varied habits of this group. Brues recognises 23 genera. This

is an isolated group whose systematic position is unsettled and Dahl

has contended that the Phoride show affinities with fleas.

To the student of parasitology the larvae are of exceptional inter-

est because some get their nourishment from dead and decomposing

* An interesting account and plates of larvae, etc., will be found in: “ Beitrag.

zur Biologie der Acroceriden”’ (Cyrtidew) by F. Brauer. Verh. Zool-Bot. Ges. Wien

(1869) Vol. 19 p. 737. See also the same author’s later paper (1883) Denks. Ak. Wiss.

Wien, Vol. 47 at p. 26 and p. 61.

Wytsman’s ‘“‘ Genera Insectarum”’: Part 43. Phoride by C. T. Brues. There

is ne a Monograph by Theodor Becker Abh. Zool.-Bot. Ges. Wien. (1901) Vol I.

Heft 1.

3878 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

animal matter, but others do so whilst living in or on live animals

some as parasites, others as commensals. A study of the habits of

allied species as they advance along the road to parasitism ought to

throw light on the gradual stages by which the strictest parasitic

habits have been evolved, The Phorid larvae are cylindrical and

tapering towards the front. All that had then been observed as to

life habits and metamorphoses was collected in 1883 by Brauer. *

From this it appears that the larvae, as a rule, live in other insects

(both living and dead) as well as in almost any sort of decaying or-

ganic matter. Certain species show a predeliction for human. corpses.

It seems established that each individual species of larva is not inse-

parably bound to any definite host or even to any special sort of

nourishment. The most varied habits have been observed in one

and the same species. From this it may be inferred that parasitism,

where it occurs, is a newly acquired habit. A number of Phorid

larvae live in ants nests. Apocephalus is a parasite and Metopina

is commensal. The parasitic larva lives in the head of the adult

ant which finally drops off. The commensal larva lives curled about

the neck of the larval ant and partakes of the food given by the

attendant worker ants. Other Phorids have attached themselves

to termites, while others are found in the nests of fossorial bees and

wasps. It would be instructive to know what they do and what

they feed on in the nests.

Pipunculide. This is a small family of rather obscure and minute

flies; but they are found in most portions of the globe and there

are a number of Indian species which have been very little studied.

So far as their habits are known the larvae are always parasitic in

the bodies of Rhynchota. The Homopterous leaf-hoppers belonging

to the families Jasside@ and Fulgoride are much attacked and also

the spittle-insects or Cercopide. The important genus is Pipunculus

Latr. with about 80 described species represented in every continent.

Verrall considers the family the most exquisite fliers in the order

Diptera. They can remain poised, without ever touching the sides

in a glass tube not more than half-an-inch across. This power is

made use of by the female when laying her eggs on the Homopterous

host. She has been observed beating to and fro over the herbage

and then, on perceiving the species of insect for which she was search-

ing, hovering motionless like a kestrel and finally pouncing when

the position of the victim was favourable.

To assist in this parasitic business the flies have developed at least

three sets of interesting features. First come the enormous eyes.

The head is nearly spherical, actually broader than the thorax, and

composed chiefly of the large eyes. The front facets, which in both

* Dr. F. Brauer ‘Die Zweifliigler des Kais. Museums zu Wien’. Denks. Kais.

Ak. Wiss. Wien. (1883) Vol. 47, at p. 66.

ON INDIAN PARASITIC FLIES. 379

sexes are well developed, are enlarged to an enormous extent in the

females. The proboscis is concealed and nothing of the head is

visible in some species except the antennae and the globular

eyes. The head reaches its maximum development among Diptera

in this family, and being balanced on a point, a high degree of mobi-

lity is attained. It is clear that vision is principally depended on in

finding a host for the egg.

Secondly, legs and feet are unusually well developed and strong.

The feet are furnished with large laminate pulvilli and slender elon-

gated claws. The fact that in some species they are larger in the

female than in the male shows that they are implements to serve the

female in her egg-laying; for when she pounces on her victim she

graps and holds it, remaining perched upon its back, until her purpose

is effected. Lastly, the ovipositor of the female is a noteworthy

feature. It is strong and prominent, forming a sharp recurved,

piercing-organ. The egg-laying is effected with great rapidity. It

seems to be established that some flies will attack different species

of leaf-hopper but whether hosts from different families, e.g., Fulgo-

ride or Zasside@ are used by the same Pipunculid species is uncertain.

Both adult leaf-hoppers and nymphs are subject to attack.

Out of the egg emerges a small, thick, oval larva which feeds on

the living tissues of the host, without killing it, and which may some-

times be seen through the cuticle. The Pipunculid larva ultimately

leaves its host, to pupate buried in the soil or attached to a leaf of

the tree on which the leaf-hopper fed. Although a shapeless ace-

phalous maggot it is capable of great extension and contraction.

By which means, and by rolling movements, it is able to make enough

_ progress to find a place suitable for pupation. When the larva of

Pipunculus leaves the host it usually escapes at the junction of the

thorax and abdomen and this rupture of the leaf-hopper proves

fatal to the host.* The pupa is black or brown and of the normal

dipterous type. The life history of this interesting family deserves

much closer study for we have a dipterous family which in behaviour

and habits approaches in several respects the highly specialized

parasitic Hymenoptera. Little is known in India of the family as

a whole but Brunetti has described some Indian species and the

family is one which would well repay collectors.

Conopide. This is another comparatively small family but one

with a wide geographical distribution. The larvae have a remark-

able parasitic career. The adults frequent flowers, fly rather slowly,

* Some details on life history will be found in ‘ Leaf-Hoppers and their Natural

Enemies (Part IV. Pipunculide) By R. C. L. Perkins, Honolulu 1905. The Eu-

ropean Pipunculide have been monographed by R. Becker, Berliner Ent. Zeitsch.

(1897) Vol. 42 p. 25. With an excellent plate of the forms of ovipositor. The larva

is described by F. Brauer “ Die Zweifliigler des Kaiserl. Mus. zu Wien.’’ Denks

Kais. Ak. der Wiss. Wien (1883) Vol. 47 p. 32. All the above works contain refer-

ences to earlier papers.

280 JUURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

and being coloured yellow, red, or black, with a distinct waist and a

pubescent abdomen, they have an unusual resemblance to wasps

which may be protective. In India they are often to be seen in the

hills, but are not so common in the plains. Conops erythrocephala

with a black abdomen and grey thorax and head is a widely distri-

buted Indian species. Most species are elongated flies of moderate

size and the ovipositor of the female is often conspicuous. In some

cases it 1s folded beneath the abdomen, in others not.

The parasitic life of the larva is passed, so far as is known by nearly

all species, in the body of adult Hymenoptera, wasps and bees. Oc-

casionally the larvae of this family are parasitic on Orthoptera.* In

some cases the Conopid fly has been seen pursuing a wasp or bee and

depositing eggs directly on its body during flight. When the larva

emerges, it burrows into the abdomen of the bee or other host. It

lives within the abdominal cavity of the host and feeds on the least

vital parts, lying with its posterior end directed towards the base of

the abdomen. It is an oval larva, distinctly segmented, with strong-

ly bent mouth-hooklets at one end, and at the other, on the last

segment, two large round stigmatic plates arched like watch-glasses.

The larva pupates within the host and remains there during the winter.

When the time arrives for the adult fly to emerge, it forces a way

out between the abdominal segments. Whether this proves in all

cases fatal to the unfortunate bee, appears not to be certainly known. t

A number of cases are on record where collectors of Bombus and other

bees or wasps, on opening the boxes in which their collections were

stored have found specimens of Conopide which emerged sometimes

over six months after the killing and pinning of the host.

Regarded as types of parasitic lives, the lives of the larval Cono-

pids are of special interest because they are the first family

which are parasitic in the bodies of adult insects. In the previous

dipterous families the larvae have been parasitic in the bodies of

other larval insects. In the Conopide the adult Hymenopteron

is parasitized by the larval Conopid. Whether the parasite must

be more highly specialised successfully to deposit an egg upon an

imago as distinguished from a larval host is a matter for considera-

tion. It does not appear to be the case that insects which are

highest in the evolutionary grade become parasitic on the higher types

of host; and the Tachinide which come next in the methodus of

dipterous parasites are insects whose parasitism is apparently always

confined to the early stage of other insects.

(To be continued.)

* References to early observers from the time of Latreille (1809) will be found

in Brauer’s paper (1883) Denks. Kais. Ak. der Wiss. Wien. Vol. 47. p 83.

+ Some details on the life-history of a species of a Conops which is parasitic on a

large Pompilus are given by Saunders “‘ Observations on the habits of the Dipte-

rous genus Conops.”’ (1858) Trans. Ent. Soc. London N. 8. Vol 4. p. 285.

381

“« THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. ”

Ciaup B. Ticesurst, M.A., M.B.O.U., late Captain, R.A.M.C.

ASSISTED BY

P, A. Buxton, M.A., M.B.O.U., late Captain, R.A.M.C.

AND

Mayor R. E. Cuoeesman, M.B.O.U., 5th Buffs.

Parr If

(With 2 plates.)

Continued from page 250 of this Volume.

66. Grey Hypocolius. Hypocolius ampelinus.

Hypocolius ampelinus, Bb. (Consp. Av. I., p. 336, 1850—Abyssinian

Coast).

This species is evidently a very local bird in Mesopotamia and its status not

satisfactorily cleared up. Some observers did not meet with it at all and others

who came across it found it locally common. To Cumming belongs the credit

of first describing the nesting habits of this extraordinary bird (Ibis, 1886, p. 479)

which were previously unknown, and he supplemented his observations in the

B. N. H. 8. Journal (12, p. 760); since then nothing has been written about

it of any moment. Cumming considered that at Fao it was a summer visitor

arriving early in April from the 8. E., but Zarudny records that it winters in small

numbers in the Karun district, where however it is commoner in the breeding

season. Pitman too found it plentiful in the Adhaim river from September

24th up to the time he left there on November 17th, so that it seems certain

that some at all events pass the winter in the country.

Buxton, who met with this species at Amara in June, considered it to be a

bird of the date palms, which opinion coincides with Cumming’s. He describes it

as a very sprightly pird, very active and restless, frequenting the young palms

and running up and down the stems of the leaves like a Babbler ; the black nape

feathers can be erected into a small crest under excitement. He describes the

flight as long, rapid and straight, 300-400 yards at a time, the tail being held

straight behind. Pitman found his colony on the Adhaim frequenting low

scrub jungle which on both banks extend for nearly a mile between fairly high

cliffs. This scrub, almost impenetrable in places, consisted of acacia, tamarisk,

poplar and willow, and the Hypocolius invariably preferred the parts contain-

ing poplar. Where they occurred they were exceedingly plentiful from Sep-

tember 24th to November 17th ; in addition to Buxton’s notes on their flight and

habits he says “when a flock comes down to a bush they often wheel swiftly

several times like a flock of sparrows do, or else they drop head first towards

their objective and steady themselves at the end by cocking up their long tails

over their backs. They usually keep on the outside of the bushes when

382 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

searching for insects, and I have never seen them come down to the ground.

They have an unmistakable squeaking note and often a large flock is very noisy

and can be heard quite a long way off. I have occasionally found them

at dusk roosting on the thorny bushes. The males are very fond of sitting

up at the top of a bush, elevating their black crests and jerking their tails

up and down, and while creeping about a bush their tails are constantly

being moved. When sitting on the alert they are very conspicuous on the

tip-tops of a thorny leafless bush, their long bodies held straight up, tails

down and head and neck rather stretched up in a position of alertness and

attention. Frightened they suddenly wheel off at a tremendous pace, all

going off at the same instant. The flocks consist of six to twenty individuals.”

Concerning their habits in the breeding season, Cheesman, who found a colony

at Sera on the Tigris in scrub jungle, says the pairs often pack into a flock ;

on settling, their call, actions and appearance were similar to those of a Babbler

and pairs often indulge in love flights, flying round 100 to 150 feet up in the air.

They were building in the scrub on May Ist and he found a nest in a low bush

two feet from the ground in open scrub; the nest, which was being built of coarse

grass stems, was in the centre of a bush, not at all hidden, and the birds were

not shy. Cumming records that they breed at Fao in the middle of June and

he found the first eggs on June 13th ; the nests there are placed on the date palm

leaves three to five, occasionally ten feet up, and four is the usual

number of eggs. He describes the eggs as glossy white with lead-colour blotches

and spots towards the large end and at times over the whole egg. Tomlinson

on the Karun R.. found nests with four and five eggs on May 24th.

Their food consists of ‘‘ insects’ (Pitman), while Ingoldby saw these birds

gorging themselves on ripening dates at Baghdad, and Cheesman found giz-

zards of birds obtained full of the luscious red berries of Lyciwm europeum.

Bars records of this bird were received from Baghdad, near Amara, Museyib

and Basra in the breeding season.

The bill is black and the legs flesh colored.

Spirit specimens of adults and newly hatched young are great desiderata.

Eleven specimens examined: ¢ 9, Amara, 24-6-18 (P. A. B.); Baghdad, 7-8-17,

2-10-17 (two) (Ingoldby) ; 3, Adhaim, 30-9-17, 9-10-17 (two) (C. R. P.); d dQ,

Sera, 30-4-19 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.).

67. White-eared Bulbul. Pycnonotus leucotis.

Pycnonotus leucotis, mesopotamie* C. B. Ticehurst (B.N.H.S.J. 26,

(p. 279, 1918—Basra). Type now B. M.

This race of Bulbul is common and resident in palm groves and gardens from

Fao and Shustar to Baghdad on the Tigris, and to Museyib on the Euphrates;

higher up on the two rivers at Samarra, Tekrit, Mosul and at Feluja, Ramadi

and Hit their absence was remarked on, as it was at Khanikin on the frontier,

which place Buxton visited twice ; nor is any Bulbul recorded at Urfa by Wei-

gold. Some of these places are doubtless unsuited to its habits, though others,

such as Khanikin, appeared to be suitable in every way. Away from the date

palm and garden area it seldom occurs but Pitman found it innabiting reed beds

near Kurna far from any trees.

It breeds from April to July ; Buxton found young hatched by May 1st when

most were yet building, and in September saw partly fledged young, so that

probably two or more broods are reared, The middle of May appears to be the

time for fresh clutches of eggs. _ Tomlinson says three, rarely four, is the usual

number of eggs and three certainly seems to be the common number, but Cum-

ming at Fao records a nest of five. The nests are situated in almost any bush,

especially date palms, and a nest is reported as situated in a reed frame sup-

* By a printer’s error spelt mesopotamta.

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 383

porting melon plants. The nests aie small cups, made of fine grass and small

twigs, lined with finer grass and date palm fibre with a little ‘‘ cottony ” material.

21 specimens examined: ¢ @, Hilla, 16-3-19; 9, Khazimain, 15-2-19,

Q, 13-11-18; 3, Basra, 19-4-17 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); Y, Shustar, 20-1-18;

(F. M. B.); ¢, Amara, 28-3-18 (P. A. R.); 4 Nahr Umar, 25-3-18(C. R. P.)

& Basra, 20-11-17 type; 40, 39, 17-19--3-18 (C. B. T.).

Jos leucotis of Gould was described from “In India orientali” (P. Z. S., 1836,

p. 6,); here there is nothing to shew whence Gould obtained his specimens

but it is known that his son collected in Sind and sent his father specimens ;

I therefore designate Karachi in Sind as the restricted type locality for the

typical race.

In the Bombay Journal (loc. cit.) I described the Bulbul of Mesopotamia as

a new race of the Indian bird, characterized by its rather longer wing and tail

and larger bill, the yellow rim round the eyelids and rather darker underparts. I

described it from a series obtained in Basra and these birds had markedly dark

underparts. I have since seen more of these Bulbuls from elsewhere in Meso-

potamia and I am not sure that this last character holds so markedly as I at

first thought. I find all birds from Basra are darker than from elsewhere

in Mesopotamia, and I think it is due to grime from the many steamers which

anchored there during the war. I particularly noticed it to be the case with the

Prinia and Francolinus.

The other characters however hold good, viz., yellow eye rim, longer wing

and tail, and larger bill. Hartert (Vog. P. Fauna, p. 462) gives measurements

of leucotis as wing 91-94, tail 86-92 mm. A number of Sind males however mea-

sure: wing 83-88, tail 80-89 m.m. ;

Pitman records that on May 25th near Feluja, where this Bulbul does not occur.

he saw a pair of Bulbuls which had no white on the cheeks and whose general

colour was dull smokey brown. Possibly P. capensis «anthopygos occurs

here and in some other parts, but the question requires further investigation

before this, the Palestine Bulbul, can be admitted to the fauna.

68. Spotted Flycatcher. Muscicapa grisola.

(1) Muscicapa grisola grisola, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, 1, p. 328, 1766—

Europe).

(2) Muscicapa grisola neumannt, Poche (Orn. Monats., 1904, Pp: 26;

N. W. Massailand).

The Spotted Flycatcher is a passage migrant in fair numbers, arriving rather

late in spring ; the first may be looked for about the middle of April and they are

numerous later in the month; some are found throughout May, and Buxton

noted them at Amara until the second week in June, but there was no indication

of their breeding there. The return passage begins about September 10th and

they are common all the month. Buxton found them still common at Amara

on October 25th, but they soon after disappeared. During their passages

they are widely distributed throughout the region.

Weigold, who found the species common on spring passage at Urfa (April

15th—-30th) is inclined to think his specimens belong to the Eastern form

neumannt.

(1) Twelve skins examined: 3, Amara, 27-5-18 (two); ¢ Q, 9-9-18, 3 4:10-17

(P. A. B.) ; Tekrit, 17-4-19; S. Saad, 16-91-7; Shaiba, 23-9-16 (P. Z.C. and R. E.

C.); Basra, 1918 (Hobkirk).

All these are the paler newmanni, which probably, is the commoner of the

two races. It nests in small numbers as near as the Zagros (Zarudny).

(2) 2, Feluja, 8-5-17 (C. R. P.); Basra, 5-5-17 (L. Home).

These belong to the typical European race. It is interesting to note that

these were all got about the same day and perhaps represented a wave of

migration of this race.

384 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

69. Pied Flycatcher Muscicapa atricapilla.

(1) Muscicapa atricapilla atricapilla, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, p. 326—1766,

—Sweden).

(2) Muscicapa atricapilla semitorquata, Hom. (Zeit. ges. Orn. 2, p. 185,

1885—Caucasus).

(1) Noted by Weigold at Urfaon April 15th and fairly common on passage

for a few days.

(2) This race arrived at Urfa and passed through before collaris. It arrived

on April 11th and was common up to 19th.

Buxten saw a Pied Flycatcher of sorts at Baghdad on September 25th and

Stoneham records a pair at Samarra on April 10th.

This race must surely occur more numerously in Mesopotamia? I may here

record that on March 22nd a male Pied Flycatcher came on board near Tanb

Islands in the Persian Gulf and left, going north, when the Persian shore became

visible near Bunder Abbas. I had it repeatedly within a few yards of me.

Cumming obtained a male inJanuary 1887 anda female on August 29th,

1886, at Fao. These are in the British Museum and Mr. Kinnear has identified

them as belonging to this race.

70. Collared Fiycatcher. Muscicapa collaris.

Muscicapa collaris, Bechst. (Gem. Naturg. Deutschl., 4, p. 495, 1795—

Thuringerwald, Central Germany).

The only records of this species are those of Weigold who found it common

at Urfa on passage between April 15th and 21st. Its migration route would

not seem to pass over middle and lower Mesopotamia.

71. Red-breasted Flycatcher. Muscicapa parva.

Muscicapa parva parva, Bechst. (Latham’s allg. Urbers d. Vogel 2, p.

356, 1794—Thuringerwald).

The only record is that of Cumming who got one at Fao on October 10th, 1884.

72. Chiffchaff. Phylloscopus collybita.

(1) Phylloscopus collybita collybita, Vieillot. (N. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., 11,

1817, p. 235—France).

(2) Phylloscopus <collybita abietina, Nilsson (Kgl. Vat-Akad. Handl.,

1819, p. 115—Sweden).

(3) Phylloscopus collybita tristis, Blyth. (J. A. S. B., 12, 1843, p. 966

—Calcutta).

(4) Phylloscopus collybita sindianus, Brooks (Stray Feathers, p. 476,

1880—Sind).

None of the Phylloscopi were differentiated in the field and so the various

species and races can practically only be dealt with from specimens obtained,

The Chiffchaffs are common winter visitors throughout the area in suitable

situations such as gardens, crops, scrub, reeds, etc. They appear to arrive late,

as the earliest record is of one obtained on October 26th; after that they are

fairly common though it seems likely many pass through to winter further

south, as a great increase in numbers is noted by several observers in the last

week in March on return passage. Cheesman heard them in song at Khazi-

main on March 16th and Pitman near Basra on March 26th. They move north

early in April, the latest date for collybita is April 5th and of abietina April 22nd.

(1) Judging by the skins received, the typical race is perhaps the commonest

and certainly the first two and probably also tristis over-winter. Weigold does

not record the typical race from Urfa and Zarudny says it is a rare passage

migrant in the Karun district, which is somewhat strange both in view of our

records and that of Woosnam’s, whose skins from that area (February 14th to

March 26th) according to Witherby all belong to the typical race.

JourN. BomBay Nat. Hust. Soc. PLATE ;

cata ATE BS

Photo. Capt. W. Edgar Evans, 5th June, 1915.

A.—Kentish Plover’s nest on shelly clay, margin of large marsh|below:Amara.

Eggs (3), almost hatching.

Photo. Capt. C. R. Pitman.

B.—A salt pan about } mile W. of Euphrates barrage. 3-6-17.

Typical breeding ground of Little Ringed Plover, Common Tern, Kentish Plover, Little

Tern, Pratincole, and White-tailed Lapwing. Nest of latter in foreground.

Brrps OF MESOPOTAMIA.

Palys 20 airtel

ha?

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 385

17 skins examined: Amara, 5-4-18, 18-12-17, 13-3-18, 9, 1-11-17, d, 24-3-18;

Kumait, 13-11-17 (P. A. B.) ; Shustar, 4-1-18 (F. M. B.); @, Sheik Saad, 24-3-17,

14-12-16 ; ¢, 14-3-17 (P. Z. C. andR. E. C.) ; Nahr Umar, 24-3-18 ; Samarra, 5-2-

18, 6-3-18 (two); Feluja, 22-3-17 (two); Shat-al-Adhaim, 15-11-17 (C. R. P.).

Wings both sexes 55-62 ; possibly odd ones of these (unsexed) may belong te

the race abietina.

(2) Weigold states that this race was the commonest small bird at Urfa from

April 10th to 23rd and that all were females, the males having probably passed

through. He says his skins are not quite typical (wing 56-58) but on geogra-

phical grounds he considers them to be of this race! I can only remark that

many females of the typical race are within his measurements and that assuming

what you wish to prove does not always lead to accuracy. Zarudny gives it as

a winter visitor and passage migrant in the Karun district.

12 skins examined: 3, Amara, 21-1-18, 12-3-18 ; Ali Gharbi, 3-3-18 (P. A. B.) ;

2, Busra, 22-4-17; ¢, Sheik Saad, 29-3-17 ; Khazimain, 6-4-19 (two) (P. Z. C.

and R. E. C.) Samarra, 3-18, 13-12-17, 5-2-18 (C. R. P.); Basra, 9, 18-3-18,

Q, 20-11-17 (C. B. T.).

Wings 6, 63-68°5. @, 58-60°5 m.m.

(3) The Siberian Chiffchaff is probably commoner than records indicate ;

we have two skins only, obtained as follows:— ¢@, Amara, 26-10-17 (P. A. B.) ;

visitor and Cumming met with it at Fao in March and May.

(4) A Chiffchaff obtained by myself at Basra on November 20th, 1917, I cannot

refer to any of these three races. It lacks all green and yellow coloration in the

plumage, even the edges of the wings have no greenish wash. This specimen

matches pretty well a series of sindianus which I obtained in the type locality,

except that its bill is a trifle larger than most, and to this race I must refer it.

P. c. sindianus is very close to Ph. neglectus lorenzit which is a rather rare’ bird

and of apparently limited distribution (Caucasus), and this might be expected to

* occur in Mesopotamia. The coloration of the upper and underparts are precisely

the same in both, the only differences I can see are (1) in sindianus—the bend of

wing, under wing coverts and axillaries are pale yellow, not white or isabelline

white as in lorenzii ; (2) the wing formula is slightly different,—in sindianus the

second is equal to the ninth, or between this and the eighth or tenth, whereas in

lorenzii it is equal to the eighth or between this and the seventh. In these

characters my Basra bird resembles sindianus and not lorenzit.

73. Willow Wren. Phylloscopus trochilus.

(1) Phylloscopus trochilus, trochilus L. (Syst. Nat. Ed., x., p. 188,

1758—England).

(2) Phylloscopus trochilus eversmanni, Bp. (Consp., Av. 1, p. 289,

1850—Kazan and Orenberg in Russia).

The Willow Wrens are spring and autumn passage migrants, both races pass-

ing through about the same time. A few arrive in March ; Cumming records it

on March 17th and there were a few at Basra on the 20th ; most however come

in the first half of April; they pass through again in September, all our records

relating to the last three weeks of the month. Weigold noted numbers of the

typical race at Urfa from April 10th to 19th and also obtained two of the eastern

race (eversmannt) on the 10th. Zarudny lists the latter as a winter visitor !

(1) Four skins examined: 3, Amara, 17-4-18, 9, 18-9-18 (P. A. B.) ; Basra,

19-4-17 ; Khazimain, 6-4-19 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.).

(2) Three skins examined: f Amara, 18-9-18, 9, 18-9-18 ; Baghdad, 21-9-17

(PA. B.):

386 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

74. Plain Willow Wren. Phylloscopus neglectus.

Phylloscopus neglectus neglectus, Hume (Ibis, 1870, p. 143—Punjab),

Noted by Zarudny as a winter visitor to the Karun district ; it breeds accord-

ing to him in the Zagros in small numbers. It should be fairly common in

Mesopotamia, but we have no records of it.

75. Bonelli’s Warbler. Phylloscopus bonelli.

Phylloscopus bonelli orientalis, Brehm. (Vogelfang. p. 332, 1855—

Wady Halfa).

The Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler was met with at Urfa by Weigold during

spring migration from April 12th to 22nd ; he remarks that it was not common,

singly or in pairs.

76. Wood Wren. Phylloscopus sibilatrix.

Phylloscopus sibilatrix sibilatriz, Bechst. (Naturforschev., 27,

p. 47, 1793—Thuringan).

Also recorded by Weigold from Urfa as rather uncommon on passage from

April 13th to 18th; he remarks that specimens obtained are not paler than

German ones. So far we have no records of either of these Warblers.

77. Cetti’s Warbler. Cettia cetti.

? Cettia cetti crientalis, Trist. (Ibis, 1867, p. 79—Palestine).

The status of this Warbler in Mesopotamia is unknown and the records are

few. Buxton heard it near Baghdad on September 17th and again at Amara

on November 6th, while he obtained two specimens at the latter place on Sep-

tember 28th and January 9th.

There is a specimen from Fao, November 4th, in the B. M. and Weigold obtained

seven males at Urfa between April 12th and 22nd where there were several in the

gardens. He thinks his specimens belong to the typical race and gives the

wing measurements as 62-68 mm. These Urfa birds appear to me to be much

too large for the typical race which usually measure 60-62 ; he mentions nothing

about the colour. These three Mesopotamian birds are too pale for cetti, especi-

ally on flanks and undertail coverts and match well in this respect Larkhana

birds, topo types of cettioides, however they are rather small for this, one male 66,

and two unsexed 65 and 58. Now five males from Larkhana measure 65.69.

- 71.71.73 mm. ; (perhaps the first is wrongly sexed) and two females 61 and 63-5

mm.; four males from Kohat and Khandahar measure 68°5—72°5 mm., and female

60, so that one may say that usually this race has a wing of 68°5-73 in males and

60—63°5 in females. One would like to see more Mesopotamian specimens but

for the present I am inclined to place these under orientalis of Tristram whose

type came from Palestine rather than under ceftioides. Palestine specimens

seem to be scarce in collections, there is one in the B. M. and one in the Tring

Museum ; both of these I have examined ; they do not seem to me to be distin-

guishable in colour from Sind birds, but are perhaps a little smaller, wing, ¢,

64°5. 957 mm., but until more Palestine specimens can be examined it cannot

be considered settled whether orientalis is a sufficiently distinguishable race.

78. Moustached Sedge Warbler. Lusciniola melanopogon.

Lusciniola melanopogon mimica, Mad. (1903—Flugblatt, Transcaspia).

Buxton met with this species in the Hor Hawizie, south-east of Amara, on

July 13th where it was common in the sedges on the edge of the huge marsh and

evidently breeding. He obtained three adults in very worn plumage, the organs

of one of which were much enlarged. These skins are so poor that itis impossible

to say. which race they belong to. However I saw two or three in reedy dykes

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 387

at Basra on November 20th and obtained one which undoubtedly belongs to the

Eastern race. The above records tend to shew that this bird is resident, but

further confirmation is desirable.

7y. River Warbler. Locustella fluviatilis.

Locustella fluviatilis, Wolf (Meyer and Wolf’s Taschenb. d, deutsch,

Vog. 1, p. 229, 1810—R. Don in Austria).

A single specimen was obtained by Venning at Basra on May 11th, 1918 ; it is

pretty certain to have been a passage migrant. The occurrence of this species

is not unexpected as it occurs in the Ural Range and has been obtained in Asia

Minor and Palestine (Hartert. Vog. Pal.)

The Eastern Grasshopper Warbler (L. n. straminea) and Savi’s Warbler (L.

luscinioides) may both be expected to occur.

80. Great Reed Warbler. Acrocephalus arundinaceus.

Acrocephalus arundinaceus zarudnyi, Hart. (Bull. B. O. C., 21, p- 26—

Djarkent in Turkestan).

The records and notes about Great Reed Warblers are not many and rather

confused as the different kinds were not recognized in some cases. It can how-

ever be confidently stated that the Eastern Great Reed Warbler is a passage

migrant through Mesopotamia in spring and autumn. Pitman noted that the

spring passage lasted at Feluja from April 20th to 29th and Buxton records a

sudden rush at Amara on May 7th. Cheesman saw two at Sheik Saad as early as

April 3rd. Cumming records it as a double passage migrant at Fao. Pitman records

the return passage during the first week of September at Baghdad. Odd birds

may winter in Mesopotamia as Woosnam obtained one at Ahwaz on February

28th and Zarudny lists it as wintering in the Karun district, as well as being

a passage migrant.

There is no evidence so far of its breeding in our area. Buxton, who worked

the huge marshes to the east of Amara during the nesting season, failed to see or

hear an derocephalus at all. On passage this bird affects bean and pea rows in

the absence of reed beds.

Ten specimens examined: Basra, 31-7-18; Sheik Saad, 3-4-17 (two);

Baghdad, 31-8-17 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); Feluja, 21-4-17 (two); 29-4-17

(two) (C. R. P) ; 9, Amara, 7-5-18 (P. A. B.).

The specimens obtained are certainly too pale on the back, rump and flanks for

the typical race and correspond best with zarudnyi, which race Weigold also

records from Urfa on April 20th.

Zarudny records the Eastern Clamorous Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus stento-

reus brunnescens as wintering in the Karun district. We have no definite records

of it and no specimens were obtained, and in view of the discovery of Acroce-

phalus babylonicus I hesitate to accept Zarudny’s record.

81. Babylonian Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus babylonicus.

Acrocephalus babylonicus C. B. Ticehurst (Bull. B. O. C., 253, pp. 12-13,

1920—Basra).

In working out the collection I found some specimens of Reed Warbler which

evidently belonged to no known race or species and I described it therefore as

new (supra l. c.).

We have in Mesopotamia three Reed Warblers at least, viz., the Common

Reed Warbler (Ac. scirpaceus), a small bird, the Great Reed Warbler (Ac. arun-

dinaceus zarudnyt), a large bird, and the Babylonian Reed Warbler (Ac. babylo-

nicus) of a somewhat intermediate size. As the field observations refer to the

Common and Great Reed Warblers and doubtless include our new species, little

of certainty can be said about it. Cheesman obtained the type specimen on

April 22nd, 1917, at Basra where he found it among date palms and pomegranate

388 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

trees, and says a Reed Warbler of sorts breeds at Basra. Pitman obtained three

specimens at Lake Akkarkuf near Baghdad on August 25th where they weve not

uncommon. Logan Home and Tomlinson found it breeding in the marshes

near Basra and sent to Jourdain eight clutches of eggs together with a breeding

bird. This specimen is in the Tring Museum labelled brunnescens, which it cer-

tainly is not. Jourdain who received nests as well as eggs, describes (t. c. p. 14)

the former as “‘ comparatively small and slight about 3—3} inches in depth and

about the same in diameter, totally unlike the deep bulky edifices constructed by

the Great and Clamorous Reed Warblers. The eggs, three or more (usually four)

in number, are also smaller (av. 19°5x14'6mm., 23 measured) and are very

variable in colouring, some closely approaching the type of A. palustris while

others would almost pass for A. scirpaceus, and two sets have a pale bluish grey

ground and irregular streaks, spots and blotches, chiefly at the large end, of

varying depths of sepia and ochreous brown.”” One clutch was (Lbis, 1920, p. 310)

erroneously described as unusual varieties of brunnescens.

Five specimens examined : J, Basra, 22-4-17 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.) type of

species.

L. Akkarkuf, 25-8-17 (three) (C. R. P.); Basra, 11-5-19 (L. Home) ex Tring

Museum.

This species has the same shaped bill as stentorews, though smaller ; but the

wing formula is like that of arwndinaceus, that is to say the second primary is a

little shorter than the third (the longest) and reaches between the third and the

fourth. The first primary is minute, 6 mm.,* shorter than the longest primary

covert. The tail is less rounded than in stentoreus or brunnescens, the outer

feathers being 5-8°5 mm. shorter than the centrals, instead of 14-16 mm., as

in brunnescens. The third primary only is emarginate on the outer web, unlike

brunnescens in which the third and fourth are both emarginate. The tail is

shorter than in any known race of arundinaceus or stentoreus, markedly so.

The colour of the upper parts is more olivaceous green than in either of these,

and the throat pure white without any obsolete streaks. Underwing and axil-

laries paler, almost white. The autumnspecimens appear to be more rufescent

than the spring ones but they are poor specimens.

Iris brown, bill horn colour, tongue bright yellow, legs and feet plumbeous.

Wing 78-83°5, tail 61°5-65, bill from base 19°5-22, tarsus 23°5-24 mm.

Nothing is known about the status of this bird or its habits and distribution ;

further observations and specimens are greatly desired.

82. The Common Reed Warbler. Acrocephalus scirpaceus

-(streperus auct).

(1) Acrocephalus scirpaceus scirpaceus, Herm. (Obs. Zool., p. 202,

1804— Alsace).

(2) Acrocephalus scirpaceus macronyx, Sev. (Turkest. Jevotn. Moskov.,

viii, 2, p. 128, 1873—Syr. Daria).

There are no observations practically regarding this bird. Cheesman saw

it at Shush on May 2nd and Buxton noted several in a reed bed at Gurmat Ali

on August 18th and obtained a specimen; other specimens were obtained at

Amara, April 3rd, Busra, April 22nd, L. Akkarkuf, August 22nd, and Sulei-

mania, September 9th.

Probably it is a double passage migrant through Mesopotamia. It was ob-

tained at Fao by Cumming on August 20th.

All these specimens undoubtedly belong to the European (typical race), a curious

fact since Mesopotamian birds on the whole belong to the Eastern races. The

Eastern form of the Reed Warbler (macronyx) inhabits the countries east of the

Caspian, and Persia, and one would expect that it would have been this race

* By aslip, in the original description 6 mm. ‘longer’ appears instead of ‘‘ shorter,’’

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA, 889

which passes through Mesopotamia ; indeed Zarudny records it as a passage

migrant and wintering in the Karun district.

(2) One obtained by Cheesman on board “S. S. Lawrence ” off Fao on

October Ist, 1920, belongs to this paler race.

83. Marsh Warbler. Acrocephalus palustris.

Acrocephalus palustris, Bechst. (Ornith. Taschenb., p. 186, 1803—

Germany.)

Cumming obtained a specimen at Fao on March 18th, 1884, and he considered

it to be a passage migrant in March and April, as does Zarudny. Witherby

found it common in the Highlands of Persia. We have no further records of

this species ; I have been unable to trace this Fao bird ; no example of palustris

is registered from Fao in the British Museum.

84. Sedge Warbler. Acrocephalus schenobznus,

Acrocephalus schenobenus, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed., x., p. 184 1758—

S. Sweden).

There is little to record about this species and its status is quite uncertain.

Cumming obtained one at Fao on May Ist and thought it was resident there and

says he had often seen it in long grass near the mouth of the river. Cheesman

obtained one in a lucerne field at Ahwaz on May 24th which is a somewhat late

date for it to be migrating, but Buxton got one at Amara on May 15th and he

had no reason to suppose it bred there, and thinks it is an uncommon spring and

autumn migrant. Other specimens were obtained at Basra on May 17th and

Sheik Saad on March 24th, while I found it not uncommon in standing wheat at

Basra on March 19th. Further observations are required.

The specimens obtained differ in no way from European ones.

85. Olivaceous Tree Warbler. Hypolais pallida.

Hypolais pallida eleica, Linderm (Isis. 1843, p. 342—Greece).

This Warbler is a very common summer visitor to the plains and is recorded

from many places from Tekrit down to Fao. The first arrive in the last days of

March or early in April, and towards the end of the month they are breeding.

It is an inhabitant of scrub and gardens and the nests are placed in various situ-

ations in suitable cover; Buxton and Tomlinson record that rose bushes are

frequently selected, the nest being two to three feet up; Logan Home found

nests high up in tall thistles, also in a mulberry ; while several observers noted

nests high up in the tops of large willows. Evans, who found a nest in a citron

bush, describes it as very small, thin walled and deep, made of white down of a

species of grass. Eggs may be found by the middle of May. Tomlinson and

Logan Home considered 3, rarely 4, eggs a full clutch ; others have noted 4 eggs

while Cumming at Fao found nests with five and six eggs. By the end of June

family parties are on the wing, though eggs just hatched are also recorded at that

time ; the latest record of this bird is September 17th by which date most have

gone.

Considerable confusion has arisen over this bird ; in the B. N. H. Society’s

pamphlet ‘‘ Notes on the Animals of Mesopotamia ”’ the records of this bird appear

under Scotocerea inguieta, a bird which does not occur in our area. This mistake

arose through Cumming being misled over his eggs and specimens, and in the

Journal X XV1, p. 293, he altered the record to Hypolais languida which he had

obtained at Fao and which he took to be the breeding bird. Jourdain did

not entirely clear up matters when he said (t. ¢. p. 672-3) that he had examined

the eggs and they were those of Hypolais pallida |! H.p. elwica is the only known

breeding Hypolais in Mesopotamia.

Sixteen specimens examined: 7 +4 ¢, Amara, 1-5-18 to 29-6-18, ¢, 17-9-18

(P. A. B.) ; 4, Sheik Saad, 30-3-17 to 23-4-17 ; Sera, 30-4-19 ; Busra, 22-4-17 ;

Kazimain, 12-5-19 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); Busra, 1918 (Hobkirk).

390 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

These birds correspond well with Greek specimens ; they are greyer in tone

on the upperparts, less brownish in colour, than the typical race from the Nile

valley ; altogether a “ colder ” looking bird. Wings of males 65-68 mm. and

the tip of the second primary is nearly always between that of the sixth and

seventh. The newly hatched young, like those of other Warblers I have seen,

are perfectly devoid of down.

One bird obtained at Fao by Cumming in November 1884 and recorded

(Ibis, 1886) as obsoleta by Sharpe, is considered by Witherby (Ibis, 1903, p. 542)

to be pallida (p. eleica). Iwas unable to find this specimen. Of Hypolais rama

there is no certain record.

86. Upcher’s Tree-Warbler. Hypolais languida.:

Hypolais languida, Hempr. and Ehr.(Symb. Phys. fol. ce, 1833—

Syria).

Two were obtained by Cumming at Fao on August 27th and 28th, presumably

on passage, as this is a hill breeding species. They are in the British Museum.

Recorded by Zarudny as a winter visitor and passage migrant in the Karun

district in small numbers.

Three half fledged young from Fao registered in the British Museum as belong-

ing to this species are in reality the young of el@ica.

87. Barred Warbler. Sylvia nisoria.

Sylvia nisoria, Bechst. (Gem. Nat. Deutschl. 4, p. 580, 1795—

Middle Germany).

The Barred Warbler is a passage migrant in small numbers but perhaps is

commoner than our records indicate, as it is a very shy and skulking bird. Pit-

man noted a few at Feluja on spring passage from April 24th to 30th; and Chees-

man obtained it at Baghdad on the 26th. Weigold records it at Urfa on the 25th

and Cumming got one at Fao in May. The spring passage would appear to last

but a short time. There are three records in autumn, Basra, September 8th (L.

Home) ; Sheik Saad on 11th and Shaiba on the 25th (Cheesman).

Pitman noted that it made all use of any cover it could and Cheesman found

it among cotton bushes.

Seven specimens examined : Feluja, 24-4-17, 30-4-17, 29-4-17 (C. R. P.); ¢,

Sheik Saad, 11-9-17; Shaiba, 25-9-16; Baghdad, 26-4-19 (P.Z.C. and

R. E. C.) ; Busra, 8-9-19 (L. Home), Wings 88-90 mm.

An eastern iace has been described by Schalow as merzbacheri (Orn. Monat.,

1907, p. 3) from Tian Shan ; it is said to have a longer wing and paler head and

neck than the typical race. Now I have examined 16 adults from Europe and

16 adults from Central Asia (Afghanistan, E. Turkestan (twelve) including Tian

Shan, Kashgar, Khargalik) and I cannot see the slightest difference between them.

The wings of the European birds measured 83-92 mm. and those from Central

Asia, 85-93 mm. The tone of grey on the head and neck varied in both series—

some paler, some darker, in both areas, and it so happens the darkest of all was

a Tian Shan bird ! merzbacheri is evidently not a good race and a pure synonym

of nisoria.

it is worth noting that Zarudny records the Eastern Orphean Warbler nesting

commonly in the Zagros ; he did not meet with it in Mesopotamia nor have we

any records of it.

88. Garden Warbler. Sylvia simplex.

Sylvia simplex, Latham (Gen. Synop. Sup p. 1,p. 287, 1787—England).

A fairly common passage migrant whose times of passage appear to be late

and to cover a long period. It arrives about the middle of April and is to be

found up to the end of May while Buxton obtained one at Amara, as late as June

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA, 391

12th. There is however no evidence of its breeding in our area. It returns

about the first week in September and the last record is November 3rd. Zarudny

Says it occurs in winter, but of this we have no record,

Five specimens examined: 6, Amara, 12-6-18, 4, 3-9-18, 9, 11-5-18 (P.

A.B.); 3, Qualet Saleh, 28-5-18 (P. Z.C. and R.E. C.); Adhaim, 3-11-17

(CR, P.).

These appear to be perhaps a trifle greyer on the back than most specimens.

Witherby also noted that one from Central Westcrn Persia was rather paler and

larger (wing 80). There are however many British ones as large as this. Johansen

has described a pale race, pallida from Barnaul in W. Siberia and possibly this

is a recognisable form, but until one can sec a series thence it is impossible to say.

89. Blackcap. Sylvia atricapilla.

Sylvia atricapilla, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. X, p. 187, 1758—Sweden).

This species also is a passage migrant and seems to be much commoner in

spring than in autumn. A few arrive towards the end of March, earliest March

24th, but it is not common until the first week in April during which month a

good many pass through, and the passage lasts till mid-May, the latest the 18th.

There are but few autumn records ; Tomlinson noted it on autumn passage and

Cumming records that it passes through in September and October, Logan Home

saw it at Basra on September 26th. Zarudny says it isa winter visitor as well

as a passage migrant.

Seven specimens examined: ¢, Amara, 12-5-18, 16-4-18 ; 2, 21-4-18, 12-4-18,

17-4-18 (P. A. B.); 3d, Sheik Saad, 1-4-17 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); @, Basra,

18-5-18 (Venning).

These are not to be differentiated from West European birds.

90. Common Whitethroat. Sylvia communis.

Sylvia communis icterops, Ménétr. (Cat. Rais. Caucase, p. 34, 1832—

Talysch).

The Common Whitethroat occurs in fair numbers on both passages ; first

_ noted at Sheik Saad on April 7th when it was plentiful, individuals only halting

a few hours ; the passage lasts throughout April and well into May, as Cheesman

obtained it at the oasis of Shaiba on May 25th and at Ahwaz on the 22nd. It

returns again at the end of August and during September ; last record 23rd.

Cheesman noted that males were in song at Baghdad on April 27th, but there

is no evidence of this species breeding.

Eleven specimens examined: Amara, 18-9-18; 3, 4-5-18, 9, 15-5-18(P. A. B.);

3, Khazimain, 26-4-19, 9, Shaiba, 25-5-17, 23-9-16, 8-9-16 ; Ahwaz, 22-5-17

(P.Z.C. and R.E.C.); Feluja, 8-5-17 (C.R.P.); Basra, 3-5-19 (L. Home).

Suleimania, 4-9-19 (Ross).

All belong to the eastern race icterops with the back and rump greyer, and the

paler rusty edgings to the wings.

g1. Lesser Whitethroat. Sylvia curruca.

Sylvia curruca curruca, I. (Syst. Nat. Ed. x, p. 184, 1758—Sweden).

Another common migrant on both passages, arriving rather earlier than the

Common Whitethroat, and is widely distributed. First noted March 19th at

Basra, it mostly arrives from the first week in April onwards up till the first

week in May. Cumming records one at Fav on August 16th, but the main passage

appears to last from the middle of September to mid-October. Zarudny says it

is a winter visitor as well as a passage migrant. I can only remark that in this

as in many other cases Zarudny’s records are totally at variance with ours,

Twelve specimens examined: Amara, 16-4-18, 5-4-18, 25-10-17. 2, 3-4-18,

29-9-18 (three). gd, 17-10-18 (P. A. B.); Feluja, 2-5-17 (C. R. P.) ; Shaiba, 23-9-16 ;

Sheik Saad, 23-3-17 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.) ; Basra, 18-9-19.

892 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

All these belong to the typical race and I have seen no specimens of the eastern

race affinis from Mesopotamia, but Sharpe identified one from Bushire as belong-

ing to this form.

92. Hume's Lesser Whitethroat. Sylvia althza.

Sylvia althea, Hume (Stray Feathers, 7, p. 60, 1878—Plains of

India.)

Zarudny gives this as a winter visitor and: passage migrant in small numbers

in the Karun district and as a common breeding species in the Zagros. We have

no skins or records of it. If Zarudny is correct this is a considerable extension

of this bird’s range westward.

93. Desert Warbler. Sylvia nana.

Sylvia nana nana, Hemp. and Ehr. (Symb. Phys. folio ec., 1833—

Tor in Sinai).

Buxton met with this species at Kumait on November 13th, frequenting saline

desert where there are scattered bushes of Sweda and Lycium and no other vegeta-

tion, and hardly any other birds. There are one or two other records which

might belong to this species. Woosnam obtained it in the Shuteit R. on March

26th. Its exact status is not known.

Zavudny gives it as a common winter visitor in the Karun district and as

breeding in the Zagros in small numbers.

94. Menetries’ Warbler. Sylvia, mystacea.

Sylvia mystacea, Ménétr. (Cat. Rais. Caucas. p. 34, 1832—Saliane on R.

Kur. Caucasus).

This species like several others is only absent from Mesopotamia during the

coldest part of the winter ; it disappears about the middle of December and

returns at the end of February and early part of March. ‘Thus Buxton noted it

at Amara up to December 15th and not again till February 20th, while on March

13th there was a sudden influx. Pitman records it as passing through Feluja

April 14th—2Ist.

Probably it is only in favoured places that it can be found as late as December—

as Pitman noticed that in the Adhaim area in November it was very much scarcer

than in the previous month. It is a bird of gardens, cultivation, scrub, etc., and

is particularly fond of tamarisk and acacia (Prosopis). I found it in the non-

breeding season a shy and skulking bird, an adept at hiding in a bushy date palm

and slipping out unseen onthe far side, repeating the same performance in

each bush it flew to.

It nests throughout our area in suitable localities at Jeast as far north as Tekrit.

The nest is situated in the sort of position chosen by the Common Whitethroat,

inscrub, pomegranate, thistles, acacia, etc., and usually one to two feet from the

ground. The nest is made of grass stems interwoven with “ goose grass ”’, lined

with finer grass stems, also horse hair ; it is a neat, though somewhat loosely

constructed, deep cup. At Ahwaz it is stated to breed early in April, but in

most places the end of the month would seem to be the more usual date for fresh

eggs, while these have been taken as late as June 6th. Mr. Jourdain, who received

a considerable number of clutches from our area, informs me that none exceeded

four, and in some cases three seemed to be a full clutch, his earliest nest was

found on April 9th. There is a considerable variation in coloring ; the average

size of 40 eggs was 17°0—13°1 mm.

Twenty-nine specimens examined : Adhaim, 4-10-17, 3-11-17 (three), 15-11-17

(C. R. P.) ; Sheik Saad, 15-9-17, —21-3-17, 24-3-17 ; Shaiba, 23-9-16 (P. Z.C. and

R.E. C.); ¢ , Amara, 14-6-18, 24-4-18, 23-9-18 (two), 27-3-18, 16-4-18, 3-19, 1-11-17,

2, 13-3-18; 9 ,Kumait, 16-11-17, ¢, 28-2-18; 2, Baghdad, 5-10-17; ¢, Gurmat

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 393

Ali, 18-9-19 ; Kut, 1-10-18. ¢, Baghdad, 13-9-17; Amara, 11-4-19 (two) (L

Home); @ @, Basra, 18-3-18: d, 19-3-18. (C. B. T.).

Few birds caused so much trouble in identification to observers as this little

Warbler which was variously reported, besides under its correct name, as “‘ White-

throat,” S. melanocephala, S. momus and ‘‘ Subalpine Warbler” ! However of

the last three there are no specimens in the collections and no good evidence

that they occur and in two of the cases the specimens sent turned out to be

mystacea !

The males of mystacea have the dark crown less well defined and not so black

as in momus, a longer wing 60-63°5 mm. and the second primary is equal to

the sixth or seventh or more often between these two, whereas in momus it is

between the seventh and eighth ; moreover mystacea has the breast vinous pink,

varying in amount, so that in worn birds but a faint tint shews. The females

(besides the wing differences) are much less warm brown above than female mo-

mus and not so pure white below (the flanks especially being tinged with vin-

ous buff). The adult male in winter is like the spring male and some even more

vinous on the breast (? older birds), but the upperparts have brown edgings to

the feathers ; the young birds in first winter plumage in both sexes much re-

semble the female, the males apparently having no strong vinous wash.

Legs pale brown to flesh yellow ; bill steel grey. Iris yellow brown, orbicular

dull brick colour in male, pale buff in female.

Zarudny says Sylvia momus semenovi winters commonly in the Karun district

and breeds in numbers in the Zagros ! I do not know this bird of Zarudny’s and

if common it is curious that no one obtained any, but his description sounds very

like the first winter mystacea except that his measurements run smaller, viz.,

51-6] mm.

Mr. Jourdain (Ibis, 1920, p. 310) has recorded eggs of S. momus from Mesopo-

tamia ; as recorded above many have mixed Ménétriés’ Warbler up with other

species, and there is no definite evidence so far that S. momus occurs at all.

95. Eastern Rufous Warbler or Grey Backed Warbler.

Agrobates galactotes. ‘“Humurra.’’

(1) Agrobates ygalactotes familiaris, Ménétr. (Cat. Rais. Cauc., p. 32,

1832—Kur, S. Caucasus).

(2) Agrobates yalactotes syriaca, Hemp. and Ebr. (Symb. Phys. foi.

b. b., 1833—Beirut in Syria).

This species is a very common summer visitor to Mesopotamia and must be

familiar to the least observant. It arrives at the end of April and early May, the

earliest date recorded being April 17th, and though some leave as early as the

end of August, most depart again during September or early in October. Itisa

common garden bird and occurs in suitable places throughout the country. It

starts to breed soon after arrival,—as early as the end of April according to Tom-

linson, but most nests may be looked for about the middle of May, while eggs

are recorded in June and July, so that probably it is double brooded. The site

often chosen is a young palm three or four feet up, or in rubbish against the

trunk of a large palm, but also fairly close to the ground, in or under bushes, in

walls or sides of irrigation canals ; the eggs are four, often five, in number and

vary very much in type. The nest is a fairly solid structure made of grass, etc.,

and pieces of snake skin are recorded as being utilized in the lining, as well as

hair and jute string.

This familiar little bird is said to be a beautiful whistler ; Magrath writes of

it “it was quite delightful the way it utilized the ropes of one’s tent as a perch

from which to utter its pretty little song, often darting into the tent to take an

insect from the floor between ‘the performances ; as an accompaniment to the

song the tail is flirted, expanded and elevated sometimes almost touching the

back of the head”, Fourteen specimens examined (April to September) very

394 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

somewhat inter se, but all must be attributable to this form except one, which is

quite inseparable from syriaca. This was obtained by Pitman at Feluja on

April 24th where typical familiaris also occurs and breeds. Pitman records

that many Rufous Warblers passed through Feluja for elsewhere and possibly

this bird was also en route for further west. Weigold says the Euphrates is the

dividing line between these two races, familiaris to the East, syriaca to the west,

but of course he here alludes to the Upper Euphrates which runs roughly north

and south through the district he was in, Urfa, where he obtained familiaris; at

Bab in Syria not very far from Urfa he obtained syriaca. Zarudny records

syriaca from the Karun district as a very rare vagrant.

The juvenile plumage of this species resembles the adult, but has broad pale

edges to the tertials and wing coverts.

Zarudny described A. familiaris persica (J. F, O. 1911, p. 238) from the Karun

district, Zagros and Beluchistan. The collections do not contain any specimens

from the Karun ; those from Basra appear to be typical familiaris.

96. Streaked Wren-Warbler. Prinia gracilis. ‘Abu Zar,’’

“Zeater.’”

Prinia gracilis lepida, Blyth. (J. A. 8S. B. 13, p. 376, 1844—Indus

Territories).

This Wren-Warbler is common and resident throughout our region from Daur

to Fao and Shustar. It is not recorded however from Urfa by Weigold or from

Mosul. In winter it is not nearly so conspicuous, keeping to thick cover especially

Acacia jungle (Prosopis), corn and reeds. In summer, according to Pitman, it

spreads out moie or performs local migrations, and is then seen in places where

in winter it was not to be found. Besides frequenting reedy ditches it is to be

found, according to Buxton, far out in large reed beds half a mile from land,

where he came across it on February 23rd near Ezra’s Tomb, and again on

April 21st, so that in this somewhat unusual habitat it probably nests also.

It breeds throughout its range ; Cumming gives the nesting season as April

to June but the latter half of May appears to be the usual time for first nests

with eggs ; many nests were reported from this date te July and Buxton found

fledglings on September 20th so that probably two or more broods are reared.

Almost any thick cover, bushes of acacia and tamarisk, thistles, etc., are utilized

for the nest. Cheesman, who found a nest five feet up in a tamarisk, describes

it as egg shaped with a large opening in the side, made of fine grasses interwoven

with thistle down and spider’s cocoons and lined with thistle down. Logan Home

notes that the birds add to the nest after laying, and reports finding a nest of

Cisticola appropriated by a pair of this species which had built on a dome to it.

The full clutch is four or five, sometimes three, and Cumming has found a nest

with six eggs.

The usual coloration of the eggs is a pale greenish ground, spotted thickly or

thinly with red-brown.

The song, which may be heard as early as the middle of February, though

usually not till some weeks later, is described by Cheesman as being like a grass-

hopper’s note followed by a bubbling or bursting sound. The A.abs are well

acquainted with this bird which in the south they call “ Abu Zar ” (but at Bagh-

dad Cheesman says it is called “ Zeater”). Abu Zar means “ Father of

nakedness ”, no doubt in reference to its scanty feathering. The Arabs say

“it is the sheik of all birds, because though so tiny yet his beak is so sharp

that he can sit on the head of any bird and pick out its brains.” It would

be interesting to know how this legend arose ; I give it as it was given to

Buxton by the Arabs on the Hawazie swamp.

Twenty specimens examined : Shustar, 20-1-18 (F. M. B.); Shaiba, 30-9-16 ;

Khazimain, 6-4-19, 10-5-19, 11-5-19 ; Busra 18-2-18 (P. Z. C. and R. E.C.) ;

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA, 395

Amara, 3-11-17) (two), 11-2-18, 5-4-18, 18-9-18, 9, 4-2-18 ; Baghdad, 25-9-17,

Q, 22-3-18 ; 9, Amara, 6-6-18 ;2, Gurmat Ali, 18-8-18 (P. A. B.) ; Adhaim,

13-11-17 (C. R. P.) ; Akuba, Euphrates, 9-4-18, 2 , 9-4-18 (Venning) ; 2? , Basra,

17-3-18, 18-3-18 (C. B.T.).

This series is not in very good order, the skins are not good ones, some were

juveniles, others in moult. They are so near to lepida that I cannot separate

them, they vary rather, some seem a trifle greyer, others darker ; lepida from

India also varies. Pattern of the tail as in lepida. I was at first very surprised

that the Prinia should be the same as the Indian one, but on consideration per-

haps it is not so remarkable, asthe range extends probably continuously along

South Persia into Beluchistan and Sind.

The Scrub Warbler (Scotocerca inquiteta) crept into Cumming’s list of Fao birds

and into the Bombay N. H. Society’s pamphlet through a mistake as explained

under Hypolais p. eleica. It does not occur so far as we know; it is of course

a “hill” bird.

97. Fan-tailed Warbler. Cisticola cisticola.

Cisticola cisticola, subsp, ?

In the lower part of Mesopotamia, at all events, this Warbler is found as a

resident in smal] numbers and somewhat locally. The only places it is recorded

from are Sheik Saad, Amara and Basra; possibly it was overlooked by others

elsewhere, or recorded as some other Warbler. Buxton found it not so uncommon

at Amara but local, and he noted that it particularly frequented the edges of

vegetable gardens where the cultivated parts were being invaded by desert

scrub, such as Prosopis. Logan Home found it fairly common in suitable places

near Basra. On June 12th he found two pairs building in green grass over water

or wet ground ; the nests were then half built. Owing to continual cutting of

the grass it was not till the end of July that he found a completed nest,—one

with young on the 20th, and one with three eggs on the 27th, while nests with

young were found as late as August 17th. The nests, well concealed and of the

usual purse shape with the opening at the top, were composed of spider’s webs

and plant down and lined at the bottom with Bull-rush down. The peculiar

jerky upward flight in the neighbourhood of the nest and the distinctive note

will be familiar to those who have been in India.

Five skins examined : Sheik Saad, 14-12-16 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.) ; Amara,

16-12-17, 30-12-17 (P. A. B.) ; Amara, 17-4-19 (tail lost) ; Basra, 14-8-19 (very

worn) (L. Home.)

It is unfortunate that so poor a series of this bird was obtained, three fair winter

specimens and two bad summer ones. The winter birds have fairly broad

white tips to the tails and I cannot see much difference between these and the

Indian cursitans; however on such a series it would be premature to come

to any definite conclusion as to what race inhabits Mesopotamia.

It is curious and significant that no Cisticola was found in Persia or Beluchistan

by Zarudny, Blanford, etc.

98. Mesopotamian Babbler. Crateropus altireostris.

Crateropus altirostris, Hart. (Vég. Pal. F., p. 623—Fao).

This Babbler, which is peculiar to Mesopotamia, appears to be rather patchy

in its distribution. At Fao where Cumming got the first known specimens

(recorded as huttoni, Ibis, 1886, p. 484) he records it as plentiful. In the palm

groves and cultivation round Basra I found it rather common ; it is reported as

very common at Nasariyeh, but quite rare at Amara itself and Kut. But in the

gigantic reed beds near Amara and Nahr Umar, it is common, the birds inhabit-

ing reeds growing in water as much asa mile from land! From Kut to Baghdad

and thence to Tekrit on the Tigris, and from Nasariyeh to Feluja on the Eu-

phrates, which includes seveial districts well worked by various observers, there

396 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVII.

are no records; however Buxton met with it again at Khanikin on the Diala

river on the Persian (Khurdistan) frontier! Zarudny records it as resident in

the Karun district and also in the Zagros.

This Babbler is of course resident and breeds. Cumming says at Fao it nests

from April to mid-June and he has found eggs as late as June 19th when many

young were on the wing, so that probably this, like other species, rears more

than one brood. Cumming gives the usual clutch as three eggs, Tomlinson,

who records it from Basra and Ahwaz, says five eggs, but it is not certain that all

his records refer to this species ; in fact Jourdain informs me the larger clutches

he received from Tomlinson were those of huttoni. The eggs are glossy blue

and measure 20-21°5 by 16°5 mm.

Its habits, except for its propensity for reed beds, do not appear to difter from

those of others of the genus, it may be recognized at once in the field by each

member of the flock fluttering out of a bush one after the cther and sailing to

the bottom of the next bush. Hartert makes a mistake in putting this Bab-

bler as a race of the Indian bird, as the larger Babbler huttoni, which is clearly a

race of the Indian bird, occurs in the same area. It should stand as a separate

species. Its smaller size, more curved and weaker bill and almost spotless upper-

parts at once distinguish it from huttoni!

Twenty specimens examined: ¢, Basra, 18-2-18; 9, Amara, 30-1-18 ; Fao. 8-7-

17; Amara, 18-10-16, 12-8-18, 14-2-18, (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); 2, Amara,

18-10-18 ; 2, Basra, 15-8-18 ; Amara, 9-1-18; ¢, Ezra’s Tomb, 23-2-18 ; Khanikin,

23-11-18 (two pairs) (P. A. B.); Nahr Umar, 24~-3-18 (C. R. P.); Amara, 7-3-19

(?); 9, Basra, 21-11-17 (two); ¢ 9, 19-3-18 (C. B. T.).

The juvenile plumage is very different to that of huttont. Upperparts pale

sandy grey with fine dark shafts to crown and back ; chin and vent white, rest

of underparts creamy buff and unstreaked ; ear coverts creamy buff.

Wings 74-80 mm. ; tail 102-107 mm. Bill from base 20°5-24 mm. Wing for

mula 4 and 5 longest, 3=8.

99. Hutton’s Babbler. Crateropus caudatus.

Crateropus caudatus huttoni, Blyth. (J. A. S. B. xvi., p. 476, 1847—

Kandahar).

Tnis larger Babbler would appear to have a restricted range in Mesopotamia.

Its headquarters are in and around Baghdad where it is not uncommon, inhabit-

ing date palm gardens. Cheesman met with it at Zoar on the Tigris in jungle

and again at Nahr Umar, and at Khanikin on the Diala river. In both these

latter places altirostris also occurs; Woosnam obtained it at Bund-i-kir and

Zarudny records it from the Zagros. It is resident where it occurs ; Cheesman,

who found a nest of three fresh eggs at Khazimain on April 13th, says the nest

was placed in the heart of a young date bush well concealed by tall thistles

and rank herbage growing up into the bush. The nest, loosely constructed

but firm, was an open thin walled cup, the foundations made of grass and corn

stalks with a few dry roots and grass stems interwoven with date palm fibre

and lined with finer fibre. The eggs measure 23°5 by 19 mm. They are not so

deep in colour as those of altirostris and four is the more usual clutch, even

five.

In habits it seems to resemble the Indian race, the call note is a tremulous

twitter, occasionally a scale of falling notes ; food consists of coleoptera and small

white seeds.

Thirteen specimens examined and compared with type and series of topo-

types: ¢, Abed, 9-2-18(F. M. B.). d Q, Azizieh, 16-10-18; ¢ Baghdad, 13-11-18

(two); , Baghdad, 9-2-19; ¢ 2, 14-2-19; Baghdad, 10-11-17, 15-2-19; 2, Nahr

Umar, 17-2-18 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.), ¢ G, Baghdad, 10-10-17 (P. A. B.).

I thought at first that Mesopotamian birds were separable from typical ones

from Khandahar having darker and greyer upperparts with rather heavier

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 397

markings and greyer less fulvous underparts, but I found that several individual

birds from Mesopotamia were quite inseparable from Khandahar birds and that

the characters I relied on were variable in birds from both localities and I think

in part was due to the make of the skins. Wings, J 88-94, Q 85-87. Tail 116.

130 mm.

The juvenile plumage of hutiont is quite different to that of altirostris ; it is

heavily streaked above especially on the head where the dark markings take

up most of feather and, with the pale edges to the feathers, gives it a spangled

appearance ; in this plumage it is very similar to that of typical caudatus.

100. Song Thrush. Turdus philomelos (—musicus auct.)

Turdus philomelos philomelos, Brehm. (Naturg. Vég. Deutsch,

p. 382, 1831—Central Germany).

This is a winter visitor, widely distributed and commoner than the Blackbird.

To a certain extent it is also a weather migrant. The time of arrival is about

mid-November and some depart again early in March and most have gone by

the end of the month. Weigold records one at Urfa on April 19th. A shy

retiring bird it is met with mostly singly, affecting scrub, date gardens, ete.

Buxton noted that it suddenly became quite common on December llth, 1917,

at Amara during a sudden cold snap and strong north winds and it remained

common up to the end of February. ‘

Eight skins examined: Shustar. 31-1-18, 1-1-19 (F. M. B.); Samarra, 8-3-18,

6-3-18, 5-3-18 (C. R. P.); 3, Qalet Saleb, 25-11-17 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.) ; Sule-

mania, 12-11-19 (Ross); ¢, Basra, 18-3-18 (C. B. T.). All are of the typical race.

1o1. Blackbird. Turdus merula.

(1) Turdus merula syriaca, H. and E. (Symb. Phys. Aves. folio. b.b.

1828—Syria).

(2) Turdus merula intermedia, Richm. (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Xviii,

1895, p. 585, 1896,—Aksu E. Turkestan).

The records are too few to say much about the Blackbird beyond stating that

it is apparently a rather scarce, though widely distributed, winter visitor. The

first record relates to December 2nd and there are records each month to March

19th throughout the length of the country from Mosul to Fao.

Sassi records the typical race from Mosul in January ; Witherby identified

one obtained by Woosnam at Shush on March 18th as syriacus (Ibis, 1907, p. 83)

and Zarudny says this latter race nests and winters in the Zagros in small

numbers.

(i) 2, Baghdad, 12-17. W. 122, T. 110. Bill base 25 mm.

(ii) Q, Amara, 6-2-18. W. 136. T. 123. B. 27 mm. (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.)

6, Baghdad, 5-12-17. W. 137, T. 121°5. B. 27 mm. (Ingoldby).

The Baghdad bird is clearly syriaca ; the other two are too large for this race

and correspond well with intermedia from Turkestan. Over these determina-

tions Dr. Hartert, who kindly examined these specimens, agrees with me.

Woosnam’s bird, above referred to, and one obtained at Fao by Cumming are

equally large and must also be referred to intermedia. Syriaca however does

occur in 8. W. Persia whence I have seen one in Witherby’s collection.

102. Black-throated Thrush. Turdus ruficollis.

Turdus ruficollis atroguaris, Temm. (Man. d’ornith, 1, p. 169, 1820—

Austria).

Pitman saw two males of this Thrush feeding on berries in sc1ub near Amara

on January 30th, 1916. Tomlinson met with it at Basra on March 5th, 1911,

and Zarudny lists it as a winter visitor in small numbers for his area.

Possibly a weather migrant as in many other places.

398 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

103. Rock Thrush. Monticola saxatilis.

Monticola saxatilis, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, p. 294, 1766—Helvetia).

A passage migrant, not common; noted by Tomlinson at Basra on March

30th ; in April at Samarra and Gurmat Ali on April 29th by Logan Home.

Armstrong found it common at Fao on April 28th and Buxton got a single

one at Amara on May 12th. It would appear to be commoner at Fao than

elsewhere as Cumming notes it passing through in March and April; Zarudny

records it as a winter visitor and passage migrant. We have no records in

winter.

104. Blue Rock Thrush. Monticola solitarius.

Monticola solitarius transcaspicus, Hart. (Bull B. O. C., 23, p. 43,

January 1909—Tedjen, Transcaspia).

Naturally a scarce bird, probably it is more or less resident in the hills, wan-

dering to the plains in small numbers in winter, as in other parts. Logan Home

saw it in the cliffs at Tekrit, and Aldworth says it breeds there. Cheesman got

a male at Mosul on December 12th. Zarudny says it breeds in the Karun

district, doubtless in hilly parts round Ahwaz and Bund-i-kir where Woosnam

got it on March 5th.

This is a paler form with rather a shorter wing than the European bird.

I am in doubt as to which race the Mosul bird belongs but as Hartert says he

has seen this race from Fao I leave it provisionally under this name. Blue

Rock Thrushes from Mesopotamia, especially breeding birds, are desiderata.

105. Common Wheatear. A=nanthe zenanthe.

Ainanthe cenanthe enanthe, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed., x, p. 186, 1758—

Sweden).

The Common Wheatear is mostly a passage migrant through Mesopotamia.

The first arrive about the second week in March and from the end of March on-

wards to mid-April it is plentiful while it is not until about the middle of May

that all have passed on again. The return passage commences about mid-

August and this species is again plentiful during September and well on into

October. It appears that a few, here and there, remain during the winter.

Pitman records it from Samarra during the winter months as does Logan Home

at Tekrit ; Pitman also noted a few at Kut, Kurna and Sheik Saad in January,

etc.

Twenty-eight specimens were obtained all in March and April, and September

and October except the following: Suleimania, 15-11-19 (Ross); Shat-al-Adhaim,

3-11-17 : Bait-al-Khalifa, 11-1-18 ; Kut, 10-1-18 (C. R. P.).

I refer all these for the present to the typical race ; besides these I have exa

mined a good many others from the east and I can see amongst them ones

with longer bills (rostrata, H. and E.) and ones with paler mantles (argentea,

Lonnb). In this latter form the pale mantle is not always associated, as Lonnberg

says, with a broader white forehead ; in the case of rostrata so many specimens

are intermediate in size of bill between this and the typical race that it is im-

possible to draw a line, the intergradation is too great. Until one can see a good

series of these two supposed races from their breeding grounds, it seems best

not to recognize them as distinct. What however is noticeable about these

Mesopotamian specimens is that they tend to run longer on the whole in length

of wing :—Fourteen males measure 97-100°5, once 102 mm.; some western

European birds run up to 100 mm., but among these Mesopotamian males there

are none of wing length of 94-96 mm. such as often is found among the former.

The great majority of our specimens are no paler on the mantle than the typical

race. The bills measure 17 to 19 mm. mostly 18 mm.

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 399

106. Desert Wheatear. A=nanthe deserti.

Ainanthe deserti albifrons, Bravdt. (Bull. Acad. St. Petersb., 2, 1844,

p- 139—W. Siberia).

The Desert Wheatear asa winter visitor is widely distributed in small numbers,

but is nowhere very common except when it first arrives, and then in favoured

places a fair number may be seen, as on the Adhaim, where Pitman found it

not very uncommon at the end of September and first part of October; either

they spread out afterwards to other places or some pass right through the country,

as in winter scattered examples are the rule. It first arrives early in September

and the last record we have is the first week of March. It is partial to the vici-

nity of scrub and cover, as well as to nullahs and desert, and frequently settles

on small bushes.

Zarudny says it nests in small numbers in Mesopotamia ; he does not specify

where but presumably in the hills near Ahwaz, perhaps beyond our area. He

lists the race montana as a rare winter visitor.

Twelve skins examined: @, Baghdad, 17-9-17 (P. A. B.); Legait 2-3-18; @,

Beled, 22-2-17 (P. Z.C. and R. E. C.); @, Ahwaz, 10-1-19 (Armstrong); # 9,

Adhaim, 14-11-17, 3, 29-9-17, 23-9-17, 17-10-17, 14-10-17, 20-10-17; ¢, Kut,

20-2-17 (C. R. P.).

These are typical albifrons with wings of males 91-95 mm. ; none shew the

large amount of white in the wing which montana has.

107. Black-eared Wheatear. AE=nanthe hispanica.

Ainanthe hispanica melanoleuca, Giild, (Nov. Com. Petrop., 19, p. 468,

1775—Georgia).

This is a spring and autumn passage migrant through Mesopotamia from the

middle of September to mid-October, and again at the end of March and in

April. It appears to be widely distributed but nct very common. Weigold

found it common at Urfa from April 11th to 23rd frequenting stony ridges and

the males were singing. Zarudny records this bird, under the name amphileuca,

as a passage migrant and also his race gaddi ; this latter I have seen no speci-

mens of, and his description of it sounds to me like that of an individual

variation, especially as he records in other districts of Persia hybrids between

gaddi and amphileuca and between gaddi and melanoleuca !

He says both the black-eared and black-throated forms breed commonly

in the Zagros, the latter is there a migrant, the former being found but rarely

in winter. Melanoleuca certainly breeds no further off than Kasr-i-Sherin

and Pa-i-taq (Buxton).

Six specimens examined: dg, Amara, 16-10-18 (black-throat) ; Baghdad,

10-10-17; (white-throat); ¢ , 15-9-17 (P. A. B.), 9, Feluja, 23-3-17 (black-throat),

23-3-17 (white-throat); 9, Shat-al-Adhaim, 29-9-17 (black-throat) (C. R. P.).

I have followed the latest fashion in uniting black-throated and black-eared

(=white-throated) specimens of this Wheatear, as the concensus of opinion

seems to be that they are dimorphisms of one species and I have no proof to

offer one way or another. Until some one makes a special study of these birds

in their breeding quarters to ascertain whether the two forms interbreed, either

by obtaining black-throated females paired with white-throated males, or by

rearing nests of young ones, this much debated point will never be satisfac-

torily settled. It could easily be done by any one who has the opportunity.

There is this to be said for uniting them that it must be very rare to find two

otherwise similar species always more or less migrating together and breeding

in the same areas ; on the other hand if they freely interbieed one would expect

hybrids between the two to be commoner than they are ; their habits, etc., seem

to be similar.

400 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVITI.

108. Pied Wheatear. A=Enanthe pleschanka.

nanthe pleschanka pleschanka, Lepech (Nov. Comm. Petr., 14, p. 503,

1770—Saratov on the Volga).

A passage migrant in small numbers and widely distributed, passing through

in March (earliest March Ist) and again at the end of September and during

October, in which month it is more plentiful than at other times. Tomlinson

says it is not uncommon at Basra on both passages and Cumming obtained it

at Fao in April and October. Cheesman notes that it flies straight up in the

air in pursuit of flies, but I do not think that this habit is confined to this species

entirely. It may be commoner than our certain records indicate but some

observers confused this with the former and the next species. Zarudny lists it

as a passage migrant and also the white-throated variety (vittata).

Nine specimens examined : 3, Legait, 1-3-18 ; 6 Shaiba, 4-10-16 ; Sheik Saad,

29-3-17 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); Adhaim, 30-9-17, @, 14-10-17 (two), %,

20-10-17, 17-10-17 (C. R. P.); %, Basra, 1918 (Hobkirk).

1o9. Barne’s Wheatear. A?nanthe finschii.

Ainanthe finschii barnesi, Oates (Faun. B. India 2, p. 75, 1880—Balu-

chistan).

This fine black and white Wheatear is a winter visitor, apparently much

commoner in the area above Baghdad on the Tigris, where stony ground, cliffs

and nullahs occur, and in the foothills, than in the alluvial plain below Baghdad

whence there are few records. The earliest record is October 20th and the

latest March Ist. It is rather a wary bird, found singly or in pairs, frequenting

bare nullahs, cliffs, ruins, and desert mounds.

It certainly breeds, according to Cheesman, in the Pa-i-taq mountains on the

Kasr-i-Sherin-Kermanshah road and may possibly do so in the neighbourhood

of the former place. Zarudny records finschit and finschit turanica as winter

visitors to the Karun district. I take both of these to be synonyms of this bird.

Thirteen specimens examined : &. Kumait, 28-2-18 (P. A. B.); @, Kazimain,

13-2-19 ; Beled. 1-3-19, 9, 22-2-19 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); @, Adhaim, 13-11-17,

20-10-17 (two), 22-10-17, 14-11-17; @, Beit-al-Khalifa, 11-1-18, 30-1-18 (two);

Samarra, 6-2-18 (C. R. P.).

T consider all these to be the race now known as barnesi: wings of males

90-93, @ 89 mm. The females all have grey throats. This is one of those

cases where great confusion will be caused by the changing round of names.

This species was always called finschii and the more eastern race of it barnes,

Hartert in his Vég. Pal. Fauna, p. 690, changed the specific name to melano-

leuca of Guidenstadt, a name which had always (falsely according to him !)

been used for the Eastern Black-eared Wheatear. The name finschii has now

been reinstated and melanoleuca goes back once more to its original owner.

The net result of this is that, in the period between these changes and probably

for some years to come, records under melanoleuca, unless very carefully given,

will be open to doubt as to which Wheatear is referred to!

110. Isabelline Wheatear. A=nanthe isabellina.

Ainanthe isabellina, Cretzschm (Atlas zu Ruppell’s Reise. Végel,

p- 52, 1826—Nubia).

The status of this species is not quite clear ; probably a few are resident and

their numbers are augmented by winter visitors. Cumming says it is a winter

visitor at Fao remaining till well on into spring and an occasional one is to

be met within summer. Buxton saw one near Amara on July 13th and obtained

one on the 25th, so probably afew remain out in the salt desert to breed. Zarudny

too says it breeds in small numbeis in the Karun district ; on the Syrian boun-

dary it certainly breeds, as Weigold records that he shot a breeding female in

April on the steppes between Urfa and Aleppo.

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA, 401

This species is rather more of a bare desert bird than the other wheatears

even, and Buxton noted its partiality for salt desert with scanty vegetation

of scattered bushes of Sueda and Lycium,—the sort of country where it and

Sylvia nana reign supreme! Here it is not uncommon; elsewhere, though

met with, it is somewhat local and few in number, Pitman saw two chasing

each other, and the male singing well, on January 29th at Samarra.

Six specimens examined ; Beled, 22-2-19 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); Kut, 25-7-18

(P. A. B.); @, Basra, 27-2-18 (Armstrong) ; Suleimania, 5-9-19 (Ross); Kut,

4-1-17, Samarra, 7-2-18 (C. R. P.).

111. Red-tailed Wheatear. AEnanthe xanthoprymna.

(1) Bnanthe xanthoprymna xanthoprymna. Hemp and Erh, (Symb.

Phys. fol. dd., 1833-—Nubia).

(2) Hnanthe xanthoprymna cummingi, Whit. (Bull. B. O. C. x, p, 17,

1899—F ao).

(3) Ananthe xanthoprymna chrysopygia (de Fil) (Arch. Zool. Genova

ii., p., 381. 1863—Demavend in N. Persia).

It is unfortunate that we have no records or specimens of any form of this

Wheatear and so can add nothing to what has already been recorded, but I will

give a short reswmé of the three races in order that future workers who are fortu-

nately placed may know what is wanted.

(i) This, the first described form, is a rare bird and has been found in what

are evidently its winter quarters, or its passage route, in Nubia, Egypt, and the

Red Sea Coast, and according to Zarudny it nests in the desolate hills which

border the lower Karun on the east side.*

(ii) Cumming’s Wheatear is a still rarer bird apparently ; it was described

from a specimen which Cumming obtained at Fao on passage; he gives it as

passing in August and September and again in March and April. (Ibis, 1886,

p-. 483, where Sharpe erroneously called it mesta). It has been found twice, in

January and November in Berber Prov. Sudan, and twice in the Red Sea Prov.

in March, Zarudny says it is common on passage on the heights of the Jebel

‘Tniie near Ahwaz.

Possibly these two birds are not so rare as they appear to be; one can well

imagine that a species which breeds in such out-of-the-way places as hills in S,

W. Persia, which presumably migrates across Arabia and winters perhaps in

unfrequented parts of Africa and has not a wide distribution, might well for many

years escape the eyes of ornithologists.

Zarudny says that, according to the testimony of Arab hunters and shepherds,

cumming? nests in the same hills as zanthoprymna. If this is so, then it would

seem almost certain that one is a dimorphic variety of the other, but this would

certainly have to be founded on better proof than the statements of Arab

shepherds !

(3) This is the best known of the three, it breeds in the Persian Highlands

and is not at all uncommon in Beluchistan and N. W. India in winter. Zarudny

lists it as a winter visitor and passage migrant in small numbers in the Karun

area and thinks it may nest also. He considers this bird a species of itself and

cummingi as a race of xanthoprymna; he may be right but one cannot really

determine this until the status of all of these is better known, and so I have left

them, as Hartert placed them, for the present. ‘

Chrysopygia may always be known by its greyish underparts, isabelline grey

upperparts and having red at the base of the tail; sexes similar. Cummingi

male like chrysopygia but the head and throat black ; xanthoprymna like cum-

mingt but base of tail white ; in the last two, sexes not alike, All three have

reddish upper tail coverts.

hia aL an eee eee

* Since writing this, I have received from Cheesman an adult male of this race obtained

‘close to Baghdad on September 23, 1920

402 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

112. Mourning Wheatear. A=nanthe lugens.

4inanthe lugens lugens, Licht (Verz. Doubl. Mus. Berlin, p. 33,

1823—Nubia).

Weigold states that a pair were seen and the female obtained at Bumbudj on

the Euphrates on April 8th; this is hardly in our area, but I mention it as

Zarudny says he obtained it at Dizful on March 12th and at Sia Manssur in the

same area on March 8th. Its status requires further investigation. Hartert

(Vog. Pal. F., p. 695) does not mention its occurrence further north or east than

Palestine.

113. Persian Wheatear. A=nanthe persica.

Ainanthe persica, Seeb (Cat. B. Brit. Mus. V, p. 372, 1881—Shiraz).

Mentioned by Zarudny as a passage migrant in small numbers in the Karun

area, and breeding in the Zagros.

114. Indian Pied Wheatear. A=nanthe picata.

Ainanthe picata, Blyth. (J. A. S. B. xvi., p. 131, 1847—between Sind

and Ferozopore).

One was obtained by Bailey at Shustar on January 15th. Zarudny gives it as

a passage migrant in small numbers. Probably it is a scarce winter visitor to.

the foot-hills in the Karun district only.

115. White-tailed Wheatear. A=nanthe leucopyga.

Ainanthe leucopyga, Brehm. (Vogelfang, p. 225, 1855—Assuan.)

Zarudny says he obtained one near Ahwaz on February 26th, 1904. Thisis a

considerable extension of this bird’s range north from S, Palestine and its status

requires further investigation.

116. Hume’s Wheatear. 4Enanthe alboniger.

Ainanthe’ alboniger, Hume (Stray Feathers, i., p. 2, Nov. 1872—Hills

of Sind).

Buxton obtained a single specimen on the Diala River near Shahroban on

November 22nd, 1918. Zarudny gives it as a winter visitor in the Karun district.

From my knowledge of it elsewhere I should say it must be resident where it

occurs.

From the above list it will be seen that a very large number of kinds of Wheat-

ears may be found in our area, and a good many of these are ‘“‘ black and white ”

birds, chiefly or exclusively to be found on or near hilly ground. Any one who

gets a chance to be in suitable situations for them I would remind ‘that their

status is little known and that observations without specimens are well nigh

useless, as in the field many are so alike. One or more species of black and

white wheatear certainly nests in the Ahwaz district as Tomlinson found a nest

on the Jebel Sanam on May 29th with fully fledged young.

117. Whinchat. Saxicola rubetra.

(i) Saxicola rubetra rubetra, I. (Syst. Nat. Ed. xi, p. 186, 1758—

Sweden).

(ii) Saxicola rubetra noskae, Tsch. (Orn. Jahrb., 1902, p. 234—N.

Caucasas).

(1) Zarudny lists the typical race as a rare winter visitor and passage

migrant. As the Karun district is very far to the east of this bird's range, its

occurrence requires further examination.

(2) This race, to which our specimens belong, is apparently a winter visitor

in small numbers, which are added to during the times of migration, but even

then is not very common. Cumming at Fao recorded it in November and May.

Buxton records it at Amara on December Ist, early September, and late in

February. Hingston noted it at Feluja on November 22nd—whence Pitman

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 403

obtained specimens on March 29th and April 14th in scrub near cultivation

where small flocks were halting on passage. Other records relate to Samarra,

March 15th, and Kut, January 29th and April 8th.

Weigold found Whinchats not uncommon at Urfa on passage, April 12th to

20th. He attributes most to this race, and one to the typical race from its

very dark brown colour. Zarudny records it as rare.

Three skins examined: 2 Feluja, 14-4-17, 29-3-17 (C. R. P.); ¢ ,Basra, 20-4-17

(P. Z. C. and R. E. C.).

118. Stonechat. Saxicola torquata,

(i) Saxicola torquata rubicola L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. xii, p. 328, 1766~

France).

(ii) Saxicola torquata maura, Pall. (Reise Prov. Russ. Reichs. ii., p,

708, 1773—Ural). ~

These two forms were not as a rule distinguished inthe field and as the status

of each appears to be the same I include the two together.

The Stonechat is a winter visitor to the plains and foot hills throughout our

area in fair numbers. As they are most plentiful during the periods of migration

they also probably are passage migrants through the country. The first arrive

early in September but they are not common till the end of the month ; from then

till mid-November they become fairly numerous. In December and January

they become scarce and numbers begin to pick up again as migration commences

at the end of February ; plentiful in March they move off north towards the end

of the month, and a few are left up to about the middle of April. Last record

May 7th.

Except at times of passage the species is rather local though widely distri-

buted, and though fairly common in some places it is not to be seen at

all in others, doubtless being drawn to sheltered spots where food supply is

abundant.

They frequent scrub, crops, gardens, etc., often in pairs. I am unable to find

any distributional difference between the two races, both occur throughout

our area and both together ; maura would appear to be the commoner. The

nearest breeding ground of the latter is near Shiraz and the Zagros.

(i) Seven skins examined:— ¢,, Amara, 25-10-17, 26-10-17, 1-12-17, 3-11-18,

All these are quite typical rubicola ; they have no white at the base of the tail ;

in the males the upper tail coverts are spotted and in the females this part is

brown. Wings: 6, 65°5-67; 2,63 mm.

(ii) Nineteen specimens examined :—d, Baghdad, 19-3-18 (two); Amara,

3-11-18, 13-2-18, 1-12-17, 7-4-18, 11-9-18 ; Kurna, 17-3-18; L. Akkarkuf, 12-10-17;

2 , Amara, 2-9-18, 11-9-18, 30-10-17, 13-1-18 ; Ezra’s Tomb, 23-2-18; Baghdad,

19-3-18, 31-3-18 (P. A. B.); ¢, Basra, 19-3-18 (two), 9, 19-3-18 (C. B. T.).

The white at the base of the tail of this race varies very much and is partly

at all events due to age. The adult males have a large amount of white extend-

ing well beyond the coverts, and sometimes leaving only a broad tip of black,

these I take to be the so-called hemprichi. Males of the year have the outer

web of the outer tail feather dark and the dark band at the tip of the tail

broader. In the females there is less white than in the young males even,

and is often quite hidden by the upper tail coverts.

Males of maura are whiter on the belly than males of rubicola ; in both sexes

the upperparts are markedly paler and the upper tail coverts are immaculate

white, tinged with rusty brown in winter. The females of maura are paler

below than the females of rubicola. A few females are practically indisting-

uishable from females of indica, having little or no white at the base of the

tail, howevey in absence of any males of indica in our area Ido not include this

race, :

404 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

119. Pied Bush-Chat. Saxicola caprata.,

Zarudny lists this as an accidental straggler to the Karun district, It pre-

sumably would belong to the race rossorum which occurs in Transcaspia and

Persia, etc.

120. Common Redstart. Phoenicurus phenicurus.

(1) Phenicurus phenicurus phenicurus, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. x., p. 187,

1758—Sweden).

(2) Phenicurus phenicurus mesoleuca, Hemp. and Erh, (Symb.

Phys. fol. ee., 1832—Jedda in Arabia).

In dealing with the Redstarts I have largely to go by specimens obtained, as

the notes are meagre and observers not only mixed these two races up but also

certainly mixed the Common Redstart up with the eastern form of the Black

Redstart (phenicuroides). The males of mesoleuca are easily distinguishable

in the field by the white edging to the secondaries from the common form ; in

all males of the Black Redstart the black comes further down on the breast ;

and in both sexes the sixth primary is emarginate which is not the case in the

common Redstarts; the female Black Redstarts are on the whole darker than

the female of the Common Redstarts, but are almost impossible to differentiate

in the field.

(i) This race arrives during the first week of April, a few perhaps earlier, and

its time of passage lasts the whole month. Pitman noted a big migration,

through Feluja on April 18th and all had gone by the first week in May ; males

predominated as also noted by Weigold at Urfa, where during the second and

third weeks of April this was one of the commonest birds. The return passage

appears to be late, there is no record before the first week in October, they are

then common up to mid-November. Possibly scme over winter as Cumming

records one on February 25th at Bushire and Zarudny gives it as a winter

visitor ; several observers thought they saw it in winter; the vast majority how-

ever appear to be passage migrants.

Nine skins examined: ¢, Amara, 3-4-18, 25-10-17; Kumait, 14-11-17 (P.A.B.);

3, Kazimain, 9-4-19 (P. Z. C. and R. E, C.); ¢, Sulimania, 15-11-19 (Ross) ;

Shat-al-Adhaim, 18-11-17, 2, 22-10-17 (C. R. P.); 2, Baghdad, 10-11-17;

(ii) Passage migrant, arriving in the middle of March; noted at Amara on

13th, Basra on 17th, where males were not uncommon, Shuteit R. 26th, Ahwaz,

30th, Pitman saw a few at the end of March and early April. Cumming says

it occurs at Fao in April, May and June, and Zarudny gives it as a passage

migrant and winter visitor to the Karun district. We have no winter records.

Specimens examined: §, Amara 13-3-18 (P. A. B.); &, Basra, 17-3-18,

19-3-18 (C. B. T.).

121. Black Redstart. Phoenicurus ochruros.

(i) Phenicurus ochruros ochruros, Gmel, (Reise d. Russland. iii,

p. 101, 1774—Mountains of Persia).

(ii) Phenicurus ochruros pheenicuroides, Moore (P. Z. 8., London, xxii.

p. 25, 1855—Northern India) (I restrict this to Shikarpore ia Sind).

Both races of Black Redstart are common winter visitors to our area; they

apparently arrive towards the end of October, perhaps earlier, and most leave

the plains by the second week in March, They are usually found singly, inhabit-

ing old ruins, ravines, trenches or open country and are more wary and shy

than common Redstarts. It appears from the specimens obtained that the

cemmon Black Redstart from Mosul to below Baghdad is ochruros and there

are no certain records of phenicuroides in this area, whereas below Baghdad

ochruros is scarce and there are plenty of specimens of phanicuroides thence :

both however occur at Shustar and Zarudny lists both in the Karun district

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMI Ag 405

(1) Fourteen specimens examined: ¢, Shustar, 20-1-18, 15-1-18 (F. M .B.);

¢ . Khazimain, 9-2-19 (two) # Mosul, 7-12-18: 9, Sheik Saad, 3-3-17 (P. Z. C.

and R. E. C.);@, Amara, 13-12-17 (P. A. B.); @, Samarra, 7-3-18, 13-12-17,

&, 6-3-18, 18-1-18, 13-12-17 : 4, Adhaim, 8-11-17 (C. R. P.) ;@, Sulimania,

14-11-19 (Ross).

In ochruros the black comes further down on the underparts than in pheni-

curoides ; the underwings black and the auxillaries dark grey tinged with orange ;

some of the above males are not quite typical in that the black comes further

down than usual, in one the vent only is not black and in three others the belly

and vent is dark grey tinged with rusty orange, however they agree better with

ochruros than with gibraltariensis (titys auct.), as in this race there appears to

be never any orange tinge on the axillaries and vent. In young males the

upperparts are grey with brown edges and the black underparts, except the

chin, are much hidden by grey and fulvous edges. The females are warmer

brown above, less grey brown ; browner, less smoky grey below; more

isabelline in axillaries and underwing, and rather smaller than females of

gibraltariensis.

Wings 481-86, 277-83 mm.

(2) Eleven specimens examined: @, Amara, 13-1-18, 29-11-17, 10-1-18,

25-10-18, 25-10-17, 9, 3-11-17, 29-11-17, 18-12-17, 21-1-18 (P. A. B.);@, Zoar,

4-2-19 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); 2, Shustar, 7-1-18 (F. M. B.).

These males are not so black on the back as specimens from the Punjab,

also the wing formula seems to be often different. In Punjab birds the second

primary equals the seventh or is between seventh and eighth in length; in

these Mesopotamian specimens the second is often between the sixth and

seventh, there also appears to be a slight difference in size of the bill.

Possibly the Persian breeding bird is separable, but without a series of

breeding birds from Persia and india it would be unwise to recognise it.

Zarudny gives semenovi as a winter visitor and titys as a passage migrant

in the Karun district. The former bird I do not know and the latter, if it really

occurs, is a very long way out of its range.

There is no evidence that semirufa occurs in our area.

122. Eversmann’s Redstart. Phoenicurus erythronota.

Phenicurus erythronota, Eversm. (Add. ad. Pall. Zoog. Ross. As. 2,

p. 11, 1841—Altai)

This is another of the species which comes in winter into Mesopotamia from the

far N. E. Buxton obtained one at Amara on December 31st, 1917, and saw a

male there on March 11th, 1918. Zarudny lists it as a winter visitor. There

is a specimen in the British Museum from Fao.

123. Nightingale. Luscinia megarhynchos.

Luscinia megarhynchos africana, Fisch. and Reichw. (J. F. O., 1884,

p- 182—near Kilimandjaro, E. Africa).

Most of the records apparently refer to this Nightingale. It is almost cer-

tainly a summer visitor, arriving at the beginning of April ; Cheesman obtained

one at Sheik Saad on March 31st and heard it in song at Basra on April 23rd.

Logan Home says there were many at Amara and thinks that they were breed-

ing or about to breed in the orange groves there, where they were singing on

May 10th, an observation which Buxton confirms. Cheesman notes that they

were evidently breeding at Kazimain on May 15th where they had been sing-

ing for a fortnight, and he obtained a specimen.

Of the song he says it compares well with that of the English bird but has some

slightly different notes. He heard it at Shush on May 2nd.

In the Urfa district Weigold records that the European Nightingale, DL. m.

megarhynchos arrived on April 12th and became common and was seen daily

i 406 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

in song till the 28th; he obtained a single specimen of africana in April

16th and one which he considered to be golzii but not typical, on the 17th;

but from what he says about its size (W. 85) and coloration it seems doubtful

if it really belongs to this race. Zarudny records golzii as a winter visitor to

the Karun district.

The two specimens obtained by Cheesman certainly belong to the Persian

race africana and not the paler Turkestan one, golziiz. Further investigation

is required in the status of this and concerning other races which are said to

have occurred.

124. Thrush Nightingale. Luscinia luscinia.

Luscinia luscinia, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. x., 1758—Sweden).

Pitman met with this species at Feluja during the spring migration, when from

April 27th to 30th they were very plentiful in willow and other scrub, and very

skulking ; he obtained two. Cheesman obtained a single bird at the oasis of

Shaiba on September 27th. There is no evidence that this species breeds in the

country ; probably it is a passage migrant. Weigold noted it as common in

spring passage arriving April 16th at Urfa. Cumming at Fao regarded it as a

winter visitor arriving in the autumn and staying till late in the spring; he

obtained specimens in October, January and on May 8th. Zarudny records

it in winter from the Karun district so apparently a few must even winter in

Mesopotamia though the majority seem to pass through.

' The three specimens examined are quite typical.

125. Blue-throat. Luscinia suecica,

1. Luscinia suecica magna , Zar. and Loudon. (Orn. Jahrb., 1904,

p- 225—Bidesar in Arabistan).

2. Luscinia suecica volge, Kleinschm. (Falco. iii, p. 47, 1907—Sarpa,

Lower Volga).

Several races of Blue-throat evidently inhabit Mesopotamia and from the

field notes it is impossible to differentiate the status of each race.

The race which breeds in 8. W. Persia (magna) is usually without a spot on

the blue-throat or has a small white spot, but it is easily distinguished in the

hand from other races by its superior size. Probably all observations under

the White-spotted Blue-throat refer to this race. This race certainly arrives

early in August, as one might expect from the nearness of its breeding haunts,

and is common by mid-August. Cheesman obtained one at the oasis of Shaiba in

the Syrio-Arabian desert on September 5th which suggests that it was a passage

migrant as none winter there. Buxton saw a white-spotted bird at Amara on

November 28th, the latest record of this form.

It becomes evidently common again at the end of March and several specimens

were obtained in full breeding dress, the last on April 19th. Cumming under

cyaneculus probably refers to this race which he says appears in March on spring

migration at Fao, and is seen through April to mid-May in pairs.

There is no certain evidence that this race winters in Mesopotamia, some race ~

however probably does so.

Pitman says that he met with several Blue-throats on February 19th near

Kut, and Buxton found it common at Amara on December 4th, but thought all

had gone by mid-December ; Pitman however saw one near Amara on January

24th. Like some other species, e.g., Swallow and Sand Martin, it is likely that

most depart for the few colder weeks of mid-winter, odd stragglers remaining

in some well sheltered spots.

Two birds obtained in November and December by Buxton I cannot

separate, except that they are rather small, from the typical race (L. 8. swecica)

but quite possibly they are volge, to which race I certainly refer one obtained

in March at Sheik Saad and possibly a female from Amara. Weigold obtained

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. — 407

a Blue-throat at Urfa on April 11th but. is in doubt to which form it should be

referred, as it was a female; Zarudny records pallidogularis as wintering in

the Karun district as well as the typical race.

During their sojourn in the country Blue-throats may be found in any thick

cover, scrub, wheat fields, and particularly thick reeds on the edges of swamps

or damp ground. They are always rather skulky and shy.

The race magna is I think very distinct ; the long wing @80-83°5, 978-79;

the long tail (60-63) and bill 16°5-17 mm. distinguish it from other races but

in addition the blue of the throat, which is intense deep blue with or without a

small white spot (as also obtains in the European white-spotted, cyanecula)

joins the red of the breast without any limiting black line, which all other

forms have. The adult male in winter has the chin and throat above the

blue, isabelline with moustachial streaks of blue; the first winter male has less

blue and this part has wide pale edges ; chin and throat creamy white,

while black spots form the moustachial streaks.

Fourteen specimens examined :

L. s. magna, & Kut, 9-8-19 ; 4 Amara, 4-4-18; Baghdad, 31-3-18 (P. A.B.) ;

&@, Basra, 19-4-17; 9 Shaiba, 5-9-16 (P. Z.C. and R.E.C.); @, Feluja, 28-3-17;

é@, Nahr Umar, 26-3-18; ¢, Akkarku, 22-8-18 (C. R. P.) @ Basra, 21-8-19;

Q Basra, 148-19(L. Home). ? LL. s suecica § f Amara 29-11-17, 13-12-17 (P.

A. B.). LZ. s. volge 3, Amara, 20-3-19, @, Sheik Saad, 20-3-17 (P. Z. C. and

R. E. C.).

126. Rebin, Erithacus rubecula.

(1) Erithacus rubecula hyrcanus, Blanf. (Ibis., 1874, p. 79—Ghilan).

(2) Erithacus rubecula caucasicus, But. (Orn. Monat. 1907, p. 9—

Caucasus).

These two races of Robin are inseparable in the field and the field notes

probably apply to both. Buxton at Amara fornd Robins to arrive about 20th

—23rd of October and soon became common, some passed on in November and

the rest wintered in the gardens and thick Prosopis scrub ; about the middle of

January they began to sing and they disappeared during the third week of Febru-

ary. Both races were present at Amara. Pitman found Robins fairly common

in thick scrub in the Adhaim and Samarra areas during November and Decem-

ber and met several in reeds and rushes at Kurna on January 17; his records

also apply to both races. JI came across Robins not uncommonly at Basra in

November frequenting date palms, gardens and willows bordering the river,

I found them very shy end skulking and their weak winter song sounded to me

much like the English birds ; my birds were all hyrcanus. Robins are recorded

in winter at Ramadi, Tekrit, Kut, Fao and as late as March 14th at Shus, so

that one may say one or both races are fairly common throughout the area in

suitable places. Both races are listed as winter visitors to the Karun area by

Zarudny, who also includes the European Robin, while of one got in January at

Ras-el-Ain between Mosul and the Syrian border Neuman says it matches well the

European bird; none of the skins which I have examined can be however

assigned to this race.

Nineteen skins examined :

E. r. hyrcanus : Amara, 23-10-18, 16-2-18, 5-12-17, 20-10-17 (two) (P. A. B.) ;

Baghdad, 27-1-19 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.) ; Abed, 8-2-18 (F. M. B.); Basra,

20-1-17 (four) (C. B. T.) ; Samarra, 13-12-17, 7-3-18 (C. R. P.). Caucasicus ;

Amara, 31-10-18, 20-10-18, 11-1-18, 3-11-17 (P. A. B.) ; Samarra, 14-12-17,

4-11-17 (C. R. P.).

E. r. caucasicus stands intermediate between hyrcanus and the typical race in

colour of the back and throat, it has a smaller.bill than hyrcanus and less red

brown on the upper tail coverts. Most specimens can be picked out easily

but two of Buxtons were rather intermediate between the two races,

408 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

127. White-throated Robin. Irania gutturalis.

Irania gutturalis, Guérin (Rev. Zool., 1843, p. 162—Abyssinia).

This species appears to be a scarce passage migrant and was only noticed in

Spring ; it is probably commoner than the records indicate however, as it is an

arch skulker. Pitman met with two pairs in willows and scrub at Feluja be-

tween April 27th and May 3rd and obtained one specimen, he found them almost

impossible to beat out of the scrub they inhabited. Cheesman met with a pair

at Sheik Saad on April 5th hopping about a stack of brushwood in some grass.

Magrath noted it at Basra as early as March 25th and Armstrong found severah

pairs at Fao on April 22nd. At Urfa Weigold records odd birds on April 15th.

and 28th. Zarudny gives it as a passage migrant and also as a winter visitor im

small numbers in the Karun district. It breeds in the Zagros and the highlands

of W. Persia.

128. Wren. Troglodytes troglodytes. subsp., ?

Logan Home says that he saw one or two Wrens in sheltered nullahs at Kelat

Shergat in winter and one on the uplands at Tekrit in a ravine in December.

Ludlow saw one at Hit on March 8th. Without specimens it is impossible to say

what Wren visits Mesopotamia. hyrcanus has been described from N. Persia,

zagrossiensis from the Zagross Mountains in 8. W. Persia by Zarudny and

Loudon, while according to the former another race subpallidus inhabits

Khorasan.

No Accentors are recorded from Mesopotamia.

129. Common Swallow. Hirundo rustica.

Hirundo rustica rustica, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. x, p. 191, 1758—Sweden).

The Common Swallow may be said to be a summer visitor, though in parts of

Mesopotamia, such as Fao, they are only entirely absent during December and

January. ‘The first ones may be looked for from the 10th to 20th of February, but

in some places, or more probably in some years, quite a number have put in an

appearance by the middle of the month. Thus at Samarra and Sheik Saad in

1918 they were numerous by mid-February (first seen on 5th and 10th respectively):

and had even started to build, though March is the more usual month for nesting

to begin. They breed throughout the area in suitable localities, choosing varied

sites, huts of natives and telegraph buildings (Fao) and houses in most places,

cliffs and even tent poles of the camps. As elsewhere two or more broods are

probably raised as fresh eggs are reported on April 20th, and young on the wing

on April 26th. Many move off again at the end of August and they are scarce

early in September.

The numbers seem to fluctuate during this month probably due to passage

migrants, as many must pass through Mesopotamia to and from breeding grounds

further north. I noted them crossing the head of the Persian Gulf on March

20th when the local birds would be settled down to nest. The last seen in autumn

were in the last days of October.

Three skins examined; ¢, Bagubah, 29-7-18 (P. A. B.); Kazimain,

27-3-19 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); Samarra, 3-18 (C. R. P.).

These are not to be differentiated from the European bird. Pitman records

that at Felujaon March 19th—31st he saw a few pairs of Swallows with chestnut

red underparts and again a few at Samarra in February. They did not appear to

him to be so deep a red as the Egyptian bird, and they were evidently on passage.

His description of course tallies well with the Palestine form transitiva which

might wander to this part of Mesopotamia, but in absence of specimens I cannot

definitely include it.

Weigold only met with the typical form at Urfa.

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 409

130. Red-rumped Swallow. MHirundo daurica.

Hirundo daurica rufula (Temm. Man. d’Orn. 2, Ed. 3, p. 298, 1835—

Egypt).

This species appears to be rare ; Pitman saw two on passage at Feluja on March

26th and Cheesman met with several pairs at Maidan-i-Napthun on May 28th

and found colonies on two occasions in caves bordering on a stream. Tomlinson

recorded two pairs near Ahwaz in April 1908 and also two pairs building at Shustar

on April 19th and thinks the latter were driven away by Common Swallows which

were nesting there. Zarudny lists it as a winter visitor and passing migrant in

small numbers in the Karun district.

131. House Martin. Delichon urbica.

The only records are those of Buxton who says that this species arrived at

Amara on April 5th, 1918, and remained till May 5th. Weigold noted it in Syria.

on April 30th but not within the borders of Mesopotamia. It apparently is

a scarce passage migrant. No specimens obtained and so I leave it under the

binomial name.

132. Sand Martin. Riparia riparia.

Riparia riparia riparia, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. x, p. 192, 1758—Sweden).

This is a common summer visitor to the Euphrates and Tigris, building in

suitable places. It arrives in the last days of March and migrants pour in during

the whole of April, some to remain, others passing north. A few may be seen

earlier in March as I saw one at Basra on the 18th and two more near Shat-el-

Arab L. Vessel on the 20th ; Cheesman noted first arrivals on the 29th at Sheik

Saad, and Pitman on the 30th at Kut.

At Fatah Gorge, Cheesman saw a great migration on April 18th following the

line of Jubel Hamrin. It breeds in the steeper banks of the rivers in numbers,

there being colonies at intervals all the way from Kurna to Baghdad, Logan

Home noted tunnelling operations on June 6th at Daur and fresh eggs were ob-

tained on June 14th. At the end of June great numbers began to collect into

flocks and probably some move off during July and August ; in September great

numbers are still to be found these left being doubtless reinforced by passage

migrants from elsewhere ; most have gone by the third week in October, but

Cumming at Fao recorded it in every month except January and February.

Five skins examined: ¢, Amara, 7-9-18, W. 109 d, 3-9-18, gd, 14-4-18, W. 109,

(P. A. B); Kurna, 4-7-17, W. 100 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.), I cannot separate these

inany way from the typical European race.

133. Pale Crag Martin. Riparia obsoleta.

Riparia obsoleta, Cab. (Mus. Hein. 1, p. 50. 1850—N. E. Africa.)

Recorded by Zarudny as a passage migrant in the Karun district.

134. Syrian Woodpecker. Dryobates syriacis.

Dryobates syriacus, H. and, E. (Symb. Phys. Aves fol. 1., 1833—

Mt. Lebanon).

Weigold records odd ones in April at Urfa where he supposes it is resident.

No records elsewhere. Common in the Zagros.

135. Wryneck. Jynx torquilla.

Jyna torquilla torquilla, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. x, 1, p. 112, 1758—Sweden).

Not very common, or else overlooked, as a passage migrant. Cheesman met

with four cn autumn migration at Gurmat Ali and Logan Home saw three at

Basra on September 18th ; Buxton saw two at Baghdad on September 24th and

29th. It is recorded from Samarra on April 5th, Logan Home saw it at Basra

in the third week of April; Cheesman records it at Ahwaz on April 29th

and May 24th. Weigold noted it at Urfa also in mid-April.

410 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Voi. XXVIII.

136. Cuckoo. Cuculus canorus.

Cucuius canorus canorus, L, (Syst. Nt. Ed.x., 1, p. 110, 1758—

Sweden).

A passage migrant and not very common judging fyom the scanty records.

The spring migration takes place during the last three weeks of April. It does

not sing in the Mesopotamian plain, but Cheesman noted that as soon as it reach-

ed the higher Persian plateau it sings and breeds there. In autumn there are

only three records August 8th, September 27th, and October 10th.

Cheesman noted that it fed on the caterpillars of the Painted Lady.

Four specimens examined: ¢, Feluja, 16-4-17 ; Adhaim, 27-9-17 (C. R. P.) ;

Shaiba, 9-8-16; Kazimain, 9-4-17 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.).

i cannot separate these from west European birds.

137. Great Spotted Cuckoo. Clamator glandarius.

Clamator glandarius, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. x, 1, p. 111, 1758—

Gibraltar).

Weigold met with several pairs at Urfa in April and thought they would certain-

ly nest in the nests of Corvus cornix. Woosnam obtained one at Bund-i-Kir on

the Karun on March 6th and Zarudny includes it as a passage migrant. It

breeds in the oak woods of 8. W. Peisia and it is curious that no one came across

it in our area.

Swiits. Micropus.

Swifts were badly reported on owing no doubt to the difficulty of distinguish-

ing them and collecting any. The following records probably apply to either

murinus Or some race of apus.

Swifts were reported as breeding in June in the cliffs at Daur by L. Home and

probably breeding (seen in June and July) in the Kerbela district ; there are

scattered records of Swifts from February to October at Kut, Tigris R., Adhaim,

Basra, Zobeir. Some specimens are noted as arriving at Feluja on April 12th

in one year, at Baghdad on March 17th in another. Stoneham saw large mig-

rations of Swifts going north at Samarra on April 2th and onwards till May 17th.

138. Common Swiit. Micropus apus pekinensis.

Micropus apus pekinensis, Swinh. (P. Z.S. Lond. 1870, p. 435,-—

Pekin).

Some race of apus certainly occurs at Baghdad where on May 20th Chees-

man saw them apparently breeding ; he says that on April 26th about ten pairs

had recently arrived and he obtained one which he was certain was apus but un-

fortunately the skin has been lost.

Woosnam obtained one at Shustar on March 2!st which has been determined

by Witherby as pekinensis, which race Zarudny gives as a passage migrant, as

he does also the typical race.

139. Pallid Swift. Micropus murinus.

Micropus murinus murinus, Brehm. (Vogelfang, p. 46, 1855—Siut in

Egypt).

Cheesman Pid this Swift common at Ahwaz on May 5th and it was breeding

in all the larger houses ; he obtained one specimen. Cumming got two at Fao

in March and he records a nest and three eggs taken by his collector at Fao (?).

Cheesman is certain that this species also occurs at Baghdad where it was

apparently breeding on May 20th. Zarudny gives it as nesting and wintering

in the Karun district.

140. Common Indian Swift, Micropus affinis.

The only record is from Shush where Cheesman saw one flying round the castle

on May 3rd. Probably it is the race galilejensis which occurs.

Journ. Bompay Nat. Hist. Soc. PLATE IV.

A.—Surious mound-like nest of Black-winged Stilt with 3 eggs, in a shallow inundation

a few miles W. of Museyib on the R. Euphrates. 12-6-17,.

LE ea MOO cre" ect

Photo. Capt. C. R. Pitman.

B.—Typical breeding country of Sand-grouse (Péerocles alchata caudacuta) on right bank

of Tigris near Kut. Sept., 1916.

Birps oF MESOPOTAMIA.

(Plate V,—Sand-grouse chicks—is unnumbered. )

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA, 41]

141. Common Nightjar. Caprimulgus europzus.

1. Caprimulgus europeus unwini, Hume (Ibis, 1871, p. 406—Hazara,

N. W. India).

2. Caprimulgus europeus sarudnyi, Hart. (Vig. Pal. F., p. 849, 1912

Tarbagatai Mountains).

These two races are passage migrants through Mesopotamia in fair numbers.

The spring passage takes place in the last week of April and the first part of May,

and the return passage during September ; latest record October 4th. Cumming

says it occurs from autumn to spring at Fao. Zarudny records europeus as

wintering, and wnwini as wintering and a passage migrant.

We have no winter records of any Nightjar.

unwint probably breeds in the Jebel Hamrin, as Cheesman obtained one at

Khanikin on May 21st, with organs well advanced. Unlike wgyptius this species

often roosts on date-palm stems and seems to prefer an arboreal seat to the

ground,

(1) @&,Khanikin, 21-5-19 (P. Z. C. and R. E.C.); Shat-al-Adhaim, 4-10-17

(C. R. P.).

These and one from Fao in the British Museum are nearer wnwini than any

other race, but do not seem quite typical, nor is one which Witherby got in

Persia, nor one from Shiraz ; but apparently wnwint varies much even in N. W.

India. If one had a larger series from Persia perhaps another race could be

recognized. The Adhaim bird is a young bird and matches well a young one

from N. W. India.

(2) @, Shaiba, 8-9-16 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); ¢, Amara, 24-4-18 (P. A B.);

9. Fao, 7-4-18 (Armstrong).

I cannot separate these from birds from Krasnoyarsk, etc., they certainly are

not unwini, they are much darker and much more coarsely marked.

142. Egyptian Nightjar. Caprimulgus egyptius.

Caprimulgus cegyptius egyplius, Licht. (Verz. Doubl. Mus. Berlin, p.

59, 1823—Upper Egypt.)

This Nightjar is a common summer visitor and a numerous passage migrant.

The earliest record is March 20th and most come quite early in April and settle

to breed in many places throughout the area ; it is particularly common in the

Feluja- Baghdad-Museyib district.

Nests may be found in a variety of mainiONS: as on shingle near the river at

Samara, coarse grazing land, bare desert, in scrub under bushes, etc. The earli-

est nest recorded was on April 12th and two more on the 14th (Feluja district),

though Tomlinson says at Basra they do not breed till the end of May. Fresh

eggs are recorded on June 3rd and incubated ones on the 28th. Two is of course

the invariable number. When nesting on grazing land many eggs are trodden

on by cattle.

It becomes exceedingly plentiful in August and September when probably the

local birds are reinforced by migrants from elsewhere, though it seems to be

particularly patchy in distribution, one place holding numbers while in other

similar localities none are seen ; thus Buxton knew of a small walled garden at

Amara about half an acre in extent where he could always find a dozen or so

and never saw them elsewhere ; Pitman too found hundreds roosting on a cettain

patch of stony ground at Akkarkuf, while Magrath relates how in riding across

some old fallow land the birds were so numerous that it looked as if the clods

of earth were getting up and flying away! At Ali Gharbi Cheesman saw numbers

flying aimlessly about slowly and not feeding at 4-30 p.m. on August 8th, and

he fancies the ground had got too uncomfortably hot for them with a shade tempe-

rature of 120°. In the day time they are found roosting on the ground in palm

groves. The night call is described by Pitman as being like rapid hammering

- on wood “ toc-toc-toc-toc.”

412 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Most leave in September and there are only odd records after the first week

in October up to the 22nd.

Zarudny gives this species as nesting ? and passage migrant ? both of which

there is no shadow of doubt about and he also definitely states that it is to be

found in winter, a statement which none of our records bears out !

Eleven skins examined: @, Baghdad, 30-7-18; 9, Amara, 9-9-18; ¢, Kurna,

20-3-18; @, Baghdad, 15-9-17 (P. A. B.); @, Shaiba, 12-9-16, 9, 3-9-16;

@;, Sera, 2-5-19 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); 9, Feluja, 12-4-17; Hindeyeh

Barrage, 3-6-17 (C. R. P.); Q, Basra, 11-8-19 (L. Home) Amara, 4-4-19 and

4 in B. M. from Fao. Wings 190-206 mm.

All are typical xzgyptius ; arenicolor (of Sewertzow : type Joc. Oxus) does not

appear to me to be a good race so far as I can judge ; one specimen from there

is certainly large (W. 212) but another is only 202 mm., and specimens from

Samarkand are no larger than Egyptian ones.

143. European Bee-eater. Merops apiaster.

Merops apiaster, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. x, 1, p. 117, 1758—-S. Europe.)

To most parts of Mesopotamia this is a common passage migrant but to parts

of the foot hills it is a summer visitor. It arrives at the end of March and migra-

tion continues up to the second week in May. It is widely distributed and

migrating flocks were noted passing over in several localities from Urfa to Fao.

According to Tomlinson it breeds up the Karun river where he found young

just hatched at the end of May; up the Kerkha river Cheesman found it gradually

replacing persicus as a breeding species, and he saw excavations going on at

Shush on May 2nd, where apiaster alone was breeding in thousands. This re-

placing of the one species by the other is not universal by any means, as in many

places throughout their distribution both species breed in the same area. At

Mosul it evidently breeds, as Sassi records skins thence early in June and it may

possibly breed at Khanikin (and elsewhere in the hills) where Cheesman saw it

on May 21st.

The autumn passage lasts from the first week in September to the first week

in October.

Three specimens examined: @, Shush, 3-5-17 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); 2

Baghdad and Amara (P. A. B.)

144. Persian Bee-eater. Merops persicus.

Merops persicus persicus, Pall. (Reise (d). versch. Prov. Russ. Reichs.

ii, p. 708, 1773—Shores of the Caspian).

Like the Roller this species is a summer visitor in very large numbers and also

a passage migrant. ‘The first arrive in the middle of March and it becomes com-

mon by the third week. Migration was seen going or across the head of the

Persian Gulf on March 20th and April 11th.

It occurs and breeds throughout our area from Mosul to Fao but at Shush

Cheesman noted that it was replaced by apiaster, but as persicus breeds in N.

Persia this must have been a local peculiarity. It breeds in colonies, some of

them numbering thousands of individuals ; the sites chosen are river and canal

banks, desert mounds or perfectly flat bare ground. Cheesman noted that at

the oil fields persicus seemed to prefer a horizontal road passed over by

caravans and other traffic, while apiaster preferred mounds; Pitman found a large

colony near Museyib in perfectly flat ground close to a road; the birds were

swarming over the nest holes like bees ! Sassi describing a similar colony (of

which he gives a very good photograph) says the nesting ground in the distance

looked like green pasture with the multitude of birds on it ! Other very large

colonies exist between Baghdad and Samarra and at Abu Aran near Basra.

Excavations for the nest-holes were noted on April 19th, and the earliest date

for eggs is May 5th, but it is not till towards the middle of the month that full

clutches need be looked for ; six is the normal full clutch, and in one nest of six

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA, 413

it was noted that some were near hatching, while others were half incubated

only.

Young well fledged are reported in mid-June. The nest holes go in 5 to 7 feet

and if in flat ground at an angle of 10 to 15 degrees ; the entrance holes are hard

and worn smooth by the constant passage of birds.

The war did much to accommodate this bird in providing miles of perch in

the form of telegraph wires and nesting sites in abandoned trenches.

This Bee-eater moves off again at the end of August, and flocks migrating over,

going in some southerly direction, were noted on many days during September in

several places, and up to October 13th. Cheesman noted that they migrated by

night as well as by day, and their distinctive calls were often to be heard on dark

nights in September as the flocks passed over. Towards the end of October they

became scarce and there is an odd record on November 14th.

The Arabic name for both species of Bee-eaters and Roller is the same—

Khundar,

Specimens examined : 4, Amara, 6-6-18. Juv. 5-7-18 (P. A. B.); Nahr Umar,

26-3-18 (two) (C. R. P.); Baghdad, 17-8-17 (Ingoldby) ; Shaiba, 12-9-16, 18-9-16

(P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); 4, Basra, 18-3-18 (C. B. T.).

The young leave the country in their juvenile dress.

145. Little Green Bee-eater. Merops orientalis. (-viri-

dis auct.)

Merops orientalis beludschicus, Neum. (Orn. Monat. 1910, p. 80—Persian

Beluchistan).

We have no certain record of this bird ; however it must occasionally occur

as Cumming noted it once at Fao after a severe storm. Zarudny says it nests

in small numbers in the Karun district and is a migrant ; it has been met with

at Bushire in January to March and occurs along the south coast of Persia.

St. John (Eastern Persia, p. 125) says it extends to Basra, if that is so I must

have overlooked the record.

146. Hoopoe. Upupaepops. ‘Had-Had.”’

Upupa epops epops, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. x) i, p. 117, 1758—Sweden).

It is chiefly as a passage migrant that the Hoopoe occurs in Mesopotamia though

a few pass the winter in suitable localities and odd ones are met with in the

breeding season, but there is no evidence that they nest in our plains ; however it

certainly breeds at Urfa and may do so in our hills, as it appears in the plains

very early in autumn.

Though occasional birds are recorded in December to February, it is not until

the second week in March that the migration sets in, and Hoopoes become very

common towards the end of the month ; the migration continues during April

and most have passed on by the end of the month. There is a single record in

June from Amara and several other indefinité records of birds being seen during

““the summer.” Odd ones are recorded in the last half of July near Baghdad,

probably early migrants from not far off ; it becomes common by the middle of

August and is plentiful up to the first week in October, but most have gone by

the middle of that month. Migrants were noted in the middle of the Gulf on

August 13th and 31st.

_ Weigold records it breeding in pollarded mulberries at Urfa. Zarudny says

epops and loudoni are winter visitors to the Karun ; the latter is a synonym of

the former (vide Hartert, Vog. Pal. F., p. 867).

The Arabic name is of course onomatopeeic and widely used in the east for

this bird.

Four specimens examined: 9, Shaiba, 8-9-16 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); Basra,

17-8-17; Kurna, 17-3-18; @, Amara, 25-2-18 (P. A. B.).

414 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

147. Common Kingfisher. Alcedo ispida.

1. Alcedo ispida pallasii, Rchb. (Handb. Spec. Orn. Inv. Alcedinez,

p. 3, 1851—Volga).

2. Alcedo ispida pallida, Brehm. (Vogelfang, p. 51, 1855—Egypt).

(1) A resident in the Mesopotamian plain whose numbers are increased by

winter visitants. This Kingfisher is perhaps not common as a breeding bird or

else it retires to less frequented spots, as most observers considered it to be a

winter visitor. It is reported as breeding however at Baghdad and Basra by

Cheesman, while Tomlinson’s records of bengalensis breeding at Basra must belong

to this race. Cumming records it at Fao from August to April and specimens

sent home were identified by Sharpe as bengalensis ; I have examined these and

I consider them to be pallasii. Pitman noticed this Kingfisher at Feluja till

April when it disappeared, and during the summer he found - none in the marshes

near there nor at Museyib. In winter even it seems rather local and in places

quite common, thus it is reported common at Basra and Baghdad and rare at

Amara.

Five specimens examined: Basra, 4-2-17 (Armstrong) ; Kurna, 17-3-18 ;

Akkarkuf, 21-8-17 (C. R. P.) ; Baghdad, 26-9-17 (P. A. B.), @, Basra, 18-2-18,

also two from Fao in B. M.

These correspond best with pallasii ; the bills do not appear to me to be so

long and slender as in pallida ; they are too large and not bright enough for benga -

lensis. Wings 72-74. Bills 37-38 from feathering, 42-44 from base. No speci-

mens were obtained in the breeding season but in absence of any other race one

concludes that this is also the breeding form.

(2) One obtained by Weigold at Urfa, April 2lst (wing 74, bill 40) is

recorded by him as pallida ; Neumann also considers one obtained at Ras-el-Ain

on February 7th,with a remarkably slender bill of 41 mm. to belong to this form.

148. Pied Kingfisher. Ceryle rudis. ‘“Esleligga.’’

Ceryle rudis rudis, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. x, p. 116, 1758—Egypt).

A very common resident from Fao and the Karun river to Mosul but naturally

few are met away from canals or rivers. It is commoner below Amara than

above, but it is common above Baghdad on both the Euphrates and Tigris.

There are colonies all the way up the Tigris where the banks are high and

Pitman records a colony at Kurna, consisting of hundreds, in a bank which is

unaffected by floods and so affords a secure nesting place each year. Eggs are

reported early in June and five seems to be the usual number.

This Kingfisher seems to prefer the shallower parts of the river and backwaters

to the deeper water ; Buxton met with it in the Hawizieh swamp in July many

miles from land. The flocking and flighting to roost in the evening up the river

must have struck the least observant and the o cry of several together is

bound to attract notice.

Five specimens Se 3, Qalet Saleh, 26-5-18; 3, Baghdad, 21-9-17, 2,

26-9-17 (P. A. B.); 9, Kurna, 30-12-17 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.) ; Basra, 12-5-19.

These are ae rudis, and not the Indian form, with the base of the tail

spotted and longitudinal streaks on the flanks.

149. White-breasted Kingfisher. Halcyon smyrnensis-

**Mahel-Hel.”’

Halcyon smyrnensis smyrnensis, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. x, p. 116, 1758—

Smyrna).

This Kingfisher has rather a curious distribution in Mesopotamia ; up as far

as Nasiriyeh and Kurna it is fairly common and resident ; at Amara Buxton only

saw it twice in 13 months, viz., August 3lst and April 5th and he thought these

must have been migrants, a statement supported by Cheesman who says the

only one he saw at Sheik Saad (April 5th) was migrating. On the ess

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 415

above Nasiriyeh we have no records, and above Kurna only records of probable

migrants. At Baghdad however it occurs again and is probably resident there

in small numbers, as Cheesman noted it there in April, Pitman in July to Septem-

ber, and Buxton in October. On the Diala R. at Bakubah however it again is

common and a few occur at Shahroban. It occurs at Shush and on the Karun

river and breeds there. It is absent from the Tekrit-Samarra district. The

distribution is no doubt to some extent influenced by date groves.

It breeds at the end of April and beginning of May. Hobkirk found nests in

holes ina bank on May 19th and 21st containing 5 and 4 eggs respectively,

Armstrong found a nest at Fao on May 4th.

Five specimens examined: 9, Kurna, 17-5-18 (P. A. B.); Akkarkuf, 20-8-17

(C. R. P.); 2, Baghdad, 16-3-19 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); Kurna, 17-3-18 (?);

&, Basra, 21-11-17 (C. B. T.). All are typical.

150. Common Roller, Coracias garrula. “Khundar.’’

1. Coracias garrula semenowi, Loud. and Tsch. (Orn. Jahrb. xiii,

p- 148, 1902—Transcaspia).

2. Coracias garrula garrula, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. x, p. 107, 1758—

S. Sweden).

A common summer visitor whose numbers are increased at the times of migra-

tion by passage migrants through the country.

The first few appear in the first week of April but the general date of arrival

is about the third week of the month, while many pass through in May, as Cum-

ming records at Fao. Pitman noted small flocks at Feluja from April 4th to 30th,

6 to 12 in a flock migrating over going west or north-west and a similar migration

was recorded at Basra at the end of the month.

It breeds commonly throughout our area, where conditions are suitable, from

‘Mosul to Ahwaz ; but a few breed at Basra and none, probably due to lack of

suitable sites, at Fao.

Cliffs of river banks are favourite sites and there are colonies on all the Mesopo..

tamian rivers, the ruins of Babylon and the mounds of Shush are full of their

nesting holes and occasionally holes in date palms are utilized as at Baghdad

and Museyib. Pitman, who examined a large colony in the river bank at Feluja,

found the nests in weather-worn holes and clefts 10 to 40 feet up and frequently

near the top ; the entrance holes were large and the eggs were deposited on soft

sandy soil not more than a foot in.

The excavation of holes begins at the end of April and fresh clutches are genera]

by mid-May. Pitman, who examined two dozen nests on May 25th, found them

to contain 3 to 7 eggs in various stages of incubation and one lot had hatched.

In the middle of this colony a Kestrel also had its nest.

Some evidently move down from the hills to the plains as early as the end of

July ; the numbers decrease at the end of August and early September, in which

month most depart ; the last record is October 2nd. Cumming says they pass

Fao on passage in September and October, they are few in number and only halt

a short time.

(1) Seven specimens examined: 9, Shustar, 3-5-17 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.);

Q, Shahroban, 30-7-18 ; ¢ 9, Amara, 2-5-18 (P. A. B.); Baghdad, 7-17; Hinde-

yeh Barrage, 2-7-17 ; Akkarkuf, 29-8-17 (C. R. P.).

(2) Mesopotamia, 23-4-17.

All belong to the eastern form semenowi except one which I cannot separate

from the typical race ; Zarudny records semenowi as a passage migrant and the

typical race as rare ; Weigold and Neuman record the latter race from Urfa and

Ras-el-Ain. Our breeding race is certainly semenowi ; the typical race is pre-

sumably a passage migrant.

Semenowi? in the adult spring plumage is rather indistinct; perhaps on the whole

it is a trifle paler brown above and paler blue on the underparts and wing coverts.

416 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

In the juvenile dress however the differences appear to be much more distinct.

Two juveniles from Sweden I have seen are very dark birds, from which the

juveniles of semenowi can be picked out at a glance by their paler mantle and

underparts.

There is no very marked difference in size between these two races, a series of

the typical form measure 191-202 mm. and of semenowi 193-206 (once 212)

(c. f. Hartert Vog. P. Faun., p. 873) I find semenowi in winter from Suakim,

Khartoum and Parragani R. The adults moult before leaving the country, the

young ones migrate in their juvenile dress,

151, Indian Roller. Coracias benghalensis.

Coracias benghalensis benghalensis, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. x, 1, p. 106,

1758—Bengal).

The occurrence of the Indian Roller in Mesopotamia is very interesting as it is

an example of a bird extending its range westward from India along the Persian

Gulf. In Persia it is only found in the coastal parts and its distribution corres-

ponds with that of the date palm. So too in Mesopotamia it is confined to the

date palm area on the Shat-al-Arab ; from Fao to Basra it is fairly common,

above Basra stragglers may be met with at Shafi and Nahr Umar, and Amara,

above which there are no records ; nor are there any records on the Euphrates.

Zarudny gives it as nesting in the Karun district, but this includes Mohommera

where we know it occurs ; we have no records of it from higher up this river,

Where it occurs it is quite resident.

It breeds at the end of April usually selecting a hole in a date palm, but Magrath

notes nests also in walls in Basra. Young are out by the end of May and again

at the end of July according to Tomlinson, so it probably breeds twice.

Two examplesexamined; 2, Qalet Saleh, 6-1-18 (P.A.B.); Nahr Umar

25-3-18 (C. R. P.).

These quite resemble birds from Bengal.

152. Eagle Owl. Bubo bubo.

Bubo bubo ruthenus, But. and Zhitkov (Mem. Soc. Imp. Geogr. Russ,

XLI, 2, p. 272, 1906—Simbirsk, Volga).

The Eagle Owl appears to be rare or perhaps very local in Mesopotamia and,

may be, in the Jebel Hamrin is not so uncommon, It certainly occurs in the

Tekrit cliffs where L. Home and Aldworth found it in pairs in January and ob-

tained an egg laid on a shelf of the cliff ; Hobkirk saw one further up the river at

Istabulat feeding young, and Meinerzhagen records one from the ruins of Baby-

Jon. Tomlinson took a small addled egg from a nest of a large unidentified owl

at Ahwaz. A specimen was obtained at Shahroban in December 1918 and

another at Sulemania by Ross. These and one in the British Museum labelled

Mesopotamia from one of the old expeditions are the only skins available. These

three skins resemble one another and also two skins from Trebizond, and I con-

sider them to belong to the race ruthenus, a conclusion which Dr. Hartert, who

kindly examined them also, independently came to. Sassi recording two birds

from Mosul in January and February says he could come to no conclusion about

them ; they did not belong to the typical race and approach turcomanus on the

one hand and nikolskii on the other ; the wings measured 445 and 385 mm. res-

pectively (unsexed). This latter race Zarudny described from the Jebel Tniie

in Arabistan (Orn. Jahrb., 1905, p. 142); it appears from his description to be a

very small Eagle Owl (wing ¢, 378; 9, 394 mm.), and our three Mesopotamian

specimens cannot be this with wings (unsexed) 445, 457 and 465 mm. He says

his nikolskii occurs as a resident in small numbers in the Zagros and Karun

districts.

Without more material no one can possibly define the status of the race or

races of this fine Owl in Mesopotamia, and so I leave all our records under ruthenus,

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 417

though nikolskii may also have to be accepted as a different form in the Karun

area when specimens thence materialize.

(We have no records of any Fish-owl (Ketwpa) occurring in Mesopotamia though

it may do so in the Karun district, as Zarudny described a race semenowi from

the Zagros, where it is common.)

153. Striated ScopsOwl. Otus brucei. ‘ Boomer.” (All owls).

Otus brucei (Hume) (Stray Feathers, i, p. 8, 1872—Rahuri near Ahmednagar),

Cheesman found this owl in gardens with dense foliage of date and orange trees

at Kazimain on March 29th where they were probably breeding, as a pair shot

then had organs in an advanced state and the birds were still there on May 12th.

Livesay found it common at Hilla and Museyib and obtained a specimen at the

former place on July 13th, while eggs of a Scops of some species, very likely this,

were brought in to him.

Cheesman notes that it takes insects on the wing and flies as fast as a bat ; it

feeds before dusk, but it is not seen in the day time. The call is a short mono-

tonous ‘‘ boo-boo” resembling that of a Stock Dove. He says: “ The note is

quite different to that of pulchellus which I found breeding at Gulanak near

Teheran in June 1917 where it was plentiful; the note of this latter bird

resembles the tinkling of a small brass bell and, as the birds seldom have

exactly the same note, the combined effect of several is like an erratic peal of

small bells; the ‘‘ boo-boo”’ of the Kazimain owl was not once heard there

and vice versa. Bruce: has also another note, a sort of squeak ; the Arabs say it

breeds in holes in mulberry trees.”

The Striated Scops Owl is probably resident where it occurs; beyond the

above records there is no certain information regarding its distribution in Meso-

potamia ; it extends from India to Palestine.

Three specimens examined: Kazimain, 30-3-19; Q 29-3-19 (P. Z. C. and

R. E. C.) ; Hilla, 13-7-16 (Livesay).

These match well a series from India, and the type specimen, in colour, size

and wing formula.

154. Scops Owl. Otus scops.

Otus scops pulchellus, Pall. (Reiss. d. versch. Prov. Russ. Reiche 1,

p. 456, 1801—Volga).

A Scops of sorts is recorded from Basra by Magrath, and Aldworth took a

clutch of 3 Scops owl’s eggs on May 8rd at Nasirijeh which Mr. Jourdain

identifies as pulchellus (?).

The only certain records are of a bird obtained at Amara on April 11th and

those of Cumming who met with it at Fao twice in October and once on April

22nd. The status of this owl requires further investigation and its breeding in

Mesopotamia cannot be said to be proved.

This eastern race is not a very marked one and I am in doubt if the Mesopota-

mian birds belong to it or not. Further material is necessary to decide but for

the time being I leave them under this race. According to Zarudny the typical

race breeds in the Zagros.

155. Long-eared Owl. Asio otus.

Asio otus otus, L. (Syst. Nat. Ex., p. 92, 1758—Sweden).

Buxton states that one was shot by Capt. Downie at Amara on November

24th and that he examined it. Aldworth met with a party of 15 in palm groves

at Nasarijeh on December 8th and secured one, and Livesay got one at Legait

on April 21st. It must be a winter visitor.

156. Short-eared Owl. Asio flammeus.

Asio flammeus, (Pontopp.) (Danske Atias. i, p. 617, 1763—Denmark.)

=(accipitrinus auct).

418 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Common winter visitor in suitable places and widely distributed. It arrives

about the middle of September and leaves again towards the end of March ; odd

birds were reported up to April 21st. It frequents crops, such as lucerne and

young corn, desert scrub, grass lands and even bare desert ; and sometimes four

or five may be flushed off the ground in close proximity. Magrath found it

common round the Sanniyat position attracted by the small rodents which in-

fested the trenches.

Specimens examined: 9, Amara, 22-10-17. 0? 23-1-18. (P. A. B.), @, Kut,

20-2-17, OP 19-2-17 (C. R. P.) ; Qalet Saleh, 25-11-17 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.);

Suleimania, 1-1-20 (Ross).

I do not feel quite certain about the validity of the pale eastern rave (Jewcopsis);

one of the above (Qalet Saleh) only is a pale bird, the rest are as dark as west

European examples.

There are seven other specimens in the B. M. from Mesopotamia mostly from

Fao which Mr. Kinnear has kindly examined for me, thiee are light birds

October and March and four are dark birds (one October and the rest bear no

date). He remarks that there are in the Museum pale breeding birds from

Siberia, but also a dark August bird, while one from France is as pale as any

from Krasnoyarsk, and I may add I have an exceedingly pale bird from

Norway.

157. Little Owl. Athene noctua.

Athene noctua bactriana, Hutt. (J. A. S. B. 16, p. 776, 1847—Kan-

dahar).

The Little Owl is resident throughout Mesopotamia wherever there is suitable

accommodation for it ; but it would seem to be commonest in the Samarra-Tekrit

area where cliffs afford unlimited nest holes. In some places, as at Amara, they

are not very common but even the oasis of Shaiba has its pair, which frequent

the old mud fort. Elsewhere ruins, cliffs, brickfields, etc., are tenanted, and

Pitman found one two feet down a rat hole in bare desert. Pitman notes that they

begin calling at night at the end of January and pairing takes place early in

Februaly. Cheesman witnessed a fight between one of these owls and a pair of

See-See for possession of a hole in a conglomerate cliff on April 19th, and though

no eggs were found several were seen outside suitable holes in this cliff at Samarra.

It is reported as breeding in the cliffs from Samarra to Tekrit in numbers. Like

Little Owls elsewhere this race does not shun daylight and may be seen sitting

near its hole even in the hot sun and often feeding in the daytime.

Eleven skins examined: Shaiba, 22-9-16; Samarra, 30-11-18, 19-4-19 ;

Amara, 9-2-18, 4-2-18 (P. Z.C. and R. E.C.); Adhaim, 26-10-17, 22-10-17

(two) (C. R. P.) ; Amara, 26-10-17 (P. A. B.) ; Suleimania (Ross).

These vary somewhat in the colour of the upperparts even in the same locality ;

they are too dark, not pale sandy enough above for Jilith (from Palestine), and

they certainly are not glaux (Egypt) and they match pretty well a series of baetri-

ana from Kandahar ; the feathering on the toes varies ; on the whole these are less

feathered than bactriana and more so than Jilith but some are as fully feathered

as the former usually is, while in two or three skins from Kandahar in winter the

toes have little more than bristles on them. Apart from individual variation

in colour, season also makes a difference and bactriana in spring is noticeably

paler than in autumn. On the underside these Mesopotamian birds have the

steaks not so yellowish-red as in Jilith.

Zarudny records glaux from the Karun district and both glauz and bactriana

as resident in the Zagros. Meinertzhagen says he saw glaux commonly at Baby-

lon. From Mosul, Sassi records two as bactriana (?) and says the adult bird is

quite like glaux ! Weigold identifies as glaux a mummied bird obtained in winter

at Urfa while the type of Lilith comes from the upper Euphrates at Der-ez-Zor

(between Deir and Aleppo) and Hartert records this race form 8. W. Persia!

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 419

In my opinion birds from Shustar in the south to Samarra in the north of our

area are baetriana, what race really occurs in Northern Mesopotamia seems some-

what uncertain, I have seen no skins thence, but certainly none of our skins are

glaux.

158. Barn Owl. Flammea alba, (=Strix flammea auct.)

Flammea alba alba, Scop. (Annus 1, Hist. Nat. p. 21, 1769—N. Italy).

Resident in small numbers throughout the area in suitable places. Wherever

it occurs it probably breeds ; it is recorded in the breeding season from Samarra,

Mosul, Babylon, between Museyib and Baghdad, Basra, and Fao, frequenting

ruins, disused canals, chimneys, and old buildings. Livesay records taking a

nest of 10 eggs between Museyib and Baghdad in April and Cumming records

it as breeding at Fao in a loft.

One skin examined: Amara, 3-12-18 (P. A. B.) and two others in the B. M.

Fao, February 1885, and Babylon-n, d.

All these three are similar and match British ones very well, they are pale

yellowish, not at all grey on the back, and have very few spots underneath.

A bird from Muscat in Arabia seems also to be like this race.

159. Peregrine Falcon. Falco peregrinus. ‘‘Shaheena.’’

1. Falco peregrinus calidus, Lath. (Ind. Orn., 1, p. 41, 1770—India).

2. Falco peregrinus babylonicus, Scl. (Ibis, 1861, p. 218-220—Oudh in

India).

(1) A winter visitor in small numbers more especially frequenting inundations,

etc., where wild fowl abound. The earliest record is September 22nd and the

last in the first week of April ; it is distributed throughout our area.

Logan Home records one eating a Lesser Tern, while Cheesman writing about

one he obtained at Baghdad notes the following debased habit: “‘ These Falcons

wait near the larger towns during winter’s evenings and prey on the earlier bats.

These fall easy victims, but occasionally one is missed and falls like a stone some

twenty feet and then continues on ; the Falcons do not give chase but pass on to

another bat, even small bats not being despised.”

Four skins examined: ¢, Amara, 3-12-17, 14-3-18 (P. A. B.); 9, Kazimain,

4-4-19 ; Baghdad, 7-11-18 (also two from Fao in B. M.).

The adults match calidus well with the broad white cheek patch ; two are

young birds.

(2) Donald records that this Falcon (sub. nom. F. barbarus) is not uncommon

at Basra and appears to be somewhat crepuscular in habits and sits onthe ground

about sunset, apparently watching for bats. Armstrong obtained a young

female at Basra on December 15th. Magrath says it arrives with the ducks,

Sassi records it from Mosul on June 10th.

160, Lanner Faicon. Falco biarmicus.

Falco biarmicus tanypterus, Schleg. (Abh. Geb. Zool. u. vergl. Anat., 2.

Hefte, 3, p. 8, 1844—Nubia).

One obtained by Cumming at Fao on August 30th is in the British

Museum. It was recorded by Sharpe as feldeggii in the Ibis. 1891, p. 104.

161, Saker Falcon. Falco cherrug.

1. Falco cherrug cherrug, Gray (Hardw. III, Ind. Zool. 1833-34—

India).

2. Falco cherrug milvipes, Jerd. (Ibis. 1871, p. 240—Umballa,

Punjab).

Cherrugs are fairly common winter visitors ; they were noted by Buxton at

Amara, at Samarra by Pitman, while Cheesman also noted a good many near

Baghdad in November sitting on telegraph poles. Donald records that he saw

420 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

one strike a Sand-grouse near Sheik Saad, but it had to give up its prey to a

Steppe Eagle. All except one from Ahwaz belong to the typical race.

(1) Specimens examined @, Amara, 1-12-18 (P. A. B.); 9, Baghdad,

26-12-17 (Ingoldby) ; 2, Samarra, 30-11-18 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.).

(2) @, Ahwaz, 12-2-18 (F. M. B.).

162. Hobby. Falco subbuteo.

Falco subbuteo subbuteo, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. x, 1, p. 89, 1758—Sweden).

A fairly common passage migrant arriving in the last week of April and passing

on by the middle of May ; it reappears in the first week of October and has gone

further south by the end of the month. It is partial to the date groves. Pitman

thinks he saw this species at Museyib in June and July and thought it might

breed there ; further evidence on this however is required.

Three specimens examined : ¢, Amara, 1-5-18 (P. A. B.) ; 9, Azizieh, 16-10-18

(P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); 9, Amara, 18-4-17 (L. Home).

These match European specimens inthe colour of the upper parts ; wing

&; 256. Y, 280 mm. ; European birds vary a good deal in the depth of colour

of the mantle and in length of wing. Buturlin’s race centralasie from Tian-shan

wants further examination ; it seems a little doubtful.

163. Merlin Falco esalon.

1. Falco esalon pallidus (Suschk.) (Bull. B. O. C. 11, p. 5, 1900—W.

Kirghis steppes).

2. Falco esalon insignis, Clark. (Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus. 32, p. 470,

1907—Fusan in Korea).

The Metlin, of which two races occur in Mesopotamia, is a winter visitor in

small numbers ; the earliest date of arrival is September 24th and the last date

May 5th. It is distributed throughout our area hunting in open spaces, parti-

cularly crops, for Crested Larks and such small birds.

Three skins examined : (1) 2, Amara, 23-1-18 (P..A. B.); @ Amara, 13-3-19

(Aldworth).

These two belong to the very pale form pallidus, the adult of this race is a most

beautiful pale blue grey above, shades paler than the west European form ; the

young are also a much paler rufous brown.

Wings, 207. 9 231 mm.

(2) Khamiseyah, 25-11-16 (Aldworth).

This is not as pale as pallidus and yet it is paler than the west European bird,

and matches well examples of insignis from Turkestan and China. Wing 204 mm.

164. Lesser Kestrel. Falco naumanni.

Falco naumanni naumanni, Fleischer (Sylvan, 1818, p. 174—S. Germany).

Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant ; Buxton says it passes.

through Amara during the last three weeks of April ; Pitman at Feluja noted

flocks passing over at intervals from April 8th, twenty to thirty birds in a flock ;

while on May 5th he saw numbers of what he thought were this species nesting

in an elevated ruin 10 miles south of Feluja. Weigold records it asa very common

and breeding at Urfa, and Sassi notes it at Mosul on May 2nd. There are no

autumn records, except at Baghdad in the first 10 days of October.

Seven specimens examined: @@, Amara, 23-4-18 ; Baghdad, @, 11-10-17

(P. A. B.) ; Feluja, 9, 8-4-17; 9. 9-4-17 (two) ¢, 16-4-17 (C. R. P.).

165. Common Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus.

Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. x., 1, p. 90, 1758—

Sweden).

As far as can be ascertained the Kesrrel is resident in Mesopotamia, breeding

at all events from Mosul south to the Babylon district, and in the Karun foothills,

spreading out in winter over the rest of the country and perhaps augmented by

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 421

winter visitors from elsewhere. In the cliffs bordering the upper parts of the

Tigris from Fatah Gorge to the Samarra district and on the Euphrates near

Feluja, it is reported as being an abundant breeding species ; elsewhere ruins

are occupied and at Museyib Livesay found two nests containing 7 eggs each,

in each case an old Magpie’s nest being utilized. Pitman records that they were

pairing off at the end of February at Samarra where every ruin had its pair ; he

found a nest of young in the middle of a Roller colony at Feluja on May 25th.

Logan Home found eggs at Tekrit between April 4th and May 15th.

From Baghdad and Babylon southwards it appears to be a winter visitor as

we have no nesting records ; Buxton at Amara says it arrives at the end of Sep-

tember and leaves by the first week in April. In the Shustar district however

it is a breeding species.

Nine skins examined: 4, Bait-al-Khalifa, 30-1-18; 9, Adhaim, 4-11-17

(C. R. P.); 4, Baghdad, 14-1-19; Amara, 21-12-17; Sheik Saad, 22-3-17 (P. Z. C.

and R. E. C.) ; @, Amara, 1-11-17, 29-10-17, 23-12-17 (P. A. B); @, Hit, 7-4-18

(Ludlow).

Wings ¢ 230-250. Q 247-271 mm.

These agree well with European birds, whose mantles vary much in shade of

colour.

166. Imperial Eagle. Aquila heliaca.

Aquila heliaca heliaca, Sav. (Desc. Egypte. Syst. Ois., p. 82, 1809—Upper

Egypt).

Very few Eagles of any sort wee obtained and many records of various Eagles

have had to be omitted as being unreliable as to the species. Eagles are not

uncommon in Mesopotamia, all, except Bonelli’s and the White-tailed, being,

so far as we know, winter visitants.

The Imperial Eagle is recorded by Mr. Donald twice in October near Basra

and once near Sheik Saad where he saw one stooping at a hare. Logan Home

noted it near Gurmat Ali on August 8th. Zarudny records it in winter in the

Karun district ; Meinerzhagen records it from the Tigris in winter. Cheesman

obtained one at Beled on March 4th; it had been feeding on stale sheep’s

“lights ”*.

167, Tawny Eagle. Aquila rapax.

Aquila rapax albicans, Riipp. (Neue Wirbelt. V6g., p. 34, 1835—Simen

Proy. in Abyssinia).

There are no records which can safely be put down to this species ; perhaps

it is not uncommon as Pitman obtained one at Kut and Logan Home one at

Basra. Wings 520 and 525mm. Mr. W. L. Sclater, who has recently been work-

ing at this group, kindly identified these for me as belonging to this race.

168, Steppe Eagle. Aquila nipalensis.

Aquila nipalensis orientalis, Cab. (J. F. O., 1854, p. 369—Volga).

Fairly common winter visitor in the marshes round Amara and presumably

elsewhere ; last seen April 7th. Mr. Donald records seeing one rob a Saker of a

Sand-grouse. Buxton obtained one at Kurna on March 17th, 1918, and Chees-

man got one, sitting on a desert mound at Beled, on March Ist, 1919, it had been

feeding on stale chicken; another near Zoar on April 30th, where he saw two pairs.

Zarudny records both this, the western race, and the eastern typical race nipa-

lensis from the Karun district in winter as well asa race, glitszht, which

according to Hartert is a synonym of orientalis.

I am indebted to Mr. Sclater for identifying these two specimens.

169. Greater Spotted Eagle. Aquila maculata,

Aquila maculata (Gm.) (Syst. Nat. I, i, p. 258, 1788—Europe).

422 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

One recorded at Basra by Mr. Donald at the end of November, and one seem

at close quarters at Amara by Buxton on November 2nd. One was obtained

at Baghdad on December 28th by Cheesman.

Meinertzahagen records it from the marshes near Kurna and at Tekrit. Probably

not uncommon. Cumming obtained one at Fao and there are three specimens

in the B. M. from Baghdad collected by Loftus.

170. Golden Eagle. Aquila chrysaetus.

Zarudny records the Golden Eagle, under the name of fulva, from the Karun

district in winter and says it nests in small numbers in the Zagros. No other

records.

171. Bonelli’s Eagle. Hieraetus fasciatus,

Hieraétus fasciatus fasciatus (Vieill.) (Mem. Soc. Linn. Paris 2, 2

p- 152, 1822—Montpellier in 8. France).

Bonelli’s Eagle appears to be fairly common and resident in at all events ‘ae

Tekrit area; probably it spreads out in winter to other parts of the plain. Aldworth

found four or five pairs breeding within a range of twenty miles in the Tekrit

area. The first nest contained a single egg on February 19th, the nest placed

on a cliff, and built of sticks was very flat, like a huge Sparrow Hawk’s nest,

except that it was lined with grass. Nearly three weeks latera secondegg was

taken from the same nest. A second nest in the area contained two eggs on

March 12th ; the female was shot for identification. Zarudny lists it for the

Karun district in winter. Meinerzhagen says the Arabs prize it for gazelle

hewking.

172. Booted Eagle. Hieraetus pennatus.

Hieraétus pennatus (Gm.) (Syst. Nat. I, i, p. 272, 1788—France ?).

Weigold records this as the commonest large bird of prey at Urfa and several

observers thought they saw it commonly in our area. No skins obtained, but .

there are three from Fao in the British Museum obtained by Cumming.

173. Sea Eagle. Haliaetus albicilla.

Haliaétus albicilla (L.) (Syst Nat. Ed. x, 1, p. 89, 1758——-Sweden).

This fine Eagle is resident and breeds in the Tekrit area and is not uncommon ;

to the rest of the Mesopotamian rivers and inundations it wanders in winter.

Aldworth found three pairs breeding in the cliffs at Tekrit by the river. The

first nest held two eggs on January 28th ; another nest had two hard set eggs on

February 3rd, and the third two fresh eggs on February 8th ; these nests were

all in caves in the face of the cliffs about 30 to 50 feet from the top and were lined

with tufts of grass. The bird whose egg was taken on January 28th was sitting

again on March Ist. An old female shot from the nest had the whole bill yellow ;

iris pale yellow ; tarsi pale, bright yellow.

This Eagle also breeds at Birejik on the Euphrates beyond our area, whence,

Mr. Parkin has a clutch of three eggs.

174. Pallas’ Fish Eagle. Haliaetus leucoryphus.

Haliaétus leucoryphus (Pall.) (Reise. d. versch. Proy. Russ. Reichs I,

p. 454, 1771—S. Russia).

Several observers recorded single birds over the rivers and inundations during

the winter. Zarudny also records it in winter.

No skins obtained.

175. Steppe Buzzard. Buteo buteo.

Buteo buteo anceps, Brehm. (=desertorwm auct.) (Naumannia, 1855

p- 5—Blue Nile).

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 423

Observed by Cumming at Fao as a passage migrant and winter visitor, he ob-

tained three specimens in the first fortnight of September when they were passing

in great numbers. ;

No specimens were obtained by any of our observers and therefore statements

concerning its presence in winter need verification.

Weigold obtained one at Djullab on April 23rd and Neumann records one from

Ras-el-Ain on July 30th, and remarks on the coloration of the tail of this speci-

men which, instead of being red-brown, was iron grey with nine sharp black cross

bands. From the date it was obtained he says it must have bred there, an

assumption I consider entirely unwarrantable, as the date is not too early for odd

migrants (see under Black Kite) or indeed it may have been a non-breeding in-

dividual ; were one to accept the presence of a single bird of any species at the

end of July as evidence of that species breeding in the locality, some very curious

and very erroneous statements would occur in Ornithology.

The status of this Buzzard in Mesopotamia requires further investigation.

176. Long-legged Buzzard. Buteo ferox. ‘“Nisr.’’

Buteo ferox ferox (Gm.) (Nov. Comm. Acad. Petropol. 15, p. 442,

1771—Astrachan).

In most parts this Buzzard is @ common winter visitor arriving at the end of

October and leaving again at the end of March. It should be familiar to most

by its great diversity of plumage and its habit of perching on any upstanding

thing such as a telegraph post, old wall, brick-kiln, etc., but many of the records

have unfortunately to be discarded as they were evidently mixed up with other

species. It seems certain that this species nests in the Tekrit area where Chees-

man found a nest in the cliffs ; Logan Home also records a pair nesting there at

the end of March, when he obtained a clutch of two eggs and saw several pairs

building at the end of February .

Cheesman obtained one at Hindia Barrage on March 22nd with organs

advanced. Sassi records it from Mosul on June 2nd.

Nine specimens examined :—d, Samarra, 20-2-19; 3, Amara, 4-12-17; 3,

Hindia Barrage, 22-3-19 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); 9, Legait, 28-11-16 (Livesay),

Sheik Saad, 12-17 (Ingoldby); Kut, 27-10-16 (C. R. P.); Q, Amara, 13-1-18 ;

3 &, Ezra’s Tomb, 23-2-18 (P. A. B.).

177. Pallid Harrier. Circus macrourus.

Circus macrourus (Gm.) (Nov. Comm. Acad. Petropol., 15, 1770,

p. 439, 1771—Voronez in Russia). ;

A common winter visitor throughout our area ; first noted on September 12th

but most arrive in October ; the majority leave during March but there are

records up to April 13th. It is found wherever suitable country occurs such as

scrub, grassy plains, crops, ete. Brooking records it taking a ‘‘Paddy Bird” at

Ramadi and, more than once, Pigeons of the Carrier Service. Sassi records it at

Mosul on April 25th and Neumann from Ras-el-Ain as early as August 8th.

Six specimens examined :—d, Amara, 14-2-18; Sheik Saad, 8-12-16 (P.Z.C.

and R. E. C.);} o, Amara, 1-17; Kumait, 2-17 (P.A.B.); Mesopotamia

(Perreau), Kut, 6-1-17 (C. R. P.).

178. Montagu’s Harrier. Circus cineraceus

Circus cineraceus (Mont.) (Orn. Dict., 1802—Wiltshire).

Various other Harriers are recorded as being observed such as cyaneus, which

may occur, and melanoleucus which is unlikely to; however it seems almost

certain that Montagu’s Harrier does occur, Zarudny records it in winter in the

Karun district and several of our observers record it, noting that its ap-

pearance and disappearance and habits are much the same as those of the Pallid

Harrier. Noskins however were obtained.

424 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVILI,

I hesitate to include the Hen Harrier as 1 am very doubtful if one can be

certain ef ft on the wing and the Pallid Harrier isso common. Several observers

state they saw it in winter, but no specimens are forthcoming.

It is possible a Harrier of sorts breeds in the Tekrit area as Logan Home re-

cords one (under cyaneus) as common from April to June at Samarra, and

remarks that it must be breeding. The status of the various Harriers requires

further investigation.

179. Marsh Harrier. Circus zruginosus,

Circus cruginosus eruginosus (L.) (Syst. Nat. Ed. x, 1, p. 91,

1758—Sweden).

The Marsh Harrier is very abundant and resident in the huge marshes of the

plains, such as the Euphrates marshes near the Hindia Barrage, and the Hamar

lake and elsewhere. Logan Home noted it also in the Samarra district in April

to June wherever there was long lank grass. In the marshes, near Basra, where

it also breeds, it was observed building on March 22nd and Buxton also saw it

carrying, as nest material, pieces of reed at the Hamar lake on May 25th. Five

nests were found by Livesay in the Hindia marshes on June 2nd containing two

eggs (two) ; three eggs, and two with young.

Nine skins examined :—¢, Amara; 11-2-18, &, 16-12-17, 7-2-18, 17-2-18,

3, Baghdad, 31-3-18, @, L. Akkarkuf, 12-10-17 (two) (P. A. B.). Amara

16-1-18 (P. Z.C. and R. E.C.); L. Akkarkuf, 18-8-17 (C. R. P.).

These agree well with European specimens ; they are not glossy or nearly black

on the upper parts as in the Algerian form harterti ; the coloration of the crown

varies, in October it is rusty cream to creamy white, in February dirty white.

Naumann was inclined to think that one he examined from Ras-el-Ain might be

harterti as it had a pure white crown and the mantle somewhat darker than in

European birds ; I can however not see any difference between this series of

Mesopotamian birds and European ones.

Two of Buxton’s are adult males with streaked heads and silvery blue on wings

and tail. A female, he noted, had a double ovary.

180. Sparrow Hawk. Accipiter nisus.

1. Accipiter nisus nisus (L). (Syst. Nat. Ed. x, 1, p. 92, 1758—

Sweden).

2. Accipiter nisus nisosimilis (Tick.) (J. A.S.B., ii, p. 571, 1833-4—

Borabhum, India).

Fairly common winter visitor, recorded throughout the area, it arrives at the

end of October and most have gone by the end of March. Pitman records it

from Feluja on April 17th and Sassi at Mosul on the 27th ; Pitman says he saw

it in the date groves at Museyib in June and July and supposed it was breeding ;

this record as in the case of the Hobby, needs further confirmation, but it seems

probable that some small hawk must nest there. Brooking has recorded that

this species breeds at Ramadi.

(1) Seven skins examined: Y, Amara, 25-1-18, 1-12-17, 3, 23-11-17 (P. A.

B.); 9, Abed. 9-2-18 (F .M. B.); 9, Feluja, 17-4-17; (two) ¢, Amara, 4-2-18

(P. Z. C. and R. E. C.)

Wings ¢, 201, 201, 9, 227-239 ; I cannot separate any of these on colour,

and their wings fall within the measurements of the typical race.

(2) 9, Amara, 3-3-18 (P. A. B.); Q Samarra, 29-1-18.

These two specimens with wings of 243 and 246 mm. are much larger than any

of a large series of European birds I have measured and must I think be assigned

to this widely distributed eastern race. Probably in small numbers a winter

visitor.

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA. 42:

181. Levant Sparrow Hawk. Accipiter brevipes.

Accipiter brevipes (Severtz.) (Bull. Soc. Imp. Nat. Moscow, 23, 2,

p. 234, 1850—Voronesh, 8. Russia).

Recorded as seen almost daily in April at Urfa at Weigold. Zarudny gives it

as a winter visitor and passage migrant. It must occur fairly commonly, but

we have no records or specimens.

182. Black Kite. Milvus migrans.

Milvus migrans migrans, Bodd. (Tabl. Pl. Enl., p. 28, 1783—France).

A winter visitor to the plains, arriving early ; the earliest record is July 26th

near Baghdad and but few are seen till mid-August when they appear in some

places in numbers; many are recorded at Fao on the 18th, Basra on the 20th ; to

some, places no great numbers are seen till well on in September as at Baghdad,

while throughout the country they become increasingly common during October

and remain common during the winter. They begin to leave again in March and

few are left by mid-April ; odd non-breeding birds are recorded on June Ist.

Weigold records it as common and breeding at Djullab on the Syrian frontier

(or actually in Syria ?). Cheesman saw a large flock roostingin date palms at

Khanikin on the Persian frontier on May 21st but its status there is not known.

Attracted by food it swarmed round the larger camps and even followed troops

on manceuvres and is very common in the larger towns, as at Basra, where it

competed with the gulls in scavenging the river for floating morsels. There is

no truth, of course, in the widespread idea held during the war that the kites

were imported from India to act as scavengers! It was remarked that these

kites were commoner in 1917-18 than in 1916-17, probably due to the increased

number and extent of camps, dumps, etc. Several were killed by anti-aircraft

fire: Stoneham records it roosting on bare ground in lieu of trees.

Six specimens examined: <, Shaiba n. d., 9, Sheik Saad, 1-11-16, 14-9-16

(P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); Q Sheik Saad, 12-12-17 (Robinson). 9, Baghdad,

13-9-17; 3, Qizil Robat, 22-11-18. (P. A. B.).

These match European birds in similar plumage ; the edging to the crown

feathers not rufous, but creamy white.

The name Korschun of Gmelin has been resuscitated of recent years by some

authors for this bird, but this name is invalid, as pointed out by Newton many

years ago. It seems a pity that, before old names are brought forward to replace

well known names on the plea of priority, their correctness is not more care-

fully gone into.

183. Large Black Kite. Milvus lineatus.

Milvus lineatus, Gray (Hardwicke’s Ill. Zool. I, p. 1, 1832—China).

The status of this bird, except that it is presumably a winter visitor, is not

known. Zarudny records it as rare in winter in the Karun district. Buxton

obtained a pair on December 25th, 1917, which I regard as belonging to this spe-

cies ; the black streaks on the crown are not edged with creamy white but with

rufous brown, as in govinda, they are also large birds (wings ¢ 455 9 485 mm.)

and there is a considerable white patch at the bases of the flight feathers. Possi-

bly it is commoner than the records indicate but was confused with migrans.

This bird is the Milvus melanotis of the Fauna of British India.

184. Red Kite. Milvus milvus.

Milvus milvus milvus (L.) (Syst. Nat. Ed. x, 1, p. 89, 1758—Sweden).

Recorded by Zarudny as a passage migrant in the Karun district. No other

records, ;

185. Honey Buzzard. Pernis apivorus.

Pernis apivorus apivorus (L.) (Syst. Nat. Ed. x, 1758—Sweden).

426 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXV1ii

Apparently a passage migrant and not common, Cumming obtained specimens

at Fao on September 22nd, 1884, and September 23rd, 1886. These are in the

British Museum.

186. Osprey. Pandion haliaetus.

Pandion haliaétus (L.) (Syst. Nat. Ed. x, 1, p. 91, 1758—Sweden).

A winter visitor to the larger rivers and swamps of the plains where it is not

very uncommon. Single birds are recorded on May 18th and July 5th but there

isno evidence that it breeds in our area ; as elsewhere doubtless a few non-breed-

ing birds spend the summer. It breeds on the island of Tanb in the Persian

Gulf, though of course this is nowhere near Mesopotamia,

Cheesman obtained one at Shaiba oasis, 8 miles from the nearest water, it had

frequented a tall pole for roosting on for some time. Buxton got one at the

Hamar lake on May 20th.

187, Grifion Vulture. Gyps fulvus.

Gyps fulvus fuluus (Habl.) (Neue Nerdische Beytr. iv, p. 58, 1783—

Gilan, Prov. of Persia).

A non-breeding visitor to the plains in small numbers and widely distributed.

This is the big dark Vulture recorded by many observers ; small parties were

generally met with feeding at some dead animal, or roosting on the tops of palm

trees. It probably breeds in the hills of Kurdistan and may do so in the Jebel

Uamrin; Logan Home thought it might even breed in the cliffs of Tekrit but, we

have no definite evidence of it. Zarudny says it is resident in the Zagros and

breeds also in the Karun area. It appeared to be commoner in the parts nearer

the foot hills, asin the Samarra-Tekrit area, than away in the plains lower

down. It is recorded in most months of the year and probably some non-

breeding birds spend the breeding season in the plains.

Many were seen haunting the old battlefields round Azizieh and parties of 20

to 50 are noted at other places attracted by dead animals, such as at veterinary

dumps.

Specimen examined : One skin: July 1917 Kanikin (P. A. B.)

(Pitman on several occasions at Samarra and below Baghdad on the Tigris

thought he saw monachus, the King Vulture, but further confirmation is advis-

able, though it is likely to occur.)

188. Lammergeier. Gypaetus barbatus.

Magrath records that he saw an undoubted Lammergeier near Ali Gharbi on

May 16th and remarks that the Jebel Hamrin range is but 20 miles from there,

whence presumably the bird had come, or more probably from the Pusht-i-Kuh

Mts. distant about 35 miles in direct flight. Weigold also records a straggler ati

Urfa on April 20th, which must have wandered still further from its home.

The race inhabiting Kurdistan is presumably grandis.

189. Egyptian Vulture. Neophron percnopterus.

Neophron percnopterus percnopterus (L.) (Syst. Nat. Ed. x, 1, p. 87,

1785—( Egypt).

It is somewhat surprising that Vultures should be so scarce in Mesopotamia

considering the plentiful supply of dead animais there was during the war, and

it would seem that no increased numbers were induced to visit the country on

this account, quite the reverse to the experiences of earlier Afghan campaigns

when species such as Pseudogyps bengalensis, not usually found in Afghanistan

followed the armies hundreds of miles away from their normal habitat.

THE BIRDS OF MESOPOTAMIA.

This vulture, the least rare of those which occur, cannot be said to be really

common anywhere ; it is resident, or practically so, breeding in the Jebel Hamrin

range ; some move down to the plains in the non-breeding season and others

remain in the plains all the year as non-breeding birds. It is widely distributed

in quite small numbers, single birds or twos and threes being the usual thing.

Tomlinson records it as common at Ahwaz where ke found three nests in

April ; Cheesman found it nesting on a ledge of a cave at the Maidan-i-N aptun

oil-fields on Monday 20th.

(To be continued,)

428

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS OF THE MAMMAL SURVEY.

No. XXXII.

(A.) NEW AND INTERESTING MAMMALS FROM THE MISHMI HILLS,

OLDFIELD Tuomas, F.R.S.

(Published by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.)

In a fine collection of mammals from the Mishmi Hills made for the Survey

by Mr. H. W. Wells there occur the following forms worthy of special note. A

ull report on the collection will appear later.

Tupaia belangert versure, subsp. n.

Near 7’. b. assamensis, Wrought., in general colour, but the fur longer, the

shoulder stripes more diffuse—in fact scarcely perceptible, and the buffy ends

of the hairs of the chest and middle line of belly more strongly ochraceous.

Hairs of inguinal region dull buffy with slaty bases, these hairs being wholly

buffy in assamensis.

Skull as usual in belangeri.

Dimensions of the type, measured in the flesh :—

Head and body 199 mm. tail 184 mm., hindfoot 43° 5 mm., ear 20 mm.

Skull, greatest length 49 mm., zygomatic breadth 25 mm.

Hab.—Mishmi Hills. Type from Dening, 2250’.

Type.—Adult male B. M. No. 21. 12.5.9. Original number 1629.

Collected 3rd April 1921, by H. W. Wells. Presented by the Bombay

Natural History Society.

This Tree Shrew of the far North-eastern corner of British India differs from

that of the rest of Assam in a curiously similar manner to that in which

Dremomys l. subflaviventris does from D. 1. garonum, for the buffy of the

undersurface is here ochraceous as compared with yellowish exactly as in

the corresponding races of the squirrel from the same two areas.

The only other form that comesin question is 7. b. chinensis, and on the basis

of our Teng-yue specimens of the latter, the Mishmi specimens are distinguishable

by their much darker general colour, and their ochraceous-washed undersurface.

In working out this Tree-shrew I have again examined the form found in

Sikkim, which has been long known, but has hitherto been vaguely assigned to

T. belangeri belangeri, whose type locality is Pegu.

Now that better series are available, it is natural to find that the Sikkim form

deserves a special name, and it may be called—

Tupaia belangeri lepcha, subsp. n.

Size rather less than in the average of belangeri. General colour olivaceous

grey, paler than in assamensis and versure, the back without any brownish or

rufous tone such as is found in subspecies belangeri. Shoulder stripes scarcely

perceptible. Chest and middle line of abdomen washed with pale buffy, about

as in assamensis, paler than in versure.

Dimensions of the type, measured in the flesh :—

Head and body 154 mm., tail 173 mm., hindfoot 40 mm., ear 16 mm.

Skull, greatest length 46 mm., condylo-basal length 44 mm., zygomatic

breadth 24 mm.

Hab.-—Sikkim and Bhutan. Commonly recorded also as from Nepal, but this

appears to have been based on Hodgson’s later specimens, which were from

Darjiling and not Nepal. Type from Narbong, Darjiling, 2000’.

Type.—Adultfemale. B.M. No. 15.9.1.44. Original number 6467. Col-

lected 14th March 1915 by C. A. Crump. Presented by the Bombay Natural

History Society.

Hitherto always referred to 7. belangzri belangeri, but clearly subspecifically

distinguishable.

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY. 429

Soriculus radulus, sp. n.

A small species with large fore-claws :—

Size a little larger than in 8. caudatus. General appéarance much as in that

species, though the tail is shorter. Fur fine, soft, velvety, hairs of back about

4°5 mm., in length. General colour velvety blackish; a little browner than

“‘ blackish mouse-grey ’’. Undersurface dark smoky brown. Hands and feet

almost naked, dark grey ; claws markedly elongated, fossorial, the fore-claws

attaining 3°5 mm., in length, as compared with 2°0 in S. caudatus. Tail about

the length of the body without the head, naked, black, scarcely lighter below.

Skull rather larger than thatof S. caudatus, and proportionately broader across

the braincase. Teeth much as in caudatus, the second incisor similarly larger

than the third, not as in nigrescens, the other species with elongated claws.

Tips of teeth with a minimum amount of brown, i’, i’, and p‘ alone being slightly

darkened terminally.

Dimensions of the type, measured in the flesh :—

Head and body 70 mm., tail 50 mm., hindfoot 14 mm., ear 9 mm.

Skull, greatest length 20°6 mm.; condylo-incisive length 21-1 mm.,

breadth across braincase 10°5 mm., upper tooth series 9° 7 mm,

Hab.—Mishmi Hills. Type from Dreyi 5,140’.

Type.—Adult female. B. M. No. 21. 12. 5. 6. Original number 1947.

Collected 28th May 1921 by H. W. Wells. Presented by the Bombay Natural

History Society. A second specimen preserved in spirit.

This little shrew is at once distinguished by its long claws from any other

members of the genus except S. nigrescens, and that is very much larger, with

differently proportioned incisors.

The collection also contains four examples of S. caudatus, but not any of the

other Mishmi species, S. baileyi, described by me in 1914.

Dremomys lokriah subflaviventris, Horst.

Most nearly allied to D.1. bhotia, Wrought., with which it shares the dark grey-

ish general colour above, without fulvous suffusion. But the size is larger, the

skull sometimes attaining 54 mm. in length, and the ochraceous colour of the

undersurface is more nearly restricted to the median area. In bhotia the whole

undersurface from side to side is more or less washed with ochraceous, the ful-

vous tinge often perceptible on the flanks. In subflaviventris on the other hand

the ochraceous is even more vivid on the chest and middle area of the belly, but

is usually only about 25-30 mm. wide, the sides of the belly being olivaceous

grey like the flanks and back.

Dimensions of a Mishmi specimen, measured in the flesh :-—

Head and body 201 mm., tail 125 mm., hindfoot 45 mm., ear 20 mm.

Skull, greatest length 52°5 mm. ; condylo-incisive length 47 mm., zygomatic

breadth 29°7 mm., upper tooth series exclusive of p® 8°5 mm.

In connection with the determination of this animal an interesting point of

nomenclature arises. The name Sciurus subflaviventris has always been considered

asa nomen nudum, and it certainly has never been “‘ properly ” described. But

it is now considered that any statement about a specimen, in connection with a

name, renders the latter valid. Now two statements have been made about

subflaviventris, the first of which, dating from Horsfield’s cataloguet, may be

taking as stabilizing the name, with its type, B. M: No. 79.11.21.351. The

statement is simply that S. subflaviventris ‘‘ nearly resembles ”’ 8. lokriah, and

we may therefore consider the type as having been described. A full description

of the same animal was given by McClelland, P. Z. 8., 1839, p. 151, but only in

connection with the earlier name of lokriah, Hodgs.

The advantage of accepting this early statement as valid is that a still more

unsatisfactory but an unescapable statement has recently been made about sub-

¢t Horsf. Cat. Mamm. Mus. E, J.C. p. 153, 1851.

430 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

flaviventris by Robinson and Kloss, Records Ind. Mus., XV., p. 286, 1918, who

say of a number of specimens from difterent localities, covering the ranges of

two quite diflerent forms, that ‘‘ these specimens, which are more ochraceous

and less ferrugineous than most specimens from Nepai, have been referred to in

literature as S. subflaviventris.”’ That statement would again (if it had not

been antedated by Horsfield’s) be a valid ‘‘ description ” of subflaviventris, but

would remove the name from McClelland’s type, and baseit on a mixture of

specimens from several localities.

Now the type of “S. subflaviventris, McCl.’’ Horsf., has absolutely the pectoral

colour of true lokriah, not that of the subspecies next to be described and must

therefore have been originally obtained in the North Eastern part of “‘ Assam.”

And in size of skull it entirely agrees with the form of the Mishmi Hills. Persons

who do not accept my extreme view of what is to be taken as a “ description ”

would equally reject Robinson and Kloss’s one as being valid, for it also was

imperfect and unintentional and they should then accept the name from the

present paper.

The definite identification of this troublesome name is undoubteldy an

advance in clearing up the synonymy of the group.

In working out this Dremomys, the distinction from it of the Garo and Khasi

Hills form now comes to light. The latter is clearly a separate subspecies, and

may be called

Dremomys lokriah garonum, subsp. n.

Size about as in true lokriah, or slightly smaller. Colour above as in D. 1.

bhotia, but below instead of the yellowish wash approaching ‘‘ orange ochrace-

ous ” as it does in lokriah, bhotia and subflaviventris, it is far paler and more

yellow, nearly matching Ridgway’s “‘ orange-buff ’”’. Buffy of underside narrow-

ed below, as in subflaviventris, not as in bhotia. 5

Dimensions of the type, measured in the flesh :—

Head and body 190 mm., tail 153 mm., hindfoot 45 mm., ear 20 mm.

Skull, greatest length 50°5 mm., condylo-incisive length 44°2 mm., zygoma-

tic breadth 27 mm. ; upper tooth series, exclusive of p® 8° 5 mm.

Hab.—Garo and Gaintia Hills, Assam. Type from Tura, Garo Hills. Another

specimen, apparently similar, from Rajapara, 8. Kamrup, on the Northern

side of the Brahmaputra.

Type.—Adult male. B. M. No. 21.1, 6.54 Original number 283. Collected

25th February 1920 by H. W. Wells. Presented by the Bombay Natural History

Society. Five specimens.

Readily distinguishable by the paleness of its lower surface.

Dacnomys wroughtoni, sp. n.

A larger species than D. millardi, of warmer coloration.

Size, as gauged by skull, decidedly larger than in millardi, though the feet

are but little longer, their range of variation overlapping the foot-length of the

single known specimen of millardi. General colour of upper surface a strong

warm brown, near “‘ Prout’s brown, ”’ the ends of the ordinary hairs deep buffy.

On the other hand D. millardi is a colder and more greyish or smoky brown, the

light ends of the hairs inconspicuously drab. Undersurface lighter than upper

but still usually of a warmer tone than in millardi, gular, axillary, and inguinal

whitish patches usually absent, but present, quite as well developed as in the

type of millardi, in one out of six specimens. Lars practically naked, brown.

Hands brown on metacarpus, the digits lighter. Feet rather stouter than in

millardi, similarly brown with lighter ends to the toes. Mamme 2-2=8.

Skull similar in essential respects to that of millardi, but considerably larger,

and the prominent supraorbital ridges heavier throughout, with the angular

postorbital projections more conspicuously developed.

Hab.—Mishmi Hills. Type from Dreyi ; alt. 6,000’.

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS FROM THE MAMMAL SURVEY, 431

Type.—Adult male. Teeth worn. B. M. No. 21.12. 5. 84. Original num-

ber 1999.

Collected 9th June 1921 by H. W. Wells ; presented by the Bombay Natural

History Society.

Dimensions of the type, measured in the flesh ;—

Head and body 290 mm., tail 335 mm., hindfoot 56 mm., ear 27 mm.

Weight 1-25 lbs.

Skull, greatest length 62 mm., condylo-incisive length 57:7 mm., zygoma-

tic breadth 30 mm., nasals 247°3mm. ; interorbital breadth 8°S mm. ;

breadth across postorbital projections 19°2 mm. ; zygomatic plate 5°6 mm.;

palatilar length 29:3 mm. ; palatal foramina 12 x 5 mm.; upper molar

series 13.

This fine rat forms a second species of the genus Dacnomys, the discovery of

which forms one of the most striking results of the Bombay Natural History

Society’s Survey. The original species having been named in honour of

Mr. Millard, I have thought it suitable that the second should bear the name

of his friend and partner in the carrying out of the Bombay Survey, the late

Mr. R. C. Wroughton, to whose memory I am proud to pay this last tribute.

(B) THE PORCUPINE OF ASSAM.

Among the Natural History Specimens obtained in Assam by Mr. J. P. Mills

and presented by him to the Society there is a perfect and fully adult skull of a

Porcupine, and I have been asked to determine its species.

Tt is of medium size, and certainly does not belong on the one hand to a large

Crested Porcupine, such as the ordinary Acanthion leucurus, nor on the other

to the small crestless porcupine, A. hodgsoni. It would however appear to be

related to the intermediate group of which A. brachyurus is the oldest known

member, a group to which also A. klossi and suheristatus belong. This group

ranges from China through Siam to the Malay Peninsula, but has not hitherto

been found in Assam.

The skull obtained by Mr. Mills would appear to represent a new species, which

may be called—

Acanthion millsi, sp. n.

Size rather less than in A. klossi. General character of the skull more rounded

and inflated than in £lossi, almost as much as in subcristatus, the upper outline

strongly bowed. Region across forehead considerably swollen, so that the outer

bar of the anteorbital foramen is scarcely visible from above, while itis broadly

visible in klossi ; posterior part of interorbital region scarcely narrower than

anterior. Nasals large, convex, much expanded behind, shorter but broader

than those of klossi, and reaching well behind the lacrymal bones. Frontal

suture comparatively long, just on half the length of the nasal suture, therefore

longer proportionally than in the other species. Parietal region of skull rather

short, not longer than the frontals, and with comparatively little occipital

projection. Outer outline of zygomata more expanded at the level of the

anteorbital bar, the two zygomata behind this bar more nearly parallel than

in the allied species. Mesopterygoid opening broad.

Dimensions :—Upper length 131 mm. ; condylo-incisive length 126 mm. ;

zygomatic breadth 69 mm. ; nasals, length 69 mm., anterior breadth 25: 5mm.,

posterior breadth 39 mm.; breadth between outer corners of the anteorbital

foramina 59 mm. ; interorbital breadth anteriorly 51 mm., posteriorly

49 mm. ; median length of frontals 33 mm., of parietals 32 mm.; palatilar

length 62 mm. ; breadth of mesopterygoid fossa 17 mm.; upper cheek-tooth

series (crowns) 29.

Hab.—Naga Hills, Assam ; type from Sangrachu, 3,500’.

432 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Type.—Adult skull, female. B. M. No. 21. 7.16.4. Collected by Mr. J. P.

Mills. Presented by the Bombay Natural History Society, “‘ Brought in by

Nagas ’”’—J. P. M. :

This porcupine may be distinguished from its only near relative A. klossi by

the more swollen character of the face, the large broad nasals, parallel-sided

interorbital space, and subequal frontals and parietals.

Anderson’s Hystrix yunnanensis is a species with quite small nasals, allied

to javanicus, and Blyth’s bengalensis is certainly the same as hodgscni, as I have

been able to prove by some measurements of the skull of its type kindly sent me

by Mr. Stanley Kemp of the Indian Museum.

Mr. Mills is to be congratulated on his discovery of this fine addition to the

Assam fauna.

Among the specimens from the Naga Hills, presented by Mr. J. P. Mills to the

Bombay Natural History Society, are four specimens of a Ferret-Badger (Helic

tis). It proves to belong to the small-toothed group of these animals, the true

Helictis, not hitherto known to occur within the bounds of British India, those

previously known being members of the other group, that of the large-toothed

forms. In my opinion however these latter should be considered as of a different

genus, for which the name Melogale is available.

Up to the present, the true small-toothed Helictis has been only known from

China, so that its occurrence in the Naga Hills is of much interest. And even in

China its range is rather to the East and South, than in the region

approximating to the Naga Hills.

The species is clearly new, and may be described as tollows :—

Helictis millsi, sp. n.

Size about as in H. moschata. Fur shorter than in that animal, in summer

pelage only about 10 mm. long on the back, and almost without underfur, in

winter pelage about 20 mm., with a fair development of under fur, but far less

than in the Helictis of the lower Yang-tse. General colour “ dark purplish grey ”’

very different from the drabby brown, or dark wood brown, of the Chinese animal.

Ground colour of top of head from muzzle down nape to withers, much darker,

near blackish brown. White markings present, well defined, the white patches

about of the same size as in examples of moschata from the lower Yang-tse, larger

than in the typical specimens from Canton, median white line interrupted on

nape, and ending on withers. Under surface dull whitish as usual, the sides of

the belly grey. Ears grey with white edges. Hands and feet grey, the digits

sometimes whitened. Tail blackish grey washed with whitish, the white not

specially developed.

Skull apparently very like that of H. moschata, except that the anteorbital

foramina are lower and more transversely extended. Teeth quite as in moschata.

Dimensions of the type, measured on skin :—

Head and body 365 mm. ; tail 163 mm.

Skull, greatest median length 79.6 mm. ; zygomatic breadth 46 mm.; in-

terorbital, breadth 20 mm. ; mastoid breadth 36.2 mm. ; anteorbital foramen

5.63.5 mm. ; palatal length 38mm. Front of canine to back of m’ 24.7;

length of p* on outer edge 64 mm.

Hab.—Naga Hills, Assam. Type from Mokokchung, 5,000’.

T ype.—Adult male in summer pelage. B. M. No, 20.6.6.8. Original number

10. Collected 10th October 1919 and presented by J. P. Mills, Esq., to the

Bombay Natural History Society, and by them presented in turn to the National

Museum. Four specimens examined.

This fine species is at once distinguishable from the Chinese species by its

general colour, dark grey instead of drabby brown.

433

NOTE ON THE NOMENCLATURE OF THE NORTHERN SLOW EORIS

OLpFIELD THomas, F, R. S.

(Published by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.)

In connection with the examination of a fine specimen of Nycticebus, obtained

in the Naga Hills by Mr. T. H. Hutton and presented to the National Museum

by the Bombay Natural History Society, the following nomenclatural points

have arisen.

In writing on this group, certain American authors* have used the specific

name coucang for the form found in Bengal and Assam, this name_ being

based on Boddaert’s Tardigradus coucang, which in turn was a technical name

applied to Pennant’s “ Tailless Maucauco .”

In the third edition of his Quadrupeds, Pennant gave two different figures of

the “ Tailless Maucauco ” the second of which (obviously a copy of Vosmaer’s

plate) corresponds with the Assam and Bengal species, while the first is clearly

one of the Malay or Island forms, with strong facial markings, including a bifur-

cated dark line on the crown.

But neither Stone and Rehn, nor Lyon have noticed that, in the first edition

of Pennant, which is alone quoted by Boddaert, the latter animal, the form with

a bifurcated line, is the only one figured and described, so that it must be the

basis of the specific name coucang, which should therefore go to one of the Mala-

yan species with this character. It is true that a mention of Bengal is made as

locality, but this has evidently come in from some other source, and does not

affect the fact that the description and figure apply to the Malayan, and not to

the Northern form. To which Malayan species the name coucang should go is

not at present clear, and perhaps may never be certainly determinable.

But for the Northern form, Geoffroy’s name bengalensis now becomes available,

and will stand for the animal found in Assam, and perhaps in Bengal proper. |

The beautiful specimen of Nycticebus bengalensis obtained by Mr. Hutton, the

first we have received, agrees remarkably well with Vosmaer’s characteristic

figures of 1770, and should undoubtedly be determined as the hengalensis of

Geoffroy, based on that figure, unless a definitely different form is hereafter found

in Bengal itself.

Mr. Hutton gives the following interesting account of the animal :—

“ Tt was caught in a snare in this district by a Kukilast week. The animal

is decidedly rare in this neighbourhood, and is seldom taken, the man who

brought it to me having not seen one before and declaring that it must be

an immature hoolock. The Kukis have, however, a name (Mittwngkot) for

the animal and regard it with awe as being the priest of the hoolock. Had

the captor known what it was, he would have let it go. It is said to have

exceptional vitality, and the one of which the skin is now sent, certainly

proved to have, as when brought to me it had been injured internally, as it

afterwards appeared, and had one wrist broken and had not had food pro-

bably for some days. Nevertheless it survived the amputation of the in-

jured limb under chloroform, and lived for three days, taking only a little

milk, and when it became obvious that there was some internal injury, and

it was decided that it would be kinder to kill it, this was not done with the

ease which one would expect in the case of so small an animal. The Angami

and Sema Nagas to whom I showed the animal had never seen one and said

they had no name for such. I am sending it to you as I very much doubt

whether you have received a specimen from Mr. Mills, from this district.”

* Stone and Rebn, P. Ac. Sci. Philad. LIV., p. 187, 1920; Loyn, P. U. 8.

Nat. Mus., XXXL, p, 532, 1906.

434

A DAY’S SHOOTING ON THE NILGIRIS NEAR OOTACAMUND.

Lr.-Cou. H. R. Baxnr, 1.4. (retd.)

(With two plates.)

*“ Good morning, Sir.”

I look up with a start from my workin the garden to find Anthony, my shikari,

with a broad grin on his face enjoying the “‘ jump ” he had given me, He always

likes to steal up quietly and take me unawares, does Anthony ; I suppose he

considers it is “‘ infra dig ”’ for a shikari to make a sound. ‘ Whatisit’” ? Task,

though I know very well what he has come for, because I generally go out shoot-

ing once a week during the season and invariably send him out a day or two

beforehand to prospect for game and he has come to report ; I find it best to

do this because if one goes out without prospecting one is liable to go to a place

where some one else has recently been.

“Done see two woodcock, Sir ; master better come at once. ’

But I object to come at once as arrangements have to be made to hire a carriage

(I don’t possess a car !), to get the tiffin basket ready and to collect and send out

the beaters ; so I enquire where it was he saw the cock.

“ Near Forester Hut, Sir; one in shola near first swamp, one in long nala where

master missed jungle cock last time. ”’

I don’t like being reminded of such things so hasten to arrange to go out the

next day, meeting the beaters at Forester’s Hut at 8 a.m., meanwhile I send to

arrange for a carriage to be at the bungalow at 7 a.m. next morning, warn the

cook to have curry-puffs and other good things made over night and packed into

the tiffin basket, not forgetting liquid refreshments and smokes and a change of

boots and socks, and I am ready barring the filling of the cartridge bag and the

putting together of the gun.

Up early next morning I proceed to awaken my son C. who had overnight

informed me that “‘ he did not mind coming.” He is up here only for a short

visit and it is not worth his while taking out a game license which costs Rs. 30

for a month or Rs. 50 for the whole season ; however he is keen enough when once

he gets out and it is a good education for him. A substantial chota hazri follows

and we are soon dressed in our shikar kit which consists of the oldest garments

we possess because we have occasionally to scramble through thick jungle, to

say nothing of having to wade through treacherous, boggy swamps—and we are

ready for the gharry and what a conveyance it is when it does turn up, late of

course as usual ! a wretched old victoria that once boasted of rubber tyres and

a pair of skinny worn-out horses that are really past work. Ooty does not

boast of a decent livery-stable and one has to take what comes or foot it, or

stay at home; and to make matters worse bad luck seems to come my way pretty

often. On two occasions one of the horses slipped down onthe asphalt

portion of the road soon after starting necessitating a wait till a fresh (?) horse

thas been procured and on another occasion one of the wretched ill-fed beasts got

colic when we had gone some 6 miles on our way obliging us to stop and unharness

it, when it promptly lay down and remained where it was till evening when’ it

was taken to its stable and died during the night ! however, we happened that

time to be not so very far from the rendezvous so we set off to it on foot and

by evening another horse had been fetched. ‘‘ Nil desperandum ”! so we load up

to-day hoping we won’t have any accidents and off we go as fast as the skeletons

of horses can draw us and what a glorious sensation it is to drive, even at a crawl,

in the early hours of a December morning up in these hills ! hoar-frost lies in

all the hollows and there is a keen nip in the air in spite of the sun which rises

Journ Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc Plate Il

Oi a SB Sia Wo td

COUNTRY ROUND OOTACAMUND.

Waka

has se

Bae. | yy i

f ihe hoa ats

Behe tt

A DAY'S SHOOTING ON THE NILGIRIS. 435

pretty early, and what lovely views we get over the Downs and away to the

** Kundahs ’’ as we drive along to our destination !

Shortly after starting we pick up Anthony who is waiting at the cross-roads

near his hut ; it gives him a certain amount of prestige to be seen by the beaters

driving out with the Sahibs instead of walking it with them ; and in about an

hour, the gods having been kind to us and no accident having occurred, we

arrive at the Forester’s Hut. But we are not “there” yet ; and now we are

faced with a very steep though short bit of hill, up which the horses stolidly

decline to drag the gharry so long as we are in it ; so there is nothing to do but

get out and all shove behind ! eventually after much free advice from everyone

to every one else and much urging on the horses we manage to get the gharry

to the top of the incline and then we have only a short mile further to go

before reaching a spot where the road ends and numerous paths begin. Here

we are met by the beaters, a miscellaneous crew of old men and boys and of

course the shikari’s dog, a beast called Rover which acts up to its name, ever

racing madly through the sholas and over the hills if not led on a string, No use

warning Anthony not to bring the beastly dog ; he apparently thinks the party

is incomplete without it and even if he keeps it hidden in the back ground at

the start it is sure to turn up before we have gone very far.

Leaving the gharry there against our return at about 4-30 p.m., I take the

gun and put a few cartridges in my pockets, C. takes nothing but cigarettes and

a stick ! and the shikari carries the cartridge-bag and snipe-stick and we start

down one of the paths followed by the beaters and the chokra carrying the tiffin-

basket. Presently we see ahead a small “ shola ”’ (patch of jungle) and, while

C. and I take up our position on one side of it, Anthony goes round the corner te

spot any game that may break out from that side and the beaters climb the hill

ready on the shikari’s whistle to advance through the shola towards me, yelling

and beating the trees and bushes as they come. No luck here and the first

beat of the day draws a blank so we move on to another shola, a bigger one about

half a mile away. Through this a sluggish stream runs with muddy pools at its

exit such as “ cock” love ; this is where Anthony says he saw one a few days

ago so I send him to reconnoitre while we others sit down for a bit. We can see

him gingerly approach the stream, carefully thrusting the bushes aside so as to

make no sound and peering down at the muddy parts to try and find the tell-

tale signs of the “‘ cock ”’ having been on the feed there—holes drilled here and

there by its bill when searching for worms, &c., and the imprint of its toes in the

mud, for it must be remembered that ‘“‘ cock” do not necessarily stay long in

one place, they move about according to the food supply and it does not mean

that because one was seen at a certain spot yesterday it will be there to-day.

We have not long to wait however before Anthony makes a sign for me to

come along, which means that he has found what he was looking for, and he

shows me where he wants me to stand, at a spot from which I can command

both sides of the stream in case the ‘‘ cock ’’ emerges on this side or that.

The beaters meanwhile know what they have been taught by me to do on such

occasions—they range themselves in a line at right angles to the edge of the shola

and to a depth inside it of some 30 yards and when all is ready and they have

heard the shikari’s signal they move forward quietly, making no more noise

than tapping the bushes now andthen. This is quite enough to flush the ‘‘ cock ”

if there is one and according to my experience one is much more likely to get a

shot at it than if the beaters make the usual row they do when beating for jungle-

fowl—too much noise scares the “ cock ” and it is then liable to run on ahead

and to break away out of range.

This time all turns out well and just before the line of beaters reaches the stream

one of the men calls out “* Woodcock ” and out it comes in no great hurry and

flies along the edge of the shola evidently looking for another opening amongst

the bushes in which to drop to cover again, but the shot is too easy to miss and

436 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII

the “cock” is duly bagged. The beaters are now sent uphill to the top of

that same shola and they beat it as usual for what it may contain in the way of

jungle-fowl or other game, while I take up my‘stand on the opposite slope.

Nothing at first is seen or heard except a miscellaneous crowd of jungle birds

that always flee before the beaters ; commonest among them is the ‘‘ South

Indian black Bulbul” (Hypsipetes ganeesa) a noisy bird that associates in small

flocks keeping to the tops of the trees and continually uttering a harsh “ cheep-

ing”’ sort of cry ; then come ‘‘ Grey-headed Flycatchers”’ (Culicicapa ceylonensis),

“Small Green Barbets ”’ (Thereiceryx viridis), ‘‘ Nilgiri Blackbirds” (Merula

simillima), ‘‘ Southern Red-whiskered Bulbuls ” (Otocompsa fuscicaudata),

“ White-eyed Tits ” (Zosterops palpebrosa) and a host of others all in a mighty

hurry to get away from the noise behind, while overhead is a party of “ Jungle-

Crows ” (Corvus macrhorhynchus) which now circle round uttering their harsh

warning caws, now congregate on the topmost branches of the tallest trees

calling down curses on the human beings below. How one longs to fire a shot

into the ‘‘ brown ” or rather ‘‘ black ”’ of these beastly crows to scatter them,

but of what use would it be ? they would come back again before long making

more of a fuss than ever. Nowa cry of “ koli koli” is raised by the beaters

indicating that they have seen or heard jungle-fowl, and ‘look-out, Sir” as a

cock and hen fly out of a dense tree ; but again no luck, these “ koli” are deuced

cute, and they turn back over the beaters and fly back to the farthest extremity

of the shola ; still the beaters come on and at last a pigeon, “‘ the Nilgiri Wood-

pigeon” (Alsocomus elphinstoni) steals out quietly, sees me standing there and

wheels back, but not fast enough, I catch him as he offers a ‘“‘ broadside ” on.

Little use beating that shola over again as it is too large and the jungle-fowl if

moved again, which is unlikely, would ten to one not face the open, so we carry

on to the swamp near by spoken of yesterday by the shikari, in the hope of pick-

ing up a “ishnap or two. Oh! these Nilgiri swamps ! they are responsible

for a lot of bad Janguage ! the going is not like that in a paddy-field where

although one may sink in pretty deep one knows what to expect and it is

more or less plain sailing, allowing one to keep one’s eyes on the

ground ahead ; these swamps are a massof traps for the unwary; it

looks allright, not much water and plenty of long grass but this grass

hides many a deep crack and crevice into which one stumbles almost

at every yard; a step or two on fairly firm soil then in you go up to

your thighs in slimy black mud just at the moment when a snipe elects to

get up ! and there is no looking ahead, one has to watch and pick each step and

trust to luck to be in time to look up and see a snipe if it rises. So we line out ;

C. wisely keeps to the bank but I have to go into the middle as the swamp is too

broad for me to command the whole of it from one bank, and the fun begins ;

first one beater, then another takes a header into the grass and gets up covered

with mud while I walk like a cat on hot bricks holding my gun muzzle up over my

shoulder as the safest place for it while my left arm swings wildly like a semaphore

asI try to keep my balance and also to save myself from going too far in when

I do get a spill. No wonder only a couple of snipe is bagged under such condi-

tions but then there is this also to be said—it is getting on in the season and I

notice that although snipe are found in fair numbers (for Ooty) at the beginning

of the season in the open swamps such as this one (my best bag this last season

was 8} couple obtained early in November), later on they desert such places

and are found much like woodcock under the bushes at the edge of the sholas

which fringe some of the swamps.

At last we are out of the swamp, hot and dirty and with our tempers consider-

ably ruffled and in front of us is a steep and high hill over which we have to pass

to get to the long nala where Anthony says I—but never mind ! such things will

happen and it is just as well or the game would soon be shot out. Up we climb,

and Lord! how we pump and blow; it is wonderful how hot one gets

Journ. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc,

A WOODED NALA LEADING DOWN TO MARSHY GROUND.

A LIKELY SPOT FOR WOODCOCK.

A FINE JUNGLE FOWL SHOLA NEAR OoTACAMUND, NILGIRIS.

ate

A eee temntinnetine ing

A DAYS SHOOTING ON THE NILGIRIS, 437

trudging up these hills, andin the winter too; and reaching the top we see

below us a large shola ending off in a long, narrow, wooded nala between two

close hills.

The shola does not look a likely place for cock so we beat it in the ordinary way;

and that beast of a shikari’s dog gets loose and races through the shola ; presently

it begins to yap and out darts a hare far out of range with the dog after it so we

leave them and go on with the beating and are lucky enough to put out a jungle

cock and hen (Gallus sonnerati) and I bag the cock but the hen slips by before

I can turn round to get a shot at her. At what a pace these birds do fly when

once they have got up steam ! from the look of them one would imagine them

to be clumsy fliers, but far from it, one misses a great many more than one

brings down through not aiming far enough forward. Then we come to the

nala and the beaters are halted to enable me to get to an opening some hun-

dreds of yards further down, C. and the shikari divide the distance between me

and the beaters to spot if any cock tries to sneak out and back, and when I am

ready the beaters advance slowly and quietly till they come to me when they

wait for me to go on ahead again.

The first advance draws a blank but in the second one C. spots a “ cock ”

creeping along the bottom of the nala and gives me the tip that it is coming my

way ; on they come and before long flush the “‘ cock ” which comes towards me

twisting and twirling among the trees ; I dare not fire towards the beaters in

case of hitting one and have to let the ‘‘ cock ” go past me and give him distance

and just as he turns into another opening I catch him and bring him down.

From the quantity of feathers that fly out we ail think it is a deader but on

going up to the spot where it fell not a sign of the bird is to be seen and there is

nothing for it but to cut down the bracken and bushes all round and search—and

search we do for a good half hour and eventually the shikari who has scouted

down the nala finds the woodcock a good hundred yards away hidden under a

bush ; it is wonderful how these birds will run sometimes, wounded or not.

Just at the end of the nala where it opens out into a small swamp, the beaters

put up another hare on the opposite slope to the one Tam on and a fluky snap-

shot bowls it over. It is now about midday and time for tiffin so C. and I seek a

shady tree, yell for the basket-walla and set to with a relish while the men stray

away to the stream and eat their food which each has been carrying tied up in a

rag round his middle.

After tiffin we pack up the remains and squeeze in the game and padlock the

basket (a most necessary precaution) before sending it back to the gharry where

the food and drink will come in well for tea when our day’s sport is finished.

An hour’s halt and a pipe and it is time to be moving on if we are to complete

the round as mapped out by Anthony.

The beating during the afternoon is just the same as during the morning except

that most game birds, as well as animals, will be found resting and sleeping till

it is again feeding time and as the birds sit up in the densest parts of the trees

where they are invisible from the ground it is very difficult to dislodge them and

so one does not often get a shot, except at snipe, till 3-30 or so. But ground

game of course is disturbed easily throughout the day and one often hears a

crashing and thudding of feet in the sholas followed by the appearance of sam-

bhar hinds and young, or may be a muntjac (barking deer or jungle sheep) will

slip out quietly in front of the beaters and make for the nearest cover ; one

could often shoot these little animals with large shot from a shot gun, but one is

obliged by the rules of the game association to use ball for them.

Not long ago when walking down a path through a very large shola near this

self-same Forester’s Hut we saw distinct pug-marks of two tigers, apparently a

female and cub ; these we followed for a couple of hundred yards or so to where

the beasts had turned off the path into the jungle and as we had no rifle we went

on; a few days later when my shikari was again in that neighbourhood he saw

438 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Voi. XXVIII.

the tigress and cub, and the next we heard of [them was that a Badaga had

shot the tigress with his old blunderbus and had brought the carcase in to the

collector’s office for the reward.

But to resume, we beat several sholas and swamps on our way back and add

another hare, a woodcock, two jungle fowls and four snipes to the bag. So ended

what was to us a perfect day with a bag a good deal above the average.

Folks on the plains, accustomed to large bags of snipe, ducks, partridges,

pigeons and so on may jeer at such a bag but to counterbalance the smallness of

it one must take into consideration the delightful climate, glorious views and Al

exercise—personally I would any day prefer a day’s shooting up here to the

best obtainable down on the plains.

It may be of interest to sportsmen if I give my bag obtained here this last

season 1920-21 ; it will show more or less what may be expected in the way of

small game :—

Woodcock me cis ane an .. 183 Couple.

Jungle fowl .. ate ah ae sa 19 SS

Snipe an he ee bd sis ZEEE

Spur fowl Ae. Ee ae 3 Jal Sere ay

Pigeons ae a an i «nm OEY). 5,

Hares ae at - oA ak) aoe

or @ total of 277 heads for 33 outings, giving an average of between 8 and 9 per

day.

V.B.—For further information concerning the shooting obtainable on the

Nilgiris, sportsmen are advised to read “ Small-game shooting around Ootaca-

mund *’ by Rolling-Stone (Lt.-Col. H. 2. Baker) obtainable at the Ootacamund

and Nilgiri Press, Ootacamund, South India, price 8 annas, postage Ones

Eds.

439

NOTES ON BATRACHIA.

C. R. NARAYAN Rao, M.A.

(With a text block.)

The delay in publishing the following notes, dealing with a part of my collec-

tion of batrachians made in 1918, is due to the fact that Dr. Boulenger’s manual,

Fauna of British India, Reptilia and Batrachia, was found inadequate for the

purpose of accurately determining the species. The publication of his recent

memoir on the genus Rana has rendered the situation, at least a part of it,

comparatively easy. In order to make the ground surer, my specimens were

sent to the British Museum to be compared with the large series of collections

at that institution, where they were kindly examined by Miss J. B. Procter to

whom my grateful thanks are due. I quote freely from hor letter regarding

every specimen subjected to her examination and I have given full reasons for

differing from her in cases where I have done so.

RaNA GRACILIS MONTANUs var. noy. (sub-genus Hylorana.)

Vomerine teeth in short, oblique series between the choanae, farther from each

other than from the latter.*

Head well depressed, longer than broad ; the upper surface of the head slightly

concave with a prominent U-shaped glandular fold ; the two limbs of the

fold run close to the upper eyelid, and diverge in front of the eye. The broad

angle of the fold extends as far back as the end of the head.* Snout obtusely,

projecting beyond the mouth : the length of the snout is distinctly greater than

the diameter of the eye. Canthus rostralis distinct; loreal region vertical, slightly

concave. Nostrils nearer the tip of the snout than the eye. The interorbital

width is considerably broader than the upper eyelid ;* the distance between the

nostrils is shorter than the interorbital space.* Tympanum very distinct, = to 3

the diameter of the eye, separated from it by a space equal to a third or exceeding

a third of its diameter.*

Anterior limb,—Fingers slender, swollen at the tips, first finger longer than

the second ; the third considerably longer than the snout or 14 to twice the

diameter of the eye. Subarticular tubercles large and prominent.

Hind limb.-—Long and slender, the tibio-tarsal articulation reaches far beyond

the snout :* heels strongly overlap when the limbs are folded at right angles to

the body. Tibia 4°5 to slightly 6 times as long as broad ;* 14 to 1} times in the

length from snout to vent ;* shorter than the forelimb ; much longer than the

foot.* Toes long and slender ; tips dilated into small discs, longer than broad

with a horse shoe-shaped groove separating the upper surface from the lower.

Half-webbed, three phalanges of the fourth, one of third and fifth toes free.

Outer metatarsals separated by a web. Subarticular tubercles as big as those

of fingers and prominent. No tarsal fold. Inner metatarsal tubercle blunt

prominent, suboval 4 to }th the length of the inner toe. A rounded outer-

metatarsal tubercle on the base of the fourth toe.

Skin smooth above. A moderate dorso-lateral fold from above the tympanwn

to the groin. The greatest distance between the dorso-lateral folds on the back

is ith the length of head and body.* A second or ventro-lateral fold is absent,

A short fold, rather interrupted behind, from the end of the snout or beneath

the eye to the shoulder. A few glandules simulating a fold on the shoulder.

Colour.—Olive-brown above: sides of head and body dark-brown. Dark

spots frequently present on the back in younger specimens. The dorso-lateral

glandular fold pale-brown or whitish, edged with a dark streak to the tip of the

snout. Tympanum reddish. Upper lip white. Dark broad bands on both

440 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XX VIII.

limbs. Hinder sides of thighs marbled, and the ventral surface yellow. Throat

mottled. In the young, the subocular fold is white and the foot black.

Bones.—Nasal bones very broad, separated in the middle. Behind, the

nasals unite with the fronto-parietals. The suture between the frontals and

the parietals noticeable. The ethmoids exposed ; fronto-parietals and eth-

moids form the U-shaped ridge which lies below the fold of skin on the head.

The zygomatic branch of the squamosal equals its posterior branch. The diapo-

physes of the sacral vertebra are elevated dorsally. The omoosternal style is

broadly forked. Metasternum very long.

Locality.—1 and 2 Hill forests of Bhagamandla and 3, 4 and 5 Hills, Somavarpet,

Coorg, 4,000—4,500 feet. They were all taken near the water courses. My

colleague Mr. A. Subba Rao recently obtained several specimens of this local

race from the hills of Kadur, Mysore, 4,000 feet.

Miss Procter who examined only a single specimen says, “your specimen of

Rana gracilis agrees well with ones from Ceylon in this collection.”’ An expres-

sion of opinion like this lead me to scrutinise my examples more thoroughly

and the conclusion I have arrived at is that they belong to a new local race of

gracilis.

Points marked* in the above description are the characters in which all my

five examples differ from the Ceylon specimens and in order to render the

position still more clear I give below the measurements of Dr. Boulenger side

by side with my own.

Nos. 1 (type) and 2 have been sent to the British Museum and 3 and 4 to the

Indian Museum. ;

Rana GRACILIS. NEw VARIETY.

Dr. Boulenger’s

Measurements in mms. | measurements of his Central College Specimens.

five Specimens.

Snout to vent .. .-| 50) 64) 60] 47) 41]| 75:6) 65-5) 63 33) JIA

Length of head --| 18/ 22; 19} 16) 15] 26 | 24°35) 25 | 13 {15

Width of head -«| 16) 19} 19) 15) 14)| 26 | 22-5) 23 | IT “|14

Snout .. ae = || aes: Nie Ae pak oe 42°5) AT iia BY

Internasal width EE ce crit rate, Ny tee Acero ares 7 ui 7 4 5

Interorbital width Bi 4 5} 6 4 4 3|| 8 | eS Bota 5,

Distance between nost-

ril and eye .. piteatn newts yea it! Meena ical 6 6 6 4 | 4°5

Diameter of eye Ayr ol) Teo Oh G1 AGED 8°59) VSO)! GCaae

a of sca 5 a 5} 64} 4 6 a 5 3 | 3°5

NOTES ON BATRACHIA. 44]

Rana GRACILIS. New VARIETY.

Dr. Boulenger’s

Measurements in mms.| measurements oi his Central College Specimens.

five Specimens.

———

PEELE EE

Silents Steel a 2-5 2°5' 1 | 2

Distance between eye |

and tympanum its

Anterior limb .. .-| 33) 40) 40) 32) 27)| 54 | 42 | 46 | 25 |34

os Ist finger ..| 8 LOO Eden Gili edd): 10°5)i Bi ul

x 2nd, 5, SAMO a Menue uosly GK eh 10 8 9 4 |5

33 so Meee Se eOheale lel, Oh Silt LE le te 12 T iLO

sy Athy 43 oe Gras Stes Git, bi 9 8 8 4.5) 6

Hind limb 3c --| 90 | 105) 109) 91) 73/148 |121°5/126 | 57 |85

Femur ee ell sel | texters eres bl| waceeall cidesy ll woe 30 30 14 |22°5

fol ane ie --| 28 | 34) 34) 28) 24] 44 | 39 | 41 19 |26

Tarso metatarsus secill Ss BSP ALES cote etey oa] Neeeeeta KMes oa | | 18°5| 23 Ope Ee

Foot... aia --| 29) 34) 35! 29) 25) 37 | 34 | 32 | 15 (27

Ist toe .. ie Bs RMN Serle oe a), Sam i oe es a 8 Bity 38

2nd toe .. = ofa! Mcwtagipmetm ties Abs st WN) covet (t Vee e [hee ojo Ta: TWee8

3rd toe .. Pa --/ 15) 18 19) 15) 13) 27 | 18-5) 21 9 |14°5

4th toe .. ae --| 24) 29 29 24 21)| 38 | 30 | 33 | 14 |22

5th toe .. rs --| 16) 22 21) 16 14) 28 | 20 | 21 10 {15

Outer metatarsal tuber-

Cle tet aters fs teal ox Re ae core ewe nace [ae 2 2 2 1 1

Inner metatarsal tuber-

cles =... fe evollees. cml aee, lckeve (Meters 3 | DACHa | 33! ios} Pe

RaNA BHAGMANDLENSIS sp. noy. (sub-genus Hylorana.)

Vomerine teeth in oblique series from the anterior angle of choane, extending

beyond the level of their posterior borders, being separated by a narrow median

line only. The tongue is deeply indented and the coruna are fairly long.

442 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Habit.— Body slender with a waist.

Head moderate, depressed, the length is to breadth as 6 is to 5: snout

subacuminate, not projecting beyond the mouth. The snout is nearly as long as

or only very slightly longer than the diameter of the eye. Canthus rostralis

distinct, gently sloping towards the tip of the snout : loreal region vertical and

concave. The interorbital width is equal to the internasal distance and is

nearly twice the width of the upper eyelid : nostrils nearer to the tip of — the

snout. Tympanum very distinct half or slightly more than half the diameter

of the eye. The distance between the eye and the tympanum is less than half

the diameter of the latter.

Anterior limbs.—Fingers long and slender, the first equals the second : tips

of fingers dilated into discs bearing a horse-shoe-shaped groove, separating the

upper surface from the lower. Subarticular tubercles prominent. No tuber-

cular swellings on the palm.

Hind limbs.—Long and slender ; the tibiotarsal articulation reaches between

the eye and nostril : the heels overlap when the limbs are folded at right angles

to the body : tibia nearly four times as long as broad, more than half the length

of the body (from snout to vent), and considerably shorter than the foot : tips

of toes discoidal and half-webbed : no dermal borders on the first and last toes :

the third toe is just as long as or only slightly shorter than the fifth. Two

metatarsal tubercles, both papilla-like, the white outer is at the base of the

fourth toe ; the inner nearly twice as long as the outer and less than } thelength

of the first toe. Subarticular tubercles well developed though small.

Skin.—Upper surface smooth, extremely fine pearly granulations. A frontal

gland is present. The dorso-lateral glandular fold is moderate : ventral surface

is smooth: no glandular fold from the eye to the shoulder. A few glandules

simulating a fold on the shoulder and behind the angle of jaws.

Colour.—Upper surface bright orange in the adult spirit specimens and pink

in the live condition: more greyish with mottlings in the younger forms. Sides

of body and snout dark. Ventral surface yellow, becoming orange on the °

lower surface the thighs : abdomen faintly blotched. Both limbs barred. Foot

black, the jaws are white, throwing the loreal region into strong relief.

Skull.—Nasal bones are broad and unite with one another and with the

fronto-parietals ; Omoosternal style forked at base and extending anteriorly

nearly as far as the corpus lingue : metasternum also long; epi and pre-coracoids

almost disappear.

Locality.—Water courses in the forests of Bhagamandla, Coorg, 4,000 feet.

According to Dr. Boulenger’s scheme this frog would be put in section D,

R. erythrea.

Miss Procter who examined two specimens writes thus; ‘“ Possibly a new

species. They agree well with the description of R. aurantiaca in Dr. Boulenger’s

monograph, but they are not the same. I have compared them with a specimen

and find that though they have similar characters and colouration, R. auran-

tiaca is much more elongate in habit, length of head going 3 in total length

as against 23.”

No. 1 (type) presented to the British and No. 2 to the Indian Museum.

Measurements of Rana bhagmandlensis in mm.

ia | ae

From tip of snout to vent su ie ae 30 23°5 | 16

Length of the head at mes ee ae 12 10 | 6°5

NOTES OF BATRACHIA. 443

——— | i | 2 | 3

Greatest width of the head Be Af ne 10 9 5

Snout & ar! id ae he 2 6 5 3

Internasal width ae Hh oe st 5 3 2

Interorbital width Ss si of ae 3 3 2

Distance between the eye and nostril .. a 4 3 2

Diameter of the eye oe Bn: An a 5 5 2

bs 1 tympanum oe he 3 2°5 UG:

Distance between the eye and tympanum Je 1 1 a)

Anterior limb (including the digit) te ts 18 17 10

Ist finger te ate fo be oF 4 2°5 2

1 ate Se ox sie ete + 2°5 2

Sra wens, 6 5 3

4th: ,, 4 3 2

Hind limb me ES od ae a 57 40°5 22°5

Femur “E ar a a oe ae 1h 10 6

Tibia ne Re oe site as Zs 16 13 8

Tarso metatarsus we ae ae a 9 6°5 8°5

Foot ee “i 5: Se We a 21 11 10°

lst toe sie a 46 aye oy os 4 3

2nd ,, ae ie ae 50 5 i 6 3°5

3rd ,, sie ac ae me in aie 10 5

4th ,, Per OR tet Rl ho ey arene 9

5th ,, a se ne ze os am 3 5

Breadth of tibia ) ate ah ae fe + 3

Metatarsal tubercle Sr Ar ae Se 1 1 |

444 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

RANA LIMNOCHARIS MYSORENSIS var. nov. (sub-genus Rana).

Vomerine teeth in oblique series between the choane, beginning about the

middle of these orifices, meeting in the median line and not extending beyond

their posterior borders.

Habit.—Body slender with not a well-marked waist. |

Head as long as broad, moderately depressed: snout pointed, slightly

projecting beyond the mouth, longer than the diameter of the eye. Canthus

rostralis obtuse : loreal region oblique and slightly concave. Nostrils nearer the

tip of the snout. Internasal width equals the interorbital space which is

much less than the upper eyelid. Tympanum distinct, } to 3 the diameter

of the eye and nearly twice its distance from the latter.

Fore limbs.—Fingers blunt, long and slender ; first longer than the second; third

as long as or a little longer than the snout. Subarticular tubercles well devel-

oped and very prominent ; the base of the second and third fingers usually swollen

into round tubercular prominences.

Hind limb long, the tibio-tarsal articulation reaching nearly the tip of the

snout : heels very broadly overlap when the limbs are folded at right angles to

the body. Tibia about four times as long as broad ; 14 to 12 in length from

snout to vent: about 3 the length of the foot. Toes slightly swollen at the

tips, less than half-webbed, two segments of the fifth, three of the fourth and

two of the others are free. Outer metatarsals nearly free. Subarticular

tubercles shovel-shaped or discoidal and very prominent. Tarsal fold well

developed in the distant half. Inner metatarsal tubercle about + or less than

x the length of the inner toe. A fairly big rounded outer metatarsal tubercle

not confluent with the dermal fold of the outer toe.

Skin.—Upper parts with longitudinal cutaneous folds from behind the head

right up to the end of the body, with shorter broken folds between. Sides with

warty tubercles, sometimes tipped with cornified minute spines. No fold

across the head behind the eyes. A strong curved glandular fold from the eye

to the shoulder. Abdomen corrugated. Throat and chest smooth. Thighs

free from granules.

Colour.—Olive-brown or green above with a distinct narrow or broad yellow

vertebral band: the upper surface is blotched; a V-shaped dark band between

the eyes ; dark bands radiate from the eyes and a white streak from the posterior

border of the eye to the shoulder passing through the lower half of the tympanum.

The abdomen is yellow. Throat and chest beautifully marbled or powdered

black. Lips blotched or the lower lip with a series of white vertical bands sep-

arated by very dark areas, sometimes producing a festoon-like arrangement.

Limbs barred. Hinder surface of thighs marbled.

Locality,—Water courses in the forests of Jog, Shimoga, Mysore State,

4,000—5,000 feet.

This local race is to be assigned to the group Rana tigrina.

Miss Procter who examined a specimen of this frog writes as follows ; “‘ It

does not disagree in any particular with R. limnocharis. There is, however,

certainly something about its tout-en-semble which differs from the majority

of our specimens. Several specimens here have equally short webs and several

have the broad vertebral band associated with longitudinal glandular folds, in-

stead of the commoner warts. A male andafemale from Sikkim have similar,

but less strongly marked ventral corrugations. Possibly yours is a local race.”

This local race of which I have several examples though unfortunately most

are under 3lmm. differs from R. limnocharis forma typica and its known

varieties in having a smaller tympanum in relation to the diameter of the eye,

in the proportions of the length and breadth of the tibia, and the ratio of the

former to the total length of body and being shorter than the foot. The absence

of any fold behind the head and non-granulate thighs add to the distinctive

character.

NOTES OF BATRACHIA. 445

No. 1 (type) and a few more examples presented to the British and No. 2 to

the Indian Museums.

Measurements in mm. of Rana limnocharis mysorensis.

Those below 3lmm, have not been measured, but have been examined

otherwise.

Sgn. Type

— type 2.| No. 1,

mm. mm,

From tip of snout to vent A St a ae cape ad 36°5

Length of the head ra ¥ sf - ae ait 10 13

Width of the head ad Pe its axe ae ay. 10°5 14

Snout te nas oe sts mE oe = at 5 6°5

Internasal width il ih ai is ah ie 2.5 2

Interorbital width 7 ie se i 4 as 2°5 2

Distance between the nostril and eye .. i ae sie 3 3

Diameter of the eye sis ue cia Ser) faa - X 4°5 5

é. 35 tympanum .. 3s ae Be $i 2 3

Distance between tympanum and the eye .. be e 1°5 1°5

Anterior limb... es Bc a = volved 24

Ist finger ae fe es ee ae ‘% a 4°5 7°5

Onde rcs Pais ate ae ae me ae Ae ie 3 6

ord; 5 7

ADH Fea!” << ae ie a is ee ‘ fe 3°5 6

Hind limb.. ie a: as ae ae Sc ae 57 79

Femur maa Ae a ae oe aN, Be ng 13°5 18

Tibia ce 2 fe oe oe oe io a 17 24°5

Tarso metatarsus is = oe cE ai oe 9°5 Lied

Foot as 5 is aia a ete are be Ti 25

Ist toe .. oe age oe oe ar ic ee 3 7

and ;, as Ai AG ae ae oe as “e 5 10

446 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

Sgn. Type

type 2. | No. I,

mm. mm.

4th: toe +) os. BO ie ae ae oe Rie Le 16 23

boners oe ac Hc sts ys ae ae ze 11 16

( inner ae ae 1°5 2

Metatarsal tubercles

outer a We 1 1

Width of Tibia .. es oe es ae os Ae 4°5 6

Tue TaproLtes or NyctTipaTrRAcHus SANCTI-PALUSTRIS.

Fig. A. Mouth parts of the Tadpole.

Fig. B. A tier of teeth, showing the spikes, usually ten in number.

The tadpoles are small. The head and body strongly oval. The dorsa

are either flat or only slightly convex: width of body greater than depth,

not broadly rounded. Ventral surface flat. Eyes dorsolateral, not visible

from below. Inter-orbital space equals or slightly broader than the distance

between the eye and the tipof snout. Nostrils nearer tip of snout. Length

of body about 4 in the total length. Spiraculum slightly tubular, opening

directed backwards and upwards, situated midway between the eye and the

posterior extremity of body. Mouth disk well developed. Mouth ventral,

broadly transverse, nearly 14 times the distance between nostrils and tip of

snout. The upper lip distinctly arched, without papillz. Sides of mouth and

lower labial disk fringed with long finger-shaped papillze which are in more than

one row in the angles of the mouth. Horny beaks present ; the upper semilunar

and the lower more or less U-shaped serrated. Dental formula 14. The

inner upper row is broken very broadly. The lower series are all entire, sub-

equal, except in badly preserved forms in which the innermost series may be

NOTES OF BATRACHIA. 447

broken in the middle. The teeth under high magnification appear like a tier

of shoe-horn-shaped structures fringed with spike-like processes. The lower

labial disk bears, in addition to finger-like tactile processes, rounded smaller

papillae with a central mass of melanin pigment. Anus tubular, dextral. Tail

nearly twice the length of body. Caudal membranes weakly developed

in front, but strongly marked posteriorly. Greatest depth of tail} in the

length. Terminal part of tail pointed or bluntly rounded, both membranes

equally deep. A frontal gland is usually present. Glandular swellings in

front of and rarely below the eyes. Minute rows of muciferous glands over

the loreal region, continued from behind the eye on the sides of the body where

occasionally two such rows are met with.

Dorsal surface of the body rufous black, ventral grey. Tail marbled or

blotched.

Measurements of a larva in which the hind limbs are fully grown,

Total length fe ord a0 toe), DO.

Length of body .. os .. 23mm.

Length of tail .. on -. 23mm.

Depth of body .. ric vou) O:mm,

Width of body .. a 2009) Ghana,

Depth of tail .. He 2) 9) 4mm.

The tadpoles were collected from the hill streams at Hebbe and Muthode,

(Kadur, Mysore) at an elevation 4,000 ft., by Mr. A. Subba Rao. Specimens

have been presented to the British and Indian Museums.

With a view to examine the larval teeth of the tadpole of N. pygmaeus

(Rec. Ind. Mus., 18, Vol. xv, p. 21, pl. 1, figs. 5, 5a), I requested the Director of

the Zoological Survey of India to send me kindly a specimen, which, however

bears teeth exactly like the figure given by Gadow (Camb. Nat. Hist. Amph.

Rept. p. 58, 1909). I further understand that these tadpoles have been

discovered to belong to N. major and not N. pygmeus.

448

NOTES ON THE HABITS OF SOME CEYLON BATS

| BY

W. W. A. PHILLIPS.

MEGADERMATID.

Megaderma spasma ceylonensis.—The Ceylon Vampire Bat.

Singhalese—Tutica or Kokitan Voula, Tamil—Vava.

This is the common Vampire Bat of the Island. Its distribution is local but

it is common in parts, especially in the Western Province.

It lives in colonies—generally of two to a dozen or so, but sometimes much

larger—in the lofts of the better built native houses or in abandoned dwellings.

It always seems to select a house with a tiled roof, avoiding where possible

one with only ‘cadjans’ or cocoanut leaf thatching. The Singhalese consider it

unlucky to have these bats in their houses, but, owing to their religious teachings,

will not kill them, and in some cases, will not even drive them out. Yet they

seem to be only too glad to see other people do it for them. They sometimes

complain that they are bitten at night by these bats, but this statement requires

confirmation.

Owing to its very broad, cambered wings, it has a very silent nightjar like

flight. It flies low, twisting in and out among the trees and light jungle surround-

ing the villages, and does not appear to come out into the open.

When disturbed and driven out of the houses it will take refuge in the sur-

rounding palm trees; returning again as soon as the noise has subsided. It is

rather difficult to get rid of, returning persistently to its chosen haunts.

The sexes live together all the year round, together with the young one which

is produced in May. There is only one at a birth. The males always seem to

be more numerous than the females.

Lyroderma lyra lyra.—The Indian Vampire Bat.

Singhalese—Tutica or Kokitan Voula. Tamil—Vava.

Rather uncommon and only occasionally met with. A few have been found

in the Northern and Western Provinces. One on a tree on the north-west coast,

a few in houses round Colombo, and a small colony (which used to inhabit an

abandoned plumbago pit) in Kalutara. Another colony has been found in an

abandoned house near Matugama in Kalutara. It seems to be chiefly composed

of males. As with the Megaderma, the males seem to outnumber the

females.

Two males kept in captivity in a large box-cage devoured a Dwarf Pepistrelle

(P. mimus) which was put in with them consuming everything except the

wing membrane. They also consumed a mouse (dead) and part of a young

gerbille.

VESPERTILIONIDA.

Pipistrellus ceylonicus ceylonicus.—Kelaart’s Bat.

Singhalese—Podi Voula or Kirri Voula. Tamil—Sinna Vava.

The present species is confined to the higher hills and does not seem to descend

at all into the low country. It is very common in Dimbula and Dickoya (4,000

feet to 5,000 feet) on the Western side of the main range and also in Passara

(3,500 feet) on the Eastern side. In the former districts it is almost the only

bat to be seen flying about in the evening. It comes out early, almost as soon

as the sun has set, and flies round bungalows and trees, dexterously hawking

for insects. It does not fly particularly fast or high, but continually turns,

twists and wheels in its flight. As the evening closes in, it appears to ascend

higher and fly rather straighter. By day it hides in holes in trees, hollow

NOTES ON THE HABITS OF SOME CEYLON BATS. 449

branches, etc., but does not hang suspended as do the Rhinolophide preferring

to cling to the sides with feet and wing claws while retaining the head down-

wards position.

The sexes live together at any rate for the greater part of the year forming

colonies of four or five to a dozen or more; the size of the colony, as usual, depend-

ing on the room available. Females have been found with young in Septem-

ber. Like others of the same genus it probably breeds more or less all the year

round. Two, (sometimes only one) young are produced at a birth and are naked

and blind when born,

Pipistrellus coromandra.—The Coromandel] Pipistrelle.

Singhalese—Podi or Kirri Voula. Tamil—Sirra Vava.

This Pipistrelle seems to take the place of P. mimus mimus on the East side

of the Island, its range stretching round to the South where it meets P. mimus.

It is found both in the low country and in the Uva hills to at least 3,500 feet alti-

tude. It is not found at all on the West coast. Its habits seem to be almost

identical with those of the next species except that in the hills it probably lives

more in hollow trees and branches. On the wing it is very easily confused with

P. mimus.

Pipistrellus mimus mimus.—The Southern Dwarf Pipistrelle.

Singhalese—Kirri Voula. Tamil—Sinna Vava.

This is the smallest bat in the Island. The male, which is smaller and usually

darker in colour than the female, is really minute for a mammal,though the wings

give it an appearance of some size in flight. It is very common all over the

Western and South-western portions of the Island and ascends the hills as far

as Kandy. But in the East and South-east it gives place to the preceding

species. It is especially.common in Colombo and Kalutara.

In the evening it is usually the first bat to make its appearance, coming out as

it does almost as soon as the sun has set. On first appearing, after circling once

or twice round the bungalow or other building in which it has spent the day,

it flies fairly high up into the sky, with quick wing beats and many twists and

turns. As the evening closes in, however, it generally descends to about the

level of the tree tops and continues hawking for insects along the edge of the

jungles or over the paddy fields and clearings. It is rather a familiar little beast

and the male especially,often comes into bungalows and hawks insects round the

lamp. By day it hides in small colonies in bungalow roofs, living in the

small space between the rafters and the tiles and in holes in walls of build-

ings. Here it may easily be caught by hand, as it is not particularly quick at

taking flight and escaping. It does not hang head downwards, as the majority

of bats do, but lies on the rafter, head up, grasping it with all its claws.

At certain seasons of the year the females and young live together by them-

selves, but at other times the males are found in the same colony. They (the

males) are always much less common than the females. When disturbed during

the day this bat will fly round for sometime and return later if possible to

the same quarters ; but should this be prevented it will seek others in another

part of the building or occasionally settle in a tree until all danger is past. When

settling in a tree it has been observed to pitch on a leaf, head up, and grasp the

leaf stalk with its wing claws, in which position it remained until captured. It

seems to breed more or less all the year round. Females with young have been

found in March, May and December. The mother has either one or two young (at

a birth) which are born naked, blind, and helpless, but with the instinct to cling

to the mother’s breast. They accompany her on her flights abroad until they

become too heavy and are old enough to be left behind. A mother seen by day,

with two large young attached to her pectoral mammez flew just as agilely as

usual, though she was rather slow in taking off and a little laboured in gaining

height. At the time the young are born the males seem to live separate from

the colony and may then sometimes be found solitary on palm-trees hiding

450 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

beneath the hanging dead leaves. The probable explanation, why this species

rarely lives in holes in tree trunks, etc. in the low country, is that it is afraid of

attacks by the large Monitor lizards which are good tree climbers and often enter

woodpeckers and other birds’ nesting holes.

Hesperopterus tickelli.—Tickell’s Bat.

Singhalese—Podi or Kirri Voula. Tamil—Vava.

Locally distributed, but very common in parts. In the rubber districts of

Kalutara, this is the commonest bat seen in the evenings; being very noticeable

as it always appears so early, and haunts tennis courts, bungalow clearings and

the like. Along the actual sea coast and in the Palm-belt which runs from Co-

lombo to Galle, however, it is rarely found, its place being taken by the stronger

and larger Scotophilus khuli. It has also been recorded from Anuradhapura,

but does not seem to be so common in that district. It probably does not ascend

the hills to any very great altitude. In the evening it appears early, quickly

following the little Dwarf Pipistrelle, (P. mimus,) but unlike that species, it has a

definite beat to which it returns night after night, at the same time almost to

the minute. The beat, which is usually close along the trees on the edge of a

clearing, is jealously guarded from intruders of its own species, which are chased

and hunted out of the territory. When two bats are observed on the same

ground, they are almost sure to be male and female, for at certain seasons they

seem to fly together. Its flight is rather slow and steady, beating up and down

the territory or wheeling in large circles some twenty or thirty feet up, with an

occasional swoop down nearly to the ground. It flies silently, but has a shrill

squeaking cry which is occasionally uttered when wounded. By day it hides

away in jungles, presumably in hollow trees or like places, but it is very difficult

to discover its retreats. The young, (one only) is produced at the end of May

and is very large at birth.

Scotophilus khulimThe Common Yellow Bat.

Singhalese—Podi Voula. Tamil—Vava.

Like the preceding species this Bat seems to be very locally distributed, being

common in some parts, rare in others.

In the Western province it is extremely numerous in the Palm-belt running

along the coast from Colombo to Galle, but, inland of this, it is seen more rarely;—

though, as it appears late in the evening, it is easily overlooked and likely to

seem more rare than it really is. It seems to prefer the neighbourhood of Cocoa-

nut palms and is always more numerous where they abound. It appears rather

late in the evening, just before it is quite dark and usually flies rather low down,

not more than ten or fifteen feet up. It likes large open spaces, (preferably near

Palm trees), paddy fields, the foreshore on the coast, roads and canals, railways,

etc., up and down which it flies quite straight for several hundred yards before

turning and retracing its path. It will often fly quite low down, within a foot

or two of the ground, at a fairly rapid, though steady pace, with few twists or

turns. It flies silently. There is a great deal of variation both in size and colour

in this species. Typically it is yellowish brown, rather lighter and more yellow-

ish underneath, but bright chestnut specimens are common and small greyish

ones not rare. All these different varieties are found in the same localities and

apparently live together.

MINIOPTERIN .

Miniopterus fuliginosus.—The Long-winged Bat.

Singhalese—Kirri Voula or Podi Voula. Tamil—Sinna Vava.

This species seems to prefer a fairly dry climate. It is common in the Uva.

province, on the Eastern slopes of the hills, to 3,500 feet altitude and in the North

Central province (600 feet) ; but is entirely absent from the Kalutara district of

the Western province and from the Western slopes of the hills where the climate

is very much damper. It appears fairly early in the evening, flying rapidly and

NOTES ON THE HABITS OF SOME CEYLON BATS. 451

fairly straight, about 30 feet to 40 feet up. Though rapid in flight its pace

cannot be compared with that of either the Taphozous or Saccolaimus which far

excel it, flying as they do with almost Swift-like flight. On the wing, in the

early evening, it may easily be recognised and identified by its tail which

is proportionally longer than in any other bats.

EMBALLONURIDA.

Taphozous melanopogon.—The Black-bearded Sheath-tailed Bat.

Singhalese—Podi Voula. Tamil—Sinna Vava.

This bat has only recently been found in Ceylon. In August 1920 a large colony

was discovered in some rocks near a Singhalese village (about half a mile from

the sea) in Kalutara on the West Coast. The Colony was composed of males,

females and young of all ages, numbering some forty or fifty altogether. They

were living in the fissures and crevices of a large piled mass of rocks and bould-

ers, partly overgrown with brush-wood, such as is common all over the Western

low country. When first found, although the morning was well advanced and

the sun blazing down, the bats were quite lively, many of them continually

flying up and down and in and out of the caves and overhanging rocks, uttering

their shrill squeaking cry the while. On alighting after a short fly round, they

would clutch the rock wall with the hind feet and hooks on the wings, hanging

head downwards, and would run swiftly backwards up the rock into a

fissure a yard or more away.

For a bat they are wonderfully agile when in this prone position ; the way

they run into and hide in the crevices and fissures of the rock reminds one greatly

of the small crabs which swarm on the rocks by the seashore, which they much

resemble in some of their movements. On being disturbed many flew away

among the Cocoanut palms, uttering a shrill cry, very like that of the Saccolaimus,.

though perhaps not quite so highly pitched, while others hid deep down in holes

and fissures of the rock.

The two sexes were there in about equal numbers. In September many of

the females had young clinging to them, while other young ones almost full-grown

were hiding in the crevices. Some females examined had one young apiece,

the young being naked and blind when born. The flight of this species is very

rapid, like that of the Saccolaimus and its habits on the wing are probably almost

the same as those of that species. When returning to its quarters it circles

round high overhead, suddenly dropping with a rush of wings and swooping

down alights on the rock in the head downwards position with its partially

extended wings resting against the wall. Then looking round it either runs

backwards into a crevice or takes flight again and has another try. Of the males

examined, all but one had the black beard from which the species takes its name.

This one individual, however, had no sign of any darkening of the throat, though

there is no reason to suppose it was not breeding like the rest. The haunts of

this species very soon become foul, and have a curious unpleasant musty smell

rather different to that of the Rhinolophide, due presumably to the accumulated.

droppings.

Taphozous longimanus.—The Long-armed Sheath-tailed Bat.

Singhalese—Podi Voula. Tamil—Vava.

A rather uncommon species which, so far, seems to have been recorded only

from the Kalutara district. By day it hides, singly or in pairs, in the

crowns of Cocoanut palms, usually choosing a tall tree with a few dead leaves

hanging down against the trunk. It either creeps in behind the leaf stem

or more rarely hangs on to the trunk behind one of the dead leaves. The

Singhalese often disturb them when they are ascending the trees to pluck the

cocoanuts and can usually point out the trees to which they are partial.

It comes out fairly early in the evening, following close upon the Saccolaimus,

which it must resemble in flight ; but from which it can be distinguished, if

452 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. AXVIII.

the light is sufficiently good, by the much lighter colour of the wing membrane

and its slightly smaller size.

It generally flies silently but has a cry which it uses on occasions which to

the human ear is identical with that of the Saccolaimus. When wounded and on

the ground it utters a shrill piercing squeak which, not only attracts others of its

own kind but also many Saccolaimus, which come swooping down out of the

darkening sky with a rush of wings, dashing past within afoot or two of

the ground and ascending again into the blue. In like manner it will answer

to the cry of the wounded Saccolaimus. Individuals differ much in colour. Some

specimens being a light cinnamon brown, while others are of a greyish ash.

Saccolaimus saccolaimus.—The Pouch-bearing Sheath-tailed Bat.

Singhalese—Podi Voula. Tamil—Vava.

A fairly common bat evenly distributed over the greater part of the low country

and ascending the hills in the Uva province, to at least 3,500 feet.

It leaves its day hiding place early in the evening, mounting swiftly into the

sky with steady powerful wing strokes, then, having gained an altitude of three

or four hundred feet, it commences to feed, twisting and turning and flying round

in larger or smaller circles, or streaking off over the rubber and jungle for a mile

or two in some direction. It flies wonderfully rapidly, and, with its long rather

pointed wings, might easily be mistaken for a Swift, with numbers of which it

may often be seen flying in the evening sky. In fact it might well be described

as the Swift of the Bat world.

As the evening closes in, it generally drops to a rather lower altitude, follow-

ing the insects on which it feeds; but this seems to depend largely on the weather

conditions as on certain evenings it will continue to fly high until it is quite dark.

Occasionally as it flies along, it will swoop down almost to the ground, quickly

mounting again into the skies.

As it flies or swoops it continually utters a shrill squeaking cry, which always

heralds its approach. It rarely flies silently.

When wounded, too, and lying on the ground, it utters this peculiar cry,

which then attracts all its comrades, flying within hearing. These come dash-

ing down, swooping to within a foot or two of the ground, circling up and swoop-

ing down again continually—they too uttering the same call. A few 7’. longima-

nus will also answer to it.

During tlie day it lives in small companies of five or six, of both sexes, in

hollow trees, usually choosing an old hollow decayed and broken off Kitul palm.

Here it lives, some way down, clinging to the sides, head downwards,

' with feet and wing claws. When disturbed it runs backwards up to the

entrance, where it hangs for a few moments, before taking flight, in order to

ascertain the cause of the disturbance.

Females have been found with young early in September in October and in

November. They bring forth only one at a birth.

453

BIRDS OF PACHMARHI.,

B. B, Osmaston.

(With two plates.)

The Station of Pachmarhi is situated in North Latitude 221° , East

Longitude 783°, on a plateau in the Satpura Hills, the Highlands of

Central India, at an elevation of about 3,500 feet above Sea level.

This plateau, which is about 7 square miles in extent, is surrounded by a

number of hills, the highest of which, Dhupgarh, attains a height of

nearly 1,000 feet above the plateau. The surrounding country which

is much broken up by precipitous gorges and ravines includes some of

the most beautiful scenery in India. The deeper ravines all contain

perennial streams, with a moist tropical flora including tree ferns. The

flora of the plateau and surrounding hills consists in part of rather

open mixed deciduous forest, broken up by grassy glades, and in parts

of Sal forest.

The rock is a red sandstone. The climate is cool for 9 months in

the year, and hot only from about the middle of March to the middle

of June.

The rainfall is about 75 inches, nearly all of which falls between 20th

June and 20th September, the monsoon months, which are rainy,

misty and cool.

In the following Jist the numbers are those of the birds in the

Fauna of Britsh India.

4. Corvus macrorhynchus.—The Jungle Crow.

Common in and around Pachmarhi where it breeds in April.

7. Corvus splendens.—The Indian House-Crow.

Very common in Pachmarhi. Breeds in June.

16. Dendrocitta rufa—The Indian Tree-pie.

Very common on the plateau. Breeds April—May.

31. Parus atriceps.—The Indian Grey Tit.

Fairly common. A resident.

43. Machlolophus haplonotus—The Southern Yellow Tit.

Rather more numerous than the last. Also resident, breeding

in April—May.

107. Argya malcolmi—The Large Grey Babbler.

Not found on the Pachmarhi plateau proper, but occurs on the

adjoining plateau near the Begum of Bhopal’s Bungalow.

110. Crateropus canorus.—The Jungle Babbler.

Extremely common in the Station and all over the plateau.

121. Pomatorhinus obscurus—Hume’s Scimitar Babbler.

This bird is not found on the Pachmarhi plateau or surrounding

hills or valleys with the exception of Dhupgarh, where it is common

in the thick strobilanthes cover near the summit.

135. Dumetia hyperythra—The Rufous-bellied Babbler.

Rather rare on the slopes of the hills below Pachmarhi at about

2,500 feet.

454 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

139.

144,

164.

189.

278.

289.

Pyctorhis sinensis—The Yellow-eyed Babbler,

Occurs in Pachmarhi, where it breeds in J uly. Not common.

Pellorneum ruficeps—The Spotted Babbler.

Fairly common in shady ravines. Breeds May—June. Has a

very characteristic and pretty song, distinct from its call of four

notes. Keeps largely to the ground.

Alcippe pheocephala—The Nilgiri Babbler.

Not uncommon, chiefly in ravines. Moves restlessly from tree to

tree. Has a pretty short song of 7 or 8 notes. Breeds early in July,

laying 3 very beautiful pale pink eggs with claret streaks and blotches.

Myiophoneus horsfieldi—The Malabar Whistling Thrush.

This is the whistling School-boy of the residents of Pachmarhi. It

is common in all the ravines in these hills. Its song is remarkably

fine, consisting of a wide range of pure and clear very human notes

and is far superior to that of its Himalayan cousin. It breeds from

the 15th June, at the break of the rains, the nests being placed in

small crevices in more or less vertical rocks in narrow shady ravines

often over water.

Zosterops palpebrosa—The Indian White-eye.

Very common and resident. Breeds chiefly in July.

Aigithina nigrilutea—Marshall’s Iora.

Fairly common in and around Pachmarhi where it breeds in July.

Has a number of fine clear notes, resembling, but distinct from,

those of Mtiphia.

Chloropsis jerdoni—Jerdon’s Chloropsis.

Common in the station and particularly noticeable from May to

July. Frequents loranthus-infested trees.

Has a few characteristic notes, different from C. aurifrons. Also

mimics other birds, especially the King-crow and Shikra.

Molpastes heemorrhous—The Madras Red-vented Bulbul.

Very common in Pachmarhi station where it breeds in gardens, ete.,

from May to August. Rare in surrounding jungles.

Otocompsa fuscicaudata——The Southern Red-whiskered Bulbul.

Common in the forests and ravines round Pachmarhi; rare in the

station, except in winter. Breeds April to July, laying usually 3 eggs.

Otocompsa flaviventris—The Black-crested Yellow Bulbul.

Somewhat rare in the valleys round Pachmarhi, where it undoubt-

edly breeds.

Sitta castaneiventris—The Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch.

Common in Pachmarhi where it breeds in April-May.

Dicrurus ater—The Black Drongo.

Only once seen in Pachmarhi.

Dicrurus cerulescens—The White-bellied Drongo.

This is the common king crow of these hills. It breeds in March-

April. Some of the notes of this bird are very fine and meruline in

character.

Dissemurus paradiseus—The Larger Racket-tailed Drongo.

Rarely seen on the plateau, commoner down below.

Orthotomus sutorius—The Indian Tailor-bird.

Common in the station and in forest.

Cisticola cursitans—The Rufous Fantail Warbler.

Not common. Saw several in the rains on the plateau near Reech-

Ghur. ;

Franklinia gracilis —Franklin’s Wren-Warbler.

Not uncommon on the plateau—a resident.

Journ. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Plate I.

VIEWS OF PACHMARHI.

ae | a he

eet a Fa Fey mete mn oe

408.

BIRDS OF PACHMARHI, 455

Phylloscopus indicus—Olivaceous Willow- Warbler.

A winter visitor. I can confirm the habit, observed by Blanford,

of moving about the vertical trunks of trees like a nuthatch.

Note.—There are other species of Phylloscopus which are winter visitors to

Pachmarhi.

424, Acanthopneuste magnirostris—The Large-billed Willow-Warbler.

Passes through Pachmarhi in September, when its characteristic

6-noted call may be heard, especially near Dhupgarh.

464. Prinia socialis—The Ashy Wren-Warbler.

Pachmarhi. Not very common. Breeds in August.

466. Prinia inornata—The Indian Wren-Warbler.

Pachmarhi. Not common.

473. Lanius vittatus.—The Bay-backed Shrike.

A rather rare winter visitor.

476. Lanius erythronotus—The Rufous-backed Shrike.

Not common in Pachmarhi, but occasionally seen on the Plateau

in the winter.

488. Tephrodornis pondicerianus—The Common Wood-Shrike.

A common bird. Breeds in May.

490. Pericrocotus speciosus—Indian Scarlet Minivet.

Not common. May be seen occasionally in small flocks, feeding

in trees.

500. Pericrocotus peregrinus—The Small Minivet. .

Very common on the plateau. Breeds in April—May.

510. Graucalus macii—TYhe Large Cuckoo Shrike.

Common on the plateau. Breeds in Aptil.

521. Oriolus melanocephalus—The Indian Black-headed Oriole.

Common on the plateau, and below. Breedsin May, laying usually

two eggs only.

528. Pastor roseus—The Rose-coloured Starling.

Occasionally seen in small flocks in the spring.

549. Acridotheres tristis—The Common Myna.

Very common in and around the station.

561. Siphia parva—The European Red-breasted Flycatcher.

A fairly common, cold weather visitor, arriving in October—

November.

576 Cyornis tickelli—Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher.

This is the common flycatcher of the woods and ravines round

Pachmarhi. It is a resident species with a pretty short song of 5

or 6 notes. Breeds in holes in rocks in early June, laying 4 eggs.

579. Stoparola melanops—The Verditer Flycatcher.

An occasional winter visitor. Observed in the station in October.

592. Culicicapa ceylonensis—The Grey-headed Flycatcher.

Common in ravines and by streams. Breeds in June—July

598. Terpsiphone paradisi—The Indian Paradise Flycatcher.

Rarely seen on the plateau. Common in the more open low valleys,

where they breed.

601. Hypothymis azwrea—The Indian Black-naped Flycatcher.

Not uncommon in ravines where they breed end of June and early

July.

604. Rhipidura albifrontata—The White-browed Fantail Flycatcher.

Fairly common in Pachmarhi in the cold weather but does not

breed there.

606. Rhipidura pectoralis—The Spotted Fantail Flycatcher.

Common in the ravines round Pachmarhi. Breeds in April-

May.

456 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

608.

610.

644.

Pratincola caprata—The Common Pied Bushchat,

Common on the plateau.

Pratincola maura—The Indian Bush Chat.

A winter visitor.

Ruticilla rufiventris—The Indian Redstart.

A common winter visitor.

Cyanecula suecica—The Indian Blue-throat.

An occasional winter visitor.

Thamnobia cambaiensis—The Brown-backed Indian Robin.

Fairly common in the station.

Copsychus saularis—The Magpie Robin.

Very common in and around the station.

Geocichla cyanonotus—The White-throated Ground Thrush.

Not uncommon in the open valleys and ravines below Pachmarhi.

Petrophila cyanus—The Western Blue Rock-Thrush.

Occasionally seen in the Winter.

Uroloncha malabarica—The White-throated Munia.

Occasionally seen in the plateau.

Gymnorhis flavicollis—The Yellow-throated Sparrow.

Exceedingly common everywhere.

Passer domesticus—The House Sparrow.

Common in and about the station.

Melophus melanicterus—The Crested Bunting.

Ptynoprogne concolor—The Dusky Crag-Martin.

Common around rocky precipices e.g., Monte-Rosa where it breeds.

Hirundo erythropygia—Sykes’ Striated Swallow.

A-red-rumped swallow which I take to be this species is not rare

in Pachmarhi, where it breeds.

Motacilla leucopsis—The White-faced Wagtail.

A common winter visitor on the plateau, arriving in October.

Motacilla melanope—The Grey Wagtail.

A common winter visitor on the plateau as well as in ravines.

Arrives about 1st September.

Anthus maculatus—The Indian Tree-Pipit.

Very common in the cold weather, leaving in April.

Common on the plateau where it breeds in April and May.

Arachnecthra asiatica—The Purple Sun-bird.

Common everywhere, especially in the station. Breeds April

to June.

Piprisoma squalidum.—The Thick-billed Flower-pecker.

Very common throughout the plateau. Frequents loranthus, for

the spreading of which it is mainly responsible. Breeds April-May.

Pitta brachyura—The Indian Pitta.

I have not seen a Pitta in Pachmarhi during the 2 years I have

spent there, but I have it on good authority that this species does

rarely visit the station.

Lnopicus mahrattensis—The Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker.

Not uncommon on the plateau.

Iyngipicus hardwickii—The Indian Pigmy Woodpecker.

Not rare. Breeds in March-April.

Brachypternus aurantius—The Golden-backed Woodpecker.

Common on the plateau and often seen in the station.

Thereiceryx zeylonicus—The Common Indian Green Barbet.

Very common everywhere. Breeds in April-May.

1019.

BIRDS OF PACHMARHI. 457

Xantholema hematocephala—The Crimson-breasted Barbet or

Coppersmith.

Common. Breeds in April.

Coracias indica—The Indian Roller.

Common on the plateau. Breeds in April-May.

Nyctiornis athertoni—The Blue-bearded Bee-eater.

Heard the characteristic guttural call of this species on one occa-

sion in May near Dorothy Deep. Have never seen or heard this bird

again.

Ceryle varia—The Indian Pied Kingfisher.

Occasionally seen around the Pachmarhi lake.

Alcedo ispida—The Common Kingfisher.

Not uncommon along streams both on the plateau and in ravines.

A resident species.

Halcyon smyrnensis—The White-breasted Ienenehen

Common on the plateau where it breeds in April- May. .

Lophoceros birostris—The Common Grey Hornbill.

Very common on the plateau, especially in the spring months.

Upupa indica—The Indian Hoopoe.

Common on the plateau. Breeds in April.

Cypselus affinis—The Common, Indian Swift.

Common in the station where it breeds.

Macropteryx coronata—The Indian Crested Swift.

Occasionally to be seen flying over in the spring and hot weather,

but this species is not a resident.

Caprimulgus indicus—The Jungle Nightjar.

This is the only nightjar found in Pachmarhi. It frequents rocky

ground, and may be heard calling in the evenings in April and May.

They breed from April to June.

Rare-occasionally heard in April on spring migration.

Cuculus micropterus—The Indian Cuckoo.

Rare. Occasionally heard in April or May.

Hierococcyx varius—The Common Hawh-Cuckoo or “ Brain-fever

Bird.”

Common on the plateau and very noisy from March to August.

This is the only cuckoo which breeds in Pachmarhi, except perhaps

the next.

Eudynamis honorata—The Koel.

Not common but occasionally heard during the hot-weather and

rains.

Centropus sinensis—The Common Coucal or Crow-Pheasant.

Not very common, but occurs as a resident.

Paleornis nepalensis—The Large Indian Paroquet.

Common in the surrounding forest.

Paleornis torquatus—The Rose-ringed Paroquet.

Very common.

Paleornis cyanocephalus—The Western Blossom-headed Paroquet.

Common in and around the station.

Strix flammea—The Barn-Owl.

Not common. Saw one sitting in a dark hole in the rock in Reech-

Ghar.

Ketupa zeylonensis—The Brown Fish-Owl.

Found in some ravines e.g., Jumboo Deep.

Bubo bengalensis—The Rock Horned Owl.

Frequents rocky ravines.

458 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIUL.

1173.

1178,

1180.

1184.

1191.

1192.

1194.

1196.

1197.

Scops giu—The Scops Owl.

Not uncommonly heard in the station.

Scops bakkamena—The Collared Scops Owl.

Common in the Sal Forest where its monotonous call, “‘ kurook—

took ” is repeated after dark at regular intervals ad infinitum.

Athene brama—The Spotted Owlet.

Occurs, but is not common.

Glaucidium radiatum—The Jungle Owlet.

Common in the forest. Breeds in April-May.

Otogyps calvuus—The King Vulture.

Not uncommon,

Gyps fulous—The Griffon Vulture.

Common and resident. Breeds on the cliffs.

Gyps indicus—The Indian Long-billed Vulture.

Common. Similar habits to the above.

Pseudogyps bengalensis—The Indian White-backed Vulture.

Occasionally seen with other vultures. Does not breed on the

Plateau.

Neophron ginginianus—The Scavenger Vulture or—Pharoah’s

Chicken.

Common in and around Pachmarhi. Breeds on the cliffs.

Aquila vindhiana—The Indian Tawny Eagle.

An occasional visitor.

Hieraétus fasciatus—Bonelli’s Eagle.

Not common.

Spizaétus limnetus—The Changeable Hawk-Eagle.

Occasionally seen in the open forest round the Station.

Spilornis cheela—The Crested Serpent-Eagle.

Fairly common in the forest round.

Butastur teesa—The White-eyed Buzzard Eagle.

Found in the plateau. Not common.

Milvus govinda—The Common Kite.

Common in the Station.

Circus macrurus—The Pale Harier.

Occasionally seen on the plateau in the cold weather.

Astur badius—The Shikra.

Common on the plateau where they breed in April-May. Nests

usually placed in Jamun or Terminalia trees. Eggs four.

Pernis cristatus—The Crested Honey Buzzard. ;

Fairly common, nesting in large trees and laying one or two eggs.

The rock bees, upon which they largely feed, leave the Pachmarhi

hills during the rainy season and I think the Honey Buzzards go

away too.

Falco peregrinator—The Shahin Falcon.

Saw a pair of these birds which were evidently breeding on the

cliffs near ‘‘ Big falls ”’.

Falco jugger—The Laggar Falcon.

Occasionally seen on the plateau.

Tinnunculus alaudarius—The Kestrel.

Occurs as a winter visitor.

Crocopus phenicopterus—The Bengal Green Pigeon.

Crocopus chlorogaster—The Southern Green Pigeon.

Both the above species are common around Pachmarhi.

Sphenocercus sphenurus—The Kokla.

A very rare visitor. Saw this species and heard its unmistakable

call near the polo-ground in April.

Loca *t WY VG BAY sehen

‘IHXUVWHOVG AO Saulg

“NH 938ld ‘90S '}SIH '}EN Avqwog ‘usnor

1292.

1504.

BIRDS OF PACHMARHI. 459

Columba intermedia—The Indian Blue Rock-Pigeon.

Very common, breeding about April on the cliffs round Pachmarhi.

Turtur orientalis—The Rufous Turtle Dove.

1305— Turtur ferrago—The Indian Turtle Dove.

I have seen both the above species in and around Pachmarhi. I.

have only heard one kind of call, which is a 5 noted call exactly similar

to that of the Himalayan bird (Turtur ferrago). I have seen and

heard birds in every month of the year but they are commonest in

the cold weather months.

Turtur suratensis—The Spotted Dove.

Common in and around the station.

Pavo cristatus—The Common Pea-fowl.

Found, but not in large numbers on the slopes below the plateau

where they also breed.

Gallus sonnerati—The Grey Jungle Fowl.

Not numerous. Found in similar localities to the Pea-fowl, and

sometimes as high as Dhupgarh (4,400 feet).

I may here mention that the Red Jungle fowl reported by Forsyth

as being found in the vicinity of Pachmarhi is no longer found there.

Galloperdix spadicea—The Red Spur-fowl.

Common around Pachmarhi. Breeds in June, laying 3 eggs under

shelter of a rock or tree trunk.

Galloperdix lunulata—The Painted Spur-fowl.

Common around Pachmarhi on rocky slopes.

Perdicula asiatica—The Jungle Bush Quail.

Does not occur on the plateau proper, but is found on the neigh-

bouring plateau beyond the Begum of Bhopal’s Bungalow.

Turnix pugnax—The Bustard Quail.

Occasionally flushed in the grassy blanks in the open scrub jungle

around Pachmarhi, where it doubtless breeds.

Gdicnemus scolopax—The Stone Curlew.

Occurs on the plateau. Not common.

Sarcogrammus indicus—The Red-wattled Lapwing.

Found on the plateau along the “ Waingunga ” and near the lake

where they breed.

Totanus hypoleucus—The Common Sandpiper.

A winter visitor.

Gallinago celestis—The Common Snipe.

Found in swampy ground on the plateau. Not common.

Dissura episcopus—The White-necked Stork.

Saw a pair in the rains by a temporary pool near the Hogs Back.

Ardeola grayi—The Paddy Bird.

Fairly common by the lake.

Nettiwm crecca—The Common Teal.

Occasional winter visitor on the lake.

460

NEST BOXES FOR BIRDS.

S. H. Pratmr, C.M.Z.S.

WITH 4 NoTE BY H. Wuisttsr, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., C.F.A.0.U.

3 (With 2 plates.)

The following letter was received from Mr. H. Whistler on the subject of

** Nest boxes for Birds, ’’ Mr. Whistler writes :—

‘*Have any of our members

‘‘attempted to do anything in

** India in the direction of putting

** up nesting boxes for wild birds ?

*‘ England and is there usually

*‘attended with much success,

‘and there seems no reason why

*‘the same thing should not be

«done in this country, in the

«hills at any rate. Some years

‘*ago I put up a few boxes in my

*‘ garden at Rawalpindi but the

** boxes were not very carefully

**made and were only used by

‘*Mynahs. A pair of Rollers

‘**made great endeavours to

A TRANSPORTED NESTING SITE IN A ‘* adopt one box but it was mani-

‘‘festly too small for them. I

«*cannot however help thinking

‘that in the plains such nest boxes would suffer rather heavily from the

‘multitude of squirrels, lizards, and similar pests that destroy so many nests:

‘‘in normal situations.

** In the hills nest boxes should be more successful: there are a larger

**number of small and interesting species likely to adopt them, and at the

*‘ same time their list of natural enemies should be smaller. Being this year,

‘** for the first time with a settled house in the hills, in Lower Dharmsala, I

** made an experimental start.

‘* Thirteen boxes in all were prepared ; one of these was an ordinary packing

“case, boarded up with a small square entrance, and intended really for owls.

“ The other twelve were small square Martini-Henry ammunition boxes with a

** small circular hole in the lid which was screwed down only lightly to admit of

** opening and examination. These boxes were affixed to small cross pieces of

‘* board so that they might be tied in a sideways position to the trunks of trees.

** The boxes were placed in 3 localities ; the packing case and 4 ammunition

** boxes were put up in my garden at 4,000 feet altitude? The remainder were

** placed in two patches one at 5,000 feet and the other at about 9,000 feet.

** These last two groups were however not under my personal surveillance and

**no success was reported from them. This may have been due to faulty

‘** administration or to the fact that both batches were in oak forest (Quercus

** incanus, Q. semicarpofoliata) ; such oaks provide a multitude of natural nesting

** sites much in excess of the number of birds likely to want them.

‘The boxes in my garden were sufficiently successful to shew that much

«* might be done in this line. I was away on tour from 10th May to 10th July

«‘ and was therefore unable to watch the results properly but the following use

Knot Hous,

Journ, Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Plate I.

Nest Boxss FoR BrrDs.

SUGGESTIONS FOR BIRD BOXES.

(Plates I and II are reproduced from the Bulletin of the Nat, Asc. of Audubon

Societies, New York, and were originally published in the Teacher’s Leaflet,

College of Agriculture, Cornell University.)

r+ Paar

fey

“

Tepe EN

Thiel

i }

muh aed

NEST BOXES FOR BIRDS. 461

‘““was to my knowledge made of the boxes. The garden is a large one,

** consisting of a small grove of chil pines, Pinus longifolia, at the head of a

“Jong slope of slightly terraced ground, partly used for flowers and partly for

** vegetables but including a good dea! of fallow ground and clumps cof bushes.

«* Large trees grow all round the hedge and various trees are dotted about,

«* some of large size.

(1) ** Packing case; this was fixed up. at the junction of the main

‘* branches of a very fine Chil Pine and by the 27th April it had been

“‘ adopted by a pair of Mynahs (Acridotherus tristis) and young were

‘* hatched during May.

(2) * Box 1. Placed half way up a Pear tree in the centre of the garden.

*¢T saw no sign that it had been adopted by any bird until an inspec-

** tion on the Ist May revealed a nest with 4 hardset eggs of the

** Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis). These hatched a few days later

‘*and were doubtless safely reared.

(3) “Box 2. Placed near the top of a tree of unknown species, but open

‘and light in character. During the last ten days of April it was

** continuously being inspected by 3 species, the Brahminy Mynah

“*(Temenuchus pagodarum), the Magpie Robin, and the Yellow—

‘‘throated sparrow (Gymmnorhis flavicollis). Whether one of these

** used it early in the season I cannot say but on my return on 10th

** July I found that it contained 4 naked young of the Brahminy

** Mynah which were duly fledged.

(4) “Box 3. Placed high up in a tree of the Chil Pine grove. When I

‘‘ left, on 10th May this contained a nest of the Yellow-throated

‘* Sparrow which was then empty.

(5) ‘Box 4. Placed half way up a small solitary Chil Pine. This con-

«tained 4 incubated eggs of the Brahminy Mynah on my return on

*« 10th July.

‘* The above amount of success has determined me to pay more attention to

** the placing of nest boxes next spring if possibley and I should be interested

«* to hear the experiences of any other member of the society who has tried nest

«* boxes in India. It is hardly necessary to remark that apart from the general

«* interest of these experiments they afford an excellent means of obtaining

«several little known particulars of our Indian birds, such as length of

** incubation, fledging periods, and the down plumages of the young.”

The question of attracting birds about the home by providing feeding sta-

tions in winter and nesting boxes in summer is one that has attracted consider-

able attention in England and America. Associations like the National Asso-

ciation of Audubon Societies, The Foreign Bird Club, and others have been

responsible in a large measure for popularising these methods of attracting

our avian neighbours and their efforts have met with a welcome response

from Bird Lovers all over the country. There seems to be no reason why

attempts of a similar nature should not be made in India. Mr. Whistler

describes the considerable measure of success attained by him in putting up

nesting boxes in his garden. It is certain that there are a number of our

members who would be willing to interest themselves in this fascinating

venture which by the infinite pleasure and instruction it affords repays so

fully the small amount of trouble and time expended on it. Success may

not come at once as itis quite possible that the birds may not respond very

promptly to the first attempt but there is no reason to suppose that persistent

and intelligent effort will not bring its ultimate reward. A large variety

of birds frequent the vicinity of bungalows and gardens and many of these

welcome neighbours might be coaxed into tenanting the artificial nesting sites

prepared by their would-be landlords. In endeavouring to attract any parti-

cular species it must be remembered that the type of the nest which will be most

462 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

readily adopted is the one that most closely resembles the natural nesting

site of the bird. There are certain species which are in no way particular as

to the site or the architecture of their dwellings, in this connection one need

hardly mention the ubiquitous sparrow who can almost be considered as an

enemy of the enterprise. Crows and tree-pies, and other birds of ill repute

with egg robbing proclivities, must also be included in the category. Among

the birds which naturally nest in cavities such as one afforded by nest boxes

we might mention Tits, Nuthatches, Tree Creepers, Mynahs, Grackles, Bush

Robins, Magpie Robins, The Large Pied Wagtail, Woodpeckers, Barbets, Rol-

lers, Paroquets, Owls and Owlets.

The bulletin of the National Association of Audubon Sccieties for March 1914

contains a very interesting series of papers on the subject of attracting birds

about the home. Among the various subjects treated is an article by Beecher

8. Bowdish on the subject of putting up bird boxes. Mr. Bowdish gives some

very valuable advice on the making of bird-boxes and his article is illustrated

by a series of diagrams which we have taken the liberty of reproducing (they

were originally issued by the College of Agriculture, Cornell University) in the

hope that members will find them useful in designing nesting boxes. In the

course of his remarks on the preparation of these boxes Mr. Bowdish says :—

“The most natural bird homes, and such as may often be provided

with the least trouble, are pieces of hollow limbs or small hollow trunks of

trees, or the old nesting holes of woodpeckers. If no limbs with suitable

cavities are found, they may be made by taking a piece of limb, about

8 inches in diameter and fourteen to sixteen inches long, dividing it in

half, with a rip saw, from one end to within about three inches of the

other, where it is met by a right-angle cut from the side. At this point

an entrance hole is made through the shorter or front half. The two

halves are then hollowed out so as to form a cylindrica] cavity about

three and one and-a-half inches in diameter and 10 inches deep, when the

two halves are placed together and wired. Such a bird home is shown in

one of the illustrations ; and it has this advantage, that if a young bird

dies, or the home becomes obstructed in any way beyond the remedying

of the tenants, the Landlord may open it and rectify the trouble. A perch

is provided just below the entrance by way of a front porch. A similar

bird home is made by boring an auger hole from one end of a piece of

limb to within a couple of inches of the other, plugging the bored end, and

making an entrance hole near the other end........ A piece of the wooden

tubing from a chain-pump, with ends plugged, and an entrance made in

the side near the upper end, the tube being covered with bark, makes a

very good substitute for a hollow limb. Even a long, narrow box, made up

in about the same manner and covered with bark, answers very well. If

old and weather stained boards are used, the bark covering is not absolute-

ly necessary, but it adds to the attractiveness, from both the birds and

the human standpoint.

Another method of making artificial hollow limbs, which has been des-

cribed, is to .cut limbs of the proper diameter, according to the tenant

for whom they are intended ; saw them in sections of proper length ; make

an incision through the bark on ene side from one end to the other, on the

opposite side bore a hole through the bark for an entrance, then with a

wooden wedge carefully separate the bark from the limb until it is entirely

free. Sections of the limb an inch and-a-half in length are sawed off and

nailed into the ends of the bark, and over the slit in the back a strip of

branch or wood is nailed, which in turn is nailed to the tree or other

suppert where this domicile is to rest. Small drainage holes to allow the

water to escape from the bottom of any artificial nesting-limbs or boxes,

in case rain should drive in, and sloping and projecting tops to shed rain,

Journ, Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Plate Il

Nest Boxes ror BIRps.

Fic. 8.

FIG. 10

aia FIG. 14

SUGGESTIONS FOR BIRD BOXES.

Wie er

RCL aR, hehe

" » at

Piers = Vite Coe

alla’ » he at

pees.

rp a oss es ot

wane vi

NEST BOXES FOR BIRDS. 463

are important in all cases. Pieces of limb, natural or artificial, may be

wired to the trunk or branches of a shade tree, or fastened on top of a

post, which may be covered with growing vines, but care must be taken

to guard against the raid of cats and squirrels. A piece of tin fastened

around the trunk of the tree or the post which bears the bird box, in the

shape of an inverted funnel, is sometimes used to prevent cats gaining

access to the nest, and when the box is on a post a strip of heavy square-

mesh poultry-wire may be placed on the top of the post, under the box.

On the grounds belonging to a neighbour of the writer, in a woodbine

growing on a post, directly under the wire guard and box, a Song Sparrow

built her nest and reared her brood.

Dried gourds, hollowed out, with an opening made for an entrance,

hung in a tree, often attract Wrens and sometimes Bluebirds. In fact,

Wrens wil! utilize old tin cans or almost any sort of receptacle. The

writer saw one nest built in an old elbow of conductor-pipe that hung in

an unused chicken-house, and another on the ashes in a barrel ash-sifter.

To utilize an old tomato-can, the flap which has been almost severed

from the box in removing the fruit has a small hole cut out by making two

slits about an inch apart and the same length, bending up the piece between

the cuts. The rough edges around the entrance of any tin nesting recep-

tacle should always be bent over to prevent birds being injured by them.

Such a nesting box is either tacked to a piece of board, which is in turn

fastened up on the side of a building or the trunk of a tree, or it may be

fastened directly to the building or tree by two nails driven obliquely

through the end from the sides. An old funnel, with the large end nailed

against the side of a building or the trunk of a tree, makes another readily

provided nesting place. Coffee-pots, tea-kettles, milk cans, lard-pails and

flower pots are among the discarded utensils which may be fastened up

in suitable places for the use of the birds as nesting sites.” 7

The selection of a suitable position for the nest boxes is a question which

must be governed by the nesting habits of the species it is desired to attract.

Birds though extremely versatile in the selection of a nesting site instinctively

follow nesting habits typical of their species. Certain species will commonly

select the roofs and rafters and eaves of buildings, others use ledges, holes or

crevices in the walls. Some nest on the ground and others only in trees or

bushes, using either the trunk or the branches. The very height at which the nest

is placed varies with different species ; The Scaly-bellied Wood Pecker (G. squa-

matus) is said to usually build its nest at a height 40 to 50’ from the ground, while

the Black-naped species is said to be content with a much lower elevation.

Certain Woodpeckers and Parroquets excavate holes for themselves, while

others have no objection to adopting natural cavities either in the trunk

or in the horizontal branches. The Coppersmith or Crimson-breasted Barbet

X. hematocephala either nests in an old cavity or excavates a nest in a decayed

branch ; the entrance to the nest is generally on the underside of the bough and

the depth of the nest varies from one to four feet. With the Woodpeckers,

certain species are said to have a preference for some particular kind of tree.

The Himalayan Pied Woodpecker is said to prefer the Oak, the Scaly-bellied

and Black-naped species favour the rhododendron; while the Little Yellow

Fronted Woodpecker (L. mahrattensis) which breeds throughout the Indian plains,

shows no attachment to any particular tree, its nest being found in a dozen

different kinds. Many species of birds are however not at all capricious as regards

the height or the position of the nest. The Brown-backed Indian Robin builds

at any height from 20 feet to the level of the ground. As regards a nesting

site, the fork of a tree, the hollow of a broken stump, a hole in the trunk, in

a wall, on the ground or in the thatch of a roof are all equally acceptable. It

s recorded of one optimistic couple that they successfully reared a brood in the

464 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

folds of a curtain hanging in a doorway, while another enterprising pair consid-

ered the pigeon hole of an office writing desk an eminently satisfactory site.

The Black-backed Indian Robin (7. fulicata), found breeding in cantonments

about houses, selects a hollow in the ground or a suitable hole in the wall or the

roof af a house, a nest of this species has been taken in a lamp hanging under

aperch. The Magpie Robin (C. saularis) usually prefers a hole in a tree but will

also build in walls or under the caves of a hut. A common and interesting spe-

cies that may perhaps be tempted into using the nest box is our Indian Hoopoe.

The bird usually selects holes in stone walls, in the hollow of a tree, or the rafters

of house as a nesting site. Perhaps the strangest nesting site on record is one

which has been observed in connection with the Hoopoe. Pallas records that

he found a nest of one of these birds in the thorax of a human carcase. Of our

Indian Tits, the Common Grey Tit (P. atriceps) nests among out-houses and

stables selecting a hole in a tree, wall or roof. A hollow bamboo projecting

from a thatched roof has been repeatedly used by the bird. It is recorded that

these birds often make use of the deserted nests cf Barbets and Woodpeckers.

While many species of birds that nest in buildings, etc., prefer deserted dwel-

lings : there are others that seem preferably to select those that are inhabited ;

an instance is found in the Common Swift. These birds, as is well known,

build in colonies ; a common site is the rafters of a house; ora verandah; the

nests are built in the crevices between the wall and the roof, while at times’ the

nests are found attached to the roof itself.

There are two aspects to the practice of putting out nest boxes. The first

concerns the bird lover whose object is to attract birds to his garden. The

other is the scientific and undoubtedly the more interesting side of the question.

Intelligent observation of the nesting habits of birds will tend to increase

our knowledge on this fascinating subject. Pyecraft in his book “‘ The History

of Birds” says ‘“‘ It would seem that the ’’ Field naturalist “‘ as a general rule, for

there are notable exceptions, finds more pleasure in nest ‘ robbing’ than in nest

watching ; for though they have been assiduous in recording the number of eggs in

a clutch, variation in colour and size, and in the choice of a nesting site the con-

tributions towards our knowledge of the brooding habits cf Birds are singularly

few and incomplete.”’ For the benefit of those who wish to avail themselves of

the opportunity afforded I would suggest the numbering of all nest boxes. A

dairy should be kept for each box showing how the inmates come to adopt the

box? What rivalry there was over occupation of the box? How much time

was spent over the nest building ? Did both sexes participate in the building

of the nest ? At what periods were the eggs laid? the length of incubatien ?

Was the work of incubation undertaken by both sexes ? With the great number

of birds, incubation does not commence until the full complement of eggs have

been laid but in some instances, as with some of the birds of preys incubation

commences with the first egg laid so that the first nestlings help in the incu-

bation of those that follow. Is the care of the young undertaken by the male

alone or by the female alone or by both parents? What is the nature of the

food provided for the young? It is believed that in the majority of birds the

young are first fed on regurgitated food which is changed to insect food and fin-

ally either continues as insect food, in the case of insectivorous species, or

changes to a vegetable diet with the grain and seed eating species.

A recent number of the journal contained an appeal by Dr. Ticehurst for nest-

lings of various species of birds. So far there has been very little response to

this appeal. An opportunity would here be afforded for obtaining material

which would be of help to Dr. Ticehurst in his important work.

The Society would be glad to receive from members accounts of any

attempts made by them in putting up nest boxes, whether these have been

successful or not.

465

NOTES ON. THE GENERIC NAMES OF INDIAN THECLINA AND

AMBLYPODIINA (LEP. RHOP.)

Capt. N. D. RILry, F.E.5., F.Z.S.

The following is a brief summary of notes made for my own guidance at vari-

ous times, and may help to stabilise the nomenclature of this group of Indian

Butterflies. It is only the older names that present any difficulty, the later

authors having been more careful to fix the types of such generic names as they

have proposed. I do not consider the fact that a generic name has been, for

whatever length of time, employed in a wrong sense, is in any way a justification

for its continued use in that sense. The sooner it is set right the better ; the

future of Entomology is likely to be of greater duration than its past.

I have introduced a few names which, though not now applied to the groups

in question, were formerly so applied, such as LYCAUNA, POLYOMMATUS,

ete., about which there has been considerable argument in the past, and also

a few generic names proposed by Tutt, with which one may in the future have to

reckon.

For the sake of convenience I have arranged the genera alphabetically stating

in each ease what I consider is the type. This is solely from the point of view

of nomenclature : whether the genera are entomologically valid or justifiable or

not I have not tried to decide. TJ. 9. after a specific name implies that that

species is the type of the genus because it was designated such by the author of

the genus at the time he proposed it: S. S. because it was the sole species re-

ferred to the genus by the author at the time he proposed it. In all other cases

the reasons for designating any particular species as the type are given.

_ACESINA, Moore. Journ. As, Sov. 1884. T. S. paraganesa,

Beng. p. 41. de N.

AMBLYPODIA, Horsf. Cat. Lep. E. I. C. 1829., paidanus,

p. 98. Cramer.

Horsfield introduced the generic name Ambl; ypodva for a number of species

which he divided into five subsections, viz., (1) narada, (2) vivarna, (3) apidanus,

centaurus, helus, ewmolphus, (4) phocides, (5) vulcanus, lohita, syam, timoleon,

jalindra, longinus, erylus, jangala, vidura, etolus, representing in fact many

genera.*

Doubleday (List Brit. Mus., p. 23, 1847) employs it for a number of those

species enumerated by Horsfield, and others.

Westwood (Gen. Diurn. Lep. p. 477, 1852), employs it in a similar sense, but

also expressly states that ‘‘ the types of the genus’ are the large Indian Amb.

centaurus, apidanus, helus, anthelus, etc., thus limiting the possible type of the

genus to one of the first three of those species, since anihelus is not mentioned

by Horsfield. The type was finally specified by Scudder (Hist. Gen. Butt. p. 108,

1875) as apidanus, which must be accepted.

It is unfortunate that, following Boisduval (1870), authors should consistently

have ignored the earlier workers and taken narada as the type. Obviously,

in view of Westwood’s restriction, it could not be the type under any circums-

tances.

APHNAOMORPHA, deN. Butt. Ind. IJ, p. 1890. T.S. orcas,

347. . Drury.

APHNA US, Hiibner. Verz. bek. Schmett. 1822-3. orcas,

p.-81. Drury.

Hiibner gives pene two species, vulcanus and orcas. No action was taken by

any author in any way to affect the case till Scudder (Hist. Gen. Butt. p. 116,

' 1875) selected orcas as the type. This he was perfectly at liberty to do, and his

* He also States (p.111 1. c.) that he oes “ the species of the third section to be typica)

of the genus.” See also Riley. Entom., 1922 25.

466 JOURNAL, BOMBAY|NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

action must be upheld. Aphnemorpha must fall as an absolute synonym to

Aphneus in consequence.

APPORASA, Moore. Journ. As. Soc. 1884. S. S. atkinsoni,

Beng. p. 38. Hew.

ARAOTES, Doh. Journ. As. Soc. 1889. 8. 8. lapithis,

Beng. p. 411, ete. Moore.

ARHOPALA, Boisd. Voy. Astrol. p. 75. 1832. 8S. 8. helius Cram.

(phryx-

us, Boisd.)

Probably falls as a synonym to Amblypodia (q. v.)

ARTIPE, Boisd. Lep. Guat. p. 14. 1870. T. 8. ery, Linn.

(amyn-

tor, Her-

bst.)

Scudder (/. c. p. 12!) states that the name must fall because it is preoccupied

by Artipus (Schonh. Col. 1826). The similarity between the two names does

not seem sufficiently close to warrant this, and I consider the name should be

upheld, if it is required.

ARRHENOTHRIX, deN. Butt. Ind. MI, p. 1890. T. 8. penicilli-

337. gera, de N.

AUROTIS, Dalm. Vetensk, Akad. 1816. betule,

Handl. XX XVII, Linn.

p. 63.

Although the type is not actually specified by Dalman it is most unmistakably

indicated as betule. Falls to Thecla and Zephyrus (q. v.).

BASPA, Moore. Proc. Zool. Soe. 1882. S. 8S. melampus,

Lond. p. 250. Cramer.

BIDASPA, Moore. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1882. T.S. nissa,

Lond. p. 250. Koll.

BIDUANDA, Dist. Rhop. Malay. p. 237 1884. T. 8. thesmia,

Hew.

BINDAHARA, Moore. Lep. Cevlon, I. p. 1884. 8. S. phocides,

PE: Fah.

BITHYS. Hiibner. Zutr. Ex. Schmett. 1818. S. 8. leucophe-

p. 18. us, Hubn.

In his Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 75 Hiibner adds other species, and gives a refer-

ence to his Zutrage for the description of leucopheus. This shows p. 75 of the

Verzeichniss appeared after p. 18 of the Zutrage ; in fact it does not seem to have

been published till 1822-3.

BRITOMARTIS, deN. Journ. Bom. N. H. 1896. T.S. cleoboides

8. p. 305. Elw. and

deN.

BULLIS, deN. Journ. As. Soc. 1897. T.S. buto, deN.

Beng. p. 559. (d nec. 2)

CALLOPHRYS, Billb. Enum. Ins. p. 80. 1820. rubi, Linn.

Billberg only mentions vulcanus, rubi and a MS species. Rubi was specified

as the type by Scudder (1. c. p. 132).

As there seems to be some disagreement as to whether Billberg’s list ‘ Enume-

ratio Insectorum in Museo Gust. Joh. Billberg’ should be accepted or not, it may

be as well to examine briefly the arguments for or against it.

Firstly it is said that it is merely a list of the specimens in the author’s own

collection. Certainly it is ; but the fact that the author, in the Rhopalocera

alone, proposes over 40 new generic names is clear evidence that he did not in

tend it to be a ‘ mere list’. Further, he gives brief diagnostic characters for all

the larger divisions down to groups of genera.

He does not give any generic diagnosis ; but the species (except the MS ones)

GENERIC NAMES OF THECLINA, 467

which he refers to his new genera are all at once recognisable from the localities

and the authors’ names which in all cases he gives. It has been said elsewhere

(Wals. and Durr., EK. M. M. p. 167, 1902) that ‘‘ it is a concession to the older

authors that we accept a named but undescribed genus if its types are recognisa-

able’. This seems to be a case in point.

It is then further argued that we cannot be certain that Billberg correctly

identified his species, and therefore we cannot accept his generic names, as we

do not know whether the species he founded them on are the species he refers

to. But this appears to be going a bit too far ; one must give him the benefit

of the doubt at any rate. If we allowed this argument to stand Billberg is not

the only author by a very long way whose work would have to be rejected.

CAMENA, Hew. III. Diurn. Lep. II, 1865. S. S. ctesia, Hew.

p. 47.

The genus is, however, pre-occupied by CAMCHNA, Baly (Col. 1862), and must

be dropped.

CATAPCCILMA, Butl. Trans. Linn. Soc. 1877. S. S. elegans,

Zool. p. 547. Druce.

CHATOPROCTA, deN. Butt. Ind. III, p. 1890. 8. 8S. odata, Hew.

311.

CHARANA, deN. Butt. Ind. IIT. 1890. T. S. mandari-

p. 401. nus, Hew.

CHERITRA, Moore. Lep. Ceylon, p. 109. 1881. T. S. freija, Fab.

(jafra).

CHERITRELLA, deN. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1887. S. S. truncipen-

Lond. p. 456. nis, deN,

CHLIARIA, Moore. Journ. As. Soc. 1884. T.S. othona,

Beng. p. 32. : Hew.

CHRYSOPHANUS, Hiibn. Zutrage Ex. Sch- 1818. S.S. mopsus,

mett. p. 24. Hiibn.

For some strange reason Hiibner later (Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 72, 1822) re-

moved mopsus from Chrysophanus to Strymon (q. v.) replacing it by a number of

other species which he had not originally included in the genus at all.

CHRYSOPTERA, Zinck. Allg. Lit. Zeit. (Jena.) 1817. virgaurece

LY, py. 75. Linn.

The name was proposed by Zincken for Ochsenheimer’s ‘family VIII (B) ’

which was the coppers, etc. The type was specified by Tutt (Ent. Ree. XVIII,

p. 131, 1906).

CIGARITIS, Donz. Ann. Ent. Soe. 1847. 8.8. zolra,

France, 2, V, p. Donz.

528.

COPHANTA, Moore. Journ. As. Soc. 1884. T. 8S. illurgis,

Beng. p. 35. Hew.

COREANA, Tutt. Brit. Lep. IX, p. 1908. T. 8. raphelis,

276. Oberth.

CREON. deN. Journ. Bomb. N. H.1896, T. 8. cleobis,

8. p. 181. Godt.

CREUSA, deN. Journ. Bomb. N. H.1896, T. S. culta, deN.

S. p. 176.

CUPIDO, Schranck. Fauna Boica, II, I, 1801. minima,

p- 153, 206, Fuess,

(alsus).

The type was fixed by Kirby (Journ. Linn. Soe. Zool. X, p. 499, 1870) as,

minima. As no action had been taken by any other author in the meantime,

Kirby’s action must be upheld.

CYANIRIODES, deN. Butt. Ind. III, p. 33 1890. S.S. andersoni,

Moore.

468 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

DACALANA, -- -Moore. Journ. As. Soc. 1884, T. 8. vidura,

Beng. p. 36. Horsf.

DARASANA, Moore. Journ. As. Soc. 1884. T.S. perimuta,

: Beng. p. 42. Moore.

DERAMAS, Dist. Ann. Mag. Nat. 1886. S. 8S. lvens,

Hist. 5, XVII, p. Dist.

252.

DEUDORIX, Hew. III. Diurn. Lep. I, 1863. T. 8. epijarbas,

p. 16. Moore.

DIPSAS, Doubl. List. Lep. B. M. 1847. syla, Koll.

p. 25. (pholus).

The genus as first used by Doubleday contained only two species, both MS.

It was adopted and described by Westwood (Gen. Diurn. Lep. II, p. 479, 1847)

who also specified as the type syla, Koll. of which the MS. species pholus Doubl.

is given as a synonym.

The name must however be dropped being pre-occupied in Reptiles (Lam.,

1768) and Molluses (Leach, 1814).

DRINA, deN. Butt. Ind. III, 1890. T.S. donina,

p. 442. Hew.

DRUPADIA, Moore. Journ. As. Soc. 1884. T.S. ravindra,

Beng. p. 31. Horsf.

EOOXYLIDES, deN. Butt. Ind. III, p. 1890. T.S. tharis,

432. Hiibn.

EUASPA, Moore. Journ. As. Soc. Ben 1884. 8.8. milionia,

; Beng. p. 29. Hew.

FLOS, Doh. Journ. As. Soc. 1889. T. 8. apidanus,

Beng. p. 412, 423, Cram.

Falls to Amblypodia, of which it is an absolute synonym.

HELIOPHORUS, Geyer. Hiibner’s Zutrage 1832. 8.8. epicles,

IV, p. 40. Godt.

~ Geyer gives only helenus, which is a synonym of epicles.

HEODES, Dalm. Vetensk, Akad. 1816. virgauree,,.

Handl. XX XVII, Linn.

p. 6a; Ol.

- The name is proposed by Dalman as a subgenus of his own Zephyrus. At.

p. 91 he enumerates seven species without specifying any type. but previously

on p. 63 in a generic synopsis he clearly indicated that he considered virqauree:

a typical species. This should therefore be taken as the type, as stated by Tutt.

(Brit. Lep. VIII, p. 313). in spite of Scudder’s ill-advised action (1. ¢. p. 187) in

suggesting phleas as the type.

HESPERIA, Fab. Ent. Syst. III (1), 1793. malve,

p- 258. Linn.

Fabricius originally included in this genus some 350 species, including both

Lycenide and Hesperide, among them malvw. The type was fixed by Cuvier

(Table Element, p. 592, 1798), who gives a diagnosis of the genus and cites.

malvce as the only example.

HORAGA, Moore. Lep. Ceylon, I. p. 98 1881. T. 8. ony,

Moore.

HYPOCHRYSOPS, Feld. Reise Nov, p. 251. 1865. anacletus,.

Feld.

Felder included a number of species in the genus originally. The type was.

fixed by Scudder (I. c. p. 194) as anacletus.

HY POLYCANA, Feld. Wien. Ent. Monats. 1862. tharrytas,

p. 293. Feld. -

Scudder specifies sipylus as the type, regarding sipylus and tharrytas as the.

same species. This seems doubtful. Since Felder does not mention sipylus in

his original description of the genus, tharrylas should be taken as the type.

HYSUDRA, Moore. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1882. S. 8S. selira,

Lond. p. 250. Moore.

ILERDA, Doubl. List Lep. B. M. II, 1847. 8.8. epicles,

p: 25. Godt.

Doubleday does actually mention some other species, but, as he only gives

them MS names, they must be disregarded.

Falls to Heliophorus, of which it is an absolute synonym.

INDOXYLIDES, Doh. Journ. As. Soc. 1889. (nom. nud.)

Beng. p. 410.

Doherty states that the name was proposed by him for EKooaylides

(which, incidentally, was not published till the following year by déNiceville),

but he gives notypes nor description and himself sinks it to Hoowylides.

Doherty's proposal of the name Indoxylides appears to have been contained

in, and confined to a letter to déNiceville. The name must be regarded as an

absolute synonym of Evoxylides.

1OIS, Doh. Journ. As. Soc. 1889. (nom, nud.)

Beng. p. 411. ;

The only species mentioned by Doherty in connection with this name is “ an

Arhopala, apparently inornata, Felder ”’, and then follow some few words about

the egg. This is altogether insufficient to establish Jois as a valid gene1iz name ;

it should be treated as a synonym, of Amblypodia.

IOLAUS, Hiibn. Verz. bek. Schmett. 1822-38. 8S. euwrisus,

p. 81. Cram.

Hiibner also gives helius, Fab., which is a synonym of eurisus.

IRAOTA, Moore. Lep. Ceylon p. 101, 1881. 8.8. timoleon,

Stoll

(mece -

nas, Fab.)

JACOONA, Dist. Rhop. Malay. p. 233 1884. T. 8. anasuja,

Feld.

JALMENUS, Hiibn. Zutr. Ex. Schmett. 1818. S.S. evagoras,

p. 29. Don.

Later (Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 75, 1822-3) Hiibner added venulius and gave a

reference to his earlier use of Jalmenus in the Zutrage.

«JAPONICA, Tutt. Brit. Lep. IX, p. 2771908. T. S. scepestria-

ta, Hew.

LEHERA, Moore. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1883. T.S. — eryx,Linn.

Lond. p. 528.

Falls to Artipe (q. v.).

LICUS, Hiibn. Zutr. Ex. Schmett. 1822. §. 8. niphon,

2nd hundred, p. 7. Hiibn.

The name is pre-occupied in Coleoptera (Fab. 1787).

LISTERIA deN. Journ. As. Soe. 1894. T. 8. dudgeoni,

Beng. p. 35. deN.

LOXURA, Horsf. Cat. Lep. E.I.C. 1829. atymnus,

p. 119. Cram.

L. atymnus and pita are given.’ From the context the former was obviously

considered by Horsfield the more typical, and has been accepted as_ the type,

quite correctly.

LYCUS, | ‘Hiibn. Verz. bek. Schmett. 1822-3

p. 74.

A misspelling for Licus, Hiibner, q. v. -

MAHATHALA, Moore. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1878. S. 8. ameria,

Lond. p. 703 Hew.

470 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

MANECA, deN. Butt. Ind. IIT, p. 1890. T. 8. bhotea,

344. Moore.

MANTO, deN. Journ. Bomb. N. H.1895. T.S. hypoleuca,

8. p. 312. Hew.

MARMESSUS, Hiibn. Verz. bek. Schmett. 1822-3 lisias, Fab.

p- 81.

Four names were given by Hiibner under Marmessus, alcides, corax, atymnus

and lisias, The type was specified by Scudder (I. ¢. p. 212) as lisias. This he

was perfectly free to do as no author had taken any action in any way to affect

the case. DéNiceville appears to have been aware of this but failed to

adopt it.

MARSHALLIA, Doh. Journ. As. Soc. 1889. (nom. nud)

Beng. p. 410.

No description is given by Doherty, nor does he attribute any species to the

genus. He states that he proposed the name (? in litt.) for Hooxylides (de Nice-

ville 1890) but that it was pre-occupied (Spongida ; Zittel, 1877).

The name must be regarded as an absolute synonym of Eoorylides.

MASSACA, Dob. Journ. As. Soc. 1889. T.S. pediade,

Beng. p. 411, 417 Hew.

429,

MOTA, deN. Butt. Ind. III, p. 1890. T. 8. massyla,

345. Hew.

MYRINA, Hiibn. Illiger’s Mag. VI, 1807. silenus,

p. 286. Fab.

(alcides,

Cr. ).

Hiibner only mentioned two species, silenus and helius. The type was fixed

by Oken in 1815 (Lehrb. d. Naturg. I, p. 722) who used the name for eight species,

only specifying two by name, one of which was silenus. This was confirmed by

the action of Westwood (1852) and Kirby (1870), the latter specifying silenus as:

the type.

NADISEPA, Moore. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1882. 8.8. jarbas,

Lond. p. 249. Fab.

NARATHURA, Moore. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1878. T.S. hypomeuta,

Lond. p. 835. Hew.

NEOCHERITRA, Dist. Rhop. Malay. p. 252 1885. 8. S. amrita,

Feld.

NEOLYCAINA, deN. Butt. Ind. ITI, p. 65 1890. T. 8. sinensis,

Alph.

NEOMYRINA, Dist. | Rhop. Malay. p. 234 1885. T. S. himealis,

G. & 8.

NILASERA, Moore. Lep. Ceylon I, 1881. T. S. centaurus,

p: L452 5 Fab.

ORS: deN. Journ. Bomb. N. H.1895. T.S. ogyges,

S. p. 296. deN.

OXYLIDES, Hiibn. Verz. bek. Schmett. 1822-3 faunus,

pova Drury.

Hiibner set up the genus for celmus and faunus. The type was specified by

Seudder (J. c. p. 234) as faunus.

’ PANCHALA, Moore. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1882. T.S. ganesa,

Lond. p. 251. Moore,

POLYOMMATUS, Latr. Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. 1804. 8S. S. icarus,

Nat. XXIV, p. Rott,

184, 200. : (argus).

PRATAPA, Moore. Lep. Ceylon, I, p. 1881. T.S. deva,

108. Moore.

GENERIC NAMES OF THECLIN~. 471

PSEUDOCHLIARIA, Tytler. Journ. Bomb. N. H.1915. T. 8. virgoides,

S.-p. 139, Tyt.

PSEUDOLYCAINA, Wallgn. K. Vett. Akad. Vorh. 1858. T. S. marsyas,

. XV, p. 80. Linn.

PSEUDOMYRINA, H. H. Druce. Proce. Zool. 1895. T. 8S. martina,

Soe. Lond. p. 606. Hew.

PURLISA, Dist. Rhop. Malay. p. 234 1884. T. 8S. giganteus,

Dist.

RAPALA, Moore. Lep. Ceylon, I, p. 1881. T. 8. varuna,

105. Horsf.

RATHINDA, Moore. Lep. Ceylon. I, p. 99 1881. T. S. amor, Fab.

REMELANA, Moore. Journ. As. Soc. 1884. T. 8. jangala,

Beng. p. 37. Horsf,

RITRA, deN. Butt. Ind. III, 1890. T.S. aurea,

p. 411. Druce.

RUMICIA, Tutt. Ent. Ree. XVIII, 1906. T.S. phleas,

p. 131. Linn.

RURALIS, Tutt. Ent. Rec. XVII, 1906. T.S. betulae,

p. 212, 1905 ; Linn.

MVE ES sp. 130;

132, 1906; Brit.

Lep. VIII, p. 313.

Tutt brings forward this Linnean name stating that it was ‘‘ heterotypical

in its use by Linneus ” but that Barbut in Les Genres des Insectes de Linné

(1781) “‘ specifies betulze as the type ”’.

Actually all Barbut did was to give one example of each of the Linnzan divi-

sions of Papilio, describing it and figuring it, but always referring to it in the

full quadrinomial system of Linneus. When dealing with betule he calls it

P. P. Ruralis betule, and it comes immediately under the heading PLEBEII.

This cannot be considered as a binomial application of the word Ruralis, and

hence Barbut’s application of the name can no more be accepted as justification

for its employment as a valid generic name from that date than can Linnzus’own

use of the term. If Ruralis is to be accepted as a valid generic name on the

strength of Barbut’s action, then Candidus, Phaleratus, etc., must also be accept-

ed, as they were considered of equal rank as subdivisions of Papillo in the early

days. Theonly sane course with these namesappears to be to neglect them

entirely until someone employs them in accordance with the strict rules of

binomial nomenclature.

Ruralis should therefore be attributed to Tutt, who first uses it binomially,

the type being specified by him as betula. The name therefore falls to Thecla

and Zephyrus (q. v.)

SATADRA, Moore. Journ. As. Soc. 1884. T. 8. atrar,

Beng. p. 38. Hew,

SATSUMA, Murray. Ent. Mo. Mag. XI, 1874. T. S. ferrea,

p. 168, Butler.

SEMANGA, Dist. | Rhop. Malay. p, 233 1884. T. S. superba,

Druce,

SINTHUSA, Moore. Journ. As. Soc. 1884. T. 8. nasaka,

Beng. p. 33. Horsf.

SITHON, Hiibner. Verz. bek. Schmett. 1818. - nedymond,

Do fits Cram.

The name was employedby Hiibner for nedymond and melampus. The type

was virtually fixed by Kirby (Syn. Cat. p. 411, 1871) as the former species, whic},

was specified by Scudder (.c. p. 269) as the type.

472 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII

SPINDASIS, -- Wallgn. Rhop. Caffr. p. 45. 1857. 8.8. natalensis,

Dbl. &

Hew.

(masili-

Salt kasi).

STRYMON, Hiibner. Zutrage Ex. Sehaiett 1818. S.S. melinus,

p. 22. Hiibn.

The date of Hitbner’ s use of the name in ae Verz. bek. Schmett, p. 74, is appa-

rently much later, about 1822-3.

SUASA, deN. Butt. Ind. TL, p. 1890. T.S. lisides,

386. Hew.

SURENDRA, ; Moore. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1878. 8. S. querceto-

Lond. p. 835. rum,

; Moore.

TAJURIA, Moore. Lep. Ceylon, I, p. 1881. T. 8. cippus,

a: 108. Fab.

(longi-

: NUS).

THADUKA, Moore, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1878. S. S. multicau-

Lond. p. 836. data,

Moore.

THAMALA, ‘Moore. Proce. Zool. Soe. 1878: 8.8. miniata,

Lond. p. 834. Moore.

THECLA, Fab. Mlliger’s Mag. VI, 1807. betule,

p. 286. Linn.

Fabricius set up the genus for betula, spini and quercus. Swainson (Zool.

Ill. I, 2, p. 69, 1821-2) specified betule as the type. This action was perfectly

consistent with the treatment of the genus by previous authors and was confirmed

by the action of Curtis (1829) and Westwood (1840),Scudder (J. c. p. 280) specified

spini as the type, labouring under the fallacy that because Zephyrus had been

set up by Dalman in 1816 with betulw as the type, that species was no longer

available. This fallacy runs throughout, and sadly spoils his otherwise excellent

work on the Genera of Butterflies. Betule must be taken as the type.

TICHERRA, DeN. Proe. Zool. Soe. 1887. T. S. acte, Moore.

Lond. p. 457.

USSURIANA, Tutt. Brit. Lep. IX.p. 1908. T.8. michelis.

276. Oberth.

UTICA, Hew. Ill. Diurn. Lep. 1865. 8.8. onycha,

p. 56. Hew.

Unfortunately pre-occupied in Crustacea, 1847.

VADEBRA, Moore. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1883. T. 8. petosiris,

Lond. p. 528. Hew.

VIRACHOLA, Moore. Lep. Ceylon, I, p. 1881. T.S. perse, Hew.

; 104.

YASODA, Doh. Journ. As. Soc. 1889. pita, Horst.

Beng. p. 410.

Doherty did not refer any species to the genus although he gave a brief diag-

nosis of it. Dé Niceville adopted it from Doherty in his Butterflies of India,

III, p. 438 (1890) and specified pita.as the type.

ZELTUS, deN. Butt. Ind. II, p. 1890. T. 8S. etolus, Fab.

399.

ZEPHYRIUS, — Billb. Enum. Ins. p. 80. 1820.

A misspelling of Zephyrus, of which it is an absolute synonym.

ZEPHYRUS, Dalman. Vetensk. Akad. 1816. T. S. betule.,

Handl. XX XVII, Linn.

p. 62.

GENERIC NAMES OF TH CLIN. 473

ZESTUS, Hiibner. Verz. bek. Schmett. 1818. chrysomal-

fisad Us lus, Hiibn.

Hiibner put pheomallus and chrysomallus in the genus originally.

The latter was specified as the type by Scudder (/. ¢. p. 292).

ZINASPA, deN. Butt. Ind. III, p. 1890. todara,

451, Moore.

Erected by de Niceville for ‘odara and distorta. These are generally considered

to be forms of the same species, todara is specified as the type by Swinhoe (Lep.

Indica, IX, p. 74, 1911).

474

NOTES ON MESOPOTAMIAN MAMMALS

Capt. C. R. S. Pitman, D.S.0., M.C., M.B.0.U.

Having read the report on the Mammals of Mesopotamia in Journal

Vol. X XVII, No. 2, I have realised that I have a good many Field Notes on the

Mammals of that country, which may be of some value, as I served there from

January 1916 until April 1918. Iwas principally on the Tigris, from Basra

to Daur (15 miles upstream of Samarra), with a brief interval on the Euphrates

at Feluja and the Hindiyeh Barrage from the middle of March 1917 until the

middle of July that year.

PacHYURA ETRUSCA—Pigmy Shrew—All the records mentioned are from the

Tigris. The only one I came across was at the end of March 1917 when my

Regiment had just arrived at Feluja on the Euphrates. One afternoon while

we were sitting in the Mess Tent, which had been dug down into the ground,

a minute shrew with body no bigger than that of a bumble bee, suddenly

appeared on the table, and was running about for several minutes; and

although once actually imprisoned under an inverted tumbler by one of my

brother officers, I failed to secure it as a specimen.

HEMIECHINUS AURITUS—Long-eared Hedgehog.—Again I note that all the

specimens recorded are from the Tigris, though Ludlow recorded this species as

plentiful at Hit, R. Euphrates. Most of my acquaintance with these animals

was at Feluja onthe banks of the Euphrates during March and April 1917,

when I found them very common.

I kept alive all the specimens that were brought to me and for their prison

dug a pit into the stiff soil, which measured 5 feet in diameter and had vertical

sides nearly 4 feet in height.

At the bottom of this pit the various Hedgehog inhabitants excavated burrows

on the same level as the bottom, but which had a tendency to turn upwards.

However none of the little prisoners ever escaped by digging right up to the

surface, and in fact never even got as far as anywhere near it.

A pair were my first capture and they soon dug themselves in, once they were

placed in the pit ; the usual length of burrows they excavated was 2 to 3 feet.

I then obtained 4 youngsters a fortnight old, which apparently cried so much

their first night in the pit, that two more adults, who may have been the parents,

were attracted by the noise and fell in. Those youngsters never managed to

dig more than a few inches into the ground. At night they were all very active

and I used to watch their antics and see them feed, with the aid of an electric

torch which did not seem to frighten themin theleast. Ifed them on bread

and watered milk, raw potatoes, carrots, cucumber and other vegetables, as

well as dried gram, lentils, dhal and crushed barley.

With the exception of one of the youngsters which died, they all flourished

and soon became quite tame, though they kept to their burrows during the day.

I eventually let them all go, as there was a difficulty of making up and storing

the skins.

As all my notes are not handy at the present moment, I cannot say where else

I came across this species in Mesopotamia, although I know that I have other

records which include the note of a drowned specimen found near Samarra

in February 1918.

FE.LIs cHaus—Jungle Cat.—One day in January 1916, shortly after my arrival

in Mesopotamia and while on the march up the Tigris between Kurna and

Ezra’s Tomb, I came across one of these animals, while out small game shoot-

ing, in thick cover on the river bank in the late afternoon.

Some of my scouts told me that a Jackal was crouching in a bush and that

they would catch it for me.

NOTES ON MESOPOTAMIAN MAMMALS. 475

This they proceeded to do and after a short though fierce struggle,

they emerged scratched but triumphant with the biggest <¢rd nest

hideous type of wild cat I have ever seen. It really was a magnificent creature,

considerably larger than a Jackal and standing as it did a dealhigher. In colour

it was a pale, though bright brownish orange or ginger, with rich reddish brown

and chestnut stripes. The beast was well secured with cloths and straps, and

_I had intended trying to keep it alive, but unfortunately it escaped on the way

back to camp. I subsequently saw other though much smaller specimens

whilst shooting in the thick cover on the banks of the Tigris and R. Adhaim

at various points as far North as Daur, but failed to secure any specimens.

From March to July 1917, while on the Euphrates at Feluja and the Hindiyeh

Barrage, I did not come across this species but the country that I traversed

in those parts was not suitable, and thick cover was rarely visited as it was the

close season for small game shooting.

In early March 1917, while shooting Hares and Black Partridge in scrub cover

on the Tigris banks between Kut and Baghdad I saw a smaller type of wild cat,

a greyish buff in colour and spotted blackish, at which I could not get a shot.

HeErpEsTEs PERsIcuS—The Persian Mongoose—Noted principally in the Palm

Groves in the vicinity of the cities of Busra, Amarah, and Baghdad on the Tigris.

No specimens were secured and no type of ICHNEUMON ever noted. Without my

notes I cannot for certain say whether I have many records of the Mongcose,

from the Euphrates, but there were a lot in scrub by a palm grove near the

Hindiyeh barrage, where I found a clutch of Marbled duck’s eggs they had con-

sumed.

Hy#NA HY#NA—The Striped Hyena.—When at Feluja on the R. Euphra-

tes in March, April and May 1917, I knew of the same collection of Hyena

Earths which Ludlow mentions. They were situated afew miles rorth of the

town in a group of low marland gypsm mounds not very far from the river, and

which actually formed a portion of the ruins of the ancient Persian fortress of

Anbar, but I never came across the owner. In the broken country near the

Tigris, where it is joined by the Shatt-el-Adhaim, this hyzena was quite

common during October and November 1917, and on more than one ogcasion

they were caught in the open by our pig-sticking enthusiasts and hunted for

miles, but they were practically impossible to overtake even in the open

country.

I often saw them out on the elevated plain above the river soon after dawn ard

watched them return to the broken ground, and during some manceuvres one day

we put one up in broken country as late as 11-0 in the morning. In this same

area a sepoy who went off his head and wandered out into the desert and shot

himself, was eaten by hyzenas, who just left the skull and a few bones.

Some of our advanced posts in the broken and elevated country on either side

of the Adhaim were much worried nightly by these beasts who stole many a live

sheep and, though shot at, always got away unscathed with their prey.

While in camp at Bait-al-khalifa from November 1917 till March 1918,

traces of hyzena were to be found everywhere in the broken country, ancient

ruins and in the steep banks of the huge and ancient Nahrwan Canal, from the

R. Adhaim to Daur which was as far North asI ever went. Reports of these

being seen on both banks of the Tigris in those parts by reliable observers were

quite frequent, though I never actually saw any myself.

CANIS AUREUS—The Jackal.—There is little for me tosay about this species

which I found exceedingly common both on the Tigris and Euphrates, wherever

T happened to be in camp from 1916 to 1918. I have no special notes on their

habits, except that I found them breeding freely in holes and’ mounds along the

banks of the Magasis and other canals just down stream of Kut-el-Amarah, on

the right bank of the Tigris during June 1916, when numerous litters of 5 or

6 cubs had just been born and the camps were full of youngsters kept by the

476 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

men as pets. Any scrub cover near the rivers and marshes, as well as the gardens

and cover in the vicinity of towns simply swarmed with jackals.

VULPES PERSICA—Persian Desert For.-—A very attractive and elegant little

creature, that I was always attempting to bring to bag, though I but rarely

succeeded. It seemed quite common wherever there were mounds, ancient

tumuli and canal banks, etc., and was found to be very plentiful in broken country

which was really suitable, such as in the vicinity of the Shatt-el-Adhaim.

Being nocturnal in habits one rarely saw them except in the early morning or

just before dark, though I have frequently caught them sunning themselves just

outside their earths during the middle of the day. Whereas the jackal often

had no alternative bolt holes, this species usually provides itself with one or

more. The best way to secure specimens was to lie up over an earth in the even-

ing and wait for them to emerge or try and catch the night reveller on his home-

ward journey in the early morning and evén then unless shot at close quarters

they frequently got in to their earths before dying.

LurTra LuUTRA—Common Otter.—This was an animal that I was particularly

anxious to secure in Mesopotamia, but I never even saw one, though I came

across their traces inthe Tigris near the R. Adhaim in September, October,

1917, and in the Euphrates and marshes in the vicinity of the Hindiyeh

Barrage during June and July of the same year.

JACULUS LoFTUSI—Loftus Jerboa.—During June and July 19161 found this

Species very common indeed on the bare ‘‘ pat ’’ plains near SHEIKH SAAD on the

Tigris, where we had one camp. Absolutely nocturnal in habits, they puzzled

our dogs tremendously and I never saw them get caught by a dog—in fact I have

frequently seen these little Jerboas leap right over their canine pursuers. Their

earths go steeply into the ground for 2 or 3 feet and the little creatures evi-

dently lie up all day in the cool, damp earth as I always noticed that captive

Specimens, of which we tried to keep many from time to time, suffered

tremendously from the great heat during the day, even when kept in the

coolest of places dug right into the grounds, so much so that we never

managed to keep any alive for morethana few days. They used to eat a

certain amount of grain and crushed barley. They stopped the mouths of their

earths by day and came out at dusk. Occupied earths during the day were

easily distinguishable by the numerous foot prints made the previous night and

one only had to pour a little water down the hole to flood out the owner, who

was at once bagged on appearing outside his earth. To see dozens of white

tail tips moving about jerkily in the dusk was really quite uncanny.

T also came across them less plentifully on the Euphrates at Feluja (March-April

—May 1917), Euphrates Barrage (June-July 1917), near Baghdad (August-

September 1917) and near R. Adhaim (September-October 1917). I believe

this species hibernates to a great extent during the winter months and heavy

rains but do not know whether they seal up the entrances of their burrows to

keep out the torrential rains.

N.B.—After writing my notes about JacuLus LoFtust, I re-read the B. N. H. S.

Journal’s introductory note and find that Mesopotamian specimens had only

been taken on the Euphrates side. The animals to which I refer are the “‘ Jump-

ing Jerboas ”’ and which I made no mistake about in each instance.

TATERA BAILWARDI—Bailward’s Gerbil.—There is little that I know of this

Species except that they were common in a colony in damp ground at the edge

of L. Akkarkuf near Baghdad in July-August-September 1917. I used to

catch them by flooding out their holes, but it was not too easy and I think their

burrows go fairly deep and long, also as far as I can remember these earths did

not have the entrances stopped with earth as in the case of Nesokia and Jacu-

lus, but here I am open to correction. They used to come out in daylight both

in the early morning and evenings and travelled over a good deal of ground

NOTES ON MESOPOTAMIAN MAMMALS. 477

during the night. Iused to shoot them witha *22 bore whenthey came out

of an evening.

NEsox1a puxtont—Burton’s Mole Rat.—I have little to add to Buxton’s

remarks, all of which apply to my own experience of these animals. My spcci-

mens were secured out of a colony who had their burrows on the foreshore of*

L, Akkalkuf-Baghdad. I frequently saw them excavating during the day in

July and August, and used to shoot specimens with a*22 bore in the evening.

when they came half out of their burrows inthe broad daylight, after I had

removed the loose earth from the entranccs.

Mus cENTILIs-—House Mouse.—Swarmed everywhere and in the vicinity of

camps and supply dumps multiplied exceedingly and very swiftly. Undoubtedly-

there were plenty present in the country originally, in the vicinity of towns and

Arab villages, but I am certain that any quantity were introduced amongst the

grain sacks and fodder, as well as tne wooden cases of provisions, which weie a

part of the army’s supplies. It was quite extraordinary the way in which a

camp or supply dump would be formed in the barren desert, and within a week

the place would be swarming with mice, as well as with large flocks of Passer

domesticus. Ishot many in my dug-out tent in various camps, but never kept.

any of the skins orskulls.

ACANTHION -(Sp.)—Porcupine.—I found this animal quite common in

the broken country on either side of the Shatt-el-Adhaim during September-

October and November 1917, but being entirely nocturnal I could never secure

a specimen, as the earths were.a long way in front of our night picquet line, and

also were driven into the sides of rocky mounds and the base of cliffs, and in

consequence were quite impossible to dig out. In November and December of

that year and in January and February 1918, I came across numerous earths in

the ancient ruins and steep banks of old canals all along the Tigris from the

Adhaim to Daur (15 miles North of Samarra) and there were at least half-a-dozen-

earths in the vicinity of our camp at Bait-al-Khalifa. All but one of these

were quite impossible to dig into and sitting up and waiting for the inhabitants

to emerge on the bitterly cold nights of the Samarra winter did not attract me,

especially as one could not have been certain of getting a shot as the animals did”

not come out every night.

However, I did try and dig out an earth which went deep into the ground

amongst hard stony ruins and lumps of gypsum and after two days hard work

captured the owners who were rather badly mauled in the process. I have al-

ready described, in a recent number of B. N. H. 8. Journal, the method by which

one of these captured, and no doubt terrified, beasts gave me an extraordinarily

powerful blow on ths leg. The 9 which was the bigger of the pair weighed 25 Ibs.

and the g 23 lbs., these weights being taken as they lay directly after they had

been killed. We eat them both and they were excellent. In the Adhaim area .

they used to come down and drink in the pools left in the otherwise dry bed of

the river ; near Barr-aL-Kuarira there was no water at all available for them,

except the nightly dew or when rain fell. From my observations it appeared

that these animals partially hibernate during the winter and most certainly do .

not leave their burrows every night. There are usually sevoral entrances to one

burrow, but as they are all quite close to each other, they can hardly be regarded

as bolt holes such as are usually utilized by Foxes.

_ LEPUS DAYANUS CONNORI—Connor’s Hare—I found this species very common _

wherever there was dry cover all along the Tigris as far North as Daur and on

the Euphrates from Feluja to Hit, th» only azea in which I served on the latter

river. They provided excellent sport if one had a gun and many were brought

to bag during January 1916 when my Regiment was marching up tho Tigris to .

the Kut relief operations,

A close. season was eventually instituted and I think these animals were pro- -

478 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

tected from March till end of August. I came across young ones in Apri! as well

as in July. Ths following bags may be interesting :—

SS1Q2NGi eas .- Near Kut el-Amarah ne Be Fic sane

10-11-13-1-17 aie do. y0 ete sc he ook

19-20-24-2-17 <e do. ae sé we Sc Se e26

4-3-17 “s ..Noar Aziziyeh (R. Tigris) Cs

2-3-7-17 .. .. Euphrates Barrage (Shot as N. H. Specimens) sae)

27-30-9-17 . .Shatr-el-Adhaim ia wa te he ee

6-7-10-16-10-17 .. do. ie ts “e A x0 oie

On 4th February 1918 near Samarra while on the march 3 hares broke through

our column and a sepoy killed one with the butt of his rifle. This specimen I

sent the B. N. H. 8. andat thotime Inoted that it was very rufous on the

flanks and had fine thick fur.

It was a very common occurrence when on the line of march for the pro-

tecting troops on the flanks to put up numerous hares which invariably became

completely bewildered and charged through the marching column. I frequently

noticed that when hares ran off across the open plain, they always lay up in the

first piece of cover, however small, or in a small ditch, nullah or broken piece of

ground whore they could ba at once followed up and brought to bag. Often one

tiny patch of open scrubby cover near tha river would contain the best part of

a dozen hares. In very thick cover they were scarce.

Fents CaRAcAL.—The Caracal,—I never saw any species of this animal in

Mesopotamia, but while in camp at Bait-al-khalifa, Samarra—a bit of a

naturalist amongst our Cis-frontier Pathans described an animal to me which

fitted in with the description of a Lynx or CaracaL, and which he said lived

in a den leading off a deep hole amongst the ruins, and he used to sit up by

night and try and shoot it. An animal of sorts did live there, but I am quite sure

it was not a Caracal, as the only food supply near by was one covey of see-see.

The only Caracal I shot in India was on the Indus near Dera Ismail

Khan. It was put up in thick cover where small game was abundant.

GazeLLa MARICA.—The Marica Gazelle.—As far as I can remember, not having

my complete diaries handy, I first of all came across a Gazelle in Mesopotamia

in the area between Baghdad on the Tigris and Feluja on the Euphrates, in

the middle of March 1917, but as I never secured any specimens I can offer no

remarks on their size, markings, or type of horns. Gazelle were also very plenti-

ful near Feluja, but west of the Euphrates, and evidently dropped their young

during April and early May, at which season the Arabs used to bring dozens round

our camps to sell to the troops as pets. As far as I could make out, single youngs-

ters were just as common as pairs. Out of a couple of dozen that I tried to bring

up with the aid of goats only two survived for any length of time, and in fact I

don’t think more than half-a-dozen was successfully reared in the whole brigade.

A large number died because they were brought in too young, and we eventually

discovered that the only hope of saving the youngsters was to turn them loose

with the foster mother and leave them to look after themselves entirely. They

began to graze very soon after they were born and quickly became exceedingly

tame. They strayed far when feeding, but a whistle would bring them galloping

and bounding in at once. To me, what was a most extraordinary thing, was the

way the little beggars swim. Two, that a Subadar of mine had successfully

reared, were out grazing near one of our posts which protected a bridge over a

large irrigation canal. The two Gazelle, who were then possibly 6 weeks’ old,

were feeding on the other side of the canal, which had steep banks over 30 feet

high, with a perpendicular drop of a few feet at the bottom and was 40 to 50

feet wide and about 10 feet deep. The Subadar whistled, and the little beggars

unhesitatingly plunged into the stream and swam across swiftly with the great-

est of ease! I was absolutely amazed at the performance. The little buck died

of some disease in the head or perhaps from some animals getting into the brain

NOTES ON MESOPOTAMIAN MAMMALS. 479

through the ears, when he was 2 months’ old, but I saved the doe, who became

very tame and made a charming pet, until she eventually died in Palestine in Oc-

tober 1918, after I had her nearly 18 months. They grazed freely on almost all -

desert grasses and herbage, this being their staple food, but they also liked

crushed barley, gram and dhall, as well as dried fruits, dates and sugar. Both

when young and full grown they uttered a peculiar gutteral grunt, like a very

bass and throaty “ ba-a”’ but clipped short. The Arabs told me that the does

always came in from the desert to drop their young in the cover and seclusion

of the spring crops near the river, and that was why they caught such large

quantities of the youngsters.

The young become very fleet of foot within a few days of being born, and then

are almost impossible to catch. In February 1918 when my doe was nearly a

year old, she was chased the best part of 10 miles out of camp by a couple of

Suigis (Persian Grey hounds). This was at 2-30 in the afternoon ; and at 7-30

the next morning she returned furtively to the camp, found my tiny tent and

tucked herself away in a corner under the bed for the rest of the day! Once

when I had been away for some weeks and returned to my company, her joy was

so great that she nearly choked herself in her anxiety to get to me, for in those

days, to prevent her wandering too far, I had her tied to her foster mother goat

by a 20 feet piece of rope. This Gazelle was very attached to her foster mother

and never left her up till the time she died, which I believe was due to influenza,

as it was during the great epidemic of October 1918. Curiously enough the foster

mother died a few weeks later.

GaAZELLA—Sp.—The first comment I wish to make on the B.N.H.S. Jour-

nal’s notes is that all the masks came from Samarrasc that the 6 labelled Meso-

potamia should really read Samarra, and their dates 15th and 20th January

1918, They were probably indifferently labelled by me and the date of receipts

in Bombay noted against them. It is most unfortunate that I should have sent

no skins when so many passed through my hands. Of course I imagined that they

were the Persian Gazelle, and consequently thought no more about the matter.

When out shooting I usually kept the heads and as the remainder of the party

preferred the skins, all were satisfied.

These Gazelles were found in vast and numerous herds ; on the undulating

plain 15 to 20 miles N. E. of Samarra I have often seen from 400 to 600 Gazelle

aiound us during January and February. Herds varied in size, from a dozen

to nearly two hundred animals. Several nice bucks would be found in quite

small herds, but large herds were chiefly composed of females, I never came

across any horned female ; and as recorded in your notes I, too, was much

struck by the extraordinary whiteness of the maskin the older animals. I

frequently went out with the L. A. M. B. Cars on patrol and, during halts when

the supply tenders were left behind, we used to hunt the Gazelle with light

Ford cars and sometimes even with motor cycles. The weapons used wero

shot guns, with the cartridges cut round the centre wad, so that the charge left

the barrel like a bullet, and it was a case of a “‘kill’’ or clean miss and no wound-

ing. The method adopted was to slowly follow a herd until right on their heels,

which could always be done by gradually closing up to the herd without really

frightening them. The car was then let out and the herd would bound off at top

speed—after a spell of this the bucks invariably left the herd and after them we

went, all out, until the shootable bucks were gradually worn down and overtaken

and then shot at afew yards range. I most strongly disapproved of the callous

and brutal method of chasing a herd in a car, and pumping lead indiscriminately

_into it with a magazine rifle, where far more animals were wounded and got

~-¢lean away, than were ever brought to bag. As might be expected they were

most excellent to eat. Some does that had been shot in the middle of J anuary

and which I examined contained embryos in the foetus stage. Some of the

larger heads I measured were 133”, 13”. 123”, 12”, 113”, 113”, 11”, 11’, 103”

480 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

and many smaller. Two cleaned carcase with the heads off, that I weighed, were

23 lbs. and 18 lbs.

Gazelles, whether of this or another species, were reported very plentiful in

the desert between Samarra and Tekrit on the right bank of the Tigris, but

I never saw any specimens, heads or skins.

Sus—Sp.—-Wild Boar.—I first came across the Wild Pig of Mesopotamia in

the thick, thorny and almost impenetrable scrub in some of the loops of

the R. Tigris on the right bank just downstream of Kut-el-amarah, at the

end of 1916 and early in ‘1917 ; but as they only came out of the cover by night

I failed to secure any specimens, though our patrols frequently saw the animals

after dark. During the pursuit to Bagdad of the defeated Turkish Forces in

March 1917, Pig were found plentiful on the left bank of the Tigris wherever the

cover was suitable and though I frequently saw them during my beats for Black

Partridge I never actually got ashot at any of them. There appeared to be none

on the Euphrates near Feiuja and the Hindiyeh Barrage, but probably the

cover was unsuitable. In July and August, 1917, I found them plentiful on a

small scrub cover island in the middle of the Tigris, a few miles downstream

of Baghdad. At that time of the year, the river was so low that on the east

the island was joined to the left bank by a broad, muddy depression in which a

few shallow pools were situate. At night the Pig used to come and drink

from these pools as well as from the river itself on ‘the west. On several occa-

sions on moonlight nights I sat up in “ hides ’’ near the river and pools to try

and shoot one of these animals, but met with little success.

_ In September and October 1917 we used to ride them in the country near the

Shatt-el-adhaim and have great sport, while also a good many were shot.

They seemed to run bigger than the Indian Boar, and were very plentiful. At

this time of the year there were many sounders of half grown pigs. These ani-

mals were quite easy to shoot at night, as there were only a very few pools where

they came to drink, but by day they were hard to turn out of the cover, which

was so thick and thorny as to be quite impenetrable in many places. I once

put up a very large grey Boar by day, but could not get hold of a rifle in time

to have a shot at him. In the early mornings shortly after dawn one used to

see small parties returning over the plain to thick scrub and cover in the bed of

the Adhaim. Ishould have secured afewskulls, but the third element amongst,

my men, usually smashed them upandeat them. It ought not to be very hard

to secure specimens and skulls for examination.

In early 1918 we found Pig plentiful in the thick scrub on the left bank of the.

Tigris near Daur (North of Samarra).

481

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES.

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

(With 3 Text-figures).

(Continued from page 122 of this Volume).

PaRTe AO],

Genus—ANACIZESCHNA,

aune ee eee

Sogesavessone

ose

‘

SSE EES Rs

BS (\ Ry oS,

CNT ROAXD ai

a OCHO St

FEI its oy R

ESS { s

Fig. 1. Wings of Anaciceschna jaspidea (x 2°6).

Anacieschna, Selys, Mitth Mus. Dresd. iii. p. 317 (1878) ; Bull, Acad. Belg-

(3) v.p. 729 (1883) ; Laidlaw, Rec. Ind. Mus. Vol. xxii, p. 87 (1921) ;

Martin, Cat. Coll. Selys, p. 30, fig. 25 (1909), Aeschnines, Xiky xx.

Head large, eyes globular and broadly contiguous; occipital triangle very

small.

Wings broad, apices a little rounded, reticulation moderately close or close,

trigones elongated, of 4 to 6 cells, cubital space and hypertrigones with many

transverse nervures, median space entire, Rs (5th nervure) bifurcated just below

the inner end of stigma which latter is long, narrow and well braced, nodal

sector (4th nervure) making an abrupt curve towards the costa at the outer end

of stigma, this curve well marked in jaspidea less so in donaldi, 3to 4 rows of

482 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII’

cells between Rs and Rspl, membrane large and prolonged nearly as far as the

anal angle, base of hindwing in the male excavated slightly but nearly straight,’

anal triangle of 3 cells.

Abdomen long and cylindrical, oreillets small, triangular, their posterior

margin dentate ; 10th abdominal segment with a small, median, dorsal tubercle,

only vestiges of lateral abdominal ridges on segments 4 to 7.

Anal superior appendages long and lanceolate, the inferior subtriangular.

Bor@er of 10th abdominal segment in the female subrotundate and subdenticulate

beneath ; anal appendages in the same sex lanceolate and foliate.

Only two species of this genus are known, of which the male of one is unknown.

Anaciceschna jaspidea is the type of the genus and Anacieschna donaldi of

which only the female hasso far been discovered differs from it only by the

reticulation being more close and the nodal sector making only a slight but

noticeable curve towards the stigma. Until the male is found, this species can

only be placed provisionally in the genus.

Anacieschna bears a close relationship to Anax, the shape of the base of the

hindwing and the curve of the nodal sector beneath the stigma approach that of

Anaz whilst the partial obliteration of the lateral, longitudinal ridges on segments

4 to 8 bring it into near relationship with Hemianax. The presence of oreillets

on the sides of segment 2 and the forking of Rs however connect it more closely

with Aeschna. The genus must be regarded as the connecting link between two

Jarge groups.

Anacieschna donaldi, sp. nov.

Female only known. Abdomen 53 mm. Hindwing 47 mm.

1 female, Kodaikanal, 6,800’ May 1908, (teneral), 1 female from same locality,

September 1921, and two others in October 1921, coll. T. B. Fletcher, 1 female,

Yercaud, coll. T. N. Hearsey, September 1921, several females seen and taken,

Ootacamund, September 1921.

Head. Eyes dark olivaceous brown. the posterior border finely above, more

broadly below apple green ; labium and labrum brown, face and frons olivaceous

‘with shadings of blue ; above the frons greenish-yellow marked with a broad,

dark brown “ T.”

Prothorax dark brown coated with a faint, bluish bloom; posterior lobe

simple, rounded and fringed with long hairs.

Thorax rich maroon brown especially on the front of dorsum, marked with

brilliant apple green as follows :—2 linear, transverse spots on the interalar

sinus, a hook-shaped mark and a small spot on the tergum at the base of the

forewings and 2 similar spots at the base of the hindwings. On the sides a

moderately broad stripe between the two lateral sutures and an isolated,

triangular spot at its upper end and a broad stripe occupying the posterior

half or two thirds of the metepimeron.

Legs entirely black. Posterior femora with a row of very closely set, very

minute spines.

Wings saffronated throughout, very deeply so in the teneral specimen from

Kodaikanal. At the bases of both wings is a deep, diffuse smoky brown mark-

ing not quite reaching the costa in front and limited posteriorly by the anal vein

but extending into 3 cells of the anal triangle. Outwardly this mark extends to

rather beyond the arc.

Stigma yellowish brown; membrane black, white at the base. Noda

8—19 19—10 : ‘ : :

index :— nD Tap } trigones traversed 4 times in the forewing,

3in the hind, in all, the proximal nervure is joined to the base of the trigone

by a connecting nervure; 8 to 9 cells in the loop; Rs forked about one cell

proximal to the inner end of the stigma in the forewing, 3 cells in the hind ; 3

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 483

cows of cells between Rs and Rspl, 7 cubital nervures in the forewing, 5 in the

hind,

Abdomen tumid at the base and gradually tapering to the end. Dark blackish

brown marked on the first 3 segments with bright apple green and on 4 to 7

obscurely at the sides with pale yellowish brown. In teneral specimens these

spots are pale yellow. Segment 1 has an apical, triangular green mark, segment

2 a small round, dorsal spot on the basal half of the mid-dorsum, a larger, trian-

gular, dorsal spot on the apical half and the sides very broadly apple green,

segment 3 has the sides broadly at the base of the same colour, this tapering

gradually to the extreme apex.

Anal appendages short and lanceolate. Dentigerous plate closely similar

to that of Anax, coated with minute denticles.

Hab. Breeding in still water in the lakes at Kodaikanal, Ootacamund,

Lovedale and Yercaud. I have provisionally placed this species in genus Anaci-

eeschna for reasons mentioned above. No less than 10 females have been seen,

all ovipositing by Messrs. Bainbrigge-Fletcher, Hearsey and myself, but none

of these were accompanied by the male. Mr. H. V. O’Donel states that Anaci-

eschna jaspidea in Bengal is a night-flyer but neither Mr. Fletcher nor I have

detected donaldi flying at dusk and indeed the nights are too cold as a rule for

these insects to be onthe wing. Personally I have searched neighbouring jungles

during the day and attempted to beat up the males but without any success.

Mr. Bainbrigge-Fletcher and myself have found a very fair number of exuvia

clinging to sedges alongside the respective lakes mentioned so that the insect

cannot be scarce. The females not uncommonly prefer to oviposit at the out-

let of lakes and Mr. Fletcher suggests that the larve prefer slow running water to

one that is entirely stagnant, but Mr. Hearsey and myself have seen them oviposi-

ting in tanks without any outlet. I watched one particular female for half an

hour inserting its eggs into the broad leaves of water lilies well inside the cup

formed by the curled up edge of the leaf, but usually they descend into the water

until almost up to the thorax.

The larvae when young are very black and keep to grassy shallows on the edge

of the tanks and are not difficult to obtain. The full grown larva judged by the

exuvium is considerably smaller than that of A. immaculifrons measuring only

35 to 38mm. The sides of the 6th to 9th segments end in robust spines. The

mask which is very similar to that of A. immaculifrons exterds to the bases of

the middle pair of legs. Specimens sent to me from Kodaikanal by Mr. Bain-

brigge-Fletcher are pigmented black and very clean, whilst those from the

Lovedale lake are rust-red due to a protococcus which colours the floor of the lake

asimilar colour and must serve admirably for purposes of concealment.

Anaciaschna jaspidea, Burm. Handbk. Ent., ii. p. 840. n. 16 (1839); Aschna

jaspidea, Burm., Handbk. Ent., ii., p. 840. n. 16 (1839) ; Anaa: jaspidea,

Brauer, Reise, d. Novara, Neur. p. 63 (1866); Anaz jaspideus, Hagen,

Verh. Zool. bot. Ges. Wien, xvii, p. 32 (1867); Zschna_ tahitensis,

Brauer, Verh, Zool. bot. Ges. Wien, xv. p. 907 (1865) ; Reise, d. Novara,

Neur. p. 73 (1866), Hagen. 1. c. p. 48 (1867); Anacieschna jaspidea,

Selys, 1. ce.

Male. Abdomen 47 mm. Hindwing 42 to 46 mm.

Head large and globular ; face narrow, yellow ; frons of the same colour but

the crest marked with a moderately broad, brown line ; occiput yellow. Labium

and labrum ochreous.

Prothorax bright yellow, especially the posterior lobe which is very large and

rounded.

Thorax pale reddish brown, the dorsum ochreous and the sides marked with

2 broad, greenish yellow stripes, the first rather nearer the humeral suture than

the lateral, the second covering practically the whole of the metepimeron, There

484 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

is also a vestigial, humeral line represented by a small, triangular spot at the

upper part of the humeral area.

Abdomen tumid at the base, the 8rd slightly constricted and thereafter

cylindrical and parallel sided as far as the anal end. Ground colour ochreous

brown marked with yellow as follows :—The sides of segments 1 to 3 with a

moderately broad, lateral stripe not reaching below, a basal spot of yellow on

segment 1. Segments separated by black annules, segments 4 to 8 with lateral

whitish blue stripes not extending as far as the apex of the segments, lessening

in size on segments 6 and 7. Segments 6 to 10 have apical, subdorsal spots of

the same colour which increase rapidly in size on the latter 3 segments. The

dorsum of these 3 segments is a much darker brown than the preceding.

Legs black, the, trochanters, coxze and proximal part of the femora reddish

brown.

Anal appendages dark brown, the superior razor shaped, the basal fifths narrow,

the apical three fifths strongly ribbed on the dorsal surface in its length, this rib

ending at the apex in a robust sharp hook.

The blade portion of the appendage is coated with long, inwardiy directed

hairs. Inferior appendage triangular, four fifths the length of the superior, turn-

ing up at its end.

Wings hyaline, the subcostal space in the forewing as far as the node and the

cubital space for about halfway to the trigone palely saffronated. The hindwing

similarly so as well as the anal triangle and a large area extending across the

wing from the trigone to the stigma. Stigma yellow or brownish yellow, mem-

: f 8--16 16— 9 A

brane grey, white at the base; nodal index :— 1 9 Wot 4 to5 cubital

nervures in the forewing, 3 to 4 in the hind, trigone in the forewing

traversed 3 to 4 times, 3 times in the hind, the proximal nervure in the trigone

of the forewing never connected to the base of the trigone by another nervure as

in donaldi, always so in the hind, reticulation closer than in donald?,

Female closely similar to the male, the ground colour being a paler brown.

The abdomen more tumid ai the base, not constricted at the 3rd segment but.

tapering gradually to the anal end. ‘he colouring on the sides of segments 1

and 2 spreads on to the dorsum. The spots on the other segments are rather

broader than in the male ane segment 10 is entirely yellow.

Anal appendages lanceolate, shorter than those of the male.

Dentigerous plate resembles closely that of Anax, the hinder border being

subrounded and its surface coated thickiy with minute denticles.

Hab. Mr. H. V. O’Donel informs me that in the Duars this species is a night

flyer. Before dusk it flies high but as night falls it descends to lower levels and

is seen skimming near the ground. Occasionally it comes to light.

The species appears to have a wide range, being recorded from Bengal, Upper

Burma, Java, Sumatra, Lombok, Borneo, Formosa and Tahiti.

Group—AISCHNA.

Under this heading I have grouped a number of genera which differ rather

widely in characters but all agree in having Rs (5th nervure) symmetrically

forked and Rspl (5a) and Mspl (7a) strongly concave towards Rs and M4 (7th

nervure) respectively so that the two nervures enclose 3 to 6 rows of cells.

Correctly speaking Anacieschna should be included in this group but on ac-

count of its intermediate characters I have preferred to assign it a position where

it links up the two groups Anax and Aeschna.

The eyes are large, more or less contiguous but usually Jess so than in Anaz ;

frons moderately broad, occiput usually small and simple; wings long and

broad, reticulation close, base of hindwing angulated or excavate in the

male ; dentigerous plate of female and anal appendages of the male markedly

specialized.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 485

Genus—A/scHna, Fabr.

Fig. 2. Anal appendages of (i) Hschna juncea, (ii) Aschna mixta, (iii)

Cephaleschna masoni.

fschna, Fabr., Syst. Ent., p. 424 (1775) ; Leach., Edinb. Encycl., ix, p. 137

(1815); Steph., Ill. Brit. Ent. Mand., vi., p. 82 (1836); Ill. Mag.

p- 126 (802) ; Selys, Mon. Lib. Eur., p. 98 (1840) ; Rev. Odon., p. 112

(1859) ; Bull. Acad. Belg., (3) v. p. 728 (1883); Ramb., Ins. Nevr., p.

192 (1842) ; Kirby, Cat. Odon., p. 86 1890); Laidlaw, Rec. Ind. Mus.,

Vol. xxii., p. 75 (1921).

Eyes moderately contiguous ; frons moderately rounded as seen from above;

occiput small or mediocre ; wings moderately broad and long, reticulation close

or moderately close ; trigones elongate, of 3 to 5 cells ; subtrigones entire or of

2 cells, cubital space and hypertrigones traversed several times, the latter rarely

free. 5th nervure (Rs) bifurcated after the level of or before the inner end of

stigma ; stigma short or long ; arcular (basal) space entire ; membrane variable ;

anal border of hindwing in thej;male excavated ; anal triangle long and narrow,

divided into 2 or 3 cells. Abdomen subcylindrical, generally tumid at the base

and constricted at the 3rd segment; anal appendages large or mediocre, sub-

lanceolate, the inferior long and narrow, subtriangular or a little truncate at the

end.

Female with the 10th abdominal segment subrounded below (the dentigerous

plate) subdenticulate or spined. Anal appendages variable.

Hab. Cosmopolitan. Type of genus, Aeschna, juncea, Linn.

Aschna mixta, Latr, Hist. Nat. Crust. Ins., xiii., 7, (1805); Charp. Hor.

Ent., 35 (1825); Charp,, Lib. Eur., 110 t. 19 (1840) ; Selys, Mon, Lib.

Eur., 102, (1840); id. Rev. Odon., p. 122 (1850); McLach. Cat. Brit.

486 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XX VILLI.

Neur., 15 (1870); Kirby, Syn. Cat. Neur. Odon., 88 (1890); Bath,

Handbook Brit. Drag. p. (1890); Lucas, Brit. Drag. p. 177 (1900)

Martin, Cat. Coll. Selys, Msch. xix-xx. p. (1909) ; Laid., I. c. p. 88

4ischna mixta, Hagen, Ent. Ann., 52 (1857).

Libellula coluberculus, Harris, Expos. Eng. Ins. 91, t. 27 £. i. (1782).

schna coluberculue, Kirby, Cat. Odon., (1890).

“Eschna affinis, Steph., Illus. Brit. Ent. Mand., vi., 85 (1830); Evans,

Brit Lib., 22 t. 12 f. 2 (1845).

schna alpina, Selys, Rev. Odon.* 125 (1850), id Rev. Zool , (1848) p. 16.

Male. Abdomen 45 mm. Hindwing 38 mm.

The name “ coluberculus’’ has priority of claim but as there is considerable

doubt as to whether Harris description was intended for “ miata” or ‘ juncea”

it seems better to adhere to “‘ mixta,” a name which has come into general usage.

Head: Labium ochreous ; labrum greenish yellow surrounded with a border

of black; epistome and frons greenish yellow, the upper surface of the latter

marked with a black ““T”’ mark. In front of the eyes is a black line confluent

with the stalk of the “T” ; vesicle and occiput yellow; eyes broadly conti-

guous, deep blue in the living state.

Prothorax dark brown, yellowish at the sides.

Thorax brown marked in front with a vestigial spot of yellow on each side,

the rudiment of an antehumeral stripe and on the sides by two broad, oblique

stripes of bright yellow. The tergum spotted with yellow at the bases of the

wings and in the middle line.

Legs robust, black.

Wings hyaline, costa brown, neuration black; stigma dark brown, 3-5 mm.

in length ; membrane white bordered with greyish, of moderate size.

Abdomen tumid at the base, constricted at the 3rd segment and then of uniform

width and cylindrical to the end, dark brown spotted with blue and yellow as

follows ;—1st segment brown on the dorsum, yellow on the sides, 2nd segment

with a narrow triangular, bright yellow mark on the basal half of the dorsum,

2 narrow, linear, transverse streaks at the middle, separated by but not confluent

with the first marking, apical half of the segment blue changing to yellow on the

sides, 3rd to 8th segments with 2 transverse streaks of blue about the middle of

segments separated by the dorsal carina, on the sides an elongate spot of blue

extending from the base for about two thirds the length of the segments, apically

large, dorsal, subtriangular spots of blue.

On segment 8 the lateral spot is very small, segment 9 has the apical spot but

not the other two, segment 10 has a lateral, squarish spot of yellow.

Anal superior appendages dark brown, flattened, sublanceolate, curled cork-

screw fashion, pointed at the end, coated with long hairs at the apical half.

Inferior pale yellowish brown, narrow, curling strongly up at the end, about four-

fifths the length of the superior.

Female somewhat similar to the male, differing as follows :—

Abdomen 48 mm. Hindwing 38 mm. :

Labium, labrum and face brownish yellow ; eyes greenish instead of blue.

Wings rounded at the anal angle. Abdomen more tumid at the base, not con-

stricted at the 3rd segment. 2nd segment without the blue on dorsum and

the spots on other segments greenish yellow instead of blue.

Anal appendages long, lanceolate, blunt at the end, without the hairy coating

except for the marginal fringe. Dentigerous plate short, its posterior border

quite straight, coated with minute, black denticles.

‘ 9-15 | 15-8 9-15 | 14-8

Nodal index -—i9.9 | 9-10 9-9 | 9-9

4 to 5 cubital nervures in both wings, 8 cells in the loop, hypertrigones traversed

once or twice in both wings.

trigones rather short, 4 cells in all,

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 487

Hab. Kashmir only, within Indian limits but elsewhere extending across

Europe and the British Isles. I have only seen British specimens of this species

but they do not differ in any way from that recorded from Kashmir. The species

has also been reported from North Africa.

Aschna juncea, Linn., Syst. Nat., i, 544, n. 10 (1758).

Aischna juncea, Steph., Illus. Brit. Ent. Mand., vi. 84 (1835), Evans,

Brit. Lib., 21, p, ii. f. 2 (1845.)

A’schna juncea, Selys, Mon. Lib. Eur., 106 (1840) ; id. Rev. Odon., 116

(1850) ; Hagen, Neur. N. Amer., 120 (1861); McLach., Cat. Brit.

Neur., 15 (1870); Kirby, Syn. Cat. Odon., p. 87 (1890) ; Lucas, Brit.

Drag. p. 189 (1900); Bath, Handb. Brit. Drag. p. (1890); Martin,

Cat. Coll. Selys., 4sch. xix, xx (1909).

Aischna juncea, Hagen, Ent. Ann., 53 (1857).

Libellula quadrifasciata, var. E. ocellata, Mull., Nov. Aet. Leop.-Carol

61 (1764).

Libelluia oceliata, Mull., Nov. Act. Acad. Leop -Carol., iii., p. 125 (1767)

4ischna ocellata, Hagen., Syn. Lib. Eur., 54 (1840).

Aischna rustica, Zett., Ins. Lapp., 1040 (1840).

Aischna picta, Charp., Lib. Eur., 112, t. 20 (1840).

4ischna caucasiaca, Selys, Rev. Odon., 300 (1850).

Aischna propinquia, Scudd., Proc. Bost. Soc. N, H., x,, 215, (1866).

Male. Abdomen 55 mm. Hindwing 45 mm.

Head. Labium orange, sometimes bordered with dark brown, labrum yellow,

bordered finely at the base and free border with brown ; lower epistome and frons

bright yellow, the suture between them marked out in black; upper surface of

frons bearing a black “‘ T”’ shaped mark which spreads forwards over the crest ;

vesicle bright yellow ; occiput yellow ; eyes deep sea blue.

Prothorax brown with a yellow posterior lobe.

Thorax dark brown marked with 2 narrow, antehumeral bright yellow stripes

and 2 moderately narrow, greenish yellow stripes on the sides both bordered

narrowly with black ; attachments of wings spotted with yellow ; tergum spotted

with blue,

Legs black, bases of anterior pair of femora yellow.

Wings hyaline, occasionally faintly enfumed ; costa bright yellow, reticulation

black ; stigma narrow, about 4.2 mm. in length, yellowish brown ; membrane

short and broad, nearly quadrilateral, not extending as far as the nervure which

traverses the anal triangle transversely, its base white, otherwise ashy; anal

12-19 | 18-11

14-12 | 13-13,

forewing traversed 3 times, twice in the hindwing, the basal nervure in each

case connected to the base by a transverse nervure; 10 to 13 cells in the loop ;

cubital nervures in the forewing 6, in the hind 5; hypertrigones traversed 3 to

4 times in the forewing, twice in the hind; 3 rows of cells between the

bifurcation of Rs (5th nervure) and 4 to 5 between Rs and Rspl (5th and 5a

nervures).

Abdomen tumid at the base constricted at the 3rd and thereafter cylindrical

and of even width to the end, blackish brown marked with yellow and blue as.

follows :—Ilst segment with a transverse subbasal streak of blue and a lateral,

streak of yellow on the sides, 2nd segment with a bright yellow and a linear

transverse streak of the same colour cn either side of it, apically a large spot of

blue on either side separated by the dorsal carina and connected with a bluish

and yellow spot lower down on the side, 3rd to 8th segments with fine, linear

transverse, yellow, dorsal streaks situated slightly nearer the base than the apex

large, apical subdorsal, subtriangular, blue spots and 3 lateral spots of yellow

or greenish blue ; on the 3rd segment the basal one of the latter 3 spots is very

triangle with only 2 cells; Nodal index :— trigones in the

488 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

farge and clear blue in colour, on the 8th segment, the apical spot is usually

absent and the 9th and 10th segments have only the blue, apical, subdorsal spots.

Anal appendages dark brown, sublanceolate, strongly ribbed, pointed at the

end, The inferior appendages are about three-fourths the length of the superior

and narrowly triangular.

Female very similar to the male, differing as follows :—eyes an emerald green;

abdomen very tumid at the base and not constricted at the 3rd segment; the

spots on the abdomen which are blue in the male are apple green in the female.

Anal superior appendages shorter, lanceolate. Dentigerous plate similar to that

of A. mixta.

Hab. I record this as within Indian limits on the strength of a single male

specimen in the British Museum labelled from Kashmir. I see no reason why

this should not be correct as outside Indian limits A. juncea is found through-

-out Central and Northern Europe and it may very naturally spread through-

out Central Asia and Siberia.

The species closely resembles A. mixta from which it may be distinguished

by the shape and size of the membrane. In mizta it extends along the base of

the wing to beyond the transverse nervure of the anal triangle, whilst in juncea

it stops well short of this nervure. The anal triangle in mizta has 3 cells, and

only 2 in juncea. .

Aschna ornithocephala, MacLach., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), xvii, p.

368 (1896) ; Martin, Cat. Coll. Selys, Aesch., p. 63, fig. 59; Laid., Rec.

Ind. Mus., Vol. xxii, p. 88 (1921).

ee See e

ae eg: pel IV

Fig. 3. Anal appendages of (i). schna erythromelas, (ii). Fischna petalura.

ili). Anacieschna jaspidea, (iv). Aischna ornithocephaia.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES, 489

Male. Abdomen 56 mm. MHindwing 46°5 mm.

Head. Eyes olivaceous green, very broadly continguous ; occiput very small,

black ; vesicle black; labium bright ochreous ; labrum bright green bordered

with bright ochreous ; face and frons bright green, the latter deep brownish

black above.

Prothorax brown.

Thorax maroon brown marked with sage green as follows :—narrow, antehu-

meral bands, moderately broad posthumeral bands and the whole of the

metepimeron.

Wings hyaline, but slightly enfumed throughout ; nodal index:— 14-17 18-12

13-12 11-14

trigone in forewing made up of 3 cells, in the hind 2 ; cubital nervures in the fore-

wing 5, 3 in the hind ; anal triangle with 3 cells, the loop with 5 ; Rs. (5th nervure)

bifurcates at the outer end of the stigma and encloses a double row of cells ;

stigma rather small, 2°5 mm. brownish black ; membrane ashy white with a

streak of brown at its attached border.

Legs reddish brown, the middle and hind femora with a row of small, very

closely set spines, tarsal spines long and numerous, claw hooks robust, situated

about the middle of the claws.

Abdomen a little tumid at the base, only very slightly constricted at the 3rd

segment. Oreillets moderately large. General colouring blackish brown marked as

follows:—a broad band of sage green extending along the sides of the Ist, 2nd and

basal fourth of the 3rd segment, an apical, transverse stripe of green on the Ist

segment, a dorsal stripe of the same colour on the 2nd somewhat constricted at

its middle, apical green annules on the 3rd to 8th segments and_ dorsal green

triangles on the 3rd to 7th. Segments 9 and 10 are unmarked.

Superior anal appendages of curious shape, petiolated at the base and broaden-

ing rapidly afterward, the end somewhat quadrate and furnished with a robust

spine which is directed inward and backward. This portion has been compared

to the head and beak of a bird from which the insect derives its name. Brownish

black, furnished with rather long hairs. The inferior appendage about three-

fourths the length of the superior, triangular, curving strongly throughout its

length. The dorsum of the 10th segment is furnished with a robust spine.

Females differing rather widely from the male, and of much more robust build.

The markings on the thorax and abdomen are similar but the dorsal markings

of the abdomen are yellow instead of green, the lateral markings being green

only as in the male.

Abdomen 52 mm. Hindwing 51 mm. The ratio of the wing and abdominal

lengths is nearly the same here, whereas in the male there is a difference of 10

mm.

Face and frons olivaceous green with a tinge of ochreous ; eyes deep brown.

Ground colour of the abdomen a rich reddish brown ; legs black, the bases of

femora reddish.

_ Wings very broad, the tormnus rounded. Hyaline but the area extending

from a little proximal of the node to the distal end of the stigma a moderately

deep smoky brown. stigma nearly black; membrane white. Loop with 7

14-2)119-17

to 8 cells; hindwing has 4 cells in the trigone ; nodal index :— ——-|-——,

17-14) 13-14

6 and 4 cubital cells in the fore and hindwings respectively, other features as

for the male.

Dentigerous plate rounded, flattened and deflected posteriorly, the ovipositor

passing through it. Its border, furnished with a few scanty spines and its in-

ferior surface with smaller spines,

490 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Anal appendages short, narrow and _ lanceolate.

Hab. This and the following species, as well as the whole of the species of

Gynacantha are alike in possessing the curious habit of ovipositing in dry earth.

Dr. Laidlaw quotes an interesting note made by Dr. Annandale on a number of

females which he observed ovipositing in dry, earthy banks about one to two feet

above water level. Five or six eggs were deposited with great rapidity in each

spot. The anal appendages in this species are very short and so are not liable

to damage whilst performing this operation as they are invariably so, in the

Gynacantha. The dentigerous plate is employed by the insect to obtain a purchase

for the end of its abdomen whilst drilling the hole for each egg, the spines pre-

venting any slipping.

Tam indebted to Mr. H. Stevens for examples of this interesting and fine

insect. Darjiling District and Northern Assam are the districts to which

this insect is restricted.

Aschna erythromelas, MacLachlan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), xvii, p.

419 (1896), Martin, Cat. Coll. Selys, Aeschnines, p- 62, fig. 58. Laidlaw,

Rec. Ind. Mus., Vol. 88, p. 88, (1921).

Male. Abdomen 68 mm. Hindwing 53 mm.

Female. Abdomen 60 mm. Hindwing 57 mm.

Male. : Head. Labium, labrum and epistome

brown; frons olivaceous with a broad,

ill-defined, black, T-like mark on its upper

surface and slightly overlapping its anterior

surface ; eyes brown but probably greenish

during life, broadly contiguous; occiput

small, black.

Prothorax and thorax dark brown, the

latter with a green, antehumeral band on

each side and two very broad, similarly

coloured bands at the sides.

Legs black, the femora with reddish

spines.

Wings hyaline, the costa black; stigma

very small, black; membrane white ;

anal triangle with 3 to 4 cells; Rs (5th or

subnodal sector) forked at the level of the

inner end of the stigma and enclosing 5

to 6 rows of cells between it and Rspl (5a),

trigones with 5 to 6 cells in the forewing.

5 in the hind ; 4 to 5 nervures in the hyper-

trigone of forewing, 4 in the hind; nodal

17-24 26-17

index ;———-— --——_;; 11 cellsin the loop.

18-17 16-19

i. Terminal segments of abdo- Abdomen very long and _ cylindrical,

men of 4ischna erythromelas show- the base tumid, tapering rapidly from the

ing (a) dentigerous plate. 3rd segment, oreillets small. but pro-

ii. The same of schna orni- minent, lobes of the sexual organs on the

thocephala. 3rd segment prominent, quadrate. Colour

reddish brown marked with yellow as fol-

lows :—segment 1 has a fine, lateral, apical streak, segment 2 has 2 median.

spots, a fine yellow annule and the sides rather broadly yellow, segment 3 has

a continuation of the yellow on the sides, two median spots and an apical annule,

segments 4 to 7 have the same median spots and apical ring, segments 8 to 10

are unmarked. The latter segment has a blunt tubercle or low ridge on its dorsum

and its dorsal carina is pronounced.

INDIAN DRAGONFLIES. 491

Superior anal appendages black, seen from above they are spatulate and very

broad, seen in profile they are strongly curved especially at the ends. At the

base and beneath there is a robust tubercle and on the upper surface of the apex,

a small tubercle. The apical two thirds is thickly coated with long hairs on its

upper surface. The superior appendages equal in length to the last two abdominal

segments, the inferior rather more than half the length of the superior,

curving up strongly to meet the superior, its end furnished with a small, recurved

hook.

Female.

Very similar to the male but much more robust, the wings broader, the abdo-

men stouter and shorter relatively. The thorax reddish brown with the same

markings as for the male, the abdomen a rich ochreous or reddish orange. The

Ist segment on the dorsum and the base of the 2nd marked with green, all other

segments unmarked. The 8th, 9th and 10th segments are mostly black, the

ground colour exhibited only as spots of reddish.

Legs back, red at the base.

Anal appendages small, leaf-like pointed at the apex, black, a little longer

than the 10th segment and separated by a hairy protuberance.

The dentigerous plate prolonged into an acute arch through which the ovipositor

passes. Its free border below furnished with about 10 robust spines, its surface

free of spines.

Aschna petalura, Martin, Cat. Coll. Selys, Aeschnines, pp. 78-79, 1909.

Laid. Rec. Ind. Mus., Vol. xxii., p. 89, 1921.

Male. Abdomen 63 mm. Hindwing 53 mm.

-Head. Face and frons yellow, the latter with a badly defined, black T-shaped

mark above on a brownish background ; eyes large, broadly contiguous ; occiput

small black.

Thorax blackisk, marked with a yellow, antehumeral line on each side of the

dorsum and two very broad, yellow bands on each side. Legs black.

Wings hyaline ; stigma black, very smail ; trigone with 6 cells ; hypertrigones

traversed 5 times; forewing with 25 antenodal nervures and 15 postnodals ;

membrane yellowish white ; anal triangle with 3 cells ; Rs (5th or nodal sector)

bifurcating at the level of the inner end of stigma.

Abdomen cylindrical, slender, slightly tumid at the base and slightly con-

stricted at the 3rd segment. Dark brown marked with pale spots but slightly

apparent. The sides of the 2nd segment pale yellow and apical rings on segments

3 to 6. The 10th segment with a slightly elevated tubercle on the dorsum.

Anal superior appendages black, very hairy, petiolated in the basal fourth, then

broadening into a spatulate foliation, rounded at the apex. Inferior rather

more than half the length of the superior.

Female. Very similar to the male. Occipital triangle yeliow.

Thorax dark brown marked with a green antehumeral line on each side of the

dorsum and two broad yellow stripes on the sides.

Abdomen much stouter than that of the male, tumid at the base and cylin-

drical thereafter to the anal end, dark brown on the dorsum, paler low down on

the sides. Marked with pale brown or yellow spots as follows :—Ist segment

yellow on the dorsum, 2nd segment with a basal, dorsal triangle, 2 transverse

stripes about the centre of the dorsum separated by the dorsal crest and finally

an apical ring of yellow broken by the dorsal crest, segments 3 to 7 with the

same dorsal stripes in the middle of the segment and the apical ring, segments

4 to 7 have additional dorsal points of yellow, 8 has only the apical annule which

is broadly broken by the dorsal crest, 9 has some yellow on the lower part of

the sides and 10 is unmarked.

Anal appendages similar to the male but larger and broader.

Wings saliated; stigma brown, very small ; trigone of forewing with 5 cells, 4

492 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

in that of the hind; Rs bifurcated a little before the origin of the stigma; membrane

large, yellowish white ; hypertrigones traversed 3 times; nodal index :—

12-19 | 20-14

16-14 | 16-18

Hab. Darjiling District and Khasia Hills. I have not seen a specimen of

this insect which must be very rare or local. Concerning it Dr. Laidlaw states

that it is scarcely a true Aeschna giving as reasons the difference between the

trigones in the fore and hindwings and also the few rows of cells (3 rows only)

between Rs and Rspl (5th nervure and 5a).

Aschna annulata, Fabr. Ent. Sys. supp. (1798).

The type of this species has been lost and it is doubtful as to which species

Fabricius referred. His description is meagre :—size median, head obscurely

yellow, thorax brown and hairy, abdomen cylindrical, pale yellow with the

margins of segments black. Legs yellow.

, reticulation open.

Hab. India.

Aschna, sp. nov. B. M. No. 98/242, Sikkim, 2,000’, June 1895, coll. J. G.

Pilcher.

I have seen a single female of a species of Aeschna in the British Museum indi-

cated from Sikkim which does not belong to any described species. The altitude

given is obviously wrong.

The following is a description of the insect but I regret that at the time of

examining it I failed to note the character of the dentigerous plate.

Female. Head—Face and labrum bright yellowish green variegated with lines

ef bright ochreous ; labium yellow with a spot of greenish in the middle ; frons

with a broad, black crest; occiput simple, brown bordered with dirty yellow.

Thorax brown or it may have been dark green during life, marked with 3 fine,

black lines on the humeral and lateral sutures, the middle line being incomplete

in its upper half. The front of thorax marked with dark green antehumeral

bands,

Abdomen dark brown marked with blue, this latter has a large apical, dorsal

spot on each segment from 3 to 7 on each side of the dorsal carina which barely

separates the two. The remainder of the abdomen is unmarked, probably the

spots having faded from decomposition.

Anal appendages short, lanceolate, brown.

Wings hyaline but a little enfumed and saliated ; stigma reddish brown, 3.5

mm.; membrane ashy white at the base, pale brown along the lower border ;

trigone with 6 cells in the forewing, 5 in the hind; all hypertrigones traversed

15-23 | 24-18

-——— ; loop with 10-17 cells; 7 to 8 cubital

19-16 | 17-19

4 times; nodal index :—

nervures,

(To be continued.)

493

NOTES ON SOME LIZARDS, FROGS AND HUMAN BEINGS IN THE

NILGIRI HILLS.

Con. F.. Wau, I. M.8.,.¢. M. 2.8

LACERTILIA.

Chameleo calcaratus.x—The Indian Chameleon.

Tsaw several specimens of this lizard, chiefly at low elevations (below 3,000 fect).

It ascends to the height of Coonoor (6,200 feet) and possibly above this. When

molested it hisses loudly and bites a stick or other object with great malice. A

lady brought me one that she encountered on the road to Lamb’s Rock, It

made so much noise and was so menacing that her rickshaw cooly was scared and

refused to go further. Not knowing in the least what she was dealing with, she

endeavoured, in spite of her alarm, to catch it, and finally succeeded single-handed

in getting it into her semi-closed umbrella. Here it swore audibly all the way

back and although the cooly had strenuously opposed rendering any assistance in

the capture he demanded extra “ bakshish ” for his courage (?) in conveying

this additional and unexpected passenger home. I liberated it, and watched

its slow and measured ascent into the branches of a nearly leafless tree. Here

it remained all day, an object of interest to every one in the Hotel. It had dis-

appeared next morning. The male claspers of one I killed were cylindrical and

not bifurcated.

Draco dussumiert.—Dussumier’s Flying Lizard.

I only saw one of these interesting creatures actually in flight. This was at

- about 3,000feet elevation. After a volplane, the commencement of which I did

not witness, it alighted audibly on the trunk of a tree about ten feet from the

ground. I had aside view of the flight, and noticed that there was no actual

ascent at its termination, but a slight apparent ascent owing to the lizard con-

verting a horizontal posture into a vertical one, as it came to rest.

Charasia dorsalis.

This lizard is extremely common all over and above Coonoor. It is dark

brown dorsally, and harmonises with the rocks which form its home. It is very

active and wary and disappears into any convenient cranny when approached.

The body is remarkably depressed and this enables it to secrete itself in extremely

narrow fissures. The male when excited assumes a black hue, and exhibits a

bright pink moustache stripe, which makes it a very striking object. It is very

difficult to capture. One that I shot lost its beautiful colouration as if by magic,

and I could hardly believe it to be the same creature whose beauty had arrested

my attention a few seconds before.

The brilliancy of colour appears to be a2 demonstration of excitement, and, as

in many other lizards, is only exhibited by the male. Some naturalists would

have us believe that, as in the case of brillant plumage in birds, it has been

evolved by natural selection, the female selecting the male as her mate who has the

most brilliant display at his command. This beautiful theory is on a par with

a great many other theories elaborated with great ingenuity by modern natura-

lists. It is pure nonsense in the case of lizards, and ifso in lizards, why not in

birds ? The fact is that with lizards the females make no choice. I have wit-

nessed on many occasions the act of mating among many lizards especially those

of the genus Calotes, many of which display very brilliant colours. The male

with flaming head (in the case of C. versicolor) on sighting a female rushes upon

her. She scuttles away as fast as she knows how, but is overtaken, overpowered

and ravished in the most flagrantly brutal fashion, In such circumstances bow

494 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

can the flaming head be claimed as a lure or charm? On the contrary past

experience must make this a warning colour to the female, and obviously does,

because she flees precipitately before it. The modern naturalist of the

“* warning colour school ” having read this will assuredly sit at home, and concoct

a wonderful story as another proof of his pet theory.

Many modern naturalists—Cabinet naturalists chiefly—remind me of the Greek

philosophers who were regarded as omniscient. One of these—Socrates I think

it was—explained honey dew as “the sweat of the heavens, the saliva of the stars,

or a liquid formed by the purgation of the air”! It is difficult to imagine that

the credulity of the people contemporary with him was such that it could be

imposed upon by such an oration. One would suppose that even a person of

dull perceptions would ask why the heavens only sweated beneath trees, or why

the stars salivated so copiously in the day time or again what agent caused the

purgation of the air, Any moderately endowed observer of the times would, if

he had examined the trees, have discovered the real cause—the aphis. It does

not need a microscope to reveal its presence, but is easily seen by the naked eye.

The philosopher you will notice was wily enough to add two alternatives, in case

the first did not carry conviction. It appearsto me many modern naturalists

are as ingenious and cryptic as the said Socrates, and they are contemporaneous

with a public just as gullible and capable of swallowing a camel as a gnat, as

the public of his day.

Salea horsfieldiimHorsfield’s Lizard.

This is a very common species below the altitude of Coonoor. Under excite-

ment the male is an extremely beantiful object, being of an intensely brilliant

verdant green dorsaily, merging to yellow on the head. The gular pouch is a

brilliant yellow, and the belly pearly-white.

Gonatodes jerdoni.—Jerdon’s Gecko.

This dusky little gecko may be more abundant than it appears. I only saw

three, and allin the same spot. I noticed one day a movement on a mossy wall

behind the notice board opposite the Post Office at Coonoor. A cautious

approach and careful inspection revealed a gecko quite new to me. A smart

stroke and “father” was beneath my hand. A further scrutiny and I noticed

another. “‘ Father” having been transferred to my left, I made another quick

stroke with my right hand and “‘ mummy” was struggling beneath. Further

search disclosed the pride of the parents. “ Mummy” joined “ father ” in my

left, another stroke and I had the whole family.

At this juncture I found myself the centre of a gaping crowd, numbering two

policemen—evidently thinking I had evil designs on the notice board—half a

dozen rickshaw coolies, as well as ayahs and babies, and, as luck would have it,

a lady acquaintance passing by extended her hand which I was unable to grasp,

‘having none to offer, both being engaged by my struggling captives.

These are very trying moments in a naturalist’s life !

BATRACHIA.

Genus IXxALus.

Izalus variabilis —The Common Castanet Frog.

Even the most uninterested and unobservant visitor to the Nilgiri Hills cannot

fai! to notice and remark upon the multitudes of clap-like sounds that emanate

‘from every bush during the rains. Most visitors no doubt not only remark upon

them but wonder what sort of creature produces them.

Having some knowledge of Batrachians I expected to find they were produced

by frogs, and I set to work to discover the species concerned. I found this by

no means the easy task I had expected, although the sounds reached me from

‘far and near on every side. As soon as I directed my attention to one individual

SOME NOTES ON LIZARDS, FROGS AND HUMAN BEINGS. 495

spot, and cautiously approached it, the sound so often repeated suddenly ceased.

At this stage the frog forgets all about his lady love to whom his song is addressed

and like ‘‘ brer rabbit lies low and says nuffin.” A contest of patience would then

ensue between us, the frog remaining silent and I immobile, he waiting for me

to go, and I pretending I wasn’t there. The frog won every time. My patience

exhausted, I listened attentively to another vocalist and tried to track him down.

At close quarters I would scan the ground and the foliage for a moment for a

glimpse of him, but unsuccessfully. This went on for some days. At intervals

T would stand out in the rain, in view of other visitors in the hotel, peering into a

hedge apparently at nothing. This behaviour aroused suspicion among certain

visitors who did not know me and my ways, and my sanity was questioned. At

last after repeated failures I offered a reward of four annas to any one who could

find the mysterious ventriloquist, and in a few minutes all the idle rickshaw

coolies in the hotel were on the warpath after the elusive little creature. After

the lapse of a considerable interval one man brought me a tiny little frog

about an inch long which was obviously a tree frog from its dilated

toes. Later another of the same kind was brought and then as if by magic every

cooly had a dozen or so to offer me, Then I sallied forth to learn the secret of

their discovery. At the back of the hotel was a narrow little water channel that

flowed into a masonry catchpit for the use of the malis when watering the garden.

At the edge of this little channel were many arum lilies, and if one searched these

plants systematically a frog was sure to be disclosed in one of the hollow stems

just above where it clasps the root. I also found it in other similar plants such

as wild ginger, and caladiums. Having collected several specimens in various

jars, and given them foliage and water, my next concern was to hear what sounds

would emanate therefrom, but they remained strangely silent all day. Prison

quarters were evidently not conducive to love making. At night I placed the

jars close to my bed and when the light was out, first one and then another

piped up and to my delight the author of the clapping notes had been

unmasked,

The next morning I identified the species as Ixalus variabilis. It is a pretty

little brown creature, one inch or slightly longer, with a shapely body, large

lustrous eye and very short, rather pointed snout.

The note in this particular species is a monosyllabic short, sharp clap, remind -

ing one of the noise made by a clapper to scare birds, or that made by castanets,

and is remarkably loud considering the diminutive creature that produces it.

It is certainly audible 30 or 40 yards away, and is produced by the male, who

blows out his vocal sac, so that his throat swells to the size of a small marble.

The sound is emitted when the sac is at its extreme limit of distension, and the

sac then collapses like a burst bubble. Ina few moments the vocalist again

inflates his sac and emits another loud clap.

During fine weather these sounds are not so much in evidence, but as soon as

it rains the comparative silence of the welkin is replaced by a clamorous out-

burst from every castanet frog, who endeavours to outrival his neighbours in

announcing his whereabouts to his lady love. At night a few desultory claps

are to be heard when fine, which swell to a tumultuous chorus with the advent

of a shower.

This little frog is so plentiful and so small that it forms the staple food of

most of the frog-loving snakes. It is a convenient size for small snakes to eat,

and many are not content ;with one fora meal, but swallow two or three at

a time.

The stomachs of those I opened were plentifully stocked. A caterpillar that

feeds on the arum is frequently taken. I found crowds of small spiders and

many dipterous insects, one in particular being a peculiarly bright iridescent

green species.

As regards matrimonial affairs I failed to elicit any thing. I never saw the

496 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII,

frog in water, but many females were heavily egg-bound in July and one is left.

wondering whether fertilisation is effected in that element or not.

Ivalus signatus.x—The X Castanet Frog.

This attractive little species resembles the last very closely. It is quite as

diminutive, brownish in colour, and is easily recognised by the large deep brown

X onits back. Like the last I found it difficult to locate. In fact I failed to

identify it from its note on my first visit to Coonoor. A second period of leave

in mid-September 1920 gave me another opportunity, and my efforts were

rewarded.

Though not nearly so numerous as Ixalus variabilis its voice could be heard on

all sides, and especially in gloomy dells, where tree ferns flourished. I found

as soon as 1 approached one too closely he became tongue-tied—something akin to

stage fright I suppose—and then the same contest of patience arose between us,

at which I had been so badly defeated by the last species, signatus proved him-

self as victorious an opponent as variabilis, and I wasted several days in wet

surroundings, and was bitten to pieces by mosquitoes, before success crowned

my eftorts. Then I adopted new tactics. My next manceuvre was to try and

locate the little beggar as near as possible, and then go in and boldly shake the

foliage, but there is something uncanny about the sound which makes one think

at one moment it is at ground level, at another in low foliage, and after again

twisting one’s head, somewhere at about the level of one’s face. My first success

was due to sheer luck. I was trying the patience ‘‘ stunt ”’ with one that I had

located in a flower bed but could not see. As I imagined it must be my visible

presence that scared the frog, I secreted myself behind the trunk of a convenient

tree within six feet from where I judged the sound to have emanated. After

a long spell just when I was beginning to think froggie had done me down again,

I was startled to hear a call close tomy head. I scanned that branch with every

care, but failed to see this little wizard of the bush. I then gave the branch a

brisk shake and something dropped on to the grass beneath. Was it a dead leaf ?

No, itmoved. Thank Heaven, it jumped! Beingin the open [had the advan-

tage, and a pretty little brown tree-frog was soon quartered in my match box.

With great satisfaction I returned to my dumb-struck friend in the flower bed

and started a systematic shaking of every plant, with the result that something

jumped out of a Chrysanthemum halleri. In half a second I was in the middle

of the bed. One second more and [had him. My match box was cautiously

opened, and number two with a good deal of persuasion ‘‘’a posteriori ’? owing

to the limited accommodation within, was securely imprisoned.

So much for the sport, but what of the “ kill sports ?” This scene was enacted

in Sim’s Park, the daily ‘‘ rendezvous”’ of multitudes of nursemaids with their

charges (every colour variety of both known to India). As soon as I took up my

quarters behind the tree I was evidently spotted by one of the lynx-eyed childzen

who communicated the intelligence to others. The result was they jumped to

the conclusion that I was playing a game of hide and seek, and they waited at

first to ascertain who the children could be who would do the searching part of

the business. No seekers arriving, curiosity impelled them to troop in twos and

threes past me, not once but many times. Then one of the nursemaids, who had

been for many minutes encircled by the stout arm of a ““Tommy” in a summer

house, was told, and there was a sudden “ break away’’, and both got up and

walked backwards and forwards in front of my tree, the Tommy trying to

reassure himself that I was not one of his officers doing a spy on him. Then the

policeman—usually a fixture at the gate—forsook his post, and peered at me, and

appeared very suspicious and haunted my near vicinity. Later on a mali joined

the policeman and there was much subdued conversation between them. When,

therefore, at the climax I had leapt into the flower bed, and had captured my

specimen, I found myself surrounded by all the “ kill sports ”’, and was in too

SOME NOTES ON LIZARDS, FROGS AND HUMAN BEINGS. 497

small a minority to attempt to repudiate being the cause of the damage done to

certain plants that was pointed out by the incensed mali to the policeman.

Moments like this cause me much distress !

Of course the malis in Sim’s Park are quite accustomed to small boys and girls

jumping into the flower beds, and a very rich torrent of vernacular abuse they

have at their command whenever they catch any of these little folk doing it, but

when one of the same malis finds a grizzle-headed, apparently sober, quinque-

genarian indulging in the same juvenile frolics, his indignation is such that his

jaws lock and his lips refuse to function. My hostile environment left me no

choice but to withdraw with as much nonchalance as I could assume, But I am

not good at this sort of thing,and find I cannot retire with any dignity on such

occasions. I never had any training for the stage. It is one thing to search for

a frog, but to find oneself—the pursuer—also being pursued and tracked down

by an uncouth specimen of Homo pithecops variety nilgiriensis—in other words

a hill cooly—is most humiliating. On my way home in my rickshaw I decided

there was nothing for it but to place Sim’s Park out of bounds for myself. I

was decidedly unpopular among the officials there. People who read

Natural History books have no idea at what cost the knowledge they contain

has been acquired. Somebody has got to actas Ido, or no Natural History

books would be written.

On my return to the Hotel my captives were placed in a salt jar and provided

with foliage and water and I awaited developments. Each frog took up his s2at

in the middle of a leaf, and indulged in those silent gargling efforts peculiar to

batrachians in general. At dusk suddenly one tuned up, I heard his tinkling

cadence, and saw his vocal sac expanded to the full, and it was no small satis-

faction to realise that I had solved the authorship of the notes that were so fami-

liar to me.

The call of this species is polysyllabic, and repeated from five to ten times at

the rate of about twice a second. The notes are “ staccato ” and uttered with a

slight tendency to “crescendo”. In quality they remind one of the sound pro-

duced by castanets and there is a slight musical ring not heard in the note of

variabilis. The notes commence when the vocal sac is almost at its maximum

distension.

Ivalus glandulosus.

I obtained one specimen of this species which I dislodged from beneath a

log at dusk on Adderley estate at about 4,500 feet elevation.

There is another polysyllabic note one can distinguish among the babel of

batrachian voices which probably emanates from another Jzalus, perhaps this

one but which I failed to trace to its origin. It is not so frequently heard as

the call of signatus. The notes are numerous and more rapidly uttered than

those emitted by signatus, and I hope to make the acquaintance of my unknown

friend on my next visit to Coonoor.

Micrivalus opisthorhodus.—The Pink-legged Frog,

A very pretty little batrachian is this species which is even more diminutive

than [xalus variabilis. Its most striking feature is the rosy colouration of the

backs of the thighs and the abdomen. It is fairly abundant at about 6,000

feet, but not nearly so common as the Jvalus just referred to. I found one

hopping about in the leaves in a dense jungle beyond Lamb’s Rock. I failed to

hear its vocal effort, and the elucidation of this must be left till another visit.

Genus Rana.

Rana limnocharis.—The Yellow-legged Frog.

This species common enough in the plains is also quite common at the altitude

of Coonoor, and is the prevailing species found in the ornamental piece of

water in Sim’s Park. In June it was very clamourous and evidently taking

498 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIIL

matrimonial matters very seriously. The back of the belly and thighs are

suffused with yellow. It is very frequently victimised by the snake Nerodia

piscator, less frequently by Amphiesma beddomei and A. monticola.

Rana temporalis.

An elegant frog that few people ever see owing to its shy and solitary nature

is Rana temporalis, a species that grows to about three inches in length. It is

not uncommon at about 6,000 feet. It is a beautiful uniform rich brown

dorsally, and the delicate smoothness of its skin rivals that of the most

beautiful calf bound volume the trade can produce There is a dark

band before and behind the eye, and dark bands on the limbs. The belly is

white with some speckling of brown on the throat and breast.

Those I have tracked into their lairs were solitary, and had established them-

selves in some dark recess beside a mountain stream or trickle in some quiet glen,

the favoured haunt of the mosquito. and the tree fern. Nobody would suspect

its presence there if it remained silent. However in the rains, like other batra-

chians its thoughts tend towards the subtlest of passions. Stirred by unusual

emotions its feelings give vent to a vocal effort intended for his lady love, but

which also proclaims the presence of the frog to the attentive ear of the naturalist.

T heard its unmusical note many times before I discovered the species responsible

for it. As with other batrachians I found I could approach to perhaps three

yards of it by an extremely cautious advance, and then it suddenly became as

speechless as a Scotch Planter after a Masonic dinner. I had many trials of

patience with the unknown, but failed miserably in these contests. The fact is

on these occasions all is in favour of the quarry. He sits in the water or beside

the water in some dark recess, and croaks words of love to his prospective bride.

A huge beast in human form hears a mysterious batrachian sound and seeks to

learn the author. Moving at a snail’s pace the human beast—on this occasion

me—gradually arrives at a certain proximity from whence the frog has him in

full view. At this point the frog decides to make no further remarks to his lady

love. Then follows that trial of patience which the frog invariably wins. Human

nature being what it isin the presence of mosquitoes the time comes when immo-

bility is no longer possible. The human beast at last flinches or brushes aside

the mosquitoes on his hands or face, and all the previous period of statue-like

patience is wasted, and the struggle commences afresh. After many days of

fruitless endeavour the human beast resolved to try bold tactics such as

are so successful in the capture of the feminine heart. Thus determined I wen:

off one day to Sim’s Park, the scene of so many previous frog adventures. This

was before I had placed it out of bounds for myself. It is a beauty spot in the

middle of the most beautiful of all Hill Stations. Here one finds all the trees

and plants named, and can improve one’s knowledge of botany. There are

garden seats too where one can sit in comfort after one’s latest defeat at the hands

of a frog, smoke a cigarette and think matters out. My steps were directed to

that same little glen below the miniature lake, where the light is dim and water

tinkles melodiously, and tree ferns wave, where glade-loving butterfli2zs such as

Y pthimas and Lethes rise under one’s feet, and flit jauntily away into still deeper

gloom, and where I knew one of my unknown frogs lived. He had defeated me

so often that I had an intense desire to get level with him. I listened. Yes:

he was there in the usual place. Without further delay I rushed into his lair-

splash, splash, clatter, clatter in the bed of the trickle, actively probing with my

stick into one dark recess after another. Out came the skulker thoroughly alarm-

ed, with one sump, and then another, I literally fell upon him, and the intelligence

that he had not escaped was communicated to me through the cutaneous nerves

beneath my waistcoat. He was butting into me, as a hungry kid butts into the

udder of its mother. Still lying prone upon my face I passed my hand beneath

me, sought for, found, and closed it upon the struggling prisoner. Froggie had

played his last trick and lost. Brother naturalist ! If this manceuvre is done

SOME NOTES ON LIZARDS, FROGS AND HUMAN BEINGS. 499

circumspectly, and you have your heart in the job, and your eyes are sharp, and

your feet are nimble, and you do not mind getting wet, and there are not too

many thorns to hold you back, and there is not a pool handy into which froggie

can dive, and a few other “‘ifs ” the batrachian ought to be yours. I have repeat-

ed the performance and know. Of course I got a bit wet and muddy during this

adventure and its extraordinary when one comes home like that how every lady

in the Hotel is sure to be sitting outside, and girls do ask such silly questions. I

find it difficuit to know how to clothe on these excursions. If one goes out

dressed for the sport, the shabbiness ana durtiness of one’s attire excites

attention on the outward journey. On the other hand if decently attired after

an affair such as that just narrated, the condition of one’s clothes provokes

attention on the homeward journey.

There was a peculiar satisfaction in getting this frog, because he had defeated

me so many times previously, and he had contributed in no small measure to

my unpopularity among the officials in Sim’s Park.

Forttmately the sport of hunting frogs is not like international yachting or

polo. No matter what has happened in previous contests, the last is the one and

only one that really matters. The winner of this wins the rubber outright.

The voice of this frog is a subdued, harsh, monosyllabic croak, and having

heard it one cannot help feeling that Mrs. Rana temporalis must be a very dull

person to be charmed by any thing so uninteresting. The best feature of the

declaration of love is its brevity.

Genus Buro,

Bufo melanostictus.—The Commo; Indian Toad.

This species is as common in the Nilgiris Hills at the altitude of Coonoor as it

is in the plains, and occurs abundantly even up to the level of Ootacamund. I

found it breeding in the ornamental water in the Botanical Gardens at that

station. The young were hopping about all over the gardens in July I think,

though I have omitted to note the exact date. It makes a short, monosylla-

bic hiss when provoked.

This forms the staple food of the snake, Macropisthodon plum'icolor, a species

that is abundant up to the altitude of Ootacamund.

Bufo beddomei.—Beddome’s Toad.

A toad identified with some doubt as this species was captured by me on Adder-

ley Estate at about 4.500 feet. This specimen was adorned with carmine spots

and blotches on the sides of the body, and on the front of the forelimbs, as are

some specimens of the last toad.

When the “‘ Fauna Reptilia and Batrachia ”’ appeared in 1890, it had only

been recorded from the Travancore Hills, and this fact alone makes me query

the correctness of my identification.

Icthyophis glutinosus.

This cecilian is fairly common in the Wynad. It appears to subsist entirely

on earthworms. I removed one from the stomach of one specimen, and found

the intestine of others loaded with semiliquid mud evidently derived from this

form of diet.

500

BUTTERFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA.

Lr.-Cotonet W. H. EvAns., D.S.0., R.E., F.ZS., FES.

(With 9 Text Figures.)

1. Ido not think that anyone, who has taken the trouble to look, can fail te

be impressed by the splendour of the butterflies of India. There are many, who

would like to study them further, but very few proceed beyond mere admiration,

chiefiy because of the difficulties involved in tollowing a pursuit without a guide.

It is the purpose of this article to draw attention to the variety of interests that

underlie the hobby of butterfly collecting and to explain how these beautiful

insects may be captured and preserved. 1 think it was A. R. Wallace who wrote

somewher> that the story of evolution is written on the wings of butterflies and

I believe that. when the study of zoology can be correlated with the studies of geo-

logy. geography and botany by a superman of the calibre of Darwin, the mystery

of evolution will be solved. Before the solution can possibly -be reached, and it

will not be in our generation, a mass of observation work has to be done. The

professional zoologist ignores the butterflies and devotes himself either to the

lesser known groups or to such as have a definite economic value ; he admittedly

leaves butterflies to the amateur and so here is a field in which the amateur,

who happens to be an observant student of nature, can help on the attainment

of knowledge.

2. The Indian Empire, wherein for zoological purposes are included Ceylon

and Burma, is probably the most ideal country in the world for pursuing the study

of butterflies. It offers the extremes of heat and cold, of dampness and dryness,

of desert and rank jungle, islands and continental areas, an ever-varying vegeta-

tion and in many parts sharply marked seasons, while its geological history is

most interesting. For faunistic purposes the world is divided into the American.

African, Palzarctic and Oriental regions. With the American region we are not

concerned. With the African region we have a connecting link through Balu-

chistan, but in former years the connection must have been a much more impor-

tant one, since there are a number of genera which we share with Africa. The

Palzarctic region comprises Europe, the Mediterranean littoral of Africa, Western

and Northern Asia. As far as we are concerned this region is divided into the

European sub-region, which embraces Western Asia and reaches us through

Baluchistan ; the Central Asian sub-region, reaching Chitral and to a less extent

the N. W. Himalayas ; the Chinese sub-region, which enters the Indian empire

between Sikkim and Northen Burma. The Oriental region comprises the

Australian and the Indo-Malayan sub-regions and the latter is divisable into

the South Indian (including Ceylon) and the Malayan, covering all Lower Burma ;

it must be remembered that the mighty Himalayas are mere children on the face

of the globe and only possess a bastard fauna made up of immigrants from other

far older areas. The Indian area, as defined at the beginning of this paragraph,

can be divided for convenience into the following reasonably well defined sub-

areas :—

A. Ceylon, closely allied to South India, but, being an island, it has a

number of forms peculiar to itself.

B. South India, embracing the Madras and Bombay presidencies, ex-

cluding Sind, but stretching up into the Central Provinces and Bengal.

C. Baluchistan and Sind (more or less), possessing an almost entirely —

Palzarctic fauna and showing little or no connection with the fauna proper

of India.

—_

BUTTERFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. An

D. Chitral and Ladak, with 2 Central Asian fauna more or less modified

to suit local conditions ; the high elevation species extend right along the

Himalayas to Sikkim.

EB. The Western Himalayas from Kashmir to Kumaon, with 2 bastard

fauna made up of species that have found their way there from the Central

Asian, Chinese and South Indian sub-regions, many of which have been

modified so as to constitute well defined races or even species.

-F. The North East corner of the Empire, running from Sikkim to North-

em Barma (Shan States) This is one of the most interesting arcas m the

world. The Central Asian, Chinese, Malayan and South Indian sub-regions

have found a most fertile meeting place here; it is also more or less of @

ter ce Mah edkiae aad Wa a @ number of genera variation seems to have

run riot.

G. Lower Burma from the Karen Hills to Victoria Point, contammg 4

slightly modified Malayan fauna, while in the extreme South many purely

Malayan forms are to be met with.

H. The Andamans and Nicobars, which have 2 fama made wp of modified

Malayan forms, but displaying a very distinct affmity with South India

The above sub-areas can no doubt b= divided still further. but greater detail

need not be entered into here. It will be seen that the Plams of North nda

have not been dealt with in the above list ; they have no characteristic fauna of

their own and the few species that are to be met with are all members of one or

other of the recognised sub-areas.

3. Butterflies differ from moths in 4 number of ways, but no hard and fast

Ime ean be laid down. The chief characters are ;

a. oe ee renee See Oe by Ss shey never dy at night, but

@ few species remain dormant until the dusk

6. They have ae a rule knobbed or hooked antennz. which are straight

and are held in front of the head_

¢. Mosé butterflies ress with the wings erect.

d. The upper and lower wing om one side of the body are never jomed

at the base.

The species of butterflies are divided into 4 number of families. sub-fzmilies

by that of the species ; for instance Papilio machaon is the ordmary English

swallowtail. Butterflies that oceur over a large area are apt to develop mto

a number of well defined races and im order to distmguish them 2 ti-nommal

system of nomenclature has been adopted : for instance Papilio machaon is the

race of the common yellow swallowtail, Papilio machaon axatics is

the Western Himalayan race, Papiliomachaon xkkimensia the Chumbi Valley -

race and soon. If it is desired to distinguish a variety. the abbreviation v. is

put before th varietal name ; for instance Papitio machaon aziatica v. ladaken-

#2 is the short-tailed variety of the common yellow swallowtail found m the

Western Himalayas. Ii the variety is confimed to only one sex, the ex ag d

for male and 2 for female is put before the v.

4. For the purpose of this article the mam divisions nto which the butéer-

flies, or scientifically the Rhopalocera, are divided may be briefiy deseribed as

follows .

and one white spotted dark velvet brown species of the genus Euples are

502 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

to be found lazily flitting about every garden in the plains. In N. E. India

and Burma many of the Euploeas are shot with a most splendid iridescent

blue colour. A third genus (Hestia) containing very large black-spotted

diaphanous butterflies is to be found near the coast in Ceylon and South

India and in the mangrove swamps of Burma.

B. Satyrids or “‘ Browns”. As a rule the members of this somewhat

numerous group prefer the shade and are most often to be seen flitting about

in jungle ; a few species patronise rocky slopes. They are mostly sober

coloured insects with rings oreyes on the wings and in England are known

as meadow-browns, heaths, walls, ringlets. etc. They vary in size from the

tiny Ypthima to the very large Neorina of N. E. India.

C. Morphids. This group attains its greatest development in South

America whence come those wonderful metallic blue insects one sees in the

shop windows of Regent Street mounted as ornaments. They are only

found in or on the edge of thick jungle and do not fly much by day unless

beaten up. Nearly all the species are very large and, though our Indian

forms do not equal the 8. American ones in splendour, yet they have nceth-

ing to be ashamed of.

D. Nymphalids. These are the true sun lovers amongst butterflies and

the group contains a large number of handsome species. The well known

“ Painted lady” can be taken as their universal representative, but the

diversity of forms is extraordinary. Some of them, the genus Charaxes

for example, have very large and strong bodies and can fly like birds ; others,

such as the delicate ‘‘ Map butterfly ”’ sail gracefully in the sunshine. The

wonderful “ Leaf butterfly ’, the white and red ‘“‘ Admirals ’’, the “ Tortoi-

ses’, the “ Purple emperor ’’ and the “ Fritillaries ” are all members of

this group. We all know the merry little bright blue and yellow Junonias

that flit about just in front of us along our bungalow paths, also the large

Hypolimnas with blue-ringed white circles that often appears in swarms

shortly after the break in the rains.

E. Papilionids or Swallowtails. Many of them have no tails and are

mistaken for members of the preceding groups ; however a glance at the

legs settles th point at once ; in this and the following groups the forelegs

are as long as the others, while in the preceding groups the forelegs are short

and quite useless for walking. There are many magnificent swallowtails

in India and they can vie in beauty and diversity with their cousins in any

other part of the globe. In the South and North East and in Burma there

fly the Ornithoptera, great black insects with brilliant yellow hind wings,

which fly slowly far out of reach at the tops of trees. Then there is the

wonderful black swallowtail with a peacock-green hindwing found in the

hills,and the delicate white, black striped, swallowtail of the Himalayas. In

the family are included a few species belonging to genera other than the

true Papilio. There is the Armandia, a truly magnificent butterfly from

Bhutan, the Naga and Chin Hills, a many-tailed creature with a larg red

area on the hind wing. The Tetnopalpus, a wonderful green and yellow

butterfly, that is to be found on Tiger Hill, Darjiling, and in the hills of

Assam and North Burma. The Leptocircus, a small and very curious look-

ing insect, which has enormously long tails and presents a striking resem-

blance to a dragonfly. Finally the Parnassius or ‘ Apollo ” butterflies,

inhabitants of the highest Himalayas ; beautiful white insects with black,

red or blue spots.

PF. Pierids, or “‘ Whites”. The majority are white, such as the well

known “ Cabbage white ”, but many are yellow and a few are even red or

blue. There are the “‘Brimstones”’, “Clouded-—yellows’’ and ‘“‘Orange tips”’.

The most characteristic Indian representatives are perhaps the members of

the genus Catopsiiia, large greenish white insects, and the small yellow

BUTTERFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 503

Terias, several species of which swarm in every garden. The most varie-

gated species belong to the genus Delias, the plains member of which is a

white insect with large red spots along the edge of the hind wing below.

G. lLycenids or “ Blues”. The most numerous family of all and in

many respects the most interesting. When a collector has obtained most

oi the representatives of the large and handsome members of the preceding

groups, he turns his attention to the Lycznids and always regrets that he

did not think of them before. The diversity in colour, markings and shape

is greater than in any of the preceding groups. The Lyczenids are divisible

into two main groups, the ‘‘ weak ”’ and the “ strong ” or the true “ blues ”

and the “ hairstreaks”’. Amongst the “ hairstreaks”’ are to be found the

most brilliant metallic blues, greens and brassy tints. In many species the

tails are very long and in others short and thread-like.

H. Hesperids or ‘* Skippers”. This group differs greatly from those

that have preceded it. They are mostly small. rather dull coloured, insects,

with large heads and bodies and a very rapid flight. Some of the species

are crepuscular, while others delight in the sunlight. The group is not so

well known as the rest, but the advanced entomologist finds that it presents

features of the very greatest interest. The accumulation of a great deal

of more material is needed to enable the group to be worked out properly.

5. Below is a table, which shows how the various groups are distributed

amongst the sub-areas detailed in para. 2. The total given in the last column

are for the actual species known ; many of these species have developed into

more or less well defined races according to the areas they oceupy and the modern

tendency is to name more races as more material becomes available.

Seas eal at oe eee We eB) Ve

Group. | & | 32 [ESe/ So PERE SE] ci) Be! 5

S | 25 622/58 Aes ee) gl Fel &

Danaid&.. aa) 0 11 Seay 3 | 7 | 18 | Foal ARE bank

| | |

| | '

Getytids:.+ | iexl Feu ys | LO) Ae | lel AL7 | Tih eS I eo

Morphids : 1 3 | | | 17 \* 16 21 20

Nymphalids . 38 | 49 | 6| 30 | 88 | 180 | 145 | 33] 247

Papilionids ; 15 | 19 | 4 10 | 25 68 | 49 11 91

| |

Plerids .. -.| 30) 36] 19) 18! 39/ 51) 36 | 17 83

/ |

Lycenids s| 72 86 14 44 | 80 | 237 | 233 | 61 | 470

Hesperids 5 78 Ty 18 | 5S | . 198 | 154] 33] 278

Totals ..| 229] 310| 61] 135 | 348 | 885 | 718 143 | 1,415.

504 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

With the Nymphalids are included two minor groups, which are closely allied

wiz., the Libythacine and the Nemeobiide.

6. As no doubt everyone knows, a butterfly has passed through the stages

of egg, caterpillar and chrysalis. The study of the early stages of the butterflies

of India has with two brilliant exceptions been most woefully neglected. ‘The

first of these is Mr. T. R. Bell, the author of the papers now appearing in the

Journal entitled ‘‘ Common Butterflies of the Plains ” ; he has discovered the

life history of practically every butterfly that inhabits the North Kanara District

of the Bombay Presidency ; as a matter of interest I may mention that in at

least one case Mr. Bell has reared a butterfly that has never yet been found

flying. The second is the late Mr. P. W. Mackinnon, who in Vol. XI of the Journal

described the life history of most of the butterflies of Mussoorie. Every fully

developed living organism is said to climb up its genealogical tree before it attains

maturity, so that the importance of studying the early stages can hardly be over

estimated ; our classification still presents many imperfections, which will not

be removed until a great deal more has been discovered regarding the early

stages. Breeding butterflies is a rather troublesome business and necessitates

continued residence in one place ; the opportunities afforded the ordinary official

are somewhat limited and it is chiefly to the planter or the retired individual

that we must look for assistance. The great desiderata are observers in the

Darjiling district and in Assam and Burma, more especially the rubber planters

or tin miners of Mergui and Tavoy. Many years ago a distinguished American

naturalist, who spent some time collecting butterflies in India, evolved a classifi-

cation for the skippers based on the eggs, but lack of material rendered it

unreliable. Under a microscope of moderate power the eggs are wonderful

things. The caterpillars are ofmany different forms and colours, while the

chrysales are often most curious and are concealed in a marvellous manner.

I will not enlarge on this subject, but will refer those interested to Mr. Bell’s

articles, than which nothing better has ever been published. A study of the

food plants in various localities with notes as to how they differ would be most

valuable information towards affording an explanation of the geographical

variation of butterflies.

7. The investigation of the structure of the perfect-insect can safely be left

to the cabinet naturalist. but it is only the field naturalist who can supply infor-

mation regarding the habits of butterflies. There are numerous points to be noted.

Males are often to be found playing about in the sun or sucking moisture in damp

spots. The female attends more strictly to her business of egg laying and re-

quires watching as to where she lays her eggs, whether singly or in clutches, on

what particular food plant and whereabouts on it. Caterpillars can sometimes

be seen feeding openly, but for most of them a very close examination is needed ;

many are night feeders ; a good plan is to beat bushes and with luck the cater-

pillars will fall into a net held below. The caterpillar passes through various

moults and requires examination at every stage. The act of turning into a

chrysalis demands close observation and the manner in which the chrysalis

reposes ; some hang free from a twig, others are secured by a girdle, while some

remain like a grub inside a fruit. The actual emergence of the butterfly is a sight

rarely seen but very well worth watching. The habits of the actual butterfly

require much observation ; the season of emergence, number of broods in the

year, duration of life, mode of flight, nature of habitat and so on all require re-

cording. There is no end to what can be done and all of it is interesting. There

seems to be a very general impression that the life of a butterfly is limited to one

day ; if an enemy secures it on the day it emerges, then all is over, but many

survive tor very long periods ; for instance in the Himalayas nearly all the butter-

fiies one sees in the spring emerged in the Autumn and have lived through the

winter, coming out very often for a flight on a warm day ; in Japan there is

a species that emerges in July and flies till the following May..

BUTTERFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 505

8. Ifa butterfly flaps about in a lazy fashion, it is probably more immune

from dangers than those that have a rapid flight or seek cover rapidly. This

brings us to the interesting subject of mimicry and in India we have some of the

most striking examples in the world. Now the Danaids are probably the most

‘highly protected family and we find that the female of a common Satyrid and a

Nymphalid resemble a certain common Danaid almost exactly, though the males

iin each ease are totally different. Again among the swallowtails the red-bodied

group are highly offensive and we find that certain females of the black-bodied

-group resemble them exactly except for the colour of the bodies. Again among

-the Euplea genus ot the distasteful Danaid family there is a marvellously close

vesemblance between species inhabiting the same area ; in South India for in-

-stance the only three members of the genus are so alike that somewhat of an ex-

pert is required to distinguish between them. The reason for this latter form of

-so-called mimicry is stated to be that the young enemy has to learn by sad ex-

‘perience what is distasteful and what is palatable ; so he starts by sampling

everything that comes along and soon learns to distinguish the nasty from the

tasty ; thus the nasty group are likely to lose fewer individuals if they present

the same general appearance to the former. Yorthe same reason itis an

advantage for a distasteful butterfly to be coloured conspicuously ; it is

thus able to warn the enemy that it should be left alone.

9. The observer will soon notice that a large number of butterflies, more

particularly the inhabitants of jungles or undergrowth, are marked in a peculiarly

veryptic fashion on the underside and that, when at rest, they are so assimilated

to their surroundings as to be practically invisible. Many of them are wonder-

iully coloured above and cannot fail to attract attention but, when they alight,

they seem to disappear. The iamous “ Leaf” butterfly can be cited as one of

‘the most striking examples ; the upperside bears a broad yellow or blue band,

-while the underside almost exactly resembles a dried leaf. The tails of a butter-

fly are considered to be an important life saving device and certainly they do not

seem to be much use for anything else : the hind wings project well beyond the

body and just before the tail there is an eye ; the idea is that the enemy thinks

that the hinder end is the head with the prominent eyes and that the tails are

the antenne ; he makes his dart, but the butterfly flies cheerfully away minus

‘this tails the loss of which do not worry him at all, but of course he will not

escape so easily again. Several theories have been propounded to explain the

-mystery of mimicry ; to me the whole subject remains an absolute mystery and

‘I can safely assert that a great deal more observation work is needed before any-

-one can produce a theory that will convince the man in the street. I cannot

‘believe that a butterfly has been abl2 to perfect the art of camouflage, as he

vundoubtedly has done, by means of his own unaided intelligence.

10. Bound up with mimicry is the question as to what are the enemies of

butterflies and here again much observation is needed. 1 think that the princi-

pal enemies are lizards, as far as the butterfly is concerned, but there are undoubt-

edly many others. I have seen a kingcrow making a good meal off butterflies on

-the wing, and a bush containing a praying mantis is often marked by num2rous

butterfly wings strewn below it. In the earlier stages the enemies are probably

“much more numerous, and birds in particular eat the caterpillars very freely ;

vmany of us as schoolboys have been bitterly disappointed to find an ichneumon

‘fly emerge from a chrysalis we have carefully reared.

11. Butterflies share with all other living beings the strong natural tendency

‘to enlarge their sphere of action, but certain species are known to indulge in

‘the most extensive migrations. Certain Pierids (the Catopsilias) are in India

the most persistent emigrants. They can sometimes be seen in great herds

«treking in a straight line over hills and plains at a pretty constant speed. Cer-

tain other species often join in the migrations. A common blue (Lampides

506 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIITF

beticus) migrates in the Spring. In March at Rawalpindi I have observed this-

species migrating for several weeks ; across a width ot 20 yards I counted 90 per

minute passing during the period of greatest intensity ; throughout the whole

period the direction was 5 degrees North of West. Again and again I have notic-

ed butterflies flying in a definite direction ; they may turn aside to a flower or to-

inspect a passer-by, but they eventually continue on in the same direction. In

the Journal of the Entomological Society there have appeared recently some

interesting articles dealing with the migrations of certain Pierids in the Island

of Trinidad ; the butterflies apparently started at the South end of the island,

travelied direct to the Northend, then turned West. leaving the island eventually

in this direction for the mainland ot America. The density of these migrations

were so great that motor cars had to stop moving on the roads, since nothing

could be seen through the wind screens.

{2. I should now like to touch lightly on the subject ot variation, regarding

which much has been written, but there is no doubt that theory still predominates

over proved facts. The whole subject is most fascinating and, as I said at the

commencement of this article, not only do butterflies offer the best medium for

its study but also that we ar2 better situated for the purpose in India than any-

where else in the world. There are iour kinds of variation to be thought of ;

sexual, individual, seasonal and geographical. Sexual variation can be dealt

with very briefly. In many species the two sexes are almost indistinguishable ;

in the majority there is a marked difference ; in a few there is no resemblance

whatever between the sexes and it is only comparatively recently that they have’

been ascertained to belong to the same species. Among the nasty groups the re-

semblance between th sexes is pretty close and this is also the case more or less

amongst the group with cryptic undersides. In the unprotected groups there is

usually a considerable difference ; it is the female that is always duller and less

conspicuous than the male, while in certain genera the difterences between the-

males of the various species is considerable, but the females are so alike as to

require a first class expert to allocate them to their correct males. Ti isno doubt

the object of Nature to preserve the life of the female for a longer period than the-

male, since after fertilisation she has to devote her time to laying her eggs.

Possibly Nature’s intention is that the bright coloured males in the unprotected

groups should be sacrificed to the enemy, so that the insignificant females are

preserved.

13. Individual variation may arise from a number of causes ; different nutri-

tion in the caterpillar stage, effect of light or temperature on the chrysalis, are

probably the most important, but there are no doubt others that we do not even

suspect at present. In some species the variation is extraordinary ; for instance’

the undersides of no two leaf butterflies are alike. Again in the little yellow

Pierid (Terias) of the Indian garden the variation between individuals is tremend-

ous. In many butterflies the variation is very small, but a minute examination

will show that no two individuals are exactly alike any more than are two human

beings. All the varieties of this class can be more or less linked together by

intergradations, provided one can obtain a long enough series. There is, how-

ever, another class or individual variation, where very distinct varieties occur’

that cannot be linked together ; this kind of variation is called dimorphism.

For instance a few species of Papilionids exist in two totally different forms in

both sexes. Two other Papilionids each have three totally different forms of

females. In one of these, the black-bodied Papilio polytes, the first form of

female resembles the male and is comparatively rare ; the second resembles a

rusty red-bodied swallowtail, which only occurs in the peninsular portion of

India, where alone this form of female is to be found though the species is met

with nearly everywhere ; the third and commonest form is like another red

bodied swallowtail found everywhere. There is yet another kind of individual

Variation known as an aberration or sport ; these are rare but occur in some

BUTTERFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 507

species more than in others ; they are usually very different to the parent form.

This class of variation has attracted a great deal of interest of late years and

forms more or less the basis of the theory known as Mendelism, which by

experiments on domesticated animals and plants has been proved to be a law

and no mere theory. It is supposed by some authorities that it is these sports

that give rise to new species in Nature.

14. Seasonal variation, as one might expect, is most marked in Indian

butterflies. In any species that has two or more broods during the year,

differences to a greater orless degree are to be found between the broods and,

as arule, the greater the local difference of season, the more apparent the

influence on the wings of the butterfly. In some of the Satyrids the differences

between the undersides of the two seasonal forms is startling and for many years

they were regarded as different species : in the instances to which I am referring

locality does not appear to affect the intensity of the dimorphism. In the dry

season form the underside exactly resembles a dried leaf, while in the wet season

form the underside is evenly striated and bears a row of eyes along the

border. The reasons for seasonal variation are probably to be ascertained by

a close investigation of the caterpillar stage and perhaps are due to the seasonal

variation in the food plant ; in some species it is possible that the characteristic

has been inherited from bygone days and still remains though the original causes

have disappeared.

15. Geographical variation presents a most interesting field for investigation

and it is not unlikely that in geographical variation combined with Mendelism

will be found the solution to the formation of species. As pointed out in para.

11 Nature is always urging a species to enlarge its sphere of action and, if a species

spreads to a district which differs in climate or other particulars from its original

home, it may, if it is a decadent species fail to establish itself, but if it can contend

with the change in the caterpillar food, the new enemies to be encountered with

and the new climatic conditions, it will form a new colony. The different condi-

tions may soon have an influence on the appearance, habits, etc. of the butterfly

and a definite, easily distinguished, geographical race may become established.

If the species is given to produce aberrations or become so by reason of the new

conditions, as is quite probable, the sport, which is a recessive under Mendel’s

law in the original home may become the dominant and, gradually swamping

the normal form, establish a new species. If the habitat of the parent species

and of the colonists is not separated by an impassable barrier, such as plains in

the case of hill species or hills in the case of plains species or desert or sea, it

is quite likely that the races will remain closely allied and can be graded in a long

series. If, however, a barrier exists or becomes formed by geological changes,

the two races will gradually become more and more different as the centuries roll

on, and should the changes in the earth surface ever bring them together again,

they may be unable to interbreed and therefore must be regarded as species.

Increase in elevation appears to have a considerable effect and I am not at all

sure whether certain closely allied so-called species, found at different elevations,

are not really conspecific, a certain feature being dominant in one area and re-

cessive in another. Some of the inhabitants of the Himalayas differ on every

watershed or in every large valley. There is a certain large Papilionid, memnon

by name, that presents several remarkable features, not the least of which is

that it possesses three forms of female, one of which is tailed, while the male and

the other two females are tailless. Now in South India and Ceylon there flies

an allied species called polymnestor, where the sexes are nearly alike, bus are

widely different from memnon, in that they bear a broad pale blue band above.

Now memnon and polymnestor meet in the lowlands of Sikkim, but do not

appear to trespass on each other’s boundaries ; yet certain known aberrations

of memnon show a marked resemblance to polymnestor. I would not be at all

surprised to hear that they were conspecific and that each is the dominant in

508 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

dts own area but the recessive in its neighbour’s. In Nature it would seem that

the reeessive always becomes swamped by the dominant, unless it gets its chance

under changed conditions, which are more favourable to the recessive than to

the dominant. Breeding experiments on these lines might reveal all kinds of

secrets. While speaking of the butterflies memnon and polymnestor, an inte-

resting fact may be mentioned regarding the Andaman representative ; the male

shows a much closer resemblance to polymnestor than to memnon and is tailless,

while the female appears to be a totally different insect and is almost exactly

like the tailed female of memnon.

i6. There are one or two other characteristics displayed by butterflies that

I would like to draw attention to, as showing what an interesting subject their

study can be. Butterflies possess peculiar instincts, regarding which we know

very little. The latest theory regarding their eyesight is that not only do they

fail to distinguish objects at a range exceeding twelve inches, but that they are

also totally colour blind. Yet a butterfly can fly at a great pace unerringly through

the closest jungle and appears to be able to distinguish his mate at great distances

(the English ‘‘ drinker moth ” can, I understand, locate a female at a range

exceeding a mile): he can locate flowers with apparently no scent quite easily

and return to the same bit of carrion the next day, if he is so inclined ; the female

in selecting the correct food plant for her eggs proves herself to be a botanist of

no mean calibre. Whatever a butterfly’s eyesight may be, there isno doubt

that he can spot at once the least movement that is out of the ordinary, as the

collector will soon notice when stalking a wary species.

17. Many males display certain extraordinary features, known as secondary

sexual characters ; some have brands of specialised scales on the wings, others

pouches and again others recumbent or erectile tufts of hairs ; some species have

a profusion of these features. In the Danaids the male can protrude long pen-

ils of hairs from the end of its body. The functions of these characters are not

understood and will only be solved by close observation work. Some

butterflies, notably amongst the Morphids, emit a pleasing scent resembling

vanilla, which remains for a long time after death. The primary sexual

characters of the male are most extraordinary and have received a great deal

of attention in recent years ; their structure has in many cases proved of the very

greatest importance in classification, while in certain very closely allied species,

an investigation of the genitalia is nesded, before they can be accurately

determined. Another curious characteristic is that displayed by the eater-

pillars of certain Lyeenids ; they are attended by various species of ants, who

in return for being allowed to suck the juices exuded from certain glands,

look after the caterpillar and protect itfrom its enemies ; the habit has got so

strong that the caterpillar cannot live without its particular species of ant

being there to protect it.

18. The foregoing paragraphs have been written with the idea of showing

those who have taken a superficial interest in the butterflies of India, that the

pursuit of butterfly colle-ting in real earnest contains many fascinating avenues

to be explored ; I may say that I have only touched on the fringe of the whole

subject. The first desideratum, however, is the making of a collection, s0 that

the species may be identified and the knowledge already accumulated rendered

intelligible. We should never get any forrarder, if we all had to start where Adam

did, There are no real difficulties about making a collection and with ordinary

care its preservation is moderately simple.

19. The best kind of net is of the form shown in the sketch. I have tried

many patterns and speak with some experience. The net is a strong one and

can be used for beating bushes. It is an article of store, known as the ‘“‘ Balloon

Net”, and can be obtained from Watkins and Doncaster, 36 Strand, London

'W. C., or from the Army and Navy Stores, Bombay or Calcutta. Any decent

BUTTERFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 509:

bazaar mistri could turn out the frame, if given the drawing and the description,

while any dirzi could make the net. The material for the net is a matter of im-

portance ; it must be soft and any new stuff should be thoroughly soaked to get

the starch out; mosquito netting, mull mull, leno are all good and what is known

as pineapple silk is better still ; colour is probably of no importance, but green

and sometimes khaki is fashionable. Always carry a spare net to replace a torn.

one. .

A is the Y piece, made of 7 inch brass ;

the stalk 5 inches long and each branch

2 inches, the splay being 70 degrees.

The diameter of the tube to take F is

$ in. and of the tubes to take B 3 in.

The branches must be firmly soldered

to the stalk and a pin rivetted right

through is a good thing. The weakest

part of the whole frame is the junction

of the branches to the stalk in the Y and

I always carry a spare Y in my haver-

sack.

B, B. are the base pieces of the frame ; they must be of stiff wood 17

in. long hy $ in. diameter. The A end should be brass capped so as to

fit the Y and the other end should have a brass socket so as to take C and

D. C, D are the top pieces of the frame, made of cane, 3 in diameter,

bent as shown ;Cis 183 in. andD 16}in. long. Cis brass capped one

end and socketted the other; D is socketted both ends. All caps and

sockets must be secured by a pin running through the wood.

EK. isthe net. The top portion is made of strong calico, length all round

66 in. by width 2 in, The dimensions of the net are shown in the drawing.

At the Y and at the apex the calico and the net are slit down for a distance

of 5 in. the slit being lined with calico ; this is for putting on the frame and

I then close the opening with a safety pin.

F is the stick, a stout bamboo 39 in. long by { in. diameter.

G is a brass tube 4 in. long by ? in. diameter. It is fixed on the end of

H, the extension stick, and fits on to G, when it is desired to catch butter-

flies out of ordinary reach,

20. To catch a butterfly, a rapid sideways sweep of the net is probably the

best method, followed by a twist of the wrist so that the net is folded over the

frame. Before making the sweep, see that you are not going to get the net torn

to bits by a thorny bush. Certain butterflies sit very tight on the ground and for: -

them the best method is to flop the net over the butterfly and then quickly hold

up the net itself vertical, when the well behaved ones will fly up and the twist

of the wrist, as before, will do the rest.

21. Having caught the butterfly the next thing to do is to killit. I always

pinch them and believe it to be the best method. The butterfly should be killed

as quickly as possible by getting it into a fold in the net, persuading it to fold

its wings over its body and pinching it at the thorax or that part of the body,

whence spring the legs ; the Danaids require a great deal of pinching, but delicate

510 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII,

butterflies require only a light touch. A little practice is required to avoid da-

maging the legs and rubbing the wings, but there is no great difficulty. Another

popular method is to use a killing bottle, which must have a very wide mouth

and be filled to a depth of half an inch or so with a paste containing cyanide of

potassium ; any chemist will supply it. My objection to the killing bottle

is that it is a cumbrous thing to carry about and one wants to be lightly equipped

when chasing butterflies ; however, the cyanide bottle is used by a number of

experts.

22, The treatment of a butterfly after he has been killed depends on what is

to be done with it ; that is to say whether the colector means to set it, when he

gets in, or to put in an envelope so as to set it at leisure in his old age or to use

it as a duplicate to send to his friends. According to the size of the body, rigor

mortis sets in quickly or slowly ; a stout Nymphalid wili remain in a settable

condition for a day or more, but a delicate blue becomes stiff in an hour on a hot

dry day. A butterfly that has become stiff can of course be relaxed for setting,

but it is always more satisfactory to set it before rigor mortis has set in ; a butter-

fly that has been set after relaxing has an aggravating tendency in damp weather

to revert to the folded position in which rigor mortis set in ; also the danger of

breaking off legs is greater and the whole operation of setting is more difficult

in the case of a relaxed specimen. Now I have adopted the following method

after having tried many others. Having caught the butterfly, I decide whether

T will set it that evening or not. If I decide to set it, I pin it and place it in a

sma!l cork lined zine box, the upperside of which I take care to keep damp ; if

time is short, owing to there being many good things about, or ifmy hand is

shaky after an exciting chase, I pin it sideways as a temporary measure, but

pin it ready for setting when I sit down fora breather. Ifmy box is crowded, I

often pin a butter-fly inside my hat, where it keeps damp enough. IfI decide

not to set, I put it unpinned with its wings folded over its back into a “ cocked

hat” envelope. The spare envelopes can be carried in one’s pockets, but, when

filled, they should be put into a cigarette tin, since the friction that may occur in

one’s pocket is very likely to cause serious damage. Once a butterfly has been

‘killed, I never handle it with my fingers again, if I can help it; to move him about

and to get his wings folded correctly, I use a pair of tweezers with rounded flat

ends they can be bought froma Chemist, but the ends usually want filling.

A heavy day’s catching may result in a bag of as many as 100 butterflies and

experience has led me to adopt the above method as the most satisfactory for

dealing with large numbers.

23. Setting a butterfly requires a good deal of practice ; don’t be slipshod about

it; a well set butterfly looks infinitely nicer than a

poorly set one. ‘The old English method was to set po ed ees

on boards like this ; very low on the board with the

wings curving down ; it is not a good method and has

been abandoned by all museums and good collectors Fig. _

in preference for what is called the continental me- yrs.

thod. Personally I use a modified continental system, because the correct one

involves very deep boxes and consequently more trouble when moving. Still I

recommend anyone who is settled to use the correct system. The board is like

this ;the depth ofthe slot being? inches; in my

method the depthis 4 inch. Boards can be obtained [ers aie

ready from Watkins and Doncaster or the Army and %

Navy Stores ; several sizes are required for various sized Wi ies

butterflies ; I recommend the following widths out to fl ig co

out by width of slot; 12x4;6x%;5x4; 3x. 45.

Don’t leave a setting board out in the open even for a few minutes unattended

as ants can do an infinity of damage in no time. They should be put in a tight

fitting box or in a meat safe with the legs resting on saucers full of water. I have

BUTTERFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 51]

made my own setting box, which consists of an ordinary small sized store box,

fram which I have removed the linoleum

lining, cut it into strips and then glued the

linoleum to strips of wood which are screwed

to wooden fillets and secured by small

screws to the bottom of the box ; the soft ? 14

wood ferming the bottom of the box takes a

pin well enough. I give here a sketch of it.

The top and bottom are not hinged together;

so that each half can be manipulated easily.

I have found the box most satisfactory and

carry it about on all my tours, so as to get

fresh set specimens for my collection. The

continental pin is white, 1} inches long and : LS. 4

-of varying thicknesses ; unless it is made es

of nickel, it rots pretty soon in India, but nickel pins are rather too pliable to

please me. I use black enamelled brass pins of two sizes, both pretty stout ;

1} inch long for large butterflies and 1 inch for small ones; Nos. 4 and 2

“a

Kirby and Beards ; it would probably be better to confine oneself to one size

Pins these are best obtained from Watkins and Doncaster.

Always pin a butterfly thus; with the pin sloping well

Forward, To set the butterfly, pin it to the board, taking

care that the slot is wide enough to take the body easily

and no more ; with the long legged Papilionids it is a Frg. 3.

good thing to told the legs up against the body during

setting by means ofa strip of cardboard on the pin below the body ; see that the

point of junction between the wings and the body is just on a level with the top

of the board or a shade above. Then bend down the wings on either side by

means of a pin arrangement like this; A

needle is a 6 inches long for large

and 4inches for small butterflies, Bis a B

glass headed pin and C a small cube of

cork or linoleum. Then pull forward the A

wings by means of a setting needle, which

should be inserted lightly just behind a :

vein about the middle of the forward side FT rs: 6.

-of the wing ; don’t make more holes than

you can help and ease the pressure on the glass headed pin as the wings are

pulled forward ; the setting needle merely consists of an ordinary fine needle

with a blob of sealing wax at the eye end, The sketch shows how far forward

the wings should be pulled. Having

arranged the antenne satisfactorily,

using temporary pins as necessary,

secure the wings by strips of clean

paper, of the kind used for the pages

of this journal, by means of small

pins. Do not be in an hurry to take

the butterfly off the setting board ;

wait until the body has been stiff

for 24 hours ; a large butterfly may |}

take a week to set, while a small blue

will not take more than two days, To

relax butterflies for setting, use a tin oe

box with several thicknesses of damp Ey

blotting paper at the bettom ; place a MS h

clean piece of stout writing paper on the blotting paper and put the butter-

512 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI11-

flies on that. Small butterflies take two days to relax, while large ones may

take a week, but don’t leave them in the relaxing box too long or they gwilk

get rotten and mould forms very quickly. Use fresh blotting paper

for each batch and after damping it pour a few drops of 1 in 1,000

solution of mercury chloride on to the blotting paper. Never set a butterfly

until it is really relaxed and the wings can be bent down easily.

24. To ensure freedom from trouble it is essential to have perfectly fitting.

store boxes ; the bazaar made article will not do ; for collectors, who are settled,.

cabinets are to be preferred. I get all my store boxes made by Watkins and

Doncaster of three-ply wood, outside dimensions 17} inches x 12 x 21; they

have proved most satisfactory, All one’s labours may be lost in a short space, if

poorly made boxes are used, I float the boxes in a 1 in 1,000 solution of mereury

chloride and see that the special cell is always filled with powdered napthalene.

In the monsoon I put a small sponge dipped in creosote at the end of a pin im

each box to keep off mould, but in very damp climates, such as Rangoon, it is

as well to keep the store boxes in a tin lined airtight case, with a calcium drier’

put in every now and then. The butterflies should be arranged in accordance

with some recognised order in rows at right angles to the long side of the box

and each butterfly should have a small label on the pin below the body, record -

ing the exact locality, elevation, if in the hills, and tke date of capture ; I use

a small triangular card, thus; so that the

labelcan be read without lifting up the a

butterfly. If a body, leg or antenna YO?

comes off, replace by means of shellac

solution in methylated spirit, of a viscous

consistency, but be quite sure thatit be- .

longs to that particular insect ; if it does rig S. 6.

not, dreadful troubie may ensue when a

cabinet naturalist comes to make a detailed examination. The pins holding.

the butterflies should not be handled except with special pin tweezers

which can be obtained from Watkins and Doncaster and the A. and N..

Stores. I always ram a pin down as hard as I can into the linoleum lining of the

box with these tweezers so that the butterfly cannot get loose, when travelling,

and in the case of very heavy bodies, as in the Ornithoptera Papilionids, I cross

pin them over, so that, if they do get loose, they cannot shake about in the box

and ruin everything. For convenience of keeping the store boxes, I use cabinets

of threeply wood, made forme by Williamson, Magor and Co. of Calcutta ; each

cabinet takes 12 boxes, each on a shelf of its own and there is a well fitting slid-

ing front. For travelling I use threeply wood packing cases of such a size that

the cabinet is everywhere separated from the packing case by a space of 3

inches and the intervening space is filled with carpets or clothes. I have takem

these boxes about India by passenger train for some years and have so far suffer-

ed no loss. If mould appears, brush it off with a fine paint brush and then dip

the butterfly bodily into a bath of pure petrol or rectified benzine. For butter-

flies set from a relaxing box that insist on springing their wings, whenever the

weather is damp, apply a little shellac from the tip of a ladies hatpin to the base

of the wings underneath, press down the wings to the correct position with am

open finger, heat the hatpin red hot in a candle and touch the shellac ; it is a

delicate operation, to be avoided, if possible ; every butterfly in the De Niceville

collection in the Indian Museum has a touch of shellac at the base of the wings.

25, The best form of envelope or “ cocked hat” for taking butterflies is

made as shown in the sketch. I use 3 sizes, where A x B are respectively 64

x 475,5 X 375, 3} X 2inches: C = 2 B. The large size fits into a Jacob’s

biscuit tin vertically with the long side down; the medium size fits in with

a short side down into a cigarette tin or Swallow and Ariel’s biscuit tin with

the long side down ; the latter two kinds of tin takes the small sized papers

BUTTERFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 513

with the short side down. A fairly stout,

slightly absorbent paper should be used ; tho

pages of this Journal would be excellent, not

that I mean that they should ever be used

for such a purpose, but it is the right kind of

paper. Empties can be tied together, 50 in a

packet ; full papers are best tied in packets

of 6 to 10 by means of a bit of cotten

folded round them the ends being wetted and

twisted together. Given a cardboard tem-

plate and a pair of scissors, a chuprassie can

turn out the envelopes. Plenty of powdered

napthalene should be put in the box. The

butterfly should be put in the envelope with

its antenne well folded back asin the sketch.

The envelopes should be cut so that the flap

has no printed matter on it and thereupon

should be written the name of the butterfly,

the locality, elevation and date. Don’t put

more than one butterfly in an envelope. A

pinched butterfly may ooze a little after death

and it is a good thing to look inside when

labelling and see that it is not going to stick

to the paper. Another point to look out for

is damp ; butterflies fresh caught and stowed

away in a box are apt to get rotten and

mouldy ; they should be given a chance to dry HE Q

by putting the envelopes in a meatsafe or, in os ;

damp climates, in an airtight box with calcium chloride driers.

26. People, who have set out to write a book on the butterflies of India, have

been unfortunate. lL, DéNiceville commenced ‘“ The Butterflies of India, Burma

and Ceylon” in 1882 and by 1890 had completed 3 volumes dealing

with the Danaids, Satyrids, Morphids, Nymphalids and Lycenids ; it is the best

book on the subject, though the nomenclature is out of date : copies of it are now

and then advertised in the “Pioneer” for about Rs, 150. F. Moore started “ Lepi-

doptera Indica ” in 1890 and died after finishing two thirds of it ; the work has

been completed by Col. C. Swinho:; it runs to ten Volumes and contains illustra-

tions of every butterfly, but it cannot be obtained for less than £60. Col. C. T.

Bingham published in 1905 and 1907 volumes 1 and 2 of the “ Butterflies ” in

the “* Fauna of India ” series and then died ; the last Volume is being written by

Capt. N. D. Riley of the British Museum ; the first two Volumes were issued ata

guinea each and are excellent books with coloured plates, but they are out of

print ; copies could probably be obtained through one of the London second-

hand dealers in scientific books. Shortly before the war, Dr. A. Seitz of Germany

commenced the publication of “‘ The Macro-lepidoptera of the World ”, a magni-

ficent work with short descriptions and numerous coloured plates. The

palzarctic section has been completed in about 100 parts at s.1/6 a part; the

Indo-malayan section (Rhopalocera) is complete except for the Lycznids and

Hesperids and will probably run to 150 parts at /2; it is extraordinarily good

value for the money ; I obtain my copies, in the English translation, from Wat-

kins and Doncaster. The following books published some years ago may be

obtainable from second-hand dealers ; ‘“ Hesperiida Indice’, by Watson ;

** Revision of the Oriental Hesperiide ’’, by Elwes and ‘Edwards; “ Revision

of the Papilios” and “ Revision of the genus Charaxes ” by Rothschild and

Jordan ; “‘ Revision of the Amblypodia group ” by Bethume Baker. In Volume

21 of the Journal I published a list of the butterflies of India, which can be

<- = = -by- ==>

514 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

obtained from the Secretary for Rs, 2 ; I hope to revise it soon, if the Secretary

will accept publication.

27. I will close this article, which already seems to me too long, with a few

notes on where to look for butterflies and on the various localities that a collector

may have an opportunity to visit. Flower gardens in general attract numbers

of butterflies, but, generally the rarer species are not to be found there. As a

rule the collector must get into the jungle ; beat the bushes and see what comes

out ; inspect flowers and especially flowering bushes most cautiously and care-

fully ; don’t neglect looking at carrion or manure ; wet patches often attract

butterflies in crowds ; going along nallahs with running water is a paying busi-

ness ; males of rare species are often to be found on the tops of hills, especially

towards midday. Don’t try and catch a fast-flying large butterfly ; you will

only damage him ; watch where he sits and then have at him ; many butterflies,

unless seriously disturbed, return again and again to the same spot and with ade-

quate patience can be secured easily. Keep your eyes wide open as you walk

along and if a butterfly gets up before you can catch him, chase him to see where

he sits next and then stalk him warily ; rapid movement is the one thing he can

really see best and if he does not understand it, he runs away.

28. Starting with the extreme South, my personal acquaintance with Ceylon

is limited to a week’s visit to Kandy in September where, in Lady Horton’s walk,

butterflies galore are to be obtained, if you can manage to defeat the leeches,

which are more persistent than any I have ever met. Here one sees the large

Papilionids, ornithoptera and polymnestor in comparative abundance. But

for full information regarding Ceylon I would refer the collector to an excellent

account of the Ceylon butterflies by Mr. W. Ormiston which appeared in “ Spolia

Zeylanica ”’ in 1918. I have never visited Travancore, but a certain very pecu-

liar Satyrid, Parantirrhea marshallii, is only to be found there ; a list of the

butterflies appeared in Vol. 6 of the journal. I spent 6 weeks at Kodai Kanal

some years ago in August to October and an account of the butterflies will be

found in Vol. 20 ; Kodai Kanal is a most delightful hill station in the Palni Hills

and deserves to be better known. On the top of the plateau not many butter-

flies are to be seen, but a rather special fritillary, Argynnis hyperbius castetsi,

is only to be found there. In Tiger sholah good collecting is to be done and a

certain Satyrid, Mycalesis oculus, peculiar to this part of India, is to be found

there in swarms. At the bottom of the plateau, just above Krishnamanaikam

tope or the tope for short, any quantity of good butterflies are to be caught ; I

have never seen so many butterflies in my life as on the road 2 miles above the

tope on a bright day after heavy rain the night before. Coming further North

is the little province of Coorg, which is an excellent district ; the late Mr. F.

Hannyngton published an account of the butterflies in Vol. 24. I have never

visited the Nilgiris and refer the collector to a most comprehensive list published

by Sir G. Hampson in the Journal of the Asiatic Society in 1888. The North

Kanara district is again a most fertile country and a full account of the butterflies

with descriptions and figures of the early stages appeared in Vol. 10 of the

Journal. For Poona see P. Z. 8S. 1885; for the Konkan Journal Vol. 15 ; for

Matheran Journal Vol. 8; for Cutch Vol. 12; for Mhow P. Z.S. 1886. An

excellent list of the butterflies of the Central Provinces was published in

volumes 5 and 6 by Mr. J. A. Betham. I spent a number of years at Jabalpur

and strongly recommend the neighbourhood of what are known as the temples

along the Nerbada road as a good collecting ground, especially during the

monsoon and in the Spring ; there are a number of flowering trees, which are

very attractive to butterflies. Pachmarhi is a very interesting locality, where

much work remains to be done ; two Satyrids are peculiar to it, but its chief

interest lies in the fact that it is the meeting place for the North Eastern

and the Southern fauna ; the best localities are Jumbo Deep, Waters Meet

and Dhupgarh, but there are lots of others. I believe the Northern districts

BUTTERFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 515

of Madras would yield a number of specialised local races and, as far as I know,

no one has ever worked them out.

29. For the butterflies of Karachisee Vol. 2 and 3 and P. Z. S. 1884. I know

of no list from Baluchistan ; it is an interesting district and after many efforts I

got myself posted there one November but am sorry to say was transferred again

the following March. I believe that Hanna and Urak are good collecting grounds,

and I am sure that Ziarat would be productive. A really good collection from

Baluchistan would be of value to science. In the Safed Koh beyond Kohat good

and little known butterflies are to be obtained. At the beginning of this century

it was my good fortune to spend two years in Chitral, a most delightful and inter-

esting country, containing a number of butterflies nop met with elsewhere.

The central Asian strain is very evident, but a great number of the butterflies

have developed into well defined races. I found the bzautiful Ashreth valley

leading up to the Lowarai Pass most productive in May and September ; the

Retreat up the Tarben Nallah and Sanitarium Hill near Drosh were good places

and my collectors did well in the Utzun nallah. I spent ten days in August up

the Shishi Kuh at Madaglasht and found butterflies abundant. Sanoghar is a

good locality, while a visit to the Shandur Pass is worth nearly all the rest put

together. This Pass is 12,000 feet above sea level and contains a lake about 1}

miles long by $ mile wide ; in July and August the borders of the lake are car-

peted with flowers and, what are known as really rare butterflies, are abundant-

above the Pass rare Parnassiids are to be encountered, while the valley between;

the pass and the village of Laspur swarms with butterflies. I shall always look

back with the fondest recollections to my two years in Chittral. An account of

the butterflies will be found in Vol. 14.

30. Iam afraid I can give no information regarding Kashmir or Ladak, having

never visited them myself and I know of no published list of the butterflies.

Rare butterflies are to be obtained at high elevations, but on the whole it does

not appear to be a butterfly collector's paradise. I have spent 3 seasons in

Murree, but it is a poor country for butterflies ; the Galis in the neighbourhood

are very much better, more especially in the Spring to the end of June. Dunga

Gali is well worth a visit. The bottom of the Lahur Valley, between Dunga and

Khanspur is chock full of butterflies in June ; it is a fiendish place to get down

into and the best method of approach is by meansofa path leading down from

behind the Roman Catholic Church at Khanspur. The valley below the Chief

Commissioner’s house at Nathia Gali along the old Kashmir Road is a good

collecting ground, as is also the catchment area of the Murree watersupply and

the top of Mokshipuri hill above Dunga, where a Parnassiid is to be caught. An

account of the butterflies of this part of the Punjab, including Attock and Rawal-

pindi, etc., is to be found in P. Z. 8. 1886. For the Kangra District see P. Z. 8.

1882 ; from Kulu I know of no list having been published ; for Lahore see Vol.

25 of the Journal. I know of no connected account of the butterflies of Simla ;

I have spent several years there and it is undoubtedly superior to Murree. Round

Elysium Hill, Potters Hill and Summer Hill a good many species are to be seen,

but better places are Mahasu and Mashobra, while to those who can find the

leisure, a visit to Narkanda and Bagi is well worth undertaking. The late Mr,

P.W. Mackinnon in Vol. 11 published an excellent list of the butterflies of Mus.

soorie ; I spent a profitable ten days there many years ago and found the Bre-

wery nallah most productive in May ; the further East one goes in the Hima-

layas the more species are to be obtained. Kumaon is a country [ am not acquaint.

ed with, but it is a most interesting part of the Empire, since itis more

or less the meeting place of the N. W. Himalayan and the N. E. Indian sub-areas -

a good list was published by the late Mr. F. Hannyngton in Vol. 20. An investi;

gation of the butterflies of Nepal and Western Garhwal is most desirable. For

Lucknow see Vol. 14.

31. The N. E. Indian fauna proper commence with the Darjiling district or

516 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Sikkim and a good list of the butterflies was published by DéNiceville in the

Gazetteer of Sikkim, 1894. I spent April and May here some years ago and added

considerably to my collection, but:a lifetime is required to get to the end of the

species to be obtained in this prolifi¢ area. Senchal or Tiger Hill yields the

magnificent T'einopalpus and the Teesta valley simply swarms with butterflies.

For Cachar see J. A. 8. B. 1886 ; Khasi Hills T. E. 8. 1893 ; Abor country Vol.

23 ; Mishmi Hills Vol. 22 ; Manipur and Naga Hills Vol. 21 and 23. Coming to

Burma there are the following lists ; Chin Hills Vol. 10 ; Tharrawaddy Vol. 25;

Shan States T. E.S. 1890; Karen Hills P. Z. 8.1891; Tenasserim J. A. S. B.

1886 ; Tavoy Vol. 27 ; Mergui J. Linnean Society Vol. 21.

32. During the winter of 1920-21 my wife and I spent a most delightful 5

months in Burma catching butterflies and I strongly recommend others to follow

ourexample. We started off with Thandaung in the Karen hills at the end of Oc-

tober, but were a little late for the top of the hills; September, October, March

and April are the best months. Onthe top of Thandaung-gyi, Teinopalpus

is to be caught and other good collecting grounds are the Circular road and the

neighbourhood of the cemetery, also round the dak bangalow. The road down

to Toungoo is a magnificent collecting ground more especially in the neighbour-

hood of Shwenyaungbyin, the forest down to Pettichaung and the neighbourhood

of the latter place. In manyways the Thandaung ghat is one of the best collect-

ing places in the Indian Empire ; it is the meeting place of the Chinese and the

Malayan elements and possesses a number of species or well defined races, that

do not appear to be found elsewhere. We then spent a month in the Tavoy dis-

trict partly at Kanbauk, near the Heinze basin and partly at Pagaiye, 10 miles

inland from Tavoy town. At Kanbauk the happy hunting grounds are the hills

on either side of the Wolfram mines and the mangrove swamp bordering on the

Heinze basin, where the stately Hestia is to be seen sailing to andfro. At Pagaiye

the hill top just beyond the village is a wonderful place for rare species, while

the valley South of the river is a good collecting ground. The end of December

we spent as guests of the Burma Para Rubber Company on King Island, Mergui ;

the edges of the plantations, where the virgin jungle commences, were full of

butterflies and more especially along the Nallah at the North East corner ; wild

ageratum was in flower and attracted crowds. We then proceeded to Moul-

mein, up the river to Kyondo and on to Kawkareik, whence we marched over

the Dawna range and stopped at Thingannyanyaung on the Siam side at the

foot of the hills. The old path from this place to within a few miles of Kawka-

reik is a magnificent hunting ground, while the cart road up to Sukhali is full of

good species; Misty Hollow on the top of the Dawnas yields a few species not

found elsewhere. We finished up with Upper Burma, but found we were rather

too early in the year to catch the best species in that area ; a few good butter-

flies were obtained at the top of the waterfall at Anisakan below Maymyo and

in the valley above Loi-An near Kalaw ; the road from Kalaw to Thazi contains

several good hunting grounds. I may add that many good butterflies have come

from the Ruby mine district, North of Mandalay and from the foot of the hills

near Bhamo. For a visit of this sort I may say that a friend in Rangoon, who

knows Burma is a very great asset ; we were lucky and are eternally grateful to

all our friends for what they did to make our visit a success.

33. I may say that I have been collecting butterflies in India for 23 years

and my interest increases as the years go on, my only regret being that I did not

make better use of my earlier opportunities. I am a hard working individual at

my profession and find that the pursuit of my hobby is the best rest possible from

the cares of work, both during the periods I am at work and during the few spells

of leave I have been able to obtain. It is a healthy out-door pursuit, with occu-

pition for the evenings, and not only that, but I can look forward to plenty to

do when I retire. I most strongly recommend anyone who has read through

this article to take it up and can promise that the Society will give him or her

fat

BUTTERFLY COLLECTING IN INDIA. 517

every assistance ; they have an excellent library, a good collection to refer to

and experts, who will name anything. For those in the neighbourhood of Cal-

cutta there is the Indian Museum to refer to and the Director of Zoological Survey

will offer every assistance ; there is a most complete library and the very complete

DeNiceville collection. Visitors to England should inspect the National collec-

tion in the basement of the South Kensington Museum, where Capt. Riley will

do anything he can to help them. Don’t forget that all the three institutions I

have mentioned will be very glad to receive specimens especially from out-the-

way localities.

[A subsequent paper by Col. Evans will deal with the method of identi-

fying the commoner species of Butterflies. —Eps. |

518

REVIEW.

ZOOLOGY, A TEXT-BOOK FOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

T. D, A. CocKERELL.

Professor of Zoology, University of Colorado.

(Pp. xi+558. (New World, Science Series. Edited by John W. Ritchie):

Published by the World Book Company. Yonkers-on-Hudson, New York-

1920. Price three dollars.)

This is an ideal work for the general student who does not intend to pursue

his studies far, or for the amateur, who while specially interested in a particular

branch of zoological science, also desires to acquaint himself with its general

principles. Profess 1 Cockerell is known to all biologists as a man of extraordi-

nary versatility and individuality ; and this individuality shows itself in his

book, for he has found space for such interesting questions as Mendelism, ferti-

lization, sex, nature and nurture, alcohol and heredity, variation, selection,

Protozoa and disease, disease in relation to human evolution, eugenics, sociology

from a biologist’s point of view, the pedigree of the horse and the elephant, the

evolution and characters of man, and the zones of life, most of which are not dis-

cussed in ordinary text-books. There is here plenty for the student to ponder

over, and some of the chapters are not quite readily understood, but these are

big questions and big questions are difficult. ‘‘ From a psychological and peda-

gogical standpoint, it is surely an error to suppose that each idea must be lum-

inously clear at the moment of presentation.”

A feature of great interest is the introduction of biographical chapters closely

connected with the chapters that follow. ‘‘ We are too apt to receive the gifts

of science without asking whence they came...What we have to-day was not

gained without arduous toil and persistent zeal, often in the face of many diffi-

culties. As the pious studied the lives of the saints, so may we pause now and

then to learn how scientific heroes have won new territory for the kingdom of

science. Thus, if we have anything of generous response within us, we may

return to our studies refreshed, resoiving that we also, in some measure, will

further the good cause.” So, short sketches of Mendel, Darwin, Linnzus, Fabre,

Pasteur, Agassiz, and Baird are presented. In a new edition it is hoped that

men like Huxley will receive somewhat fuller treatment, and the author will

tell us something of the father of biological science—Aristotle, and Cicero’s

great imitator—Pliny.

The author is never pedantic, never dull, and his chapters—of which there are

sixty-six are unusually brief, but lucid, freshly written and to the point. ‘‘ The

biology or zoology for the average individual who has no thought of ‘specializing

in the department should not be too morphological, too rich in detailed facts of

structures and classification. Experience shows that such minutie are not

remembered, and do not leave as a residue any broad and useful conceptions.

The working out of a single problem or small group of problems in detail is a |

different matter, as it teaches of methods and points of view in a manner never

to be forgotten, and may well open the way for an amateur interest which will

remain a blessing through life.”

Most of the illustrations are good: many novel and interesting, and in a

new edition further light improvements could easily be made.

For all, the book is a good introduction ; and the fact that it relates chiefly to

New World zoology does not make it any the less interesting to us in India. Let

us hope that it will suggest to some competent biologist the necessity of a work

on Indian zoology written along sin:ilar lines.

519

OBITUARY.

LIEUTENANT-CoLONEL L. L. FENTON,

Licutenant-Colonel Layard Livingstone Fenton, who died recently at Marsh

Hall, South Moulton, aged 72, was the son of the Rev. George Livingstone

Fenton, late Chaplain of St. Mary's Church, Poona, and of the English Church,

San Remo. He was born in 1849, joined the Royal Artillery in 1870, and was

appointed to the lst Grenadiers, Bombay Native Infantry (now 101st

Grenadiers, I.A.), in 1872. In the following year he joined the Indian

Revenue Survey, and was appointed Political Assistant at Kathiawar in 1889

and President of the Rajastanik Court in 1896, which appointment he held

until he retired in 1901. During the War he offered his services to the

Government of Bombay. Lt.-Col. Fenton was well known in many parts of

India as a keen sportsman and naturalist and contributed frequently to various

sporting journals.

Members of the Society will recall Lt.-Col. Fenton’s interesting articles on

the Indian Lion published in Volumes XIX and XX of the Society's Journal.

The preservation of the Lion from extinction in this country is due very

largely to his efforts.

In addition to his articles on the Lion the readers of our Journal are

indebted to him for a number of contributions on a variety of subjects dealing

with Sport and Natural History. Col. Fenton is to be classed among those

intelligent Field Naturalists who hy their carefully collected notes and observa-

tions do so much to assist the Scientific or Musewm worker in unravelling the

many problems before him.

520

EDITORIAL.

The Committee have great pleasure in announcing that H. R. H.

the Prince of Wales has honoured the Society by becoming not only

a Life Member but also its first Patron.

On receipt of H. R. H.’s gracious intimation H.EH. Sir George

Lloyd, the President of the Society, sent the following telegram to

Vice Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey :—

‘* Please convey to His Highness respectful and heartfelt thanks of

the members of the Bombay Natural History Society that His

Royal Highness has been graciously pleased to become a patron

of the Society. ”’

Although No. 1 of this volume was only sent out to members towards the

latter end of January, the Editors had hoped to be able to issue the present

number, No. 2, by the end of February along with the Index for the previous

volumes and try and bring the journal out quarterly instead of at the very

irregular periods of the past. Unfortunately our resolution has gone the way of

so many New Year resolutions. We do not wish to blame the Press, but they are

too popular and at the beginning of the year the extraction of proofs from the

Press is as difficult as the extraction of an old wisdom tooth. Let us hope it is

not as painful.

The difficulty of bringing out the journal at regular intervals necessitates an

increase in the size of each part and a complete journal is now too bulky to bind

in one volume. We are issuing with this number therefore a title page and in-

dex of contents of the first two parts so that they can be bound together as a

half volume. The index of scientific names will, when issued, apply to the whole

volume and can be bound up with the second half volume.

A list of members of the Society, corrected as far as possible up to the end of

1921, will appear in the index to Vol. X XVII and will not therefore be repeated

in this number. The accounts for 1920 will also appear in that index number

but some comment is necessary on the state of our funds at the end of 1921.

The accounts for that year will be found at the end of this number.

In 1920 our income from subscriptions was Rs.18,993 paid by 1,266 members

for that year and we also received Rs. 2,582-0-0 on account of back and future

subscriptions. Our expenses on account of the journal in that year were

Rs.9,000 and we had notice of a very heavy increasein the cost of printing it,

Similarly with salaries and office expenses. In 1920 the former were

Rs. 14,700 and the latter Rs. 10,536 and on account of the growth of museum

work and work in connection with the issue of the snake charts and the volumes

on game birds, we knew that we had to face increased expenditure here.

The Committee, therefore, recommended to members the advisability of in-

creasing the annual subscription and at the same time raising the entrance fee.

The Life membership fee was raised to Rs. 350 though old members were to be

given six months grace to commute at the old figure of Rs. 200 should they so

desire. These recommendations were accepted by the members and no less than

60 commuted their annual subscription and became Life members. Out of a

nominal roll of 1832 at the beginning of 1921, 432 names have disappeared, some

because the increase in the cost of living neccssitated a careful pruning of subs-

cription lists, others because absence from India had lessened their interest in

the Netural History of India, a few we regret to say, because of death, but

practically none because they did not consider membership of the Society

worth an annual subscription of Rupees Twenty-five.

EDITORIAL, 521

In 1920 when the entrance fee was Rs. 10 only 119 new members joined. In

1921 with an entrance fee of Rs. 20, we have obtained 87 new members.

Although, as mentioned above, only 432 members’ names were removed from

the list, the increased subscription was reczived from only 1112, and 113 members

have still to pay the balance of Rs. 10. Unfortunately the difficulty of collect-

ing the enhanced subscription continues this year, mainly through the remiss-

ness of the Honorary Secretary who, when notifying members of the increase

last year, forgot to enclose revised Banker’s ordcr forms, with the result that a

considerable number of members, who pay their subscription in that most con-

venient way and who had paid the increased subscription for 1921, have had

their subscription for 1922 paid by their bankers at the old rate. This has ne-

cessitated a good deal of trouble to all concerned but revised Banker’s orders

have been sent out and the Honorary Secretary takes this opportunity of

expressing his regret for his strategical blunder.

Now as to the 1921 figures :—

Receipts from subscriptions for the year were Rs. 28,126 and past and future

subscriptions accounted for Rs. 2,275 making a total of Rs. 30,401. This shows

a gain on 1920 of Rs. 8,826. Entrance fees in 1921 realised Rs. 1,470 as against

Rs. 1,130 in 1920. As regards other income which may be considered recurring,

Rs. 2,851 was received as interest on securities or bank deposits and Rs. 2,598

from sale of back journals as compared with Rs. 2,563 and Rs. 1,680 respective-

ly in 1920.

One item of income which so far as the issue of the journal is concerned ceases

to be of a recurring nature is the Government grant which in future will have

to be spent entirely on the museum. In 1920 we received Rs. 5,000 and in 1921

Rs. 15,000. We hope the Bombay Government will increase this in 1922.

Now turning to the expenditure’ side the figures show that we spent

Rs. 16,436 on the journals in 1921 as compared with Rs. 9,000 for the previous

year, and no less than Rs. 27,221 on salaries in 1921 as compared with

Rs. 14,685 in 1920. The salaries may be divided as to Rs. 17,777 for the

Curators and Museum staff and Rs. 9,444 for the clerical staff.

These great increases make one very anxious for the future. The journal

must be maintained and improved as without it we cannot carry on the good

work the Society has done for nearly forty years. The research work of the

Museum must continue and by moving our collections to the Prince of Wales’

Museum we have accepted the obligation of maintaining a Natural History Mu-

seum for the benefit of the general public, and this means very heavy expendi-

ture on mounting and exhibiting specimens. Fortunately there have been during

1921 certain receipts other than those already mentioned. These, however, can-

not be counted on as regular sources of income and one, Life membership com-

mutation, has to be regarded as capital and invested. The receipts referred to

are :—Life membership feos Rs. 12,000, and receipts on account of publications

such as the Snake charts and the volumes on the Game Birds of India. Nei-

ther of these two latter have so far realised more than has been expended on

them but the year 1922 should balance the expenditure and leave the Society

we hope a small profit.

The work before us in the Prince of Wales’ Museum necessitates our raising

funds from other sources than those at present available. The Government

contribution of Rs. 40,000 is quite inadequate. Out of this sum we have al-

ready expended Rs. 8,545 in preparing for the Prince’s visit which most unfor-

tunately did not come off—and the opening of the Museum for the general

public. Most of this latter expenditure is of a non-permanent character.

The close association of the Prince of Wales’ Museum, Bombay, with the visit

of the present Prince of Wales led the committee to apply to the Prince of Wales

Bombay Reception Fund for increased help over and above the grant of

Rs. 2,000 donated by the Fund for expenses in connection with the Prince’s

visit, but the decision of the Committee of the Fund to reserve the whole of

§22 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATUKAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVITI1.

the money forthe purpose of erecting a Children’s Hospital as a memorial of the

visit precluded compliance with the request.

The Western India Turf Club is a generous donor to so many institutions in

Bombay that an appeal was made with some hopes to them; the ground for the

appeal being the enjoyment the Society’s museum would give to the general

public of Bombay. We are confident that the Committee of the Turf Club rea-

lised this but we suppose they found a difficulty in considering the benefit con-

ferred as one of a charitable nature and so, probably rightly, had to decline

our request.

Our only recourse seems, therefore, to be what should after all be our best re-

source, namely, our own members. At the annual general meeting held at the end

of February it was decided to ask members to become Vice-Patrons of the Society

by contributing sums of Rupees Five Thousand and over for the use and benefit

of the Prince of Wales’ Museum, Natural History Section. Monies so received

will be used for the purchase of show cases and the mounting of specimens and

the various show cases will bear inscriptions reading somewhat after this style :

“* Presented by

a member of theBombay Natural History Society and mounted for exhibition

from funds provided by———_________ Vice-Patren

of the Society.”

We wonder whether we shall have the good fortune to exhibit any trophies

presented by H. R. H. the Prince of Wales ? Our Curator, Mr. Ellison, accom-

panied H. R. H. during his shoot in the Nepal Terai, Mysore, Bhopal, Gwalior

and Patiala and looked after the live animals presented to H. R. H. by the

Prime Minister of Nepal during their journey to Bombay. We hope that a

future issue of this journal will contain an account of the Prince’s shikar in

these three places.

H. E. Sir George Lloyd, the President of the Society, accompanied by H. E.

The Hon’ble Lady Lloyd paid a private visit to the Natural History Section of

the Prince of Wales’ Museum and afterwards to the other sections on the 19th

December. The Natural History Section, as arranged for the visit of

H. R. H., was open to the general public for eight days in November 1921. It

remained open after the public opening until the end of January and then had

to be closed to all but members. The reason is that, until glass show cases and

mounted specimens can be provided, the exhibits will spoil by being exposed to

light and air. The Curators are doing all they can to get the Natural History

Section ready for permanent opening to the public. Various rules will have

to be framed in this connection, but it is unlikely that these will be of a definite

character until the Museum Act has been amended by the Bombay Legislative

Council and two members of the Society officially appointed to the Board of

Trustees.

Turning now to the work of the mammal survey, we regret to have to record

the resignation through ill-health of Mr. Riley O’Brien who had been working in

South India. His work had been greatly handicapped through continual attacks

of malaria which finally incapacitated him from jungle work altogether. His

place has been taken by a young collector, Charles McCann, who received his

early training as a Naturalist and Collector under the keen eye of the Rev.

Father Blatter, S. 3. Mr .McCann commenced his work on behalf of the Society by

visiting Kanara and skinning and skeletonising a rogue tusker elephant which

had been shot at Honavar. Mr. McCann was successful and skeleton and skin

are now in the Society’s rooms awaiting the advent of a Vice-Patron of the

Society to enable them to be mounted and exhibited in the Museum. Along

with the skeleton and skin he brought a pair of tusks weighing 18 Ibs. Unfortu-

nately the shikari who had shot the elephant claimed these tusks and as the Socie-

ty could not afford to buy ivory at the market rate delicate negotiations had to

be entered into to see what was the lowest figure the shikari would receive for the

EDITORIAL. 523

honour of presenting the tusks to the Society, and what was tho highest figure

the Society could go to show its appreciation of the shikari’s services. The result

of the negotiation was that the tusks became the property of the Society

on payment of Rs. 50. Mr. Wells has been in Bombay during Mr. Ellison’s

absence with the Prince and his help with the Society’s collections has been

greatly appreciated. The medical authorities have now certified him as clear

of malarial infection and he has left for the Punjab to work in the neigh-

bourhood of Dharamsala. His work will be greatly facilitated by the assistance

kindly promised by the various Government officials there, and we take this

early opportunity of thanking them and, more especially, Mr. Hugh Whistler

for their valuable advice and help.

A collection sent over from Mergui by Mr. Primrose has given great pleasure

to the Society’s Curators and will, we hope, do the same to the authorities at

the British Museum. It shows how much can be done under difficulties and the

difficulties experienced in working amongst the Islands of Mergui, Archipelago,

are many and varied. A description of these will be given in the papers dealing

with Mr. Primrose’s collections. A collector’s difficulties of a different nature

are humourously referred to elsewhere in a paper entitled ‘“ In Lighter Vein.”

The first two volumes of the Game Birds of India have at last materialised

and are now in subscribers’ hands, and we hope the pleasure of receiving these

splendid books has obliterated all remembrances of the long delay. We hope

these books will be the means of bringing many new members to the Society

as though the Booksellers in this country have converted the English price

into rupees at the good exchange of 1/4 and it is cheaper for those in India to

buy the book in India rather than in England (the reverse is of course the case

for those in England) there is a good reduction off the published price given to

members, though this is naturally not as much as is given to the original sub-

scribers who, by subscribing, enabled publication to be undertaken. We con-

gratulate Mr. Stuart Baker on the publication of these fine volumes, and we

also, on behalf of the subscribers, express our very cordial thanks to Mr.

- Millard for all the work he has done.

The Editor who has written these notes would like to congratulate his brother

editors, Messrs. Ellison and Prater, not on their not having written them though

perhaps such would be a matter of congratulation, but on their appointment

as Corresponding Members of the Zoological Society. Their position and work

enables them to do a great deal for the Zoological Society of London and they

are carrying on the work of their predecessor Mr. N. B. Kinnear and of Mr.

H. M. Phipson and Mr. W. S. Millard. Whilst on the subject of the Zoological

Society of London we would advise members that the gardens at Regents Park

are urgently in need of live animals. Or. Chalmers Mitchell in forwarding a

list of animals wanted by the Zoo mentions the following :—Young Elephants

and Rhinos, Tigers, Swamp Deer, (Stags especially), Black Buck, Nilghai, Takin,

Goral, Serow, Tahr, Markhor, Barhals, Wild Dogs. Among the birds he mentions

Pheasants and Hornbills; he adds that no Lions, Leopards or Cattle are wanted.

Will members who are willing and able to present any of those, correspond

with the Curators of the Bombay Natural History Society as to the necessary

arrangements to be made to send the animals home,

R. A. SPENCE.

524

IN LIGHTER VEIN.

NOTES BY A PSEUDO COLLECTOR.

Finding that very few persons seem to have any idea as to what a Mammal

Collector’s work is like, or how he “ muddles through it, ” and hoping that some

of the material contained in these notes may prove of use to other Collectors, I

have presumed to offer them for publication. I shall start by trying to give my

readers a general idea of what is as likely to happen as not to any Collecter

arriving at the area in which he is to work, and not an inhabitant of which he

can even claim the slightest acquaintance with. I may mention that ‘‘ Truth

being stranger than Fiction ” I trust that nothing I say will be taken as evidence

against me.

QOn-the, ..iphaofee’ ssi I received instructions to proceed to X and report on

my arrival to Z, who had kindly offered to help any Collector working in this

area. I arrived in due course and, as instructed, made straight for Z’s Bungalow

and found him at home. After enquiring after my health and the kind of jour-

ney I had had, he remarked, ‘‘ But, Good Lord, I never dreamt they’d send

you here at this time of the year, you'll not be able to do a thing before—even

the Natives don’t go into the Jungle now.” That was rather depressing, so to

change the subject, I asked him if he had seen the last ‘‘ Journal ’’, to which he

replied, ‘‘ Oh, dear, no, I am not a Member, in fact I take no interest at all in

Natural History, but a cousin of mine married a chap who was a great man on

that sort of thing, (I love that expression), went in for examining the blood of

all these brutes, don’t you know, bats, rats, owls, monkeys, eagles, etc., he was

a what-you-may-call-’em (I had already thought so) now what is the word ? You

must know, a Hem, Hem, Hemma, what is that word ?? The only one starting

with Hemma that I could think of did not seem to end properly, so I kept silent

and tried to look as though wrapped in thought. ‘‘ Ah, well, never mind ”

said he, “I'll remember it in the morning, it’s funny sometimes how one

forgets a simple word,” and he looked very cock-sure about it. ‘‘ Now let me

see what I can do for you, I expect you’re brought your kit along with you

for camping, such as tents, crockery, cutlery, glass, cooking utensils, camp fur-

niture, tables, chairs, beds, mattress, pillow, bath, wash-basin and other odds

and ends.” I only seemed to have the odds and ends but looked cheerful and

said “Rather”. I asked him if he could put me on to a decent interpreter and

I was told it could be arranged, so left him promising to let him know of any

wants I discovered. Before describing the interpreter incident, I will try and

describe the attitudes and ideas of the Europeans of the District. Before going

any further I must say that everyone of them did all in their power to make

me feel at home and to give me a good time and I shall always remember their

great kindness.

After a few days residence in X, Z asked me to go along to the Club with him

and meet some of the Members, and I duly accepted his invitation. I found after

being introduced that my fame had gone before me, as one Jady said as soon as

my host had mentioned my name ‘“‘Oh you are the gentleman who has come to

collect squirrels, aren’t you?” A Planter to whom I was introduced said

“* You are the Rat-catcher, aren’t you ?’ and there were other similar remarks

made. The people seemed to take it for granted that I must be a very up-to-

date naturalist, in fact, judging by some of the questions I had asked me, some

seemed to imagine me an embryo Darwin. The questions ranged from the

difference between the leopard and panther to whether a flea was an Aptera or

Rhynchota. I, in turn, referred the enquirers to the B. N. H.S., Blanford,

Sterndale, Darwin, Heckel and numerous other works real and imaginary.

The information I gathered was equally varied: I was told by some of a

IN LIGHTER VEIN, . 525

certain mammal that swarmed, but only up a certain river, by others that it

was very very sparsely distributed all over the district except up the same

river where it had never been known. I remember asking about flying

foxes, and the time of year during which they occurred in X was disputed

hotly by various men and there seemed at least half a dozen opinions as to

the months. However, as one long-headed gentleman said ‘‘ Good Lord,

fancy, here’s this man been sent all this way to shoot flying foxes by people

in Bombay. Ha! Ha! by Jove, it is rich.” I was glad to see however he

was sufficiently observant to have noticed the occurrence of this animal in

Bombay.

Of course I was offered most interesting specimens, such as shark’s fins, tailor

bird’s nests, oyster shells, young mongrel pup, kittens, etc. I was also told of

the Black Gecko which my informant was positive was deadly, in fact colubrine

poisoning or viperine were not in the same street. Another interesting

thing I was told about this reptile was that if it took up it’s abode in a house,

death to one or more of the inhabitants was certain as it would attack anyone

within reach and had been known to drop from the ceiling on to the neck of a

person and grasp him firmly by the ear injecting a lethal dose of venom mean-

while. I tried to look serious and told him I had not heard of it but would not

forget what I'd been told, no more I shall.

As regards the general opinion on a Collector of any specimens of Natural

History whatsoever this seems to vary a lot, but that he must be just a “ little

touched ’’ is unanimous. This is a pity as it is a slight handicap to contend with

from the very commencement, even should the general opinion be correct. Now,

having got to know some of the residents, naturally I was anxious to learn as

much as possible about my area and I was told by several people that I had come

at the wrong time of the year and that several months would have to elapse be-

fore I could even think of starting work. Several said what I wanted for my

work was a launch, which was sound enough no doubt but out of the question.

However, a certain A was pointed out to me as the man who could put me in the

know and to him I went. He was kindness itself but beyond ‘‘ You can’t do

anything now, ”’ I got nothing out of him. Of course I picked up my information

as I went along and found, when I started work, that I knew sufficient to be of

considerable help to me so that I was quite content. All I would remark is that

anyone going on a similar expedition would do well to remember that *‘ while

many will give thee counsel wisdom cometh only from a few’. The questions

put me regarding my work were as varied in their character as they were numer-

ous. One that seemed the favourite was “‘ What do you think you will get ? ”’-

From what I had heard of the climate in the jungle “ at this time of the year’’

I felt like saying ‘“‘ FEVER,” but that would have been rude, though true, as

after events proved. One advantage I found in talking a certain amount of shop

was that any one possessing an animal or insect of any description was very keen

on showing it to me and thus I was able to see specimens I might otherwise have

missed. X I found abounded in pet monkeys, more bungalows possessing

them than not. I made a monkey-examining tour once and found the follow-

ing :—H.lar, P. fascicularis, P. arctoides, and P. obscurus 1 was told had been

kept by a certain person. Thespecimen of P. arctoides I saw was immature

and a most amusing little animal it was too, full of mischief. The orbital area

was a ruddy pink dotted with black as though charcoal dust had been

sprinkled on to it. He had a very intelligent expression and quite a charm of

manner, it was very amusing to see him shake hands, which trick he had

learnt, but for some reason he seemed to prefer offering a hind foot to be

shaken and the expression of utter boredom on his face when turning his back

and raising a hind foot was really a study. This monkey I was informed had

been brought from the forest about 20 miles N. of X, where they inhabited

the hills near the coast. I was also shewn a mangled skin of M. javanica.

526 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

P. fascicularis struck me as being a particularly obnoxious little brute, as while

possessing all the habits and customs of that ungentlemanly animal the

Bengal Monkey its defects are enhanced by an expression of the most abject

misery.

“THe INTERPRETER. ”’

One mail day shortly after my arrival, when I was in the throes of writing

letters against time, a rasping cough distracted my attention from the business in

hand. Knowing that the average Indian is as good at waiting as he is at coughing

I decided to carry on with my correspondence till it suited me to enquire into

the business of my cough-racked friend outside. I soon found however that to

write coherently with a cough such as his ringing in my ears was impossible,

so I shouted in Hindustani and asked who the cougher was and _ what his busi-

ness to which I got the intelligent reply ‘‘ Hum hai huzoor.”

In order to get quit of him quickly I called him in and after a very polite

salaam was handed a letter. This was from L.’s clerk and read as follows :—

To—HonovuRreEpD Sir,

The bearer Yussuf Khan is an interpreter and has been employed as such for

some years by the Survey of India parties when working in this vicinity, He

is willing to accept Rs. 35 per mensem as a starting salary. You will find him

honest and hard working. He is not of menial class being by trade a motor

mechanic—I am, etc.

Having read this I had a look at the man and was instantly convinced of the

truth of the statement in the letter anent the class to which he did not belong

and wondered at his condescension in accepting Rs. 35 even as a starting salary,

and I wondered if Solomon in all his glory was ever arrayed like Yussuf Khan.

He was clothed in a spotless twill shirt, crushed strawberry coloured silk loongy

and ‘‘ Saxone ”’ boots with mauve socks. His hair shone like the raven’s wing

and from the way it waved I wondered if he used Anzora. In fact he looked as

though he had attained the “‘ complete Swaraj”’ pictured by Mr. Gandhi and

promised by him in most months of the year.

After scrutinising him for a few moments I talked to him about the job, salary,

etc., and he agreed to start work on Rs. 35 a month, please note the “ start,”,

and to interpret for me and help with skinning when I’d taught him this work.

I could never however picture him sitting down to skin a very dead rat but I

couldn’t do without an interpreter so there it was. Four days before leaving X

to start work he asked for an advance, a mere matter of three months pay, and

on my asking the reason stated that he wished to buy loongyis. Naw his series

of loongyis (I can remember at least six different ones), all of the finest silk, had

been greatly admired by me so this reason didn’t suffice and I informed him

that as we should be leaving his lady-friends at X for sometime and going into

the jungle,I would suggest his taking his oldest loongyi and cutting it into pieces

24 x 9 inches of which he’d get about 6 and have a costume suited to the work

and environments. This so insulted his sense of decency that I never saw him

again and set sail interpreterless if I may coin a word. I have another now

but that’s another tale.

Til

TRAPPING.

A man once said these words to me and I’ve never forgotten them and pro-

bably never shall. ‘‘ You know old chap ma brainy man andI know it

and a man who has brains and doesn’t know it is a darned fool”. This calm

determined statement not even containing the usual * though I say it as should

n’t’’ prompted me to ask him what he’d call a man who was not brainy and who

didn’t kid himself he was. He was not brainy enough to answer the question.

IN LIGHTER VEIN. 527

Well to anyone in doubt as to which of the above three classes they belong I

would say try one month’s trapping and you willsoon be convinced as to your

correct class. During the first fortnight you are certain that you don’t even belong

to the lowest of these classes but area pure and simple idiot. I think I am right

in cautioning anyone wishing to start trapping not to use too many traps for a

start, as you’ll get disgusted for a cert. Having gained your experience in

setting traps and finding them again you may use your own discretion as to the

number you set daily. After some months of this work I find 25 to 30 about

right for me but I’ve been told of a collector who preferred 100 and over and

was very successful with this number, but the placing of large numbers of

traps takes time, which sometimes can’t be spared. I shall now proceed to give

my readers all the tips I’ve collected re. trapping but fear that, being but a tyro

myself, these are not as numerous as they might be. As nearly all my trapping

has been done in heavy evergreen forest I will give you the tips for this type

of ground. You will find old fallen tree trunks are a good spot to place traps

as rats are very fond of making a run under or alongside these and often have

their holes under them so as to have a tight roof over their heads and the

last 10 or 15 feet of their road home dry also. These old logs seem to attract

the smaller denizens of the forest in much the same way as a light at night

attracts drunken men and insects, apparently an_ irresistable attraction.

Under a mass of tangled creepers is also pretty good and if any tree shrews

occur in the locality these are the spots they love and in such spots have

Icaught many. Another good spotis amongst broken rocky ground so if you

run across such ground pick on the likely looking spots and try your traps.

Rats you'll find mostly visit the traps at night, tree shrews and some

other wee beasties by day, so examine your traps at dawn and dusk and you

won’t go far wrong. As regards changing your traps to fresh spots your

bags will help to guide but I don’t think it is advisable to keep traps more than

4 or 5 days in the same spots. The only baits ve used are, cocoanut, and dried

fish, both of which ve found quite gocd and are easily procured in most

places. Local natives can sometimes tell one of good baits and I always enquire

of them regarding such.

In suitable jungle the finding of good spots for your traps is not difficult, in

fact is much easier than the rest of the job. Having set your traps you mark

the spots where they are by any means you may think suitable, bits of paper or

rag, blazing trees or any other method that may strike you, it won’t make

much difference. In the morning you go to examine the catch and then it is

that such facts as the following are brought home to you: That white (we will

suppose paper or cloth of this colour to have been used in marking down your

traps) which you fondly believed to be a colour strikingly conspicuous under any

circumstances can be sometimes nearly as invisible as neutral grey. That a

rotten log shaped at one end like a fantastic gargoyle which you thought was

absolutely unmistakable can have two or three exact replicas in quite a small

space. That spots seen with the sun in the west look very different when seen

with the light the other way round. That if there's one track that resembles

another there’s fifty, and a heap of other little facts (woodcraft I suppose you’d

call them) which no doubt you would rather discover yourself than be told a

word about. Blazing trees to mark your traps. I have used this method very

successfully in jungles far from any villages, but if any natives wander in the

vicinity of your traps it is fatal, as nothing seems more infectious than blazing

trees and as the native as often as not carries a knife of sorts with him the

finding of your traps on your next visit is likely te make you waste much valu-

able time and language and throw your temper out of gear for the rest of the

day. On the whole pieces of paper are better I think than blazing which I gave

up the first time I had proof of its being highly infectious,

Always see that the twig or peg, or whatever you tie your trap to, will stand

528 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

a fair strain as otherwise your trap may be dragged some little way and search-

ing for it will be no pleasure. Tree shrews I’ve found die hard and will drag

away a trap very often if it is not securely tied. Altogether I consider that a

course of trapping would knock spots off a course of Pelmanism and if adopted

by the general public would become sufficiently popular, combining as it does

healthy outdoor exercise in all weathers with very efficient memory training, to

compel Mr. Pelman to cease the further publication of ‘‘ The little Grey books ”

or books of any other hue for that matter.

In spite of all precautions the loss of a trap or two occasionally is certain, but

to date I have been unable to decide whether it is preferable to have a trap stolen

by a local native or to lose it through one’s own dense stupidity ; the loss of a

few more may help me to decide.

While on the subject of trapping I feel it imperative to say a few words regard-

ing some of what one might term the trapper’s enemies. These are ants, rats,

shrews and slugs. I mention the ants first as they have caused me more annoy-

ance than the others put together. How many species there may be in India

and Burma, or how many there are that [ve come in contact with I won’t

attempt to say but of their having driven me half crazy many a time there is

not the slightest doubt.

As these insects have foraging scouts continually on the hunt for provisions it

is never long before your trap is visited by one and, as a very efficient line of

communication exists between each scout and H. Q., it takes very little time for

a message to be sent by him that brings 100’s or 1000’s to your bait and, as

they put heart and soul into their work, your bait diminishes rapidly. When

perhaps one-third has been removed to H. Q. a rat comes along and taking a

bite at what remains of the bait, is killed. All hands are immediately ordered

to leave the bait and start work on the rat and they do so with a vengeance,

with the result that on your visiting the trap you find a specimen minus ears,

nose, lips and most of the facial skin, not to mention fleshy parts of the feet and

skin of the tail, When you find 75 per cent. like this you are glad your lady-

friends are not within earshot. So much for specimens caught in traps in the

jungle, but your troubles, or rather ants, don’t stop at that. When drying your

specimen if you don’t watch it the ants will have you again by eating away

all the skin they can. I find that after a time one gets so into the habit of

expecting interference from ants that if by any chance you are lucky enough

to strike a spot for a few hours that is antless a terribly depressing feeling of

having missed something of vital importance steals over one and causes

considerable brain fag till the cause is realised.

Shrews and rats come next in order as though they do not damage as many

specimens as ants, those they do they do thoroughly. They usually seem to

select on a rarity and just leave sufficient to make you rack your brains to try

and discover to what animal the remains belong. This worry in the daytime

will very often be the cause of horrid vague haunting dreams at night from which

you awake saying, “ colour darker, size smaller, tail longer, body shorter, teeth

stouter” as you read once in a “‘ Summary ” some time back. But the question

‘**than what ?”’ brings you to full consciousness again and your nerves are so

on edge by this time that you have to smoke half a cigarette to sodthe you to

sleep again.

Slugs and centipedes also occasionally destroy specimens but they are I’m glad

to say not sufficiently numerous to be really bad. Centipedes seem to like

gnawing the throat and I’ve more than once caught one at it. Slugs seem to

attack the belly more than other parts.

For ants I’ve found powdered turmeric placed in a ridge half an inch wide

round the edge of the board on which specimens are being dried a pretty sure

preventative. Napthaline used in the same way is also good but more expensive.

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Journ. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

OORIAL. (Ovis vignei)

Both animals were shot in the Kala Chita Range; Camphellpurs Dist. Punjab. The photos

illustrate the close-curved and open curve types’6! 1s. “Ss

529

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES,

No. I—NOTES ON LYDEKKER’S “* GAME ANIMALS OF INDIA.”

(With a Plate.)

Bison— Bos gaurus.

P, 56, The measurements given are wrongly quoted, from Ward’s ‘‘ Records

of Big Game.” The ‘* widest outside’ has been quoted as the

length. The irides of the only two bulls I have examined in this

particular detail were brown. The blue shade seemed to be

confined to the cornea, which appeared unusually convex and

slightly opaque.

P. 59. Only bulls well past their prime are permanently solitary. The finest

bulls return to a herd periodically to find a cow in season. Young

bulls are often found solitary owing to their having been driven from

the herd by the master bull.

P. 61. Ihave never seen a bull with a throat-fringein India, Burma or Siam.

Buffalo—bos bubalus.

P. 88. Buffalo seem to be undoubtedly wild in the hills west of Paknampo

in Siam, but they are by no means numerous. There are a few in

the Irrawadi delta, notably near Pyapon, which are said to be truly

wild. Those in the Arrakan Yomas (west of Thayetmyo) are said

to be descended from a herd which belonged to a local king about

300 years ago, but are quite possibly truly wild and not feral.

Oorial—Ovis vignet.

P. 101. No reliance can be placed on horn characteristics, as individual

variation is very great even in members of the same herd. In the

Kala Chitta Range near Campbellpore, native shikaris recognise two

distinct types of horn, and have separate vernacular names for

them ; one has a wide spiral with the points turning inwards, the

other a close flat spiral with the points diverging outwards. .

P.102. The ruff and beard are not fully developed till early December, being

almost entirely shed in the hot weather. I have shot a ram in Sep-

tember in the Punjab Salt Range with as little or less ruff than a

_Shapu ram shot in the same month at 12,000 feet near Leh in Ladakh.

The colour of the ruff varies in individuals, also of the beard. In

a few the beard is snow white and the ruff jet black, making a very

handsome contrast ; in others both are grey, but the ruff always

darker than the beard. I refer to rams from all parts of the Punjab

and from the hills west of the Indus below Attock. I have never

seen a Shapu ram in full winter coat, and do not know to what

extent the ruff and beard are developed.

Bharal—Ovis nahura.

P. 106. The average height at the shoulder is less than 36inches :—from 34}

to 35 is the average. A Shapuramisabout a 36 inches at the shoulder,

and a Bharal is decidely the smaller animal. Vide measurements

published in Miscellaneous Note No. 7 of the present number.

Asiatic Ibex— Capra sithirica.

P. 114. The determination of races is unsatisfactory. I have seen a herd of

twenty bucks in Baltistan, no two of which were exactly alike, and

which varied from dark brown to whitey-buff with every shade of

these colours in patches in some of them. Ina few cases they appear-

ed almost piebald. In the Chenab Valley the colour does not seem to

vary to such an extent, a light brown being the usual shade, but

patchy individuals are frequently met with.

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

P. 119. Is there an Ibex from N. Sikhim and Lhasa ? Ihave always heard

that the Sutlej forms their 8. E. boundary. I have met natives of

Lahoul carrying Ibex horns into Tibetan territory, and they may be

occasionally seen amongst the loads of the nomad ‘‘ chumpa ” cara-

vans which move annually between Ladak and Tibet. Horns from

the Brahmaputra or Ganges catchment area should be very care-

fully authenticated.

Varkhor— Capra megaceros.

P. 132. Animals from Sheikh Budin and the hills between Bannu and the

Indus are much smaller in body than the Kashmir specimens. The

males are ash coloured and have a chin-beard. The rut begins in

the last week in October.

Himalayan Tahr—Capra jemlaicus,

The normal weight is considerably under 200 lbs., about 180 Ibs.

A buck Ibex, which stands two inches higher at the shoulder, weighs

200 lbs. Vide measurement sent to B. N. H. 8.*

P. 136. The purport of this statement is vague, namely, that the habitat of

Tahr is hotter than that of the Rocky Mountain Goa Goat. Tahr

follow the melting snow up to 11,000 feet, and rarely descend below

8,000 feet till November ; consequently their retention of the long

coat is to be expected.

Nilgiri Tahr—Capra hylocrius.

P. 138. The saddle-mark is partially seasonal, fading away almost completely

in the summer in some specimens.

Black buck—Antilope cervicapra.

P. 178. The black fades considerably in all old males in the hot season, but

I have noticed that this seasonal peculiarity of colouring is more em-

phasised in Central and Southern India than in the Punjab. I, how-

ever, saw in Patiala in the winter of 1919-20, a large herd of buck

containing not less than 6 fully adult males with horns of 21 inches

or over, but which did not have a single black one amongst them.

Chinkara—Gazella bennettt.

P. 202. The specimens I have seen from the Peshawar Valley have distinctly

lyrate horns. I shot one of this type close to Jalezai at the foot of

the Cherat hills, and there was another very good example in the

Mess at Jamrud which had been killed a couple of miles to-the north

of the fort.

The height of many specimens I have measured in different parts

of India has always been just about 26 inches, occasionally half-an-

inch over.

Kashmir Stag—Cervus kashmirianus.

P. 211. In a 40-inch 8 pointer shot by me in Kishtwar, the trez tine is

missing. In two other large 8 point heads I have seen, the first

from the Sind Valley (44 inches) and the second (40 inches) from the

Kishenganga, the trez tine is missing in each. The Kishenganga

head is an abnormally thick one.

Malay Sambhar—Cervus unicolor equinus.

P. 232. The girth of horns seems greater in N.-W. Burma than in the dry

zone or the valley of the lower Salwin. These I have seen from

Tenasserim are very thin. The two thickest heads I have seen of

this sub-species came from the Buxa Duars.

They seem very free from extra points and basal snags as a rule,

but I saw a 343 inch head in a Siamese gendarmerie officers’ house at

Mesawt (just across the frontier in the Thaungyin Valley) which had

eleven points; the five extra points were three large basal snags and

a duplication of each top inner tine. This head came from Karenni.

* Vide Miscellaneous Note No. VII of this issue.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 531

Chital— Cervus axis.

P, 236. There was a head measuring 393 inches in the Officers’ Mess of the

Shropshire L. I. in Dinapore, in 1911. This was shot in the Northern

U. P., I think in the Ramnagar jungles.

Hog Deer— Cervus porcinus.

P. 242. Heads up to 25% inches have been obtained from the islands in the

Irrawadi below Prome.

P. 244, They are to be found in the lower Meping Valley in Siam.

Thamin— Cervus eldi,

P. 254. What authority is there for stating that the Siamese race is spotted ?

I could obtain no confirmation of this in Siam.

Muntjac— Cervulus muntjac.

P. 262. (Bottom). ima very old bucks the horns are never shed, but become

like polished bone and lose the front tine. I obtained two specimens

of this type in May 1914 in the Yamethin district, Burma. May

seems to be regular season for shedding the horns, as one buck I shot

in that month dropped his horns when he fell, while another had

the tips of the pedicels quite raw still.

Tenasserim Muntjac—Cervulus fee.

P. 263. The English name seems a misnomer, as C. few is by no means re-

stricted to Tenasserim, and is in fact much rarer than C. m. grandi-

cornis.

Isaw C. fee, on the Tack Plateau on 30-4-20, and am almost certain

I saw one on 4-2-20 about half a mile from the same spot. I shot a

specimen of C. m. grandicornis on the plateau on 2-2-20.

Wild Pig—Sus cristatus.

P. 283. I saw wild pig on several occasions in Tenasserim and Siam in the

first four months of 1920. They were heavily crested with black,

scantily-haired bodies ; and appeared much lighter built and longer

legged than any wild pig I have seen in India.

I saw a sounder high up on the East side of the mountain between

the west of the Meping about latitude 16 10’N. on 2-4-20.

Tiger—Felis tigris.

P. 298. These measurements are unreliable. All old measurements were

taken over the curves, some from the chin to the tip of tail including

the hair, and the tape well pressed down into the loose flesh of the

neck and back. I find that a 5’-4” bear stretches 18 inches or more

when properly pegged out ; that is without trying to obtain a length

measurement to boast about afterwards. Tiger and panther skins

certainly do not stretch less. A ten f>ot tiger, measured straight could

peg out at not less than 11’-8”. Mrs. Lawrie Johnstone’s tiger may

have been 10’-6”. General Green’s tiger of 11’-11” which only measured

5 inches more when pegged out, is ridiculous, The average Kashmiri

shikari will stretch a 5’-6” bear to 7’-4” in pegging out, if left to him-

self, and the shikari of the plains who has a master with a passion for

measuring his sport by inches, will pander to it to the same extent.

In “ Tiger-slayer by Order ” (Digby Davies) out of over 300 tigers

killed, the biggest measured 10’- 23’.

Leopard—Felis pardus.

P. 317. The illustration is evidently of a badly mounted specimen. No wild

leopard ever has a big abdomen. I have never seen one open its

mouth to snarl without wrinkling its cheeks and forehead and parti-

ally closing its eyes. The cheeks are much too fat and round. The

double curve in the tail is most curious. A leopard keeps one

continuous curve when waving or raising its tail.

532 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

Snow Leopard—Felis uncia.

P. 326. The Snow Leopard descends to the villages in winter and preys on

the village sheep. Itis then that most of the skins are obtained by

trapping the animals in pit-falls.

Caracal— Felis caracal,

P. 339. I feel sure that “ ech’ as the vernacular name is due to a misprint.

** Ke ’ in the Ladakhi and Tibetan name for the lynx. I never heard

‘*“ec”’ or “ech ’’, and it seems to have been adopted in a mangled

form by mistake. Ido not think the caracalever crosses the main

Himalayan chain, or even penetrates far into the outer hills. It is

essentially a beast of a dry country, rock and scrub jungle.

Lynx—Felis isabellina.

P. 343, Isaw afemale with three cubs in the Hanle district, in early August

1911. They were at about 17,000 feet. The cubs seemed very tame,

and I could easily have shot the mother but did not want to be bur-

dened with them. They were playing amongst some boortsia scrub

in a ravine, and when the mother ran off and stood 100 yards away,

the cubs let me get within 20 yards before following her. They seemed

about three months old. This species is common in the willow-

covered flats of the Shyek and Nubra Valleys, where they live largely

on the hares (L. craspedotis) which abound. The natives there accus-

ed them of killing an occasional lamb or kid from the village flocks.

In Rupshu another species of hare (L. oiostolus) seems to afford their

staple diet.

Indian Civet—Viverra zibetha.

P. 348. I shot a specimen of this species near Kawkareik, in Tenasserim, whose

skin measured 49 inches.

Wolf—Canis lupus.

. P. 356. They have increased in numbers of late years in Rupshu and Lahoul,

and do much damage to the sheep.

I saw one at midday in August 1911 sitting on the summit of a

low hill in Rupshu howling most dolefully. What it was about I

cannot think, but his grief was not sufficiently great to make him any

less wary than usual, and I failed to get a shot.

I saw a very fine specimen in the Kala Chitta Range in November

1919.

Brown Bear—Ursus arctus isabellinus.

P. 372. Many old males seem to take to carnivorous habits in the Autumn,

I have known one (September 1905) which regularly raided a sheep

fold in the Liddar Valley, Kashmir ; it was eventually killed in the

act. Another killed a pony, commencing to eat the unfortunate

animal before it was quite dead.

At the end of October 1919 a heavy snowstorm drove the bears

jown off the Shamshibri Range, and I killed a fine male brown bear

and a large female black bear right and left ; on going up next day to

look for the mate of the brown, I found her eating her husband’s

carcase, from which the skin had of course been removed, and shot

her. She had a very curious coat, consisting entirely of the fine

undercoat or ‘‘ pushm’’ which was developed to an unusual length ;

there were no long hairs of the usual type except in the region of

the face.

Black Bear— Ursus torquatus. ;

P. 383. Black bear raid the flocks very freely in the autumn. At the begin-

ning of September 1905, I was camped close to a big sheep fold which

was raided three nights in succession by a couple of black bears.

Their method was to burst into the fold and stampede the sheep

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 538

into the jungle; then kill them at their leisure. They ac-

counted for 42 sheep in the three nights.

P, 385. The young are born in the winter ; two being the usual number, but

I have twice seen three; both these latter cases occurred in

Kishtwar. In September 1911 I saw a black bear in Chamba Lahoul

high up above the Chenab about 15 miles below Trileknath. The

natives told me that they are very rarely seen as high up the

Chenab Valley as this.

Hares.

P. 341, p. 401. L. craspedotis is very common in the Shyok and Nubra valleys.

They seem to be very foolish in that region as, in the Hushe nullah,

after crossing a ridge they would always wait about 20 yards the

other side until I appeared over the top; thus giving me an

easy shot. They frequently ran into shallow holes under rocks,

and twice they made such a bad choice of refuge that I was able

to pull them out with my hand.

Schomburgh’s Deer.—C. schomburgki.

P. 247. This photo is stated to be of a Schomburgh’s Deer, but it appears

closely to resemble a young Swamp Deer. I though that only two

specimens of Schomburghi had ever reached Europe alive ; both

going to Berlin. Where did the animal illustrated come from ?

C. H. STOCKLEY,

Major,

66th Punjabis.

No. IJ.—EDITORS’ AND READERS’ COMMENTS ON NOTES WHICH

APPEARED IN PREVIOUS NUMBERS.

Sore-neck in Sambhar. (Vol. XX VII, No.4, Misc. Note No. VIII.)

Mr. J. H. Hutton, Kohima, Naga Hills, has sent us the following remarks in

connection with certain subjects referred to under the miscellaneous notes in

Vol. XX VII, No. 4 of the Society’s Journal. Mr. Hutton’s interesting field notes

on the Northern Slow Loris will be found included in the paper by Mr. Oldfield

Thomas on the nomenclature of that animal on a previous page. With refer-

ence to the note on “sore neck’ in sambhar he writes, ‘‘ I have been told by

Nagas that it is due to the animals’ perpetually rubbing themselves to get rid

off ticks. I mention this for what it may be worth. Ticks certainly attack the

necks of sambhar, and I have shot sambhar with masses of ticks on the front

of the neck, but possibly that was the result rather than the cause.”’

Hornbills in Captivity. (Vol. XXVII, No. 4, Misc. Note No. XVI.)

In another note he writes: ‘‘ With regard to Hornbills in captivity I have at

present two specimens of Dichoceros bicornis, though I could hardly describe

them as in captivity, as the birds are not and never have been confined. The

female is a young bird of this year’s brood, and cannot yet fly much, but follows

my mali about the compound and garden making a noise like the squeaking of

the bellows of a dilapidated harmonium, and that so incessantly that everyone

is sick of the sound of her. The male bird is at least 18 months old, and almost

certainly a year older than that as the Kukis wh» brought him to me nine months

ago then stated that he was two years old, which at any rate meant that he was

more than one year old. He lives absolutely loose about the place, comes on

the wing when called, roosts out of docrs and is not clipped or impeded in any

way. He displays the intelligence of a dog almost and made great friends with

a Naga dog of mine, the two playing together every morning. One day when I

5384 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII,

had occasion to chastise the dog, I was violently attacked while doing so, by the

infuriated hornbill, who had come to the dog’s defence. Cooked rice is the staple

food of both birds, but when the mulberries were ripe the male bird would touch

nothing else and gorged daily till he could eat no more. At any time he prefers

fruit and will invade the bungalow in search of it. Cooked meat he will some-

times eat greedily, but not if there is fruit to be had, and the same applies to the

raw intestines of chickens. He is fond of hunting for insects in the thatch, He

makes little noise, but will reply when addressed.”

Indian Hornet (V. cincta). (Vol. XX VII, No. 4, Misc. Note No. XXVI.)

Mr. Hutton also tells us : ‘With reference to note No. XX VI on Vespa cincta,

I observed some of these wasps carrying off a species of caterpillar that was

present in unusual number on the millet crop last month and doing a great deal

of mischief. I have also watched them raiding the nest of a smaller species of

wasp, but that, [I believe, is of common occurrence. A caterpillar which I took

from a wasp was not dead, but was incapable of progression.”

Wild Dogs in Burma. (Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, Misc. Note No. 5.)

Mr. J. P. Mills presented the Scciety with two wild dog skins regarding which

he wrote: ‘‘ The Assamese wild tribes recognise two distinct types of wild dogs,

one a slimmer built animal which is said te hunt in smaller packs and more

silently than the ordinary wild dog.” This particular race is said to be much

rarer than the Common Indian Wild Dog and very much more destructive.

There are two recognised species of wild dogs, the Indian C. dukhunensis and

the Malay C. rutilans, the latter is found throughout the Malay Peninsula,

Siam, Java and Sumatra,and a specimen has been obtained at Moulmein in

Burma. It has never been recorded from Indian limits though its occurrence in

N, E. Assam and Upper Burma is possible.

Burmese Races of Serow. (Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, Misc. Note No. 6.)

Unfortunately only two Serow skins were obtained by the Survey. Both of

these were identified as Capricornis sumatrensis milne-edwardsi. C. 8. swetten-

hami referred to by Mr. Milner is not a Burmese but a Malaccan race.

In the summary of the results of the Mamma! Survey published in Vol. X XVII,

No. 1 of the Journal. Mr. Wroughton gave a key to the Indian and Burmese

races of the Serow based on Mr. Pocock’s paper referred to by Mr. Milner.

Two races of Serow are described as occurring in Burma :—

Capricornis sumatrensis milne-edwardsi and Capricornis sumatrensis rubidus.

C. s. milne-edwardsi is an animal with a brownish black body, and the colour

of the legs below the knees and hocks is described as ‘rusty.’ The type

locality is Sze Chuen and other localities mentioned are Pegu, Moulmein, Mt.

Muleyit, Tenasserim and N. Shan States.

C. s. rubidus has the head, body and limbs all red. The type locality is

Arrakan.

The material from which the various races of Serow have been described is

extremely limited, it is only by collecting more material in the localities from

which the various types were described that more definite knowledge can be

arrived at. What is wanted are complete skin and skulls of the animals accom-

panied by full particulars as to date, locality, altitudes together with any notes

or observations that have been made in regard to changes if any, due to sex, age

or season in any given district.

Thamin Horns. (Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, Misc. Note No. 7.)

The following has been received from Major C. H. Stockley in reference to his

note on Thamin Horns :—

“« Since writing the “‘ Nctes on Thamin Horns ” published in the last number

of the Journal, 1 have had the privilege of seeing two pairs of Thamin horns

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 535

belonging to Major-Genl. H.C. Tytler and shot by him in Manipur. The points I

noticed in comparing them with Burmese heads were: the beam was much

thinner and lighter, the brow-tines made a strong angle with the beam (as in Mr.

Thomas’s brucei), and the brow-tines diverged considerably ; whereas in most

Burmese specimens they are almost parallel. I mentioned these points to Genl.

Tytler and, from what he said and from other heads I have seen, individual

variation in such minor characters is as great in the Manipur as in the Burmese

Thamin.

Injury feigning habits of Birds. (Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, Misc. Not: No. XVI.)

Several instances have been recorded in the Society’s journal of * injury feign

ing’ practiced by birds when danger threatens the nest. Mr. E. H. Aitken re-

corded a similar incident in connection with the Southern Red-Whiskered Bulbul

(O. fuscicaudata) in Vol. XIV, page 162, and Mr. W. Cumming noticed the same

feature in the White-cheeked Bulbul (Molpastes leucotis), Vol. XIV, p. 611; Major

A. Begbie described it in connection with the Bengal Red-whiskered Bulbul

(O. emeria), Vol. XVII, p. 580, and Mr. W.S. Millard in a feotnote records having

witnessed similar behaviour in the Madras Red-Vented Bulbul (1. hemorrhous).

The mass of evidence goes to show that the injury feigning habit is practiced

generally by Bulbuls of the genus Molpastes and Otocompsa. A very interesting

series of letters were published in the journal as to the reasons for this injury

feigning habits of birds. We would recommend reference to D. Dewar’s notes,

Vol. XVIII, p. 916, and the notes by Major H. Delme Radcliffe, Stanley Pers-

house, Major A. Beghie, Vol. XIX, pages 526, 528 and 531.

No. III.—AN INTERESTING PANTHER INCIDENT

(With a photo.)

536 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

On July the 29th I was after Oorial in the Punjab Salt Range about 40 miles

west of Jhelum. It had been raining hard all the morning and most of the

night and, though I had been on the hill since seven o’clock, I had seen nothing

worth shooting. A little before mid-day the rain stopped and I sat down on the

edge of a small plateau to examine the valley in front of me. Immediately on my

right were a series of low ridges, and beyond them, and forming the sky-line

on my side of the valley, was a large ridge which, with the plateau on which I

sat, formed the headlands of a bay enclosing the small ridges. On one of these

latter and about 250 yards away appeared five Oorial ewes. I watched them

to see if aram would turn up with them, but they fed to the far side of the

sidge and were evidently without a male, so I turned my glasses on the big ridge

beyond.

As I did so a jarge panther glided over the crest and came down the face of

the cliff on my side towards me. The first thing I noticed about him was that

he looked quite grey with no trace of tawny, and when he passed over the grey

strata of sandstone (which is the principal formation of the Salt Range), he was

quite invisible except through glasses, I noticed that even through glasses I

could not distinguish any spots except on his legs, but that the last fifteen inches

of his tail looked entirely black on the upper surface. At once the explanation

occurred to me of the ‘‘ Snow Leopards ” I have had reported to me by sports-

men on two or three occasions in—to say the least of it—highly improbable

localities. The leopard when killed proved to have an absolutely normal coat

and markings.

He had come about 80 of the 600 yards which separated us when he suddenly

spotted the ewes. He immediately sat down on his haunches and wagged his

tail. Never again shall I believe in the motion of the tail in the cat tribe in-

variably expressing anger : it was as clear an expression of pleasure as one could

see, and it was just like a big dog being shown his dinner. He then evidently

mapped out his line of approach and started off, somehow contriving to make

himself look about half his real size. As soon as he disappeared from view in a

nullah about a hundred yards on the far side of the ewes I began to take a hand.

The ewes being on the side of a ridge furthest way from me, I had to cross to the

head of the next ridge beyond them. Just as I arrived there I heard a feeble

** baa ’’ and a few seconds later four ewes appeared going off the way the panther

had come and occasionally looking back towards the ravine below me. Walking

a hundred yards down the ridge I soon saw the panther standing over a dead ewe

licking its neck, He was only about 70 yards away so I sat down for a shot.

As I did so he picked up the ewe by the chest with as little exertion as a cat

picking up a mouse, and sprang straight up on to a ten foot high rock above him

and began pushing the ewe in amongst the roots of a bush which overhung the

top : he exposed his side nicely as he did so and I got him just above the heart,

so that he rantwenty yards, collided with the trunk of atree and rolled down

dead.

I have never before had the opportunity of seeing a panther at over a hundred

yards, and I was much struck by the evident value of his markings to him in

the open atlongrange. Stigand,in his “‘Game of East Africa,’’ says that he

thinks that this must be so, owing to the fact that leopards are so seldom seen

in East Africa in open country where they are known to be numerous.

The measurements of my beast will be of interest in view of recent correspon-

dence. They were :—Straight between pegs, 7 feet 54 inches ; over curves 7 feet

5? inches ; pegged out skin, 8 feet 114 inches.

C. H. STOCKLEY, Major.

CHAKLALA, PUNJAB,

12th August 1921,

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 537

No. IV.—OCCURRENCE OF THE TREE SHREW (ANATHANA

W ROUGHTONI) AT KHANDALLA, POONA DISTRICT.

I gather the occurrence of a Tree Shrew Anathana (Tupaia of Blanford)

in the Ghauts in the vicinity of Bombay was not known until a few

years before the war, when a specjmen was procured from Matheran

(thought an escaped captive at the time). However I sent Mr, Kinnear

a skin of a male from the jungle below the “‘ Duke’s Nose” in 1914, and

have observed the animal repeatedly in Matheran as well as in certain dense

and rocky forests just below the top of the Ghauts in the part extending from

the ‘‘ Duke’s Nose’? to Dhak Fort. I have failed so far to observe it on

Sakhopathar Hill or further south along the Ghauts, although very suitable

sites occur there, and I have also met with it between Dhak Fort and Bimashan-

ker Hill. It is possible that its distribution is capricious and local, and I under-

stand that with the exception above the nearest known occurrence is in the

Eastern Ghauts in Madras Presidency.

As far as my very frequent observations tend to show, the animal is far from

being so arboreal as its name seems to imply. I nearly always saw it on the

ground, nosing fussily about, and reminding the observer forcibly of a very small

mongoose. It also does not seem to have the jerky motion of the tail like the

squirrel, nor have I ever seen any in the position, so very characteristic of the

squirrel tribe, of clinging head downward to the bark of a perpendicular trunk.

Stomach examination produced insects, mostly coleoptera and tiny fragments of

bones. I have no doubt that the shrew does not hesitate to attack birds and

small mammals on occasions, as I saw one making straight for a wounded Mini-

vet (Pericrocotus flammeus) with quite unmistakable intentions,

It is a quick moving and playful animal, and, like the squirrel, an excellent

climber. I always found it very shy, and frequenting parts of the jungle with

very dense undergrowth of bushes and creepers witb rocks strewn in between.

M. SUTER, p.sc.

BomsBay,

September 1921.

[Three species of Tree Shrew are found in Peninsular India. A. elliotti of the

Eastern Ghauts ; A. pallida of the Central Provinces (type from Manbhum,

Bengal), and the species referred to by Dr. Suter, A. wroughtoni of which the

type locality is Surat. The name 7'wpaia has been reserved for the forms of

Tree Shrew occurring outside Peninsular India. (See Journal, B. N. H. 5.,

Vol. XXVI, page 29.)—Ep1rors. ]

No. V.—THE BREEDING OF ELEPHANTS IN CAPTIVITY.

Throughout Burma there are herds of elephants engaged upon the extraction

of timber. These beasts are living under conditions dissimilar to those under

which the owners keep their animals in India and the domesticated Burma ele-

phant enjoys an almost free life.

Many wild elephants are caught in ‘‘ keddahs ’’, nooses and traps and their

introduction to the semi-free life of the domestic animal is carried through rapidly.

When the timber-working elephant is required for any purpose, the attendant

follows up the tracks, unloosens the hobble-fetters, rides the beast into camp,

when, after a bath and the application of harness, the animal proceeds to work.

Work completed for the day, the attendant unharnesses the elephant, replaces

538 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

the hobbles, and turns him loose. The beast is then enabled to follow his inclina-

tions and to wander at will amongst the surrounding forest. He secures his

natural fodder in the usual way, helping himself to various kinds of grasses,

creepers, etc. Should he desire a mud-bath, a sun-bath or a wallow ina pool,

there is nought to prevent him. He doses beneath the cool vegetation at will

and meets his own fellows and at times passes amongst wild animals.

Consequently this comparatively free life permitsof the production of young

under almost natural conditions.

Forest growth is usually so dense that even a large herd is completely hidden

at a short distance and it is extremely difficult to watch the animals without

attracting their attention. As no apparent signs are shown by females when in

a state of “‘ heat’ and because of the denseness of their surroundings, the act of

fecundation is comparatively seldom witnessed. A male will remain in close

company tothe female fora period upto fourteen days when she is in this

condition and the difficulty of ascertaining the accomplishment of the act

renders the calculation of the period of gestation somewhat vague. In cases

n which witnesses reported the act, the period varied from twenty months to

twenty-two months. Evans, in his book upon Elephants, refers to reports which

extend from seventeen to twenty-four months.

Cases are known in which the sire has been a wild male, but my own experience

has never embraced these conditions.

The male elephant on reaching a certain age, developes a peculiar condition

called “* Musth ” periodically and this condition is believed to be connected in

some way with the desire for sexual intercourse. There are records existing

and reports which are irrefutable, proving that male elephants in ‘‘ musth ”

enjoy connection when in this condition, but the experiences of the writer prove

also that ‘‘ musth ”’ has little to do with the sexual instinct. In all cases seen

and known of personally, the males were never in ‘‘ musth ”’ at the time.

While in ‘‘ musth ’’, a male sometimes becomes bad-tempered and the produc-

tion of a female to his vicinity will calm him. The advent of the female to

another *‘ musth ” elephant, will increase his temper, which sometimes grows

beyond bounds and the male becomes unmanageable. ,

I believe the state of ‘‘ musth ”’ has little or no connection with sexual instinct,

but that the female, in some way, conveys her desire to the male.

Should a female be known to be pregnant, she is allowed light work and a

longish rest before the calf is expected but, in some cases, calves have appeared

unexpectedly while the mother was grazing or even during work. Usually they

are born while the mother is roaming loose and soon after birth the little one can

stand and stagger. A few hours after birth he can walk. Calves measured

shortly after birth averaged two feet ten inches. This measurement is from

the ground to the shoulder. ;

It is curious, but true, that a calf usually adopts a foster mother, who assists

the dam in protecting and caring for the calf. Should the foster mother be preg-

nant, she must be moved or the calf will render the coming of her own calf a

hungry one. The departure of the foster mother will be borne with anger and

her return welcomed with pleasure by the little one.

Calves soon learn to pluck grasses, etc., and although they will suckle up to

three or more years, a continually increasing amount of green fodder is taken.

Some believe that suckling is by the trunk, but itis not so. The trunk is curled

above the forehead while suckling.

The training of the calf usually begins when he is about five years old, but the

Karen, who is the most expert elephant man, has been seen with trained youngs-

ters, which could not have been more than four years old. The little beast is

taught to allow himself to be fettered and loosed, to squat down and to rise, etc.,

until a small saddle is placed upon his back and as time passes a small load is

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 539

carried. Their early years are spent carrying loads until they grow sufficiently

to permit the dragging of small logs. From this, they develop into the working

elephants, which spend their lives in the extraction of timber, the royalty and

duty on which places many lacs of rupees into the coffers of Burma.

The Sgau Karens have handled elephants for generations, and numbers of

calves have been born to their herds. It is common to meet men who compare

their ages with those of their working elephants, and it is sometimes more easy

to judge the elephant’s age than the man’s. Numbers of calves born amongst

the herds of elephants employed and owned by large timber working firms are

to be seen nowadays, born and bred, trained, worked and growing aged in capti-

vity.

I recently sent you photographs of twin-calves and hope to pass on to you later

a photograph of ‘‘ three generations ”’ and one of a calf less than eight hours old.

At times calves are amusing and at others most exasperating : they are always

interesting however.

GORDON HUNDLEY.

Movutmetn, Burma,

30th August 1921.

The Photo referred to was published in Vol. XX VII, No. 3.

[Col. G. H. Evans in his book ‘“‘ Elephants and their Diseases ”’ says :—

“ Male elephants, and very rarely females, on attaining maturity are subject

to peculiar periodical paroxysms of excitement, which seem to have some con-

nection with the sexual functions to which the name musth is applied by the

natives of India and mon-kyathi by the Burmans. It is probably analogous to

the rut in deer.

Causes.—It occurs both in wild and tame animals, and in the latter is more

often met with in highly-fed pampered beasts that receive insufficient exercise.

It occurs most frequently in the cold season and may perhaps be due to ungrati-

fied sexual desire in some cases, but not always so, since the society of a female

by no means always quells or even pacifies animals in musth. At other times

an animal in musth undoubtedly seeks a mate of the opposite sex.

Symptoms.—Musth occurs frequently in some beasts, seldom in others, so that

the intervals are variable in different animals and in the same manner so are

the symptoms. More or less excitement is usual, but on the other hand some

elephants become dull and morose. The behaviour changes, shown by

disobedience to commands, trying to break away, or showing violence to man

or destructive tendencies and being altogether out of sorts. The temples

become puffy, due to swelling of the temporal glands which lie beneath the skin

and at this stage is called by many mahouts kherr musth ; later an oily

discharge exudes from the hole or duct over the gland which is then called

musth by the natives. When musth is established there is often a partial

retention of urine, the water dribbling away. As soon, however, as the urine

is passed freely the natives consider the dangerous stage over, irrespective of

the amount of discharge from the glands.

The attack may last a few days, weeks or months. In some cases cowardiy

mahouts are said at a certain stage of the attack to administer some species of

pumpkin which has the effect of abating the excitement, etc. The effect of such

treatment, however, is said to be very prejudicial to the health of the animal.

Mr. Petley informs me that once musth is established it ought to come on every

year althoughin no particular month, and he has known elephants in which owing

to overwork or ill-health the usual occurrence of musth has failed, to become

useless for work. The only remedy is to set them free for months until musth

again comes on, after which care should be taken to see such animals are treated

with extra care.’’—Eds. ]

540 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

No. VI.NOTES ON THE TSINE (BOS SONDAICUS).

(With a plate.)

The late Mr. R. Lydekker in his “‘ Game Animals of India ”’ discusses the Tsine

at considerable length, and quotes the late C. W. A. Bruce and Major G. P. Evans

on the subject. As I have had the advantage of hunting and studying the Tsine

after reading these authors, the following notes may be of interest.

I spent June and July 1914 hunting Tsine in the Magwe district of Upper

Burma, having previously hunted them in the Yamethin district on the other

side of the Pegu Yomas. I subsequently met with them, in 1920, in Siam in

the lower Meping valley. In all I have seen over twenty full-grown bulls and

as many young ones, and not less than two hundred cows.

Amongst the bulls I found the body colour most variable, but in only one

instance, related below, did I see any variation from the usual light chestnut

of the cows.

The prevalent colour of the old bulls seemed to be khaki ; blue-grey and the

rich bay of a copper-beech being next in order of frequency.

The first bull I saw was red and, though adult, he did not carry a big head ;

I am inclined to think that this shade of colour eventually develops into the

copper-beech shade. Then I came on two bulls fighting, one of which was grey

and the other chocolate brown ; this last being the only bull I saw of this colour.

It is remarkable that in this instance, although the torn-up ground and the clots

of blood flung about bore witness to the fierceness of the battle, there were no

cows near or any trace of their recent presence.

I then saw three khaki bulls in succession and, after them, two which were

constantly together and were bay and grey respectively. I spent several weary

days hunting these, as the grey bull carried a grand head, but they beat me

every time,

- Towards the end of June 1914 I had been one day through a previously un-

visited tract of forest and seen the tracks of a small herd of four cows, a calf

and a young bull. On the way back to camp I crossed the very fresh tracks of

a big bull and a single cow coming from the direction where we had seen the

first lot of tracks. I took up the tracks and within half a mile came to a stream

which the bull and his mate had crossed so recently that the mud was still cloud-

ing the water. Going up the far slope I suddenly spotted the legs of a Tsine

which was standing behind a large bush about 50 yards away : the head was not

visible and only small portions of the back could be seen through the leaves.

From what I could see the body-colour seemed uniformly chestnut red and quite

unlike any of the numerous cows I had seen before, so, knowing that there was

only one of each sex in question, I naturally assumed that this was the bull,

waited till part of the shoulder showed clear through the leaves, fired and ran

inon the shot. As I did so, to my horror, a large dark-coloured cow rolled down

the slope dead. I heard a stick break to my left and, on looking round saw an

immense bull standing broadside on to me about 60 yards away and about 40

from where the cow had been. My first thought was, ‘‘ Where has that buffalo

come from ?”’ for he was dark slaty-blue, carried an immense pair of horns of

great girth (certainly bigger than Mr. Tarleton’s record pair which I frequently

saw in Rangoon) and stood a hand higher than any bull I saw before or after.

As he turned to bolt I fired, but did not allow for his swinging off, so the bullet,

striking behind the shoulder, passed out of the chest forwards doing little damage.

T followed him up and found him lying down a mile on, but he bolted without

giving me achance. I never came up with him again, though I put in two more

days after him ; but the ground was hard after a break in the rains and the blood

failed after the first two miles. While following him up on the first evening

we came on the small herd whose tracks we had seen and they were now a

sayout §5g sulof{ JO qyouoTy ‘vung *q ‘IAopulIaMpsuney qv yoyg

Csnnpus sog) ONILINVA YO ANIVSL

‘90S 3£1H ‘3UN Avquiog ‘usnor

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 541

cow less in number ; one of them was a dark chestnut red like the victim of

my mistake.

Of bulls seen subsequently, two were red, two dark bay, and four were khaki.

The big bull illustrated was one of the latter.

In Siam in April 1920, while travelling in the Meping valley near

the head ofitsfeeder the Klong Klung, I came on a herd of Tsine

while I was on the march. I was walking a quarter of a mile

ahead of my transport and saw the herd about 200 yards below me

in some open jungle. It consisted of six cows and two bulls: one bull,

a young one of slightly darker red than the cows, the other of most unusual colour-

ing. He was a big beast, but with only a moderate pair of horns ; grey down to

his median lateral line and, below that, dark red with the usual white shanks :

he seemed much bulkier and less active than the bulls I saw in Burma, and had

a slight but decided hump. In fact in build he appeared as much bison as Tsine.

I ran down to the herd trying to get close in, as I had only a 12-bore and lethal

bullets with me, and by using a fallen tree as cover, got within 20 yards. I tried

both barrels and had a miss-fire with each, The herd made off and ran into

my transport then turned and bolted, the main body clearing right away but

the bigger bull came straight back towards me. I had changed the cartridges

and waited till he got within 20 yards of me, then had two more miss-fires. The

bull came within ten yards, then pulled up and thundered away in a fresh direc-

tion. I was standing in high undergrowth and it was then quite evident that

he had not really seen me before, but if I had killed him while he was coming

towards me I should have been convinced that he was charging unprovoked. I

found that the cartridges were some which had got wet and which I had told my

orderly to throw away, but instead he had dried them in the sun and replaced

them in my haversac.

That Tsine can be really dangerous the following incident will show.

I was after bison one day in July 1914 in a very remote bit of jungle in the

Pegu Yomas, and during the morning repeatedly crossed the tracks of a solitary

bull Tsine, which had evidently been living there for a long time. This was curi-

ous as I had seen no other Tsine tracks, of bull or cow, for several miles. As I

could find no fresh bison tracks I took up some 24 hour old tracks of this Tsine

about mid-day, and ran them for nearly an hour to the flat top of a ridge where

I decided to have lunch. [I had passed the rifle to the Burman gun-bearer and

turned round to call up the tiffin-cooli, who was climbing the slope below, when I

heard a crashing behind me : I looked back just in time to see a big khaki-coloured

bull Tsine launch himself full speed towards me from a clump of small cane about

30 yards away. The Burman tried to bolt with the rifle, and the delay in grabb-

ing it from him brought the bull right on top of me, so that I had difficulty

in dodging him. I had intended swinging round and putting a bullet behind

his ribs, but he whipped round, extraordinarily quickly for so large an animal,

and hunted me in and out of the bamboo clumps so that I finally only just saved

myself by diving sideways between two of them while he charged past. He

then tried the Burmans and went off just as I had picked myself up in time to

fire a hasty shot at him. I hit him a shade too far back but on following him

up found he had already lain down twice in less than a couple of miles and I felt

certain of getting him, when a tremendous rain-storm broke and washed out

all the tracks. I fancy he must have been previously wounded and gone off to

recover with, naturally, a rather soured temper. He had fed back on his tracks

and had been lying down in the patch of young cane.

This, I may say, is the only personal instance I have ever had, in twenty years

of big game shooting, of an unprovoked attack by a wild beast.

A point I have not seen noted with regard to the cows is that the direction of

their horns is so much backwards and inwards that the points often cross behind

the head inanoldfemale. It is usually stated that the finest bulls are solitary.

542 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII,

Major Evans deals fully with this point in his ‘‘ Big Game Shooting in Upper

Burma ”’, both as regards bison and Tsine, pointing out that bulls in their prime

periodically rejoin a herd, giving two instances from his personal experience.

On one occasion in July 1914 I was after a big solitary bull whose habits I knew

fairly well. In the early morning I had come across a small herd of four cows

and a couple of calves and left them undisturbed. Passing on, about an hour

later I found a herd of two small bulls and twelve cows. They fed past within

afew yards of me, and then, to make certain that the big bull was not with them,

I crawled into the middle of them, but unfortunately selected for cover a bush

behind which an old cow was feeding ; the result being a terrific snort in my face

and the stampede of the herd. I examined all the tracks, found that the big bull

was not with them, and then tried his usual haunts without success. On the way

back, at about eleven o’clock, we passed the place again and, I saw some tracks

crossing those of the stampeded herd, which on examination proved to be those

of the big bull and asingle cow. (The bull’s tracks were easily distinguishable

owing to a slight malformation of one front toe.) I took up the tracks myself

and, as the rifle was much in the way in the thick undergrowth, I handed it to

the Burman with me, thinking that I knew where the bull would make for. I

was wrong, for at the top of the next rise, half a mile on, up rose the bull (a grand

khaki fellow) out of the undergrowth while his mate stood some thirty yards from

him. The Burman bolted with the rifle and I was left staring at the bull not

forty yards distant, feeling an egregious ass and decidedly nervous as to his in-

tentions. After fully fifteen seconds he swung round with a snort and they went

off at a fast trot together disappearing to a diminuenda of crashes. On the way

home we again passed the first little herd of the morning, and it was now a cow

short.

Judging from this experience and the former one with the big “ buffalo-co-

loured ”’ bull, I would say that the big bulls normally live solitary, but periodi-

cally join a herd and go off with any cow in it which happens to be in season, 1

twice came across a solitary pair on other occasions ; in each case the bull was

‘*copper-beech ”’ colour. In every case the cow was lying about 35 yards

from the bull, and in both the last-mentioned cases I came on top of her and

lost my shot.

It seems probable that June and July are the usual pairing months, and that

10 months is the period of gestation ; all the calves I saw in June seemed to be

six weeks to two months old. It also seems possible that twins are occasionally

born, as I watched a herd of five cows and four calves lying down on a slope in

bamboo jungle one day in June, and the cow lowest on the slope had two calves

lying between her legs, tail on to each other, with their heads resting on her

shoulder and thigh, respectively.

The measurements of the bull illustrated were :— :

Height at shoulder 65 inches. (Measured shoulder to heel.)

( Length gt ee ee

Horns 2 Girth TSE). 5

Spread 414

This was an exceptionally big bull. Another bull measured 62 inches at the

shoulder.

In the Malay States, Java and Sumatra the old bulls seem to become black,

and it seems likely that in Burma the tendency is the same, and that the buffalo-

coloured and chocolate bulls were a further stage in this direction of the grey

and copper-beech coloured animals. I have already suggested that the red

bulls turn darker and become copper-beech ; this is supported by the fact that I

never saw a red bull which carried any but a very moderate head.

This theory agrees with the fact that the further south we go towards countries

of constant warmth, heavy rainfall and dense forest, the stronger become the

melanistic tendencies of the mammals inhabiting them ; but it does not cover

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 543

the khaki-coloured bulls. I can only point out that, as far as my personal ex-

perience goes and that of others with whom I have discussed the matter, the

khaki bulls almost invariably carry a long, wide pair of horns of inferior girth

to those of the darker and grey bulls. I must leave it to others to reconcile their

existence in the same area with the other types.

Major Evans writes of an encounter he had with black Tsine bulls in Upper

Burma, and there is no doubt that such individuals occur occasionally in that

country, which points to the cool winter months serving asa check on the

melanistic tendency of the males of the species, no such check occurring in the

more southerly area of the habitat of Bos sondaicus.

I fully agree with Major Evans in thinking an old bull Tsine is one of the most

sporting of big game. His fast rate of feeding, disconcerting habit of lying down

at odd times in the middle of his morning feed, and the fact that he always selects

his resting place so as tolook back onhis tracks, make him an adversary

worthy of every effort and necessitates the employment of unceasing watch-

fulness and patience. Add the spice of risk which attends the hunting

and any sportsman will understand why I place him first amongst the fifty odd

species of big game which I have shot.

C. H. STOCKLEY,

Major, 66th Punjabis.

[The biggest Tsine head in our collection, givenus by Mr. A. J. A. Jardine

measures :—

Length JO inches.

Girth 153 #3

Spread 41 9 Epitors.]

No. VIL—SOME MEASUREMENTS OF BIG GAME.

Height at shoulder. Length. Girth. Weight.

Inches. Inches. Inches. Lbs.

Burhel, O. nahura 1 a 352 543 41k 131

; 2 2 ee 344 524 38h 118

ie S uy 35 54 39 125

Serow, C. sumatrensis 382 564 40 ae

Tibetan Gazelle, G. iciicondata 24 4] 26 43

25 42 28 41

Himalayan Thex, Capra sibirica 40 374 484 196

oa zh = 374 254 463 188

The above measurements were all taken in the summer of 1905 except the

Serow, which was shot in Kishtwar in April 1911. The Burhel and Tibetan

Gazelle were shot in Ladakh, the Ibex in Baltistan.

The light weight of the second and bigger gazelle can be accounted for by the

fact that I had wounded-and lost it two days previously in a snow-storm, and

only succeeded in finding and finishing it two days later.

The first Burhel on the list was very much above average size, and had horns

282 inches in length.

C. H. STOCKLEY,

Major.

644 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

No. VIII.—ABNORMAL IBEX HEAD,

(With a block.)

The enclosed photograph of an abnormal Ibex head would, I think, interest

readers of the Journal.

The animal was shot this year inthe Shigar Nala, Baltistan, by Lt. D.

Gaussen, R.A.F.

There was no abnormality observed in the animal which was in good condition.

It will be noticed that the core of the abnormal horn is deflected to the right

from where it joins the skull. The shikari, a man of 30 years’ experience, in-

formed me that he had never before seen a head of this description.

The two horns measure the same : each 30 inches.

Lr.-Con. R. W. BURTON.

BAREILLY,

14th November 1921,

No. [IX.—AN ADDITION TO THE LIST OF INDIAN BIRDS.

An examination of the series of Bluethroats in my collection obtained in the

Punjab has revealed the interesting fact that a new bird has to be added to the

Indian list, The ordinary form of Bluethroat which is found in the Punjab

plains as a passage migrant, and in a lesser degree winter visitor, is Luscinia

suecica pallidogularis (Sar). A male obtained by me at Ferozepore on 5th Feb-

ruary 1912, however proves to belong to the smaller, paler, form Luscinia

suecica discessa (Mad.) which is the breeding bird of the Altai. This identi-

fication has kindly been confirmed by Dr. E. Hartert and Dr, C. Ticehurst.

A female bird obtained by me at Sirsa on 11th December 1914 also appears to

belong to the same race, but the identification of female Bluethroats is

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 545

notoriously difficult and it is impossible to speak with any degree cf certainty in

their case.

HUGH WHISTLER, F.z.s. c.F.A.0.U.

DHARMSALA, PUNJAB.

[In regard to the generic name of the Bluethroat we would call attention to

the footnote, p. 713, Vol. XXVII, where Stuart Baker in his Hand List adopts

Cyanosylvia (Brehm) instead of Cyanecula of Blanford. Hartert however

includes Cyanosylvia, Daulias, and Calliope all under Luscinia.—Ep1tors. ]

No. X.—HABITS OF THE SOUTHERN SCIMITAR BABBLER

(POMATORHINUS HORSFIELDI TRAV ANCORIENSIS),.

While walking round the estate this morning my attention was drawn to a

large gathering of birds at the edge of shola bordering the path. They were a

mixed crowd and were making a tremendous noise. I could see no cause for

the commotion in the shape of snake, owl, etc., and they seemed merely to have

struck a rich supply of food. But what surprised me was that among them, not

in the undergrowth but up in the trees, about 50 feet above the ground, was a

flock of four or five Southern Scimitar Babblers (Pomatorhinus horsfieldi tra-

vancoriensis). I have never seen these birds anywhere except skulking in thick

cover either under the coffee, or among the lower undergrowth of the jungle and

I would never have thought of looking for them at the height these birds were.

This “‘ composite flock ” consisted of 8. Indian Tree-pies, Larger Racket-tailed

Drongos, White-eyes, Red-whiskered Bulbuls, Yellow-browed Bulbuls, Orange

Minivets, Grey-headed Flycatchers, the Scimitar Babblers and, among, the under-

growth where they should have been, were Black-headed Babblers.

A, P. KINLOCH, r.z.s.

NELLIAMPATHY HILLs,

6th August 1921.

No. XI.—NIDIFICATION OF THE SOUTHERN RED-WHISKERED

BULBUL (OTOCOMPSA EMERIA FUSCICAUDAT A).

On the 22nd’ November of this year I found a deserted nest of the Southern

Red-Whiskered Bulbul containing one egg ‘89 x ‘60’, about 4’ up in a coffee tree;

on looking up references I was rather surprised to see that Oates gives the breed-

ing season for this bird as ‘‘ February to end of May and June ” (vide “* Fauna

of British India.’’ Birds, Vol. 1 and ‘‘ Nests and Eggs ”’ Vol. 1) as I recollected

having previously found nests during the cold weather as well as in the hot

weather (never, up here, in June). Unfortunately I found no reference in my

notes. .

On the 2nd December I found another nest containing two eggs, *82 x 69” and

80 x °69”, on which the bird was sitting, so that on these hills the breeding season

of this species is November-December and February-April.

A. P. KINLOCH, F.z.s.

NrLuiamMPatHy Hits,

4th December 1921.

546 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

No. XII—WOODPECKERS ‘“ ROOSTING”,

Never having seen a woodpecker “ roosting ’’ for the night and finding no

information in books, I was curious to know in what position and place these

birds repose.

After many evenings spent in fruitless search, last night at dusk I discovered

a woodpecker, probably Tickells Golden-backed Woodpecker (Chrysocolaptes

gutticristatus) which had evidently retired for the night. It was too dark to see

its colours but the outline was clearly silhouetted against the sky. It was “‘squat-

ting ” on a branch of an almost leafless Albizzia stipulata which went up at an

angle of about 45° from the trunk. The bird was in aline with the branch

on its upper side; in factin the position it would have adopted were it

searching for food.

A. P. KINLOCH, F.z.s.

NELLIAMPATHY HILts,

5th October 1921.

No. XIII.—PREDACEOUS HABIT OF THE COMMON KING CROW.

The Common King Crow (D. macrocercus macrocercus) is not, I think, generally

attributed with murderous instincts. He is, of course, a great devourer of winged

insects, but rarely, I think, attacks birds, The following incident witnessed by

me recently in the vicinity of Dehra Dun must I think have been exceptional.

I noticed a King Crow perched on a low branch of a tree with something in its

claws. There were also two fully fledged young King Crowson neighbouring twigs

noisily asking to be fed. I approached the group and examined them from a

distance of less than 10 yards with my field glasses and to my surprise found that

the object held in the claws of the King Crow was a White-Eye (Zosterops pale

pebrosa) with its eye apparently pecked out. The King Crow then became alarm-

ed and flew away with the small] corpse in its claws. I did not see it either kill

or eat the bird but presume it did both.

B. B. OSMASTON.

Pacumanri, C. P.,

18th August 1921.

No. XIV.—NIDIFICATION OF THE CEYLON THRUSH

(O. IMBRICATA, LAYARD).

It may interest you to know that I have found Oreocincla imbricata (Ceylon

Thrush) Layard (the Buff-breasted Thrush of Legge) breeding. The nest is

placed about 10 feet from the ground in the fork of an Albizzia tree which trees

are used as shade trees for the tea in this district and are lopped every six months

yearly. There is a strip of scrub jungle, out of which the large tumbril has been

taken, within about 60 yards. The materials used are green moss and a few

fresh fern leaves ; the lining is composed entirely of moderately fine black roots,

there is no mud, The whole structure is neat, round and compact, and _ the cup

is fairly deep and very wide. The nest contained 2 eggs, one of which I have

taken, but it has not yet been blown owing to having no drill or blower. The

size of the egg is 1-25” x-95”. The shape is decidedly peg-topped and the colour

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 54

be |

is pale-green with faint reddish-brown markings (rather streaky) sparingly scat-

tered over the whole egg but decidedly thicker at the large end. The texture of

the shell is fairly smooth and glossy. The birds are fearfully shy, at least the

cock is, as I have only had a very fleeting glimpse of him, whereas the hen will

let me up to the nest within about fifteen feet. I fancy incubation is fairly far

advanced though I cannot really tell until I blow my egg.

When placed in water the egg sank with the large end up, which rather pointed

to advanced incubation. I should very much like to know whether this bird

has been classed as the same species as Oreocincla nilgiriensis Jerdon, or

whether it is a good sub-species peculiar to Ceylon. I don’t think any

records of its nest being found in Ceylon are mentioned either in Hume’s Nests

and Eggs or Legge’s Birds of Ceylon, and I don’t think Mr. W. E. Wait out

here has any records of it either, he is at home at present so I cannot consult

him. I must say it is the first time I have seen this thrush out here, though

I thought I saw a pair one day close to where the nest is now, no doubt I was

right. I actually found this nest in July when it was half finished but thought

it was an old one so did not look at it again until yesterday, when I saw a

bird in the vicinity which I did not know as it looked too big for Geocichla

spiloptera (The Spotted Thrush ) which I know well as they are a fairly

common, though little seen, bird up-country. As I thought the bird I saw

was a thrush, I immediately connected it with the nest I had found in July

and it turned out that I was right, but ! little expected to hit on sucha rare

find, especially at this time of the year and as this is a very wet district, our

average rainfall being well over 200 inches. The elevation here is about 3,800.

T. E, TUNNARD.

CEYLON,

10th August, 1921.

[Stuart Baker, in his “Hand List of Indian Birds ” Vol. XXVII, No. 4, p. 720,

classes O. nilgiriensis and O. imbricata as races of the Small-Billed Mountain

Thrush, O. dawma. The Nilgiri Thrush, O. nilgiriensis, as a sub-species is distinct

from O. imbricata which is confined to Ceylon. Hume’s Nests and Eggs of Indian

Birds contains no record of the nidification of this Bird.—Ebs. ]

No. XV.—OCCURRENCE OF THE MALAY BITTERN (GORSACHIUS

MELANOLOPHUS) AT OOTACAMUND, 8. INDIA.

It may be of interest to some of our readers to hear that yesterday, while out

shooting small game, my beaters dreve out of a shola, on the top of the Sijur ghat,

at an elevation of roughly 7,200 feet, a fine specimen of the Malay Bittern (Gor-

sachius melanolophus) which I secured.

I notice in the Fauna of British India that Blanford says it is a rare bird, found

only in the hill forests near the Malabar Coast where it is also said to breed, but

nothing appears to be known of its nidification.

The description of the bird as given in the Fauna of British India tallies well

with my bird though it appears to be somewhat more spotted and freckled with

black and white than as stated by Blanford, and he omits one rather curious

item from his description, namely a conspicuous, though thin, pinkish-red curved

line in the centre of the lower eyelid reaching from front to rear.

I have never seen or heard of this bird in this Presidency before, and my shikari

and older beaters, who have been at the job for over 30 years, also tell me they

have never before seen such a bird on these hills. I should deem it a favour if

§48 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

any of our members can and will furnish me with particulars of any of this:

species they may have met with in the Madras Presidency, especially if possi-

ble as regards its nidification.

H. R. BAKER, Lt.-Cot.,

I, A. (Retired.)

OoTaAcAMUND, NILGIRIs,

lst November, 1921,

[Mr. T. R. Bell writing cf the Malay Bittern (G. melanolophus) Vol. XIV,

p. 394 says that “the bird is not rare in the Kanara District, Bombay Presidency,

where I have taken many nests. The birds build during the heaviest rains in

thick jungle. The nest is always placed in a conspicuous position, (at least it is

conspicuous where once discovered, but is easily overlooked) and generally in

the terminal fork of a tree ; anywhere from 15’ to 30’ from the ground. I have

always found the tops of the hills the surest place for a find and generally at the’

commencement of a nalla; the birds seem to prefer to have a bit of flat open

ground under the nest, but never build them exposed to the sky, the nest being.

invariably overshadowed by the foliage of a high tree.”-—Ebs. |]

No. XVI.—NOTES ON DUCK IN THE RAWALPINDI DISTRICT.

During this hot weather I have been fortunate in obtaining several specimens

of duck of different species, as shown in the following list. :—

Date. Species. Sex. Notes.

23rd May 1921..Common Pochard. 2 ¢Q Three specimens shot out

(Nyroca ferina). of two flocks of about a

dozen birds each.

24th May 192!..Red-crested Pochard. A Asolitary drake brought to

(Netta rufina.) me alive, slightly winged

by shikari who shot him.

3rd June 1921..Garganey Teal. G Shot out of two small flocks:

(Guerquedula circia.) of three and four. Se-

6th June 1921.. Do. ro) veral more seen.

7th June 1921..Shoveller. 3 Q_ A pair shot together.

(Spatula clypeata.)

16th June 1921.. Do. QCA single bird.

17th June 1921..Gadwall. &4& Two shot out of a flock of

(Chaulelasmas streperus.) six. This seems to be

the latest appearance on

record of this duck.

26th June 1921..Shoveller. 36 Q@ Another pair shot together.

4th July 1921..Common Pochard. 2° Single birds.

19th Jufy 1921..Garganey Teal. 3 @ A pair shot together.

20th July 1921..Common Pochard. 3S Shot together out of the

Red-crested Pochard. Q same flock of six birds.

It is very remarkable that on the ovaries being examined not one of the fe-

males showed any signs of breeding. In no case could I distinguish any signs of

injury, and there can be no doubt whatever that the late stay of these birds is

not to be accounted for by the usual theory of their being pricked during the

shooting season and unable to fly. All these birds were shot on the Karung

River within six miles of Rawalpindi, and it is absurd to assume that they

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 549

stayed there otherwise than by their own choice, when Kashmir was within a

couple of hours flight of them.

It was noticeable that the first two Garganey obtained had the lower plumage

heavily stained with rufous, I suppose from the red mud of the river, and

in consequence appear to have been there for a considerable period: the pair

ehot on the 19th July show no signs of such staining and the inference is that

they were recent arrivals. The drake Garganey shot on 6th June 1921 still

retained his drooping shoulder-plumes, while that shot on 19th July 1921 had

shed them.

All June birds had the secondaries much worn : in the case of the Shovellers

they were reduced to the shaft only for the ultimate half of the feathers. I

should have expected that the primaries would have shown more signs of wear

than the secondaries.

On three different days in July my shikari reported that there were Pintail on

the river. He is usually quite accurate in such matters, and is little likely to

have made a mistake with such a conspicuous bird. I could not discover any

myself, but sent him down with my gun to try and obtain some specimens, and

he reported having missed some on 20th July. Baptista (the Society’s Collector),

who was with him, supports his statement.

Our first heavy rain fell on the 15th of July, and the birds I saw after this date

seemed to be quite a different lot to those which had been on the river before.

They were about in flocks, the specimens I obtained were in much brighter

plumage in spite of the very dirty water in the river, and there were many

more birds about. This continued till the end of July when we had heavy

and continuous rain. Immediately all the big duck vanished and their place

was taken by several flocks of teal, who also disappeared a couple of days

later ; this in spite of the fact that very heavy rain continued to fall and

conditions seemed particularly favourable for their stay.

It seemed to me that an entirely fresh set of birds passed through at the end of

July, and were replaced by a fresh set of teal. If this is correct the question

immediately arises, ‘‘ Where did they come from ?”’.

Again why were there so many birds in the driest period of a bad drought,

which all disappeared when the conditions became, apparently, more favourable ?

It looks as if many more birds stop down in the plains voluntarily than is

usually supposed, and that the drought drove them to collect where there was

permanent water ; and that, the heavy rains having filled up their usual small

ponds and tanks, they dispersed again.

I put this explanation forward because I cannot think of a better one,

Perhaps some other member of the Society will help me ont.

C. H. STOCKLEY,

Major, 66th Punjabis.

CHAKLALA, PUNJAB,

28th August 1921.

No. XVII.—OCCURRENCE OF THE FLAMINGO (P. ROSEUS) IN THE

CENTRAL PROVINCES.

Not being able to find any record of the occurrence of the Common Flamingo

{Phenicopterus roseus) in the Central Provinces, I write to report that on July

24th last I observed a small flock of 7 of these birds resting on a mud flat in

the Gorewara tank near Nagpur. The birds were in beautiful plumage and were

550 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

nct far from a group of six Painted Storks which they somewhat resembied.

in the distance.

B. B. OSMASTON.

PacuMaRnHt?, C. P.

14th August 1921.

No. XVIIL—NOTES ON TWO YOUNG INDIAN HORNBILLS.

(With a plate.)

We publish photographs of two young female great Indian Hornbills at present:

alive in the Society’s rooms. They arrived as the result of an appeal by the:

Hon. Secretary for a substitute for the late lamented “William” who for 26 years,

trom his cage behind the ofticial chair, was a source of inspiration and encourage-

ment to past Honorary Secretaries of the Society. Both birds are females and’

have been christened Helen and Joan. Since their arrival they have been fed

on a mixed diet of boluses of boiled rice, various species of figs, plantains and an

oceasional tit-bit of meat a regime on which they have thrived and prospered

exceedingly. From the earliest both Joan and Helen were most cordial in their’

welcome to anyone approaching their cage, they connected the event as a pre-

lude to being fed and signalled their hearty approval with craning necks, quiver-

ing distended bills and loud and prodigious croaking. This performance they

repeated with infinite gusto at frequent intervals throughout the day. Blessed

or cursed with insatiable appetites the mere sound of footsteps passing by their

cage would suffice to rouse them from seemingly peaceful slumber to frantic and

noisy efiort. These demonstrations naturally had a disturbing effect on our

Honorary Secretary, who being a busy man and inclined to be wrathful when

roused, consigned them frequently to perdition and eventually banished them

from the Museum to the work room below. But they have since been restored

to favour, as with the passing of infancy came the attainment of more balanced

views and a more decorous code of behaviour. Helen and Joan are now con-

tent to wait for their meals and do not signalise the occasion by quite so great

a display of the emotions.

In colour and markings the birds were on arrival an exact replica of the adult.

They were at that time probably but a few months old and had not vet developed

the great superstructure of the casque though even at this early stage their bills

showed signs of this impending development. The first indication of this was a

shallow grove running along each side of the upper mandible and meeting at a

point about the middle of the culmen. The profile of the culmen does not how-

ever lose the perfect curve till about two months later. When it becomes gradually

notched at the apex of the grooves, the portion of the beak bounded by these

grooves then takes the appearance of a ridge which develops gradually into the’

casque. At the present stage the casque is small, flat and pointed in front. In

the adult bird it is assumed that the casque, as the name bicornis implies, is con-

cave in front ending in two points or ‘ horns’ but it is interesting to note that

while this feature was very evident in a live adult female bird sent to the Society

by Mr. Tuggersee in March last year, a male specimen which lived with us for

26 years retained a perfectly flat casque up to the time of its death.

Was this an individual variation or is the concavity of the casque a distin-

guishing feature of the female bird ?

The question arises of what use is the unwieldy appendage to the Hornbill ?

Pyecraft, in his fascinating book the‘, History of Birds” in explaining the great

length of the beak in Toucans and Hornbills quote, Bates who, writing of the

Journ, Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

“ Weeding Time,”

PR ane POT RE I ei RR EAT ICN INE

Hy Ke

Joan and Helen.

YOUNG GREAT INDIAN HORNBILLS. (D. Ddicornis.)

; 4 A

es f ed f

aa a oe

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 551

Toucan in his Travels on the Amazons, says:“‘It is to enable it to reach and devour

fruit while remaining seated and thus to counterbalance the disadvantage which

the heavy body and gluttunous appetite would otherwise give it in the competi-

tion with allied groups of birds.

The relation between the extraordinary lengthened bill of the toucan and its

mode of obtaining food is therefore precisely similar to that between the long

neck and lips of the Giraffe and the mode of browsing of the animal. The bill

of the Toucan can scarcely be considered a very perfectly formed instrument for

the end to which it is applied but nature appears not to invent organs at once

for the functions to which they are now adapted, but avails herself here of one

already existing structure or instinct, there of another.”

_ However clumsy and heavy the great beak of the hornbill may appear it is, as

a matter of fact of astonishing lightness. The hcrny sheath is very thin and

encloses a delicate network of bone the interstices of which are filled with

air.

Our ‘William ’ in health carried his bill with a light and jaunty air and it was

only before he died that he sat with his head resting against his back with the

beak pointing upwards as though incapable of supporting its weight any longer.

Most people are conversant with the nesting habits of the Hornbills but the

reason for the curious mode of nidification is not apparent. General Osborne

writing on the subject in our Journal, Vol. XV, page 715, believed that the clue to

the mystery was to be found in the fact that the sitting hen moulted the whole

of her quill wing and tail feathers during the period of her incarceration and thus

in the security of her walled-in nest she was protected and concealed at a time

when she would otherwise have been at a great disadvantage. General Osborne

discovered this to be the case with a Common Grey Hornbill (LZ. birostris) who

had, during the period she was enclosed within her nest, moulted the whole

of the quill feathers of her wings and tail.

The question is whether the females of all the various species of hornbills

moult in this manner during the period of nidification ?

It is strange that no other writers have commented on this particular aspect

of the question as the matter could be easily solved by an examination of the

nests. Bourdillon’s statement in Hume’s Nest and Eggs of Indian Birds seems

rather to support General Osborne’s contention : describing a hen Great Indian

Hornbill pulled off the nest he says “ The hen was in such a bad condition that

she could not have flown ten yards from the nest until the young feathers which

were just appearing had matured.

Will members of the Society who have the opportunity, assist in clearing up

the point ?

The fact that the hen bird leaves the nest after the young are hatched, rebuild-

ing the enclosing wall and continuing with the help of the cock bird to feed her

young, leads one to believe that she wishes to afford them similar protection until

they are able to fly and fend for themselves. Mr. D. 8. Kaikini who sent us the

young live hornbill and whom we questioned on the subject wrote “the mother

bird was not inside the nest when the youngster was found init. It had left the

nest before—the mother bird breaks the wall of the nest and rebuilds it leaving

a narrow slip for the young bird to thrust outits beak to receive the food she

brings.” Describing the taking of the young hornbill Mr. Kaikini said *‘ the

two parent birds were hovering about during the operation charging the men.

and making a continuous roaring noise. The entrance hole was small, 4 inch x9

inches just enough for the youngster to thrust out its bill. The entrance looked

like a hard plug prepared out of the bird’s droppings. This was easily re-

moved and one of the men put his hand in well wrapped round with cloth, and

tried to pull out the young bird by its beak but the hollow was found to be too

narrow, the hole was eventually widened with axes and the young hornbill

removed.”

552 JOURNAL, FOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

Mr. M. 8. Tuggersee writing of the second hornbill says “ I visited the tree on

the 18th January. The mother bird was locked up in the nest and I could see

only the bill from the slit which the male bird provides in the nest for the purpose

of feeding the bird during the time of captivity. The egg was not hatched then

but early in April the mother bird flew away and the young one was caught on

the 17th April. When catching it both male and female parent birds came there

and made a tremendous noise but did not come near the man who climbed the

tree’. Both Mr. Tuggersee and Mr. Kaikini are of opinion that the birds use

the same nests year after year; in fact the nest from which Mr. Tuggersee

removed the young hornbill was one from which Mr. T. R. Bell took an egg 20

years previously.

Lastly an interesting point is mentioned by Mr. Pyecraft in regard to the feed-

ing of the hen bird by the male. Writing presumably of the Rhinocercs hornbill

(B. rhinoceros) Pyecraft says: ‘‘ During the period of solitary confinement, as

we have remarked, she is assiduously fed by the mate and thereby hangs a tale

as wonderful as anything in nature wonderful, because her daily rations are

passed to her in the form of a bolus, the investing coat being furnished by the

inner lining of the gizzard of the male: at least this is the commonly accepted

explanation of the structure of the capsule though itis probable that it may

prove tc be formed by a special glandular secretion when the matter is further

investigated. This is the more likely interpretation because according to other

accounts each meal is divided into from two to four pellets containing fruit

seeds, insects, portions of reptiles which the devoted cock transfers into the

gazing mouth of his fair prisoner by a series of jerks.” I can find no information

as regards this point in connection with the Great Indian Hornbill. In Hume’s

Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds, Mr. R. Thompson states that he has watched

nest after nest and has seen the cock with his throat full of berries coming to the

hen and feeding her. Perhaps members of the Society who are interested wil! be

able to throw further light on the points raised in this article.

(1) Is the concavity of the casque in the Great Indian Hornbill a sexual

character ?

(2) Does the female undergo a complete moult during the period of nidifica-

tion ?

(3) In what form is the food supplied by the cock to the sitting hen ?.

S. H. PRATER, c.M.z.s.

No. XIX.—NOTES ON A FIGHT BETWEEN THE INDIAN SCREECH

OWL AND A COBRA.

Sometime ago, whilst stationed at Ferozepore, I had in my possession a pet

black cobra, about five feet in length and also some young screech owls.

One afternoon, when the cobra was out for exercise, on the drive of my bunga-

low, it crawled near to the owlets cage ; suddenly a bird flew past my head and

attacked the cobra, giving it a blow with its wing, the bird proved to be an adult

owl.

The snake at once coiled up and raised its head at the same time expanding

its hood ; the owl hovered in front of the snake, but kept out of reach ; whilst

the snake’s attention was attracted by the first owl, a second owl attacked it

from behind, knocking it down to the ground. The owls then alternately attack-

ed the snake, knocking it down each time it raised its head. After this had

happened four or five times, I thought that the snake had been sufficiently troub-

led for one day and so picked it up; on examining it I found that its lower jaw

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 553

avas fractured, so had to killit. Iwassorry to do this as it had beenin my posses-

sion for several months and was very tame.

It might be of interest to hear whether any of the readers of the Journal have

ever seen a similar encounter between a cobra and owls or other birds in the wild

state.

J. EK. M. BOYD, F.5£.s.,

Major, R.A.M.C.

BIRCHINGTON-ON-SEA, KENT,

26th November,1921.

No. XX.—CROCODILE (C. PALUSTRIS) BURYING ITS FOOD.

It may interest you to know of a curious habit which a 6 feet crocodile I am

‘keeping in an enclosure has apparently developed.

Sometime ago I noticed a large mound of earth thrown up on a spot in the

-enclosure where I had placed some meat for the crocodile but did not pay any

attention to it, supposing it to be the work of ants. Last night, however, I was

disturbed by the noise of scratching and supposed the crocodile was trying to

escape. This morning I found another large mound of earth thrown up and

covered with the marks of the crocodile’s claws. Digging into this mound with

a stick I found two large fish which I had placed in the enclosure in that same

place the day before. There were no marks of scratching anywhere else, so I

-ean only conclude that the noise I had heard was that of the reptile burying the

fish.

I have never come across a case of a crocodile burying its food before though

T have kept many of them. I have always had the meat and fish removed when

it began to smell, and as a crocodile prefers its food high, this specimen probably

took to burying it in order to outwit me.

There are, as far as I have been able to discover, no beetles or other creatures

‘in the vicinity which would have buried the food and it does not look as if it

was the work of insects, to say nothing of the deep claw groves all round and over

the mound.

At the same time one would not expect a crocodile to have the intelligence to

bury its food. As far as my experience is concerned they appear to be less in-

telligent than snakes.

Up to now the most I have known crocodiles do with food they did not want

‘to eat at the time, has been to carry it into the water.

A. F. ABERCROMBY.

‘Korrayam, TRAVANCORE,

13th Octoher 1921.

No. XXI,—HATCHING OF COBRAS (NAIA TRIPUDIANS) WITH

REMARKS ON THE OODONT, GENITALIA, ETC.

Onthe 12thof May Mr. J. Flynn, the Honorary Director of the Karachi

Museum, greeted me with the news that one of the cobras in captivity had laid

eighteen eggs. Two more eggs were laid on the night of the 13th, and one

554 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

on the 14th instant, making a total of twenty-one. One egg typical of the

rest measured 46 x28 mm. (1? 1} inches). The egg is a longish oval with.

equally rounded poles, white in colour and the shell pliant like white kid.

Knowing from past experience the difficulties of incubating snake’s eggs, F

advised Mr. Flynn to place them on cotton wool in a tin box with closely fitting

lid and to place a sheet of slightly damped blotting paper beneath the weol.

Snake’s eggs require a slightly damp atmosphere or they dry up. If, on the

other hand, the atmosphere is too damp they get mouldy in a day or two and |

decompose. Every few days the box was opened to ascertain if the blotting

paper needed further damping.

I opened one of the eggs on the 19th of June, 38 days (possibly 36) after

deposition, and found to my great satisfaction a living female embryo

within, that measured 212 mm. (82 inches). The tissues were semi-translu-

cent, and the epidermis showed no signs of pigmentation. The abdominal

walls were completely sealed, and the heart was observed within, pulsating

at the rate of 75 times a minute. There was a feeble attempt at movement

on the part of the embryo, which was more pronounced when placed in spirit.-

On the 23rd of June (42 days after deposition) I opened two eggs. One

contained a male embryo 235 mm. (91 inches) in length, with plum-coloured

genitalia extruded. This moved very distinctly, and also exserted the tongue.

There was some pigmentation of the epidermis, revealing a distinct dark varie-

gation more evident in the anterior part of the body, and a very perfect ‘‘ specta-

cle” mark was visible on the hood. The second embryo was a female measuring

241 mm. (9 inches). This also moved very obviously. The heart was pulsating

74 times a minute. Investigation showed that the oodont or egg tooth was:

perfectly developed. It was covered by a layer of mucous membrane.

On June the 26th (45 days after deposition) I opened two more eggs. One

contained a male 235 mm. (9} inches) long, with the genitalia apparent, and

the other a female 254 mm. (10 inches) in length. Each tried to shake itself

free from the forceps used to extract them, and emitted the tongue repeatedly.

When placed in spirit both struggled violently but aimlessly.

On the 29th of June (48 days after deposition) I opened another egg. The

little cobra 279 mm. (11 inches) long, was very lively, erected itself, protruded

the tongue, and hissed at me. When consigned to spirit it swam freely, and took:

fifteen minutes to drown. On this same day inspection of the eggs showed that

two were on the verge of hatching. One had several cuts in it, and an open

window through which the snakeling could be seen to move. The other egg

had two small cuts converging to an angle.

The 30th of June was an eventful day. The windowed egg of yesterday was

in process of hatching. The little cobra had about three inches of its length.

outside the shell. When touched however it withdrew completely.

On the Ist of July, 50 days (possibly 48) after deposition of the eggs, the first

cobra of the brood hatched out. This little hatchling was extremely alert,

erected itself, expanded the hood and hissed at me violently. It was observed:

to be very distended, and, after death, the stomach was found to be full of the

residual yolk of the egg, amounting to about an eggspoonful. The snakeling

measured 260 mm. (10} inches). Many of the remaining eggs were obviously

decomposed, and I extracted four males and one female varying in length from:

190 to 228 mm. (74 to 9 inches) all dead.

Only one more egg of this brood hatched out, and this happened on the 5th.

of July, 54 (possibly 52) days after deposition. This hatchling had also eaten

the remnant of its yolk.

On the 19th of May another cobra in the Museum deposited twelve eggs, and:

these were placed under the same conditions as the previous clutch. On the

6th of July (48 days later) four were found hatched out, and a fifth had some

inches protruding from the egg. As the box had not been opened the day before,

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 555)

it is possible some of these hatched out on the 47th day. One of the hatchlings:

was dead, its naval string twisted and adherent to the yolk mass within. The

others were very lively, and all tried to escape from the tin simultaneously,

creating some excitement. They proved to be 256, 260, 266 and 285 mm.

(104, 104, 104 and 11} inches) respectively. Two had undoubtedly eaten the

residual yolk, but the other two were not distended, and if they had eaten any

of it had done so sparingly.

On the 7th of July the half-hatched snakeling of yesterday was free of its shell

but dead, the naval string twisted and adherent to the yolk. This had eaten

some of the yolk. It measured 228 mm. (9 inches).

I made the following observations on the oodont or egg tooth. This structure

was perfectly developed from 7 to 11

days before the date of hatching. The

exact day is uncertain, because the

young took from 49 to 54 days to

incubate. The oodont was still “in

situ’ but loose three days after one

hatchling had emerged. It is a curi-

ously shaped implement, which

structurally appears to be a bone rather

than a tooth. Its resemblance to an

inverted duck’s head is quite remark-

able, and it is: fixed by the neck into

the premaxillary bone, the bill

projecting considerably forwards. The

body of the oodont (the head of the duck) is hollow, and its extremity (the bill)

is chisel-edged transversely, and directed obliquely downwards and forwards

as shown in the figure.

When the young cobra is hatched, it is perfectly equipped to carry on an

independent existence. The poison gland is well developed, the poison copious,

and there are two perfect fangs ankylosed in each maxilla.

The two broods recently hatched clear up the point raised by me some years

ago as to whether variety ceca, the black cobra

aw B without hood marks, is entitled to rank as a

variety distinct from variety typica. In my

| Fo popular article on the cobra in this Journal (Vol.

Wa XXII, p. 246) I expressed the opinion in a

; ae footnote that variety ceca is identical with

poe —— ~ _ typica. I pointed out that in some black cobras

ay See there is a perfect ‘spectacle’, though it is

Ue ree obscure, and in others there are usually some

yy FZ black marks or spots on the hood which persist

i Be when the rest of the ‘‘ spectacle ” has disappeared.

It is only rarely that one finds one of these black

cobras without any trace of ‘“ spectacle ’” or binocellus. The snake is so black

that these relics of a binocellus are often very difficult to discern.

Now the Sind cobra is the black variety, and Mr. Flynn with many years’

experience of this Province tells me that he has never seen any other variety.

There are several spirit specimens in the Museum, and all black with no indication

or very little indication of a binocellus. Both the dams that deposited eggs

were black. It is interesting, therefore, to note that the young cobras from both

broods were a dull olive-brown with darker variegations, very similar to the

common South Indian typica, and all bore a very conspicuous black binocellus

on the hood. The _ shape of this spectacle mark, however, is very

variable, and many of the young exhibited modifications similar to those I

showed semi-diagrammatically in my paper on the snakes of Fyzabad in an

556 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVIII.

earlier number of this Journal (Vol. XVIII, p. 126). There is no doubt that the

black cobra commences life as an ordinary binocellate cobra of the same colour

and type that is typical of Southern Indian examples. As it matures it

acquires & black colour, and the binocellus tends to become effaced. Why no (?)

cobras in Southern India turn black, why all the cobras in Sind and Rajputa-

na do, and why in the United Provinces (Fyzabad) some do and others do

not, is an interesting problem that I cannot elucidate.

Some of the observations touched upon in this note confirm previously re-

ported events of the kind, some however do not. The period of incubation does

not accord with the only other event of the kind known to me. Eggs laid at

Parel on the 12th of May some years ago, hatched out it was reported on the

20th of July. In this case 69 days elapsed from the date of deposition, whereas

my two broods hatched between the 47th and 54th days. The conflicting periods

are difficult to reconcile when one considers that the climates of Bombay and

Karachi are almost identical.

The length of my young cobras 228 to 286 mm. (9 to 11} inches) is considerably

greater than that reported by Phipson whose hatchlings were only 190 mm. (74

inches). It would appear from my observations that a young cobra is probably

viable after about 45 days in the egg.

The growth during the later stage of intraoval life is rapid, amounting to

about 305 to 477 mm. (1 to 14 inches) in the last week or ten days.

The genitalia of the male are extruded up to about four days before exovation.

The oodont is shed three or four days after postoval life has begun.

The observation that the young snake eats the residual yolk in its egg before

vacating it, leads one to speculate why it does so. Because it is hungry ?

I do not think so, for there is some deposition of fat about the viscera when the

young effect their liberty. Does it do so as a provision against a possible

dearth of food in its early life 2? This seems possible because it is a strange

fact that in many climates that enjoy a bitter winter (Britain, China) young

are born or hatched late in the autumn, and have to face a long period of hiber-

nation ata period of life when they are least prepared for it. Adults at the

same period of the year are packed with fat as a provision against the long

period of hibernation which often lasts for half the year.

xplanaiion of Figures.

From embryo of Naia tripudians 45th day after deposition Cee

about 10 diametres.)

A Side view of skull.

B Lower 5; 4; f

(a) Oodont, (b) ’ Preemaxilla, (c) Nasal, (d) Maxilla, (e) Prefrontal,

< f) Vomer, (g) Nasal cavity, (h) Orbit.

F. WALL, Cot., I.M.S.

Karacut, 28th July 1921.

XXII.—ACQUISITION OF FOUR MORE SPECIMENS OF THE SNAKE

(BRACHYOPHIDIUM RHODOGASTER, WALL).

Tn the last issue of this Journal, I described a new snake under the above desig-

nation. The locality of the type specimen was not known, but I surmised that

it had come from the Palni Hills. This supposition has been confirmed by the

acquisition of more specimens. Last year I appealed to Father Anglade, Princi-

pal of the Sacred Heart College, Shembaganur, to collect me some of the local

snakes at that altitude, about 6,500 feet. The result of his endeavours produced

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 557

sixteen specimens, and included four more examples of the new snake. There

were ten specimens of Silybura nigra, and one each of Xylophis perroteti and

Platyplectrurus madurensis.

The four Brachyophidium rhodogaster were all adults. 4185 mm. (7% inches).

Ventrals 143. Subcaudals 10 right, 11 left. Q 178 mm. (7} inches). Ventrals

145. Subcaudals 8. Q 178 mm. (7} inches). Ventrals 147. Subcaudals 8.

sis in other respects conforms to that of the type. The last specimen captured

as recently as the 22nd of November this vear, has the belly suffused with the

most intense and beautiful tone of cerise. In the others this hue has faded in

spirit to a yellowish colour. The light spot behind the parietals in the type is

not noticeable in any of these four specimens. ;

The largest 9 captured in November 1920 is gravid, and contained three large

eggs which would have been deposited probably that month or December.

I dissected out the skull of this specimen and find the maxillary teeth kumato-

dont, and9innumber. The palatine and perygoids are edentulous. The mandi-

bular are kumatodont and number 19.

It is remarkable that a species which is so common that a small collection

furnishes four examples, should have escaped the notice of Colonel Beddome.

That authority exploited the South Indian Hills, including the Palni Hills to

such purpose in the seventies and eighties of the last century, that he has

hardly left a snake for any later enthusiast to discover.

F. WALL, c.02z.8.,

Colonel, I.M.S.

BANGALORE,

lst December 1921.

No. XXIII.—LEECH ATTACKING A SNAKE.

This morning I found a species of Dryophis (dispar I think) crossing a road

separating two fields of coffee. On picking it up, I noticed a small leech

firmly attached to and lying along its right superlabials. Snakes and Leeches

are both very common here, but I have never before seenaleech using a snake

as a medium for quenching its everlasting thirst for blood. The incident was,

perhaps, the more remarkable from the fact that the snake was of so essen-

tially an aboreal species. Several species of Dryophis are extremely common

on the coffee trees as are various species of Lachesis, but neither genus is often

found on the ground.

A. PP; KINLOCH, rz:s.

NELLIAMPATHY HIrs,

8th September 1921.

No. XXIV.—FOOD OF THE SNAIL (INDRELLA AMPULA).

The large pink snail of the Western Ghats (Indrella ampula) is very common

on these hills and it may be of interest to record its feeding habits.

558 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XAVIII.

In nearly all cases I have found this snail feeding on Jack-fruit (Artovarpus

integrifolia) which had been putrified to a pulp, but on two or three occasions I

found it greedily devouring a fungus like growth which occurs frequently on

rotten logs but the name of which I am ignorant of.

A. P. KINLOCH, r.z.s.

NELLIAMPATHY HILLs,

Sth September 1921.

No. XXV.—BUTTERFLY FEEDING ON EXCRETA.

With reference to a recent note in the Journal of a butterfly drinking its own

excreta, I send you herewith for identification a small butterfly which is at

present common in my verandah at Dharmsala (4,000 feet). This morning I

vatched one of them which had settled on the floor of the verandah ; it kept on

bending its abdomen forward and depositing a drop of moisture which it then

leaning backwards drank up with its proboscis. This was repeated several times,

HUGH WHISTLER. F.z.s., c.F.4.0.U,

DHARMSALA, PUNJAB,

12th August 1921,

[The Butterfly sent tothe Society by Mr. Whistler has been identified as

Hasora alexis Fab. (Eps.) |

No. XXVI.—THE BLACK ROCK SCORPION (PALAMNGUS

SWAMMERDAMI).

On 22nd July 1921, about 7 a.m., my pankah boy informed me that he had seen

an animal go into some water standing in a brick drain into which my bath emp-

tied. He told me that it was a scorpion and I did not believe him, never having

heard of a scorpion voluntarily entering water. However, he stuck to it and I

went to see. After taking out some broken brick the tail of a scorpion appeared

and he was duly captured unharmed. I decided to see if he could really stand

water for any time and put him into an enamelled jug three parts full. He, or

rather she, displayed no anxiety and assumed the usual sparring attitude but

presently relaxed and stayed quiet. Presently I scraped my foot slightly on

the concrete floor and she immediately sprang to the defensive attitude. No

part of me was touching the table or jug and the sound must have reached her

through table and water. She responded to about 3 scrapes and then gave it up.

After sitting quiet for about a quarter of an hour from the time of immersion

she set to work quietly to explore her prison and to try and get out. She tried

walking up the sides but they were too steep and smooth. Then with tail

braced across the jug she worked up the opposite side with front legs and chelz

until the jug by reason of its bulge became too wide for her to span. In doing

this, when at greatest stretch, she bore against the side of the jug with the

point of her sting so as to get the advantage of the length of vesicle. After

several attempts this was given up and she tried bracing herself round the

inside curve of the jug and working up sideways. At this she succeeded so

well as to get the tarsus joints of top side out of water, but the overhang of

the side defeated her and she slipped back. She tried this 3 times and then

resigned herself to fate and sat quietly at the bottom. I had to go to office

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.’ 559

and left her in the jug. On my return I found her still quiet but resentful

of any interference. At six and half of hours from time of immersion I took

her out, she was a bit languid at first but resented interference. Ten minutes

later she was very fierce and active and remained so until this morning,

48 hours after having been put into the water, I chloroformed her. Research

gave me the following particulars: All measurements taken as in Fauna of

British India, Arachnida, by Pocock. Length in all 136 mm. Carapace 18,

tail 82, brachinus 12, width of hand 17, length of moveable finger 19, length of

hand posterior lobe to tip of fixed ginger 30. (Pocock does not say how he mea-

sured the ‘‘ under hand.”’) Sex female, Palamnewus swammerdami. Agrees

with the description in Fauna of British India except that colour is a

good bolster green all over legs and vesicle reddish, qunitz operculum, pecter

sternum yellow (except last segment dark brown to green), pentagons, cephalo-

thoracii sternum reddish, tail blackish or almost black green.

A. G. FRERE,

Major, I. A.

St. THomas’ Mount, Mapras,

24th September 1921.

No. XXVII.—SCORPION COMMITTING SUICIDE.

The following occurrence may be of some interest. It is generally supposed

that scorpions if surrounded by fire or if suddenly approached by a bright light

will sting themselves to death rather than suffer the agonies of burning. Romanes

amongst others in ‘‘ Animal Intelligence ” refers to it as an unique instance of

suicide amongst animals. I have frequently tried the experiment and have

never succeeded in getting a scorpion to sting itself. In every instance they pre-

ferred to be burned and even walked out over the circle of fire. Others who have

tried similar experiments have to my knowledge also failed to induce suicide.

‘The story regarding suicide has therefore been largely discredited. The follow-

ing occurrence would seem to prove however that on occasions scorpions undoubt-

edly do commit suicide. The other day my wife in moving some papers disturbed

a scorpion. Not wishing to kill it and not being certain what it was she confined

it in an inverted peg tumbler. I returned within the hour and on removing the

tumbler to kill the scorpion found it quite dead. Moreover, the body was swollen

to an inordinate size almost to bursting point being quite different in appearance

when first confined. When last seen it had been attempting to crawl up the in-

side of the glass and invariably slipped back, but not in such a way as to make

it at all probable that it could have accidentally stung itself. The manner and

period of confinement were not such as to make it conceivable that an animal

like a scorpion could have died of want of air. Moreover this would not account

for the swollen condition of the body. The fluid which had distended the body

was of a blackish grey colour giving one the impression that some chemical change

in the natural fluid of the body had taken place. Taking all the circumstances

into consideration the only possible conclusion seems to be that the scorpion

died from poison which was self-inflicted.

A. A. DUNBAR BRANDER, 1.r.s.

Nant Tat,

30th September 1921.

5€0 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol, XXVI1II_

No, XXVIII.—A SHORT NOTE ON THE INSTANCES OF SYNCARPY IN

MANGIFERA INDICA LZ. AND SOME OTHER TROPICAL PLANTS.

(Read at the Eighth Annual Meeting of the Indian Science Congress).

(With a text block.)

: d : ne “3 Cmbete ee

Syrearpoug ae =} ¥)

‘ : EN

Plengipes Vee ee (neo

In May last Mr. Surandra Nath Roy of Khetupara, Pabna, sent an interesting

specimen (Figs. A-D) in which three small mangoes (b, c, d), of about equal size,

were found to have partly coalescted with a big one (a). The fruits, having #

sub-central common pedicel (ped), were found united by their bases only, the

fleshy lobes (a, b, c, d) at the apex being divergent. and quite distinct. The

intermediate sinuses (cic) between these apical lobes assumed more or less the

shape of V.

A few days later, I came across a specimen (Fig. E) in which two mangoes:

(a’, b’). of sub-equal size, were found to have fused together in the same fashion,

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 56]

As in both these specimens the position of the pedicels (ped, ped,) was sub-

central and as the epicarpic layer (Epic, Epic,) was continuous, it could not,

relying simply on superficial examination, be decided whether the phenomena

were originally due to adhesion between the pistils of separate flowers or multi-

plication of the carples or some other cause. So recourse had to be taken to

dissection with a view to arrive at a definite conclusion.

On dissecting I found in both these specimens not only the fleshy mesocarpic

layer (Meso, Meso,) was continuous, but it will be evident from Figs. C, D and E

that there was a definite organic connection, of a tough fibrous nature, between

the contiguous endocarps (Endo, Endo,) too. The Embryos in most of these

lobes (b, c, d, a, and b,) were found to be either diseased or abortive.

The incomplete union of the fruits by their basal region only and the presence

of the divergent apical lobes, lead us to conclude that the pistils and the corres-

ponding pedicels were originally distinct but quite contiguous and the incomplete

union between them took place at quite an early stage, thus giving rise to diver-

gence of the apical lobes as growth went on.

Although Syncarpy is of fairly common occurrence, because “* Carpels like —

other parts of the flower, are subject to be united together*” still it must he

admitted that the adhesion of such originally distinct pistils indicate, in some

degree, a graver deviation than cohesion and is generally a consequence of, or at

least is co-existent with, more serious changes}”. But in such _teratological

literature as I have been able to consult, I have not found Mangifera indica cited

or described in connection with Syncarpy and its allied deviations. This is

probably due to the fact that Mangifera indica, being confined chiefly to the

tropics, does not frequently come under the observation of teratologists most of

whom are residents of temperate countries. So the present cases seem to be

worth placing on record as instances of Syncarpy.

Besides Mangifera indica, complete or partial Syncarpy (z.e., union of fruits

or carpels) has been noticed in several other tropical plants. Mention is made

below of those only in which I have personally observed such union :—

Rugacee .. .. (1) Citrus aurantium Z. (Cohesion of carpels).

Burseracee .. .. (2) Garuga pinnata Roxd.

Meliacee .. .. (3) Amoora rohituka W. & A.

Sapindacez .. (4) Nephelium litchi Camb.

(5) Acer spp.

Leguminose .. (6) Vigna catiang Endl.

Combretacez .. (7) Terminalia chebula Rez.

Myrtacee .. .. (8) Eugenia jambolana Lamb.

Cucurbitaceze .. (9) Cucumis melo LZ.

.. (10) sv sativus L.

Composit .. (11) Anapalis sp.

Apocynaceze (12) Wrightia tomentosa Rem & Schult.

(13) Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.

Solanaceze ..~ (14) Solanum melongena L.

(15) Capsicum frutescens L.

Euphorbiacez .. (16) Phyllanthus emblica ZL.

Urticacee .. .. (17) Artocarpus integrifolia L. f.

Scitaminee .. .. (18) Musa sapientum L.

Palme ‘u6 .. (19) Cocos nucifera LZ. (Due to polyphylly.)

Graminee .. .. (20) Zea mays L.

No further explanation of the figure seems to be necessary. All figures re-

duced to } size,

P. M. DEBBARMAN, B.S¢., F.L.S., M.R.A.S.

* Master’s Vegetable ‘l'eratology, P. 45,

P. 82.

” » ”

562 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

No. XXIX.—FOLKLORE OF BIRDS AND BEASTS OF INDIA.

I have been asked by Mr. Ellison to contribute to your Journal this article

on folklore of birds and beasts of the country in different parts of India

where I have been. I must preface my remarks by stating a well-known

truth, to wit, the Indian is not an observant individual, andin my rambl-

ings, except among aboriginals, I have found no help to my curiosity. As

a case in point, I was informed, by one of these aboriginals, that the weaver

bird (vernacular Baiva) is accustomed, in the rainy weather, to squeeze the

mud out of the bodies of the ordinary earth worm (vernacular Kainchua),

which is highly impregnated with phosphorus, and stick it on the side of his

nest to light the inside. It is a disputed point whether the lumps of clay

found in these nests are for the purpose of balance, or to go one step

further, in folklore, to stick fire flies onto. In any case here is a simple

problem for naturalists in India.

THE SQUIRREL.

A pretty little story, even though it carries creation to the time of Moses,

is common in India. On one of his periodical visits to God, Moses desired to

add to creation and God permitted him two efforts. The first clay image

made by Moses was the Five-striped palm squirrel, called by many the “ tree-

rat, ”—God admired it and saying ‘‘ What a pretty creature,” stroked it, as He

gave it life, and left the imprint of His five fingers.

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, and

thus the bat flies without an anus. This legend but emphasizes the statement

IT have already made of the want of observation in the Indian, who in the

country still believes that the bat emits his excreta from his mouth. It is a

common saying in India by a poorly circumstanced host to his guest: |“ This

is a flying fox’s feast, I am hanging, you hang too.”” The expression is built on

a story which is as follows. In the world after the creationso as the birds

and beasts should recognize one the other, each tribe gave testivals in turn

to the rest. All acquitted themselves well until it came to the turn of the

flying foxes who, when their guests swarmed into the tope of banyan trees

where they lived, said : “‘ Friends, I am hanging, you hang too.”

THE PEACOCK.

The Peacock, when first created, had the legs of the Myna, and asked fora

change. He was granted his request and when dissatisfied with the result was not

allowed to retake his own legs. The result is that to this day when dancing

before his mate he sees his ugly feet and screams through agony. The Indian

knows that the Peacock breeds during the rains when the tail of the Peacock is

from five to six feet in length. This becomes a difficulty to his mind and not

understanding how fertilization is accomplished he has evolved a theory of his

own. It would appear according to this story that screaming with agony at his

ugly legs the Peacock weeps and the lady bird catches his tear drops and

generates eggs. Here again will be noticed want of observation, for an ordinary

ramble will show the birds up a tree courting one another. These tales of the

Peacock are common indistant Japan where a proverb runs: “When all men praise

the Peacock’s tail, the other birds cry out: ‘ Look at his legs and what a voice!’

In Kangra (Dharamsala, Punjab) the Indian believes the Peacock and Peahen are

birds of different species. The Peacock as anemblem of the Lord Krishna, is

worshipped throughout India in most parts of which there are strict Govern-

ment orders against shooting them. The Peahen in Kangra is called a “ Bodur ”’,

and though she helps the Peacock in propogation by catching the tears of the

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 553

Peacock, the Dogra believes that if part of the tear drop reaches the ground a

Peahen or “ Bodur”’ is the result. The Dogra of the Kangra Valley will there-

fore eat the Peahen but not the Cock bird. The tail feathers of a Peacock are

believed by Indians, and very many Europeans (*“ Koi hais ’’) to be unlucky.

In India tail feathers made into fans are used by Princes and by Hindus in their

religious ceremonies and for ‘‘ mantras” or charms. In the Kangra the Dogra

always places a Peacock’s feathers on his leaf umbrella as a charm against

jightning, because when lightning was first made it came to earth, and as it

twisted and turned along the earth’s surface, the Peacock took it to be a snake,

swallowed it, thus becoming immune. It isa common cry in Kangra to hear

during a storm the Dogras cry out “ More More” to frighten away the

lightning.

Tue Own and the Nicur Jar.

In Kangra again where folklore of birds and beasts is abundant

it is said that the Owl was once naked, hungry and _ poverty-stricken

and it went round and borrowed afeather from each bird. From that

~ day the Owl has never shown his face to his creditors, to whom he

had promised repayment, and he skulks till night fallinvisible, his voice being

that of a ventriloquist. The Owl is called in Kangra “‘ Lingour”’ and he is

bound to bea lucky man who sees the bird. The Night Jar is called in

Kangra ‘‘ Haliya” or ploughman. There was a cruel hard-hearted Zamindar

who worked his bullocks al! the day and even after sunset. As a punishment

in this, his second life, God turned him into a bullock and created the Night

Jar who even at night goads on the bullock with his ery Tehk Tchk.

THE Crow.

“ Ka karar koota, biswas na karve sota.” Don’t trust the crow, the dog and

the Bunnia, even if they be asleep.

** Ka karar bundi khai. Bahman koota koi nahin sokai.”

If a Crow or Bunnia finds a good meal, he calls his brethren, but not so

the Brahmin, or dog, who calls no one. Here at least, since these proverbs are

built on worldly experience, the Indian has condensed his wisdom.

The left eye of a crow shot on Wednesday is used as a love philtre :—

Budhwar da Kowa, viz., a Wednesday Crow.

If the Crow touches water or food, the high caste Hindu will partake of

neither.

THE PIGEON.

The birds once held a contest as to which of them had the best eye-sight

The two last contestants were the Pigeon and the Vulture about whom votes

were equal. The contestants met “ See there that speck in the dim distance ?”

said the Vulture. “ Certainly ’’ answered the Pigeon. ‘‘ On the right and

further away in a ravine lies a dead bullock.” Says the Vulture.

““T see it, ’ said the Pigeon, ‘‘ but under its tail is a lump of dung with

many grains of wheat. Do yousee them?” ‘“ Nonsense,” said the Vulture

‘and the whole concourse of birds flew to the carcase and there of course it

being the season of harvest was the lump of dung with grains of wheat.

It is better to have the sense of deduction than all senses fully and abnormally

developed.

THE GRACKLE AND Monat PHEASANT.

In the Himalayas the Grackle or “‘ Kulchuni” is met and its widespread

straddled gait is thus accounted for. Once on a time the birds met to decide

which was the earliest riser. The issue lay between the Monal pheasant and

the ‘“Kulchuni’’ The Monal flew down to the Grackle’s nest and found him

asleep very early inthe morning, To have evidence of his victory for the

564 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII.

Punchayet or Council of birds, the Monal sought to close the entrance of the

sleeper’s nest. A struggle ensued during which the Monal passed through

the Grackle’s legs thus dislocating the hip joints.

The Grackle borrowed from the Cuckoo some gold and made its golden

wattles. The bird never paid and_ since then in April with unfailing

regularity, the Cuckoo comes to the hills to recover his loan but never finds

the Grackle who at this season of the year goes up to the higher reaches.

THe Myna.

When there is much talk and little doing the Indian calls it a “‘ Jhotari punch”

or Myna’s cackling.

Mytxuicat Birps In Kanara.

In Kangra there are a pair of mythical birds called the ‘“ Koorl ” and

‘* Koorli,’”’ white in colour. About the ending of July or mid-August these birds

are said to arrive on the banks of the Beas river in the State cf the Raja of Lam-

bagraon. There on a Seemal or Cotton tree (Bombax) they sit. The male and fe-

male take it in turns to thus squat week about. While the male is sitting the

female bird feeds her mate with fish from the river Beas. If the Koolri or female

bird on first going out captures a fish, she brings it back to the Koorl, but if she

fails and captures a fish on her return journey the Koorl refuses to eat it and

drops it on the ground and it is then taken by the Raja’s chowkidar to the

Raja. If the male bird or Koorl sits first, the first week of the monsoon is

ushered in with a deluge. When the Koorli sits the rains are less. If you

ask the Raja of Lambagraon he will, as a British chief, tell you the taleis

mythical, yet for hundreds of years now the monsoon season is called “ Koorlani’

from this tale believed in by the people throughout the Kangra for centuries.

Tur Monat PHEASANT.

The shepherds of Kangra are called Gaddies, a very handsome though dirty

race of people. Well built and hardy mountaineers they migrate yearly back-

wards and forwards to and from the snows with their herds made up of an animal

which appears to the layman a cross between a goat and asheep. These sheep

find their way in large quantities to the hill stations of Simla and Mussoorie,

where the mutton is called “‘ Khadoch.”

The crown of the Monal pheasant is used by hill people for ceremonial

adornments hence itis that a hill shikari will always bring you a headless:

Monal and swear you shot his head away.

The Gaddies use the crown feathers of the Monal pheasant intheir woollen

caps. <A hint to those in search of the most perfect decoration for a sweetheart’s.

hat is to get in touch with some one in Kangra where these crown feathers are

available in perfect condition at a rupee or Rs. 1-8-0 a crown. I paid Rs. 3 for

mine, but it was a bad season.

I will conclude this article written many years ago with a couple of legends

existing about the country.

ANDRETA—THE SAL JUNGLE.

There is a place called in Kangra, Andreta, which in the time of Raja Ranjit

Sing, the Lion of the Punjab, had a pucca built tank or bathing place which is

still existent, proving that in bygone times it was a place of pilgrimage. The

legend is that in Ranjit Sing’s time there was in this tank a fish with a gold

nose ring. Andreta is 5 miles from Palampur on the way up from the plains to

Kulu, famous for its fruit. Immediately behind Andreta is a forest of Sal

timber unique because it is the only Sal in the Valley.

Legend says that Bhimsen, one of the Pandeva Kings of Delhi, brought a

smalJl hill from Hardwar and undertook to carry it to Baijnath which has a

very ancient Hindu temple and is to this day a place of pilgrimage. When he

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 565

reached Andreta, with the hill, he heard a night bird uttering sounds like a

woman pounding rice and thinking it was morning, devoted to such sounds, he

dropped the small hill for a while at Andreta but the Sal took root and the hill

could not be moved further.

Paprrt KA MOoOoLk.

Pappi Ka Moolk or the Country of Sin, otherwise known under its present

name of Nirvana, is close to Palampur along the short cut road between it and

Dharamsala. It is said in legend that ‘‘a long time ago”’ there dwelt here a

king who became enamoured of his own daughter. Fearing the Brahmins he

called them in council and put them the following three questions, the answers

to which of course by the time serving priests were favourable :—

1. ‘If I had a valuable article should I keep it or throw it away?”

2. “IfI had a valuable mare should I use itin the saddle or throw it away?”

3. ‘Ifthe mare had a filly should I not use it?”

The chief promptly set about his wedding ceremonies, but on the day of the

wedding the whole of this little Kingdom was swept away by God in his wrath.

Most of my jottings emanate from Kangra though some are culled from the

United Provinces. Kangra is the only bit of India that escaped Moghal or

Mahomedan invasion. The Rajputs of this little bit of India.—Dogras—are the

proudest of a proud race, unsullied by Mahomedan blood, and an ordinary

petty landhold does not consider it an honour done him if a ruling prince in

India chooses his daughter or sister for a bride.

In conclusion, I lay no claim to being a naturalist but only an ordinary

observer with the gift of knowing well many dialects spoken in this vast penin-

sula which, with the exception of Madras, I have wandered over from end te

end during a fairly long life.

J. FITZPATRICK.

AHMEDABAD.

566

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE MEETING HELD ON THE 21st DECEMBER 1921 AT THE

PRINCE OF WALES MUSEUM.

A private view of the Society’s collections in the Natural History Section of

the Prince of Wales Museum was held for the members of the Society on Wednes-

day, the 21st December 1921, between 5 and 7 p.m.

The election of the following 25 members since the last meeting was announ-

ced :—Hon’ble Mr. R. E. Holland, C.1.E., 1.C.S8., Ajmer; Mr. C. Elphinstone,

Nidadavole; Mr. Edmund Perfect, Gooty; Mr. F. M. Needham, Tezpur; Mr.

J. R. Elton Bott, Mergui; Dr. R. P. Weldon, M.D., Lumding, Assam ; Major

C. B. Mangin, M. C., Meerut, U. P.; Mr. C. Me Convay, Trichinopoly ; Capt.

E. F. C. F. Weatherly, Saugor, C. P.; Mr. C. E. Parkes, Bombay ; Revd. G. A. A.

Wright, Coimbatore; Mr. Naserwanji Jehangirji Treasurivala, Bombay ;

Dr. Wm. J. Wright, Ph. D., Shillong ; Mr. K. L. B. Hamilton, I.C.S., Khandwa ;

Mr. G. F. Ball, I. F.S., Rangoon; The Honorary Secretary, R. A. Mess,

Mhow, C. I.; The Honorary Secretary, Royal Artillery Mess, Neemuch, C. I.;

Mr. C. P. Skrine, I.C.S., Quetta ; Capt. F. W. Keighley, Bombay ; Capt. R. S. P.

Bates, Bellary Cantonment; The Honorary Secretary, Ahmednagar Club,

Ahmednagar; Mr. F. Dobson, Panposh, B. N. Ry.; Dr. P. A. Buxton,

Palestine ; Mr. B. B. Smith, Matelli P. O. via Jalpaiguri; Mr. C. J. Smith,

Dhanbad,

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MusEuM,

Mammals.

1 Himalayan Black Bear (U. himalayanus), Bombay ; Supdt., Victoria

Gardens.

1 Shan Squirrel (C. atrodorsalis shanicus), Tavoy, Burma ; Selim A. Ali.

1 Malay Flying Lemur (G. peninsule), Tavoy, Burma; Selim A. Ali.

1 Civet Cat (Viverra sp.) Moulmein, Burma ; G. Hundley.

1 Assam Giant Squirrel (R. gigantea), Moulmein, Burma ; G. Hundley.

1 Hedge hog (H. blanfordi), Kashmir; F. J. Mitchell.

1 Nepal Ferret-Badger (H. nepalensis), Kohima, Assam ; J. H. Hutton.

1 Golden Cat (F. temminckii), Kohima, Assam ; J. H. Hutton.

1 Common Bamboo Rat (C. badius), Mandalay, Burma ; Assistant Govt.

Entomologist.

1 Burmese Mole Rat (G. vallidus), Mandalay, Burma ; Assistant Govt. Ento-

mologist.

3 Bats Turjum, Darjeeling ; Oscar Lindgren.

1 Mouse Deer, Tragulus memina; J. Riley O’Brien.

Birds,

1 Nightjar (C. mahrattensis), Bahawalpur ; R. C. Bolster.

1 Gadwal (C. streperus), Sind ; J. E. B. Hotson.

1 Solitary Snipe (G. solitaria), Dajgaon, Kashmir ; Major D. G. Oliver.

1 Black-throated Ouzel (M. atrigularis), Binsar, Almora; 8. J. Martin.

1 Black-headed Oriole (O. melanocephalus), Ceylon ; W. W. A. Phillips.

1 White-eyed Pochard (N. ferrina), Kohima, Assam ; J. H. Hutton.

Reptiles,

1 Helicops schistosus, Madras ; Major A. G. Frere.

1 Anamalay Viper (Lachesis anamalensis), Kanara ; Mr. C. Me Cann.

PROCEEDINGS. 567

1 Checkered Water Snake (Tropidonotus piscator), Kanara ; Mr. C. McCann.

1 Common Wolf Snake (Lycodon aulicus), As ”

2 Buff-striped Keelback (Tropidonotus stolatus), .s

A few Snakes, Col. F. Wall.

12 Flying Lizards (Draco. dussumieri) ; J. Riley O’ Brien.

7 Snakes aetlinos 3

Mollusca,

A Small Collection of Shells, Rangoon; Dr. H. H. Marshall.

Minor contributions from :—Major C. Hickie, Mrs. F. B. P. Lory, Mr. D. G

Cameron, Mr. Van Ingen, Mr. J. H. Ferguson, Mr, Poole.

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R. A. Spence for the Bombay Natural History Society, Bombay—4759.21,

The

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TROUT FISHING IN

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